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Various sources noted.History of the Town of Shirley, Mass. from its Early Settlement to A.D. 1882 by Seth Chandler.Richard Longley, the supposed original of all of that name in New England, was settled at Lynn,
as early as 1635. He had children, among whom were William and Jonathan and perhaps others.
His future history is rather blind, but he is presumed to have lived and died at Lynn. His
posterity have sometimes called themselves Langley, though this orthographical distinction
is no proof of distinction of families.
William Longley, supposed to be a son of Richard, removed with his family from Lynn to Groton
and was a resident proprietor of the extensive territory that bore that name. When the land
was equitably divided among the shareholders, he became the owner of a large amount of native
forest, which was eventually divided into farms, and occupied by his descendants. According to
a manuscript record left by the late Rev. James D. Farnsworth, William Longley settled in
Groton as early as 1659. His name is found in the records of the town in 1663 and in 1665 he
was chosen Selectman. He died at Groton, Nov 29, 1680. How many children he had does not fully
appear, but he had one son:
William Longley, Jr. who was probably born at Lynn and married at Groton and had five children;
or, as one tradition has it, eight children. He held a reputable position among his fellow-townsmen,
and was appointed town clerk in 1666, and was continued in that office until his death in 1694.
At this period he and his family became the victims of Indian depredation and all were slain but
three of the children, who were carried into captivity.
The home was was rifled and burned and near where it stood the mutilated remains of the murdered
family were buried and a small stone, even with the surface of the ground, was the only monument
to mark the place of their interment for almost two centuries. Recently however, a more imposing
structure has been erected to hallow the spot of such sad historical interest. Mr. Butler gathered
the traditions of this tragedy from the older inhabitants of his time and condensed them into the
following account etc (full report with google books online.)
Transcribed by Janice FarnsworthLongley tombstones - Old Burying Ground, Groton, Mass.Surname: LONGLEY
Source: "Epitaphs" by Dr. Samuel A. Green, Pub. l878 Little, Brown & Co. Boston
Tombstone Inscriptions at the Old Burial Ground, Groton, MA
p.18
Here lies buried Ye body of Deac John Longley who departed this life, May Ye
25th AD l750 in Ye 68th year of his age.
Author's Note: The son of William and Deliverance (Crispe) Longley. When
Groton was assaulted by the Indians July 27, l694 he was taken captive and
held prisoner more than four years.p.41
Memento Mori
Here lies the body of Mrs. Deborah Longley relict of Deacon John Longley.
who (she) departed this life Nov. the 7th AD l763 in the 72d year of her age.
Author's note: Her maiden name was Houghton.Transcribed by Janice FarnsworthSource: The Farnsworth Memorial II
2nd Ed. of the Farnsworth Memorial published 1897 by Moses Franklin
Farnsworth and
Revised 1974 by R. Glen Nye.
Library of Congress Card No. 74-81077Index.
p.ivi
LONGLEY - pp. 19, 23, 43, 92, 204, 206, 211, 239, 474.
LONGLEY
SOURCE: History of the Town of Groton, Mass., by Caleb Butler.
Boston - Press of T. R. Marvin.
24 Congress Street, Boston 1848.JOHN LONGLEY.
pp. 26, 31, 52, 93, 94, 172, 173, 278, 279, 363, 368, 373, 460, 463, 498WILLIAM LONGLEY.
pp. 26, 34, 37, 40, 91, 93, 94, 163, 164, 278, 460.LONGLEY.
p.26
In the year 1713, the General Court passed "An Act directing how
meetings of proprietors of lands lying in common, may be called."No distinction was made until after the passing of this statute between the
inhabitants and the proprietors of Groton. In 1717, the proprietors called
a meeting according to the provision of the statute and from that time
separate records were kept.At their first meeting held March 4, 1716-17, they chose a committee to find
from the town book, the names of all the original and ancient proprietors
and their proportional rights; and also the names and rights of all others,
who claimed by descent, purchase, grants, by the proprietors, etc. This
committee reported the names and rights of the original proprietors as follows:William Longley, Sr. 30 acre right.
John Longley, a 10 acre right.p.30-31John Longley, Proprietor's Clerk."Groton, March 23, 1721-2. Then we, the subscribers, laid out to a
fifteen acre right, originally Ralph Read's, now claimed by Cornelius
Whitney,55 acres of land, lying on the southeast side of pine meadow, the
northwest corner being a great pine by his own meadow, bounded easterly to
John Stone's meadow, the northeast corner an oak, the two southerly corners
pines; all marked for corners; what is above fifteen acres in quantity being
added to make it equal in quality to fifteen acres being added to make it
equal in quality to fifteen acres of the best land in our judgement, allowance
being made for a highway through the same, when needed. Said land being fully
to satisfy said right in the new division of the common on the east side of the
river.Zachariah Sawtell, Phinehas Parker, Nathaniel Woods: Committee of the
Proprietors of Groton."Which return or instrument above written being read at the meeting of
the proprietors of Groton, September 21, 1724, accordingly was accepted,
approved and voted by the proprietors to be recorded in the proprietors book of
records,p.31
and that the land and premises therein mentioned and contained, shall be
and remain to the lawful owner of the right to which the same is said to be
laid out, his heirs and assigns forever, provided the same infringe on no
formerlegal proprietor's grant.
"Attest, John Longley, Proprietor's Clerk.p.52 BRIDGES OF GROTON."Also voted that John Longley, Jonathan Page, Ephraim Sawtell, William
Tarball, and William Lawrence with such others as will freely join them, have
liberty to erect and finish the bridge at the place prayed for, viz., between
Squannacook and Mulpus brook, where said work has already been begun, provided
they do it within within two years; and that for their encouragement therein,
they have what hath already been provided for said bridge."Transcribed by Janice FarnsworthLONGLEY GENEALOGY.A RECORD OF
THE
LONGLEY FAMILIES OF SHIRLEY,
MASSACHUSETTS
AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS
FROM
CHANDLER'S HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
FITCHBURG:
PRESS OF BLANCHARD & BROWN,
1884.p.3 Among the early settlers of Shirley, Massachusetts, the Longley
families held a conspicuous position. The descendants of these
families, of the fifth and sixth generations, in large numbers
still retain residences within the town and vicinity.At the commencement of the present century, they were so numer-
ous that a large portion of the population could claim affinity
with them. They have not only filled a large place, numerically,
in our community, but they have also, as a general fact, main-
tained a useful and honored citizenship.There have been many titled personages since the Norman conquest,
of the names of Longley and Langley, that have figured in the annals
of Brittany; but whether the humble settler in Lynn, Massachusetts,
of that name, was a descendant of any of these personages, time has
not fully revealed, though some efforts have been made to show this,
to which we may refer in another place.Richard Longley, the supposed original of all of that name in New
England, was settled at Lynn as early as 1635. He had children,
among whom were William Longley and Jonathan Longley, and perhaps
others. His future history is rather blind, but he is presumed to
have lived and died at Lynn. His posterity have sometimes called
themselves Langley, though this orthographical distinction is no
proof of distinction of families.William Longley, supposed to be a son of Richard Longley, removed
with his family from Lynn to Groton, Massachusetts, and was a resi-
dent proprietor of thep.4 LONGLEY GENEALOGY.extensive territory that bore that name. When the land was equit-
ably divided among the shareholders, he became the owner of a large
amount of the native forest, which was eventually divided into farms,
and occupied by his descendants. According to a manuscript record
left by the Reverend James D. Farnsworth, William Longley settled
in Groton as early as 1659. His name is found in the records of that
town in 1663 and in 1665 he was chosen Selectman. He died at Groton,
November 29, 1680. How many children he had does not fully appear,
but he had one son, William Longley, Jr.INSERT. LONGLEY
HISTORY OF GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS BY CALEB BUTLER.
p. 278
LONGLEY.
