The Plymouth Colony Archive Project

© 1999 Copyright and All Rights Reserved
by Benjamin Chadwick

Changing Patterns in the Constables in Duxbury

The Constables of Duxbury between 1642 and 1665 are a mixed bag-- from the eager town servants Edmund Hawes, John Tracy, and Benjamin Bartlett, to the roguish drunkard John Sprague and the forgettable Edward Hunt. The tenuous pattern that emerges when analyzing the records is a gradual shift from upstanding citizens to less promising ones, the later constables showing more laziness and disregard for law during their lives (qualitatively) and an arguably decreasing degree of community service (quantitatively).

For the qualitative survey, the evidence is simply that later constables had less regard for laws of a social/religious nature. Of the latter six constables in the survey, five had a criminal record of some kind. John Sprague led the pack with four items, including fornication before marriage, rowdy drinking in his neighbors' houses, and signing a false divorce paper. Francis West also fornicated before marriage, and Edward Hunt shot at deer on the Sabbath. The lesser crimes were Joseph Andrews' neglect for the highways and Benjamin Bartlett's theft of cedar bolts from another's property. Three of the earlier constables also had a single crime on record, but the only serious crime was Thomas Haward's theft of meat from an Indian. The other two crimes were merely trespassing. One might use this qualitative data to argue that Plymouth's social and religious hold on its citizens was slacking, or that the individuals chosen as constables were simply a different breed than before.

The quantitative survey shows somewhat similar results. By tallying each item of community service other than Constable (Grand Inquest, selectmen, miscellaneous committees, etc.), a "community service index" is made possible from which an estimate may be made of a citizen's esteem in the community. The average trend in the index (without interpolation for constables in-between) is -3.92 per year, meaning that roughly four fewer positions were served by each new constable (over their entire lifetimes). This is only an estimate, of course, and an unfair one considering variation in the lengths of the constables' lives. Furthermore, a graph of the different community service indices would be extremely bumpy-- the trends are hardly linear. Trends in the community service index do not fairly represent the constables, but the counts provided in Appendix A (spreadsheet) are still useful in viewing numerical changes. A sample covering the entire span of Duxbury's existence might prove more useful.

No numerical trends really define the constables of Duxbury. The quantitative data is too cursory and statistically not very valuable. The qualitative data holds more value. Nevertheless the successive constables after Joseph Andrews may have been as pious as monks, and those who came before Edmund Hawes may have been radical anarchists. Such would disprove the suggested weakening of the Plymouth social fabric outlined above. The fairest technique of analysis would not be to reduce the constables to their trends, but rather to view each one as an individual.

How to use this log: the individuals listed are organized chronologically by their term as constable. The entries are grouped under the following headings:

Biographical - Birth, death, marriages, freeman status, family info, and other appropriate information.

Career - Constable elections, jury dates, etc.

Legal - Run-ins with the law, everything from petty fines to hanging, as well as absences from meetings (even when no fine was involved) and complaints against other parties, and debts.

Land - Information concerning land grants, ownership, controversies, and anything else location-related.

Estate Management - Regarding management of their own and others' estates.

Additional information and analysis appears before these groupings, i.e. "One Hawes or Two?" for Edmund Hawes. Some information may appear twice, in analysis and then in lists. This is for the reader's convenience and not due to oversight by the editor. All sub-listings are organized chronologically except in cases with extreme repetition (i.e. repeated terms as a town Select Man or juror).

One Hawes or Two?

Numerous entries show Hawes operating in Yarmouth. However, in 1657, Edmund Hawes appears as an oath-taker in Duxbury and not in Yarmouth (PCR 8:182, 8:185), and it was in Duxbury that he served as constable. The possibility exists that there were two Edmunds Hawes.

Positing that there was only one Hawes-- supported by the admittance of only one as a freeman, and the fact that his name never appears in two concurrent lists in different locations-- the question remains as to why his location seems to fluctuate. While most of the entries take place in Yarmouth, Hawes is mentioned in Duxbury a few times. As Yarmouth and Duxbury are fairly far away from one another, it seems unlikely that Duxbury might have recruited him from Yarmouth as constable in a year with no other "volunteers." Another possibility is that Hawes moved at some point or had multiple residences. This behavior seems questionable considering the general pointlessness of having two homes and the seeming sedentariness of most Plymouth residents, and also leaves the question of how he could have been constable before being a freeman.

Far more likely is that there was a father and son, the father having already been past the age of freeman. In this case, the father was the constable in Duxbury and the son moved to Yarmouth. No junior or senior title ever appears with the name, but perhaps this is due to their living separately. The question remains, however, why two Hawes never appear in two contemporary lists of people in both towns. None of the records seem to concretely answer the problem.

In the case that there were two Edmunds Hawes, the majority of available information pertains only to the one from Yarmouth, and very little concerns the one of Duxbury. The following information is presented as if there was only one, in the absence of proof to the contrary.

Biographical

Judging by the date of his admittance as a freeman, he should have been born in early 1624-5. His death cannot be ascertained, as he lived until the colony's assimilation into the Massachusetts Bay colony. The last mention of Edmund Hawes is in a list of freeman from June 1689 (PCR 8:206).

Edmund Hawes seems to have been an upstanding citizen in Yarmouth, judging by his long service to the community and untarnished record. The worst crime he committed was the occasional absence from a committee, and a debt that is only mentioned once. There is no data casting negative light on Hawes' character, and he served the community in more than twice as many roles as any other constable in this survey. No civil action was ever taken against Hawes.

Hawes is responsible for the standard weights used for measurement in Yarmouth, which suggests that he was probably either a merchant or a learned individual (PCR 2:126). He was probably well-organized, as he was selected to help inventory several estates and assisted the treasury accounting several times.

