~~ Massachusetts Colony ~~

--- Fifth Generation in America ---

Families of the Children of Elisabeth⁴ Washburn and Lt. John Benson

The grandchildren of Elisabeth Washburn and John Benson, those that I have been able to further trace, appear to have either remained in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, or moved to Maine, with the exception the children of Hannah Benson, who moved to Stafford, Connecticut and Windsor County, Vermont, and probably Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter of Elisabeth and John Benson married back into the Washburn family. With the exception of those who married Washburns, this branch will not be carried further than this file.

			John^2 Washburn (5th)
		Jonathan^3 Washburn
			Elizabeth^2 Mitchell
	Elisabeth^4 Washburn
			George Vaughan
		Mary Vaughan
			Elizabeth Hinchman
Susanna Benson
Lt. Jonathan Benson
Benjamin Benson
Hannah Benson
			John Benson
		Joseph Benson
			Mary Williams
	Lt. John Benson
		Sarah

(526.) Susanna⁴ Benson, eldest daughter of (139) Elisabeth⁴ Washburn, (60) Jonathan³, (43) John² (5th), (28) John¹ (4th); born probably in Hull, Massachusetts Colony, in ca. 1712, married Jonathan⁵ Cushman, son of Robert⁴ and Persis (Lewis) Cushman,[1] on 25 Feb. 1735/6 in Bridgewater,[2] and they lived in Kingston, Massachusetts Colony. He was born on 28 July 1712 in Plymouth,[3] a grandson of Thomas³ and Ruth² (Howland) Cushman (Jr.).[4] Susannah received her father’s best bed and a young cow in the will of her father, John Benson, in 1770.[5]

Jonathan Cushman died testate on 7 Dec. 1775 in Kingston, MA, aged 63 years.[6] His will was dated 4 Dec. 1775, witnessed by John Gray, Josiah Cook, and Rebeccah Washburn, and was probated on 4 Mar. 1776. He mentioned his wife Susanna Cushman, sons Ebenezar Cushman and Jonathan Cushman, and daughters Elizabeth Richards, wife of Eliezar Richards, and Mary Cushman. He named his son Ebenezar Cushman and Mr. John Faunce as his executors. (See Appendix [A] for a full transcription of his will.) Susanna (Benson) Cushman died a widow on 23 Feb. 1788 in Kingston.[7]

Jonathan Cushman and Susanna Benson had children:[8]

1703 i Azubah Cushman, born on 23 Nov. 1736 in Kingston, MA,[9] died on 18 Dec. 1747 in Kingston.[10]

1704 ii Joseph Cushman, born on 23 Oct. 1738 in Kingston,[11] died on 16 Dec. 1747 in Kingston.[12]

1705 iii Elizabeth Cushman, born on 30 Nov. 1740,[13] died on 31 Nov. [sic] 1740 in Kingston.[14]

1706 iv Elizabeth⁶ Cushman, born on 12 Feb. 1741/2 in Kingston,[15] married Eleazer⁵ Rickard (Jr.), son of Eleazer⁴ and Mary (Churchill) Rickard, of Plympton, MA,[16] on 29 Nov. 1764 in Kingston.[17] He was born on 22 July 1742 in Plympton,[18] a grandson of Samuel³ and Rebecca (Snow) Rickard.[19] Children not found. She was called “Elizabeth Richards wife of Eliezar Richards” in the will of her father. He may have been the Eleazer “Richard” living in Plymouth, MA, in the 1790 federal census,[20] but he was not a head of household in Plymouth Co., MA, in the 1800 federal census, and no death or probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.[21]

1707 v Sarah Cushman, born on 23 Jan. 1745/6 in Kingston,[22] died on 20 Dec. 1747 in Kingston.[23]

1708 vi Ebenezer⁶ Cushman, born on 30 Dec. 1747 in Kingston,[24] married 1.) Susanna Holmes, daughter of Josiah and Ruth⁵ (Cooke) Holmes,[25] on 23 Mar. 1775 in Kingston.[26] She was born on 24 Mar. 1750 in Kingston,[27] a granddaughter of John and Mercy (Ford) Holmes,[28] and of Francis⁴ and Ruth (Sylvester) Cooke (Jr.).[29] Ebenezer was a co-executor of his father’s will in 1776. They were living in Kingston, MA, in the 1790 federal census, living next door to Ebenezer and Ezekiel Washburn.[30] Susanna (Holmes) Cushman died on 27 Sept. 1803 in Kingston, aged 54 years, of “dropsy,”[31] and Ebenezer Cushman remarried to 2.) (1722) Kezia⁵ Benson, of Bridgewater, his first cousin, daughter of (529) Lt. Jonathan⁴ and Martha (Snell) Benson,[32] on 21 Apr. 1805 in Bridgewater.[33] She was born say ca. 1762 in Bridgewater,[34] and she died “suddenly” on 16 Mar. 1823 in Kingston, aged 70 [sic] years.[35] Ebenezer Cushman died testate on 21 Jan. 1827 in Kingston, of asthma, aged 79 years,[36] his will dated 15 Aug. 1823, and probated on 9 Apr. 1827, mentioned his son Silvester, daughter Lydia Bisbe and her husband, son Ebenezer Cushman and his wife, daughter Ruth Holmes, daughter Elizabeth Morton, and sons Robert and Harvey Cushman, and he named John Gray, Robert Cushman, and Harvey Cushman as executors of his estate, but John Gray refused on 9 Apr. 1827.[37] (See Appendix [B] for a full transcription of his will.) Ebenezer Cushman had 9 children by Susanna Holmes, and supposedly one more son by Kezia Benson:[38]

a. Lydia⁷ Cushman, born on 25 Sept. 1775 in Kingston,[39] possibly married Reuben Bisbee Jr., probably son of Reuben and Eunice (House/Hoar?) Bisbee, of Kingston, on 10 Oct. 1797 in Kingston.[40] No probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.

b. Sylvester⁷ Cushman, born on 21 July 1777 in Kingston,[41] married Hannah Brown on 28 Nov. 1799 in Portland, ME.[42] No death or probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.

c. Joseph⁷ Cushman, born on 6 Nov. 1779 in Kingston,[43] died on 11 Dec. 1802 in Martinico, West Indies, of a fever,[44] or on 13 Dec. 1803 in Kingston,[45] presumably unmarried, but no probate records were filed for his estate in Plymouth Co., MA.

d. Ebenezer⁷ Cushman Jr., a twin, born on 19 July 1782 in Kingston,[46] married 1.) Charity⁶ Benson, daughter of David⁵ and Charity (Hayward) Benson, of Bridgewater,[47] on 30 May 1805 in Bridgewater.[48] She was born on 6 Jan. 1784 in Bridgewater,[49] and they were second cousins. He received the land in Paris, Oxford Co., ME, that his father had purchased from Benjamin Faunce Jr. in his father’s will, which is where they settled. She died on 11 Aug. 1840 in Paris, ME,[50] and he remarried to 2.) Celia Sampson, daughter of Zoar and Luna Sampson,[51] on 13 Aug. 1841 in Leeds, ME.[52] She was born on 25 Jan. 1801 in Leeds, ME.[53] He died on 26 Nov. 1854 in Paris, ME.[54]

e. Susanna⁷ Cushman, a twin, born on 19 July 1782 in Kingston,[55] married Levi⁷ Morton, son of Josiah⁶ and Mary “Molly” (Whiting) Morton (Jr.), of Plymouth,[56] on 9 Feb. 1812 in Kingston.[57] He was born on 20 Dec. 1785 in Plymouth,[58] a grandson of Josiah⁶ and Melatiah (Finney) Morton, of Plymouth.[59] She supposedly died on 22 Apr. 1815.[60] No death or probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.

f. Ruth⁷ Cushman, born on 26 Oct. 1784 in Kingston,[61] married Barsillai⁶ Holmes, son of Josiah⁵ and Hasadiah (Sturtevant) Holmes (Jr.),[62] on 28 Nov. 1805 in Kingston.[63] He was born in 1777,[64] a grandson of Josiah⁴ and Ruth⁵ (Cooke) Holmes,[65] and they were first cousins. She died, and he remarried to Sally (Finney) Churchill, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sherman) Finney, and widow of Ephraim Churchill.[66] He died intestate on 29 Mar. 1859 in Kingston, aged 81 years, 4 months, 11 days, of “consumption,”[67] and Joseph Stetson, of Kingston, was granted administration of his estate on 3 May 1859.[68]

g. Elisabeth⁷ “Betsy” Cushman, born on 15 Oct. 1786 in Kingston,[69] married Lewis Morton, of Plymouth, on 27 Jan. 1814 in Kingston.[70] She died supposedly on 31 Jan. 1834.[71]

h. Robert⁷ Cushman, born on 26 Dec. 1788 in Kingston,[72] married 1.) Mercy⁶ Tilson, daughter of Jonathan⁵ and Sarah (Doty) Tilson (Jr.), of Carver, MA,[73] on 6 Jan.1811 in Carver,[74] and they settled in Kingston. She was born on 28 Sept. 1787 in Carver,[75] a granddaughter of Lt. Jonathan⁴ and Lucia (Cobb) Tilson.[76] She died on 21 Jan. 1821 in Kingston, MA, aged 33 years, in “childbed,”[77] and he remarried to 2.) Elizabeth⁷ “Betsey” Crooker Morton, daughter of Job⁶ and Patience (Crooker) Morton, of Carver,[78] on 3 Nov. 1822 in Carver.[79] She was born on 7 Jan. 1799 in Carver,[80] a granddaughter of Silas⁵ and Martha⁵ (Morton) Morton, of Plymouth.[81] He died on 13 Feb. 1856 in Kingston, aged 67 years, 1 month, 10 days, of “consumption,”[82] but no probate records were filed for his estate in Plymouth County.

i. Harvey⁷ Cushman, born on 19 Mar. 1791 in Kingston,[83] married Mercy Prince, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sherman) Prince, of Kingston,[84] on 30 Nov. 1815 in Kingston.[85] She was born on 24 Mar. 1793 in Kingston.[86] He died intestate on 9 July 1828 in Kingston, aged 37 years, 3 months, 18 or 20 days, of inflammation of the kidneys,[87] and his widow Mercy Cushman was granted administration of his estate on 11 Aug. 1828.[88] She died on 23 Dec. 1887 in Kingston, aged 94 years, 8 months, 29 days.[89]

1709 vii Mary⁶ Cushman, baptized on 16 Sept. 1750 in Kingston,[90] was still unmarried and living at home when her father wrote his will in 1775, married Barsillai⁶ Fuller, son of Barnabas⁵ and (761) Rebecca⁶ (Cushman) Fuller, of Kingston,[91] on 20 July 1786 in Kingston.[92] He was born on 17 Jan. 1751 in Kingston,[93] a grandson of Nathaniell⁴ and Martha³ (Sampson) Fuller, of Plympton,[94] and of Robert⁵ and (196) Mercy⁴ (Washburn) Cushman (Jr.),[95] and he was her first cousin once removed. Barzillai Fuller served in the Revolutionary War as a private in Capt. Peleg Wadsworth’s Company from Kingston in 1775, and again from 1778 to 1781,[96] and they probably settled in Hebron, ME, after 1781. He was living in Shepardsfield Plantation, Cumberland Co., ME, in the 1790 federal census,[97] in Hebron, Cumberland Co., ME, in the 1800 federal census,[98] and in Hebron, Oxford Co., ME, in the 1820 federal census, where he was a farmer.[99] He died on 8 Aug. 1833 in Hebron, ME.[100]

1710 viii Jonathan⁶ Cushman (Jr.), born on 12 May 1753 in Kingston,[101] married Elizabeth Whiten, daughter of Azariah and Elizabeth⁴ (Bradford) Whiten, of Plympton,[102] on 13 Dec. 1780 in Plympton.[103] She was born on 6 Oct. 1759 in Plympton,[104] a granddaughter of Ephraim³ and Elizabeth (Brewster) Bradford, of Plymouth.[105] They had two children whose births were recorded in Kingston, MA, but he was not listed as a head of household in Plymouth Co., MA, in the 1790 or 1800 federal censuses,[106] and they apparently moved to Turner, Oxford [now Androscoggin] Co., ME, but he was not a head of household in Oxford Co., ME, in the 1810 federal census. He died on 6 Apr. 1814 in Turner, ME,[107] and she died on 16 Feb. 1842 in Turner.[108] They had at least two children:

a. Artemus⁷ Cushman, born on 20 Apr. 1782 in Kingston.[109] He may have been the Artemas Cushman living in Greene, Kennebec Co., ME, in the 1810 federal census.[110]

b. Sarah Cushman, born on 2 Apr. 1784 in Kingston.[111]

c. (Possibly others)

1711 ix Benson Cushman,[112] born say ca. 1755 in Kingston, probably died young, not mentioned in his father’s will. He was not a head of household in Massachusetts in the 1790 federal census, and no marriage or probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.

(529.) Lt. Jonathan⁴ Benson, elder son of (139) Elisabeth⁴ Washburn, (60) Jonathan³, (43) John² (5th), (28) John¹ (4th); born in ca. 1718,[113] married Martha³ Snell, daughter of Amos² and Mary³ (Packard) Snell,[114] on 7 Nov. 1740 in Bridgewater.[115] She was born on 13 Dec. 1716 in Bridgewater,[116] a granddaughter of Thomas¹ and Martha (Harris) Snell, and of Ensign Samuel² and Elizabeth (Lathrop) Packard (Jr.), of Bridgewater,[117] and she was a sister of Keziah Snell, who married Jonathan’s brother Benjamin Benson. Jonathan Benson was the principal heir and executor of the estate of his father, John Benson, of Bridgewater, in 1770.[118]

Lt. Jonathan Benson died testate on 16 Dec. 1788 in Bridgewater, of small pox, aged 70 years.[119] His will was dated 20 Nov. 1788, probated on 5 Jan. 1789, witnessed by Benjamin Willis, Esq., Jacob Perkins, Oliver Allen, and Benjamin Willis, Jun^r. He mentioned his wife Martha, four sons Jonathan Benson, Ebenezer Benson, David Benson, and Jonah Benson, and five daughters Eunice, Mary, Martha, Lois, and Kezia Benson.[120] (See Appendix [C] for a full transcription of his will.)

Martha (Snell) Benson was not listed as a head of household in Bridgewater in the 1790 federal census, and she was probably living with the family of her son, Jonah Benson, in Bridgewater in the 1790 and 1800 federal censuses. She died testate on 21 Mar. 1801 in Bridgewater, aged 84 years.[121] Her will was dated 8 Apr. 1791, and probated on 5 Oct. 1801. She mentioned her children Eunice Harden, Mary Hayward, Martha Waterman, Lois Washburn, Jonathan Benson, Ebenezer Benson, David Benson, Jonah Benson, and daughter Kezia Benson. It was witnessed by Moses Snell, Barnabas Horton, and Chilton Latham Jr., and she named Benjamin Willis, Esq., as her executor, who declined, and administration with will annexed was granted to her son, Ebenezer Benson, of Bridgewater.[122] (See Appendix [D] for a full transcription of her will.)

