Lieutenant Thomas Adams

Thomas and Mary had 11 children, of which only Jonathan, Pelatiah, Timothy, Samuel, and Mary survived childhood.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39387590

Excerpt from: “The Genealogical History of Henry Adams of Braintree, Mass., and his Descendants, also John Adams of Cambridge, Mass, 1632-1897” complied and edited by Andrew N. Adams, published by the author 1898: The Tuttle Company, Printers, Rutland, VT. [This is transcribed exactly as it appears in the book. msac]
-
THE SONS OF HENRY ADAMS. Page 5

II. Lieutenant Thomas', b. in England, 1612 ; m. in Braintree, 1642, Mary [Blackmore?]. According to Shattuck [History of Concord] Thomas removed with his brothers Samuel and John from Braintree to Concord, Mass., in 1646, John going thence to West Cambridge (now Arlington), and Thomas and Samuel settling in the west part of the town of Chelmsford in 1650-4.

He was chosen chief Sergeant of the military company in 1659, but the County Court refused to confirm him on account of his religious views. He was confirmed in April, 1660 upon solemnly agreeing not to disseminate his principles or notions contrary to what the church doth confessedly own and practice. He was chosen Ensign in 1678, and Lieutenant in 1682, in the company of which his brother Samuel was Captain. He was Town Clerk, Selectman, Commissioner or Representative to the General Court. He d. in Chelmsford, 20 July, 1688, age 76. Lieut. Thomas made his will March 28, 1688 : proved Oct. 7, 1690 ; inventory of property Aug. 11, 1688. To his wife Mary he gave the use of his house and orchard; his sons Pelatiah, Timothy and Samuel to provide for her. To Jonathan he gave 10 acres on the east end of his home lot, and other lands, and divided lands among the other sons, Samuel to pay L10 to his dau., Mary Cooper. His widow "Mary," as per Charlestown record, died 23 March 1694-5, age 82.

IIL Captain Samuel', b. in England, 1617; m. (1) Rebecca Graves, dau. of Thomas Graves; d. 8 Oct,,1662-1. m. (2) May 7, 1668, Esther Sparhawk, dau. of Nathaniel Sparhawk of Cambridge, Mass.; d. 4 Nov., 1745. IV. Deacon Jonathan", b. in England, 1619 ; m. (1) Elizabeth Fussell, dau. of John Fussell; m. (2) Mary . V. Peter', b. in England, 1622; m. Rachel . He settled in Medfield 1652—his wife Rachel and son John coming with him from Braintree, Mass. VI. JOHN, b. in England, about 1624. See John of Cambridge VII. Joseph', b. in England, 1620; m. in Braintree, Nov.26, 1650, Abigail Baxter, dau. of Gregory and Margaret (Paddy) Baxter of Boston; d. in Boston, 27 Aug., 1692, age 58. VII. Ensign Edward', b. in England, 1630;m. (1) 1652, Lydia Rockwood, daughter of Richard and Agnes (Bicknell) Rockwood ; d. 3 Mar., 1676; m. (2) 1678, Wid. Abigail (Graft) Ruggles of Roxbury, Mass. ; [Tilden says Abigail Day of Dedham] who died 1707; m. (3) Jan. 6, 1709-10 Sarah Taylor.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Page 87:

Children of Lieut. Thomas' (1612) (Henry') and Mary (- Adams ; res. Chelmsford, Mass. i. Mary-', b. in Braiutree, Mass., July 24, 1643; d. soon, as per Braintree record. 1. ii. Jonathan', b. in Concord, Mass., Jan. 6, 1646; m. Aug. 29, 1681, Leah Gould (Goole ?) twin dau. of Francis and Rose Gould of Chelmsford, Mass. She d. 1718. He -was a farmer in or nigh Littleton, Mass ; d. in Chelmsford, 25 Nov., 1712. 2. iii. Pelatiah', (twin) b. in Concord, Jan. 6, 1640; m. 1670-80, Euth . She d. 18 Sept., 1719. He d. in Chelmsford, 29 April, 1725. 3. iv. Timothy', b. in Concord, (April 2?) Feb. 15, 1648; m. Mary . He d. in Chelmsford, 1 Julj^, 1708. V. George, b. in Concord, March 29, 1650; probably d. j'oung.

4.

vi. Samuel, b. in Chelmsford about 1652-3; m. Mary , who d. 28 March. 1718, in Canterbury, Conn. He was a millwright; removed to Charlestown, Mass., and thence to Canterbury, Conn. , where |^he was a prominent citizen and d. 26 Nov., 1727. He sold his property in Charlestown to Joseph Randall, in 1697, according |to Bond; the deed was acknowledged at Plainfield, Conn., in 1714-5. He was one of the first board of selectmen in Canterbury, chosen May 31, 1699. Both he and his son Samuel, Jr., received each one and one-half shares of land as original first settlers in the division of April, 1723. He is said to have had twelve children, five of whom died young. His will, made and signed with his mark, Aug. 7, 1727, probated at Plainfield, Dec. 4, 1727, and on record at Willimantic, speaks of his sons as three in number, and four daughters, but names only Henry and Thomas, Abigail and Margaret, the portions of Abigail and Margaret to remain in the hands of the executor.

