George Flint (1652 - 1720)

Born 6 Mar 1652 in Salem, Essex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Putnam) Flint — married 1685 in Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Husband of Susannah Gardner — married 2 Mar 1699 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 23 Jun 1720 at age 68 in Reading, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Sara Patton [send private message]

Biography

George was born on 6 March 1652 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, the third of six known children and the second of four sons of Thomas and Ann Unknown Southwick Flint.

He married twice: in 1685, when he was in his thirties, George married Elizabeth Putnam in Reading/Salem, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Then on 2 March 1699 he married Susannah Gardner in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts.

He fathered known children:

1. Elizabeth (Flint) Damon
2. George Flint
3. Ann (Flint) Parker
4. Ebenezer (Flintt) Flint
5. Nathaniel Flint (three by that name)
6. Mary (Flintt) Flint
7. Massi (Flint) Damon
8. Hanah Flint
9. John Flint

George died of unknown causes on 23 June 1720 in Reading at the age of seventy-eight.

The second son of Thomas, Sergeant George Flint[2-3], was only eleven years old when his father died in 1666. On Sept 29, 1668, George chose his future father-in-law and leading citizen of Salem Village, Nathaniel Putnam, to be his guardian. Putnam gave a bond of £60's [Ipswich Quarterly Court Records, vol. 5:79 published in The Probate Records of Essex County, V2:138], (Ipswich Court Records Vol.5, p.79). Guardianship required Putnam to oversee George's inheritance. Some ten years later, George married Nathaniel Putnam's eldest daughter Elizabeth.

George 3 Flint (Thomas2 , Thomas1 ) was born March 06, 1652 (6 : 1 m : 1652), in Salem Village, Essex, Massachusetts^[1], and died June 23, 1720 in Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts^[2]. He married (1) Elizabeth Putnam 2 March 06, 1695/96 in Poss. Salem, Essex, MA, daughter of Nathaniel Putnam and Elizabeth Hutchinson. She was born August 11, 1662 in Salem Village, Essex, Massachusetts^[3], and died March 06, 1696/97 in Salem Village, Essex, MA. He married (2) Susannah Gardner March 02, 1699, in Salem Village, Essex, Massachusetts^[4]. She was born Abt. 1665 in Salem Village, Essex, MA, and died March 1719/20 in Salem Village, Essex, MA.

Children of George Flint and Elizabeth Putnam are:

i. Elizabeth4 Flint, born August 19, 1685 in North Reading, Middlesex, MA; died October 1762 in Wakefield, Middlesex, MA. She married Ebenezer Damon 1709 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; born August 09, 1686 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; died September 05, 1775 in Wakefield, MA.

ii. George Flint, born April 01, 1686 in North Reading, Middlesex, MA; died July 09, 1713 in North Reading, Middlesex, MA. He married Jerusha Pope July 09, 1713 in Salem Village, Essex, MA; born April 01, 1695 in Salem Village, Essex, MA; died June 29, 1781 in Salem Village, Essex, MA.

iii. Ann Flint, born April 18, 1687 in Reading, Middlesex, MA. She married Jonathan Parker December 21, 1706 in Salem, Essex, MA; born Abt. 1691 in Prob. MA.

iv. Nathaniel Flint, born October 21, 1690 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; died 1692 in Reading, Middlesex, MA.

v. Mary Flint, born November 04, 1691 in Reading, Middlesex, MA.

vi. Mercy Flint, born October 07, 1692 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; died April 28, 1740 in Reading, Middlesex, MA. She married Benjamin Damon September 09, 1714 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; born April 30, 1693 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; died April 23, 1771 in Hartford, CT.

vii. Nathaniel Flint, born January 04, 1693/94 in North Reading, Middlesex, MA; died November 12, 1760 in Tolland, CT. He married Mary Stearns December 26, 1720 in North Reading, Middlesex, MA; born April 10, 1689 in Lynn, Essex, MA.

viii. Hannah Flint, born February 12, 1694/95 in Reading, Middlesex, MA. She married John Hunt July 10, 1716 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; born Abt. 1695 in Reading, Middlesex, MA. 79 ix. John Flint, born March 04, 1695/96 in Reading, Middlesex, MA; died 1697 in Reading, Middlesex, MA.

Sgt. George Flint, 2nd son of Thomas1 went to Reading before the year 1682 and settled on land he acquired by inheritance from his father and was the first of the name in that town. He was a farmer and resided in the North Precinct, in the part which now (1860) constitutes the village of North Reading. His house stood on a gentle eminence commanding a fine prospect of the river and the adjacent meadows, which was the chief attraction of the town. Tradition says that his was first framed house built in the precinct, and that it was used as a garrison house against Indian attack. The old garrison house was taken down several years since, and one of modern construction erected in its place. (1860)

A family story related that on a pleasant Sabbath all the family was absent at church but 2 daughters who were left at home in charge of the house. During the family's absence, one daughter took a pistol and aimed it at the other, saying "Suppose you were an Indian, how eaasily I could shoot you!" At that moment the pistol went off, the bullet lodging in the shoulder of her sister, crippling her for life. Her father in his will mentions his "unfortunate daughter Mary" and makes suitable provision for her proper maintenance. Her grandfather Nathaniel Putnam gives her a double portion, " because she hath a lame arm."

