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REYNOLDS   HISTORIO^vL 
GENEALOGY   COLLECTION 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  UBRARY 


3  1833  01436  0272 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

Allen  County  Public  Library  Genealogy  Center 


http://www.archive.org/details/townefamilyfamilOOnp 


'a.rnily   of  WTlllr.m  Tcwne   of   Sale^.    lAn.ssp'zrvsetts 


1833812 


THE  TOWNE   FAMILY. 


ABr.ilEVi.VTlON-s — 4.  dfinte-i  hnr»  :  d.  died;  hap.  bapfhcd;  n.  married ;  dau.  daiiij'hti'v 
and  a  +  agaiiist  the  name  of  an  individual,  that  a  notice  of  the  party  t'o/Jcios.  The  Bo- 
man  monerah  opposite  f/ie  name  of  a  person  at  the  commencement  of  a  paragraph  denote 
the  gen'^ration  of  the  individual  in  this  country,  commencing  with  'iVilhaai  Towne  of 
Anglii-American  origin.  -■ 


Thh  name  of  Towne,  or  Toicn  and  Towns,  as  it  is  sometimes  spelt, 
is  not  one  of  frequent  occurrence.  It  may  ]io"^-ever  be  found  hco  and 
there,  generally  in  communities  of  Anglo-Saxon  derivation,  andtliougli 
surnames  began  to  be  used  in  England  about  the  time  of  the  Xormaa 
Conquest,  and  from  century  to  century  for  three  or  four  centuries 
continued  to  be  adopted  till  they  came  into  general  use,  this  does  not 
seem  to  ];e  one  that  mot  -ft-irh  jnuch  favor.  The  earliest  exisloLce  of 
it  known  to  the  writer  is  A.D.  lilJ-,  when  "Wm.  de  la  Towne,  of  Alvely, 
a  village  in  tlio  county  of  Shropshire,  England,  about  CO  mih^s  S.  E. 
of  Shrewsljury,  the  capital  of  tiie  coun(-y,  was  at  that  time  en.;agcd  in 
the  pro.-ecution  of  a.  suit  ai  law  against  one  of  the  oHicers  of  the  par- 
ish, and  the  following  year  was  on  a  jury  at  Astley  in  the  same  coun- 
ty. Ihe  next  we  hear  of  it,  is  one  hundred  and  tliirty  or  fuiy  j^ears 
later,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  IV.,  when  upon  the  windows  of  thi^  church 
in  Kennington,  Kent  co.,  impaled  with  that  of  Ellis  of  tli^^  same 
place,  were  the  arms  of  a  family  by  this  name,  being  arL:,cnt,  on  .t, 
chevron,  sable,  three  cross-croslets,  ermine.  Tliomas  at  To'iVmc,  who 
at  this  time  possessed  much  land  about  Cliariug,  and  ■'.•hi>  b^ire  the 
same  coat  of  arms,  married  Eenedicta,  onh^  daugiitcr  of  John  Bramp- 
ton, alias  Dctling,  of  Detling  Court,  and  thereby  iidrerited  a  numor  in 
Throwley,  where  he  removed  and  erected  a  seat  about  one  fourth  of  a 
rnile  from  the  church  and  named  it  "  Towne  Place,"  soon  after  whicli 
he  died,  leaving  his  possessions  to  three  daughters,  codiciresses,  of 
whom  Eleanor  married  Richard  Lewknor  of  Challock,  Bonnet  or  Eene- 
dicta  married  Wm.  Watfon  of  Addington,  and  Elizabeth  became  the 
wife  of  Wm.  Sondes,  of  the  same  parisii.  Ilis  estate  was  divided 
about  A.D.  1 110,  wiien  Throwley  was  allotted  to  Eleanor  the  wife 
of  Ricliard  Lewknor.  From  the  manner  of  tlio  division  it  is  quite 
1 


2  T  0  W  N  E  . 

CTident  that   ha  diod  without  leaving  descendants  to  tiansiuit   his 
name  to  posterity.* 

The  next  reference  to  this  name  known  to  tlie  writer  is  in  iiif 
county  of  Lincoln,  where  it  has  existed  for  more  than  four  centaries. 
In  A.D.  1459,  Wm.  Towne,  D.D.,  was  collated|  at  Stow  in  Lindwcy, 
in  this  CountyJ— and  in  A.D.  Ii70,  was  appointed  Aimonor  to  KitiiC 
Henry  VI.,  in  accordance  with  the  following  commission,  the  original 
of  which  is  in  Latin. 

Concerning  the  goods  of  such  an  commit  suicide  and  the  collection  of 
iru'vgs  given  or  forfeited  to  God. 

The  King  to  all,  to  whom,  &c.  Greeting. 

Althongli  we  lefer  to  it  with  grief,  di-ver?  persons  of  our  reaiui, 
unmindful  of  the  salvation  of  their  souls,  laying  aside  the  fear  of  God, 
consenting  to  diabolical  instigation,  frequently  destroy  themselves,  as 
well  by  hanging  as  by  the  sword,  by  drowning  or  other  methods. 

Whose  goods  and  chattels,  by  right  of  Our  Crown,  ought  to  accrue 
to  Our  Almonry  [or  fund  for  benevolence],  as  the  goods  and  chattels 
are  known  to  do  of  those,  who,  without  intenrion,  by  accident,  may 
have  unfortunately  killed  or  caused  the  death  of  Our  subjects,  a.=5 
horses,  carts,  chariots,  ships,  boats,  and  such  like,  commonly  culled 
Deodands, 

Nevertheless,  at  the  wary  suggestion  of  .^ome  of  our  subjects,  goods 
and  chattels  of  this  kind  are  fraudulently  withdrawn  from  our  ;aV,re- 
said  Almonry,  and,  as  is  said,  are  not  at  all  applied  to  it,, 

We,  considering  the  premises,  have,  of  our  special  grace,  granted, 
so  far  as  in  us  lies,  to  our  beloved  Clerk  [or  clergyman]  WlUiarii 
Toicne,  Our  Almoner,  in  augmentation  of  our  Fund  lor  Alms,  all  the 
goods  and  chattels  aforesaid,  forfeited  (?)  by  the  death  of  person?;, 
as  above,  who  destroy  themselves  ;  which  goods,  chattels  and  Deod- 
ands now  belong  or  ought  to  belong  to  Us,  in  any  place  within  our 
realm  of  England,  from  the  beginning  of  our  reign  to  the  i)resent  timcj 
and  for  the  period  in  which  he  has  been  Our  Almoner, 

Moreover,  appointing  him  Our  Almoner  to  make  inquiry,  from  time 
to  time,  as  often  as  may  be  necessary,  respecting  goods,  cliattels  and 
Deodands  of  such  kind  as  aforesaid,  and  to  seize  on,  take  and  carry 
ofl"  the  same,  by  himself,  or  his  deputy,  or  sufllcient  deputies  where- 
ver they  may  be  found  within  our  kingdom,  as  well  within  the  liber- 
ties as  without. 

And  to  distribute  them,  thus  levied  and  collected,  by  himself  for  L'3 
in  Alms,  wherever  he  may  think  it  best, 

«  Harris,  Husteds  and  Ireland's  Histories  of  Kent, 
t  Boranio  tlie  Cloriryman  of  the  Pavisli. 
X  ■Willis's  Histop,-  of  C.'xthedrals. 


T  0  W  N  K  .  3 

Commanding-  and  prescribing:  to  all  and  singular  the  Viscount.-^, 
Mayors,  Baiiitls,  Coroners,  Kscheators,  Constables,  and  ail  other  Our 
officers  and  servants,  as  well  within  the  liberties  as  without,  and  to 
each  of  them,  by  the  tenor  of  these  presents,  that,  in  the  cxccutiou 
of  the  premises,  they  be  supporters,  snperintendors,  comforters,  aids 
and  defenders  to  Our  aforesaid  Almoner,  and  his  said  deputies,  under 
the  peril  v/hich  thrcuiteus  them  : 

Any  statue,  resumption,  autliority  of  Parliament,  or  of  Our  Coun- 
cil, made  or  to  be  made  in  this  behalf,  or  any  other  thing,  cause  or 
matter  whatever  to  the  contrary  held,  done,  or  perpetrated,  notwith- 
standing. 

In  testimony  whereof,  &c. 

Witness,  the  King-,  at  Westminsfer,  on  the  tenth  day  of  December, 
A.D.  1470.* 

In  old  age  he  accepted  an  incomef  from  the  parish,  and  died 
A.D.  1496. 

In  1470,  John  Towne,  Professor  of  Divinity,  succeeded  Alex- 
ander Prowett  as  Precentor.1;  of  Lincoln,  which  place  he  resigned  in 
1473  for  the  Prebend  of  Dunholme.§  John  Towne  of  Irbj-,  County  of 
Lincoln,  madr-  his  will  Nov.  IS,  1540.  To  be  buried  in  the  Church  of 
St.  Andrew  at  Irb}-.  Legacies  to  Anno,  Thomas  and  George  Towne, 
his  brother  Wui.  of  Ivby  being  principal  heir  and  executor.  This  will 
was  proved  Juno  1,  1541.  John  Towne  of  Ludborough,  Cou.ity  of 
Lincoln,  executed  his  will  under  date  of  Jan.  24,  1G3T — sons  Leonard, 
John,  and  Williani,  and  brother  Richard  Towne. ]| 

Richard  Towne  of  Braceby,   in  the   same  County,  m.  Ann 

and  had  children  as  follows  :  Richard,  who  died  in  1617,  leaving  wife 
Alice,  son  Leonard,  and  dan.  Ilellen  not  twenty-one  years  of  age  ; 
Edward,  who  had  children  in  1630  ;  Elizabeth,  who  m.  ■ — -^—  Phil- 
lips ;    Ilellen,    who    m.  Oxman  ;    Prudence,    who  m. ■ 

Walton  ;  Ann,  who  m. Armestone  ;    Katherine,  bap.  Oct.  14, 

1599  ;  Mary,  bap.  April  15,  1601  ;  William,  bap.  May  21,  IGOo  ;  and 
Margery.^ 

*  Rymcr's  FcpJora,  vol.  xi.  pp.  66S-9. 

t  His  income  was  £6  I3s.  -id.  per  annum,  and  he  was  buried  in  Kings  College  Chape: 
with  this  epitaph  : 

Hie  Jacet  Ma^ister 
Will.  Towne  Doctor  in  Tlieoloijia  quondam 
Socius  hujus  cuUiixii  qui  oliilt  11  die 
Mcusis  Marti  anno  Ineamationis 
Dominice  MCCCCXCVI. 

J  The  leader  of  the  Choir  in  a  Cathedral — called  also  the  Chanter  or  Master  of  the  Choir. 
{  Willis's  History  of  C\nthedral3. 
II  Lincoln  County  Wills. 
H  Ibid. 


