William Towne, of Topsfield

(3)William Towne was born circa 1598, the son of John Towne and Elizabeth Clarke of Yarmouth, Norfolk County, England.

He was baptized in the St. Nicholas Parish Church, Great Yarmouth, England, on March 18, 1598/9.

William Towne married JOANNA BLESSING on March 25, 1620, in St. Nicholas Church, Great Yarmouth, England, and William died in 1673 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts.

In 1640, William Towne and his family emigrated to New England. William Towne was a freeman on April 18, 1637.

Joanna was the daughter of John Blessing of Somerlayton, Suffolk County, England.

When Joanne [nee Blessing] Towne (b. 1594) came to the colonies her sister, Alice [nee Blessing] Firmage (b. 1593) and her brother-in-law, Robert Buffam, husband of her late sister, Margaret [nee Blessing] (deceased) came too. Joanne Blessing was known as "Mother Goose." This was a misleading name, since it was her sister, Julian [nee Blessing] who married Thomas Goose.

THE CHILDREN OF WILLIAM TOWNE

1) Rebecca Towne was baptized on February 21, 1621, in Great Yarmouth, England. Rebecca married Frances Nurse, a tray maker, on August 24, 1644. Rebecca was hanged for witchcraft on June 19, 1692, [at age 61] in Salem, MA.

2) John Towne was baptized February 16, 1622 in Great Yarmouth, England. He was listed as an apprentice in England at age 13. John married Phebe Lawson, and he died in 1672 [at age 49].

3) Suzanna Towne was born October 20, 1625 in Great Yarmouth, England. Suzanna was baptized on October 26, 1625. Suzanna was named after her aunt. Suzanna died in July 29, 1672 [at age 47]. Suzanna was spared her sister's anquish and pain. She was not targeted as a witch.

4) Edmund Towne was born on June 22, 1628 and was baptized on July 28, 1628, in Great Yarmouth. Edmund apprenticed to Henry Skerry of Great Yarmouth. He sailed on either the Rose of Great Yarmouth, or the Henry and Dorothy of Ipswich. Both ships were commanded by William Andrews and his son, William. Skerry and his family settled in Salem, MA. Edmund married Mary Browning in 1652 [at age 24]. Their children were:

..... Abigail Towne married Thomas Perley

..... Samuel Towne married Elizabeth Knight [her line goes to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge]

.....Elizabeth Towne married (2) Elisha Perkins (1654-1791) of Topsfield in 1715.

5) Jacob Towne was baptized on March 11, 1632. Jacob married Catherine Symonds, daughter of Samuel Symonds (1693-1772) and Elizabeth Andrews, on June 26, 1657. He died November 22, 1704, in Topsfield, MA. [at age 72]. Their son:

..... John Towne married Mary Smith.

.....Katherine Towne (1662-1714) married Elisha Perkins in 1680.

6) Mary Towne was baptized August 24, 1634. He married Isaac Estey/Eastie. Mary was hanged on September 22, 1692, during the Salem witch trials [at age 58]. Their son was:

..... Isaac Estey, Jr. married Abigail Kimball.

7) Sarah Towne - born circa 1642, in Salem, MA. He married (1) Edmund Bridges (2) Peter Cloyes. Sarah Cloyes was accused of witchcraft, in 1692 [at age 53], and put into prison, and later released. She pressed charges for her unlawful arrest and the killing of her sisters. She received three gold sovereigns for each of them. The movie, Three Sovereigns For Sister Sarah is about this event. Her daughter was:

..... Hepzibah Cloyce, married Ebenezer Harrington.

8) Joseph Towne - born on September 3, 1639, in Salem, MA. Joseph married Phebe Perkins in 1665. Their children were:

..... Joseph Towne, Jr. married Margaret Case.

..... Susanna Towne married John Cummings

..... Martha Towne married Isaac Larrabee.

Excerpt from "Essex Institute Historical Collections",

Volume 118 1982, page 203-- ...This article presents a small-scale pilot study of one seventeenth-century Massachusetts family in order to illustrate the feasibility and value of investigations which focus on kin networks and use genealogical material as a data base. The family chosen for the pilot study was that established in America by William Towne, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts, in the early seventeenth century. Very little is known about the ancestry of William Towne, or about his reasons for coming to New England, but it is believed that he was the son of Richard and Ann Towne of Lincoln County in England, and it has been established that he was married to Joanna Blessing in the Church of St. Nicholas at Yarmouth, Norfolk County, in 1620...

