History of the

Thomas Kilham House

Wenham, Massachusetts

Vol. 1

By
Robert O. Corcoran
The Thomas Kilham House, 1900
 History of the
Thomas Kilham House
Wenham, Massachusetts

Vol. 1

By
Robert O. Corcoran
 Copyright © 2021 by
Robert O. Corcoran
All rights reserved.

Permission to reproduce in any form

must be secured from the author.

Please direct all correspondence and book orders to:

Robert O. Corcoran
26 Maple Street
Wenham, MA 01984

Frontispiece:
Photographed September 27, 1900 by Benjamin H. Conant (18431921)
Image courtesy of the Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massachusetts
B. H. Conant Collection, Plate #01757

This image previously appeared on Edmund G. Josephs and William E. Heitz, producers,
“Benjamin Conant Series: Part 4, with Harold Boothroyd,” Hamilton-Wenham Times Past,
Continental Cablevision, Beverly, MA, June 18, 1992 at 0:36:50

Printed for the author by

PHD Bookbinding
Austin, Texas
In Memory of Pompey
In Loving Gratitude for Rick
 TABLE of CONTENTS

Preface ................................................................................................v
17th- & 18th-Century Births & Deaths .......................................vii
About Double Dates .......................................................................ix
Chapter 1: In the Woods..................................................................1
Appendices
A: Late-Recorded & Unrecorded Deeds .......................... 129
B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms ................ 141
C: Early Deeds ...................................................................... 199
Bibliography .................................................................................. 231
Index............................................................................................... 243

iii
iv
 PREFACE

It is a remarkable thing that a house should survive 330 years; this book
celebrates this house’s longevity, and documents it as an example of First
Period architecture. And this book remembers the people who lived here,
people who had front-row seats to events that today we think of as distant
history: The taking of indigenous peoples’ lands … the Salem Witchcraft Tri-
als … enslavement of Africans … and the American Revolution.
The Thomas Kilham House was built by 1686. We’ll start the story in
the 1630s, however, when the town of Salem divvied up the land in this
neighborhood. Volume 1 is devoted to the 50 years between the Salem land
grants and the onset of a building boom, a history of West Wenham that
hasn’t been written elsewhere. We’ll see that this site was a forest in the 1630s,
possibly with an Agawam foot path more or less where Maple Street is today,
the forest bordering a large meadow to the north and another meadow to the
west. And we’ll see how the forest was cleared for farmland over those 50
years as three generations of farmers subdivided their land to accommodate
growing families.
In Volume 2 we’ll shift our attention to the building itself. We’ll see the
construction of a two-room house—a small house by today’s standards but
not so small for 1686. And we’ll see that it reflected an aesthetic that at the
time was more modern than the aesthetic expressed in other houses in Essex
County. (Yes, in 1686 there was such a thing as an old-fashioned house.)
We’ll watch the house grow in the customary manner of the area: Within a
few years, two rooms became four rooms … by mid-century the house ac-
quired a lean-to and a saltbox profile … and by the end of the eighteenth
century (or possibly the opening years of the nineteenth century) the roof
was raised to accommodate an expanded second floor.
We’ll also learn in Volume 2 about this house’s seventeenth- and eight-
eenth-century owners and residents. Thomas Kilham, part of the couple of

v
who commissioned the construction of the house, was a veteran of the piv-
otal battle of King Philip’s War, a war that nearly decimated the Native Amer-
ican population of southern New England. His wife Martha was the sister
and aunt of defendants in the Salem Witchcraft Trials, Thomas and Martha
living here during the Trials.
The Fairfield family bought the house from the Kilhams, and owned it
for almost all the eighteenth century. They and the rest of the neighborhood
endured an epidemic (probably smallpox) in the 1720s, and a diphtheria epi-
demic in the 1730s. William Fairfield was Speaker of Massachusetts’ House
of Representatives. His son Benjamin, who owned the house very briefly,
was a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress during the Ameri-
can Revolution. (Neither William nor Benjamin actually lived in this house,
though; they lived on the farm next door.) Owner-resident Matthew Fairfield
fought during the Revolution in the Battles of Chelsea Creek, Bunker Hill,
Trois-Rivières and Valcour Island. Found guilty of counterfeiting after the
war, Matthew eventually moved out of town in disgrace.
It was exciting to discover the connections that owners of the house had
with the Salem Witchcraft Trials and the American Revolution. But the most
surprising thing about the history of this place is that its history isn’t solely
about its owners and their families: An enslaved man named Pompey lived
here, one of several enslaved people who lived in Wenham during the eight-
eenth century. (Enslaved people living in Wenham?! It turns out that enslave-
ment was actually a familiar thing throughout this part of Essex County dur-
ing the eighteenth century.) Pompey intrigues me. Was he born in Africa?
Did he marry, have children? Was he friends with any of the enslaved people
who lived on other farms in West Wenham, or was he lonely? Where did he
sleep? In the attic? The barn? Was he the only enslaved person who lived
here?
Pompey is a reminder that, far too often, history is a reflection of whoever leaves
a paper trail. So celebrate this place. Enjoy its story. Stick to the pictures, if
footnote-reading isn’t your thing. And wonder about the aspects of its history
that have been lost simply because nobody wrote them down.

June 2021
Wenham, Massachusetts

vi
 17TH- & 18TH-CENTURY
BIRTHS & DEATHS

It’s probably the case that some 26 people were born in this house during the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. At least 13 people probably died here.

Births that Probably Occurred in the Thomas Kilham House

Children of owners of the Thomas Kilham House who were born in Wen-
ham while their parents were living in the house:

1. Samuel Kilham, ca.1691 14. Elizabeth Fairfield, 1741

2. Martha Kilham, ca.1693 15. Priscilla Fairfield (2nd), 1743
3. John Kilham, 1695 16. Matthew Fairfield (2nd), 1745
4. Daniel Kilham (1st), 1698 17. Josiah Fairfield Jr., 1747
5. Daniel Kilham (2nd), 1700 18. Abigail Fairfield, 1768
6. Esther Fairfield, 1725 19. Elizabeth Fairfield, 1770
7. Matthew Fairfield (1st), 1727 20. John Fairfield, 1773
8. William Fairfield, 1728 21. Hannah Fairfield, 1775
9. Eunice Fairfield (1st), 1730 22. Alice Fairfield, ca.1777
10. Priscilla Fairfield (1st), 1732 23. Sarah Fairfield, ca.1779
11. Isaac Fairfield, 1735 24. Walter Fairfield, ca.1780
12. John Fairfield, 1737 25. William Fairfield, ca.1780
13. Eunice Fairfield (2nd), 1739 26. Charlotte Fairfield, ca. 1784

vii
Deaths that May Have Occurred in the Thomas Kilham House
Owners of the Thomas Kilham House and their children, who died in Wen-
ham:

1. Daniel Kilham (1st), 1699

2. Esther Fairfield, 1727
3. William Fairfield, 1729
4. Eunice (Cogswell) Fairfield, 1730
5. Eunice Fairfield (1st), 1730
6. Priscilla Fairfield (1st), 1736
7. Isaac Fairfield, 1738
8. John Fairfield, 1753
9. Elizabeth Fairfield, 1751
10. Priscilla Fairfield (2nd), 1760
11. Josiah Fairfield, 1777
12. Alice Fairfield, 1777
13. Unnamed child of Matthew and Abigail (Ayer) Fairfield, 1782

Might Pompey have died in the Thomas Kilham House?

viii
 ABOUT DOUBLE DATES

Study of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century documents requires some

familiarity with old-style vs. new-style calendars, and the convention of dou-
ble dates. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar (the Gre-
gorian calendar or new-style calendar) to correct some accumulated errors in
the Julian calendar (the old-style calendar). One key difference between the
calendars is that the New Year began on March 25 in the old-style calendar,
but on January 1 in the new-style calendar. Although many countries were
quick to adopt the new-style calendar, England and its colonies did not do so
until 1752. Consequently, for the period 1582 to 1752, double dates are used for
events that happened between January 1 and March 25.
Consider the example of a marriage that took place in Massachusetts on,
say, February 1 of 1720. The happy couple would have been using the old-
style calendar at the time, and the event would have happened several weeks
before New Year’s Day (March 25). But today’s scholar reckons time in the
new-style calendar, in which February 1 is a few weeks after New Year’s Day
(January 1). In the old-style calendar the date was February 1, 1720, but in
the new-style calendar the date is February 1, 1721. The double date of Feb-
ruary 1, 1720/1 is the convention used in this text to denote the event as
having taken place in 1720 in contemporaneous reckoning, but 1721 in mod-
ern reckoning. You can read it as “It was late 1720 to them at the time, but it
was early 1721 to us now.” However, a date that incorporates a hyphen (for
example “17201721”) means that the event in question occurred at some
undetermined point of time in that date range. Thus, read “17201721” as
“It happened sometime in 1720 or 1721.”

ix
 History of the
Thomas Kilham House
Wenham, Massachusetts

Vol. 1
CHAPTER 1

IN THE WOODS

S HORTLY after English colonists founded Salem, the

town began making large grants of land to encourage set-
tlement—including grants in current-day West Wenham.
Although it’s not clear who the first colonist was to own the
site of the Thomas Kilham House, the site was probably part
of a grant dating to 1639, and was owned at an early date by
Phineas Fiske. Fifty years later, a building boom was under-
way in West Wenham as third-generation colonists (the first
cohort who had no firsthand knowledge of life in England)
sought housing for their young families—subdividing their
fathers’ and grandfathers’ farms, and upgrading cart paths to
town-maintained roads.

A LTHOUGH the Thomas Kilham House is today a rare

survivor, its construction should be viewed in the con-
text of this end-of-century generational building boom. Like-
wise, the contemporary upgrading of West Wenham’s roads
(including the road that would become Maple Street) should
be viewed as a response to the area’s growth in population.
  
2 History of the Thomas Kilham House

SALEM LAND GRANTS & THE PURITAN GREAT MIGRA-

TION
The area of land that originally belonged to Salem was enormous, en-
compassing not just current-day Salem, but also Wenham, Manchester-by-
the-Sea, Marblehead, Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and part of Middleton. But
despite its size, the areas outside of the Salem town center were hardly empty
hinterlands. Salem began making grants of land to its inhabitants almost im-
mediately after the town was founded, and allocated its territory quickly. (In
the case of current-day Danvers, grant-making began in 1632 and escalated
in 1635. Much of the land in Danvers was granted between 1635 and 1640.1)
Once a resident was accepted by the town, he was entitled to at least ten acres
of land for free. A worthy recipient was granted even more land, depending
on the size of his family and his social standing.2 Grants consisted of varying
combinations of timberland and meadow—the timberland providing materi-
als for housing, fencing and furniture, and the meadow providing hay for
livestock. Grants were colloquially called “farms.” Some farms were worked
by their respective grantees, while other farms were rented out. Some farms
were kept as open land for decades, while others were quickly developed with
housing.3
Salem, like other towns throughout the Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth
Colonies, was experiencing a population boom during the 1630s. It was the
height of the Great Migration of 1620–1640 when some twenty thousand
Puritans left England for Massachusetts4 in search of a more favorable reli-
gious, political and economic climate. Salem responded to the wave of immi-

1 Charles W. Upham, Salem Witchcraft (Boston: Wiggin and Lunt, 1867), 1:xv-xxvii; and
Harriet Silvester Tapley, Chronicles of Danvers (Old Salem Village), Massachusetts, 1632–1923 (Dan-
vers, MA: Danvers Historical Society, 1923), 9-10.
2 See, for example, Town of Salem, Book of Grants, 16341720, MS, Phillips Library, Pea-
body Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, 12-15; and Essex Institute, Historical Collections,
Second Series, Vol. I: Town Records of Salem, 1634–1659 (Salem, MA: Essex Institute Press, 1868),
19-25.
3 Adding to the challenge of researching seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century deeds:
A “farm” could consist of multiple parcels that weren’t necessarily contiguous to each other.
4 Lynn Betlock, “New England’s Great Migration,” New England Ancestors, Spring 2003,
18-20. See also Virginia DeJohn Anderson, New England’s Generation: The Great Migration and the
Formation of Society and Culture in the Seventeenth Century (Cambridge, England: Cambridge Uni-
versity Press, 1991), 15.
 In the Woods 3

gration by using land grants to attract “people of quality” while simultane-

ously encouraging the development of new population centers within its bor-
ders that were intended to mature into standalone towns. Wenham was the
first town to break off from Salem, but we shouldn’t think of that event as
an act of rebellion, the way we think of the American Revolution or even the
South’s succession during the Civil War. Rather, Wenham’s separation from
Salem was part of a grand plan throughout the Massachusetts Bay and Plym-
outh Colonies to promote the planting and cultivation of new towns.
Scholarship done in the nineteenth century produced a map of 1630s-
vintage grants in Danvers. A portion of that map appears in Figure 1.3, and
is instructive because it shows the irregular shapes that characterize grants of
that period.5 No analogous map of Wenham was found during the research
of this book,6 but careful study of late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-
century deeds reveals the approximate locations of grants in West Wenham
(Figure 1.4).
Portions of farms in the neighborhood of the Thomas Kilham House
site (i.e., the Phineas Fiske Farm, the Thomas Trusler Farm on the west, and
the John Fairfield Farm and James Moulton Farm on the east) were in a locale
called “the Woods.” “The Woods” appears as a place name—connoting a
specific locale in West Wenham—in a handful of estate inventories and deeds
from the last third of the seventeenth century. 7 It wasn’t the only West
Continued on p. 8

5 Grants were laid out by town-appointed surveyors; see Essex Institute, Town Records of
Salem, 1 (1868):11, 35, 40, 43, 52, 56, 64. Given the size of Greater Salem, one wonders how
the surveyors could have done their job without drawing a series of maps. And, if they did
draw such maps, whatever happened to them?
6 A series of maps drawn in 1941 (unsigned by their maker) is the most thorough attempt
found that maps twentieth-century West Wenham property boundaries against their anteced-
ents, but the only seventeenth-century grant that is mapped is that of the John Fairfield Farm.
See “West End,” MS, 1941, Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massachusetts, maps, 71.10.31.
7 The documents that referred to “the Woods” of West Wenham are:
 Inventory of the estate of Phineas Fiske (1673). Essex Institute, Records and Files of the
Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume V, 1672–1674 (Lynn, MA: Thomas P.
Nichols & Son Co., 1916), 203; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, Massa-
chusetts, Volume II, 1665–1674 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1917), 372. See Appendix D
for a transcription. The original probate documents of the estate of Phineas Fiske, filed at
Essex County Probate 9512 (Phineas Fiske, 1673), have been lost.
 Inventory of the estate of James Moulton (1680). Essex County Probate 19018 (James
Molton [sic], 1680); and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume
III, 1675–1681 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1920), 356.
4 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.1. Map of eastern Essex County, ca.1633, during the Great
Migration. Cape Ann projects into the Atlantic at the top of the image.
The words "Agawam" and "Indians" appear at left; "Salem" at center;
"Marble Harbor [Marblehead]," "Saugus" and "Nahant" at right.8

 Inventory of the estate of John Fiske (1683). Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quar-
terly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume IX, 1683–1686 (Worcester, MA: The Heffer-
nan Press, 1975), 131-132. The original probate documents of the estate of John Fiske, filed
at Essex County Probate 9500 (Ens. John Fiske, 1683), have been lost.
 Essex County Deeds 8:108 (Daniel Kilham to John Gilbert and Daniel Kilham Jr., 1688).
See Appendix C for a transcription.
 Essex County Deeds 33:197 (John Fairfield [3rd] et al. to Daniel Kilham Jr., 1690).
 Essex County Deeds 15:106 (Charles Gott [Jr.] to John Gott, 1696). See Appendix C for
a transcription.
Wenham, of course, didn’t have a monopoly on Salem-area forestland. West Peabody
also had a neighborhood called “the Woods” that is described in Sidney Perley, “The Woods,
Salem, In 1700,” Essex Institute Historical Collections, 51 (1915):177-196.
8 Cartographer unknown. The manuscript is in the Sloane collection of maps at the British
Museum, and is reproduced in Perley, The History of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume I, 1626–1637
(Salem, MA: Sidney Perley, 1924), 311, 313. The map does not include Ipswich (which was
 In the Woods 5

Figure 1.2. Map of eastern Massachusetts, 1702, 60 years after the end
of the Great Migration.9

founded in 1633) or Gloucester (which had been temporarily abandoned at the time the map
was created).
9 Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana: Or, the Ecclesiastical History of New-England (Lon-
don: Thomas Parkhurst, 1702), Book I, interleaf between Contents and his p. 1. Detail.
6 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.3. Map of Danvers in 1692, drawn in 1866. Heavy dashed lines
denote boundaries of Salem land grants made during the 1630s; lighter
dashed lines denote subsequent, early subdivisions. Numbered squares de-
note Danvers houses thought to have been standing in 1692. Note the ir-
regular shapes of the grants. (The Kilham House is located near the E in
“WENHAM” at upper right.)10

10 Upham, 1 (1867):xviii.
 In the Woods 7

Figure 1.4. Early farms and common land along Maple and Cherry
Streets, with dates of farms’ original grants. The dashed red line high-
lights the original town line between Danvers and Wenham.

A. Phineas Fiske, by 1665, perhaps granted as early as 1639 to someone other

than Phineas; site of the Thomas Kilham House
B. Lawrence Leach (Leach’s Meadow), December 23, 1639
C. Leach’s Swamp, common land distributed in the 1690s
D. Thomas Trusler, January 21, 1639
E. William Osbourne, by 1644
F. Thomas Fiske Jr., by 1686
G. Lord’s Hill Commons, common land distributed ca.17051707
H. Thomas Spooner, before 1651
I. John Fairfield, December 23, 1639
J. William Fiske Sr., August 8, 1639
K. William Wellman, by 1656
L. James Moulton, December 9, 1639
8 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Wenham locale with its own place name; early Wenham deeds and town rec-
ords make reference to “the Great Swamp,” “the Great Meadow” and
“Meadow Hill” with the same air of familiarity. The Great Swamp, of course,
was Wenham Swamp in the northwestern part of town. The Great Meadow
was west of Wenham Swamp, and extended to the Topsfield town line;
Meadow Hill, adjacent to the Great Meadow, was the hill traversed by
Topsfield road that crests between Daniels Road and Conrad Circle.11
We can determine some of the boundaries of the Woods in general
terms, but not all of them. The Great Swamp and Great Meadow were to the
north, and an expanse of open space called Leach’s Meadow was to the west
or southwest somewhere in the vicinity of current-day Burley Street. (Leach’s
Meadow segued into Birch Plains, an expanse of open space that began in

11 Early references in town records to the Great Meadow include Essex Institute, Town
Records of Salem, 1 (1868):161 (“the greate medow towards Wenham,” 1649), 162 (grant made
by Salem in 1649, after Wenham had been established as its own town), 166 (grant made by
Salem in 1650), 181 (grant made by Salem in 1654/5, and grant made by Salem in 1643); and
Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (Salem, MA: Newcomb &
Gauss, 1930), 9 (reference to construction of “the highway that is begun in the great midows,”
1654), 11 (fencing-in of the “Great midow” so as to keep out cattle, 1655). For early references
to Meadow Hill, see Essex County Deeds 26:63 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Samuel Fiske, 1712)
and 126:217 (Benjamin Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1767), second parcel.
Determining the specific boundaries of the Great Meadow is outside the scope of this
book. In general terms, however, part of the Great Meadow lay in a narrow strip of land
abutting the Topsfield-Wenham town line in the very northwest corner of town. (Essex
County Deeds 13:184 (Edward Kemp to [Rev.] Antipas Newman, 1658), fourth parcel, de-
scribes a ten-acre property in the Great Meadow that ran the breadth of the meadow from the
Topsfield town line to the Great Swamp.) In addition to that narrow strip at the corner of
town, the Great Meadow extended to Wenham Causeway to the southwest, and extended to
the base of Meadow Hill to the south and southeast, parts of which that today are rather
swampy. Swampy today but meadowland 300 years ago? The construction of the Danvers &
Georgetown Railroad in 1853, later the Newburyport and Wakefield Branch of the Boston &
Maine Railroad, significantly altered the drainage patterns of the area.
 In the Woods 9

Wenham and extended into Beverly and Danvers.12) As for the other bound-
aries of the Woods—the northwest, south-southwest and eastern bounda-
ries—if the Woods extended beyond the Phineas Fiske, Thomas Trusler,
John Fairfield and James Moulton Farms, there’s no evidence of this in the
historical record.13

12 For the Wenham portion of Birch Plains see Essex County Deeds 9:117 (disposition of
real estate of John Greene, 1691). For the Beverly and Danvers portions see, for example,
Essex County Probate 13193 (Zachariah Herrick, 1695), Inventory; and 13157 (Joseph Herrick
Sr., 1718), Will. See also Perley, “Rial Side: Part of Salem in 1700,” Historical Collections of the
Danvers Historical Society, 8 (1920):34 and map opposite 33; and Figure 1.3 of this text.
13 Much of this chapter explores early housing along the Maple Street-Cherry Street corri-
dor, without delving much into the history of those areas of West Wenham that are south of
this corridor. Two such areas were private property at an early date, and therefore have a
history of deeds and probate written during the period when “the Woods” appears in other
documents. These areas were: (1) the Herrick Farm straddling the Beverly-Wenham town line
near the current-day Beverly Airport and (2) Cedar Street and the southern end of Topsfield
Road. The first area is of interest (with respect to the boundaries of the Woods) because of its
proximity to Leach’s Meadow. The second areas is of interest because it included some of the
James Moulton Farm (at least some of which was in the Woods) as well as land adjacent to
that farm.
The bulk of the Herrick Farm was in the part of Birch Plains that’s in Beverly. If any of
the Wenham portion of the Herrick Farm was in the Woods, none of the surviving early deeds
or probate (despite references to both Birch Plains and Leach’s Meadow in Herrick probate
documents) indicates this. See Essex County Deeds 1:36 (Henry and Francis Skerry to Henry
Herrick, 1653); 11:123 (Ephraim Herrick to Robert Cue, 1694/5); 15:311 (Ephraim Herrick
to Caleb Kimball, 1694); and 32:99 (Ephraim Herrick [Jr.] to Joseph Herrick, 1699). See also
Essex County Probate 13133 (Henry Herrick, 1671); 13146 (John Herrick, 1680); 13193
(Zachariah Herrick, 1695); 13134 (Henry Herrick Sr., 1703); 13157 (Joseph Herrick Sr., 1718);
13147 (John Herrick Jr., 1723); and 13158 (Capt. Joseph Herrick Sr. [Jr.], 1726).
Similarly, there’s no mention of the Woods in the context of the subdivision of the James
Moulton Farm or in the context of adjacent properties in the current-day Cedar Street-
Topsfield Road area. See Essex County Deeds 1:13 (William Lord to [Rev.] John Fiske,
1651[/2]); 2:94 (Daniel Rumball to James Moulton, 1664[/5]); 4:182 (John Shipley to Richard
Kemball [sic], 1656), 50-acre upland parcel; 4:182 (Richard Hutton to Richard Kemball [sic],
1656[/7]), 35-acre upland parcel; 7:152 (James Moulton to James Friend, 1674); 13:12 (Samuel
Moulton to Samuel Kimball, 1697); 23:266 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to Richard Kimball, 1711);
23:271 (Samuel Kimball Jr. to Richard Kimball, 1711); 44:226 (James Moulton to James
Friend, 1688[/9]); and 44:227 (Joseph Batcheler [sic] to James Friend, 1703[/4]). See also Essex
County Probate 15726 (Richard Kimball, 1713); 15741 (Samuel Kimball Sr., 1717); 10205
(Dea. James Friend, 1718); and 10209 (John Friend, 1718).
10 History of the Thomas Kilham House

THE PHINEAS FISKE FARM, SITE OF THE THOMAS KIL-

HAM HOUSE
Figure 1.4, Farm A
Phineas Fiske (ca.1600–1673) arrived in Salem by 1641, four years after
his kinsmen Rev. John Fiske (ca.1601-1677) and William Fiske (ca.1614–1654)
had made the voyage. Phineas had been living in Wingfield, Suffolk, England,
and immigrated with his wife Sarah (Francis) Fiske and their children. Phineas
received a grant of land in current-day Wenham in 1641 and took up resi-
dence there, becoming a freeman the next year. He was a captain in the mili-
tia, Wenham’s first constable, a member of Wenham’s first board of select-
men, and (in 1653) Wenham’s Representative to the General Court.14 Phineas
was a bigger-than-average fish in a small pond. When a tax was assessed in
1657 to pay the minister’s salary, there were 32 men in town who were subject
to it, none of whom was assessed more than Phineas, two of whom were
assessed the same amount, and 29 who were assessed less. Two years later,
27 men were called upon to pay the minister’s salary, five of whom were
assessed more than Phineas, two assessed the same amount, and nineteen
assessed less.15
Phineas owned a piece of land overlapping the current-day Wenham
Pines development,16 and his house was located on this lot (Figure 1.5). He

14 Rev. Lucius R. Paige, “List of Freemen,” New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 3
(1849):189 (cited subsequently as NEHGR); Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M.D., ed., Records of the
Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, Vol. III, 16441657 (Boston: Press
of William White, 1854), 297; Shurtleff, Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts
Bay in New England, Vol. IV, Part I, 16501660 (Boston: Press of William White, 1854), 120;
Myron O. Allen, The History of Wenham (Boston: Bazin & Chandler, 1860), 28, 29, 102, 134;
Albert A. Fiske, The Fiske Family, Second Edition (Chicago: no publisher, 1867), 185, 205-207;
Perley, “Wenham,” in D. Hamilton Hurd, ed., History of Essex County, Massachusetts (Philadel-
phia: J. W. Lewis & Co., 1888), 2:1244-1245; Frederick Clifton Pierce, Fiske and Fisk Family
(Chicago: W. B. Conkey Company, 1896), 51; Perley, The History of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume
II, 1638–1670 (Salem, MA: Sidney Perley, 1926), 403; and G. Andrews Moriarty, “Genealogical
Research in England: The Fiske Family,” NEHGR, 88 (1934):270-273 (includes identification
of Phineas’s parents Thomas and Margery (-----) Fiske, and marriage to Sarah Francis at Met-
field, Suffolk on October 2, 1617).
15 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 13, 17-18.
16 This lot was likely the 20-acre grant that Phineas received on December 3, 1641; see
Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 55; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):112; and
Perley, History of Salem, 2 (1926):121, 151. We know that he owned it by March 2, 1642/3,
because an entry in the Wenham town records of that date makes it clear that Phineas owned
land near the site of the First Meeting House:
 In the Woods 11

ran a tavern in Wenham, having had the license transferred to him from his
cousin William Fiske in 1648,17 and it is likely that the tavern was located in

There is giuen vnto Wenham Twenty acres of ground being laid out of eyther side
of ye meeting house. Ten Acres giuen by Mr Smith out of his fearme & laid out by
him beginning wth the bounds at ye vpper end of Phinehas Fiske Lott & soe to ye
swampe; & the other Ten acres giuen by Mr John ffiske being laid out Joyneing to
it on ye other sd [side] of ye meeting house.
Wellington Pool, “Extracts From the Town Records of Wenham, Mass.,” Essex Institute His-
torical Collections, 19 (1882):104; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–
1706 (1930), 4. (Wenham’s First Meeting House stood north of the cemetery, to the east of
the John Solart House at 106 Main Street; see Allen (1860), 26, 160, 194-195.)
A marriage contract from 1682 tells us that Phineas’s lot was bounded on the south by
Alewife Brook, the stream that connects Wenham Lake with Miles River:
John Fiske carpenter of Wenham & Remember his wife sendeth greeting Know yee
that upon contract of marriage between my son Sam’l Fiske and Elizabeth Whipple
of Ipswich I doe give grant enfoffe alienate and sett over a parcel of land containing
about nyne ares being more or less at [sic] it lyeth within the limmetts of Wenham
aforesayd bounded by our brother Thomas Fiske his land eastward and the brooke
wch runneth out of the great Pond southward and by Mr. Smiths farme & that land
called Goodman Bachelers pasture Northward & Westward by the devisionall lyne
between our late fathers lott and Richard Goldsmith late deceased together with all
the rest of our meadow lyeing att the lower or south end of our land formerly our
ffathers as also a convenient high way crose the end of the said Prcell of land to our
brother Thomas Fiske class or Prcell of Meadow To Have
Dated November 10, 1682 and witnessed by Thomas Fiske. See Pierce (1896), 62-63.
Alewife Brook, incidentally, was part of the original town line between Wenham and
Beverly (Salem) as late as 1667; see Perley, History of Salem, 2 (1926):map between 147 and 148,
154.
For subsequent partial history of this lot, see Essex County Deeds 13:256 (Samuel Fiske
Jr. to John Porter, 1697); 100:93 (John Porter to Benjamin and Nehemiah Porter, 1739); 143:54
(Billy Porter to Tyler Porter, 1776); 166:17 (Tyler Porter to Jonathan Porter, 1798); 168:179
(Jonathan Porter to Isaac and Paul Porter, 1800), second parcel; 171:132 (Isaac and Paul Porter
to Nathaniel Porter, 1802); 174:294 (Nathaniel Porter to Nathaniel Kimball, 1805); 384:36
(Rebekah Dodge, guardian, to Nathaniel Kimball, 1836); and 553:9 (Edward L. Kimball to
Henry Tarr, 1857). See Essex County Probate 22476 (Jonathan Porter, 1759), Will and Inven-
tory, “Fisks land;” and 44414 (Nathaniel Kimball, 1855), Will and Inventory. See Joseph W.
Porter, A Genealogy of the Descendants of Richard Porter (Bangor, ME: Burr & Robinson Printers,
1878), 236. See Benjamin H. Conant (attributed), “Sites of Old Houses in Wenham Gleaned
Principally from the Registry of Deeds,” MS, no date, Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massa-
chusetts, map, 87.38, house site #3.
The Fiske homestead is referred to, as an abutting property, in Essex County Deeds 9:154
(Ezekiel Woodward Sr. to William Goodhue Sr., mortgage, 1693); 24:184 (Capt. Thomas Fiske
to Freeborn Balch, 1695); and 50:43 (Joseph Goodhue to John Edwards Jr., 1695).
17 Shurtleff, 3 (1854):127. See also Allen (1860), 29-30; and Perley, “Wenham” (1888), 1241
(which incorrectly states that Phineas received his license in 1647).
12 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Phineas’s house. By 1658 Phineas also owned land in the Great Meadow,
which was probably the 12½ acres of meadow mentioned in the inventory
of his estate.18 He also owned a 30-acre lot in “the Neck” of East Wenham.19
His first wife died September 10, 1659 in Wenham, and he married Eliz-
abeth Eastwick on April 4, 1660.20 Phineas died April 7, 1673, a widower for
the second time, and left his estate to his sons James, John and Thomas Fiske
and his “nephew” Samuel Fiske. (“Nephew” is the term that Phineas used in

18 Essex County Deeds 13:184 (Edward Kemp to [Rev.] Antipas Newman, 1658), fourth
parcel, describes a property in the Great Meadow that abutted meadowland owned by Phineas
Fiske, Kemp’s lot being immediately to the south of Fiske’s.
For probate of Phineas’s estate, see Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts
of Essex County, 5 (1916):203; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 2 (1917):
371-372. See Appendix D for transcriptions of the will and estate inventory. The original pro-
bate documents of the estate of Phineas Fiske, filed at Essex County Probate 9512 (Phineas
Fiske, 1673), have been lost.
In 1645 Phineas was mentioned as an abutter to a parcel owned by Thomas Smith:
Indenture, dated, 11:5:1644 [January 5, 1644/5], between Thomas Smyth of Gloster
and Robert Hawes of Wenham, said Smyth, for 31li. 15s., sold to said Hawes his
house, cowhouse and twenty acres of land adjoining the house and thirty acres more
near the great swamp, butting upon John Whit on one side and Phineas Fisk on the
other, also six acres of meadow lying in the great madow, all the said land lying in
the town of Wenham. Wit: Danel Roumbel, Sarey (her mark) Roumble and William
Dudbridge.
Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume II,
1656–1662 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1912), 293-294. Although the phrase “[a]butting
upon John Whit[e] on one side and Phineas Fisk[e] on the other” could refer to Thomas
Smith’s 30-acre lot near the Great Swamp, a broader reading of the record suggests that the
phrase actually applies to Smith’s house lot—and that the reference to Phineas’s abutting
property is indeed a reference to Phineas’s own house lot.
19 Town of Ipswich, Ipswich Deeds, Mortgages, Wills, 1639–1695, MS, 1:178 (Edward Spauld-
ing to John Sallard [sic], 1654) records the sale of multiple parcels, including a seven-acre sub-
division of Phineas Fiske’s 30-acre lot. See also Stephen Waasa Spaulding, “How Edward
Spalding, a Puritan Farmer from the Norfolk-Suffolk Border, Came to Prosper in New Eng-
land,” NEHGR, 173 (2019):227. If there was anything left of the 30-acre lot at the time of
Phineas’s death, it doesn’t appear in the inventory of his estate—unless it was contiguous to
his house lot and was therefore part of “the homestead.”
20 Pierce (1896), 51; Town of Wenham, Town Records of Wenham: Births, Marriages and Deaths,
16541688, MS transcription by Wellington Pool (1902), 78 (death of Sarah Fiske), 79 (mar-
riage to Elizabeth Eastwick) (Ancestry.com, Wenham Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 389;
cited subsequently as “MS Vital Records, 16541688, MS (1902)”); Essex Institute, Vital Records
of Wenham, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1904),
119 (marriage to Elizabeth Eastwick); and Moriarty (1934), 271. Vital Records of Wenham (1904)
omitted the record of Sarah Fiske’s death; such are the perils of transcriptions.
 In the Woods 13

his will, a term that could be used at the time to refer to any male kinsman of
a younger generation, other than a son. Samuel was actually Phineas’s first
cousin twice removed.) Eldest son James received half of Phineas’s house
and real estate, and younger sons John and Thomas each received a quarter.
Phineas’s personal effects were split equally among his sons, the exception
being that his bible went to Samuel. In addition to Phineas’s homestead
(valued at £105) and 12½ acres of meadow (valued at £25), the inventory
of Phineas’s estate included 50 acres of land “in the woods” valued at
£62.10s.21
When exactly Phineas acquired the 50-acre parcel—the future site of the
Thomas Kilham House—is not clear. There is no remaining record of a grant
in Wenham town records, and there’s no record of a deed with Essex
County.22 There is, however, a record of a grant from Salem that may provide
a clue: In December 1641 (before Wenham’s separation from Salem in 1643)
Salem granted Phineas “20 acres more at the village near the pond.”23 That
grant’s reference to “the village near the pond” certainly indicates Wenham,
and the part about “20 acres more” (emphasis added) implies that Phineas had
already received a grant of some amount of land.

21 For Phineas’s death, see Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16541688, MS (1902), 85
(Ancestry.com, Wenham Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 395); Essex Institute, Vital Rec-
ords of Wenham (1904), 198; and Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex
County, 5 (1916), 261. Elizabeth (Eastwick) Fiske’s death is not mentioned in Phineas’s will—
which suggests that she predeceased him—although her death is not recorded in any of the
three sources cited.
For probate of Phineas’s estate, see Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts
of Essex County, 5 (1916):203; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 2 (1917):
371-372. See Appendix D for transcriptions of the will and estate inventory. The original pro-
bate documents of the estate of Phineas Fiske, filed at Essex County Probate 9512 (Phineas
Fiske, 1673), have been lost. “Nephew” Samuel was Samuel (ca.1645–1716) the tailor, the son
of emigrant William Fiske (ca.1614–1654). Samuel’s farm is discussed in Appendix B, pages
145-150.
22 Not all Essex County records ended up in Salem, by the way. Ipswich Deeds, Mortgages,
Wills, 1639–1695 is five volumes of material that was recorded in Ipswich—and includes some
Wenham deeds.
23 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 55; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):112;
and Perley, History of Salem, 2 (1926):121, 151. Grant made December 3, 1641. Spelling mod-
ernized. This 20-acre parcel was probably the same lot near the future Wenham Meeting
House (i.e., the First Meeting House) referred to in the town record text in footnote 16.
14 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.5 Site of Phineas Fiske’s house. Phineas owned a lot, perhaps
on the order of twenty acres large, that had Alewife Brook as its southern
boundary and overlapped the “J. L. Batchelder” lot shown here. Phineas’s
house was on this lot and his tavern probably in his house.24

24 Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham (Boston: Walker Litho-
graph & Publishing Co., 1910), plate 33. This is the oldest map of Wenham that shows prop-
erty lines.
 In the Woods 15

Keeping in mind that by 1658 Phineas owned at least two lots of land in
Wenham—one lot abutting Alewife Brook, and a second lot in the Great
Meadow—we need to keep open the possibility that one or more grants were
made to Phineas that went unrecorded. Although the Salem town fathers
were typically very diligent about record-
ing land grants at the time grants were
made, there are two West Wenham ex-
amples later in this chapter (the Spooner Sometimes people waited
Grant and the Osbourne Grant) where decades to record their
this didn’t happen. We also need to keep deed … or didn’t bother re-
cording their deed at all. We’ll
open the possibility that a grant was encounter this phenome-
made to someone other than Phineas (a non time and again as we
record of which may still exist, if we tour the farms of West
knew whose name to research), and that Wenham.
Phineas subsequently purchased this
land in the Woods but didn’t bother to See Appendix A for a sam-
record the deed. pling of Wenham deeds
Despite the uncertainty about that were recorded 30 years
when Phineas acquired it, it is clear or more after the fact, as
that by 1665 Phineas owned the land well as two early Essex
County deeds that were
that would become the site of the Kil- never recorded and were
ham House. In that year John Fiske lost for nearly three centu-
sold a piece of land to brothers Charles ries.
Jr. and Daniel Gott that was bounded by
“land of Phineas Fiske on the east” and
the Danvers-Wenham town line on the
west,25 land that straddled proto-Maple Street.26 (John Fiske, whom we briefly
met above in the context of Phineas’s will, was Phineas’s son.) Part of that
property was subsequently sold in 1696, and the 1696 deed referred to Thomas
Kilham’s land (no longer Phineas Fiske’s land) on the east.27

25 Essex County Deeds 3:72 (John Fiske to Charles [Jr.] and Daniel Gott, 1665), a transcrip-
tion of which is in Appendix C.
26 William Richard Cutter, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs, Relating to the Families of Boston and
Eastern Massachusetts (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1908), 2:868; and Rupert B.
Lillie, “Houses & Lands Associated with Lord’s Hill, 1637–1983, Wenham, Massachusetts”
(Wenham, MA: no publisher, 1984), 3, 8, I-A1, I-A5.
27 Essex County Deeds 15:106 (Charles Gott [Jr.] to John Gott, 1696), a transcription of
which is in Appendix C.
16 History of the Thomas Kilham House

The 1665 deed, unfortunately, is the only deed that actually refers to the
Phineas Fiske Farm, even in the context of an abutter. As for his abutters
other than the Gott brothers, we will see later in this chapter that his farm
bordered the William Osbourne Farm to the northwest, the Thomas Fiske Jr.
Farm (which may have been common
land at the time) and John Fairfield Farm
to the northeast, the Thomas Spooner
“Proto-Maple Street?” Farm to the southwest, and common
land to the south. But none of the early
Before Maple Street was deeds for these other farms make refer-
known as “the highway to
Danvers” or “the highway
ence to Phineas.28
to Salem Village” … be- Although there’s no deed recorded
fore the Thomas Kilham for Phineas’s West Wenham farm, there
House was built … there is enough historical and physical evi-
was a cart path in the dence to map the surrounding farms and
Woods. We’ll close this thereby assign the Phineas Fiske Farm to
chapter with a discussion the resulting negative space between
of the origins of Maple them. The farm was roughly rectan-
Street. gular in shape, about 60 acres large,
and was bounded by proto-Topsfield
Road along the northeast and a gla-
cial terrace along part of the southwest (Figure 1.6). About 17 acres of
it were to the southeast of today’s Maple Street.29
Sixty acres, of course, is more than the 50 acres in the Woods that
Phineas owned when he died. This means that either (1) the conclusion that
his farm was 60 acres large is wrong or (2) he began subdividing the farm
before he died. The latter explanation seems more reasonable because—if
for the sake of argument we were to say that the farm’s original footprint was
50 acres—we’d have to solve for the anomaly of a ten-acre grant floating
island-like in a sea of grants that were no smaller than forty acres.

28 Essex County Deeds 1:36 (Thomas Spooner to John Denman, 1657) and John Denman
to Walter Price, 1657); 3:93 (Bezaliel Osbourne, attorney, to [Rev.] Antipas Newman, 1670);
14:269 (John Newman, administrator, to Thomas Fiske Jr., 1682); 18:40 (John Fairfield [3rd]
to William Fairfield, 1694), first parcel; and 33:197 (John Fairfield [3rd] et al. to Daniel Kilham
Jr., 1690).
29 A number of 60-acre grants were made by the town of Salem; see Essex Institute, Town
Records of Salem, 1 (1868):25, 26, 37, 43, 65, 67, 72, 90, 116, 163, 169. But none of these grants
seems to have been in West Wenham.
 In the Woods 17

What happened to Phineas’s farm? By the 1680s the northwestern part

of it had come to be owned by William Fiske Jr. (16431728) and the south-
eastern part had come to be owned by Daniel Kilham Sr. (ca.16201700).
Neither William nor Daniel recorded his deed.

The William Fiske Jr. Farm

William Fiske Jr., a weaver by trade and a mill owner30 who was referred
to in town records and deeds sometimes by his title of deacon and other
times by his title of lieutenant, owned a number of properties around West
Wenham. We’ll encounter him a few times in this chapter as we tour the
Maple Street-Cherry Street corridor. One of his properties (Figure 1.7) was
approximately 41 acres of the former Phineas Fiske Farm that extended from
the southwest side of proto-Topsfield Road to the Thomas Trusler Farm to
the south. (Calling this property the William Fiske Jr. Farm is a bit of a mis-
nomer, since he owned multiple properties in the neighborhood.) He owned
at least some of this property by 1686, when he was mentioned as an abutter
in a deed for the contiguous Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm,31 but the history of the
William Fiske Jr. Farm prior to 1686 is lost.
Part of this farm was a twelve-acre parcel bounded by proto-Topsfield
Road that overlapped land in the general area of current-day Meridian Road
(shown as Lot A in Figure 1.7).32 By 1710 a house and barn were on this lot,
Continued on p. 20

30 In his 1725 will William Fiske Jr. bequeathed “my Right in the Sawmill Late mine” to his
daughter Martha; see Essex County Probate 9522 (William Fisk[e], 1728). That mill hasn’t
been identified but it’s worth noting that Thomas Fiske Sr. had an interest in two Wenham
sawmills; see Chapter 2 (Volume 2), footnotes 63 and 64. There’s no mill mentioned in
Thomas’s probate papers (Essex County Probate 9520 (Thomas Fiske, 1707)); is it possible
that Thomas conveyed some or all of his interest in a Wenham sawmill to William Fiske Jr.?
31 Essex County Deeds 20:56 (Thomas Fiske [Sr.] to Thomas Fiske [Jr.], 1686).
32 For boundary along proto-Topsfield Road see the 1689 description of the road at Town
of Wenham, Town Records of Wenham, Vol. 2, 1679 to 1731, MS, unnumbered pages (Ances-
try.com, Wenham Town Records, frames 8-9; cited subsequently as “MS Town Records, Vol.
2”), transcribed at footnote 224; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Sup-
plement to Vol. I, 16871706 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1940), 3-5. Given the context
of that description, its reference to “the Corner bound Betwine the land of william ffiske Senr
& Tho: ffiske Junr” appears to correspond to Boundary Point 2 in Figure B.1, Appendix B. In
addition, Essex County Probate 11332 (John Gott [Jr.], 1761), Widow’s Thirds (1765), makes
it clear that the property had frontage on proto-Topsfield Road.
18 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.6. The Phineas Fiske Farm, perhaps ca.1639.33

Boundaries
1. Frontage on proto-Topsfield Road is covered in the discussion of the Wil-
liam Fiske Jr. Farm
2. The southeast boundary was articulated in a 1695 description of the abut-
ting Thomas Spooner Farm
3. Part of the southwest boundary abutted Company Lane, which at the time
was a road that provided access to town-owned common land on Lord’s
Hill
4. Part of the southwest boundary was defined by topography and ran along
a glacial terrace

33 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line

boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details
on the boundaries, see Figure 1.30 and footnote 137; and Figures B.1 and B.5 and their asso-
ciated discussion in Appendix B.
 In the Woods 19

Figure 1.7. The William Fiske Jr. Farm, by 1686. Lot A corresponds to
the 12-acre house lot and Lot B corresponds to the 29-acre “missing lot.”34

34 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line

boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 142-143. It is tempting to propose that much of the boundary between
Lot A and Lot B corresponded to the west and southwest boundaries of Elizabeth (Kimball)
Gott’s widow’s third (Appendix B, Figure B.2), but there’s insufficient evidence to conclude
so.
20 History of the Thomas Kilham House

and William Jr.’s son William Fiske 3rd (16631745) had come to own the
property. William 3rd didn’t record his deed, but it is likely that he received
this lot as a wedding present from his father. After all, William Jr. had six
sons who married and he conveyed houses to four of them.35 The record of
William 3rd’s marriage to Marah (maiden name unknown) has been lost but
the birth of their son William 4th was recorded in 1695,36 which allows us to
hypothesize that William Fiske 3rd built his house about the year 1695. In
1710 William Fiske 3rd sold the house, barn and twelve acres to Lieut. John
Gott (16681723).37 Lieut. John gave the house to his son John Gott Jr.
(ca.16941761), who raised his family there. The house burned in 1797 or
1798.38

35 See discussions of the Fiske-Ober House on pages 96-98 (which William Jr. conveyed to
his son Benjamin in 1703), the Samuel Fiske (the Weaver) House on page 68 (which William
Jr. conveyed to his son Samuel in 1712), the Newman-Fiske-Dodge House on pages 93-96
(which William Jr. conveyed to his son Ebenezer in 1712), and the Theophilus Fiske House
on page 99 (which William Jr. conveyed to his son Theophilus in 1712). A fifth son (Joseph)
was the exception: Joseph bought a house and farm in Ipswich from Joseph’s father-in law;
see Essex County Deeds 13:125 (John Warner to Joseph Fiske, 1698).
36 Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 37.
37 Essex County Deeds 23:231 (William Fiske [3rd] to John Gott, 1710). Although this deed
identified the seller as “William Fiske Jr.,” the seller wasn’t William Fiske Jr. (16431728) but
was actually his son William Fiske 3rd (16631745). We can make this identification based on
two considerations. First of all, the elder William (b.1643) would not have needed to use the
suffix “Jr.” in 1710, since his father William Fiske (ca.1614–1654) had died decades earlier.
Second of all, William Fiske 3rd (16631745) was dismissed from the Wenham Church to the
church at Andover, Massachusetts in 1710, and the 1710 sale of land to Lieut. John Gott is con-
sistent with Fiske’s move to Andover. See Essex County Deeds 31:82 (Stephen Parker to William
Fiske [Jr.] and Thomas Kemball, 1706); 40:174 (William Fiske [Jr.] to William Fiske [3rd], 1722);
48:21 (Samuel Smith to William Fiske [3rd], 1720); 48:22 (William Fiske [3rd] to Ebenezer Fiske,
1726); and 48:23 (William Fiske [3rd] to William Fiske [4th], 1726). See also Pierce (1896), 82;
Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16541688, MS (1902), 80 (Ancestry.com, Wenham
Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 391); Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 37;
William B. Trask, “Records of the Congregational Church in Wenham, Mass.,” NEHGR, 61
(1907):337; and Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachu-
setts, Volume III, 1662–1667 (Lynn, MA: Thomas P. Nichols & Son Co., 1913), 118.
38 For history of Fiske-Gott House lot, see Essex County Deeds 23:231 (William Fiske [3rd]
to John Gott, 1710); 41:17 (John Gott to John Gott [Jr.] and Samuel Gott, 1723); and 49:2
(division of property between John [Jr.] and Samuel Gott, 1724), second moiety. (The 1724
division of property was recorded in a highly-detailed deed, the recorded copy of which has
been badly damaged. Much of its content, unfortunately, has been lost.) See Essex County
Probate 11332 (John Gott [Jr.], 1761), Widow’s Thirds (1765). See Essex County Deeds 123:
 In the Woods 21

But the William Fiske Jr. Farm that abutted proto-Topsfield Road was
larger than the twelve acres that William Fiske 3rd sold to Lieut. Gott. Indeed,
there was a “missing lot” of about 29 acres (Lot B in Figure 1.7) that has no
recorded title history, the existence and size of which are (1) inferred from
deeds for abutting properties and (2) consistent with the inventory of Gott
Jr.’s assets made when his estate was settled. Demonstrating the existence and size
of this lot—and thereby identifying the footprint of the William Fiske Jr. Farm—is critical
to the exercise of siting the Phineas Fiske Farm.
To detect the lot, we start with deeds for abutting properties, footprints
of which are shown in Figure 1.4. In 1696 Charles Gott Jr. (16391708) sold
fifteen acres of the former Thomas Trusler Farm to his son Lieut. John Gott
that abutted both the William Fiske Jr. Farm and the Thomas Kilham Farm
to the west. Next, when Thomas Fiske Jr. sold a seven-acre wedge of his land
to his abutting neighbor Lieut. John Gott in 1702, its short boundary on the

268 (Nathaniel Gott to Francis Porter, 1777); 135:87 (Elizabeth Gott to Francis Porter, 1777);
141:172 (Francis Porter to John Page, 1784); 154:134 (John Page to Thomas Kimball Jr., 1786);
154:134 (William and Eunice Young to Thomas Kimball Jr., 1791); and 154:134 (Francis Por-
ter to Thomas Kimball Jr., 1792). See Essex County Probate 15769 (Thomas Kimball [Jr.],
1811), Widow’s Dower (1813), mention of the “Long Field.” See Essex County Deeds 677:79
(Clarissa Porter to Isaac Porter, 1850); 916:147 (Lydia Batchelder to Betsey B. Gage, 1874);
929:84 (Isaac Porter to Hiram L. Roberts, 1875); 1152:283 (Betsey B. Gage to Hiram L.
Roberts, 1885); 1674:262 (Hiram L. Roberts to Emma Weatherbee, 1902), second parcel;
2363:333 (Emma Weatherbee, notice of filing of petition, 1917), first parcel; and 2366:459
(Emma Weatherbee, notice of disposal of petition, 1917). See Essex County Land Court
Decree 4880, Case 6305 (Emma Weatherbee, confirmation of title, 1917); Land Court De-
cree 4890 (John J. and Emma Weatherbee to B. Hammond Tracy, 1917); Land Court Cer-
tificate Plan 6305 (1916, 1948, 1950, 1960, 1961 and 1973); and Essex County Deeds Plan
60:12 (“Plan of a Portion of Topsfield Road,” 1931), sheet 4. See also Figure 1.12 for a 1910
map showing the “Mrs. E[mma] Weatherbee” lot.
The description of the fifteen-acre widow’s third set off from John Gott Jr.’s estate (Es-
sex County Probate 11332 (John Gott [Jr.], 1761) allows us to site Gott’s house in the general
area of Meridian Road.
By the time of the Massachusetts and Maine Direct Tax of 1798, Thomas Kimball Jr.
(17561810) owned the sites of both the Fiske-Gott House and the Thomas Kilham House,
but he owned only one house. See “Massachusetts and Maine: Direct Tax, 1798,” online da-
tabase, AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003, 6:361.
Consistent with the theory that the house was gone by 1798, the 1811 inventory of Kimball’s
estate includes just one dwelling house, and the house does not appear on the Hales map of
1825 or the more-accurate Walling map of 1856. See Essex County Probate 15769 (Thomas
Kimball [Jr.], 1811), Inventory; John G. Hales, The County of Essex, From Actual Survey (Boston:
J. V. N. Throop, 1825); and Henry Francis Walling, A Topographical Map of Essex County, Mas-
sachusetts (Boston: Smith and Morley, 1856).
22 History of the Thomas Kilham House

southwest abutted William Fiske Jr.’s property. Finally, when William Fiske
3rd sold his twelve acres to Lieut. Gott in 1710, that deed described the land
as abutting another piece of land already belonging to Gott to the west. Thus,
the scenario that reconciles the various abutting properties in the 1696, 1702
and 1710 deeds is the presence of a lot between the Osbourne Farm (Figure
1.4, Farm E) and William Fiske 3rd’s twelve acres, a lot that was conveyed by
William Fiske Jr. (or possibly William Fiske 3rd) to Lieut. Gott sometime be-
tween 1702 and 1710.39
Turning our attention from early deeds to early probate, the inventory of
John Gott Jr.’s estate says that his homestead was 51 acres large.40 When one
accounts for the three-acre lot that Gott owned in Leach’s Swamp41 and his
Seven-Acre Lot that is otherwise accounted for in the footprint of the Wil-
liam Osbourne Farm,42 that leaves 41 acres. Those 41 acres consisted of the
12-acre Fiske-Gott House lot and the 29-acre “missing lot.”

