Jonathan Danforth is our 8th great grandfather by the following path: RWA → Fred Pemberton Abbott → Arthur Merrill Abbott → Justin Edwards Abbott → Benjamin Abbott → Benjamin Abbott → Jonathan Abbott → Hannah Danforth Abbott → Samuel Danforth, Sr. → Jonathan Danforth, Sr.
Jonathan was one of the group of 12 or so original signers in 1652 or 53 of the petition to the Court for the establishment of a town called Billerica. There were about 9 families in Billerica (former name of the area Shawshin). He built what was probably the first house in the town in 1654 on the north side of West Street. Over 40 families had homes by 1660. At least 15 families came from Cambridge, the "mother" town. He was town clerk for 21 years, 1665-1686. He did the surveys for most of the land grants in town and, beginning in 1659 was paid 2 and 1/2 pence for each acre. His name shows up on surveys throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He was a town selectman in 1659-60.
Jonathan married Elizabeth Poulter (1633-1689) the daughter of John Poulter and Mary Pope. Elizabeth and her brother John were among the original settlers of Billerica. Jonathan and Elizabeth had ten or eleven children.
The following article was taken from "Backsights" Magazine published by Surveyors Historical Society:
JONATHAN DANFORTH (1628 - 1712) Billerica, Massachusetts
One of the most influential surveyors in the Merrimack River Valley and its lower tributaries (in Massachusetts and New Hampshire) of the late 1600's and early 1700's was Captain Jonathan Danforth. Born in Framingham, High Suffolk, England on February 29, 1627/28 to Nicolas and Elizabeth Danforth, Jonathan moved with his family to Cambridge, England about 1634. His father was a minister. The date of Jonathan's arrival in New England is not known, but records in Boston indicate that he married an Elizabeth Powter in that city on November 22, 1654. Within five years, Jonathan and Elizabeth moved to Billerica, where they raised their eleven children. Elizabeth died there on October 7, 1689, and Jonathan married Esther Champney of Cambridge, Massachusetts, on November 17 of the following year.
New Hampshire records show that Jonathan Danforth was active as a surveyor as early as 1659. Most of his known surveys date from the 1660's, though his last known plan is dated March 1702 (he was then 74 years old). He gave bearings according to the 32-point compass (i.e. "South and by East, East North East", etc.) and distances in poles.
The late 1600's were also a period of heightened Indian raids in Massachusetts. Like most able bodied men on the frontier, Danforth trained with the local militia, becoming a captain. He also served his community as the town "recorder" (clerk) for more than 30 years.
Jonathan Danforth died at the age of 85 on September 7, 1712. His surveys on the New England frontier helped define accurately what were once remote parcels, but are now the very densely populated towns of Nashua, Hudson, Litchfield, Amherst and Milford in New Hampshire, and portion of Massachusetts north and northwest of Boston.
Click here to see family information: http://sites.rootsmagic.com/Genealogy_Abbott_Feld_Family/individual.php?p=1205
Link to historical information on the Danforth house in Billerica which was built by his son Jonathan, Jr.: http://billericalibrary.org/localhistory/Historic_Districts/Boston%20Rd/396%20Boston%20Rd.pdf -- The house is pictured below.
Reference:
May, John Joseph. (1902). Danforth genealogy: Nicholas Danforth and William Danforth. Boston, MA: Charles H. Pope.