Histories

From "Ackley Ancestry":

John Doane arrived in New England with his wife and probably his daughter Lydia, about 1630, and settled in Plymouth, where he bore the title of "Mr.", a distinction among the Pilgrims. He was chosen one of the "Cowncell" or Assistants to the Governor, 1 Jan. 1632/3, and became a freeman that year.

Before 2 Jan. 1633/4, he had been made a Deacon in theplace of Thomas Blossom and, on that date, at the request of the church and himself, was freed from the office of Assistant. This suggests a preference for religious rather than civil service, and possibly a belief in the incompatability of the two. However, he was extremely active in both fields for a number of years, and continued as Deacon until his removal from Plymouth in 1645.

John was chosen on 5 Jan. 1635/6 to assist the Governor and Council "to sett shuch rates on goods to be sould & labourers for their hire, as should be meete & juste," a very early attempt at price and wage fixing. On 15 Nov. 1636, he was also chosen to assist in the first revision of the laws of the Colony to be made since the signing of the Mayflower Compact. He served as Deputy for Plymouth at least seven times between May 1639 and March 1643/4, and frequently on juries. He was licensed to "draw wine" in Plymouth, 4 June 1639, and at later dates, which at that period was an honor rather than a disparagement.

He reared at least two children besides his own, for when Peter Browne died in 1633 he became guardian for Browne's daughter Mary, and in the same year was administrator of the estate of the widow Martha Harding, probably his sister, who left her son Joseph to his care.

On 10 May 1644, with Myles Standish, he took an inventory of the personal property left by Elder William Brewster. About that time he served on a committee to explore, survey and purchase freom the Indians, Nauset which in 1651 became Estham. The Plymouth church transferred this purchase at its cost price to seven families, including those of Thomas Prence, John Doane, and Edward Bangs. The Doanes appear to have moved there in 1645.

In Eastham John soon became a Deacon of the church, and he served that town as its first Representative, probably in 1646, certainly in 1647, 1649 to 1654, and 1659. The early records are far from complete, but the service of John continued "until the infirmities of age forced him to ask the town to be relieved of that duty, but so confiding was the town in his ability, widsom and integrity that theyunanimously voted him additional compensation to induce him to continue to serve in that capacity." Some of the recorded Selectman service may belong to him, son to his son and namesake.

Danger of war between Holland and the mother country caused the Plymouth Court to call a meeting for 6 Apr. 1653, to "treat and conclude on such milletary affaires as though Gods blessing may probably tend to our psent and future safety." Two Deputies were chosen from each town, including "Mr. John Doane" and Richard Sparrow for Eastham. John was appointed by the Court in 1663 to "adminester marriage" and to swear witnesses in Eastham, an office comparable to the later Justice of the Peace.

His wie Ann signed a deed with him on 4 Dec. 1648, and on 1 Apr. 1659 he signed a deed "with the concent of his wife Mistris Lydia Done."

In his will dated 18 May 1678, he called himself "eighty and eight years or there about," and directed that the homestead should go to his wife (unnamed) for life and then to his unmarried daughter Abigail. Over three years after making the will, on 2 Dec. 1681, in a deed which calls him "Gent., Tayer," he conveyed this property to the daughter, indicating that the wife had already died. At his death in 1686, Abigail Doane administered the estate. Among other provisions of the will, John gave to his son Daniel the land on which the latter was living and other property. Others mentioned were the sons John an dEphraim, and granddaughter Margaret Hicks.