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     Mary Towne was born on 27 March 1670 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,3

     Susannah Towne was born on 24 December 1671 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married John Cummings, son of Isaac Cummings and Mary Andrews, on 23 January 1688/89 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She died on 13 September 1766 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 94.² She was buried at South Side Cemetery in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²

     On 27 May 1715, during the settlement of her father's estate, she yielded her rights to his household goods (through the signature of her husband John Cummings) to her mother Phebe.³

     Sarah Towne was born on 30 December 1675 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died on 1 November 1761 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 85, unmarried.^1,2

     On 27 May 1715, during the settlement of her father's estate, she yielded her rights to his household goods to her mother Phebe.³

     John Towne was born on 20 February 1677/78 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married first Elizabeth Rea, daughter of Joshua Rea and Elizabeth Leach, in January 1707/8 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married second Abigail Stanley, daughter of Samuel Stanley, on 8 July 1712 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He died on 28 March 1714 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 36.²

     Martha Towne was born on 19 May 1680 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married Isaac Larrabee, son of Isaac Larrabee and Eleanor (?), on 30 June 1715 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She died about 24 February 1753 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²

     On 27 May 1715, during the settlement of her father's estate, she yielded her rights to his household goods to her mother Phebe.³
     On 7 March 1747/48 she released her dower rights to her husband's estate, having received property from her sons Isaac and Joseph "to my full satisfaction," and "in consideration of a valuable sum by me received upon the accountability."²
     She and her husband Isaac are believed to have been Quakers.²

     William Towne was baptized on 18 March 1598/99 at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.⁴ He married Joanna Blessing, daughter of John Blessing and Jone (?), at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, on 25 April 1620 (William Blanchard Towne says 25 March 1620).^1,4,2 He died before 24 June 1673 ("24:4:1673"), when his widow Joanna was appointed administrator of his estate.⁵

     Many people, especially in on-line web sites, erroneously state that William Towne's parents were Richard Towne and Ann Denton. This information apparently originated in an 1866 article in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register by William B. Towne, which says he "may have been the son of Richard and Ann Towne of Braceby." The same information is repeated in the 1901 book The Descendants of William Towne by Edwin Eugene Towne, where William is called the "supposed son of Richard Towne, of Braceby, England."^6,7
     However, later research has shown conclusively that while Richard Towne of Braceby did have a son named William, he was not the William Towne who married Joanna Blessing and later emigrated to New England. The emigrant William Towne was the son of John Towne and Elizabeth Clarke of Yarmouth. Interestingly, the 1927 book The Ancestry of Lieut. Amos Towne by Walter Goodwin Davis also gets this right, listing William's parents as John and Elizabeth Towne.^8,9,10,1,3
     On 5 November 1608 William Towne was apprenticed to Abraham Robbertes of Yarmouth, basket maker, for 14 years, to start on 2 February 1608/09. At the end of his apprenticeship he was to be given "2 pds. and double apparel."^1,11 However, like his father, he later worked as a gardener in Yarmouth.^12,1
     He and his wife Joanna emigrated to New England sometime between 24 April 1635, when their son John was apprenticed to Lionel Gibson of Yarmouth, and about 1639, when their son Joseph was born in Salem. The Norwich Consistory and Archdeaconry Visitation Records dated 26 November 1635 show that they were cited for not appearing for communion, referring to them as Separatists. Together, this indicates that they may have emigrated to America about the summer of 1635.¹
     They lived in Salem, Massachusetts, in an area called the North Fields. William's name appears on an undated list of grants to land there that many believe were made before Salem town records were started in 1635.^4,1
     On 30 June and 1 July 1640 ("last of 4^th mo. and 1. 5^th mo. 1640") he appears in the Salem court records as the plaintiff in an action against John Cook involving a debt, apparently as part of a land transaction. The jury found for the plaintiff, and ordered that "some to be deputed to measure John Cook's land and what is remaining to make up Goodman Town's land and if it be ffyve acres to pay Towne ffyfe marks and w^t is wanting of ffyfe acres to abate 13s. 4d. p. acre: And costs 4s.: 0."²
     On 11 October 1640 (11. 8 mo., 1640) he was granted "a little neck of Land right over against his house on the other side of the river" in Salem.² In February 1651 he bought about 40 acres of land in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, from Wm. Paine of Ipswich for £29 1s 2d. The land consisted of plowed ground, unplowed uplands, and meadows.^2,1 He sold his land in Salem to Harry Bullock in 1652², and bought additional land in Topsfield in 1656.² He was made a commoner in Topsfield in 1661.⁴ On 11 May 1663 he sold about 4 1/2 acres of meadow land in Topsfield to his son-in-law Isaac Estey for £16 and "other good causes."¹³
     In 1663 he and his wife Joanna, "in consideration of natural affection and the contemplated marriage of their sonn Joseph Towne, with Phebe Perkins," gave Joseph 2/3 of "the home wherein they then did dwell, with Barne, out houses, yard, gardens, orchards" in Topsfield. They also gave him another parcel containing about 30 acres, and about 14 acres of meadowland. Joseph was also to have the right of first refusal for the remaining 1/3 of the homestead when it was eventually sold.² They most likely lived the rest of their lives with Joseph's family.⁴
     He died intestate, and on 24 June 1673 his widow Joanna was appointed administrator of his estate, and was to submit an inventory at the next court session in Ipswich. She probably was allowed to hold the property while living.^5,4 On 17 January 1682/83, after her death, the remaining heirs Mary Towne (widow of his son Edmund), Jacob Towne, Joseph Towne, Francis Nourse (with the consent of his wife Rebecca), Mary Estey, and Sarah Bridges presented to the court "the Humbell peticion of us whos names are under wrighten in way of the seatellment of a small esteat left to us by our Honered ffather deceased about tenn yers ago who died and leaft no will," and asked that the real estate be divided equally between the three sons, and the personal property divided equally between the three daughters. The three sons were to pay all debts, and all six were to share in the costs of settling the estate. The petition was granted on 10 April 1683.^4,5

