Person Page - 63

Thomas Low is first mentioned in the records of Ipswich on April 6, 1641, when he was granted ten acres of upland at Chebacco next to his previous ten acres, in exchange for the ten acres "due to him by grant to Mr. Rogers Company" near the mile brook by Mr. Appleton's farm. Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, the Ipswich minister, had emigrated to New England in 1636, and from the above record it would appear that Low was among those who accompanied or followed him to Ipswich. Mr. Rogers had been rector of the parish of Assington, co. Suffolk, and it is quite probable that Low was the Thomas Lowe who married Margaret Tod on June 22,1630, at Polstead, co. Suffolk, three miles from Assington, and that they were the Thomas and Margaret Lowe who had a son Thomas baptized at Groton May 8, 1631, and a son John baptized at Boxford March 2, 1633/4. Groton is a scant three miles while Boxford is about two miles from Assington. Both parishes are in co. Suffolk. Also at Boxford is the baptismal record, on June 17, 1632, of Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret Lowe. There is no other mention of John Lowe in the register at this period. Granting John to be the parson's error for Thomas, we have the baptism of three Lowe children corresponding in name, age and order to the three oldest children of Thomas Low of Ipswich.
Low was born about 1605, his age being estimated at fifty-five in 1660. He was a maltster and a successful farmer at Chebacco. Like many of his fellow townsmen, he carted material for the bridge in 1646 and subscribed toward Major Denison's salary in 1648. He was fined for not appearing to serve on a jury in 1655, but was on the trial juries of 1656 and 1663, and the grand jury of 1667. Abigail Story, aged 15, was serving Low's wife in 1669.
If Low's first wife came to New England with him, she completely escaped the records. His wife Susanna, who survived him, was possibly a widow from Watertown when he married her as she went or returned to that place after his death and died there August 19, 1684.
A Bible "Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queenes most excellent Majestic, dwelling in Pater Noster Howe at the signe of the Tygresliead Anno 1576," on a blank leaf of which are written "Susan Low her book 1677 May 19" and "Thomas Low his Book," has descended in the Low family.

Thomas Low died in Ipswich September 8, 1677. His will was made April 20, 1677. His wife Susanna was to have the things which she brought with her at marriage, the use of the room in which he lay and of the things therein. His son John was to keep for her the cow which she liked best, "Also I give unto mv wife one fourth part of her labor that she hat Spunn both Lening & woolen, & Also she shall have her beerc as she hath now & also use of the fire." John was to rear a shoat for her yearly, and she was to have a garden plot and land in which to sow half a peck of flax seed. She was to be paid 30s. a year in such things as she needed and to have £5 to dispose of as she wished (at death). If she left John he was to pay her 40s. a year, to be sent to Boston or Charlestown. To son John, all land and housing in Ipswich. To son Thomas £30. To daughter Margaret £40 and to daughter Sarah £40, to be paid within two years of his death. To grandchildren Thomas Low £5, Margaret Davison £5, Sarah Saffbrd £5, and Sarah Low £5, to be paid when they were twenty-one or on their marriage days. Residue to son John, executor. Witnesses: John Chute, Mary Chute. The inventory of simple things totaled £290.11 Probate Records of Essex County, £175.

He lived in Chebacco, Ipswich, where he bought land of Daniel Hinge in 1664, and was deacon of the Chebacco church from 1679 until his death, acting as parish clerk during the absence of Rev. John Wise in the Quebec expedition under Sir William Phips. He and his wife headed a petition in favor of their neighbor Thomas Wells, accused of "slanderous speeches against the worshipful magistrates" in 1668. In 1669 he was deputy-marshal of the county court. He served on trial juries in 1076 and J.680 and took the Freeman's Oath in 1682. He and his wife signed the petition in favor of John Proctor and his wife, accused of witchcraft, in 1692. In 1698 he was overseer of the poor. He saw service in King Philip's war, his son Jonathan receiving a grant in Narragansett No. 1 (Buxton) because of it in 1733.
Deacon Thomas Low of Ipswich, maltster, made his will June 17, 1708, and it was admitted to probate May 5, 1712. His wife Martha was to live in the lower mom and chamber in the new end of their house, with privilege of the cellar, and to have two cows kept for her winter and summer for her life, a horse to ride on, a little garden and detailed provision of pork, cider, wool, flax, wood, all movables in their dwelling, etc. To his son Jonathan Low, the house in which Jonathan was then living, one-half the tillage and pasture land and the land bought of John Burnham. To his son Samuel Low, who had taken Care of his father and mother, "all the housing, land and common rights I now enjoy," except what was given to his mother, also the stock, tools of husbandry and carpenter's tools. To his son David Low, £100 in good merchantable pay. To daughters Martha Dodge, Joanna Dodge and Abigail Goodhue, 10s. each. To daughter Sarah Low £30. Executors: sons Jonathan and Samuel Low. Oveerseers: Capt. William Goodhue, Nathaniel Rust, jr. Witnesses: John Cogswell, jr., Adam Cogswell, Nathaniel Low, jr.