Several of this name figure in the early records of
Groton, and may of their descendants still live in
Shirley and various other places. William Longley,
Sr., probably the same mentioned by Farmer, was the
owner of a thirty acre right. He died Nov 29, 1680.
John Longley and William Longley were his sons.
William Longley, Jr., was Town Clerk six years
and held that office when he and his family were
slain by the Indians in 1694. John Longley, the
son of William Longleyp.279
was also Town Clerk six years, was a Deacon of the
church from 1722, to the time of his death, 1750,
and was Townn Treasurer and Parish treasurer for
many years. He had nine sons and three daughters
five of them by his first wife, Sarah, one of the
eight daughters of Captain Jonas Prescott and seven
by his first last wife. His son, Joseph Longley was
a soldier in the French war and died of a wound at
Greenbush, New York, in 1758. This Joseph Longley
was the father of Colonel Edmund Longley, late of
Hawley, and the grandfather of General Thomas Longley
of Haweley. Not less than fifteen of this name, in
Groton, and its vicinity, were soldiers of the Revolu-
tionary War.p.488 SHIRLEY.Subject: Marriages, Birth & Deaths recorded at Shirley, MA.
Source: History of Groton, Massachusetts by Caleb Butler 1848.[Includes brief History of Shirley, MA]p.493John Longley who died March 17, 1792 & wife, Elizabeth
Children:
Mary Longley b. July 5, 1752
John Longley Jr., b. Nov 4, 1753
Susanna Longley b. Nov 5, 1755
John Longley 2d b. May 26, 1758
Joseph Longley b. Dec 27, 1760
Calvin Longley b. Aug 21, 1763; died Aug 21, 1763.
Lucy Longley b. April 2, 1766.William Longley who died May 15, 1788 & his wife, Mary who died Aug 7, 1758
Children:
James Longley b. Nov 4, 1753
Abigail Longley b. Dec 1, 1755.Jonas Longley & wife Esther who died June 5, 1767 aged 36 years.
Children:
Jonas Longley Jr b. Jan 13, 1753
Esther Longley b. May 7, 1756
Sarah Longley b. June 23, 1760
Abel Longley b. June 23, 1760
Asa Longley b. July 10, 1762
Phinehas Longley b. Aug 27, 1764
Meriam Longley b. April 24, 1767.Joseph Longley & wife Mary
Had four children in Groton, q.v.
Children born at Groton (p.417)
Joseph Longley, Jr. b. Aug 6, 1744
Edmund Longley b. Oct 31 1746; died Nov 29, 1842
Phebe Longley b. Nov 26, 1748
John Longley b. Feb 17, 1750
Their children born at Shirley (p.493)
Eunice Longley b. May 27, 1753
Olive Longley b. July 26, 1755; died Jan 8, 1757
Olive Longley 2d b. Oct 28, 1757Nehemiah Longley & wife, Meriam
Children:
Obadiah Longley b. Feb 3, 1773
Meriam Longley b. Aug 9, 1774Joseph Longley & wife, Elizabeth
Children:
Elizabeth Longley b. Feb 12, 1766 and died same day.
John Longley b. June 2, 1768
Joseph Longley b. May 9, 1770
Zimri Longley b. Jan 8, 1772
Mary Longley b. Mar 2, 1773Edmund Longley & wife, Alice Lawrence
Married 1773
Children:
Thomas Longley b. Sept 4, 1774
Olive Longley b. Oct 18, 1776; died July 22, 1778.
Edmund Longley, Jr. b. April 11, 1779
Olive Longley 2d b. June 28, 1781Joshua Longley & wife, Bridget
Children:
Lovina Longley b. May 9, 1771; died Aug 11, 1771.
Ame Longley b. Sept 17, 1773; died Aug 9, 1777
Anna Longley b. Aug 20, 1776
Stephen Longley b. Feb 25, 1779
Lovina Longley b. Aug 15, 1781
Lucinda Longley b. Mar 30, 1785
Rufus Longley b. Sept 2, 1788
Lydia Longley b. May 20, 1792; died Jan 5, 1795.
Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LONGLEY GENEALOGY.A RECORD OF
THE
LONGLEY FAMILIES OF SHIRLEY,
MASSACHUSETTS
AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS
FROM
CHANDLER'S HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
FITCHBURG:
PRESS OF BLANCHARD & BROWN,
1884.p.4 continued.William Longley, Jr. who was probably born at Lynn, Massachusetts,
and married at Groton, had five children, or, as one tradition has
it, eight children. He held a reputable position among his fellow-
townsmen and was appointed Town Clerk in 1666, and was continued in
that office until his death in 1694. At this period he and his family
became the victims of Indian depredation and all were slain but three
of the children who were carried into captivity. The house was rifled
and burned, and near where it stood the mutilated remains of his murder-
ed family were buried and a small stone, even with the surface of the
ground, was the only monument to mark the place of their internment
for almost two centuries. Recently, however, a more imposing structure
has been erected to hallow the spot of such sad historical interest.Caleb Butler gathered the traditions of this tragedy into the following
account, which is taken from the History of Groton pp. 93 - 94.INSERT - HISTORY OF GROTON by Caleb Butler.
p.93No historian of those times gives so particular account of the calamities
and sufferings of Groton, in King William's war as Hubbard did in Philip's.
Cotton Mather, who wrote near the close of it, has the following:"On July 27, (1694) about break of day, Groton felt some surprising blows
from Indian hatchets. They began their attacks at the house of one Lieut.
Lakin, in the outskirts of the town, but met with a repulse there, and lost
one of their crew. Nevertheless, in other parts of that plantation, (where
the good people had become so tired out as to lay down their military watch)
there were more than twenty persons killed and more than a dozen carried
away. Mr. Gershom Hobart, the minister of the place, with part of his family,
was remarkably preserved from falling into their hands, when they
made themselves the masters of his house, though they took two of his children,
whereof the one was killed and the other some time after happily
rescued out of his captivity."Amond the killed were William Longley, his wife, four or five of their
children and two children of Alexander Rouse, a near neighbor. Among the
captives was John Longley, a small boy, a son of William Longley.Mr. Longley was a large proprietor of lands, a respectable townsman and Town
Clerk at the time of his death. Records of Town Meetings, held June 6 and
23, and July 19th of that year, are in his hand writing in the Indian Roll.
His house stood upon a small knoll a few rods south of the house of where
John Lawrence lived and died. A small stone, even with the surface of the
ground, under a stinted apple tree, near the site of the dwelling house,
is the only monument to mark the spot, where the bodies of this family were
buried. How far length of time has corrupted, marred or exaggerated the
tradition respecting the slaughter of this family, can never be known. As
told by the oldest people now (1848) living, the story is as follows.The Indians having lurked about the premises undis-p.94covered, the day previous to the slaughter, watching a favorable opportunity
to effect their purpose, early in the morning of the fatal day, turned the
cattle out of the barnyard into a cornfield and lay in ambush. This trick
had the desired effect to draw out some of the family, probably Mr. Longley
and his sons, unarmed, to drive the cattle from the corn. The Indians then
rose upon them, and either killed or took captive the whole family. It is
said, however, that a daughter, Jemima by name, whom they had tomahawked
and scalped, was found alive, sitting upon a rock and that she survived
many years, was married and had children. John Longley the lad before
mentioned, was carried to Canada where he remained with his savage captivators
for five years. His relatives at length ransomed him but he had
become so accustomed to savage life, that he left it with reluctance, and
those who brought him away, were obliged to use force to accomplish their
mission. It is further said of this lad, that after the Indians had proceeded
some way from the place, and had made a halt, he told them that his father's sheep
were shut up in the barn, and would there starve, but if
they would permit him to go back, he would turn them out and return,
and they consenting he fulfilled his promise. He was afterwards a respectable
inhabitant of Groton, holding many offices of honor and trust, in town and
church, and represented the town in the General Court.Gershom, son of the Reverand Mr. Gershom Hobart, whom Mather mentions as
having been rescued from captivity, is said to have been carried to the
eastward. The first information his friends received of him, was in May
following his captivity, "at a fort a day's journey above Norridgwog, and
his master's name was Nassacumbewit," the chief captain of the place. Both
his master and mistress were kind to him and afterwards granted his ransom.