     Joanna Blessing was baptized on 22 June 1595 at Holy Trinity Church in Caister on-Sea, Norfolk, England.^1,3 She married William Towne, son of John Towne and Elizabeth Clarke, at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, on 25 April 1620 (William Blanchard Towne says 25 March 1620).^1,4,2 She died before 17 January 1682/83, when her surviving children (and her son Edmund's widow) petitioned the court for the division of their father's estate.⁵

     She and her husband William emigrated to New England sometime between 24 April 1635, when their son John was apprenticed to Lionel Gibson of Yarmouth, and about 1639, when their son Joseph was born in Salem. The Norwich Consistory and Archdeaconry Visitation Records dated 26 November 1635 show that they were cited for not appearing for communion, referring to them as Separatists. Together, this indicates that they may have emigrated to America about the summer of 1635.¹
     They lived in Salem, Massachusetts, in an area called the North Fields. William's name appears on an undated list of grants to land there that many believe were made before Salem town records were started in 1635.^4,1
     In 1663 she and William, "in consideration of natural affection and the contemplated marriage of their sonn Joseph Towne, with Phebe Perkins," gave Joseph 2/3 of "the home wherein they then did dwell, with Barne, out houses, yard, gardens, orchards" in Topsfield. They also gave him another parcel containing about 30 acres, and about 14 acres of meadowland. Joseph was also to have the right of first refusal for the remaining 1/3 of the homestead when it was eventually sold.² They most likely lived the rest of their lives with Joseph's family.⁴
     She was dismissed from the church in Salem to the one in Topsfield on 19 April 1664.^1,4
     In 1670 she was involved in several suits by and against Rev. Thomas Gilbert of Topsfield. Rev. Gilbert was apparently sick and somewhat eccentric, which some of his parishioners blamed on drinking. A court record describes a dinner hosted by Rev. Gilbert and his wife between two Sunday services, with Capt. John Gould and his wife Sarah, Deacon Thomas Perkins and his wife Phebe, and Mrs. Towne as guests. 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 (sister of Sarah's husband John Gould) 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."^4,6
     She was appointed administrator of her husband's estate on 24 June 1673, and was to submit an inventory at the next court session in Ipswich. She probably was allowed to keep the property until her own death, as the estate was not finally settled until 10 April 1683.^5,4
     In 1692 a deposition by Ann Putnam Sr. during the Salem witchcraft trials claimed that Joanna's daughter Rebecca Nurse had told her that "she [Rebecca] and her sister Cloyes [Sarah (Towne)], and Ed: Bhishop wife of of Salem village had kiled young Jno putnams Child because yong Jno putnam had said that it was no wonder they were witches for their mother was so before them." There is no evidence, however, that Joanna was ever accused of witchcraft during her lifetime.^7,1

     Rebecca Towne was baptized on 21 February 1620/21 at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.² She married Francis Nurse about 1645 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She was hanged as a witch, along with four others, on 19 July 1692 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 According to family tradition, her body was later recovered by her family and secretly buried at the family homestead.²

