| Notes |
- By a tradition which exists in different branches of the Foster family,Reginald Foster, the first of the name, is reputed to have come to thiscountry from Exeter, Devonshire, England, and to have crossed the waterin one of the ships embargoed by King Charles the First: but of this,nothing certain is as yet known.
He brought with him his wife, Judith, five sons and two daughters, andsettled in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, about the year 1638, and wasone of the earliest inhabitants of that town. Children were all born inEngland between 1618 and 1636. Each child had families from nine to 14children, many of whom settled in Ipswich, Boxford, Andover and othernearby towns in Massachusetts Many have attained national distinction (USSenator Lafayette Sabine Foster of Conn and Senator Addison G. Foster ofWashington.)
He lived near the "East Bridge," which stood where the stone bridge nowis. It is supposed that the remains of what is known as the "old Fosterhouse," may have been the site of his residence. This seems probable, for6 April, 1841, there was "granted Reginald Foster, eight acres of meadowin the west meadow, if any remain there ungranted, in consideration of alittle hovel that stood at the new bridge, which was taken away for theaccomodating of the passage there," and "4th, 11mo., 1646," he withothers "promise carting voluntary toward the East Bridge beside the ratea day work a piece."
The danger from Indians in these early times was such that in the year1645 a law was passed requiring the "youth from ten to sixteen years tobe exercised with small guns, half pikes, bows and arrows," and also that"every town is to have a guard set a half hour after sunset, to consistof a pikeman and musketeer, and to prepare for any sudden attack from theIndians." Our ancestor, on the 19 December, 1645, subscribed with othershis proportion of 3sh. towards the sum of o24. 7sh. "to pay their leaderMajor Dennison," who then commanded the military forces of Essex andNorfolk Counties.
His wife Judith died at Ipswich in October, 1664. He married again,Sept., 1665, Sarah widow of John Martin, of Ipswich. She survivedReginald, and 21 Sept., 1680 she became the second wife of William White,of Haverhill. She died 22 Feb., 1682-3.
Reginald owned land on Plum and Hog Islands per his will proved 09 June1681.
|
Abt 1595 - Bef 1681 (~ 86 years)