Transcribed by Janice FarnsworthLONGLEY GENEALOGY.A RECORD OF
THE
LONGLEY FAMILIES OF SHIRLEY,
MASSACHUSETTS
AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS
FROM
CHANDLER'S HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
FITCHBURG:
PRESS OF BLANCHARD & BROWN,
1884.p.3 Among the early settlers of Shirley, Massachusetts, the Longley
families held a conspicuous position. The descendants of these
families, of the fifth and sixth generations, in large numbers
still retain residences within the town and vicinity.At the commencement of the present century, they were so numer-
ous that a large portion of the population could claim affinity
with them. They have not only filled a large place, numerically,
in our community, but they have also, as a general fact, main-
tained a useful and honored citizenship.There have been many titled personages since the Norman conquest,
of the names of Longley and Langley, that have figured in the annals
of Brittany; but whether the humble settler in Lynn, Massachusetts,
of that name, was a descendant of any of these personages, time has
not fully revealed, though some efforts have been made to show this,
to which we may refer in another place.Richard Longley, the supposed original of all of that name in New
England, was settled at Lynn as early as 1635. He had children,
among whom were William Longley and Jonathan Longley, and perhaps
others. His future history is rather blind, but he is presumed to
have lived and died at Lynn. His posterity have sometimes called
themselves Langley, though this orthographical distinction is no
proof of distinction of families.William Longley, supposed to be a son of Richard Longley, removed
with his family from Lynn to Groton, Massachusetts, and was a resi-
dent proprietor of thep.4 LONGLEY GENEALOGY.extensive territory that bore that name. When the land was equit-
ably divided among the shareholders, he became the owner of a large
amount of the native forest, which was eventually divided into farms,
and occupied by his descendants. According to a manuscript record
left by the Reverend James D. Farnsworth, William Longley settled
in Groton as early as 1659. His name is found in the records of that
town in 1663 and in 1665 he was chosen Selectman. He died at Groton,
November 29, 1680. How many children he had does not fully appear,
but he had one son, William Longley, Jr.INSERT. LONGLEY
HISTORY OF GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS BY CALEB BUTLER.
p. 278
LONGLEY.
Several of this name figure in the early records of
Groton, and may of their descendants still live in
Shirley and various other places. William Longley,
Sr., probably the same mentioned by Farmer, was the
owner of a thirty acre right. He died Nov 29, 1680.
John Longley and William Longley were his sons.
William Longley, Jr., was Town Clerk six years
and held that office when he and his family were
slain by the Indians in 1694. John Longley, the
son of William Longleyp.279
was also Town Clerk six years, was a Deacon of the
church from 1722, to the time of his death, 1750,
and was Townn Treasurer and Parish treasurer for
many years. He had nine sons and three daughters
five of them by his first wife, Sarah, one of the
eight daughters of Captain Jonas Prescott and seven
by his first last wife. His son, Joseph Longley was
a soldier in the French war and died of a wound at
Greenbush, New York, in 1758. This Joseph Longley
was the father of Colonel Edmund Longley, late of
Hawley, and the grandfather of General Thomas Longley
of Haweley. Not less than fifteen of this name, in
Groton, and its vicinity, were soldiers of the Revolu-
tionary War.p.488 SHIRLEY.Subject: Marriages, Birth & Deaths recorded at Shirley, MA.
Source: History of Groton, Massachusetts by Caleb Butler 1848.[Includes brief History of Shirley, MA]p.493John Longley who died March 17, 1792 & wife, Elizabeth
Children:
Mary Longley b. July 5, 1752
John Longley Jr., b. Nov 4, 1753
Susanna Longley b. Nov 5, 1755
John Longley 2d b. May 26, 1758
Joseph Longley b. Dec 27, 1760
Calvin Longley b. Aug 21, 1763; died Aug 21, 1763.
Lucy Longley b. April 2, 1766.William Longley who died May 15, 1788 & his wife, Mary who died Aug 7, 1758
Children:
James Longley b. Nov 4, 1753
Abigail Longley b. Dec 1, 1755.Jonas Longley & wife Esther who died June 5, 1767 aged 36 years.
Children:
Jonas Longley Jr b. Jan 13, 1753
Esther Longley b. May 7, 1756
Sarah Longley b. June 23, 1760
Abel Longley b. June 23, 1760
Asa Longley b. July 10, 1762
Phinehas Longley b. Aug 27, 1764
Meriam Longley b. April 24, 1767.Joseph Longley & wife Mary
Had four children in Groton, q.v.
Children born at Groton (p.417)
Joseph Longley, Jr. b. Aug 6, 1744
Edmund Longley b. Oct 31 1746; died Nov 29, 1842
Phebe Longley b. Nov 26, 1748
John Longley b. Feb 17, 1750
Their children born at Shirley (p.493)
Eunice Longley b. May 27, 1753
Olive Longley b. July 26, 1755; died Jan 8, 1757
Olive Longley 2d b. Oct 28, 1757Nehemiah Longley & wife, Meriam
Children:
Obadiah Longley b. Feb 3, 1773
Meriam Longley b. Aug 9, 1774Joseph Longley & wife, Elizabeth
Children:
Elizabeth Longley b. Feb 12, 1766 and died same day.
John Longley b. June 2, 1768
Joseph Longley b. May 9, 1770
Zimri Longley b. Jan 8, 1772
Mary Longley b. Mar 2, 1773Edmund Longley & wife, Alice Lawrence
Married 1773
Children:
Thomas Longley b. Sept 4, 1774
Olive Longley b. Oct 18, 1776; died July 22, 1778.
Edmund Longley, Jr. b. April 11, 1779
Olive Longley 2d b. June 28, 1781Joshua Longley & wife, Bridget
Children:
Lovina Longley b. May 9, 1771; died Aug 11, 1771.
Ame Longley b. Sept 17, 1773; died Aug 9, 1777
Anna Longley b. Aug 20, 1776
Stephen Longley b. Feb 25, 1779
Lovina Longley b. Aug 15, 1781
Lucinda Longley b. Mar 30, 1785
Rufus Longley b. Sept 2, 1788
Lydia Longley b. May 20, 1792; died Jan 5, 1795.
Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LONGLEY GENEALOGY.A RECORD OF
THE
LONGLEY FAMILIES OF SHIRLEY,
MASSACHUSETTS
AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS
FROM
CHANDLER'S HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
FITCHBURG:
PRESS OF BLANCHARD & BROWN,
1884.p.4 continued.William Longley, Jr. who was probably born at Lynn, Massachusetts,
and married at Groton, had five children, or, as one tradition has
it, eight children. He held a reputable position among his fellow-
townsmen and was appointed Town Clerk in 1666, and was continued in
that office until his death in 1694. At this period he and his family
became the victims of Indian depredation and all were slain but three
of the children who were carried into captivity. The house was rifled
and burned, and near where it stood the mutilated remains of his murder-
ed family were buried and a small stone, even with the surface of the
ground, was the only monument to mark the place of their internment
for almost two centuries. Recently, however, a more imposing structure
has been erected to hallow the spot of such sad historical interest.Caleb Butler gathered the traditions of this tragedy into the following
account, which is taken from the History of Groton pp. 93 - 94.INSERT - HISTORY OF GROTON by Caleb Butler.
p.93No historian of those times gives so particular account of the calamities
and sufferings of Groton, in King William's war as Hubbard did in Philip's.