George was one of the selectmen of the town for several terms; a member of the Salem village church, and was quite active in religious affairs based on interest he took in organizing the North Parish and church. He presided as Moderator of the first meeting of the parish and as long as he lived, took a leading part in the management of its affairs. He gave the parish one acre of land, on which the first meeting house was built.

The first minister of the precinct church, Rev. Daniel Putnam was his nephew.

He married twice. First to Elizabeth Putnam (10 children) and 2nd to Mrs. Susannah Gardner (no issue).

George participated in King Philip's War which was more devastating to English settlers in New England than Civil War. Effects lasted a century. Very personal war in that opponents knew each other. Different values but human nature is the same.

Massachusetts: A Guide to Its Places and People - Page 432 The ell was part of a blockhouse erected by Sergeant George Flint for protection against Indians in the early 1650's. Willow Lane Farm, at 0.8 m. on Haverhill St., has a two-story, white clapboarded, hip-roof house, formerly the home of ...

A history of the Putnam family in England and America. Recording ...: Volume 1 - Page 58 Eben Putnam - 1891 - Free Google eBook 4 Mar., 1696; dy Sergeant George Flint removed to Reading and settled before 1682 on land inherited from his father. His house was used as a garrison house during the Indian troubles. He was the first of his name in Reading and held ..

History of the George Flint House: In 1994, a house on Gowing Lane, built about 1820, was destroyed by fire. It had attached a small addition which was spared from the flames except for its roof. Investigation of the nature of its construction, together with documentation from the Historical Commission's building inventory, indicated that this was probably the original Sergeant Flint House, built about 1680 and subsequently attached to the 1820 house. The owner gave the structure to the Historical Society as a gift and the Minit Men again employed their dismantling, moving and reconstruction skills.

As late as 1690 the people of Haverhill considered abandoning the town because of Indian attacks. In 1708 some of their worst fears came true when 40 townsfolk were killed in as raid during the French and Indian Wars. Thus when Sergeant George Flint came to North Reading sometime between 1677 and 1690 [with his wife Elizabeth Putnam] he built a small but substantial “Block House” or fortified house not far from [what was to become] the Old Gowing Farm. This Block House or Garrison House had heavy planks running up and down the walls and small deeply set windows. According to historian Lilley Eaton writing in 1872, tradition said that it was the earliest house in the North Parish. George Flint was born in Danvers in 1652 and died in 1720.

The first member of the Flint family to arrive in what is now North Reading was Thomas Flint, George Flint’s father. Thomas came from Salem Village prior to 1663. That is the year that he died and left his farm to his son, George. It is not know exactly when the original house was built or located. We do know that it was located near where it was found as it was described in the 250th Anniversary of the Town of Reading, page 217, “the Sgt. Flint homestead was on rising ground a little to the northeast of the site of the dwelling house of Mr. Joseph Gowing.” The Flint house was built prior to 1684 and was built for garrison purposes (Genealogical History of the Town of Reading, page 136.) Some historians believe that it was moved from its original spot and attached to the Gowing building about 1840.

A garrison house was usually two stories high and had heavy studding that was covered with planks, from the eaves to the underpinnings, and then boarded over completely. There was no plaster on the walls or ceiling. The house generally faced south and a large fireplace was located on the north side. This is exactly what was found when the house was discovered in 1994.

The Sgt. Flint house was discovered in a very unfortunate way. On January 16th of 1994, a Sunday afternoon, a fire destroyed the Gowing farmhouse owned by Diane Downing. However, the rear shed was barely touched, except for the roof. After the fire, it was discovered that the shed was actually a very old building, and, after further research, it was concluded that it was part of the old Sgt. George Flint house.

The North Reading Minit & militia volunteered to dismantle the old portion in hopes that it could later be reconstructed on the Putnam Hose property. Before and during the dismantling process, two members of the militia made notes and sketches and later constructed models that will be used in the rebuilding process. After removing the clapboards, they discovered that the wide thick boards ran from floor to eaves, covering the thick 12” timbers. The pieces were then numbered and then removed for storage at the Putnam property.

Prior to the fire, the Downings had operated an organic farm called Harmony Farm, and sold vegetables from the shed. Little did people know when they were making their purchases, that they were standing in the “oldest house in North Reading.”

This research was done by Gary Priest, a member of the North Reading Minit & Militia. The Minitmen have been authorized by the Historical Society, to reassemble the building on the Putnam property.

The men moved the pieces to beneath the Putnam House barn, and then to a temporary storage are on the property so that they could determine what materials could be used, and what needed to be replaced. When this was completed, they had a better idea of the costs that were involved. They estimated the total cost to restore the Sergeant Flint House to be $48,930 with all labor donated. They then began to raise funds from private donations from individuals and businesses.

