Samuel Symonds’ house
“I desire to have the house in your bargaining to be as completely mentioned in particulars as may be, & as speedily done also as you can.”
The plantations at New Meadows, now Topsfield
Large allotments of land in today’s Topsfield were granted in the early 17th Century by the colony’s leaders, comprising more than one-half of the town’s present acreage. The persons who were awarded the lots, sometimes referred to as “king’s grants” were merchants and men of influence and power who had joined the Massachusetts Bay Company.
Samuel Symonds, gentleman: complaint to Salem court against his two servants, 1661
Philip Welch and William Downing, both children, were kidnapped from Ireland in 1654, and sold to Samuel Symonds in Ipswich. After 7 years they refused to continue working on his farm and demanded their freedom. They were arrested and brought to trial.
Historic Ipswich 