Person:John Howe (55)

"John Howe, b. say 1637; m. (1) by 1665 Mary (Cooper) Dorman (eldest known child b. Topsfield 12 August 1665 [EQC 9:236]), daughter of Peter Cooper and widow of John Dorman (the inventory of the estate of John Dorman, taken 12 February 1661 [/2?], includes the following statement: 'Thomas Dorman of the town of Topsfeild hath and doth freely express himself that for a quiet and loving agreement between Peter Couper and him in difference about that estate that the said Peter Couper did expect that his daughter should have been estated in, he would give unto the said Mary Dorman' [EPR 1:367-68; EQC 2:369; Dudley Wildes Anc 164]; in his will of 3 January 1667[/8?], 'Petter Couper' included bequests to 'my daughter Mary How' [EPR 2:120-21]; she d. Topsfield 2 March 1676/7); m. (2) by 1678 Sarah Towne, daughter of Edmund Towne [Amos Towne Anc 6-8, and the sources cited there]; m. (3) soon after 25 December 1706 Sarah (_____) Dennis, widow of Thomas Dennis (on 25 December 1706, 'Capt. John How of Topsfield' and 'Mrs. Sarah Dennis, relict widow of Mr. Thomas Dennis late of Topsfield … deceased' entered into a prenuptial agreement [ELR 20:94-95; Amos Towne Anc 8]."

"3. John² Howe (James¹), was probably born in Roxbury, Mass., about 1637; … He seemed to have been one of the early settlers of Topsfield, Mass., and shared in the first division of land in that town, at a meeting held the 14th of the 10th month 1661. His name appears as one of the Selectmen; he was chosen Constable 1675-8, Town Clerk 1679, Selectman in 1687, and held the title of Captain in 1687. … He died 16 Dec. 1728, aged 91 years; Sarah his widow died 6 May 1730. His will dated 19 May 1725, and proved 23 Dec. 1728, mentions, wife Sarah, sons, John, Benjamin and Joseph, also daughters Lydia, Sarah and Ann, and his daughter Lydia's child Isaac (under age). He names sons, Benjamin and Joseph as executors."

"How, John, Capt, a. 91 y., [died] Dec. 16, 1728. (church record.)"