behalf of the minor brother and sisters-John, Jemima, Mary, Elizabeth, James and Hopestill. Anna, wife of James, died Sept. 29, 1732, in the sixty-eighth year, and he died Oct. 4, 1732, in his eighty-second year. His children's marriages are shown by the following deed: Suffolk Deeds (Vol. 48, fol. 76), John Foster and wife Mary, of Boston; blacksmith James Foster, Jr., and wife Priscilla, of Dorchester, yeoman; Hopestill Foster, Jr., and wife Sarah, of Boston, housewright; Silence, wife of John Clap, of Sudbury; Anna, wife of Robert Field, of Dorchester; Patience, wife of Samuel Saville, of Braintree; Jemima, wife of Robert Spur, of Dorchester; FOSTER COAT OF ARMS AND GRAVE STONE OF CAPT. JAMES FOSTER. Elizabeth, wife of Ebenezer Bernard, of Woodstock; Thankful Foster, Spinster. All children of James Foster. James Foster's tombstone is in the old Dorchester yard, and bears the coat-of-arms. It records the death of James and his wife, both in 1732, and under the rules of the Heraldic Journal this coat must be considered as strong presumptive evidence of the right of the family to use arms. James was the son of an immigrant, and the inscription is earlier than the period of the assumption of arms here. Will.-James Foster, of Dorchester, yeoman, considering my advanced age, Anna, wife, son James, son Hopestill, eldest son John, daughters Silence, Anna, Patience, Jemima, Elizabeth and Thankful-daughters, grandfather Lane, father Hopestill, James exec. Dated June 25, 1728. Lib. 31, Fol. 137. Prob. Oct. 16, 1732. He d. Oct. 4, 1732. Res., Dorchester, Mass. 3942. vii. 3943. viii. 3944. ix. 3945. X. 3946. xi. 3947. xii. THANKFUL, b. March 30, 1683; d. March 1, 1700. SILENCE, b. April 4, 1677; m., May 26, 1698, John Clap, of ANNA, b. Jan. 27, 1684; m., June 1, 1710, Robert Field, of Dor- PATIENCE, b. Feb. 12, 1686; m., Feb. 7, 1716, Samuel Savel, of JOHN, b. Feb. 9, 1688; m. Mary——. JEMIMA, b. Dec. 9, 1690, m., Dec. 22, 1720, Robert Spur, of MARY, b. Oct. 13, 1692; d. unm. ELIZABETH, b. Feb. 6, 1694; m., Sept. 29, 1715, Ebenezer JAMES, b. Dec. 8, 1698; m. Priscilla REBECCA, b. Sept. 14, 1700; d. Sept. 28, 1700. HOPESTILL, bapt. Feb. 15, 1701; m. Sarah Allen. THANKFUL, b. July 15, 1704; m., May 29, 1728, John Shaw, of 3948. xiii. MARY, b. June 17, 1675; d. Oct 29, 1675. 3885. ELISHA FOSTER (Hopestili, Richard, Thomas), b. Dorchester, Mass., Aug. 23, 1653: m. April 10, 1678, there, Sarah Payson, of Roxbury. She m. 2d, March 26, 1685. Ebenezer Wiswall. She d. June 21, 1714. Wiswall was b. Dorchester, 1646; d., Newton. June 21, 1691, son of Elder Thomas.. He d. s. p. Oct. 16 1682. Res., Dorchester, Mass. In 1775 there were nine dwelling houses on the neck, now South Boston, the location of each of which may be seen by consulting a map now in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society, drawn by order of the British general then in Boston; also the road and principal trees. Mrs. Foster's house was one of the best in the neighborhood and it was difficult to convince the continentalers that it did not belong to a tory, as some of the rooms were even papered, which was considered very luxurious in those days. This house was the most westerly on the neck and was burned by the British, who then had possession of Boston. In 1747 the preaching of Rev. Mr. Whitfield caused considerable trouble among the churches in Massachusetts, on account of the members leaving and refusing to return in their former parishes. There was trouble in the Dorchester church and among those who separated from the old society was Edward Foster. A council was held, the evidence