Samuel Danforth and Hannah Crosby of Billerica

SAMUEL DANFORTH 

Samuel Danforth is truly our first American ancestor, the first in this line of Danforths to have been born in the New World. His only ties with the mother country were stories told by family and that of the colony being ruled by some distant king.

Samuel Danforth was born 5 February 1666 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony during the reign of King Charles II. He was the seventh child and fourth son of Captain Jonathan Danforth and Elizabeth Poulter. However two of his brothers died one as infants and one as a young man. His older brother Ensign Jonathan Danforth and he were the only sons to carry the Danforth name from all of Captain Jonathan Danforth’s progeny.

Samuel Danforth grew to young manhood in the frontier village of Billerica where his father was a very prominent and wealthy citizen who had built a fine home. His uncles were well respected citizens of the colony also. One uncle Thomas Danforth was a magistrate and Deputy Governor of the colony and his uncle the Rev. Samuel Danforth was the pastor of the church at Roxbury.

Religion and education were very important to the Danforths and Samuel Danforth received training in both. Samuel Danforth as he grew he learned the trade of surveying from his father as well as learning husbandry.  

 CHILDHOOD and YOUTH

In his youth Samuel was raised around Native Americans, those known as the “praying Indians” as they had converted to Christianity. His father even had Indian servants in the home and one in particular would sleep across the threshold of his father’s home to ward off intruders. However when Samuel Danforth was a boy of nine an Indian War broke out as the Massachusetts tribes resented the loss of hunting grounds and the favorable treatment of “praying Indians” over other Native People.

The King Phillip’s Indian War broke out along the frontier settlements like Billerica and the townsmen  designated his father's home as one of the garrisons for neighboring families in case of an attack. The dreaded attack came however while the townspeople were attending church in April 1676 and it must have been exciting and frightening at the same for a ten year old boy. War whoops filled the Sabbath air and muskets went off as the Native Americans, attempted to burn the church down over the parishioner's heads.

Firing from the front of the meeting house and  from glass pane less windows, his father along with the other Puritan menfolk loaded powder and musket balls and fought from  over turned pew benches as frightened mothers comforted crying children all huddled in the center of the church . Hearing the church bell ringing frantically, militia men from the neighboring villages of Woburn and Chelmsford came to help and their combine efforts drove off the attackers without any loss of life among the Billerica settlers.

All through the conflict the Danforths steadfastly supported the “Praying Indians”, sometimes at their own peril. After the war, Samuel’s father even took in an orphaned 12 year old Warmeset Indian boy named Edward Warrick. Indians who had converted or interacted a lot with the Puritans often took on English names as did King Philip. Edward Warrick and Samuel Danforth may have even been boyhood playmates as they were about the same age and perhaps Edward even taught Samuel how to trap game and fish in the Native Americans fashion.

Billerica, with an untamed forest surrounding the town, was still considered “wilderness” where hostile Native Americans, predatory animals, and to the Puritan world view, “minions of the devil” lurked. Samuel Danforth would have stayed close to the village and the family’s farms. He would not have ventured far without a companion with him at all times. Whether Edward was Samuel’s companion or not,  as it was, Edward must have been close to the family as Samuel’s father recorded Edward’s death at the age of 22 in the town’s registry.

Growing up on a frontier, Samuel Danforth was aware that New England was in a perpetual state of anxiety not only from hostile Indians but also from the French to the north and the Dutch to the west both contested their borders with the English settlements. The Dutch question was settled when Great Britain defeated them and took control of the Colony of New Netherlands and renamed it New York. However the French and their Indian allies remained a threat to the English colonists for all of Samuel Danforth's life.

ADULTHOOD

King Charles II had ruled Great Britain from before Samuel Danforth was born and the “Merry Monarch” died on 6 February 1685, the day after Samuel’s 19th birthday. The new king of Great Britain was Charles’ brother James II formerly the Duke of York who held strong Catholic views. King James II ruled for less than 4 years when he was disposed by a protestant parliament in an usurpation known as the “Glorious Revolution”. His protestant sister Mary and her husband William Prince of Orange were chosen to rule as William and Mary as co-regents in 1689 the year Samuel’s mother died.

Samuel was a 23 year old grown man when his mother, Elizabeth Poulter Danforth died in 1689. His uncle John Poulter had died thirteen years earlier so the only remaining relative he had on his maternal side of the family, besides some cousins, was his aged grandmother Mary Pope who had been married to four men, John Poulter, John Aylett, John Parker, and Thomas Chamberlain. His grandfather John Poulter and John Aylett had died in Essex County, England. John Parker who had raised his mother died when he was an infant so Thomas Chamberlain was the only husband of his Grandmother that he ever knew.

At the start of William and Mary’s reign a war broke out between New France in Canada and New England. In 1690 New England devise a plan to capture New France and for once and all end the threat of the French and their Indian Allies. Known as the King William’s War, Samuel Danforth trained and drilled along with his older brother Ensign Jonathan Danforth in Billerica’s militia. The rank of an Ensign fell between a sergeant and a lieutenant. The Captain of the Billerica militia was their father Jonathan Danforth.

At the age of 24 years, Samuel Danforth accompanied his father and older brother Ensign Jonathan on a military expedition to capture Quebec the capital of New France. However the excursion to capture New France was a failure and the Danforths returned to Billerica in November 1690 when his father married the widow of Josiah Converse, Esther Champney. Esther Danforth became Samuel’s step mother for the next 23 years and the only grandmother  his children ever knew. Esther Danforth died in 1713 when Samuel was 47 years old.

After the failed expedition to capture New France, another Indian War broke out spurred on by the French. Little skirmishes and raids continued, but neither side could win any major victories. By the end of the year, the Abenakis Native Americans were tired enough to sign a treaty with the English, on November 29, 1691. After a short interval, the Abenakis broke their truce by raiding York, Maine, in February of 1692. The war, despite evidence to the contrary, was far from over. Samuel Danforth was a soldier again and fought in the indecisive Narrangasett Indian Wars of 1692. For his military service, Samuel Danforth was granted forty-six acres in Billlerica township.

Much of the actual fighting in these Indian wars was small-scale, hit-and run, more a matter of improvisation than of formal strategy and tactics by Indians and the New England Militia. Losses in any single encounter might be only a few, but they did add up. Occasionally the scale widened, and entire towns became targets.

Samuel’s youngest brother Nicholas Danforth died 8 March 1693 [1694] at the age 23 years. He was unmarried and the reason of his death at such a young age is unknown. He could have died from an accident where before the dates of antibiotics blood poisoning carried people away or it could have been a disease such as small pox which was known to have been in the area at the time. Whatever the reason for Nicholas death, it was now up to Samuel and his eldest brother Jonathan to marry and carry on the Danforth line.

At the age of 29 years Samuel Danforth, 10 months after the death of his brother, married Hannah [Anna] Crosby on 8 January 1694 [1695]. She was the 22 year old daughter of the wealthy church deacon and inn keeper Simon Crosby and his wife Rachel Bracket. His esteemed uncle Judge Thomas Danforth came to Billerica to perform the marriage.

INDIAN ATTACKS

1692 Zachary Shed, the son of Daniel Shed, was apparently killed by Indians, along with his wife and five children. The Billerica town history vividly recounts an even bloodier massacre three years later, on August 5, 1695, involving my ancestor, John Rogers, Jr., whose then-deceased wife was Daniel Shed’s daughter.

In the northerly part of the town, on the east side of Concord River, lived a number of families, who, though without garrisons and in a time of war, seemed to be under no apprehensions of danger. … The Indians came suddenly upon them in the day time. … [I]t was reported they were on horseback, and from that circumstance ‘were not suspected for Indians, till they surprised the house they came to.’ They entered the house of John Rogers, son of one of the early settlers, about noon, and while from the fatigues of the day he was enjoying repose upon his bed, they discharged one of their arrows, which entered his neck and pierced the jugular vein. Awakened with this sudden and unexpected attack, he started up, seized the arrow, which he forcibly withdrew, and expired with the instrument of death in his hand. A woman being in the chamber threw herself out of the window and, though severely wounded, effected her escape by concealing herself among some flags. A young woman was scalped and left for dead, but survived the painful operation and lived for many years afterwards. A son and daughter of Mr. Rogers were taken prisoners. The children of John Rogers who were taken captive were “Daniel, age 12, and his sister Mercy. At the home of Thomas Rogers, he and his oldest son were killed. The family of John Levistone suffered most severely. His mother-in-law and five young children were killed and his eldest daughter captured. … Fifteen persons were killed or taken at this surprise.

ROOTS of  THE CROSBY FAMILY

Hannah Crosby’s ancestral roots were primarily in Yorkshire, England centered around the village of Holm-on-Spalding Moor . The village is named for its location on a marsh called the Spalding Moor, dominated by a single hill. On this hill a small church was built in the 13th century and a village grew around the church. The village is about 20 miles from the city of York. Through the centuries, the main occupation of people in the village was growing and dressing hemp [cannabis] into rope.

The surname "Crosby" comes from the time when the Vikings known as “Danes” ruled Northern England. It means "the town of the Cross."

DNA results show the descent of the Crosby Family come from a knightly family that originated in Lancashire. A knight named Sir Odo de Crosby of Yorkshire, born circa 1390, had a son who was also a knight. His name was Sir Pierce Crosby of Alne Parish, Yorkshire. He was born circa 1415, and died 1476, in Lancashire during the War of Roses. Sir Pierce had a son named John Crosby of Styllyngfleyte [Stillingfleet].

As that people generally stayed in one location for generations either as land owners or tied to the land as tenants, the Crosbys were from this area for centuries. Stillingfleet is located about 6 miles south of the city of York and was an ancient village mentioned in King William’s Domesday in the 1087 registry. The village in 1377 had 120 poll-tax payers put that did not include tenants and serfs.

JOHN CROSBY (1440-1502) 

John Crosby was born circa 1440, and probably died in May 1502 as his will was written 20 April 1502 and proved 8 June 1502. John asked to be buried in the parish church choir of St. Helen.

