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• _FSFTID: LZJ4-5DX
• _UID: A516B987FB5147E691F4BC40384AD5F945EB

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• _FSFTID: L6MV-4J7
• _UID: 3486427B5E854962B896AD0A1E56346C1EC8
• Military: 1758, Oxford, Massachusetts; served in the French & Indian War in John Chandler's Regiment
• Military: 1758, Oxford, Massachusetts; Served in the French & Indian War in John Chandler's Regiment.
• Residence: 1790, Cambridge, Albany, New York
• Residence: 1800, Cambridge, Washington, New York

Notes:

Buried:
in Pratt Cemetery

Abraham married Mary Barton on 6 Dec 1760 in Oxford, Worchester, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Edmund Barton and Anna Flint) was born on 11 Jun 1742 in Sutton, Worcester, Massachusetts; died on 6 Oct 1828 in Marion, Wayne, New York; was buried in Marion, Wayne, New York. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: L6MV-4KM
• _UID: F69A4A2DA2004B1193237449F8024035E727

Notes:

Buried:
in Sherman Cemetery

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• _FSFTID: MR6Q-ZRH
• _UID: FEBF87110F254F988F8A7D4A1CF2ED6FBA36

Micah married Mary Gale on 3 Nov 1731 in Watertown, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Richard Gael and Sarah Knight) was born on 4 Dec 1710 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; died in 1768 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _UID: 5326B260CBE1472E8E517BE06003E796C66F

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• _FSFTID: LDLD-DJ4
• _UID: 2135F4B21A944215BA85B1689C11DF5439C8

Notes:

Edmund was listed as the head of a family on the 1790 Census in Sutton, Worcester, MA. He settled in Sutton before his mariage and owned lands there and in Oxford. He was at Fort Edward in 1755 and served in the French and Indian War. He and his wife are buried in the burying ground near their home, on the road from Auburn to Millbury Old Common. Sons, Elijah and Gideon drowned the same day. - unknown
Edmund Barton, son of Samuel Barton (i), was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, August 5, 1714. He removed to Oxford with the family when he was only two years old. He made his home in the second parish of Sutton, now the first parish of Millbury, and was prominent in town and church affairs. He was often named on important committees of the church and he had one notable difference with the minister over a religious service he held at his own house without asking permission of the minister. He was appointed on many of the important church committees and was evidently a leading man in his day. He was a soldier in the French and Indian wars. Mr. B. B. Vassell, late of Worcester, author and compiler of the family genealogy, states that Edmund was "bound out" at the age of thirteen, shortly before his father's death. He married, April 9, 1739, Ann Flynt, of Salem. She was born June 9, 1718, and died at Sutton, now Millbury, March 20, 1795. Edmund Barton died there December 13, 1799, and is buried with his wife in the old burying ground at Millbury. The children of Edmund and Anna Barton were: 1. Dr. Stephen, born June 10, 1740, at Sutton; studied medicine under Dr. Green, of Leicester; was trader at Oxford 1764-6; landlord 1766-9; removed to Vassaloboro, Maine; returned to Oxford, 1790, but went again to Maine and died there October 21, 1804; grandfather of the late Judge Ira M. Barton, father of Edmund M. Barton, librarian of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester; grandfather of Clara Barton (Clarissa H., born December 25, 1821, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Stone) Barton. Sarah Stone was the daughter of Captain David and Sarah (Treadwell) Stone. Clara Barton is the famous Red Cross leader.) 2. Mary, born June 10, 1742, married Obadiah Brown, of Sutton. 3. Hannah, born September 22, 1744, married Samuel Boutelle and had three children. 4. Jedediah, born May 6, 1747, settled in Sutton; married Lydia Pierce. 5. Flynt, born December 3, 1749 (or April 3, according to records of Pliny Barton), mentioned below. 6. Elijah, born April 22, 1752, died June 5, 1756, by drowning. 7. Gideon, born April 22, 1754, died June, 1756. 8. Ann, born August I, 1756, married, April 29, 1778, David Gibson. 9. Luke, born February I, 1759. - Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts
Edmund was listed as the head of a family on the 1790 Census in Sutton, Worcester, MA. He settled in Sutton before his mariage and owned lands there and in Oxford. He was at Fort Edward in 1755 and served in the French and Indian War. He and his wife are buried in the burying ground near their home, on the road from Auburn to Millbury Old Common. Sons, Elijah and Gideon drowned the same day.Edmund Barton, son of Samuel Barton (i), was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, August 5, 1714. He removed to Oxford with the family when he was only two years old. He made his home in the second parish of Sutton, now the first parish of Millbury, and was prominent in town and church affairs. He was often named on important committees of the church and he had one notable difference with the minister over a religious service he held at his own house without asking permission of the minister. He was appointed on many of the important church committees and was evidently a leading man in his day. He was a soldier in the French and Indian wars. Mr. B. B. Vassell, late of Worcester, author and compiler of the family genealogy, states that Edmund was "bound out" at the age of thirteen, shortly before his father's death. He married, April 9, 1739, Ann Flynt, of Salem. She was born June 9, 1718, and died at Sutton, now Millbury, March 20, 1795. Edmund Barton died there December 13, 1799, and is buried with his wife in the old burying ground at Millbury. The children of Edmund and Anna Barton were: 1. Dr. Stephen, born June 10, 1740, at Sutton; studied medicine under Dr. Green, of Leicester; was trader at Oxford 1764-6; landlord 1766-9; removed to Vassaloboro, Maine; returned to Oxford, 1790, but went again to Maine and died there October 21, 1804; grandfather of the late Judge Ira M. Barton, father of Edmund M. Barton, librarian of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester; grandfather of Clara Barton (Clarissa H., born December 25, 1821, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Stone) Barton. Sarah Stone was the daughter of Captain David and Sarah (Treadwell) Stone. Clara Barton is the famous Red Cross leader.) 2. Mary, born June 10, 1742, married Obadiah Brown, of Sutton. 3. Hannah, born September 22, 1744, married Samuel Boutelle and had three children. 4. Jedediah, born May 6, 1747, settled in Sutton; married Lydia Pierce. 5. Flynt, born December 3, 1749 (or April 3, according to records of Pliny Barton), mentioned below. 6. Elijah, born April 22, 1752, died June 5, 1756, by drowning. 7. Gideon, born April 22, 1754, died June, 1756. 8. Ann, born August I, 1756, married, April 29, 1778, David Gibson. 9. Luke, born February I, 1759.

