by reason of relations and properties within our town, hath had constant intercourse with us. We speak upon our personal acquaintance and observation; and so leave our neighbors, and this our testimony on their behalf, to the wise thoughts of Your Honors. Jno. Wise. William Story Senr. John Burnum Sr. John Burnum junr. Reginald Foster died Nathanill Perkins Thoms Lovkine. William Cogswell Jur. Benjamin Marshall 28 December, 1707, aged seventy-one years. 1704, and proved 19 January, 1707-8, is as follows: In the name of God. Amen. I, Reginald Foster of Chebacco, in Ipswich, in ye County of Essex in New England being att this time thro ye goodness of God in prfect understanding & memory tho very crazy & weak of Body by reason of old age & other infirmities we attend mee. In ye first place I committ my Imortall soul into ye hands of Almighty God who gave itt & In ye hopes of a blessed Resurrection to Life eternall thro Jesus Christ my blessed Redeemer. And my Body to ye earth from whence it was taken to be decently Buryed by my Executors hrafter mentioned. And wt worldly estate the Lord hath been plased to bless mee with I give & bequeath as hereafter followeth I give & bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Foster the parlour yt 1 now enjoy & also wt use of ye cellar shee needeth & half ye Orchard also ye keeping of a cow & two sheep Winter & Summer & firewood fetched home & cutt fitt for ye fire so much as shee needeth for her use and a horse & one to ride before her to carry her to meeting and this Nathaniel Foster my son shall doe. Item. I doe appoint my two sons Isaac & John Fosters to pay ye mother five & forty shillings apiece yearly In provision such as she needs & requires wc is four pounds ten shillings but If shee desires to remove to Billerica they shall carry wt was brought to Andover & yn pay yearly in Specie wt. was agreed upon-and my will is yt. all be done honestly according to truth. Item. I Doe will unto my son Isaac Foster the house he hath lived in since he marryed Also nine acres of Land in my upper pasture joyneing to itt from Seth Stores Land & so Downward also my upland by ye widow Martins But I Reserve a convenient cart way thro it to fetch up hay or what may be needfull-Also I will my said son Isaac a third part of ye meadow about ye Ditch equally divided and Isaac his part shall Lye next Goodm Kinsmans Also a third part of my Low Meadow or Salt Marsh being divided from Deacon Goodhue meadow to Procters Creek and Isaac shall have his next Deacon Lows and his Brethren shall have a way through that to Theirs. Item. I give to my son John Foster ye house he lives in & ve orchard-and ye upper pasture except what I shall otherwise dispose of and all that part of ye corn feild next Mr. Wades mill excepting one acre joyneing to ye high way next my house also I will to him one third part of both ye parcells of meadow or salt marsh above named excepting yt meadow given to Nathaniel betwixt ye Ditch & ye upland. Item. I give to my son Nathaniel Foster my now dwelling house & half ye Orchard & Barn & yt part of ye corn feild next Seth Storeys & the Lower pasture all within ye stone wall & one acre of ye other feild next my house & two acres of my upper pasture to water his cattle and ye meadow betwixt ye Ditch & ye upland next ye widow Martinns & Nathaniel shall have a way to his corn feild thro his brother John's & his brother John thro his to carry wt is needfull Also John & Nathaniel shall equally divide ye meadow above ye Ditch between them & settle ye Bounds as they shall agree or as they may Chose Indifferent men to doe it for them & and so with ye Lower meadow & if John will take a part of my Barn away & he halfe ye cost to sett up a Lentoo he may doe it if he will. Item. I give & bequeath to my eldest daughter Elizabeth ten pounds to be payd to her a Legacy out of my estate by my son Isaac above named within a year after my decease. Item. I give to my Daughter Judith ten pounds for a legacy