Person Page

     Mary Mansfield married Timothy Bancroft, son of Ebenezer Bancroft and Abigail Eaton, on 6 November 1755.¹
     She and Timothy had two known children, Rachel (b 18 April 1758) and Timothy (b 15 July 1759, d 15 April 1848).^1,2

     Mary Gould was baptized on 19 December 1621 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹ She married John Reddington about 1647.¹
     She came to New England with her parents in either the second half of 1638 or the first half of 1639.¹

     John Reddington was born in 1620.² He married Mary Gould, daughter of Zaccheus Gould and Phebe Deacon, about 1647.¹ He died on 15 November 1690.²
     He lived in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He served as selectman in 1661.²

     Martha Gould was baptized on 15 June 1623 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹ She married John Newmarch.¹ She died in 1699.²
     She came to New England with her parents in either the second half of 1638 or the first half of 1639.¹ She was executrix of her husband's will, dated 14 February 1696/97 and proved on 1 Mar 1696/97.²

     John Newmarch married Martha Gould, daughter of Zaccheus Gould and Phebe Deacon.¹ He died between 14 February 1696/97 when his will was made, and 1 March 1696/97 when it was proved.²
     He lived in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ His will was dated 14 February 1696/97, and proved on 1 March 1696/97. His wife Martha was named executrix.³

     Priscilla Gould was probably born in Great Missenden, Buckingham, England.¹ She married John Wild about 1643.² She died on 16 April 1663.²
     She came to New England with her parents in either the second half of 1638 or the first half of 1639.¹ After their marriage, she and her husband John moved to Essex Co., Massachusetts, settling on a farm in New Meadows (later incorporated as Topsfield).²

     John Wild was born about 1618 in England.¹ He married first Priscilla Gould, daughter of Zaccheus Gould and Phebe Deacon, about 1643.¹ He married second Sarah Averill on 23 November 1663.¹ He married third Mary Jacobs on 26 June 1693.¹ He died on 14 May 1705 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He came to New England in 1635, leaving London on the ship Elizabeth, and arriving in Boston, Massachusetts, about 15 June 1635 ("in midsummer"). He traveled with his older brother William, and Alice Wild, probably William's wife.¹ He moved to Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts, with his brother William, where he was trained as a carpenter.¹
     He served during the military campaign of 1637 to subdue the Pequot Indians, and in September 1642 during an expedition against Passaconoway, the "Sachem of the Merrimac."¹
     After their marriage, he and his first wife Priscilla moved to Essex Co., Massachusetts, settling on a farm in New Meadows (later incorporated as Topsfield).¹ In 1660 he bought 100 acres of land bordering his own land on the northeast, from Richard Swaine and his wife Jane.¹ He sold several parcels of land over the years, including a small parcel to Francis Bates in 1649, 20 acres to Robert Andrews in 1654, 40 acres to William Acie for £35 in 1663, 30 acres to John French in 1672, 20 acres to Thomas Perkins in 1674, and 4 acres to William Perkins, Sr., in 1685/86.¹
     He was apparently among the more well-to-do in Topsfield. In 1659 he paid the 9th highest tax, out of 31, and the 7th highest in 1668. In 1681 he paid the 18th largest share of the minister's rate, out of 105. In 1661 the town's largest debt was £14 16s, owed to him, probably for carpentry work.¹
     He served as constable in 1661 and 1662, on a trial jury in 1679/80, and as tythingman in 1682/83. In 1659, and again in 1686, he was part of a committee formed to determine the boundary line between Topsfield and Salem, a highly controversial matter. He was later called on to decide other town boundaries, and to lay out lot lines.¹
     He was not admitted to full communion in the church until 1697, but was frequently involved in the business of the church. He was on committees chosen to negitiate with new ministers, to lay out land for them, and to seat people in the meetinghouse. He also collected money from those late in paying the minister's salary.¹
     During the controversy over the validity of the Charter for the Colony of Massachusetts, he was one of five men from Topsfield that signed a statement saying that they were "utterly unwilling to yield either to a resignation of the charter or to anything that should be equivalent thereto." Nevertheless, in 1686 he was a chief witness against his brother-in-law John Gould, who was charged with treason for more strongly expressing the same ideas. Walter Goodwin Davis interprets this, and other evidence, as an indication of a strained relationship between John Wild and the family of his first wife Priscilla Gould.²
     On 9 April 1690 he transferred all of his real estate and personal property to his son Ephraim "in consideration of seven years service which I had of him when he might have been for himself."¹

