USA > Massachusetts > History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888, Vol. I > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
John Johnson (1638). AUTHORITIES : Drake's Hist. of Roxbury; Savage's Edition of Winthrop's
Hist. of New Eng .; Drake's Gen. Dict .; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1855 (will), 1879.
67
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1638-9]
room, to lay out the most southermost part of Charles River, and to have five shillings a day a piece."
Under date of Feb. 6, 1645, Winthrop says, "John Johnson [1638], the Surveyor General of Ammunition, a very industrious and faithful man in his place, having built a fair house in the midst of the town, with divers barns and outhouses, it fell on fire in the day time, no man knowing by what occasion, and there being in it seventeen barrels of the country's powder, and many arms, all was suddenly burnt and blown up, to the value of four or five hundred pounds, wherein a special providence of God appeared, for, he, being from home, the people came together to help and many were in the house, no man thinking of the powder till one of the company put them in mind of it, whereupon they all withdrew, and soon after the powder took fire and blew up all about it, and shook the houses in Boston and Cambridge, so as men thought it had been an earthquake, and carried great pieces of timber a good way off, and some rags and such light things beyond Boston meeting house. There being then a stiff gale south, it drove the fire from the other houses in the town (for this was the most northerly) otherwise it had endangered the greatest part of the town. This loss of our powder was the more observable, in two respects : Ist. Because the court had not taken that care they ought, to pay for it, having been owing for divers years. 2d. In that, at the court before, they had refused to help our countrymen in Virginia, who had written to us for some for their defence against the Indians, and also to help our brethren of Plimouth in their want." At this fire the first book of records of the town of Roxbury was destroyed.
He died Sept. 30, 1659. In his will of same date, proved Oct. 15 next following, he gives his dwelling-house and lands to his wife during her life, and after " unto my five children, to be equally divided, my eldest son having a double portion therein, according to the Word of God."
He was clerk of the Artillery Company from 1638 to 1640 inclusive.
Benjamin Keayne (1638), of Boston, only son of Capt. Robert Keayne (1637), of Boston, founder and first commander of the Artillery Company, was born in London, and at the age of sixteen years came to America with his parents, in the "Defence," in 1635. He was admitted to be a freeman Sept. 6, 1639, having married, before June 9, 1639, Sarah, daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley. They had one daughter, Hannah. Savage says, "He lived a short time in Lynn," was active in the military, and became senior sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1641. About 1644, having made "an unhappy and uncomfortable match," as his father calls it in his famous will, Benjamin (1638) returned to London and repudiated his wife. "This union, with other unfavor- able circumstances," says Savage, "perhaps compelled the son to return to the land of his fathers." He entered the service of the great Protector, and served as major in Col. Stephen Winthrop's (1641) regiment, which was engaged in active service under the Earl of Manchester. He died in England in 1668, having made his will and signed it in Glasgow in 1654.
Feb. 18, 1639, Benjamin Keayne (1638) was granted "a great lot at Mount Wol- laston," and Jan. 27, 1640, two hundred acres additional "at the Mount." In the colonial
Benjamin Keayne (1638). AUTHORITIES : Savage's Gen. Dict .; Savage's Edition of Winthrop's Hist .; Suffolk Deeds, Vols. 1. and II .; Records of
Mass. Bay, Vol. IV., Part 2; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company.
68
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1638-9
records, Benjamin Keayne (1638) has the prefix of respect, and, as no aspersions against him are on record, it is probable that his life was darkened and made sorrowful by an unfortunate marriage. Letters from him, written to his "Worshipful, honored father Thomas Dudley," and to "Mr. John Cotton," dated London, 1646 and 1647, are given in the Records of Suffolk Deeds, Liber I, pp. 83, 84. The property owned by Benjamin Keayne (1638) in Lynn is defined in the book last mentioned, pp. 111, 112, and 147.
