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John came to New England in 1632 and briefly resided at Cambridge, but moved soon to Lynn in 1633, where he had there 200 acres, and last of Reading by 1650.

John “was one of the earliest settlers of Reading, and probably the wealthiest. He lived on the present [1874] site of Wakefield’s rattan factory where he built the first grist-mill and fulling mill of the town. He also owned much land at the north end of the Great Pond including the farm lately owned by Dea. Caleb Wakefield, and extending easterly, included the late Newcomb mill, where said Poole erected the first saw-mill, and included also the present farm of heirs of Benjamin Cox, of Lynnfield. He divided his estate between his son Jonathan and his grandson John.” Location of John Poole’s 1644 Mill in Reading, Mass.

John Poole (Pool) settled in Cambridge, Mass about 1632; he later resided in Lynn, Mass. where he was a proprietor before 1638. He moved to Reading, Mass by 1644 where, in that year, he made a contract with the town to build a dam, turn the course of a stream, erect and maintain a water mill for the use of the inhabitants.

John Poole – Present Day Mill Site is in Wakefield In 1639 some citizens of Lynn petitioned the government of the colony for a place for an inland plantation. They were initially granted six square miles, followed by an additional four. The first settlement in this grant was at first called Lynn Village and was located on the south shore of the Great Pond, now known as Lake Quannapowitt. On June 10, 1644 the settlement was incorporated as the town of Reading, taking its name from the town of Reading in England. The first church was organized soon after the settlement, and the first parish, later known as South Reading, became the separate town of Wakefield in 1868.

(NEHGS “Register,” Vol. 143, pg. 41) He was a proprietor of Reading and a town officer, involved in a lawsuit about his mill in 1652. His wife Margaret sold the land and house in 1653. He is called by historian Bodge “among the wealthiest of the first settlers at Reading. According to the “Genealogical History of the Town of Reading, Mass.,” pp.106-07 John lived on the present site of Wakefield’s rattan factory which is where he built the first grist-mill and fulling mill of the town. He also owned “much land” at the north end of the Great Pond and extending Easterly where he erected the first saw-mill.

According to William Richard Cutter, New England Families Genealogical & Memorial, Third Series, Vol. IV, (orig. publ. NY, 1915;repr. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1997), pg. 1881,

John’s first wife was Judith. Margaret was his second wife. No references are given for this conclusion.

GenealogyLibrary.com:Geneological History of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts,. pg. 18 First Election of surveyors of highways chose John Poole as one of such surveyors.

1644.– The earliest records of the Town of Reading is the following, which was made at the latter end of the oldest book of records, the first few leaves fthereof being lost, viz.:–

” Articles agreed apon betwixt the towne on the one part and John Poole on the other part, for the priviledge of a Water Mill, for the use and service of the towne:–

“1st. The aforesaid John Poole is to build the Mill and set it on the end of Sargent Marshall’s lot by the Marsh Meadow; the same to be made fit for use, able to do the towns work, betwixt this and the 15th Aug. next ensuing; 2nd. The said John Poole is to continue and maintain the said Mill for use, able and sufficient for the townes use, from time to time, he and his assigns, and to repair the same at his own expense, cost, and charge. 3rd. The towne of Reading hath given and granted unto John Poole the liberty to bring the River out of its natural course, in such convenient place as may be most met, without trouble or disturbance. 4th. The towne hath given liberty to the said John Poole to choose and take such (land?) for the Mill, as shall be needed for the Mill in any lot or place about the ground. 5th. The towne doth also covenant with said John Poole to bring their corn to the mill 2 or 3 days in the week for grinding their grists, and not have him attend the whold week, unless more days are required to do the work; they do likewise covenant neither to set uo nor to

1663.–This year, Josselyn, an eccentric traveler, visited New England, and in his published account thereof says: ” In the Centre of the county, by a great pond side, and not far from Woburn, is situated Reading; it hathe two mills, a saw mill and a corn mill, and is well stocked with cattell.” N.B. The corn mill stood near where the rattan factory now is, and the saw mill stood on the site of the mill formerly known as Newcomb;s mill, at the northerly end of Vernon Street, in South Reading (present day Wakefield). Both mills were originally built and owned by John Poole and his heirs.

1664.– Town gave John Smith, Jonathan Poole, John Browne, and William Cowdrey, ” all the Slip or Tract of land (if there be any) that lyeth between the line that Bray Wilkins or his sons did run, which was the supposed line of Mas. Bellingham’s Farm, and the line, that Maj. Hawthorne and Ensign Howlett did agree to be the line, etc.”

ESTATE: Granted two hundred acres in the 1638 division of land at Lynn [EQC 2:270]. On 28 May 1650 John Poole of Redding, yeoman, sold to George Keysar of Lynn, tanner, sixteen acres of salt marsh in Romley marsh in Lynn [ELR 1:25]. On 20 February 1653[/4] John Poole of Redding, miller, sold to Allen Bread of Lynn, husbandman, “one dwelling house called the cow house in Lynn and nine acres of upland,” and three acres of meadow in the town marsh, and two more acres of meadow in the town marsh, and six acres of upland and marsh in the place called the Reeds [ELR 2:105].

