Foster/Forester : In the English Middle Ages, the forests and woods were almost always owned or controlled by the lord of the manor -- but people had no reservations about sneaking in and taking firewood, game, or whatever else they might require. To keep the poaching to a minimum, the lord retained a man to watch the forest -- often called a Forester, and sometimes called a Foster. The name stuck as an English Occupation surname when they became adopted.

Abigail and Michael had ELEVEN children when they arrived in Brooklyn, Ohio.

It was the convention of the times to use the mother's maiden name as the middle name for a child. With that in mind, Michael B. Foster was probably named Michael Billings Foster.

Some info derived from Ancestry WorldTree Project as submitted by Dennis Homan


BURIAL:
Denison Cemetery
Foster , Micheal
Death Date:
Interment Date: 8/1824 ; Interment Number: 27 Age: 45
Remarks: Born 1779 in R. I.
Died Aug 1824
Section: ; Lot Number: 62 ; Tier: ; Grave: 4S Marker: yes ; Photo: yes
--http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohcuyah2/cems/denison/denef.html

NOTE:
Brooklyn history, as noted in Abigail Fish Foster's notes, states that the family left Groton for Ohio in 1826. If that is the case, how then could Michael's gravestone show an internment date of 1824? My guess would be that the history is in error.

SOURCE_OF_NAME:
"Robert Burrows and Descendants 1630-1974", by R.E. Burrows, 1975, 1816 pgs, Ann Arbor, Michigan [pg 254]

OBIT:
Name: Foster, Michael B.
Date: 1824
Source: Cemetery record; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #026.
Notes: 1779 - 1824. Dennison Cemetery Cleveland, Ohio.

OCCUPATION:
Tailor.

1. George FOSTER, @ b. 8 Dec 1805, near Preston City, New London, Connecticut; d. 7 Sep 1829, Strongsville, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
2. Lydia FOSTER, [infant] b. Abt 1806, near Preston City, New London, Connecticut; d. near Preston City, New London, Connecticut.
3. Sally FOSTER, @ b. Abt 1807, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. Aug 1867, Brooklyn, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA.
4. Nathan FOSTER, @ b. 7 Feb 1808, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. 14 Jan 1899, Berea, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
5. Ebenezer FOSTER, @ b. 19 Apr 1810, North Stonington,,Connecticut, USA; d. 23 Jul 1897, Brooklyn, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA.
6. Daniel C. FOSTER, @ b. 5 Mar 1812, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. 3 Jan 1882, Brooklyn Village, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA.
7. Eunice FOSTER, @ b. Abt 1813, ,, Connecticut; d. 9 Mar 1879, Mentor, Lake, Ohio.
8. Nancy FOSTER, @ b. Abt 1814, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. 21 Mar 1857, Brooklyn, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA.
9. Eveline Thankful FOSTER, @ b. 16 Jan 1816, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. Apr 1895, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
10. Matilda FOSTER, @ b. 1 Oct 1819, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. 14 Apr 1843, Brooklyn Township, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA.
11. Albert FOSTER, @ b. 12 Jul 1822, Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA; d. 30 Sep 1867, Mt. Vernon, Black Hawk, Iowa, USA.

BIOGRAPHY:
EARLY LANDHOLDERS OF WATCH HILL, by Peck, page 14, he married 2nd Sarah Billings.
Jonathan-2 left 1/4 of his land to each son. Thomas received Nap of Trees, also 3/4 of land and 1/2 of the house of his grandfather, Jonathan Foster, bought of Oliver Stewart.
THEY OWNED WATCH HILL
Michael and Denison received the land east of Bay Street and the remaining quarter of the Stewart land and the other half of the house.
Michael and Dennison sold their share to their uncle George Foster in 1798.
Michael lived in North Stonington for a while and then moved to Ohio.
In 1798 Thomas sold his land to Silas Babcock.
In 1806 George Foster sold 4 acres to the Supt. of Light House Services, USA for the pruposes of erecting a lighthouse.

136. Sarah MAIN (Thomas , Thomas , Jeremiah , Ezekiel ) was born 19 Aug 1745 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut. Sarah married Jonathan FOSTER Jr., son of Jonathan FOSTER and Anna JENCKES. Jonathan was born 1745.

They had the following children:
392 M i Jonathan FOSTER 3rd.
393 M ii Thomas FOSTER.

