THOMAS LITTLE • BOSTON 400

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THOMAS LITTLE¹

ORIGIN: Unknown
MIGRATION: 1632
FIRST RESIDENCE: Plymouth
REMOVES: Marshfield before 1662

EDUCATION: Sufficient to fill the office of “Keeper of the Colony of New Plymouth books” [SJC #1960].

OFFICES: Plymouth grand jury, 8 June 1664 [PCR 4:61]. Marshfield constable, 3 June 1662 [PCR 4:16]. In Plymouth section of 1643 Plymouth Colony list of men able to bear arms [PCR 8:189].

ESTATE: Assessed 18s. in Plymouth tax lists of 25 March 1633 and 27 March 1634 [PCR 1:11, 28].

On 4 March 1647 five acres of upland meadow in Plymouth “at a brook commonly called the Indian Brook” were granted to Thomas Little “so long as … himself or any of his posterity shall remain within the limits of the township of Plymouth” [PTR 1:23-24, 38]. On 25 December 1655 the town granted to Thomas Clark “five acres of meadow lying in the same meadow with Thomas Little, Tho[mas] Little’s being first laid out according to his grant in the town book” [PTR 1:207]. In 1664 Jonathan Morey expressed a desire “to have the meadow land granted to him that was sometimes Thomas Little’s being upon the Indian Brook beyond Mannomett Ponds” [PTR 1:76].

On 2 August 1652 “Thomas Little sometimes inhabitant of the town of Plymouth” (with the consent of his wife Ann) sold to Richard Foster of Plymouth, planter, “all that his house and land lying and being at the Eelriver in the township of Plymouth aforesaid whereon the said Thomas Little formerly lived” [MD 1:98-99, citing PCLR 2:1:11].

On 3 June 1662, Thomas Little’s rights to a farm he purchased in Marsh~field, formerly belonging to Major William Holmes, were spelled out [PCR 4:16].

On 3 October 1665 Thomas Little, by virtue of land “he surrendered at Manomett Ponds,” and Josias Keane, by virtue of “his great neccesity,” were allowed to look for land, and if they found it, the court would grant them one hundred acres each [PCR 4:110]. Perhaps they failed to find unclaimed land, for on 3 October 1665 Mrs. Rachel Davenport, as attorney to her husband Mr. Humphrey Davenport and in her own right as heir of Major William Holmes, sued Little and Keane for ú600 for “detaining estate of lands and building on them” [PCR 7:126-27]. On 6 February 1665/6 Mrs. Rachel Davenport and her arbitrator referred the case against Thomas Little to the determination of the court [PCR 4:113] and the court replied 1 May 1666 that Little should pay Davenport £15 [PCR 4:119-20].

On 29 October 1668 the court registered the claim of “Experience Michell, Henery Sampson, Richard Church and Thomas Little” to a parcel of land at Namassakett Pond, and declared that “none shall interpose to deprive them of it until the court purchases it and settles it on them” [PCR 5:5].

In his will, dated 17 May 1671 and proved 1 July 1672, Thomas Little Sr. bequeathed to “my loving wife all my housing and all my land, upland and meadow on that side of the brook I now dwell, except only the meadow I purchased of Thomas Tildin and Morris Trewant”; to “my sons Isacke and Ephraim the land on the other side of the brook”; “and all my land at Namassakett upland and meadow to my two younger sons Thomas and Samuell, except only one single share of upland I purchased of Jacob Mitchell which I bequeath to my grandchild John Jones except I do better provide for him”; to “my son Ephraim one feather bed with all meet furniture … to be disposed to the said Ephraim at the time of his marriage”; to “Thomas and Samuel either of them a featherbed”; “my whole stock of cattle of all sorts … equally divided amongst all my children”; residue to “my wife”; “my two eldest sons Isacke and Ephraim shall disburse out of their own estates, either of them ú10 to help Thomas and Samuell in their buildings at Namassakett when they shall have occasion”; “and if I should sell my single share of land at Namassakett it is my will that my grandchild John Jones shall have forty acres of land out of the land of Thomas and Samuell and at my wife’s decease Ephraim shall enjoy my housing, but the upland and meadow on that side to be equally divided between Isacke and Ephraim”; “Sarah Bonney shall have convenient apparel and a cow at the time of her departure out of her service” [MD 4:162-63, citing PCPR 3:1:46].

On 14 August 1672, administration of the estate of Thomas Little of Marshfield was granted to Anna Little his widow [PCR 5:101].

The inventory of Thomas Little was taken at Marshfield 4 April 1672 and was untotalled, with no real estate included [MD 4:163, citing PCPR 3:1:47].

BIRTH: By about 1608 based on date of marriage.

DEATH: Buried Marshfield 12 March 1671[/2] [NEHGR 8:191; MarVR 427].

MARRIAGE: Plymouth 19 April 1633 Ann Warren [PCR 1:13], born about 1612 (deposed aged “sixty years or thereabouts” [MD 2:178]), daughter of RICHARD WARREN. She died after 19 February 1675/6 (named in son Thomas’s will of that date [MD 4:164, citing PCPR 3:1:165]).

CHILDREN:

i) ABIGAIL, b. say 1635; m. by about 1656 as his first wife Josiah Keene (only surviving child, son Josiah, m. about 1681 [MFIP Warren 17-18, 63]; “my grandfather Josiah Keen married with Abigil Lettle” [MD 28:5, citing Hezekiah Keene’s account book]).

ii) PATIENCE, b. say 1637; m. Weymouth 11 November 1657 Joseph Jones (Thomas Little bequeathed to “grandson John Jones”).

iii) RUTH, b. say 1639; d. after 19 February 1675/6 (named in brother Thomas’s will of that date [MD 4:164, citing PCPR 3:1:165]); apparently unm.

iv) HANNAH, b. say 1641; m. Scituate 25 January 1661[/2] Stephen Tilden [PCR 8:29].

v) MERCY, b. say 1645; m. Marshfield last of November 1666 John Sawyer [MarVR 5]. He m. (2) Marshfield 23 [blank] 1694 Rebecca (Barker) Snow, daughter of ROBERT BARKER and widow of Josiah Snow [MarVR 19].

vi)ISAAC, b. about 1646 (d. Marshfield 24 November 1699 aged about 53 years [MarVR 388]); m. by 1674 Bethia Thomas, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (_____) Thomas (child b. Marshfield 27 November 1683 [MarVR 14]); on 1 March 1674/5 Isaac Little consented to the settlement of the estate of Nathaniel Thomas [PCR 5:158-59]).

vii) EPHRAIM, b. Plymouth 17 May 1650 [PCR 8:10]; m. Scituate 22 November 1672 Mary Sturtevant, daughter of Samuel Sturtevant.

viii) THOMAS, b. say 1654; d. Pawtucket 26 March 1676 in King Philip’s War [TAG 60:240].

ix) SAMUEL, b. about 1656 (deposed 18 March 1689/90 aged “thirty three years or thereabouts” [MD 2:248]); m. Marshfield 18 May 1682 Sarah Gray, daughter of Edward Gray [MarVR 19].

COMMENTS: Thomas Little is included in a list of those attending town meeting in Plymouth about 1646 [PTR 1:22]. On 26 October 1647, Thomas Little of “the Yele [Eel] River” acknowledged a £20 debt to the court and king [PCR 2:120].

Thomas Little seems to have been absent from Plymouth, and from Plymouth Colony, from about 1652 to 1662. In his deed of 2 August 1652 he tells us he no longer resides in Plymouth, but does not tell us where he does live. The Weymouth vital records call Patience Little the daughter of Thomas Little of Cambridge at her marriage to Joseph Jones in 1657, but Thomas Little does not appear in published Cambridge records.

On 7 February 1664/5 William Shurtliff sued Thomas Little for carrying off trees Shurtliff had felled and squared. Major Alden and Joseph Beedle were to settle the bounds and Little to return the trees, but final judgment to await the return of the bounds [PCR 4:79]. On 9 June 1665 Thomas Little was fined £1.10s “for disclosing grand jury proceedings” [PCR 4:101, 8:114, 116].

On 7 March 1664/5 sometime constable William Holmes successfully sued Thomas Little for £5 in damages for misleading Holmes into unjustly attaching the belongings of Nathaniel Winslow [PCR 7:122-23].¹

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Research: The “Little Compton (Rhode Island) Families” by Benjamin F. Wilbour (1967) states that Thomas Little was a lawyer and “The old homestead is in Littleton and is owned by Luther Little in Sea View, Massachusetts, formerly known as Littleton.”

(Among the children of Thomas and Elizabeth Little born in Plymouth was Ephraim who married Mary Sturtevant. The descendents of Ephraim lived in Little Compton and among these was Henry Tew Little (1850-1934) who grew up in Little Compton working in his father’s tiny newspaper, “The Village Bell” (and who later) went on to found the Little Brown Publishing Company.³⁶

Misc. Notes: Thomas Little first appears in Plymouth records on the 1633 tax list. On 19 April 1633 he married Ann Warren, daughter of Mayflower passenger Richard Warren and his wife Elizabeth.

On 7 October 1633 Little sold his dwelling house to Richard Higgins for twenty-one bushels of corn.

On 28 May 1635 he made a gift of land to his brother-in-law Robert Bartlett.

