“The American History of a POTTER Family” Volume II
Chapter 2: *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714)
Chapter 3: *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753)
Chapter 4: *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) by
*Wilburn Metcalf Potter10 (1946 - ? )
This book is dedicated to our 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) who was tragically and wrongfully hanged as an accused witch on Gallows Hill in Salem on July 19, 1692 during the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692” when twenty innocents sadly lost their lives.
“The American History of a POTTER Family” VOLUME II Chapter 2: *SAMUEL POTTER (ca. 1657 - 1714) 2 Chapter 3: *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) Chapter 4: *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) by *Wilburn Metcalf Potter10 (1946 - ? )
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Copyright Wilburn Metcalf Potter, 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. First Edition: April, 2018 Printed in the United States of America
ISBN-10: 1642549053 ISBN-13: 9781642549058
Additional copies of this book can be purchased from:
TheBookPatch.com 7048 E. Main Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 941-8355 or (480) 773-4447 www.thebookpatch.com [email protected]
Legend (1) Names preceded by an asterisk (*) are direct bloodline ancestors of the Author, *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ). (2) Subscripts after a name indicate the American generation of the individual. For example, the first (1st) generation American is *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690). The Author, *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ), is a tenth (10th) generation American. (3) Superscripts at the end of a sentence or paragraph designate sequential “End Notes” at the end of each chapter. (4) “G.S.” are the initials for Gravestone.
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Other books by *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ):
(1) “The Seaman’s Journals of Captain LEONARD SAMUEL GRANT (1812 – 1880)” ---- Pilot – U.S. Coast Survey and Pilot – U.S. Revenue Cutter Service; compiled by *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) – Great Great Grandson; Copyright Wilburn Metcalf Potter, 2014; First Edition: January, 2014; ISBN # 978-1-620-30899-8. [Available from: The Book Patch.com 7048 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251; (480) 941-8355 or (480) 773-4447; www.thebookpatch.com; [email protected]]
(2) “An Anthology of the Music of BERT POTTER Published from 1904 to 1917” – *ALBERT LINCOLN (BERT) POTTER8 (1874 – 1930), ragtime music composer and publisher; compiled by *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ), Grandson; Copyright Wilburn Metcalf Potter, 2015; First Edition: July, 2015; ISBN # 978-0-578-16615-5. [Available from: 48 Hr Books 2249 14th Street, S.W., Akron, Ohio 44314, (800) 231-0521; www.48HrBooks.com; [email protected]; minimum order quantity: 10 books.]
(3) “The American History of a POTTER Family, Volume I: *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690), Puritan, the First American, and Ipswich Cultivator of Fruit for the years ca. 1285 – 1690” Genealogy by *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ); Copyright Wilburn Metcalf Potter, 2017; First Edition: April, 2017; Printed in the United States of America; 360 pages; ISBN-10: 1946982229; ISBN-13: 9781946982223. [Available from: The Book Patch.com 7048 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251; (480) 941-8355 or (480) 773-4447; www.thebookpatch.com; [email protected].]
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(4) “The American History of a POTTER Family, Volume VIII: Appendix “A”: *HANCOCK Pedigree, Appendix “B”: *HORE -*HOARE – *HORR Pedigree, Appendix “C”: *WIGHT Pedigree” Genealogy by *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ); Copyright Wilburn Metcalf Potter, 2017; First Edition: August, 2017; Printed in the United States of America; 237 pages; ISBN-10: 194751993X; ISBN-13: 9781947519930. [Available from: The Book Patch.com 7048 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251; (480) 941-8355 or (480) 773-4447; www.thebookpatch.com; [email protected].]
(5) “The American History of a POTTER Family”, Volume IX: *CHILDS – *METCALF - *POTTER Genealogy by *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ); Copyright Wilburn Metcalf Potter, 2016; First Edition: October, 2016; Printed in the United States of America; 308 pages; ISBN: 978-0-578-18538-5. [Available from: 48 Hr Books 2249 14th Street, S.W., Akron, Ohio 44314, (800) 231-0521; www.48HrBooks.com; [email protected]; minimum order quantity: 10 books.]
Wilburn Metcalf (Bill) Potter (1946 - ? ) (October, 2017 photograph)
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“The American History of a POTTER Family”
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - *POTTER Genealogy
Table of Contents
Dedication: Pages: 6 – 13
Pedigree of *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) Pages: 14 – 17
Chapter 2: *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) Genealogy Pages: 18 – 113
Chapter 3: *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) Genealogy Pages: 114 – 168
Chapter 4: *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) Genealogy Pages: 169 – 269
POTTER Family History Series of Books: Pages: 270 - 271
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to the memory of our 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) who was accused, tried, convicted, and sadly hanged for witchcraft during the infamous “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was actually a very pious woman who was wrongfully executed for witchcraft during the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was the fourth daughter and youngest child of *RICHARD NORTH0 (ca. 1590 – 1667) and *JOAN BARTRAM NORTH0 (ca. 1590 – before 1630) of Olney, Buckinghamshire County, England. She was baptized on September 30, 1621 in Olney, Buckinghamshire County, England. Her birth mother died when she was a child. Her stepmother was named URSULA (?) NORTH0. About 1639, *RICHARD NORTH0 (ca. 1590 – 1667) immigrated with his family and settled first in Salisbury, Massachusetts. On August 11, 1646 at Salisbury, Massachusetts, *SUSANNAH NORTH (MARTIN)1 (1621 - 1692) married the widower, *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686), a blacksmith with whom she had eight (8) children including our 6X Great Grandmother *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704) who was also the 4X Great Grandfather of President CHESTER A. ARTHUR6 (1829 – 1886). In 1669, *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was, for the first time, formally accused of witchcraft in Amesbury, Massachusetts by adversarial neighbors named WILLIAM SARGENT JR1 and THOMAS SARGENT1. In response, 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) sued the SARGENTs1 for two counts of slander against his wife, WILLIAM SARGENT JR1 for accusing her of being a witch, and THOMAS SARGENT1 for claiming one of her sons to be a bastard and another an “imp” (a witch’s familiar). *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) eventually withdrew the second count. Unfortunately, however, the Court upheld the accusation of witchcraft but upon appeal, a higher Court later dismissed the witchcraft charge. By 1671, the MARTIN family was again in court dealing with the matter of URSULA (?) NORTH1’s estate, most of which she had left to her granddaughter, MARY JONES WINSLEY3. This time the Court sided against *GEORGE MARTIN1 and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1. 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) died in 1686 leaving *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) an impoverished widow. On Saturday, April 30, 1692, JONATHAN WALCOTT2 and Sergeant THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 - 1699) swore a complaint against our 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) of Amesbury, Massachusetts for witchcraft. The complaint said: “Relating to high suspicion of sundry Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 6 acts of Witchcraft donne or committed by her upon ye bodies of MARY WALCOT3, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS3, ANN PUTNAM (JR)3, and MERCY LEWIS3 of Salem Village or Farms whereby great hurt and damage hath been donne to ye bodies of said persons…etc.” The sixty-seven year old salty-tongued widow had been suspected of witchcraft by her neighbors in Amesbury and Salisbury for more than three decades, as far back as 1669. She had been called a witch for so long that she had come to relish the distinction. Long a legend in her home town of Amesbury, as a lightning rod attracts lightning, she was arrested on May 2nd, 1692 and brought to “Ingersoll’s Ordinary” (Inn and Tavern) in Salem Village (Danvers) for pre-trial examination. “Ingersoll’s Ordinary” was the Salem Village inn and tavern where accusations, hearings, examinations, judicial conferences, spectral stabbings, “circle girl” fits, and sentencing occurred during the tragic “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria 1692.” [Pre-Trial Examination of 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) – May 2, 1692] At the preliminary trial for the crime of “Witchcraft and Sorcery” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) pled “not guilty.” The original court record has been lost, but her testimony was recorded by the witch-hunting Reverend COTTON MATHER2 (1663 – 1728). None of the accused witches was allowed to have legal counsel.
Figure 1: Left: “The Ingersoll Ordinary (Inn & Tavern)” and right: “The Salem Village Meeting House” as they may have looked in 1692 during the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” (Courtesy: Danvers Archival Center) *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) reputation surely preceded her as many of the “afflicted” had fits as soon as she entered Ingersoll’s Ordinary and others exhibited strange behavior during her examination. The Reverend COTTON MATHER2 (1663 – 1728) recorded the following: “As soon as she (*SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692)) came in, MARCY3 (19 years old MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? )) had fits; Magistrate: Do you know this woman? (11 years old) ABIGAIL WILLIAMS3 (ca. 1680 - ? ) saith it is
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 7 goody *MARTIN1, she hath hurt me often. Others by fits were hindered from speaking. MARCY LEWIS3 (MERCY LEWIS3) pointed at her and fell into a little fit. ANN PUTNAM3 (12 years old ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716)) threw her glove in a fit at her. --*SUSANNAH1 laughed – Magistrate: What! Do you laugh at it? *MARTIN1: Well I may at such folly. Magistrate: Is this folly? The hurt of persons? *MARTIN1: I never hurt man or woman or child. MARCY3 (MERCY LEWIS3): She hath hurt me a great many times and pulls me down. Then *MARTIN1 laughed again.” Fifty-one year old Magistrate JOHN HATHORNE2 (1641 - 1717), a high- handed, intimidating judge, led the pre-trial interrogation of seventy-one year old 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) whom he quickly discovered was one of his most combative suspects. A blacksmith’s widow, the tiny Amesbury woman could hardly take HATHORNE2’s proceedings seriously. She had already once been accused of witchcraft decades earlier. After her 1669 witchcraft trial, her husband had filed and won a defamation law suit; nevertheless the accusations continued for years. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was said to have bewitched a woman to insanity, murdered her own infant, and borne an imp. On a more pedestrian plain, she had accused a man of theft and quarreled freely with her children. She challenged her seat in the Amesbury meetinghouse. Disinherited once by a stepmother and again by a nephew-in-law, she had unsuccessfully sued. When she entered the pre-trial hearing on May 2, 1692, eight afflicted accusers contorted as 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) took her place before them. The afflicted ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716) managed nonetheless to throw a glove at the much older woman. *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) chuckled eliciting the following exchange: “What?” gasped HATHORNE2, startled and said: “Do you laugh at it?” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 scoffed: “Well I may at such folly!” HATHORNE2 upbraided her: “Is this folly? The hurt of these persons?” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 contended: “She had hurt no one!” while MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ), the ringleader of the afflicted girls, dramatically tumbled to the ground at her feet. Combative and self-assured, 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) could only laugh anew at the afflicted girls’ antics. HATHORNE2 pressed his interrogation: “Do you think they are bewitched?” he asked. *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 replied: “No, I don’t think they are… Perhaps they dealt in black magic.” she suggested. MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ) taunted: “…. You can come fast enough in the night!” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 sarcastically replied: “No, sweetheart!” HATHORNE2 interceded: “Have you no compassion for these afflicted?” She snapped: “No, I have none.” HATHORNE2 informed her that “The entire community believed her guilty.” She retorted: “Let them think what they will.” HATHORNE2 continued: “Did she truly believe the girls dissembled?” She could not say, but replied: “I dare not tell a lie if it would save my life.”
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Thus, the tart-tongued seventy-one year old 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692), who had stood accused once before for witchcraft, had scoffed at the idea that the girls were bewitched, suggesting that they practiced black magic themselves. Singled out earlier in 1669, she attracted charges; 1692 seemed to be a good time to revive old ones. After *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) preliminary examination at Ingersoll’s Ordinary in Salem Village, she was taken to the Boston gaol. At Boston, the neat, trim, birdlike, simply- dressed woman was physically examined for witch’s marks (print at left) on June 2nd, 1692. This was probably the worst indignity that she was twice forced to submit to. The purpose of the physical exam was to search for evidence of a witch’s teat or physical protuberance which might give milk to a familiar. The examiners saw nothing unusual on the body of *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692). However, her breasts had appeared full in the morning, they were lank and flattened by afternoon. It was noted that “in the morning her nipples were found to be full as if the milk would come,” but by late afternoon “her breasts were slack, as if milk had already been given to someone or something.” To the judges, she too had suckled a familiar in the course of the day. This was an indication that she had been visited by a witch’s familiar, and was clear evidence of guilt. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 – 1692) trial began on June 26th, 1692. During her trial, some inhabitants of Salem Village stated that she had attempted to recruit them into witchcraft. Her Amesbury neighbors and enemies paraded in to share their wonder tales of how *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692), the tiny, contemptuous Amesbury widow, adversely impacted them, although in all cases there was no great harm done to them. Much of the evidence used against her concerned accidents and illnesses that affected the livestock of her neighbors, or negative consequences that resulted whenever her neighbors angered her. During the course of the trial *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) remained defiant throughout the proceedings. She proved by all accounts to be pious and quoted the Bible freely, something a witch was said incapable of doing. She is shown at right above reading the bible in prison. The determined-to-condemn Reverend COTTON MATHER2 (1663 – 1728) countered *SUSANNAH1’s piety defense by Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 9 stating in effect that the Devil’s servants were capable of putting on a show of perfect innocence and Godliness. With this argument, there was basically no defense and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was doomed. Thus, on June 29, 1692 she was convicted of practicing witchcraft and was subsequently sentenced to death. *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was the grandmother of 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1684 - 1739), wife of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. On July 17, 1692, death warrants were drafted for five women convicted of practicing witchcraft: (1) *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692), (2) SARAH SOLART GOOD1 (1653 – 1692), a semi-itinerant beggar considered something of a local menace, (3) REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), (4) SARAH AVERILL WILDES1 (1627 – 1692), and (5) ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692). At seventy-one, REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) and the vitriolic Amesbury widow *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) were the eldest. At thirty-nine, the rancorous local beggar woman SARAH SOLART GOOD1 (1653 – 1692) was the youngest. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) was the sole widow. On July 19, 1692 the five doomed and shabbily dressed women were carried slowly in a wooden cart along Essex Street under an armed guard past gaping, hooting crowds of spectators to Gallows Hill in Salem, Massachusetts where they were executed by hanging for practicing witchcraft. Someone edged the women’s feet off the ladder, presumably in quick succession. The crowd recoiled from their terrible moans. The witches remained on display long enough to make an impression but not much longer. They were buried quickly and unceremoniously as their bodies were thrust into a crevice of a Gallows Hill outcropping of felsite since witches were not entitled to a Christian burial under Puritan law. Later, after the crowd dispersed, the bodies of *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692), REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), SARAH SOLART GOOD1 (1653 – 1692), SARAH AVERILL WILDES1 (1627 – 1692), and ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) were buried in shallow, unmarked graves on the hill. Legend has it that the families quietly recovered the bodies. It is believed that the loving sons of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) surreptitiously retrieved her body after nightfall that evening and properly buried her near her Salem Village home in a secret gravesite. There is no record of the last resting place of our 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692).
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The Amesbury widow 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) was survived by seven of her nine children. It is not known if *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) family also secretly retrieved her body. Because of the notoriety of her mother and risk to herself, 6X Great Grandmother *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704), and her husband, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL HADLEY2 (1652 - 1745) of Amesbury, would have acted in complete secrecy if they did retrieve *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) body. Their daughter and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s granddaughter, 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH HADLEY (POTTER)3 (ca. 1684 - 1739) was only about eight years old in 1692. No trace of any of the five women’s remains has been found. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) was memorialized by the great American Poet, JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER6 (1807 – 1892), in his famous poem, “The Witch’s Daughter.”
“The Witch’s Daughter” by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER (19th Century Poet) “Let Goody Martin rest in peace, I never knew her harm a fly, And witch or not – God knows – not I? I know who swore her life away; And as God lives, I’d not condemn An Indian dog on word of them.”
Table 1: The Children of 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN nd SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) and his 2 wife 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692). No. Name 1. RICHARD MARTIN2 (1647 – 1729) 2. GEORGE MARTIN2 (1648 – 1734) 3. JOHN MARTIN2 (1650 – 1693) 4. HESTER (ESTHER) MARTIN (JAMESON)2 (1653 – 1696) 5. *JANE MARTIN (HADLEY)2 (1656 – after 1704) 6X Great Grandmother. 6. ABIGAIL MARTIN (HADLOCK)2 (1659 – 1716) 7. WILLIAM MARTIN2 (1662 – 1662) 8. WILLIAM MARTIN2 (1663 – 1726) 9. SAMUEL MARTIN2 (1667 – 1683) Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 11
Notes: (1) 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN SR1’s (ca. 1618 – 1686) first wife was HANNAH (?) MARTIN1; they had one child: HANNAH MARTIN (WORTHEN)2 (1643 - ? ). (2) 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) and 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) were married on August 11, 1676 in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Our POTTER family is directly descended from *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) as follows:
Table 2: Pedigree of the POTTER family descended from 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - P 1692) who was taken to Gallows Hill, Salem, Massachusetts and sadly executed by hanging on July 19, 1692 for practicing witchcraft. Gen. Name Spouse -1 *JOHN NORTH-1 Unknown. 0 *RICHARD NORTH0 *JOAN BARTRAM NORTH0 (ca. 1590 - 1667) (ca. 1590 - before 1630) Married: November 19, 1610 Married: November 19, 1610 1 *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (1621 - 1692) (1618 - 1686) 7X Great Grandmother 7X Great Grandfather 2 *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 *SAMUEL HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704) (1652 - 1745) 3 *SUSANNAH HADLEY *THOMAS POTTER3 POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) (ca. 1684 (or) ca. 1693 - 1776) Married: (Int.) September 18, 1714 Married: (Int.) September 18, 1714 4 Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 *MARTHA (?) WILLIAMS (1724 - 1791) PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 - 1803) 5 *ELIJAH POTTER5 *ABIGAIL HORR POTTER5 (1770 - 1844) (1775 - 1855) 6 *GILBERT POTTER6 *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT (1811 - 1862) POTTER6 (1817 - 1851) 7 *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 *FLORA E. GRANT POTTER7 (1841 - 1893) (1848 - 1928) 8 *ALBERT LINCOLN POTTER8 *ELEANOR THERESA DODGE (1874 - 1930) POTTER8 (1876 - 1951)
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9 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 *VONCEILE CAROLYN (1906 - 1976) METCALF POTTER9 (1909 - 1976) 10 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER *DOROTHY ANN NEMICCOLO JR10 (1944 - ? ) POTTER10 (1947 - ? ) ------*WILBURN METCALF *ELIZABETH ANNA DUNCAN POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) POTTER10 (1944 - ? ) Note: No doubt that 6X Great Grandmother *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704) named her daughter, 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1684 (or) ca. 1693 - 1739), after her mother, 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692), who was wrongfully hanged as an accused witch in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.
Lone Tree Hill overlooking the Merrimac River is a famous historical site in Amesbury, Massachusetts where the homestead of 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) and 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was located. They were married in Amesbury on August 11, 1676. She was his second wife. *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) was a blacksmith and one of the largest landowners in Amesbury. A highway (Route 110) now cuts through the site of the original farmstead. The boulder and plaque which marked their homestead (photo at left) had to be moved a short distance to allow Route 110 to be built. The boulder and plaque are now located at the end of Martin Road where the highway (Route 110) crosses Martin Road. The inscription on the plaque reads: “Here stood the house of *SUSANNAH MARTIN, an honest, hardworking Christian woman accused of being a witch and executed at Salem, July 19, 1692. She will be missed! A Martyr of Superstition. T.I.A. 1894.” Finally, on Halloween 2001, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts officially pardoned 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692).
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“The American History of a Potter Family” Pedigree of *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ), the Author. The First Twelve American Heads of The POTTER Family Descended from the Immigrant *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 - 1690) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Gen Name Spouse 1 *ANTHONY POTTER1 *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (ca. 1628 - 1690) (1629 - 1712) – 2nd wife. b. ca. 1628 - (unknown), England b. Bapt. March 6, 1629 - Nayland, m. 2nd wife: ca. 1652 - Ipswich, MA. Suffolk, England. d. before March 26, 1690 - Ipswich, Lived: Cambridge, Massachusetts Massachusetts. before marriage. (see note below) m. ca. 1652 - Ipswich, Massachusetts. d. March 10, 1712 - Ipswich, MA.
2 *SAMUEL POTTER2 *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (ca. 1657 - 1714) (1661 - ca. 1691) – 1st wife. b. ca. 1657 - Ipswich, Massachusetts. b. December 14, 1661 - Ipswich, MA. m. 1st wife: ca. 1684 - Ipswich, MA. m. ca. 1684 - Ipswich, Massachusetts. d. before August 2, 1714 - Ipswich, d. ca. 1691 - Ipswich, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. 3 *THOMAS POTTER3 *SUSANNA HADLEY POTTER3 (1691 -1753) (ca. 1684 - 1776) b. April 15, 1691 - Ipswich, MA. b. ca. 1684 (or) ca. 1693 - Amesbury, m. Intentions September 18, 1714 – Massachusetts. Ipswich, Massachusetts. m. Int. September 18, 1714 - Ipswich, d. April 23, 1753 - Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. d. 1739 (or) October 20, 1776 – Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts.
4 Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 *MARTHA (?) WILLIAMS (1724 - 1791) PERKINS BRADSTREET nd b. November 13, 1724 - Ipswich, POTTER4 (1731 - 1803) – 2 wife. Massachusetts. b. 1731 - probably Topsfield, m. 2nd wife: Oct. 20, 1762 - Massachusetts. Topsfield, Massachusetts. m. October 20, 1762 - Topsfield, MA. d. June 22, 1791 - Ipswich Farms, d. June 12, 1803 - Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. Massachusetts.
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5 *ELIJAH POTTER5 *ABIGAIL HORR POTTER5 (1770 - 1844) (1775/76 - 1855) b. February 10, 1770 - Rowley, MA. b. December, 1775 - Haverhill, MA. m. January 11, 1796/98 - Waterford, (or) ca. April, 1776 - Norton, MA. Maine. m. January 11, 1796/98 - Waterford, d. December 15, 1844 - Bridgton, Maine. Maine. d. February 18, 1855 - Bridgton, ME. 6 *GILBERT POTTER6 *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT st (1811 - 1862) POTTER6 (1817 - 1851) – 1 wife. b. August 31, 1811 - Bridgton, Me. b. December 26/29, 1817 - Otisfield, m. 1st Wife: February 2, 1841 – Maine. Windham Hill, Maine. m. February 2, 1841 - Windham Hill, d. August, 1862 - Sanders Creek, Maine. near Braxton, Simpson County, d. October 8, 1851 - Windham, Maine. Mississippi. 7 *ALGERNON SIDNEY *FLORENCE ELLA (FLORA E.) POTTER7 (1841 - 1893) GRANT POTTER7 (1848 - 1928) b. October 20, 1841 - Brownfield, b. November 18, 1848 - Prospect, Me. Maine. m. January 7, 1873 - Portland, Maine. m. January 7, 1873 - Portland, Me. d. February 19, 1928 - Dorchester d. January 18, 1893 - Boston, MA. (Boston), Massachusetts. 8 *ALBERT LINCOLN POTTER8 *ELEANOR THERESA DODGE (1874 - 1930) POTTER7 (1876 - 1951) b. March 11, 1874 - Boston, MA. b. Dec. 3, 1876 - East Boston, MA. m. August 2, 1898 - Boston, MA. m. August 2, 1898 - Boston, MA. d. January 29, 1930 - Dorchester d. July 29, 1951 - Dorchester (Boston), (Boston), Massachusetts. Massachusetts. 9 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 *VONCEILE CAROLYN (1906 - 1976) METCALF POTTER9 b. October 30, 1906 - Dorchester, (1909 - 1976) Massachusetts. b. August 10, 1909 - Hartford, AL. m. April 19, 1943 - Montgomery, m. April 19, 1943 - Montgomery, AL. Alabama. d. March 4, 1976 - Hyde Park d. December 9, 1976 - Hyde Park, (Boston), Massachusetts. (Boston), Massachusetts. 10 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER DOROTHY ANN NEMICCOLO JR10 (1944 - ? ) POTTER10 (1947 - ? ) b. July 13, 1944 - Montgomery, AL. b. July 14, 1947 – Boston, MA. m. September 7, 1968 - Canton, MA. m. September 7, 1968 – Canton, MA. Home: 30 Walpole St., Sharon, MA. Home: 30 Walpole St., Sharon, MA. ------
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10 *WILBURN METCALF ELIZABETH ANNA DUNCAN POTTER10 (1946 - ? ), the author. POTTER10 (1944 - ? ) b. October 5, 1946 – Brookline, MA. b. September 14, 1944 - Norfolk, VA. m. December 16, 1972 – Virginia m. December 16, 1972 - Virginia Beach, Virginia. Beach, Virginia. Children: none. Children: none. 11 Children of *KENNETH DODGE POTTER JR10 (1944 - ? ): 1. AMY RENEE POTTER 1. JOSEPH EUGENE SMITH11 SMITH11 (1971 - ? ) (1971 - ? ) b. August 20, 1971 - Norwood, b. November 4, 1971 - Sligo, Massachusetts. Ireland. m. April 30, 2005 - Mashpee, m. April 30, 2005 - Mashpee, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. ------2. GREGORY KENNETH 2. LESLIE ELIZABETH POTTER11 (1975 - ? ) DONLON POTTER11 (1978 - ?) b. November 3, 1975 - Boston, b. April 7, 1978 - Beverly, MA. Massachusetts. m. September 4, 2005 – m. September 4, 2005 – Gloucester, Massachusetts. Gloucester, Massachusetts. ------3. BRIAN KENDALL POTTER11 3. MELISSA SALO POTTER11 (1979 - ? ) (1982 - ? ) b. February 23, 1979 - Boston, b. June 7, 1982 - Altoona, Massachusetts. Pennsylvania. m. July 21, 2012 – m. July 21, 2012 – Kennebunkport, Maine. Kennebunkport, Maine. 12 Daughters of AMY RENEE POTTER SMITH11 (1971 - ? ):
1. AIDEEN ROSE SMITH12 (2007 - ? ) b. February 11, 2007 - Newton- Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts. 2. AISLING RHIANNON SMITH12 (2011 - ? ) b. March 30, 2011 - Newton- Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts. ------
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Sons of GREGORY KENNETH POTTER11 (1975 - ? ):
1. BRODY RYAN POTTER12 (2011 - ? ) b. November 18, 2011 – Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
2. HAYDEN CHASE POTTER12 (2014 - ? ) b. June 14, 2014 – Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. ------Daughters of BRIAN KENDALL POTTER12 ( 1979 - ? ):
1. MADISON KRISTINA POTTER2 (2013 - ? ) b. September 8, 2013 – Newton- Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts.
2. SAMANTHA KENDALL POTTER12 (2014 - ? ) b. October 28, 2014 – Newton- Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts. Note: Genealogists have reported a number of places for *ANTHONY POTTER1’s (ca. 1628 - 1690) “place of birth”: (1) Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire County, England in 1628; (2) Coventry, West Midlands (Warwickshire), England about 1628; (3) Thetford, Norfolk, England about 1627; (4) Covington, either Bedfordshire County or Huntingdonshire County, England in 1628; and, (5) Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire County, England in 1628. Further investigation in England is required.
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CHAPTER 2
*SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 - 1714) “Farmer of the West Farm Parish (Ipswich Farms)”
for the years 1690 - 1714
THE SECOND GENERATION No. Name Spouse 1. JOHN POTTER2 (1) SARAH FELLOWS (POTTER)2 (1652 - 1718) (1657 - 1693) (2) SARAH KIMBALL (POTTER)2 (1661 - 1724) 2. EDMUND POTTER2 (1) ABIGAIL WELLS (POTTER)2 (1654 - 1702) (1662 - ca. 1700) (2) JOHANA (HANNAH) TUTTLE (BISHOP) (PICKARD) (POTTER) (WHIPPLE)2 (1664 - after 1732) 3. *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1) *JOANNA WOOD (POTTER)2 (ca. 1657 - 1714) (1661 - ca. 1694) (2) RUTH DUNTON (POTTER)2 6X Great Grandfather (1663 - 1705) (3) SARAH CHILSON (BURNELL) (POTTER)2 (1673 - 1737) 4. ELIZABETH POTTER THOMAS KIMBALL2 KIMBALL2 (ca. 1659 - 1723) (1657 - 1732) 5. LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745) (1659 - 1739) 6. THOMAS POTTER2 MARY KIMBALL (POTTER)2 (ca. 1664 - 1745) (1671 - ? ) 7. ANTHONY POTTER JR.2 MARTHA DRESSER (POTTER)2 (ca. 1667 - 1756) (1671 - 1728)
1690: Ipswich, Massachusetts: 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (1628 - 1690), 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s (ca. 1657 – 1714) father, died sometime between January and March, 1690, in Ipswich Massachusetts. His Last Will & Testament was proved on March 25, 1690. He was probably buried in the “Ancient Old North Burial Ground” on High Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts. However, the location of his grave is unknown, for no record remains of his burial and no gravestone could be found marking his grave. More than likely he was Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 18 buried near his second wife *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1’s (1628 – 1712) grave in the right front eastern corner of the “Ancient Old North Burial Ground” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. [See: 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1’s (1628 – 1712) death and burial in 1712.] <<<
“The Second Indian War – “King William’s War” (1688 – 1699)”: In 1689 the English Parliament drove King JAMES II1 (1633 – 1701), a Roman Catholic, from the throne of England and replaced him with a Dutch Protestant, WILLIAM of Orange2 (1650 – 1702), and JAMES II1’s daughter, MARY2 (1662 – 1694), WILLIAM2’s wife. They were to rule jointly. A war followed in which Protestants battled Roman Catholics at home and abroad. This was the war that brought the Indians and their French Roman Catholic allies to the doorsteps of English Protestant New England settlements.
In the last quarter of the 17th Century, two successive, devastating wars on the northeastern frontier, “King Philip’s War (1675 – 1678)” and “King William’s War (1688 – 1699)” – or the “First” and “Second Indian Wars” – together wreaked havoc with what had been prosperous settlements along the coast northeast of Massachusetts. The continued and seemingly unstoppable successes of the Indians and their French allies called into question New Englanders’ ability to sustain the northern outposts that contributed significantly to the prosperity of their economy through the production of fish and timber. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 19
In the winter of 1689-1690 the French and their Native American allies (the “MICMAC” Indians) from Canada raided English settlements to the south. The first attack happened in February 1690 at Schenectady, New York, where sixty (60) settlers were slaughtered, eighty to ninety captured and marched off to Canada, and the village burned to the ground; in March 1690, a second snowshoe force burnt Salmon Falls (Berwick, Maine), on the Maine - New Hampshire border and killed about thirty (30) settlers before taking forty-four (44) captives to Quebec - the war had come to within sixty miles of Ipswich; in May 1690, Falmouth (Portland), Maine was attacked; in Kittery, Maine, a township of 125 square miles, a party of French and Indian raiders swooped down on the upper part of this township and picked off the scattered families one by one, burning their houses to the ground. At Kittery, Maine eighty-eight (88) unsuspecting men, women, and children died. Fighting back, the English with their “ONEIDA” Indian allies staged a two- pronged assault: by land on Montreal from Albany, New York and by sea from Boston on Quebec under Sir WILLIAM PHIPS1’s (1651 – 1695) (soon to be Governor of Massachusetts) command. Ipswich raised her full quota of men for the attack on Quebec. The recruits in 1690 were under the command of Major SAMUEL APPLETON1 (1625 – 1696). Lieutenant or Captain JOHN WHIPPLE III2 (1657 – 1722) of the Ipswich troop may have had a command in this expedition. Deceased *ANTHONY POTTER1’s (ca. 1628 – 1690) close friend, Mr. NATHANIEL RUST2 (1640 – 1713), the Glover, was appointed Quartermaster for the tragic “Canada Expedition of 1690.” His son, JOHN WARDELL RUST SR3 (1684 – 1713), would marry Cousin SARAH POTTER (RUST) (FELLOWS)3 (1685 – 1725) on September 26, 1705 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. [Note: Cousin SARAH POTTER (RUST) (FELLOWS)3 (1685 – 1725) was born on December 11, 1685 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (ca. 1652/53 – 1718) and his first wife, Aunt SARAH FELLOWS POTTER3 (1657 – 1693), of Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the granddaughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690). She would have four (4) children between 1707 and 1713 by her first marriage to JOHN WARDELL RUST SR3 (1684 – 1713) on September 26, 1705 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. About December 29, 1716 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, she married a second time to JONATHAN FELLOWS3 (1682 – 1753) by whom she had five (5) children between 1717 and 1724. She died on May 30, 1725 in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 39 years of age. JOHN WARDELL RUST SR3 (1684 – 1713) was born on July 9, 1684 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of NATHANIEL RUST2 (1640 – 1713), Glover of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and MARY (MARIE) WARDWELL RUST2 (1644 – 1720). He was listed as a “Commoner” of Ipswich in 1707. JOHN
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WARDELL RUST SR3 (1684 – 1713) died on January 22, 1713 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. JONATHAN FELLOWS3 (1682 – 1753) was born on September 28, 1682 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of ISAAC FELLOWS2 (ca. 1637 – 1721) and JOANNA BOREMAN FELLOWS2 (ca. 1646 – 1732). JONATHAN FELLOWS3 (1682 – 1753) died on January 21, 1753 in Kensington, New Hampshire.] The two English forces were supposed to strike simultaneously in September 1690, but bad weather delayed the sea convoy. The Montreal attack was a complete failure, and by the time Sir WILLIAM PHIPS1’s (1651 – 1695) ships, a fleet of some thirty-two (32) vessels with 2,300 militiamen, arrived at Quebec City on October 6th, 1690, French reinforcements had already arrived from Montreal. After attempting a land attack and bombarding Quebec for two days, PHIPS1 ran out of ammunition and the 2,300 New Englanders had to retreat and return home. What followed was disastrous. With dwindling food supplies and weakened by smallpox and fatigue, their situation worsened. Tossed into confusion by a hasty retreat and punishing storms, the fleet was scattered. Some ships ran aground. Four ships were lost. By the time the retreating flotilla floundered into Boston, some four hundred (400) men had died. From November, 1690 through March, 1691, survivors limped home to Boston bringing dysentery and fever with them. The abortive 1690 attack on Quebec City became the most significant of a series of skirmishes known as “The Second Indian War” (1688 – 1699) or “King William’s War,” primarily a European grudge match between the Protestant English monarch, King William III2 (1650 – 1702), and France’s Catholic ruler, King Louis XIV. Massachusetts, which had invested heavily in this disastrous invasion of Canada and had planned to cash in on its share of the expected plunder from Quebec, was brought to near bankruptcy. In 1690, colonial forces suffered one defeat after another, and the northern frontier was again largely abandoned. It would take decades before northern Maine would be fully resettled; for, although the “Second Indian War” would end in 1699, a third would begin just three years later. <<<
Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: On Sabbath day March 2, 1690, Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745), wife of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739), was officially admitted into the Salem Village church. In December 1690, EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 - 1748) was installed as one of the two “Salem Village Church” deacons. Lieutenant NATHANIEL INGERSOLL2 (1633 - 1719), owner of “Ingersoll’s Ordinary” (Inn & Tavern) in Salem Village, would be installed as the other deacon in June, 1691. “Ingersoll’s Ordinary” would be the center of the events of 1692 that would give Salem Village an inglorious place in American history. At a general meeting of the inhabitants of Salem Village on December 9, 1690, it was voted that the PUTNAM cousins EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 – 1748), Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 21
BENJAMIN PUTNAM2 (1664 – 1715), Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 – 1739), JAMES PUTNAM2 (1661 – 1727), and JOHN PUTNAM JR2 (1667 – 1736), the last three being brothers, shall have liberty to build a seat for their wives in the meeting house adjoining Mr. SAMUEL PARRIS2’s (1653 – 1720) pew, and so of the same breadth to the east end of the meetinghouse, and that other women shall be placed in the gallery in those seats where the above said women are taken out. Thus, ELIZABETH ELDRIDGE PARRIS2 (1648 – 1696), the beautiful wife of the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720), was surrounded in her Salem Village church pew by five PUTNAM wives including Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745) who became close friends. <<<
1691: Ipswich Farms (later Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts until circa 1706 when he moved inland down the old Indian way now known as Linebrook Road about six miles to “Ipswich Farms” near the Topsfield line. Topsfield, Massachusetts had been established as a town in 1650. The Indian name for Topsfield was “Shenewemedy” but the first English settlers called it “The Village at the New Meadows at Ipswich.” *SAMUEL POTTER2’s farm was at the boundary between Ipswich and Topsfield near Line Brook Road in a district initially known as “Ipswich Farms” and later known as “Linebrook Parish” about four miles west of Ipswich. The people of Linebrook were descendants of the original Ipswich settlers and were mostly farmers leading very quiet and peaceful lives. <<<
Ipswich, Massachusetts: In 1691, 39 year-old Uncle JOHN (“The Cooper”) POTTER2 (1652 – 1718) occupied his deceased father’s house (the JOHN COVINGTON House Site in the map on next page) directly opposite the Meeting House Green on North Main Street, Ipswich, Mass. He owned the property until about 1718, the year he died. However, in December, 1708, he purchased property not far away at the corner of East and Brooke Streets in Ipswich where he built a mansion and probably moved there in 1709. Records show that his son, Cousin Deacon AARON POTTER3 (1699 - 1776), owned the JOHN COVINGTON House property in 1723 on the corner of Loney’s Lane but little more than four rods from the Ipswich Meeting House. Thus, the third homestead of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) near the Ipswich Meeting House was passed down first to his son, Uncle JOHN (“The Cooper”) POTTER2 (1652 – 1718), and then to his grandson, Cousin Deacon AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776). <<< Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 22
Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: By 1691, the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) (image at left), the new pastor of the Salem Village church, had wrangled the major concession of full ownership of the village-built 1681 parsonage and its two- acre lot. However, a vociferous minority claimed that they were not privy to this agreement and considered it an illegal giveaway of their village-owned parsonage. Slowly festering, the controversy continued to build until October 1691 when the PARRIS opposition faction made its move. In the annual election of the Village Committee, the old committee made up of the minister’s supporters was ousted, and a new committee composed of FRANCIS NURSE1 (1618 – 1695), JOSEPH PORTER, JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - 1725), DANIEL ANDREWS, and JOSEPH
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HUTCHINSON, most if not at all strong opponents of the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720), was installed. Thus began a bitter feud, including a lawsuit against the new church committee, as the church divided into two factions over its support of its new pastor. Whereas, JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - 1725) opposed the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720), all the other Salem Village PUTNAM families including Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739) strongly supported their new pastor. <<<
Wells, Maine: [The Second Indian War – Attack on Wells, Maine – June 13, 1691] On June 13, 1691, shortly after the arrival of a militia troop from Essex County, Massachusetts, the influential Penobscot (Kennebec) sachem AGAMAGUS (MOXIS) led a force of perhaps two hundred (200) Indians against Wells, Maine, the best-defended town in Maine. The well-armed Indians destroyed the Wells livestock and trampled the fields. The timely arrival of the Essex County militia repelled the assault and the town was saved. Wells survived, but the raiders had better luck against Berwick, Exeter, and York. In the weeks and months following the June raid on Wells, Maine, the Abenaki Indians altered their tactics switching to small hit-and-run raids targeting farmers and livestock instead of large-scale assaults on fortified towns. <<<
1692: [The Second Indian War - Abenaki Indian Raids on York and Wells, Maine – January 25, 1692] The Maine frontier was thinly populated; fewer than four thousand (<4,000) brave English settlers made their homes precariously there. The Abenaki Indians in Maine outnumbered the English six to one. Unfortunately, the government in Boston, Massachusetts ignored the appeals of many of the Maine settlers in 1690 and 1691 and withdrew its soldiers posted on the frontier with disastrous results. York, Maine: Once again aroused by the French Jesuits, the Abenaki Indians swooped down from the north, making their way on snow shoes over the deep snow, to attack the southern Maine frontier towns on a cold January morning in 1692. Just before dawn on January 25, 1692, one hundred and fifty (150) Abenaki warriors, led by Chief MADOCKAWANDO2 (ca. 1627/30 – 1698) and the French Jesuit Priest, Father LOUIS-PIERRE THURY2 (ca. 1644 – 1699), attacked the settlement of York, Maine (40 miles north of Ipswich, Massachusetts) by surprise. At that time the small frontier village of York, Maine, Wells’s closest neighbor, had three hundred (300) settlers in about forty houses with a meetinghouse, gaol, tavern-houses and several palisaded garrison houses. [“The Candlemas Massacre” – York, Maine – January 25, 1692] Waiting until daybreak, the stealthy Abenaki Indians posted themselves at the door of each
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 24 dwelling and slaughtered forty-eight (48) settlers including SHUBAEL DUMMER2 (1636 - 1692), the only ordained minister in Maine who was tragically butchered on his doorstep; he was barbarously murdered, stripped naked, cut, and mangled. His wife, LYDIA (?) DUMMER2, was carried off and would not survive her ordeal. JOSEPH MOULTON1, a tavern-keeper, his wife, and a number of guests staying at his tavern were also slaughtered. His four-year old son, JEREMIAH MOULTON2 (ca. 1688 – 1765), hid in the ruins of his home and managed to escape to one of the garrison houses. He would get his revenge later, for he became famous as a Captain in the York militia and earned the title, “Indian Fighter” during the continual Indian wars of the early 18th century. He also would successfully command, as Colonel, the Third Massachusetts Regiment at the first siege and capture of Fortress Louisburg on Cape Breton Island in 1745. The Abenakis also captured seventy-three (73) of the York settlers and marched them through the snow to northern Maine and Canada. Before they left, they burned every building in the settlement except the meetinghouse, the gaol, and the palisaded garrison houses. They slaughtered sheep, cattle, and horses. They also burned the surrounding farms for miles around.
Wells, Maine: The Abenaki raiders then turned once again upon nearby Wells, Maine where they made a determined but unsuccessful attack.
Berwick, Maine: At that time 7X Great Grandfather, 20-year old *JAMES GRANT1 (Captain I) (1671/2 – 1735) was living nearby in Berwick or South Berwick in York County, Maine. In 1692, he was wounded by Indians. Whether or not he was wounded during this Abenaki raid is not known. His father, 8X Great Grandfather *PETER GRANT0 (ca. 1631 – ca. 1712) and 8X Great Grandmother *JOANNA INGERSOLL GRANT GRANT0 (ca. 1644 – ca. 1710) were also living nearby in South Berwick (York Pond), Maine at the time. 7X Great Grandfather Captain *JAMES GRANT1 (Captain I ) (1671/2 – 1735) would become a Captain in the York militia and lead a company of militiamen in 1725 during Lovewell’s or Dummer’s War (1722 – 1725) and serve with distinction. [See: Appendix 7A: Grant Pedigree] <<<
Massachusetts North Shore: In northeastern Massachusetts, thirty miles south of the recent Indian raids in Maine, panic gripped the Massachusetts residents, many of whom were refugees from the “Eastward” pushed south by the earlier vicious French and Abenaki Indian attacks. Many scholars believe that this war panic in northeastern Massachusetts would significantly contribute to the outbreak of the witchcraft hysteria in Salem Village in the coming months. <<<
Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745) had married in 1683 into the infamous PUTNAM family Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 25 of Salem Village (Danvers) that was at the center of the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” She married Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739), the son of Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR.1 (1627 - 1710) and REBECCA PRINCE PUTNAM1 ( ? - ? ) of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts in 1683. In 1692, the most common family name in Salem Village was PUTNAM with eleven distinct households including a total of some sixty-six persons with that name. At that time Salem Village consisted of some ninety (90) families and had a population of no more than five hundred and fifty (550) people. The following table summarizes the notorious PUTNAM family of Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts in 1692: Table 3: The Putnam Family of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts involved in the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” 1 Patriarch: JOHN PUTNAM0 (1579 – 1662), the Elder Matriarch: PRISCILLA GOULD PUTNAM0 (1) THOMAS PUTNAM (2) NATHANIEL (3) JOHN PUTNAM SR1 (4) (5) (6) SR1 (1615 – 1686) – PUTNAM SR1 (1627 – 1710), Three wealthiest, Sergeant. (1619 – 1700), Lt. Captain. unmarried daughters. Wives: Wife: Wife: (1) ANN HOLYOKE ELIZABETH REBECCA PRINCE (PUTNAM)1 ( ? – 1665) HUTCHINSON (PUTNAM)1 ( ? - ? ) – – married 1643. (PUTNAM)1 married 1652. (2) MARY VEREN ( ? – 1688) (PUTNAM)1 ( ? – 1695) – married 1666. Children Children Children
1. ANN PUTNAM2 1. SAMUEL PUTNAM2 1. REBECCA PUTNAM2 (1645 – 1676) (1653 – 1676) (1653 - ? )
2. SARAH PUTNAM2 2. NATHANIEL 2. SARAH PUTNAM2 (1648 - ? ) PUTNAM JR2 (1655 - ? ) (1654 - ? ) 3. MARY PUTNAM2 3. JOHN PUTNAM2 3. PRISCILLA (1649 - ? ) (1657 – 1722) PUTNAM2 (1658 - ? ) 4. THOMAS PUTNAM 4. JOSEPH PUTNAM2 4. JONATHAN JR2 (1653 – 1699) (1659 – died young) PUTNAM2 (Uncle) Wife: ANN CARR (1660 – 1739) nd (PUTNAM)2 2 Wife: married 1683 (1661 – 1699) LYDIA POTTER - parents of “circle girl” (PUTNAM)2 *** ANN PUTNAM3 (1679 – (Aunt) 1716) who never married. (ca. 1661 – 1745)
5. EDWARD PUTNAM2 5. ELIZABETH 5. JAMES PUTNAM2 (1654 – 1748) PUTNAM2 (1662 - ? ) (1661 – 1727)
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6. DELIVERANCE 6. BENJAMIN 6. HANNAH PUTNAM2 PUTNAM (WALCOTT)2 PUTNAM2 (1663 - ? ) (1656 - ? ) (1664 – 1715)
7. ELIZABETH 7. MARY PUTNAM2 7. ELEAZER PUTNAM2 PUTNAM2 (1668 - ? ) (1665 – 1733) (1659 - ? )
8. PRUDENCE PUTNAM2 8. JOHN PUTNAM JR2 (1662 - ? ) (1667 – 1736)
9. JOSEPH PUTNAM2 Also MARY BLACK2 9. SUSANNA PUTNAM2 (1669 – 1723/25) ( ? - ? ), negro slave. (1670 - ? ) - father of Major General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790).
10. RUTH PUTNAM2 (1673 - ? )
Figure 2: Map of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts (ca. 1692) showing the location of key structures of the village center and notable residents’ homes,
including many PUTNAM family homes.
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[1692: The Salem Witchcraft Hysteria, Trials, and Executions] Between 1580 and 1680, Great Britain dispensed with no fewer than four thousand (4,000) witches. For the most part, English witches were hanged. The French still burned witches. Recorded cases of witchcraft in England were most frequent in the eastern counties (East Anglia) from which New England was settled. Essex County, England was beyond doubt a center of witch-hunting within the mother country; and Essex supplied a disproportionately large complement of settlers for the new colonies across the sea. New England would indict over a hundred (100) witches, about a quarter of them men. Of the 103 witchcraft cases in New England before 1692, the conviction rate hovered around 25 percent; prior to 1692, only four (4) New Englanders had admitted to witchcraft. In all, Massachusetts hanged only six (6) witches before the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” However, this would soon change. The people in many of the Massachusetts towns at this time attributed every natural disaster, every unexplained malady or even loss of their livestock, and every strange illness of their loved ones, to the malevolence of the devil via his evil agents, the witches. Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts, like so many other early Puritan settlements, was beset by squabbles. Neighbor battled neighbor over land boundaries, crops, grazing rights, and church matters. The PUTNAM families’ feuds with several Topsfield families had gathered legendary force over the decades. One well-known ongoing feud pitted the NURSE family which owned extensive lands in Essex County, Massachusetts against some branches of the PUTNAM family which owned less. The NURSE family and the PUTNAMs had sued and countersued each other in an epic land dispute. Though not among the original settlers of Salem Village, FRANCIS NURSE1 (1618 – 1695), a woodworker by trade, and his wife, REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), had firmly established themselves in the village, where they acquired a three hundred (300) acre farm from a Boston minister who had inherited it. Over the course of nearly fifty years of marriage, they had raised eight (8) children, along with an orphaned Quaker boy. Theirs was a thriving, close-knit clan, the marriage a solid one. FRANCIS NURSE1 (1618 – 1695) had emerged as one of Salem Village’s most active citizens. Serving as juror and constable, appraising properties, surveying borders, and arbitrating land disputes. Church congregations divided over issues with their ministers. In the new parish at Salem Village, successive ministers battled the congregation over compensation. In the 1680s, two ministers, JAMES BAYLEY2 (1650 – 1707) (the first who served 1672 - 1679) and GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (1652 – 1692) (the second who served 1679 - 1683), resigned, took the parish to court, and won settlements. Both had been hounded out of the parish by the acrimony, snooping, and the refusal on the part of many in the congregation to pay “rates” to the support of ministers they didn’t want. The succeeding minister, the mannerly, smooth-talking DEODAT LAWSON2 ( ? - ? ) (the third who Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 28 served 1684 - 1688), avoided such struggles only by quickly departing in 1688 for a better post. At the end of 1689, the infamous Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) with no pastoral experience succeeded DEODAT LAWSON2. Like his predecessors, he complained about his meager salary and firewood allotment. In the fall of 1691 he angered the Salem Village congregation by seizing permanent possession of the church’s parsonage (sketch at right) and its two-acre lot which he occupied as his home. In retaliation, many parishioners refused to supply him with the previously agreed amount of firewood. From 1620 to 1725 a great many people were formally accused of witchcraft in New England – at least 344 individuals altogether. Of that number, 35 were actually executed, and another person, GILES COREY1 (ca. 1611 - 1692), who refused to testify was pressed to death in Salem with heavy stones. His wife, MARTHA COREY1 (late 1620s - 1692) was executed as a witch, a victim of one of the many notorious PUTNAM family accusations during the Salem witchcraft hysteria of 1692. Somewhere between 141 and 185 of the witchcraft accusations and 19 of the executions – 14 women including 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) and 5 men (plus two dogs) - occurred during the great Salem witch hunt outbreak of 1692. The sorcery materialized in January, 1692; the first hanging took place in June, 1692 and the last in September, 1692. The youngest of the convicted witches was five years of age and the eldest nearly eighty. Fifty-five people confessed to witchcraft. The hysteria extended beyond Salem and Salem Village to twenty-five nearby villages and towns before the crisis passed. One of our ancestors, Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745), the younger daughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (1628 – 1690) and second wife of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), had a front row seat to the entire shameful Salem Village (modern day Danvers) episode. In 1692, she was 31 years of age and had been married seven years to Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), a prominent citizen of Salem Village. Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) was born on March 17, 1659 in Salem Village, Massachusetts. He was the eldest son of Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710) and REBECCA PRINCE PUTNAM1 ( ? - ? ). His first wife was ELIZABETH WHIPPLE (PUTNAM)2 (1661 - 1682), the daughter of Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 1695) and his second wife, ELIZABETH WOODMAN WHIPPLE1 (ca. 1635 – ca. 1663), who, in August, 1682, bore him one child, an infant son named SAMUEL PUTNAM3 (1682 - 1682), who lived only 15 weeks and died the last of November, 1682.
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Table 4: The Children of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 – 1745) of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts. No. Name 1 Cousin LYDIA PUTNAM (FLINT)3 (1684 - 1711), born October 4, 1684 in Salem Village; married THOMAS FLINT III3 (1678 – ca, 1757), son of THOMAS FLINT II2 and MARY DOUNTON FLINT2, on January 6, 1703 in Salem Village; she died on August 3, 1711 at 26 years of age in Salem Village, Massachusetts. 2 Cousin ELIZABETH PUTNAM (PORTER) (HUTCHINSON)3 (1687 – 1728), born February 2, 1687; married (1) JOHN PORTER3 in 1709 and (2) ROBERT HUTCHINSON3 (1687 - 1733), son of JOSEPH HUTCHINSON2 and LYDIA BUXTON SMALL HUTCHINSON2, on December 27, 1711; she died August 8, 1728 at 41 years of age. 3 Cousin RUTH PUTNAM3 (1689 – 1700), born April 7, 1689 in Salem Village; died March 26, 1700 (per G.S.) at almost 11 years of age. 4 Cousin SUSANNA PUTNAM3 (1690 - ? ), born ca. May 25, 1690 in Salem Village; died unknown. 5 Cousin JONATHAN PUTNAM JR.3 (1691 - 1732), born May 8, 1691in Salem Village; married ELIZABETH PUTNAM (PUTNAM)3, daughter of JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - 1725) and ELIZABETH PORTER PUTNAM2 of Salem Village, in 1714; he was a lifelong resident of Salem Village and a prosperous farmer; he was the father of seven children and died January 17, 1732 at 40 years of age. 6 Cousin ESTHER PUTNAM (MARBLE)3 (1693 - ? ), born November 18, 1693 in Salem Village; married DANIEL MARBLE3; died unknown. 7 Cousin JEREMIAH PUTNAM3 (ca. 1695 - ? ), born ca. 1695 in Salem Village; died as an infant. 8 Cousin JERUSHA PUTNAM3 (1696 or 1697 – 1697), born May 2, 1696 or ca. April 28, 1697; died November 18, 1697 (per G.S.) as infant at 6 months and 20 days (per G.S.). 9 Cousin JOSHUA PUTNAM3 (ca. 1697 - ? ), born ca. 1697 in Salem Village; died as an infant. 10 Cousin DAVID PUTNAM3 (ca. 1699 - ? ), born ca. 1699 in Salem Village; died as a child. 11 Cousin JERUSHA PUTNAM3 (1700 – 1706 or 1716), born September 15, 1700 in Salem Village; died August 16, 1706 at almost 6 years of age or died on August 16, 1716 at almost 16 years of age (G.S. illegible). 12 Cousin DAVID PUTNAM3 (1706 - ? ), born February 8, 1706 in Salem Village; died unknown.
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Notes: (1) Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) and his first wife, ELIZABETH WHIPPLE PUTNAM2 (ca. 1660 – 1682), who married about 1681, had an infant son named SAMUEL PUTNAM3 (1682 – 1682) who only lived 15 weeks and died in infancy during the last of November, 1682. (2) ELIZABETH WHIPPLE PUTNAM2 (ca. 1660 – 1682), daughter of THOMAS WHIPPLE1 and ELIZABETH ( ? ) WHIPPLE1, died on August 24, 1682 at only 22 years of age probably from complications from bearing her only child, SAMUEL PUTNAM3 (1682 – 1682); she was buried in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground” now called “Wadsworth Cemetery” on Summer Street in Danvers, Massachusetts; her gravestone has the oldest inscription in the Wadsworth Cemetery: “Here lyes the body of Elizabeth, ye wife of Jonathan Putnam, aged about 22 years; deceased ye 7th of August, 1682.”
ELIZABETH WHIPPLE (PUTNAM)2 (1661 - 1682) died on August 24, 1682, probably from complications of bearing her only child, SAMUEL PUTNAM3 (1682 - 1682). She and her son were buried near each other in Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1659 - 1739) family plot in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground,” now known as “Wadsworth Cemetery,” on Summer Street in Danvers, Massachusetts. Her gravestone was inscribed: “Here lyes Ye body of ELIZABETH Ye wife of JONATHAN PUTNAM aged about 22 years deceased Ye 24 of August 1682.” About 1683, Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) married a second time, this time to Aunt LYDIA POTTER (PUTNAM)2 (1661 - 1745), the daughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 - 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 - 1712) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. They had nine (9) children and lived in the Putnamville section of Salem Village at the southeast corner of Davenport Hill or Putnam Hill. Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) had built a house, not far from his father’s on the Topsfield Road in Salem Village. He was a successful farmer “in excellent circumstances” and active in the community, chosen to the Grand Jury in 1683, and as a Highway Surveyor the following year. He also served as a Selectman for a number of years. Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) became a member of the Salem Village Church on November 19, 1689. His wife, Aunt LYDIA POTTER (PUTNAM)2 (1661 - 1745), became a member on March 2, 1690. Serving in the Salem militia, he rose to the rank of “Captain.” Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) was a yeoman who may have earned the title, “Captain,” when he became one of the constables of Salem Village in 1691. Until October, 1691, he was also a member of the “Salem Village Committee.” Like his father, and other members of his family, Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) saw it his duty to join them in protecting their family’s nephews from SARAH WARREN PRINCE OSBORNE1 (ca. 1643 – 1692) who they claimed was cheating their nephews out of their inheritance. She attempted to overtake her children’s inheritance and seize control of her deceased husband’s estate for herself
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 31 and new husband. Her deceased first husband’s Last Will & Testament named as its executors THOMAS PUTNAM SR1 (1615 – 1686) and Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 – 1710) who became her adversaries in her decades-long litigation over the estate. When the witch hysteria broke out in 1692, the frail SARAH WARREN PRINCE OSBORNE1 (ca. 1643 – 1692) was one of the first to be accused by the PUTNAM2 family. She was wrenched from her sickbed in February, 1692 and placed in Boston’s hellish Court Street jail awaiting her trial. However, she had been ill for some time prior to her arrest and would never get to trial. She would soon sadly die, shackled in prison, on May 10, 1692 at the age of 49 years, after nine weeks and two days in a raw, rank cell during the coldest months of the year on scant rations. She was the first casualty of the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” By the end of May, at least sixty suspects had been jailed, more than the Massachusetts prisons had ever accommodated. Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) would testify against SARAH WARREN PRINCE OSBORNE1 (ca. 1643 – 1692), as well as, REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692), MARY TOWNE EASTY1 (1634 - 1692), the sister of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), five-year old DORCAS GOOD3 (ca. 1687/88 - ? ), JOHN WILLIARD2 (ca. 1662 – 1692), and SARAH SMITH BUCKLEY1 (ca. 1636 – 1692). During the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692,” Constable Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) was one of the complainants in the March 23, 1692 warrants sworn out against REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) and five-year old DORCAS GOOD3 (ca. 1687/88 - ? ), the young daughter of thirty-eight year old SARAH SOLART GOOD2 (1653 - 1692), a local beggar woman who was sullen, bad-tempered, combative, and unkempt. Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739), as well as his wife, Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1745), later signed a petition with thirty-eight other honest citizens indicating their never having cause to suspect REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) of practicing witchcraft. Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) died on March 2, 1739 at 81 years of age and was buried in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground,” now the “Wadsworth Cemetery” on Summer Street in Danvers, Massachusetts. So it was that in late January 1692, about the time that a vicious Abenaki Indian attack razed York, Maine, leaving its mutilated minister, the Reverend SHUBAEL DUMMER2 (1636 – 1692), dead on his doorstep and caused an exodus south of English settlers; as a thaw released New England from an uncommonly brutal winter - the winter of 1691 – 1692 was especially arctic; as word arrived that an ocean away a new Massachusetts governor, Sir WILLIAM PHIPS2 (1651 – 1695), had kissed the ring of King WILLIAM III2 (1650 – 1702) and would be sailing home with a new charter, one that promised at last to deliver the colony from months of anarchy since the “Revolution of 1689” against Anglican Governor Sir EDMUND ANDROS2 (1637 - 1714); reports flew about that something was grievously wrong in the household of Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720), the soon-to-be notorious Salem Village minister.
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During the winter of 1691/1692 Salem Village’s witchcraft frenzy began in the home of the controversial Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720). Here his aged West Indian (Barbados) slave TITUBA2 enthralled a group of girls including his nine-year old daughter, ELIZABETH (BETTY) PARRIS3 (1682 - ? ) and eleven-year old niece, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS3 (ca. 1680 - ? ), with tales of sorcery and magic. Such tales must have been fascinating to the impressionable girls, no doubt bored with the rather grim, restrictive life of puritanical New England. The witchcraft crisis actually began in Salem Village in mid-January 1692 when two little girls living in the household of the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720) began to suffer from fits. SAMUEL PARRIS2’s nine-year old daughter ELIZABETH (BETTY) PARRIS3 (1682 - ? ) and some of her older friends fell into paroxysms of madness, shrieking, writhing, and contorting their faces and limbs. More specifically, young ELIZABETH (BETTY) PARRIS3 (1682 - ? ) began to display the following strange symptoms: weeping, absent-mindedness, inability to concentrate, staring, and most alarming, making strange animal-like noises. Her cousin, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS3 (ca. 1680 -?), also exhibited similar symptoms including getting down on all fours and running like an animal, mouthing animal-like noises. After examining the girls, the Salem Village Figure 3: Reverend physician, Dr. WILLIAM GRIGGS1 (1621 – 1693), SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - diagnosed that the girls were under the spell of “the 1720), pastor of the Salem evil hand.” Village Church in 1692. Also in January or February, 1692, twelve-year old ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716), the daughter of Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2‘s (1653 - 1720) stalwart supporter THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1652 - 1699), began to shudder and choke. A mile down the road in the other direction, ELIZABETH HUBBARD3 (ca. 1674/75 - ? ), Dr. WILLIAM GRIGG1‘s (1621 - 1693) sixteen-year old niece, convulsed as well. Seventy-one year old Dr. WILLIAM GRIGGS1 (1621 – 1693) was a Salem Village newcomer and Salem Village’s one practicing physician who quickly became a PUTNAM family intimate. Five witches were accused in March, 1692. Over the next month, accusations flew throughout and beyond Salem Village. Twenty-five (25) would be accused in April, 1692. Warrants went out on April 21, 1692 for nine (9) witch suspects, the majority of them in Topsfield when the accusations spread across town lines as the local affair bloomed into a provincial crisis. Over the next seven weeks, fifty-four (54) witches would be named.
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Encouraged by a clergy that believed implicitly in possession of the soul by the devil, the girls began naming their supposed tormentors. And so began the mass hysteria that rippled outward to other towns. By the end of the witch-hunt, thirty-two (32) victims had been executed throughout New England including 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692), “a short old woman” of Amesbury, Massachusetts and scores had suffered imprisonment. The overwhelming fear of Satan led otherwise level-headed Puritans to hang nineteen men and women on Salem’s “Gallows Hill” and to bury them there in unmarked and unhallowed graves. Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745) probably witnessed this entire shameful event. There are various theories about what caused the genuine fits and strange behavior of the young “afflicted circle girls” of Salem Village, Massachusetts in 1692: 1. One modern theory says they had eaten bread contaminated with a hallucinogenic fungus. The fits were a condition known as “convulsive ergotism” caused by eating rye bread made from grain infected by the fungus “claviceps purpurea,” a natural substance from which the hallucinogenic drug “LSD” is derived. 2. A more recent theory suggests the girls suffered from an “encephalitis epidemic.” 3. Another theory says they were just bored and got caught up in the sudden attention they were receiving and the power they were exercising. [Note: It was after accusing ELIZABETH PROCTOR2 (1652 - ? ) that one of the “circle girls” had confessed that they spun their tales for sport.] 4. Others contend that the accusations were the result of old jealousies among neighbors and retaliation for past offenses. Two Harvard scholars attributed the crisis to long-standing political, economic, and religious discord among the men of Salem Village. [Note: Two men testified they had overheard the PUTNAMs feeding circle girl MERCY LEWIS3 (1674/75 - ? ), a PUTNAM servant, her lines when testifying against the PROCTORs.] 5. Modern psychiatrists even contend that the “circle girls” were the victims of “clinical hysteria.” 6. Lastly, we should consider a combination of a number of the above theories. Interestingly, a majority of the afflicted girls had lost fathers, most of them to Indian attacks. Some of the afflicted girls were refugees from the Maine and New Hampshire frontier and had personally witnessed some of the Indian atrocities. In March 1690, MERCY SHORT3 (ca. 1677 - ? ) had survived a Wabanaki Indian raid on Salmon Falls, New Hampshire in which her entire family was slain. She was captured in the attack and taken to Quebec, Canada where she was later ransomed and taken back to Boston. One respected theory suggests the root cause for this shameful episode to be animosities developed over many years of factional strife in Salem Village with two opposing families at the center of the breach: the PUTNAMs vs. the PORTERs (not the POTTERs who actually had married into the opposing PUTNAM family).2 The Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 34 residents of Salem Village had organized themselves into two rival factions at the time of the trials. The fundamental point of contention between the two groups centered upon the question of local autonomy. There were actually two Salems in 1692: (1) Salem Town and (2) the farming community of Salem Village (modern day Danvers) further inland. Colloquially, Salem Village was called “Salem Farms” and its inhabitants “the Farmers.” The Ipswich Road formed the boundary line between Salem Town and Salem Village. The commercialization along the road stood as a perpetual affront to the Villagers who felt the integrity of the Village to be menaced from this quarter. A number of unfortunate souls who lived along it would suffer an unexpected fate during the climactic events of 1692. The PORTER lands lay on the Town side of the Village extending into the Town proper. The PUTNAM lands, by contrast, generally lay further to the west, with large tracts in the northwestern part of Salem Village extending all the way to the Ipswich River. A large tract of Salem farm land extending northwest to the Ipswich River, beginning with an initial 100-acre grant in 1641, was acquired by JOHN Figure 4: Salem Village (Danvers) in 1700 PUTNAM0, the Elder (1579 – 1662). By the time of his death in showing Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1660 - 1739) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER 1662 he had amassed nearly 800 acres. His three sons: (1) Sergeant PUTNAM2’s (ca. 1661 - 1745) primary farm and Locust Street (Route 35) house THOMAS PUTNAM SR1 (1615 – (shown by dark square) in Putnamville. 1686), (2) Lt. NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1 (1619 – 1700), and (3) Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 – 1710) inherited shares of their father’s Salem Village land. By 1681 the three PUTNAM brothers paid the largest taxes in Salem Village by a considerable margin. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 35
In the 1690s the large tracts of PUTNAM lands lay predominately in Salem Village (Danvers) north of Maple Street along the Ipswich River, extending partly into neighboring Middleton and Topsfield (area of land disputes), with another large section between Summer Street and Locust Street (Topsfield Road) in north central Salem Village (Danvers) around Davenport or Putnam Hill. The PUTNAMs owned all the parcels around Davenport or Putnam Hill. The area later became known as Putnamville (along the present Locust Street (Route 35)), a section in the north side of Salem Village (Danvers). Farms throughout Salem Village, later Danvers, became known far and wide for the Danvers half-long carrot and the Danvers onion. In the 1840s Putnamville would be a center for the early shoe manufacturing industry.
In 1692 Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 – 1739), husband of Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745), owned three separate parcels in Salem Village: (1) a small parcel bounded on the north by the Crane River near and just southeast of the Crane River Bridge where the Ipswich Road (Sylvan Street) crossed the Crane River not far from the boundary between Salem Village (Danvers) and Salem; this parcel was located near the 1690’s PORTER family sawmill on Ipswich Road (Sylvan Street); (2) a sizeable farm where he lived in 1692, his largest parcel, between Summer Street and the Topsfield Road (Locust Street), which was bounded by the Topsfield Road (Locust Street) to the east, in north central Salem Village; his house was located on the west side of the Topsfield Road (Locust Street) southeast of Davenport or Putnam Hill;3 and, (3) a very small farm, bounded by Summer Street to the west, in northern Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 36
Salem Village between Summer Street and the Topsfield Road (Locust Street) near the modern day Putnamville section of Danvers.4 Their farm house was located just southeast of Davenport or Putnam Hill as shown as No. 41 on the “Map of Salem Village, 1692” by W. P. Upham (1866) shown above on page 36. Table 5: Putnam Properties Around Davenport or Putnam Hill in the Putnamville Section of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts per the “Map of SALEM VILLAGE, 1692” by W.P. Upham (1866). Name Map Location Relative to Davenport # or Putnam Hill
JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - 1723/25), 32 West side. First Cousin of Uncle JONATHAN [See photo next page] PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739). JOHN PUTNAM III2 (1667 - 1736), 33 North side. Brother of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739). BENJAMIN PUTNAM2 (1664 - 1715), 34 Northeast side. First Cousin of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739). MARY PUTNAM2 (1668 - ? ), First 39 Far west side. Cousin of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739). Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 41 Southeast side (west of Locust Street 1739) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER (Route 35) opposite the intersection of PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745). Locust Street and Wenham Street); his father’s farm abuts his farm on its west side.
Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR.1 (1627 - 47 Southwest side; two of his sons’ farms 1710), father of Uncle JONATHAN abut his, one to the east and one to the PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739). west. JAMES PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1727), 46 Just west of # 47; his father’s farm abuts younger brother of Uncle JONATHAN his farm on the east side. PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739).