vii. Edith", b. in Chelmsford, Feb. 21, 1655; probably d. num. viii. Rebecca', b. in Chelmsford, Sept. 18, 1657; d. young. ix. Elizabeth-', b. in Chelmsford, Oct. 21, 1658-9; died j^oung. X. Thomas', b. in Chelmsford, July 22, 1660; d. 20 Nov. same j-ear. xi. Mary, b. in Chelmsford, Oct. 29, 1664; m. Cooper, as per will. Note—The Concord records give the births of Jonathan, Felatiah. Timothj- and George; that of Samuel is not to be found.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

ii. THOMAS (2) ADAMS, b. March 25, 1612, BARTON, ST. DAVID, SOMERSET, ENGLAND; d. July 20, 1688, CHELMSFORD, MIDDLESEX, MA; m. (1) MARY BLACKMORE, Abt. 1634; d. Bef. 1638; m. (2) RACHEL (?) ADAMS, 1642, BRAINTREE, NORF, MA.Thomas Adams & Mary Blackmore Thomas Adams (Lieutenant) - Born: 25 March 1612, Barton St. David, Somerset, England, Occupations: Ensign, 1678, Lieutenant, 1682, Town Clerk, Died: 20 July 1688, Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA, Buried: (possibly), Forefather's Cemetery, Chelmsford Center, USA, Father: Henry Adams, Mother: Edith Squire

Married: Mary Blackmore, March 1642, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, USA, Mary Born: 1612, Barton, St. David, Somerset, England, Died: 23 March 1694, Massachusetts, USA

Source of Marriage Date Above: Andrew Adams, Author of "Henry Adams of Braintree."

Other Sources List Marriage Date as: Thomas Adams & Marie Blackmore, 28 April 1680, Charlestown Co., Suffolk, USA - Film # 0740994-0740995, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Children:

1. Mary Adams - Born: 24 July 1643, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 24 July 1643, Braintree, Massachusetts, USA

2. TWIN Pelatiah Adams - Born: 06 March 1646, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 29 April 1729, USA, Married: Ruth Parker, About 1670, Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Ruth Born: 1655 in Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 18 September 1719, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA, Father: Jacob Parker, Mother: Sarah _____

3. TWIN Jonathan Adams - Born: 06 March 1646, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 25 November 1712, Chelmsford, USA, Married: Leah Gould, 29 August 1681, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA, Leah Born: 04 May 1663, Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 1718, USA, Father: Francis Gould, Mother: Rose _____

4. Timothy Adams - Born: 1648, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 01 July 1708, USA, Married: Mary _____

5. George Adams - Born: 29 May or March 1650, Concord, Massachusetts, USA

6. Samuel Adams - Born: 01 February 1656, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 26 November 1727, USA, Married: Mary _____

7. Rebecca Adams - Born: 18 September 1657, Concord, Massachusetts, USA

8. Elizabeth Adams - Born: 21 October 1658, Concord, Massachusetts, USA

9. Thomas Adams - Born: 22 July 1660, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 20 November 1660, USA

10. Mary Adams - Born: 29 October 1664, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Married: _____ Cooper

11. Edith Adams - Born: 21 February 1655, Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

WILL OF THOMAS ADAMS

28 March 1688

Proved 07 October 1690

Inventory of property Aug. 11, 1688. To his wife Mary he gave the use of his house and orchard; his sons Pelatiah, Timothy and Samuel to provide for her. To Jonathan he gave 16 acres on the east end of his home lot, and other lands, and divided lands among the other sons, Samuel to 16 pounds to his dau., Mary Cooper. His widow Mary, as per Charlestown record, died 23 March 1694-5, age 89.

---

"Soldiers of King Philip's War, 1675" by George M. Bodge, Boston, 1906 lists a Thomas Adams How under the enlistment date of August 24, 1675. It's unknown if this is the same Thomas Adams.

"History of Chelmsford Massachusetts" by The Rev. Wilson Waters:

The examination of this land was followed by a petition for a grant of six miles square. The original manuscript of this petition, which is here given in full, was found several years ago among the papers left by Lemuel Shattuck, the historian of Concord, to the Mass. Historic Geneological Society.

Scott's Note: The following has been copied directly from the book which shows the original spelling and pronunciation. Also, the letter v was written on the original as the letter u which indicates Old English written usage. Below, I have substituted the 'v' to make it more legible to today's reader.

