Desc of Thomas Skillings: Second Generation

3. John² Skillings (Thomas¹) (#1242) was born in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME 1644.⁽³⁰⁾ Sargent says John was b 1644 because he signed petition of those who could not submit to Gorges 1 Aug 1665. Apparently, the requirement to do this was that the man had to be 21. John died by 1690 in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME, at 46 years of age.⁽³¹⁾ He is assumed to have died in 1690; prob killed by Indians, as Elizabeth remarried by Mar 1691. AF says d Mar 1685 by drowning in Piscataqua River at Falmouth (nka Portland), ME; Edgar Yates says killed by Indians at Long Creek

From Winchester Notes: . "Tradition has it that John Skillings died before he was forty years old, but this is evidently wrong as deeds prove that he lived to be about 67 years old; therefore it is probable that he moved to Piscataqua with his family at the breaking out of the second Indian war, and that he died there."

He married twice. He married Mary (Skillings) in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME, 1673.⁽³²⁾ (Mary (Skillings) is #4147.) He married Elizabeth Mary Ingersoll in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME, 1675.⁽³³⁾ (Elizabeth Mary Ingersoll is #1248.) Elizabeth was born 19 Mar 1651 in Gloucester, Essex, MA.⁽³⁴⁾ Elizabeth was the daughter of Lt George Ingersoll and Elizabeth (Ingersoll) (Lunt?). Elizabeth died aft 1694 in Kittery, York, ME.⁽³⁵⁾ poss 1718 at Kittery, ME; AF (and Alan Lundstedt) says 9 Mar 1649 or 1 Feb 1648 at Salem, Essex, MA; however, I don't think so.... indications are that she prob survived till 1694

AF Nos. GCZV-71 GCZV-6T L2ZZ-XK 9C38-Q8 QXKK-9B

Check TAG 27:129 Ingersoll Genealogy; Ancestry of Abel Lunt; Salem Witchcraft by Upham; VR Essex County, MA

Abstract from The Skillings Family by W.M. Sargent, p 6:

"Eastern Claims: From this record we glean her Christian name. She is there spoken of (apparently as a widow), as owning a dwelling house near the Marriner-Bailey lot, "on the road to Mr. [Thaddeus] clark's." Its site is now occupied by the Preble House, and title to it was obtained by her husband, John, exchanging lots with the Rev. George Burroughs [York Reg.] this is corroborated, (aside from information to same effect had by a distinct search of the title to that location) by the deposition of Deborah (Ingersoll) Larrabee, Aug. 2, 1746, that "John Skillings lived on a place about 30 rods to the South West of the Meeting-house in the First Parish that he had of Mr. Burroughs; and that Mr. Samuel Skillings now living at Long Creek in said Town is the repurted son of said John."

"The foot note on the page last cited is badly misleading in its reference to his mother. The Mary Lewis there mentioned married, as I have shown, the second Thomas. She was born 1654, as her depositions prove, and could not have become a mother at the age of ten. After her husband's death (not her father Lewis', as their pritned), she m. 2d Jotham Lewis; and m. 3d ___ Wilkins (not Williams as there printed)."

Occupation: carpenter; farmer.⁽³⁶⁾ He resided in Salem, Essex, MA 1665; 1688/9.⁽³⁷⁾ farm at Stroudwater, west of Long Creek

He resided in Portsmouth, Rockingham, NH 1667-1668. He resided in Salem, Essex, MA 1675-1676.⁽³⁸⁾ He resided in Falmouth, Cumberland, ME 1680.⁽³⁹⁾ Abstract from Skillings 8 Generations by Dorothy Skillings, pp 12-13:

John2 Skillin (Thomas1), carpenter and farmer of Falmouth, ME, Salem, MA, and Stroudwater, ME, was prob b c1644 Salem, MA. He was of Falmouth, ME when he signed a petition protesting Sir Ferdinando Gorges' policies in Aug 1665. As early as 1670, he owned a farm on the Stroudwater River (see Willis, p 189). In 1673, he was at Newcastle, NH having his broadcloths made up, apparently a wife with him (Noyes, p 636). Upon this slim evidence, some writers say he was married twice, but it is more likely that Noyes had an incorrect name for his wife. Perhaps by 1673 he m ELizabeth Ingersoll, b 19 Mar 1651 Gloucester, MA d/o George and Elizabeth (?) Ingersoll.

