Ipswich Books Thomas Franklin Waters Dedicatory Exercises
To be found in this section are the following wills and inventories:
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CAPT. JOHN WHIPPLE
WILL OF JOHN WHIPPLE, SENIOR-1669.
To return to this section hit TOP.
{Page 17}
ANNUAL MEETING.
The first annual meeting of the corporation was held at the house on Winter street on December first, 1898 at 8 p. m.
The following officers were elected by ballot: President, T. Frank Waters; vice presidents, John Heard, Frederic Willcomb; clerk, John W. Goodhue; treasurer, Joseph I. Horton; directors, Charles A. Sayward, Edward H. Martin, John H. Cogswell; corresponding secretary, John H. Cogswell; librarian, John J. Sullivan.
The following amendment to the Constitution was adopted:
" Any person not a resident of Ipswich, who has contributed or may contribute five dollars to the Society may be elected an honorary member of the corporation, and shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society except that of voting at its meetings. " The report of the president was read and accepted.
The report of the treasurer was read and accepted.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT.
At the last annual meeting of the Ipswich Historical Society, the project of purchasing the ancient Whipple House and fitting it for the use of the Society, was considered, and a committee was chosen "to inquire into the feasibility of the plan." No words of mine are needed to tell in detail the result of their deliberations. Tonight we meet under its ancient roof. The title deeds are held by our Society as a corporate body. The work of repair and restoration is complete. Our collections are arranged in these great rooms. With becoming enthusiasm our mansion has been formally dedicated to its new and honorable use as an historic landmark, and the home of the Society. Already the fame of this ancient building has gone abroad. Many strangers have come to see it and the unanimous verdict is, that the house is of extraordinary intrinsic value, and that our Society is most fortunate in securing possession.
{Page 19} Top
As a specimen of seventeenth century architecture, this house is an object of just pride. The size and quality of these superb oak beams, their finely finished moulded edges, the substantial oak floor joists, the great posts with their escutcheons so laboriously wrought, the noble size of these four great rooms, proclaim that this was a home of wealth and refinement, and make it easy for us to believe that it was the finest mansion of the town. Many ancient houses have disappeared. but the most tenacious memory of the oldest inhabitant cannot recall such strength and elaborate finish as we find here. So far as I am familiar with the oldest houses now remaining, none can compare with this for a moment.
The question of its age is constantly raised. by town-folk and stranger alike. The other question of its ownership is still vigorously argued. I think I can do no better service at this time than tell the story as I have been able to discover it, by long and careful and repeated research.
Many remember Mr. Abraham Bond, the father of Mr. Jas. W. Bond. from whom our Society purchased the property. He bought the house and about an acre of land of Caleb K. Moore. October 7, 1841 [Essex Co. Deeds. 327:157.] and made his home here for the remainder of his life. Mr. James W. Bond remembers that in his boyhood. the floor joists were exposed as we see them now, but fashion decreed that a more modern style was to be preferred, and vandal hands chipped and hacked the venerable timbers, nailed laths upon them, and covered them from sight with very commonplace plastering. The old fire-place in the kitchen in the leanto was bricked up within his remembrance. and the latest addition on the northwest corner was built.
Mr. Moore had purchased the house with an acre and eleven rods of land from Mr. Nathaniel Wade and others, heirs of the estate of Col. Joseph Hodgkins, in 1833, October 31st [Essex Co. Deeds, 271: 164]. This was only half of the Hodgkins estate, however, and on Aug. 11, 1841, the heirs sold the balance of the property, measuring an acre and eleven rods, to James Estes. As the deed describes it, this piece of land extended down Winter street, to the barn and land of Joseph Farley, now occupied by the buildings of the Ipswich Mill, followed the line of the Farley land to the river, extended along the river bank to the Samuel Wade property, and followed this line to Moore's boundary line. The Hodgkins property thus extended from the main road to Topsfield to the river. and measured two acres and twenty-two rods. [Essex Co. Deeds. 326:215.]
CoI. Hodgkins had married for his third wife, Mrs. Lydia Treadwell. relict of Elisha Treadwell and daughter of Dea. John Crocker. Her brother. Joseph. at his death owned and occupied the house, and the other heirs sold their interest to her husband. The original deed of sale. bearing date of May 16th, 1813, is before
{Page 18}Above
{Page 20} Top
me as I write, conveying to Col. Hodgkins five-sixths of the estate for $750. One chamber was reserved to the unmarried sister, Elizabeth Crocker, who occupied it by the express provision of her father's will drawn in 1804. The deed still reserves to Elizabeth "the great chamber in the west end of the house, with the privilege of going in and out at the front door, and a right to use the entry way and stairs in common, and a right to bake in the oven in the north-easterly room, to go to and from the well, and a privilege in the cellar to put and keep so much cider, vegetables and other necessaries sufficient for her own use, also liberty to pass and repass to and from the yard at the southwest end of said house, and to keep therein the wood for her own use, said reservations to continue so long as she shall remain single and unmarried, as expressed in the last will and testament of said John Crocker deceased." Miss Sarah Wade, the granddaughter of Col. Hodgkins, is very sure that he did not take up his residence in the old mansion until 1818, and she tells me that her father built on the pantry, which now serves as the hallway of the caretaker's tenement, in that year, to increase the convenience of that portion of the house. Miss Wade, then a smart slip of a nine-year-old girl, was often at the house and has vivid recollection of her honored grandfather and his home. He was then 75 years old, with thin hair which was gathered into a queue, a very tall man with strongly marked Roman nose. How the venerable soldier must have bowed himself under these low doorways! His residence gives much character to our mansion. He had served as lieutenant in the Ipswich Company of Minute Men at Bunker Hill, and had fought at the battles on Long Island, at Harlem Heights, White Plains and Princeton, and was at Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga. To his last days, he would have his pewter plate, which was kept with the platters on a high shelf in the kitchen. The dark passage-way from the kitchen to the bedroom served as a cheese room. The room we have occupied as our kitchen was the parlor, and the only carpet in the house covered the floor. Some roundabout chairs, and a pair of great brass andirons were included in the parlor furnishings, and a quaint colored English print of the Countess of Suffolk's house near Twickenham, published in 1749, hung on the wall, and is now owned by Miss Wade. The west room was the family sitting room, and in this room the old Revolutionary soldier died, lying in an old press bed in the center of the room on Sept. 25, 1829.
