Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BAKNSTABLE FAMILIES. 11
by that strange, compound, Doctor Hersey, perhaps in his
usual winter dress—cowhide boots, baize shirt, red cap and
leather great coat.
Mr. James Allyn died Oct. 8, 1741, (his grave stones
say 1742,) aged 50 years, and his widow Susannah Oct. 4,
1753, aged 59. In his will, proved Nov. 11, 1741, he provides
liberally for the support of his wife and younger children.
To his daughters, who had not already had their portion,
£30 each, and to his son James £150. To his son
Tborai'.s he gave his cane, marked with his grandfather's
name, his armor, valued at £16.10., and all his warlike
weapons and appurtenances, his hooks, excepting his Great
Bible, his "dwelling house from top to bottom," tools and
stock belonging to a saddler's trade, &c., &c. His estate
was appraised at £3.091. 19. 4, a large estate in those
times.
Thomas was a saddler by trade. His house stood where
Mr. Charles Hinckley's now does. His children were Polly,
Hannah, Susan and Samuel.
James* was a cabinet maker. He resided in the old
Allyn house now standing. His children were James, Benjamin,
two named Marston, who died young, Thomas, Nymphas,
who died young, and John, who was educated at
Harvard College, graduated in 1775, and was afterwards
pastor of the church at Duxbury.
Mr. Thomas Allyn has very few descendants in the
male line now living in Barnstable. Whether or not his son
John and grandson Joseph, who removed early from Barn-
stable, were the ancestors of niore proliiic races I cannot say.
The first inhabitants selected the beautiful sweep of high
land between Rendezvous Creek and Cogo^en's Pond as the
seat of their town, the principal men built houses there, but
*Mrs. Chloe Blish, now aged 95, relates the following witch story
in relation to Jame? Allyn. She lived at the time in Gov. Hinckley's
hou?e, on the opposite side of the road:
Lydia Ellis, a daughter of Lizzy Towerhill, (a reputed witch, of
whom I have given an account,) resided in the family of Mr. Allyn as
a servant. Lizzy took offence at the treatment of her daughter, and
threatened vengeance. A night or two after, a strange cat appeared
in Mr. AUyn's house, mewing and caterwauling—unseen hands upset
or turned bottom upwards every thing in the house. Six new chairs,
brought in the day before, were broke to pieces and destroyed. The
inmates were kept awake all night, and for a long time after, strange
noises were heard, at times, in the liouse, and the peace of the family
greatly disturbed.