2116. James Walker was born in 1619. He died on 15 Feb 1691 in Bristol Co., MA. He married Elizabeth Phillips. James was buried in Walker-Blake Graveyard, Bristol Co., MA.
James, ae. 15, apprentice to John Browne, baker, came in the Elizabeth in April, 1635. Sarah, ae. 17, servant to William Bracey, linen draper, Cheapside, London, came in the same. He settled at Taunton; atba. 1643; juryman, 1643; frm. 4 June, 1650. James, (Walker,) lately married, had letter from Gov. Winslow of Plym. Col. to Gov. Winthrop, as he went to admin. on the est of his wife's kinsman Samuel Crum, 4 (4) 1646. James W., Jr., m. at Taunton 23 Dec. 1647, Barsheba --. James W., Sen.; his wife Elizabeth d. 30 July, 1678; he m. 4 Nov. 1678, Sarah Rew. He performed a marriage in 1680. [Plym. Col. Rec.]
“James Walker, although not one of the original purchasers, joined the settlement early, probably while in his minority. His name first appears in the Company Roll of Taunton of 1643, (Pierce’s Colonial Lists), 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 ail 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.
James Walker: Mill River, by which William Witherell built his home, was a prime resource of the town of Taunton, Massachusetts. It provided power for the mills, and fish for the table and field. Before the town was settled, and afterward, Indians from Mount Hope and elsewhere would come every April, pitch their tents by the falls, and with much shouting and dancing, catch sufficient prized herring to last throughout the next year as food and fertilizer. Alewives as these herring were call, were a prime reason for the English settling near the Mill River falls, and so the protection of this resource was intimately vital to the town.
James built his sawmill upstream on Mill River in 1664. The town, to protect her interest, voted on the second day of January 1664, that the fish shall have a convenient passage up and down Mill River. Spring came with a rush! The herring thrashed and beat their way upstream toward their spawning ground. But what the town had feared came to pass. The fish could not get past the sawmills, dam. It was difficult to persuade the afflicted people not to use violence to open a passage for the fish and to keep in the path of law for your relief. They did not. William living on Mill River, caught ale-wives by the barrel-full each spring. Protecting his interests, in spite of being a constable, the town's law enforcement officer, only two years past, he decided to take the law into his own hands. Still young and aggressive, his immediate instinct was action.
On a wind-chilled night early that spring, the full moon high overhead glancing off the sinking snow, William and his friend, Gyles Gilbert, and some other defiant men stalked up Mill River to Walker's saw mill. Impetuous to a fault, they sprang into the mill without hesitation, and tore the mill apart with much shouting and clatter. When they were done, panting, hearts racing fast, the mill was so damaged that James would need some time to get it operating again. William was satisfied, that he had gotten his point across.
But the people of the Plymouth Colony had set up courts to settle these types of disputes, so people would not be hurt by they're or someone else's action. By the seventh day of April 1664, the General Court had caught up to this deed. William was fined, and the condition of the above-said obligation is, that if he was of good behavior towards our lord the King and all his people, and especially to keep from libeling, and appear at the General Court to be held at Plymouth the first Tuesday in June, no further action would take place.
On the sixth day of June 1664, William and three others appeared before the court and were fined twenty shillings for the abuse done to a sawmill at Taunton, belonging to James and others. They came in the night and broke down some parts of the said mill, and for taking away several things from the same.
The scales of justice also fell on James Walker. The court directed "an order" to the constable of Taunton to require the said James Walker that he speedily take action to make a free passage for the ale-wives going up the river.
So this herring by the town of Taunton had protected the riches of its other river. Their quick step outside the law revealed their passion and did soon bring "relief."
James understanding that all power residing originally in, and being derived from the people, and that all the magistrates and officers of government, are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them, was elected by the freemen of Taunton to be their Deputy to the Plymouth General Assembly in the years of 1654, 1658 to 1662, 1666 to 1670, 1676, 1678, and 1679. He was also a Member of the Council of War in the years 1658, 1671, and 1681.(I remember my grandmother, Irma, would tell us how she would watch the shad run every year when she would take us to the Cape.)
1643, James Walker appears in a list among those who where authorized to bear arms in New PlymouthTaunton. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 4:258, 1850.1654, Apr 16, James Walker is mentioned as son in law in the will of William Phillips of Taunton. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 5:260, 1851.
1659, Mar 15, James Walker is shown as overseer to the will of William Parker of Taunton. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 6:93, 1852.
1665, Nov 6, James Walker is mentionedin the will of John Parker of Taunton. "to cousin James Walker's children of Taunton". New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 7:177, 1853.