"To the honourd John Endicot, Esqr. Gouvnr: with the reste: of the honord Magistrats and deputies at the Generall Courte now at Boston Assembled: humbly Showeth: That whereas we your humble petitioners: who made bould the last Court Assembled to present a petition: to the Vew of this honoured Courte which was eccepted and Granted to Us: for which we give the Courte hmbl thankes and beinge incoraged by this Courte to Vew the Land that Lyeth yet Undisposed of and Unimproved: on the other side Concord River acordingly we have by a Comity taken care and paynes to doe, with severall others: that by the providenc of god: are now joyned petitioners: with us: who Upon our Vewinge the lands as abovsaid doe find a tracke of land: which bordereth Upon the River Merimake: nere to paatooket, which we doe find: a Very Comfortable place to acomidate A company of gods people Upon: that may with gods blessinge and Asistance Live Comfortably Upon: and doe good in or places for church and Comon wealth, which many of Us your petitioners are throw our nesisitys for wante of acomidationes some never having any and some others: but Very Litle a Comidation soe yt we canot subsiste excepte we doo take some care to Looke out in away or god for our Comfortable Subsistance, and now we yr humble petitioners doe intreate this honoured Courte for our Comfortable Suply: would please to grante to Us soe much land: as may be Comfortable for a plantatione:

which we conceive may there be Layed out to the quantity of six myles Square of Upland and medow: which parcell of land: we doe intreate may be gin at merimacke River at a necke of land nere to Concord River: and soe run Up by Concord: river. South and west into the Contrie, to make Up that sircomferenc or quantity of land as is above expresed: and for as much as many or yr petitioners are in greate nesesity haveinge no setled place to abide in and we all in Generall beinge desirous to proseed as one man together to cary on that worke the lord shall call Us to and this honered Courte shall in their cristian wisdom Directe Us in Tharefore we humbly entreate this honord Courte to Gratifie yr humble petitioners with a speedy and expresed anser so shall you ever bind Us to Serve you wherein you shall comand

Your humble Servantes,

Benjamin Butterfeilde Richard Griffin John Parker James Blood Isac Lerned:

John Smedley James Parker Roger Draper George ffarley William ffletcher

Thomas Chamberlin Thomas Adams Joseph Parker William Hartwell John Sternes

Robert Proctor Jacob Parker William Butricke Henery Foster Babtis Smedley

William Chamberlin Richard Hildreth John Nutinge: Thomas Briggam Edmonde Chamberlin

Daniell Bloggett John Baldinge John Hall William Hall

The magists Desier theire brethren the Deputs to Consider of this peticon @ retourne theire thoughts first about it 19 may (53).

Edward Rawson Sec

[Endorsed]

Concord peticon

entred with ye magistrts & wth

pmisd ye majists conceave

it may be admitted & recd

wth out paiment

1653

...

The ... petitioners all made homes her and remained during life. They were Benj. Butterfield, Isaac Learned, Thomas Chamberlain, Edmund Chamberlain, William Fletcher, Thomas Adams, Robert Proctor, Richard Hildreth and Daniel Blodgett.

...

(The following is written by Rev. John Fiske who was being evaluated by the town of Chelmsford to possibly start a church in the town)

Upon 4 of 7th, 1654 was dated a Lr, under the hands of Robt. Fletcher, Tho: Adams, Wm. Fletcher, Wm. Buttereck in the na of the rest, engaged in the N. plantation at Chelmsford, whrin the pastor with the rest of this church at Wenham were Invited.

This Lr. being oftsoones conveyed to us by the hands of Isa: Lernet & Tho: Adams, was coicated to the church & a Liberty by the Major pte graunted so far to attend the pvidence: as to pmit the pastor to Goe over & see the place.

accordingly a day was set of meeting at Chelmsford, & thrupon the messengers returned. ...

Betwene this time & the 6t. of 4t. mo 55, things hung uncertayne & uncleered. notwithstanding some Lrs. passed & some agitatio at Wenha betwene Isa: Lernet agent fr Chelmsfd & Wenha Brethren. But as upo 6t of 4th aforesd was date a Lr. & sent by the hands of Isa: Lernet Sim: Thompso & Tho: Adams, with full power to them to treate & finally to determine the busines depending betwene both pties.

,,,

The following is the record of the first Town Meeting:

The 22d the 9th month 1654

At a Meeting then at William Fletchers Hous there was Chosen to officiate in Ordering the Public affairs of the Place by the Consent of the Major part of the Town for this present year ensuing are as followeth.

Esdras Read: Edward Spaulding; William Fletcher: Isaac Lerned: Simon Thompson: William Underwood: Thomas Adams

...

"How and by whom the first meeting house was built" (Allen says in his history on page 12), "are facts yet to be ascertained. There appears to be a tradition (...intimated in a letter from the late President Adams of Quincy to Wm. Adams, Esq., requesting to know who built the first meeting house and mills.) that Samuel and Thomas Adams were at the principal expense of erecting this house. But the town records contain no information relative to it. It stood at the south west corner of the present house. It was build in the year preceding the erection of Mr. Adams' saw-mill 1656 and in all probablility was made of logs, hewed and locked together."

Only the year following the incorporation of the town we find the people petitioning for an extension of their grant. They had found some parts of the land granted them stony and other parts barren, so that they had been constrained to set their habitations near the northeast corner of their town bounds as they alleged, "wheare wee have no outlett for our Cattell to feed on"

...

Their petition is as follows:

"7th 3 mo. 1656.