John Poole’s will, dated 14 February 1666[/7] and proved 18 June 1677, “John Poole Senior though weak in body” made “my son Jonathan Poole my heir and executor of all my goods and chattels [I] die seized of and to pay these legacies following”: to “my daughter Mary my farm beyond Ipswich River both upland and meadow,” along with “half my household stuff”; to “my son Mathew Edwards the piece of land that lyeth on the top of the hill, adjoining to Mr. Brock’s land … furthermore my will is that my son Mathew Edwards & my daughter Mary his wife shall have the use of half my 26 acres of meadow in Beare Meadow” for life; to “my grandchild John Barrat” £15 at age fourteen; to “my grandchild Lidea Barrat” £12 at age fourteen; to “my grandchild Marey Edwards, and to my grandchild Sarah Edwards, and to my grandchild Elizabeth Edwards” £8 apiece at fourteen years; to “my grandchild John Poole one fifth part of the sawmill farm” at age sixteen or eighteen which “my son Jonathan shall please”; to “my grandchild Sarah Poole” £10 by age fourteen; to “my grandchild Mary Poole” £8 by age fourteen; to “my brother Armitag that 47s. that is in Captain Marshall’s hands of which he is to give unto his three sons 5s. apiece”; to “my sister Armitag if she be left a widow” £4; to “my cousin Godfrey Armitag and to his wife & to his two children” 5s. apiece;

[Godfrey Armitage was described as “friend of Oliver Heywood”, the ejected minister of Lydegate, in Kirkburton Parish, near Huddersfield, West Riding, County York. The history of Newton Chapelry states that Godfrey Armitage is by tradition descended from the Armytages of Kirklees, who trace back to John Armytage of Wrigbowls, standard bearer to King Stephen. (Source: Chatham Society Pub. vol. 42, pg. 142)] to “Mr. Dane of Andover” 20s. and to “Mrs. Dane I give half a dozen of napkins & a pint pot”; to “son Jonathan’s wife, if my son die & leave her a widow, the use of the sawmill farm” during her widowhood; to Mr. Brock 20s.; and to “my son-in-law Will[ia]m Barratt” 20s.; “my trusty and well beloved friends William Coudery and John Brown Jr. to be my overseers” [MPR 3:69-71]. “An inventory of the goods of John Poole of Redding who deceased the first of the second month 1667” was taken on 13 April 1667 and totalled £716 12s., of which £528 10s. was real estate: “dwelling house and barn,” £40; “the mill,” £30; “orchard & five acres of ground,” £25; “land in the neck broken & unbroken about 100 acres,” £70; “the sawmill farm, upland & meadow,” £130; “a parcel of land upon the hill & swamp adjoining thereto,” £10; “in the mill meadow 3 acres,” £9; “in the sawmill meadow 15 acres,” £60; “1 acre of meadow in reedy meadow,” £1; “14 acres of meadow in Mr. Dilligane’s meadow,” £28; “1 acre of meadow in the great meadow,” £2 10s.; “in Bear Meadow 26 acres,” £52; “20 acres of upland in the plain,” £26; “4 acres of meadow more,” £3; and “the farm beyond the river, upland & meadow being 213 acres,” £42 [MPR 3:71-72].

EDUCATION: John Poole signed his name to deeds and to his will. Margaret made her mark, an “M,” to one deed

Children 1. Capt. Jonathan Poole
Jonathan’s wife Judith Jacobs was born in 1636 After Jonathan died, she married secondly, in 1681, William Hasey, Sr and lastly, between 1689-1695, she married Robert Gould. Judith died 7 May 1704 in Hull, Plymouth, Mass. Jonathan succeeded his father on the homestead, and also owned, in conjunction with his son John, much land at the north end of the pond. He was the second captain of the Reading company. ‘Was much valued in Phililp’s Indian war;’ ‘was a Captain under Major Appleton, at Hadley;’ ‘was President of a Council of War in the winter of 1675-6;’ ‘was selectman, justice of the peace, and reprsentative. There are many conflicting statements concerning Jonathan’s wife Judith’s identity. Interested researchers should see William Prescott Greenlaw, “Historical Intelligence,” in N.E.H.G.R. 94:397-399. This differentiates among Judith (___) (Poole) (Hasey) Gould, her daughter Judith Poole, and her stepdaughter-in-law Judith (Jacobs) Hasey, as well as between the two William Haseys involved. See also the material on the Hersey family in Lincoln’s History of Hingham, 2:298-299, to verify the lack of any connection between that family and Judith, wife of Robert Goold.

