John White

1684 - 1725  (40 years)

• Name	John White  [1]
  Birth	20 Sep 1684	Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Death	12 Sep 1725	Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA   [1]
  Person ID	I17926	Master
  Last Modified	15 Jul 2012

  
  

  Father	Josiah White,   b. 4 Jun 1643, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA d. 11 Nov 1714, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA (Age 71 years)
  Mother	Mary Rice,   b. 4 Sep 1656, Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA d. 22 Aug 1733, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (Age 76 years)
  Marriage	28 Nov 1678	Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA   [2]
  Family ID	F4574	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Eunice Wilder,   b. 1690, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. 15 May 1778, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (Age 88 years)
  Marriage	1710	Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
  Children	+ 1. Eunice White,   b. 1712, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. 21 Aug 1751, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (Age 39 years)  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]   2. John White,   b. 16 Aug 1714, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. 23 Feb 1797, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (Age 82 years)  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]   3. Nathaniel White,   b. 1715  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]   4. Elizabeth White,   b. 1716, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]   5. Dorothy White,   b. 26 Nov 1717, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. 1763, Leominster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (Age 45 years)  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural] + 6. Thomas White,   b. 1719, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. Sep 1806, Putney, Windham, Vermont, USA (Age 87 years)  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]   7. Lois White,   b. 1721, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. 1770 (Age 49 years)  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]   8. Mary White,   b. 1723, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. 19 Oct 1788, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (Age 65 years)  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]   9. Nathaniel White,   b. 1725, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA d. 21 Mar 1813, Buckland, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA (Age 88 years)  [Father: Natural]  [Mother: Natural]
  Family ID	F4573	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 20 Sep 1684 - Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Marriage - 1710 - Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Death - 12 Sep 1725 - Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  Capt John White, b in Lancaster Sept 20, 1684; m. Eunice, dau. of Lieut. Nathaniel and Mary (Sawyer) Wilder, b. , 1690. The date of their marriage has not been found, but the following (found in Worcester Deeds, Vol. 4, page 162), dated May 1, 1724, proves her parentage : "To all people to whom these present shall come Greeting. Know ye we the Subscribers namely Samuel Carter and John White, both of the town of l.ancaster in the County of Worcester in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England Yeoman, together with each of our wives namely Dorothy the wife of me the said Samuel Carter and Eunice the wife of me the said John White both our sd wives being daughters of Lieut. Nathaniel Wilder, some time of sd Lancaster Deceased, for and in consideration of the Sum, of Forty pounds. Hereby acquit exonerate & forever discharge our loving brother vis. Cornet Nathaniel Wilder of I-ancaster." Capt. John White was a cooper and blacksmith by trade. He was with Capt. Lovell at the killing of the ten Indians. "Instructions to Captains Willard, White and Blanchard. S'. Having Commissionated you to Command a Company of Voluntiers against the Indian Enemy, you are hereby Directed to Exercise and maintain good Discipline and Government among your Officers and Soldiers and to Suppress and punish all Disorders, Vice, and Immorality and to Keep up the Worship of (rod in your said Company. You must march to Pigwacket, unless you shall upon mature Consideration Judge any other tour more effectual for the service, withall Convenient Dispatch Joining such Companys of Voluntiers in the County of Middlesex as shall be ready to proceed with you and from thence march to such places where by your Intelligence may Judge it probable to meet with the Indian Enemy. If you Judge it necessary to keep the whole Body together in order to attack any Tribe or Settlement of Indians