Ref:

Parish Registers for Colchester, Essex

bpt. 11 Dec. 1605 Colchester, Essex
m. 23 July 1630 Colchester, Essex, ABIGAIL (2) WARNER (bpt. 2 June 1614 Boxted, Essex, d. 22 July 1671 Ipswich, MA)
d. 26 Oct. 1666 Ipswich, MA
will 3 July 1666

Thomas was perhaps a physician who came from London on the Susan and Ellen with Capt. Paine and Richard Saltonstall in 1635 and settled in Ipswich. He received a house lot there on the south side of the river and in 1638 he received land near Heart break Hill. Thomas was made a freeman 17 May 1637 at Boston.

He wrote a letter to the court 11 Apr. 1654 relating to: "a complaint of Uncus as to an outrage committed by Quinebaug Indians on the Nipmucks".(1)

Thomas bought 200 acres of land, 15 acres of meadow and a house at Wells from Mr. William Symonds 29 June 1657, but he was not a resident there.(2) He also had an allotment of land on the Little River.

"I William Symonds of Preston alias Wells... Gent... do... sell... unto Thomas Wells of Ipswich... Yeoman Two hundred Acres of upland & fifteen Acres of Meadow Viz^t y^e one hundred haveing a dwelling house standing upon y^e Same y^e other hundred Joyning to John Barritts... Also Eight Acres of y^e Meadow or Marsh At y^e Little river lying between two parcells of Mr Goudges Marsh Also Seven Acres of Marsh... at y^e bridge between the Creek at Mr Gouges Note y^e first hundred Acres... is bounded w^th Mr Robert Nannys land... And John Barrits... And y^e other hundred Acres of upland lying Northeast of John Barritts land... Next to Mr Goudges... y^e 29^th of y^e 4^th M^o Called June... 1657- William Symonds... In y^e presence of us John Wadley, W^m Hamond, John Barritt".(6) This deed wasn't recorded until 4 Oct. 1720.

"Know all Men By These PrSents, that I, Thomas Wells, of Ipswich, in the county of Essex, being weake of body, yet of pfect memory... make this my last will and testament in maner follwing...

Itm. I give and bequeath unto Abigaill my wife eight pounds yearly, to be payd unto her out of my Lands... and this is to be payd yearly in wheat, malt, porke and Indian corne... Also I give unto her to have one of the best roomes in the house, viz: either the hall or the parlour (at her choice)... and to have free liberty to bake, brew and wash etc. in the kitchen, and free liberty to lay her corne, meale, and mault etc in the hall chamber, and free use of garden ground where she liketh best and to have it well fenced in and to have land duly tilled to sow flax seed on... and freedom in both cellars as shee needeth and shall have suficiency of firewood pvided and seasonably layd in... and free liberty to keepe three or four hens and a pigg or hogg in ye ground and yards; and shall have the sixt part of the fruite that shall yearly grow in the orchyard...

Ite I give unto my said wife the old bay mare (she uses to ride on) and the bridle, pillion seate, and pannell, and two cowes (att her choice) and to have the keepeing of a horse or mare and two cowes for her use both sumer and winter and good houseroome for them in winter... allsoe I give unto her the bible she uses and the booke called the Soule's prparation for Christ and that of Perkings upon the Creed and the bedsted we lye on, and the beding, curtaines and valens thereunto belonging (exsepting the blue rugg) and to have the best green rugg in leiw thereof; and I give unto her the best chest and the inlayd box with TW upon the lidd and to have one halfe of the lynen and lynen cloth and the third of the woolen cloth yt is in the house or in yarne or cloth at the weavers... and one halfe of the pewter that was her own fathers and the pewter pint pott and a brase or iron pott at her choice; and I give unto her the iron skillet and some of the best spoones and a good poringer and a coopell of saucers at hir choice and the best low chaire and hir little chaire and a good cushen and one of the great wheeles and a little spinning wheele and the warming pan...

Ite My will is that my said wife shall have the free use of my kettle... or milke vessells &c. shee needeth and of any other small things in the house... and to have freedome at the well for water and liberty for hir clothes or anything elce to be spred &c. where she pleaseth...

