Thomas was born in Rattlesden, Suffolk county, England, in 1633, and was one year old when he came to New England with his parents. He later went to Ipswich, and was living in Hampton, New Hampshire, 20 Oct 1653, and was the owner of mill property there on Oyster river. He made his home at that place as late as 1660. He afterwards removed to that portion of Rowley which is included in the present town of Bradford, Massachusetts. Previous to 1675 the section where Thomas and his brother Benjamin lived was within the limits of Rowley, but the locality was called Merrimac when Thomas was elected constable on 20 Feb 1668-9. His house was one of legal places for posting and "publishing any orders or other business of public concernment to the whole town." His house was situated on the Boxford road, and its situation can still be located. At that place he lived and prospered for about ten years. He was a mechanic and a thrifty farmer, owning over four hundred acres of land and a large amount of personal property, as is shown by the inventory of his estate.

At that time skulking Indians continually annoyed the white inhabitants. The Merrimack river was a pathway; the Indians could make rapid sallies upon the settlements and make their escape without penetrating the forests. Haverhill had been attacked with all the cruelty of the savages. On the night of 2 May 1676, three well known "converted" (half civilized) Indians, Peter, Andrew and Symon, were intending to kill some parties in Rowley, but the night being far advanced, they wreaked their vengeance on the Kimballs. Thomas Kimball was killed by Symon, and his wife and five children, namely, Joanna, Thomas, Joseph, Priscilla, and John were taken captive and carried forty miles into the wilderness, where they remained forty-one days, and were freed without ransom by the friendly offices of the chief Wanalancet, of the Penacook Indians. Her own life and that of her infant were threatened, and twice the fires lighted to burn them. They reached their home 13 June 1676.

Great was the anguish of their friends during their captivity, and on 3 May 1676, her pious parents in Ipswich asked prayers on the Sabbath that they might be delivered.

Subsequently she addressed a petition to the Governor and Council that she might be protected from Symon, the Indian, who had threatened to kill her and her children if she returned to her own house. The three Indians were seized and confined in jail, but escaped and pursued their course of blood most mercilessly thereafter, and their subsequent fate is unknown. They were semi-civilized and had worked for and lived a great deal with the white people.

Thomas Kimball married Mary Smith, daughter of Thomas and Joanna Smith of Ipswich, about 1655, as is shown by the following note from the records of Salem: "Nov. 18, 1686 Richard and Benjamin Kimball of Bradford did covenant to and with the Selectmen of Ipswich that they would take Thomas Smith and his wife to Bradford to the house of Mary Kimball, widow of Thomas Kimball and provide their Meate, drink, washing, lodgeing, clothes and attendance with all things necessary for persons in such condition for the space of one year beginning at the date hereof, the price for a year to be £25. Dec. 8, 1687 Agreed with Richard Kimball of Bradfordd to allow unto him further keeping and providing for his grandfather Thomas Smith for the year ensuing £13." According to this Joanna Smith had probably died during the year.

The name of Thomas occurs very frequently on the early records of the town of Merrimac. Until the time of his death he always held some town office, being frequently selectman.

--------------------

[Carelton-Stickney.FTW]

Killed by Indians

Thomas Kimball was born in Rattlesden, Suffolk county, England, in

1633, and was one year old when he came to New England with his

parents. He later went to Ipswich. Massachusetts, and was living in

Hampton, New Hampshire, 20 Oct. 1653, and was an owner of mill

property there on Oyster river. He made his home at that place as

late as 1660. He afterwards removed to that portion of Rowley, which

is included in the present town of Bradford, Massachusetts. Previous

to 1675 the section where Thomas and his brother Benjamin lived was

within the limits of Rowley, but the locality was called Merrimack

when Thomas was elected a constable on 20 Feb. 1668-9. His house was

one of the legal places for posting and "publishing any orders or

other business of public concernment to the whole town." His house

was situated on the Boxford road, and its situation can still be

located. At that place he lived and prospered for about ten years.

He was a mechanic and a thrifty farmer, owning over four hundred

acres of land and a large amount of personal property, as is shown

by the inventory of his estate.