William Towne recieved a land grant in Salem, Massachutess in 1640 and lived there until 1652 when he moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts where he died in 1672. His wife died about 1682. Two of their children were daughters Mary (Towne) Estey and Rebecca (Towne) Nourse. During the Salem witch hunts, Rebecca and Mary were jailed. Rebecca was found guilty and executed. Later Mary was arrested the 2nd time, tried, found guilty and executed. She entered a long petition to the judge in which she begged not for her own life which she knew must be in vain but that no more innocent blood be shed.

Estate of William Towne of Topsfield

Essex probate Docket #27923

Source: Ipswich Deeds, Vol 4, p515

Salem Quarterly Court Records 5:66

Petition for settlement of a small estate left the undersigned by their father; who died ten years ago leaving no will, but left his estate in the hands of their mother who was appointed administratrix and the estate remained unsettled until her death and now they desire that the following division may be allowed: the land to be divided equally to his three sons, Edmund, Jacob and Joseph and the moveables equally to the three daughters, Rebecka, Mary, and Sarah: also the three borthers to pay all debts now due and what charges shall after arise in settlement of the estate to be equally borne by all six. Adted Jan 17th, 1682.

signed by Mary (her mark) Towne relict of Edmond

Jacob Towne

Josep (his mark) Towne

Francis (his Mark) Nurs with the consent of Rebeha

Mary (her mark) Esly, formerly Mary Townes

Sarah (her mark) Bridges

Witnessd

John How

John Pritchet

Allowed by the court at Ipswich April 10,1683

According to Savage, Vol 4, Pp 317-18:

TOWNE, WILLIAM, Salem, had m. at Yarmouth, Co. Norfolk, 25 March 1620 or 1, Joana Blessing, and prob. came over the water, 1635, tho. in what ship is not seen; in Dec. 1640, he had gr. of ld. at S. but Felt spells the name Townde. He rem. to Topsfield a. 1651; and his ch. bapt. a Y. were Rebecca, Feb. 1622; John, Feb. 1624; Susanna, Oct. 1625; Edmund, June 1628; Jacob, Mar. 1633; Mary, 24 Aug. 1634; and at Salem, Sarah; and Joseph, b. 1639; and d. 1672, leav. all these ch. exc. John and Susanna. Farmer in MS. makes him the freem. of 1637, in wh. I do not concur. His wid. liv. a. ten yrs. Rebecca m. Francis Nurse, had eight ch. and was execut. for a witch, 19 July 1692, to wh. her deafness was the chief inducem. Mary m. Isaac Esty, had to ds. and was tr. on 9th execut. 22 Sept. 1692, under the same sad infatuat. She was the heroic woman, that in our day gives dignity to the cause, as set forth in Chandler's Crim. Trials. Sarah m. 11 Jan. 1660, Edmund Bridge or Bridges, had five ch. and next m. Peter Cloyes, had two or three more, and was a gr. sufferer in the witchr. proceed. barely escap. with life.

---

On, Nov 5, 1608, John, a gardener, apprenticed his son, William, for 14 years (the term to begin on Feb. 2, 1609) as a gardener.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=41602474

William Towne Birth: 1598 Norwich Norfolk, England Death: 1673 Topsfield Essex County Massachusetts, USA

~MY ANCESTOR~

William Towne, son of John Towne, was baptized in the church at St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England on March 18, 1598/9. He married Joanna Blessing/Blyssyne on April 25, 1620 in the same church in England.

Although there is no known record of immigration, it is believed by Savage and Virkus that the family came to America in 1635.

The first record of William Towne in America appears in the town book of Salem some time between 1635 and 1640 (undated) when he received a land grant "a littleneck of Land right over against his house on the other side of the River" in the area called North Fields.

In 1651, he purchased land in the neighboring town of Topsfield from William Paine, which consisted of forty acres, part plow land, meadow, and unplowed land. He sold his Salem property to Henry Bullock in 1652 and bought additional land at Topsfield in 1656. He was made a commoner in Topsfield in 1664. When his son Joseph married Phebe Perkins, he deeded 2/3 of his property to Joseph.