Upstairs Miss Polly Crafts made her home in the East chamber, and worked at her loom, weaving; Through these rooms, the lively young Sarah roamed, turning over the hour-glasses, peering into the great fireplaces and looking up their black throats to see the stars, and scampering down across the garden to the old malt-house, on the site of the mill storehouse, to pick the wild roses that bloomed
{Page 21} Top
there in profusion. She slept in the little bedroom that opened from the West Lower Room, the night her grandfather died; and she remembers distinctly that the window in that room was diamond paned and opened like a door. Her brother, Mr. Francis H. Wade remembers a window of the same style in the front gable end. Following this clew, we have made all our windows with diamond-glass.
Mrs. Hodgkins, as was said, was the daughter of Dea. John Crocker. That excellent man disposed of his worldly goods in his will as follows:
In the name of God Amen. I John Crocker of Ipswich in the County of Essex ____________as to my worldly goods and estate, [I] give, demise and dispose of the same as follows--viz.
Imprimis. I give and devise to my son Joseph his heirs & assigns forever, my malt house and about one acre of land adjoining with the well and drane leading to said malt house, ___________ also a desk that his mother brought to me when we were married.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth, the great Chamber in the west end of my dwelling house so long as she shall remain single and unmarried. I also give her a case of drawers and a chest with two drawers, which was her mother's. I also give and bequeath to my said daughter, Eliz. one cow and two sheep, such as she shall choose, to be winterd and summerd for her by my son John, and also sixty dollars in money. Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mehitabel Appleton, sixty dollars in money. Item. I give to my son-in-law Thomas Appleton a note of hand I have against him dated April 28, 1795.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Lydia Treadwell, sixty dollars in money Item. I give to my grandson Thomas Wade and Samuel Wade thirty dollars each. Item. I give and bequeath to my grand daughters Mary Waldron and Abigail Waldron, thirty dollars each. Item I give and bequeath to my son-in-law, Edward Waldron, at my decease, my great Bible. Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth, one feather bed and bedding which her mother brought to me, when I married her. Item. I give and bequeath to my three daughters and to my grand-children, children of my Daughters, Mary and Hannah, deceased, the whole of my household goods (excepting my silver tankard) to be equally divided between them.
I give to my daughters aforenamed and my aforesaid grandchildren, at my decease, all my books to be divided in same manner as I have ordered my household goods to be divided. Item. I give and devise to my son Joseph and to my daughter Elizabeth, and to their heirs and assigns in equal shares, my Pew in the South Meeting House in this town. Item. I give to my sons John and Joseph all my wearing apparel and farming utensils to be equally divided between them.
{Page 22} Top
Item. I give and devise to my son John and to his heirs and assigns forever all my buildings and lands, excepting such part of my buildings and lands as I have before given to my son Joseph and my daughter Elizabeth. Item. I give and bequeath to my said son, all my stock of cattle and sheep, all my notes of hand, my silver Tankard, and all the rest and residue of my estate.
May 3, 1804.
[Essex Co. Probate Records 374:9:10.]
An inventory and appraisement of the estate of Deacon John Crocker late of Ipswich. [Probate Records 374: 81.]
In the West lower room
a clock $16 1 lookg glass $8 one desk $5 29.00
a settee $3 black walnut table 4 foot, $2.50 5.50
writing desk $1 small round table $1, light stand 30 cts
standg candlestk 1.25 3.55
one great chair and 6 small ditto viol back $3.50 1 round table $1.25 4.75
one small chair turkey worked 33cts hand iron, shovel & tongs $2.50 2.83
one feather bed, bolster and pillows $23, bedstead sacking bottom $2 25.00
curtains $1.50 3 blankets $4.50 calico quilt $2 8.00
tea salver $1.25 great Bible $4 other books & paphts $6.00 11.25
2 pair small scales & weights 80 cts hearth brush 25c 1.05
Westerly bed room. 1 bed, bolster & pillows $ 27 under bed
& bedstead $2.75 29.75
2 blankets $2 2 do $3 1 bed quilt $2 1 coverlet $2 13 pr
sheets $22.75 31.75
10 pair pillow cases $ 3.07 table cloths $4.75 12 napkins $1.75 9.50
East room 3 leathd chairs $1.50 round chair & cushion $1 2.50
four old chairs 67 cts, small looking glass $1 1.67
pair small handirons 50ct small table 12 ct 62
East bed room. underbed, bedstead & cord $1.25 3 coverlets $3.75 5.00
two blankets $2 1 pair sheets $2 linen wheel & reel $1 5.00
tinpail 33 cts scales & weights 50 cts wearing apparel $ 25 25.83
32 ounces silver plate $32.42 half dozen teaspoons $2.50 34.92
1 pair shoe & knee buckles $3 set gold buttons $3.50 6.50
West chamber. 1 case drawers $1.50 one ditto faneerd $7 8.50
six leath'dchairs $2.50 one great ditto $3, small cane backd $1 6.50
{Page 23} Top
bed, bolster & pillows $22 under bed, bedstead & cord $3 25.00
curtains & valions $ 3 one pair sheets $ 2. 50 5.50
289.97
one blanket $1.50 coverlet $1 bed quilt $2.00 4.50
small pair hand irons 50 cts 1 maple table $1 small looking glass .25 1.75
In the East chamber. 1 bed, bolster, & 1 pillow $25, under bed,
bed std & cord $2.50 27.50
3 blankets $3.25 three bed quilts $4 7.25