39 Essex County Deeds 15:106 (Charles Gott [Jr.] to John Gott, 1696), a transcription of
which is in Appendix C; 15:205 (Thomas Fiske Jr. to John Gott, 1702); and 23:231 (William
Fiske [3rd] to John Gott, 1710).
Oh, the frustration! This means that William Fiske Jr. didn’t record his deed (which, ac-
tually, would not have been inconsistent with his behavior). But it also means that this lot was
subsequently sold to Thomas Tarbox (the abutter mentioned in Essex County Deeds 56:265
(Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to John Gott [Jr.], 1730), first parcel), who seems to have owned the land
in this location—and that Tarbox didn’t record his deed. Further, it would mean that this lot
was then sold to John Gott Jr. (the abutter mentioned in Essex County Deeds 123:133 (Jona-
than Kimball [Jr.] to Thomas Kimball [Sr.], 1762))—and that Gott didn’t record his deed either.
Three unrecorded deeds for the same property! Still, it’s not unheard-of that multiple owners
of the same property decided not to record their respective deeds; see Appendix A for an
example where multiple transactions were documented on the same (unrecorded) piece of
paper.
40 Essex County Probate 11332 (John Gott [Jr.], 1761), Inventory.
41 Three acres of swamp woodland at the southwest corner of the homestead were assigned
to Gott’s widow Elizabeth as part of her widow’s third. This lot apparently abutted the Dodge-
Herrick-Conant Lot discussed in the Leach’s Swamp section of Appendix B, pages 153-154.
42 See the discussion of John Gott Jr.’s Seven-Acre Lot in the William Osbourne Farm
section of Appendix B, page 166.
 In the Woods 23

Figure 1.8. The Daniel Kilham Sr. Farm, by 1686.43

Abutters Identified in the 1688 Deed

1. Abutting lot that was owned by the Fairfield family but rented by Samuel
Fiske (the tailor) by 1684
2. Abutting lot that was part-owned by William Fairfield
3. The William Fiske Jr. Farm
4. The John Porter Farm, i.e., the former Thomas Spooner Farm
5. Northernmost portion of the Lord’s Hill Commons
Subdivisions
A. To Thomas Kilham, by 1686
B. To John Gilbert and Daniel Kilham Jr., 1688

43 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line

boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. Essex
County Deeds 8:108 (Daniel Kilham to John Gilbert and Daniel Kilham Jr., 1688), second
parcel, a transcription of which is in Appendix C. We will see in Chapter 2 (Volume 2) that
Thomas Kilham was living on this site by 1686.
24 History of the Thomas Kilham House

The Daniel Kilham Sr. Farm

Daniel Kilham Sr. (ca.16201700) bought the other portion of the
Phineas Fiske Farm, worked it for perhaps as much as fifteen or twenty years,
and—in an act of estate planning in his late 60s—conveyed the land to two
of his sons and a son-in-law in the 1680s. Daniel Sr. split the property into
two parcels. The first he conveyed to his son Thomas Kilham (ca.16531725);
the second he conveyed to his son Daniel Jr. (16491734) and son-in-law
John Gilbert (ca.16561723).
We will learn more about Daniel Sr. and Thomas in Chapter 2 (Volume
2), and will see that Thomas was living on this site by 1686. His lot seems to
have been on the order of six acres,44 with the house very near to the northern
boundary45 and the lot straddling both sides of proto-Maple Street.46
The second parcel—east of Thomas’s land and straddling both sides of
proto-Maple Street—was conveyed by Daniel Sr. to Daniel Jr. and John in
1688.47 Daniel Jr. and John didn’t keep the land very long: They immediately
sold the part of it south of proto-Maple Street to Samuel Fiske (the tailor),
and a few years later sold the part of it north of proto-Maple Street to William
Fairfield. Each of these transactions merits some attention here.
Continued on p. 28

44 In 1767 Josiah Fairfield mortgaged 40 of his 46 acres, “being all [his] Lands to Southward
of the highway that leads to Danvers.” See Essex County Deeds 121:131 (Josiah Fairfield to
Benjamin Fairfield, 1767); 126:217 (Benjamin Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1767); and 125:143
(Josiah Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, mortgage, 1767), transcriptions of which are in Appen-
dix C. Thus, the six-acre difference was land to the north of proto-Maple Street.
45 Essex County Deeds 70:75 (William Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1725), a transcription of
which is in Appendix C, a deed that describes the Thomas Kilham House lot at the time of
just two acres abutting John Gott Jr.’s land to the north.
46 Essex County Deeds 89:248 (Jonathan Dodge to Josiah Fairfield, 1747), first parcel, de-
scribes a lot that abutted Porter’s Road to the east and land of Josiah Fairfield to the north
and west. Prior title history of the lot is lost, but it appears to have been part of the land that
Daniel Kilham Jr. and John Gilbert sold to Samuel Fiske (the tailor) in 1688 or 1689. Because
the northern boundary isn’t described as proto-Maple Street, it appears that the lot to the north
was part of the Thomas Kilham House lot that Thomas had sold to William Fairfield in 1701.
47 For Daniel Jr.’s and John’s parcel, see Essex County Deeds 8:108 (Daniel Kilham to John
Gilbert and Daniel Kilham Jr., 1688), second parcel, a transcription of which is in Appendix
C. According to Daniel Jr.’s and John’s deed, Thomas Kilham was already an abutter. Thomas,
however, didn’t record his own deed.
 In the Woods 25

Figure 1.9. Field to the south of Maple Street, opposite the Thomas
Kilham House. Photographed from Company Lane looking east, this is
the northern of the two parcels shaded in Figure 1.11. This parcel and the
contiguous parcel immediately to the south have been associated with the
Porter-Crowninshield House since 1798 but were originally part of the
Phineas Fiske Farm. Some portion of this land was associated with the
Thomas Kilham House.48

48 December 27, 2014 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran.

26 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.10. View from the master bedroom of the Thomas Kilham
House. The current-day forsythia hedge along Maple Street provides a
visual barrier. But with the foliage gone, it’s easier to appreciate how the
house used to relate to its landscape south of the road.49

49 November 29, 2019 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran.

 In the Woods 27

Figure 1.11. Properties to the south of Maple Street, 1910. This map
shows stone walls along Maple Street, Company Lane, Porter’s Road (la-
beled as “Avenue”) and adjacent parcels. Some of this land was Thomas
Kilham’s, and the rest was owned jointly by Daniel Kilham Jr. and John
Gilbert. Unfortunately, there’s insufficient evidence in recorded deeds to
propose a boundary between Thomas’s land and Daniel’s and John’s.50

50 Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,”
1910); shading added. For history of the property, see the discussion of the Southwest Lot in
the Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm section of Appendix B, pages 149-150.
28 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Samuel Fiske (ca.16451716) was a brother of William Fiske Jr., whose

farm we just discussed. He was a tailor, and served the town as surveyor of
highways and constable.51 He owned a farm that was elongated in shape and
stretched along the southern side of current-day Maple and Cherry Streets.
But it was a next-generation farm: He bought subdivisions of earlier farms,
doing so in multiple transactions. Samuel wasn’t especially diligent about re-
cording his deeds, though, so we’re left with an incomplete view of how he
pieced together the farm.52 We know that he was renting land south of proto-
Cherry Street by 1684.53 We can assume he bought his house site from Kil-
ham Jr. and Gilbert almost immediately after Kilham Sr. sold them their land
because Fiske built his house by 1689.54 (The house stood where the one at
7 Maple Street stands today, the current structure having been built after
Samuel’s house burned in 1973. Of “Cape Cod” form, it was one and a half

51 Fiske (1867), 191; Perley, “Wenham” (1888), 1245; Pierce (1896), 56-57, 70-71; and Wen-
ham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 75, 88. Samuel’s death on
October 31, 1716 was recorded in Town of Wenham, Town Records of Wenham: Births, Marriages
& Intentions of Marriages & Deaths, 16951743, MS, 19 (Ancestry.com, Wenham Births Mar-
riages and Deaths, frame 30; cited subsequently as “MS Vital Records, 1695 1743, MS”), but
was omitted from Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904).
Samuel Fiske (ca.16451716) the tailor, Samuel Fiske (1670after 1725) the weaver, and
Samuel Fiske (1660after 1703) the carpenter, contemporary residents of Wenham, were three
different men; see Figure 1.13. Samuel the tailor lived at current-day 7 Maple Street; Samuel
the weaver lived in the current-day neighborhood of 23-33 William Fairfield Drive; and Samuel
the carpenter lived near the current-day Wenham Pines development, on land that used to
belong to his grandfather Phineas Fiske. Adding to the genealogical challenge: Samuel the
tailor had a son Samuel Jr. ( ? 1719).
52 Essex County Deeds 15:63 (Thomas Kilham to William Fairfield, 1701) and 19:88 (Nich-
olas Rich and Peter Thomson to Joseph and John Herrick, 1697) make reference to a parcel
that was apparently part of the southern portion of the former Thomas Trusler Farm that was
owned by a Samuel Fiske. This was probably Samuel Fiske the carpenter, however, since the
Trusler Farm was previously owned by the carpenter’s father John Fiske (bp.16271683).
53 Lots A1, A2 and B in Figure B.3 in Appendix B.
54 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
3-4, in which reference is made to the house in the laying-out of town-maintained highways
in West Wenham.
Samuel received two timber grants from the town for boards and shingles, one in 1696
(to Samuel Fiske the “taylor”) and the other in 1700 (to Samuel Fiske Sr.), but neither grant
indicated whether the material was for a house or a barn; see Wenham Historical Society,
Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 177. Essex County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott
and John Newman, administrators, to Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692) confirms une-
quivocally that Samuel Fiske the tailor and “Samuel Fisk Sr.” were the same man.
 In the Woods 29

stories tall, with central chimney, and two rooms on each of the first and
second floors.55) Finally, Samuel and his half-brother Theophilus Rix
(bp.16651726) expanded further along proto-Cherry Street, in two transac-
tions in and after 1692.56 Samuel gave the western portion of his farm—in-
cluding his house and land south of proto-Maple Street—to his son Daniel
Fiske ( ? 1761) in 1716. Daniel, in turn, lived on his late father’s farm just
over 30 years before he sold it and moved to Upton, Massachusetts.57
The land that Kilham Jr. and Gilbert sold to Samuel Fiske was south of
proto-Maple Street. As for their land north of the road, William Fairfield
(16631742) bought it soon after 1694 and incorporated it into his abutting
farm. Corresponding to the “A. R. Bowden” lot in Figure 1.12, a stone wall—
sections of which remain today—marked its western boundary.58

55 Lillie, “Houses & Lands Associated with Lord’s Hill” (1984), 33-34, citing a description
by the last owner of the house (Mary Ann Streeter).
56 For more information on boundaries and history, see Lots A1 and A2 in the discussion
of the Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm in Appendix B, pages 145-146.
57 For boundaries and history of the house lot, see the discussion of the Samuel Fiske (the
Tailor) Farm in Appendix B, pages 147-149.
58 A remaining stretch of the wall can be seen from Maple Street, between 16 Maple Street
and 2 Puritan Road; another stretch can be seen from Topsfield Road, to the south of 169
Meridian Road. The wall is mapped in Essex County Deeds Plan 79:50 (“Subdivision Plan of
Land Belonging to Loreen C. Bromley, Wenham, Mass.,” 1950); and Plan 1961:741 (“Plan of
Land Owned by Loreen C. Bromley, Wenham, Mass.,” 1961).
Unfortunately—and uncharacteristic of William—Fairfield didn’t record his deed. But
see Essex County Deeds 18:40 (John Fairfield [3rd] to William Fairfield, 1694), for William’s
purchase of a 60-acre parcel of his grandfather’s West Wenham farm, in which deed Daniel
Kilham [Jr.] is identified as the abutter to the southwest. For subsequent history of the lot, see
Essex County Deeds 84:121 (William Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, 1738); 147:154 (Benja-
min Fairfield to Samuel and Joseph Fairfield, 1780); 152:69, 158 (Joseph Fairfield vs. Samuel
Fairfield, 1790), fifteen-acre parcel; 162:164 (Joseph Fairfield to [Rev.] John Fairfield, 1797);
164:103 (Samuel Fairfield to Joseph Fairfield, 1798); 191:242 (Rev. John Fairfield to Benjamin
Fairfield et al., 1811); 191:242 (Benjamin Fairfield et al. to David Woodbury, 1811); 191:243
(David Woodbury to Rev. John Fairfield, 1811); 232:175 (Ichabod Fairfield et al. to David
Woodbury, 1823); 232:280 (David Woodbury to Mark Symons, mortgage, 1823); 525:165 (Sa-
rah Woodbury, administratrix, to Mark Symons, 1855); 525:166 (Mark Symons to B[enjamin]
C. and J[ohn] A. Putnam, 1856); 530:76 (Benjamin C. and John A. Putnam to Samuel S. and
Stephen Cook, 1856), ten acres; 534:237 (Samuel S. and Stephen Cook to Benjamin C. and
John A. Putnam, mortgage, 1856); 719:175 (Samuel S. and Stephen Cook to Daniel H. Pea-
body, 1861); 620:176 (Daniel H. Peabody to Martha S. Putnam, mortgage, 1861); 723:97 (Mar-
tha S. Putnam to Almon F. Bagley, 1867); 1110:90 (Charles W. Bagley to Louisa R. Bagley,
1883); 1227:480 (Louisa R. Bagley et al. to George V. Bowden, 1888); 2297:299 (George V.
Bowden to Nancy E. Bowden, 1915); 2732:1 (Nancy E. Bowden to Charles B. [sic] Keach,
30 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.12. The Solomon Kimball lot (site of the Thomas

Kilham House and associated outbuildings) and the Andrew R.
Bowden lot, 1910. Solomon E. Kimball (1830−1924) owned the
Thomas Kilham House from 1845 to 1924.59

1927); 2815:474 (Charles R. Keach to Martin McKillick, 1929); 2998:9 (Martin McKillick to
William G. Bromley, 1934); and 3178:292 (William G. Bromley to Loreen C. Bromley, 1939).
See also Essex County Deeds Plan 1957:140 (“Plan of Land Belonging to Loreen C. Bromley,
Wenham, Mass.,” 1957). Andrew R. Bowden (the “A. R. Bowden” in Figure 1.12) was a son
of George V. and Nancy E. Bowden, owners of the property between 1888 and 1927.
59 Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham (1910), plate 34.
 In the Woods 31

NEIGHBORING FARMS IN WEST WENHAM

We turn our attention now to the other farms on the Maple Street-Cherry
Street corridor west of “the Straits,” the traditional gateway to the west end
of town.60 We’re going to take a tour these farms, making note of two things
along the way. First, we’ll see that—although some of the neighborhood’s
original land grants are no longer traceable—those grants that can be pin-
pointed were made in 1639. That makes it very likely that the grant that
would become the Phineas Fiske Farm was also made at that time,
which adds support to the hypothesis that the grantee could have been
someone other than Phineas. Second, although the Thomas Kilham
House is a rare survivor today, the Kilhams weren’t living in the Woods
alone. We’ll see that there were seven or eight other houses that had
been built nearby before the Kilhams built theirs.61 And we’ll see that

60 The Straits was “the wooded hollow between Pleasant Street and the Audubon property
on Cherry Street” between Muddy Pond to the north and Cedar Pond to the south; see Wen-
ham Historical Association & Museum, Wenham in Pictures and Prose (Wenham, MA: Wenham
Historical Association & Museum, Inc., 1992), 137. See also John C. Phillips, Wenham Great
Pond (Salem, MA: Peabody Museum, 1938), 107.
The earliest mention of the Straits in town records is from 1692, when “Inhabitants of
the Towne Westerly of the Straights” petitioned to be excused from having to maintain roads
elsewhere in town; see Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930),
99. For additional early references to the Straits, see Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930),
142, 158, 167, 179; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I,
1687–1706 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1940), 41, 43. Further research is needed to
determine when the place name fell out of use, although it was still in use as late as the 1910s;
see Town of Wenham, Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Wenham, and
the Reports of the School Committee and Trustees of the Public Library for the Year Ending December 31,
1915 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, Printers, 1916), 57. Interestingly, a deed from 1730
used “the Straits” to refer to the road that passed through area, not the area itself. See Essex
County Deeds 57:130 (Ebenezer Fiske to Nathaniel Brown Jr., 1730). See also Essex County
Deeds 73:229 (Nathaniel Brown [Jr.] to Joseph Batchelder, 1736[/7?]), a deed that described
the same parcel as that in the 1730 deed, and duplicated language from the 1730 deed.
Early references to “the west end” of town appear in Essex County Deeds 112:84 (Ben-
jamin Trow to Jonathan Kimball Jr., 1750), and 158:178 (Thomas Kimball [Sr.] to Nathaniel
Kimball, 1793). Further research may uncover additional references.
61 Our tour arbitrarily ignores nearby housing on Wenham Street, right over the town line
in Danvers. Our tour also ignores West Wenham housing built on farms that weren’t along
the Maple Street-Cherry Street corridor—i.e., the Herrick Farm near the Beverly Airport, the
Cue Farm and the Kimball Farm on Lord’s Hill, and the Friend Farm on the southern part of
Topsfield Road and Cedar Street.
32 History of the Thomas Kilham House

these houses were built in three waves of construction, each of which coin-
cided with a different phase of population growth.
We’ve already met a few members of the Fiske family, and we’re going
to encounter them and others on our tour; the Fiske family tree (Figure
1.13)62 will help keep track of who was
who. Unfortunately though, the early
Fiskes weren’t always diligent about re-
Although not all seven- cording their deeds: We’re going to en-
teenth-century bounda- counter some annoying gaps in our story
ries are still identifiable, as we take our tour.
some of today’s property
boundaries date back to
We’ll discover Flint Street. Now
the 1600s. Nineteenth- abandoned, today’s hiking trail through
century stone walls and the woods, Flint Street (Figure 1.14)
topographical features used to be the road connecting Wenham
help to narrow the search. with North Beverly. (Indeed, the portion
of Topsfield Road that runs from the
Maple Street-Cherry Street intersection
to 76 Topsfield Road wasn’t a town-
maintained road until the 1830s.)
As we tour the Maple Street-Cherry Street corridor we’ll map the original
grants. Identifying boundaries of seventeenth-century farms is based on the
premise that—although not all seventeenth-century boundaries are still iden-
tifiable—some of today’s property lines date back to the 1600s. The exercise,
then, is to filter-out twentieth- and nineteenth-century boundaries to find the
farms that were owned by the seventeenth-century grantees’ grandchildren

62 Town of Wenham, “MS Vital Records, 16951743, MS, 11, 19 and unnumbered pages
(Ancestry.com, Wenham Births Marriages and Deaths, frames 20, 30, 42, 48, 50); Fiske (1867),
185, 190-191, 205-208; Alfred Poor, “William Fiske, of Wenham, Mass.,” Historical Collections
of the Essex Institute, 8 (1868):175-178; Pierce (1896), 39-40, 46-57, 61-66, 69-71, 77-78, 82-86;
Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16541688, MS (1902), 85 (Ancestry.com, Wenham
Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 395); Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 198;
Guy S. Rix, History and Genealogy of the Rix Family of America (New York: The Grafton Press,
1906), 1-2, 7; Essex Institute, Vital Records of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849
(Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1914), 389; Moriarty (1934), 265-267, 270-273; Donna Holt
Siemiatkoski, “The Connecticut Valley Family of Little Miss 1565,” The Connecticut Nutmegger,
27 (1994):17; and Myrtle Stevens Hyde, “A Re-Examination of the Fiske Families of Suffolk,
England, Ancestral to Some Early New England Families,” NEHGR, 170 (2016):225, 345-
346.
 In the Woods 33

and great-grandchildren. Nineteenth-century stone walls as well as topo-

graphical features help to narrow the search. Stone walls, because some of
them align with property descriptions in early deeds and town records. Topo-
graphical features, because sometimes they became landmarks for the 1630s
surveyor. The exercise is complicated, however, by the facts that (1) Maple
Street, Cherry Street and Topsfield Road have been widened over time and
their courses shifted in some places,63 (2) some early boundaries were modi-
fied at a subsequent-but-still-early date when neighbors decided they wanted
to straighten their property lines,64 and (3) sometimes two different surveyors
came up with different answers when measuring the same lot.65
We start at the Danvers town line and make our way east along Maple
Street and Cherry Street. After we tour these farms we’ll wrap things up with
a discussion of the origin of Maple Street.

63 The Topsfield Road project of 19311938, Cherry Street project of 1934, and Maple
Street project of 1941 are especially relevant.
64 Examples include Essex County Deeds 56:188 (exchange of land between John Kimball
and Thomas Howe [Jr.] and Rebecca Fiske, 1726); and 79:157 (exchange of land between
William Fairfield and Daniel Fiske, 1737).
65 In 1715 Jonathan Moulton’s “one”-acre orchard was measured at 15 rods west-east by
12 rods north-south. In 1802 the same orchard was measured at 16 rods north-south, with a
northern boundary of 13 rods and a southern boundary of 14½ rods. Admittedly a very small-
scale example, and both answers round to “about one acre,” but the two measurements differ
by roughly 22%. And somehow a parallelogram became a trapezoid—perhaps because of sur-
veyor error or perhaps instead because of an organic shift in the use of the land. See Essex
County Deeds 65:90 (John and Jonathan Moulton's division of property, 1715), third division;
and Essex County Probate 19028 (Jonathan Moulton, 1801), Widow’s Dower (1802).
34 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.13. Fiske family tree. Shading denotes Wenham residents.

Robert Fiske
(ca.15211602)

William Fiske
(ca.15501623)

John Fiske
(ca.15801633)

Rev. John Fiske William Fiske Sr. Bridget Musket Thomas Rix
(ca.16011677) (ca.16141654) (ca.16181703) (16221718)

William Fiske Jr. Samuel Fiske Theophilus Rix

(16431728) (ca.16451716) (bp.16651726)
The Tailor

William Fiske 3rd Samuel Fiske Benjamin Fiske

(16631745) (1670after 1725) (16741742)
The Weaver
 In the Woods 35

Thomas Fiske
(ca.15601611)

Phineas Fiske
(ca.16001673)

John Fiske Thomas Fiske Sr.

(bp.16271683) (bp.16301707)

Samuel Fiske Thomas Fiske Jr.

(1660-after 1703) (ca.16531723)
The Carpenter

Theophilus Fiske Ebenezer Fiske

(16761759) (16791771)
36 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.14. The highway to Beverly. Flint Street (in the center of this
map) and the southern portion of Bomer Street (now part of Topsfield
Road) followed the course of the highway to Beverly set out in 1689. Flint
Street intersected Cherry Street where Stage Hill Road does today. The
portion of Bomer Street between Flint Street and the Maple/Cherry Street
intersection—providing a more direct route between Beverly and Tops-
field—was laid out as a town-maintained road in 1835. A secondary road
by the time this map was made, Flint Street was discontinued in 1954.66

66 Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham (1910), plate 34.
 In the Woods 37

Leach’s Meadow
Figure 1.4, Farm B
Seventeenth-century surveyors could be pretty precise. One example is
when the town fathers laid out the boundary between Wenham (then part of
Salem) and Hamilton (then part of Ipswich) in 1643. Somebody drew an im-
aginary line connecting the Ipswich Meeting House with the Salem Meeting
House a dozen miles away … determined that the line wasn’t due north-
south, but was at an angle of half a compass point (or 5⅝ degrees) to the
northeast-southwest … then drew a second imaginary line bisecting the first
at a right angle, and deemed this second line (5⅝ degrees askew of horizontal)
as the new town line.67 But when surveyors weren’t precise with their bound-
aries or accurate with their measurements, confusion ensued. Such was the
case with Leach’s Meadow.
Lawrence Leach (ca.1577–1662) married Elizabeth Mileham at Hurst,
Berkshire, England in 1606. They were among the earliest settlers of Salem,
having sailed in a fleet of three Puritan ships that arrived there in 1629. He
was active in church and civic affairs, and owned a gristmill on the Bass River
near current-day Elliott Street in Beverly.68

For the 1835 street construction project, see Town of Wenham, Wenham Town Records,
1810–1835 (Andover, MA: Town Printing, Inc., 1977), 85, 114, 126, 128, 132, 133, 138, 139,
145. For discontinuance of Flint Street, see Town of Wenham, Annual Report of the Receipts and
Expenditures of the Town of Wenham, Including the Reports of the School Committee and Trustees of the
Public Library, For the Year Ending December 31, 1954 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss Co.,
1955), 75.
For a map showing the orientation of Stage Hill Road vis-à-vis Flint Street, see Essex
County Deeds Plan 197:55 (“Definitive Subdivision Plan of Stage Hill Estates in Wenham,
Mass.,” 1985). For a map showing the intersection of Flint Street with Topsfield Road (near
76 Topsfield Road), see Essex County Deeds Plan 2606:1 (“Plan of Land in Wenham Mass.,”
1924).
67 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 62; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
119; and George A. Schofield, ed., The Ancient Records of the Town of Ipswich, Vol. 1, From 1634
to 1650 (Ipswich, MA: Chronicle Motor Press, 1899), 97.
68 Edwin W. Stone, History of Beverly, Civil and Ecclesiastical, From Its Settlement in 1630 to 1842
(Boston: James Munroe and Company, 1843), 29; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1
(1868):207; Perley, “Rial Side” (1920), 40-41, 46; F. Phelps Leach, Lawrence Leach of Salem, Mas-
sachusetts, and Some of His Descendants (St. Albans, VT: The Messenger Press, 1924), 1:3-4; Perley,
History of Salem, 1 (1924):118-119, 197; Alice Gertrude Lapham, The Old Planters of Beverly in
Massachusetts and The Thousand Acre Grant of 1635 (Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press, 1930), 54-
55; Calvin P. Pierce, Ryal Side From Early Days of Salem Colony (Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press,
1931), 24-29; Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England
1620–1633 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 2:1161-1164; and
38 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.15. Reassignment of land from Danvers to Wenham, 1681.

The old town line was along the right (east) side of the darkly-shaded area;
the revised town line was—and still is—along the other three sides. The
southeast corner of the darkly-shaded area (marked “B-D-W”) is the point
where Beverly, Danvers and Wenham meet, described in footnote 72. The
northernmost corner (marked “D-W1”) corresponds to the southern end of
the Wenham Causeway.69

Robert F. Henderson and James R. Henderson, “English Origins of Lawrence Leach of Salem,
Massachusetts,” NEHGR, 162 (2008):98-100.
69 Map from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Harbor and Land Commission, Atlas of the
Boundaries of the Cities of Gloucester and Newburyport and Towns of … Wenham (1905), State Library
of Massachusetts, Folio 1; shading added. For the 1679 description of the original boundary
between Wenham and Salem Village (Danvers), see Shurtleff, Records of the Governor and Company
of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, Vol. V, 16741686 (Boston: Press of William White,
1854), 224; and City of Beverly, City Documents for 1895 (Beverly, MA: City Job Print, 1896),
250. See also Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 16421706 (1930), 59-60, 110,
 In the Woods 39

Lawrence and his two sons Robert (bp.1614 ? ) and John (bp.1616 ? )
received grants of land from the town of Salem for meadowland that was
adjacent to the Danvers-Wenham town line. (The fact that it was meadowland
as early as the time of the Puritans’ arrival gives a clue as to the western limit
of the Woods of West Wenham.) Lawrence received fifteen acres in 1639,70
while sons Robert and John received a total of 70 acres the same year.71 The
Leach family’s property included an expanse of open space known as Leach’s
Meadow,72 as well as part of Birch Plains, and was thought to be in Danvers.

184 (perambulations of 1681, 1694 and 1700, respectively); Wenham Historical Society, Wen-
ham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 16871706 (1940), 17-18 (1681 perambulation); Wenham
Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (Topsfield, MA: The Perkins
Press, 1938), 70-71, 123, 173-174, 186 (perambulations of 1712, 1715, 1721 and 1724, respec-
tively).
70 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 50; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
96. Town Records of Salem gives the erroneous impression that this grant was made May 7, 1638,
but Book of Grants clearly shows that the grant was made December 23, 1639.
Although the Book of Grants doesn’t say where Leach’s 1639 grant was actually located,
the grant was for fifteen acres of meadow—and the 1662 inventory of his estate included “15
acres of meadow neare John Porters farme bought of Mr. Downing.” See Essex Institute, The
Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume I, 1635–1664 (Salem, MA: Newcomb &
Gauss, 1916), 388-389; and Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County,
2 (1912):428-429. For location abutting John Porter’s farm in Danvers, see Essex County
Deeds 4:161 (Emanuel Downing to John Porter, 1650). See also Upham, 1 (1867):xxvii; Porter,
(1878), 230-231, citing the 1664 marriage contract between Sergt. John Porter (15961676)
and William Hathorne, Essex County Deeds 3:139; and Ezra D. Hines, “No. 10 Downing
Street,” Historical Collections of the Danvers Historical Society, 9 (1921):4.
Lawrence also received a grant of 100 acres at Leach’s Hill (subsequently known as Folly
Hill), south of Conant Street, Danvers. See Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 15, 17, 43;
Upham, 1 (1867):xxvii (farm #11, house #100); Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
19, 26, 27, 37; and Perley, “Rial Side” (1920), 34, 35.
71 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 43; Essex County Deeds 7:47 (John Leach Sr. to the
Town of Salem, 1685), and 16:25 (John Leach Sr. to Edward Whittington, 1686); and Essex
Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):23, 76, 88.
72 The earliest documented reference to Leach’s Meadow is a 1659 reference to “the swampe
that Runeth out of Laurence Leech Meadow wher [sic] it will meet with Wenham Line.” This
reference was in the context of a description of the boundaries of the parish that would be-
come the town of Beverly. See Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume II
(1659–1680) (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1913), 2-3. For 1679 descriptions of the Beverly
boundaries that leverage the 1659 text, see also Shurtleff, 5 (1854), 223-224; City of Beverly
(1896), 249-251; and Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 3
(1913), 20.
The “swampe that Runeth out of Laurence Leech Meadow” was south or southeast of
Leach’s Meadow, and is not to be confused with Leach’s Swamp (which was north of Leach’s
40 History of the Thomas Kilham House

But some 40 years later, as land grants became subdivided, questions arose
as to the actual location of the town line. By 1681 it was determined that
some 280 acres—including part of Leach’s Meadow and a tract of common
land—were really in Wenham, and the town line was moved westward (Fig-
ure 1.15).73
Lawrence’s son John Leach Sr. lived near Leach’s Hill (current-day Folly
Hill) in Danvers. But by 1675 John’s son John Leach Jr. (bp.16481717?) was
living in the part of Leach’s Meadow that was reassigned to Wenham. John
Jr. owned land on both sides of current-day Maple Street, his house being in
the vicinity of 88 Maple Street. The house was apparently gone by the time
of a 1794 deed recording the sale of the surrounding property, although its
cellar hole was still visible at the turn of the last century.74

Meadow). The stump of a pine tree near this swamp was designated as a corner boundary of
the town of Beverly; that point is where the three towns of Beverly, Danvers and Wenham
meet today. See Commonwealth of Massachusetts Topographical Survey Commission, Atlas
of the Boundaries of the City of Beverly (1898), State Library of Massachusetts, sheets A, C, 1, 5, 6,
9; Commonwealth of Massachusetts Harbor and Land Commission (1905), Folios T, 16, 17;
and “U.S. Historic Survey Stones and Monuments,” Waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6Y7A
(Seattle, WA: Groundspeak, 2021).
The “swampe that Runeth out of Laurence Leech Meadow” drains into Birch Plains
Brook (also known as Thirty-Acre Brook), to the south of Lord’s Hill, in North Beverly.
73 Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume
VIII, 1680–1683 (Lynn, MA: Thomas P. Nichols & Son Co., 1921), 21; Wenham Historical
Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 59-60, 110, 130-131, 184; Essex Institute,
Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts, Volume III (1680–1691) (Salem, MA: Essex Institute, 1934),
38, 57; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706
(1940), 17-18.
Technically speaking, the town line that was moved was the Salem-Wenham town line:
Danvers (known at the time as Salem Village) was part of the town of Salem until 1752.
74 For more information on John Leach Sr. and John Leach Jr., including citations for deeds
and other references, see Appendix G.
For location of the farm on both sides of Maple Street, see Wenham Historical Society,
Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 18-19. For subsequent history of the John
Leach Jr. homestead, see Essex County Deeds 30:144 (John [Jr.] and Mary Leach to Richard
Leach, 1715); 59:119 (Hannah Leach to John Leach, 1732); 59:120 (Mary Leach to John Leach,
1731); 60:62 (John Leach et al. to Samuel Gott, 1731[/2]); 81:18 (John Leach et al. to John
Baker, 1730); 81:124 (Richard Leach [Jr.] to Samuel Gott, 1732); and 81:125 (Ebenezer Leach
to Samuel Gott, 1735). See Essex County Probate 11342 (Samuel Gott, 1752), Will and In-
ventory; and 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Division of Estate (1772). See Essex County Deeds
140:237 (Moses and Elizabeth Titcomb to Nathan Wood, 1770); 159:175 (Nathan Wood to
Thomas Kimball Jr., 1794), “Leach’s Land;” 214:131 (Thomas Kimball [3rd] to Edmund Kim-
ball, mortgage, 1817), the Spring Pasture; 226:131 (Edmund Kimball to Nathaniel Kimball,
 In the Woods 41

Leach began subdividing his farm in 1675. That year he sold twelve acres
of his property to John Greene (ca.16311691) of Ryal Side, Beverly, and in
1682 sold Greene another nine acres.75 By the time he died in 1690 Greene
had accumulated 35 acres in the part of Birch Plains that was in Wenham
(not all of his deeds having been recorded), and had built a house—some-
where on this 35-acre lot—for his daughter Abigail (1661 ? ) and son-in-
law Nicholas Rich (ca.1660after 1720). No record has been found for Abi-
gail and Nicholas’s marriage, but the birth of their daughter Abigail was rec-
orded in Wenham in 1687, which suggests that the Greene-Rich House in
Birch Plains was built by 1687. If the elder Abigail married by age 21, we
might date the house as early as ca.1682.76 When John Greene died in 1691,
his daughter Abigail received half the 35-acre Birch Plains lot and her sister
Hannah received the other half. Abigail, Hannah and their husbands sold the

1821); 290:240 (Nathaniel Kimball to Warren Peabody, 1836), the Spring Pasture; 349:210
(Warren Peabody to George W. Peabody, 1840); 454:265 (George W. Peabody to Edward F.
White, 1851); 608:57 (Edward F. White to Stephen P. Perley, 1860); 629:25 (Stephen P. Perley
to Solomon E. Kimball, 1861); 629:26 (Solomon E. Kimball to Edward F. White, 1861);
657:265 (Edward F. White to Stephen Cook, 1863); 1741:329 (Stephen Cook to Catherine T.
Halloran, 1904); 1741:330 (Catherine T. Halloran to George H. Perkins, mortgage, 1904);
1844:346 (Catherine T. Halloran to Lora M. McKenna, 1906); 1933:312 (William and Lora M.
McKenna to M. Gertrude Jones, 1908); 1993:301 (M. Gertrude Jones to George W. Gatchell,
1909); 2759:224 (George W. Gatchell to Benjamin A. Gatchell, 1928); 2759:225 (Benjamin A.
Gatchell to George W. and Lydia E. Gatchell, 1928); 3126:273 (Benjamin A. Gatchell to Albert
L. and Elizabeth S. Preston, 1937); 3256:258 (Albert L. and Elizabeth S. Preston to Francis H.
and Anna F. Daigle, 1941); 4070:151 (Francis H. and Anna F. Daigle to Herschel F. and Sophie
U. Jameson, 1954); and 9836:159 (David A. Mills, executor, to David E. Granz, 1988). The
Spring Pasture was named for Leach’s Spring, just north of the house site; see “West End,”
MS (1941), map for 1800–1850.
Upham, 1 (1867):xx (house #36) incorrectly sited the John Leach Jr. House south of
Maple Street, immediately adjacent to the Danvers-Wenham town line; see Figure 1.3 of this
text. For location of the house near 88 Maple Street, and visibility of its cellar hole some 100
or so years ago, see Conant (attributed), “Sites of Old Houses in Wenham Gleaned Principally
from the Registry of Deeds,” house site #40 (cellar hole).
Leach received a timber grant from the town in 1700 to expand or rebuild the house. See
Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 177.
75 Essex County Deeds 6:55 (John Leach Jr. to John Greene, 1675); and 6:56 (John Leach
[Jr.] to John Greene, 1682).
76 Essex County Probate 11680 (John Greene, 1691), Inventory; and Essex County Deeds
9:117 (disposition of real estate of John Greene, 1691). For births of Abigail Green and her
daughter Abigail Rich see Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 73; and Essex Insti-
tute, Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb &
Gauss), 1 (1916):389.
42 History of the Thomas Kilham House

house and lot in 1697 to the Herrick family, who owned the abutting farm to
the south. The subsequent history of the house hasn’t been determined.77
In addition to the Greene subdivision, Leach sold other land west of it
in the 1680s. Joseph Hacker (or Hooker78) came to own some of this land
and built a house there in 1700. The house was originally a one-room plan,
26-feet by 18-feet. It was about 250 feet south of current-day Maple Street,
west of Burley Street, and faced south (Figure 1.16). Like so many other houses
of one-room plan, it grew over time. It was dismantled in 1842, but a former
resident recalled it as having grown to a two and a half-story saltbox with a
small projecting entry and an ell on one side at the rear.79

77 Essex County Deeds 19:88 (Nicholas Rich and Peter Thomson to Joseph and John Her-
rick, 1697). Peter Thomson married Hannah Green in 1693 in Marblehead; see Essex Institute,
Vital Records of Marblehead, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: 1904), 2:185,
238 and Essex Institute, Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem,
MA: Newcomb & Gauss), 3 (1924):445.
78 Both versions of the surname appeared in contemporary records.
79 Isaac P. Gragg, Homes of the Massachusetts Ancestors of Major General Joseph Hooker (Boston:
Wallace Spooner, 1900), 5-7. Essex County Probate 1417 (Cornelius Baker, 1808), Division of
Real Estate (1822) placed 12 rods, ten links (204.59 feet) between the road and the house
garden’s wall.
Hacker received timber grants to build a 20’  20’ barn (1696) and a house (1700), and it
is interesting that the construction of the barn preceded that of the house; see Wenham His-
torical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 140, 175-178. For location of the
Hacker parcel straddling current-day Maple Street, adjacent to the Danvers-Wenham town
line, see Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 18-
19. For orientation of the parcel vis-à-vis John Leach Jr.’s farm, see Essex County Deeds
30:144 (John [Jr.] and Mary Leach to Richard Leach, 1715), and 94:171 (Benjamin and Josiah
Herrick to John Baker, 1732).
For history of the Hacker parcel, see Essex County Deeds 16:25 (John Leach Sr. to Ed-
ward Whittington, 1686; and Edward Whittington to Joseph Hooker and John Berry, 1689);
39:182 (John Leach Sr. to Edward Whittington, 1689; and Edward Whittington to Joseph
Hooker and John Berry, 1689); and 59:117 (Joseph Hooker et al. to John Baker et al., 1732).
See also Gragg (1900), 7-9, for the Hacker family’s move to Littleton, Massachusetts. See Es-
sex County Deeds 94:171 (Benjamin and Josiah Herrick to John Baker, 1732); Essex County
Probate 1445 (Capt. John Baker, 1745), Will and Inventory; Essex County Deeds 148:189
(Cornelius Baker to John Clarke, mortgage, 1788); and Essex County Probate 1417 (Cornelius
Baker, 1808), Division of Real Estate (1822). See Essex County Deeds 226:45 (John Baker to
Simeon Putnam, mortgage, 1821); 240:217 (Uzziel Dodge, administrator, to Isaac Woodberry
Jr., 1826); 243:163 (Sarah Baker to Cornelius Baker, 1825); 245:35 (Isaac Woodberry Jr. to
Samuel Obear, 1826); 245:35 (Samuel Obear to Uzziel Rea, mortgage, 1827); 275:236 (Amos
Sheldon, administrator, to Joel Wilkins, 1834). Deed to Warren Peabody not found; see Essex
County Probate 49487 (Warren Peabody, 1854), Inventory and Division of Real Estate. See
Essex County Deeds 517:35 (Joseph Cook, administrator, to Edward W. Peabody, 1855); 567:
 In the Woods 43

Figure 1.16. Site of the Joseph Hacker House, photographed 1899,

from the northeast. Built in 1700 and dismantled in 1842, the house
stood in the field in the background on the left of this image. The fore-
ground shows a “ten-footer” shoe shop with a pile of cord wood between
it and Maple Street. The corner of a second outbuilding is just visible at
the left-hand margin. A wagon is parked across the road, in front of a
third outbuilding.80

138 (Edward W. Peabody to George W. Peabody, 1857); 567:282 (George W. Peabody to

Joseph Cook and William B. Morgan, 1858); and 1875:26 (Martha A. Morgan and Isaac M.
Woodbury to Edgar E. Stanyan, 1907).
Essex County Deeds 162:50 (Anna Edwards to Cornelius Baker, 1796), second parcel,
records the sale of the four-acre Hooker’s [sic] Orchard abutting the north side of proto-Maple
Street, land that Anna had inherited from her father Capt. John Baker.
80 Photographed May 27, 1899 by Benjamin H. Conant (18431921). Images courtesy of
the Wenham Museum, Wenham, MA, B. H. Conant Collection, Plates #01599 and #01600.
These plates were previously published in Gragg (1900), 4-5. The plate on the right was pre-
viously published in Annette V. Janes, Images of America: Wenham (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub-
lishing, 2011), 53. Janes states, “On the right is part of what was then the W.M. [sic] Morgan
Farm, later purchased by the Speliotis brothers.” The correct identification of the farm, how-
ever, is the William B. Morgan Farm. In addition, these plates appeared on Edmund G. Jo-
sephs and William E. Heitz, producers, “Benjamin Conant Series: Part 4, with Harold Booth-
royd,” Hamilton-Wenham Times Past, Continental Cablevision, Beverly, MA, June 18, 1992 at
0:41:21 and 0:42:05.
This is “the shop in front of the house” mentioned in Essex County Probate 1417 (Cor-
nelius Baker, 1808), Division of Real Estate (1822).
44 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Leach’s Swamp (alias Blind Hole Swamp)

Figure 1.4, “Farm” C
In seventeenth-century Essex County, town common land wasn’t just
the public space at the center of town, the front yard for the meeting house.
Rather, it referred to any town-owned
land—and Salem (including what would
become Danvers) as well as Wenham
The lingering alias of had multiple pieces of common land dis-
“Blind Hole Swamp” is a tributed throughout their respective
reminder that much of footprints. One such piece was the
West Wenham used to be swamp along the current-day Danvers-
part of Danvers Wenham town line on either side of the
rail trail. Today the area is called Leach’s
Swamp, a name that’s been in use since
at least the 1740s.81 But the place was
originally called Blind Hole or Blind Hole Swamp at least as far back as
1679.82 “Blind Hole” remained in use into the 1940s, a testament to the du-
rability of a charming name. Indeed, the two place names—Leach’s Swamp
and Blind Hole—were used interchangeably for two centuries: When Joseph Kent
and Solomon Kimball bought land here in 1859 they referred to the site as
Leach’s Swamp, but sixty years later Kimball referred to the very same parcel
by the older name of Blind Hole.83

81 Essex County Deeds 91:225 (Joseph Herrick to Benjamin Herrick, 1748), second parcel.
Today, much of Leach’s Swamp is owned by the Essex County Greenbelt Association
and is accessible via the rail trail along the former route of the Newburyport and Wakefield
Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad.
82 Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 8 (1921):160. Rep-
resentatives of the towns of Salem and Wenham were determining the location of the town
line. The description of their perambulation starts: “We began our worke at a swamp & marked
a tree by Wenham causeway on blind hole side, & from thence wee ran our line to a pine
stumpe, from the pine stump to a white oake at Lords hill from thence to a little shrubbed oak
by the pond side where wee layd some stones …” This three-point route from Blind Hole to
a pine stump to Lord’s Hill reflects the old understanding of the location of the Salem Village-
Wenham town line (Figure 1.15).
83 Essex County Deeds 596:118 (John Conant et al. to Joseph G. Kent and Solomon E.
Kimball, 1859). Solomon Kimball’s eight-acre woodland at “Blind Hole” is listed as such in
the triennial town valuation lists of 1919 through 1943 (the lot being owned by Solomon in
1919 and 1922, and by Elwell F. Kimball in 1925 and subsequently). See Town of Wenham,
Valuation List and State, County and Town Tax of the Town of Wenham (Salem, MA: Newcomb &
Gauss), 1919:30, 1922:32, 1925:37, 1928:38, 1931:20, 1934:21, 1937:21, 1940:24 and 1943:25.
 In the Woods 45

(Swamps being swamps, one wonders how many neighborhood kids

have thought the name of the place was “Leeches Swamp.”)
There were actually two Blind Hole Swamps, one in West Wenham and
the other in Putnamville. Keeping in mind that the town line between Salem
Village and Wenham was thought to be
further east than the current-day Dan-
vers-Wenham town line (Figure 1.15),
“Blind Hole” was the name for that part One of the four-man joint
of Salem Village that extended from Put- grants in the swamp was
namville in the west to the Wenham made in 1698 to Thomas
Causeway in the east.84 Once the town Kilham and three of his
line was established in its current loca- neighbors
tion and split the Blind Hole neighbor-
hood between two towns, the connota-
tion for “Blind Hole” eventually shifted,
referring less frequently to Greater Putnamville and more frequently to two
separate swamps connected by a short stream (Figure 1.17).
West Wenham’s Blind Hole, alias Leach’s Swamp, remained common
land until the 1690s. The town made grants of one-acre lots as early as 1698,
the town records at the time focusing on the lots’ timber value. The town
also made joint grants of four-acre lots to various groups of four men.
Twenty acres’ worth of these grants can be identified today (a little more than

84 The earliest reference found for Putnamville’s Blind Hole is from 1660; see Perley, “The
Plains: Part of Salem in 1700,” Historical Collections of the Danvers Historical Society, 7 (1919):97
and map opposite, 100, 119, 120. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century references to Putnam-
ville’s Blind Hole Meadow gave way to nineteenth- and twentieth-century references to Blind
Hole Swamp. For examples of “Blind Hole Meadow” see Henry McIntyre, Map of the Town of
Danvers, Massachusetts (Philadelphia: Wagner & McGuigan, 1852); Walling (1856); and Tapley,
ed., “Direct Tax of Danvers in 1798,” The Historical Collections of the Danvers Historical Society, 10
(1922):69, 74, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 91. For examples of “Blindhole Swamp” or “Blind Hole
Swamp” see John W. Proctor, ed., Account of the Centennial Celebration in Danvers (Boston: Dutton
and Wentworth, 1852), 183; Essex Institute, “Additions to the Museum and Library during
October, November, and December, 1866,” Proceedings of the Essex Institute, 5 (1866-1867):96;
Rev. A. P. Putnam, D.D., “Historical Sketch of Danvers” in Frank E. Moynahan, ed., Danvers,
Massachusetts: A Resume of Her Past History and Progress (Danvers, MA: The Danvers Mirror,
1899), 3; and John Henry Sears, The Physical Geography, Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology of Essex
County, Massachusetts (Salem, MA: The Essex Institute, 1905), 22.
46 History of the Thomas Kilham House

a third of the common land’s footprint); other one- and four-acre grants rec-
orded at the time were worded too ambiguously to know for sure whether
they were in Leach’s Swamp or on Lord’s Hill or elsewhere.85 These lots in

85 In 1698 the town granted a four-acre lot jointly to Lieut. John Gott, Joseph Herrick, John
Herrick and Thomas Kilham. Thomas Kilham sold his interest in the lot to Gott and the
Herricks in 1704. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I,
1687–1706 (1940), 11-12, 32. The disposition of John Herrick’s portion does not seem to have
been recorded. Joseph Herrick’s portion, however, was apparently all or a part of the parcel
he conveyed to Benjamin Herrick, per Essex County Deeds 91:225 (Joseph Herrick to Benja-
min Herrick, 1748), second parcel. When Lieut. Gott’s son John Gott Jr. (ca.16941761) died,
John Jr. owned the land shown as Lot A in Figure 1.18, acreage that was some combination
of Lieut. Gott’s portion of this 1698 grant and the 1704 grant to Rix/Severett/Moulton/
Moulton discussed below; see Essex County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Division of
Estate (1772), third division, first parcel.
In 1698 the town also granted a four-acre lot jointly to Thomas Kimball, Ephraim Kim-
ball, Caleb Kimball and Joseph Batchelder, abutting the southern boundary of the Gott/Her-
rick/Herrick/Kilham four-acre lot. The three Kimballs sold their interest in the lot to Josiah
Herrick in 1710. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I,
1687–1706 (1940), 11-12; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II,
1707–1731 (1938), 46. The disposition of Joseph Batchelder’s portion does not seem to have
been recorded.
In 1703 the town granted a one-acre lot to Samuel Fiske Sr. (the tailor, ca.16451716) abut-
ting the former William Osbourne Farm, the disposition of which has not been found. See Wen-
ham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 13.
In 1704 the town granted a four-acre lot jointly to Charles Gott Jr., Ebenezer Batchelder,
Samuel Kimball Jr. and William Fiske Jr., a lot that abutted the town line on the west and the
former William Osbourne Farm apparently on the east or northeast. It became entirely owned
by Ebenezer Batchelder in 1725. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Sup-
plement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 71-72 (1704 grant), 85 (Charles Gott Jr. and William Fiske
Jr. to Samuel Fiske Jr., 1704; and Samuel Kimball Jr. to Ebenezer Batchelder, 1704); Essex
County Deeds 26:119 (Samuel Fiske Jr. to William Fairfield, 1713), sixth parcel; and Essex
County Deeds 45:91 (William Fairfield to Ebenezer Batchelder, 1725). Three acres of meadow
“at Blind Hole” were assigned to Ebenezer Batchelder’s widow Sarah when his estate was
settled; see Essex County Probate 2060 (Ebenezer Batcheller [sic], 1747), “Eben’r Batcheld’r
Wen’h ye Appr of ye Real Estate,” 1748.
It appears that—in addition to their portion of the four-man joint grant just discussed—
both Charles Gott Jr. and William Fiske Jr. also received a grant of one acre each, as inferred
from the wording of Essex County Deeds 26:119 (Samuel Fiske Jr. to William Fairfield, 1713),
fifth parcel (the subsequent disposition of which has not been found).
In 1704 the town also granted a four-acre lot to Theophilus Rix, John Severett, Jonathan
Moulton and John Moulton. The lot abutted the town line to the west and the former William
Osbourne Farm to the north. The disposition of Theophilus Rix’s portion doesn’t seem to
have been recorded. Severett sold his portion to Lieut. John Gott (probably part of the three
acres in Leach’s Swamp subsequently owned by John Gott Jr.), and the Moultons sold their
 In the Woods 47

Figure 1.17. Two Blind Hole Swamps. This 1942 topographical map
shows “Blind Hole Swamp” on the future site of the Putnamville Reser-
voir, linked by a short stream crossing Locust Street and Valley Road to a
second swamp along the Danvers-Wenham town line. This second swamp
in Wenham has also been called Blind Hole, a name that was in use even
at the time this map was drawn.86

portions to Theophilus Fiske (the subsequent disposition of which not found). See Wenham
Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 72 (1704
grant), 86 (Jonathan Moulton to Theophilus Fiske, 1704), 110 (John Moulton to Theophilus
Fiske, 1706); and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731
(1938), 42-43 (John Severett to John Gott, 1709).
Finally, in 1704 the town also granted a one-acre lot to Thomas Fiske Jr. that abutted the
eastern boundary of the Rix/Severett/Moulton/Moulton lot, and also abutted Fiske’s own
farm (the former William Osbourne Farm) to the north. See Wenham Historical Society, Wen-
ham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 72.
86 United States Geological Survey, Massachusetts (Essex County) Salem Quadrangle, 1942 (U.S.
Department of the Interior, 1944).
48 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.18. Early lots in Leach’s Swamp.87

A. Lieut. John Gott, 1698 and 1704

B. The Baker Lot, by 1750
C1. The Dodge-Herrick-Conant Lot, western portion, by 1772
C2. The Dodge-Herrick-Conant Lot, eastern portion, by 1772
D. The Tarbox Lot, by 1781

87 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line

boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 151-155.
 In the Woods 49

Leach’s Swamp were combined during the course of the eighteenth century
(with virtually no recorded paper trail documenting the transactions), result-
ing in the larger properties shown in Figure 1.18: The Baker Lot, the Dodge-
Herrick-Conant Lot, and the Tarbox Lot. By the turn of the nineteenth cen-
tury deeds described the area less frequently as swamp or woodland, and in-
creasingly as peat meadow—an indication that much of the timber had been
felled, and that peat had become the new fuel to be exploited.88 Peat-digging
in the area, exacerbated by the construction of the railroad in the early 1850s,
has dramatically altered the local drainage: The area is under water today.89

88 Essex County Deeds 178:256 (John Conant to Ebenezer Peabody, 1806); 178:257 (John
Conant to Enos Estey, 1806); 183:64 (John Conant to William Shillaber, 1807); 240:297 (John
Conant to Dominick Moore, 1807); 237:294 (Sarah Baker, administratrix, to William Shillaber,
1825); 252:301 (Sarah Baker, administratrix, to Ebenezer Wilkins, 1825); 3022:234 (Sarah
Baker, administratrix, to Samuel Brown, 1825); 240:297 (Dominick Moore to David Pingree,
1826); 250:201 (Elias Putnam to Nathaniel Boardman, 1828); 271:20 (Israel Rea to Israel Rea
Jr., mortgage, 1833), fourth parcel; and 381:154 (William Rea to Israel Rea, 1847), fourth par-
cel.
89 For construction of the railroad and its opening in 1854 see Francis B. C. Bradlee, The
Boston and Main Railroad: A History of the Main Road, with its Tributary Lines (Salem, MA: Essex
Institute, 1921), 26.
For two early photographs of woodland along an elevated section of Leach’s Swamp, see
Sears (1905), 312. (Sears used the name “Leach’s Swamp”; see his p. 289.)
50 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.19. The view from Hood’s Island, Leach’s Swamp, looking
southeast. Named for former owner Richard Hood (17511835), Hood’s
Island is a crescent of barely-elevated ground bisected by the rail trail, at
the north entrance to the rail trail’s SwampWalk. It’s not much of an island
today; whatever height it once had was flattened with the construction of
the railroad. This view is directed toward the lot that Joseph Kent and Sol-
omon Kimball bought from the Conant family in 1859, which is the land
in the medium ground before the tree line. In 1859 it was described as
woodland—but thanks to the construction of the railroad the area has be-
come flooded.90

90 June 17, 2021 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran. Hood’s Island is a reference point in
Essex County Deeds 178:256 (John Conant to Ebenezer Peabody, 1806) and 190:28 (Joshua
Wyman to John Conant, 1810), third parcel. For early description as woodland, see Essex
County Deeds 596:118 (John Conant et al. to Joseph G. Kent and Solomon E. Kimball, 1859);
this is the same Solomon E. Kimball who owned the Thomas Kilham House from 1845 to
 In the Woods 51

Thomas Trusler Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm D
The Trusler Farm was a 100-acre grant that Salem made to Thomas
Trusler ( ? –1654) in 1639. It straddled both sides of current-day Maple
Street, and was bounded by Leach’s Meadow on the west, the William Os-
bourne Farm and Leach’s Swamp on the north, the Phineas Fiske Farm on
the east, and common land on the east and the south. Thomas Trusler was a
brickmaker who lived in Salem Town. He arrived there in 1638, and was
made a freeman in 1642.91 By the time he died he owned several different
pieces of land, although his 100-acre grant was not one of them.92
We don’t know when Thomas Trusler sold this farm. John Fiske (bp.1627
1683, son of Phineas) owned it by 1665, but John didn’t record his deed and
therefore we don’t know when he acquired the farm or whether he acquired
it directly from Trusler. Assuming John bought all of the Trusler Farm,

1924. With a bit of magnification Hood’s Island is visible in Figure 1.17. Rather larger than it
is today, less flooded, in the 1942 map it appears not as a crescent but as a diagonal shape
stretching from west of the town line to east of the train tracks.
91 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 38; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
78. Grant made January 21, 1639. For biographical information, see Town of Salem, Book of
Grants, MS, 34; Paige (1849), 189; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):73, 74; Perley,
History of Salem, 1 (1924):320-321 and 2 (1926):403; and Robert Charles Anderson, George F.
Sanborn Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634–
1635 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1999), 1:11.
92 Perley, “Salem Quarterly Court Records and Files,” The Essex Antiquarian, 8 (1904):84;
Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume I,
1636–1656 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1911), 356-357; and Essex Institute, The Probate
Records of Essex County, 1 (1916):183-184. See also Trask, “Abstracts of the Earliest Wills on
Record, or on the Files in the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts,” NEHGR, 31 (1877): 103;
and Perley, “Editorial,” The Essex Antiquarian, 5 (1901):192.
The inventory of Trusler’s estate listed two house lots (one of three acres, the other of
about one acre); three acres of land near his brick kiln; two ten-acre lots; and a farm consisting
of 100 acres of upland and sixteen acres of meadow. The 100-acre parcel in the inventory was
not the 1639 grant from Salem to Trusler, but was land that Trusler was in the process of
buying from Rev. Edward Norris at the time of Trusler’s death. Norris had received it as a
grant from Salem in 1640. Trusler’s stepsons inherited it from Trusler’s widow in 1655, and
one of Trusler’s stepsons sold it to Joseph Pope in 1664. See Essex County Deeds 1:24 (Ed-
ward Norris to Eleanor Trusler, 1654); and 2:89 (Henry Phelps to Joseph Pope, 1664). See
also Upham, 1 (1867):xv, xxv; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):97; Trask (1877),
103; Perley, “The Woods, Salem, In 1700” (1915), 188 and map facing 177; Essex Institute,
The Probate Records of Essex County, 1 (1916):211-212; Perley, History of Salem, 2 (1926):248; Mer-
ton Taylor Goodrich, “The Children of Eleanor Tresler,” [sic] The American Genealogist, 10
(1933):15-16; and Anderson, Sanborn and Sanborn, 5 (2007):488.
52 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.20. The Thomas Trusler Farm, 1639. Mapping the Trusler
Farm is made difficult because few of the early recorded deeds for it or
abutting farms mention landmarks that are discernible today. Conse-
quently, much of the footprint shown here south of Maple Street is con-
jectural, and is offered solely to show how 100 acres might have fit strad-
dling the road. Although not shown in this rendering, it is tempting to align
the entire west boundary with the red dashed line, which was the original
town line between Danvers and Wenham.93

93 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line

boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 156-161.
 In the Woods 53

the father-son combination of Phineas and John Fiske owned 160 acres of
adjoining land (Phineas’s 60 acres and John’s 100).
John Fiske sold the northern half of the Trusler Farm to brothers Charles
Jr. (1639–1708) and Daniel Gott (1646 ? ) in 1665.94 But what John did
with the rest of the farm is unclear. Although the 1683 inventory of John
Fiske’s estate identifies six properties—in addition to a vague reference
to real estate that John had already given his son Samuel (the carpenter,
1660after 1703) before John’s death—there’s nothing about the descrip-
tions of those parcels that readily links any of them with Trusler’s Farm.95
Just the same, a Samuel Fiske (presumably Samuel the carpenter) was in pos-
session of the southern part of the Trusler Farm by 1697, a parcel that came
to be owned by the Herrick family by the 1740s.96
Charles Gott Jr. had a young family when he and his brother Daniel
bought the 50-acre lot in 1665, and would have needed a house. (He had
married his first wife Sarah Dennis in 1659, and had two toddlers at the time
of the purchase. Sarah died three months before the Gotts bought the lot,
and Charles married his second wife Lydia Clark the month after they bought
it.97) He built a house probably soon after he and his brother bought John

94 Essex County Deeds 3:72 (John Fiske to Charles [Jr.] and Daniel Gott, 1665).
95 Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 9 (1975):131-132.
The original probate documents of the estate of John Fiske, filed at Essex County Probate
9500 (Ens. John Fiske, 1683), have been lost.
96 Essex County Deeds 19:88 (Nicholas Rich and Peter Thomson to Joseph and John Her-
rick, 1697) identifies land “in ye possession of Samuel Fiske” in the location of the Trusler
Farm. Essex County Deeds 15:63 (Thomas Kilham to William Fairfield, 1701), a transcription
of which is in Appendix C, identifies the abutting property to the southwest of Kilham’s as
“ye land of [S]amuel Fiske sould him by John Leach.” Perhaps Leach bought part of the Trusler
farm and rented it to Samuel Fiske the carpenter? For location and subsequent history of the
Herrick Lot, see Figure B.5 and related discussion in the Thomas Trusler Farm section of
Appendix B, pages 159-161.
The Trusler Farm abutted town-owned common land along some or all of its southern
boundary. The exact location of this boundary was an open question until the Wenham se-
lectmen settled the matter in 1696. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records,
1642–1706 (1930), 59-60, 92, 128; Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement
to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 17-18, 23-24, 35-36; and Lillie, “Houses & Lands Associated with
Lord’s Hill” (1984), 15. Even so, the town records don’t actually describe the boundary in
detail.
97 Horace Davis, Ancestry of John Davis and Eliza Bancroft (San Francisco: no publisher, 1897),
38; Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16541688, MS (1902), 78-81 (Ancestry.com, Wen-
ham Births Marriages and Deaths, frames 389, 391); Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham
(1904), 41, 42, 98, 104, 125, 201; Essex Institute, Vital Records of Lynn, Massachusetts, To the End
54 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Fiske’s land.98 Charles Jr.’s son Lieut. John Gott (1668–1723) inherited it, and
expanded the property substantially. When Lieut. John died, he owned some
88 acres that stretched from the area around Burley Street to the southwest
side of Topsfield Road near Puritan Road.99

of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1906), 2:156; Cutter, Genealogical and Personal
Memoirs, Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, 2 (1908):869; Cutter, Historic
Homes and Places and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Middlesex County,
Massachusetts (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1908), 3:1214; Essex Institute, Rec-
ords and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 3 (1913):118; and Edith G. Mills, “The Gott
Family,” The Essex Genealogist, 3 (1983):23, 26, quoting Wellington Pool, “The Gott Family
from 1628,” (1872).
98 Charles Jr. was certainly living along current-day Maple Street by the close of the seven-
teenth century. He gave part of his “dwelling house lot” to his son Samuel in 1697; see Essex
County Deeds 12:166 (Charles Gott [Jr.] to Samuel Gott, 1697).
99 Charles Jr. died intestate, and the inventory of his estate listed a house lot of ten acres;
see Essex County Probate 11321 (Charles Gott Jr., 1708). But the disposition of Daniel’s part-
ownership of the 50-acre lot doesn’t appear to have been recorded: There’s no deed recording
his sale of his portion of the property, and no probate file with Essex County. Still, it’s worth
noting that Daniel inherited Charles Sr.’s house in the Plains (the area near current-day Arbor
and Perkins Streets, Wenham) shortly after Charles Jr. and Daniel purchased their part of the
former Trusler Farm. See will of Charles Gott Sr., Essex County Probate 11320 (Charles Gott
Sr., 1668); and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 3 (1920):122-123.
Following John Gott’s death, his sons John Jr. (ca.1694–1761) and Samuel (1695–1752)
divided the property into two roughly-equal pieces, and Samuel inherited Charles Gott Jr.’s
house. See Essex County Deeds 41:17 (John Gott to John Gott [Jr.] and Samuel Gott, 1723);
and 49:2 (division of property between John [Jr.] and Samuel Gott, 1724), first moiety. (The
1724 division of property was recorded in a highly-detailed deed, the recorded copy of which
has been badly damaged. Much of its content, unfortunately, has been lost.)
For subsequent history of Charles Gott Jr.’s house lot and adjacent land, see Essex
County Probate 11342 (Samuel Gott, 1752), Will and Inventory; and 11323 (Daniel Gott,
1758), Division of Estate (1772). See Essex County Deeds 140:237 (Moses and Elizabeth
Titcomb to Nathan Wood, 1770); 149:56 (Moses Titcomb to Joseph Fairfield, mortgage, 1785;
160:90 (John Knight to Thomas Kimball [Jr.], 1795), property to the west of the house lot;
167:144 (Timothy and Lydia Leach to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1800); 200:162 ([Capt.] John
Moulton to Nathaniel Kimball, 1813); 312:253 (Nathaniel Kimball to Benjamin Dodge, 1836);
312:258 (Benjamin Dodge to Samuel Symonds, 1839); 422:132 (Samuel Simonds [sic] to Joseph
G. Kent, 1850); 2235:125 (John K. Kent et al. to Joseph F. Kent, 1913); 2367:301 (Elmira E.
Fulcher to John K. Kent, 1917); 2367:302 (John K. Kent to Andrew Schlehuber, 1917); 2370:
187 (Andrew Schlehuber to Alma F. Schlehuber, 1917); 2985:155 (Alma F. and Andrew
Schlehuber to Carl W. and Hazel A. Gram, 1934); 3276:535 (Carl W. and Hazel A. Gram to
Francis B. and Evlyn L. Chalifoux, 1941); 3378:99 (Evelyn [sic] L. Chalifoux to Francis B.
Chalifoux, 1944); 3509:185 (Francis B. Chalifoux to Rita Wheelwright, 1947); 3675:156 (Fran-
cis B. and Elizabeth R. Chalifoux to Laurence J. Jr. and Natalie M. Brengle, 1949); 5743:727
(Laurence J. Jr. and Natalie M. Brengle to Gardner B. and Alice D. Tipert, 1971); and 15073:5
 In the Woods 55

The Kent-Schlehuber House, formerly at 47 Maple Street, is thought to

have incorporated the house that Charles Jr. built.100 In 1772 it was described
as a south-facing, two-room-plan house with a lean-to along its north wall
and a porch at its south entrance101—a configuration that had obviously
changed considerably by the time the house was photographed in 1919
(Figure 1.22). The house stood until 1969, but burned when an airplane ap-
proaching the Beverly Airport crashed in the house’s yard and set the house
afire.102