John was involved in court actions in Jul 1674, was among those who had "departed the garrison at Falmouth" on 6 Oct 1675 (King Philip's War), and was admitted as an inhabitant of Salem on 11 Jan 1675/6. He agreed to finish carpentry work on the Salem meetinghouse in Sep 1677 and was paid for the work in Jul 1678. In Mar 1677/8 he was working for the Pickerings in Portsmouth, NH. John returned to Falmouth in 1680 and was granted lands that confirmed his father's title at Back Cove, Falmouth. He was taxed in Scarborough, ME on 28 Nov 1681 and served as York Co, ME grand juror in 1680 and 1687. In Jul 1873 he swapped a house lot granted to him and his brother Joseph in 1680 for seven acres on Center Street near Monument Square in downtown Portland owned by the Rev George Burroughs (this land became the issue of a long, drawn-out legal conflict). His son, Samuel, conveyed this (part of) Center Street tract (abt 1732) in parcels to William Cotton and others.

John served as constable in 1686. HIs principal farm was at Stroudwater where he lived, about a mile nothwest of Long Creek (Willis pp 298-299). On 23 Nov 1685 he purchased 100 acres and one-half the sawmill rights on Long Creek (Cape Elizabeth) from Webber, paying 42 pounds (MHS, Cape Elizabeth papers, 1805). All his lands were resurveyed and regranted under warrant from Gov Andros in 1687/8. He petitioned Andros for a further grant in 1688 and paid Scarborough taxes in 1689 (York Deed 6:144). He is assumed to have died in 1690 since Elizabeth remarried by Mar 1691.

Abstract from The Skillings Family by W.M. Sargent, p 6:

This John, although not doing his share in the propagation of the race, did the family the good service to prove before the Commissioners on Eastern Claims the family claims to their lands, which was the more convenient for him to do from his residence at Boston. He did not appear to value his interests therein very highly, for he sold out to Westbrook as noted in another place.

The examination of these deeds cited establish to a nicety the number of children in two families and their priority, and necessitates, the addition of one, shown to be the eldest, to John's family, as printed at p. 47, Vol. II., Recorder, and either the removal of one from Josiah's family, Id., p. 49; or else proves that if John be properly assigned to that family, he must have died without heirs before 1733.

Deed 13-93: June 9, 1729, George Frink and Rebecca his wife convey to her brother Samuel Skillings, then of Kittery, all rights, etc., in and to the estate of her father John Skillings, formerly of Falmouth deceased - York Reg.

Deed 14-168: Sept. 12, 1726: John Skillin, of Boston, conveys to Thomas Westbrook all his rights, etc., to any lands, etc., within the Town of Falmouth. Itr is noticeable that no wife signs with hiim, nor is there any mention of dower in this deed. Thus far no proportions are given, but in the next deeds they appear. Id.

Deed 15-279: May 1, 1733, Danforth Phipps and Elizabeth his wife convey to Samuel Skillings, then being of Falmouth, all our rights, one-fifteenth (or one-third of one-fifth) of our rights which we claim under our grandfather John Skillings of Falmouth, or our father Josiah Skillings of Kittery. Id.

Deed 16-5, 16-6: April 30, 1733, Edward Skillings of Scarborough, conveys to Samuel Skillings all my right, two thirds of one-fifth of land and mill at Long Creek, by virtue of my grandfather John, or my father Josiah. His wife Sarah signs releasing her right of dower. Id.

Deed 21-79: April 30, 1733, Roger Dearing and Elizabeth his wife, late the wife of Josiah Skillings of Kittery, deceased, all right or claim by virtue of my wife's marriage with said Josiah; i.e., her dower. By these conveyances, Samuel, owning in his own right by inheritance, 1-5, acquires from his sister Rebecca Frink, her 1-5, from his nephew Edward Skillings 2-3 of 1-5 and from his niece Elizabeth Phipps 1-3 of 1-5 (both of his brother Josiah's) 1-5, totaling 3-5, and shows the fraction remaining to have been in some other child, and that a son of the first John, who must have been older than Samuel, because had he been youner, or had it been a daughter, Samuel would have inherited two fifths. All uncertainty is dissipated by the following deed. Id.

Deed 15-91; 1732-3: Thomas Westbrook owning two-fifths, and Samuel Skillings owning three-fifths, join in one deed and convey to William Cotton one acre upon the Neck, "according to their purchase of said land." It was a parat of the tract obtained by the first John in his exchange with Rev. Mr. Burroughs, already mentioned ante. Id.

