Corp. Joseph GLEASON

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Corporal Joseph Gleason, the father, seems to have been a citizen of some prominence in the town of Sudbury. During King William's, or Ten Year's War between France ad England, when the French in Canada were making allies of the Indians, and by this means harassing the Colonists, Sudbury suffered less than in King Philip's War, but at the same time was subject to sudden incursions. In arranging for protection against these dangers, the public stock of ammunition was distributed for safe keeping among certain citizens, one of whom was Corporal Joseph Gleason.

He was also a signer of a petition, baring no date, but which is preserved in State Archives. This petition is address t the Governor and sets forth the pitiful condition of the colonists at Sudbury by reason of the military service and contributions required of them, and asking such alleviation as might be possible.

He, with his sons Isaac and Joseph were among the signers of a petition to the Sudbury Court, dated Oct. 29, 1707, relative to separating the town into divisions.

The date of birth of Martha, given as the third child of this family, does not appear on the records. But as the eldest son was named Joseph for his father, it is more than likely that the first daughter would have been named for the mother.

As the date of birth of the last child, Thankful, is not known, it is not certain whether she was the daughter of the first wife or of the second.

Joseph married Martha RUSSELL in 1667 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Martha was born in 1647 in Cambridge, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; died on 2 Mar 1684 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Isaac GLEASON was born in Feb 1684 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; died about 1758.

Joseph married Abigail GARFIELD on 22 Dec 1688. Abigail was born on 29 Jun 1646 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; died on 31 Aug 1726 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
The early records contain no entries of consequence regarding Thomas Gleason, and from the little that can be gathered from this source, it would seem that he was of a somewhat arbitrary disposition, which not infrequently got him into trouble with the town authorities on minor matters of conduct.

In 1658 Thomas Gleason removed to Charlestown, and on Dec. 3, he leased from Capt. Scarlett, a portion of the Squa Sachem lands.

In 1639 Squa Sachem had deeded to the town of Charlestown, her lands lying in what is now Medford, reserving to herself certain tracts on the west side of Mysticke Pond. By her will, she bequeathed all her property to certain prominent citizens, among whom were Gov. John Winthrop and Edward gibbons. The latter secured possession of the lands on the west side of Mysticke Pond, and this was the land subsequently leased to Thomas Gleason.

Soon after this lease was made a question arose as to the rightful ownership of these lands, and in March 1662, the town of Charlestown instituted a suit against Thomas Gleason, for the purpose of obtaining possession. All of Thomas Gleason's resources were swallowed up in the litigation, and the case was unsettled when he died in the spring of 1686.

Thomas married Susanna PAGEEngland. Susanna was born in England; died on 24 Jan 1691 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]