18th Century Records of House Wrights, Jointers and Carpenters
Essex County, Massachusetts
The first article on 18th century documents involving named craftsmen with named professions covered examples from Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Essex County Massachusetts will be the next geographical area to consider. Due to the number of documents from Essex County, this first part will cover pieces dating before the 1770s and a second part will cover documents from the 1770s through the 1790s.
Please note that towns are listed under the county they were in at the time the document was written. Spelling, to the extent it can be discerned, will follow that which is used in each document. If there is a question regarding the transcribed word or name, it will be denoted by the use of “( )”marks. If multiple spelling variants are used within a document, the most prominent form will be referenced.
| 1733 | John Webster, Jr. | joyner | Newbury | Essex | MA |
| 1734 | Samuel Poor, signed, and John Spaford, not signed | house rites | Rowley | Essex | MA |
| 1736 | Samuel Poor (HR), not signed | house rite | Rowley | Essex | MA |
| 1737 | Nathaniel Bragg, not signed | house wright | Wenham | Essex | MA |
| 1756 | Stephen Barnard, doc, not signed | house wright | Haverhill | Essex | MA |
| 1765 | Jacob Davis, signed, Benjamin Davis, not signed | joyners | Newbury Port | Essex | MA |
| 1767 | John Kezar | joyner | Haverhill | Essex | MA |
| 1769 | Joseph Flint | house wright | Salem | Essex | MA |
1733 John Webster, Jr., Newbury, county of Essex, Joyner, sells land in Newbury to Nathaniel Knape, Caulker. Signed by John Webster, Elizabeth Webster [her mark], Leonard Cotton, John Brown and Richard Kent. Also mentioned: Amos (Clearton), Capt. John Greenleaf. Folded sheet with each leaf 12 3/4″ by 8 1/8″.
1734 Samuel Poor of Rowley, hous Rit, quit clame to John Spaford of Rowley, hous Rite. Signed by Samuel Poor and Mary Morson [her mark]. 5″ long by 5 1/2″ wide.
1736 Benjamin Poor of Rowley and Samuel Poor of Rowley House Rite. Contract for the building of a stone wall for 100 pounds, current money. Signed by Benjamin Poor, Moses Hale and Joseph Smith. 9 3/4″ by 7 1/2″.
1737 Nathaniel Bragg of Wenham, Housewright, sells land on the Piscataquog River to Robert Hale of Beverly. Signed by Robert Hale, Andrew Balch and John Thorndike. Also mentioned: Tobias Trow and John Craige. 11 1/2″ by 7 1/2″.
1756 Judgement against Stephen Barnard of Haverhill, Housewright, in a case brought by James McHard of Haverhill, Merchant. Signed by Joseph Bowditch, clerk and John Choates. Signed on the reverse by Joseph Badger Jr. Embossed official seals including that of a pine tree for three pence. 12 3/8″ by 7 1/2″.
1765 Jacob Davis of Newbury Port, Joyner, sells to his brother Benjamin Davis, Joyner, his portion of their family’s estate. Signed by Jacob Davis, Abiel Somerly Jr., Thomas Bayley and Daniel Farnham. Also mentioned: Benjamin Davis, Ruth Davis, Samuel Davis …. and our Sovereign Lord George the Third. 12 5/8″ by 7 5/8″.
1767 John Kezar of Haverhill, Joyner sells land in Hew Hampshire to Joseph ffitts of Salisbury, Blacksmith. Signed by John Kezar, Philip Hasseltine and (Elijah) Hardy. Signed on the reverse by Joseph Pierce and Samuel White. 13 1/8″ by 8 3/8″.
1769 Joseph Flint of Salem, House Wright sells land to Samuel King of Danvers, Yeoman. Signed by Joseph Flint, Jona[than] Frothingham and Daniel Epes. Signed on the reverse by John Higginson. Also mentioned: Sarah Flint and Samuel Orne. 13 1/8″ by 8 1/4″.
Thanks Pat! Nice information here.