I shall approve of your so doing, othwise that Two Companys or hälfe your Body proceed Eastw & the other hälfe to proceed from Pigwacket to Strike over to Amrescoggin & Kennebeck River, endeavouring to get higher up the said Rivers then the places of the Indians Settlements one party of which to Come down Amrescoggin River to Fort George & the other down Kennebeck River to Richmond, and if your provision should fall short so as that the whole cannot be sufficiently furnishd for the march to Amrescoggin & Kennebeck Rivers, some of your Feeblest men must Come into Berwick. The remaining part of the Body to go off to the North Westward in Quest of the Indian Enemy said to be there taking with them the Mohawks for their Guides. Let your Marches be with all the Secrecy & Silence as well as Dispatch, you are Capable of. You must Kill, Take & Destroy to the utmost of your power all the Enemy Indians you can meet with in your March, & Search for their Corn, destroying all you can find. And give Intelligence from time to time of every thing of Importance that may happen." (Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 250.) "Lancaster, May 9th, 1725. May it please your Honour. Being returned home I thought myself oblidged to Inform your Honour that on the 5lh of April last, I went from Lancaster to Dunstable and the 8lh Day of April from thence up Merrimack with 30 men, two of which came back in A short time, one of them being taken sick, and yc other having scalt himself very badly. 1 marcht up Merrimack about 130 mile, and there discovered some signs of Indians, some old, which we Judged were made sometime this winter and one new track on the Bank of the River, wch we Judged had gone but a few days before I sent out scouts but could discover nothing further. We then turned off to y* Westward towards Coos, marched 10 miles the 24th of April. Alt evening one of our men viz Sam" Mossman of Sodbury being about Encamping, took hold of his Gun that stood among some Bushes drew it towards him with the muzzle towards him some twigg caught hold of the cock, the dun went off, and shott him throgh, he died ¡mediately. We went across to Connecticut River came down that to Northfield and from thence across the woods to I^ncaster, we gott in yesterday. I have endeavoured faithfully to attend your Honours orders already recieved, and if your Honour has any further service for me I desire your Honour would let me know it. I have not as yet compleated my Journal, but hope to finish it in a short time that it may be Laid before your Honour. I am your Honours most obedient humble Servant On his Majesties Service John White. For the Honourable William Dummer Esq. Lieut Governour &c. In Boston. These" (Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 230.) "Sir, I have the Account of y ' March & Return by your Letter of the 9lh Instant & Approve of your Proceedings, tho I am heartily grieved for the Death of the poor Man, & wonder that so many unhappy Accidents of this Kind have not been sufficient to warn our People of the Effects of such Indiscretion. The Season being now advanced for the Appearance of the Enemy, and it being more likely to meet with them now than before, I desire you would go out with the Same Number of Men & upon the same Establishm ' which will be allowd you : I should be glad you could immediately proceed, & make up a Muster Roll for your two Marches upon your Return. For mcl) Time will otherwise be lost at this critical Juncture. However if you must first come to Town let there be no Delay ; If any of your men are backward to go out again you must enlist others to make up your number. I shall not prescribe any Rout to you, you being-best able to judge where the Enemy may be mett with : Carry out as much Provision as you can, That so you maynt be obliged to return very soon : Be very silent & watchful on your March & Ambushments. I heartily wish you Success, and am your Serv1. Wm Dummer. Boston 11 May 1725. Capt White Capt Welds" (Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 233). "In an appendix to an Address delivered in Bolton at the Centennial Celebration, July 4, 1876, by Reverend Richard S. Edes, is printed part of a diary 'found among the papers of the first clerks of the town.' The copyist acids, ' How old the book is, no one can tell.' It is a journal of the scout of Captains Lovell and White 'when the 10 Indians were killed,' February, 1724; probably written by one of the Lancaster soldiers there present. The minutes of the first eight days have been torn off." "9. We traveled 14 miles and camped at the norwest corner of winipisocket pond. 10. We traveled 16 miles, and camped at the north side of Cusumpe pond. 11. We traveled 6 miles N by E from Cusumpe and there camped — and sent out scouts, and some of our scouts thought they discovered smoke. 