Notes on Thomas Foster: Boston vs. Weymouth/ Braintree/Billerica

These are notes gathered trying to discern why the Thomas Foster of Weymouth is thought to be the same man as is found in Braintree and Billerica. A quick scan of secondary literature merely showed everybody repeating each other back to Savage (and then back to Farmer, as it turned out) with no explanation and at least one (Paige) admission that he didn't know why but was presumed his predecessors were correct. Given that another Thomas, the gunner at the Castle, was given a grant in Braintree (called Mount Wollastone then), why was he not Thomas Foster of Braintree? And if he was a military man, might he not also be the Sgt. Thomas Foster of Billerica? Thomas Foster of Billerica only named two children in his will, neither born in Weymouth, so how is the connection made? Why is he commonly given so many more? (And as it turns out Hazen's History of Billerica adds three more the other sources don't seem to have with some credibility.)

What new evidence turned up, is summarized at the end of Person Talk:Thomas Foster (86). What should happen next is that a similar survey should be done of all of the children. I have other projects on my plate right now, so I am posting my notes in case somebody would like to review them and jump in. At the very least, it will serve a check list for those that may not be aware of some of the sources available (as undoubtedly, I am unaware of others).

The conclusion is that Thomas Foster the Gunner of the Castle is probably a different man [two different freemen 1642 and 1647, wife Abigail per powers of attorney (though she could have died) while Elizabeth in Braintree and Billerica]. That he left the county is based on not finding evidence, i.e., assumption which may not be true.

The Thomas of Braintree and the Thomas of Billerica seem almost certainly the same man (both have sons named Hopestill and wives named Elizabeth). A deposition shows he was born about 1613.

Possibly the Thomas of Weymouth is the Thomas of Braintree/Billerica, though evidence has yet to be found. An exhaustive study of the "son" Thomas will be interesting.

The Thomas of Wendover could be the Thomas of Weymouth but there is no evidence. The presentation should be regarded as "if Thomas of Wendover came to New England, he might be Thomas of Weymouth".

Secondary Sources

A survey of secondary sources is done to highlight the issues and discover which records to look for. This case is particularly bad because the secondary sources plainly borrow from each other, building and building, when the basis is unknown. In fact, the mere fact that all these sources are reduced to borrowing from earlier sources is often an indication that there is no basis...

Anderson

Foster, Thomas: [origin] Unknown; [emigration] 1634 on Hercules (but probably did not sail); passenger list only [GM 2:2:555-56].

Foster, Thomas: Ipswich, Suffolk; 1639; Boston [Lechford 135, 377; BTR 1:42; BChR 35; MBCR 2:291; TAG 49:95-97 (use with caution)].

Foster, Thomas: Wendover, Buckinghamshire; 1640; Weymouth, Braintree, Billerica [TAG 68:14-22; Weymouth Hist 3:233; NEHGR 26:394-99].

Great Migration

Newsletter, p. 19:6

30 Sep 1639: Boston selectmen "granted to Thomas Foster, the gunner at Castle Island, a great lot at the Mount, for six heads" [BTR 1:42]
26 Mar 1642: "Thomas Foster the gunner" admitted to Boston Church [BChR 35]
Savage and Pope though he was Thomas Foster of the Hercules in 1634, but far from certain. [Drake's Founders 71, GM 2:2:555-6]

GM 2:2:555-556 "Thomas Foster"

24 Mar 1633/4, "Thomas Foster" one of six men listed as "left behind the Mary & John as intended to pass in the Hercules. "Examination of this group of six men suggests that none of them sailed on the Hercules in 1634."

William Latcome (GM 2:4:240): no evidence of this man in New England.

John Anthony (GM 2:1:67): "claim has been made that he did come in 1634, and is the same as the John Anthony seen in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1640 and later, but the Rhode Island man may just as well have been a second man of the same name."

Robert Early (GM 2:2:392): no evidence of this man in New England.

William Foster (GM 2:2:556): "could be the subject of the next sketch ... we assume here that there were two different men of the name". Next Sketch is William Foster of Ipswich, migrated 1634, granted land in Ipswich in 1635. Moved to Rhode Island.