On 5 June 1677, John Hawes was elected constable of Yarmouth, quite possibly Edmund Hawes' son (PCR 5:231).

1643 or later. Listed as a freeman of Yarmouth (PCR 8:176).

5 June 1644. Propounded a freeman (PCR 2:71).

3 March 1644-5. Admitted as a freeman (PCR 2:80).

c. 1657. Listed as having taken the oath of fidelity in Duxbury (PCR 8:182).

c. 1658. Listed as a freeman of Yarmouth (PCR 8:200).

29 May 1670. Listed as a freeman of Yarmouth (PCR 5:276).

June 1689. Listed as a freeman (PCR 8:206).

Career

1 March 1641-2. Elected Constable and surveyor of the highways for Duxbury (PCR 2:34).

7 June 1642. Sworn in as constable. (PCR 2:40).

7 June 1642. Jury of 4 minor cases (PCR 7:31).

28 October 1645. Served on "Yarmouth Committee" (PCR 2:94). This committee is then mentioned again without reference, on 3 March 1645-6 (PCR 2:95), 7 July 1646 (PCR 2:104), 1 June 1647 (PCR 2:117), 7 June 1648 (PCR 2:123), 8 June 1649 (PCR 2:144), 5 June 1651 (PCR 2:168).

2 June 1646. Placed on committee to consider excise on wine "& other thinges" to help defray the working costs of magistrates (PCR 2:101).

7 July 1646. Appointed in Yarmouth to "recover the Excise & gather it." (PCR 2:105). Reappointed for this post 1 June 1647 (PCR 2:116), and 7 June 1648 (PCR 2:125).

15 May 1648. Consented to the addition of 3 members to the Yarmouth committee (PCR 2:130).

7 June 1648. Presented a parcel of weights to the court, to be the standard weights for Yarmouth; the court accepted this motion (PCR 2:126).

6 June 1650. Served on a jury involving 5 minor cases. (PCR 7:49).

7 June 1653. Listed as one of the town's deputies (PCR 3:32). He continued being a town deputy, uninterrupted until March 1665-6 (PCR 3:44, PCR 3:49, PCR 3:63, PCR 3:70, PCR 3:115, PCR 3:135, PCR 3:198). His last uninterrupted term was 7 June 1665 (PCR 4:90). Afterwards he served as a select man, but for three years served as a deputy as well: 3 June 1674 (PCR 5:144), 1 June 1675 (PCR 5:154), and 1 November 1676 (listed as absent) (PCR 5:214).

5 March 1655-6. Appeared on behalf of Yarmouth and Barnstable, to vote on allowing use of land at Kennebecke by William Bradford, Thomas Prence, and Thomas Willett (PCR 3:96).

5 June 1658. Helped negotiate a land purchase dispute with Jana (an Indian) in Yarmouth (PCR 3:146).

10 June 1658. Ordered to "take an account of the Tresurer" (in other words to serve as town accountant) with Thomas Southworth, Captain Josiah Winslow, and Josias Cooke. (PCR 8:93).

1 March 1658-9. Mentioned as constable of Yarmouth (PCR 3:163).

2 October 1660. Ordered by the court to deliver to Robert Dennis a "firkin of butter" in the custody of Richard Tayler, "sometimes belonging to Wm. Norkett" (PCR 3:173). Exactly what this latter part means is unclear. A firkin is a quarter of a barrel.

8 June 1664. Made liquor excise collector for Yarmouth (PCR 4:67). He was reappointed 3 Oct. 1665 (PCR 4:105).

16 June 1664. Mentioned as treasurer again (PCR 8:110).

5 March 1660-1. Served on capital jury, ruling John Hawes of Yarmouth not guilty of killing Josepth Rogers of Eastham. (PCR 3:205).

6 March 1665-6. Approved by court as a Select Man of Yarmouth (PCR 4:117). He continued as a select man for many years (PCR 4:124, PCR 4:150, PCR 4:182, PCR 5:57, PCR 5:113, PCR 5:143, PCR 5:195, PCR 5:230, PCR 5:35, PCR 5:92, PCR 6:10, PCR 6:35, PCR 6:59, PCR 6:84, PCR 6:108, PCR 6:168, PCR 6:129. serving his last term beginning 1 June 1686 (PCR 6:186).

June 9 1665. Mentioned as treasurer again (PCR 8:113).

7 June 1674. Served as treasurer again, with John Freeman, William Clark, and Daniell Smith (PCR 8:141).

29 February 1675-6. Served as a "towne councell-man" (PCR 5:186).

Legal

7 August 1638. Owed lxxx li (80 pounds) "to the King" (possibly unpaid taxes). (PCR 1:94)

7 July 1646. For "defects in [appearance at] this court", Hawes owed 12 pence (PCR 2:106).

2 October 1650. Complained, with seventeen others, against John Crow, William Nickarson, and Lieutenant William Palmer, for trespassing (PCR 7:50).

6 June 1660. Absent from Yarmouth committee (PCR 3:187).

1 November 1676. Listed as absent when elected deputy of Yarmouth (PCR 5:214).

Land

2 October 1637. Granted 10 acres of land lying across "Greens Harbor Path, next to Wm. Mullens on the south side" (PCR 1:66). If my freeman/birth-date estimate is accurate, and there is only one Edmund Hawes, this means he was granted land at age 13. Also note that Greens Harbor is near Duxbury and Marshfield, not Yarmouth.

1 April 1639. Hawes requested more land. Because certain Mattakeesets land was uninhabited by many of its owners, the free land was available if a court order was obtained (PCR 1:120).

