1855John and Dorcas came to Gloucester about the end of the 17th century from Falmouth, Maine, driven away by the second destruction of that place by the Indians. John Lane received form the town a grant of a common right in 1702, and in 1704 ten acres of land at Flatstone Cove, where he had already settled. A yeoman, he transferred land on 26 February 1727/28 for affection of two of his sons, James and Josiah Lane.1857
His widow received one third of his estate. James was the eldest son; other heirs included representatives of John Lane, Josiah Lane, Joseph Lane, Benjamin Lane, Job Lane, William Tucker in the right of his deceased wife Dorcas, representatives of Thomas and Sarah Riggs, Caleb Woodberry, in the right of his wife (not named), and Joseph Thursten in the right of his wife Mary. Thomas and Dorcas Wharf signed a receipt on 11 February 1739, John and Mary Roberts on 7 June 1739, and Caleb Woodberry for his children on 7 November 1739. Daniel Griffin received on 3 September 1739 as a representative of Sarah Riggs, a deceased granddaughter. Grandchildren Eliphalet Day and Sarah Day signed on 7 June 1739.1858
John and Dorcas Lane were buried in the original Lane's Cove burial ground. Their double marker was taken to the Cape Ann Historical Association for protection and strage in the 1950s. A replacement replica had disappeared by 1989. Lane's Cove, and by inference, Lanesville, in Gloucester, were named for John Lane.1859 An account of the family published in the Register over 100 years ago treated their children and gave an incomplete coverage of their grandchildren.1860 Lane Genealogies1861, published a few years after the article, also covers their descendants, with some significant errors. Although the article and the book would not meet contemporary standards, the accounts of the families of most of the children require relatively little revision. Discussion of two of the daughters, Sarah and Mary, is carried forward here with substantial changes and additions to previous accounts. |