JOHN3, son of Deacon John2, born about 1649, is first mentioned in 1670. He lived on Dover Neck (probably) June, 1693-4. John had a grant of 40 acres adjoining his 20 acres west of Back River, and also 100 acres east of Cochecho Biver. He was Representative in 1698, and died the same year. His wife, Abigail Roberts, (daughter of John,) who was left a disconsolate widow by the death of John, and therefore, as soon as possible, married Thomas Downes of Cochecho, who was himself killed by "ye Indian salvages" in 1711. 3 Aug. 1698, John, eldest son and heir of John late deceased, sells to John Tuttle land formerly belonging to his grandfather John; Thomas and Joseph were witnesses. On the 13 April, 1700, the estate of John3 was appraised, by Ralph Hall and John Tuttle. 10 Dec. 1700, Thomas and Joseph were appointed administrators, their mother, Abigail Downes, having declined the office. Of the children of John3. were John1, who married Esther Chesley, and from whom many Halls, some Wentworths, and a multitude of others were descended; Thomas1, who had wife Mary; Joseph1, whose wife was Esther; Sarah, who married Gershom Downes. RALPH3, son of Deacon John2, is first mentioned 1 Feby, 1685, when he received property of his father. 11 July, 1694, he had a grant of 20 acres on Fresh Creek. In 1702, he was "auditor." He received a deed, 25 Jany, 1704, from Richard and Elizabeth Pinkham, of land formerly belonging to "our grandfather Thomas Layton." He married Mary, daughter of Philip Chesley; in 1706 he was dead. 4 March, 1706, John and James were appointed administrators. In the division of the estate £15 was reserved for Jonathan, "a sick and weak child," and the remainder was divided among the below named children. In 1735, Ralph and Benjamin, sons of Ralph3 deceased, together with Joseph, attorney of the heirs of James deceased, sell lands which were laid out to said Ralph3, in place of lands lost in a lawsuit with Richard Waldron. Of the children of Ralph3, were John; James; Jonathan1; Isaac1, (removed to Medford, Mass., as is said); Benjamin1, b. June, 1702; Ralph1; Joseph', b. 26 March, 1706. HATEVIL3, son of Deacon John2, had wife Marcy, and child Hatevil4, b. 15 Feby, 1708-9, who married Sarah Furbish and left numerous descendants, among whom are Neal Dow, late Mayor of Portland, John Neal and others. NATHANIEL, son of Deacon John2, had wife Hannah. He owned land west of Back River. He and his wife deeded land to Nathaniel Meader 16 Nov. 1696, (Ralph being a witness,) after which we have no trace of them. A somewhat extended genealogy of this family is in possession of the compiler of this article. GAD OR GOAD. GAD was the name of a rod or staff used for the management of oxen and horses, and, according to Dugdale, was "an old Lincolnshire measure of ten feet." Gad and Goad are synonymous. In some parts of New England the instrument is called a gad, and in other parts goad. In New Hampshire it is not unfrequently called goard. Both gad and goard are defined in Dr. Webster's great Dictionary, but it does not appear to have come to his knowledge that they ever meant a measure of ten feet. S. G. D. Many of the first settlers of Dorchester, Mass. emigrated from Lincolnshire. Hence the word goad, applied to measurement, repeatedly occurs on the early Records of that ancient town. We question whether it can be found in a similar connection, elsewhere, in this country. Page 7. Dorchester Town Records. 8 Oct. 1633. It is ordered that all the pale of the fields now enclosed shall be still kept in severall, well and sufficiently fenced, and if that upon warning every man doth not keep his grounds fenced, then such as are appoynted for that purpose to see the pale sufficient and find not sufficient shall fence the same and such as are delinquent shall pay 3 shillings a goad and the same p'sently to be levied out of their goods by sale or otherwise according to the order in this book formerly entered, and this to be done a fourteene nights or Three weekes at most. The names to see to the fences aforesayde are these for the South feilde, next Mr Waram, Mr Smith & Goodman Grenway, for the West feild, Goodman Thorneton, Phillips, for the East feild, Goodman Hoskeins, Symon Hoyte, for the North feild, Goodman Hosseford and David Wilton. Page 33. 