Charlotte Whitcomb's entry on my 7x great grandfather David Whitcomb Sr. in her Whitcomb
family history had some surprises for me: another connection with the Fairbanks family, a former
Indian captive, a possible Mayflower connection, and a description of how a tavernkeeper was to
conduct his business:
5 DAVID WHITC0MB,3 ( Josiah,2 John,1 ) was married May 31, 1700, in Concord. Mass., to widow Mary (Hayward) Fairbanks, who was descended from Resolve White who came over in the May-
flower. Her husband. Jonathan Fairbanks, was killed by Indians at Lancaster, Mass., September 4, 1697; she was taken captive, but was returned January 17, 1699, on the Province Galley from Casco Bay. While in captivity she acquired a knowledge of herbs which resulted in her afterwards dispensing medicine and being called "Doctress." They lived in the Southeastern -corner of Bolton, Mass., where they kept a tavern, as is shown by the following :
"To the Honorable Justices for ye county of Middlesex these may sertifie that whereas Mr. David Whetcombe of Lancaster hath anplyde himselfe to us the subscribers for our approbation for his selling strong Drink by Retale, we accordingly Request that your Hon'rs would please to grant the same.
JOHN HOUGHTON,
PETER JOSLIN,
JONAS HOUGHTON,
Dated Lan. July 7, 1717-8."
Selectmen.
The following extract from his "Bond" sets forth in plain terms David's duties and responsibihties as inn-keeper :
"He shal not suffer, or have, any playinge at cards, dice, lally, bowls, ninepins, billiards, or any other unlawful game or games in his said house, or yard, or garden, or backside, nor shal sufifer to remain m his house enny person or persons, not being his own family, on Saturday night after dark or Sabbath days, or during the tyme of God's publick worrship ; nor shal he entertain as lodgers in his house any strangers, men or women, above the space of forty and eight hours, but such whose names and surnames he shal deliver to some one of the selectmen or constable of the towne, unless they shal be such as he verry well knoweth and will ensure for his or her forthcoming — nor shal sell enny wine to the Indians or negroes, nor suffer any children, or servant, or other person, to remane in his house tippling or drinking after nine o'clock in the night— nor shal buy or take to preserve any stolen goodes, nor knowingly or willingly harbor in his house, barn, stable, or othenvise. any rogues, vagabonds, thieves, sturdy beggars, or offenders whatsoever— nor shal anny person or persons whatsoever sell or utter any wine, ale, cider, rum or other liquors by defaulting, or by color of his License— nor shal entertain any person or persons whom he shal be prohibited by law, or by enny one of the Magistrates of the community, as persons of jolly conversation, or given to tippling."
David Whitcomb died intestate April 11, 1730, and his wife, Mary, died January 5th, 1734, in the sixty-seventh year of her age.' Real estate owned by David was divided among his family by partition proceedings. (Concerning David's children, the dates and order of birth are not positively known.)
CHILDREN:
+20. DAVID,* born , Lancaster, Mass.
+21. JONATHAN,-» born , Lancaster, Mass. '
+22. JOSEPH,** born 1700, (?) Lancaster, Mass.
23. REBECCA,* baptized 1708; married Ezra Sawyer, January 16, 172; or 1726.
+24. BENJAMIN,* baptized October or November 26, 1710, Lancaster. Mass.
+25. SIMON,* baptized March 7. 1713 or 1714, Lancaster, Mass.
pp308-310
The Whitcomb family in America : a biographical genealogy with a chapter on our English forbears
"by the name of Whetcombe" Minneapolis, Minnestota, October, 1904
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