Buried:
in Dwinell Cemetery

Edmund married Anna Flint on 9 Apr 1739 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. Anna (daughter of Stephen Flint and Hannah Moulton, daughter of Stephen Flint and Hannah Holton) was born on 9 Jun 1718 in Middleton, Essex, Massachusetts; died on 20 Mar 1795 in Sutton, Worcester, Massachusetts; was buried in Millbury, Worcester, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: K8X2-153
• _UID: CF4ED754DECF4A49BFE1B8F881BA2125592A
• Baptism: 22 Jun 1718, Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts

Notes:

Buried:
Dwinell Cemetery

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• _FSFTID: LZVD-833
• _UID: 7AF754CA1C1D4A84BB317485BB0BBFD0D0E5

Notes:

Jonathan Pratt and Sarah Gale lived in Framingham, Massachusetts, for most of their lives but later they moved to the town of Oxford, Wrocester County, Massachusetts. Jonathan Pratt's will, dated 14 September 1738 as "Jonathan, Sr. of Oxford", named his wife Sarah; daughters Lydia Barton, Sarah Shumway, Beulah Pratt, Susannah Pratt, Abigail Pratt and son Jonas. Son Jonas presented the will for probate on February 25, 1760, which was witnessed by Reverend John Campbell, Richard Waters, and Seth Twitchell. Surviving heirs were widow Sarah, Jonathan Pratt, Micah Pratt, Joseph Pratt, Oliver Shumway and wife Sarah, Jedidah Barton and wife Lydia, Jonas Collar and wife Susannah, and Abigail Pratt.
Jonathan Pratt and Sarah Gale lived in Framingham, Massachusetts, for most of their lives but later they moved to the town of Oxford, Wrocester County, Massachusetts.
Jonathan Pratt's will, dated 14 September 1738 as "Jonathan, Sr. of Oxford", named his wife Sarah; daughters Lydia Barton, Sarah Shumway, Beulah Pratt, Susannah Pratt, Abigail Pratt and son Jonas. Son Jonas presented the will for probate on February 25, 1760, which was witnessed by Reverend John Campbell, Richard Waters, and Seth Twitchell. Surviving heirs were widow Sarah, Jonathan Pratt, Micah Pratt, Joseph Pratt, Oliver Shumway and wife Sarah, Jedidah Barton and wife Lydia, Jonas Collar and wife Susannah, and Abigail Pratt.

Jonathan married Sarah Gale on 14 Dec 1700 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of John H. Gale and Elizabeth Spring) was born on 12 Dec 1681 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; died in Aug 1760 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: L83Y-12K
• _UID: BE884A605656488B9B4DAA4266E4A73A6E36

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• _FSFTID: MGP2-5FR
• _UID: ACB5B2D39D1B4F2585E57B86EE09699F7CE5

Richard married Sarah Knight on 22 Jan 1705 in Watertown, Massachusetts. Sarah was born on 12 Dec 1681 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; and died. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: LK9R-JBB
• _UID: D7957F39C82C431E9B4A48472DB8F5A46B4D

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• _FSFTID: KZHX-1D2
• _UID: 5926426E622146B6B4A5E55EFA141673E13B

Notes:

He married Hannah BRIDGES circa 1690. Hannah was born June 9, 1669 in Salem, Essex, MA. Hannah was the daughter of Edmond BRIDGES and Sarah TOWNE. Hannah died March 13, 1727/1728 in Oxford, Worcester, MA, at 57 years of age. Samuel was employed at as a husbandman. He made a will 13 June 1732. Samuel had his will probated 23 September 1732 in Worcester, Worcester, MA.(20) Samuel Barton is the founder of the Bartons of Oxford. He and his wife, Hannah are buried in the burying gound west of the common in Oxford. He first appears public records in 1683 when he witnessed a deed in Wells, Maine. In 1687 Capt. John Gerrish of Dover, N. H. mentions Samuel as one who assisted in work on a bridge in Madbury, N. H. In 1692 Samuel Barton aged about 28 was a witness for Elizabeth Proctor, wife of John Proctor in the witchcraft troubles in Salem. In the spring of 1693 members of the Towne, Bridges, Barton, Cloyes and Elliot families from Salem Village started to settle in the plantation of Framingham which in 1700 was incorporated as the town of Framingham in Middlesex County. Samuel's second child, Mercy (called Mary in his will), was born there in 1694.
In 1709 Samuel was appointed a grave digger in Framingham with authority to receive 3 shillings a grave for grown persons. By 1716 he had decided to move to Oxford and in June of that year he sold his lands in Framingham bought another consisting of one thirtieth of the English settlement in Oxford consisting of the home lot of forty acres, ten acres adjoining to the south, fifty acres on long hill, two acres of meadow on the brook below the sawmill and thirty rods of meadow on the river. This made Samuel one of the landed proprietors and part owner of Elliott Mills. In 1720 John Towne (son of Jacob and first cousin to Hannah (Bridges) Barton), Samuel Barton, Abiel Lamb and Joseph Wiley met to found a church of Christ in Oxford. His will leaves everything to son Caleb as the other sons had received their shares prior to his death.
- Paul Barton, http://www.edwardbarton.org/i0000053.htm#i53
Samuel Barton (I), the immigrant ancestor of Charles Albion Barton, of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, was also the progenitor of all the old families of Worcester county of this name, many of whom have been prominent. Very little is known of his life before he came to Framingham. He settled in Salem and was a witness in one of the famous witchcraft cases. It is not even known that he was an immigrant. Marmaduke Barton was in Salem in 1638 and Samuel, who was probably not born before 1650, may have been a native of Salem. He was in Watertown for a short time and received the usual "warning" that new-comers got when moving into a Puritan colony, under date of June 16, 1693. He was in Framingham in 1699 and perhaps earlier. His children are all recorded in Framingham, although the two eldest were born elsewhere. He bought what was known as the Elliott grist mill at Oxford. He bought a fourth part of the "corn mill," one home lot of forty acres and ten acres adjoining, also fifty acres in the second division on Long Hill and various other lots of land in Oxford together with the right of common October 19, 1716, for eighty-five pounds, of Jonathan Provender. He was then of Framingham, but his daughter was called of Oxford when she married, December 17, 1716, so he must have moved in the fall of 1716. He was formally dismissed by the Framingham church to the Oxford church January 15, 1721, and he was one of the original members of the church at Oxford. Before he died he gave one-half his homestead to his son Joshua. He died September 12, 1732. His will is dated June 13, 1732, and was proved September 23, 1732. He bequeathed to all his children, leaving the 'lands not previously disposed of to Caleb, his third son. He married Hannah Bridges, daughter of Edmund Bridges, of Salem, probably, and Edmund Bridges, Jr., also settled in Framingham. The children of Samuel and Hannah Barton were: 1. Samuel, Jr., born October 8, 1691, married, May 23, 1715, Elizabeth Bellows, of Marlboro, one of the thirty original settlers of the town of Sutton; blacksmith by trade; was selectman and town treasurer; removed 1748 to Dudley; his son Bezaleel was killed in the battle of Bunker Hill; he was the ancestor of the Barton family at Coryden, New Hampshire. 2. Mercy, born May 22, 1694, married (intentions December 17, 1716) David Town. 3. Joshua, born December 24, 1697, settled in Leicester. 4. Elisha, born April 22, 1701, resided at Sutton, South Hadley and Granby, Massachusetts. 5. Caleb, born February 9, 1705, resided at Framingham and Charlton. 6. Jedediah, born September 18, 1707, settled in North Oxford. 7. Mehitable, born August 22, 1710, married, November 12, 1730, Samuel Duncan, of Worcester, where she died 1742. 8. Edmund, born August 5, 1714 - Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts

Samuel married Hannah Bridges in 1691 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Hannah (daughter of Edmund Bridges, Jr. and Sarah Towne) was born in 1669 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; died on 13 Mar 1727 in Oxford, Worcester, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: L84F-G2T
• _UID: EF68D772A80146E78D9AF1B1E8DD06545EAA

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• Occupation: Middleton, Essex, Massachusetts; farmer
• _FSFTID: L6FW-7Y9
• _UID: 3784335043BA4F8382AD4C6D8F1E10E69829

Stephen married Hannah Holton on 6 Nov 1714 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. Hannah (daughter of Henry Holton and Abigail Flint) was born on 13 Jul 1695 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; died about 1744 in Middleton, Essex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _UID: 748E3599DC62457182CE2A8B6D69E5C84C54

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• _FSFTID: LTZX-ZNM
• _UID: 3E375A6EC1774482A0A861147620E4178957
• Residence: 26 May 1647, Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; where he took the freeman's oath
• Residence: 1679, Sherburne, Middlesex, Massachusetts; admitted as inhabitant and assigned land in 1682

Notes:

Thomas, born ca 1636, probably son of Thomas, ca 1615, both of Watertown. Authorities disagree whether there were a father/son both named Thomas or only one. Certain facts indicate there were two, probably father/son. The younger married Susannah and died 26 September 1692, Sherborn (Middlesex) at which time widow Susannah was granted administration of his estate. He is probably the same who took the Oath of Allegiance 1652, at least 16 years of age. C#107 (Mr. Stephen D. Pratt, author of pater on desc. of Thomas Pratt of Watertown, Massachusetts in 1970 authored an excellent report on this family, including land records, maps, and biographical data. He suggests that Thomas of Watertown may have been he who in 1635 left Gravesend, England on the "America" age 17, bound for Virginia. However, if that passenger disembarked at Boson, he was probably Thomas of Malden and brother of Richard of Malden, also of Gravesend. An unpublished genealogy of Thomas Gleason and wife Susannah of Watertown contains a typewritten note: "It is very probable that Thomas and Susannah Gleason had another daughter born ca. 1639 who married ca. 1655 Thomas Pratt of Watertown who in 1678 bought land in Framingham next to Thomas Gleason Jr." C#15/C#80 (Mrs. Marjorie E. Bowers, 1101 S. Bay Road, Olympia, Washington 98506, Mrs. Katherine S. Moore, 20001 Marine Dr. N. W.Stanwood, Washington 98292) note: "Thomas and Susanna Gleason probably would have named a daughter Susanna; no complete list of their heirs exists. The children in the Gleason genealogy are listed by circumstantial evidence. Thomas and Susannah Gleason could certainly have had a child old enough to marry Thomas Pratt by 1655.
Thomas Gleason Jr. owned land adjacent to other land in Sudbury bought by Thomas Pratt 1678. Thomas Pratt Sr. was one of those who took inventory of Thomas Gleason Jr.,'s est. 1705. Susanna, daughter of Thomas Gleason, if she was such, had eldest brother Thomas; here next four brothers were Joseph, John, Philip and Nathaniel in that order. Thomas and Susannah Pratt used the same four names in that order for their sons, although others in between. This claim [that Susannah Pratt was nee Gleason] deserves further search although there is not much chance of better evidence. On this basis I have tentatively listed the wife of Thomas Pratt as Susannah Gleason although unproved."
26 May 1647 took the Freeman's oath. In 1679 he bought land in Framingham close to Gleason's pond from Thomas Eames. He lived in Sherborn. - http://stagge-parker.blogspot.com/2011/06/thomas-pratt-jr.html

In 1692 his wife Susanna and son John were granted administration of his estate. The estate was valued at 142.2lbs. The three youngest children according to the will were Jonathan, David and Jabez. Source: Pg. 363, "History of Framingham" He is included in the list of inhabitants when the town of Sherborn was incorporated. Source: History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts: with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Pg. 697

Other Notes:
Thomas Pratt of Watertown may be the same as the Thomas Pratt in Sherborn MA. In 1652 Thomas Pratt of Watertown was admitted freeman. He also took the Oath of Fidelity. Thomas may have come from London as in August of 1650 a court case ensued: Thomas Boylston vs Thomas Pratt for withholding money sent to him by his uncle of London. John Sanger testified that Boylston's uncle in 1648 told him he had assigned his house and lands to Pratt to be held in trust for Thomas Boylston's children. On 20 Jan. 1679 Thomas Pratt Sr. of Sudbury, MA purchased from Thomas Eames 30 acres of land on Pratt's Plain. Pratt's Plain lay east of the central village distant about a mile. Thomas was among the grantees for building a town at Worcester, MA but this plan was stopped by Indian problems. Thomas Pratt's name was on a list of persons to be inhabitants of Sherburne, Mass. since its incorporation with the date of admission - Thomas Pratt Sen 2 Mo. 1679. Thomas had religious privileges in Sherborn. Thomas' widow Susannah and son John Pratt were appointed administrators of the estate in 1692. An inventory was taken 26 Sept. 1692 amounting to L142.2.The three youngest children Jonathan, David & Jabez were named in the estate papers. - http://catnip13.tripod.com/Pratt.html
THOMAS, born ca 1636, probably son of Thomas, ca 1615, both of Watertown. Authorities disagree whether there were a father/son both named Thomas or only one. Certain facts indicate there were two, probably father/son. The younger married Susannah and died 26 September 1692, Sherborn (Middlesex) at which time widow Susannah was granted administration of his estate. He is probably the same who took the Oath of Allegiance 1652, at least 16 years of age. C#107 (Mr. Stephen D. Pratt, author of pater on desc. of Thomas Pratt of Watertown, Massachusetts in 1970 authored an excellent report on this family, including land records, maps, and biographical data. He suggests that Thomas of Watertown may have been he who in 1635 left Gravesend, England on the "America" age 17, bound for Virginia. However, if that passenger disembarked at Boson, he was probably Thomas of Malden and brother of Richard of Malden, also of Gravesend. An unpublished genealogy of Thomas Gleason and wife Susannah of Watertown contains a typewritten note: "It is very probable that Thomas and Susannah Gleason had another daughter born ca. 1639 who married ca. 1655 Thomas Pratt of Watertown who in 1678 bought land in Framingham next to Thomas Gleason Jr." C#15/C#80 (Mrs. Marjorie E. Bowers, 1101 S. Bay Road, Olympia, Washington 98506, Mrs. Katherine S. Moore, 20001 Marine Dr. N. W.Stanwood, Washington 98292) note: "Thomas and Susanna Gleason probably would have named a daughter Susanna; no complete list of their heirs exists. The children in the Gleason genealogy are listed by circumstantial evidence. Thomas and Susannah Gleason could certainly have had a child old enough to marry Thomas Pratt by 1655.

