Samuel Doane

Biography

Samuel Doane's public work consisted of the recurring tasks through which Eastham, on Cape Cod in present-day Massachusetts, governed itself. Admitted as a townsman in March 1701/02, he later served as constable, juror, tithingman, fence viewer and selectman. The Doane genealogy records two successive years as constable in 1712/13 and 1713/14, jury service on several occasions, and election as selectman in 1731 and 1733.

These were practical responsibilities. A fence viewer dealt with boundaries and the condition of fences; the tithingman's office involved order and Sabbath observance. Samuel held the latter position in 1723 and served as fence viewer in 1731/32.

Born in 1673, Samuel married Martha Hamblin in 1696. Their children included Samuel, Sarah, Dinah, Dorcas, Solomon, Simeon, Martha and Keturah. By the time he prepared his will on April 9, 1756, some of these children had long-established households of their own. His daughter Dorcas had died years earlier; her children were represented in the will alongside Samuel's surviving sons and daughters.

Samuel appointed his son Samuel executor. The genealogy reports an estate inventory of £324, 11 shillings and 1 penny. He died later in 1756 and was buried at Herring Pond, the burial ground also known today as Bridge Road Cemetery. His gravestone survives in the assembled memorial material.

The genealogy names Samuel’s parents as John Doane and Hannah Bangs. His admission as an Eastham townsman is dated March 11, 1701/02. An 1844 town history also names Noah among his sons, separately from the genealogy’s eight-child list. That difference remains unresolved.

The recorded jury years were 1711/12, 1718, 1721 and 1730.