William Storer of Dover, NH

STORER

1. WILLIAM-

b.c.1614, ? bpt. 4 Sept. 1611 Wirksworth, Derby- son of William
m.c.1640 SARAH ______ (b.c.1619, m.2. Samuel Austin (b.c.1614 ?Tichfield, Hampshire, m.1. _____))
d. 22 Nov. 1659 Dover, NH

The "Genealogical Dictionary" states that William had a commonplace book in which he copied a eulogy of Rev. Arthur Hildersam, a well known Puritan minister from Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire. This would indicate that William likely came from that area and knew Rev. Hildersam.(3)

"Letter from the Inhabitants of Dover to the Governor of Massachusetts.

Northam, 4, 1 month (1.40).

Honored Sir:

We, the Inhabitants of Northam, make bould to trouble you with these few lynes, certifyinge you that whereas wee suppose Captaine Underhill hath informed you and the rest of your brethren of the Matechuseth baye, that wee are all willinge voluntarily to submit ourselves to your Government upon fformer articles propounded; truth it is wee doe very well aprove of your judicious wayes, and shall be very joyful, yu please God to enlarge us, that wee may be free from other ingagements and promises wch some of us are obliged in to the owners or patentees, from whom under his Mat's Letter Patents we enjoy our free liberty, wch causeth us not for present to submit to any other government than that wch wee have already entered into combination to observe according to the King's Mat's lawes, until such time as the owners come over to us, wch we suppose will be about three months hence, and then our prpositions considered as the Lord shall direct us, we will labor more to satisfy you. But for the proceedings of Captain Underhill seeking to undermyne us, and contrary to his oath and fidellyty as we suppose intrusted to him, hath went from house to house, and for his own ends, by flattery and threatening gotten some hands to a note of their willingness to submitt themselves under your government, and some that have no habitation to bring his purposes to pass; we doubt not but you are well acquainted with his stratagems in plotting his owne designe wch wee refer to your grave judgments. Some of those that subscribed to his note have this day utterly prtested against their own act, for he hath raysed such a mutinie amongst us wch if we take not course for the stoping thereof, it may cause the effusion of blood, by reason he hath by his designes privately rent the combination as much as in him lyeth, contrary to his act, that is that wee should continue in the same govmnt except an agreegment or cause showed to the contrary in open court, agreed on by the major p'te, thus much we thought good to acquaynt your wor'p with all beseeching your favourable construction, hoping you will weigh our case in equity and conscience, and not any way to enforce us to any act whereby wee should break prmise or covenant wth the patentees or amongst ourvselves whchin soe doinge we should sinne greatly. Wee heartyly desire your prayers for us, and comit you to the prtection of the Almightye at yor- to be comanded... William Storr..."(5)

William signed the Dover Combination in 1640:

"Whereas sundry Mischeifes and inconveniences have befaln us, and more and greater may in regard of want of Civill Government, his Gratious Matie haveing hitherto setled no Order for us to our Knowledge:

Wee whose names are underwritten being Inhabitants upon the River Piscataquack have voluntarily agreed to combine our Selves into a Body Politique that wee may the more comfortably enjoy the benefit of his Maties Lawes. And do hereby actually ingage our Selves to Submit to his Royal Maties Lawes together with all such Orders as shalbee concluded by a Major part of the Freemen of our Society , in case they bee not repugnant to the Lawes of England and administred in the behalfe of his Majesty.

And this wee have Mutually promised and concluded to do and so to continue till his Excellent Matie shall give other Order concerning us.

In Witness wee have hereto Set our hands the two & twentieth day of October in the Sixteenth yeare of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles by the grace of God King of Great Brittain France & Ireland Defender of the Faith &c Annoq Domi: 1640.

John Follett, Samuel Haines, Robert Nanney, John Underhill, William Jones, Peter Garland, Philip Swaddow, William Jones, Richard Pinckhame, Steven Teddar, Bartholmew Hunt, John Upgroufe, William Bowden, Thomas Canning, John Wastill, John Phillips, John Heard, Tho: Dunstar, John Hall, Fran: Champernoon, Abel Camond, Hansed Knowles, Henry Beck, Edward Colcord, Robert Huggins, Henry Lahorn, Thom. Larkin, Edward Starr, Richard Waldern, James Nute, William Waldern, Anthony Emery, William Storer, Richard Laham, William Furber, William Pomfret, Tho: Layton, John Crosse, Tho: Roberts, George Webb, Bartholmew Smith, James Rawlins

