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An American Family History

Thomas Daggett

Weymouth is the second oldest town in the Commonwealth, behind Plymouth, and the site of the first town meeting. Established in 1622 and  incorporated in 1635, the town was a fishing and agricultural community. 

A constable was an elected official who was responsible for keeping the peace. His duties were more limited than the sheriff's. He apprehended and punished offenders, helped settle estates, and collected taxes.

Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts was established in 1620 by Edward Winslow. The area was originally referred to as "Green's Harbor." When it was set off as a town from Plymouth Plantation in 1640, it was named "Rexhame" and later renamed "Marshfield."

Thomas Daggett (Dogged, Doged and Doggett) was born in England about 1607.

In May, 1637, he sailed from Yarmouth, England to Massachusetts in the "Mary Ann," with William Goose as master. He came as the servant of Thomas Oliver of Norwich, England.

He first settled in Concord, Massachusetts and later moved to Marshfield, and then to Weymouth. In Marshfield he was selectman.

His first wife died in Concord on August 23, 1642. They had a son, John Daggett who was born in 1642 in Concord.

His second wife was Elizabeth Fry, widow of William Fry, of Weymouth. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on William and Elizabeth Fry.

Elizabeth died about 1653. On August 17, 1654, he married Joane Chillingsworth, widow of Thomas Chillingsworth in Marshfield. She was born in England.

He was fined six pence for being an hour late at town meetings May 18 and August 13. 1657. He took the oath of fidelity the same year. He was a constable in 1660 and served on the grand jury May 28, 1666.

Joane died September 4, 1684 in Marshfield.

He died at Marshfield, August 18. 1692.

Before 1752 the year began on March 25th. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year, not the beginning.

In early New England towns policy was set by men gathered in town meetings. Day-to-day operations were handled by a board of 3 to 5 selectmen. They oversaw public resposibilites such as the policing, roads, and fences.

Children of Elizabeth Fry Daggett
and William Fry
  (from Historic Homes and Institutions edited by Ellery Bicknell Crane)

Thomas Doggett (I), the immigrant ancestor of William Sedley Dogget, of Clinton. Massachusetts, was born in England in 1607. His name is spelled also Dogged, Doged and Daggett and many of his descendants have adopted the latter form of the name.

He sailed for New England in May, 1737, from Yarmouth in the "Mary Ann," William Goose, master. He was registered as servant to Thomas Oliver of Norwich, England, for some unknown reason, perhaps for lack of funds. Many of the emigrants who came here to better their fortunes worked out their passage after coming.

He settled first at Concord, Massachusetts, removed to Marshfield, then to Weymouth. He was planter and town officer, both at Weymouth and Marshfield. In the latter town he was selectman. He was fined six pence for being an hour late at town meetings May 18. and August 13. 1657. He took the oath of fidelity in 1657. His farm at Marshfield that he occupied in 1659 was adjoining that of Peregrine White, famous as the first child of English parents born in New England. The cellar of his house is believed to be in the field back of the house now or lately owned by Asa Sherman, of Marshfield. He was a constable in 1660, on the grand jury May 28, 1666, and his name is constantly on the records in various public services and as holding minor offices for many years.

He died at Marshfield, August 18. 1692. His first wife died at Concord, August 23, 1642. He married (second) Elizabeth Fry, widow of William Fry, of Weymouth, and daughter of Jonas and Frances Humphrey, of Dorchester. She was probably horn in England and died 1652, at Weymouth. He married, at Marshfield, August 17, 1654, Joane Chillingsworth, widow of Thomas Chillingsworth, of Marshfield. She was born in England, died September 4, 1684, at Marshfield. His children: John, born at Concord, 1642, see forward; Hannah, born at Weymouth, 1646, married Blancher; Sarah, born 1650, married Sherman; Samuel, born 1652: Rebecca, born July 29, 1655, married Wilder.

 

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