12. We sent out scouts, and they discovered nothing. 13. We lay still and sent out scouts, and to strengthen us to go farther we sent home 29 men. 14. We traveled 10 miles toward Pigwackett, and then came upon a branch of the Saco river, and sent out scouts. 15. We lay still and sent out scouts and discovered nothing. 16. We traveled 6 miles and came upon an Indian wigwam—the Indians being gone we left 16 men with our packs and the rest pursued them till dark and stayed there all night. 17. We followed their track till eight o'clock next day and then we came back to fetch our packs, traveled the remaining part of that day and the night ensuing six miles. 18. We traveled 20 miles and camped at the great pond upon Sawco river. 19. We traveled 22 miles and camped at a great pond. 20. We traveled 5 miles and came to a wigwam where the Indians had been lately gone from, and then we pursued their track about 2 miles further, and discovered their smoke and then tarried till about two o'clock at night and then came upon them and killed 10 Indians which was all there was. 21. We traveled 6 miles. 22. Wre lay still and kept scouts upon our back tracks to see if there would any pursue. 23. We traveled 30 miles and Camped at Cocheco. A tru journall of my travells began the 5th of April, 1725 We trauel •* to Groten 12 milds and thear stayed by reson of foul wether 6 day we traueld to dunstabel 12 milds and thear Lay the night 7 day we Lay stil by reson of foull wether 8 day we mustered and went oner the riuer to the hous of John Taylors about 3 milds 9 day we march t up the riuer about 8 milds and then campt one of our men being taken uerey sik for he kold trauel no ferther, his name was Thomas Simson, Our Doctor Joseph Whetcomb that night set his fut into a Ketel of biling broth that he cold trauel no ferther 10 day was foul wether and we sent 2 men in to dunstabel with the bik and Lam men and (they) returned that night to us again 11 day we traueled about 13 milds and then campt about 3 mild aboue amoskeeg falls. 12 day we traueled 11 milds and then campt at the mouth of penekoock riuer. 13 day we traueled 7 milds and then campt at the iarish fort in penekook Enteruals that day it rayend uery hard all day. 14 day we traueld 10 milds and then Crost meremack riuer aboue the mouth of Contookock riuer and then Campt. 15 day we traueld 8 milds north west from Contockock to a litel stream that runs into meremack Riuer about 3 milds weittard from meremack and then campt and sent out skouts 16 day we traueld 12 milds and Cam to a pond which was uery Long and we turned to the east sid of it and then campt, and then sent out skouts that day we lay about 3 milds westard of the mouth of \Vinepiseocket 17 day it raynd uere hard the fore part of the day and a litel before night it cleared up & we sent skouts but found northen 18 day we traueled 14 milds and that day we Crost 2 great streames that runs in to meremack, one of them comes out of a great pond which sum indens says it is 3 days jurney round it the Land is uerey full of great hils and mountains and uerey rockey abundance of sprus and hemlock and fur and sum bech and maple and we campt 19 day we traueld 11 milds and then campt at the Louar End of pemichewashet Lour Enteruals and sent out skouts. 20 day we lay stil by reson of foull wether and towards nit it Cleard up and we sent out skouts and found whear Cornol Tyng crost meremack. 21 day we traueld 12 milds up pemichewashet Riuer and found old sines of indens and we sent out skouts that night and found one new track and we lay that night by the riuer and mad new camps. The I-and that lys by this riuer is uere rich and good the upland uere full of hils and mountains, uery bad traueling 22 day we traueld 2 milds and then sent out skouts ouer the riuer and up a stream that runs into the riuer but found northen 23 day we traueld up the riuer about 14 milds and that day we Crost 3 streames that runs into the riuer this riuer corns sheally from the north west & then we campt 24 day we traueld 10 milds westward and that day we found old signs of indens whear they had bin this spring and in the winter, and sent out skouts but cold find now indens This day Samil Moosman actidently kild himself with his own gun 25 day it rained uery hard and we lay stil that day til amost night it clearcl up and we sent out skouts but found northen 26 day we traueld 18 milds and came upon Conetecut riuer and one of our men was taken uere sik that night we campt by the riuer 27 day we traueld down the riuer and found a bark cannow which was of great saruis to our sik man & to us ; that day we traueld about 18 milds and then campt. 28 day we traueld I1) milds and then campt This Riuer runs cheafly upon a south westerly pint this day we crost seural litel streams that runs into Conetecut riuer. 