This is a True Copy compared with ye Originall by me
Edw Cranfield"(4)

"William Story" was one of the creditors to the estate of John Philips in 1641.(7)

William was then appointed Marshall for the towns of Dover and Portsmouth and the cases he was involved in make for interesting reading:

"At the Courte held at Dover 18 6 mo: (44)

Ordered that Christofer Lawson shall pay ffive pounds to the Towne of Dover for Cutting & spoyling of Timber contrary to a Towne order Execution of the sayd 5l satisfied by William storer marshall�"(8)

"To William Storer marshall

You are heareby required to attach the bodye or goodes of Captaine Thomas wiggin and take good securitie of him to appear at the next Courte to be holden at dover upon the xiith of the nexte month to answere in Edward Godfrey & Anne his wiefe upon an action of the case for certain Cattle taken away from the said Anne certain years paste whereof not to fayle Dated the 23 of the vith month 1647 P me

George Smyth"(9)

"William Storer Clarke for the trained band of Dover sworne the vth of the vith month [1648] before me George Smyth".(10)

"William Storer marshall of Dover" was ordered by the court in Mar. 1652 to hold "a certain Pcell of goodes� which did belonge once to John Crowder of strawberey bank deceased" and "wee order to the marshall for his paines & service & venturinge his life thereby five shillings". Also, as marshall, "William Store" was appointed by the court in Oct. 1650, as one of the appraisers of the estate of Susan Crawford. (6)

"Actions tried at the Courte holden at Dover the lasted aye of the 7 month 1651 and the ffirste and 2 of the 8 month (51)�

William Storer plantife against mistris mathewes in an action of trespass for cominge into a certain pcell of marsh grounde in a creeke called longe Creeke neer Oyster River, & scattering abroade certain Cocks of haye wch the saide William storer had made in the saide marshe�

John Awlte plantife against William Storer defend in an action of the case for taking awaye a Cowe of his neer aboute two years since to his damage viiil

The Courte and Jurie finds for the defendante 5s damage and costs of Courte xxvs vid" (11)

"Whereas I Job Hawkins am arested by William storer marshall to answere to the complaints of Richarde Otes at the nexte Courte to be holden at dover or strawberey banke in an action of the case for not givinge him securetie from a bond wherein the saide Hawkins standeth bounde to ffrancis Smyth of Boston to paye him foure thousand foote of boords: I the saide Job hawkins doe hereby binde my selfe my executors & administrators unto Raphe hall in the some of thirtie pounds sterling upon condition that he saide Job hawkings shall retorne and yelde him selfe as a prisoner unto the saide William storer within the space or time of 14 dayes nexte after the date of these prsents.

In witness whereof I have hereunto sette my hande dated the 20the of October 1652- Job X Hawkins".(12)

"The Deposition of William storer marshall sworne in Courte the 9 of the 8 month [1652]

The Deponente sayth that when I desired James newt to put in bonde for his good behavior, he answered me that neither the Courte nor thou dare owne it and further he saide to me that he cared not a farte neither for thee nor Captaine wiggin.

Yt is ordered by the Courte that James newt shall at the nexte trayninge daye at Dover acknowledge before the people then assembled that in soe sayeinge as afforesaide he did verie sinfullie, and was sorie for the same, or else to be sent to Boston goale, there to remayne till satisfaction were made accordinglie.

Whereas I James newt, at the Courte held at Strawberey banke the 10 of the 8 month (52) was charged by the deposition of william Storer marshall that when he desired me to put in bonds for his good behavior, that I answered him that neither the Courte nor thow dare owne yt, and further that I shoulde saye to him that I cared not a farte neither for thee nor Captaine wiggin I do heare acknowledge before the people heare assembled that in soe sayeinge as afforesaide I did verie sinfullie and am sorie for the same".(13)

"whereas at the Courte holden at Salisbury the 13 of the 2 month (52)� yt is ordered by the Courte that John wotton is committed to William storer marshall as a prisoner, until he shall paye twentie pounds to the use of this Jurisdiction or Courte or else shall enter into bonde of the some of Twentie pounds with two sufficient sureties to goe to his wiefe to Englande with the firste Ship that shall goe from this Jurisdiction�

Yt is ordered by the Courte that William storer marshall is to have out of the fines at Courte fourtie shillings for his attendance at the Courte and also for everie action Is, and for everie fine 1s