(square oak table 50 cts. old chest and fire screen 75 ct 1.25
flaxcomb $1. iron-jack 75c 1.75
In the kitchen 1 brass kettle $3 one brass pan $2 5.00
Pewter $9, handirons $2.50 shove~ & tongs $1 12.50
gridiron 50 cts candlesticks 50 toasting iron 5 1.50
1 pr brass candlesticks $1 iron and tin ware $6 7.00
bell metal skillet 30 cts brass skillet $1 1.30
tin ware $1.75 warming pan $ 1.00 pr bellows 25 ct 3.00
earthen ware & glass bottles $2 case with bottles $1.50 3.50
crockery ware & glass ditto $3 3 tables $1.75 4.75
a mortar 2 coffee mills flesh fork, skimer and skewers 2.00
3 iron bread pans $1 3 chests $1.50 meal chest 50 3.00
kitchen chairs $1.50 old cask & tubs $2.50 50 lb. salt pork $8 12.00
cheese press $1.25 two spits $1.25 pails $1 3.50
Inventory of estate of Joseph Crocker, maltster:
House and barn and malt-house, with other buildings & land 900.00
1 blue coat $3.00 1 blue surtout coat $2.50 1 blue grate coat $3.50 9.00
1 black waist coat $1 2 green waist coats $1 2 pair small cloths woolen
and drawers $2 4.00
1 pair kersey meer small cloths 50 cts 1 pair nankin jacket and breeches $1 1.50
I pair cotton and linen trowsers $1. 8 shirts $6.50 8 pair of hose $3.50 11.00
I pair leather gloves 12 cts. 2 silk and one linen handkerchief $1.75 1.87
3 pr. old trowsers 75 cts 2 frocks $1. 2 pair of boots $ 3 .75 2 pair
of shoes $1.50 7.00
2 felt hats 60 cts. 1 gun, bayonet & snap sack and cartridge box $ 5 5.60
1 gun & cartridge box, and 2 powder horns $ 2 live hare cleaned 60 cts 2.60
John Crocker disposed of this property to his brother Joseph, though I find no record of the transaction, as Joseph' s heirs sold to Col. Hodgkins. But in
{Page 24} Top
the return of the administrator of Joseph Crocker, in March I 8 I 4, we find the items
"five sixths of dwelling house and land sold to Joseph Hodgkins Esq. 750.00
"to paid John Crocker 621.38
Deacon John received the estate by inheritance from his father, Benjamin Crocker, a man of excellent quality. He was graduated from Harvard College in 1713, was Representative in 1726, 1734, 1736, taught the Grammar school many years, and often preached. He made his will after the pious fashion of his day and devised his property as follows:
In the name of God, Amen. Apri19, 1766.
I Benjamin Crocker, of Ipswich in County of Essex, in New England, being in Health of Body and Mind & Memory (thro the Favour of Almighty God,) & calling to Mind the Uncertainty of Life and Certainty of Death, Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament, and Principally and above all I recommend my Soul into the Hands of God, Thro Jesus Christ, hoping for his sake and Righteousness to find acceptance with God at the great Day of his Appearing; and my Body to decent Christian Burial : and touching such worldly Estate as God been pleased to bestow upon me, I give and dispose of the same in Manner following, viz.-
Imprimis. I give to my well beloved wife Elizabeth fourteen pounds, and all that estate which she brought with her to me upon our Marriage; provided and on Condition she shall acquit all her Right or Claim and Interest in & to all the rest of my estate.
Item. I give to my daughter, Mary Gunnison, the two best silver spoons, which, with what I gave her at her Marriage, together with what she held of land, which she had of land which she and her Brother sold to Charles Tuttle after her Marriage, which I account of a sufficient Part of my Estate. (The particulars of which I have set down in a Pocket Book in my Desk. )
Item. I ,give all the rest of my Estate both real and personal of what Nature soever to my son John Crocker, after my Debts and funeral Charges are paid by my said Son.
Benjamin Crocker.
[Probate Records 343:481]
Mary Crocker, the first wife of Benjamin, received the property from her father, Major John Whipple. No record of sale, gift or inheritance from her remains, but the identity of the property is indisputable as will appear from our subsequent study of adjoining estates.
{Page 25} Top
The will of Major John Whipple, Crocker's father-in-Iaw, is of much interest and I append it in full:
In the name of God Amen. The thirtieth day of August 1722. I John Whipple, of Ipswich, In the County of Essex In New England, being sick & weak of body but of perfect Mind & Memory, Thanks be Given to God therefore, Calling to Mind ye Mortality of my Body & knowing yt Is Appointed for all Men Once to Dye Doe make and Ordaine This my Last Will & Testament; that Is to say principally & first of all I Give and recommend my Soul Into the hands of God that Gave it, and my Body I Recomend to ye Earth to be buryed in a Decent & Christian Buriall att ye Discretion of my Exec., nothing doubting but att ye Genll Resurrection I shall receive the same againe by ye Almighty power of God; and as touching such "Worldly Estate wherewith It hath pleased God to bless in This Life, I Give, Demise & Dispose of the same in the following Manner or Forme.
Impr. I give to my Daughter Mary Crocker & To the Heirs of her Body Lawfully begotten my now Dwelling House & Homestead with all the buildings upon the same. Also I give to my Daughter Crocker all ye furniture both of the parlour and Parlour chamber also one Bed More such as shee shall Chuse with all ye furniture to ye same belonging, also Three pair of Sheets, Two Large Table Cloths & Two Smaller Ones & Two Dozen of Napkins, also I give unto my Daughter Crocker all the utensills of ye Kitchen & Leantoe & also my two Neb oxen & all my Utensills for husbandry, also One old Common Right & my Negro Man & Two Cowes.
