History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 186

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 186

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John Gilbert, Sr., came from Dorchester, and was a freeman of Cohannet in 1637. Mr. Savage supposes he may have come from England in the "Mary and John" in 1630. He was one of the deputies to Plym- outh Court in 1639. At this time he was probably somewhat advanced in life, as his name is not in the list of 1643 of those between sixteen and sixty years of age subject to military duty. This may account for the fact that his name does not again appear in connection with any public office. There is an inter- esting deposition touching his early settlement in Taunton, recorded in the Registry of Deeds Book 2, page 32, which is worth transcribing :

" The testimony of John Richmond, aged about sixty-seven years. Testifieth and saith, the year 1639 I very well remember that then when we came first to Taunton, which was in 1639 as aforesaid. Then Mr. John Gilbert had a house at a meadow down on the westward side of Taunton Great River, and there wintered cattle for some years, and some years after did use to fetch hay from said meadow to the town, and afterward said Mr. Gilbert sold said meadow and those that bought aforesaid meadow did improve it many years. And it was known by the name of Mr. Gilbert's farm meadow; and when the proprietors of the South Purchase by their committee went to set bounds between said proprietors' lots and the meadows on the westward side of Tannton River, I, said John Richmond was one of said committee, and when came to the abovesaid meadow formerly called Mr. Gilbert's farm mea- dow, then in the possession of John Smith, said committee ordered the

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bounds of said meadow should be a rod from said meadow on the up- land for the convenience of fencing, and further saith not."

Sworn to Jan. 6, 1696-97, before Thomas Leonard, justice. John Hathaway, of the same age, made oath to the same statement, except only the time when they first came to Taunton, or when Mr. Gilbert first pos- sessed said meadow. John Richmond above named was the son of the first John Richmond.

John Gilbert died between 1654 and 1657, leaving a will, recorded at Plymouth, in which he calls him- self "of Pondsbrooke, Taunton." He gave to his son Gyles his farm of one hundred acres, mentions sons Joseph, Thomas, John, daughter Mary Nor- cross, and wife Winifred. His farm was in the northerly part of the present town of Berkley, and can still be identified. The name Pondsbrooke was probably suggested by the fact that there is a pond with a brook flowing from it near by. It occurs oc- casionally in old descriptions of lands. His son John was suspected of felony in 1645, and was wanted at court ; but having obtained leave to go to England, made over his estate in Taunton and elsewhere to Nathaniel Sowther in behalf of the government, for answering such things as might be objected against him. He was to return from England in two years, but there is no record that he ever did return.

Thomas Gilbert, the oldest son, married Jane Ros- siter, the daughter of Hugh Rossiter. He was ad- mitted a freeman in 1651. In 1648 and 1649 he was the constable of Taunton, and in 1652 one of the deputies to Plymouth. In 1653 certain complaints were made against him, but he had then gone to England, leaving his wife and children here. He never returned, but died there in 1676, and his wife was granted administration on his estate the follow- ing year.

John Strong was the son of Richard Strong, of England, and came to this country in the " Mary and John" in 1630. He settled first in Dorchester, was a resident of Hingham in 1635, and from there came to Taunton, where he was a freeman in 1637. He was appointed the first constable in 1638, and was again appointed in 1639. He was a deputy in 1641, 1642, and 1643. He removed to Windsor, Conn., and in 1659 to Northampton, where he became the first ruling elder in the church, and died there in 1699, aged ninety-four. He had seventeen children. Caleb Strong, from 1800 to 1807 Governor of Massachusetts, was his descendant. His house lot in Taunton was on Dean Street, next west of John Dean's lot. In 1689 he gave to Walter Deane, who married his sister Ellinor, a power of attorney to dispose of his real estate in Taunton.

Edward Case came from Watertown. He was one of the first freemen in 1637, and one of the deputies to Plymouth in 1640, and again in 1647-48 and 1649. In 1645 he was appointed on a committee composed of leading men from the several towns in the colony, and of which Mr. John Browne was also a member.

to prepare and recommend new laws for the redress of present abuses and the preventing of such in the future. His lot was on Dean Street, and included probably the estates now owned by Mr. Le Baron B. Church and Mrs. Lovering, and extending still farther west. He sold his lands in Taunton to Samuel Wil- bore, of Boston, and removed, whither is unknown. Samuel Wilbore, according to Mr. Baylies, imbibed the views of Mrs. Hutchinson and became one of her followers. How long he resided in Taunton cannot -be told exactly, but it could have been but a few years, for he died as early as 1657, leaving his house and lot in Taunton to his son Shadrach, for so many years the town clerk.

