| Notes |
- The rector of Wrentham Parish, England in 1617 was Rev. John Phillips,who later emigrated to Dedham Mass. During his years in Dedham, Phillipsonce stated that the blacksmith John Biglelow of Watertown, was the sameinfant whom he had baptized on Feb 16, 1617 as the son of "RandleBeageley", and that he had "known John Biglo from earliest youth upward."In a civil case in Watertown during his lifetime, John Bigelow took thewitness stand and identified himself as "John Biglo, formerly ofWrentham, England."
John Bigelow seems to have arrived in Watertown about 1632. He probablycame with an older relative, Elizabeth Bigeloe, second wife of DeaconRichard Butler, who after a short stay in Massachusetts, followed theRev. Thomas Hooker to Connecticut.
John took part in the Pequot War of 1636, serving from Watertown. Thenext public mention of him is his marriage in Watertown on 30 October1642 - the first marriage recorded in Watertown - before Mr. Nowell, toMary Warren, daughter of John and Margaret Warren. In the book "TheWinthrop Woman", which is well researched, there is a cannon-ballpitching contest between Will Hallet and "his opponent - Bigelow, theblacksmith." The contest was held in the Common of "Little Boston", onElection Day in the mid to late 1630's.
John Bigelow took oath of fidelity 1652 and was a selectman in 1665, 1670and 1671. He became a Freeman 18 April 1690. His occupation wasblacksmith, which we find from town records, "Agreed with John Biglo thatfor ten trees the towne allowed him for the setting up of a shop for aSmithes forge, that he shall eighter go on with his promise of setting uphis trade, which is the trade of a Smith, within one twelfmonth after thedate hereof or else to pay unto the towne ten shillings for these tentrees he acknowledged to have off the towne." Dated 4 March 1651. Hishomesite consisted of six acres and was bounded north by Richard Amblerand William Parker, east by Thomas Straight, south by the highway and onthe west by Miles Ives.
John's wife Mary died Oct. 19, 1691, and he married again on Oct. 2,1694, to Sarah, the daughter of Joseph Bemis of Watertown. John died 14July 1703. His will of 4 Jan. of that year was probated July 28, 1704.
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Bef 1617 - 1703 (~ 86 years)
