Short Biography of John York

JOHN YORK (I), son of Richard and Elizabeth York, was born about 1642, and was killed at the fall of Fort Casco, May 17, 1690. He married Ruth Graves (see Graves note), daughter of William Graves. This William Graves married for his second wife, the widow of Richard York. John York lived at or near Dover, New Hampshire, on the paternal farm until June 28, 1676, when, with wife Ruth, he sold it to John Cutt. He lived for a time in Scarborough, Maine, then in Yarmouth and York, Maine. On July 16, 1688, he petitioned for the confirmation to him of 300 acres of land at North Yarmouth, "where he now liveth," and eight acres of marsh on Cousin's river, also 300 acres of vacant land on the east side of Cousin's river, and fourteen acres of marsh, wherever it may be found. He doubtless intended to live at North Yarmouth, but the Indian wars drove him out, and he is said to have been killed by the Indians at the fall of Fort Casco, May 17, 1690. Three of his children, Richard, Benjamin, and Ruth, gave evidence in depositions before Edward Tyng, Esq., about the conduct of the Indians threatening war, etc. (Massachusetts Archives and Willis Mss., N. 200.) The children of John and Ruth (Graves) York were:

I—Richard, d. at the fall of Fort Casco, May 17, 1690.

II—Benjamin, d. probably at the fall of Fort Casco, May 17, 1690.

III—Joseph, b. abt. 1680; d. Oct. 13, 1728; m. Jan. 10, 1700, at Gloucester,

Abigail Robinson. She died July 13, 1720.

IV—RUTH, b. abt. 1682. (See following.)

Source: "Bullard and Allied Families Genealogy" ²