Who was William Porter?

William Porter (1674–1732) was born in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States and died in Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States. 3 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching William?

Right now, 3 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 7 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for William?

Records vary by researcher and can include census, vital, parish, cemetery, and family sources.

How do I compare family trees?

Use Compare Tree on an available researcher profile to compare overlapping people and records.

William Porter 1674–1732

Public Tree Person

What is a Public Tree Person?

A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 3 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 3 trees

Death year and location consistent across 3 trees

Compare a Public Tree Person with your own tree using Compare Tree.

B Reliability

Reliability Score: B

Medium — based on the source tree

Grade scale

A 3 criteria (Strong)
B 2 criteria (Medium)
C 1 criteria (Basic)

Verification checklist

Record available
Descendant's record available
Star tree owner

3 researchers on YourRoots have William Porter in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 7 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: B — verified across 3 independent trees, with linked records

Born 30 Aug 1674 · Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States

Died 7 May 1732 · Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

Father Joseph Porter Jr

Mother Anna Hathorne Hawthorne

Siblings Abigail Elizabeth Porter, Abigail Porter, Anna Porter, Deacon William Porter, Eleazer Porter, Eliezer Porter, Hepsibah Porter, Hepzibah Porter, Joseph 3Rd Cousin 8X Porter, Joseph Porter, Joseph Porter Jr, Mary Mckee, Mary Porter, Mehetable Porter, Mehitable Porter, Mercy Porter, Nathaniel Porter, Ruth Porter, Samuel Porter, William Deacon Porter, William Porter

Records

North America, Family Histories

Compare Tree

Researchers connected through William Porter 1674–1732

and 2 more tree owners connected with William Porter 1674–1732

Immediate Family

Parents

Joseph Porter Jr

Anna Hathorne Hawthorne

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

William Porter was born in 1674 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States, the child of joseph porter jr and anna hathorne hawthorne. William Porter passed away in 1732 in Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States.

Sources

1

Record North America, Family Histories

Life Timeline

1674

Birth of William Porter in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States

Birth

1732

Death of William Porter in Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Porter

This ancestor line traces from Bray, Berkshire, England (1490) to Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA (1674) across 7 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Porter (1674–1732) was born in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States and died in Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States. 3 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (B) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 3 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 7 generations of this lineage geographically.
: It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
: Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.