John Wolcott, III

Added by Elwin C. Nickerson: John Woolcott III, b. 1660 Newbury MA, at age 15 was one of Capt. Appleton's Troopers, who were sent in September 1675 on an expedition to protect the settlements on the Connecticut river then menaced by the Indians. As the line of march took the company through Brookfield, it is likely that he was favorably impressed with the location where he afterwards made his home. His name is found on military rosters of February and August 1676 during the Naragansett Conflict.

His service may have not been entirely voluntary, because in August of 1676 an order was issued to the Constable of Marblehead to impress six men for military service, one being John Woolcott. The following year John Wilcott of Newbury is listed as having been paid 4L 10s for military service in King Phillips War. His family was paid this amount by the town of Marblehead for his being absent on military duty.

In 1676 John and Mary Wilcott gave testimony at Marblehead, giving their ages as 24 and 18 respectively, possibly a first wife who died shortly thereafter. Both John and his father took the Oath of Allegiance at Newbury in 1678, giving their ages as 18 and 45 respectively. In 1680 John Woollcot, aged 19, gave testimony concerning a windmill built at Marblehead by his father, John Woolcott of Newbury. John married (2) Johanna Emerson in 1684, recorded at Newbury and Ipswich.

John settled at Brookfield MA in 1686 with his brother, Joseph, and four other men, and soon built a house. Their father joined them the following year. In the fall of 1688, as appears from Major Pynchon's diary, Mr. Woolcott was in charge of the garrison then stationed at Brookfield, probably consisting of he and his brother and neighbors defending his fortified house. He was granted a license to run a public house at Brookfield in 1693, which he probably did in his home.

Some time before 1717 he built a gristmill at Brookfield which he operated. In 1718 he also built a sawmill on the Five Mile River, for which he was granted 40 acres of upland at Brookfield. His land holdings were extensive, and in 1717 he was the sixth wealthiest man in town. He was a leading man in civil affairs, selectman in 1727, and active in the church. He built a larger house in 1723, part of which was a tavern. He and his wife transferred all his property, including the tavern, to their son, Nathaniel, in 1747, "for his kindness to us in our old age".

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Burial record:

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53116075/John-Wolcott

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• http://www.wolcottfamily.com/watertown.html