     John Gould was probably born in 1635 (according to tradition, "on midsummer day," 10 June, old style) in Great Missenden, Buckingham, England.¹ He married Sarah Baker, daughter of John Baker and Elizabeth (?), on 14 October 1660.¹ He died on 26 January 1709/10 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He came to New England with his parents in either the second half of 1638 or the first half of 1639.¹ He was the largest landowner and most prominent citizen in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He became a freeman in 1665.²
     He was involved in the establishment of an iron works in Rowley Village (later Boxford), Essex Co., Massachusetts. In December 1670 he granted 80 acres of land to the company. When established, the company's capital was £1000, of which his share was 1/16. The venture was unsuccessful, and the company folded after about 12 years.²
     He served in the local militia in Topsfield, becoming an ensign in 1674, lieutenant in 1686, and captain in 1694. He was part of the Narragansett campaign against the Indians in 1675/76, in the "Three-County Troop" led by Capt. Hutchinson, and later by Capt. Wheeler.^1,2
     He served as town clerk from 1681/82 to 1684/85, selectman in 1663, 1677/78 to 1686/87, 1692, and 1702, and deputy to the General Court in 1690. As town clerk he, along with General Peabody, transcribed the old town book.^1,2
     He was a strong supporter of the Massachusetts Charter, and when it was repealed in 1686 became an outspoken critic of the new government. Some of his neighbors, including his brother-in-law John Wild, testified against him, and he was charged with treason and held in jail in Boston. After petitioning the court for a pardon, paying a fine of £50 and costs of £10, and providing a bond of £100 ensuring his good behavior, he was released.¹
     During the Salem witchcraft trials, he testified against Sarah (Averill) Wilds, the second wife of John Wilds, whose first wife was Priscilla Gould, his sister. He testified that "when his sister Mary Redington was coming from Salem about fifteen years ago Goodwife Wilds (in spirit form) pulled her backward off her horse, also that hens given to her by Goodwife Wildes 'went moping about till they died,' and finally that, after Zacheus Perkins, for whom he was fetching loads of hay, told him to load it fast or else his Aunt Wilds would not let John carry it for she was angry with him, the loads slipped off and 'I did thinke that it was done by Witchcraft'". Sarah (Averill) Wilds was hanged on 19 July 1692.³

     Sarah Baker was born on 9 March 1641.² She married John Gould, son of Zaccheus Gould and Phebe Deacon, on 14 October 1660.¹ She died on 20 January 1708/9 at age 67.¹
     In 1670 she and her husband John Gould, along with Deacon Thomas Perkins his wife Phebe (John Gould's sister), and the elderly Joanna Towne, were guests at a dinner hosted by the Rev. Thomas Gilbert and his wife between two Sunday services. Rev. Gilbert was apparently sick and somewhat eccentric, which some of his parishioners blamed on drinking. As described by Davis:

     Phebe Perkins testified similarly, saying that "there was a cup with wine in it which was offered to Mr. Gilbert. He refused to take it at first, but afterward put the cup to his mouth". After the dinner, Mr. Gilbert sang a psalm, in what appeared to Phebe Perkins to be a lower voice than usual. Sarah Gould, however, testified that after dinner her sister-in-law Phebe Perkins told her "I wonder my Husban would ask min to drinke for I think hee had noe need of it. The first time hee toke the Cope I saw him drinke a good draft." Mr. Gilbert's wife testified that he was sick, but the court ended up admonishing him anyway.
     It didn't end there, however. Sarah Gould continued to gossip about the incident, and was eventually sued by Mr. Gilbert for slander. In court he asked that the judges "compare her [Sarah's] Oath with the Oath of Goodie Perkins, taken att the same tym, and if they do not clash one against the other I am much mistaken."^4,5