     Rebecca Towne came from England to America with her parents sometime between 24 April 1635 and 1639.¹
     On 23 March 1691/92 a warrant was issued in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, for her arrest on the charge of witchcraft. She was interrogated the next day at the house of Samuel Ingersoll, where she proclaimed her innocence and faith that God would clear her. She was nevertheless jailed in Salem after the interrogation, then transferred to a Boston jail on 12 April with several others, including her sister Sarah. She was later returned to Salem, where she was formally indicted on 2 June, and tried on 29 June.
     The jury originally found her not guilty, causing exclamations among her accusers. One of the judges said he wasn't satisfied, and another said that a new indictment would be issued. The chief judge then questioned the jury about whether they had adequately considered a statement made by Rebecca earlier in the trial. When Deliverance Hobbs and her daughter, themselves confessed witches, had been brought into court to testify against her, Rebecca had said "What, do these persons give in evidence against me now, they used to come among us," which the judges interpreted as evidence that Rebecca herself was a witch. This persuaded the jury to reconvene, but they could not then agree on a verdict. They returned to court, where Rebecca was asked to explain what she meant by the statement, but she remained silent. The jury then found her earlier statement incriminating, and declared her guilty.
     Later, after the use of her statement by the court was explained to her, Rebecca wrote to the court saying
After her conviction Gov. William Phipps granted her a reprieve, but her accusers convinced him to reverse his decision.^4,5,2,6
     On 3 July 1692 she was taken to the Salem meeting house in shackles, where, after a unanimous vote of the elders earlier that day, she was excommunicated by Rev. Nicholas Noyes.^4,2
     Five years later, on 14 January 1697, the jury foreman Thomas Fiske and other jurors signed a statement apologizing for their actions during the witchcraft hysteria, and asking for forgiveness.^7,8,9
     After her execution for witchcraft, many of her neighbors and friends gave "Testimonials of her Christian behaviour, both in the course of her Life and at her Death, and her extraordinary care in educating her Children and setting them good Examples, &c."⁴ And fourteen years later, in 1706, her accuser Ann Putnam stated in writing that she had been deceived by Satan into accusing innocent people, "and particularly as I was a chief instrument of accusing Goodwife Nurse and her two sisters. I desire to be in the dust, and to be humbled for it," and asked the families of those she accused to forgive her.¹⁰ On 12 March 1711 the First Church of Salem reversed Rebecca Nurse's excommunication "that it may no longer be a reproach to her memory or an occasion of grief to her children."²

More Information / Background

• Salem Witch Trials
  
• Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692
  
• Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project
  
• Rebecca Nurse
  
• The Rebecca Nurse Homestead
  
• Ann Putnam.
  

     Francis Nurse was born about 1618 (based on his age at death of 77) in England.^1,3 He married Rebecca Towne, daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, about 1645 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 22 November 1695 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,1

     Francis Nurse first appears in New England records in a court document dated 31 March 1640 in Salem, Massachusetts, which charges "Francis Nurse a youth for stealing of victualls and for suspicion of breaking a house."^3,1 He also appeared in court in 1642, suing Elin Downing for defamation; in 1648/49 when he and Thomas Odingsells were found guilty of defamation against Daniel Ray and sentenced to either sit in the stocks or pay a fine; and in 1654 when he won a slander claim against Jonathan and Elizabeth Porter.³
     He was a "tray maker" (Davis notes that he likely made various other household items), and also owned a small farm.³ He was granted 20 acres of land in Salem in 1664.³
     He served as constable in Salem in 1672, on grand juries in 1671 and 1672, and on several trial juries between 1673 and 1683.³
     On 29 April 1678 he entered into an agreement to buy a 300-acre farm, originally granted to Townsend Bishop in 1636, from James Allen for £400. The property had changed hands several times over the years, including ownership by Henry Chickering, Gov. John Endicott, his son John Endicott Jr., and finally Allen, the second husband of the widow of John Endicott Jr. The agreement between Nurse and Allen stipulated that Nurse was to pay rent of £7 per year for twelve years, then £10 per year for nine years, after which time the £400 became due. The value of any improvements made to the property during that time were to lower the final amount due. Within the first ten or so years the amounts paid on the principal, plus the value of the improvements, exceeded the total of £400, and Nurse received the deed.
     Conflicts soon arose over land boundaries because the original grants were poorly described and sometimes overlapped. The Bishop property was bounded on the west by land owned by Nathaniel Putnam, and on the east by land owned by Zerubabel Endicott, another of Gov. Endicott's sons. Zerubabel Endicott was a "disappointed and embittered man," upset that the property was no longer in the family, and filed suit to claim a portion of it. Over the following years several suits and appeals were filed. Eventually the property was determined to be Allen's (and thus Nurse's), but the dispute had involved much of the community, and may have left many with ill feelings toward the Nurse family.³
     In 1689/90 he granted 52 acres of this land to his son-in-law Thomas Preston.⁴
     On 17 January 1682/83 he, along with Joseph Towne, Jacob Towne, Mary (Towne) Estey, Sarah (Towne) Bridges, and Mary (Browning) Towne, petitioned the court for the settlement of his father-in-law William Towne's estate.^5,6
     On 4 December 1694 he distributed his own estate "equally divided in quantity and quality" to his sons John, Samuel, Francis, and Benjamin, and to his sons-in-law Michael Bowden, Thomas Preston, John Tarbell, and William Russell, with certain exceptions and provisions. They were to pay his debts, and for his burial. Each of them was also to pay him 35s annually, for a total of £14, possibly more if that proved insufficient "for my comfortable maintenance." He reserved from his estate his bed, a chest, clothing, that year's corn crop, and his horse and enough fodder to care for it through the winter. He also reserved £10 to be paid to his grandson John Nurse after his death.^3,1 The estate was formally settled on 23 December 1695.³

