Peter Cloyes
He served as Captain in King Phillip's War and in the Indian war; was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. (Cloyes and Dagwell Family Genealogies - Obetz)
1663; At Wells, York Co., Maine (Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire; Encyclopedia of New England Families)
November 7, 1664: Witness to deed of sale between Thomas and Annas Littlefield and Francis Littlefield Sr. at Wells, ME. (York County Records)
1666; Grand juror. (Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire)
1668; Grand juror. (Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire)
February 6, 1673; " Know all men
by these Presents, that I Fran: Littlefield of
Wells Junior in New England, In Consideration of a valewable sume offiveteen
pounds to mee in hand payd before the Insealeing & delivery hereof,
the reciept, wrof, I doe acknowledg my selfe there with to beefully contented
& satisfyd, by my brother in law Peter Cloyce living & resident
in the same Town, have & hereby doe sell give grant Assign Enfeoff&
Confirme unto ye said Peter Cloyse his heyres executors Administrators &
Assignes, a Certain Tract & Prcell of upland liing & being on the
westernmost side of that River Called by the name of Webhannet River, at
the Falls w'ron the sayd Fran: Littlefield hath built a Saw Mill neare untohis
dwelling house, weh formerly was the Interest of his father Edmund Littlefield
deceased, the ful breadth of upland Contayning thyrty foure pools & an
halfe, from a Marked Red oake Tree at & neare unto a bridge next unto
a Lott of Fran: Littlefield Senior, on the Eastermost side thereof and from
thence a Twart the sayd Land, w'ron now Peter Cloyse liveth & hath built
an house, unto the bounds of that Land formerly Edm'd Littlefieldsdeceased:
& now in the possession of the aforesd Fran: Litlefield Juno'r, going
down toward the sea, South Eastwardly, to the fence a small distancebelow
the high way & soe to runne backe into the Woods soe fare in distance
& lenght upon the same Lyne as the Lotts of ye Town doe extend (exceptingthe
Hill on the Southerly side of the River, to runne against w'r the Mill standeth,
reserving one poole & an halfe upwards for an high way for his
owne proper usse/ In w'ch bounds that small Prcell of
March lying on the West side of Webhannet River is Included, & a Convenient
highway for Town &Countrey, Reserved towards Newgewanacke/
To have & to hould the sd
Tract of Land as thus bounded, with all the profetts priviledges Imunitys
& appurtenences w'rsoever, there unto belonging, with every part & Prcell thereof as above expressed,
unto the said Peter Cloyse his heyre executors administrators & assignes
for his & there soole porper usse &
benefit for ever: And I the sayd Fran:Littlefield doe Covenant & pormise
to & with Peter Cloyce that hee the sayd Francis hath full & Lawfull
right & every part there, of is free from all former & other Bargains
sayls gyfts Claimes titles Incumbrances w'soever, & shall warrant &
defend the same, & evry Prcell & part thereof against all Prson
or Prsons whatsoever/ In witness w'of unto all & every of the Premises
above written, I have here unto all & every of the Premisses above written,
I have here unto afixed my hand & seale this sixth day of Febru: 1673:
Anno Dom: 1673 Signed sealed & Delivered/Fran: Littlefield his seal
In the Presence of/Fran: Littlefield
Juno'r acknowledged Edw: Rishworth/this Deede, & delivered
Roger Playstead it as his Act
this 2nd of April 1674 before mee Richard Walden Commissio'r
Meribah Littlefield, the wife
of Fran: Littlefield Junio'r, owned this Instrument to bee her free Act
& Deede this 6: of Aprill: 74: before mee Edw: Rishworth Assotiate/ A true Coppy of this Instrument transcribed
out of the originall, & there with Compared, this 18th day of Aprill:1674:p"
(York County Records)
1676; During Philips War, his family retired to York. (Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire)
1677; To Salem, MA from York, ME. Lived a little ways southeasterly from the Putnamville railroad station, in Danvers, MA. (History of Salem, VolIII - Sidney Perley)
August 5, 1677; Children born before this date all baptised at Salem's 1st Church. All except Sarah. (Salem Vital Records)
December 12, 1677; Mother in law's will written with inventory on March 7, 1678. Daughter Hannah Cloyse to get her bed and "bowlster". Hannah Cloyse to receive all "lining and woolen new and old" to be divided equally with 2 sisters. Her "son" (son in law) Peter Cloyse to receive "2 acres of marsh bee it more or less at lyeth on the s w side of Mr. Wheelwrights necke of land" . (Maine Wills)
November 19, 1678; One of the founding members of the First Church at Salem. "Peter Clois a member of the church of York by a ___ at York was himself admitted to the Lords Supper ____ virtue of the Communion of Churches." Hannah later received to membership as well. (The Records of the First Church in Salem; The Devil Discovered; Salem Witchcraft - Upham)
1679; At Salem Village (Danvers), he and Hannah sold their land at Wells to William Frost. Farm at Salem at the east end of town. (The Cloyes Family; Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire.)
