Sgt. Benjamin LOWELL (1642 – 1714) was Alex’s 9th Great Grandfather; one of 1,024 in this generation of the Miller line.

Benjamin Lowell was born 12 Sep 1642 in Newbury, Mass.  His parents were John LOWELL and Mary [__?__].  He married Ruth WOODMAN on 17 Oct 1666 in Newbury, Mass.  Benjamin died 22 Oct 1714 in Cambridge, Mass.

In a deed at Newbury, Mass. 1697, Benjamin Lowell was called blacksmith.

Ruth Woodman was born 28 Mar 1646 in Newbury, Mass.  Her parents were Edward WOODMANand Joanna SALWAY.   Ruth died sometime after 2 Feb 1724.

Children of Benjamin and Ruth:

Benjamin’s father died when he was five and his mother when he was  nine.   As an adult, Benjamin filed many suits against his guardians, Uncle Richard Lowell and Uncle William Gerrish, in regard to their management of his inheritance. These litigations went on for years. The last in 1679, reversed the judgment Benjamin had previously won. The lawsuit is on the records of the clerk’s court, Mass. Rec., 3:125, Salem, Mass., also in Boston Court House, Case No. 1791, estate Vol. 1. (D. R. Lowell. 1899. The Historic Genealogy of the Lowells of America from 1639-1899

17 Oct 1666. – Intention of marriage published

1668 – On the “Town Rate of Newbury, Mass.  Benjamin Lowle was set for “1 Head, 1 horse, 2 cows, 8 sheep, 1 hogg.”

19 May 1669, Benjamin Lowle was made freeman.

29 May 1671 – Benjamin was fined one noble [six shillings and eight-pence] for his part in the Parker-Woodman War.

Parker- Woodman War

For many years the church in Newbury had been divided, almost equally, between the original pastor, Reverend Thomas Parker, and Mr. Edward WOODMAN, of whom the noted historian Joshua Coffin wrote: “He was a man of influence, decision and energy, and opposed with great zeal the attempt made by the Rev. Thomas Parker to change the mode of Church government from Congregationalism to something like Presbytarianism.” This divison of the town was not due to a great difference of theology, but of church governemt.

As early as 1645 the Rev. Parker and his party maintained the church should be governed by the pastor, his assistants, and a ruling elder. Mr. Woodman’s party believed it was the right of the members of the church, and government should be by the congretation. In a letter to the church council, Mr. Edward stated, “As for our controversy it is whether God hath placed the power in the elder, or in the whole church, to judge between truth and error, right and wrong, brother and brother, and all things of church concernment.” These ecclesiastical problems, which grew more violent and partisan each year, plagued the town for over 25 yearsand became known throughout New England as the “Parker-Woodmam War.”

By 1669 difference of opinion had grown to such proportions that an appeal was made to the civil authorities. the court proceedings began March 13th at Ipswich and continued on and off for over two years. The decision of the court, on May 29, 1671, found in favor of Rev. Parker’s part and levied fines against the members of Mr. Woodman’s party. Edward Woodman was fined 20 nobles. [ A noble is six shillings and eight-pence so Edward’s fine was a little more than 13 pounds]

Mr. Richard Dummer , Richard THORLAY (THURLOW), Stephen Greenleaf [son of Edmund GREENLEAF], Richard Bartlet and William Titcomg, fined 4 nobles each. Francis Plummer, John Emery, Sr., John Emery, Jr., John Merrill and Thomas Browne, a Mark each. [A mark is thirteen shillings and fourpence. ]

All others Nicholas Batt, Anthony MORSE Sr, Abraham Toppan, William Sawyer, Edward Woodman junior, William Pilsbury, Caleb Moody, John Poor Sr, John Poor Jr, John Webster, John Bartlet Sr., John Bartlet Jr, Joseph Plumer, Edward Richardson, Thomas Hale Jr., Edmund Moores, Benjamin LOWLE (LOWELL), Job Pilsbury, John Wells, William Ilsley, James Ordway, Francis THORLA (THORLAY), Abraham Merrill, John Bailey, Benjamin Rolf, Steven Swett, and Samuel Plumer, a noble each.   However, the judgement of the court did not bring an end to the controversy, and the conflict continued for several years. Note: For a complete chronology, see pages 72-112 of Joshua Coffin’s History of Newbury..

1695 – He was called “Sergt,”

1697 – In a deed at Newbury, Mass. 1697, he was called “blacksmith.”

Children

2. Elizabeth Lowell

Elizabeth’s husband Francis Willett was born 22 Feb 1671 in Newbury, Essex, Mass. His parents were Thomas Willet and Martha Silver. Francis died in 1703

6. Sarah Lowell

Sarah’s husband Ebenezer Knowlton was born 1674 in Ipswich, Essex, Mass. His parents were Thomas Knowlton and Hannah Green.

7. Mary Lowell

Mary’s husband Thomas Williams was born 16 Feb 1672 in Providence, Providence, Rhode Island. His parents were Joseph Williams and Lydia Olney. Thomas died 27 Aug 1724 in Providence, Providence, Rhode Island.

8. Joseph LOWELL (See his page)

9. John Lowell

John’s wife Mary Davis was born 23 Mar 1683 in Newbury, Essex, Mass. Her parents were John Davis and Sarah Carter. Her grandparents were Thomas CARTER and Mary [__?__]. Mary died in Apr 1729 in Haverhill, Mass

Sources:

From Phoebe Tilton, 1947 by Walter Goodwin Davis

http://www.genealogyofnewengland.com/b_l.htm

http://helenesgenes.com/Lowell.html#ben

http://newbury.essexcountyma.net/lowell.htm