(2) I. Elder George Minot was the son of Thomas Minot, Esq., of
Saffron-Walden, Essex, England, and was b. Aug. 4, 1594. He was among
the first Pilgrim emigrants to Massachusetts, and the first settlers
of Dorchester. His place of residence was near Neponset Bridge, and
he owned the land which has been known as "Squantum." He was made a
freeman in 1634, and represented the town in 1635 and 1636. He was
a ruling elder in the church thirty years, and d. Dec. 24, 1671, in
the 78th year of his age. He left a will, which is recorded in the
Suffolk Records, Vol. VII. p. 189. The inventory of his estate amounted
to £277. 7. 7. "His death," say the records, "was much lamented by
the town, whose weal he sought and liberties defended." He was a
cotemporary with Elder Humphrey; and it is said the following lines
were once to be found on a gravestone in the ancient burying-ground in
Dorchester:--
Here lie the bodies of Unite Humphrey and Shining Minot,
Such names as these, they never die not.
Mr. Minot's wife, Martha, d. in Dorchester, Dec. 23, 1657, a. 60. He
left the following children;
2--1 John, b. April 2, 1626, m. Lydia Butler, May 19,
1647. (3)
3--2 James, b. Dec. 31, 1628, m. Hannah Stoughton, Dec. 9,
1653. (4)
4--3 Stephen, b. May 2, 1631, m. Trucrosse Davenport, Nov. 10,
1654. (5)
5--4 Samuel, b. Dec. 18, 1635, m. Hannah Howard, June 23,
1670. (6)