On 12 March 1638/39 William Taylor (son of William Taylor of Boddington, County Cornwall, carpenter) transferred his indenture with the consent of all from Mr. John Atwood to Thomas Little.

Little moved to Marshfield, where he became constable on 3 June 1662.

He bought farm land in Marshfield which had belonged to Maj. William Holmes, deceased, and on 3 June 1662 the court ordered that in view of his many improvements of the land, if anyone should show better title in the future, such person would have to pay him fully for his improvements.

On 9 June 1665 he was fined £1/10 for not keeping secret the proceedings of the grand jury, of which he was a member.

When he refused to pay rents claimed by Mrs. Rachel Davenport for the land of the late William Holmes, the court on 1 May 1666 awarded her £15, which, because of his improvements, was less than she had claimed.

On 14 August 1672 administration of the estate of Thomas Little of Marshfield was given to his widow, Anna Little. His will dated 12 May 1671, inventory 4 April 1672, mentioned his wife; his sons Isaac, Ephraim, Thomas and Samuel; his grandson John Jones; and his servant Sarah Bonney.

His son Thomas (Jr.) died in King Philip’s War at Rehoboth, and in his will we learn that his father Thomas (Sr.) also had daughters Ruth, Hannah, Patience, and Mercy. The younger Thomas (Jr.) died without having married. The senior Thomas Little (Sr.) also had a daughter Abigail, who married Josiah Keene and predeceased her father.

Excerpt taken from:

Plymouth Colony: Its History & People 1620-1691 by Eugene Aubrey Stratton, Former Historian General General Society of Mayflower Descendants ISBN 0-916489-18-3

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Marriage: 19 Apr 1633³³

Marr Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

9 Children…

Abigail (abt 1635-bef 1660)

Ruth (abt 1636-aft 19 Feb 1676)

Hannah (abt 1637-)

Patience (abt 1639-)

Mercy (abt 1645-)

Lt. Isaac (abt 1646-24 Nov 1699)

Ephraim (17 May 1650-24 Nov 1717)

Thomas (bef 19 Feb 1655-2 Mar 1676)

Samuel (abt 1656-)

(3) 1.2.1 Abigail Little^37,37, 6G Grandaunt

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Birth: abt 1635^37,37

Death: bef 1660, age: 25^37,37

Death Place: Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Father: Thomas Little, 7G Grandfather (abt 1612-Mar 1671)

Mother: Anna Warren, 7G Grandmother (abt 1612-AFT 19 Feb 1674/75)

She married about 1654-1658 Josiah Keene.³⁷

Spouse: Josiah Keene (? -bef 15 Sep 1710)

Birth: ? ^37,37

Birth Place: London, England

Death: bef 15 Sep 1710^37,37

Death Place: Duxbury, Massachusetts

Josiah Keene arrived on the “Confidence” in 1634 iwth ofher Keenes including Martha, age 60, who most likely was his mother.³⁸

After the death of Abigail (Little) Keene, his first wife, Josiah married Hannah Dingley about 1660 by whom he had John, Matthew, Ephraim, Hannah, Elizabeth, Abigail and Sarah.³⁷

Hezekiah Keen’s account book says, “My great grandfather & grat grndmother Came to Boston in New england & from thence to Hengham & from there to Meshfeld and there my grandfather Josiah Keen mared with Abigil Lettle who he had my father Josiah Keen by & one Dafter Who Died young and my grnadmother Dyed allso & Left only my father Josiah Keen who mared with Ledia Baker and theay had Eleven children…”³⁸

On 3 Oct. 1665 Thomas Little and Josias Keene were sued for detaining the estate of Major William Holmes. On the same date Thomas Little and Josias Keane were granted 100 acres each. Of Josiah, it says “in respect unto his great nessesitie.”³⁸

Marriage: abt 1656³⁷

Marr Place: prob. Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

1 Child…

Josiah (abt 1658-between 2 Feb 1728 and 23 Dec 1732)

(4) 1.2.1.1 Josiah Keene^39,39, 1C7R

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Birth: abt 1658

Birth Place: prob. Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Death: between 2 Feb 1728 and 23 Dec 1732, age: 70

Death Place: prob. Pembroke, Massachusetts

Father: Josiah Keene (? -bef 15 Sep 1710)

Mother: Abigail Little, 6G Grandaunt (abt 1635-bef 1660)

Hezekiah Keen’s account book says, “My great grandfather & grat grandmother Came to Boston in New england & from thence to Hengham & from there to Meshfeld and there my grandfather Josiah Keen mared with Abigil Lettle who he had my father Josiah Keen by & one Dafter Who Died young and my grnadmother Dyed allso & Left only my father Josiah Keen who mared with Ledia Baker and theay had Eleven children…”³⁸

Spouse: Lydia Baker (18 Feb 1659-aft 10 Jan 1732)

Birth: 18 Feb 1659

Birth Place: Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Death: aft 10 Jan 1732, age: 72

Death Place: prob. Pembroke, Massachusetts

Marriage: abt 1681³⁹

Marr Place: Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

1 Child…

Hezekiah (6 Aug 1702-)

(5) 1.2.1.1.1 Hezekiah Keene, 2C6R

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Birth: 6 Aug 1702

Father: Josiah Keene, 1C7R (abt 1658-between 2 Feb 1728 and 23 Dec 1732)

Mother: Lydia Baker (18 Feb 1659-aft 10 Jan 1732)

(3) 1.2.2 Ruth Little, 6G Grandaunt

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Birth: abt 1636

Death: aft 19 Feb 1676, age: 40

Father: Thomas Little, 7G Grandfather (abt 1612-Mar 1671)

Mother: Anna Warren, 7G Grandmother (abt 1612-AFT 19 Feb 1674/75)

(3) 1.2.3 Hannah Little, 6G Grandaunt

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Birth: abt 1637

Father: Thomas Little, 7G Grandfather (abt 1612-Mar 1671)

Mother: Anna Warren, 7G Grandmother (abt 1612-AFT 19 Feb 1674/75)

(3) 1.2.4 Patience Little, 6G Grandaunt

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Birth: abt 1639

Father: Thomas Little, 7G Grandfather (abt 1612-Mar 1671)

Mother: Anna Warren, 7G Grandmother (abt 1612-AFT 19 Feb 1674/75)

(3) 1.2.5 Mercy Little, 6G Grandaunt

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Birth: abt 1645

Father: Thomas Little, 7G Grandfather (abt 1612-Mar 1671)

Mother: Anna Warren, 7G Grandmother (abt 1612-AFT 19 Feb 1674/75)

(3) 1.2.6 Lt. Isaac Little^40,40, 6G Grandfather

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Birth: abt 1646^41,41

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Death: 24 Nov 1699, age: 53^41,41

Death Place: Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Father: Thomas Little, 7G Grandfather (abt 1612-Mar 1671)

Mother: Anna Warren, 7G Grandmother (abt 1612-AFT 19 Feb 1674/75)

The 1 March 1675 Will administration of the estate of Captain Nathaniel Thomas mentions agreement of William Thomas, Nathaniel Thamas Jr. and Isaac Little that the estate shall be at the sole dispose of the widow Mary Thomas.

On 24 March 1700 Thomas, Isaac, Charles, Nathaniel, William, Lemuel, Abigail and Bethiah the children of Mr. Isaac and Bethia Little were baptised at Marshfield.

Lt. Issac Little of Marshfield made a nuncupatived will 18 Nov. 1699, but it was not approved by the probate court and was not recoreded. It named eldest son Thomas; sons Isaac, Charles, Nathaniel and William; youngest son Lemuel; two daughters (not named); wife; brother (in-law) Nathaniel Thomas and brother Ephraim overseers.

On 29 March 1712, Thomas, Isaac, Charles, Nathaniel, William, Lemuel, Abigail and Bethia Little with the consent of mother mrs. behiah Little settled the estate. On 3 April 1712, thomas Barker and Bethia his wife affirmed the settlement.

On 8 Sept. 1718, Bethiah Little late of Marshfield and now of Pembroke gae to daughters Abigail little and Bethiah Barker and the wife of Thomas Barker of Pembroke her right to the personal estate of her brother William Thomas late of Marshfield deceased plus part of William’s real estate in Pembroke and Marshfield.

On 26 Sept. 1721 John Arbuthnot of Boston and Abigail his wife and Thomas Barker of Pembroke and Behiah his wife sold the above lands.⁴⁰

Misc. Notes: The 1 March 1675 Will administration of the estate of Captain Nathaniel Thomas mentions agreement of William Thomas, Nathaniel Thamas Jr. and Isaac Little that the estate shall be at the sole dispose of the widow Mary Thomas.

On 24 March 1700 Thomas, Isaac, Charles, Nathaniel, William, Lemuel, Abigail and Bethiah the children of Mr. Isaac and Bethia Little were baptised at Marshfield.

On 26 Sept. 1721 John Arbuthnot of Boston and Abigail his wife and Thomas Barker of Pembroke and Behiah his wife sold the above lands.