These deductions are futher clinched by the recital in a deed 15-109 from Westbrook to Samuel Skillings wherein he expressly declares that certain land is "what I bought of his brother John Skillings."

To recapitulate: the recitals in these deeds prove to a legal certainty that John had four heirs, of whom John was the eldest. They also prove with equal conclusiveness that Josiah left but two heirs surviving in 1733.

Besides the transactions of the first John Skillings as correctly summarized on p. 47, Recorder, and further amplified by these notes, his desertion from the garrison at Falmouth in 1675 (see p. 60, Recorder), is explained by his flight to Salem for refuge. He was probably a victim in the next war to an Indian ambuscade at Long Creek, where some of the flower of this family are said to have fallen, by one of the partriarchs of the name. This comports with the further family tradition that he was cut off in his comparatively early manhood. His widow with their children fled to Kittery, where deeds were interchanged by them. She returned and was afterward dwelling in the old homestead. See ante.

Abstract from Memoirs of Robert F. Skillings, pp 6-7:

John Skillins (2nd son of Thomas) resided in Falmouth and was a prominent man in the early history of the town. During the first Indian war (1675), he continued in Salem, but at its close returned to Falmouth. Willis says, "was an active and useful man, many years, ... a carpenter by occupation." His principle farm was at Stroudwater about a mile northwest of Long Creek. It is probable that at the breaking out of the second Indian war he moved his family to Piscataqua and died there. On this subject, Willis says, "We have it from tradition that John Skillings died before he was 40 years old and that his widow and four children moved to Piscataqua. This was about the time of the second Indian war, of which he may have been a victim. He was living in 1648." And, William Sargent says, "He was probably a victim of the next (second Indian) war to an Indian ambuscade at Long Creek, where some of the flower of this family are said to have fallen, by some of the patriarchs of the name." This comports with the further family tradition that he was cut off in his caparatively early manhood. His widow with their children fled to Kittery, where deeds were interchanged by them.

Abstract from ME/NH Gen Dict by LND, p 636:

1 John(2), carpenter, Falmouth, signed a pet. in Aug 1665. In 1673 at Newcastle having his broadcloth made up (see Russell), appar. a w. Mary with him. From Falm., he was adm. inhab. of Salem 11 Jan 1675/6, made agreem. in Sept. 1677 to finish Salem mett.-ho., and was paid for work in July 1678. Working for the Pickerings in Portsmouth in Mar 1677-8. Falm. 1680; taxed Scarb. 1681; gr.j. 1681, 1687; constable 1686; liv. 1688; prob. an Ind. victim in Falm in 1690. Lists 222c, 223a, 27, 30, 235a, 238a, 34. His s. John claimed marsh up Capisic River, land leased to Collins(2) in 1686, 5 a. and 1/2 of a mill on Long Creek, and ho. and 7 a. exchanged with Rev. George Burroughs. Wid. Elizabeth (Ingersoll 2) m 2d Elihu Gunnison(1). Ch: John, Portsm., (taxed 1722), Boston 1726, when he sold his double share, 2/5, to Thomas Westbrook. List 339. Wife Elizabeth adm to No. Ch 1713, liv. 1726. Kn. ch., bp. in Portsm. mar in Boston: Elizabeth m Nicholas Lash (Robert 1), d 14 Aug 1750 in 44th year. Simon bp 1711. Simeon, bp 1716 m Ruth Phillips. Mary bp 1718, m Thomas Adams, Sarah, bp 1721 m Jonathan Crosby. Prob. John m in 1739 Elizabeth Farmer; Peter, m. in 1744 Mary Sargent. Poss. Joseph of Richmond, m Eleanor Youngman in Roxbury 1731. Note also Hannah, w of Ephraim Sherburne(7).

Lt. Samuel, shipwright, Exeter, Kit., Falm., b 25 Jul 1679, d at Long Creek 2 Jan 1757. In 1744 age 66, he depos that he liv in Falm until the spring bef Fort Loyal was taken. Lists 388, 291. His w Richord (Haley 1, m 25 Dec 1702, liv 1730) was not named in his deed to s-in-law Roberts in 1736. See 'Old Kittery' p 731 for ch: Mary, Rebecca, Samuel, Katherine, Dorcas, Elizabeth, Deborah, Joanna, Susanna.