The will of John Croseby of Styllyngfleyte, yeoman, dated 20 Apr. 1502.  To be buried in the choir of the parish church of Styllyngfleyte. To the church of Styllyngfleyte 10s [shillings] and to the church of Alne 5 shillings. For masses in the church of Styllyngfleyte £4. To the four orders of Brothers of York [monastery] 1 shilling. To my son John 6 shilling 5 d [pence]. To my son Richard ten sheep, two calves, and 20 shillings. To my daughters Emme [Emma] and Agnes 6 shillings 5 d each. To my son Robert 20 shillings. To my son Miles the remainder of all the years which I have in a house called Gyhowse lying in Flawath, with the appurtenances. To John Crosby, son of Robert Crosby, a house called Boyhowse lying in Flawath, [The parish of Alne is divided into five townships or villages of Aldwark, Flawith, Thorlthorpe, Tollerton, and Youlton] with appurtenances. All residue of goods to my sons William and Miles, they to be executors. Witness, John Myln, chaplain. Proved 8 June 1502 by William Crosby one of the executors named, power reserved for the other. It is possible that the John Croseby, yeoman, who became a freeman of the city of York in 1458 is the same man.

John Crosby was a substantial yeoman farmer of a religious nature as is proved by the large amount of money he left for masses to be said for his soul and the fact that his will directs he be buried in the choir of the church. The yeomanry were almost always buried in the churchyard, only the very wealthiest of that class and the clergy and gentry securing sepulture within the church itself; and interment in the choir or chancel was of special distinction.

The life of John Crosby was passed during the reigns of five kings and in his early manhood the civil wars of succession, commonly called the Wars of the Roses, raged intermittently for a quarter of a century. These wars nearly extinguished the ancient feudal nobility of England and gave rise to the Gentry, Yeoman, and Merchant classes.

MILES CROSBY (1482 after 1538)

Miles Crosby, named in the will of his father, was born circa 1483 at Stillingfeet in Yorkshire. He died after 1538 at Shipton, Yorkshire about 55 years old. By his father’s will Miles Crosby received the remainder of the term of the lease of a house called "Gyhowse," in Flawith in Alne Parish.

How many years he remained on this lease is unknown and as no further mention of Miles appears in Alne, he evidently moved from there to Shipton where a single mention of any Miles Crosby of his generation appeared in a muster-roll of 1538. Shipton was a parish north west of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor.

In 30th year of the reign of King Henry VIII (1538), a muster roll was ordered taken in Yorkshire of all able-bodied males between the ages of sixteen and sixty years. The lists are quite extensive of the names of the male residents of Yorkshire at that time. In the lists for Shipton appeared: “Archer, Miles Crosbe, a bowe”; “Archer, Thomas Crosbe, a bowe”; “Archer, Wylliam Crosbe, a bowe”.

It may be reasonably concluded that those names represent Miles Crosby and his two sons. No will of Miles Crosby can be found. It appears that his descendants through his son Thomas Crosby, for at least five successive generations, without exception adopted the custom of naming the eldest son in each generation for the child's grandfather.

THOMAS CROSBY (circa 1510-1559)

Thomas Crosby, the son of Miles, is first found on a record as an archer with a bow at Shipton in 1538. He was born about the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII and his life continued through the reigns of Edward VI and Mary, and extended into a few months of the reign of Elizabeth. During his life time there took place the rapid growth of Protestantism.

Thomas Crosby married, about 1542, Jannett Foster, widow of John Bell. The will of John Bell of Bursay in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, dated 7 Aug. 1537, names mother Jannett Bell, wife Jannett Bell, brother Thomas Bell, sisters Phillippa Thornton and Julia Wright, and sons John Bell and Thomas Bell. Residuary legatees and executors, wife Jannett and sons John and Thomas Bell. Witnesses, Thomas Savage, Christofer Spofforth, John Davie, John Millington. Proved by the widow Jannett, 3 Oct. 1537, the other executors being minors.

In 1544 Thomas Crosby was assessed 12 pence on goods valued at £6. Thomas Crosby employed one (William) Crake as an overseer for him of his goods in Morgan Inge, "the said Crake being a very poor man and had a small stocke."

According to various depositions, William Crake took the cottage at Thex about 1565; and it is evident that the Thomas Crosby above mentioned was this Thomas Crosby who was buried at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, 16 Mar. 1558/9. No will or administration on his estate can be found.

After the death of Thomas Crosby, his widow Jannett removed from the hamlet of Bursea in the parish of Holme on-Spalding-Moor into the adjoining township or manor of Gribthorpe in the parish of Bubwith.

Bubwith Church is picturesquely located on the east bank of the river Derwent, and is an ancient stone fabric dedicated to All Saints, consisting of chancel, nave, side aisles, and square embattled tower at the westerly end, the chancel being the most ancient part of the edifice and of the Early English period.

Jannett, the widow of Thomas Crosby, survived her husband about ten years, and, dying in 1569, She left a will, “In the name of God Amen, the fyft [fifth] day of November in the year of our Lord god a thousand five hundred the threescore and eight, [1568] I Janett Crosbye of Gripthorpe, of whole mind and fit memory make this my last will and testament in this world in form hereafter following: First I bequeath my soul to almighty god my creator and redeemer beseeching him most heartily to have mercy upon me, and my body to be buried within the Parish church yard of Bubwithe. Item I give to the very needy poor folks of this parish one meet rye to be divided amongs them. Item I give to John my son 3 youngest children one gymber sheringe. [yearling ewe] Item I give to Myles my son my lease and good will of my farmhold after my decease. Item I give to Katheren Millington one gymber sheringe. [yearling ewe] Item I give to Nicholas Crosbye my son one chest which was his fathers and my best brass pot, willing that he shall give to Anthony his brother use. Item I give to Myles my son one quarter wheat, wishing him to be good to his other brethren. Item I give to Rauf my son one yearling whye. Item I give to Rauf, Anthony, and Nicholas, my sons, half one Close at Harlthorpe called the Whyn Close, that is to say Nicholas to occupy the one half and Anthony and Rauf the other half during the term of the Lease. The rest of my goods not begat, my debts paid my body buried and this my last will fulfilled, \I give to Myles, Anthony, Rauf, and Nicholas my sons, whom I make my executors. These witness, Thomas Blansharde, John Gower, John Webster, Clarke, and John Willmson. Probated 9 May 1569 by Miles and Ralph, sons of the deceased, executors named in the will, power reserved for son Nicholas, co executor, when he shall demand it.

ANTHONY CROSBY (circa 1540-1600)

Anthony Crosby the son of Thomas and Jannett Crosby, was born at the very end of the reign of Henry VIII and his life was passed during the reigns of Edward VI (1547-53), Mary (1553-58), and Elizabeth (1558-1603).

When a youth, he removed with his mother from Bursea in Holme-on Spalding-Moor into the adjoining township or manor of Gribthorpe in the parish of Bubwith, where she secured the lease of a farm, and she also had a lease of Whyn Close in the adjoining manor of Harlthorpe.

By her will in 1568, Anthony was bequeathed an interest in Whyn Close in Harlthorpe, where he probably settled.

Anthony Crosby married, about 1570, Allison Blanchard the niece of John Blanchard. Her parentage has not been determined, but the will of John Blancharde of Bubwith, dated 20 Oct. 1571, mentions a wife but no children.

He gave small bequests to nearly a score of persons, and left all residue to "Thomas Blancherde and his brother John Blancherde, Elizabeth Blancherde, Janet Blancherde, Willm Howdell, Alison Crosbie, Robt.Thorpe, Agnes Thorpe, Alexander Elerthorpe, and Janet Elerthorpe". A John Blansherd was a witness to the will of Anthony Crosby in 1599. testator.

As the early registers of Bubwith and Wheldrake are lost, the records of baptisms of the children of Anthony and Alison Crosby are not to be found; and his will reveals but two children, Thomas Crosby and the wife of George Westobye.

Anthony Crosby was a yeoman, and evidently a man of energy and thrift, as he acquired means to become a land owner, in 1592 a hundred acre farm in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor.

“Final concord made in the Queens Court at Hartford Castle on the morrow of All Saints, 34 Elizabeth (2 Nov. 1592) between Anthony Crosby, plaintiff, and Thomas Lambert and his wife Jane, Francis Lambert, Philip Lambert, John Lambert, and George Lambert, deforciants, of one messuage, one toft (ruined building), one garden, sixty acres of arable land, thirty acres of meadow, ten acres of pasture, and commons rights in pasture for all beasts, with all appurtenances, in Holme in Spaldyngmore, of which by plea of covenant the said Thomas, Jane, Francis, Philip, John, and George recognize the aforesaid premises to be the right of said Anthony, and they remise, quit claim, and warrant for themselves and then- heirs to the said Anthony and his heirs against themselves and then- heirs forever. For which acknowledgement, quit claim, warranty, etc., the said Anthony gave the said Thomas,Jane, Francis, Philip, John, and George, £40 sterling.

In England the conveying of lands was by "fine." The process of exchanging title to land in the 16th Century consisted in the grantee (plaintiff) bringing a friendly lawsuit against the grantor (deforciant) for the premises to be conveyed. The deforciant acknowledged the right of the plaintiff to the premises, for a consideration, and the record of the suit was enrolled in court archives called "Feet of Fines," the fine being the court fees.

Besides the above-mentioned farm in Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Anthony Crosby also acquired a close called Leonard Scayles Close in Wheldrake (a parish about eight miles northwest of Holme), in which parish he was residing at the time of his death, in 1599. His will mentions a man servant and a maid-servant, so he evidently was a farmer in prosperous and comfortable circumstances.

In 1599 Anthony Crosby made a will I Anthony Crosby of Wheldrake in the diocese of York, sick of body yet of sound and perfect memory and understanding, the almighty god be therefore praised, do make my last will and testament in manner as followeth. Firstly I commend my soul unto the hands of almighty god who by his son Jesus Christ hath created and redeemed me, and my body to be buried in the Church or Churchyard of Wheldrake, as mine executors shall direct. Nextly I give and bequeath unto Thomas Crosby my son all and singular my lands whatsoever lying and being in Holme in Spaldingmore and in the liberties thereof, to him and his heirs for ever. Also I give unto the said Thomas my son 1 yoke of my best Oxen which he will chose and my base wane with yokes and teams to serve four oxen. Also I give to Alysonn Crosby my wife my close in Wheldrake called Leonard Scayles close for ever; also I give to the said Alysonn my wife two of my best kyne [cows].
Also I give to the said Thomas Crosby my son my young black mare, my bridle, and my saddle. Also I give to Luke Westobye, Willm Westobye, John Westobye, Thomas Westobye, and Richard Westobye, children of George Westobye of Wheldrake, Ten pounds to be in equal parts divided among them when they come to the full age of one and twenty years, or to be bound apprentices to some good trade or occupation so that mine executors may then be lawfully discharged and acquitted thereof. Also I give to Richard Jackson my servant twenty pence so by he be diligent and trustee to his service this year following, otherwise to succease. Also I give to Isabell Stevenson my maid servant twenty pence. Also I give to poor people of Wheldrake ten shillings to be distributed among them, after the discretion of Georg Houseman there curate and Robte Wynterburne. The rest of my goods and chattels unbequeathed I give to Alysonn Crosby my wife and Thomas Crosby my sonne, they discharging my debts and funeral expenses, whom I make executors of this my lasted will and testament. Witnesses hereof and at the sealing, John Blansherd, Robte. Winterburne, Richard Butler, George Howseman. Probated. 7 March 1599 [1600] by the executors.