2117. Elizabeth Phillips was born in 1619. She died on 14 Aug 1678 in Bristol Co., MA. Elizabeth was buried in Walker-Blake Graveyard, Bristol Co., MA.
The Walker burying-ground, on Somerset Avenue near Dighton, contains the gravestone having the oldest legible inscription of any in town, marking the grave-of Elizabeth, the wife of the first James Walker. This and other of the older ones are given below:
11 Here lies the body of Elizabeth Walker, the wife of James Walker, aged 59, died In the year 1678, A lig. the littla."
11 Hero lies the body of James Walker, aged 73, died In the year 1691, Feb. the 15th." I
" Here lieth ye body of James Walker, aged 72 years, i6nd died Judo ye 22,1718."
11 Ili memory- of Bathsheba, wife of JamesWalker, died Feb. ye 24, 1738, in ye 85th year of her figs." I
2118. Gilbert Brooks was born about 1621. He died on 13 Jun 1695 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA. He married Elizabeth Simmons.
1. Will of Gilbert Brooks, dated June 6, 1695
June 6, 1695. I Gilbert Brooks of Rehoboth, "being aged & Vnder present weaknes and Expecting my Chaine", do make my will. To beloved wife Sarah my dwelling house, orchard and homelot, my feather bed with its furniture, my chest with a lock and key to it and what other household stuff she may desire for her need. "Dureing the time of her Widowhood and Bearing my Name", she to give in security that the tenement and fences shall be kept in repair and that no waste be made of said estate, but that it shall upon her decease or marriage be delivered to my executors "Vnless by unaVoydable Cassualty the said house or goods should be Damnifyed or Destroyed", Also I give her six sheep, one cow, half my swine and half my provision in my house, half my flax and yarn and a quarter of my wool in my house, also a "Barell of Sider"; "in Case god taks me away when the Croop is on the ground", said wife to have the whole crop, and six bushels of corn until harvest, otherwise sixteen bushels of corn, ten of Indian and six of rye. To Benoni Wigin, my grandson, land, and a quarter part of my commons, on the North Side, "my Bed he Vseth to lye on & Bolster one blanket & one Coverlit and a pair of sheets in his hands", and my old Iron Pot. To Zachariah Carpenter that lives with me, forty shillings, my sword that I bought last, with half my ammunition and an axe that was his fathers. To my nine daughters an equal share of my estate, only my daughter Rachel's share I give to my grandson Benoni Wigen. If any of my children be dead, their share to go to their surviving children, that is to say with what some of them have had already as may appear on the other side of the leaf with my hand to it. "My Beloued sons in law Robert Crossman & william Manle" to be executors. To my grandchild Basheba Walker twenty shillings "if she liue with me". To my grandson Brook Thresher twenty shillings. To Zachariah Carpenter, a coverlid. Witnessed by Samuel Newman, Richard Bowen and Nathaniel Chaffee who, all of Rehoboth, made oath to said will at Bristol, July 5, 1695 before John Saflin, Probator. John Cary, Registrar; Entered Oct. 5, 1695, by John Cary Registrar: Inventory of the estate of Gilbert Brooks of Rehoboth, "who Deceased the thirteenth Day of June 1695" taken July 4, 1695 by Nicolas Peck and Richard Bowen, and sworn to at Bristol, July 5, 1695 by Robert Crossman and William Manley, the executors. Amount, �84..00..00. "An appendix to the will of Mr. : Gilbert Brooks late of Rehoboth Deceased-- That which I have Payd my Children or Grand Children as follows to Mary Coleborn a Cow a Mare & a horse to Hannah Crossman a Cow to Bethiah Thresher a Cow Rebecca Horskins shall haue no more of my Estate haueing Received some other things with a warming Pan already Ester Stephens has had her whole Share" signed Gilbert X Brook. Entered Oct. 5, 1695 by John Cary Registrar: SOURCE: "Bristol County Probate Records" in NEHGS Register, v. 63, pp. 82-83
