Obadiah Sawtell (abt. 1649 - 1740)

Born about 1649 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 20 Mar 1740 at about age 91 in Groton, Massachusetts

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Biography

"Obadiah2 Sawtell (Richard1) was born about 1649, probably at Watertown. (Lineage #3181 in NSDFPA Lineage Book, 1933, p. 66, no source cited, gives birthdate of 14 Sept. 1648). He went to Groton about 1662 with his parents. At the outbreak of King Philip's War he and his parents returned to Watertown, where he was credited with service in February of 1676/7 (Bodge, p. 451).

[It appears that Obadiah Sawtell left Groton for a few years at the outbreak of King William's War in 1689, since he is not on the garrison list of 1691-2, and his children born between 1689 and 1692 are not recorded at Groton.]^[1]

"He married, about 1680, Hannah Lawrence, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Crispe) Lawrence of Watertown (Middlesex County Probate, No. 13685). She was born 24 March 1661/2 at Watertown (Vital Records). Of their children, some are proved by birth records, some by deeds and the rest by inference, since his brothers Jonathan and Zachariah were both dead by 16901/1 and Jonathan had been a widower since 1676. All doubts are noted.

"It would appear that Obadiah left Groton for a few years about 1689, at the outbreak of King William's War, for he is not on the garrison list of 1691-2, a list which probably included every Groton family (Caleb Butler, History of the Town of Groton, 1848, p. 91). In addition, his children born between 1689 and 1693 are not recorded at Groton.

"His wife was alive in 1726 when she joined him in making her mark to a deed. He died on 20 March 1740 in his 92nd year, according to his tombstone in the old cemetery at Groton.^[2] The slate headstone is in excellent condition. There is no stone for Hannah. Presumably his death date would be 1740/41, thus putting his birth at about 1649. If the stone was cut after 1752, then the death date of 1740 would be new style, and a birth year of about 1648 would tie in with the NSDFPA Lineage Book.

[The epitaph reads: Here lies The Body/ of Mr. Obadiah Sawtell who Departed/ This Life March the 20th/ A.D. 1740 in ye 92nd/Year of his Age.]

Children

Those recorded all born at Groton:

1. Nathaniel Sawtell, b abt 1681
2. Elnathan Sawtell, b 27 Mar 1683
3. Ephraim Sawtell, b abt 1685
4. Josiah Sawtell, b 14 Aug 1687; d 4 Oct 1690 at Groton (vital records)
5. Hephzabeth Sawtell, b prob 1689; mar. 24 Aug. 1706 at Concord, Thomas Foster of Billerica, Mass., she of Groton (Concord Vital Records); six children b. at Billerica...
6. Esther Sawtell (possibly), b prob. 1689-93; mar. 31 Jan 1709/10 at Charlestown, Samuel Bowers of Groton (she "Satley" in records per Wyman, op cit., p. 102); seven children recorded at Groton. For Ester to be a daughter of Obadiah, she, Hephzabeth, Zachariah and Josiah 2nd must have been born within a period of about four years. Possibly there were twins; otherwise, she could be a daughter of Zachariah2.
7. Josiah Sawtell, b prob 1691
8. Zachariah Sawtell, b prob 1693...
9. Hannah Sawtell b 8 Jun 1695; mar 2 Sep 1719 Stephen Holden Jr... she d bef 4 Jul 1749
10. Abigail Sawtell, b 13 Mar 1696/7;; mar 24 Jan 1715/6 at Groton Joseph Parker Jr... she d. there 19 Feb 1787...
11. Mary Sawtell, b 1699-1700; mar 23 Oct 1718 at Groton, Benjamin Parker, carpenter... she d. 16 Jun 1766...
12. Obadiah Sawtell, b 18 Mar 1701
13. Hezekiah Sawtell, b 2 Mar 1703

Sources

1. ↑ Dale C. Kellogg and John B. Threlfall, "Richard Sawtell of Watertown, Mass.," in NEHGS Register, 126 (Jan 1972):3-
2. ↑ Vital Records of Groton, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, Mass. : The Essex Institute, 1926-1927), Two volumes

See also:

• The Longley Family Genealogy compiled by Louise Baneck Longley and Janneyne Longley Gnacinski, 1967, FHL Film # 928132 Item 6, page 8.
• "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCL8-ZX3 : 4 December 2014), Obadiah Sawtell in entry for Obadiah Sawtell, 18 Mar 1701; citing GROTON,MIDDLESEX,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0873746 IT 4.
• "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC99-427 : 13 July 2016), Obadiah Sawtell in entry for Elnathan Sawtell, 27 Mar 1683; citing Birth, Groton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 892,249. (See image.)
• Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC9S-9LH : 13 July 2016), Obadiah Sawtell in entry for Josiah Sawtell, 14 Aug 1687; citing Birth, Groton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 892,249. (See image.)
• "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCLQ-37W : 4 December 2014), Obediah Sawtell in entry for Abigaill Sawtell, 13 Mar 1656; citing GROTON,MIDDLESEX,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0873746 IT 4.
• "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCL8-Z9D : 4 December 2014), Obadiah Sawtell in entry for Hazekiah Sawtell, 02 Mar 1703; citing GROTON,MIDDLESEX,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0873746 IT 4.
• Find A Grave: Memorial #49381906