Richard Sawtel was born in April, 1611 in Aller, Somersetshire, England and married Elizabeth Pople on February 5, 1627/28 in High Ham, Somersetshire, England. He died on August 21, 1694 in Watertown, Massachusetts. Richard Sawtel and his wife, Elizabeth Pople immigrated to America and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts about 1635. They are listed in the records as having arrived in Watertown prior to 1636. In 1655, Richard and Elizabeth moved the family from Watertown to Groton, Massachusetts where Richard received a grant of 20 acres of land as one of the original proprietors. In Watertown records, the surname is spelled, Sawtel. In Groton records, it is spelled Sawtell.

After severe Indian raids on March 13, 1676, Richard and Elizabeth moved the family back to Watertown where they remained until their deaths. At least one of the children returned to Groton (Obidiah).

The children of Richard and Elizazbeth Sawtel were:

	Richard Sawtel, Jr.
	Elizabeth Sawtel
	Jonathan Sawtel
	Mary Sawtel
	Hanna Sawtel
	Zachariah Sawtel
	Bethia Sawtel
	Enoch Sawtel
	John Sawtel
	Obadiah Sawtel
	Ruth Sawtel

Important Note: There is no supporting documentation for John Sawtel, Sr. or John Sawtel, Jr. (grandfather and father of Richard Sawtel). There are numerous consistent references to the relationship in the historical records, but all are without source or supporting information. The same holds true for the ancestors of Elizabeth Pople. The records are consistent, but there is no source information.