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John Swett |
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Phebe Benton |
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John Swett ★ may have been born about 1679 WE23. He married “Phœba” Benton on April 24, 1604 in New Buckenham, Norfolk County, England NO11. He was called a leather inspector (“Scrutator Corie” or “Scrutator Corii” MA68) in court rolls for the manor of New Buckenham, Norfolk County, England in courts which were held in 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608, 1610, and 1631 WE23, MA68. After three of his children were baptized in New Buckenham, he may have relocated to Wymondham, where four additional children were baptized. New Buckenham is about eight miles south of Wymondham. He was absent from the manorial court of New Buckenham, Norfolk County in February 1607/8, but Robert Myller appeared on his behalf and presented his excuse for his absence; John Swett did the same for Thomas Swett and Jeremias Benttem, who were absent from the New Buckenham manorial court in February 1609/10 WE23. He was absent from the manorial court of New Buckenham, Norfolk County in 1632 and 1633, but Robert “Kyes” appeared on his behalf and presented his excuse for his absence in 1632 WE23.
John Swett took the oath of fidelity and was made a freeman in Massachusetts on May 18, 1642 PA23. John Swett was included in a list of several men who were called freeholders of Newbury, Essex County which was probably dated December 7, 1642 CU7. A Newbury town meeting held on January 10, 1643/4 voted “yt eury house lott shall be ffoure acres… yt he yt hath least land in the New Towne shall have 8 acres yt [except] John Swett, Tho: Silver, Jo: Russe” CU7. In or after 1645, he was assigned house lot number 26 in accordance with a Newbury town order CU7. John Sweatt and William Monday witnessed Samuell Scullard write his will on March 27, 1647 SA21. He was selected as a “leather searcher” on April 19, 1649 during a Newbury town meeting CU7. John Swett was described as “old” in his death record, which stated he died on January 13, 1651 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6.
Phebe Benton ★ was the mother of Phœba, Mary, John, Sarah, Dorcas, Stephen, Joseph, and Benjamin Swett.
Phœba Swett, the daughter of John Swett, was baptized on December 30, 1604 in New Buckenham, Norfolk County, England NO11.
Mary Swett was probably born about 1606 WE23, but her baptismal record was not located. She may have been the daughter of John and Phebe Swett. Mary Swatt and Robart Carsle, both single, were married on July 9, 1629 in Wymondham, Norfolk County, England CH28. Robert and Mary Carsey (or Carsy) were the parents of five children whose baptisms were recorded in New Buckenham, Norfolk County, England NO11. These were Mary Carsey, baptized on June 5, 1631, William Carsy, baptized on May 22, 1633, Phebe Carsey, who was baptized on March 27, 1635 and buried on December 29, 1647, John Carsey, baptized on October 9, 1636, and Beniamin Carsy, baptized on April 28, 1639 NO11. Mary Carsy, the wife of Robert Carsy, Jr., was buried on December 22, 1639 in New Buckenham, Norfolk County, England NO11.
John Swett, the son of John Swett, was baptized on June 19, 1608 in New Buckenham, Norfolk County, England NO11. John was a shoemaker MA26. A death record in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts for Sara Swett, who died on December 11, 1650 VI6, may have been the first wife of John Swett WE23. The second wife of John was Mercy Rouse, the daughter of Faithful and Suretrust (Starr) Rouse; this marriage record has not been located but the marriage would have occurred after December 1643 but before 1657 WE23. This is because “Mercie Rous” (not “Mercie Swett”) was admitted to the First Church in Charlestown on December 9, 1643 HU25, but the first known child of John and “Mersie” Swett was born in 1657 LO1.