Ite Whereas John Wells (my second sonn) hath received of me a deed of gifts of all the lands I had at the town of Wells in the province of Maine being the quantity of thre hundred and fiftye acres (more or less) arrable meddow and pasture together with two cowes and ten pounds fifteene shillings yt I have payd (at his request) unto Stephen Kent of Haverill, in cattle upon a bill due from Francis Littlefield (his father-in-law) with several other things all wch he hath received of me in liew of his portion...

Ite I give unto my sonn John Wells ten pounds to be payd unto him or his assigns within three years next after my decease five pounds thereof in cattle, neate and in good condition and the other five pounds in wheat, malt and Indian corne in equall p'portion... and I give unto him my cloke, and one of the great pewter candlesticks wth the top thereof and two great saucers and two little saucers more and I give unto Sarah his wife (my daughter-in-law) one five shilling piece of gould...

Ite. Whereas my two eldest daughters viz: Sarah Massie of Salem and Abigaill Tredwell of this towne hath eache of them had thirtye pounds in leiw of there portions my will is that Sarah Massie or her assignes shall have a good cow or to the value of four pounds ten shillngs in other cattle... and alsoe to have the benefitt of the grase of a little peace of salt marsh ground adjoyneing to the northwest end of Mr. Wades neare unto Hogg Iland and my daughter Sarah to enjoy the use of this until the decease of my brother Massie her father-in-law and then to returne unto my executor. Allsoe I give unto Abigail Tredwell my daughter my six acre lott of salt marsh &c that lyes in Plumb Iland... or a good cow...

Ite. I give and bequeath unto Thomas Wells my youngest sonn two hundred and fiftie pounds sterl. in leiw of hir portion to be payd unto him... out of my housen and lands where I now I dwell within seven years, foure month and nyne or ten days next after the sayd Thomas Wells my sonn doe come to the full age of one and twenty yeares Viz: one hundred pounds to be payd at or before the twentieth or one and twentieth day of the third month comonly called May next com twelvemonth after the sayd Thomas Wells my sonn doe come to the age of one and twenty years (whose birth day was upon the eleaventh day of the eleaventh mo. Anno Dom: one thousand six hundred forty-six); forty pounds thereof to be paid in cattle... and in horse-kynd viz: in geldings and the horse-kynd not exced the sum of eight pounds... and thirty-six pounds thereof to be payd in wheate and barley malt... and twenty-foure pounds thereof to be payd in Indian corne, pease, porke and sheepe... and the other hundred pounds to be... payde... wth in three yeares next after the...day... of payment of the former hundred pounds... and the remaining fiftye pounds to be... payd... within the prementioned seaven years, foure months and nyne or ten dayes...

Ite. My will is that if my executor... doe not duly and faithfully pay and discharge this two hundred and fiftye pounds... the sayd Thomas Wells... shall... take possession of the housen and lands where I now dwell... until the whole be discharged...

Ite. My will is that if the said Thomas... shall dye and decease this life before he come to... full age... yn ye executor of this my last will shall pay unto the rest of my children the full sum of one hundred and forty pounds viz: unto John Wells or his survivers the full sum of forty pounds and the other hundred pounds to be equally porportionned and divided among my other five daughters... Viz: to Sarah Massie of Salem, to Abigail Tredwell of this towne, to Elizabeth Wells, Hannah Wells and Lidia Wells my daughters... the forty pounds to my son John Wells and the twenty pounds apeece to Sarah Massie and to Abigaill Tredwell and Elizabeth Wells (my three eldest daughters) to be payd unto them accordingly as is engaged unto their Bro: Thomas Wells, both for kind and quality... and the other twenty pounds apeece to Hannah Wells and Lidia Wells my own daughters shall be payd unto each of them... in wheat, barly, malt, porke, pease and Indian corne...

Item. My will is that Thomas Wells my youngest son, shall quietly posses and enjoy for his use the parlour chamber of this house where now I dwell and have free liberty for fire wood until he marry and yt he shall have his diate and washing while he keeps here at the cost of my executor untill he come to the age of 22 years, 4 months and ten days.