Spouse: Bethiah Thomas, 6G Grandmother (abt 1650-23 Sep 1718)

Birth: abt 1650

Birth Place: prob. Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Memo: based on marriage and death

Death: 23 Sep 1718, age: 68^40,40

Death Place: Pembroke, Plymouth Township, Massachusetts

Father: Captain Nathaniel Thomas, 7G Grandfather (1606-13 Feb 1673/74)

Mother: Mary Thomas, 7G Grandmother (1614-)

Marriage: abt 1673⁴⁰

Marr Place: prob. Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

11 Children…

Dr. Thomas (15 Dec 1674-22 Dec 1712)

Dorothy (11 Aug 1676-Feb 1677)

Isaac (21 Feb 1677/78-2 Feb 1758)

Bethiah (9 Dec 1681-died young)

Charles (15 Oct 1685-25 Apr 1756)

Bethia (abt 1687-1689)

Abigail (abt 1687-)

Nathaniel (12 Apr 1690-bef 25 Jun 1715)

William (27 Feb 1692-bef Dec 1734)

Bethia (abt 1693-9 Oct 1751)

Lemuel (Mar 1700-21 Mar 1723)

(4) 1.2.6.1a Dr. Thomas Little*, 5G Granduncle

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Birth: 15 Dec 1674^42,42

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 22 Dec 1712, age: 38^43,43

Death Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Burial: Dec 1712^44,44

Burial Place: Burial Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Memo: Tombstone reads “Mr. Thomas LITTLE, died Dec. 22, 1712, aged 38 years. Physic and Chyrurgery” (Physician and Surgeon)

Father: Lt. Isaac Little, 6G Grandfather (abt 1646-24 Nov 1699)

Mother: Bethiah Thomas, 6G Grandmother (abt 1650-23 Sep 1718)

Thomas Little

(Harvard, 1695)

Thomas Little, physician and merchant, was born December 15, 1674, the son of Lieutenant Isaac and Bethiah (Thomas) Little of Marshfield. His father was a member of the Plymouth Colony council of war and a delegate to the General Court. Thomas was a normally troublesome and inconspicuous undergraduate, and never took a second degree.

He married Mary, daughter of the Reverend Thomas and Jane (Paine) Mayhew, at Marshfield, December 5, 1698. Isaac Little died in the following year, providing in his will that his estate should be divided into three parts of which Thomas, as the eldest son, should have first choice. According to the agreement of the heirs,

Thomas Little the Eldest Son Shall have all those housing lands and meadows . . . that were our fathers . . . in Marshfild . . . which he the said Thomas hath already Sold. . . . And whereas the said Thomas Little by This division of our fathers Estate hath only one Single Share Thereof if it Shall herafter happen that Any of the said children Who are now within Age Shall disturb or break this Aforesaid Settlement or refuse as they come respectively of Age to ratify and Confirm the Same That then the said Thomas Little Shall have the proportion of a double portion out of their or Any of their parts that Shall break this Settlement.1

Thomas had probably sold this property because of his intention to move to Plymouth, where he was settled as a physician in 1700, and where he was a proprietor the following year. He invested heavily in real estate, and at one time or another owned much of the property in the center of the town. As early as 1702 he was Clerk of the Inferior Court and Register of Deeds for Plymouth, and seven years later he was chosen ‘hog constable.’ There is little record of his medical practice other than that he petitioned the General Court for a fee of 5l 10s for curing an Indian soldier of “an Imposthume in his Arm” — a very large bill for the times.2 He seems to have been a merchant as well. It is interesting that he never joined the church presided over by his cousin and classmate Ephraim Little.

Either Thomas or Ephraim Little, apparently the former, had an Indian girl, Mehetabel, who was indicted and convicted at the Plymouth assizes of March, 1712, for feloniously burning her master’s dwelling. Mr. Little, although “in doubtfull circumstances by reason of the Gout and sickness of which was scarsely recover’d,” appeared to plead “that she was under the Age of Sixteen years, and therefore not within our Act” with its terrible penalty.3

Thomas Little died at Plymouth December 22, 1712, and was put to rest on Burial Hill, where his stone may still be seen. He had five children:

(1) Thomas, b. Marshfield, Sept. 20, 1701; m. Lucy Mayhew at Chilmark Nov. 13, 1733; d. on Marthas Vineyard Mar. 30, 1744. (2) Isaac, b. Plymouth May 18, 1704; d. at Plympton in June, 1755. (3) Mayhew, b. Feb. 6, 1706/7; d. at “Jemaco” June 22, 1735. (4) Mary, b. July 26, 1709; m. Jonathan Bryant; d. Mar. 1, 1755. (5) George, b. Apr. 11, 1712; lost at sea in the fall of 1729.

Works

The first part of “The Counties Book of Comon Pleas began June 1702: per. Thomas Little register” is in his hand.

1. Mayflower Descendant, XXIV, 1-6.

2. Acts and Resolves of Province of Massachusetts Bay, IX, 551.

3. Samuel Sewall, Diary, III, 340; Letter-Book, I, 423, 424.

Sibley’s Harvard Graduates, 4:252-253.

Spouse: Mary Mayhew (25 May 1680-)

Birth: 25 May 1680^42,42

Birth Place: Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Marriage: 5 Dec 1698⁴²

Marr Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

5 Children…

Thomas (20 Sep 1701-30 Mar 1744)

Isaac (18 May 1704-)

Mayhew (6 Feb 1706-10 Mar 1736)

Mary (26 Jul 1709-1 Mar 1755)

George (11 Apr 1712-1729)

Other spouses: Jedidiah Lothrop

(5) 1.2.6.1a.1a Thomas Little*, 1C6R

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Birth: 20 Sep 1701^45,45

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 30 Mar 1744, age: 42^45,45

Death Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Father: Dr. Thomas Little, 5G Granduncle (15 Dec 1674-22 Dec 1712)

Mother: Mary Mayhew (25 May 1680-)

Spouse: Jedidiah Lathrop (-19 Aug 1730)

Death: 19 Aug 1730^46,46

Death Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Marriage: bef Dec 1725⁴⁶

Marr Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Memo: based on birth of first child

2 Children…

Mary (Aug 1726-25 Jan 1727)

Mary (8 Mar 1728-)

Other spouses: Lucy Mayhew

(6) 1.2.6.1a.1a.1 Mary Little, 2C5R

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Birth: Aug 1726^47,47

Birth Place: Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Death: 25 Jan 1727, age: <1^47,47

Death Place: Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Father: Thomas Little, 1C6R (20 Sep 1701-30 Mar 1744)

Mother: Jedidiah Lathrop (-19 Aug 1730)

(6) 1.2.6.1a.1a.2 Mary Little, 2C5R

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Birth: 8 Mar 1728^47,47

Birth Place: Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Father: Thomas Little, 1C6R (20 Sep 1701-30 Mar 1744)

Mother: Jedidiah Lathrop (-19 Aug 1730)

(5) 1.2.6.1a.1b Thomas Little* (See above)

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Spouse: Lucy Mayhew (4 Jul 1716-)

Birth: 4 Jul 1716^45,45

Birth Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Marriage: 13 Dec 1733⁴⁵

Marr Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

2 Children…

Thomas (22 Jul 1731-)

William (abt 1734-)

Other spouses: Jedidiah Lathrop

(6) 1.2.6.1a.1b.1 Thomas Little, 2C5R

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Birth: 22 Jul 1731^47,47

Birth Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Father: Thomas Little, 1C6R (20 Sep 1701-30 Mar 1744)

Mother: Lucy Mayhew (4 Jul 1716-)

(6) 1.2.6.1a.1b.2 William Little, 2C5R

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Birth: abt 1734^47,47

Birth Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Father: Thomas Little, 1C6R (20 Sep 1701-30 Mar 1744)

Mother: Lucy Mayhew (4 Jul 1716-)

(5) 1.2.6.1a.2a Isaac Little*, 1C6R

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Birth: 18 May 1704^48,48

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Dr. Thomas Little, 5G Granduncle (15 Dec 1674-22 Dec 1712)

Mother: Mary Mayhew (25 May 1680-)

Spouse: Sarah Church (4 Aug 1706-)

Birth: 4 Aug 1706^47,47

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Marriage: 1 Dec 1726⁴⁷

Marr Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

3 Children…

Joseph (16 Jan 1728-)

George (19 Jun 1730-)

Sarah (8 Nov 1732-)

Other spouses: Hannah Soule

(6) 1.2.6.1a.2a.1 Joseph Little, 2C5R

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Birth: 16 Jan 1728^47,47

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Memo: not in father’s will

Father: Isaac Little, 1C6R (18 May 1704-)

Mother: Sarah Church (4 Aug 1706-)

(6) 1.2.6.1a.2a.2 George Little, 2C5R

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Birth: 19 Jun 1730^47,47

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Isaac Little, 1C6R (18 May 1704-)

Mother: Sarah Church (4 Aug 1706-)

(6) 1.2.6.1a.2a.3 Sarah Little, 2C5R

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Birth: 8 Nov 1732^47,47

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Isaac Little, 1C6R (18 May 1704-)

Mother: Sarah Church (4 Aug 1706-)

(5) 1.2.6.1a.2b Isaac Little* (See above)

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Spouse: Hannah Soule (30 Sep 1709-3 Oct 1788)

Birth: 30 Sep 1709^47,47

Birth Place: Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Death: 3 Oct 1788, age: 79^47,47

Death Place: Plympton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Marriage: 10 Jan 1754⁴⁷

Marr Place: Plympton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Other spouses: Sarah Church