2119. Elizabeth Simmons was born about 1624.
2130. James Redeway.James married Mary Whipple.
2176. Thomas Hanson was born about 1586 in England. He married Mary Paul about 1636.
1. Thomas Hanson received a land grant near Salmon Falls, NH, on 11 Jan. 1658/9 of 100 acres of land, (Noyes, Libby & Davis, Genealogical Dictionary, p. 307; Quint, Alonzo H., “Genealogical Items Relating to Dover, N.H.,” New England Historic Genealogical Register, Vol. 6 [Oct. 1852], p. 329)
2. He was made a freeman on 5 June 1661, and was a Constable, and Highway Surveyor. (Noyes, Libby & Davis, Genealogical Dictionary, p. 307)3. He was listed in the New Hampshire tax lists of 1657, 1658, 1659, 1662, and 1663 in Cocheco, which is now Dover, NH. (Noyes, Libby & Davis, Genealogical Dictionary, pp. 307, 52)
4. Thomas Hanson died testate in Cocheco, (Dover), NH, in 1666. Capt. Richard Waldren proved his undated will on 27 June 1666. He mentioned his wife Mary, two unnamed daughters under 18, son Tobias to have two grants from the Town of Dover, son Thomas to have land bought of Capt. Barefoot, and two youngest sons, Isaac and Timothy, not of age. His will, in full, was published in Volume 1 of Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire in 1907, and is as follows:
These presents wittnesse that I Thomas Hanson Being in perffect mind & memory though weak in Body doe make this my Last Will & testament, First I Bequeath my soul to God that gave itt & my body to ye Earth to bee decently Buried. My Will is thatt affter my debts are paid with my funerall Charge I doe give To my Loving Wife (duering her Naturall liffe or soe long as shee keeps herselfe a Widdow) all My housing with the Improved Ground thereunto Belonging at Cutcheco with all my Cattell and moveables withall my . . . . stuffe, she paying to my two daughters when they Come to the age off eighteen years old twenty pound a peece. But in case shee shall marry again then my will is that she shall have Butt one third off houses & improved Lands with all moveables and the other two thirds I give to my son’ Tobias with all ye Rest off that Threscore acres off Land lying in Com’on & nott improved given mee in two grants ffrom ye Town one off fforty acres another off twenty acres all which affter my decease I Give to my son’ Tobias, except whatt is Beffore given to my wife. Likewise I Give to my son’ Thomas thatt thirty acres off Land I Bought off William Hackett & thatt fifty [acres?] off Land thatt I Bought off Capt Bearffoott with ffive pounds in Cattell. Also I Give to my two youngest son’s Isaac & Timothy ten’ pounds a peece When they Come off age with thatt six score acres of land Granted my By ye town & laid outt to mee Between ffresh Creek and Nechowoneck River Be equaly devided Between them and doe apoint my Loving Wiffe Mary Hanson my soule Exequetrix to see all this my Last will to Be perfformed and to pay outt all these Legacies when my Children Come off age: outt off ye Chattells and if there is more in any Goods or Chattels or any bils Bonds or amounts due to mee ffrom any man affter my debts are paid and all ye abovesd Legacies I Give & Bequeatth to my Wife with third off houses & lands to Bestow upon any off her Children that shall Be most Obedient as shee shall see Cause. In Witnesse heroff I have putt to my hand & seale
Signed seleid and deliverd I Thomas hanson (seal)
in the presence of us
Richard Walderne
Samuell hale
The “widdow Hanson” was taxed at “Cochechae” in 1666 and at Dover Neck in 1675. His widow was killed by Indians in the massacre of Walderne Garrison in Cocheco, NH, on 28 June 1689, very aged. They were presumably buried in Waldron Cemetery in Dover, NH, but their gravestones have not survived.
2178. John Kitchen was born before 1620. He married Elizabeth Grafton.
2179. Elizabeth Grafton was born before 1620.
1. Daughter of Joseph and Mary (Moore) Grafton.
2190. Edward Colcord was born in 1615 in Devon, ENG. He died on 10 Feb 1681/1682 in Hampton, Rockingham Co., NH. He married Anne Warde.
2191. Anne Warde died on 24 Jan 1688 in Hampton, Rockingham Co., NH.
2242. Edward Winn was born in 1599 in England. He died on 5 Sep 1682 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA. He married Joanna Sargent.
1. Edward Winn came from England to America, bringing his wife Joanna, and children Ann, Elizabeth and Joseph. He settled first in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and was one of the commissioners for founding the contemplated town of Woburn. He one of the signers of the "town orders," or by-laws, for Woburn in 1640, one of the original planters of that town in 1641, and was taxed in the first tax rate of Woburn, 1645. He was also the father of the firstborn child. He was made freeman 1643, and selectman 1669. His will was made at Watertown, May 6, 1682, and he died September 5, 1682. His residence was near a place in Woburn, known as the Vineyard, at which was a watering-place (on present Park street), the house being on some spot near Middlesex, Chestnut and Kilby streets. His wife Joanna died in Woburn, March 8, 1649. He married (second), August 10, 1649, Sarah Beal, died in Woburn, March 15, 1680. He married (third) Ann or Hannah Wood, respectively the wife of William Page, of Watertown; Nicholas Wood, of Medfield; and Edward Winn of Woburn. She died before November 1, 1686.