Rebecca m George Frink(1).

Josiah, shipwright, Kit., m 17 May 17089 Elizabeth Lidden(1). She was gr. adm. 7 July 1719; m 2d Roger Deering Esq (8 jr). Lists 296, 297. Ch: John, b 15 Aug 1709, poss one of three bur about 7 mos aft the fa died. Edward, Scarb., b 25 Mar 1711; see Miller(2), Mills(4). Elizabeth b 24 Dec 1713, m Danforth Phipps(5). One Elizabeth was w. of Isaac Winter in 1736 when Roger Deering was her bondsman.

Abstract from Desc of Edward Small by Underhill, V 2, pp 1138-1139:

John2 Skillings, born in 1664, probably at Falmouth, resided there and was prominent in the earlier history of that place. During the first Indian war, in 1675, he remained in Salem, but at its close he returned to Falmouth, and, Willis says, "entered with activity upon his early as well as his later possessions." Salem records say certain persons, among whom was John Skillings, "being driven from their habitations by the barbarous heathen are admitted as inhabitants of the town, they most of them informing they have provisions enough for one year." When he returned to Falmouth in 1680, there was granted to him "one houselot on the west side of the lot where his house now standeth, and also the lands that were his father's at Back Cove are confirmed to him; also a parcel of meadow land about three acres more or less, situated above a mile at Capisic river," etc. Willis says the principal farm of John Skillings was at Stroudwater, about a mile northwest of Long Creek. He also had seven acres at the Neck where Center Street now is, which he obtained of George Burroughs in 1683, on which he had a house. The Eastern Claims of John and Thomas Skillion include "a parcel purchased of George Cleeves 25 day of March Anno Domini 1658, fifty-five acres in Casco Bay & Back Cove near George Ingersoll & richard Tucker." His son Samuel conveyed the Center Street tract in 1732 to William Cotten and others. It is said that "Mr. Skillings died and his family moved to Piscataqua." Probably at the beginning of the second Indian war, he moved to that region and died there. Several of his family married and lived in Kittery. Issue:

1. John3 was of Boston in 1726, where he founded a family. (See a MS in possession of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.) He conveyed land at Falmouth in 1726 to Colonel Thomas Westbrook [York County Deeds, Book 14:168]

2. Samuel3, b. 177, m. Rhoda Haley, Dec. 25, 1702, at Kittery [Vide infra]

3. Josiah3, m. Elizabeth Lydston, May 17, 1708, at Kittery.

4. Rebecca3, m. George Frink. June 9, 1729, they conveyed to her brother Samuel Skillings, then of Kittery, all rights in and to the estate of her father John Skillings, formerly of Falmouth, deceased.

Elizabeth, wife of John2 Skillings, is mentioned in Eastern Claims as, apparently, a widow owning a dwelling house near the Marriner-Bailey lot "on the road to Mr. (thaddeus) Clark's." Its site is now occupied by the Preble House, and title to it was obtained by her husband John exchangin lots with the Rev. George Burroughs. The deposition of Deborah (Ingersoll) Larrabee, August 2, 1746, states that "John Skillings lived on a place about thirty rods to the south-west of the meeting housse in the First Parish that he had of Mr. Burroughs; and that Mr. Samuel Skillings now living at Long Creek in said Town is the reputed son of said John."

In 1732-33, Thomas Westbrook, owning two-fifths, and Samuel Skillings, owning three-fifths, joined in a deed and conveyed to William Cotton one acre upon the Neck, "according to their purchase of said land." It was part of the tract obtained by John2 Skillings as mentioned, in his exchange with the Rev. Mr. Burroughs. [York County Deeds, Book 15:91]

Abstract from MHGR, V 2, No. 1, "Notes on the Skillings Family" by William B. Lapham, pp 46-47:

