Q P Site Map

350th Anniversary of Quaboag Plantation

Meet The Planters:

All information for this section is from Dr. Roy's Book                 

Click here: Plot Plan of the First Brookfield Settlement

Click on Planter's name for his biography

 John Warner  the "Father of Quaboag", sold his property in Ipswich consisting of "his dwelling, barn, orchard, and 7 acres of upland" on August 6, 1665, and was probably the first to come over the narrow Bay Path to the banks of the Quaboag River for permanent settlement. 

Rev. John Younglove    John Younglove also came in 1665, and was accompanied by his wife Sarah, his brother James, his young son John, and his infant daughter Sarah. He also came as a settler, but was soon to assume the role of preacher for the new colony.

William Prichard    William Prichard came with his wife and seven minor children. His eldest son John and wife, were also members of the original party. His first appearance on the account book of John Pynchon occurs on December 6, 1666 and a reference to a previous balance indicates previous residence, probably of several months.

Thomas Wilson    Thomas Wilson and wife left their three grown and married children, William, John, and Shoreborn at Ipswich, where they were settled, and came to Quaboag  with their two younger children, Mary and Hannah. Evidence for their early presence at Quaboag in 1665 is also found in the account books.  

Thomas Parsons    The only single person to establish himself at Quaboag in 1665, as far as the record indicates, was Thomas Parsons from Windsor, Connecticut. His early presence at Quaboag is proven by the following in the account book:  "Thomas Parsons of Quaboag Dr.  To resting in D book July 16, 1666.

As is evident from the above, the original roster of inhabitants present in the infant colony in November 1665 numbered 35. These 35 were the nucleus of what was to eventually become the prosperous and busy town of Brookfield in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The next phase in the settlement, was the gradual infiltration of other adventurers among the established planters in the young frontier outpost. The came not in large numbers, but rather in single families or small groups of individuals,

Richard Coy    The next to come over the trail with his family was Richard Coy, tavern keeper from Wenham. With him came his wife Martha and 5 children, the youngest a babe in arms. They were probably living at Quaboag in the latter part of 1666 or the early months of 1667. Caleb, their youngest, was born at Boston on August 15, 1666 which makes their removal unlikely until some weeks after the event.

John Ayres    Captain John Ayres, as he was known at Ipswich, apparently made his decision to remove from that town between March and May of 1667. Ayres came with his wife Suzannah, his seven sons, and his daughter, Suzannah. He was granted the privileges of commonage at Ipswich in February 1667, and admitted a commoner in March 1667. He was named in the Re-grant of 1667, at Quaboag dated May 15, as one of the committee to administer the affairs of Quaboag.

In the year 1668, there were two families and a widower, who were willing to cast their lots in with the company of settlers already established on Pritchard's Hill.

Daniel Hovey     Deacon Daniel Hovey, age 50, a former selectman, constable, highway surveyor, and holder of many other civic posts at Ipswich was a man of substantial means. He was accompanied by his wife Abigail; his son Thomas, age 20 and single; James, age 18 and single; Joseph, age 15; Abigail, about 13, and Nathaniel, 11years. 

James Travis    Along the Bay Path in this year of 1668 also traveled James Travis, a young married man of 23, his wife Mercy, aged 18, and their infant daughter Elizabeth, who was born in Gloucester on February 8, 1668.

Judah Trumble    First mention of Judah at Quaboag is found in the John Pynchon account, dated January 18, 1668/9. He is referred to as "the going man", equivalent in today's terminology to "teamster". In 1668 Judah was a widower and, as far as is known, without children as of this date. He was the brother-in-law of Samuel Warner. This could have been the factor which induced him to move westward to Quaboag after his first wife died.

Samuel & Thomas Kent    The Kent brothers, Samuel and Thomas, apparently living in close harmony at Ipswich, decided to bring their families to Quaboag sometime in 1671. The account books show that the first entry of Thomas Kent was dated November 23, 1671 and that of Samuel on January 22, 1672. An undated entry in the account books which indicates the presence of Samuel earlier than January is the following "By wolf killed by you with James Travis, annotation 1672, your half being 00 06 08".

Thomas Millett    In 1674, there came to Brookfield, an older couple who received a grant of a house lot and  meadowland, but remained only a short time. Thomas and Mary Millett came from Gloucester where he was active in the community and the church. He was not an ordained minister, but  seems to have assumed the duties of the ministry at Brookfield during his brief residence there.