to her to be payd out of my Estate by my son John before named within a year after my Decease also I give further to my Daughter Judith my bed & bedsted boulster & 2 pillows curtains & coverlid belonging to it and also my table that stands in the parlour. Item. I give & bequeath to my daughter Elenour eight pounds to be payd to her for her legacy out of my estate by my son Nathaniel Foster aforenamed within one year after my decease and my son Nathaniell Fosters hall have the other halfe of ye Orchard after my wife's decease or removal. Ult. I constitute & appoint my loving son John Foster to be my Executor of this my last will & testament together with my beloved wife and my son Nathaniel Foster and for confirmation that this is my last will & testament and yt I hereby will & make void all former wills yt I have heretofore made. I ye aforesaid Reginold Foster have hrunto sett & affixed my hand & seal this eleventh day of July Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred & four In ye Third year of ye Reigne of Queen Anne Reginold Foster (seal) Signed and sealled in ye presence of us three witnessess Joseph Eveleth J. T. Mahoney Register Daniel Warner in his "Record" mentions the following children and no more, saying his "aunt Foster had," etc.-(N. E. H. G. Register, vol. xv., p, 50.) Reginald and Elizabeth (Dane) Foster had twelve children; Elizabeth, Isaac, Judith, Sarah, Mary, John, Rebecca, Naomi, Ruth, Eleanor, Hannah and Nathaniel. He d. Dec. 28, 1707. Res., Chebacco Parish in Ipswich, Mass. 27. ix. 28. X. 29. xi. 30. xii. REBECCA, b. Feb. 26, 1667; d. July 1, 1684. NAOMI, b. May 6, 1669; d. before 1707. RUTH, b. Dec. 17, 1671; d. Jan. 1, 1677. JOHN, b. July 15, 1664; m. Mary NATHANIEL, b. Sept. 19, 1678; m. Joanna Marshall. Ipswich. JUDITH, b. Jan. 20, 1659. 1653; m. Aug. 8, 1674, Simon Wood, of MARY, b. June 18, 1662; prob. d. before 1707. 5. WILLIAM FOSTER (Reginald), b. England in 1633; m. May 15, 1661, Mary Jackson, b. Feb. 8, 1639; dau. of William and Joanna. William Jackson lived on Bradford Street, where, in 1643, a house lot, containing one acre and a half, was laid out to him not far from the meeting-house. He gave 6 December, 1680, to his daughter Mary Foster, out of his estate, two acres of meadow in the common field, one ox and a heifer, all of the value of £11, and "20s. of which is for her daughter's paines with me and my wife;" or, in other words, for the great care and comfort she had bestowed upon them in their old age, while abiding under their roof. William Jackson d. 1 May, 1688. William Foster was a yeoman, lived first in Ipswich, and afterwards removed to Rowley, where he was received as an inhabitant in 1661. He settled in that section of the town known as Rowley Village, which was afterwards incorporated under the name of Boxford. Before his removal he purchased of Joseph Jewett, of Rowley, for £11s. 13. 4d., a seventy-second part of the village lands in said town; but Mr. Jewett d. —, before he gave him a deed of it, and he afterwards received one from the executors, bearing date of 30 May, 1661, witnessed by Thomas Dorman, Francis Peabody and Gershom Lambert. About the year 1666-7 the village lands were laid out by John Pickard and Ezekiel Northend. Of this land, William Foster, Francis Peabody, husband of his sister Mary Foster, Joseph Bixbie and Abraham Reddington, received eight hundred acres, bounded north by land of Messrs. Dorman, Cummins and Stiles, west by Andover line, south by Wade's brook, etc., and east by various other lots. This grant consisted of upland, meadow and swamp. It is recorded in Essex Registry of Deeds, under date of 27 February, 1706-7, that he gave his son Samuel Foster one half of his right in this land, describing the same bounds and parties to whom it was laid out. He bought, 3 April, 1695, with his sons William and Jonathan, and John Kimball, all of Boxford three hundred acres of land of Robert and Bethiah Eames, "lying between Five Mile Pond and Moses