Sarah (Dudley) Keayne was disciplined by the church in November, 1646, and was excommunicated in October, 1647. She was sadly degraded, and after the repudiation seems to have lived with one Pacey. Who he was, his given name, residence, or calling, are alike unknown. Gov. Dudley and Capt. Robert Keayne (1637) give us no infor- mation, though both mention her in their wills.
Capt. Keayne (1637), in his will, says, " My minde & will further is that whatsoever I have given in this my will to my Grandchild Hannah Keayne as hir legacy & portion, whether it be the first three hundred pounds or any other gift that may befall hir out of my estate by vertue of this my will be so ordered & disposed that hir unworthy mother (sometimes the unnaturall & unhappy wife of my son, that proud & disobedient daughter- in-law to my selfe & wife) Mrs Sarah Dudley now Sarah Pacye may have no part or benefit in or by what I have thus bestowed upon her daughter."
It is recorded in Boston Town Books: "September 25, 1654, Mr. John Floyd is hereby fined five shillings for Receiving Mrs Pacey into his house as inmate"; also, "April 27, 1655, Mis[tress] Pacy is admitted an inhabitant, provided Mr Bradstreet, or John Johnson (1638) and William Parkes (1638) of Roxbury give security to save the towne from all charges that may arise by her."
Sarah (Dudley) (Keayne) Pacy died Nov. 3, 1659, when her estate, as by inventory sworn to by Capt. James Johnson (1638), was less than ten pounds. It was given by the court to her daughter, Hannah Keayne.
Hannah, the only child of Major Benjamin Keayne (1638), was well provided for by her grandfather, Capt. Robert Keayne (1638), who appointed guardians to assist his wife " to dispose of her for her future education unto some such wise and godly mistress or family, where she may have her carnal disposition most of all subdued and reformed by strict discipline ; and also that they would show like care and assist in seasonable time to provide some fit and godly match proportionate to her estate and condition that she may live comfortable and be fit to do good in her place, and not to suffer her to be circumvented or to cast away hers, upon some swaggering gentleman or other, that will look more after the enjoyment [of] what she hath, than live in the fear of God and true love to her." Hannah Keayne, granddaughter of Capt. Robert (1637), was married Dec. 11, 1657, by Gov. John Endicott, to Edward Lane, a merchant from London. In Suffolk Deeds, Liber III., p. 77, is given an instrument called " Articles of Agreement had mad Concluded vpon by and betweene Anna Keayne Widdow late wife of Capt Robert Keayne of Boston m'chant, and . .. Edwª Lane of Boston aforesaid m'chant (who is shortly to marry with Anna Keayne Grandchild to the Late Robert Keayne and Anna his wife) in Reference to the said Anna Keayne the Elder her surrendering vp in Open Court hir executrix ship to the said last will and Testament of the said Robert Keayne to the said Edward Lane," etc. This agreement was duly signed Nov. 28, 1657. Edward Lane came from London to Boston in 1656, aged thirty-six, having bought, in 1651, an estate in Boston of Capt. Robert Harding (1637). Edward and Hannah (Keayne) Lane had
69
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1638-9]
two children, Ann and Edward, the former dying in infancy. In 1663, he sold his property in Malden, and died soon after.1 Edward Lane, Jr., born 1662, became Edward Paige, and died in Leyden, and was buried there. His grave was discovered by Rev. Dr. Dexter.
Nicholas Paige (1693) came from Plymouth, England, to Boston, in 1665. He soon after married Hannah, widow of Edward Lane, and daughter of Benjamin Keayne (1638). He was a prominent citizen, active in military matters, and in 1695 was captain of the Artillery Company. His wife, the granddaughter of Capt. Robert Keayne (1637), seems not to have improved upon the generous bequests and earnest advice of her anxious grandparent. She inherited a large share of her mother's weakness and wickedness ; was indicted, and after disagreement by the jury, was, at the General Court in May, 1666, found "guilty of much wickedness"; but great lenity was extended toward her, for, having confessed her offences, she was discharged. She died, June 30, 1704,2 and her husband survived her twelve and a half years.
