James Blake, 1624-1700
The following is from Francis Blake. Increase Blake of Boston, His Ancestors and Descendants. (Boston, 1898). The text seems to be taken almost verbatim from Samuel Blake. Blake Family: A Genealogical History of William Blake, of Dorchester, and His Descendants. (Boston, 1857).
James Blake, son of William and Agnes (Band) Blake, born in Pitrninster, England, baptized April 27, 1624, came to New England with his father. He married about 1651, Elizabeth Clap, daughter of Deacon Edward and Prudence (Clap) Clap, who died in Dorchester, Jan. 16, 1693/4, in the 61st year of her age.
He married second in Rehoboth, Sept. 17, 1695, Elizabeth (Smith) Hunt, widow of Peter Hunt and daughter of Henry and Judith Smith, from County Norfolk, England. Mr. Blake lived in the north part of Dorchester, and if tradition may be believed about or previous to 1650 built a house for himself, which was of such a substantial character that in 1669 the town voted to build for its minister “such a house as James Blake’s house, namely 38 foote in length, and 20 foote wide and 16 foote between joists.” [note: dendrochronology testing has determined the date of construction to be 1661.] This house was retained in the Blake family until the year 1825, and subsequently for many years was in possession of Mrs. Jane Williams. It was in a place off Cottage Street, but in 1895, on account of street widening, the city ordered its removal, and the Dorchester Historical Society secured it and fitted it for the purposes of the Society. Its present location is in Richardson Park. From investigations made there appears to be sufficient evidence to verify the truth of the tradition, identifying this building with that originally owned by Mr. Blake. Pictures of this house appear in the “Memorial History of Boston” and several other publications, but the one accompanying this is perhaps the best view.
No. 2890
Mr. Blake was a busy man. From 1658 to 1685 there is scarcely a year when his name does not appear in connection with some official duties in the town. He was selectman thirteen years, rater, constable, deputy to the General Court, clerk of the writs, recorder, sergeant in the military company. He also served as deacon about fourteen years, then as ruling elder for the same term, until his death.
He was an excellent penman, and his name appears very frequently in connection with
deeds and wills and settlernents of estates ; evidently a man of sound judgment and capacity, whose counsel and advice were repeatedly sought by his neighbors.
He died on the 28th of June, 1700, leaving a will dated two clays previously. The will and codicil are very lengthy, covering in minute detail his desires for the distribution of his estate, and closing with the fervent expression of a devout man:
And I pray the Lord, Jehovah, Father Son and Holy Spirit, to be the God and Father of my Consort and Children and Grand Children, and all their posterity forever, And that he will give to me, his poor unworthy Suppliant and Servant in his own due time, an open enterance into his glorious Kingdom, and an Inheritance in his loving kindness and mercy that endureth forever.
(For copy of the will in full, see the “Blake Family,” page i6.)
The inventory of his estate (the total valuation of which was £473.) is a good example of such documents, showing a variety of household goods of that period.
An account book kept by Elder James Blake, which has been preserved, gives evidence of his business ability and his methodical methods. In it are memoranda of accounts with his neighbors, his children and relatives (often prefaced with the statement “all former accounts being cleared”) leases and bargains made with his sons and townsmen, expenditures in connection with the family of his second wife, the marks of his sheep and cows, and a variety of items interesting to the present generation. Unfortunately much of the writing is in cipher, but this can doubtless be translated as a portion already has been.
We here learn that beef sold for “three half pence per pound ” when tobacco brought 6 pence per pound, and cider 7 to 9 shillings a barrel. Shoes for the children appear to have formed quite an item of expense in the family, a pair costing 7 shillings, and Bette and Joseph and all the rest had to be provided with them, although Joseph had to content himself with a “plane paire,” perhaps because he wore them out faster than the others. Henry Carnesey the tailor charged 2 shillings for making a “wascote” and 3 shillings for “a coate for Joseph,” while “a coate & breeches” for the same sturdy boy cost 8 shillings. Joseph was then about 16 years old, and when working for. one of the neighbors during the haying season received one shilling a day as wages.