     John Wild was born about 1645 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He was killed in an Indian attack during King Philip's War on 29 June 1677, at Moore's Brook, about two miles north of Black Point in Scarborough, Maine.²
     He saw extensive service during King Philip's War, under Capt. Poole in 1675 when he fought in the area of Hadley and Hatfield, Massachusetts, and later in 1676 under Capt. Turner. He was owed £9 5s 6d on 24 June 1676 for his services, and was paid £6 15s 6d the following August.¹
     His will was originally dated 22 October 1676, just before leaving for a military expedition. He apparently returned from that service, for on 22 June 1677, just before another expedition, he added a paragraph to his will. This time he did not return, and his will was proved on 25 Sept 1677. The inventory of his estate included upland and meadow he had receoved from his father, plus clothes, four sheep and some wool, and some carpentry tools.¹
     In late June 1677 he was part of a group led by Capt. Benjamin Swett that sailed from Charlestown, Massachusetts, to Black Point in Scarborough, Maine, arriving on 28 June. Also aboard were about 20 men led by Maj. Thomas Clarke. They were joined by men under Lt. James Richardson, who had marched overland to Black Point. A small group of Indians were spotted the next morning, and all three units began marching inland in pursuit (although Maj. Clarke himself, who was about 70, stayed behind). There were about 90-100 men in total, including a few Indian allies.
     After about 30 minutes they reached Moore's Brook, about two miles north of Black Point. As they crossed the brook and started uphill on the other side, they were ambushed by a group of Indians under Squando, a leader of the Sokosis and Ammoscoggins. Although the Indians were outnumbered, surprise was on their side, and many of the English were inexperienced. About 50-60 of the New England forces were killed, including eight Indian allies. Fewer than six returned to the garrison at Black Point uninjured. John Wild was one of those killed, along with Capt. Swett and Lt. Richardson. It was the deadliest battle of the war for New England forces.²

     Jonathan Wild was born about 1651 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He was killed during King Philip's War before 30 June 1676 (when his father was appointed administrator of his estate), dying without issue.¹

     Sarah Wild was born about 1651 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Edward Bishop about 1675.¹ She died after 12 May 1711.¹
     She and her husband Edward moved from Topsfield to Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts, sometime before 25 May 1690, when she was admitted to the Salem Village Church.¹
     In April 1692 her husband Edward attended one of the witchcraft hearings in Salem. At an inn afterwards, and again while riding home, an Indian among his group became unruly and afflicted. Edward struck him with his stick and he soon recovered, promising "he would do so no more." Apparently a skeptic about witchcraft, Edward replied "that he doubted not but he could cure them all" using the same method.^2,3
     Not long afterward, on 21 April 1692, an arrest warrant was issued for her and Edward, along with seven others, including Sarah's step-mother Sarah (Averill) Wild.⁴ They were jailed in Salem the next day, charged with witchcraft against Anna Putnam, Mercy Lewis, and Abigail Williams⁵, and transferred to the jail in Boston on 13 May.⁶
     In a 20 May 1692 deposition Elizabeth Balch said that she and her sister Abigail were riding home to Beverly from Salem on the "day that Capt. Georg Curwin was buried" (so a little over seven years earlier, in January 1684/85), and that they were overtaken by Edward Bishop and his wife Sarah. Edward was riding too fast, and was reproached by Sarah, but he replied to her that it didn't matter. He told Elizabeth and Abigail that "she had ben a bad wife unto him ever since they were marryed ... and that the Devill Did Come bodyly unto her & that she was familiar with the Devill & that she sate up all the night Long with the Devill."⁷
     In another deposition dated 20 May, Rev. John Hale testified that five or six years previously Christian Trask, wife of John Trask, had asked that her neighbor Sarah Bishop not be allowed to receive communion until she gave satisfaction for certain offenses. She claimed that Sarah had been entertaining people at her house late at night, drinking and playing "shovel-board," and that they were thus in danger of corrupting young people. She confronted Sarah and threw the game pieces into the fire. Hale said that he feared that if these activities hadn't been stopped the Bishop's place "would have been a house of great prophainness & iniquity."
     Hale later learned that starting the day after Christian Trask had come to him she became "distracted" at various times, and feared that she was being bewitched by Sarah Bishop. This went on for about a month, and at one point she had a fit in church on the Sabbath. He later learned that Christian Trask and met with Sarah the day before, and that they were now friends. Christian also told Rev. Hale that she wanted to meet with Edward Bishop and ask for his forgiveness.
     Within a few more days Christian killed herself by cutting her own throat with a pair of scissors. Hale judged that she couldn't have done that "without some extraordinary work of the devill or witchcraft."⁸
     On 7 October 1692 George Corwin, the Essex Co. sheriff, seized Edward and Sarah's property because they had escaped from jail. Their son Samuel borrowed £10, which he paid to Corwin to recover the property.⁹ However, on 9 September 1710 Edward filed a petition for restitution of £100 for the losses he suffered while he and his wife had been imprisoned for "thirtiey seven wekes." Since they were initially jailed on 22 April, if 37 weeks is correct they were imprisoned until about the first week of January 1692/93, when a new Superior Court was established to try the remaining witchcraft cases, resulting in most of them being dismissed.¹⁰
     In any case, Sarah and Edward ended up in Rehobeth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, where they were eventually joined by most of their children.¹