Matthew Hewlett (GM 2:3:314): no evidence of this man in New England.

Also, GM 2:2:555, "Thomas Foster {1640, Weymouth}" named a son Hopestill, but nothing else connects him the family of this sketch [The family of this sketch refers to Patience Bigg m. Richard Foster and only child named Hopestill b. about 1621, "Savage has invented a husband Hopestill" for Patience.]

GM 2:7:71: "Ralph Tompkins", Katherine (Foster) Tompkins, wife of Ralph Tompkins, was sister of Thomas Foster, whose widow married as his second wife Jonas Humphrey, three of the children of Thomas Foster came to New England [TAG 68:14-22]. "The surname Foster appears repeated in the records for this family, but none of the three Fosters impinging on the life of Ralph Tompkins appears to be related to any of the others."

GM 2:6:571 "George Strange", In Jan 1640[/1] "Thomas Foster of Boston in New England, gunner of the Castle in Castle Island and Abigail his wife daughter of Mathew Wimes late of Ipswich in the County of Suffolk [illegible] deceased makes a letter of attorney until George Stringe, gent., lawfully to enter into & upon all lands, tenements and hereditaments belonging to them or either of them in Ipswich." [Lechford 377, annotated "vacated"].

Conclusions: Thomas Foster not a target of an exhaustive study because it was not thought he came soon enough to qualify for Great Migration. Six men in the Hercules is largely immaterial to current purposes which is to document New England doings, a red herring essentially. However, the conclusion seems marginally justified, but is certainly not conclusive, since 3 of the 6 names do end up in New England with no known alternate passage to rule out the 1634 Hercules, and the other 3 are based on not finding evidence in New England, as opposed to actually disproving their passage. So actually, not a single one is proven not to have come...

Nicholson Article in TAG, vol. 68:14-22

Note: This article is titled "The Family of Jonas Humfrey of Dorcester, Massachusetts" by Frederick J. Nicholson. Much of it concerns Jonas Humfrey's origins and his step-daughter Elizabeth, who has a brother named Thomas Foster. Here, we will abstract what impinges on the brother Thomas only.

Turville, Buckinghamshire, England parish register

only record for surname Foster: marriage Thomas Foster and Elizabeth Seamer 10 Nov 1606

Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England parish register

burial Thomas Foster 2 Mar 1617/8

Will of Thomas Foster, dated 23 Feb 1617/8, proved 26 Mar 1618, recorded Buckinghamshire, "Thomas Foster of Wendover, fuller", names wife Elizabeth, son Thomas, daughters Christian, Elizabeth and Susan.

• Thomas Foster [the father] had sister Katherine who m. Ralph Tomkins and migrated to Dorchester 1635.
• No sign of Christian in New England, bp. Great Missenden 27 Nov 1608
• Elizabeth Foster the wife of William Frye and Thomas Dagget in New England, whose daughter Elizabeth was granddaughter of Jonas Humfrey of Dorchester
• Susanna Foster the wife of Nicholas White, bp. Wendover 14 Jul 1616

[Cites: NEHGR 11:37: will of Jonas Humfrey of Dorchester, 12 Mar 1661/62, names son James Humfrey, son Jonas Humfrey, grandchild Elizabeth Frie, dau. Susanna White wife to Nicholas White.]

A Thomas Foster resided in Weymouth in 1640 and participated in early land grants, moved to Braintree and Billerica [citing Chamberlain's History of Weymouth, 3:233]. [Jonas Humfrey Sr.,] James Humfrey and Nicholas White lived in Dorchester; William Frye, Thomas Daggett, and Jonas Humfrey Jr. lived in Weymouth. "Reasonable to hypothesize" it is the same Thomas Foster.

Conclusions: That's it! Note: not even an estimated age for Thomas, since will by gender, so he could be anytime between marriage and will, i.e., 1607-1618. No evidence that he left England. No evidence that the man in Weymouth is related to any of the various people mentioned here. Yet of all the sources cited by Anderson, this is the only one that connects Thomas of Weymouth to Wendover, all essentially on name matching.