"The humbell petition of the inhabitants of Chemsford showeth that wheareas this honoured Courtt hath fformerly given them a sertayn tractt of land which we thankefuly acsept of, and wee theought it to have binn sofitient and Convenient for a plantatyon, but by reason of the stoniness of sum part and the barones of another part there of, we weare Constrained to set off our habitatyons on one corner of our bounds which was only Convenient for that use, and so wee have unavoidably put our selves up on straights because now our setuation is neare upon our north east line, wheare wee have no outlett for our Cattell to feed on, may it please, therefore this honoured Courtt to take this our Condityon in to Consideratyon, and to graunt a small parsill of land from our north east line downe to merimack Rieur, and so bownd us by the sayd River aboutt three mills, and so to run up on a south west line so as that wee woold nott bee any hindrance to grauton plantatyon: May it please this honoured Courtt to graunt this our petytion how ever your petisionors will Continualy Remayne praying for a blesing upon all your waity affaires.

"isack lerned,

"Thomas Addams,

"Jo ffiske: "Simon Tompson,

"Edward Spaulding,

"Benjamin buterfild,

"William fletcher

"william underwood,

"in the name & on the Behalfe of ye Towne.

...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

...

D ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

DIS ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

DIS ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

T ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

page 74:

May 13, 1640, the General Court granted to Mrs. Margaret Winthrop, widow of the late Governor John Winthrop, three thousand acres of land, and the next year this was assigned about the lower end of Concord river, near Merrimack...

In 1661 Mr. Deane Winthrop petitioned to have the land laid out for the use of the heirs, and Thomas Addams of Chelmsford was one of the committee appointed.

...formally laid out:

"3d 1 month 1662-3

Thomas Adams and Josiah Richardson being chosen a committee to Joyn with Groton committee to Lay out a High-way from Town to Town the work is performed by them and the way is Laid out from Beaver Brook Bridge over the North side of Robbins-hill and thence through Richard Hildreth's yard and so to the west end of Hart pond over the swamp and so to Thomas Chamberlins meadow and so on towards Groton, on the east side of Tadmuck great meadow"

This was the road over which the Groton people passed in going to Boston.

All of this road which lies in Chelmsford is still in use, although upon some parts of it the travel is very limited.

...In 1678 the town chose "For a Comite to order the seating in metting house Capt. Thom hinchman, Capt Samell Adams, en [sign] Thom Adams william underwod, Josiah Richardson."

...The oldest tax list that has been preserved is that of 1671. It contains sixty-two names, the minister not being included. This shows that in the first sixteen years after the incorporation of the Town the number of families had increased three fold. The record seems of sufficient interest to be given in full

30th 3 mo 1671 The Selectt men of Chelmsford madde this Rate as Foloeth for the payment of the Townes Ingagement to the m'nester

Thomas Adames 2 14 0

...

page 85:

1659. "Thomas Addams of Chelmsford, being presented by Joseph Parker, in the behalfe of that Towne for their Cheife Sergt & military Officer, This [County} Court being informed that the said Addams hath publiquely manifested himself to be Hessitant, as to the orders and practises of the churches in these places, do not judge meet to allow of ye said choyce, until they shall be further sattisfied concerning the same--"

The next year Mr. Adams was accepted by the Court, having solemnly engaged not to disseminate any of his principles or notions contrary to the practice of the churches.

Thomas Adams was born in England in 1612, married in Braintree in 1642, moved to Concord, and to Chelmsford in 1650-4. He was Ensign in 1678, and Lieutenant in 1682, in the company of which his brother, Samuel, was Captain. He was town clerk, selectman, and representative. He died July 20, 1688, aged 76 years.

pages 89, 90:

The following powder account of 1674 is found in the Town Records, and shows the names of Chelmsford's able-bodied men at that time.

An ac't of Powder sould to the inhabitants of Chelmsford the 1 Day of september, 1674.

...

Thomas Adames 4 6

"The Seventeenth-Century Town Records of Scituate, Massachusetts Volume I" by Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs:

page 215 665.-10 June 1658 [pages 297-298] Nathaniel Morton, clerk, appointed Mr. Timothy Hatherly and Captain James Cudworth and a third of their choice, James Torrey, to lay out a footway from the upper meeting house at the North River to the house of Robert Stetson. They laid it from the westerly end of the meeting house as the way "now is used" over the land of Thomas Robinson, Thomas Chambers, William Parker, Thomas Rawlins, to lie in the way through the swamp on the northerly side of Rawlins' house and orchard, going to Thomas Adams and the land of Timothy Foster, over Foster's land as the path now lies and over the land of the heirs of Ephraim Kempton, as formerly used, continuing as the way was formerly used over the land of John Bryant and the heirs of Henry Adler to the Third Herring Brook following the old path through William Randall's fields to William Randall's cart bridge that is in William Curtis's land, then straight to the second pair of rails at the westerly end of William Curtis's barn, over Curtis's land as the way formerly lay to the land of Gowen White, then over the land of Humphrey Johnson over a brook to the land of Robert Stetson.

I am not sure if the Thomas Adams cited above in "The Seventeenth-Century Town Records of Scituate, Massachusetts Volume I" by Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs is the same born in about 1612 in England, married to Mary Blackmore in 1642 in Braintree, MA to Mary Blackmore, and died in 1688 in Chelmsford, MA.