(Gardner B. and Alice D. Tipert to 47 Maple Street Trust, 1998). See also Essex County Deeds
Plan 78:14 (“Plan of Land of Francis B. Chalifoux & Elizabeth R. Chalifoux, Located in Wen-
ham, Mass.,” 1949); and Plan 133:79 (“Plan of Maple Street in the Town of Wenham,” 1975).
Historian Rupert Lillie was under the mistaken impression that this house was once
owned by Josiah Fairfield; see Lillie, “Houses & Lands Associated with Lord’s Hill” (1984),
25-26. See also Connie Fairfield Ganz, The Fairfields of Wenham (Newberg, OR: Allegra Print &
Imaging, 2013), 109. Unfortunately, Lillie was interpreting Essex County Deeds 123:267 (Jo-
siah Fairfield to Matthew Fairfield, 1777) as applying to the Kent-Schlehuber House lot, in-
stead of the lot to the east of Company Lane.
See also Essex County Deeds 172:166 (Timothy Leach et al. to Thomas Saunders, 1803)
for the sale of a 40-acre parcel, stretching from the north side of proto-Maple Street to Leach’s
Swamp, that had been part of the Gott Farm. Essex County Deeds 145:193 (George Crown-
inshield to Billy Porter, 1786), second parcel, and 173:78 (Billy Porter to Joshua Wyman, 1800),
fourth parcel, provide corroboration that the property recorded in the 1803 deed was formerly
owned by the heirs of Daniel Gott.
100 Lillie, “Houses & Lands Associated with Lord’s Hill” (1984), 25.
101 Essex County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Division of Estate (1772), first divi-
sion.
102 “Manned Control Tower May be Needed,” Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle, July 23, 1969, 3.
The article reported the house as having been built around 1760. Was the house that burned
a seventeenth-century original whose true age had become forgotten? Or was it an eighteenth-
century structure that had been built on the site of an earlier one?
56 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.21. Notepad with brass covers that belonged to Daniel Gott,
1746. Made by Jeffrey Lang (1707–1758) of Salem and engraved “DAN-
IEL Gott / OF / WENHAM / 1746,” it belonged to Daniel Gott (1724–
1758), son of Samuel Gott (1695–1752) and owner of the Kent-Schlehuber
House.103

103 Winterthur 1952.0127.

 In the Woods 57

Figure 1.22. The Kent-Schlehuber House, photographed 1919, from the

west. Thought to incorporate the house built by Charles Gott Jr. shortly after
1665, the house displays a brick chimney with scaffolding around it, broad
eaves, shingle roofing, clapboard siding, 2-over-2 windows, and an entry
that projects from the west-facing gable wall (with its own gable roof and
classical pilasters). An ell extends to the south of the building, perpendic-
ular to Maple Street. Described in 1772 as a south-facing saltbox, the
house’s configuration shown here demonstrates late eighteenth-century or
early nineteen-century renovation … or construction of a new house on the
site of the former Charles Gott Jr. House.104

104 Photographed June 30, 1919 by Benjamin H. Conant (18431921). Image courtesy of
the Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massachusetts, B. H. Conant Collection, Plate #03307. This
image previously appeared on Josephs and Heitz (1992), 0:39:28.
58 History of the Thomas Kilham House

The William Osbourne Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm E
William Osbourne ( ? –1662) arrived in Salem in 1630, was granted a
one-acre house lot and a ten-acre lot in 1638, and was made a freeman the
following year. He didn’t stay long afterwards; he moved to Dorchester by
1644, then to Braintree by 1646, and to Boston by 1652.105 Sometime after
his 1638 grants of a house lot and ten-acre lot, but before his move to Dor-
chester, he received a grant of 110 acres in West Wenham. One hundred
acres of the grant, referred to as the upland, were to the north of the Thomas
Trusler Farm; the other ten acres were nearby in the Great Meadow.
There’s no record of the 110-acre grant in the Salem town records. Per-
haps the grant was never recorded, or perhaps it was but the record has been
lost. Fortunately, a deed from 1670 provides the missing provenance. In that
year Osbourne’s estate sold the West Wenham farm to Rev. Antipas New-
man, the deed describing a 100-acre parcel and a ten-acre parcel “according
to the grant of ye Toune of Salem, many yeares agon [sic]”—the 100-acre par-
cel abutting Trusler’s on the south and Joseph Porter’s on the west. (Joseph
Porter’s farm was across the town line in Danvers.) Rev. Newman died in
1672 and his son sold the farm to Thomas Fiske Jr. (ca.16531723) in 1682.
Neither the 1670 deed from Osbourne’s estate to Newman, nor the 1682
deed from Newman’s estate to Fiske, made reference to any buildings on the
Osbourne Farm, indicating that it had been kept as open land.106

105 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 32; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
70, grants of one acre and ten acres. Paige (1849), 187; and Perley, History of Salem, 1 (1924):198.
For move to Dorchester, see David Pulsifer, “Early Records of Boston,” NEHGR, 5 (1851):
334; and Cutter, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs, Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern
Massachusetts, 4 (1908):2012-2013. For subsequent moves to Braintree and Boston, see Samuel
A. Bates, “Braintree Records,” NEHGR, 36 (1882):46; and Trask, “Early Records of Boston,”
NEHGR, 9 (1855):250.
106 Essex County Deeds 3:93 (Bezaliel Osbourne, attorney, to [Rev.] Antipas Newman,
1670); Essex County Probate 19410 (Antipas Newman, 1673), Inventory; Essex County Deeds
14:269 (John Newman, administrator, to Thomas Fiske Jr., 1682); Trask, “Abstract From the
Earliest Wills on Record in the County of Suffolk, Mass.,” NEHGR, 11(1857):345; Essex In-
stitute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 5 (1916):158; and Essex Institute,
The Probate Records of Essex County, 2 (1917):324-325.
See also Adeline P. Cole, Notes on Wenham History (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1943),
28. Cole stated that the Osbourne Farm was “now thought to be the present Erhard estate.”
Unfortunately, though, Cole was confusing the Osbourne Farm with the William Fiske Sr.
Farm, both of which were owned by Rev. Newman. Henry Erhard’s house (a photograph of
 In the Woods 59

We’re able to use early deeds and probate to determine that the northern
boundary of the farm’s upland ran along the edge of the Great Meadow,107
and part of its western boundary ran along the current-day Danvers-Wenham
town line.108 We also know that the upland had its northeast corner marked
by an ash tree, a spot that has remained a boundary point to this day more

which Cole included facing her p. 46) is indeed the Newman-Fiske-Dodge House on the for-
mer William Fiske Sr. Farm; see footnote 166.
107 Several deeds for lots in the Great Meadow mentioned the upland of the Capt. Thomas
Fiske Jr. Farm abutting to the south (Fiske being a subsequent owner of Osbourne’s farm).
See Essex County Deeds 9:135 (Katherine King to James Friend, 1693); 12:136 (Nathaniel
Hayward Sr. to Peter Woodbery Jr., 1692); 13:40 (Peter Woodbery Jr. to Jacob Griggs, 1697);
15:301 (Samuel Trask to Caleb Kimball, 1699); 15:302 (Joseph Trask to Caleb Kimball, 1698);
26:118 (Benjamin Trask to Caleb Kimball, 1709); and 35:174 (Stephen Herrick to Samuel
Trask, 1695).
108 Although there was controversy in the late seventeenth century about the actual location
of the Salem (Danvers)-Wenham town line (see Figure 1.15)—and specific debate about
whether the Joseph Porter Farm was actually in Salem (Danvers) or in Wenham—we know
that the eastern boundary of the Joseph Porter Farm ran the length of Wenham Causeway and
continued along the current-day Danvers-Wenham town line from south of the Causeway to
the current-day northeast corner of the Choate Farm Conservation Area. (This last-named
point is marked by the granite post depicted at “U.S. Historic Survey Stones and Monuments,”
Waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6XN7.) For the farm’s eastern boundary, see Essex County
Deeds 45:236 (Nathaniel Porter to Ebenezer Batchelder [Sr.], 1726); 75:227 (Samuel Porter to
Samuel Porter Jr., 1737), first and third parcels; 75:268 (Samuel Porter to Eleazer Porter, 1738),
third parcel; 77: 21 (Samuel Porter Jr. to Eleazer Porter, 1738), first and third parcels; 80:286
(Eleazer Porter to [Capt.] John Baker, 1741); 80:287 ([Capt.]John Baker to Eleazer Porter,
1741); 86:57 (Joseph Porter [3rd] to John Balch, 1742); and 93:234 (Eleazer Porter to Joseph
Herrick, 1741). See also Essex County Probate 22479 (Joseph Porter Sr., 1714), “Division of
Lands Mr. Jo. Porter, 1714” (map) and “Division of Real Estate of Joseph Porter late of Salem
Deceased,” 1715 (description of boundaries). See also Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1
(1868):161 (1649 reference); Upham, 1 (1867):xix (house #4); Perley, “The Plains” (1919), map
opposite 97, 120-124; Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642-1706 (1930), 59-
60; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687-1706
(1940), 17-18. For debate on the location of the town line, see Essex Institute, Records and Files
of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, 8 (1921):21-22, 156-162.
The Joseph Porter Farm used to belong to Joseph’s father John Porter (15961676); it is
the same as the John Porter Farm discussed in footnote 70.
Essex County Deeds 63:54 (Thomas and Priscilla Flint to Joseph Porter [3rd], 1733), first
parcel, specifies that the boundary between the Porter Farm and the former Osbourne Farm
was 35½ rods (585¾ feet) long. The map and description of boundaries included in Essex
County Probate 22479 indicate that this 35½-rod boundary began 12 rods (198 feet) south of
the southern end of the Causeway, and that the Causeway itself was part of the town line.
60 History of the Thomas Kilham House

than three centuries and many subdivisions later, the tree itself long gone.109
Recognizing that the upland was about 100 acres and not precisely 100 acres,
the upland’s approximate footprint appears in Figure 1.23.110
It is the subdivisions of the Osbourne Farm made by Thomas Fiske Jr.
and his widow that allow us to site the farm’s boundaries. (We’ll learn more
about Thomas Fiske Jr. when we visit the next farm on our tour, as it was
this next farm where Fiske built his house.) Fiske began subdividing the farm
in 1702, when he sold a seven-acre wedge of its upland to his abutting neigh-
bor Lieut. John Gott—the same Lieut. John (16681723) that we met earlier
in the context of Trusler’s Farm. (Gott probably bought additional abutting
land but did not record his deed.)111 Fiske’s widow and her niece’s husband
subsequently sold the remaining portions of the Osbourne Farm upland;112
by 1730 these portions were owned by Samuel Kimball Jr. (16771746).113

109 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
7 (1693 reference); and Essex County Deeds 26:63 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Samuel Fiske, 1712).
See also the discussion of Subdivision A of the Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm in Appendix B, pages
169-170..
110 As for the ten-acre meadowland, Essex County Deeds 45:272 (Rebecca Fiske to Thomas
How[e] Jr., 1724) describes four acres that seem to have been part of the former Osbourne
Farm’s meadowland and not part of the upland.
111 Essex County Deeds 15:205 (Thomas Fiske Jr. to John Gott, 1702). For additional prob-
able purchase by Gott, see the Gott Family’s 19-Acre Lot in the discussion of the William
Osbourne upland in Appendix B, page 168.
112 In 1715 Thomas Fiske Jr. pledged a gift of one-third his real estate to his wife’s niece
Rebecca Perkins (bp.16921794) when Rebecca married Thomas Howe Jr. (16921777) of
Marlborough, Massachusetts. In addition, in Fiske’s will he bequeathed the remainder of his
real estate to Rebecca upon the subsequent death of his wife. See Essex County Deeds 40:232
(marriage contract, Thomas Fiske [Jr.] and Thomas Howe [Sr.], 1715); and Essex County Pro-
bate 9521 (Thomas Fiske [Jr.], 1723), Will.
For Fiske-Howe-Perkins genealogy, see Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16951743,
MS, unnumbered page (Ancestry.com, Wenham Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 57)
(Howe-Perkins marriage intention April 3, 1715 and marriage on April 26, 1715); George A.
Perkins, M.D., The Family of John Perkins of Ipswich, Massachusetts, Part III (Salem, MA: Salem
Press, 1889), 8; Pierce (1896), 77-78; Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16541688, MS
(1902), 87 (Ancestry.com, Wenham Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 397); Almira Larkin
White, ed., “Corrections and Additions,” White Family Quarterly, 1 (1903):50; Essex Institute,
Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 132, 155, 215, 216; and Franklin P. Rice, ed., Vital Records of
Marlborough, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Worcester, MA: Franklin P. Rice, 1908),
1:369. Although Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904) included the date of the Howe-
Perkins marriage intention, it omitted the date of their marriage.
113 Essex County Deeds 56:188 (exchange of land between John Kimball and Thomas Howe
[Jr.] and Rebecca Fiske, 1726) was recorded on the same day that Samuel Kimball Jr. sold four
 In the Woods 61

Figure 1.23. The upland portion of the William Osbourne Farm, by

1644. Its southern and northern boundaries apparently conformed to onsite
topography, each boundary corresponding to the base of Meadow Hill.114

other lots that had previously been part of the Osbourne Farm. (See discussion of the Towne
Lot, the Farm Pasture, John Gott Jr.’s Seven-Acre Lot and the Moulton Pasture in Appendix
B, pages 164-167.) In 56:188 the parties made a land exchange so as to straighten one of their
shared property lines. The fact that John Kimball’s deed was recorded on the same day as
Samuel Kimball Jr.’s sale of four lots indicates a clarification of property title; i.e., it suggests
that Samuel had acquired at least one of his four lots from John Kimball. This John Kimball
(1687 1754) was a brother of Samuel Kimball Jr.; see Leonard Allison Morrison and Stephen
Paschall Sharples, History of the Kimball Family in America (Boston: Damrell & Upham, 1897),
51, 68.
114 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 162-163.
62 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.24. Site of the William Osbourne Farm, with the site of the
Great Meadow and Wenham Swamp in the distance.115

115 July 12, 2015 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran. Photographed near 212 Topsfield
Road looking north, this vista includes land that was once part of the Osbourne Farm as well
as land that was once part of the Great Meadow. The tree line in the distance marks the edge
of Wenham Swamp. Although the trees are probably rather shorter today than when the Pu-
ritans arrived, and the swamp has encroached on the former meadow, this is a view that is
very similar to what Wenhamites saw when they worked their meadowland in the 1600s.
 In the Woods 63

The Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm F
Thomas Fiske Sr. and Thomas Fiske Jr., father and son, were each a lead-
ing citizen of his respective day. Thomas Sr. (bp.16301707), the youngest
child of Phineas and Sarah (Francis) Fiske, was born in England and came to
Massachusetts with his parents by 1641. He was married twice, although we
know little about either wife. Peggy—maiden name unknown—was the
mother of his children, and had the distinction of being fined ten shillings in
1652 for wearing a tiffany. (A tiffany was a type of silk hood. Sumptuary law
restricted the wearing of tiffanies to women whose husbands had a net worth
of at least £200, and Essex County court records show that Peggy wasn’t the
only fashionista who favored them.) Second wife Martha Fitch, whom
Thomas married in 1695 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, survived him but
no record remains for either Peggy’s or Martha’s death. Thomas was an inn-
keeper—an occupation very similar to his father Phineas’s and kinsman
William Sr.’s occupation of tavern keeper. A freeman in 1661, he was also a
captain of the local militia and a veteran of King Philip’s War. His 49-year
résumé of public service was impressive: Town clerk for 40 years, 16541694;
selectman, 16621670, 16721679, 16821687, 16881693, 17021703 and
1705; Representative to the General Court, 16711672, 16781680, 1683,
1686, 1694 and 1697; and moderator of town meeting, 1686, 1694, 1700,
1704 and 1705. Thomas was also the foreman of the jury that heard the Salem
Witchcraft Trials.116

116 Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16951743, MS, 10 (Ancestry.com, Wenham Births
Marriages and Deaths, frame 20); Essex County Probate 9520 (Thomas Fiske [Sr.], 1707), Will;
Thomas Hutchinson, The History of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay: From the Charter of King William
and Queen Mary in 1691, Until the Year 1750 (Boston: Thomas & John Fleet, 1767), 52-53; Shurtleff,
Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, Vol. IV, Part II, 1661
1674 (Boston: Press of William White, 1854), 485, 507; Shurtleff, 5 (1854): 211, 266, 421, 514;
Allen (1860), 33, 39, 40, 46, 51, 102, 103, 162, 217; Fiske (1867), 207-208; Upham, 2 (1867):284,
474-475; James F. Hunnewell, ed., “The First Record-Book of the First Church in Charles-
town, Massachusetts,” NEHGR, 29 (1875):290; Perley, “Wenham” (1888), 1238, 1244-1246;
George M. Bodge, Soldiers in King Philip’s War (Boston: Rockwell and Churchill Press, 1896),
286, 311, 312, 314; Pierce (1896), 51-52, 64-66; Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904),
198; Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1 (1911):276, 373;
Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 10, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 30,
33, 37, 39, 42, 44, 45, 46, 49, 58, 66, 71, 74, 77, 82, 88, 91, 93, 99, 101, 107, 111, 207-210; Mori-
arty (1934), 271-272; and Cole (1943), 33.
64 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Thomas Fiske Jr. (ca.16531723), eldest son of Thomas and Peggy (-----)
Fiske and grandson of Phineas Fiske, was born in Wenham, a member of the
first generational cohort of English colonists who were born in New Eng-
land. He married Rebecca Perkins (1662after 1730) in 1679, the daughter of
Rev. William and Elizabeth (Wootton) Perkins of Topsfield, Massachusetts.
Like his father, Thomas Jr. was the captain of the local militia. He was con-
stable in 1680; a freeman in 1690; selectman in 16951696, 1698, 17001701,
1703, 1704, 1708, 1710, and 1720; town treasurer in 1695, 1696 and 1702;
schoolmaster in 17001702; moderator of town meeting in 1696, 1698, 1700,
1710, 1711 and 1720; town clerk in 1702, 1703 and 1705; and Representative
to the General Court in 1715. Thomas Jr. was a member of the jury that heard
the Salem Witchcraft Trials, for which his father served as foreman. (Both
Fiskes, as well as the other members of the jury, later apologized for their
role in those trials.)117

For the 1651 sumptuary law that prohibited, among other things, the wearing of tiffanies
by anyone “or any of their relations depending vppon them, whose visible estate, reall & prson-
all” was less than £200, see Shurtleff, 3 (1854):243-244.
117 List of Freeman from Wenham, May 30, 1690, MS, Massachusetts Archives Collections 26:
103a; Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16951743, MS, unnumbered page (Ancestry.com,
Wenham Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 42); Essex County Probate 9521 (Thomas Fiske
[Jr.], 1723), Receipt of Thomas and Mary Joslin; Shurtleff, 5 (1854):419; Allen (1860), 41, 102,
103, 108-109, 134; Fiske (1867), 207-208; Upham, 2 (1867):474-475; Perley, “Wenham” (1888),
1237, 1238, 1240-1241, 1244-1247; Pierce (1896), 64-65, 77-78; Topsfield Historical Society,
Vital Records of Topsfield, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb &
Gauss, 1903), 83; Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 119, 156, 198; George Francis
Dow, ed., “Towne Family Papers,” Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society, 18 (1913):
2, 3; Mrs. Frank Elmer Perkins, “Genealogical Research in England: Perkins,” NEHGR, 76
(1922):229, 231-232; Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 16421706 (1930), 56,
113, 128, 141, 157, 166, 179, 188, 209-210; and Anderson, 3 (1995):1435-1436.
 In the Woods 65

Figure 1.25. Gravestone of Capt. Thomas Fiske Jr.118

118 Main Street Cemetery, Wenham, May 18, 2018 photograph and transcription by Robert
O. Corcoran:
Here Lyes Buried
the Body of Capt.
THOMAS FFISK,
Who Decd. Februry ye 5th 1723
in ye 7th0 [sic] Year of His Age,
The Righteous shall be had
in Everlasting Remembrance.
66 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.26. The upland portion of the Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm, 1686.119

This is an impressive gravestone. Its 35½” width, roughly-4” thickness, abundant carving, and
striated grain make it one of the most eye-catching stones in the cemetery. Thomas also has a
carved footstone. His widow’s stone, however, is nowhere to be found. (There are a headstone
and footstone for an adjacent grave, a grave that is oriented perpendicularly to Thomas’s. But
neither the headstone nor the footstone has any carving to identify the deceased.) For addi-
tional images of Thomas’s headstone, see Findagrave.com memorial #8024232.
Thomas Fiske Jr. died during the epidemic (perhaps smallpox) of 1723; see Volume 2,
page 106 for more information on the epidemic.
119 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 169-170.
 In the Woods 67

In 1686 Thomas Sr. gave Thomas Jr. a farm of 58 acres that was split be-
tween two parcels. The larger of the two parcels was to the north of Topsfield
Road (Figure 1.26). It abutted Wenham Swamp to the north; the former John
Fairfield Farm to the southeast; land owned by William Fiske Jr. (16431728) to
the south; and the former William Osbourne Farm and the Great Meadow to
the west.120 The smaller parcel was adjacent, in the Great Meadow. Fiske Jr.
had bought the abutting Osbourne Farm four years earlier—thus the 58-acre
gift brought the combined parcels to 168 acres.
How and when Thomas Sr. acquired the 58-acre components is not rec-
orded: There’s no surviving deed, no record of a grant to him from either the
town of Salem or the town of Wenham, and no mention of this land in the
will of his father Phineas. The eastern abutter of the former William Os-
bourne Farm—which included land that corresponded to the Thomas Fiske
Jr. Farm—was not identified in either the 1670 or 1682 Osbourne Farm
deeds. The absence of a named abutter raises the possibility that the Thomas
Fiske Jr. Farm might have been town-owned common land as late as 1682.
Fiske Jr. apparently built a house on his newly-acquired upland shortly
after he received the land from his father, near the current-day intersection
of Topsfield and Daniels Roads. He and his family lived there until 1693,
when he bought and moved into the Claflin-Richards House, 132 Main Street
(Figure 2.40). He held on to his West Wenham house for another 19 years—
no doubt as a rental property—and sold it in 1712 to Thomas Tarbox (1684
1774), along with a barn and 22 acres. Further research is needed to determine
when the West Wenham house was demolished.121

120 Essex County Deeds 20:56 (Thomas Fiske [Sr.] to Thomas Fiske [Jr.], 1686). There is no
mention of any buildings in the deed.
121 For the West Wenham house, see Essex County Deeds 41:169 (Thomas Fiske [Jr.] to
Thomas Tarbox, 1712). For subsequent history of this house lot, see Essex County Probate
27212 (Thomas Tarbox, 1774), Will; and 27210 (Dea. Samuel Tarbox, 1784), Will and Inven-
tory. See also Essex County Deeds 157:270 (Richard Hood to Rebecca Moulton, 1794; and
Richard Hood to Anna Conant, 1794); 158:206 (Richard Hood to Samuel Raymond, 1794);
159:7 (Jonathan Moulton et al. to Richard Hood, 1794); 162:254 (Anna Conant to Richard
Hood, 1797); 239:98 (Richard Hood to Paul Porter, 1825); 298:195 (Josiah M. Hood et al. to
Paul Porter, 1836); 529:106 (Paul Porter to John Smith and Nicholas Brown, 1856); 603:1
(John Smith and Nicholas Brown to George Tufts, 1860); 894:28 (George Tufts to Elbridge
K. Standley, 1873); 1299:227 (Elbridge K. Standley to Bessie E. Herrick, 1891); 1426:12 (Bessie
E. Herrick to George W. Wilson, 1894); 3551:491 (George W. Wilson to Edmond J. Richard
Jr., 1947); 5147:631 (Bertram Glovsky, administrator, to Dan C. and Stella Marino, 1964); and
5147:633 (Meridian Heights Corp. to Dan C. and Stella Marino, 1963). See also Essex County
Deeds Plan 3821:229 (“Land of Wendell H. Crosby, Wenham, Mass.,” 1951); Plan 5191:429
68 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Thomas Fiske Jr. began subdividing his West Wenham farm shortly after
he moved into the Claflin-Richards House. One of the earliest subdivisions
resulted in First Period housing: His kinsman Samuel Fiske (the weaver,
1670after 1725) built a house about the year 1699 in the current-day neigh-
borhood of 23-33 William Fairfield Drive. A road approached the house
from the east, the lower portion of which corresponding roughly with cur-
rent-day Morgan Street.122 Samuel sold the house in 1713 to his next-door
neighbor William Fairfield (16631742), but the house had disappeared by
1738 when Fairfield divvied-up his real estate between his sons.123

(“Plan of Land in Wenham, Property of Dan C. Marino,” 1964); and Plan 104:99 (“Subdivision
Plan, Fairfield Development,” 1965). See also Allen (1860), 138. See also Conant (attributed),
“Sites of Old Houses in Wenham Gleaned Principally from the Registry of Deeds,” house site
#37, for a cellar hole just east of the George W. Wilson House.
For purchase of the Claflin-Richards House, see Essex County Deeds 41:184 ([Rev.] Jo-
seph Gerrish to Thomas Fiske Jr., 1693).
122 Thomas Fiske Jr.’s 1693 description of his property refers to a road going to the Great
Meadow that traversed the southern portion of Subdivision A in Figure B.9, Appendix B; see
Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 16871706 (1940), 7.
123 In 1700 Samuel Fiske (the weaver) received a grant of pine and hemlock to finish the
house he was living in at the time; see Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642
1706 (1930), 177. He had married Elizabeth Browne at Wakefield, Massachusetts on Decem-
ber 5, 1699. See Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16951743, MS, unnumbered page (An-
cestry.com, Wenham Births, Marriages and Deaths, frame 51); Essex Institute, Vital Records of
Wenham (1904), 94, 119; and Thomas W. Baldwin, ed., Vital Records of Reading, Massachusetts, To
the Year 1850 (Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1912), 294, 338.
For Samuel’s birth and death, see Essex County Probate 9522 (William Fisk[e], 1728);
and Pierce (1896), 69, 70, 83. For his 1712 move to Rehoboth, Massachusetts—which was the
reason why he sold his West Wenham house—see Bristol County Deeds 9:132 (John Dagget
to Samuel Fiske, 1712).
William Fiske Jr. sold the house, barn and 20 acres to his son Samuel for the nominal
sum of £15; see Essex County Deeds 26:63 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Samuel Fiske, 1712). William
Fiske Jr. had six sons who married—William 3rd, Samuel (the weaver), Joseph, Benjamin, The-
ophilus and Ebenezer. William Jr. shared his own house with Ebenezer (the youngest of his
sons to marry), ultimately transferring ownership of it to him, and provided separate houses
to William 3rd, Samuel, Benjamin and Theophilus. (Joseph was an exception; he received his
house and farm from Joseph’s father-in-law.) Instead of gifting the properties outright, Wil-
liam Jr. sold each respective property at a relatively small price. In this way, he was able to give
his sons their inheritances early, while raising cash that he was ultimately able to bequeath as
part of his estate. See footnotes 35, 169, 172 and 175.
For subsequent history of the lot, see Essex County Deeds 26:119 (Samuel Fiske Jr. to
William Fairfield, 1713); 78:178 (William Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1738) and 84:121 (Wil-
liam Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, 1738), apparently the meadowland (devoid of any build-
ings) adjacent to Meadow Hill; 147:154 (Benjamin Fairfield to Samuel and Joseph Fairfield,
 In the Woods 69

The Lord’s Hill Commons

Figure 1.4, “Farm” G
Although the town of Salem made significant grants of land in West
Wenham during the 1630s, Salem left other stretches of West Wenham land
untouched—stretches of land that the new town of Wenham inherited as its
own common land. Wenham residents who had been accepted as townsmen
were allowed to use common land to harvest wood for fuel, fencing and con-
struction materials, and allowed to use the commons as pasture for livestock.
We’ve seen that the Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm might possibly have re-
mained common land as late as the early 1680s, and that Leach’s Swamp was
indeed common land until the 1690s. The Lord’s Hill Commons was another
tract of common land in West Wenham, one that included some portion of
Continued on p. 72

1780); 152:69, 158 (Joseph Fairfield vs. Samuel Fairfield, 1790), which refer to buildings,
although the buildings are likely the William Fairfield House and associated barn and outbuild-
ings; 162:164 (Joseph Fairfield to [Rev.] John Fairfield, 1797); 164:103 (Samuel Fairfield to
Joseph Fairfield, 1798); 191:242 (Rev. John Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield et al., 1811); 191:242
(Benjamin Fairfield et al. to David Woodbury, 1811); 191:243 (David Woodbury to Rev. John
Fairfield, 1811); 232:175 (Ichabod Fairfield et al. to David Woodbury, 1823); 232:280 (David
Woodbury to Mark Symons, mortgage, 1823); 525:165 (Sarah Woodbury, administratrix, to
Mark Symons, 1855), which mentions one dwelling house, which would have been the William
Fairfield House; 525:166 (Mark Symons to B[enjamin] C. and J[ohn] A. Putnam, 1856); 551:
287 (Benjamin C. Putnam to John A. Putnam, 1857); 1258:329 (John A. Putnam to Martha P.
Putnam, 1899), first parcel; 1741:230 (Wallace P. Perry, guardian, to Wolcott H. Johnson,
1904); 2658:19 (William Endicott and Edward B. Bayley, trustees, to Mona H. Tucker, 1925);
2729:392 (Randolph F. and Mona House Tucker to Glenn C. Bramble, 1927); 2729:394 (Glenn
C. Bramble to Randolph F. and Mona House Tucker, 1927); and 6692:396 (Executors and
Trustees Under the Will of Randolph F. Tucker, Covenant, 1980). See also Essex County
Deeds Plan 1741:600 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass.,” 1904); Plan 158:23 (“Subdivision
Plan of Land, Tucker Estate, Wenham, MA,” 1979), sheet 1; and Plan 157:85 (“Plan of Land
in Wenham, Property of Estate of Randolph F. Tucker,” 1980).
Lillie, “A Pictorial Map of Wenham and Environs, 1776,” (Wenham, MA: no publisher,
1976) incorrectly labeled this house as “Daniel & Benjamin Fiske, 1716,” having made the
genealogical mistake of confusing Samuel Fiske the weaver with Samuel Fiske the tailor.
70 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.27. Northern portion of the Lord’s Hill Commons, 1910.124

 In the Woods 71

Figure 1.28. The Company Pasture, 1910.125

124 Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,”
1910); shading added.
125 Ibid. The pasture was measured at 44 acres in 1867; see Essex County Deeds 722:134
(George W. and Mary E. Kimball to Samuel S. Cook, 1867).
72 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Lord’s Hill itself as well as areas to the west and north of the hill.126 The
northern portion of the Lord’s Hill Commons (Figure 1.27) wound its way
between the Thomas Trusler Farm on the west and the Thomas Spooner
Farm on the east, and abutted the Phineas Fiske Farm to the north.127
The Lord’s Hill Commons remained common land until just after 1705.
The year before, the town embarked on a program to upgrade its system of
roads, and the town needed a way to pay for it. Property owners along the
routes of these roads had land taken from them by the town, and were com-
pensated for the land-taking in one of two ways. Some property owners were
granted land out of the Lord’s Hill Commons as compensation in-kind.
Other property owners were paid with cash—which was raised by the town
by selling parcels of the Lord’s Hill Commons.128 West Wenham resident
William Fairfield acquired some of these parcels shortly after the land was
privatized. He was an important figure in the history of the Thomas Kilham
House, and we’ll see in Chapter 3 (Volume 2) that, by 1701, William owned
both the Thomas Kilham House as well as the adjacent John Fairfield
Farm.129

126 Lord’s Hill gets its name from William Lord (ca.15771673), a cutler who lived in Salem
Town and owned land on the West Wenham hill adjacent to the Beverly town line. For early
references, see Essex County Deeds 1:13 (William Lord to [Rev.] John Fiske, 1651[/2]); 1:36
(Henry and Francis Skerry to Henry Herrick, 1653); 3:111 (John and William Haskall to Nich-
olas Woodbury, 1668); 4:182 (John Shipley to Richard Kemball [sic], 1656), third parcel; and
7:152 (James Moulton to James Friend, 1674). See also Essex County Probate 15724 (Richard
Kimball [Jr.], 1676), Inventory; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 3 (1920):
72. See also Anderson, Sanborn and Sanborn, 4 (2005):335-340. Determining the full shape
and size of the Lord’s Hill Commons is outside the scope of this book.
127 Essex County Deeds 15:63 (Thomas Kilham to William Fairfield, 1701), first parcel, a
transcription of which is in Appendix C; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records,
1642–1706 (1930), 121, 128.
The Lord’s Hill Commons probably also had frontage along proto-Topsfield Road, near
the current-day intersection of Topsfield Road and Burnham Road. See discussion of the Por-
ter/Friend sawmill at Chapter 2 (Volume 2), footnote 69.
128 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 8-9.
129 In 1738 William Fairfield split his portfolio of real estate between his sons Josiah and
Benjamin. His deed to Josiah included “Thomas Killams Homested and ye land I had out of
the Common adjoyning to that at the South corner;” see Essex County Deeds 78:178 (William
Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1738), first parcel, a transcription of which is in Appendix C.
In addition to the former common land mentioned in Essex County Deeds 78:178, Wil-
liam owned at least three lots that had been part of the Lord’s Hill Commons and would
become part of the Company Pasture:
 In the Woods 73

The Company Pasture (Figure 1.28) was part of the Lord’s Hill Com-
mons. Forty acres large, this land entered private ownership sometime
around 1705, and was subsequently acquired by the Fairfield family. The
name “Company Pasture” speaks to its onetime ownership structure: When
the Fairfields sold the property in 1798, it was bought by three men who
purchased it as a joint venture.130 (Such “companies” of business partners

 In March 1705 Fairfield received four acres and 105 poles as compensation for land-
taking by the town during the 1704 program. This lot was evidently southwest of the former
Thomas Spooner Farm (discussed later in this chapter). See Wenham Historical Society, Wen-
ham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 101.
 In October 1706 Fairfield purchased (from the town) an additional one and a half acres,
apparently contiguous to the previous parcel. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town
Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 19; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Rec-
ords, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 106.
 In June 1707 Fairfield purchased from the town another parcel of just under four acres.
This parcel was “bounded Northwesterly upon the said Fairfields own land given him by the
town for highway satisfaction and Northeasterly upon Left. John Porters land.” See Wenham
Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 4, 7, 23-24. Interest-
ingly, Fairfield was one of the town’s selectmen in 1707; as purchaser of the four-acre lot and
as selectman, Fairfield was on both sides of this transaction simultaneously.
Thomas Kilham’s legal interest in the town’s various common lands was transferred to
William Fairfield when Fairfield bought Kilham’s farm in 1701. Fairfield sold that interest to
William Dodge in 1709; see Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II,
1707–1731 (1938), 33-34.
130 For history of the lot in the Fairfield family and its 1798 conversion to jointly-owned
property, see Essex County Deeds 121:231 (Josiah Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, 1767), first
and perhaps second parcels; 126:217 (Benjamin Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1767), first parcel;
125:143 (Josiah Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, mortgage, 1767); 151:162 (Joseph Fairfield,
administrator, to James Friend [Jr.], 1790); 151:162 (James Friend [Jr.] and Joseph Fairfield to
[Dr.] Josiah Fairfield [Jr.], 1790); 162:139 (Priscilla and William Fairfield to Joseph Fairfield,
1797); 162:164 (Joseph Fairfield to [Rev.] John Fairfield, 1797), second parcel; 165:287 (Wil-
liam Fairfield et al. to Joseph Fairfield, Richard Hood and Samuel Ober [sic], 1798); and 167:173
(William Fairfield to Joseph Fairfield, Richard Hood and Samuel Obear, 1798), 40 acres. (Es-
sex County Deeds 167:173 refers to another lot owned by Fairfield, Hood and Obear as the
abutting property to the north, but the trio didn’t record their deed when they acquired the
other lot.)
In 1807, Hood, Obear and Fairfield sold 30 acres of this land to Ebenezer Todd, a trans-
action that required various deeds to provide clear title. See Essex County Deeds 180:185
([Rev.] John Fairfield to Joseph Fairfield, 1807); 180:185 (Joseph Fairfield to Richard Hood,
1807), one-third interest; one-third interest conveyed by Joseph Fairfield to Samuel Obear in
1807, but deed not recorded; and 181:202 (Richard Hood, Samuel Obear and Joseph Fairfield
to Ebenezer Todd, 1807).
Todd apparently sold this land back to Hood, Obear and Fairfield, because by 1809 the
trio (or in Fairfield’s case, his heirs) owned all 40 acres, and the respective owners began selling
74 History of the Thomas Kilham House

were a well-understood business model. When the East Wenham and Wen-
ham Swamp Commons were distributed in 1705, they were distributed to
companies of five to eight townsmen.)
“Company Lane” is the name given to the cart path, now a gravel road,
that connected proto-Maple Street to the Company Pasture. It dates from the
seventeenth century when it provided access to the interior of the Lord’s Hill
Commons, and formed part of the eastern boundary of the Thomas Trusler
Farm (discussed earlier in this chapter).131

their undivided portions of the property. For Obear’s portion, see Essex County Deeds 195:58
(Samuel Obear to Ebenezer Todd, 1809); and 196:74 (Ebenezer Todd to Nathaniel Kimball,
1811), second parcel. For Fairfield’s portion, see 192:9 (Benjamin Fairfield, administrator, to
Isaac Porter, 1810); and 212:185 (Isaac Porter to Nathaniel Kimball, 1816). For Hood’s por-
tion, see 204:70 (Richard Hood to Isaac Porter, 1814); and 212:185 (Isaac Porter to Nathaniel
Kimball, 1816).
See Essex County Probate 44414 (Nathaniel Kimball, 1855), Will and Inventory, be-
quests of the Company Pasture to Edward and George [W.] Kimball. See Essex County Deeds
516:15 (Edward Kimball to Henry Tarr, 1855); 527:144 (Henry Tarr to George W. Kimball,
1855); 529:47 (George W. Kimball to Samuel Porter, mortgage, 1856); 722:134 (George W.
and Mary E. Kimball to Samuel S. Cook, 1867); 1743:365 (William C. Low, executor, to Frank
Edwards, 1904); 2025:13 (Frank Edwards to Frances P. Daniels, 1910), second parcel; 2968:
190 (Frances P. Daniels to Mary B. Amory, 1933), third parcel; and 4775:417 (Mary B. Amory
to Henry S. and Mary Ann Streeter, 1961), first parcel.
131 See Figure B.5 in Appendix B. Although references to “the lane to the Company Pasture”
appear in deeds as early as 1798, the earliest documented appearance of the name “Company
Lane” is the one found in Essex County Deeds 1119:42 (Samuel S. Cook to Almira Alley,
1883).
 In the Woods 75

Elsewhere in the Neighborhood:

The Commons Distribution of 1705

In 1705 the town voted to distribute the bulk of its remaining common
land. Hundreds of acres in East Wenham and Wenham Swamp were
distributed by lottery to companies of five to eight proprietors—adult
male residents of the town who had voting status (“townsmen”). The
Lord’s Hill Commons, however, were excluded from this land-distri-
bution program. The business of divvying-up Lord’s Hill (to compen-
sate property owners who had land taken from them when the town
expanded its road system in 1704) was still underway at the time, and
continued at least until 1707.

The Thomas Spooner Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm H
Thomas Spooner ( ? –1664), a linen weaver by trade, arrived in Salem
about the year 1637, was made a freeman in 1638, and at some point was
granted 40 acres of upland and four acres of meadow. The upland was to the
west of the James Moulton Farm, south of the Phineas Fiske Farm, and north
and east of portions of the Lord’s Hill Commons; the four acres of meadow
were in the Great Meadow. The grant was not recorded at the time, and it
wasn’t until 1651 that an entry was made in the Salem town record book
acknowledging that the grant had been “long since laid out to him”—or, in
other words, had been made a long time prior to 1651.132 In 1657 he sold the
44 acres to John Denman Jr. (1621 ? ), a tailor from Manhattan who had
Continued on p. 78

132 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 91; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
126, record of 40- and four-acre grant. For biographical information, see Paige (1849), 95;
Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):51, 104; Essex Institute, Records and Files of the
Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 3 (1913):219; Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County,
1 (1916):455-456; and Perley, History of Salem, 1 (1924):198.
76 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.29. The upland portion of the Thomas Spooner Farm, be-
fore 1651.133

133 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. Lengths
of boundaries are based on a 1695 description recorded by John Porter (16581753) with the
town of Wenham; see footnote 137 for a transcription. Boundaries are anchored on stone
walls shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets,
Wenham,” 1910).
 In the Woods 77

Figure 1.30. The upland portion of the Thomas Spooner Farm super-
imposed on a map from 1910. The stone walls shown here correspond to
the Spooner Farm’s boundary measurements that were recorded in 1695,
and thereby allow us to site the farm—and the southern boundary of the
Phineas Fiske Farm—with conviction.134

134 Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,”
1910); shading added.
78 History of the Thomas Kilham House

previously lived in Salem. Interestingly, Denman sold the parcels the very
same day, for the same price he paid (i.e., without turning a profit) to Walter
Price (ca.16131674), a shopkeeper of Salem.135
Samuel Porter ( ? 1659) bought the property and built a house on it in
1658. He died the next year, though, on a trip to Barbados. The inventory of
his estate was taken in 1660 and included “one house and land at Wenham
& other land that was bought of Jno. Denham” valued at £250.136 Samuel’s
toddler son John (1658–1753) inherited the farm, and decades later (1723)
gave it to his own son John Jr.137 (John Sr.’s claim to fame: He and his wife

135 Essex County Deeds 1:36 (Thomas Spooner to John Denman [Jr.], 1657; and John Den-
man [Jr.] to Walter Price, 1657). Harriet Newell Harris, Denman Family History (The Glendale
News: Glendale, CA, 1913), 4-6; Essex Institute, Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, To the End
of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss), 6 (1925):161; and Clarence Almon Torrey,
New England Marriages Prior to 1700 (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985), 2:
1232.
Spooner’s deed to Denman did not identify any abutters. Denman’s deed to Price only
identified one abutter (James Moulton), but without specifying where Moulton’s property was
sited vis-à-vis the Denman lot. See also Essex County Deeds 44:226 (James Moulton to James
Friend, 1688[/9]) for a reference to the Denman-Moulton boundary.
136 Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 2 (1912):192; and
Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 1 (1916):306. Notice the reference to the
land having been “bought of Jno. Denham.” Did Denman purchase the property back from
Walter Price, and then resell it to Samuel Porter?
137 Essex County Deeds 89:19 (John Porter to John Porter Jr., 1723). See also Porter (1878),
235-237, 245, 258-259.
John Porter (1658–1753) recorded the boundaries of his 40-acre lot, and its previous
ownership by Thomas Spooner, with the town of Wenham in 1695:
At a meeting of the committee Dec 26th 1695 for the settling of bounds of lands:
they having been upon the place do allow of farmer John Porters bounds of forty
acres in the right of Thomas Spooner of forty acres as followeth viz. beginning at
the white Oak southerly of Samuel Fisks’ house anciently marked on four sides and
from thence 74 poles to a white oak marked on four sides and from thence turning
Southeasterly 45½ poles or there abouts to a walnut tree marked on four sides and
from thence turning Northeasterly to a maple stump and heap of stones 92 poles
or thereabouts which is James Friends bounds of forty acres and from thence turn-
ing Northwestwardly to the bounds first mentioned 108 poles ½ or there abouts[.]
Town of Wenham, MS Town Records, Vol. 2, MS, 9 (Ancestry.com, Wenham Town Records,
frame 14), Robert O. Corcoran transcription. This record was also transcribed at Wenham
Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 21, but erro-
neously rendered “Samuel Fisks’ house” as “Samuel and Taylor’s Fisks’ house.”
For subsequent history of the house lot, see Essex County Probate 22442 (Daniel Porter,
1760), Widow’s Dower (1761). See Essex County Deeds 116:175 (John Porter [Jr.] to George
 In the Woods 79

Lydia (Herrick) Porter (16611727) testified against Wenham resident

Goody Bibber during the Salem Witchcraft Trials.138)
Continued on p. 82

Dodge, 1763), first parcel; 114:223 (George Dodge to [Dr.] William Fairfield, 1763), first par-
cel; 127:248 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to John Porter [Jr.], 1765); 136:6 (Tarrant Putnam et al. to
George Crowninshield, 1777); 156:209 (Eunice Porter et al. to George Crowninshield, 1777);
148:223 (George Crowninshield to Thomas Clark, 1788); 148:224 (Thomas Clark to John
Baker Jr., 1789); 166:230 (John Baker [Jr.] to Benjamin Potter, 1800); 199:86 (Benjamin Potter
to Joseph White, 1805); 240:137 (Joseph White to Paul Porter, 1826); 256:44 (Paul Porter to
Richard Kent, 1829); 256:44 (Richard Kent to Paul Porter, mortgage, 1830); 305:293 (Richard
Kent to Henry S. Kent, 1838); 306:214 (Henry S. Kent to Nathaniel Kimball, 1838); 485:258
(Nathaniel Kimball to Robert R. Kent, 1853); 509:50 (Robert R. Kent to Henry S. Kent, 1855);
509:51 (Henry S. Kent to Robert R. Kent, mortgage, 1855); 878:97 (Henry S. Kent to James
N. Clark, 1873); 878:171 (James N. Clark to Solomon H. Holbrook, mortgage, 1873); 878:172
(James N. Clark to Edith M. Clark, mortgage, 1873); 1254:82 (James N. Clark to George A.
Woodbury 2nd, 1889); 1312:58 (George A. Woodbury 2nd to William N. Moulton, 1891); 1322:
258 (William N. Moulton to Clarence O. Moulton, 1891); 1573:389 (Clarence O. Moulton to
Adelaide L. Peach, 1899); 2025: 12 (Benjamin F. and Adelaide L. Peach to Frances P. Daniels,
1910); 2968:190 (Frances P. Daniels to Mary B. Amory, 1933), first parcel; and 4775:417 (Mary
B. Amory to Henry S. and Mary Ann Streeter, 1961), first parcel. See also Essex County Deeds
Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,” 1910); Plan 96:35 (“Plan
of Land in Wenham, Mass., Owned by Mary B. Amory,” 1960); and Plan 1961:576 (“Plan
Showing Pole Locations on Property of John Amory, Wenham, Mass.,” 1961).
A photograph of the house (“Old Farm”) appears in Cole (1943) facing her p. 48. Alt-
hough Cole attempted to list Wenham’s seventeenth-century houses (her p. 45), she only iden-
tified five in the whole town. The Porter-Crowninshield House and Newman-Fiske-Dodge
House were the only ones identified by her along Maple and Cherry Streets (albeit by different
names). She dated the Porter-Crowninshield House to “c. 1680.”
138 W. Elliot Woodward, Records of Salem Witchcraft, Copied From the Original Documents (Rox-
bury, MA: Privately Printed, 1864), 2:203-204; Upham, 2 (1867):207; and Porter (1878), 236.
80 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.31. The Porter-Crowninshield House, photographed before

1873, from the southeast. A seventeenth-century house built on the site of
(and perhaps incorporating?) the Samuel Porter House, the house displays
a saltbox form, skim-coated brick chimney, shallow eaves, shingle roofing
and siding, 6-over-6 windows on the second floor, 6-over-9 windows on
the first floor, an entry that projects from the plane of the long wall (with
gable roof), and a bulkhead entry to the cellar. The driveway is visible in
the lower right-hand corner. The gentleman in the photograph is probably
Col. Henry S. Kent (1796–1880).139

139 Gragg (1900), 6-7. Gragg’s caption reads: “The Colonel Kent House in West Wenham,
Mass., (Before Alterations) Supposed to be a Duplicate of the Old Hooker House in Wen-
ham.” His reference to “the Old Hooker House” is for the Joseph Hacker House discussed at
pages 42-43 of this text. According to Gragg, the photograph was taken “before General Peach
recently altered it for a summer residence.”
 In the Woods 81

Figure 1.32. The Porter-Crowninshield House, photographed 1900,

from the southeast. This is the same house that appears in Figure 1.31—
after an expansion program commissioned by Gen. Benjamin and Ade-
laide L. (Coffin) Peach. In a striking transformation, the saltbox profile
was replaced by a gambrel-roofed profile with two full stories.140

Attribution of the date of the photograph to “before 1873” is based on the assumption
that the man in the photograph is indeed Col. Kent. He sold this house in April 1873, per
Essex County Deeds 878:97 (Henry S. Kent to James N. Clark, 1873).
140 Photographed September 27, 1900 by Benjamin H. Conant (18431921). Image courtesy
of the Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massachusetts, B. H. Conant Collection, Plate #01754.
The Conant Collection includes additional photographs of the house and property. This image
and the image in Figure 1.31 previously appeared on Josephs and Heitz (1992), 0:37:08 and
0:38:45.
82 History of the Thomas Kilham House

The Porter-Crowninshield House (Figures 1.31-1.32) at 9 Maple Street

stands on the site where Samuel Porter built his house in 1658, and might
incorporate Porter’s house.141 “Porter’s Road” (Figures 1.11, 1.27 and 1.30,
labeled as “Avenue”) probably dates from the 1650s, when Samuel Porter
built his house. It was upgraded to a town-maintained road in 1711, and we
know this road today as the driveway for 9 Maple Street.142

The John Fairfield Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm I
The John Fairfield Farm consisted of about 70 acres of upland to the
northeast of the Phineas Fiske Farm and about ten acres in the Great
Meadow. A deed from 1690 referred to part of its upland as “that land in the
woods.” Most of the upland was northeast of the current-day intersection of
Topsfield Road and Cherry Street, and a few acres of it were in the current-
day Eaton Road area (Figure 1.33). John Fairfield (ca.1610–1646), the first
owner of the farm, was living in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1638, moved

141 The oldest part of the current house dates from the seventeenth century, but it is outside
the scope of this book to determine how much (if any) of the current house consists of the
original 1658 Samuel Porter House. The Massachusetts Historical Commission filing dates the
house’s construction to “by 1689.” See Anne Grady, “First Period Survey: Old Farm,” 1986,
Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, Inventory No. WNH.122, Massachu-
setts Historical Commission; Grady cites North Shore Breeze and Reminder, August 2, 1929 (a
periodical published in Beverly, Massachusetts) as her reference for the “by 1689” date of
construction.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission filing includes photographs of molded corner
posts and molded prick posts (supporting a longitudinal summer beam). Molded corner and
prick posts appear as early as the Blake House, Dorchester, Massachusetts (ca.1650). Molded
story posts supporting transverse summer beams appear as late as the John Ward House in
Salem (1685) and the Stanley-Lake House in Topsfield (ca.1680s), but molded posts—prick,
story or corner—seem to have fallen out of favor by the 1690s; see Abbott Lowell Cummings,
The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, 1625–1725 (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press,
1979), 105-110. Molded prick posts do not appear in the Thomas Kilham House.
142 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 64-65;
and Lillie, “Houses & Lands Associated with Lord’s Hill” (1984), 26, citing Essex County
Deeds 90:153 (Josiah Fairfield to Daniel Porter, 1747). The road was renamed “Kent’s Lane”
by the 1870s in acknowledgment of the family that owned the property. See Essex County
Deeds 833:133 (John E. Tiney to John H. Tiney, 1871); and 1667:390 (John H. Tiney to Ade-
laide L. Peach, 1902).
 In the Woods 83

to Salem the next year, and was made a freeman in 1640.143 Salem granted
him his West Wenham farm in 1639.144 He kept it as open farmland and
lived elsewhere, near the current-day shopping plaza on the Hamilton-Wen-
ham town line.145
Continued on p. 86

143 Paige (1849), 187; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):91; Perley, History of
Salem, 2 (1926):77, 402; and Wynn Cowan Fairfield, “Descendants of John Fairfield of Wen-
ham” (New York: no publisher, 1953), 1.
144 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 49; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
94. Town Records of Salem contains a typographical error that assigns the grant to December 23,
1638. Book of Grants, however, clearly shows that the grant was made December 23, 1639.
Perley, History of Salem, 2 (1926):77 dated the grant to 1639.
In 1686 the town of Wenham granted John’s son Walter Fairfield two acres of land in
the Great Meadow when it had become apparent that John Fairfield’s 80-acre grant didn’t
actually measure out to 80 acres. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–
1706 (1930), 81, 82.
145 In the 1646 inventory of the estate of John Fairfield, the West Wenham farm was valued
at only £6, whereas another tract of land (75 acres of upland and seven acres of meadow) was
valued at £21.16s. The West Wenham farm’s low valuation indicates that the farm didn’t have
any buildings on it, and therefore was kept as open farmland. See Essex Institute, Records and
Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1 (1911):116-118; and Essex Institute, The Probate
Records of Essex County, 1 (1916):73-76
For John Fairfield’s residence, see Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):119
(reference to Fairfield’s house near the Ipswich (Hamilton)-Wenham town line); and Essex
Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 3 (1913):207 (1658 reference to
dwelling house and farm “partly in Wenham and partly in Ipswich”). Although the homestead
property straddled the Hamilton-Wenham town line abutting Bay Road (Hamilton) and Main
Street (Wenham), the house itself was on the Hamilton side of the line. Indeed, Fairfield Drive
in Hamilton was named for the Fairfield homestead; see Ganz (2013), 7-8, 46, 65. Ganz cites
correspondence from Rupert B. Lillie to Ted Fairfield, July 12, 1982 and February 15, 1983,
and correspondence from Lillie to Mrs. J. C. Zeldenrust, February 11, 1986, in which Lillie
stated that he had inspected the John Fairfield House before it was demolished in the 1960s.
Ganz also cites Alice F. Moody, “Fairfield Note,” Maine Historical Society, 4; and Lillie, “A
Pictorial Map of Wenham and Environs, 1776,” (Wenham, MA: no publisher, 1976). In addi-
tion, Ganz reproduces a twentieth-century map of the John Fairfield property straddling the
Hamilton-Wenham town line, the original of which is housed in the Fairfield Folder, Wenham
Museum Library. See also Cole (1943), 13, 16-17, 41.
84 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.33. The upland portion of the John Fairfield Farm, 1639.146

146 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 171-172.
 In the Woods 85

Figure 1.34. Subdivision of the John Fairfield Farm in 1646.147

A. To Matthew Edwards, 1646

B. To Walter, John Jr. and Benjamin Fairfield, 1646

147 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. We know
that Subdivision B included frontage on proto-Cherry Street because in 1689—subsequent to
his purchase of Subdivision B but before his purchase of Subdivision A—William Fairfield
was identified as a property owner along the road. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham
Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 16871706 (1940), 3-4. Furthermore, we know that Subdivi-
sion B included the western portion of current-day Eaton Road because William was identified
as an abutter here in Essex County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott and John Newman,
administrators, to Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692). See also Essex County Deeds 2:69
(Mathew [sic] Edwards to William Rainer, 1658[/9]), first parcel; 4:182 (William Rayner [sic] to
Richard Kemball [sic], 1659), first parcel; and 18:40 (John Fairfield [3rd] to William Fairfield,
1694), first parcel.
86 History of the Thomas Kilham House

When Fairfield died in 1646, he left his West Wenham farm to his
nephew Matthew Edwards (ca.16311683) and three sons Walter (bp.1631
1723), John Jr. (16411672) and Benjamin Fairfield (16461664). Twenty
acres went to Edwards, shown as Subdivision A in Figure 1.34.148 The re-
maining 60 acres went to the Fairfield boys—about eleven acres in the Great
Meadow, and about 49 acres of upland depicted as Subdivision B in Figure
1.34.149 (At some point somebody determined that the 70:10 split of upland
to meadow articulated in Salem’s grant was actually more like 69:11.) Fair-
field’s grandson William (16621742) bought the twenty-acre parcel in 1685

148 See bequest from John Fairfield to Matthew Edwards in Fairfield’s will (1646) in Essex
Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1 (1911):116-117; Essex Institute,
The Probate Records of Essex County, 1 (1916):73-74; Fairfield (1953), frontispiece, 3-4; and Ganz
(2013), 18, 19. For subsequent disposition, see Essex County Deeds 2:69 (Mathew [sic] Ed-
wards to William Rainer, 1658[/9]), first parcel; 4:182 (William Rayner [sic] to Richard Kemball
[sic], 1659), first parcel; and 8:185 (Samuel and Thomas Kemball [sic], administrators, to Wil-
liam Fairfield, 1685). See also deed from Samuel and Thomas Kimball, administrators, to Wil-
liam Fairfield, 1685, MS, Massachusetts Archives Collections 37:129a. See also Essex County Pro-
bate 15724 (Richard Kimball [Jr.], 1676), Inventory, “Twenty Akers [sic] of upland lying by Mr
Newmans;” and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 3 (1920):72-74. See also
deposition of Walter Fairfield, 1691, MS, Massachusetts Archives Collections 37:134.
149 For the 49-acre parcel, see bequest from John Fairfield to his sons in his will (1646),
citations for which appear in the preceding footnote; see also Essex Institute, Records and Files
of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 2 (1912): 263-264, 292-293. John Fairfield Jr. died intes-
tate, and his interest in his father’s farm (referred to in his estate inventory as “a parcel of
meadow in the great meadow, with upland undivided with his Brother, [£]52”) was inherited
by his son John Fairfield 3rd . See Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex
County, 5 (1916):118; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 2 (1917):307-308.
See Essex County Deeds 18:40 (John Fairfield [3rd] to William Fairfield, 1694), first parcel. See
also Essex County Deeds 33:197 (John Fairfield [3rd] et al. to Daniel Kilham Jr., 1690), provid-
ing a reference to property “in the woods” owned jointly by John Fairfield Jr.’s children and
their uncle Walter Fairfield. (Interestingly, Essex County Deeds 33:197 wasn’t the record of
the transfer of title of land. Rather, this deed recorded Daniel Kilham Jr.’s right to cut timber
on the Fairfields’ property.) Although Walter Fairfield owned this property jointly with his
brother John Jr., there’s no deed recorded in which Walter conveyed his interest to his son
William Fairfield.
For genealogy, see Baldwin (1912), 519 (death of Benjamin Fairfield); Raymon Meyers
Tingley, Some Ancestral Lines: Being a Record of Some of the Ancestors of Guilford Solon Tingley and His
Wife Martha Pamelia Meyers (Rutland, VT: Tuttle Publishing Company, 1935), 189; Fairfield
(1953), 1-2, 8-9, 10, 11, 15; and Ganz (2013), Chapters 1-4.
 In the Woods 87

and the Great Meadow and upland parcels in 1694, reuniting the farm.150 He
built a house near the current-day intersection of Cherry Street and Topsfield
Continued on p. 90

150 For subsequent history of William Fairfield’s house lot, see Essex County Deeds 84:121
(William Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, 1738); 147:154 (Benjamin Fairfield to Samuel and
Joseph Fairfield, 1780); 152:69, 158 (Joseph Fairfield vs. Samuel Fairfield, 1790); 162:164 (Jo-
seph Fairfield to [Rev.] John Fairfield, 1797), first parcel; 164:103 (Samuel Fairfield to Joseph
Fairfield, 1798), first parcel; 191:242 (Rev. John Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield et al., 1811);
191:242 (Benjamin Fairfield et al. to David Woodbury, 1811), first parcel; 191:243 (David
Woodbury to Rev. John Fairfield, 1811); 232:175 (Ichabod Fairfield et al. to David Woodbury,
1823); 232:280 (David Woodbury to Mark Symons, mortgage, 1823), first parcel; 525:165 (Sa-
rah Woodbury, administratrix, to Mark Symons, 1855); 525:166 (Mark Symons to B[enjamin]
C. and J[ohn] A. Putnam, 1856); 527:146 (Benjamin C. and John A. Putnam to George W.
Kimball, 1856); 633:244 (George W. Kimball to Elisha H. Towne, 1860), first parcel; 633:251
(Elisha H. Towne to Almon F. Bagley, 1862), first parcel; 1076:51 (Louisa N. Bagley et al. to
William W. Goodwin, 1882); 1108:89 (William W. Goodwin to Isaac A. Lamson, 1883); 1108:
89 (Isaac A. Lamson to Mary A. Goodwin, 1883); 1398:422 (Sarah P. Towne to William W.
Goodwin, discharge, 1894); 1398:422 (William W. and Mary A. Goodwin to Harriet A. Hodg-
don, 1894); 1398:424 (Harriet A. Hodgdon to Mary A. Goodwin, mortgage, 1894); 1676:187
(Leander F. and Harriet A. Hodgdon to Lester E. Libby, 1902); 1682:97 (Lester E. Libby to
Wolcott H. Johnson, 1902); 2658:19 (William Endicott and Edward B. Bayley, trustees, to
Mona H. Tucker, 1925), first parcel; 2729:392 (Randolph F. and Mona House Tucker to Glenn
C. Bramble, 1927), first parcel; 2729:394 (Glenn C. Bramble to Randolph F. and Mona House
Tucker, 1927), first parcel; 6748:216 (Reynold B. Nippe, trustee, to Tucker Wenham Corp.,
1980); 6837:712 (Tucker Wenham Corp. to Lawrence D. and Susan M. Lorenzo, 1981); and
6954:20 (Lawrence D. and Susan M. Lorenzo to Timothy M. and Deborah L. McKenna, 1982).
See also Essex County Deeds Plan 1682:600 (“Plan of Land in Wenham Sold to Wolcott H.
Johnson by Lester E. Libby,” 1902); 157:85 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Property of Estate of
Randolph F. Tucker,” 1980); Plan 161:1 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, MA, Prepared for B.
Nippe,” 1980); and Plan 165:77 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, MA, Prepared for Reynold B.
Nippe,” 1981). See also Essex County Probate 9198 (William Fairfield, 1743), Will, a transcrip-
tion of which is in Appendix D.
88 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.35. Former driveway to the William Fairfield House, Cherry

Street.151

151 December 5, 2015 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran. The former driveway is on the
lot at the corner of Cherry Street and William Fairfield Drive. The street address for this loca-
tion is 4 William Fairfield Drive.
 In the Woods 89

Figure 1.36. Site of the William Fairfield House, 1902. Fairfield’s house
was demolished by 1878, and the house shown in this plan was built on its
site.152

152 Essex County Deeds Plan 1682:600 (“Plan of Land in Wenham Sold to Wolcott H. John-
son by Lester E. Libby,” 1902). The house was still standing in 1872 (see D. G. Beers & Co.
(1872), plate 95, “A. Bagley” House), but was demolished by 1878 (see Pool, “Inscriptions
from the Old Fairfield Burial Ground in Wenham,” Essex Institute Historical Collections, 16
(1879):69).
90 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Road, probably around 1687 (Figures 1.35-1.36).153 His barn was adjacent to
the north side of proto-Cherry Street, near the shared boundary of the Wil-
liam Fiske Sr. Farm.154
William would later become an early owner of the Thomas Kilham House
and owner of part of the former Lord’s Hill Commons; we’ll see more of him
in Chapter 3 (Volume 2).

