General Notes

Historic homes and places and genealogical and personal memoirs ..., Volume 4 edited by William Richard Cutter: George Martin doubtless brother of Richard Martin mentioned above and perhaps of other pioneers of the name came from England in the employ of Samuel Winsley about 1639. He was a commoner when he bought John Cole's rights in 1643 in Salisbury Massachusetts, was an original commoner and lot layer of Amesbury 1654-5, took the oath of fidelity 1646 and again 1677. His petition to the general court 1648 was referred to the Hampton court. He was a blacksmith by trade. He lived west of the Powow river as early as 1649 an received many grants in what is now Amesbury from 1654 to 1664. His will was dated January 19 1683 and proved November 23 1686. His first wife Hannah died 1646; he married second August II 1646 Susanna daughter of Richard North. His wife was charged with witchcraft during the dreadful delusion of the times arrested April 30 1692, tried at Salemr June 29, and executed July 19 1692. The most damaging evidence against her was that she went afoot from Amesbury to Newbury in a dirty season without getting her clothing wet. She was a short, active woman, plump and well developed, of remarkable neatness one who scorned to be drabbled. She had been accused of witchcraft before April 1 1669 when her husband sued William Sargent for slander in calling her a witch .The jury found for the defendant but the court did not concur. Martin then gave bonds for his wife's appearance on a charge of witchcraft. Children I Hannah born February i 1643 4 married December 4 1661 Ezekiel Worthen 2 Richard mentioned below 3 George born October 21 1648 died young 4 John born January 26 1650 1 married Mary Weld 5 Esther born April 7 1653 married March 15 1069 70 John Jameson 6 Jane born November 2 1656 married Samuel Hadley 7 Abigail born September I0 1659 married James Hadlock 8 William born December n 1662 9 Samuel born September 29 1667 died young