6 April 1640. Land between Edmund Hawes & John Tisdall is granted to "Wm. Mullings" (presumably Mullens, from 2 Oct. 1637 entry) (PCR 1:146).

2 November 1640. Given 30 acres next to Daniell Coles lands, beyond the South River, "with meddow land to it, if it be there to be had" (PCR 1:165).

7 June 1665. Allotted a section of land at Mannamoiett (PCR 4:96). There is another mention of the same on 9 June 1665 (PCR 4:102).

Estate Management

February 22 1655. Took inventory of John Darby of Yarmouth, with Robert Dennis (PCW&I 305).

14 September 1659. Took inventory of estate of William Chase of Yarmouth, with Robert Dennis and Richard Tayler (PCW&I 501).

March 1666-7. Overseer of John Joyce's will, with Anthony Thacher, executed March 1666-1667 (PCW&I 441).

13 September 1667. Conducted inventory of estate of Anthony Thacher of Yarmouth (deceased 22 August 1667), with Robert Dennis and John Gorum. (PCW&I 461).

20 December 1668. Apprisal of estate of William Clarke of Yarmouth, with John Gorum, Richard Taylor, and Barnard Lombart. (PCW&I 474).

Gorge Partrich, Indian

There is mention of a "Gorge Partrich, Indian" who threatened and stole from Captain John Williams in Scittuate on 8 March 1682-3 (PCR 6:104). Our theory is that the use of "Indian" is to distinguish him from the English George Partridge, a prominent citizen of Duxbury. The similarity of the names could just be coincidence.

Biographical

George Partridge was probably the son of Ralph Partridge, a reverend and resident of Duxbury. Ralph had at least one other child, Elizabeth (who married Ralph Thacker). Ralph Partridge's unusually detailed probate inventory, from 4 May 1658, consists of an unusual number of religious books, such as Thomas Aquinas, the New Testament, analysis of the New Testament (i.e. "Marlorate on New Testament"), the History of the Council of Trent, etc.) (PCW&I 349-353). Another will requests that Mr. Partridge take Young Moyses Rowly to bring him up in "feare of God" and paying him 5 pounds for this service (PCW&I 63). It is safe to assume that George was raised religious and probably well-educated, by his father.

George also had seemingly huge amounts of land in Duxbury, compared to other records of land ownership in these biographies. Why so much land was necessary or deserved is unclear; perhaps he was just greedy.

November 1638. Married Sarah Tracy (PCR 1:103).

1643 or later. Listed as freeman of Duxbury (PCR 8:175).

1643 or later. Eligible to bear arms in Duxbury (PCR 8:190).

3 March 1645. Propounded a freeman (PCR 2:95)

2 June 1646. Admitted a freeman (PCR 2:101).

1657 or earlier. Listed as having taken oath of fidelity in Duxbury (PCR 8:182).

June 1689. Freeman of Duxbury (PCR 8:203).

Career

2 March 1635-6. Served on a jury concluding that John Deacon died of natural causes, not murder. (PCR 1:39).

2 January 1637-8. William Renolds fined for drunkenness. Francis Sprague, Samuel Nash, and George Partridge were witnesses (PCR 1:75).

2 June 1646. Elected constable (PCR 2:101).

1 June 1647. Mr Colliar, Mr. Howland, Wm. Merrick, and George Partrich are "appoynted to view an high way for ye avoyding of ye highway by ye [Governor's] meadow past Jones Rive to ye upper path to Mattacheesett, & make reporte of it to ye Court, & appoynt it out, & ye surveiors to lay it out" (PCR 2:116).

1 June 1647. Jury in petty trespassing trial (PCR 2:117).

10 June 1650. Signs statement settling land dispute by granting Shawwannett and Patuxett to Massachusetts Bay colony. His role was to help find a new route from "Joaneses River" to the Massachusetts Path, as the most "convenient and least preiuditiall" [prejudicial] (PCR 2:160).

5 October 1652. Served on a jury. He served regularly-- 13 times, the last being 7 July 1668 (PCR 7:62, PCR 6:65, PCR 7:70, PCR 7:77, PCR 7:81, PCR 7:85, PCR 7:87, PCR 7:93, PCR 7:94, PCR 7:95, PCR 7:134, PCR 7:137, PCR 7:147).

6 June 1654. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 3:49).

1 March 1658-9. Paid 4 shillings by the court for testifying in the business of Joseph Tilden, with four other men (PCR 7:91). He was still owed 3 shillings by the government on 13 June 1660, probably for the same thing (PCR 8:100).

2 October 1660. Served on jury of Thomas Atkins for attempted rape/incest, finding him not guilty (PCR 3:200). It seems that Atkins later confessed (same page).

4 June 1661. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 3:215).

7 May 1662. Served on committee examining the death of Thirston Clarke, Sr., of Duxbury, who was lost in the cold. (PCR 4:12)

3 June 1668. One of the highway surveyors for Duxbury (PCR 4:181).

3 June 1673. On jury investigating the death of Thomas Phelpps' daughter of Yarmouth in a boat wreck, and another boat wreck that killed the wife of Richard Tayler of Yarmouth (PCR 5:122-123). Both drowned in boat wrecks, probably the same one (or separate wrecks, which suggests a bad storm or bad guidance).

5 June 1677. Highway surveyor again (PCR 5:232).

7 June 1681. Highway surveyor again (PCR 6:61).

Legal

5 October 1636. William Bradford filed against John Forbes, William Merick, George Partridge, and Richard Clough for trespassing; the jury found them guilty and fined them 5 pounds sterling and court costs. (PCR 1:45).

Land

6 October 1636. Allowed to have 5 acres of land next to the glade on Powder Point, and allowed to build on it (PCR 1:45).

