Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OP BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 205
it extended into the woods. The southerly part of the farm, in
1654, was bounded on the west by the commons, and the northerlj'
part by lands then owned by Governor Bodfish, and afterwards
by Lieut. John Howland. He afterwards added largely to his
West Barnstable farm, and to the farm at the Indian pond, the
latter containing one hundred acres at his death. The West
Barnstable farm was two miles in length from north to south,
extending from the salt meadows on the waters at Barnstable
harbor to the neighborhood of the West Barnstable meetinghouse.
The lands he first occupied were the south-easterly part
of the farm, the old stone house which, according to tradition,
was his first residence, was about a fourth of a mile easterly from
the West Barnstable church. This stone or fortification house
was taken down many years ago. A few aged persons remember
to have seen it in a ruinous state. This part of the farm his son
Josiah afterwards owned. There was another stone house on the
south-westerly part of the farm owned by the descendants of
Eleazer. This was talsen down about the year 1815. It was
called the old Stone Fort, and stood where Capt. Josiah Fish's
house now stands. It was about 25 feet in front and 20 feet on
the rear. The walls of the lower story were built of rough stones
laid in clay mortar, and nearly three feet in thickness. The
upper story was of wood and projected over the lower on the
front, about three feet. In this projection were a number of loop
holes about six inches square, closed by small trap doors. The
windows in the lower story were high and narrow. These and
the loop holes in the projection, were intende*& to be used as portholes,
should the building be assaulted by hostile Indians. The
earliest known occupant, to any now living, was Mr. Benoni
Crocker, a great-grand-son of Dea. William. He made a two
story addition on the south-side, which was occupied by his son
Barnabas.
Dea. William Crocker married in 1636 Alice. She was living
in 1683, was the mother of all his children ; but died soon after
that date. He married second Patience, widow of Robert Parker
and a daughter of Elder Henry Cobb. He died in the fall of
1692. His age is not stated, but he was propably about 80 years
of age. His will is printed below at full length. It is a document
that will be interesting to his descendants, and to the public
as a specimen of the manner in which those instruments were
drawn up iii olden times.
The last will and testament of Deacon William Crocker of
Barnstable, in New England.
The 6th day of September Anno Dom. 1692 I, William
Crocker of Barnstable, being sick and weak in body but throu ye
mercy of God of disposing mind and memory, and knowing ye
uncertainty of this life on earth, and being desirous to settle