Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 131
than Lewes his executor. In addition to his estate at Crooked
Pond, he had bought the estate of Israel Hamblin at Israel's Pond
in an equally solitary spot in the forest. He had conveyed the
latter, and some other property, equal to two-thirds of his estate,
to his son Seth, on the condition that he would support his parents
during their natural lives. Such conveyances often lead to
trouble, and this was not an exception to the general rule. The
final settlement of his small estate occupies much space on the
records.
That a man of common sense should select such a place for
his residence is surprising, and perhaps more so that his children
should follow in his footsteps. For some little time Seth resided
at Israel's Pond, Benjamin at Crooked Pond, and Elizabeth at
Half-way. Connected by straight lines their house would stand
at the angles of an equilateral triangle, and a mile distant from
each other. Elizabeth married at sixteen Wm. Blachford, who
came from Tower Hill, London, and all her life was known as
Liza Tower-hill, and a reputed witch in the times when the folly'
of witchcraft had its firm believers. The solitary residences of
the members of these families hdd an influence over the minds of
the superstitious, and gave origin to many of the thousand and
one marvellous tales that were told of them. Notwithstanding,
Btenjamin Lewes and all the members of his famUy were, as I
have shown in another article, honest men and women and worthy
members of the church of Christ.
Children of Benjamin Lewes born in Barnstable.
69. I. Mary, 5th July, 1698, married Joseph Pitcher 1719.
70. II. Seth, 1st Aug. 1704. (See No. 70.)
71. III. Elizabeth, 17th Jan. 1711-12, the reputed witch, married
Nov. 12, 1728, Wm. Blachford. She died July, 1790,
aged 78, (Church Records.) In the two ai:ticles which I
have published respecting her, I said that no stain rested on
her character as a member of the East Church in Barnstable.
I was mistaken. Recently on looking over the church records
I found that a complaint was made against her Oct. 28,
1771, by Thankful Gilbert, the wife of Samuel, for abuse.
Elizabeth readily confessed her fault, and "her confession
being read, was voted to be satisfactory, by a large majority"
of the church.
72. IV. Mercvi 3d March, 1712.
73. V. Benjamin, 14th July 1716.
And another son that died April 22, 1721.
(21.) Jonathan Lewe^, son of George, (4) born 25th July,
1674, married by Justice Allen of Martha's Vineyard, to Patience
llook. He was one of the first settlers at West Yarmouth, and
Lewes Bay, on the borders whereof he settled, received its name