Children of William & Joanna Towne: (the first six were baptized at St. Nicholas)

• 1. Rebecca (Towne) Nurse bapt. Feb. 21, 1621-2, executed July 19, 1692 (Salem Witch Trials), m. Francis Nurse/Nourse
• Jacob Towne (1632-1704), m. Catherine Symonds
• 6. Mary (Towne) Esty bpt. Aug. 24, 1634 executed Sept. 22, 1692 (Salem Witch Trials), m. Isaac Esty
• 7. Sarah (Towne) Bridge/Bridges m. (1) Edmund Bridges and (2) Peter Cloyes (barely escaped execution during the Salem Witch Trials).
• 8. Joseph Towne bpt. Sept. 3, 1639 and died 1717, m. (1) Phebe and (2) Emma about 1687

Administration was granted April 24, 1673 to "Johana" Towne on the estate of William Towne. The estate of William Towne of Topsfield appears on Essex Probate Docket #27923

Admitted Jan. 17, 1682. Petition for settlement of the estate of William Towne who died 10 years before leaving no will, but left his estate in the hands of their mother which remained unsettled until her death. Now they desire that it be divided equally between the three sons: Edmund, Jacob and Joseph; and the moveables equally to the three daughters: Rebecka, Mary and Sarah. Signed by Mary, relict of Edmund Towne, Jacob Town, Joseph Towne, Francis "Nurs" consort of Rebeka, Mary Esty, and Sarah Bridges.

Family links:

Spouse:

• Joanna Blessing Towne (1594 - 1682)

Children:

1. Susanna Towne Hayward*
2. Rebecca Towne Nurse (1622 - 1692)*
3. John Towne (1624 - ____)*
4. Edmund Towne (1628 - 1678)*
5. Jacob Towne (1631 - 1704)*
6. Mary Towne Easty (1634 - 1692)*
7. Sarah Towne Clayes (1637 - 1703)*
8. Joseph Towne (1639 - 1713)*

Burial: Pine Grove Cemetery Topsfield Essex County Massachusetts, USA

GEDCOM Source

486 Page 486 William Towne was baptized in the church of St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, on March 18, 1598/9. He was married to Jone (Joanna) Blessing in the same church, where between 1621 and 1634, their first six children were baptized.

The first record of William in America appears in the town book of Salem, MA in 1640 when he was granted "a little neck of Land right over against his house on the other side of the river." In the same year he sued John Cook in what seems to have been a boundary dispute and obtained a verdict and costs. It is probable that Towne was in Salem some years before 1640, however. The list of grants by the town to that portion of its territory called the North Fields is undated and the best opinion seems to indicate that the grants were made before 1635, when the town records begin. William Towne's name appears on this list, and it was in the North Fields that he lived.

In 1651, Towne purchased land in the neighboring town of Topsfield from William Paine of Ipswich. This farm contained forty acres "part of which is plow land, another part is meaddow, another part is upland unplowed, all lying together," bounded by William Howard toward the east, Walter Roper on the north and a "Sertaine River" toward the south or southwest. There were also included two acres on the south side of the river.

He sold his Salem property to Henry Bullock in 1652 and bought additional land at Topsfield in 1656. In 1660 in testifying in a lawsuit his age was estimated at three score years. When his son, Joseph married Phebe Perkins, d/o Deacon Thomas Perkins in 1663, William deeded two-thirds of his real property to Joseph. He and his wife assumedly lived on that property the remainder of their days.

GEDCOM Source

The Towne Family Memorial Edwin Hubbard, The Towne Family Memorial Edwin Hubbard, The Towne Family Memorial Edwin Hubbard. The Towne Family Memorial. Published by the Fergus Printing Company. Chicago, Illinois. 1880 0 Footnote Edwin Hubbard, The Towne Family Memorial ShortFootnote Edwin Hubbard, The Towne Family Memorial Bibliography Edwin Hubbard. The Towne Family Memorial.

GEDCOM Source

13-15 Page 13-15 In this church, founded in A.D. 1123, dedicated to St. Nicholas, in 1251, and still retaining the name, were married, March 25, 1620, William Towne and Joanna Blessing, and here their six first children were baptized.

The next we hear of this family is at Salem, Essex Co., Mass., where, in the book of early grants, appears the following: "11, 8 mo., 1640, granted to Wm. Towne, a little neck of land right over against his house on the other side of the river." He is also referred to in the Court Records of the same year, thus: "17th st., last of 4th mo., and 1st, 5th mo., 1640. Wm. Towne, pl. agt. Jno Cook def. in act of debt, Jury find for pl. some to be deputed to measure John Cook's land, and what is remaining, to make up Goodman Town's land and if it be ffyve acres to pay Towne ffyve marks, and what is wanting of ffyve acres to abate 13s. 4d. p. acre: And costs 4s.:o."