It. I give unto my son Thomas Wells all the bookes I bought for his use and my three phisicke bookes and the booke called the Orthodox Evangelist, the greate sermon booke, and Hyeling's Geogripha, and the little chest and table (he made) that stand in the hall chamber and my white box, and the chist plankes to make him a chist on, and the little iron canlestick, my white rule, my red pensheare, and my penknife and my sword and scabbitt and my firelock muskett wth a square barrell, and the mould, worme and scourer &c. Alsoe I give unto him the little bedstead in the hall chamber, and the little fetherbed therto belonging, and a paire of good sheets, and the red blankett and the blue rugg, and a good pillow and pillow beere. Allsoe I give unto my son Thomas my silver bowle, and one two-and-twenty shilling peece of gould, and I give unto him all my right and interest of the bond that is due unto me from goodman John Andrews of this towne, carpenter save only six pound ten shillings therof to my son Nath. Wells and wch makes the rest that he hath already had yr of twentye pounds, and this I give unto my son Thomas, towards his charges of his goeing to the colledge and for bookes and apparrell &c. or to put him to Mr. Allcocke or the like, and I give the new picktures viz: of the King and Queene and of the Five Sences... Allsoe my stufe clothes and a paire of my best stockings.

Ite. I give unto Elizabeth Wells, Hanah Wells and Lidia Wells my three youngest daughters each and every of them thirty-five pounds a peece to be payd... within one year next after they marry or when they come to the age of one and twenty years; twenty pounds thereof to be payd in cattle... and in sheepe... and the remaineing fifteene pounds in each and every portion to be payd in wheate, barly, malt, porke and Indian corne, in equall p'portion... allsoe my will is that every of these my daughters shall have each of them a bible and every of them a good chest...

Ite. I give and bequeath unto Sarah Massie of Salem and to Abigaill Tredwell of this towne and to Elizabeth Wells and Lidia Wells my owne daughters, each and every of them two halfe crowne peeces of English money... and I give unto Hannah Wells my daughter one ten shilling peece of gould... all wch money... I have already given them into the hands and custody of Thomas Wells my youngest son whom I trust and confide in, to give the same as I have bequeathed unto his three younger sisters...

Ite. I give unto Abigaill my wife the third part of the English money wch shall remaine and be left and not payd unto the legatees yt is deceased in England and kindred of our Uncle Lumpkins; and my will is that my sayd wife shall have the tuission of my daughter Elizabeth Wells and my daughter Lidia Wells untill they marry or come to the age of one and twenty years...

Item. My will is that Mrs Mary Rogers of Rowley shall have th tuission and education of my daughter Hannah Wells untill she marry or come to the age of one and twenty years, the sayd Mrs Rogers will please to doe me that favour

Ite. I give unto my cousin Mary Baker (alias Lowe) of Colchester, soe much New England money as equivalent to fiftye shillings Old England money and my will is that my executor doe faithfully endeavor to convey the same unto her it being in reference to an agreement between both my brother Warners and myselfe in answer to a request of our Aunt Lumkin (alias Stone) late deceased, and to take the advice of my Bro: Daniell Warner about the conveighing of the same...

Ite. I give and bequeath all the rest of my whole estate both moveable and unmoveable, p'sonal and reall, houses and lands, unto Nath: Wells my eldest son pvided he doth fully acept heerin to be my executor... Allwayes p'vided that if the sd Nath: Wells dye and cease this life wth out any issue of male... my will is that then... the sd housen and lands heire in Ipswich bounds shall returne unto the sd Thomas Wells my youngest son... and the sd Thomas my son then to pay unto Lidia, Nath: wife (my daughter in law) the sum of forty pound wth in one yeare and halfe next after the decease of Nath: her husband... And the sd Thomas... shall pay unto the sd Nathaniells children the sum of one hundred and forty pounds the one halfe in cattle... and in horse kind... and the other half... to be payd in wheate, malte, porke, pease and Indian corne... Alsoe my will is... that my son Nathaniells children shall have the sum of eight pounds yearly payd by my son Thomas Wells... towards there bringing up whilest they come to the age of fifteene years...

