Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 8.

On February II, 1680, Francis Whitmore of Cambridge gave to his son John and wife and heirs two acres of meadow land near the West Medford station. This land was bounded on the northeast by land of Captain Jonathan Wade, easterly by dike joining the land of Captain Timothy Wheeler, and west and northwest by land already owned by John Whitmore. The latter is authorized ‘at all times and from time to time, to quietly enjoy and posess the above land.’ He also owned land in Charlestown and Billerica. John Whitmore married Rachel, daughter of Francis Eliot of Cambridge and widow of John Poulter of Cambridge. John and Rachel Whitmore had three children.

John Whitmore was interested in town affairs, and in the Indian difficulties of that time. He went to Saco against them under Major Swayne. How long he remained is not told, but his wife Rachel petitioned the General Court to release him, and here is a copy of her petition.

To the Honorable Simon Bradstreet Governor, and the rest of the Honorable body now sitting in Boston, the humble petition of Rachel Whitmore, wife of John Whitmore.

Whereas your petitioner's husband was impressed into the country's service against the Indian enemy, and is now with Major Swayne at Newchawanick, and your petitioner and her two children are very weak and ill and unable to help ourselves or do anything for our relief and the rest of the family, as several of our neighbors can and have informed your honors.

Doth, therefore, humbly request the favor of your honors, that her husband, John Whitmore be dismissed the present service, and that your honors would please to pass your order for the same, that he may return to his sick family and your petitioner shall as in duty bound ever pray &c.

Rachel Whitmore. ¹

This was in 1680; before the birth of the last child. On his return John Whitmore bought some of the land already described, and also built the house which I have spoken of. He had two mortgages on this farm. When