CONTACT DORIS R SHERIDAN, TROY, NY 12180
dsheridan001@nycap.rr.com
John & Jonathan Poole of Reading Massachusetts
First Generation
1. JOHN POOLE was born say 1610. He died on 1 Apr 1667 in Reading,
Middlesex Co., MA.1 John Poole probably came from England about 1630 and first
appeared in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1632.2 He lived in Lynn, Massachusetts in
1638 where he owned 200 acres of land.3 In 1647 he payed a tax of one pound fifteen
shillings there 4 The section of Lynn where John lived was later annexed by the Town
of Reading.
On 27 Dec. 1643 John Poole & Joseph Armetag gave bond that Tege Omohoine, son to
Dierman oMahonie shall be taught to read the English tongue.5
In 1644 the Town of Reading agreed to allow John to erect and maintain a
water mill for the use of the town.6 In 1648 John was elected surveyor. 7 In 1642 John
drew 20 acres of land in Reading8 and in 1657 his name was on a list of inhabitants
with 206 acres of land drawn by lot on the north side of Ipswich.9 In 1666 John paid a
tax of L2-14-5 for for land he had received in the Division of the Great Swamp 10
John Poole's Last Will & Testament was dated 14 Feb. 1666 and proved 18 June 1677..
Bequests were made to son Jonathan, daughter Mary, wife of Matthew Edwards
grandchildren John, Sarah & Mary Poole; son-in-law William Barrett; grandchildren
John & Lydia Barrett & Mary, Sarah & Elizabeth Edwards, grandchild Sarah
Poole, brother & sister Armitage and their children, cousin Godfrey Armitag & his
two children. & Mr. & Mrs. Edward Dane of Andover. Trusty Friends William
Coudery & John Brown Jr. were appointed overseers. 11
JOHN married MARGARET. Margaret died on 20 Apr 1662 in Reading, Middlesex Co.,
MA.12
JOHN and MARGARET had the following children:13
+ 2 M i. JONATHAN POOLE was born about 1634/1635 and died on 24 Dec
1678.
+ 3 F ii. MARY POOLE was born about 1637 and died on 30 Aug 1688.
4 F iii. SARAH POOLE.???14
Second Generation
2. JONATHAN POOLE (JOHN) was born about 1634/1635.15He died on 24 Dec 1678 in
Reading, MA and was buried in Wakefield, Middlesex Co., MA.16
In Apr 1650 Jonathan had been accused the previous summer of being involved
in various compromising situations with Phebe Page, daughter of John Page of Reading.
Poole was called her "father's servant John Poole".17
Jonathan Poole served in several town offices and was a prominent citizen
of Reading, MA. In 1661 the town of Reading "did agree with Jonathan Poole,
John Browne Jr, Matthew Edwards and Nat'l Cowdrey, about the Gallery viz that it
should be taken down and sett up in the west side of the new Meetinghouse.....". The
town ordered "that John Smith, Jonathan Poole. John Browne Jr. and Wm. Cowdrey lay
out the two mile grant and four mile grant beyond the River." 18In 1664 the Town of
Reading gave these men "all the Slip or Tract of land (if there be any) that
lyeth between the line that Bray Wilkins or his sons did run etc."19 In 1667 Jonathan
was listed as one of the owners of the 59 houses in Reading. 20 In 1668 the Town of
Reading gave Jonathan free liberty of the River upon which the corn mill stands as long
as he grinds the corn and maintains the mill in good order and repair.21 In 1675
Jonathan petitioned the Court "that, whereas the Iron Works at Lynn stop fish from
coming up to refresh and relieve the people, something may be done to remedy the
matter." 22In 1675 Jonathan served as Captain & Quartermaster of the men from
Reading in King Philips War.23 Two years later he vied with Capt.Swayne for
promotion to rank of Major but was defeated 24
Jonathan Poole, aged 39 years, deposed that Mr. Hawthorne of Lin and he were chosen
by Mrs. Geferd and Edward Richards to appraise some property but they could not
agree as to the appraisal and Mr, Hawthorne would accept no other for the third party to
the appraisal to be Mr. Cromwell the butcher who was to be married that day.