James newt prsented for abusing of authorities witness William storer
James newt bound to his good behavior for the same�
James newt prsented for abusing the Towne Clarke in sayeinge that he was a deceiptfull man, & had a deceiptfull harte. Witness hatevill nutter fined for the same xs
William Storer prsented for abusing goodwiefe newt in calling her base jade witness James newt.
William Storer also prsented for calling James newt base yreslinge knave at severall times. Witness James newt."(14)

"The nams of the Jury panneld the Crouners inquest upon the body of Thomas tuttell the sune of John Tuttell of Dover the first month 1655 vid� William story� wee whos nams are subscribed do testifie how wee found Thomas Tuttell the sone of John Tuttell by the stump of a tree which he had newly fallin upon another lime of the other tree Rebounding backe and fell upon hime which was the Caus of his Death as wee Conseve this was found the last Day of the last march (54)."(15)

"It is ordered by this Courte that William story the County marshall shall have five pounds allowed him by the year for his pains, the on halfe to be payd by the Town of Dover the other halfe to be payd by the towne of Portsmouth in for following vid: fivty shillings at this time from Portsmouth, and at the next Court at Dover to be payd by them of Dover five pound and at the next Courte after at Portsmouth other fivty shillings and so to continue untell the Courte Doth farther order [1656]".(16)

He was chosen commissioner on 30 Mar. 1657 and is found on the tax list for the last time on 12 Oct. 1658. Widow Storey is listed in the tax rate 22 Nov. 1659 and the inventory of William's estate was made 8 Oct. 1660. On 27 June 1661 the administration was granted to Samuel Austin who then married Sarah. (3)

Samual Austin looked upon his Storer stepsons as his obvious heirs and to them he deeded his Wells property before he and Sarah left to make their final home in Charlestown, MA. He made an agreement with the twins, Joseph and Benjamin Storer, to maintain their step-father and their mother 31 Jan.1670:

"Where as I Samell Austine of Wells do stand ingagd upon Records in a bond of Two hundred & sixty pounds, as appears a writeing under my hand seale beareing date Novembr 23 : 61 : for the makeing good of an estate of William Storers deceased of one hundred & thirty pounds unto his children, for the Prformance wrof in answere to the Courts Injunction there in, I doe by these Prsents give� my sole right title & Interest of Two certen Tracts & Prcells of upland & Meddow Lands, the one conteyned in a deed or grant make & given by John Bush unto Mr John & Richd Cutt, & by the sd John & Richd Cutt Assignd unto my selfe (onely sixteen acers of Marsh yrin to bee excepted more or less) the other contained in a deed granted by Stephen Batson unto John Wakefield & by John Wakefield sould given & granted unto mee� beareing date the 20th of Octobr 1666: the other the 10th of aprill 1658 : In consideration of the filiall portions wch I am & stand Ingaged to pay unto Joseph Storer & Benjamen Storer the Two Elldest suns of my wife, between whom the sd Lands with all the priviledgees� are to be aequally devided for quantity & quality� this 31 : day of Janu : 1670 :

Samell Austine
Signed in the Presence of
Shuball Dummer
Samull Wheelewright".(1)

"Received & accepted of Samell Austine our father in Law Two certen Tracts of Lands liing in Wells� to bee aequally devided between us, in full satisfaction of all debts dues demands, & more espetially of all Considerations due from our father in law the sd Samell Austine for our filiall portions hereby to discharge him from the same & do accept of the sd Lands in full satisfaction of all demands wtsoever from the beginning of the world to this Prsent date from or own fathers estate

Onely It is to bee understood that Wee the sd Joseph Storer & Benjmen Storer In consideration of what Lands Wee have received own that Wee by these Presents do stand ingag'd freely to mantayn & winter five neate Cattle carefully as or own at or own proper charge, for our father in law & Mother for both or either or t hem soe long as their naturall lifes shall Continew vidzt Samell Austine & Saraih his now wife, as witness or hands this 31 : of Janua : 1670 :

And Wee do give free Lyberty to father in law & or Mother soe long as they live (to summer what yearelings one or either of them shall rayse) in our pasture- Joseph Storer, Benjamen Storer

Signed in ye Presence of
Shuball Dumer
Samll Wheelwright".(1)