(5) 1.2.6.1a.3 Mayhew Little, 1C6R

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Birth: 6 Feb 1706^48,48

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 10 Mar 1736, age: 30^48,48

Death Place: Jamaica West Indies

Father: Dr. Thomas Little, 5G Granduncle (15 Dec 1674-22 Dec 1712)

Mother: Mary Mayhew (25 May 1680-)

(5) 1.2.6.1a.4 Mary Little, 1C6R

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Birth: 26 Jul 1709^48,48

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 1 Mar 1755, age: 45^48,48

Death Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Dr. Thomas Little, 5G Granduncle (15 Dec 1674-22 Dec 1712)

Mother: Mary Mayhew (25 May 1680-)

(5) 1.2.6.1a.5 George Little, 1C6R

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Birth: 11 Apr 1712^48,48

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 1729, age: 16^48,48

Death Place: lost at sea in the fall of 1729

Father: Dr. Thomas Little, 5G Granduncle (15 Dec 1674-22 Dec 1712)

Mother: Mary Mayhew (25 May 1680-)

(4) 1.2.6.1b Dr. Thomas Little* (See above)

_____________________________________________________________

Spouse: Jedidiah Lothrop (-19 Aug 1744)

Death: 19 Aug 1744^45,45

Death Place: Chilmark, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Other spouses: Mary Mayhew

(4) 1.2.6.2 Dorothy Little, 5G Grandaunt

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 11 Aug 1676^49,49

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: Feb 1677, age: <1^49,49

Death Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Lt. Isaac Little, 6G Grandfather (abt 1646-24 Nov 1699)

Mother: Bethiah Thomas, 6G Grandmother (abt 1650-23 Sep 1718)

(4) 1.2.6.3a Isaac Little*³, 5G Grandfather

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 21 Feb 1677/78^50,50

Birth Place: Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Death: 2 Feb 1758, age: 80^50,50

Death Place: Pembroke, Plymouth Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Father: Lt. Isaac Little, 6G Grandfather (abt 1646-24 Nov 1699)

Mother: Bethiah Thomas, 6G Grandmother (abt 1650-23 Sep 1718)

The Will of Isaac Little of Pembroke, dated 15 Aug. 1751, proved 3 April 1758, names wife Abigail; daughter Mrecy under 18; sons Otis, Nathaniel, Isaac and Lemuel; daughter Mary Winslow.

On 3 April 1758 Abigail Little, widow, was appointed guardian of Lemuel and Mercy Little.

On 29 Oct. 1764 Abigail Little of Pembroke, widow of Isaac Little, dec. and guardian of her son Lemuel Little, a minor, sold lands of late Isaac Little.

On 20 March 1780, sowrn 10 April 1780, Lemuel Little of Pembroke, yeoman, and Abigail Little, widow, sold lands to Thomas Hobart.⁵⁰

Misc. Notes: The Will of Isaac Little of Pembroke, dated 15 Aug. 1751, proved 3 April 1758, names wife Abigail; daughter Mrecy under 18; sons Otis, Nathaniel, Isaac and Lemuel; daughter Mary Winslow.

On 3 April 1758 Abigail Little, widow, was appointed guardian of Lemuel and Mercy Little.

On 29 Oct. 1764 Abigail Little of Pembroke, widow of Isaac Little, dec. and guardian of her son Lemuel Little, a minor, sold lands of late Isaac Little.

On 20 March 1780, sowrn 10 April 1780, Lemuel Little of Pembroke, yeoman, and Abigail Little, widow, sold lands to Thomas Hobart.

Spouse: Mary Otis, 5G Grandmother (10 Dec 1685-bef 29 Nov 1732)

Birth: 10 Dec 1685^50,50

Birth Place: Hingham Township, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Death: bef 29 Nov 1732, age: 46^50,50

Death Place: unknown

Father: John Otis, 6G Grandfather (21 Nov 1657-23 Sep 1727)

Mother: Mercy Bacon, 6G Grandmother (28 Feb 1658/59-10 Dec 1737)

Research: Isaac remarried Nov. 29, 1732 to Abigail (Cushing) Thomas so Mary Otis must have died between 1722 -1732.

Marriage: abt 1703⁵⁰

Marr Place: Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Memo: Mary Otis died between 1722 -1732

5 Children…

Mary (9 Sep 1704-bef 5 Dec 1772)

Isaac (3 Apr 1710-died young)

Otis (3 Apr 1711-)

Mercy (28 Apr 1716-13 Jul 1723)

Captain Nathaniel (20 Aug 1722-aft 3 Apr 1795)

Other spouses: Abigail (Cushing) Thomas

(5) 1.2.6.3a.1 Mary Little, GGGG Grandaunt

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 9 Sep 1704^51,51

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: bef 5 Dec 1772, age: 68^47,47

Death Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Isaac Little, 5G Grandfather (21 Feb 1677/78-2 Feb 1758)

Mother: Mary Otis, 5G Grandmother (10 Dec 1685-bef 29 Nov 1732)

General John Winslow

Spouse: General John Winslow, 3C6R (27 Mar 1702-17 Apr 1774)

Birth: 27 Mar 1702^47,47

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 17 Apr 1774, age: 72^47,47

Death Place: Hingham Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Father: Isaac Winslow, 2C7R (1671-7 Dec 1738)

Mother: Sarah Wensley (-1753)

GEN. JOHN WINSLOW

FOURTH GENERATION

GEN. JOHN WINSLOW

John Winslow, son of Isaac Winslow, and his wife, Sarah Winslow, was horn in Marshfield, May 10, 1703, and married Mary Little in 1725, daughter of Capt. Isaac Little of Pembroke, Mass.

His portrait in the Winslow collection was painted by *John Singleton Copley, and is, with others, in the rooms of the Mass. Hist. Society.

Gen. John Winslow was a distinguished and successful Commander in 1740. He commanded a company in the expedition against Cuba, and afterwards rose to the rank of Major General in the British service.

**”In 1755, an expedition was undertaken against Nova Scotia by the British Government. The boundaries were unsettled, the English claiming the St. Lawrence, the French restricting them to the Peninsula of Arcadia.

“The French forts were captured by the English, and the whole Province reduced. He conducted the campaign with great skill. To him was also entrusted the diflRcult and ungrateful task of removing the French neutrals, who were all expelled from Nova Scotia.

“The reason of removing these French people was this. At the recovei’y of Annapolis from the French, the inhabitants were tolerated to continue there, by taking the oath of allegiance to Great Britain, so long as they did not assist the French against the English ; but they soon violated and denounced their oath, and assisted the other French and Indians, in their interest against the English in a treacherous manner; therefore they were expelled and dispossessed and proceeded against as enemies.

“A portion of the inhabitants assembled in the church at Grand Pre, on the 5th of September at 3 o’clock P. M. Col. Winslow tlius addressed them :

* John Singleton Copley attained an eminence as a portrait painter in America, belonging to the descendants of those for whom they were painted. He married Miss Susan Clark of Boston in 1769.

**Niles’ History of the French and Indian War.

” ‘That the duty entrusted to him was very disagreeable to his make and temper, as he knew it must be grievous to them, etc. It was not for him, however, to animadvert, but to obey his orders ; ‘ and he Ijroceeded to inform them that their lands and tenements, cattle of all kinds, and livestock of all sorts were forfeited to the Crown, with all other effects saving their money and household goods, and that they were to be removed from the Province.

“The sufferings of these poor unfortunate people, in the circum- stances of their removal, and in their sei^arate and scattered condition cannot well be conceived. Col. Winslow in a letter to the Governor of Nova Scotia, dated Grand Pre, Aug. 30, 1755, says :

” As to poor Father LeBlanc, I shall, with your Excellency’s permission, send him to my own place.”

What prevented his coming to Green Harbor does not appear.

*”The family who filled the place intended for him, bore the name of Mitchell. To this family. Gen. Winslow and his descendants were ever uniformly kind. A person now living well recollects the last living members of this family and the pensive gentility of their deportment.

The order of the English Government was that they should be dispersed and sufficiently provided for, and supported at the charge of each Government where they were sent. They were scattered over the land, these French people, and their blood courses through the veins of many respectable families bearing the names both of Massachusetts and Connecticut r among others are included the names of Drew, Peters, Winslow and Thomas.”

Previous to the commencing of the campaign of 1756 against Crown Point, Gen. Abercrombie sent for Gen. Winslow, and to him was to have been entrusted an attack on Ticonderoga, which was suspended by orders of Lord Loudon, in consequence of the disasters at Oswego.

In 1756, he commanded at Fort William Henry, on Lake George; he was also a Counsellor for the Province.

Gen. Winslow was genial and hospitable, and remarkable for his skill in horsemanship. He imported a valuable horse from England, and it was among his greatest delights to be mounted on his favorite animal.

* M. A. Thomas Memorials of Marshfield.

Thatcher relates an anecdote, that, “on a cei’tain occasion, a numher of gentlemen of Plymouth formed a partj” with Gen. Winslow for a pleasure excursion to Saquish in Plymouth Harhor and to return to dine. While there Winslow fell asleep. The other gentlemen with- drew and pursued their journey to return. When he awoke and found himself deserted, he mounted and daringly plunged his steed in the channel, swam his horse across more than a half mile, from whence he rode into the town, making the whole distance but six miles while his companions were riding fourteen miles. On their arrival, they were astonished to find the General seated in the Tavern, prepared to greet them with a bowl of punch. ‘ ‘

Gen. Winslow, late in life, married a widow Johnson. He died in 1774, and was placed in the tomb at Marshfield, aged 71. He left two sons by his first wife, Mary Little.