Henry Andrews was one of the first freemen in 1637, and one of the deputies in 1639. He was a deputy at a special court held in September, 1642, and was again deputy in 1643, 1647, and 1649. In 1646 he was appointed on a committee, composed of one from each town, "to consider of a way for the de- fraying the charges of the magistrates' table, by way of excise upon wine and other things."

He built the first meeting-house, for which he re- ceived in pay the calf pasture, as is stated elsewhere. He with John Macomber was allowed in 1659 to erect a saw-mill on Mill River, "if it be found not hurtful to the grist-mill." In his will, which is dated March 13, 1652, he calls himself a yeoman. He gives to his daughter, Mary Hedges (wife of William Hedges), a dwelling-house near his own in Taunton, and after her to his grandson, John Hedges; to his daughters, Sarah and Abigail, one hundred and thirty pounds in the hands of John Parker, shoe- maker, of Boston ; to his son Henry his house. His wife's name was Mary. His son Henry was killed by the Indians in 1676. His home lot is described as bounded by the lands of John Strong on the north, of James Wyatt on the south, faced by the Great River on the east end, and containing six acres, more or less ; also six acres on the farther side of the Great River, lying opposite and facing the home lot. His descendants were large land-owners in the east part of the town.

John Browne settled first in Plymouth, where his name appears in the list of freemen as having been admitted in 1635. The name of his brother, Peter Browne, is in the list of 1633. . In the records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, before the removal of the letters pat- ent and the government to America, under date of March 12, 1628, appears the following entry : "John Browne, gent, and Mr. Samuel Browne, of Roxwell, in Essex, take their passage in the Company ships for New England, ... intending to plant there," etc. In 1629 they were appointed by the company in Eng- land assistants to Governor Endicott, and were highly recommended in letters to the Governor and Council ; Mr. John Browne being spoken of as "a man ex- perienced in the laws of our kingdom, and such an

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one as we are persuaded will worthily deserve your favor and furtherance." They fell into some differ- ences, however, with Governor Endicott and the min- isters, Mr. Skelton and Mr. Higginson, and were sent back to England. (See Records of Massachusetts, vol. i. pp. 34, 51-54, 387, 398, 407-9.)

Was not this the John Browne afterwards of Plym- outh and Taunton ?

Mr. Browne was chosen one of Governor Winslow's assistants in 1636, while living in Plymouth, and was annually re-elected until 1655. He was chosen one of the commissioners of the United Colonies on the part of Plymouth Colony in 1644, the year after the confederation was formed, and was continued in the office until 1655, a period of twelve years. This was an office of great importance and responsibility. Each colony in the confederation was represented by two commissioners only. His colleagues in the office dur- ing his term of service were Governor Winslow, one year; Timothy Hatherly, two years ; Governor Brad- ford, three years; Thomas Prence, five years. He was one of the Council of War in 1642, 1646, and 1653. In 1655 he was deputed by the court to take the proof of wills in Taunton. He was frequently appointed on important committees to settle difficul- ties between towns, to run boundary lines, and to act in various capacities for the interest of the colony. There were few men who were more constantly em- ployed in public affairs than he.

It is not easy to determine just how long he was a resident of Taunton. In the list of those subject to military duty in Taunton, in 1643, his name stands first. The names of his sons, John and James, also appear in the list, so that he was then here with his family. In March, 1647, the Plymouth Colonial Rec- ords speak of "Mr. John Browne, of Rehoboth, one of the assistants of this government." In 1645 he was the first named of seven men chosen to order the prudential affairs of that town. In the latter part of the same year he became the principal proprietor of Wannamoiset Neck, afterwards the town of Swansea. In 1655 he made a deed of his real estate in Taun- ton, containing the following description : "I, John Browne, out of my especial love and good-will, have heretofore given unto my cousin, John Tisdall, that dwelling-house which I bought of Goodman -, with some garden and a lot of land thereunto belonging, containing about three acres, be it more or less; and furthermore, I do declare that for divers good causes and considerations me hereunto moving, did bargain and sell that dwelling-house which once myself lived in at Tannton, with barn and outbuildings, and all the land thereunto belonging, with all such land as by any way appertaineth unto me, the said John Browne, unto my aforesaid cousin, John Tisdall, and my cousin, 'James Walker, his brother-in-law." In the list of 1675, James Walker appears as the owner of Mr. John Browne's rights.