Item. I give to my son-in-law Benj. Crocker my __________ and fouling piece.
Item. I give to my Grandson, Wm Brown, my pistolls and holsters.
It. I give to my Granddaughter, Martha Brown, forty pounds.
It. I give to Daughter Rogers my Negroe Woman Hannah.
It. I give to my Grandson, John Rogers, twenty pounds and after all my Lawful debts and all ye above Legacies & my funerall Charges are all payd, the whole of my Estate which shall then remaine Both real and personal, Bills, Bonds, Whatsoever to be honestly apprized & Equally Divided between my Three daughters, Martha, Mary & Susannah. [Probate Records 313:458] .
INVENTORY. [313:555]
Wareing apperell £30 Book 80S Bills and Bonds £182-14-6
horse & mare etc £112 328 14 6
{Page 26} Top
cows, steers, heffers & calves £47 9s Household stuff in ye Hall
£16 14s 64 3 0
Household goods in ye bedroom below £ 2 5s in ye bed room above 90s 6 15 0
In the Kitchen Chamber £7 8s Sheets, Pillow beers, Napkins, Table
cloths, Towells 196s 17 4 0
12 yds Linnin Cloth 40s 12 yds Druggt 40s 20 yds cotton &
Linnin 40s old Curtain 6s 6 6 0
2 blankets, 2 Coverlids, I Rugg, 60s 1 Reel 10s Linnen & Worsted
yarn 38s 5 8 0
wool 10s Cotton wooll 30s bottles 20s 2sadles 96s 12 barells 24s.
2 tubbs 6s 9 6 5
5 swine 100s Calash & Tackling 40s Slay 18s 7 18 0
an old saw mill standing on Ipswich River with ye apurtenances belonging to ye mill
without ye priviledge of ye streem 15 0 0
An addition of the Parsonall Estate of John Whipple Esq. taken April 17th, 1723,
One silver headed Cain 35s one walnut staff with silver head 13s 2 8 0
one old Desk 3s pr Cards 1s 4d 1 Knife and fork 2s about 50 Gro. buttons
old 6s 0 12 4
1 pr sheers 6d 1 old press ? 18s 1 pine chest 4s 1 Table 4s 1 Do
2s 2 old Chairs 1s 1 pr stillards 5s 1 14 6
When the Rev. John Rogers receipted for his son's legacy, as his guardian. it is recorded that it was in accordance with the will of "Major John Whipple." It is important that every clew however slight to the successive generations of Whipples be noted, as we enter now a bewildering maze of John Whipple, Captain John, Major John, Cornet John, Elder John, John Senior, etc., through.which it is very difficult to thread our way.
This will of Major Whipple drawn in 1722 contains one item of note in determining the age of different portions of the house. It mentions the "kitchen & Leanto." One addition, at least, had been made prior to this date; but whether it was the very small leanto that seems to have been built first on the northeast corner, or the larger and later addition that provided a new kitchen, we can not determine. I incline to the former hypothesis, as there is mention of only four rooms in the will and inventory. Two slaves are included in his estate, a negro man, who was given to Dame Crocker, and Hannah, who became the property of the minister's wife, Mrs. John Rogers. We are glad that she was a person of sufficient note to be mentioned by name. The humble black man, who was sand-"
{Page 27} Top
wiched in between Ilan old common right"and l'Two Cowes," is mentioned only as a chattel.
Major John Whipple was the eldest son of Captain John Whipple Senior, who made his will in 1683. The will is of value, and is inserted in full. The Inventory , which follows, is minute and is published in a very slightly abridged form.
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CAPT. JOHN WHIPPLE, SEN. OF IPSWICH.
I, John Whipple Sen of Ipswich, having not settled my estate before in case of death do thus order the estate which God hath graciously given me. Inprimis, my will is yt Elizabeth, my well beloved wife, shall enjoy one halfe of my dwelling house so long as shee shall see cause to live therein, and if my executrs shall provide her ye going of a cow or two, with ye use of an horse for her occasions during yt time: And my will further is yt my executrs shall pay or cause to be paid unto her fifteen pounds by ye year, besides wt is already mentioned during ye time of her naturall Life. Item. my will is yt my daughtr Susan Lane shall have ye portion wch she hath already Received (which I judge to be about seaventy pound) made up an hundred and fifty pounds, in like specie as before. I will also that my sd daughter shall have ye remainder of her portion paid her within three years after my decease. my will likewise is, that my youngest daughter Sarah Whipple shall be brought up with her mother (if shee be willing thereunto) and my executors to allow her wt maintenance is necessary thereunto, & to have likewise an hundred and fifty pounds for her portion at the time of her marriage, or when she comes to one and twenty years of age. Concerning my three sons. it was my intent yt if my estate were divided into five parts yt my eldest son should enjoy two fifth parts thereof, ye other three to be left for ye other three viz. Matthew, Joseph & Sarah. But apprehending that I am not like to escape this sicknesse. I thus dispose concerning the same, viz. I will that my son John and my son Matthew shall be executrs of this my last will & testament for ye present & yt my son Joseph shall be joyned as an executr wth them two, as soon as ever he comes to be of age. And then my Will is that if my son John enjoys all ye Lands, houses, buildings & appurtenances, and Priviledges thereunto belonging where he now lives together with ye Land in ye hands of Arthur Abbot to be Added thereunto: And that my son Matthew enjoyes ye Lands, houses, where he now lives, the appurtenances & priviledges wth ye saw mill & ye Land in ye tenure of Fennell Ross, yt then my son Joseph when he comes of Age shall enjoy ye houses. buildings, Malting office, wth ye other Lands, pasture, Arable & meadow where I now
{Page 28} Top
live as his right of Inheritance & portion, to him and his heires forever, provided yt my son John do help him to order & manage ye same till he himselfe comes of Age. And also my will is that then he pay an hundred pound out of his estate to his sister Sarah, and ye rest of her and her sister Susan's portion to be paid out of ye Debts and other chattels which are found belonging to my estate. But if my two elder sons be not satisfied with this Distribution of my Reall estate, my will is yt my whole estate (with what is in my son John’s and Matthew's hands already of houses and lands) both reall and personal be equally divided by indifferent Apprizall into five parts, and if then my eldest son shall have two fifths thereof, my son Matthew another fifth, and if Joseph shall have another fifth and yt ye last fifth shall be improved to pay debts and other Legacies and yt wt ever land falls to any of my three sons shall be to them and their Heires forever. In witness whereof I have set to my hand & seile this second of August 1683.
