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     She was named in her father's will, dated 6 June 1747 and probated 10 Aug 1747, and received £211 20s.¹

     She was named in her father's will, dated 6 June 1747 and probated 10 Aug 1747, and received £211 20s.¹

     She was named in her father's will, dated 6 June 1747 and probated 10 Aug 1747, and received £211 20s.¹

     Sarah Foster was born about 1692.¹ She married Nehemiah Abbott, son of Nehemiah Abbott and Abigail Lovejoy, on 2 November 1714.¹ She died on 4 October 1755 in Lincoln, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She and her husband Nehemiah lived in Weston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, from 1714 to 1719.¹ They moved to the southwest part of Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, in 1719 (1719-20?).¹

     Joyce Abbott was born on 13 August 1706 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married her first cousin Nehemiah Abbott, son of Nehemiah Abbott and Abigail Lovejoy, on 1 July 1756.¹ She died on 18 July 1770 at age 63.¹ She was buried in the new cemetery, about 3/4 mile from Lincoln on the road to Lexington in Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She was named her father's will, dated 26 February 1730, and was to receive £13 5s 8d, plus half the personal estate, half the house and barn, and the use of half the land as long as she was single. At her death or marriage, her inheritance was to go to her brother Samuel.² She and Nehemiah had no children.¹

     Nehemiah Abbott was baptized on 4 December 1715 in Weston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 4 December 1715.¹

     Nehemiah Abbott was born on 13 March 1716/17 in Weston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married first Joanna Parker on 7 December 1748 in Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married second (?) Bridge after 1770.¹ He died on 13 July 1785 at age 68.¹
     He was a medical doctor.¹ He and his first wife Joanna lived in the South Parish of Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He lived in Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, after 1770.¹ He had no children.¹

     Joanna Parker married Nehemiah Abbott, son of Nehemiah Abbott and Sarah Foster, on 7 December 1748 in Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died after 1770.¹
     She and her husband Nehemiah lived in the South Parish of Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     (?) Bridge married Nehemiah Abbott, son of Nehemiah Abbott and Sarah Foster, after 1770.¹

     Sarah Abbott was born on 2 November 1718 in Weston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Elisha Warren, son of John Warren and Abigail Livermore.¹ She died after 19 March 1783.¹
     She was provided for in her husband's will, dated 19 March 1783 and probated 1 Dec 1795.¹ She and Elisha had the following known children: Nehemiah (b 23 January 1746), Amos (b 23 October 1748), Micah (b 3 August 1750), Sarah (b 3 May 1752), Abijah (b 8 August 1754m, d aft 26 January 1820), Abigail (b 18 February 1756, d young), twins Isaac (b 30 July 1758, d 19 March 1834) and Abigail (b 30 July 1758), Nathan (b 5 February 1761, d 26 July 1843).¹

     Elisha Warren was baptized on 13 April 1718 in Weston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Sarah Abbott, daughter of Nehemiah Abbott and Sarah Foster.¹ He died between 19 March 1783 and 1 December 1795.¹
     He was a descendant of John Warren, who settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1630.¹ He was a yeoman (farmer) in Weston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He served as constable in 1759, and several years thereafter; tithingman in 1764; highway surveyor and collector in 1777; and treasurer of the fund used to hire soldiers for the Revolution in 1777 and 1778.¹
     His will was dated 19 March 1783 and probated 1 December 1795, with his son Nathan as executor. He provided for his widow Sarah and his invalid son Nehemiah. In addition, he left: £30 to his son Amos; 1/3 of his house, plus land in Weston, Massachusetts, and in Mason, New Hampshire, to his son Micah; £100 to his sons Abijah and Isaac; £5 to his daughter Sarah; £50 to his daughter Abigail; and 2/3 of his house and buildings, all his livestock, and land in Weston and Watertown, Massachusetts, and in Mason, New Hampshire, to his son Nathan.¹
     He and Sarah had the following known children: Nehemiah (b 23 January 1746), Amos (b 23 October 1748), Micah (b 3 August 1750), Sarah (b 3 May 1752), Abijah (b 8 August 1754m, d aft 26 January 1820), Abigail (b 18 February 1756, d young), twins Isaac (b 30 July 1758, d 19 March 1834) and Abigail (b 30 July 1758), Nathan (b 5 February 1761, d 26 July 1843).¹