THOMAS CROSBY (1575-1661)

Thomas the only surviving son of Anthony and Allison Crosby was born circa 1575 in the village of Bubwith in Yorkshire. After the death of his father he inherited a large estate at Holm-On-Spaulding Moor and married on 19 October 1600 Jane Sotheron.

She was baptized 4 March 1581 [1582] the daughter of William Sotheron and Constance Lambert.

Thomas Crosby was a gentleman of wealth for those days. He advanced a considerable sum of money for the first printing press to be brought and set up in America. The first printing press brought to America on the ship 'John of London'.

Thomas Crosby and his son Simon were influenced to move from England to New England by two ministers named Rev. Thomas Shepard and Rev. Ezekiel Rogers. Their Puritan faith and strong convictions had them leave their ancestral homes to brave the hardships and dangers of pioneer life in a wilderness.

Their son Simon arrived in Boston 1635 with congregants of Reverend Thomas Shepard. Thomas and Jane (Sotheron) Crosby, on 18 April 1638 sailed to America on the ship "John Of London" with a group of Reverend Ezekiel Rogers' followers.

They lived with the widow of their son Simon in Cambridge, Massachusetts until she remarried in 1645. About that time Thomas Crosby purchased a house in Cambridge. After a few years, however, he sold his holdings in Cambridge and the couple relocated, for the last time, to Rowley, Massachusetts.

He spent his last years in the home of his grandson Dr. Anthony Crosby of Rowley, and died there 6th May, 1661. Thomas Crosby lived to over 85 years of age. He was buried on 6 May 1661. Jane Sotheron Crosby died the following year and was also buried in Rowley on 2 May1662.

Thomas Crosby and Jane Sotheron had had 4 sons:

1. Anthony Crosby, who died in Holme in 1632, unmarried;

2. Thomas Crosby, who died at Holme in 1658, leaving two surviving daughters, and in his will names the 3 sons of his brother Simon; William, who died probably in England before 1640, and left a child, later of Rowley, Mass.;. Simon Crosby, who came to New England in 1635.

THE SOTHERON FAMILY

The name of Sotheron is one of considerable antiquity, dating back in the county of York to the time of Henry the Third and before that through a minor noble family the Barons de Mittons. The Lords of Mitton, descend from Ralph the Red de Mitton an illegitimate son of Lord Lacy. “The family of Mitton had lived in the West Riding of Yorkshire since the time of the Conquest in 1066. The de Mittons were of French Norman lineage. The de Mitton family begins with the family progenitor identified in 1102 as Radulphus le Rous or “Ralph the Red”. Charters and other evidence suggest he was an illegitimate son of Robert de Lacy by an unknown mistress. Robert de Lacy was the 2nd Lord of Bowland beginning in 1102 from King Henry l. Nearly 200 years of Barons de Mitton until the death of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln in 1310 without a male heir.

Supposedly it was the second son of Jordan Lord of Mitton, Ralph that grants the Manor of Mitton to the Thomas le Sotherons in circa 1314. The de Mittons cease to be the Lord of Mitton manor from that time. The name of Sotheron simply meant a Southener, and Thomas was a family member who came up from the southern part of England. Thomas le Sotheron was father of another Ralph surnamed Sotheron whose progeny carried the name Sotheron Lords of Mitton.

In 1316, that Thomas Sotheron, vel le Southern, was found Lord of Mitton conjointly with the heirs of Sir Henry de Percy. Thomas Sotheron was the son of Sir Robert le Southern, and the father of Sir John Sotheron, Lord of Mitton

 Sir John Southeran had a  son, Sir Christopher Sotheron, Lord of Mitton. Christopher Sotheron was the father of Sir Robert Sotheron, a knight. Robert Sotheron was the father of Sir Robert Sotheron, a knight of New Elvet, Durham.

Sir Robert Sotheron knight was believed to be the father of William Sotheron, born about 1440 and his family was one of the wealthiest families of the parish at Holme-on-Spaulding, County York, England.

WILLIAM and ALICE SOTHERON 

William Sotheron born circa about 1440, is the earliest member of the family of Jane Sotheron Crosby from whom a direct line can be traced for a continuous period of nearly three centuries. William Sotheron moved to Holme-On-Spalding Moor in Yorkshire and his progeny seem to have been the wealthiest family of the parish, except the Constables who were the lords and proprietors of the manor Holme-on-Spaulding Moor. He farmed extensive estates which they held by leases from the Manor of Holme. His descendants during the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries were substantial yeomen, farming extensive estates which they also held by leases from the manor of Holme until as early as 1585 they began to be also freehold owners of lands which they acquire by purchase from the Constable family.

William Sotheron lived during the time of the War of Roses and proably was pressed into service. He married however about 1467 a woman named Alice who survived him according to his will dated 2 Apr 1509 and proved 11 May 1509.

Children named in will of William Sotheron were: 

1. Agnes Sotheron born about 1468 and married circa 1490 Thomas Millington aka Tomlinson. This family for a century and a half are variously called Millington, Tomlinson, Millington alias Tomlinson, and Tomlinson alias Millington. Thomas Millington was born circa 1460 at Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, son of William Myllyngton. His will, dated 14 May 1508, was proved 12 July 1508. Their children were Agnes Millington alias Tomlinson; Elizabeth Millington alias Tomlinson; Robert Millington alias Tomlinson; John Millington alias Tomlinson; Richard Millington alias Tomlinson; and William Millington. Agnes was the grandmother of Jennett Millington the wife of Thomas Brigham,

2.  Robert Sotheron born circa 1470 and died 1524

3. John Sotheron,

4. Christopher Sotheron,

5. Sir Thomas Sotheron was a priest at Beverly Yorkshire who died 1551 His will, dated 28 July 1550 and proved 15 April 1551, mentions a large number of nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grand-nieces, named Sotheron, and Tomlinson,

6. William Sotheron who died 1517  He was a yeoman of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, where his will, dated 10 May 1517, was proved 26 June 1517 

ROBERT and ALICE SOTHERON 

Robert Sotheron the eldest son of William Sotheron and may have been named for a grandfather. He was born in Holme-on-Spalding Moor about 1470, and resided there until his death in 1524. He married Alice last name unknown,  He was a witness to the will of John Watson of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, dated 3 Aug. 1521; and was appointed a supervisor of the will, dated 18 February 1521/2 of Agnes Wright of Spawdyngton [Spaldington in Bubwith]. In a subsidy of 1523, Robert “Sothern” was assessed for goods of 60 shillings, paying a tax of 18 pence, the largest in the parish which indicated that he was a substantial and prosperous yeoman. He left a will and named the following children all of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor:
1. Thomas Sotheron circa 1495.
2. Beatrix Sotheron married Wright.
3.  Margaret Sotheron married Simpson possible widow of John Watson. 
4. John Sotheron circa 1500 husband of Phillipa.
5. William Sotheron resided in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, and was administrator of his brother Robert Sotheron’s estate, 24 Nov. 1562. 
6. Robert Sotheron circa 1505, was the principal legatee of the wills of his parents. In a rental roll of Holme Manor in 1528 he is listed for tenements in the Monks held of the Prior and Convent of Selby, and for his common rights pays 5 shillings yearly. He died in 1562, administration on his estate being given to his brother William Sotheron.

JOHN and PHILLIPPA SOTHERON

John Sotheron son of Robert and Alice Sotheron was born in Holme on-Spalding-Moor about 1500, is mentioned in a rental roll of Holme Manor of about 1535 as holding a messuage, a croft, an oxgang of land, three flatts, and two acres of meadow, paying yearly therefor 20shillings 2 pence. In a subsidy of 1544 “John Sothrone” was rated for goods of £6, his tax being 12 pence. He died late in 1547. He married circa 1538, Phillippa last name unknown but perhaps daughter of Ralph Wylly and Dorothy Hodgson. He was buried at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, 16 November 1562. The administration of his estate was given to his widow, Phillippa, 24 November 1562. During Easter Term [April May] 1573 “Philippa Tomlynson, widow” acquired from John Daddie and William Daddie a messuage and a cottage with land in Bugthorpe about 18 miles north of Holme-on-Spalding Moor. She remarried circa 1550, Wilfred Millington alias Tomlinson. He was the grandson of Agnes Sotheron.  Phillippa Sotheron-Tomlinson alias Millington died in 1585.

Children of John and Phillippa Sotheron all   born in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor

1. Margaret Sotheron died young

2. Jannett Sotheron died young

3. Allison Sotheron born circa 1543, married about 1561 to John Bell of Everingham, County York. He may be the son of John Bell and Jennett Foster and step son of Thomas Crosby

5. William Sotheron born circa 1545 Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire husband of Constance Lambert

WILLIAM SOTHERON and CONSTANCE LAMBERT

William Sotheron son of John and Phillippa Sotheron was born circa 1545 and died 1619 at Holme-On-Spaulding Moor. He was the the step son of Wilfred Millington alias Tomlinson. Being an only son of John Sotheron, he inherited an extensive estate and became the most prominent and the wealthiest resident of his native parish in his Generation,except for the Constable family, the lords of the manor.

 William Sotheron married Constance Lambert circa 1578, the daughter of William Lambert and Jane Calverde [Calvert]. Constance was christened 12 January 1560 [1561]  at Holme-On- Spaulding Moor. 

A feet of fine transaction [deed conveyance] from the Easter Term [April through June] 1581 showed that Constance's mother Jane Calverde was the daughter of William Calverde.  In England, the legal year is divided into four terms: Michaelmas term - from October to December, Hilary term - from January to April, Easter term - from April to May, and Trinity term - from June to July.