JOHN WHIPPLE.
my will also is yt if my two sons, John & Matthew choose to enjoy ye farmes yt then Jno shall also have ye ten acres
of marsh by Quilters & Matthew as much of my marsh in ye Hundreds to them and their Heires forever excepting ye marsh in ye Island wch may be sold to pay debts. JOHN WHIPPLE
signed, sealed & Delivered in presence of us
WILLIAM HUBBARD
SAMUEL PHILLIPS
.DANIEL EPPS
[probate Records 304:10]
An Inventory of the Estate of Captaine John Whipple of Ipswich, taken by us whose names are underwritten the tenth of Septembr 1683
Imprs His wearing Apparell, Woollen & Linnen prized at £27 I8s 27 18 0
It, A feather Bed & Bolster £ 5 curtns vallins, coverld all of
searge £12 17 0 0
It. A Diaper tablecloth at £2 5s a shorter Diaper tablecloth £1 25 6d 3 1 6
It. An old cupboard cloeth 2s Lesser cupboard cloeth 5s towells 4s 11 0
It. Three Pillow Beeres 9s 9 Diaper napkins 13s 6d 8 napkins 7s 1 9 6
It. Turkey worke for chairs & fringe & cloeth to make them £ 3 5s 3 5 0
It. Linsy woolsey cloeth 125 3d a Remnant of Broad cloth 6s a yd
Kersey 8s 1 6 3
It. Fine cloth to bottom chairs £ 3 13s cushions 9s a chest of
drawers £2 15s 6 17 0
{Page 29} Top
It. Two cushion stooles at 6s a greatchaire 5s Brass cob irons £ I 5s 1 16 0
It. A looking glass 10s two wicker baskets 5s gloves 3s four
chairs £ 1 12s 2 10 0
It. Two bolsters £ I 5s coverlid £ 1 a blanket & sheet £1 3 5 0
It. A Bedstead & cover 16s 6 fine wrought chairs £ 2 8s 3 4 0
It. Three Leather chairs 9s fring chaire 6s a great chair 6s 1 1 0
It. Fine Stool fringe 6s cushions 4s ( covered )
It. A fine wrought form & stoole 7s brass fire pan tongs & snuffers 1 3 0
It. Two pair of iron tongs & a warming pan 12s a case of knives 5s 1 7 0
It. Pistolls, holsters & Belt £2 15s one cushen and matt 7s 3 2 0
It. Brush & Broomes 2s 3 Pictures 3s a Book of Maps 5s 10 0
It. Thirteen napkins & towells 10s a course table cloth 10s 1 0 0
It. Two old table-cloths two towells & two cheese cloth 6s 6 0
It. Three sheetes 18s one sheet 8s one pair of sheets 16s 2 2 0
It. One pair of fine sheets £ 1 5s an old pair 6s old Books 2s 1 13 0
It. Two course pillow beers 3s three bolster cases 7s 3 pillow
beeres 1 sheet 1 5 0
It. One sheet 12s 6d old sheet 4s another 4s one sheet 8s 1 8 6
It. A sheet & Bolster case 3s 6d a Pillow case & drawers 2s 5 6
It A yellow silk scarf 1 2s an old yellow Scarfe 10s 1 2 0
It. A yard 1/2 fine holand 15s Remnts of holnds 3s yarns, thread
tape 7s 1 5 0
It. One chest 6s a Rapeyer & Belt £1 13s a cutlas 15s a
Rapeyer 10s 3 4 0
It. Files and sawes 3s chissells, gouges, gimblets 3s 8d 6 8
It. Three pair of sheares 4s 6d two locks 2S one auger IS 7 6
It. One auger 1s a span shackle & pin 2s old Iron & stirrup irons 6s 9 0
It. Two old Bills 1s whissells 3s Basket & Gloves 3s 0 7 0
It. A Basket & yarne 3s scales & lead weights 12s 0 15 0
It. A compas 2s a file 1s A Razor & hone 3s Box & old iron 2s 6d 0 8 6
It. A great Bible 16s in Books £ 5 8s 9d 5 Bottles of syrrup
of clove gilly fl 7 8 9
It. Three bottles of Rosewater 6s two Bottles of mint water 3s 9 0
It. A Glass Bottle of Port wine 2s Angelica water sirrup of gilli flwrs,
strawberry water 3 Bottles 4s 3 pint Bottles a great Glass 4s 10 0
It. Three greate GaIly Pots wth wt was in them 4s 2 earthen
chamber pots, etc 10 0
{Page 30} Top
It. A Box Drawers, two peices of twine £,1 2s a bag with sugar 1s 6d 1 3 6
It. Spurs and wyer 1s 6d 2 caynes 2s croaper and a girdle 1s 3d 0 4 9
It. A Bedstead and cover above and below curtains and vallance £2 6d 2 6 0
It. A cupboard with small things in it £2 3d A deske and drawer 1 2s 2 15 0
It. A small Box 1s a brush and a stock to do limmes 1s 6d 0 2 6
It. Seaven dishes of white earthen ware one Bason and a sully bub pot 16s 0 16 0
It. One glass slick stone earthen porrenger and pot 3s 2 flower pots 1s 0 4 0
It. eight cushens £1 10s table 10s great chair 4s 3 small chaires 6s 2 10 0
It. .To a great chaire 4s window curtain 1s 6d part of a Buriing cloth 8s 0 13 6
It. Forty cheeses £5 an apple trough 6s two powdering tubs 6s 6d
Lether 2s 5 14 6
It. Three beer Barrells 8s a great glass 1s a powdering tub 5s and old tubs 4s 18 0
It. Two andirons 14s churn 4s firkin wth 4-lb of butter £1 5s 2 3 0
It. Two earthen pots 2s 4 pound candles 2s 8d a hand jack 1s 3d 2 pr scales gally pot 10 5
It. The best pewter 77 lb £7 14s 10 lb more of pewter £1 old
pewter 15 lb £1 candlesticks £, 1 10 14 0
It. a Bed pan 9s two basons 8s four old candlesticks 9s 5 salt sellers 5s one more 2s 1 13 0