Cotton Mather, who wrote near the close of it, has the following:"On July 27, (1694) about break of day, Groton felt some surprising blows
from Indian hatchets. They began their attacks at the house of one Lieut.
Lakin, in the outskirts of the town, but met with a repulse there, and lost
one of their crew. Nevertheless, in other parts of that plantation, (where
the good people had become so tired out as to lay down their military watch)
there were more than twenty persons killed and more than a dozen carried
away. Mr. Gershom Hobart, the minister of the place, with part of his family,
was remarkably preserved from falling into their hands, when they
made themselves the masters of his house, though they took two of his children,
whereof the one was killed and the other some time after happily
rescued out of his captivity."Amond the killed were William Longley, his wife, four or five of their
children and two children of Alexander Rouse, a near neighbor. Among the
captives was John Longley, a small boy, a son of William Longley.Mr. Longley was a large proprietor of lands, a respectable townsman and Town
Clerk at the time of his death. Records of Town Meetings, held June 6 and
23, and July 19th of that year, are in his hand writing in the Indian Roll.
His house stood upon a small knoll a few rods south of the house of where
John Lawrence lived and died. A small stone, even with the surface of the
ground, under a stinted apple tree, near the site of the dwelling house,
is the only monument to mark the spot, where the bodies of this family were
buried. How far length of time has corrupted, marred or exaggerated the
tradition respecting the slaughter of this family, can never be known. As
told by the oldest people now (1848) living, the story is as follows.The Indians having lurked about the premises undis-p.94covered, the day previous to the slaughter, watching a favorable opportunity
to effect their purpose, early in the morning of the fatal day, turned the
cattle out of the barnyard into a cornfield and lay in ambush. This trick
had the desired effect to draw out some of the family, probably Mr. Longley
and his sons, unarmed, to drive the cattle from the corn. The Indians then
rose upon them, and either killed or took captive the whole family. It is
said, however, that a daughter, Jemima by name, whom they had tomahawked
and scalped, was found alive, sitting upon a rock and that she survived
many years, was married and had children. John Longley the lad before
mentioned, was carried to Canada where he remained with his savage captivators
for five years. His relatives at length ransomed him but he had
become so accustomed to savage life, that he left it with reluctance, and
those who brought him away, were obliged to use force to accomplish their
mission. It is further said of this lad, that after the Indians had proceeded
some way from the place, and had made a halt, he told them that his father's sheep
were shut up in the barn, and would there starve, but if
they would permit him to go back, he would turn them out and return,
and they consenting he fulfilled his promise. He was afterwards a respectable
inhabitant of Groton, holding many offices of honor and trust, in town and
church, and represented the town in the General Court.Gershom, son of the Reverand Mr. Gershom Hobart, whom Mather mentions as
having been rescued from captivity, is said to have been carried to the
eastward. The first information his friends received of him, was in May
following his captivity, "at a fort a day's journey above Norridgwog, and
his master's name was Nassacumbewit," the chief captain of the place. Both
his master and mistress were kind to him and afterwards granted his ransom.
Transcribed by Janice FarnsworthFARNSWORTH MEMORIAL
EXCERPT.1.4.3.4.2. Reverend James Manning and his wife, Frances Farnsworth, had issue at
Granville, Nova Scotia:
1. Benjamin W. Manning b. 1804; m. Waity Newcomb, a dau. of Deacon
William Newcomb and had ten children.
2. James Edward Manning b. 1808; m. Catherine Boyd of Falmouth, N.S.
and had seven children. He died ca 1840.
p.239 BENJAMIN FARNSWORTH & MARY PRESCOTT.
3. Lucy Ann Manning who m. William Henry Troop and had 2 children.
4. Fanny Manning who m. ISRAEL LONGLEY and had four children by him.
He died 1871 and she m. (2) Levi Woodworth.
ATTORNEY GENERAL JAMES WILBERFORCE LONGLEY.ISRAEL LONGLEY AND HIS WIFE, FANNY MANNING HAD ISSUE:
1. James Wilberforce Longley b. 1849; m. Annie Brown and had
four children. He was Attorney-General of Nova Scotia.
Insert: Source: Wikipedia.
James Wilberforce Longley (4 January 1849 – 16 March 1922) was a Canadian journalist, lawyer, politician, and Judge. Born at Paradise, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, the son of Israel Longley, and Frances Manning. Longley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1871 and a Master of Arts degree in 1877 from Acadia College. In 1871, he moved to Halifax and studied law with Hiram Blanchard. He was called to the Bar in 1875 and practiced law in Halifax from 1875 to 1882. He was also a journalist working for the Acadian Recorder. In 1887, he was appointed managing editor of the Halifax Morning Chronicle.
In 1882, he was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for the electoral district of Annapolis County. From 1884 to 1886, he was a minister without portfolio in the cabinet of William Stevens Fielding. From 1886 to 1905, he was the attorney general. He ran unsuccessfully as the Liberal candidate for the Canadian House of Commons for the electoral district of Annapolis in the 1896 election.
In 1898, he was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 1905, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.
AVARD LONGLEY, HIS UNCLE.
His uncle Avard Longley was a Member of the House of Assembly and Member of Parliament.
References:
Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wilberforce_Longley"
Transcribed by Janice FarnsworthTHE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM LONGLEY
OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS
IN 1635.
Compiled from Family Records and Revised by Alice Longley.
Printed Privately, 1916.
Reprinted by Higginson Books, Salem, Mass.p.3 The given name of the original Longley immigrant who settled
in Lynn, Massachusetts as early as 1635, has been a puzzle to
the antiquarians: by some authorities it is given as Richard*
and by some as William.* (see footnote)It appears prectically certain, however, that it was William,
as shown by the Court Records and by a contemporaneous entry
made by a Boston attorney, Thomas Lechford, who writes under
date of August, 1640, that "Will" Longley of Lynne in New Eng-
land, sonne & heir of John Longley, late of Frisby in the County
of Lincolne (England) Clerke deceased" made "a letter of Attorney,"
disposing of property in England. Moreover, William Longley was
able to prove in 1661, that there was no Richard, but that he was
the person to whom, in the partition of lands in 1638, land was
granted under the name of Richard.This name "Richard" therefore was a clerical error when entering
the Grant on the Town Recoreds.p.4 WILLIAM1 LONGLEY OF LYNN.William1 Longley was born about 1610, married Joanna *____ (called
Joanna Goffe by Bent, but the evidence is inconclusive.). He was
one of the grantees of Lynn, Massachusetts, 1638; was made a free-
man there March 14, 1638/9, and bought a house and land there about
1638. He was living in Lynn in 1655, but soon after (about 1663)
he removed to Groton, Mass., and was one of the first settlers of
that town. He was Town Clerk there, Clerk of the military company,
a Selectman, and died there November 29, 1680 AEt. about 70, leav-
ing two sons, Jonathan2 Longley and William2 Longley, and four
daughters.His son, William2 Longley, whose descendants only are taken up in
the following pages, was born at Lynn, Mass., after 1640, married
Deliverance Crisp, the daughter of Benjamin Crisp of Watertown,
Mass. and Groton, Mass. The latter married as his 2nd wife, Joanna,
the widow of William1 Longley. William2 Longley removed to Groton
with his father.The inhuman massacre of William2 Longley and his family by the
Indians in 1684, will long be remembered. He was then serving as
Town Clerk of Groton, having held that office most of the time
since he was first elected in 1666. "In the autumn of 1694, at a
very early hour in the day, the Indians fell upon the family of
William2 Longley, residing in the northern part of the town, and
killed him, his wife and five (some say eight) children and two
neighbors.Then these savages carried the remaining three Longley children,
Betty3 Longley, Lydia3 Longley and John3 Longley into captivity.
