In our 26 Oct 2018 post, we met John Whitney, one of the founders of Watertown, Massachusetts. There is another family member among the founders—William Shattuck. [1]
Founder’s Monument, Watertown, Massachusetts. Founder’s Monument, Watertown, Massachusetts; William Shattuck, John Whitney.
Watertown was first settled in 1630, 10 years after the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
William was born in England in 1621 or 1622. He likely arrived in America when he was a minor; when it is not known, but certainly no later than 1642 when he is listed as a proprietor in Watertown. [2, 3]
In 1642, he married Susanna, whose last name, birth date and place, and parents are not known. They are believed to have had 10 children. William was a weaver and farmer. [2, 3]
He purchased several parcels of land in the area including a one acre homestead; three acres of upland; a home, garden, and 30 acres situated on Common Hill; 25 acres upland; three acres of swamp; and 4 acres of meadowland. He also bought a farm at Stony Brook, near the present bounds of Weston, Massachusetts; four acres of meadow in Pond Meadow; and a house and farm. [2, 3]
William Shattuck’s son John and John Whitney’s granddaughter Ruth married on 20 Jun 1664, presumably in Watertown.
William’s will was written on 3 Aug 1672. He died 11 days later on 14 Aug in Watertown, at the age of 50. His will was proved on 29 Aug in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
William Shattuck is interred in the Old Burying Place Cemetery in Watertown. John Whitney is also interred there. [4]
William Shattuck I (1661-1672) is 11th great-grandfather of MKS in the Watne branch.
John Whitney I (1588-1673) is 10th great-grandfather of MKS in the Wetherbee branch.
John Whitney I (1588-1673) is also 12th great-grandfather of MKS in the Watne branch.
References:
[1] Founder’s Monument—Watertown, Massachusetts, Life From The Roots blog. The two photos above are from this website.
[2] Memorials of the Descendants of William Shattuck …, by Lemuel Shattuck, Dutton and Wentworth, 1855.
[3] Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts …, by Henry Bond, N.E. Historic-Genealogical Society, 1860; Volume I, 427.
[4] FindAGrave, “Old Burying Place.”