The William Fiske Sr. Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm J
William Fiske Sr. (ca.1614–1654) and his brother Rev. John Fiske left
England in 1637, arriving in Salem. They were the sons of Phineas Fiske’s
first cousin (see Figure 1.13) and had been living in St. James, South Elmham,
Suffolk.155 The town of Salem granted William 100 acres of upland and ten
acres of meadow in West Wenham in 1639. The 100-acre upland abutted the
John Fairfield Farm on the west; Wenham Swamp on the north; the William
Wellman Farm on the east; and the James Moulton Farm on the south.156

153 The ca.1687 construction date is based on genealogy and the early presence of a family
cemetery. William probably married in 1687, based on the fact that his daughter Sarah was
born in 1688. (Although Sarah’s birth was not recorded with the Wenham town clerk, her
gravestone tells us that she died in 1705 in the eighteenth year of her life.) Reinforcing the
theory that William built his house around the time of his marriage is the fact that, in 1691,
William and Esther (-----) Fairfield buried their infant son William Jr. in a family cemetery on
the property, William Jr.’s gravestone being the oldest surviving gravestone in that cemetery. See
Pool, “Inscriptions from the Old Fairfield Burial Ground in Wenham” (1879):69-70; Essex
Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 197; Cole (1943), 77; and Ganz (2013), Chapter 5.
It is clear that William built his Cherry Street house before 1693. On March 16, 1692/3
William filed suit against John Fairfield 3rd, claiming that John had poached timber from Wil-
liam’s West Wenham property near the site of William’s house. See William Fairfield vs. John
Fairfield [3rd], March 16, 1692/3, Massachusetts Archives Collections 37:129-137, especially 130-
130a.
Although William received a timber grant for fencing materials, there’s no record of him
receiving a timber grant for use in building a house. See Wenham Historical Society, Wenham
Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 173 for William’s 1699 timber grant for fencing materials.
154 Essex County Deeds 79:157 (exchange of land between William Fairfield and Daniel
Fiske, 1737). Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 101; and
Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 18-19.
155 Fiske (1867), 185, 190; and Moriarty (1934), 272-273.
156 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 44; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
89. Grant made August 8, 1639. See also Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):72 for
William’s 1638 request for a ten-acre lot. William’s abutters to the upland are identified in
Essex County Deeds 13:184 (Edward Kemp to [Rev.] Antipas Newman, 1658), second parcel.
 In the Woods 91

About seventy-five acres were north of current-day Cherry Street and the rest
were south (Figure 1.37). William became a freeman in 1642. The owner of
a tavern in Wenham in 1643 (the location of which hasn’t been identified),
he was Wenham’s first town clerk, and represented Wenham in the General
Court in 1647, 1649, 1650 and 1652.157
William sold his West Wenham farm to Edward Kemp ( ? 1668), but
Kemp didn’t record the deed and therefore we don’t know when the trans-
action happened.158 Kemp moved to Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 1655159
and three years later sold the West Wenham farm—along with other proper-
ties he owned in Wenham—to Rev. Antipas Newman ( ? 1672) (Rev.
Newman would later buy the William Osbourne Farm, discussed earlier in
this chapter.)
Newman died in 1672,160 and his estate disposed of the former William
Fiske Sr. Farm in at least three transactions, only two of which were recorded
with the registry of deeds. Twenty acres were sold in 1692 (twenty years after
Newman’s death) to William Fiske’s son Samuel Fiske (the tailor) and stepson

157 Paige (1849), 189; Shurtleff, 3 (1854):105, 147, 183, 259; Allen (1860), 28-30, 102, 103;
Pierce (1896), 56-57; and Perley, History of Salem, 2 (1926):403.
John Shipley sold a house, outhouse and ten acres of land in Wenham near the First
Meeting House to William Fiske of Wenham. The deed for this transaction was dated 1655,
per Essex County Deeds 1:27 (John Shipley to William Fiske, 1655). It seems highly unlikely
that the buyer was William Fiske Jr. (1643–1728), since he would have been only 11 or 12
years old. If, as apparently was the case, the buyer was his father William Sr. (ca.1614–1654),
then one wonders whether there was a transcription error when the deed was recorded. See
also Rev. Wilson Waters, History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts (Lowell, MA: The Courier-Citizen
Company, 1917), 26.
158 William died in 1654 intestate. For the inventory of his estate, see Essex Institute, Records
and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1 (1911):364-365; and Essex Institute, The Probate
Records of Essex County, 1 (1916):188-189.
159 Cutter, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs, Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts
(New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1910), 4:2171.
160 For the inventory of the estate of Rev. Antipas Newman, see Essex County Probate
19410 (Antipas Newman, 1673); Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex
County, 5 (1916):158; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 2 (1917):324-325.
92 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.37. The upland portion of the William Fiske Sr. Farm, 1639,
and its earliest subdivision.161

A. John Newman to William Fiske Jr., 1696, and other unrecorded transac-
tion(s) prior to 1692
B. Heirs of Rev. Antipas Newman to Samuel Fiske (the tailor) and Theophi-
lus Rix, 1692

161 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 173-182. According to a 1693 description of an abutting property to
the north, the northern boundary of the William Fiske Sr. Farm was the same line as the
northern boundary of the John Fairfield Farm; see Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town
Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 16871706 (1940), 7. See also ibid., 36, for a 1704 grant of two
acres from the town of Wenham, adjacent to the northern boundary.
 In the Woods 93

Theophilus Rix.162 Sixty acres to the north of this were sold in 1696 to Wil-
liam Fiske Jr.163 This leaves twenty acres unaccounted for; based on a review
of the abutters in the 1692 and 1696 deeds, it appears that the “missing” 20
acres were sold to William Fiske Jr. prior to the 1692 transaction.
The William Fiske Sr. Farm became the locus of four First Period houses.
The first of these was the house now known as the Newman-Fiske-Dodge
House at 162 Cherry Street (Figure 1.38), and it is reasonable to believe that
this house was built by Rev. Newman by 1672.164 The age of the oldest part
of the existing structure is an open question, however, that probably cannot

162 Essex County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott and John Newman, administrators, to
Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692). This transaction was confirmed with a quitclaim
from Rev. Newman’s grandson in 1721; see Essex County Deeds 37:254 (John Newman [Jr.]
to Theophilus Rix and Daniel Fiske, 1721). There is no mention of any buildings in the 1692
deed or in the 1721 quitclaim.
163 Essex County Deeds 37:224 (John Newman to William Fiske [Jr.], 1696). See also Pierce
(1896), 69. The parcel abutted land of William Fairfield on the west; William Fiske Jr. and
Wenham Swamp on the north; John Batchelder Sr. on the east; and William Fiske Jr., Samuel
Fiske and Theophilus Rix on the south. Indeed, the parcel sold to Samuel Fiske and Theoph-
ilus Rix in 1692 appears to be one of the abutting properties on the south. This transaction
also included the sale of ten acres in the Great Meadow. It was confirmed with a quitclaim
from Rev. Newman’s grandson in 1721; see Essex County Deeds 37:255 (John Newman [Jr.]
to William Fiske [Jr.], 1721). There is no mention of any buildings in the 1696 deed or in the
1721 quitclaim.
164 When Newman died in 1672 he owned a number of pieces of real estate, including two
West Wenham farms that each consisted of 100 acres of upland and ten acres of meadow. The
William Fiske Sr. Farm was one of these, and the William Osbourne Farm was the other. The
Fiske Farm was appraised at £160 while the Osbourne Farm was appraised at £70. Although
the estate inventory doesn’t specifically mention a house, the £90 difference in the values of
these two farms could suggest the presence of a house and a barn on the William Fiske Sr.
Farm.
It is clear from the inventory of Newman’s estate that Newman did not live on the Wil-
liam Fiske Sr. Farm, since the inventory has a separate line item for Newman’s homestead
(appraised at £160). The homestead was located in the Plains in Wenham, near the Ipswich
town line, and was sold in two transactions (six acres in 1694, and fifteen acres with house and
barn in 1703); see Essex County Deeds 15:277 (John Newman, administrator, to Joseph
Fowler [Jr.], 1694), and 280 (John Newman to John Porter, 1703). The Plains was also known
as “the Plainfields,” and referred to an area near current-day Arbor and Perkins Streets; see
Phillips (1938), 107 and Wenham Historical Association & Museum (1992), 137.
Given the absence of any mention of buildings in the 1692 and 1696 deeds (footnotes
162 and 163), one can conclude that the Newman-Fiske-Dodge House was built on the “miss-
ing” twenty-acre lot.
94 History of the Thomas Kilham House

be resolved without dendrochronology.165 William Fiske Jr. (16431728)—

whom we met in the context of the subdivision of the Phineas Fiske Farm,
the man sometimes referred to by his title of deacon and other times by his
title of lieutenant—acquired the Newman-Fiske-Dodge House and made it
his home.166 A member of the jury that heard the Salem Witchcraft Trials,
William Jr. lived here at the time of the trials.167

165 When researching the house in 1977, Rupert Lillie cited a 1696 timber grant to William
Fiske Jr. as evidence of the timing of a building-expansion project. Lillie asserted that the
original house was built by Newman “as a tenant farmhouse” around the year 1658—but
without providing any evidence for so early a date. See Grady, “First Period Survey: Newman-
Fiske-Dodge House,” 1985, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, Inventory
No. WNH.116, Massachusetts Historical Commission.
166 For subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds 26:259 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Ebenezer
Fiske, 1712); and Essex County Probate 9522 (William Fisk[e], 1728), Will, bequest to
Ebenezer Fiske. Bequeathed by Ebenezer Fiske to his son William Fiske (17261777), per
Essex County Probate 9496 (Ebenezer Fisk[e], 1771), Will and Inventory, 33½-acre home-
stead. To Israel Andrews Dodge (bp.17491823), but deed not recorded. Probably sold by
William Fiske to Dodge in 1771, 1772 or 1773 when Fiske sold other West Wenham proper-
ties; see Essex County Deeds 133:92 (William Fiske to William Webber, 1773); 134:116 (Wil-
liam Fiske to Amos Batchelder, 1772); 134:119 (William Fiske to [Dr.] William Fairfield, 1771);
and 134:224 (William Fiske to Josiah Herrick, 1773). See Essex County Probate 7868 (Israel
A. Dodge, 1823), Will (1822), bequest to Esther Barnes and Nancy Wilkins, and Inventory
(1823), 150-acre homestead.
See Essex County Deeds 252:183 (Polly Dodge to Uzziel Rea, mortgage, 1829), about 40
acres; 260:179 (Esther Barnes et al. to Uzziel Rea, mortgage, 1831), first parcel; 265:123 (Esther
Barnes et al. to Israel D. Barnes, 1831), first parcel; 266:182 (Israel D. Barnes to Abraham
Patch, 1832), first parcel; 925:70 (Abraham Patch to Mary Welch, 1875), first parcel; 925:70
(Horace and Mary Welch to Danvers Savings Bank, mortgage, 1875), first parcel; 1210:216
(Horace and Mary Welch to Anna W. Batchelder, 1887), first parcel; 2373:123 (Frank S. Prince
et al. to Emma Weatherbee and Luther W. Batchelder, 1917), first parcel; 2666:263 (Luther W.
Batchelder and Emma Weatherbee to Henry A. and Helen W. Erhard, 1925); 2666:264 (Henry
A. and Helen W. Erhard to Luther W. Batchelder and Emma Weatherbee, mortgage, 1925);
2921:193 (Henry A. Erhard creation of the Helen Weber Erhard Trust, 1923); 6070:378 (Trus-
tees of Helen Weber Erhard Trust to Ronald J. and Jo Ann N. Morris, 1974); 6836:233 (Ronald
J. and Jo Ann N. Morris to David C. and Mara P. Scott deSieyes, 1981); and 10048:93 (David
C. and Mara P. Scott deSieyes to Harriet P. Davis, 1989). See also Essex County Deeds Plan
1974:216 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Property of Helen W. Erhard et al. Trs.,” 1974); and
Plan 197:55 (“Definitive Subdivision Plan of Stage Hill Estates in Wenham, Mass.,” 1985),
sheet 2, for an outline of the house, barn and shed, and their orientation to Cherry Street.
Cole (1943) included a photograph of the house facing her p. 46. Identified as the resi-
dence of Henry Erhard, Cole called it the Fisk[e]-Patch-Batchelder House.
167 Upham, 2 (1867):474-475.
 In the Woods 95

Figure 1.38. The Newman-Fiske-Dodge House, photographed 1900,

from the southeast. The oldest section of the house was likely built before
1672. Of saltbox form, the house displays a brick chimney, shallow eaves,
shingle roofing, clapboard siding, 2-over-2 windows, and a bulkhead entry
to the cellar. An ell extends from the east wall of the main part of the
house.168

168 Photographed September 19, 1900 by Benjamin H. Conant (18431921). Image courtesy
of the Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massachusetts, B. H. Conant Collection, Plate #01744.
This image previously appeared on Josephs and Heitz (1992), 0:30:10; and in Janes (2011), 59.
96 History of the Thomas Kilham House

In 1712 William Jr. conveyed the Newman-Fiske-Dodge House to his

son Ebenezer Fiske (16791771), William Jr. continuing to live in the house
until his death in 1728. The house was accompanied by land on both sides of
proto-Cherry Street. While Ebenezer kept the property south of proto-
Cherry Street until he died, he eventually sold his land north of the road other
than the area immediately around his house.169
William Jr. and his wife Sarah (Kilham) Fiske had six sons who married.
One of their sons, Joseph, bought a house from Joseph’s father-in-law.170 But
each of the other Fiske sons were fortunate enough to receive a house from
William Fiske Jr. We have just seen that Ebenezer Fiske received the New-
man-Fiske-Dodge House and farm in 1712. And we have already seen that
Samuel Fiske (the weaver) also received a house and farm in 1712, and that
William Fiske 3rd received his farm and possibly a house perhaps as early as
1695. As for the other two sons, both received houses from their father on
subdivisions of the former William Fiske Sr. Farm: Benjamin Fiske (1674
1742) received the Fiske-Ober House and farm in 1703; and Theophilus
Fiske (16761759) received his house and farm in 1712. (Clearly, 1712 was
the year when William Jr., aged 69, was doing some estate planning.)
Benjamin Fiske married Mary Quarles (ca.16791745) in 1699,171 and
four years later William Jr. conveyed to him a house, barn and 25 acres. Ben-
jamin was already living in the house, so we can hypothesize that William Jr.
built it for him about the year that Benjamin married. Acquired by Josiah
Ober (17191797) in 1748, the Ober family owned the Fiske-Ober House
for about 140 years before it burned in 1889.172 Standing near current-day
140 Cherry Street and facing due south, the house was originally one room
deep with an overhanging second floor, and eventually acquired a lean-to at
the back (Figures 1.39-1.40).

169 Essex County Deeds 26:259 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Ebenezer Fiske, 1712); and Essex
County Probate 9522 (William Fisk[e], 1728), Will, bequest to Ebenezer Fiske. See Subdivi-
sions E and F in Figure B.11, Appendix B.
170 Essex County Deeds 13:125 (John Warner to Joseph Fiske, 1698).
171 Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 119, 160, 198.
172 Essex County Deeds 26:199 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Benjamin Fiske, 1703); and 147:247
(Ebenezer Fiske to Josiah Ober, 1748). For boundaries of Benjamin Fiske’s farm and subse-
quent history, including history of the Fiske-Ober House, see Appendix B, pages 173-175.
 In the Woods 97

Figure 1.39. The Fiske-Ober House, photographed 1869, from the

southwest. The house is decorated for the fortieth birthday of Julia (Ober)
Pinkham (18291890). Of saltbox form, the house displays a brick chim-
ney, shallow eaves, shingle roofing and perhaps shingle siding. Second-
floor windows are 6-over-6, while first-floor windows are 8-over-12. The
overhanging second floor is especially noteworthy: It is shallow along the
long (south-facing) wall but deeper along the west-facing gable wall, and
stops where the lean-to begins. To the right, the white triangular shape
blocking the view of the house’s southeast corner is a tent. To the left, a
small barn is visible in the background.173

173 Unidentified photographer, 1869; 1908 copy by Benjamin H. Conant (18431921). Im-
age courtesy of the Wenham Museum, Wenham, MA, B. H. Conant Collection, X2014.829.
This image previously appeared on Josephs and Heitz (1992), 0:27:19; and in Wenham His-
torical Association & Museum (1992), 125.
98 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.40. The Fiske-Ober House, 1885 drawing by W. H. Kielhauel.

This image, which shows the house from the south, exaggerates the asym-
metry of the house’s façade, particularly with regard to the placement of
the chimney. It shows an overhanging second floor, with a rather deep
overhang along the west-facing wall. The image includes a view of the
outbuildings that is abbreviated in the 1869 photograph.174

174 Image courtesy of the Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massachusetts, drawing, X2010.597.
The drawing is inscribed “Old House in Wenham Built in 1680” and is dated July 18, 1885.
Kielhauel has yet to be identified.
 In the Woods 99

The Theophilus Fiske Farm was a gift of 22 acres. Theophilus was al-
ready living on this farm when he received it in 1712. His house may have
been built around the year 1700, which is the year he married Phoebe Lamson
(16731753). It was near the current-day terminus of Morgan Street, and last
appeared in the historical record in 1785.175
Turning our attention from the portion of the William Fiske Sr. Farm
that was north of proto-Cherry Street to the portion that was south, we come
now to the Theophilus Rix House. Theophilus Rix’s property straddled the
current-day intersection of Cherry Street and Stage Hill Road. It was part of
the twenty acres that he and his stepbrother Samuel Fiske (the tailor) bought
in 1692 from the estate of Rev. Newman.176 The house itself was to the east

175 For genealogy, see Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 119, 141, 198; and
Essex Institute, Vital Records of Ipswich, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA:
Newcomb & Gauss, 1910), 1:233 and 2:163, 271.
For boundaries and history of Theophilus Fiske’s Farm, see Appendix B. Subdivisions B
and C (Figure B.11) constituted the 22-acre gift. Theophilus also acquired Subdivision D, but
he didn’t record his deed.
176 Essex County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott and John Newman, administrators, to
Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692). See also Essex County Deeds 37:254 (John Newman
[Jr.] to Theophilus Rix and Daniel Fiske, 1721). For boundaries, see Appendix B, page 180.
For subsequent history of Rix’s house lot, see Essex County Deeds 57:58 (Theophilus Rix
to James Rix, 1726); 66:94 (James Rix to Samuel Batchelder, 1734), first parcel; 74:127 (Samuel
Batchelder to Benjamin Batchelder, 1737), first parcel; and 88:40 (Benjamin Batchelder to Bar-
tholomew Dodge, 1744). Bartholomew Dodge to Israel Andrews Dodge by 1788 but deed not
recorded; see reference to Israel Andrews Dodge’s land in 147:227 (Benjamin Friend to John
Dodge, 1788). See Essex County Deeds 168:87 (Israel Andrews Dodge to Oliver Dodge, 1800),
first parcel; 168:88 (Oliver Dodge to Israel Andrews Dodge, mortgage, 1800), first parcel; 213:152
(Oliver Dodge to Israel Andrews Dodge, 1817), first parcel; 230:78 (Israel A. Dodge to Henry
Towne, 1822); 233:286 (Henry Towne to Uzziel Rea, mortgage, 1823); 275:112 (Benjamin Merrill
to Thomas Kimball [3rd], in trust for Ezra and Nancy Shattuck, 1834), first parcel; 601:30 (Ezra
and Nancy Shattuck to David S. Shattuck, 1860); 626:79 (David S. Shattuck to Henry A. White,
1861); 626:80 (Henry A. White to Abby M. Shattuck, 1861); 795:23 (David S. and Abby M. Shat-
tuck to Sarah Jeffreys [sic], 1870); 819:232 (John and Sarah Jeffrey [sic] to George Flint, 1871);
851:226 (George Flint to Charles F. Flint, mortgage, 1872); 1223:36 (Caleb Buffum, administra-
tor, to Caroline Hood, 1888); 1356:413 (Caroline Hood to John F. Flint, 1888); 1612:521 (John
F. Flint to Caroline Hood, 1900); 1646:451 (Caroline Hood to Emily M. Currier, 1901); 3004:125
(Emily M. Currier to Donald E. Currier 1934), second parcel; 3103:176 (Donald E. Currier to
Dorothea W. Currier, 1937); 3120:359 (Benjamin W. and Dorothea W. Currier to William G.
Cavanagh, 1937); 3262:443 (William G. Cavanagh to John E. and Helen B. Arnold, 1941); 3286:
78 (William G. Cavanagh to M. Doris Poor, 1942); 3507:360 (William G. Cavanagh to M. Doris
Poor, 1946); 3594:140 (John E. and Helen B. Arnold to M. Doris Poor, 1948); 7575:532 (Peter
Poor vs. M. Doris Poor, 1984); 7642:58 (Francis B. and Alice M. Carleton vs. Peter F. and M.
Doris Poor, 1984); 7770:165 (M. Doris Poor to Paul E. and Joyce B. Egan, 1985); 7906:36 (Paul
100 History of the Thomas Kilham House

of this intersection.177 Theophilus built his house by 1704.178 It was still stand-
ing as late as 1884,179 but was gone by 1910.180

The William Wellman Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm K
William Wellman ( b?  d? ) is an enigma. He didn’t leave a footprint
in those parts of the historical record where other West Wenham grantees
did: There’s no mention of him in the Salem or Wenham town records or
vital records, nothing of him in Essex County probate files, and no Essex
County deed recording land that he purchased or sold. There is a brief men-
tion of a boy named William Wellman in Salem in 1640, who provided testi-
mony in court.181 And there was a William Wellman living in Gloucester
about the year 1650—conceivably the same person as the boy who lived in
Salem—who moved to New London, Connecticut in 1651.182
The only reason we know that there was a William Wellman who owned
land in Wenham is that he is identified as an abutter in a 1656 deed recording
the sale of land just east of the Straits. That year John Shipley ( ? 1678)

E. and Joyce B. Egan to R. Hilliard and Catharine B. Ebling, 1985); 8879:42 (Peter Poor vs. M.
Doris Poor, 1984); and 29765:484 (R. Hilliard and Catharine B. Ebling to Trustees of the R.
Hilliard Ebling Revocable Trust, 2010). See also Essex County Deeds Plan 1941:251 (“Plan of
Land of Wm. G. Cavanagh on Cherry Street, Wenham, Mass.,” 1941); Plan 1942:32 (“Plan of
Land in Wenham, M. Doris Poor, Owner,” 1941); Plan 119:52 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass.,
Belonging to M. Doris Poor,” 1971); Plan 123:65 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Massachusetts,
Belonging to M. Doris Poor,” 1972); and Plan 197:55 (“Definitive Subdivision Plan of Stage Hill
Estates in Wenham, Mass.,” 1985).
177 For location of the Rix property straddling Flint Street, see Essex County Deeds 66:94
(James Rix to Samuel Batchelder, 1734), first parcel; Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town
Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 18-19; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town
Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 102, 105-107.
178 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
102.
179 George H. Walker & Co., Atlas of Essex County (Boston: G. H. Walker & Co., 1884), 87,
“G. Flint” House.
180 Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham (1910), plate 34.
181 Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1 (1911):17. Wellman
was identified as “Wm Wellman a boy”—no age given, and no biographical clues provided.
182 John J. Babson, History of the Town of Gloucester, Cape Ann, Including the Town of Rockport
(Gloucester, MA: Procter Brothers, 1860), 52, 53, 178; Rev. Joshua Wyman Wellman, Descend-
ants of Thomas Wellman of Lynn, Massachusetts (Boston: Arthur Holbrook Wellman, 1918), 3-4;
and George E. McCracken, “William Spencer’s Daughter Elizabeth: The Wellman Family,”
The American Genealogist, 37 (1961):7-9.
 In the Woods 101

sold Richard Kimball Jr. (ca.16231676) a parcel of 100 acres bounded “upon
Mr. Fiske’s farme [sic] on ye east & on ye pleasant road on ye north & upon
Wm Welman’s [sic] land on ye west & upon Tho. Brownings farme [sic] & ye
great swamp on the south.”183 This description of the upland is a bit prob-
lematic, but worth unwinding. Thanks to a couple of depositions made in
1698 and 1699,184 we can determine that “pleasant road” is a transcription
error for “[P]leasant [P]ond,” “ye great swamp” is a reference to the swampy
area around Cedar Pond and not instead Wenham Great Swamp, and “Mr.
Fiske” was Rev. John Fiske. This tells us that the Wellman land referred to
in the deed was along the Straits, generally north of proto-Cherry Street.
There’s no room for a farm along or just west of the Straits, north of
proto-Cherry Street, other than whatever farm was immediately to the east
of the William Fiske Sr. Farm. A 1658 deed for the William Fiske Sr. Farm
identified the abutting property to the east as “Goodman Browning’s
Farm.”185 The conclusion, therefore, is that the mysterious Mr. Wellman
owned this property in 1656 and sold it to Thomas Browning by 1658.
Thomas Browning (ca.1587–1671) arrived in Salem by 1636 and was
made freeman in 1637. He received a number of grants from Salem and lived
in Salem Town.186 One of those grants, made in 1639, was a joint grant to
him and Joseph Batchelder ( ? –ca.1647) of twenty acres south of proto-
Cherry Street and east of Cedar Pond. (It was this twenty-acre property that
the 1656 Shipley-to-Kimball deed was referring to, when it mentioned “Tho.
Brownings farme.”)187 Browning’s acquisition of the William Wellman Farm

183 Essex County Deeds 4:182 (John Shipley to Richard Kemball [sic] [Jr.], 1656), first parcel.
184 Essex County Deeds 13:254 (deposition of Richard Hutton, 1699) and 13:255 (deposi-
tion of Samuel Moulton, 1698).
185 Essex County Deeds 13:184 (Edward Kemp to [Rev.] Antipas Newman, 1658). Spelling
modernized.
186 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 12, 29, 49; Paige (1849), 95; Essex Institute, Town
Records of Salem, 1 (1868):21, 22, 57, 65, 96, 102, 140, 142; Perley, History of Salem, 1 (1924):198,
292, 314, 316, 384-385, 455, 462; and Walter Goodwin Davis, The Ancestry of Lieut. Amos Towne
(Portland, ME: The Southworth Press, 1927), 19-21.
See also Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts,
Volume IV, 1667–1671 (Lynn, MA: Thomas P. Nichols & Son Co., 1914), 396-397; Essex
Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Volume VI, 1675–
1678 (Lynn, MA: Thomas P. Nichols & Son Co., 1917), 118; Essex Institute, The Probate Records
of Essex County, 2 (1917):228-229; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 3
(1920):1-2.
187 Grant made December 23, 1639. See Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 49; and Essex
Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):96. The Town Records of Salem transcription reads:
102 History of the Thomas Kilham House

along the Straits, therefore, was in the context of Browning expanding his
footprint along proto-Cherry Street.
In 1659 Browning (who had moved to Topsfield) sold the former Well-
man Farm to James Moulton (1602–1680), the deed describing the abutters
as the Rev. John Fiske Farm to the east, the Richard Kimball Jr. Farm and
Wenham Swamp to the north, and the William Fiske Sr. Farm (at the time
owned by Rev. Antipas Newman) to the west; the deed also clarified that the
parcel was 35 acres large.188 The property was not part of Moulton’s estate
when an inventory of his holdings was made in 1680.189
By 1696 the former Wellman Farm was owned by John Batchelder Sr.
(bp.16381698).190 Batchelder (the surname sounded like the word “bache-
lor,” the “d” being silent) was a son of Browning’s co-grantee Joseph Batchel-
der. He was a selectman in 16771679, 1681, 16831685, 16871688, 1690
1691, 1694 and 1696. And, alongside his neighbors Thomas Fiske Sr.,
Thomas Fiske Jr. and William Fiske Jr., he was a member of the jury that
heard the Salem Witchcraft Trials.191
Similar to what we saw with William Fiske Jr., John Batchelder Sr. pro-
vided each of his sons with his own farm, in Batchelder’s case providing the
Straits portion of the Browning Farm to his son John Batchelder Jr. (1667

“Graunted to Josep [sic] Batchelor & Thomas Browning twentie acres of land neere adioyning
to the former grant & 2 acres a peece of meadow to be layd out by the towne.” The “former
grant” (at Town Records of Salem p. 95) was a grant to Rev. John Fiske.
Although a grant to joint owners is unusual, the idea of a joint venture wasn’t unusual to
Joseph Batchelder. Joseph, after all, was a co-owner of John Fairfield’s house (described at
footnote 145). See Essex Institute, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1
(1911):116-118; and Essex Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 1 (1916):73-76.
Joseph Batchelder ( ? –ca.1647), a tailor from Canterbury, Kent, England, arrived with his
wife Elizabeth in 1636. He was made a freeman in 1638, and was Wenham’s first Representative
to the General Court. He was living in Wenham by 1643 and died there about 1647. Like Brown-
ing, Batchelder received his own land grant from the town of Salem, in addition to the joint
grant. See Paige (1849), 95; Shurtleff, 3 (1854):2; Allen (1860), 28, 29, 102, 141; Essex Institute,
Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):57, 64, 67, 96, 120; Frederick Clifton Pierce, Batchelder, Batcheller
Genealogy (Chicago: W. B. Conkey Company, 1898), 343; Perley, History of Salem, 1 (1924):198,
319, 445-446, 462; Pierce (1931), 91; and Cole (1943), 17.
188 Town of Ipswich, Ipswich Deeds, Mortgages, Wills, 1639–1695, MS, 2:218.
189 Essex County Probate 19018 (James Molton [sic], 1680), Will and Inventory; and Essex
Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 3 (1920):355-357.
190 Essex County Deeds 37:224 (John Newman to William Fiske [Jr.], 1696). John Batchelder
Sr. didn’t record his deed when he acquired the Browning Farm.
191 Upham, 2 (1867):474-475; Perley, “Wenham” (1888), 1246; and Pierce (1898), 349-352.
 In the Woods 103

1754). John Jr. built a house here and received it and 35 acres of land when
his father died.192 The John Batchelder Jr. House stood near current-day 130
Cherry Street. Its construction predated John Sr.’s 1698 will; if we hypothe-
size that John Jr. built his house when he was 21, the house could have dated
to 1688. It’s no longer standing, and the current house on the site (“Elmwood
Farm”) appears to date from the period following the Civil War.193

192 Essex County Probate 2077 (John Batchelder Sr., 1698), Will and Inventory; and Pierce
(1898), 350-352.
193 A 1705 entry in the town records sited the house “within 30 poles” to the west of the
Great Swamp Highway, near the highway’s intersection with Cherry Street; see Wenham His-
torical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 92.
In other places in this chapter I’ve proposed house construction dates that correspond
to the time of the owner’s first marriage. But John Batchelder Jr. married Hannah Tarbox
(16811744) in 1702—four years after his house is mentioned in his father’s will and estate
inventory—and therefore I’ve opted for the construction-at-age-21 hypothesis. For genealogy,
see Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 16541688, MS (1902), 82 (Ancestry.com, Wenham
Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 393); Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 8, 90,
169; and Essex Institute, Vital Records of Lynn, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem,
MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1905), 1:392.
John Batchelder Jr. bequeathed to his son Samuel “the use and improvement of all my
dwelling house, barn, and of 15 acres of my Land wheron sd. house and barn standeth.” See
Essex County Probate 2080 (John Batchelder [Jr.], 1754), Will and Inventory; and Pierce
(1898), 357-358. The lot is shown as Subdivision A in Figure B.14. For subsequent history of
the house lot, see Essex County Deeds 155:19 (Samuel Batchelder to Sarah Moulton, 1792);
157:150 (Nathaniel Wells to Sarah Moulton, 1794); 241:170 (William Moulton to Paul Porter,
1826); and 338:72 (Paul Porter to Sally S. Dodge, 1843), fifteen acres with a two-story dwelling
house and other buildings. See Essex County Probate 37690 (Sally Dodge, 1848), Inventory.
See Essex County Deeds 409:88 (Charles Dodge to Paul Kimball, 1849); 652:48 (Huldah K.
and Henry Tarr to Edward L. Kimball, 1862), first parcel; 723:173 (Edward L. Kimball to
Henry Wilson, 1867); 931:117 (Henry Wilson to Elvin M. Dodge, 1875); 1195:41 (Elvin M.
Dodge to Perry Collier, 1887); 1195:41 (Perry Collier to Elizabeth S. Brown, mortgage, 1887);
1204:153 (Samuel A. Fuller to Emma F. Collier, 1887); 1684:336 (Perry and Emma F. Collier
to Benjamin W. Currier, 1902); 2266:431 (Clara I. Seaverns et al. to Helen Currier Rice et al.,
1914); 2383:198 (Emily M. Currier, guardian, to Annie L. Hayes, 1917); 2383:199 (Donald E.
Currier to Annie L. Hayes, 1917); 2383:200 (Helen Rice to Annie L. Hayes, 1917); 2383:201
(James F. and Annie L. Hayes to Beverly Savings Bank, mortgage, 1918); 2432:251 (Annie L.
Hayes to Raymond L. Fowle, 1919); 2740:396 (Raymond L. Fowle to Mildred H. Fowle, 1927);
and 2801:339 (Mildred H. Fowle to Francis L. Higginson [Jr.], 1929). See Essex County Pro-
bate 302205 (Francis L. Higginson [Jr.]), bequest to Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc. See
Essex County Deeds 5768:267 (Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc. to L. Sheldon and Ed-
wina G. Crockett, 1971); 12526:529 (Edwina G. Crockett to L. Sheldon Crockett, 1994);
16021:419 (L. Sheldon Crockett to David M. and E. Louise Grose, 1999); 16021:421 (David
M. and E. Louise Grose to Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, mortgage, 1999); 16711:35
(David M. and E. Louise Grose to David M. Grose, 2000); 16711:37 (David M. Grose to
104 History of the Thomas Kilham House

In 1705 the town distributed much of its common land to its townsmen,
a distribution project that included the large tract of common land in the
Great Swamp. In order to provide access to the interior of the swamp, the
town decided to lay out the Great Swamp Highway “to be a convenient high-
way for carts and to drive cattle from time to time.” Starting at proto-Cherry
Street, it ran through Batchelder’s farm to a half-acre “Landing Place” that
was designated as a staging area for people who were working their lots (see
Figures 2.10-2.12 in Chapter 2, Volume 2). The highway then continued to
the northwest and north, running all the way to the Hamilton-Wenham town
line, with nine divisions of lots on either side of it.194
Batchelder was compensated for the land-taking with a grant of three
acres of the Great Swamp that were adjacent to his existing farm.195 The town
records are silent on why it was Batchelder’s farm that was chosen as the
access point. There seems to have already been some sort of public right-of-
way that ran along the boundary between his farm and the William Fiske Sr.
Farm—a 1730 deed mentions a strip of land one rod wide196—perhaps a
right-of-way that people had been using as early as the 1630s. Maybe Batchel-
der decided that the older right-of-way was too close to his house, and the
1705 route of the Great Swamp Highway was deemed a compromise solu-
tion?

Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, mortgage, 2000); 32100:531 (John L. Ording, per-
sonal representative, to Claudio A. and Jennifer W. Castracane, trustees, 2013); and 32100:533
(Claudio A. and Jennifer W. Castracane, trustees to Salem Five Mortgage Company, mortgage,
2013). See Essex County Deeds Plan 31:14 (“Land in Wenham, Mass. Belonging to Emily M.
Currier et al.,” 1917); and Plan 119:58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property of Massa-
chusetts Audubon Society,” 1971). See also Wenham Historical Association & Museum
(1992), 20.
For land that was originally part of Samuel Batchelder’s fifteen acres (north of the Great
Swamp Highway) but became subdivided from the house lot, see Essex County Deeds 2334:
450 (Emily M. Currier, guardian, to City of Salem and City of Beverly, 1916) and 2334:450
(Donald E. Currier et al. to City of Salem and City of Beverly, 1916).
194 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
88-92.
195 Ibid., 92.
196 Essex County Deeds 26:199 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Benjamin Fiske, 1703).
Consider the course of the Great Swamp Highway shown in Figure 2.10: Might there
have been a predecessor path that went straight from the town line southward to proto-Cherry
Street, without the eastward curve to the Landing Place?
 In the Woods 105

Figure 1.41. The William Wellman Farm, by 1656.197

197 Current-day Wenham property maps by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, page 183.
106 History of the Thomas Kilham House

By the time John Jr. died in 1754 he had increased the farm to 50 acres.
At least five of the incremental acres (north of, and contiguous to, the land
that he had inherited) were grants from the town of Wenham;198 however,
there’s no record of how he came about the other ten acres. When John Jr.
died he bequeathed his 50 acres to his three sons—32 acres to his son John
3rd (17131765), a three-acre strip to his son Benjamin (17151761), and a
fifteen-acre house lot to his son Samuel Batchelder (1706 ? ).199

The James Moulton Farm

Figure 1.4, Farm L
James Moulton (1602–1680), the grantee of the last farm on our tour,
was admitted as an inhabitant of Salem in 1637, became a freeman in 1638,
and was granted 80 acres in West Wenham in 1639. He was appointed con-
stable (in Wenham) in 1646; was part of the two-member committee in charge
of securing a new minister in 1656; and was first deacon of the Wenham
Church in 1674.200 Moulton’s 80-acre grant was south of the William Fiske Sr.

198 In 1704 he received two adjoining one-acre lots that abutted the northern boundary of
his existing acreage, and in 1705 he received another lot of three acres that abutted those lots
to their north. Each of the 1704 lots was eight rods north-south and 24 rods east-west, and
were oriented laterally to each other. The 1705 lot was ten rods north-south along its western
boundary, 15 rods north-south along its eastern boundary, and 40 rods broad. See Wenham
Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 36, 91, 92. The
northwest corner of Batchelder’s inherited 35 acres, therefore, was apparently 18 rods (297
feet) south of the northwest corner of Subdivision A in Figure B.14, Appendix B.
199 For genealogy, see Pierce (1898), 358, 370, 371; Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham
(1904), 9, 10; and Rice, ed., Vital Records of Brookfield, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849
(Boston: F. H. Gilson Company, 1909), 462. For boundaries and histories of the subdivisions,
see Appendix B, pages 184-186.
200 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):93.
Grant made December 9, 1639. For biographical information, see Paige (1849), 95; Allen
(1860), 135, 139, 203; Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):53; Eben Hobson
Moulton and Henry A. Moulton, A History of the Moulton Family (Stuart, IA: W. P. Moulton and
Children, 1905), 7-8; Henry W. Moulton, Moulton Annals (Chicago: Edward A. Claypool, 1906),
150; Perley, History of Salem, 1 (1924):198, 440-441; and Wenham Historical Association &
Museum (1992), 122-124.
 In the Woods 107

Figure 1.42. The James Moulton Farm, 1639.201

Other Properties
A. Site of the Rev. John Fiske Farm, 1638
B. Site of the Norton-Rumball Farm; to George Norton, 1636

201 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov. Solid-line
boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line boundaries are conjectural. For details,
see Appendix B, pages 187-188.
108 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.43. Early subdivisions of the James Moulton Farm.202

A. James Moulton Sr. to James and Mary (Moulton) Friend, 1680

B. To James Friend, date unknown
C. James Sr. or James Moulton Jr. to William Fiske Jr., by 1684
D. James Moulton Jr. to John Severett, 1684
E. John and Jonathan Moulton to William Fairfield, 1699
F. John and Jonathan Moulton’s division of their father’s property, 1715
F1. The First Division, John Moulton’s house lot
F2. The Second Division, Jonathan Moulton’s house lot
F3. The Third Division, “John Moulton’s Acre” (orchard)
F4. The Fourth Division, to John Moulton
F5. The Fifth Division, to Jonathan Moulton

202 Ibid.
 In the Woods 109

and William Wellman Farms, west of the Rev. John Fiske Farm,203 north of
the Norton-Rumball Farm,204 and east of the Thomas Spooner Farm. It in-
cluded Moulton Hill, to the west of Cedar Pond.205
Moulton expanded his farm well beyond his original grant. In 1665 he
bought the abutting Norton-Rumball Farm (and in 1674 conveyed it to his
son-in-law James Friend in exchange for a three-acre lot and a cow).206 And

203 Shown as Farm A in Figure 1.42, its location in and to the east of the Straits places it
outside the scope of this tour of the Maple Street-Cherry Street corridor. It was granted by
Salem to Rev. John Fiske in 1638; see Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):67, 68,
91, 95-96. Property here was identified as having been part of the Rev. John Fiske Farm in
Essex County Deeds 13:254 (deposition of Richard Hutton, 1699) and 13:255 (deposition of
Samuel Moulton, 1698). To James Moulton Sr., deed not recorded. Bequeathed by him to his
son Samuel Moulton (bp.1642after 1698); see Essex County Probate 19018 (James Molton
[sic], 1680), Will and Inventory. See Essex County Deeds 13:12 (Samuel Moulton to Samuel
Kimball Sr., 1697), second parcel; 19:9 (Samuel Kimball Sr. to Samuel Kimball Jr., 1702), sec-
ond parcel, the Great Hill Pasture; 23:266 (Samuel Kimball [Sr.] to Richard Kimball, 1708),
second parcel; 23:266 (Samuel Kimball Jr. to Richard Kimball, 1711); and 23:271 (Samuel
Kimball Jr. to Richard Kimball, 1711). This property was inherited by Richard and Ann
(Quarles) Kimball’s son Ebenezer Kimball (b.1709), and subsequently sold by the town to
Nathaniel Bragg, per Essex County Deeds 72:97 (Selectmen of Wenham to Nathaniel Bragg,
1730). See Essex County Deeds 179:5 (Thomas Kimball [Jr.] et al. to Edmund Batchelder,
1806), the Hill Pasture; 178:263 (Edmund Batchelder to Tarbox Moulton, 1806); and 190:72
(Tarbox Moulton to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1810).
204 Shown as Farm B in Figure 1.42, its location near the intersection of Flint Street and
Topsfield Road places it outside the scope of this tour of the Maple Street-Cherry Street cor-
ridor. It was a 40-acre grant made by Salem to George Norton in 1636; see Essex Institute,
Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):20, 26. Norton sold the farm to Daniel Rumball, although Rum-
ball didn’t record his deed. For subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds 2:94 (Daniel
Rumball to James Moulton, 1664[/5]); and 7:152 (James Moulton to James Friend, 1674). See
also Moulton and Moulton (1905), 49.
205 For identification of Moulton Hill, see Allen (1860), 13-14; Essex County Deeds 1708:
326 (George W. Pierce to Francis L. Higginson Jr., 1903), third parcel; and Phillips (1938), 2,
105. Moulton Hill was referred to as the Great Hill in Essex County Deeds 19:9 (Samuel
Kimball Sr. to Samuel Kimball Jr., 1702), and as “the Grate Hill by the Straits” in the 1713
inventory of Richard Kimball’s estate; see Essex County Probate 15726 (Richard Kimball,
1713).
206 Essex County Deeds 2:94 (Daniel Rumball to James Moulton, 1664[/5]; and 7:152 (James
Moulton to James Friend, 1674). James Friend (ca.16331718) built a house on this farm by
1679. The location of the house is shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 29:29 (“Boundary
Survey of Bomer and Wesel Lots, Wenham, Mass.,” 1916); Plan 49:42-B (“Plan of Land in
Wenham, Mass., to be Conveyed from F. L. Higginson to Juliet B. H. Goodwin,” 1927); and
Plan 2606:1 (“Plan of Land in Wenham Mass.,” 1924). For more information about Friend
and his house(s?), including photographs, see Appendix G.
110 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Moulton acquired other properties as well. Indeed, by the time he died he

owned 150½ acres in West Wenham, including not only land along proto-
Cherry Street, but also 29½ acres at Lord’s Farm207 and twelve acres in the
Great Meadow.208

207 William Lord received a grant of twenty acres from Salem in 1636, another grant of 77
acres in 1637, and a third grant of 50 acres also in 1637. We don’t know whether any two or
all three of these grants were contiguous, although it appears that Lord owned a large portion
of Lord’s Hill, as well as land that extended from Lord’s Hill to Wenham Lake. Indeed, James
Moulton said in his will that ten acres of his Lord’s Farm property abutted the lake. Although
Moulton did not record his deed(s) when he acquired part(s) of Lord’s Farm, the location of
Moulton’s ten-acre portion on the lake suggests that Moulton owned part of the 77 acres
granted to Lord in 1637. (Lord sold that 77-acre property to Rev. John Fiske in 1652, the 1652
deed citing the land “near the Great Pond.”) See Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
23, 52, 65; and Essex County Deeds 1:13 (William Lord to [Rev.] John Fiske, 1651[/2]).
208 Essex County Probate 19018 (James Molton [sic], 1680), Will and Inventory; and Essex
Institute, The Probate Records of Essex County, 3 (1920):355-357.
 In the Woods 111

Figure 1.44. The James Moulton Jr. House, photographed from the
southwest. The oldest section of the house might date from ca.1662. The
orientation of the house is quirky: the front wall faces to the west, instead
of to the south or to the road. The house displays 6-over-6 windows on all
three floors, asymmetric placement of windows along the long wall, and a
Greek Revival door surround. An ell extends to the east.209

209 June 29, 2014 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran. The house was painted and its door
surround modified in the spring of 2020. For photographs of the house taken in 1913, see B.
H. Conant Collection, Plates #03166 and #03167, Wenham Museum, Wenham. Plate #03166
previously appeared on Josephs and Heitz (1992), 0:29:37; and in Wenham Historical Associ-
ation & Museum (1992), 123.
112 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Moulton built two houses on his farm. The first house was on Subdivi-
sion F1 in Figure 1.43. He probably built it shortly after he received his land
grant in 1639. He lived out his years there, and he gave it to the younger of
his two sons, Samuel (bp.1642after 1698).210 This first house—the James
Moulton Sr. House—was demolished around the year 1822.211 The second

210 Essex County Probate 19018 (James Molton [sic], 1680), Will and Inventory. Samuel
moved to Rehoboth, Massachusetts by 1698 (see Essex County Deeds 13:255 (deposition of
Samuel Moulton, 1698)), and there is a break in the history of the James Moulton Sr. House
ownership. In 1715 Samuel’s nephews John Moulton (1668–1755) and Jonathan Moulton
(1666–1727) divvied-up the family homestead, and ownership of the James Moulton Sr. House
was assigned to John (apparently because Jonathan was already living in the James Moulton
Jr. House next door); see Essex County Deeds 65:90 (division of property between John and
Jonathan Moulton, 1715), first division.
Ownership of the James Moulton Sr. House passed from John Moulton (1668–1755) to
his son John Jr. (1698–1760), to John Jr.’s son Jonathan (1737–1801), and to Jonathan’s son
Capt. John Moulton (17621824). See Essex County Probate 19021 (John Moulton, 1755),
Inventory; 19022 (John Moulton [Jr.], 1760), Inventory; and 19028 (Jonathan Moulton, 1801),
Inventory (1801) and Widow’s Dower (1802). See also Essex County Deeds 160:238 (Rebekah
Moulton et al. to Jonathan Moulton, 1796); 199:188 (Tarbox Moulton to [Capt.] John Moulton,
1813); and 204:68 (Billy Moulton to Daniel Moulton, 1814). For subsequent ownership, see
229:148 ([Capt.] John Moulton et al. to Samuel Obear, 1814); and 229:149 (Samuel Obear to
Paul Porter, 1822). See Essex County Probate 50713 (Paul Porter, 1861), Inventory, “Moulton
Hill and old House lot so called of about 10 acres of Pasture & tillage land.” See Essex County
Deeds 640:41 (William and Samuel Porter, executors, to Elbridge A. Dodge, 1862); and 1708:
328 (Elbridge A. Dodge to Francis L. Higginson Jr., 1903). See Essex County Probate 302205
(Francis L. Higginson [Jr.]), bequest to Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc. See also Essex
County Deeds Plan 1708:327 (“Plan of Land of F. L. Higginson Jr., Wenham, Mass.,” 1903);
and Plan 119:58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property of Massachusetts Audubon So-
ciety,” 1971).
For Moulton genealogy, see Essex County Probate 19018 (James Molton [sic], 1680), Will
and Inventory; 19019 (James Moulton [Jr.], 1696), Will; and 19021 (John Moulton, 1755),
“Acct. Admr. of Estate of John Moulton Late of Wenham Decd,” (1757). See also Essex
Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 62, 63, 212; Moulton and Moulton (1905), 7-11, 23,
49-51; Moulton (1906), Chapter 9; and Essex Institute, Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, To
the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss), 2 (1918):90.
211 Rupert Lillie was under the impression that Paul Porter demolished the house in 1821.
See Lillie, “James Moulton House,” 1980, Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information Sys-
tem, Inventory No. WNH.119, Massachusetts Historical Commission; see also Wenham His-
torical Association & Museum (1992), 122-124, quoting research written by Lillie in 1976.
(Whatever Lillie’s reference was for the date of the demolition, that reference is not cited in
either the Massachusetts Historical Commission filing, or in the Wenham Historical Associa-
tion & Museum’s book.) Adjusting the timing of the demolition to “around the year 1822”
acknowledges the fact that Porter didn’t actually buy the property (with buildings on it, ac-
cording to the deed) until 1822.
 In the Woods 113

house—the James Moulton Jr. House—is on Subdivision F2 in Figure 1.43

and is still standing at 123 Cherry Street (Figure 1.44). James Sr. built it for
his elder son James Jr. (bp.16371696), and its construction might date from
the time of James Jr.’s marriage in 1662.212
In addition to the two houses that Moulton built for himself and his
family, the farm was ultimately the site of a third First Period house. In 1684
James Moulton Jr. sold eight acres of the farm to John Severett (ca.1644
1742), who had recently moved to Wenham from Marblehead, Massachusetts

Unfortunately, Lillie reversed the identification of the James Moulton Sr. House and the
James Moulton Jr. House, and felt that the existing house (123 Cherry Street) was the older of
the two. His identification seems to have been based more on a study of Moulton family
probate records, and based less on the deeds associated with the two houses.
212 Dendrochronology is warranted to confirm the age of the existing structure. For marriage
of James Moulton Jr. and Elizabeth Addams, see Town of Wenham, MS Vital Records, 1654
1688, MS (1902), 80 (Ancestry.com, Wenham Births Marriages and Deaths, frame 391); Essex
Institute, Vital Records of Wenham (1904), 85, 148; and Essex Institute, Records and Files of the
Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 3 (1913), 118.
See Essex County Probate 19018 (James Molton [sic], 1680), Will, for bequest of the
house from James Sr. to James Jr.; and Essex County Probate 19019 (James Moulton [Jr.],
1696), Will, for bequest of the house from James Jr. to his son Jonathan Moulton (1666–1727).
In 1715 James Jr.’s sons John Moulton (1668–1755) and Jonathan Moulton (1666–1727)—
who had bought from their brother William Moulton ( ? 1763) that portion of James Jr.’s
farm that William had inherited—divvied-up the family homestead between themselves. Own-
ership of the James Moulton Jr. House was reaffirmed to Jonathan (who was already living
there); see Essex County Deeds 65:90 (division of property between John and Jonathan
Moulton, 1715), second division, and see also Essex County Probate 19025 (Jonathan
Moulton, 1728), Inventory, homestead of about twenty acres.
When Jonathan died in 1727, the house came into the possession of his daughter Sarah.
For subsequent ownership, see Essex County Deeds 65:90 (Sarah Moulton 2nd to Samuel
Moulton, 1733), first parcel; 87:82 (Samuel Moulton to Samuel Batcheller [sic], 1745), first
parcel; 88:280 (Samuel Batchelder to Edward Webber, 1747); 122:283 (William Webber, ad-
ministrator, to Thomas Brown, 1773); 133:92 (Thomas Brown to William Webber, 1773); 158:
37 (William Webber to Adam Reddington, 1793); 167:217 (Adam Reddington to [Capt.] John
Moulton, 1801); 197:301 ([Capt.] John Moulton to Samuel Obear, mortgage, 1809); and 220:17
([Capt.] John Moulton to Nathaniel Kimball, 1819). See Essex County Probate 44414 (Na-
thaniel Kimball, 1855), Will and Inventory, for bequest of the John Moulton Farm to Na-
thaniel’s grandson George. See Essex County Deeds 565:41 (George W. and Mary E. Kimball
to William Peabody, 1858); 565:58 (William and Anna D. Peabody to William B. Morgan,
1858); 568:23 (William B. and Martha A. Morgan to Elbridge A. Dodge, 1858); and 2193:532
(Elizabeth N. Dodge et al. to Francis L. Higginson Jr., 1913). See Essex County Probate 302205
(Francis L. Higginson [Jr.]), bequest to Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc. See also Essex
County Deeds Plan 119:58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property of Massachusetts
Audubon Society,” 1971).
114 History of the Thomas Kilham House

and would become the Wenham town gravedigger.213 Severett built a house
on this lot probably soon after buying the property, and certainly by 1689.214
His lot, shown as Subdivision D in Figure 1.43, was on the west side of Flint
Street and abutted Theophilus Rix’s house lot to the north. Severett’s house
was probably in the neighborhood of current-day 114 Topsfield Road.215

THE ORIGIN OF MAPLE STREET

John Fairfield didn’t live on his farm in West Wenham; he lived along
current-day Bay Road and Main Street, on the Hamilton-Wenham town line.
Thomas Trusler didn’t live on his farm in West Wenham; he lived on current-
day Beckford Street in Salem. When the West Wenham farmers wanted to
work their land, how did they actually get to their farms?
We can certainly date the Wenham Street-Maple Street-Cherry Street
corridor as far back as 1646. In that year the cart path that would one day
become Wenham Street in Danvers was referred to as the “way which was
formerly made leading from John Porter’s farm to Wenham.”216 But we can

213 Essex County Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severy [sic], 1684).
For residence in Marblehead, see A. W. Savary, A Genealogical and Biographical Record of the
Savery Families (Boston: The Collins Press, 1893), 179-180. Savary dated John Severett’s move
from Marblehead to 1695, but the 1684 Moulton deed identified Severett as already being of
Wenham. Savary’s 1695 date was based on a contract made that year whereby Severett was
hired by Wenham as the town gravedigger. See Perley, “Wenham” (1888), 1231; and Wenham
Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 114-115.
214 Severett’s house is mentioned in the 1689 record of the road that would become Flint
Street; see Town of Wenham, MS Town Records, Vol. 2, MS, unnumbered pages (Ancestry.com,
Wenham Town Records, frames 8-9), and footnote 224; and Wenham Historical Society, Wen-
ham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 3-5. His house is also mentioned in
Essex County Deeds 13:287 (John and Jonathan Moulton to William Fairfield, 1699). He re-
ceived a timber grant to add a lean-to to his barn in 1700; see Wenham Historical Society,
Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 177.
215 For boundaries and history of the John Severett Farm, see Appendix B, pages 189, 192-
194.
216 Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):145:
Ordered that Roger Haskall & William Dodge doe call vpon the neighbors about
Basse riuer head to mend the twoe bridges wch are decayed being the country way.
& the way wch was formerly made leading from Jo: Porters ffarme to Wenham.
See also Perley, “The Plains” (1919), 99.
 In the Woods 115

infer an even earlier origin, both because of the wording of the 1646 reference
(that bit about the way “which was formerly made”), and because of land use
in the area. As Greater Salem was divvied-up into working farms, a network
of communication arteries developed to connect those farms with their own-
ers’ house lots—and the town records contain early references to this net-
work. In 1635, two directives from the town fathers made their way into Sa-
lem’s Book of Grants:
That Lawrence Leach, Richard Ingersoll & others be sure to leave room for
highways for carts to bring home wood, etc.
That between Lawrence Leach and Richard Ingersoll they do promise to make
a sufficient cart way.217
And in 1636 the town decided
[T]hat whosoever hath or shall cut any trees and leave in the paths about the
town to the disturbance of carts, cattle or passengers not being removed within
fifteen days shall forfeit five shillings for each such offense; [and] informers with
evidence to have half of the fines.218
The 1635 directives to Leach and Ingersoll are particularly interesting.
Here we have a future owner of a farm along the Wenham Street-Maple
Street-Cherry Street corridor (Leach) being reminded by the town to maintain
cart paths through his lot. Indeed, these directives support the hypothesis
that Maple Street was likely already a cart path through the West Wen-
ham land grants at the time the grants were made.
Could the proto-Maple Street cart path have even earlier origins as an
Agawam foot path? Possibly. After all, Agawam artifacts have been found at
Wenham Lake,219 and the routes of two Agawam foot paths going through
Wenham have been identified, skirting the eastern and northwestern shores
of Wenham Lake. It’s not impossible that Maple Street followed an Agawam
path, but if such was the case, any evidence is of course long gone.

