James Blake

James Blake April 27, 1623-January 28, 1700

Parents: William Blake, II 1594-1663 and Agnes Thorne d. 1678

Wife Elizabeth Clapp b. 1633

Children:

1. James 1652
2. John 1656
3. Elizabeth 1658
4. Jonathan 1660
5. Sarah 1665
6. Joseph 1667

By Eve M. Kahn

In the late 1600s, a farmer named James Blake was a pillar of a young, prosperous Puritan community in what is now the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA. During his long life (1623-1700), he held just about every prominent civic or religious title the town had to offer, including Selectman, Constable, Court Deputy, Deacon, Fence Viewer and Elder. In 1661, he built an oak-framed mansion for his wife Elizabeth Clapp and their three children. He clapboarded the house's two-and-a-half-story gabled bulk, and illuminated its four rooms with roof dormers and leaded-glass casement windows.

Blake's is now the oldest surviving house in Boston, and the second oldest in the state. It's also one of the oldest remaining American houses built with thick beams typical of England's West Country, the homeland of Elizabeth's family.

Sources:

• http://www.period-homes.com/Previous-Issues-07/NovemberProject07Pur...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:James_Blake_House,_Dorchester,_Ma...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Blake_House
• http://www.allaboutnhre.com/familytree/jamesblakehousepics.html _______________________________

By Robert Sydney Blake

Carbon dating in May 2007 has the construction date of the house as 1661. The house was built near a spring and tributary to Mill Creek and west of the first Meeting House at Pond and Cottage Streets. In 1896 the Dorchester Historical Society acquired the house from the City and moved the house less than 500 feet from its original location of Massachusetts Avenue.