Betty3, rather than suffer as she found she must, starved herself
to death. Lydia3 Longley spent the rest of her days in a convent
at Montreal, P.Q. John3 Longley, called by his captors, John
Augery, was about 14 years of age when taken prisoner, and had
been with the Indians two years or more when he was forced to leave
them, having become attached to them and unwilling to return.By the terms of the Treaty, all captives twenty-one years of age
or more were allowed to stay or return as they might choose, while
those under twenty-one were to be returned anyway.p.5 WILLIAM1 LONGLEY OF LYNN.The house where the massacre was perpetrated was made of hewn
logs and was standing in the beginning of the 19th century about
two miles north of Groton Center. The family were buried a few
rods northwest of the house. A small apple tree marks the spot."The above information was obtained by Mr. Farnsworth who says,
"I visited this interesting spot the 22nd of May, 1834, and got
my information from Mrs. Lawrence, a resident there. I also got
an old spoon found near the old house, which I now have and value
highly as the only relic of my great-great-grandfather's furniture.John3 Longley was born at Groton, Mass. in 1683. After his return
from captivity, he married Sarah Prescott, a daughter of Jonas
Prescott, Esq.Insert. Prescott Memorial. p.48Sarah Prescott b. May 3, 1686, dau. of Jonas Prescott & wife, Mary
Loker, m. 1705, John Longley, b. 1683. She died March 8, 1716,
leaving four children, and he m. (2) Deborah Houghton about 1718,
who had seven children. They resided at Groton where he died March
25(?) 1750 aged 67 years.p.5 cont'dJohn3 Longley was Town Clerk of Groton in 1728, then a Deacon of
Groton's Church, and he died suddenly, sitting in a chair, which
is in the possession of Deacon Brown, whose first & second wives
were grandaughters of John3 Longley. The following inscription
marks the place of his interment:Tombstone Inscription.
John Longley.
Source: The Old Burying Ground, Groton.p.18 Tombstone
(Death's Head)
Here Lies Buried
Ye Body of Deacon
JOHN LONGLEY
Who departed this
Life
May ye 25th, A.D. 1750
In ye 68th Year of His
Age.
The son of William & Deliverance
(Crisp) Longley.
When Groton was assaulted by the Indians
July 27, 1694, he was taken captive and
held prisoner during more than four years.
_____His wife, Sarah (Prescott) Longley, died March 8, 1718, having had six
children:
1. William4 Longley.
2. Sarah Longley.
3. John Longley.
4. Jonas Longley
5. a child who died in infancy.
6. Lydia Longley.Deacon John Longley afterward m. Deborah Houghton and had six children
by Deborah:7. Zechariah Longley who died in infancy.
8. Joseph Longley
9. Jonathan Longley.
10. Zechariah Longley.
11. Nathaniel Longley.
12. Robert Longley.
Several lived to be a great age. The 2nd wife died Nov. 7,
1783 aged 72 years. (Deborah Houghton)Sarah4 Longley married Lieutenant John Woods of Groton, Mass. She died March
28, 1772 aged 67 years. Her husband died May 7, 1782 aged 85 years.William4 Longley m. Mary Parker and lived at Shirley, Mass.p.6 THE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM LONGLEY OF LYNN, MASS.William Longley was born at Groton, Mass., Feb 7, 1708 and died at Shirley, Mass.,
May 15, 1788. Their children were:1. William5 Longley b. May 23, 1738; d. June 19, 1818.
2. Sarah5 Longley b. Feb. 18, 1740; died 1780.
3. Anna Longley b. Mar 10, 1742; died April 9, 1826.
4. Lydia Longley b. Dec 31, 1743; died 1828 at Turner, N.Y.
5. Israel Longley b. Oct 12, 1745; died suddenly Sept 16, 1824.
6. Nehemiah Longley b. Sept 4, 1747; died Oct 15, 1822 at Sidney.
7. Mary Longley b. November, 1749; died March 22, 1822.
8. Joshua Longley b. July 23, 1751; died Nov 7, 1814.John4 Longley married Betsy Patterson. He was a man of the highest respecta-
bility, a Deacon of the Church, the 1st Selectman, a Captain and the first
Representative. He died April, 1792 aged 83 years. Their children were:1. Joseph Longley.
2. Calvin Longley
3. Lucinda Longley.Jonas4 Longley m. Esther Patterson of Shirley and they lived there. His wife
died June 5, 1767, aged 67 years. Their children were:1. Jonas Longley b. Jan. 13, 1753; killed at Groton April 20,
1779, aged 27 years.
2. Esther Longley b. May 7, 1756; died 1838.
3. Sarah Longley b. July 12, 1758.Lydia4 Longley married Amos Farnsworth. She died July 30, 1810 aged 94 years.
Amos Farnsworth was drowned December 5, 1775 aged 71 years and his youngest son
was drowned at the same time, aged 18 years.Insert.
Source: The Farnswoth Memorial.by Moses Franklin Farnsworth with
additions by R. Glen Nye.
p.203
Benjamin Farnsworth, the third son and the fourth child of Matthias Farnsworth and his
wife, Mary Farr, (first of Lynn, Mass. and then of Groton, Mass.). Benjamin Farnsworth
was born about 1653. His wife, Mary Prescott was born Feb 3, 1674.Benjamin Farnsworth married 1695, Mary Prescott b. Feb 3, 1674 at Lancaster, Massachusetts,
the dau. of Jonas Prescott and his wife, Mary (Loker) Prescott. She
died October 28, 1735.Benjamin Farnsworth built a house and lived on the easterly side of the road running
on the westerly side of the broad meadow, a little south of the residence of the late
Abel Farnsworth. He owned a large stretch of land west of the meadow, and southerly of
the road from Farmer's Row, Groton, across the meadow to the first parish meeting-house.His house was standing until about 1830, but in the later years it was unoccupied. C. B.
Farnsworth in his book Farnsworth Monograph, speaking this house says "When I was a boy,
I went through the house many times, with a wondering fear of the memories that haunted
it." At that time, most, perhaps all, of his farm was held by his great-grandsons,
Ezra Farnsworth and Abel Farnsworth. On the westerly side of the road on which Benjamin
Farnsworth's house stood, and a little further south, was the residence of John Longley,
his brother-in-law, the husband of his wife's sister, Sarah Prescott.Benjamin Farnsworth held several town offices; was a Selectman, but he appears to have
been less a leader and adviser of men than his brother John Farnsworth. Benjamin Farns-
worth and his wife, Mary Prescott were members of the church, and their children were all
baptized. For some time in the latter part of his life his health was impaired and his
wife was appointed guardian for the necessary care of his estate. Their children were
as follows, all born at Groton, Mass.1. Mary Farnsworth b. Jan 5, 1696; m. Nov 11, 1716, Lieutenant William Tarbell of Groton,
b. June 10, 1689 at Groton, the son of Thomas & Elizabeth (Blood) Tarbell, the Town Clerk
of Groton. She died July 29, 1784.2. Martha Farnsworth b. January 9, 1698; died Feb. 11, 1698.3. Benjamin Farnsworth b. Jan 9, 1699/1700; m. (1) Patience ______; who died July 10,
1733/4 aged 30 years and he m. (2) May 19, 1736, Rebecca Pratt dau. of Richard Pratt
& Joanna Ong of Malden, Mass.p.204 BENJAMIN FARNSWORTH & MARY PRESCOTTRebecca was b. at Malden ca 1715. She died Oct 1, 1756. (both wives' graves listed
in Epitaphs, Old Burying Ground, Groton, Mass.) He died of small pox, Sept 18, 1757.4. Isaac Farnsworth b. July 4, 1701; m. April, 1723, Sarah Page, dau. of Samuel Page
of Watertown, Mass. and of South Carolina. (p.383, Bond's Watertown) Isaac Farnsworth
lived in Lunenburg, Mass., where he held various ofrfices of trust. He was Town Clerk
for ten years. He died Dec 17, 1744.5. Ezra Farnsworth b. Jan 17, 1703; m. April 25, 1726, Elizabeth Lakin, b. Aug 23, 1705,
a dau. of Joseph Lakin. She died 1732 and he m. (2) Sept 29, 1733, at Concord, Mass.,
Abigail Pierce b. Nov 10, 1710, a dau. of Ephraim & Mary (Whitney) Pierce. Ezra Farnsworth
was a blacksmith by trade and was a Lieutenant in the militia of Groton.