Hawthorne selected the constable at Linn but he also refused.25
Jonathan Poole, aged 39 testified that he went with Mr. Giffford to Mr Mavericks to
tender two stout oxen and a lusty cow etc.26
Jonathan Poole was admitted to the Reading Church 25 Dec. 1662.27
Jonathan Poole's Last Will & Testament was dated 21:10 mo:1678 and sworn to
in Court 1:2mo:1679). He left the improvement of his estate to the widow Judah Pool
as long as she remains his widow. If she should remarry two thirds of the estate that is
left to go to the Jonathan's children and at Judah's death the children receive the other
third. Eldest son John received a double portion. daughter Sarah Bancroft received 20
pounds and more if wife Judah was pleased to do so. The remainder of estate to be
equally divided among Jonathan's children {not named) when they are of age. The
widow Judah was appointed sole executor and Ensign Thomas Bancroft, Corp. Jno
Browne Jr. Sgt. Hananiah Parker & Joseph Dudley were appointed overseers of the
estate in the event of the widow's death. Witnesses to the will were Thomas Bancroft
Sr., Isaac Brooks & Joseph Samson.28
JONATHAN married JUDITH. Judith died on 7 May 1704 in Hull, Plymouth Co., MA.29
Judith m2 WILLIAM HASEY 16 May 1681 in Reading, MA.30 William was born
abt. 1619 probably in England and died 7 June 1689 in Reading, MA.31 He was buried
30 May 1689, ae 70 So. Reading Cem.32 Judith m3 ROBERT GOULD born abt 1645
probably in England and died after 11 June 1718 when he wrote his will and before 20
Feb. 1718/19 when the will was proved.33
JONATHAN and JUDITH had the following children:34
+ 5 F i. SARAH POOLE was born on 11 Jul 1656 and died 20 May 1723,67th
Yr.
6 F ii. JUDITH POOLE was born on 1 Sep 1658 in Reading, MA. She died
before 1666 the date of her grandfather’s will in which she was not
mentioned along with her siblings.
7 F iii .MARY POOLE was born on 21 Aug 1660 in Reading, MA. She died
on 14 Nov 1661 in Reading, MA.35
+ 8 F iv. MARY POOLE was born on 14 Nov 1662 and died on 18 Jul 1711.
+ 9 M v. JOHN POOLE was born on 20 Sep 1665 and died on 21 Nov 1721.
+ 10 M vi. JONATHAN POOLE was born Last Of Feb 1667 and died on 28
May 1723.
11 M vii. SAMUEL POOLE was born on 27 Jul 1671 in Reading, MA. He
died before 1705. when his widow remarried.
SAMUEL married MARY PARKER, daughter of HANANIAH
PARKER and ELIZABETH BROWN, on 19 Nov 1690 in Reading,
MA.36 Mary was born abt 1670. Mary m2 JOHN SOUTHER son of
JOSEPH SOUTHER & ELIZABETH FAIRCHILD 8 Nov. 1705
Boston, MA.37 John was born 6 Sept. 1660 Boston, MA.38
12 M viii. THOMAS POOLE was born on 9 Feb 1673 in Reading, MA. He
died 26 Dec 1732, 59th Yr in Wakefield, MA.39
THOMAS married REBECCA BOUTWELL, daughter of JAMES
BOUTWELL and RUTH KENDALL, on 18 Jun 1695 in Reading,
MA.40 Rebecca was born on 25 Dec 1674 in Reading, MA.41 She died 23
Aug. 1737, 62d Yr in Wakefield, MA.42
13 M ix. WILLIAM POOLE was born on 8 Jan 1676/1677 in Reading, MA.
He died on 20 Sep 1695 in Hull, MA43
+ 14 F x. ELIZABETH POOLE was born on 15 Dec 1678 and died after 1729.
3. MARY POOLE (JOHN) was born about 1637. She died on 30 Aug 1688 in Dedham,
MA.44
MARY married (1) MATTHEW EDWARDS on 2 Dec 1697 in Reading, MA. 45Matthew
was born about 1831. He died 12 Aug. 1683 Ae 52 in Reading, MA and was buried in
South Reading Cem.46.Mary also married as 4th wife, (2) TIMOTHY DWIGHT, son of
JOHN DWIGHT and HANNAH, on 7 Jan 1685/1686 in Dedham, MA.47 Timothy was
born c1629 in England. He died 31 Jan. 1718/19 Ae 88 in Dedham, MA and was buried in
Dedham Cem..48
MATTHEW and MARY had the following children:49
15 F i. MARY EDWARDS was born on 25 Mar 1659/1660 in Reading, MA.
16 F ii. SARAH EDWARDS was born on 26 Jan 1660/1661 in Reading, MA.
She died young.
17 M iii. MATTHEW EDWARDS was born on 24 Oct 1662 in Reading, MA.
He died 22 Feb. 1662/3 in Reading, MA50.
18 F iv. ELIZABETH EDWARDS was born on 11 Jan 1664/1665 in
Reading, MA. She died young.