Thomas Gleason Jr. owned land adjacent to other land in Sudbury bought by Thomas Pratt 1678. Thomas Pratt Sr. was on of those who took inventory of Thomas Gleason Jr.,'s est. 1705. Susanna, daughter of Thomas Gleason, if she was such, had eldest brother Thomas; here next four brothers were Joseph, John, Philip and Nathaniel in that order. Thomas and Susannah Pratt used the same four names in that order for their sons, although others in between. This claim [that Susannah Pratt was nee Gleason] deserves further search although there is not much chance of better evidence. On this basis I have tentatively listed the wife of Thomas Pratt as Susannah Gleason although unproved."

Thomas, born 1656; Abigail/Abiel ca. 1658; Ebenezer, ca 1660; Joseph ca. 1662; John ca. 1665; Philip ca. 1667; Ephraim ca. 1669; Nathaniel ca. 1671; Jonathan ca 1673; David ca 1675; Jabez ca 1677

26 May 1647 took the Freeman's oath.

In 1679 he bought land in Framingham close to Gleason's pond from Thomas Eames. He lived in Sherborn.

In 1692 his wife Susanna and son John were granted administration of his estate. The estate was valued at 142.2lbs. The three youngest children according to the will were Jonathan, David and Jabez. Source: Pg. 363, "History of Framingham"He is included in the list of inhabitants when the town of Sherborn was incorporated. Source: History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts: with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Pg. 697
Other Notes:
Thomas Pratt of Watertown may be the same as the Thomas Pratt in Sherborn MA. (1) In 1652 Thomas Pratt of Watertown was admitted freeman.(2) He also took the oath of Fidelity. (3) Thomas may have come from London as in August of 1650 a court case ensued: Thomas Boylston vs Thomas Pratt for withholding money sent to him by his uncle of London. John Sanger testified that Boylston's uncle in 1648 told him he had assigned his house and lands to Pratt to be held in trust for Thomas Boylston's children. (4) On 20 Jan. 1679 Thomas Pratt Sr. of Sudbury, MA purchased from Thomas Eames 30 acres of land on Pratt's Plain. (5) Pratt's Plain lay east of the central village distant about a mile. (6) Thomas was among the grantees for building a town at Worcester, MA but this plan was stopped by Indian problems.(7) Thomas Pratt's name was on a list of persons to be inhabitants of Sherburne, Mass. since its incorporation with the date of admission - Thomas Pratt Sen 2 Mo. 1679.(8) Thomas had religious privileges in Sherborn.(9) Thomas' widow Susannah and son John Pratt were appointed administrators of the estate in 1692. An inventory was taken 26 Sept. 1692 amounting to L142.2.The three youngest children Jonathan, David & Jabez were named in the estate papers.

Thomas married Susanah Gleason in 1655 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Susanah (daughter of Thomas Gleason and Susanna Page) was born in 1634 in Framingham, Middlesex, Massachusetts; died on 26 Sep 1693 in Sherburne, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: LZVJ-VTK
• _UID: 2D5D62C34DEB4AB6B0CDF5AB5C2CC5EA3B1D

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• _FSFTID: LTNT-9MM
• _UID: A274F19044B64DA885664BB3378B5577FD27

Notes:

"Goodman Richard Gale" came to the house of Henry and Mehitable Spring to ask their "goodwill to make a match between our daughter Elizabeth and his son John. He promised to give his son John half his farm" (E.C. Gale)

John married Elizabeth Spring on 27 Sep 1677 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Spring and Mehitable Bartlett) was born on 13 Oct 1659 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; and died. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: L5PF-JT8
• _UID: 5D45370B079644748313855AC69CFD4E5B9F

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• _FSFTID: LTVL-RWK
• _UID: 8434A127883C41499CC0FD95ECC065643139

Notes:

Abraham Gale became a freeman on 11 October 1682 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He served in 1706 and 1718 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as a Selectman. He occupied the old homestead, situated in what is now Waltham, Mass. Abraham's gravestone inscription at Waltham Graveyard, Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, reads: Here Lyes Body of Abraham Geal who died Septemb 5 1718 (in ye) 76 year of His Age. His name in his will and on his gravestone is spelled "Gael." They were the parents of sixteen children, of whom nine lived to maturity and married.

Buried:
Grove Hill Cemetery

Abraham married Sarah Fiske on 3 Sep 1673 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of Nathan Fiske and Susanna) was born on 1 Feb 1653 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; died on 14 May 1728 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; was buried in Waltham, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: LTVL-K4N
• _UID: 36ECBF59C24C49BF9299CA0D9FFE680E6528

Notes:

Gravestone Inscription: Here lyes ye Body of Mrs. Sarah Gael, Wife to Mr Abraham Gael, Who Died May ye 14th, 1728 in ye 73d Year of her Age.

Buried:
Grove Hill Cemetery

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• _FSFTID: L6P9-LZ8
• _UID: F42081DDEE4644749099162D2354B98D87E8

Notes:

