A spinning wheel is a device for making thread or yarn. and was an essential part of Early American life. An unmarried woman would often take on the important job of spinning for the household, thus the term "spinster."
In early New England towns policy was set by a board of 3 to 5 selectmen. They oversaw public responsibilities such as the policing, roads, and fences.
Rebecca Waters Whitcomb was born in February, 1643/44 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Her parents were Lawrence Waters and Ann Linton.
Rebecca and Josiah's children included:
Josiah Whitcomb (1665),
Josiah Whitcomb (1666),
David Whitcomb (1668, married Mary Hayward),
Rebecca Whitcomb Houghton (1671, married Jacob Houghton),
Johanna Whitcomb Joslin (1674, married Peter Joslin),
Hezekiah Whitcomb (1681, married Rachael Priest and Hannah),
Deborah Whitcomb (1683),
Damaris Whitcomb Wilder (1786, married Nathaniel Wilder),
Mary Whitcomb, and
Abigail Whitcomb White (1687/88, married Josiah White).
In 1692, their daughter, Johanna Joslin, was killed by indigenous warriors.
During Queen Anne’s War they had a garrison in southeast Bolton.
Josiah died in 1718. Rebecca died in 1726.
Queen Anne ruled England and Great Britain from
March 8, 1702 to August 1, 1714.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Queen Ann’s War was between 1702 and 1713. It was part of the War of Spanish Succession. England, Austria, the Netherlands, and Portugal joined forces to prevent France from becoming too powerful. The war waged on the New England frontier was called Queen Ann’s War.
The use of the term ye to mean the derives from Early Modern English, in which the was written "þe," employing the Old English letter thorn: "þ."
Ye is also the plural of thou.
During the wars with indigenous Americans, some European colonists were taken captive. They were killed, ransomed, or adopted into the tribe.
A blockhouse or garrison house is a small, isolated fort. The typical blockhouse was two stories with the second story overhanging the first. It had small openings to allow residents to shoot attackers without being exposed.