     Elizabeth Wild was born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Benjamin Jones on 22 January 1678.¹ She died after 6 July 1718.¹
     After their marriage she and her husband Benjamin lived in Gloucester, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ About 1687 they moved to Enfield, Hartford Co. (later Somers, Tolland Co.), Connecticut.¹

     Phoebe Wild was born about 1653 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Timothy Day on 24 July 1679.¹ She died on 8 April 1723.¹
     In 1692 she was accused of witchcraft, and held in jail in Ipswich, since the jail in Salem was full. She and two other women were charged with bewitching a sister of a Lt. Stephens. It was reported that on their way to the jail, while crossing a bridge they encountered an old woman, who began having convulsions. She was released on a bond on 24 September 1692, but was never required to reappear in court because the witchcraft hysteria had waned.^1,2

     Priscilla Wild was born on 6 April 1658 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Henry Lake on 9 May 1681.¹ She died on 23 March 1688 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 29.¹
     She and Henry had two sons and two daughters.²

     Martha Wild was born on 13 May 1660 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Nathan Wild was born on 14 December 1662 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 17 March 1662/63.¹

     Edward Bishop married Sarah Wild, daughter of John Wild and Priscilla Gould, about 1675.¹ He died on 12 May 1711 in Rehobeth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He and his wife Sarah moved from Topsfield to Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts, sometime before 25 May 1690, when Sarah was admitted to the Salem Village Church.¹
     In April 1692 he attended one of the witchcraft hearings in Salem. At an inn afterwards, and again while riding home, an Indian among his group became unruly and afflicted. Edward struck him with his stick and he soon recovered, promising "he would do so no more." Apparently a skeptic about witchcraft, Edward replied "that he doubted not but he could cure them all" using the same method.^2,3
     Not long afterward, on 21 April 1692, an arrest warrant was issued for him and Sarah, along with seven others, including Sarah's step-mother Sarah (Averill) Wild.⁴ They were jailed in Salem the next day, charged with witchcraft against Anna Putnam, Mercy Lewis, and Abigail Williams⁵, and transferred to the jail in Boston on 13 May.⁶
     In a 20 May 1692 deposition Elizabeth Balch said that she and her sister Abigail were riding home to Beverly from Salem on the "day that Capt. Georg Curwin was buried" (so a little over seven years earlier, in January 1684/85), and that they were overtaken by Edward Bishop and his wife Sarah. Edward was riding too fast, and was reproached by Sarah, but he replied to her that it didn't matter. He told Elizabeth and Abigail that "she had ben a bad wife unto him ever since they were marryed ... and that the Devill Did Come bodyly unto her & that she was familiar with the Devill & that she sate up all the night Long with the Devill."⁷
     In another deposition dated 20 May, Rev. John Hale testified that five or six years previously Christian Trask, wife of John Trask, had asked that her neighbor Sarah Bishop not be allowed to receive communion until she gave satisfaction for certain offenses. She claimed that Sarah had been entertaining people at her house late at night, drinking and playing "shovel-board," and that they were thus in danger of corrupting young people. She confronted Sarah and threw the game pieces into the fire. Hale said that he feared that if these activities hadn't been stopped the Bishop's place "would have been a house of great prophainness & iniquity."