Lt. Jonathan Benson and Martha Snell had children:[123]

1712 i John Benson, born on 28 June 1742? in Bridgewater,[124] probably died young, before his father’s will in 1788, leaving no heirs, because neither his father nor his mother mentioned any in their wills.

1713 ii Eunice⁵ Benson, born on 17 Jan. 1744 in Bridgewater,[125] married John Harden, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wade) Harden,[126] on 13 Nov. 1766 in Bridgewater.[127] They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790,[128] and 1800 federal censuses,[129] and probably the 1810 federal census.[130] He was probably the John Harden who died on 20 Aug. 1812 in Bridgewater, “old,”[131] but no probate records were filed for his estate, and she was probably the unnamed “wife of John Harden” who died on 18 Nov. 1811 in Bridgewater.[132] They had children:[133]

a. John Harden (Jr.), born on 7 Aug. 1767,[134] married Lucy⁶ Holmes, daughter of Ephraim⁵ and Lucy (Barnes) Holmes, of Plymouth, on 29 Jan. 1792 in Bridgewater,[135] and they lived in Bridgewater. She was born on 14 Jan. 1769,[136] probably in Plymouth. They were probably living next door to his father in Bridgewater in the 1800,[137] and 1810 federal censuses.[138] He died intestate on 28 Dec. 1834 in Bridgewater, aged 67 years,[139] and she died a widow on 30 Nov. 1846 in Bridgewater, aged 77 years, 10 months, 10 days.[140]

b. Jonathan Harden, born ca. 1771, marriage not found. He was not a head of household in Plymouth Co., MA, in the 1800 federal census, but he may have been living with his father in Bridgewater in the 1810 federal census. He died on 18 July 1830 in Bridgewater, aged 59 years,[141] but no probate records were filed for his estate.

1714 iii Mary⁵ Benson, born on 6 Apr. 1745 in Bridgewater,[142] married Lt. Benjamin⁵ Hayward, son of Deacon Jacob⁴ and Martha (Allen) Hayward, of South Bridgewater,[143] in 1767.[144] He was born on 21 Feb. 1747 in Bridgewater,[145] a grandson of Benjamin³ and Sarah (Aldrich?) Hayward, of South Bridgewater.[146] He was probably one of the two Benjamin Haywards living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790 federal census, and was still living in Bridgewater in the 1800 federal census.[147] He died intestate on 16 Oct. 1807 in Bridgewater, aged 63 [sic] years,[148] and his sons-in-law Oliver Washburn and Howe Keith were granted administration of his estate on 2 Nov. 1807.[149] She died on 4 Dec. 1819 in Bridgewater, aged 75 [sic] years.[150] They had children:[151]

a. Sarah⁶ “Sally” Hayward, born on 13 June 1768 in Bridgewater,[152] married Caleb⁶ Alden, son of Oliver⁵ and Experience (Leonard) Alden,[153] on 25 Nov. 1790 in Bridgewater.[154] He was born on 14 Nov. 1766 in Bridgewater,[155] a grandson of Capt. Seth⁴ and Mehitabel (Carver) Alden, of South Bridgewater,[156] and of Capt. Solomon and Elizabeth (Perkins) Leonard.[157] They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1800 federal census.[158] He died on 22 Apr. 1845 in Bridgewater, aged 78 years, 5 months, of “consumption,”[159] but no probate records were found for him.

b. Martha⁶ “Patty” Hayward, born ca. 1771 in Bridgewater,[160] married Howe⁵ Keith, son of Isaac⁴ and Mary (Randall) Keith, of Easton, MA,[161] on 27 Mar. 1795 in Bridgewater.[162] He was born on 5 Feb. 1769 in Easton,[163] a grandson of Josiah³ and Ruth (Manley) Keith (Jr.), of Easton.[164] They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1800 federal census,[165] and he was co-administrator of the estate of his father-in-law, Benjamin Hayward, in 1807. She died on 3 May 1846 in Bridgewater, of “pleurisy,” aged 75 years,[166] and he died intestate in 1856 in Bridgewater. Isaac Keith petitioned for administration of his estate on 1 Apr. 1856.[167]

c. Mary⁶ “Polly” Hayward, born ca. 1779 in Bridgewater,[168] married (1761) Oliver⁶ Washburn, son of (539) Benjamin⁵ and Desire (Sears) Washburn (Jr.),[169] as his second wife, on 20 May 1804 in Bridgewater.[170] He was born on 30 Aug. 1763 in Bridgewater,[171] and had married first to Martha⁶ Fobes, daughter of Eliab⁵ and Mehitabel (Ames) Fobes,[172] on 19 Jan. 1787 in West Bridgewater.[173] He was co-administrator of the estate of his father-in-law, Benjamin Hayward, in 1807. (To be continued in his family in Washburn Sixth Generation.)

1715 iv Martha Benson, born on 24 Feb. 1747,[174] died on 20 Oct. 1747 in Bridgewater.[175]

1716 v Martha⁵ Benson, born on 6 Apr. 1749 in Bridgewater,[176] married Elisha Waterman, son of Anthony and Hannah (Vaughan) Waterman, of Halifax, MA,[177] on 25 Jan. 1774 in Bridgewater.[178] He was born on 29 Aug. 1748 in Halifax,[179] a grandson of John and Lydia⁴ (Cushman) Waterman (Jr.). The will of Anthony Waterman, of Halifax, dated 28 Oct. 1769, mentioned his son Elisha Waterman.[180] They were living in Halifax, MA, in the 1790,[181] 1800,[182] and 1810 federal censuses.[183] Elisha Waterman died on 30 Dec. 1832 in Halifax,[184] but no probate records were filed for his estate. They had children:

a. (Unnamed child), born and died on 5 Oct. 1774 in Halifax.[185]

b. Anthony Waterman, born on 29 July 1775, died on 26 Aug. 1775 in Halifax.[186]

c. Elisha Waterman (Jr.), born on 7 July 1776 in Halifax,[187] apparently died intestate in 1808 in Halifax.[188]

d. Hannah Waterman, born on 11 Jan. 1778 in Halifax,[189] married Joseph⁶ Tilson “Jr.,” of Halifax, son of Corp. John⁵ and Ruth (Barrows) Tilson, of Plympton,[190] on 21 Jan. 1802 in Halifax.[191] He was born on 16 Dec. 1777 in Plympton,[192] and they moved to Hartford, Cumberland (now Oxford) Co., ME.[193] She died on 8 Feb. 1811 in Hartford, ME,[194] and he moved his family back to Halifax, MA, where he was involved in the harvesting of iron ore from the bed of Jones River Pond.[195] He remarried to Betsey Everson, of Kingston, MA, on 1 June 1815 in Kingston,[196] and they moved to Marietta, OH, in 1817.[197] He died on 27 Mar. 1849 in his farm near Marietta, OH.[198]

e. Anthony Waterman, born on 14 Feb. 1780 in Halifax.[199]

f. David Waterman, born on 1 Apr. 1781 in Halifax,[200] married (2726) Elizabeth “Betsey” Pratt, daughter of (2437) Lt. Nathaniel and (1036) Elizabeth⁶ “Betsey” (Washburn) Pratt, in 1802.[201] He died by 1822, but no probate records were filed for his estate in Plymouth County, and she remarried to Daniel Hudson, son of John and Bethiah (Otis) Hudson, as his second wife,[202] on 5 Jan. 1822 in Bridgewater.[203] He was born on 11 Oct. 1779 in Bridgewater,[204] and was widower of Martha “Patty” (Snell) Hudson,[205] who died of “consumption” on 21 Dec. 1817 in East Bridgewater.[206] He died intestate on 3 Nov. 1838 in East Bridgewater, aged 59 years,[207] and his widow Betsey Hudson petitioned for administration of his estate on 2 July 1839.[208] She remarried again to Calvin⁵ Keith, of East Bridgewater, son of David⁴ and Charity (Kingman) (Brett) Keith,[209] probably as his third wife, on 5 Apr. 1840 in East Bridgewater.[210] They were living in East Bridgewater in the 1850 federal census, where he was a laborer.[211] He died on 7 May 1858 in East Bridgewater, aged 83 years,[212] and she died a widow on 14 Dec. 1865 in East Bridgewater, MA, aged 82 years, 2 months, 25 days, “accidentally burned,”[213] and they were both buried in the Old Graveyard in East Bridgewater.

g. Martha Waterman, born on 24 Feb. 1783 in Halifax.[214]

h. Joanna Waterman, born on 14 Aug. 1785 in Halifax.[215]

i. Jonathan Waterman, born on 8 Apr. 1790 in Halifax,[216] married Clara Bourne, daughter of Newcomb and Dulsina (Woods) Bourne, of Halifax,[217] on 21 Nov. 1815 in Halifax.[218] He died intestate on 2 Jan. 1843 in Halifax, aged 52 years, of “Erysipelas,”[219] and Jabez P. Thompson, of Halifax, was granted administration of his estate on 4 Apr. 1843.[220] Clara (Bourne) Waterman died on 4 Jan. 1843 in Halifax, aged 50 years, also of “Erysipelas.”[221]

j. Benson Waterman, born on 2 Jan. 1794 in Halifax.[222]

1717 vi Lois⁵ Benson, born on 16 Mar. 1751 in Bridgewater,[223] married (1789) Cornelius⁶ Washburn, son of (550) Daniel⁵ and Experience⁴ (Harlow) Washburn, in ca. 1775.[224] He was born on 19 Mar. 1753 in Bridgewater,[225] a grandson of (148) Cornelius⁴ and Experience (Richards) Washburn, and of William³ and Joanna (Jackson) Harlow (3rd), and they were second cousins. They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790 federal census,[226] but were not found in the 1800 or 1810 federal censuses in Bridgewater. (To be continued in his family in Washburn Sixth Generation.)

1718 vii Jonathan⁵ Benson (Jr.), born on 31 Dec. 1752 in Bridgewater,[227] married Lydia Harden, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wade) Harden,[228] in ca. 1774.[229] She was born ca. 1751.[230] He was a co-executor of his father’s will in 1789. They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790 federal census, very near his brother Jonah Benson, and next door to Daniel and Ebenezer Washburn,[231] and they were still living in Bridgewater in the 1800 federal census.[232] He died intestate on 31 Oct. 1802 in Bridgewater, aged 49 years,[233] and his eldest son John Benson was appointed as administrator of his estate, but John died young, and in 1805 Solomon Hayward was appointed as administrator de bonis non of the estate of Jonathan Benson.[234] She died on 23 Jan. 1815 in Bridgewater, aged 63 years.[235] She was probably living with her son Cyrus Benson in the South Precinct of Bridgewater in the 1810 federal census.[236] They had children,[237] order uncertain:

a. (Unnamed child), died on 9 Apr. 1777 in Bridgewater.[238]

b. John⁶ Benson, born ca. 1778,[239] was appointed as administrator of his father’s estate in 1802, but he died intestate without completing administration of his father’s estate on 6 Mar. 1805, aged 26 years,[240] and Solomon Hayward was appointed as administrator of his estate.[241]

c. Betsy⁶ Benson, born ca. 1780 in Bridgewater,[242] never married, died intestate on 20 Mar. 1847 in Bridgewater, aged 67 years,[243] and Philander Wood, husband of her cousin Martha Benson, was granted administration of her estate on 6 Apr. 1847, with Seth Washburn and Abram Washburn as his sureties.[244]

d. (Possibly) Hannah⁶ Benson, born say ca. 1782, married Jabez Waterman (Jr.), son of Jabez and Hannah (Bradford) Waterman, of Halifax,[245] on 28 Nov. 1805 in Bridgewater.[246] He was born on 10 Feb. 1779 in Halifax,[247] and they were living in Halifax, MA, in the 1810 federal census.[248]

e. Dr. Cyrus⁶ Benson, born supposedly on 6 May 1784,[249] chose Benjamin Leonard, of Bridgewater, as his guardian on 2 Apr. 1805,[250] and he married Lydia Wood, daughter of Capt. Simeon and (2425) Lydia⁷ (Washburn) Wood,[251] on 7 Aug. 1806 in Bridgewater.[252] She was born on 10 July 1786 in Bridgewater,[253] a granddaughter of (927) Jeremiah⁶ and Charity (Pratt) Washburn.[254] He was probably living in the South Precinct of Bridgewater with his brother Jonathan Benson (3rd) in the 1810 federal census.[255] He died testate in 1858 in Bridgewater, naming his wife Lydia Benson as executrix of his estate.[256] [See the family of Lydia Wood for their children.]

f. Jonathan⁶ Benson (3rd), born say ca. 1787 in Bridgewater,[257] chose Benjamin Leonard, of Bridgewater, as his guardian on 2 Apr. 1805,[258] and he married Jane⁶ Benson, his first cousin, daughter of (1721) Jonah⁵ and Martha (Tomson) Benson,[259] on 4 May 1820 in Bridgewater.[260] She was born ca. 1798 in Bridgewater,[261] and died on 10 Sept. 1839 in Bridgewater, aged 41 years.[262] He was probably living with his brother Cyrus Benson in the South Precinct of Bridgewater in the 1810 federal census, and he was still living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1850 federal census, where he was a carpenter,[263] and no probate records were found for him in Plymouth County through 1881.

g. Abigail⁶ “Nabby” Benson, born on 14 Apr. 1790 in Bridgewater,[264] chose Benjamin Leonard, of Bridgewater, as her guardian on 2 Apr. 1805,[265] and she married Samuel Jones on 21 Nov. 1811 in Bridgewater.[266] He was born on 4 Jan. 1788 in Randolph, MA,[267] and died testate on 19 July 1842 in Bridgewater, aged 54 years.[268] She was probably also living with her brother Cyrus Benson in the South Precinct of Bridgewater in the 1810 federal census.[269]

h. (Perhaps others)[270]

1719 viii Ebenezer⁵ Benson, born on 20 Jan. 1755 in Bridgewater,[271] married Silence⁵ (Packard) Leonard, daughter of Nehemiah⁴ and Silence⁴ (Edson) Packard, and widow of (941) Seth⁵ Leonard,[272] on 13 Mar. 1777 in Bridgewater.[273] She was born on 6 Dec. 1750 in Bridgewater,[274] a granddaughter of Daniel³ and Mary (Harris) Packard, and of Samuel³ and Mary Edson (3rd).[275] He was a co-executor of his father’s will in 1789, and he was appointed as administrator of his mother’s estate in 1801. They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790,[276] 1800,[277] and 1810 federal census,[278] and they moved to Jay, Cumberland (now Franklin) Co., ME, after 1810. They had children,[279] order uncertain:

a. Olive⁶ Benson, married Martin Conant, son of John and Deborah (Perkins) Conant (Jr.),[280] on 8 June 1797 in Bridgewater.[281] They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1810 federal census,[282] but no probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.

b. Asa⁶ Benson, settled in Jay, ME.

c. Hosea⁶ Benson, also settled in Jay, ME.