     Abigail Abbott was born on 26 January 1721 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She was baptized on 29 January 1721 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, by Rev. John Hancock, minister of the First Parish in Lexington. He was the grandfather of John Hancock, who signed the Declaration of Independence.¹ She married Amos Lawrence, son of John Lawrence and Anna Tarbell, on 7 November 1749 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. They were probably married by either Rev. John Hancock, or Rev. William Lawrence, a nephew of the groom.¹ She died on 6 January 1784 in Groton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, at age 62.¹
     On 5 February 1738 she was admitted to the church in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She and Amos had the following known children: Amos (b 9 September 1750, d 1 May 1825), Nehemiah (b 14 January 1752, d 13 July 1786), Samuel (b 24 April 1754, d 8 November 1827). (The Abbott genealogy says they had four children, but only lists these three.)¹ Through their son Samuel they had many successful and distinguished descendants, including businessmen, philanthropists, and public servants. Two descendants founded the town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Their grandson Abbott Lawrence served in Congress, and was Minister to the Court of St. James in England.¹

     William Abbott was born on 9 October 1724 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Experience Bixby, daughter of Joseph Bixby and Experience Frost, on 4 June 1747 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,3 He died on 2 January 1798 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 73.²
     In Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts, William Abbott was tithingman in 1756; hog-reeve in 1757, 1758, and 1767; selectman in 1769 and 1770; member of the Committee of Safety chosen on 26 December 1774; member of a committee chosen in 1776 to raise money for paying soldiers $15 advance pay; and overseer of the poor in 1776.² During the Revolution, he served one day as a private in Capt. Joshua Holt's Co., which marched to Cambridge on the alarm of 19 April 1775, but he did not bear arms.²
     His will was dated 28 March 1793 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts. It was probated 5 February 1798, with his son Jeduthan named as executor. He had divided most of his estate between his heirs before making his will. In the will, he left: 20s to his son Bigsby; £3 to his daughter Lucy; and £6 to his granddaughter Phebe Bailey, daughter of Hannah. His books on religion were to be divided among all his children. After his widow's death, his household effects were to be divided equally between his daughter Lucy and granddaughter Phebe Bailey. The rest of his estate went to his son Jeduthan. His estate was inventoried on 26 June 1798 for $3,625.30.²
     He and Experience had the following known children: Jeduthan (b 1 August 1749), Bixby (b 24 November 1750), Hannah (b 15 July 1753, d 7 July 1792), Lucy (b 3 September 1758), Sarah (b 16 June 1763, d 1786).²

     Joseph Abbott was born on 8 June 1727 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Hannah White, daughter of Joseph White and Hannah (?), on 24 March 1752 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 23 June 1794 in Lincoln, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, at age 67.¹
     He was a farmer in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and the only child in his father's family to stay in Lexington, in the area that later became Lincoln.¹ He bought 70 acres of land in Lincoln from John Hoar on 8 May 1755.¹ On 24 February 1756 he bought from his father the 200-acre family homestead, including the house and buildings, for £1000. This land was partly in Lincoln and partly in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and was the location of the Shawsheen River's source.³
     He was listed as a private in Capt. Ebenezer Cutler's Co. on 19 April 1757; as an ensign in Capt. Abijah Pierce's Co., Col. Elisha Jones's Third Regt. in May 1768; and as Lieutenant in Capt. Eleazer Brooks's Co., same Regt., in 1771. He was witness to the early morning alarm of 19 April 1775 in Lexington.¹
     He was elected constable in Lincoln in 1762, but may have refused to serve, since another was later chosen in his place. He was highway surveyor in 1768, 1775, 1776, 1788, and 1790; member of a committee to audit the town's treasury in 1769; and selectman in 1772.¹
     On 1 April 1785 he sold about 50 acres of upland and meadowland in Lincoln and Lexington to his son Nehemiah for £120.¹ In December 1793 he sold about nine acres, with a barn and half a house, to his son Joseph for 20s plus "Love and Afection."¹
     His estate was settled on 17 September 1794, and valued at £623 6s 2d. Samuel Hoar, the brother of his son Nehemiah's wife, was named administrator.¹
     He and Hannah had the following known children: Joseph (b 10 July 1752), Nehemiah (b 27 September 1754, d 28 October 1839), Hannah (b 29 March 1757, d 1785), Abiel (b 16 September 1759, d 1817), Sarah (b 25 March 1762), Abigail (b abt 1765, d 4 April 1784), Asa (b 21 February 1768), Mary (b 19 June 1773).¹