ORIGIN: London
MIGRATION: 1634
FIRST RESIDENCE: Ipswich
OCCUPATION; Cooper (EQC 7:86].
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Admission to Ipswich church prior to 4 March
1634/5 implied by freemanship.
FREEMAN: 4 March 1634/5 [MBCR 1:370].
EDUCATION: He could sign his name, as could lib youngest daughter,
Joanna JILR 3:293-94]. His inventory included "books" valued at £1. His
widow signed her will by mark.
OFFICES: Deputy for Ipswich to Massachusetts Bay General Court (as
"Mr. Boreman"), 8 September 1636 [MBCR 1:178).
Essex petit jury, 31 March 1646, 27 September 1649, 27 September 1653, 27 March 1655 [EQC 1:93,175,289,381],
On 29 March 1664, "Thomas Boreman, having been formerly released from training, paying something yearly to the use of the company and being behind several years, upon his wife's petition, court granted one-half of what was in arrears remitted, if he paid to the clerk of the company the other half. Also that he be released from training for time to come" [EQC 3:142].
ESTATE: In 1635 "Thomas Boreman" held three parcels of land in Ipswich: fifty-five acres; "a six-acre lot on the northeast side the hill by the town"; and "an houselot in the town upon which he hath built an house" [Boardman Gen 104-5, citing ITR]. On 7 May 1639, he was recorded as holding six parcels in Ipswich: "one houselot about two acres"; "an island about fifty and five acres of land, meadow and upland"; six acres of planting ground; "two acres for a houselot lying on the south side the Town River"; and "a small parcel about a rood of ground on the street called the East End" [Boardman Gen 105, citing ITRJ.
On 27 December 1647, "Thomas Boreman" of Ipswich sold to Philip Longe of Ipswich "my house and house lot" containing two acres, together with the commonage belonging to it, also a parcel of seven acres [ILR 1:123-24]. On 22 March 1650/1, Mathias Button of Ipswich deeded 9 3/4 acres near Labor-in-vain Creek to "Thomas Borman of Ipswich, cooper," in exchange for Boreman's eleven acres [EQC 7:86]. [A map of this land, which was later the subject of a suit, appears facing EQC 7:86], On 7 October 1652, John and Mary Emery sold to "Thomas Boreman" of Ipswich a twenty acre island in Ipswich ILR 1:115).
On 27 September 1665, "Daniel Borman" quitclaimed to "his father Thomas Bonnan" all his right and interest in Thomas's farm, in return for £225 paid in installments; this arrangement was approved by "Mr. Thomas Borman Senior with his two sons, t[hat is Robert Kinsman and Thomas Low," who gave bond on the agreement [ILR 3:39, 293-94],
In the 1666 division of Plum Island, he received a double share, as did other wealthy men whose country rate exceeded 6s. 8d. (TopsHC 8:105].
On 9 December 1667, Thomas and Margaret Boreman of Ipswich sold to Thomas Perring of Ipswich a six-acre lot of marsh at Plumb Island [ILR 3:137].
On 17 December 1670, the same day he signed his will, Thomas Boreman Senior of Ipswich sold to Robert Kinsman of Ipswich a ten acre piece of saltmarsh called "the Nookes" ILR 3:182-83).
In his will, dated 17 December 1670 and proved 19 June 1673, "Thomas Borman Senior" of Ipswich, weak in body, bequeathed to "my wife" the use and benefit of the entire farm during her life, also cattle and household stuff; after wife's death, land was to return to "my son Thomas"; to "my daughter Joanna" on the day of her marriage or at age 22 years, her portion to the value of £100; to "my son Daniel" six acres leaving Thomas right of first refusal should Daniel wish to sell; to "my daughter Mary, the wife of Robert Kinsman that is to say to her children," £20; to "my daughter Martha the wife of Thomas Loe to her children" £20; to "iny son Daniel" £8 for the use of "his two sons at the age of one and twenty years"; to "my son Kinsman" the right to a footpath to go to his land "he bought of me"; to "my son Daniel and Robert Kinsman" ten acres more or less; "my brother Daniel" to live "with my wife while she lives" and after her death "my son Thomas" to maintain him; wife sole executor; "my well bel[oved friends" Simon Tomson and Thomas Burnam., overseers EPR 2:349-51). A codicil dated 3 May 1673 allowed "my wife" the right to dispose of cattle, household goods and land "as need shall require" EPR 2:351).
The inventory of the estate, taken 26 May 1673, totalled £553 6s. 6d., of which £350 was real estate: "t[he dwelling house, barn & outhousing with all the lands adjoining," about 42 and a half acres, £280; and "ten acres of planting land" at Button's Point, £70 EPR 2:351).
In her will, dated 8 August 1679 and proved 30 March 1680, "Margret Borman" bequeathed to "my daughter Kinsman" household goods; to "my daughter Loe" pewter and household goods; to "my daughter Fellowes" linen and clothing; to "my soil Daniel" furniture and debts "he owes me" and to "his wife" a new hat; to "my son Thomas" livestock and furniture; residue of livestock: three parts to "my daughter Kindsman" and one part to "Martha and Johana"; son Thomas sole executor, to "Dinah my [son's maid" hous[ehold goods [EPR 3:350-51].
The inventory of the estate of "Mrs. Margerit Borman" of Ipswich, taken 19 March 1679/80, totalled £84 8s., with no real estate included [EPR 3:350).
BIRTH: Baptized Claydon, Oxfordshire, 18 October 1601, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Carter) Boreman [Boardman Gen 77,93-99].
DEATH: After 3 May 1673 (date of codicil) and before 19 June 1673 (probate of will).
MARRIAGE: St Helen's Bishopgate, London, 17 August 1630 Margaret Offing (the entry for this marriage in the original parish register did not include the words "and Cordwayner of London" [NEHGR 62:303j), for whom Thomas provided in a deed dated 26 February 1661/2 [EQC 3:271]. She was living 30 June 1676 when she made her mark to an agreement (EQC 5:85], and she was probably the "Mrs. Borman" who died at Ipswich 25 November 1679.