In his will, John Swett mentioned “my now dwelling house and Land in Charlstowne bequeathed unto mee by my father & mother Rouse neer adjacent to the house & land late belonging to Ensigne Henry Philips in Charlstowne” MA26. Faithfull Rouse, a saddler of Charlestown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, wrote his will on April 9, 1664 which made bequests to his daughter, Mercy Sweat, which included his dwelling house with this stipulation AM1:
Also, I give. and bequeath unto my daughter Mercy Sweat, after my wives decease, my dwelling-house, during the terme of her owne life, & to her child, or children, after her death: But if she die without issue, or her child or children die before they come, to age, I give one halfe of the said house to my son Sweat, and the other halfe unto Hannah Mainer; provided also, that if my daughter leave any issue to enjoy the house the shall pay ten pound to the said Han. Mainer, after the decease of my daughter, one full yeare.
Suretrust Rouse of Charlestown, Middlesex County (now Suffolk County), Massachusetts, the “Relict Widow” of Faithfull Rouse, wrote her will on October 30, 1679 which mentioned her daughter, Mercie Sweat, and son-in-law, John Sweat AM1. Her will stated “Item I give and unto my loving daughter mercie Sweat the wife of John Sweat the use and benifitt of one hundred pounds to be improved in sheap keeping during her life and After her decease I give Fiftie pounds thereof to my Son in law John Sweat aforesaid…” AM1.
Hannah Sweat, the daughter of “John Sweat shoemaker & Mersie his wife” was born on May 10, 1657 and baptized on May 24, 1657 LO1. At the end of this record was the word “Rosma” LO1, which may have been an abbreviation for the street “Rosemary Lane” WE23. She probably died prior to October 1661, when another daughter named Hannah was baptized HU25. He may have been the father of Benjamin Swett, who was called the son of “John Swett of Ch[urch] of Newberry” in his baptismal record on January 29, 1659 at the First Church in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts MA26. Hannah, the daughter of “bro: Swett” was baptized on October 13, 1661 at the First Church in Charlestown in Charlestown, Middlesex County (now Suffolk County), Massachusetts HU25. Hannah and Benjamin were not named in John Swett’s will, indicating they likely had died. Additionally, because John was able to bequeath his dwelling house (given to him by his former father-in-law) to his new wife, Jane, this further demonstrates that the children of John and Mercy (Rouse) Swett had died.
The unnamed wife of John Sweat died on February 13, 1685/6 in Charlestown, Middlesex County (now Suffolk County), Massachusetts MA26. This would have been Mercy (Rouse) Swett. Sometime after the death of Mercy but before 1688, he married an individual named Jane, who probably was a widow named Jane Hodges with a daughter whose name was also Jane Hodges. This inference stems from the will of John Swett, which he wrote on March 22, 1687/8 MA26. It mentions his wife, Jane Swett, and his unmarried, minor daughter-in-law, Jane Hodges MA26. This Jane Hodges was not his own daughter and she could not have been the wife of a son of John Swett, because John Swett stated that she had not been married. She was likely his stepdaughter. His will has been transcribed below MA26:
In the name of God, Amen: the twenty second day of March, Anno Domi: One thousand six hundred & Eighty seven 1687/8. Anno RRs Jacobi secondi nunc Anglia &c Quarto. I John Swett of Charlstowne in the County of Middlesex in New-England, being in health of body, and of good & perfect memory (thankes be to Almighty God) do make this my Last Will and Testament, in manner & forme following, that is to say. First, and principally I bequeath my immortall Soule into the hands of Almighty God my Creator, and heavenly Father in Christ Jesus in whom I trust that of his rich Grace through the merritts of my dearest Redeemer I shall obtaine the remission of all my sinnes, and Eternal Rest & happiness in the enjoyment of ye blessed God; and my body, in hope of a Joyfull Resurrection I committ to the Earth to be buried. with such charges as my Executor here after named shall see meet and as touching that temporal Goods the Lord hath been pleased to betrust me with, and bestow upon mee, I dispose of the same as followeth. First my Will is that all my just debts be in convenient time satisfyed & payd, and further my Will is that my welbeloved wife Jane Swett shall have and enjoy my now dwelling house and Land in Charlstowne bequeathed unto mee by my father & mother Rouse neer adjacent to the house & land late belonging to Ensigne Henry Philips in Charlstowne with all the libertyes & priviledges to ye same belonging or in any wise appertaining, also all my other estate both moveable & immoveable, she paying & satisfying my debts & legacies. Item. I give & bequeath unto my daughter in law Jane Hodges the sum of five pounds to be payd unto her by my [the previous word is uncertain because it looks as though someone has written a large lowercase “y” over most of the word, which actually resembles “mje”] Executo[r] at the age of Eighteen yeares or day of marriage which shall first happen. Item, I give & bequeath unto my Brother steven swett the sum of twenty shillings as a token of my love. Item I give & bequeath unto my Brother Joseph swett the sum of twenty shillings all the remainder of my Estate, both real & personall my debts and legacies being payd I give & bequeath unto Jane swett – my wife whom I make the Executor of this my last Will & testamt. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & seale the day & yeare first abovewritten.
