Lynn, Massachusetts was first settled in 1629 with the first settlers coming from the settlement at Salem. In the early years, lands were planted and homes built. The first division of property was in 1638 when land was divided among the first settlers of the area. The list of these grant recipients includes several of our ancestors: Allen Breed, Henry Collins, Nicholas Potter, Thomas Newhall, William Ivory, Zachary Fitch, and Richard Johnson.
Allen Breed (1599-1691) and his wife Elizabeth Wheeler (1602-1637) are our tenth great-grandparents. Allen and Elizabeth were born in Bedfordshire, England and immigrated with their four children around 1634. Allen was a farmer and was granted 200 acres of property near the current Summer Street. His property became known as Breed’s End. Allen was also a first settler in Southampton, Long Island travelling there in 1640 to help establish the colony there but returned to Lynn by 1645.
William Ivory (abt. 1605-1652) and Ann South (1608-1689) are tenth great-grandparents. William was a carpenter and spent time in both Lynn and Boston. His son Thomas Ivory is our ancestor. Thomas Ivory married Mary Davis daughter of Jenkin Davis. Jenkin Davis is covered in the chapter on icky ancestors.
Nicholas Potter (1603-1677) and his wife Emma Carter (1608-1656) are our tenth great-grandparents. They were from Buckinghamshire. Nicholas Potter was licensed to “draw wine” in Lynn so he is clearly our relative. He was also a mason and involved in the iron works.
Thomas Newhall (1605-1674) owned all the land on the eastern side of Federal Street and as far north as Marion Street. Thomas and his wife Mary (1610-1665) were the parents of out ancestor Thomas Newhall (1630-1687) who was the first white person born in Lynn. Thomas and Mary built their house on what is now Federal Street.
Henry Collins (1606-1687) and Ann Riall (1605-1691) were from Stepney Parish, Middlesex and are our tenth great-grandparents. They migrated about 1635 and in 1638, Henry received 80 acres of land in Lynn. In addition to farming, he was a starch maker by trade although this skill was less in demand in early colonial America as there was less need for stiff ruffled collars and cuffs.
Zachariah Fitch and Mary Wallace are also tenth great-grandparents. Zachariah was granted 30 acres in Lynn, but he and his family relocated to Reading by 1640 where they were first settlers.
Richard Johnson (1612-1666) and his wife Alice (1615-after 1666) are also tenth great-grandparents. Richard started with 30 acres of land but acquired additional property including 60 acres of salt marsh.
You can view a map of early Lynn at this link and if you look closely you can find some of the land holdings of our ancestors. The holding of Allen Breed are most prominent on the map. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3764l.la002058/
Reference
Alonzo Lewis and James R. Newhall. 1865. History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. Boston, MA: J. L. Storey.