from New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Volume 3 edited by William Richard Cutter
Edward Doty came in the Mayflower in 1620, a London youth in the service of Stephen Hopkins, and was fortieth signer of the "Mayflower" compact...
the younger son in common with all others under the laws of England was obliged to serve his apprenticeship of seven years in order to earn his rights of citizenship. This was Edward Doty's situation when he entered the service of Stephen Hopkins and occupied the same
position socially as that of any other member.
He was of the party that set forth to explore the country, December 6, 1620. That Doty and his fellow-apprentice were not at that time thoroughly Puritanic in their views may be judged from the fact that they fought a duel. But a small part of the English people had come to disapprove of the duel, but the Pilgrim fathers saw fit to punish the combatants.
They fought with swords and daggers and one was wounded in the hand, the other in the thigh. They were adjudged by the whole company
to have their head and feet tied together, and so to be for twenty-four hours, without meat and drink: which is begun to be inflicted, but within an hour, because of their great pains, at their own and their master's humble request, upon promise of better carriage, they are released by the Governor.
His later disputes he took to court, and we find his name appearing often as plaintiff or defendant in the civil court. In 1624 he was granted land on Watson Hill. Plymouth, for a home lot. He had joined the church and was admitted a freeman before March 7, 1636-37. One of the first deeds at Plymouth on record is dated July 12, 1637, Edward Doty to Richard Derby. Doty signs with a mark. He had many real estate transactions and his rates show that he was in later life a man of property. His occupation is given as planter, indicating that he did not find much opportunity to follow his trade. In 1652 he was one of the purchasers of the Dartmouth tract. The name of his first wife is unknown.
Governor Bradford tells us that Faith Clarke, daughter of Thurston Clarke, was his second wife. They were married at Plymouth, January 6, 1634. He died at Plymouth, August 23, 1655. His will was dated May 20, 1655, proved November 21, 1655, bequeathing to his wife and children, mentioning Edward only by name. His widow Faith married (second) March 14, 1666, John Phillips, of Plymouth.
The oldest house in Plymouth is the Doten house; the oldest wharf was named for Doty—Doten. Faith Clarke was born in 1619, daughter of Thurston and Faith Clarke. They came from Ipswich. Suffolk, England, in the ship Francis in 1634. His name is also spelled Tristram Clarke.
Children of Edward and Faith (Clarke) Doty:
Edward, 1637;
John, 1639/40;
Thomas;
Samuel;
Desire, 1645,
Elizabeth;
Isaac, February 8, 1648-49,
Joseph, April 30, 1651;
Mary.
