from The Grafton Family of Salem by Henry Wyckoff Belknap
Nathaniel Grafton was baptized April 24, or May 1, 1642, at the First Church in Salem. He was made a Freeman in 1680 and was a mariner. As will be noted in the record of his father’s lands, he inherited a portion and in 1664/5 the widow Ann or Hanna More conveyed a lot to him for £13. In the Suffolk County Probate records, (vol. 5, p. 85) he deposed,
aged about 26 yeares, that James Parker deceased often said unto said Grafton, that Grafton being much in his Company both a shoare & by Sea, that if the said Parker died a Batchiller, that what Estate he has his Brother Parnell & sister should have it for hee had received from them more Lovinge freindship & that they had been as a ffather, & mother to him, & further saith not. January 29, 1667.
He joined his father and brothers in signing the petition against Imposts in 1688.
Bartlemew Gidny, aged about 30 yrs., deposed that some time the last winter a servant of Jno. Clifford called William Hollis came to deponent and said that his master desired to have deponent’s boat to carry some goods on board Nath. Grafton’s Ketch for Goodman Horne, Wilaum Hollis and John Leagrow, servants of John Clifford deposed as to rowing the goods down to the ketch. When they reached there they called aboard and could not find anybody, but later found Mr. Grafton who said he could not take the goods that tide but would on the morrow.
Mr. Grafton said bring your ancor abord of my cetch and let the boat Hide
I asked him wether the snow would not hurt the goods he says noe
and I said had not the goods best be covered
he said yes saith he and provided a saild to cover the goods and heed us lay it on the beds of the caske next yr wether which according to his order we dedd
(Essex Quarterly Court Records, vol. 4, p. 265, June 1670.)
He married April 6, 1665, Elizabeth, baptized September 30, 1649, daughter of Moses Maverick and Remember Allerton. He died February 11, 1670/1, at Barbadoes, being cast away on the ketch Prudence, and she married secondly, before May 1, 1679, (probably about 1676), Thomas Skinner of Boston, a baker.
He died December 28, 1690, in Boston, and she died before June 1686.
Moses Maverick’s will proved in November 1686 speaks of her as deceased and mentions his Grafton granddaughters.
Mr. Nathaniell Grafton dying intestate, Elizabeth the relict, brought in an inventory June 27, 1671, and was appointed administratrix. The Court ordered that she bring up the children until they come of age, should receive 45li. each, the house and land to be security. (Salem Quarterly Court Records, vol. 5, p. 46.)
Children, born in Salem;
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 18, 1667 ; d. Mar. 26, 1754/5. 20.
Remember, b. Sept. 29, 1669 ; ? mar. Apl. 10, 1685, at Marblehead, Richard Knight, both of Boston.
Priscilla, b. Mar. 12, 1670.
Note: — William Hughes and Thomas Jackson and wives Elizabeth and Priscilla Grafton were mentioned in the will of Moses Maverick, November 1698 and in the agreement of the heirs that year.
