Thomas Noyes, 1648-1730, was the fifth child of Rev. James Noyes. Thomas had thirteen children by two wives, Martha Pierce and Elizabeth Greenleaf. He served is town in a variety of positions, but above all as the leader of the militia. He rose from captain to major to lieutenant colonel to colonel during the period covered by these papers. His job was to keep his troops in constant readiness to march against the French and Indians. In particular, the Newbury militia was concerned with protecting Haverhill and upstream and north of the Merrimack.