d. Chloe Benson, born ca. 22 Mar. 1782,[283] died on 16 Aug. 1782 in Bridgewater, aged 4 months, 25 days.[284]

e. Chloe Benson, born on 22 Oct. 1784,[285] died on 24 Dec. 1784 in Bridgewater, aged 2 months, 2 days.[286]

f. Ebenezer Benson (Jr.), born ca. 21 Sept. 1786,[287] died on 16 Feb. 1787 in Bridgewater, aged 4 months, 26 days.[288]

g. (Unnamed child), died on 19 Nov. 1788 in Bridgewater, aged about 8 months.[289]

1720 ix David⁵ Benson, born on 12 Sept. 1756 in Bridgewater,[290] married Charity⁵ Hayward, daughter of Seth⁴ and Tabitha (Pratt) Hayward, of South Bridgewater,[291] on 21 Dec. 1780 in Bridgewater.[292] She was born on 20 Feb. 1760 in Bridgewater,[293] a granddaughter of Deacon Thomas³ and Bethiah (Brett) Hayward, and of Joseph and Lydia (Leonard) Pratt (Jr.).[294] They were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790 federal census, near his brother Jonah Benson,[295] and in the 1800 federal census.[296] He died testate on 22 Feb. 1823 in Bridgewater, aged 66 years, of “rheumatic affection,”[297] his will dated 23 Sept. 1822, and probated on 17 Mar. 1823, mentioned his sons David and Seth, six daughters Tabitha, Eunice, Charity, Sarah, Bethiah, and Mallison, daughter Kezia, and youngest son Martin, and he named his son Martin Benson as executor of his estate.[298] (See Appendix [E] for a full transcription of his will.) They had children:[299]

a. Tabitha⁶ Benson, born on 13 Feb. 1781 in Bridgewater,[300] married William Fuller in 1801.[301] He was born in 1775, and died on 11 July 1847 in Bridgewater, aged 72 years, 2 months, 18 days,[302] but no probate records were found for him.

b. Eunice⁶ Benson, born on 13 Feb. 1782 in Bridgewater,[303] married Abner⁵ Keith, son of Samuel⁴ and Zilphah (Conant) Keith (3rd),[304] on 1 Dec. 1803 in Bridgewater.[305] He was born on 14 July 1774 in Bridgewater,[306] a grandson of Samuel³ and Hannah (Ames) Keith (Jr.), and of Thomas and Martha (Ames) Conant.[307] No probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.

c. Charity⁶ Benson, born on 6 Jan. 1784 in Bridgewater,[308] married Ebenezer⁷ Cushman, Jr., son of (1708) Ebenezer⁶ and Susanna (Holmes) Cushman, of Kingston, on 30 May 1805 in Bridgewater.[309] He was a twin, born on 19 July 1782 in Kingston,[310] a grandson of Jonathan⁵ and (526) Susanna⁴ (Benson) Cushman, and they were second cousins. She died, and he remarried to Celia Sampson. No probate records were found for him in Plymouth County.

d. Sarah⁶ Benson, born on 2 Mar. 1786 in Bridgewater,[311] married James Pool (Jr.), son of James and Eunice (Lazell) Pool, of Abington,[312] on 29 Jan. 1808 in Bridgewater.[313] He was born on 26 July 1788 in Abington,[314] and died of “fits, intemperance,” on 1 July 1810 in Abington, aged 22 years,[315] but no probate records were found for him.

e. David⁶ Benson (Jr.), born on 5 July 1788 in Bridgewater,[316] mentioned in his father’s 1822 will.

f. Seth⁶ Benson, born on 13 Nov. 1790 in Bridgewater,[317] mentioned in his father’s 1822 will.

g. Bethiah⁶ Benson, born on 13 July 1793 in Bridgewater,[318] married Seth Thomson, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Thayer) Tomson, of Halifax,[319] on 1 Jan. 1815 in Bridgewater.[320] He was born on 6 Sept. 1791 in Halifax.[321] They were not found in Plymouth Co., MA, in the 1850 federal census, and no probate records were found for him in Plymouth County through 1881.

h. Keziah⁶ Benson, born on 21 Jan. 1796 in Bridgewater,[322] married John Atwood Jackson on 30 Nov. 1815 in Bridgewater.[323]

i. Mallison⁶ “Polly” Benson, born on 11 Feb. 1798 in Bridgewater,[324] married Ebenezer Chamberlin, son of Isaac and Charity (Thompson) Chamberlin,[325] on 19 Nov. 1820 in Bridgewater,[326] and they settled in Barnstable Co., MA.[327]

j. Martin⁶ Benson, born say ca. 1800 in Bridgewater, called youngest son in his father’s will, married Phebe Leonard on 30 Nov. 1823 in Bridgewater.[328] He was executor of his father’s estate in 1823.

1721 x Jonah⁵ Benson, born on 13 Sept. 1759 in Bridgewater,[329] married Martha Tomson, of Halifax, MA, probably daughter of Jacob and Waitstill (Miller) Tomson,[330] on 6 Mar. 1783 in Halifax.[331] She was born on 20 Dec. 1764 in Halifax,[332] and they were living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790 federal census, very near to his brothers Jonathan and David Benson,[333] and in the 1800 federal census.[334] He inherited his father’s homestead in Bridgewater. She died on 9 Mar. 1822 in Bridgewater, aged 56 years “last Nov.,” of cancer,[335] and he died testate on 25 Feb. 1842 in Bridgewater, aged 82 years,[336] his will dated 13 Jan. 1837, and probated on in May 1842, mentioned his daughters Hannah, Wally, Patty, Lucia, and Jane, grandson Hubbard Benson, and only son Jonah, whom he named as executor of his estate.[337] (See Appendix [F] for a full transcription of his will.) They had children,[338] order uncertain:

a. Waitstill⁶ “Wate” or “Wally” Benson, born on 28 Apr. 1787 in Bridgewater,[339] married Benjamin⁷ Holmes, son of Deacon Cornelius⁶ and Elizabeth (Lanman) Holmes (3rd), of Bridgewater,[340] on 3 Sept. 1807 in Bridgewater.[341] He was born on 22 Oct. 1784 in Bridgewater,[342] a grandson of Cornelius⁵ and Lydia (Drew) Holmes (Jr.), of Plymouth.[343] She probably died by 1865 in Bridgewater, and he died intestate in 1866 in Bridgewater. Administration of his estate was granted to Lewis Leonard on 24 Sept. 1866.[344]

b. Jonah⁶ Benson (Jr.), born ca. 1789 in Bridgewater,[345] married Chloe Hathaway on 30 Sept. 1819 in Bridgewater.[346] She was born on 14 May 1796 in East Bridgewater.[347] He was probably the Sgt. Jonah Benson from Bridgewater who served in Capt. Sears Washburn’s Company, Lt. Col. Caleb Howard’s Plymouth County Regiment of Massachusetts Militia during the War of 1812,[348] and he was executor of his father’s estate in 1842. They were still living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1850 federal census, where he was a farmer.[349]

c. Nahum⁶ Benson, born in 1792 in Bridgewater,[350] married Chloe Dunbar, daughter of Eliab and Lavina (Hayford) Dunbar,[351] on 30 May 1819 in Bridgewater.[352] She was born on 8 Apr. 1794 in Bridgewater.[353] He died intestate on 30 Sept. 1825 in Bridgewater, of typhus fever, aged 33 years, 6 months,[354] and his brother-in-law Philander Wood petitioned for administration of his estate on 18 Mar. 1826.[355] She died a widow, testate, on 19 Nov. 1879 in Bridgewater, aged 85 years, 8 months, of pneumonia,[356] her will dated 26 Sept. 1873, and probated on 22 Dec. 1879, mentioned her grandson Nahum Benson, of Bridgewater, her son Hubbard D. Benson, of Abington, granddaughters Maria A. Mitchell, wife of George T. Mitchell, of East Bridgewater, Lydia D. Poole, wife of Noah Poole, Minerva A. Josselyn, wife of Walter Josselyn, and Cordelia M. Benson, and grandsons Edgar Benson, Frederic Benson, and Clinton H. Benson, all of Abington, and she named Spencer Leonard, of Bridgewater, as executor of her estate.[357] (See Appendix [G] for a full transcription of her will.)

d. Martha⁶ “Patty^” Benson, born on 16 Oct. 1794 in Bridgewater,[358] married Philander Wood, son of Capt. Simeon and (2425) Lydia⁷ (Washburn) Wood,[359] on 25 Nov. 1813 in Bridgewater.[360] He was born on 19 July 1789 in Bridgewater,[361] a grandson of (927) Jeremiah⁶ and Charity (Pratt) Washburn.[362] He was administrator of his brother-in-law Nahum Benson’s estate in 1826, and of his wife’s cousin Betsey Benson in 1847. He was a farmer, and they were living in Bridgewater in the 1850 federal census,[363] and in the 1855 and 1865 state censuses. He died testate on 24 Apr. 1866 in Bridgewater, aged 76 years,[364] his will dated 24 Jan. 1862, and probated on 14 May 1866, mentioned his wife Patty Wood, his daughters Patty Bartlett, wife of David Bartlett, of West Bridgewater, Hannah W. Benson, wife of Alonzo S. Benson, of Bridgewater, and Emily Pratt, wife of Otis Pratt, of Halifax, and two sons Nathan B. Wood and Martin Wood, and he named his son Nathan B. Wood as executor of his estate, but both sons were granted Letters Testamentary on his estate.[365] (See Appendix [H] for a full transcription of his will.) Martha (Benson) Wood died on 15 June 1868 in Middleborough, aged 73 years, 8 months,[366] and they were both buried in Middleborough. [See the family of Philander Wood for their children.]

e. Jane⁶ Benson, born ca. 1798 in Bridgewater,[367] married Jonathan⁶ Benson (3rd), her first cousin, son of (1718) Jonathan⁵ and Lydia (Harden) Benson (Jr.),[368] on 4 May 1820 in Bridgewater.[369] He was born say ca. 1787 in Bridgewater.[370] She died on 10 Sept. 1839 in Bridgewater, aged 41 years.[371] He was still living in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1850 federal census, where he was a carpenter,[372] and no probate records were found for him in Plymouth County through 1881.

f. Lucia Benson, born ca. Nov. 1801,[373] died on 20 July 1804 in Bridgewater, aged 2 years, 9 months.[374]

g. Lucia/Louisa⁶ Benson, born ca. 1806 in Bridgewater,[375] married Ezra Drake, of Stoughton, MA, on 17 Oct. 1830 in Bridgewater.[376] He was born ca. 1801 in MA,[377] and they were living in Stoughton in the 1850 federal census, where he was a tailor.[378]

1722 xi Kezia⁵ Benson, born say ca. 1762 in Bridgewater, was still unmarried in 1788 when her father wrote his will, and was probably living with the family of her brother, Jonah Benson, in the 1800 federal census. She married her first cousin, (1708) Ebenezer⁶ Cushman, of Kingston, son of Jonathan⁵ and (526) Susanna⁴ (Benson) Cushman, as his second wife, on 21 Apr. 1805 in Bridgewater.[379] He was born on 30 Dec. 1747 in Kingston,[380] and died testate on 21 Jan. 1827 in Kingston, of asthma, aged 79 years.[381] Kezia (Benson) Cushman died on 16 Mar. 1823 in Kingston, “suddenly,” aged 70 [sic] years.[382]

(530.) Benjamin⁴ Benson, younger son of (139) Elisabeth⁴ Washburn, (60) Jonathan³, (43) John² (5th), (28) John¹ (4th); born, say 1720, married Keziah³ Snell, daughter of Amos² and Mary³ (Packard) Snell,[383] on 30 Oct. 1745 in Bridgewater.[384] She was born on 21 Mar. 1726 in Bridgewater,[385] a granddaughter of Thomas¹ and Martha (Harris) Snell, and of Ensign Samuel² and Elizabeth (Lathrop) Packard (Jr.),[386] and she was a sister of Martha Snell, who married Benjamin’s brother Jonathan Benson.

Benjamin Benson died testate on 14 Feb. 1749 in Bridgewater.[387] His will, dated 7 Feb. 1748[/9], and probated on 1 May 1749, named his wife Kezia Benson as executrix of his estate, his only son Benjamin, and his father John Benson.[388] (See Appendix [I] for a full transcription of his will.) Keziah (Snell) Benson died testate on 10 Feb. 1750 in Bridgewater.[389] Her will, dated 29 Jan. 1749[/50], and probated on 5 Mar. 1749[/50], named Jonathan Benson and her brother Daniel Snell as executors of her estate, but Jonathan Benson refused. She left her estate to her son Benjamin Benson, except a gown and a chair to her niece Mary Snell, daughter of her brother Moses Snell, “lately deceased,” and also named her sisters as contingent beneficiaries, should her son Benjamin not survive his “nonage,” and requested that her brother Daniel Snell be guardian of her son Benjamin until he reach the age of 14.[390] (See Appendix [J] for a full transcription of her will.) Benjamin Benson was called deceased in the will of his father, John Benson, in 1770, who said that he had already received his share in the estate, and that his children or heirs should not expect any more.[391]

Benjamin Benson and Keziah Snell had children:[392]

1723 i (Unnamed child), died on 16 Oct. 1747 in Bridgewater.[393]

1724 ii Benjamin⁵ Benson (Jr.), born on 25 July 1748 in Bridgewater,[394] his mother, in her 1750 will, asked that her brother Daniel Snell be appointed as guardian of her son Benjamin until the age of 14 years,[395] and he chose Benjamin Willis as his guardian in 1764.[396] He married Abigail Pratt, daughter of Nathan/Nathaniel and Sarah⁴ (Harlow) Pratt,[397] on 27 Sept. 1770 in Bridgewater,[398] but she died on 6 Aug. 1771 in Bridgewater,[399] probably in childbirth,[400] and he may have remarried. No death or probate records were found for him in Plymouth County, and he was not a head of household in Bridgewater, MA, in the 1790 federal census.

