Part 10

238--1 d. in infancy. 239--2 Daniel, b. July 29, 1746, m. Lucy Taylor. May 21, 1772. He d. June 10, 1827, a. 80. She d. Sept. 12, 1836. He was father to Dr. Daniel Adams of Mont Vernon, author of several valuable school books. 240--3 Abner, b. Oct. 22, 1748, m. 1. Mary Sawtell. 2. Sarah Sawtell. 241--4 Rebecca, b. July 6, 1750, m. James Campbell, Dec. 21, 1769. He lived in Brookline, N. H. She d. at an advanced age, leaving several children. 242--5 Benjamin, b. Oct. 15, 1752, m. Mary Stone of Ashly, July 16, 1778. He d. in Cavendish, Vt.; had 7 children, 4 sons and 3 daughters. 243--6 Ephraim, b. Aug. 14, 1754, m. Lydia Knowlton, lived in Jaffrey, N. H. Had one child, who died without issue. 244--7 Kesia, b. m. John Sherwin. She d. May 25, 1782, a. 23, a few days after her marriage. 245--8 Elisabeth, b. d. unmarried, Jan. 9, 1782, a. 19. 246--9 Mehetabel, b. m. John Smith; lived in Brookline and had 4 sons and 2 daughters. 247--10 Mary, b. m. Dea. John Giles, May 6, 1789. He had been previously m.; and his first wife d. Oct. 17, 1788, a. 24, by whom he had 5 children. By his 2nd wife he had also 5 children. He d. Aug. 14, 1825, a. 62. 248--11 James, d. young. 249--12 Phebe, b. Dec. 18, 1770, m. Solomon Jewett, lived in Townsend and had 4 children: Solomon, Phebe, Kesia, and Rozella. 250--13 James, b. April 15, 1773, m. Sybel Gasset, lived in Townsend, and had 3 daughters. 251--14 Joseph, b. m. Polly Brooks. Two other children d. in infancy.

(41) V. Capt. Joseph Adams [87--3] d. in Lincoln, March 28, 1807, a. 83. He m. 1. Mary Eveleth of Stow, 1746. She d. July 10, 1791, a. 66, having had 11 children. He m. 2. Mrs. Priscilla Reed Martin, July 23, 1795. Children,

252--1 Mary, b. April 29, 1747, d. Jun. 4, 1748, a. 1 y., 1 m., 6 d. 253--2 Joseph, b. Jan. 4, 1749, m. Love Lawrence, Sept. 4. 1770. He was a physician; d. in England, Feb. 2, 1807, a. 58. He had 12 children. [303--2] 254--3 Charles, b. Nov. 8, 1750, was a physician, and loyalist, d. at Annapolis in Nova Scotia. 255--4 Nathan, b. Nov. 11, 1752, d. Aug. 11, 1756, a. 3 y., 9 m. 256--5 Mary, b. Oct. 11, 1754, d. Aug. 17, 1756, a. 1 y., 10 m., 6 d. 257--6 Sarah, b. Sept. 13, 1756, m. Robert Eames, Sudbury, Aug. 14, 1783. 258--7 Mary, b. July 14, 1758, m. Elisha Wheeler, Sudbury, May 4, 1779. 259--8 Nathan, b, March 1, 1760, m. Hannah McCarty, d. in Charlestown without issue, Sept. 25, 1830, a. 70. 260--9 Martha, b. July 15, 1763, m. Dea. David Lawrence of Littleton, Dec. 23, 1790. 261--10 Daniel, b. April 14, 1766, m. Sarah Goldthwait of Boston. 262--11 Love, b. March 21, 1749, m. Henry Willard of Keene.

(42) V. Capt. Nathan Brown m. Rebecca Adams, [88--1] March 10, 1749. He d. in Lincoln, Oct. 13, 1781. She afterwards m. Solomon Foster, Nov. 15, 1790. She d. Dec. 24, 1811, a. 84. Children,

263--1 Mary, b. m. Benjamin Allen. 264--2 Rebecca, b. April 8, 1751, d. unmarried, April 27, 1773. 265--3 Elisabeth, b. Oct. 1, 1752, m. Dr. Richard Russell, Jan. 28, 1777. 266--4 Nathan, b. April 16, 1755, m. Lucy Garfield, 1775. He was killed in Concord, by a load of wood passing over him, Dec. 12, 1814, a. 60. 267--5 Daniel, b. Sept. 13, 1757, d. in the West Indies. 268--6 Eunice, b. Feb. 13, 1761, m. William Lawrence of Lincoln, Nov., 1780. 269--7 Lydia, b. Nov. 12, 1763, m. Daniel Weston of Lincoln, 1793. 270--8 Kezia, b. Feb. 28, 1769, m. Solomon Foster of Lincoln.

