John Tower, Sr., of Hingham

Biography

2. John Tower - was born in Hingham, England and died on 13 Feb 1701/1702 . He was the son of Robert Tower and Dorothy Damon.

John married Margaret Ibrook on 16 Feb 1639 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., Mass.. Margaret was born on 3 Sep 1620 in Southwold, Suffolk Co, England. She was the daughter of Richard Ibrook and Margaret Clark. She died on 15 May 1700 in Hingham, Mass. .

Margaret - moved to Hingham, Mass with her family about 1635.

John - was a planter in Hingham in 1637. Was before the general court in 1640. Moved to Lancaster in 1654. Served in the garrison house in King Phillip's War. Upon his arrival in Hingham he had a grant of three acres of land for a house on Bachelor Street (now Main Street) nearly opposite what is now Water St. His home place is called "The Old TOWER Estate", near Tower's Bridge in Hingham.

In 1645 he was one of seven men "chosen out of the body of the town, as well non-freeman, as freeman," to order the prudential affairs of the town. He was a Farmer, Planter as well as a "Fence Viewer" in 1669.

Much of the TOWER Family information is from "The TOWER Genealogy" by Charlemagne Tower - 1891.

from Massachusetts Pioneers - TOWER, TOWERS

John, planter, Hingham, propr. 1637; frm. 13 March, 1638-9. Before Gen. Court 1640 and 1645. He deposed 9 Jan. 1676, ae. about 69 years.

He m. Feb. 13, 1638, Margaret, dau. of Richard Ibrook; she d. 15 May, 1700. Ch. John b. Dec. 13, 1639, Jonathan b. Aug. 1, 1641, Ibrook b. Feb. 1643, Jeremiah b. March 9, 1645-6, Elizabeth b. June 4, 1648, (m. Wm. Roberts,) Sarah b. July 16, 1650, Hannah b. July 17, 1652, (m. David Whipple,) Benjamin b. Nov. 5, 1654, Jemina b. April 25, 1659, Samuel b. Jan. 26, 1661. He d. 13 Feb. 1701-2.

(Sources: - 2 (record 12119) ) Children: (Quick Family Chart)

• i. John Tower Jr was born in Hingham, Mass. and died on 30 Aug 1693 in Braintree, Mass. . John - married Sarah Hardin in 1669 - 6 children. They lived in Hingham until about 1683, then moved to Braintree.
• ii. Jonathan Tower was born in Hingham, Mass.. Jonathan - probably died young.
• iii. Ibrook Tower was born in Hingham, Mass. and died on 22 Nov 1731 in Cohassset, Mass. . Ibrook married Margaret Hardin on 24 Apr 1668. Margaret was born in 1647. She died on 19 Nov 1705 in Hingham, MA . (Sources: - 1) Then Ibrook married Patience Evarts on 6 Aug 1712. Patience was born on 2 May 1695 in Guilford, New Haven, CT. She was the daughter of John Evarts and Sarah Crampton. She died on 24 Apr 1770 in Coventry, Conn. . Patience - - after Benjamin Jones, Patience also married Daniel Hobart and then in 1712, she married Ibrook Tower. Ibrook - Margaret and Ibrook had 12 children In addition to agricultural pursuits, he was also a cooper.
• iv. Jeremiah Tower was born in Hingham, Mass.. Jeremiah - married Elizabeth Goodale in 1670. Was a "weaver" who lived on Main St. in South Hingham.
• v. Elizabeth Tower was born on 4 Jun 1648 in Hingham, Mass.. Elizabeth - married William Roberts in 1667.
• vi. Sarah Tower was born in Hingham, Mass..
• vii. Hannah Tower was born in Hingham, Mass. and died Nov 1722 . Hannah - married David Whipple in 1677 and went to reside in Cumberland, R.I. They had 7 children.
• viii. Benjamin Tower was born on 3 Nov 1654 in Hingham, Mass. and died on 24 Mar 1721/1722 in Hingham, Mass. . See #3. below.
• ix. Jemina Tower was born on 25 Apr 1660 in Hingham, Mass.. Jemina - married Thomas Garnet of Hingham in 1705.
• x. Samuel Tower was born on 26 Jan 1661/1662 in Hingham, Mass. and died on 21 Mar 1723/1724 in Hingham, Mass. .Samuel - married Silence Damon in 1683, then Deborah Howard in 1703/4. Had 4 sons and 6 daughters. He was a "cooper".