The General Court was not unmindful of the generosity of Capt. Robert Keayne (1637) :-
" BOSTON, this - day of ffebruary 1674.
" Whereas, ye Generall Court of this Massachusetts Colony gave unto ye late Mrs Anne Cole, ye Relict & Executrix of ye late Capt Robert Keayne, five hundred acres of land, as they did also five hundred acres 3 to Mrs Anna Lane, ye Grandchild of ye late Robert & Anne Keayne, as in consideration in yer Records is exprest, John Wilson, Pastor of ye church at Medfield, Nephew to ye sª Anna Cole, formerly Keayne, doth depose & say yt in a short time after ye sª five hundred acres was layed out unto his above- mentioned Aunt, & confirmed to hir by the sª Court, as their records may appeare, his sd aunt Mrs Anne Cole, formerly Keayne, not once only but seuerally times, Spake to him & desired him to take notice & remember yt she had given and did give her above mentioned farme to her Nephew, John Mansfield, ye son of ye late Mr John Mansfield, hir onely Brother yt dyed lately at charlestowne, & yt he should have at his owne dispose foreuer & yt he perceived his sd aunts mind, (on) such was intent & solicitous about it & further saith not.
" Mr John Wilson & Edward Weeden made oath to the testimony above written, ffeb 11, 1674-5
" Before us - " EDWARD TYNG " WILLIAM STOUGHTON."
1 May 7, 1659, Edward Lane sold to Robert Turner (1643) a part of "Capt Keaynes Orchard," between Milk and State streets, back from Wash- ington.
2 " June 30, 1704. As the Governor sat at Council Table 't was told him Madam Paige was dead. Ile clap'd his hands, and quickly went out, and returned not to the Chamber again; but ordered Mr. Secretary to prorogue the Court till the 16th of August, which Mr. Secretary did by going into the House of Deputies. James Hawkins certifies us Madam Paiges death; he was to make a Toml).
" July 2d, Lord's Day. Madam Page is buried from her own house where Mrs. Perry is Tenant, between 6 and 7 p. m. Bearers Lt. Govr. Povey, Usher, Sewall, Addington, Col. Phillips, Foxcroft; Rings and Scarves. The Govr. his Lady and fam-
ily there. Note By my order, the diggers of Mm. Paiges Tomb dugg a Grave for Lambert he was laid in the old burying place." - Sewall's Diary.
The Governor mentioned by Judge Sewall was Joseph Dudley (1677), son of Gov. Thomas Dudley, consequently was uncle to " Mrs. Paige."
Mrs. Paige resided at the corner of State and Washington streets, on the site of the present office of the Boston & Maine Railroad.
Robert Keayne (1637) says in his will, concern- ing his granddaughter, " I know her father will have a good Estate & having yet no other child but she, will be able to give her more than she will deserve." - See Boston Book of Possessions, 2d Report, 2d Part, p. 79. "Keayne's Garden."
3 Granted, 1659-60, in consequence of Capt. Keayne's liberal donations to the country.
70
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1638-9
Eleazer Lusher (1638), of Dedham in 1637, a husbandman, became a freeman March 13, 1639. He was elected a representative in 1640, and for the twelve years following. In 1662, he was chosen an assistant, and was continued in that office until his decease, Nov. 13, 1672. He was made captain of the military company in that town, when the militia was reorganized in 1644, and succeeded Gen. Humfrey Atherton (1638) as sergeant-major of the Suffolk Regiment in 1656, which office he also held at the time of his decease. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1644 and 1645, ensign in 1646, and its lieutenant in 1647. Johnson (1637), in his Wonder-Working Providence, says of Major Lusher, " He was one of a nimble and active spirit, strongly affected to the ways of truth - one of the right stamp, and pure metal, a gracious, humble and heavenly minded man."
