Robert Hazeltine

Robert was born in Biddeford, County of Devon, England. Robert's father was Robert Hazeltine and his mother is Joanna Hazeltine. His maternal grandfather was Robert Swan and his maternal grandmother is Julianna Swan. He had a brother and a sister, named John and Elizabeth. He died on August 27th, 1674 in Bradford, Essex, Massachusetts.¹

General Notes
- Made a freeman May 13, 1640; had a two-acre lot in Rowley, moved to 'Merrimack' (a subsection of Rowley) in 1649, and later became one of the first three settlers of Bradford. He and Anna were the first couple to get married in Rowley. While in Rowley, Robert served on the Grand Jury many times from 1641 through 1667 and was also Constable. Robert was involved in litigation through the years. In one he was sued by John Griffin for damage done by his hogs to Griffin's corn. He won the case, but lost it on appeal because the original witnesses were his relatives. From 'Genealogical Sketches of Robert & John Hazelton,' p. 19: 'He was the first to establish a ferry between Bradford and Haverhill....the order of the court at the September term in 1655, relating to this matter, was as follows: 'Ye court being informed yt there is no ferry across Merrimack river at haverhill, ye court orders Robert Haseltine to keepe a ferry over said river, and to have strangers 4 pence if they pay presently and six pence if bookt; and to keepe entertainment for one year for horse and man unless ye court take further orders.'