http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25997496

William was killed when struck by lightning in the home of Mr. John Phillips on the 23rd day of June, in the year 1666. During a thunder storm, a bolt of lightning killed Mrs. Phillips, her son, and William Shurtleff. At the time he was stuck, William had a child in hand and was holding his wife in the other. Both of the others escaped, but he was struck dead. There were 14 persons in the house at the time of the incident. One of the survivors wrote: "The woman of the house calling
earnestly to shut the door which was done, instantly a terrible clap of thunder fell upon the house & rent the chimney & split the door in many places & struck most of the persons if not all. Timothy Rogers told me that when he came to himself he saw the house full of smoke & there was a terrible smell of brimstone & that fire lay scattered all about the floor . Whether the fire was scattered from the hearth by the violence of the stroke or fire from heaven he knew not. He thought first that all the people had been killed but himself till it pleased God to revive the most of them. But three of them were mortally struck with God's arrows that they never breathed more [that is] the
wife of John Phillips & a son of his about 20 years of age or upwards and one William Shurtleff. The said W. Shurtleff who having been a little before burnt out of his own house was with his family a present sojourner there. There was also a dog slain under a table behind two little children. Sitting on the table ledge was the wife of Mr. Shurtleff, being big with child near her full time was graciously revived." William's son, Abiel, was born between the 23rd and 30th of June, 1666.

From Richard Dutton’s RootsWeb listing: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?o...dutton&id=I51665

From: Joan Shurtliff’s page: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lizzie1950/shurtliff.htm
From the "Shurtleff Genealogy" composed by Benjamin Shurtleff and updated by Roy Shurtleff:

"William Shurtleff was probably born in the parish of Ecclesfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in that portion called Hallamshire, in England in 1624. Ecclesfield
is about five miles due north of Sheffield and a gathering place of the Puritans before they left England for Holland.

"There are Shurtleffs still living around Ecclesfield and at York.

"Nothing is known concerning the parentage of William Shurtleff, the exact time of his arrival in New England or the causes that led him to leave England.

"He was so young on his first appearance in Plymouth that he was bound apprentice there to Thomas Clarke for the term of eleven years beginning on May 16, 1634.

"The Thomas Clarke to whom young Shurtleff was apprenticed was by trade a carpenter. He came to Plymouth in the "Ann" in the summer of 1623. He lived there
until his death in 1697.

"In 1646, Mr. Shurtleff appears in a list of names comprising the townsmen of Plymouth. On June 3, 1656, he was chosen one of 'the Surveyors for the highwaies'
for the town of Plymouth. While in Plymouth he resided on his estate at Strawberry Hill near the Reed Pond and not far from the present bounds of Kingston.

"In about 1660, William Shurtleff moved to Marshfield. He lived in the neighborhood of White's Ferry, near the mouth of the North river. His home was destroyed by
fire in the early part of 1666. He was living in the home of a neighbor when he was killed by lightning that same year."

Came to America on ship “Ann.”

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68057988

Per Jim Cole per e-mail 6/4/01:
Notes for Hugh Cole:
Hugh was a surveyor of highways at Barnstable, and was granted 100 acres of land at Acushauett. In 1667 with others he purchased of Indian chief King Phillips 500 acres of land on the west bank of what was named for him Coles River. He was a shipwright (ship builder) and civil engineer. He was a representative of Swansea for many years and a deputy to the general court.

In June 1675, at the beginning of the war with his friend Chief King Phillip, two of Hugh Cole's sons were made prisoners by the Indians and taken to Phillip at Mount Pope. Phillip ordered them set free because he said, "Hugh Cole had always been a friend." He sent word to Hugh through his sons, that he could no longer restrain his warriors, and for him to take his family and leave immediately. He did so and less then one hour after leaving his home was in flames.

Hugh had ten children, the first seven were born in Plymouth, the other three in Swansea.