John Swett
Signed Sealed & published as the last will & testament of John Swett in presence of
Returne Waite
Joseph Webb
Joseph Webb junr.
John Sweat, a “Shoomaker, aged nere 80 years” died on May 18, 1693 in Charlestown, Middlesex County (now Suffolk County), Massachusetts MA26 and his will was proved on May 25, 1693 MA64.
Sarah Swett was baptized on May 6, 1610 in New Buckenham, Norfolk, England (“Sarah the daught[e]r of John Swett was bapt: the 6t of May”) NO11.
Dorcas Swett, the daughter of John Swett, was baptized on May 31, 1618 in the parish of Wymondham, Norfolk County, England CH28.
Stephen Swett, the son of John Swett, was baptized on April 18, 1620 in the parish of Wymondham, Norfolk County, England CH28. Stephen Swett testified that on December 7, 1648, he found Thomas Smith, the twelve-year-old son of Thomas Smith, in a well or a pit by the town common in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts SA21. He stated that Thomas was covered with snow and water, and his food and his coat were found on the side of the well and covered with snow SA21. Thomas seemed to have a seizure disorder because the investigation into his death stated that he was subject to fits of convulsion SA21. After hearing the testimony of various witnesses, the jury of twelve men (which included Benjamin Swett) surmised that Thomas Smith had been on his way to school mid-morning, but because his breeches had been pulled down, they believed that he was using the pit as a toilet and fell in backwards SA21.
Both of his wives, Hanna and Rebecca, probably died from trauma or complications of childbirth or from infection stemming from childbirth. Steven Swett married Hanna Merrill, the daughter of John Merrill, on May 24, perhaps in the 1640s in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6. Steven Swett (most likely with his wife, Hanna) was the father of seven children whose births were recorded in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI28. These were John Swett, born on October 20, 1648, Steven Swett, born on August 20, 1650 (who died on September 23 or 25, 1650 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6), Hanna Swett, born on October 7, 1651, Stephen Swet, born on January 28, 1653/4, Elizabeth Swett, born on January 17, 1655/6, Joseph Swett, born on November 28, 1657, and Mary Swet, born on April 25, 1660 (who died on March 17, 1661/2 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6) VI28. Hannah, the wife of Steven Swett, died on April 4, 1662 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6. Steven Swet married Rebecca Smith on August 4, 1663 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6. Steven Swett (probably with his wife, Rebecca) was the father of another three children whose births were recorded in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI28. These were Benjamin Swett, born on May 20, 1664, Rebecca Swet, born on December 4, 1665 (who died on May 31, 1666 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6), and Rebecca Swett, born on February 27, 1669 VI28. Rebecca, the wife of Steven Swett, died two days later on March 1, 1669 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6.
At a court held at Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 27, 1653, he was “chosen by the townsmen of Newbery to keep an ordinary” and was subsequently granted a licence for this DO1. Stephen Swett and Anthony Somerby witnessed a deed between William and Dorathy Pilsbury of Newbury (the grantors) and William Sawyer of Newbury (the grantee) on March 20, 1654 SA21. John Merrell, Steven Swett, and Anthony Somerby witnessed a deed between Thomas and Tomozin/Tomazin Hale of Newbury (the grantors) and Joseph Muzzy of Newbury (the grantee) dated March 3, 1656 SA21.