Ite. My will is that if the sd Nath... dy and cease this life without isue of male... then the sayd Thomas Wells... shall pay unto my son John Wells his Bro:... the sum of 40£...

Fynally I desire my liveing and faithfull friends Thomas Bishop, Senr and Mr. Thomas Andrews to be the overseers of this my last will and testament and to be the gardians of my sonn Thomas Wells dureing the time of his mynority and nonage to whom I give as a token of my respect and love ten shillings apeece.

In wittness wherof and to wch I the above named Thomas Wells Senr have heer unto set my hand and seal dated the 31 of the fifth mo: comonly called July in the eighteenth yeare of the raigne of or Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred sixty-six.

Prme Thomas Wells Senr"(3)

"Be it known to all men by these presents, that I, Abigaill Wells of Ipswich in New England being very weake of body but of good memory... do dispose of my goods in maner as followeth: I haveing bestowed some gifts upon my other daughters wch are marryed. I now give my daughter Hanah Wells my new paragon gowne and my new Holland handkerchief.

Item. The flax wch is now growing my son Nath: Wells is to have halfe to breake and cleane the other halfe, wch I give to my daughter Elizabeth Burnam.

It. I give tenn pounds of tow yarne to my daughter Lidia Ropps.

It. I give to my daughter Hanah Wells one paire of sheetes, one pillow beere, one napkin, one table-cloth, and two shifts; and the rest of my weareing lennen to be devided equally betweene my youngest three daughters.

It. I give to my daughter Elizabeth halfe my tow yarne provided she pay for the weaveing of the other halfe which I give to my daughter Hannah and I give my daughter Elizabeth what tow I have in the house.

It. I give to Mary Greley my sons maydservant six shillings; and ye rest of my goods and cattle I desire... should be divided equally betweene my son John Wells and my owne five daughters. Also I desire my eldest son Nathaniell Wells to be the executor of this my last will and testament. And this is my last will this twenty-second of July one thousand six hundred and seaventy-one."(4)

Ref:

(1) Mass. Archives- Vol.30, p.57
(2) York Deeds- Vol.10, pp.91-23) Genealogy of the Wells Family- appendix pp.3-12
(4) Ibid- pp.13-4
(5) "History of Peter Parker and Sarah Ruggles of Roxbury, Mass."- John W. Linzee Jr., Fort Hill Press, Boston, 1913- p. 434
(6) York Deeds- Vol. X, fol. 91

The History of Wells and Kennebunk- Edward E. Bourne LLD
Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire-p.736
The Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury, MA- Vol.I, p.348; Vol.II, p.808
Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England- Savage, Vol.IV, p.478
NEHGR- Vol.IV, pp.11-2, Jan. 1850

2II. JOHN (THOMAS 1)

m. before 31 July 1666 SARAH (4) LITTLEFIELD (m.2. William Sawyer, will 1734)
killed by Indians 11 Apr. 1677
division of estate 3 April 1702

John signed a Wells petition 30 April 1668 for Massachusetts to resume control of the province.(1)

Wells petition to the General Court 30 Apr. 1668 , Page 2

He had a gift of his father's land in Wells of about 350 acres which was previously called Preston. He was on the grand jury in 1670 and in 1671. He had a ferry license in 1671 and was indebted to John Manning's estate in 1674. In 1675 John received a land grant. He was on the jury in 1676.

"To all people to whom these presents shall come- Greeting: Know ye that I Sarah Sayer of Wells... relique of William Sayer late of Wells aforesd deceased... dispose of the temmporal estate... in the manner following viz:...

I give and bequeath unto my son John Wells eight pounds... I will also that a bond of thirteen pounds given by him to me shall be freely surrendered up unto him by my executor...

I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Wells eight pounds to procure a funerall coat after my decease... I will also that a bond of thirteen pounds given from him to me shall be freely surrendered up to him after my decease.

