1. THOMAS-

m. MARGARET ______ (d. 26 Nov. 1663)
d. 7 Dec. 1663 (1)
adm. 28 June 1664

Map of Oyster River- from "The History of the Town of Durham"

Thomas owned land on the south side of the Oyster River by May 1643 as he is mentioned in the land grant to Valentine Hill.(8) Thomas was involved in a lawsuit in 1642 so we here by that time.(9) On 11 June 1644 Thomas was granted three acres at Oyster Point and the neck of land opposite.(6) He was granted 30 acres at Oyster Point in 1649 and had another grant in 1654.(9)

On 3 Sept. 1680 Thomas and Margaret Willey deposed that they had lived in Oyster River 40 years and that Thomas Stevenson cultivated his neck of land forty years ago near the Oyster Bank, commonly called Stevenson's Neck. The western boundary of Thomas's land was called Stevenson's Creek. On the neck between Oyster River and Stevenson's creek at the end of the point is Thomas's cellar hole. In the field near the homesite is a low mound with several granite field stones like those used to mark graves in the 17th century.(7)

Tho : Stephenson, Rated and to pay 4d p� is 0050:00:00 0000:16:04"(5)

"To the Right Worshipfull the Governor and magistrates & Deputies of the Generall Court now assembled in Boston.

The humble petition of the inhabitants of the town of Dover.

Shewethe that whereas your poor petitioners were taken under the government of the Mattachusetts, by the extent of the line of the Patent of the Mattachusetts, and likewise the people there are accepted and reputed under the government as the rest of the inhabitants within the said jurisdiction, as also a Committee chosen to bound out the Towne, which accordingly was done, & afterwards was confirmed at the Generall Courte as the Acts do more fully declare. Therefore wee your poore petitioners do humbly crave protection in our habitations and rights accordinge to the laws & liberties of this jurisdiction, & likewise that some order might be taken to restraine such as doe disturbe and molest us in our habitations by challengine us by patent, & threateninge of us & sayinge that wee plant upon their grounde & that we must give them such rent as they please for cuttinge grass and timber, or else they will take all from us, so by this means the people are many of them disqueited, not onely by the Patent, but alsoe by the threats of Edwarde Colcorde who with others of his pretended owners do report that they have fourteen shares & that they are the greatest owners in the Country, which patent wee conceive (under favour) will be made voyde if it be well looked into, so hopinge ever to enjoye protection within your jurisdiction Wee shall ever pray... Ye mark X of Tho. Stevenson..." dated May 1654. (3)

"Oyster River 3d Raet 4:9 mo. in ye yeir 61... Tho. Stevenson 1-0-0."(2) He was taxed again the same year for 13/4.(2)

"Oyster River Provetion Rate made throwe the hole towneship ye 7th 10th month 1663... Tho. Stevenson estat 0-4-3."(2)

The administration of the estate of Thomas Stevenson of Oyster River was granted to his son Joseph, 28 June 1664. Joseph Stevenson, being a minor, chose William Follett for his guardian, who accepted and gave bonds of �100 "for paym^t of the portions to rest of s^d Joseph his brothers & sisters, when it is knowne w^t it comes to". The inventory was taken by William Follett, John Davis, and William Dow and amounted to �107/1/3 and was attested by Joseph Stevenson, administrator, 29 June 1664.(4)