19 M v. MATTHEW EDWARDS was born on 14 Apr 1668 in Reading, MA
and died 12 Aug. 1689 In 22d Year. in Reading, MA and was buried in
So. Reading Cem.51
20 F vi. TABITHA EDWARDS was born on 23 Jul 1670 in Reading, MA.
21 F vii. SARAH EDWARDS was born on 29 Mar 1673/1674 in Reading,
MA.
22 F viii. ABIGAIL EDWARDS was born on 28 Feb 1674/1675 in Reading,
MA.
23 F ix. ELIZABETH EDWARDS was born on 21 Nov 1679 in Reading,
MA.
Third Generation
5. SARAH POOLE (JONATHAN, JOHN) was born on 11 Jul 1656 in Reading, Middlesex
Co., MA. She died 20 May 1723, 67th Yr in Wakefield, Middlesex Co., MA and was
buried in lst Cong. Ch.B.G, Wakefield, Middlesex Co., MA.52
SARAH married THOMAS II BANCROFT, son of THOMAS I BANCROFT and
ELIZABETH METCALF, on 10 Apr 1673 in Reading, Middlesex Co., MA.53 Thomas
was born on 14 Sep 1648 in Dedham, Norfolk Co., MA and was christened on 28 Oct 1651
in Dedham, Norfolk Co., MA.54 He died 12 Jul 1718, Ae 69 in wakefield, Middlesex Co.,
MA and was buried in lst Cong. Ch.B.G, Wakefield, Middlesex Co., MA.55
THOMAS and SARAH had the following children:56
24 M i. THOMAS III BANCROFT was born on 8 Sep 1673 in Reading,
Middlesex Co., MA.
25 M ii. JONATHAN BANCROFT was born on 28 Oct 1675 in Reading,
MA. He died on 11 Dec 1675 in Reading, MA.57
26 F iii. SARAH BANCROFT was born on 28 Dec 1676 in Reading, MA.
.
27 F iv. MEHITABLE BANCROFT was born on 1 Feb 1678/79 in Reading,
MA. .
.
28 M v. JONATHAN BANCROFT was born on 4 Oct 1681 in Reading.
29 M vi. RAHAM BANCROFT was born on 14 Feb
1684/85 in Reading, MA.
30 F vii. JUDITH BANCROFT was born on 7 Mar 1687/1688 in
Reading, MA.
31 M viii. SAMUEL BANCROFT was born on 13 Dec 1691 in Reading,
MA. He died on 27 Jan 1692 in Reading, MA.58
32 M ix. SAMUEL II BANCROFT was born on 26 Dec 1693 in
Reading, MA.
33 F x. ELIZABETH BANCROFT was born on 22 Jun 1696 in
Reading, MA.
8. MARY POOLE (JONATHAN, JOHN) was born on 14 Nov 1662 in Reading, MA. She
died on 18 Jul 1711 in Reading, MA.59
MARY married JAMES NICHOLS, son of RICHARD NICHOLS and AGNES, on 9
Oct 1682 in Reading, MA.60 James was born on 25 Jul 1658 in Ipswich, MA61. He died 12
Jan. 1744/45, 87th Yr. in Reading, MA.62
JAMES and MARY had the following children:63
34 M i. JAMES NICHOLS was born on 2 Jul 1683 in Reading, MA.
35 F ii. MARY NICHOLS was born on 12 Nov 1685 in Reading, MA.
36 F iii. JUDITH NICHOLS was born on 2 Sep 1688 in Reading, MA.
37 M iv. JONATHAN NICHOLS was born on 23 Feb 1690/1691 in Reading,
MA.
38 F v. ELIZABETH NICHOLS was born on 6 Jan 1693/1694 in Reading,
MA.
39 M vi. WILLIAM NICHOLS was born on 14 Feb 1694/1695 in Reading
MA.
40 F vii. SARAH NICHOLS was born on 30 Mar 1699/1700 in Reading,
MA.
41 M viii. EBENEZER NICHOLS was born on 29 Mar 1703/1704 in
Reading, MA.
42 F ix. MEHITABLE NICHOLS was born on 24 Jul 1705 in Reading,
MA.
