Nathaniel Blood, son of Richard and Isabel (MNU) blood was born in April 1650 in Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts. He married Hannah Parker on 13 June 1670, Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

Unusual for the time and place, Nathaniel was just past his 20th birthday when he married. Also, Hannah was three years older than her husband, born 1647 in Littleton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, the daughter of James Parker and Elizabeth Long.

Compared to his father Richard, Nathaniel appeared to have lived a much quieter life. His name didn’t appear in a search of court records. Aside from town vital records, Nathaniel was a quiet presence.

Children (All events in Groton, Middlesex, MA unless otherwise noted):

1. Anna, born 1 March 1670/71; married James Blanchard, by 1694, possibly Charlestown, Suffolk, Massachusetts
2. Elizabeth, born 7 October 1673; died 25 September 1723; married Thomas Williams, c1691.
3. Sarah, born 17 April 1675; died 3 September 1759, Pepperell, Middlesex, Massachusetts; married John Gilson, 2 March 1696, Groton, Middlesex, Massachusetts
4. Mary, born 17 April 1678; apparently died before 1700 as Zachariah married (2) Mercy (MNU) by that time; married Zachariah Sawtell, before 1697. She may have died in childbirth as no further record has been found for her.
5. Nathaniel, born 16 January 1678/9; married Hannah Shattuck, 25 December 1710, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts
6. Joseph, born 3 February 1680/81; married Hannah Sawyer, 15 April 1706, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Joseph’s death date is uncertain. He MIGHT have married (2) Rebecca Warner in Worcester County, Massachusetts in 1735 and MIGHT have died there in 1777. More research needs to be done on this man.

Hannah (Parker) Blood died on 1 December 1728 in Groton, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

Nathaniel Blood lived a long life, dying on 8 March 1719/20 in Groton, Middlesex, Massachusetts. However, from this court petition in 1705 made by his brother in law, Joseph Parker, Nathaniel was in poor health:

“The Humble petition of Joseph Parker of Grotton is as followeth. May it please yor Honrs to take notice of ye suffering estate of Issable Blood widow & Relict of Richard Blood of sd Towne (who dyed intestate) and had three sons & one daughter who I married unto, two of which sons [Joseph and James] dyed & left small Children and the other [son Nathaniel], living being decriped and unable to manage his own affairs & sustaine his family, were not able to keep his sd mother“

Nathaniel clearly had serious issues impacting his health and family life as early as 1705. The cause of these issues is not known.

The final post will cover the life of Nathaniel’s daughter, Elizabeth, who is my direct line ancestor and the generation where the Blood leaves my bloodline!