Since the founding of the neighboring town of Topsfield in 1650 which included land south of the Ipswich River encroaching on Salem Village farmlands, the two towns entered a long and bitter period of controversy over the ownership of the land and the bounds between the two towns. These land disputes embittered the PUTNAMs and other Salem Village (Danvers) farmers whose remonstrance went unheeded by the Massachusetts General Court. The PUTNAMs persisted in claiming the disputed land and continued to cut timber. Suit after suit was brought in the courts by them and the town of Topsfield. Topsfield seemed to win every case. Animosities developed between
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 37 the PUTNAMs and many of their Topsfield neighbors. Salem Village farmers, including the PUTNAMs, were put on the outskirts of a town (Topsfield) they disliked, called upon to pay parish rates to Topsfield which many refused to do, and were feeling more and more cut off from connections with Salem. Until 1672, Salem Village was still considered to be part of Salem Town. The farmers of the village had to pay taxes to Salem Town and, because of the threat of Indian raids, help with the night watch. The people of Salem Village were expected to attend Sunday services in the town. For those villagers whose farms were at the farthest end of Salem Village, this was a hardship. Traveling the dangerous 12 miles could take half a day in the 1600s. Understandably, the Figure 5: JOSEPH PUTNAM (1669 - 2 people of Salem Village wanted to 1723/25) House, Salem Village, Massachusetts. separate from Salem Town. But (Map No. 32 on Page 36) Salem Town did not want to lose its much-needed farming community and the Villager’s financial support. The farmers led by the PUTNAMs, however, persisted and successfully petitioned the town council in 1672 for permission to build their own church and have their own minister. Salem Village was able to build its own meetinghouse in 1672. However, Salem Town persisted well after 1672 in including the Villagers when it levied taxes for the repair and improvement of the Salem Town meetinghouse. In 1674, two years after the Villagers had built their own place of worship, a Town constable seized two and one-half acres of Villager NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1’s (1619 – 1700) land – land which lay directly in front of his house – because of his refusal to pay such a meetinghouse tax imposed by the Town.5 [Note: NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR.1 (1619 - 1700) was Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1659 – 1739) uncle. In 1674, Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 was only 14 years of age.] Events like this land seizure fueled the factional strife. Since the 1660s, Salem Village had been seeking complete independence from Salem Town. In early January 1692, the village sent the town another proposal seeking autonomy. On March 1, 1692 the “villagers” met to consider a counter-proposal from Salem Town. The “villagers” voted not to accept Salem Town’s proposition and chose Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR.1 (1627 - 1710) and his eldest son, Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1731), to manage the village’s petition for assistance Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 38 now pending in the Massachusetts General Court which they had turned to after years of obstinacy by Salem Town. This was all recorded in the official Salem Village Book of Record by JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - 1725), the Salem Village parish clerk at that time. To Salem Village in 1689 came the controversial ministry of the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) who soon became the catalyst of more factional strife. The PUTNAM family split over their support for their new minister. However, the vast majority of the family did support their new minister which is clearly shown in the following table:
Table 6: Division of the PUTNAM Family’s Support of the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720). Pro-PARRIS Anti-PARRIS
NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1 (1619 - 1700) JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - 1725) - wealthy Salem Village farmer and extensive - youngest and favorite son of Lieutenant land owner; staunch advocate for the THOMAS PUTNAM SR.1 (1615 - 1686) separation of Salem Village from Salem who inherited the best part of his father’s Town; eldest PUTNAM supporting the Salem Village estate in 1686 to the anger Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720); and opposition of his older brothers. In 1690, righteously joined the petitioners in he had married ELIZABETH PORTER2 of confirming REBECCA TOWNE NURSE’s the PORTER family who were vocally anti- good character during the “Salem Witchcraft PARRIS. She was the daughter of ISRAEL Hysteria of 1692.” His children wisely kept a PORTER1 (1644 - 1706). Their famous son low profile during the events of 1692. was General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 - 1790), the French & Indian War and Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR1 (1627 - 1710) Revolutionary War folk hero. - one of the wealthiest men in Salem Village; [Note: JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - younger brother of NATHANIEL 1725) was a well-known opponent of the PUTNAM1 (1619 - 1700) and father of Uncle 1692 witchcraft proceedings and is JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739). traditionally supposed to have kept horses Farmer active in both town and church affairs, ready to flee if he himself were accused.] he strongly supported the autonomy of Salem Village and its church.
THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1652 - 1699) - eldest son of Lieutenant THOMAS PUTNAM SR.1 (1615 - 1686); veteran of King Philip’s War; yeoman and prominent village inhabitant; Salem Village parish clerk for many years; his wife, ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1699), and daughter, ANN PUTNAM JR.3 (1679 - 1716) were major instigators of the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.”
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Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 - 1747) - second son of Lieutenant THOMAS PUTNAM SR1 (1615 - 1686); yeoman and one of the two deacons at the Salem Village church; stood by his older brother, THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1652 - 1699), during church controversies and the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.”
Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) - eldest son of Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR1 (1627 - 1710); husband of Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1745); yeoman and constable of Salem Village in 1691; member of the Salem Village Committee until October 1691; one of the complainants during the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.”
Those villagers (led by the PUTNAMs) who opposed the interventions of Salem Town into the affairs of Salem Village were also disposed to support the ministry of SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) (image at left). On the other hand, those (led by the opposing PORTERs) who sought to maintain close ties between the village and the town were more likely to express dissatisfaction with SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720). The two factions differed correspondingly in their response to the Salem witch trials; members of the pro-PARRIS faction were inclined to confirm the allegations of the afflicted, whereas their opponents tended to challenge these allegations. Thus, the pro-PARRIS faction led by several wealthy members of the PUTNAM family played a leading role in the witchcraft prosecutions. The Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) and the senior male PUTNAMs frequently submitted supporting depositions confirming dates of afflictions. The three wealthy PUTNAM brothers: (1) THOMAS1 (1615 – 1686), (2) NATHANIEL1 (1619 – 1700) and (3) JOHN1 (1627 – 1710), usually called Captain JOHN1 in recognition of his rank in the local militia, were at the core of the conflict. Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR1 (1627 - 1710) was Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s father and Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2’s father-in-law. Sergeant THOMAS PUTNAM SR1 (1615 – 1686) was THOMAS PUTNAM JR2’s (1653 – 1699) father. Sergeant THOMAS PUTNAM SR1 (1615 – 1686) gave parts of his farm lying in Salem Village and Topsfield to his sons: THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699) and Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 – 1748). In 1692 Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 also owned all the land that lay west of the Andover Road, between it and the Ipswich River, all of it within Topsfield bounds. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 40
ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716), the sickly, high-strung, twelve-year-old daughter of THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699) and ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (1661 – 1699), and second cousin of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), was by far the most active of the afflicted girls and was to become the ringleader of the “circle girls.” A total of eight members of the family, drawn from all three of its branches, were involved in the prosecution of no fewer than forty-six accused witches in 1692 Salem. This family of PUTNAMs, by the almost monotonous frequency with which the PUTNAM name occurs on complaints, warrants and accusatory testimony, were notorious as the chief prosecutors in this shameful business. THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699), father of the notorious “Circle Girl” ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716), was by far the primary accuser with thirty-six complaints. It was THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699) who filed the complaint against 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) of Amesbury, Massachusetts. The intense, almost passionate, involvement of the Salem Village PUTNAMs in pushing the trials forward is all too well known.
Table 7: Complaints against witch suspects made by various members of the PUTNAM family of Salem Village, Massachusetts, during the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” Relationship to Uncle Number of Name JONATHAN PUTNAM2 Complaints (1659 - 1739) THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 First Cousin. 36 (1653 - 1699), Sergeant, father of the [Filed the complaint against notorious “Circle Girl,” 7X Great Grandmother ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716). *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692)] JOHN PUTNAM JR2 Brother. 15 (1667 - 1736) EDWARD PUTNAM2 First Cousin. 5 (1654 - 1748) - Deacon NATHANIEL PUTNAM1 Uncle. 2 (1619 -1700) JONATHAN PUTNAM2 2 (1659 - 1739), Constable of Salem Village, (Uncle – Husband of Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 – 1645). Total: 60
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Notes: (1) THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699) and other PUTNAM family members were responsible for roughly half of the accusations of witchcraft at Salem Village in 1692. (2) THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699) would make thirty-six complaints, nearly a third of the total one hundred and twenty (120) accusations in all, and he would testify against seventeen (17) suspects.
On February 29, 1692, the first warrants were issued for the arrest of accused witches. About March 12, 1692 ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716), the daughter of THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699), complained of being repeatedly pinched and hurt by a specter. Her distraught father turned to his brother, EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 - 1748), a church deacon, who quickly responded by joining in with EZEKIEL CHEEVER1 (1614 - 1708) to press the initial witchcraft charges against the named MARTHA COREY1 (1620 - 1692). On March 23, 1692, the first cousins, Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 – 1748) and Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), Constable of Salem Village, both “Yeoman” of Salem Village, went to the officials to swear out a complaint against seventy-one year old Goody NURSE1 (REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1) for having caused “hurt and injury” to the bodies of ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (ANN PUTNAM SR2) (1661 - 1699), her 12 year old daughter, ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716), and 12 year old ABIGAIL WILLIAMS3, the niece of Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720). A warrant for the arrest of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) was issued on the spot.6 She was arrested and taken to Ingersoll’s Inn (an inn as well as a tavern) in Salem Village until her examination. It should be noted that Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) would later, in June, 1692, righteously sign a petition on behalf of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692). [Note: In this period, “Goodwife,” usually shortened to “Goody,” was the term most generally applied to married women. The more honorific “Mrs.” was reserved for those of higher social standing.] On solely the basis of spectral afflictions, the elder ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (ANN PUTNAM SR.2) (1661 – 1699), wife of Sergeant THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 42
(1653 – 1699), had singled out REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), a respected older woman of Salem Village, accusing her of bewitching to death no fewer than fourteen people. REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) was accused of having used witchcraft to kill BENJAMIN HOLTON2 after an argument over his pigs breaking out of their pens and destroying her crops and land. ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (ANN PUTNAM SR.2) (1661 – 1699) believed that witchcraft was behind the deaths of her baby, her sister, and her sister’s children. ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (ANN PUTNAM SR.2) (1661 – 1699) also testified that our Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1659 – 1739) young child (possibly SUSANNAH PUTNAM3 (1690 - ? ) born May 25, 1690) was killed in retaliation for his telling REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) that “it was no wonder she and her sister were witches, since their mother, JOANNA BLESSING TOWNE0 (1595 – 1682), was a witch.” Since they could not avenge themselves on him, they did kill his child. It turns out that ANN CARR PUTNAM2 may have resented and even feared REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1. REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) was the daughter of WILLIAM TOWNE0 (1598 – 1673) and JOANNA BLESSING TOWNE0 (1595 – 1682) of Topsfield, whose town authorities had for years been harassing the PUTNAM family by claiming that parts of their lands actually lay in Topsfield rather than in Salem Village. Also, her husband, FRANCIS NURSE1 (1618 - 1695), a tray maker by trade, had been involved during the 1670’s in a protracted dispute with NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1 (1619 – 1700) over some mutually bounded acreage. In addition, FRANCIS NURSE1 (1618 – 1695) had tussled with the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720) over how much land and firewood the notorious pastor should expect. This did not sit well with the pro-PARRIS PUTNAM faction. The NURSEs had become prosperous farmers in 1678 when they made a favorable purchase of three hundred acres in neighboring Topsfield. Some Salem Villagers, especially some members of the PUTNAM family, resented the NURSE family for what appeared to them to be a very shrewd land acquisition. There had also been a disagreement with THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 – 1699) over a property line. Furthermore, FRANCIS NURSE1 (1618 – 1695) was clearly identified with the PORTER faction that the PUTNAMs opposed.7 With this history of conflict, ANN CARR PUTNAM2’s (1661 - 1699) 12- year old daughter, ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716), had undoubtedly been influenced by the many confrontations between the two opposing families, and so, REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1’s (1621 – 1692) name came easily to her mind and lips when the witch accusations began. Logically, it was the “circle girl” ringleader ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716) who led the accusations against REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692). At the March 24, 1692 examination of the nearly deaf, sickly, and aged REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692), (1) the twelve-year old “circle girl” ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716), (2) her mother ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1699), (3) her father THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 - 1699), (4) her uncle Deacon
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EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 - 1748), (5) Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710), (6) his son JOHN PUTNAM JR2 (1667 – 1736), (7) JOHN PUTNAM JR2’s wife, HANNAH (?) PUTNAM2, and (8) NATHANIEL PUTNAM1 (1619 – 1700), the brother of Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710), all testified or deposed against her. [Note: Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745), wife of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), played no part in the accusations against REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692).] It was a goodly gathering of the men who had gone into the Topsfield woods five years before and cut timber on land owned by THOMAS TOWNE1, brother of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692). The 65 year old Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR1 (1627 - 1710) had boldly declared that they would cut that timber “by violence if need be.” The PUTNAMs were strong-willed men, of high temper, eager for controversy and even personal conflict. On March 23, 1692, the first cousins, Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 – 1748) and Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), Constable of Salem Village, also filed a separate complaint against DORCAS GOOD3 (ca. 1687 - ? ), the four to five year old daughter of the already jailed accused witch SARAH SOLART GOOD2 (1653 - 1692), and the youngest person to be cried out upon during the witchcraft delusion. She was sadly arrested and also taken to Ingersoll’s Inn in Salem Village until her examination. The unfortunate four-year old subsequently would be tragically jailed first in Salem, and then in Boston where she was chained with miniature manacles in putrid conditions, and languish there with all the worst kinds of prisoners for eight and a half months. The little girl would never psychologically recover from this terrifying experience. She basically went insane. The kind-hearted MARY TOWNE EASTY1 (1634 - 1692), Topsfield mother of seven, was the younger sister of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) and at fifty-eight, the youngest of the three TOWNE sisters. MARY TOWNE EASTY1 (1634 – 1692), like her sister, was a victim of the bitter feelings aroused by the boundary and timber harvesting disputes between Topsfield and Salem Village. Her husband, ISAAC EASTY (ESTEY) SR1 (1627 – 1712), a Topsfield farmer and barrel- maker, was also a Topsfield selectman. He with several TOWNE family members of Topsfield drew the ire of the powerful PUTNAM family in neighboring Salem Village in 1686 when they testified against Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710) for illegally harvesting trees within the Topsfield boundary near the Ipswich River. MARY TOWNE EASTY1 (1634 - 1692) was arrested on April 21, 1692 and committed to prison where she even charmed her jailers. On May 18, 1692, she was released; but, two days later, the “circle girls” were seized with terrible convulsions and accused MARY TOWNE EASTY1 (1634 - 1692) again. The complaint against her was signed by the prejudiced JOHN PUTNAM JR2 (1667 – 1736). She was kept in the Salem Town prison for nearly five months except for three weeks in a Boston gaol. She was tried, found guilty, and sadly executed for witchcraft on September 22, 1692 on Gallows hill in Salem Town.
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On April 21, 1692, THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1652 - 1699) addressed a letter to two of the magistrates hearing the witchcraft cases offering “humble and hearty thanks” for the “great care and pains” they had so far taken on behalf of the afflicted. On that same day he filed witchcraft complaints against nine people from Topsfield, Salem Village, and Salem Town. Between May 2 and June 6, 1692, another thirty-nine people were charged with committing witchcraft. JAMES HOWE JR1 (1635/36 – 1701) and ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) resided in an area then known as “Ipswich Farms” on outer Linebrook Road near its intersection with Newbury Road, close to the boundary with the neighboring town of Topsfield, Massachusetts. The blind Topsfield farmer JAMES HOWE JR1 (ca. 1635/36 - 1701) lost his sight in 1685 about the age of 50 and ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692), his dutiful wife, assumed all the responsibilities for managing their home and farm which was very unusual for Puritan housewives. Years later, about 1706, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) would move from Ipswich to Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Road) to a farm probably very near where the JAMES HOWE JR1 (1635/36 – 1701) family had their farm. Since 1682 there was a long-standing friction between ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) and her neighbors, SAMUEL PERLEY1 and RUTH PERLEY1 whose ailing young daughter, HANNAH PERLEY2, was experiencing fits and afflictions for which she blamed ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) as causing. Eventually young HANNAH PERLEY2 passed away but the standoff between the HOWE1 and PERLEY1 families continued for years, during which time ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) was prevented from being admitted into the Ipswich church. ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) had other enemies which turned out to be even more evil than the PERLEYs. THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 - 1699) and his wife, ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (ANN PUTNAM SR.2) (1661 – 1699), were from a well-known domineering family in Salem Village (Danvers) that had a long-standing dispute with the town of Topsfield over the boundaries of their land that extended into Topsfield. The PUTNAMs had a reputation for being vindictive and taking the law into their own hands. Concerned that THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1653 - 1699 was cutting trees not belonging to him, the town of Topsfield appointed several men, including JOHN HOWE1, brother-in-law of ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692), to ask the PUTNAMs to show their deeds to the land they claimed,
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 45 which the PUTNAMs were unable to produce. ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1’s (ca. 1635 – 1692) cousin, REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), had been involved in a long-standing dispute over land boundaries with the PUTNAMs, and she was the first Ipswich- Topsfield resident to be accused. She was arrested on March 23, 1692. Soon the PERLEY1 family revived their long-standing malicious accusations against ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692). She was finally arrested on Sunday, May 29, 1692 by the constable of Topsfield on charges of sundry acts of witchcraft. At the ensuing “Court of Oyer and Terminer” the PERLEY1 family organized a vicious attack on her while the goodly Rowley Pastor SAMUEL PHILLIPS1 (1625 – 1696) came to her defense against the vindictive PERLEY1 family. Her main accusers were the PERLEY1 family of Ipswich, who alleged that ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) had caused fits in their ten year old daughter. She was also accused of afflicting several other girls within Salem Village and causing the deaths of some of her neighbors’ livestock. She would be found guilty and executed on July 19, 1692, the only Ipswich resident to be put to death during the Salem Witch Trials. By April 8, 1714, the brothers, Uncle SAMUEL POTTER3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) and 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), had settled in “Ipswich Farms” somewhere along Linebrook Road possibly on or near lands once owned by JAMES HOWE JR1 (1635/36 – 1701) and his wife, hanged witch ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692). The JAMES HOWE JR1 (1635/36 – 1701) and ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 - 1692) house was just north of the ABRAHAM HOWE2 (1649 – 1718) house (built 1711) and historic landmark barn (built 1725) respectively at 401 and 403 (later 421) Linebrook Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts. Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) and 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), sons of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), were both born at “Ipswich Farms” and also resided with their families at “Ipswich Farms,” later called the “West Farm Parish” and then the “Linebrook Parish” (incorporated in 1746) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The trials of 1692 opened on June 2nd and continued through September nd 22 . On Friday, June 10, 1692 the unfortunate BRIDGET BISHOP1 was hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem for witchcraft. Meanwhile, the neighbors of the accused REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), including Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745), rallied to her defense. Even the belligerent NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1 (1619 – 1700), who had waged an interminable battle against the NURSEs over their neighboring lands, testified in REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1’s (1621 – 1692) defense, although his nephew, JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), had pressed the initial charges. NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1 (1619 - 1700) had known the pious great-grandmother
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 46 for years. Captain JOHN PUTNAM SR1 (1627 - 1710), father of JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), seems to have been both for and against REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692).
Figure 6: The REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) homestead (ca. 1678) and memorial at 149 Pine Street in Danvers (Salem Village), Massachusetts. The smaller (1892) granite tablet (right of the REBECCA NURSE1 monument (1885)) lists the names of the 40 neighbors including Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 who righteously petitioned on her behalf. On July 19, 1692, REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 was hanged as a witch on Witches’ (Gallows) Hill in Salem during the infamous “1692 Salem Witch Hysteria.” (2005 photographs)
The following undated petition was submitted on behalf of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) probably before her death sentence at the end of June, 1692: Testimony In Favor of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 “NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1, being desired by FRANCIS NURSE SR1, to give information of what I could say regarding his wife’s life and conversation, I, the above said, have known the aforesaid woman forty years, and what I have observed of Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 47 her, human frailties excepted, her life and conversation have been according to her profession; and she hath brought up a great family of children and educated them well, so that there is in some of them apparent savor of godliness. I have known her differ with her neighbors; but I never knew or heard of any that did accuse her of what she is now charged with.” “We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being desired by Goodman (FRANCIS) NURSE1 to declare what we know concerning his wife’s conversation for time past, we can testify, to whom all it may concern, that we have known her for many many years, and according to our observation, her life and conversation were according to her profession, and we never had any cause or grounds to suspect her of any such thing as she is now accused of. Signed by: THE FORTY”.
Table 8: The forty righteous Salem Village neighbors who petitioned on behalf of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) – undated.
1. NATHANIEL PUTNAM SR1 << 21. SAMUEL ABBEY 2. ISRAEL PORTER1 22. HEPZIBAH REA 3. ELIZABETH PORTER1 23. DANIEL ANDREW 4. EDWARD BISHOP SR1 24. SARAH ANDREW 5. HANNAH BISHOP1 25. DANIEL REA 6. JOSHUA REA 26. SARAH PUTNAM2 << 7. SARAH REA 27. JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (Uncle)<< 8. SARAH LEACH 28. LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (Aunt) << 9. JOHN PUTNAM1 (Captain) << 29. WALTER PHILLIPS SR 10. REBECCA PUTNAM1 << 30. NATHANIEL FELTON SR 11. JOSEPH HUTCHINSON SR 31. MARGARET PHILLIPS 12. LYDIA HUTCHINSON 32. TABITHA PHILLIPS 13. WILLIAM OSBURN 33. JOSEPH HOULTON JR 14. HANNAH OSBURN 34. SAMUEL ENDICOTT 15. JOSEPH HOLTON SR 35. ELIZABETH BUXTON 16. SARAH HOLTON 36. SAMUEL OSBORN SR
17. BENJAMIN PUTNAM2 <<< 37. ISAAC COOK 18. SARAH PUTNAM2 <<< 38. ELIZABETH COOK 19. JOB SWINNERTON 39. JOSEPH HERRICK SR
20. ESTHER SWINNERTON 40. JOSEPH PUTNAM2 << Forty (40) villagers signed REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1’s (1621 – 1692) petition, although it did nothing to free her or spare her from two brutal physical examinations. Seven PUTNAMs including Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), one of NURSE1’s original accusers, signed the petition. However, the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) remained staunchly on the other side. No case so sharply divided the community.
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The names of these forty (40) righteous neighbors above who petitioned in writing on behalf of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) at her Salem Village witch trial in June, 1692 were inscribed on a granite tablet placed in 1892 next her 1885 monument in the graveyard at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead on 149 Pine Street in Danvers, Massachusetts. The tablet begins: “This tablet contains the names of those who at the risk of their lives gave written testimony in favor of REBECCA NURSE in 1692.” This tablet marks enduringly the courage and loyalty of these forty true friends. As for the PUTNAM support of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692), it is significant that the four wealthiest of the ten male PUTNAMs on the 1695 tax rolls all signed the petition, and also that all eight PUTNAM signers of the REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 petition lived on the easterly side of Salem Village, while those most active against REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1, notably brothers THOMAS PUTNAM JR.2 (1653 – 1699), father of “circle girl” ANN PUTNAM3, and Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 – 1748), lived in the more distant western part of Salem Village near Topsfield. Between June 10 and June 18, 1692, Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) became ill. When his sudden illness appeared to be attributable to witchcraft, the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) aged about 39 years, JOHN PUTNAM SR1 (1627 - 1710) aged about 63 years, and other family members, probably including his wife, Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1745), convened at Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1659 – 1739) Locust Street (Route 35) house in Salem Village (Danvers) on June 18, 1692 where they called in the witch-finding 17 year old MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ), one of the more prolific accusers and apparent ringleader of the afflicted girls, who the previous month had identified the apparitions tormenting other victims. MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ) was THOMAS PUTNAM JR2’s (1652 - 1699) maid who was a primary participant at the core of the crisis. She took the lead in testifying to become the most active accuser. Ultimately she would be afflicted by fifty- one (51) people. This time she named REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) and MARTHA ALLEN CARRIER2 (1643 - 1692) as those responsible for Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s condition. MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ) said she saw GOODY NURSE1 and GOODY CARRIER1 holding Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1659 – 1739) head. Another accuser would come forward within days to likewise name REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 as causing her strange fits. On June 30, 1692 REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) was convicted with four others and on Tuesday, July 19, 1692 she was hanged on Witches’ Hill (Gallows Hill) in Salem, Massachusetts with the four other condemned Salem Villagers. At some point, the witch finding MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ) moved to the Locust Street (Route 35) household of Salem Village Constable Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1745) who had just lost a baby to what the family assumed to be witchcraft. <<<
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Figure 7: Replica of the Salem Village Meetinghouse where the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials were held in Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts. (2005 photographs) >>>[Note: This full size replica was built in 1985 on the site of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead at 149 Pine Street in Danvers, Massachusetts for the movie: “Three Sovereigns for Sarah.”.]<<<
Wells, Maine – June 11, 1692: While the sad business of prosecuting witches proceeded in Salem, Massachusetts, the savage “Second Indian War” proceeded on the frontier just to the north of eastern Massachusetts. On Saturday, June 11, 1692, a large band of of about four hundred (400) Wabanaki Indians led by the Sachems MADOCKAWANDO2, MOXIS2, EDGEREMENT2, WOROMBE2, and others, accompanied by some French officers and men under the command of LA BROGNERIE2, attacked Wells, Maine which was lightly defended. The far outnumbered Wells residents took refuge in their garrison house and on board sloops in the harbor. After a two-day siege with little success, the French and Indians gave up their attack on the outnumbered but stubborn defenders and resorted to burning the town and killing all the livestock they could find. The French commander, LA BROGNERIE2, was shot and killed in the attack. However, before departing, the frustrated Indians sadistically tortured one unfortunate English captive named JOHN DIAMOND2 in plain sight of the horrified people in the garrison house. The angry and barbarous Indians stripped JOHN DIAMOND2, scalped him alive, and castrated him, and then with a knife they slit between his fingers and toes, cruelly slashed the fleshy parts of his body, and stuck the bloody gashes with firebrands which were afterwards found sticking out of the grizzly wounds. <<< Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 50
[7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) accused, tried, convicted, and hanged for witchcraft during the infamous “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.”] 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was a pious woman wrongfully executed for witchcraft during the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was the fourth daughter and youngest child of *RICHARD NORTH0 (ca. 1590 – 1667) and *JOAN BARTRAM NORTH0 (ca. 1590 – before 1630). She was baptized on September 30, 1621 in Olney, Buckinghamshire County, England. Her mother died when she was a child. Her stepmother was named URSULA (?) NORTH0. About 1639, they immigrated and settled first in Salisbury, Massachusetts. On August 11, 1646 at Salisbury, Massachusetts, *SUSANNAH NORTH (MARTIN)1 (1621 - 1692) married the widower, *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686), a blacksmith with whom she had eight (8) children including our 6X Great Grandmother *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704) who was also the 4X Great Grandfather of President CHESTER A. ARTHUR6 (1829 – 1886). In 1669, *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was, for the first time, formally accused of witchcraft in Amesbury, Massachusetts by adversarial neighbors named WILLIAM SARGENT JR.1 and THOMAS SARGENT1. In response, 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) sued the SARGENTs1 for two counts of slander against his wife, WILLIAM SARGENT JR.1 for accusing her of being a witch, and THOMAS SARGENT1 for claiming one of her sons to be a bastard and another an “imp” (a witch’s familiar). *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) eventually withdrew the second count. Unfortunately, however, the Court upheld the accusation of witchcraft but upon appeal, a higher Court later dismissed the witchcraft charge. By 1671, the MARTIN family was again in court dealing with the matter of URSULA (?) NORTH1’s estate, most of which she had left to her granddaughter, MARY JONES WINSLEY3. This time the Court sided against *GEORGE MARTIN1 and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1. 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) died in 1686 leaving *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) an impoverished widow. On Saturday, April 30, 1692, JONATHAN WALCOTT2 and Sergeant THOMAS PUTNAM JR.2 (1653 - 1699) swore a complaint against our 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) of Amesbury, Massachusetts for witchcraft. The complaint said: “Relating to high suspicion of sundry acts of Witchcraft donne or committed by her upon ye bodies of MARY WALCOT3, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS3, ANN PUTNAM (JR)3, and MERCY LEWIS3 of Salem Village or Farms whereby great hurt and damage hath been donne to ye bodies of said persons…etc.” The sixty-seven year old salty-tongued widow had been suspected of
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 51 witchcraft by her neighbors in Amesbury and Salisbury for more than three decades, as far back as 1669. She had been called a witch for so long that she had come to relish the distinction. Long a legend in her home town of Amesbury, as a lightning rod attracts lightning, she was arrested on May 2nd and brought to Ingersoll’s Ordinary (Inn and Tavern) in Salem Village for pre-trial examination. Ingersoll’s Ordinary was the Salem Village inn and tavern where accusations, hearings, examinations, judicial conferences, spectral stabbings, “circle girl” fits, and sentencing occurred during the tragic “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria 1692.” [Pre-Trial Examination of 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) – May 2, 1692] At the preliminary trial for the crime of “Witchcraft and Sorcery” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) pled “not guilty.” The original court record has been lost, but her testimony was recorded by the witch-hunting Reverend COTTON MATHER2 (1663 – 1728). None of the accused was allowed to have legal counsel. *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) reputation surely preceded her as many of the “afflicted” had fits as soon as she entered Ingersoll’s Ordinary and others exhibited strange behavior during her examination. The Reverend COTTON MATHER2 (1663 – 1728) recorded the following: “As soon as she (*SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692)) came in, MARCY3 (19 years old MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? )) had fits; Magistrate: Do you know this woman? (11 years old) ABIGAIL WILLIAMS3 (ca. 1680 - ? ) saith it is goody *MARTIN1, she hath hurt me often. Others by fits were hindered from speaking. MARCY LEWIS3 (MERCY LEWIS3) pointed at her and fell into a little fit. ANN PUTNAM3 (12 years old ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716)) threw her glove in a fit at her. --*SUSANNAH1 laughed – Magistrate: What! Do you laugh at it? *MARTIN1: Well I may at such folly. Magistrate: Is this folly? The hurt of persons? *MARTIN1: I never hurt man or woman or child. MARCY3 (MERCY LEWIS3): She hath hurt me a great many times and pulls me down. Then *MARTIN1 laughed again.” Fifty-one year old Magistrate JOHN HATHORNE2 (1641 - 1717), a high- handed, intimidating judge, led the pre-trial interrogation of seventy-one year old 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) whom he quickly discovered was one of his most combative suspects. A blacksmith’s widow, the tiny Amesbury woman could hardly take HATHORNE2’s proceedings seriously. She had already once been accused of witchcraft decades earlier. After her 1669 witchcraft trial, her husband had filed and won a defamation law suit; nevertheless the accusations continued for years. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was said to have bewitched a woman to insanity, murdered her own infant, and borne an imp. On a more pedestrian plain, she had accused a man of theft and quarreled freely with her children. She challenged her seat in the Amesbury meetinghouse. Disinherited once by a stepmother and again by a nephew-in-law, she had unsuccessfully sued.
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When she entered the pre-trial hearing on May 2, 1692, eight afflicted accusers contorted as 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) took her place before them. The afflicted ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716) managed nonetheless to throw a glove at the much older woman. *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) chuckled eliciting the following exchange: “What?” gasped HATHORNE2, startled and said: “Do you laugh at it?” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 scoffed: “Well I may at such folly!” HATHORNE2 upbraided her: “Is this folly? The hurt of these persons?” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 contended: “She had hurt no one!” while MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ), the ringleader of the afflicted girls, dramatically tumbled to the ground at her feet. Combative and self-assured, 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) could only laugh anew at the afflicted girls’ antics. HATHORNE2 pressed his interrogation: “Do you think they are bewitched?” he asked. *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 replied: “No, I don’t think they are… Perhaps they dealt in black magic.” she suggested. MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ) taunted: “…. You can come fast enough in the night!” *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 sarcastically replied: “No, sweetheart!” HATHORNE2 interceded: “Have you no compassion for these afflicted?” She snapped: “No, I have none.” HATHORNE2 informed her that “The entire community believed her guilty.” She retorted: “Let them think what they will.” HATHORNE2 continued: “Did she truly believe the girls dissembled?” She could not say, but replied: “I dare not tell a lie if it would save my life.” Thus, the tart-tongued seventy-one year old 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692), who had stood accused once before for witchcraft, had scoffed at the idea that the girls were bewitched, suggesting that they practiced black magic themselves. Singled out earlier in 1669, she attracted charges; 1692 seemed to be a good time to revive old ones. After *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) preliminary examination at Ingersoll’s Ordinary in Salem Village, she was taken to the Boston gaol. At Boston, the neat, trim, birdlike, simply-dressed woman was physically examined for witch’s marks (print at left) on June 2nd, 1692. This was probably the worst indignity that she was twice forced to submit to. The purpose of the physical exam was to search for evidence of a witch’s teat or physical protuberance which might give milk to a familiar. The examiners saw nothing unusual on the body of *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692). However, her breasts had appeared full in the morning, they were lank and flattened by afternoon. It was noted that “in the morning her nipples were found to be full as if the milk would come,” but by late afternoon “her
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 53 breasts were slack, as if milk had already been given to someone or something.” To the judges, she too had suckled a familiar in the course of the day. This was an indication that she had been visited by a witch’s familiar, and was clear evidence of guilt. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 – 1692) trial began on June 26th, 1692. During her trial, some inhabitants of Salem Village stated that she had attempted to recruit them into witchcraft. Her Amesbury neighbors and enemies paraded in to share their wonder tales of how *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692), the tiny, contemptuous Amesbury widow, adversely impacted them, although in all cases there was no great harm done to them. Much of the evidence used against her concerned accidents and illnesses that affected the livestock of her neighbors, or negative consequences that resulted whenever her neighbors angered her. During the course of the trial *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) remained defiant throughout the proceedings. She proved by all accounts to be pious and quoted the Bible freely, something a witch was said incapable of doing. She is shown at right reading the bible in prison. The determined-to-condemn Reverend COTTON MATHER2 (1663 – 1728) countered *SUSANNAH1’s piety defense by stating in effect that the Devil’s servants were capable of putting on a show of perfect innocence and Godliness. With this argument, there was basically no defense and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was doomed. Thus, on June 29, 1692 she was convicted of practicing witchcraft and was subsequently sentenced to death.
Figure 8: Left: “The Ingersoll Ordinary (Inn & Tavern)” and right: “The Salem Village Meeting House” as they may have looked in 1692 during the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” (Courtesy: Danvers Archival Center) Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 54
7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was the grandmother of 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1684 - 1739), wife of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. On July 17, 1692, death warrants were drafted for five women convicted of practicing witchcraft: (1) *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692), (2) SARAH SOLART GOOD1 (1653 – 1692), a semi- itinerant beggar considered something of a local menace, (3) REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), (4) SARAH AVERILL WILDES1 (1627 – 1692), and (5) ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692). At seventy-one, REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) and the vitriolic Amesbury widow *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) were the eldest. At thirty-nine, the rancorous local beggar woman SARAH SOLART GOOD1 (1653 – 1692) was the youngest. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) was the sole widow. On July 19, 1692 the five doomed and shabbily dressed women were carried slowly in a wooden cart along Essex Street under an armed guard past gaping, hooting crowds of spectators to Gallows Hill in Salem, Massachusetts where they were executed by hanging for practicing witchcraft. Someone edged the women’s feet off the ladder, presumably in quick succession. The crowd recoiled from their terrible moans. The witches remained on display long enough to make an impression but not much longer. They were buried quickly and unceremoniously as their bodies were thrust into a crevice of a Gallows Hill outcropping of felsite since witches were not entitled to a Christian burial under Puritan law. Later, after the crowd dispersed, the bodies of *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692), REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692), SARAH SOLART GOOD1 (1653 – 1692), SARAH AVERILL WILDES1 (1627 – 1692), and ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) were buried in shallow, unmarked graves on the hill. Legend has it that the families quietly recovered the bodies. It is believed that the loving sons of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 – 1692) surreptitiously retrieved her body after nightfall that evening and properly buried her near her Salem Village home in a secret gravesite. The Amesbury widow 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) was survived by seven of her nine children. It is not known if *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) family also secretly retrieved her
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 55 body. Because of the notoriety of her mother and risk to herself, 6X Great Grandmother *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704), and her husband, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL HADLEY2 (1652 - 1745) of Amesbury, would have acted in complete secrecy if they did retrieve *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 - 1692) body. Their daughter and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s granddaughter, 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH HADLEY (POTTER)3 (ca. 1684 - 1739) was only about eight years old in 1692. No trace of any of the five women’s remains has been found. 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) was memorialized by the great American Poet, JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER6 (1807 – 1892), in his famous poem, “The Witch’s Daughter.”
“The Witch’s Daughter”
by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER th (19 Century Poet) Let Goody Martin rest in peace, I never knew her harm a fly, And witch or not – God knows – not I? I know who swore her life away; And as God lives, I’d not condemn
An Indian dog on word of them.”
Table 9: The Children of 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN nd SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) and his 2 wife 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692). No. Name 1. RICHARD MARTIN2 (1647 – 1729) 2. GEORGE MARTIN2 (1648 – 1734) 3. JOHN MARTIN2 (1650 – 1693) 4. HESTER (ESTHER) MARTIN (JAMESON)2 (1653 – 1696) 5. *JANE MARTIN (HADLEY)2 (1656 – after 1704) – 6X Great Grandmother. 6. ABIGAIL MARTIN (HADLOCK)2 (1659 – 1716) 7. WILLIAM MARTIN2 (1662 – 1662) 8. WILLIAM MARTIN2 (1663 – 1726) 9. SAMUEL MARTIN2 (1667 – 1683) Notes: (1) 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN SR1’s (ca. 1618 – 1686) first wife was HANNAH (?) MARTIN1; they had one child: HANNAH MARTIN (WORTHEN)2 (1643 - ? ).
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(2) 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) and 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) were married on August 11, 1676 in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Our POTTER family is directly descended from 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) as follows: Table 10: Pedigree of the POTTER family descended from 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) who was P taken to Gallows Hill, Salem, Massachusetts and executed by hanging on July 19, 1692 for practicing witchcraft. Gen. Name Spouse -1 *JOHN NORTH-1 Unknown. 0 *RICHARD NORTH0 *JOAN BARTRAM NORTH0 (ca. 1590 - 1667) (ca. 1590 - before 1630) Married: November 19, 1610 Married: November 19, 1610 1 *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (1621 - 1692) (1618 - 1686) 7X Great Grandmother 7X Great Grandfather 2 *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 *SAMUEL HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704) (1652 - 1745) 3 *SUSANNAH HADLEY *THOMAS POTTER3 POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) (ca. 1684 (or) ca. 1693 - 1776) Married: (Int.) September 18, 1714 Married: (Int.) September 18, 1714 4 Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 *MARTHA (?) WILLIAMS (1724 - 1791) PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 - 1803) 5 *ELIJAH POTTER5 *ABIGAIL HORR POTTER5 (1770 - 1844) (1775 - 1855) 6 *GILBERT POTTER6 *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT (1811 - 1862) POTTER6 (1817 - 1851) 7 *ALGERNON SIDNEY *FLORA E. GRANT POTTER7 POTTER7 (1841 - 1893) (1848 - 1928) 8 *ALBERT LINCOLN POTTER8 *ELEANOR THERESA DODGE (1874 - 1930) POTTER8 (1876 - 1951) 9 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 *VONCEILE CAROLYN (1906 - 1976) METCALF POTTER9 (1909 - 1976) 10 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER *DOROTHY ANN NEMICCOLO JR10 (1944 - ? ) POTTER10 (1947 - ? ) ------*WILBURN METCALF *ELIZABETH ANNA DUNCAN POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) POTTER10 (1944 - ? )
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Note: No doubt that 6X Great Grandmother *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 - after 1704) named her daughter, 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1684 (or) ca. 1693 - 1739), after her mother, 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692).
Lone Tree Hill overlooking the Merrimac River is a famous historical site in Amesbury, Massachusetts where the homestead of 7X Great Grandfather *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) and 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was located. They were married in Amesbury on August 11, 1676. She was his second wife. *GEORGE MARTIN SR1 (ca. 1618 – 1686) was a blacksmith and one of the largest landowners in Amesbury. A highway (Route 110) now cuts through the site of the original farmstead. The boulder and plaque which marked their homestead (photo at left) had to be moved a short distance to allow Route 110 to be built. The boulder and plaque are now located at the end of Martin Road where the highway (Route 110) crosses Martin Road. The inscription on the plaque reads: “Here stood the house of *SUSANNAH MARTIN, an honest, hardworking Christian woman accused of being a witch and executed at Salem, July 19, 1692. She will be missed! A Martyr of Superstition. T.I.A. 1894.” Finally, on Halloween 2001, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts officially pardoned 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692).
Gloucester, Massachusetts: On July 18, 1692, an Ipswich troop of sixty men arrived in Gloucester in response to their reports of Indian raids over the previous two weeks. The Gloucester militia reported they had encountered shadowy figures who melted away into the swamps and forests when shot at. It turned out to be a false alarm as the Gloucester leaders concluded that the attackers were spectral rather than real. <<<
Billerica, Massachusetts: On August 1, 1692 marauding Indians raided Billerica, Massachusetts where they butchered two women, their infants, and their teenage daughters, ages thirteen and sixteen. <<<
Salem, Massachusetts: On August 19, 1692, the Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 - 1692) was executed. He had been a minister in Salem Village but had left in 1683 under bad circumstances. Because the parsonage was in disrepair in 1680 when he arrived in Salem Village, the Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 - 1692) and his family were welcomed into the home of Captain JOHN PUTNAM2 (1627 - 1710). This turned out to be an unfortunate decision for the Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 - 1692). In the old quarrel about the management of the church, most of the Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 58
PUTNAMs sided with the Reverend JAMES BAYLEY2 (1650 – 1707) faction, and now that BAYLEY2 had gone, were prepared to resent his successor. With the opportunity to closely observe him, the Captain JOHN PUTNAM2 (1627 - 1710) family made the most of the new minister’s presence in their household. They quickly turned against the new minister for his maltreatment of his wife and sullied his reputation within the Salem Village community. When after less than a year in Salem Village, HANNAH (?) BURROUGHS2 ( ? - 1681) died in September, 1681, the PUTNAMs blamed the minister for her death. On another occasion, he had had a disagreement with THOMAS PUTNAM JR.2 (1652 - 1699) over a debt. MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ), one of the “afflicted girls,” had singled out Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 - 1692). MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ) had lost her parents in an Indian raid on Falmouth, Maine in 1689 and was subsequently taken into the household of the sympathetic Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 - 1692). Shortly thereafter, she came to live with Sergeant THOMAS PUTNAM1 (1615 - 1686) and his family, whose patriarch had led the fight not to pay the Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 - 1692) his back salary in a contested court battle and lost. MERCY LEWIS3’s (ca. 1673 - ? ) motive may have been retaliation against the twice widowed Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 - 1692) who might have made some kind of sexual advance to the then fourteen- year old MERCY LEWIS3 (ca. 1673 - ? ). The long arm of the PUTNAM’s reached out to the Reverend GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (ca. 1652 – 1692) who was practicing his ministry in Boston when THOMAS PUTNAM JR.2’s (1652 – 1699) wife, ANN CARR PUTNAM SR.2 (1661 - 1699), cried against him as a witch. He was brought to Salem in chains to stand trial and was quickly convicted. The hanging of GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (1652 – 1699), a respected minister, was a turning point that caused many people to question the Salem trials. The cases began to collapse as “spectral evidence” was discredited and when the accusers cried out upon the wife of the Governor and other highly placed persons. While all this was happening in Salem and Salem Village, on March 30, 1692 in Ipswich, Massachusetts the indigent RACHEL HAFFIELD CLENTON1 (1629 – 1695) was accused by her Ipswich neighbors of witchcraft. She lived near the Mill Dam in Ipswich and was brought in April, 1692 to the hostelry of Mr. JOHN SPARKS1 (1630 – 1706), next door to the home of Uncle JOHN “the cooper” POTTER2 (1652/53 - 1718), in Ipswich for examination by local magistrates. She was imprisoned for months but finally obtained a reprieve and was released in 1693. None of the Salem Village “circle girls” were involved in her case. By October, 1692, the witchcraft disease had spread to the neighboring communities. The people of Gloucester, Massachusetts invited the “circle girls” to come and identify the witches there. As they crossed the bridge (later called the Choate Bridge) into Ipswich on their way to Gloucester, they came upon an old woman (this was probably not *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1629 – 1712) who lived on North Main Street, Ipswich opposite the Meeting House Green not far from the bridge; for she
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 59 was only 63 years of age at the time) and started to pitch fits, howling that this woman was a witch. Unbeknownst to the “circle girls”, the residents of Ipswich wanted no part of these “visionary maids” and, therefore, no one reacted to their fits. The Ipswich residents directed the constable accompanying them to take the “wenches” elsewhere. It was very possible, that some of the Ipswich POTTERs, one of the leading families of Ipswich at the time, witnessed this event. At that time 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (age 63), Uncle JOHN “the cooper” POTTER2 (age 40), Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (age 38), 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (age 35), Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER KIMBALL2 (age 33), Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (age 28), and Uncle Deacon ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (age 25) with their families all lived in Ipswich and several lived not far from the bridge. No doubt they wanted nothing to do with the Salem witchcraft hysteria. I wonder how they felt about their young sister, LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745), age 31, who was so close to this shameful event. In 1692 the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria” resulted in one hundred and forty-one victims jailed including young DORCAS GOOD3 (ca. 1687 - ? ), the four-to-five year old daughter of SARAH GOOD2 (1653 – 1692). At least four of the accused witches perished in prison while awaiting trial. Poor little DORCAS GOOD3 (ca. 1687 - ? ) languished in jail for over seven months and never psychologically recovered. One man was pressed to death. Nineteen (19) men and women were tried, convicted, and executed on Gallows Hill, along with two dogs. In the end, only three Salem Villagers were hanged. In a strange Salem twist, Magistrate WILLIAM STOUGHTON1 (1631 – 1701) spared confessed witches and convicted only those who refused to acknowledge guilt including the defiant 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692). It was unclear what STOUGHTON1 (1631 – 1701) meant to do with the confessors. The hysteria and accusations were not confined to Salem Village but spread to the neighboring communities of Salem, Beverly, Amesbury, Andover, and Ipswich, Massachusetts, and even reached out to Wells, Maine. In the fall of 1692, ten (10) accused Ipswich witches pleaded for their release. It is believed none were from any of the Ipswich POTTER families. Some were nearly eighty. One was pregnant, another nursing a nine-week old. They were imprisoned and already freezing in the cold gaol, and unlikely to be tried that winter. A young Ipswich man suddenly recanted his May testimony against ELIZABETH PROCTOR2 (1652 - ? ) who gave birth to her son on January 27, 1693 in the Salem prison. When the tragic and sad episode was over, the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692” would remain an indelible stain on New England. <<<
[1692 – 1702: Reaction from Salem Witchcraft Hysteria breaks power of conservative clergy.] Within five years, one judge and twelve jurors formally apologized for their roles in the dismal affair. On Fast Day, January 14, 1697, Judge
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SAMUEL SEWALL2 (1652 - 1730) stood silent in his pew in the Third Church in Boston while his minister, SAMUEL WILLARD2 (1640 - 1707), read his statement beseeching God to forgive his sin and punish neither anyone else nor New England for his misstep. However, Magistrate WILLIAM STOUGHTON1 (1631 - 1701) never said he was sorry or had erred, and never explained himself; he truly believed the Devil had come to Massachusetts in 1692. Nevertheless, within two decades the Massachusetts government also acknowledged its responsibility for what were by then viewed as unjust proceedings. <<<
1693: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On February 8, 1693, Aunt SARAH FELLOWS POTTER2 (1657 – 1693), first wife of Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652/53 – 1718) died in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was survived by her husband and two children: (1) JOHN POTTER JR3 (1680 – 1724) and (2) SARAH POTTER (RUST) (FELLOWS)3 (1685 – 1725). <<< On March 14, 1693 JOSEPH CALEF2 (CALEFFE2), Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) and Uncle Deacon ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 – 1756) received permission from the Town of Ipswich to build a dam and fulling mill lower down on the Mile Brook which ran through Uncle THOMAS POTTER2’s land on its way to the Ipswich River. However, the mill was not built. <<<
1694: [The Second Indian War - French & Abenaki Indian Attack on Oyster River (Durham), Strawberry Bank (Portsmouth), and Groton - 1694] Just before dawn on Wednesday, July 18, 1694, a French and Indian force attacked Oyster River (Durham), New Hampshire, slaughtering over fifty (50) people before the settlement could defend itself. The attackers carried off about forty (40) hostages, burnt thirteen (13) homes, killed all the cattle they could find, and destroyed the corn crop. On Saturday, July 21, 1694 the French and Indian raiders fell upon some men and women harvesting at a farm on the south bank of the Piscataqua, some distance from the relative safety of Strawberry Bank (Portsmouth), New Hampshire. On Friday, July 27, 1694, a French and Indian war party circled inland to enter Massachusetts and to fall on the town of Groton at dawn. They killed twenty (20) settlers and captured thirteen (13). When a hundred (100) mounted militia rushed to their aid, they found no sign of the raiders or their captives and about twenty (20) corpses.
Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: In 1694 Salem Villager JOHN HADLOCK2 (1669 - 1710) claimed that he still had not been fully paid for performing BENJAMIN NURSE2’s (1666 - ca. 1748) military service in 1692. Deputized by Salem Village Sheriff GEORGE CORWIN2 (1666 - 1696), Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) attached an orchard and two nurseries belonging to widower FRANCIS NURSE1 (1618 - 1695) as bond. <<< Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 61
Ipswich, Massachusetts: About 1694, in Ipswich, Massachusetts, forty-two (42) year old Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652/53 - 1718) married his second wife, thirty-three (33) year old Aunt SARAH KIMBALL (POTTER)2 (1661 - 1724), who was born on July 29, 1661 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOHN KIMBALL1 (1631 - 1698) and MARY BRADSTREET KIMBALL1 (1633 – 1698). Aunt SARAH KIMBALL (POTTER)2 (1661 - 1724) was the granddaughter of RICHARD KIMBALL0 (1595 - 1675) and URSULA SCOTT KIMBALL0 (1596 - 1676) of Rattlesden, Suffolk, England and Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Table 11: The four children of Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652/53 - 1718) and his second wife, Aunt SARAH P KIMBALL POTTER2 (1661 - 1724), who were married about 1694 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. No. Name Birth Death Spouse 1 ESTHER POTTER3 unknown Before 1718 None. ( ? – before 1718) Ipswich, Ipswich, - Cousin MA. MA. 2 ELIZABETH April 23, December 4, THOMAS HARRIS3 POTTER (HARRIS)3 1695 1723 (ca. 1695 - ? ) (1695 – 1723) Ipswich, Boston, Marriage intentions - Cousin MA. MA. published December 10, 1720 in Ipswich, MA. 3 MARY POTTER Before Unknown. SAMUEL YORK3 (YORK)3 1696 (1678 – 1767) (before 1696 - ? ) Ipswich, Son of: SAMUEL2 and - Cousin MA. HANNAH (?) YORK2 Born: 1678 – Dover, Massachusetts. Marriage intentions published October 27, 1711 in Ipswich, MA.; Died: June 17, 1767 in Ipswich, MA. 4 AARON POTTER3, October June 2, 1776 SARAH ELIZABETH (1699 – 1776) 1, 1699 Ipswich, MA. APPLETON3 (1705 - ?) – Cousin; Esquire; and Ipswich, Age: 76 yrs. Born: June 24, 1705 in Deacon in the South MA. & 8 mos. per Ipswich, MA. Church, Ipswich, MA.; GS. Marriage Int.: Sept. 16, also a “cooper.” 1721 in Ipswich, MA.
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Notes: (1) Deacon AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776) died on June 2, 1776 at 76 years and 8 months of age per his gravestone which was inscribed: “Behold and see as you pass by, As you are now so once was I, As I am now so you must be, Prepare for death and follow me.” He was buried in the North Burial Ground on High Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts. (2) SARAH ELIZABETH APPLETON (POTTER)3 (1705 - ? ) was born on June 24, 1705 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOHN APPLETON2. She married Deacon AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776) sometime after their marriage intentions were published in Ipswich, Massachusetts on September 16, 1721. They had at least one child, a daughter named SARAH POTTER4 (ca. 1722 – 1736) who sadly died on April 7, 1736 at age 14 years. (3) In 1723 Deacon AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776) inherited the “John Covington House Site” on North Main Street near the Meeting House Green in Ipswich, Massachusetts from his father, Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652/53 - 1718). 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) owned and lived in the “John Covington House” from January 26, 1673 until his death in early 1690. Also on February 17, 1723, the eastern end of the “William Fuller House Site,” which was next door to the “John Covington House,” was sold to Deacon AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776).
For a wedding gift JOHN KIMBALL1 (1631 - 1698) gave them a parcel of land in Ipswich, Massachusetts valued at thirty (30) pounds, a significant amount for that time. They lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts and would have four (4) children between 1695 and about 1701. Aunt SARAH KIMBALL POTTER2 (1661 - 1724) was born on July 29, 1661 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and died on June 13, 1724 at 62 years, 10 months, and 15 days of age in Ipswich, Massachusetts. JOHN KIMBALL1 (1631 – 1698) was the son of RICHARD KIMBALL0 (ca. 1595 - 1675), the immigrant from Rattlesden, Suffolk County, England and his first wife, URSULA SCOTT KIMBALL0 (1596 – 1676). The KIMBALL family must have been very close to the POTTER family, for three of *ANTHONY POTTER1's offspring (JOHN2, ELIZABETH2, and THOMAS2) would marry 8 grandchildren of RICHARD KIMBALL0. Also an East Anglian family, the KIMBALLs were from Rattlesden, Suffolk. Rattlesden is seven (7) miles east of Bury St. Edmunds and two (2) miles southeast of Woolpit, Suffolk. The KIMBALLs would also benefit greatly in the Ipswich, Massachusetts land market.9 <<< When his first wife died in 1694, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) was about 37 years old. He was *ANTHONY POTTER1’s and *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1’s third child and third son. He was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts about 1657. He married three (3) times between ca. 1684 and 1705 and fathered thirteen (13) children between 1685 and 1713:
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Table 12: The three wives of 6X Great Grandfather P *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714). No. Name Marriage No. Children 1 *JOANNA WOOD (POTTER)2 ca. 1684 7 (1661 – ca. 1694) Ipswich, Massachusetts 2 RUTH DUNTON (POTTER)2 April 18, 1694 3 (1663 – 1705) Ipswich, Massachusetts 3 SARAH CHILSON (BURNELL) December 4, 1705 3 (POTTER)2 (1673 - 1737) Ipswich, Massachusetts Total: 13 Note: Another source reported, though believed to be incorrect, that 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) married a fourth time to HANNAH HAMMETT (POTTER)2. However this has never been corroborated.
[Death of 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1694) in 1694.] We are descended from 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s (ca. 1657 – 1714) first wife, 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1694), who died about 1694 at the young age of 33 years possibly from complications of child birth since her seventh child and fourth son, HENRY POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1694, the same year she probably died. Life expectancy in late- seventeenth-century New England was about fifty years, less for a woman who faced the risk of death in childbirth or from post-delivery infection. But with good care, good genes, and luck, a hardy woman might well survive into the seventh decade of life. 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1694) was born on December 14, 1661 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Her parents were 7X Great Grandfather *ISAIAH WOOD1 (ca. 1627 – after December 7, 1710) and his first wife, 7X Great Grandmother *MERCY THOMPSON WOOD1 ( ? – before December 23, 1684), who had married in Ipswich, Massachusetts on January 26, 1653. About 1684, 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1694) married 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They would produce seven (7) children between 1685 and 1694 including one set of twins. Their seven (7) children would produce twenty-eight (28) known grandchildren. Unfortunately, at least six (6) of her twenty-eight (28) grandchildren would succumb to diphtheria during the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”
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Table 13: The seven children of 6X Great Grandfather P *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) and his first wife, 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca.1694). No. Name Date of Birth Death Date Spouse
1 Uncle DAVID POTTER3 March 27, Died after MARY (1685 – after 1738) 1685 - Ipswich, 1738 in MERRIAM3 (ca. – twin. MA. Topsham, 1690 – ca. 1733) Maine. of Lynn, MA. Married: January 6, 1710
2 Aunt SARAH POTTER3 March 27, Before 1714 Unknown, if ever (1685 – before 1714) 1685 - Ipswich, married. – twin MA. 3 Aunt JOANNA June 16, 1686 - Living 1714 2nd wife of (JOHANNA) POTTER Ipswich, MA. JOHN WHIPPLE (WHIPPLE)3 JR2 (1660 – 1722) (1686 – after 1714) – Captain. (Lt. JOHN1 – MATTHEW0 – MATTHEW-1) Married: April 14, 1703.
4 Uncle SAMUEL About 1688 - February 29, HANNAH POTTER JR3 Ipswich, MA. 1747 DRESSER3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) (1681/2 - 1728) Married: November 17, 1712.
5 Aunt ELIZABETH ca. 1690 - Unknown; THOMAS LORD POTTER LORD3 Ipswich. MA. died before JR3 (1687 – 1753) (ca. 1690 - before 1726) 1726. Marriage Intentions: April 9, 1710. 6 5X Great Grandfather April 13 or 15, April 23, *SUSANNA *THOMAS POTTER3 1691 – 1753 (HOADLEY) (1691 – 1753) Ipswich, MA. Ipswich HADLEY3 Farms, MA. (ca. 1694 - 1739) Married: September 18, 1714. 7 Uncle HENRY 1694 - Ipswich, Living 1714 Unknown. POTTER3 MA. (1694 – after 1714) Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 65
Notes: (1) Aunt MARY MERRIAM (POTTER)3 (ca. 1690 – ca. 1733) was born about 1690 in Lynn, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOSEPH MERRIAM2 (1650 – 1702) and SARAH JENKINS MERRIAM2 (1653 – 1692) who were married on August 19, 1675 in Lynn, Massachusetts. Aunt MARY MERRIAM POTTER3 (ca. 1690 – ca. 1733) married Uncle DAVID POTTER3 (1685 – after 1738) on January 6, 1709/10 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They had eight (8) children between 1710 and 1731. They lived in Ipswich and Lynn, Massachusetts, and finally Topsham, Maine. Aunt MARY MERRIAM POTTER3 (ca. 1690 – ca. 1733) died about 1733 in Topsham, Maine. (2) Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) [Lt. JOHN1 – MATTHEW0 - MATTHEW-1] was born on March 30, 1660 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 1695) nd and his 2 wife, ELIZABETH WOODMAN WHIPPLE1 (ca. 1637 – before 1663). He married twice: (1) HANNAH ROLFE (WHIPPLE)3 (1664 – 1701) whom he married in 1687 with whom he had at least three children between 1690 and 1695; and, (2) Aunt JOANNA POTTER (WHIPPLE)3 (1686 – living 1714) whom he married on April 14, 1703 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He died on June 11, 1722 in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 62 years of age and was buried in Hamilton Cemetery in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 1695) was baptized on September 6, 1632 in Bocking, Essex, England. He was the son of MATTHEW WHIPPLE0 (ca. 1590 – 1647), older brother of Elder JOHN WHIPPLE0 (1596 – 1669), and ANNA HAWKINS WHIPPLE0 (1604 – 1643) who had married on May 7, 1622 in England. Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 1695) married three times: (1) SARAH KENT (WHIPPLE)1 ( ? – 1658) whom he married about 1656; (2) ELIZABETH WOODMAN (WHIPPLE)1 (ca. 1637 – before 1663) whom he married about 1659; and, (3) MARY STEVENS (WHIPPLE)1 (1640 – after November 22, 1695) whom he married on July 21, 1662/3 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 1695) died on Tuesday, November 22, 1695 in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 63 years, 2 months, and 16 days of age and his Last Will was proved on December 23, 1695. ELIZABETH WOODMAN WHIPPLE1 (ca. 1637 – before 1663) was the daughter of Lieutenant ARCHELAUS WOODMAN0 and ELIZABETH (?) WOODMAN0 (ca. 1634 – before 1680). She was Lieutenant JOHN nd WHIPPLE1’s (1632 – 1695) 2 wife whom she married after 1658. They had at least two children: the first two were born between 1660 and 1661 probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts: (1) Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) and (2) ELIZABETH WHIPPLE (PUTNAM)2 (1661 - 1682) who was born on October 12 or December 12, 1661.
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ELIZABETH WHIPPLE (PUTNAM)2 (1661 - 1682) was the first wife of the infamous Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1660 - 1739) of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts and the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” In August, 1682, she bore him one child, an infant son named SAMUEL PUTNAM3 (1682 - 1682), who lived only 15 weeks and died at the last of November, 1682. She died earlier on August 24, 1682, probably from complications of bearing her only child, SAMUEL PUTNAM3 (1682 - 1682). She and her infant son were sadly buried near each other in Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1659 - 1739) family plot in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground,” now known as Wadsworth Cemetery, on Summer Street in Danvers, Massachusetts. Her gravestone was inscribed: “Here lyes Ye body of ELIZABETH Ye wife of JONATHAN PUTNAM aged about 22 years deceased Ye 24 of August 1682.” About 1683, Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) married a second time, this time to Aunt LYDIA POTTER (PUTNAM)2 (1661 - 1745), the daughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 - 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 - 1712) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. (3) Aunt HANNAH DRESSER (POTTER)3 (1681/2 - 1728) was born on February 17, 1681/2 in Rowley, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of SAMUEL DRESSER2 (1643 – 1704) and MARY LEAVER DRESSER2, the daughter of THOMAS LEAVER1. Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 - 1728) married SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (1688 – 1747) on November 17, 1712 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts and had five (5) children between 1713 and 1724. Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 - 1728) died on February 19, 1728 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. (4) Uncle THOMAS LORD JR3 (1687 – 1753) [THOMAS2 – ROBERT JR1 – ROBERT SR0 – WILLIAM-1] was born on April 26, 1687 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of THOMAS LORD2 and MARY BROWNE LORD2 (1663 – 1694) who were married on May 24, 1686 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Uncle THOMAS LORD JR3 (1687 – 1753) married Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER (LORD)3 (ca. 1690 – before 1726) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts and had three (3) known children born between 1711 and 1714/15. Uncle THOMAS LORD JR3 (1687 – 1753) died on December 18, 1753 in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Ipswich, Massachusetts: In Ipswich, Massachusetts on April 18, 1694, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) married his second wife, RUTH DUNTON (POTTER)2 (1663 – 1705). She was born on April 4, 1663 in Reading, Massachusetts and was the daughter of SAMUEL DUNTON1 (ca. 1620 – 1683/ca. 1695) and HANNAH (ANNA) FELCH DUNTON1 (1627 - 1689) who had married about 1646 in Reading, Massachusetts.
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SAMUEL DUNTON1 (ca. 1620 – 1683/ca. 1695) was born about 1620 in England. Before about 1644 he lived in Lynn, Massachusetts. After about 1644 he lived in Reading, Massachusetts. He married HANNAH (ANNA) FELCH (DUNTON)1 (1627 - 1689) about 1645 in either Lynn or Reading, Massachusetts. SAMUEL DUNTON1 (ca. 1620 – 1683/ca. 1695) died on November 7, 1683 (or about 1695) in Reading, Massachusetts at 63 years of age. HANNAH (ANNA) FELCH (DUNTON)1 (1627 - 1689) was born on September 18, 1627 possibly in Wales, England. She was the daughter of HENRY FELCH0 (ca. 1585/1590 – 1670) and MARGARET (?) FELCH0 ( ? – 1655). She died on July 11, 1689 in Reading, Massachusetts at 69 years of age. HENRY FELCH0 (ca. 1585/1590 – 1670) was born ca. 1585/1590 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales. He married MARGARET (?) FELCH0 ( ? – 1655), his 1st wife, about 1608 in Wales. He died in August, 1670 in Boston, Massachusetts. MARGARET (?) FELCH0 ( ? – 1655) died on June 23, 1655 in Boston, Massachusetts. 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) was remembered in his father-in-law, SAMUEL DUNTON1’s (ca. 1620 – 1683/ca. 1695) Last Will when it was settled on August 25, 1702. He received money and one cow. It is believed that 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) and his second wife, RUTH DUNTON POTTER2 (1663 – 1705), had three (3) children between 1696 and 1703. Their three children all died very young and never reached adulthood: Table 14: The three children of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL P POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) and his second wife, RUTH DUNTON POTTER2 (1663 – 1705). No. Name Date of Birth Death Date Spouse 1 ANTHONY POTTER3 October 2, 1696 Died young, Child (1696 - ? ) - Ipswich, MA. Ipswich, MA. - never married. 2 ESTHER POTTER3 Dec. 18, 1700 - Feb. 27, 1702 Child (1700 – 1702) Ipswich, MA. Ipswich, MA. - never married. 3 EZEKIEL POTTER3 1703 - Ipswich, Feb. 7, 1704 Child (1703 – 1704) MA. Ipswich, MA. - never married. 1695: Salem Village, Massachusetts: On May 20, 1695, a petition was signed by many pro-PARRIS2 Salem Village parishioners to keep the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) as their minister. The petition argued that the removing of Mr. SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) would not in any way be for upholding the kingdom of God amongst them and that they have had three ministers (JAMES BAYLEY2 (1650 - 1707), GEORGE BURROUGHS2 (1652 - 1692), and DEODAT LAWSON2 ( ? - ? )) removed already and by every removal their differences have been rather aggravated. They justly feared that the removing of the fourth may rather prove the ruining of the interests of Christ among them, and leave them without a shepherd. Therefore they petitioned that Mr. SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) may Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 68 continue in his present station. The petition was signed by many PUTNAM family members including Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745). However, within a year, in 1696, the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720) would resign and leave Salem Village. <<<
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On July 11, 1695, Uncle (Deacon) ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 – 1756), fifth son and youngest child of *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 - 1712), married Aunt MARTHA DRESSER (POTTER)2 (1671 – 1728), the daughter of Lieutenant JOHN DRESSER JR1 (1640 - 1724) and MARTHA THORLEY DRESSER1 ( ? – 1700), daughter of RICHARD THORLEY0, in Ipswich or Salem, Massachusetts. They lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts and had ten children. (See table below.) Aunt MARTHA DRESSER POTTER2 (1671 – 1728) was born on August 1, 1671 in Rowley, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Lieutenant JOHN DRESSER JR1 (1640 - 1724) and granddaughter of JOHN DRESSER SR0 (ca. 1607 – 1672), a shoemaker of Rowley, Massachusetts. She died on September 5, 1728 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Lieutenant JOHN DRESSER JR1 (1640 - 1724) was born in Rowley, Massachusetts about 1640. On November 27, 1662 in Rowley, Massachusetts he married MARTHA THORLEY (DRESSER)1 (ca. 1642 – 1700), daughter of RICHARD THORLEY0 and JANE (?) THORLEY0. MARTHA THORLEY (DRESSER)1 (ca. 1642 – 1700) died on June 29, 1700. Lieutenant JOHN DRESSER JR1 (1640 - 1724) married a second time on January 7, 1701/02, REBECCA (?) DICKINSON (DRESSER)1 ( ? – 1718), widow of JAMES DICKINSON1. REBECCA (?) DICKINSON DRESSER1 ( ? – 1718) died on April 2, 1718. Per “Essex deeds 41:152,” before April 13, 1721 Lieutenant JOHN DRESSER JR1 (1640 - 1724) moved from Rowley to Newbury, Massachusetts where he died on March 14, 1723/24 in his 85th year. JOHN DRESSER SR0 (ca. 1607 – 1672) and his wife, MARY (?) DRESSER0 (1611 – 1659), from Skewsby, Grimstone, Yorkshire, England sailed from Hull, England with their beloved minister, EZEKIEL ROGERS0 (1590 – 1660) of Rowley, Yorkshire, on the good ship “John” of London which arrived in Salem, Massachusetts on October 10, 1638. JOHN DRESSER SR0 (ca. 1607 – 1672) settled in Rowley, Massachusetts where he was a “shoemaker” and had an acre and half house lot on Bradford Street in 1643. He was about 61 years old in 1668 per Essex Court files. JOHN DRESSER SR0 (ca. 1607 – 1672) made his Last Will on March 5, 1671/72. He died in 1672 and was buried on April 19, 1672 probably in Rowley, Massachusetts. Aunt MARTHA DRESSER POTTER2 (1671 – 1728), wife of Uncle Deacon ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 – 1756), and Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 – 1728), wife of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), were cousins and granddaughters of JOHN DRESSER SR0 (ca. 1607 – 1672) of Rowley, Massachusetts.
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Table 15: The ten children of Uncle ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 – 1756) and Aunt MARTHA DRESSER POTTER2 (1671 – 1728) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. (All children were born in Ipswich, Massachusetts.) No. Name 1 Cousin MARTHA POTTER3 (1697 – 1697/98), born January 10, 1697 and died on January 21, 1697/98 as an infant. 2 Cousin DANIEL POTTER3 (1698/99 – 1770), born January 4/14/24, 1698/99; married twice: (1) ANNA WALLIS (POTTER)3 (1696/7 – 1727) marriage intentions published May 13, 1721 in Ipswich; had four (4) children between 1722 and 1727; and, (2) ELIZABETH KIMBALL (POTTER)3 (1707 – 1764) marriage intentions published November 29, 1728 in Ipswich; had ten (10) children between 1730 and 1749. Cousin DANIEL POTTER3 (1698/99 – 1770) died on March 10, 1770 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. ANNA WALLIS (POTTER)3 (1696/7 – 1727) was born on March 16, 1696/7 and died on July 12, 1727 probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts. ELIZABETH KIMBALL (POTTER)3 (1707 – 1764) was born on June 2, 1707; she was the daughter of EPHRAIM KIMBALL2 and MARY FRIEND KIMBALL2 of Wenham, Massachusetts. She died on February 9, 1764 probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts. 3 Cousin MARTHA POTTER (RINGE or RINDGE)3 (1700 - ? ), born October 19, 1700; married Mr. RINGE3 or RINDGE3. 4 Cousin ELIZABETH POTTER (KIMBALL)3 (1701/02 – before 1752), born March 4, 1701/02; married EPHRAIM KIMBALL3 of Boxford, Massachusetts (marriage intentions: November 13, 1745); she died before 1752. 5 Cousin DAVID POTTER3 (1703 – before 1749) – twin, born February 5, 1703; never married; died before 1749. 6 Cousin JONATHAN POTTER3 (1703 – 1761) – twin, born February 5, 1703; weaver; never married; died in 1761 and his Last Will was probated on February 27, 1770. 7 Cousin RICHARD POTTER3 (1705 – 1789), born November 15, 1705; yeoman; marriage unknown; died September 5, 1789 and his Last Will was probated on October 5, 1789. (see note below) 8 Cousin SARAH POTTER3 (1707 - ? ), born December 12, 1707; never married. 9 Cousin RUTH POTTER (MANNING)3 (1709 – 1791), born August 4, 1709; married JOHN MANNING3 on June 14, 1739; she died on July 13, 1791. 10 Cousin HANNAH POTTER (NEWMARCH)3 (1710 - 1785), born February 23, 1711; married JOHN NEWMARCH JR3 (ca. 1709 – 1795) on November 21, 1732. She died on December 14, 1785 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. [Note: Vital Records of Boxford, Massachusetts show that she married EPHRAIM KIMBALL III3 on February 23/28, 1743 in Boxford, Massachusetts.]
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Note: Cousin RICHARD POTTER3 (1705 – 1789) should not be confused with RICHARD POTTER4 (1742/3 – 1828), the son of Cousin DANIEL POTTER3 (1698/99 – 1770), who married LYDIA COGSWELL SYMMES POTTER4 (1732 – 1773) with marriage intentions published in Ipswich, Massachusetts on February 16, 1760. It was RICHARD POTTER4 (1742/3 – 1828) who eventually inherited the ancient *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) farm on the Old Bay Road (Route 1A) in Ipswich, Massachusetts later known as “Riverbend.”
1696: Billerica, Massachusetts: [The Second Indian War – “King William’s War” (1688 – 1699)] On February 12, 1696 Major (later Colonel) JONATHAN TYNG2 (1642 – 1723/24) of the upper or northern Middlesex Regiment of the Massachusetts militia issued the following order to Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715) of the Billerica militia: “To Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715): Having advice from the Lieutenant Governor (of Massachusetts) that at the opening of the spring near approaching it may be expected that the enemy will make fresh attacks both by sea and land. I do therefore order, that you make enquiry into the state of the troopery under your command, and see that every one of them be mounted upon a good serviceable horse for war and furnished with a good well-fitted carbine besides pistols and to see that the whole company of troops be in readiness to pass upon duty and in case of alarm made upon it defending of the approach of the enemy by sea. You are hereby ordered with the several troopery under your command forthwith to repair to the port or place within your county where the alarm is first given there to receive and attend further orders from myself and yours and my superior officers, and that all defects be taken notice of and duly rectified, particular account of the premises given to myself and that they be provided with ammunition etc. in all respects as the law requires, hereof fail not. Dunstable (Massachusetts) Febr. 12, 1696/97 JONATHAN TYNG2 (1642 – 1723/24), “Major” Upper or Northern Middlesex Regiment, Massachusetts Militia.
Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715) was the son-in-law of Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR1 (1625 – 1683) and husband of SUSANNA WHIPPLE LANE2 (1662 – 1713). During the renewal of hostilities in 1696, Major JONATHAN TYNG2 (1642 – 1723/24) of Dunstable, Massachusetts built blockhouses (image at right) in Dunstable, Billerica, and Chelmsford to protect these frontier towns from the French and Indians. When settlers fled these frontier towns, Major JONATHAN TYNG2 (1642 – 1723/24) remained with a garrison to protect the towns to the south. By the end of his career, he had risen to Colonel of the upper or northern Middlesex Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia. <<< Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 71
Ipswich, Massachusetts: [Tilton and Potter Grist Mill] On March 24, 1696, Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702), his brother, Uncle Deacon ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 – 1756), sons of deceased 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690), and ABRAHAM TILTON JR2 were permitted to build another dam and grist mill on Mile Brook (Mile River) near the house of Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) with the condition not to damnify Colonel SAMUEL APPLETON’s ( ? - 1696) sawmill. The dam and grist mill were built where the old mill stood on the farm of Mr. OLIVER SMITH subsequently owned by Mr. BOHLEN.10 <<< [Note: “Mile Brook” was a modest stream nearly hidden by sedge and bushes located a little below the Ipswich railroad bridge. It enters the Ipswich River on the southeast side. At one time it bore the pretentious name of “Mile River.”]
Ipswich or Salem, Massachusetts: On June 16, 1696, marriage intentions were published for the marriage of Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) to Aunt MARY KIMBALL (POTTER)2 (1671 – after 1704) in Ipswich (or possibly Salem), Massachusetts. Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) was born in 1664 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and was the fourth son of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712). Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) died on March 3, 1745 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His Last Will was probated on March 17, 1746. Aunt MARY KIMBALL (POTTER)2 (1671 – after 1704) was born about January 15, 1671 probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of CALEB KIMBALL1 (1639 – 1682) and ANNA HAZELTINE KIMBALL1 (1640 – 1688) and the granddaughter of RICHARD KIMBALL0 (ca. 1595 – 1675), the Puritan immigrant from Rattlesden, Suffolk County, England and well known in Ipswich, Massachusetts having served as one of the “Seven Men” in 1645. CALEB KIMBALL1 (1639 – 1682) was the son of RICHARD KIMBALL0 (1595 - 1675) and URSULA SCOTT KIMBALL0 (1596 - 1676). He was a prosperous farmer in Ipswich, Massachusetts. On November 7, 1660 he married ANNA HAZELTINE (KIMBALL)1 (1640 – 1688), the daughter of ROBERT HAZELTINE0 and ANN HAZELTINE0 of Rowley, Massachusetts. ANNA HAZELTINE (KIMBALL)1 (1640 – 1688) was born on April 1, 1640 probably in Rowley, Massachusetts and died on April 8, 1688 probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) and Aunt MARY KIMBALL POTTER2 (1671 – after 1704) lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts where they had eight (8) children between 1697 and 1713:
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Table 16: The eight children of Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) and Aunt MARY KIMBALL POTTER2 (1671 – after 1704) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. (All children were born in Ipswich, MA.) No. Name 1 Cousin MARY POTTER (FULLER)3 (1697 - 1731), born April 13/14, 1697 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; on June 24, 1717 she married NATHANIEL FULLER3 (1682/83 – 1752), son of JAMES FULLER2 and MARY RING FULLER2, in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she died on July 22, 1731 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. NATHANIEL FULLER3 (1682/83 – 1752) was born on February 18, 1682/83 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and died in December, 1752 in Ipswich, MA. 2 Cousin THOMAS POTTER JR3 (1698 – 1749), born August 17, 1698 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; in 1721 he married SARAH WALLIS (POTTER)3, the daughter of SAMUEL WALLIS3; he died on June 7, 1749. 3 Cousin ANNA (ANNAH) POTTER3 (1700 – 1763), born November 20, 1700 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she never married; she died on November 17, 1763. 4 Cousin LYDIA POTTER (KIMBALL)3 (1702 – 1759), born September 20, 1702 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; on January 3, 1732 she married WILLIAM KIMBALL3 (1700 – 1761) (CALEB2 – CALEB1 – RICHARD0); he was born on June 1, 1700 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Cousin LYDIA POTTER KIMBALL3 (1702 – 1759) died on March 23, 1759 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. 5 Cousin ROBERT POTTER3 (1704 – 1777), born May 28, 1704 or November 20, 1704 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he was a tailor; he married twice: (1) MARY KNOWLTON3 and (2) the widow MARY LAMPSON or LAWSON3; he died February 6, 1777. 6 Cousin JABISH (JABEZ) POTTER3 (ca. 1707 - ? ), was born about 1707 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he married MARTHA DRESSER (POTTER)3 (1701 - 1728) on October 6, 1730 in Rowley, Massachusetts; died unknown. MARTHA DRESSER (POTTER)3 (1701 - 1728) was born on March 11, 1701 in Rowley, Massachusetts; she was the daughter of JOHN DRESSER III2 (1663 – 1736) and MERCY DICKINSON DRESSER2 (1669 – 1751) of Rowley, Massachusetts. MARTHA DRESSER POTTER3 (1701 - 1728) died on September 5, 1728 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. 7 Cousin JACOB POTTER3 (1712 - ? ), born February 17, 1712 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; marriage information unknown; death information unknown. 8 Cousin ABIGAIL POTTER3 ( ? – 1758), born unknown; marriage information unknown; she died on December 15, 1758. Note: Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) was a “Yeoman;” he died on March 3, 1745 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; his Last Will was probated on March 17, 1746.
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Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: On April 28, 1696 the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720) officiated at Circle Girl MARY WALCOTT (FARRAR)3’s (1675 – before 1752) wedding ceremony in Salem Village. During the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692” she had sadly charged at least seventy (70) victims with witchcraft, far more than any other accuser. On June 28, 1696 the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720), Pastor of the Salem Village Church, preached his last sermon in Salem Village. Weeks later, on July 14, 1696, the forty-eight year old ELIZABETH ELDRIDGE PARRIS2 (1648 - 1696), the first wife of the infamous Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720), died in Salem Village and was buried in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground,” now known as “Wadsworth Cemetery” on Summer Street in Danvers, Massachusetts. She was the mother of ELIZABETH (BETTY) PARRIS3 (1682 - ? ), one of the “afflicted” girls that made the accusations and provided testimony that sent many innocent victims to their deaths during the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” Her grave is marked by a fine carved slate gravestone (photo below) which her husband, the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720), commissioned for her from WILLIAM MUMFORD2, the Quaker stonecutter of Boston. It was inscribed with a poetic epitaph by her husband, Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2, as follows:
“Elizabeth Parris, Aged About 48 years, dec’d July Ye 14, 1696. Sleep precious Dust no Stranger now to Rest / Thou hast thy longed wish in Abrahams Brest / Farewell best Wife, choice Mother, Neighbor, Friend / Weel wail the less for hopes of Thee I th End.”
The year after her death, her husband, Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720), moved from Salem Village. The graves of ELIZABETH WHIPPLE PUTNAM2 (ca. 1660 - 1682), the first wife of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) and Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) are located close to the grave of ELIZABETH ELDRIDGE PARRIS2 (1648 - 1696) near the corner of Green Avenue and Rice Avenue within the Wadsworth Cemetery (photo at right). Although her grave is not marked and that there is no record of her burial, it is believed that Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1745) is also buried there.
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Pemaquid, Maine: [The Second Indian War – “King William’s War” (1688 – 1699) - French & Abenaki Attack on Pemaquid - 1696] On August 4, 1696, a well-armed force of French and Abenaki Indians reached Pemaquid, Maine and surrounded Fort William Henry on land and sea. After a short siege, the fort commander surrendered under the condition that he and his men might leave safely. The French commander agreed but some of his Indian allies attacked the retreating New Englanders. The French then mined the fort with gunpowder and blew it to splinters. After this, Maine farmers could hardly work their fields without ambush. After deadly raids all along southern Maine and New Hampshire, Abenaki Indians ventured further south into Massachusetts where they ambushed and killed two men on the road between Andover and Haverhill on August 13, 1696. <<<
New England Winter of 1696 - 1697: New England experienced an unusually cold and harsh winter in 1696 - 1697. It proved to be the most brutal in New England memory. Thick ice paralyzed Boston harbor. Grain, if available, was the most expensive in the history of the colony. Food of all kind ran short this hungriest winter since the “starving times” of the early days of New England. <<<
1697: Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: On January 15, 1697, former judge SAMUEL SEWALL1 (1652 – 1720) and those who had participated as jurors, begged forgiveness of the families of the wrongfully hanged Salem Village witches of 1692. On June 29, 1692 he had condemned 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692). In the summer of 1697, the infamous Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) of Salem Village was finally forced to leave Salem Village by a campaign of his Figure 9: The Salem Village Witchcraft enemies led by the NURSE family and Victims’ Memorial at Danvers (Salem other relatives of the executed. The Village), Massachusetts (176 Hubart widower moved first to Stow, Street, Danvers, MA 01923) – dedicated Massachusetts, then to five other on May 9, 1992 – inscribed: “In Memory Massachusetts communities, of Those Innocents Who Died During the alternately preaching, teaching school, Salem Village Witchcraft Hysteria of farming and running retail 1692.” (2005 photograph) establishments. He died in Sudbury, Massachusetts on February 27, 1720.
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Ipswich and Topsfield, Massachusetts: The boundary between Ipswich and Topsfield was first established on February 28, 1694. However, Topsfield Town Records have the following entry for May 31, 1697: “Committees representing Ipswich and Topsfield were formed to resolve the boundary between each town. They mutually agreed on the following boundary: That ye easterly line between said Ipswich and Topsfield shall begin at a stake near ye spring that divides or parts ye meadow of *SAMUEL POTTER2 (6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714)) and DANIEL FOSTER2 (1670 – 1753), said meadow lying near ye dwelling house of Deacon ISAAC COMINGS1 (Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721)) , ye said stake being about six rods (99 feet) from Winthrop’s Corner westerly: said line running southeasterly to ye westward end of a hill called Pains Hill: leaving EDWARD NEALLAND2’s dwelling house about two rods and a half (41 feet) in Ipswich.” Major JOHN WHIPPLE III2 (1657 – 1722) was a member of the Committee for Ipswich.11 <<<
Salem, Massachusetts: In 1697, the famous Governor SIMON BRADSTREET0 (1604 – 1697) (image at left) died at 94 years of age in Salem. He had outlived the whole WINTHROP party and was buried in the Charter Street Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts.
Andover and Haverhill, Massachusetts: [The Second Indian War - French & Wabanaki Attack on Andover and Haverhill, Massachusetts - 1697]
Boston, Massachusetts: [End of “The Second Indian War” - Peace of Ryswick - 1697] The European treaty called the “Peace of Ryswick” effectively ending “The Second Indian War” was proclaimed in Boston in December 1697. Most of the fighting, but not all, halted.
1698: Andover, Massachusetts: In February, 1698, the Indians made an attack on Andover, Massachusetts (16 miles from Ipswich) killing a number of residents.
1699: Ipswich, Massachusetts: In 1699, the widow, 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712) donated a silver communion cup to the “First Church” in Ipswich, Massachusetts with the following inscription on it: The initials “P” (for Potter) at the top with “A” (Anthony) and “E” (Elizabeth) just below, and below them the words: “The Gift of Elizabeth Potter to the Church of Ipswich 1699.” 12 In 1888, this cup was found on display in the American Wing of the “Metropolitan Museum of Art” in New York City.
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Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: The infamous couple, THOMAS PUTNAM JR2 (1652 - 1699) and ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (ANN PUTNAM SR2) (1661 - 1699), of the nefarious “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692,” died within two weeks of each other in the spring of 1699. He died first. They were buried in an unmarked burial mound in the “The Putnam Cemetery” on Preston Street (photo at left) very near the intersection of Routes 1 and 62 West in Danvers, Massachusetts. They were survived by their infamous daughter, ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716), who took charge of her nine younger brothers and sisters, ages seven months to sixteen years. She would never marry and would be buried with her parents in 1716. <<<
[DIRECTIONS to “The Putnam Cemetery”: Take Route “62” West from Danvers across Route “1” past the Massachusetts State Police station on the right. Take the first right past the police station onto Hazen Avenue. Go to end of Hazen Street and take first right onto Preston Street. The cemetery is about one-half a mile on your right behind a stone wall at the top of a hill overlooking the police station.]
1700: Ipswich, Massachusetts: Ipswich began the new century worthily by starting construction of a new meeting house, the third on this hallowed hill top called the Meeting House Green. In anticipation of the dignity of the new meeting house, provision was made for a new and much larger bell. Uncle JOHN (“the 13 cooper”) POTTER2 (1652 – 1718) subscribed six shillings and his mother, the widow *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712), our 7X Great Grandmother, subscribed three shillings toward the bigger bell for the First Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts.14 In old Ipswich, the summons to worship was given by a bell as early as 1640. <<<
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On March 16, 1700, Ipswich was required to furnish its quota of ninety (90) men from the Essex regiments to protect the frontier, thirty (30) of which were posted at Wells, fifteen (15) at York, fifteen (15) at Kittery, ten (10) at Amesbury, and twenty (20) at Haverhill, to guard against surprise from the French and Indian enemy. About 1700, Aunt ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700), first wife of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654/55 – 1702), died in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of NATHANIEL WELLS1 (ca. 1636 – 1681) and Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 77
LYDIA THURLEY WELLS (EMERSON)1 (1636 – ca. 1700) and the granddaughter of Deacon THOMAS WELLS JR0 (1605 – 1666) originally of Great Horkesley, Essex, England located just three miles north of Colchester and ABIGAIL WARNER WELLS0 (1614 – 1671) of Boxted, Essex, England. Aunt ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700) was survived by her husband and three of her four children:
Table 17: The four children of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) and his first wife, Aunt ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. No. Name 1 Cousin ELIZABETH POTTER3 (1681 - before Nov. 17, 1694), born April 14, 1681 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; died in childhood before November 17, 1694 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; never married. 2 Cousin EDMUND POTTER JR3 (1683 – 1735), born June 14, 1683 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; “Yeoman” and listed as a “Commoner” of Ipswich in 1707 and 1712; married twice: (1) MERCY QUARLES (POTTER)3 on January 14 or June 24, 1703; (2) ELISABETH (?) WALKER (POTTER) (BROWN)3, widow of RICHARD WALKER3, intentions published on February 14, 1711 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He died on March 29, 1735 in the Hamlet, Ipswich, Massachusetts. His Last Will was probated on April 7, 1735 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. 3 Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754), born 1686 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; listed as a “Commoner” of Ipswich in 1707; he married three times: (1) HANNAH PATCH (POTTER)3 (1691 – 1722) on September 23, 1710 in Ipswich, Massachusetts by whom he had four children between 1715 and 1721; she died on April 1, 1722 in her 32nd year in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she was the daughter of JAMES PATCH2 and SARAH BALCH PATCH2 of Salem, Massachusetts; (2) SARAH GRAVES POTTER3 on February 13, 1722/3 in Ipswich, Massachusetts by whom he had eight children between 1723/4 and 1735/6; and, (3) JEMIMA QUARLES (BROWN) (POTTER)3 (1689 – 1772) marriage intentions published on October 19, 1751 in Ipswich, Massachusetts she was the daughter of WILLIAM QUARLES2. Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) died in 1754 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His Last Will was probated on May 13, 1754. 4 Cousin ELIZABETH POTTER (DANE)3 (1694 – 1716), born November 17, 1694 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; married NATHANIEL DANE3 (1691 – 1760) on December 6, 1712; died young in 1716 at about 22 years of age in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
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1701: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On January 29th, 1701 the people of Ipswich met in their new meeting house on the Meeting House Green (third on this site) for the first time (1839 image at right). From 1673 to his death in 1690, 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) lived in a house on North Main Street a little more than four rods (22 yards) away from the Meeting House on the corner of “Loney’s Lane.”
Ipswich and Rowley, Massachusetts: On November 20, 1701, marriage intentions were published in Ipswich and on December 17, 1701 in Rowley, Massachusetts for the marriage of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654/55 – 1702) to his second wife, the widow JOHANA TUTTLE BISHOP PICKARD (POTTER) (WHIPPLE)2 (1664 – 1764) of Rowley, Massachusetts. Born September 24, 1664 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of SIMEON (SIMON) TUTTLE1 (1630/31 – 1691/92) and SARAH COGSWELL TUTTLE1 (ca. 1645/46 – 1732) of “Comfort Hill Farm” in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and the sister of SUSANNA TUTTLE2 of Ipswich, Massachusetts. The published Ipswich intention of marriage stated “HANNAH TUTTLE alias PICKARD of Rowley.” They would have no nd children. Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654/55 – 1702) would die on April 2 , 1702 just a little over three months after his second marriage. [Notes: (1) SIMEON (SIMON) TUTTLE1 (1630/31 – 1692) was born in Hertfordshire, England in 1630/31. He was the son of the wealthy mercer/draper JOHN TUTTLE0 (ca. 1596 – 1656) and JOAN(NA) ANTROBUS LAWRENCE TUTTLE0 (ca. 1592 – after January 29, 1660/61) of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. When only four (4) years old he immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 with his parents and siblings on the good ship “Planter” (passenger list dated April 2, 1635) which departed London on April 2 or 11, 1635 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on June 7, 1635. He settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts and made his home at the top of the hill of his “Comfort Hill Farm” on the Rowley Road (now High Street) not far from the intersection of High Street and Mile Lane in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was engaged in lucrative trading ventures in Barbadoes in the Caribbean. [Note: “Comfort Hill” was located between “Pingrey’s Plain” also known as the “Gallows Lot” (intersection of High Street and Mile Lane) and the “Old North Burying Ground” on High Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts.] (2) Included on the “April 2, 1635 Passenger List” of the good ship “Planter,” a small barque, with NICHOLAS TRARICE, Master, and which sailed from London, England on April 11, 1635 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on June 7, 1635, were the following: Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 79
Table 18: Passengers on the Good Ship “Planter” which sailed from London, England on April 11, 1635 and landed in Boston, Massachusetts on June 7, 1635. (Passenger List dated April 2, 1635) No. Name Age Relationship and Comments 1 Mr. JOHN TUTTLE0 39 Head of household; wealthy (ca. 1596 – 1656) mercer/draper and constable from St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. 2 JOAN(NA) ANTROBUS 42 Wife of JOHN TUTTLE0 (ca. LAWRENCE TUTTLE0 (ca. 1592 1596 – 1656) who was her second – after January 29, 1660/61), husband whom she married baptized June 25, 1592 at St. Albans, between 1626 and 1628 in St. Hertfordshire, England; widow of Albans, Hertfordshire, England. THOMAS LAWRENCE0 (1588/89 – 1624/25) of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, whom she married there on October 23, 1609. 3 JOHN LAWRENCE1 17 Stepson. (ca. 1618 - ? ) 4 WILLIAM LAWRENCE1 12 Stepson. (ca. 1623 - ? ) 5 MARY LAWRENCE1 9 Stepdaughter. (ca. 1626 - ? ) 6 ABIGAIL TUTTLE (MEADER)1 6 Daughter. (1628 - ? ) 7 SIMON TUTTLE1 4 Son; father of Aunt JOHANA (1630/31 – 1692), TUTTLE (BISHOP) settled at “Comfort Hill Farm” in (PICKARD) (POTTER) Ipswich, Massachusetts . (WHIPPLE)2 (1664 – 1764)
8 SARAH TUTTLE (MARTIN)1 2 Daughter. (1633 - ? ) 9 JOHN TUTTLE1 (ca. 1634 - ? ) 1 Son. – Ensign. 10 Mrs. JOAN ARNOLD 65 Mother-in-law; widow of ANTROBUS-1 WALTER ANTROBUS-1 and (ca. 1570 – ca. 1635/36) mother of JOAN(NA) ANTROBUS LAWRENCE TUTTLE0 (ca. 1592 – after January 29, 1660/61). 11 NATHAN HAFORD (HEFORD)1 16 Servant.
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Notes: (1) A “mercer” is a merchant or trader who deals in textiles (mercery). A “draper” is a retailer or wholesaler of cloth mainly used for clothing. (2) Inspired by a group of disheartened colonists from New Haven, Connecticut who were negotiating for the purchase of a city (Galloway) in northern Ireland for a future home, Mr. JOHN TUTTLE0 (ca. 1596 – 1656) emigrated from the Massachusetts Bay Colony about 1651 with his youngest daughter, HANNAH TUTTLE1 (ca. 1636 - ? ), and established himself advantageously at Carrickfergus in County Antrim in northern Ireland which is only 11 miles from Belfast. Five years later he died at Carrickfergus, Ireland on December 30, 1656. His wife, JOAN(NA) ANTROBUS LAWRENCE TUTTLE0 (ca. 1592 – after January 29, 1660/61), followed them to Carrickfergus in northern Ireland in 1654. During the great “Irish Rebellion of 1641,” Carrickfergus, became a refuge for fleeing Protestants and in 1642 was the base from which the counter attack and subsequent massacre of Catholics at Islandmagee was launched. The war between the Protestants and Catholics continued until the 1650s when OLIVER CROMWELL’s New Model Army defeated the Irish Catholics and Royalists and reconquered the country.
(3) SIMEON (SIMON) TUTTLE1 (1630/31 – 1692) married twice: (1) He first married JOAN BURNHAM1, the daughter of THOMAS BURNHAM0, in 1659 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; they had one son; (2) he then married second SARAH COGSWELL (TUTTLE)1 (ca. 1645/46 – 1732) in 1663 in Ipswich, Massachusetts by whom they would have twelve (12) children. Their eldest child, Aunt JOHANA TUTTLE (BISHOP) (PICKARD) (POTTER) (WHIPPLE)2 (1664 – 1764), was born on September 24, 1664 at “Comfort Hill Farm” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She would marry four times. Her third husband was Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) whom she married on December 17, 1701 in Rowley, Massachusetts (marriage intentions were published on November 20, 1701 in Ipswich, Massachusetts). She was the second wife of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702). They lived in Ipswich and possibly Wenham, Massachusetts and would have no children. In January 1679/80 Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) was granted a seat in the west gallery of the Wenham meeting house with other Ipswich neighbors. Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) died on April 2, 1702 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. SIMEON (SIMON) TUTTLE1 (1630/31 – 1692) died in January, 1692 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. SARAH COGSWELL (TUTTLE)1 (ca. 1645/46 – 1732) was born about 1646 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she was the daughter of JOHN COGSWELL0 (1591/92 – 1669) and ELIZABETH THOMPSON COGSWELL0 (1595 – 1676). SARAH COGSWELL TUTTLE1 (ca. 1645/46 – 1732) died on January 24, 1732 in Ipswich, Massachusetts.]
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Table 19: The four husbands and five children of Aunt JOHANA (HANNAH) TUTTLE BISHOP PICKARD POTTER WHIPPLE2 (1664 – 1764) of Rowley and Ipswich, Massachusetts. No. Husbands Children
1 JOB BISHOP2 ( ? - ca. 1690), of Ipswich, None. Massachusetts; died at sea when vessel foundered prior to March 31, 1691; wife petitioned the Ipswich Court on March 31, 1691 for relief via administration of her deceased husband’s estate.
2 JOHN PICKARD JR2 (1653 – 1697), Children by second wife: born January 1, 1653 in Rowley, Massachusetts; 1. SARAH PICKARD son of JOHN PICKARD1; married twice: (WALLIS)3 (1691 - ? ), (1) on February 11, 1680 married first wife, born December 23, 1691 in SARAH SMITH (PICKARD)2 ( ? - 1689), Rowley, Massachusetts; daughter of JOHN SMITH1; she died married Dr. SAMUEL September 28, 1689; they had at least one WALLIS3 on December 27, child: JOHN PICKARD III3 (ca. 1685 - ? ) 1713 in Ipswich, MA.; (2) on March 5, 1691 in Rowley, Massachusetts, 2. DAVID PICKARD3 he married his second wife, JOHANNA (ca. 1693 – 1714), TUTTLE BISHOP (PICKARD)2 (1664 – born ca. 1693 in Rowley, 1764), widow of JOB BISHOP2 of Ipswich, Massachusetts; Massachusetts; died March 2, 1714 at 20 JOHN PICKARD JR2 (1653 – 1697) years, 10 months and 26 days died on November 1, 1697 in Rowley, per G.S. in Ipswich, MA; Massachusetts exactly nine months before his 3. JOHANNA PICKARD3 last child, JANE PICKARD3 (1698 – 1701) was (1695 – 1696), born; administration of his estate was granted to born February 25, 1695 in his widow on March 28, 1699. Rowley, Massachusetts; died On March 29, 1700, JOHANNA at about 1 ½ years of age on TUTTLE BISHOP PICKARD2 (1664 – 1764) September 4, 1696 in was appointed guardian of the following children Rowley, Massachusetts. of her late husband, JOHN PICKARD JR2 4. SIMON PICKARD3 (1653 – 1697): (1697 – 1697), 1. JOHN PICKARD III3 (ca. 1685 - ? ) born July 17, 1697 in Rowley, – 15 years old stepson; Massachusetts; 2. SARAH PICKARD3 (1691 - ? ) died an infant on July 25, – 8 years old; 1697 in Rowley, MA. 3. DAVID PICKARD3 (ca. 1693 – 1714) 5. JANE PICKARD3 – 6 years old; (1698 – 1701), 4. JANE PICKARD3 (1698 – 1701) born July 1, 1698 in Rowley, – 2 years old. Massachusetts; JOHN TUTTLE2 of Ipswich and SAMUEL died on June 24, 1701 at PICKARD2 of Rowley were sureties on her almost 3 years of age in bond. [Essex Probate File 22549] Rowley, Massachusetts. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 82
3 EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702), born ca. None by second wife. 1654 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; married twice: (1) ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700) married before 1680 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; they had four children; (2) JOHANA (HANNAH) TUTTLE BISHOP PICKARD (POTTER)2 (1664 – 1764), widow of JOHN PICKARD JR2 (1653 – 1697) of Rowley, Massachusetts married on December 17, 1701 in Ipswich or Rowley, Massachusetts; they would have no children. Uncle EDMUND POTTER2’s Last Will was dated March 18, 1702; he would die on April 2nd, 1702 in Ipswich, Massachusetts just a little over three months after his second marriage; his Last Will was proved April 13, 1702.
4 Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722), None by his second wife. married a second time on April 14, 1703 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he was born on March [Note: Captain JOHN WHIPPLE 30, 1660 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he was the JR2’s (1660 – 1722) first wife was HANNAH ROLFE (WHIPPLE) son of Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 2 1695) and his second wife, ELIZABETH (1664 – 1701); they had three (3) WOODMAN WHIPPLE (ca. 1635 – ca. known children: 1 (1) DAVID WHIPPLE , 1662); he died on June 11, 1722 in Ipswich 3 (2) HANNAH WHIPPLE3 Hamlet (Hamilton), Massachusetts. He was (1692 -1758), and buried in the “Hamilton Cemetery” in Hamilton, (3) JOHN WHIPLE3 (1695 – 1769). Massachusetts. She died on October 20, 1701.]
1702: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On March 18, 1702, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s (ca. 1657 – 1714) older brother, Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (ca. 1655 – 1702), made his Last Will & Testament. Uncle nd EDMUND POTTER2 died on April 2 , 1702 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The veteran of “King Philip’s War” was only 46 or 47 years old. His Last Will was proved on April 13, 1702. On the same day, NATHANIEL WELLS2 was appointed guardian of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2’s oldest offspring, Cousin EDMUND POTTER JR3 (1683 – 1735), aged nineteen years. In his Last Will, Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (ca. 1655 – 1702) mentions a “marriage agreement” he had with his second wife Aunt JOHANAH TUTTLE BISHOP PICKARD POTTER (WHIPPLE)2 (1664 – 1764) and states: “My will is that what estate my wife brought to me at her marriage shall be returned again to her.”15 Ipswich, Massachusetts: In 1702, Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652 – 1718) and his second wife, Aunt SARAH KIMBALL POTTER2 (1661 – 1724), had seats assigned in the new (third) meetinghouse at Ipswich, Massachusetts.
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Salem, Massachusetts: In 1702 the General Court of Massachusetts declared the Salem witchcraft proceedings of 1692 and the use of spectral evidence illegal.
[1702 – 1714: Reign of Queen ANNE2 (1665 – 1714)]
[“The War of Spanish Succession” or “Queen Anne’s War” (1702 – 1713) – The Third Indian War] The third in a series of French and Indian wars for North America is known as “Queen Anne’s War” and lasted twelve years, 1702 to 1713. In 1702, when Queen ANNE2 (1665 – 1714) succeeded King WILLIAM III2 (1650 – 1702), the War of Spanish Succession began. Competition between the French and the English over land in America grew ever stronger. After the declaration of war in Europe, Massachusetts Governor JOSEPH DUDLEY1 (1647 - 1720) sought to maintain peace in the colonies. He signed a treaty with the Indian chiefs of the Maine tribes at Casco Bay in 1703, but peace lasted only a few weeks. The French Governor at Quebec sent parties of French and Indians to attack the frontier towns of the Colony. The English settlements in Maine were destroyed, and farmers abandoned their frontier settlements for the relative safety of the garrisons. It wasn’t until 1713 that peace was declared and the Maine colonists could return to their farms and villages. <<<
Billerica, Massachusetts: [“Queen Anne’s War” (1702 – 1713)] On April 22, 1702 Major JONATHAN TYNG2 (1642 – 1723/24) of the upper or northern Middlesex Regiment issued the following order to Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715) of the Billerica militia: “Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715) …… ordered to inspect the Militia under your command and see that they be duly provided with arms and ammunition etc. as the law directs.” In 1702, Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715) was sent with his company of Major JONATHAN TYNG2’s (1642 – 1723/24) upper Middlesex Regiment to the relief of Lancaster, Massachusetts. On November 5, 1702 Governor JOSEPH DUDLEY2 of Massachusetts (Governor of Massachusetts from 1702 until 1715) issued the following order to Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715) of the Billerica militia: “Captain LANE2 to disseminate orders designed to keep the peace between the English and the Indians. You are also to labour by all means to speak with WATANUMMON2 and the Penacock (Pennacook) men and to assure them of friendship with the Governor and all the English.” Captain JOHN LANE2 (1660 – 1715) was the son-in-law of Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR1 (1625 – 1683) and husband of SUSANNA WHIPPLE LANE2 (1662 – 1713). <<< 1703: Ipswich, Massachusetts: In 1703, two of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s children, 2 year-old ESTHER POTTER3 (1700 – 1703) and her infant brother EZEKIEL POTTER3 (1703 – 1703), died. Did they die from an epidemic or the same illness as their mother, RUTH DUNTON Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 84
POTTER2 ( ? – 1703), the second wife of *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714), who also may have died prematurely in 1703?
Ipswich, Massachusetts: The WHIPPLE and POTTER families, ever so close in the 17th Century, kept their close relationship well into the 18th Century. On April 14, 1703 wedding intentions were published for 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s (1657 – 1714) daughter, JOANNA (JOHANNA or JOANAH) POTTER (WHIPPLE3) (1686 – living in 1714), for her marriage to Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) [Lt. JOHN1, MATTHEW0, MATTHEW-1] in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She would be Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2’s (1660 – 1722) second wife. JOANNA (JOHANNA or JOANAH) POTTER (WHIPPLE)3 (1686 – living in 1714) was born on June 16, 1686 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714) and 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1693) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was living in 1714. [NOTE: There were two cousins named JOHN WHIPPLE at the time and both held military rank. They were: (1) Elder JOHN WHIPPLE1’s (1596 – 1669) grandson: Captain (later Major) JOHN WHIPPLE III3 (1657 – 1722) [JOHN2, JOHN1, MATTHEW0] who was born July 15, 1657 and died June 12, 1722, and, (2) 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s (1657 – 1714) son-in-law: Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) [Lt. JOHN1, MATTHEW0, MATTHEW-1] who was born March 30, 1660 and died June 11, 1722. It is difficult to distinguish which Captain WHIPPLE is meant in the military history of Ipswich, Massachusetts during this period.] <<< Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) (Uncle) was born on March 30, 1660 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 1695) and his second wife, ELIZABETH WOODMAN WHIPPLE1 (ca. 1637 – before 1663). He married twice: (1) HANNAH ROLFE (WHIPPLE)2 (1664 – 1701) Born: 1664 – Ipswich, Massachusetts; Married: 1687 – probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts; Children: Three (3) known: (a) DAVID WHIPPLE3 ( ? - ? ); (b) HANNAH WHIPPLE3 (1692 – 1758) – born June 30, 1692; (c) JOHN WHIPPLE III3 (1695 – 1769). Died: October 20, 1701 – Ipswich or Hamilton, Massachusetts. (2) JOANNA POTTER (WHIPPLE)3 (1686 – ca. 1714) – (Aunt). Born: June 16, 1686 – Ipswich, Massachusetts; Married: April 14, 1703 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Children: unknown. Died: August 2, 1714 – Ipswich or Hamilton, Massachusetts.
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Uncle Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) died on June 11, 1722 in Ipswich or Hamilton, Massachusetts. He was buried in the “Hamilton Cemetery” in Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Table 20: Pedigree of Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) (Uncle), husband of Aunt JOANNA POTTER WHIPPLE3 (1686 – ca. 1714). Gen. Name Spouse
-3 THOMAS WHIPPLE-3 Unknown (1475 – 1535)
-2 THOMAS WHIPPLE-2 MARGARET (?) WHIPPLE-1 (1510 - ? ) ( ? - 1577) Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, Died: ca. June, 1577 – Bocking, Essex, England. England. Buried: June 13, 1577 – Bocking, Essex, England. (or) DOROTHY (?) WHIPPLE-1 ( ? - ? ) -1 MATTHEW WHIPPLE SR1 JOAN(NA) STEPHENS WHIPPLE-1 – “The Elder” (1561/62 – 1612) (ca. 1550/60 – 1619) – clothier. Born: ca. 1561/62 – England. Born: ca. 1550/60 – Bocking, Essex, Married: ca. 1580/82 – St. Mary’s England. Church, Bocking, Essex, England. Baptized: St. Mary’s Church, Bocking, Children: (9): 2 sons and 7 daughters. Essex, England. Died: ca. May, 1612 – Bocking, Essex, Married: 1580/82 – St. Mary’s Church, England. Bocking, Essex, England. Buried: May 19, 1612 – St. Mary’s Children: (9): 2 sons and 7 daughters. Church, Bocking, Essex, Died: ca. Jan. (?), 1619 – Bocking, England. Essex, England. Buried: January 16, 1619 – St. Mary’s [Note: One unconfirmed source says she Church, Bocking, Essex, Eng. was JOHANNA FULLER WHIPPLE-1 Last Will: made December 19, 1616; (1593 – 1612).] proved January 28, 1618/19. st 0 MATTHEW WHIPPLE0 1 Wife: ANN HAWKINS WHIPPLE0 (1588 – 1647) – Deacon. (ca. 1604/05 – 1643) Brother of: Elder JOHN WHIPPLE0 Born: ca. 1604/05 – Bocking, Essex, (1596 – 1669). England. Born: December 19, 1588 – Bocking, Married: May 7, 1622 – Bocking, Essex, Essex, England. England. Baptized: St. Mary’s Church, Bocking, Children: (6): 3 sons and 3 daughters. Essex, England. Died: after September, 1643 – Ipswich, Massachusetts.
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Married twice: Daughter of: JOHN HAWKINS SR-1 nd (1) ANN HAWKINS (WHIPPLE)0 (1570 – 1619) , Gentleman, and his 2 (ca. 1604 – 1643) wife, MARY LEVITT HAWKINS-1 Married: May 7, 1622 – Bocking, (1580 – 1635), of Braintree, Essex, Essex, England. England who were married on February Children: (6): 3 sons and 21, 1603/04 in Bocking, Essex, England. 3 daughters. Gentleman JOHN HAWKINS SR-1’s (2) ROSE BAKER CHUTE (1570 – 1619) tomb is near the north (WHIPPLE)0 Chancel Wall of St. Michael the ( ? - after Nov. 13, 1646) Archangel Church in Braintree, Essex, Married: Nov. 13, 1646 – Ipswich, England. Massachusetts. Children: None. Sister of: SARAH HAWKINS ------COPPIN WHIPPLE0 (ca. 1605 – Last Will: made March 7, 1645. 1662), 2nd wife of Elder JOHN Died: September 28, 1647 – Ipswich WHIPPLE0 (1596 – 1669) who was the Hamlet (Hamilton), MA. younger brother of MATTHEW WHIPPLE0 (1590 – 1647) of Ipswich Hamlet, Massachusetts.
1 Lt. JOHN WHIPPLE1 (1632 – 1695) Married three times: Born: 1632 – Bocking, Essex, England. (1) SARAH KENT WHIPPLE1 ( ? – Baptized: September 6, 1632 – 1658), daughter of JAMES KENT0; Bocking, Essex, England. married about 1656 in Ipswich, MA. Died: November 22, 1695 (Tuesday) Children: one (1) daughter. – Ipswich, Massachusetts at (2) ELIZABETH WOODMAN 63 yrs, 2 mos, 16 days. WHIPPLE1 (ca. 1635 – ca. 1662), Last Will: proved December 23, 1695. daughter of Lt. ARCHELAUS WOODMAN0 and ELIZABETH (?) WOODMAN0 (ca. 1634 – before 1680), Born: Before April, 1635 – England. Married: May 5, 1659 in Ipswich, MA. Children: three (3): 1 son and 2 daughters. Died: Before July 21, 1662 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. (3) MARY STEVENS WHIPPLE1 (1640 – 1679) on July 21, 1663 at Charlestown, Massachusetts. Children: five (5): 3 sons and 2 daughters.
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2 Captain JOHN WHIPPLE2 Married twice: (1660 – 1722) (1) HANNAH ROLFE WHIPPLE2 Born: March 30, 1660 – Ipswich, MA. (1664 – 1701) Married twice. Married: about 1687. Died: June 11, 1722 – Hamilton, MA. Children: three (3). Buried: Hamilton Cemetery, Hamilton, Children by 1st Wife: Massachusetts. (a) DAVID WHIPPLE3 (b) HANNAH WHIPPLE3 (1692 – 1758) (c) JOHN WHIPPLE3 (1695 – 1769), Captain. ------(2) Aunt JOANNA POTTER WHIPPLE2 (1686 - ? ), daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714) and 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – 1692), Married: April 14, 1703 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Children: none known.
Salem Village, Massachusetts: On Tuesday, April 20, 1703 any two of the following Salem Village men: Mr. JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), Mr. BENJAMIN PUTNAM2 (1664 – 1715), Mr. JAMES LENDALL2, and Mr. JOHN PICKERING2 were chosen to meet with Topsfield men at 8:00 AM at the house of Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 – 1748) in Salem Village to perambulate the boundary line between Salem Village and Topsfield, Massachusetts.
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On June 24, 1703 (or January 14, 1703 ?) in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Cousin EDMUND POTTER JR3 (1683 – 1735) married his first wife, MERCY QUARLES (POTTER)3, the daughter of WILLIAM QUARLES2 and MARTHA (?) QUARLES2. They lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts where they had at least one child, a daughter named MERCY POTTER (PATCH)4, who was born on May 28, 1704 in Ipswich. Cousin EDMUND POTTER JR3 (1683 – 1735) was born on June 14, 1683 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 - 1702) and his first wife, Aunt ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700). He was also the Grandson of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712). He was characterized as a “Yeoman” and listed as a “Commoner” of Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1707 and 1712. On February 14, 1711 intentions were published in Ipswich, Massachusetts for his marriage to his second wife, ELISABETH (?)
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WALKER (POTTER) (BROWN)3, the widow of RICHARD WALKER3. Cousin EDMUND POTTER JR3 (1683 – 1735) died on March 29, 1735 in the “Hamlet,” Ipswich, Massachusetts. The “Hamlet” would be set off from Ipswich as a separate parish in 1715 and would eventually become the town of Hamilton, Massachusetts. His Last Will was probated on April 7, 1735. After the death of Cousin EDMUND POTTER JR3 (1683 – 1735) in 1735, ELISABETH (?) WALKER (POTTER) (BROWN)3 remarried JOHN BROWN3 whose occupation was “turner.”
1704: Ipswich, Massachusetts: The Boston News-Letter, No. 66, dated July 23, 1705 had the following article: “Ipswich Antiquarian Papers – Ipswich – July 20, 1704: On Sabbath, the 8th Currant, LYDIA (?) POTTER ( ? – 1704), wife of SAMUEL POTTER (?), was found dead, having cut her own throat; who about a week before had done the like, but was found alive and stitched up again; she was a woman who was several years distracted.” <<< [Note: It is not known which SAMUEL POTTER of Ipswich, Massachusetts had a wife named LYDIA (?) POTTER ( ? – 1704). It could have been SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), son of 6X Great Grandfather SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714), who was known to marry HANNAH DRESSER (POTTER)3 (1681/2 – 1728) on November 17, 1712 in Ipswich, Massachusetts who may have actually been his second wife. Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 - 1728) was the daughter of SAMUEL DRESSER2 and MARY LEAVER DRESSER2.]
1705: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On July 8, 1705, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2‘s (1657 – 1714) second wife, RUTH DUNTON POTTER2 (1663 – 1705) died in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was born on April 4, 1663 in Reading, Massachusetts and was the daughter of SAMUEL DUNTON1 (ca. 1620 - 1685) and HANNAH (ANNA) FELCH DUNTON1 (ca. 1620 - ? ). She had three children by *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 - 1714). They all died very young and never reached adulthood. Only five months after his second wife’s death, in Ipswich, Massachusetts, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714) married again on December 4, 1705 his third wife, SARAH CHILSON BURNELL (POTTER)2 (1673 - 1737), the widow of ROBERT BURNELL2 (1669 – 1700) of Lynn, Massachusetts. She was the second wife of the late ROBERT BURNELL2 (1669 – 1700) whom she had married on February 2, 1693/94 in Lynn, Massachusetts. ROBERT BURNELL2 (1669 – 1700) died in April, 1700 in Lynn, Massachusetts. SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 - 1737) was born on August 4, 1673 in Lynn, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOHN CHILSON1 (1645 – 1731) and SARAH ANN JENKS (JENCKES) CHILSON1 (1650 – 1675) who were married July 28, 1667 in Lynn, Massachusetts.
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JOHN CHILSON1 (1645 – 1731) was born in 1645 in Marblehead, Massachusetts. He was the son of the immigrant, WALSINGHAM CHILSON0 (1613 - 1669), and his wife, MARY (?) CHILSON0 (1614 – 1674), who immigrated about 1645 from Ugborough, Devonshire, England to Marblehead, Massachusetts and eventually settled in Saco, Maine. JOHN CHILSON1 (1645 – 1731) was the grandson of WILLIAM CHILSON-1 (1577 - ? ) and CHRISTIAN TRENICKE CHILSON-1 (1580 - 1619) who married on August 10, 1604 in Ugborough, Devonshire, England. JOHN CHILSON1 (1645 – 1731) died in 1731 in Bellingham, Massachusetts. JOHN CHILSON1 (1645 – 1731) married young SARAH ANN JENKS (JENCKES) (CHILSON)1 (1650 – 1675) on July 28, 1667 in Lynn, Massachusetts. SARAH ANN JENKS (JENCKES) (CHILSON)1 (1650 – 1675) was born in March 1650 in Lynn, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of the renowned iron founder, JOSEPH B. JENKS (JENCKES)0 (1599 - 1683), and his second wife, ELIZABETH GROVER DARLING JENKS (JENCKES)0 (ca. 1604 – 1679), of Lynn, Massachusetts. JOSEPH B. JENKS (JENCKES)0 (1599 - 1683) was born at (1) Hammersmith, a district in west London, (2) Hounslow, Middlesex (Greater London), or (3) Colebrook, Buckinghamshire, England. He was baptized on August 26, 1599 at St. Anne, Blackfriars, London, England. He was the son of JOHN JENKS-1 and SARAH FULWATER JENKS-1. It is believed he is descended from an ancient family from Wales, England. JOSEPH B. JENKS (JENCKES)0 (1599 - 1683) married his first wife, JOAN (JONE) HEARNE (JENKS)0 (1607 – before 1642), on November 5, 1627 at Horton Parish, Buckinghamshire, England by whom he had two sons. Recruited because of his exceptional iron foundry skills, he immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony between 1638 and 1642. A widower, JOSEPH B. JENKS (JENCKES)0 (1599 - 1683) left behind his two sons in England with instructions to join him later (they would in 1645) and settled in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was a highly skilled and very creative machinist and was considered a master of his trade working with brass and iron. He developed a reputation as a “man of great genius” while working at the “Saugus Iron Foundry” in Massachusetts. He is credited with making the dies for coining the first money, building the first fire-engine for the City of Boston, and securing several patents for improvements in mills and iron tools. In 1650 JOSEPH B. JENKS (JENCKES)0 (1599 – 1683) married a second time to ELIZABETH GROVER DARLING (JENKS) (JENCKES)0 (1626 – 1679) in Lynn, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOHN GROVER-1 and ELIZABETH (?) GROVER-1. They had one son and two daughters including SARAH ANN JENKS (JENCKES) (CHILSON)1 (1650 – 1675). JOSEPH B. JENKS (JENCKES)0 (1599 – 1683) died on March 16, 1683 in Lynn, now Saugus, Massachusetts. SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 - 1737) was 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2‘s third wife. She would give birth to the last three of *SAMUEL POTTER2‘s children who were born between 1706 and 1713 probably
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 90 in Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts. They were all baptized in the church at Topsfield, the nearest church to Ipswich Farms (Linebrook) at that time. Her three (3) children would produce fourteen (14) known grandchildren. Unfortunately, at minimum, five of her fourteen known grandchildren would not reach adulthood, for they would be victims of the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 - 1737) would die on October 5, 1737 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and may have also been a victim of the epidemic.
Table 21: The three children of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL p POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) and his third wife, SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 – 1737). No. Name Date of Birth Death Date Spouse 1. ESTHER Dec. 9, 1706 - Living 1714 Unknown. (HESTER) Ipswich, MA; POTTER3 Baptized: (1706 – after 1714) Jan. 1, 1707 Topsfield, MA. 2. LYDIA POTTER June 4, 1710 April 15, 1771 (1) THOMAS (HOWLETT ) Ipswich, MA. Boxford, MA. HOWLETT3 (BROWN) (1714 – 1746) (HALE)3 - married March 16, (1710 – 1771) 1732 in Topsfield, Married: 3 times. Massachusetts. (2) ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758) - marriage intentions March 12, 1748/9 – Topsfield, MA.; mar. April 5, 1750. (3) Deacon JOSEPH HALE3 (1694 – 1778) mar. October 18, 1759 – Topsfield, MA. 3. ABIGAIL Baptized: Dec. 31, 1758 NATHANIEL HOOD POTTER July 6, 1713 or JR3 (1707 – 1755) (HOOD)3 Sept. 6, 1713 - – married Nov. 13, (1713 – 1758) Topsfield, MA. 1735 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Notes: (1) Both Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) and Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) were from Topsfield, Massachusetts.
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(2) Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) were married on March 16, 1731/2 in Topsfield, Massachusetts where they lived and had six (6) children born between 1732/3 and 1744. Four (4) of their young children sadly died during the “Great Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) [JOHN2 (1677 – 1735) – Deacon SAMUEL1 (1646 – 1720) – Deacon (Sgt./Ensign) THOMAS0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) – WILLIAM-1] was born on October 17, 1714 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735) and BERSHABAH HOYTE HOWLETT2 (ca. 1679 – 1740) of Topsfield, Massachusetts who were married there on December 26, 1699. Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) died on September 14, 1746 in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
(3) Uncle ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758) was baptized on March 16, 1717 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of JOSEPH BROWN2 (1672 - ? ) and ELIZABETH ABBOTT BROWN2 (1686 - ? ) of Ipswich, Massachusetts who were married there on November 2, 1706. He was a “clothier” in Ipswich and subsequently a “miller” in Topsfield, Massachusetts. On April 5, 1750 he married Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) , the widow of Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746), in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Uncle ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758) became the owner of half the corn mill and a quarter of the saw mill, known as “Hobb’s Mills” in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He made his Last Will on May 5, 1758 when he was about to enter His Majesty’s service during the “French & Indian War (1754 – 1763).” Sadly he would die later that year while serving in the war in 1758. His Last Will was proved on December 11, 1758; his estate was appraised at 201 pounds, 0 shillings, and 6 pence.
(4) Uncle Deacon JOSEPH HALE3 (1694 – 1778) was born on Monday, August 23, 1694 in Boxford, Massachusetts. He was the son of JOSEPH HALE2 (1671 – 1761) and MARY WATSON HALE2 (ca. 1671 – 1708) of Boxford, Massachusetts. He married Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT BROWN (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) , the widow of Uncle ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758), on Thursday, October 18, 1759 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Uncle Deacon JOSEPH HALE3 (1694 – 1778) died on Monday, October 5, 1778 in Boxford, Massachusetts at 84 years, 1 month, and 12 days of age and was buried in the “Harmony Cemetery” in Boxford, Massachusetts. [See: “The Essex Antiquarian, Volume XIII, Salem, Massachusetts, January, 1909, Notes, pp. 46-47.”]
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(5) Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) was born in 1707; he was the son of NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) and JOANNA DWINNELL HOOD2, the daughter of MICHAEL DWINNELL1, a Huguenot from France. Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) was a farmer and cordwainer whose house was located near “Hood’s Pond” in northwest Topsfield near the boundaries of Ipswich and Boxford, Massachusetts; his house stood there nearly 200 years. Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) died on June 8, 1755 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. [Note: “Hood’s Pond” is a 68-acre pond in the northern part of Topsfield on the boundary with Ipswich surrounded by Boxford Road, Rowley Road, and Haverhill Road (Route # 97); most of the pond actually lies in Ipswich, Massachusetts.] Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) and Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 – 1758) lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts and had eight (8) children; four (4) children died in infancy (one possibly from diphtheria during the “Great Throat Distemper (Diphtheria )Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”) and four (4) daughters survived to adult age.
(6) Pedigree of Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755): JOHN HOOD0 immigrated in 1630 from Halstead, England to Cambridge, Massachusetts. RICHARD HOOD1 (ca. 1625 – 1695) born ca. 1625 in Lynn Regis, Norfolk, England; immigrated in 1630 with his father; wife: MARY NEWHALL HOOD1; had thirteen (13) children; died September 12, 1695 in Lynn, Massachusetts. NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) born June 9, 1669 in Lynn, Massachusetts; on October 16, 1706 he married JOANNA DWINNELL (HOOD)2, the daughter of MICHAEL DWINNELL1, a Huguenot from France. NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) died on October 30, 1748 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) – Uncle.
[Note: The oldest known book which has passed down in our family and that remains in the POTTER family collection is: “The Roman History, From the Restitution of the Empire by Charles the Great, to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks, containing the space of 653 years. – Vol. V and Last – By the Author of the Third and Fourth – Revis’d by Laurence Echard, A.M. – Being a further continuation of his history. – With a compleat Index to the whole.” - London, printed for Jacob Tonson, within Grays-Inn Gate, next Grays-Inn Lane, 1705. It was published in London in 1705 and
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 93 inscribed in the front by ALICE DOUGLAS, relationship unknown, who probably was a close friend and neighbor of one of our ancestors. It is unknown which of our ancestors first owned the book. Appraisers have indicated that the antique book would be more valuable if it were published in North America. Regardless, the book has more sentimental value than monetary value.] <<<
1706: Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: About 1706, 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714) with his third wife, SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 – 1737) and most of their children including 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) moved from Ipswich to “Ipswich Farms” or “The Farms,” six miles from the town’s center down the old Indian trail now known as Linebrook Road. The last three of his thirteen children would be born there by his third wife. <<<
Wenham, Massachusetts: From 1681 until 1723 Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER KIMBALL2 (1659 – 1723) lived in Wenham, Massachusetts lived with her husband, THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732) where they had seven (7) children between 1683 and 1703. Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER KIMBALL2 (1659 – 1723) was the eldest daughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712). She was named after her mother. In 1681 or 1683 she married THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732) in Wenham, Massachusetts where they raised seven (7) children. Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER KIMBALL2 (1659 – 1723) died in Wenham, Massachusetts on December 4, 1723. Uncle THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732) was born on November 12, 1657 in Wenham, Massachusetts. He was the son of RICHARD KIMBALL JR1 (1623 - 1676) and MARY SMITH KIMBALL1 (ca. 1623 – 1672) who was the daughter of JOHN SMITH0 (ca. 1600 - ? ). MARY SMITH KIMBALL1 (ca. 1623 – 1672) died on September 2, 1672 in Wenham, Massachusetts. Uncle THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732) was the grandson of RICHARD KIMBALL0 (1595 - 1675) and URSULA SCOTT KIMBALL0 (1596 - 1676) who were Puritans who emigrated from Rattlesden, Suffolk, England in April, 1634. Uncle THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732), Aunt SARAH KIMBALL POTTER2 (1661 – 1724), the second wife of Uncle JOHN “the cooper” POTTER2 (1652 – 1718), and Aunt MARY KIMBALL POTTER2 (1671 - ? ), the wife of Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745), were cousins and grandchildren of RICHARD KIMBALL0 (1595 - 1675) and URSULA SCOTT KIMBALL0 (1596 - 1676). Uncle THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732) was granted town privileges in Wenham, Massachusetts on November 1, 1682 where he was a surveyor. On at least four occasions, i.e. December 7, 1694, May 10, 1705, May 24, 1705 and May 14, 1712, he was appointed to a committee representing Wenham, Massachusetts to determine (perambulate) the bounds between the town of Topsfield and other towns surrounding
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Wenham, Massachusetts. Boundary disputes were common at that time and timber was precious to the inhabitants as it was the only source of cooking and heating fuel at the time. Uncle THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732) died sometime before October 16, 1732, the day his Last Will was proved. He had made his Last Will on December 10, 1730. His children are listed in the following table:
Table 22: The seven children of Uncle THOMAS KIMBALL2 p (1657 – 1732) and Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER KIMBALL2 (1659 – 1723) of Wenham, Massachusetts. No. Name Date of Birth Death Date Spouse 1. THOMAS ca. 1683 unknown - Married: unknown date – KIMBALL JR3 Wenham, Beverly, Marblehead, Massachusetts. - cousin. (Tailor) Massachusetts. Massachusetts HANNAH PORTER . (KIMBALL)3 (1687 – 1787) b. November 26, 1687 d. November, 1787 dau. of: JOHN PORTER2 and LYDIA (?) PORTER2 2. DANIEL ca. 1684 Dec. 17, 1754 (1) Nov. 27 / Dec. 16, 1708 KIMBALL3 Wenham, Andover, – Beverly, MA. - cousin. Massachusetts. Massachusetts SARAH DAVIDSON (Cooper) (KIMBALL)3 (2) Int. April 5, 1712 August 5, 1712 – Andover, Massachusetts. HESTER (ESTHER) FOSTER (KIMBALL)3 (1688 – 1753) dau. of: ABRAHAM FOSTER2 (ca. 1643 – 1723) and HESTER (?) FOSTER2 (1659 – 1733/4). 3. RICHARD Sept. 18, 1686 1717 – HANNAH ORRIS KIMBALL3 Wenham, Boston, (KIMBALL)3 (ca. 1686 - ?) - cousin. Massachusetts. Massachusetts Married: November 5, 1707 at 31 years of in Boston, Massachusetts by age. the Reverend COTTON MATHER (1663 - 1728).
4. ELIZABETH 1690 Nov. 15, 1699 Died at about 8 years of age. KIMBALL3 Wenham, Wenham, - cousin. Massachusetts Massachusetts
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5. LYDIA April 15, 1695 unknown DAVID BEST3 KIMBALL Wenham, MA. Married: January 22, 1719 (BEST)3 - cousin. 6. EDMUND April 18, 1699 April 24, 1768 (1) April 14, 1724 - KIMBALL3 Wenham, Marblehead, Marblehead, MA. - cousin. Massachusetts Massachusetts LYDIA GILBERT at 69 years of (KIMBALL)3 age. (1702 – 1757) b. 1702 – Ipswich, MA. d. March 5, 1757 (2) September 6, 1759 – Wenham, MA. Mrs. MERCY CARTER (KIMBALL)3 (ca. 1700 – ca. 1779). 7. PAUL May 21, 1703 1755 (1) Married: unknown date. KIMBALL3 Wenham, Salem, RACHEL HILLAND - cousin. Massachusetts Massachusetts (KIMBALL)3 (Currier) (2) October 5, 1725 [Died at about MARTHA LOUTHER 52 years of (KIMBALL)3 age.] (3) May 21, 1752 SARAH KIMBALL (KIMBALL)3 – cousin. Notes: (1) The KIMBALLs, from Rattlesden, Suffolk, England, were another East Anglian Family who got rich in the Ipswich, Massachusetts land market. RICHARD KIMBALL0 (1595 – 1675), a farmer and wheelwright, had received forty (40) acres and a house lot by grant but had increased his holdings to one hundred and seven (107) acres by 1675. His son, RICHARD KIMBALL JR1 (1623 – 1676), was granted only six (6) acres in 1647 but managed to sell thirty (30) acres only five years later. (2) RICHARD KIMBALL JR1 (ca. 1623 – 1676) was born about October 13, 1623 in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England. He was the son of RICHARD KIMBALL0 (1595 – 1675) and URSULA SCOTT KIMBALL0 (1596 – 1676). When eleven (11) years old in April, 1634, he embarked with his parents in the good ship “Elizabeth” for America. He married MARY SMITH (KIMBALL)1 (ca. 1623 – 1672), daughter of JOHN SMITH0 (ca. 1600 - ? ) in 1648 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. [Note: Another source says his first wife was MARY COOLEY1 (1612 – 1672).] They lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts and Wenham, Massachusetts where they had eight (8) children including Uncle THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732) who was born on November 12, 1657 in Wenham, Massachusetts.
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RICHARD KIMBALL JR1 (ca. 1623 – 1676) was a yeoman, Husbandman of cattle and sheep, a wheelwright, selectman (Wenham) and constable (Wenham). He was very wealthy and a considerable landholder in Topsfield, Massachusetts but never resided there; also, he acquired land (about 200 acres) in Rowley, Massachusetts. His second wife was MARY (?) GOTT (KIMBALL)1, the widow of CHARLES GOTT1, whom he probably married after September 2, 1672. In September, 1675 it is believed that RICHARD KIMBALL JR1 (ca. 1623 – 1676) served in “King Philip’s War (1675 – 1676)” at Northfield, Massachusetts. He owned 132 acres of land and 17 acres of meadow at Ladd’s Hill (Egypt) in Wenham, Massachusetts where he lived most of his life and died there on May 26, 1676. It is believed he may have died from the hardships and/or injuries he sustained in “King Philip’s War (1675 – 1676).” Ipswich, Massachusetts: On July 6, 1706, Captain (later Major) JOHN WHIPPLE2 Esquire (1657 – 1722), son of Captain JOHN WHIPPLE JR1 (1625 – 1683), with his troop of forty-five (45) men and horses crossed the Merrimack River at Haverhill ferry on an Indian alarm. At that time, Amesbury, Haverhill and all the towns on the Merrimack River were the frontier. During the month of July, 1706, attacks were made by the Indians on Amesbury, Reading, Dunstable, Wells and Hampton Falls. Ipswich was liable to be attacked at any moment. Our Ipswich soldiery were called to arms repeatedly and hurried away to the defense of the frontier. Later in life Captain JOHN WHIPPLE2 (1657 – 1722) would become Major, and a Justice of the Sessions Court.16 <<<
Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: On August 25, 1706, “circle girl” ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716), single at age twenty-seven, stood before the Puritan congregation in remorse while Reverend JOSEPH GREEN3, Pastor of the Salem Village Church, read her contrite confession. She asked forgiveness and “to be humbled before God for that sad and humbling providence” in 1692 that “made her an instrument for the accusing of several persons of a grievous crime, whereby their lives were taken away.” She now believed them to be innocent, she declared, “and that it was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time.” She had, though, done it “ignorantly,” without “anger, malice, or ill-will to any person,” and she particularly begged to “lie in the dust and be humbled” for her accusation of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1622 - 1692) and her two sisters, which caused “so sad a calamity to them and their families.” She now did “earnestly beg forgiveness of God, and from all those unto whom I have given just cause of sorrow and offense, whose relations were taken away or accused.” As no one objected, ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716) was received into full communion by the Salem Village Church. The following family members were probably present: Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 97
Table 23: Some relatives of ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 - 1716) who were probably present during her contrite confession and admission into full communion of the Salem Village Church on August 25, 1706. No. Name Relation to ANN PUTNAM JR3 1 Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710) Great Uncle 2 REBECCA PRINCE PUTNAM1 ( ? - ? ) Great Aunt 3 Deacon EDWARD PUTNAM2 (1654 - 1748) Uncle nd 4 Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 - 1739) - 2 Cousin Uncle nd 5 LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1745) - Aunt Wife of 2 Cousin nd 6 BENJAMIN PUTNAM2 (1664 - 1715) 2 Cousin nd 7 ELEAZAR PUTNAM2 (1665 - 1733) 2 Cousin 8 JOSEPH PUTNAM2 (1669 - 1725) Uncle 9 ELIZABETH PORTER PUTNAM2 ( ? - ? ) Aunt
Figure 10: House of “Circle Girl” ANN PUTNAM JR3 (1679 – 1716) in Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts. (ca. 1891 photograph)
1707: Ipswich, Massachusetts: In February, 1707, Lieutenant JOHN WHIPPLE2‘s (1657 – 1722) troop hurried to the relief of Groton, Massachusetts (38 miles from Ipswich). On July 18, 1707, newly promoted Captain JOHN WHIPPLE2 (1657 – 1722), Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 98 with thirty-nine (39) men and horses, crossed at Haverhill ferry on alarm. Again on September 27, 1707, with thirty (30) men and horses, he crossed at Haverhill ferry on alarm. <<< 1708: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On December 22, 1708, Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652 – 1718) purchased the two acres of property including the “old house, new out-houses, etc.” on the corner of East Street and Hog Lane (Brooke Street) in Ipswich, Massachusetts from RICHARD BELCHER of Charlestown for 88 pounds. This lot was owned in 1648 by FRANCIS JORDAN, the town-whipper, whose gruesome business it was to wield the lash and lay it smartly upon the backs of evil-doers at the public whipping-post.
JORDAN-SNELLING-POTTER House at 30 East Street, Ipswich, Massachusetts. (1949 photo)
In 1655, JEFFREY SKELLING (SNELLING), a man of questionable character who tasted the lash more than once, occupied a house on the lot. It is believed that Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 razed the “old house” (“JORDAN-SNELLING House”) on the lot and built a mansion on the site. Many years later, the well-preserved old mansion beneath the spreading elms on the corner of East Street and Brooke Street (30 East Street) would be known as “THE JOHN POTTER HOUSE.” 17 The mansion would remain the property of the POTTER family until March 31, 1741 when JOHN POTTER2‘s grandson, DANIEL rd 18 POTTER4 (1712 – 1779) finally sold it to THOMAS HOVEY 3 , a fisherman. The ancient mansion was still standing in 1905. <<<
1710: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On January 6, 1710, 24 year old Uncle DAVID POTTER3 (1685 - after 1738), oldest son of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL
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POTTER2 (ca. 1657 - 1714) and 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 - ca. 1691), married 19 year old Aunt MARY MERRIAM (MIRRIAM) (POTTER)3 (ca. 1690 - 1733) in Ipswich, Massachusetts and made their home in Ipswich and then Lynn, Massachusetts. MARY MERRIAM (MIRRIAM) (POTTER)3 (ca. 1690 - ca. 1733) was the daughter of JOSEPH MERRIAM2 (1650 - 1702) and SARAH JENKINS MERRIAM2 (1653 - 1692) who were married on August 19, 1675 in Lynn, Massachusetts. Uncle DAVID POTTER3 (1685 - after 1738) and Aunt MARY MERRIAM (MIRRIAM) (POTTER)3 (ca. 1690 - 1733) lived in Ipswich and then Lynn, Massachusetts and would have eight (8) children between 1711 and 1731. 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 - 1714) and his third wife, SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 - 1724), undoubtedly attended the wedding on January 6, 1710 in Ipswich.
Table 24: The eight children of Uncle DAVID POTTER3 (1685 - after 1738) and Aunt MARY MERRIAM (MIRRIAM) P (POTTER)3 (ca. 1690 - 1733) who had married on January 6, 1710 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. No. Name
1 Cousin ALEXANDER POTTER4 (1711 – 1800), born 1711 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; moved to Topsham, Maine with his widower father in 1738; he died April 4, 1800 probably in Topsham, Maine.
2 Cousin JAMES PETER POTTER4 (1713 - after 1782), born 1713 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; moved to Topsham, Maine with his widower father in 1738; on December 14, 1743 at Brunswick, Maine he married MARGARET DUNLAP (POTTER)4 (1722 - ? ), daughter of ROBERT DUNLAP3; they initially settled in Topsham, Maine; in 1782 he moved to Litchfield, Maine with his sons and settled in the “Pottertown” section of Litchfield; he was the ancestor of most of the POTTERs who lived in Litchfield, Maine; he died in Litchfield, Maine; many POTTERs are buried in the Plains Cemetery a half mile from the Pottertown section of Litchfield, Maine.
3 Cousin WILLIAM POTTER4 (1715 – 1747), born 1715 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; moved to Topsham, Maine with his widower father in 1738; married CATHARINE (CATHERINE) MUSTARD (POTTER)4 in Topsham, Maine; he was killed by hostile Indians on March 9, 1747 near where Brunswick, Maine now is.
4 Cousin ELIZABETH POTTER4 (ca. 1716 - before 1722), born ca. 1716 in Lynn, Massachusetts; died very young before August 23, 1722.
5 Cousin DAVID POTTER JR4 (1719 – 1733), born July 7, 1719 in Lynn, Massachusetts.
6 Cousin ELIZABETH (BETSEY) POTTER (MERRYMAN)4 (1722 - 1760), born August 23, 1722 in Lynn, Massachusetts; in 1737 she married WALTER MERRYMAN4 (ca. 1695 – 1791) in the celebrated Scotch-Irish colony of Topsham, Maine; initially lived on Lots #44 and #45 in Topsham, Maine; moved to the old farm
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not far above the old Harpswell Center Church in Harpswell, Maine; in 1760 she died in Harpswell, Maine. WALTER MERRYMAN4 (ca. 1695 – 1791) was “one of the most upright and sturdy” of the early settlers of Harpswell, Maine. He was of Irish origin.
7 Cousin JERUSHA POTTER4 (1725 - ? ), born April 18, 1725 in Lynn, Massachusetts.
8 Cousin LYDIA POTTER4 (1731 - 1736), born June 25, 1731 in Lynn, Massachusetts. Notes: (1) The parents of Aunt MARY MERRIAM POTTER3 (ca. 1690 – ca. 1733) were JOSEPH MERRIAM2 (ca. 1650 – 1702) and SARAH JENKINS MERRIAM2 (1653 - 1692) who were married on August 19, 1675 in Lynn, Massachusetts. (2) JOSEPH MERRIAM2 (ca. 1650 – 1702) was born about 1650 in Lynn, Massachusetts; he married SARAH JENKINS (MERRIAM)2 (1653 - 1692) on August 19, 1675 in Lynn, Massachusetts; he was listed as a Freeman of Lynn, Massachusetts in 1691; he died on October 21, 1702 in Lynn, Massachusetts. (3) SARAH JENKINS MERRIAM2 (1653 - 1692) was born in 1653 in Malden, Massachusetts; she was the daughter of JOEL JENKINS1 ( ? - 1688) and SARAH GILBERT JENKINS1 (ca. 1615 – before 1688). (4) In 1738, the widower Uncle DAVID POTTER3 (1685 - after 1738) moved to Topsham, Maine with his three eldest sons: (a) ALEXANDER POTTER4 (1711 – 1800); (b) JAMES PETER POTTER4 (1713 – after 1782); and, (c) WILLIAM POTTER4 (1715 – 1747). (5) WALTER MERRYMAN4 (ca. 1695 – 1791) was born in Ireland about 1695 to a sturdy Presbyterian family. In early 1700 he was kidnapped in an Irish port and brought to Boston, Massachusetts where he was indentured to a shipbuilder in Portland, Maine.
1711: [Attack on Quebec, Canada – 1711] In 1711 an unsuccessful attempt was made by British Colonial forces to capture Quebec, Canada from the French.
Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: In October 1711, the names of most victims of the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692” were cleared. However, six women including 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692), were somehow overlooked. It would take until Halloween, 2001 for 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1’s (1621 – 1692) name to finally be cleared. On December 27, 1711, Cousin ELIZABETH PUTNAM (HUTCHINSON)3, daughter of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) and
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Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745) of Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts married ROBERT HUTCHINSON3 (1687 – 1733), son of JOSEPH HUTCHINSON2 (1633 - ? ) and LYDIA BUXTON SMALL HUTCHINSON2 of Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts. On June 6, 1717, it is believed that ROBERT HUTCHINSON3 subsequently married SARAH PUTNAM 19 (HUTCHINSON)3 (1697 - ? ), incorrectly reported as his first wife’s sister. SARAH PUTNAM (HUTCHINSON)3 (1697 - ? ) was actually the daughter of ELEAZAR PUTNAM2 (1665 – 1733) and HANNAH BOARDMAN PUTNAM2 (1671 – before 1711) of Salem, Massachusetts. ELIZABETH PUTNAM HUTCHINSON3 and SARAH PUTNAM HUTCHINSON3 (1697 - ? ) were cousins. <<<
Figure 12: Gravestone of 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1629 – 1712) in the “Old North Burial Ground, Ipswich, Massachusetts” with the following inscription on her original 1712 slate gravestone: “Here lys buried Mrs. Elizabeth Potter who died March Ye 10, 1712 aged 83 years – A tender mother, a prudent wife, at God’s command, resigned her life.” [This is the oldest gravestone found of any of our ancestors.] (2005 photograph)
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1712: Ipswich, Massachusetts:
Figure 11: Upper left: Old North Burial Ground, Ipswich, Massachusetts entrance sign: “THE OLD BURYING GROUND – 1634 – IPSWICH HISTORICAL COMMISSION”.
Upper right: *WILBURN METCALF (BILL) POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) pointing to his 7X Great Grandmother’s gravestone on September 7, 2005. Lower: 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1’s (1629 – 1712) gravestone on right in the Old North Burial Ground, Ipswich, Massachusetts with the following inscription on her original 1712 gravestone: “Here lys buried Mrs. Elizabeth Potter who died March Ye 10, 1712 aged 83 years – A tender mother, a prudent wife, at God’s command, resigned her life.” [This is the oldest gravestone found of any of our ancestors.] (2005 photographs)
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Ipswich, Massachusetts: On Thursday, March 10th, 1712, 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712), widow of *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and matriarch of our American family, died in Ipswich, Massachusetts at the age of 84 years. She was the daughter of *Deacon GREGORY STONE0 (ca. 1590 – 1672) and his second wife, *LYDIA (?) COOPER STONE0 ( ? - 1674) of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was of sturdy stock and had attained a degree of respect and influence in the Puritan community of Ipswich, Massachusetts. She is buried in the “Ancient Old North Burial Ground” on High Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Her grave is in the right front easternmost corner of the “old yard on the hill.”
Rowley and Ipswich, Massachusetts: On March 21/22, 1711/12 marriage intentions were published in Rowley, Massachusetts for the marriage of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) and Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681 – 1728). They were married on November 17, 1712 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They would have at least five (5) children between 1713/14 and 1724. Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) was born about 1688 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) and 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1693). He died on February 29, 1747 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. [Note: Another source reported that he died on February 19, 1728.] Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 – 1728) was born on February 17, 1681/2 in Rowley, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of SAMUEL DRESSER SR2 (1643 – 1704) and MARY LEAVER DRESSER2 (1649 – 1714) of Rowley, Massachusetts. She died in 1728 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. MARY LEAVER DRESSER2 (1649 – 1714) was the daughter of THOMAS LEAVER1 (ca. 1615 – 1683) and MARY BRADLEY LEAVER1 (1626 – 1684) of Rowley, Massachusetts.
Table 25: The five children of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 p (ca. 1688 – 1747) and Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 - 1728) of Ipswich and Topsfield, Massachusetts. No. Name Date of Birth Death Date Spouse
1. MARY POTTER4 Baptized: ca. 1713/14 None; died an infant. (1713/14 – 1713/14) March 14, in Topsfield, 1713/14 in Massachusetts. Topsfield, MA. 2. MARY POTTER Sept. 3, 1715 in Unknown. PHILIP (KNEELAND)4 Topsfield, MA. KNEELAND4 (1715 - ? ) Married in 1732. 3. ELIZABETH Baptized: Oct. 25, 1734 None. POTTER4 June 30, 1717 - at 17 years of (1717 – 1734) Topsfield, MA. age.
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4. SAMUEL POTTER Baptized: 1759 ABIGAIL III4 (1719 – 1759) June 28/29, Lived in CUMMINGS 1719 - Bridgewater, (COMMINGS)4 Topsfield, N.H. (1719 – 1765) Massachusetts. Married: July 12, 1738. 5. HANNAH Baptized: Unknown. EPHRAIM POTTER June 28, 1724 - KIMBALL4 (KIMBALL)4 Topsfield, (1721 - ? ) (1724 - ? ) Massachusetts. Married: February 23, 1743/4. Notes: (1) ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761), his wife, ABIGAIL BOARDMAN CUMMINGS3 (1700 – 1771), and SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) were members of the “Old Church” in Topsfield, Massachusetts on May 18, 1751. (2) ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (POTTER)4 (1719 – 1765) was baptized on August 2, 1719 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL BOARDMAN CUMMINGS3 (1700 – 1771) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. She married SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) on July 12, 1738 in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich or Topsfield, Massachusetts. They had seven (7) children between 1742 and 1758 in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich and/or Topsfield, Massachusetts. They eventually moved to Bridgewater, New Hampshire. SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) died in 1759 possibly in Bridgewater, New Hampshire. ABIGAIL CUMMINGS POTTER4 (1719 – 1765) died on August 7, 1765 in Topsfield, MA. (3) EPHRAIM KIMBALL4 (1721 - ? ) [EPHRAIM3 – EPHRAIM2 – RICHARD1 – RICHARD0] was born on September 21, 1721 probably in Boxford, Massachusetts. He married HANNAH POTTER (KIMBALL)4 (1724 - ? ) on February 23, 1743/4 probably in Topsfield, Massachusetts. They had at least three (3) children between 1744 and 1749. In 1756, they with their children were warned out of Ipswich, Massachusetts as was the customary treatment for strangers when they came into a town in those days. 1713: [End of “Queen Anne’s War”] Peace was made between France and England in 1713, and Indian hostilities ceased for the short term. However, it wouldn’t be long before war would be renewed in 1722 with the Eastern Indians being the principal aggressors. <<< 1714: Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: On April 8, 1714, brothers: Uncle SAMUEL POTTER3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) and 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), now living in “Ipswich Farms” or “The Farms” which was later called the district of Linebrook (at the boundary between Ipswich and Topsfield), and attending church in Topsfield, signed a petition to the town of Ipswich to abate their taxes because of their distance from Ipswich. The Topsfield church was closest to their homes, so they attended church in Topsfield and paid taxes there. Linebrook Parish within the bounds of Ipswich, Massachusetts would not be established at Ipswich Farms until 1746 and the Linebrook Parish meetinghouse would not be built until 1747.
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6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s (1657 – 1714) Last Will & Testament was made on July 7th, 1714. His Last Will & Testament was witnessed by ISAAC FOSTER JR2, JOHN SHERWIN2, and ABRAHAM HOW2 (1649 – 1718). He died sometime thereafter, probably in July, 1714. His Last Will & Testament was proved (paid) on August 2nd, 1714. 20 He was 57 or 58 years old when he died. During his lifetime he had three (3) wives and thirteen (13) children including 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753). His 1714 burial location is unknown. He may have been buried on his Ipswich Farms farm or in a cemetery in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich Farms, or even in a Topsfield cemetery. 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2’s (1657 – 1714) children produced forty-two (42) known grandchildren. Unfortunately, at minimum, sixteen (16) of his forty-two (42) grandchildren never reached adulthood. The great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740” would devastate his children’s families with his son *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) losing, at minimum, six (6) children and his daughter LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN)3 (1710 - after 1750) losing, at minimum, four (4) children, and his daughter, ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 – 1758), losing at least one (1) child during the virulent epidemic. <<<
Table 26: The Legacy of 6X Great Grandfather P *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714). 2nd Generation 3rd Generation 4th Generation
*SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714) Born: 1657 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Died: July, 1714 – Children (13): Grandchildren (42 known): Ipswich, MA. see below. see below. Last Will: - made July 7, 1714; - proved August 2, 1714. Married three times:
(1) *JOANNA WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1691) Born: December 14, 1661 – Ipswich, MA. Children (7): Grandchildren (28 known): Died: circa 1691 see below. see below. – Ipswich, MA. Married: circa 1684 – Ipswich, MA.
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A. DAVID POTTER3 Children (8): (1685 - after 1738) a. WILLIAM POTTER4 Born: March 27, 1685 (twin) (ca. 1710 – 1747) – Ipswich, MA. b. ALEXANDER POTTER4 Died: unknown - after 1738 – (1711 – 1800) (?) Topsham, Maine. c. JAMES POTTER4 Married: January 6, 1710 (1713 – after 1782) – Ipswich, MA. d. ELIZABETH POTTER4 Wife: MARY MERRIAM (ca. 1716 - ? ) POTTER3 e. DAVID POTTER JR4 (ca. 1690 - ca. 1733) (1719 - ? ) Born: ca. 1690 - Lynn, f. ELIZABETH POTTER4 Massachusetts. (1722 - ? ) Died: ca. 1733 – g. JERUSHA POTTER4 Ipswich or Lynn, MA. (1725 - ? ) h. LYDIA POTTER4 (1731 - ? )
B. SARAH POTTER3 (1685 – ? ) Born: March 27, 1685 (twin) – Ipswich, MA. Children: unknown. Died: unknown – probably Ipswich, MA. Married: unknown.
C. JOANNA POTTER WHIPPLE3 (1686 - 1714) Born: June 16, 1686 – Ipswich, MA. Died: August 2, 1714 – Ipswich, MA. Married: April 14, 1703 – Ipswich, MA. Husband: 2nd wife of Children: unknown. JOHN WHIPPLE JR2 (1660 – 1722) – Captain. Born: March 30, 1660 – Ipswich, MA. Died: June 11, 1722 – Ipswich Hamlet, Massachusetts. Buried: Hamilton Cemetery, Hamilton, MA.
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D. SAMUEL POTTER JR3 Children (5): (ca. 1688 – 1747) a. MARY POTTER4 Born: circa 1688 – Ipswich, (1713 - ? ) Massachusetts infant - Topsfield, MA. Died: February 29, 1747 b. MARY POTTER – Ipswich, MA. (KNEELAND)4 (1715 - ? ) Married: November 17, 1712 – Topsfield, MA. – Ipswich, MA. c. ELIZABETH POTTER4 Wife: HANNAH DRESSER (1717 – 1734) POTTER3 – Topsfield, MA. (1682 – 1728) d. SAMUEL POTTER III4 Born: Feb. 17, 1682 (1719 – 1759) – Rowley, MA. – Topsfield, MA. Died: Feb. 19, 1728 e. HANNAH POTTER – Ipswich, MA. (KIMBALL)4 (1724 - ? ) – Topsfield, MA. E. ELIZABETH POTTER Children: (3) known: LORD3 a. JONATHAN LORD4 (ca. 1690 – before 1726) (1711 - ? ) – Ipswich, MA. Born: circa 1690 – Ipswich, b. ELIZABETH LORD4 Massachusetts. (1714 - ? ) – Ipswich, MA. Died: before 1726. c. THOMAS LORD III4 Marriage Int.: April 9th, 1710 (1715 - ? ) – Ipswich, MA. (published in Ipswich, MA.) Spouse: THOMAS LORD JR3 (1687 - 1753) Born: April 26, 1687 – Ipswich, MA. Died: Dec. 18, 1753 – Ipswich, MA.
F. *THOMAS POTTER3 Children (12): (1691 – 1753) a. JERUSHA POTTER4 Born: April 13/15, 1691 (1715 – 1715) – infant. – Ipswich, MA. b. THOMAS POTTER JR4 Died: April 23, 1753 (1717 – 1735) – Ipswich Farms, MA. c. MARTHA POTTER4 Married: September 18, 1714 (1720 – 1720) – infant. – Ipswich, MA. d. EZEKIEL POTTER4 Wife: *SUSANNA (1721 – 1801) HOADLEY (HADLEY) e. JOANNA POTTER4 POTTER3 (ca. 1694- 1739) (1723 – 1723) – infant. Born: ca. 1694 f. *ANTHONY POTTER4 – Amesbury, MA. (Deacon) (1724 – 1791) Died: 1739 g. SUSANNA POTTER4 – Ipswich Farms, (1728 – 1728) – infant. Massachusetts. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 108
h. SARAH POTTER4 (1730 – 1737) - Diphtheria. i. DAVID POTTER4 (1733 – 1737)- Diphtheria. j. EUNICE POTTER4 ( ? - 1737) – young. k. MARY POTTER4 ( ? – 1737) – young. l. THOMAS POTTER4 (1736 – 1736) – infant.
G. HENRY POTTER3 (1694 - after 1714) Born: 1694 – Ipswich, MA. Died: after 1714 – Children: unknown. (living 1714). Married: unknown. Wife: unknown. (2) RUTH DUNTON POTTER2 (1663 – 1705) Born: April 4, 1663 Children (3): Grandchildren (none). – Reading, MA. see below. Died: July 8, 1705 – Ipswich, MA. Married: April 18, 1694 – Ipswich, MA.
A. ANTHONY POTTER3 (1696 - ? ) – died young. Born: October 2, 1696 – Ipswich, MA. Died: unknown – died young; Children: (none) for he was not named in his father’s 1714 Last Will. Married: (never) Wife: (none)
B. ESTHER POTTER3 (1700 – 1702) – 1 year old. Born: December 18, 1700 – Ipswich, MA. Children: (none) Died: February 27, 1702 – Ipswich, MA. Married: (never) Spouse: (none) Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 109
C. EZEKIEL POTTER3 (1703 – 1704) – infant. Born: 1703 – Ipswich, MA. Died: February 7, 1704 Children: (none) – Ipswich, MA. Married: (never) Wife: (none) (3) SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 – 1737) Born: June 4, 1673 – Lynn, Massachusetts. Died: October 5, 1737 – Ipswich, MA. Children (3): Grandchildren (14 known): Last Will: probated see below. see below. January 26, 1722 (?) Married: December 4, 1705 – Ipswich, MA. Widow of: ROBERT BURNELL2 (1669 – 1700) A. ESTHER (HESTER) POTTER3 (1706 - after 1714) Born: September 10/16, 1706 – Ipswich, MA. Children: unknown. Died: after 1714 – (living in 1714). Married: unknown. Spouse: unknown. B. LYDIA POTTER Children: (6) by first HOWLETT BROWN husband: HALE3 (1710 - 1771) a. ALICE HOWLETT4 Born: June 4, 1710 – Ipswich, (1733 - 1737) – young. Massachusetts. b. LYDIA HOWLETT4 Died: April 15, 1771 – (1735 - 1737) – young. Boxford, MA. c. JOHN HOWLETT4 Married: (1) March 16, 1732 (1737 - ? ) – young. – Topsfield, MA. d. THOMAS HOWLETT (2) April 5, 1750 JR4 (1739 - ? ) – young. - Topsfield, MA. e. AMMIRUHAMI (3) Oct. 18, 1759 HOWLETT4 (1742 - ? ) – Topsfield, MA. f. ALICE HOWLETT (PEABODY)4 (1744 - 1830) Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 110
Spouse: (1) THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 - 1746) Children: (6) by first Born: Oct. 17, 1714 husband: (see above) - Topsfield, MA. Died: Sept. 14, 1746 – Topsfield, MA. ------Spouse: (2) ARTHUR BROWN4 (1717 - 1758) Children: (none) by second Born: 1717. husband. Bapt. March 16, 1717 – Ipswich, MA. Died: 1758 in the war. ------Spouse: (3) Deacon JOSEPH HALE4 (1694 – 1778) Born: August 23,1694 Children: (none) by third – Boxford, MA. husband. Died: October 5, 1778 – Boxford, MA.
C. ABIGAIL POTTER Children (8): HOOD3 (1713 – 1758) a. SAMUEL HOOD4 Born: 1713 about 7 mos. (1737 – 1738) Baptized: Sept. 6, 1713 b. ESTHER HOOD4 – Ipswich, MA. (1739 - ? ) Died: December 31, 1758 c. ABIGAIL HOOD – Topsfield, MA. (?) (HOVEY)4 Married: November 13, 1735 (1741 – ca. 1816) – Topsfield, MA. d. SARAH HOOD Spouse: NATHANIEL (TAPLEY)4 (1743 - ? ) HOOD JR3 e. SUSANNAH HOOD (1707 - 1755) (KINNEY) (TAPLEY)4 Born: 1707 (1745 – 1812) – Topsfield, MA. f. HULDAH HOOD4 Died: June 8, 1755 – infant; died Feb. 1, 1749. – Topsfield, MA. g. Unnamed baby boy – infant; died March 4, 1750. h. Unnamed baby boy – infant; died Nov. 17, 1751.
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Note: The great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740” would devastate this family: 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) lost, at minimum, six children; his step-sister, Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), lost, at minimum, four children; and his step- sister, Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 – 1758), may have lost at least one child during the virulent epidemic.
END NOTES
1 Sidney Perley, The History of Salem, Mass., 3 vols., Salem, 1924 – 1928, II, pp. 109 – 111.
2 Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, Salem Possessed, The Social Origins of Witchcraft, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England (1974).
3 W. P. Upham, Salem Witchcraft, I, “Map of Salem Village, 1692”, following page xvii with accompanying key: No. 41 in Upper Right Quadrant 2.
4 Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, op.cit., p. 127.
5 Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, op.cit., p. 43.
6 Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, op. cit., p. 150.
7 Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, op. cit.. p. 149.
8 Charles Edward Potter, Editor, GENEALOGIES of the POTTER FAMILIES and THEIR DESCENDANTS IN AMERICA to the Present Generation, with Historical and Biographical Sketches, (Boston: Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, 24 Franklin Street, 1888), PART 1, p. 1.
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9 David Grayson Allen, “In English Ways, The Movement of Societies and the Transferal of English Local Law and Custom to Massachusetts Bay in the Seventeenth Century", (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1981), pp. 130 - 131.
10 Thomas Franklin Waters, Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Part I. Historical, The Ipswich Historical Society, Ipswich, Massachusetts (1905) (Salem Press, Salem, Massachusetts) p. 77.
11 Topsfield Town Records, Volume I 1659 – 1739.
12 Thomas Franklin Waters, op. cit. pp. 41 – 42.
13 Abraham Hammatt, The Hammatt Papers No. 1. The Early Inhabitants of Ipswich, Massachusetts 1633 – 1700, (1854), Printed (Quarterly) 1880 Press Ipswich Antiquarian Papers; A. Caldwell and A.W. Dow, p. 268.
14 Thomas Franklin Waters, op. cit. pp. 41 – 42.
15 Essex, Massachusetts Probate File, 22549.
16 Thomas Franklin Waters, THE JOHN WHIPPLE HOUSE In Ipswich, Massachusetts and the PEOPLE WHO HAVE OWNED AND LIVED IN IT, Publications of the Ipswich Historical Society XX, (1915).
17 Sherman L. Whipple and Thomas Franklin Waters, PURITAN HOMES, Publications of the Ipswich Historical Society XXVII, (1929), pp. 79 – 80.
18 Thomas Franklin Waters, IPSWICH IN THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY PART II. HOUSES AND LANDS, The Ipswich Historical Society, Ipswich, Massachusetts (1905) p. 395.
19 Gary Boyd Roberts, English Origins of NEW ENGLAND FAMILIES, From The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Second Series in Three Volumes, VOLUME II, Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore, (1985), p. 477.
20 Hammatt, op. cit., p. 269.
- FINIS –
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CHAPTER 3
*THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) “Ipswich Farms Farmer and Founding Father of the Linebrook Parish Church”
For the years 1714 - 1753
THE THIRD GENERATION No. Name Spouse
1. DAVID POTTER3 - twin. MARY MERRIAM POTTER3 (1685 - after 1738) (ca. 1690 - ca. 1733)
2. SARAH POTTER3 - twin. Unknown. (1685 - before 1714)
3. JOANNA POTTER WHIPPLE3 JOHN WHIPPLE3 – Captain (1686 -after 1703) (1660 - 1722)
4. SAMUEL POTTER JR.3 HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (ca. 1688 - 1747) (1681/82 - 1728)
5. *THOMAS POTTER3 *SUSANNA HADLEY POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) (ca. 1694 - 1776)
6. HENRY POTTER3 None. (1694 - after 1714)
7. ELIZABETH POTTER LORD3 THOMAS LORD3 (ca. 1690 - before 1726) (1687 - 1753)
8. ANTHONY POTTER3 (1696 - ? ) None. (Died young.) 9. ESTHER POTTER3 (1700 - 1702) None. (Died young.) 10. EZEKIEL POTTER3 (1703 - 1704) None. (Died young.) 11. ESTHER POTTER3 None. (1706 - after 1714)
12. LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (1) THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 - 1746) BROWN HALE3 (1710 - 1771) (2) ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 - 1758) (3) Deacon JOSEPH HALE3 (1694 -1778) 13. ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1713 - 1758) (1707 - 1755)
1714: Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714), father of *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), died in July, 1714 in either Ipswich or Topsfield (probably Ipswich Farms), Massachusetts. His Last Will & Testament was proved on August 2nd, 1714. On September 18, 1714, marriage intentions were published in Ipswich, Massachusetts between 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) and *SUSANNA HADLEY (HOADLEY) (POTTER)3 (ca. 1694 - 1776), daughter of *SAMUEL HADLEY2 (1652 – 1745) and *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 – after 1704) of Amesbury, Massachusetts.
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5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) and his only wife, 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HADLEY (HOADLEY) POTTER3 (ca. 1694 – 1776), would have twelve (12) children who would produce twenty (20) grandchildren. However, the family of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) was to know much sorrow. Sadly, it appears that six (6) of their twelve (12) children would become victims of the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740” and only two of their twelve children would live to maturity.
Table 27: The twelve children of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS P POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) and 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HADLEY (HOADLEY) POTTER3 (ca. 1694 – 1776). No. Name
1 JERUSHA POTTER4 (1715 – 1715) was born on October 1, 1715 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; baptized on October 2, 1715 in the Topsfield Congregational Church, Massachusetts; died an infant on October 10, 1715 in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
2 THOMAS POTTER JR4 (1717 – 1735) was born on December 4, 1717 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; baptized on December 8, 1717 in the Topsfield Congregational Church, Massachusetts; sadly died on May 18, 1735 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts at only 17 years of age possibly from diphtheria during the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”
3 MARTHA POTTER4 (1720 – 1720) was baptized on March 27, 1720 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; died an infant on April 12 or 20, 1720 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts.
4 EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) was born on May 16, 1721 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; baptized May 21, 1721 in Ipswich or Topsfield, Massachusetts; married MARY CUMMINGS (CUMMINS) (POTTER)4 (1720 – 1806), daughter of ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL BOARDMAN CUMMINGS4 (1700 – 1771) of Topsfield, Massachusetts, on June 4, 1741 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; they had nine (9) children all born in Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts between 1742 and 1758; he was a “yeoman” and veteran; he died on June 29, 1801 at 80 years of age in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts and was buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery” at the corner of Linebrook Road and Newbury Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts; his Last Will & Testament was probated on July 6, 1801. EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) was buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery”; his gravestone was inscribed: “In memory of Mr. Ezekiel Potter who died June 29, 1801 Aet 80” with the epitaph: “Hark from the tomb a solemn sound is heard; it rises from the ground the voice is God and must be heard and we be lost if not prepared.” Most of his nine (9) children were also buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery.” MARY CUMMINGS (CUMMINS) POTTER4 (1720 – 1806) was baptized on October 2, 1720 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She died on November 16, 1806 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts.
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5 JOANNA (JOHANNAH) POTTER4 (1723 – 1723) was born on October 19, 1723 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; baptized October 20, 1723 in the Topsfield Congregational Church, Massachusetts; died an infant on November 9, 1723 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts.
6 4X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) (Deacon) was born on November 13, 1724 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; baptized on November 15, 1724 in the Topsfield Congregational Church, Massachusetts; he was a Sergeant in the “1st Company of Foot, Linebrook Parish” and fought in the French & Indian War in 1756; he was also a veteran of the Revolutionary War; he married twice:
(1) He married first MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 (1724 – 1762); marriage intentions were published on October 12, 1745 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; they had six (6) children all born in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts between 1747 and 1759. MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 (1724 – 1762) was born on November 11, 1724 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) and MARY DAVIS DAVIS3 (1707 - ? ) of Rowley, Massachusetts who married there on August 8, 1724 per the “Byfield Church Record.” She died on April 26, 1762 per the “Linebrook Church Records” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The pedigree of MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 – 1762) is: ISAAC DAVIS1 and LYDIA (?) DAVIS1 of Beverly, Massachusetts. Elder JAMES DAVIS2 ( ? – 1753), Founder of the “Linebrook Parish Church” and ABIGAIL METCALFE DAVIS2 (1686 – 1720). MARY DAVIS DAVIS3 (1707 - ? ) and NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776). MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 – 1762) and Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791).
(2) He married second *MARTHA (?) WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803), the widow of (1) MR. (?) WILLIAMS4, (2) THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757), and (3) ELIJAH BRADSTREET4 ( ? – 1760), on October 20, 1762 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; they had five (5) children, three born in Ipswich Farms between 1763 and 1768, and the last two born in Rowley, Massachusetts between 1770 and 1772. 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA (?) WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) was born on August 23, 1730/31 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Her maiden name and parents are unknown. She married four (4) times and had at least seven (7) children, five (5) by her 4th husband, 4X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) (Deacon) whom she married on October 20, 1762 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She died on June 12, 1803 at 72 years of age. She was buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery” next to her 4th husband, 4X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) (Deacon). Her gravestone is inscribed: “Mrs. Martha Potter consort of Deacon Anthony Potter died June 12, 1803 AEt 72.” She was the mother of 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) who was born on February 10, 1770 in Rowley, Massachusetts.
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4X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) (Deacon) was admitted to the Linebrook Parish Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts on May 4, 1765, was one of the first members, and was chosen Deacon of the Linebrook Parish Church on January 3, 1771; his Last Will was made on March 10, 1791; he died on June 22, 1791 at 67 years of age in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; he was buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery” at the corner of Linebrook Road and Newbury Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts; his gravestone is inscribed: “The end of the righteous man is peace.”; his Last Will was paid on July 5, 1791.
7 SUSANNA POTTER4 (1728 – 1728) was born on September 29, 1728 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she died an infant when only 14 days of age on October 13, 1728 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts.
8 SARAH POTTER4 (1730 – 1737) was born on September 16, 1730 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; baptized on September 20, 1730 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; died on January 24, 1737 at 6 years of age in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; she sadly died of a “sore throat” during the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”
9 DAVID POTTER4 (1733 – 1737) was born on May 12, 1733 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; baptized on August 12, 1733 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; died on January 20, 1737 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts at 3 years of age; he sadly died of a “sore throat” during the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”
10 EUNICE POTTER4 (ca. 1734 – 1737) was born ca. 1734 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she died in 1737 at 2 years of age in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; she probably died of a “sore throat” during the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”
11 MARY POTTER4 (ca. 1735 – 1737) was born ca. 1735 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she died in 1737 at 1 year of age in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; she probably died of a “sore throat” during the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”
12 THOMAS POTTER III4 (1736 – 1736) was born on July 9, 1736 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he was named for his beloved 17 year old brother who had sadly died the previous year; baptized on July 11, 1736 in the Topsfield Congregational Church, Massachusetts; he sadly died an infant on September 4, 1736 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; he probably died of a “sore throat” during the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” Notes: (1) Elder JAMES DAVIS2 ( ? – 1753) donated land for and was the Founder of the “Linebrook Parish Church” at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. He died on March 11, 1753. (2) ABIGAIL METCALFE DAVIS2 (1686 – 1720), wife of Elder JAMES DAVIS2 ( ? – 1753), was born on March 29, 1686 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She died on January 13, 1720 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. (3) NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) was born on June 15, 1701 in Rowley, Massachusetts. He was baptized on June 22, 1701 in Rowley, Massachusetts. He was the son of CORNELIUS DAVIS2 (1653 – 1731) and his second wife, Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 117
ELIZABETH JEWETT DAVIS2 (1662 – 1728?), who married on August 24, 1696 in Rowley, Massachusetts. NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) was a “husbandman” of Rowley, Massachusetts and died there on June 23, 1776. CORNELIUS DAVIS2 (1653 – 1731) was born on April 15, 1653 in Haverhill or Newbury, Massachusetts. He married twice: (1) SARAH HILTON (DAVIS)2 and (2) ELIZABETH JEWETT DAVIS2 (1662 – 1728?), daughter of JOHN JEWETT1, on August 24, 1696 in Rowley, Massachusetts. CORNELIUS DAVIS2 (1653 – 1731) died on March 16, 1731 in Rowley, Massachusetts. ELIZABETH JEWETT DAVIS2 (1662 – 1728?) was born on January 5, 1662 in Rowley, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOHN JEWETT1. She may have died on October 4, 1728? (4) MARY DAVIS DAVIS3 (1707 - ? ) was born on February 27, 1706/7 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Elder JAMES DAVIS2 ( ? – 1753), Founder of the “Linebrook Parish Church” and ABIGAIL METCALFE DAVIS2 (1686 – 1720). She married NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) on August 8, 1724 in Rowley, Massachusetts per the “Byfield Church Record.” Her death information is unknown. (5) Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1728 – 1788?) was the younger brother of MARY st DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 – 1762), 1 wife of 4X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) (Deacon). He was baptized on April 7, 1728 in Rowley, Massachusetts. He was a farmer who moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts. He would marry three (3) times. He was a well-known “patriot” who had a distinguished military service record beginning in 1745 as a young soldier at the “Battle of Louisburg,” through the “French & Indian War,” and finally as a “Captain” in the Revolutionary War from 1776 to 1778. *SAMUEL HADLEY2 (1652/1655 – 1745) was the son of *GEORGE HADLEY1 ( ? - 1686), an Englishman who emigrated possibly from Reydon, Suffolk, England to Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1639 during the “Great Puritan Migration.” *JANE MARTIN HADLEY2 (1656 – after 1704) was born on November 2, 1656 in Amesbury, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of *GEORGE MARTIN1 (1618 - 1686), a blacksmith from Amesbury, Massachusetts, and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) who was sadly hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts on July 19, 1692. *GEORGE MARTIN1 (1618 - 1686) and *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) were married on August 11, 1646 in Salisbury, Massachusetts. They moved to Amesbury, Massachusetts in 1654. *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 - 1692) was baptized on September 30, 1621 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. She was the daughter of *RICHARD NORTH0 who immigrated to New England in 1639, and *JOAN BARTRAM NORTH0. She was sadly executed on July 19, 1692 on Gallows Hill in Salem, Massachusetts for witchcraft during the infamous “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” <<<
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1715: Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: The 1715 tax list of the Topsfield church for “Ipswich Farms” or “The Farms” listed the following:
Table 28: The 1715 Tax List for the Congregational Church of Topsfield, Massachusetts. Ipswich Farms Residents Tax SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) – Uncle 3 shillings *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) – 4 shillings 5X Great Grandfather
Brothers Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) and 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) were two of the first members of the Topsfield church. They lived in “The Farms” section (later known as “Ipswich Farms” or the “Linebrook Parish” section) of Ipswich, Massachusetts near the Topsfield border. They went to the Topsfield Congregational Church, the nearest church to their homes, until 1747 when the nearer Linebrook Parish Congregational Church was first built at Ipswich Farms on Linebrook Road. In March 1715, Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721) and his wife, MARY ANDREWS CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1638 – 1693 or before 1712), deeded their Ipswich Farms homestead bounded by lands of POTTER (6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714)) on the north, FOSTER (DANIEL FOSTER2 (1670 – 1753)) on the east, PEABODY on the south, and of PERKINS also on the east, to their son JOHN CUMMINGS2 (1666 – 1722) who was born there on June 7, 1666. Their homestead would many years later be known as “The Peterson Farm.” [Note: Some years earlier on May 31, 1697, “Committees representing Ipswich and Topsfield were formed to resolve the boundary between each town. They mutually agreed on the following boundary: That ye easterly line between said Ipswich and Topsfield shall begin at a stake near ye spring that divides or parts ye meadow of *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) and DANIEL FOSTER2 (1670 – 1753), said meadow lying near ye dwelling house of Deacon ISAAC COMINGS1 (Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721)) , ye said stake being about six rods (99 feet) from Winthrop’s Corner westerly: said line running southeasterly to ye westward end of a hill called Pains Hill: leaving EDWARD NEALLAND2’s dwelling house about two rods and a half (41 feet) in Ipswich.”] Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721) lived in Ipswich Farms and also owned property in the neighboring town of Boxford, Massachusetts where his wife was born. He was very pious and a deacon in the Topsfield Congregational Church where he married his wife on November 27, 1659. At that time, it was the nearest church to his homestead in Ipswich Farms. He was a Commoner of Ipswich in 1672, served as a Sergeant in “King Philip’s War,” and became Deacon of the church in 1686.
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Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721) and his wife, MARY ANDREWS CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1638 – 1693 or before 1712), had wrongfully denounced and testified against the unfortunate ELIZABETH JACKSON HOWE1 (ca. 1635 – 1692) of Topsfield, Massachusetts at the 1692 “Salem Witch Trials” (sketch at right). She was sadly convicted and executed on July 19, 1692. Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721) ignorantly testified “that a mare of his had been strangely affected by her influence.” His testimony was corroborated by his wife, MARY ANDREWS CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1638 – 1693 or before 1712), and his son, ISAAC CUMMINGS2 (1664 – 1746), a farmer at Ipswich Farms. The CUMMINGS families and POTTER families of Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts) and Topsfield remained close in the latter part of the 17th Century and most of the 18th Century. Sisters ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (POTTER)4 (1719 – 1765) and Aunt MARY CUMMINGS (POTTER)4 (1720 – 1806) would marry POTTER cousins: Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) and Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) respectively. The Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721) legacy is shown in the following table:
Table 29: The Legacy of Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 (ca. 1633 – 1721) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. Gen. Name Spouse
1 Deacon ISAAC CUMMINGS1 MARY ANDREWS (CUMMINGS)1 (ca. 1633 – 1721) (ca. 1638 – 1693 or before 1712) Born: ca. 1632/33 – Mistley, Essex, Born: ca. 1638 – Boxford, Massachusetts. England. Daughter of: Baptized: March 17, 1632/33 – Mistley, ROBERT ANDREWS0 (1609 – 1668) Essex County, England. and Married: November 27, 1659 GRACE (?) ANDREWS0 ( ? – 1701). – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Married: November 27, 1659 – Topsfield, Died: January, 1721 – Topsfield, MA. Massachusetts. Children: Ten (10) born between Died: 1693 or before 1712 1660 and 1681. – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Children: Ten (10) born between 1660 and 1681. st 2 ISAAC CUMMINGS2 (1664 – 1746) 1 Wife: ALICE HOWLETT Born: September 15, 1664 – Topsfield, (CUMMINGS)2 Massachusetts. (ca. 1666 – before Dec. 1696) Married twice (2): Born: ca. 1666 – Boxford, Massachusetts. st Married 1 : December 25, 1685 Daughter of: THOMAS HOWLETT1 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. (ca. 1637 – 1667) and Children: Three (3) between LYDIA PEABODY HOWLETT1 1690 and 1695. (ca. 1640 – 1715). Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 120
Married 2nd: November 23, 1696 Married: December 25, 1685 – Topsfield, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Children: Four (4) between Children: Three (3) between 1699 and 1710. 1690 and 1695. Died: August 7, 1746 – Ipswich, Died: before December, 1696 Massachusetts. – Topsfield, Massachusetts. ------2nd Wife: FRANCES SHERWIN [Note: In 1721 ISAAC CUMMINGS2 (CUMMINGS)2 (1681/82 – 1770) (1664 – 1746) and his second wife, Born: January 27, 1681/82 – Ipswich, MA. FRANCES SHERWIN Daughter of: JOHN SHERWIN1 CUMMINGS2 (1681/82 – 1770), were (ca. 1644 – 1726) and dismissed from the church in Topsfield FRANCES LOOMIS SHERWIN1 to the church in Ipswich, (ca. 1646 – ca. 1691). Massachusetts.] Married: November 23, 1696 – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Children: Four (4) between 1699 and 1710. Died: March 13, 1770 – Ipswich, Massachusetts at 88 years of age.
3 ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761) ABIGAIL BOARDMAN Born: 1692. (CUMMINGS)3 (1700 – 1771) Baptized: April 24, 1692 Born: September 8, 1700 – Topsfield, MA. – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Daughter of: JOSEPH BOARDMAN2 Married: March 8, 1716/17 (ca. 1670 – 1737) and – Topsfield, Massachusetts. PRUDENCE FOSTER BOARDMAN2 Children: Six (6) (1675 – 1755). Died: October 12, 1761 Married: March 8, 1716/17 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Children: Six (6) Died: October 5, 1771 – Ipswich, MA. at 71 years of age.
4 1. ABIGAIL CUMMINGS 1. Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (POTTER)4 (1719 – 1765) (1719 – 1759) Born: 1719. Born: 1719. Baptized: August 2, 1719 Baptized: June28/29, 1719 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Married: July 12, 1738 – Ipswich or Grandson of: 6X Great Grandfather Topsfield, Massachusetts. *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714). Died: August 7, 1765 Married: July 12, 1738 – Ipswich or – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Topsfield, Massachusetts. Children: Seven (7) - baptized in Died: 1759 – Linebrook Parish, Topsfield or Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, MA. or Bridgewater, N. H. Ipswich, Massachusetts. Children: Seven (7) - baptized in Topsfield or Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts. ------Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 121
2. Aunt MARY CUMMINGS 2. Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (POTTER)4 (1720 – 1806) (1721 – 1801) Born: 1720. Born: May 16, 1721 – Ipswich, MA. Baptized: October 2, 1720 Son of: 5X Great Grandfather – Topsfield, Massachusetts. *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753). Married: June 4, 1741 – Ipswich, MA. Died: June 29, 1801 – Ipswich Farms, Died: November 16, 1806 – Ipswich Massachusetts. (Linebrook Parish, Farms, Massachusetts. Ipswich, MA.) at 80 years of age. Children: Nine (9) – born at Ipswich Buried: Old Linebrook Parish Cemetery. Farms, Massachusetts. Children: Nine (9) – born in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts.
1716: Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: On June 29, 1716, the infamous “circle girl,” ANN PUTNAM JR.3 (1679 - 1716), the unmarried daughter of THOMAS PUTNAM JR.2 (1652 - 1699) and ANN CARR PUTNAM2 (1661 - 1699), died at age thirty-seven in Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts. She was buried in an unmarked grave near her parents in “The Putnam Cemetery” at 485 Maple Street (Preston Street) in Danvers, Massachusetts. <<<
1717: [In 1717 the last witchcraft trial was held in England.] New England: The winter of 1716 – 1717 was one of the harshest in the history of New England. [The Great Snow of 1717] On February 18, 1717, the greatest blizzard ever recorded started and it snowed without stopping for four full days and nights. Boston measured a depth of ten feet of snow and surrounding areas reported twelve to fifteen feet of snow. As late as March 4, 1717 it was still impossible to get in or out of Boston. <<<
th 1718: Ipswich, MA.: On September 9 , 1718, Uncle JOHN “the cooper” POTTER2 (1652/53 – 1718) died probably in his mansion, “The John Potter House” at the corner of East Street and Hog lane (Brooke Street) in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 66 years of age. [See the map on next page.] He was buried in the “Ancient Old Burial Ground” on High Street in Ipswich, MA. His grave is marked by his original 1718 grey slate gravestone inscribed as follows: “Here Lyeth Ye Body of Mr. JOHN POTTER Dec’d Sepr Ye 9th 1718 In Ye 66th Year Of His Age.” His Last Will was probated on October 6th, 1718. He was survived by his second wife of 25 years, SARAH KIMBALL POTTER2 (1661 – 1724) and his children (our cousins) as follows: (1) JOHN POTTER JR3 (1680 – 1724), (2) SARAH POTTER RUST FELLOWS3 (1685 – 1725), (3) ELIZABETH POTTER (HARRIS)3 (1695 – 1720), (4) MARY POTTER YORK3 (before 1696 - ? ) (5) Deacon AARON POTTER3 Esquire (1699 – 1776).
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Figure 13: Map of Ipswich, Massachusetts ca. 1640 which shows the location of Uncle JOHN “the cooper” POTTER2’s (1652/53- 1718) mansion at the corner of East Street and Hogg Lane (Brooke Street) between December 22, 1708 and September 9, 1718, the date he died. His mansion was built on the properties once owned by FRANCIS JORDAN1 and JOHN NEWMAN1.
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1720: [1720 – 1750: Flourishing of religious revivals in America.] Sudbury, Massachusetts: In February, 1720 the infamous Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 - 1720) (image at left) of the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692” died in Sudbury, Massachusetts in the house inherited by his second wife. <<<
1721: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On May 16, 1721, Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the second son and fourth child of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) and 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1694 - 1776) of Ipswich Farms (later Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts. He was baptized on May 21, 1721 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4’s (1724 – 1791) older brother. He was listed as a “Yeoman” in the records of Ipswich, Massachusetts. It is believed he was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. <<<
1722: [1721 - 1722 Smallpox Epidemic - Boston, Massachusetts] For two years, 1721 and 1722, a smallpox epidemic raged through Boston, Massachusetts. During Boston’s worst smallpox epidemic commencing in April, 1721 and ending in February, 1722, the famous Puritan preacher COTTON MATHER2 (1663 – 1728) convinced Dr. ZABDIEL BOYLSTON2 (1679 – 1766) to try inoculation, a radical procedure that implanted a healthy person with smallpox. The epidemic would peak in October 1721 with 411 deaths that month. Dr. ZABDIEL BOYLSTON2 (1679 – 1766) would inoculate 287 people with only six of them not surviving. Though it was a proven and important step toward developing vaccination, public outrage spurred on by the rigid Puritan clergy at the time, forced Dr. ZABDIEL BOYLSTON2 (1679 – 1766) into hiding, and Reverend COTTON MATHER2’s (1663 – 1728) house was firebombed. By the time the epidemic subsided, there were 5,889 cases with 844 deaths, most of them in Boston. <<<
1723: Wenham, Massachusetts: On December 4, 1723, Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER KIMBALL2 (ca. 1659 – 1723), eldest daughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1629 – 1712) of Ipswich, Massachusetts, died in Wenham, Massachusetts. She was survived by her husband of 42 years, THOMAS KIMBALL2 (1657 – 1732).
1724: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On June 13, 1724 Aunt SARAH KIMBALL POTTER2 (1661 – 1724), second wife of the late Uncle JOHN “the cooper” POTTER2 (1652/53 – 1718), died in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 62 years 10 months and 15 days of age. She was survived by her son, Deacon AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776). She was probably buried in the “Ancient Old Burial Ground” on High Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts next to her husband. <<< Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 124
[Destruction of the French and Indian settlement at Norridgewock, Maine – August 23, 1724] In August, 1724, four militia companies (208 men) from York County, Maine led by brothers-in-law, Captain JOHNSON HARMON2 (ca. 1675 – 1751), chief-in-command, and Captain JEREMIAH MOULTON2 (1688 – 1765), second-in-command, with three Mohawk Indian allies, departed Fort Richmond, Maine (now Richmond, Maine) in whaleboats to Taconic Falls (now Winslow, Maine) and then marched quietly northwest to the stockaded Abenaki Indian settlement of Norridgewock Village arriving on August 23, 1724. In a sharp, short and decisive attack, the York militiamen killed 26 warriors, wounded 14, and forced 150 survivors to flee for their lives to Quebec, Canada. The French Jesuit Missionary, Father SEBASTIAN RASLE2 (RALE2) (1652/57 – 1724), who for years had encouraged the barbarous assaults of the Abenakis on defenseless English settlements to the south, was killed in the assault. Chief BOMASEEN2, his son- in-law, MOGG2 (or MOG2 of WHITTIER’s poem: “Mogg Megone” fame, also JOB2, CANAHESETT2 and WISSEMERNET2, all noted warriors were killed. One of the three Mohawks was killed but none of the York militia. Captain JOHNSON HARMON2 carried the scalps to Boston and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel for his success at Norridgewock. <<<
1725: Berwick, Maine: 7X Great Grandfather Captain *JAMES GRANT1 I (1672 – 1735) of Berwick, York County, Maine was a Captain of a company of militiamen from Berwick and other nearby Maine towns. He served with distinction during “Lovewell’s” or “Dummer’s Indian War” (1721 – 1725) and his company was credited with three marches in 1725: (1) June 25 to August 4, (2) Sept. 21 to Oct. 9, and (3) Oct. 13, to Nov. 14. Although many York County militiamen did, his company did not participate in the destruction of the French and Indian settlement at Norridgewock, Maine the previous year. <<<
1726: Topsfield, Massachusetts: In April, 1726 the town of Topsfield allowed 12 shillings to Deacon JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735) for serving three days as “Representative” at ye Massachusetts General Court in April, 1726. [Note: Voted 0/12/0 per the Topsfield Town Records, Vol. I.] Deacon JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735) was the soon-to-be father-in-law of Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN)
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(HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1656/57 – 1714). <<< On November 23rd, 1726, the town of Topsfield, Massachusetts granted liberty to Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) and his neighbors, CALEB FOSTER SR3 (1677 – 1766), Lieutenant ABRAHAM HOW3 (1686 – 1770), and some other neighbors in Ipswich to set up a stable on the plain north of and near the meeting house.1 <<<
Figure 14: The historic Lieutenant ABRAHAM HOW3 (1686 – 1770) barn at 403 (later 421) Linebrook Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts which dates to 1725. It is 42 feet long and 22 feet wide with 12 posts. Its front door was driven full of nails to prevent marauding Indians from cutting through. It was converted to a house in 1948. Lieutenant ABRAHAM HOW3 (1686 – 1770) was the son of ABRAHAM HOW2 (1649 – 1718). His house, built in 1711 and previously his father’s, was located next door to the barn at 401 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts. The house no longer exists but the barn is a historic site. Lt. ABRAHAM HOW3 (1686 – 1770) was the neighbor of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747).
1727: [1727 – 1760: Reign of King GEORGE II]
Boxford, Massachusetts: An entry in the County of Essex, Massachusetts deed register dated May 29, 1727 records that Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) purchased from BENJAMIN FOSTER2 (ABRAHAM1, REGINALD0)(1670 - 1735) a “weaver” by trade of Ipswich, Topsfield, Boxford, and Lunenburg, half of one of the two rights in Bush Hill and Turner’s Eighths in Boxford, Massachusetts. BENJAMIN FOSTER2 (1670 – 1735) inherited this land from his father, ABRAHAM FOSTER1, who had inherited it from his father, REGINALD FOSTER0. His wife’s name was ANN (?) FOSTER2. <<<
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1729: Wrentham, Massachusetts: On December 19 or 29, 1729, 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was the son of *JONATHAN WIGHT3 (1700 – 1773) and *JEMIMA WHITING WIGHT3 (1699 – 1754) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was the father of *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824), grandfather of *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT POTTER6 (1817 – 1851) and great grandfather of *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 (1841 – 1893). He would become a tailor and shoemaker by trade. <<<
1730: New England: In the 1730s and 1740s, epidemic disease ravaged New England. As the country became more densely settled, epidemics of smallpox, measles and diphtheria struck with increasing frequency and force.
Salem & Topsfield, Massachusetts: On April 13, 1730, Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), Mr. SAMUEL PORTER2, Mr. JOHN WOLCOTT2, and Mr. BENJAMIN BROWNE2 were appointed by the selectmen of Salem to meet at Mr. SAMUEL PORTER2’s dwelling in Salem on April 27, 1730 at 10:00 AM to perambulate and renew the bounds between the towns of Salem and Topsfield, Massachusetts. In 1728, the two towns had finally resolved their border dispute. At 10:00 AM on April 27, 1730, (Uncle) Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), Mr. SAMUEL PORTER2, Mr. JOHN WOLCOTT2, and Mr. BENJAMIN BROWNE2, who were appointed by the selectmen of Salem, Massachusetts, met with representatives of neighboring Topsfield, Massachusetts at Mr. SAMUEL PORTER2’s dwelling in Salem to perambulate and renew the boundaries between the towns of Salem and Topsfield which had often been disputed. <<<
Topsfield & Middleton, Massachusetts: At 1:00 PM on April 27, 1730, Mr. JOSEPH HERRICK2, Mr. DAVID COMMINGS2, and Mr. BENJAMIN TOWNE2, who were appointed by the selectmen of Topsfield, Massachusetts, met with representatives of Middleton, Massachusetts at Mr. NATHANIEL PORTER2’s house in Topsfield to perambulate and settle the boundary dispute between the towns of Topsfield and Middleton.2 <<<1732: Topsfield, Massachusetts: On March 16, 1731/32 Aunt LYDIA POTTER (HOWLETT) (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – after 1759) married the first time to THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) in Topsfield, Massachusetts. They lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts and would have six (6) children between 1733 and 1744. Aunt LYDIA POTTER (HOWLETT) (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) was born on June 4, 1710 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was baptized on May 29, 1715. She was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1656/57 – 1714) and his third wife, SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 – 1737) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. She would marry three times and die on Monday, April 15, 1771 in Boxford, Massachusetts. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 127
Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) [JOHN2, SAMUEL1, THOMAS0, WILLIAM-1] was born on October 17, 1714 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 - 1735) and BATHSHEBA (BERSHABAH) HOYT HOWLETT2 (ca. 1679 – 1740) who married on December 26, 1699 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) was an innkeeper (kept a “House of Entertainment”) in Topsfield, Massachusetts as early as 1743. He died on September 14, 1746 in Topsfield, Massachusetts at only 32 years of age. After his death, his widow, Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), carried on the inn and tavern for several years until she re-married on April 5, 1750. The HOWLETT family established themselves in Topsfield, Massachusetts as early as 1651 when Ensign THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) acquired the 300-acre Reverend NATHANIEL ROGERS0 (1598 – 1655) grant which lay between the Ipswich River on the south, Gravelly Brook on the east and Howlett’s Brook on the west. His first home on this tract was located on the hillside by Howlett’s Brook. Interestingly, the Reverend NATHANIEL ROGERS0 (1598 – 1655) was rector at Assington, Suffolk, England from 1631 to 1636 before immigrating to Ipswich, Massachusetts. Ensign/Deacon THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) had immigrated from Assington, Suffolk, England to Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1630. They probably were well acquainted in England before immigrating. In March, 1661 Ensign/Deacon THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) was elected as one of Topsfield’s first selectmen.
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Table 30: The six children of Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 - 1746) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) who married on March 16, 1731/32 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. (All born in Topsfield, Massachusetts) No. Name Spouse 1 ALICE HOWLETT4 (1732/33 – 1736/37) None. Born: January 1, 1732/33 – Topsfield, MA. Married: Never – died young. Died: February 15, 1736/37 – Topsfield, Massachusetts. (Diphtheria)
2 LYDIA HOWLETT4 (1734/35 – 1737) None. Born: February 16, 1734/35 – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Married: Never. Died: April 8, 1737 – Topsfield, Massachusetts. (Diphtheria) 3 JOHN HOWLETT4 (1736/37 - ? ) None. Born: January 23, 1736/37 – Topsfield, MA. Married: Never – died young. Died: infant - unknown. (Diphtheria)
4 THOMAS HOWLETT JR4 (1738/39 - ? ) None. Born: March 2, 1738/39 – Topsfield, MA. Married: Never – died young. Died: infant – unknown. (Diphtheria)
5 AMMIRUHAMI HOWLETT4 Unknown. (1741/42 - ? ) Born: March 14, 1741/42 – Topsfield, MA. Married: Unknown. Died: Unknown. 6 ALICE HOWLETT (PEABODY)4 JEDEDIAH PEABODY4 (1744 – 1830) (1743 - 1827) Born: September 8, 1744 – Topsfield, MA. Born: April 11, 1743 – Boxford, Married: October 8, 1766 – Boxford, MA. Massachusetts. Children: Eleven (11). Married: October 8, 1766 Died: January 30, 1830 – Lebanon/Grafton, – Boxford, MA. New Hampshire. Children: Eleven (11). Died: October 26, 1827 – Lebanon, New Hampshire.
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Notes: (1) The first four children of Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 - 1746) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) died from “Diphtheria” during “The Great Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740” in eastern Massachusetts. (2) Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3’s (1714 - 1746) great grandfather was Deacon THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) who immigrated from Assington, Suffolk, England in 1630 on the ship “Hopewell” of the “Winthrop Fleet” and settled initially in Ipswich, Massachusetts where he was confirmed as Ensign of the Ipswich (Militia) Company in 1645. (3) The pedigree of Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3’s (1714 - 1746) is: WILLIAM HOWLETT-1 (1579 – 1610) and MARGARET CANNON HOWLETT-1 (1580 – 1606) of Assington or South Elham Parish, Suffolk, England. THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1598/1605 – 1677) (Sgt./Ensign/Deacon) and his first wife, ALICE ELIZABETH FRENCH HOWLETT0 (1609 – 1666) who were married about 1644 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. [Note: When 25 years old, THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) immigrated in 1630 from Assington or South Elham Parish, Suffolk, England on the ship “Hopewell” of the 1630 Winthrop Fleet. He settled first in Boston, then Ipswich, and finally Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was a carpenter, surveyor, officer of the train band, and deacon.] He died on December 22, 1677 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. SAMUEL HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720), Deacon, and SARAH CLARKE HOWLETT1 (1651 – 1717) who married on January 3, 1670/71 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735) and BATHSHEBA HOYT HOWLETT2 (ca. 1679 – 1740) who married on December 26, 1699 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) and LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) who married on March 16, 1731/32 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. (4) JEDEDIAH PEABODY4 (1743 - 1827) was a “Minute Man” from Boxford, Massachusetts and a soldier of the American Revolution. He marched at the Lexington Alarm and served at Bunker Hill, and later at Crown Point, New York with General ETHAN ALLEN4 (1738 – 1789). (5) Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) married a second time to ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758) on April 5, 1750 (marriage intentions published March 12, 1748/49) in Topsfield, Massachusetts. After her second husband died, she married a third time to Deacon JOSEPH HALE3 (1694 – 1778) of Boxford, Massachusetts on October 18, 1759.
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When Ensign/Deacon THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) died in 1677 or 1678 in Topsfield, Massachusetts, he left property worth 452 pounds, a whopping sum for that time. He had 5 oxen, 2 steers, 2 yearlings, 8 cows, 2 heifers, 1 bull, 1 horse, 1 colt, 1 mare, 16 sheep and lambs, and 18 hogs and pigs. He also owned numerous implements of husbandry, farming, and milling such as plows, yokes, carts, wheels, hoes, forks, saddles, axes, a grindstone, sieves, etc.
Figure 15: “The Parson CAPEN House” at No. 1 Howlett Street in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
In 1668 Ensign/Deacon THOMAS HOWLETT0 (ca. 1605 – 1677) encouraged his son, SAMUEL HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720), to settle in Topsfield and set up his blacksmith trade to do the town’s work. He was voted a commoner of Topsfield on March 7, 1675/76. SAMUEL HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720) was given fifty acres of land and another four acres of land upon the “Common Hill” next to land of WILLIAM SMITH0 and the tailor, JOHN FRENCH0, his brother-in-law. Here he built his house which was located off Howlett Street beyond the “Parson CAPEN House” (No. 1 Howlett Street – shown above) at the foot of the hill in the pasture on the right. Deacon SAMUEL HOWLETT1’s (1646 – 1720) blacksmith shop stood beside Howlett Street before the “dry bridge” on the turnpike (now the “Newburyport Turnpike” or “Route #1”) is reached. He was voted a commoner of Topsfield on March 7, 1675/76. Deacon SAMUEL HOWLETT1’s (1646 – 1720) house and blacksmith shop disappeared some time before 1800. “Howlett Street” in Topsfield extends from the Common to Perkins Street. So called from the SAMUEL HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720) family that lived on the hill on the right hand side of the road, a short distance beyond the “Capen House.” This must have been one of the oldest streets in the town, for the Rowley villagers passed along this way on their way to the Topsfield meeting house before 1663, and probably as early as 1640. For the ten years between 1710 and 1720, the following Topsfield “freeholders” were among those who contributed to the support of their minister: (1) SAMUEL HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720), (2) JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735), and
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(3) NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748). On March 27, 1716 JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735), future father-in- law of Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1656/57 – 1714), was listed as a Topsfield “freeholder” who owned at least forty acres in Topsfield, Massachusetts. His land lay “on ye south side of ye river (Ipswich River).” During the September 24, 1722 distribution of Topsfield common lands, almost eleven (11) acres were given to Deacon SAMUEL HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720) near his field and WILLIAM CAPEN1’s. In addition, one and one quarter (1¼) acres north of the Topsfield training field were given to Deacon SAMUEL HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720). Deacon JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735) was one of seven people who received a portion of eighty-four acres of common land on Winthrop’s Hill in Topsfield. He received Lot No. 5 of seventeen (17) acres (53 1/3 Poles). This was on the north side of town towards Linebrook Parish in Ipswich, Massachusetts. <<<
1733: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On April 26, 1733, Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER3 (1686 – 1754), oldest son of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) was listed as a claimant of Narragansett Township No. 1, now the town of Buxton, Maine, lying between the Saco and Pesumpscot Rivers. Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) was listed as a “Soldier Grantee” for his service in “King Philip’s War” 3 in Major JOHN APPLETON2’s troop during the Narragansett Winter Campaign. Also, on April 26, 1733, Cousin AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776), son of Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652 – 1718), was listed as a claimant against JOHN BAKER2 (probably JOHN POTTER2?), soldier grantee of Narragansett Township No. 1 now the town of Buxton, Maine. To recruit troops for the war, the governor of Massachusetts had promised them in 1675 “a gratuity of land, beside their wages” if the Narragansett Indians were beaten. However, the veterans of the war never did pursue or directly receive the promised gratuity of land. It was not until many years later that seven “Narragansett Townships” were created, two in 1728 and five more in 1734, primarily to motivate settlement northward (Maine) and westward (western Massachusetts and New Hampshire) to extend the frontier. The descendants of many veterans, not the veterans themselves of their own choice, would reap the benefits of these land grants. Narragansett Township No. 1, now the town of Buxton, Maine, lying between the Saco and Presumpscot Rivers in Maine, was assigned to the “Ipswich Society” which was made up of the grantee residents of Ipswich, Massachusetts and nearby towns. The six mile square Narragansett Township No. 1 abutted the Saco River and was divided equitably into “Home Lots” for the 120 grantees. Along the east bank of the Saco River, the Narragansett proprietors placed their first lots of twenty acres each. They left a strip four rods wide across the end of each lot at the river’s edge for public use, i.e. a road along the river bank.
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Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) was listed as a soldier grantee for Township No. 1. Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER3 (1686 – 1754) received Narragansett Township No. 1 (Buxton, Maine), First Division, Lot No. 2 in a range of lots known by the Letter “G”. Buxton, Maine is about 12 miles due west of Portland, Maine. <<<
Topsfield, Massachusetts: On December 14, 1733 Captain JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735) was chosen “Moderator” for the legal Topsfield town meeting held on December 14, 1733. [Topsfield Town Records, Vol. I.] Deacon JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735) was the father-in-law of Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1656/57 – 1714) <<<
Ipswich & Topsfield, Massachusetts: On December 17, 1733, committees representing the towns of Ipswich and Topsfield, Massachusetts were appointed to perambulate the boundary line between the two towns per the Topsfield Town Records. Cousin AARON POTTER3 (1699 – 1776), son of Uncle JOHN (“the cooper”) POTTER2 (1652 – 1718), and others formed the committee from Ipswich. Deacon JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735), father-in-law of Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) who was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1656/57 – 1714), and others formed the committee from Topsfield. [Topsfield Town Records, Vol. I.] <<<
1735: On November 13, 1735 Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER (HOOD)3 (1713 – 1758), daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714) and his third wife, SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 – 1737), married Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755), a farmer and cordwainer, and later a miller, in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) was born in 1707 at Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) and JOANNA DWINNELL HOOD2 (1688 – 1731/32) who were married on October 16, 1706 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. They may have lived for a period in Lynn, Massachusetts before moving from Lynn to Topsfield in 1712. During the distribution of Topsfield common lands on September 24, 1722, a piece of common land near Hood’s Pond (Pritchard’s Lake) and the Ipswich line was given to JOHN PRICHARD (PRITCHARD)2 (1646 – 1730/31) and NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) who lived nearby. JOHN PRICHARD (PRITCHARD)2 (1646 – 1730/31) received 2½ acres and NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) received 6½ acres. Thus, NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) and his family settled in the northwest part of Topsfield by “Hood’s Pond”. Hood’s Pond is a 68-acre pond which lays partly in Topsfield and mostly in Ipswich. It is located in north Topsfield and is surrounded by Haverhill Road (Route #97), Boxford Road, and Rowley Road. In 1746, the “Hood House” was built on Hood’s Pond by NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) or Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 133 more probably by his son, Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755). Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3’s (1707 – 1755) well-built house on Hood’s Pond stood there for almost 200 years. In addition, during the distribution of Topsfield common lands on September 24, 1722, about fifty (50) acres were divided on Bare Hill on the southwesterly side of Haverhill Street. NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) received Lot #1 consisting of 1½ acres. Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) and Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 – 1758) lived in the “Hood House” at Hood’s Pond in Topsfield, Massachusetts where their eight (8) children were born.
Table 31: The eight children of Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 H (1707 – 1755) and Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 – 1758) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. [Four (4) of their eight (8) children died in infancy and four (4) daughters survived.] No. Name 1 Cousin SAMUEL HOOD4 (1737 - 1738), baptized June 12, 1737 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; died January 4, 1738 at about 7 months of age in Topsfield, Massachusetts possibly due to Diphtheria during the “Great Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” 2 Cousin ESTHER HOOD4 (1739 – ? ), born May 20, 1739 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; little is known about her. It is believed she was one of their four daughters who lived to adulthood.
3 Cousin ABIGAIL HOOD (HOVEY)4 (1741 – ca. 1816), born May 16, 1741 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; baptized May 24, 1741 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; she was named after her mother; marriage intentions published on July 18, 1761 in Topsfield, Massachusetts to marry STEPHEN HOVEY4; they had four (4) children: (1) AARON HOVEY5 (2) MARY HOVEY5 (3) ABIGAIL HOVEY5 and (4) SARAH HOVEY5; in April, 1767 they moved to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia near Maugerville and Oromocto; they arrived at St. John, New Brunswick on April 26, 1767 on the schooner “Eunice”; she died about 1816 in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.
4 Cousin SARAH HOOD (TAPLEY)4 (1743 – ? ), born 1743 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; baptized June 19, 1743 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; named after her father’s aunt; married ALEXANDER TAPLEY4 (ca. 1740 - ? ), housewright, on December 9, 1762 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; in April, 1767 they moved to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia near Maugerville and Oromocto. They arrived at St. John, New Brunswick on April 26, 1767 on the schooner “Eunice.”
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5 Cousin SUSANNAH HOOD (KINNEY) (TAPLEY)4 (1745 - 1812), born October 27, 1745 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; she was named after her father’s sister; she married twice: (1) ISRAEL KINNEY4 (1739 – 1791) , the Irish soldier, blacksmith, and eventually Ruling Elder, married on June 9, 1763 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; they moved to Newburyport, Massachusetts and then in the summer of 1767 they moved to Burton, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia just east of Oromocto opposite Maugerville along the St. John River; they had fourteen (14) children: (a) DEBORAH KINNEY5 (b) SARAH KINNEY5 (c) STEPHEN KINNEY5 (d) ISRAEL KINNEY5 (e) NATHANIEL KINNEY5 (f) SUSANNAH KINNEY5 (g) JOHN KINNEY5 (h) ELIZABETH KINNEY5 (i) EUNICE KINNEY5 (j) ELIJAH KINNEY5 (k) ASA KINNEY5 (l) MARY KINNEY5 (m) ABIGAIL KINNEY5 and (n) ANDREW KINNEY5. ISRAEL KINNEY4 (1739 – 1791) was a “Ruling Elder” of the 1st Congregational Church in Maugerville, New Brunswick. ISRAEL KINNEY4 (1739 – 1791) tragically drowned in the St. John River near his home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1791 at 52 years of age (see note below) and was buried in the “Old Morrison Graveyard” near the Baptist Church in Oromocto, New Brunswick. (2) ALEXANDER TAPLEY4 (ca. 1740 - ? ), her widowed brother-in-law, married about 1792 in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. They had no known children. Cousin SUSANNAH HOOD KINNEY TAPLEY4 (1745 – 1812) died on January 14, 1812 in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. 6 Cousin HULDAH HOOD4 ( ? – 1749), born (unknown date) at Topsfield, Massachusetts; died an infant on February 1, 1749 at Topsfield, Massachusetts. 7 Cousin Unnamed Baby Boy4 ( ? – 1750), born (unknown date) at Topsfield, Massachusetts; died an infant on March 4, 1750 at Topsfield, Massachusetts. 8 Cousin Unnamed Baby Boy4 ( ? – 1751), born (unknown date) at Topsfield, Massachusetts; died an infant on November 17, 1751 at Topsfield, Massachusetts. Notes: (1) The pedigree of Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) is: JOHN HOOD-1 (1573 – 1622), weaver, and ANNE (?) HOOD (BEARD)-1 of Halstead, Essex, England. JOHN HOOD 0 (1600 – after 1683), weaver, and ELIZABETH (?) HOOD0 – immigrated from Halstead, Essex, England to Cambridge, Massachusetts about 1630; settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts by 1638. RICHARD HOOD1 (ca. 1625 – 1695) and MARY NEWHALL HOOD1 (1633 – 1728) – Lynn, Massachusetts. [RICHARD HOOD1 (ca. 1625 – 1695) immigrated with his parents in 1630.]
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NATHANIEL HOOD SR2 (1669 – 1748) and JOANNA DWINNEL HOOD2 (1685 – 1731/32) Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) and Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 – 1758) – Topsfield. (2) JOANNA DWINNEL HOOD2 (1685 – 1731/32) was the daughter of MICHAEL DWINNEL1, a French Huguenot who came to America after the revocation of the “Edict of Nantes” in 1685 and settled in Topsfield, Massachusetts. (3) Seating assignments in the Topsfield Meeting House – May 17, 1762: (a) The Men’s 1st Seat in Ye West Gallery: Mr. THOMAS HOWLETT4 (b) The Front Back Pew: Mr. STEPHEN HOVEY4 (c) The South Hind Pew in Ye West Gallery: Mr. NATHANIEL HOOD4 Mr. ELLEXANDER (ALEXANDER) TAPLEY4 (ca. 1740 - ? ) (d) The Women’s 1st Seat in Ye Front Gallery: The widow *MARTHA BRADSTREET4 (1731 – 1803) (4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803)), who will marry 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) on October 20, 1762 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; she was the mother of 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844). (e) The Women’s 1st Seat in Ye East Gallery: Mr. THOMAS HOWLETT4’s wife. (4) ALEXANDER TAPLEY4 (ca. 1740 - ? ) served in the “French & Indian War” as follows: (a) 1758: Captain ISRAEL HERRICK4’s Company, Colonel JEDIDIAH PREBLE3’s Regiment, for the reduction of Canada. (b) Enlisted March 11 or 14, 1760; age 20 years; Master JOHN HOOD; for the total reduction of Canada in 1760; enlisted by JOHN ROBINSON4 to serve in Captain ISRAEL HERRICK4’s Company, Colonel INGERSOLL3’s Regiment. (c) Enlisted June 16, 1760 in Captain GIDEON PARKER4’s Ipswich Company; one of the last four Topsfield men to serve in the “French & Indian War.” (5) ISRAEL KINNEY4 (1739 – 1791) (also spelled KENNY and KENNEY) was an Irish soldier from Belfast, Ireland who served with the British army under General WOLFE at the capture of Quebec in 1759. After the English defeated the French in Canada, the English gave parcels of land to their soldiers so they would settle and colonize the land they had won from the French. ISRAEL KINNEY4 (1739 – 1791) was given a large parcel of land which is where the city of Oromocto, New Brunswick stands today. He also had a lot on French Lake. He made his home at
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Burton just east of Oromocto opposite the Township of Maugerville along the St. John River. The following is the story of his tragic death at only 52 years of age: “On Christmas Eve, 1791, ISRAEL KINNEY4 (1739 – 1791) drowned while Attempting to cross the mile wide St. John River near Maugerville, New Brunswick. He had gone to town to shop for Christmas gifts but on his way back as he was nearing his home, he fell into an air-hole in the newly formed ice and was drowned. His wife, Cousin SUSANNAH HOOD KINNEY (TAPLEY)4 (1745 – 1812) , while pregnant with ANDREW KINNEY5, her last child, had sailed on a trip to see her family in Massachusetts and was still away at the time of her husband’s tragic death. Her son, ANDREW KINNEY5, youngest of her fourteen (14) children, was born while she was still visiting in Topsfield, Massachusetts.”
[The “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria)” Epidemic of 1735 – 1740] 4 In 1735, a virulent “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria)” Epidemic began in southeastern Maine and worked its way south through southern New Hampshire to northeastern Massachusetts. Slow in starting in 1735, it raged violently for the next two years (1736 & 1737). In Rowley, Massachusetts and the neighboring towns including nearby Ipswich Farms, two hundred people or one-eighth of the total population of that area died during 1735, the first year of the epidemic. During 1736, 116 deaths were reported in the same region from the distemper (Bradford, a part of Rowley near Haverhill, reported 47 children and 9 adults as victims to the epidemic in 1736); and the distemper claimed another 130 deaths in the same area in 1737. Ninety-eight percent of the deaths were young people under twenty years of age. It was said that nearly every family in the area was afflicted. At least sixty families lost two or more children; Ipswich Vital Records reported a list of families, including the POTTAR (POTTER) family at Ipswich Farms, that had two or more deaths; some families lost four or five apiece; and twenty-three families were left childless including the weaver and farmer, MARK HOWE3 (1695 - 1770), and his wife, HEPHZEBAH HOWE3, who lost their whole family of eight (8) children in twenty- three days during the month of November, 1736. (In time, they would produce four more children who would survive.) The History of Topsfield, Massachusetts called 1736 “The Year of the Throat Distemper Epidemic.” Tragically, 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) and 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1694 – 1776) of Ipswich Farms (later Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts sadly lost six (6) of their twelve (12) children from May 18, 1735 through 1737: (1) May 18, 1735: THOMAS POTTER JR4 (1717 – 1735), (2) September 4, 1736: THOMAS POTTER III4 (1736 – 1736), (3) January 20, 1737: DAVID POTTER4 (1733 – 1737), (4) January 24, 1737: SARAH POTTER4 (1730 – 1737), (5) 1737: EUNICE POTTER4 (ca. 1734 – 1737), and (6) 1737: MARY POTTER4 (ca. 1735 – 1737). Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 137
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Although the actual cause of death for each of these children has not been recorded, they most assuredly were victims of “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria)” during the virulent and deadly epidemic between 1735 and 1740.
