Peter AYER

Other Events and Attributes:

• Freeman: May 1666

Notes:

Excerpt from "Early New England People": Peter, the sixth son, was made a freeman in 1666. He was a land owner in 1650, and received land in the fifth division of town lands. He lived in the northerly part of the town, in the West Parish. He was one of a committee of three to see about building the first school-house, and was also one of a committee for building a new meeting-house and settling the Rev. Benjamin Rolfe. He was one of three chosen to designate what houses should be garrisoned, and was on a committee for "examination of the rights that any have in common land." He was chosen a Selectman under the new charter, and was one of the first Assessors. In 1689, he was chosen to represent Haverhill at the convention called in Boston by the "Coundil of Safety," which was organized upon the imprisonment of Gov. Andros. In 1690, "Cornet Peter Ayer" was "particularly made choice of to present, perfer and prosecute" the petition made by Haverhill as a frontier town, to the Council or General Court for "40 men at least to be a constant daily scout," etc. He was chosen a Representative to the General Court, in 1683-5-9 and 90.

Peter married Hannah ALLEN on 01 Nov 1659 in Haverhill, Mass.. Hannah (daughter of William ALLEN and Ann GOODALE) was born on 17 Jun 1642 in Salisbury, Essex Co., Mass.; died on 22 Dec 1729 in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: Between 12 Mar and 06 Oct 1657
• Residence: 1647, Removed to Haverhill, Mass.

Notes:

Excerpt from "Early New England People": John settled in Salisbury, in 1640. He removed to Ipswich, and later to Haverhill, Mass., his name being on the list of those who held land in that place in 1645. In 1652, he received a share in the second division of "Plough-land". His name appears in the list of freemen in Haverhill, in 1646. This list has the valuation of each man's property; and John Ayer's is put down at oe 160, being the largest amount but one on the list. His will was made March 12, 1657, and probated the following October. John Ayer had a large number of descendants. We are told by George W. Chase, in his "History of Haverhill," that in 1700, one-third of the inhabitants of Haverhill were of the name of Ayer.

John married Hannah ?. Hannah died on 08 Oct 1688 in Haverhill, Mass.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]