In the transaction it is stated that “William Lambert and Jane his wife, daughter and co-heir of William Calverde, and Marmaduke Lupton and Ann his wife, another daughter and co-heir of William Calverde” conveyed to “Christopher Copley, gentleman” their “moiety of a messuage with lands in Wadworthe [Wadworth], Tickhill, Stansall [Stancill], Wilsike [Wilsick], and Wellyngley [Wellingley].” A “moiety” means “each of two parts into which a thing is or can be divided”. As coheirs to their father’s estate Jane and Ann had a moiety interest in messuages located in the Parish of Tickhill in West Riding Yorkshire about 45 miles south from York and 38 miles south of Holme-On-Spalding Moor.

The term “messuage” is Middle Age term for a dwelling house and its adjacent buildings and the adjacent land used by the household. It is the same as a homelot that would contain a house, livestock barns, and enough land to maintain the livestock and a land for raising foodstuff and fodder.

William Calvert was christened 8 October 1533 in Raskelf, Yorkshire, the son of William Calvert and Alys [Alice] Crossland and grandson of Sir William Calvert of Darby, Yorkshire.  William Calvert [Calverde] died between 1577 and 1581. A land transaction from Hilary Term [January through March 1577 showed that William Calverde acquired from Henry Killingham, gentleman a “messuage” with lands in Newby. Newby is located near the Castle Skipton in West Riding District of Yorkshire. 

William Lambert during the Michaelmas Term [Octobert throught December] 1572 acquired a messuage from Edward and Susanna Snawsell in Holden [Howden] and “Holme in Spaldingmore”. The next year during Easter Term [April through June], Lambert acquired from Thomas Etherington, gentleman, an additional messuage at “Holme in Spaldingmore and Hoveden als. Howden.” These properties were leased out.

William Sotheron became the son in law of William Lambert about 1578 and both began to acquire property for rent in East Riding District Yorkshire. In 1582 during the Easter Term, William Lambert acquired land from Edward Thryston and Elena his wife in Hoton Cranswicke [Hutton Cranswick], a village about 19 miles north of Holme On Spalding Moor. 

In 1585, William Sotheron as well other Holme on Spalding Moor families benefited from the misfortunes of the Constable Family Lords of the Manor. In 1537, Sir Robert Constable, Knight, was executed for complicity in the Pilgrimage of Grace, an unsuccessful Catholic rebellion in the north of England against the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.  The Constable family estates, comprising some thirty-five manors, passed to the Crown by reason of treason. In 1563, however, Queen Elizabeth restored the ancestral estates to Sir Robert Constable, the grandson of the executed one and he and his two sons in 1585 sold lands in the manor to some of its tenants including the Sotheron, Lambert, Tomlinson alias Millington, and other Holme families who benefited from the misfortune of the Constable Family.

In the Michaelmas term 1585, William Sotheron, his father-in-law William Lambert, half siblings Christopher Tomlinson alias Millington, John Tomlinson alias Millington, Richard Barker, Robert Madson, Robert and Dorothy Mawburne, Henry Hayton, and William Hyndesley  were plaintiffs [grantees], against Robert Constable, Senior, Esquire, Robert Constable, Junior, gentleman, and wife Ann, and Francis Constable, gentleman, deforciants [grantors], on nine messuages with lands in HoIme-on-Spaldingmore. In old feet of fines records, the plaintiffs were ones acquiring the land, the grantees and the”deforciants” were the grantors

At this same time William Lambert acquired from John Snell and Matilda his wife “the moiety of a messuage with lands in Kyllome and Lowthroppe, in which Barbara Elwood, widow, has a life interest.”

William Lambert began to sell off some of his parcels of land in Michaelmas Term 1587. The Feet of Fines at this point begin to refer to Lambert as a “gentleman”. This was a term for wealthy commoners who owned enough land that they could live off the rents without working unlike Yeomen.

William Lambert, gentleman, and Jane his wife, Richard Harebread and Elizabeth his wife, Robert Whitworth and Ann his wife, and Jane Procter, widow  sold to Thomas Paver and Richard Skarlett, gentlemen 8 messsuages with lands in Selby, Thorpe, Hamleton, Loversall, Wodall [Woodall], and Clyff. William Lambert, gentleman, and Jane his wife and Richard Harebread and Elizabeth his wife sold to Thomas Prowdefote “Lands in Woodhall’.

William Lambert most likely died prior to 1592 when Anthony Crosby, father in law to Jane Sotheron, bought at Michaelmas Term a “messuage with lands in Holme in Spaldyngmore” from his sons Thomas Lambert, Francis Lambert, Phillip Lambert, John Lambert and George Lambert.

William Sotheran and John Sotheran [his son] at Michaelmas Term 1597 bought from Richard Horsman and his wife Barbara and Henry Millington alias Tomlinson and his wife Agnes, two messuages with lands in Holme in Spaldingmore.

In Trinity term,[June through July 1601, William Sotheron, bought from Richard Horsman and William Bedall, a messuage and a cottage with lands in “Holme in Spaldingmore”.

On 16 May 1607, Thomas Millington of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, County York, gentleman sued William Sotheran and the latter's son-in-law William Millington in regard to a bond and mortgage to John Sotheran, an infant, [minor] son and heir of said William Sotheran. Also in May 1616 Marmaduke Millington of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, gentleman sued William Sotheran and William Millington as to lands at Holme, formerly of his father, Thomas Millington.

William Sotheron died in 1619, circa 74 years old and he left a will.

In the name of God Amen the second day of December Anno Domini 1616 I William Sotheron of Holme in Spaldingmore sick in body but perfect of memory and of good Remembrance praised be god, do make constitute and ordained this my last will and Testament in manner and form following.   First I do give and bequeath my soul to god almighty, my maker, redeemer, and savior, by whose mercies I trust to be saved, and my body to be buried in the parish church or churchyard of Holme in Spaldingmore aforesaid. Item I do give unto the poor people of Holme in Spaldington eleven shillings to be distributed by the hands of John Millington and John Sotheron my son at my burial.         Item I do give unto the said poor people of Holme in Spaldingmore six shillings and 8 pence to be taken forth of the yearly rent of one cottage lying and being in the upend of Holme, now or late in the occupation of William Slingsbie, to be distributed by the heirs or assigns of the said Cottage to the aforesaid poor people yearly and every year so long as the world doth continue, always as upon all Saints day.   Item I do give unto my wife Constance Sotheron all my debts which is owing unto me whatsoever, whether they be upon specialty or other ways.   Item I do give unto said wife Constance Sotheron my house wherein I do now dwell with  all the houses and offices and buildings to the same belongings withal the grounds adjoining to the same now in mine own occupation, vizts my hemp garden, my hay house, and hay house and close, two closes called Playsterer closes, two parcels of grounds called the Springs, one cottage with a hemp garden adjoining to the same which was late the lands of Henry Millington, and three other Closes called Horseman Closses and one Close called Madson close with the appurtenances, for and during her natural life.  Item I do give unto Phillippa Sotheron my daughter one hundred marks of lawful English money to be paid unto her by my executor when as she cometh to the full age of twenty and one years or when as she shall be lawfully married, in the full satisfaction of her child's portion. Item. I do give unto John Dayles [Dales] twelve pence, in the full satisfaction of his wife's portion.  Item I do give unto Symond [Simon] Appleton twelve pence in the full satisfaction of his wife's portion.  Item I do give unto Mr. Millington twelve pence in the full satisfaction of his wife's portion. Item I do give unto Thomas Crosby the elder twelve pence in full satisfaction of his wife's portion. Item I do give unto Phillippa Dales ten schillings  Item I do give unto Robert Appleton ten shillings Item I do give unto Mary Appleton ten shillings  Item I do give unto Anthony Crosby ten shillings.  Item I do give unto Thomas Crosby the younger ten shillings.  Item I do give unto William Crosby ten shillings.  Item I do give unto Simond [Simon] Crosby ten shillings   Item I do give unto Peter Millington the son of William Millington ten shillings  Item I do give unto Phillippa Millington 10 shillings    Item I doe give unto Anne Millington ten shillings  Item I do give unto Marmaduke Millington the son of William Millington ten shillings    Item I do give unto Edward Madson my servant two shillings. Item I do give unto Williamm Wyllis [Willis] my servant two shillings.  Item I do give unto James Sotheron ten shillings  Item I do give unto John Sotheron the elder the house wherein he now dwelleth with the hemp garden adjoining to the same, for and during his natural life, yielding and paying for the same to my son John Sotheron his heirs or assigns yearly and every year the yearly rent of twenty six shillings and eight pence.  Item I do give unto my wife Constance Sotheron all my leases which is due unto me whether they be upon specialty or other ways. Thee residue of my goods which I have not given by will, my debts paid and my funeral expenses discharged, I do give it all unto Constance Sotheron my wife whom I do make my full and whole executor and executrix of this my last will and testament to dispose the same to the glory and praise of Almighty god amen: these being witnesses, Anthony Lambert and Marmaduke Hyde. Probated  12 October 1619, by Constance Sotheron, widow and executrix.

Constance Lambert, died at Holme-On- Spaulding Moor in 1623 at the age of 62 years and left a will.