It was noted in 1664 that he kept an ordinary which was later called the Blue Anchor Tavern CU7. Thomas Bloomfield and Stephen Swett witnessed a deed between John and Mary Woolcott of Newbury (the grantors) and Daniell Pierce of Newbury (the grantee) dated August 31, 1665 SA21. At a court held in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on March 27, 1666, Stephen Swett’s “license to draw liquors” was renewed for one year DO14. At a later date, John March, the son of Hugh March, an innkeeper, had a license to keep an ordinary at the Blue Anchor Tavern CU7. Steven Swett was appointed as a leather sealer on March 5, 1676/7 and March 26, 1679 CU7. He was mentioned in the will of his brother, John Swett, in March 1687/8 MA26, and he was called a cordwainer, or a person who makes leather shoes, when he sold two parcels of land in Newbury with a dwelling house and a shop to Hugh March, Jr., a blacksmith, on November 16, 1691 ES18:
To all people to whom this present writing shall come I Stephen Swett Senr. of Newbury in ye County of Essex in ye Colony of ye Massachusetts Bay in New England Send Greeting Know yee that I ye said Stephen Swett Senr. for & in Consideracon of a Valuable Sume in hand & secured to be paid by bill bearing Equall date herewith by Hugh March Junr. of ye Towne & Countey aforesd Have Given Granted Bargained and Sold and doe by these prsents fully Clearly & absolutely Give Grant bargain Sell Enfeoffe and Confirm unto ye said Hugh March Junr. a parcell of land lying & being in the Towne of Newbury viz seaven Rods & a halfe in Length & Eleven foot in breadth at ye West End and Two Rods & Ten foot next ye high Way Easterly bounded by ye land of Hugh March Senr. Northerly by ye land of Leiut Tristram Coffin Southwesterly and ye Street Easterly together with a peice of Ground of Nine foot in breadth & Three Rods & six foot in length bounded by ye land of said Tristram Coffin Southerly and by ye Street Easterly and by ye said Land afore demised Northwesterly Together with ye dwelling house and shopp standing upon ye same To Have & To Hold all ye above demise premises both housing & Land together with all ye fencing and other priviledges and Appurtenances to ye same belonging or otherwise appertaining to him ye said Hugh March Junr. his hiers Executors Administrator and assignes as an Inheritance in fee simple for ever And I ye said Stephen Swett Cordwainer for my hiers Executors & Administrators doe Covenant and promise to & with ye said Hugh March Junr blacksmith his hiers Executors Admrs. & assignes in Manner & form following That I am at this Day The true and Lawfull Owner of all ye above demised premises and of Every part & parcell thereof… In Confirmacon whereof I ye said Stephen Swett Senr. Have hereunto set my hand & seale this Sixteenth Day of November Anno. Dom.o sixteen hundred & ninety & one… Stephen Swett Senr. & a Seal
Signed Sealed & Delivered by Stephen Swett Senr. Cordwainer To Hugh March Junr. Blacksmith in p[re]sence of us
Benjamin Poor
Henry Luntt
Henry Shortt
He also sold land in Newbury to his son-in-law, Edward Poor, on May 6, 1693 ES18:
To all Christian People to whome this present writing shall Come I Stephen Sweat of newbury in ye Countey of Essex In their maj.ties Province of ye Massachusetts Bay In New England Sendeth Greeting Know yee yt I ye abovsd. Stephen Sweat Do for and In Consideracon of a valuable sum Recd of my son In Law Edward Poor of ye Town & County abovesd. Which sum was towards my maintenance The Time past as also The good security Which he hath given me for my maintaince. for the Time To Come During her [sic] naturall Life have given granted Covenanted Bargained alienated & absolutely have Bargained & Sold unto