____________________________

• Elder James Blake
• Birth: 1623, England
• Death: Jun. 28, 1700 Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA
• James was the son of William and Agnes Thorne Blake. He was born in 1623 in Pitminster, Somerset, England and left this world on June 28, 1700 in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
• James, his five siblings and parents immigrated from England on March 20, 1630, on the ship Mary and John and arrived in Nastasket, Massachusetts on May 30, 1630.
• In 1651 James married Elizabeth Clapp, daughter of Deacon Edward and Prudence Clapp. She was also the niece of Captain Roger Clap.
• In 1661 the James Blake House was built. At one time it was suggested that this house was built in anticipation of this marriage. But Carbon dating in May 2007 now has the construction date as 1661.
• The House was built near a spring and tributary to Mill Creek, west of the Five Corners and therefore west of the first Meeting House at Pond and Cottage Streets, on land adjoining that of the Clap family. In 1896 the Dorchester Historical Society acquired the property from the City and moved the house less than 500 feet from its original location of Massachusetts Avenue.
• Deacon James Blake held public office, becoming a constable, town selectman, and deputy to the General Court as well as a pillar of the First Church, serving as Deacon for 14 years and later Ruling Elder for about the same length of time.
• ************************************
• A huge Thank you to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for the wonderful restoration of the Blake ancestral home and to Peter Stott for the Photos and information.
• ************************************
• A special Thank you to William Blake Kutsche for the sponsorship of this memorial
• Family links:
• Parents:
• William Blake (1594 - 1663)
• Agnes Thorne Blake (1593 - 1678)
• Spouse:
• Elizabeth Clap Blake (1633 - 1694)
• Children:
  • James Blake (1652 - 1732)*
  • John Blake (1656 - 1717)*
• Siblings:
• George Blake (1611 - 1698)**
• William Blake (1620 - 1703)*
• James Blake (1623 - 1700)
• Edward Blake (1626 - 1692)*
• *Calculated relationship
• **Half-sibling
• Inscription:
  • HERE LYES BURIED Ye
  • BODY OF ELDER
  • JAMES BLAKE, WHO
  • DECEASED JUNE Ye
  • 28th 1700
  • IN Ye 77th YEAR
  • OF HIS AGE
• Note: Info. obtained from the ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF BOSTON 1904/05, page 78//Birth date calculation based upon age at death.
• Burial: Dorchester North Burying Ground, Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA
• Find A Grave Memorial# 66173895
• From: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=blake&GSfn=ja... _______________________________
• BLAKE, James
• b. APR 1624 Pitminster, England
• d. 28 JUN 1700 Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass.
• Parents:
• Father: BLAKE, William
• Mother: THORN, Agnes
• Family:
• Marriage: ABT 1651
• Spouse: CLAPP, Elizabeth
• b. 1632
• d. 16 JAN 1693/4 Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass.
• Children:
  • BLAKE, James
  • BLAKE, John
  • BLAKE, Elizabeth
  • BLAKE, Jonathan b. 12 JUL 1660 Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass. d. 10 NOV 1660 Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass.
  • BLAKE, Jonathan b. 12 JUL 1665 Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass.
  • BLAKE, Sarah b. 28 FEB 1665/6 Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass. d. 22 MAY 1666 Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass.
  • BLAKE, Joseph
• Family:
• Marriage: 17 SEP 1695
• Spouse:SMITH, Elizabeth
• From: http://www.genealogyofnewengland.com/f_1c.htm#38 _________________________
• New England families, genealogical and memorial; a record of the achievements of her people in...the founding of a nation. Vol. 2 by American Historical Society. 1n; Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
• https://archive.org/details/newenglandfamili02amer
• https://archive.org/stream/newenglandfamili02amer#page/172/mode/1up
• .... etc.
• (II) James Blake, son of William (2) and Agnes (Band) Blake, was born in Pitminster, England, and baptized there, April 27, 1624. He came to New England with his father. He lived in the
• https://archive.org/stream/newenglandfamili02amer#page/173/mode/1up
• northern part of Dorchester, his house, built about 1650, being of such substantial character that the town voted to model the parsonage after it in 1669, and it remained in the Blake family until 1825. In 1895 it was removed from the original location on Cottage street to Richardson Park and the Dorchester Historical Society secured possession of it and fitted it up for their purposes. From 1658 to 1685 there was scarcely a year that Mr. Blake did not serve the town in some official capacity. He was selectman thirteen years, later constable, deputy to the General Court, clerk of the writs, recorder, sergeant of the militia company. He was deacon of the Dorchester church fourteen years and ruling elder for the same period. He was often called upon as administrator and in other capacities in the settlement of estates. He died June 28, 1700, leaving a will dated two days prior to his death. His estate was appraised at four hundred and seventy-three pounds. He and his wife are buried in the old graveyard in Dorchester, and the stones that mark their graves are in excellent condition. He married (first) about 1651, Elizabeth Clap, daughter of Deacon Edward and Prudence (Clap) Clap, born in 1631-32, died in Dorchester, January 16, 1693-94. He married (second) in Rehoboth, September 17, 1695, Elizabeth (Smith) Hunt, widow of Peter Hunt, and daughter of Henry and Judith Smith, from County Norfolk, England. Children: James, of further mention ; John, born March 16, 1656-57, inherited property of his Uncle John in Boston, but remained in Dorchester, deacon ; married Hannah , who had four children, and died May 16, 1729, his death occurring March 2, 1718; Elizabeth, born October 3, 1658, married Jeremiah Fuller; Jonathan, born July 12, died November 10, 1660; Sarah, born February 28, 1665, died May 22, 1666; Joseph, born August 27, 1667, died February 1, 1738-39, married Mehitable Bird, who died April 15, 1751, lived at Dorchester, and had eleven children.
• (III) James (2) Blake, son of James (1) and Elizabeth (Clap) Blake, was born at Dorchester, August 15, 1652, and died .... etc. _______________________________
• New England families, genealogical and memorial; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of commonwealths and the founding of a nation; Vol. II by Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
