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c^\V\'9CS7I.C^78 1310 m^ PURCHASED FROM '1 HARVEY LEAR CURRIER GencnlOQ^ of IRicbarb Currier of Saliebur^e anb Hmesbur^, fB>a8S*» acbueetts, (16X6-1686-7) anb flDan^ of Ibis ©escenbants. (Benealoo^ of Esra Currier of Batb, IRew Ibampsbire, (174b-ibz5) = anb Ibis Descenbants. = Ig Jalin iirNab (Hurmr. (©rkanii : Olountg : ^tatnrual : ^ortPtg. 1910. az/r Hit' Preface. Several years ago the author became interested iu the history of his own ancestry, and commenced gathering such information as was available in regard to it. Town, county, church, and probate records were searched for in- formation in regard to the Currier family. Local histories were read for information in regard to the places where the members of the family lived. Much information was also obtained irom members of the family and from family records. At first there was no intention of publishing the mater- ial collected, but as more and more iniorraation became available the author was urged by other members of the family to arrange and publish what he had collected. The present volume is the result of this request, and it is hoped that it will prove of interest not only to the present but also to the future generations of the Currier family. The plan of the book will, it is believed, be easily understood. Beginning with Richard Currier of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass., and his descendants of the second and third generations, the work has been carried sufficient- ly far to enable any of the present generation to trace back their relationship. The object of the author has been to preserve all the important facts which can be gathered in regard to the family. The book therefore is more than a collection of names and dates, and it is hoped that it will prove more interesting on that account. It is impossible to enumerate all the books from which material has been collected. However, mention should be made of "The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury," by David W. Hoyt, and "Merrill's History of Amesbury," which gave much information about Richard Currier and his descendants. The copies of wills and inventories were obtained from the records of Essex County at Salem, Mass., and have been rendered practically as they appear on record. To all the individuals who have in any manner assis- ted in the preparation of this work the author tenders his hearty thanks. Especially is credit due to Mr. Edward A, Brown, Librarian of the Amesbury, Mass., Public Li- brary, for his kindness in furnishing much valuable infor- mation from the records deposited in the Amesbury Libra- ry. Thanks are also due to Dr. John M. Currier of New- port, Vermont. To him more than to any other individ- ual is the author indebted for encouragement and assis- tance in preparing this book. Parts Two and Three are very largely his work and he has taken charge of the print- ing of the book. Notwithstanding all the care which has been exer- cised, and all the pains taken to verily dates and names, mistakes will occur. Some of these have been corrected in the appendix, but it is probable that others exist. Those into whose hands this volume may fall will, therefore, confer a favor by advising the undersigned of any errors which they may discover. Any additional genealogical information will also be gratefully received. HARVEY L. CURRIER. Manchester, N. H., June 4, 1910. PART ONE. GENEALOGY OF RICHARD CURRIER OF SALISBURY AND AMESBURY, MASS., (1616—1686-7), AND HANY OF HIS DE- — SCENDANTS. — BY HARVEY LEAR CURRIER. I. Richard Currier^ of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass., "planter" and "millwright", one of the original settlers of Salisbury, his name appearing on a list of the inhabitants of the town at the time of its incorporation, in 1640, was born in England or Scotland May 3, 1616. He married first, prior to 1643, Ann , who died between April 5, 1675, and October 26, 1676, she having released her right of dower in a certain piece of property on July 8, 1671. He married second, October 26, 1676, Joanna Pindor, daughter of Henry Pindor and widow of Valentine Rowell and of William Sargent, who died October, 1690, aged about 69 years. He received land in Salisbury in 1641 and 1642, and in Salisbury new town (now Amesbury) in 1654, 165 8, 1659 1662, 1664, and 1668. February 16, 1642, he sold to Abraham Morrill six house lots which were given to him by the town of Salisbury, containing seven acres, and January 20, 1644, he bought Joseph Moyce's "new house, land and all things thereunto belonging." He was a commoner and was taxed in 1650. He was one