in his "New England's Memorial," has the following notice of him, pp. 275-277 :

"This year Mr. John Brown ended this life. In his younger years, travelling into the low countries, he became acquainted with and took goud liking to the reverend pastor of the church of Christ at Leyden, as also to sundry of the brethren of that church, which ancient amity induced him (upon his coming over to New England) to seat himself in the juris- diction of New Plymouth, in which he was chosen a magistrate, in which place he served God and the country several years. He was well accom- plished with abilities to both civil and religious concernments, and at- tained, through God's grace, unto a comfortable persuasion of the love and favor of God to him. He, falling sick of a fever, with much serenity and spiritual comfort, fell asleep in the Lord, and was honorably buried at Wannamoiset, near Rehoboth, in the spring of the year abovesaid."

The description of his houses and lands in the deed cited does not indicate their locality. In the lay-out of lands in early times " Mr. Browne's Brook" is fre- quently named as a well-known landmark. From this and from the deeds of subsequent owners, it is probable the location of his lands was on the west- erly side of the Great River, between the Weir and Dighton line.

John Bryant died April 28, 1638, while the plan- tation bore its Indian name, Cohannet. His will, which was nuncupative, or oral, was presented to the Plymouth Court, June 4, 1638, by Richard Paul and William Scadding, who testified that two days before his death they heard him declare this will. He gave all his goods and chattels to John, his son, except a platter and a bottle, which he gave to Richard Paul. And he desired Mr. John Gilbert to take the goods into his hands and manage to the best advan- tage for his son. The inventory was taken by Mrs. Elizabeth Poole, Mrs. Jane Poole, William Scadding, and Richard Paul. The amount was forty-three pounds three shillings and three pence. The property consisted of household goods and a stock of tools consisting of adzes, saws, etc., from which it is to he inferred that he was a wheelwright or a carpenter. There was no real estate. Nothing more is known of him. This is the first will on the records from Taun- ton. His son had not reached the age of sixteen in 1643, as his name does not appear in the military list of that year. But he was admitted a freeman in 1654, and was entitled to a division of lands in 1659.

Hezekiah Hoar was the brother of Leonard Hoar, third president of Harvard College. He had other brothers,-Daniel, of Boston, John, of Scituate, ac- cording to Savage ; and Mr. Baylies says that Richard Hoar, whose name is on the military list of Yarmouth in 1643, was his brother. His house-lot was on the westerly corner of Winter Street, and adjoined Walter Deane's lot on the west. This street was anciently called Hoar's lane, taking its name undoubtedly from him. His name is on an early list of those that had taken the oath of fidelity in Cohannet, and in 1653 he was propounded as freeman. In 1655 his name again appears among those propounded, but there is no record of his admission. He was a constable of the town in 1657, 1663, and 1672, and one of the sur-

He died at Wannamoiset, April 10, 1662. Morton, . veyors of the highways in 1651. He was appointed

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

an ensign in the expedition proposed in 1653 against the Dutch in New York. In 1693 he sold his house- lot to his sons, Edward and Hezekiah, and the same year they conveyed it to Ezra Deane, the son of Wal- ter Deane. The family seem to have become resi- dents in the South Purchase, afterwards Dighton.

William Hailstone was made a freeman in 1644. He does not seem to have held any public office. He was a tailor by trade, and his difficulty with an ap- prentice as also his controversy with James Walker are elsewhere referred to. In 1666 the proprietors granted him two or three acres of land, provided that he should not sell it or give it away while he and his wife lived. This was in addition to the divisions of land belonging to him as a proprietor. In 1667 he sued the selectmen of the town in an action of the case for non-performance of a town order respecting land due to him. He obtained a verdict in his favor for the land with costs, but the defendants obtained a review, with what result does not appear. He was living in 1675. There is nothing in the records of births to show that he had any children. Divisions of land after his death were made upon his rights to persons of a different name, and it is probable that he left no descendants, and was the only one of the name here.

