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

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[531] the death of his father, he was placed under the care of Rev. Thomas Shepard, and he well improved his advantages. Having graduated at the early age of seventeen, he devoted himself diligently to study, and became a skilful mathematician, and one of the most learned theologians of his time. He was particularly distinguished however, for the fervor of his piety and the purity of his life. So peaceful was his conscience and so firm his faith, in the hour of death, that his colleague Eliot is reported to have said, ‘My brother Danforth made the most glorious end that ever I saw.’ It is certain that Eliot entered this testimony on record: ‘My brother Danforth died in the Lord; it pleased the Lord to brighten his passage to glory.’

4. Jonathan, s. of Nicholas (1), was one of the first settlers in Billerica, where he spent his long and useful life. ‘He was the first Captain of Billerica, was chosen Representative in 1684, Town Clerk 20 years, and one of the most eminent land surveyors of his time.’ （Farmer.) He m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Poulter 22 Nov. 1654; she d. 7 Oct. 1689, a. 56, and he m. Esther, wid. of Josiah Converse of Woburn, and dau. of Elder Champney of Camb. 17 Nov. 1690. His children were Mary, b. 29 Jan. 1655-6, m. John Parker of Chelmsford 4 June 1678; Elizabeth, b. 27 May 1657, m. Simon Hayward of Concord 7 Mar. 1686-7; Jonathan, b. 18 Feb. 1658-9; John, b. 23 Jan. 1660-61, d. 7 Feb. 1660-61; John, b. 22 Feb. 1661-2, d. 4 June 1664; Lydia, b. 1 June 1664, m. Edward Wright; Samuel, b. 5 Feb. 1665-6; Anna, b. 8 Mar. 1667-8, m. Oliver Whiting 22 Jan. 1689-90; Thomas, b. 29 Ap. 1670, d. 31 July 1670; Nicholas, b. 1 July 1671, d. 8 Mar. 1693-4; Sarah, b. 13 Dec. 1676, m. William French. Of this family, only two sons survived their father; but from them have descended a very numerous posterity. Jonathan the f. d. 7 Sept. 1712, a. 84, being the last survivor and the longest liver of his father's children. His w. Esther d. 5 Ap. 1713, a. 80.

5. John, s. of Rev. Samuel (3), grad. H. C. 1677, at the age of seventeen, and was ordained at Dorchester 28 June 1682, where he d. 26 May 1730. His children, by his w. Elizabeth, were Elijah, bap. 2 Dec. 1683, grad. H. C. 1703, a physician and Justice of the Peace, d. 8 Oct. 1736; Thomas, b. 1685, settled at Surinam, where he d. 18 Oct. 1714; Israel Stoughton, b. 14 Oct. 1687, d. 22 Mar. 1688; John, b. 16 Jan. 1688-9, d. 3 Mar. 1728; Ann, b. prob. 1691, d. young; Elizabeth, b. 12 Nov. 1693, m. Capt. John Lowder, Boston; Samuel, b. 12 Nov. 1696; Hannah, b. 3 Nov. 1698, m. Rev. Samuel Dunbar of Stoughton; Mary and Mehetabel, twins, b. 4 June 1701, of whom the latter d. 1 May 1727; Stoughton, b. 24 July 1702, buried 26 Nov. 1735; George, b. 11 Nov. 1704. Soon after Mr. Danforth's death, an obituary appeared in the New England Journal, in which it is said that he ‘was one greatly qualified by many bright accomplishments for the evangelical ministry, and was eminently a man of God, a man of prayer, a close and profitable preacher, of sound principles, a pattern of all the virtues of the Christian life, and zealous for the cause of God and religion among us; greatly beloved and valued while living, and now lamented at his death; and his memory will always be precious to those who have had the honor and pleasure of an acquaintance with him.’ He had a fondness for writing epitaphs in rhyme, of which very many specimens remain in the Dorchester burial ground. An allusion to this trait in his character is made in Blake's Annals: ‘He was said to be a man of great learning; he understood the mathematics beyond most men of his function. He was exceeding charitable, and of a very peaceful temper. He took much pains to eternize the names of many of the good Christians of his own flock; and yet the world is so ungrateful that he has not a line written to preserve his memory, no, not so much as upon his tomb, he being buried in Lt.-Gov. Stoughton's tomb, that was covered with writing before; and there, also, lyeth his consort, Mrs. Elizabeth Danforth.’

6. Samuel, s. of Samuel (3), grad. H. C. 1683, and was settled in the ministry at Taunton, where he d. 14 Nov. 1727. ‘He was esteemed one of the most learned and eminent ministers of that period.’ Farmer.

7. Jonathan, s. of Jonathan (4), resided in Billerica, m. Rebecca Parker 27 June 1682, and d. 1710; his w. d. prob. 1755, when her dower was divided