William Towne's residence was in that part of Salem known as the "Northfields," and he remained at this place till 1651, the year following the incorporation of the town of Topsfield, when he purchased a tract of land in the latter place of Wm. Paine, of Ipswich, "containing forty acres of ground or thereabouts, whereof six acres is by the seller, which Wm. Howard, of Topsfield, built, and about thirtytwo acres joyning up to the sayd six acres eastward of it, part of which is plow ground, another part is meaddow, another part is upland unploughed, all lying together, having the meadow and the plow ground of the said Wm. Howard towards the east and the ground of Walter Roper towards the north, and a sertaine River towards the south or south-west. Also, a little piece of meddow of about two acres lying on the south side of the river, directly against the plains of the said Wm. Howard, having ye grounds of the said Wm. Howard towards ye East and the said River towards ye North and upland towards the South."

In 1652, he sold his property in Salem to Harry Bullock, in 1656, purchased additional land in Topsfield, and in 1663, "in consideration of natural affection and the contemplated marriage of their sonn, Joseph Towne, with Phebe Perkins, the dau. of Thomas Perkins," he and his wife conveyed to their said son, Joseph, two-thirds "of the home wherein they then did dwell, with Barne, out-houses, yard, gardens, orchards, lying situate and being in Topsfield, together with a parcel of broken upland by the meddow side, only a cartway reserved between the said land and the meadow towards the South, and the land of Jacob Towne towards the East, and the land of Jacob Towne and Edmund Towne towards the North, and the lands of Isaac Estie towards the West - also, another parcell of land broke up and unbroken, containing, by estimation, thirty acres, bounded by the way towards the South-East and North-East, and a way also towards the South-West; the land of Zacheus Gould and Edmund Towne towards the North West, and the land of Edmund Towne and Isaac Estie towards the North. Also, a parcell of meddow lying on the North side, of the river, having the river for the bounds towards the South, a highway towards the West, and a way towards the North, and meddow of Jacob Towne towards the East, containing, by estimation, fourteen acres." All these conveyances being made with the desire that their said son, Joseph, should have the first refusal of the remaining third when the same should be for sale. William Towne, the emigrant, died at Topsfield, Mass., about 1672, and from the final settlement of the estate of his widow, she seems to have survived him about ten years."

"Taken away from the Evil to come," might have been the epitaph on their tombstone; in view of the terrible fate of their daughters, some ten years later. These sisters suffered terribly during the witchcraft delusion at Salem, in 1692 - Rebecca and Mary being executed, and Sarah barely escaping with her life.

The children of William and Joanna (Blessing) Towne, of Yarmouth, Eng., and Salem, Mass., were: 1. Rebecca, bapt. Feb. 21,1621, md Francis Nourse, of Salem. She was hung as a witch, at Salem, July 19, 1692; her husband survived her, dying at Salem, Nov. 22, 1695, age 77. Their descendants have been numerous and highly respectable. 2. John, bapt. Feb. 16, 1624; died before his father. 3. Susanna, bapt. Oct. 20, 1625; died before her father. 4. Edmund, bapt. June 28, 1628; md Mary Browning. 5. Jacob, bapt. March 11, 1632; md Catharine Symonds. 6. Mary, bapt. Aug. 24, 1634; md Isaac Esty; she was also hung as a witch, 2 months and 3 days after her sister, Rebecca. 7. Sarah, bapt. Sept. 3, 1648; md 1st, Jan. 11, 1660, Edmund Bridges, and 2d, Peter Cloyes; she narrowly escaped the fate of her sisters, Rebecca and Mary; she has descendants by her first husband, now living in Cook Co., Ill. 8. Joseph, bapt. Sept. 3, 1648; md Phebe Perkins.

GEDCOM Source

Probate Document Probate Document Probate Document Probate Document. 0 Footnote Probate Document ShortFootnote Probate Document Bibliography Probate Document.

GEDCOM Source

Page Estate of William Towne of Topsfield. Essex Probate Docket #27923. Administration granted 24:4:1673 to Johana Towne on the estate of Wm Towne, her late husband, and she was to bring in an inventory to the next Ipswich court.

Salem Quarterly Court Records 5:66.