The statement of the father’s gift to his daughter Elizabeth, at the time of her marriage, is of sufficient interest to print in full:
My daughter Elizabeth bath received of her portion as is hereafter expresed,
imprimis one feather bed : 3 paire of sheets one Couerlid; one paire of
Curtaines and one bolster; pillowes and pillowbeers. 10-04-00
it one dozen of table napkins table Cloathes and towels 00-17-00
it 3 Chaires a warming pan; a smothing Iron and a chest 01-11-00
it one brass pan 00-12-00
it more payed in money 02-10-00
it a Cart and wheeles 02-00-00
Here too is another interesting memorandum of expenditures in January, 1693/4, written by Elder Blake himself:
Layed out for my wives funerell
11 paire of gloues for men 0-16-6
10 paire for woemen 0-15-0
7 paire for woemen 0-14-0
4 paire more. 0-11-0
Spice & sugar & some other things 0- 3-6
for hats 0-12-6
for wine 1- 6-8
4-19-2
More for gloues 13-6
the whole 5-12-8
Some of his references in this book to kinsmen are not quite clear, but a few are mentioned here as they may prove interesting to some genealogist: Cousin John Parker, of Reading (whose wife had a sister Elizabeth Weekes), Cousin Paine, Cousin Sarah Mather, Cousin Pierce, Uncle Capen, Cousin John Pecke of Men-don. Very likely some of these were connections of his second wife whose sons Enoch, John and Benjamin Hunt are named.
But one of the most interesting pages is where he records the deaths of several members of the family, thus furnishing dates which do not appear upon the records of the town. A reproduction of this is given, affording an excellent illustration of his penmanship.
No. 23882
Three weeks after this last entry was made, his own death occurred.
Elder Blake and his wife were buried in the old cemetery in Dorchester, and the stones placed at their graves are still standing in excellent condition.
Children of James and Elizabeth (Clap) Blake, all born in Dorchester:
James, b. Aug. 15, 1652; m. 1st, Hannah Macey, Feb. 6, 1681, and m. 2(1, Ruth Bachellor, July 8, 1684.
John, b. March 16 1656/7. Inherited property of his uncle John in Boston, but remained in Dorchester. Chosen deacon Jan. 5, but d. March 2, 1718, leaving four children and widow
Hannah, whose surname has not been ascertained; she m. Jane 14,1719/20, Hopestill Humphrey, and d. May 16, 1729 seven children:
Mary, b. April 26, 1687; m. June 2, 1715, Joseph Puinry ; d. March 19, 1717/18.
John, b. March 27, 1689; d. April 19, 1689.
Samuel, b. Sept. 26, 1691; d. April 29, 1715, at Barnstable.
Hannah, b. Sept. 8, 1693 ; in. May 23, 1723, Nathaniel Topliff, and d. April 26, 1758; res. Dorchester.
Elizabeth, b. Feb. 21, 1695/6; m. May 8, 1723, Samuel Humphrey, and d. March 6, 1727; res. Dorchester.
John, b. April 23, 1698; m. July 16, 1724. Abigail Preston, and d. Dec. 2, 1772; five children ; res. Dorchester.
Josiah, b. March 11, 1700 ; m. Dec. 5, 1724, Relief Humphrey, and d. Sept. 1:5, 17.47; res. Dorchester ; two children : Son Ebenezer settled in Bristol, R. I., and son Increase in Walpole, N. II., and subsequently in New York state, and descendants now in Wisconsin.
Elizabeth, b. Oct. 3, 1658; m. Jeremiah Fuller, and d. June 5, 1700. Son .Jeremiah d. in Newton, 1703.
Jonathan, b. July 12, 1660; d. Nov. 10, 1660.
Sarah, b. Feb. 28. 1665; d. May 22, 1666.
Joseph, b. Aug. 27, 1667; m. Mehitable Bird, who d. April 15, 1751. He d. Feb. 1, 1738/9; eleven children ; res. Dorchester.
Hopestill, b. Jan. 11, 1690; in. May 6, 1718, Hannah Butt ; d. Oct. 14, 1765 ; one son, Hopestill ; res. Dorchester
Nathaniel,b.–Sept. 6, 1692; d. Nov. 2, 1692.
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 5, 1693; m. June 13, 1723, William Withington, and d. Oct 9, 1734; res. Dorchester.
Mehit6able, b. March 23, 1696 ; m. Feb. 6, 1745, William Field, of Braintree ; res. Braintree.
Joseph, b. March 8, 1699 ; d. Jan. 21, 1750(?).
Zipporah, b. Jan. 8, 1701; m. 1st, Isaac Humphrey, Jr., and 2d, Aug. 16, 1739, Richard Evans; she d. Feb. 10, 1780 ; res. Dorchester.
Ruth, b. Dec. 10, 1702; m. Dec. 1, 1726; John Maxfield, and d. Oct. 27, 1780; res. Dorchester.
Ann, b. March 3, 1705 ; in. March 11, 1725, Jonathan Payson ; d. Sept. 15, 1784 ; res. Dorchester.