Joseph Briscoe

Baker (“loaf-bread baker,” Roberts), of Boston; living 1724. His grandmother Susanna Compton left her whole estate, household goods and 23s in cash, to “my little grandchild, Joseph Brisco.” In 1664 the court let his stepfather Abraham Busby keep half of it for bringing him up (NEHGR 178:32). In 1679 he won a suit against his uncle Ezekiel’s estate for £30 left him by his grandfather William, and he signed a deed of 1680/81 with his mark (NEHGR 178:32-33).

He took the oath of allegiance in 1678, was made a freeman on 15 May 1690, and belonged to the South Church. He joined the Artillery Company in 1692 and was its Fourth Sergeant in 1695; he was a Boston constable in 1693/4, and a tithingman and measurer of grain in 1706-09 (NEHGR 178:33-34). In November 1696 “Joseph Bisco” was the fourth of several hundred Boston inhabitants to sign a petition asking the General Court to repeal the 1692 law that buildings in the town be built of brick or stone. The corner of Washington and Bromfield Streets, where he held land, was called “Briscow’s Corner” in 1708 (NEHGR 178:33).

He held an enslaved man: on 26 Oct 1720 “William Row, Negro Servt. to Joseph Brisco” was forbidden to marry Johanna Gig, servant of Peter Thomas (Boston RC 28:99).