     John Towne was baptized on 16 February 1623/24 at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.¹

     On 25 April 1635 John Towne was apprenticed to Lionel Gibson of Yarmouth, a cooper, for 8 years, to start the following 24 June.¹

     Susan Towne was baptized on 26 October 1625 (Davis says 20 October) at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 She died on 29 July 1630 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, at age 4.¹

     Edmund Towne was baptized on 22 June 1628 (Davis says 28 June) at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^2,3 He married Mary Browning, daughter of Thomas Browning and Mary Haines, about 1652 in Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^4,2 He died before 27 April 1678, when his estate was inventoried, in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.⁵

     Some writers, including Davis, report that he came to New England on the ship Rose in June 1637, as an apprentice to Henry Skerry, cordwainer (i.e., shoemaker), who settled in Salem, Massachusetts. However, in the book of examinations containing the passenger list, Skerry's apprentice Edmund Towne is listed as age 18. No record has been found in Yarmouth for an Edmund Towne being apprenticed to Henry Skerry, and Hoover notes that a 9-year-old would be too young to be a cordwainer's apprentice. The Edmund Towne who sailed with Skerry may be from a different Towne family, or perhaps the entry in the book of examinations is in error. There's no record for a second Edmund Towne in Salem at that time, and Hoover speculates that he may have died during the voyage, and that William and Joanna's son Edmund probably came with them to New England.^4,2
     After their marriage he and his wife Mary settled in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.⁴ He served as a trial juror in Topsfield in 1655, was made a commoner in 1661, served as a grand juror in 1663, and became a freeman in 1664.⁴ He also served as a selectman in 1673 and constable in 1675.⁴
     In 1664 he, and others in the Towne family, each paid more than £1 to the minister's rate, even though they were only required to pay 10s. For their generosity, they each were alloted three shares of land, and were criticized by some of their neighbors for "having stepped out of their proper sphere in life."⁶ In September 1677 he and four others were selected as tythingmen to assist the minister in watching over seven families.⁶
     He was made corporal of the militia in Topsfield in June 1666.⁴ During King Philip's War in 1675, he was part of a six-man committee from Topsfield that petitioned the General Court for permission to form military companies to protect the people from the Indians while working. The petition was apparently granted, and he served as a sergeant in this militia.^4,6
     He died intestate. His widow gave a statement that said "The minde of the deceased was as mine is allsoe; and is consented too by all partys conscernd that the four sonns shall have all the Lands Equally devyded amongst them, And the rest of the estate to be Equally devyded amongst the 5 :garles only Sarah the second Daughter is already marryed and Hath rescieved to the vallue of twelve pounds already." She was appointed administrator on "27:4:1678." The estate was inventoried by Francis Peabody and Thomas Baker, and included real estate worth £292, excluding his wife's land, and books worth £1.⁴

More Information / Background

• King Philip's War.
  

     Jacob Towne was baptized on 11 March 1631/32 at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.² He married Catharine Symonds, daughter of John Symonds and Ruth Foxe, on 26 June 1657 in Topsfield (Davis says in Salem), Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,3 He died on 27 November 1704 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 72.²

     Jacob Towne came from England to America with his parents sometime between 24 April 1635 and 1639.¹
     Hoover says that after their marriage he and his wife Catharine 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.^2,3 From 1664 to 1669 his tax rate was £1 4s 5d.⁴
     He was granted uplands and swamp land south of the river in Topsfield in 1677/78.⁵ He pledged his allegiance to the King in the spring of 1677/78, and again on 18 December 1678.⁴
     In Topsfield he served on the following committees; to lay out a highway in 1669; to view a way in 1675; to settle boundary disputes in 1679, 1680, and 1681; to settle a boundary dispute between Ipswich and Topsfield in 1684; and to examine the boundaries adjoining the common land in 1686. He also served as selectman in 1678, 1679, and 1682-84.⁵ He was made a freeman in Topsfield on 16 February 1685/86.⁴ On 30 March 1691 he was appointed to a committee to settle the boundary dispute between Salem and Topsfield.⁴
     In 1680 he was one of those appointed by the church to select a new minister. After Rev. Joseph Capen was interviewed for the position, he (Jacob) was chosen to go with him back to Dorchester, and return with him "with his friends' consent to continue with us in the ministry." He was on the committee that layed out 12 acres to Rev. Capen in 1682, helped organize his ordination in 1684, and was on the committee to seat people in the meeting house in 1687. He also served as tythingman in 1701.^3,5
     On 17 January 1682/83 he, along with Joseph Towne, Francis Nurse, Mary (Towne) Estey, Sarah (Towne) Bridges, and Mary (Browning) Towne, petitioned the court for the settlement of his father's estate. Of the six heirs, he was the only one who signed his actual name, instead of by using a mark.^6,7
     He had served as a trial juror in 1676 and 1681³, and on 30 December 1692 was selected at a Topsfield town meeting to serve as a juryman in a new Superior Court that had been established to try the remaining witchcraft cases.⁴
     He copied the records of Rev. William Perkins into the Topsfield town records, and was called "an authentic man and a good antiquary."⁴
     He also served in the militia from 1680 to 1690, as corporal, sergeant, and ensign.⁴
     His will was dated 24 November 1704 in Topsfield and proved 1 January 1704/05. His son John was named as executor. His son John and daughter Ruth were to have equal shares of his homestead that wasn't already disposed of, including the buildings and moveables. In return they were to provide for his wife Catharine and son Edmund, and to pay his debts and funeral expenses. His daughter Katherine Perkins was left £5 "not in or as money but other Current pay," in addition to what she had already received. His daughter Deliverance Stiles was left £4, in addition to whet she had already received. After his wife's death, Deliverance was also to receive his son Edmund's bed. His son Jacob was to have 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.^3,2 His estate was inventoried at £192 24s 6d.⁵