John Gingell was among those of Cohannet who took the oath of fidelity. The name appears in va- rious forms as Gingell, Gungle, Gengill, and Gingen. He was in the list of 1643 as John Gingell, subject to military duty. But little is known of him as a resi- dent of Taunton. In 1646 the name appears in the list of freemen of Massachusetts as John Gingen. Mr. Savage thinks him to be the Taunton man, and says of him that he removed to Dorchester, thence after many years to Salem, that he made his will April 10, 1685, calling himself then seventy years old, names no family connections, and gives five pounds to the church of Dorchester, and the same sum to Mr. Lawson, the minister of Salem, if he continues there until a church be formed. The will was proved March 24, 1687. Richard Williams became the owner of his lands in Taunton, but probably received no deed. Several years after the death of Richard Williams, the following affidavit was taken and recorded in the Registry of Deeds, vol. ii. page 19:

" The testimony of Mr. John Hathway and John Richmond, sen., both of Taunton, being of lawful age testifieth that whereas one John Gingell was in Taunton, in or about the year 1639 or in the year 1640, and about that time went from Taunton and was never since in said Taunton as we ever saw or heard of. And that Mr. Richard Williams late of Taun- ton deceased hath demanded and received lands upon the right of the said John Gingell for above fifty-six years, and further saith not.

"In Taunton in Bristol County March the 27th 1699, the above said John llathway and John Richmond made oath to the above written evidence, Before me

" THOMAS LEONARD, Justice."

William Dunn appears as one of the original pur- chasers, but no mention is made of him afterwards, except in the divisions of lands, in which William Witherell claims upon his rights. Rev. Mr. Clark,

in his "History of Norton," supposes that he was master of a vessel, and that Witherell came from Eng- land with him when quite young, and upon Dunn's departure he gave Witherell his share in the purchase.

John Drake, on the authority of Mr. Savage, prob- ably came in the fleet with Winthrop to Dorchester or Boston, requested to be made a freeman in October, 1630, but was never admitted, removed to Taunton, and not long after to Windsor, Conn., and was there killed by a cart-wheel running over him, Aug. 17, 1659. John Tisdall, Jr., owned his rights in 1675.

John Kingsley probably did not remain long in Taunton. Whither he went is uncertain. The name appears in the early Norton records, but whether of the same family is uncertain. Thomas Caswell be- came the owner of his rights.

The Widow Randall is only known by that desig- nation. Whether she died in Taunton, or had a family, and from whence she came, it seems now fruitless to inquire. Jonah Austin, Jr., claimed on what was called "the half-purchase rights of the Widow Randill's."

William Phillips was one of the older men of the settlement. In his will, dated April 16, 1654, he says he is threescore years and ten at the least. He gives his house to his wife Elizabeth and his son James, whom he makes executor, and provides that if his son die without issue, it might descend to the children of his son-in-law, James Walker. His son James was a freeman before.1670, and in 1675 claims on his father's rights.

Hugh Rossiter came from · Dorchester, where he had a grant of a small lot in 1635. His name ap- pears on the list of "those of Cohannett that have taken the oath of fidelity," but not on the military list of 1643. Mr. Baylies says he had then gone to Con- necticut or New Haven. His daughter Jane mar- ried Thomas Gilbert. Joseph Willis was the owner of his rights in 1675.

Francis Street was not chosen to any office in the town so far as known. His name appears among those who had taken the oath of fidelity in 1657, and also in the earlier list of Cohannet. He was subject to military duty in 1643. He died in 1665, leaving a widow, Elizabeth, who married Thomas Lincoln, and a daughter Mary, who inherited her father's rights. It does not appear whether he was related to Rev. Nicholas Street.

John Luther was among the first purchasers, but his name does not elsewhere appear. He probably removed from town or died early. He had a son Samuel, but whether any other family is not known. The following votes appear on the proprietors' records :

"This 19th of October, 1672, Samuel Luther, ye son of John Luther, hath this day made a demand of his father's purchase rights of ye town.

" This 25th of November, 1672, James Walker, Sr.'s answer in refer- ence to Samuel Luther's demand ye 19th of October, 1672, is that he, ye said James Walker, or his predecessors, hath enjoyed the said rights

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this thirty years, and hath paid all charges that was laid upon it. And therefore, ye said Samuel Luther hath no right here to that which was his father, John Luther's."

John Smith, of Cohannet, was propounded as a freeman Sept. 3, 1639. In the military list of 1643 the name of Smith does not occur. In 1651, John Smith was admitted a freeman, but whether he was of Taunton is not certain. Mr. Savage says that he removed to Newtown, L. I., and his children dis- persed to Hempstead and Jamaica, on that island. In the list of 1675, John Cobb claims on the rights that were John Smith's.