It. Two Basons & 4 Pottingers one beaker 9s 6 new pottingers 7s 6d
a pottinger 4s 1 0 6
It. Two pint pots 6s flagon 14s 2 quart pots 6s 1 6 0
It. Two old chambr pots 10s 4 lb old pewter & a 3 qt bason 9s
Copr pot 6s tin~ware 6s tin ? 1 11 0
It; Platc one bowle ? £3 three spoons £1 10s silver cup 10s
pair buttons 2s 6d three pair buttons 3s one buckle 18 a pair
of shoe buckles 6s 3 dozen of plate buttons £1 6 12 6
It. a still with Instrumts belonging £1 10s tin lanthorn 1s beams for scales & weights 2 1 0
It. a Box iron 4s a smoothing iron 1s a brass copper £ 7 a great Brass pan £2 14s 9 19 0
{Page 31} Top
It. Two small brass pans £1 12s 6d old copper kittle 15s a brass kittle £1 5s 3 12 6
it Two small brass skillets 6s 2 small brass Ladles & one skimmer 4s 6d 0 10 6
It. A brass bason 4s skillet 5s a little brass kettle 7s skillet 4s 1 0 0
It. Wool combs wth belongs to them 16s a brass chafeing dish 3s 0 19 0
It. Two bell mettle pots one £2 5s ye other £ 1 5s an iron kettle 8s & litl iron pot 4 4 0
It. Two dozen of trenchers 1s 6d one tray 6 old dishes wth other dishes 3s 4d
two piggins 1s 6d 0 16 4
It. Three cheeshoopes 1s earthen Pitcher 3d one payle, one piggin & strainer 3s 9d 5 0
It. An iron pot & pot-hooks 9s 6d two tramels wth irons to hang upon 12s 1 1 6
It. a pair of bellows, meat forke, augar & gridiron 4s a trammel with hooks to it 12s 0 16 0
It. a fowling piece £1 10s two carbines £2 a jack, weight & a spit £ 2 10 6 0
It. a salt box & salt 1s two old bibles 1s 4 old chairs & old joynt stoole 4s 0 6 0
It. a meale trough 6s sives 3s 6d shreding knife 1s frying pan
and marking iron 4s 14 6
It. a cushion 3s cap & tardingalls 1s a kettle & skillet 9s 13 0
It. a bed & bedding 15s old spinning wheel 3s an old chest 3s 1 1 1
It. The Homestead at towne, dwelling house, kilne & other houses 330 0 0
It. a great saddle bridle & breast plate, crouper wth a cover at £ 3 10s 3 10 0
It. Pistols, holsters, breast plate crooper & simiter £2 5s 2 5 0
It. a tramel & slice 6s 6 0
It. two keelers 4s 4 0
It. Lawrence ye Indian at £ 4 3 yds crape at 6s 4 6 0
It. The farme Landes, Arthur Abbots housing & land 190 0 0
It. Fennel Rosses housing & land 190 0 0
It. The saw-mill wth all implements belonging to it 40 0 0
It. John's house & barn & kilne at 140 140 0 0
It. Matthew's house & barn 140 0 0
The total appraisal was £ 3314.
It will be noticed that the homestead was apportioned to Joseph in the will,
{Page 32} Top
but in the final division as it is recorded under date of Oct. 31 1684, John received "the mansion house his father deceased in wth Barn, outhouses, Kilne, orchards & homestead wth commonage & privileges in and upon Two acres & a half of land be it more or less, called ye Homestead in Ipswich Towne." [Book 305: folio 135].
Captain Whipple's farm lands included the present Gardner estate, I judge, in Hamilton. His wealth was very unusual in his day, and the appraised value of the house with its modest house lot is phenomenal; It was valued at £330.
Gen. Denison's property was inventoried the year before, 1682, and his dwelling house was appraised at £160. [Ipswich Records 4: 506]. He was a man of wealth [£2105], and his house had been built but a few years, as his earlier residence had been burned, yet this fine residence as we may imagine it to have been, was reckoned worth less than half as much as Capt. Whipple's mansion.
Dep. Gov. Samuel Symonds died on Oct. 13th, 1678, five years before, leaving an estate of 2534 pounds sterling, but. his house and about two acres in town, in the very center, were estimated worth only one hundred and fifty pounds.
These valuations confirm me in the belief that Captain Whipple's mansion was the grandest in the town or in the larger neighborhood. He inherited a comfortable fortune from his father, John Whipple, the elder of the church. His will and inventory made in the year 1669, and indorsed upon the outside "Elder John Whipple", are as follows:
WILL OF JOHN WHIPPLE, SENIOR-1669.
[Filed, not recorded. ]
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Whipple Senior of Ipswich in New England, being in this present time of perfect understanding and memory, though weake in body, committing my soule into the hands of Almighty God, and my body to decent buryall, in hope of Resurrection unto Eternall life by the Merit and power of Jesus Christ, my most mercyfull Saviour and Redeemer, doe thus dispose of the temporall Estate wch God hath graciousely given mee.