2. John Skillings(2) resided in Falmouth and was a prominent man in the early history of the town. During the first Indian war, in 1675, he continued in Salem, but at its close he returned to Falmouth, and Willis says, "entered with activity upon his early as well as his later possessions." The Salem records say that certain persons, among whom was John Skillings, "being driven from their habitations by the barbarous heathen are admitted as inhabitants of the town, they most of them informing they have provisions enough for one year." When he returned to Falmouth in 1680, there was granted to one "one houselot on the west side of the lot where his house now standeth, and also the lands that were his father's at Back Cove are confirmed to him; also a parcel of meadow land about three acres more or less, situated above a mile at Capisic river," etc. Willis says, the principal farm of John Skillings was at Stroudwater, about a mile northwest of Long Creek. He also had seven acres at the neck where Center Street now is, which he obtained of Rev. Goerge Burroughs in 1683, on which he had a house. (His son Samuel conveyed the Center street tract in 1732, to William Cotton and others.) It is said that Mr. Skillings died, and that his family moved to Piscataqua, but it is more probable that at the breaking out of the second Indian war, he moved there with his family and died there. I have been able to find no family record of this man, but several of them married and resided in Kittery. The following marriages of his children are found on Kittery Records:

4.i. Samuel, b 1677, m Aroda, dau of Andrew Haley, Dec 25, 1702 5.ii. Josiah, b __, __, m. Mary Litton(?) 6.iii. Rebecca b __, __, m George Frink (prob son of John Frink of Ipswich, who d in 1676 leaving sons John and George)

Abstract from The Skilling Book by Yates, p 2:

John Skilling, 2nd son of the founder, was b 1649, prob in Gloucester. Coming of age in Portland, he became a large landowner and prominent in town affairs. His farm was at Stroudwater, west of Long Creek. He also owned a place where the Preble house later stood. Twice married, his first wife's name was Mary, the second was Elizabeth. Tradition says he was killed by Indians at Long Creek.

Kittery Vital Records FHL Film #0011322 p 12: could this be the John Skillin(gs) with daughter Rebecca m George Frank? If so, their children were: Elizabeth b 14 Jan 1704, Mary b 17 Jan 1706, Rebecca b 4 Aug 1709, Sarah b Apr 1711.

It is assumed that John was second child (after Thomas) as he signs the petition of those who could not submit to Gorges, Aug 1, 1665, together with his father and brother Thomas. In 1673 he was at Newcastle having his broadcloth made up, apparently a wife Mary with him. From Falmouth, he was admitted as an inhabitant of Salem 11 Jan 1675-6, made agreement in Sep 1677 to finish Salem meeting house and paid for work in July 1678. Working for the Pickerings in Portsmouth in March 1677-8, Falmouth 1680, taxes Scarborough 1681, grand jury 1681, 1687, constable 1686, living 168, prob an Indian victim in Falmouth in 1689. Widow Elizabeth (Ingersoll) m2d Elihu Gunnison. Children:

1. John - Portsmouth (taxed 1722), Boston 1726, when he sold his double share, 2/5, to Thomas Westbrook. Wife Elizabeth adm to North Church 1713, living 1726; known children baptized in Portsmouth, married in Boston Elizabeth M. Nicolas Lash (Robert) d 14 Aug 1750 in 44th year. 2. Simon bp 1711 3. Simeon bp 1716 m Ruth Phillips 4. Mary bp 1718 Thomas Adams 5. Sarah bp 1721 m Jonathan Crosby.

prob. John, m in 1739 Elizabeth Farmer; Peter m 1744 Mary Sargent; poss. Joseph of Richmond m Eleanor Youngman in Roxbury 1731. Note also Hannah wife of Ephraim Sherburne. - Massachusetts Archives

Abstract from Winchester Notes by Fanny Winchester Hotchkiss, pp 82-83:

(Gen. II) His [Thomas Skillings] second son, John Skillings, born in Salem, Mass., in 1644, married Elizabeth. He signed the petition of those who could not submit to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Aug. 1, 1665, together with his father and brother Thomas. (Massachusetts Archives.) He died, probably, 1712-14. He was a prominent man in the early history of Falmouth, where he lived; was in Salem during the first Indian war (1675); returned to Falmouth in 1680. Tradition has it that John Skillings died before he was forty years old, but this is evidently wrong as deeds prove that he lived to be about 67 years old; therefore it is probable that he moved to Piscataqua with his family at the breaking out of the second Indian war, and that he died there.

The following marriages of his children are found on Kittery Records:

Samuel Skillings, born 1677; married, Dec. 25, 1702, Rhoda, daughter of Andrew Haley. Josiah Skillings, married, May 17, 1708, Elizabeth Lydston. Rebecca Skillings, married George Frink. (From Maine Recorder.)