*  T  0  W  N  E . 

The  followin.q:  is  a  copy  of  t!io  ^v•il]  of  Iiis  widow,  datoil  the  tenth 
day  of  Dec,  IGi'?,  and  proved  on  the  tenth  du,y  of  May,  1C30.  As  it 
quite  fidly  enimieratcs  tlie  household  articles  then  in  use  in  one  of  the 
better  class  of  Eng-lirih  ilunilios,  thereby  furin'shing'  an  index  to  their 
manner  of  life  at  that  period,  it  is  deemed  worthy  of  preservation. 

In   the  name  of  God.     Amen       I,  Ann   Towue,   of  13raceliie  in  y" 
Countie  of  Lincoln,  widdowe.  ;~)cke  in  bodyc  but  whole  Sc  p'foete  of 
mind  &,   memorye   thanks  bf-e  uuto  God,  doe  make  this  my  last  will 
&  Testara'  in  mann'"'   and  fn-mo  followynge.      farst  I  comitt   mysolfe 
to  the  mercy  of  Alrai,ditie  g-od,   my    Creato'',  redemer   cl:    sou.io   sa- 
vicure,    in   tt   by  whome  I  liuope    for  resurrection  to  cternall  life,  &; 
my  bodye  to  be  b'ljiicd  in  ye  uieane  time  in  y'' Chapcll  of  Bracebie 
aforesaid.    Ite"\    I  g-ive  to  y''  poore  of  Bracebie  fyve  siiilling-s.     Ite'". 
I  give  to  my  sonne  Edward  Towne,  one  silver  salte  pcell   gilte,   one 
poece  of  g-old  of  xj%  one  pe  of  lyning-e  sheets.    Ite'".  I  give  to  my  daugh- 
ter Elisabeth  Fhiilip  xx*.  6r,  one  linaing-e  bordcloth.     Ite'".     I  give  to 
my  daua;htcr  Bollen  Oxmrin,  one  linninge  bordclotli  &  xx'.  to  buye  her 
afeathe"^  bead  ticke  &  one  licrtle.     Ite'".     I  give  to  my  dangiitcr  Pru- 
dence Walton,  xx".  &  one   linninge  bordcloth.     Ite'".     I    give  to  my 
daughter  Ann  Irmsione,  xx".  the  best  Coveringe  but  one,  one  sheete 
w'"  a  black  seameinge,  one  longe  bordcloth,  i:wo  pillowe  brares  of  y" 
same,  one  pe.  of  harden   sheets,   one   pe.  curtens.     Ite™.     I  give  my 
daughter  Kathen'ne  Towne,   one  bedstead  w"^  featherbed  Sc  matris, 
one  tarlinge  boulster,  one  tycke   boulstsr,  two  fustiue   pillowes,   one 
pe.  of  blancketts  w'"  broad  yellowe  lists,  two  Coverings,  one  blacke  & 
yellowe,   y*^    oth''   the    Ijest,    one  pe.    curfins   of  my    own   makinge, 
oue  lyuen  bordcloth,    one  fla\  harden  bordcloth,  one  brended   Cov.-e, 
three    jjc.    henipen  sheets,    three   pe.    Lynea   sheets,   oiie  ^h.ert  v.-"*  a 
seamingc  of  my  owne  makinge,  twoe  pillowe  beares  of  y*-'  same,  halfe  a 
dozen  of  hemp  midlaie  napkins,  one  litle  putr  dishe,  one  brassc  pann, 
one  charger,  halfe  a  dozen  of  pewter  spoones,  one  lynen  towell  and  xx'. 
in  monye.     Ite™.    I  give  to  my  daughter  Mary  Towne,  one  matteress, 
one  ticke  boulster,  one  bedstead,  twoe  tariliiige  pillowes,  twoe  cover- 
ings, one  blacke  &  white,  the  oth''  white,  one  pe.  tartlinge  blancketts, 
two  pe.  of  hempen  sheets,  one  pe.  Lynen  sheets,  one  pe.  harden  sheets, 
oue  Lynen  towell,  halfe  a  dozeu  napkins,  one  pyde  Cowe,  one  Ciiargcr, 
one  litle  pewter  dishe,  one  sauser,  one  brasse  pott  and  xx*.  in  money. 
Ite™.     I  give  to  my  daughter  Margery  Towne,  one  silke  apron.     Ite"'. 
I  give  to  my  grand  child  Ellen  Towne,  one  ewe.    Ite™.    I  give  to  every 
godchild  xij''.     Ite™.    I  give  to  every  grandchild  ij^  v/.     Ite™.     I  give 
to  my  grandchild  Katheren   Piiillip  one  pe.  hempen  sheets.     Ite'".     I 
give  to  my  sonne  Edward's  children  Twoe  sheepe.     Ite'".     I  give  to 
my  daughter  Elizabeth  her  children  Twoe  sheepe.    Ite'".    I  give  to  my 
daughter  Ellen  her  children  Twoe  sheepe.  Ite'".  I  give  to  my  daughter 


T  0  W  N"  E  .  5 

PrudencG  lior  chiMron  Twoe  shccpo.  Ite'".  I  p:ive  to  my  sisfer  Ellcr. 
Parker,  one  siikc  douMet.  lU'"'.  1  f;ivo  to  my  graiidciii'id  Lcouai'l 
Tou'uo,  0!io  ch'-stc  staii'liiig  at  y"  bodds  lec^c  in  the  cliambor.  Itf''\ 
I  give  to  llichaid  Chapman  ij'.  vj'^.  All  t!ie  rest  of  my  goods  cc  chat- 
ties, my  dol.'ts  it  legacies  boingc  payde,  my  fiinerall  &  tcstamt  ex- 
pences  discliaigcd.  I  gi^o  tiieni  to  my  sonne  Will"'  To'.viie,  my  soiine 
whomo  I  -.Tiakc  it  ordayiio  full  executo'  of  this  my  last  will  Sc  tes- 
tam".  In  ^vitaoss  -wlieicof  I  have  hereunto  sett  my  hand  the  xth 
daye  of  Decemb'',  1G20. 

Redd,  published  &  delivered  as  my  will  in  the  presence  of  Kathe- 
rino  Towne,  Afarye  Townc. 

The  earliest  wc  find  the  name  iii  this  country  is  1C35,  when  Wm. 
Towne  was  an  inhabitant  of  Cambridge.  On  the  18th  of  the  '2(1  month, 
[April]  16oT,  ho  appeared  before  the  General  Court  and  took  the  re- 
quisite oath  to  become  a  freeman  or  voter. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  oath  as  then  administered,  and  in- 
dicates the  importance  our  fathers  attached  to  the  right  of  suflrago, 
and  the  care  and  vigilance  used  to  preserve,  protect  and  perpetuate 
the  government  they  had  so  recently  established. 

"  I being,  by  Gods  providence,  an  inhabitaiU  Sz  ffreeman 

within  the  jurisdiccon  of  this  common^'eale,  doe  freely  acknowledge 
my  selfe  to  be  subject  to  the  governm'  therenf,  &  therelore  doe  hcere 
sweare,  by  the  greatc  &  drcadfull  name  of  the  euerlyveing  God,  that 
I  wilbo  true  iC  faithful  to  the  same  I'v..  will  accordingly  yeilde  as- 
sistance &  support  thcrcvnto,  with  my  pson  il'  estate  as  in  ei:juity 
I  am  bound,  A:  will  also  truely  indeav''  to  maiuetaine  &  preserue 
all  the  libertyes  &  previlidges  thereof,  stibmitting  my  sclfe  to  the 
wholesome  lawes  &  orders  made  Sc  established  by  the  same;  and 
furth',  that  I  will  notplott  nor  practise  any  e\  iU  against  it,  nor  consent 
to  any  that  shall  soe  doe,  but  will  timely  discover  <to  reveale  the  same 
tolawfull  aucthority  nowe  here  established,  for  the  speedy  preventing 
thereof.  Moreouer,  I  doe  solemnely  bynde  m;/  myselfe  in  the  sight  of 
God,  that  when  I  slialbe  called  to  giue  my  voice  touching*  any  such 
matter  of  this  state,  wherein  tiVeemon  are  to  dcale,  I  will  giue  my  vote 
&  suffrage,  as  I  shall  iudge  in  myne  owne  conscience  may  best  con- 
duce &  tend  to  the  publique  weale  of  the  bodj',  without  respect  of 
psons  or  fav''  of  any  man.  Soe  helpe  mee  God,  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ." 

ITe  was  Town  Clerk  in  1639,  purchased  land  at  Cambridge  in  1053, 
of  David  Stone  and  Thomas  Danforth,  and  in  1G55  of  Edmund  Gofle, 
was  tythingman  in  IGSO,  and  died  April  i!0,  1GS5,  aged  80  j^ears. 
Amount  of  his  Estate,  XI IS  13s.  6d.  The  name  of  his  wife  was 
Martha,  and  she  died  in  Jan.,  IGT 1.     Their  children  were  :  Peter,  boru 


b  TO  WNE. 

in  England  about  the  bcginnin;:^  nf  the  year  16^3  :  and  Mary,  born  r.t 
Cambridge  in  1037.  Tcter  married,  firrft,  Joauna ;  second,  K!izalH;th, 
who  was  living  and  was  of  Braintroe  in  n2i.  lie  was  Adn"iiHistvi.tor 
of  the  Estate  of  liis  fatlier,  and  from  its  settlement  appears  to  have  been 
an  only  son  ;  was  a  constable  at  Cambridge,  in  ICGS,  'TG,  '90,  'PI 
and  '"O-i,,  selectman  in  1G9,).  an'l  died  Nov.  '2,  ITOo,  aged  72  ys.  J(> 
mos.  His  name  maj"  be  i'onnd  npon  a  Tomb.stone  at  Cambridj,^o,  with 
the  inscription  partially  obliterated.  The  foUowin.c;  is  a  copy  of  iiis 
Will,*  and  the  final  settlement  of  his  estate  indicates  that  he  left  no 
one  to  transmit  his  name  to  posterity,  and  that  with  the  death  of  his 
widow  th.e  name  became  extinct  so  far  as  it  relates  to  this  I'aniily  at 
Cambridge. 