Dedham was settled in September, 1635 ; but little progress was made until July, 1637, when John Allin, the minister, Major Lusher (1638), and. ten others, bringing recommendations, were at the same time admitted townsmen, and they gave a more decided character to the place. Major Lusher (1638) was one of the founders of the first church there, and long continued one of their chief town officers. "He maintains," says Mr. Worthington, "an eminent rank among the founders of the town." " He was a leading man all his lifetime, and directed all the most important affairs of Dedham. 'The full and perfect records which he kept, the proper style of his writings, above all, the peace and success of the plantation, which had the wisdom to employ him, are good evidences of his merit, and that his education had been superior to that of all other citizens, the minister excepted."
He was an influential and useful member of the House of Deputies. When Charles II. was restored to the English throne, great fears began to be entertained in the colony that its charter and liberties might be violated by the new administration. In 1662, a large committee was appointed to consider the perilous state of affairs then existing, and advise the General Court in the measures to be adopted. Major Lusher (1638), with other leading spirits of the Artillery Company, were on that committee, and safely guided the colony between the King and the Protector. He was also one of the commissioners, with Mr. Danforth and John Leverett (1639), selected to repair to Dover and allay the discontent and settle the differences ; which resulted in success.
His death is noticed in the church records, as quoted in Mr. Dexter's Century Sermon : "Maj. Eleazer Lusher, a man sound in the faith, of great holiness, and heavenlymindedness, who was of the first foundation of this church, and had been of great use (as in the Commonwealth, so in the church) especially after the death of the reverend pastor thereof, (Allin) departed this life Nov. 13th, 1672." He gained the name of the "nimble-footed Captain." The following saying was repeated frequently by the generation which immediately succeeded Major Lusher : -
" When Lusher was in office, all things went well; But how they go since, it shames us to tell."
"This applied particularly to town affairs, and especially to the schools, which are said to have degenerated.
His will, dated Sept. 20, 1672, was proved Jan. 28, 1672-3. His widow died very soon after ; and, at her death, the property was inventoried, Feb. 6, 1672-3, at £507 Igs. rId.
Eleazer Lusher (1638). AUTHORITIES: Savage's Gen. Dict .; Records of Dedham; Dedham Reg- ister; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company.
71
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANV.
1638-9]
Thomas Makepeace (1638), of Dorchester, was one of the so-called second emi- gration, which occurred in 1635. Sept. 25, 1637, the selectmen of Boston agreed that " Mr. Thomas Makepeace [1638] shall have a houseplott and gardingplace." He located on Hanover Street, near Court. In 1638, he bought, in the town of Dorchester, a house and land of John Leavitt, who had moved to Hingham. Mr. Makepeace (1638) married for his second wife, in 1641, Elizabeth, widow of Oliver Mellows. He was a man of prominence, and had the prefix "Mr."; but these did not prevent his being brought before the court (1638), perhaps at the instigation of the clergy. That body labored and decided, " Mr. Thomas Makepeace [1638], because of his novel disposition, was informed, we were weary of him, unless he reforme." He was an early friend ! of free schools, and was one of those citizens of Dorchester who agreed to a direct tax for the support of a free school in that town. In 1641, he was one of the patentees of Dover, N. H., and signed the petition to come under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. In 1654, he was in the Narraganset expedition against the Indians. At this time he was about sixty-two years of age.
In 1664, William Stoughton bought the real estate of Thomas Makepeace (1638) in Dorchester, and the latter took up his residence in Boston. His dwelling-house was on the corner of Hanover and Elm streets, supposed to be the one John Underhill (1637) surrendered to Mr. Makepeace (1638) in 1639. His will was dated June 30, 1666, and he died at Boston in January or February, 1666-7, his will being presented for probate March 8, 1666-7.