Chamberlain's History of Weymouth 3:233

"Thomas Foster had lands granted to him in the "East ffield", first given to John Allen (Weymouth Land Grants, 261.) He certainly resided early in Weymouth, 1640. He removed to Braintree and to Billerica before 1659. He was made a freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 26 May, 1647. His wife was Elizabeth ---. For further details consult the Thomas Foster Record, 1889."

Conclusions: Residence in Weymouth presumably based on recorded births of sons. Removal to Braintree and Billerica presumably based on Paige, and Savage before him. Largely all repeated from other sources.

Thomas Foster Record, compiled by Frank Mortimer Hawes

p. iX [survey of early Fosters]

Thomas Foster, Boston, 1641, according to Savage, came in the Hercules 1634; made freeman May 18, 1642. As he bore the same name as the subject of these pages, it may not be uninteresting to know the following: (Boston printed Records, 2d Rep. p. 42.) "30 day of 7 mo. 1639, at a meeting this day of Mr. Thomas Oliver, Thomas Leaveritt, Mr. William Colburn, Mr. Robert Keayne, Capt. Edward Gibon, and Jacob Elyott, there was granted to Thos. Foster, the gunner at the Castle, a great lot at the Mount, for six head, upon condition expressed for Mount Woollystone lands." This purchase consisting of 49 acres was conveyed by deed (9th, 8 mo. 1647) from said Thomas Foster to Thomas Beaumont of London, mariner.

From the Book of Possesions, p. 21, it appears that Thomas Foster had land in the limites of Boston, which he sold to Wm. Brown of Salem, by deed dated 13th, 8 mo. 1647. As we find no other mention of him in this country, save the following, he may have return to England. "Thomas Foster of Boston, cannoneer at the Castle, amde Richard Foster of Ipswich, Eng., his brother, and others, attorneys to receive his legacy, under will of his father, Thomas Foster, minister. His wife, Abigail, was daughter of Matthew Wimes of Ipswich, Co. Suffolk, Eng." [found at NEHGR 40:270, "New England Gleanings" from Lechford's Note Book, all entries between 1638 and 1641]

p. 1: Thomas Foster, Billerica (-1682)

"No attempt has been made to trace the ancestry of Thomas Foster, in England."

"Neither has any attempt been made to estblish a relationship between Thomas Foster and the other early comers to New England. The fact that he had a son Hopestill would seem to imply that he was related to Hopestill, senior, of Dorchester." [Note: See above. Anderson says Hopestill Sr. was a fiction of Savage's making, though the common use of a name may relate to a shared ancestor. Clearly no brother named Hopestill in the Wendover family.]

"The first definite mention we have of Thomas Foster is the record of the birth of his son Thomas, in Weymouth, Aug. 18, 1640."

"Sometime before Mar. 26, 1648, he had removed to Braintree, and before 1659 he was living in Billerica. He bacame a freeman in 1647. (Farmer, Savage, and Paige are our authorities for considering Thomas Foster of Weymouth, Braintree, and Billerica one and the same person.)

Deposition of Henry Leonard, 27 Oct 1655, mentions Goodman Foster, citing Pattee's History of Braintree.

Hawes quoting from Hazen's History of Billerica:

"Thomas Foster lived east of Bare Hill, the hill south of the village."

"The first list of town officers, 1659-60, names Thomas Foster as one of the selectman." Again 1660, 61, 63, 65, 67-69. In 1660 "eldest corporal of the Trayne Band".

11: 9 mo: 1670: Thomas Foster pays fine for Thomas Richardson if Richardson build fence for Foster.

"8: 8 mo: 1675. ... For ye south end of ye towne, Sergeant Foster's house is appointed and so to take his son Joseph Foster, James Frost, Joseph French, Joseph Walker, Daniel Rogers, John Kitteredge, Thomas Richardson ..."

1679: Thomas Foster rated 5 s., for one poll.