The John Porter (15961676) referred to here had a farm on the Danvers (Putnamville)-
Topsfield town line, per Upham, 1 (1867):xxiii. This farm is discussed in footnote 70. He was
the grandfather of the John Porter (1658–1753) who owned the Porter-Crowninshield House
on Maple Street.
217 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 1; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
9. Spelling and punctuation modernized. Leach and Ingersoll owned abutting farms in the
portion of Ryal Side that was in current-day Danvers; see Pierce (1931), 24-25.
218 Town of Salem, Book of Grants, MS, 8; and Essex Institute, Town Records of Salem, 1 (1868):
14.
219 Wenham Historical Association & Museum (1992), 8-9. See also Allen (1860), 24; and
Janes (2011), 10.
116 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Elsewhere in the Neighborhood:

Two Agawam Paths through Wenham

One foot path provided the route for the 1630s road from Salem Town
to Ipswich. Starting in current-day Peabody, it ran around the head of
Waters River; then through Danvers by Sylvan, Ash, Elm and Conant
Streets; through Beverly by Conant and Enon Streets, to Main Street
in Wenham; and then northward along Bay Road in Hamilton to Ips-
wich.

The second foot path started and ended with the first path, but took a
more northwesterly route. Beginning in current-day Danvers Square,
it went northward along Maple Street and Locust Street before turning
to the northeast near the Rea-Putnam-Fowler House on Ellerton Lane.
The path continued to the northeast, crossing Burley Street, running
north of Cherry Hill (through the current site of the Beverly Airport),
then through Beverly by Trask and Cabot Streets to the Wenham town
line. From there it went by Topsfield Road, Cedar and Cherry Streets
to Main Street, where it re-met the first path.220

220 Perley, History of Salem, 1 (1924):309, 312-213.

For the first of the two paths, see also Hines, “Some Thoughts in Connection with the
Old Ipswich Road,” Historical Collections of the Danvers Historical Society, 7 (1919):29; Perley, “The
Plains” (1919), 98; Tapley (1923), 8; and Tom O’Leary, “Ancient Indian Trails and Canoe
Routes of Essex County,” Salemdeeds.com/NAD/maps/indian-trailscanoe-legend.jpg (Sa-
lem, MA: South Registry of Deeds, 2002). O’Leary identified this path as “the Agawam Trail”
and mapped various Agawam and Naumkeag trails throughout Essex County, including a sys-
tem of trails that hugged the length of the shoreline. The Agawam Trail provided a shortcut
that bypassed the longer route along Cape Ann’s shoreline.
For the second of the two paths, see also Perley, “Rial Side” (1920), 32-35 (includes map
showing the portion between Locust and Trask Streets). Perley stated “The ancient highway
running [from Locust Street in Danvers to Main Street in Wenham] can now be traveled most
of its way.” Much of the path, however, was subsequently obliterated by the construction of
the Beverly Airport.
For a description of Agawam and Naumkeag territories, see Perley, The Indian Land Titles
of Essex County, Massachusetts (Salem, MA: Essex Book and Print Club, 1912), frontispiece, 3.
 In the Woods 117

Some of Wenham’s cart paths remained rather ill-marked well into the
mid-eighteenth century.221 Other paths, though, graduated to the status of
“highway,” a status that conferred the requirement of annual maintenance by
the town. (And, thanks to that maintenance, descriptions of specific highways
appear in early town records whereas descriptions of their predecessor cart
paths do not.) The earliest mention of a highway in West Wenham is from
1654, when work was being done on “the highway that is begun in the Great
Meadow” (current-day Topsfield Road north of its intersection with Maple
and Cherry Streets).222 Cherry Street itself gained highway status six years
later, when the existing path was upgraded.223
Maple Street did not gain highway status until 1689, when a group of
property owners in West Wenham agreed it was time to lay out three high-
ways in that part of town. The descriptions of all three highways make clear that each
was sited along a pre-existing route.224 The first of the three was the route to Bev-
erly. This road would become Flint Street and the portion of Bomer Street

221 Allen (1860), 54.

222 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 9.
In 1659, that stretch of the same road known as Wenham Causeway—i.e., the portion of
current-day Topsfield Road that runs through the swamp—was mentioned in Topsfield’s
town records in a description of the town line between Topsfield and Salem (Danvers being
part of Salem at the time). See Dow, “The Early Records of the Town of Topsfield, Massa-
chusetts,” Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society, 2 (1896):5; and Dow, ed., Town
Records of Topsfield, Massachusetts, Volume I, 16591739 (Topsfield, MA: Topsfield Historical So-
ciety, 1917), 5.
223 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, 1642–1706 (1930), 16:
22 of 1 mo: 1659/60 Its orderd yt there shall be a high waye from the Country high
waye to Thomas Fisks house: & so from thenc to the waye leading to the Greate
Meddow from Mr Newmans: according as it is & hath bin made use of.
The “Country high waye” was current-day Main Street.
224 Town of Wenham, MS Town Records, Vol. 2, MS, unnumbered pages (Ancestry.com, Wen-
ham Town Records, frames 8-9), Robert O. Corcoran transcription. Bracketed text other than
“page break” and “sic” is from Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to
Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 3-5:
We whose names are hereunto subscribed being met together this 14th day of [June] Anno
Domi 1689 with relation to setting & staking of Convejnant wayes through our several pro-
prieties lyeing at the westerly End [of] The town of Wenham Beginning at Sam ll Moultons
land Adjoyning to his house we having agreed & made a vote that the said [ways] shall be
Appointed & Regulated by ye majr part of us the subscribers; viz to the greate medows by the
Causwaye & to Beverly by the land of Epherim Kemball & also so far as ye lyne shall [go
to]wards Salem Viliag where it may be [made without legal] Dammag [to the] proprietors &
we having mutually agreed to meet together the 21st of this Instant in order to the Compleat-
ing of [the same as] written we do Conclude that it shall be affirmed & finished by a majr part
of the Subscribers that shall then appear [as within]
118 History of the Thomas Kilham House

between Flint Street and the Beverly town line (Figure 1.14). The second of
the three highways was the route to the Great Meadow—i.e., the western part
of Cherry Street and the northern stretch of Topsfield Road. This route was
the very same one that was laid out as a highway in 1654, and its inclusion in
the 1689 program is a bit curious. (Is it possible that the town had been ne-
glecting that road’s maintenance, and the West Wenham property owners

John Batcheler Samll: ffiske Senr James ffriend

his
Samll O Moulton wm ffairefield Tho: ffiske Junr
mark
John Severet Epherim Kemball Tho: Kemball
Caleb Kemball Joseph Batcheler Tho: Killim
John Leech
In pursuance of an agreement Bearing Date June 14th 1689 with Relation to setting of Con-
veynant high wayes at the westerly [end of] the town of Wenham Through the severall propri-
eties we have agreed this 21st of June Instant as ffolloweth that it shall be [a] Conveynant high
waye for Carting etc. viz beginning at Beverly lyne by the land of Ephraim Kemball & so to
goe allong to [goodman] Severets house as the waye nowe goeth Except the proprietors shall
make the said waye to be better & more Conveinant by removing the same & then from s d
Severets house upon a lyne [between] a Black oake tree & a greate white oake stump marked
& Standing nere the lyne betwine the land of Samll ffiske Tailr & land of the heirs of Mr Antipas
Newman [late of said Wenham] deceased & from thenc to goe downe the hill to [the great
road] going down into the towne as the way now goeth till [it comes to] the land of Sam ll:
Moulton Adjoining to his house.
[And for] the waye to goe to the Causwaye to goe from [the Black] oak tree [and] white
oak Stump to a heap
[page break]
[of stones] in the lane by the Taylr: ffisks house about Six Rods to the Corner of william
ffairefields fence
from thence to goe on a lyne to a stake standing in the [fence] betwine william ffairefeilds land
& the land now in the possession of Tailr ffiske & from thence turning westerly to go on a
lyne to the Corner bound Betwine the land of william ffiske Senr & Tho: ffiske Junr & So to
goe to the Causwaye as the waye now goeth & hath formerly gon
And for the waye to Salem Villiage from the Taylr ffiskes house it Shall begin at a heap
of stones in the lane afforesaid & so to Run allong as the lane nowe goeth taking awaye [so]
much of the Taylr ffiskes field as maye make the waye Conveinant & so to goe allong by w m
ffairefields [fence] as now it standeth till it Comith to a greate white [oak] being the Corner
bound of sd wm ffairefields land [and] from the said white oake to goe as the waye now goeth
[until] it Cometh to goodman Leechs lyne & in Case any person [who] is a proprietor Shall
make any allteration of any of the sd wayes it Shall be removed where it may be more con-
veinant wch Shall be Regulated by the Judgment of the majr part of the proprietors. As witness
our hands hereunto subscribed this 21st of Jun : 1689 Charles Gott
William ffairefield James Moulton Senr [sic]
John Severet Wm ffiske
John Leech John Newman
Tho: ffiske Junr
Tho: Kemball
Tho: Killim
 In the Woods 119

were making the point that the route to the Great Meadow shouldn’t be al-
lowed to lose its highway status?) Finally, the third highway was the route to
Danvers—the western part of Cherry Street and all of Maple Street.225 Once
the routes of the West Wenham highways had been determined, the men
who owned the land over which the highways passed made an agreement
with each other not to alter a given route without the approval of the majority
of the group.226 A number of these men—including John Leach Jr., Charles
Gott Jr., William Fairfield, and Thomas Kilham himself—are names we rec-
ognize from our earlier discussion of West Wenham farms.

225 The designation of highways in West Wenham came on the heels of a similar action taken
by the town of Beverly in 1685. In that year “measures were adopted for laying out the road
from the second parish meeting-house [in North Beverly] to Topsfield;” see Stone (1843), 317.
Further to the north, Wenham Road in Topsfield was laid out as a highway between 1706 and
1709; see Dow, ed., Town Records of Topsfield (1917), 145, 167-170, and Dow, History of Topsfield,
Massachusetts (Topsfield, MA: The Perkins Press, 1940), 117.
226 The thirteen property owners who set out to solve the routes in question (in the order in
which their names appear in the town record) were John Batchelder Jr., Samuel Fiske (the
tailor), James Friend, Samuel Moulton, William Fairfield, Thomas Fiske Jr., John Severett,
Ephraim Kimball, Thomas Kimball, Caleb Kimball, Joseph Batchelder, Thomas Kilham, and
John Leach Jr. The ten property owners who made the final agreement (a week later) were
Charles Gott Jr., William Fairfield, James Moulton Jr., John Severett, William Fiske Jr., John
Leach Jr., John Newman, Thomas Fiske Jr., Thomas Kimball, and Thomas Kilham.
These records were transcribed at Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Sup-
plement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 3-5, but the copyist had difficulty reading the town clerk’s
handwriting and erroneously rendered “John Severet” (Severett) as “John Seward” and “Tho:
Killim” (Kilham) as “Thomas Billings.”
120 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Elsewhere in the Neighborhood:

A Visitor’s Description of Wenham, 1686

Wenham “is an inland town, very well watered, lying between Salem
and Ipswich, and consisteth most[ly] of men of judgment and experi-
ence in country affairs; well stored with cattle. … In this town of Wen-
ham lives one [Rev. Joseph Gerrish, owner and resident of the Claflin-
Richards House] whose father is now a captain in Boston, in so deli-
cious a paradise, that of all the places in the country, I should have
chosen this for the most happy retirement. His house is neat and hand-
some, fitted with all conveniences proper for the country, and does so
abound with everything of his own, that he has no occasion to trouble
his neighbors. The lofty spreading pines on each side of his house are
a sufficient shelter from the winds. And the warm sun so kindly ripens
both his fruits and flowers, as if the Spring, the Summer and the Au-
tumn had agreed together to thrust Winter out of doors. He enter-
tained us with such pleasant fruits, as I must own Old England is a
stranger to, and amongst all its great varieties knows nothing so deli-
cious.”
John Dunton
Visiting from England in 1686227

227 William H. Whitmore, ed., Letters Written from New-England, A. D. 1686, by John Dunton
(Boston: The Prince Society, 1867), 271-272. Transcription edited by Robert O. Corcoran.
Allen (1860), 22 includes a version of the Dutton quote, but it is a version that is so
heavily edited that it borders on paraphrasing.
 In the Woods 121

50 YEARS IN THE WOODS, AND THREE PHASES OF HOUS-

ING CONSTRUCTION
Fifty years elapsed from the time the West Wenham land grants were
made, and the future Maple Street was designated a town-maintained high-
way. A lot of change happened during those fifty years.
… Transportation between Danvers and Wenham became easier and more
frequent, as did transportation between Topsfield and Beverly.
… Cart paths gave way to town-maintained roads.
… Timber lots gave way to house lots. In fact, by 1689 there were twelve or
thirteen houses in the mile and a half stretch of Maple and Cherry Streets that
we’ve toured (Figure 1.45).
These twelve or thirteen houses—and the others that would be
built by the beginning of the eighteenth century—were built in three
waves of construction that coincided with different phases of popula-
tion growth in this part of Essex County. The James Moulton Sr. House
belonged to the first wave of construction, houses built by immigrants on land
for which there were no previous English owners. Twenty years later, how-
ever, the pace of construction had picked up: Samuel Porter, Charles Gott
Jr., Rev. Antipas Newman and perhaps James Moulton Jr. had built houses
between 1658 and 1672. This next wave of construction was characterized
by second-generation colonists who were the second or third owners of the
land.228 By the time the Kilhams built their house, the third wave of
construction was underway. Third-generation colonists—the grand-
children and children of immigrants, the first cohort of colonists that
had no first-hand memory of England—were building houses on land
that had already changed hands at least two times. And, as we’ll see in
the next chapter, houses built during this third wave of construction had a
somewhat different look to them than houses built earlier in the seventeenth
century.

228 Rev. Newman might seem an exception, since he was himself a first-generation colonist.
But the house he built on Cherry Street was an income property for him, not his residence,
and thereby provides its own example of a second wave of housing construction.
122 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure 1.45. The First Period houses of Maple and Cherry Streets,
west of the Straits.229

229 Current-day Wenham property map by CAI AxisGIS via Wenhamma.gov.

 In the Woods 123

House Construction Demolition

 FIRST WAVE OF HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

1 James Moulton Sr. House ca.1640 ca.1822

East of 123 Cherry Street

 SECOND WAVE OF HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

2 Samuel Porter House 1658 Standing (?)

(Porter-Crowninshield House)
9 Maple Street
3 Charles Gott Jr. House ca.1666? 1969
(Kent-Schlehuber House)
On the site of 47 Maple Street
4 Newman-Fiske-Dodge House By 1672 Standing (?)
162 Cherry Street
5 John Leach Jr. House By 1675 By 1794
Near the site of 88 Maple Street
6 James Moulton Jr. House By 1678 Standing (?)
123 Cherry Street (As early as
1662?)

Continued …
124 History of the Thomas Kilham House

House Construction Demolition

 THIRD WAVE OF HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

7 John Severett House ca.1685? After 1856;

Higgenson Playground, Topsfield Road by 1872
8 Greene-Rich House By 1687? Unknown
Conjectural siting, the house perhaps (As early as
having been rather further west than 1682?)
shown here
9 Thomas Kilham House ca.1686 Standing
26 Maple Street
10 William Fairfield House ca.1687 After 1872;
On the site of 4 William Fairfield Drive by 1878
11 Thomas Fiske Jr. House ca.1687? Unknown
Near the site of 1 or 2 Daniels Road
12 Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) House By 1689 1973
On the site of 7 Maple Street
13 John Batchelder Jr. House 1698 By 1870s
On the site of 130 Cherry Street (As early as
1688?)
14 Fiske-Ober House ca.1699 1889
On the site of 140 Cherry Street
15 Joseph Hacker House 1700 1842
South of Maple Street, west of Burley
Street
16 Theophilus Fiske House Perhaps ca.1700 Unknown
Near the site of 20 Morgan Street
17 Theophilus Rix House By 1704 After 1884;
Near the site of 155 Cherry Street by 1910
18 Fiske-Gott House By 1710 1797 or 1798
Near Meridian Road
 In the Woods 125

  
“The Woods” as a place name appeared in documents during the last
third of the seventeenth century, but doesn’t seem to appear in documents
after that period. Small wonder. By the time the third wave of house-building
left its mark, the forest was being thinned out. After 50 years, the Woods was
disappearing.

Figure 1.46. Stone wall along Flint Street. What’s left of Flint Street has
reverted to the state from which it originated: A path in the woods.230

230 May 11, 2014 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran. The stretch of the former Flint Street
appearing here is adjacent to the soccer field at the Higgenson Bicentennial Playground, Tops-
field Road.
126 History of the Thomas Kilham House
 APPENDICES

A: Late-Recorded & Unrecorded Deeds

B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms
C: Early Deeds
128 History of the Thomas Kilham House
 APPENDIX A:
LATE-RECORDED & UNRECORDED DEEDS

In some cases it may have been simple procrastination. In others it may have been
avoidance of a filing fee. In yet other cases it may have been a desire for privacy. But
… whatever the reason … quite a few seventeenth- and eighteenth-century deeds
waited decades before being recorded, or indeed never got recorded at all. Three
Wenham examples illustrate the phenomenon of late recording.
 Essex County Deeds 13:184 (Edward Kemp to Antipas Newman, 1658)
was recorded in 1699, 41 years after the transaction
 Essex County Deeds 41:184 ([Rev.] Joseph Gerrish to Thomas Fiske Jr.,
1693) was recorded in 1723, 30 years after the transaction
 Essex County Deeds 44:226 (James Moulton to James Friend, 1688) was
recorded in 1721, 33 years after the transaction
If someone could wait three or four decades to file a deed, then someone could ignore the task his
whole lifetime—and documentation of title-transfer became lost to historians. The Wil-
liam and Prudence Dodge Deed of 1712, though, is a rare example where (1) the
deed was never filed but (2) the document has been discovered centuries after the
transaction.

THE WILLIAM & PRUDENCE DODGE DEED OF 1712 AND THE TABITHA WOODS
DEED OF 1718
This is a two-sided document that contains two deeds and one draft of a deed.
The front side of the document is a deed from Lieut. William Dodge (1678–1765)
and his wife Prudence (Fairfield) Dodge (1680–1737) of Wenham to widow Tabitha
(Fairfield) Woods (16691722) of Marblehead, dated November 19, 1712 and con-
veying ten acres of land in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. The deed was wit-
nessed by John Palmer Jr. and Stephen Patch, and by Marblehead justice of the peace
130 History of the Thomas Kilham House

John Legg. Prudence Dodge and Tabitha Woods were sisters, the daughters of Wal-
ter and Sarah (Skipper) Fairfield.1 Their brother William Fairfield owned the Thomas
Kilham House from 1701 to 1725.
The back side of the document contains a draft of a deed (at the top of the page)
and an actual deed (at the bottom of the page). The draft deed—from Tabitha Woods
to John (Story?)—is dated September 4, 1716, and pertains to the same parcel of land
as described by the deed on the front side of the document. Evidently, the transaction
was called off at the last minute:
 Tabitha’s name is crossed out in all places but one;
 her signature is crossed out;
 the wax seal that had been applied next to her signature was removed;
 the grantee’s name is crossed out (or blotted out) in all places;
 there are no signatures of witnesses or a justice of the peace; and
 there are blank spaces where the justice of the peace was to fill in the date
when he signed the deed.
Although the grantee’s first name, John, is discernible, his surname is very difficult
to decipher. “Story” is a best guess.
The deed on the back side of the document is from Tabitha Woods of Marble-
head to widow Lydia Dodge of Beverly. It is dated December 27, 1718, and conveys
the same parcel of land as described by the 1712 deed and the 1716 draft deed. It is
witnessed by Archibald Ferguson and Nathaniel Waldren (or Waldron), and by Mar-
blehead justice of the peace Nathaniel Norden. Property buyer Lydia Dodge was
probably Lydia (Nowell) Dodge whose husband Ebenezer died in Beverly on March
19, 1717/8.2
All three documents—the draft deed and the two actual deeds—appear to be
written in the same hand. A comparison of the handwriting with that on three con-
temporary instruments of defeasance originating in Marblehead suggest that the draft
deed, two actual deeds and three instruments of defeasance were all written by Arch-
ibald Ferguson (ca.1649 ? ).3

1 Connie Fairfield Ganz, The Fairfields of Wenham (Newberg, OR: Allegra Print & Imaging,
2013), 68, 121, 125. See also Essex County Probate 30633 (Tabitha Woods, 1722); Joseph
Thompson Dodge, Genealogy of the Dodge Family of Essex County, Mass. (Madison, WS: Democrat
Printing Company, 1894), 41; and the Lieut. William Dodge section of Appendix G of this
text.
2 Dodge, “The Dodge Family of Essex County, Mass.,” New England Historical and Genea-
logical Register, 46 (1892):388; Dodge (1894), 35-37; and Topsfield Historical Society, Vital Rec-
ords of Beverly, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss), 2
(1907):89, 419.
3 Instrument of Defeasance, Joshua Orne to Rebecca Norman, 1716. Accessed on De-
cember 1, 2015 from FamilySearch.org (Massachusetts Land Records, 16201986), Essex,
Deeds (unregistered) 17001820, image 573).
 Appendix A: Late-Recorded & Unrecorded Deeds 131

Neither the 1712 deed nor the 1716 deed was recorded with the Essex County
Registry of Deeds. Neither bears any inscription by the recorder of deeds, and neither
appears in the Registry’s grantor or grantee indices of deeds.
This was not an isolated case of people writing multiple deeds on the same piece
of paper:
 A careful reading of Essex County Deeds 18:38 (John and Jonathan
Moulton to William Fiske [Jr.], 1702)—specifically, its reference to “the
withinmentioned percell [sic] of upland & swampy land”—indicates that the
original deed for this transaction was written on the same piece of paper as
the deed that was recorded at Essex County Deeds 18:37 (William Fairfield
to John and Jonathan Moulton, 1701)
 Essex County Deeds 229:148 (John Moulton et al. to Samuel Obear, 1814)
and 229:149 (Samuel Obear to Paul Porter, 1822) appear to provide another
example
Writing multiple deeds for the same property on the same piece of paper provided a
practical and economical reason not to bother with filing: Title to a property was
pretty clear when documentation of multiple transfers was in one place.

Approximate Size: 15”  12”

Provenance:
Purchased in 2004 by Martha Jane Corcoran from an ephemera dealer at the
Brimfield (Massachusetts) Antiques Show, and given by her as a Christmas present
to Robert O. Corcoran and Frederick S. Woodland Jr. Martha Jane’s discovery of the
document was the height of serendipity. It was buried in a box of ephemera in the
dealer’s booth, hardly in plain sight. When she came across it, she knew the document
was a great present for two collectors of Essex County antiques—but she had no
idea of its indirect connection to William Fairfield and the Thomas Kilham House.

Instrument of Defeasance, John Legg Esq. to Elias Staddon Sr., 1716. Accessed from
FamilySearch.org (Massachusetts Land Records, 16201986), Essex, Deeds (unregistered)
17001820, image 653).
Instrument of Defeasance, George Chin to Elizabeth Carter, 1718. Accessed from Fam-
ilySearch.org (Massachusetts Land Records, 16201986), Essex, Deeds (unregistered) 1700
1820, image 779).
132 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure A.1. Front of the document.4

4 March 2, 2014 photographs and transcription by Robert O. Corcoran.

 Appendix A: Late-Recorded & Unrecorded Deeds 133

Figure A.2. Front of the document, detail of signatures.

134 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Transcription, Front of the Document:

To all Christian people, To Whom these presents shall Come, I William Dodge
of Wenham in the County of Essex in her majesties province of the Massachu-
setts Bay in New England Husbandman send Greeting; Know ye that I the said
William Dodge for & in Consideration of a Certain valuable sum of money
allready received & paid & for diverse other good Causes & Considerations me
thereunto moving; Have Given, Granted bargained, sold, aliened, Conveyed &
Confirmed unto Tabitha Woods of marblehead in the County of Essex aforesaid
Widow Woman, and by these presents doo freely, fully & absolutely Give Grant
bargaine, sell, aliene, Convey & Confirme unto her the said Tabitha Woods her
heirs & assigns for ever a Certain messuage or tract of Land situate, Lying &
being Within the bounds or township of Manchester Within the County of Es-
sex aforesaid, Containing about ten acres & is part of a twinty [sic] acre division
that was Laid out unto Samuell Allen Senr of Manchester aforesaid in the said
town, being butted & bounded Easterly upon Benoni Allens Land, Northerly to
a smal [sic] white pine Joyning upon the said Benoni Allens Land, southerly to a
White Oak Joyning upon John Loos, Westerly to a poplar Joyning upon said
John Loos Land, the same be it more or Less. To Have & To Hold the said
bargained & granted premises, with all the appurtenances, priviledges & Com-
modities to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining To Her the said
Tabitha Woods her heirs & assignes for Ever To Her & their only proper use,
benefit & behoofe; as a good & absolute Estate of Inheritance in fee simple for
Ever: And I the said William Dodge for me my heirs, executors & administrators
do Covenant, promise & Grant to & with the said Tabitha Woods her heirs &
assignes that before the ensealing hereof, I am the true, sole & Lawfull owner
of the abov’d bargained premises, & am Lawfully seized & possessed of the
same in my own proper right; and have in myself good rightfull power & Lawful
authority to Grant Bargaine, sell, Convey & Confirm said bargained premises in
manner as abovesaid; And that the said Tabitha Woods her heirs & assignes
shall & may from time to time & at all times for ever hereafter by […] & […] of
these presents Lawfully, peaceably & quietly Have & Hold, use, occupy, possess
& Enjoy the said bargained & demised premises, with all the appurtenances, free
& Clear, & freely & Clearly acquitted, exonerated […] discharged of, & from all
manner of former & other Gifts, Grants, Bargains, Sales, mortgages, Wills, En-
tails, Dowers, […], Judgements, […], […] & […]; Furthermore I the said Wil-
liam Dodge for my selfe my heirs, Executors & administrators doe Covenant &
Ingage the above demised premises to Her the said Tabitha Woods her heirs &
assignes, against the Lawfull Claims or demands of any person or persons What-
soever for Ever hereafter, to Warrant, […] and defend: In Witness Whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and seal this Nineteen day of November In the
Eleventh year of her Majesties Reign & In the year of our Lord on [sic] thousand
seven hundred & twelfe.
Signed, Sealed & delivered William Dodge [seal]
 Appendix A: Late-Recorded & Unrecorded Deeds 135

In presence of us Prudence Dodge

Jon: Palmer [junior?] Essex SS. The abovenamed William Dodge personally
Stephen Patch Appeared before me the subscriber one of her
majesties Justices of the peace & so voluntarily
acknowledged the abovewritten Instrument to be
his act & deed. dated at Marblehead the 19th day
of November. 1712.
John Legg […]
136 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure A.3. Back of the document.

 Appendix A: Late-Recorded & Unrecorded Deeds 137

Figure A.4. Back of the document, detail of signature.

138 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Transcription, Back of the Document:

Know all men by these presents that I the within named Tabitha Woods, for
diverse good Causes & reasonable Considerations me hereunto moving, Have
bargained, sold, aliened, assigned & set over, and by these presents do fully,
clearly & absolutely bargain, sell, aliene, assign & set over unto John [Story?] of
marblehead in the County of Essex within his majesties province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay in New England mercht [merchant], his heirs, Executors adminis-
trators & assigns as well the within written deed of sale, as also the said messuage
or tract of Land Containing ten acres be it more or Less therein mentioned &
Contained to the only proper use & behoof of the said John [Story?] his heirs
executors administrators or assigns, & without any […] or other thing therefore
to be yielded, paid or […] the said Tabitha Woods my heirs executors, adminis-
trators or assigns, or to any of us. And I the said Tabitha Woods for my self my
heirs Exectutors & administrators do Covenant promise & Grant to & with the
said John [Story?] his heirs executors administrators & assigns, that he the said
John [Story?] his heirs executors administrators & assigns & every of them shall
& may at all times hereafter & from time to time peaceably & quietly have, hold,
use occupy, possess & enjoy all & singular the said messuage or tract of Lands
whatsoever Contained in the said deed of sale without any manner of suit, trou-
ble, gainsaying […] or procurement of me the said Tabitha Woods my heirs,
executors administrators or assigns or any other person or persons whatsoever.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fourth day of sep-
tember. In the third year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord George of Great
Britain Frans & Ireland King anno domini 1716
Signed, Sealed & delivered
In the presence of us Tabitha Woods [seal removed]
Essex SS. The abovenamed Tabitha Woods personally ap-
peared before me the subscriber one of his majes-
ties justices of the peace for the County of Essex
& she voluntarily acknowledged the above written
assignment to be her act & deed at marblehead the
[blank] day of [blank] 1716

Know all men by these presents that I the within named Tabitha Woods of
Marblehead in the County of Essex in the province of the Massachusetts Bay in
New England Widow Woman for diverse good Causes & Considerations me
hereunto moving but more especially for the sum of twenty pounds to me in
hand paid before the Ensealing & delivery hereof by Lydia Dodge of Beverly in
the County & province aforesaid Widow Woman whereof by these presents I
acknowledge […] said Lydia Dodge her heirs Executors & administrators for
ever […] Have bargained, sold, aliened, assigned, set over & Confirmed & by
these presents do fully, clearly & absolutely bargain, sell, aliene, assign, set over
& Confirm unto the said Lydia Dodge her heirs, Executors administrators &
 Appendix A: Late-Recorded & Unrecorded Deeds 139

assigns as well the within written deed of sale bearing date the Nineteen day of
November In the Eleventh year of her […] majesties Reign & In the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred & twelfe, as also the said messuage or tract
of Land Containing ten acres of Land be it more or less therein mentioned &
Contained. To Her only proper use & behoofe of the said Lydia Dodge her
heirs, Executors, administrators or assigns & without any […] or other thing
therefore to be […] or done unto me the said Tabitha Woods, my heirs, Exec-
utors, administrators or assigns, or to any of us. And I the said Tabitha Woods
for my self, my heirs, Executors & administrators do Covenant, promise &
Grant to […] Lydia Dodge her heirs, Executors administrators & assigns, that
she the said Lydia Dodge her heirs, Executors, administrators & assigns & […]
of them shall & may at all times hereafter & from time to time peaceably &
quietly have, hold, use, occupie, posses & Enjoy all & singular the said messuage
or tract of Lands whatsoever Contained in the said deed of sale, without any
manner of suit, trouble, gainsaying, […] Consent or […] of me the said Tabitha
Woods my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person or
persons whatsoever. In Witness Whereof I the said Tabitha Woods have here-
unto set my hand & seal this twenty seventh day of december In the fifth year
of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord George of Great Britain & France & Ireland
King anno domini one thousand […] Eighteen
Signed, Sealed & delivered

To Tabitha Woods
of Land from Wm: dodge
Deed of Sale for 10 acr
In the presence of us
A[…]d: Ferguson Tabitha Woods [seal]
Nathaneall Waldren Essex SS. The abovenamed Tabi-
tha Woods personaly
appeared before me
the subscriber one of
his Maistis justices of
1712

the peace for said

county & acknolog.
the above instrument
to be her act & deed at
Marblead: Decbr: 27:
1718
Nathll Norden
140 History of the Thomas Kilham House
 APPENDIX B:
BOUNDARIES & SUBDIVISIONS OF EARLY FARMS

The William Fiske Jr. Farm

The Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm
Leach’s Swamp
The Thomas Trusler Farm
The William Osbourne Farm
The Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm
The John Fairfield Farm
The William Fiske Sr. Farm
The William Wellman Farm
The James Moulton Farm
142 History of the Thomas Kilham House

THE WILLIAM FISKE JR. FARM

Figure B.1. The William Fiske Jr. Farm, by 1686.

Boundaries
1. The boundary along proto-Topsfield Road is consistent with Essex County
Deeds 41:169 (Thomas Fiske [Jr.] to Thomas Tarbox, 1712) and subse-
quent history of the Tarbox lot. In addition, the frontage on proto-
Topsfield Road is described in Essex County Probate 11332 (John Gott
[Jr.], 1761), Widow’s Thirds (1765).
2. The northeast corner of the lot, where a stone wall intersects Topsfield
Road to the southwest of 169 Topsfield Road, appears to be the corner
between William Fiske Jr.’s land and Thomas Fiske Jr.’s land mentioned in
a 1689 description of proto-Topsfield Road.1

1 Town of Wenham, Town Records of Wenham, Vol. 2, 1679 to 1731, MS, unnumbered pages
(Ancestry.com, Wenham Town Records, frames 8-9), transcribed at footnote 224 in Chapter
1; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (Sa-
lem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1940), 3-5.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 143

3. The eastern boundary corresponds to the stone wall currently on-site, and
also corresponds to the length of the 53½-rod boundary between Gott’s
widow’s third and the abutting Benjamin Fairfield property (per Essex
County Probate 11332).
4. Conjectural boundary point that is consistent with Essex County Deeds
70:75 (William Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1725), a deed that describes the
Thomas Kilham House lot of just two acres abutting John Gott Jr.’s land to
the north
Subdivisions
A. William Fiske 3rd to Lieut. John Gott, 1710, location of 12-acre lot anchored
on proto-Topsfield Road
B. The “missing lot” of about 29 acres, presumably sold by William Fiske Jr.
to Lieut. John Gott between 1702 and 1710
It is tempting to propose that much of the boundary between Lot A and Lot B
corresponded to the west and southwest boundaries of Elizabeth (Kimball)
Gott’s widow’s third (Figure B.2), but there’s insufficient evidence to conclude
so.
144 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure B.2. Elizabeth (Kimball) Gott’s widow’s third, 1765.

Boundaries
The description of the widow’s third includes the lengths of each run of bound-
ary. The lot is grounded on the document’s description of 55½-rod frontage on
proto-Topsfield Road. See Essex County Probate 11332 (John Gott [Jr.], 1761),
Widow’s Thirds (1765).
Other
1. Location of the “Square Field” mentioned in the description of the
widow’s third
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 145

THE SAMUEL FISKE (THE TAILOR) FARM

Figure B.3. Constituent lots of the Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm

A1. The Theophilus Rix Farm: Occupied by Samuel Fiske by 1684; bought by
Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix in 1692; to Theophilus Rix between 1692
and 1704
A2. The Butman Lot: Occupied by Samuel Fiske by 1684; bought by Samuel
Fiske and Theophilus Rix in 1692
B. The Eaton Road Lot: Possibly occupied by Samuel Fiske by 1684 but
owned by the Fairfield family in 1692; conveyed to Daniel Fiske by William
Fairfield in 1737
C. The House Lot, to Samuel Fiske in 1688 or 1689
D. The Southwest Lot, to Samuel Fiske perhaps in 1688 or 1689

The Theophilus Rix Farm

Boundaries
For boundaries, see the Theophilus Rix Farm in the discussion of the William
Fiske Sr. Farm later in this appendix.
146 History of the Thomas Kilham House

History
This lot was occupied by Samuel Fiske by 1684, per Essex County Deeds 33:42
(James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severy [sic], 1684). Essex County Deeds 33:42 contains
the earliest surviving reference to the Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm.
In 1689 “land of … Taylor [sic] Fisk” was identified at the intersection of the
roads that would become Cherry Street and Flint Street.2 In context, the reference to
this land makes it sound like Tailor Fiske was the property owner, and not (in fact) a
tenant.
This lot was bought by Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix in 1692, per Essex
County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott and John Newman, administrators, to
Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692). Samuel gave or sold the lot to Theophilus
sometime after 1692 and before 1704. Rix didn’t record his deed; for Rix’s ownership
by 1704, see Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I,
1687–1706 (1940), 102. For earlier history of the lot, see the discussion of the The-
ophilus Rix Farm in the William Fiske Sr. Farm section in this appendix; for subse-
quent history of the lot, see footnotes 176 through 180 of Chapter 1.

The Butman Lot

This lot was occupied by Samuel Fiske by 1684, per Essex County Deeds 33:42
(James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severy [sic], 1684). It was bought by Samuel Fiske and
Theophilus Rix in 1692, per Essex County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott and
John Newman, administrators, to Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692). For its
boundaries and history, see the Butman Lot in the discussion of the William Fiske
Sr. Farm later in this appendix.

The Eaton Road Lot

This lot may have been occupied by Samuel Fiske by 1684, per Essex County
Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severy [sic], 1684). It was certainly occupied
by him by 1692, when at the time it was owned by the Fairfield family, per the men-
tion of Fiske in Essex County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott and John Newman,
administrators, to Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692). For its boundaries and
history, see the Eaton Road Portion in the discussion of the John Fairfield Farm later
in this appendix.
See also Essex County Deeds 89:247 (Jonathan Dodge to Jeremiah Dodge,
1747); and 107:26 (Jeremiah Dodge to Samuel Tarbox, 1759). See Essex County Pro-
bate 27210 (Samuel Tarbox, 1784), Will and Inventory; the lot was owned by Tar-
box’s heirs as late as 1789, Tarbox being identified as an abutter in this location in
Essex County Deeds 148:223 (George Crowninshield to Thomas Clark, 1788) and
148:224 (Thomas Clark to John Baker Jr., 1789). The lot was subsequently owned by

2 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
3-4, 5.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 147

Samuel Obear by 1800, Obear being identified as an abutter in this location in 166:
230 (John Baker to Benjamin Potter, 1800). For subsequent ownership, see Essex
County Deeds 186:205 (Samuel Obear to Nathan Preston, 1809). See Essex County
Probate 19956 (Samuel Obear, 1833), Inventory, which makes reference to “a lot of
landing containing about twelve acres in Wenham called Jeremies” (the origin of the
name Jeremy’s unknown, but perhaps it had to do with Jeremiah Dodge). See Essex
County Deeds 280:276 (Samuel Obear of Lynn to Abigail Obear of Wenham, 1835),
one undivided half of “Jeremy’s (so called).” See Essex County Probate 48517 (Abi-
gail Obear, 1856), Inventory. See Essex County Deeds 721:286 (Samuel Ober to
Amos Alden White, 1867); 754:25 (Amos A. White to Henry A. White, 1868); 1127:
17 (Amos Alden White to Henry A. White, 1880); 1604:284 (Jennie W. Sears and
Sarah P. White to Harriet G. Batchelder, 1900); 1604:285 (Harriet G. Batchelder to
Jennie W. Sears, mortgage, 1900); 2623:345 (Alden W. Batchelder to Luther W.
Batchelder, 1924), fourth parcel; 2849:500 (Alden W. Batchelder to Roscoe B. Bat-
chelder, 1930), third parcel; and 3478:274 (Roscoe B. Batchelder to Katherine C.
Mulry, 1946). See Essex County Deeds Plan 1946:614 (“Plan of Land of Roscoe
Batchelder, Wenham, Mass.,” 1946); and Plan 79:10 (“Plan of Land Owned by Kath-
erine C. Mulry, Subdivider, Wenham, Mass.,” 1949).

The House Lot

Samuel Fiske deeded to his sons Daniel and Benjamin ( ? 1719) “all my
houseings and Orchards & Lands Scituate Lying and being in Wenham” in 1716
(employing a deed in lieu of bequeathing the properties to them in a will), although
the deed didn’t describe those properties in any detail. See Essex County Deeds 36:
167 (Samuel Fiske to Daniel and Benjamin Fiske, 1716). (Samuel also owned land in
Boxford, and at the same time he deeded his Wenham property to sons Daniel and
Benjamin, he also deeded his Boxford property to his sons Samuel Jr. and John. See
Essex County Deeds 39:172 (Samuel Fiske to Samuel Fiske [Jr.] and John Fiske,
1716).)
But Benjamin died in 1719 and Daniel ended up with Samuel’s house and adja-
cent land. Daniel is identified as the owner of land in this location in deeds for the
abutting Theophilus Rix and John Severett lots between 1726 and 1744. See Essex
County Deeds 57:58 (Theophilus Rix to James Rix, 1726); 47:226 (John Severett to
John Porter Jr., 1727); 66:94 (James Rix to Samuel Batchelder, 1734), first parcel; 74:
127 (Samuel Batchelder to Benjamin Batchelder, 1737), first parcel; and 88:40 (Ben-
jamin Batchelder to Bartholomew Dodge, 1744). See also Essex County Deeds 79:
157 (exchange of land between William Fairfield and Daniel Fiske, 1737); and 84:36
(Daniel Fiske to Robert Cue et al., 1736).
148 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Daniel Fiske moved to Upton, Massachusetts in 1747 or 1748.3 He apparently

sold the Samuel Fiske House lot to Jonathan Dodge (1721after 1788)—although
Dodge didn’t record the deed—and Dodge subsequently subdivided the property
into two smaller lots. The property that remained the house lot was approximately
sixteen acres, bordering current-day Maple Street on the north, Porter’s Road on the
west (today’s driveway to 9 Maple Street), land of John Porter Jr. (the former Thomas
Spooner Farm) to the south, and the Theophilus Rix lot to the east. See Essex County
Deeds 89:247 (Jonathan Dodge to Jeremiah Dodge, 1747); and 107:26 (Jeremiah
Dodge to Samuel Tarbox, 1759). The property was bequeathed to Tarbox’s daugh-
ters Rebekah Moulton (17391823) and Anna Conant (1742 ? ); see Essex County
Probate 27210 (Dea. Samuel Tarbox, 1784), Will and Inventory, “Sixteen acres of
Dodges Land So-Caled [sic].” (The lot was owned by Tarbox’s heirs as late as 1789,
Tarbox being identified as an abutter in this location in Essex County Deeds 148:223
(George Crowninshield to Thomas Clark, 1788) and 148:224 (Thomas Clark to John
Baker Jr., 1789).) See Essex County Deeds 159:7 (Jonathan Moulton et al. to Richard
Hood, 1794). The lot was subsequently owned by Samuel Obear by 1800, Obear
being identified as an abutter in this location in 166:230 (John Baker [Jr.] to Benjamin
Potter, 1800), 240:137 (Joseph White to Paul Porter, 1826), 256:44 (Paul Porter to
Richard Kent, 1829), 256:44 (Richard Kent to Paul Porter, mortgage, 1830), and 305:
293 (Richard Kent to Henry S. Kent, 1838). For subsequent ownership, see Essex
County Deeds 186:205 (Samuel Obear to Nathan Preston, 1809), twenty acres; 282:
27 (Amos Shelden, administrator, to Thomas Kimball [3 rd], 1834), 4½ acres; 343:91
(Abigail Obear to Thomas Kimball [3rd], 1840), nine poles; 343:193 (Thomas Kimball
[3rd] to John E. Tiney, 1844), 4¾ acres; 345:27 (John E. Tiney to Thomas Kimball
[3rd], mortgage, 1844); 381:252 (John E. Tiney to Joseph G. Kent, mortgage, 1847);
483:234 (John E. Tiney to John A. Mildram, mortgage, 1853); 574:198 (John A. Mil-
dram to John E. Tiney, 1853), five acres; 574:199 (John E. Tiney to William A. Tiney,
1858); 574:199 (John E. Tiney to William A. Tiney, mortgage, 1858); 768:88 (Samuel
Ober to Rebecca K. Clark, 1867), 1½ acres; 820:202 (Eli W. Tiney to John E. Tiney,
1863), 4¾ acres; 820:203 (Rebecca K. Clark to John E. Tiney, 1869), 1½ acres; 820:
204 (William A. Tiney to John E. Tiney, 1869); 833:133 (John E. Tiney to John H.
Tiney, 1871), seven acres; 1667:390 (John H. Tiney to Adelaide L. Peach, 1902); 2025:
12 (Benjamin F. and Adelaide L. Peach to Frances P. Daniels, 1910); 2968:190
(Frances P. Daniels to Mary B. Amory, 1933), first parcel; and 4775:417 (Mary B.
Amory to Henry S. and Mary Ann Streeter, 1961), first parcel. See also Essex County
Deeds Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,” 1910);
Plan 1947:221 (“Land of Town of Wenham in Wenham, Mass.,” 1946); Plan 1951:
523 (“Plat [sic] of Proposed Right of Way Crossing the John S. Amory et ux Property,”
1951); Plan 96:35 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Owned by Mary B. Amory,”

3 Frederick Clifton Pierce, Fiske and Fisk Family (Chicago: W. B. Conkey Company, 1896),
90.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 149

1960); and Plan 1961:576 (“Plan Showing Pole Locations on Property of John
Amory, Wenham, Mass.,” 1961).

The Southwest Lot

Anchored on Porter’s Road and the Thomas Spooner Farm, some of the land
south of proto-Maple Road belonged to Thomas Kilham and the rest belonged to
Daniel Kilham Jr. and John Gilbert. Unfortunately, there’s insufficient evidence in
recorded deeds to propose a boundary between Thomas’s land and Daniel and
John’s.
In 1711 the selectmen laid out a road 32 rods long that connected current-day
Maple Street with John Porter’s house. Known formerly as Porter’s Road, and known
today as the driveway for 9 Maple Street, it formed the boundary between Subdivi-
sions C and D in Figure B.3. The town records describe the road’s intersection with
the southern edge of Maple Street as being one rod eastward “of a white oak tree
standing in William Fairfield’s land by the edge of the highway that leadeth into town.” 4
Thus, William Fairfield’s southern boundary was just south of proto-Maple Street.
One wonders if some of the boundary-smoothing described in Essex County Deeds
79:157 (exchange of land between William Fairfield and Daniel Fiske, 1737)—a deed
that deals with multiple sites—had to do with this stretch of proto-Maple Street.
The portion that belonged to Daniel Kilham Jr. and John Gilbert was acquired
by Samuel Fiske (the tailor). Consistent with the history of Samuel’s House Lot, the
Southwest Lot was acquired by Daniel Fiske and then Jonathan Dodge. For subse-
quent history, see Essex County Deeds 89:248 (Jonathan Dodge to Josiah Fairfield,
1747), first parcel; and 90:153 (Josiah Fairfield to Daniel Porter, 1747). See Essex
County Probate 22442 (Daniel Porter, 1760), Widow’s Dower (1761). See Essex
County Deeds 114:223 (George Dodge to [Dr.] William Fairfield, 1763), second par-
cel; 117:126 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to Matthew and [Dr.] Josiah Fairfield Jr., 1765);
123:267 (Josiah Fairfield to Matthew Fairfield, 1777), a transcription of which is in
Appendix C; 145:82 (Stephen Dutch to Samuel Adams, 1786), second parcel; 146:8
(Stephen Dutch vs. Matthew Fairfield, 1785), third parcel, a transcription of which is
in Appendix C; 149:92 (Stephen Dutch and Samuel Adams to Billy Porter, 1787),
second parcel; 153:243 (Billy Porter to [Dr.] Josiah Fairfield [Jr.], 1788), second par-
cel; 153:244 (Matthew Fairfield to [Dr.] Josiah Fairfield [Jr.], 1788), fourth parcel, a
transcription of which is in Appendix C; 155:11 (Billy Porter and Matthew Fairfield
to Dr. Josiah Fairfield [Jr.], 1787), fourth parcel; 164:76 (Priscilla Fairfield to [Dr.]
William Fairfield, 1797); 164:76 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to John Baker, 1798); 166:230
(John Baker [Jr.] to Benjamin Potter, 1800); 199:86 (Benjamin Potter to Joseph
White, 1805); 240:137 (Joseph White to Paul Porter, 1826); 256:44 (Paul Porter to
Richard Kent, 1829); 256:44 (Richard Kent to Paul Porter, mortgage, 1830); 305:293

4 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (Topsfield, MA:
The Perkins Press, 1938), 64-65 (emphasis added).
150 History of the Thomas Kilham House

(Richard Kent to Henry S. Kent, 1838); 306:214 (Henry S. Kent to Nathaniel Kim-
ball, 1838); 485:258 (Nathaniel Kimball to Robert R. Kent, 1853); 509:50 (Robert R.
Kent to Henry S. Kent, 1855); 509:51 (Henry S. Kent to Robert R. Kent, mortgage,
1855); 878:97 (Henry S. Kent to James N. Clark, 1873); 1254:82 (James N. Clark to
George A. Woodbury 2nd, 1889); 1312:58 (George A. Woodbury 2nd to William N.
Moulton, 1891); 1322:258 (William N. Moulton to Clarence O. Moulton, 1891);
1573:389 (Clarence O. Moulton to Adelaide L. Peach, 1899); 2025:12 (Benjamin F.
and Adelaide L. Peach to Frances P. Daniels, 1910); 2968:190 (Frances P. Daniels to
Mary B. Amory, 1933), first parcel; and 4775:417 (Mary B. Amory to Henry S. and
Mary Ann Streeter, 1961), first parcel. See also Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21
(“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,” 1910); and Plan 96:35
(“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Owned by Mary B. Amory,” 1960).
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 151

LEACH’S SWAMP

Figure B.4. Early lots in Leach’s Swamp.

Boundary
At least some of the southern boundary of Lots B and/or C1 and/or C2 was
described in 1703 as beginning at “an old stump with a heap of stones about it
at the west end of [Leach’s Meadow] by a clift of rock on a point of upland,” 5
the abutting properties to the south belonging to John Leach Jr. (bp.1648–
1717?) and Lieut. John Gott (1668–1723). A bit of bushwhacking—in search of
either a cleft in a rock formation or a cliff—ought to reveal the location of the
“clift of rock,” assuming the rock formation or cliff wasn’t destroyed by the
construction of the railroad.

5 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
35-36, 63.
152 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Subdivisions
A. Lieut. John Gott, 1698 and 1704
B. The Baker Lot, by 1750
C1. The Dodge-Herrick-Conant Lot, western portion, by 1772
C2. The Dodge-Herrick-Conant Lot, eastern portion, by 1772
D. The Tarbox Lot, by 1781

The Lieut. John Gott Lot

The location of Lot A is inferred from mention of an abutting property in Essex
County Deeds 123:133 (Jonathan Kimball [Jr.] to [Capt.] Thomas Kimball [Sr.],
1762); and Essex County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Division of Estate
(1772), third division, first parcel. It was apparently inherited by John Gott Jr.
(ca.16941761) and sold by his heirs (by 1798) to Thomas Kimball Jr. (17561810).6

The Baker Lot

Boundaries
The Baker Lot is mapped in Essex County Deeds Plan 85:32 (“Plan of Lots in
Leach’s Swamp, Wenham, Mass.,” 1932).
History
About half of the Baker Lot was in Danvers, land that had once been part of
the Joseph Porter Farm (early references to the Porter Farm being cited in footnote
108 in Chapter 1). Capt. John Baker (ca.17001745) appears to have cobbled-to-
gether this lot in the 1740s. He didn’t record his deeds—with the exception of a
transaction involving a 1½-acre piece on the Danvers side of the town line recorded
at Essex County Deeds 80:286 (Eleazer Porter to [Capt.] John Baker, 1741) and
80:287 ([Capt.] John Baker to Eleazer Porter, 1741). Baker’s probate file indicates
that he didn’t own the lot at the time of his death; see Essex County Probate 1445
(Capt. John Baker, 1745). Rather, the land shows up in the probate inventory for his
son John Baker Jr. (17251745), who died only two weeks after Capt. John. Indeed,
John Jr.’s inventory includes 18 acres 80 poles of woodland at Blind Hole—the in-
ventory originally locating Blind Hole in Salem Village, before somebody struck out
the words “Salem Village” and replaced them with “Topsfield.” See Essex County
Probate 1446 (John Baker Jr., 1750), Inventory.
By 1772 the Baker Lot was owned by another of Capt. John Baker’s sons, Lieut.
Cornelius Baker (17431808), per Essex County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758),
Division of Estate (1772). Essex County Deeds 138:196 (Josiah Herrick [Jr.] to

6 Inferred from the 70-acre lot owned by Kimball as identified in the Massachusetts and
Maine Direct Tax of 1798. See “Massachusetts and Maine: Direct Tax, 1798,” online database,
AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2003, 6:401.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 153

George Crowninshield, 1781), third parcel; 159:175 (Nathan Wood to Thomas Kim-
ball Jr., 1794); 178:257 (John Conant to Enos Estey, 1806) and 183:64 (John Conant
to William Shillaber, 1807) confirm that Cornelius Baker owned the land in this lo-
cation. Inherited by Cornelius’s son John Baker (17701821), the lot was subdivided
by him and his widow, the subdivisions being subsequently mapped in Essex County
Deeds Plan 85:32 (“Plan of Lots in Leach’s Swamp, Wenham, Mass.,” 1932). See
Essex County Deeds 221:191 (John Baker to John Rea, 1817); 237:294 (Sarah Baker,
administratrix, to William Shillaber, 1825), “Lot 2”; 237:306 (Sarah Baker, adminis-
tratrix, to Elias Putnam, 1825), a deed that also references two unrecorded sales of
adjacent land to Warren Peabody (“Lot 3”) and Oliver Woodbury (“Lot 4”); 252:301
(Sarah Baker, administratrix, to Ebenezer Wilkins, 1825), “Lot 5”; and 3022:234 (Sa-
rah Baker, administratrix, to Samuel Brown, 1825), “Lot 6”. The five-acre subdivi-
sion shown in Plan 85:32 and called there the “Baker Lot” was indeed owned by
John Baker (17701821), per Essex County Deeds 202:270 (John Conant to Samuel
Putnam, 1814); an acre of it was assigned to his widow Sarah when John’s estate was
settled, per Essex County Probate 1455 (John Baker, 1821), Widow’s Dower (1823),
seventh parcel.

The Dodge-Herrick-Conant Lot

Boundaries
The western portion of the Dodge-Herrick-Conant Lot is mapped in Essex
County Deeds Plan 85:32 (“Plan of Lots in Leach’s Swamp, Wenham, Mass.,” 1932).
The eastern portion is mapped in Plan 2390:48 (“Division of Woodlot in Wenham
Between Solomon Kimball & John K. Kent,” 1918).
History
Perhaps owned by Josiah Herrick Sr. (17041772) by 1759; “Josiah Herrick”
(sans “Jr.”) is identified as an abutter owning property in or near this location in Essex
County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Widow’s Thirds (1759) and Essex
County Probate 11332 (John Gott [Jr.], 1761), Widow’s Thirds (1765). Owned by
Robert Dodge Jr. (17241778) by 1772, per Essex County Probate 11323 (Daniel
Gott, 1758), Division of Estate (1772), third division, first and second parcels. No
deed filed for acquisition of the lot by either Josiah Herrick Sr. or Robert Dodge; no
reference to the lot in Josiah Herrick Sr.’s or Robert Dodge’s probate files. Subse-
quently acquired by Josiah Herrick Jr. (17331799), although no deed recorded, and
sold by him in 1781 when he moved from Wenham to Amherst, New Hampshire.7
For subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds 138:196 (Josiah Herrick [Jr.]
to George Crowninshield, 1781), third parcel; 145:193 (George Crowninshield to
Billy Porter, 1786), second parcel; and 173:78 (Billy Porter to Joshua Wyman, 1800),

7 See Daniel F. Secomb, History of the Town of Amherst, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
(Concord, NH: Evans, Sleeper & Woodbury, 1883), 626.
154 History of the Thomas Kilham House

fourth parcel. Wyman subdivided the property to a western portion and an eastern
portion. For the western portion (Lot C1 in Figure B.4), see 177:91 (Joshua Wyman
to Paul Porter and John Conant, 1805); and 178:256 (Paul Porter to John Conant,
1806). Conant subdivided this property between 1806 and 1814, the subdivisions
being subsequently mapped in Essex County Deeds Plan 85:32 (“Plan of Lots in
Leach’s Swamp, Wenham, Mass.,” 1932). See Essex County Deeds 178:256 (John
Conant to Ebenezer Peabody, 1806), “Lot J”; 178:257 (John Conant to Enos Estey,
1806), “Lot K”; 183:64 (John Conant to William Shillaber, 1807), “Lot P”; 240:297
(John Conant to Dominick Moore, 1807), “Lot Q”; 240:297 (John Conant to
Dominick Moore, 1811), “Lot R”; 204:256 (John Conant to Perley Balch, 1811), “Lot
C”; and 202:270 (John Conant to Samuel Putnam, 1814), “Lot B.” In addition, Co-
nant sold the “Daniel Towne” Lot shown in Plan 85:32 to Daniel Towne in 1811,
per 204:256 (John Conant to Perley Balch, 1811) and 240:297 (John Conant to
Dominick Moore, 1811), but Towne didn’t record his deed.
For the eastern portion (Lot C2 in Figure B.4), see Essex County Deeds 190:28
(Joshua Wyman to John Conant, 1810), third parcel. Conant sold a piece of this land
to Oliver Woodbury in 1818 (per Essex County Deeds 1051:29), shown in Plan 85:
32.
Conant sold the remainder of Lot C2 to Joseph Kent and Solomon Kimball (the
latter being an owner of the Thomas Kilham House). See Essex County Deeds 596:
118 (John Conant et al. to Joseph G. Kent and Solomon E. Kimball, 1859); and Plan
2390:48 (“Division of Woodlot in Wenham Between Solomon Kimball & John K.
Kent,” 1918). See Essex County Deeds 2390:49 (John K. Kent to Solomon Kimball,
1918); 3125:597 (Arthur G. Kent to Joseph F. Kent, 1937); 3125:597 (Joseph F. Kent
to Arthur G. Kent, 1937); 3249:589 (Elwell F. Kimball to Mabelle Trask, 1940), sec-
ond parcel; 3249:590 (Mabelle Trask to Elwell F. and Luella M. Kimball, 1940), sec-
ond parcel; 4145:110 (Elwell F. Kimball to George R. Wheeler, 1955), second parcel;
4172:383 (George R. Wheeler to Elbridge T. Davis, 1955), second parcel; 4172:385
(Elbridge T. and Dorothy E. Davis to Equitable Co-operative Bank, mortgage, 1955),
second parcel; 4350:409 (Elbridge T. and Dorothy E. Davis to Tacona Company,
Inc., 1957), second parcel; 4350:411 (Tacona Company, Inc. to Salem Co-operative
Bank, mortgage, 1957), second parcel; 6295:717 (Town of Wenham vs. Unknown
Owner, 1976); 6582:182 (Town of Wenham vs. Unknown Owner and Tacona Com-
pany, Inc., 1979); and 13692:265 (Town of Wenham vs. Tacona Company, Inc.,
1996).

