Peace of their conformite to Church of England. They have taken the oaths of allegeance and supremacie. James Bate, husbandman, fifty-three; Alice, fiftytwo; Lydia, twenty; Maria, seventeen; Margaret, twelve; James, nine; Hopestill Foster, fourteen. He d. in Biddenden, Kent, England, abt. 1639. 3865. i. 3866. ii. 3867. ii. HOPESTILL, b. Biddenden, England, 1621; m. Mary Bate. MARY, b. Biddenden, England. 3862. SERGT. THOMAS FOSTER (Thomas), b. England, abt. 1600; m. prob. abt. 1638, Elizabeth She d. Jan. 29, 1694 5. Thomas Foster came to America in the ship Hercules, with his brother William in 1634. He was the gunner at the castle. In 1639, at a meeting in Boston, of Mr. Thomas Oliver, Thomas Leaverett, Mr. William Colburn, Mr. Robert Keayne, Capt. Edward Gibon and Jacob Elyott, there was granted to Thomas Foster, the gunner at the castle, a great lot at the Mount (Mt. Wollaston, Braintree) for six heads, upon condition expressed for "Mount Wollystone lands." This property he conveyed in 1647 to Thomas Beamont, of London, mariner. Mt. Wollaston was incorporated as Braintree in 1640. He In 1640 he was residing in Weymouth and there his first child was born. owned land in Weymouth in 1642: Three acres on the east field, first granted to John Allin, bounded on the east with Jeffeny Staples' land, on the west with the land of Edward Bates."' He disposed of his remaining land in Boston limits in 1647 to William Brown, of Salem. While residing in Boston, in 1642, he was admitted a freeman, and on his removal to Billerica, was admitted there in 1647. The following year he moved to Braintree, and before 1659 was residing in Billerica. He went from Braintree to Billerica. In June, 1659, he received a grant of an eight-acre lot. His home lot was fifty acres, his house lut being part of it, lying on the east end of Bare Hill, bounded by Shawshine road, on the west ninety and four pole, by William Hamlet on the north one hundred and two poles; by ye common, east, ninety poles; by a highway on the southwest eighty-six poles. Farmer Savage and Paige are our authorities for considering Thomas Foster, of Weymouth, Braintree and Billerica, one and the same person. From Pattee's History of Braintree, p. 470, part of the testimony of Henry Leonard, concerning some coal at the forge, reads: "Sworn Oct. 27, 1655. Mr. Gifford gave me orders that if Goodman Foster, or some others of Braintree, could make any use of them (the coals) I should dispose of them. Whereupon Goodman Foster had about two half loads, and some of the rest of the neighbors thereabout fetched some of them. but they were so bad they would fetch no more, and Goodman Foster took as much paynes about them as they were worth, and although they would serve his turn, they would not se. ve us at the Forge.' 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 selectmen. He held the same office for 1660-61-63-65-67-69. In 1660 Thomas Foster was chosen 'eldest corporal of the Trayne Band.' "8: 8 mo: 1675. In pursuance of an order from Hon. Concil, sent unto them by warrant from ye worshipful Simeon Willard, Esq., Sergeant Major in reference to the gathering the inhabitants of ye town into several garrisons according to their best policy. "For ye south end of ye town, Sergeant Foster's house is appointed and so to take his son Joseph Foster, James Frost, Joseph French. Joseph Walker, Daniel Rogers, John Kitteridge, Thomas Richardson and 2 soldiers in all. 10 soldiers and 6 houses. "11: 9 mo: 1670. Thomas Richardson being convicted of taking two loads of cedar from our swamp and transporting ye same out of town, contrary to our towne orders, is fined 30s, which Thomas Foster paid for him, he agreeing to build 22 poles of four raile fence for Foster." The tax list for 1679 shows that Sergeant Foster was rated for 5s, one poll. The highest rating on the list is for 135. We now quote from Dr. Paige: (Gen. Reg. xxvi, 394.) "Thomas Foster was a blacksmith, and the progenitor of a long line of blacksmiths. According to the fashion which then prevailed, the scrivener was careful to describe him as sergeant in a deed dated November, 1679, wherein Thomas and wife Elizabeth convey land to Moses Haggett for £8." In his old age he was repeatedly called before the Middlesex County Court and punished for worshiping the God of his fathers after the way his judges called heresy. To the first accusation he offered satisfactory defense, but afterward he was condemned. Thus it is recorded: "Oct. 4, 1671: Thomas Foster appearing before the Court, to answer the presentment of the grand jury for absenting himself from the public ordinances of Christ on the Lord's day, pleaded that the reason of his absence was the providence of God necessitating him thereto was discharged, paying costs June 18, 1672; George Farley, Thomas Foster and William Hamlet being presented