Children: 1. Ann, married, September 26.1648, Moses Cleveland (ancestor of ex-President Grover Cleveland). 2. Elizabeth married, May 21, 1649, George Polly. 3. Joseph, see forward. 4. Increase, born December 5, 1641, died December 14, 1690.
2243. Joanna Sargent was born in 1607. She died on 8 Mar 1649 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA.
2272. James Converse was born on 16 Nov 1645 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA. He died on 8 Jul 1706 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA. He married Hannah Carter on 1 Jan 1668 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA. James was buried in First Burial Grounds, Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA. [Parents]
1. Lieut. James, born 1620, in England; died May 10, 1715, at Woburn, Mass.; married Anna, daughter of Robert Long, of Charlestown, Oct. 24, 1643. He was a valuable and highly esteemed citizen; was repeatedly honored by the town with the principle offices within its gift, and surviving his son, Major James, died, aged 95. Had:
John, born 1673; married Abigail Sawyer, May 22, 1699; died Jan. 6, 1707; had John, born Feb. 3, 1701, married Abigail Baldwin before 1728. John removed to Leicester, Mass., and subsequently to Brookfield, Mass., and has many descendants in that region. (Family record of Deacons James W. Converse and Elisha S. Converse : including some of the descendants of Roger de Coigneries of England, 1066, Deacon Edward Convers of Charlestown, Mass., 1630, Robert Wheaton of Salem, Mass., 1636, William Edmonds of Lynn, Mass., 1630, John Coolidge of Watertown, Mass., 1630 Boston: A. Mudge & Son, printers, 1887, p. 115)2. Woburn was a short distance east of Winter Pond in the present town of Winchester. He was made freeman in 1671. Selectman eight years, 1680-1688; and town clerk 1688, 1691, and 1693 to 1700. He was one of the two citizens of Woburn appointed to appear for the town in the controversy with the town of Medford regarding repairs of Mystick Bridge. He was one of the leading members of the Woburn Church, and one of the Church Committee for the settlement of Rev. Mr. Fox there. He was Deputy to the General Court five terms 1679-92, and elected Speaker of the House 1699, 1702 and 1703. He was noted for his gallant defence of Storer's Garrison at Wells, 1691-92. For efficiency in this service he was promoted to the rank of Major, and placed in command of all the military forces of Massachusetts in Maine.
6 July 1690. Two companies under the Captains Floyd and Wiswal were now scouting, and on the sixth day of July discovered an Indian track, which they pursued until they came up with the enemy at Wheelwright's Pond [in Lee], where a bloody engagement ensued for some hours, in which Wiswal, his lieutenant Flagg, and sergeant Walker, with twelve more, were killed and several wounded. It was not known how many of the enemy fell, as they always carried off their dead. Floyd maintained the fight after Wiswal's death, till his men, fatigued and wounded drew off, which obliged him to follow. The enemy retreated at the same time for when Captain Converse went to look after the wounded he found seven alive, whom he brought in by sunrise the next morning, and then returned to bury the dead." Belknap's History o f New Hampshire, Vol. I, p. 261.
10 June 1692. "On the tenth day of June, an army of French and Indians made a furious attack on Storer's garrison at Wells, where Captain Convers commanded; who, after a brave and resolute defense, was so happy as to drive them off." -Ibid., p. 264.
Sewall's History of Woburn describes Maj. James Convers' defence of Storer's Garrison as follows: James Convers, Jr., the last of those worthies who subscribed the above Declaration of the Church of Woburn in 1703, and familiarly known in his day as Maj. James Convers, was the eldest son of James Convers, Senr., and was born in Woburn November 16, 1645. He was a gentleman that, for a succession of years, appears to have faithfully and acceptably discharged various civil trusts reposed in him by the town.
But he is most celebrated for his services to his country in the military line, and especially for his gallant defence of Storer's garrison at Wells, during the war against the French and Eastern Indians, which began in 1688, and has been called "The Ten Years War." That exploit of Major (then Captain) Convers is spoken of, both by Hutchinson and by Belknap in their respective Histories, in terms of commendation. Mather also, in his History of this War, entitled "Decennium Luctuosum," gives a minute and interesting account of this celebrated action, and as it is highly creditable to this distinguished son of Woburn, an abridgment of it may not improbably be gratifying to the citizens of Woburn at the present day.