I give unto my daughter Patience Clark five pounds (besides five pounds I have already given her) to be paid unto her by my executor...

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Sayer of Newbury two pounds and four pounds apiece to each of her two sons viz: Jonathan Sibley and Saml Sibley...

I give and bequeath unto my grandson William, son of my son Daniel Sayer decsd thirty pounds...

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Chesley thirty pounds...

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ruth Sampson thirty pounds...

I give and bequeath unto my great-granddaughter Mary Clark, daughter of my grandson Nathaniel Clark a certain featherbed that has an homespone tick...

I give and bequeath unto my four daughters my wearing clothes as follows viz: I give to my daughter Patience Clark a black calaminco suit and my black-blew searge pettycoat. I give to my daughter Sarah Sayer my silk crape suit and my red and yellow under pettycoat. I give unto my daughter Hannah Chesley my silk suit. I give to my daughter Ruth Sampson my striped calaminco suit and a striped calaminco gown and a black silk pettycoat...

I will that four pounds shall be paid... unto the Church of Christ in Wells... to be distributed by them among some of the poor members of sd church.

I will all my estate... not already disposed of... unto my two grandsons and my two daughters hereafter mentioned viz: Joseph Sayer, William Sayer, Hannah Chesley and Ruth Sampson...

Finally I do hereby ordain, constitute and appoint my son Francis Sayer and my grandsons Joseph Sayer and William Sayer to be the sole executors... As witness my hand and seal the twenty-seventh day of April Anno Domini 1734..."(2)

Ref:

(1) Mass. Archives- Vol.3, p.276
(2) Genealogy of the Wells Family- appendix pp.17-9

The History of Wells and Kennebunk- Edward E. Bourne LLD
Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire-p.735
The Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury, MA- Vol.I, p.349; Vol.II, p.808
Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England- Savage, Vol.IV, p.475

3I. JOHN (THOMAS 1, JOHN 2)

b.c.1670
m.1. 18 Feb. 1696/7 MARY PECK of Boston
    2. 20 May 1725 Mary Stover
will 10 May-22 July 1748

"Articles of agreem^t made between John Wells Thomas Wells Nathaniel Clark & Patience Clark his wife And Thomas Wells in y^e right of Sarah Lybbey all of them Children of John Wells late of Wells Deceased concerning the Division of y^e Estate that did belong to their father...

It is agreed that Thomas Wells have in behalf of himself and of our Sister Sarah Lybbey thirty two poles or rods... of that parcel... which adjoines to Joseph Sayer... Also two third parts of that Marsh which belonged to our father... which lies upon the Easterwardmost branch of little River.

Item It is agreed that our Sister Patience Clark shall have fifteen pole of the aboves^d land which was our fathers to begin next to Thomas Wells... likewise y^e other third part of y^e Meadow aboves^d lying upon y^e Esterly branch of little River.

likewise that John Wells shall have all the old Lott which our father lived upon lying between land of Benjamin Curtes... and land now in Possession of Mr John Wheelwrigt... with all the Marsh thereunto belonging. and whereas there is a convenient falls in the aboves^d land... it is agreed that John Wells shall have five eighth parts of the priviledge at his disposall, and Thomas Wells shall have two eighths and Patience Clark one eight part... And that each shall have free liberty of improving of their priviledge in y^e ffalls aboves^d for building of a Saw Mill or Mills. Likewise that each of y^e parties above named... shall have the priviledge of cutting or laying timb^r for y^e use of the Mill likewise for transportation of timber or boards to or from the s^d Mill (when built) to any convenient landing place... this third day of aprill... one thousand seven hundred and two... John Wells, Thomas Wells, Nathaniel Clark... in the presence of Thomas Wells, John Wheelwright".(8)

"I John Wells of Boston... Mariner for and in Consideration of four pounds... paid... from Nathaniel Clark of Wells... Doe... Sell... forty five acres... lying on y^e North East Side of y^e land belonging to my father John well late of wells Deceased bounded... by Land of Nathaniel Clark... by land of Benjamin Gough... by Land in possession of Nicholas Cole... this Sixteenth Day of June... one Thousand Seven Hundred & Two... John Wells... In Presence of us Joseph Littlefield, John Butland".(11)