More Information / Background

• Joseph Capen.
  

     Mary Towne was baptized on 24 August 1634 at the Church of St. Nicholas in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.² She married Isaac Estey, son of Jeffery Estie and Mary Salmon, about 1655.² She was executed as a witch in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, on 22 September 1692.²

     Mary Towne came from England to America with her parents sometime between 24 April 1635 and 1639.¹
     On 17 January 1682/83 she, along with Joseph Towne, Francis Nurse, Jacob Towne, Sarah (Towne) Bridges, and Mary (Browning) Towne, petitioned the court for the settlement of her father's estate.^3,4
     She and her husband Isaac were members in full communion of the Congregational Church in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, as shown by the church register for 1684.²
     In 1692 she became a victim of the witchcraft hysteria in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. A warrant dated 21 April 1692 ordered that she be arrested and brought to Lt. Nathaniel Ingersoll's house for examination the next day. She was released on 18 May, but a new warrant was issued two days later, and she was re-arrested and taken from her home at midnight.^5,6,7,8,2
     Her sister Sarah Cloyse had also been arrested and charged with witchcraft, and together they submitted the following petition to the court.
     She was nevertheless tried and found guilty on 9 September 1692.¹⁰ Before her execution she sent the following petition to the court:
     On 22 September 1692 she was hanged with seven others. As the bodies swung on the gallows, Rev. Noyes reportedly referred to them as "eight firebrands of hell."^12,2

More Information / Background

• Salem Witch Trials
  
• Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692
  
• Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project
  
• Mary Eastey
  
• Nicholas Noyes.
  

     Isaac Estey was baptized on 17 November 1627 at St. Peter's Church in Freston, Suffolk, England.² He married Mary Towne, daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, about 1655.¹ He died before 11 June 1711 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Isaac Estey was a cooper.³ On 2 May 1653 he bought a farm in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, from Job Hilliard.⁴
     In 1660 he was among those sharing the common land south of the Ipswich River. This common land lay between Topsfield and Salem Village, and parts of it had previously been granted by Salem Village to some of its residents, who settled there. When Topsfield was incorporated in 1658, the Courts included within its boundaries some of the land then occupied by Salem Villagers. The disputes that resulted involved many Towne family members in Topsfield, including Isaac Estey, and may have contributed to the hostility felt by some toward the family.^4,5
     On 11 May 1663 he bought about 4 1/2 acres of meadow land in Topsfield from his father-in-law William Towne for £16 and "other good causes."⁶ He served as selectman in Topsfield in 1680, 1682, 1686, and 1688; as juryman of trials in Ipswich in 1681, 1684, and 1685; and as grand juryman in 1691 and 1696. At other times he was a tythingman, and surveyor of highways and fences.⁴
     In 1681 his minister's rate was £1 3s.⁷ He and his wife Mary were members in full communion of the Congregational Church in Topsfield as shown by the church register for 1684.¹
     His will was dated 26 March 1709, and probated 11 January 1712 at Topsfield. It mentions his sons Isaac, Joseph, John, Benjamin, Jacob, and Joshua, and daughters Sarah Ireland and Hannah Abbot. Isaac was left 44 acres south of the Ipswich River.^8,9
     Several variations of the "Estey" surname appear in the literature. Those used here for Isaac and his descendants are from the recently-published Towne genealogy by Lois Payne Hoover.¹

     Sarah Towne was born about 1642, based on her stated age of 37 in a 1679 deposition, in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She was baptized with her brother Joseph on 3 September 1648 at the First Church in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ She married first Edmund Bridges, son of Edmund Bridges and Alice (?), on 11 January 1659/60 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married second Peter Cloyse, son of John Cloyse and Abigail (?), probably in early 1683.⁴ She died about 1703 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.²