Matthew, son of Edward. He returned to his father's farm at Cape Porpus, Maine, with his son Samuel. Samuel was born about 1664. Matthew was a sailor, shipbuilder and farmer. His children are: Samuel, above mentioned. By wife Sarah had Susana, b. May 10, 1680. Matthew, b. Sept 6, 1682. Sarah, b. April 1, 1685. Elizabeth, b. April 20, 1687. The following is from the Essex Antiquarian: "'June 1679. Thomas Clarke deposed that one night being upon the watch in company with Matthew Barton when the privateer lay within Baker's Island, as they were walking the rounds they heard a loud noise at or near the door of John Williams, the cooper, and it was John Chaplin drunk, Jonathan Barton testified that he saw the man but being a stranger did not know his name until Clarke told him it was Chaplin. The further said that Chaplin swore and said, 'now is the time to get money, the privateer wants horses,' etc. Sworn 7:11:1678
- Barton, Edward S., Genealogy of the Barton Family: of the town of Marshall, Oneida County, New York. Waterville, NY: unknown. 1920.
"Matthew Barton, of Salem, Portsmouth, N.H., and Cape Porpoise, Me., shipwright, mariner, born about 1640, was living in 1729. He married first Martha -----, who was living in 1675; secondly Sarah -----; and thirdly, at Salem, 20 Dec 1694, Elizabeth (Tapley) Dickinson, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Pride) Tapley. For many years he probably divided his time between Salem and Cape Porpoise. In 1668 Matthew Barton and Martha, his wife, of Salem, sold to William Dicer of the same their dwelling house and one-fourth acre of land, by the South Harbor, Salem. In the same year he was one of the Salem petitioner against imposts. There are indications that his family lived at Cape Porpoise for some years. On 29 April 1671 Matthew Barton of Salem, mariner, deposed, aged about thirty-two years, his deposition being recorded 30 June 1671. In 1675 Martha Barton is mentioned as a temporary resident of Salem on account of the Indian troubles. In 1683 Matthew Barton bought from Hannah Simmons, administratrix of the estate of Richard Simmons, all of Salem, a house and one-sixth acre of land at Salem, for L35. In 1686 he bought from Edmond Woolland, Sr., a small piece of land adjoining, for L 6.5s. Evidently he possessed other property in Salem. In 1721 he sold to Ezekial Goltwigth a common wright in Salem, in the southeast division of common lands, granted by the last meeting of the proprietors. In 1729, being then of Salem, he sold the farm of three hundred acres, of Cape Porpoise, which was formerly the home of his father. " - Barton Family of Oxford, Mass, New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1930, Vol 84, pp. 400-421.p 403-4
Matthew Barton was born to Edward Barton and his wife, Elizabeth, about 1640, most likely in Salem, Massachusetts. He moved with his family to Marblehead and then to a farm near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Matthew grew up on the farm near the Piscataqua River. Around 1662, Matthew married a girl named Martha, whose last name is unknown. Matthew and Martha must have moved to Salem and had several children. Their oldest was a son, Samuel, born in 1663. Around 1666, Matthew's father's family moved again, up the coast to Cape Porpoise, Maine, near the present site of Kennebunkport. He purchased a farm on Montague's Neck, between the Montague and Cape Porpoise Rivers. In 1668, Matthew was living in Salem, and he took part in a protest against taxes. During this time, Matthew was a shipbuilder and sailor. later in 1668 Matthew and wife Martha sold their dwelling house and one-fourth acre of land by the south harbor in Salem to William Dicer. they must have moved to Cape Porpoise at that time. When his father died in 1671, Matthew was named as executor of his estate, and inherited the farm at Cape Porpoise. In July of 1673 in Portsmouth, Matthew had a brush with the law, when he was accused of travelling on Sunday, a serious charge in Puritan New England. Matthew and Martha lived on the farm in Cape Porpoise for the next twelve years, but were given temporary residence in Salem in 1675, apparently driven from their home by hostile Indians. Martha died, and in 1679, Matthew married again, to Sarah, a woman whose last name is unknown. Matthew and Sarah had four children. In 1683 Matthew purchased a house and one sixth acre of land in Salem for £35, his hopes of moving back to Cape Porpoise dashed by the continuing Indian troubles. He purchased adjoining land several years later. Sarah died, and Matthew married again, in 1694, widow Elizabeth Dickenson, daughter of John Tapley and Elizabeth Pride, with whom he had six more children. In 1729, he finally sold the farm on Cape Porpoise, which had lain abandoned for over forty years. Matthew died sometime after 1729. - Smith, Ken, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=112224336&ref=ac om

Mathew married Martha in 1662 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. Martha was born in 1641 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; died in 1680 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 0183F13D2A924B4ABE18A9A9250C6EFEC837

Other Events:

• Occupation: black smith and attorney
• _FSFTID: MVSS-VR3
• _UID: AD26A733A39C45E5A614AF880A026FCD4F31

Notes:

“Edmund’s father, also Edmund, was living in Topsfield in 1660. He came to Massachusetts in 1635 and is said to have lived in Lynn, Rowley, and Ipswich, to which he returned some years before his death. The name Edmund Bridges appears frequently in the Essex County Court Records, and it is not possible always to distinguish father from son. They both acted as witnesses as juryman and as “attorneys”....Edmund Bridges, Jr., was evidently considered familiar with legal procedure and skilled in the trade. He along with John and Nathaniel Putnam, with whom we will shortly become familiar, all appear over and over again as witnesses and attorneys in the county court records. This did not necessarily mean that they were notoriously litigious, but that they were asked to represent others in court.” (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
1661; Commoner of Topsfield. Settled near father in law Towne. (History of Topsfield) 1664; Paid minister’s rate at Topsfield. (History of Topsfield)
“Sarah’s husband was a very busy man, for in addition to his legal activities, he had still another trade. He was a blacksmith... His blacksmith shop was a center of town activity, as was neighboring John Gould’s “ordinary”. (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
“The Essex County Court records are full of a bewildering number of references to Edmund Bridges in connection with John Gould...In March, 1664, an individual called John Millington was sentenced to be whipped, or to pay a fine of ten pounds, “for his great misdemeanor” and also to be bound for twenty pounds. A person, whose name is deliberately left out, deposed that in January her brother, Edmund Bridges, asked her to go to Salem with him, but she did not go and Edmund and his wife left without her. Whilst they were gone, John Millington offered “uncleaness to her, and she told him that she would not yield to him for all of Topsfield”. Although Millington later prayed that she, the one to whom he had offered “uncleaness” would forgive him, Sarah Bridges acted as a witness in the resulting court case. She referred to her sister. It is not at all clear who this sister was...The reference may have been to Faith, one of Edmund Bridge’s sisters. Faith and her husband Daniel Black, were involved in domestic troubles, and at one point had been ordered to sit in the stocks for an hour. Danile was ordered to live peaceably with his wife, and to refrain from threatening her, while she, for her part, was to be orderly, not gad abroad or be in the company of other men. If either party disobeyed these rules, they were to be whipped.” (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
“Edmund Bridges appears far more often in connection with John Gould in a bewildering series of cases connected with the ill-starred iron works. Iron works were established in Rowley Village (now Boxford) around 1668. They were sited not far from the Topsfield line upon some land left to Gould by his father Zaccheus...Although Edmund was not personally involved in the manufacture of iron, as a blacksmith he was deeply interested. It is a fact that the records show that Edmund was in debt to John Gould even before the establishment of the iron works. Court records are full of suits between the two men in which payments were ordered to be in bar iron. By November 1670, Bridges was in serious trouble and was sued for ‘not setting his hand to a bill of sale’. He was ordered to sign over the deed of his house and land in Topsfield, or to pay one hundred and fifty pounds to Gould. Since he did not have the money, he went to prison, losing eight acres of land, a dwelling house and a barn at the same time. However, Edmund, although down, was not out. He apparently realized enough from the sale of his property, and from the collection of other debts outstanding, to be able to buy a small piece of land near the waterfront in Salem. Here he built another house and a barn.” The family moved there. (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
1668; Sold house and 8 acres of land to Ensign John Gould, bounded on ne by land of Thomas Perkins Sr., e and w e by that of Jacob Towne, w and s by John Robinson and Edmund Towne. Deed not given until 1670 when Edmund Bridges had moved to that part of Salem, now Danvers, not far from the Topsfield line. His house there is said to have stood on the se side of Rea’s hill, so called. The building was later purchased by John A. Sears, father of Judge George B. Sears, and moved to his farm in Putnamville. (History of Topsfield)
November 1670; John Robinson bought a house and eighteen acres of land from John Gould for 40 pounds which had formerly belonged to Edmund Bridges (jr or sr?). (History of Topsfield)
“Edmund Bridges and a certain William Becket owned part of a wharf on the Salem waterfront. Edmund also procured a license to sell alcholic beverages.” “Sarah became involved with running the waterfront tavern while her husband carried on with his legal practice, often appearing in Salem quarterly courts as attorney, arbitrator and as a witness.” (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
1673; Petition got up by Robert Smith, John Ramsdell and he protesting reassignment of certain families from Topsfield to Rowley for tax purposes. (The Refiners Fire; Mormon Cosmology)
1678; “Edmund Bridges was involved in 1678 in a court case with a powerful Salem merchant, Mr. Edmund Batter... The character of Edmund Batter is described by Bernard Bailyn as “extraordinary in its brutality...” Edmund Bridges sued Batter for defamation of character for : “saying that (the said Bridges) was the leader of a factious company in Salem and that it was their design to overthrow all order and government in the town of Salem, and also for saying that the plaintiff was the caus of all trouble in Salem.” Bridges relations and some others came to his defense. Francis Nurse, a brother in law, and Isaac Cooke, deposed that in a public town meeting in the past spring, they had heard Batter make these charges. Jacob Towne, another brother in law, and John Hobb, testified that fifteen years earlier when Bridges had been a resident and voter in Topsfield, he had opposed those who did not have the right to vote by law. In other words, that Bridges was on the side of law and order. They also said that he had taken the required oath of fidelity twelve years earlier. Thomas Preston, a son in law of Rebecca and Francis Nurse and therefore another relative of Bridges, testified that he had heard Batter say that Edmund Bridges was the ringleader of the opposing company. He further deposed that, as he was generally at town meetings, he had never heard Bridges speak before he asked leave of the moderator. Bridges had told Preston that he wished to prevent disorder at the meetings.” The opposing side was a powerful group of elites, and the judges as well. The court ruled against Bridges and imposed a fine of two pounds, five shillings and eighpence to be paid to Batter.” (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
May 1679; Selectman consented that Edmund Bridges could sit the seat in the gallery of the meeting house vacated by Sargeant Lake. Sarah could sit in the next seat behind the woman’s pew, but of course, as female, was not allowed to speak. (Currents of Malice - Persis W. McMillen)
September 12, 1682; “the widow of Edmund Bridges and her children were ordered out of Topsfield by the constable, September 12, 1682. She was Sarah Town, daughter of William, and had probably returned to Topsfield after the death of her husband which had occured a few months earlier. She soon became the second wife of Peter Cloyse and was accused of witchcraft but was not executed.” (History of Topsfield) November 28, 1682; Inventory of estate by Francis Nurse, John How. (History of Framingham)

Edmund married Sarah Towne on 11 Jan 1659 in Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing) was born on 11 Jan 1638 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; died about 1703 in Framingham, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LZSS-S4L
• _UID: E44A26AE026643229E6B2ABE61BA483C5FD7
• Baptism: 3 Sep 1648, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts

Notes:

Salem Witch Trials notes: Accused in Apr 1692 during the Salem witch trials, she escaped conviction. Sarah's sister, Rebecca Nurse, 71, was accused of witchcraft by Abigail Williams on March 19, 1692. She was visited by a local delegation on March 21, and arrested the next day. Magistrates John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin examined Rebecca Nurse on March 24. March 27: Easter Sunday, which was not a special Sunday in the Puritan churches, saw Rev. Samuel Parris preaching on "dreadful witchcraft broke out here." He emphasized that the devil could not take the form of anyone innocent. Tituba, Sarah Osborne, Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey were in prison. During the sermon, Sarah Cloyce, likely thinking of her sister Rebecca Nurse, left the meetinghouse and slammed the door. On April 3, Sarah Cloyce defended her sister Rebecca against charges of witchcraft -- and found herself accused the next day On April 8, she and Elizabeth Proctor were named in warrants and arrested. On April 10, the Sunday meeting at Salem Village was interrupted with incidents identified as caused by the specter of Sarah Cloyce. On April 11, Sarah Cloyce and Elizabeth Proctor were examined by magistrates John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth, Isaac Addington (secretary of Massachusetts), Major Samuel Appleton, James Russell, and Samuel Sewall were also present, as was the Rev. Nicholas Noyes, who gave the prayer. Rev. Samuel Parris took notes. Sarah Cloyce was accused in testimony by John Indian, Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and Benjamin Gould. She shouted out that John Indian was a "grievous liar" and refused to confess. Among those who accused Sarah Cloyce was Mercy Lewis, whose paternal aunt Susanna Cloyce was Sarah's sister-in-law. Mercy Lewis took a less active role in accusing Sarah Cloyce than she did in accusing others including Sarah's sisterRebecca Nurse. That night, Sarah Cloyce, her sister Rebecca Nurse, Martha Corey, Dorcas Good, and John and Elizabeth Proctor were transferred to Boston prison. John Indian, Mary Walcott, and Abigail Williams claimed to be tormented by Sarah Cloyce even after her jailing. Mary Easty was arrested on April 21 and examined the next day. She was briefly set free in May but returned when the afflicted girls claimed to have seen her specter. A grand jury indicted Rebecca Nurse in early June; on June 30 the trial jury found her not guilty. The accusers and spectators protested loudly when that decision was announced. The court asked them to reconsider the verdict, and they found her guilty, discovering on reviewing the evidence that she had failed to answer one question put to her (perhaps because she was nearly deaf). She, too, was condemned to hang. Gov. Phips issued a reprieve but this was also met with protests and was rescinded. Rebecca Nurse was hanged, with Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin and Sarah Wildes, on July 19.
Mary Easty's case was heard in September, and she was found guilty on September 9. Together, Sarah Cloyce and Mary Easty petitioned the court for a "fayre and equall hearing" of evidence for them as well as against them. They argued that they had no opportunity to defend themselves and were not allowed any counsel, and that spectral evidence was not dependable. Mary Easty also added a second petition with a plea was focused more on others than herself: "I petition your honors not for my own life, for I know I must die, and my appointed time is set .... if it be possible, that no more blood be shed." But Mary's plea was not in time; she was hanged with Martha Corey (whose husband Giles Corey had been pressed to death on September 19), Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmott Redd, Margaret Scott and Samuel Wardwell on September 22. Rev. Nicholas Noyes officiated at this last execution in the Salem witch trials, saying after the execution, "What a sad thing it is to see eight firebrands of hell hanging there." In December, a brother of Sarah Cloyce helped pay the bond to release William Hobbs from jail. Charges against Sarah Cloyce were dismissed by a grand jury on January 3, 1693. Her husband Peter had to pay the prison for her fees before she could be released. Sarah and Peter Cloyce moved after her release, first to Marlborough and then to Sudbury, both in Massachusetts. In 1706, when Ann Putman Jr. publicly confessed in church her contrition for her part in the accusations (saying that Satan had put her up to it), she pointed to the three Towne sisters: "And particularly, as I was a chief instrument of accusing of Goodwife Nurse and her two sisters [including Sarah Cloyce], I desire to lie in the dust, and to be humbled for it, in that I was a cause, with others, of so sad a calamity to them and their families...." In 1711, an act of the legislature reversed the attainders on many who had been convicted, but since Sarah Cloyce's case was eventually dismissed, she was not included in that act. Sarah Cloyce was the key character in the 1985 American Playhouse dramatization of her story in "Three Sovereigns for Sarah," starring Vanessa Redgrave as Sarah Cloyce in 1702, seeking justice for herself and her sisters. - http://womenshistory.about.com/od/salempeople/a/Sarah-Cloyce.htm

