Person Page

     Philip Knight was born on 27 December 1669 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 He was baptized with seven of his siblings on 24 May 1691 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Rebecca Towne, daughter of Edmund Towne and Mary Browning, before 20 August 1693 (when one of their daughters was baptized) in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 He died on 19 August 1696 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 26.^1,2
     He died intestate, and his widow was appointed to administer his estate on 22 March 1696/97. The final account was filed 11 November 1700 and includes £12 for raising their two children ("dyet and clothing") for four years.^1,2
     He and Rebecca had two known children, Rebecca (b 21 August 1695, d aft 5 April 1748) and Elizabeth (bap 5 Jul 1696).^2,1

     Elizabeth Towne was born on 2 November 1669 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married Thomas Wilkins, son of Thomas Wilkins and Hannah Nichols, on 19 December 1694 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,3 She died after 28 November 1726.²

     Thomas Wilkins was born on 26 May 1673 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Elizabeth Towne, daughter of Edmund Towne and Mary Browning, on 19 December 1694 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 He died in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts, between 28 November 1726, when he made his will, and 28 December 1726, when it was presented in court.²
     His will was dated 28 November 1726 and presented 28 December 1726. It mentions his wife Elizabeth, sons Thomas, Hezekiah, Jonathan, and David, and daughters Elizabeth Upton, Mary Upton, and Mercy Wilkins.³

     Samuel Towne was born on 11 February 1672/73 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Elizabeth Knight, daughter of Philip Knight and Margaret Wilkins, on 20 October 1696 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 He died on 22 March 1713/14 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 41.²
     His will was dated 21 March 1714, and his widow Elizabeth was appointed administrator on 3 May 1714. The estate was divided between her and their son Samuel, with their son Philip and daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca receiving smaller shares.⁴

     Catharine Symonds was baptized on 18 April 1630 at St. Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.¹ She married Jacob Towne, son of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, on 26 June 1657 in Topsfield (Davis says in Salem), Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She died after 24 November 1704 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She came to New England with her father sometime between 19 May 1633 and 1636.³
     Hoover says that after their marriage she and her husband Jacob lived in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, for 12 years (i.e., from 1657 to 1669), then moved to Topsfield. However, Jacob was named as a commoner in Topsfield in 1661, and all their children are listed as being born in Topsfield.^1,2
     She was named in her husband's will, dated 24 November 1704 and proved 1 January 1704/05. She was to be provided for by her son John and daughter Ruth, in return for their shares of their father's estate.^2,1

     John Towne was born on 2 April 1658 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Mary Smith, daughter of Robert Smith and Mary French, on 2 February 1679/80 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He died before 20 August 1740, when his will was presented in court, probably in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.³
     He was named executor of his father's will, dated 24 November 1704 and proved 1 January 1704/05. He and his sister Ruth were to have equal shares of their father's homestead that wasn't already disposed of, including the buildings and moveables. In return they were to provide for their mother Catharine and brother Edmund, and to pay their father's debts and funeral expenses.^4,1
     After their marriage, he and his wife Mary lived in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He was active there in the town's affairs, often serving as constable, fence viewer, and surveyor of highways, bridges, and fences.²
     They moved to Salem End (now Framingham), Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, in 1698^5,2, where he acquired 211 acres of land from Joseph Buckminister, at first through a lease, then a purchase in March 1711 for £72.² When the area was incorporated as the town of Framingham, he was chosen as Selectman at the first town meeting, on 5 August 1700, and was elected to the same office in several later years.²
     On 11 September 1706 he sold his interest in his father's estate in Topsfield to his brother Jacob Towne for £55.⁶
     He sold 190 acres to Jonathan Maynard on 29 May 1713², and moved to Oxford, Suffolk Co. (now Worcester Co.), Massachusetts, where his sons Israel and Ephraim were among the original land owners.² At the first town meeting, held on 22 July 1713, he was elected Town Clerk and selectman.² He and three others formed an early comittee to consider the establishment of a church in Oxford, and he was chosen as deacon when it was formed on 21 January 1721.²
     He and members of his family dropped the "e" from their surname after moving to Oxford in 1713.²

     Jacob Towne was born on 13 February 1659/60 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Phebe Smith, daughter of Robert Smith and Mary French, on 24 June 1684 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He died on 4 October 1741 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 81.²
     He swore his allegiance to the King on 18 December 1678.²
     He was named in his father's will, dated 24 November 1704 and proved 1 January 1704/05, and was to receive the land where he was then living, about 49 acres on the north side of the Ipswich River, plus "one acre and sixty poles of meadow" on the south side of the river.^3,1
     On 11 September 1706 he bought his brother John's interest in their father's estate in Topsfield for £55.⁴

     Katharine Towne was born on 25 February 1661/62 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married Elisha Perkins, son of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, on 23 February 1679/80 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She died on 2 July 1714 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 52.²
     She was named in her father's will, dated 24 November 1704 and proved 1 January 1704/05, and was left £5 "not in or as money but other Current pay," in addition to what she had already received.^3,1

