William Cheney

     William Cheney was born in 1636/37 at Roxbury, Massachusetts Bay Colony.¹ He was the son of William Cheney and Margaret Cule. He made his home in Medfield on land which his father had acquired in the early laying out of the town when it was part of Dedham.²

William Cheney married Deborah Wiswel in 1661 at the Medfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony.³ William and Deborahmoved to Medford, Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1662.⁴ William Cheney and Sarah Daniels were in a relationship that produced offspring.^1,4 He first lived in Medfield, Mass. then removed to Dorchester, Mass. in 1676 It appears that William had both a wife and a mistress. He had obviously left his wife and was living with Sarah Daniels for a time. In his father's will of 1677 appear the following words: "I bequeath unto my sonn William Cheiney all that lying & being in medfield, latly in the possession of my said son upon this condition or proviso that hee & his wife Deborah bee Reconsiled & live together in Meadfeild or Elsewhere, to the sattisfaction of John Wisewell of Boston & Deacon Williams of Roxbury." By 1670, they were together again if the births of children are an indicator.^4,2,5 William wrote his will on 20 September 1681 at Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony. In his will, he mentions his wife and brother Joseph. He also gives Lydia Winsor ten shillings "for going of errands for me in my late imprisonment."⁶ He was executed on 22 September 1681 at Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony, by being hanged. He was found guilty of rape of a young servent girl living under his roof, however his wife, Deborah, called the victim, Experience Holbrook, the daughter of Capt. Joseph and Elizabeth Holbrook, a "lying wench." As he watched, a black slave woman, Marja, was burnt at the stake for arson.^2,7