Thomas Kimball(2) (Richard(1)), was born in Rattlesden, Suffolk county, in 1633, and was one year old when he came to New England with his parents. He later went to Ipswich, and was living in Hampton, New Hampshire, 20 October 1653, and was the owner of mill property there on Oyster river. He made his home at that place as late as 1660. He afterwards removed to that portion of Rowley which is included in the present town of Bradford, Massachusetts. Previous to 1675 the section where Thomas and his brother Benjamin lived was within the limits of Rowley, but the locality was called Merrimac when Thomas was elected constable on 20 February 1668-9. … His house was situated on the Boxford road, and its situation can still (1897) be located. At that place he lived and prospered for about ten years. He was a mechanic and a thrifty farmer, owning over four hundred acres of land and a large amount of personal property, as is shown by his inventory. … On the night of 2 May 1676, three well known "converted" (half civilized) Indians, Peter, Andrew and Symon, were intending to kill some parties in Rowley, but the night being far advanced, the wreaked their vengeance on the Kimballs. Thomas Kimball was killed by Symon, and his wife and five children, namely, Joanna, Thomas, Joseph, Priscilla and John were taken captive and carried forty miles into the wilderness, where they remained forty-one days, and were freed without ransom by the friendly offices of Wanalancet, of the Penacook Indians.
