The Bigelows came to Marlborough between 1690 and 1700. The first to settle here was John Bigelow.
John “Baguley” Bigelow, was born in England. The spelling of the last name “Baguley” was that which was used in England and it’s transference to “Bigelow” occurred when the name came to the New World. There were several variations of the families last name... Bigulah, Biglo, Biglow and the now Bigelow, which were recorded in Watertown. His children, of which he had twelve, six boys and six girls, settled in various parts. John and Jonathan removed to Hartford, Connecticut; Daniel moved to Framingham, Massachusetts; Joshua received a grant of land in Worcester, Massachusetts; Samuel and James remained in Watertown, Massachusetts.
John Bigelow - bap. Feb. 15, 1616/7, Wrentham Parish, Suffolk, England; d. Jul. 14, 1703, Watertown, MA. Rev. John PHILLIPS of Wrentham and of Dedham, MA testified that he was the John BAEGELY baptised Feb. 16, 1617, Wrentham Parish, the son of Randal Bigelow and Jane ?. The first record in America is his marriage at Watertown, followed by many entries beginning with his name on the list of those who took the oath of fidelity at Watertown 1652. Surveyor of Highways 1652 and 1660; constable 1663; selectman 1665, 1670 and 1671; soldier 1675; and freeman Apr. 18, 1690. John appears to have purchased land in 1649 and entered the blacksmith trade about 1651. Married first Oct. 30, 1642, Watertown, MA. Married second Oct. 2, 1694 Sarah BEMIS, daughter of Joseph and Sarah.
Samuel Bigelow, son of John “Baguley” Bigelow. I mention Samuel only to link the Bigelow family to Marlborough. Samuel along with John Bemis, Joseph and Samuel Morse bought of Ephraim Hunt, land known as “The Farms” or “Alcock Farm” 350 acres of land. At that time, the land was located on the southeasterly part of Marlborough, was not officially part of Marlborough. The land became part of Marlborough in about 1717 or 1718 and this is the area that three of his sons, John Samuel and Thomas settled.
John Bigelow, first son of Samuel and Mary (Flagg) Bigelow, moved to Marlborough when it was a frontier town. He, under the Command of Captain Wadsworth, was one men who were called to the Garrison house of Thomas Sawyer, in Lancaster in 1675 to help protect it from raiding Indians. John, along with Thomas Sawyer and his son Elias (Note: Bigelow site indicates that it was Elias Sawyer Sr. and Jr. not as Ella Bigelow's book states), were captured by the Indians and taken to Canada and held as prisoners of the French Governor. John was a carpenter and Thomas a Blacksmith, through their knowledge they were able to gain their freedom by committing to build a saw mill on the River Chamblay. Upon the completion of this task and after much delay they were allowed to return to their homes. It was about 1706 that John returned to Marlborough to continue on with his life as a farmer and carpenter. The birth of his third and fourth daughters was celebrated by naming them “Comfort” and “Freedom” as an expression of his ordeal in Montreal as a prisoner. The house that John resided in is located on Farm Road in Marlborough and still stands today. It’s construction is not well documented and may have been built as early as 1695.
The below picture was found on a post card posted Sept. 9, 1905. See below home what was written on the card. The card was sent to Mr. L. B. Lawrence Northboro, Mass.
Thomas Bigelow, son of Samuel and Mary (Flagg) Bigelow, came to this town about 1705 and settled upon the “Alcocke Farm” with his brothers John and Samuel. He and his wife Mary (Livermore) had a son, Uriah, who was killed as a child accidently.
Ivory Bigelow, son of Gershom and Mary (Howe) Bigelow, his birth is recorded as "BIGLO". He was a Private in Captain Daniel Barns's Company, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775. He served for 28 days. He served as Lieutenant under Capt. Benjamin Monroe. He had by his wife, Sophia Bannister, thirteen children. Three of the children, Martha age nine, Abigail age three and John age one, died in 1775 within eight days of each other.
William Bigelow, son of Ivory and Sophia (Banister) Bigelow, William Bigelow, enlisted into the army April 4, 1781 from Marlborough, Middlesex Co.. He was 17 years old at the time of his enlistment and was described as being 5 ft. 8 in. tall; complexion, light; hair, light; eyes, dark. His occupation at that time was a farmer and his residence was Marlborough. He enlisted for 3 years.
Timothy Bigelow, son of Gershom and Mary (Howe). Birth recorded as "Timotheus BIGLO". He was a Private in Captain William Morse's Company of volunteers, Colonel Jonathan Read's Regiment. He enlisted Oct. 2, 1777 and was discharged Nov. 8, 1777. He marched to reinforce the army under General Horatio Gates.
Levi Bigelow, son of Gershom and Mary (Howe) Bigelow, was a distinguished school teacher. He represented the town in the General Court in 1831, 1833, 1834 and 1839. He was also a Magistrate. He eventually went into the business as Trader with his brother Lambert and provided many of the town folk loans.
Lambert Bigelow, son of Gershom and Mary (Howe) Bigelow, was in the Trader business with his brother Levi for many years. He represented the town in the Legislature and was Town Clerk for twenty-two consecutive years.
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