According to Kellogg and Threlfall648, “4. OBADIAH2 SAWTELL (Richard1) was born about 1649, probably at Watertown. (Lineage #3181 in NSDFPA Lineage Book, 1933, p. [p. 8] 66, no source cited, gives birthdate of 14 Sept. 1648). He went to Groton about 1662 with his parents. At the outbreak of King Philip’s War he and his parents returned to Watertown, where he was credited with service in February of 1676/7 (Bodge, op. cit., p. 451). He married, about 1680, HANNAH LAWRENCE, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Crispe) Lawrence of Watertown (Middlesex County Probate, No. 13685). She was born 24 March 1661/2 at Watertown (Vital Records). Of their children, some are proved by birth records, some by deeds and the rest by inference, since his brothers Jonathan and Zachariah were both dead by 1690/1 and Jonathan had been a widower since 1676. All doubts are noted.

“It would appear that Obadiah left Groton for a few years about 1689, at the outbreak of King William’s War, for he is not on the garrison list of 1691-2, a list which probably included every Groton family (Caleb Butler, History of the Town of Groton, 1848, p. 91). In addition, his children born between 1689 and 1693 are not recorded at Groton.

“His wife was alive in 1726 when she joined him in making her mark to a deed. He died on 20 March 1740 in his 92nd year, according to his tombstone in the old cemetery at Groton (Vital Records). The slate headstone is in excellent condition. There is no stone for Hannah. Presumably his death date would be 1740/41, thus putting his birth at about 1649. If the stone were cut after 1752, then the 1740 would be new style, and a birth year of about 1648 would tie in with the date given in the NSDFPA Lineage Book.” An account of his 12 children follows.

Skeate649 give Obadiah Sawtell’s birthdate as 14 September 1648/49 [sic].