29 day we traueld 20 milds and then campt. 30 day we traueld 17 milds and crost one litel riuer below the great falls and then campt May the first we traueld 24 milds and came to the fort above north field and thare lay all night 2 day we traueld 10 milds and came to northfield and there stayed that night 3 day we lay still it Ix>okt uery lykly ferr foul wether and we lay thare that night 4 day we set out for Lancaster a cros the woods and traueld about 12 milds and then campt. 5 day we traueld 15 milds and then campt 6 day we traueld 14 milds and comm to Lancaster about 4 a clock this day it raind uery hard all day. (Endorsed) Capt Whites Journal May 1725" (Massachusetts Archives XXXVIII, A, 97-98.) "Dunstable July the 10 : 1725. May it Please your Hon r : Old Christian Being this morning Being Taken with a violent Bleeding Caused our Companyes to stop and within a few hours he died & the other mohaucks are not willing to Leave him before he is Buried & our desine is to march oner Merimack River and There to Take a True List of our mens Names, & shall march as Quick as Possible. Who Remain Still your Honours at Comand John White Seth Wyman" (Massachusetts Archives, LIT, 222.) (From The Early Records of Lancaster, Mass., by Hon. Henry S. Nourse.) Capt. White cl. Sept. 12, 1725. In 1728 Rev. John Prentice records baptizing the "Widow White's children." Administration on his estate, was granted to widow Eunice, Jan. 28, 1725-6, who gave bonds with Eben ' r Wilder and Josiah White.— Inventory appraised at ,£1,270 :0 :4. by Jos. Wilder Jonas & Joña. Houghton. Commission to Samuel Willard, Capt. James Wilder, James Keys, Samuel Carter & Jona Houghton, all of Lancaster, Worcester Co. "(lately Middlesex)." to divide estate of John White, late of Lancaster, dec'd. Feb. 25, 1735-6. To Eunice wid. of Capt. John — her 3lls—23 acres — West part of the house, & E. part of the barn . . . ,£410 : 07 :06. 5 acres on W. side of highway 55 :03 : 06. 20 acres intervale 120:00:00. 133 acres at the Neck 53:14:08. 1 acre at the Home place 22 :00 :00. ,£661 :05:08. To eldest son John.— 73 acres at Ciunbery on W. side of Penacook river, over against Harvard ;£230 : OÜ : 00. 3 acres intervale 40:10:00. 5 acres in common land 21:07:06. pounds Town right originally John White's . . . . 2:00:06. To Thomas, 2d son,— 67 acres on both sides of brook, that runneth out of Unkoochawatoounk meadow . . ,£134 : 00 :00. Of which sum he is to pay dau. Dorothy £9 :01. 3 acres meadow in sd additional grant 18:08:08. ,£140:19 :00. Note :—the ,£40 Town Right of sd Thomas is £19 to the right of John White & £21, to the right of John Whitcomb. To Nathaniel, the 3d & youngest son, 180 acres in the additional Grant to Lancaster, lying on each side of N'orth river, & 145 acres, on E. side of the river . . £108 : 00 : 00. A the after rights & divisions in sd Grant 3 : 00 : 00. 22 acres in Lancaster Old Township 14:lb:00. The White pond, containing 50 acres 20 :12 : 06. £21. Town right 00:10:06. £140:19:00. To Eunice, wife of Aaron Osgood, & eldest daughter of dec'd, i the 20 acres Intervale, cont'g 220 acres. (the other half being set off to Bettey, 2d dau. of dec'd & now wife of David Whitcomb) : the sd Osgood & Whitcomb, have agreed to divide it themselves . £77:00:00. & of 16 acres 20 rods & part of 6.J acres adjoining . . 30 :08 :03. £12 in and of the house 12:00:00. 59 acres yet to be laid out in l,ancaster Old Township 14 :15 :00. 13 " at White pond 12:12:00. £7 :10 of Town right 00 : 03 : 09. £146:19:00. To Bettey, 2d dau., now wife of David Whitcomb, ^ the intervale, called "the 20 acres" cont'g 220 acres . £77 :00 :00. ¿ of 16 acres, 20 Rod lying part in the stated common & part in the 6.] acres adjoining 30 : 08 : 03. ,£12 in & of the house 12:00:00. 59 acres in Lancaster Old Township 14 : 15 :00. 13 " at White pond 12:12:00. £7 :10 * of Town right 00:03:09. £146:19:00. To Dorothy 3 d dau. wife of Benj. Whitcomb, 9 acres of N. part of the homestead, on W. of highway . . . ,£90:00:00. Ц acres meadow, on E. side of Still river 15 : 00 : 00. 3 acres 100 rods, in stated common 14:10:00. 25 " to be laid out 6 : 05 :00. Thomas White is to pay sd Dorothy 9:01:00. £b. Town right, formerly that of Edw'd Breck & £\ to right of Jeremiah Rogers 0 : 03 : 00. /12 in & of the house 12:00:00. ,£146:19:00. To Mary, 5th dau. the other half of the above 21J acres & £12 in the house & 9A acres to lay out .... .