Pelham, born in 1737.

Isaac, born in 1739.

The town of Winslow, in Maine, was named in honor of Gen. Winslow, incorporated in 1771.

As far as can be obtained, genealogical sketches are inserted of those families who have married into the line of succession of Edward Winslow.

Gen. John Winslow married Mary Little. Following is a sketch of her family, copied from M. A. Thomas Memorials of Marshfield :

“Thomas Little was born in Plymouth after 1630, where he married Ann, one of the daughters of Richard Warren. He was probably a lawj’er. He removed to Marshfield about 1650, and settled in the eastern part of the township, a locality since known as Littletown in the surrounding region. He had eleven children.

“Lieut. Isaac Little, son of Thomas Little and Ann Warren, pur- chased the Biddle Estate, now owned by Waterman Thomas (on Marsh- field Neck). He and his wife Bethia had five children. He died in

1712.

“Thomas, born in 1675, graduated at Harvard College in 1695, was a lawyer and physician at Ph-mouth.”

Capt. Isaac Little, born in 1677, removed to Pem])roke. His daughter Mary Little married Gen. John Winslow of Marshfield in

1725. Her brother Isaac owned the estate in Pembroke. After him his son Isaac and now his son, Otis Little. Mary Little’s l)rother’s

daughter, Judith’s grandson, AVilliam Rogers, married her great, great grandchild Helen M. Whitman.

Thus far, the lives in this line have been brought together and arranged, as events and history have made the record.

The valuable works of Moore’s American Governors, Young’s Chronicles of the Pilgrims, and M. A. Thomas Memorials of Marshfield, have been largely drawn upon, together with the volumes of the Mass. Hist. Society. These refer back again to Davis, Morton, Thatcher, Baylies and Savage, those valuable men whose indefatigable research has saved this Icnowledge from the wreck of time.

The period of 1758, and onward, was one of great agitation. Wise men, in view of the situation, felt disheartened. The result of the struggle, in the independence of the Colonies, and the establishment of the great republic, was to men’s minds then, and is even now, a miracle. But, the thoughtful, the philosophic, see in it the evidence and the consequences of the invariable and eternal laws of cause and effect. The Pilgrims planted in faith; their deeds, even when weak and insignificant, were ever with an inspiration to the infinite wisdom for guidance, and then, as now, as through all ages, the answer comes back to man’s higher and his lower nature, “Ask and ye shall receive,” for “Wliatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap;” and may we not feel that the wonderful preservation of this Nation is the answer to the Pilgrim’s prayer and trust?

Military: Commanded a company in the Cuba expedition of 1740; was Colonel in the expedition to Nova Scotia in 1755; was a comander-in-chief at Fort William Henry on Lake George in 1756 during the French and Indian War.³

Marriage: 16 Feb 1725⁴⁷

Marr Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

3 Children…

Josiah (5 Sep 1730-1 Mar 1731)

Pelham (8 Jun 1737-)

Isaac (27 Apr 1739-)

(6) 1.2.6.3a.1.1 Josiah Winslow, 1C5R

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 5 Sep 1730^52,52

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 1 Mar 1731, age: <1^52,52

Death Place: Plymouth Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: General John Winslow, 3C6R (27 Mar 1702-17 Apr 1774)

Mother: Mary Little, GGGG Grandaunt (9 Sep 1704-bef 5 Dec 1772)

(6) 1.2.6.3a.1.2 Pelham Winslow, 1C5R

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 8 Jun 1737^52,52

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: General John Winslow, 3C6R (27 Mar 1702-17 Apr 1774)

Mother: Mary Little, GGGG Grandaunt (9 Sep 1704-bef 5 Dec 1772)

Pelham Winslow, the eldest son of Gen. John Winslow and his wife Mary Little, was born at Marshfield, June 8th, 1737. He graduated at Harvard College and settled as a lawyer in PljTiiouth, and married Joanna, daughter of Gideon White, who was the grandson of Peregrin White. He died at forty-five years of age at Flushing, L. I., N. Y., 1784, leaving two daughters :

Mary, who married Henry Warren, Esq. ;

Joanna, who married Dr. Nathan Hayward of Plymouth.

Mrs. Pelham Winslow, daughter of Gideon White, Esq., after the death of her husband, lived in PljTnouth, surrounded by a large circle of relatives and friends, and in the enjojTuent of the sympathy and affection of her two daughters. She died and was buried in Plymouth May 1st, 1829, aged eiglitj’-four years.

Isaac Winslow

(6) 1.2.6.3a.1.3 Isaac Winslow, 1C5R

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 27 Apr 1739^52,52

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: General John Winslow, 3C6R (27 Mar 1702-17 Apr 1774)

Mother: Mary Little, GGGG Grandaunt (9 Sep 1704-bef 5 Dec 1772)

DR. ISAAC WINSLOW

FIFTH GENERATION

DR. ISAAC WINSLOW

Fifth Generation

Isaac Winslow, second sou of Gen. John Winslow, and bis wife, Mary Little, was born in Marslitield, April 27, 1739. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Benj. Stockbridge of Scituate, and lived at the Winslow Homestead.

He was a skilful physician of large practice, which in those days involved much of personal discomfort and hardsliip. Like his father, he was skilful in horsemanship. His travel, often in thick darkness, through unbroken jjaths, sometimes obliged to resort to snowshoes, was lightened by his elastic and facetious temperament.

He enlivened his hospitable home, in his relation and perception of the comic side of life, in his varied and wide experience. That large estate, that home with its portraits, its many relics and associations, is yet clear and vivid in the memory of these of the seventh generation. His portrait, which is in the collection of Winslow portraits, in the Mass. Hist. Soc, was painted by Johnson. His wife Elizabeth died 1790, and was placed in the tomb. He married a second time Fannie, daughter of Rev. Edwin Gay of Hingham, called by a meudjer of tlie household “The Good Samaritan”. She never had children.

Dr. Isaac Winslow died Oct. 19, 1819. The scene was impressive, when the long procession of friends, in carriages from every part of the country, were seen winding their way up the hillside to witness his deposit in the tomb of his ancestors, and to testify their affection and respect. His widow died October, 1846, aged 83 years.

Dr. Isaac Winslow and his first wife, Elizabeth Stockbridge, had five children :

Isaac, died in infancy.

Elizabeth, the eldest, married Hon. Kilboru Wliitman. Ruth, married first Josiah Shaw, second Thomas Dingley. Sarah, married Judge Eben Clapp, of Butler, Me. John, married Susan Ball, of Northborough, Mass.

Elizabeth Stockbridge, who married Dr. Isaac Winslow, was the daughter of Dr. Benj. Stockbridge of Scituate and his wife Ruth Otis. She was born March 17, 1738. On her marriage she removed to Marsh- field, where her penetrating eye and great practical ability assisted her husband, whose profession absorbed his time, in bringing into order the disturbed affairs of the estate. Her household skill (whose rules are yet remembered) contributed to the comfort of the many of the hoi;se- liold who shared its hospitality. The peculiar significance of many of her words and expressions passed away with the last generation and its habits. In parting with these customs and interchanges of expres- sion, we lose one of the most refining influences of society.

DR. BENJAMIN STOCKBRIDGE

*”Dr. Benj. Stockbridge succeeded his father Benjamin, who married Mary Tilden in 1701, and who owned the original Stockbridge mansion and mills. It was a garrison in Philip’s War. He was in direct descent from John Stockbridge, who took the oath of fidelity in Seitnate, 1638, and was one of the Conihansett partners, 1646. He was educated under Dr. Bulfinch of Boston, and there is evidence that he was one of the great physicians of the day. His account books exhibit that he was a consulting physician in a circle embracing tlie full country from Falmouth to Worcester, and to Ipswich.”

He is described as a gentleman of wit and taste, eminently pleasing, and the delight of literary society. He had made attainments in the science of music rare at that time. He married Ruth Otis, daughter of Job Otis, and left two children, Charles and Elizabeth.

Dr. Charles Stockbridge, son of Dr. Benjamin, attained a high reputation. Like his father, he was pleasing in his manners, and accomplished in all literature and tasteful arts, with the rare qualifica- tion (asserted by one who experienced it) of the capacity for and the expression of warm, pure, disinterested friendshii:). He married

Eleanor and deceased leaving five children, all born in

the mansion at Scituate:

Dr. Charles, who died early in practice, a bachelor.

Eleanor, who died single.

Mary, who married Capt. Bowers.

Samuel, married Lydia, daugliter of William Bassett, and settled at Mt. Blue, and has descendants in that vicinity.

Ruth, who married Thompson, and whose daugliter

married Rev. Dr. Vinton of Boston.

The beautiful place is now owned by Elizabeth Winslow Williams, granddaughter of Elizabeth Stockbridge, who married Dr. Isaac Winslow. The present house was built by Mary, daugliter of Dr. Charles Stockbridge and wife of Capt. Bowers.

* Dean ‘s History of Scituate.

