Notes |
- "The Sprague Family: From Dorset, to Massachusetts &Gibraltar", by Joan Watkins, 1992, correspondent.
(NOTE: Continued from John Sprague's Uncle William Sprague.)
Even before Ralph died, his eldest son John was followingin his father's footsteps, concerning himself with thecommunity and building up various enterprises. England atthat time was recovering from the Civil War, and Cromwellhad become Protector. Religion and the unsettled estatehad encouraged more and more families to look to NewEngland for a better way of life. In 1651 John marriedLydia Goffe. Like John, she too had been born in England,and traveled to New England with her father arriving in1635.
In 1653 John was made Freeman of the Massachusetts Colonyand later appointed to be one of a committee of three tolay out the county's highways between new towns Redding(now Wakefield) and Winnesmett (now Chelsea and Rivers).He joined the Malden Militia, first as an Ensign in 1654,then promoted to Lieutenant in 1664. Finally he wascommissioned Captain and remained with the Foot Company ofMalden from 1685-89. During his lifetime he was alsochosen Selectman for Malden, then Representative in theGeneral Court 1685-89 and Moderator and Clerk of the Writsin 1687. John and Lydia lived in a property known as PoundFarm, Malden (now Melrose). The house stood near Barrett'sMound on the southerly side of Maple Street. They had tenchildren: John, Lydia, Jonathan (born 1656) Samuel, Mary,Edward, Phineas, Deborah, Hannah and Sarah. It is thoughtthat Mary died in infancy. Captain John as he was known,had a long life and was a much respected citizen. He diedin 1692 and was buried in the Bell Rock Cemetery.
(NOTE: continued in Capt. John's second son's notes forJonathan Sprague.)
"The Genealogical Register", July 1954, page 227.
Capt. John Sprague was a member of the General Court from1689 to 1691. He served with Major Simon Willard in KingPhilip's War.
"American Families--Genealogies and BiographicalInformation from Most Authentic Sources Including MuchValuable Material Drawn from Hitherto Unpublished FamilyRecords with Accurate Reproduction--and Descriptions ofAncient Emblazonry Compiled by Masters of Genealogic andHeraldic Science", published by The American HistoricalSociety, Inc., New York, 1921, pages 30-40.
John Sprague was 14 years old when he came to America, tookthe freeman's oath May 18, 1653, was tall of stature, andof fine appearance. He succeeded his father in hishomestead, and was engaged in shipping foreign trade withhis Uncle Richard. In 1689-91, he was representative tothe General Court, and was selectman of the town manyyears. Some of the early town meetings were held at hishouse. He belonged to the militia in Malden, advancing fromensign to captain; was with Major Willard in 1676; servedin King Philip's War. He was known as Captain John Sprague. In 1652 he bought the Ell Pond farm from his brothersRichard and Samuel (Richard's part being sixty-seven acresof tillage land), which he bequeathed to his two sons Johnand Phineas. He owned many parcels of real estate asrecorded by "Wyman", and among theme were four acres nearthe top of Bunker Hill. His estate settlement (MiddlesexProbate Court No. 16068) mentions Lydia, his wife, and sonsJohn, Phineas, Samuel, Edward, Jonathan, and daughtersLydia Greenland, Hannah Stowers, Deborah Sprague, and SarahFosdick. On March 2, 1650-1, he married Lydia, daughter ofEdward and Lydia (Joyce) Goffe, of Cambridge, Mass. Shewas born in England and died Dec. 11, 1715, in Malden, Inthe will of Mrs. Margaret Witchfield, of Windsor, Conn.,made in Cambridge, Mass., proved Oct. 5, 1669, thechildren, John and Lydia, were each given five pounds.
"The Ralph Sprague Genealogy", by E. G. Sprague, page 31
John was four years old when he came to America, took theFreeman's oath May 18, 1653; was tall of stature and offine appearance; succeeded his father in his homestead; wasengaged in shipping in foreign trade with his uncleRichard; Representative to the General Court in 1689-91;selectman of the town many years. Some of the early townmeetings were held at his house; belonged to the militia inMalden, advancing from ensign to captain, was with MajorWillard in 1676; served in King Philip's War among othersin those dark days. He was known as Captain John Sprague.He bought the Ell Pond farm from his brothers Richard andSamuel in 1652, (Richard's part being sixty-seven acres oftillage land), which he bequeathed to his two sons, Johnand Phineas. He owned many parcels of real estate asrecorded by "Wyman" and among them was four acres near thetop of Bunker Hill. His estate settlement MiddlesexProbate Court No. 16068, mentions Lydia, his wife, and sonsJohn, Phineas, Samuel, Edward, Jonathan, and daughtersLydia Greenland, Hannah Stowers, Deborah Sprague, and SarahFosdick. March 2, 1651, he married Lydia, dau. of Edwardand Lydia (Joyce) Goffe of Cambridge, Mass.
In the will of Mrs. Margaret Witchfield of Windsor, Ct.,made in Cambridge, Mass., proved October 5, 1669, thechildren, John and Lydia, were each given £5. [2]
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