Discrepancies:

The death date/year for Thomas Adams is shown by "A Genealogical History of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and his Descendants Also John Adams of Cambridge, Mass., 1632-1897" by Andrew N. Adams, researcher Pam Emerson, and "Immigrants to America Before 1750", by Frederick A. Virkus as July 20, 1688. Researcher Karen Dunne also shows 1688. Wilma Fleming Haynes shows only a year range: 1688-1690. No date of death is shown in "Henry Adams of Somersetshire, England and Braintree, Mass. His English Ancestry and Some of His Descendants" by Edward Dean Adams, "The Compendium of American Genealogy", by Frederick A. Virkus and Amercan Pub. C., Daughters of the American Revolution.

It must be shown here that citing of the sources, "The Compendium of American Genealogy", by Frederick A. Virkus and Amercan Pub. C., Daughters of the American Revolution was seen on a family group sheet provided by researcher Pam Emerson. I have not verified which bits of info (name, birth date, locations, etc) came from which source. I advise that the researcher check these sources individually to see what each provide.

---

WILL OF THOMAS ADAMS

28 March 1688

Proved 07 October 1690

Inventory of property Aug. 11, 1688. To his wife Mary he gave the use of his house and orchard; his sons Pelatiah, Timothy and Samuel to provide for her. To Jonathan he gave 16 acres on the east end of his home lot, and other lands, and divided lands among the other sons, Samuel to 16 pounds to his dau., Mary Cooper. His widow Mary, as per Charlestown record, died 23 March 1694-5, age 89.

---

WILL OF THOMAS ADAMS

28 March 1688

Proved 07 October 1690

Inventory of property Aug. 11, 1688. To his wife Mary he gave the use of his house and orchard; his sons Pelatiah, Timothy and Samuel to provide for her. To Jonathan he gave 16 acres on the east end of his home lot, and other lands, and divided lands among the other sons, Samuel to 16 pounds to his dau., Mary Cooper. His widow Mary, as per Charlestown record, died 23 March 1694-5, age 89.

---

ii. THOMAS (2) ADAMS, b. March 25, 1612, BARTON, ST. DAVID, SOMERSET, ENGLAND; d. July 20, 1688, CHELMSFORD, MIDDLESEX, MA; m. (1) MARY BLACKMORE, Abt. 1634; d. Bef. 1638; m. (2) RACHEL (?) ADAMS, 1642, BRAINTREE, NORF, MA.Thomas Adams & Mary Blackmore Thomas Adams (Lieutenant) - Born: 25 March 1612, Barton St. David, Somerset, England, Occupations: Ensign, 1678, Lieutenant, 1682, Town Clerk, Died: 20 July 1688, Chelmsford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA, Buried: (possibly), Forefather's Cemetery, Chelmsford Center, USA, Father: Henry Adams, Mother: Edith Squire

Married: Mary Blackmore, March 1642, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, USA, Mary Born: 1612, Barton, St. David, Somerset, England, Died: 23 March 1694, Massachusetts, USA

Source of Marriage Date Above: Andrew Adams, Author of "Henry Adams of Braintree."

Other Sources List Marriage Date as: Thomas Adams & Marie Blackmore, 28 April 1680, Charlestown Co., Suffolk, USA - Film # 0740994-0740995, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Children:

1. Mary Adams - Born: 24 July 1643, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 24 July 1643, Braintree, Massachusetts, USA

2. TWIN Pelatiah Adams - Born: 06 March 1646, Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 29 April 1729, USA, Married: Ruth Parker, About 1670, Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Ruth Born: 1655 in Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 18 September 1719, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA, Father: Jacob Parker, Mother: Sarah _____

3. TWIN Jonathan Adams - Born: 06 March 1646, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 25 November 1712, Chelmsford, USA, Married: Leah Gould, 29 August 1681, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA, Leah Born: 04 May 1663, Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 1718, USA, Father: Francis Gould, Mother: Rose _____

4. Timothy Adams - Born: 1648, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 01 July 1708, USA, Married: Mary _____

5. George Adams - Born: 29 May or March 1650, Concord, Massachusetts, USA

6. Samuel Adams - Born: 01 February 1656, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 26 November 1727, USA, Married: Mary _____

7. Rebecca Adams - Born: 18 September 1657, Concord, Massachusetts, USA

8. Elizabeth Adams - Born: 21 October 1658, Concord, Massachusetts, USA

9. Thomas Adams - Born: 22 July 1660, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Died: 20 November 1660, USA

10. Mary Adams - Born: 29 October 1664, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, Married: _____ Cooper

11. Edith Adams - Born: 21 February 1655, Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

WILL OF THOMAS ADAMS

28 March 1688

Proved 07 October 1690

Inventory of property Aug. 11, 1688. To his wife Mary he gave the use of his house and orchard; his sons Pelatiah, Timothy and Samuel to provide for her. To Jonathan he gave 16 acres on the east end of his home lot, and other lands, and divided lands among the other sons, Samuel to 16 pounds to his dau., Mary Cooper. His widow Mary, as per Charlestown record, died 23 March 1694-5, age 89.

---

"Soldiers of King Philip's War, 1675" by George M. Bodge, Boston, 1906 lists a Thomas Adams How under the enlistment date of August 24, 1675. It's unknown if this is the same Thomas Adams.