November 19, 1687; Members of the Church of Christ at Salem Village at the first embodying. (New England Families Genealogical & Memorial - William P. Cutter.)
1689; Representative to General Court. (The Devil Discovered - Robinson)
November 10, 1689; Church members of Salem Village desired to have their dismission from Salem Town church. Petition signed by Peter Cloyes. The church consented. (The Records of the First Church in Salem)
November 19, 1689; Signer
of the "Covenant agreed upon, and consented unto by the Church of Christ
at Salem Village, at the first Embodying..."
(Danvers Church Records)
July 21, 1691; Burroughs
et al. to Massachusetts Governor and Council. "...a letter seeking
assistance that described Wells as 'the front of all the Estern part of the
Contrey Remoatly Scituated; for Strength weak; and the Enemie beating upon
us.' When the Wabanakis attacked Wells the previous month, the men reported
they had killed or taken 'upward of an hundred head of cattell beside Sheep
and horeses,' and their corn was 'in great hazard' of being lost. To prevent
further losses of men and resources, the leaders of Wells asked the authorities
in Boston to adopt a policy that 'the Inhabitants of this province may not
Quit theire places with out liberty first obtayned from Leguel Authority.'
Two months later (September 28, 1691), Burroughs and the others reported
that the Indians 'still distress us, by holding us off from our improvements,
Keeping us in close Garrison.' The 'heathen,' they wrote, were 'a sore scourge
to us.' The last letter Burroughs addressed to Boston, on January 27,
1691/2, described the destruction of York two days earlier. Writing of their
'low condition, & eminent danger,' the leaders of Wells observed that
'the course of God's most sweet & rich promises, & gracious providences
may justly be interrupted by the sins of his People.' They prayed,
'The Lord set his eyes upon us for good, & build us, not pull us downe,
& plant us, & not pluck us up.' " "Among the other signatories
were sons of the Rev. John Wheelwright, and men of the Littlefield and Cloyce families." (In the
Devil's Snare - Mary Beth Norton)
1692; Selectman at Salem. (The Devil Discovered - Robinson)
March 19, 1692; Signed petition at Rebecca Towne Nurse's home stating he had spoken to Rebecca Nurse with others and found her very ill in bed for over a week. (Salem Witchcraft - Upham)
May 1692; May have taken in one or more of the children of George Jacobs when he escaped arrest on a charge of witchcraft. He was a neighbor of Peter's and as Jacob's wife was also accused and taken to jail, there was no one left to take care of the children ages 15, 13, 11, and 2 1/2. (The Salem Witch Trials - Marilynne K. Roach)
August 4, 1692; Sunday. "Brother Peter Cloyse & Samuel Nurse & his wife & John Tarbell & his wife "having absented themself from Communion, and very rarely, except Brother Nurse", attending Public Worship, Brother Nathaniel Putnam and the two Deacons, with the Pastor, are this day ("after some discourse") appointed a Committee "to discourse with the said absenters about it." (Danvers Church Records)
August 31, 1692; "Brother Tarbell proves sick unmeet for discourse. Brother Cloyse hard to be found at home being often with his wife in Prison in Ipswich for Witchcraft & Brother Nurse & sometimes his wife attends our publick meeting, & he the Sacrament.