     Elisha Perkins was born about 1654 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 He married first Katharine Towne, daughter of Jacob Towne and Catharine Symonds, on 23 February 1679/80 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married second Elizabeth Knight, daughter of Philip Knight and Margaret Wilkins, on 4 April 1715 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^4,5 He died on 18 February 1740/41 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2
     He was a farmer, living on part of his father's land in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ In his father's will, dated 11 December 1685 and proved 10 Sep 1686, he and his brothers Thomas and Timothy, and their sons, were left "all the farm I do live on." Their mother was to live in his house with Thomas and Timothy "if they can possibly agree, for I do think it will be best for them to carry on together." If they were to split apart, they, along with Elisha, were each to pay their mother £2 yearly. Also, if Thomas and Timothy were to split apart, 1/4 of the income from the orchard was to go to Elisha. He also received various livestock.¹
     He held many public offices in Topsfield, including: clerk of selectmen from 1705-1708; fence viewer in 1708, 1711, 1717, 1720, and 1723; grand juryman in 1708, 1709, 1715, 1718, 1721, and 1725; selectman in 1710, 1712, 1716, and 1724; and highway surveyor in 1717.⁶
     In 1720 he deeded two acres of land, plus an island (in the Ipswich River?) containing two acres of upland and meadow, to his son John.³ In 1739 he gave his sons John, Jacob, and Joseph the land that he had purchased from Jacob, William, and Samuel Towne in 1702/03.³

     Deliverance Towne was born on 5 August 1664 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married John Stiles, son of John Stiles and Elizabeth Frye, on 24 November 1684 in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She died on 16 May 1705 in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 40.²
     She was named in her father's will, dated 24 November 1704 and proved 1 January 1704/05. After her mother's death, she was to receive the bed that had gone to her brother Edmund.^3,1
     She and John had the following known children: Deliverance (b 10 September 1685, prob d bef 15 January 1732/33), Ruth (b 17 February 1686/87), John (b 1 November 1688, d bef 2 June 1767), Mercy (bap 2 December 1694), Elizabeth (b October 1696, prob d bef 15 January 1732/33), Mehitable (b 23 October 1699), Eleanor (b 17 February 1702/03, d aft 11 October 1747).²

     John Stiles was born on 30 January 1661/62 in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married first Deliverance Towne, daughter of Jacob Towne and Catharine Symonds, on 24 November 1684 in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married second Mary French on 14 December 1705 in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died before 26 February 1732/33, when his will was admitted for probate, in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He was made a freeman in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts, in 1690, and served as constable in 1705 and selectman in 1725.¹
     He and his first wife Deliverance had the following known children: Deliverance (b 10 September 1685, prob d bef 15 January 1732/33), Ruth (b 17 February 1686/87), John (b 1 November 1688, d bef 2 June 1767), Mercy (bap 2 December 1694), Elizabeth (b October 1696, prob d bef 15 January 1732/33), Mehitable (b 23 October 1699), Eleanor (b 17 February 1702/03, d aft 11 October 1747).¹

     Ruth Towne was born on 5 August 1664 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died on 1 August 1739 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 74.¹
     She was named in her father's will, dated 24 November 1704 and and proved 1 January 1704/05. She and her brother John were to have equal shares of their father's homestead that wasn't already disposed of, including the buildings and moveables. In return they were to provide for their mother Catharine and brother Edmund, and to pay their father's debts and funeral expenses.^2,1

     Edmund Towne was born on 21 July 1666 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 25 December 1736 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 70.¹
     He was named in his father's will, dated 24 November 1704 and proved 1 January 1704/05. He was to be provided for by his brother John and sister Ruth, in return for their shares of the estate. After his mother's death, his bed was to go to his sister Deliverance.^2,1
     He was probably lame, possibly from birth. This conclusion is based on the terms of his father's will providing for his care, and on the will of John Davis of Topsfield, dated 16 May 1672 when Edmund was age 5, in which he mentions "Jacob Townes' lame child."¹

     Sarah French was born on 1 March 1664/65 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Thomas Towne, son of Edmund Towne and Mary Browning, on 17 March 1684/85 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Margaret Wilkins was probably born about 1667 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married first John Willard about 1687.^1,2 She married second William Towne, son of Edmund Towne and Mary Browning, on 22 August 1694 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She died on 5 November 1751 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,4
     In 1692, during the trial of her first husband John Willard for witchcraft in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, her cousin Margaret Knight declared in court that she (Margaret (Wilkins) Willard) had complained to her about his cruelty.^5,6
     Her will was dated 26 December 1750, and names her son John Willard, daughters Mary Towne and Kezia Fitts, and granddaughter Mary Kenney.³
     She and her first husband John had the following known children: Hannah, John, Margaret.⁶

