Richard Kimball, the emigrant ancestor of General John W. Kimball, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was from the parish of Rattlesden, Suffolk county, England, where his son Henry was baptized August 12, 1615. He married, in England, Ursula, daughter of Henry Scott, of Rattlesden. The will of Henry Scott, dated September 24, 1625, was proved in the court of the archdeaconry of Sudbury, January 10, 1624-5. He was buried in Rattlesden, December 24, 1624. The will mentions Abigail, Henry, Elizabeth and Richard Kimball, his grandehildren, the children of Richard and Ursula (Scott) Kimball; his wife, Martha, and sons Roger and Thomas Scott, the latter of whom came to America in the same ship with Richard Kimball and Martha Scott, the widow, aged sixty years. The family came to America in the ship "Elizabeth," of Ipswich, sailing April 30, 1634. The ages of the family as then given were: Richard, thirty-nine, with wife Ursula and children; Henry, fifteen; Elizabeth, thirteen; Richard, eleven; Mary, nine; Martha, five; John, three; Thomas, one. They settled in Watertown, where Henry Kimball, aged forty-two, and family, also settled. This Henry Kimball is thought to have been a brother. He came in the same ship.
The home lot of Richard Kimball was six acres on the Cambridge line, now in the city of Cambridge, near the corner of Huron avenue and Appleton streets. He was admitted a freeman May 6, 1635, and was a proprietor in 1636-7. Soon after this he removed to Ipswich, where the settlers required the services of a wheelwright. He settled there and followed his trade and carried on his farm. The town granted him a house lot February 23, 1637, next adjoining Goodwin Simons, at the west end of the town. He was granted at the same time forty acres beyond the North river, near the land of Robert Scott. In 1641 he was mentioned as one of the commoners of Ipswich, and was appointed one of the selectmen, ("Seven Men") March 1, 1645. He had various other grants of land and served on various town committees. He was one of the executors of the estate of his brother-in-law, Thomas Scott, who died February, 1653-4. He was one of the proprietors of Plumb Island. He married (second), October 23, 1661, Margaret, widow of Henry Dow, of Hampton, New Hampshire. She died March 1, 1675-6. His will was dated March 5, 1674. and proved September 28, 1675. He bequeathed to his wife fulfillment of marriage contract, and named children and other relatives. He died June 22, 1675, aged eighty years.