"History of Chelmsford Massachusetts" by The Rev. Wilson Waters:

The examination of this land was followed by a petition for a grant of six miles square. The original manuscript of this petition, which is here given in full, was found several years ago among the papers left by Lemuel Shattuck, the historian of Concord, to the Mass. Historic Geneological Society.

Scott's Note: The following has been copied directly from the book which shows the original spelling and pronunciation. Also, the letter v was written on the original as the letter u which indicates Old English written usage. Below, I have substituted the 'v' to make it more legible to today's reader.

"To the honourd John Endicot, Esqr. Gouvnr: with the reste: of the honord Magistrats and deputies at the Generall Courte now at Boston Assembled: humbly Showeth: That whereas we your humble petitioners: who made bould the last Court Assembled to present a petition: to the Vew of this honoured Courte which was eccepted and Granted to Us: for which we give the Courte hmbl thankes and beinge incoraged by this Courte to Vew the Land that Lyeth yet Undisposed of and Unimproved: on the other side Concord River acordingly we have by a Comity taken care and paynes to doe, with severall others: that by the providenc of god: are now joyned petitioners: with us: who Upon our Vewinge the lands as abovsaid doe find a tracke of land: which bordereth Upon the River Merimake: nere to paatooket, which we doe find: a Very Comfortable place to acomidate A company of gods people Upon: that may with gods blessinge and Asistance Live Comfortably Upon: and doe good in or places for church and Comon wealth, which many of Us your petitioners are throw our nesisitys for wante of acomidationes some never having any and some others: but Very Litle a Comidation soe yt we canot subsiste excepte we doo take some care to Looke out in away or god for our Comfortable Subsistance, and now we yr humble petitioners doe intreate this honoured Courte for our Comfortable Suply: would please to grante to Us soe much land: as may be Comfortable for a plantatione:

which we conceive may there be Layed out to the quantity of six myles Square of Upland and medow: which parcell of land: we doe intreate may be gin at merimacke River at a necke of land nere to Concord River: and soe run Up by Concord: river. South and west into the Contrie, to make Up that sircomferenc or quantity of land as is above expresed: and for as much as many or yr petitioners are in greate nesesity haveinge no setled place to abide in and we all in Generall beinge desirous to proseed as one man together to cary on that worke the lord shall call Us to and this honered Courte shall in their cristian wisdom Directe Us in Tharefore we humbly entreate this honord Courte to Gratifie yr humble petitioners with a speedy and expresed anser so shall you ever bind Us to Serve you wherein you shall comand

Your humble Servantes,

Benjamin Butterfeilde Richard Griffin John Parker James Blood Isac Lerned:

John Smedley James Parker Roger Draper George ffarley William ffletcher

Thomas Chamberlin Thomas Adams Joseph Parker William Hartwell John Sternes

Robert Proctor Jacob Parker William Butricke Henery Foster Babtis Smedley

William Chamberlin Richard Hildreth John Nutinge: Thomas Briggam Edmonde Chamberlin

Daniell Bloggett John Baldinge John Hall William Hall

The magists Desier theire brethren the Deputs to Consider of this peticon @ retourne theire thoughts first about it 19 may (53).

Edward Rawson Sec

[Endorsed]

Concord peticon

entred with ye magistrts & wth

pmisd ye majists conceave

it may be admitted & recd

wth out paiment

1653

...

The ... petitioners all made homes her and remained during life. They were Benj. Butterfield, Isaac Learned, Thomas Chamberlain, Edmund Chamberlain, William Fletcher, Thomas Adams, Robert Proctor, Richard Hildreth and Daniel Blodgett.

...

(The following is written by Rev. John Fiske who was being evaluated by the town of Chelmsford to possibly start a church in the town)

Upon 4 of 7th, 1654 was dated a Lr, under the hands of Robt. Fletcher, Tho: Adams, Wm. Fletcher, Wm. Buttereck in the na of the rest, engaged in the N. plantation at Chelmsford, whrin the pastor with the rest of this church at Wenham were Invited.

This Lr. being oftsoones conveyed to us by the hands of Isa: Lernet & Tho: Adams, was coicated to the church & a Liberty by the Major pte graunted so far to attend the pvidence: as to pmit the pastor to Goe over & see the place.

accordingly a day was set of meeting at Chelmsford, & thrupon the messengers returned. ...

Betwene this time & the 6t. of 4t. mo 55, things hung uncertayne & uncleered. notwithstanding some Lrs. passed & some agitatio at Wenha betwene Isa: Lernet agent fr Chelmsfd & Wenha Brethren. But as upo 6t of 4th aforesd was date a Lr. & sent by the hands of Isa: Lernet Sim: Thompso & Tho: Adams, with full power to them to treate & finally to determine the busines depending betwene both pties.

,,,

The following is the record of the first Town Meeting:

The 22d the 9th month 1654

At a Meeting then at William Fletchers Hous there was Chosen to officiate in Ordering the Public affairs of the Place by the Consent of the Major part of the Town for this present year ensuing are as followeth.

Esdras Read: Edward Spaulding; William Fletcher: Isaac Lerned: Simon Thompson: William Underwood: Thomas Adams

...