my son In Law Edward Poor of ye Town & Countey & Province abovesd. all yt my Free hold & privileges In a Com[m]on Lands In newbury as also my freehold Lott as it was Laid out to me In ye upper woods In ye Town of newbury being In Number the [blank space] Bounded with ye Land of Ensign Tappin westerly & a high way Easterly & Southwardly & ye high way upon merrimac River Northerly To Have & To Hold ye abovesd. premises together with all the appurces. thereon or there unto Appertaining Respectively to him ye abovesd. Edward Poor his heirs Exec:es adm:rs & assignes for Ever & I the abovesd. Stephen Sweat Do hereby warrantize this my sale and Do hereby own yt I have good Title to ye Same & Do hereby free ye Said premises from all & all manner of form:er sales gifts grants Thirds Dowries wills mortgages attachmts. Judgmts. Executions or any other Incumbrances wtsoever… as witness my hand & seale this sixth day of may one thousand six hundred & Ninety Three In ye fifth year of their now maj.ties Reign King William & Queen Mary
Stephen Sweat & a seale
Signed Sealed & Delivered In The Presence of us
Peter Coffin
Benja. Morss
John Ordway
Joseph Swett, the son of John Swett, was baptized on January 21, 1621/2 in the parish of Wymondham, Norfolk County, England CH28. A marriage record for Joseph Swett and Elizabeth Taylor, dated in October 1651 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts, was crossed out in the record book NE20. Anthony Somerby and Joseph Swett witnessed a deed dated January 15, 1652 between Stephen and Anna Kent of Haverhill, late of Newbury (the grantors) and Thomas Hale of Newbury, late of Haverhill (the grantee) SA21. At a court held at Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts on September 27, 1653, the wife of Joseph Swett received a ten-shilling fine for the crime of wearing a hood made of silk DO12. Joseph and Elizabeth Swett were the parents of Joseph, who was born on October 26, 1658 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts MA26. It appears that Elizabeth (Taylor) Swett (assuming she married Joseph) died sometime between 1658 and 1673, because birth records from Boston beginning in 1673 indicate that Joseph was married to an individual named Mary. Joseph and Mary Swett were the parents of four children whose births were recorded in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Benjamin Swett, born on July 12, 1673, twins Phebe and Anna, who were born on February 7, 1674, and Elizabeth, born on July 7, 1676 MA26. Joseph was alive in March 1687/8 when he was named in the will of his brother MA26.
Beniamin Swett, the son of John Swett, was baptized on May 12, 1624 in the parish of Wymondham, Norfolk County, England CH28. Benjamin Swett married Hester Wyre, the daughter of Nathaniel Wyre, in November in the 1640s in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6. Hester was also called Hester Weare BO1. Benjamin Swett was the father of seven children whose births were recorded in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI28. These were Hester Swett, born on June 7 or 17, 1648, Sara Swett, born on November 7, 1650, Mary Swett, born on January 7, 1651/2 (but probably died prior to May 1654), Mary Swett, born on May 2, 1654, Benjamin Swett, born on August 25, 1656, Joseph Swett, born on January 21, 1658/9, and Moses Swet, born on September 16, 1661 VI28. Benjamin and Ester Swett were the parents of four children whose births were recorded in Hampton, old Norfolk County, Massachusetts (which is now in Rockingham County, New Hampshire). These were Hannah Swett, born on May 16, 1664, Elizabeth Swett, born on July 2, 1667, John Swett, born on May 17, 1670, and Stephen Swett, born on September 13, 1673 SA20.