Jonathan married Sarah Billings (2nd). They had the following children.
394 M iii Michael FOSTER.
395 M iv Dennison FOSTER.

1. Dennison B. FOSTER b. Abt 1777.
2. 1. Michael B. FOSTER, @ b. 1778, Watch Hill,, Rhode Island; d. Aug 1824, Brooklyn Village, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA.

Found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/jdevlin/source_files/westerly_ri_cemetery_1.htm
Rhode Island, Washington County, Westerly
FOSTER GROUND: In the southwestern portion of the town, on the farm belonging to Mr. Edward F. VOST, west of the Watch Hill road, about thirty rods west of the farm0house, in a pasture, inclosed by a poor wall.
John FOSTER, died Nov 8, 1781, age 67.
Anna FOSTER, died Feb. 14, 1796, age 77
Catharine FOSTER, died Aug 22, 1786, in her 27th year.
Jonathan FOSTER, Jun., died Oct 10, 1781, age 36.
Sarah FOSTER (wife of Jonathan FOSTER, Jun.), died Oct 1775, age 30
George FOSTER d. Oct 2, 1837, age 82.
Thankful FOSTER (wife of George FOSTER), died Aug 15, 1830,age 81.

HISTORICAL CEMETERY #: WY031 JONATHAN FOSTER GROUND WESTERLY RI Location: 5 ft west of WATCH HILL RD at TEL pole # 2715 100 burials with 10 inscriptions from 1740 to 1830 NOTE: The Fosters have been moved out of this cemetery to River Bend Cemetery WY008. Rev Frederic Denison recorded this lot in 1867. "In the southwestern portion of the town, on the farm belonging to Mr. Edward F. Vose west of the Watch Hill Road, about thirty rods west of the farm house, in a pasture, enclosed by a poor wall. This contains near a hundred graves." This cemetery has been recorded but not checked.
Found at: http://members.tripod.com/~debyns/wy_ceme.htm

1. Anna FOSTER b. 1737.
2. Sarah FOSTER b. 1739; d. 1835.
3. 2. Jonathan FOSTER, Jr. @ b. 1745, Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island; d. 10 Oct 1781, Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island.
4. George FOSTER b. Abt 1751; d. 2 Oct 1837, Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island.
5. Catherine FOSTER b. Abt 1759; d. 22 Aug 1786.

DENISON GENEALOGY, by E. Glenn Denison, Josephine Middleton Peck, Donald L. Jacobus, The Pequot Press, Inc. Stonington, CT, 1963. Page 17.GENEALOGY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM CHESEBROUGH OF BOSTON, REHOBOTH, MASS., by Anna Chesebrough Wildey, New York, Press of T. A. Wright, 1903. Page 557.(Listed in grandfather) Joseph Billings, Jr. (103S), of Preston, Conn--Will proved Dec. 11, 1797; recorded in Norwich, Conn.; mentions...-my daughters, Sarah Edwards...

Mary Rogness's - Spouse of first cousin 8 times removed
Mary Rogness's - Third cousin 8 times removed

Mary Rogness's - First cousin 8 times removed
Mary Rogness's - Spouse of third cousin 8 times removed

1. Comfort BILLINGS b. 24 Sep 1740, Preston , New London , Connecticut.
2. Child BILLINGS
3. 3. Sarah BILLINGS b. 15 Jan 1745/1746, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; d. 1821, Groton, New London, Connecticut.
4. Nathan BILLINGS b. 9 Jun 1748, Preston , New London , Connecticut.
5. Desire BILLINGS b. 15 Aug 1757, Preston , New London , Connecticut; d. Susquehanna , Pennsylvania; bur. Babcock Farm Cemetery , Forest Lake , Susquehanna , Pennsylvania.