2 October 1637. Granted 20 acres of land at Greens Harbor Path, with John Vobes and William Merrick (PCR 1:66).

2 July 1638. Requested a parcell of land by Hand Creeke Pond, lying on Mr. Hicks' ground (PCR 1:90).

7 August 1638. Granted 30 acres at the head of Mr. Hicks' land (PCR 1:92).

2 November 1640. Several men, including Partrich who was given thirty acres, were granted land with meadow at the North River, "by his fathers" (PCR 1:165). [Ralph was granted 10 acres upland by "meddow at Greens Harbor Marsh," near George's land from 2 October 1637, on 5 October 1640 (PCR 1:103).] This information was used to deduce George's filial relationship with Ralph, as there were no other Partridges in Duxbury.

3 June 1662. Allowed to look for land at Saconett Necke and other places (PCR 4:18).

3 June 1662. Land granted him as one of the first-born children of "this [government]" (PCR 4:19).

7 July 1668. Given land as an "ancient servant" (PCR 4:189).

Estate Management

13 November 1637. "Georg Partridge" owed 5 shillings by William Palmers. (PCW&I 66)

In the Plymouth records there is only one mention of William Merritt: his election as constable, 1 June 1647 (PCR 2:115). He may have come to Duxbury soon before this time and departed quickly afterwards. Little can be said for certain.

Biographical

Thomas Haward at least two sisters: Elizabeth (who married John Aimes) and Martha (who was admonished for "lascivious carriage at an unseasonable time of the night" on 7 October 1651 (PCR 2:172)). Thomas Haward, junior, his son, served a term as constable of Bridgewater (not Duxbury). There were several other Hawards, although the familial connections are unclear from the court records. At some point before 1658 it appears that Haward moved to Bridgewater.

A few years before becoming constable, he stole venison from an Indian. This seems like a fairly pointless crime except under dire circumstances, so there is a good chance that he was somewhat poor. Perhaps he was merely mean-spirited.

After 1643. Listed as a freeman of Duxbury (PCR 8:175).

After 1643. Listed with Thomas Haward, Jr., as being able to bear arms (Duxbury) (PCR 8:190).

2 June 1646. Propounded a freeman (PCR 2:101).

1 June 1647. Admitted a freeman (PCR 2:114).

Before 1657. Oath of fidelity in Duxbury (PCR 8:182).

c. 1658 Freeman of Bridgewater, with his son (PCR 8:202).

29 May 1670. Listed, with his son, as a freeman of Bridgewater (PCR 5:278).

Career

3 March 1644-5. Court testimony. Deposed in Court that James Torey told him that John Amees came out of England for stealing a calf and that James Torey claimed this was general knowledge on the ship (unnamed, unfortunately) (PCR 2:80).

2 June 1646. Served on Grand Inquest. (PCR 2:102)

7 June 1648. Sworn in as constable (PCR 2:123). He would serve for two years due to the provision made 6 June 1649 that "things being so much unsettled in our native country in regard to the affairs of the state ... all officers ... shall continue in their places ... for the space of a full year ..." (PCR 2:139)

10 June 1650. Helped find a path through John Rogers' ground, with George Partridge, to settle a land dispute with the Massachusetts Bay colony (PCR 2:160).

4 March 1650-1. Served on jury (PCR 7:53).

6 June 1654. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 3:49).

Legal

28 October 1645. "Thomas Heyward, of Duxburrow, is ordered by the court to pay unto Wannapooke, a Neipnet Indian, half a bushel of Indian corne for veneson he tooke of him" (PCR 2:89).

Land

Late 1660. A parcel of land between Tetacutt and Taunton is allowed to William Brett, John Willis, Thomas Haward, Sr., and Arthur Harris, if the land does not detract from Tetacutt or Taunton (PCR 3:193).

26 February 1666. Thomas Hayward, Jr. mentioned in Francis Godfrey's will, as owning adjacent land, near the Townsriver (PCW&I 488).

Estate Management

28 October 1669. Witness with Willam Brett for will of Thomas Gannett (PCW&I 284)

Biographical

Forbes was "propounded to take up freedom" on 3 March 1645-6, so he was probably born around 1625-6. He died before 13 June 1660, when his wife requested assistance. He was apparently an indentured servant to Isaac Allerton before taking his freedom.

3 March 1645-6. Propounded as a freeman (PCR 2:95).

c. 1643. Able to bear arms, listed in Duxbury (PCR 8:189).

Before 1657. Took oath of fidelity in Duxbury (PCR 8:182).

Career

5 June 1651. Made constable of Duxbury (PCR 2:167).

1 March 1658-9. Served on a committee investigating a drowning and compensating the Indians for their assistance (PCR 3:160).

Legal

5 October 1636. William Bradford filed against John Forbes, William Merick, George Partridge, and Richard Clough for trespassing; the jury found them guilty and fined them 5 pounds sterling and court costs. (PCR 1:45).

Land

5 October 1636. Granted land in Duxbury (PCR 1:46).

Estate Management

13 June 1660. "In answare unto a request made to the Court by the widdow Vobes, requesting some supply of land in respect unto the conditions of an indenture made betwixt Mr. Isacke Allerton and her husband, John Vobes, late deceased, the Court gives liberty that any for her may looke out some land for her supply, and a competency wilbee graunted and confeirmed unto her" (PCR 3:195). The land was apparently granted from Saconett Neck, 3 June 1662 (PCR 4:18).

31 July 1662. His estate was inventoried (PCW&I 266).

Biographical

See Thomas Haward, above.

Thomas Haward, Junior, lived an upstanding life. He had no criminal record and no debts. He wasn't as gung-ho about community service as Edmund Hawes. He rose through the military ranks to become Captain, which indicates either his desire to serve or his ambition.