(531.) Hannah⁴ Benson, youngest daughter of (139) Elisabeth⁴ Washburn, (60) Jonathan³, (43) John² (5th), (28) John¹ (4th); born, say 1722, married James Dunbar (Jr.), son of James and Experience⁴ (Hayward) Dunbar,[401] on 22 Jan. 1745 in Bridgewater.[402] He was born on 26 Apr. 1721 in Bridgewater,[403] a grandson of Samuel³ and Elizabeth Hayward.[404]

Hannah (Benson) Dunbar died on 19 June 1757 in Bridgewater,[405] and James Dunbar (Jr.) remarried to Martha (Packard) Conant, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Harris) Packard, and widow of Jeremiah Conant,[406] on 5 Oct. 1757 in Bridgewater.[407] She was born on 13 Jan. 1720 in Bridgewater,[408] and probably died on 20 Feb. 1776 in Bridgewater.[409] He died on 30 June 1778 in Bridgewater,[410] but no probate records were filed for his estate. Hannah was called deceased in the will of her father, John Benson, in 1770.[411]

Hannah Benson and James Dunbar had children:[412]

1725 i (Unnamed child), died on 29 Nov. 1747 in Bridgewater.[413]

1726 ii Seth Dunbar, born on 14 Mar. 1748 in Bridgewater,[414] married Lois Boyden, of Walpole, MA, on 11 Feb. 1768 in Walpole.[415] He was not a head of household in Massachusetts in the 1790 federal census, and he may have been the Seth Dunbar living in Chelsea, Orange Co., VT, in the 1790 federal census,[416] but he was not a head of household in Vermont in the 1800 or 1810 federal censuses. He died, and she supposedly remarried to Benjamin Bingham, and then to John Foster, of Boston.[417]

1727 iii Benjamin Dunbar, born on 14 Dec. 1749 in Bridgewater,[418] married (1259) Wealthea/Wealthy⁶ Washburn, daughter of (425) Ezra⁵ and Susanna⁴ (Leach) Washburn, of Middleborough, on 9 June 1774 in Middleborough.[419] She was born ca. 1751, a granddaughter of (126) Capt. Benjamin⁴ and Bethiah (Kingman) Washburn, and of Benjamin³ and Hephzibah⁴ (Washburn) Leach.[420] They moved to Oakham, Worcester Co., MA, then to Stafford, Tolland Co., CT. On 28 May 1778 James Dunbar, of Oakham, sold 57 acres of land in Oakham bounded by Capt. John Crawford to Benjamin Dunbar, of Oakham, witnessed by Ezra Washburn, Jr.[421] On 5 Apr. 1782 Capt. Josiah Converse, of Stafford, CT, sold to Benjamin Dunbar and Ezra Washburn, both of Oakham, 100 acres of land with dwelling house and barn in Stafford, witnessed by William Washburn.[422] They were living in Stafford, CT, in the 1790,[423] 1800,[424] and 1810 federal censuses,[425] but no children were recorded to Benjamin and Wealthy Dunbar in either the Oakham or Stafford vital records.

1728 iv Elisabeth Dunbar, born on 19 Jan. 1752 in Bridgewater,[426] married (1863) Sgt. Seth⁶ Washburn, son of (657) Reuben⁵ and Betty (Dilley) Washburn, of Middleborough, on 21 July 1772 in Bridgewater,[427] and they moved to New Braintree, MA, then to Woodstock, Windsor Co., VT. He was born on 2 Aug. 1751 in Middleborough, a grandson of (172) James⁴ and (205) Elizabeth⁴ (Leonard) Washburn Jr. (To be continued in his family in Washburn Sixth Generation.)

1729 v Mary Dunbar, born on 16 Sept. 1754 in Bridgewater,[428] probably the Mary Dunbar who married Elijah Gilbert of Ware, MA, son of Henry and Sarah Gilbert, of Brookfield, Worcester Co., MA, on 14 Sept. 1775 in New Braintree, MA,[429] and they moved to Peru, Berkshire Co., MA. He was born on 1 Nov. 1750 in Brookfield.[430] They were living in Partridgefield, Berkshire Co., MA, in the 1790,[431] and 1800 federal censuses,[432] and in Peru, Berkshire Co., MA, in the 1810 federal census.[433] He died on 6 Aug. 1829 in Peru, MA,[434] and she died a widow on 22 Mar. 1840 in Peru, MA, aged 85 years.[435]

1730 vi Benson Dunbar, born on 18 June 1757 in Bridgewater,[436] married Rebecka Darling in 1781.[437] They were living in Oakham, Worcester Co., MA, in the 1790,[438] and 1800 federal censuses,[439] but he was not a head of household in Windsor Co., VT, in the 1810 federal census. He apparently died by 1813, but no probate records have yet been found for him, and his widow Rebecca Dunbar was apparently living in Weathersfield, Windsor Co., VT, when their son Benson Dunbar (Jr.) drowned there in 1813, but she had probably died by 1823, because she was not mentioned in the distribution of the estate of her son, Benson Dunbar (Jr.). They had children:

1. Ruth Dunbar, born on 27 July 1782 in Oakham, MA,[440] possibly married Job Winslow (Jr.), son of Job and Lydia (Melville) Winslow,[441] on 5 May 1803 in Hardwick, MA.[442] Ruth Winslow was mentioned in the 1823 distribution of the estate of her brother, Benson Dunbar (Jr.). They moved to South Edwards, Saint Lawrence Co., NY, where she died on 3 Jan. 1835,[443] and he died on 27 Dec. 1859 in South Edwards, Saint Lawrence Co., NY.[444] They were living in Potsdam, Saint Lawrence Co., NY, in the 1820 federal census,[445] and in Edwards, Saint Lawrence Co., NY, in the 1830 federal census.[446]

2. Marcy/Mary Dunbar, born on 9 Oct. 1785 in Oakham,[447] married (4063) Simeon⁷ Washburn, her first cousin, son of (1863) Sgt. Seth⁶ and (1728) Elisabeth (Dunbar) Washburn, of Woodstock, VT. He was born on 30 Jan. 1783 in Woodstock, VT,[448] and he was appointed as administrator of the estate of his brother-in-law, Benson Dunbar (Jr.), of Weathersfield, VT, on 17 Aug. 1813.[449] Mary Washburn was mentioned in the 1823 distribution of the estate of her brother, Benson Dunbar (Jr.). Simeon Washburn died on 8 Feb. 1861 in Woodstock, VT, of “lung fever,” aged 78 years,[450] but no probate records were filed for his estate in Windsor Co., VT, and Mary (Dunbar) Washburn died on 8 July 1866 in Woodstock, VT, aged 80 years, 9 months,[451] and they were both buried in Riverstreet Cemetery in Woodstock, VT.[452]

3. Benson Dunbar (Jr.), born on 26 Nov. 1787 in Oakham,[453] drowned intestate on 8 Aug. 1813 in Weathersfield, VT, aged 25 years, 9 months, 18 days,[454] presumably unmarried. Simeon Washburn, his brother-in-law, was appointed as administrator of his estate on 17 Aug. 1813, “Rebecca Dunbar the mother of said deceased having delivered said trust, and the said Simeon accept said trust.” The inventory of his estate, appraised by Carlos Cowles, Zenas Clark, and Ira Durrin, all of Weathersfield, showed that he owned no real estate, but was apparently in the leather business making and repairing saddles and reins. The settlement of his estate, after payment of debts, showed a distribution of $72.29 on 2 Oct. 1823 to his heirs: Benja. Dunbar, Ruth Winslow, Orpha Parmele, Spencer Dunbar, and Mary Washburn.[455]

4. Benjamin Dunbar, born on 1 Mar. 1790 in Oakham.[456] Benja. Dunbar was mentioned in the 1823 distribution of the estate of his brother, Benson Dunbar (Jr.). He was probably the Benjamin Dunbar living in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, in the 1820,[457] 1830,[458] and 1840 federal censuses,[459] where he was a farmer, and in Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., NY, in the 1850 federal census.[460]

5. Orpah/Orpha Dunbar, a daughter, born on 26 Oct. 1793 in Oakham,[461] married Seth Parmelee, son of Giles and Hannah (Pomeroy) Parmelee,[462] in ca. 1814.[463] Orpha Parmele was mentioned in the 1823 distribution of the estate of her brother, Benson Dunbar (Jr.). They were living in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, in the 1820,[464] and 1830 federal censuses,[465] where he was a farmer. She supposedly died in 1880 in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, and he supposedly died in 1883 in Mackinaw, Tazewell Co., IL.[466]

6. Spencer Dunbar, born say ca. 1796 in Oakham. Spencer Dunbar was mentioned in the 1823 distribution of the estate of his brother, Benson Dunbar (Jr.).

7. Roxie Dunbar, born on 14 Feb. 1799 in Oakham,[467] probably died young, not mentioned in the 1823 distribution of the estate of her brother, Benson Dunbar (Jr.).

{Back to Site Index}{Continued in Children of Josiah Washburn and Sarah Richmond}

© 2007 John A. Maltby, Redwood City, California

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[1] Tilden, Robert J., “Persses?….Persis Who?”, The Mayflower Quarterly, Nov. 1991, pp. 330-334; Cushman, Joseph Augustine, The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family in New England, Bridgewater, MA, 1964, [hereinafter Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family], p. 33.

[2] Vital Records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA, 1916, 2 Volumes, [hereinafter Bridgewater VRs], Vol. 2, p. 50; Kingston VRs, p. 204, marriage intentions recorded 19 July 1735 in Kingston.

[3] Van Antwerp, Lee D., Vital Records of Plymouth, Massachusetts, to the year 1850, Picton Press, Camden, ME, 1993, [hereinafter Plymouth VRs], p. 34.

[4] Plymouth VRs, p. 665, the marriage of Thomas Cushman and Ruth Howland on 17 Nov. 1664 in Plymouth; Roser, Mayflower Marriages, pp. 28, 234.

[5] Plymouth Co. Probate Vol. 20, p. 394.

[6] Vital Records of Kingston, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1911, [hereinafter Kingston VRs], p. 336, buried in the Old Burying Ground, Kingston; Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #5855.

[7] Kingston VRs, p. 337, buried in the Old Burying Ground, Kingston.

[8] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 33-34.

[9] Kingston VRs, p. 53.

[10] Kingston VRs, p. 335.

[11] Kingston VRs, p. 55.

[12] Kingston VRs, p. 336.

[13] Kingston VRs, p. 54.

[14] Kingston VRs, p. 335, presumably meant 1 Dec. 1740.

[15] Kingston VRs, p. 54.

[16] Vital Records of Plympton, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1923, [hereinafter Plympton VRs], p. 371, the marriage of Eleizer Rickard Jr. and Mary Churchell, both of Plympton, on 2 Aug. 1739; Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 86.

[17] Kingston VRs, p. 203; Plympton VRs, p. 301.

[18] Plympton VRs, p. 162.

[19] Plympton VRs, p. 373, the marriage of Samuel Rickard and Rebekah Snow on 31 Dec. 1689; p. 162, the birth of Eleazer, child of Samuel and Rebeckah Rickard, on 8 Mar. 1709/10 in Plympton.

[20] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 177, Plymouth Town, Plymouth County, the Eleazer Richard household had 3 free white males aged 16 or older and 2 free white females.

[21] He was not the Eleazer Rickard who died on 28 Nov. 1777 in Plympton.

[22] Kingston VRs, p. 56.

[23] Kingston VRs, p. 337.

[24] Kingston VRs, p. 53.

[25] Kingston VRs, p. 238, marriage intentions between Josiah Holmes and Ruth Cooke recorded on 29 Mar. 1740 in Kingston; Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 86.

[26] Kingston VRs, p. 203.

[27] Kingston VRs, p. 99.

[28] Plymouth VRs, p. 90, the marriage of John Holmes and Marsey Ford on 21 Feb. 1711/12 in Plymouth; Davis, Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families, p. 140, 141.

[29] Plympton VRs, p. 294, the marriage of Francis Cook and Ruth Silvester on 4 Feb. 1719 in Plympton.

[30] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 170, Kingston Town, Plymouth County, the Ebenezer Cushman household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 4 free white males under 16, and 4 free white females.

[31] Kingston VRs, p. 337.

[32] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 86.

[33] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 103.

[34] Her age at death may be incorrect, because that would calculated to a birth year of about 1752, which would conflict with the birth of her brother Jonathan Benson, whose birth was recorded. She was apparently the youngest daughter in the family, from her placement in her father’s will, so her birth more likely occurred about 1762. Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 86, gives her a birth date on 27 Sept. 1761 in Bridgewater, which may be correct, but it was not recorded in the Bridgewater vital records.

[35] Kingston VRs, p. 337.

[36] Kingston VRs, p. 335.

[37] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #5804. Vol. 63, p. 503-505, from FHL microfilm #0550912.

[38] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 87, says that Ebenezer may have had a child by Keziah Benson, but no birth date was given for him. It appears he was placed in this family by his name, Benson Cushman, and by his marriage in Turner, ME, however it seems an even greater possibility that he was a son of Ebenezer’s brother Jonathan Cushman, and his wife Elizabeth Whiten, who both died in Turner, ME.

[39] Kingston VRs, p. 55.

[40] Kingston VRs, p. 204, she was called Lydia Cushman 2d. She was not the Lydia Cushman who married Alfred Churchill in 1793 in Plympton, MA.

[41] Kingston VRs, p. 57.

[42] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[43] Kingston VRs, p. 55.

[44] Kingston VRs, p. 336; Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[45] Kingston VRs, p. 336, which specifically says “son of Ebenezer and Susannah Cushman.”

[46] Kingston VRs, p. 53.

[47] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[48] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 103; Kingston VRs, p. 203, marriage intentions recorded 3 Feb. 1705 in Kingston.

[49] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[50] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[51] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[52] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209, from Leeds Vital Records.

[53] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[54] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[55] Kingston VRs, p. 57.

[56] Plymouth VRs, p. 268, marriage intentions recorded between Josiah Morton 3^rd of Plymouth and Mary Whiting of Plympton on 3 May 1780 in Plymouth; Plympton VRs, p. 352, the marriage of Josiah Morton of Plymouth and Molly Whiting of Plympton on 7 Dec. 1780 in Plympton.

[57] Kingston VRs, p. 205. He was “of Plymouth” in the marriage record.

[58] Plymouth VRs, p. 412.

[59] Plymouth VRs, p. 171, marriage intentions recorded between Mr. Josiah Morton Jr. of Plymouth and Mrs. Maletiah Finney of Barnstable on 14 Aug. 1731; Davis, William T., Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families, p. 190; Plymouth VRs, p. 47, the birth of Josiah Morton, son of Josiah Morton Jr. and Melatiah Morton, on 7 Aug. 1752 in Plymouth.

[60] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 209.

[61] Kingston VRs, p. 56.

[62] Kingston VRs, p. 238, the marriage of Josiah Holmes Jr. and Hasadiah Sturtevant on 6 July 1769 in Kingston.

[63] Kingston VRs, p. 205.

[64] Davis, William T., Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families, reprint, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1994, originally published as Part II of Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth, Boston, 1899, [hereinafter Davis, William T., Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families], p. 141, but his birth was not recorded in the Kingston vital records.

[65] Kingston VRs, p. 238, marriage intentions between Josiah Holmes and Ruth Cooke recorded on 29 Mar. 1740 in Kingston; Davis, William T., Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families, p. 141.

[66] Davis, William T., Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families, p. 137.

[67] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, Vol. 130, p. 214, online at www.AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, his occupation a farmer, his birth place Kingston, and his parents Josiah and Ruth [sic] Holmes.

[68] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #10331, Vol. 14E, p. 50, with James N. Sever and Thomas Russell as sureties.

[69] Kingston VRs, p. 53.

[70] Kingston VRs, p. 203.

[71] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 210.

[72] Kingston VRs, p. 56.

[73] Plympton VRs, p. 412, the marriage of Jonathan Tilson and Sarah Doty on 27 Jan. 1785 in Plympton; Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 210.

[74] Vital Records of Carver, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1911, [hereinafter Carver VRs], p. 99; Kingston VRs, p. 205, marriage intentions recorded 7 Sept. 1810 in Kingston.

[75] Carver VRs, p. 72.

[76] Plympton VRs, p. 214, the birth of Jonathan, son of Jonathan and Lucy (Cobb) Tilson, p. 412, the marriage of Jonathan Tilson and Lucia Cobb on 4 May 1748 in Plympton.