On 8 Oct. 1674 Samuel Austin sold his full right to his youngest step-son, Samuel Storer,a parcel of upland and meadow in Wells called "Epesrath... which was a tract of land formerly purchased of Leefe John Littlefield of the sayd town, containing the full quantity by estimation of one hundred acres of upland & ten acres of meadow land". Samuel Storer acknowledged receipt of the land on 9 Oct. 1674:

"I Samell Austine of Wells� in Consideration of a filiall portion wch by an obligation I stand bound to pay unto my sunn in law Sameull Storer, beareing date the 23 : of Novembr 1661 : wrwith I doe acknowledge my selfe to bee payd� doe� sell� a Certen Tract & Prcell of upland, & Meddow liing� within� the Townshipe of Wells, Called by the name of Epesrath, which was a Tract of Land formerly purchased of Leefet John Littlefield of the sayd Town, Contayneing the full quantity by estimation of one hundred Acers of Upland & Tenn Acers of Meddow Land� the eight day of Octobr one thousand six hundred seaventy foure 1674 :

Samuell Austine�
In the Prsence of
Francis Raynes
Emanuell Davess".(2)

Issue- All children born in Dover

  • I. Samuel- b. 29 Dec. 1640, d.s.p.
  • II. Sarah- b. 16 June 1642, d.s.p.
  • III. Hannah- b.15 July 1644, d. before 1661
  • IV. Sarah- b. 13 Dec. 1645, d. before 1661
  • V. Joseph- b. 23 Aug. 1648, m. 23 May1681 Hannah Hill (b. 7 Sept. 1664 Saco, d. 30 June 1748 Wells), d.12 Jan. 1729 Wells
  • VI. Benjamin-b. 23 Aug. 1648, d.s.p. killed by Indians, 13 Apr. 1677 Wells
  • VII. Jeremiah- b. 4 Oct. 1650, m.c.1680 Ruth Masters (d. 17 Aug. 1701), will 23 Jan.- 6 July 1730 Boston
  • 2VIII. SAMUEL- b.c.1652, m.c.1690 LYDIA LITTLEFIELD (b.c.1667 Wells, d. after 15 Feb. 1721/2 York),d. 10 June 1700 Charlestown, MA

    Ref:

    (1) York County Deeds- Vol. II, fol. 91
    (2) Ibid- fol. 158
    (3) "Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire"- p. 665
    (4) The Dover Combination- Dover Public Library at: http://www.dover.lib.nh.us/DoverHistory/dover_combination.htm ; see also NH State Papers- Vol. X, p. 701; XVII, p. 501; XXV, p. 746
    (5) NH State Papers- Vol. I, pp. 126-8
    (6) Ibid- Vol. XXXI, pp. 17, 24
    (7) Ibid- Vol. XXXX, p. 11
    (8) Ibid- p. 13
    (9) Ibid- p. 24
    (10) Ibid- p. 44
    (11) Ibid- pp. 77-8
    (12) Ibid- p. 75
    (13) Ibid- pp. 94-5
    (14) Ibid- pp. 96-8
    (15) Ibid- p. 110
    (16) Ibid- p. 122

    Annals of the Storer family, together with notes on the Ayrault family- Malcolm Storer, Wright & Potter, Boston, 1927- Concord Free Library


    2VIII. SAMUEL (WILLIAM 1)

    b.c.1652
    m.c.1690 LYDIA LITTLEFIELD- b.c.1667 Wells, d. after 15 Feb. 1721/2 York
    d. 10 June 1700 Charlestown, MA

    "I Ezekell Knightts Junjor resident In Wells� with the free Consent of my father Mr Ezekl Knights� for tenn pounds In silver current money of New England� do� sell� unto Samuell Storer� a� Prcell of sault Marsh or Meddow Land� being between that part of Webbhannet River Called the fishing Hoole, & the sea Wall, being a Certen Gurnet or Nose of Land compassed about with water, It liing upon the sayd River on the Southermost side of there of, abutting upon the sea Wall contayneing�. Seaven or 8 Acers� with a Certen skirt of upland or sea Wall wch lyeth Adjoyneing thereunto where Wee used to set our hay (reserving onely Lyberty for my selfe to set two stackes of hay upon the sd upland, If Occasion bee)� this eight day of Octbor One thousand six hundred seaventy foure- Ezekell Knight� in ye psence of Roger Playstead."(4)

    Samuel was a mariner and lived in Wells, Charlestown and finally in York. From Wells he wrote to Mr. Corwin in Nov. 1680 to introduce Jonathan Orris.(6)

    "I Samuell Storer of Wells in New England� Marriner, Owner and Master of the Good Brigandine Indeavour of Wells� builded by Samll Bankes, burdend about fourty five Tunns� in Consideration of thirty five Poundes� payd by Lues Allen of Wells� do� sell� one half part of the abovesd Brigandine Indeavour� 6th August 1685".(5)

    At Boston in 1692 he asked for aid for a preacher at Wells, having forty soldiers and no chaplain. Samuel and crew helped defend Wells in the Indian attack that year.(6)

    "Custom House in New-Hampshire- Entrys Inwards.