In the name of God Amen this fourteenth Day of November and in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred twenty and two, I Constance Sotherone of Holme in Spaldingmore within the County of York, widow, sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance, praised be Almighty god, do make and ordained this my last will and testament, recalling all former wills, in manner and form following.  First I give and bequeath my Soul to almighty god my maker and to Jesus Christ in whom alone I put my whole confidence, my redeemer, and my body to be buried in the parish church or churchyard of Holme aforesaid. Item I give and bequeath to Mathew Sotherone one farm in the water end wherein [grandson]  John Sotheron lands hey now dwelleth, to him and his heirs for ever. [son] Item I give and bequeath unto Anne Dayles my daughter one house with appurtenances known by the name of Woodhouse, with the wood close, and one other little close thereto adjoining, during her natural life, paying unto Jane Sotheran and Isabell Sotheran, daughters of John Sotheran, the value of eleven shillings yearly. Provided always that she shall not cut down any of the greater timber. And after the death of Anne to come to Mathewe Sotheran and his heirs forever.  Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Appleton, son of Symon Appleton of Newbald, one house wth the appurtenances in the waterend now in the occupation of Robert Plaxten als Plasteer, paying unto Mary Appleton his said sister the sum of forty pounds. [grandchildren]  Item. I give and bequeath unto Phillippa Sotheran and her heirs forever, my youngest daughter,one house in the moor end with the appurtenances thereto belonging now in the tenure and occupation of Alice Barley.   Item I give unto Anthony Crosby, son of Thomas Crosby, the sum of ten pounds. [grandson] Item. I give unto Thomas Crosby, son of the said Thomas Crosby, ten pounds with all my plough geared coupes, waines, and all other implements unto the said things belonging as yoke and teams and such like things. [grandson] Item I give unto William Crosby, son of the said Thomas Crosby, the sum of five pounds. [grandson]  Item I give unto Symon Crosbie, the youngest son of the said Thomas, thirteen pounds six shillings eight pence. [grandson]  Item. I give unto Mary Appleton, daughter of Symon Apleton of Newbald, the sum of ten pounds. [granddaughter]  I give and bequeath unto John Dayles, son of John Dayles, the sum of six pounds thirteen shillings eight pence, and forty shillings to be paid yearly out of my lands at Holden during his life natural, and one Cow. [grandson] Item I give and bequeath unto Phillippa Dayles, daughter of the said John Dayles, six pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence, and forty shillings to be paid yearly to her out of my lands at Holden during her life natural, with one Cow. [granddaughter] Item I give and bequeath unto William Dayles, the youngest son of the said John Dayles, six pounds thirteen shillings eight pence, and one Cow. [grandson] Item I give to the poor of Holme afforesaid eleven shillings to be distributed at my burial. Item I give and bequeath unto the said William Dayles, son of the said John Dayles, the whole and entire sum of eleven shillings to be paid yearly to him during his natural life out of my lands of Holden by my son John Sotheran, and the remainder thereof to redound to himself. [grandson] Item I give and bequeath unto Phillippa Sotheran the rest of my goods ungiven and unbequeathed, and if the goods do not amount to the full satisfying of these my legacy already given, my will is that the said Phillippa Sotheran shall make them up and pay them out of the rent of Barley wife's house wherein now she dwelleth. And I do make the said Phillippa Sotheran my full and perfect executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set-to my hand and seal thisday and year above said. Sealed in the presence of us viz: John Laycocke, Anthony Lambert, Anthony Crosby. Probated  20 May 1623 by the executrix Phillippa Sotheran.

William Sotheron and Constance Lambert had the following children

1. Isabel Sotheron christened 1 February 1579 [1580] married 18 Nov 1598 Simon Appleton of Newbald Yorkshire

2. Jane Sotheron christened 4 March 1581 [1582] and died 2 May 1662 in Rowley Massachusetts Bay Colony. She married 19 Oct 1600 Thomas Crosby of Holme-on-Spaulding Moor

3. William Sotheron christened 27 September 1584; died circa 25 Nov 1584.

4. Elizabeth Sotheron born 1586; married 1603 William Millington [1576-1618] There may have been tension between this daughter and her husband whom William Sotheron on mentions as “Mr. Millington” and her mother made no provision for the grandchildren by this daughter

5. John Sotheron christened 8 Dec 1588. He left will dated 13 Dec 1652. As the only surviving son, he was the wealthiest resident of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor of his generation, His will, dated 13 Dec. 1652, left to eldest son Thomas £200; to son Mathew a farm bought of Robert and Thomas Millington; to son Philip annuities of £18; to sons-in-law Thomas Thackwray, Thomas Smith, and Richard Browne. Grandchild Thomas Sotheron to have all other lands in Holme, and to be residuary legatee and executor. Witnesses: T.Millington, Tho: Crosbie.*

6. Anne Sotheron born circa1592; married about 1613 John Dales [Dayles] of South Dalton, Yorkshire. He inherited certain copyhold lands there, which on 26 Aug. 1624 he sold to Bartholomew Steere; and at the same time said Steere gave bonds in £280 to Thomas and Anthony Crosby that before 25 June 1625 he would pay to them £140 to be turned over to Anne Dales, wife of said John Dales, in consideration of rights of dower in the premises. John Dales died about 1625, and Bartholomew Steere failed to pay to the Crosbys the £140 for the benefit of the widow Anne Dales, so the Crosbys sued him for the bonds in the Court of Kings Bench, and in 1628 Steere replied with a counter suit in chancery. Before these suits were finished, Bartholomew Steere died, and his estate was claimed by his nephew John Steere, and by his kinswoman the wife of Thomas  Greenberry. The latter secured appointment as administrator on the estate of Bartholomew Steere, and as such paid over to the Crosbys £20 worth of corn as part payment on account of the bonds, for which the Crosbys gave him a receipt. Later, John Steere succeeded in establishing his claim as heir to the premises, and, as he refused to pay the remaining £120 due, claiming the settlement made by Greenberry was in full, in 1631 he was sued in chancery by the Crosbys for the recovery of same. The decree on this case has not been found. 

7. Phillippa Sotheron born circa 1597 and married 29 Apr 1624 Rev. Peter Hammond of Harswell a village a few miles north of Holme-On Spalding Moor.

SIMON CROSBY and ANN BRIGHAM 

Hannah’s grandfather Simon Crosby like Samuel’s grandfather Nicholas Danforth was a Puritan followers of Rev. Thomas Shepard and emigrated from England about the same time as Nicholas did. Although the villages of Framlingham and Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor are nearly 180 miles apart they both had congregants of the charismatic Puritan minister Rev. Thomas Shepard.

Simon was born about 1609 the son of Thomas and Jane (Sotheron) Crosby of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire. He had a legacy from his grandfather William Sotheron and Grandmother Constance (Lambert) Sotheron

Simon Crosby married 21 April 1634 at Holme-on-Spalding Moor Anne Brigham born circa 1606 at Holme-on-Spalding Moor England the daughter of Thomas Brigham and Isabel Watson.

In the spring of 1635, a small party of Yorkshire adherents of Rev. Thomas Shepard, who had been preaching at Buttercrambe, a few miles north of Holme on Spalding Moor, decided to emigrate with him to New England. They joined a company of followers of Reverend Thomas Shepard who were leaving their English roots to establish a new home in America. They set sail on the "Susan and Ellen" from London on April 18, 1635. Among the passengers of the ship Susan and Ellen were: "Tho: Briggham (aged) 32 Symon Crosby, husbandman (aged) 26 Ann Crosby, uxor (aged) 25
Tho: Crosby child (aged) 8 weeks ". Thomas Brigham was the first cousin of Ann Brigham Crosby, the son of her uncle John Brigham.

Thus a year after they were married Simon Crosby and Ann Brigham with their infant son came to New England. They embarked from England in the ship "Susan and Ellen," and concluded the ten-week trans-Atlantic journey ended in Boston in July 1635.

The group settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts which had been established three years earlier by followers of Reverend Thomas Hooker who were now moving on to Connecticut. Having ample means, apparently through the generosity of his father, Simon purchased a homestead from William Spencer.

The couple settled in Newtowne [Cambridge], Massachusetts Bay Colony where the followers of Rev. Thomas Shepard settled. Simon Crosby attended church there with the widower Nicholas Danforth and his children.

In Newtowne Simon Crosby had several grants of land, and his home lot, later known as the "Brattle place," because it passed into the hands of Rev. William Brattle. Simon Crosby’s residence is now the corner of Brattle street and Brattle square in Cambridge.

He was active in the community affairs Simon held a number of public offices including selectman, constable and surveyor of highways. As early as 6 February 1636 he was a husbandman and was a proprietor in the settlement and he was admitted a freeman in that yea. He served as a selectman for the village in 1636 and 1638.

Simon Crosby's parents had emigrated from England and arrived in autumn of 1638. They were members of the company of Rev. Ezekiel Rogers. They were living with Simon Crosby’s family at the time of Simon’s death.

Simon died in Cambridge in September 1639, aged about 30 years and left a considerable estate. It is believed that Reverend Shephard probably conducted the funeral services. He left a young widow to care for three sons, the youngest less than a month old. These boys were sons Thomas Crosby born 26 February 1635 in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor,York County, England, Simon Crosby, Jr. born 6 August 1637 in Newtone [Cambridge], Middlesex Massachusetts and Joseph Crosby born 12 August 1639 also in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

Anne Brigham Crosby continued to raise her children in Cambridge for another six years with the help of her in-laws and then married Reverend William Thompson, a widower. about 1645. Ann and her children moved to Braintree, Massachusetts where her husband was minister. The couple had one child of their own, Anne Tompson.

Rev. William Tompson was born in Lancaster, England in 1597 and matriculated at Oxford, 28 Jan 1620, at the age of 21. He had been a preacher in Lancaster County before he came to New England in 1636. He brought with him his wife Abigail Collins and their children. He preached at York, Maine from 1637 to 1639. Later he was installed as preacher of the First Church of Braintree (now Quincy) Massachusetts in September 1639 near the time that Simon Crosby died. He was admitted a freeman 13 May 1640.

Prior to his marriage to Anne, Tompson was sent in 1642 on a mission to Virginia Colony, in company with Rev. Thomas Jones, of New Haven, Connecticut, and the Rev. John Knowles, of Watertown, Massachusetts. It appears that soon after they arrived, the House of Burgess of Virginia passed an act prohibiting the preaching of the doctrine of the Pilgrims, and ordered all non conforming preachers to leave the country. In consequence of this act, the ministers could only address Virginians in private houses primarily in Surrey County. The order was not carried out on account of he Indian massacre of April, 1643. Soon after this these ministers, with many other persons, returned to New England.

During Rev. Mr. Tompson's absence, his wife died, in January, 1643, leaving a family of young children, who, Governor Winthrop wrote:--"were scattered, but well disposed of, among his godly friends."

Tompson was a popular pastor of his church in Braintree and the family was well respected. Unfortunately by 1659 severe depression affected him to the degree that he could no long continue his duties as pastor. His condition was called by his contemporaries as melancholy. Cotton Matthews wrote of his condition he "

fell into the Devils bath." He gave up his public ministry and did not work for seven years prior to his death in 10 December 1666. His disability left his widow in difficult financial circumstances.
The Rev. William Tompson is spoken of by Governor Winthrop as a very gracious and sincere man.

The gravestone reads: Here Lyes Buried Ye / Body of Ye Reverend Mr William Tompson Ye First Pastor of Braintry who Deceased December Ye 10 1666 aetatis see 68 He was a Learned Solid Sound Divine Whos Name & Fame In Both Englands Did Shine.

 Ann Brigham Crosby Tompson died at Braintree 11 October 1675 as "Mistress Ann Thompson" age 69.