Hawes quoting from Paige (Not given here, see below, NEHGR 26:394).

In March 1648 and Nov. 1679, his wife was Elizabeth. Elizabeth named in will, d. 29 Jan 1694-5.

He d. Billerica 20 Apr 1682.

Will of "Thomas Foster, being very weak in body", dated 18 Apr 1682, proved 20 Jun 1682, names dear wife, son-in-law James Frost, nominate son Joseph Foster to be executor, "put my wholl estate both personal & real into his hands". [Middlesex probate 8272, wife's name not specified.]

Children:

• Thomas, b. Weymouth 18 Aug 1640
• John, b. Weymouth 7 Oct 1642
• Increase "inserted on the authority of Dr. Savage"
• Elizabeth m. James Frost
• Hopestill b. Braintee 26 Mar 1648
• Joseph b. Braintree 28 Mar 1650
• Sarah m. Samuel Kemp per Mr. Hazen
• Experience m. Joseph French per Mr. Hazen
• Jonathan per Mr. Hazen [thought by Hawes to be son of son Thomas]

Conclusions: Why does will not mention other children? Assume date of move to Braintree in 1648 is based on assumption the father of Hopestill is same man that was in Weymouth, the date of move to Billerica on assumption that the selectman is same man (this being more justified than the first, if both had wife Elizabeth). Hawes relied heavily on Paige who we discuss below.

Family of Thomas Foster by Lucius Paige NEHGR 26:394

Resided in Weymouth as early as 1640.

"There seems to be good reason to suppose, with Farmer and Savage, that he subsequently resided in Braintree and in Billerica; and in what follows I assume that this supposition is true."

Blacksmith, "sargeant" in deed dated 1679.

Repeatedly call before Middlesex county court for heresy. 4 Oct 1671, 18 Jun 1672, 15 Jun 1675, in Court for "absenting himself from the public ordinances of Christ".

In March 1648 and Nov. 1679, his wife was Elizabeth. probably the one referred to in will, probably mother of all his children. He d. Billerica 20 Apr 1682.

Children:

• Thomas, b. Weymouth 18 Aug 1640
• John, b. Weymouth 7 Oct 1672
• Increase "No trace is found of his history; the name is inserted on authority of Mr. Savage"
• Elizabeth, b. ---, m. Deac. James Frost of Billerica
• Hopestill, b. Braintree 26 Mar 1648
• Joseph, b. Braintree 28 Mar 1650

Pierce, Foster Genealogy

p. 60: SERGT. THOMAS. Son of Rev. Thomas, b. in England, came to America, resided in Boston, Weymouth, Woburn, Braintree and Billerica. Was one of the early Baptists. Descendants in this work.

p. 488: 3862. Sergt. Thomas Foster (Thomas), b. England, abt. 1600; m. prob. abt. 1638, Elizabeth ---. She d. Jan 29, 1694-5.

Came to America in the ship Hercules, with his brother William in 1634. Gunner at the castle. In 1639, granted great lot at Mt. Wollaston, Braintree, which he sold in 1647.

In 1640 residing in Weymouth where his first child born. Owned land in Weymouth in 1642: "Three acres on the east field, first granted to John Allin". Sold remaining lands in Boston 1647 to William Brown of Salem. Admitted freeman in Boston 1642, admitted (freeman?) in Billerica in 1647, returned to BRaintree following year, and before 1659 residing in Billerica.

In 1659 received grant of 8 acres in Billerica. Home lot was 50 acres lying on the east end of Bare Hill.

"Farmer Savage and Paige are our authorities for considering Thomas Fooster of Weymouth, Braintree and Billerica, one and the same person."

Provides similar surveys of Pattee's History of Braintree, Hazen's History of Billerica, and Paige as already cited.

Miss Abbott [Charlotte Helen Abbott?]: "I found the transfer by John Curtis, in old Boston Court Records alludes to his estate as formerly Thomas Foster, of Braintree, and 1669 it was. Then the next year Thomas, of Roxbury, is named as on the border line of an estate. The last probably Dr. Foster, who gave it up before he died, in Cambridge, in 1680. Thomas of Billerica, only, owned the estate then in halves, so I think in his old age he bought this farm with young Joseph, and probably promised him the whole when he died. All the other sons were well helped out." [Note: this quote still a mystery. Haven't found the items referred to, nor any deeds where he gave property to any son except in his will, he gives everything to Joseph.]