October 6, 1695; had been at Boston
with Sarah "these many months", when he was dismissed from church at Salem
Village, to Marlborough. (Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New
Hampshire)
October 10, 1695; "Having received approval for
Peter and Sarah Cloyse's transfer from the 'major part' of the Salem Village
church members the previous Sunday, Rev. Samuel Parris wrote the required
letter of dismission to the Marlborough church. He left it for Cloyse at
John Tarbell's house, only to have Cloyse appear at his door again on Thursday.
'Brother Cloyse brought me back the letter...saying it was a letter of recommendation
and not of dismission that he desired.' " (The Salem Witch Trials -
Marilynne K. Roach)
1698; First meeting house framed at Framingham, not complete until 1701. (Encyclopedia of New England Families)
About 1699; To Sudbury (later
Fram.) Salem End Colony, Mass. after wife released from prison. Signed
petition for incorporation of Framingham. (History of Framingham; The Cloyes Family; Salem Witchcraft
Vol 2 - Upham)
1700; Road laid from site of meeting house to Salem End past site of minister's house to s side of John Town's door over new bridge at StoneyBrook and over the plain to the corner of Benjamin Nurse's land, then over a little spruce swamp on s side and up to Peter Cloyes Senior's house (later Barton House) and to James Cloyes', then John Nurse's, with a branch from John Travis' to Caleb Bridge's and on to common. (settled about 1 mile w of common of at Salem End) (History of Framingham; Encyclopedia of New England Families)
August 1700; Present at 1st town meeting at Framingham, elected Selectman.(Encyclopedia of New England Families)
1701; dismissed from Marlborough church to Framingham. (Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire)
March 3, 1701; Grand juror. Involved in planning and building the 1st meetinghouse in Framingham, Massachusetts. Elected town treasurer.(History of Framingham)
March 13, 1701; Chosen to assist in building the preacher's house and assist in choice of preacher with step son Benjamin Bridges and and nephew John Town. (Framingham Town Records)
March 31, 1701; One of a number elected to "gather ten pounds by way of rate" for finishing of the meeting house; to employ a carpenter and see that the money was spent to the best advantage. (Encyclopedia of New England Families; History of Framingham)
May 13, 1701; To go to three ordained ministers for their opinion of Mr. John Swift as a minister for their church. Rev. John Swift, preacher chosen by May 20, 1701. (Encyclopedia of New England Families; History of Framingham)
May 22, 1701; To give call to new minister, Mr. Swift. Mr Swift's record shows Peter as one of 18 first members of the church. (History of Framingham; Encyclopedia of New England Families)
January 13, 1702; Chosen to seat meeting house. (History of Framingham)
"To his Excellency the Governor,
and Councill, and Representatives now in Generall Court Assembled; at Boston;
The Petition of severall of
the Inhabitants of Andover, Salem village & Topsfield, humbly sheweth:
That whereas in the year 1692
some of your Petitioners and the near Relations of others of them, viz:
Rebecca Nurse, Mary Estey, Abigail
Faulkner, Mary Parker, of Andover
John Proctor & Elizabeth his wife; Elizabeth How, Samuel Wardwell &
Sarah his Wife: were accused of Witchcraft by certain possessed persons
and thereupon were apprehended and imprisoned, and at a Court held at Salem
were condemned upon the Evidence of the aforesaid possessed persons; and sentences
of Death hath been executed on them (except Abigail Faulkner, Elizabeth Proctor
& Sarah Wardwell) of whose innocency those that knew them are well satisfyed.
And whereas the invalidity of the aforesaid Evidence and the great wrong
which (through Erros & mistakes in those tryalls) was then done, hath
since plainly appear'd which we doubt not but this Honored Court is sensible
of; Your Petitoners being dissatisfyed and grieved, that (besides what the
aforesaid condemned persons have suffered in their persons and Estates) their
Names are Exposed to Infamy and reproach, while their Tryall & condemnation
stands upon Publick Record; We therefore humbly Pray this Honored Court,
that something may be Publickly done to take off Infamy from their surviving
Relations, nor their Posterity
may suffer reproach upon that account. And yo'r Petition'rs shall ever pray
&c.
