There was undoubtedly some meaning to this vote, and perhaps its adoption by the town tended to a discontinuance of the Commons in a short time.
The earliest inhabitants, those who came the first thirty years, did not remain as permanent settlers; and, with perhaps three exceptions, neither left nor have now descendants here.
For the purpose of recording them, however, as resident in Somerville, they may he named in chronological order, by the years of their coming, so far as ascertained.
John Winthrop, the governor, 1630, owned Ten Hills Farm in 1631, and was an inhabitant, but removed soon to Boston. None of his lineage remained here, and after some years the farm was sold out of the family.
Edward Gibbons, about 1630, from whom Gibbons-field derived its name, had a house and land in that locality, but left soon and went to Boston.
Edward Jones, 1630, had a house on the Newtown highway (Road to Cambridge), but removed in a few years, with his family, to Southampton, L. I.
Richard Palgrave, physician, 1630, built ‘without the Neck,’ on the ‘Road to Cambridge.’ Nine of his descendants are here now.
Thomas Goble, 1634, had a house and half an acre of land at the West End. He removed to Concord. Two of his descendants are here now.
John Green, 1634, had a dwelling house and land at the West End in 1638. which he sold to Richard Wilson, of Boston, and Wilson sold to Francis Grissell, or Griswold. John Green removed, with his family, probably to Malden. John Woolrych, 1635, had a dwelling house and six acres of land at Strawberry Hill. He died prior to 1647, and his widow married William Ayer, who sold the premises to Richard Wilson. Neither Woolrych nor Aver left offspring here.
John Sibley, 1635, had a dwelling house and land at Strawberry Hill. A daughter, and probably only child, married twice, but not in Somerville.