In  y*^  name  of  God.  Amen.  I,  Peter  Town,  of  Cambridg  in  New 
England,  being  Weak  in  Bodj',  but  of  sound  mind,  do  make  this  my 
last  Will  and  Testam'.  Impr.  I  com'nd  my  Soul  to  y-'  mercy  of  God 
in  Jesus  Christ,  and  my  body  to  y'=  Grave  decently  to  be  buryed  with- 
out profuseness  according  to  y"  discretion  of  those  Avhom  1  shall  con- 
stitute y"  Overseers  of  this  my  Last  Will  and  Testam' ;  aTid  as  to  my 
Temporall  Estat'  my  Will  is  that  it  bo  thus  disposed  of:  First  of  all, 
I  Will  and  bequeath  to  my  Dear  Wife  the  whole  of  ray  Real  Estate, 
to  bo  quietly  enjoyed  and  possessed  by  her  so  Long  as  she  shall  con. 
tinuc  my  Widow.  It.  I  will  and  bequeath  to  my  dear  Wife,  the  sum 
of  one  hundred  pounds  money,  to  be  disposed  of  by  her  as  she  shall 
see  meet.  Item.  I  will  an^l  bequeath  to  my  Dear  Wife,  my  silver 
Cnps,  my  beds  and  bedding,  all  my  Fewter  and  brass,  ami  all  my 
other  household  stufl'  to  her  and  her  heirs  forever.  Item.  I  will  and 
bequeath  to  my  Dear  Wife  y"  three  Gold  Rings  as  also  y*"  ilirce  poniid  j 
odd  money  mainly  French  money,  W''  is  in  a  small  purse,  to  her  and 
lier  heirs  forever.  Item.  I  Will  and  bequeath  to  mj'  Brother  Samuel 
Pain,  of  Brantrey,  y''sum  of  three  pounds  ininiey  to  be  paid  w"'in  six 
months  after  my  decease.  Iteni.  ]My  Will  is  with  respect  to  my  Xegro 
Servants,  That  Mingo  shall  liave  liis  freedom  when  he  gains  his  hcaltli 
as  soon  as  lie  pleases,  and  y'  intlic  mean  tim''  ho  be  carefnlly  bjok'd 
after  and  nraintained  out  of  my  estate  :  Tliat  Charles  sliail  faithfidly 
Serve  my  Wife  y"  full  term  of  four  years  after  ray  deceas",  and  that  tlieu 
he  have  his  Freedom  :  Only  in  cas''  my  Wife  marryes  before  y"  Torrn 
of  four  years  be  expired,  then  Charles  upon  her  marriage  have  his 
freedom  :  That  Fidelia  live  w"'  my  Wife  and  serve  her  faithfully  y" 
space  of  seven  years  after  my  decease,  and  in  case  mj''  wife  coniinue 
my  Widow  three  years  more  than  thes*"  seven  years  and  need  Fidelia's 
help,  then  Fidelia  shall  Live  three  j'ears  longer  with  mj'  wife  and  then 
have  lier  freedom  ;  And  if  my  Wife  dyes  before  Fidelia  comes  to  y" 
age  of  twenty  years,  tlien  my  will  is  that  Fidelia   shall  be   put  into 

*  Inventory  of  liis  estate,  £787.  Hs. 


T  0  W  N  E  .  7 

Bome  sober  Religious  family  at  y'^  discretion  and  according  to  the 
direction  of  rny  Overseers,  to  live  there  as  a  servant  till  she  corne  to 
be  tv/enty  years  (/id,  and  Fidelia  to  have  y'  benefit  and  advantage  of 
w'  should  be  allowed  her  for  her  service  in  y'  said  time,  then  to  have 
her  Freedom.  Item.  ]\Iy  Will  is,  that  as  my  servants  come  to  have 
their  freedom  Tliey  shall  cacli  luxve  tea  pounds  money  paid  them  by 
my  Executrix  :  And  if  eithei  dyes  before  y"  time  of  their  freedom  their 
Legacye  to  go  to  y"  surviving,  and  bi.'  equally  divided  among  y"'. 
Item.  My  Will  is,  That  when  my  wife  dy''s  or  ceases  to  be  my  Widow, 
Then  the  whole  of  my  Real  Estate  shall  be  divided  among  my  five  lirst 
cousins  living  at  Bridgewatcr,  viz.  :  my  cousin  John  Howard,  my  cou- 
sin Nathaniel  Iloward,  my  cousin  Joseph  Howard,  my  cousin  Elisha 
Howard,  and  ni}'  cousin  Mary  Mitchell,  to  be  unto  theui  and  their 
heirs  forever.  Provided,  however,  aiid  it  is  my  Will,  tiuit  in  case  my 
cousin  Joseph  Howard  will  give  to  Stephen  his  Negro  servant  his 
freedom,  wheji  he  comes  to  be  six  and  t^'.-enty  years  old,  then  he  shall 
have  twent}^  pounds  more  of  this  my  Real  Estate  when  it  comes  to  be 
Divided,  than  my  other  cousins,  and  that  otherwise  he  shall  have  no 
interest  therein.  Item.  My  Will  is,  that  my  once  negro  servant 
Jane,  who  lives  at  Boston,  shall  have  3'^  sum  of  five  pounds  paid  her 
w'''iu  six  months  after  my  decease  :  Also,  I  will  and  bequeath  to  my 
wife's  mother  (Hannah  Vrillbur)  the  sum  of  three  pounds  money,  to 
be  paid  in  three  months  after  my  deceas' : — And  if  so  much  of  my 
estate  shall  after  all  this  remain  undisposed  of  by  mo  my  Will  is.  that 
thirty  pounds  shall  be  paid  to  y-'  easing  of  y'  poorer  sort  of  people  in 
Cambridg.;;,  y'  shall  be  rated  to  y"^  building  a  new  mooting  house  at 
y"  discretion  and  ordering  of  my  Overseers,  Deacon  Hastings  and 
Sam'l  Cooper  being  joyned  w"^  them  ;  Provided  and  it  being  still  my 
Will,  y'  the  Town  w"'in  y""  space  of  throe  months  after  my  decease  do 
meet  and  by  a  Publick  Vote  agree  upon  y'  new  building  io  be  begun, 
and  sot  about  forthwith,  as  also  y'  they  do  not  put  my  Dear  Wlic  or 
any  part  of  her  estate  into  y''  Rate  for  the  said  building  when  they 
come  to  make  the  rate  :  Otherwise,  Avliat  I  have  Willed  wiih  respect 
to  the  New  Meeting  house  shall  be  altogether  Void  and  insigniticant. 
And  as  to  w'  shall  yet  remain  undisposed  of  by  mo,  I  will  and  be- 
queath y*^  Improvement  and  use  of  it  to  my  Dear  Wife  so  long  as  slie 
shall  continue  my  Widow,  to  be  improved  by  her  for  her  comfort  and 
support,  It  being  provided  y'  she  does  not  run  y^  hazzard  of  loosing 
y^  money  by  letting  it  to  one  person  or  another,  and  at  her  deatii 
or  marriage  w'  remains  shall  be  equally  disposed  of  and  divided 
among  my  five  cousins  aforementioned.  Ite.  My  Will  is,  that  my 
loving  and  trusty  friends  Nath'  Hancock,  sen.,  Solomon  Prentiss,  sen., 
and  Nicholas  Fossendcn,  sen.,  be  y"  Overseers  of  y'  my  Last  Will  and 


8  TO WN  E . 

Testament,  (iv.d  that  they  bo  each  allowed  y''  sum  of  T'.venty  shillings 
money.  Finally  I  do  constitute  and  appoint  my  Dear  Wife  y'  sole 
execntrix  of  this  my  Will. 

In  Witness  to  all  wch  I  hereby  ."^ct  my  hand  and  seal  this  Twenty- 
eighth  day  of  IMay,  in  y"  year  of  Our  Lord  On"  Thousand  Seven  hun- 
dred and  five.  A  me;norandum  before  signing.  That  it  is  my  desire 
y'  my  Dear  Wife  do  let  Mr.  Nicholas  Fessenden,  School  ninstcr,  have 
five  pounds  as  a  token  of  iny  respect  to  him,  unless  rny  v/ife  shall 
want  it  for  her  own  comibrt — she  to  be  judge.  Peter  Town'   [l.s.] 

Signed,  eealed  and  i)ubUshed  in  presence  of  William  Brattle,  Nath'i 
Hancock,  sen.,  Owen  AVarlaiid. 

Wc  aov.'  come  to  William  Towxe,  the  Anglo-American  pirogenitor 
of  descendants  who  have  settled  in  a  majority  of  the  States  of  the 
American  Union.  Of  his  Ijirth-place  or  parentage  wo  know  nothing 
positively,  though  he  may  have  come  from  the  County  of  Lincoln  in 
England,  and  may  have  been  tlie  son  of  Richard  and  Ann  Tovrne,  of 
Bracel)y. 

The  earliest  positive  information  we  have  relative  to  him  is  at  Yar- 
mouth, Xorfilk  Co.,  a  city  of  considerable  maritime  importance,  situa- 
ted on  the  Ea.st  coast  of  England,  one  hundred  and  eiglit  miles  in 
a  direct  line,  and  120  miles  by  railroad  northeast  of  London. 

The  origin  and  early  history  of  this  place,  like  many  others  in  the 
British  Kingdom,  is  quite  obscure.  The  lionians,  in  the  first  century 
of  the  Christian  Era.  had  a  frontier  military  post"*-'  near  here,  v.n\  later 
it  was  called  Cerdick's  sand,  or  Cerdick's  shore,  deriving  its  imrne  from 
Cerdick,  a  warlike  Saxon,  who,  A.l).  JOG,  with  his  son  Cenrick,  and  a 
fleet  of  five  ships,  invaded  the  country  at  this  point,  entered  the 
mouth  of  the  river  Yare,  fought  a  battle,  put  the  Britons  to  llight, 
and  founded  a  colony.  It  being  a  low  marshy  neighborhood,  the 
location  proved  nnhealthj',  the  settlement  was  finally  abandoned,  and 
the  colony   took   up  their  residence  with  the  West  Saxons. f     Uenry 

*  Tlic  foitificntion  is  aViout  thrc(;  miles  west  of  tlie  city,  and  was  erected  liy  Puhlitis  Osto- 
rius  alioiit  the  middle  of  the  fii>t  cciiniry.  This  noble  iiioiuiment  cf  Koinan  Ait,  the 
most  con.-ideralile,  and  perhaps  the  most  ])ei-fect  to  he  fonnd  in  Britain,  is  bni'.t  upon  the 
brow  of  the  hills  whieh  skirt  the  eastern  hank  of  the  river  'Wavcney  at  its  confluence  with 
the  Yarc.  Quadrilateral  in  its  fonn,  it  makes  an  almo-t  repnlar  paralleloitrani,  its  lcrf;tU  being 
640  feet  and  its  brcadtli  370  feet,  the  space  within  the  walls  oi  the  eamp  comprising  ncarl/ 
six  ncres.  The  walls  are  about  10  feet  in  heii,'ht,  about  9  feet  in  thickness,  and  arc  construct- 
ed of  rublile  masonry,  faced  with  flint,  interlaced  in  regular  courses  of  about  21  inches  ly 
three  layers  of  tiles  or  bricks  about  2  inches  apart.  Tlie  bricks  aic  red,  of  a  fine  close  texture, 
nnd  as  they  lay  in  the  wall  a  surface  is  exposed  1.^  by  9  inches,  and  so  solid  and  enduring  is 
the  masonry  that  the  writer  found  it  ditlicult,  without  the  aid  of  tools,  to  procure  on  the 
premises  a  piece  of  the  flint  and  brick  an  inch  square,  as  a  sample  of  the  n'aterial  of  whieh 
the  wall  was  built,  and  a  memento  of  a  visit  to  this  inteiesting  locality. 
t  Blomcfield  and  Parkin's  History  of  Norfolk,  and  SwimUn's  History  of  Yarmouth. 