for breach of the Ecclesiastical laws, they all confessed the presentment, were admonished and ordered to pay costs, 4s, 6d, a piece." "June 15, 1675. Thomas Foster, appearing before the court to answer the presentment of the grand jury for not attending the public worship of God on Sabbath days and days of humiliation and thanksgiving, and by his own confession, in open court, being convicted of constant and ordinary frequenting the meeting of the Anabaptists on Lord's day, is sentenced to pay a fine of £5 and costs, amounting to 8s, 6d." "If Mr. Foster was heretic," says Dr. Paige, "his posterity made ample amends by service to the Orthodox church in the office of deacon." No record is found of his marriage, but in March, 1648, and in November, 1679, he had a wife Elizabeth; probably the same who is provided for by his will. She was no doubt the mother of his children. Mrs. Elizabeth Foster died Jan. 29, 1694-5. She had namesakes in her daughter, Mrs. Frost, and four of grandchildren. Thomas Foster died in Billerica, April 20, 1682. The following is his will, recorded in the Middlesex Probate Records: I Thomas Foster being very weak in body, yet of perfect memory, and of a disposing mind do make my last will and testament as followeth. And in the first place I Committ my soule to God that gave it, and my body to the earth to a decent buriall and as for that small portion of ye good things of this life which God hath graciously continued to mee, I do thus dispose of them and first I do will that all my just debts be discharged, with ye charge of my funerall, nextly I do will that my dear wife may have a comfortable and honorable maintenance out of ye remainder during ye time of her natural life. Also I do give to my son-in-law James Frost a good Cow, or four pound in case it be to be had out of my estate after ye decease of my wife; lastly I do nominate and impower my son Joseph Foster to be my sole executor, and I do put my wholl estate both personal and real in his hands, after my decease, for ye accomplishment of the premises, as witness my hand and seal this eighteen day of April in ye year of our Lord, God, one thousand six hundred eighty Thomas Foster. and two. Signed and sealed in presence of us. Jonathan Danforth sen] June 20 82 Jonathan Danforth sen & jun appearing under oath in court as witnesses to ye above will Jonathan R. Cdmingbon?] The inventory of the estate was taken June 17, 1682, by Jonathan Danforth, senior and Joseph Thompson; it amounted to £98, 17, 0. Thus, in a few pages, is set down all that is known of Sergeant Thomas Foster, whose numerous descendants are now scattered throughout our country. Though but a humble citizen, content in times of peace to labor at his anvil, yet the alarming cry of war found him ready to buckle on the sword; and conscience, too, in the wordy conflicts of his day, proved him the bold defender of his convictions. His bones are dust His soul is with the saints we trust. "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."-Miss Abbott. Rev. B. Beadham, of Newton, North Wales, England, writes: "Thomas Foster, Boston, 1641, who came in the Hercules, 1634, and was a gunner at the Castle, is also mentioned in that valuable, but ludicrously mis (or rather non-) edited book, 'Thomas Lechford's Note-Book,' p. 135, and also p. 377, of the printed edition. We learn from Lechford that the son in New England was Thomas." He d. April 20, 1682. Res., Boston, Weymouth, Woburn, Braintree and Billerica, Mass. 3868. i. -3869. ii. 3870. iii. 3871. iv. 3872. V. 3873. vi. THOMAS, b. Aug. 18, 1640; m., Oct. 15, 1662, Sarah Parker, of JOHN, b. Oct. 7, 1642; m. Mary Chillingsworth. INCREASE, b. abt. 1644; mentioned by Savage, but nothing further. ELIZABETH, b. abt. 1646; m. Deacon James Frost, of Billerica, Jan. 22, 1666. He was son of Deacon Edmund Frost. Res., Billerica, where he d. 1711. She d. 1726. Ch.: 1. Thomas, b. 1667. 2. John, b. 1668. 3. Samuel, b 1670. 4. Elizabeth, b. 1672; m. Peter Cornell. 5. Edmund, b. 1675. 6. Mary, b. 1676; m. John Walker. 7. Sarah, b. 1678; m. Howard; he d. bef. 1711. 8 Hannah, b. 1680. 9. Joseph, b. 1682. 10. Abigail, b. 1685; m. Ephraim Kidder. 11. Benjamin, b. 1687. 12. James, b. HOPESTILL, b. March 26, 1648; m., Oct. 15, 1670, Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Whittemore. JOSEPH, b. March 28, 1650; m. Dec. 11, 1672, Alice Gordon, of Roxbury; m., 2d, Margaret Brown; m., 3d, Mrs. Rebecca Danforth. 