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Genealogy— Biography
AALIS SANFORD. Various
members of the Sanford family
in Massachusetts have been
as cler-
prominent in their day
gymen, educators and merchants,
but none lived a nobler
life or held a warmer place in
the hearts of his fellow men than
"grand old man," for such he was acknowledged
to be by hosts of his admirers, was faithful in
small things, and therefore great in large things.
Baalis Sanford was born Oct. 4, 183.3, in East
Bridgewater, Mass., son of the late Rev. Baalis
and Abby (Burt) Sanford, a member of a time-
honored family, a history of which, together
with the record of the life achievements of this
highly respected citizen of Brocldon, follows,
the generations being given in chronological
order.
(I) John Sanford, the first settler by that
name in New England, reached Boston in 1631,
and his name stands one hundred and eighth on
the list of church membership. He was sworn
a freeman April 3, 1633, and the same year
made cannoneer of the fort. Gov. Thomas
Hutchinson mentioned him among the distinguished
citizens [Hirt., Vol. I, p. 73]. There
is a record of his baptism at Alford, in Lincolnshire,
England, Jan. "clarke" of the General Assembly, Roger
15, 1618. He had an ancestor
in the battle of Hastings, A. D. 1066,
when William of Normandy conquered England,
Williams
at the same time having been chosen
moderator. He was reelected "clarke" in 1657-
58. He was later deputy for Portsmouth in
the General Assembly at Newport; and Oct.
31, 1677, one of the committee to lay out East
Greenwich. He was married (first) about the
time he went to Boston to Elizabeth Webb, sister
of Henry Webb. Their children were : John,
baptized June 34, 1632 ; Samuel, baptized June
32, 1634; and Eliphalet, baptized in December,
1637. He married (second) Bridget, daughter
of the celebrated Anne Hutchinson.
(II) John Sanford, son of John and Elizabeth
(Webb), was baptized June 24, 1633. He
was admitted a freeman at the General Assembly
held at Newport May 17, 1653, at the age
35
and distributed the land among his faithful
officers. This ancestor must have been an
officer, as his name appears on the battle roll,
and as a reward for his services he received the
lordship of Sanford. This was his title, and he
relinquished his own name and received that of
Sanford. In the year 1637 John Sanford, at
Boston, was disarmed, that is, deprived of his
civil privileges, because of his support of John
Baalis Sanford, of Brockton, of whom this
artic'e is especially to treat. Not only was
he the oldest active business man of the city
\rith regard to age, but as well in point of service,
and during his long and continued career
as a business man he was the embodiment of all
that is straightforward, upright and honorable,
and he could feel an especial pride in the fact,
in the evening of his well Wheelwright and Mrs. Anne Hutchinson in
their controversy with the Colonial authorities.
In December he left Boston for Aquidneck,
now the island of Rhode Island, with William
Coddington, Edward Hutchinson and sixteen
others, having made, as the records show, an
honest purchase of the island. He was chosen
spent life, that he had
been an honor to the name he bore. This
constable for the year 1640, and lieutenant
Jan. 13, 1644. The three settlements were
united by a common charter in 1647, and on
May 21st he was chosen assistant governor, and
acted as coroner. He was reelected general
assistant May 23, 1649 ; chosen general treasurer
of the Colony May 23, 1655; general recorder
and treasurer. May 20, 1656; and