TOWNE.  9 

Mausliip,  Sen,,  a  mcrcluipt  in  IGGO,  tho  reputed  author  of  a  very  relia- 
ble and  carerully  prepared  inanuscript  history  of  liic  phice,  who  telis 
us  he  was  here  "  brodd  and  borne,"  thus  speaks  of  its  oric^in.  "  First 
of  the  Antiquitye  of  the  Towne  and  Burroug-he  of  Greate  Ycrmonlhe. 
The  verye  seatc  of  that  Towno,  that  ys  to  saye,  the  ph^ce  and 
grounde  whereuppon  the  Tovv'nc  is  buyhhjd,  and  iiowe  dothe  stand, 
was  percell  of  a  greate  sando  lyinge  within  the  mayno  sea,  at  the 
mouthe  of  the  fludd  or  ryver  called  Iliorus,  beinge  contyuuallyo  under 
water  and  overfiowii  withe  the  sea,  of  which  ryver  the  name  of  tlie 
same  Towne  was  derived  when  it  was  firste  named,  vidz.  ITierniouth,  or 
otherwise  without  aspiration  it  was  called  Yermouth.  And  the  tyme 
that  y'  was  a  sand  in  the  sea  was  when  Kynge  Canutus  reigned  in 
Englande  and  longe  before,  whiche  was  aboute  theyere  of  our  Savior 
Jesus  Christe,  his  Incarnacion,  One  Thousvand,  as  by  auncycnte 
recordcs  thereof  y'  doetli  appeare." 

He  further  says,  that  "  In  the  tyme  of  the  Keigne  of  Kinge  Edwarde 
the  Confessor,  the  saide  sand  beganne  to  growe  into  sight  at  the  lowe 
water,  and  in  the  tymes  of  the  Keygnos  of  Kinge  Harrokle  and  Kinge 
William  y°  Conquerror,  the  saide  sande  did  growe  to  be  drye,  and  was 
not  overllowen  by  the  Sea,  but  waxed  in  heighte,  and  also  in  great- 
ness, in  so  muche  as  greate  store  of  people  of  tho  Counties  of  Norfl'. 
and  Sutlblke  didresorte  thither,  and  did  pitche  Tabernacles  and  Boothes 
for  the  entertaynonge  of  such  Seafaringe  men  and  Fishermen  and  Aler- 
chants  as  wold  resorte  unto  that  place,  either  to  sell  their  I  leninges,* 
fish  and  other  comodotics,  and  for  providoiige  suche  things  as  th.ose 
Seamen  did  neede  and  wante.  Thn  which  things  caused  greate  store 
of  Seafaringe  men  to  resorte  thitlier;  but  especiallie  the  Fishermen 
of  this  Laud  ;  as  also  greate  nombers  of  the  Fishermen  of  Fraunce, 
Flaunders,  and  of  Holland,  Zealande,  and  all  the  lowe  Couutryed. 
And  in  the  tyme  of  the  Rcigne  of  Kinge  William  Eufus,  Kingo 
of  this  Piealmo,  one  Herbertus,  Bishopp  of  the  see  of  Nor\\'ich,"j'  per- 
ceyveuge  greate  resorte  and  concourse  of  people  to  be  daylie  and 
yerelie  uppon  the  said  Sande,  and  intcndinge  to  provide  for  there 
sowles  hcalthe,  did  foundo  and  buylde  uppon  the  said  Sande  a  certen 
Chappell  for  the  devotion  of  tho  people  resorting  thither,  and  therein 
did  place  a  Chappelayne  of  his  owne  to  say  and  read  divine  service." 

*  Celcliniti'J  at  the  piw^i-iit  time  for  its  HoiTincr  Fisheries,  tlierc  having  licen  exported  to 
Foreign  Ports  from  Yarmoutli,  ill  isr.n,  51.r,S4  bbis. ;  in  ISGl,  3.5,819  blils.;  1S(;2,  ■^+,736 
libls.  ;  18G3,  -lt,317  l>lils. ;  and  in  IsG!-,  oS,o22 ;  in  addiiion  to  which,  large  quantities  are 
forwarded  to  Litiidon  by  rail  for  e\|iortation  from  tliat  port. 

t  Herbert  de  Lossing,  Bishop  in'  Xonvicli,  eaiiie  from  Xonnandy  mth  William  Rufus, 
and  fur  his  skill  in  ailulation,  says  William  of  Malinesbnry,  ■\v;is  surnained  the  flatterer. 
He  was  eited  before  Pope  Pascal  II.  at  Rome  in  101)3.  for  simoniacal  practices,  and  according 
to  the  Sa.ron  C/ironicle,  was  dciaivcil  of  Ins  pastoral  stalf  in  ll)9t ;  liiit  this  w.is  rc-^ton'd  on 
his  undertaking  to  employ  hU  wcalili  in  the  building  of  churches  ;  in  fulfilincut  of  whicli, 
the  one  under  consideration  was  founded.  lie  was  a  man  of  great  learning  and  eloquence, 
■was  at  one  [icriod  Lord  Chancellor  of  Kuglaud,  died  in  llli.',  and  \vas  buried  iu  the  Cathe- 
dral at  Norwich. 


10 


TOWNE, 


In  this  cliiirrli,  fountlod  in  A.D.  1123,  dedicated  to   St..    Nidiolns  ia 
1261,*  and  still  retaining  tiic  name,   \^-eie   married,   March  25,  1020^ 


Chukcii  of  St.  Nicholas. 


*  The  cxtvcnio  length  of  this  stiiictiire  is  -2.10  fnt,   its  ^Tciitc-t  width   1.51  feif.     Tlie 
lot,  upon  which  the  cluivcli  stands,  (■(mt;iiiis  ii]. wards  of  ciulit  aeit's,  and  tiie  r.Titer  norirni 
the  followin;,'  New  ]",ni;l.ind  names  imuu  t!u'   ronili-toues,   vi/. :    liailev,   Ihii^L^s,  Bowles, 
Cobb,   Clai-l;o,    Collins,   Carr,    Uaws.m,   Fdli-,    Edward-,   Fi-ke,   Fowler,    Forster,  Fuller, 
Francis,   Giles,   Grav,   Godd.ird,  H.-ut,    Hevl'ert,  ,h)hn,-^on,    Kenip,   Lowe,  Lawrence,   Lee, 
Mar^ton,  Mav.-liall,  Mn,,io,  Ma.-on,  Nichols,  IVarson,  riuninicr,  Pcaree,  Keed,  Head,  .Slie|iard, 
Symonds,  Sinijison,  Seaniaus,  Slireve,  Tliorntiin,  Tlionii.r-on,  AVri.-iit,  Wales  and  Wil.-on  ; 
also  the  name  of  Matthew  Chainiiion,  wlio  died  Oct.  S,  17i);i,  aged  111  years;  and  the  Ibl- 
lowius  sugt'i^stivo  inseriplion  upon  the  tonibstono  of  a  m;uiner : 
"  Tliis  life's  ii  voyairc,  the  wovid'a  a  sea, 
Will  re  men  are  sinui_'tly  teis'O  iilmut, 
Heaven's  our  P'.rt,  ?tei.r  dii.u  that  way  ; 
There  thou  sball  auclior  safe,  no  iluubt." 


TOWNE.  11 

William  Towno  n.nd  Joanna  BleR=^inp;',  and  hore  their  six  first  chiMrcD. 
were  baptiz(>(l.  Tiie  next  ^70  hear  of  this  family  is  at  Salem,  Essex 
Oounty,.  M^.ssaclrii:ctts,  where  in  tlie  book  of  early  grants  appears  the 
following- :  "  11.  8  mo.,  1610,  Granted  to  Wni.  Towne,  a  little  neck  of 
Land  right  over  igaiust  his  Louse  on  the  other  side  of  the  river."  lie 
is  also  referred  to  in  the  Court  Records  of  the  same  year  thus  :  "  11"^ 
Qt.,  last  cf  4"^  mo.  and  1.  5'"  mo.  IGIO.  Wm.  Towne  pi.  agt.  Jn"  Cook 
dof.  in  act.  of  debt,  Jury  find  for  i)l.  some  to  be  deputed  to  measure 
John  Cook's  land  and  what  is  remaining  to  make  up  Goodman  Town's 
land  and  if  it  be  fl.y  ve  acres  to  pay  Towne  ffyvc  marks  and  w'  is  want- 
ing of  ilyve  acres  to  abate  I'Ss.  'id.  p.  acre  :  And  costs  4s.:  0."  Wm. 
Towne's  residence  was  in  that  part  of  Salem  known  as  the  "  ISiortii- 
fields,"  and  he  remained  at  this  place  till  1651,  the  year  following  the 
incorporation  of  the  town  of  Topsfield,  when  he  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  in  the  latter  place  of  Wm.  Paine,  of  Ipswich,  "  containing  forty 
acres  of  ground  or  thereabouts,  whereof  six  acres  is  by  the  seliar 
v>'hich  Wm.  Howard  of  Topsfield  built,  and  about  thirty-two  acres 
joining  up  to  the  sayd  six  acrc-^  eastward  of  it,  part  of  which  is  plow 
ground,  a.nother  part  is  meadJow,  another  part  is  upland  unplowcd,  all 
lying  together,  having  the  meadow  and  the  plow  ground  of  the  said 
Wm.  Howard  towards  the  cast  and  the  ground  of  Walter  Eoper 
towards  the  North  and  a  Sertaine  lliver  towards  the  South  or  Sotith 
West.  Also  a  little  piece  of  mcddow  of  about  two  acres  lying  on  the 
South  side  of  the  river  directly  against  the  plains  of  the  said  Wm. 
Uoward,  having  y'  grounds  of  the  said  Wm.  Howard  towards  y"-'  East 
and  the  said  River  towards  3'"  North  and  upland  towards  the 
South." 

