Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

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[594] the direction of said Society, and of Mr. John Eliot and Mr. Green, at a salary of £ 40 per annum. (Mass. Archives, x. 205). Agreeably to his contract, he entered the Cambridge printing-office, assisted in printing the first edition of the Indian Bible which was completed in 1663, and afterwards assisted in printing other books for about ten years. The current of his life did not run smoothly. He encountered opposition in his matrimonial designs, which he resented so highly as to bring himself within the grasp of the law. At the Middlesex County Court, April 1662, ‘Marmaduke Johnson being presented by the Grand Jury of this County in Oct. last, for obtaining the affections of the daughter of Ens. Samuel Greene, without the knowledge or consent of said Samuel Greene, also being expressly forbidden her society, being a married man, hath often endeavored to draw her into his society, threatening the death of any other that should make suit to her,--the said Marmaduke Johnson, appearing in Court, confessed a part of the said presentment, and denied the other part thereof, which by evidence on file with the records of this Court appeared to be true; the Court, on hearing the case, sentenced the said Johnson to pay, as a fine for seeking to draw away the affections of the daughter of the said Samuel Greene without his consent, five pounds; and for his threatening speeches, to give security for the peace and his appearance at the next Court at Charlestown, in case he abide so long within the jurisdiction of this Colony; and for his presumptuous and wicked attempt of marriage, having, by his own confession, a wife in England, that he return with the first opportunity that he may to his wife, on penalty of twenty pounds, to be forfeited and paid to the County Treasurer; and to pay the costs of the Court.’ Instead of departing from the country, as required by this order of Court, Johnson contracted to serve the society another year, in the printing-office. He was accordingly brought before the County Court Oct. 1663, and compelled to give bonds in the sum of £ 40, to ‘depart this jurisdiction, according to the order of the Court, within six weeks time next ensuing, or by Christopher Clark's ship, now bound for England.’ A higher authority now interposed. At the session of the General Court, commencing 20 Oct. 1663, an order was passed, to wit: ‘Upon perusal of the Commissioners' letter to the honorable Corporation in England, and Mr. Eliot's motion, touching Marmaduke Johnson, printer, informing that the said Corporation have contracted with the said Johnson for one year, expiring 10th August next; it is hereby ordered, that there be a suspension of the execution of an order of the last County Court of Middlesex for one year, enjoining the said Johnson to return to England, to his wife, whom he allegeth is diseased [deceased?], and may have opportunity, in the interval, to produce full certificate thereof.’ Probably, before the expiration of the year, Johnson furnished satisfactory evidence that his wife was dead; for he was allowed to remain and to continue the business of printing, without molestation. His intention to marry Greene's daughter, however, was effectually frustrated. He m. Ruth, dau. of Christopher Cane, 28 Ap. 1670, by whom he had Elizabeth, b. 12 Feb. 1671-2, who prob. d. young. He resided at the S. E. corner of Winthrop and Brighton streets until 1674, when he removed to Boston, where he d. 25 Dec. 1674. His w. Ruth d. 1676, devising her estate, by will dated 3 Ap. 1676, to her mother, brothers, and sisters; a conditional bequest was made to her brother Jonathan, of ‘that house and land at Camb., in case that my husband's son (whom I never saw) come not to demand it, and let it be kept in repair; and in case he come, it is my will that the aforesaid house and land be delivered to him, without any molestation of him or any by or under him.’ Johnson's son probably never came to New England; the estate remained in possession of the Cane family until Sept. 1723, when it passed into the hands of Judah Monis, the Hebrew Preceptor.

2. John, by w. Mary, had John, b. 17 Nov. 1662; Thomas, b. 12 Jan. 1664.

3. John,. prob. s. of John (2), by w. Mary, had Mary, b. 20 Jan. 1686-7; Abigail, b. 18 Sept. 1703; and probably others.

Thomas. m. Elizabeth Green 8 Jan. 1682. William, m. Mary Cook 18 Feb. 1690-91. Hannah, m. John Cooper 21 Oct. 1725. Matthew, m. Elizabeth