[77] Kingston VRs, p. 337.

[78] Carver VRs, p. 114, the marriage of Job Morton and Patience Crocker on 5 Nov. 1789 in Carver.

[79] Carver VRs, p. 99; Kingston VRs, p. 205, marriage intentions recorded 13 Oct. 1822 in Kingston.

[80] Carver VRs, p. 45.

[81] Davis, William T., Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families, p. 191; Plymouth VRs, p. 28, the birth of Job Morton, son of Silas and Martha Morton, on 29 June 1760 in Plymouth, p. 155, the marriage of Silas Morton and Martha Morton, both of Plymouth, on 3 Nov. 1748 in Plymouth.

[82] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, Vol. 103, p. 206, online at www.AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, his occupation a farmer, his birth place Kingston, and his parents Ebenezer and Susannah Cushman.

[83] Kingston VRs, p. 54.

[84] Kingston VRs, p. 264, marriage intentions between John Prince and Elesebath Sharman of Plimpton recorded on 5 Mar. 1790 in Kingston; Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 211.

[85] Kingston VRs, p. 204.

[86] Kingston VRs, p. 117.

[87] Kingston VRs, p. 336.

[88] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #5831, Vol. 61, p. 225, with John Fuller 3d and Melzar Whitten as sureties.

[89] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 211, from her gravestone in Kingston.

[90] Kingston VRs, p. 56, her birth not recorded.

[91] Kingston VRs, p. 225, the marriage of Barnabas Fuller of Plympton and Rebecca Cushman on 16 Mar. 1747/8 in Kingston; Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 87.

[92] Kingston VRs, p. 204.

[93] Kingston VRs, p. 79.

[94] Plympton VRs, p. 322, the marriage of Nathaniell Fuller and Martha Sampson on 24 Jan. 1711/12 in Plympton.

[95] Plymouth VRs, p. 180, the marriage intentions of Robert Cushman Jr. and Marcy Washborn recorded on 17 Apr. 1725 in Plymouth.

[96] Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, 17 Volumes, Vol. 6, p. 152.

[97] 1790 Federal Census, Shepardsfield Plantation, Cumberland Co., ME, p. 5, the Barzilla Fuller household had 1 free white male aged 16 or over, and 3 free white females.

[98] 1800 Federal Census, Hebron, Cumberland Co., ME, p. 225, the Barzella Fuller household had 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 10-15 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over. They were living next door to John Washborn, and close to Isaac Cushman.

[99] 1820 Federal Census, Hebron, Oxford Co., ME, p. 218, the Barzillai Fuller household had 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 26-44 years, 1 female aged 45 or over, and had 1 person engaged in agriculture.

[100] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 87.

[101] Kingston VRs, p. 55.

[102] Plympton VRs, p. 427, marriage of Azariah Whitten of Plympton and Elizabeth Bradford on 12 July 1753 in Kingston; Wakefield, Robert S., and Lee D. van Antwerp, Mayflower Families in Progress: William Bradford of the Mayflower and His Descendants for Four Generations, Second Edition, General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1988, [hereinafter MFIP: Bradford], p. 55; Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 87.

[103] Plympton VRs, p. 304.

[104] Plympton VRs, p. 227.

[105] MFIP: Bradford, p. 13.

[106] He was not the Jonathan Cushman who was living in New Bedford in 1790.

[107] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 87, taken from Turner Vital Records, Book 1.

[108] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 87, from her gravestone in New Keene Mills Cemetery, Turner Center, ME.

[109] Kingston VRs, p. 53.

[110] 1810 Federal Census, Greene, Kennebec Co., ME, p. 909, the Artemas Cushman household had 1 male aged 16-25 years, 1 female under 10, and 1 female aged 16-25 years.

[111] Kingston VRs, p. 56.

[112] Cushman, Joseph A., The First Seven Generations of the Cushman Family, p. 87, no birth or death dates given, and he is not recorded in the Kingston vital records.

[113] Calculated from his age at death.

[114] Mitchell, Nahum, History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater, in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, Boston, 1840, reprint, Heritage Books, Bowie, MD, 1983, [hereinafter Mitchell, History of Bridgewater], p. 295.

[115] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[116] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 297.

[117] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, pp. 253, 295.

[118] Plymouth Co. Probate, Vol. 20, p. 394.

[119] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, buried in the Great Woods Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[120] Plymouth County Probate Docket #1895, Vol. 30, pp. 494-497. Daughter Kezia Benson was still unmarried at the time of her father’s will, but he did not give the last names of his other four daughters, who were presumably already married.

[121] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, buried in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[122] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1913, Vol. 37, p. 502.

[123] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116, says they had John 1742, Eunice 1744, Mary 1745, Martha 1749, Lois 1751, Jonathan 1752, Ebenezer 1755, David 1756, and Jonas 1759.

[124] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48, the final digit of the year is missing, but probably 1742.

[125] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[126] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 170.

[127] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49.

[128] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 165, Bridgewater Town, Plymouth County, the John Harden household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 3 free white males under 16, and 2 free white females. His was the first family counted in Bridgewater.

[129] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 62, the John Harden household had 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[130] 1810 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 75, the John & J. Harden household had 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 2 females under 10, 1 female aged 10-15 years, 1 female aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over. The male aged 26-44 years may have been their son Jonathan Harden.

[131] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 478.

[132] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 478.

[133] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 171, says they had John and Jonathan.

[134] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 131, taken from a private church record of Rev. Richard Hodges, of South Bridgewater.

[135] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 156.

[136] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 131, under “Harden,” taken from a private church record of Rev. Richard Hodges, of South Bridgewater.

[137] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 62, the John Harden junr. household had 3 males under 10, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 1 female under 10, 1 female aged 26-44 years, and 3 females aged 45 or over. His household was listed right after his father’s, but the census was alphabetized, so it is uncertain as to whether or not he was actually living next door to his father.

[138] 1810 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 76, the John Harden Jr household had 2 males aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 2 males aged 45 or over, 2 females under 10, 1 female aged 10-15 years, 1 female aged 16-25 years, 2 females aged 26-44 years, 4 females aged 45 or over, and 2 other persons. His listing was one line before his father’s, but again the census was alphabetized, so we cannot be sure the he was actually living next door to his father.

[139] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 478, buried in Japan Graveyard, Bridgewater; Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #9146.

[140] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 479, from her gravestone in Japan Graveyard in Bridgewater.

[141] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 478, taken from his gravestone in Japan Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[142] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49.

[143] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 180.

[144] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50, marriage intentions recorded 18 Apr. 1767 in Bridgewater.

[145] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 144.

[146] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 178.

[147] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 59, the Benjamin Hayward household had 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 16-25 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[148] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 484, buried in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[149] Plymouth County Probate Docket #9753, Vol. 39, p. 211, from FHL microfilm #0550720.

[150] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 487.

[151] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 183, says they had Sarah, Mary, and Martha.

[152] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 21, under “Alden.”

[153] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 89.

[154] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 175.

[155] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 18.

[156] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 87.

[157] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 236.

[158] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 58, the Caleb Alden household had 2 males under 10, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 3 females under 10, 1 female aged 16-25 years, and 1 female aged 26-44 years. They were probably living close by his father, Oliver Alden.

[159] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 423.

[160] Calculated from her age at death.

[161] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 215.

[162] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 174.

[163] “Easton, Massachusetts, Bristol County, Births, Deaths and Marriages by Families, 1697-1847,” from FHL microfilm #1059951, a transcription of the entire town vital records from the incorporation of the town of Easton to about 1843 made in 1880 by Geo. G. Withington, Easton town clerk, [hereinafter Easton VRs], p. 124; Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 185, from a private church record kept by Rev. Richard Hodges of South Bridgewater.

[164] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 210.

[165] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 61, the Howe Keith household had 3 males under 10, 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 26-44 years.

[166] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 505.

[167] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #11890, Vol. 13D, p. 297.

[168] Calculated from her age in the censuses.

[169] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 384; Bowman, George Ernest, Vital Records of the Town of Halifax, Massachusetts, To the end of the year 1849, Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, Boston, 1905, [hereinafter Halifax VRs], pp. 31, 61, the marriage of Benjamin Washburn and Desire Sears on 29 Apr. 1762 in Halifax.

[170] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 175, from a private church record kept by Rev. Richard Hodges of South Bridgewater.

[171] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 334.

[172] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 162.

[173] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 390; West Bridgewater VRs, p. 175.

[174] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49.

[175] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[176] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49

[177] Halifax VRs, pp. 32, 55, the marriage of Anthony Waterman and Hannah Vaughan, both of Halifax, on 26 Feb. 1735/6 in Halifax.

[178] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50; Halifax VRs, p. 7, marriage intentions between Elisha Waterman of Hallifax and Martha Benson Junr of Bridgwater recorded in Halifax on 15 Nov. 1773.

[179] Halifax VRs, p. 43.

[180] Plymouth Co. Probate Vol. 20, p. 348.

[181] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 169, Halifax Town, Plymouth County, the Elisha Waterman household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 4 free white males under 16, and 4 free white females.

[182] 1800 Federal Census, Halifax, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 17, the Elisha Waterman household had 2 males aged 10-15 years, 3 males aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 10-15 years, 2 females aged 16-25 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[183] 1810 Federal Census, Halifax, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 271, the Elisha Waterman household had 2 males aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[184] Halifax VRs, p. 124.

[185] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[186] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[187] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[188] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #22136.

[189] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[190] Tilson, Mercer V., The Tilson Genealogy from Edmond Tilson at Plymouth, N.E., 1638 to 1911, 1911, [hereinafter Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy], p. 242, family sketch #1045; Plympton VRs, p. 412, the marriage of John Tilson “Jr.” and Ruth Barowes on 19 Dec. 1771 in Plympton.

[191] Halifax VRs, pp. 68, 79. They named one of their sons Elisha Waterman Tilson.

[192] Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy, pp. 242, 249, but his birth was not recorded in the Plympton vital records.

[193] Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy, p. 249.

[194] Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy, p. 249.

[195] Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy, p. 249.

[196] Kingston VRs, p. 290; Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy, p. 249.

[197] Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy, p. 249.

[198] Tilson, The Tilson Genealogy, p. 249.

[199] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[200] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[201] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 393, marriage intentions recorded 6 Feb. 1802 in Bridgewater, but the marriage was not recorded in Halifax.

[202] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, pp. 201, 202.

[203] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 393.

[204] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 172.

[205] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 198, marriage of Daniel Hudson and Patty Snell on 15 Nov. 1806 in Bridgewater; Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 498, death of Martha, wife of Daniel Hudson, on 21 Dec. 1817, aged 34 years.

[206] Vital Records of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1917, [hereinafter East Bridgewater VRs], p. 360.

[207] East Bridgewater VRs, p. 360.

[208] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #11000, Vol. 10A, p. 274.

[209] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 210.

[210] East Bridgewater VRs, p. 232.

[211] 1850 Federal Census, East Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 245, dwelling #107, family #135:

Calvin Keith, 75, male, laborer, $800, born MA

Betsey Keith, 66, female, born MA

[212] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, Vol. 121, p. 239, online at www.AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, his occupation a laborer, his birth place East Bridgewater, and his father David Keith; www.findagrave.com, memorial #65404844, from his gravestone in the Old Graveyard in East Bridgewater, MA.

[213] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, Vol. 184, p. 278, online at www.AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, her birth place Bridgewater, and her parents Nathaniel & Betsy Pratt, of Bridgewater; www.findagrave.com, memorial #134328323, from her gravestone in the Old Graveyard in East Bridgewater, MA.

[214] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[215] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[216] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[217] Halifax VRs, pp. 14, 23, the marriage of Newcomb Bourn Jr., of Middleboro, and Dulsina Woods of Halifax, on 17 Nov. 1791 in Halifax, her parents are mentioned in her death record on Halifax VRs, p. 165.

[218] Halifax VRs, pp. 74, 84.

[219] Halifax VRs, pp. 126, 164-165. Erysipelas is an acute streptococcus bacterial infection of the deep epidermis layer of the skin.

[220] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #22162, Vol. 11B, p. 144, with Bradford Harlow and Benjamin Thomas as sureties, from FHL microfilm #0551537.

[221] Halifax VRs, pp. 126, 164-165.

[222] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[223] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49, recorded as “Louis” Benson.

[224] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50, marriage intentions recorded 11 Nov. 1775, her name spelled “Lois” Benson.

[225] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 327.

[226] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 165, Bridgewater Town, Plymouth County, the Cornelius Washburn household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 1 free white male under 16, and 3 free white females.

[227] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[228] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 170.

[229] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50, marriage intentions recorded 5 Nov. 1774 in Bridgewater.

[230] Calculated from her age at death.

[231] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 165, Bridgewater Town, Plymouth County, the Jona Benson household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 3 free white males under 16, and 3 free white females.

[232] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 57, the Jonathan Benson household had 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 10-15 years, 1 female aged 16-25 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over. The census was alphabetized, so it is unknown if he was living next door to his brothers Ebenezer, David, and Jonah Benson, who are listed immediately after his in the census.

[233] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, buried in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[234] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1896, Vol. 34, pp. 332, 396.

[235] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 438.

[236] The household of Cyrus & J. Benson in the 1810 federal census included a female aged 45 or over.

[237] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116, says they had John, Betsy, Cyrus, Jonathan and Abigail, and perhaps others.

[238] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[239] Calculated from his age at death.

[240] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, from his gravestone in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater; Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1892.

[241] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1892, Vol. 34, p. 395.

[242] Calculated from her age at death.

[243] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 436.

[244] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1872, Vol. 11B, p. 496, from FHL microfilm #0551537.

[245] Plympton VRs, p. 421, the marriage of Jabez Waterman of Halifax and Hannah Bradford on 14 Mar. 1776 in Plympton; Halifax VRs, p. 8, marriage intentions recorded between Jabez Waterman of Hallifax and Hannah Bradford of Plympton on 8 Jan. 1776 in Halifax.

[246] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50; Halifax VRs, p. 69, marriage intentions recorded 11 Nov. 1805 in Halifax.

[247] Halifax VRs, p. 27.

[248] 1810 Federal Census, Halifax, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 271, the Jabez Waterman household had 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 26-44 years.

[249] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48, from his gravestone.

[250] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1879; Vol. 32, p. 257, the guardianship was while he was still aged 20 years.

[251] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 353.

[252] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49.

[253] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 357.

[254] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 329.

[255] 1810 Federal Census, Bridgewater South Precinct Including Titicut “so called,” Plymouth Co., MA, p. 74, the Cyrus & J. Benson household had 1 male under 10, 1 male aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 1 female under 10, 2 females aged 16-25 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[256] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1877; Vol. 100, p. 313.

[257] Calculated from his age in the 1850 federal census.

[258] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1879; Vol. 100, p. 313.

[259] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116.

[260] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[261] Calculated from her age at death.

[262] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[263] 1850 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 29, dwelling #379, family #453:

Jonathan Benson, 63, male, carpenter, $1600, born MA

Mary Benson, 24, female, born MA

Lucia Benson, 20, female, born MA

Hannah Benson, 15, female, born MA, attending school

Harriet Benson, 15, female, born MA, attending school

[264] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 179, under “Jones.”

