Henry Garnsey Canine Recreation Park - Historical Information

Historical Site

Henry Garnsey Canine Recreation Park is located on an historic site in Medway. It is known as the location of the home of the first settler in Medway, Henry Garnsey, in 1700. The dog park is named in his honor. Today, the only evidence visible on the property is the old stone foundation. Tim Dumas was granted permission by the Medway Park Commissioners and the Medway Board of Selectmen to preserve the foundation by filling the cellar hole with sand leaving only the top of the foundation exposed. This will prevent any further collapse of the stone foundation. Should an archeological dig be necessary on the site, the sand would not be a deterrent as it would not be to difficult to remove. A fence was errected around the foundation to preserve the historical foundation. A message board is located just outside the fence in front of the foundation which displays historical information about the land.

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Facts

In 1649 and 1650, grants of land were made to Dedham, MA settlers wishing to establish a new settlement in the Boggestowe area at East Holliston, MA. Medfield, MA, was incorporated in 1650 on these lands. In 1659 another grant of land, called the "New Grant" was made to Medfield settlers, in an area now largely occupied by Medway, MA.

Henry Garnsey, of Roxbury, was the first settler in the New Grant. In 1700, the same year that he married Sarah Wheelock, he owned Lot No. 8, which laid on both sides of Chicken Brook, with its east bound at the present Cottage Street. His dwelling stood near the original junction of Village and Cottage Streets. The site of his house is marked by a partial foundation and cellar hole, just south of the former railroad grade, preserved by the Medway Historical Commission.

In 1717 he was a Selectman of Medway, MA.

Guernsey Street in Medway, MA, unfortunately misnamed, commemorates Henry Garnsey.

Henry's wife Sarah died in 1716, and Hannah, Henry's second wife died in 1721.

His tombstone, in the Old Burying Ground, West Medway, reads as follows:
"Here lies ye Body of Henry Gurnsey
Deceased, July ye 3rd 1759 Aged 80 years."

SOURCE CITATION:      "Early Medway Settlers & Land Records",
                                    Francis D. Donovan, 1996,
                                    Medway Public Library web site, www.medwaylib.org.

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Henry GARNSEY

BIRTH: 1679
            Headstone Record,
            Old Burying Ground, Medway, MA,
            age 80 years at death.

DEATH: 3 JULY 1759, Medway, MA

BURIAL: Old Burying Ground, Medway, MA

Family 1: Wife: Sarah WHEELOCK

                    Children:
                       Sarah GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1701, Medway, MA
                       Samuel GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1703
                       Bette GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1705
                       Mary GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1707
                       Mehetible GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1709
                           DEATH: 1713
                        John GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1709
                           DEATH: 1713
                        Thankful GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1712
                        Experience GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1715
                        Patience GARNSEY
                           BIRTH: 1716

MARRIAGE: 7 NOV 1700, Dedham, Suffolk, MA
SOURCE CITATION: Dedham Vital Records

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Henry GARNSEY

Henry GARNSEY was born on 16 Jul 1679 in Dorchester, Suffolk County, MA.
He was christened on 7 Sep 1679.
He died on 3 Jul 1759 in Medway, Norfolk County, MA

SOURCE CITATION:
     Title: Ancestral File (TM)
     Author: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
     Publication Information: July 1996 (c), data as of 2 January 1996
     Repository Name: Family History Library
     Address: 35 N West Temple Street
     Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA