Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 62, 1883

Chapter 62

Notices of Rev. William Hooke and Rev. Nicholas Street will be found in the account of ministers and churches. A notice of the large tract of land granted to them by the Plymouth Court may be of interest, and will properly find a place here.

No record of the farms laid forth to Rev. Mr. Hooke and Rev. Mr. Street is to be found in the court records of Plymouth Colony, or in the Taunton proprietors' records. There are two deeds, however, recorded in the Plymouth Colony Records of Deeds which contain a description of those lands, and as it has never been published it is here given. The first deed containing the description was given by James Wyatt and George Macey, by power of attorney from Mr. Nicholas Street, to John Hathaway, Edward Babbitt, and Timothy Holloway, all of Taunton, conveying the 400 acres granted by the court to Mr. William Hooke and Mr. Street, and was dated day

Taunton

1688-89, by William Bradford, son of Governor Bradford, reciting that his father and associates in the year 1638 granted to Mr. Nicholas Street and Mr. Hooke jointly, a tract of land for a farm of 400 acres of upland, and about 30 acres of meadow. And at the going away of said Hooke from Taunton, he sold his part of said farm to Mr. Nicholas Street. And when the said Street went from Taunton he sold the farm and aforesaid land to John Hathaway and Edward Babbitt, and Timothy Holloway, all of Taunton.

And in consideration of two pounds conveys to John Hathaway, Edward Babbitt, Samuel Holloway, and William Phillips, one of the heirs of the late deceased James Phillips, which said Samuel Holloway and James Phillips purchased Timothy Holloway's part of said lands, the lands aforesaid, " Bounded, lying on the east side of Taunton Great River, bounded on the south side in part by Assonet Neck, and in part by the line of Taunton, and on the north side by a black oak marked near a spring called the Iron Spring, one end butts in part upon the meadows of Capt. William Poole, Mrs. Jane Farwell, and William Hailstone, and in part by the Great River, running along by the river side as far as Assonet Neck, and so running along by the side of said Neck until it comes to the head of a meadow called Smith's Cove to a marked tree by the side of said Neck, and from said tree to another white oak marked at the head of said cove, and from said white oak to run to Taunton River northerly, so that Taunton River and that line makes a square at the head of said Cove, and so to run by Taunton River to Assonet Way, and so to run upon a straight line a little above a pine tree now cut down, and so extends about threequarters of a mile upon that line near John Richmond's field, and then turns the corner, and so runneth down the plain along by a pine-tree fallen down, and from thence west and by north until it comes to said marked tree near the Iron Spring." Recorded in said records, vol. v. p. 459.

This large tract of land came to be designated almost from the first as " The Farms." It is so referred to in ancient deeds and divisions of land. In 1670 a jury was appointed to lay out a way to " The Farms." It is situated in the present town of Berkley, and the name of " The Farms" clings to it to the present time.

Elizabeth Poole, or, as she wrote her name, Pole, was one of the early settlers in Taunton, perhaps among the very earliest. There is record evidence that she was here early in 1638, for she was one of the appraisers of the estate of John Briant, of Taunton, who died April 28th of that year, and whose will was presented for probate to the Plymouth Court, June 4, 1638. She was born, according to an article published in Taunton, England, in 1879, by Eldwin Sloper, Esq., Aug. 25, 1588, being the third daughter of Sir William Pole, of Shute, in the county of Devon, England. William Pole, one of the original purchasers, whose name stands first in the list of the freemen of Cohannet in 1637, was her brother. She and her brother, with many others of the first settlers of Taunton, settled first at Dorchester. In the entire absence of definite information upon the point, it is most reasonable to suppose that she came here with her brother, for she was unmarried, and at that time near fifty years old. In the grant of meadow lands made by the Plymouth Court to the inhabitants of Taunton in 1640 occurs this passage : " And the Court doth further order, that they will see Mr. Hooke, Mr. Streete, and Mrs. Poole shall have competent meadow and uplands for farms laid forth for them about May next, by Captain Standish and such others with him as shall be especially assigned thereunto." From this it is to be inferred that she was an intimate friend of the two ministers, and interested with them in planting a church of Christ in the new settlement. From other sources we have abundant proof that she was an ardent Puritan of deep and earnest piety. The lands promised to her above were laid forth to her subsequently, as follows:

" Those lands which by order of Court were by Miles Standish and John Browne assistants in the government of Plymouth, appointed to be laid out unto Mrs. Elizabeth Poole of Taunton, as followeth : May, 1639.

" Imprimis. At her farm of Littleworth forty acres of meadow, being at the end next unto her house there, lying at that end between the south and the southwest and so northerly.

"Item. Fifty acres of upland lying near the Two Mile Brook, joining to the marsh on the south side thereof, as also half of the same marsh for quantity and quality.

" Item. That these lands be measured out in a convenient time, by the freemen or some of them, and by a man well experienced in the measuring of grounds.

Her Littleworth farm was in the extreme easterly part of the town, near the bounds of Middleborough, not far from Furnace Pond, so called. A stream or brook running from one of the ponds in that vicinity is still remembered as Littleworth Brook. The fifty acres near the Two-Mile Brook was near the Anchor Forge, in what is now Raynham. The one hundred acres on the other side of the Great River is not easily located at the present time. Her home lot, consisting in the whole of twenty-one acres, was on the south side of Main Street, extending westerly nearly to Winthrop Street, easterly to Mr. Hooke's house lot, near the east end of Main Street, and was bounded on the south by Mill River. She bought a small piece of ground of Mr. Hooke for a burial lot, which is thus described in the description of John Pool's lands, who was her nephew and devisee : " Item. A small piece of land, which his said aunt purchased of Mr. Hook for a burying place, joining to her said home lot on the east side of it by the road, and is bounded by a stake within the fence by the road, and from said stake to another stake towards the river standing twenty yards from his orchard fence, just taking in a little thicket of apple-trees. This range is five yards distant from the eastward end of the tomb where Mrs. Pool lies buried."

She built a house upon her home lot, and lived there until 1653, the year before her death, when she bought a lot with a house upon it of Robert Thornton, to which she removed, and where she died May 21, 1654. By her will she gave the most of her real estate to her brother, William Pole, for his lifetime, and after his death to his eldest son, John Pole, whom she made executor. A few items from her will are here given :

" I give unto the church of God at Taunton, for the furtherance of any special service thereof, one cow whichsoever the overseers shall like best to take for that end.

" I give unto my kind and old friend, Sister Margery Paule, widow, one yearling heifer, if it he living at my decease, and appoint my overseers to see it delivered unto her after my decease.

"I appoint and make my cousin, John Pole, to be my sole Executor, to receive all and to pay debts and any engagements, and so commend him to the blessing of the Lord.

" I appoint my kind friends, Richard Williams and Walter Dean, Deacons of the Church in Taunton, and Oliver Purchis, to be my overseers, to whom I commit my trust and care to see this, my last will, be fulfilled according, and as it is expressed in all the parts thereof, and herein I rest.

The lot bought of Robert Thornton is thus alluded to: "Also the house wherein I now dwell, which I bought of Robert Thornton, and the lot thereunto appertaining, which I bought of him therewith." By the aid of the proprietors' records this lot can be readily located. In the description of William Harvey's lands his home lot is thus described : Four acres of upland, more or less, granted to him for a house lot, butted and bounded as followeth : By the highway southward, the town commons northward, the land that was Lieut. George Macey's eastward, the land of Hezekiah Hoar westward; also about one acre bounded by the highway north, the Great River south, George Macey's land east, Hezekiah Hoar's land west. Sold of these lands first to the town for a common way two pole in breadth, the whole length of the first-mentioned four acres, on the westerly side of said lot. 2d. Sold to George Macey a small quantity of it at the southerly end of it next the highway. The remainder of these parcels was sold to Walter Deane, of Taunton, aforesaid.

From subsequent deeds of these premises we know that the common way, two pole in breadth, on the westerly side of the first described lot, was called Hoar's lane, now known as Winter Street. Hezekiah Hoar owned the lot on the west side of the lane now owned and occupied by Mr. N. Bradford Dean.

From the description of George Macey's lands: Imprimis, his home lot four acres, more or less, bounded by the lands of William Harvey on the westward side, and by the land of Capt. William Poole (formerly) on the eastward side, the highway on the southward end, and the commons on the northerly end. Also one acre, more or less, on the other side of the highway, bounded by the land of William Harvey on the west, Capt. Poole on the east, the Great River on the south, and the highway on the north.

In 1686, Robert Thornton gave a confirmatory deed to John Pole, of Boston, whom he acknowledged as the right heir and successor of Elizabeth Pole, reciting that in or about the year 1653 he sold said Elizabeth Pole one four-acre house lot, lying between the lands of William Pole on the east, and Walter Deane on the west, headed by the Great River on the south, and by the commons on the north, together with one house thereupon being; the deed, if any was given, being lost.

The lot thus described was the home lot of George Macey, including the land on the south side of the highway and the small piece on the southerly end of William Harvey's lot next to the highway. This piece was on the easterly corner of Winter and Dean Streets, and joined Macey's original home lot on the east. How far the whole lot extended on Dean Street from the corner cannot be exactly determined, as measurements are not given, but probably somewhat beyond the middle of the lot owned by the heirs of the late Mrs. Fanny Dean. Capt. William Poole's lot was the next on the east, and extended to the brook which crosses Dean Street just east of the residence of the late Capt. Ezra T. Howland. Somewhere on the lot thus conveyed by Robert Thornton, and most probably near its Winter Street boundary, stood the house in which Elizabeth Poole died.

Her remains rested in her own tomb until 1771, when they were removed by John Borland, Esq., her next of kin, to the Plain burying-ground, and a large slab was laid upon the grave bearing an inscription written by Hon. Robert Treat Paine, who was for several years a resident of Taunton. This inscription is here given, - the foundress of Taunton, and the first purchaser of its territory from the Indians. " Dux fcemina facti" is the motto with which he honors her achievement. He claims for her the greater honor of being the first of the English who practically admitted the force of that moral obligation which requires the consent of the owner before property can be taken from his possession and appropriated to the use of another by paying a fair equivalent for her lands before occupation.

Resting upon the great reputation of Mr. Baylies as a conscientious and accurate historian, these claims have only recently been questioned. The Hon. Henry Williams, of Taunton, made a most thorough and exhaustive examination into the historical basis for these claims in a very able paper read before the Old Colony Historical Society Jan. 12, 1880, in which the conclusion is reached that the evidence fails to support the claims. This paper was published in No. 2 of the collections of that society. There is no need to re-examine the question here. The present writer will only add that his investigations have strengthened the conclusion that there is an entire lack of evidence to warrant the claims.

Tbe propriety of honoring the alleged foundress of the town by some suitable memorial was suggested to the women of Taunton by the publication of Mr. Baylies' memoir, and through their efforts a comely marble monument was erected in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, then recently consecrated, for which Mr. Baylies is understood to have furnished the inscription, which is as follows :

The halo of romance encircling her name as the virgin foundress and mother of our fair town may fade away in the light of better information ; but it will leave to her the substantial honor belonging to an intrepid Cbristian woman who cheerfully bore her part in the perils and privations of a new settlement undertaken for the love of religion in the fear of God.

William Pool, whose name stands first on the list of freemen, was born in Shute, in Devon County, England, Dec. 4, 1593, according to tbe authority already cited in reference to kis sister, Elizabeth Pool. He settled first in Dorchester, but came to Taunton certainly as early as 1637. In 1639 he is called Capt. Poole, and ordered to exercise the inhabitants of Cohannet in their arms. He was one of the deputies to the Plymouth Court in that year, the first year in which deputies were sent instead of the whole body of the freemen, and again in the years 1641-43. In 1646 he was chosen one of the Council of War, and again in 1658. In 1657 he is named as one of the selectmen. During all this time he was the principal military officer in town, and is always refe'rred to as Capt. Poole. Nov. 18, 1667, an inquest was held upon the body of his son, Timothy Poole, aged about twenty-five years, who was found drowned in a pond, whither he had gone to shoot some fowl. His home lot was on Dean Street next east of George Macey's, and extended to the brook crossing the street just beyond the residence of the late Capt. Howland. Late in life he returned to Dorchester, and died there. In Blake's " Annals of Dorchester," under date of 1674, is this notice, -

"This year died Mr. William Pole, of whom ye records thus speak : ' Mr. William Pole, that sage, revered, pious man of God, departed this life Feb. 24, 1674.' He was clerk of ye writs and register of births, deaths, and marriages in Dorchester about ten years ; and after school-master in Dorchester."

He composed an epitaph for himself, which was inscribed upon his tombstone. His son, John Pool, married Elizabeth Brenton, the daughter of William Brenton. Esq., who was a prominent proprietor in the South Purchase, and afterwards removed to Bristol. John Pool became a merchant in Boston. In the easterly part of the town a large farm was laid out and received the name of the "Shute farm," doubtless in memory of tbe town of Shute, in England, from whence the family came. A large plain in that part of the town was quite early called "Mrs. Pool's plain." The name still clings to it as " Pole Plain," taking the original form of the family name.

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

"The testimony of .loh n Richmond, aged about sixty-seven years. Testifieth and saith, the year 16:S9 I very well remember that then when we came first to Taunton, which was in 1639 as aforesaid. Then Mr. John Gilbert had a house at a meadow down on the westward side of Taunton Great River, and there wintered cattle for some years, and some years after did use to fetch hay from said meadow to the town, and afterward said Mr. Gilbert sold said meadow and those that bought aforesaid meadow did improve it many years. And it was known by the name of Mr. Gilbert's farm meadow; and when the proprietors of the South Purchase by their committee went to set bounds between said proprietors' lots and the meadows on the westward side of Taunton River, I, said John Richmond was one of said committee, and when came to the ahovesaid meadow formerly called Mr. Gilbert's farm meadow, then in the possession of John Smith, said committee ordered the

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

John Gilbert died between 1654 and 1657, leaving a will, recorded at Plymouth, in which he calls himself " of Pondsbrooke, Taunton." He gave to his son Gyles his farm of one hundred acres, mentions sons Joseph, Thomas, John, daughter Mary Norcross, and wife Winifred. His farm was in the northerly part of the present town of Berkley, and can still be identified. The name Pondsbrooke was probably suggested by the fact that there is a pond with a brook flowing from it near by. It occurs occasionally in old descriptions of lands. His son John was suspected of felony in 1645, and was wanted at court ; but having obtained leave to go to England, made over his estate in Taunton and elsewhere to Nathaniel Sowther in behalf of the government, for answering such things as might be objected against him. He was to return from England in two years, but there is no record that he ever did return.

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Browne settled first in Plymouth, where his name appears in the list of freemen as having been admitted in 1635. The name of his brother, Peter Browne, is in the list of 1633. ' In the records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, before the removal of the letters patent and the government to America, under date of March 12, 1628, appears the following entry: "John Browne, gent, and Mr. Samuel Browne, of Roxwell, in Essex, take their passage in the Company ships for New England, . . . intending to plant there," etc. In 1629 they were appointed by the company in England assistants to Governor Endicott, and were highly recommended in letters to the Governor and Council ; Mr. John Browne being spoken of as " a man experienced in the laws of our kingdom, and such an one as we are persuaded will worthily deserve your favor and furtherance." They fell into some differences, however, with Governor Endicottand the ministers, Mr. Skelton and Mr. Higginson, and were sent back to England. (See Records of Massachusetts, vol. i. pp. 34, 51-54, 387, 398, 407-9.)

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

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

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

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

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

Hezekiah Hoar was the brother of Leonard Hoar, third president of Harvard College. He had other brothers, - Daniel, of Boston, John, of Scituate, according to Savage ; and Mr. Baylies says that Richard Hoar, whose name is on the military list of Yarmouth in 1643, was his brother. His house-lot was on the westerly corner of Winter Street, and adjoined Walter Deane's lot on the west. This street was anciently called Hoar's lane, taking its name undoubtedly from him. His name is on an early list of those that had taken the oath of fidelity in Cohannet, and in 1653 he was propounded as freeman. In 1655 his name again appears among those propounded, but there is no record of his admission. He was a constable of the town in 1657, 1663, and 1672. and one of the surveyors of the highways in 1651. He was appointed an ensign in the expedition proposed in 1653 against the Dutch in New York. In 1693 he sold his houselot to his sons, Edward and Hezekiah, and the same year they conveyed it to Ezra Deane, the son of Walter Deane. The family seem to have become residents in the South Purchase, afterwards Dighton.

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

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

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

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

William Dunn appears as one of the original purchasers, but no mention is made of him afterwards, except in the divisions of lands, in which William Witherell claims upon his rights. Rev. Mr. Clark, in his "History of Norton," supposes that he was master of a vessel, and that Witherell came from England with him when quite young, and upon Dunn's departure he gave Witherell his share in the purchase.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

" This 25th of November, 1672, James Walker, Sr.'s answer in reference to Samuel Luther's demand ye 19th of October, 1672, is that he, ye said James Walker, or his predecessors, hath enjoyed the said rights this thirty years, and hath paid all charges that was laid upon it. And therefore, ye said Samuel Luther hath no right here to that which was his father, John Luther's."

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

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

Richard Burt died before Oct. 26, 164Z, for on that date his minor son, Richard Burt, made choice of his uncle, James Burt, as his guardian, and the court confirmed his choice. His name does not appear in the list of 1643, so that he was probably over sixty at that time. Nothing more can be stated about him. His son Richard took the oath of fidelity as early as 1657, and was afterwards admitted a freeman. He made his will Sept. 7, 1685, in which he says he is fifty-six years old. He makes devises to his eldest son, Abel, to his other sons, Richard, Joseph, Ebenezer, and Ephraim, and to his daughters Mary and Abigail, and makes his wife, Charity, his executrix. His home lands were at the " Ware," and between the Ware and " the farms." His will was proved Oct. 29, 1685.

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

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

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

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

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

Williajn Holloway became a freeman in 1644. His name is on the military list of 1643, but it does not appear in the list of those entitled to divisions of land in 1659. Mr. Savage says he removed to Boston about 1650.

In the State archives, under date of May 7, 1662, may be found the answer of the General Court "to the petition of William Holloway, father to the late

John Holloway, that served the Governor as sergeant near two years." The court granted to the father, administrator of the estate of his said son, one hundred and fifty acres in some free place near to some plantation. The land was laid out in 1671. In 1687, Malachi Holloway, of Taunton, presented a petition to Governor Andros setting forth that a grant was made to his father, William Holloway, by the General Court in 1662, of one hundred and fifty acres upland and meadow lying beyond Wading River, near the Plymouth line, and praying that a new survey may be made and a patent for confirmation be granted to him. There can be little doubt that the William Holloway referred to was the one whose name appears on the list of original purchasers. Malachi Holloway, his son, seems to have been a large land-owner in Taunton. The name of Timothy Holloway appears in the list of 1643, and also in that of 1659. In the list of 1675, Malachi Holloway claims on Richard Hart's rights, and Samuel Holloway on his own rights. Whether these were all of one family and what their relationship was has not been ascertained.

Richard Paull is said by Savage to have been hired as a soldier for the castle in 1636, as mentioned in " Winthrop," vol. ii. p. 366. His name is on the list of ancient purchasers. He took the oath of fidelity while the plantation was called Cohannet, and was there married to Margery Turner the 8th of November, 1638, the first marriage in the settlement. He was propounded as a freeman in 1647, but never took the oath. In 1646 he is called a planter. In 1640 he was licensed as an innholder. In 1652 he was a surveyor of highways. In 1651 he was upon two juries of inquest, one upon John Slocum, the son of Anthony Slocum, and the other upon William England, servant to Joseph Wilbore. He died previous to May 17, 1654, when the will of Elizabeth Pool was ordered to be recorded. In that will, Margery Turner, the Cohannet maiden of 1638, is tenderly remembered as "my kind and old friend sister Margery Paule, widow." He left two sons, William and Samuel. William married Mary, the daughter of John Richmond, and had a large family of children. He was an extensive land-owner, especially in the southerly and easterly part of the town. Samuel Paull, it is thought, removed to Dorchester.

Joseph Wilson and Benjamin Wilson were probably brothers. But little is known of them except the fact that they were among the first purchasers. The name of Benjamin Wilson appears in the military list of 1643, but neither of their names are found in the lists of freemen, or of those taking tl^e oath of fidelity, or among the officers of the town. In the lists of those having rights to lands in 1675, John Hall and Samuel Hall, sons of George Hall, claim on the rights which were Joseph Wilson's and Benjamin Wilson's.

There is no other record concerning him. John Bryant bought his rights in the Taunton purchase, but at what date is unknown. He probably owned land near the beautiful pond that bears his name and perpetuates his memory.

Robert Hobell was dead before March, 1641, for at that date the grand jury presented "the son of Widow Hoble for swearing." There is no other mention of the name in the Plymouth records. His name appears but once in the proprietors' records, and that is in the list of original purchasers. No one appears to claim upon his rights. The name and the right seem alike to have faded out.

William Coy was another of the first purchasers who seems to have gone from the settlement leaving none of his name or lineage behind. In 1675, Edward Rew claimed on his rights.

David Corwithy was proposed as a freeman September, 1639, with several others from Cohannet, as the town was then called. His name appears as Mr. David Kerwythy. No other mention is made of him in the court records. In the list of 1675, Nicholas White, Sr., claims on his rights. From some allusions in the description of George Hall's lands it seems probable that Corwithy's home lot was on Dean Street, between that of Hall on the east, and Anthony Slocum on Uie west.

Anthony Slocum was on the military list of 1643, and was admitted a freeman in 1657. He was a surveyor of highways in 1654 and 1662. Edward Slocomb, who was a surveyor in 1647, may have been his son. Somewhere about 1664 he removed to Dartmouth, with his family, of which town he was one of the early settlers. There is a letter of his written to William Harvey after he removed to Dartmouth, and recorded in the proprietors' records, vol. i. p. 14, which is of some local interest. Parts of it are here quoted :

"An difference which I understand is unhappily Brother Harvey, the occasion of my writing to you at this time is a contest between Nicholas White and the owner of Capt. Poole's land (as I understand) Mr. Increase Robinson, to end which, if men will be governed or ruled by truth, and that which follows' is nothing but the truth, God Almighty is my witness. First sir, it being urged by one of the parties mentioned, that Mr. Poole and I have changed land. I do declare we never did change any, although we were soone about so to do. And secondly, to conclude all, our dividing line runs through a certain sawpit without the head of my fence (that was) down within five or six foot of a little oak, on an unmanured (in my time) hill, (that is to say, the said oak is five or six foot within Capt. Pool's lot) thence straight down to the bridge, and four foot further towards Capt. Pool's, from where all down to the river the brook is the line or bounds between us, only at the mouth next the river, Capt. Poole hath a small inconsiderable piece of ground which the line alloweth him on that side I was seized on.