     Amos Lawrence was born on 13 February 1715/16 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He was baptized on 19 February 1715/16 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, by Rev. John Hancock (grandfather of the signer of the Declaration of Independence), minister of the First Parish in Lexington.¹ He married Abigail Abbott, daughter of Nehemiah Abbott and Sarah Foster, on 7 November 1749 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. They were probably married by either Rev. John Hancock, or Rev. William Lawrence, a nephew of the groom.¹ He died on 20 June 1785 in Groton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, at age 69.¹
     Amos Lawrence's ancestry has been traced back to Sir Robert, of Ashton Hall, in Lancashire, England, who was born about 1150 and was knighted by King Richard in 1191 for his valor at the siege of Acre during the Crusades. The immigrant ancestor was John Lawrence, who was baptised at Wissett, Suffolk, England, on 8 October 1609, and probably came to New England in 1630 with Gov. John Winthrop.¹
     He was a cordwainer (leather worker, or shoemaker), and also a licensed tavern keeper.¹
     On 19 December 1748, with money probably inherited from his father, he bought about 300 acres of land in Groton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, including his grandfather Nathaniel Lawrence's homestead, which had been owned by Samuel Barron for the previous 40 years.¹ In Groton he served as constable and collector in 1752 and 1754; selectman in 1756, plus 15 more times over the next 20 years; a member of the committee of Inspection in 1775; and highway surveyor in 1781.¹
     In 1746 he was a Sergeant in his brother Capt. William Lawrence's Militia Co., and served in the defense of Boston against the French fleet that was sent in response to their loss of Louisburg.¹ He was a Lieutenant in the French and Indian War in 1755, and is referred to as Captain in 1760.¹
     He and Abigail had the following known children: Amos (b 9 September 1750, d 1 May 1825), Nehemiah (b 14 January 1752, d 13 July 1786), Samuel (b 24 April 1754, d 8 November 1827). (The Abbott genealogy says they had four children, but only lists these three.)¹ Through their son Samuel they had many successful and distinguished descendants, including businessmen, philanthropists, and public servants. Two descendants founded the town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Their grandson Abbott Lawrence served in Congress, and was Minister to the Court of St. James in England.¹

     Experience Bixby was born on 12 March 1723/24 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 She married William Abbott, son of Nehemiah Abbott and Sarah Foster, on 4 June 1747 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 She died on 4 September 1815 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 91.²
     She and William had the following known children: Jeduthan (b 1 August 1749), Bixby (b 24 November 1750), Hannah (b 15 July 1753, d 7 July 1792), Lucy (b 3 September 1758), Sarah (b 16 June 1763, d 1786).²

     Daniel Bixby was probably born about 1651 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He was married by William French to Hannah Chandler, daughter of Thomas Chandler and Hannah Brewer, on 2 December 1674 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He died on 7 May 1717 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²
     He moved to Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts, before his marriage in 1674.² He was a farmer and carpenter.² On 12 April 1688 he bought 60 acres of land near the Shawshin River from his father-in-law Thomas Chandler for £40.²
     His will was dated 12 April 1715 and proved on 5 July 1717. In it he names all of his sons except for Daniel and Jonathan. If Jonathan's wife Rachel were to have a child by him, the child was to receive 20s. His wife Hannah and son Joseph were named executors.²

     Hannah White was born on 10 December 1728 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Joseph Abbott, son of Nehemiah Abbott and Sarah Foster, on 24 March 1752 in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died on 4 July 1784 in Lincoln, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, at age 55.¹
     She and Joseph had the following known children: Joseph (b 10 July 1752), Nehemiah (b 27 September 1754, d 28 October 1839), Hannah (b 29 March 1757, d 1785), Abiel (b 16 September 1759, d 1817), Sarah (b 25 March 1762), Abigail (b abt 1765, d 4 April 1784), Asa (b 21 February 1768), Mary (b 19 June 1773).¹

