In the "Essex Antiquarian" dated March 1897, Vol.1,No.3 ----- "Near the head of the Annisquam River in Gloucester [Mass], was formerly a settlement known as Dogtown. Here lived the ancestors of many of the present inhabitants of Cape Ann." ------- {in 1897] " Dogtown territory" is now called Dogtown Commons; contained several hundred acres and barren . The old streets are still distinguishable much of their distance by the parallel walls of stone. Many of the cellars of the houses are well preserved, and door stones remain in some of them." [41 cellar holes in 1897] ------- Whoever the first builders or settlers were, the seafaring occupation of the men soon removed most of them from the support of their families, and the children left home. Many of the inhabitants were widows, old, poor, and ignorant, without any commerce with the outside world, many of them were soon esteemed to be witches. The places of their natural protectors were taken by dogs and so the region became known as Dogtown. ------- Here are some of the inhabitants: Lucy George and her neice, Tammy Younger "queen of witches" Tammy was born July 28,1753 and died Feb 4,1829. ----- Joseph Allen, first blacksmith of Gloucester, in 1674 -- John Wharf and his dau Polly Boynton. --- Tristram Coffin -------- Becky Rich....she told fortunes by coffee grounds. ------- Nathaniel Day Henry Day John Clark Phillip Priestly William Pulcifer Arthur Wharf Joseph Stevens--farmer Esther Carter and her brother Joseph "Old Ruth" a mulatto who wore men's clothing Molly Stevens Annie Carter --widow of William -------- Dorcas Foster [her family came from Harbor Village when the Rev.War started] she married [1.]____Oakes [2]a Stevens [3] Capt Joseph Smith[War of 1812] ------ Issac Dade--he married Fannie Brundle of Virginia Abraham Wharf--committed sucide in 1814 Cornelius Finson aka "Neil", colored man, died 1830 ---- Peter Lurvey, Ipswich then Gloucester, 1707, married Rachel Elwell. Jim White Thomas Riggs--schoolmaster and town clerk in 1660's -------------- Here's hoping some of your "missing ancestor's" name is listed here. ------------ Cynthia Moderator of : Ct-River-Valley-L@rootsweb.com CTHartfo-L@rootsweb.com MANorfol-L@rootsweb.com Ma-Bay-Colony-L@rootsweb.com Rootsweb sponsor