     After their marriage, she and her first husband Edmund settled in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, where her parents lived. Edmund was listed among the 30 original commoners receiving a share of the common land there in 1661.⁵ They reportedly moved to Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, in 1668.²
     After her husband Edmund's death about September 1682, she and her four children, aged 2 to 17, returned to Topsfield, where others in her family were living. Because she was not a resident, however, they were "warned out" on 12 September. Whether they actually moved out or not is unknown.⁶
     On 17 January 1682/83 she, along with Joseph Towne, Francis Nurse, Jacob Towne, Mary (Towne) Estey, and Mary (Browning) Towne, petitioned the court for the settlement of her father's estate.^7,8
     She was caught up in the witchcraft hysteria that swept Salem in 1692. On 27 March 1692, three days after her sister Rebecca Nurse had been interrogated and jailed for witchcraft, she was at the meeting house for Sacrament Day in Salem Village when Rev. Samuel Parris announced the subject for his sermon as John 6:70, "Have not I chosen you Twelve, and one of you is a Devil?" Sarah reportedly got up and stormed out, with the door slammed shut behind her, either by her or the wind.^9,10 On 4 April 1692 a complaint was filed against her and Elizabeth Procter for witchcraft. A warrant dated 8 April ordered that they be arrested and brought to the public meetinghouse for examination on 11 April.¹¹ John Proctor, Elizabeth's husband, was at the examination, no doubt in support of his wife. During the examination two of the witnesses also charged him with witchcraft.¹² All three were transferred to the jail in Boston on 12 April 1692, along with Sarah's sister Rebecca Nurse, Martha Corey, and Dorothy Good (age 4).^13,14
     Her sister Mary Estey had also been arrested and charged with witchcraft, and together they submitted the following petition to the court.
     In August 1692 she was transferred to the jail in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹⁶ She escaped execution, but it's not clear exactly how. Some claimed that she was "spirited away by her son." Others say that she was tried and acquitted on 3 January 1693 by a new Superior Court, and that her brother Jacob Towne served as a juryman in that trial.¹⁷ The 1984 movie "Three Sovereigns for Sarah," starring Vanessa Redgrave, is based on the story of her ordeal.^5,2
     By the spring of 1693, after the witchcraft mania had subsided, she and her second husband Peter had moved to an area known as Salem End, along with several other Towne relatives impacted by the witchcraft trials.¹⁶

More Information / Background

• Salem Witch Trials
  
• Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692
  
• Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project.
  

     Edmund Bridges was born about 1637 in what is now Essex Co., Massachusetts probably in Lynn where his parents first settled.¹ He married Sarah Towne, daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, on 11 January 1659/60 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He probably died early in September 1682 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²

     While young, he and his brother Hackaliah were apparently both delinquent and promiscuous. They were both convicted of petty theft and lying, and Hackaliah was charged but acquitted of fornication with Sarah French in 1656. On 29 September 1657 ("29:7:1657"), in court at Ipswich, Essex Co. Massachusetts, both were tried for fornication. Depositions by friends say that they had bragged about their conquests with servant girls - Edmund with Mary Browne and Mary Quilter (age 17), and Hackaliah with Mary Quilter - and offered to share their partners. Hackaliah and Mary Quilter were both ordered to be severely whipped. Edmund was ordered to be severely whipped, while Mary Browne was ordered to "stand by and see him whipped."^3,4
     After their marriage, he and his wife Sarah settled in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, where Sarah's parents lived. He was listed among the 30 original commoners receiving a share of the common land there in 1661.⁵ They reportedly moved to Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, in 1668.¹
     He worked as a blacksmith, like his father¹, and in 1678 was operating an ordinary (i.e., tavern) in Salem.¹ In 1680 he was also acting as an attorney, representing people in court proceedings.¹ He built a wharf in Salem in 1680, and gave half to his son Edmund. Later that same year they sold it to Elizabeth Turner, a widow.¹

     Peter Cloyse was born on 27 May 1639 in Watertown, Massachusetts.¹ He married first Hannah Littlefield, daughter of Edmund Littlefield and Annis Austin, in 1664 in Wells, York Co., Maine.¹ He married second Sarah Towne, daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, probably in early 1683.² He married third Susanna Harrington on 2 January 1704/5 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.^3,1 He died on 18 July 1708 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, at age 69.¹