• https://archive.org/details/newenglandfamil00cuttgoog
• https://archive.org/stream/newenglandfamil00cuttgoog#page/n334/mode...
• Pg.810
• (II) Peter, son of Enoch Hunt, died October 2, 1692. Although there is not sure evidence that he was the son of Enoch Hunt, there is very great probability that he was. His will was dated June 19, 1689, and proved December 26, 1692. He gave to his son Enoch upland and swamp purchased of Mr. Paine, on part of which his house stood ; also thirty acres swamp which he received "of father Bowen," except a small piece he had given to his son John ; also one hundred pounds worth of commonage. He left property to the remainder of his children and to relatives. He married, December 10, 1645, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Judith Smith, who came from county Norfolk, England. Captain Hunt was the first town clerk of Rehoboth. Elizabeth (Smith) Hunt married (second) Elder James Blake, of Dorchester, September 17, 1695. Children: .... etc. __________________
• Peter Hunt, Son of Enoch Hunt I and Sarah Elizabeth (Palmer) Hunt
• · 17 May 2013
• Keith Hunt Schwacha on Peter Hunt
• Lieutenant Peter Hunt (Son of EnochI) was christened on Jul 4, 1619 at Great Missenden, England. He married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Henry Smith and Judith, who came from Norfolkshire, England, on Dec 14, 1646 or Dec 10, 1645. He died on Oct 2, 1692 at age 73. He was buried on Oct 21, 1692 at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
• Being promoted to Captain, Peter Hunt was the first town-clerk in Rehoboth.
• He was one of the first purchasers of Rehoboth about 1643, his allotment being valued at £327. Gabriell Fallowell & John Browne both sold land to him. Both transactions are as follows, from “Plymouth Colony Record of Deeds”:ii
• On 11 June, 1664, "Gabriell Fallowell of the Towne of Plymouth . . . . for and in Consideration of a valluab[le] sume", sold to "Leiftenant Peter Hunt of the Towne of Rehoboth . . . . all that my pte and share of land which as a Townsman of Plymouth aforsaid; I have in the land belonging unto the said Towne; in a place Comonly called and knowne by the name of Punckateesett and places adjacent both upland and meddow; with all other the appurtenances belonging therunto . . . . lying and being near unto or over against Road Iland; in the Jurisdiction of Plymouth aforsaid"
• The deed was signed by a mark, and witnessed by Stephen Paine and Nathaniel Morton.
• 1654 Bradford Govr a Deed appointed to bee Recorded
• Know all men by these prsents that I John Browne of Rehoboth for and in consideration of the summe of forty and three powid to mee in hand payed I have bargained and sold unto Peter hunt of Rehoboth three score and twelve acres of land that is to say six acres on that necke called and knowne by the name of Mantons necke and forty four acres lying on Wachamocott necke and twelve acres lying on the head of that cove called Wachamocott cove and ten acres of Mersh or meddow viz eight of it lying neare unto a place called Bowins Bridge; the Rest lying on New Meddow River or Palmers River all which said pcell of upland and Meddow as they are now bounded being more or lesse being within the bounds of Rehoboth aforsaid; To have and to hold to him the said Peter hunt his heires and assignes for ever; And I the aforsaid John Browne Doe bind my selfe my heires exequitors and adminestrators to save and keep harmles the said Peter hunt his heires and assignes from all psons whatsoever lawfully claiming under mee or from any former acte or Deed of mine as alsoe from all Rates which the towne of Rehoboth either for the present or future May Impose upon the aforsaid lands except ffencing the same all other Rates I take upon my selfe to Discharge in all points as fully as if the said lands were still Remayning in my owne possession in Witnesse wherof I have hereunto put my hand and Seale the 24th Day of May in the yeare one Thousand six hundred fifty and four; 1654
• Sealed and Delivered John Browne
• in the prsence of
• John Allen
• Stephen Payne
• Lt Peter’s will was probated on Dec. 26, 1692. His wife Elizabeth survived him, marrying and also surviving Isaac Williams, finally dying in 1724.
• From Peter's will: Bristol Probate, lib. i. folio 59, 60, one and a half page, will of Peter Hunt, June 19, 1689; proved Dec. 26, 1692. Gave to son Enoch, upland and swamp bought of Mr. Paine, that he bought of John Woodcock, on part of which his house stands; also thirty acres swamp I had of father Bowen, except small piece I have given son John; also £100 worth of commonage. To son John, half of lands where his house stands; half of lands east side of Palmer’s River and New-meadow River, on both sides of Rocky River; four acres salt meadow on Neck side; a piece of swamp, formerly father Bowen’s; also £100 worth of commonage; and (per deed of gift) ten acres joining Nathaniel Palmer, where Daniel Shepherdson lived. To son Ephraim, half of uplands where John and Ephraim live; both sides of highway from Bowen’s Bridge to the Hundred-acre Run; half of meadow-ground east of Palmer’s River; also £100 worth of commonage. To Benjamin, house, shop, and tools; a hundred acres of Governor’s Meadow; seventy acres at Neck, called “Shaper’s Tree;” £130 of commonage. To daughter Judith Williams, and her two sons Nathaniel and Thomas Cooper, marsh at Belcher’s Creek; also £20. To son-in-law Samuel Peck, five shillings. To son-in-law James Willett, one shilling. To grand-daughter Ann Pain, £5. To grand-daughter, £20. Residue, - all my share north side of Fresh Meadow, at Mr. Brown’s pond, and Palmer’s River; my land on Neck, by Jer Wheaton’s lot at W. Carpenter’s, - lot bought of Thomas Brown; salt marsh bought of Brown; marsh called “Three-men’s mow Marsh,” of John Woodcock, sen.; land in second division and on Great Plain; lot of last division; fifteen acres I bought of Rice Leonard, - to wife Elizabeth. £10 to Sarah Peck.
• Children of Peter Hunt and Elizabeth Smith were as follows:
  • 12 i. Sarah Hunt; born Jan 21, 1646 married Samuel Peck Jun 1, 1666; buried Oct 27, 1673
  • 13 ii. Judith Hunt; born Apr 12, 1648 married Nathaniel Cooper May 17, 1667.c
  • +14 iii. Peter Hunt; born Jun 11, 1650 married Rebekah Paine Dec 24, 1673; died Aug 25, 1676 at age 26.
  • + 15 iv. Enoch Hunt, born Feb 28, 1652, married Mary Paine.
  • 16 v. Elizabeth Hunt; born Mar 1, 1654, married James Willett Apr 17, 1673; married Elder James Blake of Dorcester Sep 17, 1695.c (OTHER REFERENCES LIST ELIZABETH (SMITH) HUNT WIDOW OF HER FATHER PETER AS 2ND WIFE OF JAMES BLAKE)
  • + 17 .... etc.
• From: https://familysearch.org/photos/stories/1042298 ________________________