. BRIGHAM FAMILY

The Yorkshire village of Holme upon Spaulding Moor is the ancestral home of the Brigham Family. the village is about 10 miles from the River Homden and 25 miles from the North Sea, about halfway between York and Kingston upon Hull

THOMAS BRIGHAM, SENIOR

Thomas Brigham was born probably about 1475, is the earliest of the Brigham’s of Holme on Spalding Moor of whom record has been found. Thomas was a tenant farmer. He was born Roman Catholic but probably became Church of England adherent (Anglican) with the 1534 Act of Supremacy.

Thomas died in Holme upon Spaulding Moor, Yorkshire, England. No will or administration of his estate is preserved; and the name of his wife has not been learned. As Thomas Brigham Senior appears in the rental roll of the manor of Holme in 1528, as holding one toft [home], an orchard, a barn, a close [enclosure] named Leyre Pytts, half a bovate of land [amount pf land an ox could plow in a day] named Salvan Lands, and other property. He paid 14 shillings and 8 pence a year in rent. 

THOMAS BRIGHAM Junior and ELIZABETH ARMYTT

This Thomas Brigham of Holme upon Spalding Moor was born circa 1500. He appeared as "Thomas Brigham Junior" on the 1528 rental roll of the Manor of Home. Thomas  owned a cottage formerly in the tenure of William Armytts, his father in law on three butts of arable land in Tathom, a flatt of five acres of arable land above Rowley, and other property. He paid a yearly rent of 5 shillings, 8 pence. He was assessed in 1544 a tax 2 pence on goods he owned worth 20 shillings, most likely livestock and farm implements. He was buried at Holme on Spalding Moor, 6 Mar. 1559-60. No will can be found. He married about 1525, Elizabeth. She died in 1573, with the administration of her given to her son Henry Brigham, on 5 Dec., 1573.
Thomas Brigham lived at a time of Robert Aske of Doncaster's "Pilgrimage of Grace," a revolt against the dissolution of the monesteries in 1536. The rebellion against King Henry VIII consumed all of Yorkshire until its brutal suppression the following year. It can only be speculated how the uprising might have affected Thomas and his family. 
Thomas and Elizabeth Brigham's known Children were:
1.  Thomas Brigham born about 1525.
2.  Henry Brigham, of Holme on Spalding Moor and of Seaton. Administrator of his mother's estate  in 1573. He died in 1606, without issue. The will of Henry Brigham of Seaton is dated 30 June, 1606. To nephew (grand-nephew) Robert Brigham of Holme, a ewe and a lamb. To Henry Brigham, son of John Brigham of Holme, 3s. To the other three children of said nephew (grand—nephew) John Brigham, 2s each. To the two children of my nephew (grand-nephew) Thomas Brigham of Holme 2s each. To each of the five children of Edward Palmer. He married, 20 Sept., 1590, Elizabeth5 Brigham, grand-niece of the testator. Of Holme, 2s. To my nephew (grand-nephew) Richard Brigham, a cupboard, and. hail my farm during the life of my wife, and at her death, all to him, but if he die unmarried, remainder to Robert Brigham, brother of said. Richard. All residue to said Richard Brigham, sole executor. Witnesses: Thomas Milnehouse, Robert Clarke. Proved 2 Oct., 1606. 

THOMAS BRIGHAM and JENNET MILLINGTON ALIAS TOMLINSON

Thomas Brigham, the third of that name III was a Yeoman  farmer of Holme on Spaulding Moor in Yorkshire, England. He was born circa 1525 and  died in the prime of his life. He left a will dated 25 Oct., 1558. He may have still been of the Catholic faith as many northern Yorkshire men were as that he mentions "our lady Saint Mary" in his will. He was buried 6 February 1558/9  perhaps at the age of 34.

In dei noie Amen, the xxv day of October in year year of our lord god , I Thomas Brigham of Holme in Spaldingmore, seke [sick] of body but hole and pfit [perfect] of member [memory] doth make this my last will and testament as hereaff [hereafter]followith first I geve up my soull to god almyghtie to our lady saint mary and to all the celestial company of heven and my body to be buried w'in [within] ye church yeard of the said Holme. It.em I geve for tithe- [illegible]  Item. I geve to Janett my doughter a grett brasse  pott aff the decease of my wyf Jenett Brigham. Item. I geve to Thomas Brigham, Peter Brigham, "William Brigham, and Richard Brigham, my sons, a wayne coop, plowght, and all gear thereto belonging, aft the decease of my said wyf. The rest of all my goods not legatt or bequest, I geve to Janett Brigham my wyf whome I do make my executrix. These witnes, Robt Clialmes and John Myllygton. Proved 13 Apr., 1559, by the widow Jennet. 

Thomas Brigham married in circa 1545, Jennet Millington alias Tomlinson, the daughter of William and Barbara Millington, alias Tomlinson of Holme on Spalding Moor. She was also the granddaughter of Agnes Sotheron who had married circa 1490 Thomas Millington aka Tomlinson. This family for a century and a half are variously called Millington, Tomlinson, Millington alias Tomlinson, and Tomlinson alias Millington. This connection made her the descendant of William Sotheron. Jennet was pregnant when her husband died. She was buried at Holme On Spalding Moor 21 January  1587-8.  

Their known children were:

1. Thomas Brigham born circa 1547 married Gillian Trvelison.

2. Peter Brigham born circa 1550 and was buried buried 15 Oct., 1590. The Administration on his estate was granted  30 Oct., 1590, to his widow Everill Hessye. Peter married 12 November 1586, Everll Hessye, who was buried 15 December, 1591. Her will was dated 14 December 1591, and she left her estate to her relatives. They had no children.

3. William Brigham was born circa 1553 and buried 1 February 1590/1. He married about 1576 Annas (or Agnes) , who was buried 10 February 1590/1 and probably died of the same illness as her husband. They had John Brigham baptized 24 March 1576/ and  buried 7 October 1580, Robert Brigham, baptized 14 Apr., 1578, died young. Thomas Brigham, baptized 14 May, 1581, and buried. 29 May, 1587 and  Elizabeth, Brigham baptisted 19 Sept.ember 1589, and died young.

4. Jennett Brigham born circa 1555.

5. Richard Brigham born circa 1557 and died circa 1600. He married on 28 May, 1581, Alison Burley, who was buried 21 March., 1586/7. He later married on 10 June, 1589, Elizabeth Wright, who died with the first year of their marriage. She was buried. 30 January., 1589-90. He married for the third time 14 November 1591, Margaret Wilsh. The Children by third wife were Elizabeth Brigham baptized July, 1593 and Thomas  Brigham, baptized 1 August 1594.

6. Francis Brigham was born posthumous of his father circa 1559, He is mentioned in the will of his cousin Peter Tomlinson, alias Millington, of Home on Spalding Moor, dated 21 Dec., 1584, which left bequests to Thomas Brigham and Francis Brigham, "sonnes of Thomas Brigham", my uncle.  He evidently died unmarried.

THOMAS BRIGHAM and GILLIAN TRVELINSON

Thomas was the only known son of Thomas and Jennette Millington/Tomlinson to have left posterity from Thomas and Elizabeth Armytts. He was also a Yeoman farmer and cloth worker  in Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, England. This Thomas Brigham was the fourth of that name. He was born circa 1547 and is  mentioned in the will of his father dated 25 Oct., 1558, previously given; also was given a bequest in the will of his cousin Peter Tomlinson alias Millington, dated 21 Dec. 1584. He married about 1571, Gillian thought to be Trvelinson, the daughter of the widow Barbara Millington Alias Tomlinson by her second marriage. She survived him as on 3 May, 1587, administration on his estate was given to his widow Gillian. He was buried 8 November 1586 probably at or before the age of 40.  In his burial record he was called a "webster" which was an operator of looms or a weaver. 
 Their known children were:

1.  Elizabeth Brigham born circa 1572 and married  20 September 1590, Edward Palmer, of Holme on Spalding Moor. They had at least five children who were given bequests by the will of their great-grand uncle, Henry3 Brigham, of Seaton, dated 30 June, 1606,  

2. John Brigham married Constance Watson 30 Sep 1599 in Holme on Spalding Moor. Their son Thomas Brigham (1603-1653) accompanied his cousin Anne (Brigham) Crosby, wife of Simon Crosby, to New England in the ship Susan and Ellen in April 1635. Thomas Brigham lived in Cambridge, Mass.On account of the loss of the registers between 1601 and 1628 the baptismal record of only the eldest child of John is preserved, but in the will in 1640 of Robert Brigham, the brother of John, there are named six children of John, viz., William Brigham, John Brigham, Robert Brigham, Gillian Brigham, Margaret Brigham  and Phillippa Brigham  all "now in this land." Undoubtedly this phrase signifies there were other children not then in England, evidently referring to the emigrants Thomas and Sebastian Brigham who were across the seas in company with Simon and Ann Crosby, Ann the wife of Simon Crosby being their own-cousin and a daughter of Thomas Brigham, a brother of John and Robert. Thomas Brigham, the Puritan, who was born circa1603.son of John, and named for his grand-father. He is evidently one of the "other three children" of John Brigham given bequests in the will of their great-grand-uncle Henry Brigham of Seaton in 1606.