The Cloyes were members of the Salem Village congregation of Rev. Parrish. Like the Nurse family, the Cloyes were also displeased with issues revolving around the Parris ministry and by 1692 were also "absenting" themselves from Sabbath. After Sarah's arrest, she was examined and refused to confess. She was fitted with hand and leg irons and placed in Salem jail with her sister Rebecka. Later she was removed to a Boston prison, and then with her sister Mary to Ispwich, and them back to Salem again. Two weeks after Rebecka's execution, a charge of 20 pounds sterling was presented by the blacksmith "for making fouer payer of iron ffetters and two payers of hand Cuffs and putting them on to ye legs and hands of Goodwife Cloys."
Sarah's grandneice Rebecca Townes testified against her, just as she had testified against her great aunt Mary, and an indictment followed. Her husband Peter was truly devoted and toiled diligently for her release. Danvers church records note his devotion to her that summer: "Brother Cloys hard to be found at home being often with his wife in Prison in Ipswich for Witchcraft." Peter did the only intelligent thing as the shadow of the hangman's rope drew near in the new round of trials of January 1693. He broke Sarah out of jail and fled south.
According to the book "Framingham Historical Reflections,"Clayes was imprisoned in Ipswich and smuggled out along with friends who had come to visit her ... conveyed by night to Framingham." Certainly Peter had been petitioning for a recognizance for his wife and it always possible they simply skipped bail. However they managed Sarah's escape, it was deep in New England winter when they made their way southwest to Framingham, then known as Danforth Plantation, and marked in old records of the times as "the wilderness." This is full 40 miles as the crow flies, but they did not undertake such an unlikely journey on speculation. They knew somehow they had a safe (albeit cold) haven waiting at Danforth Plantation in the wilderness. The only cross-country roads in 1693 were the early bridal paths that followed the old Indian trails. The only such path going southwest toward Framingham wasthe Old Connecticut Path. This wound its way from Watertown southwesterly through the wilderness lands until eventually reaching the shores of the Connecticut River near Hartford. Peter knew Old Connecticult Path, having grown up in Watertown. It was the main path southwest. In fact, it was the only path southwest. He had probably walked the eastern end extensively as a young man.The Cloyes would have carefully picked their way to Boston by night, avoiding encounters. It is unlikely they would have been unable to manage this portion of the trek without assistance from friends who helped smuggle Sarah out of Ipswich jail. For one thing, Sarah wasn't well. Having reached Boston safely, they would have gone west to Watertown and picked up the trailhead of the Old Connecticut Path. The Cloyes traveled this path southwesterly abuot 10 miles, entering the eastern side of the new town of Sudbury (now Wayland), following the lower contour of Reeve's Hill, well above the icy wet river meadows, and then crossing the frozen Cochituate Brook at the ancient wading place. Shortly thereafter they would have entered what is now the northeast corner of Framingham, crossing the Sudbury River at an ancient fordway, and then preceding southwest, a five-mile journey as the crow flies from Wayland.
Refuge at Danforth Plantation. It's a strange thing, but Danforth Plantation where the Cloyes sought asylum was owned by one of the early Judges at the Salem Witch Trials. Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth had sat on the early Tribunal. But he had left the tribunal n May, everal months before the hangings began, harboring a secret disgust and ill-ease with the proceedings. In fact, Judge Sewall, a prominent withc trial judge, wrote in his diary that Danforth had done much to put an end "to the troubles under which the country groaned in 1692."
It may also be that Danforth's departure from the tribunal in May might have to do with the fact that he was Deputy Governor under Governor Bradstreet, and the Governorship changed hands to Sir William Phips on May 14, 1692. He may simply no longer have had the position or authority to sit on the tribunal. Judging by his later actions, this may have been a disastrous loss for the accused. Danforth had acquired at least 16,000 acres of land in Colonial government grants between 1660 and 1662. This was originally known as Danforth Farm or Plantation, and later renamed Framingham. In a 1999 newspaper article, Herring is quoted as saying he believes that Danforth was the secret "guardian angel" who helped the Cloyes, and more than a dozen other escaping Salem area families who were "all related by blood or marriage," to fine refuge on his Plantation. Danforth subsequently turned over almost 800 acres to Salem families seeking asylum and safety, including the Towne, Nurse, Bridges, Easty and Cloyes families. The new settlement quickly became known as Salem End Road. They came fearing for their lives, seeking a safe haven, and found it on Danforth's Plantation, living in safety on his land as a reparation for their treatment in Salem. The Cloyes' escape and deliberate journey to the Plantation, the subsequent steady arrival of Salem Witch Trial refugees and the awaiting farmland, all smacks of a shadowy hand moving behind th scenes, and a loose network of helpful friends. In short, there are glimmers of a primitive "underground railway" in operation, quietly moving Towne sisters and related families out of Salem Village to a more hospitable locale.
Danforth had been on the Tribunal through May, long enough to have observed the character of all three Towne sisters. Records show that the three sisters repeatedly behaved with dignity, piety, firmness and good character to such an extent that the magistrates hesitated repeatedly with their cases. ... The minister of Topsfield vouched for both Mary and Sarah, but to no avail. Sarah wrote elegant appeals that were ignored. It seemed the fates were blindly determined that they should die regardless of the laws of man and god. Many were rightfully impressed with the Towne sisters and deeply distressed with the proceedings. Danforth seems to have been one of those and afterwards made it his business to take in and see to the welfare and reparations of the surviving Towne sister's families, starting with Sarah (Towne) Cloyes herself. Ironically, in Arthur Miller's play The crucibloe, Danforth was unflatteringly portrayed as a "Black-robed paragon of Puritan rectitude." However it was that the Danforth haven became known to those fleeing the accusations and executions, a large boulder on Salem End Road was said to be the official landmark that signaled escaping families that they were on the Plantation and safe at last.
A Cold Winter in the Rocks: It is unknown exactly where the Cloyes spent that first bitter winter in Danforth Plantation. But local legend has always claimed it w was in a network of small boulder caves in a steep cliff face (Witch Cliffs) on the Framingham-Ashland line. These caves have always been called Witch Caves. I have explored these caves twice; once in 2001 and more recently in 2007. One thing I can assure above anything else is that these caves are small, cold, drafty, and hard. Little improvement over the stone cell of Salem Town Prison. Of course, I am sure they would have blocked the holes tight with snow, stuffed the place full of leaves, made spruce-bough beds, built a lean-to of logs in front of the entrance, and made a door flap with birch bark. That's pretty much what any outdoorsman would do faced with such a situatoin. Add a fire under the lean-to, and it's a slight much better, and warmer, than you might expect. Peter Cloyes had been an Indian Fighter in the 1675-76 King Philip's war and lived in Wells, Maine, and was likely a rough and tumble woodsman of necessity. I don't think he would have have much trouble turning the caves into a snug burrow for the winter.
Sarah was hardly in good health when she escaped Ipswich. She was 50 years old, and had spent nine months in various jails routinely shackled in irons, in unheated quarters, subsiding only on what her family was able to provide her. She emerged from jail that cold winter night a sick and fragile woman. She was very lucky to have survived the ensuing winter in the caves. Having survived the winter in the caves, the spring of 1693 brought new hope and a new start for the Cloyes. Danforth gave them permission to build a house on his land and that year they constructed a new house for themselves on Plantation property. Herring comments on the location, "There was the Cowasock Brook nerby and a relatively friendly Indian village. Just across what must've been a trail then (now Salem End Road), there's an enormous glacial boulder you can see today that probably served as a good landmark. This boulder is the one that escaping families looked for. ... The initial trickle of refugees intensified to a migration, and by 1700 when Peter signed the township petition for Framingham, at least 50 people related to the Towne sisters had re-settled from the Salem Village area to the Salem End Road district, with more than 800 acres given away to them by Danforth. Among the new arrivals included the families of Sarah's two sons from her first marriage, Caleb and Benjamin, Benjamin arriving in the spring of 1693, with Caleb following shortly thereafter. Rebecca's youngest son Benjamin Nurse also relocated with his family in 1693, as did Mary's son John Easty and his family a few years later.
The Towne family was also represented early in the migration. Lt. John Towne and his son Israel Towne both relocated their families by 1698 and built on Danforth-gifted land. Lt. John, one of Framingham's original selectmen, was the son of the Towne sister's brother. Needless to say, grandneice Rebecca (Towne) Knight did not join them in Salem End Road. The Nurses changed the spelling of their name to Nourse to distance themselves from Salem, and if you examine Framingham's Old Burying ground, you will find many Towne, Nourse, Bridges, Easty, and Cloyes names represented throughout the years. (One Cloyes, John, was struct down by lightning in 1777.) The Townes did not saty long in the area, but the other "witch" names became part of the founding fabric and ongoing life of the town, and descendants still live there. The earliest existing grave marker left of the original emigres is that of Benjamin Bridges, who died in 1723. This marker, a rough field stone with the crudely cut epitaph, reads, "When he served his generation, by the will of God he fell asleep." ...
Three Sovereigns for Sarah: After the court of Oyer and Terminer was dissolved, and all the witchcraft cases cycled through by May of 1693, the processes of petitioning for compensation and overturning the earlier verdicts began. At the fore of this effort was Mary's husband, Isaac Easty. It took almost 20 years, but on October 17, 1710, the General Court passed an act that, "the several convictions, judgments, and attainders be, and hereby are, reversed, and delcared to be null and void." Further, on December 17, 1711, Governor Dudley issued a warrant awarding Isaac 20 pounds sterling in compensation for the injustice of the 1692 verdict against Mary. Mary's sister Sarah received 3 gold Sovereigns, each worth 1/4 of a pound. Sarah retrieved them herself, in her first and only return to Salem. - http://www.boudillion.com/witchcaves/witchcaves.htm:

"Sarah was the fourth child of William Towne and Joanna Blessing of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England and Topsfield, Massachusetts. She was their first born in New England, on January 11, 1638, in Salem, Massachusetts, and baptised there on September 3, 1648, along with some siblings. Later, the family moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts, where Sarah married, on January 11, 1659/60, Edmund Bridges, Jr., the son of Edmund Bridges and his wife, Elizabeth. Edmund was born about 1637. Sarah and Edmund had three children in Topsfield by 1667, then moved to Salem, Massachusetts, before 1669, where they had two more children, including Hannah. Edmund died about 1682 in Salem. After the death of Edmund, Sarah married Peter Cloyes of Salem Village, and apparently had 2 children, Benoni, baptised September 2, 1683, and Hepzibah, who married February 3, 1708, Ebenezer Harrington. In 1692, Sarah, along with her sisters Rebecca Nurse and Mary Esty, were accused in the Salem Witch trials. Rebecca and Mary were hanged, but Sarah, who had also been condemned, escaped from the jail in Ipswich. In the spring of 1693, members of the Towne, Bridges, Barton, Cloyes and Elliott families moved away from Salem, no doubt because of the witch trials, and settled in the new community of Framingham, Massachusetts, where Sarah died about 1703. Information for this biography from the privately published book, The Bartons, by Ray Barton Jr.; NEHGR, v. 84, 'The Bartons of Oxford, Massachusetts'; New England Marriages Prior to 1700, by Torrey; Genealogical Dictionary of New England, by Savage; Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts (1933), by Blodgett & Jewett, pg 42; the vital records of Ipswich, Topsfield, Salem and Framingham, Massachusetts." - Ken Smith (findagrave.com)

Other Events:

• _UID: B1601A69150A4ABAAA71183D79CDE1D22050
• Civil: Apr 1690, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; was made a Freeman

John married Elizabeth. was born in 1660 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; died in 1729 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _UID: 1EB98824662648FDA0EFE9D58E263D2ABC90

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• _FSFTID: MYJM-Y96
• _UID: B2556CDAAF8F4BF0BF2711C77DA9661E2EF7

Henry married Abigail Flint on 4 Mar 1689 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. Abigail (daughter of Thomas Flint and Hannah Moulton) was born on 27 Jun 1668 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; died on 28 Feb 1758 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

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• _FSFTID: 414L-XMN
• _UID: 5746C64969274EAA970F25398F7A4EE372F7