It seems that on November 29, 1690, six Indian sachems had agreed at Sagadahock with Capt. John Alden upon a truce till the first day of May 1691, on which clay they promised to bring all the English captives in their hands into Lieut. Storer's house at Wells, and there conclude upon terms of a firm and lasting peace.
Accordingly, on the day appointed, Deputy Governor Danforth and certain other gentlemen came from Boston to Wells, suitably guarded, expecting the fulfilment of this engagement by the Indians. But, as Mather expresses it, "the Indians being poor musicians for keeping time," Captain Convers went out, and returned with some of them, who brought in six English captives in company, and promised "that in twenty days more they would bring in to Captain Convers all the rest." After waiting for the Indians beyond the term agreed upon, the Deputy Governor and company withdrew; and Captain Convers, suspecting treachery, made earnest application to the County of Essex for help to be sent him as speedily as possible; and received from that quarter thirty-five men. This providential re-enforcement saved the place. For scarcely half an hour had elapsed from their entering Storer's house on June 9, 1691, before Moxus, a fierce sachem, beset it, with two hundred Indians. But, receiving a brave repulse front the garrison within, he became discouraged and drew off. This gave occasion to Madockawando, another noted Indian sachem, and a virulent foe to the English, to say, as was afterwards reported, "My brother Moxus has miss'd it now; but I will go myself the next year, and have the dog Convers out of his hole." The event proved that this was no empty threat; that Madockawando meant as he said. For on June 10, 1692, just a year and a day from the time that Moxus commenced his attack on the garrison of Wells the year before, the cattle of that place came suddenly home from the woods affrighted, and some of them wounded. Warned by this infallible sign that the Indians were nigh, the inhabitants of the place fled for refuge to the garrison house; and the next morning an army of French and Indians, from 300 to 500 in number, commanded by Labocree, a Frenchman, and under him, by Moxus, Madockawando, Egeremet, and other Indian sachems, was discovered lurking around. To defend himself against this host, Captain Convers had only fifteen men in the garrison, and as many more aboard of two sloops and a shallop in the river hard by, which had recently arrived from Boston with ammununition for the soldiers, and a contribution of supplies for the impoverished inhabitants of that vicinity. So weak and contemptible did the Indians account these few opponents, and so sure were they of victory, that one of the first things they did after their arrival was to agree upon a division among themselves of the prisoners and of the spoils.
They then made a violent assault upon the garrison. But meeting there a hot reception, and having no cannon, they were glad to leave it for that time, and try their efforts upon the sloops. So narrow was the river or inlet where these lay, that the enerny could approach them within twelve yards of the land; and from hence, behind a pile of plank, and a haystack fortified with posts and rails, they discharged their volleys upon them. By means, too, of fire arrows, they succeeded several times in setting the sloops on fire. But the sailors, "with a swab at the end of a rope tied to a pole, and so dipt into the water," contrived to extinguish the spreading flames; and, encouraged by their resolute commander, Lieutenant Storer; they made such stout resistance that before night their assailants, disappointed, withdrew. But they soon returned, to try the effect of stratagem and threatening. In the course of the night, they inquired of the men on board the sloops, Who were their commanders? And being answered, "We have many commanders," the Indians replied, "You lie; you have none but Convers, and we will have him too before morning." But morning arrived, and found Convers still alive and well within the walls of Storer's house. On that morning by daylight, the Indians commenced preparations for another assault upon the garrison. They began to march towards it in a body, with great display; and so terrific was their appearance, that one of the garrison ventured to suggest the expediency of a surrender. But Captain Convers, rendered indignant by such a proposal, "vehemently protested that he would lay the man dead who should so much as mutter that base word any more." When the Indians had come within a short distance from the garrison they raised a shout that caused the earth to ring; and crying out in English, "Fire, and fall on, brave boys," they all, being drawn into three ranks, fired in a body at once.