     Hale later learned that starting the day after Christian Trask had come to him she became "distracted" at various times, and feared that she was being bewitched by Sarah Bishop. This went on for about a month, and at one point she had a fit in church on the Sabbath. He later learned that Christian Trask and met with Sarah the day before, and that they were now friends. Christian also told Rev. Hale that she wanted to meet with Edward Bishop and ask for his forgiveness.
     Within a few more days Christian killed herself by cutting her own throat with a pair of scissors. Hale judged that she couldn't have done that "without some extraordinary work of the devill or witchcraft."⁸
     On 7 October 1692 George Corwin, the Essex Co. sheriff, seized Edward and Sarah's property because they had escaped from jail. Their son Samuel borrowed £10, which he paid to Corwin to recover the property.⁹ However, on 9 September 1710 Edward filed a petition for restitution of £100 for the losses he suffered while he and his wife had been imprisoned for "thirtiey seven wekes." Since they were initially jailed on 22 April, if 37 weeks is correct they were imprisoned until about the first week of January 1692/93, when a new Superior Court was established to try the remaining witchcraft cases, resulting in most of them being dismissed.¹⁰
     In any case, Edward and Sarah ended up in Rehobeth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts,¹ where he became an innkeeper, and where they were eventually joined by most of their children.¹

     Benjamin Jones married Elizabeth Wild, daughter of John Wild and Priscilla Gould, on 22 January 1678.¹
     He served during King Philip's war in Capt. Brocklebank's Co., stationed at Marlborough, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, and received £1 4s for his services on 24 August 1676.¹ After their marriage he and his wife Elizabeth lived in Gloucester, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ About 1687 they moved to Enfield, Hartford Co. (later Somers, Tolland Co.), Connecticut.¹ His son Thomas was appointed administrator of his estate on 6 July 1718.¹

     Timothy Day married Phoebe Wild, daughter of John Wild and Priscilla Gould, on 24 July 1679.¹

     Henry Lake was born in 1635.² He married Priscilla Wild, daughter of John Wild and Priscilla Gould, on 9 May 1681.¹ He died on 22 May 1733 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He and Priscilla had two sons and two daughters.²

     Thomas Deacon married Martha Field on 15 June 1596 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹
     He was a tanner in Corner Hall, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹ His will was dated 8 December 1642. In it he left "no more than 20s each" to his children, and 30s to the poor. His wife Martha was named executrix, and his son Elisha was named as one of the overseers. Martha died before the estate was settled, and administration was granted to William Davies, the chief creditor, on 24 October 1663. Davies also apparently died before completing the task, and administration was granted to Isaac Field, Davies' executor, on 3 April 1667.¹

     Martha Field married Thomas Deacon on 15 June 1596 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹

     Anne Deacon was baptized on 22 June 1600 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹

     Thomas Deacon was baptized on 14 February 1601/2 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹

     Elisha Deacon was baptized on 9 January 1602/3 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹

     Sara Deacon was baptized on 25 December 1604 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹

     Thomas Deacon was baptized on 25 December 1609 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England.¹ He was buried at the church in Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, England. The inscription describes him as a "student in physick who by his extraordinary spare body in respect of breadth being long sick of a consumption and of his as extraordinary height being in proportion to the length of this stone might show the desire he had to heaven."¹
     He entered Trinity College in Oxford on 23 November 1627, and graduated with a B. A. on 6 December 1630.¹