Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts edited by William Richard Cutter published by Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1908
John Rutter, immigrant ancestor of the Sudbury family of this surname, born in England, 1616, came to America in the ship Confidence, sailing from Southampton, April 24, 1638, with other passengers who settled in Sudbury. Massachusetts. Rutter was listed with several other young men as "servants" of Peter Noyes, who was making his second trip, but tradition tells us that he was not really in the employ of Noyes, though many young men worked their passage and were called servants in the ship's papers. Rutter was a carpenter by trade. He settled in Sudbury,and was a proprietor of that town in 1640. He contracted with the selectmen February 17. 1642, to "sett, sawe, hew & frame" a house—the first meeting house. Several acres were given him by the town in acknowledgment of services, perhaps in connection with this contract. He was a selectman in 1675. He and his descendants resided for many years on South street. East Sudbury, (now Wayland) ....
John Rutter married, November 1, 1641, Elizabeth Plympton who came in the ship Jonathan in 1639. probably sister of Thomas Plimpton, of Sudbury, also called a servant of Peter Noyes, who was killed by the Indians in King Philip's war. She died May 5, 1689.
Children:
1. Elizabeth, born October 6, 1642.
2. John, born February 7, 1645; married March 12, 1690, Hannah Bush.
3. Rebecca, born February 28, 1647.
4. Thomas, born April 6, 1650; mentioned below.
5. Joseph, born May 1, 1656; died March 17, 1691, at Sudbury.
Thomas Rutter, son of John Rutter, was born in Sudbury, April 5. 1650. He married, October 15, 1689 Jemima Stanhope, born June 24, 1665, died September 28, 1748, he resided at Sudbury.
Children, born there:
1. Elizabeth, September 1, 1690.
2. Mary, April 7. 1693.
3. Jemima, December 2, 1695; married Joshua Heminway.
4. Anna. May 22, 1698.
5. Sarah, May 3, 1701.
6. Joseph, mentioned below.
Joseph Rutter, son of Thomas Rutter (2), was born at Sudbury, September 25, 1703. He married (possibly second wife), April 28, 1743, Mary Willard.
Children, born in Sudbury:
1. Mary, April 8, 1744.
2. Eunice, October 5. 1745; died June 17. 1764.
3. Thomas, born February 14, 1748; married June 24, 1773, Abigail Heard; was a soldier in the revolution.
4. Joseph Jr.,
5. Jemima, May 4, 1756.