Petition for settlement of a small estate left the undersigned by their father, who died ten years ago leaving no will, but left his estate in the hands of their mother who was appointed admininistratrix and the estate remained unsettled until her death, and now they desire that the following division may be allowed: the land to be divided equally to his three sons, Edmund, Jacob, and Joseph and the moveables equally to the three daughters, Rebecka, Mary and Sarah; also the three brothers to pay all debts now due and what charges shall after arise in settlement of the estate to be equally borne by all six. Adted Jan 17, 1682. Signed by Mary (her mark) Towne relict of Edmond. Jacob Towne. Josep (his mark) Towne. Francis (his mark) Nurs with the consent of Rebeka. Mary (her mark) Esty, formerly Mary Towne. Sarah (her mark) Bridges. Witness: John How, John Pritchet.

Allowed by the court at Ipswich April 10, 1683. Source: Ipswich Deeds, vol. 4, page 515.

Biography
William Towne was probably the child who was baptised on 18 March 1598/9 in St. Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, the son of John & Elizabeth (Clark) Towne.[1] William and Joanna Blessing were married in St. Nicholas church on April 25, 1620.[2] " William Towne, the emigrant ancestor of the Towne family of Topsfield, was married and had six children baptized in the parish church of St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Towne's age was estimated in 1660 as 'three score years,' when he testified in a court proceeding, which would indicate the approximate date of his birth as 1600. There can be no reasonable doubt, therefore, that he was that William, son of John and Elizabeth Towne, who was baptized at St. Nicholas' on March 18, 1598/9."[3] Their first six children were also baptised in St. Nicholas Church.[4] William died, probably in Topsfield, before 24 June 1673, the date his widow was granted administration on his estate.[5] Baptism Baptized: 18 Mar 1598/9, St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England "Wyllyam Towne son of John & Elizabeth"[6] Marriage 25 April 1620, Great Yarmouth, County Norfolk, England They were married in St. Nicholas' church. "In this church, founded in A.D. 1123, dedicated to St. Nicholas, in 1251, and still retaining the name were married, April 25, 1620, William Towne and Joanna Blessing, and here their six first children were baptized."[7][8][9] Children Baptized at St. Nicholas Church, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England:[8] Rebecca: 21 Feb. 1620/1, married Francis Nurse[10] John: 16 Feb. 1622/3 (presumed died in infancy)[11] Susanna: 26 Oct. 1625 (presumed died in infancy)[12] Edmund: 22 June 1628, married Mary Browning[13] Jacob: 11 March 1631/2, married Catherine Symonds[14] Mary: 24 Aug. 1634, married Isaac Esty[15] Probably born Topsfield: Sarah: married 1st, 11 Jan. 1660, Edward Bridges, 2nd Peter Cloyes Joseph: born about 1639, married Phebe Perkins Immigration Arrival: 1635 Salem, Massachusetts[16] Death Died: before 24 JUN 1673, Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts, (date of admin. granted to widow: 24:4:1673)[17] Probate "On 24 June 1673[18] (24:4:1673), administration was granted to Johana Towne on the estate of William Towne of Topsfield, her late husband." "On 17 Jan 1682, petition for settlement of a small estate left the undersigned by their father, who died ten years ago leaving no will, but left the estate in the hands of their mother who was appointed administratrix and the estate remained unsettled until her death, and now they desire that the following division be allowed: the land to be equally divided between his three sons, Edmond, Jacob and Joseph and the moveables equally divided between the three daughters, Rebecka, Mary, and Sarah." "Signed by Mary Towne relict of Edmond, Jacob Towne, Josep Towne, Francis Nurs with the consent of Rebeka, Mary Esty formerly Towne, Sarah Bridges. Allowed by the court at Ipswich 10 April 1683."

Parents [19][3] John Towne of Great Yarmouth, 1570 – 1627 Elizabeth Clarke of Great Yarmouth, 1569 – 1630 Proof published by Lois Payne Hoover,[20] The Towne Family, page 1, Endnotes page 5. See parish register of Blundeston/Flexton, Suffolk, England, marriage of John Towne and Elizabeth Clarke, 20 Sept. 1597.[20] John Towne and Elizabeth Clarke are accepted by the Towne Family Association as the parents of William Towne.[20] Notes Married in St. Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth, England. Six of his children baptized there too. Sailed either from Great Yarmouth or Bristol for America. Came to Salem in 1632 and moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts in 1652 First record in Salem, Massachusetts. Was granted "a little neck of land right over against his house on the other side of the river."

References

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/a/r/Tami-K-Barton/GENE...
• http://www.moonsmusings.com/genealogy/towne.html
• http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/polcrt/Towne.html
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~degroff/pafg235.htm#5005
• http://stanleyhistory.net/descnarratives/blessingwilliam7662.shtml