In  1G52,  he  sold  his  property  in  Salem  to  Harry  Bullock,  in  1656 
purchased  additional  land  in  Topsfield,  and  in  1(103.  "  in  consideration 
of  natural  aflection  and  the  contemplated  marriage  of  their  souti  Jo- 
seph Towne,  Avith  PLebe  Perkins,  the  dan.  of  Thomas  Perkins,"  he  and 
his  wife  conveyed  to  their  said  sun  Joseph,  two-thirds  "of  the  home 
wherein  they  then  did  dwell,  with  Barne,  out  houses,  yard,  gardens, 
orchards,  lying  situate  and  being  in  Topsfield,  together  with  a  parcel 
of  broken  upland  by  the  meddow  side,  only  a  cartway  reserved  bctvv-eea 
the  said  land  and  the  meadow  towards  the  South,  and  the  land  of 
Jacob  Towne  towards  the  East,  and  the  land  of  Jacob  Towne  and 
Edmund  Towne  towards  the  North,  and  the  lands  of  Isaac  Estie 
towards  the  West — also  another  parcell  of  land  broke  up  and  uTibro- 
ken,  containing  by  estimation  thirty  acres,  bounded  by  the  way 
towards  the  South-East  and  North-East,  and  a  way  also  towards  the 
South-Wcst ;  the  land  of  Zachcus  Gould  and  Edmund  Towne  towards 
the   North-West,   and    the  land  of  Edmund  Towne  and  Isaac  Estie 


12  TOWNE. 

towards  tlic  North.  Also,  a  parcel!  of  mcrUlow  lyirg  on  tho  Nortrs 
side  of  tlio  river,  having  the  river  for  the  bounds  to^vards  Ihe  Scith, 
a  highway  towards  the  AVcst,  and  a  v.t.j'  towards  the  Nortli,  and  uicd- 
dow  of  Jacob  Towne  towards  the  East,  containing  by  ostinnation  foar- 
teen  acres." 

All  these  conveyances  being  made  with  the  desire  that  their  eaid 
son  Joseph  should  have  the  first  refusal  of  the  remaining  third  when 
the  same  should  be  for  sale.  He  died  about  1012,  and  from  the  final 
eettlement  of  the  estate  of  his  widow,  she  seems  to  have  survived 
him  about  ten  years.     Their  children,  baptized  at  Yarmouth,  were  : 

1.  Rebecca,*  Feb.       21,  1621  ;  m.  Francis  Nurse. 

2.  John,  Feb.       16,  102-3. 

3.  Susanna,  Oct.  20,  1625. 
-|-4.  Fdnumd,  Juno  2S,  1628. 
4-5.  Jacob,        March   11,  16S2. 

6.     Mary,*       Aug.      2-1,  lOoi  ;  n.  Isaac  Esty. 

And  baptized  at  Salem  : 

I.  Saiah,*  m.lst,  Jan.  11,  1060,  Edward  Bridges  ;  2d,  Feter  Cloyes. 
-}-8.     Joseph,  b.  about  1639. f 

Second  Geneeation. 
4. 

II.  Edmund  Towne,  eldest  son  of  William  and  Joanna  Towne,  was 
baptij-.ed  at  Yarmouth,  Norfolk  Co.,  PJngland,  June  28,  1628;  ni. 
Wary,  dau.  of  Thomas  P)rowning;  v/as  a  member  of  a  conjuiittec  from 
the  town  of  Top.sficld,  who,  in  1675,  presented  a  petition  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  for  leave  to  form  military  companies  to  protect  the  inliabi- 
tants  from  the  Indians  while  at  work,  and  d.  betv.-een  tlio  date  of  the 
presentation  of  the  petition  and  INiay  3,  1678,  the  date  of  the  inven- 
tory of  his  estate.  The  will  of  his  widow  is  dated  Feb.  1,  1710,  and 
in  it  she  is  said  to  be  aged.  It  was  proved  Dec.  10,  1717.  Joseph 
was  named  as  administrator,  but  he  d.  before  his  mother,  and  Tliomas 
and  William  were  appointed. 

«  These  sibtcrs  suffered  tciTilil)' durinp  the  AVitilicr;ift  delusion  at  Salem  in  lG92-~lie'icr- 
ca  and  Mary  being  executed,  and  Sarali  barely  cseaiiinp  with  iicr  lift.  Kote  A,  api^endix,  at 
the  cud  of  the  volume. 

t  At  a  County  Court  lield  at  Salem  in  16G0,  in  the  case  of  Henry  Baitholomcw  plaintilT, 
Jacob  To-n-nc  defendant ;  William,  Edmund  and  Joseph  Towne  were  witnesses,  and  in  their 
evidence  William  stated  tliat  he  was  three  score  years  old,  Edmund  that  he  was  thirty-one 
years  of  age,  and  Joseph  that  he  was  about  one  and  twenty ;  and  in  the  case  of  Norman  vp. 
Ornc,  at  Ipswich,  in  168.5.  Jacol)  Towne,  Sen.,  aged  aliout  .54  years,  tcstilieth  and  saith  that 
he  lived  in  Salem  in  the  North  fields,  that  he  was  there  an  inhabitant  near  twelve  years,  and 
that  he  had  been  absent  from  tlierc  tliis  four  and  tiiirty  years. 


TO  WN  E 

Children 

; 

Mary. 

Tliorn.'is, 

b. 

1655. 

Sr.rah. 

b.  April 

26, 

165T  ;  1 

William, 

b.  .Alarch 

13, 

1659. 

Jo.sepli, 

b.  ;-opt. 

I) 

1661. 

Abigail, 

b.  Aug. 

•3, 

1664  ;  ij 

Benjamin, 

b.  May 

26, 

1666. 

Rebecca, 

b.  Feb. 

2, 

1668  ;  I 

Elizabeth, 

b.  Nov. 

o 

1669  ;  I 

Dec.  Ill 

',  WXi. 

Samuel; 

b.  Feb. 

11, 

16V3. 

13 


9. 

+10. 

11.  Sarah.         b.  April     26,  165T  ;  m.  •  PritcheU. 

14.  Abip-ail,      b.  Aug.  6,1664;  m.  Jacob  Pcabody,  Jan.  12,  16S6. 
15. 

16.  Rebecca,    b.  Feb.  2,  1668  ;  in. Knig'}! 

n.  Elizabeth,  b.  Nov.  2,  1669  ;  in.  Thomas   Wilkins,   of  Salem, 

+18. 

5. 

II.  Jacob  Towne,  son  of  William  and  Joanna  Towne,  was  baptized 
at  Yarmouth,  Norfolk  Co.,  England,  March  11, 1632,  resided  at  Salem, 
Essex  Co.,  Mass.,  in  the  "  North  Fields,"  with  his  father  about  twelve 
years  ;  m.,  June  26,  1657,  Catharine,  dau.  of  John  Symoiid?:,  of  Salens  ; 
made  his  will  at  Tojjsfield,  Nov.  2-4,  1704,  and  d.  the  third  day  follow- 
ing, aged  about  73  years.  His  will  was  proved  Jan.  1,  1704-5,  sou 
John,  executor. 

Children  : 

4-19.  John,  b.  April    2,  1658. 

-|-20.  Jacob.  b.  Feb.    13,  1660. 

21.  Cath;irine,      b.  Feb.    25,  1662  ;  m.  Elisha  Perkins,  Feb.  23, 16S0. 

22.  Deliverance,),      .         ■■    Trri       ( m.  John  Stiles. 

23.  Ruth,  '|b.  Aug.  ^,1604;    | 

24.  Edmund,         b.  July    21,  1666. 

8. 
II.  JosEFiT  TowxE,  youngest  son  of  \\''illiam  and  Joanna  Toivno,  was 
b.  about  1639,  and  in.  Phebe,  dau.  of  Dea.  Thomas  Perkins,  of  Topi=- 
field.  lie  accompanied  his  father  in  his  removal  from  Salem  to  Tops- 
field  ;  was  made  a  freeman,  March  22,  1690  ;  was  a  member  of  tho 
church  at  the  latter  place,  and  d.  1713,  aged  74  years. 

Children  : 

25.  Phebe,        b.  May        4,  1666. 

26.  Joanna,       b.  Jan.  22,  166S  ;  m.  Thomas  Nichols,  Dec.  15,  1694. 

27.  Mary,  b.  March  27,  1670. 

28.  Susannah,  b.  Dee.     24,  1671. 
+29.  Joseph,       b.  March  22,  1673. 

30.  Sarah,         b.  Dec.     30,  1675. 

+31.  John,  b.  Feb.     20,  167S. 

32.  Martha,       b.  May     19,  1680. 


14  TOWNE. 

Third  Generation'. 
10. 
III.  Thomas  Towne,  sou  of  EdmuiiJ  aiul  Mury  (Browning-)  Towne, 
was  b.  at  Topsfield  in  1655,  and  Marcli  17,  1GS5,  rn.  Saiah  French. 
He  was  iu  Captain  Lothrop's  company  at  Hatfield,  Aug.  12,  16t5, 
and  may  have  been  one  of  the  -very  few  of  that  company,  numbering 
eighty-eight  men,  who  escaped  fiom  the  fatal  encounter  with  the  Indians 
on  the  memorable  eighteenth  of  September  following,  at  the  battle  of 
Bloody  Brook.  He  was  at  this  time  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and  an 
historian  of  that  period  remarks,  that  "  the  company  was  made  up  of 
young  men,  the  flower  of  Essex  County,  who  were  not  afraid  to  speak 
to  the  enemy  within  the  gate."*  lie  d.  in  the  early  part  of  1120,  aged 
65  years.     Ilis  sons  Edmund  and  Thomas  were  his  executors. 

Children  : 

+33.  Edmund,        b.      Jan.  28,  1686. 

34.  Experience,  bap.  Juno  24,  16^3. 

35.  Thomas,         bap.  Oct.  IS,  1091. 

36.  Sarah,            b.      May  8,  1694. 

37.  Edna,             b.      Dec.  23,  1096. 
-f38.  Richard,         b.      July  10,  1700. 

39.  Mercy,  b.      July     7,  1703.  ■ 

12. 
III.  WiLi.iAM  TowxE,  son  of  Edmund  and  i\[ary  (Browning)  Towne, 
was  b.  at  Topsfield,  March  13,  1059  ;  m.,  1st,  Eliza,  who  became  the 
mother  of  several  children,  all  of  whom  d.  in  infancy  ;  2d,  Aug.  22, 
1694,  Margaret,  widow  of  John  Willard,  he  having  been  executed 
at  Salem  about  two  years  previous,  during  the  witchcraft  delusion. 

Children : 

40.  Mary,         b.  July      3,  1695. 

41.  Will'iam,    b.  Nov.  22,  1097  ;  d.  Dec.  23,  1G97,  aged  31  days. 

42.  William,     b.  Feb.    25,  1699. 
-j-43.  Isaac,         b.  April  10,  1701. 

44.  Ichabod,     b.  Feb.    IS,  1703. 
+45.  Jeremiah,  b.  Jlay  27,  1705. 

46.  Deborah,    b.  Aug.  16,  1707  :  m.  J.  Kenny,  of  Topsfield,   May 

1,  1.729. 