The Tarbox Lot

Boundaries
Boundaries are based on descriptions in Essex County Deeds 727:183 (Amos
and Angelina Gould to Daniel Gould, 1866) and 778:290 (William B. Morgan to John
Sears, 1869). Approximately a third of the lot, the eastern portion of it, is not ac-
counted for by the descriptions in 727:183 and 778:290, but is assigned here to the
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 155

Tarbox Lot per Essex County Deeds Certificate Plan 6305A (“Plan of Land in Wen-
ham,” 1916), sheet 1.
History
Owned by Dea. Samuel Tarbox (17151784) by 1781; he is identified as an abut-
ter owning property in this location in Essex County Deeds 138:196 (Josiah Herrick
[Jr.] to George Crowninshield, 1781), third parcel. No deed recorded by Samuel Tar-
box as a grantee; Samuel might possibly have inherited the property from his father
Thomas Tarbox, but there’s no deed for Thomas either and there’s no inventory
filed with Thomas’s estate papers.
Apparently bequeathed by Dea. Samuel Tarbox to his daughter Lydia (Tarbox)
Hood (17531824) per his will, but the parcel doesn’t seem to appear in the inventory
of his estate; see Essex County Probate 27210 (Dea. Samuel Tarbox, 1784), Will and
Inventory. Owned by Richard Hood (husband of Lydia (Tarbox) Hood) by 1814; he
is identified as an abutter owning property in this location in Essex County Deeds
202:270 (John Conant to Samuel Putnam, 1814) and 210:161 (Nathaniel Fisk [sic] to
Thomas Perkins, mortgage, 1816), fourth parcel. For subsequent history, see Essex
County Deeds 239:98 (Richard Hood to Paul Porter, 1825), ninth parcel; 298:195
(Josiah M. Hood et al. to Paul Porter, 1836), third parcel; and 314:201 (Caleb Jr. and
Mary Kimball to Paul Porter, 1839), third parcel. See Essex County Probate 50713
(Paul Porter, 1861), Will, bequest of the 16-acre Farm Pasture “and the swamp land
adjoining containing twelve acres more or less” to daughter Angelina (Porter) Gould;
and Inventory, “Farm Pasture and blind hole [sic] swamp wood lot of about 28 acres
situated in said Wenham and Danvers.”
For the portion east of the train tracks, see Essex County Deeds 716:137 (Amos
and Angelina Gould to William B. Morgan, 1866); 778:290 (William B. Morgan to
John Sears, 1869); 1236:463 (John A. Sears to Robert K. and George B. Sears, 1888);
and 1637:426 (Colver J. Stone to Jennie W. Sears, 1891). See Essex County Probate
241523 (Jennie W. Sears, 1953). See Essex County Deeds 4098:296 (Ruth Sears
Cromwell et al. to George B. Sears, 1954), fourth parcel; 5720:172 (Clark S. Sears,
trustee, to Harvey M. Lewis, 1970), fourth parcel; and 10193:501 (Harvey M. Lewis
to Essex County Greenbelt Association, Inc., 1989), seventh parcel.
For the portion west of the train tracks, see Essex County Deeds 727:183 (Amos
and Angelina Gould to Daniel Gould, 1866); and 1220:579 (William B. Gould et al.
Lydia W. Gould, 1888), third parcel. See Essex County Probate 120432 (Lydia W.
Gould, 1914); and 127645 (Eugene H. Gould, 1917). See Essex County Deeds 2457:
457 (William B. Gould et al. to Lyman E. Gould, 1920). See Essex County Probate
244192 (Inie F. Gould, 1954). See Essex County Deeds 4087:493 (M. Gertrude
Gould to George B. Sears, 1954). See also Essex County Deeds Plan 85:32 (“Plan of
Lots in Leach’s Swamp, Wenham, Mass.,” 1932), which shows the southwest corner
of this lot.
156 History of the Thomas Kilham House

THE THOMAS TRUSLER FARM

Figure B.5. Boundaries of the Thomas Trusler Farm.

Boundaries
Although not shown in this rendering, it is tempting to align the entire west
boundary with the red dashed line, which was the original town line between
Danvers and Wenham.
1. Boundary interpreted from Gott family probate records of 1772; see Essex
County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Division of Estate (1772). Part
of this proposed boundary corresponds topographically with a glacial kame.
2. Much of the northwest boundary corresponded topographically to a glacial
terrace. It is grounded here on stone walls shown in Essex County Deeds
Plans 120:46 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Property of Edmund F. & Mary
B. Trahan,” 1971); 122:33 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Prepared for Ed-
mund F. & Mary B. Trahan,” 1972); 123:17 (“Plan of Land in Wenham,
Drawn for Edmund F. & Mary B. Trahan,” 1972); and 258:44 (“Plan of
Land in Wenham, Ma., Prepared for Robert S. Vernick, Charlotte O. Ver-
nick,” 1989). See also Plan 97:62 (“Plan of Land Owned by Tacona Com-
pany, Inc., Wenham,” 1961). See also the description of this boundary in
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 157

Essex County Deeds 233:72 (Edmund Kimball to Nathaniel Kimball,

1823).
3. Boundary interpreted from Gott family probate records of 1772
4. Boundary anchored on Company Lane per Essex County Deeds 167:144
(Timothy and Lydia Leach to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1800)
5. Boundary (abutting Samuel Gott) mentioned in Essex County Deeds 90:
240 (Benjamin Herrick to Isaac Dodge, 1748)
6. Boundary (abutting Josiah Fairfield) mentioned in Essex County Deeds
90:240, land that was part of the Lord’s Hill Commons prior to ca.1705
7. Stake and heap of stones in James Meacham’s meadow, 1721 perambula-
tion
8. Stake and stones marking on of Josiah Herrick’s boundary points, 1721
perambulation
Subdivisions
A. The Herrick Lot, by 1748; to Isaac Dodge in 1763
B. The Herrick Lot, by 1748; to Matthew Fairfield in 1772
158 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure B.6. Stone walls (see arrows) that likely corresponded to part of the north-
east boundary of the Thomas Trusler Farm. 8

8 Essex County Deeds Plans 120:46 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Property of Edmund F.
& Mary B. Trahan,” 1971).
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 159

The 1721 Perambulation

The description of the 1721 perambulation of the boundary between Danvers
and Wenham is the most detailed description of the early perambulations. Boundary
Point 7 is assigned, conjecturally, to the point described in James Meacham’s meadow
marked by “a stake and heap of stones” that was 28½ rods and two links, 19 degrees
to the northwest of the point where the Beverly, Danvers and Wenham town lines
met—a point that was just east of the Beverly-Wenham town line, and not exactly
on the town line itself. Boundary Point 8 corresponds to “a heap of stones in Josiah
Herricks [sic] ground” that was 112 rods, 19 degrees to the northeast. 9
In Figure B.5 Boundary Points 7 and 8 are connected by a conjectural boundary
instead of a boundary that connotes conviction because the perambulation’s other
measurements can’t be reconciled with a current-day map of the Danvers-Wenham
town line. Perhaps the inability to reconcile the 1721 description with the current day
is due to surveyor error, or recorder error, or changes in magnetic declination over
nearly three centuries.

The Herrick Lot

The Herrick Lot overlapped the land “in ye possession of Samuel Fiske” (or was
perhaps identical to it) per Essex County Deeds 19:88 (Nicholas Rich and Peter
Thomson to Joseph and John Herrick, 1697). Essex County Deeds 19:88 indicates
that town common land was to the south of the land in possession of Samuel Fiske.
Subdivision A came to be owned by Benjamin and Josiah Herrick by the 1740s,
although the deed memorializing their acquisition was not recorded with either Essex
County or the Wenham Town Clerk. The Herricks combined Subdivision A with
another parcel(s) to create a 70-acre lot: Essex County Deeds 90:240 (Benjamin Her-
rick to Isaac Dodge, 1748) describes the 70-acre lot (with house and barn), and iden-
tifies Boundary 5 as the boundary that abutted Samuel Gott’s land to the north. The
deed also identifies Josiah Fairfield as an abutter to the west.10 (The southern 30 acres
of the 70-acre lot were bought by Benjamin Herrick from Joseph Herrick on the
same day that Benjamin sold the 70-acre lot to Isaac Dodge; see Essex County Deeds
91:225 (Joseph Herrick to Benjamin Herrick, 1748), first parcel, no mention of build-
ings. As for the northern 40 acres, 91:225 indicates that Benjamin Herrick already
owned some of it, and seems to suggest that Benjamin bought the rest of it from
Josiah Herrick at the same time that he bought Joseph’s 30 acres.)

9 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Volume II, 1707–1731 (1938), 173-174.
10 The Fairfield property is described in Essex County Deeds 121:231 (Josiah Fairfield to
Benjamin Fairfield, 1767), 125:143 (Josiah Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, mortgage, 1767),
and 126:217 (Benjamin Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1767), transcriptions of which are in Ap-
pendix C.
160 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Subdivision to Isaac Dodge in 1763

For subsequent history of the Herrick-to-Dodge lot, see Essex County Deeds
110:264 (Isaac Dodge to Ebenezer Porter, 1763), clarifying total acreage at 68 acres
and 124 poles, of which 11 acres and 123 poles were actually in Beverly, and identi-
fying the abutter north of Boundary 5 as “Gotts [sic] Heirs;” 121:207 (Ebenezer Por-
ter to Nathaniel Brown, 1763), citing “heirs of Daniel Gott” as the relevant abutter;
and 134:254 (Nathaniel Brown to Isaac Giddings, 1771), citing “heirs of Daniel
Gott” as the relevant abutter. There is a gap in the title history between 1771 and
1793. See Essex County Deeds 156:152 (Billy Porter to Ebenezer Porter, 1793), 100
acres, citing “heirs of Daniel Gott” as the relevant abutter north of Boundary 5. Be-
queathed by Ebenezer Porter to his son Nathaniel Porter; see Essex County Probate
22449 (Ebenezer Porter, 1800), Will and Inventory. See Essex County Deeds 171:131
(Nathaniel Porter to Paul Porter, 1802), 194 acres abutting Hood, Obear and Fair-
field (i.e., the Company Pasture) to the east as well as to the north, and abutting John
Moulton and Thomas Kimball Jr. to the north; 630:103 (Paul Porter to Lucy Perkins,
1860); 637:67 (William and Samuel Porter, executors, to Amos A. and Henry A.
White, 1862), citing Joseph G. Kent as the relevant abutter north of Boundary 5; and
663:280 (Amos A. and Henry A. White to Nathaniel P. Perkins, 1864). Bequeathed
by Nathaniel P. Perkins to his son George A. Perkins; see Essex County Probate
115885. See Essex County Deeds 5115:563 (George A. Perkins to Angelina M. Per-
kins, 1963); 7741:381 (Angelina M. Perkins to Richard A. and Jane E. Durkee, 1985);
10577:554 (Richard A. and Jane E. Durkee to Richard A. and Jane E. Durkee Trus-
tees, 1990); 10701:451 (Angelina M. Perkins to Richard A. and Jane E. Durkee, 1991),
confirmatory deed; and 10701:453 (Richard A. and Jane E. Durkee, 1991), confirm-
atory deed.
Subdivision to Matthew Fairfield in 1772
Subdivision B was identified as being owned by Lieut. Josiah Herrick (1705
1772) in Essex County Deeds 90:240 (Benjamin Herrick to Isaac Dodge, 1748);
110:264 (Isaac Dodge to Ebenezer Porter, 1763); 121:207 (Ebenezer Porter to Na-
thaniel Brown, 1763); and 134:254 (Nathaniel Brown to Isaac Giddings, 1771). Lieut.
Herrick sold the lot to Matthew Fairfield in 1772; see Essex County Deeds 135:81
(Josiah Herrick to Matthew Fairfield, 1772).11 For subsequent history, see Essex

11 Lieut. Josiah Herrick (17051772) referred to this lot in his will when he bequeathed to
his son Daniel an eight-acre lot “Joyning [sic] to land I sold Matthew Fairfield;” see Essex
County Probate 13162 (Josiah Herrick, 1772), Will. Daniel Herrick sold the lot that he inher-
ited from his father in 1773; see Essex County Deeds 135:56 (Daniel Herrick to Josiah Herrick,
1773), the deed referring to the abutting property owned by Matthew Fairfield.
A 1779 description of a 69-rod section of fence between this lot and abutting property
owned by Capt. George Crowninshield Sr. (17341815), the purpose of which was to assign
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 161

County Deeds 142:311 (Matthew Fairfield to Billy Porter, 1784), second parcel;
156:152 (Billy Porter to Ebenezer Porter, 1793); and subsequent history in the para-
graph above.

maintenance of a 33-rod portion of it to Matthew Fairfield and maintenance of a 36-rod por-

tion to Crowninshield, is recorded in Town of Wenham, Wenham Town Records, 1776–1810
(Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1959), 33-34.
162 History of the Thomas Kilham House

THE WILLIAM OSBOURNE FARM

Figure B.7. The upland portion of the William Osbourne Farm, by 1644.

Boundaries
1. An ash tree marked the northeast corner of the upland; 12 although the tree
is long gone, its location has remained a boundary corner to the current
day.
2. Essex County Deeds 14:269 (John Newman, administrator, to Thomas
Fiske Jr., 1682) says that the upland bordered the Great Meadow to both
the north and the west, which implies that the northwest corner of the farm
was above the Causeway (and not actually on the Causeway itself). Such a
position is consistent with a vaguely-worded 1704 town grant of one acre
to Fiske, the lot described as “joining to his farm” and being to the east of
Wenham Causeway.13

12 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
7 (1693 reference).
13 Ibid., 36.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 163

3. This portion of the western boundary, along the town line, is described in
Essex County Deeds 63:54 (Thomas and Priscilla Flint to Joseph Porter
[3rd], 1733), first parcel, which specifies that the boundary between the Por-
ter Farm and the former Osbourne Farm was 35½ rods (585¾ feet) long.
The map and description of boundaries included in Essex County Probate
22479 indicate that this 35½-rod boundary began 12 rods (198 feet) south
of the southern end of the Causeway, and that the Causeway itself was part
of the town line.
4. The southwestern boundary is inferred from topography, an inference that
is supported by the title histories of adjacent lots in Leach’s Swamp
5. The location of the southern corner is interpreted from Essex County
Deeds 15:205 (Thomas Fiske Jr. to John Gott, 1702)

Figure B.8. Early subdivisions of the William Osbourne upland.

164 History of the Thomas Kilham House

A. The Towne Lot, to Samuel Kimball Jr. before 1730

B. The Farm Pasture, to Samuel Kimball Jr. before 1730
C. John Gott Jr.’s Seven-Acre Lot, to Samuel Kimball Jr. before 1730
D. The Moulton Pasture, to Samuel Kimball Jr. before 1730
E. The Causeway Pasture, to Samuel Kimball Jr. before 1730
F. Gott Family’s 19-Acre Lot, to John Gott Jr. before 1730, seven acres of
which from Thomas Fiske Jr. to John Gott, 1702
Other
1. William Fiske Jr. identified as the property owner here in Essex County
Deeds 15:205 (Thomas Fiske Jr. to John Gott, 1702)

The Towne Lot

Approximately 8½ acres to the south of Topsfield Road, abutting the Danvers
town line, it is identified in this text as the “Towne Lot” because the property in this
location is labeled “Towne” in Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton
and Wenham (Boston: Walker Lithograph & Publishing Co., 1910), plate 34.
For its history, see Essex County Deeds 56:265 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to John
Gott [Jr.], 1730), second parcel, the deed identifying this property as having been part
of the Capt. Thomas Fiske Farm. (It’s worth noting that Essex County Deeds 63:54
(Thomas and Priscilla Flint to Joseph Porter [3 rd], 1733), first parcel, also identified
the property that was in this location as part of “Capt. Fiske’s farm.”) See Essex
County Deeds 115:216 (Elizabeth Gott, administratrix, to Michael Dwinel [sic] [Jr.],
1765); Essex County Probate 11332 (John Gott [Jr.], 1761), “Account of Sales of real
Estate of John Gott late of Wenham decd.,” 1777; Essex County Probate 8448 (Mi-
chael Dwinnel, Jr., 1770), Inventory; and Essex County Deeds 150:42 (William and
Lucy Munnis [sic] to Bartholomew Dwinel [sic], 1771).
Capt. Israel A. Dodge (17491823) came to own the property by 1816, when
we was identified as an abutter in this location in Essex County Deeds 210:161 (Na-
thaniel Fisk [sic] to Thomas Perkins, mortgage, 1816), fourth parcel. For the lot’s
nineteenth-century and subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds 225:119 (Israel
A. Dodge to Jacob Towne, 1818), 12¾ acres in Wenham and Danvers abutting Rich-
ard Hood; 301:227 (Martha Towne to Benjamin Towne, 1837); 306:68 (Sarah Averill
to Jacob Towne, 1838); 306:69 (Benjamin Towne to Jacob Towne, 1838); 589:288
(Ira Porter et al. to Jacob W. Towne, 1855), second parcel, 12-acre “Wenham Pas-
ture;” 940:190 (Stephen Upton, sheriff, to John Sawyer et al., 1875), second parcel;
970:237 (John Sawyer et al. to George A. Towne et al., 1876); 971:23 (J. Albert Towne
to George A. Towne et al., 1877); 1214:476 (Ellen S. Towne to Dudley P. and Mary
L. Towne, 1883); 1496:106 (Charles H. Towne to Mary L. Towne, 1896); 1597:352
(Waldo A. Towne to Mary L. Towne, 1897); 1544:280 (Hattie Isabelle French to
Mary L. Towne, 1898); 2883:190 (Waldo A. Towne et al. to Clinton B. and Helen R.
Tooley, 1931); and 3745:303 (Clinton B. and Helen R. Tooley to Nicholas and
Frances R. Fiory, 1950). See also Essex County Deeds Plan 60:12 (“Plan of a Portion
of Topsfield Road,” 1931), sheet 2; and Plan 141:12 (“Plan of Land in Wenham,
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 165

Property of Nicholas Fiory,” 1975). See also Essex County Probate 27898 (Jacob
Towne, 1835); 55482 (J. Waldo Towne, 1874); 80049 (Dudley P. Towne); and 158417
(Mary L. Towne).

The Farm Pasture

South of Topsfield Road, east of the Towne Lot, its descendant lots today (the
Conrad Circle neighborhood) total 15 acres but it was sized at 17 acres in 1762. It is
identified in this text as the “Farm Pasture” because it was identified as such in Essex
County Deeds 232:287 (Richard and Lydia Hood to Mary Pousland, mortgage, 1823).
Boundaries
See Essex County Deeds Certificate Plan 6305A (“Plan of Land in Wenham,”
1916), sheet 1; and Plan 6305F (“Subdivision Plan of Land in Wenham,” 1961), sub-
division of the Conrad Circle neighborhood.
History
Essex County Deeds 56:265 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to John Gott [Jr.], 1730), first
parcel, identified this property as having been part of the Capt. Thomas Fiske Farm,
and as property that Samuel Jr. sold to Dea. Jonathan Kimball (16861758) in 1730.
Jonathan, however, did not record his deed. For subsequent history, see Essex
County Probate 15664 (Jonathan Kimball, 1758), “Settlement of real estate of Jona-
than Kimball, late of Wenham, deceased,” 1759; and Essex County Deeds 123:133
(Jonathan Kimball [Jr.] to [Capt.] Thomas Kimball [Sr.], 1762), 17 [sic] acres. This
was apparently the 16-acre [sic] lot owned by Thomas Kimball Sr., reported in the
Massachusetts and Maine Direct Tax of 1798. (See “Massachusetts and Maine: Direct
Tax, 1798,” online database, AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Gene-
alogical Society, 2003, 6:402.) The lot was probably inherited in 1805 by Thomas
Kimball Jr. (17561810).14
To Dea. William Dodge (17581824), but deed not filed; from Dea. William
Dodge to Richard Hood (17511835), but deed not filed, per reference in Essex
County Deeds 239:98 (Richard Hood to Paul Porter, 1825), first parcel. Richard

14 Thomas Kimball Sr. (17301805) died intestate, and Thomas Jr. was party to five deeds
in 1806 in which the heirs divvied up Thomas Sr.’s real estate portfolio. See Essex County
Probate 15768 (Capt. Thomas Kimball, 1805); and Essex County Deeds 177:239 (Thomas
Kimball [Jr.] et al. to Nathaniel Kimball, 1806); 178:203 (Edmund Kimball to Thomas Kimball
[Jr.], 1806); 179:5 (Thomas Kimball [Jr.] et al. to Edmund Batchelder, 1806); 179:86 (Thomas
Kimball [Jr.] et al. to Isaac Porter, 1806); and 188:136 (Thomas Kimball [Jr.] et al. to Isaac
Woodbury, 1806). These deeds accounted for 109 of the elder Kimball’s 140-acre portfolio,
and it is noteworthy that none of the 1806 deeds treats the Farm Pasture property. When
Thomas Kimball Jr. died five years later, however, the 159-acre footprint of his farm (neither
the components nor boundaries of which were described in his estate inventory, unfortu-
nately) is consistent with inclusion of the Farm Pasture; see Essex County Probate 15769
(Thomas Kimball [Jr.], 1811), Inventory.
166 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Hood was identified as its owner in an 1818 deed for the abutting property to the
west (i.e., the Towne Lot); see Essex County Deeds 225:119 (Israel A. Dodge to
Jacob Towne, 1818).
For subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds 232:287 (Richard and Lydia
Hood to Mary Pousland, mortgage, 1823), the Farm Pasture; 239:98 (Richard Hood
to Paul Porter, 1825), first parcel; 239:220 (Caleb Jr. and Mary Kimball to Paul Porter,
1825); 1101:135 (Amos and Angeline [sic] Gould to Hiram L. Roberts, 1882); 1674:
264 (Hiram L. Roberts to Emma Weatherbee, 1902), first parcel; and 1674:266
(Emma Weatherbee to Hiram L. Roberts, mortgage, 1902), first parcel. See also Es-
sex County Probate 50713 (Paul Porter, 1861), Will, bequest of the 16-acre Farm
Pasture “and the swamp land adjoining containing twelve acres more or less” to
daughter Angelina (Porter) Gould; and Inventory, “Farm Pasture and blind hole [sic]
swamp wood lot of about 28 acres situated in said Wenham and Danvers.”

John Gott Jr.’s Seven-Acre Lot

South of Topsfield Road, east of the Farm Pasture and near the current-day
intersection of Puritan Road and Topsfield Road. Earliest recorded deed is Essex
County Deeds 56:265 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to John Gott [Jr.], 1730), first parcel,
seven acres and 70 poles of upland, the deed stating that the property had belonged
to Thomas Fiske Jr. The northeastern corner of this lot appears to have corre-
sponded with the western terminus of the 55½-rod frontage on proto-Topsfield
Road of John Gott Jr.’s widow’s third, per Essex County Probate 11332 (John Gott
[Jr.], 1761), Widow’s Thirds (1765).
The lot was part of the John Gott Jr. Farm that was purchased by Thomas Kim-
ball Jr. between 1786 and 1792, at which time it became part of the farm that was
associated with the Thomas Kilham House. Part of this lot corresponded with the
“Long Field” mentioned in Essex County Probate 15769 (Thomas Kimball [Jr.],
1811), Widow’s Dower (1813).

The Moulton Pasture

North of Topsfield Road, it is identified in this text as the “Moulton Pasture”
because it was identified as such in Essex County Deeds 232:213 (Richard and Lydia
Hood to Betty [sic] Hood, 1818). Its northern boundary is conjecturally assigned to
the current-day swamp line, reflecting an assumption that today’s swamp line prob-
ably corresponds to edge of the Great Meadow.
We know from Essex County Deeds 41:169 that Capt. Thomas Fiske Jr. owned
land in this location in 1712. Earliest recorded deed is Essex County Deeds 59:185
(Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to Thomas Tarbox, 1730), 14 acres and 60 poles of upland, the
deed stating that the property had belonged to Thomas Fiske Jr.
For descent in the Tarbox family from Thomas Tarbox to his granddaughter
Mary (Tarbox) Moulton, see Essex County Probate 27212 (Thomas Tarbox, 1774),
Will; and 27210 (Dea. Samuel Tarbox, 1784), Will and Inventory. For subsequent
history of the lot, see Essex County Deeds 188:83 (Mary Moulton to Daniel Moulton,
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 167

1809); 204:92 (Daniel Moulton to Samuel Hood, 1814); 229:185 (Samuel Hood to
Robert Rantoul, mortgage, 1822); 407:251 (Robert Rantoul to Isaac Porter Jr., 1849);
529:106 (Isaac Porter to John Smith and Nicholas Brown, 1856); 603:1 (John Smith
and Nicholas Brown to George Tufts, 1860); 603:2 (George Tufts to Paul Porter,
mortgage, 1860); 894:28 (George Tufts to Elbridge K. Standley, 1873); 894:29 (El-
bridge K. Standley to George Tufts, mortgage, 1873); 1299:227 (Elbridge K. Standley
to Bessie E. Herrick, 1891); 1375:492 (Bessie E. Herrick to Joseph T. Haskell, 1893);
1375:493 (Joseph T. Haskell to Mary A. Plaisted, mortgage, 1890); 1375:496 (Joseph
T. Haskell to Bessie E. Herrick, mortgage, 1893); 2578:358 (Joseph T. Haskell to
Alice M. Sweetman, 1923), second parcel; 2578:359 (Alice M. Sweetman to Joseph
T. and Lydia D. Haskell, 1923), second parcel; 3085:115 (Edmund G. Haskell et al.
to Williamina R. Duncan, 1936), second parcel; 3085:117 (Williamina R. Duncan to
Joseph Wayne and Dorothy F. Haskell, 1936); 3158:543 (Joseph Wayne and Dorothy
F. Haskell to Helen Iori and Margerhita Angelini, 1938); 3158:544 (Helen Iori and
Margerhita Angelini to Joseph Mascioli, mortgage, 1938); and 4207:208 (Helen Iori
to Margherita [sic] Angelini, 1955).

The Causeway Pasture

Probably on the order of about 33 acres, it is identified in this text as the “Cause-
way Pasture” because it was identified as such in Essex County Deeds 239:98 (Rich-
ard Hood to Paul Porter, 1825), eighth parcel.
Samuel Kimball Jr. (16771746) was named as an abutter here in 1730; see Essex
County Deeds 56:265 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to John Gott [Jr.], 1730) and 59:185
(Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to Thomas Tarbox, 1730).
 This lot apparently included ten acres that Samuel bought of Rebecca (Per-
kins) Fiske and Thomas Howe Jr. (that deed not having been recorded), per
Essex County Deeds 84:49 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to Josiah Kimball, 1735),
third parcel, and 89:220 (Josiah Kimball to Ebenezer Batchelder Jr., 1741),
third parcel. See also Essex County Deeds 98:250A (Benjamin Kimball to
Samuel Tarbox Jr., 1744) for a possible subdivision of this lot; Benjamin
Kimball (17061776) was a son of Samuel Kimball Jr.
 This lot also included eight acres that Samuel sold to his son Josiah Kimball
(17021776?), per 84:49 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to Josiah Kimball, 1735), sec-
ond parcel; 89:220 (Josiah Kimball to Ebenezer Batchelder Jr., 1741), sec-
ond parcel; and 142:101 (Ebenezer Batcheller [sic] to Samuel Tarbox,
1763).15
The property descended in the Tarbox family, per Essex County Probate 27210
(Dea. Samuel Tarbox, 1784). For subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds 159:7

15 For genealogy, see Leonard Allison Morrison and Stephen Paschall Sharples, History of
the Kimball Family in America (Boston: Damrell & Upham, 1897), 66-67, 113.
168 History of the Thomas Kilham House

(Jonathan Moulton et al. to Richard Hood, 1794); 232:213 (Richard and Lydia Hood
to Betty [sic] Hood, 1818), first parcel; 239:98 (Richard Hood to Paul Porter, 1825),
second and eighth parcels; 298:195 (Betsy Hood to Paul Porter, 1836), first parcel;
298:195 (Josiah M. Hood et al. to Paul Porter, 1836); 529:106 (Paul Porter to John
Smith and Nicholas Brown, 1856), second parcel; 603:1 (John Smith and Nicholas
Brown to George Tufts, 1860); 603:2 (George Tufts to Paul Porter, mortgage, 1860);
894:28 (George Tufts to Elbridge K. Standley, 1873); 894:29 (Elbridge K. Standley
to George Tufts, mortgage, 1873); 1299:227 (Elbridge K. Standley to Bessie E. Her-
rick, 1891); 1375:492 (Bessie E. Herrick to Joseph T. Haskell, 1893); 1375:493 (Jo-
seph T. Haskell to Mary A. Plaisted, mortgage, 1890); 1375:496 (Joseph T. Haskell
to Bessie E. Herrick, mortgage, 1893); 2578:358 (Joseph T. Haskell to Alice M.
Sweetman, 1923), second parcel; 2578:359 (Alice M. Sweetman to Joseph T. and
Lydia D. Haskell, 1923), second parcel; 3085:115 (Edmund G. Haskell et al. to Wil-
liamina R. Duncan, 1936, second parcel; 3085:117 (Williamina R. Duncan to Joseph
Wayne and Dorothy F. Haskell, 1936); 3158:543 (Joseph Wayne and Dorothy F.
Haskell to Helen Iori and Margerhita Angelini, 1938); 3158:544 (Helen Iori and
Margerhita Angelini to Joseph Mascioli, mortgage, 1938); and 4207:208 (Helen Iori
to Margherita [sic] Angelini, 1955).

Gott Family’s 19-Acre Lot

Given (1) the total size of the Osbourne Farm upland at 100 acres, (2) reasonable
estimates of the sizes of the Towne Lot and the Causeway Pasture, and (3) docu-
mented sizes of the Farm Pasture, John Gott Jr.’s Seven-Acre Lot and the Moulton
Pasture, we can safely infer that there was a “missing” lot of approximately 19-2/3
acres.
John Gott Jr. owned land in this location by 1730; he was identified as an abutter
here in Essex County Deeds 56:265 (Samuel Kimball [Jr.] to John Gott [Jr.], 1730),
first parcel. Lieut. John Gott had acquired seven acres of this 19-acre lot in 1702; see
Essex County Deeds 15:205 (Thomas Fiske Jr. to John Gott, 1702). It is very possible
that Lieut. John had acquired even more of the 19-acre lot before his death. Unfor-
tunately, though, the deed that his sons used to divvy up Lieut. John’s land has been
badly damaged and much of its content lost; see Essex County Deeds 49:2 (division
of property between John [Jr.] and Samuel Gott, 1724), first moiety.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 169

THE THOMAS FISKE JR. FARM

Figure B.9. Early subdivisions of the Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm.

Subdivisions
A. To William Fiske Jr. by 1696
B. To Samuel Fiske (the weaver), 1709, per Essex County Deeds 25:108
C. To Thomas Tarbox, 1712, per Essex County Deeds 41:169
Other
1. Thirteen-acre parcel owned by Thomas Fiske Jr. in 1693
2. Wedged-shape piece of land that was originally part of the William Os-
bourne Farm, included in Thomas Fiske Jr.’s sale of Lot C to Thomas
Tarbox, 1712

William Fiske Jr. Farm

We know that William Jr. owned this property by January 1696, when the deed
for an abutting property refers to his ownership of it; see Essex County Deeds 37:224
(John Newman to William Fiske [Jr.], 1696). Essex County Deeds 25:108 (Thomas
Fiske [Jr.] to Samuel Fiske, 1709) refers to the southernmost part of this lot as Samuel
170 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Fiske’s (the weaver) meadow, and not as William Fiske Jr.’s meadow—but that ref-
erence doesn’t rule out a scenario where William owned the property and let his son
Samuel use it.
William Fiske Jr. sold it to Samuel Fiske (the weaver) in 1712, per Essex County
Deeds 26:63.

Thomas Fiske Jr.’s Thirteen-Acre Lot

The rectangular area denoted as Lot 1 was a 127-rod by 22-rod lot owned by
Thomas Fiske Jr., a description of which he recorded in 1693.16 Thomas recorded it
with the Wenham town clerk as a declaration of his boundaries, and not as docu-
mentation of a transfer of title. As such, it’s a somewhat peculiar record.
William Fiske Jr. owned the lot by January 1696 when he bought the abutting
60-acre property to the south; see Essex County Deeds 37:224 (John Newman to
William Fiske [Jr.], 1696).

16 Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940),
7.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 171

THE JOHN FAIRFIELD FARM

Figure B.10. The upland portion of the John Fairfield Farm, 1639.

Boundaries
1. Location of the eastern boundary (north of Cherry Street) is based on Essex
County Deeds Plan 1682:600 (“Plan of Land in Wenham Sold to Wolcott
H. Johnson by Lester E. Libby,” 1902)
2. The northern boundary corresponds to a stone wall shown in the 1902 plan
3. Location of the northwest corner is based on measurements of the abutting
parcel described in Essex County Deeds 25:108 (Thomas Fiske [Jr.] to Sam-
uel Fiske, 1709)
4. The middle stretch of the western boundary (some 900 feet) corresponds
to a stone wall shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 1741:600 (“Plan of Land
in Wenham, Mass.,” 1904)
5. Location of the southern boundary is based on the description of an abut-
ting parcel described in Essex County Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton [Jr.] to
John Severy [sic], 1684)
172 History of the Thomas Kilham House

6. Since the gray area measures 69 acres, the upland’s grant of 70 acres is suit-
ably accounted for, and we can infer that the farm’s southwest boundary
corresponded to proto-Topsfield Road

The Eaton Road Lot

Essex County Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severy [sic], 1684) rec-
ords the sale of the abutting property to the south and identifies Samuel Fiske (the
tailor) as the abutter to the north. Apparently Fiske was working the Eaton Road lot
as a tenant, because Essex County Deeds 11:106 (Elizabeth Endicott and John New-
man, administrators, to Samuel Fiske and Theophilus Rix, 1692) identifies William
Fairfield as the owner.
In 1737 William Fairfield and Daniel Fiske made an exchange of parcels, agree-
ing that
contrary to our Original lines & bounds … y e lane between the sd Fisks house
& ye sd Fairfeilds Gate by his Barn originally was the sd Fairfeilds is now the sd
Fisks by Exchange all except three feet in breadth all along the sd Fairfeilds Or-
chard Stonewall.
See Essex County Deeds 79:157 (exchange of land between William Fairfield and
Daniel Fiske, 1737). At the time of the exchange, Daniel Fiske ( ? 1761), son of
Samuel Fiske (the tailor), already owned the two lots on either side of this one; see
the discussion of the Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm earlier in this appendix.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 173

THE WILLIAM FISKE SR. FARM

Figure B.11. Subdivisions of William Fiske Jr.’s portion of the William Fiske Sr.
Farm.

Subdivisions
A. To Benjamin Fiske, 1703
B. To Theophilus Fiske, 1712
C. To Theophilus Fiske, 1712
D. To Theophilus Fiske, unrecorded
E. To Ebenezer Fiske, 1712, site of the Newman-Fiske-Dodge House
F. To Ebenezer Fiske, 1712

The Benjamin Fiske Farm

Boundaries
The boundaries shown are based on Essex County Deeds Plan 44:23 (“Land in
Wenham, Mass. Belonging to Emily M. Currier,” 1925) and Plan 96:80 (“Subdivision
Plan, Ardmore Oval,” 1961)—which were boundaries for the former Ober Farm
that date from at least the 1780s. The dotted-line boundary is an extension of the
ditch depicted in Essex County Deeds Plan 1961:273 (“Plan of Land in Wenham
174 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Owned by Inez L. Murray & Edna W. Moynihan,” 1961); and Plan 98:58 (“Subdivi-
sion Plan, Ardmore Oval—Sect. II,” 1962). See also Wenham Historical Society,
Wenham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 36, which describes a
1704 grant of two acres to Deacon William Fiske Jr. and Benjamin Fiske. The grant
was made the year after William conveyed the 25 acres to Benjamin.
History
Benjamin Fiske sold half of his house, barn and land to his brother Ebenezer in
1741. Benjamin died the next year, leaving his remaining portion of the house, barn
and land to his widow Mary. She in turn sold her portion to Samuel Batchelder in
1743, and later that year Ebenezer Fiske and Samuel Batchelder divvied up Benja-
min’s former house, barn and land. Ebenezer Fiske received the house, barn and ten
acres abutting proto-Cherry Street while Samuel Batchelder received the remaining
land north of the house lot.17
In 1748 Ebenezer Fiske sold the house to Josiah Ober. See Essex County Deeds
147:247 (Ebenezer Fiske to Josiah Ober, 1748), ten-acre house lot. Josiah didn’t rec-
ord his deed when he acquired the acreage to the north of his house lot (i.e., the
acreage that went to Samuel Batchelder in 1743); some of this acreage is referred to
as being owned by Ober in Essex County Deeds 144:42 (Theophilus Fiske to
Thomas Fiske, 1757), 134:116 (William Fiske to Amos Batchelder, 1772) and 144:169
(Thomas Fiske to Joseph Fairfield, 1785). In 1786 Josiah Ober sold his property—
which had grown to 30 acres—to Ruth Tewksbury, but by the next year he was again
the owner of the house. See Essex County Deeds 147:2 (Josiah Ober to Ruth Tewks-
bury, 1786); and 147:5 (Nathaniel Bragg vs. Josiah Ober Jr. and Josiah Ober, 1787),
second parcel.
By descent in the Ober family from Josiah Ober Sr. (17191797) to his son
Samuel Obear (17531833), and to Samuel’s grandson Samuel Ober (18051876,
son of Oliver and Hannah (Kilham) Ober). Notice that the elder Samuel preferred
the phonetic spelling of his family’s surname. 18

17 Essex County Deeds 82:121 (Benjamin Fiske to Ebenezer Fiske, 1741); 84:156 (Mary
Fiske to Samuel Batcheller [sic], 1743); and 84:164 (division of property between Ebenezer
Fiske and Samuel Batcheller [sic], 1743). Essex County Probate 9494 (Benjamin Fiske, 1742),
Will. Pierce (1896), 84.
18 For genealogy, see Essex County Probate 19956 (Samuel Obear, 1833), petition of widow
Abigail Obear, identifying Samuel Ober (18051876) as the deceased’s only living grandchild;
“Massachusetts Vital Records, 18411910,” online database, AmericanAncestors.org, New
England Historic Genealogical Society, 283:281; Wellington Pool, “Inscriptions from Grave-
stones in the Old Burying Ground in Wenham,” Essex Institute Historical Collections, 24
(1887):77; Pool, “Inscriptions from Gravestones in the Old Burying Ground in Wenham” (no
publisher: 1887), 25 (accessed August 15, 2018 from Archive.org); Topsfield Historical Soci-
ety, Vital Records of Beverly, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb &
Gauss), 1 (1906):241; Charles Henry Chandler and Sarah Fiske Lee, The History of New Ipswich,
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 175

For subsequent history, see Essex County Probate 48560 (Samuel Ober, 1876),
Will. See Essex County Deeds 1227:205 (Solomon E. Kimball, administrator, to
Emily M. Currier, 1888); 1232:170 (Samuel Ober et al. to Emily M. Currier, 1888);
2654:288 (Emily M. Currier to Salem Five Cents Savings Bank, mortgage, 1925);
2678:256 (Emily M. Currier to Salem Five Cents Savings Bank, mortgage, 1926);
3004:125 (Emily M. Currier to Donald E. Currier, 1934), first parcel; 4708:170 (Don-
ald E. Currier to Charles C. Hammer et al., trustees, 1960); 4726:125 (Charles C.
Hammer et al., trustees, to Alan F. and Mary J. Johnson, 1960); 5216:228 (Alan F.
and Mary J. Johnson to Robert and Virginia L. Widmer, 1964); and 14084:319 (Vir-
ginia L. Widmer to William H. Knopp and Carolyn S. Lackey, 1997). See Essex
County Deeds Plan 31:14 (“Land in Wenham, Mass. Belonging to Emily M. Currier
et al.,” 1917); Plan 44:23 (“Land in Wenham, Mass. Belonging to Emily M. Currier,”
1925); Plan 4726:125 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property of Clinton-Henry
Co.,” 1960); and Plan 96:80 (“Subdivision Plan, Ardmore Oval,” 1961). Emily M.
Currier, “The Old House and the New” (MS, 1934, Wenham Museum, X2010.591),
quoted in Wenham Historical Association & Museum, Wenham in Pictures and Prose
(Wenham, MA: Wenham Historical Association & Museum, 1992), 124-125.
Frank E. Wallis, C. Bertram French, E. P. Morrill, E. Eldon Deane, Theo. H.
Skinner, C. M. Bill et al., The Georgian Period: Being Measured Drawings of Colonial Work
(American Architect & Building News Co., 1902), 13, dated the Fiske-Ober House
to 1680, but without providing a rationale. Chandler and Lee (1914), 537, dated the
Fiske-Ober House to “about 1680,” also without providing a rationale. Thanks to
the Ober family’s multi-generation ownership of the house, historians have referred
to it as “the Ober House” without acknowledging that the house was actually built
for Benjamin Fiske.

The Theophilus Fiske Farm

Boundaries
The rectangular area outlined in red (which was outside William Fiske Sr.’s orig-
inal grant) was a 127-rod by 22-rod lot owned by Thomas Fiske Jr., a description of
which he recorded in 1693; see Wenham Historical Society (1940), 7. William Fiske
Jr. owned it by January 1696, however, when he bought the abutting 60-acre property
to the south; see Essex County Deeds 37:224 (John Newman to William Fiske [Jr.],
1696).
History
For history of the Theophilus Fiske House site, see Essex County Deeds 35:217
(William Fiske to Theophilus Fiske, 1712); and 144:42 (Theophilus Fiske to Thomas
Fiske, 1757), western half of the house. See Essex County Probate 9518 (Theophilus
Fisk[e], 1759), Will and Widow’s Dower (1760). See Essex County Deeds 142:39

New Hampshire (Fitchburg, MA: Sentinel Printing Company, 1914), 537; and Findagrave.com,
memorials 605-93246 and 60594168.
176 History of the Thomas Kilham House

(Thomas Fisk[e] to John Friend, 1772), 3 acres with buildings; Essex County Probate
10212 (Dea. John Friend [Jr.], 1785), Will, bequest to son Benjamin Friend (1744
1807) of three acres with buildings improved by Thomas Fiske, and Inventory, half
a house, barn and three acres occupied by Thomas Fiske; and probably Essex County
Probate 10213 (John Friend [3rd], 1793), Inventory, “Fisks Wood Lot.” Eastern half
of the house to Theophilus’s grandson Nathaniel Fiske (17401815); see Essex
County Deeds 128:27 (Nathaniel Fiske to Benjamin Friend, 1767), first parcel, 16-
acre portion of the farm, including the east half of the house.
The western portion of the Theophilus Fiske Farm (Subdivision B) was acquired
by Israel A. Dodge by 1785, per the description of abutters in 114:169 (Thomas Fiske
to Joseph Fairfield, 1785), and was incorporated with Dodge’s abutting land to the
south. For subsequent history of Subdivision B, see 252:183 (Polly Dodge et al. to
Uzziel Rea, mortgage, 1829) about 40 acres; 260:179 (Esther Barnes et al. to Uzziel
Rea, mortgage, 1831), first parcel; 265:123 (Esther Barnes et al. to Israel D. Barnes,
1831), first parcel; 266:182 (Israel D. Barnes to Abraham Patch, 1832), first parcel;
925:70 (Abraham Patch to Mary Welch, 1875), first parcel; 925:70 (Horace and Mary
Welch to Danvers Savings Bank, mortgage, 1875), first parcel; 1210:216 (Horace and
Mary Welch to Anna W. Batchelder, 1887), first parcel; 2373:123 (Frank S. Prince et
al. to Emma Weatherbee and Luther W. Batchelder, 1917), first parcel; 2666:263
(Luther W. Batchelder and Emma Weatherbee to Henry A. and Helen W. Erhard,
1925); 2666:264 (Henry A. and Helen W. Erhard to Luther W. Batchelder and Emma
Weatherbee, mortgage, 1925); 2921:193 (Henry A. Erhard creation of the Helen We-
ber Erhard Trust, 1923); and 6634:180 (State Street Bank and Trust Company, and
John W. and Henry E. Erhard, Trustees, to Ruth Z. A. Dougher, 1979). See Essex
County Deeds Plan 1974:216 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Property of Helen W. Er-
hard et al. Trs.,” 1974); and Plan 216:100 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property
of Helen W. Erhard Trust,” 1985).
For Subdivisions C and D, see Essex County Deeds 144:42 (Theophilus Fiske
to Thomas Fiske, 1757); and 144:169 (Thomas Fiske to Joseph Fairfield, 1785). See
also Essex County Deeds 134:116 (William Fiske to Amos Batchelder, 1772), includ-
ing internal reference to contemporary sale of abutting land by William Fiske to Ben-
jamin Friend. For subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds 250:215 (Edward
Perkins to Henry Perkins, 1829); 897:133 (Henry Perkins to Lakeman Southwick,
1874); 919:152 (Lakeman Southwick to George and Edwin Southwick, 1874); 1048:
250 (George Southwick to Edwin Southwick, 1876); 1825:281 (Edwin Southwick to
Clarence R. Sargent, 1906), fourth parcel; 1825:284 (Clarence R. Sargent to Oda
Howe Nichols, mortgage, 1906), fourth parcel; 1825:289 (Clarence R. Sargent to Ed-
win Southwick, mortgage, 1906), fourth parcel; 1911:98 (Clarence R. Sargent to Su-
san A. Page, 1908); 2028:597 (Charles W. and Susan A. Page to Reuben D. Wether-
bee and Edward J. Gibbons, 1910); and 2999:276 (Reuben D. Wetherbee to Frank
T. Wentworth, 1934). See Essex County Probate 196423 (Edward J. Gibbons). See
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 177

Essex County Deeds 3812:372 (Mary E. Smith to Inez L. Murray and Edna L. Moyni-
han, 1951). See Essex County Probate 195333 (Frank T. Wentworth); and 200671
(Katherine T. Wentworth). See Essex County Deeds 4770:121 (Inez L. Murray and
Edna W. Moynihan to Charles C. Hammer et al., trustees, 1961). See Essex County
Deeds Plan 1961:273 (“Plan of Land in Wenham Owned by Inez L. Murray & Edna
W. Moynihan,” 1961); and Plan 98:58 (“Subdivision Plan, Ardmore Oval–Sect. II,”
1962).

The Ebenezer Fiske Farm, Subdivision E

History
In 1744 Bartholomew Dodge (17121793) bought the Theophilus Rix House
on the south side of proto-Cherry Street across the road from the Newman-Fiske-
Dodge House. Around the time he bought the Rix House he also started buying land
north of the road, part of Subdivision E. Indeed, Essex County Deeds 89:248 (Jon-
athan Dodge to Bartholomew Dodge, 1747) documents Bartholomew’s purchase of
nine acres 20 poles at the southeast corner of the former William Fiske Sr. Farm—
and states that the parcel abutted land to the east (north of the road) that Bartholo-
mew already owned. Bartholomew subsequently sold five acres of this lot to his son
Israel Andrews Dodge; see Essex County Deeds 148:112 (Bartholomew Dodge to
Israel Andrews Dodge, 1779), second deed, second parcel. Jonathan Dodge did not
record his deed when he acquired the nine-acre 20-pole lot. As for the abutting prop-
erty to the west, Bartholomew didn’t record his deed when he bought it, but we can
surmise that this property was different from, and to the west of, the Newman-Fiske-
Dodge House lot. Other land that seems to have been part of Subdivision E is rec-
orded in Essex County Deeds 148:112 (Bartholomew Dodge to Israel Andrews
Dodge, 1779), first deed.
By 1785 Dea. John Friend owned some property that had been part of Subdivi-
sion E, as he is identified as an abutter in Essex County Deeds 144:169 (Thomas
Fiske to Joseph Fairfield, 1785), a lot that may have abutted the one described in 148:
112, second deed, second parcel. Unfortunately, Friend didn’t record his deed when
he acquired the abutting property.

The Ebenezer Fiske Farm, Subdivision F

Boundaries
Location of eastern boundary per 65:90 (division of property between John and
Jonathan Moulton, 1715), third division; 65:90 (Sarah Moulton 2nd to Samuel Moul-
ton, 1733), first parcel; 87:82 (Samuel Moulton to Samuel Batcheller [sic], 1745), first
parcel; 88:280 (Samuel Batchelder to Edward Webber, 1747); and 197:301 ([Capt.]
John Moulton to Samuel Obear, mortgage, 1809).
Location of southern boundary per 167:217 (Adam Reddington to [Capt.] John
Moulton, 1801); 197:301 ([Capt.] John Moulton to Samuel Obear, mortgage, 1809);
220:17 ([Capt.] John Moulton to Nathaniel Kimball, 1819); 230:78 (Israel A. Dodge
to Henry Towne, 1822); 233:286 (Henry Towne to Uzziel Rea, mortgage, 1823); and
178 History of the Thomas Kilham House

275:112 (Benjamin Merrill to Thomas Kimball [3rd], in trust for Ezra and Nancy
Shattuck, 1834), first parcel. All of these deeds indicate that the southern boundary
was the same line as the southern boundary of the former Theophilus Rix Farm.
History
This property was identified as being owned by Dea. William Fiske [Jr.] in Essex
County Deeds 65:90 (division of property between John and Jonathan Moulton,
1715), third division. From Dea. William to his son Ebenezer per Essex County
Deeds 26:259 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Ebenezer Fiske, 1713). It was identified as being
owned by Ebenezer Fiske in deeds from 1726, 1733 and 1745, per 57:58 (Theophilus
Rix to James Rix, 1726), first parcel; 65:90 (Sarah Moulton 2 nd to Samuel Moulton,
1733), first parcel; and 87:82 (Samuel Moulton to Samuel Batcheller [sic], 1745), first
parcel.
By descent from Ebenezer Fiske to his son William Fiske (17261777). See Es-
sex County Probate 9496 (Ebenezer Fisk [sic], 1771), Will and Inventory, 33½ acre
homestead. See 133:92 (William Fiske to William Webber, 1773); 133:93 (William
Webber to Nathaniel Brown, mortgage, 1774); and 139:15 (Anna Brown and Thomas
Brown, executor, to William Webber, 1779). William Webber sold the property to
Samuel Obear in 1793 per Essex County Deeds 158:37 (William Webber to Adam
Reddington, 1793)—which is a deed for an abutting property—but Obear did not
record his own deed.
Samuel Obear (17531833), son of Josiah and Hannah (Haskel) Ober, preferred
the phonetic spelling of his family surname. He was identified as the owner of this
property in four deeds for the abutting property to the west; see Essex County Deeds
168:87 (Israel Andrews Dodge to Oliver Dodge, 1800); 230:78 (Israel A. Dodge to
Henry Towne, 1822); 233:286 (Henry Towne to Uzziel Rea, mortgage, 1823); and
275:112 (Benjamin Merrill to Thomas Kimball [3rd], in trust for Ezra and Nancy
Shattuck, 1834), first parcel.
The property was subsequently acquired by the Shattuck family (deed not rec-
orded), who subdivided it in 1851. For the northeastern corner lot of 4 to 4½ acres,
see Essex County Deeds 450:124 (Sylvanus D. Shattuck to Ezra Shattuck, mortgage,
1851); 450:131 (Ezra Shattuck to Silvanus [sic] D. Shattuck, 1851); 464:186 (Sylvanus
D. Shattuck to Moses Putnam, mortgage, 1852); 501:4 (Sylvanus D. Shattuck to Ben-
jamin C. and John A. Putnam, 1853); 1258:329 (John A. Putnam to Martha P. Put-
nam, 1889), second parcel; 1288:51 (Martha P. Putnam to Emmeline S. Standley,
1890); 1288:52 (Emmeline S. Standley to Mary B. Putnam, mortgage, 1890); 1673:500
(Elbridge K. and Emmeline S. Standley to Harriet J. Hoag, 1902); 1742:465 (Frank
N. and Harriet J. Hoag to Forman A. Crosby, 1904); 1742:466 (Forman A. Crosby
to Emily M. Currier, 1904); 1819:497 (Emily M. Currier to Nellie A. Ferguson, 1906);
1819:498 (Nellie A. Ferguson to Emily M. Currier, mortgage, 1906); 1960:488 (John
and Nellie A. Ordway to Lester E. Libby, 1909); 1989:173 (Lester E. Libby to George
N. Julian Jr., 1909); 1989:175 (George N. Julian Jr. to Lester E. Libby, mortgage,
1909); and 2237:21 (George N. Julian Jr. to Bernard T. Leveque, 1913). See also the
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 179

“G. N. Julian” lot in Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham
(1910), plate 34, and Essex County Deeds Plan 1956:216 (“Plan of Land Belonging
to Bernard T. Leveque, Wenham, Mass.,” 1956). For the remainder of the Shattuck
property (other than the northeast 4 to 4½ acres), see Essex County Deeds 499:40
(Ezra Shattuck to David S. Shattuck, 1854); 601:30 (Ezra and Nancy Shattuck to
David S. Shattuck, 1860); 626:79 (David S. Shattuck to Henry A. White, 1861); 626:80
(Henry A. White to Abby M. Shattuck, 1861); 795:23 (David S. and Abby M. Shattuck
to Sarah Jeffreys [sic], 1870); 819:232 (John and Sarah Jeffrey [sic] to George Flint,
1871); 851:226 (George Flint to Charles F. Flint, mortgage, 1872); 1223:36 (Caleb
Buffum, administrator, to Caroline Hood, 1888); 1356:413 (Caroline Hood to John
F. Flint, 1888); 1612:521 (John F. Flint to Caroline Hood, 1900); and 1646:451 (Car-
oline Hood to Emily M. Currier, 1901).
180 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure B.12. Subdivision of the Samuel Fiske (the tailor) and Theophilus Rix por-
tions of the William Fiske Sr. Farm.

Subdivisions
A. To Theophilus Rix, by 1704
B. The Butman Lot, to Samuel Fiske (the tailor)

The Theophilus Rix Farm

Conjectural eastern boundary of Subdivision A is based on Essex County Deeds
230:78 (Israel A. Dodge to Henry Towne, 1822); and 233:286 (Henry Towne to Uz-
ziel Rea, mortgage, 1823), which describes five acres to the east of Flint Street, abut-
ting the western boundary of Samuel Obear’s lot.
The southern boundary is anchored on stone walls shown in Essex County
Deeds Plan 52:17 (“Plan of Land in Wenham for Henry A. Erhard,” 1927); Plan 119:
52 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Belonging to M. Doris Poor,” 1971); and Plan
119:58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property of Massachusetts Audubon So-
ciety,” 1971), sheet 2.
The boundary between Subdivision A and Subdivision B is anchored on the
stone wall shown in Plan 52:17.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 181

The Butman Lot

Boundaries
Eastern and southern boundaries based on Essex County Deeds 2752:321 (John
J. Weatherbee et al. to Henry A. and Helen W. Erhard, 1927), first parcel (i.e., the
boundary between the Batchelder lot and land formerly owned by Butman) and
shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 52:17 (Butman being erroneous rendered as
“Buckman”).
The western boundary is a conjectural extension of the Fairfield-Fiske boundary
on the north side of Cherry Street; as shown, this boundary is close to the historical
boundary of the Butman Lot, but not exactly aligned with it.
History
This was one of a number of lots that Samuel Fiske assembled to create his farm.
He conveyed it to his sons Daniel and Benjamin in 1716, per Essex County Deeds
36:167 (Samuel Fiske to Daniel and Benjamin Fiske, 1716). Owned by Daniel Fiske
( ? 1761) in 1726, 1734, 1737 and 1744 per 57:58 (Theophilus Rix to James Rix,
1726); 66:94 (James Rix to Samuel Batchelder, 1734), first parcel; 74:127 (Samuel
Batchelder to Benjamin Batchelder, 1737), first parcel; and 88:40 (Benjamin Batchel-
der to Bartholomew Dodge, 1744). For subsequent history, see Essex County Deeds
89:247 (Jonathan Dodge to Jeremiah Dodge, 1747); and 107:26 (Jeremiah Dodge to
Samuel Tarbox, 1759). Bequeathed to Tarbox’s daughters Rebekah Moulton (1739
1823) and Anna Conant (1742 ? ); see Essex County Probate 27210 (Dea. Samuel
Tarbox, 1784), Will and Inventory, “Sixteen acres of Dodges Land So-Caled [sic].”
(The lot was owned by Tarbox’s heirs as late as 1789, Tarbox being identified as an
abutter in this location in Essex County Deeds 148:223 (George Crowninshield to
Thomas Clark, 1788) and 148:224 (Thomas Clark to John Baker Jr., 1789).) See Essex
County Deeds 159:7 (Jonathan Moulton et al. to Richard Hood, 1794). The lot was
subsequently owned by Samuel Obear by 1800, Obear being identified as an abutter
in this location in 166:230 (John Baker [Jr.] to Benjamin Potter, 1800). For subse-
quent ownership, see Essex County Deeds 186:205 (Samuel Obear to Nathan Pres-
ton, 1809); 270:149 (Samuel Obear to Daniel Butman, 1813); 312:186 (Daniel But-
man to James Butman, 1838); 312:186 (Daniel Butman to Priscilla Pike, 1838); 329:
227 (James Butman to Charles Pike, 1842); 497:113 (Priscilla Pike et al. to Sarah
Woodbury, 1854); 497:114 (Sarah Woodbury to Priscilla Pike, mortgage, 1854); 713:
19 (Sarah Woodbury to Edward F. White, 1866); 863:200 (Edward F. White to Mary
Dodge, 1872); 1015:226 (Mary Dodge to J. V. Haynes, 1879); 1181:6 (Luisa Haynes
to George D. Tufts, 1886); 1630:497 (Edward H. Brown, trustee, to Edward L. Kim-
ball, 1900); 2180:381 (Patrick A. McSweeney, commissioner, to Lester E. Libby,
1912); 2180:382 (Lester E. Libby to B. Hammond Tracy, 1912); and 2348:382 (B.
Hammond Tracy to Mary A. Brennan, mortgage, 1916), second parcel. The western
boundary of the lot is described in 2752:321 (John J. Weatherbee et al. to Henry A.
and Helen W. Erhard, 1927), first parcel (the boundary between the Weatherbee lot
and land formerly owned by Butman) and shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 52:17
182 History of the Thomas Kilham House

(“Plan of Land in Wenham for Henry A. Erhard,” 1927), Butman being erroneous
rendered as “Buckman.”
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 183

THE WILLIAM WELLMAN FARM

Figure B.13. The William Wellman Farm, by 1656.

Boundaries
1. Sited as an extension of the northern boundary of the William Fiske Sr.
Farm as configured in 1692 (Figure B.11)
2. The Landing Place along the Great Swamp Highway
3. This boundary mapped in Essex County Deeds Plan 2284:551 (“Salem
and Beverly Water Supply Board, Additional Supply, Land Takings,”
1914), No. 3 and No. 4
4. Arbitrarily sited as an extension of the western boundary of the James
Moulton Farm (Figure B.15)
184 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Figure B.14. Approximate location of the 50-acre farm bequeathed by John Batchel-
der Jr. to his sons in 1754.19

Boundaries
1. This corner is mapped in plans that were drawn in 1917 and 1971
2. This corner is mapped in plans that were drawn in 1914
3. This boundary is mapped in the 1910 atlas, and in plans drawn in 1914 and
1915
See Essex County Deeds Plan 2284:551 (“Salem and Beverly Water Supply
Board, Additional Supply, Land Takings,” 1914), No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5; Plan
2294:153 (“Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board, Additional Supply, Land
Takings,” 1915), No. 11; Plan 31:14 (“Land in Wenham, Mass. Belonging to
Emily M. Currier et al.,” 1917); and Plan 119:58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham,
Mass., Property of Massachusetts Audubon Society,” 1971). Atlas of the Towns of
Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham (1910), plate 3

19 Essex County Probate 2080 (John Batchelder [Jr.], 1754), Will and Inventory.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 185

Subdivisions
A. To Samuel Batchelder, 1754
B. To Benjamin Batchelder, 1754
C. To John Batchelder 3rd, 1754

The Benjamin Batchelder Lot

For history, see John Batchelder Jr. bequest to son Benjamin Batchelder per
Essex County Probate 2080 (John Batchelder [Jr.], 1754), Will and Inventory; and
Frederick Clifton Pierce, Batchelder, Batcheller Genealogy (Chicago: W. B. Conkey Com-
pany, 1898), 357-358. See Essex County Deeds 103:61 (Benjamin Batchelder to Sam-
uel Tarbox Jr., 1754); 113:39 (Samuel Tarbox [Jr.] to Samuel Batcheller [sic], 1760),
first parcel; 154:242 (Samuel Batchelder to Daniel Kilham, 1792), first deed, first
parcel; 163:66 (Daniel Kilham to Samuel Batchelder, 1793), first parcel; 157:293
(Samuel Batchelder to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1794), second parcel; 624:96 (William
Moulton et al. to Charles Moulton, 1861); 1685:98 (Charles L. Moulton et al. to Lester
E. Libby, 1902); and 1804:400 (Lester E. Libby to Francis L. Higginson Jr., 1905).
See Essex County Probate 302205 (Francis L. Higginson [Jr.]), bequest to Massachu-
setts Audubon Society Inc.