[265] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1879; Vol. 32, p. 257.

[266] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[267] Per Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 179.

[268] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 501; Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #11601.

[269] The household of Cyrus & J. Benson included two females aged 26-44 years, one of whom would have been Cyrus’ wife, the other probably his sister Abigail Benson.

[270] Per Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116, but no other children were appointed guardians in 1805.

[271] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[272] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, pp. 236, 255.

[273] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49.

[274] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 249.

[275] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 152, 253.

[276] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 165, Bridgewater Town, Plymouth County, the Ebenezer Benson household had 2 free white males aged 16 or older, 1 free white male under 16, and 3 free white females.

[277] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 57, the Ebenezer Benson household had 1 male under 10, 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, and 1 female aged 45 or over. The census was alphabetized, so it is unknown if he was living next door to his brothers Jonathan, David, and Jonah Benson, who were all listed in order on the census.

[278] 1810 Federal Census, Bridgewater South Precinct, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 74, the Ebenezer Benson household had 2 males aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female under 10, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[279] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116, says they had Olive and two sons, Asa and Hosea.

[280] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 140.

[281] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[282] 1810 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 79, the Marten Conant household had 2 males under 10, 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 16-25 years [sic], 1 female under 10, 1 female aged 10-15 years, and 1 female aged 26-44 years. Martin Conant must have been in his 30s in the 1810 census, instead of aged 16-25 years.

[283] Calculated from her age at death.

[284] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, from her gravestone in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[285] Calculated from her age at death.

[286] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, from her gravestone in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[287] Calculated from his age at death.

[288] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, from his gravestone in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[289] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[290] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[291] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 181.

[292] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49.

[293] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 145.

[294] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, pp. 178, 275-276.

[295] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 165, Bridgewater Town, Plymouth County, the David Benson household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 2 free white males under 16, and 3 free white females.

[296] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 57, the David Benson household had 1 male under 10, 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 4 females under 10, 1 female aged 10-15 years, 3 females aged 16-25 years, and 1 female aged 26-44 years.

[297] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[298] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1880, Vol. 56, p. 460-461, from FHL microfilm #0550909.

[299] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116, says they had Tabitha 1781, Eunice 1782, Charity 1784, Sarah 1786, David 1788, Seth 1790, Bethiah 1793, Keziah 1796, and Polly 1798.

[300] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49.

[301] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50, marriage intentions recorded 1 Feb. 1801 in Bridgewater.

[302] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 473, from his gravestone in the Hillside Cemetery in Bridgewater.

[303] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[304] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 212.

[305] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[306] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 180.

[307] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 139, 208.

[308] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[309] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49.

[310] Kingston VRs, p. 53.

[311] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49.

[312] Vital Records of Abington, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1912, [hereinafter Abington VRs], Vol. 2, p. 157, the marriage of James Pool and Eunice Lazel of Bridgewater on 11 July 1786 in Abington.

[313] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50; Abington VRs, Vol. 2, p. 29, marriage intentions recorded 3 Jan. 1808 in Abington.

[314] Abington VRs, Vol. 1, p. 167.

[315] Abington VRs, Vol. 2, p. 328.

[316] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[317] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49.

[318] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[319] Halifax VRs, p. 12, marriage intentions of Nathaniel Tomson of Hallifax and Sarah Thair of Bridgwater recorded on 14 Mar. 1785 in Halifax.

[320] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49; Halifax VRs, p. 73, marriage intentions recorded 28 Nov. 1814 in Halifax.

[321] Halifax VRs, p. 89.

[322] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49.

[323] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[324] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 49.

[325] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 135.

[326] Per Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116; Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50, marriage intentions recorded 28 Aug. 1819 in Bridgewater between Polly Benson and Ebenezer Chamberlin, but the marriage record was between “Meleson” Benson and Ebenezer Chamberlain.

[327] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 135.

[328] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[329] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[330] Merrick, Barbara Lambert, and Alicia Crane Williams, Middleborough, Massachusetts, Vital Records, The Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, Boston, Volume One: 1986, Volume Two: 1990, [hereinafter Middleborough VRs], Vol. 1, p. 150, the marriage of Jacob Tomson of Halifax and Waitstill Miller of Middleborough on 15 Apr. 1756 in Middleborough; Halifax VRs, p. 59, marriage intentions of Jacob Tomson of Halifax and Waitstill Miller of Middleboro recorded on 27 Mar. 1756 in Halifax.

[331] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 42, marriage intentions recorded 26 Nov. 1782 in Bridgewater;

[332] Halifax VRs, p. 54.

[333] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 165, Bridgewater Town, Plymouth County, the Jonah Benson household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 2 free white males under 16, and 5 free white females.

[334] 1800 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 57, the Jonah Benson household had 1 male under 10, 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 2 females under 10, 1 female aged 10-15 years, 1 female aged 16-25 years, 2 females aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[335] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 438, buried in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[336] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, buried in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[337] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1893, Vol. 84, p. 217-219, from FHL microfilm #0555267.

[338] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116, says they had Jonah, Waitstill, Patty, Nahum, Lucia and Jane.

[339] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 162, under “Holmes.”

[340] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 188; Plymouth VRs, pp. 268, 363, the marriage of Cornelius Holmes Jr. and Elizabeth Lanman, both of Plymouth, on 20 Aug. 1780 in Plymouth.

[341] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50, his parents identified in the church marriage record.

[342] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 160.

[343] Middleborough VRs, Vol. 1, p. 26, the marriage of Cornelius Holmes of Plimton and Lydia Bennet of Middleborough; Plymouth VRs, p. 67, the birth of Cornelius, son of Cornelius Holmes & Lidia Holmes, his wife, on 19 Oct. 1723 in Plymouth; Plymouth VRs, pp. 143, 347, the marriage of Cornelius Holmes Jr. and Lydia Drew, both of Plymouth, on 8 Nov. 1753 in Plymouth; Plymouth VRs, p. 197, the birth of Cornelius Holmes, son of Cornelius Holmes Jr. and Lydia Holmes his wife, on 3 Dec. 1754 in Plymouth.

[344] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #10336, Vol. 119, p. 337.

[345] Calculated from his age in the 1850 federal census.

[346] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[347] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[348] Pearson, Brig. Gen. Gardner W., Records of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia Called out by the Governor of Massachusetts to suppress a Threatened Invasion during the War of 1812-1814, Boston, 1913, reprint, Heritage Books, Bowie, MD, 1999, p. 51.

[349] 1850 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 18, dwelling #230, family #275:

Jonah Benson, 61, male, farmer, $1500, born MA

Chloe Benson, 54, female, born MA

Joan Benson, 29, female, born MA

Jonah Benson Jr., 22, male, shoemaker, born MA

Thomas Benson, 19, male, born MA, attending school

Chloe Benson, 15, female, born MA, attending school

[350] Calculated from his age at death.

[351] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 159.

[352] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[353] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 92.

[354] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[355] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1914, Vol. 61, p. 12.

[356] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, Vol. 311, p. 263, online at www.AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, her birth place Bridgewater, and her father’s name given as Jesse [sic] Dunbar.

[357] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1876, Vol. 143, p. 274-275, from FHL microfilm #0556649, and Vol. 149, p. 141.

[358] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 357, taken from her gravestone in Hillside Cemetery, Bridgewater.

[359] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 353.

[360] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[361] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 357.

[362] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 329.

[363] 1850 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 27, dwelling #357, family #411:

Philander Wood, 60, male, farmer, $3900, born MA

Patty Wood, 55, female, born MA

Nahum B. Wood, 22, male, born MA

Martin Wood, 20, male, born MA

Emily Wood, 18, female, born MA

[364] Wood, Deacon Alfred, Record of Deaths, Middleboro, Massachusetts, General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Boston, 1947, [hereinafter Wood, Middleboro Deaths], p. 247.

[365] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #23420, Vol. 105, p. 341, from FHL microfilm #0555647, witnessed by Geo. W. Wood, Lydia Wood, and Elvira Wood, and Vol. 114, p. 486 (514).

[366] Wood, Middleboro Deaths, p. 248.

[367] Calculated from her age at death.

[368] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116.

[369] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[370] Calculated from his age in the 1850 federal census.

[371] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[372] 1850 Federal Census, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., MA, p. 29, dwelling #379, family #453:

Jonathan Benson, 63, male, carpenter, $1600, born MA

Mary Benson, 24, female, born MA

Lucia Benson, 20, female, born MA

Hannah Benson, 15, female, born MA, attending school

Harriet Benson, 15, female, born MA, attending school

[373] Calculated from her age at death.

[374] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, from her gravestone in the Old Graveyard, Bridgewater.

[375] Calculated from her age in the 1850 federal census.

[376] Per Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116; Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[377] Calculated from his age in the 1850 federal census.

[378] 1850 Federal Census, Stoughton, Norfolk Co., MA, p. 111, dwelling #208, family #246:

Ezra Drake, 49, male, tailor, born MA

Louisa Drake, 44, female, born MA

Lucia A. Drake, 13, female, born MA, attending school

[379] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[380] Kingston VRs, p. 53.

[381] Kingston VRs, p. 335; Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #5804.

[382] Kingston VRs, p. 337.

[383] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 295.

[384] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49.

[385] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 296.

[386] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, pp. 253, 295.

[387] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 436.

[388] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1870, Vol. 12, p. 38-39.

[389] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[390] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1906, Vol. 12, p. 150-151.

[391] Plymouth Co. Probate, Vol. 20, p. 394.

[392] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 116, says they had Benjamin, an only child.

[393] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[394] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 48.

[395] Plymouth Co. Probate Vol. 12, p. 150.

[396] Plymouth Co. Probate Docket #1869, from the index, bond of guardianship only, letters apparently never recorded.

[397] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 276.

[398] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 49.

[399] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437.

[400] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 437, there is recorded the unnamed child of Benjamin Washburn who died on 10 Aug. 1771.

[401] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 147.

[402] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 50.

[403] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 93.

[404] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 178.

[405] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 459.

[406] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, pp. 139, 148, 253.

[407] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 114.

[408] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 245.

[409] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 460.

[410] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 460.

[411] Plymouth Co. Probate Vol. 20, p. 394.

[412] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, p. 148, says they had Seth 1748, Benjamin 1749, Elizabeth 1752, Mary 1754, and Benson 1757.

[413] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 460.

[414] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 96.

[415] Vital Records of Walpole, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1902, [hereinafter Walpole VRs], p. 116; Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 116.

[416] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Vermont, actually taken in 1791, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 30, Chelsea Town, Orange County, the Seth Dunbar household had 2 free white males aged 16 or older and 2 free white females.

[417] Per email of Laura Deforge, from “Thomas Boyden and His Descendants.”

[418] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 92.

[419] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 113; Middleborough VRs, pp. 76, 139, married by Rev. Solomon Reed of North Middleborough; Townsend, Charles D., History of North Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, North Middleborough, Massachusetts, Aceto Bookmen, 1982, [hereinafter Townsend, North Middleborough Congregational Church], p. 93.

[420] Mitchell, History of Bridgewater, pp. 230, 325.

[421] Worcester Co. Deeds Vol. 81, p. 474.

[422] Stafford Deeds Vol. 5, p. 405.

[423] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Connecticut, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 137, Stafford Town, Tolland County, the Benja Dunbar household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 3 free white males under 16, and 3 free white females.

[424] 1800 Federal Census, Stafford, Tolland Co., CT, p. 638, the Benjamin Dunbar household had 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[425] 1810 Federal Census, Stafford, Tolland Co., CT, p. 377, the Benjamin Dunbar household had 1 male aged 45 or over, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[426] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 93.

[427] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 2, p. 114.

[428] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 94.

[429] New Braintree VRs, p. 79. New Braintree adjoins Oakham to the west, and it appears, from his death record in Peru, MA, that one of the sons of Elijah and Mary Gilbert was named Benson Gilbert.

[430] Vital Records of Brookfield, Massachusetts, To the end of the year 1849, Systematic History Fund, Worcester, MA, 1909, [hereinafter Brookfield VRs], p. 93.

[431] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, UT, 1993, p. 31, Partridgefield, Berkshire Co., the Elijah Gilbert household had 2 free white males aged 16 or over, 2 free white males under 16, and 6 white females.

[432] 1800 Federal Census, Partridgefield, Berkshire Co., MA, p. 187, the Elijah Gilbert household had 2 males aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female under 10, 2 females aged 10-15 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[433] 1810 Federal Census, Peru, Berkshire Co., MA, p. 220, the Elijah Gilbert household had 1 male aged 26-44 years, 1 male aged 45 or over, 1 female aged 16-25 years, 1 female aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[434] Vital Records of Peru, Massachusetts, To the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1902, [hereinafter Peru VRs], p. 105.

[435] Peru VRs, p. 105.

[436] Bridgewater VRs, Vol. 1, p. 92.

[437] Vital Records of Oakham, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849, Systematic History Fund, Worcester, MA, 1905, [hereinafter Oakham VRs], p. 69, marriage intentions recorded 25 June 1781 in Oakham, MA.

[438] Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Massachusetts, Bountiful, Utah, 1993, p. 230, Oakham Town, Worcester County, the Benson Dunbar household had 1 free white male aged 16 or older, 2 free white males under 16, and 4 free white females.

[439] 1800 Federal Census, Oakham, Worcester Co., MA, p. 317, the family of Benson Dunbar had 1 male under 10, 1 male aged 10-15 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 2 females under 10, 1 female aged 10-15 years, 1 female aged 16-25 years, 1 female aged 26-44 years, and 1 female aged 45 or over.

[440] Oakham VRs, p. 23.

[441] Paige, Lucius R., History of Hardwick, p. 543, says about Job and Lydia (Melville) Winslow, “The mother, styled a widow, removed to Barnard, Vt., before 28 Oct. 1810.

[442] FamilySearch Pedigree Resource File, submitted by Judith Fuller Perpente.

[443] FamilySearch Pedigree Resource File, submitted by Judith Fuller Perpente, buried in Winslow Cemetery, South Edwards, NY.

[444] FamilySearch Pedigree Resource File, submitted by Judith Fuller Perpente, buried in Winslow Cemetery, South Edwards, NY.

[445] 1820 Federal Census, Potsdam, Saint Lawrence Co., NY, p. 133, the Job Winslow household had 1 male aged 16-18 years, 1 male aged 16-25 years, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 1 female aged 26-44 years, 1 female aged 45 or over, and had 2 persons engaged in agriculture.

[446] 1830 Federal Census, Edwards, Saint Lawrence Co., NY, p. 159, the Job Winslow household had 1 male aged 20-29 years, 1 male aged 50-59 years, and 1 female aged 40-49 years.

[447] Oakham VRs, p. 23.

[448] I.G.I. Birth Records, taken from the General Index to the Vital Records of Vermont, early to 1870, from FHL microfilm #0027720.

