THOMAS NEWHALL—1630-1687.

Perhaps the most notable circumstance regarding this individual is that he was the first white child born in Lynn. His father, who also bore the christian name of Thomas was one of the earliest settlers, and lived on the east side of Federal street, a few rods south of the mill brook, owning all the lands, on that side, between the Turnpike and Marion street. The elder Thomas had another son, John, who was born in England. He likewise had two daughters, Susanna and Mary. The former married Richard Haven, and became maternal ancestor of one of the most respectable of American families. See page 186. Mary married Thomas Brown, and had several children.

Thomas Newhall, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1630, and was baptized by Rev. Mr. Bachiler, the first minister of Lynn, on the first Sunday after his arrival, being June 8, 1632. A rather comical scene occurred at the baptism. Christopher Hussey, who was a son-in-law of Mr. Bachiler, and who probably induced the reverend gentleman to come here, had a child, named Stephen, to be baptized at the same time; and Mr. Bachiler, as Thomas was first presented for the holy rite, unceremoniously put him aside, declaring that he should baptize Stephen, who appears to have been named for his reverend grandfather, first. Mr. Lewis seems to have thought a sort of family pride induced this movement, which struck him as an indignity toward Thomas; but it should, perhaps, be viewed in the light of a compliment. It may have been that Stephen was noisy and turbulent, insomuch that the old gentleman was ashamed of him and anxious to hurry him out of sight, while Thomas was quiet and well-behaved. But it is not important to pursue the inquiry.

At the age of twenty-two Mr. Newhall married Elizabeth Potter, who I think was a daughter of Nicholas Potter, a man concerned in the Iron Works, but who afterward resided at Salem and was called a bricklayer. It is, however, I believe, somewhere stated by Mr. Lewis, that she was a daughter of Robert Potter, who was here for a short time among the very first settlers; but I am confident this is a mistake. For some facts concerning this Robert Potter, see page 126.

No striking events appear in the life of Mr Newhall. Indeed, seated here, in a little forest opening, amid a population that could almost be numbered in an hour, with no stirring incidents to mark the years as they rolled by, there was little opportunity for one to make himself conspicuous, whatever his talents or ambition. But from the frequency with which his name appears on the records, connected with trustworthy transactions, it must be inferred that he was a man of integrity, and one in whose judgment much reliance was placed. And he seems to have had a very fair education. On page 126, is a fac-simile of his signature. And it is there stated that the two last letters were supplied. Since the engraving was made I have seen one or two other signatures of his, which correspond in a remarkable degree; and it is hardly possible to discover any difference between the supplied letters and those made by his own hand. It seems appropriate and convenient to have the fac-simile likewise introduced in this connection.

Mr. Newhall died in March, 1687, his wife having died a few weeks before. He was the father of ten children; and for many years, if, indeed, not to the present time, the Newhall family has certainly been deserving of commendation for its fecundity if for nothing else.

I. THOMAS. As just observed, this individual, the great progenitor of the Newhalls of Lynn, came over in 1630, and located on the east side of Federal street.

II. THOMAS. This is the personage whose name stands at the head of this sketch—a son of the preceding, and the first white person born in Lynn. He married, 29 December, 1652, Elizabeth Potter, and became the father of ten children, viz: Thomas, born 18 November, 1653; John, b. 14 February, 1656; Joseph, b. 22 September, 1658; Nathaniel, b. 17 March, 1660; Elizabeth, b. 21 March, 1662, and living but three years; Elisha, b. 3 November, 1665; Elizabeth again, b. 22 October, 1667; Mary, b. 18 February, 1669; Samuel, b. 19 January, 1672; Rebecca, b. 17 July, 1675.

Source: "History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant" ⁶⁰²⁰