heard, and the members requested to return, which they did, since which time the church has been quiet. In 1743 James Foster was chairman of the committee to build the new meeting house. It cost £3567 sro dr. This meeting house was enlarged in 1795. Adm. of estate of Elisha Foster, late of Dorchester, dec'd, intes., granted to Sarah, relict widow. Elisha died Oct. 16, 1682. Adm. granted at county court held Nov. 30, 1682. In agreement for distribution, widow to have use of whole estate, while remaining widow. If she change her condition, to have all household stuff and half of estate at her disposal, other half to go to relatives of deceased Elisha. Signed by Sarah, James, Comfort, Standfast Foster. Lib. 9, Fol. 107-8. 3888. CAPT. STANDFAST FOSTER (Hopestill, Richard, Thomas), b. Dorchester, Mass, Sept. 3, 1660; m. Abigail Holman. She d. June 22, 1713; m., 2d, (pub. at Boston, May 27, 1714) Sarah - b. 1668; d. Aug. 1, 1727. He was a freeman in 1690, was captain, selectman. In 1712, Standfast Foster and eleven other citizens of Dorchester agreed to build the Wharf at Wales' creek, and thus their heirs should enjoy it forever. Adm. of estate of Standfast Foster, late of Dorchester, malster, dec'd, granted to his son Comfort Foster, of Dorchester, glazier, Dec. 4, 1727. Lib. 26, Fol. 24-5. He d. Nov. 11, 1727. Res., Dorchester, Mass. 3949. i. 3950. ii. 3951. iii. 3952. iv. COMFORT, bapt. June 29, 1689; m. Eleanor Woods and Abiel ABIGAIL, b. March 18, 1692; d. Sept. 27, 1695. 3893. THOMAS FOSTER(Thomas, Thomas, Thomas), b., Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 1, 1663; in. there, Nov. 30, 1686, Experience Parker. She m. 2d, before 1719, Benjamin Geare, and in that year resided Voluntown, Conn. In regard to Thomas and Experience: he seems to disappear as Paige says in "Cambridge Hist." in 1715. In 1719 young Thomas is at Voluntown, Conn., with his mother. Experience who is married to a Gear or a Geary, is selling off rights in Stow that are not recorded till 1740. He d. before 1709. Res., Cambridge and Stow, Mass. 3953. i. THOMAS, b. Sept. 18, 1687; m. Mercy Gates. 3896. JONATHAN FOSTER (Thomas, Thomas, Thomas), b. Cambridge, Mass., Sept. 21, 1671; m. Abigail. She d. in Chelmsford, Mass., Jan. 8, 1759. In 1700 he was one of a committee for calling the minister. Stow was settled in 1650, but on account of the Indian depredations the settlers were obliged to retire in 1675. The place was then a wilderness. The town was incorporated in 1683, but the early town records were quite loosely kept and are very incomplete. Middlesex Deeds, vol. 31, p. 284.-Margaret Stratton, of Chelmsford (a widow), Jacob Warren, of Littleton, and wife, Ruth; Joseph Adams, of Chelmsford, and wife, Mary; Jonas Whitney*, of Stow, and wife Margaret, for £350. sell to Jonathan Foster, of Stow, weaver, parcels of land and meadow in Chelmsford on the south side of Robins' Hill; first piece on road to Adams' mill; road from Stratton's house to highway, all buildings, orchard, etc. Second piece on south side of Adams' mill, near lands of John Burgess, Benjamin Parker, Deacon Joseph Warren, orchard, fences, buildings, etc. This was the old homestead probably and the heirs all sell Dec. 26, 1727. Middlesex Deeds, vol. 102 p. 345-Jonathan of Chelmsford (called husbandman this time), for £170 from Joseph Foster, of Chelmsford (relation not stated), deeds one-third the homestead bought of Stratton heirs and Robins' Hill etc., April 10, 1738. His son, Joseph, b. 1714, was then twenty-four years old. Edward Foster, William Foster, Ephraim Warren. Joseph Spalding, witnesses. He d. Jan. 5, 1755. Res., Stow and Chelmsford, Mass. 3954. i. 3955. ii. 3956. iii. 3957. iv. 3958. v. JONATHAN, b. abt. 1698; m. Mary JOHN, b. abt. 1708; m. Eunice JOSEPH, b. Aug. 24, 1714; m.