The record and sketch of the Otis familj’, with the Coat of Arms, is inserted. They came into the line of succession of tlie Winslows through Elizabeth, whose mother was Ruth Otis, daughter of Job Otis, who married Dr. Isaac Winslow, and also intermingled when Penelope, daughter of Hon. Isaac Winslow, married James Warren, whose mother was daughter of Hon. James Otis of Barnstable, and whose son Henr^’ married Mary Winslow, daughter of Pelham Winslow, and granddaughter of Gen. John Winslow.

Elizabeth Stockbridge

Spouse: Elizabeth Stockbridge

(5) 1.2.6.3a.2 Isaac Little, GGGG Granduncle

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 3 Apr 1710^51,51

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: died young^51,51

Father: Isaac Little, 5G Grandfather (21 Feb 1677/78-2 Feb 1758)

Mother: Mary Otis, 5G Grandmother (10 Dec 1685-bef 29 Nov 1732)

(5) 1.2.6.3a.3 Otis Little, GGGG Granduncle

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 3 Apr 1711^51,51

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Isaac Little, 5G Grandfather (21 Feb 1677/78-2 Feb 1758)

Mother: Mary Otis, 5G Grandmother (10 Dec 1685-bef 29 Nov 1732)

Spouse: Elizabeth Howland (7 Jul 1709-)

Birth: 7 Jul 1709^53,53

Birth Place: Bristol, Massachusetts

Marriage: 3 Oct 1733⁵³

Marr Place: Bristol, Massachusetts

3 Children…

Charles (15 Jun 1734-)

William (1736-)

Mary (Jun 1738-)

(6) 1.2.6.3a.3.1 Charles Little, 1C5R

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 15 Jun 1734^53,53

Birth Place: Pembroke Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Otis Little, GGGG Granduncle (3 Apr 1711-)

Mother: Elizabeth Howland (7 Jul 1709-)

(6) 1.2.6.3a.3.2 William Little, 1C5R

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 1736^53,53

Birth Place: Pembroke Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Otis Little, GGGG Granduncle (3 Apr 1711-)

Mother: Elizabeth Howland (7 Jul 1709-)

(6) 1.2.6.3a.3.3 Mary Little, 1C5R

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: Jun 1738^53,53

Birth Place: Pembroke Township, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Otis Little, GGGG Granduncle (3 Apr 1711-)

Mother: Elizabeth Howland (7 Jul 1709-)

(5) 1.2.6.3a.4 Mercy Little, GGGG Grandaunt

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 28 Apr 1716^51,51

Birth Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Death: 13 Jul 1723, age: 7^51,51

Death Place: Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Father: Isaac Little, 5G Grandfather (21 Feb 1677/78-2 Feb 1758)

Mother: Mary Otis, 5G Grandmother (10 Dec 1685-bef 29 Nov 1732)

(5) 1.2.6.3a.5a Captain Nathaniel Little*^{25,54,25,54,51,55,51,55}, GGGG Grandfather

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 20 Aug 1722^{51,55,56,51,55,56}

Birth Place: Marshfield Township, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts

Death: aft 3 Apr 1795, age: 72^52,52

Death Place: Belpre, Ohio

Census: 1790, age: 67^18,18

Census Place: Bridgewater Census

Memo: Showed 1-1-3

Father: Isaac Little, 5G Grandfather (21 Feb 1677/78-2 Feb 1758)

Mother: Mary Otis, 5G Grandmother (10 Dec 1685-bef 29 Nov 1732)

Occupation: ferryman soldier, yeoman & farmer²⁷

On 29 Jan. 1754 Nathaniel Little of Triverton, ferryman, sold land in Dartmouth to Peleg Slocum; wife Lydia released her dower.

On 5 March 1785 Nathanial Little of Kingston, Gentleman, sold land in Pembroke to Thomas Hobart. His father Issac Little bought this land from Capt. Thomas Barker; Keziah Little gave up her right to dower.

On 9 March 1785 Nathaniel Little of Kingston, Gentleman, sold all his rights to land in Kingston to Nathaniel Cooper. Wife Keziah gave up her right to dower.

On 25 April 1785 Nathaniel Little of Kingston, Gentleman, sold all his rights to land in Marshfield to Barker Little of Dartmouth, Adams Bailey and Luther Bailey. This land had been set off to his wife Lydia in the division of the estate of her father Isaac Barker of Pembroke.

Nathaniel Little as 1-1-3 in the 1790 census of Bridgewater.

On 3 April 1795 Nathaniel Little of Bridgewater, yeoman, and Keziah his wife sold land in Plymouth to Rossiter Cotton. This land had been laid out to their father John Wood, late of Plymouth.²⁷

Military: Captain American Revolution & Head Quartermaster

Misc. Notes: On 29 Jan. 1754 Nathaniel Little of Triverton, ferryman, sold land in Dartmouth to Peleg Slocum; wife Lydia released her dower.

On 9 March 1785 Nathaniel Little of Kingston, Gentleman, sold all his rights to land in Kingston to Nathaniel Cooper. Wife Keziah gave up her right to dower.

Nathaniel Little as 1-1-3 in the 1790 census of Bridgewater.

On 3 April 1795 Nathaniel Little of Bridgewater, yeoman, and Keziah his wife sold land in Plymouth to Rossiter Cotton. This land had been laid out to their father John Wood, late of Plymouth.

Spouse: Keziah Atwood, GGGG Grandmother (18 Apr 1721-Apr 1814)

Birth: 18 Apr 1721^23,23

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Massachusetts

Death: Apr 1814, age: 92^57,57

Death Place: Belpre, Ohio

Father: John Atwood, 5G Grandfather (1 May 1684-6 Aug 1754)

Mother: Sarah Leavitt, 5G Grandmother (8 Feb 1688/89-22 Jan 1725/26)

The Last Will and Testament of Keziah Little

(Published in the Mayflower Quarterly)

by Barry A. Cotton

After the Northwest Territory was ceded to the United States at the Treaty of Fort McIntosh in 1785, the Ohio Company purchased one million acres of land along the Ohio River and a number of families from New England migrated to Ohio in 1788 and 1789. One of the first families to settle Ohio was Nathaniel Little, his wife Keziah Atwood/Adams, his daughter Lucy and Lucy’s husband Lieutenant John Cotton, who served with Nathaniel Little in the War of Revolution.

The marriage of John Cotton and Lucy Little links two of the oldest and most distinguished families of Old Plymouth Colony. Lucy Little is descended from Richard Warren, Mayflower passenger and signer of the Mayflower Compact. And, Lieutenant John Cotton is descended from Rev. John Cotton, who fled England in 1633 to escape trial by Charles I for being puritan.

The Last Will and Testament of Keziah Little documents the intermarriage of these two families as Lucy Cotton is named Keziah Little’s daughter and the children of Lucy Cotton (Theophilus, Lucy, Joshua and John Cotton) are named Keziah Little’s grandchildren. The following is a transcription of Keziah Little’s Last Will and Testament that is located in the records of the Washington County Courthouse in Marietta, Ohio.

______________________________________________________________________________

In the Name of God, Amen, I Keziah Little of Belpre in the County of Washington and State of Ohio being in health of body and of a sound disposing mind and memory (for which I bless God) Do make and Ordain this as my last Will and Testament (to wit) 1st that my debts and Funeral charges be paid, 2ndly I give and bequeath to my three daughters Lydia Crain, Christian Tisdall and Lucy Cotton one dollar each 3. My Will is that the remainder of my estate or such Worldly good things as it hath pleased God to commit to my trust be divided equally to my grand children namely Theophilus Cotton, Lucy Cotton, Joshua Cotton, John Cotton, Welthy Little, Charles Little, Henry Little, Lewis Little, Nathaniel Little, George Little, Robert Bradford, Samuel Bradford, Otis Bradford, George Nashe, Betsy Seall, Morris Seall and Sally Dier. And I do hereby Ordain constitute and appoint Col. Israel Putnam of Belpre aforesaid as executor to this my last Will and Testament, In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and eleven, Done and executed in presents of these Witnesses who saw me sign as testator and each other as witnesses.

Ebenr Battelle Jr. Keziah Little {SEAL}

Luther Dana

Philip Greene

State of Ohio In Court of Common Pleas

Washington County Js: April Term: Anno Domini 1814

This last Will and Testament of Keziah Little deceased was presented in Court and proved by the Oaths of Ebenezer Battelle junior and Philip Greene subscribing witnesses to the same and Ordered to be recorded, And the executor named in the said Will being dead. On the motion of Aaron Waldo Putnam Ordered that letters of Administration with the said Will annexed be granted him on the estate of the said Keziah Little deceased he having taken the oath required by law and entered into Bond in the penalty of five hundred dollars with Robert Bradford & David Putnam his Securities Conditioned as the law directs. The Court also appointed Nathaniel Cushing, Daniel Goodno and Daniel Loring to appraise the said deceased’s estate agreeably to law.

(Examined) Attest- Lewis Barber, Clerk

The Last Will and Testament of Keziah Little brings to light a branch of Mayflower descendants previously undocumented in the membership of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Included in this branch are at least five generations descending from the seventeen grandchildren named in Keziah Little’s Will.

