Capt. John Sprague

1624 - 1692  (68 years)

• Name	John Sprague  [1, 2]
  Prefix	Capt.
  Born	23 May 1624	Saint George, Fordington, Dorchester, , Dorsetshire, England   [2, 3]
  Christened	23 May 1624	Saint George, Fordington, Dorchester, , Dorsetshire, England   [4]
  Gender	Male
  Military	King Philip's War
  	served with Maj. Simon Willard
  Died	24 Jun 1692	Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA   [2, 5, 6, 7, 8]
  	"The Ralph Sprague Genealogy", by  E. G. Sprague, page 31.      John Sprague died in Malden, MA on June 24, 1692. "The Spragues of Malden, Massachusetts", by George Walter Chamberlain, page 83.      Capt. John Sprague died at Malden, 25 June, 1692, aged 68. From Harry F. Sprague, correspondent.      According to his tombstone, Captain John Sprague died June 25, 1692 (42597E.jpg).
  Buried	Bell Rock Cemetery, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA   [1]
  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 following in his father's footsteps, concerning himself with the community and building up various enterprises.  England at that time was recovering from the Civil War, and Cromwell had become Protector.  Religion and the unsettled estate had encouraged more and more families to look to New England for a better way of life.  In 1651 John married Lydia Goffe. Like John, she too had been born in England, and traveled to New England with her father arriving in 1635. In 1653 John was made Freeman of the Massachusetts Colony and later appointed to be one of a committee of three to lay 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 was commissioned Captain and remained with the Foot Company of Malden from 1685-89.  During his lifetime he was also chosen Selectman for Malden, then Representative in the General Court 1685-89 and Moderator and Clerk of the Writs in 1687.  John and Lydia lived in a property known as Pound Farm, Malden (now Melrose).  The house stood near Barrett's Mound on the southerly side of Maple Street.  They had ten children: John, Lydia, Jonathan (born 1656) Samuel, Mary, Edward, Phineas, Deborah, Hannah and Sarah.  It is thought that Mary died in infancy.  Captain John as he was known, had a long life and was a much respected citizen.  He died in 1692 and was buried in the Bell Rock Cemetery. (NOTE: continued in Capt. John's second son's notes for Jonathan Sprague.) "The Genealogical Register", July 1954, page 227.      Capt. John Sprague was a member of the General Court from 1689 to 1691.  He served with Major Simon Willard in King Philip's War. "American Families--Genealogies and Biographical Information from Most Authentic Sources Including Much Valuable Material Drawn from Hitherto Unpublished Family Records with Accurate Reproduction--and Descriptions of Ancient Emblazonry Compiled by Masters of Genealogic and Heraldic Science", published by The American Historical Society, Inc., New York, 1921, pages 30-40.      John Sprague was 14 years old when he came to America, took the freeman's oath May 18, 1653, was tall of stature, and of fine appearance.  He succeeded his father in his homestead, and was engaged in shipping foreign trade with his Uncle Richard.  In 1689-91, he was representative to the General Court, and was selectman of the town many years.  Some of the early town meetings were held at his house. He belonged to the militia in Malden, advancing from ensign to captain; was with Major Willard in 1676; served in King Philip's War. He was known as Captain John Sprague.  In 1652 he bought the Ell Pond farm from his brothers Richard and Samuel (Richard's part being sixty-seven acres of tillage land), which he bequeathed to his two sons John and Phineas.  He owned many parcels of real estate as recorded by "Wyman", and among theme were four acres near the top of Bunker Hill.  His estate settlement (Middlesex Probate Court No. 16068) mentions Lydia, his wife, and sons John, Phineas, Samuel, Edward, Jonathan, and daughters Lydia Greenland, Hannah Stowers, Deborah Sprague, and Sarah Fosdick.  On March 2, 1650-1, he married Lydia, daughter of Edward and Lydia (Joyce) Goffe, of Cambridge, Mass.  She was born in England and died Dec. 11, 1715, in Malden,  In the will of Mrs. Margaret Witchfield, of Windsor, Conn., made in Cambridge, Mass., proved Oct. 5, 1669, the children, 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 the Freeman's oath May 18, 1653; was tall of stature and of fine appearance; succeeded his father in his homestead; was engaged in shipping in foreign trade with his uncle Richard; Representative to the General Court in 1689-91; selectman of the town many years.  Some of the early town meetings were held at his house; belonged to the militia in Malden, advancing from ensign to captain, was with Major Willard in 1676; served in King Philip's War among others in those dark days.  He was known as Captain John Sprague.  He bought the Ell Pond farm from his brothers Richard and Samuel in 1652, (Richard's part being sixty-seven acres of tillage land), which he bequeathed to his two sons, John and Phineas.  He owned many parcels of real estate as recorded by "Wyman" and among them was four acres near the top of Bunker Hill.  His estate settlement Middlesex Probate Court No. 16068, mentions Lydia, his wife, and sons John, Phineas, Samuel, Edward, Jonathan, and daughters Lydia Greenland, Hannah Stowers, Deborah Sprague, and Sarah Fosdick.  March 2, 1651, he married Lydia, dau. of  Edward and Lydia (Joyce) Goffe of Cambridge, Mass.      In the will of Mrs. Margaret Witchfield of Windsor, Ct., made in Cambridge, Mass., proved October 5, 1669, the children, John and Lydia, were each given £5. [2]
  Person ID	I42554	Sprague Project
  Last Modified	5 Nov 2019