In October, 1671, Jonathan was appointed Quartermaster, and in May, 1674, Cornet of the “Three County Troop,” and still held that office when the war broke out in 1675. In the summer he was in service under Lieut Hasey, serving as Cornet, and will appear in Hasey’s list. In the campaign under Major Appleton, in the fall of 1675, we find him in important positions. Sept. 30th he was in command of the garrison at Quabaog. He probably marched his troops, about October 10th, to Hadley, whence he was assigned by Major Appleton to the defence of Hatfield. On October 19th, when that town was attacked, Capt. Poole was in command of a company, and gallantly and successfully defended the north side of the town. In this defence, John Pocock, of Capt. Poole’s company, was killed. When Major Appleton had the command of this army of the west suddenly thrust upon him by the Council, he appointed Cornet Poole to a captaincy, and sent word to the Council of his action, but the Council in reply rebuked this assumption of authority on his part, instructing him that it is his place to recommend a deserving officer, but the Council’s place to promote.

Upon the necessity to consult the Council more fully than by letters, he sends Capt. Poole personally in charge of his messengers, who evidently made so good an impression upon the worthy magistrates that they recognized the wisdom of Major Appleton, and upon his withdrawal of the main army for the campaign at Narraganset, Captain Poole was placed in command of the garrison forces in the Connecticut towns, and remained at his post until, at the earnest solicitation of his friends and family, he was relieved by the appointment of Capt. Turner, April 7th, 1676. Of his service during the winter some idea may be gained from the following extract from a letter of Rev. John Russell to the Council:

Capt. Poole who hath been last here for ye governmt of ye souldiers & as president of ye Council of warr here doth earnestly intreate for a liberty to repaire to his own very much suffering family at least for a while, We may not be so selvish as to be unsensible to kindnesse to us in his stay here or losse to him thereby so as to hinder ye promoting of any rationall request consisting wth or publike safety: We are thankfull for what blessing God hath made him to us; desirous to retaine him while not to much to his prjudice. He signifies to us yt there is now here in the army a man of ye same Town viz. Redding by Name Mr. John Brown whom he judgeth very fitt to oversee the souldiers, etc., etc.Hadley March 16th 1675-6. Mass. Archives, vol. 68, p. 163.

Jonathan Poole Gravestone Old Burying Ground Wakefield Middlesex County Mass. Cemetery is adjacent to the First Parish Congregational Church, One Church Street. The cemetery is located off of Church Street, and is marked by a sign. Jonathan Poole Gravestone Detail – Winged death heads and skulls became popular around Boston in the 1670’s. The hour glass symbolizes how time is running out for all of us.

The grim winged skull symbolized the earliest settlers’ belief in the soul’s trenscendence over death. This symbol evolved into the head of a cherub in the 18th century. This stone is located with a group of others in a line at the opposite end of the grounds, nearer to Lake Quannapowitt. Is said that there is an interpretive marker near them as well. This stone originally was in the town’s very first burying grounds and were then re-located to the current location. There is a nice write up on this gravestone in “Graven Images – New England Stonecarving and Its Symbols, 1650-1815” by Ludwig. (Page 83)

Children of Jonathan and Judith
i. Sarah Poole, b. 11 Jul 1656 in Reading, MA m. 1673, Lt. Thomas Bancroft; d. 20 May 1723 in Wakefield, Middlesex, MA Thomas Bancroft lived in Lynnfield in 1652. It later became known as Reading, but in 1652 was also considered as part of Lynn. His gravestone is standing in the burial ground at Reading, now known as Wakefield.

Sarah Poole Bancroft – Here Lyes ye Body of Mrs. Sarah Bancroft, Wife to Deacon Thomas Bancroft, who Dec’d May 20th 1723 in ye 67th Year of Her Age. Note: Gravestone is cracked Burial: Old Burying Ground Wakefield, Middlesex Mass.

ii. Judith Poole, b. 1658
iii. Mary Poole, b. 1660, d. 1661
iv. Mary Poole, 2d, b. 1662, m. , 1682, James Nichols
v. John Poole, b. 1665 vi. Jonathan Poole, b. 1667, m. Bridget Fitch, 1691-2
vii. Thomas Poole, b. 1673
viii. William Poole, b. 1677
ix. Elizabeth Poole, b. 1678.

2. Mary POOLE (See Matthew EDWARDS‘ page)
3. Sarah Poole
Sarah’s first husband Joseph Champney was christened 8 Apr 1632 in Stisted, Essex, England. His parents were Elder Richard Champney (b. 1604 in Stisted, Essex, England. – d. 26 Nov 1669 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Mass) and Jane [__?__]. Joseph died May 1656 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Joseph married Sarah POOLE on 1654 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts.
Sarah’s second husband William Barrett was born in 1638 in Lynn, Essex, Mass. His parents were Thomas Barrett (1591 – 1688) and Margaret W Barrett (1591 – ). After Sarah died, he married 19 May 1662 in Watertown, Middlesex, Mass to Mary Barnard. William died 16 Mar 1689 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Mass.

https://minerdescent.com/2010/07/26/john-poole/