"To the church of Christ in .Taunton and Mr. Shove and yourself in particular I desire to be recommended, whose prayers I doubt not I and mine are the better for, and whose welfare I also earnestly wish and pray for."

The letter is without date, but a line was run between the parties mentioned by the selectmen Oct. 22, 1681. The lot of Anthony Slocum was on Dean Street, where Mr. Joseph A. Hall now lives, and

William Parker was most probably the person referred to by Thomas Lechford, who in giving an account of the church and ministers in Taunton says, "Master Hooke received ordination from the hands of one Master Bishop, a schoolmaster, and one Parker, a husbandman." He has the honorable prefix " Mr." attached to his name whenever mentioned in the court records. He became a freeman in 1641, and the same year was appointed constable. He was constable again in 1642, 1643, and 1653, and a deputy in 1645 and 1658. In 1650 he was deputed by the General Court to marry persons in Taunton, and this authority was renewed in 1657. He died in 1661, leaving a will dated March 15, 1660, in which he calls himself sixty years old, names his wife, Alice, but no child, and gives a legacy to his nephew, James Phillips, who was the son of William' Phillips, making it probable that his sister was the wife of William Phillips. In 1675, Peter Pitts claimed on his rights. His widow in 1662 married the first Stephen Paine, of Rehoboth. After her marriage she is referred to as owning land in Taunton.

John Parker is thought to have been the brother of William. In June, 1641, John Parker and John Bushop, of Taunton, were propounded to be admitted freemen at the next court. This John Bushop was doubtless the " Master Bishop, a schoolmaster," who assisted at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Hooke. There is no record that Bishop was ever admitted, but Parker was admitted in July, 1641. In 1642 he was a deputy to the Plymouth Court. There is no record of his holding any other office. He died Feb. 26, 1667-68, leaving a will in which he speaks of his house at Boston. He gives legacies to his wife, Sarah, to his wife's sister's son, Nathaniel Smith, to his brother, Mr. John Summers, minister; to Mary Parker and sister, Elizabeth Phillips ; to James Phillips, of Taunton ; to Cousin James Walker's children, and to the church at Taunton. In 1675 his heirs claim on his rights. Estate valued at four hundred and six pounds. - Francis Doughty was the minister mentioned by Thomas Lechford in Plain Dealing, as opposing the gathering of the church in Taunton. The whole passage is as follows: " Cohannet alias Taunton, is in Plymouth Patent. There is a church gathered of late, and some ten or twenty of the church, the rest excluded. Master Hooke, pastor, Master Streate, teacher. Master Hooke received ordination from the hands of one Master Bishop, a schoolmaster, and one Parker, an husbandman, and then Master Hooke joined in ordaining Master Streate. One Master Doughty, a minister, opposed the gathering of the Church there, alleging that, according to the Covenant of Abraham, all men's children that were of baptized parents, and so Abraham's children, ought to be baptized; and spake so in public, or to that effect, which was held a disturbance, and the ministers spake to the Magistrate to order him. The Magistrate commanded the Constable, who dragged Master Doughty out of the Assembly. He was forced to go away from thence, with his wife and children."

He did not leave Taunton at once, however, for in March, 1641, the Plymouth Court fined " Mr. Francis Doughty, of Taunton, for selling a pound of gunpowder to the natives," thirty shillings. At the same court " Edward Hall, servant to Francis Doughty, for swearing profanely is censured to sit in the stocks, which was accordingly done." His name is not in the military list of 1643, whether because he was a minister or because he had then left town may be uncertain. There is a deposition concerning him in the proprietors' records which is as follows :

"This writing being made the 4 June 1667. It is to testify concerning the sale of Mr. Doutie's land which he had in Taunton his whole right in the town of Taunton being twelve acres, that is to say six acres lying by the land of Mr. Holloway on the Mill River, and six acres over the Great River lying by the land of the aforesaid Mr. Holloway. James Burt sen. of Taunton being appointed by a letter of attorney to make sale of this land to one Richard Hide of Taunton for the sum of twelve pounds, which the aforesaid Richard Hide told me he had satisfied the aforesaid Mr. Doutie in a house, the which the aforesaid Hide had of his own at the Dutch plantation, which he said Mr. Doutie had of him, and that was Mr. Doutie's satisfaction for his land for ought that ever I understood ; and this land hath been quietly enjoyed by those that have possessed it ever since, being about eighteen or nineteen years agone.

He is said by Rev. Dr. Dexter, in his edition of " Lechford," to have been with the Dutch at Manhattan in 1641, from whom he and his associates procured, in 1642, a patent for Mespath (since Newtown, L. I.), that he was fined and imprisoned by Kieft, threatened with this and that by Stuyvesant, obliged to quit Mespath for Flushing, and driven from Flushing to Virginia.

George Hall was propounded as a freeman in 1643, and was admitted in 1645. His name is on the military list of 1643. He was a constable in 1645, and one of the selectmen in 1666 and until 1669. His home lot was on Dean- Street, where the venerable Ebenezer Hall, one of his descendants, now lives. He was a large land-owner, his rate in 1659 being the largest on the list except that of Thomas Lincoln, Sr. Upon the establishment of the iron manufacture by James Leonard and his associates, he became an owner, and was the first clerk of the company. His connection with this business is more fully given in the articles on manufactures. He died Oct. 30, 1669, aged about sixty-nine years, leaving a will, which was witnessed by Richard Williams and Walter Deane, in which he makes his wife, Mary, executrix, gives to the church in Taunton forty shillings to buy cups, and to his children, - John, Joseph, Samuel, Charity, Sarah, and Mary, - various^ amounts in lands and money. His descendants are numerous in Taunton and the towns in this vicinity.

He was on the military list of 1643. He was one of the surveyors of the highways in 1649 and 1655, a constable in 1650, a deputy from 1672 to 1677 inclusive, and again in 1686, and one of the selectmen from 1671 to 1686 inclusive. In 1665 he was appointed lieutenant of the Taunton Company, and held the office through the Indian war. His connection with the military affairs of the town is given in the chapter on that subject. His house-lot was on Dean Street, between Capt. Pool's on the east and William Harvey's on the west. He died Aug. 17, 1693. His will was dated June 20, 1693, and proved Sept. 5; 1693. In it he mentions his daughters, Elizabeth Hodges, Sarah Blake, Mary Williams, Rebecca Williams, Deborah, and wife Susannah; also his grandchild, Samuel Hodges. He left no sons.

William Harvey was probably quite a young man at the settlement of the town. He was married, April 2, 1639, to Joane Hucker, the second recorded marriage in Cohannet. He was admitted a freeman in 1656, but strangely his name is not on the military list of 1643. His first home lot was on the easterly corner of the present Winter Street, fronting on Dean Street, and a strip two rods wide was sold to the town for the townway, then called Hoar's Lane, since Winter Street. He was chosen constable in 1661, in 1662 one of the surveyors, and in 1664 a deputy to the General Court. From that time until 1690 there were but two or three years that he was not in office as a deputy or selectman, and often holding both offices the same year. No man in the town seems to have been more constantly trusted by his fellowtownsmen with the responsibilities of public office. He died in 1691, leaving a will, in which he mentions his sons Thomas, Jonathan, and Joseph, a deceased son, and Nathan Thare, Jr., who was the son probably of a deceased daughter.

Richard Williams was born probably about 1606, for in his will, dated May 6, 1686, he calls himself about eighty. He was descended from a family of that name in Glamorganshire, in Wales. He married Frances Dighton, of Gloucestershire, England, sister of Catharine Dighton, who was married to Governor Thomas Dudley. It is supposed by some that he, with others of the first settlers, was here in 1636 or earlier, and established himself in his business of a tanner. His name is on the military list of 1643, but it was not until 1644 that he was admitted as a freeman. At a special court held in October, 1643, upon occasion of an insurrection of the Indians against the Dutch and English, he, with John Strong, were deputies from Taunton. He was a deputy again in 1645, and from that time until 1665 was deputy, thirteen years. In 1666 he was one of the selectmen, and from that time until 1677 served in that office, eleven years. After that year, owing doubtless to his great age, his name does not appear in connection with public office.

and great business capacity, and held a large landed estate. In 1675 he owned the right of Henry Uxley, Anthony Slocum, and John Gingille. He was for many years a deacon of the church. Mr. Baylies relates concerning him that " when blind and deaf from age, he was accustomed to attend public worship, saying, 'that although he could neither see nor hear, yet it was consoling to his feelings to know that he was present while the people of God were at their worship.'" He died in 1692, leaving a will which was proved Oct. 10, 1693, in which is this clause, "To my son Nathaniel, to his heirs and assigns forever, I bequeath the land, house, and barn, which now he possesseth, being part of the lots which I bought of Henry Uxley, in estimation half an acre more or less, with rights in future divisions belonging to said lots." His home lot was on Dean Street, and included the estate owned by the late Nathaniel Williams. He had the following children : John, Samuel, Nathaniel, Joseph, Thomas, Benjamin, Elizabeth, and Hannah. In a deed he calls Samuel a tailor.

