Parson Capen's House- 1683- Topsfield
b.c.1614 St. Botolph Bishopsgate? m. 3 Mar. 1639/0 St. Katherine Coleman, London, MARY BEANE (bpt. 2 Jan. 1624/5 St. Katherine Coleman) will 10 Jan. 1688/9- 28 Mar. 1690
Daniel settled at New Meadows (Topsfield) by Oct. 1645 when he signed a petition concerning the estate of Thomas Newbury.(1) He bought a farm from William Payne who attached the land for non-payment in 1652. He was granted a house lot and six acres at New Meadows before 1648 when it was recorded that as this land had never been laid out he was given 15 acres of upland near Mr. Saltonstall's farm instead. This grant was not laid out either and in 1650 the lot layers were ordered to give him land out of the common land beyond Mr. Winthrop's farm near New Meadows.(2)
In June 1646 Evan Morris, servant of George Carr, was accused of threatening to kill his master, of running away from the constable and of "an action of a high nature done in England." Daniel became bondsman for Morris who was soon, and for many years thereafter Daniel's servant.(3)
In 1660 Daniel had a license to keep a "house of entertainment" or inn. Also in that year the town meeting was held at his tavern. After business was concluded some of the people stayed to drink. A brawl arose over the bill and Evan Morris and Daniel were attacked by Francis Urselton and his friends. Edmund Bridges testified that Evan "laid violent hands upon him, buffetting him with as good courage as his cups and manhood would permit," and that Daniel "laid violent hands" on Urselton "calling them cowards and challenged them to the field, saying 'Come Urselton lett us goe behind ye hill & I will try a touch with thee'." The battle, punctuated with the screems of Goodwife Clarke, Goodwife Urselton, and Goodwife Bates, a neighbor who came in haste on "hearing a great noise", and with futile commands from the constable, lasted for three hours. As a result of this Daniel was served with a warrant from "worshipful Mr. Symonds" tried and sentenced to pay fines of 20/ for selling half a pint of liquor to Indians and 10/ for "provoking speeches", imprisoned for selling liquors without a license, and prohibited from keeping an ordinary any longer for disorders in his house.(4) Daniel was soon free and was constable himself in 1661 and served on the jury in 1662. He was again licensed to keep a tavern for selling beer and victuals in 1669 and the license was renewed from time to time until his death, although he was fined for selling a gill of rum to "Jeremiah Indian" in 1678.(5)
Daniel administered the estate of his servant Andrew Creeke in 1658. In 1672 his servant John Davis died leaving � 10 to his dame Clarke, 20/ to Martha Clarke, his master's daughter, � 5 to his master's daughter, Mr. Perking's wife, and naming Daniel and Francis Peabody executors. Evan Morris witnessed the document.(6)
"Brother and Sister Clarke London, the 27 Apl 1670
his cometh by the hand of Mr Willm Perkins your neighbour, which I hope will find you with your little ones in health. I send you over by John Peirce, five pieces of good Red pennistone and a kittle and a barrel of good fine powder, with some other necessarys, the God who sending them to you, I hope will also convey them safe to you. As to your children craveing from beyond your will, I am not therein pleased, and would have them all submit to their parents with all due obedience and would have you so Govern yourself as to be Father over them in all Righteousness. I keep your son Samuel at school, and Doubt not but he will be a good schollar. I have made provision after my Decease, for you and all yours in New England, and particularly for my nephew Samuel, so living or Dieing you shall have found me your affectionate Brother.
Humphrey Beane."(7)
From the book kept by Parson Joseph Capen from 1684: "A List of members in full communion at Topsfield when I was ordained or were admitted afterwards... Daniel Clarke Senr."
Parson Capen's House- 1683- Topsfield
Daniel made his will 10 Jan. 1688 and left to his three sons John, Daniel and Humphrey, all his property, and they were to live together until all Daniel's debts were paid. To Humphrey "whom God hath wonderfully preserved, both at his birth and also of late" he gave his bed and his old mare. John received the "mare that is in the woods or wheresoever she be" and her first colt should go to his grandchild John Howlett. Each of son Howlett's children recieved one sheep. Each of son Horne's children recieved a shilling. All of his pewter and his wife's clothes were to be divided between his daughters. Daniel received a silver cup. His son Samuel in England received 10/ in silver. John, Daniel and Humphrey were the executors. The inventory amounted to � 147 or which � 100 was real estate and the silver cup was worth 20/8.(8)
Issue- all children born in Topsfield
Ref:
(1) Mass. Archives- Vol.15b, pp.144,166,167
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