£146 : 19 :00. Signed John White Aaron Osgood David Whetcomb Benjamin Whetcomb Eunice White for herself, & guardian for Nath'e & Mary josiah White, gdn. for Thomas & I.x>is. "To the Hon ь с. William Dummer Esqr. Lieut. Governour and Comander in Chief the honblc. the councill and Representatives for the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in General Court Assembled at Boston the 23d day of December Anno Dom 1727. The Petition of Eunice White Relict widow of Capt. John White late of Lancaster deced. Humbly Sheweth. That Whereas your Petrs. sd husband in his life time in the years 1724 & 1725 as well as at other times performed sundry marches ag '. the Indian Enemy and did other services for the good of his Country & was active and vigorous in the Defence thereof against those barbarous Salvages, not only hazarding his life but Expending good part of his substance therein, as is well known to many. Some few Instances whereof your Petr. would humbly ripresent to this Honblc Court. Vor. Petrs. sd. husband altho he had divers times had the honour to bear command yet voluntarily Enlisted himself under the late Capt. hovewell, and choose rather to go as an Under Officer at that time because he would do what in him lay to Encourage others to Enlist and marched with him at the time when they killed the 'J'en Indians, in which march they were out near Forty days. Then he performed a march to a place called Cohosse on Connecticut River thinking to meet with the Enemy there and came in at Fort Dummer, being out thirty four days, tho they missed of their desired Success ; Then in about Eight days time he had a Company raised and went to Pigwacket to bury Capt. Lovewell which he performed in'a very difficult season of the year. Then he went to Connecticut at his own cost and charge to get a Company of Mohege Indians in order to go down to St. Francois to take an Indian fort there, but failing of his aim, he returned home and then enlisted a Company of Voluntiers and marched designing for a Fort beyond Pigwacket, but was taken sick before he got there, returned home and dyed leaving your Petr. his bereaved widow with seven Children the Eldest about Fifteen years old and Four of them very young, & one she then went with who is now living; In all which Services your Petitrs. said husband cheerfully underwent many hardships and difficulties for the good of his country, and was at considerable Cost and Charge, by Supplying those that Enlisted under him with necessaries which could not be readily obtained elsewhere, purely to make dispatch. Now Forasmuch as the Sickness of which your Petrs. husband dyed was in all probability Occasioned by means of yc difficulties he underwent in the Publick Service, & that he never in his life time had an Opportunity of asking your Honrs. Favour for his past Services but was taken away in the Strength and vigour of his life, without receiving anything from the Publick more than 2s 6(1 p day for the three marches he performed as afores1' and in regard your Petr. is left a disconsolate widow with several Fatherless Children to bring up who stand in daily need of relief and Support, your Petr. finding it very difficult to provide for them. She therefore most humbly Implores your Honrs. pity and Compassion to herself & Children, and that as you have been pleased in like cases to reward those that have served the Province, and the Representatives of those that have lost their lives in the Publick Service. So that she may Experience of the Bounty & Goodness of this Honoble Court to her in her difficult Circumstances, and that you will be pleased to Grant her Two hundred and Fifty acres of the unappropriated Lands of the Province that she may dispose of the same for the Education and bringing up her aforesd. Children or that your Honrs. would otherwise relieve her as in your Great Goodness & Compassion you shall see meet. And as in duty bound your Petitr. shall ever pray &c. Eunice White." In the House of Representatives December 28th. 1727. Read and in answer to this Petition, Resolved That the sum of One Hundred pounds be allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury to the petitioner the widow Eunice White in Consideration of the good Services done this province by her late husband Capt. John White, and great expences for which he has had no Consideration, as particularly set forth in the petition and the better to enable the petitioner to support her Family and bring up her Children. Sent up for Concurrence Wm Dudley Spr In Council Dec. 28, 1727. Read & Concurd. J. Willard Secry Consented to Wm. Dummer. (Massachusetts Archives, LXXII, 325, et. seq.) (From the Early Records of Lancaster, Mass., by Hon. Henry S. Nourse.)

  
  

• Sources

  [S340] Findagrave.com, (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi: accessed 16 July 2011.). Birth date: 20 Sep 1684 Birth place: Death date: 12 Sep 1725 Death place: [S102] Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp., Massachusetts, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1633-1850, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.). Marriage date: 28 Nov 1678 Marriage place: Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts