The Thomas and Jonathan Danforth collection contains documents pertaining to legal matters overseen by the Danforths in late-17th century Massachusetts. Among the documents are brief, signed statements concerning property disputes and other legal matters that reflect contemporary legal procedures related to testimony and bail. Thomas and Jonathan Danforth were directly involved in most of the cases, in both personal and legal capacities. The collection also includes a document pertaining to the construction of a bridge over the Concord River near Billerica, Massachusetts, as well as "A Transcript of birth, in the Towne of Billerica" that records several births between October 1687 and February 1688. Thomas and Jonathan Danforth each signed three items, one item was signed by both men.
Thomas Danforth was born in England in November 1622 or 1623, and at the age of 11, his family moved to Masssachusetts. In 1650, he was appointed treasurer of Harvard College, a position he held until becoming the steward in 1669. He had a long career in public service, holding positions in the Massachusetts legislature and as president of the Province of Maine. In his final years, he was an associate justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Notably, he served as a judge during the Salem witch trials of 1692. Danforth married Mary Withington in 1644, and they had twelve children. He died on November 5, 1699.
Jonathan Danforth was born in England in 1628 and, after moving to Massachusetts, became a leading citizen of Billerica, where he served as the town clerk and as the captain of a local military unit. In addition to his public offices, he became a surveyor. He married Elizabeth Poulter on November 22, 1654, and they had nine children. After her death, he married Esther Champney on November 17, 1690. He died in 1712.
