EDGERLY, JUDGE THOMAS, 1635-1715. He
was received as an inhabitant in Dover, at Oyster
River, 19 January, 1665 ; took the oath of fidelity 21
June, 1669; made freeman 15 May, 1672. In 1665, he
began to serve on the grand jury and served in that
capacity many times ; it was then a very important
office. When New Hampshire became a separate Pro-
vince, Mr. Edgerly was appointed one of the Justices
of the Provincial Court, consisting of Captain Walter
Barefoot, Nathaniel Fryer, Henry Green, Peter CofRn,
Thomas Edgerly and Henry Robie. In 1684, Rev.
Joshua Moody, minister at Portsmouth, was arraigned
before this court for nonconformity, in that he refused
to administer the Communion service for Governor
Cranfield in accordance with the Ritual of the Church
of England. After hearing the evidence the Judges
debated the question. A vote was taken ; two voted
for conviction — Barefoot and CofRn ; the others dis-
sented. The next morning the court convened and the
case was reconsidered ; outside influence had induced
Green and Robie to change their opinion and they
joined with Barefoot and Coffin, condemning Mr.
Moody, and he was sent to jail, where he was confined
for three months. Judge Edgerly was cashiered by
Governor Cranfield, for his courage in standing by Mr.
Moody; he was restored to office after the Cranfield
government went to pieces. He was deputy to the con-
vention of 1689, held for reorganization of the govern-
ment. In July, 1694, his garrison was burned by the
Indians, when the awful massacre took place at Oyster
River. He was taken prisoner, with his son Joseph
and daughter, but they managed to escape, and soon
returned home. His garrison was on the shore of Little
Bay, near Durham Point. He was married by Capt.
Richard Walderne 28 Sept., 1665, to Rebecca, daughter
of John and Remembrance Ault ; she was the widow of
Henry Halloway, at her second marriage.
Children: (1) Thomas, b. 1666; m. Jane Whedon