Tyler's house, on both sides of Ipswich road. By deed, bearing date 25 August, 1710, he gave to his "son David, of Haverhill, all that right which falleth to us in lands, orchards, &c., which our Hon'd Father Wm. Jackson, formerly of Rowley, dec'd did give to his son John Jackson and John Jackson's son John, William Jackson's grandson, and in case his grandson John died childless, then . . . the estate mentioned in said deed. to return to our father's three daughters or their children. William Jackson's grandson John dying childless, said lands are divided among said daughters; viz., Elizabeth How (of witchcraft fame). Eizabeth (Jackson) How, wife of James How Jr., grandson of John Dane senior, was executed 19 July, 1692, in Salem, for witchcraft. John Dane senior was the grandfather of Elizabeth (Dane) Foster, wife of Reginald Foster (Reginald), Mary Foster my wife, and Deborah Trumbull; which land in my right (Mr. Jackson's deed bearing date in Rowley 6 December, 1680,) I give to my son David. Mr. Foster was one of the leading men in the town of Rowley, holding many offices of trust, and frequently serving on committees in matters of importance, with great acceptance. In 1675, he, with Joseph Peabody and John Kimball, were appointed collectors of taxes. In 1677 and 1680 John Peabody and he were appointed on the part of the village to enforce the strict observance of the Sabbath, "and to have the special inspection of those families nearest their house on either side of them," according to the provisions of a law of the General Court, passed 23 May, 1677. Up to the year 1685, Rowley Village had been subject to the control and government of the town proper, which was contrary to the expectations of the settlers when the Village lands were allotted them, who considered themselves "free from any engagement to the town of Rowley ellse we had not purchased it." According to the records, the Village, in 1673, was composed of but sixteen families, living nine miles distant from the town, and near to the bounds of Topsfield. In 1685 they had increased to forty families, and the lands, containing about eighteen thousand acres, they thought "would comfortably setuate one hundred families;" and considering the distance from town, and the general difficulties under which they continually labored in their governmental affairs, and other matters owing to their remote situation, they conceived the importance of petitioning the General Court for leave to settle a minister, and grant them "township prevelig, that so wee might the more comfortably carry on so needfull a work, for the betor edication of our children that cannot gooe fouer mieles to meting" (to Topsfield). This petition was signed by "Abraham Reddington, Sen., Joseph Bixbee, Sen., Samuel Busbee, Sen., William Foster and John Peabody." It was dated 27: 3 mo. 1685." The petition was granted 5 June, 1685, “Provided it may be with the consent of the Selectmen of Rowley," and which finally resulted in the incorporation of the town of Boxford; for shortly after the above grant two committees were appointed, one on the part of Rowley Village, of which William Foster was a member, and the other on the part of Rowley, which met together 7 July, 1685, and agreed upon "a parting line betwixt the town of Rowley and the village," that all the common undivided village land except the ministers farm, shall belong to Rowley, and "that the inhabitants shall be free from all rates to the town, excepting 20s. in silver, to be paid Joseph Bixbee, Sen., John Peabody, William Foster, Samuel Symonds and Moses Tyler, yearly . . while [or until] they have an orthodox minister settled in the village." The following is a copy of a paper found among the Court files: "Theas few Liens may Sertify anney gentilmen whome it may Consern that the Town of Boxford have with the Consent of the Selectmen of Boxford chosen William Foster, Sener, to be thaier ordenary Keepper for this year '93 and doe desier that hee