At that time the skulking Indians continually annoyed the white

inhabitants. The Merrimac river was a pathway; the Indians could

make rapid sallies upon the settlements and make their escape

without penetrating the forests. Haverhill had been attacked with

all the cruelty of the savages. On the night of 2 May 1676, three

well known 'converted' (half civilized) Indians, Peter, Andrew, and

Simon, were intending to kill some parties in Rowley, but the night

being far advanced, they wreaked their vengeance upon the Kimball's.

Thomas Kimball was killed by Simon, and his wife and five children,

namely, Joanna, Thomas, Joseph, Priscilla, and John were taken

captive and carried forty miles into the wilderness, where they

remained forty-one days, and were freed without ransom by the

friendly offices of the chief Wanalancet, of the Pennacook Indians.

Her own life and that of her infant were threatened, and twice were

the fires lighted to burn them. They reached their home 13 June

1676.

Great was the anguish of their friends during their captivity, and

on 3 May 1676, her pious parents in Ipswich asked prayers on the

Sabbath that they might be delivered.

Subsequently she addressed a petition to the Governor and Council

that she might be protected from Simon, the Indian, who had

threatened to kill her and her children if she returned to her own

house. The three Indians were seized and confined in jail, but

escaped and pursued their course of blood most mercilessly

thereafter, and their subsequent fate is unknown. They were

semi-civilized and had worked for and lived a great deal with the

white people. Thomas Kimball married Mary, daughter of Thomas and

Joanna Smith of Ipswich, as is shown by the following note from the

records at Salem: "18 Nov. 1686 Richard and Benjamin Kimball of

Bradford did covenant to and with the Selectmen of Ipswich that they

would take Thomas Smith and his wife to Bradford to the house of

Mary Kimball the widow of Thomas Kimball and provide their Meate,

drink, washing, lodgeing, clothes and attendance with all things

necessary for persons in such a condition for the space of one year

beginning at the date hereof, the price for a year to be £25." "8

Dec. 1681 Agreed with Richard Kimball of Bradford to allow unto him

further keeping and providing for his grandfather Thomas Smith for

the year ensuing £13." According to this Joanna Smith had probably

died during the year.

The name of Thomas Kimball occurs very frequently on the early

records of the town of Merrimack. Until the time of his death he

always held some town office, being frequently selectman.

Thomas had a share and a half of Plum Island, &c., 1664. -------------------- http://www.kimballfamily.com/Tree/2/2-8.htm

Thomas was born in Rattlesden, Suffolk county, England, in 1633, and was one year old when he came to New England with his parents. He later went to Ipswich, and was living in Hampton, New Hampshire, 20 Oct 1653, and was the owner of mill property there on Oyster river. He made his home at that place as late as 1660. He afterwards removed to that portion of Rowley which is included in the present town of Bradford, Massachusetts. Previous to 1675 the section where Thomas and his brother Benjamin lived was within the limits of Rowley, but the locality was called Merrimac when Thomas was elected constable on 20 Feb 1668-9. His house was one of legal places for posting and "publishing any orders or other business of public concernment to the whole town." His house was situated on the Boxford road, and its situation can still be located. At that place he lived and prospered for about ten years. He was a mechanic and a thrifty farmer, owning over four hundred acres of land and a large amount of personal property, as is shown by the inventory of his estate.

At that time skulking Indians continually annoyed the white inhabitants. The Merrimack river was a pathway; the Indians could make rapid sallies upon the settlements and make their escape without penetrating the forests. Haverhill had been attacked with all the cruelty of the savages. On the night of 2 May 1676, three well known "converted" (half civilized) Indians, Peter, Andrew and Symon, were intending to kill some parties in Rowley, but the night being far advanced, they wreaked their vengeance on the Kimballs. Thomas Kimball was killed by Symon, and his wife and five children, namely, Joanna, Thomas, Joseph, Priscilla, and John were taken captive and carried forty miles into the wilderness, where they remained forty-one days, and were freed without ransom by the friendly offices of the chief Wanalancet, of the Penacook Indians. Her own life and that of her infant were threatened, and twice the fires lighted to burn them. They reached their home 13 June 1676.

Great was the anguish of their friends during their captivity, and on 3 May 1676, her pious parents in Ipswich asked prayers on the Sabbath that they might be delivered