He built a house on his father's farm, at the place where his grandson, Ezra Farnsworth
lived afterwards. It was on the southerly side of the road that runs from "Farmers' Row"
across broad meadow to the First Parish Meeting House. He died June, 1788 and his widow
died January 8, 1800.6. Amos Farnsworth b. Nov 27, 1704; m. Mar 20, 1735, Lydia Longley, born June 26, 1716,
a dau. of John Longley and his wife, Sarah (Prescott) Longley and a cousin of Amos. He
is said to have been a tall man, six feet, four inches and of a very striking appearance.
He built the house and lived on the place that was subsequently occupied by his son,
(of Revolutionary War fame), Major Amos Farnsworth, on the road leading from Groton Centre
to Page's Bridge, about two miles from the old Groton Meeting House. He was a
man of much energy and well educated for a farmer of that time. Having a large family
to support, when the British government, after the conquest of Canada, opened the terri-
tory for settlement and offered such terms to settlers of English stock that there seemed
to be so much to be gained by accepting them, he went to Nova Scotia. He left his family
at Groton but took with him one or more of his sons.There he engaged in surveying and secured a grant of land at Granville near Annapolis,
Nova Scotia. He erected buildings and was getting ready to remove there with his family,
having placed his agents there while he returned to Groton for his family, But while he
was absent, the agents made such representations to the officials of the government at
Nova Scotia that the titles to the lands were transferred to them, the agents. On arriving
there with his family he found they were crowded out of his house. He made a
petition to that government, and then at Halifax, (a copy of which in his own handwriting
is still in existence) and had the matter been pursued, he would have had it returned to
him. But what with his family, and Halifax and the great distance, it was impossible for
him to wait there for justice and so he returned to Groton in 1774.p.205 FAMILY OF BENJAMIN FARNSWORTH & MARY PRESCOTT.The Revolutionary War soon followed, in chich he took great interest but on Dec. 5,
1775, he and his youngest son, Benjamin Farnsworth, were both drowned by the upsetting
of their boat in the Nashua River. His wife died in 1810.7. Lydia Farnsworth b. Sept 26, 1706; m. Dec 29, 1725, Samuel Tarbell b. Oct 14, 1697,
a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Blood) Tarbell of Groton, Mass. He died May 23, 1776;
and she died November 11, 1778.8. Aaron Farnsworth b. Aug 29, 1709 m. (1) Mar 24, 1728, Hannah Barron who d. about
1743. He m. (2) 1744, Sarah Barrett who died about 1747. He m. (3) 1749, the widow,
Elizabeth Parker. She died Dec 12, 1766, aged 47 years. Gravestones were erected (at
the Old Burying Ground, Groton) by "Josiah Parker's children. Josiah Parker was her
former husband. He m. (4) June 16, 1767 Sarah Bennett, b. 1723. He died July, 1769 and
his widow m. _____ Bolton. She died June 24, 1822 aged 99 years & ten months.9. Martha Farnsworth b. May 27, 1711; m. Oct 11, 1728, Capt. John Stevens (married by
Rev. C. Trowbridge). They prob. lived at Townsend, Mass. but are buried at Groton.
He m. (2) Susanna Tarbell of Groton.10. Jonas Farnsworth b. Oct 14, 1713; m. 1739, Thankful Ward of Worcester, Mass., she b.
Feb 15, 1712; she died May 1, 1799; he died December, 1803. He was a joiner adn lived on
the "Great Road" to Boston, a little south of the "old Prescott place" He was interested
in the immigration of his brother Amos Farnsworth and some others of the family, into
Nova Scotia. Whether he went there himself or not, is not certain but it is unlikely that
he did so.11. Deborah Farnsworth b. 1715/16; m. March 19, 1735, Samuel Bowers, Jr. b. Dec 21, 1711,
and died Dec 16, 1768. Samuel Bowers kept a tavern at Groton that was known as the
"Champney House" Dr. Samuel A. Green thus speaks of Mr. Bowers in his "Groton Historical
Series, No. 8," p. 4.
END, INSERT.THE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM LONGLEY OF LYNN, MASS.
Continued.p.6 Joseph Longley born 1722; m. ____ Walker and had four children. He was
mortally wounded at the defeat of Fort William in 1758. He had 2 sons:1. Joseph Longley b. Aug 17, 1744; died August, 1838. He was a
great-great-grandson of William Longley who was killed by the
Indians, and the grandson of John Longley, the captive. He was
in the French war for one year and for five years in the American
Revolution. He was in the siege of Ticonderoga, at the capture of
Burgoyne, and afterwards taken prisoner, then exchanged, regained
his regiment, and was in the battle of Long Island and in that
signal retreat under General Sullivan.Edward Longley (or Edwin) was born about 1746 and was living in 1840.Jonathan4 Longley b. 1725; m. Anna Bancroft and had several children. He died
at the age of 40 years.p.7 Zachariah Longley b. 1728; m. Jemima Moore and lived at Groton, Mass. Until after the
Revolution. He was a Deacon of the Church and a commissary in the army. After the war
he removed to Norridgewock, Maine where he died June 6, 1815 aged 86 years. His wife
died January 18, 1814 aged 83 years. Their children were:1. Jemima Longley b. Feb 10, 1754; m. Jonathan Stone.
2. Zechariah Longley b. Nov 7, 1755 m. Betsy Sawyer.
3. Susanna Longley b. Jan 8, 1758 m. Lemuel Patterson.
4. Lucy Longley b. May 29, 1760 m. Thomas Heald.
5. Asa Longley b. July 19, 1702; m. Betsy Parker.
6. Deborah Longley b. June 5, 1764 m. Perley Rogers.
7. Lydia Longley b. June 4, 1766; m. Ebenezer Crosby.
8. John Longley b. April 13, 1768; m. (1) Elizabeth Heald & (2) Judith Seaves.
9. Sarah Longley b. Oct 20, 1770; m. William Withee.
10. Joseph Longley b. Jan 6, 1773; m. Lydia Tarbell.Nathaniel Longley b. September, 1731; m. Beulah Fairbanks. He died Nov 20, 1816,
aged 85 years. His wife died November, 1821.p.8 DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM LONGLEY OF LYNN, MASS.Robert Longley was the youngest son of Deacon John Longley and was born at Groton, Mass.,
in 1732. He married Mary Whitcomb. He was a Colonel of militia and he was a true Christian.
He died Aug 10, 1802 and his wife died December, 1815 aged 78 years. Their children were:1. Rebecca Longley b. 1765; died July 11, 1787 aged 22 yrs.
2. Tilly Longley b. 1772; died Aug 17, 1790 aged 18 years.Nehemiah Longley the 6th child of William Longley, m. Mirriam Sawtelle. Their children:1. Obadiah Longley b. Feb 3, 1773 at Shirley, Mass.