Table 32: Children of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) and 5X Great Grandmother P *SUSANNA HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1694 – 1776) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts who probably died in the virulent and deadly “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” (Ordered by date of death.) No. Name Date of Birth Date of Death Age
1 THOMAS POTTER JR4 December 4, 1717 May 18, 1735 17 years 2 THOMAS POTTER III4 July 9, 1736 Sept. 4, 1736 ~ 2 mos. 3 DAVID POTTER4 May 12, 1733 January 20, 1737 3 years (see note below)
4 SARAH POTTER4 September 16, January 24, 1737 6 years (see note below) 1730
5 EUNICE POTTER4 ca. 1734 1737 ~ 2 years 6 MARY POTTER4 ca. 1735 1737 ~ 1 year Note: Records confirm that SARAH POTTER4 (1730 - 1737) and DAVID POTTER4 (1733 - 1737) died from a “sore throat” during the “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 - 1740.”
In addition, Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 - 1771), the step-sister of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), also tragically lost a number of her children to the epidemic. She was living in either Ipswich Farms or Topsfield at the time with her husband, Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 - 1746), and their children.
Table 33: Children of Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 - 1746) and Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 - 1771) of Ipswich Farms or Topsfield, Massachusetts who may have died as a result of the virulent and deadly “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic” of 1735 - 1740. No. Name Date of Birth Date of Death Age
1 ALICE HOWLETT4 1733 1737 4 years 2 LYDIA HOWLETT4 1735 1737 2 years 3 JOHN HOWLETT4 1737 unknown Infant (?) 4 THOMAS HOWLETT JR4 1739 unknown Infant (?)
In addition, Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 - 1758), the step- sister of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), also tragically Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 139 lost at least one child to the epidemic. She was living in Topsfield, Massachusetts in 1738 with her husband, Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 - 1755), when they lost their first child to the epidemic.
Table 34: Children of Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 - 1755) and Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 - 1758) of Ipswich Farms or Topsfield, Massachusetts who may have died as a result of the virulent and deadly “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic” of 1735 - 1740. No. Name Date of Birth Date of Death Age 1 SAMUEL HOOD4 Baptized January 4, 1738 about June 12, 1737 7 months Note: Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 - 1755) and Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 - 1758) would also have three more children die as infants: (1) HULDAH HOOD4 died February 1, 1749; (2) Unnamed baby boy died March 4, 1750; and (3) Unnamed baby boy died November 17, 1751. They all died in Topsfield, Massachusetts for reasons unknown.
Although there were other epidemics at the time: “Smallpox” in Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine; and “Scarlet Fever” in Boston and Ipswich, Massachusetts, the “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria)” epidemic was by far the most devastating in the region at that time. <<<
1737: Ipswich, Massachusetts: SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 - 1737), the third wife of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714) died on October 5, 1737 in Ipswich, Massachusetts right in the middle of the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 - 1737) had given birth to the last three of *SAMUEL POTTER2‘s thirteen children. Her three children: (1) ESTHER (HESTER) POTTER3 (1706 – after 1714), (2) LYDIA POTTER (HOWLETT) (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), and (3) ABIGAIL POTTER (HOOD)3 (1713 – 1758), were born between 1706 and 1713 probably in Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts. They were all baptized in the church at Topsfield, the nearest church to Ipswich Farms (Linebrook) at that time. Her three children would produce six (6) known grandchildren. Unfortunately, at minimum, four of her six known grandchildren would not reach adulthood, for they would be victims of the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” Was SARAH CHILSON BURNELL POTTER2 (1673 - 1737) also one of the epidemic’s victims who may have succumbed to the disease while caring for her sick grandchildren during this tragic time? No one knows.
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1738: Topsham, Maine: In 1738, the widower, Uncle DAVID POTTER3 (1685 - after 1738) moved from Ipswich, Massachusetts to Topsham, Maine with his three oldest sons: (1) WILLIAM POTTER4 (ca. 1710 - 1747), (2) ALEXANDER POTTER4 (1711 - 1800), and (3) JAMES POTTER4 (1713 - ? ) and possibly three daughters: (1) ELIZABETH (BETSY) POTTER (MERRYMAN)4 (1722 - ? ), (2) JERUSHA POTTER4 (1725 - ? ), and (3) LYDIA POTTER4 (1731 - ? ). His wife, Aunt MARY MERRIAM POTTER3 (ca. 1690 - ca. 1733), daughter of JOSEPH MERRIAM2 (ca. 1650 – 1702) and SARAH JENKINS MERRIAM2 of Lynn, Massachusetts, had died about 1733, five years earlier. Historians have recorded that “this was a family of sturdy faith and deeds.” Cousin WILLIAM POTTER4 (ca. 1710 - 1747), the oldest son, married CATHARINE (CATHERINE) MUSTARD (POTTER)4 in Topsham, Maine. Unfortunately he would be killed by marauding Indians on March 9, 1747. On December 14, 1743, Cousin JAMES POTTER4 (1713 - ? ) married MARGARET DUNLAP (POTTER)4 (1722 - ? ), the daughter of ROBERT DUNLAP3, at Brunswick, Maine and initially settled in Topsham, Maine. In 1782 he left Topsham with his sons and settled in the “Pottertown” section of Litchfield, Maine. Cousin JAMES POTTER4 (1713 - ? ) was the ancestor of most of the POTTERs who lived in Litchfield, Maine. Many POTTERs are buried in the “Plains Cemetery” which is a half mile from the Pottertown section of Litchfield, Maine. In 1737 Cousin ELIZABETH (BETSY) POTTER (MERRYMAN)4 (1722 - 1760) married WALTER MERRYMAN4 (ca. 1695 – 1791) in Topsham, Maine. They initially lived on Lots #44 and #45 in Topsham before moving to the old farm not far above the old Harpswell Center Church in Harpswell, Maine. Historians report that WALTER MERRYMAN4 (ca. 1695 – 1791) was one of the most upright and sturdy of the early settlers of Harpswell, Maine.5 He was of sturdy Presbyterian family in Ireland and was kidnapped in an Irish port early in 1700 and brought to Boston, Massachusetts where he was indentured to a shipbuilder in Portland, Maine. <<<
1739: Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: On March 2, 1739, (Uncle) Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) died in Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts at 81 years of age. He was buried located near the corner of Green Avenue and Rice Avenue in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground” in Salem Village, Massachusetts now called “Wadsworth Cemetery” on Summer Street, Danvers, Massachusetts. His original 1739 gravestone is inscribed: “Here Lyes ye Body, of Capt. Jonathan Putnam who Departed, This Life March ye 2d, 1739 in ye 81 year of, his age.” He was survived by his second wife, Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745). <<<
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Figure 16: Graves of (Uncle) Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) and his family in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground,” now the Wadsworth Cemetery on Summer Street in Danvers (previously Salem Village), Massachusetts. His original 1739 gravestone, in right photograph, is inscribed: “Here Lyes ye Body, of Capt. Jonathan, Putnam who Departed, This Life March ye 2d, 1739 in ye 81 year of, his age.” (2005 photographs)
>>> [Note: The (Uncle) Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) family plots are located in the center of Wadsworth Cemetery bounded by the following cemetery roads: Putnam Avenue, Green Avenue, and Rice Avenue. His second wife, Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745), is probably buried near him in an unmarked grave. Several gravestones including one just left of Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s gravestone are illegible. Wadsworth Cemetery is located on Summer Street, Danvers, Massachusetts less than a block from the intersection of Summer Street and Maple Street (Route 62).] <<<
[The NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6 (1804 – 1864) – POTTER Relationship] The famous American author NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6 (1804 – 1864) (image at left) is one of our distant cousins. On June 14, 1739, RUTH POTTER (MANNING)3 (1709 – 1791), the daughter of Uncle ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 – 1756) and Aunt MARTHA DRESSER POTTER2 (1671 – 1728) of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and Granddaughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (1628 – 1690), married JOHN MANNING3 (1703 – 1775) in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
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NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6 (1804 – 1864), the famous author of “The Scarlet Letter (1850),” is a direct descendant of Cousin RUTH POTTER MANNING3 (1709 – 1791), the daughter of Uncle ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 – 1756). NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6’s (1804 – 1864) most famous works were: (1) “The Scarlet Letter” (1850) (2) “The House of the Seven Gables” (1851) (3) “The Blithedale Romance” (1852) and, (4) “The Marble Faun” (1860). The pedigree of NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6 (1804 – 1864) is shown below:
Table 35: The NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6 (1804 – 1864) and POTTER Family Relationship. GEN. NAME SPOUSE 1 *ANTHONY POTTER1 *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1690) (1629 – 1712) 7X Great Grandfather 7X Great Grandmother 2 ANTHONY POTTER JR2 MARTHA DRESSER POTTER2 (1667 – 1756) - Uncle (1671 – 1728) - Aunt 3 RUTH POTTER (MANNING)3 JOHN MANNING3 (1709 – 1791) (1703 – 1775) 4 RICHARD MANNING4 MIRIAM LORD MANNING4 (1755 – 1813) (1748 – 1826) 5 ELIZABETH C. MANNING NATHANIEL HATHORNE SR5 (HATHORNE)5 (1775 – 1808) (1780 – 1849) 6 NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6 SOPHIA PEABODY (1804 – 1864) HAWTHORNE6 Author of “The Scarlet Letter (1850)” (married July 9, 1842)
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE6 (1804 – 1864), one of our country’s greatest authors, added a “w” to his name to distance himself from his great, great grandfather, JOHN HATHORNE2 (1641 - 1717), the ignorant chief prosecutor and witch hunter at the examination of the accused witches during the notorious “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” <<<
1740: Wrentham, Massachusetts: On September 10, 1740, 4X Great Grandfather Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815) was born in Wrentham, 6 Massachusetts. He was the son of *SAMUEL HANCOCK3 (1712 – 1749) and *ELIZABETH WARE HANCOCK (HEATON)3 (1713 – 1775) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was reported, although unconfirmed, to be a distant cousin of the “JOHN HANCOCK4” (1737 – 1793) of the Continental Congress and Signer of the “Declaration of Independence.” He was the father of *ABIGAIL HANCOCK
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WIGHT5 (ca. 1776 – 1824), grandfather of *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT POTTER6 (1817 – 1851), and great grandfather of *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 (1841 – 1893). >>> [See: “Appendix “A” – Hancock Pedigree” for the complete lineage.] <<<
1741: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On June 4, 1741, Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801), son of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), married MARY CUMMINGS (POTTER)4 (1720 – 1806), daughter of ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL BOARDMAN CUMMINGS3 (1700 – 1771) of Topsfield, Massachusetts, in Ipswich, Massachusetts probably in the Linebrook Parish church. ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761) was a member of the old church in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) and Aunt MARY CUMMINGS POTTER4 (1720 – 1806) lived in Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts) and had nine (9) children:
Table 36: The nine children of Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 P – 1801) and Aunt MARY CUMMINGS POTTER3 (1720 – 1806) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. No. Name 1 Cousin THOMAS POTTER5 (1742 – 1754), born May 6, 1742 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized June 27, 1742 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; died October 5, 1754 at 12 years of age. 2 Cousin EZEKIEL POTTER JR5 (1743 – 1832), born September 27, 1743 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized October 2, 1743 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; married twice: (1) June 26, 1768 or November 23, 1768 to ELIZABETH PERKINS (POTTER)5 (1739 - 1781) , born on May 7, 1739 in Topsfield, Massachusetts, died May 24, 1781 at 42 years of age in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; daughter of WILLIAM PERKINS4 and ELIZABETH (?) PERKINS4, and (2) January 6, 1785 to Mrs. HANNAH MANSFIELD WELLS (POTTER)5 (ca. 1748 – 1826) who died on August 9, 1826 at 78 years of age in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; he died January 18, 1832 at 88 years of age; he was buried in the “Old Linebrook Cemetery” in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; his gravestone is inscribed: “Mr. Ezekiel Potter, died Jan. 18, 1832, aged 88 years, Elizabeth, his wife, died May 24, 1781, aged 42 yrs, Hannah, his wife, died August 9, 1826, aged 78 years.” It is believed that Cousin EZEKIEL POTTER JR5 (1743 – 1832) was a Private in Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5’s Company of 43 Minute Men from “Linebrook Parish” in Ipswich, Massachusetts that responded to the Lexington & Concord Alarm of 19 April 1775. He probably also served at other times during the remainder of the Revolutionary War.
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3 Cousin SARAH POTTER (PEABODY)5 (1745 – 1828), born August 30, 1745 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized September 1, 1745 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; marriage intentions published January 2, 1763 to JACOB PEABODY5; married JACOB PEABODY5 on April 27, 1763 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; they had seven children; she died October 11, 1828 at 83 years of age. 4 Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER5 (1747 – 1771), born December 30, 1747 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized January 3, 1748 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; never married; veteran; died on September 2 or 26, 1771 [Gravestone: Died on September 26, 1771] at 23 years and 8 months of age; he was buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery.” 5 Cousin ALICE POTTER (CHAPMAN)5 (1749 - ? ), born January 17, 1749 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized January 28, 1750 in the “Linebrook Parish Church;” married JOSEPH CHAPMAN JR5 on February 16, 1767; died July 26, 1818 at 69 years of age at Windsor, New Hampshire. 6 Cousin MARY POTTER (PEABODY)5 (1751 – 1837), born January 23, 1751 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized February 2, 1752 in the “Linebrook Parish Church;” marriage intentions published February 2, 1772 to ISAAC PEABODY; married ISAAC PEABODY5 on February 19, 1772 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; died in August, 1837 at New Boston, New Hampshire.. 7 Cousin LYDIA POTTER5 (1754 – 1771), born February 13, 1754 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized February 17, 1754 in the “Linebrook Parish Church;” never married; died September 21, 1771 at 17 years and 7 months of age; buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery.” 8 Cousin LUCY POTTER (FOSTER)5 (1756 – 1834), born December 29, 1756 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized January 9, 1757 in the “Linebrook Parish Church;” marriage intentions published April 27, 1770 to ALLEN FOSTER5; died December 2, 1834 at 77 years of age. 9 Cousin JOHN POTTER5 (1758 – 1780), born November 28, 1758 at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; baptized December 3, 1758 in the “Linebrook Parish Church;” never married; “died at sea” November 28, 1780 at 22 years of age.
Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) was the older brother of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791). Both lived with their families at “Ipswich Farms,” later called the “West Farm Parish” and then the “Linebrook Parish” (incorporated in 1746) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They remained very close all their lives. They initially attended the Topsfield Congregational Church nearest their homes and later (1747) the “Linebrook Parish Church” on Linebrook Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Both were buried in the “Old Linebrook Parish Cemetery” at the corner of Linebrook Road and Newbury Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts. <<<
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1742: Wrentham, Massachusetts: Circa April, 1742, 4X Great Grandmother *JERUSHA WHITING (HANCOCK)4 (1742 – 1831) was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of 5X Great Grandfather *ELIPHALET WHITING3 (1703 – 1768) and 5X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL MANN 7 WHITING3 (1710 – 1777) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. 5X Great Grandfather *ELIPHALET WHITING3 (1703 – 1768) was born on September 16, 1703 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was the son of *JOHN WHITING2 (1665 – 1732), the well-known Wrentham miller, and his first wife, *MARY BILLINGS WHITING2 (1672 – 1727/8) who was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. 5X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL MANN WHITING3 (1710 – 1777) was born on September 16, 1710 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of *THEODORE MANN2 (1680 – 1761) and *ABIGAIL HAWES MANN2 (1681 – 1772). She married *ELIPHALET WHITING3 (1703 – 1768) on March 7, 1732/3 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. She died on August 9, 1777 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. On May 17, 1764 in the Congregational Church on the Wrentham Town Common, 4X Great Grandmother *JERUSHA WHITING (HANCOCK)4 (1742 – 1831) would marry 4X Great Grandfather (Lieutenant) *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was the mother of *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT5 (ca. 1776 – 1824), grandmother of *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT POTTER6 (1817 – 1851), and great grandmother of *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 (1841 – 1893). Her sister was Aunt EUNICE WHITING (RAY)4 (ca. 1746 - 1843) who would marry Uncle (Dr.) DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) on November 15, 1770 and they would initially reside in a part of Wrentham known as the “Honey Pot” so called on account of the many honey bees kept there. <<<
Table 37: WHITING – HANCOCK – WIGHT - POTTER P Pedigree8 GEN. NAME SPOUSE 0 *JOHN WHITING0 *SARAH ISABEL SMITH (1565 – 1647) WHITING0 [Born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England.] (1569 – 1649) 1 *NATHANIEL WHITING1 *HANNAH DWIGHT WHITING1 (1609 - 1682) (1625 - 1714) [Emigrated from Bocking, Essex, Eng.]
2 *JOHN WHITING2 – Wrentham miller. *MARY BILLINGS WHITING2 (1665 – 1732) (1672 – 1727/8) 3 *ELIPHALET WHITING3 *ABIGAIL MANN WHITING3 (1703 - 1768) (1710 - 1777) 4 *JERUSHA WHITING HANCOCK4 *Lt. JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1742 – 1831) (1740 – 1815)
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5 *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT5 *NATHAN WIGHT5 ( ca. 1775/1776 - 1824) (1773 - 1824) 6 *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT *GILBERT POTTER6 POTTER6 (1817 – 1851) (1811 – 1862) 7 *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 *FLORA E. GRANT POTTER7 (1841 – 1893) (1848 – 1928) 8 *ALBERT LINCOLN POTTER8 *ELEANOR THERESA (1874 – 1930) DODGE POTTER8 (1876 – 1951) 9 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 *VONCEILE METCALF (1906 – 1976) POTTER9 (1909 – 1976) 10 *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 ELIZABETH ANNA DUNCAN (1946 - ? ) POTTER10 (1944 - ? ) Note: See “Appendix “C”– Wight Pedigree” for more about the Whiting family of Wrentham, Massachusetts.
1743: Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: The first meeting house built by the residents of “Ipswich Farms” or the “West Farm Parish,” and their Rowley neighbors, later called “Linebrook Parish,” was erected on Leslie Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1743. It was a two-story square structure with three doors. It would become known as the “Linebrook Parish” in 1746. <<<
1744: [King George’s War: 1744 to 1748] An uneasy peace had existed between England and France since 1713, when the “Treaty of Utrecht” brought the “War of Spanish Succession” – called “Queen Anne’s War” by the British colonists – to a close. That peace ended in March 1744, when France declared war on Great Britain. The “War of Austrian Succession,” or “King George’s War,” soon engulfed the belligerents’ North American colonies. France saw the new conflict, as a golden opportunity to recover Nova Scotia, ceded by treaty to Britain 31 years earlier. The French struck first at Canso, an important New England fishery at the easternmost tip of Nova Scotia, only sixty miles to the south by sea from the French settlement at Louisbourg (Louisburg) on Cape Breton Island. 250 fishing schooners manned by 3,000 New England fishermen made their living at Canso in the 1720s and 1730s. The French captured the Canso garrison, their families, and a few fishermen, destroyed the Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 147 settlement, and took all the captives back to Louisburg as prisoners. Soon afterwards, on July 12, 1744 the French followed up with an attack on Annapolis Royal, the last British stronghold on Nova Scotia. However, after an unsuccessful siege of several months, the French withdrew from Annapolis Royal on October 2, 1744. Fearing additional attacks on land and sea, the Governor of Massachusetts, WILLIAM SHIRLEY2 (1694 – 1771) (image at left), viewed Louisburg as a serious military threat that would threaten English settlement in Maine and even New Hampshire. Also, Louisburg acted as a base of operations for French privateers and naval vessels that harassed New England’s shipping and fishing. Passions were further inflamed by religious animosity between Protestant New England and the detested Roman Catholic New France. <<<
1745: [1740 – 1745: The “Great Awakening” religious revival.]
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On March 3rd, 1745, Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745), fifth son of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1629 – 1712), died in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 81 years of age. He was the younger brother of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714). <<<
Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts: In late March or early April, 1745, the wealthy widow, Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745), beloved daughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) and 7X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712), died in Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts at 84 years of age. She lived in the Putnamville section of Salem Village, now Danvers, Massachusetts on the Topsfield Road (now Route 35 – Locust Street near the junction with Wenham Street). She was probably buried in the “Old Putnam Burying Ground” now “Wadsworth Cemetery” on Summer Street in Danvers, Massachusetts, near her influential husband, (Uncle) Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739), whose grave is located near the corner of Green Avenue and Rice Avenue in the cemetery. Her grave is either unmarked or her gravestone is illegible. Her Last Will and Testament was proved on April 8, 1745. She had made her Last Will and Testament on September 14, 1742. [Note: “Wadsworth Cemetery,” also known as the “Old Putnam Burying Ground” may have been established on the southwest corner of Uncle Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2’s (1659 – 1739) farm land and may have been originally established as his family cemetery.]
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Uncle Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) was a strong supporter of the controversial Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720) who served as minister in Salem Village from July, 1689 until 1696, the year his beloved wife, ELIZABETH ELDRIDGE PARRIS2 (1648 – 1696) died there. It was reported that she was incredibly beautiful and “said to be the most beautiful woman in Salem Village” at that time. She had three children between 1681 and 1687. ELIZABETH ELDRIDGE PARRIS2 (1648 – 1696), who was born in England in 1648, died in the summer of 1696, shortly after her husband stepped down from the Salem Village ministry. Her grave is very near the family graves of Uncle Captain JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1659 – 1739) showing the closeness of the two families. She was mistress of the Salem Village parsonage in 1692 during the notorious “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria” episode and died four years later, aged about 48 years. She is buried beneath a stone carved in the style of the Boston stonecutter, WILLIAM MUMFORD2. Her gravestone (shown at right) is inscribed: “ELIZABETH PARRIS, AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS Dec’d July Ye 14, 1696.” Her devoted husband, the Reverend SAMUEL PARRIS2 (1653 – 1720), wrote a touching epitaph for her: “Sleep precious Dust no Stranger now to Rest / Thou hast thy longed Wish in Abrahams Brest / Farewell best Wife, choice Mother, Neighbor, Friend. / Weel wail the less for hopes of Thee i th End." <<< [First Siege of Fortress Louisburg, Cape Breton Island, Canada – May 1, 1745 to June 16, 1745] On January 25, 1745, the Massachusetts legislature in Boston, by a slim majority, approved Governor WILLIAM SHIRLEY2’s plan to attack the French fortress at Louisburg on Cape Breton Island. With Massachusetts taking the lead, the British colonies quickly raised a land force of 4,000 men, 200 guns, and gathered the vessels necessary to transport them and their supplies to Louisburg. Massachusetts, which then included the Maine District, assembled seven (7) regiments; Connecticut and New Hampshire each raised one regiment. Rhode Island contributed a warship and New York some badly needed artillery. The British navy based on the Caribbean island of Antigua would provide the warships. General WILLIAM PEPPERRELL2, a well-known merchant, member of the Massachusetts Council, and militia officer from Kittery, Maine, became the expedition’s commander, and SAMUEL WALDO2 of Falmouth, Maine, was his aide. One of the seven (7) Massachusetts regiments was the Third Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Colonel JEREMIAH MOULTON2 (1688 – 1765) of some fame from York, Maine. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 149
At age four (4) years, the Honorable JEREMIAH MOULTON2 Esquire narrowly escaped being killed during the January, 1692 York massacre by the French and Indians. He later would earn the title of “Indian Fighter” from his many skirmishes with the Indians culminating early in 1724 with his leaderships at the destruction of the notorious French and Indian settlement at Norridgewock, Maine. The Third Massachusetts Regiment under the command of Colonel JEREMIAH MOULTON2 (1688 – 1765) had four companies:
Table 38: Company Commanders of the “Third Massachusetts Regiment” under the command of Colonel JEREMIAH MOULTON2 (1688 – 1765). Company Commander st 1 Company Captain JEREMIAH MOULTON2 (1688 – 1765) nd 2 Company Captain NATHANIEL DONNELL2 rd 3 Company Captain CHRISTOPHER MARSHALL2 th 4 Company Captain *JAMES GRANT2 II (1703 – 1765) – 6X Great Grandfather
Berwick, Maine: 6X Great Grandfather Captain *JAMES GRANT2 II (1703 – 1765) of Berwick and Montsweag, Maine, was a house carpenter by trade. He was the son of 7X Great Grandfather Captain *JAMES GRANT I1 (1672 – 1735) and 7X Great Grandmother *MARY NASON GRANT1 (ca. 1675 – before 1709) of Kittery and Berwick, York County, Maine.
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[THE LOUISBURG EXPEDITION – April 30 to June 17, 1745] Many men from York County, Maine joined the “Louisburg Expedition,(April 30 to June 17, 1745)” among whom was the Reverend SAMUEL “FATHER” MOODY2 (1675 – 1747), pastor of the First Church of Christ (Congregational Church) in York, Maine, who was chaplain. In addition, (Uncle) Lieutenant PETER GRANT2 (1696 - 1756), the older brother of 6X Great Grandfather Captain *JAMES GRANT II2 (1703 – 1765) also served in the York County Militia during the “Louisburg Expedition (April 30 to June 17, 1745).” On March 24, 1745, the Massachusetts troops embarked at Boston and the colonial fleet set sail for Nova Scotia. The fleet encountered a severe late winter storm that scattered the transports but all ships managed to find their way to the destroyed and abandoned settlement at Canso, Nova Scotia where, on April 4, 1745, the Massachusetts troops landed. Here they trained and prepared for the attack on Louisburg, only sixty miles away. On April 29, 1745, Colonel JEREMIAH MOULTON2 (1688 – 1765), commander of the Third Massachusetts Regiment, was dispatched with 270 of his men to attack St. Peter’s, Nova Scotia, which he successfully destroyed. Meanwhile, the same day, the first of the fleet, escorted by four impressive British men-of-war, sailed from Canso for Gabarus Bay at Louisburg, Cape Breton Island, and arrived there on April 30, 1745. The French opposed the landing and a sharp engagement ensued with the French finally withdrawing. Between May 1 and May 11, 1745, about 2,000 colonials, including the Third Massachusetts Regiment, landed at Gabarus Bay and the siege of Louisburg
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 151 began. Throughout May and into June, for 46 days, the bombardment of Fortress Louisburg continued, and the colonial militia and French soldiers sparred with little progress made on both sides.
When under 18 years of age, young ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1728 – 1788?) of Rowley, Massachusetts, the soon to be brother-in-law of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), was one of the brave men who volunteered under Captain DANIEL BACON3 to attack the Island Battery on May 26, 1745 in which attempt many were killed or made prisoners of the French. ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1728 – 1788), brother of MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 (1724 – 1762), would eventually become a Captain of a Provincial Company from Rowley, Massachusetts in the French & Indian War and continue to perform conspicuously in a number of its campaigns. It was the British fleet and its effective blockade that tipped the scales in favor of the New Englanders. By May 24, 1745, seven British men-of-war were operating in the area. By June 11, 1745, eleven impressive British warships were prowling the area and effectively stopped any re-supply of the French garrison. When the French commander learned of the preparations for a massive land and naval assault by the New Englanders, and having been offered favorable surrender terms, he capitulated on June 16, 1745. The New England troops were angered by the surrender terms that denied them the spoils of war (plunder and booty) which had Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 152 been earlier promised to them. On July 3rd, 1745, Boston received the news of the victory at Louisburg with joyous celebrations. London, too, was overjoyed by the news. The capture of the fort at Louisburg in Cape Breton was the chief event in “King George’s War (1744 – 1748).” On Sunday, July 6, 1745, Chaplain SAMUEL “FATHER” MOODY2 (1675 – 1747) preached a sermon from Hebrew 1.13: “. . . make thine enemies thy footstool . . . and what a joy it was . . . to see God worshipped where Anti-Christ had.” The chaplain also cautioned the troops about swearing. With the fighting over, the troops wanted to go home and help their families with the harvest. A number of the troops were permitted to return home immediately. (Uncle) Lieutenant PETER GRANT2 (1696 – 1756) remained in Louisburg. He was authorized to collect any bounty monies belonging to those of the York militia who returned home early and could not wait for the distribution of bounties, and to bring their bounty money back to them later in Berwick, Maine. Forty-seven (47) York militiamen, including his younger half-brother, ELIAS GRANT2 (1713 – ca. 1759) and first cousin, SOLOMON WALKER3 (1722 - ? ), son of Aunt MARY GRANT WALKER2 (1699 – ca. 1765) signed receipts for this service. More than 2,000 men got the bad news that they must remain in Louisburg on garrison duty and endure the harsh Canadian winter. They were angry, for they had enlisted for the expedition, not for garrison duty. On the evening of July 11, 1745, there was hot talk amongst the New Englanders about a mob rising but nothing came of it. Nonetheless, more than 2,000 militiamen were forced to remain in Louisburg until relieved a year later by British regulars. Even General WILLIAM PEPPERRELL2 remained a year at Louisburg until relieved on July 4, 1746, when he departed for his home in Kittery, Maine. For those who stayed on Cape Breton Island, the winter of 1745-46 was one of death for the New Englanders. After losing only one hundred (100) men to enemy fire and another thirty (30) men to illness during the siege of Fortress Louisburg, the New Englanders buried 561 of their number between the end of November, 1745 and the middle of February, 1746, due to the harsh Louisburg climate and filth in which the occupation force lived. For his success at Louisburg, General WILLIAM PEPPERRELL2 was made the first colonial baronet. The joy in Boston was, however, short-lived. The New Englanders’ sacrifice at Louisburg had been great. Thus, it came as a shock in 1748 when news arrived of the return of Louisburg to France through the signing of the “Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle” on October 7, 1748. This betrayal engendered lingering New England resentment against Great Britain for years to come. <<<
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Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: On July 26, 1745, twelve (12) “town” troopers from the town of Topsfield and two (2) “farm” troopers from “Ipswich Farms” or “The Farms” went to the Eastward (i.e. north towards New Hampshire and Maine). The northern outlying districts or frontiers of the Massachusetts colony were then known as the “Eastward.” The two “farm” troopers were SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759), son of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), and NEHEMIAH ABBET (ABBOT)4. The fourteen (14) troopers went to North Yarmouth (Querter, MA ?), Maine just north of Portland and returned home on August 10th, 1745. 9
Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: Marriage intentions were published on th October 12 , 1745, between 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) and his first wife, MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 (1724 - 1762) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was born on November 11, 1724 in Ipswich (probably Ipswich Farms), Massachusetts, the eldest daughter and eldest of six children of NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776), a husbandman of Rowley, Massachusetts, and MARY DAVIS DAVIS3 (1707 - ? ). After their marriage, they lived at Ipswich Farms (“Linebrook Parish Section” of Ipswich, Massachusetts) and would have six (6) children between 1747 and 1759. Their six (6) children produced seven (7) known grandchildren and probably many more yet to be identified. NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) was the son of CORNELIUS DAVIS2 (1653 – 1731) and his second wife, ELIZABETH JEWETT HIDDEN DAVIS2 (1662 - 1728), of Rowley, Massachusetts. On August 8, 1724 in Rowley, Massachusetts per the Byfield Church records, he married MARY DAVIS (DAVIS)3 (1707 - ? ), the daughter of Elder JAMES DAVIS2 ( ? - 1753) and ABIGAIL METCALFE DAVIS2 (1686 – 1720) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) was a wealthy husbandman who owned extensive lands in Rowley, Massachusetts. He owned four acres of “Cowbridge” marsh in Rowley which he sold to JOHN FOWLER3 on October 24, 1727 and another three acres of upland and salt-marsh in Rowley at “Swans Casway” bounded west on marsh of BENJAMIN STICKNEY3 that he sold on February 25, 1751 to JOHN FOWLER3. <<<
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Table 39: The six children of NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) and MARY DAVIS DAVIS3 (1707 - ? ) who married on August 8, 1724 in Rowley Massachusetts per the Byfield Church Records. (All born in Rowley, Massachusetts.) No. Name Spouse 1 MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1762) (1724 – 1791) Born: November 11, 1724 – Rowley, Born: November 13, 1724 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Married: Intentions October 12, 1745 Married: Intentions October 12, 1745 – – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Ipswich, Massachusetts. Died: April 26, 1762 – Ipswich Died: June 22, 1791 – Ipswich Farms, Farms, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. 2 Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1) HANNAH METCALF (DAVIS)4 (1728 – 1788?) - 2nd Cousin; daughter of Born: 1728 – Rowley, MA? THOMAS METCALF3 Baptized: April 7, 1728 and RUTH FLINT METCALF3. – Rowley, Massachusetts. Born: ca. 1730/31 – Ipswich, MA. Married three (3) times: Married: March 20, 1750 (1) March 20, 1750 – Topsfield, MA. – Topsfield, MA. (2) Intentions: March 9, 1754. Died: July 20, 1753 – Ipswich, MA. (3) Unknown date and place. (2) SARAH BOYNTON DRESSER Children: Had seven (7) children. (DAVIS)4 (1730 - ? ) Military Service: French & Indian - daughter of War Veteran and Revolutionary JOSHUA BOYNTON3 War Veteran. and MARY BOYNTON3. Died: December 26, 1788? – at 60 Born: February 14, 1730. years of age on the ship Died: unknown date and place. “American Mercury” or at (3) HANNAH BARTER (DAVIS)4 Castine or Eastport, Maine? nd 3 ABIGAIL DAVIS (KIMBALL)4 BENJAMIN KIMBALL4 - 2 Cousin. (1728 - ? ) (1734 - ? ) - son of Born: 1728. AARON KIMBALL3 and Baptized: January 19, 1728 – Rowley, RUTH METCALF KIMBALL3. Massachusetts. Born: 1734. Married: intentions February 4, 1754. Baptized: March 9, 1734. Died: unknown date and place. Died: unknown. 4 LYDIA DAVIS4 (1730 - ? ) Unknown. Born: 1730. Baptized: October 11, 1730 – Rowley, Massachusetts. Died: unknown.
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5 SAMUEL DAVIS4 (1732 - ? ) Unknown. Born: 1732. Baptized: February 27, 1732 – Rowley, Massachusetts. Died: unknown. 6 Captain ISAAC DAVIS4 Probably never married. (1735 – before June 18, 1789) - Master Mariner. Born: 1735 – Rowley, MA? Baptized: Nov. 30, 1735 – Rowley, Massachusetts. Married: never. Died: before June 18, 1789; probably on December 26, 1788 on the ship “American Mercury” or at Castine or Eastport, Maine?? Notes: (1) Some records report that Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 was baptized on April 7, 1720 or on April 7, 1728. However, the 1720 date would be in conflict with his parents’ marriage on August 8, 1724 and the 1728 date would be in conflict with his sister ABIGAIL DAVIS KIMBALL4’s baptism date of January 19, 1728. I suspect he was born between 1724 and 1728, possibly ca. 1727. This requires further investigation. (2) Some records show that Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1728 - 1788?) died on December 26, 1788 on the ship “American Mercury.” I believe they have confused this with his brother, Captain ISAAC DAVIS4, the Master Mariner, who died before June 18, 1789 and probably died on December 26, 1788 on the ship “American Mercury.” However, this requires further investigation.
1746: Ipswich Farms & Rowley, Massachusetts: In 1746 the Massachusetts General Court allowed residents of west Ipswich about six miles from the town’s center and Rowley to become a distinct Congregational parish to be called the “Line Brook Parish” (image of church at left). Thus, “Linebrook Parish,” as a congregation, would be incorporated in the year 1746. About 1650, the western part of Ipswich began to be called “Ipswich Farms”, or “The Farms” when records began to speak of properties there. On June 5th, 1746, the western parts of Ipswich and Rowley were incorporated as a territorial parish which some time later was named “Linebrook Parish.” In 1814, the territorial status of the parish would cease by legislative act. The Ipswich part of the parish became “Linebrook” and the Rowley part became “Millwood.” Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 156
1747: Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: On February 29, 1747, Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), brother of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) died at “Ipswich Farms” (Linebrook section of Ipswich), Massachusetts. He was about 59 years of age.
Brunswick, Maine: As early as 1742, hostile Indians flitted through the woods around Brunswick and Topsham, Maine occasionally killing a settler or rustling livestock. However, the attacks picked up during “King George’s War” when members of the French sympathizing Wabanaki Confederacy led three campaigns against the British settlers in Maine during 1745, 1746, and 1747. In July, 1745 the war seriously crept into coastal Maine. By 1747, the whole frontier from Wells to Topsham, Maine was infested with hostile Indians. On March 9, 1747 Cousin WILLIAM POTTER4 (1715 – 1747), oldest son of Uncle DAVID POTTER3 (1685 – after 1738) and Aunt MARY MERRIAM POTTER3 (ca. 1690 – ca. 1733), who lived in Topsham, Maine was killed by marauding Indians near where Brunswick, Maine now is. His wife was CATHERINE MUSTARD POTTER4. <<<
Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: In 1747 the residents of West Ipswich and Rowley voted to have their new Congregational parish, incorporated the year before in 1746, called the “Line Brook Parish” and erected a meetinghouse on Linebrook Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts. Linebrook Road had been an old Indian trail. Elder JAMES DAVIS2 ( ? - 1753), grandfather of MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 – 1762), the first wife of Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), was on the committee to petition the Reverend NATHANIEL ROGERS III2 (1701 – 1775) of the “First Church in Ipswich” to preach in Linebrook. Elder JAMES DAVIS2 ( ? - 1753) was also one of the founders of the “Linebrook Parish Church” and gave the land on which the church was built. The original Linebrook meetinghouse was built near the cemetery where the current house lies. It no longer exists. The modern address for the current Linebrook Church (photo at left) is 391 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938. Today it is listed as an “Independent Congregational Church.” Ordained in 1749, the first minister of the “Linebrook Parish Church” was Mr. GEORGE (LESSLIE) LESLIE4 who was born in Scotland and educated at Harvard College. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 157
5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) was one of the first members of the “Linebrook Parish Congregational Church” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. <<<
1749: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On June 4, 1749, the Reverend NATHANIEL ROGERS III2 (1701 – 1775), Pastor of the First Church in Ipswich, reported: “At the request of our Brethren of ye West Parish in Ipswich (Linebrook), viz. JOSEPH METCALFE2, JAMES DAVIS2, MARK FISK2, and JEREMIAH SMITH2, it was voted by the First Church in Ipswich, that they with their wives to be dismissed to their embodying with some members of other churches dwelling in said parish into church state by them.” <<<
Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: Linebrook Parish was constituted of inhabitants of Rowley and Ipswich, Massachusetts. On November 30, 1749, four months after their request, GEORGE LESSLIE2, JOSEPH METCALFE2, JAMES DAVIS2, brother-in-law of JOSEPH METCALFE2, GEORGE HIBBERT2, 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), JONATHAN BURPEE2, JOHN ABBOT2, EBENEZER TENNEY2, DAVID PERELEY2, MARK FISK2, JOHN CHAPLIN JR.2, AMOS JEWETT2, JEREMIAH SMITH2, NEHEMIAH ABBOT2, Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) and one whose name cannot be ascertained, organized the First Church in Linebrook. Mr. GEORGE LESSLIE2 was the first pastor. Linebrook Parish was first called the “West Farm Parish.” When the church was finally organized in 1749, it was voted to change its name. Because the parish was bounded, or lined, by the Egypt River, Gravelly Brook, Bill Brook, Batchelder Brook, Mill River, and Howlett Brook, it was voted to name it the “Linebrook Parish.” Hence the name Linebrook Road. On December 19, 1749, the “First Church in Linebrook” made the choice of JAMES DAVIS2 and GEORGE HIBBERT2 to the office of Ruling Elders who held the office until February 21, 1757 when AMOS JEWETT2 and JEREMIAH BURPEE2 were chosen. [Note: The present (2010) church building on Linebrook Road was erected in 1848. No traces remain of the first meeting house erected in 1743 on Leslie Road. It was first a Congregational Church, later a Baptist Church, and now an Independent Congregational Church.]
1750: Topsfield, Massachusetts: Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746), the first husband of Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), had died on September 14, 1746 in Topsfield, Massachusetts at only 32 years of age. On March 12, 1748/49 marriage intentions were published in Topsfield for the second marriage of the young widow, Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), this time to ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758). They were married on April 5, 1750 in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
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Uncle ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758) was baptized on March 16, 1717 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of JOSEPH BROWN2 (1672 - ? ) and ELIZABETH ABBOTT BROWN3 (1686 - ? ) of Ipswich, Massachusetts who were married there on November 2, 1706. ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758) was initially a clothier in Ipswich, Massachusetts but eventually moved to Topsfield where he began a career as a successful miller. He soon became the owner of half the corn mill and a quarter of the saw mill, collectively known as “Hobbs’ Mills” on Ipswich Street in Topsfield, Massachusetts. As early as 1736 [The “History of Topsfield” says: “between the years 1738 and 1740”], Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746), the husband of Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), built a grist mill to grind rye and corn which was known as the “Howlett Grist Mill” on Howlett’s Brook, a branch of Pye Brook, near Ipswich Street in Topsfield. [Note: The “Howlett Grist Mill” was located at No. 76 Campmeeting Road at the junction of Ipswich Road, Ipswich Lane, and Campmeeting Road in Topsfield, Massachusetts.] Three years later in 1639 (1741 to 1743) he added a saw mill at the westerly end of the grist mill. Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) sadly died on September 14, 1746 in Topsfield, Massachusetts when he was only 32 years old. Per a deed dated July 22, 1746, the mills were sold to his brother-in- law, Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755), husband of Aunt ABIGAIL POTTER HOOD3 (1713 – 1758), who lived there and owned them for three years. [Note: Between 1746 and 1747 Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3’s (1707 – 1755) built a two-story house at No. 220 Ipswich Road just east of the “Howlett Grist Mill” site.] The mills were then sold to the HOBBS family after which the area became known as “Hobbs City” because of all the HOBBS relations living in this part of town. About 1750 Uncle ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758) acquired his interest in the “Hobbs’ Mills.” Uncle NATHANIEL HOOD JR3 (1707 – 1755) died on June 8, 1755 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. By 1758, the “French & Indian War (1754 – 1763)” was in its fourth year and all men of fighting age were expected to serve. In 1758 there were expeditions against Ticonderoga and Crown Point in New York and the siege of Louisburg in Nova Scotia. Uncle ARTHUR BROWN3 (1717 – 1758), “being about to go into His Majesty’s service” and concerned about his surviving the war, made his Last Will on May 5, 1758. It is not known which regiment he served with or campaign that would take his life. However, his prescient concern sadly came true and he died in the war in 1758. His widow, Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771), was allowed her husband’s rate for his service in the war. His Last Will was proved on December 11, 1758; his estate was appraised at over 201 pounds. 10
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In the summer of 1760 the original “Howlett-Hood-Hobbs Grist Mill” was torn down and a new one built on the same site. The original mill-stones and some other parts of the original mill were used to build the new mill. In 1765, the old saw-mill was taken down and a new one built to take its place. During the next few years, business in both new mills flourished. The saw mill burned down about 1815. In 1826 or 1828, the PERKINS family took over the mill and later sold it to WELLINGTON DONALDSON. The historic site was finally named the “Donaldson-Hobbs Grist Mill” on Ipswich Street in Topsfield, Massachusetts. <<<
1751: Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: Members of the “Old Church” in Topsfield, Massachusetts on May 18, 1751 included: 11
Table 40: Members of the “Old Church” in Topsfield, Massachusetts -- May 18, 1751. Name Comments Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 He was the son of Uncle SAMUEL (1719 – 1759) POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) and Aunt of Ipswich Farms. HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/82 – 1728) of Ipswich Farms. His wife was ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (COMMINGS) POTTER4 (1719 – 1765), daughter of ISAAC COMMINGS (CUMMINGS)3 (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL BOARDMAN COMMINGS (CUMMINGS)3 (1700 – 1771) of Ipswich Farms.
CALEB POTTER of Ipswich Farms – probably Cousin. *THOMAS POTTER3 He was the son of 6X Great Grandfather (1691 – 1753) *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714). of Ipswich Farms – His wife was 5X Great Grandmother 5X Great Grandfather. *SUSANNA HADLEY POTTER3 (ca. 1694 – 1739/1776). Their son was 4X Great Grandfather Deacon*ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) of Ipswich Farms.
JOSEPH COMMINGS He was the son of ISAAC COMMINGS (CUMMINGS)4 (1721/22 – (CUMMINGS)3 (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL 1801) of Ipswich Farms. BOARDMAN COMMINGS (CUMMINGS)3 (1700 – 1771) of Ipswich Farms.
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ISAAC COMMINGS His wife was ABIGAIL BOARDMAN (CUMMINGS)3 (1692 – 1761) COMMINGS (CUMMINGS)3 of Ipswich Farms. (1700 – 1771). Two of their daughters married POTTER He was the son of ISAAC cousins: CUMMINGS2 (1664 – 1746) and (1) ABIGAIL CUMMINGS POTTER4 ALICE HOWLETT (1719 – 1765) was the wife of Cousin CUMMINGS2 who were SAMUEL POTTER4 (1719 – 1759), the dismissed from the Topsfield grandson of 6X Great Grandfather church in 1721. *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714); (2) Aunt MARY CUMMINGS POTTER4 (1720 – 1806) was the wife of Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) who was the son of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 - 1753). JOHN HOWLETT2 Deceased; father of Uncle THOMAS (1677 – 1735) - Deacon; HOWLETT3 (1714 – 1746) and father-in-law of son of Deacon SAMUEL Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720). (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 - 1771) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. Uncle THOMAS HOWLETT3 Deceased; he was the son of Deacon JOHN (1714 – 1746) HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735). His wife was Aunt of Topsfield, Massachusetts. LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT (BROWN) (HALE)3 (1710 - 1771), the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714). SAMUEL HOWLETT JR2 Possibly son of Deacon SAMUEL (1693 – 1765) HOWLETT1 (1646 – 1720) and brother of Born: April 6, 1693 – Topsfield, Deacon JOHN HOWLETT2 (1677 – 1735); his Massachusetts. wife was MARTHA CHAPMAN Died: January 1, 1765 – Topsfield, HOWLETT2 (1703 – 1759). Massachusetts.
Ipswich Farms & Topsfield, Massachusetts: In 1751, 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS (PERKINS) (BRADSTREET) (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803), a widow from Ipswich, Massachusetts, married a second time to THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. Their marriage intentions were published on November 24th, 1751.
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THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) was born in Topsfield, Massachusetts on January 26th, 1724 and baptized on March 8th, 1724. He was the son of Topsfield house carpenter, JOHN PERKINS3 (1685 – 1750), and MARY EASTY (ESTEY) PERKINS3 (1690/91 – 1750). THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) was a Topsfield farmer and weaver; he was known to have owned weaver’s tools. 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS (BRADSTREET) (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803) and her second husband, THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757), had two children: th (1) ELISHA PERKINS5 (1753 – 1802) was born February 6 , 1753 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; he married MERCY KIMBALL (PERKINS)5; he died May 20, 1802 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; he was buried in the “Pine Grove Cemetery,” Topsfield, Massachusetts; (2) SARAH PERKINS (ABBOTT) (FOWLER)5 (1755 – 1851) was born August 18, 1755 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; she married twice: (a) JOHN ABBOTT5 and (b) on June 19, 1777, Lt. JOHN FOWLER5 ( ? - 1824) who died November 17, 1824. She died on April 14, 1851. They were married less than six years when THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) was killed in 1757 while serving in the “French & Indian War.” 12 <<<
1752: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN discovers that lightning is electrical. <<<
Salem Village, Massachusetts: Sixty years after the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria 1692,” Salem Village finally won its independence from Salem town in 1752 and renamed itself Danvers, Massachusetts. <<<
1753: Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts: 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) died on April 22 or 23, 1753 at “Ipswich Farms” (Linebrook Parish), Ipswich, Massachusetts at 62 years of age. He was one of the first members of the “Linebrook Parish Congregational Church” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. It has not been determined where he was buried. There is no gravestone for him in the “Old Linebrook Cemetery” at the intersection of Linebrook Road and Newbury Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts. No settlement of his estate is on record. 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) and his only wife, 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HADLEY (HOADLEY) POTTER3 (ca. 1694 – 1776), had twelve (12) children who produced twenty (20) grandchildren. Sadly, it appears that six (6) of their twelve (12) children were victims of the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.” <<<
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The Legacy of 5X Great Grandfather P *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) 3rd Generation 4th Generation 5th Generation *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) Born: April 13/15, 1691 – Ipswich, MA. Children (12): Grandchildren (20): Died: April 22/23, 1753 (see below) (see below) – Ipswich Farms, MA. Married: intentions September 18, 1714 – Ipswich, MA. *SUSANNA HADLEY (HOADLEY) POTTER3 (ca. 1694 – 1776) Children (12): Grandchildren (20): Born: ca. 1694 (see below) (see below) - Amesbury, MA. Died: October 20, 1776 – Ipswich Farms, MA. A. JERUSHA POTTER4 (1715 – 1715) - infant Born: October 1, 1715 – Ipswich, MA. Children (none); Baptized: October 2, 1715 died an infant. – Topsfield Church, MA. Died: October 10, 1715 – Ipswich, MA. B. THOMAS POTTER Children (none); died at 17 JR4 (1717 – 1735) years of age. Born: December 4, 1717 [Note: 17 year old – Ipswich, MA. THOMAS POTTER JR4 Baptized: Dec. 8, 1717 (1717 – 1735) may – Topsfield Church, MA. have succumbed to Died: May 18, 1735 diphtheria during the – Ipswich, MA. epidemic of 1735 – 1740.] C. MARTHA POTTER4 (1720 – 1720) – infant Born: April 12, 1720 Children (none); – Ipswich, MA. died an infant. Died: April 20, 1720 – Ipswich, MA. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 163
D. EZEKIEL POTTER4 Children (9): see below. (1721 – 1801) a. THOMAS POTTER5 – 80 years old. (1742 – 1754) Born: May 16, 1721 – 12 years old. – Ipswich, MA. b. EZEKIEL POTTER Baptized: May 21, 1721 JR5 (1743 – 1832) – Topsfield Church, MA. c. SARAH POTTER Died: June 29, 1801 (PEABODY)5 – Ipswich, MA. (1745 – 1828) Married: June 4, 1741 – 83 years old. – Ipswich, MA. d. NATHANIEL Wife: POTTER5 MARY CUMMINGS (1747 – 1771) (CUMMINS) POTTER4 – 23 years, 8 mos. (1720 – 1806) e. ALICE POTTER Born: 1720 –Topsfield, (CHAPMAN)5 Massachusetts. (1749 – 1818) Baptized: October 2, 1720 – 69 years old. – Topsfield, MA. f. MARY POTTER Died: November 16, 1806 (PEABODY)5 - Ipswich Farms, MA. (1751 – 1837) g. LYDIA POTTER5 (1754 – 1771) – 17 years, 7 mos. h. LUCY POTTER (FOSTER)5 (1756 – 1834) – 77 years old. i. JOHN POTTER5 (1758 – 1780) – 22 years old; died at sea. E. JOANNA (JOHANNAH) POTTER4 (1723 – 1723) – infant. Born: October 19, 1723 Children (none); – Ipswich, MA. died an infant. Baptized: Oct. 20, 1723 – Topsfield Church, MA. Died: November 9, 1723 – Ipswich, MA.
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F. *ANTHONY POTTER4 (Deacon) (1724 – 1791) - 4X Great Grandfather Born: November 13, 1724 – Ipswich, MA. Children (11): Baptized: Nov. 15, 1724 six (6) by 1st wife; – Topsfield Church, MA. five (5) by 2nd wife. Died: June 22, 1791 (see below) – Ipswich, MA. Married twice: (1) Int. October 12, 1745 - Ipswich, MA. (2) October 20, 1762 – Topsfield, MA. (1) MARY DAVIS Children (6): st POTTER4 – 1 wife. a. SUSANNA POTTER (1724 – 1762) (PERRY)5 Born: November 11, 1724 (1747 – before 1791) – Ipswich Farms, MA. b. JERUSHA POTTER Died: April 26, 1762 (SMITH)5 (1750 - ? ) – Ipswich Farms, MA. c. ELIZABETH POTTER Married: Intentions (LURVEY)5 (1753 - ? ) October 12, 1745 d. HANNAH POTTER – Ipswich, MA. (PERRY)5 (1756 - ? ) e. ALICE POTTER (JOHNSON)5 – twin. (1759 – ca. 1831) f. ANNE POTTER5 – twin. (1759 – 1797) (2) *MARTHA PIERCE His two (2) step-children by WILLIAMS her 2nd husband: PERKINS THOMAS PERKINS4 BRADSTREET (1724 – 1757): nd POTTER4 – 2 wife a. ELISHA PERKINS5 (1730/31 – 1803) (1753 - 1802) - 4X Great Grandmother b. SARAH PERKINS Born: August 23, 1730/31 (ABBOTT) (FOWLER)5 – Gloucester, MA. (1755 – 1851) Died: June 12, 1803 - Ipswich Farms, MA. ------
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Married: October 20, 1762 Children (5) by 4th husband: – Topsfield, MA. *ANTHONY POTTER4 Widow of: (Deacon) (1724 – 1791): (1) Mr. (?) WILLIAMS4 a. ISAAC POTTER5 (2) THOMAS PERKINS4 (Deacon) (1763 – 1830) (1724 – 1757) – 66 years old. (3) ELIJAH b. DAVID POTTER5 BRADSTREET4 (Colonel) (1765 – 1830) ( ? - 1760) c. MARTHA POTTER5 (ca. 1768 – 1773) – died young. d. *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) - 3X Great Grandfather e. MARY ELIZABETH (MOLLY) POTTER (SMITH)5 (1772 - ? ) G. SUSANNA POTTER4 (1728 – 1728) - infant Born: September 29, 1728 Children (none); – Ipswich, MA. died an infant. Died: October 13, 1728 – Ipswich Farms, MA. H. SARAH POTTER4 Children (none); died at six (1730 – 1737) (6) years of age. – 6 years old. [Note: 6 year old SARAH Born: September 16, 1730 POTTER4 (1730 – 1737) – Ipswich, MA. died of a sore throat Baptized: Sept. 20, 1730 during the great – Ipswich, MA. “Throat Distemper Died: January 24, 1737 (Diphtheria) Epidemic of – Ipswich Farms, MA. 1735 – 1740.”] I. DAVID POTTER4 Children (none); died at 3 (1733 – 1737) years of age. – 3 years old. [Note: 3 year old DAVID Born: May 12, 1733 POTTER4 (1733 – 1737) – Ipswich, MA. died of a sore throat Baptized: August 12, 1733 during the great – Ipswich, MA. “Throat Distemper Died: January 20, 1737 (Diphtheria) Epidemic of – Ipswich Farms, MA. 1735 – 1740.”]
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J. EUNICE POTTER4 Children (none). (ca. 1734 – 1737) [Note: 2 year old EUNICE – 2 years old. POTTER4 (ca. 1734 – Born: ca. 1734 1737) surely died of a sore – Ipswich, MA. throat during the Died: 1737 great “Throat – Ipswich Farms, MA. Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”] K. MARY POTTER4 Children (none). (ca. 1735 – 1737) [Note: 1 year old MARY – 1 year old. POTTER4 (ca. 1735 – Born: ca. 1735 1737) surely died of a sore – Ipswich, MA. throat during the Died: 1737 great “Throat – Ipswich Farms, MA. Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”] L. THOMAS POTTER Children (none). III4 (1736 – 1736) [Note: The infant – infant. THOMAS POTTER III4 Born: July 9, 1736 (1736 – 1736) surely died of – Ipswich, MA. a sore throat during Baptized: July 11, 1736 the great “Throat – Topsfield Church, MA. Distemper (Diphtheria) Died: September 4, 1736 Epidemic of 1735 – 1740.”] – Ipswich Farms, MA.
END NOTES
1 Topsfield Town Records, Volume I (1659 – 1739).
2 Topsfield Town Records, Volume I (1659 – 1739), ibid.
3 New England Historic Genealogical Register (NEHGR) Vol. XXII (1868).
4 Ernest Caulfield, M. D., A True History of the Terrible Epidemic vulgarly called “The Throat Distemper” which occurred in His Majesty’s New England Colonies between the years 1735 and 1740 by Ernest Caulfield, M.D., published for the Beaumont Medical Club by the Yale Journal of Biology & Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (1939).
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5 Reverend Charles Nelson Sinnett, Walter Merryman of Harpswell, Maine and His Descendants, Concord, New Hampshire, Rumford Printing Company, (1905), pp. 4 & 5.
6 William Samuel Spurr, A HISTORY of OTISFIELD, Cumberland County, Maine, from the Original Grant to the Close of the Year 1944, reprinted by the Town of Otisfield, Maine, 2nd Edition, circa 1950, p. 410.
7 William Samuel Spurr, ibid., pp. 410 and 533.
8 Theodore Studley Lazell, A.B., Whiting Genealogy: Nathaniel Whiting of Dedham, Mass., 1641, and five generations of his descendants, compiled by Theodore Studley Lazell, A.B., T.R. Marvin & Son printers, (1902), Boston, Massachusetts, 80 pages.
9 George Francis Dow, History of Topsfield, Massachusetts, Topsfield, Massachusetts, the Topsfield Historical Society, (1940), Reprinted 1999, pp. 150 – 151.
10 The Essex Antiquarian, Vol. XIII, “NOTES,” Salem, Massachusetts, (January 1909), pp. 46 – 47.
11 New England Historic Genealogical Register (NEHGR) Volume XVI, (1862), pp. 212 – 215.
12 George A. Perkins, M.D., The family of JOHN PERKINS of Ipswich, Massachusetts, complete in three parts, printed for the author by Salem Press Publishing & Printing Company, Salem, Massachusetts, (1889), Part II, p. 26.
- FINIS -
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CHAPTER 4
*Deacon ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 - 1791)
“Ipswich Farms Farmer, Deacon of Linebrook Parish Church, Sergeant in the French & Indian War, and Veteran of the American Revolutionary War”
For the years 1753 - 1791
THE FOURTH GENERATION No. Name Spouse 1. JERUSHA POTTER4 None. (Infant) (1715 – 1715) 2. THOMAS POTTER JR4 None; died at 17 years of age; (1717 – 1735) possibly died from diphtheria. 3. MARTHA POTTER4 None. (Infant) (1720 – 1720) 4. EZEKIEL POTTER4 MARY CUMMINGS POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) (1720 – 1806) 5. JOANNA POTTER4 None. (Infant) (1723 – 1723) 6. Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1) MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) (1724 - 1762) - 4X Great Grandfather. (2) *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) - 4X Great Grandmother. 7. SUSANNA POTTER4 None. (Infant) (1728 - 1728) 8. SARAH POTTER4 None. (6 yrs. old) – diphtheria (1730 – 1737) epidemic. 9. DAVID POTTER4 None. (3 yrs. old) – diphtheria (1733 – 1737) epidemic. 10. EUNICE POTTER4 None. (2 or 3 yrs. old) – probably (ca. 1734 - 1737) diphtheria. 11. MARY POTTER4 None. (1 or 2 yrs. old) – probably (ca. 1735 - 1737) diphtheria. 12. THOMAS POTTER4 None. (Infant) – probably diphtheria. (1736 – 1736) Note: From 1735 through 1740, a “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic” raged through northeastern Massachusetts claiming many young lives.
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1753: Ipswich, Massachusetts: 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753), *Deacon ANTHONY POTTER4’s (1724 – 1791) father, died on April 22 or 23, 1753 at “Ipswich Farms” or “The Farms” (later Linebrook Parish), Ipswich, Massachusetts near the border with Topsfield. He was born on April 13/15, 1691 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and was the son of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1656/1657 – 1714) and his first wife, 6X Great Grandmother *JOANNA (JOHANNAH) WOOD POTTER2 (1661 – ca. 1691). Marriage intentions for his marriage to *SUSANNA HOADLEY (HADLEY) (POTTER)3 (ca. 1693/94 – 1776) of Amesbury, Massachusetts were published on September 18, 1714 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was one of the first members of the “Linebrook Parish Congregational Church” at Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HOADLEY (HADLEY) POTTER3 (ca. 1694 - 1776) was born about 1693 or 1694 in Amesbury, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL HOADLEY (HADLEY)2 (1652/55 - 1745) and 6X Great Grandmother *JANE MARTIN HOADLEY (HADLEY)2 (1656 – after 1704) who were married on August 11, 1676 in Amesbury, Massachusetts. She was the Granddaughter of 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) who was tragically hanged as an accused witch in Salem, Massachusetts on July 19, 1692. 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) was survived by his wife, 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HOADLEY (HADLEY) POTTER3 (ca. 1694 - 1776), and by only two of his twelve children: (1) Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801), and (2) 4X Great Grandfather *Deacon ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), both of Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Ipswich, Massachusetts. 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) had outlived ten of his twelve children. The following table lists his twelve (12) children:
Table 41: The twelve (12) children of 5X Great Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753) and 5X Great Grandmother *SUSANNA HOADLEY (HADLEY) POTTER3 (ca. 1693/94 – 1776) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. No. Children Spouse 1 JERUSHA POTTER4 (1715 – 1715) Born: October 1, 1715 – Ipswich, MA. Baptized: October 2, 1715 Never married; – Topsfield Church, MA. died an infant. Died: October 10, 1715 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 2 THOMAS POTTER JR4 (1717 – 1735) Never married; died at 17 years of Born: December 4, 1717 – Ipswich, MA. age from “diphtheria” Baptized: December 8, 1717 (throat distemper) during the – Ipswich, Massachusetts. epidemic of 1735 to 1740. Died: May 18, 1735 – Ipswich, MA.
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3 MARTHA POTTER4 (1720 – 1720) Born: April 12, 1720 – Ipswich, MA. Baptized: March 27, 1720 Never married; – Ipswich, Massachusetts (?) died an infant. Died: April 20, 1720 – Ipswich or Topsfield, MA. 4 EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) MARY CUMMINGS (POTTER)4 – “Yeoman” (1720 – 1806) Born: May 16, 1721 – Ipswich, MA. Daughter of: Baptized: May 21, 1721 – Ipswich, MA. ISAAC CUMMINGS3 Children: Nine (9). (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL Died: June 29, 1801 – Ipswich, MA. BOARDMAN CUMMINGS3 at 80 years of age. ( ? – 1765) of Topsfield, MA. Buried: Linebrook Parish Cemetery, Married: June 4, 1741 Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 5 JOANNA (JOHANNAH) POTTER4 (1723 – 1723) Born: October 19, 1723 – Ipswich, MA. Never married; died an infant at Baptized: October 20, 1723 about 3 weeks of age. – Topsfield, Massachusetts. Died: November 9, 1723 – Ipswich, MA. 6 *ANTHONY POTTER4 “Deacon” Married twice: (1724 – 1791) (1) MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 - 4X Great Grandfather. (1724 – 1762) Born: November 13, 1724 Marriage intentions published on – Ipswich, Massachusetts. October 12, 1745 in Baptized: November 15, 1724 Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. (2) *MARTHA PIERCE Children: Eleven (11): Six by 1st wife WILLIAMS PERKINS nd and five by 2 wife. BRADSTREET (POTTER)4 Died: June 21/22, 1791 – Ipswich, MA. (1731 – 1803) Last Will: made March 10, 1791. - 4X Great Grandmother Last Will: proved July 5, 1791. Married: October 20, 1762 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. 7 SUSANNA POTTER4 (1728 – 1728) Never married; died an infant at Born: Sept. 29, 1728 – Ipswich, MA. about 2 weeks of age. Died: October 13, 1728 – Ipswich, MA. 8 SARAH POTTER4 (1730 -1737) Never married; died at 6 years of age Born: Sept. 16, 1730 – Ipswich, MA. from “diphtheria” (throat Baptized: September 20, 1730 distemper) during the – Ipswich, Massachusetts. epidemic of 1735 to 1740. Died: January 24, 1737 – Ipswich, MA.
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9 DAVID POTTER4 (1733 – 1737) Never married; died at 3 years of age Born: May 12, 1733 – Ipswich, MA. from diphtheria (throat Baptized: August 12, 1733 distemper) during the – Ipswich, Massachusetts. epidemic of 1735 to 1740. Died: January 20, 1737 – Ipswich, MA. 10 EUNICE POTTER4 (ca. 1734 – 1737) Never married; died at about 2 years Born: ca. 1734 of age from diphtheria (throat – Ipswich, Massachusetts. distemper) during the Died: 1737 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. epidemic of 1735 to 1740). 11 MARY POTTER4 (ca. 1735 – 1737) Never married; died at about 1 year Born: ca. 1735 of age from diphtheria (throat – Ipswich, Massachusetts. distemper) during the Died: 1737 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. epidemic of 1735 to 1740). 12 THOMAS POTTER4 (1736 – 1736) Never married; died at about 1½ Born: July 9, 1736 – Ipswich, MA. months of age from Baptized: July 11, 1736 diphtheria (throat distemper) – Topsfield, Massachusetts. during the epidemic of 1735 to Died: September 4, 1736 1740). – Ipswich, Massachusetts.
1754: Topsfield, Massachusetts: At the Topsfield Town Meeting on January 3, 1754 it was decided that: “Each person shall build a stone wall round ye parsonage per their proportionate share: 36 Lott in the Fourth Division to SAMUEL POTTER4 (Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759), Grandson of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714)) 0 rods 11 links 2 tenths. The Fourth Division begins at the corner by PRICHARDS and by the County Road to the Reverend Mr. EMERSON’s Lott wherein is his barn.” <<<
Ipswich, Massachusetts: In May, 1754 Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754), “Yeoman,” died in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His Last Will was probated on May 13, 1754. He was born in Ipswich in 1686 and was the son of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 - 1702) and Aunt ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700). He was survived by his third wife, JEMIMA QUARLES BROWN POTTER3 (1689 – 1772). Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) had married three times: (1) HANNAH PATCH (POTTER)3 (1691 – 1722) on September 23, 1710 in Ipswich, Massachusetts by whom he had four (4) children. She was the daughter of JAMES PATCH2 (1660 – 1733) and SARAH BALCH PATCH2 (1662 – 1714) of Salem, Massachusetts. She died on April 1, 1722 in her 32nd year per Ipswich town records (P.R. 12). (2) SARAH GRAVES (POTTER)3 (1698 – ca. 1751) on February 13, 1722/23 in Ipswich, Massachusetts by whom he had eight (8) children. She was the daughter
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of JOHN GRAVES2 (1660 – before July 21, 1699), “cordwainer,” and MARTHA KNEELAND GRAVES (MACKENTIRE)2 who was the daughter of EDWARD KNEELAND1 of Ipswich, Massachusetts. She died about 1651 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. (3) JEMIMA QUARLES BROWN (POTTER)3 (1689 – 1772) intentions published on October 19, 1751; no known children. She was the daughter of WILLIAM QUARLES2.
Table 42: The twelve (12) children of Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER st SR3 (1686 – 1754) of Ipswich, Massachusetts: four (4) by 1 wife and eight (8) by 2nd wife. Wife # Children Spouse 1 MARY POTTER4 (1715 – before 1754) Never married. Baptized: March 27, 1715 – Ipswich, MA. Died: Before 1754. 1 ELIZABETH POTTER4 (1717 - ? ) Unknown. Baptized: September 15, 1717 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 1 SUSANNA POTTER (KNOWLTON)4 BENJAMIN KNOWLTON4 (1719 - ?) Married: 1738. Baptized: October 18, 1719 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 1 NATHANIEL POTTER JR4 MARY PATCH (POTTER)4 (1721 – 1775) Married: February 22, 1743 Baptized: December 17, 1721 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Died: June 14, 1775. Last Will: probated July 17, 1775. 2 HANNAH POTTER4 (1723/24 – 1726) Never married; died at 2 years Baptized: January 5, 1723/24 of age. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Died: June, 1726. 2 ABIGAIL POTTER4 (1725/26 – 1732) Never married; died at 6 years Baptized: March 6, 1725/26. of age. Died: August, 1732. 2 HANNAH POTTER4 (1727 - ? ) Unknown. Baptized: June or July 2, 1727 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 2 EDMUND POTTER4 (1729 - ? ) HANNAH STONE Baptized: October 5, 1729 – Ipswich, MA. (POTTER)4
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2 JOHN POTTER4 (1731 – 1800) Married twice: – “Elder” (1) SARAH PATCH Born: December, 1731 – Ipswich, MA. (POTTER)4 Baptized: January 2, 1731/32 (2) MARY BOARDMAN – Ipswich, Massachusetts. (POTTER)4 Died: November 7, 1800 – Last Will: probated December 1, 1800. 2 ABIGAIL POTTER (MOORE)4 EBENEZER MOORE4 (1733 - ? ) Baptized: March or May 6, 1733 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 2 SARAH POTTER (ROBERTS)4 DAVID ROBERTS4 (1734 - ? ) Born: March, 1734 – Ipswich, MA. 2 WILLIAM POTTER4 (1735/36 – 1757) Never married; died at 21 years Born: March, 1735/36 – Ipswich, MA. of age. Died: October, 1757 – Last Will: probated October 31, 1757. Note: The three (3) wives of Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) were: (1) HANNAH PATCH (POTTER)3 (1691 – 1722); (2) SARAH GRAVES (POTTER)3 (1698 – ca. 1751); and, (3) JEMIMA QUARLES BROWN (POTTER)3 (1689 – 1772).