Minitman Captain Gordon Hall outlined the restoration process in the application to the Historic District Commission as follows:

Reassemble 16’ x 18’ building to match the structure that was disassembled in 1994 as closely as possible. The materials to be used are as follows: (a) concrete pad (b) oak frame (c) oak or pine sheathing (d) cedar shingles. It will be located on the north side of the Putnam House property beside the school house and will comply with all of the zoning set backs.

By February 2007 donations enabled the Minitmen to purchase the necessary timber frame for the Flint House. This consisted of one 15.4’ x 18’ timber frame with the following attributes: a 7’ 10” ceiling, a 4’ 10” knee wall and a full loft. (Ward Timber Frames Walpole, NH. February 2, 2007). Registered structural plans were drawn by Mark C. Abbott. In September 2007 volunteers Gordon Hall, Bill McDonnell, Rob Snyder and Bruce and Jeremy Ward raised the frame. (North Reading Transcript Vol. LII No 19 September 20, 2007.)

These models were built by Gerry Levigne, a member of the Minit & Militia. Gerry helped to dismantle the building in 1994. He and the late Jim Stewart built models and neither knew that the other’s model was identical to their own.

Above information from "Sergeant Flint House Restoration Project" provided by Gordon Hall. NR Historical Home

The Flint Family Went to Reading Bef. 1682. Selectman of Reading. Mbr. of Salem Village Ch.

VR Salem MA: Marriage, Vol. III, p. 366, to Susannah Gardner.

VR Reading MA: Death, p. 521.

There are several resources for Flint family information: The Family Histories of Charles Edwin Flint, Jr. and Bessie Hazel Lee, by Rosalie V. M. Flint & Kathleen A. B. Hedrick, Quincy, WA, 1981. Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Thomas Flint, of Salem, complied by John Flint and John H. Stone, Andover, 1860. History of Salem, by Sidney Perley, 1924 - 1928 (three volumes)

Sources

1. ↑ The Essex Institute, Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 Volume I - Births A - L (Salem, Mass. 1916)(Free e-book) (Records are also available at ma-vitalrecords.org) p. 310
2. ↑ Baldwin, Thomas W., Vital Records of Reading, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (Boston, Mass. 1912)(Free e-book) (Records are also available at ma-vitalrecords.org) p. 521
3. ↑ The Essex Institute, Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 Volume II - Births M - Z (Salem, Mass. 1918)(Free e-book) (Records are also available at ma-vitalrecords.org) p. 210
4. ↑ The Essex Institute, Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 Volume III - Marriages A - L (Salem, Mass. 1924)(Free e-book) (Records are also available at ma-vitalrecords.org) p. 366

See Also:

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/a/c/Paul-H-Lacroix/BOOK-0001/0003-0003.html

• Godfrey Memorial Library, comp. American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. Middletown, CT,

• "Daughters of the American Colonists Lineage Book" (sent by Dan McFarling) Text: Volume 12, Page 42, There was a Thomas Flint (1603-1663) who was one of the first settlers of Salem Village, and a representative to the General Court (1638-41). He was CONT born in England; his wife's name was Ann. Thomas and Ann had a son, George Flint (1652-1720). His first wife was Elizabeth Putnam (1662-97). They had a son, also named George (b 1686), who married Jerusha Pope (1695-1781) in 1713. (Was Jerusha Flint [Boynton] named after Jerusha Pope [Flint]?) George and Jerusha Flint also had a son, George (1728-1808) who married Hannah Phelps (1728-1805) in 1753. They had a daughter, Hannah, who married a William Whittredge... Volume 12, Page 42 .

• "Register of the Massachusetts Society of the Colonial Dames of America" (Sent by Dan McFarling) Text: Page 388 Three Flints are listed:T Edward Flint (abt 1638-1711). Salem, Massachusetts, Ensign of West Foot Company of Salem, 1689, John Flint (abt 1636-1687), Concord, MA, Deputy to the General Court, 1677,1679, 1680, 1682, Lieutenant of Concord Troop of Horse, 1677, and later Captain, Thomas Flint (abt 1603-1653), Concord, MA, Deputy to the General Court, 1638-1641; Assistant, 1642-51, 1653, Page: p.388.

• Flint, John A Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Thomas Flint, of Salem (Andover, MA,1860). Page 11

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Flint-113 was created through the import of Paula's family 5-28-2011.GED on May 29, 2011 by Paula Marksman.

• WikiTree profile Flint-197 was created through the import of Iak Family Tree.ged on Jun 14, 2011 by William Iak.

• WikiTree profile Flint-267 was created through the import of MartindaleCanfield.ged on Jan 9, 2012 by Linda Fay.

• WikiTree profile Flint-282 was created through the import of boynton- flint-tomlinson.ged on Mar 20, 2012 by Sara Stevens.

• WikiTree profile Flint-427 was created through the import of SheldonExport.ged on Oct 7, 2012 by Vic Watt.