may have a Lisenc for the aboue said purpos this 13th of June 1693 as a test (sd) John Pebody Clark." William Foster made his will 3 September, 1711, when seventy-eight years of age, as stated in the will. He d. 17 May, 1713, in Boxford. His will was proved 15 June, 1713. In his will he gave his five sons, Jonathan, William, Timothy, David and Samuel, all his salt marsh he had of his father Foster, lying in Ipswich, which was to be enjoyed by his wife Mary and son Joseph during her widowhood, his "son Samuel to keep son Joseph at his house to look out for him." He appointed his sons Jonathan and Samuel executors. The following extract from Essex Deeds, Book 43, page 279, under date of 11 February, 1723-4, enumerates his children and sons-in-law: 64 we Jonathan Foster, Timothy Foster and Samuel Foster of Boxford, William Foster of Andover, David Foster of Haverhill, Mary Kilburn [Mary Foster] and John Platts [who m. Judith Foster], Theophilus Rix and Hannah Rix his wife [Hannah Foster], of Wenham for... the sum of thirty pounds. . . paid have sold .. said John Perkins, his heirs, &c., a certain piece. . . of meadow lying in Andover and Salem, containing by estimation five acres by John Perkins of Andover William and Mary (Jackson) Foster had nine children: Mary, Judith, Jonathan, William, Timothy, Hannah, David, Samuel and Joseph. History of Boxford, Mass., says: "William Foster, from Ipswich, settled in Rowley Village in 1661. The old house that stood some years ago on the site of the late residence of Mr. Dean Andrews, deceased, was undoubtedly his residence. The first town meetings were held in his house; and in it was also kept for several years after the incorporation of the town, a kind of tavern called in the language of those days, an ordinary. Mr. Foster was one of the principal men in the Village, as the numerous offices of trust of all kinds held by him fully prove." He d. May 17, 1713. Res., Boxford, Mass. 31. i. MARY, b. Nov. 16, 1662; m. Nov. 20, 1682, Samuel Kilburn, of Row- Five 3. John Platts. 4. JUDITH, b. June 19, 1664; m. 13 April, 1693, John Platts. JONATHAN, b. 6 March, 1667-8; m. Abigail Kimball. WILLIAM, b. 1670; m. Sarah Kimball and Margaret Gould. SAMUEL, b. 20 February, 1681; m. Mary Macoon. Sam 1676 John 1667 Caleb 1677 JOSEPH, b. 168-; bap. May 21, 1682; living in 1711, but probably never m. See his father's will. 6. ISAAC FOSTER (Reginald), b. England 1630; m. May 5, 1658, Mary Jack son. She d. Nov. 27, 1677; m. 2d, Nov. 25, 1668, Hannah Downing, who d. Nov. 27, 1678; m. 3d, March 16, 1679, Martha Hale, who survived him. He lived in Ipswich, near Topsfield, at the east end of “Symond's Farm," the town line dividing the farm. He was sixty-two years old when he made his will; proved March 29, 1692. Isaac Foster had fourteen children; eleven by his first wife, and three by the second: Jonathan, Mehitable, Jacob, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Mary. Daniel, Martha, Ruth, Prudence, Hannah,-second wife-Hannah, Eleazer and Sarah. He d. March, 1692. Res., Ipswich, Mass. 40. i. JONATHAN, b. 9 January, 1658-9; d. May 15, 1661; not mentioned MEHITABLE, b. 19 September, 1660; d. February, 1660-1. JACOB, b. 9 February, 1662-3; m. Sarah Wood and Mary Edwards. ELIZABETH, b. 20 April, 1667. MARY, b. 26 June, 1669; m. Richard Grant, 27 February, 1688. MARTHA, b. 1 August, 1672; m. Thompson Wood, 8 December, 1691. Groue. PRUDENCE, b. 23 May, 1675; m. Joseph Borman, 17 February, HANNAH, b. 24 October, 1676; d. before 1681. ELEAZER, b. April, 1684; m. Eliza Fiske. 