On 13 Feb 1638/9 Margaret married John Tower, son of Robert Tower (-1634) & Dorothy Damon (-Nov 1629), in Charlestown, MA.33 Born ca 1609 in Hingham, Norfolk. John was baptized in Hingham, Norfolk, on 17 May 1609.33 John died on 13 Feb 1701/2 in Hingham, MA.33

From Lincoln’s History of the Town of Hingham:33

“John, son of Robert and Dorothy (Damon) Tower, and baptized in Hingham, England, May 17, 1609, became a resident of our Hingham, 1637. He was made freeman 13 March, 1738-9. In his deposition concerning the highway near the residences of John foulsham and Matthew hawke, 9 Jan. 1676-7, and recorded in the selectmen’s first book of records, his age is given at ‘about 69 years.’ The year of his birth, therefore, was not far from 1608, which coincides very nearly with the date of his baptism. Upon his arrival in Hingham, he had a grant of three acres of land for a house-lot on Bachelor (Main) St., nearly opposite what is now Water St. He also had other lands granted to him at subsequent dates. In 1654, his name appears among others from Hingham upon the records of Lancaster, Mass. It is doubtful, however, whether he ever resided there. His home place, which has been held in the family name throught successive generations, and is still [in 1893] recognized as ‘the old Tower estate,’ was on Main St., next south of the garrison house, near Tower’s Bridge, South Hingham. Sept. 6, 1657, he purchased of William cockraine, Jr., Att’y, land at Great Lots; also at Cooper’s Island, in the second precinct [now Cohasset]. Apr. 18, 1661, he bought of Edward Wilder, ‘planter,’ dwelling-house, orchard, etc., with five acres of land which was given by the town of Hingham to Martha Wilder, the mother of Edward; also a lot of three acres, and another lot of four acres which the said Edward had previously purchased of Samuel Ward. Also three acres of salt-marsh lying in the Conahasset marshes, next adjoining Henry Chamberlin’s. Deed recorded 13 May, 1673. In 1645 he was one of the seven men ‘chosen out of the body of the town, as well non-freeman as freeman’, to order the prudential affairs of the town. ‘Farmer;’ or, as he is called in conveyances ‘planter.’ Fence-viewer 1669, etc.”

Their children include:

• 5633 i. John Tower (ca 1639-30 Aug 1698)
• 5634 ii. Jonathan Tower (Died young) (ca 1641-)
• 5635 iii. Ibrook Tower (ca 1643-22 Nov 1731)
• 5636 iv. Jeremiah Tower (ca 1645-)
• 5637 v. Elizabeth Tower (ca 1648-)
• 5638 vi. Sarah Tower (ca 1650-)
• 5639 vii. Hannah Tower (ca 1652-)
• 5640 viii. Benjamin Tower (ca 1654-24 Mar 1721/2)
• 5641 ix. Jemima Tower (26 Apr 1660-)
• 5642 x. Samuel Tower (26 Jan 1661/2-21 Mar 1723/4)

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He took an active part in current affairs and opposed both civil and religious authorities when occasion required. He was prominent in the Lieut. Eames military difficulties. He fortified and garrisoned his at is own expense, but gained and kept the confidence of the Indians. He was a man of both courage and diplomacy.

Date of birth has also been (erroneously?) reported to be May 17, 1609.

From : http://www.mindfreedom.net/gen/t-s-p/p356.htm

John - was a planter in Hingham in 1637. Was before the general court in 1 640. Moved to Lancaster in 1654. Served in the garrison house in King Phillip's War. Upon his arrival in Hingham he had a grant of three acres of land for a house on Bachelor Street (now Main Street) nearly opposite what is now Water St. His home place is called 'The Old TOWER Estate', near Tower's Bridge in Hingham.

In 1645 he was one of seven men 'chosen out of the body of the town, as well non-freeman, as freeman,' to order the prudential affairs of the town. He was a Farmer, Planter as well as a 'Fence Viewer' in 1669.