—— Middlesex Deeds, vol. 58, p. 537.-Robert Fletcher, of Chlemsford, was appointed administrator of Joseph, Chelmsford, housewright, 1751-only 11 years after the deed to Elizabeth alludes to his appointment the year before (1750) and Joseph Mooars, who has been buying land on instalments or mortgaged land to Joseph, pays £40 and gets the land (a discharge) 13a, Feb. 14, 1752. Oliver and Ben Fletcher were witnesses. ABIGAIL, b. abt. 1701; m. in Stow, Nov. 4, 1722, Jacob Osbon, of Winsor. ELIZABETH. b. Was deeded half of her parents' homestead in 1740. She was not married then. Middlesex Deeds, vol. 51, p. 310. Jonathan Foster, of *Jonas Whitney was born in Stow in 1699; m., 1723, Dorcas Wood. She d. 1725 and he m. 2d 1726, Margaret Stratton. He res. Stow and Harvard.-[Whitney Genealogy, by Fred C. Pierce.] Chelmsford, husbandman, gives to Elizabeth Foster for £170 the other half of the homestead he deeded before to Josephevidently a daughter perhaps about to be married. This was Jan. 27, 1740. The deed was witnessed by John Foster and William Foster. 3899. HON. JOHN FOSTER (John, Thomas, Thomas), b. Marshfield, Mass., Oct. 12, 1666; m., 1692, Hannah Stetson, of Situate. John Foster, of Plymouth, owned all the land on the northerly side of Sandwich street, near the Arch bridge. It was granted to him in 1711 by the town. On this land he built a distillery on that part of it now occupied by Gales' block. He was a prominent citizen, deacon of the church, owned a distill house and represented Plymouth in the general court. He was very independent in his political conduct and would never accept an executive favor. Will.—I John Foster of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth in New England being in the Seventy-fourth year of my age and at this time in usual health and of a Disposing mind and memory (Blessed be God for it) Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following-That is to Say I give and bequeath my Soul to God who gave it & redeemed it with the most precious blood of his Son Jesus C, I Give my body to the Earth to be buried in hope of a Glorious Resurrection, & Eternal Life through my Dear Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ-As for my Outward Estate Which God in his good providence has given me my mind & will is that it be disposed of as followeth-Imprimis 1 give and Bequeath to my beloved wife Hannah Foster she Resigning her Right of Dower the Sole use and improvement of my Home State during her natural life or widdow Hood (and no longer) Excepting the Blacksmith shop & warehouse & warfe which is to be set off beginning at the Path Ten feet westward from the Shop-I allso give unto my sd wife my best bed & furniture, my negro woman and one quarter part of my Household Goods with Liberty & and choosing her share. Item. I Give and bequeath to my youngest son Seth Foster and to my Three Daughters viz Hannah Sarah & Mercy the three Remaining parts of my household goods & all my moveable and Personall Estate (Excepting what I Shall hereafter dispose off) To be divided equally among them. Item. I Give and bequeath To my Eldest son Samuel Foster his Heirs and assigns forever One half of the Home Stall Houses & land (Excepting the Shop, warf and Warehouse & ye land below the Way ten feet Westward of the Shop as above) which he shall have after my wifes death or second marriage. Item. I give and bequeath to my second son