The John Batchelder 3rd Lot

For history of the western portion of this lot, see Essex County Probate 2080
(John Batchelder [Jr.], 1754), Will and Inventory; and Pierce (1898), 357-358. See
Essex County Deeds 101:258 (John [3rd] and Benjamin Batcheller [sic] to Daniel Gott,
1754); 110:211 (Mary Putnam, administratrix, and [Dr.] Amos Putnam to Samuel
Batcheller [sic], 1760); 154:243 (Samuel Batchelder to Daniel Kilham, 1792); 157:293
(Samuel Batchelder to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1794), first parcel; 624:96 (William
Moulton et al. to Charles Moulton, 1861); 1685:98 (Charles L. Moulton et al. to Lester
E. Libby, 1902); and 1804:400 (Lester E. Libby to Francis L. Higginson Jr., 1905).
See Essex County Probate 302205 (Francis L. Higginson [Jr.]), bequest to Massachu-
setts Audubon Society Inc.
The eastern portion of this lot was sold to brothers Edmund Kimball Jr. (1728
1759) and Capt. Thomas Kimball Sr. (17301805) in 1754, but they did not record
their deed; see reference to the transaction in Essex County Deeds 101:258 (John
[3rd] and Benjamin Batcheller [sic] to Daniel Gott, 1754). See Essex County Deeds
107:52 (Thomas Kimball [Sr.] to Edmund Kimball Jr., 1759). Owned by Paul Porter
by 1861, per 624:96 (William Moulton et al. to Charles Moulton, 1861). For subse-
quent history, see Essex County Deeds 1391:569 (probate partition, estate of Samuel
Porter, 1893); 2175:208 (Sidney Perley, commissioner, to Fred F. Porter, 1912), sec-
ond parcel; 2304:476 (Fred F. Porter to City of Salem and City of Beverly, 1915);
2284:551 (Salem & Beverly Water Supply Board, statement as to taking of land,
1915), parcels 3A, 3B and 4; and Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton
and Wenham (1910), plate 34, “Mrs. W. Porter” lot. And see Essex County Deeds
186 History of the Thomas Kilham House

1206:229 (Samuel Porter to Horace D. Eaton, 1887); 1206:342 (Horace D. Eaton to

Samul Porter, mortgage, 1887); 1442:388 (Charles H. Jelly et al. to Lavinia E. Porter,
1895); 1442:389 (Lavinia E. Porter to Alice W. Mackintire, 1895); 1966:167 (Alice W.
Mackintire to Carrie B. Merrill, 1909); 2295:552 (Carrie B. Merrill and Lester E. Libby
to City of Salem and City of Beverly, 1915); 2284:551 (Salem & Beverly Water Supply
Board, statement as to taking of land, 1915), parcel 5; 2294:153 (Salem & Beverly
Water Supply Board, statement as to taking of land, 1915), parcel 11; Essex County
Deeds Plan 1964:153 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., As Surveyed for Raymond
R. Martel,” 1964); and Atlas of the Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wen-
ham (1910), plate 34, “Miss C. B. Merrill” lot.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 187

THE JAMES MOULTON FARM

Figure B.15. The James Moulton Farm, 1639.

Boundaries
1. Full eastern boundary mapped in Essex County Probate 32325 (Adoniram
J. Batchelder, 1878), division of Edmund Batchelder’s Moulton Hill Wood
Lot, description and map. Partial boundary mapped in Essex County Deeds
Plan 1708:327 (“Plan of Land of F. L. Higginson Jr., Wenham, Mass.,”
1903). The northeast corner of the 80-acre grant (i.e., the Cherry Street ter-
minus of this eastern boundary) corresponds today to a wooden fence post
55 feet to the east of a fire hydrant.
2. Location of southwest corner based on a 1695 description of the abutting
Spooner-Porter Farm, i.e., its reference to the corner of James Friend’s 40
acres.20 This corner corresponds to a corner in the stone walls shown in

20 Town of Wenham, Town Records of Wenham, Vol. 2, 1679 to 1731, MS, 9 (Ancestry.com,
Wenham Town Records, frame 14); and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham Town Records,
Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 21.
188 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer
Streets, Wenham,” 1910), corner boundary with Clarence E. Kimball; and
Plan 96:35 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Owned by Mary B. Amory,”
1960), corner boundary kitty-corner to “Proposed Street.”
3. Location of northwest corner per lengths of boundaries provided in Essex
County Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severett, 1684)
4. Anchored on stone walls shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 52:17 (“Plan
of Land in Wenham for Henry A. Erhard,” 1927); Plan 119:52 (“Plan of
Land in Wenham, Mass, Belonging to M. Doris Poor,” 1971); and Plan 119:
58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property of Massachusetts Audubon
Society,” 1971), sheet 2
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 189

Figure B.16. Early subdivisions of the James Moulton Farm.

Subdivisions
A. James Moulton Sr. to James and Mary (Moulton) Friend, 1680
B. To James and Mary (Moulton) Friend, date unknown
C. James Sr. or James Moulton Jr. to William Fiske Jr., by 1684
D. James Moulton Jr. to John Severett, 1684
E. John and Jonathan Moulton to William Fairfield, 1699
F. John and Jonathan Moulton’s division of their father’s property, 1715
F1. The First Division, John Moulton’s house lot
F2. The Second Division, Jonathan Moulton’s house lot
F3. The Third Division, “John Moulton’s Acre” (orchard)
F4. The Fourth Division, to John Moulton
F5. The Fifth Division, to Jonathan Moulton
190 History of the Thomas Kilham House

The James and Mary (Moulton) Friend Five-Acre Lot

Boundaries
The northern and northwest boundaries shown for Subdivision A are based on
Essex County Deeds Plan 29:29 (“Boundary Survey of Bomer and Wesel Lots, Wen-
ham, Mass.,” 1916): Subdivision A is conjecturally assigned as the overlap between
(1) the John S. Bomer lot as mapped in Plan 29:29 and (2) the footprint of the James
Moulton Farm.
History
This was the five-acre parcel “joining to the backside [sic] of [the James and Mary
(Moulton) Friend] house” mentioned in James Moulton’s will; see Essex County Pro-
bate 19018 (James Molton [sic], 1680), Will and Inventory. For subsequent history,
see the history of the First James Friend House at Appendix G, footnote 3.

The James and Mary (Moulton) Friend Ten-Acre Lot

Boundaries
Western boundary anchored on Flint Street per 1738 description of the widow’s
third in Essex County Probate 10209 (John Friend, 1718), “Division of Real Estate
of John Friend Late of Wenham, Deceased” (1738); and “Settlement of Estate of
John Friend Late of Wenham, Dec’d” (1763), third division.
Eastern boundary described in a 1695 description of the abutting Spooner-Por-
ter Farm.21 Anchored on the stone wall shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21
(“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,” 1910); and Plan 96:35
(“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Owned by Mary B. Amory,” 1960).
History
It’s not clear when James and Mary (Moulton) Friend acquired this particular
parcel. Apparently bequeathed by James Friend to his son John Friend (16681718),
per Essex County Probate 10205 (Dea. James Friend, 1718), Will. Assigned to John’s
widow Sarah (Dodge) Friend (16851763) per Essex County Probate 10209 (John
Friend, 1718), “Division of Real Estate of John Friend Late of Wenham, Deceased”
(1738), ten acres and 14 poles, and “Settlement of Estate of John Friend Late of
Wenham, Dec’d” (1763), third division, bequest to son John Friend Jr. (17181785).
See Essex County Probate 10212 (Dea. John Friend [Jr.], 1785), Will, bequest of 20
acres to son Benjamin Friend (17441807). See Essex County Deeds 147:227 (Ben-
jamin Friend to John Dodge, 1788); 154:42 (John Dodge to William Webber, 1791);
172:1 (William Webber to Billy Porter, 1793); 172:1 (Billy Porter to James Friend
[Jr.], 1800); 219:34 (James Friend [Jr.] to William Friend, mortgage, 1818), second
parcel; 267:171 (John Porter 2nd, administrator, to John S. and William F. Bomer,
1832); 333:76 (John S. Bomer to William F. Bomer, 1842); 333:77 (William F. Bomer
to Orsment Woodbury, mortgage, 1842); 342:21 (William F. Bomer to Francis A.

21 Ibid.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 191

Bomer, 1844); 369:144 (William Goodhue, assignee, et al. to Augustus Beckett, 1846);
455:168 (Augustus Beckett to Elbridge Kimball, 1852); 2548:22 (Clarence E. Kimball
to Marcia K. Wallis, 1923), second parcel; 2566:406 (George E. and Marcia K. Wallis
to Mary Crawford Burnham, 1923); 2566:407 (George E. and Marcia K. Wallis to
Helen Clark Burnham et al., 1923); 3293:214 (Mary Crawford Burnham to Helen C.
and John A. Burnham, 1942); 3393:165 (Clarence J. Giddings, executor, to Helen
Clark Burnham and Mary Crawford Burnham, 1945), fifth parcel; and 3814:586
(Mary Crawford Burnham to Mary B. Amory, 1951). See also Essex County Deeds
Plan 83:53 (“The Amory Subdivision, Wenham, Massachusetts,” 1952); and Plan
96:35 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Owned by Mary B. Amory,” 1960.

The William Fiske Jr. Lot

Boundaries
Eastern boundary (conjectural) is interpreted from Essex County Deeds 133:92
(William Fiske to William Webber, 1773), which describes a parcel of 29 acres and
five poles, after solving for other overlapping lots.
History
This property was identified as being owned by Dea. William Fiske Jr. in Essex
County Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severy [sic], 1684) and 65:90 (divi-
sion of property between John and Jonathan Moulton, 1715), fifth division.
Although owned by William Fiske Jr., it was apparently in the possession of
Samuel Fiske (the tailor) in 1692, per abutters named in Essex County Deeds 11:106
(Elizabeth Endicott and John Newman, administrators, to Samuel Fiske and The-
ophilus Rix, 1692).
From Dea. William to his son Ebenezer per Essex County Deeds 26:259 (Wil-
liam Fiske [Jr.] to Ebenezer Fiske, 1713). It was identified as being owned by
Ebenezer Fiske in 1733, per 65:90 (Sarah Moulton 2nd to Samuel Moulton, 1733),
second parcel. Bequeathed by Ebenezer Fiske to his son William Fiske (17261777).
See Essex County Probate 9496 (Ebenezer Fisk[e], 1771), Will and Inventory, 33½-
acre homestead. See Essex County Deeds 133:92 (William Fiske to William Webber,
1773); 133:93 (William Webber to Nathaniel Brown, mortgage, 1774); 139:15 (Anna
Brown and Thomas Brown, executor, to William Webber, 1779); 158:37 (William
Webber to Adam Reddington, 1793); 167:217 (Adam Reddington to [Capt.] John
Moulton, 1801); 197:301 ([Capt.] John Moulton to Samuel Obear, mortgage, 1809);
203:159 ([Capt.] John Moulton et al. to John Conant, 1814); 220:17 ([Capt.] John
Moulton to Nathaniel Kimball, 1819); and 244:148 (John Conant to Nathaniel Kim-
ball, 1819). See Essex County Probate 44414 (Nathaniel Kimball, 1855), Will and
Inventory, for bequest of the John Moulton Farm to Nathaniel’s grandson George.
See Essex County Deeds 565:41 (George W. and Mary E. Kimball to William Pea-
body, 1858); 565:58 (William and Anna D. Peabody to William B. Morgan, 1858);
568:23 (William B. and Martha A. Morgan to Elbridge A. Dodge, 1858); and 2193:
532 (Elizabeth N. Dodge et al. to Francis L. Higginson Jr., 1913). See Essex County
192 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Probate 302205 (Francis L. Higginson [Jr.]), bequest to Massachusetts Audubon So-

ciety Inc. See also Essex County Deeds Plan 119:58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham,
Mass., Property of Massachusetts Audubon Society,” 1971).

The John Severett Farm

Boundaries
Lengths of boundaries provided via Essex County Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton
[Jr.] to John Severett, 1684); 119:176 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to Bartholomew Dodge,
1765); and 119:177 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to Bartholomew Dodge, 1764).
The Severett Farm bordered both the Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm and the
Theophilus Rix Farm to the north. See Essex County Deeds 57:58 (Theophilus Rix
to James Rix, 1726); 66:94 (James Rix to Samuel Batchelder, 1734), first parcel; and
74:127 (Samuel Batchelder to Benjamin Batchelder, 1737), first parcel.
The eastern boundary was along Flint Street. See Essex County Deeds 114:223
(George Dodge to [Dr.] William Fairfield, 1763), first parcel; 116:175 (John Porter
[Jr.] to George Dodge, 1763), first parcel; 119:177 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to Barthol-
omew Dodge, 1764); and 127:248 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to John Porter [Jr.], 1765).
The frontage on Flint Street corresponded to the eastern boundary of the 2.63-acre
parcel shown in Essex County Deeds Plan 52:17 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, For
Henry A. Erhard, 1927). Considering the fact that the 1689 description of Flint
Street22 seems to indicate that Severett’s house was rather close to the road, this 2.63-
acre lot was likely the site of the John Severett House.
The western boundary is a conjectural extension of a stone wall shown in Essex
County Deeds Plan 122:19 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Property of Dorothy W.
Roland,” 1972) that separated the Robinson and Streeter properties.
History
Essex County Deeds 33:42 (James Moulton [Jr.] to John Severy [sic], 1684). Sev-
erett had deeded his house to his son James ( ? 1723) on the condition that James
take care of his aging parents. James, however, predeceased his father John, and John
Severett ended up selling his farm to his neighbor John Porter Jr. (1683ca.1775).
See Essex County Deeds 30:113 (John Severy [Severett] to James Severy, 1715); and
47:226 (John Severett to John Porter Jr., 1727).
For subsequent history of the farm, see Essex County Deeds 116:175 (John
Porter [Jr.] to George Dodge, 1763), first parcel; 114:223 (George Dodge to [Dr.]
William Fairfield, 1763), first parcel; 119:176 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to Bartholomew
Dodge, 1765); and 119:177 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to Bartholomew Dodge, 1764).
It is noteworthy that the 1763 and 1764 deeds make no reference to the John Severett
House, which suggests the house had disappeared by then. See also Essex County

22 Town of Wenham, Town Records of Wenham, Vol. 2, 1679 to 1731, MS, unnumbered pages
(Ancestry.com, Wenham Town Records, frames 8-9); and Wenham Historical Society, Wen-
ham Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (1940), 3-5.
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 193

Probate 7796 (Bartholomew Dodge, 1793), Inventory, twelve-acre “Savaray Lot,”

which became the property of his son Israel Andrews Dodge (bp.17491823). For
genealogy, see Joseph Thompson Dodge, Genealogy of the Dodge Family of Essex County,
Mass. (Madison, WS: Democrat Printing Company, 1894), 64-65, 106.
For subsequent history of the western part of the farm, see 168:87 (Israel An-
drews Dodge to Oliver Dodge, 1800), second parcel; 168:88 (Oliver Dodge to Israel
Andrews Dodge, mortgage, 1800), second parcel; and 213:152 (Oliver Dodge to Is-
rael Andrews Dodge, 1817), second parcel, all three documents (despite the wording
of the 1763 and 1764 deeds) making reference to a house on the lot. See also Essex
County Probate 7868 (Israel A. Dodge, 1823), Will and Inventory. See also Essex
County Deeds 280:211 (Polly Dodge to Samuel Dodge, 1824), no reference being
made to a house; 284:190 (Polly Dodge to Rebekah Dodge, 1835); 298:196 (Rebekah
Dodge, guardian, to Paul Porter, 1835); 312:197 (Rebekah Dodge, guardian, to
Charles Pike, 1835); 497:113 (Priscilla Pike et al. to Sarah Woodbury, 1854); 497:114
(Sarah Woodbury to Priscilla Pike, mortgage, 1854); 713:19 (Sarah Woodbury to Ed-
ward F. White, 1866); 863:200 (Edward F. White to Mary Dodge, 1872); 1015:226
(Mary Dodge to J. V. Haynes, 1879); 1181:6 (Luisa Haynes to George D. Tufts,
1886); 1630:497 (Edward H. Brown, trustee, to Edward L. Kimball, 1900); 2180:381
(Patrick A. McSweeney, commissioner, to Lester E. Libby, 1912); 2180:382 (Lester
E. Libby to B. Hammond Tracy, 1912); 2348:382 (B. Hammond Tracy to Mary A.
Brennan, mortgage, 1916), second parcel; 2748:542 (Beacon Trust Company to An-
thony J. J. Rourke, 1927), second parcel; 2748:545 (Anthony J. J. Rourke to Beacon
Trust Company, mortgage, 1927), second parcel; 2976:513 (Ellen M. Hart to Albina
M. Mitchell, 1933), second parcel; 3031:251 (Albina M. Mitchell to Evelyn V.
Haszard, 1935); 3785:146 (Owen S. and Evelyn V. Haszard to Danvers Savings Bank,
mortgage, 1950); 4534:115 (Evelyn V. Haszard to Derrick Perkins, 1959); 4534:116
(Derrick Perkins to Evelyn V. Haszard, mortgage, 1959); 4870:265 (Derrick Perkins
to Liberty Research Co., Inc., 1961); and 5178:736 (Marion W. Batchelder to Liberty
Research Co., Inc., 1964). See also Essex County Deeds 1346:8 (Joseph A. White et
al. to Harriet M. White, 1891, first third and fourth parcels; 1511:467 (Mary L. Glavin
et al. to Harriet M. Roberts, 1897), first, third and fourth parcels; 1517:128 (Hiram L.
and Harriet M. Roberts to Harriet Gertrude Batchelder, 1897), first, third and fourth
parcels; 2623:344 (Luther W. Batchelder, administrator, to Alden W. Batchelder,
1924), first parcel and third parcels; 2623:345 (Alden W. Batchelder to Luther W.
Batchelder, 1924), first and third parcels; 2849:500 (Alden W. Batchelder to Roscoe
B. Batchelder, 1930), first and second parcels; and 4510:122 (Muriel A. Batchelder et
al. to Marion W. Batchelder, 1958). See also Essex County Deeds Plan 102:33 (“Plan
of Land in Wenham, Property of Liberty Research Co. Inc. & Marion W. Batchel-
der,” 1964).
For subsequent history of the easternmost portion of the John Severett Farm
(abutting Flint Street), see Essex County Deeds 241:170 (Polly Dodge to Paul Porter,
1823). See also Essex County Probate 50713 (Paul Porter, 1861), Inventory,
“Dodge’s Orchard.” See Essex County Deeds 1081:239 (William and Samuel Porter,
194 History of the Thomas Kilham House

executors, to Lydia White, 1862), she the daughter of Paul Porter and the wife of
Amos C. White (who was referred to in deeds for the abutting property as the owner
of this lot); 1081:240 (Lydia White to Edward F. White, 1882); 1641:178 (Edward F.
White to Harriet G. Batchelder, 1901); 2623:345 (Alden W. Batchelder to Luther W.
Batchelder, 1924), fifth parcel; and 2752:322 (Luther W. Batchelder to Francis L.
Higginson, 1927). See Essex County Deeds Plan 52:17 (“Plan of Land in Wenham
for Henry A. Erhard,” 1927), 2.63-acre lot.

Figure B.17. The house formerly at 128 Topsfield Road, identified as the house
of “J[oseph] White” in the 1872 atlas of Essex County. 23

23 D. G. Beers & Co., Atlas of Essex County, Massachusetts (Philadelphia: D. G. Beers & Co.,
1872. November 30, 2019 photograph by Robert O. Corcoran. Toured surreptitiously by the
author prior to its impending demolition, the house was being marketed at the time as dating
from 1769, raising the possibility that the house was built by Bartholomew Dodge (1712
1793). Supporting the hypothesis of eighteenth-century construction, in the cellar one could
see vertical saw marks on the boards of the first story subfloor, floor joists, and rear chimney
girt. The foundation of the left-hand chimney (which served both the left side of the house
proper and the ell) was brick with a full walk-through arch; the foundation of the right-hand
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 195

The William Fairfield Lot

Boundaries
The northeast corner was the “gate post standing on the way [highway, also
known as Flint Street] by Severett’s corner,” per Essex County Deeds 13:287 (John
and Jonathan Moulton to William Fairfield, 1699).
The southern boundary is conjectural, and is based on the parcel’s eight-acre
size (per Essex County Deeds 13:287).
The lot abutted land of John Porter on the southwest, per Essex County Deeds
13:287.
History
For history see Essex County Deeds 13:287 (John and Jonathan Moulton to
William Fairfield, 1699); 18:37 (William Fairfield to John and Jonathan Moulton,
1701); 18:38 (John and Jonathan Moulton to William Fiske [Jr.], 1702); 26:259 (Wil-
liam Fiske [Jr.] to Ebenezer Fiske, 1712). See Essex County Probate 9496 (Ebenezer
Fisk[e], 1771), Will and Inventory), bequest of 33½ acres to son William Fiske (1726
1777). To Dea. John Friend Jr. (17181785), but deed not recorded; see Essex
County Probate 10212 (Dea. John Friend [Jr.], 1785), Will, bequest of twenty acres
to son Benjamin Friend (17441807). See Essex County Deeds 147:227 (Benjamin
Friend to John Dodge, 1788); 154:42 (John Dodge to William Webber, 1791); 172:1
(William Webber to Billy Porter, 1793); 172:1 (Billy Porter to James Friend [Jr.],
1800); 219:34 (James Friend [Jr.] to William Friend, mortgage, 1818), second parcel;
267:171 (John Porter 2nd, administrator, to John S. and William F. Bomer, 1832);
333:76 (John S. Bomer to William F. Bomer, 1842); 333:77 (William F. Bomer to
Orsment Woodbury, mortgage, 1842); 342:21 (William F. Bomer to Francis A.
Bomer, 1844); 369:144 (William Goodhue, assignee, et al. to Augustus Beckett, 1846);
and 455:168 (Augustus Beckett to Elbridge Kimball, 1852). But see also Essex
County Deeds 280:211 (Polly Dodge to Samuel Dodge, 1824); and 284:190 (Polly
Dodge to Rebekah Dodge, 1835). Apparently to Paul Porter, but deed not found.
See Essex County Deeds 638:75 (Samuel Porter to Amos A. White, trustee, 1862), 3
acres; 1346:8 (Joseph A. White et al. to Harriet M. White, 1891, second and third
parcels; 1511:467 (Mary L. Glavin et al. to Harriet M. Roberts, 1897), second and
third parcels; 517:128 (Hiram L. and Harriet M. Roberts to Harriet Gertrude Batchel-
der, 1897), second and third parcels; 2623:344 (Luther W. Batchelder, administrator,
to Alden W. Batchelder, 1924), second and third parcels; 2623:345 (Alden W.

chimney (which was aligned against the back wall of the house proper) was brick with a blind
arch. The fireplace in the ell had a bake oven with a hinged iron door. Although the house had
retained one nineteenth-century mantel (in the first story right-hand room)—rather plain,
Greek Revival-inspired—no other interior details appeared to date any earlier than the late
nineteenth century. By November 2019 the house was in miserable shape; saving whatever
material was salvageable and restoring the rest would have been very costly indeed. It was torn
down December 26-27, 2019.
196 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Batchelder to Luther W. Batchelder, 1924), second and third parcels; and 2849:500
(Alden W. Batchelder to Roscoe B. Batchelder, 1930), second parcel. See Atlas of the
Towns of Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex, Hamilton and Wenham (1910), plate 34, two of the “L.
W. Batchelder” lots; and Essex County Deeds Plan 52:17 (“Plan of Land in Wenham
for Henry A. Erhard,” 1927), 2.51-acre lot.

John and Jonathan Moulton’s Division of their Father’s Property

In 1715 John and Jonathan Moulton divvied up the property that they had in-
herited from their father James Jr. Their arrangement resulted in two house lots (dis-
cussed in Chapter 1), a one-acre orchard and two pastures—five parcels sited in such
a way that neither brother owned two parcels that were contiguous to each other—
an arrangement that cleverly ensured that both brothers would always be crossing
each other’s land. (Not exactly a communal approach to land management, but an
interesting way to promote cooperative behavior.)

The First Division

Lengths of eastern and southern boundaries per Essex County Deeds 65:90
(division of property between John and Jonathan Moulton, 1715), first division.
For history of this lot, see footnote 210 in Chapter 1.

The Second Division

The location of the southern boundary is conjectural, since the acreage of
the Second Division was not recorded in 65:90 (John and Jonathan Moulton’s
division of property, 1715), second division. For history of this lot, see footnote
212 in Chapter 1.

The Third Division

Boundaries
Referred to as “John Moulton’s Acre,” the Third Division was an orchard
that measured 12 rods by 15 rods. It is anchored on a stone wall depicted in
Essex County Deeds Plan 2355:1 (“Plan of Land of Emily M. Currier,” 1916),
and Plan 119:58 (“Plan of Land in Wenham, Mass., Property of Massachusetts
Audubon Society,” 1971), sheet 2, with the assumption made that this wall is on
the site of the wall described in Essex County Probate 19028 (Jonathan
Moulton, 1801), Widow’s Dower (1802).
History
For its early history, see Essex County Deeds 65:90 (division of property
between John and Jonathan Moulton, 1715), third division, to John Moulton.
Ownership of the Third Division passed from John Moulton (1668–1755) to
his son John Jr. (1698–1760), to John Jr.’s son Jonathan (1737–1801), and to
Jonathan’s son Capt. John Moulton (17621824). See Essex County Probate
19021 (John Moulton, 1755), Inventory, “about one acre lying on the road be-
tween Edward Webber and Decon [sic] [Ebenezer] Fisk [sic]”; 19022 (John
 Appendix B: Boundaries & Subdivisions of Early Farms 197

Moulton [Jr.], 1760), Inventory; and 19028 (Jonathan Moulton, 1801), Inventory
(1801) and Widow’s Dower (1802), the Little Orchard. See also Essex County
Deeds 160:238 (Rebekah Moulton et al. to Jonathan Moulton, 1796); 199:188
(Tarbox Moulton to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1813); and 204:68 (Billy Moulton to
Daniel Moulton, 1814).

The Fourth Division

Boundaries
As described in Essex County Deeds 65:90 (division of property between
John and Jonathan Moulton, 1715), fourth division, to John Moulton. Location
of northwest corner per 65:90. Conjectural southwestern boundary interpreted
from Essex County Deeds 133:92 (William Fiske to William Webber, 1773),
which describes a parcel of 29 acres and five poles abutting to the west.
History
For its early history, see Essex County Deeds 65:90 (division of property
between John and Jonathan Moulton, 1715), fourth division, to John Moulton.
Ownership of the Fourth Division passed from John Moulton (1668–1755) to
his son John Jr. (1698–1760), to John Jr.’s son Jonathan (1737–1801), and to
Jonathan’s son Capt. John Moulton (17621824). See Essex County Probate
19021 (John Moulton, 1755), Inventory, “ab[o]ut sixteen acres ajoyning [sic] the
house”; 19022 (John Moulton [Jr.], 1760), Inventory; and 19028 (Jonathan
Moulton, 1801), Inventory, 30-acre homestead. See also Essex County Deeds
160:238 (Rebekah Moulton et al. to Jonathan Moulton, 1796); 199:188 (Tarbox
Moulton to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1813); and 204:68 (Billy Moulton to Daniel
Moulton, 1814). For subsequent ownership, see 197:301 ([Capt.] John Moulton
to Samuel Obear, mortgage, 1809); 203:159 ([Capt.] John Moulton et al. to John
Conant, 1814); 220:17 ([Capt.] John Moulton to Nathaniel Kimball, 1819); and
244:148 (John Conant to Nathaniel Kimball, 1819). For subsequent history, see
that of the Second Division, beginning with Essex County Probate 44414 (Na-
thaniel Kimball, 1855), Will and Inventory.

The Fifth Division

For its history, see Essex County Deeds 65:90 (division of property be-
tween John and Jonathan Moulton, 1715), fifth division, to Jonathan Moulton;
and 65:90 (Sarah Moulton 2nd to Samuel Moulton, 1733), second parcel. To
Ebenezer Fiske, but deed not recorded. Bequeathed by Ebenezer Fiske to his
son William Fiske (17261777). See Essex County Probate 9496 (Ebenezer
Fisk[e], 1771), Will and Inventory, 33½-acre homestead. See Essex County
Deeds 133:92 (William Fiske to William Webber, 1773); 133:93 (William Webber
to Nathaniel Brown, mortgage, 1774); 139:15 (Anna Brown and Thomas Brown,
executor, to William Webber, 1779); 158:37 (William Webber to Adam Redding-
ton, 1793); 167:217 (Adam Reddington to [Capt.] John Moulton, 1801); 197:301
198 History of the Thomas Kilham House

([Capt.] John Moulton to Samuel Obear, mortgage, 1809); 203:159 ([Capt.] John
Moulton et al. to John Conant, 1814); 220:17 ([Capt.] John Moulton to Nathaniel
Kimball, 1819); and 244:148 (John Conant to Nathaniel Kimball, 1819). For
subsequent history, see that of the Second Division, beginning with Essex
County Probate 44414 (Nathaniel Kimball, 1855), Will and Inventory.
 APPENDIX C:
EARLY DEEDS

JOHN FISKE TO CHARLES GOTT JR. AND DANIEL GOTT, NOVEMBER 30,
1665
Fifty-Acre Lot to the West of the Phineas Fiske Farm1

7: 10 mo: 1669 [sic]

This writing made the thirtieth of November in the yeare one thousand, six
hundred, sixty five, witnesseth that I, John Fisk, carpenter, inhabiting in ye
Toune of Wenham in ye County of Essex, doe for myselfe, heires, executors &
assignes, cleerely bargain, sell & make over unto Charles Gott & Daniell Gott,
both inhabiting in ye Toune & County before named, to them theire heirs, ex-
ecutors, administrators & assigns, for & in consideration of y e full & just sume
of thirty & two pounds, alredy paid in hand by bill before the ensealing heareof,
a p’cell of land, containing the sume of fifty acres of land, scittuate within the
bounds of Wenham, in part or neere about the line that runs betwixt Salem &
Wenham, bounded as followeth, north upon Mr. Osbands [Osbourne’s] farme
& south upon the land of ye aforesd John Fisk, westerly upon Leaches meddow
& east upon ye land of Phineas Fisk, this aforesd premisses, with all & singuler
ye premisses, I doe confirme unto the p’ties before named, peaceably to injoye,
without any lawfull expulsion […] disturbance or deniall by ye aforesd John Fisk,
his heires or assignes, or by any p’son by or from them assigned: whereunto I
have sett my hand & seale, in ye daye & yeare above specified. Remember Fisk
doe by these pr’sents resigne up my right in the land above specified.
sealed & delivered John Fisk
in the pr’sence of & a seale.
Mark Bachelor. Remember Fisk.
John Bachelor.
John Fisk acknowledged this to be his act & deed.

1 Essex County Deeds 3:72 (John Fiske to Charles [Jr.] and Daniel Gott, 1665).
200 History of the Thomas Kilham House

30: 9 mo: 69. Wm. Hathorne, Assistant.

Recorded this 7: 10 mo: 69 p’one
Hillyard Veren, Recorder.

DANIEL KILHAM TO JOHN GILBERT AND DANIEL KILHAM JR., AUGUST 17,
1688
Three Parcels, Including a 25-Acre Lot to the East of Thomas Kilham’s
Homestead2

Daniel Kellum Senr. to his sons Kellum & Gilbert

January: 22: 1688:9
This Indenture made this seventeenth day of August in y e fourth yeare of ye
raigne of our Soveraigne Lord James the 2d by the grace of God of England &c.
King defender of the faith &c. between Daniel Kellum Senr. of Ipswich in the
county of Essex in New England husbandman on the one part & John Gilbert
& Daniel Kellum Junr. of Ipswich in ye Same county, husbandman [sic] on ye
other part, witnesseth, that ye said Daniel Kellum Senr. for & in consideracon
of a bond given to him by ye abovesd John & Daniel for ye performance of
Sundry duties to which they have obliged themselves, refference whereto being
had may appeare, as alsoe a bond given by them to Nathaniel Saltonstall Esqr.
of Haverill, in New England, for the payment of one hundred and fifteene
pounds, in wheate, porke and malt, as may appeare by the bond hath granted,
sold, aliened, enfeofed and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, sell,
enfeofe & confirme to ye sd John Gilbert & Daniel Kellum, thier hiers and as-
signes forever, the remander of a parcel of land lying in Wenham, near y e meet-
inghouse, in estimation twenty five acres, having given to his son Daniel Kellum
12 akers of it, as may appeare by deed[3] wch parcel of land is bounded southerly
by sd 12 akers given his said sonne Daniel on ye west by Serg’t Batchelor & John
P[…]kinson, on ye east by Lieut. Gott their land, on ye north by Ipswich line,
together with all ye fences, tenaments, woods, ways, profits, privilidges, com-
monages, comodyties & appurtenances to ye premises belonging or any way ap-

2 Essex County Deeds 8:108 (Daniel Kilham to John Gilbert and Daniel Kilham Jr., 1688).
3 See Essex County Deeds 8:109 (Daniel Kilham to Daniel Kilham [Jr.], 1688), being a gift
of “my house & twelve acres of land, in ye bounds of Wenham … near ye meeting house.”
This meeting house was either the Second Meeting House or perhaps the Third Meeting
House that was under construction at the time of the deed. Regardless, both the Second and
Third Meeting Houses were in the approximate vicinity of the Civil War monument on Main
Street.
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 201

pertaining. To have & to hold the above said land, with all & singuler the ap-
purtenances and privilidges thereunto belonging, as alsoe a parcel of land in y e
woods in estimacon twenty five acres, bounded on y e north by land of Samuel
Fiske, William Fairefield & William Fiske, on ye west by ye land of Thomas Kel-
lum, southward & eastward by ye land of John Porter and Wenham comon,
which land lyeth in Wenham and alsoe twenty acres of land lying in Ipswich,
bounded on ye south by ye land of John Gilbert, on ye north by ye land of Daniel
Danison, on ye east by ye land of Sargt Hutton, on ye west by Capt Eppes his
land. To have & to hold the abovesd parts & parcels of land with all y e appurte-
nances & privilidges thereto belonging or in any wayes appertaining, herein Sold,
granted & confirmed to ye sd John and Daniel their heirs & assignes forever:
and ye sd Daniel Kellum senir for himself, his heirs, executors & administrators,
doth covenant, promise and grant to and with ye sd John and Daniel their heirs
and assigns by these presents, that the said John & Daniel their heirs and as-
signes, shall and lawfully may from time to time & at all times heareafter, peace-
ably & quietly have, hold and enjoy ye sd lands without let or interupcon of or
by him the said Daniel Kellum Senr or any other person or persons lawfully
claiming by, from or under him and that said Daniel, his heirs, executors, ad-
ministrators and assignes of from all and every action, right, title, interest & de-
mand, he and every of them to be utterly excluded & forever debarred by these
presents. In witness whereof I have sett to my hand Y& seal this seventeenth
day of August in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand, six hundred, eighty
and eight.
Signed, sealed & dd. being interlined Daniel Kellum Senr.
between 15th & 16th lines these his marke
words (in estimacon twenty five & a seale.
acres) in ye presence of us.
Richard Hutton
his R.H. marke.
Thomas Fiske.
Daniel Kellum appearing personally acknowledged y e above written instru-
ment to be his act & deed, before me one of the Councill of his Majesties
Territory of New England.
before
me
Wm. Broome
Assistant.
the 13th September, 1688.
202 History of the Thomas Kilham House

CHARLES GOTT JR. TO [LIEUT.] JOHN GOTT, JULY 10, 1696

Fifteen-Acre Lot to the West of Thomas Kilham’s Homestead4

Charles Gott Senr & his sons agreemt recorded Decembr 5th 1702
This writing made this 10 day of July 1696 in ye year of our lord & ye Eighth year
of King Williams Reign betwixt Charles Gott Senr & John Gott his sonn. Both
Living in wenham in ye County of Essex in New England witnesseth that for &
in consideracion of ye full & just sum of twenty six pounds of currant silver
mony of new England already Secured by bill to y e abovesaid Charles Gott by
his Son John Gott Before ye Sealing hereof The aforesaid Charles have Clearly
bargained & Sold and do by these presents Clearly bargain & Set over unto y e
aforesd John Gott all ye remainder of his Land Lying In wenham in y e woods
which belonged to ye farm Called Trusslers Containing about fifteen acres more
or Less as it is Bounded on ye aforesaid John Gott his Land Southerly & on his
Brother Charles Gott his Land northerly & on John Leach westerly and on Wil-
liam Fiske & Thomas Kellum their Land Easterly wth all and singular ye apurtces:
thereunto Belonging To have and to hold to him the Said John Gott & his heirs
for Ever & fully to Enjoy wthout any Lawfull Lett disturbance or denial By any
person or persons whatsoever By under or from me ye aforesaid Charles Gott
& he shall possess it free from all my Debts quietly & I do warrant my power to
make this deed of Sale in my own name & right & ye Said John Gott shall provide
his Brother Charles Gott a way for Cart or Sledd to his fifteen acres of land on
which John Gott is bounded northerly through his own Land So Long as his
Brother Charles or his heirs Shall want ye way In witness whereof The aforesaid
Charles Gott senr have hereunto set his hand & Seale
Charles Gott & seale
witness William Fiske  Essex SS. Charles Gott psonally appeared before
me ye subscriber the 31 Decembr 1696 being one
his 
of his majties Justices for sd County & acknowl-
Thomas  Tarbox  edged ye above written Instrumt to be his act &
Mark  Deed
Examd […] Sewall Jonathan Corwin
Recordr

4 Essex County Deeds 15:106 (Charles Gott [Jr.] to John Gott, 1696). Although the re-
corder’s caption describing the deed referred to “Charles Gott Senr,” the grantor was Charles
Gott, Jr. (1639–1708), son of Charles Gott the emigrant who had died in 1668. The deed’s
grantee was Lieut. John Gott (1668–1723). The “brother Charles Gott” was Charles Gott 3rd,
born in 1662. See Edith G. Mills, “The Gott Family,” The Essex Genealogist, 3 (1983):23, 26.
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 203

THOMAS KILHAM TO WILLIAM FAIRFIELD, JULY 22, 1701

Twenty-Five-Acre Farm with Dwelling House, Barn, Orchard & Two Addi-
tional Parcels5

Thomas Killams Deed To William Fairfield recd on record March 14, 1701/2
To all Christian people to whom this present deed of sale shall come Thomas
Killam sendeth greeting know yee yt for & in consideration of one hundred &
forty pounds in hand paid & secured to be paid in mony unto me ye said Thomas
Kilham of wenham in ye county of Essex & province of ye massachusetts Bay in
new England yeoman by William ffairfield of wenham in y e county & province
abovesd yeoman ye receipt whereof and Every part thereof I so acknowledge to
have had & recd & therewth all my self fully satisfied contented & paid have wth
Martha my wife given granted bargained and sold & by these presents do give
grant bargain & sell convey & confirm unto y e abovesd William Fairfield & his
hiers for Ever my Dwelling house & barn & orchard with twenty and seven
acres of land both upland & meadow lying & being in three pcells as they are
hereafter severally Butted and Bounded all in the township of wenham y e house
lott being about twenty five acres is bounded on ye northwest wth ye land of John
Gott & on ye southwest by ye land of samuel Fiske sould him by John Leach[6]
coming at ye south corner to ye white oak tree[7] standing at ye corner of Wenham
common land & on ye SouthEast by a streight line from y e white oak aforesd to
a stake stand at the Edge of ye said fairfields land parting ye land of samuel Fiske
& ye sd Killam at ye End of thier divisionall fence as it now standeth & on y e
northeast it boundeth upon ye land of William Fiske & William Fairfield and one
acre of meadow lying in yt meadow Known by ye name of lords meadow[8]
bounded on ye northeast by John Gotts meadow bought of Cap Fisk and on y e

5 Essex County Deeds 15:63 (Thomas Kilham to William Fairfield, 1701).

6 The deed memorializing this transaction wasn’t recorded with Essex County. Could this
have been the 1½-acre lot called “Fiske’s Little Piece” described in Essex County Deeds 89:
248 (Jonathan Dodge to Josiah Fairfield, 1747), second parcel? Or was this perhaps the land
“in ye possession of Samuel Fiske” mentioned in Essex County Deeds 19:88 (Nicholas Rich
and Peter Thomson to Joseph and John Herrick, 1697), and discussed in the context of the
Herrick Lot of the Thomas Trusler Farm shown in Figure B.5?
7 This appears to be the same white oak tree mentioned in a 1695 description of the bound-
aries of the John Porter Farm (formerly the Thomas Spooner Farm). See Town of Wenham,
Town Records of Wenham, Vol. 2, 1679 to 1731, MS, 9 (Ancestry.com, Wenham Town Records,
frame 14), transcribed at footnote 137 of Chapter 1; and Wenham Historical Society, Wenham
Town Records, Supplement to Vol. I, 1687–1706 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss 1940), 21. It
may also be the same white oak mentioned as the southwest boundary point in Essex County
Deeds 89:248 (Jonathan Dodge to Josiah Fairfield, 1747), first parcel.
8 “Lord’s Meadow” was a portion of the Great Meadow that had been owned, apparently,
by William Lord—namesake of Lord’s Hill.
204 History of the Thomas Kilham House

northwest upon Caleb Kimball & ye Moultons meadow and Southwesterly by

Thomas Kimball & southEasterly by a ditch & half an acre more in said lords
meadow bounded Eastwardly by ye causeway & Moultons meadow & south-
wardly going on to ye Island & westwardly bounding on Joseph Porters meadow
& northwardly by ye fence as it now standeth To Have & to hold to him y e sd
William Fairfield and his hiers for Ever as his & thier own Right of Inheritance
wth all & singular ye priveledges & appurtenances thereunto belonging & in ptic-
ular ye comon right granted to ye sd Killam by ye town or commoners In town
common priviledges & further ye abovesd Thomas Killam doth for himself his
hiers Executors administrators and assignes covenant wth & promise to ye
abovesd William ffairfield & his hiers executors administr yt I am at ye day & date
hereof ye rightfull owner and have in my own name good right full power &
lawfull authority to alienate ye above bounded & bargained pmises & yt they are
free from all former bargains sales titles troubles rights of Dowry or Incum-
brances whatsoever & yt I do fully clearly alienate assign & set over all my right
title & Intrest in ye above mentioned housing orchard & twenty seven acres of
land be it more or less wth all ye stones wood timber trees & waters thereunto
belonging & Ingadge and covenant further for my self my hiers executors &
administrators to ye sd William ffairfield & his hiers Executors & administrators
to warrant & defend ye said ffairfield & his possessing occupying & Improving
of ye same from time to time & at all times for Ever hereafter from any persons
laying lawfull & Just claim thereunto also the abovesaid Martha Killam to signifie
her voluntary & free consent to ye abovesd bargain hath hereby sold assigned &
sett over unto ye sd William Fairfield & his hiers Executors & administrators all
her Right of Dowre or powre of thirds in ye bargained pmises for ye true perfor-
mance and confirmation of all yt is above written we have hereunto sett our
hands & seals this twenty second day of July in ye year of our lord one thousand
seven hundred & one 1701 & in ye thirteenth year of his magties Reign ~~~~~~
memorandum ye word ower in ye twenty fifth line was interlined before ye ex-
secuting hereof
Ipswich January
signd seald & DD  15th 1701/2 then  his
in presence of  Thomas Killam &  Thomas o Killam & a seale
Samuel Fiske  Martha his wife
 mark
William Fiske  psonally appeared
& acknowledged ye  her
his 
aboves Instrum
d t  Martha M Killam & a seale
Joseph o Killam 
to be thier act &  mark
mark 
deed
Examd […] Sewell Before me John Wainwright J peace
Record
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 205

WILLIAM FAIRFIELD TO JOSIAH FAIRFIELD, APRIL _ 1725

Two-Acre House Lot with Dwelling House9

William Fairfield To Josiah Fairfield Recd on Record December 13th, 1735

To All People to whom this present Deed of Gift Shall Come William Fairfeild
of Wenham in ye County of Essex & province of ye Massachusetts Bay in New
England yeoman Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I y e sd William Fairfeild for
and and [sic] in Consideration of ye parental Love and Affection which I bear
unto My Loveing Son Josiah Fairfeild of Wenham in y e County and province
Abovesd Labourer and as a part of that portion of My Estate which I intend to
Settle On him Have Given Granted Assigned and Sett Over and firmly Con-
veyed unto my sd Son and his heirs forever a Certain piece or parcel of Land
Containing About two Acres be it More or Less Situate lying and being in Wen-
ham Aforesd and is that Lott his Dwelling house Now Stands On bounded Nor-
therly by John Gotts Land and Westerly by Samuel Gotts Land and Southwest-
erly and Southeasterly by ye other Land of ye sd Wm Fairfeild as ye fence Now
Standeth that incloseth it together with ye houseing fencing and fruit trees there-
upon to him, ye sd Josiah Fairfeild and his heirs To have & to Hold as a free and
clear Estate of inheritance in fee forever & further I y e sd William Fairfeild do
Covenant with and promise to my sd Son and his heirs Execrs Admrs and As-
signes forever that ye abovesd two acre lott is free from and clear of all former
Gifts Grants bargains Sales titles rights of dower or Encumbrance whatsoever
and that it Shall and May be Lawful for him & them to use Occupy possess and
Enjoy ye Same forever hereafter without any Lawfull Lett Molestation, Suit or
Demise from me or any other person from by or under me and In Confirmation
of all above written I have hereunto Sett My hand and Seal this [blank] day of
April in ye year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and twenty five 1725
William Fairfeild & a Seal
Signed Sealed & Dd in presence of
Mitchel Sewall John [ ]ish
Salem May 19th, 1725 Then Mr William Fairfield the abovenamed [conveyor?]
personally appearing acknowledged ye foregoing instrument to be his Voluntary
Act and deed with his hand and Seal thereto affixed to be his Voluntary Act and
Deed Coram Steph: Sewall Just peace

9 Essex County Deeds 70:75 (William Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1725). Notice that there
is no mention of a barn in this deed. See Figure 3.18 (Chapter 3, Volume 2) for a map.
206 History of the Thomas Kilham House

WILLIAM FAIRFIELD TO JOSIAH FAIRFIELD, FEBRUARY 13, 1737/8

Thomas Kilham’s Homestead and Adjoining Land & Part Interest in Six Ad-
ditional Parcels10

Josiah Fairfeild from William Fairfeild Recd on Record Novr 6th 1739
To All People to whom this present Deed of Gift Shall Come William Fairfeild
Sendeth Greeting. Know ye That I William Fairfeild of Wenham in y e County
of Essex and Province of Mass Bay in New England Yeoman for and in Con-
sideration of ye Parental Love & Affection which I bear unto my Loveing Son
Josiah Fairfeild of Wenham in the County of Essex & Province abovesaid Hus-
bandman & diverse other good causes me thereunto moveing Have Given
Granted Aliented Assigned Enfeoffed & Conveyed and Confirmed unto the
Said Josiah Fairfeild & his Heirs & Assignes forever The One fourth part of all
the Homesteds & Lands in Wenham and Elsewhere That is to Say the one half
of ye Several peices & parcels he now Improves as divided with his Brother
Benjamin to witt Thomas Killams Homested and ye land I had out of the Com-
mon adjoyning to that at the South corner and so Northeast bounding on the
Stone wall from John Gotts house to the Gate near the Schoolhouse [11] As also
the half of the Wood Pasture bounding Westerly by a line from a Red oak tree
marked in the middle of the the [sic] pasture between Danl Fisks land & Thomas
Tarbox’s & from the sd Red Oak to a Rock Sett in the ground on ye Ridge about
the line between my Original Lott & That I Purchased of Saml Fisk[12] 7 pole 11
feet & 8 inches Southeasterly from ye Corner of the Wall that is ye fence of ye
meadow & Orchard That I had of the sd Fisk together with That of ye lands
That I had of the sd Fisk Adjoyning Easterly bounding on Theophilus Fisks land
Northerly on the Swamp fence & Westerly on y e stonewall fencing ye meadow
Hill so Called and Southerly it bounds on the Orchard & meadow Wall partly &
partly it bounds on ye line parting between Said Josiah & Benjamin from the
Corner of the meadow wall to the Stone on ye Ridge hill abovesaid as Also That
peice of meadow Adjoyning to ye meadow hill as it Stands divided with Theoph-
ilus Fisk which I Purchased of Samuel Fisk The one half of abovementioned

10 Essex County Deeds 78:178 (William Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1738).

11 This stone wall seems to be the one between current-day 16 Maple Street and 2 Puritan
Road, and not the wall along Topsfield Road.
12 Essex County Deeds 26:119 (Samuel Fiske to William Fairfield, 1713). Although the
grantor of 26:119 referred to himself as “Samuel Fiske Junr.” in the deed itself, he was actually
Samuel Fiske (the weaver, 1670after 1725), the son of William Fiske Jr. (16431728)—and
was using the suffix “Jr.” to distinguish himself from his uncle Samuel Fiske (the tailor,
ca.1645–1716). For identification, note that the deed had the consent of Samuel’s wife Eliza-
beth, and see Essex County Deeds 26:63 (William Fiske [Jr.] to Samuel Fiske, 1712). See also
Frederick Clifton Pierce, Fiske and Fisk Family (Chicago: W. B. Conkey Company, 1896), 83.
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 207

Parcels of Land The other half I reserve in my own hand for to be disposed of
hereafter As Also One Quarter part of all the other Lands & Swamp to me
belonging namely The two meadow Lotts near Wenham Island so called The
Great Lott of Swamp Adjoyning to my Homeland and the Lott Near Pleasant
pond as also My Salt marsh in Ipswich All the abovementioned parcels of Land
Meadow and Swamp described to be Conveyed as abovesaid That part of Each
peice containing in ye whole about forty five acres be ye same more or less To-
gether with all & Singular the Rights Profitts Woods Waters Watercourses
Fencings Wayes and other Accommodations to Such part belonging or in any
waye appertaining to be to him the Said Josiah Fairfeild To Have and To Hold
to him & his Heirs as a free & Clear Estate of Inheritance in fee forever hereby
Avouching my self to be the Free & Rightfull owner of the above granted &
Demised premises And That I have good Right full power and Lawfull Author-
ity to Dispose of ye Same as above and it is free of & fully discharged from all
& all manner of former & other Gifts Sales Bargaines Titles Rights of Dowry or
Incumbrances of what kind or nature soever And That It Shall and may be Law-
full for him the said Josh Fairfeild & his Heirs Exrs Admrs and Assigns to use
Occupy Possess & Enjoy the same forever hereafter without any Lawfull Lett
Molestation Suit or Denial from me or any from by or under me or any other
persons laying lawfull Claime thereunto or any part thereof Only I Reserve Six-
teen pole [sic] of land for a burying place where my Family is buried out of this
Conveyance and to be in Some Other Instrument bounded and disposed of And
further I the sd Wm Fairfeild do covenant with and promise to y e abovenamed
Josiah Fairfeild & his Heirs of his Body if any he leave That at my Decease He
or they that are then Surviveing Shall have a Right to Redeem the Remaining
part of every Several peice of my lands to witt the Other quarter part of Such as
are undivided And the one half part of All Such Peices as are already divided
with his Brother Benjamin as abovementioned he or they Paying The one half
the Value therefor to pay any Debts if any I leave & Such Legacies as I Shall
Order for my other Children and whatsoever I shall give him a receipt for as
paid whilest I live Shall be as Earnest given of the bargain & his Security for So
much of the sd Land at One half the Value thereof but in case I Shall give him
any further Security while I Survive & Sett the Price of ye lands my self it shall
Serve insted of ye Latter part of this Instrument to Secure y e last half of ye land
abovementioned And In Wittness of And for the Confirmation of all above-
written I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this Thirteenth day of February In
ye year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred Thirty Seven eight 1737/8
William Faierfeild & a Seal
Signed Sealed & Dd Essex SS Apr. 5th 1739 Then Mr Wm Faierfeild
In presence of us Acknowledged the foregoing Instrument to be his
Daniel Fiske free act & Deed
Benja Fiske Before me Edward Kitchen Just Peace
208 History of the Thomas Kilham House

WILLIAM FAIRFIELD TO BENJAMIN FAIRFIELD, FEBRUARY 13, 1737/8

William’s Farm with Dwelling House, Barn, Pasture and Tillage & Part In-
terest in Five Additional Parcels13

William Fairfeild to Benjamin Fairfield Recd on Record January 12th 1742

To All Christian People to whom this present Deed of Gift shall come, William
Fairfeild Sendeth Greeting. Know ye That I William Fairfield of Wenham in the
County of Essex & Province of the Mass Bay in New England yeoman, For and
in consideration of the Parental Love & Affection which I bear unto my Loveing
Son Benja Fairfeild of Wenham in the County & Province abovesaid Husband-
man and diverse other good causes me moveing thereunto, Have Given,
Granted Alienated Assigned Enfeoffed Conveyed & Confirmed unto the said
Benjamin Fairfeild his Heirs & Assigns forever, The One Fourth part of all my
Homested [sic] & Lands in Wenham or elsewhere That is to Say the one half of
all the several parsels hereafter exprest as they stand divided with his Brother
Josiah Fairfield & seperately possessed at this Day, To witt, My Dwelling House
Barn & Land both Pasture & Tillage from the Stone Wall set from near John
Gotts House by the Highway to the to the [sic] Gate across the Highway which
parts Josiah & the said Benjamin, and all that Land untill it comes to the fence
of ye Wood Pasture set from below my burying place over across to Thomas
Tarbox’s Land & Northwesterly it bounds on y e said Tarbox partly & partly on
John Gotts Land, and Southeasterly it bounds on Daniel Fisks Land, as also
Half the Wood Pasture divided with Josiah by a Line from a Red Oak Tree
marked in the midst between Daniel Fisks Land & Thomas Tarbox’s by y e fence
side to a stone set in the Line between my original Lott & that I purchased of
Samuel Fisk on the Top of ye Ridge Hill Seven Pole Eleven Feet Eight Inches
Southward from the corner of the Orchard & Meadow Wall, purchased of Sam-
uel Fisk, and from the said Stone Down to the corner of the said Orchard &
Meadow Wall. And also that orchard and Swamp meadow the Seven acres called
the Calves Pasture & ye Meadow Hill so called as the said Lands are bounded
on the Great Meadow fence Northwesterly & on the said Tarbox Westerly &
Southerly & on Josiah Fairfeilds partly South and on the Swamp Lott Northeast
as the Divisional Wall & fences stand, as also One Fourth part of my two
meadow Lotts at Wenham Island, and one Fourth part of my Swamp Lotts and
one Fourth part of my Salt Marsh in Ipswich. All the abovementioned parcels
of Land Meadow & Swamp, that part of each peice as is above expressed con-
taining about Forty Five acres in the whole be the same more or less together
with all & singular the Rights Priviledges Profitts Woods Water Water Courses
Fenceings Ways & other accomodations thereunto belonging or in any ways

13 Essex County Deeds 84:121 (William Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, 1738).

 Appendix C: Early Deeds 209

appertaining to him the said Benjamin Fairfeild & his Heirs To Have And To
Hold as a free & clear Estate of Inheritance in Fee forever, Hereby avouching
my self to be the true & rightfull owner of the above granted & demised Prem-
isses and that they are free of & fully acquitted from all & all manner & other
Bargaines Sales Gifts Grants Titles Rights of Dowry or Incumbrances whatso-
ever, and that it shall & may be Lawfull for him the said Benjamin his Heirs
Execrs: Admrs: & Assignes forever hereafter to Use Occupy Possess & Injoy the
Same forever hereafter without any Lawfull Lett Molestation Suit or Denial
from me or any from by or under me or any other Persons laying Lawfull Claime
thereunto or any part thereof. And further I the Said William Fairfeild Do Cov-
enant with & Promise to the abovenamed Benja Fairfeild & his Heirs of His
Body begotten (if any he leave) That at my decease He or they that may be then
surviving shall have the Right to redeem the other quarter part, The which I now
reserve to myself in every several peice & parcel of Land mentioned as undivided
with Josiah his Brother, and the other Half of all that is mentioned as divided
he or they paying the one half of what it may be then valued at to pay Debts (if
any I leave) and such Legacies as I shall order to my other Children & whatso-
ever I shall give him receipt for as paid to any such use during my Life shall be
his security for so much of ye Land as abovesaid as to pay him therefor at half
the just value thereof. But in Case I shall set y e Price of ye remaining Half of my
Lands my self while I survive & make further provision for ye secureing ye latter
half of the Lands abovemenioned to my said Son Benjamin it shall be added to
this Instrument as further security. And In Wittness of all abovewritten I have
hereunto set my Hand & Seal this Thirteenth Day of February in ye year of our
Lord One Thousand seven Hundred Thirty & seven eight 1737/8.
William Fairfeild and a Seal
Signed Sealed & Dd Essex SS Apr. 5th 1739 Then Mr Wm Fairfeild acknowl-
in presenece of us edged the foregoing Instrument to be his free act &
John Moulton Deed
John Batcheller Before me Edward Kitchen Just Peace
210 History of the Thomas Kilham House

JOSIAH FAIRFIELD TO BENJAMIN FAIRFIELD, JANUARY 14, 1767

Forty-Six-Acre Farm with Dwelling House, Barn, and Other Buildings; Eight
Additional Parcels & His Pew in the Meeting House14

Know all Men by these Presents that I Josiah Fairfield of Wenham in the County
of Essex & Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Esq r, in Con-
sideration of Six Hundred pounds Lawful Money of New England to me in
Hand paid by Benjamin Fairfield of Wenham in said County Yeoman Have
given granted bargained & Sold and do by these Presents give grant bargain Sell
convey and confirm unto him the said Benja Fairfield his Heirs and assigns for-
ever Certain Tracts or Messuages of Lands lying in Wenham & Ipswich in said
County Containing by Estimation about Eighty five acres be the more or Less
bounded as follows vis: about Forty Six acres of upland in said Wenham
bounded Northerly on Land of Benja Fairfield, Westerly [sic] & Northerly on
Land belonging to the Heirs of John Gott Decd, Westerly on Land belonging to
the Heirs of Daniel Gott Decd,[15] Southerly & Westerly on Land of Josiah Her-
rick[16] and Westerly on Land in Possession of Ebenr Porter,[17] Southerly on
Land of James Kimball,[18] Easterly on Lands in Possession of Richard Friend,[19]