Edward Mitchelson (1638), of Cambridge, came to New England in 1635. In 1639, he bought of Major Simon Willard the estate at the southeast corner of Dunster and Winthrop streets, where he probably resided until Oct. 29, 1650, when he bought the estate of Major Samuel Shepard (1640), on the southerly side of Harvard Square, extending from Holyoke Street to Bow Street, which was thenceforth his dwelling-place. In 1637, he was appointed marshal-general of the colony, which office, similar in many respects to that of high sheriff, he held through life. The fees and his "stipend " of ten pounds per year were established by the General Court in November, 1637. Savage states that " he had the sad office of executing the Quakers."
In April, 1668, a stated salary was fixed, instead of fees : "The Court, on weighty reasons moving them thereunto, having by their order, this Court, disposed of the annual recompense of Edward Michelson [1638], Marshal General, to the public use and advantage, judge it necessary to provide for so ancient a servant of this Court some comfortable maintenance instead thereof, that so no discouragement may rest upon hin, do therefore order, that the said Marshal General Edward Michelson [1638] shall be allowed and paid £50 per annum out of the Country Treasury, in lieu thereof, by the
Thomas Makepeace (1638). AUTHORITIES : New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg, 1851, 1861 (will), 1876; Hist. of Dorchester, by Dorchester Antiq. and Ilist. Soc .; Savage's Gen. Dict .; Second Report of Boston Rec. Com .; Court Records, Vol. I., p. 240, quoted in Savage's Winthrop.
Edward Mitchelson (1638). AUTHORITIES : Paige's Hist. of Cambridge; Savage's Gen. Dict.
" Mr. Mitchelson held the office of Marshal- General until 1681 when he died and was succeeded by his son-in-law John Green." - Records of Mass. Bay, Vol. I., p. 217.
"Tuesday, March 8, 1680-1. Mr Edward
Mitchelson, Marshall-general is Buried." - Sewall Papers, Vol. II., p. 14.
1 Other citizens of Dorchester, members of the Military Company of the Massachusetts, who united with others in support of its early school, were Israel Stoughton (1637), Nathaniel Duncan (1638), Thomas Hawkins (1638), John Ilolman (1637), William Blake (1646), William Clarke (1646), II umfrey Atherton (163S), Roger Clap(1646), Hope- still Foster (1642), Jeremiah Howchin (1641), Rich- ard Baker (1658), John Capen (1646), Nicholas Upshall (1637), Thomas Jones (1643), Richard Collicott (1637).
72
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND)
[1638-9
Treasurer for the time being." Mr. Mitchelson (1638) died March 7, 1680-1, aged seventy-seven years. His daughter, Elizabeth, born Aug. 29, 1646, married Theodore Atkinson, Jr., son of Theodore Atkinson (1644). Theodore, Jr., a sergeant in Capt. Davenport's (1639) company at Narragansett, was killed by the Indians in the great fight of Dec. 19, 1675. His widow, Elizabeth (Mitchelson) Atkinson, married, Nov. 15, 1676, Capt. Henry Deering (1682).
John Moore (1638), of Cambridge, was admitted to be a freeman Dec. 8, 1636. About 1637 he bought of Humphrey Vincent, who had removed to Ipswich, a house and garden on the southerly side of Winthrop Street, between Dunster and Brighton streets, together with sundry lots of land. He was a constable in 1639, and owned the above estate as late as 1642.
Abraham Morrill (1638), of Cambridge, in 1632 came, perhaps, in the " Lion," with his brother Isaac (1638). In 1635, he resided on the westerly side of Brighton Street, near the spot occupied by the old Porter Tavern. He removed, with the original pro- prietors, to Salisbury, where, in 1650, only four men were taxed for more than he. He probably moved to Salisbury in 1641, as in that year a house-lot was granted him on the "Green " (East Salisbury). Jan. 25, 1642, sixty acres of land were granted to him and Henrie Saywood, to build a "corn-mill." No other mill was to be built so long as this one ground all the corn the people needed. This mill was situated at what is now called the " Mills," Amesbury. He is believed to have moved from the "Green," and owned and occupied a house on Bailey's Hill, Amesbury, a most sightly place, taking in the sinuous Merrimack from Pipe-Stave Hill to Deer Island, while, at its foot, among the ancient elms, nestle the hamlets of " Point-shore," so called. The cellar of his house is still visible. He was a blacksmith by trade, and so many of his descendants having chosen that art, the family has been humorously called " of the Tubal Cain fraternity."
