 Thomas Danforth ( baptized November 20 , 1623 – November 5 , 1699 ) was a politician , magistrate , and landowner in the Massachusetts Bay Colony . A conservative Puritan , he served for many years as one of the colony 's councilors and magistrates , generally leading opposition to attempts by the English kings to assert control over the colony . He accumulated land in the central part of the colony that eventually became a portion of Framingham , Massachusetts . His government roles included administration of territory in present @-@ day Maine that was purchased by the colony . 