"How and by whom the first meeting house was built" (Allen says in his history on page 12), "are facts yet to be ascertained. There appears to be a tradition (...intimated in a letter from the late President Adams of Quincy to Wm. Adams, Esq., requesting to know who built the first meeting house and mills.) that Samuel and Thomas Adams were at the principal expense of erecting this house. But the town records contain no information relative to it. It stood at the south west corner of the present house. It was build in the year preceding the erection of Mr. Adams' saw-mill 1656 and in all probablility was made of logs, hewed and locked together."

Only the year following the incorporation of the town we find the people petitioning for an extension of their grant. They had found some parts of the land granted them stony and other parts barren, so that they had been constrained to set their habitations near the northeast corner of their town bounds as they alleged, "wheare wee have no outlett for our Cattell to feed on"

...

Their petition is as follows:

"7th 3 mo. 1656.

"The humbell petition of the inhabitants of Chemsford showeth that wheareas this honoured Courtt hath fformerly given them a sertayn tractt of land which we thankefuly acsept of, and wee theought it to have binn sofitient and Convenient for a plantatyon, but by reason of the stoniness of sum part and the barones of another part there of, we weare Constrained to set off our habitatyons on one corner of our bounds which was only Convenient for that use, and so wee have unavoidably put our selves up on straights because now our setuation is neare upon our north east line, wheare wee have no outlett for our Cattell to feed on, may it please, therefore this honoured Courtt to take this our Condityon in to Consideratyon, and to graunt a small parsill of land from our north east line downe to merimack Rieur, and so bownd us by the sayd River aboutt three mills, and so to run up on a south west line so as that wee woold nott bee any hindrance to grauton plantatyon: May it please this honoured Courtt to graunt this our petytion how ever your petisionors will Continualy Remayne praying for a blesing upon all your waity affaires.

"isack lerned,

"Thomas Addams,

"Jo ffiske: "Simon Tompson,

"Edward Spaulding,

"Benjamin buterfild,

"William fletcher

"william underwood,

"in the name & on the Behalfe of ye Towne.

...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

...

D ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

DIS ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

DIS ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

T ...The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."

The 33 names signed to the petition probably included very nearly all of the adult mailes then living in the town.

Chelmsford

May:17:58 To the honored Court Assembled at Boston

the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth in Much difficulte to; nay imposebile [.....] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration; and grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue invention and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his feare and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye

wee doe further in [.....] your honer to Rate for this inserted Leter to bee our townes brand or Leter of marke as Law injoyneth

Vss: C:

James Parker Thomas Adams Josiah Richardson

William Flecher Edward Spalden John Fiske

Henry Farwell Georg byam Berabin butterfild

Tho Chamberlin Beniamin buterfild Roberd Procter

Edward Kempe Daniel Blodget Edman Chamberlin

James Blud John Spalden Joseph Parker

Roberd Flecher

Samewell Foster

Joseph Gilson:

Games Hildereth:

William Underwod

John Shiple:

Richard Hildereth

John Nutting

Abraham Parker

John Right

Jacob Parker

Edward Spalden

John Shiple

Joseph Parkis

Samewell Kempe

page 74:

May 13, 1640, the General Court granted to Mrs. Margaret Winthrop, widow of the late Governor John Winthrop, three thousand acres of land, and the next year this was assigned about the lower end of Concord river, near Merrimack...

In 1661 Mr. Deane Winthrop petitioned to have the land laid out for the use of the heirs, and Thomas Addams of Chelmsford was one of the committee appointed.

...formally laid out:

"3d 1 month 1662-3

Thomas Adams and Josiah Richardson being chosen a committee to Joyn with Groton committee to Lay out a High-way from Town to Town the work is performed by them and the way is Laid out from Beaver Brook Bridge over the North side of Robbins-hill and thence through Richard Hildreth's yard and so to the west end of Hart pond over the swamp and so to Thomas Chamberlins meadow and so on towards Groton, on the east side of Tadmuck great meadow"

This was the road over which the Groton people passed in going to Boston.

All of this road which lies in Chelmsford is still in use, although upon some parts of it the travel is very limited.

...In 1678 the town chose "For a Comite to order the seating in metting house Capt. Thom hinchman, Capt Samell Adams, en [sign] Thom Adams william underwod, Josiah Richardson."

...The oldest tax list that has been preserved is that of 1671. It contains sixty-two names, the minister not being included. This shows that in the first sixteen years after the incorporation of the Town the number of families had increased three fold. The record seems of sufficient interest to be given in full

30th 3 mo 1671 The Selectt men of Chelmsford madde this Rate as Foloeth for the payment of the Townes Ingagement to the m'nester

Thomas Adames 2 14 0

...

page 85:

1659. "Thomas Addams of Chelmsford, being presented by Joseph Parker, in the behalfe of that Towne for their Cheife Sergt & military Officer, This [County} Court being informed that the said Addams hath publiquely manifested himself to be Hessitant, as to the orders and practises of the churches in these places, do not judge meet to allow of ye said choyce, until they shall be further sattisfied concerning the same--"

The next year Mr. Adams was accepted by the Court, having solemnly engaged not to disseminate any of his principles or notions contrary to the practice of the churches.

