An American Family History

Joseph Estey was born February 5, 1657/58 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. His parents were Isaac Estey and Mary Towne.

He married Jane Stewart on June 2, 1682. Anne was born in November, 1654. Her parents were Duncan Stewart and Anne Winehurst.

Joseph “was surveyor of highways in 1683. 

Jane and Joseph's children were Isaac Estey (1683), Mary Estey (1684), Joseph Estey (1688), Jacob Estey (1690), Samuel Estey (1691), Elizabeth Estey Jackson (1692), Edward Estey (1693), Lydia Estey (1695), John Estey (1697), and Benjamin Estey (1701). 

In 1692, his mother, Mary Towne Estey, became a victim of the Salem hysteria and was executed for witchcraft.

About 1705 the family moved to a new settlement in Dorchester, which is now known as Stoughton. He was one of the signers of the original covenant of the church where the Reverend John Davenport was minister. In 1706 he obtained land from the Indians, some of which is now located in the town of Canton.

In 1712, when his father died, he only inherited half of his father's clothes because of

“what I have already Done for him about building or in Cattle or in purchasing Land which hath been Considerable he shall have half of my wearing apparel at my Decease.”

Joseph died on October 25, 1739 in Stoughton, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Duncan Stewart appears first in Ipswich, Mass., where he married early in 1654 Anne Winehurst. Both were in the service of George Hadley [Essex court files, 2:130]. They moved to Newbury in 1659, and for 30 years occupied a farm on that part of the Dummer estate now a portion of the Caldwell farm in the Byfield parish and near the Rowley line. No evidence has been found that he or any of his sons engaged in ship-building or ever owned a ship-yard as stated in Gage's History of Rowley. His name is on the Newbury taxlist of August, 1688; and in the Rowley list of 1691, when he was assessed £2.

He deposed in 1698 that he was about 75 years old. By deed dated Feb. 20, 1698-9, "Dunckin Steward of Rowley, planter," sold to Capt. Stephen Greenleaf of Newhury the rate lot and right in undivided lands of Newbury belonging to 'my son Charles Steward, late of Newbury, deceased' [Essex deeds, 16:17]. He was among those inhabitants of Rowley living northwest of Rye Plain bridge and Long Hill Mar. 16, 1702-3, whose minister's rates were abated. He was admitted Sep. 26, 1703, to full communion in the Rowley church and his widow was admitted to full communion Sep. 17, 1721,

James,- John,2 Samuel2 and Ebenezer- Stewart signed an agreement Mar. 17,1713-4, for the maintenance of'our aged and honoured parents, Duncan and Ann Stewart, who since 1707 had resided with their son John [Suffolk court files, no. 19,265]. By deed dated Apr. 16, 1718, James Stewart of Boxford, John Stewart of Rowley, Samuel Stewart of Wells and Ebenezer Stewart of Rowley, 'being ye only surviving brothers of Charles Stewart, late of Newbury, deceased,' confirm to Capt. Stephen Greenleaf the land and rights in Newbury of said Charles which 'our hond father, Dunkin Stewart, late of Rowley, deceased, was pleased in his lifetime to sell.

Duncan Stewart died in Rowley Aug. 30, 1717, 'aged 'tis thought about 100 years.'Anne died July 9, 1729. They had at least 12 children, of whom the two eldest were born in Ipswich; the others, in Newbury:

1 Jane, June 2, 1682, Joseph Esty of Topsfield

Joseph3 (Isaac Jeffrey1), born in Topsfield, Feb. 5, 1657/8, surveyor of highways in 1683. About 1705 he removed with his family to a new settlement in Dorchester, that part now known as Stoughton. His name appears with that of his brother Benjamin as one of the signers of the original covenant of the church of which Rev. John Davenport was minister. In 1706 he obtained land of the Indians, some of which is now located in the town of Canton. In 1712 he conveyed seventy acres to his son Joseph Esty, Jr. He died at Stoughton, Oct. 25, 1739. He married Jane Steward June 2, 1682.