William Foster (abt. 1618 - 1698)

Born about 1618 in England

Husband of Ann (Brackenbury) Foster — married 1652 in Charlestown, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Descendants

Died 8 May 1698 at about age 80 in Charlestown, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Gregory Dunn [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Forster Name Study.

He was born about 1618 based on his age at death (80 years) in 1698.

Married Anne Brackenbury about 1652.

Died on 8 May 1698 at age 80 in Charlestown, MA^[1]

Sea captain, and master of Dolphin in 1669. Will of "William Foster of Charlestown", dated 7 May 1696, proved 7 Jul 1698, mentions "beloved wife Ann", daughter Mary Phillips daughter Elizabeth Gosse?, granddaughter Ann Foster when she marries with consent of her parents and her "Unckle and Aunt Standly", other grandchildren not named, "Kinswoman Elinor Davis in England and her Daughter Mary Davis", "divided amongst my Children" not named, sons Richard and John and wife Executors.^[2][3]

From the Diary of John Hull S2 in 1671: "8 ber, 21 [21 Oct]. We received intelligence that William Foster, master of a small ship, was taken by the Turks as he was going to Bilboa with fish." He returned home November, 1673. Cotton Mather, vol. 1, p. 544, gives the following account of this as part of his "The Life of the Renowned John Eliot".

There was a godly gentleman of Charlestown, one Mr. Foster, who with his son was taken captive by Turkish enemies. Much prayer was employed, both privately and publickly, by the good people here, for the redemption of that gentleman; but we were at last informed that the bloody prince in whose dominions he was now a slave, was resolved that in his life time no prisoner should be released; and so the distressed friends of this prisoner now concluded "our hope is lost!" Well, upon this, Mr. Eliot, in some of his next prayers, before a very solemn congregation, very broadly begged, "Heavenly Father, work for the redemption of thy poor servant Foster; and if the prince which detains him will not, as they say, dismiss him as long as himself lives, Lord, we pray thee to kill that cruel prince; kill him, and glorify thy self upon him!" And now, behold the answer: the poor captived gentleman quickly returns to us that had been mourning for him as a lost man, and brings us news that the prince which had hitherto held him, was come to an untimely death, by which means he was now set at liberty. ^{[4] [5]} notes From http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:William_Foster_(112)_ This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Research notes

Torrey NE Marriages: FOSTER, William (1618-1698) (Christopher HOBBS) & Anne/ Susanna [BRACKENBURY] (1629-1714); by 1645?, by 1652; Charlestown/Boston {Sibley's Harv. Grad. 2:336; Foster 490; Harris (,12) 71; Coffin Anc. 36, 66, 70; Sv. 1:191, 228; Reg. 25:67}

Sources

1. ↑ The genealogies and estates of Charlestown : in the county of Middlesex and commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1629-1818. Volume 1. Authors: Wyman, Thomas Bellows; Edes, Henry Herbert
2. ↑ Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives. Digitized images provided by FamilySearch.org) Case 8279: Will
3. ↑ Pierce, Frederick Clifton. Foster Genealogy: Being a Record of the Posterity of Reginald Foster, an Early Inhabitant of Ipswich in New England, Whose Genealogy is Traced Back to Anacher, Great Forrester of Flanders, Who Died in 837 A.D., with Wills, Inventories, Biographical Sketches, Etc.; Also the Record of all Other American Fosters. (Chicago: The Author, 1899), 2:485, 490.
4. ↑ Magnalia Christi Americana : Or, The Ecclesiastical History of New-England ... By Cotton Mather
5. ↑ https://www.geni.com/people/Captain-William-Foster/6000000001056318965

• Walker, George. History of the First Church in Hartford, 1633-1883 (Brown & Gross, Hartford, 1884) Page 212
• Deed Grantors William Foster of Charlestown and wife Ann
• Division of real estate between sons John and Richard.
• son John and Richard, selling land as executors of father's estate
• Deed -William Foster to "his son" Eleazer Phillips
• Deed -William Foster and Ann to John Phillips, mariner of Charlestown
• Deed -William Foster & Ann to Mathew Soley, Mariner
• Deed - William Foster & Ann to Josiah Wood.
• Deed - William and Ann Foster to Timothy Phillips
• Deed- Richard and John Foster to Timothy Philips