2d Jan. 1637. Ordered, to leave 4 Goades for the high way from the burying place to Good: Wade, and 3 goad the other way from John Hills vp to the woods. W. B. T. MATERIAL TOWARDS A HISTORY OF ASHBY. PETITION OF JOHN FITCH TO THE GENERAL COURT, IN 1749. [Communicated by Mr. FREDERIC KIDDER.] The capture of Mr. Fitch by the Indians was for a long time a memorable event in the region where it occurred, but no authentic account seems to have been written of it for more than forty years afterwards; hence the difficulty that has been found in fixing the date of the capture. As this event is relied on to establish the date of many other things that happened in the then new settled townships in that vicinity, its precise time has been long sought for, but without success till the present year. In Whitney's History of Worcester County, his capture is said to have taken place in July 1749. Torrey's History of Lunenburg says "during the summer of 1747." In "Drake's Tragedies of the Wilderness" it is put down as happening in the year 1746-7. We may now consider the question as settled, and that it took place July 5, 1748, O. S. Mr. F.'s residence was then within the limits of Lunenburg, but is now included in the town of Ashby. Its site is about two miles south of the meeting-house. Mr. Fitch was born in Bradford, and it is said was redeemed from captivity with funds furnished by his relatives there. The following extract from the town Records of Lunenburg gives the time and place of his wife's death: "Susannah Fitch, ye wife of Mr. John Fitch, deceast December ye 24, 1748, at Providence in ye Collony of Rhode Island." Mr. F. was married a second time, in December 1750, and became quite a large landholder and reputed a man of wealth; and it is supposed the now flourishing town of Fitchburg was named for him. After the incorporation of Ashby he resided most of the time in that town till his death, which took place in 1795, aged 87. In his old age he became poor, and was supported at the expense of the town. A few years since, an individual erected a granite stone to his memory. The following Petition was copied from the original in the Secretary of State's office at the State House. To the Honorable SPENCER PHIPPS, Esq., Governor in Chief of the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay in New England, for the time being: and to the Honorable His Majesty's Council and House of Representatives in General Court assembled: JOHN FITCH humbly shews, that in the year A. D. 1739 he purchased about 120 Acres of Land about seven miles and a half above Lunenburg Meeting House, and about three miles and a half above any of the inhabitants on the road leading from Lunenburg to Northfield, and there by industry built him a House, and improved so much Land as to raise Provision for his growing family and some to spare; whereby he entertained and refreshed Travellers. And being a Carpenter, he was furnished with such tools necessary for that business; and being far distant from Neighbours he was obliged to keep the chief of his tools and live within himself, and had husbandry Utensils and household Stuff; and that upon the War's breaking out, although he had no near Neighbours to join with him in a Garrison, yet divers of the Inhabitants of Lunen burg knowing the great Security that a Garrison at his place might be, urged him to build one, and many of the Inhabitants assisted and helped him in it. After which the several Officers appointed over the Souldiers and Scouts ordered a quota to that Garrison; and it was a place of Resort and Refreshment to town Scouts and for large Scouts from Northfield, Townsend, Ashuelott and other places; and your Petitioner entertained them. And in the year 1748 the Scouts from Lunenburg and Townsend were ordered to meet there once every week, and he had four soldiers allowed, to keep said Garrison. And on the fifth day of July in the same year, by reason of bodily infirmity there was but, two soldiers with him, altho' others with the Scouts were to come that day. Yet on that day before noon and before the Scouts had arrived, the Indian Epemy appeared and shot down one Souldier upon being discovered, and immediately drove him and the other Soldier into the Garrison; and after Beseigeing the same about one Hour and a half they