2. Miriam Longley b. Aug 9, 1774 at Shirley, Mass.
3. Nehemiah Longley b. Feb 18, 1777 at Vassalboro, Sidney, Maine.
4. Thankful Longley b. Jan 12, 1779 at Sidney, Maine.
5. Mary Longley b. Dec 25, 1781 at Sidney, Maine.
6. Ruth Longley b. Nov 14, 1783.
7. Susannah Longley b. Mar 3, 1785.
8. Edmund Longley b. Aug 16, 1792.Obadiah Longley who married Elizabeth Woodcock. Their children were:1. George Longley.
2. Obadiah Longley.
3. James Longley.
4. Margaret Longley.
5. Eliza Longley.
6. Mary Longley.Miriam Longley who married Robert Ellis. Their children were:1. William Ellis.
2. Cary Ellis.
3. Timothy Ellis.
4. Edith Ellis.
5. Mary Ellis.
6. Miriam Ellis.
7. Nehemiah Ellis.
8. Sarah Ellis.Nehemiah Longley who married Polly Smith. Their children were:1. Edward Longley b. July 10, 1812.
2. Richard Longley b. Aug 23, 1814.p.9 WILLIAM LONGLEY OF LYNN, MASSAHCUSETTS.3. Solono D. Longley b. Jan 9, 1820.
4. Samuel Longley b. June 21, 1821.
5. Melitta Longley.Thankful Longley who married Jotham Allen. Their children were:1. William Allen.
2. Ruth Allen.
3. Isadore Allen.Mary Longley who married Benjamin Sawtelle. Their children were:1. Jonas Sawtelle.
2. Elnathan Sawtell.
3. Jotham Sawtell.
4. Solomon Sawtell.
5. Solomon Sawtell.
6. Isaac Sawtell.
7. Mary Sawtell.
8. Ann Sawtell.
9. Susannah Sawtell.
10. Eunice Sawtell.
11. Nancy Sawtell.
12. Amelia Sawtell.Ruth Longley who married Benjamin Clifford. Their children were:1. Elizabeth Clifford.
2. Ruth Clifford.
3. Rhoda Clifford.
4. Howard Clifford.
5. Augusta Clifford.
6. Harriet Clifford.Sarah Longley who married Andrew Tinkham. No children.Edmund Longley who married Abigail Sawtell. Children:1. Selden Longley.
2. Edmund Longley.
3. Charles Longley.
4. Theodore Longley.Richard S. Longley, the 2nd child of Nehemiah6 Longley, lived at Rome, Sidney, New
Sharon and Mercer, Maine. He married July 10, 1839, Mary A. Hersom of Rome, Maine.
Their children:1. Abigail H. Longley b. at Rome, Maine, Sept 27, 1840.
2. Mary E. Longley b. at Rome, Maine, July 9, 1842.
3. Josephine A. Longley b. at Sidney, June 22, 1844; died 1846.
4. Julia V. Longley b. at Rome, Maine, Sept 8, 1846.
5. Angeline J. Longley b. at Rome, Maine, Dec 11, 1848.
6. Susan E. Longley b. at New Sharon, March 20, 1852.
7. Olive R. Longley b. at New Sharon, July 9, 1854.
8. Charles W. Longley b. at New Sharon, Mar 29, 1857.
9. Benjamin N. Longley b. at New Sharon, Sept 23, 1859.Abigail H. Longley who m. Frank A. Clark, March 27, 1864. Their children were:1. Myrtie F. Clark.
2. George H. Clark.
3. Arthur A. Clark.
4. Mary O. Clark.p.10 DESCENDANTS OF WILLIMA1 LONGLEY.Mary E. Longley who married George B. Follett, March 20, 1864. Their children were:1. Fred E. Follett.
2. Elmer G. Follett.
3. Gussie E. Follett.
4. Wallace B. Follett.
5. Ernest H. Follett.Angeline A. Longley who m. Josiah P. Wentworth, Sept 1, 1881. Their children were:1. Rettie Wentworth.
2. Nellie N. Wentworth.Susan E. Longley who m. Warren G. Rand, September 12, 1876. Their children were:1. Gertrude E. Rand.
2. Roxie M. Rand.Charles W. Longley who m. Ida M. Wallace, November 14, 1882. Their children were:1. Vesta A. Longley.
2. Alice M. Longley.
3. Blanche W. Longley.END. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
JOHN LONGLEY.
Source: Historica Homes & Institutions & Genealogical Biographies of Worcester County, Mass.p.536John1 Longley, father of the immigrant ancestor of the Longley family of Shirley, Mass. and of Charles I.
Longley, of Boylston, Mass., was a resident of Frisby, Lincoln County, England. He was a clerk. Shortly
after his son and heir, William Longley went to America, John Longley died, August 8, 1638. William
Longley, his son, made a letter of attorney (power of attorney) to Thomas Meeke, of Wynflete, St. Mary,
Lincoln County, England, to sell and rent lands, goods and legacies descended to him from his father.Owing to an error in the records at Lynn, Mass., in the name of William Longley, when his land was granted
to him, Savage (in his Dictionary) and others were led to believe that Richard Longley was the father of
William Longley. It is doubtful if any Richard Longley ever lived at Lynn, Mass., in the early days. If so,
William Longley knew him not. William Longley seems to be the only son who emigrated to American.(II) William Longley, son of John Longley (1) was born at Frisbie, Lincoln County, England, in 1614. He came
to Lynn, Mass., as early as 1638 and was admitted freeman March 4, 1639. He resided in Lynn for 22 years
and was a prominent citizen and office holder there. He removed to Groton, Mass., about 1659. His name
appers first on the Groton records in 1663 and in 1665 he was elected Selectman.William Longley had to go to the Courts to correct the title to his lands at Lynn, Mass., which he drew
in 1638, and on which he had lived over twenty years. It seems that through a clerical error, William
Longley's name was entered as Richard Longley on the proprietor's book and the court records give ample
proof that no Richard Longley existed - so the title was 'cured' and doubtless William Longley was able
to deed his land to the purchaser when he went to Groton, Mass., to live. He had to leave Groton, of
course, in 1675 on account of King Philip's war, and he went to Charlestown, Mass., to live during the
hostilities. He served at one time as Clerk of Writs, indicating that he was well educated. He died Nov. 29,
1680. His Will, made November 3, 1680, was recorded April 10, 1681; bequeathing to his wife, Joanna,
his sons John & William Longley, daughters, Mary Lemmond, Hannah Tarbell, Lydia Nutting and Sarah
Rand, and their children, specified.He married in England, Joanna Goffe, sister of Thomas Goffe, who was Deputy Governor of the Mass.
Bay Company that received a grant from the Crown, March 19, 1628. Goffe was a member of both
Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay companies; was a merchant of London; lost money on the busi-
ness of chartering ships for the colonists of Governor John Winthrop and others. His widow married
(2) Benjamin Crispe and she died in 1698. The children of William & Joanna (Goffe) Longley were:1. John Longley.
2. Mary Longley who married, 1666, Samuel M. Lemont.
3. Sarah Longley b. Oct 15, 1660, m. June 17, 1679, Thomas Rand, father of Robert Rand, to whom a
grant of a thousand acres of land was given by the General Court of Mass., in what is now New Hamp-
shire, on account of the losses suffered by Governor Goffe, his great-uncle.
4. Lydia Longley who married James Nutting.
5. William Longley, Jr., is mentioned below.
6. Hannah Longley who m. Thomas Tarbell, Jr.
7. Ann Longley.
8. Elizabeth Longley who married James Blood.(III) William Longley, Jr., son of William Longley (2), was born about 1640 at Lynn, Mass., and removed
with his father to Groton, Mass. in 1661 or earlier. He was well educated and stood well among his towns-
ment. He was Town Clerk from 1666 to the time of his death in 1694, when he and his family were victims
of an Indian raid. All were slain, except three of the children, who were carried into captivity. Their house was
rifled and burned. Near where it stood the mutilated bodies were buried by the neighbors and the spot was
marked by a small stone. A few years ago, a more suitable monument was erected to mark the site of the
massacre and locate the graves of the victims. It is said in Caleb Butler's History of Groton, that the dau.,
Jemima Longley, who had been tomahawked and scalped with the others, was found alive, sitting on a
rock, and that she recovered, married and raised a family. Those who were captured were: Betty, Lydia
and John Longley. Betty died of starvation. Lydia was sold to the French in Canada, became a catholic,
entered a convent and became very zealous and bigotted. She wrote letters to her brother, John Longley,
expressing her sorrow that he should remain under the influence of a heretical faith through which none
could attain salvation. John Longley, who was about 12 years old when he was captured, told the Indians
that his father's sheep were shut up in a barn and would starve unless they would permit him to go back
and let them out. He promised to return if they would let him go back; they consented and he kept his
word and apparently wond their admiration and confidence at the same time. He made the best of his
predicament and often said in after years that he liked th wild life he had led among them and hoped he
should never have to return to civilization. And when the government finally ransomed him after five years,
he had to be taken with force. But soon after his return to Groton, he entered upon his duties as a citizen
with interest and with zeal. He was well educated and a man of uncommon ability.William Longley, Jr., married Lydia _____. He m. (2) May 15, 1672, Deliverance Pease. His children:.Betty Longley who died in captivity.