"Samuel Sibley of Salem... house carpenter & Sarah his wife one of y^e Daughters of John Wells Late of y^e Town of Wells... for & in Consideration of y^e Sum of Twelve pounds... paid by their brother Thomas Wells of... Wells husbandman... all that part... that is any wayes due... of y^e Estate of of their s^d father John Wells... y^e 13^th day of January 1703/4- Samuel Sibley, Sarah Sibley... in presence of us John Sibley, Joseph Cooke".(10)

"I John Wells of Boston... Marriner for & in Consideration of a Certaine tract of land & Meadow & other priviledges Sold & made over to me by Benjamin Gooch of Wells as by a deed under his hand... bareing Equall date.... I do... by way of Exchange... Set over unto Benjamin Gooch... a... parcell of land & salt marsh... bounded... by land belonging to John Barret and Since falen into y^e possession of Benj^a Curtis... by land belonging to Mr Rob^t Nanny & Since falen into y^e Possession of Cap^tn John Wheelwright it being bought by my Grandfather Thomas Wells of Mr W^m Symonds... Also a parcell of Salt Marsh Adjoyning thereto of About Seven Acres... bounded... by a Creek Called bridge creek.... this fourth day of Dec^r in y^e year... One thousand Seven Hundred & Seven- John Wells... in y^e presence of us Sam^ll Wheelwright, Hannah Parsons".(12)

"I Benjamin Gooch of Wells.... husbandman with Mary my wife for and in consideration of a certain tract of land and Salt Marsh... Sold and made over to me by John Wells of Boston as by a Deed under his hand and Seal bearing Equall Date... do... Sell... unto John Wells of Boston... Marinor a certain tract of land & Salt Marsh Lying... in... Wells Lying upon y^e Southwest side of the Farm comonly called Symonds his ffarm only reseiveing a piece of the Salt Marsh Lying Westerly upon Marsh I bought of John Wells... and Southerly by the Creek comonly called Gooch his Creek... to... the Northeast end of the land called Drakes Island As also a piece of Salt Marsh... that was Mr William Symons... belonging to Mr Samuel Hill Southerly by Drakes Island and Easterly by the Seawall As also all the land and grants of land in the Town of Wells and all Right in Comon in the Town of Wells which my father John Gooch had Right unto... this fourth day of December... 1707... Benjamin X Gooch, Mary X Gooch... in presence of us Samuel Wheelwright, Hannah Parsons."(9)

"John Wells of Boston... Marrin^r Am holden & firmly bound & Obliged unto Benjamin Gooch of Wells... in the ffull & Just Sum of fifty pounds... to be paid unto y^e s^d Benj^a Gooch... this fourth day of Dec^r... 1707

The Condition of this present Obligation if Such that if y^e Above bound John Wells... Shall & do Indempnify y^e Aboves^d Benjamin Gooch from Mollestation & disturbance from Mr W^m Sawyer & Sarah his wife As Also from Mary y^e Wife of John Wells... John Wells... In presence of us Sam^l Wheelwright, Hannah Parsons".(12)

John was of Boston until about 1707 and was likely the Capt. Wells at Black Point with his sloop when Capt. Hunnewell was killed in 1703.(1)

On 20 March 1716 John was one of those at the Wells town meeting voting that "the right and property of all the common and undivided lands within the said township, doth belong to, and forever, in proportion according to their interest in the town, to be disposed of and improved according to the directions of the law in that case made and provided... Mr. John Wells".(2) John was living in Wells by 1719 and was an Innholder.

John was master of the sloop Adventure 2 June 1698, Union 15 June 1708 and of the Endeavor 5 May 1719, all registered in Boston.(3)

"We John Wheelwright and Nath^ll Clark of Wells... Yeoman on y^e one partie & John Wells... Husbandman on the other part, are holden and stand firmly bound and obliged each unto y^e other in y^e Sum of fifty pounds.... y^e Twenty Second Day of December... 1720...