Married Sarah before 2 July 1667. She is mentioned in a land grant on that date (PCR 4:159).

After 1643. Listed with Thomas Haward, Sr., as being able to bear arms (Duxbury) (PCR 8:190).

1 June 1658. Admitted a freeman (PCR 3:137). No propounding date is given.

c. 1658 Listed as a freeman of Bridgewater, with his father (PCR 8:202).

29 May 1670. Listed, with his father, as a freeman of Bridgewater (PCR 5:278).

Career

7 June 1653. Elected constable of Duxbury (PCR 3:31).

1 June 1658. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 3:135). This is the same day his freeman status was granted.

1 March 1658-9. Served on a committee investigating a drowning and compensating the Indians for their assistance (PCR 3:160).

27 September 1664. Approved to be "leiftenant of the military companie of Bridgwater" (PCR 4:73). Most entries afterwards refer to him as Lt. Thomas Haward, instead of "junior". He later rose to captain (see below).

7 June 1665. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 4:91).

5 June 1666. A Select Man of Bridgewater (PCR 4:124)

5 June 1667. Placed on committee to lay out "waies requisett in the township of Bridgwater"; his father was among the other members (PCR 4:155).

7 July 1668. The requisite roads were approved by the Court (PCR 4:193).

5 July 1669. Empowered with the other deputies of Bridgewater (John Willis Sr. and John Carey) to take custody of the estate of Isacke Harris and disburse it for the aid of his neglected wife, the daughter of Robert Latham, who is with child (PCR 5:23).

7 June 1670. Select man of Bridgewater (PCR 5:35). He served every year, uninterrupted until after 3 June 1674 (PCR 5:57, PCR 5:92, PCR 5:113, PCR 5:144).

7 June 1670. Appointed, with two other men, to "looke after the Minnesters Rate" for Bridgewater (PCR 5:37). Reappointed 5 June 1671 (PCR 5:59).

2 March 1674-5. Served on jury (PCR 7:195).

7 June 1681. Appointed deputy (PCR 6:61).

6 June 1682. Select man again for Bridgewater, and reappointed deputy (PCR 6:84, 85). He continued as deputy every year until after 1686 (PCR 6:106, PCR 6:128, PCR 6:165, PCR 6:186).

3 June 1684. Select man (PCR 6:129).

1 June 1686. Made deputy and select man (PCR 6:186)

7 June 1689. Made deputy again (PCR 6:211).

2 October 1689. Made Captain of the military company at Bridgewater (PCR 6:218).

25 December 1689. Reaffirmed as deputy, as a Captain (PCR 6:222).

3 June 1690. Select man of Bridgewater, and Associate for county of Plimoth (representing Bridgewater) (PCR 6:242).

Land

7 June 1665. Granted land (PCR 4:96).

2 July 1667. 60 acres of Bridgewater land granted to Sarah, his wife (PCR 4:159).

Biographical

Aimes served in Duxbury for several years, including his term as constable. Between 1658 and 1662, he moved to Bridgewater where he became constable again, as did his son (John Aimes, Jr.). John Aimes, Jr. was born between 1650 and 1656, because he became a freeman between 1670 and 1676 (before becoming constable in 1676). There's no dirt on John Aimes-- no records of legal troubles, debts, estate management, or land. He was a frequent highway surveyor (compared to the other constables) and served on the Grand Inquest twice.

1643 or later. Listed as being able to bear arms in Duxbury (PCR 8:190).

20 October 1645. Married Elizabeth Heyward (sister of Thomas Haward) (PCR 2:88).

Career

5 June 1651. Made surveyor for the highways in Duxbury, with Thomas Gannet (PCR 2:168).

6 June 1654. Appointed constable of Duxbury (PCR 3:48).

1 June 1658. Highway surveyor for Duxbury, again (PCR 3:136).

3 June 1662. Appointed constable of Bridgewater (PCR 4:15).

5 June 1667. Appointed as a backup for highway planners in Bridgewater, if they were hindered (PCR 4:155).

2 March 1668-9. Served on jury (PCR 7:154).

3 June 1668. Appointed to collect excise for Bridgewater (PCR 4:183).

7 June 1670. Either John Eames, or his son by the same name, was appointed constable in Bridgewater (PCR 5:36). There is no junior/senior title provided; junior is provided for the appointment in 1676 of his son (PCR 5:196). It is probably John Eames Senior, because there is only one John Eames in a 1670 list of Bridgewater freemen.

5 June 1671. Appointed highway surveyor for Bridgewater (PCR 5:58).

3 June 1673. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 5:114).

29 October 1673. Substituted into jury towards end of Court session, with Ensign Leanord, for

John Howland and John Gibbs (PCR 7:186).

27 October 1675. Served on jury (PCR 7:196).

5 June 1678. Served on Grand Inquest, or possibly, his son did (PCR 5:256).

Biographical

There are few references to Edward Hunt in the court records. At some point before 1638 he was born and at some point after 1656 he died. There is a reference to an estate belonging to Goodwife Hunt-- on 3 December 1660 the court ordered Mr. Collyare, Mr. Aldin, and the treasurer to help settle matters about the estate "betwixt her and her children" (PCR 3:213). It is unclear whether or not this refers to Edward Hunt's family.

He was probably not the most religious constable: he went hunting on the Sabbath.