OCCUPATION: Blacksmith

BURIAL: Newell Burying Ground, Attelborough, Massachusetts

1678, October 2: "Political conditions in England and the disturbed affairs elsewhere caused the general court to order that as a letter had been received the previous April to have the oath of allegiance taken by every male inhabitant sixteen years of age and upwards, and have return made to the recorders of the county courts. The following persons in Salem took the oath: Samuell Aborn, Jr., Samuel Aburne, Sr. . . . Warned to appear March 25, 1678: John Foster, Sr., John Foster, Jr., Samuel Foster . . . John Tomkins, Jr. and John Tomkins, Sr." [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]"History of Salem, Massachusetts" by Sidney Perley; III:116-7; published by Sidney Perley; Salem, Massachusetts; 1926 (974.402 SA32PE ACPL)1712: John Foster, blacksmith removed from Salem to Dorchester and then to Attleborough. He was a useful and prominent man. At Attleborough he served as moderator many years; as surveyor of land; as magistrate in the capacity of justice of the peace, and as a representative to the general court. His will was proved at Attleborough, January 12, 1760. [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]1726, October 11: "And then ye Town voted that they would Chouze some persons of ye Town to Joyn with such persons as ye Church in sd Town shold appoinrt to be a Committee to Take Care & provide a suitable person to be a asture or minister of ye Church & Town: that is to Take Care untill such Time as a vote of sd Church & Town shall be Necessary as to ye Resettlement of a Gospel minister in sd Town" Four persons were chosen from the church, namely: Deacon John Fuller, Deacon Mayhew Daggett, Mr. Benjamin Slack, Mr. Samuel Tyler; and four from the town, namely: Captain Daniel Read, Captain John Foster, Mr. Samuel Day, Mr. Noah Carpenter." [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]"A Sketch of the History of Attleborough" by John Daggett'; p. 231; Press of S. Usher; Boston, Massachusetts; 1894 (974.402 AT85DA, PT.1 ACPL)1732: " . . . it was agreed to pay Captain Foster for his services to the General Court six shillings per day . [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]"A Sketch of the History of Attleborough" by John Daggett'; p. 101; Press of S. Usher; Boston, Massachusetts; 1894 (974.402 AT85DA, PT.1 ACPL)1723: John Foster was a Captain. [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]"Legislators of the Massachusetts General Court, 1691-1780: A Biographical Dictionary" by John A. Schutz; Northeastern University Press; Boston, Massachusetts; 1997 (974.4 SCH885L ACPL)1743: John Foster was a Major. [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]"Legislators of the Massachusetts General Court, 1691-1780: A Biographical Dictionary" by John A. Schutz, Northeastern University Press: Boston, Massachusetts; 1997 (974.4 SCH885L ACPL)1751, January 3: "Chose Colonel Thomas Bowen, Major John Foster and Captain Samuel Tyler a committee, fully empowering them to prepare a petition praying the General Court that some effectual method may be taken for the perfecting of a straight line from the middle of Accord Pond (so called) westward to that station which is three English miles south of the southernmost part of Charles River, agreeable to settlement made by the Government of New Plymouth and the Massachusetts in the year 1640." [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]"A Sketch of the History of Attleborough"; by John Daggett' p.105; Press of S. Usher; Boston, Massachusetts; 1894 (974.402 AT85DA, PT.1 ACPL)1751, September 26: "Made choice of James Otis of Boston, and John Foster of Attleborough, Esquire, a committee in addition to Benjamin Day and Nathaniel Smith, to present a petition to be heard at the General Court at their next session, and to pursue said petition until it is fully determined by said Court: and to petition anew if need be, to have the line settled on the northerly part of our Purchase." [Research of Julie Foster Van Camp, Foster family researcher]"A Sketch of the History of Attleborough" by John Daggett'; p. 105; Press of S. Usher; Boston, Massachusetts; 1894 (974.402 AT85DA, PT.1 ACPL)