.Jemima Longley, who was scalped by the Indians but live.
.Lydia Longley who remained in captivity and became a num.
.William Longley, born Feb. 17, 1675.
.John Longley, mentioned above and also below.
.Joseph Longley b. Jan. 6, 1687.(IV) John Longley, son of William Longley, Jr., was born in 1683 at Groton, Mass. He was captured by
the Indians, July 27, 1694, and lived with them until ransomed in 1699. After he was brought back by force
and educated, he became a leading citizen. He was Town Clerk of Groton for six years; a Deacon of the
church of Groton from 1722 to the time of his death, 1750; Town Treasurer and Parish Treasurer and Deputy
to the General Court, for three terms. He was called a good man and an exemplary Christian. He died May
25, 1750 aged 67 years. He m. (1) Sarah Prescott of Groton, who died March 8, 1718.He m. (2) Deborah Houghton who died November 7, 1763. His first wife, Sarah Prescott was a sister of
the Honorable Benjamin Prescott, the father of Colonel William Prescott, of Bunker Hill fame, of Col.
James Prescott and of Oliver Prescott of Groton. The children of John Longley and wife Sarah Prescott
were:
1. Sarah Longley b. March 28, 1706.
2. William Longley b. Feb. 13, 1708
3. John Longley b. Jan 6, 1710.
4. Jonas Longley b. Jan 22, 1712.
5. Lydia Longley b. June 26, 1716; m. Amos Farnsworth.Among the children of John & Deborah Longley were:
Zachary Longley b. Aug. 30, 1721.
Joseph Longley b. Sept 12, 1724; died of wounds in the Revolutionary army at Greenbush, New York., 1758.
Jonathan Longley b. Nov 18, 1726
Zachariah Longley b. June 7, 1729.
Nathaniel Longley b. Sept 6, 1731
Robert Longley b. March 11, 1733/4(V) William Longley, son of John4 Longley was born at Groton, Mass. February 7, 1708. He settled
in what is now the South Village of Groton and his house was on the north side of Catacunemaug on
the side of the hill about halfway between the river and the present location of the Fitchburg railroad. He
and Samuel Hazen built the first grist mill in Shirley, Mass., and later added a saw mill. The mills stood
on the north side of the river. His brothers, Jonas Longley & William Longley also settled in what is now
the town of Shirley, Mass., then, Groton, in 1751, thirty years after the first settlement there and two years
before it was incorporated as a district of Groton. The Shirley History contains an interesting account of the
removal of the three Longley families through the wilderness to their new homes in at Shirley. The trip took
three days, though only about ten miles, as the crow flies. William Longley died at Shirley May 15, 1788.
He married, January 4, 1734, Mary Parker of Groton. Their children were:
1. William Longley born at Groton, died young.
2. Mary Longley b. at Groton, Oct 13, 1736; died in 1749.
3. William Longley (again) born at Groton, May 21, 1738; was a miller; left numerous descendants in
Shirley.
4. Sarah Longley b. at Groton, Feb. 18, 1740; m. (1) James Willard. She m. (2) Mr. Hall of Swansea.
5. Anna Longley b. at Groton, Mar 10, 1741; m. Samuel Bartlett.
6. Lydia Longley b. at Groton, Dec. 31, 1743; m. Thomas Bennett of Lancaster, Mass.
7. Israel Longley b. at Groton, Oct. 12, 1745; a progenitor through his son, Israel Longley, of a large
family of that name in Nova Scotia.
8. Nehemiah Longley b. at Groton, Sept 4, 1747; m. Miriam Sawtell, of Shirley, Mass.
9. Mary Longley b. at Groton, Nov. 4, 1749, m. John Priest of Lancaster, Mass.
10. Joshua Longley b. at Groton, July 23, 1751; m. Bridget Melvin of Concord, Mass.
11. James Longley.
12. Abigail Longley b. at Shirley, Mass., Dec. 1, 1755, died October 1758.
End
Transcribed by Janice FarnsworthLongley Marriages, Births and Deaths - Shirley, Mass. by Caleb Butler.Subject: Marriages, Birth & Deaths recorded at Shirley, MA.
Source: History of Groton, Massachusetts by Caleb Butler 1848
p.493John Longley who died March 17, 1792 & wife, Elizabeth
Children:
Mary Longley b. July 5, 1752
John Longley Jr., b. Nov 4, 1753
Susanna Longley b. Nov 5, 1755
John Longley 2d b. May 26, 1758
Joseph Longley b. Dec 27, 1760
Calvin Longley b. Aug 21, 1763; died Aug 21, 1763.
Lucy Longley b. April 2, 1766.William Longley who died May 15, 1788 & his wife, Mary who died Aug 7, 1758
Children:
James Longley b. Nov 4, 1753
Abigail Longley b. Dec 1, 1755.Jonas Longley & wife Esther who died June 5, 1767 aged 36 years.
Children:
Jonas Longley Jr b. Jan 13, 1753
Esther Longley b. May 7, 1756
Sarah Longley b. June 23, 1760
Abel Longley b. June 23, 1760
Asa Longley b. July 10, 1762
Phinehas Longley b. Aug 27, 1764
Meriam Longley b. April 24, 1767.Joseph Longley & wife Mary
Had four children in Groton, q.v.
Children born at Groton (p.417)
Joseph Longley, Jr. b. Aug 6, 1744
Edmund Longley b. Oct 31 1746; died Nov 29, 1842
Phebe Longley b. Nov 26, 1748
John Longley b. Feb 17, 1750
Their children born at Shirley (p.493)
Eunice Longley b. May 27, 1753
Olive Longley b. July 26, 1755; died Jan 8, 1757
Olive Longley 2d b. Oct 28, 1757Nehemiah Longley & wife, Meriam
Children:
Obadiah Longley b. Feb 3, 1773
Meriam Longley b. Aug 9, 1774Joseph Longley & wife, Elizabeth
Children:
Elizabeth Longley b. Feb 12, 1766 and died same day.
John Longley b. June 2, 1768
Joseph Longley b. May 9, 1770
Zimri Longley b. Jan 8, 1772
Mary Longley b. Mar 2, 1773Edmund Longley & wife, Alice Lawrence
Married 1773
Children:
Thomas Longley b. Sept 4, 1774
Olive Longley b. Oct 18, 1776; died July 22, 1778.
Edmund Longley, Jr. b. April 11, 1779
Olive Longley 2d b. June 28, 1781Joshua Longley & wife, Bridget
Children:
Lovina Longley b. May 9, 1771; died Aug 11, 1771.
Ame Longley b. Sept 17, 1773; died Aug 9, 1777
Anna Longley b. Aug 20, 1776
Stephen Longley b. Feb 25, 1779
Lovina Longley b. Aug 15, 1781
Lucinda Longley b. Mar 30, 1785
Rufus Longley b. Sept 2, 1788
Lydia Longley b. May 20, 1792; died Jan 5, 1795.Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
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