47.  Mercy,       b.  Sept.  19,  1709;  m.  John  Towne,  Jr.,  April  22, 1729. 

48.  Kcziah,      b.  Feb.      9,  1715;  m.  Kobert  Fitz,   of  Sutton,   Nov. 

9,  1739. 

13. 
III.     Joseph  To-U'NE,  sou  of  Edmund  and  Mary  (Browning)  Towne, 
was  b.  at  Topsfield,  Sept.  2,  1661  ;  m.  Amy,  dau.  of  Robert  Smitli,  Aug. 


*  Hubbard's  Indian  "Wars. 


TOWNE.  15 

10,  1687,  and  d.  in  ITH,  acjcd  56  years.     She  was  b.   Aug.  16,  1GG8, 
and  d.  Feb.  22,  1756,  aged  87  years. 

Children  : 

+49.  Benjamin,  b.  May    10,  1691.  18y38l.2 

--50.  Nathan,      b.  1693. 

--51.  Daniel,        b.  Aug.  22,  1695. 

--52.  Jesse,         b.  Dec.     5,  1697. 

--53.  Nathaniel,  b.  June     1,  1700. 

54.  Amy,  b.  Feb.      3,  1701. 

-f-55.  Amos,         b.  July     2,1709. 

18. 
III.     Samuel  Towne,  son  of  Edmund  and  Mary  (F.rovruing)  Towne, 
was  b.   at  Topsfield,  Feb.  11,  1673  ;    m.   Elizabeth   Knight,    Oct.   20, 
1696,  and  d.  in  1714,  aged  41  years. 

Children  : 

56.  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.      1,  1607. 

57.  Rebecca,  b.  Feb.  8,  1700. 
4-58.  Samuel,  b.  July  5,1702. 
-|-59.  Philip,        b.  June    22,  1707. 

19. 
III.  Jonx  TowN'E,*  son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Symonds)  Townn, 
was  b.  at  Topsfield,  April  2,  1658,  and  Feb.  2,  1680,  m.  Mary  Smith.- 
lie  was  an  efficient  man  in  town  affairs  at  Topsfield,  and  administered 
upon  the  estate  of  his  father  tlicre  in  1 704.  Framingham  was  incorporat- 
ed in  1700,  and  at  tlie  first  town  meeting,  holdeu  on  the  fifth  of  August, 
of  that  year,  ho  was  chosen  Selectman,  and  several  subsequent  years 
was  elected  to  the  same  office.  He  resided  at  Framingham  till  1712, 
when  ho  removed  to  Oxford,  where  he  and  his  sons  Israel  and  Lpliraim 
were  proprietors.  At  tlie  first  town  meeting  holdeu  there,  on  the  22d 
of  July,  1713,  ho  was  chosen  Town  Clerk  and  Selectman,  and  continued 
to  enjoy  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  townsmen  for  many  years,  lie 
was  one  of  four  persons  who  met  at  an  early  period  to  deliberate  upon 
the  matter  of  the  formation  of  a  churcli,  and  at  its  organization,  Jan. 
21,  1721,  was  chosen  deacon,  which  office  he  held  to  the  close  of  his 
life,  and  was  then  succeeded  by  his  son  Jonathan.  •  Ills  estate  was 
administered  upon  in  1740. f 

Children  : 
60:  Mary,         b.  June      23,  1681. 
61.  John,  b.  Nov.      25,  16S2  ;  d.  Sept.  29,  1683. 

-}-62.  Israel,         b.  Nov.       IS,  1684. 

*  The  first  of  tliis  fuiiily,  in  tliis  country,  wlio  spelt  liis  name  Town,  omittiiii;  tlio  c. 
t  Topsfield   Town   Rceords.     E>sex  rrulmte   Keconls.     I?.iny's  His.   of  Fniiniiiilinm. 
Barber's  His.  Col.  of  Mass.    Oxford  Town  aiul  Chiux'li  Records.    ^Vorccstc^  TruLiate  Reeorda. 


16  TOWNE. 

m.  Simon  Mcllen. 


63. 

Estlier, 

b. 

Dec. 

13, 

1686  ; 

—64. 
—65. 

Ephniiiii, 

b. 

1688. 

Jonathan, 

,  b. 

March 

11, 

IG'Jl. 

--66. 

David, 

b. 

1693. 

--67 

Saraaol, 

1». 

Jan. 

25, 

1695. 

--68. 

Edmund, 

b. 

May 

7, 

1699. 

--69. 

John, 

b. 

May 

31, 

1702. 

20. 
III.  Jacob  Towne,  son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Symonds)  Towne, 
was  b.  at  Topsficld,  Feb.  13,  1660,  and  Juno  24,  16S4,  ra.  Phebe,  dau. 
of  Robert  Smith.  She  was  b.  Auj.  26,  1661,  and  d.  Jan.  U,  1740, 
aged  79  years.  He  was  admitted  to  the  church  Sept.  1,  1717,  and  d. 
Oct.  A,  1741,  ag'od  81  years. 

Children  : 

70.  Joshua.  b.  Nov.  13,  1684. 

-]-71.  John,  b.  Feb.  2,  IGSG. 

72.  Abigail,  b.  Dec.  10,  16S7. 

73.  Catharine,  b.  Jan.  2,  1690. 
-f74.  Jacob,  b.  1693. 
-|-75.  Gideon,  b.  Feb.  4,  1696. 

76.  Kuth,  b.  March  25,  1G98. 

77.  Stephen,  b.  Nov.  2,  1700. 
4-78.  Jal)ez,  b.  June  15,  1704. 
4-79.  Elisha,  b.  Oct.      25,1706. 

29. 
III.     Joseph  Towne,   son  of  Joseph  and  Phebe  (Perkins)   Towne, 
was  b.  at  Topsfield,  :March  22,  1673,  and  Nov.  9,  1699,  m.  Margaret 
Case,  of  Salem. 


Childre-, 

I  : 

80. 

TJargaret, 

h.  Aug. 

6, 

1700. 

-^81. 

Jose[)li, 

b.  Dec. 

26, 

1701. 

82. 

Archolaus, 

b.  Aug. 

31, 

1703. 

—83. 

Israel, 

b.  March 

24, 

1705. 

—84. 

Elisha, 

b.  Sept. 

5, 

1708. 

85. 

Bartholomew 

,  b.  Mav 

10, 

1710. 

86. 

^lary, 

b.  Feb. 

IS, 

1712. 

+87. 

David, 

b.  Feb. 

13, 

1715. 

88. 

Abigail, 

b.  May 

3, 

1716. 

89. 

Phebe, 

b.  May 

31, 

1718. 

00. 

Hannah, 

b.  Feb. 

15, 

1720. 

91. 

Martha, 

b.  Aug. 

25, 

1722. 

92. 

Sarah, 

b.  April 

2 

1726. 

-1-93. 

Jonathan, 

b.  Sept. 

e! 

1728. 

31. 
in.     John  Towne,  son  of  Joseph  and  Phebe  (Perkins)  Towne,  was 
b.  at  Topsficld,  Feb.  20,  1678,  and  in  Jan.,  1708,  m.  Elizabeth  Pae,  who 


T  0  W  N  E  . 


17 


d.  Dec.  11,  nil.     July  12,  1T12,  hem.  Abigail  Stanley,  and  d.  March 
2S,  171-1,  a-cd  3G  years. 

CJdldren : 

+91.     John,  b.  Feb.  1?,,  1109. 

95.     Eli;:abetli.  b.  Xov.  22,  1711.  ■•      -■ 

+9ij.     Bartholuiiicv.-,  b.  April  4,    1713.  i 

Fourth  Generation. 

33. 

IV.     Edmund  To^nc,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (French)  Towno, 

was  b.  atTopsfi^ld,  Jan.  2S,  1GS6,  andd.  there  unmarried  in  1741,  aged 

55  years,  leaving  his  property  to  his  four  sisters.  Experience,  Sarah, 

Edna  and  Mercy. 

38. 
IV,     RicnAED  ToiTNE,  son  of  Tliomas  and  Sarah  (French)  Towno, 
was  b.  atTopsfield,  July  16,  1700,  and  ni.  1st,  Elizabeth  Bixby  ;    2d, 
Hannah  Bixby.    He  was  Town  Clerk  at  Topsficld  from  1 749  to  Feb.  21, 
1765,  the  date  of  Iiis  death. 

Children  : 

97.  Thomas,     b.  Dec.  28,  1727. 

98.'  Mary,         b.  Feb.  21,  1729. 

99.  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  30,  1732. 

100.  Sarah,         b.  Dec.         1734. 

101.  Eicliard,     b.  1737. 

102.  Hannah,     b.  1739. 

43. 
IV.     Isaac  Towne,  son  of  William  and  Sfargaret  Towne,  was  b.  aL 
Topsfield,  April  10,  1701,  m.   Lydia  Esley,   Jan.   7,   173S,   and  d.  at 
Sutton,  where  the  estate  of  his  widow  was  settled  in  179u. 


ra.   Robert  Fitz,  June  2,  17G7. 


45. 
IV.     Jeremiah  Towne,  son  of  V/illiam  and  Margaret  Towne,  M-as 
b.  at  TopsHeld,  May  27,  1705,  and  m.  Elizabeth . 

Children  : 

107.  Jeremiah,   b.  Sept.  G,  1743. 

108.  Susannah,  b.  July  8,  1745. 
+109.     Nehemiah.  b.  Oct.  15,  1718. 

110,     William,   '  b.  Jan.  IG,  1751. 
3 


Children  : 

103. 

Lydia, 

b.  April  5,  1739  ; 

104. 

Isaac, 

b.  Aug.  4,  1711. 

105. 

Asa, 

b.  Dec.  2,  1743. 

lOG. 

Eunice. 

18  TOWNE, 

49. 
IV.  Bekjamix  Tot/xe,  son  of  JoEOph  and  Amy  (Smith)  Torrnc,  war; 
b.  at  Topsfitkl,  May  10,  1G91  ;  m.  let,  Catharine,  dau.  of  Jacob 
Towne,  Jr.,  l)y  whom  he  had  two  chiUlren,  both  of  whom  died  iu 
infixncy  ;  2d,  April  12,  1122,  Susannah  Wildes,  who  d.  July  5,  ITCG, 
and  who  about  two  months  before  her  death  became  the  mother  of 
three  healthy  male  children,  all  of  whom  arc  known  to  have  lived  be- 
yond the  meridian  of  manhood  ;  3d,  .Ijlay  2,  1738,  Mary  Perkins  ;  niid 
4th,  April  15,  1701,  Mrs.  Mary  Clark.  lie  acquired  a  largo  estate  for 
the  time  in  which  he  lived,  and  from  the  records  seems  to  have  been  a 
prominent  man  in  town  affairs,  frequently  ofGciating  as  Town  Clerk, 
Selectman,  Assessor  of  Taxes,  &c.  &c.,  and  d.  Feb.  11,  1772,  aL;cd 
81  years. 