[449] Windsor District, Windsor Co., VT, Probate Records, Vol. 6, p. 557, from FHL microfilm #0029172; Per the advertisement placed in Spooner’s Journal, a newspaper published by Alden Spooner in Windsor Co., VT, for the estate sale of Benson Dunbar on 24 Aug. 1815, which was to be held on 7 Sept. 1815, which mentioned that Simeon Washburn was the administrator of the estate.

[450] Per email letters of Laura Deforge, Dec. 2010.

[451] Per Ancestry.com World Tree file #1367369, submitted by dvhudson@earthilink.net; email letters of Laura Deforge, Dec. 2010.

[452] Per email letters of Laura Deforge, Dec. 2010.

[453] Oakham VRs, p. 23.

[454] Per his cemetery inscription in Weathersfield Bow Cemetery posted on Find A Grave.

[455] Windsor District, Windsor Co., VT, Probate Records, Vol. 6, p. 557-559, from FHL microfilm #0029172; Advertisement in Spooner’s Journal, a newspaper published by Alden Spooner in Windsor Co., VT, for an estate sale or auction of the personal estate of Benson Dunbar, late of Weathersfield, on 24 Aug. 1815, to be held in Woodstock, VT, on 7 Sept. 1815, which mentioned that Simeon Washburn was administrator of the estate.

[456] Oakham VRs, p. 23.

[457] 1820 Federal Census, Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, p. 134b, the Benjamin Dunbar household had 2 males under 10, 1 male aged 26-44 years, 1 female under 10, 1 female aged 26-44 years, and had 1 person engaged in agriculture.

[458] 1830 Federal Census, Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, p. 137, the Benjamin Dunbar household had 1 male under 5, 2 males aged 10-14 years, 1 male aged 40-49 years, 1 female under 5, 2 females aged 5-9 years, 1 female aged 15-19 years, and 1 female aged 40-49 years.

[459] 1840 Federal Census, Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, p. 199, the Benjamin Dunbar household had 1 male under 5, 2 males aged 5-9 years, 1 male aged 15-19 years, 1 male aged 20-29 years, 1 male aged 50-59 years, 1 female aged 10-14 years, 1 female aged 15-19 years, 1 female aged 50-59 years, and included 3 persons employed in agriculture.

[460] 1850 Federal Census, Town of Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., NY, p. 76, dwelling #74, family #74:

Benj. Dunbar, 59, male, farmer, $800, born MA

Eunice Dunbar, 59, female, born VT

Charlotte Dunbar, 28, female, born NY

Martha Dunbar, 21, female, born NY

Lysander Dunbar, 17, male, farmer, born NY, attending school

[461] Oakham VRs, p. 23.

[462] Per the Ancestry.com Engledow/Parmele/Jones/Reguilon Family Tree file submitted by peach368.

[463] I.G.I. Marriage Record for Orpha Dunbar, taken from an FHL patron family group sheet.

[464] 1820 Federal Census, Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, p. 135b, the Seth Parmerle household had 2 males under 10, 1 male aged 16-25 years, 1 female under 10, 1 female aged 16-25 years, and had 1 person engaged in agriculture. Next door was the household of his father, Giles Parmelee.

[465] 1830 Federal Census, Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., NY, p. 137, the Seth Parmelee household had 2 males under 5, 2 males aged 10-14 years, 1 male aged 30-39 years, 2 females aged 5-9 years, and 1 female aged 30-39 years.

[466] Per the Ancestry.com Engledow/Parmele/Jones/Reguilon Family Tree file submitted by peach368.

[467] Oakham VRs, p. 23.

---

[A] The Will of Jonathan Cushman of Kingston, Massachusetts (1775): *

In the Name of God Amen. the fourth Day of December Anno Domini 1775. I Jonathan Cushman of Kingston in the County of Plymouth in New-England Yeoman being weak in Body but of Sound & Disposing Mind & Memory & being desirous to Set my House in Order, before I Go hence Do Make & Ordain this My Last Will and Testament And first I Commend my soul to God that Gave it And my Body to the Earth to be Decently Buried According to the Discretion of my Executors hereafter Named hoping for a Joyfull Resurrection Through the Merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and as Touching my Outward Estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to Bless me with in this Life I Dispose of the Same as followeth Viz.~~

Imprimis I Give & Bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Susanna Cushman during her Widowhood the Improvment of as much of my Dwelling House as may be Necessary for her Convenient Accomodation with the One Quarter of my Indoor Moveable Estate and the Priviledge of taking as much fruit out of my Orchard Annually as She may Want for her Own Use Also a Cow & the same to be kept for her Winter, & Summer, with as Much Fire Wood brought to her Door, and Cut Short as may be Sufficient for her Own Use with a Priviledge for her to keep one Swine on my Farm herself Annually & the Improvment of a Small Spot of Land One Rod & a half Square Some where near my Dwelling House with Eight Bushels of Corn and Rye Twenty five Pounds of Beef five Pounds of Sheeps Wool five Pounds of Flax & four Bushels of Potatoes & Turnaps The Aforesd Cow keeping & the Several Articles of Provision and other Necessareys to be Provided Equally by my Two Sons Ebenezar Cushman and Jonathan Cushman & to be continued Annually during her Remaining my Widow as afores’d Also my Will is that She Shall have the Improvment of my Books during the Afores’d Term & when that is Expired they be Equally Divided Amongst all my children & that the Other Articles of Personal Estate Revert to my Two Sons Viz. Ebenezar & Jonathan Equally~~

Item I Give & Bequeath to my Daughter, Elizabeth Richards the Wife of Eliezar Richards the Whole of Sundry Articles of Household Furnature which I formerly Provided for & Delivered to her & then Charged to her on Book Amounting to About the Sum of Fourteen Pounds Ten Shillings & Three pence Also a Fire Shovel & Tongs which I Provided for her~~

Item I Give & Bequeath to my Daughter Mary Cushman the Sum of Thirteen Pounds Six Shillings & Eight Pence to be paid to her in Such Articles of my Moveable Estate as may be Suteable for her at the Rate which they may be Valued by a Legal Appraizment: I Also Give her my Loom & all my Weaving Implements And my Will is that She may have the Priviledge of Living in my Dwelling House with her Mother~~

Item I Give & Bequeath unto my son Ebenezar Cushman all the Lower Part of my Homestead Farm Lying in Kingston with the Buildings thereon Divided from the Other Part as follows Viz^t Begining against a Large Birch Tree at the Land of Ebenezar Washburn thence Ranging through my Meadow & Orchard till it Comes to an Old Stump Called the Acorn Tree Stump Standing by the Way thence by the Way towards Holmes’s land till it comes to a Red Oak Sapling thence Easterly till it Comes to the Corner of Ebenezar Cobbs Land being a Stake & Stones thence to the upper or further Corner of my field Fence thence on the Same Course to Deacon Jabez Washburns Land Also the One half of a Piece of Fresh Meadow Lying in Jones’s Meadow in the Township of Plymton also a Tract of Woodland at Eell River in the Township of Plymouth being the half of Two Lotts which were Given to me by my Father Robert Cushman Late of Kingston Deceased to him my Said Son Ebenezer his Heirs & Assigns forever~~ Item I Give & Bequeath unto my Son Jonathan Cushman his Heirs & Assigns forever all the upper Part of my Homestead Farm Bounds from the Lower Part by the Part which I have Given to my Son Ebenezar Also the Other half of my Fresh Meadow Lying in Jones’s Meadows in the Township of Plymton also a Small Piece of Cedar Swamp Lying in the Township of Hallifax in the County of Plymouth

Item my Will is that the Residue of my Personal Estate be Applyed to the Payment of my Just Debts Funeral Charges Legacies & Bequests & if it Should not be Sufficient the Remainder to be paid Equally by my Two Sons Ebenezar Cushman & Jonathan Cushman out of the Estate I have Given them—Lastly I do hereby Constitute & Appoint my Son Ebenezar Cushman & M^r John Faunce Executors of this my last Will & Testament hereby Revoking all other Wills & Testaments by me formerly made Allowing & Confirming this Only as my Last Will & Testament In Witness Whereof I the Said Jonathan Cushman do hereunto Set my Hand & Seal the Day & Year before Mentioned.

Signed Sealed & Declared

by the Said Jonathan Cushman

to be his Last Will & Testament Jonathan Cushman (seal)

in Presence of us~~

John Gray

Josiah Cook

Rebeccah Washburn

Probated on 4 Mar. 1776, presented by Ebenezar Cushman and John Faunce, the Executors therein named, and proved by John Gray and Josiah Cook.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 24, pp. 61-63, from FHL microfilm #0550713.

[B] The Will of Ebenezer Cushman of Kingston, Massachusetts (1823): *

I, Ebenezer Cushman of Kingston in the County of Plymouth, yeoman, being sound in health, mind, and memory, do make & publish this my last Will and Testament, in manner following, that is to say

I give to my son son Silvester a note I hold against him of Forty dollars, and Forty dollars to his children.

I give to my daughter Lydia Bisbe Seventy five dollars, and also the demand I have against her or her husband. I give to my son Ebenezer Cushman & his wife the whole improvement of the land I bought of Benjamin Faunce Jr of Paris in the County of Oxford in District of Maine, as long as they live and then to their children forever. I give to my son Ebenezer, two notes I hold against him, one seventy dollars, & one sixty.

I give to my daughter Ruth Holmes, twenty dollars, & one half of my indoor moveables

I give my daughter Elizabeth Morton, twenty dollars, & one half of my indoor moveables.

I give to my two sons Robert & Harvey Cushman, my homestead farm, with the buildings thereon, to them, their heirs, & assigns forever, to be divided as follows beginning at the fence at the Wid^w. Sarah Washburn’s land, running by the fences to the orchard thence by the orchard near a white oak tree, thence by the fence to the road by the fence that comes to the bars that next the wood by the fence & road to the corner of the fence thence to the land the southwest corner of Barnabas Hedge’s land thence by his land to the road that goes to Wolf pond, & by the road to the land of Josiah Holmes 2nd by Josiah Holmes’ land to the land of Asa Cook thence by Cook’s land to stake & stones in the swamp thence easterly course to stake & stones where the fence goeth into the pond by the pond till it comes to crotched maple tree thence easterly to stake & stones standing by the fence strait course to the land of Col. John Thomas.

The northerly part I give to my son Robert, to have & to hold him, his heirs & assigns forever. Also I give to my two sons Robert & Harvey all my notes and money on hand and wearing apparel.

I give to my son Harvey the Southerly part to have & to hold to him & his heirs & assigns forever – each one to have a right to pass & repass through each other’s land.

I give my desk to my son Robert, and he must pay Harvey two dollars

I give all my other Estate, real or personal or mixed, of Whatever name or nature, & wherever to be found, and not before disposed of, to my two sons Robert and Harvey before mentioned, to them, their heirs & assigns forever. And it is the true intent and meaning hereof that my two sons Robert & Harvey pay all the legacies herein given; also to pay all my just debts and funeral charges.

Lastly, I appoint John Gray & Robert Cushman, and Harvey Cushman my Executors to this my last Will and Testament. Dated the 15^h of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three, 1823

Signed, sealed and

declared by the sd Ebenezer Cushman (seal)

Eben^r. Cushman to

be his last Will and Testament in presence of us, who, in his presence witness the same.

Eliezer Faunce

John Cooke

Frederick Bagnall.

Probated on 9 Apr. 1827, and proved by Eliezer Faunce and Frederick Bagnall, two of the witnesses.

The subscriber, appointed by the Will of Ebenezer Cushman, late of Kingston, dec’d, to be one of the Executors of s^d. Will, hereby declines accepting that trust.

April 9, 1827 John Gray.

Letters of Administration were granted to Robert Cushman and Harvey Cushman on 9 Apr. 1827.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 63, p. 503-505, from FHL microfilm #0550912.

[C] The Will of Jonathan Benson of Bridgewater, Massachusetts (1788): *

In the name of God Amen—I Jonathan Benson of Bridgwater in the county of Plymouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentleman, being infirm in body but of a sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last will & testament in manner and form following viz^~ I Give and recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty God that Gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be decently Interred at the discretion of my executors, and touching such worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with I will and bequeath the same in the following manner and form viz—

Imprimis—I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Martha, and to her Heirs and assigns Forever, one Cow, and one half of my Household Furniture, exclusive of my Clock, and I Give to her the use and improvement of the easterly front room in my dwelling House, and the Liberty of improving such a part of the kitchen and Cellar and Buttery as she shall need For her use so Long as she shall remain my widow, reserving at the same time a priviledge for my Daughter Kezia to Live with her so Long as my said daughter shall remain unmarried, also reserving a priviledge for my said daughter to improve the south Bedroom at the westerly end of my dwelling House for the Like space of time—I also Give to my wife the use of my Clock so Long as she remains my widow, I also order & will that my Son Josiah shall find and provide for my wife a suitable and sufficient maintenance both in health and Sickness while she shall remain my widow, and I will and order that all my just debts and Funeral charges shall be paid out of my Personal Estate not already disposed of, in convenient time after my decease by Executors hereafter to be named herein—

2^dly—I Give and bequeath to my Son Jonathan Benson and to his Heirs and assigns forever, the tract of Land on which he now Liveth containing twenty seven acres be the same more or Less, being the Land which I bought of Jacob Hayward, together with the buildings thereon, and also Six acres of Land, being part of my piece of Land in the thousand acres (so called) adjoining to Eleazer Alden’s Land, to be sett off to him said Jonathan in manner following—viz^~-beginning at the north-westerly end of said piece of Land and extending south-easterly the width of my said piece of Land so far as to contain six acres, notherly & north-westerly of a Line running from south-west to north-east—also one half of my Cedar Swamp in the Town of Pembroke, also one half of the piece of Land Lying between the six acre piece already Given to him and the Land of Daniel Washburn—I also Give to him my writing desk.

3^dly I Give and bequeath to my Son Ebenezer Benson and to his Heirs & assigns Forever, Five acres of Land which I bought of Amos Snell, Lying in the thousand acres (so called) adjoining the River, also one half of my Cedar Swamp in Bridgwater, and I also Give to the said Ebenezer the priviledge of passing to and from said piece of Land thro’ Gates of bars, where passable, and Least prejudicial—I also Give him the said Ebenezer the sum of Six pounds to be paid to him by my Son Jonah Benson as an equivalent For the Share Given to said Jonah For that purpose.

4^ly I Give and bequeath to my Son David Benson and to his Heirs & assigns Forever, thirty four acres of Land Lying in the thousand acres (so called) bounded on the north-easterly side by the Land of Nath^l. Goodwin esq^r. on the south-westerly side by the Land formerly belonging to Job Pratt deceased at the head by the Land of Nath^l Goodwin esq^r. and at the foot by the river with a priviledge of passing to and from said Land in manner as Granted to me by James Allen and Nathan Orcutt, also one half of my Cedar Swamp in Bridgwater, also one half of the piece of Land Lying between the six acre piece Given to my Son Jonathan and the Land of Daniel Washburn.