Much of the TOWER Family information is from 'The TOWER Genealogy' by Charlemagne Tower - 1891.

from Massachusetts Pioneers - TOWER, TOWERS.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Tower-13
John Tower (bef. 1609 - 1702)
John Tower
Born before 14 May 1609 in Hingham, Norfolk, Englandmap
ANCESTORS ancestors
Son of Robert Tower and Dorothy (Damon) Tower
[sibling%28s%29 unknown]
Husband of Margaret (Ibrook) Tower — married 13 Feb 1639 in Hingham, Massachusetts Bay Colonymap
DESCENDANTS descendants
Father of John Tower, Jonathan Tower, Ibrook Tower, Jeremiah Tower, Elizabeth (Tower) Roberts, Sarah (Tower) Curtis, Hannah (Tower) Whipple, Benjamin Tower, Jemima (Tower) Garnet and Samuel Tower
Died 13 Feb 1702 after age 92 in Hingham, Suffolk, Massachusetts Baymap
PROBLEMS/QUESTIONSProfile managers: Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree private message [send private message], Ray Jones private message [send private message], Alyson Dossett private message [send private message], and Cathy Carpentier-Alting private message [send private message]
Profile last modified 27 Jun 2023 | Created 30 Dec 2010
This page has been accessed 8,701 times.
The Puritan Great Migration.
John Tower migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 339)
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Biography

Flag of Norfolk (adopted 2014)
John Tower was born in Hingham, Norfolk, England.
John, son of Robert and Dorothy (Damon) Tower, was christened 14 May 1609, Hingham, England.[1]

John Tower originated in Hingham, Norfolk, England, from which he immigrated in 1637 to Hingham, Massachusetts Bay Colony.[2]?

He became a resident of Hingham, Massachusetts Bay about 1637. He was made freeman 13 Mar 1638-39. In his deposition concerning the highway near the residences of John Foulsham and Matthew Hawke, 9 Jan 1676-77, and recorded in the selectmen's first book of record's, his age is given at " about 69 years." The year of his birth, therefore, was not far from 1608, which coincides very nearly with the date of his baptism.

Upon his arrival in Hingham he had a grant of three acres of land for a house-lot on Bachelor (Main) Street, nearly opposite what is now Water Street. He also had other lands granted to him at subsequent dates. In 1654, his name appears among others from Hingham upon the record's of Lancaster, Massachusetts. It is doubtful, however, whether he ever resided there. His home place, which has been held in the family name through successive generations, and is still recognized as "the old Tower estate" was on Main Street, next south of the garrison house, near Tower's Bridge, South Hingham. On Sept. 6, 1657, he purchased of William Cockraine, Jr., Attorney, land at Great Lots; also at Cooper's Island, in the second precinct Apr. 18, 1661, he bought of Edward Wilder, "planter," dwelling-house, orchard, etc., with five acres of land which was given by the town of Hingham to Martha Wilder, the mother of Edward; also a lot of three acres, and another lot of four acres which the said Edward had previously purchased of Samuel Ward. Also three acres of salt-marsh lying in the Conahasset marshes, next adjoining Henry Chamberlin's. Deed recorded 13 May, 1673. In 1645 he was one of the seven men "chosen out of the body of the town, as well non-freeman as freeman," to order the prudential affairs of the town. "Farmer" or, as he is called in conveyances "planter." Fence-viewer 1669, etc.[3]

He married Feb 16 1638-39, Margaret, daughter of Richard Ibrook. She was born 3 Sep 1620 in Southwold, Suffolk, England. She was the daughter Richard Ibrook and Margaret Clark. She died on 15 May 1700.

John Tower was listed as Freeman at Hingham, Massachusetts on 13 Jan 1638/9.[4][5]

He died 13 February 1701/2 in Hingham, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay, aged 93 years.[6] A monument was placed in 1913 to memorialize the family. This stone gives his death as 1701, although the date given in the town records is 13 February 1701/2.[7]

Children:

John b. Dec. 13, 1639
Jonathan b. Aug. 1, 1641
Ibrook b. Feb. 1643
Jeremiah b. March 9, 1645-6
Elizabeth b. June 4, 1648, (m. Wm. Roberts,)
Sarah b. July 16, 1650
Hannah b. July 17, 1652, (m. David Whipple)
Benjamin b. Nov. 5, 1654
Jemina b. April 25, 1659
Samuel b. Jan. 26, 1661

Research Notes

No daughter Mary Attempts have been made to connect Mary (Towers) Whipple (1655-1712) of Rhode Island. There is no evidence of a daughter Mary. It appears that Mary's last name is also unsupported. If reliable evidence is found, of course, the profile can be reconnected.