3. Thomas Brigham baptized 21 May, 1575 married Isabel Watson widow of Richard Ellithorpe. His two daughters Ann Crosby and Constance Crosby immigrated to New England. 
4. William Brigham baptized 17 June, 1578 and buried 17 August 1578.
5. Richard Brigham baptized 16 August 1579. He was the chief legatee of the will  of his great-uncle, Henry  Brigham, of Seaton, dated 30 June, 1606. He died circa 1627. His nuncupative [oral] will left all his estate to his wife, she to be sole executrix. The will was proved by the widow, 4 May, 1627. As this instrument names no children and the Holme registers from 1601 to 1628 are lost, the  names of not all his children are known. He married after  1606, Anne.  She  married later  3 Dec. 1627, William Madson.  Child Thomas Brigham born circa 1610 was given a hat in the will of his uncle Robert Brigham, dated 5 Sept., 1640. The will also gave a lamb to Marmaduke", son of this Thomas Brigham.  He also had a son Richards, baptized 21 Sept., 1638.
6. Robert Brigham was, baptized 20 May, 1582 and lived in Holme on Spalding Moor, where he was buried 8 September 1640. He seems to have had more business ability than his brothers, and acquired a considerable estate. He was assessed 5 shillings on goods worth £3 in a subsidy tax in 1609 and in the Tax subsidy of 1628, he was taxed 8 shillings on goods valued at £3.  He was a legatee in the will of his great-uncle Henrys Brigham, of Seaton, dated 30 June, 1606. In a chancery suit of Thomas Mawburne vs. Francis Bacon, on 13 Apr., 1625, "Robert Brigham of Holme on Spaldingmore, co. York, aged forty-two years, deposed he married the mother of complainant, etc.; and his wife, Dorothy Brigham, aged fifty-four years, deposes she was formerly wife of Robert Mawburne and is mother of William and  Thomas Mawburne, etc." Robert Brigham married at St. Margaret's, in York, February 1607, Dorothy Mawburne, the widow of Robert Mawburne. She was born 1570 and was twelve years the senior of Robert Brigham, but brought him a large estate. Robert Brigham died at the beginning of the English Civil War. What is sentiments were unknown but he bequeath to his nephew William Brigham who was "in the service of his majesty", which indicated a Royalist position. The will of Robert Brigham. In the name of God  Amen I Robert Brigham of Holme on Spaldingmoore in the County of York, Yeoman, beinge sicke in body but in good & pfect memory (praised be God) doe make this my last Will & testamt in manner & forme followinge, ffirst I give and Bequeath my soule into the hands of Allmightie God my maker, hopeinge and assureinge my selfe of salvacon in & throughe the merits of his son Jesus Christ, & my body to be buried in Holme Church yard or where the Lord shall direct. Item I give and bequeath unto my Son in law Barnard Awmond  [Hammond] my browne mare. Item I give unto Wm Carver of Cliffe twenty shillings. Item I give & bequeathe unto Wm Brigham, Son of Constance Brigham, the some of eight pounds, provided that if the sayd Wm Brigham shall die in His Majesty’s present service, then my Will is that the forsayd eight pounds shall be equally divided betweene his three brethren & three Sisters now in this land. Item I give unto Henry Brigham, brother of the sayd Wm, tenn shillings. It I give unto John Brigham, another brother of the sayd Wm, the some of tenn shillings. Item I give and iequciithc unto Gillian, ]Marg,irett, ;im(1 Phillip Brig- ham, daughters of the foresayd Custance Brigham, every one of them ffyve shillings. Item I give unto Emm Brigham, daughter to my Sister Custance her son, ffyve shillings. Item I give to Tho. Brigham, son to my brother Richard Brigham, my best hatt. Item I give to Marmaduke Brig- liam. Son to Tho. Brigliam, one ewe and a lambc. Item I give to Robert Brigham, son of Custance Brigham, all the rest of my apparrell undisposed of. Item I give unto Sebastian  Ellithrope two shillings. It I give unto my servant Wm Rindley ffive shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto the poore people of Holmo afsd [aforesaid] the some  [sum]of  tenn pounds to continue for their use forever, the same to be disposed of for the best advantage for the poor by the Minister & Churchwardens still for the tyme beinge, or as they shall be renued. Item my Will and pleasure is that my beloved wife Dorothe Brigham shall have that share of my p sonal estate, wch the law shall conferr uppon her, made worth one hundred pounds, provided that she p cure her son Tho. Mawburne to join in passing the estate of the lands sold by me to Thomas Crosby of Holme Aforesayd, otherwise she to have but her share and noe more. Item I give and bequeath unto Wm Mawburne, Son of Thomas Mawburne my Son in Law [stepson], the some of twenty pounds,  provided that the aforesaid Thomas Mawburne shall joyne in passing a sufficient estate of the before mentioned lands & premisses to the use of the sayd Thomas Crosby & his heirs forever, otherwise the aforesaid bequest to be voyd. Item  my Will is that all such sums of money as are mentioned in this my last Will & Testamt be paid by my Executors within twelve months after my decease. Item my Will is that after my debts payd and funerall expences discharged (I hereby revoakinge all other former Wills), that my daughter Prudence Awmond, [Hammond] wife of Barnard Awmond, and Anne Brigham my daughter shall be Executors of this my last Will & Testamt. In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my marke the ffift day of September 1640.  Robert Brighams  X his marke.  Witnesses hereof W. Bradford — Tho. Crosbie  Proved 12th February, 1640-1. Children of Robert Brigham were Prudence Brigham married 14 November 1637, Barnard Hammond (or Awmond) and Anne Brigham. 

THOMAS BRIGHAM and ISABEL WATSON

Thomas Brigham was baptized 21 May 1576 in Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, East Riding Yorkshire, England. His parents were Thomas Brigham and and Gillian Twelison (Tryelinson, Trevlin, Twelson, or Tryelinson)  He married the widow Isabel Watson Ellithorpe  4 Feb 1600/01 in Holme On Spaulding Moor, Yorkshire, England. Isabel Watson was baptised 21 February 1560 / 61 in Holme On Spaulding Moor, Yorkshire, England. Her parents were James Watson and Margaret.  She is mentioned in the will of her father, James Watson, dated 10 July, 1615 and  proved 31 May, 1616, as "daughter Isabel, wife of Thoa. Brigham." Isabel’s grandparents were James [or John] Watson and Margaret Sothern of the Sotheron family.  Margaret Sotheron is believed to be the daughter of Robert Sothern son of William and Alice Sotheron.

Isabel first married a widower Richard Ellithorpe 27 Oct 1582 in Holme-On Spaulding-Moor, Yorkshire, England. Richard Ellithorpe was born 1560 in Holme On Spaulding Moor, Yorkshire, England. Richard died 1597 in Holme On Spalding Moor, Yorkshire, England. His will, dated 10 Sept., 1597, proved 8 Dec, 1597, mentions wife Isabel, sons William, Thomas, and Christopher, and daughters Frances and Mary. His eldest child, Alison Ellithorpe, was baptized 8 July, 1584 and died an infant. Isabel grandson John Elithorpe, born 1601 or 1605 in Holme-On-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire, emigrated from England to New England. He died April 1654 in Rowley Essex Massachusetts.

When Thomas Brigham and Isabel were married he was 25 and she was 39. She must have been a wealthy widow and would explain why she only had two children born when she was 40 and 44. Thomas was buried 19 Mar 1632/3 in Holme On Spaulding Moor, Yorkshire, England. On 19 Mar., 1632/3, the administration on the estate of Thomas Brigham of Holme in Spaldingmore, deceased, was given to his daughters)Anna Brigham and Constance Brigham "alias Crosby". The fact that this administration was given to daughters is evidence that Thomas'' Brigham left no son.

Isabel  widow of Thomas' Brigham, was buried 25 June, 1634, and left the following will: June the Eight day Anno dio 1634. In the name of God Amen. I Issabell Brigam of Holme in Spaldingmoore in the County of Yorke widdow sickc and weake in body but of good and perfect remembrance thankes be given to almighty God whoe hath made me and all the world, and my body to be buried within the parrish Church or Church yeard of Holme in Spaldingmore. Imprimis I give to the poore Thirteene shillings fower [four] pence. Item I give my bedd with the furniture thereof to William Ellethorpe my eldest sonne. Item I give to my sonne Thomas which is in his owne hand six pounds. Item I give to Christopher Elithorpe my sonne Five shillings. Item I give to Frances Stables Five shillings and my Cloake. Item I give to Constance Crosby my daughter Five shillings. Item I give to Anne Crosby my daughter Five shillings. Item I give to my sister [sister in law] Constance Brigm my best gowne and my petticoat. Item I give to Richard Ellethropp my grand childe Forty shillings. Debts oweinge to the sicke party. Imprimis of Thomas Bradley of Holme in Spaldingmore six pounds. Item Robert Miillington senior Fower pounds. Item Francis Williams Two pounds. Item Christopher Ellethorp my sonne Two pounds. And for confirmation here- of I ordaine Constitute and appoint William Ellethorpe my sonne full Executor of this my last- will and Testament (all other wills formerly made being recalled backe again). My debtes being paid and my funerall charges being paid. Witnesses here- of, George Atkinson, Johannes Tennante, Anne Dayles. Proved 2 Oct., 1634, by William Ellethorpe, son of deceased, executor named in the will.

Known Children

1. Constance Brigham  born circa  was an administratrix of the estate of her father in 1632. She married 22 Jul 1622 in Holme-on-Spaulding-Moor, Robert Crosby who was Simon Crosby's second cousin descended from Thomas Crosby and Jennett Foster.  As a widow she came to America and settled in Rowley near her cousin Sebastian Brigham. Robert Crosby was baptized  30 Oct., 1596, and died circa 1640.She came to New England a widow, with her surviving children  three daughters. She was granted a houselot at Rowley, before 1643, and was buried  there 25 January 1683/4 age circa 81 years. Children John Crosby baptized 25 January  1623/4, d. young, Jane Crosby baptized 22 April 1627, wife of John Pickard; Mary Crosby, baptized 4 Dec, 1629, wife of  Richard Longhorne,  Robert Crosby, baptized 22 July, 1632, d. young. Hannah Crosby, baptized 31 October 1634, wife of  John Johnson.

2. Ann Brigham was born circa 1606 was an administratrix of her father will in 1632. She married at Holme on Spalding Moor, 21 April 1634, Simon Crosby, youngest son of Thomas and Jane (Sotheron) Crosby. They came to New England with her cousin Thomas Brigham in the ship Susan and Ellen in the spring of 1635 and settled at Newtowne [Cambridge]. She was widowed in 1639 and married in 1645, Rev. William Tompson of Braintree,  where she died 11 October 1675, aged sixty-nine years according to her gravestone. 

MARRIAGE and FAMILY

Hannah Crosby was also a first generation American. Her father's ancestral home was at Holme-Upon-Spalding-Moor in Yorkshire, England and her mother’s ancestral home was at Sudbury in Suffolk not far from where the Danforth’s ancestral home was located in Framlingham.

Samuel Danforth and Hannah Crosby's home lot was located near the Old Corner burying ground in the north center part of Billerica. Here Hannah Danforth bore her husband two sons, and five daughters, all who grew to maturity and raised families of their own.

Their first child was a daughter named Elizabeth Danforth who was born 3 November 1695. Their second daughter was named Hannah born 20 August 1698.  A son followed that was named for his father. Samuel Danforth was born 15 May 1701. A daughter Lydia Danforth was born 26 Mar 1706 when Samuel was 40 years old. Abigail Danforth born 19 Aug 1709 was Samuel and Hannah's youngest daughter and their youngest son was Jonathan Danforth born 11 January 1712/3.  Samuel Danforth was 46 and Hannah Crosby was 41 when their last child was born. There is a general 3 year gap been the birth of Hannah's children except between Samuel and Lydia. There is a nearly 5 year gap which may be explained that Samuel Danforth was in the militia during the Queen Anne's War.