Career

3 June 1656. Appointed constable of Duxbury (PCR 3:99).

Legal

5 June 1650. Fined two shillings for breach of Sabbath: "shooting upon the Lords day at deare" (PCR 2:156).

Land

3 September 1638. Owned land near Greens Harbor Path (PCR 1:95).

Estate Management

20 March 1656. Inventoried (PCW&I 363). Hunt owned 51 li, 11 s, 9 d.

The Jury Thing

John Tracy served on an enormous number of Court juries for civil cases. The laws of Plymouth state that juries were paid if parties agreed: 6 pence per man and 12 pence for the foremen "in such cases of controversy as they shall go on" (i635, i644, PCR 11:167). Tracy probably suffered courtroom boredom for the cash.

Biographical

John Tracy's father was Stephen Tracy, who came over from Leiden on the Anne in 1623. He eventually returned to England before 1645, and possibly as early as 1643. In his will (in England), he bequethed his land and houses in Duxbury, along with some cattle, to John. He had four sisters, including Sarah, who married George Partridge (see above) (Anderson 1995, III: 1832). John was probably born around 1636 (from freeman dates).

Aside from the numerous jury sessions, John Tracy was a generally prominent citizen, serving eleven times as a town selectman and three times as a deputy. He was never fined or otherwise penalized.

3 June 1656. Propounded to take up freedom (PCR 3:101).

3 June 1657. Admitted a freeman (PCR 3:117).

c. 1658. Listed as a freeman (PCR 8:198).

29 May 1670. Listed as a freeman of Duxbury (PCR 5:275).

1689. Listed as a freeman (PCR 8:204).

Career

3 June 1656. Highway surveyor for Duxbury, with Henry Howland and Thomas Ensign (PCR 3:100).

1 June 1658. Sworn constable of Duxburrow (PCR 3:135).

3 October 1659. Served in a jury (PCR 7:94). He served on 24 juries listed in PCR 7, often as foreman, spanning the years 1659-1691 (PCR 7:102, PCR 7:126-128, PCR 7:137, PCR 7:143, PCR 7:144, PCR 7:150, PCR 7:156, PCR 7:159, PCR 7:167, PCR 7:171, PCR 7:172, PCR 7:181, PCR 7:184, PCR 7:191, PCR 7:198, PCR 7:215, PCR 7:220, PCR 7:229, PCR 7:246-49, PCR 7:259, PCR 7:260, PCR 7:287, PCR 7:298, PCR 7:310).

7 May 1662. Served on committee examining the death of Thirston Clarke, Sr., of Duxbury, who was lost in the cold. (PCR 4:12)

8 June 1664. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 4:61).

8 December 1669. Served on jury examining the riding accident of John Paybody (PCR 5:29).

7 June 1670. Served on Grand Inquest again, as well as being a juror (PCR 5:36).

29 October 1672. Listed as having been appointed to see "Execution of the Orders of Court prohibiting the Transporting of Plankes, Boards, Bolts, or Barke out of the [government]; which Order beareth Date June, 1672" (PCR 5:106).

3 June 1673. On jury investigating the death of Thomas Phelpps' daughter of Yarmouth in a boat wreck (PCR 5:122).

5 June 1677. A select man of Duxbury (PCR 5:230)

5 June 1678. A select man of Duxbury again (PCR 5:257).

3 June 1679. Highway surveyor for Duxbury (PCR 6:11).

1 June 1680. A select man of Duxbury, 1 June 1680 (PCR 6:34), uninterrupted yearly until his term beginning 1 June 1686 (PCR 6:59, PCR 6:84, PCR 6:107, PCR 6:129, PCR 6:167, PCR 6:185).

7 March 1681-2. Served on a twelve-person jury that found Indian James not guilty of the willful murder of Samuel Crocker of Barnstable (PCR 6:82).

7 July 1682. Ordered, with two other men, to assist with a land grant to Ralph Thacker (clearing out a meadow, etc.) (PCR 6:92). Listed for the first time as "Ensign Tracy"; this continues in some of his listings as deputy and select man.

6 June 1683. Appointed deputy (PCR 6:106).

3 June 1684. Appointed deputy again (PCR 6:127).

5 March 1684-5. Served on a petty jury for a minor theft in Boston (PCR 6:154).

13 July 1685. Appointed to settle boundaries between Duxbury and Marshfield, with three other men (PCR 6:155).

27 October 1685. Appointed to help settle boundaries of farm of Tim Hatherlyes and adjoining farm of Captain John Williams (PCR 6:177).

1 June 1686. Appointed deputy again (PCR 6:185).

2 October 1689. Made Lieutenant of Duxbury (PCR 6:218).

3 June 1690. A select man of Duxbury again (PCR 6:241).

2 June 1691. A select man again, in Plymouth's final year (PCR 6:264).

Land

1 June 1675. "In reference to a petition prefered to the Court by John Howland, John Tracye, Josiah Standish, Edward Southworth, Joseph Howland, David Aldi, and Jabez Howland, requesting a supply of land according unto and by virtue of a Court order which ingageth land to children heer borne and brought up before strangers, the Court have ordered the lands yett undisposed of shalbe viewed, and that such of the ancient freeman as have not bin yett accomodated may be supplyed in the first place, and afterward the petitioners to be supplyed" (PCR 5:170).

Estate Management

10 December 1661. Signed for inventory of Thurston Clark (PCW&I 515).

Biographical

Francis West will be remembered best for his impatience before wedding Margery. This is probably a significant sign of his character in Plymouth Colony: not stringently religious. Nevertheless he was made constable, and also served on the Grand Inquest several times. Aside from these brief records, little is known.

He was probably born around 1635 and lasted past 1689.

8 June 1655. Admitted a freeman (PCR 3:77).

c. 1658. Listed as a freeman of Duxbury (PCR 8:198).