Imprimis. I give unto Susanna Worth of Newbery my eldest daughter thirty pounds and a silver beer bowle and a silver wine cup.
Item. I give unto my daughter Mary Stone twenty pounds and one silver wine cup, and a silver dramme cup.
Item. I give unto my daughter Sarah Goodhue twenty pounds. And all the rest of my houshold goods my will is that they shall be equally divided betwixt.my
{Page 33} Top
three daughters afore sayd. But for their other Legacyes my will is that they should be payd them wthin two yeares after my decease : and if it should so fall out yt any of my daughters above sayd should be taken away by death before this time of payment be come, my will is that the Respective Legacyes be payd to their Heyres when they come of age. Likewise I give unto Antony Potter, my son-in-Iaw sometime, fourty shillings.
Moreover I give unto Jennett my beloved Wife ten pounds which my will is yt it should be payd her besides the fourteen pound, and ye annuity of six pounds a yeare engaged unto her in the Articles of Agreement before our Marryage. Concerning the fourscore pound, which is to be Returned backe to her after my decease, my will is yt it should be payed (both for time and manner of Pay) according to ye sayd Agreement, viz: one third part in wheat, Mault and Indian Corne in equall proportions, the other two thirds in neat Cattle under seaven yeare old. Further my will is yt no debt should be charged upon my said wife as touching any of her daughters, untill it be first proved to arise from the account of Mercy, Sarah or Mary.
I do appynt my loving friends, Mr William Hubbard and Mr. John Rogers of Ipswich, the overseers of this my last will and Testament, and I doe hereby give them power to determine any difference yt may arise betwixt my executors and any of the Legatees, aforesayd, about ye payments aforesayd. LastlyI ordayn and Appoynt my son John Whipple the sole executor of this my last will and Testament. To whom I give all the rest of my estate, both houses, lands, cattle, Debts from whomsoever due and to his heyres forever.
In confirmation whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this l0th day
The marke of JOHN WHIPPLE
of May, 1669. In the presence of
WILLIAM HUBBARD
ROBERT DAY
The marke of EDWARD LUMMAS
This will was presented in court held at Ipswich the 28 of September, 1669, by the oath of Mr. Wry Hubbard and Robert Day to be the last will and testa.ment of Elder John Whipple deceased to the best of their knowleage. As attest. Robert Lord, cleric.
An inventory of the estate of Mr. John Whipple deceased the 30 of June, 1669.
Impr. The farme contayning about three hundred and sixty acres 150 0 0
It. The houses and lands in ye Towne contayning about one hundred acres 250 0 0
It. In apparell 9 0 0
{Page34} Top
It. In linnen 6 0 0
It. A ffeather bed with appurtenances 7 0 0
It. In Plate 6 0 0
It. In Pewter 4 0 0
It. In Brasse 3 10 0
It. In chayres, cushions, & other small things 1 7 0
It. A still 16 0
It. Two flock Beds 1 10 0
It. Two Tables 0 11 0
It. One musquet, one pr ofmustard quernes 15 0
It. Andirons, firepan & tongs 14 0
It. Two mortars, two spitts 10 0
It. In Bookes 2 8 0
444 1 0
Ipswich July 15th '69
RICHARD HUBBARD
JOHN APPLETON
(The originals are endorsed "Elder John Whipple)"
The inventory was delivered in court held at Ipswich the z8 of September, 1669; upon the oath of cornett John Whipple to be a full & true inventory of the estate of his ffather, deceased, to the best of his knowledge and if more appears afterward it should be added. As attest,
ROBERT LORD, Cleric.
The Elder's estate included the large 360 acre farm which had been divided into several by the prosperous Cornet and Captain, and other property, entered as "houses and lands in ye Towne contayning about one hundred acres," valued at £ 250. The two acre homelot and homestead was contained in this beyond a doubt, but we can not be sure how much else is included. It does not seem possible that Captain Whipple's mansion should have been identical with the Elder's house. The great increase in value within the short period of fourteen years, 1669-1683, indicates at least a substantial enlargement or rebuilding. This supposition harmonizes perfectly with the fact, apparent to every observer, that the eastern half of the present edifice was added to the western portion, and the elab- orate and costly style of the newer work presupposes such ample wealth as Captain Whipple possessed.
A very interesting parallel to such an enlargement is found in the old Howard or Ringe house, as it is called, near the Stone Bridge on Turkey Shore.
{Page 35} Top
In William Howard's will dated July 23d, 1709, he says, "Item, I give unto my loving and well-beloved wife the use both of the old, end of my house mansion and of the new end, so far as she shall have occasion for during her natural life."
"Item. I give to my two sons John and Samuel Howard, viz. to my son John, the new end of my house mansion which is not yet fully finished, with half the stack of chimneys built in said new end, which will best serve for the use thereof.
"Item. I give to my son Samuel my old mansion house and also one-half of the stack of chimneys built in the new end of said house, which will best suit for the accommodation of said mansion house.
Evidently a considerable change in the chimney of the old house was involved, and in our house, it is evident that the chimney stack was enlarged when this new portion was added. The Western half of our house was probably therefore Elder Whipple's home, and as the fashion of houses was in those days, it was a very good and comfortable house, much larger and better than many which were built in that period. Did he build it ? Probably. Yet when he acquired his full title to the estate, a house was already built. The deed is recorded in the old Ipswich Record, ( 1. 89) and reads thus:
Md. that I, John Fawne, gent, do by these presents, allow, certifie & confirme, unto Mr. John Whipple his heires and assigns forever, a certaine bargaine & sale of an house & house lott in Ipswich conteining by estimation two acres & a halfe, more or lesse, formerly sould unto the said John Whipple by John Jolly, Samuell Appleton, John Cogswell, Robert Muzzey, & Humphrey Broadstreete & doe hereby release all my right and title thereunto, as witness my hand & seale,
this l0th day of October, 1650 JOHN FAWNE.