QUEEN ANNE'S WAR

The Queen Anne War involved New England battling with French and Native American forces based in Acadia and Canada. The French and the Indian Confederacy sought to thwart New England’s expansion into French Acadia, whose border New France defined as the Kennebec River in southern Maine. Toward this end, they executed raids against targets in Massachusetts most famously raiding Deerfield in 1704.

During this period hundreds of New Englanders were killed or captured. Lancaster and Haverhill, Massachusetts; Salmon Falls and Oyster River, New Hampshire; York and Wells, Maine: Each suffered days of wholesale attack. And Deerfield, Massachusetts—above all, Deerfield—scene of the region’s single, most notorious “massacre.”

On Samuel Danforth’s fathers 76th birthday in 1704 French and Native American Pocumtucs forces attacked the English frontier settlement at Deerfield, Massachusetts on a wintry dawn. Catching the town off guard the French and Indians burned part of the town, killed 47 villagers, and took 112 settlers captive to Canada, of whom only 60 were later redeemed, the rest killed along the way including Hephzibah Buell a grandmother of the wife of Samuel Danforth’s grandson Jonathan Danforth of Hardwick.

While Deerfield was 90 miles to the west of Billerica, the raid shocked New England colonists, further antagonized relations with the French and their Native American allies, and led to more community war preparedness in frontier settlements. On the 3 November, 1704, the sum of £,24 was ordered by the General Court to be paid Jonathan Tyng, Esq., of Dunstable for building four block houses on the Merrimack River to guard the northern communities of Billerica, Chelmsford, and Dunstable."

On 11 June 1705, the townsmen of Billerica decided to divide some of the vacant smaller parcels of common land to a group of proprietors of who Samuel Danforth was one. He was able to add five more acres to his lot in this manner. He may have been rewarded for his military service or simply because he was a leading citizen in the community as was his father Captain Jonathan Danforth.

In 26 June 1705 Samuel Whiting of Dunstable, a son of the Rev Samuel Whiting of Billerica was captured in a skirmish with the Indians and in spite of wounds he was able to escape his captivity in Canada and return to Massachusetts.

The following year, following year Indians attacked Dunstable a community only 18 miles northwest of Billerica. Dunstable was settled primarily from families with ties to Billerica including the Whitings and Blanchards. Rachel Brackett Crosby’s eldest sister Hannah Brackett had relocated to Dunstable with her second husband John Blanchard.

On the evening of 3 July, 1706, a party of 270 Mohawk Indian warriors suddenly assaulted a garrison house in Dunstable in which Capt. Pearson, of Rowley, and twenty of his "troopers," were posted. The company was taken by surprise, for the door had been left open and no watch appointed.

The owner of garrison home, John Curnmings and his wife had gone out at the close of the day for milking, when the Indians shot Mrs. Curnmings dead, wounded her husband and took him captive. The Mohawks rushed the house, where they were amazed to find it filled with soldiers, and the soldiers were astonished to see themselves suddenly in the presence of the savages. After a bloody fight, during which several of Capt. Pearson's men were either killed or wounded, the warriors attacked and burned the house of Daniel Galusha, where one woman was killed, and another made her escape from the flames by loosening the stones around a small window, pressing herself through it, and concealing herself in the underbrush until the enemy had left to attack the garrison house of Nathaniel Blanchard.

Nathaniel Blanchard was the nephew of Rachel Brackett Crosby and cousin of Hannah Crosby Danforth. A party of these Indians on entered the garrison house of Nathaniel Blanchard, and murdered him, his wife Lydia, their daughter Susannah, and also Rachel Crosby’s sister Mrs. Hannah Blanchard.

The town registry of Dunstable recorded: "Nathaniel Blanchard dyed on July the 3rd at night, 1706. Lydia Blanchard, wife of Nathaniel Blanchard, and Susannah Blanchard, daughter of Nath'l Blanchard, dyed on July 3rd at night in the year 1706. Mrs. Hannah Blanchard dyed on July the 3rd at night in the year 1706. Goody Cummings, the wife of John Cummings, dyed on July the 3rd at night. Rachael Galusha died on July the 3d, 1706."

The murder of Rachel’s sister and her nephew’s family indicates how precarious life was in the northern communities of Massachusetts even after 50 years of settlement.

THE DUMMER WAR

The Queen Anne’s War lasted ten years and ended in 1713 and until the next outbreak of hostilities called the Dummer War (1722–1727), the town of Billerica was quiet and the Danforth Family continued to prosper, marry and have children.

By trade Samuel Danforth was a surveyor and on 20 February 1720, the town of Boston hired Samuel Danforth to survey and lay out a thousand acre tract of land near the community of Havenhill. This land had been granted to Boston by the Massachusetts Colony to be used in support of the Free School in Boston.

Indian hostilities broke out again in 1722 with a series of battles between New England and the Wabanaki Confederacy who were allied with the French of Arcadia. This conflict was known as the Dummer War for Governor William Dummer of Massachusetts.

The western front of the conflict was fought in northern Massachusetts and Vermont at the border between New France and New England. The western theatre of the war has also been referred to as "Grey Lock's War" after the chieftain who raided the communities of Northfield, Massachusetts, and Rutland in what is now Vermont. Governor Drummer of Massachusetts ordered the construction of Fort Dummer where Brattleboro, Vermont, is now. The fort became a major base of operations for scouting and was present-day Vermont's first permanent European settlement,

At a major gathering of Native Nations at Falmouth in the summer of 1727 Massachusetts officials established a peace treaty with the Indian chiefs. The treaty was tenuous but there would be no major conflict again until the King George's War in the 1740s. This 15 years of peace allowed the Danforth’s several years of respite from war.

SENIOR YEARS

In 1733, at the age of 67 years, Samuel Danforth was asked to be on a committee to create and incorporate a new village on lands north of Billerica. The following year in 1734 the town of Tewksbury was established from these lands which he surveyed and established the town lots.

Tax records for the year 1733 showed that Samuel Danforth was a very prosperous man and paid a tax of one pound and six pence on all his property.  Samuel Danforth was also a prominent man in his church. Life in these early Puritan villages were centered around the meeting house and every Sunday all the inhabitants were required to attend services for several hours. One's social position in the community was reflected by the seating arrangements in the meeting house. The closer one sat to the pulpit the higher one's social standing. In a list of the Billerica's church seating arrangement for 1736, it was noted that" Mr. Samuel Danforth" sat in the front row or "fore seat". He was also one of only twenty men in Billerica to whom the title "mister" was applied. In the 18th Century Mister was a commonly-used English honorific title for men under the rank of knighthood, derived from earlier forms of master.

In 1738 Samuel and Hannah’s younger son Jonathan Danforth died at the age of 25 years. He had married Sarah, daughter of William and Elizabeth (French) Manning who died some eight years after Jonathan at the age 33 leaving their one child William Danforth an 8 year old orphan.

"Jonathan Danforth of Billerica, husbandman," made will dated 10 August 1738 and it was proved 9 Dec, 1738. He bequeathed to his wife what estate she brought with her and something more ; the rest to his son William Danforth. His wife and brother-in-law William Manning, Jr., were executors and Manning was appointed guardian of William Danforth 18 November 1751 at his request, he being " in his 18th year." Actually he was only 14 years old.

SAMUEL DANFORTH'S DEATH

Samuel Danforth died in his home on 19 April 1742 at the age of 76 years after a long and useful life. He was born during the reign of Charles II and lived during the reigns of James II, William III of and Mary II (jointly), Anne of the House of Stuart, George I and died during the reign of George II.  He was buried in Billerica's old burying ground not far from his home. His tombstone reads:

Here lyes buried ye body of Samuel Danforth who departed

this life April 19th anno dom 1742 aged 74 years 2 mos & 11

days

A year later the widow Hannah Crosby Danforth, at the age of 71 years, was remarried on 4 June 1743 to a widower named Enoch Kidder. Hannah lived another ten years after the death of Samuel Danforth and died 3 October 1752 at Billerica. She was 80 Years old. Her second husband Enoch Kidder died 2 months later on 1 December 1752 at the age of 88 years. She is also buried in Billerica's old burying ground.

Here lyes buried the body of Mrs. Hannah Kidder late wife of

Enoch Kidder & formerly wife of Samuel Danforth

ELIZABETH DANFORTH THORTON

Elizabeth Danforth

born 3 November 1695 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
died circa 1760 Boston, Massachusetts
married Timothy Thornton 11 April 1716 in Boston Massachusetts
Mother of nine Thornton children

HANNAH DANFORTH ABBOTT

Hannah Danforth

born 20 August 1698 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
died 8 January 1788 age 90 years Andover, Essex, Massachusetts
married David Abbott 20 March 1718
Mother of eight Abbott children

SAMUEL DANFORTH 

Samuel Danforth Junior
born 15 May 1701 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
died 28 June 1749 age 48 years Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
married Elizabeth Hosley 1728
father of six children

RACHEL DANFORTH KIDDER

Rachel Danforth
born 14 August 1703 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
died 14 September 1764 age 61 years Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
married 1st Cousin Thomas Kidder 10 May 1726 (Their mothers Hannah Crosby and Rachel Crosby were sisters)
Mother of two Kidder Children; Ephraim and James

LYDIA DANFORTH BARNARD

Lydia Danforth
born 26 March 1706 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
died unknown at Boston, Massachusetts
married Benjamin Bernard 8 September 1726 in Boston, Massachusetts
mother of one daughter

ABIGAIL DANFORTH RUGGLES

Abigail Danforth
born 19 August 1709 Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
died before 1746
married Mr. Ruggles

JONATHAN DANFORTH

Jonathan Danforth died 13 Aug 1738 or September in Billerica at the age 25 years. His will was dated 10 Aug 1738 and his estate was probated on 9 Dec 1738. Wills are generally recorded within a month or even weeks of a person's death. He was married to Sarah Manning and they had but one known child. 1734:

1. William Danforth [November 7, 1737 - October 17, 1813] He married his cousin Elizabeth Danforth the daughter of Samuel Danforth Jr and Elizabeth Hosley. They had 9 children, 6 of them sons.