But, violent as this onset was, Captain Convers was prepared to meet it. His men were all ready, waiting his commands and the female inhabitants of the town, who had fled to the garrison for protection at the approach of the enemy, were not only active in handling ammunition to the men, but several armed themselves with muskets, and discharged them. Captain Convers had given orders to his men to refrain from firing till they could do it to most advantage; and, when they cane to discharge their artillery at his word, such was the execution done, that many of the enemy were swept down before them, and many others were constrained to flee. Baffled in this, their second attack upon the garrison, the enemy now renewed their attempts upon the sloops. They constructed a raft, eighteen or twenty feet square, which they loaded with combustible materials, and then towing it as near as they dared, set fire to it, and left it for the tide to float it toward the sloops. And now the men on board, perceiving their imminent danger of perishing by fire, commended themselves to God for help. And suddenly it is recorded, the wind shifted, and the raft was driven upon the opposite shore, and so much split as to let in water, with which the fire was quenched. By this time, the enemy's ammunition was nearly exhausted, and numbers of them disheartened with their ill success, began to draw off. The rest, after some consultation, thought best to send a flag of truce towards the garrison advising them to surrender. But Captain Convers sent their word, that "he wanted nothing but for men to come and fight him." The Indians replied, "Being you are so stout, why don't you come and fight in the open field, like a man, and not fight in a garrison like a squaw?" The Captain rejoined, "What, a fool are you! do you think thirty men a match for five hundred? No: come with your thirty men upon the plain, and I'le meet you with my thirty as soon as you will." Upon this, the Indian answered' "Nay, mee own, English fashion is all one fool; you kill mee, mee kill you! No: better ly somewhere, and shoot a man and he no see; that the best soldier!"
With this, the Indian enemy, from daring Captain Convers, had recourse to coaxing and flattery. But, finding him too wise to trust the promises of insidious foes, and that all their devices to induce him to surrender, or to draw him from his stronghold, were ineffectual, they were thrown into a rage, and with a horrid imprecation declared, " We'll cut you as small as tobacco before tomorrow morning." But the. only reply which the intrepid captain made to this vaporing threat, was, "to bid them, come on; for he wanted work." The enemy themselves, notwithstanding their boast what they would do with him, came near him no more.. Having now continued before the garrison and in its neighborhood forty-eight hours 'and been disappointed in all their confident expectations, and defeated in all their efforts to get the dog Convers (as they called him) and his men into their power, they first wreaked their vengeance upon all the cattle they could light upon, and cruelly tortured to death a poor unhappy captive they had taken on the morning they came to Wells, and then marched off, leaving some of their dead behind them. Labocree, their commander-in-chief, among the rest; thus giving cause of joy and thanksgiving unto God to the garrison, and to the country at large, for so wonderful a deliverance.
For this, his brave and successful action, Captain Convers was promoted the following year, by Governor Phipps, to the rank of a Major, and appointed to the command of all the Massachusetts forces then in Maine. Here, and in the Legislature, he still continued to serve his country during the remainder of the war; and shared at last, in the honor of bringing it to an end. Towards the close of the year 1698, he and Colonel John Phillips, a member of the Council of the Province, with Captain Cyprian Southack, commander of the Province Galley, sailed from Boston for the Eastern country, intrusted by the Government with full powers for effecting a peace with the Indians. Proceeding to Casco Bay, they there met with the leading Indian sachems, and persuaded then, January 7, 1699, to accede to and solemnly subscribe a treaty, which was the same, in the main, with the one they had entered into at Peniaquid, but which they had broken, as they alleged, through the persuasion of the French. Peace had, previously to this, been made with the French by the treaty of Ryswick, 1697.
In 1699, the year in which peace with the Indians was concluded, and in the four preceding years, and again in 1701, and the four following years, Major Convers was sent a member for Woburn to the General Court; and in three of those years, viz : 1699, 1702, 1703, he was chosen Speaker of the House. In 1706, he was again returned to the lower branch of the Legislature, but did not live to finish the term for which he had been elected. Being seized, apparently, with some sudden, violent sickness, death put an end at once to his usefulness and his life, July 8, 1706, in the 61st year of his age.
Major Convers married, January 1, 1668-9, Hannah a daughter of Capt. John Carter. By her, he had nine children, six sons and three daughters. Four of these died in infancy or childhood or in youth unmarried. Two of his sons, Robert and Josiah, the second soil of the name, were men of influence and distinction in their day, and descendants of Josiah, of the third and fourth generations from his son, Josiah, Jr., still live in Woburn, and maintain a highly respectable position and character in society.
While this distinguished citizen of Woburn was town Clerk, he performed one piece of service, for which the town doth now, and ever will, owe him a grateful remembrance. After his accession to that office, observing that his predecessors had recorded the Births, Marriages and Deaths in Woburn upon sundry loose papers which were then in a shattered and perishing condition, he procured a blank folio volume, well bound, at his own expense, and transcribed those Records into it, adding, in his own records of births, the names of both the parents, instead of the father only, as had previously been the custom. By this, his laudable care, and by the subsequent purchase of the new volume by the town, at the recommendation of his successor in the Clerk's office, Lieut. Fowle, the valuable records of almost fifty years on the above mentioned topics, were preserved for posterity in a fair hand, and in a durable form, which otherwise had long since perished, or been scattered and lost.
