Peter Johnson, at age 21, received a deed of land in Hampton, in June 1660, from his stepfather, Thomas Coleman, as the eldest son of Edmund. He was a millwright by trade, and in 1672 he built a grist mill in Hampton. On 20 November 1668 Peter Johnson of Hampton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, millwright, sold to Richard Oliver one share of the Cow Common, which had been granted by the town of Hampton to Edmund Johnson in 1645. Peter, with James Philbrick, was drowned in the Hampton River on 16 November, 1674. Administration of his estate was granted to his wife Ruth on 13 April 1675.67
Peter, of Hampton, of age 19 June 1660 when step-father deeded to him, eldest son; abt 32 in Mar 1670-1. If born there, he was prob. the first white child born in town, tho that distinction claimed for Abraham Perkins.32

A Genealogical History of the Clark and Worth Familes

Author: Carol Clark Johnson
Call Number: CS71.C6

Also includes other Puritan settlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. About 50 families settling and founding Rowley, Mass.
Includes over 5000 names.

[2168] Peter may have been the first white child born in Hampton. That distinction is also claimed for Abraham PERKINS, son of Abraham and Mary and who later
married Elizabeth SLEEPER of Hampton. He was drowned with James Philbrick. Additional source: Noyes/Libby/Davis, "Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and
New Hampshire," (1939), pgs. 383 and 499. 140

JOSEPH DOW'S HISTORY OF HAMPTON
Chapter 31 -- Part 9
Johnson's Windmill

When the mill was built and how long it remained are now unknown. It is called Peter Johnson's windmill -- that is, the first Peter, the same who obtained the first grant of a mill privilege on Little river. In the inventory of his estate is mentioned "two-thirds of a windmill, £7."

The site is called "Windmill hill" in the Town Records, dated December, 1765, [p. 523.] and is now known as Johnson's hill (where Mr. George A. Johnson lives). The mill stood near the old oaks. 140

JOSEPH DOW'S HISTORY OF HAMPTON-Chapter 31 -- Part 5
Little River Mills
Peter Johnson's Gristmill

February 17, 1672: The town granted liberty to Peter Johnson to set up a gristmill upon the Little river, above the meadows, near to the Barren Hill, [Barren hill is just above the present middle mill site, on the north side of the stream.] in the most convenient place, where the said Peter Johnson shall choose; and the like liberty is granted him to set up a fulling-mill and a turning-gear, if he see meet, and upon this condition: the said Peter Johnson doth relinquish his right of a grant formerly granted to him at Nilus river (of an unknown date).

This is very nearly the site of the present middle sawmill, owned by R. L. Moulton, and built over in 1855. 140

JOSEPH DOW'S HISTORY OF HAMPTON-Chapter 3 -- Part 18

LINE BETWEEN HAMPTON AND EXETER

Abraham Drake, Peter Johnson, James Philbrick and Joseph Dow were appointed, February 9, 1671, to run the line between this town and Exeter, from Ass brook to the extent of ten miles westerly according to the court's order, and to mark it out with bound marks according to law; and they were instructed to enter upon this work four days from that date, or as soon afterward as the weather would permit.

The ten miles here mentioned, should not be reckoned from the starting point named, but from a bound about one mile and three-fourths from it, in a direction two or three points south of west, which bound is referred to in the following extract from the report of a committee appointed by the General Court to survey and determine the bounds of Exeter. The report was signed by Samuel Dalton and Richard Waldron, and approved by the court at the session which
commenced April 29, 1668: "From the foot of Exeter falls by the present Grist Mill, a mile and a half due south to Hampton Bound, & from that south point to run upon a west and by north line Ten miles into the woods adjoining to Hampton Bounds." 140