The Condition of this Obligation is such y^t whereas a Differance and dispute hath arisen between... John Wheelwright and Nath^ll Clarke on y^e one part, and John Wells on y^e other part relateing to y^e Boundaries of a Certain Farm formerly... belonging to Mr W^m Symonds and now in y^e possesion and belonging unto y^e afores^d John Wheelwright and Nath^ll Clark and y^e Lands and Marsh formerly belonging to Mr John Gooch, and now in y^e possession and belonging unto... John Wells... a final determination and Settleing of sd Bounds... to be heard... and determined by Capt Joseph Hill and Mr Jonathan Littleifield of Wells... John Wheelwright, Nathaniel Clark, John Wells... in presence of us Joseph Sayward, Eliz^a Wheelwright".(13)

"Whereas there hath been a difference and dispute ariseing between John Wheelwright Esq^r and Nathaniell Clark of Wells... on y^e one part and John wells... Husbandman on y^e other part relateing to y^e boundaries of a Certain ffarm formerly belonging to Mr W^m Symonds, Deceased... [goes on to describe the boundary line]... all which we award to be and remain y^e bounds Between y^e sd John Wheelwright Esq^r and Nathaniel Clark on y^e one part and y^e sd John Wells on y^e other part... this 18^th Day of May... 1721- Jos : Hill, Jon^a Littlefield, John Storer."(13)

"Whereas Notification being Given to the Town of Wells by y^e Town of York as the Law Directs for the Renewing and setling y^e Bounds Betwene Said Towns... we the Subscribers being appointed by Each Town for the busness above specified being Mett at y^e Bounds Perfixed... this twenty third day of Decem^r one thousand Seven hundred and Twenty one- Joseph Sayward, John Wells, James Alling, Jere^m Moulton, Cabel Kimball, ffran Littlefield".(14)

"I John Wells of Wells... Inn holder... in Consideration of the Sum of Sixteen pounds... paid by Samuel Clark of Wells... do... Sell... sixteen Acres... in Wells... Bounded... on land of... Samuel Clark & Thomas Wells... on said John Wells his own Land... this eleventh Day of May... On thousand seven hundred & twenty three- John Wells, Mary X Wells... in presence of us Nathaniel Clark, Eleazar Clark, Nicho^s Lyddiard".(15)

At a town meeting in 1723 John Wells and Samuel Stewart were elected to be a committee to collect the delinquent charges due the town from the mill privileges and to sue all who could not be induced otherwise to pay. John and his son John Jr. were listed as inhabitants of Wells in 1726.(4)

In 1731 a road was laid out "between John Wells' and William Symonds', beginning at the Great Swamp, commonly called Gooche's Swamp, and running northwest to Mousam Path" thence "to the head of John Wells' lot".(5)

"We John Wells of Wells... Husbandman and Mary his Wife... in Consideration of Thirty Five Pounds... paid... by John Webber of Wells... Mariner... do... sell... Four Acres... at a Beaver Damm at y^e head of Abel Merrill his Meadow Land and running up y^e Brook... 19 Jan. 1732- John Wells, Mary X Wells".(6)

"We Richard Boothby of Wells... Cordwainer and Mabel Boothby Wife of sd Rich^d Boothby... in Consideration of... Six Acres... conveyed unto me... by John Wells of Wells... Yeoman... do... convey... unto the sd John Wells... Two Acres and Fifty Seven Rods...on the Upper Side of the Country Road at the Corner where sd John Wells his land and the Land that I... bought of Ichabod Cussins and Ruth his wife... unto Little River... also One Tract of Meadown... being Part of what I... bought of Stephen Larraby... containg Four Acres... at a Beaver Damm on the Head of Abel Merrill his Meadow... thie Twenty 9^th Day of December... Seventeen Hundred & Thirty Two... Richard Boothby... in Presence of us James Sampson, Henry Maddock".(16)

"In the Name of God, Amen... I John Wells of Wells... yeoman... dipose of the temporal estate... in the following manner viz:...