5^ly I Give and bequeath to my Son Jonah Benson and to his Heirs and assigns Forever, all the Land belonging to my Homestead, together with the Buildings thereon, reserving that part of my Dwelling House and Cellar, the use and improvement of which was Given to my wife, and Daughter Kezia For the space of time above mentioned, and one half of my Cedar Swamp Lying in the Town of Pembroke, and as this amounts to more than his Share of my Estate, my will is that he pay to my Son Ebenezer the sum of Six pounds as above mentioned, in one year after my decease, I also Give to him my Clock and all my Farming utensils, & my best Gun, and my will is that he pay to my Daughter Kezia the sum of Ten pounds in one year after my decease.

6^ly I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Kezia Benson & to her Heirs and assigns Forever, the sum of Ten pounds, to be paid to her by my Son Jonah as above mentioned, and one Cow to be delivered to her by my Executors, and further my will is, that the remaining part of my Household Furniture not already herein disposed of, be equally divided among my Five Daughters—viz^~—Eunice—Mary—Martha, Lois & Kezia, also I Give all my Quick Stock not already disposed of, and all my Personal Estate due to me in Bonds, notes or Book Accounts, after payment of my just debts and Funeral Charges, and the charge of Settling my Estate, to my Five Daughters above mentioned.

7^ly I Give and bequeath to my Four Sons—viz^~—Jonathan, Ebenezer, David and Jonah, all my wearing apparell and a Gun not herein disposed of to be equally divided among them.

Lastly—I do hereby constitute and appoint my two Sons Jonathan & Ebenezer Benson my Executors of this my Last will & testament, hereby Ratifying this and no other to be my Last will & testament—In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal the twentieth day of November A. Dom. one thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Eight

Signed, Sealed, published, pronounced and

declared by the said Jonathan Benson to be

his Last will & testament in the presence of Jonathan Benson (seal)

us the Subscribers— Benj^a. Willis

Jacob Perkins

Oliver Allen

Benj^a. Willis jun^r

Probated on 5 Jan. 1789, presented by Jonathan Benson and Ebenezer Benson, the executors, and proved by Benjamin Willis esq^r & Jacob Perkins.

*Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 30, pp. 494-497, from FHL Microfilm #0550716.

[D] The Will of Martha Benson of Bridgewater, Massachusetts (1791): *

In the Name of God Amen.– I Martha Benson of Bridgwater in the County of Plymouth, in the Comwealth of Massachusetts, widow, being aged & infirm in body, but of a sound & disposing mind and memory, do make & ordain this my last will & testament, in manner and form following – viz^t.–

Imprimis – I order that all my just debts & funeral charges be paid out of my estate by my Executor, hereafter to be named, in convenient time after my decease.–

2^d – I Give and bequeath to each of my children hereafter named viz^t. to Eunice Harden – Mary Hayward – Martha Waterman – Lois Washburn – Jonathan Benson – Ebenezer Benson – David Benson – and Jonah Benson, and to their heirs & assigns forever, the sum of five shillings lawful money, to be paid to each of them by my Executor.–

3^d.– I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Kezia Benson and to her heirs & assigns forever, all the remaining part of my estate, after payment of my just debts & funeral charges & the legacies above mentioned.–

4^h I do hereby constitute and appoint Benjamin Willis Esqr. my sole Executor of this my last will & testament, and hereby ratifying and confirming this & no other to be my last will & testament.–

In witness whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand & seal this eighth day of April A.Domini one thousand seven hundred & ninety one–

Signed Sealed, Delivered, Pub- her

lished pronounced & Declared by y^e s^d Martha Martha X Benson (seal)

Benson to be her last will and mark

testament in the presence of us

the subscribers.–

Moses Snell

Barnabas Horton

Chilton Latham Jr

Presented for probate on 5 Oct. 1801 by Ebenezer Benson of Bridgwater, yeoman, and proved by Barnabas Horton & Chilton Latham Jun^r., Benjamin Willis Esq^r., the executor named having declined the said trust, Ebenezer Benson was appointed as administrator with will annexed.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 37, p. 502-503, from FHL microfilm #0550719.

[E] The Will of David Benson of Bridgewater, Massachusetts (1822): *

Be it remembered that I David Benson of Bridgwater in the county of Plymouth considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound and perfect mind & memory blessed be God for the same, do make and publish this my last will & Testament in manner & form following

First I give to my son David one equal half of the Snell lots (so called) containing about fifteen acres.

2^d I give to my son Seth one equal half of the aforesaid Snell lots and the whole of my 4 acre woodlot.

3d I give to my six daughters Tabitha, Eunice, Charity, Sarah, Bethiah and Mallison all the furniture, and fixing for keeping house which has been delivered them as their share of my Estate.

I also give and direct that my Daughter Kezia shall have an equal value of goods & furniture agreeable to what the rest of my Daughters have had, as her share.

Lastly I give to my youngest son Martin all my Homestead farm with all the buildings thereon, containing about forty acres, together with all my personal Estate goods & chattels of every name and nature whatsoever, not before disposed of, he paying all my just debts and also giving his mother an honourable support during her life in such ways as shall be most agreeable to her, both in sickness and health.

And I do hereby appoint my son Martin sole Executor of this my last will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day of September eighteen and twenty two.

Signed, sealed and delivered by the

within named David Benson to be his

last will and Testament in presence of us David Benson (seal)

Daniel Mitchell

Cyrus Benson

Philander Wood

Probated on 17 Mar. 1823, and proved by Cyrus Benson and Philander Wood, two of the witnesses.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 56, p. 460-461, from FHL microfilm #0550909.

[F] The Will of Jonah Benson of Bridgewater, Massachusetts (1837): *

Be it remembered that I Jonah Benson of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

First – I give and bequeath unto my four daughters Hannah, Wally, Patty & Lucia, each of them ten dollars & to my daughter Jane fifteen dollars to be paid to them by my Executor – in one year from my decease. Also all my household Furniture to be equally divided between them all at my decease excepting my desk and my wearing apparel which I give my son Jonah Benson.

I also give to my grand son Hubbard Benson two hundred dollars to be paid him by my Executor when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years.

I also give and bequeath to my only son Jonah Benson all my real & personal estate, Goods & chattels whatsoever (not disposed of above) and after paying all my just debts & funeral charges. And I do hereby appoint my son Jonah Benson sole executor of this my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty seven.

Signed sealed and declared by the said Jonah Benson to be his last will and Testament in presence of us.

Witnesses Jonah Benson (seal)

Daniel Mitchell

Benjⁿ. Leonard

Simeon W. Mitchell

Presented for probate on the third Monday of May, 1842 by Jonah Benson, the Executor, and proved by Daniel Mitchell and Simeon W. Mitchell, two of the witnesses.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 84, p. 217-219, from FHL microfilm #0555267.

[G] The Will of Chloe Benson of Bridgewater, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1873) *

Be it known that I Chloe Benson of Bridgewater, County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, being of sound disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament.

First. I give and bequeath unto my grandson Nahum Benson of Bridgewater all my Real Estate wherever the same may be found. Also all my farming utensils and carriages.

Second. The balance of all my personal estate after paying all my just debts funeral expenses and cost of administration I give and bequeath in equal portions to my son Hubbard D. Benson of Abington, my grand-daughters Maria A. Mitchell wife of George T. Mitchell of East Bridgewater, Lydia D. Poole wife of Noah Poole, Minerva A. Josselyn wife of Walter Josselyn, Cordelia M. Benson, and my grand-sons Edgar Benson, Frederic Benson and Clinton H. Benson all of Abington, Mass.

Third. I ordain and appoint Spence Leonard of Bridgewater, sole Executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, in the presence of the witnesses signed below this twenty sixth day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and seventy three.

Chloe Benson (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Chloe Benson as and for her last will and testament in presence of us, who in her presence and in the presence of each other and at her request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Francis Winsor

Austin Leonard

Spencer Leonard

Presented for probate on the fourth Monday of Dec. 1879 by Spencer Leonard of Bridgewater, with Van R. Swift and James W. Leach, of Bridgewater, as sureties. Letters Testamentary were granted to Spencer Leonard on 22 Dec. 1879.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 143, p. 274-275, from FHL microfilm #0556649, and Vol. 149, p. 141.

[H] The Will of Philander Wood of Bridgewater, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1862) *

Know all Men by these Presents that I Philander Wood of Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts yeoman being of sound disposing mind & memory do make & publish this my last Will & Testament.

First: I give & bequeath to my beloved wife Patty Wood Four Hundred dollars to her sole and separate use if she should outlive me – I also give & bequeath to my above named wife all the house hold furniture clothing, &c &c except my desk & the papers in the same to her own use & also the use of my dwelling house during her natural life & that my wife shall be honorably supported by my two sons hereafter named the above I give instead of her right of dower.

2^d I give and bequeath to my daughter Patty Bartlett wife of David Bartlett of West Bridgewater six hundred dollars to be paid at my decease.

3^d I give and bequeath to my daughter Hannah W. Benson wife of Alonzo S. Benson of Bridgewater six hundred dollars to be paid at my decease.

4^th. I give & bequeath to my daughter Emily Pratt wife of Otis Pratt of Halifax six hundred dollars to be paid at my decease.

5^th I give & devise to my two sons Nahum B. Wood & Martin Wood all my real Estate together with all the personal estate not heretofore disposed of provided they pay all the above named gifts and legacies & debts & funeral expenses & honorably support their mother during her natural life & my real estate shall be holden for the honorable support of my wife to have & to hold the said premises with appurtenances to them the said Nahum B. Wood & Martin Wood & their heirs & assigns forever.

6^th I ordain & appoint my son Nahum B. Wood as executor of this my last Will & Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal & publish & declare this to be my last Will & Testament in the presence of the witnesses named below this twenty fourth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred & sixty two.

Philander Wood (seal)

Signed, sealed, published & declared by the said Philander Wood as & for his last Will & Testament in presence of us who at his request & in his presence & in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.

Geo. W. Wood

Lydia Wood

Elvira Wood

I hereby certify that the above interlining was done before signing the same.

Geo. W. Wood

Presented for probate on the second Monday of May, 1866, by Nahum B. Wood and Martin Wood, of Bridgewater, with Geo. W. Wood of Middleborough and Seth H. Leonard, of Bridgewater, as sureties. Letters Testamentary were granted to Nahum B. Wood and Martin Wood, of Bridgewater, on 14 May 1866.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 105, p. 341, from FHL microfilm #0555647, and Vol. 114, p. 486 (514).

[I] The Will of Benjamin Benson of Bridgewater, Massachusetts (1749): *

In the Name of the Allmighty God amen y^e Seventh Day of February 1748 I Benjamin Benson of Bridgwater In the County of plimouth In New England being weak In body but of perfect minde and Memory thanks be to God therefore Calling to minde the Mortalltiy of My body Do make & ordain this my Last Will and Testement First I give my Soul Into y^e hands of God and my Body I Commite to the Earth to be Decently buried at y^e Descresion of my Executor here after named and touching my Worldly Estate I Despose thereone of In the folowing maner my Just Debts funeral Charges and other Expences as Docter bills and the Like being first alowed and paid out of y^e Movable Estate

Item I give to my Wife Kezia Benson What Remans of the movibel Estate both Within Dors and Without With the Improvement of all my farme housing and Lands until my Child Shall Come To the age of 21 years She providing for him untill That Time and that She Deliver the Same To my son Benjamon or Child above S^d In as good Repair as now it Is as to y^e Lands being Wore and My Wife Keziah I constitute and apoint to be the Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament

Item I give to my Child Benjamain I give all my housing and Land To be his as Soon as he Coms to age to Receive it and In Case that y^e Child above menchand Should not Live to be of age to Want the S^d houseing Lands then my Will Is that my father John Benson Should have my homesteed house and Land (Widows 3^rds Excepted) and that my wife Should have the Neck Lands that I Bought of amos Snell & Jonathan Benson Signed Sealed Declard in presents of us

Timothy perkins Benjamian Benson

Thomas Conant

Amos Snell Ju^r

Probated in May 1749, proved by Thomas Conant and Amos Snell Ju^r, and letters of administration granted to his widow Keziah Benson on 1 May 1749.

*Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 12, p. 38-39, from FHL microfilm #0551539.

[J] The Will of Keziah Benson of Bridgewater, Massachusetts (1750): *

In the Name of God Amen the Twenty Ninth Day of January A.D. 1749 Kezia Benson of Bridgwater being now of Sound Disposeing mind and memory thanks be given to the great God yet Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die Do make and ordain this my Last Will and testament that is to Say princepaly and first of all I give and Recomend my Soule into the hands of that god who gave it, and my Body I Recomend to y^e Dust to be Decently Buried at y^e Discresion of my Executor hereafter named. nothing Doughting But at y^e Resurection I Shall Receive the Same againe by ye power of all-mighty God and as Touching Such worly Estate Wherewith it hath pleasd God to bless me In this Life I give demise and Dispose of y^e Same in the following manor and forme that is to Say. 1. Tis my will that all my Debts and funeral Charges be well and Truly paid in Convenient time after my decease—2. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Son Benjamian Benson all y^e Estate that I have Excepting a Chince gowen and a red Chair hereafter named. 3. I give and Bequeath unto Mary Snell the Daughter of my Brother Moses Snell Lately Deceased my Chince gowen and a red Chair. In Case my Son Benjamian Should Decease before he arrives at the age of twenty one years I Do then give and Bequeath all my Cloathing and all my moveable Estate Excepting y^e Chince gowen & Chaise Before mentioned and a Chest of Draws to be hereafter mentioned to my Sisters mary mehuren Jemima Snow Susanna Davenporte martha Benson Charity Blossom to y^e Two Daughers of my Brouther Danel Snell namely Keziah to be Equaly Divided among them.

5. Tis my Will and Pleasure in Case my Son Benjamin Should Decease While in his Nonage that y^e Daughter of Jonathan Benson of Bridgwater namely Unise[?] Should have my Chest of draws.

6 tis my will and Desier that my Brother Daniel Snell Should be guardian to my well Beloved Son Benjamian Till he Shall Be fourteen years of age

7 in Case my Son Benjamien Should Dec^e in his Nonage tis my will that Jonathan Benson above mentioned Should have y^e Wearing apperail that was my husbands Lately Deceased—

finally I Constitute and appoint Jonathan Benson above mentioned Together with my Brother Daniel Snell Before mentioned to be Executor of this my Last Will and Testement holding this and no other to be my Last Will and Testement and Do hereby Disallow and revoke all other wills before this Time by me made in Testimony here of I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Day and year above written Signed Sealled pronounced published and declared by y^e S^d Kezia Benson as her Last Will and Testement In y^e presents of us her

Ephraim Keith Kezia * Benson

John Truelove mark

Job Pratt

Probated on 5 Mar. 1749[/50], the will presented by Daniel Snell, the other executor Jonathan Benson having renounced the Executorship, and proved by John Truelove and Job Pratt.

On 5 Mar. 1749[/50] Josiah Edson Esq., Jacob Haward and Timothy Perkins, all of Bridgewater, yeomen, were appointed to appraise the estate of Keziah Benson Late of Bridgewater, deceased. The inventory was recorded on 31 Mar. 1750, and was valued at £449.2.6.

* Transcribed by John A. Maltby from Plymouth County Probate Vol. 12, pp. 84-85, 150-151, from FHL microfilm #0551539.