Children  : 

+111.  Benjamin,  b.    May  12,  1723. 

4-112.  Kphraim,    b.  July  10,  1725. 

-|-113.  Jacob,  b. 

11-1.  Joseph,       b.  :\rarch  7,  172S. 

+115.  Eli,  b.  March  3,   1731. 

IIG.  Susannali,  b.  Sept.    6,  1733. 

+117.  Edmund,     b. 

+118.  Ezra,  b. 

119.  Elijah,         b.  April  30,  173G. 

50. 
IV.     Nathan  Towxe,  son  of  Joseph  and  Amy  (Smith)  Townc,  was  b. 

at  Topsfield  in  1693  ;   m.  Phebe ,  resided  at  Boxford  for  a  time, 

and  then  removed  to  Andover,  wlierc   she  d.   Jan.  5,   17G2,   aged   G2 
years,  and  he  soon  after,  aged  about  70  years. 

Children  : 


■  Farnuni. 
Curtis. 


-120. 

Joseph, 

b. 

April  11, 

1718. 

121. 

Nathan, 

b. 

April  25, 

1720. 

122. 

Jonathan, 

b. 

123! 

Phebe, 

1>. 

? 

m 

12-1. 

Catliarinc, 

b. 

m. 

125. 

Asa, 

b. 

Aug.  25, 

1729.' 

126. 

Anna, 

b. 

;  m 

127. 

Aai'on, 

b. 

July  25, 

1731.' 

128. 

Solomon, 

b. 

Macintire, 


51. 
IV.     Daniel  Towne,  son  of  Joseph  and  Amy  (Smith)  Towne,  was 
.  at  Topsfield,  Aug.  22,  1695,  and  m.  Dorothy. 

Children  : 

129.  Daniel,        b.  Aug.     11,   1722. 

130.  Amos,         b.  June    18,   1721. 


T  O  W  N  E  .  19 

131.  Juditli,  b.  Aug.    2G,    1725. 

132.  Dorotliy,  b.   Feb.       8,  172S.    ■ 

133.  Thomas,  b.   Aug.  18,   1729.  

lo-i.  Prudence,  b.  Nov.    16,  1732. 

135.     A  una,  b.  Jlarch,  9,   1735. 

-fl36.     Francis,        b.  July    27,  1737. 

52. 
IV.  Jesse  Tow.ve,  son  of  Joseph  aud  Amy  (Smitli)  Townc,  was  b.  ac 
Topsfield,  Doc.  5,  1697,  and  removed  to  Arundel,  now  Kcnnebunk- 
port,  Maine,  where,  in  1725,  he  was  a  proprietor.  ]lc  iinally  settled  at 
Wells,  near  the  "  Upper  Falls,"  where  he  built  a  house  in  1740,  and 
in  1754,  when  crossing  the  river,  broke  through  the  ice  and  was 
drowned,  lie  was  a  member  of  the  church  at  Wells  in  1750,  and 
from  the  records  seems  to  have  been  active  in  parish  afiairs  :  be- 
yond this,  but  little  is  known  of  him.  JJe,  however,  had  a  descendant, 
residing  near  the  original  homestead,  who  was  Selectman  in  Keune- 
bunk  in  1847.  In  1750  he  had  sons  Joseph  and  Thomas,  who  were 
taxed  ;  and  the  house  which  he  built  was  standing  iu  1770. 

Children  : 
+137.  Joseph. 
4-138.  Thomas. 

53. 
IV.     Natitanif.l  To'^vxe,  son  of  Joseph   and  Amy  (Smith)  Towne, 
was  b.   at  Topsfield,  June  1,  1700,  and  m.  Jemima . 

Children  : 
139.  Jemima,      b.  May   20,  r.24. 
110.  Nathaniel,  b.  Sept.  IG,  1725. 

141.  Eunice,       b.  Feb.      4,  1727. 

142.  Sarah,         b.  1729. 

55. 
IV.  Amos  Towne,  son  of  Joseph  and  Amy  (Smith)  Towno,  wtisb.  at 
Topsfield,  July  2, 1709  ;  m.  Mary  Smith,  May  30,  1732,  and  removed  to 
Arundel,  now  Kcuuebunk-port,  Me.  lie  was  one  of  the  hardy  men  who, 
under  Sir  William  Pepperroll,  captured  Louisburg,  and,  in  1747,  was 
wrecked  on  Mount  Desert  aud  drowned,  at  the  age  of  about  38  years. 
Children  : 

143.  Samuel. 

4-144.  Amos,     b.  Oct.,         1737. 
145.  Daniel,    b.  Oct.    28,  1742. 

58. 
IV.     Samuel  Tow.ve,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Knight)  Towne, 
was  b.  at  Topsfield,  July  5,  1702;  m.  Elizabeth  Allen,  Dec.  21,  1722, 
and  was  drowned.  May  IS,  1771,  aged  69  years. 


20  T  0  W  N  B  . 

ChilJren : 

146.  ]\rarv,         b.  July    19,  1T23. 

U1.  Eliz,'il-cth,  1).  Nov.   10.  1721:. 

-1-148.  Sauiuol,      b-  Aug.     8,  1727. 

140.  naiiuab,     b.  Sept.  24,  IVo.^. 

59. 

IV.  PHTur  TowxE,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Knig-lit)  Towno, 
was  b.  at  TopstJelJ,  Jane  22,  1707,  and  July  30,  1728,  m.,  at  Salem, 
Dinah  Ilobbs. 

Children  : 

150.  Eneas,  b.  Nov.  18,  1729. 

151.  Diuali,   b.  Feb.    14,  1734. 

152.  Daniel,  b.  Aug-.  22,  1730. 

62. 

IV.  Israel  Toy/xe,  son  of  John  and  Mavy  (Smith)  Towno,  was  b.  at 
Topsfield,  Nov.  18,  1GS4,  and  m.  Susannah,  dau.  of  Dea.  Moses  Ilavcn, 
of  Ei-aming-liam.  Oxford,  Mass.,  was  first  permanently  settled  in 
1712.  lie  was  a  proprietor,  and  his  family  vv'as  one  of  the  thirty 
families  who  then  went  there  to  reside.  The  germ  of  llio  first 
church  in  this  place  consisted  of  four  persons,  and  their  first  meeting 
to  consult  upon  the  matter  was  holden  at  his  house.  Ho  d.  at  Oxford, 
Oct.  29,  1771,  aged  nearly  S7  years,  and  his  widow  at  Belchcrt'jwn, 
in  1787,  aged  9U  years. 

Children  : 

153.  Mary,  b.  at  F.  Nov.  16,  1709;  m.   Theodore  McKinstry, 

Jan.  30, 1732. 

154.  Susannali,   b.  at  F.  Sept.   11,  1711  ;  d.  in  inQ:incy. 

155.  Joseph,        b.  Jan.  20,  17i3  ;   d.  Oct.  2S,  1733,  aged  20  ycnr^. 
15G.  Susannah,   b.  Feb.  17,  17  17  ;  m.  John  Haven,  Oct.    2.3,    1739, 

and  d.  at  Sutton,  in  1S06,  aged  S9  years. 

-f-157.  Elijah,  b.  Feb.       IG,  1719. 

-I-15S.  Moses,         b.  Aug-.     14,  1721. 

159.  Esther,         b.  March  14,  1724. 

-j-lGO.   Israel,  b.  Feb.      12,  1727. 

161.  Lois,  b.  May      18,  1729;  m.  John  Wilson,  1749. 

162.  Mehitablc,   b.  Dec.      23,  1731. 

64. 

IV.  Ei-HRAiii  ToAvxE,  son  of  John  and  I\[ary  (Smith)  Towno,  was 
b.  at  Topsfield,  in  1688  ;  resided  for  a  time  at  Framingham ;  was  v. 
proprietor  of  the  town  of  Oxford,  and  one  of  thirty  who  first  made  a 
permanent  settlement  at  that  place. 

Children  : 

163.  Paul,      1  1     Ar      11(1  -o.i 
,,,.,     c-1  /  b.  March  11,  1  (22. 


T  0  W  N  E  . 


21 


+105.  Edmund,  b.  Aug:.     19,  17-21. 
1C6.  Thomas,   b.  April      1,  1727. 

05. 
lY.     JoxATOAN-  TowNE,    son  of  Jolm  find   Mary    (Smith)    Townc, 
was  b.  at  Topsficld,  March  11,  IGOl,  and  in   171!    resided  at  Oxlbrd, 
whero  he  was  deacon  of  the  church,  and  wlicrc  he  d.  in  1771. 

Children  : 

-f  107.  Jacob,        b.  Oct.      20,  1720. 

IGS.  Tamar,       b.  Feb.      10,  1722. 

109.  Simon,        b.  March  20,  1721. 

170.  Jonathan,  b.  April    20,  1727. 


171.  John, 

172.  iAfary, 
-f  173.  Josiali, 

174.  Uuldah, 


b.  Dec. 
b.  Juno 
b.  Aug'. 
b.  Nov. 


15,  1723. 

4,  1731 ;  m 
10,  1734. 

2,  1737 


Curtis. 

m.  Israel  Phillips. 


GG. 


7,  1719;  d.  Dec.  21,  1729. 
1,  1720. 


IV.  David  Towxe,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Smith)  Towuo,  was  b. 
at  Topsficld  in  1093,  and,  for  ins  third  wife,  m.  Priscilla  Ilovry,  Avho 
d.  at  Oxford  in  1741.  He  d.  at  Bcldicrtowu,  Sept.  20,  17S1,  aged  S7 
years. 

Children  : 

175.  Francis,         b.  Marcl 

170.  Hannah,         b.  Sept. 

177.  Deliverance,  b.  July,  1720. 

17S.  Susannah,      b.  Aug-.     30,  173G. 

179.  Priscilla,        b.  March    7,  1740. 

67. 

IV.  Samuel  Toti-xe,  son  of  John  and  JMary  (Smith)  Towno,  was 
b.  at  Topsficld,  Jan.  25,  1G95,  and  April  10,  1722,  m.  Sarah  Laiub, 
of  Oxford.     They  had  one  son  : 

-f-180.  James,  b.  Oct.  11,  17-22. 

09. 
IV.     Jonx  ToTv-XE,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Srnitli)  Towno,  vv'as  b.  at 
Framing-ham,  jMarch  31,  1702,  and  March  0,  172S,  m.  Lj-Jia  Iluiiki;?--. 
Children,  b.  at  Oxford,  wore  : 

181.  Thomas,  b.  May     2G,  1729. 

182.  Abncr,     b.  March  21,  1731. 
--1S3.  Isaac,      b.  Aug.    17,  1733. 

184.  Phebc,     b.  Juno     10,  1737. 

185.  Lydia,      b.  May       S,  1740. 
ISG.  Kachcl,   b.  Nov.       9,  1742. 

187.  Hannah,  b.  Sept.    24,  1744;  m.  Collins  Moore. 
-j-188.  Simnn,     b.  Feb.      25,1718. 

189.  Lydia,      b.  Sept.    23,  1752;  m.  William  Collins. 


22  TOWNE. 

71. 