More About Hugh Cole:
Fact 1: 1657, Was admitted as a freeman (citizen) in Plymouth, Mass.
Fact 2: 1667, Purchased 500 acres of land from Indian Chief King Phillip.
Fact 3: 1675, Was a Sergeant during the war with Chief King Phillip.
Fact 4: June 29, 1628, Christened- Barnstaple Parish Register
Fact 5: He was for years friends with indian Chief King Phillips. During an Indian uprising, Chief King Phillip saved both Hughs sons from death. He warned them to leave their home immediatly. Within hours of the warning Hugh’s home was the 1st to be burned by the Indians.

More notes for Hugh Cole: Cole’s River in Swansea is named for Hugh, who was admitted as a freeman in 1670. He served as a deputy from Swansea to the General Court of Plymouth Colony, 1673-75, 1680, 1683-87.

Hugh came with his father to Plymouth, MA in 1633 and was admitted as freeman in 1657. The following appears in the Plymouth records: “Apl 8 1634, It was agreed with James Cole that his son Hugh shall keep the Cowes from Apl. 15 to November, and shall have for his pay fifty bushels of corn. He shall bring them up every morning to be milked and then carry back to feed and bring them home at night.”
He was made surveyor of highways at Barnstaple, and granted 100 acres of land at Acushauett. In 1667 with others he purchased of King Philip 500 acres of land on the west bank of what was named for him Coles River. He was a shipwright and civil engineer, and many of the tracts of land of Swansea were surveyed by him. He was a selectman of Swansea for many years, and was representative and deputy to the general court in the years 1773, ‘74, ‘75, ‘80, ‘83, ‘84, ‘85, ‘86 and ‘89. He was for years the friend of King Philip (the Indian chief). Having been requested by the Plymouth Colony Council to visit King Philip and report the conditions made the following report:
“Swansea, Apl 1, 1671. Most Honorable Sirs:--Yours I received this day whereby I perceive you desire to know what posture the Indians are in. I do not find them to continue in a posture of war as they have been. I went to Mount Hope lst second day on purpose to see their proceedings and was in many of their houses, but saw nothing as intending to war. But asking them of their reason of continuing together at Mt. Hope, they answered, it was to see Phillip’s child buried, and I have seen some return, but the greater part of them are together. And they gave as the reason, because the wind does so blow against them that they cannot go home with their canoes--not else. Rest assured I am yours to command what I am able.
“Hugh Cole.”
“Oct 27, 1669.”
Hugh Cole was granted fifty acres of land lying between Manneonest Point and the Salt Marsh with all the appurtenances there unto belonging, unto him and his heirs forever. (Page 149, vol. 3, Plymouth Records). He was granted by the court respecting his father’s grant, he being an ancient freeman. Six score acres of land between the Mattapoiset River and the bounds of Acuhassett. In June 1675, at the commencement of the war with King Philip, two of Hugh Cole’s sons were made prisoners by the Indians and taken to Phillip at Mount Hope. Phillip ordered them set at liberty, because, as he said, Hugh Cole had always been his friend. He sent word to Hugh that he could no longer restrain his warriors, and for him to take his family and immediately remove to Rhode Island. This he did, and one hour afterward his home was in flames. While he had been on such friendly terms with Phillip, his was the first house burned, and Gershom Cole was the first person killed. After leaving his home Hugh Cole located at Portsmouth, RI. THe town records of Portsmouth show that Oct. 12, 1675, Hugh Cole was granted liberty to use some of the windfalls that are down to build a small frame, and to make wheels for the use of the townsmen for their money. Savage says: “Hugh was a sergeant in the war against King Phillip.” After the war in his election as representative he is always spoken of a sergeant. After the close of the war, 1677, he returned to Swansea and built a house a few rods from where Miss Abby Cole now lives. The well walled by him on the bank of the Kickemuit River is still there. This part of the land has descended by will, no deed having been made for it; it has never passed out of possession of the Cole family and is now owned by Miss Abby Cole. Part of the land owned by him in Swansea is now a part of Warren, RI.
He died in Swansea, Jan. 22 1699, and was buried in the southern extreme of Meadow Neck, now known as Howland Meadow in Barrington, in what is known as the Typer Point Cemetery. He had ten children, the first seven were born in Plymouth, the other three in Swansea.