51. xii. 7. DEA. JACOB FOSTER (Reginald), b. England in 1635; m. Jan. 12, 1658, Martha Kinsman, dau. of Robert (r. of Ipswich), who d. Oct. 15, 1666; m. 2d, Feb. 26, 1667, Abigail Lord; d. June 4, 1729. Jacob was a resident of Ipswich, in which place he died. He was deacon of the first church. He married, first, Martha Kinsman, who died. He married secondly, Abiagal, daughter of Robert and Mary (Wait) Lord. She survived him. The grave of Deacon Foster is marked by a stone rudely carved; the inscription is "Here lies Dec'n Jacob Foster, who died July ye 9th 1710, in ye 75 yr of his age." Deacon Foster lived in the first house built by his father Reginald. It stood on the south side of Ipswich river, near the stone bridge; and on a portion of what is now the Heard Estate. The house lots as they were granted from the bridge, were given as follows:-to John Proctor, House, built in 1635, yet stands; and is now owned by the venerable Capt. Samuel Baker. 2. Thomas Wells, probably a physician, as he had "phissic," books. In 1677 mention is made of "the house that Thomas Wells built.' 3. Samuel Younglove. The house he doubtless built was taken down in 1862. 4. The Foster lot. An old "Foster House" remained on this lot till within the recollection of the present generation. Its last Foster occupant was an aged woman known as "Molly Foster." The house was called in Ipswich the old Foster house, as long as it stood. It was given by Reginald Foster at his death to Deacon Jacob, his son, and the Deacon lived on it. The deacon also owned another house which he sold to Abraham Perkins-son of John, and grandson of Elder John Perkins. For in the will of Hannah (Bernsley) Perkins, widow of Abraham, she bequeaths the house her husband bought of "Deacon Foster, dec'd," to the three of her grandsons. He d. July 7, 1710. Res., Ipswich, Mass. 54. i. JUDITH, b. 20 October, 1659; d. 27 January, 1659 60. JACOB, b. 15 May, 1662; d. June, 1662. 55. ii. 56. iii. 57. iv. 58. MARY, b. --; d. 11 January, 1666-7. V. SARAH, b. 3 August, 1665; m. John Caldwell. 59. vi. She d. July 11, 1721. 60. vii. 61. ABRAHAM, b. 4 December, 1667; m. Abigail Parsons. JACOB, b. 25 March, 1670; m. Mary Caldwell, Martha Graves and viii. AMOS, b. 15 August, 1672; d. 12 October, 1672. 62. ix. 63. X. 64. xi. 65. xii. 66. xiii. 67. xiv. 9. ABIGAL, b. 3 July, 1674; d. before 1710. NATHANIEL, b. 7 October, 1676; d. previous to 1710. SAMUEL, b. 10 September, 1678; d. previous to 1710. JOSEPH, b. 14 September, 1680; m. Elizabeth Goodwin, Mary JAMES, b. 12 November, 1682; m. Anna Cross. MARY, b. 25 December, 1684; not mentioned in father's will; d. before 1710. EPHRAIM FOSTER (Abraham, Reginald), b. Ipswich, Mass., October 9, 1657; m.—————, 1677, Hannah Eames, dau. of Robert, b. 1661, d. July 8, 1731; m. 2d, Jan. 8, 1732, Mary West, of Bradford, wid. of John West. He was a blacksmith. "One of the prominent names in the early town history [of Andover, Mass.,] was Ephraim Foster. He was a grandson of Reginald Foster, a citizen of Ipswich of some consideration, and who is said by genealogists to have been descended from an ancient family of Forsters, mentioned by Walter Scott in his tales and ballads of Scottish border warfare. Ephraim Foster was a man conspicuous in the town matters of Andover, although not connected prominently with the military or the civil history. He seems, judging from the numerous documents in his handwriting, to have excelled as a scribe, and to have been versed in the art of punctuation, then little known to the majority of our town officials. His favorite point was the colon, with which his papers are plentifully besprinkled, without regard to the grammatical or rhetorical construction. This characteristic appears in the 'Proprietor's Records,' where his handwriting occurs. Some of the family estates were in the east part of North Andover, one of the ancient homesteads (that afterward occupied by J. M. Hubbard, Esq., and noted for the large and beautiful elm tree, still vigorous) was Ephraim's residence. He d. September 21, 1746. Res., Andover, Mass., in that part now North Andover. Ephraim Foster seemed to put some faith in his townsman's prophecies. He testified that Wardell had made some predictions in regard to the birth of his (Foster's) children, that there would be five girls in the household before a son should be born. This had proved true. The witness had also often seen Wardell "tell |