[The French and Indian War (1754 – 1763)] The “French & Indian War” (1754 – 1763), the last of a series of wars between England and France for mastery of North America, commenced in 1754. <<<
1755: Topsfield, Massachusetts: At the Topsfield Town Meeting on September 16, 1755 the town allowed to Mr. STEPHEN PERKINS, former constable, 11 shillings and 3 pence, it being an abatement of SAMUEL POTTER4’s (1719 – 1759) rate for the year 1752. Apparently, SAMUEL POTTER4 (Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759)), son of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), and Grandson of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 – 1714)) had served as the constable of Topsfield, Massachusetts. Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) had married ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (COMMINGS) (POTTER)4 (1719 – 1765) in 1738 probably in Topsfield, Massachusetts. They would have seven (7) children born between 1742 and 1758. The first four (4) were baptized in Topsfield, Massachusetts between 1742 and 1748. The last three (3) were baptized in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts. They probably lived near the Ipswich – Topsfield town line in the Linebrook section of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 174
Table 43: The two (2) children of 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804), tailor and shoemaker by st trade, and his 1 wife, ABIGAIL FARRINGTON (WIGHT)4, ( 1737 - 1758), of Wrentham, Massachusetts. No. Name 1 Child, still-born, September 29, 1756, Wrentham, Massachusetts. 2 Dr. JOSEPH WIGHT JR5 (1758 – 1846), born on August 10, 1758 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was a veteran of the “Revolutionary War.” On August 4, 1783 he married OLIVE MANN (WIGHT)5 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. He died on November 27, 1846.
Wrentham, Massachusetts: On September 22, 1755, 4X Great Grandfather st *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804), tailor and shoemaker by trade, married his 1 wife, ABIGAIL FARRINGTON (WIGHT)4, (1737 - 1758), in Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was born on May 19, 1737 in Wrentham, Massachusetts and was the daughter of Lieutenant DANIEL FARRINGTON3 ( ? – 1755) and BETHIAH MANN 1 FARRINGTON3 ( ? – 1755) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. They would have two children, both born in Wrentham, Massachusetts: Sadly, young ABIGAIL FARRINGTON WIGHT4 (1737 – 1758) died on August 25, 1758 at age 21 years in Wrentham, Massachusetts probably from complications of childbirth after delivery of her second child, Dr. JOSEPH WIGHT JR5 (1758 – 1846), who was born on August 10, 1758 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. <<< French & Indian War (1754 – 1763): There were three expeditions against the French & Indians in 1755. The first to Nova Scotia was successful. Secondly, in the spring of 1755 an army was raised for service around Lake George, New York and thirdly, an attack was made against Crown Point, New York on September 8, 1755. On September 15, 1755 Captain ISAAC SMITH4 of Ipswich, Massachusetts recruited and led a company of men from Ipswich and Topsfield to reinforce the army in New York. They were dismissed on December 17, 1755. [The First Crown Point Campaign – 1755] “Crown Point,” a French stronghold located on the southwestern shore of Lake Champlain, controlled the southern approaches to the lake and was the source of many Indian attacks. The French built “Fort Frederick” there in 1731. One critical facet of the English three-pronged 1755 strategic plan to defeat the French in North America was to capture “Fort Frederick” at “Crown Point” on Lake Champlain. In April, 1755, English Colonel (Sir) WILLIAM JOHNSON4 (ca. 1715 – 1774) was promoted to Major-General and assigned the task to capture the French “Fort Frederick” on Lake Champlain. Three to four thousand provincial troops from Massachusetts, Connecticut (1,200), New Hampshire (500), Rhode Island (400), and New York were raised to serve under his command. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 175
From New Hampshire: Included in the New Hampshire contingent was 23-year old Captain ROBERT ROGERS4 (1731 - 1795) (image at right) who would soon become famous as leader of his Rangers, i.e. “Rogers’ Rangers.”
From Connecticut: Included in a Connecticut regiment was the sturdy Private ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 - 1790) from Mortlake (later Pomfret), in northeastern Connecticut who would quickly rise in the ranks.
From Massachusetts: Lieutenant Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4’s (1717 – 1780) “Essex County Regiment” of Massachusetts made the long march from Ipswich, Massachusetts to Albany, New York in April, 1755, and remained in service until January 1756. One company of the Essex Regiment was commanded by Captain JOHN WHIPPLE3 (1695 – 1769), son of Captain JOHN WHIPPLE2 (1660 – 1722), [JOHN3, JOHN2, JOHN1, MATTHEW0, MATTHEW-1] of the Hamlet (Ipswich Hamlet). His company was composed largely of Ipswich young men of the Hamlet and Chebacco including Sergeant ANTIPAS DODGE4 and Private JOHN JONES4. [Notes: (1) Ipswich “Hamlet” became the town of Hamilton, Massachusetts in 1793. (2) The Ipswich parish of “Chebacco” became the town of Essex, Massachusetts in 1819.] They would soon prove their mettle at the “Battle of Lake George,” New York on September 8 & 9, 1755. In 1755 another Massachusetts company was raised in Rowley commanded by Captain THOMAS GAGE4 ( ? – 1788) for service at Lake George, New York from August 7, 1755 to December 17, 1755. From August 7, 1755 to October, 1755, ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788), brother-in-law of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), also did duty at Lake George as a “Lieutenant” in this company raised in the town of his birth, Rowley, Massachusetts. Lieutenant ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788), brother of MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 – 1762) who was the first wife of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), was born in Rowley, Massachusetts in early 1727/28. He was baptized there on April 7, 1727/28 probably in the “Byfield Church.” He was the son of NATHAN DAVIS3 (1701 – 1776) and MARY DAVIS DAVIS3 (1706/7 - ? ) of Rowley, Massachusetts. He would marry three times: (1) He moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts where he was a farmer and married first his 2nd cousin, HANNAH METCALFE (DAVIS)4 (1730/1 - 1753), the daughter of THOMAS METCALF3 and RUTH FLINT METCALF3, on March 20, 1750. She died in Topsfield on July 20, 1753. (2) He married a second time, published on March 9, 1754, to SARAH BOYNTON DRESSER (DAVIS)4 (1730 - ? ), daughter of JOSHUA rd BOYNTON3 and MARY (?) BOYNTON3. (3) His 3 wife was HANNAH BARTER DAVIS4.
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Lieutenant ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) had seven (7) known children born between 1749 and 1763. He made his home in Topsfield, Massachusetts, where he was taxed from 1754 to 1757, and subsequently moved in 1758 to Danvers (Salem Village), Massachusetts. Later he moved to Boothbay, Maine (Massachusetts at that time) and then to Pownalborough, Maine. He had an illustrious military service record, serving honorably as a distinguished patriot while rising up the ranks in both the “French & Indian War” and “Revolutionary War.”
Table 44: The Distinguished Military Service Record of Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1727/28 – 1788/89), Brother-In-Law of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791). Years Military Service 1745 War of Austrian Succession: When under 18 years of age, he was a soldier at the “Battle of Louisburg” in Nova Scotia where he was one of the brave men to volunteer under Captain DANIEL BACON3 to attack the Island Battery on May 26, 1745, in which attempt many were killed or captured by the French; but on June 17, 1745, after a long siege of 49 days, Louisburg and the Island of Cape Breton capitulated; but it was resentfully returned to France three years later on October 7, 1748 after the English negotiated and signed a treaty of peace, i.e. the “Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle,” with France, ignoring the deeds and desires of their loyal American citizen soldiers who served valiantly at Louisburg. 1755 French & Indian War: From August 7, 1755 to October, 1755 ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) served at Lake George, New York as a Lieutenant in a company raised in Rowley, Massachusetts commanded by Captain THOMAS GAGE4. In November, 1755 Captain THOMAS GAGE4 was promoted to Major and Lieutenant ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) to Captain. 1756 French & Indian War: On April 15, 1756 Captain ISRAEL rd DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) led a company in the 3 Regiment commanded by Colonel THOMAS BERRY3 in the expedition to Crown Point, New York. From August 9, 1756 to October 12, 1756 he served again under Colonel THOMAS BERRY3 at Fort William Henry on Lake George, New York. 1757 French & Indian War: In May, 1757 Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) served in Colonel JOSEPH FRYE3’s regiment which marched to the relief of Fort William Henry then under siege by the French General LOUIS-JOSEPH de MONTCALM3. Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) was in Fort William Henry when it capitulated to French General MONTCALM3 on August 9, 1757 and somehow escaped the ensuing massacre of the evacuating Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 177
English troops by the bloodthirsty Indians allied to the French and made it safely to Fort Edward. Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) continued in service at Fort Edward until December 23rd, 1757. 1758 -1759 French & Indian War: From 1758 to 1761 Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) served as a Captain in Colonel rd JONATHAN BAGLEY3’s (1717 – 1780) “3 Massachusetts Provincial Regiment.” In 1758 he first served at Fort Ticonderoga and then worked on the construction of Fort William Henry on Lake George, New York in 1758 and 1759. 1759 - 1761 French & Indian War: From November 12, 1759 to August 14, 1761 while serving under Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY3 (1717 – 1780) in the “3rd Massachusetts Provincial Regiment” which was assigned to garrison duty at Louisburg, Nova Scotia, Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) assisted in demolishing the fort’s fortifications. 1775 Revolutionary War: In 1775 the “13th Massachusetts Regiment” was raised by Colonel JONATHAN BREWER3 (1726 - 1784) and was assigned to Brigadier General NATHANAEL GREENE4 ‘s (1742 – 1786) Brigade from June 19, 1775 to September 4, 1775. In 1775 Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4’s (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) company was assigned to the “13th Massachusetts Regiment” and participated at the “Battle of Bunker Hill” on June 17, 1775 and the “Siege of Boston” in 1775 and 1776. 1776 Revolutionary War: In 1776 the “13th Massachusetts Regiment” was re-designated the “6th Continental Regiment” under the command of Colonel EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH5 (1742 – 1826). It was known as “Colonel EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH5’s (1742 – 1826) Regiment” (“Wigglesworth’s State Regiment”). As of July 11, 1776 Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4’s (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) company was assigned to the “6th Continental Regiment” which served in the “Battle of Valcour Island” at Lake Champlain on October 11 - 13, 1776. 1777 Revolutionary War: On January 1, 1777 Captain ISRAEL th DAVIS4’s (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) was appointed Captain in the “13 Massachusetts Regiment.” From March 31, 1777 to June 30, 1777 he served as a Captain in “Colonel EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH5’s (1742 – 1826) Battalion.” Then, the “13th Massachusetts Regiment” served with “Brigadier General JOHN GLOVER4’s (1732 – 1797) Brigade” in “Major General BARON JOHANN deKALB4’s (1721 – 1780) Division” at the “Battles of Saratoga,” New York on September 19, 1777 and October 7, 1777. The “13th Massachusetts
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Regiment” served in the defense of Philadelphia in 1777/1778 and also endured the hardships at Valley Forge over the winter of 1777/1778. 1778 Revolutionary War: While at Valley Forge on February 11, 1778 Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) cashiered (resigned his commission) from the “13th Massachusetts Regiment.” The “13th Massachusetts Regiment” would continue in service at the “Battle of Monmouth” on June 28, 1778 and the “Battle of Rhode Island” on August 29, 1778. The “13th Massachusetts Regiment” would disband on January 1, 1781 at West Point, New York. Notes: (1) Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788), the brother of MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 – 1762), possibly died on December 26, 1788 at 60 years of age on the good ship “American Mercury,” or possibly at Castine or Eastport, Maine. (2) Coincidentally and interestingly, 87 years after Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) served in the“13th Massachusetts Regiment,” Great Grandfather *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 (1841 – 1893) served as a Private in the “13th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers” during the American Civil War in 1862. To encourage the volunteer Massachusetts companies to penetrate the Indian country, Massachusetts Governor WILLIAM SHIRLEY3 (1694 – 1771) had issued a proclamation on June 18th, 1755, granting 30 days provisions, 220 pounds for every Indian captive, 200 pounds for every scalp to every volunteer company consisting of not less than 30 men that performs a march of at least 30 days. In addition, a promised grant of 110 pounds for every captive and 100 pounds for every scalp was made as a reward to every inhabitant of the Massachusetts Province. The provincial volunteers were no soldiers, but farmers and farmers’ sons who had volunteered for the summer campaign. At their sides were slung powder-horns, on which, in the leisure of the camp, they carved quaint images with the points of their knives. This custom continued on through the “French & Indian Wars” and through the “Revolutionary War.” [Note: The powder horn shown at left above is engraved: “SAMUEL POTTER AD 1776.”] This provincial army assembled at Albany, New York on the last of June, 1755. A swarm of Mohawk Indian allies joined this provincial army at Albany. In early July, 1755, an advance division of about 600 New England men under the command of Colonel G. PHINEAS LYMAN4 (1716 – 1774) of Connecticut, second in command to General WILLIAM JOHNSON4 (ca. 1715 – 1774), was sent up the Hudson River to build “Fort Lyman” (afterwards named “Fort Edward”) on the site of old “Fort Nicholson” at “The Great Carrying-Place” on the Hudson River in the territory known as the “Great Carry” just south of Lake George, New York.
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th On August 8 , 1755, Major General (Sir) WILLIAM JOHNSON4 (ca. 1715 – 1774) with his main body of forces including the allied Mohawk sachem, King HENDRICK THEYANOQUIN4 (ca. 1691 – 1755), and his Mohawk warriors, left Albany to join his advance division at “Fort Edward.” Soon after arriving at “Fort Edward,” during the latter part of August, 1755, Major General (Sir) WILLIAM JOHNSON4 (ca. 1715 – 1774) led his main body of about 2,200 men north from “Fort Edward” to the southern shores of Lake George with plans to sail down (up) Lake George to Ticonderoga and then continue north to assault “Crown Point” on Lake Champlain. When they arrived at Lake George, he ordered Captain WILLIAM EYRE4 of the 44th Foot, the expedition’s military engineer and the only regular English officer in the entire army, to design and site a fort, i.e. “Fort William Henry,” on its southern shore to protect the strategic portage area. [Battle of Lake George, New York – September 8 & 9, 1755] The French had been made aware of the British plans to capture “Crown Point” when they defeated Major-General EDWARD BRADDOCK3 (1695 – 1755) near Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh) on July 8th, 1755 and captured his war chest. The French commander of forces on Lake Champlain, the German Baron, Marshall LUDWIG AUGUST DIESKAU3 (1701 – 1767), countered the British plan to attack “Crown Point” by assembling a large force of 3,573 men at “Crown Point.” On September 7th, 1755, with 216 Regulars, 684 Canadians and 600 Iroquois Indians, Marshall DIESKAU3 (1701 – 1767) marched south with this army to attack the British. He ordered “Fort Carillon” (re-named “Fort Ticonderoga” in 1759) to be built on a promontory commanding the approaches to Lake Champlain from the south. In early September, 1755, the British and French forces converged at Rocky Brook about three miles south of Lake George. The French initially got the advantage during the first phase of the battle, known as the “Bloody Morning Scout,” by ambushing 1,000 English and 200 Indian scouts under Colonel EPHRAIM WILLIAMS JR4 (1715 – 1755) of Massachusetts and the Mohawk sachem, King HENDRICK THEYANOQUIN4 (ca. 1691 – 1755), killing both Colonel WILLIAMS4 (1715 – 1755) and King HENDRICK THEYANOQUIN4 (ca. 1691 – 1755) with many of their men, many of whom were from western Massachusetts. The Provincial and Mohawk survivors retreated in great confusion to their encampment where they hastily threw up a breastwork to deter the advancement of the French. Lieutenant Colonel NATHAN WHITING4 (1724 – 1771), commander of the 2nd Connecticut Militia Regiment, had rallied the retreating men and, with a fresh detachment of provincials advancing under the command of Lieutenant Colonel EDWARD COLE4 of North Kingston, Rhode Island, fought a fierce rearguard action to protect and restore order to the English line. After a short pause in the attack, the French
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 180 followed up with frontal attacks of the reinforced English Provincial line which extended from their encampment north to Lake George. The French attacks were continuously repulsed by the tough and determined Provincials. For nearly four to five hours on Monday, September 8, 1755 the battle at Lake George lasted as the French and Indians pursued the attack but the raw “New England militia” of 1,600 to 1,700 men, Massachusetts men on the right (the regiments of Colonels EPHRAIM WILLIAMS JR4 (1715 – 1755), MOSES TITCOMB4 Esquire (1707 – 1755) rd (commanding the 3 Massachusetts Regiment), and TIMOTHY RUGGLES4 (1711 – 1795)), and Connecticut men on the left, sustained the assault and held with calmness and resolution.
General (Sir) WILLIAM JOHNSON4 (ca. 1715 – 1774) was wounded, receiving a flesh-wound in the leg, early in the engagement and second-in-command Colonel G. PHINEAS LYMAN4 (1716 – 1774) of Connecticut valiantly took command. While defending the right of the line, Colonel MOSES TITCOMB4 (1707 – 1755), commander of the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment, was shot dead. [Note: The 3rd Massachusetts Regiment fielded approximately 450 men composed of 8 companies of about 55 men each plus the regimental staff.] Sergeant ANTIPAS DODGE4 and Private JOHN JONES4 of Captain JOHN WHIPPLE3’s (1695 – 1769) company from Ipswich Hamlet (Hamilton) and Chebacco (Essex), Massachusetts were also among the slain that day. Corporal NATHAN THOMPSON4 of the same Ipswich Hamlet company was wounded three times. Lieutenant JOHN BAKER4 of Topsfield was wounded in the left shoulder. Lieutenant Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4 (1717 – 1780) of Amesbury, Massachusetts took over command of the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment. As the French at last hastily retreated, the British counterattacked and put the French and Indian forces to full flight. The British forces captured the French Marshall LUDWIG AUGUST DIESKAU3 (1701 – 1767) who was wounded in the retreat. Hearing the discordant sounds of battle to his north all afternoon, that evening, Colonel JOSEPH BLANCHARD4 of New Hampshire sent 200 to 250 men from “Fort Lyman” (“Fort Edward”) to reinforce the main army. Advancing under the command of Captains NATHANIEL FOLSOM4 of New Hampshire and TIMOTHY McGINNIS4 of New York, they surprised the retreating French after nightfall at their encampment. The ensuing sharp engagement resulted in many French casualties at a place called “Bloody Pond.” Captain TIMOTHY McGINNIS4 was mortally wounded. In a short time the French were finally routed and many were captured. The French survivors abandoned their baggage and packs as they fled north in disarray back to “Crown Point.”
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With this final rout of the French Army, the “Battle of Lake George” on September 8th, 1755, resulted in 400 to 700 French and Indians killed or wounded, their commander captured, and 262 English and 38 Mohawks killed, wounded, or missing. Another report stated that 216 Americans fell and that 96 were wounded. Although the “Crown Point” expedition did not achieve its objective, it was considered an English victory. After the “Battle of Lake George - September 8 & 9, 1755” General (Sir) WILLIAM JOHNSON4 (ca. 1715 – 1774) had “Fort William Henry” (image at left) built on Lake George. Since Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4’s (1717 – 1780) 3rd Massachusetts Regiment consisted of very skilled carpenters and boat builders from Amesbury and Newbury, Massachusetts, it was tasked to provide much of the labor to build the new fort on Lake George. Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4 (1717 – 1780) was placed in command of the newly constructed “Fort William Henry” that first year. Also, after the battle, Massachusetts, Connecticut and other northern provinces sent a herd of raw recruits to join the army at Lake George in New York. The reinforcements kept arriving until there were 3,600 men encamped there by October into November. At the end of November, 1755, the camp broke up and the provincial soldiers returned to their villages and farms. <<< ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ On September 24th, 1755, Captain ROBERT ROGERS4 (1731 – 1795) of New Hampshire was sent to scout “Crown Point” where he found 5,000 French troops erecting batteries. Then, on October 7th, 1755, he proceeded to Ticonderoga where he noted 2,000 French laying the foundation for “Fort Carillon” (re-named “Fort Ticonderoga” in 1759) to command the passage between Lake George and Lake Champlain. When Captain ROBERT ROGERS4 (1731 – 1795) returned, he was placed in overall command of “Forts William Henry and Edward” on Lake George.
In November, 1755, Captain THOMAS GAGE4, commander of a company formed in Rowley, Massachusetts, was promoted to the rank of Major, and Lieutenant ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) (brother-in-law of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791)) of this Rowley, Massachusetts company was promoted to Captain. <<<
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1756: Topsfield, Massachusetts: In 1756 Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) was the 37-year old son of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 - 1747) and Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 - 1728) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. His wife was ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (COMMINGS) POTTER4 (1719 – 1765), daughter of ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL BOARDMAN CUMMINGS3 (1700 – 1771) who were both born in Topsfield, Massachusetts but died in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts. It is believed that their home was near or on the Topsfield-Ipswich (Linebrook Parish) town line. Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) enlisted in February 1756 as a Private in the “First Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish” “for a whole turn.” He was listed on the company’s muster roll from February 18, 1756 to December 21, 1756 during the French & Indian War with service at Fort William Henry on Lake George, New York.
Ipswich Hamlet (Hamilton), Massachusetts: In February, 1756, Captain JOHN WHIPPLE3’s (1695 – 1769) company from Ipswich Hamlet (later Hamilton), Massachusetts, included: (1) Lieutenant STEPHEN WHIPPLE4 (1727 – 1761) (Captain JOHN WHIPPLE3’s (1695 – 1769) much younger cousin) and (2) Private ROBERT POTTER4 (relation unknown), drummer. <<<
Ipswich, Massachusetts: Early in 1756, a number of New England companies were successfully raised for the new campaign against “Crown Point,” New York. At least two were raised in Ipswich, Massachusetts: (1) The First Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish: Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ? ), a farmer of Topsfield, Massachusetts, and dear brother-in-law 2 of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) once again mustered in, this time on February 18, 1756 at the head of the “First Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts, for another campaign in New York. Also mustering in on February 18, 1756 were 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) of Linebrook Parish, as Sergeant, and First Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759), the son of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 - 1747) and Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681/2 - 1728) of Topsfield, Massachusetts, as Private. Both had enlisted into His Majesty’s Service in defense of the North America “for a whole turn each” in the “First Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish” under Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788). (2) Captain STEPHEN WHIPPLE4’s Company: Captain STEPHEN WHIPPLE4 (1727 – 1761) of Ipswich Hamlet formed a company of forty-one (41) “able-bodied” men from Ipswich, Massachusetts. The sixty-year-old Deacon MARK HOWE3 (1695 - 1770), a weaver and farmer of Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), mustered in as a Lieutenant. He recruited a squad of soldiers including his seventeen year old son, MARK HOWE JR4 for the campaign.
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[Note: Captain STEPHEN WHIPPLE4 (1727 – 1761) was the son of JOHN WHIPPLE3 (ca. 1689 – 1739). [Pedigree: STEPHEN4 (1727 – 1761), JOHN3 (1689 – 1739), MATTHEW2 (1664 – 1736), JOHN1 (1632 – 1695), MATTHEW0 (1590 – 1647)]. He would eventually die in 1761 of severe wounds received in the 1759 expedition against Canada.] On April 15, 1756, the two Ipswich companies were assigned to the 2nd Regiment under Colonel THOMAS BERRY4 for the 1756 Crown Point campaign and marched to Lake George, New York. From August 9, 1756 to October 12, 1756, Colonel nd THOMAS BERRY4’s 2 Regiment including the “First Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish” under the command of Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) was assigned garrison duty at “Fort William Henry” on Lake George, New York.
[Declaration of War – May 18 & 19, 1756] Although the French and Indian hostilities commenced in earnest on the North American continent in 1754, it wasn’t until May 18th, 1756 that Great Britain finally declared war on France and that on the following day France declared war on Great Britain to begin the conflict called the “Seven Years War” in Europe which lasted from 1756 to 1763. <<<
[The 2nd Crown Point Campaign – 1756] Early in the summer of 1756, the New England men were summoned once more to join the British regular regiments in New York for a new campaign against “Crown Point” on Lake Champlain. However, there was some difficulty in raising the new levy of volunteers because of the long marches, prevailing sickness, and weak leadership of the former year that proved most discouraging to the volunteer provincial militia. <<<
[Fort William Henry, Lake George, New York – August 9, 1756 to October 12, 1756] Six hundred Massachusetts men were ordered up to Lake George, New York to join the English forces there in August, 1756. By August 9th, 1756, Colonel nd THOMAS BERRY4’s 2 Regiment had been assigned garrison duty at “Fort William Henry” (image at left) under the overall command of Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4 (1717 – 1780), commander of the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment from Essex County and overall commander of “Fort William Henry” on Lake George, New York.
rd Joining Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4’s (1717 – 1780) 3 Massachusetts Regiment on August 9, 1756 was Major STEPHEN MILLER4’s Wrentham Company which included Privates BENJAMIN WARE4 and MICHAEL
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WARE4 under the command of Captain SAMUEL DAY4 from Wrentham, Massachusetts. Brother-In-Law Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) of Topsfield, commander of the “First Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish,” rd Ipswich, was also assigned to Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4’s (1717 – 1780) 3 Massachusetts Regiment. The name of Brother-In-Law Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788), commander of the “First Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish” in rd Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4’s (1717 – 1780) 3 Massachusetts Regiment, appears on its muster roll dated August 9th, 1756 at “Fort William Henry,” New York.3 On the same roll was 4X Great Grandfather, Sergeant *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) of Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts. The muster roll of the same company from February 18, 1756 to December 21, 1756 lists Cousin SAMUEL 4 POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. During most of 1756 and part of 1757, Colonel JONATHAN rd BAGLEY4’s (1717 – 1780) 3 Massachusetts (Essex County) Regiment served at the strategically located “Fort William Henry” on Lake George and “Fort Edward” at the “Great Carrying Place” in New York, providing much of the skilled carpentry labor, primarily Newbury, Ipswich, and Salisbury men, to build the forts and also build the boats critically important for troop and supplies transport on the rivers and lakes. The flotilla which they constructed became famous in the annals of the French & Indian War. One company referred to themselves as “a company of carpenters at Lake George” that came here to build forts, storehouses, vessels, etc. The “1756 Crown Point Campaign” was a total failure for the British and Provincial forces. Jealousies occurred between the British regular and Provincial officers; the troops were delayed; sickness broke out in camp; and in the end the contemplated attack on Crown Point was not consummated. In 1756 the Provincial troops at Lake George saw little action against the French and were relegated to building forts, storehouses, and boats needed for transport of supplies and forays against the French to the north. <<< Lake George and Lake Champlain, New York: Throughout the fall and winter of 1756, Captain ROBERT ROGERS4 (1731 – 1795) and his Rangers (image at left) patrolled the woods and waters around Lakes George and Champlain, noting French Major General LOUIS-JOSEPH de MONTCALM3’s (1712 – 1759) intention to attack “Fort William Henry” on the southern shore of Lake George, New York. Throughout the winter of 1756 – 1757, ROGERS4 Rangers, headquartered on an island in the Hudson River near “Fort Edward,” New York harassed the French in the regions of “Fort Ticonderoga” (“Fort Carillon”) and “Crown Point” (“Fort Frederick”) and often took prisoners or scalps. <<<
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1757: Lake George, New York: In March, 1757, the French Major General LOUIS-JOSEPH de MONTCALM3 (1712 – 1759) ordered 1,200 of his soldiers to attack “Fort William Henry” on Lake George, New York. They unsuccessfully attacked the fort on March 19th, 1757. The English under the command of Major th WILLIAM EYRE4 of the 44 Foot repulsed four French attacks, forcing the French to retire. On April 22, 1757, an “Alarm Company” was enrolled at Wrentham, Massachusetts commanded by Captain SAMUEL DAY4 (1713 – 1787) and assigned to Colonel STEPHEN MILLER4’s (1727 – 1817) regiment. The sixty-four privates in this company included BENJAMIN WARE4 (1727/28 - 1810), son of Captain NATHANIEL WARE3 (1697 - 1781), and MICHAEL WARE4 (1725 – ca. 1814). In addition, a reserve “Alarm List” of fifty-two Wrentham militia men including Captain NATHANIEL WARE3 (1697 - 1781) was established and was headed by the Reverend JOSEPH BEAN4 (ca. 1715 – 1781). In May, 1757, Brother-In-Law ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) was Captain in Colonel JOSEPH FRYE4’s regiment and marched to the relief of “Fort William Henry” on Lake George, New York. At the end of July, 1757, the French under Major General LOUIS- JOSEPH de MONTCALM3 (1712 – 1759) gathered a sizeable force of 8,000 soldiers and 6,000 Indians at “Fort Ticonderoga.” The large French and Indian army far outnumbered the English who had only 4,000 soldiers to defend both “Forts William Henry and Edward.” The French and Indians moved south to Lake George and first attacked “Fort William Henry” under the command of Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE MUNRO3 (1700 – 1757) who had only 1,100 fit soldiers of a total of 2,372 men including Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1727/28 – 1788/89), Brother-In-Law of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), under his command. They heroically held out for four days but were forced to capitulate on August 8th, 1757. [Capture of Fort William Henry, New York – August 8th, 1757 by the French – and subsequent massacre by the Indians] When the surrendered English garrison opened the fort’s gates and marched out, the Indians wildly assaulted the defenders and killed many (image on next page) despite futile efforts by the French Major General LOUIS-JOSEPH de MONTCALM3 (1712 – 1759) to protect them.
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Massachusetts Colonel JOSEPH FRYE4 reported that he was stripped of much of his clothing, repeatedly threatened, but inexplicably his life spared. Like many of the survivors, he fled into the woods and did not reach Fort Edward until August 12th, 1757, three days later. Brother-In-Law Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) was also in “Fort William Henry” when it capitulated to Major General LOUIS-JOSEPH de MONTCALM3 (1712 – 1759) on August 8, 1757. He also escaped to “Fort Edward” and continued in service until December 23rd, 1757. The French proceeded to destroy “Fort William Henry” which lay in ruins for about 200 years until rebuilt as a tourist attraction in the 1950s. The French elected not to proceed to “Fort Edward” which was under the command of Major General DANIEL WEBB3 ( ? – 1771) because they feared that English reinforcements would soon arrive. During the siege of “Fort William Henry” by the French under Major General LOUIS-JOSEPH de MONTCALM3 (1712 – 1759) in August 1757, word was sent to Massachusetts of the need for reinforcements. Thousands of Massachusetts militia men rushed to arms. Twenty-one men, including Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) from Topsfield, Massachusetts, quickly mustered in a company under the command of Captain THOMAS DENNIS4 of Ipswich in Colonel DANIEL APPLETON4’s regiment. The company left Topsfield on August 16, 1757 and reached Sudbury, Massachusetts before they received the news of the earlier surrender of “Fort William Henry” on August 9th, 1757. Upon hearing the sad news, the troops decided to return home. Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (1720 – ca. 1788/89), brother-in-law of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), was in command of a company from February 12th, 1757 to December 23rd, 1757, and was at the siege and capitulation of “Fort William Henry” to the French, and somehow escaped the subsequent massacre by the Indian allies of the French. He and other Rowley and Topsfield men were present when the fort was surrendered and witnessed the horrible massacre of the defeated defenders by the unrestrained Indian allies of the French.5 <<<
Cape Breton Island, Canada: In 1757, THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757), the second husband of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS (BRADSTREET) (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803), “died in ye war,” that is, the “French & Indian War.” He served in the provincial militia at Cape Breton Island during the failed 1757 campaign to capture “Fort Louisbourg,” the gateway to the Saint Lawrence River during the “French & Indian War.” He died intestate and Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 187 his widow was appointed to administer his estate. She mentions bringing up two young children (her son ELISHA PERKINS5 (1753 - 1802) and her daughter SARAH PERKINS (ABBOTT) (FOWLER)5 (1755 - 1851)) in her accounting of the estate to the probate court.6
Table 45: The two (2) children of THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) and 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS (BRADSTREET) (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. No. Name Spouse 1 ELISHA PERKINS5 (1753 – 1802) MERCY KIMBALL (PERKINS)5 Born: February 6, 1753 – Topsfield, MA. Died: May 20, 1802 – Topsfield, MA. Buried: Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield, Massachusetts. 2 SARAH PERKINS (ABBOTT) (1) JOHN ABBOTT5 (FOWLER)5 (1755 – 1851) (2) Lt. JOHN FOWLER III5 Born: August 18, 1755 – Topsfield, MA. (1750 – 1824) Married 1st: Unknown. Born: 1750 Married 2nd: June 19, 1777 Married: June 19, 1777 Children: Nine (9) by 2nd Husband born Children: Nine (9) between 1777 between 1777 and 1799 in and 1799 in Linebrook Parish, Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Ipswich, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Died: November 17, 1824 Died: April 14, 1851 – Topsfield, MA. Note: 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) was the step-brother of ELISHA PERKINS5 (1753 – 1802) and SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851).
THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) [JOHN3 / ELISHA2 / THOMAS1 / JOHN0] was born on January 26, 1723/24 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was baptized there on March 8, 1723/24. He was the son of JOHN PERKINS3 (1685 – 1750), a house carpenter from Topsfield, Massachusetts and MARY EASTY PERKINS3 (1690/91 – 1750) who had married on September 10, 1713 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was a Topsfield farmer and very probably a weaver since his estate included weaver’s tools. Marriage intentions were published on November 24, 1751 for his marriage to the widow *MARTHA WILLIAMS4 (4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS (BRADSTREET) (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803)) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. They would have two (2) children born between 1753 and 1755 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 188
JOHN PERKINS3 (1685 – 1750) was born on August 12, 1685 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He married MARY EASTY (PERKINS)3 (1690/91 – 1750) on September 10, 1713 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was MARY EASTY (PERKINS)3’s (1690/91 – 1750) second cousin. He died on June 22, 1750 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. MARY EASTY (ESTEY) PERKINS3 (1690/91 – 1750) was born on February 15, 1690/91 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of ISAAC ESTEY JR (II)2 (1656 – 1714) of Topsfield, Massachusetts and ABIGAIL KIMBALL ESTEY (POOLE)2 (1666/67 – 1760) of Ipswich, Massachusetts who had married October 14, 1689. She died on June 22, 1750 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. ISAAC ESTEY JR (II)2 (1656 – 1714) was born in 1656 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of ISAAC ESTEY SR (I)1 (1627 – 1712), a farmer and barrel-maker of Topsfield, Massachusetts, and the accused witch, MARY TOWNE ESTEY1 (EASTEY) (1634 – 1692), who was wrongfully hanged in Salem for witchcraft in 1692 when ISAAC ESTEY JR (II)2 (1662 – 1714) was just 30 years of age. He died in 1714 in Topsfield, Massachusetts at 52 years of age. ABIGAIL KIMBALL ESTEY (POOLE)2 (1666/67 – 1760) was born on March 22, 1666/67 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOHN KIMBALL1 and MARY BRADSTREET KIMBALL1. She married twice: (1) October 14, 1689 - ISAAC ESTEY JR (II)2 (1662 – 1714) and (2) April 25, 1718 – WILLIAM POOLE2 (1667 - ? ) of Ipswich and Reading, Massachusetts. She died on February 12, 1760 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. MARY TOWNE ESTEY1 (EASTEY) (1634 – 1692) was baptized on August 24, 1634 in St. Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth, England. She was the daughter of WILLIAM TOWNE0 (1598 – 1673) and JOANNA BLESSING TOWNE0 (1595 – 1682) of Topsfield, Massachusetts, the younger sister of REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692) who was also wrongfully hanged as an accused witch in Salem in 1692, and the younger sister of JOHN TOWNE1 (ca. 1622 – ca. 1672) who was an adversary of the notorious PUTNAM family of neighboring Salem Village, Massachusetts. MARY TOWNE ESTEY1 (EASTEY) (1634 – 1692) married ISAAC ESTEY SR (I)1 (1627 – 1712) in 1655 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She was hanged on “Gallows Hill” in Salem, Massachusetts on September 22, 1692 at just 58 years of age. REBECCA TOWNE NURSE1 (1621 - 1692), JOHN TOWNE1 (ca. 1622 – ca. 1672), MARY TOWNE ESTEY1 (EASTEY) (1634 – 1692), and JOSEPH TOWNE SR1 (1639 – 1713) were all children of WILLIAM TOWNE0 (1598 – 1673) and JOANNA BLESSING TOWNE0 (1595 – 1682) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. Sadly it was members of the PUTNAM family who were the primary accusers of MARY TOWNE ESTEY1 (EASTEY) (1634 – 1692) which ended in her being hanged as an accused witch. The brothers, Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1658 - 1739) and JOHN PUTNAM JR2 (1667 - 1736), were among the main accusers. It is
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 189 believed that the years of animosity and adversarial history between the EASTY and TOWNE families of Topsfield on one side against the large and dominant PUTNAM family of Salem Village, Massachusetts on the other side, laid the foundation for many of the retaliatory accusations during the infamous “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692.” MARY TOWNE ESTEY (EASTEY)1’s (1634 – 1692) husband, ISAAC ESTEY SR (I)1 (1627 – 1712), and several of her TOWNE family members, drew the ire of the PUTNAM family in 1686 when they testified against Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710), father of Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1658 - 1739) and JOHN PUTNAM JR2 (1667 - 1736), for harvesting trees within the Topsfield boundary. Timber was a precious commodity since it was the only source of fuel for heating and cooking in those days. The PUTNAMs were strong-willed men, of high temper and seemingly eager for controversy and even personal conflict. In a suit brought in 1686, ISAAC EASTY SR1 (1627 – 1712), ISAAC EASTY JR2 (1662 – 1714), JOHN TOWNE1 (ca. 1622 – ca. 1672), and JOSEPH TOWNE JR2 (1672/73 -1757) [Note: This could have been his father, JOSEPH TOWNE SR1 (1639 – 1713), since JOSEPH TOWNE JR2 (1672/73 -1757) was only 14 years of age in 1686.] testified that they were in the woods within Topsfield bounds on the south side of the river (Ipswich River) and saw Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710) of Salem Farms or Village and his sons and some of his cousins cutting down timber within Topsfield bounds and on Topsfield men’s properties and several of Topsfield men forewarned Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710) from cutting timber on their land. The said Captain JOHN PUTNAM1 (1627 - 1710) replied: “I have falled the timber yet is here cut down on my orders and I will keep cutting and carrying away from this land till next March (1687);” and ye said PUTNAM1 being asked, what by violence? His answer: “Aye, by violence” and further said: “You may sue me, you know where I dwell and then did his company fall (carry) on.” The court again decided in favor of the Topsfield men which of course only served to make the PUTNAMs more bitter. Uncle JONATHAN PUTNAM2 (1658 - 1739) was the husband of Aunt LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 - 1745), the daughter of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. [See: (1) Chapter 1: *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) pages 260 - 261, 311 – 317, and 326 - 327; (2) Chapter 2: *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714): [1692: The Salem Witchcraft Hysteria, Trials, and Executions.] <<< 1758: Topsfield, Massachusetts: On March 9th, 1758, 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS (BRADSTREET) (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803), the widow of “French & Indian War” casualty THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757), married a third time to ELIJAH BRADSTREET4 ( ? – 1760) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. She then called herself “*MARTHA BRADSTREET4, late PERKINS4.” They were married less than two years and had no known children; for her third husband, ELIJAH BRADSTREET4 ( ? – 1760), would sadly die on January 14, 1760. <<<
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French & Indian War: In the spring of 1758, “Louisburg” which had been returned to the French, was again besieged and surrendered in July, 1758. [Battle of Fort Carillon (Fort Ticonderoga) – July 8, 1758] British regular and continental troops including Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY’s4 (1717 – 1780) 3rd Massachusetts Regiment were also gathered at “Lake George,” New York, for another campaign against “Fort Carillon (Fort Ticonderoga)” and “Crown Point.” Brother-In-Law ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788), now from Danvers, Massachusetts, served as a Captain in Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY’s4 (1717 – 1780) 3rd Massachusetts (Essex County) Regiment at the unsuccessful attack on “Fort Carillon (Fort Ticonderoga),” New York on July 8, 1758 during this campaign. In 1758 Lt. Colonel STEPHEN MILLER4’s Wrentham Company including (1) OLIVER POND4, (2) HEZEKIAH WARE4, (3) MELATIAH WARE4, and (4) MOSES WHEELOCK4 marched in the expedition to Lake George, New York. In Captain SAMUEL DAY4’s company of the same regiment was JONATHAN WARE JR4 (1734 – 1774). Lt. Colonel THOMAS GAGE4 ( ? – 1788) of Rowley, Massachusetts was recorded to be at Lake George, New York on July 20, 1758. [Capture of Major ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 - 1790) – August 8, 1758] While on a campaign against the French at Crown Point in New York, a mixed force of Continentals including Roger’s Rangers, with Major ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 - 1790) in the van, was ambushed by the Indian allies of the French near Crown Point. Major ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 - 1790) was captured by the Kahnawake Indians (Mohawk) and tied to a tree where he was brutalized; he was then taken to Glen Falls, New York where the Indians inflicted a deep wound in his left cheek with a tomahawk and started to ritually burn him alive; however, he was miraculously saved first by a sudden rain storm and secondly by the last minute intervention of a high-ranking French officer; he was then taken as a prisoner to Montreal and imprisoned there until exchanged later that year. <<<
1759: French & Indian War: In the spring of 1759, New England men were enlisted or impressed for service for the invasion of Canada. In 1759 and 1760, the veteran Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY’s4 (1717 – 1780) 3rd Massachusetts Regiment was brought into the northern theater of the war at “Louisburg” on Cape Breton Island (image at right).
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From November 12, 1759 until April 14, 1761 Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788), our brother-in-law from Danvers, Massachusetts, once again commanded a company under Colonel JONATHAN BAGLEY4 (1717 – 1780), this time at “Louisburg,” where he assisted in demolishing its fortifications. He remained in service in Canada until April 14, 1761. He was discharged on May 6, 1761. <<<
Topsfield, Massachusetts: In Topsfield, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 18, 1759, the widow Aunt LYDIA POTTER HOWLETT BROWN (HALE)3 (1710 – 1771) married a third time to Deacon JOSEPH HALE3 (1694 – 1778) of Boxford, Massachusetts. They probably lived in Boxford and had no known children. Deacon JOSEPH HALE3 (1694 – 1778) was born on Monday, August 23, 1694 in Boxford, Massachusetts. He was the son of JOSEPH HALE2 (1671 – 1761) and MARY WATSON HALE2 (ca. 1671 – 1708). He died on Monday, October 5, 1778 in Boxford, Massachusetts at 84 years, 1 month, and 12 days of age. He was buried in the “Harmony Cemetery” in Boxford, Massachusetts. His gravestone (shown at right) is inscribed: “In Memory of Deacon Joseph Hale who died October 5th, 1778 in the 88th year of his age” with the epitaph: “The sweet remembrance of the just, shall flourish with me in the dust.” <<<
1760: Topsfield, Massachusetts: On January 14, 1760, ELIJAH BRADSTREET4 ( ? - 1760), the third husband of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803), died in Topsfield, Massachusetts. There is no record of their having had any children. They had married on March 9, 1758 probably in Topsfield, Massachusetts and were married less than two years. <<<
French & Indian War: The “French & Indian War (1754 -1763)” was practically ended with the surrender of Montreal on September 8, 1760. One week later, Fort Detroit, the final French fort in the Great Lakes region, surrendered to Major ROBERT ROGERS4 (1731 – 1795). Great Britain had gained sole control of North America and for all intents the “French & Indian War” was over. But peace was not declared until 1763.
1762: Ipswich (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: On April 26th, 1762, 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4’s (1724 – 1791) first wife, MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 - 1762), died at Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Ipswich, Massachusetts. He had six (6) children, all daughters, by his first wife:
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Table 46: The six (6) children of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) and his first wife, MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 - 1762) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. No. Name 1 Aunt SUSANNA POTTER (PERRY)5 (1747 – 1789) was born July 16, 1747 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she was baptized on July 19, 1747 in the Topsfield, Massachusetts church; in 1763 she married Captain BENJAMIN PERRY5 in Hampstead, New Hampshire; she died August 21, 1789.
2 Aunt JERUSHA POTTER (SMITH)5 (1750 - ? ) was born September 2, 1750 in Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts; baptized September 16, 1750 in the Linebrook Parish church; she married JOHN SMITH5 of St. Johns, Nova Scotia on February 21, 1769 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she died (?).
3 Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER (LURVEY)5 (1753 – ca. 1812) was born August 25 or 28, 1753 in Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts; baptized September 2, 1753 in the Linebrook Parish church; she married MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 - 1836) on January 11, 1776 per Ipswich town records and moved to Barnard, Vermont about January, 1778; they had six (6) children between 1778 and 1793 all born in Barnard, Vermont. Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER (LURVEY)5’s date and place of death are unknown. She died before December 16, 1813. Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 - 1836) was born on October 3 or 30, 1753 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was the son of ELIEZER LURVEY4 (1717 - ? ) and SARAH POOLE LURVEY4 (1722 - ? ) of Gloucester, Massachusetts. He married twice: (1) January 11, 1776 Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER (LURVEY)5 (1753 – ca. 1812) in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and (2) December 16, 1813 RUTH CARVER (LURVEY)5 in Barnard, Vermont. He had moved to Barnard, Vermont with his father, ELIEZER LURVEY4 (1717 - ? ), in January, 1778. He was a farmer and a Revolutionary War soldier. He died on November 23, 1836 in Barnard, Vermont and was buried in the South Barnard Cemetery. It is believed that Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 - 1836) was a descendant of THOMAS WELLS0 (1605 – 1666) of London, England.
4 Aunt HANNAH POTTER (PERRY)5 (1756 - ? ) was born March 28, 1756 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts; she was baptized April 4, 1756 in the Linebrook Parish church in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she married JOSEPH PERRY5 (1747 - ? ) of Sanford on July 5, 1773 in Ipswich, Massachusetts (marriage intentions dated April 9, 1773); she died (?).
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5 Aunt ALICE POTTER (JOHNSON) (HEALD)5 (1759 – ca. 1831)(twin) was born March 7, 1759 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she was baptized March 18, 1759 in the Linebrook Parish church; she married twice: (1) July 8, 1779 ISAAC JOHNSON5 ( ? – 1812) per Ipswich town records, and (2) July 29, 1814 in Bridgton, Maine Deacon JOSIAH HEALD5 of Lovell, Maine; she died about 1831. ISAAC JOHNSON5 ( ? – 1812) was born in Andover, Massachusetts. He was the son of ASA JOHNSON4 and ANNA (?) JOHNSON4. He died on April 26, 1812 in Bridgton, Maine. 6 Aunt ANNE (ANNA) POTTER (?) (CUMMINGS)5 (1759 – 1797) (twin) was born March 7, 1759 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she married twice: (1) first husband is unknown; (2) THOMAS CUMMINGS5 of Topsfield, Massachusetts; she died on June 2 or 27, 1797 per the genealogist, C. E. POTTER; she was not mentioned in her father’s 1791 Will. She was described as “a deef and dumb person.” Note: 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) was the son of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) and his second wife, 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts.
Topsfield, Massachusetts: The town of Topsfield, Massachusetts appointed several committees between May 20, 1760 and May 17, 1762 to seat the townsfolk in the meeting house. The report dated May 17, 1762 stated: “The Womens I Seat In Ye Front Gallery: the widow *MARTHA BRADSTREET4 (4X Great Grandmother 7 *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET (POTTER)4).”
[Second Marriage of 4X Great Grandfather *Deacon ANTHONY th POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) – October 20 , 1762] In Topsfield, Massachusetts on October 20th, 1762, only six months after the death of his first wife, 4X Great Grandfather *Deacon ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) married his second wife, *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET (POTTER)4 (1731 – 1803), the widow of ELIJAH BRADSTREET4 of Topsfield, Massachusetts who was seven years younger than he was. This was her fourth marriage. They would have five (5) children including 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844). Their five (5) children would produce forty-one (41) known grandchildren.
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Table 47: The five (5) children of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) and his second wife, 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) of Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. No. Name
1 Uncle ISAAC POTTER5 (Deacon) (1763 – 1830), was born on November 3rd, 1763 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he was baptized on November 13th, 1763; he was a Private in a Massachusetts Unit during the “Revolutionary War;” on March 8th, 1787 in Ipswich, Massachusetts he married Aunt JOANNA JEWETT (POTTER)5 (1767 – 1835); they lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts and had eight (8) children between 1788 and 1803. Uncle ISAAC th POTTER5 (Deacon) (1763 – 1830) died of dropsy on January 19 , 1830 at 66 years of age per the Ipswich town records. Aunt JOANNA JEWETT POTTER5 (1767 – 1835) was baptized on February 8, 1767 in Rowley, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of PURCHASE JEWETT4 (1739 - ? ) and his first wife, SARAH GOULD JEWETT4 (1746 – 1786). She died of “consumption” on July 6, 1835 at 70 years of age per the Rowley town records. PURCHASE JEWETT4 (1739 - ? ) was baptized on November 19, 1739 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married SARAH GOULD (JEWETT)4 (1746 – 1786), his first wife, on May 7, 1765 in Boxford, Massachusetts. SARAH GOULD JEWETT4 (1746 – 1786) was born on June 27, 1746 and died on August 8, 1786 in Rowley, Massachusetts.
th 2 Uncle DAVID POTTER5 (Colonel) (1765 – 1830), was born on October 4 , 1765 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he was an early settler of “the Ridge” in Bridgton, Maine, being the first POTTER on “the Ridge,” but moved from “the Ridge” to another part of Bridgton, Maine before his younger brother, 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844), came in 1790. He then moved to Baldwin, Maine where he became the Deputy Sheriff and where he married SYBIL FITCH (POTTER)5 (1772 – 1841) on June 21, 1793. Uncle DAVID POTTER5 (Colonel) (1765 – 1830) died on August 19th, 1830, probably in Sebago, Maine. SYBIL FITCH POTTER5 (1772 – 1841) was born May 7, 1772 in Groton, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Captain ZECHARIAH FITCH JR4 (1734 - 1820) and his third wife, SIBYL PARKER FITCH4 (1739 – 1806), of Groton, Massachusetts. She died on September 8, 1841 in Sebago, Maine. SYBIL FITCH POTTER5’s (1772 – 1841) father, Captain ZECHARIAH FITCH JR4 (1734 - 1820) of Groton, Massachusetts, was granted lands near Sebago Lake, Maine for his dedicated service in the “Revolutionary War.” Taking advantage of her father’s grant, SYBIL FITCH POTTER5 (1772 – 1841) and her family moved to Sebago, Maine in 1796 where ten (10) of her eleven (11) children were born between 1798 and 1815.
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Captain ZECHARIAH FITCH JR4 (1734 - 1820) was born on April 1, 1734 in Bedford, Massachusetts. He was the son of ZECHARIAH FITCH3 and ELIZABETH GRIMES FITCH3. He was a well-known veteran of the “French & Indian War” and the “Revolutionary War.” Some of his children settled near Sebago Lake, Maine on lands granted to him for his service in the Revolutionary War. He lived in Groton, Massachusetts where he died on September 2, 1820. SIBYL PARKER FITCH4 (1739 – 1806) was Captain ZECHARIAH FITCH JR4’s (1734 - 1820) third wife. She was born on October 16, 1739 and died on October 11, 1806 in Groton, Massachusetts. As an early settler of “the Ridge” and shrewd speculator in real estate, Uncle DAVID POTTER5 (Colonel) (1765 – 1830) acquired many prime acres on “the ridge.” From 1793 to 1796 Uncle DAVID POTTER5 (Colonel) (1765 – 1830) owned the following investment properties on “the Ridge” in Bridgton, Maine: (1) “Ingalls, Braun, Kinney Farm; (2) “Swanson Holdings” (a barn here); and (3) “Trufant- Chamberlain Farm.” On April 30, 1796 he sold this entire tract of land on “the Ridge” to ISAAC JOHNSON5 who was the first to settle on this land. Many years later, in 1827, he conveyed all of his rights to Lot # 7 in Range 8 on “the Ridge” to DAVID BRADSTREET5. th 3 Aunt MARTHA POTTER5 (ca. 1768 – 1773) was baptized January 24 , 1768 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; she died young (at about 5 years of age) on October 10th, 1773 per the Linebrook Parish church records. th 4 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844), was born February 10 , 1770, in either Rowley (per the Ipswich, Massachusetts Town Records) or Ipswich (probably Linebrook Parish, Ipswich), Massachusetts; he was baptized on February 18th, 1770 per the Linebrook Parish church records in Ipswich, Massachusetts; he was a carpenter, housewright (joiner), and farmer; in 1790 he migrated to Bridgton, Maine; th he married *ABIGAIL HORR (POTTER)5 ( 1775/1776 – 1855) on January 11 , 1796, probably in Waterford, Maine; she was born about April, 1776 in Norton, Massachusetts and lived in Waterford, Maine before her marriage; they lived on “the Ridge” in Bridgton, Maine and had nine (9) children between 1797 and 1817, including 2X Great Grandfather *GILBERT POTTER6 (1811 – 1862); 3X Great th Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) died December 15 , 1844 in Bridgton, Maine, and was buried in the “Ridge Cemetery” in Bridgton, Maine. *ABIGAIL HORR (POTTER)5 (1775/1776 – 1855), our 3X Great Grandmother, was born about April, 1776 in Norton, Massachusetts; she was baptized on April 21, 1776 in Norton, Massachusetts; she was the daughter of 4X Great Grandfather *PHILIP HOAR (HORR)4 (1732/34 – 1822) and 4X Great Grandmother *HANNA HARADON HORR4 (1734 – 1816) whose marriage intentions were published in Norton, Massachusetts on September 3, 1757. After 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) died in 1844, 3X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL HORR POTTER5 (1775/1776 – 1855) was supported by her dearest son, Deacon NATHANIEL POTTER6 (1804 – 1887). Bedridden for the last twenty years of her life, she died on February 18, 1855 in Bridgton, Maine at 79 years and 2 months of age; she was buried in the “Ridge Cemetery” in Bridgton, Maine.
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4X Great Grandmother *HANNA HARADON (HORR)4 (1734 – 1816) was born on February 13, 1734 in Norton, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of *WILLIAM HARADON3 (1706/10 – before 1790) and *ABIGAIL(E) GRAY HARADON3 (ca. 1715 - ? ).
5 Aunt MARY ELIZABETH (MOLLY) POTTER (SMITH)5 (1772 - 1834) was born March 4, 1772 in either Ipswich (per the Ipswich, Massachusetts Town records; probably Linebrook Parish) or most probably Rowley, Massachusetts; she was baptized April 5th, 1772 in the Linebrook Parish Church, Ipswich; she married (Uncle) th Major JACOB SMITH5 (1771 – 1846) on February 7 , 1793 in Linebrook Parish Church, Ipswich, Massachusetts; in 1795 they migrated to Bridgton, Maine where her brothers had moved. (Uncle) Major JACOB SMITH5 (1771 – 1846) was a shrewd land speculator who had acquired forty-six (46) prime acres on “the Ridge” in Bridgton, Maine where they lived on the “Flint Field” of the “Davis Farm.” They later (about 1810) moved to the Menotomy Area behind Mt. Tom in East Fryeburg, Maine. They would have eleven (11) children. Aunt MARY ELIZABETH (MOLLY) POTTER (SMITH)5 (1772 - 1834) died on July 16, 1834 in Fryeburg, Maine at 63 years of age. She was buried in Row 3 of the “Schoolhouse Cemetery” in Fryeburg, Maine. Many members of her family are buried in the Schoolhouse Cemetery besides the little church in East Fryeburg, Maine. (Uncle) Major JACOB SMITH5 (1771 – 1846) was born on February 6, 1771 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of JAMES SMITH JR4 and MARY ANDREWS SMITH4 (1751 – after 1808) who were married on May 30, 1782 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He earned his “Major” title after the Revolutionary War. He died on May 22/23, 1846 in Fryeburg, Maine at 75 years of age and was buried in Row # 3 of the “Schoolhouse Cemetery” in Fryeburg, Maine. MARY ANDREWS SMITH4 (1751 – after 1808) was baptized on May 5, 1751 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of DAVID ANDREWS3 (1720 – 1807) and his first wife, LUCY FULLER ANDREWS3 (1726 – 1767), who were married on May 4, 1745 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. DAVID ANDREWS3 (1720 – 1807) [THOMAS – THOMAS – JOHN] was born in 1720 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts where he was a cordwainer. He married twice: (1) May 4, 1745 in Ipswich, Massachusetts: LUCY FULLER (ANDREWS)3 (1726 – 1767); and (2) May 24, 1768 in Ipswich, Massachusetts: ELIZABETH LORD (ANDREWS)3 (1740 – 1808) – widow. DAVID ANDREWS3 (1720 – 1807) died on March 27, 1807 in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 87 years of age. LUCY FULLER ANDREWS3 (1726 – 1767) was baptized on August 28, 1726 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of WILLIAM FULLER2 and SARAH (?) FULLER2. She died on March 19/29, 1767 in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 40 years of age and was buried in the “Old Burial Ground” in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Note: 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) had two children by her second husband,
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THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) who was a Topsfield farmer and weaver; he served at Cape Britten during the “French & Indian War” and died during the war in 1757. Their children were: (1) Uncle ELISHA PERKINS5 (1753 – 1802) was born on February 6, 1753 at Topsfield, Massachusetts; he married MERCY KIMBALL (PERKINS)5; he died on May 20, 1802 in Topsfield, Massachusetts and was buried in the “Pine Grove Cemetery” in Topsfield, Massachusetts. (2) Aunt SARAH PERKINS (ABBOTT)( FOWLER)5 (1755 – 1851) was born on August 18, 1755 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; she married twice: (1) married first JOHN ABBOTT5 and (2) on June 19, 1777 at “Linebrook Parish” in Ipswich, Massachusetts she married second JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 -1824). They would have nine (9) children born between 1777 and 1799 in “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts. They owned 90 acres of land with buildings in “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts bounded on the East by the road from Ipswich to Boxford; West to Newburyport Turnpike; and Northwest to Long Hill pasture. They moved and lived in Bridgton, Maine from 1810 to 1824. SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851) survived her husband and died on April 14, 1851 in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
1763: Wrentham, Massachusetts: On June 9, 1763, in Wrentham, Massachusetts, 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804), tailor and shoemaker, married his 2nd wife, 4X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL WARE (WIGHT)4 (1741 – 1799), of Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Captain *NATHANIEL WARE3 (1697 – 1781) and *PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3 (1701 - 1788) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. They would have seven children, 6 boys and 1 girl, including 3X Great Grandfather *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824) who was born on October 23, 1773 in Wrentham, Massachusetts.
Table 48: The seven (7) children of 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) and 4X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL WARE WIGHT4 (1740 – 1799). (all born in Wrentham, Massachusetts) No. Name Date of Birth 1 BENJAMIN WIGHT5 (1765 – 1853) Sept./Nov. 20, 1764 2 ABIGAIL WIGHT SPURR5 (1767 – 1815) May 31, 1767 3 JAMES WIGHT5 (1769 - ? ) March 21, 1769 4 THOMAS WIGHT5 (1771 – 1860) August 9 or 19, 1771 5 *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824) October 23, 1773 - 3X Great Grandfather. 6 WARREN WIGHT5 (1778 – 1781) October 1, 1778 7 JONATHAN WIGHT5 (1783 – 1863) September 7, 1783
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Table 49: Notable Soldiers of the French & Indian War (1754 – 1763). Name Town Rank & Unit Service ISRAEL PUTNAM3 Mortlake Private in “Crown Point Campaign” (1718 – 1790) (later Connecticut (April 1755 to November Pomfret) Regiment. 1755) incl. “Battle of Lake Conn. George (Sept. 8 & 9, 1755).” Captain & Major (1) Promoted to Captain in in Roger’s Rangers in 1756. Roger’s Rangers. (2) Promoted to Major in 1758. (3) Captured August 8, 1758 near Crown Point, NY; escaped ritual burning by Indians at Glens Falls, [Note: He was born in NY; imprisoned by Salem Village French at Montreal; (Danvers), exchanged before end of Massachusetts; later 1758. known affectionately (4) Leads regiment in attack as “Old Put” and on Fort Carillon (Fort became General Ticonderoga) in 1759. during the Lt. Colonel in (1) With British Army that Revolutionary War,] unknown units. captured Montreal in 1760. (2) With British Expedition against Cuba in 1762 incl. capture of Havana. ISRAEL DAVIS4 Topsfield Lieutenant & (1) “Crown Point (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) MA. Captain in Campaign,” duty at (1750 Capt. THOMAS Lake George from to GAGE4’s Co. Aug. 7, 1755 to October, 1757) from Rowley, 1755 incl. “Battle of Massachusetts. Lake George (Sept. 8 & 9, 1755).” (2) Promoted to Captain in
November, 1755.
Captain in (1) Mustered in Feb. 18,
“1st Company of 1756.
Foot from (2) April 15, 1756 assigned nd Linebrook to 2 Regiment under Parish” Col. THOMAS BERRY4 Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 199
ISRAEL DAVIS4 from Ipswich, for “Crown Point (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) Massachusetts. Campaign of 1756.” (continued) (3) Commanded a company in Colonel JONATHAN [Note: Brother of BAGLEY4’s (1717 – MARY DAVIS 1780) regiment on th POTTER4 (1724 – August 9 , 1756 1762); brother-in-law at Fort William Henry; of 4X Great garrison duty at Fort Grandfather Deacon William Henry on Lake *ANTHONY George, New York from POTTER4 (1724 - August 9, 1756 to 1791) of Linebrook October 12, 1756. Parish, Ipswich, (4) Mustered out on Mass.] December 21, 1756. Captain in (1) In command of a Colonel company from JOSEPH February 12, 1757 to
FRYE4’s December 23, 1757. Regiment. (2) In May 1757 marched to relief of Fort William
Henry on Lake George,
New York. (3) At surrender of Fort William Henry on August 8, 1757. (4) Escaped subsequent massacre at Fort William Henry on August 9, 1757. Captain & Marched to Lake George, Danvers, Colonel in New York for another MA. JONATHAN campaign (1758) against the (1758 BAGLEY ’s French at Fort Carillon (Fort 4 - ? ) (1717 – 1780) Ticonderoga) and Crown rd 3 Mass. - Essex Point; at the “Battle of Fort County Regiment Carillon (Fort Ticonderoga)” on July 8, 1758. Captain & (1) Mustered in on March 31, Colonel in 1759 at Danvers, MA. JONATHAN (2) From Nov. 12, 1759 to BAGLEY4’s early 1761 at“Louisburg,” (1717 – 1780) Cape Breton Island, where Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 200
rd ISRAEL DAVIS4 3 Mass. - Essex he assisted in demolishing (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) County Regiment its fortifications. (continued) (3) Discharged May 6, 1761. JOHN WHIPPLE3 Ipswich Captain in “Crown Point Campaign” (1695 – 1769) Hamlet, Ipswich Co. from (April 1755 to Nov. 1755) - Son of Captain MA. - the Hamlet & incl. “Battle of Lake George JOHN WHIPPLE2 Hamilton Chebacco, Essex (Sept. 8 & 9, 1755).” (1660 – 1722). in 1793. County, MA. in Lt. Colonel [John3, John2, John1, JONATHAN Matthew0, Matthew-1] BAGLEY4’s (1717 – 1780) Essex County Regiment. Deacon *ANTHONY Linebrook Sergeant in Muster Roll for the “1st st POTTER4 Parish, “1 Co. of Foot Company of Foot from (1724 – 1791) Ipswich, from Linebrook Linebrook Parish” of - 4X Great MA. Parish” under Ipswich, Massachusetts was Grandfather. Captain ISRAEL dated February 18, 1756 to DAVIS4 December 21, 1756; men (ca. 1727 - ? ) in enlisted for “a whole turn Col. THOMAS each”; on April 15, 1756 the BERRY4’s company was assigned to 2nd Regiment Colonel THOMAS nd under Colonel BERRY4’s “2 Regiment” JONATHAN for the “1756 Crown Point BAGLEY4 Campaign.” From August 9, (1717–1780) . 1756 to October 12, 1756 SAMUEL POTTER Topsfield Private in assigned garrison duty at Fort st III4 (1719 – 1759), MA. “1 Co. of Foot William Henry on Lake First Cousin, son of from Linebrook George, New York; in 1756 Uncle SAMUEL Parish” under there was little fighting POTTER JR3 Captain ISRAEL around Lake George and the (ca. 1688 – 1747) and DAVIS4 men were relegated to Aunt HANNAH (ca. 1727 - ? ) in building the forts and the DRESSER Col. THOMAS needed boats for transport of POTTER3 BERRY4’s supplies and forays against (1681/2 – 1728) of 2nd Regiment the French. Topsfield, under Colonel Massachusetts. JONATHAN BAGLEY4 (1717–1780).
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1765: [“Stamp Act of 1765” passed on January 10, 1765] This infamous act, which imposed “taxation without representation” upon the colonies, was met with immediate and universal opposition throughout the colonies. <<<
Ipswich (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: On May 4th, 1765, 4X Great Grandfather *Deacon ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) was admitted to the “Linebrook Parish Church” in Ipswich (Ipswich Farms), Massachusetts. <<<
1770: Rowley, Massachusetts: On February 10th, 1770, 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) was born in Rowley, Massachusetts per the Ipswich, Massachusetts town records and the diary of Great Grandfather *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 (1841 – 1893). 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) was the son of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) and his second wife, 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) of Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Ipswich, Massachusetts. On February 18th, 1770 he was baptized in the “Linebrook Parish Church” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the tenth of Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4’s (1724 – 1791) eleven children. 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) made a living as a carpenter, housewright, joiner, cooper, and farmer. From 1770 to 1790 he lived in Rowley or Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts. In 1790 he would move to Bridgton, Maine. On January 11, 1796 he would marry 3X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL HORR (POTTER)5 (1775/76 – 1855) in Brookfield, Massachusetts or more probably Waterford, Maine. They would live on “the Ridge” in Bridgton, Maine where they would have eleven (11) children (eight sons and three daughters) born between 1796/97 and 1817 including 2X Great Grandfather *GILBERT POTTER6 (1811 – 1862) who was born there on August 31, 1811. 3X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL HORR POTTER5 (1775/76 – 1855) was the daughter of 4X Great Grandfather *PHILIP HORR4 (1732/34 - 1822) and 4X Great Grandmother *HANNAH HARADON HORR4 (1734 - 1816) of Norton and Brookfield, Massachusetts, and Waterford, Maine. She was born in December, 1775 or early in 1776 in Norton, Massachusetts. She was baptized on April 21, 1776 in Norton, Massachusetts. Soon after the end of the Revolutionary War, in June, 1785 4X Great Grandfather *PHILIP HORR4 (1732/34 - 1822) moved his family from Brookfield, Massachusetts to Waterford, Maine. During this move, they suffered great hardships and were the first family as such to settle in the town of Waterford, Maine. They struggled to establish themselves there during their early pioneering days in Waterford which were very trying and full of hardships, but they endured. <<< On March 17, 1770 the town of Rowley, Massachusetts, as many other colonial cities and towns had already done, formed a committee to devise measures for preventing the importation of British manufactures. The great struggle for American independence was building momentum. <<< Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 202
[Boston Massacre – March 5, 1770] British soldiers had been stationed in Boston since 1768. On March 5, 1770 a confrontation between Private HUGH WHITE4, a British sentry, on King Street (now State Street) in front of the Old State House and an unruly Bostonian caused a mob to form which verbally abused and harassed the sentry. Captain THOMAS PRESTON4 with seven British soldiers came to the aid of their besieged sentry. They were also subjected to much verbal abuse and were assaulted by the mob. In self-defense they fired into the crowd instantly killing three and wounding others. Two of the wounded died later of their wounds. The resulting propaganda laid the foundation for the American Revolution and American independence. <<<
[1770: Lord NORTH becomes Prime Minister of England]
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On March 10, 1770 Cousin DANIEL POTTER SR3 (1698/99 – 1770) died in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was born on January 4, 14, or 24, 1698/99 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of Uncle ANTHONY POTTER JR2 (1667 - 1756) and Aunt MARTHA DRESSER POTTER2 (1671 - 1728) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the grandson of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690). He lived on his father’s farm which was previously his grandfather’s fine Ipswich farm on the Salem Road. Making a living as a master carpenter and wood worker, he was a ship builder, meeting house builder specializing in the “4 squares” and “steeples,” and wooden clock maker. He worked on the meeting houses in Ipswich, Rowley, Salem, Haverhill, and Newbury, Massachusetts. It is believed that he was the first wooden clock maker in New England. Cousin DANIEL POTTER SR3 (1698/99 – 1770) married twice: (1) ANNA WALLIS (POTTER)3 (1696/97 – 1727) marriage intentions published on May 13, 1721 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was born on March 16, 1696/97 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was the eldest child and daughter of SAMUEL WALLIS2 (1664 – 1737) and ANNA PORTER WALLIS2 (1667 – 1728) who were married on July 7, 1696 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Her sister was SARAH WALLIS (POTTER)3 (1698 – 1749), wife of Cousin THOMAS POTTER JR3 (1698 – 1749), who had married after July 22, 1721 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. ANNA WALLIS POTTER3 (1696/97 – 1727) would bear four (4) children between 1722 and 1727 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She died on July 12, 1727 in Ipswich, Massachusetts probably from complications of childbirth just days after bearing her fourth child.
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Cousin THOMAS POTTER JR3 (1698 – 1749) was born on August 17, 1698 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of Uncle THOMAS POTTER2 (1664 – 1745) and Aunt MARY KIMBALL POTTER2 (1671 – after 1704) who were married on June 16, 1696 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He died on June 7, 1749. SAMUEL WALLIS2 (1664 – 1737) was born on June 11, 1664 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of NICHOLAS WALLIS1 and SARAH BRADSTREET WALLIS1. He died on August 8, 1737 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. ANNA PORTER WALLIS2 (1667 – 1728) was born on September 5, 1667 in Salem, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of JOSEPH PORTER1 (1638 – 1714), a tanner and farmer of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts and ANNA HATHORNE PORTER1 (1643 – 1712/14) who were married on January 27, 1664 in Salem, Massachusett. She died on September 15, 1728 in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
(2) ELISABETH KIMBALL (POTTER)3 (1707 – 1764) intentions published on November 29, 1728 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She was born on June 2, 1707 in Wenham, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Deacon EPHRAIM KIMBALL2 (1660 – 1732) and MARY FRIEND KIMBALL2 (1666 – 1741) who were married on November 24, 1685 in Wenham, Massachusetts. She would bear ten (10) children between 1730 and 1749 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She died on February 9, 1764 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Deacon EPHRAIM KIMBALL2 (1660 – 1732) was born on February 18, 1660 in Wenham, Massachusetts. He died there on January 16, 1732. MARY FRIEND KIMBALL2 (1666 – 1741) was born on May 6, 1666 in Wenham, Massachusetts. She died there on October 26, 1741.
