Weymouth New England Genealogy

baptized 18 April 1663 at Westminster Abbey, "a young man about20 years of age"; deposed aged forty-two years, 27 March 1684Capt. Paul Thorndike, being an only son, shares with his fatherthe distinction of being the progenitor of this branch of theThorndike family. He went to England in 1663 and on 18 April ofthat year was baptized in Westminster Abbey, doubtless incompliance with the wishes of his uncle Herbert Thorndike,Prebendary of the Abbey at the time and an ardent Churchman whopossessed a strong dislike for the Puritan religion. With himbaptized one Duell Pead, " one of the King's scholars, about 16years of age," the ceremony being performed by the Dean"publickly in the font then newly set up." The record statesthat Paul was then "a young man about 20 years of age" whichplaces the year of his birth around 1643, a date which accordswith the depositions made later at life at Salem, where in 1684he stated he was then "aged about 42," and in 1690 "aged about48." His sojourn in England was not of long duration, for hisname appears soon after on the records of Beverly and he becameone of the leading men of that town. He was chosen one of thefive "townsmen" or selectmen at the first town meeting afterBeverly was incorporated in 1668, and was re-elected in 1671,1673 and 1675. He was surveyor of highways in 1674, and servedon various committees for the distribution of land. In 1694 hewas chairman of the committee appointed to settle the boundsbetween Beverly and Manchester, Mass. As his title indicates hewas active in the military affairs of Beverly, and in October of1677 he was commissioned Lieutanant of the Foot Company underCapt.William Dixey, succeeding to the captaincy in 1689. He took theOath of Fidelity 3 Dec. 1677, the Freeman's Oath at the Courtheld at Salem 30 Dec. 1679, and was admitted a Freeman 19 May1680.In spite of the strong churchmanship of his father and uncle,and his baptism in the Church of England, Paul Thorndikedemonstrated a marked interest in the church at Beverly andcontributed liberally to variout funds raised in its behalf. Therecords of the First Church of that place show that on 23 Jan1687/8 his wife Mary made public profession of her faith andrepentance and was baptized, "but not being clear in her ownspirit did not present proceed to ye Lord's Supper."Capt. Thorndike inherited a large landed estate from his fatherwhich he increased substantially by subsequent purchases. Uponthe distribution of his estate the homestead on the south sideof the road to Manchester was set apart to the widow, while theland on the opposite side was given to his children.It is interesting to note that the promontory along the Beverlyshore, long known as "Paul's Head," derived its name from Capt.Paul Thorndike.Paul Thorndike left an estate amounting to p 456:15:00, whichfor the time and place was a substantial one. It wasadministered by his widow Mary and his son Paul under anappointement bearing the date of 2 Jan 1698. His heirs signedarticles of agreement 27 Mar 1699 as follows: John Thorndike, aseldest son of Capt. Thorndike,; Jonathan Biles as guardian toHerbert Thorndike, the youngest son of Capt. Thorndike; MaryThorndike, daughter; Samuel Goold in right of Elizabeth his wife(daughter of Paul); William Pride in right of Hannah his wife(daughter of Paul); Martha Thorndike, daughter; and his widowMary Thorndike and his son Paul Thorndike, administrators.