THE name of GUILD in America is first recorded in Dedham, Massachusetts, where two brothers (as is supposed) and a sister,—John, Samuel and Ann,—arrived from Scotland about the year 1636. The marriage of James Allen and Ann Guild is recorded in 1638, this being the only mention of them on record. Samuel was admitted a freeman in 1642. but did not long remain in Dedham. No further mention of him is found upon the records of the town. He is traced to Newbury, thence to Haverhill, and thence to Watertown, Massachusetts. As the first considerable emigration to Weathersfield and Milford, Connecticut, was from Watertown, it is probable that he removed to one of these towns, where he has left numerous descendants.
JOHN GUILD was admitted to the church in Dedham, July 17,1640, and made a freeman in 1643. He was one of the original grantees of the town. The first grant was made in 1643, when he had "assigned to him and his heirs forever, three roods and twenty rods, more or less, as it lyeth on the great Playne abutting upon Nathaniel Whiting on the east, and George Barber toward the west, and the highway toward the north, and the water toward the south." The second grant was made in 1644, "one acre as it lyeth abutting upon the line of the middle division east; the waste land west, John Bullard north, Edward Richards south." To this property he added by grants and purchases considerable other real estate in Dedham, Wrentham, Medfield and Natick.
In 1640, he bought twelve acres of upland of John Roper, "abutting on Richard Evered toward the north, east and south, and on the highway toward the west." This highway is now known as East street, and the grant, originally made to John Roper, is described on a plan of the original grants and highways, recently prepared by William Bullard, 2d, Esq., for the DEDHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY. On this land he built a house, which was occupied by himself and his descendants for more than two centuries. It is only within a few years that it was taken down. In 1637, he subscribed, with others, the following covenant, adopted by them for their better protection and guidance; which covenant gives us a satisfactory insight to the characters of these our staunch Puritan ancestors:-—
1st. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, doe in the feare and reverence of our Almighty God, mutually and severally promise amongst ourselves and to eacb other, to p'ssesse and practice one trueth according to that most perfect rule, the foundation whereof is everlasting love.
2d. That we shall by all meane* laboure to keepe of from us all such as arc contrarye minded, and receive only such unto us as may be p'ably of one harte with us, as shal we either know or may well and truly be informed to walk in peacable conversation with all meekness of spirit for the edification of each other in the knowledg and truth of the Lord Jesus, and the mutuall cncouragment unto al temporail comforts; in iill'things seeking the good of each other out of all which may be derived from power.
3d. That if at any time difference shall arise betweene p'ties of our said towne, that then such p'tie or p'ties shall p'sntly refer all such difference unto som one. two or throe others of our said societie, to be fully accorded and determined without any further delaye, if it possibly may bee.
4th. That every man that may now or hereafter have lotts in our said towne shall paye his share in all such rates of money and charges as shall be imposed upon him rateably in p'portion with other men; as also become freely subject unto all such orders and constitutions as shall be necessarily had or made, now or at any time hereafter from this day forward, as m'tt for loving and comfortable societie in our said towne, as allso be for the p'sperous and thriving condition of our fullowshipe, especially respecting the feare of God, in which we desire to begin and continue whatsover we shall by his loving favoure take in hand. And for the better manifestation of our true resolution herein, every man so received to subscribe hereunto his name, thereby obliging both himself and his successors after him forever as we have done.
Mr. Guild was thoroughly honest in all his dealings, industrious and frugal, modest in his deportment, and retiring in his habits. He never held any office, and seldom attended the town meetings,— the records of the town, which give the names of all those who were thus present, recording his name but once in several years, and then on an occasion of considerable excitement in relation to making alterations and additions to the meeting-house. He died October 4, 1682, leaving the following will:-—
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, John Guild, of Dedham, in the County of Norfolk, in the Massachusetts Colony, in New England, being at present weako in bodye, and in expectation of my departure out of this world, do make this my last will and testament, in manner and form as followeth, viz.:-—
First. I give unto my three children, Samuel, John and Elizabeth, all my wearing apparel, to be equally divided among them, as well linen as woolen. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth, two cows, one of w'ch is at present in her hands, and my bed and all belonging thereunto, as also all that is in my chest that is suitable for her use: Further, I give unto my s'd daughter all my land lying near the Falls, in the dividend called Natick Dividend, to her and her use forever, and one booke of Mr. Burroughs, called Gospel Conversation. I give and bequeath unto my son John Guild, all my land lying in Wrentfeam, as well upland as meadow, as also my lott near Meadfield, in the dividend called the Mcadfield Dividend, to him and his heirs forever: Also, I give unto my s'd John, my looms and four sleays, which are suitable for present use, as also one wheel w'th ye blades, and a booke called the Sound Believer. I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Guild, all my house lott with my dwelling house and barne, with my land upon Wigwam Plaine; as also my meadows at Fowle Meadows, and eight acres of land, more or less, at Kaggod Plaine, and also all common rights in lands to me in any belonging which are not already mentioned in this my will. And for a more full manifestation that this above written is my reall will, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seale this third day of October, in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty-two.
JOHN GUILD.
In presence of Nathaniel Stearns, Thomas Metcalf.
It was certified in court, 3d November, 1682, "that he was, to the understanding of the witnesses, of disposing mind."
The following inventory of his estate was made November 4th, 1682:--
His wearing apparrell, hats, shoes and stockings, - £3 19
His Bible and other books, 168; in money, 4 8, - 1
A feather bed, with all thereiinto belonging, - - - 7 10
Some small piecesof linen,8; two sheep skins, 1 8 ; a great chest
and two boxes, 10 8 ; one table and chair, 6 ; a brush, 10 8, 1 12
One cow, 50 8; his looms, slays, wheel, and all implements
belonging to weaving, 5, - 7 10 D O O '
His lot in Natiok Dividend, £8; his lott in Moadfield Dividend, £
8, - . -1C
His lot in Wrentham, with his common rights there, 1C
His meadow at Fowl Meadows, with 8 acres of upland at
Ragged Plain, - 10
His land upon Wigwam Plaine, and the swamp adjoining
thereto, with one nt the Clapboard Trees, - 20
His dwelling house, barn and house lott, 70
£153 11