IV.  Jo^^;  Totwve,  son  of  Jucob  and  Phcbe  (Smith)  Towiie,  was  b.  at 
Topsficld,  Feb.  2,  iG^u,  and  May  11,  1715,  m.  Abigail,  widow  of  John 
Townc,  tho  son  of  Joseph,  her  maiden  name  having  been  Stauloj'. 
Greenwich  was  called  Qnabbin  previous  to  its  incorporation  in  1751, 
and  he  settled  at  the  latter  place  in  1748.  His  wife  was  killed  by  fall- 
ing down  stairs,  Sept.  1,  1743. 

Children  : 
-flOO.  Samuel,      b.  1717. 

-j-lOl.  Jonathan,  b.  May   25,  1710. 

192.  Abigail,      b.  Sept.  29,  1721. 

193.  Catharine,  b.  Dec.    11,  1725. 
4-194.  John,  b.  Dec.      5,  1729. 

74. 
IV.     Jacob  Towne,  son  of  Jacob  and  Phebc  (Smith)  Towne,  was  b. 
at  Topslicld,  in  1G93,  and  m.  Susannah . 

Cldldreii :  .  • 

195.  Faith,      b.  Sept.    6,  1719. 
4-19G.  Joshua,  b.  S<))t.    3,  1721. 
197.  Jacob.,     b.  June  30,  1724. 

75. 
IV.  Gideon  Tovxe,  son  of  Jacob  and  Phcbe  (Smith)  Towno,  wasb. 

at  Topsfield,  Feb.  4,  1696,  and  m.  Hannah ,  who  d.  at  Topsflold, 

March  25,  173S.     He  removed  to  Quabbin,  now  Greenwich,  Vv'here  ho 
purchased  land  of  Andrew  Powers,  in  1748.     lis  lived  to  be  aged. 

Children  : 
+198.  Abner,     b.  Feb.       5,  1722. 
4-199.  Gideon,  b.  Fel).     21,  1724. 

200.  Hannah,  b.  Au'-,''.      5,1727. 

201.  Phcbe,     b.  Aug.    22,  1729. 

202.  Abishoi,  b.  March   1,  1732. 

7S. 
IV.     Jaee7,  To'u-xe,  son  of  Jacob  and  Phebe  (Smith)  Tovrno,  was  b. 
ill  Topsfield,  June  15,  1704,  and  March  30,  1730,  m.  Tryphcnia  Dwia- 
ncll,  who  d.  April  10,  1785.     lie  d.  at  Londonderry.,  N.  11.,  April  1, 
1783,  aged  79  years. 

Children  : 
-|-203.  Jabcz,        b.  March    4,  1732. 

204.  iMary,        b.  Oct.      30,  173  t;  m.  Joshua  Foster,  of  Boxford. 

205.  IJebecca,  b.  June  9,  1737  ;  m.  Samuel  Smith,  of  Topsfield. 
-I-20G.  Jacob,        b.  Sept.    25,  173S. 

4-207.  Elijah,        b.  Sept.     11,  1740. 

20S.  Abigail,     b.  Dec.        7,  1743;  m.  Asa  Smith,  of  Vcrshirc,  Vt. 


TOWNE.  23 

200.  Ruth,         b.  Oct.      122,  IMC;  m.  Jacob  TTalo. 

210.  Sus.itniah,  b.  Nov.     19,  17-1'J  :  m.  DaviJ  Torter. 

Id. 

IV.  Eu?[iA  ToTVNE,  son  of  Jacob  and  Plicbc  (Smith)  Towne,  was  b. 
at  Topsfickl,  Oct.  25,  ITGG  ;  in.  Sarah  raiodos,  Feb.  16,  113S,  and  re- 
moved to  Boxford. 

Children  : 

211.  Sarah,  b.  Jan.       7,1739;  ni.  Elijah  Dwinncll. 
-[-_^12.     John,               b.  Sept.  22,  17-10. 

213.     Mcliitable,      b.  Sept.  2:],  17  1-2  ;  m.  Jacob  Dwinnell. 
4-214.     Absah,i:i,        b.  Sept.  21,  17-11. 
215.   'Bathslicba,     b.  Oct.    18,  1747  ;  d.  July  25,  1S30. 

81. 

IV.  Joseph  Totvxk,  son  of  Joseph  'and  Marg-aret  (Case)  Townc, 
was  b.  at  Topsfiehi,  Dec.  26,  1701,  and  m.  Jemima  Eixby.  They 
resided  at  Tupsfield  in  1732,  Tv-herc  tiieir  two  first  children  were 
born.  April  G,  1733,  he  purcliased  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of 
land  of  John  Ilallowell,  in  the  parish  of  Thompson,  town  of  Killingly 
and  State  of  Conn.,  for  £400,  New  England  currency,  and  in  174:-; 
made  an  additional  purchase.  His  wife  was  dismissed  from  the 
church  in  Topsficld  and  rcconmicndrd  to  tlie  second  cimrch  in  .Kil- 
lingly,  Oct.  22,  1738.  He  d.  in  March,  1786,  aged  S4  years,  and  his 
widov.'  in  1700. 

Children  : 
-J-21G.     Archclans,     b.  Feb.  26,  17S0. 

21V.     Jemima,         b.  Fob.    G,  1732. 
-|-21S.     Joscpii,  b.  Oct.     S,  1735. 

219.  Elizabeth,      b.  Mar.  27,  1738. 

220.  Margaret,      b.  May  17,  1739. 

83. 
IV.  Israel  To-n-XE,  son  of  Joseph  and  Margaret  (Case)  Towrin, 
was  b.  at  Topsficld,  March  24,  1705,  and  May  23,  1729,  m.  Grace  Gard- 
ner, of  Middleton.  lie  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Narragansett 
No.  C,  afterwards  named  Souliegan  "West,  ayd  in  1760  incorporated  by 
New  Hampshire,  and  called  Amherst.  Tradition  says  his  was  the  fourl  h 
family.  The  first  settlement  was  made  in  1734,  and  Sept.  22,  1741, 
at  the  organization  of  the  church,  the  plantation  contained  Iburtocn 
families,  and  amongst  the  number  was  that  of  Capt.  Israel  Tow:io. 
The  origin  of  the  Narragansett  townships  was  as  follows  : — Bctwi.'n 
1728  and  1733,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  granted  seven 
townships  of  land,  each  of  the  contents  of  six  milca  square,  l^  thM.se 
and  Iho  descendants  of  those  who  v/cre    in  the  war  of  1G75,  for  I'ao 


24  T  0  W  N  E  . 

subjiifjalion  of  Pliilip  llio  colcbrr.tcd  Narragansctt  Saclioni,  tlic  tov>  n- 
sliips  to  be  selected  irom  the  nuappropriatcd  lands  of  ilio  rrovi!iCO, 
each  townsliip  being-  tlic  property  of  120  claimants.  Aft'-r  a  gvcat 
nunilicr  of  rucetiii.^'s  and  adjoranmcuts  of  tlic  gi-aiuecs,  the  townsiiip.s 
M-cre  located  thuu  : — Xarraganwett  No.  1,  where  Buxton  in  Zdaiiie 
is  now  situated ;  Narrag-ansett  No.  2,  at  A^estrainstcr,  Mass.  ;  No.  ?i, 
at  Amherst,  N.  11.  ;  No.  4,  at  Golfstown,  N.  U.  ;  No.  5,  at  Ecdlbrd, 
N.  ir.  ;  No.  G,  at  Templeton,  Mass.  ;  and  No.  '7,  at  Gorham,  Me.,  this 
territory  then  being  under  the  jurisdiction  of  3lassachusctts.  Israel 
Towne  d.  at  Amlierst,  iN .  H.,  in  1791,  aged  SG  years,  and  Grace,  his 
widow,  in  1803,  aged  06. 

Chilflren : 

4--2L'l.     Thomas,         b.  1T82. 

4-222.     Archolaus,     b.  1T34. 

■^"       '        "  b.  Nov.  IC,  1736. 

b.  1738.  -- 

b.  Juno    6,  nil. 

b.  Jan.  30,  1745  ;  d.  July  16,  1791.  a.  1'.)  vrs. 

b.  Tilfy  2S,   1748  ;   m.  Tiuiothy  Nicholi^  Oct.  2. 

b.  April  20,  1751.  [1773. 

84. 

IV.  Ei.isn.v  Towne,  pon  of  Joseph  and  Marp-arct  (Oaf^c)  Towno, 
M-as  b.  at  TopsGeld,  Sept.  5,  1708  ;  ra.  Mercy  Foster,  of  1-oxfovd,  Juno 
11,  1738,  removed  from  Topsfiold  to  Monson,  now  IJiiford,  N.  I!., 
wljcre,  Dec.  2.',  1718,  he  and  bis  brother  Israel,  for  £1000,  p.nrcliar.ed 
the  Taylor  faim,  consisting  of  300  acres,  of  Widow  Abigail  T. ylor, 
of  Boston.  JJis  house  was  npo'i  tljc  opposite  side  of  the  river  fror,:. 
that  of  ]iTS  l-rolhor,  was  located  upon  an  cniiricnce  o^erkioking  tlio 
valley  of  the  Souhegan,  aflbrding  one  of  the  most  picturesque  views 
in  the  neighborhood.  It  stood  about  fifty  rods  north  of  tlio  yirescnt 
East  Milford  Rail  lload  Flag  Station,  and  the  spot  is  niai-l<cd  by  au 
old  nearly  fdled  cellar,  surrounded  by  locust  trees.  lie  died  about 
1791,  was  buried  in  afield  about  one  third  of  a  mile  cast  of  wlicrc 
the  above  described  house  was  located,  a  spot  used  by  the  e:.rly  set- 
tlers for  a  place  of  burial,  but  v.-hich  has  not  been  thus  U':;ed  since 
about  the  close  of  the  last  century. 


-223. 

Israel. 

-221. 

Mosrs, 

-225. 

Gardner, 

226. 

Elizabeth, 

227. 

Susannah, 

228. 

Mary, 

Children , 


X 


2"''0 

Joseph, 

b. 

1739 

-230'. 

Bartholomew, 

b. 

April  8, 

1741, 

-231. 

Tliomas, 

b. 

Feb.    8, 

1713. 

232. 

Mere}', 

b. 

Feb.  15, 

,  1745. 

233, 

barah, 

b. 

Nov.  20, 

1747, 

d.  in  infiincy. 


^r>  *\  ^^  {■'• 


2363    I 


&mm^mmmmmm