He married Sarah Midgett, sister of Thomas Midgett, the ship-builder. By her he had seven children, at least. In the inventory of his estate are included four guns and blacksmith's tools.
" The death of Abraham Morrill," Mr. Merrill says, in his History of Amesbury, "one of the most prominent men of the old town, may with propriety be mentioned here [1662], as his descendants have largely helped to people the town. He died previous to Oct. 14, when his will was proved. He was among the first to settle the new territory, and his house-lot was near the residence now occupied as a parsonage at East Salisbury."
He died at Roxbury while on a visit to his late brother's home, June 20, 1662. His estate inventoried £507.
Whittier, in his poem to Quaker Morrison, makes the latter say : -
" Ensign Morrill and his son, See the wonders they have done."
The family of the ancient trainer, Abraham Morrill (1638), through every generation have been noted for their enterprise, whether in iron, fish, cloth, nails, coasting vessels,
John Moore (1638). AUTHORITIES: Paige's Hist. of Cambridge; Savage's Gen. Dict.
Abraham Morrill (1638). AUTHORITIES :
Savage's Gen. Dict .; Merrill's Hist. of Amesbury; Paige's Hist. of Cambridge; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1854.
73
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1638-9]
farming, or trade. In the business history of Salisbury and Amesbury, the ancient and honorable soldier of the Artillery Company and his numerous descendants have made a most noble record.
Isaac Morrill (1638), brother of Abraham (1638), born in 1588, came to America, with his wife and two daughters, in the "Lion," arriving here Sept. 16, 1632. He settled in Roxbury, and was admitted to be a freeman March 4, 1633. His homestead in Roxbury was on the Dorchester road, between Washington and Warren streets. He was a blacksmith, and Mr. Drake says, "One of his two forges belonged in 1720 to his great-grandson, Samuel Stevens, the grandfather of Joseph Warren."
Drake, in his History of Roxbury, thus refers to Isaac Morrill, and the Roxbury train-band : " Among the distinguishing traits of our ancestors was their attention to military affairs. Arms were a common possession. Those of Isaac Morrill [1638], of Roxbury, hung up in his parlor, were, a musket, a fowling-piece, three swords, a pike, a half-pike, a corselet, and two belts of bandoleers. All males between sixteen and sixty were required to be provided with arms and ammunition. The arms of private soldiers were pikes, muskets, and swords. The muskets had matchlocks or firelocks, and to each one there was a pair of bandoleers or pouches for powder and bullets, and a stick called a 'rest,' for use in taking aim. The pikes were ten feet in length, besides the spear at the end. For defensive armor, corselets were worn, and coats quilted with cotton.
"The train-band had not less than sixty-four, nor more than two hundred men, and twice as many musketeers as pikemen, the latter being of superior stature. Its officers were a captain, lieutenant, ensign, and four sergeants. The commissioned officers carried swords, partisans or leading staves, and sometimes pistols. The sergeants bore halberds. The flag of the colony bore the red cross of St. George in one corner, upon a white field, the pine-tree, the favorite emblem of New England, being in one corner of the four spaces formed by the cross. Company trainings were ordered at first every Saturday, then every month, then eight times a year. 'The training to begin at one of the clock of the afternoon.' The drum was their only music."
The Auchmuty estate, of fourteen acres, on the old turnpike, and the "fox holes," so called, containing twenty-six acres, were parts of the Isaac Morrill (1638) estate.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.