When Tristram's father left Newbury, Tristram Jr. stayed behind. He was very active in town and church affairs holding a number of positions in town government. In about 1654 Tristram erected the Coffin home on what is now High Street in Newbury. This house, one of the oldest still standing in North America, is now owned by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. And may be visited by the public.
The Rev. Thomas Parker first
settled Newbury in 1635 with a group of about one hundred of his followers. The
church in Newbury was led by Rev. Parker for many years and in the 1660's great
controversy arose as to its administration and religious practices. Two factions
developed in the town and Tristram, throughout was a supporter of Rev. Parker,
signing petitions and giving testimony throughout the period.
On May 14,
1654, Tristram signed petition in defense of Robert Pike who was accused of
"intemperate zeal and seditious speech". On March 7, 1663, he was appointed a
fence viewer. On May 29, 1668 Tristram was admitted as freeman. In March
of 1674, Tristram, among others was appointed to lay out six acres to be used as
pasture for the future ministry. This, apparently led to him being appointed lot
layer on September 21, 1677.
In the years, 1669, 1670, 1680, and 1681 he
served as a selectman of the town.
Additionally, on September 29, 1681 he was
appointed by General Court as one of three commissioners of small claims. On
March 1, 1682 Tristram was appointed "standing way warden to see that evry
inhabitant do their part on the hye wayes". By the year 1683, Tristram was one
of the largest sheep owners in Newbury with a herd of 55.
In 1686 he was a
member of the committee that partitioned the balance of the undivided common
lands in Newbury.
On November 21, 1693, having previously been made a Deacon
of the church, Tristram, with the other two deacons were chosen as standing
overseers of the poor in Newbury and he was made Treasurer for the Poor.
In
1695, Newbury, having grown substantially was divided into two parishes,
Tristram and two others were selected to make the geographical division. This
was the beginning of the parish divisions which would result in the break off of
Newburyport seventy years later.
Remaining active in church and town affairs
until the end, on October 18, 1700 Tristram was appointed to a committee to
procure a new bell for the First Parish Meeting House. When Tristram died in
1704 a memorial inscribed as follows was erected in the First Church burial
ground in Newbury:
Submitted by: Bob Bamford - bob@essexbooks.com © 1997 Heritage Associates
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Last Updated February 26, 2005