I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Mary Maddock fifty pounds in old tenor bills...

I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Maddock fifty pounds, old tenor...

I give and bequeath unto my grandson Palsgrove Maddock fifty pounds old tenor...

I give and bequeath unto my graddaughter Mary Pike fifty pounds old tenor...

I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Sarah Maddock fifty pounds old tenor...

I give and bequeath unto my beloved son John Wells Junr... all that parcel of land on which he now dwells and the marsh adjoining thereunto excepting four acres of marsh lying next to Joshua Wells marsh; the said land and marsh lying and being in Wells aforesd... as is expressd in a deed given under my hand and seal... unto my said son John Wells dated Anno Domini 1740... within which bounds the said four acres of marsh are included... and since the making thereof conveyed by me to my beloved son-in-law Thomas Goodwin and my beloved daughter Hannah the wife of the said Thomas Goodwin... I do... bequeath... unto my said son John Wells the same one half of my part of the saw-mill standing over the lower falls of Little River... and the one half of the utensils, implemts and appurtenances belonging to my said part of said mill... together with the buildings, fencing, trees, timber, wood, underwood, herbage and everything appertaining to the land where he now dwells and to the marsh adjoining thereunto; and likewise one fourth part of the grist mill it being that which he himself has built over the lower falls at Little River...

I give and bequeath unto my said beloved son-in-law Thomas Goodwin and my beloved daughter Hannah... fourteen acres of land, upland, interval or fresh meadow ground and salt marsh... lying and being in Wells... as is expressed in a deed to them... dated the twenty-seventh day of January Anno Domini 1743/4... together with the buildings and fencings... with ye trees, timber, wood, underwood, herbage and minerals thereunto belonging: still reserveing the strip of land lying next to Nathl Clarks' land... I likekwise give unto my said daughter Hannah Goodwin one quarter part of the lower saw-mill on Little River lower falls with one quarter part of the said falls and privilege where the said saw mill stands and one quarter part of ye utensils, implements and appurtenances belonging to said mill. I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Hannah Goodwin one quarter part of the grist mill standing on or over said falls at Little River...

I give and bequeath unto my grandson Thomas Goodwin a minor twenty acres of land... being in said Wells... as is expressed in a deed... bearing date the twenty-seventh day of January Anno Domini 1743/4...

I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Wells a minor... all the land I now dwell upon on the south side of Little River in said Wells it being all ye Lands I have in my Homestead Farm... not otherwise disposed of...

I give & bequeath unto my sd Son John Wells and my Sd Daughter Hannah Goodwin... all Reserves of flowing any of my Interval Land, and of the Strip of Land lying next to Nathaniel Clark's Land... & every part... of my Estate real & personal... not otherwise disposed of to be equally divided between them.

In witness whereof I hav hereunto affixed my hand and seal this tenth day of May Anno Domini 1748 ... John Wells... in presence of us- Nathaniel Clark, Joshua Wells, Nathaniel Clark junr"(7)

The inventory, 4 Aug. 1748, of his estate amounted to £2,224/7/0 including one slave valued at £100.

Issue-

Ref:

(1) Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire- p.735
(2) The History of Wells and Kennebunk- Edward E. Bourne
(3) Mass. Archives- Vol.7, pp.123,332,464
(4) The History of Wells and Kennebunk- Edward E. Bourne
(5) Ibid
(6) York Deeds- Vol. XVI, fol.12
(7) Genealogy of the Wells Family- appendix pp.20-4; Maine Wills- pp. 577-82
(8) York Deeds- Vol. VI, fol. 145-6
(9) Ibid- Vol. VII, fol. 111
(10) Ibid- Vol. VIII, fol. 248
(11) Ibid- Vol. IX, fol. 16
(12) Ibid- Vol. X, fol. 92
(13) Ibid- fol. 168
(14) Ibid- Vol. XI, part I, fol. 86
(15) Ibid- fol. 131
(16) Ibid- Vol. XVI, fol. 130

The Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury, MA- Vol.I, p.349; Vol.II, pp.808-9