John Hoyt

• General Notes
  • Family History: New England Families #2  (I) John Hoyt was probably born in England about 1610. He was one of the earliest settlers of Salisbury, Massachusetts, and obtained lands at the 'first division,' in 1639 or 1640. A few years later he removed across the Powow river to the west parish of Salisbury, his family being one of thirty that removed to settle it, and he sold his house on the  east side in 1647. This west parish was named Amesbury in 1668 by the general court. In both Salisbury and Amesbury John Hoyt seems to have been prominent. He was at an early date appointed sergeant of the Salisbury military company. In the Amesbury records his name is frequently mentioned as prudentialman, selectman, constable, juror, moderator of a town meeting, etc. In old deeds he was styled 'planter.' He died February 28, 1687-88.