     In 1679 he and his first wife Hannah sold their land in Wells, York Co., Maine, to William Frost.¹
     Peter Cloyes was one of the original covenanters of Rev. Samuel Parris, the Salem Village minister, and one of the principal figures in the Salem witchcraft hysteria. However, after his wife Sarah's imprisonment for witchcraft, he became one of Parris's most bitter opponents. He, Samuel Nurse (son of Rebecca Nurse), John Tarbell (husband of Rebecca Nurse's daughter Mary), and Thomas Wilkens (father-in-law of John Willard, who was executed for witchcraft), led the opposition to Parris, and were referred to by Parris as the "four displeased brethern." The battle dragged on for years, eventually involving ministers from churches in surrounding towns and various high-ranking civil authorities, with suits and countersuits between Parris and Salem Village. Parris finally resigned his position in October 1696, and the last suit was settled on 24 September 1697.^4,5
     By the spring of 1693, after the witchcraft mania had subsided, he and Sarah had moved to an area known as Salem End, along with several other Towne relatives impacted by the witchcraft trials.⁶ On 6 October 1695 he was dismissed from the church in Salem Village, and admitted to the one in nearby Marlborough, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^7,6
     He was active in local affairs, and was one of the signers on a petition sent to the state legislature in mid-June 1700 for the creation of a town. The petition was granted, and Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, was incorporated on 25 June 1700.⁸ At the first town meeting, held on 5 August 1700, he was one of seven chosen as selectmen, and one of four chosen as surveyor of highways. He also served as selectman in 1703 and 1708.⁹ At the second town meeting, on 3 March 1701, he was chosen as town treasurer and grand juryman.¹⁰
     He also played key roles in the establishment of a new church. The first meeting house was built in 1698, with the first services in 1699. It apparently needed additional work, however, and on 31 March 1701 he was one of three named to a committee to hire and pay a carpenter £10 to finish its construction.¹¹ On 13 May 1701 he was one of nine chosen to get the opinion of three other ministers on whether John Swift of Milton was well-qualified as a minister. Swift was apparently judged to be qualified, for on 22 May 1701 Peter Cloyse was one of eight chosen to chosen to call on him to "abide and settle with us" as their new minister.¹²
     His will was dated 15 July 1708 and proved on 17 August 1708. His sons Peter and James were executors. He left his wife Susannah "an annual loan or interest" of £30, the moveables she had brought into their marriage, a cow, three pigs, provisions in their house, 20 bushels of corn, 1/3 of the improvement of his land "and continual income and profit," and a "convenient room" in his house for as long as she remained a widow. To his daughter Mary Trumbal he left a £4, a cow, and a feather bed and furniture that had belonged to her mother "Hana Clayes." His sons Peter and James were also to provide her a room in his house to live in, and a room to practice the trade of a weaver, "during the present circumstances of [her] Single life." He left £5 to his daughter Hannah Eliot; £4 and a cupboard that had belonged to her mother "Sara Clayes" to his daughter Hepsibah Harrington; 40s in money or goods to his "beloved granddaughter Abigail Watters" when she came of age; and £6 in money or goods to be equally divided among his grandchildren. To his daughter Alice Bridges he left a "flock bed and a large puter platter which was her mothers, to wit, Sarah Clayes." (Hoover interprets the placement of Alice in the will to indicate that she was Peter's second wife Sarah's daughter from her first marriage, not his natural daughter.) The rest of his property was to be divided between his sons Peter and James.¹

More Information / Background

• Samuel Parris.
  

     Mary Browning was baptized on 7 January 1637/38 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Edmund Towne, son of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, about 1652 in Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 She died before 16 December 1717, when her will was proved, in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,3

     After their marriage she and her husband Edmund settled in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²
     On 17 January 1682/83 she, along with Joseph Towne, Francis Nurse, Jacob Towne, Mary (Towne) Estey, and Sarah (Towne) Bridges, petitioned the court for the settlement of her father-in-law William Towne's estate.^4,5
     Her will was dated 1 February 1709/10 and proved 16 December 1717. Her son Joseph had been named as administrator, but he had died, so her sons Thomas and William were appointed. In her will she confirmed her gift of land at Topsfield, that she had received from her father Thomas Browning, to her sons Thomas, William, Joseph, and Samuel. On the same date that her will was signed, her sons divided this property, along with the large farm they had earlier inherited from their father. She left her personal property, which included a silver cup and spoon, to her daughters Mary, Sarah, Abigail, Rebecca, and Elizabeth.²

     Mary Towne was born about 1653 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married, as his second wife, John Prichard, son of William Prichard, on 1 March 1680/81 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,3 She died on 5 March 1730/31 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²

     Thomas Towne was born about 1655 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Sarah French, daughter of John French and Phebe Keyes, on 17 March 1684/85 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ He died between 20 January 1719/20, when his will was signed, and 7 March 1719/20, when it was proved.^2,3

     On 12 August 1675 he was one of 88 men in Capt. Lothrop's company in Hatfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, during King Philip's War. He may have been one of the very few in that company who, on 18 September 1675, escaped from the Indians at the battle of Bloody Brook.^4,3
     His mother Mary's will, dated 1 February 1709/10, confirmed her gift of land in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, to him and his brothers William, Joseph, and Samuel. That same day the four brothers divided this property, along with the large farm they had earlier inherited from their father. On 16 Dec 1717 he and his brother William were appointed administrators of their mother's will since their brother Joseph, who had been named as administrator in the will, had died earlier that year.²
     His own will was dated 20 January 1719/20 and proved 7 March 1719/20. His sons Edmund and Thomas were the executors, and it also names his wife Sarah, son Richard, and daughters Experience, Sarah, Ednah, and Mercy.²

More Information / Background

• King Philip's War.
  