     Amy Smith was born on 16 August 1668 in Topsfield (Davis says Rowley Village), Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 She married Joseph Towne, son of Edmund Towne and Mary Browning, on 10 August 1687 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She died on 22 February 1756 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 87.²
     She was named in her husband's will, dated 18 May 1717 and proved on 16 Dec 1717. She was left the furniture, a cow, and 1/3 of the real estate. She also received the use of a living room and a chamber above it in the family house, which had been left to her son Daniel, for the remainder of her life.³
     She and Joseph had the following known children, all born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts: Joseph (b abt 1689, bapt 30 May 1703, d bef 10 February 1712/13), Benjamin (b 10 May 1691, d 11 February 1772), Nathan (b 1693, d bef 17 August 1761), Daniel (b 22 August 1695), Jesse (b 5 December 1697, drowned 1754), Nathaniel (b 1 June 1700, d 17 June 1765), Amme (b 3 February 1703/04, d 1 May 1792), Amos (b 2 July 1709, drowned February 1746/47).^2,3,4

     Elizabeth Knight was born on 25 January 1676/77 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She was baptized with seven of her siblings on 24 May 1691 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married first Samuel Towne, son of Edmund Towne and Mary Browning, on 20 October 1696 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She married second Elisha Perkins, son of Thomas Perkins and Phebe Gould, on 4 April 1715 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She died on 17 May 1752 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 75.¹
     She was appointed administrator of her husband's estate on 3 May 1714. The estate was divided between her and their son Samuel, with their son Philip and daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca receiving smaller shares.³

     Mary Smith was born on 28 October 1658 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married John Towne, son of Jacob Towne and Catharine Symonds, on 2 February 1679/80 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²
     After their marriage, she and her husband John lived in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, until 1698², when they moved to Salem End (now Framingham), Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2
     She was living when her husband's will was written on 11 January 1730/31.²

     Phebe Smith was born on 26 August 1661 in Topsfield (Davis says Rowley Village), Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 She married Jacob Towne, son of Jacob Towne and Catharine Symonds, on 24 June 1684 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She died on 14 January 1739/40 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 78.^2,1

     Abigail Stanley was baptized on 6 August 1688 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married first John Towne, son of Joseph Towne and Phebe Perkins, on 8 July 1712 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married second her first husband's cousin John Towne, son of Jacob Towne and Phebe Smith, on 11 May 1715 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died from a fall down a flight of stairs on 1 September 1746 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 58.¹
     She and her second husband John Towne had the following known children, all born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts: Samuel (bap 30 June 1717, d November 1778), Jonathan (b 25 May 1719, d 1 October 1778), Abigail (b 20 September 1721, d 8 December 1739), Katharine (b 14 December 1725), John (b 3 December 1729, d 9 January 1820).³

     John Towne was born on 23 February 1708/9 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Mercy Towne, daughter of William Towne and Margaret Wilkins, on 23 April 1729 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ He died in 1754 in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.²
     He was admitted to the church in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, on 3 May 1741.⁴
     His will was dated 6 September 1754 and proved 5 February 1755.⁴
     He and Mercy had the following known children: Ichabod (b 26 November 1729, d 7 January 1794), Mercy (b 10 September 1731), William (b 20 January 1732/33, d 28 October 1811), Elijah (b 17 May 1734), Deborah (bap 28 December 1735, d 24 June 1810), Asa (bap 4 December 1837, s bef 2 January 1816), Elizabeth (b 13 May 1740, d 11 September 1781), Mary (b 1 April 1742), John (b 5 March 1743/44, d 8 January 1771), Sarah (bap 7 December 1746, d young), Sarah (b 21 May 1750), Lois (b 30 September 1752, d 9 September 1812).²

     Elizabeth Towne was born on 22 November 1711 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Bartholomew Towne was born on 4 April 1713 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Hannah Fitts, daughter of Robert Fitts and Hannah Dike, on 27 June 1740 in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.² He died on 9 May 1783 in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, at age 70.²
     He and his wife Hannah were admitted to the church in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, on 27 July 1741.^2,3 In the Sutton records the family's surname is listed as Town.²
     They had the following known children, all born in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts: Hannah (b 20 April 1741), Bartholomew (b 10 December 1742), Abigail (b 3 August 1744, d 17 October 1831), Reuben (b 29 July 1746, d 24 May 1775), Sarah (b 20 April 1751), Hitte (bap 24 May 1752, d young), Robert (b 11 May 1754, d 26 June 1820), twins David (b 7 August 1756) and Jonathan (b 7 August 1756, d abt 15 October 1776), Hitty (b 12 September 1762), Stephen (b 15 September 1765).²

     Grace Gardner was born on 4 May 1707 in Brookline, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Israel Towne, son of Joseph Towne and Margaret Case, on 23 May 1729 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died on 3 September 1803 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, at age 96.¹ She was buried at Center Cemetery in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.¹
     Before her marriage Grace Gardner lived in Middleton, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²

     Thomas Towne was baptized on 27 February 1731/32 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Hannah Boutelle about 1755.^3,2 He died in Hopkinton, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.³
     He and Hannah had the following known children: Dorcas (b 10 November 1755), Joseph (b 30 September 1758), Rebecca (b 5 March 1760, d young), Rebecca (b 1763, d 2 March 1788), Hannah (b 1 October 1767), Lydia (b abt 1767, d 9 December 1784).²