29 May 1670. Listed as a freeman of Duxbury (PCR 5:275).

1689. Listed as a freeman of Duxbury (PCR 8:204).

Career

1 June 1658. Made highway surveyor for Duxbury with Experience Michell (PCR 3:136).

6 June 1660. Elected constable of Duxbury (PCR 3:187).

3 June 1662. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 4:14).

1 June 1669. Grand Inquest (PCR 5:18).

5 March 1671-2. Served on the Court jury (PCR 7:171).

3 June 1674. Grand Inquest (PCR 5:145).

7 June 1676. Grand Inquest (PCR 5:196).

5 June 1678. Grand Inquest (PCR 5:256).

3 June 1679. Appointed to lay out a highway at the south end of Joseph Howland's land, with 11 other men, for George Soule (PCR 6:15).

1 June 1680. Grand Inquest (PCR 6:36).

7 June 1681. Grand Inquest (PCR 6:60).

6 June 1682. Grand Inquest (PCR 6:85).

Legal

2 November 1650. Francis and wife Margery presented for "incontenancy" with one another before marriage. They "were censured to be both set in the stocks; and that Francis shall make a paire of stockes to be set up in a convenient place in Duxburrow, within the space of two months now ensueinge" (PCR 1:164).

Biographical

Bartlett was born around 1634 and lived until at least 1691. The Bartlett family had enough money for servants; nevertheless he stole cedar bolts from someone's swamp in 1669. He had at least one son, Benjamin junior. He was a selectman 18 times, the most of any of these constables (not including Edmund Hawes of Yarmouth); this suggests that he was a well-respected man.

31 June 1653. Propounded a freeman (PCR 3:31).

6 June 1654. Admitted a freeman (PCR 3:48).

c. 1658. Listed as a freeman of Duxbury (PCR 8:198).

29 May 1670. A free man of Duxbury (PCR 5:275).

June 1689. Listed again as a free man of Duxbury (PCR 8:204).

Career

3 June 1657. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 3:115).

3 May 1659. The first of several appearances on civil Court juries. There are eight others listed in PCR 7, spanning from 1659 until 7 July 1682 (PCR 7:92, PCR 7:102, PCR 7:122, PCR 7:123, PCR 7:150, PCR 7:151, PCR 7:205, PCR 7:231, PCR 7:252).

5 March 1660-1. Served on a capital grand jury clearing John Hawes of charges of murdering Josepth Rogers of Eastham on 25 December 1660 (PCR 3:205).

10 June 1661. Appointed to procure a workman to view and search the bridge and Jones' River (to find where repairs were necessary) (PCR 3:219).

3 June 1662. Appointed constable of Duxbury (PCR 4:14).

10 June 1662. Appointed excise tax collector for Duxbury (PCR 4:23).

8 June 1664. Appointed excise tax collector again (PCR 4:67).

16 June 1664. Assisted examining the treasury accounts (PCR 8:110).

5 June 1666. A Select Man of Duxbury (PCR 4:124). This continued uninterrupted yearly until his term beginning 5 June 1671 (PCR 4:149, PCR 4:182, PCR 5:19, PCR 5:35, PCR 5:56).

5 June 1667. Complained about his servant John Cooper, "for refusing to serve him unless his indenture could be produced" (PCR 4:154)... fewer than three years had been served, so the court said in effect, 'agree to serve, or be whipped and be forced to agree.'

8 December 1669. Served on jury examining the riding accident of John Paybody (PCR 5:29).

3 June 1673. Select Man yet again (PCR 5:113).

3 June 1673. On jury investigating the death of Thomas Phelpps' daughter of Yarmouth in a boat wreck, and another boat wreck that killed the wife of Richard Tayler of Yarmouth (PCR 5:122-123).

3 June 1674. Listed as a Select Man (PCR 5:143).

1 June 1675. Select Man (PCR 5:164).

5 June 1678. Select Man (PCR 5:257).

1681. Benjamin Bartlett junior becomes constable of Duxbury (PCR 6:60); in the records, a clear distinction is made between the junior and the senior.

7 June 1681. Select Man (PCR 6:59). Continued uninterrupted as a town select man until 1687 (PCR 6:84, 6:107, PCR 6:129, PCR 6:167, PCR 6:185).

2 June 1685. Deputy of Duxbury (PCR 6:164).

3 June 1690. Select Man (PCR 6:241).

2 June 1691. Select Man (PCR 6:264).

Legal

1 June 1669. A controversy arose regarding Bartlett, Edward Gray and John Thompson cutting cedar bolts from the swamps. They agreed (with the owning parties) to pay each one's share of the fines (PCR 5:21).

Land

7 February 1664-5. Requested land formerly belonging to Jonathan Brewster (deceased), in Alcarmus Field (PCR 4:80).

5 March 1667-8. Offered land by the Court from Jonathan Brewster's estate, provided that no testimony legitimized the land as belonging to Brewster's wife (PCR 4:173).

Estate Management

5 July 1671. Appointed with Governor Thomas Prence, Constant Southworth, and Thomas Clarke, or any three of them, to administer the estate of Mr. William Collyare (PCR 5:68). This is mentioned again in similar fashion on 29 October 1671 (PCR 5:80).

Biographical

John Sprague is the most colorful of all the constables of Duxbury. Aside from fornication before marriage and signing fraudulent divorce papers, he apparently liked to get drunk and out of control at other peoples' houses. He was born between 1638 and 1643 since he appears in no freemen listings before 1658 but was constable by 1663. He died (in extreme debt) before 1677. His life was short, it seems, but unlike the other constables he had fun. His service record to the community is extremely brief, but he served on a few committees and two juries. Apparently nobody saw him as a good representative to other towns.

