Notes for: John FOSKETT

Came to Charlestown, MA 1658; aged 46y in 1682 per deed & testimony; soldier in King Philip's War under Capt. Joseph Scyll (Sill) 29 Feb. 1675/6. In 1677 purchased of Samuel Phipps, a homestead in Charlestown.
Subsequently he became the possessor of several other parcels of land, some of which was 2 commons, granted to William Powell, and possessed by J. Foskett in 1681.

It has been accepted for many years that Elizabeth, who married John Foskett, was Elizabeth Leach, daughter of Robert and Mary Leach of Charlestown as Robert Leach in his will gives to his 7 Foskett grandchildren. But the way John Foskett's will is worded shows that Elizabeth was not Robert's child.

William Powell and his wife Elizabeth lived in Charlestown and 2 years after the birth of Elizabeth Powell in 1642 her mother Elizabeth died. The father, William Powell, was back in old England in 1656. The town granted his children one cow common in 1656/7. His estate granted 2 commons, was possessed by J Foskett in 1681. Other people brought up the children; Robert and Mary Leach raised Elizabeth Powell as their own daughter.

John's will, dated 19 Sep 1688, names his wife Hannah, sons Thomas, Joshua, daughters Elizabeth and Mary, 4 youngest children unnamed. His wife's sons, John and Eleazer, are also named. Part of the will reads: "I have already done for my son Thomas according to my ability and his grandfather Robert Leach, deceased, having settled upon him the portion that belonged to his mother, which he took as his own daughter, and both she and myself did honour and acknowledge him as a father for these and some other considerations yt I shall here forbear to mention...."

In the Middlesex Co., Mass. Court Files 1675-1695 printed in the NEHG Register Vol 86 page 349 by
Mary L Holman, it says John Foskett married first Elizabeth Powell and second Hannah Leech.