There is also an account of Maj. James Convors' defence of Storer's garrison in Parkman's "Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV," pages 353 to 356. In the same volume (p. 360) Parkman says that the French failure at Pemaquid completed the discontent of the Abenaki Indians, " and despondency and terror seized them when, in the spring of 1693, Convers, the defender of Wells, ranged the frontier with a strong party of militia, and built another stone fort at the falls of the Saco." (p. 18 - 23, Genealogy of The Converse Family and Allied Families, Some of the Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Convers, Jr. and Major James Converse, Charles Allen Converse, 1905)3. James Converse, Jr.: (Epitaph in the First Burial Grounds of Woburn ) Here lyes buried ye body of Major James Convers, Esq., aged 61 years, who departed this life, July ye 8th, 1706.
2273. Hannah Carter was born on 19 Jan 1650 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA.
2278. Ezekiel Richardson died 1 on 20 May 1647. He married Living.
1630, Oct 19, Oath of freeman, Thomas Lambe. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 3:91, 1849.
1632, Oct 14, dismissed from the Boston Church and entered into the covenant of the First Church of Charleston. Record book of the First Church of Charleston. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 23:190, 1869.
1647, May 20, I, Ezekiel Richardson, of Woebourne, being in perfect memorie. Wife Susanna, and Eldest Son, Theophilus, Executors. To son Josias, thirtie pounds, to be paide in mony, Cattell or corne, when 21. Unto son James, 30 lb; Unto dau. Phebe, 30 lb. I discharge whatsoever demands have bin between my brother, Samuel Richardson, and my selfe. Unto brother, Thomas Richardson, his Son Thomas, 10. Overseers, Edward Converse and John Mousall of Woebourne. In case either die before the accomplishment of this my will, the surviuer, with the consent of Thomas Carter, pastor of the church in Woebourne, shall have power to chuse an other overseer in his place. Unto the Overseers 30 a peece. Debts dicharged, all the rest to Executors, provided wife may peacablie injoy her habitation in the house. Abstracts of Early Wills. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 7:172, 1853.
2280. Abiel Lamb was born 1 on 2 Aug 1646 in Roxbury, Suffolk Co., MA. He died about 1710 in {Framingham, Middlesex Co.}, MA. He married 2 Elizabeth Clark in Mar 1674. [Parents]
1. p. 28 "Abiel, baptized June 2, 1646. Married Elizabeth (Clark) Buckminster, March 1674. Died about 1710. (Biographical sketch, p. 24) Children: Jonathan, born November 11, 1682...." (Nathan Lamb of Leicester, Massachusetts : his ancestors and descendants, Lamb, Charles Francis, publisher, UNK, 1930
2. In 1670, Abiel was a resident of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
3. 1675, Mar. 24, Abiel Lamb is listed among the members of Cpt. Nicholas Manning of Ipswich. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 42:95, 1888.
4. 1675, July, Abiel Lamb is listed among the members of Cpt. Johnson's Company from Roxbury. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 8:242, 1854.
5. References to Military Service, King Philips War:
On July 6, 1675, a body of fifty-two praying Indians, Eliot's converts, marched from Boston for Mount Hope under the "intrepid" Capt. Isaac Johnson, of Roxbury, who afterwards certified that the most of them acquitted themselves courageously and faithfully. He, with five other captains, was killed while storming the Narraganset stronghold when that fierce tribe was destroyed at the famous Fort (Narraganset) fight, Dec. 19, 1675. The roll of his company, which also embraces men from the adjacent towns, includes these of Roxbury:--
Henry Bowen
Thom. Cheney
Isaac Morrice
Abiel Lamb
And others . . .
(The Town of Roxbury Old Landmarks and Noted Personages, p. 17, By Francis S. Drake, Roxbury, Oct. 1878)6. 1675, Nov. 2-30, Abiel Lamb is listed among the members of Cpt. Henchman. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 37:72, 1883.
