Adams Papers

To John Adams from William Bentley, 11 May 1810

Salem 11. May. 1810.

Sir,

I could not refuse myself the pleasure of sending the inclosed view of the Tree in the Endicot Orchard. It is from the pen of a young Female Pupil, belonging to the family in which I live, & from the same person who accompanied me in my journey through Quincy, in the last year; & who was present with me when I took the Grafts of this season, which I sent to you.

I add in confirmation, that the Orchard existed from the beginning, & was known in the early generations, the following extract from the Will of a G. G. Son of Gov. Endicot, & from the original engrossed upon Vellum.

“The twelfth day of August, 1689, & in the first year of the reigne of our Sovereign Lord & Lady, King William & Queen Mary over England. I, John Endicot, of Salem, in New England, Chirurgeon, now resident in London, & bound on a voyage to New England, &c &c Imprimis, I give & devise unto my well beloved wife Anne Endicot, for & during the term of her natural life, all that half part, share & interest of & in all that farm & land, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, called the Orchard Farm, lying & being in Salem Village in New England aforesaid, & which was devoted to me in & by the Last Will & Testament of my Beloved Father Zerubbabel Endicot deceased.”

This Zerubbabel was the Grand Son of Gov Endicot, & the Gov. died in Boston in 1665. The Father of Zerubbabel was John the Son of the Gov. & Zerubbabel had three sons, of whom John & Samuel survived him <to> and to them he gave his Estate. John the Testator in 1689, never returned to America—Anne his Daughter married Samuel, the Son of Samuel who was Brother of the Testator, & these were the Grand parents of John, the son of their son Samuel, & this John is now living on the Orchard Farm, at 71. Dec. 1809. He has four Sons now living in Salem, All Masters of Vessels, or Merchants. Samuel, John, Jacob & Timothy.

With the highest respect your devoted Sert.

William Bentley.

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