Little: (Welthy Little, Charles Little, Henry Little, Lewis Little, Nathaniel Little & George Little)

Cotton: (Theophilus Cotton, Lucy Cotton, Joshua Cotton & John Cotton)

Bradford: (Robert Bradford, Samuel Bradford & Otis Bradford)

Seall: (Betsy Seall & Morris Seall)

Nashe: (George Nashe)

Dier: ( Sally Dier)

The ancestors of the Little, Cotton & Bradford lines shown above were all from Massachusetts and most had lived in Plymouth since the landing of the Mayflower in 1620. Richard Warren, Mayflower passenger, was one of these and his daughter, Anna Warren, married Thomas Little in Plymouth on 19 April 1633 to establish the Little line in America. The Cotton family of Old Plymouth Colony was established in 1668 when Rev. John Cotton Jr. became vicar of the Plymouth Church. The Bradford Family descends from William Bradford, Mayflower passenger and Governor of Plymouth Colony. Captain Robert Bradford married Lucy Little’s sister, Keziah Little. As a result, the Bradford grandchildren shown above descend from two separate Mayflower lines.

The three witnesses to the signing of the Last Will and Testament of Keziah Little also originated from New England and were among the first families to settle Ohio. Colonel Ebenezer Battelle graduated from Harvard College in 1775 and fought as a Colonel in the Massachusetts Militia during the Revolutionary War. After the war, Colonel Battelle joined the Ohio Company and migrated to Ohio with his son, Ebenezer Battellle Jr. in 1788. Luther Dana was the son of William Dana who had been an artillery captain during the Revolutionary War and both father and son migrated to Ohio in 1788. Philip Greene of Warwick, Rhode Island settled in Belpre, Ohio in 1796 with his parents and nine brothers & sisters.

Opening up the Ohio River Valley had been the dream of George Washington ever since he first surveyed the area in 1770. After the Revolutionary War, Washington’s aide-de-camp, General Rufus Putnam, helped realize this dream by founding the Ohio Company on March 1, 1786 at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston, Massachusetts. Another Putnam, Colonel Israel Putnam Jr., joined Rufus Putnam in settling Ohio. Rufus Putnam and Israel Putnam Jr. were related, as their grandfathers were half brothers. During Washington’s presidency, Congress made Rufus Putnam the first Surveyor General of the United States and he is known as the Father of Ohio. Major General Israel Putnam Sr. was a hero at the Battle of Bunker Hill and the father of Colonel Israel Putnam Jr. whom Keziah Little named executor of her Will.

Not only was Israel Putnam Jr. named executor of the Last Will and Testament of Keziah Little, he also is shown in the appraisement of Keziah’s estate as having signed a note with Keziah for $368.75 due on June 4, 1814. Israel Putnam Jr. died just prior to the disposition of the Will of Keziah Little so the court named his son, Aaron Waldo Putnam, executor after a $500 bond was posted with Aaron’s brother David Putnam and Keziah’s grandson, Robert Bradford, who also owed Keziah $33.84 in a note due on June 4, 1814.

The following is a transcription of the record of Keziah Little’s estate appraisement from the records of the Washington County Courthouse in Marietta, Ohio.

Keziah Little’s Appraisement

An Inventory of the personal property of Keziah Little late of Belpre in the County of Washington deceased shown to us by A. W. Putnam, Administrator on said date (Viz):

One note hand signed by Israel Putnam balance due on said Note

4th June 1814 Three Hundred Sixty-Eight dollars and seventy five cents

appraised at $368.75

One note signed by Luther Dana bearing date Sept. 3, 1811 for

Sixty-Three dollars. Interest to 4th June 1814: $10.55 appraised at $73.55

One Note hand signed by Robert Bradford balance due on 4th June 1814

Thirty-Three dollars eighty four cents appraised at $33.84

Appraisal of property of the deceased taken at Austin, County of

Trumbull exhibited to the Administrator amount Thirty-Five dollars

seventy-three cents $35.73

Belpre, June 4th 1814 $511.87

Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace for said County, Daniel Goodno and Daniel Loving who swore the above Inventory was taken according to the best of their knowledge.

Belpre, Oct. 10th 1815

Cyrus Ames

State of Ohio In Court of Common Pleas

Washington County Js} November Term Anno Domini 1815

This Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of Keziah Little

deceased being returned is ordered to be recorded examined. Attest: Lewis Barber Clk

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED SOURCES:

Hildreth, S. P. (1854). Memoirs of the Early Pioneer Settlers of Ohio. Baltimore, MD 1995 Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Company.

Little, K. (1811) Transcribed Record of Last Will & Testament of Keziah Little, 3 Sept. 1811 Marietta, Ohio, Washington County Court House. Public Records Volume I.

Little, K. (1814). Transcribed Record of Keziah Little’s Appraisement, 4 June. 1814.

Marietta, Ohio, Washington County Court House. Public Records Volume I.

Wakefield (1999). Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Family of Richard Warren. Volume 18, Parts 1 & 2, Plymouth, MA, General Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Walker, C. M. (1869). History of Athens County Ohio. Bowie, MD, 1996 Reprinted by Heritage Books.

________________________________________________________________________

Kezia Atwood (aka Wood) married Francis Adams in Plymouth on April 4 1737 when she was 16 years old. Francis Adams was a sea captain and died in Jamacia in 1752 when Keziah was 25 years old. She had the following children with Francis Adams: Francis (1)¹⁸, Samuel (1), Samuel (2), Lydia, Keziah and Francis (2).

Misc. Notes: The Last Will and Testament of Keziah Little

(Published in the Mayflower Quarterly)

by Barry A. Cotton

______________________________________________________________________________

Ebenr Battelle Jr. Keziah Little {SEAL}

Luther Dana

Philip Greene

State of Ohio In Court of Common Pleas

Washington County Js: April Term: Anno Domini 1814

(Examined) Attest- Lewis Barber, Clerk

Little: (Welthy Little, Charles Little, Henry Little, Lewis Little, Nathaniel Little & George Little)

Cotton: (Theophilus Cotton, Lucy Cotton, Joshua Cotton & John Cotton)

Bradford: (Robert Bradford, Samuel Bradford & Otis Bradford)

Seall: (Betsy Seall & Morris Seall)

Nashe: (George Nashe)

Dier: ( Sally Dier)

The following is a transcription of the record of Keziah Little’s estate appraisement from the records of the Washington County Courthouse in Marietta, Ohio.

Keziah Little’s Appraisement

An Inventory of the personal property of Keziah Little late of Belpre in the County of Washington deceased shown to us by A. W. Putnam, Administrator on said date (Viz):

One note hand signed by Israel Putnam balance due on said Note

4th June 1814 Three Hundred Sixty-Eight dollars and seventy five cents

appraised at $368.75

One note signed by Luther Dana bearing date Sept. 3, 1811 for

Sixty-Three dollars. Interest to 4th June 1814: $10.55 appraised at $73.55

One Note hand signed by Robert Bradford balance due on 4th June 1814

Thirty-Three dollars eighty four cents appraised at $33.84

Appraisal of property of the deceased taken at Austin, County of

Trumbull exhibited to the Administrator amount Thirty-Five dollars

seventy-three cents $35.73

Belpre, June 4th 1814 $511.87

Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace for said County, Daniel Goodno and Daniel Loving who swore the above Inventory was taken according to the best of their knowledge.

Belpre, Oct. 10th 1815

Cyrus Ames

State of Ohio In Court of Common Pleas

Washington County Js} November Term Anno Domini 1815

This Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of Keziah Little

deceased being returned is ordered to be recorded examined. Attest: Lewis Barber Clk

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SELECTED SOURCES:

Hildreth, S. P. (1854). Memoirs of the Early Pioneer Settlers of Ohio. Baltimore, MD 1995 Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Company.

Little, K. (1811) Transcribed Record of Last Will & Testament of Keziah Little, 3 Sept. 1811 Marietta, Ohio, Washington County Court House. Public Records Volume I.

Little, K. (1814). Transcribed Record of Keziah Little’s Appraisement, 4 June. 1814.

Marietta, Ohio, Washington County Court House. Public Records Volume I.

Wakefield (1999). Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Family of Richard Warren. Volume 18, Parts 1 & 2, Plymouth, MA, General Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Walker, C. M. (1869). History of Athens County Ohio. Bowie, MD, 1996 Reprinted by Heritage Books.

________________________________________________________________________

Kezia Atwood (aka Wood) married Francis Adams in Plymouth on April 4 1737 when she was 16 years old. Francis Adams was a sea captain and died in Jamacia in 1752 when Keziah was 25 years old. She had the following children with Francis Adams: Francis (1), Samuel (1), Samuel (2), Lydia, Keziah and Francis (2).

Marriage: 17 Apr 1755^27,58

Marr Place: Plymouth Township, Massachusetts

Memo: registered intention of marriage 22 Feb 1754

5 Children…

Lucy (22 Sep 1757-9 Oct 1837)

Keziah (abt 1759-)

Nathaniel (abt 1759-)

Christina (9 Dec 1762-)

Mercy (abt 1764-)

Other spouses: Lydia Barker

(6) 1.2.6.3a.5a.1 Lucy Little^{27,59,60,27,59,60,61}, GGG Grandmother

_____________________________________________________________

Birth: 22 Sep 1757^27,62,27,62

Birth Place: Marshfield, Massachusetts

Memo: born at “Seven of ye Clock”

Death: 9 Oct 1837, age: 80^63,63

Death Place: Austin Township, Trumbull County, Ohio

Burial: Oct 1837^63,63

Burial Place: Cotton Private Cemetery, Austintown, Mahoning County, Ohio

Memo: The Cemetery is located in Austintown, Ohio behind 5163 Mahoning Avenue.

Father: Captain Nathaniel Little, GGGG Grandfather (20 Aug 1722-aft 3 Apr 1795)

Mother: Keziah Atwood, GGGG Grandmother (18 Apr 1721-Apr 1814)

Research: RESEARCH NOTE: The following is taken from Probate Record, Trumbull, Ohio²⁵ and helps to establish proof in support of Mayflower Families through Five Generations: Family of Richard Warren by Robert S. Wakefield, F.A.S.G. that Captain Nathaniel Little married into the Cotton Family, left Massachussets for Ohio and formed a branch of the Cotton Family that then moved to the Fort Wayne, Indiana area.

“It is my wish to administer the estate of my brother, Theiza Little, provided I could do it without attending Court (being unable to get to Warren), therefore I wish to have my son, Theophilus Cotton appointed to that office” Lucy Cotton, March 1814

Note to record:

Kezia Little (Sister of Lucy Cotton) and daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Little and Keziah (Atwood) Adams of Marshfield, Massachussets & Belpre, Ohio; born Plymouth, Massachussets ca 1756, died at Belpre, Ohio 1810 and married Capt. Robert Bradford at Kingston, Massachussets 2-19-1782.²⁵

Research: RESEARCH NOTE: The following is taken from Probate Record, Trumbull, Ohio and helps to establish proof in support of Mayflower Families through Five Generations: Family of Richard Warren by Robert S. Wakefield, F.A.S.G. that Captain Nathaniel Little married into the Cotton Family, left Massachussets for Ohio and formed a branch of the Cotton Family that then moved to the Fort Wayne, Indiana area.

Note to record:

Spouse: Lieutenant John Cotton, GGG Grandfather (10 Jan 1746-1 Feb 1831)

Birth: 10 Jan 1746^64,65,64,65

Birth Place: Plymouth Township, Massachusetts

Death: 1 Feb 1831, age: 85^63,63

Death Place: Austin Township, Trumbull County, Ohio

Burial: Feb 1831^63,63

Burial Place: Cotton Private Cemetery, Austintown, Mahoning County, Ohio

Memo: John Cottons inscriptin reads, “A Revolutionary War Patriot who departedthis life Feb 1, AD 1831. The Cemetery is located in Austintown, Ohio behind 5163 Mahoning Avenue.

Father: Colonel Theophilus Cotton, GGGG Grandfather (31 Mar 1716-18 Feb 1782)

Mother: Martha Sanders, GGGG Grandmother (abt 1717-10 Apr 1796)

1808 moved to the Mahoning Valley to Marietta, Ohio near present day Youngstown⁵⁹

______________________________________________________

Reported by Mrs. R.S. Winnagel, Warren, Ohio

DAR Roster 1, p 89 – Roster 2, p 393

COTTON, JOHN – Mahoning County⁶⁰

B at Plymouth, Mass, son of Theophilus Cotton (also a Revolutionary Soldr) and his wife Martha Saunders. John d at Autintown, (then in Trumbull Co now in Mahoning Co. OH) 2-21-1831. A Pens. His appl recorded on Trumbull Co records states , Juy 1, 1921 a res of Austintown ae 75 yrs 6 mo. Served as quartermaster in Col Theophilus Cotton’s regt over 8 mos. in 1776, then as ensign in Elijah Brooks’s Company, and John Baily’s Regt. to the close of the year. He was then appointed Lt in Capt Whipple’s Company, in Rufus Putnam’s Regt, and served in that capacity until some time in the year 1778(?). He was then appointed quartermaster to John Hixon and continued in said service until Oct 1780. He then retired and had an honorable disch. Occupation frming. Family consisting of self and wife. he m, (Intentions recorded at Kingston, Mas), 6-29-1780, to Lucy Little, b 9-22-1757 at Marshfield, Mass, dau of Nathaniel Little, Sr. (a Revolutionary Soldr) of Marshfield, Mass and Belpre, Washington Co. OH, and his 2nd wife, Mrs. Keziah (Atwood) Adams both of whom died at Belpre, OH. Keziah names Lucy Cotton in her will recorded in Washington Co., OH. Lucy d at Austintown, OH 10-9-1837. Trumbull, Co records show that three sons and ond dau survied their father. Children: Theophilus m 9-4-1808 Hannah Rush of Youngstown, OH; Joshua Thomas b 1-3-1785 m 12-18-1810 Betsey Williamson; John m 2-26-1815 m 2-26-1815 Cynthia Parkhurst; Lucy. 58th N S D A R Report

Military:

Service Record of Lieutenant John Cotton Quartermaster, American Revolution⁶⁶

April 1775 appointed Quarter Master under Col. Theophilus Cotton for about 8 months.

January 1776 reassigned to Enign Elija Crother’s Company under Col. John Barbey

December 1776 reassigned to Col. Baily’s Regiment

January 1777 appointed to Lieutenant in Col. Rufus Putnam’s Regiment

May 1780 commission transferred and reassigned as Quartermaster to Gen. John Nixen

______________________________________________________________

The Human Side of War: A Father, his son and General George Washington

In April 1775, after the Battle of Lexington, John Cotton joined the Plymouth Regiment to serve under his father, Colonel Theophilus Cotton as Quarter Master Sergeant. Sometime between April and September 1775, John “defrauded the Regiment of part of their allowance of provisions” and was subsequently court-martialed by General George Washington. This incident was discovered during a search for information on the Cotton Family in the records of the Library of Congress. In the Washington Papers, mention of a Court Martial of a Sergeant John Cotton in Colonel Theophilus Cotton’s Plymouth Regiment turned up and was compared with Lt. John Cotton’s Revolutionary War Pension Application to match dates in order to determine if the John Cotton mentioned in the court martial was, in fact, Colonel Theophilus Cotton’s son, John Cotton. The match seems to be well documented and no other John Cotton has been found that served in the Plymouth Regiment. The incident does not appear to have been considered a grave matter as John Cotton had to repay money and could no longer serve as quarter master in the Plymouth Regiment.

John Cotton ended up serving over five (5) years in the Revolutionary War; was appointed an Ensign three (3) months after the court martial under Colonel John Barbey and in January 1777, received his commission as Lieutenant in Colonel Rufus Putnam’s Regiment. A transcript of the Court Martial from the Washington Papers follows below along with a photo of the actual entry made by General Washington.⁶⁶

“Serjt John Cotton, in Col Cottons Regt tried by the same General Court Martial, for “defrauding the regiment of part of their allowance of provisions.” The Court sentence the Prisoner to refund, and pay back fourteen pounds, six shillings and four pence to said regiment, and be disqualified to serve in said Regiment, as Quarter Master Serjeant, for the future.”⁶⁷

The “same General Court Martial” refered to took place at: Head Quarters, Cambridge, September 16, 1775.

Ref.: The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799

John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor, Volume 3⁶⁷

____________________________________________________________________________

What follows is a transcript of Lt. John Cotton’s application for a Revoluationary War Pension:⁶⁶

Continental John Cotton S42649

Mass

Page 2a

Attention: G. Fru(not legible) July 22, 18–

Hon. Peter Rowd

Jan’y 12, 1855

Died Feb. 1, 1831 (AB)

In right hand margin: Notification sent to George parsons, Esq., Warren, Ohio, 12 Sept. 1820

Page 2b

11,616 R

OHPO

John Cotton

Col. Putnam in the State of (not legible) who was a Lieutenant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Putnam of the Mass. Co. for the term of 2 years.

Inscribed on the roll of Ohio at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 5th of January 1812.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th of June 1811 and sent to George Todd, Warren, Trumbull Co., OH

Appears to 4th of Mar 1814 semi-anl. All’ce ending 4 Sept 19

2 Ms 120

$160

{Revolutionary claim}

(Act 18th March, 1818}

Coninu.

John Cotton, residing in Youngs town in the County of Trumbull in the State of Ohio, on his solemn oath discloses and says in his affidavit testimony that a few days after the battle of Lexington, he was appointed Quarter Master of the Third Minute Regiment commanded by Theophilus Cotton and marched to Roxbury, that immediately at the onset and of that he was appointed Ensign in Colonel John Barbey’s Regiment, that he served out and was appointed Lieutenant in Colonel Rufus Putnam’s regiment, then in service of the United States. His commission of Lieutenant then was transferred to the 10th day of may 1780 giving him rank as such from the 1st day of January 1777, that he was at the taking of Burgoyne in 1778 that giving him action in service he was quarter master to General John Nixen’s Brigade in which office he served until the 3rd day of October 1780 being of both assignments and was that day discharged by order of the Commissioner General, as it will appear on the back of his commission, that he is in indigent circumstances and finds the application helps his cause for support and that unless to nullify all claims to any Insurance if any which have been allowed by the Senate (illegible) of the United States, he then petitions for any relief under the Acts of Congress, ratified the 18th day of March 1818 in that “An act to (provide payment) for certain persons enjoined by the country for personal service to the United States in the revolutionary war”. (much of the last sentence is barely legible)

signed John Cotton