Cites a Rev. B. Beadham: "Thomas Foster, Boston, 1641, who came in the Hercules, 1634, and was a gunner at the Castle, is also mentioned in ... Thomas Lechford's Note-Book, p. 135, p. 377.

Children:

• Thomas, b. 18 Aug 1640
• John, b. 7 Oct 1642
• Increase, b. abt. 1644, "mentioned by Savage, but nothing further"
• Elizabeth, b. abt. 1646, m. Deacon James Frost
• Hopestill, b. 26 Mar 1648
• Joseph, b. 28 Mar 1650

Hazen, History of Billerica

p. 26: Thomas Foster was east of Bare Hill

p. 27: calls Joseph French the son-in-law of Thomas Foster. p. 66: "[Mr. French] married soon a daughter of Thomas Foster."

p. 27-8: "Braintree gave to Billerica an important circle of eight families. ... Thomas Foster ... most of whom were located south and east of the village."

p. 40: grant of northerly meadow at Prospect Hill Jan 1665-6, lot 34 is Thomas Foster

p. 59: first record of Town officers made March 1659-60. Thomas Foster selectman.

p. 64: first record of "military life of the town", 24 Oct 1661. Thomas Foster "eldest corporal".

p. 96: road laid out "Next to Thomas Foster's fence." p. 98: involved in maintaining Chelmsford Bridge in 1662.

p. 113: Sergt. Thomas Foster's house one of the garrisons, in 1675.

p. 165: 1663: Thomas Foster assess £1=4=10 for minister.

p. 185 19 Oct 1664: name on petition supporting current government

p. 186: Fence built for Thomas Foster by Thomas Richardson

p. 305: One of Selectmen 1660-1661, 63-65, 67-69.

Hazen's Genealogical Register, p. 64

FOSTER, Thomas, Sergt., was from Braintree. He was, perhaps, the same Thomas who was at Weymough, and father of Dr. Thomas, of Roxbury, whose widow m. Peter Bracket. He received 1659, June, a grant of an eight acre lot. His home lot was "fifty acres", his house lot being part of it, lyeing on ye east end of Bare hill, bounded by Shawshin road, on the west, ninety and foure pole; by William Hamlet, on the north, one hundred and two poles; by ye comans [commons], east, ninety pole; by a highway on the south-east, eighty-six pole." [sic, unmatched quote marks as in original] This place was near Mr. McKay's. He d. 1684 [sic, 1682 in records], April 20, and his widow, Elizabeth, 1694-5, Jan. 29. Ch., perhaps Thomas b. 1640, Aug. 18, a. physician of Roxbury and Cambridge, who m. Sarah Parker, dau. of Robert. He d. 1679, Sept. 16; his widow m. Peter Bracket. Perhaps Sarah, who m. Samuel Kemp. Perhaps John, b. 1642, Oct. 7, of Mansfield. Elizabeth --- m. James Frost. Experience --- m. Joseph French. Perhaps Increase. Hopestill, b. 1648, March 26; lived in Woburn. Joseph, b. 1650, March 28. Perhaps Jonathan [later adds m. Abigail---]. The will of Sergt. Foster names only son Joseph and James Frost, son-in-law. He certainly had two other ch., Experience and Hopestill, and the absence of other names is not, therefore, proof that the above were not his children.

Pope, Pioneers of Massachusetts, p. 173

FOSTER

Thomas, cannonier, passenger in the Hercules in April, 1634. Settled at Boston. Gunner at the Castle in 1639. Adm. Ch.. 26 (1) 1642, frm. May 18 1642.

