The Well-Known Arms of Newton in King's Chapel, Boston

Our next armorial memorial in King's Chapel, Boston, Massachusetts, is that of Thomas Newton, Esq.

Thomas Newton, Esq., served as King's Attorney and prosecuted the witchcraft cases in Salem, Massachusetts until 26 July 1692. On that day he was succeeded by Anthony Checkley, the colony's attorney general. Newton had come to Massachusetts from England in 1688 and was one of the first legally trained lawyers in Massachusetts. Over the course of his career, he also served as Controller of the Customs at Boston, Judge of the Admiralty Court, and Attorney-General for the Province of Massachusetts.

All of the biographical information I can find for Thomas Newton (beyond that given on the face of the memorial, and much of which confirms the colonial offices he held) gives his death date as May 28, 1721, but the memorial here gives his death as June 12, 1721. The difference has to be more than just the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian, as May 28 under the former would only be June 8 under the latter. So color me confused.

The Heraldic Journal, Vol. II, p. 12, gives the following biographical information on Mr. Newton: "At all events, this Thomas Newton is termed Esquire in his will, dated 6 March 1720[/21], proved 5 June 1721, in which he mentions his wife Christian, son Hibbett Newton, and daighters Elizabeth, Christian and Hannah."

Following his death, we find the following advertisements and notices about the sale of his extensive personal library:

On 14 August, 18 September, 9 October 1721, in the Boston News-Letter: "To be Sold by Auction upon the Third Tuesday of October next, being the 17th Day of the said Month, A very curious and valuable Collection of Books, being the Library of the late Thomas Newton Esq, of Boston, Deceased, consisting of Divinity, History, but mostly of the Law (being the greatest and best Collection of Law Books that ever was exposed to Sale in this Country.) The Sale is to be at the House where his Widow now dwells in Queen-Street, Opposite to the Prison on Boston, and begins at Four a Clock in the afternoon, and so de Die in Diem till all are Sold. The Books may be seen Fourteen Days before the Sale, and Catalogues may be had gratis at said House."

Notice text of 28 August 1721, in The Boston Gazette: "Whereas several Books of the late Mr. Newton's Library are missing, being lent in his Life time and not yet returned. This is to desire that all Persons having any such Books, will return them to his Widow at her house in Prison Lane, Boston. The late Mr. Newton's Library is to be Sold by Auction at the House abovesaid, on Tuesday the 17 of October next, where Printed Catalogues may be had Gratis."

Advertisement text on 9 October 1721, in The Boston Gazette: "A Collection of Curious and Valuable Books, being the Library of the late Mr. Newton, are to be Sold by Auction, on Tuesday the 17th Instant, at the House of his Widow's in Queen-Street."

Postponement announcement text on 16 October 1721, in the Boston News-Letter: "By reason of the Small Pox, the Publick Sale of the Library of the late Thomas Newton of Boston, Esq, Deceased, that was to be on Tuesday next, is at present put off to a more convenient Season; and in the interim, any Gentleman may be accommodated with what Books they want till the Publick Sale."

Advertisement text on 14, 21, 28 May 1722, in the Boston News-Letter: "To be Sold by Publick Vendue on Tuesday the 29th Instant at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, at the Sun Tavern on Dock-square, a Valuable Collection of BOOKS, being the Library of Thomas Newton Esq, deceased; with sundry other Valuable Books added to them."

But of course, it is the coat of arms displayed on his monument, rather than his extensive library, in which we are interested.

Bolton’s American Armory, p. 121, cites: "Newton. Sable two shin bones in saltire argent the sinister surmounting the dexter. Crest: An arm holding a battle axe. Wall tablet to Thomas Newton, warden of King’s Chapel, 1704, and attorney-general, d. 1721. King’s Chapel, Boston, south aisle." In short, the memorial tablet that we are looking at is the source for Bolton's citation of these arms.

I couldn't get high enough to see the full motto on the scroll beneath the shield, and I didn't find it listed in Fairbairn's Crests, my usual "go-to" source, either under "Newton" or in the Mottoes section with anything beginning with "DE" and ending in "GO".

Still, an interesting coat of arms memorialing a man who certainly lived in interesting times.