Abraham Toppan, son of William Topham, of Calbridge, in the Parish of Coverham, and fourth in the descent from Robert Topham, of Linton, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, was baptized April 10, 1606. He lived for some time in Yarmouth County of Norfolk. His wife, whose maiden name was Taylor, was born in the year 1607. Her mother, Elizabeth, inherited considerable property from a second husband, Mr. John Goodale of Yarmouth, whose will is dated 1625.

In the year 1637, Abraham Toppan, with his wife, two children and maid-servant, took passage in the "Mary Ann" for New England. (See NEHGS Register, No. 14, page 327). His mother-in-law, Mrs. Goodale, also took passage in the same vessel.

He was admitted into the township of Newbury, MA October 16, 1637. At different times during the following year, several lots of land were granted to him, on one of which he erected his dwelling, near where the meeting house was built, in 1646, a few rods north from the house of Captain Richard Adams.

During his life he made "sundry voyages to the Barbadoes, of which one or two were profitable; the produce being brought home in sugar, cotton, wool and molasses, which were then commodities rendering great profit, being at twelve pence for wool, sugar at six or eight pence per pound profit - of which he brought great quantities". (Registry of deeds, Salem, MA).

He made his will June 30, 1670. In it he speaks of "having done for his son Peter beyond what I have done or can do in proportion for ye rest of my children".

He died November 5, 1672, aged sixty-six years in the house on "Toppan's Lane", which he had built around 1670 for his son Jacob. His widow died March 20, 1689, aged eighty-two years. Her mother, Mrs. Goodale, died at Newbury, MA, April 8, 1647.

The children of Abraham and Susanna Taylor Toppan were: Peter born in England, 1634; married Jane Batt; Elizabeth, born in England; married Samuel Mighill of Rowley, MA; Abraham, born at Newbury 1644; married Ruth Pike Jacob, born 1645; Married Hannah Sewall; Susanna, born 1649; John, born 1651; married Martha Browne; Isaac, born 1653, married (1) Hannah Kent, (2) Mary Marsh.

The above material from "Family Records of James and Nancy Dunham Tappan", by Peter Goode.

Submitted by: Pat Long

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