|
Needham was part of Dedham until the petition of 1710.
In 1707, Josiah Newell and wife, Hannah Fisher Newell,
are recorded as having sold 20 acres near the Great Plain to Jeremiah Woodcock for 40 pounds.
Josiah Newell, son of
Isaac Newell of Roxbury, was taxed in Needham in 1712. His homestead was on Central Avenue and he owned nearly 200 acres mostly
in the southern part of town. He signed the church covenant March 3, 1719, for the First Church of Christ, Needham. He was
a Justice of the Peace and his signature is on many important papers of the town.
At a meeting June 6, 1726, Josiah
Newell and Thomas Fuller were chosen to plan a road from near Captain John Fisher's house to the meeting house. Other descendants
of Josiah and Hannah Newell were prominent in Needham town affairs, many of them holding public offices. According to his
gravestone, Josiah died May 8, 1759.
Ebenezer, son of Josiah and Hannah Fisher Newell, was in charge of maintenance
of the meeting house of Needham for the years 1768-1773. It burned down in 1773. It was located next to the property of Ebenezer
Newell and he joined the bucket brigade along with his neighbors. While it was being re-built, Ebenezer is recorded as paying
for the boarding of the carpenter, keeping the mason's horses, and "entertaining people". (no explanation for that) He maintained
the new meeting house for the years 1791-1797. Another meeting house was built in the center of town as this one was considered
to be too far from most people.
At a meeting of the town committee March 10, 1777, Ebenezer was selected to serve
on the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety for the duration of the war.
In August of 1779, Ebenezer
Newell was selected by the Needham town council to attend a conference in Concord, Massachusetts, to set regulations for selling
merchandise and produce. He attended the conference along with Timothy Newell, Deacon John Fisher, Captain Aaron Smith and
others.
Ebenezer served in many different offices of Needham including Justice of the Peace, Warden, and Surveyor
of Roads.
|
