| Notes |
- William and Joanna Towne came to Salem Massachusetts from Great Yarmouth,Norfolk, England about or after 1635. William and his father, John, wereboth gardeners, despite the fact that William was apprenticed on 5 Nov1608 "for 14 years from 2nd Feb. next" to a basketmaker, AbrahamRobbertes (Roberts) of Yarmouth.
At some point, he was cited by the archdeacon of Norwich Consistory forfailing to appear for communion and noted as a Separatist with his wife.
Three of William and Joanna's daughters, Rebecca Towne Nurse, Mary TowneEstey, and Sarah Bridges Cloyse, were victims of the 1692 Salemwitchcraft hysteria. Sarah was imprisoned but later released; Rebecca andMary were hanged.
He died on June 24, 1673 and is buried in Topsfield, Essex County,Massachusetts. His estate was probated on April 10, 1683 in Essex County,Massachusetts.
Many of William and Joanna's descendants have distinguished themselves invarious fields of endeavor through the years. Architect Ithiel Town, whodesigned the covered truss bridge, was a descendant, as were ClaraBarton, founder of the American Red Cross, and Elizabeth Nourse, the19th-century artist. Laura Towne, who established the first school forAfrican-American children after the Civil War, and Maine author KennethRoberts were both descendants. The home of General Salem Towne is nowpart of the Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts Living Museum.
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1599 - 1685 (86 years)