Thomas Adams was born in England in 1612, married in Braintree in 1642, moved to Concord, and to Chelmsford in 1650-4. He was Ensign in 1678, and Lieutenant in 1682, in the company of which his brother, Samuel, was Captain. He was town clerk, selectman, and representative. He died July 20, 1688, aged 76 years.

pages 89, 90:

The following powder account of 1674 is found in the Town Records, and shows the names of Chelmsford's able-bodied men at that time.

An ac't of Powder sould to the inhabitants of Chelmsford the 1 Day of september, 1674.

...

Thomas Adames 4 6

"The Seventeenth-Century Town Records of Scituate, Massachusetts Volume I" by Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs:

page 215 665.-10 June 1658 [pages 297-298] Nathaniel Morton, clerk, appointed Mr. Timothy Hatherly and Captain James Cudworth and a third of their choice, James Torrey, to lay out a footway from the upper meeting house at the North River to the house of Robert Stetson. They laid it from the westerly end of the meeting house as the way "now is used" over the land of Thomas Robinson, Thomas Chambers, William Parker, Thomas Rawlins, to lie in the way through the swamp on the northerly side of Rawlins' house and orchard, going to Thomas Adams and the land of Timothy Foster, over Foster's land as the path now lies and over the land of the heirs of Ephraim Kempton, as formerly used, continuing as the way was formerly used over the land of John Bryant and the heirs of Henry Adler to the Third Herring Brook following the old path through William Randall's fields to William Randall's cart bridge that is in William Curtis's land, then straight to the second pair of rails at the westerly end of William Curtis's barn, over Curtis's land as the way formerly lay to the land of Gowen White, then over the land of Humphrey Johnson over a brook to the land of Robert Stetson.

I am not sure if the Thomas Adams cited above in "The Seventeenth-Century Town Records of Scituate, Massachusetts Volume I" by Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs is the same born in about 1612 in England, married to Mary Blackmore in 1642 in Braintree, MA to Mary Blackmore, and died in 1688 in Chelmsford, MA.

Discrepancies:

The death date/year for Thomas Adams is shown by "A Genealogical History of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and his Descendants Also John Adams of Cambridge, Mass., 1632-1897" by Andrew N. Adams, researcher Pam Emerson, and "Immigrants to America Before 1750", by Frederick A. Virkus as July 20, 1688. Researcher Karen Dunne also shows 1688. Wilma Fleming Haynes shows only a year range: 1688-1690. No date of death is shown in "Henry Adams of Somersetshire, England and Braintree, Mass. His English Ancestry and Some of His Descendants" by Edward Dean Adams, "The Compendium of American Genealogy", by Frederick A. Virkus and Amercan Pub. C., Daughters of the American Revolution.

It must be shown here that citing of the sources, "The Compendium of American Genealogy", by Frederick A. Virkus and Amercan Pub. C., Daughters of the American Revolution was seen on a family group sheet provided by researcher Pam Emerson. I have not verified which bits of info (name, birth date, locations, etc) came from which source. I advise that the researcher check these sources individually to see what each provide.

---

WILL OF THOMAS ADAMS

28 March 1688

Proved 07 October 1690

Inventory of property Aug. 11, 1688. To his wife Mary he gave the use of his house and orchard; his sons Pelatiah, Timothy and Samuel to provide for her. To Jonathan he gave 16 acres on the east end of his home lot, and other lands, and divided lands among the other sons, Samuel to 16 pounds to his dau., Mary Cooper. His widow Mary, as per Charlestown record, died 23 March 1694-5, age 89.

---

WILL OF THOMAS ADAMS

28 March 1688

Proved 07 October 1690

Inventory of property Aug. 11, 1688. To his wife Mary he gave the use of his house and orchard; his sons Pelatiah, Timothy and Samuel to provide for her. To Jonathan he gave 16 acres on the east end of his home lot, and other lands, and divided lands among the other sons, Samuel to 16 pounds to his dau., Mary Cooper. His widow Mary, as per Charlestown record, died 23 March 1694-5, age 89.

---

Seven brothers.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=haruspex&...

---

Thomas Adams* (1612-1688) was born in Barton St. David, Somersetshire, England. He is the son of Henry Adams* (1583-1646) also of Barton St. David (and later, Braintree, MA), and Edith Squire* (1587-1673), the progenitors of the same Adams family that produced Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

Thomas came to America with his parents in 1638. He married Mary Blackmore in about 1642 in New England. Mary was born in England in about 1613 and died in Charlestown MA, on Mar. 23, 1694/5.

Thomas was mentioned on May 10, 1643 as having been admitted as a Freeman of the Massachusetts Colony . He was a landowner in Concord in 1646. In 1655, he became one of the founders of Chelmsford MA, where he held several town offices. Thomas was the deputy from Chelmsford to the Massachusetts General Court in 1673.

Thomas was appointed an Ensign in 1678, Lieutenant in May, 1682, of the Chelmsford Military Company. He died in Chelmsford on July 20, 1688 at the age of 76 years.

---

Husband of Mary Blackmoore and father of Samuel Adams.