CUMMINGS, John

Notes:

John received by his father's will the homestead consisting of 40 acres with houses, barns, orchards and fences in Rowley Village (Boxford) which he sold in 1680 to Edward Nealand. This farm was bounded by land of Edward Nealand (Kneeland) and by Tobijah Perkins and the Ipswich common land. He had moved to Boxwood about 1658, made a freeman in 1673. Both he and his wife were members of the church of Topsfield on December 6/7, 1685 when the church voted to let them go to the church in Dunstable, "he without commendation, his wife with commendation". By December 16, 1685 he was one of seven males mentioned as having entered into covenant to form the church in Dunstable. He had moved to Dunstable in 1680 where he was one of the first settlers. He was a selectman in 1682, and a member of the church in 1684. Dunstable is located in what is now Nashua, New Hampshire. It received its name from Dunstable, England. John was the Town Clerk for several years. Two of John's children, Issac and his twin brother Ebenezer were both killed by Indians in November 22, 1688. Their bodies were not recovered for 26 days. John's grandson, Lt. Ebenezer Cummings, was also killed by Indians. John Cummings, (listed among the commoners, 1672. In 1673, he testified in court to being 40 years old; in 1678, 43(47?); in 1679, 50. Four hundred acres were laid off there to him and Thomas Dorman and Robert Stiles. This was bordered on the west by the Andover line. In 1678/9, he is spoken of as "a gatherer" in Boxford of a rate "to procure powder and bullets." He had become a proprietor, on of the first fourteen proprietors, of that new town, some three years before, Nov. 30, 1682. Jonathan Tyng deeded lands to him and to Isaac, John Jr.,and Thomas Cummings at the same time, Jan. 29, 1683. He was selectman in 1682, and for several years town clerk. He died Dec. 1, 1700, and his wife Dec. 7, following.

John married HOWLETT, Sarah 1 Dec 1655, Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of HOWLETT, Thomas and FRENCH, Alice) was born 3/03 Mar 1633/1634, Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts; died 7 Dec 1700, Dunstable, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

1. CUMMINGS, Josiah
2. CUMMINGS, Isaac died 2 Nov 1688; was buried 28 Nov 1688.
3. CUMMINGS, Ebenezer died 2 Nov 1688; was buried 28 Nov 1688.
4. CUMMINGS, John Sergeant was born 1657, Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts; died Aft 1732, Dunstable, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
5. CUMMINGS, Thomas Deacon was born 6 Oct 1658, Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts; died 20/20 Jan 1722/1723, Dunstable, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; was buried , Ancient Cemetery, South Nashua (Now Nh).
6. CUMMINGS, Nathaniel was born 10 Sep 1659, Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts; died Bef 1729.
7. CUMMINGS, Sarah was born 28/28 Jan 1660/1661, Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts; died 4 Nov 1724, Dunstable, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
8. CUMMINGS, Abraham was born 1663, Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts; died Bef 1707, Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
9. CUMMINGS, William was born 5 Aug 1671; died 30 Mar 1672.
10. CUMMINGS, Elleazer was born 5 Aug 1671; died Yes, date unknown.
11. CUMMINGS, Benjamin was born 23/23 Feb 1672/1673.
12. CUMMINGS, Samuel was born 28 Dec 1677; died Yes, date unknown.
13. CUMMINGS, Benjamin was born 23 Feb 1672–3, Ipswich, Massachusetts; was christened , Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusettes, Colonial Usa; died UNKNOWN.
14. CUMMINGS, Alice was born Abt 1675, Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts; died UNKNOWN.
15. CUMMINGS, Elisabeth was born 5 Jan 1687, Dunstable, Middlesex, Massachusetts; was christened , Dunstable, Middlesex County, Massachusettes, Colonial Usa; died 30 Apr 1751, Dunstable, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

Notes:

In Chelmsford on October 4, 1631 we find a legal document which reads: John Neale of Great Oakley, Husbandman, 7 June stole at Mistley a she goat worth 10s. of Isaac Cummyn and a kyd worth 5sh of Abraham Cumyn in a cote. Witnesses: Thos Wyer, John Goffe, Isaac Cumyn, Abr Cumyn. It is possible Abraham is a brother whose birth was during one of the gaps in the Copford Parish Register.
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Another entry from July 7, 1630 reads: John Baker, Ralph Myers and Jas Watts, all of Mistley, Labourers, 13 Jun 6 Ch as 1 (?) stole a black cow worth 40s. belonging to Isaac Cumyns, six heffers each worth 40s. a nd a steer (boviculun) worth 40s. belonging to John Tarver. Pleaded not guilty - all acquitted. Witnesses: Isaac Cumens, John Tarver, Chris Homan, Thos Rawlyins, ThosTurner.
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Isaac made John the sole executor of his will and left him "my house and lands being forty acres more or less consisting of upland and meadow. "John sold this land in 1680 to Edward Nealand.

Isaac — ANNE. was born , Probably England; died Bef 1677, Probably Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

John married GREENE, Anny 16 May 1590, Copford, Essex, England. [Group Sheet]