Thomas, Weymouth, frm. May 26, 1647. Ch. Thomas b. 18 (6) 1640. John b. 7 (9) 1642. [Mr. Thomas, mentioned in town records of Roxbury 18 (1) 1655, adm ch.. 18 (4) 1665, rem. to Dorchester, is likely to be this son.]

Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, 2:190

THOMAS, Boston 1641, had prob. come in the Hercules 1634, was empl. by the gov. as gunner at Castle isl. adm. of our ch. 26 Mar. and made freem. 18 May 1642.

THOMAS, Weymouth, freem. 1647, had Thomas, b. 18 Aug. 1640; John, 7 Oct. 1642; and Increase.

THOMAS, Braintree, had Hopestill, b. 26 Mar. 1648; and Joseph, 28 Mar. 1650. He may be the same as the last preced.

THOMAS, Roxbury, m. 15 Oct. 1662, Sarah, d. of Robert Parker, had Thomas, b. 1 Aug. 1663, d. in few days; Thomas, again; Sarah, 3 June 1667; Hannah, 23 July 1669; and Jonathan, 21 Sept. 1671; freem. 1666.

Farmer, Genealogical Register, p. 110

THOMAS, Weymouth, whose sons, Thomas, Increase, and John, were b. between 1639 and 1643.

THOMAS, Boston, member of the church 1640, freeman 1642.

THOMAS, Braintree, admitted freeman 1647, may be the same who removed to Billerica, was one of the early Baptists, and died 20 April 1682. Son Hopefill born at Braintree, 28 March, 1650.

TAG 49, p. 95

"The Family of The Rev. Thomas and Rose Foster op Ipswich, Suffolk England" by Jean Nicholson Maack [annoted "use with caution" by Robert Charles Anderson]

Thomas and William Foster are credited by Dr. C. E. Banks, The Palnters of the Commonwealth, pp. 107 f. with having come in 1634 on the Hercules from Ipswich, Suffolk, and having settled in Boston and Ipswich, Mass., respectively. They are usually identified as sons of the Rev. Thomas Foster of Ipswich, England, and several printed sources list them as sons of his wife Abigail Wimes, daughter of Matthew Wimes of Ipswich."

Parish register of St. Matthews, Ipswich, England shows Rose, wife of Thomas Foster, bur. 8 Jan 1614[/15?], and Thomas Foster, parson of the parish, bur. 22 Nov 1638. Will of Thomas Foster, dated 22 Sep 1638, proved 5 Dec 1638, dwells in a house "situate in the parish of St. Matthew and the parish of St. Mary at the town in Ipswich or in either of them", names no wife, sons Richard, Thomas, William, daughters Sarae Smith wife of John Smith, Elizabeth wife of William Ferris, Jane Ladbrooke and grandson Robert Ladbrook. Richard Foster and Jane Ladbrook executors. No baptisms found for William and Thomas, and since named in will, presumed to be in New England, presumed older than the children whose baptisms are found [ranging from 1592 to 1614] as opposed to passage over as children, thus ruling out Thomas Foster and Abigail Wimes as the parents since they did not marry until 1628.

Refutes some work by Frederic Clifton Pierce equating the son of the above Thomas with the Richard Foster of Biggenden who m. Patience Bigge on the grounds that a man who d. 1630 could not be named in a will dated 1638. Speculates above Thomas d. 1638 matches one b. 1561 in Biddenden, Kent, England, which would make him a likely connection to the father of Hopestill, but not as grandfather, as Pierce indicated, more likely great grandfather.

"Thomas Foster the immigrant in 1634 died in Billerica, Mass., on 20 April 1682 ... gave the name Hopestill to one of his sons, an uncommon names which was also borne by the son of Richard Foster and Patience Bigge of Biddenden, Kent."

Records

Getting the records referred to above will illustrate better what is assumption and what is fact.

Freemen

NEHGR, Vol. 3, complete list of freeman has 3 Thomas Fosters

3:189: 18 May 1642 Thoma. ffoster, no town mentioned [See also MBCR 2:291
3:191: 26 May 1647 Thom. ffoster, no town mentioned [See also MBCR 2:295
3:239: 23 May 1666 Tho. ffoster, Roxbury

Vital Records

Weymouth VRs

p. 110: Foster Births

FOSTER, John, s. Thomas, Oct. 7, 1642

FOSTER, Thomas, s. Thomas, Aug. 18, 1640

Bates' Braintree Records: nothing.