of the signers of the articles of agreement between the old and new town, in 1654, and his name heads one list of the first commoners of Salisbury new town, 1654- 5- In 1652 he and Anthony Colby were given power to lay out a road four rods wide "from ye mill bridge to 3'^e plain that goeth to ye L,ion's Mouth", and in 1655 ^^ and Wil- liam Barnes were chosen "to take account of all staves due the town and examine them for the town and to give ac- count to said company when they shall call for it; also to take account ol ye saw-mill which do saw for the use of the town." In 1656 he and Thomas Macy were authorized to build a saw-mill on the west side of Powow river at the falls, with the privilege of using all the timber on the common not included in the grant to the former mill, "excepting oak and the right of the people to make canoes." For this privelege they were to pay the town six pounds per annum for ten years, in boards at current prices. No logs were to be carried to the east side of the river to be sawed on penalty often shillings. They agreed to saw all the logs on shares, as the following extract from the re- cord shows: "So the said Thomas Macy and Richard Currier do en- gage to saw what logs the townsmen bring to the mill for their own use, to saw them to the halves within a month after they are brought to the mill if there be water, the first logs that come to be first sawne and so the rest in or- der as they are brought." Thomas Macy sold his interest in the mill m 1658, and removed from town in 1659. That Richard Currier owned and operated it for many years is shown by the following deposition dated September 25, 1682: "The deposition of Richard Currier, aged about sixty- six years, testifieth that I keep a saw-mill at Amesbury near unto the saw-mill that do belong to Salisbury upon the same river and I have sawne this Spring about five or six thousand feet of boards a week for three months to- gether, and do swear that ye saw-mill that do belong unto Salisbury is no ways inferior to the mill at Amesbury and has been as well improved, and further say that the saw-mills did sett about four months but had not a full head of water." At a town meeting held March lo, 1660, he and John Hoyt, Sr., and Anthony Colby were chosen Prudential men, "to order all affairs given them in writing." He was acting clerk of Salisbury new town in 1660-1, and at the March meeting in 1662 was chosen "to keep the the book of records and to record all meetings and to be allowed twelve pence for each meeting." He was also authorized to get a new record book, the town to pay the cost. He held the office until December 14, 1674, when he was succeeded by his son, Deacon Thomas Currier. He was clerk of writs, commissioner to try small cases, and a selectman fifteen years. He last served as a select- man in 1682-3. It was, however, against his will and he declined to serve and was fined one shilling. Several others were chosen and declined, but finally on being re- chosen he consented to serve. In 1665 he was one of a committee of three to build the first meeting-house in the new town, and one of a com- mittee of two to secure a minister. In the seating of the Amesbury meeting-house, 1667, his name stands first "to set at the tabell;" but he was apparently a member of Salisbury church in 1677. May 14, 1666, he was chosen to go to the General Court and present the petition of the new town for a separation from the old town of Salisbury. The petition was duly presented by him at a session of the General Court conven- ed at Boston May 23, 1666, and the prayer of the petition- ers was granted early in the session. The name of the town was changed to Amesbury in 1667, and the change —8— of name confirmed by the General Court May 27, 1668; just and full bounds allowed to Amesbury May 12, 1675; part of Salisbury called "Little Salisbury" annexed March 15, 1844; part established as Merrimack April u, 1876; part of Salisbury annexed June 16, 1886, to take effect July I, 1886. In 1 661 he gave his son-in-law, Captain Samuel Foot, and his daughter, Hannah (Currier) Foot, the place he bought of George Martyn, and in 1671 bought it back again by way of exchange, giving him thirty acres at Cobler's brook, as shown by the following extracts from the old Norfolk County records: "Richard Currier of Salisbury, planter, for love to my son and daughter, Samuel Foot and wife Hannah, the dwelling house and land I bought of George Martyn in Salisbury new town, bounded by ye street and John Hoyt, Jr.; also ye landing place by Pawwaus river, formerly said Martyn 's, May 5, 1661.

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