"Major" John FosterHe was moderator at town meetings, an active justice of the peace, surveyor of lands and representative 1723-25-31-32.
MAJOR JOHN FOSTER (1680-1759)
MARGARET WARE (1685-1761)
1680 Major JOHN FOSTER was born on November 15that Salem, MA.
1685 MARGARET was born probably Roxbury, MA 1704He married MARGARET WARE on December 4th at Roxbury, MA.
1740 On Jan 21st Joseph Very of Mendon and wife Ruth Foster made JOHN of Attleboro attorney to sell land of father JOHN FOSTER at North fields in Salem at Royal Side and other tracts near Butts (now Tapley's) Brook. adm. granted Dec 31,1742.
1741 JOHN FOSTER of Attleboro, blacksmith bought of Patience of Salem a single woman on Jan 6th his rights in estate of father JOHN FOSTER.
1743 He purchased along with wife and sister Mary Harrod (RN 1101) land for 150lbs. from his spinster sister Anna of Boston. This was land that his father JOHN had bought from Samuel Beadle in Salem.
1759 JOHN died on December 24th and was buried at South Attleboro, MA
1760 His will was probated on Jan 12th and administered at Norton, MA on April 12th.
1761 MARGARET died on November 4th and was buried with her husband.
The History of Attleboro says "John Foster Esq., appears from the records to have been a useful public man in his day, though but few facts are known to the author." He was chosen moderator of town meetings for a long succession of years, and was a surveyor of lands. He was also an active justice of the peace, and for several years he represented Attleboro at the General Court of Massachusetts, in Boston.
SOURCES: Descendants of Thomas Farr of Harpswell,Maine and Ninety Allied Families by Edith Bartlett Sumner, Los Angeles,CA 1959 Foster Genealogy American Genealogist, 21:27 (John Foster 1, will) Perley: History of Salem, MA. History of Attleboro, MA by Daggett Pg. 468 Tompkins Genealogy by Robert Angus Tompkins Mass Soldiers and Sailors 5:935 Dedham Mass Historical Register, 6:112 VR of Salem, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Attleboro Essex Historical Collection, 6:242,243,244; 7:15,16,84,85 Francis Apthorp Foster Papers Box 10,G NEHGS Essex Deeds Vol. 84,pg 144.

1. John FOSTER b. 4 Mar 1705/1706, ,Dorchester,Suffolk County,Massachusetts; d. 3 Nov 1774, North Providence, Rhode Island.
2. Robert FOSTER b. 29 Oct 1707.
3. Ebenezer FOSTER b. 20 Aug 1709, ,Dorchester,Suffolk County,Massachusetts; d. 18 Jun 1749, Cumberland, Providence, Rhode Island.
4. Robert II FOSTER
5. Margaret FOSTER b. 7 Mar 1711/1712, ,Wrentham,Norfolk County,Massachusetts.
6. Benjamin FOSTER b. 17 Apr 1714, Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts; d. 6 Jan 1803, Clarenden, Rutland, Vermont.
7. 4. Jonathan FOSTER, Sr. @ b. 8 Jun 1715, Attleborough, Bristol, Ma; d. 8 Nov 1781, ,, Rhode Island, USA.
8. Sarah FOSTER b. 18 Apr 1718, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts.
9. Timothy FOSTER b. 14 May 1720, ,Attleboro,Bristol County,Massachusetts; d. 3 Apr 1785.
10. Nathan FOSTER b. 23 Jul 1722, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts; d. 1806, Bristol, Lincoln, Maine.
11. Esther FOSTER b. 1723/1724, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts; d. 1723/1724, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts.
12. Michael FOSTER, [infant] b. 19 Oct 1725, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts; d. 15 Apr 1726, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts.
13. Michael FOSTER b. 18 Jul 1727, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts.
14. Mary FOSTER b. 14 Nov 1729, Attleborough, Bristol, Massachusetts.

SOURCE_OF_NAME: Genealogy of the Jenks family of America, Concord, N.H.?: W.B. Browne, 1952, 771 pgs. [pg 33]

1. 5. Anna JENCKS, (Jenks) b. Abt 1721, Providence, Providence, Rhode Island; d. 26 Aug 1796, ,, Rhode Island, USA.
2. Martha JENCKS b. 22 Jan 1725; d. 1826.
3. John JENCKS d. 2 Apr 1810, Providence,, Rhode Island.
4. Catherine JENCKS
5. George JENCKS b. Abt 1725; d. 17 Dec 1753.
6. Joseph JENCKS b. 18 Dec 1740; d. 17 Dec 1753.

1. Samuel BILLINGS b. Abt 1712.
2. Amy BILLINGS b. 18 Dec 1712, Preston, New London, Connecticut; d. Abt Jan 1787.
3. Sarah BILLINGS b. 27 Dec 1714, Preston, New London, Connecticut; d. 25 Feb 1794, Petersburg, Rensselaer, Ny.
4. 6. Joseph BILLINGS b. 17 Dec 1716, Preston, New London, Connecticut; d. Abt Dec 1797.

1. 7. Thankful DENISON b. 1714, North Stonington, New London, Connecticut; c. 29 Jan 1727, Preston , New London , Connecticut.