"Early Records of Boston"

NEHGR 8:348: WAYMOUTH

Tho: son of Tho Foster borne 18 (6) 1640.

John son of Tho Foster borne 7 (8) 1642.

NEHGR 9:171: WAYMOUTH

John sonne of Thomas Foster borne 7 (8) 1642.

NEHGR 12:108: BRAINTREE BIRTHS

Hope Still Foster sonne of Tho: Foster & of Elizabeth his wife borne 26 : 1 : 48.

Joseph sonne of Thomas Foster & of Elizabeth his wife borne 28 : 1 : 50.

Billerica VRs

Births [showing recorded in error]

FOSTER, "Joseph 2d, s. Joseph and Experence, Mar. 7, [16]69-70." [p. 79]

FRENCH, "Joseph, s. Joseph and Experience, Mar. 7, 1670. M.R." [p. 83]

FOSTER, "Experiance and Joseph French, Nov. 4, [16]63. [Experience, M.R.]" [p. 256]

Marriages

FOSTER, "Joseph and Allice [dup. Alce] Gorton, Dec. 11, 1672. [Aliz Gorton of Roxbury, M.R.]" [p. 256]

FOSTER, "Sarah and Samuel Kemp [dup. Samuell Kempe], May 23, [16]62 [dup. [in] Ipswich]. [Samuel Kemp, M.R.]" [p. 256]

FOSTER, "Elisabeth [dup. Elizabeth] and James Frost, Jan. 22, 1666-7." [p. 256]

Deaths

FOSTER, "Elizabeth, w. Sergt. Thomas, Jan. 29, 1694." [p. 360]

FOSTER, "Thomas, Sergt. [h. Elizabeth], Apr. 20, 1682." [p. 361]

Lechford Note-Book

power of attorney to George Strange by Thomas Foster of Boston gunner of the Castle with wife Abigail here

power of attorney to brother Richard Foster of Ipswich regarding estate of father Thomas Foster, minister, by Thomas Foster of Boston Canonier here

Billerica Town Records

[Some non-genealogical items skipped, e.g., assessed this or that amount, etc., though late in life, every mention noted.]

9 Nov 1659: [1] Lot 9 granted, next page, lot 5 in second division.

5 Mar 1659/60: [2] chosen one of first selectmen

27 Sep 1660: [3] granted land to setup shop on, and no other use

21 Oct 1661: [4] chosen "eldest corporal"

28 Oct 1661: [5] lot 7 of meadow heading towards Shawshin River

6 Nov 1661: [6] chosen selectman

19 Nov 1661: [7] given land his hsop is on in exchange for at east corner

16 Mar 1662/63: [8] chosen fence viewer

3 Jul 1663: [9] Lot 4 in meadows on the other side of Concord river

23 Nov 1663: [10] chosen selectman

25 Jan 1663/64: [11] Lot 3 east side of Shawshin river

17 Feb 1663/64: [12] assessed £1-4-10 for maintenance of Mr. Whiting.

25 Apr 1664: [13] Town sealer and to brand cattell, to keep brands and meshers [measures] and not use any

20 Nov 1665: [14] chosen selectman

25 Dec 1665: [15] Number 20 in "last divition of upland now agred upon".

8 Jan 1665/66: [16] lot 34 of northerly meadow at Prospect Hill.

29 Jan 1665/66: [17] one acre of swamp by nuttins pond.

29 Dec 1665: [18], re: "last division of meadow" [same as above?] allotted 1 acc. 1/4 .08 pole, and 1/2 acre more was added.

23 Apr 1666: [19] list of those who took oath of fidelity, includes Hopstill ffoster, Joseph ffoster.

26 aug 1667: [20] added to Committee about Woburne line in place of John Parker.