In a deed or contract between Henry Dove, Benjamin Swett, and Robert Long dated May 22, 1650, Henry Dove of Newbury acknowledged himself to be indebted to Robert Long and Benjamin Swett for sixty bushels of wheat, which he owed to them by October 19th of that year SA21. He purchased ten acres of upland in Newbury from Mr. John Spenser for an undisclosed sum on June 9, 1651, and then he sold that same parcel of land three days later to Edmond Moores, also for an undisclosed sum SA21. The two deeds below were transcribed by George Freeman Sanborn, Jr. and have been reproduced here under a Creative Commons “Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International” license SA21:
Witnes by these presents, that John Spenser of Nuberry, in the county of Essex, in New England, gent, for & in consideration of full sattisfaction in hand paid, & by the said Mr. Spenser received; have given, granted, infeofed, sold, confirmed, & made over, & hereby doe sell, infeofe & make over, unto Benjamin Swett of ye said towne & county, ten acres of upland, be it more or less, as it is layd out to him, lying in Nuberry aforesaid, bounded with ye land of Richard Pettingale on the south, Anthony Morse his land on the north, the street on the east, & ye comon on ye west, with all & singuler ye profits & appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have & to hold to the said Benjamin Swett, his heirs, executors, administrators or assignes forever; and the said John Spenser for him & his heirs forever, & assigns, do warrantize the sale of the said ten acres, be it more or less, against any man; and that the said Benjamin Swett, his heires & assignes, shall peaceably occupy, possess & injoy the said land, without any molestation of him the said John Spencer, his heirs, executors or assignes, or any other claiming in, by, from or under him, them or any or either of them, their heires, executors or assignes. In witnesse whereof the said John Spenser have sett his hand & Seale, June 9th, 1651.
per me John Spenser.
Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of us,
Robert Rogers.
Christopher [mark] Bartlett.
Witnesse by these presents, that Benjamin Swett of Newbury, in ye county of Essex, in New England, for & in consideration of full sattisfaction in hand paid & received, have given, granted, infeofed, sold and made over & confirmed, & hereby do sell, infeofe & make over, unto Edmond Moores, of the said towne & countie, ten acres of upland, be it more or less, as it lyes in Newbury aforesaid, bounded with the land of Richard Pettingall on the south, the street on the east, Anthony Morse his land part on the north, & the comon on the west & north, with all & singuler the profitts & appurtenances thereunto belonging. To have & to hold to the said Edmund Moores, his heirs, executors & assignes forever; & the said Benjamin Swett, for him & his heires &c. doe warrantize the sale of the said ten acres, against any laying claime thereunto; & that the said Edmund Moore, his heirs, assignes &c. shall peaceably occupy, possess and enjoy the said land, without any molestation or interruption of him the sd Benjamin Swett, his heires &c. or any other claiming from, in, by or under him or them, or any or eyther of them, their heires &c. In wittness whereof the said Benjamin Swett hath set his hand & seale, June 12: 1651.
Benjamin Swett.
Signed, sealed & del’d. in ye presence of
William Gerrish.
Thomas Hale.
Benjamin Swett of Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts and his wife, Hester, sold a messuage, house, and/or tenement, with seven acres of arable land in Newbury, to John Woolcutt for the sum of four-score pounds on April 14, 1658 SA21. This deed was witnessed by Anthony Sumerby and Elizabeth Weare and signed with seals by Benjamin Swett and Ester Swett SA21. The condition of this grant was that John Woolcutt must allow Benjamin’s mother the ability to reside in the bakehouse for the following four years SA21. The deed below was transcribed by George Freeman Sanborn, Jr. and the pertinent portion with the condition about Benjamin’s mother is reproduced here under a Creative Commons “Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International” license SA21:
…provided that the said John Woolcutt allow free egress & regress for my mother to dwell in the bakehouse, for the space of four years nex ensueing the date heereof, and after the sd tearme is expired, the said bakehouse & all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, I the abovesaid Benjamin Swett do acknowledg to be the proper inheritance of the sd John Woolcott, his heires & assignes forever; and if my mother please to leave the sd house before the sayd tearme is expired, the sd John Woolcutt is to seize upon it presently for his owne use, to possess & enjoy forever…
He was made an ensign in Newbury in 1651, was promoted to lieutenant in 1675, and then was commissioned as a captain in 1677 BO1. He did not fully prepare the soldiers under his command and he underestimated the strength and number of the Native American warriors that he engaged in a battle at Black Point near Scarborough, Maine on June 29, 1677, and he allegedly was wounded nearly twenty times and died from his injuries BO1.
Phebe Swett, a widow, died on May 6, 1665 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts VI6.