Dated March 2d 1702/3
Francis Faulkner
Abigail Faulkner
Sarah Wardwel
John Parker
Joseph Parker
Nathaniel Dane
Francis Dane
Mary How
Abigail How
Isaac Estey
Samuel Nurse
Phebe Robinson
Samuel Wardwell
John Tarbel
John Nurse
Peter Cloys sen'r
Isaac Estey Jun'r
Sarah Gill
Rebecca Preston
Thorndike Proctor
Benjamin Proctor
In the House of Representatives
March 18th 1702/3. Read & sent up. (Mass Archives Vol.135 No. 110)
May 15, 1708; Wrote will,
signed with an X. Could read but not write. (Middlesex Co. Probate
Records; History of Framingham) "In the name
of God Amen, I Peter Clayes senior of Framingham
in the County of Middlesex in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England, being very weak of body but of sound and disposing memory: due in
these presents make my last Will and Testament in manner and Form following.
Imprimis: I will and bequeath
my soul to God that gave it Hoping in the Merits of Jesus Christ to obtain
absolution from all guilt and free justification
and acceptance and my Body I will and bequeath to the earth from which
it was taken to be ______ buried at the descretion of my Executors Hereafter
named. And as to the _____ and estate which God hath given and made
me possessed of I do will and _____ of as followeth.
First I will and bequeath unto
my well beloved and tender wife Susanna the annual sum of ____Thirty Pounds
which said thirty pounds remain in the Possession
of ____ of Watertown Housewright and the Payment of the said principle and
_____ interest is secured to me the said Peter Clayes my heirs and assigns
by a Deed of _____ of Housing and Lands therein conveyed in the year one
thousand seven and six of her majesties reign.
Item I will and bequeath
unto my said wife Susanna all the provisions that shall be in my House at
my decease of what specie so ever.
Item I will unto my said
wife Susanna twenty busheles of Indian corn of that which shall be growing
or standing in my fields at my decease.
Item I will and bequeath
unto my said wife Susanna the improvement of one third of ____ lands and
the continual income and profitt thereof and suitable and ___ in my Dwelling
During the time she shall remain wife ____
Item I will and bequeath
unto my well beloved Daughter Mary Trumball four Pounds to be paid unto Her
in or as Money that is to say if in other species
paied to be at money price also I will unto Her my said Daughter Mary a
feather bed with all the furniture thereunto Belonging which saidBed was
my said Daughter's Mothers Bed to witt Hannah Cloyes.
Item my will further is
that my Executor thereafter named shall During the present circumstance
of my said daughter Mary Trumball find unto my said daughter Mary Trumball
convenient shop room for the occupation or trade of a weaver in my old House
and also convenient House Room to Dwell and Lodge in and also I give unto
her Mary Trumball one _____
Item I will and Bequeath
unto my well beloved Daughter Hannah Eliot five Pounds to be paid unto Her
in money or if in other specie at Money Price.
Item I will unto my daughter
Hepzibah Herrington four pounds to be paid unto her in money or in
other specie at money price and also I will unto her a standing cupboard which was her Mother Sarah Clayes.
Item I will to my well
beloved Grand Daughter Abigail Waters forty shillings to be paid unto her
when she shall be of age and to be paid in money or goods att money price.
____ unto my well beloved Grand
Children Born of my well beloved Daughter _____ Six Pounds to bbe Equally
Divided betwixt them and to be paid unto th____
shall come of age and to be paid in money or goods at money price.
____ Will and bequeath unto
my Daughter Alice Bridges a flock Bed and a Large ____ which was her Mothers
to witt Sarah Clayes's.
