John SAWYER

The wife of John is often shown as Mary Bella BALL, however it appears that her correct surname was BULL, perhaps the daughter of Isaac BULL.

The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 7, page 70 states that John SAWYER married Mary BULL of Worcester and the presiding minister was Mr. William BRIMSMEADE, Minister of Marlboro, on 16 Jun 1686. This information was taken from Lancaster Records. The names of the children were taken from MA Probate Records, except Joseph, furnished by Fred SAWYER of Idaho, who left out Elizabeth. George Wade and Isaac appeared on Dean SAWYER's page, linked below.

The following information was submitted by Fred TIETBOHL (fjt):

John SAWYER 1661. From: Ruth Stanton Gildart LEWIS, San Diego CA. (Note: Ruth is a descendant of John 1661, through Jacob 1689, Jesse 1721, Joel 1747, Blind John 1773, Abraham 1796, Charles 1825, and Henrietta 1856. The reader will have to search out actual source references using clues provided in the text. fjt). John SAWYER, son of Thomas and Mary (PRESCOTT) SAWYER, was born in Lancaster, MA, 6 April 1661. The birth is recorded: “1661 2 6 John SAWYER parents Thomas and Marie.”( Feb 6? fjt). John was only about fourteen years of age when, after living peacefully side by side with the Indians for years, suddenly everything changed. Indians descended on Lancaster in 1675 and in 1676, killing everyone in their path. John’s brother Ephraim, was one. Thomas SAWYER managed to escape with the rest of his family and for three years they resided in a more protected town, the name of which is unknown. (I wonder if it might have been Concord. Hannah, and Elizabeth were married in Concord.) When the family returned to Lancaster three years later and began to rebuild, John was almost a man. He married in Lancaster, by Marlborough minister, William BRIMSMEADE, 16 June 1686, Mary BULL of Worcester, MA. (b. ca. 1669 - d.1749/50) possibly daughter of of Edward BULL of Gloucester, England. It is known that she had a brother, John BULL. John was given land by his father: Early in 1692/3, on the 4th of January, the following was recorded:

“I, Thomas SAWYER Sen[ior] of…Lancaster…with ye…consent of Mary my beloved wife…confirme unto my beloved son John SAWYER of the town…aforesaid twenty acres of Second Division upland…in…Lancaster.”

Soon after, John and Mary must have moved to CT. Records show that they were in Saybrook by 22 Feb 1697/8 when a land record read, “Jonathan HUDSON of Lkyme…33 Pounds Sterling…to John SAWYER of Saybrook, CT.” John died soon after, before 13 April 1699. “New London County Court Records v. 7:225: Lyme, April 13, 1699, administration granted to the widow of John SAWYER and at her desire this court appoints Deacon William PARKER and John BULL, her brother, overseers. Distributed to the widow; Eldest son Edward SAWYER and rest of children being three sons and one daughter. “Jacob, Edward, Moses, & James all signed their receipts.” “SAWYER, John, Lyme, New London District 1710/11, no. 4698: Receipts from Jacob SAWYER of Lyme, Edward SAWYER, George Wade, Moses SAWYER, James SAWYER.”

Mary (BULL) SAWYER married second, after 5 Jan. 1705/06, William STARLING (ca. 1632 – 1719, age 87 years). On 7 Sept. 1714, “Mary STARLING of Lyme …her former husband John SAWYER of Lyme deceased…to son Moses SAWYER…house and land seven pounds ten shillings…his portion.” “Mary STERLING (spelling change fjt), widow of William STERLING signed a receipt for William STERLING estate, 8 Feb. 1720/1.” Mary herself died sometime in 1749/50. (Note the name STARLING and STERLING are assumed to be the same.True extract, August 08, 2000. Exact rendering including misspellings fjt). Material provided by Eleanor Grace SAWYER.

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