9. JOHN POOLE (JONATHAN, JOHN) was born on 20 Sep 1665 in Reading, MA. He
died on 21 Nov 1721 in Lynn, MA.64
JOHN married MARY GOODWIN, daughter of NATHANIEL GOODMAN and
MARY LUNT, on 17 Nov 1686 in Reading, MA.65 Mary was born on 5 Mar 1671 in
Reading, MA.66 She died on 13 Jul 1752 in Andover, MA.67 Mary m2 TIMOTHY
OSGOOD, son of JOHN & MARY OSGOOD 17 Nov. 1686 as Mrs. Mary Pool of
Lynn.68 Timothy, was born 10 Aug. 1659 Andover, MA69 Timothy died 18 Sept.1748
in 90th year Andover, MA. 70
JOHN and MARY had the following children:71
43 M i. JOHN POOLE was born on 20 Jan 1688/1689 in Reading, MA.
44 M ii. NATHANIEL POOLE was born on 15 May 1691 in Reading, MA.
45 M iii. TIMOTHY POOLE was born on 14 Dec 1693 in Lynn, MA. He died
on 17 Apr 1697 in Lynn, MA.72
46 F iv. MARY POOLE was born on 25 Oct 1695 in Lynn, MA.
47 F v. SARAH POOLE was born on 11 Jan 1697/1698 in Lynn, MA.
48 F vi. JUDITH POOLE was born on 28 Jan 1701/1702 in Lynn, MA.
49 M vii. TIMOTHY POOLE was born on 9 Feb 1702/1703 in Lynn, MA.
50 F viii. SUSANNAH POOLE was born on 7 Mar 1704/1705 in Lynn,
MA.
51 M ix. THOMAS POOLE was born on 8 May 1708 in Lynn, MA.
52 M x. JAMES POOLE was born on 4 Jan 1710/1711 in Lynn, MA.
53 F xi. SARAH POOLE was born on 11 Sep 1713 in Lynn, MA.
54 M xii. SAMUEL POOLE was born on 13 Aug 1716 in Lynn, MA.
10. JONATHAN POOLE (JONATHAN, JOHN) was born Last Of Feb 1667 in Reading,
MA. He died on 28 May 1723 in Reading, MA.73
JONATHAN married BRIDGET FITCH, daughter of BENJAMIN FITCH and
ELIZABETH SKERRY, on 2 Dec 1692 in Reading, MA74. Bridget was born on 1 Nov
1699 in Reading, MA.75 She died on 2 May 1723 in Reading, MA.76
JONATHAN and BRIDGET had the following children:77
55 M i. JONATHAN POOLE was born on 14 Sep 1692 in Reading, MA.
56 M ii. BENJAMIN POOLE was born on 17 Apr 1694 in Reading, MA.
57 M iii. ZACHARIAH POOLE was born on 25 Apr 1696 in Reading, MA.
He died on 15 May 1698 in Reading, MA.78
58 F iv. ELIZABETH POOLE was born on 28 Mar 1698/99 in Reading,
MA.
59 M v. SAMUEL POOLE was born on 10 Apr 1700 in Reading, MA.
60 M vi. WILLIAM POOLE was born on 24 Feb 1701/1702 in Reading,
MA.
61 M vii. ZACHARIAH POOLE was born on 25 Mar 1708/09 in Reading,
MA.
62 F viii. MARY POOLE was born on 30 Jun 1711 in Reading, MA.
63 F ix. JUDITH POOLE was born on 29 Apr 1714 in Reading, MA. She
died 8 Sept. 1717, ae 3 Yrs in Reading, MA79
64 F x. BRIDGET POOLE was born on 2 May 1723 in Reading, MA. She
died on 2 May 1723 in Reading, MA.80
14. ELIZABETH POOLE (JONATHAN, JOHN) was born on 15 Dec 1678 in Reading,
MA. She died after 1729 when her last recorded child Moses was born. Hull VRS say she
died 1723 but this is in error. 81
ELIZABETH married GERSHOM COLLIER, son of THOMAS COLLIER and JANE
CURTIS, on 25 Jan 1696/1697 in Hull, MA.82 Gershom was born about 1673. He died 19
Feb. 1753 In 80th Yr in Hull, MA.83
On 29 Dec. 1749 Gershom Collier sold land to John Loring Jr. - we the heirs of
Gershom Collier Thomas, John, Jonathan, William & Moses Collier, John and
Jane Doane, Thomas & Susannah Copeland, Mary Spears Judith Lobdell..84
GERSHOM and ELIZABETH had the following children:85
65 F i. JUDAH COLLIER was born on 14 Nov 1697 in Hull, MA.
66 F ii. SUSANNAH COLLIER was born on 8 Apr 1700 in Hull, MA.
67 F iii. MARY COLLIER was born on 7 Mar 1703/04 in Hull, NA.
68 M iv. THOMAS COLLIER was born on 27 Jan 1705/1706 in Hull, MA.
69 M v. GERSHOM COLLIER was born on 5 Apr 1708 in Hull, MA. He
died young.