7. Hubbard, in his History of the Indian Wars, states that Captain Henchman's company marched out of Boston, Nov. 1, 1675, to rescue some youths who had been captured at Marlborough by the savages and carried off. In this connection the following extracts from a letter of Captain Henchman:
"Menden, Nov. 10, 1675 ¿ Honrd Gentlemen; this last night in the close of it I marched to Hassanamesit (now Grafton) with 22 men mounted; believing that some of the enemy were there, dicovered their fire, dismounted, and marched to it in two files; headed the right myself, the other led by my Lieut. Zekill Curtis. My Lt. first got to the wigwam and received a mortal shot at the doore; I hastened to round them in getting close beyond it expecting my men had followed: but all that both of us had was not above five men, one of them my corporal Abiel Lambe, whose strength outstrips me . . . it is a peculiar mercie we were not all slaine, for the Indians issued out and fired on us."
Thomas Lambe of Roxbury
English Puritan
Compiled by Albert Roswell Lamb, 19328. 1676; admitted to the church at Roxbury, MA.
9. He lived in Watertown in 1690 , Muddy River (Brookline) in 1691
10. 1695; Removed to Framingham, MA., lived near Doeskin Hill, leased from White and Buckminster.
11. 1700; Abial was Constable of Framingham, MA.
12. 1701; Abial was Selectman of Framingham, MA.
2281. Elizabeth Clark was born 1 31 Nov 1647 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. [Parents]
1. Widow of Joseph Buckminster.
2282. John Death was born in 1651 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., MA. He died after 1723 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., MA. He married Mary Peabody in 1675 in Topsfield, Essex Co., MA.
1. Lived near Sudbury, MA. Bought lands from Benjamin Rice, 29 Sept. 1673. (p. 523, History of Framingham)
2283. Mary Peabody was born on 22 May 1656 in Topsfield, Essex Co., MA. She died after 1690 in MA. [Parents]
2284. Nathaniel Richardson was born 1 on 2 Jan 1650 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA. He died 2 on 4 Dec 1714 in Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA. He married Mary [---]. [Parents]
2286. Samuel Green was born before 1675. He married 1 Elizabeth Upham on 28 Oct 1691 in Malden, Middlesex Co., MA.
2287. Elizabeth Upham was born before 1675.
2290. Robert Harrington was born on 1 Oct 1616 in Somerset, ENG. He died on 11 May 1707 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. He married Susannah George on 1 Oct 1648 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. Robert was buried 1 in Old Burying Place, Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA.
From Early generations of the family of Robert Harrington of Watertown, Massachusetts, 1634, and some of his descendants, Frederick Lewis Weis, 1958:
ROBERT HARRINGTON, born probably in England about 1616, died at Watertown, Massachusetts, 17 May 1707, aged 91 years, having come to New England in the ship "Elizabeth," 10 April 1634. He married at Watertown, 1 October 1647, Susan George, born about 1632, died at Watertown, 6 July 1694, the daughter of John George of that town.
He took the oath of fidelity, 1652, and was admitted a freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 27 May 1663, at which time he was undoubtedly a member of the First Church in Watertown, He was a proprietor of Watertown as early as 1642, and owned a homestall, "given him by Deacon Thomas Hastings" a kinsman or a generous patron. He was a member of Captain Hugh Mason's Watertown Train Band, 1652, the captain having been commissioned 5 May 1652; and Mr. Harrington served as Selectman of Watertown, fifteen years, between 1679 and 1700. (Society of Colonial Wars, Index of Ancestors, 1922, p. 221). Evidently he was a man of ability and highly respected by his fellow townsmen to be chosen so often for this important and responsible office. He was a mill owner and miller, and his house and mill were valued at £120, as shown by the original inventory of his estate.
Grave stone inscription:
HERE LYES BURIED
Ye BODY OF
ROBERT HARRINGTON
AGED 91 YEARS DIED
MAY ye 11 1707
2291. Susannah George was born on 18 Aug 1631 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. She died on 6 Jul 1694 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. Susannah was buried in Old Burying Place, Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA.
Grave stone inscription:
HERE LYETH
ye BODY OF
SUSANNA HERRINGTON
ye WIFE OF
ROBERT HERRINGTON
AGED 63 YEARS
DECD. JULY ye 6th
1694
2294. John Stone was born on 15 Aug 1635 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. He died on 26 Mar 1691 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA. He married Sarah Bass. John was buried 1 in Old Burying Place, Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA.
Grave stone inscription:
HERE LYES THE BODY OF
DEACON JOHN STONE WHOSe
LIFE WAS MUCH DESIRED &
WHOSE DEATH IS MUCH
LAMENTED AGED ABOUT 55
YEARS HE WENT REIOYCING
OUT OF THIS WORLD IN-
TO THE OTHER THE 26 DAY
OF MARCH 1691
2295. Sarah Bass was born on 26 Apr 1643 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., MA. She died in Braintree, Norfolk Co., MA.