Richard Smith took the oath of allegiance and fidelity in December, 1638, and in September, 1639, he was proposed as a freeman. Mr. Savage thinks he may be the man who about that time went to Rhode Island, and some years after had a large trading- house on the Narragansett land. Joseph Wilbore claimed on his rights in 1675. The name was repre- sented later by Francis Smith, who was a constable in 1656 and 1664, and by Samuel Smith, who was a constable in 1663 and 1668, one of the selectmen in 1676 to 1679, and a deputy in that year. Later in the century there was a John Smith who was a large land-owner, and doubtless there were other branches of this family who cannot now be designated.

Richard Burt died before Oct. 26, 1647, for on that date his minor son, Richard Burt, made choice of his uncle, James Burt, as his guardian, and the court con- firmed his choice. His name does not appear in the list of 1643, so that he was probably over sixty at that time. Nothing more can be stated about him. His son Richard took the oath of fidelity as early as 1657, and was afterwards admitted a freeman. He made his will Sept. 7, 1685, in which he says he is fifty-six years old. He makes devises to his eldest son, Abel, to his other sons, Richard, Joseph, Ebenezer, and Ephraim, and to his daughters Mary and Abigail, and makes his wife, Charity, his executrix. His home lands were at the " Ware," and between the Ware and " the farms." His will was proved Oct. 29, 1685.

James Burt, Sr., brother to Richard, Sr., although not an original proprietor, was here early, and is mentioned as having taken the oath of fidelity in 1657. His name is on the list of 1659 as being en- titled to divisions of land, and on that of 1675, claim- ing on his own rights. He was a surveyor of high- ways in 1645 and 1654. In his will, which was ex- hibited at court March 2, 1681, he gives to his eldest son, James, his dwelling-house and six acres of land lying between the brook called Mr. Brown's Brook, on the south west side of the cartway going to Thomas Lincoln's house, called Thomas Lincoln's cartway, and a gore of land lying by the Three-Mile River be- low the lower falls, in a place called the Falls Plain. He gives to his son Thomas his share in the South Purchase and other lands. His home lands were on the westerly side of the Great River, and his descend- ants still own lands in that vicinity.

Thomas Farwell was propounded as a freeman Sep- tember, 1639. He was on the military list of 1643. In the list of 1659, of those then living in town to whom divisions of land were dne, his name does not appear. His heirs are mentioned in the list of 1675. The date of his death does not appear. His son, John Farwell, went, in his minority, to England, and in March, 1700, Mr. John Pool, merchant, of Boston, appeared as his attorney to claim the lands due to him in Taunton. In the description of his lands the following are mentioned : a parcel at Assonett Neck, an island in the Great River called Grassy Island, a piece on the eastward side of the river at Rocky Nook, half an acre on the eastward side of the river near a place known as the Needle's Eye, and a home lot in the town on the northwestward side of Taunton River bounded northeast by John Cobb's land, and south- east by land of Shadrach Wilbore, deceased. His widow became the third wife of Rev. George Shove, Dec. 8, 1686.

Thomas Cooke, and his son, Thomas Cooke, Jr., were subject to military duty in 1643. Thomas Cooke, Sr., took the oath of fidelity, but was not admitted a freeman. It is thought they both removed to Ports- mouth, R. I., where the father was called captain. In 1659 he was a commissioner to run the west line of the colony. Increase Robinson became the owner of his rights in the township of Taunton.

John Crossman probably died early, as his name does not appear on the list of 1643, 1659, or 1675. He left a son Robert, who was quite prominent as a mill- owner and in the business affairs of the town.

John Richmond was one of the older men of the settlement. His name does not appear in the list of 1643, although he was probably not over sixty at that time. As he was in Rhode Island in 1655, it is likely he went thither before 1643. He took the oath of fidelity before 1640. He returned to Taunton again, and died there March 20, 1663-64. In his will he calls himself seventy years old. Leaves property to eldest son, John, to son-in-law, William Paule, and Mary his wife, and son-in-law, Edward Rew, and Sarah his wife. His son, John Richmond, is on a list of freemen made in 1683 ; was a constable in 1674 and 1685, one of the town council in 1676, and one of a committee to distribute the contributions of Chris- tians in Ireland to the sufferers in the Indian war in 1677. The family were large land-owners in the easterly part of the town, and gave to a village in that section the name of Richmondtown, which it still bears.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 186

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1818

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818