3863. CAPT. WILLIAM FOSTER (Thomas). b. in England abt. 1618; m. Susanna. She d. and he m., 2d, Anne Brackenbury, b. 1628; d. Sept. 22, 1714. William was admitted to the church of Charlestown 15(6) 1652. Savage says he was of Boston, 1644, with wife Susanna. He was evidently the passenger of his name in the Hercules from Southampton, in 1634. William Foster, of Charlestown was aged about eighty at his death, while this identification would make him eighty-three, which is hardly inconsistent, and it may be noticed that his grandson, Richard, is called eighty-two on his tombstone, when he was really but little over eighty. This, however, is mere conjecture. We know that William Foster had for his wife Anne, daughter of William Brackenbury, of Charlestown and Malden, and that she was admitted to the church, 23(7), 1652. He was a sea captain, and in 1669 master of the Dolphin. Mather, in his Magnalia, iii, 183, has this mention of him. It is found in the "Life of the Rev. John Eliot." "There was a Godly Gentleman of Charlestown, one Mr. Foster, who, with his son, was taken captive by Turkish Enemies. Much Prayer was employed, both privately and publicly by the good people here, for the Redemption of that Gentleman; but we were at last informed that the Bloody Prince, in whose dominions he was now a Slave, was resolved that in his Life time no Prisoner should be released; and so the Distressed Friends of this prisoner now concluded our Hope is lost! Will upon this Mr. Eliot in some of his next Prayers before a verry solemn Congregation verry broadly beg'd Heavenly Father, work for the Redemption of thy poor Servant Foster; and if the Prince detains him will not, as they say, dismiss him long himself lives Lord, we pray thee to kill that Prince; kill him, and glorify thyself upon him. And now behold the answer. The poor Captiv'd Gentleman quickly returns to us that had been mourning for him as lost Man, and brings us News that the Prince which hitherto held him, was come to an Untimely Death, by which means he was now set at Liberty.” The date of this captivity is fixed by John Hull, who wrote in his diary, 1671, "'8 ber, 21. We received intelligence that William Foster, master of a small ship, was taken by the Turks as he was going to Bilboa with fish." (He was redeemed and came home 9 ber, 1673.) His good social position is shown by the fact that his son Isaac stood first in rank in a class of eleven at Harvard College. He died at Charlestown, May 8, 1698, and his widow Sept. 22, 1714, in her eighty-sixth year. In his will he mentions his kinswoman, Elenor Davis, in England, and her daughter, Mary Davis. The town records thus mention his death: "William Foster, Navegator, aged about 80 years, dyed May 8, 1698.' Will-In the name of God Amen I William Foster of Charlestown in ye County of Middlesex in New England being weak and ill in body but of good and perfect memory blessed be God for it. And knowing the uncertainty of this life, and desirous to settle things in order do make constitute and appoint this to be my last will and Testament. Implims?] I committ my Soul to Almighty God my Creator assuredly believing I shall receive pardon of my sinns in and through Jesus Christ my Dear Redeemer and my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried at ye discreshion of my Executors hereafter named. And as touching such worldly Estate as ye Lord hath graciously Lent me, my will is it be disposed and Imployed as hereafter mentioned. First hereby revoking and making void all and every other will or wills by me heretofore made by word or writing. Do constitute and appoint this to be my last will and testament and no other. Item I will that all my just debts or duties I ow in right or Conscience to any person whatsoever, my funerall Charges as also all those legacies hereafter named shall be well and truly paid in convenient time after my Decease by my Executors. Item I do give ye improvement of my Dwelling house, Orchard and ground thereto belonging and adjoining as also my two pieces of wharfe and Creek and my wood Lott in ye first Division of Lotts, and movables to my beloved wife Ann Foster for her comfortable Subsistence, till and so long as she continueth my widow Fully impowering her with my other executors hereafter named to sell either or both the said pieces of Wharfe and wood Lott in ye First Division or movables for ye better inabling of them to pay my Said Debts and Legacies. Item I do give and bequeath as follows viz.: To my daughter Mary Phillips I do give ye fifteen pounds to me due from her husband in part of payment for ye mill, it proving a hard bargaine to him, as also my Second Division of my wood Lott lying next or near Redding the same to be her and her heires forever. Item I do give to my Grand Daughter Ann Foster five pounds to be paid by my Executors when she marrieth provided she marrieth with ye consent of her Father and Mother and her Unckle and Aunt Stanley, otherwise she shall have no more than any other of my Grandchildren, and ye remainder of ye Five pounds to be equally divided amongst my Grandchildren then Surviving. Item I give to all ye rest of my grandchildren five shillings apiece to be paid by my Executors, to say, those ye are ten years of