Thomas Foster his Heirs and Assign forever the One half of my meadow land at ye High pines within the bounds of Duxborough, and allso all my wearing apparell-and allso my Pine Lott of land at Billington Sea on ye Westerly side. Item. I Give and bequeath to my Third son Nath'el Foster his Heirs and assigns forever my Blacksmith Shop with the Utensils thereunto belonging and the Warehouse & wharf & ye land to be Sett off ten feet Westward of the Shop as above. Allso ye other Half of the Home stall Houses & Land which he shall have after my wifes death or second marriage. Also my field & pasture Lying in Plymo. above Littletown with the Wood Lott at the head of it: Allso my Sixty acres of Land at Gunners Exchange pond 40 acres on ye South & 20 acres on ye north side of sd. Pond allso my lott of land on ye beach with ye Blacksmith shop that stands on it with ye utensils. Allso one half of my meadow land at High Pines within the bounds of Duxborough. I allso give my sd. son Nathaniel my Negro Girl Nanne and whatsoever is due to me by Book. and I order him to pay all my debts and funeral Charges and to provide for & and support his mother Comfortably & Honourably as long as she Continues my widdow, or to give her yearly a certain sum of money for her support as my son Samuel and he Shall Agree. I allso order him to pay to my Grandson Eliphalett Bradford Ten pounds or let him have a good Cow and allso take care that sd. Eliphalet be learned the Smiths Trade or some other and when his time is up Give him two Suits of apparill one proper for the Lord, and the other for working days. Furthermore my Cedar Swamp at South meadows my sons Thomas & Nath'el shall have, one half to Thomas, his Heirs & Assigns and the Other half To Nath'el his Heirs and assigns. Finally I nominate and appoint my two sons Samuel & Nathaniel to be Joynt Executors of this my last will & Testament. In Witness hereof I have Hereunto Set my hand & Seal this ninth day of January Anno Dom. 1739-40 Signed Sealed & Declared Memorandm. Thy words (my negro Girl Nane e) were Enterlined before Signing, &c John Foster. [Seal] Plymo. ss. Janr. 7 the 26, 1741 This will being Presented for probt. by the Execrs.. The above named Isaac Lothrop Junr.. Thomas Wetherell & Rebecca Wetherell made oath that they saw the above named John Foster sing & Seal & heard him declare this Instrument, to be his Last Will & Testamt. and that they at ye same time in ye Testators presence subscribed as witnesses & yt. he was then of sound mind. Before me Jno. Cushing Judge of probt. Recorded in Plymouth County Probate Records, Vol. 8, p. 466. 3959. i. HANNAH, b. July 25, 1694; m. William Bradford. She m., 2d, William Partridge. She d. Dec. 17, 1778. Bradford was son of John. Res., Plymouth, Mass. Ch: 1. James, b. 1717; m. Zerviah Thomas. 2. Zadock, b. 1719; m. Lucy Gray. Res., Duxbury. 3. Samuel, b. 1721. 4. Eliphalet, b. 1723; m. Hannah Prince. 5. Hannah, b. 1724; m. Spalding. 6. William, b. 1728. She d. Feb. 7, 1788. SARAH, b. April 16, 1696; m. William Bartlett; m., 2d, Nathan 21, 1854. SAMUEL, b. --; m. Margaret Tilden and Margaret Wadsworth. THOMAS, b. Nov. 19, 1705; m. Lois Fuller and Mary Morton. NATHANIEL, b. June 6, 1711; m. Mercy Thatcher and Mrs. SETH, b. Sept. 16, 1713. Was living in 1739, mentioned in his 3900. JOSIAH FOSTER (John, Thomas, Thomas), b. Marshfield, Mass., June 7, 1669; m. Sarah Sherman. She d. July 30, 1713; m., 2d, May 2, 1717, Ursula Rand. She d. Dec. 20, 1717. He settled in Pembroke, and appears to have been a farmer. He lived to be ninety years of age, as administration of his estate was |