  
  

  Father	Lt. Ralph Sprague,   b. Abt 1599, Upwey, Dorsetshire, England ,   d. 24 Nov 1650, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age ~ 51 years)
  Mother	Joanna Warren,   b. 1603,   d. 24 Feb 1679/80, Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age 77 years)
  Married	15 Aug 1623	Saint George, Fordington, Dorchester, , Dorsetshire, England   [9]
  	From Dottie Middleton, correspondent, note of June 2, 2016 Online Fordington St George parish records show that Joanna and Ralph were married 15 Aug 1623; unfortunately, the online transcript doesn't name their parents.  John Sprague was baptized at St George 23 May 1624 and Jonathan on 27 November 1625. John died in 1692 and is buried in Bell Rock Cemetery, Malden, MA, with about 30 other Spragues.  Some researchers (Sprague database, familysearch, IGI, and Michael Russell, OPC, who wrote "Pilgrims from Fordington The Sprague Family From Fullers to Founding Fathers") say Jonathan died in 1650 in Malden.  Copy-cat "research?"  Access to first-hand documents I haven't found?  I don't know.  In any case, Jonathan has no headstone at Bell Rock Cemetery, and none in Massachusetts that I could find on findagrave.  There is one Sprague headstone at Bell Rock with only the surname; that might or might not be Jonathan, but we don't know.  Further research is needed.  Watkins' noting "no later mention" of Jonathan and speculating that he might have died in childhood is somewhat misleading.  Existing St George parish records do not mention Jonathan after his baptism; however, the 1626 records were very badly water damaged and the 1629 records are missing.
  Family ID	F13579	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family / Spouse	Lydia Goffe,   b. Abt 1628, England ,   d. 11 Nov 1715, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age ~ 87 years)
  Married	2 May 1651	Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA   [10, 11, 12]
  Children	+ 1. John Sprague,   b. 9 Mar 1651/52, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 16 Dec 1703, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age 51 years) + 2. Lydia Sprague,   b. Between Sep 1653 and Sep 1654, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 20 Jan 1704/05, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age ~ 51 years) + 3. Jonathan Sprague,   b. 8 Aug 1656, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 8 Mar 1730/31, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age 74 years) + 4. Samuel Sprague, Sr.,   b. 21 Dec 1658, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 12 Dec 1743, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age 84 years)   5. Mary Sprague,   b. 13 Feb 1660/61,   d. Bef 31 May 1692  (Age 31 years) + 6. Capt. Edward Sprague,   b. 9 Mar 1662/63, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 14 Nov 1715, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age 52 years) + 7. Phineas Sprague,   b. Apr 1665, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 29 Aug 1736, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age ~ 71 years) + 8. Deborah Sprague,   b. 21 Jul 1668, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 17 Aug 1756, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age 88 years) + 9. Hannah Sprague,   b. 1670, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. Aft 26 Dec 1721, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  (Age 51 years) + 10. Sarah Sprague,   b. Dec 1672, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA ,   d. 22 Dec 1752, Nantucket, Nantucket Co., MA, USA  (Age ~ 80 years)
  Last Modified	2 Feb 2013
  Family ID	F14584	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Married - 2 May 1651 - Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA Died - 24 Jun 1692 - Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA Buried - - Bell Rock Cemetery, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, USA  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Headstones

  Sprague, John, Capt., son of Lt. Ralph and Joanna (Warren) Sprague, buried in Bell Rock Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.

  
  

• Sources

  [S1765] Correspondent: MacAulay, David. [S76] Book: Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:The Capital City Press, 1913), page 31. [S643] Publication:American Families-Genealogies/Bio's., (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1921), pages 30-40. [S4922] Correspondent: Middleton, Dottie, note of June 2, 2016. [S3327] "The Genealogical Register", "d. 24 June 1692.". [S3372] "Malden Burying Ground", October 1855, page 326, g, "d. 24 June 1692.". [S643] Publication:American Families-Genealogies/Bio's., (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1921), "d. 24 June 1692.", pages 30-40. [S304] Book: Sprague, Brothers Ralph & William, Sprague, Frank William, (Boston, Mass.: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 1909), "d. 25 June 1692.", page 3. [S433] Book: New England Marriages, Torrey, Clarence A., (Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004), page 698. [S304] Book: Sprague, Brothers Ralph & William, Sprague, Frank William, (Boston, Mass.: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 1909), page 3. [S76] Book: Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:The Capital City Press, 1913), "m. March 2, 1651.", page 31. [S433] Book: New England Marriages, Torrey, Clarence A., (Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004), page 697.