25 Nov 1667: [21] chosen selectman.

24 Nov 1668: [22] chosen selectman

22 Nov 1669: [23] chosen selectman

13 JUn 1670: [24] give to Tho. ffoster "for his son hopstill for his service to the company in drumming".

11 Nov 1670: [25] Thomas Richardson fence incident

2 Dec 1670 [26] owed by town £1=12=2, owes town £1 for acres in 66, £ for Thomas Richardson's fine, £1=1=0 "by him & his son french for Benj: Parkers fine".

27 Jan 1672/73: [27] Joseph Foster chosen fence viewer

24 Mar 1672/73:[28] Thomas Foster chosen surveyors

30 Mar 1674: [29] Joseph Foster fence viewer

28 Jan 1674/75: [30] owed money for 4 days working on "grand Committee about divding lands". Also, 8 pole of gratuity meadows of Thomas ffoster bought byJoseph ffrench.

19 Mar 1674/75: [31] Joseph ffoster fence viewer.

22 Mar 1674/75: [32] Thomas ffoster chosen surveyor of ye highways

8 Oct 1675: [33] appointment of Sergnt ffoster's house as garrison house with his son Joseph ffoster, Jamres ffrost, Joseph french, JOseph Walker, Daniel Rogers, John Kitteridge, Thomas Richardson. Masters of yes seeral garrison houses are ... Serjnt ffoster ...

31 Aug 1675: [34] Thomas ffoster paid for 7 days, 2 days of them 1/2 help, for fortifying Mr. Whiting's house

20 Mar 1675/76: [35] Joseph foster hog reeve. Again 23 Mar 1676/77 [36]

8 Oct 1677 [37] tithin men appointed, Joseph Walker in charge of group of households including serj. foster and joseph foster.

19 Nov 1677: [38] squadrons for cutting of brush: Serj: ffoster for the southeast part of ye town, including households of Joseph french, James ffrost and Joseph ffoster.

26 Nov 1677: [39] chosen to view accounts

3 Dec 1677: [40] Persons deserting our towne & their dues then were: ... Jos: Foster

17 Dec 1677: [41] "To Docter foster for old steven" [Fisher], town charge being boarded by Joseph French.

18 Mar 1677/78: [42] Joseph Foster to be hog reeve

12 Apr 1678: [43] Serj: Foster & Timothy Brookes to attend Woburn boundaries

24 Mar 1678/79: [44] Also the towne grants Serg. ffoster liberty to let his shop stand, where he has now set it.

1 Jan 1679/80: [45] Joseph Foster paid for use of his bull.

19 Jan 1679/80: [46] Serj: ffoster and Joseph ffoster still under Joseph Walker, tithing man.

22 Mar 1679/80: [47] Serj. ffoster chosen surveyor of the highways

12 Apr 1681: [48] Serj: ffoster appointed [with others] running of the line between Concord and Billerica. Also chosen surveyor of highways. 29 May 1682 [49] appointment as surveyor renewed.

14 Nov 1681: [50] granted to Joseph ffoster land at Nuttins meadow.

3 Jan 1682/3: [51] Only Jospeh Foster now listed in Joseph Walker's tithing group.

Middlesex Deeds

Vol. 7, p. 354 "serj't Thomas ffoster of Billerica ... Blacksmith" and Elizabeth his wife to "Moses Haggitt of Andover ... Husbanman", for £8, two parcels of meddow lying in Billerica, north east of a great Hill called ??? meadow, 1) 2 acres on west side of said meadow, and 2) 2 acres east side of the middle range of the same meadow. [blank] Nov 1679.

Abstracts of Middlesex Court Records

[only if look significant]

1664 4m 6 d: Thomas Foster aged about 23 used as judge of the age of a mare
1666 Mar 26. Thomas Foster chosen Constable
1667. 7 m. 2. James Hide chose Commander of Billerica Co. William Hamlet Clarke, Thomas Foster, Junior Sargt.
1673 5 m 21. Thomas Foster of Billerica AE abt sixty [60] testified concerning Edw Farmer

--Jrich 23:52, 28 July 2015 (UTC)