The original deed is not to be found, and this quit claim deed only perfects the title to the property, which was purchased by Whipple from six well-known citizens acting in some collective capacity, not yet discoverable. But it is of great value as proving Fawn's original ownership. But John Whipple was living on this spot in 1642, for in that year the town ordered that John Whipple "should cause the fence to be made between the house late Captain Denison's and the sayd John Whipple, namely on the side next Capt. Denison's." But Fawn's occupancy of this location had ceased in 1638, inasmuch as in our Town Record, it was recorded in 1638, that eight acres had been granted to Samuel Appleton above the Mill, the Town River on the South East, the house lot formerly John Fawne's North East, and the highway leading into the Common, North west." Whipple may have been living there at that early period, but I cannot believe
{Page 36} Top
that even the oldest part of this venerable house could have been in existence then. The original Whipple house, was probably some cheap, hastily built affair of logs and thatch. It was only when life became less precarious in the new settlement, that time and trouble could be taken to build substantial dwellings.
These ancient grants afford us the first links in the chain of collateral evidence which confirms our identification of the property mentioned in these various wills with our mansion and lot.
Our Town Record mentions that Mr. Fawne had a houselot adjoining to Mr. Appleton. six acres near the mill.
Daniel Denison had a house let. next Mr. Fawne's, to come to the scirt of the hill next the swamp." Denison's lot is again described as "near the mill, containing about two acres, which he hath paled in and built an house upon it, having Mr. Fawn's house lot on the South west."
Denison's property included the tract bounded by Market, Winter & Union Sts. The Appleton lot was on both sides of the Topsfield road, beyond the present railway crossing. Fawn's land lay between them. As he sold only two and a half acres to Whipple the balance of his original grant had been sold apparently to Mr. Appleton as he always appears as the abutter on the western side.
The grant to Denison originally included a lot that bounded the Whipple land on the South-East, i. e. toward the River. This was owned afterwards by John Burnham and Anthony Potter. A portion of this original Denison grant was owned by Jeremiah Belcher.
O.n the occasion of his marriage with Mary Lockwood, Belcher conveyed to Mr. Robert Paine, Richard Brown of Newbury and Rob. Lord of Ipswich, "in behalf of the sayd Mary etc." "his now dwelling house with out-houses, orchards yards, gardens & all other the appurtenances and priviledges thereunto belonging, which house is scituate, lying & being in Ipswich aforesayd, neare the mill on the north side the river, having the said river toward the southeast, and the land of John Whipple toward the norwest." 30:7:1652 [Ipswich Deeds. l:239] Twelve years later, Jeremiah Belcher mortgaged his farm & town property to Capt. Geo. Carwin. The dwelling and land about it is described as follows: "On the West side of the Mill River. having the River on the East side thereof, the land of Elder Whipple on the west, and on the north, the Towne and mill & bordering southward upon the land of Elder Whipple. [Essex Deeds. 2:92. ]
On the 8th of April. 1672. Anthony Potter sold Samuel Belcher (son of Jeremiah) a small piece of land, "joyneing to the houselott of Jeremiah Belcher and bounded therewith and with the river on the South and Southwest syde. and with the houselott of John Whipple on the Northwest and with the highway on the North
{Page 37} Top
east, a1l which piece of land I had of John Burnham." [Ipswich Deeds, 3:223.]
On April 20th, 1672, the Rev. Samuel Belcher, Pastor on the Isle of Shoals, sold to Edward Lumase, in behalf of Richard Saltonstall, Esq.
" A parcell of ground near unto the mill, for to sett a house upon for the miller, that shall keepe the mills from tyme to time, to live and dwell in while he or they" shall keepe the sayd mills," "conteineing about six rodds of land bounded by a fence of pales toward the West, the barne of Jeremiah Belcher toward the South, downe to a rocke near the end of the sd. barne toward the East, & common land or highway, where gravell hath beene digged towards the North." [Ipswich Deeds 3: 329.]
This is the only deed which contains the name of Saltonstall. Before remarking on it, let me add two others. Mary Belcher, the widow of Jeremiah, set over to her son Samuel, who then resided in Ipswich, "all that house lott given & made over to me by way of Jointure on Marriage, -----bounded by ye grist mill iin Ipswich easterly, Mr. John Appleton's land Southerly, Mr. John Whipple's land Northerly, the other part bounded by the way to sd Land or lott, and partly by land granted to Major Dennison, now possessed and built on by Samuel Belcher."
Novem. 11:1692 [Essex Deeds 49:251]
In 1713, Sept. 25, Mr. Samuel Belcher sold this property to Capt. John Whipple "one halfe acre of Land be ye same more or less with ye house, barn and Orchard standing thereon -bounded northeasterly by a highway Leading to ye mill, Southeasterly by Ipswich River, Southwesterly by Land of Col. John Apple-ton, Northwesterly by Land of ye above sd Capt. John Whipple."
[Essex Deeds, 29:61]
Comparing these deeds it will be seen at once that the bit of land sold to Mr. Saltonstall for the miller's house, was only a part of Samuel Belcher's land, and that the whole Belcher property was bounded then, as it had been for many years by the Whipple estate. Apart from that a six rod lot is rather small for a mansion like this, though it were then only half its present length.
The old Jeremiah Belcher lot reappears in the "Brackenbury lot" which William Brackenbury, of North Carolina, planter, then in Ipswich, sold to Nath. Farley about 3/4 acre, which is bounded by John Crocker, the River and other land of Farley's. On Apri130, 1771, [Essex Deeds 129:112] when the heirs of Joseph Crocker sold to Col. Hodgkins, the lot was bounded by