killed the other Souldier through the porthole in the flankers. And then your Petitioner was left alone with his wife and five children. Soon after which he surrendered and became a prisoner with his said family; and the Enemy took and carried away such things as they pleased and burnt the House and Garrison with the rest,-and then we entered into a melancholly captivity, with one small child on the mother's breast; and two more became sucking children on the way for want of provision, which, with other hardships, brought my wife into a bad state of health and languishment; and in our return, being by New York, Rhode Island and Providence, there in December last she departed this Life; and when I with my five Children arrived to this Province we were objects of Charity for food and Raiment, which some Charitable people bestowed upon us. Yet your Petitioner's family are dispersed by reason of poverty, and must so remain unless some charitable help may some way or the other be bestowed, for your Petitioner is utterly unable to put himself again into suitable Circumstances and to bring home his dispersed and melancholly family, having his substance burnt as aforesaid and fences also. And your Petitioner begs leave to inform that he is utterly unable to build and furnish and fence, and maintain his disperst family, two children being a continual charge since our captivity, one being under the Doctor's hands ever since. Your Petitioner also lost his only Gun, worth thirty pounds, and an ox at the same time, and his stock of cattle are chiefly gone, having no hay last year, and in very pitiable circumstances; And humbly begs relief in some way or other as this Honorable Court shall think best. And as in duty bound will ever pray. JOHN FITCH. December, 1749. half his stock of catel containing 10 hed of well grone catel & all his swine, no tools of any sort, no household utensils but one porrage pot, writeing & accounts. In the House oF REPRESENTATIVES, APR. 9, 1750. Read, and ordered that there be allowed out of the Public Treasury to the Petn' or his order Eight Pounds in consideration for his Suffurings within mentioned, and to enable him to resettle himself and family on his plantation. IN COUNCIL, APR. 9, 1750. Read and concurred in. Sent up for concurrence. SAML. HOLBROOK, Dy Secretary. Consented to. S. PHIPPS. LETTER FROM REV. ARTHUR BROWN. The following letter was written by the Rev. Arthur Brown, a clergyman of the Church of England settled at Portsmouth, N. H., to a reverend friend, probably a clergyman in Boston, the original letter having been written on the four pages of the paper and the envelope lost. The original manuscript having been given by Wm. H. Montague to the Rev. Dr. Burroughs, who is now (1845) and has been Rector of the same church many years. The letter relates to the Revival of Religion that so extensively prevailed in New England at that period. This letter has never been published, and an exact copy, reserved by Mr. Montague, is now communicated by him. PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 10, 1741. REV'D SIR-The apprehension I was under lest something unguarded might drop from my pen prevented me giving you an account of what happna in my Church on Sunday ye 29th of Nov last, but since you require it I think myself obliged to comply and shall be as particular as I can. I must premise however you are no stranger to that in ye opinion of many there has been an extraordinary work on foot in the Land even before Mr. Whitfields arrival as appears by Mr. Edwards North Hampton account which since is become more general. This work has shewn itself more for some time in our Eastern parts, particularly at . . . [the place obliterated in the manuscript,] which has drawn a great concourse of people to that place, moved therto from a principle of curiosity, some perhaps from other motives. Let that be as it will, some of the most curious returned deeply affected & unable to give a satisfactory relation of what they observed. I was not of ye number (tho' the affair was transact very near me), but contented myself with the various accounts I had from different persons, and expected the matter would soon blow over. But it has happ otherwise, for on Wednesday Noybr ye 25th last at a Fast appointed by the minister of this place it broke out in our Town at ye meeting house of which Mr. Fitch is minister immediately at the ending of the service. As curiosity led numbers to observe the transactions I was at length induced to go, when the whole appear to me a Scene of ye veriest disorder and confusion. And so it continued every day and every night almost the whole of that week . . . [then follows several words so much obliterated as to be unintelligible,]-for that night to read prayers and at length preach a sermon, after which I took my leave of them. There was some appearance of it Monday at prayers, but on Tuesday night at my return we had much more of it, and a negro belonging to Col. Pepperill drop down in the Isle as tho he had a blow on y head with an ax. We have had little of it since either among us or in y° other meeting houses but daily hear of its prevailing in neighbouring Towns, and indeed there seems to be a prospect of its becoming general. Thus I have given you as general and particular account as I am able and waive passing a definite judgement for y present. This I must however say that a spirit of love and humility prevail among many, how long it will continue God alone knows. Thus the generality of people into considerations the Grievous offenders are serithemselves with the case. Some are disposed to put on more of the power of Godliness. In consequence of this I had seem to be ously.. 14 added to the number of my communicants last Sunday and hope they will increase. Dont conclude from hence y' I approve of every thing I have seen, No, far from it; many I fear are in the gall of bitterness & lying in wait to deceive-fruits must convince us. In the mean time here I am . . . . . difficulties beset with adversaries who daily crowd in from all parts, and at my wits end how to conduct myself without giving offence to some of my own parish who seem to be wavering. But I must trust my God; under ye shadow of his wings I shall be safe and his grace is sufficient for me. Expose this only when there is necessity, and let me partake in your prayers and the prayers of all my Bretheren and other Christians who shall happen to see this. I am, Revd Sir, with mine and my wifes compliments to your Lady, Y Affectionate Brother & faithful & Humble Serv', ARTHUR BROWN. I have bespoke you some butter, but I fear I shall not have an opportunity of sending it around before Spring. A RECORD OF MARRIAGES, BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN WESTFIELD, MASS., PRIOR TO THE YEAR 1700. [Communicated by the Rev. EMERSON DAVIS of that town, Corresponding Member of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society.] In a private journal, kept by Rev. JOHN BALLANTINE, it is written, "April 8, 1754, died Benjamin Sexton, aged 88, who was the first white person born in the town." If so he must have been born in 1666. But there is no record of any birth prior to 1667. JOHN ROOT, wife Mary; chn. Mary, b. Sept. 22, 1667; Sarah, b. Sept. 24, 1670; John, b. Dec. 28, 1672; Samuel, b. Sept. 16, 1675; Hannah, b. Dec. 9, 1677; Abigail, b. June 26, 1680; Joshua, b. Nov. 23, 1682; Mercy, b. March 15, 1684. 1669; JOHN PENDER, wife Temperance; chn. Susanna, b. March 11, John, b. Sept., 1670, died April 28, 1676; Mary, b. Sept. 30, 1672; Elizabeth, b. Feb'y 3, 1675; Nathaniel, .b. Sept. 3, 1677; John, b. March 11, 1679; Thomas, b. March 5, 1681, d. Aug. 4, 1750; Martha, b. Feb'y 27, 1683; Sarah, b. July 28, 1686, d. Sept. 15, 1690. Temperance, wife of J. P., d, Oct. 27, 1732. DAVID ASHLEY, wife Hannah; chn. John, b. June 27, 1669, died Ap. 17, 1759; Sarah, b. Sept. 10, 1673, m. Thomas Ingersol; Hannah and Mary, b. Dec. 26, 1675, Mary d. July, 1676; Jonathan, b. June 26, 1678, d. Sept. 18, 1749; Abigail, b. April 27. 1681; Mary, b. March 3, 1683; Rebecca, b. May 30, 1685. David Ashley d. Dec. 8, 1718. JOHN INGERSOL, wife Mary; chn. Thomas, b. March 28, 1668, m. Sarah Ashley; John, b. Oct. 20, 1669, d. May 18, 1750; Abel, b. Nov. 11, 1671; Ebenezer, b. Oct. 15, 1673, d. March 4, 1681; Joseph, b. Oct. 16, 1675; Mary, b. Nov. 17, 1677, d. Sept. 1, 1690; Benjamin, b. Nov. 15, 1679; Jonathan, b. May 10, 1681. John Ingersol, Sen. d. Sept. 3, 1684; Mary, his wife, d. Aug. 18, 1690. MOSES COOK m. Elizabeth Clark, Sept. 27, 1669-had Elizabeth, b. Aug. 25, 1673. |