14 Essex County Deeds 121:231 (Josiah Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, 1767).

15 See Boundary 1 in Figure C.1. The property owned by the heirs of Daniel Gott (1724–
1758) is described in Essex County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Division of Estate
(1772).
16 See Boundary 2 in Figure C.1. Lot C was owned by the Herrick family by the 1740s and
sold by Josiah Herrick to Matthew Fairfield in 1772, per Essex County Deeds 135:81 (Josiah
Herrick to Matthew Fairfield, 1772). For its history, see Appendix B’s discussion of the
Thomas Trusler Farm, Subdivision B of the Herrick Lot, pages 159-161.
17 See Boundary 3 in Figure C.1. This property corresponds to the northern portion of the
N. Porter Perkins Lot, a parcel that is addressed in Appendix B’s discussion of the Thomas
Trusler Farm, Subdivision A of the Herrick Lot, page 160.
18 See Boundary 4 in Figure C.1. Lot E is described in 135:82 (James Kimball [Jr.] to Mat-
thew Fairfield, 1777). Property here had been owned by James Kimball Sr. (16961759), who
bequeathed it to his sons Ephraim (17291779) and James Jr. (17331807); see Essex County
Probate 15612 (James Kimball, 1759), Will and Inventory. James Sr. did not record his deed
when he acquired this land, which suggests he may have acquired it from the town when the
Lord’s Hill Commons were sold off. Sons Ephraim and James Jr. recorded their disposition
of James Sr.’s land in Essex County Deeds 106:226 (division of property between Ephraim
and James [Jr.] Kimball, 1759).
19 See Boundary 5 in Figure C.1. Lot B is described in 135:79 (James Friend Jr. to Matthew
Fairfield, 1769). The expression “in possession of Richard Friend” implies that although Rich-
ard was farming the land, he didn’t own it. For its early history, see Essex County Probate
10209 (John Friend, 1718), “Division of Real Estate of John Friend Late of Wenham, De-
ceased,” 1738, and “Settlement of Estate of John Friend Late of Wenham, Dec’d,” 1763, third
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 211

Widow Eunice Porter[20] & Mathew Fairfield[21] to the Bound first Mentioned as
the fence now stand [sic] with the Dwelling House Barn & Out Houses now
standing on the Premises also about Seven acres of upland more lying in said
Wenham bounded Southerly on Land of John Friend SouthEasterly on Land of
James Friend Easterly Northerly & Westerly on Land of Benjamin Fairfield to
the Bound first Mentioned also about two Acres of Meadow in said Wenham
bounded Southerly on Land of Benjamin Fairfield NorthEasterly on Land of
Ebenr Fisk Westerly on Land of Theov Fisk & Southwesterly on Land of Ebenr
Fisk to the Bound first Mentioned also five Lots in Wenham Great Swamp so
called Containing about Twenty five acres be they more or Less First Lot lying
in the Ninth Eighth so called bounded Southerly and Easterly on Land of Benj a
Fairfield Northerly on the Eighth Eight so called & Westerly on Land of Theov
Fisk to the Bound first Mentioned also Another Lot lying in said Eighth
bounded Southerly on Land of James Friend Easterly on Land of Benj a Fairfield
Northerly on the said Eighth Eight and Westerly on Land of Benj a Fairfield to
the bound first Mentioned also Another Lot in said Eight Bounded Southerly
on Land of Thov Fiske & Josiah Over Easterly on the Highway Northerly on
Land of Benja Fairfields to a stake and stones Easterly on Benj a Fairfields to a
Continued on p. 214

division; 10206 (James Friend, 1773), Will and Inventory; and 10222 (Richard Friend, 1788),
Inventory.
20 See Boundary 6 in Figure C.1; see also Figure 1.30 and footnote 137 in Chapter 1. Essex
County Deeds 116:175 (John Porter [Jr.] to George Dodge, 1763), first parcel, says that the
abutting properties to the west belonged to Josiah Fairfield, James Kimball and Josiah Herrick,
and the abutting properties to the south belonged to Benjamin Meacham and Ephraim Kim-
ball. This begs the question when Josiah Fairfield acquired the abutting properties—but un-
fortunately, Fairfield didn’t record these deeds.
21 See Boundary 7 in Figure C.1. Lot A was a seven-acre, 27-pole lot anchored on Porter’s
Road that had 20 rods’ frontage on proto-Maple Street. For its history, see Essex County
Deeds 90:153 (Josiah Fairfield to Daniel Porter, 1747); 114:223 (George Dodge to [Dr.] Wil-
liam Fairfield, 1763), second parcel; 117:126 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to Matthew and [Dr.]
Josiah Fairfield Jr., 1765); 145:82 (Stephen Dutch to Samuel Adams, 1786), second parcel;
146:8 (Stephen Dutch vs. Matthew Fairfield, 1785), third parcel, a transcription of which is in
Appendix C; 149:92 (Stephen Dutch and Samuel Adams to Billy Porter, 1787), second parcel;
153:243 (Billy Porter to [Dr.] Josiah Fairfield [Jr.], 1788), second parcel; 155:11 (Billy Porter
and Matthew Fairfield to Dr. Josiah Fairfield [Jr.], 1787), fourth parcel; 164:76 (Priscilla Fair-
field to [Dr.] William Fairfield, 1797); 164:76 ([Dr.] William Fairfield to John Baker, 1798); and
166:230 (John Baker [Jr.] to Benjamin Potter, 1800).
A 1779 description of some of the fencing enclosing this lot, recording the division of
the fencing’s maintenance between Matthew Fairfield and Capt. George Crowninshield Sr.
(17341815), is recorded in Town of Wenham, Wenham Town Records, 1776–1810 (Salem, MA:
Newcomb & Gauss, 1959), 34.
212 History of the Thomas Kilham House
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 213

Figure C.1. The portion of the Josiah Fairfield Farm south of proto-Maple
Street, 1767, and adjacent lots owned by Matthew Fairfield.22

Adjacent Lots Owned by Matthew Fairfield

A. To Matthew Fairfield and Josiah Fairfield Jr. from Dr. William Fairfield,
1765
B. To Matthew Fairfield from James Friend Jr., 1769
C. To Matthew Fairfield from Josiah Herrick, 1772
D. To Matthew Fairfield from John Friend, 1777
E. To Matthew Fairfield from James Kimball, 1777

22 Essex County Deeds Plan 20:21 (“Plan of Lands on Maple and Bomer Streets, Wenham,”
1910); shading added. Solid-line boundaries represent high conviction, while dotted-line
boundaries are conjectural. The southern boundary of Lot B was the same as the northern
boundary for the properties at current-day 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and 33 Hilltop Drive.
For Matthew Fairfield’s abutting lots, see Essex County Deeds 117:126 ([Dr.] William
Fairfield to Matthew and [Dr.] Josiah Fairfield Jr., 1765); 135:79 (James Friend Jr. to Matthew
Fairfield, 1769); 135:81 (Josiah Herrick to Matthew Fairfield, 1772); 135:81 (John Friend to
Matthew Fairfield, 1777); and 135:82 (James Kimball [Jr.] to Matthew Fairfield, 1777).
214 History of the Thomas Kilham House

stake Northerly on the said Eight Eighth and on Land of Benja Fairfields to the
Bound first Mentioned also a Lot on hemlock Island so called Bounded South-
erly on Land of Benja Fairfields Easterly on Land of Edmund Kimball Northerly
on Land of the Widow Russels and Westerly on Land of Abraham Kimballs to
the Bound first Mentioned also the one half of a Small Lot both for Quantity &
Quality lying near the Springs in said Swamp the other half belonging to the
abovesaid Benja Fairfield bounded Easterly on Land of the Widow Russels &
others Northerly on Land of Jonathan Kimball and others Westerly on Land of
Thos Perkings and others to the Bound first Mentioned also the one half of a
piece of Salt Marsh lying in Ipswich in said County bounded as by Deed may
appear on Record from Jacob Perkins to William Fairfield the other half of said
Marsh belonging already to the abovesaid Benja Fairfield likewise my Pew in
Wenham Meeting House To Have and to Hold the abovesaid granted and bar-
gained Premises with the appurtenances free from all Incombrances to him the
said Benja Fairfield his Heirs and Assigns as an Estate of Inheritance in Fee
Simple forever and I the said Josiah Fairfield for myself my Heirs Executors and
Administrators do Covenant to and with the said Benj a Fairfield his Heirs Ex-
ecutors Administrators and Assigns that I am Lawfully Seized and Possessed of
the Premises aforesaid and that I will warrant and defend them against the Law-
full Claim and Demand of all Persons whatsoever also Elizabeth the wife of said
Josiah Fairfield does hereby freely Surrender her Right of Dower in the above
Premises In Witness whereof we have set to our Hands and Seals this Four-
teenth Day of Jany. ADom 1767 in the Seventh year of his Majestys Reign
Josiah Fairfield & a Seal
Signed Sealed and Deld  Elizabeth Fairfield & a Seal
by sd Josiah & Elizabeth  Essex SS. Danvers Jany 17th 1767 Josiah Fair-
in presence of us  field Esqr Personally appeared and Acknowl-
William Fairfield  edged the above written Instrument to be his
Jacob Dodge  free Act and Deed
Before me Benja Prescott J. Peace
Essex SS. Recd on Record Jany 17th 1767 and Entered by John Higginson late
Regr. Examd Decr. 24, 1774 by Tim. Pickering jr Regr.
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 215

BENJAMIN FAIRFIELD TO JOSIAH FAIRFIELD, AUGUST 10, 1767

Forty-Six-Acre Farm with Dwelling House, Barn, and Other Buildings & Six
Additional Parcels23

Know all Men by these Presents that I Benjamin Fairfield of Wenham in the
County of Essex and Province of the Massa Bay in New England Yeoman in
consideration of Five hundred and fifty pound [sic] Lawful Money of New Eng-
land to me in hand paid by Josiah Fairfield of Wenham in said County Esqr have
given granted bargained and Sold and do by these presents give grant bargain
Sell convey and confirm unto him the said Josiah Fairfield his heirs and Assigns
forever Certain Tracts or Messuages of Land in said Wenham containing by
Estimation about Seventy five Acres be they more or less bounded as follows
vis Imprimis about Forty Six Acres of Land bound Northerly on Land Originally
my own Westerly [sic] and Northerly on Land belonging to the Heirs of John
Gott Deceased Westerly on land belonging to the Heirs of Daniell Gott De-
ceased Southerly & Westerly on land of Josiah Herricks Westerly on land in
Possession of Hafield [Haffield] White[24] Southerly on Land of James Kimball
Easterly on Land in Possession of James Friend jun. [25] widow Eunice Porter &
Matthew Fairfield to the bound first mentioned with the Dwelling House Barn
and Out Houses Standing on the above premises also about two Acres of
Meadow lying back of Meadow hill so called in Wenham Great meadows
bounded Southerly on said Hill Northerly on Land of Ebenezer Fisk Westerly
on Land of Theophilus Fisks Southwerly [sic] on land of said Ebenezer Fisks to
the bound first mentioned also Five lotts lying in Wenham Great Swamp so
called containing about twenty five Acres first lott lying in the Ninth eight so
called bounded Southwesterly and Southeasterly on land originally my own Nor-
therly on the Eight Eighth so called and Westerly on land of Theophilus Fisk to
the bound first mentioned also another lott in sd Eight bounded Southerly on
land in Possession of John Friend Easterly on Land Originally my own Nor-
therly on the said Eight Eighth and Westerly on land Originally my own to the
bound first mentioned also another Lot in said Eight bounded Southerly on land
of Thos Fisks and Josiah Over [sic] Easterly on the highway Northerly on Land
Originally my own to a Stake and Stones and Easterly on Land Originally my
own to a Stake Northerly on the Eight Eighth and then Westerly on Land Orig-
inally my own to the bound first mentioned also a Lott at Hemlock Island so

23 Essex County Deeds 126:217 (Benjamin Fairfield to Josiah Fairfield, 1767).

24 Notice the phrase “in possession of:” The abutting land in possession of Haffield White
was owned by Ebenezer Porter, per Essex County Deeds 110:264 (Isaac Dodge to Ebenezer
Porter, 1763). In other words, White was a tenant of Porter.
25 This lot was described as being in the possession of Richard Friend in Essex County
Deeds 121:231 (Josiah Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, 1767).
216 History of the Thomas Kilham House

called bounded Southerly on land originally my own Easterly on land of Ed-

mund Kimball Northerly on land of the Widow Russel and then Westerly on
land of Abraham Kimballs to the bound first mentioned and also the one half
of another Lot lying near the Springs in said Swamp both for Quantity & Quality
bounded Easterly on Land of the widow Russell and others Northerly on land
of Jonathan Kimball and others Westerly on land of Thos Perkins and others to
the bound first mentioned To have and to hold the abovesaid Granted & bar-
gained premises with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging free from all In-
cumbrances to him the said Josiah Fairfield his Heirs and Assigns as an Estate
of Inheritance in Fee Simple forever And I the said Benjamin Fairfield for my
Self my Heirs Executors and Administrators do Covenant to and with the said
Josiah Fairfield his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns that I am Law-
fully Seized and Possessed of the premises aforesaid and that I will warrant and
Defend the same against the Lawful claim and Demand of all Persons whatso-
ever also Martha the wife of said Benjamin Fairfield does hereby freely Surren-
der her right of Dower in the above Premises In Witness whereof we have Set
to our hands and Seals this Tenth Day of August A Domini 1767 in the Sev-
enth Year of his Majestys
Reign Benja Fairfield & a Seal
Signed Sealed & Deld. By Martha Fairfield & a Seal
sd Benja & Martha Essex SS. Wenham July 12th 1768. Mr Benjamin
In presence of us Fairfield and Martha his wife Personally Appearing
Matthew Fairfield Severally Acknowledged this Instrument to be their
Samuel Fairfield Act and Deed
Before me William Story Justice of Peace
Essex SS. Recd on Record June 24th 1769 & entered & examd
By John Higginson Regr

JOSIAH FAIRFIELD TO BENJAMIN FAIRFIELD, MORTGAGE, AUGUST 10,

1767
Forty-Acre Lot (on the South Side of Current-Day Maple Street) with Barn26

Know all Men by these Presents that I Josiah Fairfield of Wenham in the County
of Essex and Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Esq r. with the
Consent of Elisabeth my wife as a Collateral Security for the payment of a Sum
of Money which shall become due by my Bond hereinafter mentioned and also
for and in consideration of the Sum of Ten Shillings Lawful Money of New

26 Essex County Deeds 125:143 (Josiah Fairfield to Benjamin Fairfield, mortgage, 1767).
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 217

England to me in hand paid by Benjamin Fairfield of said Wenham yeoman (to

whom I have given said Bond) have given granted bargained and Sold and do
by these Presents give grant bargain Sell convey and confirm to him the said
Benjamin Fairfield his heirs and Assigns forever about forty Acres of Land be
the same more or less lying and being in said Wenham being all my Lands to the
Southward of the highway that leads to Danvers bounded as follows Viz. Nor-
therly on said Highway Westerly on land belonging to the Heirs of Daniel Gott
Deceased Southerly and Westerly on land of Josiah Herricks and Westerly on
land in possession of Haffeild White Southerly on land of James Kimballs and
Easterly on lands in possession of James Friend junr. widow Eunice Porter and
Matthew Fairfield to the highway first mentioned with the Barn now Standing
on the premises To have and to hold said Granted and bargained premises with
the appurtenances free from all Incumbrances to him the said Benjamin Fair-
field his Heirs and Assigns as an Estate of Inheritance in fee simple forever And
I the said Josiah Fairfield for my Self my heirs Executors and Administrators do
Covenant to and with the said Benjamin Fairfield his Heirs Executors Adminis-
trators and Assigns that I am Lawfully Seized and Possessed of the premises
aforesaid and that I will warrant and defend the same against the Lawful claim
& Demand of all Persons whatsoever and Elisabeth my said wife for said con-
sideration and purposes and for five Shillings paid to her doth Grant and Release
her Dower and right in said Granted premises to the said Benjamin Fairfield and
to his heirs and Assigns to hold to him and them Provided Nevertheless If I the
said Josiah Fairfield or my heirs Executors or Administrators Shall pay to the
said Benjamin Fairfield or to his Executors Administrators or Assigns the Sum
of one hundred and Seventy Five pounds four Shillings Lawful money with
Lawful Interest for the same on or before the Twentieth day of January Next
according to the condition & in discharge of the Bond aforesaid being a Bond
dated this Day of ye penal Sum of Three hundred and fifty one pound Lawful
Money of New England by me made and given to the said Benjamin Fairfield
then as well this Deed as the same Bond to be Void and of none Effect but
otherwise to remain and be in full force In Witness whereof I the said Josiah
Fairfield and Elisabeth my said wife do hereto put our hands and Seals the Tenth
Day of August ADom 1767 Josiah Fairfield & a Seal
Signed Sealed & Deld. Elisabeth Fairfield & a Seal
in presence of us Essex SS Wenham July 12th 1768. Josiah Fairfield
William Fairfield Esqr. personally appearing acknowledged this In-
Mathew Fairfield strument to be his Act and Deed
Before me Willm. Story Justice of Peace
Essex SS Rec on Record July 21 1768 & entered & examd.
d st

by John Higginson Regr.

218 History of the Thomas Kilham House

JOSIAH FAIRFIELD TO MATTHEW FAIRFIELD, JANUARY 31, 1771

Back Part of Dwelling House; Half of a Cider House & Half of a Cider Mill
Near the Dwelling House27

To all people to whom this present deed of gift shall come Josiah Fairfield
sendeth greeting know ye that I Josiah Fairfield of Wenham in the county of
Essex and province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England esquire for and
in consideration of the parental love and affection which I bear unto my loving
son Matthew Fairfield of Wenham in the county and province abovesaid yeo-
man and divers other good causes me thereunto moving, have given granted
alienated assigned conveyed and confirmed unto the said Matthew Fairfield &
his heirs & assigns forever the back part of my dwelling house with the cellar
under it and the entry that is between that back house & my dwelling house with
all the appurtenances thereto belonging as part of his portion out of my estate
with a convenient way of passing & repassing to and from the said house with
the one half of my right in my cider house and cider mill near my dwelling house
all situate in Wenham as aforesaid to him the said Matthew Fairfield and his
heirs & assigns forever as a free and clear estate of inheritance in fee forever and
further I the said Josiah Fairfield do covenant with and promise to my said son
& his heirs administrators & assigns that the above granted and demised prem-
ises are free from all former gifts grants & bargains and rights of dower or in-
cumbrances whatsoever and that it shall and may be lawful for him & them to
use occupy possess & enjoy the same forever hereafter without any molestation
or lawful claim from any person from or under me and in confirmation of all
above written I have hereunto set my hand & seal this thirty first day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy one.
Josiah Fairfield & a seal
Signed sealed and deliv-  Essex SS. Ipswich March 20, 1770[/1]. Josiah
ered in presence of wit-  Fairfield Esq . personally appearing acknowl-
r

nesses  edged the within instrument to be his deed

Moses Titcomb  Before Willm. Story J. Pac.
John Gott

Essex SS. Recd May 28, 1777 & recorded & examd by Tim Pickering jun. regr

27 Essex County Deeds 135:80 (Josiah Fairfield to Matthew Fairfield, 1771), second deed.
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 219

JOSIAH FAIRFIELD TO MATTHEW FAIRFIELD, MARCH 14, 1777

Nine-Acre Barn Lot with West Half of Barn28

To all People to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting.

Know Ye, That I Josiah Fairfield Esqr of Wenham in the county of Essex &
state of Massachusetts Bay, New England, do For and in Consideration of the
Sum of sixty pounds to me in Hand before the Ensealing hereof, well and truly
paid by Matthew Fairfield of said Wenham gentleman the Receipt whereof I do
hereby acknowledge and myself therewith fully satisfied and contented; and
thereof and of every Part and Parcel thereof, do exonerate, acquit and discharge
to the said Matthew Fairfield [his] Heirs, Executors and Administrators, forever
by these Presents: HAVE given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed and
confirmed; and by these Presents, Do freely, fully and absolutely give, grant,
bargain, sell, aliene, convey and confirm, unto him the said Matthew his Heirs
and Assigns forever, a certain piece of land in said Wenham bounded as fol-
loweth viz. northerly & westerly on the highway southerly on land of Lydia Goot
[sic], easterly on said Matthew Fairfield’s land northerly on a straight line to the
bound first mentioned consisting of nine acres by measure together with the
west half of my barn, & free liberty of passing & repassing to and from the same.
To have and to hold the said granted and bargained Premises, with all the Ap-
purtenances, Privileges and Commodities to the same belonging, or in any wise
appertaining to the said Matthew Fairfield his Heirs and Assigns forever. To him
and his only proper Use, Benefit and Behoof forever. And I the said Josiah do
for myself, Heirs, Executors and Administrators, do Covenant, Promise and
Grant to and with the said Matthew his Heirs and Assigns, that before the En-
sealing hereof, I am the true, sole and lawful Owner of the above-bargained
Premises, and I am lawfully seized and possessed of the same in my own proper
Right, as a good, perfect and absolute Estate of Inheritance in Fee Simple: And
have in a good Right, full Power and lawful Authority, to grant, bargain, sell,
convey and confirm said bargained Premises in Manner as aforesaid: And that I
will warrant and defend the same to ----- Heirs and Assigns, shall and may from
Time to Time, and at all Times forever hereafter, by Force and Virtue of these
Presents, lawfully, peaceably and quietly Have, Hold, Use, Occupy, Possess and
Enjoy the said demised and bargained Premises, with the Appurtenances, free
and clear, and freely and clearly acquitted, exonerated and discharged of, from
all and all Manner of former or other Gifts, Grants, Bargains, Sales, Leases,
Mortgages, Wills, Entails, Jointures, Dowries, Judgments, Executions, or In-
cumbrances of what Name or Nature soever [sic], that might in any Measure or
Degree obstruct or make Void this present Deed.

28 Essex County Deeds 123:267 (Josiah Fairfield to Matthew Fairfield, 1777).

220 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Furthermore, I do for myself & my Heirs, Executors and Administrators,

do Covenant and Engage the above-demised Premises to the said Matthew Fair-
field his Heirs and Assigns against the lawful Claims or Demands of any Person
or Persons whatsoever, forever hereafter to Warrant, Secure and Defend by
these Presents. Signed sealed & delivered this fourteenth day of March in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven,
in presence of us Josiah Fairfield & a seal
William Gallop  Essex SS. Ipswich March 27. 1777. Then Josiah Fairfield
 Esq acknowledged this instrument to be his free act and
r
David Harris
deed
Before John Baker Js Pc
Essex SS. Rec May 28. 1777. & recorded & examd by Tim. Pickering junr. Regr
d
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 221

ELIZABETH FAIRFIELD WRIT OF DOWER, JULY 18, 178329

Essex SS. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts To the respective sheriffs of

over county of york & Essex their undersherrifs or Deputys Greeting
Whereas Elizabeth Fairfield of Wenham in the County of Essex widow who was
the wife of Josiah Fairfield late of Wenham aforesaid Esq r deceased before our
Justices of our Court of Common Pleas holden at Salem within & for our county
aforesaid on the eight [sic] day of July current did recover her seisin against Mat-
thew Fairfield of Wenham aforesaid Gentleman & Josiah Fairfield of Pep-
perellborough in the county of York Physician of one third Part of a Certain
Messuage & tenement of about Six acres of land bounded Northerly & westerly
on land of Francis Porter Southerly on land of Moses Titcomb Southeasterly on
the highway also of four lots of land laying in Wenham Swamp so called in the
ninth eights so called & containing about twenty four acres which lots formerly
belonged to William Fairfield late of Wenham aforesaid deceased father to said
Josiah Fairfield Esqr deceased all which Messuages & lots layin [sic] Wenham
aforesaid also of a Messuage & tenement in Manchester in Said county bounded
at the Southwest corner by the highway leading to Glouster [sic] thence about
Northeast by Jonathan Browns land to the corner of the Wall thence Easterly
by sd Browns land about four poles to the corner of the wall adjoining on
Ebenezer Lee’s land thence by said Lees land about Southwest till it comes to
the highway thence by the highway about four poles to the bounds first men-
tioned containing about half an acre be the same more or Less with the appur-
tenances Situate in Wenham & Manchester as aforesaid in the possession of the

29 Essex County Deeds 141:123 (Elizabeth Fairfield vs. Matthew Fairfield et al., writ of
dower, 1783). See Figure 3.28 (Chapter 3, Volume 2) for a map.
Abutter Francis Porter (1748after 1801) married Martha Gott (bp.1753by 1784),
daughter of John Gott Jr. (ca.16941761), in 1772. By the time of this 1783 writ of dower,
Porter and his wife had come to own much of the John Gott Jr. Farm to the north of the
former Josiah Fairfield Farm and the site of the Thomas Kilham House.
Abutter Moses Titcomb ( ? after 1785) married Elizabeth Gott (1749after 1785),
daughter of Daniel and Mary (Rogers) Gott, in 1768. By the time of this 1783 writ of dower,
Titcomb and his wife had come to own the part of the Daniel Gott Farm to the west/south-
west of the former Josiah Fairfield Farm. See Essex County Deeds 140:237 (Moses and Eliz-
abeth Titcomb to Nathan Wood, 1770), 143:100 (Benjamin Titcomb to Moses Titcomb,
1784), 143:100 (Moses Titcomb to John Friend, 1784), 149:56 (Moses Titcomb to Joseph
Fairfield, mortgage, 1785), and 149:227 (Amos Putnam to Moses Titcomb, 1785); Essex
County Probate 11323 (Daniel Gott, 1758), Division of Estate (1772); Essex County Probate
11343 (Samuel Gott et al., guardianship, 1760); Essex Institute, Vital Records of Wenham, Massa-
chusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Newcomb & Gauss, 1904), 41; and Essex
Institute, Vital Records of Danvers, Massachusetts, To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: New-
comb & Gauss, 1910), 2:119, 292.
222 History of the Thomas Kilham House

said Elizabeth as her Dower of the Endowment of the said Josiah Fairfield her
Certain husband by our Writ of dower whereof she hath nothing Therefore we
Command you that to the said Elizabeth full seisin of one third Part of the
aforesaid Messuages or tenements with the appurtenances you cause to be had
without delay to hold to her in severalty by meets & bounds. We command you
also That of the Goods or Chattles of the Said Matthew Fairfield & Josiah Fair-
field within your Precinct you cause to be paid & Satisfied unto the Said Eliza-
beth at the value thereof in money the Sum of two pounds, thirteen Shillings &
two pence for costs expended on this suit with three shillings more for this writ
& thereof also to Satisfy yourself your own fees and for want of goods or chat-
tels of the said Matthew & Josiah to be by them shewn unto you or found within
your Precinct to Satisfy the same we command you to take their bodys & com-
mit them to the Keeper of our Goal in York Salem Ipswich or Newbury Port in
our county of York & Essex aforesaid within the Said Prisons whom we likewise
Command to receive the said Matthew & Josiah & them Safely keep until they
pay unto the said Elizabeth the full Sum above mentioned & also Satisfy your
fees Hereof fail not & make return of this Writ & how you Shall have executed
the same to our Next Court of Common Pleas to be holden at Newburyport for
our Said county of Essex on the thirtieth day of September next Witness Benja-
min Greenleaf Esquire at Salem this Eighteenth day of July in the year of our
Lord one thousand Seven hundred & eighty three.
Isaac Osgood Cler
Essex SS. August 5th 1783 Messr Dean John Friend, Josiah Ober, Moses
Titcomb, Corneilus [sic] Baker & De[acon?] Caleb Kimball of Wenham were
Sworn to the faithfull Discharge of their duty in setting off the dower of the
wido Elizabeth Fairfield, before me Tyler Porter Just Peace
We the Subscribers being appointed & sworn to set off to the widow Elizabeth
Fairfield one third part of the real estate of Josiah Fairfield Esq r late of Wenham
deceased have met & proceeded as follows viz First we assigned & sett off the
Dwelling house of Said Josiah Fairfield Esqr deceased in Wenham & the appur-
tenances also the land under & adjoining to said house bounded as follows viz
beginning at the highway westerly on land of the heirs of Daniel Gott deceased
Northerly & Easterly on Land of Francis Porter Southerly on the highway to
the bounds first mentioned Also a Small piece of land bounded as follows viz
Westerly on land of Said Porter Northerly on land of Benjamin Fairfield South-
erly on the highway to the bounds first mentioned the whole containing about
Six acres be the same more or less Also a wood lot in Wenham Swamp so called
Containing about four acres bounded as follows viz Southerly on land of Josiah
Obers Easterly on the highway Northerly & Westerly on land of Benjamin Fair-
fields Also a lot containing about three acres bounded as follows viz Southerly
& Easterly on land of Thomas Fisk & the lot first mentioned Northerly on land
of Richard Friend westerly on land of Benjamin Fairfield to the bounds first
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 223

mentioned the premises being one third part of the Messuages Lands & Tene-
ments mentioned in the within writ of Seizen whereof Dower is demanded &
are all Situate & lying in Wenham in the County of Essex
Augst 5th.1783  John Friend
Essex SS. August 5th. 1783 Received Possession and  Josiah Ober
Seizen of the above Described Lands & Messuage  Moses Titcomb
&c of William Dodge her  Cornelius Baker
Elizabeth X Fairfield  Caleb Kimball
mark
Essex SS. August 5. 1783 I have caused the said Elizabeth Fairfield Dower or
third part of […] the Messuage Lands & tenements & apurtenances mentioned
in the within writ to be set forth unto her by five freeholders of the Neighbour-
hood to wit of Wenham aforesaid who were first Sworn before Tyler Porter
Esqr one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County to be set forth the
same Equally & impartially without favour or affection as convenient as might
be all which appears by the aforegoing writing & I have given Seizen of the said
one third part being the Messuage Lands Tenements & appurtenances above
described by the said five Freeholders to the said Elizabeth & have received the
costs mentioned in the within Writ with my fees & all Charges Excepting two
Pounds Eleven shillings of the Costs Within mentioned and so I return this
Execution satesfyed in all the other Parts as apears [sic] by the
Elizabeth Fairfield, Rec William Dodge undersheriff
Essex SS. Recd Octr 30. 1783 & recorded & examd by John Pickering Regr

STEPHEN DUTCH VS. MATTHEW FAIRFIELD, NOVEMBER 28, 178530

Essex SS Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the Sheriff of our County of

Essex or his Deputy Greeting Whereas Stephen Dutch of Ipswich in the County
of Essex Shopkeeper By the consideration of our Justices of our Supreme Judi-
cial Court holden at Salem within & for our County of Essex on the first Tues-
day of November Current received Judgment against Mathew Fairfield of Wen-
ham in sd. County gentn for the sum of One hundred & four pounds & six
shillings lawful money damage & fifty eight pounds twelve shillings & four
pence Cost of suit as to us appears of Record whereof execution remains to be
done We command you therefore that of the goods chattles or lands of the said
Mathew within your precinct you cause to be paid & satisfied unto the said Ste-
phen at the Values thereof in money the aforesaid sums being one hundred &

30 Essex County Deeds 146:8 (Stephen Dutch vs. Matthew Fairfield, 1785).
224 History of the Thomas Kilham House

sixty two pounds eighteen shillings & four pence in the whole with two shillings
& eight pence morfor this writ & Duty & thereof also to satisfy yourself for your
own fees & for want of goods chattles or lands of the said Matthew to be by
him shown unto you or found within your precinct to the acceptance of the said
Stephen to satisfy the sums aforesaid we command you to take the Body of the
said Matthew & him commit unto either or our goals in Salem Ipswich or New-
bury Port in our County of Essex aforesaid & detain in your custody within our
said goal until he pay the just sums above mentioned with your fees or that he
be discharged by the said Stephen the Creditor or otherwise by order of Law
hereof fail not & make return of this writ with your doings therein into our said
Supreme Judicial Court to be holden at Ipswich within & for our county of
Essex on the third Tuesday of June next Witness William Cushing Esqr. at Bos-
ton the twenty eighth day of Novr in the year of our Lord 1785.
Essex SS Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Chas Cushing cler
Decbr 13. 1785 personally appeared before me T. Porter Esqr. […] Paletiah
Brown, Daniel Herrick & Stephen Dodge being appointed a committee to ap-
praise the estate of Matthew Fairfield within named sett off by meets & bounds
so much as to satisfy the within execution & all costs were Sworn to the faithfull
discharge of their trust. Coram—Tyler Porter Justice Peace
We the Subscribers being a committee appointed & Sworn to sett of [sic] by
meets & bounds so much of the estate of Matthew Fairfield as was shown to us
to satisfy this execution & cost have attend. that sarvice [sic] & sett off as fol-
loweth, viz a certain tract of land in said Wenham containing 20 acres & 106
poles at £4- pr. acre--£82.13.0 bounded westerly on Benjn Fairfield northerly on
sd. Fairfield & Andrew Dodge easterly on sd. Dodge southerly on Benjn Fairfield
& the burying yard[31] Also another tract containing 9 acres and 120 poles at 6£
pr. acre £58.10.0 bounded easterly on land that was owned by Josiah Fairfield
esqr 28 poles southerly on George Crowningsheild westerly sd. crowningd. &
Moses Titcomb northerly on said Fairfield Esqr. that was formerly owned by
him 35 poles Also another tract of land Containing 7 acres & 27 poles that is
the one half of said lot as it layes in Common with Doc r Josiah Fairfield & un-
divided at 5£10 pr acre £19.14.3 bounded easterly on the way leading to Porter’s
farm so called southerly on George Crowningsheild westerly on land that was
formerly owned by Josiah Fairfield Esqr decd northerly on the highway all the
above mentioned land laying in the Township of Wenham the above described

31 The Fairfield Burying Ground, William Fairfield Drive, Wenham.

 Appendix C: Early Deeds 225

land being in part to Satisfie the within execution all which we appraise at the
sum of £160.17.3 with all the appurtenances & priviledges thereto belonging or
any ways appertaining—
Essex Decr. 13th. 1785 Recd. of Wil- 
liam Dodge Deputy Sheriff seizing  Paltiah Brown
& possession of the above de- 
 Daniel Herrick
scribed premises in part for Satis-  Committee
 Stephen
faction of the within Execution & 
 Dodge
Costs thereon

Joseph Swasey Attorney to said Dutch
Essex SS Decr. 13th 1785 I have caused three persons being freeholders in said
county to be appointed & sworn viz. Pelatiah Brown by Joseph Swasey Esq r.
attorney to the within named Dutch Daniel Herrick & Stephen Dodge chosen
by myself, the within named Fairfield declined making choice of anyone & they
have set off the above described premises which they apprised at one hundred
& sixty pounds seventeen shillings & 3d. which is one hundred & fifty six pounds
7/3 over & above the cost of survaing [sic] setting of [sic] & appraising sd. prem-
ises & my fees, which is in part for Satisfaction of the within execution & Costs
& I have delivered Seizen & possession of the above described premises to Jo-
seph Swasey Esqr. Attorney to sd. Dutch as appears by his receipt so I returne
this execution in part satisfied.
William Dodge Dept. Sheriff
Essex SS Recd. March 9. 1786. & recorded & examd. By John Pickering Regr
226 History of the Thomas Kilham House

MATTHEW FAIRFIELD TO DR. JOSIAH FAIRFIELD JR., OCTOBER 1, 1788

Multiple Parcels, Including Two-Fifths of the Properties Inherited from Jo-
siah Fairfield, and the Northerly Part of Josiah Fairfield’s House32

A single document that should have been at least two separate deeds, the first portion
conveys Elizabeth Fairfield’s interest in her late husband Josiah Sr.’s estate, while the
second portion conveys Matthew Fairfield’s properties. Elizabeth’s interest, which
was subject to her life tenancy, consisted of two-fifths of the house, two-fifths of the
six-acre house lot, two-fifths of a ten-acre swamp lot, and two-fifths of a two-acre
meadow lot. Matthew’s properties consisted of a nine-acre lot abutting the south side
of proto-Maple Street, the northern part of the house, a ten-acre meadow lot, and a
three-acre meadow lot.

Know all Men by these presents that I Mathew Fairfield of New Boston in the
County of Hillsborough & state of New Hampshire gentleman For & in con-
sideration of the sum of twenty six pounds eight shillings £my[33] to me in hand
before the delivery hereof well & truly paid by Josiah Fairfield of Pepperillbor-
ough in the County of York & Commonwealth of Massachusetts physician the
receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have given granted bargained sold and
by these presents do give grant bargain sell aliene enfeoff convey & confirm
unto the sd Josiah Fairfield his heirs & assigns forever Two fifths of a Mansion
house together with two fifths of certain pieces of land hereafter mentioned
lying in Wenham bounded as follows vis one piece containing about six acres
bounded as follows southerly on the highway westerly on Daniel Gotts heirs
northerly on Thomas Kimballs land & Joseph Fairfields land to the bound first
mentioned—one piece of swamp land bounded as follows southerly on Josiah
Obears land westerly on Joseph Fairfields land northerly on land of s d Joseph
Fairfield easterly on a highway to the bounds first mentioned containing about
ten acres. Another piece of meadow land containing two acres bounded as fol-
lows westerly on the meadow hills and land of Thomas Kimble [sic] northerly &
easterly on land of the sd Josiah Fairfield to the bounds first mentioned. To have
& to hold in manner as aforesd reserving however the use & improvement of
the aforesaid premises to the widow Elizazabeth [sic] Fairfield during her natural
life Likewise I do by these presents forever quitclaim to the sd Josiah Fairfield
for and in consideration of the sum of thirty three pounds £ m[one]y to me in
hand paid before the delivery hereof, the receipt whereof I do hereby
acknowledge A certain piece of land lying in Wenham containing nine acres &

32 Essex County Deeds 153:244 (Matthew Fairfield to [Dr.] Josiah Fairfield [Jr.], 1788).
33 Essex County Deeds 155:11 (Billy Porter and Matthew Fairfield to Dr. Josiah Fairfield
[Jr.], 1787) uses the phrase “£ money” when describing the purchase price: Apparently “£my”
is an abbreviated form of that phrase.
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 227

bounded as follows notherly [sic] on the highway westerly on land of Lydia Gott
southerly & easterly on land of the sd Joshua [sic] Fairfield to the bounds first
mentioned To have & to hold the above bargained premises with all their ap-
purtenances—And likewise I the sd Mathew Fairfield for & in consideration of
the sum of fifteen pounds £ m[one]y well & truly paid before the delivery hereof
the receipt whereof I do acknowledge do give grant & sell & convey to the s d
Josiah Fairfield his heirs & assigns forever the northerly part of the Mansion
house of Josiah Fairfield Esq. deceased aforementioned with all the priviledges
& appurtenances thereto belonging together with thirteen acres of medow land
lying in Wenham one piece bounded as follows easterly on land of Cornelius
Baker northerly & westerly on the heirs of Joshua Towns southerly on land of
the sd Josiah Fairfield to the bounds first mentioned containing about ten acres.
Another piece of land containg [sic] about three acres bounded as follows east-
erly on the highway westerly on land of Jacob Towns & John Rea southerly on
land of Andrew Dodge to the bounds first mentioned To have & to hold the
aforesd granted premises as before described. And I do covenant with s d Josiah
Fairfield that sd premises are free & clear of all incumbrances as before described
and that I the sd Mathew Fairfield for myself my heirs executors & administra-
tors do warrant & defend all the aforementioned premises against the lawfull
claims & demands of any person or persons whatsoever as before described
And I Abigail Fairfield wife of sd Mathew Fairfield do by these presents surren-
der up all my right of dower & power of the thirds to the abovementioned
premises In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands & seals this first
day of October ADomini one thousand seven hundred and eight eight—
Matth Fairfield & a seal
signed sealed & deliv-  Essex SS January 14 th 1792 then the above-

ered in presence of—  named Matthew Fairfield personally acknowl-

Billy Porter—  edged the foregoin [sic] Instrument to be his
Joseph Fairfield—  free Deed, before me
Jos. Batchelder jr Justice of the
peace
Essex SS Recd Jan 14. 1792 & recorded & examd by John Pickering Regr
228 History of the Thomas Kilham House

MATTHEW FAIRFIELD TO THOMAS KIMBALL JR. AND JOSEPH FAIRFIELD,

FEBRUARY 23, 1797
“Mansion House” and Six-Acre Lot34

Know all men by these presents that I Mathew Fairfield of New Boston, in the
County of Hillsborough and State of New hamshire [sic] gentleman for and in
consideration of three hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty three cents
lawful money to me in hand paid by and between Thomas Kimball & Joseph
Fairfield both of Wenham in the county of Essex and commonwealth of Mas-
sachusetts gentlemen, the receipt wereof [sic] I do hereby acknowledge have
given granted bargained and sold and do by these presents give grant bargain
sell and convey unto the said Thomas Kimball and Joseph Fairfield their heirs
and assigns forever, A Mansion house together with a certain piece of land here-
after mentioned lying in said Wenham bounded as follows, vis,[35] westerly on
the highway, northerly on land belonging to the heirs of Daniel Gott deceased
eastwardly on land belonging to the said Thomas Kimball and Josh Fairfield to
the bounds first mentioned – Also a small piece of land (called the nursery)
bounded as above and included in the above, the whole being six acres more or
less. To have and to hold the said granted premises with all the privileges &
appurtenances to the same belonging to them the sd Thomas Kimball and Jo-
seph Fairfield their heirs and assigns to their only proper use forever. And I the
sd Mathew Fairfield my heirs executors and administrators do hereby agree grant
and covenant to and with the sd Thomas Kimball and Joseph Fairfield their heirs
and assigns, that until the delivery hereof I am the lawful owner of the s d prem-
ises and am seized and possessed thereof in my own right in fee simple, that
they are free and clear off [sic] all and every incumbrance whatsoever and that I
and my heirs executors & administrators shall and will warrant the same to them
the sd Thoms Kimball & Josh Fairfield their heirs and assigns against the lawful
claims & demands of any person or persons whomsoever. In witness whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of Feby anno Domini
one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven
Matth Fairfield & a seal
signed sealed and delivered in presence off [sic]  a seal
William Fairfield Saml Obear ----  a seal

34 Essex County Deeds 162:77 (Matthew Fairfield to Thomas Kimball [Jr.] and Joseph Kim-
ball, 1797).
35 Did either the deed writer or John Pickering (the county’s deed recorder) inadvertently
omit the word “running” here?
 Appendix C: Early Deeds 229

Essex SS. Febry 24th 1797 personally appeared the within named Mathew Fair-
field and Acknowledged the [within] written [sic] written Instrument to be his
free act & Deed
Coram Tyler Porter Just Peace
Essex SS. Recd Decr. 7. 1797 & recorded & examined by John Pickering Regr

JOSEPH FAIRFIELD AND THOMAS KIMBALL JR. TO SAMUEL FISKE JR., DE-
CEMBER 8, 1797
Front Part of the Dwelling House, and Six-Acre Lot36

Know all men by these presents that we Joseph Fairfield of Wenham in the
County of Essex and commonwealth of Massachusetts Esq r. and Thomas Kim-
ball jun.r of Wenham in said County & Commonwealth aforesaid yeomen with
the consent of each of our wifes Elizabeth & Huldah in consideration of Three
hundred forty-three dollars lawful money paid us and one third of a dollar by
Samuel Fisk of Wenham in the County of Essex & Commonwealth aforesaid
cordwainer the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge do hereby give, grant
sell and convey unto the said Samuel Fisk his heirs & assigns forever a certain
tract of land scituate [sic] in Wenham afores.d bounded as followeth (viz) begin-
ning at the highway against Tho.s Kimballs land or lane leading to his house
running westerly upon the highway to land of Daniel Gotts heirs from thence
northerly to land of Tho.s Kimball from thence easterly by land of the said Kim-
ball to the first mentioned bounds with the front part of the dwelling house
thereon containing about six acres to be the same more or less with all the priv-
ileges thereto belonging. To have and to hold the same to the said Samuel Fisk
and his heirs and assigns to his and their use and benefit forever and we do
covenant with the said Samuel Fisk and his heirs and assigns that we are lawfully
seized in fee of the premises that they are free of all incumbrances that we have
good right to sell and convey the same to the said Samuel Fisk and his heirs &
assigns and that we will warrant and defend the same to said Samuel Fisk and
his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of any per-
sons whomsoever In witness whereof we the said Joseph and Thomas, Eliza-
beth & Huldah have hereunto set our hands and seals this eight [sic] day of De-
cember in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven—

36 Essex County Deeds 163:19 (Joseph Fairfield and Thomas Kimball Jr. to Samuel Fisk[e]
[Jr.], 1797).
Samuel Fiske Jr. (17731846) was the son of Samuel and Sarah (Perkins) Fiske of Ips-
wich. See Essex County Deeds 194:20 (Samuel Fiske [Jr.] to Joshua Orne, 1805); and Pierce
(1896), 131, 200.
230 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Joseph Fairfield & a seal

Isaac Porter, Paul Porter— Thomas Kimball jr & a seal
Essex. Ss December eight 1797 Then the Elizabeth Fairfield & a seal
above named Joseph Fairfield & Thos Huldiah [sic] Kimball & a seal
Kimball—
acknowledged the above instrument to be their free Deed before me
Tyler Porter Just Pacis
Essex Ss Rec.d Dec.r 12. 1797 & recorded & examn.d by John Pickering Regr
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242 History of the Thomas Kilham House
 INDEX

Addams, Elizabeth ................................. 113 William........... 73, 114, 129–30, 134–35

Appleton, Elizabeth ............... 214, 220–23 Dunton, John ..........................................120
Baker Dutch, Stephen ................................ 223–25
John (1770-1821)................................. 42 Eastwick, Elizabeth .................................. 12
John (ca.1700-1745), Capt. ... 40, 42, 59 Edwards
Barns ..... 17, 20, 42, 67, 68, 90, 93, 94, 96, John Jr. .................................................. 11
97, 103, 114, 203, 205, 208, 210, 211, Matthew ......................................... 85, 86
215, 216, 219 Elmwood Farm .......................................103
Batchelder Epidemics
Benjamin ............................................. 106 Smallpox................................................ 66
Ebenezer ........................................ 46, 59 Fairfield
John (1667-1754), Jr. .. 102–6, 118, 119 Benjamin (1646-1664) ................. 85, 86
John (bp.1638-1698) ................ 102, 103 Benjamin (1708-1788) ..... 8, 24, 29, 68,
John Batchelder Jr. Farm .......... 184–86 72, 73, 87, 208–17
John Batchelder Jr. House...... 103, 124 Benjamin (1783-1867) .... 29, 69, 74, 87
Joseph (1662-1720) ........... 46, 118, 119 Ichabod ....................................29, 69, 87
Joseph (d.ca.1647) ............................. 101 John (1641-1672), Jr. ................... 85, 86
Samuel ................................................. 106 John (1669-by 1718), 3rd .... 4, 16, 29,
Bibber, Goody .......................................... 79 85, 86, 90
Bragg, Nathaniel ............................ 109, 174 John (1737-1819), Rev. .. 29, 69, 73, 87
Brick Kilns ................................................. 51 John (ca.1610-1646) ... 82–86, 102, 114
Browning, Thomas ........................... 101–2 John Fairfield Farm......3, 7, 72, 82–90,
Cider House ............................................ 218 92, 171–72
Claflin-Richards House ............67, 68, 120 John Fairfield House .......................... 83
Clark, Lydia................................................ 53 Joseph .......... 29, 54, 69, 73, 87, 227–30
Commons Distribution ..... 45, 72, 75, 104 Josiah ...8, 24, 55, 68, 72, 73, 82, 205–
Crowninshield, George .................... 55, 79 7, 210–20
Cue Farm ................................................... 31 Josiah Jr. ................. 73, 220–23, 225–27
Denman, John Jr. .............................. 75, 78 Matthew .. 55, 216, 217, 218–20, 220–
Dennis, Sarah ............................................ 53 29
Dodge Priscilla .................................................. 73
Bartholomew........................................ 99 Prudence ............................. 129–30, 135
Israel Andrews .............................. 94, 99 Samuel ......................................29, 69, 87
Prudence ........... See Fairfield, Prudence Sarah ...................................................... 90
244 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Tabitha ................. 129–30, 134, 138–40 William (ca.1614-1654) ... 10, 11, 90–91
Walter ....................................... 83, 85, 86 William Fiske Jr. Farm (Cherry Street)
William ... 16, 23, 24, 28, 29, 33, 46, 53, .................................................. 173–79
68, 72, 73, 85, 86–90, 108, 114, William Fiske Jr. Farm (Topsfield
118, 119, 130, 131, 203–9 Road) ......................... 17–22, 142–44
William (1691-1691), Jr. ..................... 90 William Fiske Sr. Farm ........ 7, 90–100,
William (1732-1773), Dr. ............ 79, 94 173–82
William (b.1777), Dr. .......................... 73 Fitch, Martha ............................................. 63
William Fairfield House ....... 69, 86–90, Fowler, Joseph Jr. ..................................... 93
124 Francis, Sarah ............................................ 10
Fiske Friend
Benjamin ............................................... 96 Friend Farm .......................................... 31
Daniel .................................................... 29 James (ca.1633-1718) ....... 9, 59, 72, 78,
Ebenezer ............................................... 96 108, 109, 118, 119, 129
Fiske Family Tree ................................ 32 Gerrish, Joseph, Rev. ............. 68, 120, 129
Fiske-Gott House ...................... 21, 124 Gilbert, John ................. 4, 23, 24, 200–201
Fiske-Ober House............... 96–98, 124 Gott
Fiske-Patch-Batchelder House ........ See Charles Gott Jr. House .......... See Kent-
Newman-Fiske-Dodge House Schlehuber House
James ..................................................... 12 Charles Jr...... 21, 53, 57, 118, 119, 121,
John (bp.1627-1683) ..... 4, 11, 12, 15, 199–200, 202
51, 53, 199–200 Daniel ........................... 53, 56, 199–200
John (ca.1601-1677), Rev. ..... 9, 10, 11, John (1668-1723) ..... 4, 20, 21, 48, 54,
72, 90, 101, 102, 109, 110 60, 202
Peggy (-----) .......................................... 63 John (ca.1694-1761), Jr....... 20, 22, 152
Phineas .............................. 10–18, 31, 53 Greene
Phineas Fiske Farm....... 3, 7, 10–30, 77 Greene-Rich House ..........................124
Rev. John Fiske Farm..... 102, 107, 109 John ........................................................ 41
Samuel (1773-1846), Jr. .................... 229 Gristmills .................................................... 37
Samuel (carpenter) ....................... 11, 53 Hacker
Samuel (tailor) .... 12, 23, 24, 28, 91, 92, Joseph .......................................42, 43, 80
118, 119 Joseph Hacker House .......................124
Samuel (weaver)................................... 68 Hawes, Robert ........................................... 12
Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) Farm ... 145– Herrick
50, 180–82 Benjamin ..................................42, 44, 46
Samuel Fiske (the Tailor) House .... 124 Ephraim .................................................. 9
Theophilus ..................................... 96, 99 Ephraim Jr. ............................................. 9
Theophilus Fiske House .................. 124 Henry ................................................ 9, 72
Thomas (bp.1630-1707)...... 11, 12, 17, Herrick Farm ................................... 9, 31
63, 67 John ................................9, 28, 42, 46, 53
Thomas (ca.1653-1723), Jr. ..... 16, 17, John Jr. .................................................... 9
22, 47, 58, 60, 64–68, 118, 119, 129 Joseph .............. 9, 28, 42, 44, 46, 53, 59
Thomas Fiske Jr. Farm ........ 7, 63–68, Josiah ........................................42, 46, 94
169–70 Stephen .................................................. 59
Thomas Fiske Jr. House .................. 124 Zachariah ................................................ 9
William (1643-1728), Jr. ..... 17–22, 28, Hood, Richard ........................................... 50
92, 93–96, 108, 118, 119, 131 Hooker......................................... See Hacker
William (1663-1745), 3rd ............. 20, 22
 Inex 245

Indigenous People...................................... 4 Thomas (1756-1810), Jr. ...... 21, 40,

Agawam Paths .......................... 115, 116 109, 152, 153, 165, 166, 227–30
Ingersoll, Richard ................................... 115 Thomas (1789-1845), 3rd....... 40, 99,
Kemp, Edward ...... 8, 12, 90, 91, 101, 129 148, 178
Kent King Philip’s War ..................................... 63
Kent, Henry S. .............................. 80, 81 Lamson, Phoebe ....................................... 99
Kent-Schlehuber House .....55, 57, 123 Leach
Kielhauel, W. H. ....................................... 98 John (bp.1616)....................................... 39
Kilham John (bp.1648-1717?), Jr. ....... 40, 118,
Daniel (1649-1734), Jr. .... 4, 16, 23, 24, 119
86, 200–201 John Leach Jr. House .......................123
Daniel (ca.1620-1700) ........ 4, 23–24, Lawrence ............................... 37, 39, 115
200–201 Lawrence Leach Farm ............ See Place
Daniel Kilham Sr. Farm .............. 23–30 Names, Leach’s Meadow
Sarah ...................................................... 96 Robert .................................................... 39
Thomas ..... 15, 23, 24, 28, 45, 46, 53, Lord
72, 73, 118, 119, 121, 124, 203–4 Lord’s Farm ........................................110
Kimball William......................................9, 72, 110
Caleb ......................... 9, 46, 59, 118, 119 Lord’s Farm ...... See Place Names, Lord’s
Ebenezer ............................................. 109 Hill
Edmund ................................................ 40 Meeting House
Edward .................................................. 74 Ipswich .................................................. 37
Edward L. .................................... 11, 103 North Beverly ....................................119
Elwell F. ................................................ 44 Salem ...................................................... 37
Ephraim ......................46, 117, 118, 119 Wenham ...... 10, 11, 13, 91, 200, 210,
George W. ...................... 71, 74, 87, 113 214
John ................................................ 33, 61 Mileham, Elizabeth .................................. 37
Jonathan Jr..................................... 22, 31 Moulton
Mary E....................................71, 74, 113 James (1602-1680) ......3, 9, 72, 78, 102,
Nathaniel...... 11, 31, 40, 41, 54, 74, 79, 106–13, 129
113, 150, 177, 191, 197, 198 James (bp.1637-1696), Jr........ 113, 118,
Paul ...................................................... 103 119, 121
Richard (1683-1713) .................... 9, 109 James Moulton Farm ...3, 7, 9, 106–14,
Richard (ca.1623-1676), Jr. ...... 72, 86, 187–98
101 James Moulton Jr. House ...... 111, 113,
Richard Kimball Jr. Farm (Cherry 123
Street) ............................................. 102 James Moulton Sr. House ...... 112, 121,
Richard Kimball Jr. Farm (Lord’s Hill) 123
........................................................... 31 John ......................................................131
Samuel (1677-1746), Jr. ... 9, 22, 46, 60, Jonathan ..............................................131
61, 109 Samuel .................. 9, 112, 117, 118, 119
Samuel (ca.1651-1716) .......... 9, 86, 109 Newman
Solomon E. ...................... 30, 41, 44, 50 Antipas, Rev. . 8, 12, 16, 58, 90, 91, 92,
Thomas (1657-ca.1732) .....46, 86, 118, 101, 118, 121, 129
119 John ...................................... 92, 118, 119
Thomas (1730-1805) ...... 22, 31, 152, Newman-Fiske-Dodge House .. 93–96,
165, 185 123
246 History of the Thomas Kilham House

Norton Pleasant Pond.....................................101

George........................................ 107, 109 Spring Pasture ............................... 40, 41
Norton-Rumball Farm ............ 107, 109 Straits, The ................................... 31, 100
Obear, Samuel ........ 42, 73, 112, 113, 131, Thirty-Acre Brook............................... 40
147, 148, 174, 177, 178, 181, 191, 197, Wenham Causeway ......... 117, 118, 204
198 Wenham Lake .................... 11, 110, 115
Ober Wenham Neck ..................................... 12
Josiah ..................................................... 96 Wenham Swamp ................ 8, 62, 74, 75
Ober House...... See Fiske-Ober House Woods, The ......3, 9, 15, 16, 39, 82, 86,
Osbourne 125
William .................................................. 58 Woods, The (West Peabody) .............. 4
William Osbourne Farm ...... 7, 58–62, Porter
93, 162–68 Francis .......................................... 21, 221
Page, John .................................................. 21 John (1596-1676) ............... 39, 114, 115
Peach John (1658-1753) ........................ 78, 115
Adelaide (Coffin) ................................. 81 John (1683-ca.1775), Jr....................... 78
Benjamin ............................................... 81 John Porter Farm (Danvers) ..... 39, 59,
Perkins, Rebecca ....................................... 64 114
Pinkham, Julia (Ober) .............................. 97 John Porter Farm (West Wenham)......
Place Names 23, 78, See Thomas Trusler Farm
Alewife Brook ...................................... 11 Joseph ............................................. 58, 59
Birch Plains ............................... 8, 39, 41 Joseph Porter Farm............................. 59
Birch Plains Brook .............................. 40 Lydia (Herrick) ..................................... 79
Blind Hole Swamp ............. See Leach’s Porter-Crowninshield House ..... 80–82,
Swamp 115, 123
Cedar Pond......................... 31, 101, 109 Samuel ............................. 78, 80, 82, 121
Company Pasture ............ 71, 73–74, 74 Samuel Porter House ........... See Porter-
Fiske’s Little Piece ............................ 203 Crowninshield House
Folly Hill ............................................... 39 Price, Walter .............................................. 78
Great Meadow ..... 8, 12, 59, 62, 67, 75, Quarles, Mary ............................................ 96
117, 118, 119 Rich, Nicholas ....................... 28, 41, 42, 53
Great Pond ............... See Wenham Lake Rix
Great Swamp ...... See Wenham Swamp Theophilus ................. 29, 46, 92, 93, 99
Great Swamp Landing Place........... 104 Theophilus Rix Farm ........ 145–46, 180
Hood’s Island....................................... 50 Theophilus Rix House...... 99–100, 124
Leach’s Hill ........................................... 39 Salem Witchcraft Trials ...... 63, 64, 79, 94,
Leach’s Meadow .................. 7, 8, 37–43 102
Leach’s Swamp ........ 7, 22, 44–50, 69, Sawmills ...................................................... 17
151–55 Schools
Long Field ................................... 21, 166 Schoolmaster ........................................ 64
Lord’s Hill..... 7, 40, 46, 69–75, 90, 110 Severett
Lord’s Meadow ............................. 203–4 John .....................46, 108, 113, 118, 119
Meadow Hill.....................................8, 61 John Severett Farm .................... 192–94
Miles River............................................ 11 John Severett House .........................124
Moulton Hill ....................................... 109 Shipley, John ................. 9, 72, 91, 100, 101
Muddy Pond ........................................ 31 Smith, Thomas ................................... 11, 12
Plainfields, The .................................... 93 Solart
Plains, The ..................................... 54, 93 John ........................................................ 11
 Inex 247

Martha ............................................ 203–4 Tarbox, Thomas ........................................ 67

Spooner Thomson, Peter ...........................28, 42, 53
Thomas .......................................... 75–78 Trow, Benjamin ........................................ 31
Thomas Spooner Farm ........... 7, 75–82 Trusler
Streets Thomas......................................... 51, 114
Bomer Street ............................... 36, 117 Thomas Trusler Farm ...... 3, 7, 21, 28,
Cherry Street, origin ..... 114, 115, 117, 51–57, 156–61
118 Waldron, Nathaniel ................................130
Company Lane ............................. 27, 74 Ward
Flint Street .. 32, 36, 114, 117, 118, 125 John Ward House................................ 82
Great Swamp Highway .................... 104 Wellman
Kent’s Lane .......................................... 82 William........................................100–101
Maple Street, origin...... 114, 115, 117, William Wellman Farm ..... 7, 100–106,
119 183–86
Morgan Street, origin.......................... 68 Whipple, Elizabeth ................................... 11
Porter’s Road ................................ 27, 82 White
Topsfield Road, origin ............ 117, 118 Joseph White House .........................194
Wenham Road (Topsfield), origin Woods, Tabitha........See Fairfield, Tabitha
......................................................... 119 Woodward, Ezekiel .................................. 11
Wenham Street (Beverly), origin ... 114,
115