     George Abbott Jr. was born about 1631 in England.¹ He was married by a Mr. Bradstreet to Sarah Farnham, daughter of Ralph Farnham and Alice (?), on 26 April 1658 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,1 He died on 22 March 1688/89 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,1
     He emigrated from England to New England with his father and family about 1642, settling in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He moved from Rowley to Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts, in 1655.¹ He was a farmer and a tailor in Andover, and eventually became one of the five wealthiest men in the town.¹ For about 30 years he took care of the North Andover Meeting House, and beat the drum as the signal for services and daily work.¹
     On 30 March 1648, after his father's estate was settled, Humphrey Reynor and Thomas Mighill, the guardians of George and his brothers Nehemiah and Thomas Jr., entered claims in court for the children's share of the estate as follows: £16 for George, £21 for Nehemiah, and £16 for Thomas Jr. The guardians were relieved of their duties in Mar 1654.²
     He served in Sgt. James Osgood's Militia Co. in 1658/59, and had earlier served in Sgt. Stevens's Co.¹
     He was named in the will of his brother Thomas Sr., dated 31 August 1659 and proved 27 Sep 1659, and received £10. A codicil dated 5 Sep 1659 specified that his lands were to go to his brothers if his wife were to die childless.² On 25 November 1659 Thomas Sr.'s widow Dorothy conditionally deeded all the land in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts, that had been left her by her husband, to George and his brothers Nehemiah and Thomas Jr. They were to have the land after her death if she died childless. On the same date the three brothers deeded all their rights, etc., in the same land to her. They also conditionally deeded several tracts of land totalling about 15 acres to Ezekiel Northern for £50, with possession to take place on the death of Dorothy (Swan) Abbott, provided she died childless.²
     He was assigned two parcels of land by the town of Andover, of about four and six acres, including a house and orchard. The date of this assignment is uncertain, but on 10 June 1662 he paid Job Tyler £29 15s for the second parcel. Another condition on the assignment of land was that he was to pay the minister 4s/year. The deed was witnessed by Edmund Faulkner, father of his son-in-law John Faulkner, and his brother Thomas Abbott Jr.¹
     He was made a freeman in Andover on 19 May 1669.¹
     On 1 June 1676 he bought nine acres of upland in Andover for £9, which he was to pay off at 30s/year by sweeping the meeting-house and ringing the bell.¹
     On 13 June 1683 he and his brother Thomas Jr. deeded to their brother Nehemiah their shares of an "Ox gate" at Rowley, which the three had been given by Thomas Abbott Sr. They gave their shares to Nehemiah because he had received less than them in the settlement of Thomas Sr.'s estate.⁴
     He died intestate. His widow Sarah (who by then had remarried) and children agreed to a settlement of his estate on 20 January 1689/90. His widow Sarah accepted £25, plus an interest in one end of the house. His son George accepted 16 acres of upland, on which he had already built a house, some meadow land, some livestock, and some household effects. His son John accepted the homestead, orchard, and house, some meadow land, some additional land, some livestock, and some household effects. His son Nehemiah accepted 80 acres of upland, some meadow land, some livestock, and some household effects. John and Nehemiah also agreed to pay 20s to each of their sisters Sarah, Mary, Hannah, and Lydia. Hannah was to receive £18 more when she came of age. His two youngest children, Samuel and Mehitable, who were both minors, were to receive £70 and £18, respectively, when they came of age. John and Nehemiah agreed to pay all debts owed by the estate, and were to receive any amounts due to the estate.¹

     Sarah Farnham was born about 1639, probably in Ipswich, Massachusetts.^1,2 She was married first, by a Mr. Bradstreet, to George Abbott Jr., son of George Abbott, on 26 April 1658 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She was married second, by Rev. Francis Dane, to Henry Ingalls, son of Edmund Ingalls and Ann Tripp, on 1 August 1689 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She died on 12 May 1728 in Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2
     In the settlement of her first husband's estate on 20 January 1689/90, she accepted £25, plus an interest in one end of the house.² Her second husband Henry's will, dated 5 July 1714 and proved 16 Feb 1718/19, directed his son James to take care of her.²

     Ralph Farnham was born about 1603, probably in or near Rochester, Kent Co., England.^1,2 He married Alice (?) by 1628.^3,1 He died before 18 June 1648, when his wife Alice remarried, probably in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     The identification of the immigrant Ralph Farnham's parents as Henry and Mary Farnham is probable, but not conclusive. It's based primarily on Henry's will, which mentions a son Ralph, under age 20 in February 1619/20, and property he owned in Leeds, Kent Co., which is just ten miles from Rochester where the immigrant Ralph's first three children were baptized. In addition "the act book" (containing abstracts of probate records in Canterbury from 1620-29) says Henry was "of Rochester."¹
     Ralph Farnham and his wife Alice and their first three children came to New England in 1635 on the ship James.^4,2 In the passenger list his occupation was listed as barber.¹ By 1639 they were living in Ipswich, Massachusetts,¹ where he was granted three acres of planting ground.³ That same year he was appointed as the town crier, whose duties included "ringing the bell, keeping clean the meetinghouse and publishing such things as the town shall appoint."^1,3

More Information / Background

• Puritan migration to New England (1620–1640)
  
• New England's Great Migration.
  

     Alice (?) was born about 1607 in England.¹ She married first Ralph Farnham, son of Henry Farnham and Mary (?), by 1628.^2,3 She married second Solomon Martin on 18 June 1648 in Gloucester, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³
     She and her first husband Ralph Farnham and their first three children came to New England in 1635 on the ship James.^4,1 By 1639 they were living in Ipswich, Massachusetts.³
     After their marriage, she and her second husband Solomon moved to Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³

More Information / Background

• Puritan migration to New England (1620–1640)
  
• New England's Great Migration.