70 F vi. JANE COLLIER was born on 10 Sep 1710 in Hull, MA.86
71 M vii. GERSHOM COLLIER was born on 1 Nov 1713 in Hull, MA.
72 M viii. JOHN COLLIER was born on 9 Mar 1716 in Hull, MA.
73 M ix. JONATHAN COLLIER was born on 3 May 1719 in Hull, MA.
74 M x. WILLIAM COLLIER was born on 21 Jun 1721 in Hull, MA.
75 M xi. ISAAC COLLIER was born on 7 Mar 1726/27 in Hull, MA.
76 M xii. MOSES COLLIER was born on 2 Jun 1729 in Hull, MA.
END NOTES
1. Reading MA printed VR, 556
2. Lucius R. Page, History of Cambridge Massachusetts 1630-1877 with A Genealogical Register {Boston, Houghton & Co.,1877} 8, 32
3. James R. Newell, History of Lynn, Massachusetts {1865}, 157,
4. Ibid, 214
5. Records & Files of the Quarterly Court of Essex County edited by George Francis Dow {Salem, Essex Institute, 1916}Vol. 1:57
6. Lilly Eaton, History of Reading Massachusetts Including the Present Towns of Wakefield,
Reading and North Reading {Boston 1874}, hereinafter Eaton
7. Ibid, 8
8. Ibid, 11
9. Ibid, 15
10. Ibid, 19
11. Middlesex PR 17717
12. Reading MA printed VR, 556
13. John’s will
14. See Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins{Boston, NEHGS, 1995} Vol.3:1485
15 Age 39 in 1674 (Essex Quarterly Court Records, 1674 5:423)
16. Reading MA printed VR, 556
17. Roger Thompson, Sex in Middlesex- Popular Mores In A Massachusetts County 1649-1699 {Amherst, Cushimg-Malloy, 1986} 176
18. Eaton, 16-17
19. Ibid, 18
20. Ibid, 20
21. Ibid, 21
22. Ibid, 23
23. Ibid, 22
24. Ibid, 25
25. Essex Quarterly Court Records, 1674 5:423
26. Ibid
27. NEHG Register 94:398
28. Middlesex Probate Court Vol. 5:404
29. Hull MA printed VR, 66
30. Reading MA printed VR, 421
31. Ibid, 530
32. Register Jan. 1853 So. Reading Cem. Inscriptions, 26.
33. Suffolk PR 415 - See NEHG Register 143:48
34. Reading MA printed VR, 186
35. Ibid, 556
36. Ibid, 422 & Clarence Almon Torrey, New England marriages prior to 1700 {Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985} 593
37. Boston MA VRS
38. NEHG Register 75:347 Early Boston Records
39. Wakefield MA printed VR, 313
40. Reading MA printed VR, 421
41. Ibid, 33
42. Wakefield MA printed VR, 313
43. Died as son of Judah Goold (Hull VR, 66)
44. Dedham MA printed VR, 21
45 Reading MA printed VR, 421
46. Gravestone, South Reading Cem. & Will Middlesex PR #6895 & Reading MA printed VR,516
47. Dedham MA printed VR, 21
48. Ibid, 44
49. Reading MA printed VRS 82-83
50. Ibid
51. Gravestone So. Reading Cem.& Reading MA printed VR, 516
5 2.Wakefield MA printed VR, 260
53. Reading MA printed VR, 280
54. Dedham MA printed VR, 32
55. Wakefield MA printed VR, 260
56. Reading MA printed VR, 15-16
57. Ibid, 493
58, Ibid, 494
59. Ibid, 544
60. Ibid, 421
61. Ipswich, MA printed VR, 276
62. Reading MA printed VR, 542
63. Ibid 162-164
64. Lynn MA printed VR, 567
65. Reading MA printed VR, 421
66. Ibid, 108
67. Andover MA printed VR, 515
68. Ibid, 275
69. Ibid, 288
70. Ibid,515
71. 1st 2 Reading MA printed VR, 186 - others Lynn MA printed VRS, 328
72. Lynn MA printed VR, 568
73. Reading MA printed VR, 356
74, Ibid, 421
75. Ibid, 91
76. Ibid, 555
77. Ibid, 184 - 186
78. Ibid 556
79. Ibid, 556
80. Ibid, 555 birth & death
81. Hull MA printed VR, 64
82. Ibid
83 Ibid,64
84 Suffolk Deeds 91:24
85. Hull MA printed VRS, 15
86. Name given as John in error in Hull VRS