Thomas Low

Other Events:

• Immigration: Abt 1635, Massachusetts
• Will: 20 Apr 1677

Notes:

Anecdote:
From Davis:
Thomas Low is first mentioned in the records of Ipswich on April 6, 1641, when he was granted ten acres of upland at Chebacco next to his previous ten acres, in exchange for the ten acres "due to him by grant to Mr. Rogers Company" near the mile brook by Mr. Appleton's farm. Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, the Ipswich minister, had emigrated to New England in 1636, and from the above record it would appear that Low was among those who accompanied or followed him to Ipswich. Mr. Rogers had been rector of the parish of Assington, co. Suffolk, and it is quite probable that Low was the Thomas Lowe who married Margaret Tod on June 22,1630, at Polstead, co. Suffolk, three miles from Assington, and that they were the Thomas and Margaret Lowe who had a son Thomas baptized at Groton May 8, 1631, and a son John baptized at Boxford March 2, 1633/4. Groton is a scant three miles while Boxford is about two miles from Assington. Both parishes are in co. Suffolk. Also at Boxford is the baptismal record, on June 17, 1632, of Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret Lowe. There is no other mention of John Lowe in the register at this period. Granting John to be the parson's error for Thomas, we have the baptism of three Lowe children corresponding in name, age and order to the three oldest children of Thomas Low of Ipswich.
Low was born about 1605, his age being estimated at fifty-five in 1660. He was a maltster and a successful farmer at Chebacco. Like many of his fellow townsmen, he carted material for the bridge in 1646 and subscribed toward Major Denison's salary in 1648. He was fined for not appearing to serve on a jury in 1655, but was on the trial juries of 1656 and 1663, and the grand jury of 1667. Abigail Story, aged 15, was serving Low's wife in 1669.
If Low's first wife came to New England with him, she completely escaped the records. His wife Susanna, who survived him, was possibly a widow from Watertown when he married her as she went or returned to that place after his death and died there August 19, 1684.
A Bible "Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queenes most excellent Majestic, dwelling in Pater Noster Howe at the signe of the Tygresliead Anno 1576," on a blank leaf of which are written "Susan Low her book 1677 May 19" and "Thomas Low his Book," has descended in the Low family.


Will:
From Davis:
Thomas Low died in Ipswich September 8, 1677. His will was made April 20, 1677. His wife Susanna was to have the things which she brought with her at marriage, the use of the room in which he lay and of the things therein. His son John was to keep for her the cow which she liked best, "Also I give unto mv wife one fourth part of her labor that she hat Spunn both Lening & woolen, & Also she shall have her beerc as she hath now & also use of the fire." John was to rear a shoat for her yearly, and she was to have a garden plot and land in which to sow half a peck of flax seed. She was to be paid 30s. a year in such things as she needed and to have £5 to dispose of as she wished (at death). If she left John he was to pay her 40s. a year, to be sent to Boston or Charlestown. To son John, all land and housing in Ipswich. To son Thomas £30. To daughter Margaret £40 and to daughter Sarah £40, to be paid within two years of his death. To grandchildren Thomas Low £5, Margaret Davison £5, Sarah Saffbrd £5, and Sarah Low £5, to be paid when they were twenty-one or on their marriage days. Residue to son John, executor. Witnesses: John Chute, Mary Chute. The inventory of simple things totaled £290.11 Probate Records of Essex County, £175.

Thomas married Margaret Todd on 22 Jun 1630 in Polstead, England. Margaret died about 1676. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Deacon Thomas Low was born about 1631 in England; died on 12 Apr 1712 in Ipswich, Massachusetts; was buried in Chebacco Parish, Ipswich, Massachusetts.
2. Margaret Low was born about 1632 in England; died on 8 Jul 1668.
3. John Low was born about 1633 in England.
4. Sarah Low was born about 1637.

Thomas married Susannah on Yes, date unknown. Susannah was born about 1598; died on 19 Aug 1684 in Watertown, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]