     Sarah Towne was born on 26 April 1657 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married John How, son of James How and Elizabeth Dane, before 20 December 1686 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ She died before 7 December 1706, when marriage intentions were published for her husband John How and Sarah Dennis.²

     William Towne was born on 13 March 1658/59 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Margaret Wilkins, daughter of Thomas Wilkins and Hannah Nichols, on 22 August 1694 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 He died on 30 January 1749/50 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 90.²

     Some publications, probably originating with an early article in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, say he first married Eliza (?), and they had several children, all dying as infants. However, Hoover notes that no record has been found for this marriage or the children.^4,2
     His mother Mary's will, dated 1 February 1709/10, confirmed her gift of land at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, to him and his brothers Thomas, Joseph, and Samuel. That same day the four brothers divided this property, along with the large farm they had earlier inherited from their father. On 16 Dec 1717 he and his brother Thomas were appointed administrators of their mother's will since their brother Joseph, who had been named as administrator in the will, had died earlier that year.⁵
     His own will was dated 24 April 1744, and names his wife Margaret, son-in-law (stepson) John Willard, daughters-in-law (stepdaughters) Hannah and Margaret Willard, sons Isaac and Jeremiah, and daughters Lydia Fitts and Mary Towne.⁵

     Joseph Towne was born on 2 September 1661 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Amy Smith, daughter of Robert Smith and Mary French, on 10 August 1687 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He died between 18 May 1717, when he made his will, and 16 December 1717, when it was proved, in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2

     He was called Joseph Towne, Jr., to distinguish him from his uncle and cousin of the same name.³ Joseph Towne swore his allegiance to the King on 18 December 1678.⁴ He was elected highway surveyor in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, in 1691/92, and served as selectman in 1694 and constable in 1697.³
     His will was dated 18 May 1717 and proved on 16 December 1717. His sons Benjamin and Daniel were named as executors, and the witnesses were William Towne, Jacob Towne, and John Curtis. His wife "Emmy" was left the furniture, a cow, and 1/3 of the real estate. His son Daniel received the family homestead, and was to allow his mother the use of a living room and a chamber above it for the remainder of her life. His son Benjamin was left other real estate. The remaining children, Nathan, Jesse, Nathaniel, Amos, and Amy each received £30.³
     He and Amy 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).^2,3,5

     Abigail Towne was born on 6 August 1664 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married first Jacob Peabody, son of Francis Peabody and Mary Foster, on 12 January 1685/86 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married second Thomas Perley, son of John Perley and Mary Howlett, on 14 January 1695/96 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She died on 14 February 1711/12 in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 47.²

     She and her first husband Jacob had the following known children, all born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts: Kezia (b abt 1688), Sarah (b 15 January 1687/88), Mercy (b 15 January 1687/88, d 15 May 1744), Jacob (b 9 November 1689, d 24 July 1749).²
     She and her second husband Thomas had the following known children, all born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts: John (b 13 February 1696/97, d 23 June 1700), Amos (b 3 May 1699, d March 1747/48), Lois (b 23 April 1702), Asa (b 9 May 1704, d 14 April 1706), Abigail (b 26 April 1708).²

     Jacob Peabody was born on 28 July 1664 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Abigail Towne, daughter of Edmund Towne and Mary Browning, on 12 January 1685/86 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 24 November 1689 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 25.¹

     He and Abigail had the following known children, all born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts: Kezia (b abt 1688), Sarah (b 15 January 1687/88), Mercy (b 15 January 1687/88, d 15 May 1744), Jacob (b 9 November 1689, d 24 July 1749).¹

     Benjamin Towne was born on 26 May 1666 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He died before 1678.²

     Rebecca Towne was born on 2 February 1667/68 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 She married first Philip Knight, son of Philip Knight and Margaret Wilkins, before 20 August 1693 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 She married second Joseph Hutchinson on 30 January 1700/1 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,3 She died after 1751.³

     She was appointed administrator of her first husband Philip Knight's estate on 22 March 1696/97. Her final account was filed 11 November 1700 and includes £12 for her use in raising their children ("dyet and clothing") for four years.^2,3
     She and her first husband Philip had two known children, Rebecca (b 21 August 1695, d aft 5 April 1748) and Elizabeth (bap 5 Jul 1696).^3,2 She and her second husband Joseph had one known child, Elizabeth (bap 19 April 1702, d bef 1 February 1779).³