____ ill Bequeath Resign and
Give up unto my Well Beloved son James Clayes ____ and Interest in and to fifty Acres of upland swampland and
Meadows wh__ Joseph Buckminster I am in the Actual Possession of and By Deed
fromthe ____ (by and with my Consent) is Conveyed unto my above said James
Clay___ which said fifty Acres I do Hereby Will and Bequeath unto my above
said son James Clayes a ____
ounded to him the said James Clayes in the Deed above said to be his and
his Heirs forever.
Item My will further in that
My Will Beloved son Peter Clayce shall Possess and Enjoy ____ the Term of
my leas Eight acres of my home Lands now under improvement as is now bounded our unto him and further I Do will
unto him my said son Peter C_____ all and singular the buildings which
are upon thesaid Eight Acres of land.
Wife Susanna Her third part
therein as is above Expressed.
My will further is that my son
James Clayes above mentioned shall Have Possess and Enjoy During the term
of My Lease abovesaid the Residue of my Home
Lands and Enjoy Part thereof which are in my Possession and under my Present
Improvement Reserving unto my son Peter abovesaid His eight acres therein
and all my Buildings - upon as is above Expressed and further reserving unto
my said wife Susanna - third part therein as is above Expressed and above is willed unto Her. Will further is
that all that my peice or percell of Land Lying in that which is only Called
the WillowPlain shall be Equally Divided Between my said two sones _____
Clayes and James Clayes and that they shall Possess each of them equal ____
thereof During the Term of my Lease abovesaid.
____ill further is that my Peice
or percell of Meadow Lying in that which is ____ on ____ Mellins Meadow
shall be Divided Between my two sones Peter Clayes and ____es Clayes as followeth: that is to say that my
son Peter Clayes shall H___ Possess ___ of the said Meadow two acres and an
HalfDuring the P_____ aforesaid and that his two acres and an half shall be
all that end of ____ said ____ which Bounds upon Benjamin Bridges
Item my will further is that
my other son abovesaid James Clayes shall Possess and Enjoy the Residue or
what Remains of the Said Persell of Meadows over and above the said Two
acres and an Half above exempted During the Term of my lease abovesaid.
Item My will further is that
my Peice or Percell of Land Lying on the North side of Stony Brook
containing thirty and two acres shall be Divided Between my said sones as followeth: that is to say that my said
son Peter Clayes possess so much and such a part thereof as shall make him
equal as
to number of acres and quality
of the Land (that is to say of my Home Lands) with my son James Clayes Aforesaid:
be it noted that the number of and quality
of the fifty acres of my Home Lands and other Lands which by Deed is conveyed
unto my said son James Clayes as is above Expressed is not that which I
have Respect unto as to Number and quality: Butt that part of my Home Lands
which is Devided and will said Between my said two sonesPeter Clayes and
James Clayes as is above Expressed.
Item My will further is
that the Re______ of the said thirty and two Acres of Land which ______
______ my son Peter is made Equal with my son James as is above Expressed:
shall my said sones Peter Clayes and James Clayes to Possess dur ____ _____
term of my lease aforesaid
Item My will further is
that all my moveable Estate which shall Remain after my funerall expenses
and the payment of my Lawful Debts and the payment of these Legacies above Expressed which shall immediately
upon or after my Decease become Due: to be equally Divided Between my abovesaidsones
Peter Clayes and James Clayes (Peter Cloyes and James Cloyes) and I Do
in and By these Presents make and constitute my well beloved sonesabovesaid
to be sole Executors of this my last will and Testament: Hereby Renouncing
all former wills and Declaring this to be my Last will and Testament and to stand and Remain in full Power for Confirmation
whereof I have Hereunto affixed my Hand and Seall this fifteenth Day of
July one Thousand seven Hundred and Eight
in the sixth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Ann over England ______
Witnesses _____abod S. Hemenway
Peter Clayes mark
Joshua Hemenway
Selectman Framingham, Massachusetts - 1700, 1703, 1708. (History of Framingham, Massachusetts)
Children according to Genealogical
Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire and other sources;
1st marriage - Sarah, Hannah,
Peter, Mary, Abigail, James 2nd marriage - Alice, Benoni, Hepzibah
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