Table 50: The fourteen (14) children of Cousin DANIEL POTTER SR3 (1698/99 – 1770) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Wife Children Spouse # 1 DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1722 – 1722) Never married; died an infant just Baptized: July 15, 1722 – Ipswich, MA. a few weeks old. Died: August 7, 1722 – Ipswich, MA. 1 ANNA POTTER4 (1723 – ca. 1723/24) Never married; died an infant just Born: December 15, 1723 – Ipswich, MA. a few weeks old. Died: ca. 1723/24 – Ipswich, MA. 1 DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1725 – 1726) Never married; died a young Baptized: May 30, 1725 – Ipswich, MA. child of about 1½ years of age. Died: December 24, 1726 – Ipswich, MA. 1 ANTHONY POTTER4 (1727 – 1727) Never married; died an infant just Baptized: July 2, 1727 – Ipswich, MA. a few weeks old. Died: July 31, 1727 – Ipswich, MA.
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2 DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1730 – 1731) Never married; died an infant just Born: May 8, 1730 – Ipswich, MA. eleven (11) months of age. Baptized: May 17, 1730 – Ipswich, MA. Died: April 15, 1731 – Ipswich, MA. 2 ANTHONY POTTER4 (1731 – 1757) SARAH FULLER (POTTER)4 Baptized: Nov. 14, 1731 – Ipswich, MA. Married: 1755 Married: 1755 Died: 1757 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 2 EPHRAIM POTTER4 (1733 – 1734) Never married; died an infant of Born: Dec. 14/16, 1733 – Ipswich, MA. only four (4) to five (5) months Died: May 5, 1734 – Ipswich, MA. of age. 2 DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1735 – 1735) Never married; died an infant. Baptized: May 13/18, 1735 – Ipswich, [Note: From 1735 through 1740, Massachusetts. a “Throat Distemper Died: 1735 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. (Diphtheria) Epidemic” raged through northeastern Massachusetts claiming many young lives.] 2 MARTHA POTTER4 (1737 – 1797) Never married. Born: October 1, 1737 – Ipswich, MA. Died: November 15, 1797 – Ipswich, MA. at 60 years of age. 2 DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1739 – 1814) HANNAH WALLIS Born: March, 1739 – Ipswich, MA. (POTTER)4 Married: April 26, 1759 – unknown. Married: April 26, 1759 Died: December 11, 1814 – unknown. 2 EPHRAIM POTTER4 (1740 – 1806) SARAH CORRY (POTTER)4 Born: March 10, 1740 – Ipswich, MA. Married: 1777 Occupation: Sailor and clock maker. Married: 1777 – Moved to: Concord, N.H. in 1779. Died: June 11, 1806 – possibly Concord, New Hampshire. 2 RICHARD POTTER4 (1743/44 – 1828) LYDIA AVERILL (POTTER)4 Born: March 17, 1743/44 – Ipswich, MA. Married: January 15, 1767 – Married: January 15, 1767 – Topsfield, Topsfield, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Lived at: Concord, N.H. Died: July 5, 1828 at 84 years of age possibly in Concord, New Hampshire.
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2 MARY POTTER (GOODHUE)4 Mr. (?) GOODHUE4 (1746 - ? ) Born: August 6, 1746 – Ipswich, MA. Married: unknown. Died: unknown. 2 ELIZABETH POTTER4 (1749 – 1816) Never married; lived at Concord, Born: October 9, 1749 – Ipswich, MA. New Hampshire with her older Died: October 25, 1816 – possibly brother, RICHARD POTTER4 Concord, New Hampshire at (1743/44 – 1828). 67 years of age. Note: Sadly, seven of Cousin DANIEL POTTER SR3’s (1698/99 – 1770) fourteen (14) children would never reach maturity. All seven died as infants or young children under two years of age. At least one of these children and probably more died from “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria).”
Wrentham, Massachusetts: On November 15, 1770, Uncle, Dr. DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) of Wrentham, Massachusetts married Aunt EUNICE WHITING (RAY)4 (ca. 1746 – 1843) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of 5X Great Grandfather *ELIPHALET WHITING3 (1703 – 1768) and 5X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL MANN WHITING3 (1710 – 1777) of Wrentham, Massachusetts, and sister of 4X Great Grandmother *JERUSHA WHITING HANCOCK4 (ca. 1742 – 1831), wife of 4X Great Grandfather Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. <<<
1771: Ipswich (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: On January 3rd, 1771, 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) was chosen to be a “Deacon” of the “Linebrook Parish Church” in Ipswich (Ipswich Farms), Massachusetts. <<<
1773: Wrentham, Massachusetts: On October 23, 1773, 3X Great Grandfather *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824) was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was the son of 4X Great Grandfather nd *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) and his 2 wife, 4X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL WARE WIGHT5 (1740 – 1799), who were married in Wrentham, Massachusetts on June 9, 1763. They would move to Otisfield, Maine in 1784. *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824) was the father of *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT (POTTER)6 (1817 – 1851) and grandfather of *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 (1841 – 1893). 3X Great Grandfather *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824) had a house and barn at 483 State Route 121 in Otisfield, Maine and was a farmer and blacksmith. <<<
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[Boston Tea Party – December 16, 1773] (Image at left)
1774: [1774: Boston Port Bill and First Continental Congress]
1775: [1775 – 1783: Revolutionary War]
Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts: On January 24, 1775 Uncle (Lieutenant) JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) of Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts, son-in-law of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803), enlisted as a “Minute Man.” He initially served in either Captain NATHANIEL WADE5’s (1750 – 1826) “Ipswich Company Two” or more likely, Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5’s (1754 – 1795) “Ipswich Company Three” which was comprised of “Minute Men” from Rowley and Linebrook Parish, Ipswich. <<<
[Lexington & Concord Alarm of April 19, 1775] About midday on April 19, 1775, swift riders reached Ipswich, Massachusetts with the news of Lexington & Concord. Nearly three hundred “Minute Men” quickly mustered forming six companies of militia (infantry) and one troop of horse and marched immediately for Lexington & Concord near Boston. The infantry companies were led by:
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(1) Company One: Captain THOMAS BURNHAM5 (credited with 30 miles and 3 days service), (2) Company Two: Captain NATHANIEL WADE5 (1750 – 1826) (credited with 88 miles, 21 days, and service until May 10th), (3) Company Three: Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5 (1754 – 1795) (“Minute Men” from Rowley and “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich credited with 80 miles service), (4) Company Four: Captain DANIEL ROGERS5 (credited with 60 miles and 4 days service), (5) Company Five: Captain ABRAHAM DODGE5, and (6) Company Six: Captain ELISHA WHITNEY5. Colonel JOHN BAKER5 was in overall command of these companies in the 3rd Essex Regiment. The Ipswich Troop of Horse was led by Captain MOSES JEWETT5 which was credited with sixty (60) miles and ninety-nine (99) days of service. The Ipswich “Minute Men” left their cattle yoked in the field. The nearly three-hundred stout-hearted yeomanry marched to the defense of righteousness against tyranny with banners streaming and drums beating with a hurried pace “while their zeal outran their footsteps.” However, Captain ABRAHAM DODGE5’s company did not go into the conflict, except such as volunteered. They were encamped in sight.
Four Ipswich companies are of interest to our family:
Table 51: Ipswich “Minute Men” Companies responding to the Lexington & Concord Alarm of April 19, 1775 of interest to the POTTER Family. Ipswich Name Ipswich Name Co. # Co. # One THOMAS BURNHAM5 Three ABRAHAM HOWE JR5 Captain Captain Sergeant JOHN POTTER4 * Corporal POTTER5* (See: Note 1) (See: Note 2) Private JOHN FOWLER4 Two Capt. NATHANIEL WADE5 Private JOHN FOWLER JR5 Private JOHN FOWLER JR5 EZEKIEL POTTER5* (See: Note 5) Private (See: Note 3) JOSEPH FOWLER III5 Private Four Captain DANIEL ROGERS5 Private DANIEL POTTER4 * (See: Note 4)
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Notes: (1) Sergeant JOHN POTTER4 may have been Cousin JOHN POTTER4 (1731 – 1800) who was the son of Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) and his second wife, SARAH GRAVES POTTER3 (1698 – ca. 1751), of Ipswich, Massachusetts who were married there on February 13, 1722/23. Cousin JOHN POTTER4 (1731 – 1800) was born in December 1731 and baptized on January 2, 1731/32 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married twice: (1) SARAH PATCH (POTTER)4 and (2) MARY BOARDMAN (POTTER)4. He was known as a “Yeoman” and “Elder” of the Ipswich church. He died on November 7, 1800 and his Last Will was probated on December 1, 1800. The pedigree of Cousin JOHN POTTER4 (1731/32 – 1800) is: *ANTHONY POTTER1 ( ca. 1628 – 1690) – 7X Great Grandfather. & *ELIZABETH STONE POTTER1 (1628 – 1712) EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) – Uncle. & ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700) NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) – Cousin. & SARAH GRAVES POTTER3 (1698 - ? ) JOHN POTTER4 (1731 - 1800) – Cousin.
Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) was born in 1686 in Ipswich Massachusetts. He was the son of Uncle EDMUND POTTER2 (1654 – 1702) and Aunt ABIGAIL WELLS POTTER2 (1662 – ca. 1700) who were married before 1680 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) married three times: (1) September 23, 1710: HANNAH PATCH (POTTER)3 (1691 – 1722), daughter of JAMES PATCH2 (1660 – 1733) and SARAH BALCH PATCH2 (1662 – 1714), by whom he had four children; (2) February 13, 1722/23: SARAH GRAVES (POTTER)3 (1698 – ca. 1751) by whom he had eight children; and (3) intentions published October 19, 1751: JEMIMA QUARLES BROWN (POTTER)3 (1689 – 1772), daughter of WILLIAM QUARLES2. Cousin NATHANIEL POTTER SR3 (1686 – 1754) died in Ipswich, Massachusetts in May, 1754. His Last Will was probated on May 13, 1754.8 SARAH GRAVES POTTER3 (1698 – ca. 1751) was the daughter of JOHN GRAVES2 (1660 – before July 21, 1699), a “cordwainer” in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and MARTHA KNEELAND GRAVES (MACKENTIRE)2, daughter of EDWARD KNEELAND1 of Ipswich, Massachusetts. <<<
(2) Corporal POTTER5 may have been 23 year old Cousin SAMUEL POTTER5 (1752 - ? ), son of Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759), Grandson of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), and Great Grandson of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714).
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Cousin SAMUEL POTTER5 (1752 - ? ) was the son of Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) and ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (COMMINGS) POTTER4 (1719 – 1765) who were married on June 24 or July 12, 1738 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was baptized on September 17, 1752 at the “Linebrook Parish Church” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) was the son of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) and Aunt HANNAH DRESSER POTTER3 (1681 – before 1730). He was baptized on June 28/29, 1719 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was a member of the “Old Church” in Topsfield, Massachusetts on May 18, 1751. He died in 1759 in “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts or possibly Bridgewater, New Hampshire. ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (COMMINGS) POTTER4 (1719 – 1765) was the daughter of ISAAC CUMMINGS3 (1692 – 1761) and ABIGAIL BOARDMAN CUMMINGS3 ( ? – 1765) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. She was baptized on August 2, 1719 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and died on August 7, 1765 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She had seven (7) children including Cousin SAMUEL POTTER5 (1752 - ? ) born between 1742 and 1758. <<<
(3) Private EZEKIEL POTTER5 may have been 53 year old Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) or more probably his son, 31 year old Cousin EZEKIEL POTTER JR5 (1743 – 1832) of “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts. Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) was the older brother of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791). Cousin EZEKIEL POTTER JR5 (1743 – 1832) was born on September 27, 1743 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and baptized October 2, 1743 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) and Aunt MARY CUMMINGS (CUMMINS) POTTER4 (1720 – 1806) of Topsfield and Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. He married twice: (1) June 26 or November 23, 1768: ELIZABETH PERKINS (POTTER)5 (1739 – 1781) and (2) January 6, 1785: the widow, HANNAH MANSFIELD WELLS (POTTER)5 (ca. 1748 – 1826). Cousin EZEKIEL POTTER JR5 (1743 – 1832) died on January 18, 1832 and was buried in the “Linebrook Parish Cemetery” at the corner of Linebrook Road and Newbury Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His gravestone is inscribed: “Mr. Ezekiel Potter, died Jan. 18, 1832 aged 88 years. Elizabeth, his wife, died May 24, 1781 aged 42 yrs. Hannah, his wife, died August 9, 1826 aged 78 years”
(4) Private DANIEL POTTER4 may have been DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1739 – 1814), son of DANIEL POTTER3 (1698/99 - 1770) and his second wife, ELISABETH KIMBALL POTTER3 (1698 – 1764), of Ipswich, Massachusetts
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who were married there on November 29, 1728. DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1739 – 1814) was born on March 1, 1739 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. On April 26, 1759 (marriage intentions dated March 17, 1759) he married HANNAH WALLIS (POTTER)4 (1740 – 1792) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. They had three (3) known children all born in Ipswich, Massachusetts. DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1735 – 1814) died on December 11, 1814 at 79 years of age per Ipswich town records (Church Record # 1). DANIEL POTTER JR4 (1739 – 1814) was the son of DANIEL POTTER3 (1698/99 - 1770), the grandson of Uncle ANTHONY POTTER2 (ca. 1667 – 1756), and great grandson of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690). DANIEL POTTER3 (1698/99 - 1770) was born on January 14/24, 1698 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married twice: (1) 1721: ANNA WALLIS (POTTER)3 ( ? – 1727) who died on July 12, 1727; and, (2) November 29, 1728: ELISABETH KIMBALL (POTTER)3 (1698 – 1764). DANIEL POTTER3 (1698/99 - 1770) died on March 10, 1770 in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 72 years of age. ELISABETH KIMBALL POTTER3 (1698 – 1764) was born on November 29, 1698 in Wenham, Massachusetts and died February 9, 1764. <<<
(5) This was probably Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824), husband of Aunt SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851) who was the daughter of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) and step-sister of 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844). It is known that Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) enlisted on January 24, 1775 as a “Minuteman” and served under Captain NATHANIEL WADE5 (1749 – 1826) in Colonel MOSES LITTLE4’s (1724 – 1798) Regiment at the “Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775).” He would rise to the rank of “Lieutenant” in the Revolutionary War. Interestingly, 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844), step-brother of Aunt SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851), was so fond of Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) that he named one of his sons JOHN FOWLER POTTER6 (1809 – 1885). <<<
Many sons of the FOWLER family of Ipswich, Massachusetts patriotically served in the Revolutionary War. It is believed that possibly three JOHN FOWLERs including Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824), husband of Aunt SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851), daughter of 4X Great Grandmother
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*MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803), served as “Minutemen.” The pedigree of Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) is shown in the following table:
Table 52: The pedigree of Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Gen. Name Spouse 1 Deacon JOSEPH FOWLER1 MARTHA KIMBALL FOWLER1 (ca. 1626 – 1676) (ca. 1629 – 1677) 2 PHILIP FOWLER2 ELIZABETH HERRICK FOWLER2 (1648 – 1715) (1647 – 1727) 3 JOHN FOWLER3 MARY MERCY JACOB FOWLER3 (1684 – 1748) (1686 – 1769) 4 JOHN FOWLER JR4 MERCY HOWE FOWLER4 (1712 – 1803) (1714 – 1773) 5 Lt. JOHN FOWLER III5 - Uncle SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT (1750 – 1824) FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851) - Aunt 6 JOHN FOWLER IV6 (1) LOIS KEEZER FOWLER6 (1779 – 1809) (1777 - ? ) (2) D. DORMAN FOWLER6 Notes: (1) Aunt SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851) was born on August 18, 1755 probably in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) and 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) and was the step-sister of 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844).
(2) THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) was born on January 26, 1723/24 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the second husband of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) whom he married in 1751 (marriage intentions published November 24, 1751) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was a “farmer” and very probably a “weaver” in Topsfield, Massachusetts. During the “French & Indian War” he served as a soldier at Cape Britten and died while in service in 1757.
(3) 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844), step-brother of Aunt SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851), named one of his sons JOHN FOWLER POTTER6 (1809 – 1885). Uncle JOHN FOWLER POTTER6 (1809 – 1885) was born on November 9/13, 1809 in Bridgton, Maine. He was the son of 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) and 3X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 212
HORR POTTER5 (1775/76 – 1855) and the older brother of 2X Great Grandfather *GILBERT POTTER6 (1811 – 1862). He was the “Postmaster” of North Bridgton, Maine in the 1840s and 1850s and went by the title “Captain.” Uncle Captain JOHN FOWLER POTTER6 (1809 – 1885) died on January 26, 1885 in Bridgton, Maine at 75 years and 2 months of age. He was buried in the “Ridge Cemetery” in Bridgton, Maine.
Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5 (1754 – 1795), an Ipswich housewright, led “Company Three” from Rowley and Linebrook Parish, Ipswich which is summarized in the following table:
Table 53: Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5’s (1754 – 1795) “Company Three” of 43 Minute Men from Rowley and Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts – Lexington & Concord Alarm of 19 April, 1775. (credited with 80 miles service) 9 Captain ABRAHAM HOW5 Private MOSES FOSTER5 Lieutenant THOMAS FOSTER5 Private ABRAHAM HOW III5 Ensign PAUL LANCASTER5 Private ALLEN FOSTER5 Sergeant HOW5 Private CHARLES DAVIS5 Sergeant DRESSER5 Private JOHN FOWLER JR5**** (Note 3) Sergeant SMITH5 Private DANIEL KIMBALL JR5 Sergeant CHAPMAN5 Private JOSHUA DICKINSON5 Corporal FISK5 Private GEORGE ABBOTT5 Corporal CHAPLIN5 Private JAMES SMITH5 Corporal POTTER5 **** (Note 1) Private JOSEPH NELSON5 Corporal ABBOTT5 Private PHILEMON FOSTER5 Drummer FOSTER5 Private TIMOTHY MORSE5 Private JEREMIAH SMITH5 Private JOHN FOWLER4 Private JOHN DANIELS5 Private ELIJAH FOSTER5 Private JOSEPH CHAPMAN5 Private MOSES CHAPLIN5 Private CALEB JACKSON5 Private DANIEL KIMBALL5 Private AMOS JEWETT JR5 Private ALLEN PERLEY5 Private JOHN PERLEY5 Private EZEKIEL POTTER5 **** (Note 2) Private JONATHAN FOSTER JR5 Private EDMOND TINNEY5 Private SAMUEL WOODBERRY5 Private MOSES CONANT5 Private DAVID CHAPLIN5 Private JOHN CHAPMAN5 Private MOSES CHAPLIN JR.5
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Notes: (1) Corporal POTTER5 may have been 23 year old Cousin SAMUEL POTTER5 (1752 - ? ), son of Cousin SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759), Grandson of Uncle SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), and Great Grandson of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714). (2) Private EZEKIEL POTTER5 may have been 53 year old Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) or more probably his son, 31 year old Cousin EZEKIEL POTTER JR5 (1743 – 1832) of “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts. Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) was the older brother of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791). (3) Private JOHN FOWLER JR5 may have been JOHN FOWLER JR4 (1712 – 1803) of “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts or his son Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824), husband of Aunt SARAH PERKINS ABBOTT FOWLER5 (1755 – 1851) who was the daughter of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) and step-sister of 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844). It is known that Uncle JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) enlisted on January 24, 1775 as a “Minuteman” and served under Captain NATHANIEL WADE5 (1749 – 1826) in Colonel MOSES LITTLE4’s (1724 – 1798) Regiment at the “Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775).” He would rise to the rank of “Lieutenant” in the Revolutionary War. It was probably JOHN FOWLER JR4 (1712 – 1803) who served as a Private in Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5’s (1754 – 1795) “Company Three.”
On April 19th, 1775, the hardy “Minute Men” of “Ipswich Company Three” from Rowley and “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich led by Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5 (1754 – 1795) pushed on to Medford, Massachusetts, 24 miles away, before they halted and camped for the night. Two days later they returned to Ipswich. During their marches of April 19 and 20, 1775, the distances for most of Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5’s Rowley and “Linebrook Parish Company” (“Ipswich Company Three”) was eighty (80) miles; their time one or two days; and their total pay 22 pounds, 6 shillings, 8 pence, and 2 farthings. Their service was approved on April 3rd, 1776. [Note: Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5 (1754 – 1795) was born on September 18, 1754. On August 24, 1776 the Rowley and “Linebrook Parish Militia Company” commander would be commissioned an Ensign of a Company of Foot at York County, Pennsylvania. His commission was signed by none other than BENJAMIN FRANKLIN3 (1706 - 1790) himself. He would marry ELEANOR SPOFFORD (HOWE)5 in 1784. He died on January 8, 1795 at 41 years of age. He was buried in the “Old Linebrook Cemetery” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Undoubtedly, he was a close friend and neighbor of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791).]
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th On April 19 , 1775 Captain NATHANIEL WADE5’s (1750 – 1826) “Ipswich Company Two” marched to Mystic just outside Boston; on April 20th, 1775 the company was ordered to Salem, Massachusetts, on April 21st back to Ipswich, and then back to the Continental Army’s headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts. <<<
[The Ipswich Fright – April 19, 1775] While the three hundred Ipswich “Minute Men” marched toward Lexington & Concord, the townspeople left behind were caught up in the belief that British soldiers were nearing Ipswich, and panic spread throughout the town. Women snatched up their babies (possibly including 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) of Ipswich Farms (“Linebrook Parish”), Ipswich, Massachusetts with her five year old son, 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) and three year old daughter, Aunt MARY ELIZABETH (MOLLY) POTTER (SMITH)5 (1772 – 1793)) and men grabbed their guns. Families fled to the north in wagons, in boats, and on foot. After a day and a half of terror the truth was discovered and all returned. <<< Immediately after Lexington & Concord, the Provincial Congress voted that one-half the militia of each town be sent to the Boston area. In response, Captain NATHANIEL WADE5 (1750 – 1826) enlisted sixty-nine (69) Ipswich men including Uncle JOHN FOWLER JR5 (1750 – 1824), son-in-law of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803), who joined his company on May 10, 1775. In June, 1775, Captain NATHANIEL WADE5 (1750 – 1826) led his company including Uncle Private JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) to Cambridge, Massachusetts where on the night of June 16th, 1775 they were among 1,200 Continental troops under the command of Colonel WILLIAM PRESCOTT4 (1726 – 1795) that had assembled just north of Harvard Yard. They had joined the Continental Army forming in Cambridge, Massachusetts under the command of General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) who directed Colonel WILLIAM PRESCOTT4 (1726 – 1795) to occupy and fortify Breed’s Hill (next to Bunker Hill) on the Charlestown peninsular opposite Boston. General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 – 1799) would soon arrive in July, 1775 to take over command of the army at Cambridge. <<<
Wrentham, Massachusetts: Lt. Colonel JOSEPH READ4 (1732 - 1801) of Uxbridge, Massachusetts was in command of the 6th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment (20th Continental Regiment) which answered the Lexington & Concord Alarm of April 19, 1775. Uncle (Dr.) DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) of Wrentham, Massachusetts, was a Sergeant in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) Company of Wrentham Minutemen of the 6th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment which marched from Wrentham, Massachusetts to army headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts in response to the Lexington & Concord Alarm of April 19, 1775. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 215
4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804), son of 5X Great Grandfather *JONATHAN WIGHT3 (1700 – 1773) and his first wife, 5X Great Grandmother *JEMIMA WHITING WIGHT3 (1699 – 1754), of Wrentham, Massachusetts, also served in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) Wrentham Company of Minutemen in Colonel JOSEPH READ4’s Regiment in the “Revolutionary War.” He, too, was probably present for the march to Cambridge, Massachusetts in response to “the Alarm of April 19, 1775.” Colonel JOSEPH th READ4 (1732 – 1801) served as colonel of the 6 Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment until the end of 1775. Serving on the right wing of the army at the “Siege of Boston,” the 6th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was ordered to furnish work details for the fortification of Dorchester Heights. In the “1776 Establishment” the 6th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was re-designated as the 13th Continental Regiment which was commanded by Colonel JOSEPH READ4 (1732 – 1801) throughout 1776. The regiment was formed by consolidating the remnants of Colonel TIMOTHY WALKER’s (from Rehoboth, Massachusetts) Bristol County regiment (3rd Massachusetts Regiment) or (22nd Continental Regiment) and Colonel DAVID BREWER’s (from Palmer, Massachusetts) regiment (20th Massachusetts Regiment) th or (9 Continental Regiment) with the remnants of Colonel JOSEPH READ4’s (1732 – 1801) regiment. The regiment remained with the main army when it moved to New York City in April, 1776. It also served at Trenton and Princeton. The remnant of th the 13 Continental Regiment under Colonel JOSEPH READ4 (1732 – 1801) was disbanded at Morristown, New Jersey in January, 1777. <<<
[Battle of Bunker Hill – June 17, 1775; Trumbull’s Bunker Hill Flag shown here]: In June, the Provincials surrounding Boston discovered that the British were planning to occupy all the unoccupied heights surrounding Boston. To head them off, on the night of June 16th, 1775 about 1,200 Continental troops under the command of Colonel WILLIAM PRESCOTT4 (1726 – 1795) of Groton, Massachusetts assembled just north of Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They had joined the army forming in Cambridge, Massachusetts under the command of General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) who immediately directed Colonel WILLIAM PRESCOTT4 (1726 – 1795) to quickly occupy and fortify Charlestown heights (Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill), a strategic location overlooking Boston which threatened the British army in Boston and their fleet in the harbor. The British found this intolerable, and decided to immediately attack the Continental troops and dislodge them from the heights. During the afternoon of June 17, 1775 the British landed on the Charlestown beaches and at 3:00 PM began their assault on the fortified Provincial Army’s positions on Charlestown heights. As the British regulars steadily approached the Provincial fortifications on Breed’s Hill, either Colonel WILLIAM PRESCOTT4
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(1726 – 1795) or General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) (no one knows for sure) gave the historic order: "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!" After two determined frontal assaults, the British were repulsed with significant casualties. During the interval between the second and third British assaults, General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) continued trying to direct more troops toward the action. Some companies and leaderless groups of men moved toward the action; others retreated. The heights were finally captured by the British on the third assault only after the valiant Provincial defenders ran out of ammunition. During the disorderly retreat toward Charlestown Neck to reach fortified positions and safety in Cambridge, General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) attempted to reform the troops on Bunker Hill without success. The Colonials suffered most of their casualties during the hand-to-hand fighting at the redoubt on Breed’s Hill and during the disorganized retreat.
Battle of Bunker Hill – June 17, 1775
Berwick, Maine: 4X Great Grandfather *JAMES GRANT4 (Captain III) (1752 – 1830) was the eldest son of 5X Great Grandfather *EPHRAIM GRANT3 (1731 – 1799) and 5X Great Grandmother *HANNAH (“NAN”) CANNEY (KENNEY) GRANT3 of Berwick, Maine. Soon after the battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775), 4X Great Grandfather, 23 year old *JAMES GRANT4 Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 217
(Captain III) (1752 – 1830) enlisted on May 8, 1775 at Berwick, Maine and served first as a Private and then Sergeant in Captain PHILIP HUBBARD4’s Company of th Colonel JAMES SCAMMON4’s Regiment, the 30 Foot Regiment of North America, that marched to Cambridge, Massachusetts to participate in the “Siege of Boston” where it camped for four weeks and then fought in reserve at the “Battle of Bunker Hill” on June 17, 1775. 10 The 30th Regiment of Foot (30th Continental Regiment) or (13th Massachusetts Regiment) commanded by Colonel JAMES SCAMMON4 (1743 – 1804) of Saco, Maine was raised in the “eastern counties” of present day southern Maine which was still part of Massachusetts then. It was ordered to march from Cambridge to Bunker Hill while the battle was raging, but through a misunderstanding, instead went to Lechmere Point in East Cambridge on the Mystic River, where they did good work preventing boats from the British Fleet landing troops to cut off the retreat of the Provincials from Bunker Hill. Later in the day, the regiment covered the retreat of the defenders of Bunker Hill across the Charlestown Neck. On July 13, 1775, Colonel JAMES SCAMMON4 (1743 – 1804) was charged with “backwardness in the execution of his duty in the late action upon Bunkers Hill.” Colonel JAMES SCAMMON4 (1743 – 1804) argued that he had thought his orders to march “to the hill” meant Cobble Hill on Lechmere Point, not Bunker Hill, and he had sent a message to General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) asking if his men were needed in Charlestown. On July 18, 1775, Colonel JAMES SCAMMON4 (1743 – 1804) was acquitted. However, General GEORGE WASHINGTON3 (1732 – 1799) and his command didn’t bring Colonel JAMES SCAMMON4 (1743 – 1804) into the Continental Army when they reorganized at the end of 1775. Colonel JAMES SCAMMON4 (1743 – 1804) served as colonel until the end of 1775; he served at the “Siege of Boston” until his regiment’s disbandment at the end of 1775. The 30th Regiment of Foot’s companies were then divided among three other regiments, principally the 18th Continental Regiment. <<<
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On May 10, 1775 Uncle (Lieutenant) JOHN FOWLER III5 (1750 – 1824) of Ipswich, Massachusetts, son-in-law of 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) was recruited into Captain NATHANIEL WADE4’s (1750 – 1826) Company of sixty-nine “Minute Men.” He served under Captain NATHANIEL th th WADE4 (1750 – 1826) in Colonel MOSES LITTLE4’s 17 Regiment (17 Continental Regiment) or (24th Massachusetts Regiment) at the “Battle of Bunker Hill” on June 17, 1775 “where they rendered efficient service.” Just prior to the British assault, portions of several Massachusetts th regiments that had assembled in Cambridge including Colonel MOSES LITTLE4’s 17 Regiment were sent to reinforce General WILLIAM PRESCOTT4’s men on Breed’s
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Hill which were under bombardment. Colonel MOSES LITTLE4 (1724 – 1798) courageously led three of his companies across Charlestown Neck under severe fire from British batteries and the heavily armed ships-of-war in the harbor. They reached the scene of action before the first of three British assaults and remained engaged throughout the battle.
Battle of Bunker Hill – June 17, 1775
Colonel MOSES LITTLE4 (1724 – 1798) of Newbury, Massachusetts served as colonel of the 17th Continental Regiment until the end of 1775. He served at the camp at Prospect Hill near Boston on July 15, 1775 and at the “Siege of Boston.” In the 1776 Establishment the 17th Continental Regiment was re-designated as the 12th th Continental Regiment. Colonel MOSES LITTLE4 (1724 – 1798) commanded the 12 Continental Regiment throughout 1776. After the evacuation of Boston on March 17, 1776, he remained with the main army which moved to New York City in April, 1776. He was present with General GEORGE WASHINGTON’s (1732 – 1799) army on Long Island where he commanded “Fort Greene.” He was stationed at “Flatbush Pass” during the “Battle of Long Island” on August 27, 1776. He also took part in the “Battle at Harlem Heights” but did not accompany his men in the retreat through New Jersey, being in command of an encampment at Peekskill, New York. He led the 12th Continental Regiment at Trenton and Princeton. The remnant of the 12th Continental Regiment under Colonel MOSES LITTLE4 (1724 – 1798) was finally disbanded at Morristown, New Jersey in February, 1777 and he was forced to return home on account of ill health. <<< [Note: Captain NATHANIEL WADE4 (1750 – 1826) began his illustrious military career as an Ipswich “Minute Man” during the “Lexington Alarm” and “Battle of Bunker Hill” in 1775 who at age 24 rose from Captain in the 3rd Essex th Regiment under Colonel JOHN BAKER5 and service in the 12 Continental Line to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to General GEORGE WASHINGTON4. He served at the “Siege of Boston,” participated in the joyous acclamations of Boston citizens when British General HOWE4 sailed away on Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 219
March 17, 1776 with his army and Tories for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Captain NATHANIEL WADE4 (1750 – 1826) was in the disastrous campaign on “Long Island,” participated in the dexterous maneuvering of the Continental troops through New York in the noble stands at “Harlem Heights” and “White Plains.” He suffered in the flight through New Jersey and the horrible winter at “Valley Forge.” He was actively engaged as a Colonel in the whole campaign in “Rhode Island” and was President of a Court Martial in Providence, Rhode Island on December 23, 1777. He served under General BENEDICT ARNOLD4 at West Point in 1780 and after the treason of General BENEDICT ARNOLD4 he was placed in command of West Point, New York on September 25, 1780. In 1824 he had the honor of greeting his comrade-in-arms General MARQUIS de LAFAYETTE4 (1757 – 1834) when the General visited Ipswich, Massachusetts. Captain NATHANIEL WADE4 (1750 – 1826) died on October 26, 1826 in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 76 years and 8 months of age.]
[The PUTNAM Family and the Revolutionary War] The same PUTNAM family notorious for the “Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692” would also make its mark on American history in the Revolutionary War at the “Battle of Bunker Hill” on June 17, 1775. One of JOSEPH PUTNAM2's (1669 - 1725) three sons was the famous Revolutionary War General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 - 1790) (image at right) affectionately known as ‘Old Put’ who is traditionally credited with having contributed to the American heritage the line, "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes," at the “Battle of Bunker Hill” on June 17, 1775.11 General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) and Colonel WILLIAM PRESCOTT3 (1726 – 1795), commanding the Minutemen at the “Battle of Bunker Hill,” inflicted terrible losses on the powerful British Regular Army at this very early engagement of the “Revolutionary War.” 12 ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790), the tough old Indian fighter (“French and Indian War” and the “Pontiac War”), was regarded by his countrymen as something of a folk-hero. Legend has it that he even had a face-to face encounter with a she-wolf in her den. But, as said, ‘Old Put’ feared nothing. One of the oldest at fifty-seven years and by far the most popular general in the army, he was a superb leader on the battlefield, but as later events were to reveal, something less than a brilliant general. 13 General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) was a New England legend before the Revolution. Rough, thick-set, all bones and muscles, leathery, standing 5 ft. 6 in. tall, with flowing gray locks and a head like a cannonball, and powerfully built, he was a Pomfret, Connecticut, farmer. He joined ROGERS’
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Rangers during the “French and Indian Wars” and survived hair-raising exploits fighting the French and Indians. He commanded a provincial regiment under AMHERST, was shipwrecked on the Havana expedition, and fought in “Pontiac’s War.” He took command of the 3rd Connecticut Regiment in May 1775, becoming a Brigadier General of the Connecticut troops in June. ‘Old Put’ spoke with a slight lisp and could barely write his name. He was a popular officer who stood in line with the ranks for his rations along with everyone else. On one occasion, surveying the construction of defenses by horseback, General PUTNAM3 (1718 – 1790) paused to ask a soldier to throw a large rock in his path up onto the parapet under construction. The soldier protested: “Sir, I am a corporal.” And “Old Put” responded: “Oh, I ask your pardon, sir,” and dismounted and threw the rock onto the parapet himself, to the delight of all present. Worshipped by his soldiers and considered a ‘good Colonel’ by brother officers, ‘Old Put’ was, however, no field commander, and he was later relegated to organizing recruits. He retired in 1779 following a stroke.
Figure 17: Artifacts of Major General ISRAEL PUTNAM3 and AARON PUTNAM4 on display at the Fort Ticonderoga Museum in New York. (2005 photographs)
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In the museum at Fort Ticonderoga, New York, next to a lithograph of him captioned: “Israel Putnam, Esq., Major General of the Connecticut Forces and Commander in Chief of the Engagement on Bunckers Hill near Boston of June 1775”, two of General ISRAEL PUTNAM3’s possessions (or reproductions of his possessions) are on display: (1) drinking cup and (2) powder horn. Also, the powder horn of AARON PUTNAM4, probably a relative of General ISRAEL PUTNAM3, is on display:
1. No. 15: A drinking cup made from ox horn engraved with a likeness of ISRAEL PUTNAM3 and the phrase: “Major General of the Connecticut Forces”. Item # PH-120; 2. No. 16: A powder horn believed to be an early twentieth century reproduction engraved: “Israel Putnam in pomfret con his Horn 1749”. Item # PH-041 [Note: ISRAEL PUTNAM3 was a Pomfret, Connecticut, farmer.]; 3. No. 17: A powder horn engraved: “Aaron Putnam his horn November the 7th, 1776”. (Item # PH-031).
Also, on display at the “Fort Ticonderoga Museum” in New York is the Revolutionary War powder horn of Cousin SAMUEL POTTER IV5 (1752 - ? ), son of SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) and ABIGAIL CUMMINGS POTTER3 (1719 – 1765) of Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was the Grandson of SAMUEL POTTER JR3 (ca. 1688 – 1747), Great Grandson of 6X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL POTTER2 (1657 - 1714), and Great, Great Grandson of 7X Great Grandfather *ANTHONY POTTER1 (1628 – 1690). Cousin SAMUEL POTTER IV5 (1752 - ? ) [SAMUEL5, SAMUEL4, SAMUEL3, *SAMUEL2, *ANTHONY1] was baptized on September 17, 1752 in Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts. His powder horn is engraved as follows: No. 24: SAMUEL POTTER IV5, 1776 engraved: “Samuel Potter AD 1776”. (Item # PH-033).
Figure 18: Cousin SAMUEL POTTER IV5’s (1752 - ? ) powder horn (1776) on display in the Fort Ticonderoga Museum in New York. (2005 photographs)
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Table 54: The Pedigree of Revolutionary War Veteran, Cousin SAMUEL POTTER IV5 (1752 - ? ) of Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts. Gen. Name Spouse 1 *ANTHONY POTTER1 *ELIZABETH STONE (ca. 1628 – 1690) (POTTER)1 (1629 – 1712) - 7X Great Grandfather. - 2nd Wife & 7X Great Grandmother. Born: ca. 1628 – England. Born: 1628/29 – Nayland, Suffolk Married 2nd Wife: 1652 County, England – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Baptized: March 6, 1628/29 – Died: 1690 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Nayland, Suffolk County, Eng. Last Will: proved March 26, 1690 Died: March 10, 1712 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 2 *SAMUEL POTTER2 *JOANNA WOOD (POTTER)2 (ca. 1657 – 1714) (1661 – ca. 1693) – 1st Wife. - 6X Great Grandfather. - 6X Great Grandmother. Born: ca. 1657 – Ipswich, MA. Born: December 14, 1661 Married 1st Wife: ca. 1684 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Married: ca. 1684 Died: 1714 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Last Will: proved August 2, 1714 Died: ca. 1693 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 3 SAMUEL POTTER JR3 HANNAH DRESSER (POTTER)3 (ca. 1688 – 1747) – Uncle. (1681/82 – 1728) Born: ca. 1688 – Ipswich, MA. Born: February 17, 1681/82 Married: November 17, 1712 – Rowley, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Married: November 17, 1712 Died: February 29, 1747 - Ipswich, Massachusetts. – Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, MA. Died: February 19, 1728 or Topsfield, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. 4 SAMUEL POTTER III4 ABIGAIL CUMMINGS (1719 – 1759) – Cousin. (POTTER)4 (1719 – 1765) Born: 1719 Born: 1719 Baptized: June 28, 1719 Baptized: August 2, 1719 – Topsfield, Massachusetts. – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Married: July 12, 1738 Died: August 7, 1765 – Topsfield, Massachusetts. – Topsfield, Massachusetts or Died: 1759 – Linebrook Parish, Bridgewater, New Hampshire. Ipswich, Massachusetts or Bridgewater, New Hampshire.
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5 SAMUEL POTTER IV5 Unknown. (1752 - ? ) – Cousin. Born: 1752 Baptized: September 17, 1752 – Linebrook Parish Church, Ipswich, Massachusetts. Married: Unknown. Died: Unknown - probably Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts or Topsfield, Massachusetts. Notes: (1) ABIGAIL CUMMINGS POTTER4 (1719 – 1765) was the older sister of Aunt MARY CUMMINGS POTTER4 (1720 – 1806), wife of Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) who was the brother of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) of “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts. (2) Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) of “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts and SAMUEL POTTER III4 (1719 – 1759) were cousins as well as brothers-in-law. (3) Uncle EZEKIEL POTTER4 (1721 – 1801) or his son, Cousin EZEKIEL POTTER JR5 (1743 – 1832), served in Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5’s (1754 – 1795) Company of “Minute Men” from “Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Wrentham, Massachusetts: Circa 1775 / 1776, 3X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL HANCOCK (WIGHT)5 (1775/1776 – 1824) was probably born in Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815) and *JERUSHA WHITING HANCOCK4 (ca. 1742 – 1831) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. She married 3X Great Grandfather *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824) in May, 1798 possibly in Wrentham, Massachusetts, but all of her eleven (11) children were born in Otisfield, Maine, the first child born there in December, 1798. She was the mother of *ABIGAIL (ABBIE) HANCOCK WIGHT (POTTER)6 (1817 – 1851) who was born on December 26/29, 1817 in Otisfield, Maine, and grandmother of *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 (1841 – 1893). 3X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT5 (1775/1776 – 1824) died on February 25, 1824 in Otisfield, Maine at 48 years of age and was buried in the “Wight Family Cemetery” on State Route 121 in Otisfield, Maine. <<<
Ipswich (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: On December th 13 , 1775, Captain ABRAHAM HOWE JR5 (1754 – 1795) of Linebrook Parish was chosen to be on a “Committee of Inspection” and on a “Committee of Correspondence and Safety” in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 224
1776: [“The Year That Tried Men’s Souls”] The defeats and accompanying hardships that the rag tag American army terribly suffered but managed to endure in 1776 were memorialized by the ardent patriot THOMAS PAINE4 (1737 – 1809) by his article “The Crisis” published on December 19, 1776 in the “Pennsylvania Journal:” “These are the times that try men’s souls. The Summer soldier and the sunshine Patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman …. the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph.” Soon after this article was published, on December 26, 1776 the inspired General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 - 1799) led his demoralized army to capture Trenton, and then Princeton on January 3, 1777.
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On January 11, 1776 or November 1, 1776, Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER (LURVEY)5 (1753 – before 1813), daughter of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 ( 1724 - 1791) and his first wife, MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 - 1762) of Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts, married Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) in Ipswich, Massachusetts probably in the “Linebrook Parish Church.” Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) was the son of ELIEZER LURVEY4 (1717 - ? ) and SARAH POOLE LURVEY4 (1722 - ? ) of Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was a descendant of THOMAS WELLS0 (1605 – 1666) of London, England. In 1778, Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) and Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER LURVEY5 (1753 – before 1813) moved to Barnard in Windsor County, Vermont where they owned a farm and had six (6) children:
Table 55: The six (6) children of Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) and Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER LURVEY5 (1753 – before 1813) of Barnard in Windsor County, Vermont. [Note: All six children were born in Barnard, Vermont.] No. Name Spouse 1 Cousin BETSEY DAVIS Unknown. LURVEY6 (1778 - ? ) Born: August 9, 1778 – Barnard, Vermont.
2 Cousin SALLY LURVEY Lieutenant DANIEL COLETON6 (COLETON)6 (1780 - ? ) Born: unknown; Born: June 11, 1780 Married: March 13, 1799 – Barnard, Vermont; – Vershire, Vermont. Married: March 13, 1799 – Vershire, Vermont.
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3 Cousin POLLY LURVEY Mr. BELA CHURCH6 (CHURCH)6 (1783 - ? ) Born: unknown; Born: March 25, 1783 Married: January 17, 1803 – Barnard, Vermont; – Barnard, Vermont. Married: January 17, 1803 – Barnard, Vermont. 4 Cousin MOSES POTTER ABIGAIL TOWNSEND (LURVEY)6 LURVEY6 (1786 – 1850) Born: unknown. Born: May 11, 1786 Married: October 14, 1806 – Barnard, Vermont; – Barnard, Vermont. Married: October 14, 1806 – Barnard, Vermont. Died: August 3, 1850. 5 Cousin FANNY LURVEY PAUL TOWNSEND6 (TOWNSEND)6 (1788 - ? ) Born: unknown. Born: June 8, 1788 Married: June 1, 1806. – Barnard, Vermont; Married: June 1, 1806. 6 Cousin SUSANNA LURVEY JAMES LUCE6 (LUCE)6 (1793 - ? ) Born: April 21, 1793 – Barnard, Vermont. Notes: (1) Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) was born on October 3 or 30, 1753 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was the son of ELIEZER LURVEY4 (born July 12, 1717) and SARAH POOLE LURVEY4 (born October 28, 1722). (2) In January, 1778, Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) moved with his father to Barnard, Windsor County, Vermont. (3) Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) married twice. His second wife was RUTH CARVER (LURVEY)5 whom he married on December 16, 1813 in Barnard, Vermont. Their children are unknown, if any. (4) Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) was a farmer and a distinguished veteran of the Revolutionary War. He died on November 23, 1836 in Barnard, Windsor County, Vermont. He was buried in the “South Barnard Cemetery” in Barnard, Vermont.
Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) of Gloucester, Massachusetts was an ardent patriot and volunteered in 1775, 1776, and 1780 to serve in various Massachusetts and Vermont units during the “Revolutionary War.” His wife was Aunt ELIZABETH POTTER LURVEY5 (1753 – before 1813) who was the daughter of daughter of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY
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POTTER4 ( 1724 - 1791) and his first wife, MARY DAVIS POTTER4 (1724 - 1762) of Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts.
Table 56: Service History of Uncle MOSES LURVEY5 (1753 – 1836) during the Revolutionary War. No. Period and Service Revolutionary War Unit 1 Enlisted May 2, 1775; served 8 Corporal in Captain BARNABAS months; at Chelsea Camp, MA. DODGE5’s (1741/2 – 1817) from August 1, 1775 until “6th Massachusetts Company” in December 31, 1775. Served in the Lt. Colonel LOAMMI BALDWIN5’s “Siege of Boston” (April 19, 1775 (1745 – 1807) (late Colonel SAMUEL to March 17, 1776) until the GERRISH5’s (1728 – 1795) Regt.) disbandment of the “25th Massachusetts Regiment – the Massachusetts Bay Provincial “25th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment.” Regiment” (“38th Continental Regt.”). 2 Enlisted November 13, 1775 at Served in Captain JOSIAH FAY5’s Chelsea Camp to serve one year in (1731 – 1776) Massachusetts Company the Continental Army from in Colonel JONATHAN WARD5’s December 31, 1775; his regiment (1727 – 1791) Massachusetts Regiment was placed on the right wing of the – the “21st Continental Regiment.” army at Boston and was ordered to furnish details for the fortification of Dorchester Heights; it remained with the main army in 1776, moving to New York City in April; served at Trenton and Princeton; discharged January, 1777 at Peekskill, New York. 3 Enlisted October 11, 1780 for three Captain BENJAMIN COX5’s days; scouting for the militia unit (1740 – 1788) Company of Militia based at the fort in Barnard, (“Vermont Rangers”) based at Vermont pursuing after the enemy the fort in Barnard, Vermont. (Indian allies of the English) to Brookfield, Massachusetts; traveling twenty-five miles. Notes: (1) Captain BARNABAS DODGE5 (1741/2 – 1817) was the son of JACOB DODGE4 (1715 – 1792) and MARTHA PERKINS DODGE4 (1708 – 1752 of Wenham, Massachusetts. He served in the Revolutionary War as follows: May to December, 1775: Gerrish’s Massachusetts Regiment; January 1 to December, 1776: 26th Continental Infantry. (2) Lt. Colonel LOAMMI BALDWIN5’s (1745 – 1807) hailed from Woburn, MA. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 227
(3) Colonel SAMUEL GERRISH5 (1728 – 1795) hailed from Newbury, MA. (4) Captain JOSIAH FAY5 (1731 – 1776) hailed from Westborough, Massachusetts; he died from an illness on August 8, 1776 while stationed at Long Island, New York just days before the great British invasion of Long Island on August 27, 1776. (5) Colonel JONATHAN WARD5 (1727 – 1791) hailed from Southborough, MA.
Ipswich, Massachusetts: On June 2, 1776 Cousin Deacon AARON POTTER3, Esquire (1699 – 1776), died in Ipswich, Massachusetts at 76 years and 8 months of age. He was Deacon in the South Church in Ipswich and was buried in the “North Burial Ground” on High Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His gravestone (shown at right) was inscribed: “Behold and see as you pass by; As you are now so once was I; As I am now so you must be; Prepare for death and follow me.” He was born in October, 1699 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and was the son of Uncle JOHN “the cooper” POTTER2 (1652 - 1718) and his second wife, Aunt SARAH KIMBALL POTTER2 (1661 - 1724). As was his father, Cousin Deacon AARON POTTER3, Esquire (1699 – 1776) was a “cooper.” Cousin Deacon AARON POTTER3, Esquire (1699 – 1776) had married SARAH APPLETON (POTTER)3 (1705 - ? ), the daughter of JOHN APPLETON2 of Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1721 (marriage intentions published September 16, 1721 in Ipswich). They had one known child: SARAH POTTER4 (ca. 1722 – 1736) who died at only 14 years of age on April 7, 1736 possibly from diphtheria; for 1736 was known as “The Year of the Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic.”
Wrentham, Massachusetts: 4X Great Grandfather, Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815) of Wrentham, Massachusetts, who claimed to be a cousin of “Governor JOHN HANCOCK4” (1737 – 1793) of the Continental Congress and Signer of “The Declaration of Independence,” 14 enlisted in the “Revolutionary War” and was a Lieutenant in Captain JOHN LINCOLN4’s Company of Colonel JOSEPH 15 WEBB4’s Regiment. Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815) was born in September, 1740 in Wrentham, Massachusetts and died on October 21, 1815 in Otisfield, Maine at 75 years and 1 month of age. 4X Great Grandfather, Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 was 2X Great Grandmother *ABIGAIL HANCOCK 16 WIGHT POTTER6’s grandfather. The HANCOCK-WIGHT-POTTER pedigree is: Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 228
Table 57: HANCOCK-WIGHT-POTTER Pedigree. Gen. Spouse Spouse 1 *ANTHONY HANCOCK SR1 *SARAH WILSON (HANCOCK)1 (ca. 1655 - ? ) ( ? - 1700) – 1st wife England & Dorchester, MA. England & Dorchester, Massachusetts 2 *ANTHONY HANCOCK JR2 *ELEZEBETH GODDARD (1684/85 – 1748) (HANCOCK)2 ( ? - ? ) Wrentham, Massachusetts Sherborn, Massachusetts 3 *SAMUEL HANCOCK3 *ELIZABETH WARE (1712 – 1748/9) (HANCOCK) (HEATON)3 Wrentham, Massachusetts (ca. 1697 - ? ) Wrentham, Massachusetts 4 *Lt. JOSEPH HANCOCK4 *JERUSHA WHITING (1740 – 1815) (HANCOCK)4 (ca. 1742 – 1831) Wrentham, MA. & Otisfield, ME. Wrentham, MA. & Otisfield, ME. 5 *ABIGAIL HANCOCK *NATHAN WIGHT5 (WIGHT)5 (1775/76 – 1824) (1773 – 1824) Wrentham, MA. & Otisfield, ME. Wrentham, MA. & Otisfield, ME. 6 *ABIGAIL HANCOCK WIGHT *GILBERT POTTER5 (POTTER)6 (1817 – 1851) (1811 – 1862) Otisfield & Brownfield, Maine Bridgton, Otisfield, & Brownfield, Me. 7 *ALGERNON SIDNEY *FLORA E. GRANT (POTTER)7 POTTER7 (1841 – 1893) (1848 – 1928) Brownfield & Otisfield, Maine and Prospect, Rockland, & Portland, Boston, Massachusetts Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. 8 *ALBERT LINCOLN POTTER8 *ELEANOR THERESA DODGE (1874 – 1930) (POTTER)8 (1876 – 1951) Boston & Dorchester, Massachusetts East Boston & Dorchester, MA. 9 *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 *VONCEILE METCALF (1906 – 1976) (POTTER)9 (1909 – 1976) Dorchester & Hyde Park, Hartford, Alabama and Massachusetts Dorchester & Hyde Park, MA. 10 *WILBURN METCALF *ELIZABETH ANNA DUNCAN POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) (POTTER)10 ( 1944 - ? ) Brookline & Hyde Park, MA. Norfolk & Chesapeake, Virginia Wrentham, Massachusetts: Deacon ELIAS HANCOCK4 (ca. 1756 - 1842), brother of ROLAND HANCOCK4 (ca. 1764 - 1839), and probably the brother or cousin of 4X Great Grandfather, Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815), enlisted from Wrentham, Massachusetts, as a Private in Captain SAMUEL COWELL4’s Company of Colonel BENJAMIN HAWES4’ Regiment. He settled in Otisfield, Maine and was a mason by trade. 17 Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 229
Deacon ELIAS HANCOCK4 (ca. 1756 - 1842) died on April 9, 1842 in Otisfield, Maine and was buried in the Highland Cemetery on East Swampville Road in Otisfield, Maine. 5X Great Grandfather *JONATHAN WIGHT3 (1700 – 1773) of Wrentham, Massachusetts also served in Captain SAMUEL COWELL4’s Company 18 of Colonel BENJAMIN HAWES4’ regiment during the “Revolutionary War.”
Uxbridge, Massachusetts: Lt. Colonel JOSEPH READ4 (1732 - 1801) of Uxbridge, Massachusetts commanded the following regiments in the “Revolutionary War” between 1775 and 1780:
Table 58: The Revolutionary War Units commanded by Lt. Colonel JOSEPH READ4 (1732 - 1801) of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Service Revolutionary War Unit Period April – July, 6th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment or 1775 20th Continental Regiment. Notes: (1) The 6th Massachusetts answered the Lexington & Concord Alarm of April 19, 1775; (2) Uncle (Dr.) DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) of Wrentham, Massachusetts was a Sergeant in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) Company of Minutemen of the 6th Provincial Regiment which marched from Wrentham to army headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts during the Alarm of April 19, 1775. July – Oct., Massachusetts 20th Regiment, Army of the United Colonies19 or 1775 20th Continental Regiment. 1775 Massachusetts 18th Regiment or 18th Continental Regiment. 1776 Massachusetts 13th Regiment or 13th Continental Regiment (previously 20th Continental Regiment). Notes: (1) The Massachusetts 13th Regiment saw action during the Siege of Boston, the New York Campaign, and the Battle of Trenton. It was disbanded on January 1, 1777 at Morristown, New Jersey. (2) The Massachusetts 13th Regiment flag had a light buff background with a pine tree and Indian corn device with two officers in the regimental uniform, one of them with blood streaming from a wound in his breast pointing to a group of children under the tree with the motto: “For Posterity I Bleed.”
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Note: JOSEPH READ4 (Born: March 6, 1732 and Died: September 22, 1801) was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, the son of JOHN READ3 and LUCY READ3. He married EUNICE TAFT (READ)4 of Uxbridge on November 22, 1753. He was a Lieutenant Colonel at the battles of Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. Thereafter, until the end of 1776, he served as Colonel in command of several regiments of the Massachusetts Line. He and his brother, SETH READ4, owned half the land in the towns of Uxbridge and Northbridge, Massachusetts in the mid- th 18 century. Sometime after the revolution, JOSEPH READ4 moved to Brookfield, Massachusetts where he died in 1801. Both he and his wife, EUNICE TAFT READ4 are buried in “Brookfield Cemetery” in Brookfield, Massachusetts.
Wrentham, Massachusetts: 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804), son of 5X Great Grandfather *JONATHAN WIGHT3 (1700 – 1773) and 5X Great Grandmother *JEMIMA WHITING WIGHT3 (1699 – 1754), of Wrentham, Massachusetts, served in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) th Company of Colonel JOSEPH READ4’s 6 Massachusetts Regiment th (20 Continental Regiment) in the “Revolutionary War.” Captain OLIVER POND4 (1737 – 1822) was from Wrentham, Massachusetts. *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4’s oldest son, Dr. JOSEPH WIGHT JR5 20 (1758 – 1846) also served in the “Revolutionary War.” Dr. JOSEPH WIGHT JR5 (1758 – 1846) volunteered at Wrentham, Massachusetts about May 1, 1775 to serve in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) company in Colonel JOSEPH READ4’s 6th Massachusetts Regiment (20th Continental Regiment) for eight months. The 6th Massachusetts Regiment (20th Continental Regiment) was re-designated the 13th Continental Regiment in the 1776 Establishment. <<<
[British Troops Evacuate Boston – March 17, 1776] (image at left)
[Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776]
[Battle of Pell’s Point (Battle of Pelham), New York – October 18, 1776] When General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 – 1799) found his army in an extremely perilous position on Harlem Heights, his last position in the battle for New York, about to be outflanked by far superior British and Hessian forces (more than 4,000 regulars), he finally decided to withdraw the army from York Island as soon as possible to safer ground eighteen miles to the north at Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 231
White Plains. He tasked Colonel JOHN GLOVER4 (1732 – 1797) of Marblehead, Massachusetts to fight a delaying action on Rodman’s Neck with his brigade of four (4) skeleton regiments (843 men and 3 small cannon): (1) the 14th Continental Regiment (“The Marbleheaders”), 179 privates commanded by Colonel JOHN GLOVER4 (1732 – 1797) himself; (2) the 13th Continental Regiment, 226 privates commanded by Colonel JOSEPH READ4; (3) the 3rd Continental Regiment, 204 privates commanded by Colonel WILLIAM SHEPARD4; and, (4) the 26th Continental Regiment, 234 privates commanded by Colonel LOAMMI BALDWIN4, while he moved the bulk of the Continental Army to White Plains, New York. Colonel JOHN GLOVER4 (1732 – 1797) assigned Colonel JOSEPH th READ4’s 13 Continental Regiment of three companies led by Captain ANDREW PETERS4 of Medfield, Massachusetts, Captain OLIVER POND4 (1737 – 1822) of Wrentham, Massachusetts, and Captain SAMUEL WARREN4 of Mendon, Massachusetts with 226 privates fit for duty (possibly including 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) who served in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) Wrentham Company) to begin the rear guard action at Rodman’s Neck (now part of Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx), New York on October 18, 1776. The British and Hessians made their swift landing at Pell’s Point unopposed in the early morning of October 18, 1776, and moved directly inland a mile or more. Their plan was to march west across today’s Bronx along the Boston Post Road and cut off the retreat of the “Continental Army.” As soon as he found out of the British landing, Colonel JOHN GLOVER4 (1732 – 1797) directed Colonel JOSEPH READ4 to send forward one of his Captains with his company of 40 men to slow down the British advance. He then th directed Colonel JOSEPH READ4 with his other two companies of the 13 Continental Regiment to set up an ambush behind the stone walls along Split Rock Road, the only road leading inland from the British landing site. They were soon joined by two more regiments of GLOVER4’s brigade. The intrepid Colonel JOHN GLOVER4 (1732 – 1797) then rode forward to join Colonel READ4’s forty skirmishers at “Glover’s Rock” where they had fired upon an advance British party. Colonel GLOVER4 then ordered the skirmishers to advance and traded five volleys before British reinforcements arrived and forced them to retreat in order. Behind the walls lining Split Rock Road were the three regiments Colonel JOHN GLOVER4 (1732 – 1797) had so carefully positioned in a leap frog th pattern on both sides of the road. The first, Colonel JOSEPH READ4’s 13 Continental Regiment (possibly including 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) who served in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) Wrentham Company), rose from behind the wall on the left side and at a range of thirty yards sent a powerful volley into the unexpecting British column inflicting
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 232 considerable casualties forcing the British to fall back toward their main body. It took the British an hour and a half to re-group and advance in full strength supported by artillery. At fifty yards Colonel JOSEPH READ4’s men again opened fire and for twenty minutes traded rounds with the superior British force. Finally, the order to retreat was given and they marched behind Colonel WILLIAM SHEPHERD4’s 3rd Continental Regiment. The British advanced again only to receive the full fury of the rd tenacious Colonel WILLIAM SHEPHERD4’s 3 Continental Regiment, who from behind a double stone wall, fired by “grand divisions” and exchanged 17 volleys with the British. Sadly, Colonel WILLIAM SHEPHERD4 was killed in action and was one of only eight Americans killed that day. The American regiments were finally forced to fall back in a series of leap frog retreats. By this time it was late afternoon and the Americans had succeeded in halting the British force. The day ended with the two armies exchanging cannon fire until dark. The devastating ambush by the tenacious Massachusetts men inflicted heavy casualties (approximately 200 killed) on the advancing British and Hessian forces at the cost of minor losses themselves (8 Americans killed and 13 wounded). Only one man from each of the three advance companies of Colonel JOSEPH th READ4’s 13 Continental Regiment was killed in action. SAMUEL COLE4 of Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) Wrentham Company was killed. Colonel LOAMMI BALDWIN4, the Massachusetts apple grower, who with his 26th Continental Regiment had joined in the fight, claimed the Massachusetts men “stayed as calm as if shooting ducks.” This courageous and ferocious rear guard action stunned General WILLIAM HOWE4 (1729 – 1814) and delayed the British invasion for several days enabling General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 – 1799) to successfully move the Continental Army, now the army of the United States of America, to White Plains, New York. After darkness fell, Colonel JOHN GLOVER4 (1732 – 1797) formed up his rear guard regiments and safely marched the three miles to Dobb’s Ferry and then to White Plains, New York where it rejoined the army to fight again. The “Battle of Pelham” has appropriately been called the battle that saved the American Revolution. <<<
On the morning of November 21, 1776, the retreat of General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 – 1799) and his battered little army from Fort Lee began southward across New Jersey. From the last week of August to the last week of December, the year 1776 had been as dark a time as those devoted to the American cause had ever known. In August, General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 – 1799) had had an army of 20,000 men. In the three months since, he had lost the campaign for New York including a series of battles in quick succession: (1) Brooklyn, (2) Kips Bay, (3) Harlem Heights, (4) White Plains, and (5) Fort Washington, and then gave up Fort Lee, New Jersey, without a fight. Dividing his army, he now had only about 3,500 troops under his direct command. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 233
Joining the retreat across New Jersey as a civilian aide, patriot THOMAS PAINE4, author of “Common Sense,” penned the appropriate article, “The American Crisis” with its immortal opening lines: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” This powerful summons to American patriotism first appeared in print on December 19, 1776 in the Pennsylvania Journal at the darkest time for the retreating Continental Army.
[Battle of Trenton – December 26, 1776]
Wrentham, Massachusetts: ENOCH SPURR5 (1761 – 1843) of Wrentham, Massachusetts, the husband of Cousin ABIGAIL WIGHT SPURR5 (1767 – 1815), whom he married on June 16, 1788 in Wrentham, was a veteran and pensioner of the Revolutionary War for his many years active service. He served in various companies at different times during the war including Captain FISHER’s Company of Colonel TURNER’s Regiment and fought in several major engagements including the Battle of Monmouth, Valley Forge, and the Battle of Yorktown, witnessing the surrender of the British General CORNWALLIS. ENOCH SPURR5 (1761 – 1843) was in Captain SAMUEL COWELL4’s Company of Colonel BENJAMIN HAWES4’ Regiment from September 25, 1777 to October 30, 1777 on a secret expedition to Rhode Island and also served in the same company and regiment from July 26, 1778 to August 26, 1778. After the war, about 1792, he moved his family to Otisfield, Maine, settling at Spurr’s Corner which was named for him. 21 Uncle Dr. DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) of Wrentham, Massachusetts was a veteran of the “Revolutionary War” and during the first five years of the war he served in several of the most important campaigns of the war in New England and New York. He was a Sergeant in Captain OLIVER POND4’s (1737 – 1822) Company of Minutemen which marched from Wrentham, Massachusetts to army headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts in response to the “Lexington – Concord Alarm of April 19, 1775.” He served in the six months campaign under General GATES at Ticonderoga in 1776. He served with ENOCH SPURR5 (1761 – 1843) in Captain EZEKIEL PLYMPTON’s Company of Colonel BENJAMIN HAWES’ Regiment in the “Secret Expedition to Rhode Island” in 1777. He was a Lieutenant in Captain MOSES BULLARD’s Company of Colonel JACOB’s Regiment from June 19, 1778 to October 13, 1778. He was also a 2nd Lieutenant in Colonel SAMUEL FISHER’s Company. He also served in 1779. Uncle Dr. DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) moved his family to Otisfield, Maine in the spring of 1780 and was the first physician settled there. From March 4, 1813 until his death on December 1, 1822, he was a Revolutionary War pensioner at the rate of $103 per year. 22 <<<
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Morgan District, Rutherford County, North Carolina: 23 At the commencement of the “Revolutionary War,” 5X Great Grandfather Lieutenant *ANTHONY METCALF3 (1730/40 – before 1833) and his four sons: (1) 4X Great Grandfather *ISAAC METCALF4 (ca. 1757/58 – before 1820), (2) Uncle DANZA METCALF4 (ca. 1759 - 1839), (3) Uncle WARNER METCALF4 (ca. 1762 – 1836), and (4) Uncle WILLIAM METCALF4 (ca. 1764 - ? ) lived on the Green River in the Morgan District of Rutherford County, North Carolina. During the “Revolutionary War,” they served in the same regiment from Rutherford County, North Carolina. Uncle WILLIAM METCALF4 (ca. 1764 - ? ) was only 15 years of age when he enlisted in 1777 under his father’s supervision. In September, 1777, 5X Great Grandfather Lieutenant *ANTHONY METCALF3 (1730/40 – before 1833) and his four sons enlisted to serve two years in Captain JAMES TAYLOR3’s North Carolina Militia Company which was assigned to Colonel SAMUEL JACK3’s Georgia Militia Regiment to fight in the Southern Campaign. The Company’s two lieutenants were Lieutenant GRIER3 and Lieutenant *ANTHONY METCALF3 (1730/40 – before 1833). The Company “Drummer” was Uncle WARNER METCALF4 (ca. 1762 – 1836). Captain JAMES TAYLOR3 hailed from Lincoln County, North Carolina. In late 1777, Captain JAMES TAYLOR3’s North Carolina Militia Company marched south from North Carolina to near Augusta, Georgia where they were assigned to Colonel SAMUEL JACK3’s Georgia Militia Regiment. The Regiment was initially assigned to guard the frontiers of Georgia. They were joined near Augusta, Georgia by two other regiments and built a fort there; they remained near Augusta for some months. In early 1778, under the overall command of Major General ROBERT HOWE3 (1732 – 1786), Captain JAMES TAYLOR3’s North Carolina Militia Company marched from Augusta and camped near Savannah, Georgia, then to Midway Meeting House between Savannah and Sunbury, Georgia, and finally to the Florida line where the army was gathering and preparing to attack the British at St. Augustine, Florida. They camped on the St. Mary’s River for several weeks within a day’s march of St. Augustine, Florida. After some small probing attacks, frustrated over issues of divided command and supply, the weakly led army retreated under the command of Governor JOHN HOUSTON3 of Georgia who conducted the unsuccessful Florida expedition. Upon reaching Midway Meeting House between Sunbury and Savannah, Georgia, in early 1778, Colonel SAMUEL JACK3’s Georgia Militia Regiment was dismissed and the men of Captain JAMES TAYLOR3’s North Carolina Militia Company returned home to Rutherford County, North Carolina where they were distressed to find the entire county nearly overrun with the Tories, British, and belligerent Indians. The Tories so infested the county that the METCALFs and
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 235 their neighbors at all times kept their firearms in sight. The four METCALF4 brothers then joined the local regiment of “Minute Men” which required them to be in readiness at all times. They were constantly engaged in scouting expeditions against the Tories on the frontiers of North and South Carolina for two years. They would be called upon frequently to fight until the end of the war.
[Battle of Stono Ferry, South Carolina – June 20, 1779] In June, 1779, Uncle WARNER METCALF4 (ca. 1762 – 1836) volunteered to serve under Captain BENJAMIN HARDEN4 of the Rutherford County Regiment of the North Carolina volunteer militia under the command of Colonel CHARLES McDOWELL3. The regiment was quickly mustered to attack a British force from Savannah, Georgia that was retreating from an aborted attempt to take Charleston, South Carolina. The regiment was one of three assigned to the 2nd North Carolina Brigade of 759 Carolina militia commanded by Brigadier General JETHRO SUMNER3 (1733 – 1785) which joined the army under the command of Patriot General BENJAMIN LINCOLN3 (1733 – 1810) outside Charleston and moved to attack the British Regulars at Johns Island. On June 20, 1779, the 1,500 Patriot militiamen attacked the British rear guard at Stono Ferry. Brigadier General JETHRO SUMNER3 (1733 – 1785) led the Right Wing of the attack. The Patriot militia managed to capture the British redoubts but fell back when British reinforcements arrived. The experienced British regulars held off the assault by the poorly trained Patriot militia forces killing 34, wounding 113, and 155 went missing. The “Battle of Stono Ferry, South Carolina” was a British victory, though a minor one. The battle lasted only about an hour. In late 1779, the four METCALF4 brothers volunteered to fight the Indian allies of the British. Under the command of Captain JAMES McFADDEN3, they headed west into the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina in the dead of winter in pursuit of the belligerent Indians all the way to their settlement on Chunkey (Chunky Gal Mountain). Enduring the hardships of mountain fighting, especially the wintry cold weather in the mountains, they killed several Indians and destroyed some of their property. After three months they returned to their homes in the Morgan District of Rutherford County, North Carolina. In 1780, the four METCALF4 brothers volunteered again this time under Captain ADAM HAMPTON3 to attack a British fort on the Pacolate River (Pacolet River) in northwest South Carolina held by the British and their Tory allies. Several men were killed on both sides. They were in the field just one month.
[Battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina – October 7, 1780] In September, 1780, the four METCALF4 brothers were called upon once again to fight the Tories. Under Captain JAMES MILLER4 and Captain JAMES GRAY4 in Colonel CHARLES McDOWELL3’s North Carolina Regiment, they served three months in the “Kings Mountain Campaign” against the Loyalist American Militia.