    Coasting vessels from Port to Port.
    Portsmouth in New England� October 13
    Boston.

    Samuel Storer, Comr. of the sloop Hopewell, of Boston, of 20 tunns burthen or thereabouts, with noe guns, navigated with three men, Plantation built,- entreth from Boston, having on board 6000 of bread, two chests wearing apparel� Dated in Portsmouth in New England, 15th October 1692.

    Phesant Eastwicke, Dept. Coll."(3)

    Lydia filed bond 23 Dec. 1700. The inventory included the house and garden in Charlestown and the land in Wells. On a petition to sell she was authorized to sell the Wells land and keep the Charlestown property for support of her five children, the General Court at York voting to give her £20. (6)

    On 7 Jan. 1708 Lydia sold to Joseph Storer for £35 the one hundred acres of land and the salt marsh in Wells:

    "Lydia Storer Relict Widdow & Administratrix to ye Estate of Samuel Storer late of Charlestown in New England Marinr Deceased� in consideration of the Sum of five and thirty pounds� paid� by Joseph Storer of Wells� Yeoman� Do� Sell� land Scituate in the Township of Wells� bounded with the land of Jonathan Hamond� land of Reed�. With the high way and� with the Comons it being the land of my Said husband Samuel Storer Deceased� And contains one hundred Acres Together with a certain Island of Salt Marsh� on the Southeast Side of the river of Wells� known by the name of Knights Island and also a point of Upland Joynin to said Marsh� this Seventh day of Janry � 1707/8- Lydia X Storer� in prsence of us- Lewis Bane, Josiah Black".(1)

    On 15 Feb. 1721/2 Lydia and her children, all of York, sold the Wells property to Joseph's son John:

    "Lydia Storer Widow David Storer Codwainer Samuel Sewall Cordwainer and Lydia his wife Nicholas Sewall Taner and Mehetabel his wife Caleb Preble yeoman & Jemima his wife all of York� in Consideration of ye Sum of Seventy Pounds to us in hand Paid� by John Storer of wells� Yeoman� do� Sell� Land lying in the Township of Wells� bounded� by� Samll Treadwell which was formerly Jonathan Hammonds deceasd and� James Bston which was formerly one Reeds and� by the high way and� by the Comons Containing one hundred acres Togeather with a Certain Island of Salt marsh lying on the South east side of the River� Known by the name of Knights Island� all which Land and Marsh did formerly belong to Samuel Storer Decead who was husband to Lydia Storer abovesd and father to david Storer Lydia Sewall Mehetable Sewall & Jemima Preble� this fifteenth day of febuary 1721/2� Lydia X Storer, David Storer, Samuel Sewall, Lydia Sewall, Nicholas Sewall, Mehtable Sewall, Caleb Preble, Jemima Preble� in Presents of Ebenezer Coburn, Samuel Black, Nathaniel Leeman".(2)

    Issue-

  • I. William- bpt. 28June 1691, d.s.p.
  • 3II. LYDIA- bpt. 4 Mar. 1694, m.c.1711 SAMUEL SEWALL (b.9 Apr. 1688 Newbury, MA, m.2. 28 Nov. 1723 Sarah Bachelder (b.c.1697, d.4 Feb.1790 York), d. 25 Apr. 1769 York), d.c.1722
  • III. Mehitable- bpt. 10 may 1696, m. Nicholas Sewall (b. 1 June 1690 Newbury, MA, d.c.1740)
  • IV. Jemima- bpt. 30 Oct. 1698, m.______ Preble
  • V. David- bpt.27 Oct. 1700

    Ref:

    (1) YorkCounty Deeds- Vol. VII, fol. 103
    (2) Ibid- vol. XI, fol. 42
    (3) NH State Papers- Vol. II, p. 82
    (4) York Deeds- Vol. II, fol. 158
    (5) Ibid- Vol. VI, fol. 6
    (6) GDMNH- p. 665


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