left Ipswich, Eng on 18 Apr 1634 on "HERCULES"
From Hazen's History of Billerica, Mass:
Thomas Foster lived east of Bare Hill, the hill south of the village. "The first list of the town officers,1659-1660, name Thomas as one of the selectmen. He held the same office from 1660-1661, 1663-1665, 1667-1669. In 1660 Thomas was chosen eldest corporal of the Trayne Band. In his old age, he was repeatedly called before the Middlesex County Court and punished for worshiping the God of his fathers after the way his judges called heresy. To the first accusation be offered satisfactory defence, but afterwards he was condemned. Thus it is recorded: 4 Oct 1671, Thomas Foster appearing before the Court, to answer the presentment of the grand jury for absenting himself from the public ordinances of Christ on the Lord's day, pleaded that the reason of his absence was the providence of God necessitating him thereto, was discharged, paying costs. On 18 Jun 1672, George Farley, Thomas Foster and William Hamlet being presented for breach of the Ecclesiastcal Laws, they all confessed the presentment, were admonished and ordered to pay costs, 4s. 6d. a piece. On 15 Jun 1675, Thomas appearing before the Court to answer the presentment of the grand jury for not attending the public worship of God on the Sabbath day and days of humiliation and Thanksgiving, and by his own confession in open court being convicted of constant and ordinary frequenting the meeting of the anabaptists on the Lord's day, is sentenced to pay a fine of ?5 and costs, amounting to 8s 6d." |
Elizabeth Whitmore
Thomas Foster
Birth