Miss Emily Wilder Leavitt, a Boston genealogist, in 1898, carefully examined church records, Maine wills, York deeds, etc., and the story they give seems to show that John Skillings (Thomas1) did not die until 1712-14; that he removed with his family to Piscataqua, and that he may have gone to Portsmouth; that his widow and children went to Portsmouth; that his son Samuel returned to Falmouth; his son Josiah went to Kittery and died there; and that John and Elizabeth of Portsmouth, afterwards of Boston, in 1726, can readily have been the John, born in 1675-81, and so the father of John, Simeon and others of New North Church Records of Boston. John went to Portsmouth, where the North Church Records state: "Elizabeth Skillen, received to full communion July 1, 1713." Also the following children baptized there:

Simeon Skillen, baptized May 13, 1711. Simeon Skillen, baptized May 27, 1716. Mary Skillen, baptized Oct. 26, 1718. Sarah Skillen, baptized Sept. 3, 1721, by Rev. Nathaniel Rogers.

The same children are again found in Boston (Boston Marriages 1700-1751): Simeon Skillings, married March 15, 1738, Ruth Skillings. Mary Skillings, married Sept. 25, 1739, Thomas Adams. Sarah Skillings, married April 19, 1744, Jonathan Crosby.

Abstract from Skillings-Wager Families, compiled by Gregg Wager ([email protected]) at http://www.angelfire.com/music2/greggwager/index.h tml:

There is some question as to if John Skillings had another wife (Mary ?????) before Elizabeth Ingersoll, who probably would have been Samuel's mother. Because information is sketchy and many reliable Skillings researchers don't mention this possible first marriage, I have accepted that Skillings only had one wife, Elizabeth Ingersoll.

Sources:

1. Denham, Edward. Index to the Collections of the Maine Historical Society, Vols. I - IX. 1891. Vol. I, 125.

"John Skillings, carpenter, died before 40; widow and four children removed to Piscataqua about the time of the second Indian war, of which he was probably a victim. He was living in 1688. His son Samuel returned to establish at Long Creek."

2. Durand, Samuel Relf (1904-1996). Ancestry of Hildur Richardson Durand, Wife of Samuel Relf Durand. Palo Alto, CA: Handwritten, 1983. 67-68, 94

"In a history of Portland (originally Falmouth), John Skillings is said to have fled from the Indians to Salem, not Kittery as [Mr. Stackpole's book indicates]. In 1676, the forty families living in or near Falmouth Neck were driven away by the Indians. George Ingersoll, John Skillings and others had fled to Salem the year before. Several men were killed, and other families made captive. Two years later, in 1678, after the peace with the Indians, the scattered families of Falmouth returned to their homes.

John Skillings was the second son of Captain Thomas Skillings. He inherited property in 1667 from his father. In 1680, after the Province of Maine was purchased by Massachusetts, President Danforth confirmed grants in Portland; to John Skillings, he granted one house lot on Clay Cove, the land that was his father's on Back Cove, and a parcel of land on the Capsie River. These were but a small portion of the land he had received from his father's estate.

In 1683, John Skillings made an exchange of property with the Rev. George Burroughs. Rev. Burroughs transferred to John Skillings seven of thirty acres near Centre Street in exchange for the house lot on Clay Cove."

3. Stackpole, Everett Schermerhorn (1850-1927). Old Kittery and Her Families. Lewiston, ME: Press of Lewiston Journal Co., 1903; Reprinted 1981. 731-32

"Thomas and Deborah Skillin had: John who was driven by the Indians from Falmouth to Kittery in 1675. He returned to Falmouth in 1680 and was killed by Indians in 1689. His widow, Elizabeth, returned to Kittery and became the second wife of Elihu Gunnison."

Many thanks to the thorough research of Derek Doran-Wood, which can be accessed from http://www.gencircles.com/users/derekdoran-wood/1/ data/3275

From research of Mrs. Fred Tuthill (received 23 Jun 1997):

JOHN SKILLING-2-(Thomas-1-) b. 1649, probably Gloucester, MA; killed by Indians at Falmouth, ME, in 1689; m/1 Mary_____(living 1673); m/2 Elizabeth Ingersoll; she m/2 Elihu s/o Hugh Gunnison and had two more children -- Joseph b. 1690 and Elizabeth b. 1694 who m John Walker. John became of age in Falmouth (Portland), ME; signed a petition there August 1665. In 1673 he was at Newcastle, ME, "having his broadcloth made up," and his wife Mary was with him. He was driven by the Indians out of Falmouth to Kittery in 1675; was admitted an inhabitant of Salem, MA, 11 Jan. 1675/6. A carpenter by trade, he made an agreement September 1677 to finish the Salem meetinghouse; was paid for the work July 1678. In March 1677/8 he was working in Portsmouth, NH; was back in Falmouth in 1680; taxed at Scarborough 1684. He served as grand juryman 1681, 1687; constable 1686. He became a large landowner; his farm was at Stroudwater, west of Long Creek; he also owned a place where the Preble house later stood. His widow returned to Kittery, ME. Issue:

1-John m. Elizabeth_____(living 1726); lived Portsmouth, NH, where he was taxed 1722; in Boston 1726; his wife admitted to North Church 1713. He claimed marsh up Capisic River in ME--5 acres and 1/2 of a mill on Long Creed and another and 7 acres exchanged with Rev. George Burroughs. Had a least 5 children bp at Portsmouth, NH; perhaps 5 others. 2-SAMUEL b 25 July 1679 3-Rebecca m. George Frink 4-Josiah m. 17 May 1708 Elizabeth 1/o Edward Linden/Lydston; she m/2 16 Jan 1723/4 Roger Deering. Josish was a shipwright at Kittery, ME

Abstract from Ancestors of Dot Sayshi (http://www.dotsayshi.com/dotancestors/6/h/f/John_ SKILLINGS_(1644-1689).html): John SKILLINGS (1644-1689), b. 1644, d. 1689 at Falmouth/Portland, Cumberland, ME

Father: Thomas SKILLIN(GS) (1624-1667), b. ca. 1624 at Topsfield, Essex Co., MA, d. 2 October 1667 at Falmouth/Portland, Cumberland, ME Mother: Deborah Unknown Was wife Elizabeth or Mary or both?? "...was driven from Falmouth to Kittery in 1675. He returned to Falmouth in 1680 and was killed by indians in 1689..." "...signed a petition of those who could not submit to Gorges, 8/1/1665, together with his father and his brother Thomas..." "...resided in Falmouth/Portland and was a prominent man in the early history of the town...during the first indian was, in 1675, he continued in Salem, MA, but at its close he returned to Falmouth/Portland...entered with activity upon his early as well as his later posessions...The Salem records say that certain persons, amoung whom was John Skinnings, "being driven from their havitations by the barbarous heathens, and admitted as inhabitants of the town, they most of them informing they have provisions enough for one year"...when he returned to Falmouth/Portland in 1680 there was granted to him "one houselot on the west side of the lot where his house now standeth, and also the lands that were his fathers at Black Cove are confirmed to him; also a parcel of meadow land about three acres more or less, situated above a mile at Capisic river,"ect...the principle farm of John Skinnings was at Stroudwater, about a mile northwest of Long Creek...he also had seven acres at the neck where Center Street now is, which he obtained of Rev. George Burroughs in 1683, on which he had a house (his son Samuel conveyed the Center Street tract in 1732, to Wm Cotton and others)...the marriage of his children are found on Kittery Records..." "...in 1685, he and S. Davis purchased from a Samuel Webber, the mill and lands being at "the falls which are above Mr. Munjoy's land, on Long Creek"...was granted lots upon the neck of land near the Fort (Loyall), on the west side of Clay Cove, on the north side of Fore Street, and extended as far as now (1885) Union Street.." Spouse: Elizabeth Mary INGERSOLL, b. 19 March 1650/1 at Gloucester, Essex County, MA, d. aft. 1694

Father: George INGERSOLL "...after the deathe of first husband, John she returned to Kittery and became the second wife of Elihu Gunnison..." Married ca. 1674/5 at Falmouth, Cumberland, ME.

Children:

John Skillings (1677- ), b. ca. 1677, d. at Portsmouth, NH, m. Elizabeth Unknown Skillings, ca. 1697 Samuel SKILLINGS (1679-1757), b. 25 July 1679 at Kittery, York County, ME, m. Rhoda (Aroda) HALEY, 25 December 1702 at Kittery, York County, ME, d. 2 January 1757 at Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, ME Rebecca SKILLINGS (1680- ), b. ca. 1680, m. George FRINK, 19 May 1701 at Kittery, York County, ME Josiah Skillings (1684-1723), b. ca. 1684 at Kittery, York County, ME, m. Elizabeth Lidden/Lydston, 17 May 1708 at Kittery, York County, ME, d. ca. 1723 at Kittery, York County, ME