age within a twelve month after my Decease, and to ye rest as they shall arrive at Ten years of age. Item I do give to my Kinswoman Elenor Davis in England and her Daughter Mary Davis Twenty Shillings apiece to be within a twelvemonth after my Decease. And as my Dwelling house Orchard and Lane adjoining as aforesaid at my wife's Decease I do give ye same to my two Sonnes Richard Foster and John Foster to be equally divided betwixt them by two indifferent men; and my son Richard after such division shall have his first choice And ye same to be to them and to their heirs forever. Further my will is that if my said wife shall see cause to marry againe she shall then have but her third as ye law provides and that what remains at her decease to be divided amongst my Children (to say) the thirds of ye housing and lands to my said Sonns Richard and John and the movable to my other children then surviving: Further my will is that if any of my Children shall murmer and be dissatisfied with my disposall of my Estate by this my last Will and Testament, that he or they so doing shall lose the benefit of their legacie or legacies and ye same shall be equally divided to and amongst those other of my children that shall rest satisfied herewith this my will. Item I constitute and appoint my bloved wife Ann Foster and my sonnes Richard Foster and John Foster joint Executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal May the 7th 1696. Annog R R is Gulielmi zty Anglice &c octavo his William X Foster mark. Signed published and declared by s'd Wm Foster to be his last will and Testament in presence of us Sam❜l Phipps Thomas Walker Michael Brigden Prob. July 7 1698. He d. May 8, 1698. Res., Charlestown, Mass. 3874. i. 3875. ii. ISAAC, b. about 1652; m. Mrs. Mehitable Wyllis Russell. 3876. iii. ANNE, bapt. Sept. 5, 1658; m. Capt. Eleazer Phillips, of Charles- She Ch.: 3877. iv. 3878. V. 3879. vi. Eleazer, b. April 3. 1. Henry, b. Dec. 28, 1680; d. Jan. 11, 1680. 2. MARY, bapt. May 6, 1660; m., Aug. 8, 1676, James Smith; he d. ae. 73. Mother Goose, or Grandmother Goose, as she is sometimes called, was not a fictitious, but a real individual. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Foster, and she was born in 1665. She married Isaac Goose in 1693, and a few years after became a member of the Old South Church, in Boston, and died in 1758. The first edition of her songs, which were originally sung to her grandchildren, was published in Boston in 1716 by her son-in-law, Thomas Fleet. It is said that Fleet, out of respect for her, collected the little songs that she sang to her grandchildren into book form and published them for the use of mothers in America. The original editions of Mother Goose's Melodies are now very rare and valuable, but so many subsequent issues have been made that the book is one of the best known in the English language. The song of the little girl and her little curl does not appear in some of the early editions, and was probably added to the collection by some editor subsequent to Fleet.-Globe Dem ocrat. 3880. vii. JOHN, b. Aug. 10, 1666; m. Sarah Richardson and Esther Lathrop. 3881. viii. DEBORAH, b. Feb. 28, 1668; d. April 22, 1668. 3865. CAPT. HOPESTILL FOSTER (Richard_Thomas), b. England in 1621; m., in Dorchester, Mary Bate, dau. of James, b. England 1618; d. Jan. 4, 1702. His father was James Bates or Bate, and with his children came over from England in 1635 in the same ship with Widow Foster and her son. He had the title of Mr. prefixed to his name. His wife was Alice and in the list of passengers he was styled husbandman. He was born in 1582, joined the church in 1636, was selectman in 1637, 1638 and 1651 and represented Hingham in 1641. He may have come from Sid Town, Kent, England, for his son Richard resided there. James was probably brother of Edward, of Weymouth, and of Clement, of Hingham. Foster came from London in the ship Elizabeth, Captain Stagg, in 1635, with his mother, he then being fourteen years of age and she was forty. The son's name appears in the town records of Dorchester in 1636. The mother had a share in the Neck lands in 1637. Hopestill signed the covenant in 1638, joined the artillery company in 1642, and was ensign in the Dorchester train band under Capt. Humphrey Atherton in 1644; was selectman in 1646 and for thirty years after with occasional intervals; was a deputy to the court in 1652 and afterward a justice or commissioner of trials. He resided near the present southwest corner of Adams and Centre streets. His will is dated July 19, 1676. He gave £5 toward the Free Schools to be added to "Brother Gibson's legacy." He was a brewer, and very active in town affairs. These parties, April 17, 1635, hereunto expressed, are to be transported to New England imbarqued in Elizabeth. Certified from ministers and justices of the peace |