John Deane was the grandson of Walter Deane, of South Chard, a village in Somersetshire, about ten miles south of Taunton, in England, who died in 1591, and the son of William Deane of the same place, who died in 1634. He came from Dorchester to Taunton, and was one of the seven first freemen of Cohannett, already referred to. His wife's name was Alice. He was the constable of the town in 1640 and 1654, a surveyor of highways in 1640, and in 1657 one of the selectmen. His home lot was on Deane Street, between that of his brother Walter on the east, and that of John Strong on the west. It has remained in the family ever since, the house of the late Joseph Warren Deane, and the new house of Benjamin T. Kinnieut,t standing on the original lot. He died in 1660, leaving a will in which occurs this passage: " My will is that these my overseers, with the consent of my wife, shall in case there be no settled minister in Taunton, they shall have full power to sell either the whole or part of these my housings and lands, so as my children and posterity may remove elsewhere where they may enjoy God in His ordinances."

He left the following children : John (born about 1639 ; according to tradition, the first white child born in Taunton), Thomas, Israel, Isaac. Nathaniel, and Elizabeth. His wife Alice survived him. He was one of the largest land-owners in town.

Walter Deane was a younger brother of John, noticed above, and came with him to Taunton. He was a freeman at the same date with his brother. He married Ellinor Strong, a sister of John Strong, by whom he had three children, viz., Joseph, Ezra, and Benjamin. He was a tanner by trade, and his son Ezra succeeded to his business. In 1640 he was a deputy to the General Court. He was chosen one of the selectmen in 1666, and annually thereafter until 1686, a period of twenty-one years of continuous service, unless the year 1670 be excepted, for which year the Plymouth records mention only two selectmen for Taunton, but as the usual number was five, it is most likely there is an omission in the record. He was a deacon in the church, and besides filling the public offices already mentioned, he was frequently on committees for apportioning lands, settling disputed boundaries, and matters of that nature, and appears to have taken a prominent part in all the additional purchases of territory. His home lot was on Deane Street between that of his brother John on the west and Hezekiah Hoar on the east. The " Old Alger House," so called, stands on his original lot. The date of his death is not certainly known. He and his wife Ellinor join in a deed to Isaac Dean, dated Nov. 25, 1693, and that is the latest date at which we know that he was living. It is probable that he died soon afterwards. No record of any settlement of his estate has been found. He seems to have conveyed his real estate to his children before his death.

Henry Uxley. whose name stands first on the list of purchasers, must have left the settlement very soon after coming, for his name appears nowhere else on any public record as being an inhabitant of Taunton. Neither can he be traced to any other settlement. He passed out of sight and out of knowledge utterly. Were it not that Richard AVilliams gives in his will to one of his sons, a house standing on a lot he bought of Henry Uxley, we might almost suspect he was a myth and never had any real existence.

James Walker, although not one of the original purchasers, joined the settlement early, probably while in his minority. His name first appears in the list of 1643 as being subject to military duty. He was admitted a freeman in 1650. Rev. James B. R. Walker, in his history of the Walker family, expresses the belief that he was the youth of fifteen years, who, with his sister " Sarra," aged seventeen, embarked in London, April 15, 1635, in the " Elizabeth" for this country. They were called servants to Mr. John Browne. He was doubtless their uncle, although in his deed to James Walker and John Tisdale, which has been given in another place, he calls Walker his cousin. Rev. Mr. Walker also believes that the brother and sister were the children of the Widow Walker who settled in Rehoboth. James Walker married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Phillips, and his sister married John Tisdale. He was constable of the town in 1652 and 1685. He was chosen a deputy in 1654, and served fourteen years in all in that capacity, the last year being 1679. He was one of the board of selectmen eight years, 1666 being the first and 1679 the last year of his service. He was also one of the Town Council in 1667 and 1676. In"1662 he was authorized to administer oaths and to marry persons. In 1664 he was an excise officer, in 1671 an inspector of ordinaries, and in 1677 one of the committee appointed to distribute the contributions of Irish Christians among the sufferers by the Indian war. It will be seen by this enumeration that he was an important man in the town. In other parts of this history this fact still further appears. For his second wife he married Sarah, the widow of Edward Rew, and daughter of John Richmond, Sr. He died Feb. 15, 1691, aged seventy-three years, and was buried in the Walker burying-ground, in the southerly part of the city, between Somerset Avenue and the Great River.

Five of the original purchasers outlived the Plymouth government, viz., William Harvey, Richard Williams, Walter Deane, Hezekiah Hoar, and George Macey. The place of their graves no man knoweth unto this day.