John Tower
Names & Stories in Newspapers from OldNews.com (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont)
Text: ... Charlmagne Tower is one of those expected to attend the celebration. TO HOLD TERCENTENARY. Descendants of JohnTower, one of the early settlers of Hingham, will gather in Hingham from all parts of the country on May 29, 30 and 31, to celebrate the...
Birth: May 14 1609 - Hingham, Eng.
Death: Circa 1701
Newspaper: The Boston Herald
Publication: Mar 28 1909 - Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States
Article summary: Descendants of John Tower to gather in Hingham for his tercentenary celebration on May 29-31, 1909.

References

• "England, Norfolk, Parish Registers (County Record Office), 1510-1997", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7N4-R23 : 6 November 2020), John Tower, 1609.
• Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Directory, Immigrants to New England 1620-1640: A Concise Compendium, published 2015. Reference page 339, citing NEHGR 15:26, 121:11; HiBOP 68, MBCR 1:297, 375; Hingham Hist 3:251-52; Annis Spear Anc 49-52
• History of the Town of Hingham, Massachusetts (The Town of Hingham, Massachusetts, 1893): Vol III, p.251-252
• Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England (MBCR), Vol. 1 (1853), pp. 374-375 (Internet Archive) https://archive.org/details/recordsofgoverno01mass/page/375/mode/1up image:Tower-13-1.jpg
• Focus on Hingham, Great Migration Newsletter, vol. 7 (1998), p. 29. (AmericanAncestors.org / NEHGS) https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/great-migration-newslet...
• Hingham, MA: Vital Records, 1637-1845. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2016. Vital Records of Hingham, Massachusetts, ca. 1639-1844. Hersey, Reuben. Mss 901. R. Stanton Avery Special Collections Department, New England Historic Genealogical Society.) Hingham, MA: Vital Records, 1637-1845, page 44. (Link via $ubscription.)
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28416967/john-tower: accessed 25 June 2023), memorial page for John Tower (May 1609–13 Feb 1701), Find A Grave: Memorial #28416967, citing High Street Cemetery, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA. (The Tower Memorial was constructed in 1913 and dedicated on July 3, 1914.)
• Tower, Charlemagne, 1809-1889. Tower genealogy: an account of the descendants of John Tower, of Hingham, Mass. / compiled under the direction of Charlemagne Tower. Cambridge [Mass.] : John Wilson and Son, 1891-2003. p.1-46 https://archive.org/details/towergenealogyac00towe
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Tower-13
• U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com, U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc) Ancestry.com, U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s
• GEDCOM Source U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 Ancestry.com. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970, Louisville, Kentucky:
• GEDCOM Source The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011 Ancestry.com, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.) Ancestry.com, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011 Ancestry.com. The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011.
• GEDCOM Source Page Book Title: The Genealogical and Biographical History of the Manning Families of New England and descendants : from the settlement in America to present time : I. The William Manning Family, of Cambridge, Massachusetts : II. The Tichard and Anstice Manning
• GEDCOM Source Place: Hingham, Massachusetts; Year: 1637; Page Number: 294 Page Place: Hingham, Massachusetts; Year: 1637; Page Number: 294
• WikiTree contributors, "Ibrook Tower (1644-1732)," WikiTree: The Free Family Tree, (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Tower-12 : accessed 03 February 2025).
• Tower - History of Hingham v3 (1893) pp251-2 < FamilySearch >
• Comment from https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Tower-14 "I will point out that one website (Geneanet Community Trees Index) thinks his parents are Sir John Northend Tower (1554–1604) and Alice Oldfield (1562–1622). This only means that someone on the web found a person in England with the same last name that was born about a generation before our subject."