1John Farmer, A Genealogical Memoir of the Family by the Name of Farmer, who Settled at Billerica, Ma, , NEHGR, Vol. 1, pp. 24-26 (Jan 1847).
"(1) JOHN,1 of Ansley, who m. Isabella Barbage of Great Packington, in Warwickshire, is the first ancestor of whom I have a means of giving any account, supported by original documents and memorials in my possession. Ansley, the place of his residence, is a small village in the northerly part of the county of Warwick, situated about ten miles from the city of Coventry, four from Atherstone, which borders on Leicestershire, and five from Nuneaton, considerable market town, and has a population of 541. In this place, and near Ansley Hall,* the seat of the Ludfords, he owned houses and lands, which passed to his posterity through several generations, and may still be owned by his descendants. Of his family I have procured some facts, which will be given. He died before the year 1669, and Isabella, his widow, came with some of her children to New England, a few years after this period, and m. Elder Thomas Wiswall of Cambridge Village, now Newton, who d. Dec. 6, 1683. She d. at Billerica, May 21, 1686, at an advanced age.
The children of this John Farmer were,
(2) I. JOHN2 of Ansley, who had paternal estate. He d. before 1700, and his widow m. Richard Lucas of Ansley.
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(3) II. MARY,2 who m. William Pollard of the city of Coventry, and d. before 1701. Their eldest son, Thomas, came to New England, m. Sarah Farmer, his cousin, settled in Billerica, d. April 4, 1724, leaving 10 sons.
(4) III. EDWARD,2 who was b. about 1640, (probably the second son,) m. Mary ------, who was b. about 1641. He came to New England between 1670 and 1673,† fixed his residence at Billerica, and was admitted to town rights and privileges in that place, Jan. 11, 1673. He afterwards lived a year or two at Woburn, and one of his children was born there. In Billerica he was chosen to several of the most important town offices, and was employed in public service, until he was quite advanced in life. He had 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. To his youngest son Oliver, he gave the farm on which he resided, ahich is still in possession of one of his descendants. On this farm have resided 6 successive generations, in the space of 154 years. He died at Billerica, May 27, 1727, a. about 97. Mary his wife d. March 26, 1716, a. 77. The male descendants of Edward Farmer, of the Patronymic name, have nearly all been agriculturalists, and no one among them has attained and considerable civil,or literary distinction. In the female line of descent there have been several of liberal education, and others who have been honored with civil office.
The house of EDWARD FARMER, (which stood until after 1728,) was fortified as a garrison for a number of years. While occupied as such, the following incident occurred, which has been handed down by tradition in the family. During the Ten Years' Indian War, and probably about the yeat 1692, when the first depredations were committed in the town of Billerica, the Indians meditated an attack on this garrison. For some days thay had been lurking in the neighborhood of it without being discovered. Early in the forenoon of a summer's day, the wife and daughter of Edward Farmer went into the field to gather peas or beans for dinner, being attended by several of her sons, who were young lads, as a guard to protect them. They had been out but a short time before Mrs. Farmer discovered that a number of Indians were concealed behind the fences, and so near that she could almost reach them. Had she given any alarms, they would probably have rushed from their lurking-places, seized the party and fled; although their object was to get possession of the garrison, which offered more plunder and a greater number of captives. But with admirable presence of mind, and without making known the discovery she had made, to her sons, who might, with more temerity than prudence, have attacked the Indians, she said in a loud tone of voice, "Boys, guard us well to the garrison, and then you may come back and hunt Indians. " The Indians, supposing they were not discovered, remained in their hiding-places, while the other party soon left the field for the garrison, which they reached in safety. Then the alarm was given, the people collected, and the Indians fled with precipitation. After the return of peace, the Indians declared, that had it not been for that "one white squaw," they should have effected their purpose.
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(5) IV. ISABELLA,2 who came to New England.
(6) V. ELIZABETH,<sup2 who m. a Mr. ------- White, and visited New England ab. 1681.
(7) VI. THOMAS,2 who came to New England, and was living in Billerica in 1675 and 1684. He afterwards returned to England, or removed elsewhere.
(8) VII. ANN.2
(9) VIII. ------, who m. John Hall, of Warwickshire.
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