William TEFFT

                   Came from England and settled in R.I. in 1655. He was killed in 1676, by Indiansin the King Phillips War, while attempting to rescue his son. Teffts was also in Birmingham, Michigan. (From abridged Comp of American Geneology Vol. 1, pgs 103-1907, 361.)
He came first to Massachusetts, and thence to Portsmouth (Kingston R.I.).
Freeman.
I have 2 birth places.

John Tefft
John Tefft emigrated from England presumably with his brother William, settled temporarily in Boston, and removed thence to Portsmouth (Kings Town), R.I., wherehe died January 18, 1676.  On July 3, 1656, it was ordered by the town officersthat "John Teft should haue 13-6-8 peage 6 P. white penny or black 3 P penny, to Keepe auld John mott this yeare for dyat ledging washing and looking to beaydethe Cowe and the Corne that the auld man's son adam is engaged to giue."

At a Town Meeting on Nov. 30, 1657 it was ordered that "Wm. Carrie and John Teifft shall be supplied with plantinge land on hoge Hand & to injoy to the tearme afore-s"

He was made a freeman in 1655, a civil and political status which insured one a share in the common land, giving him also the right of suffrage on condition of owning a freehold estate of not less than $134.  He is recorded as a resident ofPettaquamscott in May 1671.  In his will he left to Samuel Wilson, his son-in-law, his new dwelling-house and twenty acres of land.  To his wife Mary he bequeathed his cattle, two oxen, two cows, two yearling steers, eight swine kind, a ewe and a lamb, and all other movables: to his son Samuel two shillings; to son Joshua one shilling; to his daughter Tabitha one shilling, and an iron pot after his wife's decease.  His debts to the amount 1 pound 3 shillings were to be paid equally by Samuel Wilson and son Joshua.  Wife Mary died 1679.

Source:  The Tefft Ancestry by Charles Henry Wright Stocking, published in 1904 in Chicago, p. 4



The Tefft/Tifft Family Immigrates from England to America
1600s & 1700s , England & RI
John Tefft (1614-1676) immigrated from England with his brother William.  They arrived at Boston, MA in 1633 and moved soon to Portsmouth/Kingstown, RI.  John Tefft was a Freeman by 1655.

Mary Barber's ancestors are as yet not documented by this researcher.

John Tefft (1614-1676) married Mary Barber at Portsmouth, RI.  In May 1671 this John Tefft is listed as an inhabitant of Pettaquamscott, RI.  They raised 4 children in RI.  This John Tefft's will of 30 November 1674 names his wife and children.  This John Tefft's widow Mary was still living on 19 November 1679 when hersignature was witnessed.

Son Samuel Tefft (1644-1725) married Elizabeth Jenckes at Kingstown, RI and theyraised 11 children there.  Samuel Tefft's will was dated 16 Mar 1725.  Their son Joseph is named in this will and there is no other record of him.

Grandson John Tefft (1676-1762), son of Samuel (1644-1725), married Joanna Sprague at South Kingstown, RI and they raised 11 children there.



Great Grandson John Tefft (1699-1766), son of John Tefft (1676-1762), married Mary Reynolds at Westerly, RI and they raised 12 children there.

Great Great Grandson Robert Tefft (1732-1771), son of John (1699-1766) married first cousin Abigail Tefft (daughter of Samuel Tefft born 1709 and brother to John Tefft born 1699) at Richmond, RI and they raised 5 children at Exeter, RI.  Abigail's father Samuel Tefft born 1709 was married to her mother Mercy Barber born 1709 at Kingstown, RI and the raised 6 children at South Kingstown, RI.  Samuel Tefft born 1709 had his will proved 19 Jan 1790.



Great Grandson Samuel Tefft (1709-1790), son of John Tefft (1676-1762), married Mercy Barber at Kingstown, RI and they raised 6 children there.

Great Great Granddaughter Abigail Tefft (1731-1762), daughter of Samuel Tefft (1709-1790), married first cousin Robert Tefft (son of John Tefft born 1699 and brother to Samuel Tefft born 1709) at Richmond, RI and they raised 5 children at Exeter, RI.



Sources:  Tifft Family Book by M. E. Tifft, 1896; The Tefft Ancestry by C. Stocking, 1904; Babcock and Allied Families by L. E. DeForest, 1928; Record of the Descendants of John Tefft of Portsmouth, R.I.