29 May 1670. Listed as a freeman of Duxbury (PCR 5:275).

Career

7 May 1662. The Court paid Sprague 3 shillings for "himself and his horse a day, imployed about the contrey service in goeing to Duxburrow and returning about Joshua Cocksall" (PCR 4:12). No other context is provided; presumably he was sent by the Court to find the whereabouts of the missing Cocksall.

7 May 1662. Served on committee examining the death of Thirston Clarke, Sr., of Duxbury, who was lost in the cold. (PCR 4:12)

1 June 1663. Appointed constable of Duxbury (PCR 4:37).

31 October 1666. Served on civil jury (PCR 7:134).

25 October 1668. Served on civil jury (PCR 7:150).

8 December 1669. Served on jury examining the riding accident of John Paybody (PCR 5:29).

29 October 1669. Allowed to keep an ordinary (a clergyman for condemned criminals) (PCR 5:27). Why Sprague wanted this, especially while not serving as constable, is completely unclear.

3 June 1673. On jury investigating a boat wreck that killed the wife of Richard Tayler of Yarmouth (PCR 5:123).

Legal

8 June 1655. Fined for fornicating with Ruth Bassett before being married (PCR 2:82).

4 October 1655. 10 pounds owed to the Court for no specified reason-- probably the fine for taking objectionable liberties with Ruth Bassett (PCR 2P93).

8 June 1660. Owed 4 pounds, 10 shillings to Constant Southworth (PCR 8:98).

8 June 1664. Fined 3 pounds for signing witness to a fraudulent divorce paper (William Tubbs and wife Marcye's) (PCR 4:66). This also appears in the treasury records (PCR 8:111).

7 June 1665. Fine of 3 pounds "remitted unto John Sprague this Court" (PCR 4:99).

June 1670. Owed the government 1 pound for excise taxes (PCR 8:130).

7 June 1670. Fined 10 shillings for being drunk in Samuell Chandeler's house (PCR 5:39). This is listed as 5 shillings in the June 1670, March 1670-1, and June 1671 treasury records (PCR 8:131, PCR 8:132, PCR 8:133).

8 March 1670-1. "In reference unto the complaint against John Sprague, that about the begining of December last hee did highly misdemean himselfe in the house of James Cole, of Plymouth, near unto or on the evening before the Sabbath day, in drinking, gameing, and ["uncivil revelling"], to the dishonor of God and the offence of this [government], by his gameing and bringing in off a mare incivilly into the parlour of James Cole aforsaid, for which said misdemenors hee was centanced to sitt in the stockes two houres, which accordingly was performed; and for his being there the greatest part of the afternoon untill the evening, hee was [fined] 5 shillings" (PCR 5:53).

Land

5 March 1677-8. "The receipt of thirty shillings excepted was for the land hiered by mee, William Hinksman, of John Sprague, and by him taken of Perregrine White, which White hiered of Anna Barker" (PCR 7:210). This is one of the more confusing sentences ever written on American soil. Apparently John Sprague was renting out parts of his land.

Estate Management

3 July 1677. John Sprague died before this date; at this date Ruth made over all lands to the Court of Plymouth, and still owed 40 pounds sterling to the Court unless she was able to pay off all of her late husband's debts.

Biographical

There are no mentions of Joseph Andrews outside the years 1654-1664. He appears in no listings of freemen, except for having taken the oath of fidelity in 1657. He may have only stayed in the colony during those years, or may have died before 1670 (the first comprehensive listing of freemen after his last mention). The only assertion that can be made about his personality is that he was very lazy when the time came to survey the highways.

1657. Took the oath of fidelity at Duxbury (PCR 8:181).

Career

3 October 1654. Served on a civil jury (PCR 7:72). Served again several times, with his last appearance 3 October 1665 (PCR 7:87, PCR 7:98, PCR 7:100, PCR 7:126, PCR 7:127).

6 March 1654-5. Served on jury finding Robert Latham guilty of manslaughter of his servant John Walker, and sentencing him to die by burning (PCR 3:73) and on a jury for a "false oath" by Joseph Tilden (PCR 3:75).

c. 1655. At some time he was appointed to be a highway surveyor of Duxbury-- see "Legal."

8 June 1655. Served on Grand Inquest (PCR 3:78).

June 3 1656. Served on jury regarding lands of Arthur Howland and the deceased Thomas Chillingsworth (PCR 3:102) 7 May 1662. Served on a committee examining the death of Thirston Clarke, Sr., of Duxbury, who was lost in the cold (PCR 4:12)

1 June 1663. Allowed to make decisions in Faith Clarke estate regarding the payments of debts (PCR 4:39).

8 June 1664. Appointed constable of Duxbury (PCR 4:51). Perhaps this was in lieu of the fine mentioned in "Legal."

Legal

8 June 1655. Presented to the Grand Inquest, with Robert Barker, surveyors of the highways, for "neglecting to mend the highwaies in the township of Duxburrow" (PCR 3:82). He also appears to have been serving in the Grand Inquest at the time (see "career") (PCR 3:78)!

4 August 1663. Fined five shillings for refusing to serve on a jury for laying out highways in Duxbury (PCR 4:45). Also listed in that day's treasury account (PCR 8:108).

16 June 1664. Either a second fine of five shillings or a reminder of the earlier debt (PCR 8:110).

Estate Management

10 December 1661. Signed, with John Tracy, for the inventory of Thurston Clarke (PCW&I 551).

Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-

1633. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995). 3v.

Plymouth Colony Wills and Inventories, Vol. 1: 1633-1669, ed. C.H. Simmons (Rockport, ME.:

Picton Press, 1996).

Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, ed. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff and David Pulsifer (Boston:

William White, 1855-61; New York: AMS Press, 1968). 12 v. in 6.