The Official Story
Chapter 7

Foster's creditors line up to collect

The court records suggest that Foster's creditors attempted to retrieve what he owed them.

In the Lincoln County Court records for 1788, there are records of a Boston merchant attempting to collect a sizeable debt from Foster. Henry Sewall kept tabs on the case in his diary. He records his correspondence with the Boston merchant's attorney, his attendance at the trial in Pownalborough, and his attendance at the appeal, which Foster lost. (Notice that Henry Sewall was in Pownalborough for other reasons, too. His defamation case with Foster was still brewing.)

Looking through the town's property deeds, we find records showing Isaac Foster sold some unimproved property in 1790 for 60 pounds. He'd acquired the same property a couple of years earlier for 200 pounds, but the town treasurer held a mortgage on the property. It seems Foster was being forced to hand over the land because he was unable to raise the funds required to pay off a 30 pound debt.

Martha's diary entries suggest that the local townsfolk were lining up to make their claims against Isaac Foster.



previous
 Foster haggles with the town
     
next
 The evidence suggests that Foster began looking for another job.

Table of Contents
Land deeds of Rev. Foster
Lincoln County Courthouse
August 2, 1790		 View Image
View Image
View Frames version

 Grantor Index D-G     Aug 2, 1790 Page 66   Aug 2, 1790 Page 66 (back)   Aug 2, 1790 Page 67   Aug 2, 1790 Page 67 (back) 
 

 

August 2, 1790 Page 66

possession of John Campbell, northerly by a Marsh in possession of Matthew McKenny.. To have and to hold the same with all the Buildings appurtenances & Priviledges to the said Land & Marsh belonging to him the said George Todd his heirs and assigns forever, to his and their only proper use and behoof forever. And the said Samuel Todd for myself my heirs Executors and Administrators do covenant with the said George Todd his heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises, that I have good right to sell and convey the same as aforesaid, and will warrant and secure and defend the above bargained premises to the said George Todd his heirs & assigns forever against the lawfull claims or demands of all persons claiming by or under one. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the twenty fourth Day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety. Samuel Todd and a Seal. The word "Mariner" on the 5th line from the top in the first page was intersined before signing signed, sealed, delivered in presence of us Jospeh White Francis Winter. Lincoln Ss May 24. 1790 personally appeared the above named Samuel Todd and acknowledged this instrument by him subscribed to his free Act and Deed before me Fra. Winter Justice of the Peace -- Wed. Augst 6.th 1790 & entered & examined

by Thos. Rice Reg.r

66

Know all men by these presents -- that I Isaac Foster late of Hollowell in the County of Lincoln now resident in the County of Suffolk Clerk for and in consideration of the sum of sixty pounds lawful money to me in hand well and truely paid by Daniel Shute of Hingham in the County of Suffolk, Doctor in Divinity, the --

Receipt

 Isaac Foster
to
Daniel Shute