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In September, 1780 the Patriot Militia pursued the Loyalists and finally caught up to them at the border of North Carolina and South Carolina in rural York County, South Carolina near present day Blacksburg, South Carolina. On October 7, 1780 the Patriot Militia surrounded and brutally attacked the surprised Loyalist American Militia, who had encamped on the open mountain top, inflicting heavy casualties on the despised Loyalist enemy. Suffering only minor casualties themselves, the Patriot Militia killed about 250 Loyalists, wounded 163, and captured another 600 plus. Major JOSEPH McDOWELL3, brother of Colonel CHARLES McDOWELL3, commanded the regiment during the attack. The Loyalists surrendered early in the attack but the Patriots gave no quarter to the surrendering Loyalists resulting in the Loyalists’ heavy casualties. After years of reverses in the war, the Patriot victory at “King’s Mountain” greatly raised their morale. British General CHARLES CORNWALLIS3 (1738 – 1805) was forced to abandon his plans to invade North Carolina and was compelled to retreat into South Carolina. Years after the war, Uncle WARNER METCALF4 (ca. 1762 – 1836) lamented: “Our sufferings were more severe than those soldiers in the Regular
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Army. We had to find our own arms and ammunition, our clothing, and often our provisions. If we could get them, our blankets and tents had to be procured by ourselves; but very few of us was capable of getting them. I well know I lay many nights with my gun for my pillow, the earth my bed, and the bow (bough) of the forest my covering. I was a boy and paid no attention to my discharge (discomfort).” In 1785 and 1786, for their services in the Revolutionary War, 5X Great Grandfather Lieutenant *ANTHONY METCALF3 (1730/40 – before 1833), Uncle DANZA METCALF4 (ca. 1759 - 1839), and Uncle WILLIAM METCALF4 (ca. 1764 - ? ) were each given land grants of 460 acres in Washington County, Georgia. Uncle DANZA METCALF4 (ca. 1759 - 1839) and Uncle WILLIAM METCALF4 (ca. 1764 - ? ) would both eventually sell their tracts of land there and remain in Rutherford County, North Carolina. The military service of these patriotic METCALFs continued on through the “War of 1812” and the “Creek Indian Wars” in North Carolina and Georgia. [See: “Appendix “E”: Metcalf Pedigree” for more details.] <<<
Jeffries Creek, Darlington District, South Carolina: During the early days of the Revolutionary War, struck by patriotic fervor, 5X Great Grandfather *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794) and his three young sons: (1) Uncle WILLIAM DOWLING4 (1756 – 1783), (2) Uncle JAMES DENNIS DOWLING4 (1758 – 1802), and (3) 4X Great Grandfather *JOHN W. DOWLING4 (1759 - 1826), of Jeffries Creek in the Darlington District of South Carolina would each enlist in various Colonial units to fight the British. 5X Great Grandfather *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794) decided to fight first with a unit formed in Virginia, his state of birth and home for many years. He was born in Augusta County, Virginia. Thus, he first enlisted as a Private in May, 1777 to serve three years in Captain WILLIAM VAUSE3’s Company th in the 12 Virginia Regiment of Foot commanded by Colonel JAMES WOOD2 who, by the way, commanded the unit from November 12, 1776 until September 14, 1778 during which time the unit endured the horrible winter (1777 – 1778) at “Valley Forge.” The 12th Virginia Regiment was organized in September, 1776 with State Troops recruited from Augusta County among other Virginia counties. The 12th Virginia Regiment’s service records show that 5X Great Grandfather Private *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794) was sick at Trenton, New Jersey between July and August 5, 1777. [Note: It is not clear whether or not 5X Great Grandfather Private *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794) endured that awful winter of 1777-1778 at “Valley Forge.” However, it is confirmed that both units that he served in, that is, the 12th Virginia Regiment of Foot and the 6th Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Infantry wintered at “Valley Forge” during that dreadful winter of 1777-1778. The 12th Virginia Regiment entered Valley Forge that winter with 495 assigned men but only 164 fit for duty and had to be consolidated with the 4th and 8th Virginia Regiments before leaving “Valley Forge.”] Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 238
Later 5X Great Grandfather Private *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794) served under th Captain WHITE3 with the 6 Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Infantry (flag at right). He fought at (1) Musgrove’s Mill, S.C. (August 19, 1780), (2) King’s Mountain, S.C. (October 7, 1780), (3) Cowpens, S.C. (January 17, 1781) and (4) Guilford Court House, N.C. (March 15, 1781). Finally in 1782 until the end of hostilities in 1783, 5X Great Grandfather *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794) fought as a guerilla with the famous General FRANCIS MARION3 (ca. 1732 – 1795), “The Swamp Fox.” Records show that by the end of the war he was paid for eight years of military service. Uncle JAMES DENNIS DOWLING4 (1758 – 1802) also served in Colonel LEMUEL BENTON3’s Regiment of General FRANCIS MARION3’s (ca. 1732 – 1795) Brigade throughout the Revolutionary War. On November 4, 1775, 4X Great Grandfather *JOHN W. DOWLING4 (1759 - 1826) enlisted at age 16 and served as a Private in Captain st LEVACHER de SAINTE MARIE4’s Company in the 1 South Carolina Regiment commanded by Colonel CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY3 (1746 – 1825). The 1st South Carolina Regiment was organized during the summer of 1775 in Charleston, South Carolina. He saw action at the “Siege of Savannah, Georgia (September 16 to October 18, 1779)” and at the disastrous “Siege of Charleston (March 28 – May 12, 1780)” where his regiment was captured by the British on May 12, 1780 together with the rest of the southern Continental Army commanded by General BENJAMIN LINCOLN3 (1733 - 1810). Many of the captives including Colonel CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY3 (1746 – 1825) were imprisoned on filthy British prison ships in Charleston Harbor and on John’s Island where they suffered from sickness and cruel treatment. Colonel CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY3 (1746 – 1825) was exchanged in February, 1782. The regiment was finally reorganized on December 11, 1782 and furloughed on May 14, 1783 at Charleston, South Carolina. 4X Great Grandfather Private *JOHN W. DOWLING4’s (1759 - 1826) name disappears from the 1st South Carolina Regiment’s rolls in 1782. When Charleston fell to the British on May 12, 1780, General FRANCIS MARION3 (ca. 1732 – 1795) was luckily recuperating outside the city and avoided capture. He rounded up 70 to 150 tattered and penniless patriots to form the only organized resistance in the southern theatre of the war after the debacle at Charleston. Joining him were the DOWLINGs, father and two youngest sons, from Jeffries Creek, Darlington District, South Carolina. From 1782 until the end of hostilities 5X Great Grandfather *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794) and his two young sons by his second wife, Uncle JAMES DENNIS DOWLING4 (1758 – 1802) and 4X Great Grandfather *JOHN W. DOWLING4 (1759 - 1826) would reunite in South Carolina and band
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 239 together to fight as guerillas in Colonel LEMUEL BENTON3’s Regiment with the famous General FRANCIS MARION3 (ca. 1732 – 1795), “The Swamp Fox.” 4X Great Grandfather *JOHN W. DOWLING4 (1759 - 1826) fought alongside his older brother, Uncle JAMES DOWLING4 (1758 – 1802) until the end of the war.
Table 59: The *DOWLING – BRACKIN – METCALF – POTTER Pedigree. Gen. Name Spouse 1 *FRAMPTON DOWLING1 Unknown. (before 1643 - ? ) 2 *ROBERT DOWLING I2 *BEULAH B. (?) DOWLING2 (1700 – ca. 1756) - 2nd wife (ca. 1700 - ? ) 3 *ROBERT DOWLING II3 *SARAH GUINN DOWLING3 (1730 – 1794) - 2nd wife (1732 – 1808) 4 *JOHN W. DOWLING4 *NANCY BOUTWELL DOWLING4 (1759 – 1826) (1763 - 1849) 5 Rev. *DEMPSEY DOWLING5 *MARTHA STOKES DOWLING5 (1783 – 1865) (1787 – 1859) 6 *FRANCES J. DOWLING *MATHIAS LAWRENCE (BRACKIN)6 (1827 – 1907) BRACKIN6 (1824 – 1899) 7 *MARTHA JANE BRACKIN *MARION LAFAYETTE (FATE) (METCALF)7 (1846 – 1915) METCALF7 (1843 -1927) 8 *MACK WILBURN *GYPSIE LEE CHILDS METCALF8 (1873 – 1958) (METCALF)8 (1888 – 1980) 9 *VONCEILE CAROLYN *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 METCALF (POTTER)9 (1906 – 1976) (1909 – 1976) 10 (1) KENNETH DODGE POTTER JR10 (1944 - ? ) (2) *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) Notes: (1) See “Appendix “E”: Metcalf Pedigree” for more details.
(2) Some genealogists believe the *FRAMPTON DOWLING1 lineage is incorrect and that *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794), who was born in Augusta County, Virginia, is descended from a *WILLIAM DOWLING0 who immigrated to Jamestown, Virginia sometime during the Great Migration between 1618 and 1623 as follows: *ROBERT DOWLING II3 (1730 – 1794), *ROBERT DOWLING I2 (1700 – ca. 1756), *HENRY DOWLING1, and *WILLIAM DOWLING0. Nevertheless, both DOWLING branch options have roots in Ireland.
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5X Great Grandfather *ROBERT DOWLING II3’s (1730 – 1794) eldest son and only son by his first wife, Uncle WILLIAM DOWLING4 (1756 – 1783), also fought in the revolution. Shortly before the commencement of the “Revolutionary War,” he moved from Virginia to be near his father at Jeffries Creek in the Darlington District of South Carolina. He also participated in the disastrous “Siege of Charleston (March 29 to May 12, 1780)”, South Carolina when the British finally captured the city and bagged the entire southern Continental Army. Near the close of the war, he moved from the Darlington District to the old Barnwell District of South Carolina. Uncle WILLIAM DOWLING4 (1756 – 1783) was the older step- brother of 4X Great Grandfather *JOHN W. DOWLING4 (1759 - 1826). Uncle WILLIAM DOWLING4 (1756 – 1783) was a well-known patriot in South Carolina. As such, he made the “list of zealous patriots” all long sought after by the British. The notorious British Cavalry General BANASTRE “Bloody Ban” TARLETON4 (1754 – 1833) issued orders to his Tory allies to take no prisoners of any among those on the “list of zealous patriots” which included Uncle WILLIAM DOWLING4 (1756 – 1783) of Barnwell, South Carolina. Sadly, near the end of the war on January 1, 1783, a British Tory raiding party finally tracked him down at his new home in Barnwell. While his young son, JABEZ L. DOWLING5 (1769/71 – 1846), a small child at the time, stood in his father’s front doorway watching, the defenseless Uncle WILLIAM DOWLING4 (1756 – 1783) was cruelly murdered by the British Tory raiding party on January 1, 1783. A month later, on February 4, 1783, Great Britain announced the cessation of hostilities against the United States essentially ending the “Revolutionary War.”
1777: [Battle of Princeton – January 3, 1777]
Danvers, Massachusetts: Hailing from Danvers (previously of Topsfield), Massachusetts, ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788), brother-in-law of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791), reported for service in the Continental Army on January 1, 1777. From March 31, 1777 to June 30, 1777, Brother-in-Law ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) served only three months as a Captain of a company in Colonel EDWARD th WIGGLESWORTH4’s (1742 – 1826) 13 Massachusetts Regiment (previously known as the 6th Continental Regiment which was formed on July 11, 1776) in the “Revolutionary War.” Captain ISRAEL DAVIS4 (ca. 1727 – ca. 1788) cashiered out of the service on February 11, 1778. Until March 10th, 1779 Colonel EDWARD th WIGGLESWORTH4 (1742 – 1826) commanded the 13 Massachusetts Regiment which was assigned to General JOHN GLOVER4’s (1732 – 1797) Brigade most of this time. The 13th Massachusetts Regiment saw action at the “Siege of Boston,” “Battle of Lake Champlain,” “Battle of Saratoga,” “Defense of Philadelphia,” “Battle of Monmouth,” and the grueling winter at “Valley Forge.” <<<
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[Major-General JOSEPH SPENCER4’s Secret Expedition to Rhode Island – September 22 to October 31, 1777] Having recently occupied New York City, in the fall of 1776 the British saw Newport, Rhode Island as the ideal naval base to support their New York operations. The British soon occupied Newport Island (as Aquidneck Island was then called) and based a large army at Newport which became a British fortress. In April of 1777, as the “Revolutionary War” raged on, a little known decision by Congress led to a dangerous mission calling on the ranks of the state militias of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. On April 16, 1777, Congress resolved to recommend to the General Assembly of Rhode Island that with the assistance of both Massachusetts and Connecticut, they were to use all their power to dislodge the British from Newport. Rhode Island welcomed the recommendation and immediately commenced preparations for an attack. General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 – 1799) selected Major-General JOSEPH SPENCER4 to command the operation. For the attack to be effective, it was agreed that it must be kept secret. So many pains were taken to fulfill this wish that it became known as the “Secret Expedition.” Soldiers for the expedition consisting of half of the Rhode Island militia and units from Massachusetts and Connecticut were called up on September 22, 1777. Colonel BENJAMIN HAWES4 reported with his regiment including the following Wrentham, Massachusetts men:
Table 60: Wrentham, Massachusetts Soldiers in Colonel th BENJAMIN HAWES4’ 4 Suffolk County Regiment called up on September 22, 1777 for the Secret Expedition to Rhode Island (September 25 to October 30, 1777). Name Company
Private *JONATHAN WIGHT3 Captain SAMUEL COWELL4’s Company (1700 – 1773) - 5X Great Grandfather.
Private (Deacon) ELIAS HANCOCK4 Captain SAMUEL COWELL4’s Company (ca. 1756 – 1842)
Sergeant (Dr.) DAVID RAY4 - Uncle Captain EZEKIEL PLYMPTON4’s Co. (1742 – 1822)
Private ENOCH SPURR5 Captain SAMUEL COWELL4’s Co. or (1761 – 1843) Captain EZEKIEL PLYMPTON4’s Co.
Notes: (1) About 1790 and possibly earlier, Colonel BENJAMIN HAWES4 lived at 289 East Street in Wrentham, Massachusetts, one of the original settlement sites of Wrentham.
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(2) 5X Great Grandfather Private *JONATHAN WIGHT3 (1700 – 1773) was born on January 6, 1700 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was the son of 6X Great Grandfather *JONATHAN WIGHT2 (1662 - 1719) and 6X Great Grandmother *ELIZABETH FISHER HAWES WIGHT (BULLARD)2 (1670 – 1764) of Dedham and Wrentham, Massachusetts. He married twice: 1. February 13, 1721 in Wrentham, Massachusetts: 5X Great Grandmother *JEMIMA WHITING (WIGHT)3 (1699 - 1754) whose son was 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804); 2. December 5, 1754 in Wrentham, Massachusetts: the widow, JERUSHA (?) GEORGE (WIGHT)3 ( ? - 1793). 5X Great Grandfather Private *JONATHAN WIGHT3 (1700 – 1773) died on March 26, 1773 in Wrentham, Massachusetts.
All in all the men from the three states’ militias formed a formidable army of 10,000 men, willing and eager to fight for the cause of freedom. They marched to Tiverton, Rhode Island where they were stationed near a stone bridge. The British somehow detected the advancing militias and, by building dams across a brook running into Easton’s Pond, flooded the valley through which the Americans must advance. The operational plan was necessarily changed and the Americans decided to attack the British by boat. However, there was a lengthy delay in rounding up enough boats and making other preparations. It would be October before the expedition would be ready for the attack. The excessive delay caused great dissatisfaction among the troops, especially among those from Massachusetts. They attributed the prolonged delay to the “want of tact and energy in their General.” General JOSEPH SPENCER4, on leaving his quarters one morning in October during the long wait, found the following verse, written in large letters, placed in full view of the public: “Israel wanted bread, The Lord sent them manna; Rhode Island wants a head, And Congress sends – a granny!” After this the Major- General was called by the sobriquet of “Granny SPENCER4” as long as he remained in Rhode Island. Although the British were now fully aware of the Colonial Militias’ presence and intentions, the Americans at least altered their plan and decided to take the British by surprise in the middle of the night. Once a large fleet of boats was prepared for the amphibious operation, a night was finally chosen in October for the attack. Colonel BENJAMIN HAWES4’s Massachusetts regiment, the 4th Suffolk County Regiment, was to be among the first to embark. He mustered his regiment including the many Wrentham men and gave them an inspiring speech encouraging them to behave like men, and to win for themselves the title of heroes and patriots in their country’s cause. “Perhaps,” said he, “this night will be our last, but if it is, let us go to sleep in the arms of glory.” However, Mother Nature stepped in. Heavy gales of wind arrived dashing hopes of the boats making safe passage. The attack was postponed again. The Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 243
Americans moved their embarkation point to a landing place above Fogland Ferry and planned another attempt. Once again the weather was against them and also the British, now aware of the night attack plan, fired upon some of the boats. With the complete loss of secrecy, and the uneasiness of the troops chilled by the arduous wait, the whole affair was abandoned at that time. Historians have long debated the success or failure of this mission. Although the British were not dislodged from Newport Island by direct attack, the “secret expedition” effectively confined a large body of British troops to the defense of Newport that could have been of great value to Lieutenant-General JOHN BURGOYNE4 (1722 – 1792) in his Hudson River Valley campaign.
[Surrender of BURGOYNE4 – October 17, 1777]
As it turned out, wonderful news soon arrived that on October 17, 1777, Lieutenant-General JOHN BURGOYNE4 (1722 – 1792) had surrendered at Saratoga, New York with 5,800 of His Majesty’s men. Conceivably, the “secret expedition to Rhode Island” contributed to this great defeat of British forces in the field. <<<
1779: [Penobscot Expedition – July 24 to August 12, 1779] Intent on establishing a naval base from which they could more effectively operate against American privateers, stage further raids into New England, and develop a refuge for displaced Loyalists, in mid-June, 1779, the British sent two regiments (600- 700 men) to the Bagaduce Pennisular in Penobscot Bay (near present-day Castine, Maine) where they built “Fort George.” By June 20, 1779 this caused great uneasiness in the American communities on the New England coast. To dislodge the British from Penobscot Bay, an expedition was organized in Boston, Massachusetts under Brigadier General SOLOMON LOVELL3. 1,500 militiamen from three Maine counties (Maine was a district of Massachusetts until 1820) were expected to carry out the expedition, but only 870 unorganized, inexperienced, and ill-equipped troops actually turned out. 4X Great Grandfather Captain *JAMES GRANT4 III (1752 – 1830) re-enlisted July 7, 1779 under Lieutenant SAMUEL YOUNG4 in Captain SAMUEL SAYER4’s Company of a detachment of militia from the County of York (Maine) under 24 command of Major DANIEL LITTLEFIELD4. The organization of the detachment of the Town of York (Maine) Militia for the expedition to Bagaduce, Maine in 1779 was as follows:
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Table 61: Soldiers of the Town of York, Maine militia who served in the expedition against the British at Bagaduce, Penobscot Bay, Maine from July 24 to August 12, 1779. Rank Name Major DANIEL LITTLEFIELD4, Commanding Officer Captain SAMUEL SAYER4, Company Commander Lieutenant SAMUEL YOUNG4 Sergeant JOSHUA MOULTON4 Corporal JONATHAN MOULTON4 Drummer JOHN JUNKINS JR.4 Fifer ALEXANDER CARLISLE4 Privates RICHARD BANKS4 PELETIAH BANKS4 TIMOTHY DONNELL4 BENAIAH YOUNG4 *JAMES GRANT4 (Captain III) – 4X Great Grandfather. DANIEL GREEN4 THEODORE WEARE4
The expedition departed Boston on July 24, 1779 and arrived off Penobscot Bay that same day. On July 26, 1779, the Americans landed 750 men on the Bagaduce Peninsular and on the same day landed a small group on nearby Nautilus Island, a small island at the harbor’s entrance, and overran a British artillery battery on the island. Unfortunately, while putting off from Nautilus Island, the boat carrying Major DANIEL LITTLEFIELD4 of the York detachment was struck by enemy fire, and the Major and two of his men were drowned. Instead of attacking “Fort George” immediately, the 750 men who landed on the Bagaduce Pennisular starting building siege works while under fire. “Fort George” was unsuccessfully besieged by the American land and naval forces for over two weeks. Finally, on August 11, 1779, 250 American Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 245 militia attacked the fort and were easily repulsed by a smaller British force. By August 13, 1779, the poorly coordinated siege of “Fort George” reached an end when the Americans found themselves pinned within Penobscot Bay by a newly arrived British relief fleet. The Americans were totally routed with severe losses in ships, arms and 474 men killed, wounded, or captured. It was a complete debacle for the Americans. 4X Great Grandfather Captain *JAMES GRANT4 III (1752 – 1830) served as one of the marines at the failed Penobscot Expedition (Castine, Maine) of July 24 to August 12, 1779. He was discharged on September 6, 1779 from the York County Militia (York County, Maine) soon after this expedition. <<<
Otisfield, Maine: In 1779, the Passamaquoddy Indians were still prowling about Otisfield, Maine which was still a wilderness. They fished up and down the Crooked River and hunted in the thick woods which were still full of game.
1781: Wrentham, Massachusetts: On March 4, 1781, 5X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE JR3 (1697 – 1781) died in Wrentham, Massachusetts at 83 years, 6 months, and 14 days of age and was buried in the “Wrentham Center Cemetery” (see images on next page). 5X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE3’s (1697 – 1781) gravestone (see photograph on next page) is inscribed: “In Memory of Capt, NATHANIEL WARE, who Died March ye 4th, 1781, Aged 83 years, 6 months & 14 days.” 5X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE JR3 (1697 – 1781) was the son of 6X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE2 (1648 – 1724) and 6X Great Grandmother *MARY WHEELOCK WARE2 (1674 – 1750) of Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was survived by his wife of almost fifty-five years, PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3 (1701 – 1788), and his children including our 4X Great Grandmother, *ABIGAIL WARE WIGHT4 (1740 – 1799) and his son and our uncle, Sergeant and Captain NATHANIEL WARE III4 (1744 – 1832). <<< About seven years later, on May 3, 1788, 5X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3 (1701 – 1788) would die in Wrentham, Massachusetts at 87 years of age. She was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *BENJAMIN GRANT2 (1641 – 1726) and 6X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA MORSE GRANT6 (1675 – 1754) of Medfield and Wrentham, Massachusetts. She would be buried in the “Wrentham Center Cemetery” next to her husband, 5X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE3 (1697 – 1781). 5X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3’s (1701 – 1788) gravestone (see photograph on next page) is inscribed: “In Memory of Mrs. PRISCILLA WARE, Relict of Capt, NATHANIEL WARE who Died May 3, 1788 in ye 87 Year of Age.” Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 246
Figure 19: Upper: The WARE Family Plot in the “Wrentham Center Cemetery,” Wrentham, Massachusetts. Lower left: 5X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE3 (1697 – 1781) and 5X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3 (1701 – 1788) gravestones. Lower center: 5X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE3’s (1697 – 1781) gravestone inscribed: “In Memory of Capt, NATHANIEL WARE, who Died March ye 4th, 1781, Aged 83 years, 6 months & 14 days.” Lower right: 5X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3’s (1701 – 1788) gravestone inscribed: “In Memory of Mrs. PRISCILLA WARE, Relict of Capt, NATHANIEL WARE who Died May 3, 1788 in ye 87 Year of Age.” (2012 photographs)
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Tar River District, Granville County, North Carolina: 5X Great Grandfather *NATHAN CHILDS SR3 (1730 – ca. 1804) and his son, 4X Great Grandfather *JOHN IRIS CHILDS SR4 (1751 – 1825), lived in the Tar River District of Granville County, North Carolina (30 miles north of Durham, North Carolina near the Virginia border) since as early as 1762. They were North Carolina patriots from Granville County who honorably served in the colonial army (Continental Line) during the Revolutionary War. *NATHAN CHILDS SR3 (1730 – ca. 1804) was *GYPSIE LEE CHILDS METCALF8’s (1888 – 1980) 3X Great Grandfather. [See: “Appendix “D”: Childs Pedigree” for the CHILDS-METCALF-POTTER Pedigree.] On May 22, 1778 4X Great Grandfather *JOHN IRIS CHILDS SR4 (1751 – 1825) took the “oath of allegiance” to the State of North Carolina, Island Creek District, Granville County, North Carolina. He served in the North Carolina militia in the Continental Line as a Private under Captain WILLIAM FREEMAN4 and Captain JOHN CALHOUN4 in the “Upper Ninety-Six District Regiment” from 1778 to 1783 during the Revolutionary War. The “Upper Ninety-Six District Regiment” was established on March 25, 1778 with *JOHN CHILDS SR4 (1751 – 1825) and JONATHAN CHILDS4 (relationship unknown) listed on the muster roll as Privates. Under Captain WILLIAM FREEMAN4 the “Upper Ninety-Six District Regiment” from 1778 to 1781 was not engaged in any known battles. Under Captain JOHN CALHOUN4 the regiment fought in two known battles: (1) March 15, 1781: “Guilford Court House, North Carolina,” and (2) April – June, 1781: “Siege of Augusta, Georgia.” *JOHN IRIS CHILDS SR4 (1751 – 1825) was our Grandmother *GYPSIE LEE CHILDS METCALF8’s (1888 – 1980) 2X Great Grandfather. From 1780 to 1783 the “Upper Ninety-Six District Regiment” from North Carolina under Captain JOHN CALHOUN4 had four CHILDS family members listed as Privates: (1) JONATHAN CHILDS4, (2) JAMES CHILDS JR4, (3) JOHN CHILDS SR4, and (4) JOHN CHILDS JR5. 5X Great Grandfather *JOHN MICHAEL SATTERWHITE3 (1734 – 1804) of Williamsboro, Granville County, North Carolina also served in the Granville County, North Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War. He was *GYPSIE LEE CHILDS METCALF8’s (1888 – 1980) 3X Great Grandfather. [See: “Appendix “D”: Childs Pedigree” for the SATTERWHITE- CHILDS-METCALF-POTTER Pedigree.] <<< Little River, South Carolina: 5X Great Grandfather *HUGH STANALAND II3 (1720 – 1790), father of 4X Great Grandfather *HUGH STANALAND III4 (ca. 1750 – 1835), lived in Brunswick County, North Carolina near the South Carolina border. He was a Revolutionary War patriot from the border area of North Carolina and South Carolina and was listed as a “Circuit Rider” for the Little River, South Carolina “Committee of Safety.” He was *GYPSIE LEE CHILDS METCALF8’s (1888 – 1980) 3X Great Grandfather.
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[See: “Appendix “D”: Childs Pedigree” for the STANALAND- SELLERS-CHILDS-METCALF-POTTER Pedigree.] <<<
Brunswick County, North Carolina: 4X Great Grandfather *ELISHA SELLERS4 (ca. 1735 – 1813) (*WILLIAM BENJAMIN3, *MATTHEW WILLIAM2, *WILLIAM1) was a surveyor and owned hundreds of acres of land in Brunswick County, North Carolina including land in Starboard Swamp, on Moore’s Creek, and on the southwest side of the Waccamaw River. During the Revolutionary War, he served honorably as a Private in the North Carolina militia from the Wilmington District during the Revolutionary War and fought in the “Battle of Eutaw Springs (September 8, 1781)” near Charleston in South Carolina. He was Grandmother *GYPSIE LEE CHILDS METCALF8’s (1888 – 1980) Great Great Grandfather.
[Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina – September 8, 1781]: On September 8, 1781 Major General NATHANAEL GREENE4 (1742 – 1786) with 2,200 men, continental soldiers and militia including 4X Great Grandfather Private *ELISHA SELLERS4 (ca. 1735 – 1813), attacked the British encampment at Eutaw Springs, South Carolina which was approximately 50 miles northwest of Charleston. The North Carolina militia was in the center of the front line that attacked the British and fought well. The British camp of 2,000 British regulars was under the command of Lt. Colonel ALEXANDER STEWART4 ( ? – 1794). The Continental attack initially succeeded but was repulsed by a British counterattack. Although the battle was a tactical victory for the British, it was a strategic victory for the Continentals as the British were required to withdraw to the safety of Charleston, South Carolina.
“The Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina – September 8, 1781”
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Table 62: The *SELLERS – CHILDS – METCALF – POTTER Pedigree.
Gen. Name Spouse 1 *WILLIAM SELLERS SR1 *SARAH HARRISON (SELLERS)1 (ca. 1637 – before Sept. 1714) (after 1637 - ? ) (born ca. 1637 in Charlton-On- (daughter of *JOSIAH HARRISON0 Otmor, Oxon, England) (before 1616 – after 1684))
2 *MATTHEW WILLIAM *CATHERINE JORDAN SELLERS2 (1675 – 1740) (SELLERS)2 (ca. 1678 – 1761) st 3 *WILLIAM BENJAMIN *MARIE (?) (SELLERS)3 – 1 wife SELLERS3 (ca. 1710 – 1761) ( ? - ? ) 4 *ELISHA SELLERS4 *MARY WILLETS (SELLERS)4 (ca. 1735 – 1813) (ca. 1760 – after 1813) (Private, North Carolina militia – (daughter of *SAMUEL WILLETS3 Revolutionary War) (ca. 1732 – before 1782) and *ANN LEONARD WILLETS3 (ca. 1735 – after 1790)) 5 *SAMUEL CALVIN *SARAH STANALAND (SELLERS)5 SELLERS5 (1786 – 1867) (1788 – 1857) (daughter of *HUGH STANALAND (Private, North Carolina militia – III4 (ca. 1750 – before 1835) and War of 1812) *SARAH OGDEN STANALAND4) 6 *LOUISA SELLERS *WILLIAM GREEN (BUCK) (CHILDS)6 (1825 – 1867) CHILDS6 (1824 – 1902) 7 *WILLIAM THOMAS *LuETTA SUMMERSETT CHILDS7 (1861 – 1931) (CHILDS)7 (1871 – 1950) 8 *GYPSIE LEE CHILDS *MACK WILBURN METCALF8 (METCALF)8 (1888 – 1980) (1873 – 1958) 9 *VONCEILE CAROLYN *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 METCALF (POTTER)9 (1906 – 1976) (1909 – 1976) 10 (1) KENNETH DODGE POTTER JR10 (1944 - ? ) (2) *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) See: “Appendix “D”: Childs Pedigree” for more details.
While away serving in the Continental Army, 4X Great Grandfather *ELISHA SELLERS4’s (ca. 1735 – 1813) wife, *MARY WILLETS SELLERS (ca. 1760 – after 1813), and their children, who were living in Brunswick County, North Carolina, were harassed by the British aligned Tories. On one occasion, the Tories raided their farm in Brunswick County and plundered their home. They thoroughly searched
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Revolutionary War: [Victory at Yorktown, Virginia – October 19, 1781] On October 19, 1781, the British forces under LORD CORNWALLIS surrendered to General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1732 – 1799) at Yorktown, Virginia, essentially ending the Revolutionary War. <<<
1783: [End of the Revolutionary War – February 4, 1783] On February 4, 1783, Great Britain announced the cessation of hostilities against the United States. <<<
Ipswich, Massachusetts: Proud Ipswich historians summarized their soldiers’ contribution to the “War of Independence” as follows: “Our Ipswich soldiers fought at Bunker Hill and helped drive Howe from Boston. They fought under GATES at the North, under WASHINGTON on Long Island, in New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. They helped conquer BURGOYNE and they guarded his troops at Prospect Hill near Boston. They suffered in the retreat through New Jersey and at Valley Forge.” <<<
Boston, Massachusetts: In 1783, Boston, Massachusetts was the first municipality in the United States to officially designate July 4th as the “Independence Day” holiday and held the first “official” state celebration on July 4, 1783. <<<
Otisfield, Maine: Many of the early settlers of Otisfield, Maine were soldiers of the American Revolution. Many Otisfield veterans came from Wrentham, Massachusetts and the greater number from the vicinity of Groton, Massachusetts. <<<
Otisfield, Maine: By 1783 fourteen families principally from Wrentham and Groton, Massachusetts had purchased hundred-acre lots in Otisfield, Maine, a so-called land grant “Canada town.” Revolutionary War veteran and Uncle, Dr. DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) of Wrentham, Massachusetts was the head of one of Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 251 these families. In 1783, Uncle Dr. DAVID RAY4 (1742 – 1822) moved his family from Bell Hill in Otisfield where he initially settled through the woods to the outlet of Saturday Pond in the section of Otisfield now called “Rayville.” There he built the first grist mill and sawmill. His expansive house and the remains of the granite dam on Sucker Brook that once powered his mills still stand in “Rayville” as of 2017. 25 From 1781 to the summer of 1783 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) with some of his sons evaluated prospective places in the wilderness of Maine to live including New Marblehead (Windham) and Otisfield, Maine. Otisfield appealed to them, especially “a beautiful ridge of land near the centre of the town.” On July 5, 1783, *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) purchased 100+ acres (Lot No. 99) in Otisfield, Maine for 30 pounds. He was the first settler on Lot No. 99. His son, BENJAMIN WIGHT5 (1765 – 1853) would also live on Lot No. 99 near his father. On July 18, 1783, *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) also purchased Otisfield Lot No. 98 (100+ acres) for 30 pounds which he would 26 sell for $400.00 to his son, *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 1824), on April 7, 1800. Otisfield Lot No’s 98 and 99 were directly across State Route 121 from one another. 27 So in November, 1783, 4X Great Grandfather *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) departed Wrentham, Massachusetts with his family except one son and settled at the head of a beaver meadow, near “the willow tree” (i.e. Lot No. 99) in Otisfield, Maine. Six of his seven living children including his sons, Dr. JOSEPH WIGHT JR5 (1758 – 1846), BENJAMIN WIGHT5 (1764 – 1853), THOMAS WIGHT5 (1771 – 1860), and 3x Great Grandfather *NATHAN WIGHT5 (1773 – 28 1824) relocated with him. His son JAMES WIGHT5 (1769 - ? ) chose to live in Massachusetts. *JOSEPH WIGHT SR4 (1729 – 1804) was both a tailor and shoemaker by trade, and worked at both trades in Otisfield, Maine. His account book (1785 to 1794) shows that he made surtouts, waistcoats, bearskin muffs, boots and shoes. He was also a farmer and part proprietor of a saw mill upon Saturday Pond in the Rayville section of Otisfield. <<<
[Treaty of Paris – September 3, 1783] On September 3, 1783 the final treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States was signed in Paris, France.
1784: [Ratification of the Treaty of Paris – January 14, 1784] On January 14, 1784, the Continental Congress ratified the “Treaty of Paris” that ended the Revolutionary War. On May 12, 1784, the United States and Great Britain exchanged ratifications of the “Treaty of Paris” that ended the Revolutionary War.
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1785: Otisfield, Maine: On April 13, 1785, 4X Great Grandfather Lieutenant *JOSEPH HANCOCK4 (1740 – 1815) purchased Lot No. 82 in Otisfield, Maine at the head of Parker Pond (now Pleasant Pond) for 126 pounds. He had come to Otisfield, Maine from Wrentham, Massachusetts sometime around 1780. He settled on Lot No. 82 in Otisfield with his wife, 4X Great Grandmother *JERUSHA WHITING HANCOCK4 (ca. 1742 – 1831), and his two sons, JOSEPH HANCOCK 29 JR5 (1764 – died at sea) and THOMAS HANCOCK5 (1776 – 1858). Otisfield Lot No. 82 is located on the north side of State Route 121 where it bends towards Bell Hill Road due north of Pleasant Pond. <<<
1787: Ipswich, Massachusetts: On March 8, 1787 Uncle Deacon ISAAC POTTER5 (1763 – 1830) married Aunt JOANNA JEWETT (POTTER)5 (1767 – 1835) in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He was the son of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 - 1791) and 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 - 1803) of Ipswich, Massachusetts and he was the older brother of 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 - 1844). They lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts where they had eight (8) known children between 1788 and ca. 1803. Uncle Deacon ISAAC POTTER5 (1763 – 1830) would die on January 19, 1830 in Ipswich, Massachusetts from “Dropsy” at 66 years of age. Aunt JOANNA JEWETT (POTTER)5 (1767 – 1835) was baptized on February 8, 1767 in Rowley, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of PURCHASE JEWETT4 (1739 - ? ) and his first wife, SARAH GOULD JEWETT4 (1746 – 1786), who were married on May 7, 1765 in Boxford, Massachusetts. She would die on July 6, 1835 at about 68 years of age from “Consumption” per Rowley Town Records (Church Record #1).
Table 63: The eight (8) children of Uncle Deacon ISAAC POTTER5 (1763 – 1830) and Aunt JOANNA JEWETT (POTTER)5 (1767 – 1835) of Ipswich, Massachusetts. No. Name Spouse 1 JOANNA POTTER (HARRIS)6 EDWARD HARRIS6 (1787 – 1869) Born: December 28, 1787 – Ipswich, MA. Baptized: January 6, 1788 – Ipswich, MA. Married: 1838 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Children: None (0). Died: February 26, 1869 Buried: Old Burying Ground, Ipswich, Massachusett. Cause of Death: “Senile Debility” Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 253
2 SARAH POTTER (HARRIS)6 EDWARD HARRIS6 (?) (1790 - ? ) Born: 1790 – Ipswich, Massachusetts. Baptized: Feb. 14, 1790 – Ipswich, MA. Died: unknown date and place. 3 ISAAC POTTER JR6 (1794 – 1813) Never married; died at 19 years of Baptized: 1794 – Ipswich, MA. age per Rowley Town Records. Died: Oct. 16/19, 1813 – Ipswich, MA. at 19 years of age. Cause of Death: “Typhus Fever” 4 PERKINS POTTER6 (1804 – 1857) MARY ANN JEWETT Baptized: Nov. 4, 1804 – Ipswich, MA. (POTTER)6 Married: March, 1830 – Ipswich, MA. Died: May 11, 1857 – Ipswich, MA. at 53 years of age. Buried: Old Burying Ground, Ipswich, Massachusetts. 5 Ensign ASA POTTER6 (1797 – 1850) SUSANNA H. JOHNSON Born: July 6, 1797 – Ipswich, MA. (POTTER)6 (1796 – 1871) Married: 1820; marriage intentions Daughter of: published on October 16, 1819 ISAAC JOHNSON5 and in Ipswich, Massachusetts. ALICE POTTER JOHNSON Children: Ten (10) born between 1821 (HEALD)5 of Andover, MA. and and 1840. Bridgton, Maine. Died: July 4, 1850 6 THOMAS POTTER6 (ca. 1800 – 1812) Never married; died at 12 years of Baptized: ca. 1800 – Ipswich, MA. age. Died: March 9, 1812 – Rowley, MA. (Church Record #1) at 12 years of age. Cause of Death: “Fever” 7 MARTHA POTTER (CONANT)6 WILLIAM FOSTER Baptized: ca. 1801/02 – Ipswich, MA. CONANT6 Married: 1828 8 MARY POTTER6 (ca. 1803 – 1828) Never married. Baptized: ca. 1803 – Ipswich, MA. Died: August 21, 1828 at 25 years of age per Rowley Church Record # 1. Cause of Death: “Consumption” Note: PERKINS POTTER6 (1804 – 1857) was undoubtedly named after his grandmother’s dearest second husband, THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757), who had died in 1757 while patriotically serving in the “French & Indian War.”
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1788: Wrentham, Massachusetts: On May 3, 1788, 5X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3 (1701 – 1788) died in Wrentham, Massachusetts at 87 years of age. She was the daughter of 6X Great Grandfather *BENJAMIN GRANT2 (1641 – 1726) and 6X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA MORSE GRANT6 (1675 – 1754) of Medfield and Wrentham, Massachusetts. She was buried in the “Wrentham Center Cemetery” next to her husband, 5X Great Grandfather *NATHANIEL WARE3 (1697 – 1781). [See: gravestone photographs on page 234] 5X Great Grandmother *PRISCILLA GRANT WARE3 (1701 – 1788) was survived by most of her children including our 4X Great Grandmother, *ABIGAIL WARE WIGHT4 (1740 – 1799) and her son and our uncle, Sergeant and Captain NATHANIEL WARE III4 (1744 – 1832). <<<
1789: On April 30, 1789, General GEORGE WASHINGTON4 (1789 – 1797) was inaugurated as the “First President of the United States of America.” <<< Prospect (Frankfort), Maine: Following the Revolutionary War, Prospect Center, Maine was settled by the *GRANTs, MUDGETTs, KILLMANs, MARDENs, and LIBBYs. The *GRANTs were Scots. They came to America in 1651. 8X Great Grandfather *PETER GRANT0 (1631/4 – 1711/12) and his brother, JAMES GRANT0 ( ? - 1663/64), were sent to America as Scot prisoners-of-war. They were taken prisoners in the “Battle of Worchester (England)” on September 3, 1651. It was in this battle that OLIVER CROMWELL-1 (1599 – 1658) overthrew the army of the Scots under King CHARLES II. The prisoners were sent to America on the ship “John and Sarah.” These GRANT0 brothers settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, and worked in the Lynn Iron Works. Later JAMES GRANT0 settled in Berwick, Maine, and *PETER GRANT0 in York, Maine. 4X Great Grandfather (Captain) *JAMES GRANT III4 (1752 – 1830), a shipbuilder by trade, and 4X Great Grandmother *JOAN (JOANNA) CARTER GRANT4 (1750 – 1827) came to Frankfort (Prospect), Maine from Berwick, Maine via Pownalborough (now Dresden), Maine, soon after the Revolutionary War. [Note: The town of Prospect split off from Frankfort, Maine (which was Massachusetts until 1820), and was incorporated as a new town on February 24, 1794. Captain *JAMES GRANT III4 (1752 – 1830) was one of the incorporators.] They had ten (10) children: 30
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Table 64: The ten (10) children of 4X Great Grandfather (Captain) *JAMES GRANT III4 (1752 – 1830), a shipbuilder by trade, and 4X Great Grandmother *JOAN (JOANNA) CARTER GRANT4 (1750 – 1827) of Berwick, Pownalborough (Dresden), and Prospect (Frankfort), Maine. No. Name 1 Uncle (Deacon) JOHN GRANT5 (1777 – 1858) was born on May 11, 1777; married Aunt PHOEBE CURTIS (GRANT)5 (ca. 1770 – 1843) of Frankfort (Prospect), Maine on November 17, 1799; he died on May 6, 1858 at 80 years, 11 months, and 26 days of age per his gravestone; she died on October 9, 1843 at 73 years, 7 months, and 24 days of age per her gravestone; they are buried together in his father’s plot, Lot # 150 (Row 2, Lot No. 9), of “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine with his father and mother. 2 Uncle ELISHA GRANT5 (1779 – 1865) was born on February 27, 1779; married Aunt POLLY MUDGETT (GRANT)5 (ca. 1784 – 1850) on September 19, 1802; he died on February 22, 1865 at 86 years, 11 months, and 24 days of age per his gravestone; she died on May 5, 1850 at 66 years of age per her gravestone; they are buried together in Row 4, Lot No. 9 in the “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine. 3 Uncle JAMES GRANT JR5 (1781 - ? ) was born on March 17, 1781. 4 Uncle EPHRAIM GRANT5 (1783 – 1863), was born on April 5, 1783; married Aunt MARY STURT (GRANT)5 (1784 – 1863) on November 6, 1803; he died on August 27, 1863 at 80 years and 4 months of age per his gravestone; Aunt MARY STURT GRANT5 was born in 1784 and died on December 26, 1863 at 79 years and 8 months of age per her gravestone; they were buried together in Row 2, Lot No. 2 of “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine. 5 Uncle JOSEPH GRANT5 (1785 – before 1840) was born on March 15, 1785; married Aunt NANCY HAYNES (GRANT)5 (1789 - 1840), intentions published on November 4, 1809 at Prospect, Maine; she was the younger sister of 3X Great Grandmother *HANNAH HAYNES GRANT5 (1783 – 1858), wife of his younger brother, 3X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL GRANT5 (1789 – 1856); he died prior to 1840; she died a widow on March 19, 1840 at 51 years of age per her gravestone and is buried in the sole grave of Lot # 227 (Row 5, Lot No. 12) of “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine. 6 Aunt JUDITH B. GRANT (MUDGETT)5 (1787 – 1852) was born on April 24, 1787; married Uncle ABRAHAM MUDGETT JR5 (1790 – 1871), son of ABRAHAM MUDGETT4 and JUDA MUDGETT4; intentions published December 6, 1808, married on December 15, 1808 by Reverend JOSHUA HALL5; they had eight (8) children; she died on October 3, 1852 at 64 years and 5 months of age; Uncle ABRAHAM MUDGETT JR5 was born on
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February 12, 1790 and died April 26, 1871 at 81 years, 2 months and 14 days of age; they were buried in “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine. 7 3X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL GRANT5 (1789 – 1856) was born on February 27, 1789; married 3X Great Grandmother *HANNAH HAYNES (GRANT)5 (1783 – 1858), intentions published July 4, 1810; 3X Great Grandmother *HANNAH HAYNES GRANT5 was the older sister of Aunt NANCY HAYNES GRANT5 (1789 – 1840), wife of his older brother, JOSEPH GRANT5 (1785 – prior to 1840). They had seven (7) children between 1811 and 1827. 3X Great Grandfather *SAMUEL GRANT5 was a farmer by occupation and died on May 13, 1856 at 67 years or 64 years 5 months per gravestone(?). 3X Great Grandmother *HANNAH HAYNES (GRANT)5 was born in 1783 and died on August 31, 1858 at 75 years of age. Their burials were by the Reverend HUGH CARLEY5; they were buried in Lot # 148 (Row 2, Lot No. 10) in “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine. These were the parents of 2X Great Grandfather *LEONARD SAMUEL GRANT6 (1812 – 1880). 8 Aunt JOANNA GRANT (MOORE)5 (1792 - ? ) was born on June 18, 1792; married Uncle WILLIAM MOORE5 of Frankfort (Prospect), Maine, intentions published October 13, 1814, married August 23, 1834; they lived in Searsport and Monroe, Maine; there is no record of any children. 9 Uncle ANDREW GRANT5 (1794 – 1865) was born on June 11, 1794; was a farmer by occupation; married twice: (1) Aunt NANCY H. MUDGETT (GRANT)5 (1798 – 1843); she was born August 17, 1798; intentions published September 6, 1819 at Prospect, Maine; they had nine children between 1821 and 1841; she died on January 26, 1843 at 44 years and 5 months of age per her gravestone; (2) Aunt MARGARET ANN BASSICK HARRIMAN (GRANT)5 (1798 - ? ), widow of HEZEKIAH HARRIMAN5, intentions published on March 20, 1843; married on November 20, 1843; there is no record of any children. Uncle ANDREW GRANT5 died on July 11 or 12, 1865 at 71 years and 1 month of age [Note: His gravestone has an incorrect age on it.]; he and his first wife are buried together in Lot # 196 (Row 4, Lot No. 23) of “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine. 10 Aunt ELEANOR (ELENOR) GRANT (PARTRIDGE)5 (1797 - 1867) was born on August 27, 1797; married Uncle JOSIAH PARTRIDGE5 (1797 – prior to 1850), intentions published November 9, 1822 in Prospect, Maine; they had at least two (2) children; she died on October 22, 1867 at 70 years and 2 months of age per her gravestone; Uncle JOSIAH PARTRIDGE5 was born on January 11, 1797, was a farmer by occupation, and died prior to 1850; they are buried in “Maple Grove Cemetery” in Prospect, Maine.
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4X Great Grandfather (Captain) *JAMES GRANT III4 (1752 – 1830) was the eldest son of 5X Great Grandfather *EPHRAIM GRANT3 (1731 – ca. 1799) and 5X Great Grandmother *HANNAH (“NAN”) CANNEY (KENNEY) GRANT3 ( ? - ? ) of Berwick, Maine. He was born in 1752 and perhaps baptized on January 1, 1754. The Revolutionary War veteran died on November 4 or 15, 1830 in Prospect, Maine at 78 years of age. 31 4X Great Grandmother *JOAN (JOANNA) CARTER GRANT4 (1750 – 1827) was probably the daughter of 5X Great Grandfather *JOHN CARTER3 and 5X Great Grandmother *JOANNA ALLEN CARTER3 of either Berwick or Sedgewick, Maine. She was born in 1750 and died on March 28, 1827 in Prospect, Maine at 77 years of age. Captain *JAMES GRANT III4 (1752 – 1830) and *JOAN (JOANNA) CARTER GRANT4 (1750 – 1827) were buried together in Lot # 150 (Row 2, Lot No. 9) of the Maple Grove Cemetery in Prospect, Maine. Their graves are marked by one gravestone and a “Soldiers of the American Revolution” marker with flag. [See: “Appendix “7A”: Grant Pedigree” for the complete GRANT genealogy.]
1790: At 11:00 PM on April 17, 1790 the great American statesman BENJAMIN FRANKLIN3 (1706 - 1790) died in his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 84 years and 3 months of age from “pleurisy.” His funeral attracted a staggering 20,000 mourners. He was buried in the “Christ Church Burial Ground” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One of our greatest patriots, he was born on January 17, 1706 in our dear Boston, Massachusetts, “The Cradle of Liberty.” <<<
1791: Ipswich (Linebrook Parish), Massachusetts: 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4, (1724 – 1791) was probably seriously ill in March, 1791; for, he made his Last Will on March 10th, 1791 and died three months later on June 22, 1791 at 67 years of age at Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish), Ipswich, Massachusetts per the church record of the Linebrook Parish Church. He was buried in the “Old Linebrook Parish Cemetery” at the intersection of Linebrook Road and Newbury Road, Ipswich, Massachusetts. His gravestone is inscribed: “Dea. Anthony Potter died June 22nd, 1791 in his 67th yr. The end of the righteous man is peace.” Next to his grave is a marker showing that he was a veteran of the “Revolutionary War.” His Last Will was proved on July 5th, 1791. When his second wife, 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803), died on June 12, 1803, she was buried next to him in the “Old Linebrook Parish Cemetery.” Her
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 258 gravestone was inscribed: “Mrs. Martha Potter consort of Deacon Anthony Potter died June 12, 1803 Aet. 72.” 4X Great Grandfather *Deacon ANTHONY POTTER4, (1724 – 1791) had two wives and fathered eleven (11) children who produced forty-eight (48) known grandchildren and probably many more yet to be identified. His first wife was MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 (1724 – 1762) who was born on November 11, 1724 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. They married in 1745 in Ipswich, Massachusetts with marriage intentions published there on October 12, 1745. They had six children born between 1747 and 1759. She died on April 26, 1762 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. His second wife was 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) who was born on August 23, 1730/31 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. She had married three previous times and was the widow of: (1) Mr. (?) WILLIAMS4, (2) THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757), and (3) ELIJAH BRADSTREET4 ( ? - 1760). They married on October 20, 1762 in Topsfield, Massachusetts and would have five children born between 1763 and 1772 including 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844). She died on June 12, 1803 in Ipswich Farms, Massachusetts. 3X Great Grandfather *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 – 1844) was born on February 10, 1770 in Rowley, Massachusetts and was baptized on February 18, 1770 in “Linebrook Parish” in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
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Figure 20: Graves of 4X Great Grandfather *Deacon ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) and his second wife, 4X Great Grandmother *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET POTTER4 (1731 – 1803) in the “Old Linebrook Cemetery” at the intersection of Linebrook Road and Newbury Road in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His gravestone is inscribed: “Dea. Anthony Potter died June 22nd, 1791 in his 67th yr. The end of the righteous man is peace.” Her gravestone is inscribed: “Mrs. Martha Potter consort of Deacon Anthony Potter died June 12, 1803 Aet. 72.” (2005 photographs)
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The Legacy of 4X Great Grandfather Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) 4th Generation 5th Generation 6th Generation
*ANTHONY POTTER4 (Deacon) (1724 – 1791) Born: November 13, 1724 Ipswich, Massachusetts. Baptized: November 15, 1724 Topsfield, MA. Children (11): Grandchildren (48) known: Died: June 22, 1791 at 67 yrs. (see below) (see below) Ipswich Farms, MA. Married (twice): (1) Int. October 12, 1745 Ipswich, MA. (2) October 20, 1762 Topsfield, MA. (1) MARY DAVIS (POTTER)4 (1724 – 1762) – 1st wife. Born: November 11, 1724 – Children (6): Grandchildren (7) known: Ipswich Farms, MA. (see below) (see below) Died: April 26, 1762 – Ipswich Farms, MA. Married: Int. Oct. 12, 1745 – Ipswich, MA. A. SUSANNA POTTER (PERRY)5 (1747 – 1789) Born: July 16, 1747 – Ipswich Farms, MA. Baptized: July 19, 1747 – Topsfield, MA. Children: unknown. Died: August 21, 1789 - unknown. Married: 1763 – Hampstead, N.H. Husband: Captain BENJAMIN PERRY5 B. JERUSHA POTTER (SMITH)5 (1750 - ? ) Born: September 2, 1750 Ipswich Farms, MA. Children: unknown. Baptized: Sept. 16, 1750 Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts. Died: unknown. Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 261
Married: February 21, 1769 Ipswich, MA. Husband: JOHN SMITH5 Born: St. Johns, Nova Scotia. C. ELIZABETH POTTER Children: six (6) all born in (LURVEY)5 Barnard, Vermont: (1753 – before 1813) a. BETSEY DAVIS Born: August 25/28, 1753 LURVEY6 (1778 - ? ) Ipswich Farms, MA. b. SALLY LURVEY Baptized: Sept. 2, 1753 (COLETON)6 Linebrook Parish, (1780 - ? ) Ipswich, MA. Married: March 13, 1799 Died: before December 16, Vershire, Vt. 1813 probably in Husband: Barnard, Vermont. Lt. DAN COLETON6 Married: January 11, 1776 c. POLLY LURVEY (or) November 1, 1776 (CHURCH)6 Ipswich, MA. (1783 - ? ) Husband: Married: MOSES LURVEY5 January 17, 1803 (1753 – 1836) - Barnard, Vt. – farmer. Husband: Born: October 3/30, 1753 Mr. BELA CHURCH6 Gloucester, MA. Military Service: d. MOSES POTTER Mass. Company in LURVEY6 Revolutionary War. (1786 – 1850) Died: November 23, 1836 Married: - Barnard, Vermont. October 14, 1806 Buried: South Barnard Barnard, Vt. Cemetery, Wife: Barnard, VT. ABIGAIL TOWNSEND (LURVEY)6 [Note: MOSES LURVEY5’s nd 2 wife was RUTH e. FANNY LURVEY CARVER (LURVEY)5 (TOWNSEND)6 whom he married on (1788 - ?) December 16, 1813.] Married: June 1, 1806 Husband: PAUL TOWNSEND6
f. SUSANNA LURVEY (LUCE)6 (1793 - ? ) Husband: JAMES LUCE6 Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 262
D. HANNAH POTTER (PERRY)5 (1756 - ? ) Born: March 28, 1756 Ipswich Farms, MA. Baptized: April 4, 1756 Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, MA. Children: unknown. Died: unknown. Married: Int. April 9, 1773 and July 5, 1773 - Ipswich, Massachusetts. Husband: JOSEPH PERRY5 of Sanford, Maine. E. ALICE (ALLICE) Children (one known): POTTER (JOHNSON) a. SUSANNA (SUSAN) (HEALD )5 H. JOHNSON (1759 – ca. 1831) – twin. (POTTER)6 Born: March 7, 1759 (1796 – 1871) Ipswich Farms, MA. Born: 1796 Baptized: March 18, 1759 – Bridgton, Maine. Linebrook Parish, Married: Int. Published Ipswich, MA. October 16, 1819; Died: ca. 1831 Married: 1820 Married (twice): - Ipswich, MA. (1) July 8, 1779 Husband: Ipswich, MA. ASA POTTER6 (2) July 29, 1814 (1797 – 1850) Bridgton, Maine. - Ensign of Husbands: Ipswich, Massachusetts (1) ISAAC JOHNSON5 and ( ? – 1812) Bridgton, Maine. of Andover, MA. (2) JOSIAH HEALD5 (Deacon) of Lovell, Maine. F. ANNE (ANNA) POTTER (?) (CUMMINGS)5 (1759 – 1797) - twin (deaf & dumb). Born: March 7, 1759 Children: unknown. Ipswich Farms, MA. Died: June 2/27, 1797 Ipswich or Topsfield, Massachusetts. (?)
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Married (twice): (dates unknown?) Husbands: (1) Unknown? (2) THOMAS CUMMINGS5 of Topsfield, MA. (2) *MARTHA PIERCE WILLIAMS PERKINS BRADSTREET nd (POTTER)4 – 2 wife. (1730/31 – 1803) Born: August 23, 1730/31 – Gloucester, MA. Died: June 12, 1803 Children (5): Grandchildren (41): Ipswich Farms, MA. (see below) (see below) Married: October 20, 1762 – Topsfield, MA. Widow of: (1) Mr. (?) WILLIAMS4 (2) THOMAS PERKINS4 (1724 – 1757) (3) ELIJAH BRADSTREET4 ( ? - 1760)
A. ISAAC POTTER5 Children: eight (8) all (1763 – 1830) – Deacon. baptized in Ipswich, Born: November 3, 1763 Massachusetts: Ipswich, MA. a. JOANNA POTTER Baptized: Nov. 13, 1763 (HARRIS)6 Ipswich, MA. (ca. 1788 - ? ) Military Service: Private, b. SARAH POTTER Massachusetts Unit, (HARRIS)6 (1790 - ? ) Revolutionary War. c. ISAAC POTTER JR.6 Died: January 19, 1830 at (1794 – 1813) 66 years of “Dropsy.” d. ASA POTTER6 Married: March 8, 1787 (1797 – 1850) – Ensign. Ipswich, MA. e. THOMAS POTTER6 Wife: JOANNA JEWETT (ca. 1800 – 1812) (POTTER)5 f. MARTHA POTTER (ca. 1765 – 1835) (CONANT)6 ( ? - ? ) Born: ca. 1765 g. MARY POTTER6 Died: July 6, 1835 at (ca. 1803 – 1828) 70 years of age at – unmarried. Rowley, MA. h. PERKINS POTTER6 of “Consumption.” (1804 - ? )
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B. DAVID POTTER5 Children: eleven (11): (1765 – 1830) – Colonel. a. DAVID POTTER JR.6 Born: October 3/4, 1765 (1795 – 1870) Ipswich, MA. b. JOHN FITCH Occupation: Deputy Sheriff, POTTER6 – Deacon. Baldwin, ME. (1798 – 1854) Died: August 19, 1830 c. SYBIL PARKER Sebago, Maine. POTTER (STOVER)6 Married: June 21, 1793 (1799 – 1865) Baldwin, Maine. d. SALLY POTTER Wife: SYBIL FITCH (BABB)6 (1801 – 1878) (POTTER)5 e. MARTHA (1772 – 1841) WILLIAMS POTTER6 Born: May 7, 1772 (1803 – 1870) Groton, MA. f. DEBORAH FITCH Died: Sept. 8, 1841 POTTER6 Sebago, Maine. (1805 – 1829) g. RICHARD FITCH [Note: Colonel DAVID POTTER6 POTTER5 (1765 – 1830) was (1807 – 1838) the first POTTER to live on h. Dr. JOSEPH FITCH “the Ridge” in Bridgton, POTTER6 (M.D.) Maine.] (1808 – 1868) i. LUTHER FITCH POTTER6 (1810 – 1884) j. BETSEY FITCH POTTER6 (1813 – 1826) k. PAMELIA (AMELIA) PERLEY POTTER6 (1815 – 1837)
C. MARTHA POTTER5 (1768 – 1773) – 5 years old. Born: January, 1768 Ipswich, Massachusetts. Children: none. Baptized: January 24, 1768 Died: October 10, 1773 Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, MA.
D. *ELIJAH POTTER5 Children eleven (11) all (1770 – 1844) born in Bridgton, Maine: - 3X Great Grandfather. Born: February 10, 1770 a. ELIJAH POTTER JR.6 Rowley, Massachusetts. (1796/97 – 1844)
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Baptized: February 18, 1770 b. ASA POTTER6 Linebrook Parish, (1798 – 1837) Ipswich, MA. c. MARY (POLLY) Died: December 15, 1844 POTTER Bridgton, Maine. (McALISTER)6 Buried: The Ridge Cemetery, (1800 - ? ) Bridgton, Maine. d. WILLIAMS POTTER6 Married: January 11, 1796/98 (Captain) (1802 – 1870) Waterford, Maine. e. NATHANIEL [Note: *ABIGAIL HORR Wife: *ABIGAIL HORR POTTER6 (Deacon) POTTER5’s (1775/76 - 1855) (POTTER)5 (1804 – 1887) parents were *PHILIP (1775/76 - 1855) f. SALLY (SARAH) HORR4 (1732/34 – 1822) and - 3X Great Grandmother. POTTER6 *HANNAH HARRINGTON Born: December, 1775 or (1806/07 – 1827) HARRADON HORR4 ca. April, 1776 – unmarried. (1733/34 – 1816) successively Haverhill or Norton, g. STEPHEN POTTER6 of (1) Norton, Massachusetts, Massachusetts. (ca. 1808 - ? ) (2) Brookfield, Massachusetts, Died: February 18, 1855 at h. JOHN FOWLER and (3) Waterford, Maine. She 79 years and 2 mos. POTTER6 (Captain) was born in Haverhill, Bridgton, Maine. (1809 – 1885) Massachusetts in December, Buried: The Ridge i. *GILBERT POTTER6 1775 or in Norton, Cemetery, (1811 – 1862) Massachusetts about April, Bridgton, Maine. - 2X Great Grandfather. 1776.] j. SALLY POTTER6 (ca. 1813 - ? ) k. NATHAN POTTER6 (1817 - ? ) E. MARY ELIZABETH Children (11): (MOLLY) POTTER a. ELIZABETH SMITH6 (SMITH)5 (1772 – 1866) b. ASA SMITH6 Born: March 4, 1772 c. POTTER SMITH6 Rowley, MA. d. MARTHA (PATTY) Baptized: April 5, 1772 SMITH6 Linebrook Parish e. GILBERT SMITH6 Ipswich, MA. f. DANIEL SMITH6 Died: July 16, 1834 g. PERKINS SMITH6 at 63 years of age at h. JACOB SMITH JR.6 Fryeburg, Maine. i. JAMES SMITH6 Buried: Schoolhouse (1809 - ? ) Cemetery, Row # 3, j. MARY SMITH6 Fryeburg, Maine. k. THOMAS J. SMITH6 Married: February 7, 1793 (ca. 1816 - 1832) Ipswich, MA. – 16 years of age.
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Husband: JACOB SMITH5 [Note: (Major) (1771 – 1846) THOMAS J. SMITH6 Born: 1771 -Ipswich, MA. (ca. 1816 - 1832) drowned Died: May 22, 1846 at at 16 years of age and is 75 years of age buried in the Schoolhouse at Fryeburg, Me. Cemetery, Row # 3, in the Buried: Schoolhouse East Fryeburg Church Cemetery, Row # 3, yard.] Fryeburg, Maine.
- END NOTES -
1 Daniel Farrington, John F. Blake, Anna Eliza Farrington, and Charles Morris Blake, “FARRINGTON MEMORIAL – A Sketch of the Ancestors and Descendants of Deacon John Farrington, Native of Wrentham, Massachusetts, Who Removed to China Plantation, Or No. 9, District of Maine to which is Appended the Genealogy of His Wife, Cynthia Hawes”, Published by the Committee, (1899), Portland, Maine: Press of Southworth Brothers (Kessinger Legacy Reprints).
2 M.V.B. Perley, James Howe of Ipswich and Some of His Descendants, Essex Institute Historical Collections, Essex Institute, (1918), Essex County, Massachusetts, p. 48.
3 George Francis Dow, History of Topsfield, Massachusetts, Topsfield, Mass., The Topsfield Historical Society, (1940), reprinted 1999, pp. 155 – 157.
4 “Ipswich In The Massachusetts Bay Colony, Volume II: 1700 – 1917”, By Thomas Franklin Waters, President of the Ipswich Historical Society, (The Ipswich Historical Society, Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1917) p. 182.
5 George Francis Dow, op. cit., pp. 157 – 158.
6 George A. Perkins, M.D., The family of JOHN PERKINS of Ipswich, Massachusetts, complete in three parts, printed for the author by Salem Press Publishing & Printing Company, Salem, Massachusetts, (1889), Part II, p. 25.
7 George Francis Dow, op. cit., pp. 253 and 258.
8 The American Series of Popular Biographies – Massachusetts, 1901, p. 269.
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9 Essex – County Historical and Genealogical Register, M. Van B. Perley, Publisher, Ipswich, Massachusetts, (1894), p. 78.
10 Alice Verrill Ellis, The HISTORY OF PROSPECT, MAINE 1759 – 1979, Copyright May, 1980, Reprinted 1994 by Evangel Printers, 14 Central Street, Bucksport, Maine, p. 206.
11 Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, Salem Possessed, The Social Origins of Witchcraft, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England (1974), pp. 112, 142, 143, and footnote 19 on p. 143.
12 Allen French, “The DAY of CONCORD and LEXINGTON, The Nineteenth of April, 1775”, (Concord, Massachusetts, January 26, 1925) Reprint, p. 25.
13 Richard M. Ketchum, “DECISIVE DAY, The Battle for Bunker Hill”, (Printed in the United States of America by American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., 1962; reprint by Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1974), pp. 69 - 72 and 102.
14 History of Cumberland County Maine With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1880, p. 2 of 11.
15 William Samuel Spurr, “A History of Otisfield, Cumberland County, Maine from the Original Grant to the Close of the Year 1944”, reprinted by the Town of Otisfield, 2nd Edition, Circa 1950, pp. 174, 410 and 411.
16 William Samuel Spurr, Ibid, p. 643.
17 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., pp. 174, 412 and 413.
18 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., p. 176.
19 The Massachusetts Magazine, July, 1916, 9:3, pp. 137 – 153; October, 1916, 9:4, pp. 189 – 204. (available at NEHGS).
20 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., pp. 640 and 641.
21 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., pp. 175 and 591.
22 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., pp. 175 and 533 to 535.
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23 Clayton G. Metcalf, A STUDY OF METCALFS, ANDREWS, & SMITH, By Clayton G. Metcalf, 408 North Rawls Street, Enterprise, Alabama 36330 (1979), pp. 113 – 118, 233 – 244, and 287 – 290.
24 Alice Verrill Ellis, op. cit., pp. 201 and 206.
25 Jean and David Hankins, A SHORT HISTORY OF OTISFIELD, MAINE, Prepared by the Otisfield Historical Society for Otisfield’s Bicentennial Year (1998), pp. 2, 4, and 7.
26 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., p. 640.
27 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., p. 312.
28 History of Cumberland County Maine, op. cit., p. 2 of 11.
29 William Samuel Spurr, op. cit., pp. 410 and 411.
30 Alice Verrill Ellis, op. cit., pp. 45 and 46.
31 Leola Grant Bushman, Peter Grant, SCOTCH EXILE, Kittery and Berwick, Maine, GENEALOGY, typed manuscript, (1976), p. 31.
- FINIS –
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 269
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 270
“The American History of a POTTER Family” Series of Books by *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? )
No. Title Years I. Chapter 1: *ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) ca. 1285 - 1690 II. Chapter 2: *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 - 1714) 1690 - 1714 Chapter 3: *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 - 1753) 1714 - 1753 Chapter 4: Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 1753 - 1791 (1724 - 1791) III. Chapter 5: *ELIJAH POTTER5 (1770 - 1844) 1791 - 1844 Chapter 6: *GILBERT POTTER6 (1811 - 1862) 1844 – 1862 IV. Chapter 7: *ALGERNON SIDNEY POTTER7 1862 - 1893 (1841 - 1893) Appendix 7A: *GRANT Pedigree ca.1605 - present V. Chapter 8: *ALBERT LINCOLN POTTER8 1893 - 1930 (1874 - 1930) Appendix 8A: Music of *BERT POTTER8 1904 - 1917 Appendix 8B: Boston City Directories 1800 - 1935 VI. Chapter 9: *KENNETH DODGE POTTER9 1930 - 1976 (1906 - 1976) Appendix 9A: Bunker Hill Taxicab Company ca. 1930 - 1976 VII. Chapter 10: *WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 1976 - present (1946 - ? ) VIII. Appendix A: *HANCOCK Pedigree ca.1655 - present Appendix B: *HORE-*HOAR-*HORR Pedigree 1093 – present Appendix C: *WIGHT Pedigree 1274 - present IX. Appendix D: *CHILDS Pedigree 1730 - present Appendix E: *METCALF Pedigree ca. 990 - present Appendix F: *CHILDS - *METCALF Cemetery Guide X. Appendix G: Family Name Index Appendix H: Cemetery Guide Miscellaneous Books No. Title Years 1. The Seaman’s Journals of Captain *LEONARD 1860 - 1877 SAMUEL GRANT6 (1812 – 1880) 2. An Anthology of the Music of *BERT POTTER8 1904 - 1917 published from 1904 to 1917.
Volume II: *SAMUEL.CH2, *THOMAS.CH3, *ANTHONY.CH4 - POTTER Page 271
The author, WILBURN METCALF POTTER10 (1946 - ? ) (on right): Volume II of “The American History of a POTTER Family” is the genealogy of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th American generations of our POTTER family. It is organized in three chapters:
Chapter 2: *SAMUEL POTTER2 (ca. 1657 – 1714); Chapter 3: *THOMAS POTTER3 (1691 – 1753); Chapter 4: *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791). It begins with the death of 7X Great Grandfather
*ANTHONY POTTER1 (ca. 1628 – 1690) in February or March, 1690. His daughter, LYDIA POTTER PUTNAM2 (ca. 1661 – 1745) had married in 1683 into the infamous PUTNAM family of Salem Village (Danvers), Massachusetts who were at the center of the “Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692” detailed in this book. The hysteria would sadly take the life of our 7X Great Grandmother *SUSANNAH NORTH MARTIN1 (1621 – 1692) who was tragically and wrongfully hanged as an accused witch on Gallows Hill in Salem on July 19, 1692. It tracks our family from Ipswich to Ipswich Farms (Linebrook Parish) and to Topsfield, Massachusetts, and includes their patriotic services in the following wars: (1) King William’s War - 2nd Indian War (1688 – 1699); (2) Queen Anne’s War – 3rd Indian War (1702 – 1713); (3) King George’s War (1744 – 1748); (4) French & Indian War (1754 – 1763); and, (5) Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783). Members of many branches of our family including 4X Great Grandfather st Deacon *ANTHONY POTTER4 (1724 – 1791) of the “1 Company of Foot from Linebrook Parish,” Ipswich, Massachusetts, served in different theaters and battles of the above wars. Included in this book is the detailed service history of a number of our family’s veterans. In Chapter 3 the sad story of the great “Throat Distemper (Diphtheria) Epidemic of 1735 to 1740” in northeastern Massachusetts is told when six of 5X Great
Grandfather *THOMAS POTTER3’s (1691 – 1753) twelve children tragically died. This book records the rich American history of these generations, a little about their lives, and their patriotic contributions that have made our family proud and our country great!