(43) V. James Adams [89--5] m. 1. Kezia Conant, Jan. 15, 1756, by whom he had 3 children. She d. Aug. 22, 1765, in her 37th year. He m. 2. Delia Adams, daughter of Edward Adams of Sudbury, June 5, 1766, by whom he had 12 children. She d. in Boston, Dec. 9, 1813, a. 70, and was buried in Lincoln. He d. in Lincoln, March 10, 1805, a. 71. His children were

271--1 Betsey, b. Jan. 22, 1757, m. Benjamin Adams of Sudbury, Nov. 20, 1777. 272--2 James, b. Jan. 14, 1759, m. Nancy Tarbell of Lincoln, Nov. 15, 1796. 273--3 Kezia, b. Nov. 6, 1762, d. March 30, 1769, a. 6 y., 4 m., 24 d. 274--4 Delia, b. May 26, 1767, m. Ebenezer Woodward of Hanover, N. H., Feb. 26, 1795. 275--5 Andrew, b. Oct. 9, 1768, m. Polly Hartwell of Lincoln, Sept. 10, 1795. 276--6 Eli, b. March 14, 1770, m. Sarah Swift of Boston. 277--7 Samuel, b. June 7, 1771, m. Margaret Austin of Charlestown, Sept. 15, 1797. 278--8 Kezia, b. Feb. 19, 1773, m. Ephraim Jones of Boston, Dec. 6, 1827. 279--9 Joseph, b. Nov. 7, 1774, d. July 7, 1775, a. 8 m. 280--10 Rebecca, b. April 4, 1776, d. Sept. 23, 1780, a. 4 y., 3 m., 19 d. 281--11 Joseph, b. June 17, 1778, d. Sept. 13, 1780, a. 2 y, 2 m., 26 d. 282--12 John, b. Nov. 13, 1780, d. in Havana, Oct. 15, 1809, a. 29. 283--13 Mary, b. July 9, 1782, m. Silas P. Tarbell of Boston, March 10, 1808. 284--14 Joseph, b. May 6, 1784, m. 1. Betsey Archibald of Maine. 285--15 Daniel, b. Feb. 20, 1789, d. Nov. 20, 1789.

(44) V. Abel Miles m. Lydia Adams, [90--6] Feb. 26, 1756. He removed from Concord to New Ipswich, N. H., where he d. Dec. 6, 1814, a. 81. She d. March 20, 1804, a. 68. He had the following children, all born in Concord;

286--1 Lydia, bapt. Feb. 20, 1757, m. David Rumrell, Feb. 20, 1800. 287--2 Elisabeth, b. Dec. 4, 1758, m. John Shattuck, Dec. 11, 1783. 288--3 Polly, b. July 8, 1760, d. unmarried in N. Ipswich, Nov. 14, 1804. 289--4 Rebecca, b. Jan. 3, 1762, m. Levi Mansfield, Jan. 21, 1781. 290--5 Abel, b. Oct. 17, 1768, m. Betsey Shipley, Nov. 10, 1794.

(45) V. John Adams [91--1] lived in Lincoln. He m. 1. Lucy Hubbard, Dec. 12, 1749, who d. Dec. 24, 1791, and 2. Beulah Baker, Feb. 20, 1794. He had the following children,

291--1 John, b. April 15, 1751; 292--2 Edward, b. March 27, 1753; 293--3 Abel, b. March 8, 1755, d. July 9, 1756; 294--4 Abel, b. Feb. 20, 1757; 295--5 Thomas, b. March 22, 1761; 296--6 Bulkeley, b. March 14, 1759, m. Persis Stone of Framingham, 1785; 297--7 Lucy, b. June 2, 1763; 298--8 Ephraim, b. Feb. 24, 1765, d. Dec. 24, 1765; 299--9 Rebecca, b. Feb. 28, 1767; 300--10 Ephraim, b. Aug. 16, 1769, m. Susanna Flagg, 1789; 301--11 James, b. June 8, 1772.

(46) Rev. William Lawrence, minister of Lincoln, m. Love Adams, [94--2.] He d. April 11, 1780, a. 56. She d. Jan. 3, 1820, a. 95. (See Hist. Concord, p. 304.) They had children,

302--1 William, b. April 10, 1752, m. Eunice Brown, Nov., 1780. 303--2 Love, b. April 18, 1754, m. Dr. Joseph Adams, Sept. 4, 1770. [253--2] 304--3 John Prescott, b. Dec. 24, 1755, m. Abby Kaine, d. Jan. 28, 1808. 305--4 Susanna, b. Jan. 4, 1758, d. March 12, 1836, unmarried. 306--5 Sarah, b. May 12, 1760, m. Samuel Bass, Esq., of Randolph, Oct. 29, 1783. She d. Oct. 12, 1822. He gr. H. C. 1782, d. Feb. 1, 1842. 307--6 Phebe, b. Jan. 2, 1762, m. Rev. Edmund Foster of Littleton, Oct. 29, 1783. 308--7 Anna, b. March 15, 1764, m. James De Wolf, d. Dec. 8, 1807. Mary, b. Nov. 1, 1767, m. Asa Brooks, d. Sept., 1812. 309--8 Abel, b. Aug. 23, 1771, m. Mary Hodge, d. Sept. 1, 1800.

(47) Capt. Jonas Minot [108--2] m. 1. Mary Hall, daughter of Rev. Willard Hall of Westford. She was b. July 30, 1738, and d. Nov. 3, 1792, in her 49th year. He m. 2. Mrs. Mary Dunbar, widow of Rev. Asa Dunbar of Salem. She d. in Boston, Aug. 2, 1830, a. 82. He d. in Concord, March 20, 1813, a. 78. A great part of Wilmot, N. H., was granted to him.

310--1 Mary, b. Feb. 21, 1761, m. Rev. Laban Ainsworth of Jaffrey, Dec. 4, 1787. 311--2 Sarah, b. Jan. 14, 1763, m. Josiah Melvin, Jan. 28, 1790. 312--3 Jonas, b. Feb. 13, 1765, m. Miriam Barrett, Nov. 18, 1790. She was the dau. of Col. Nathan Barrett. [182--2] 313--4 Elisabeth, b. Aug. 22, 1767, m. Daniel Page, Jan. 25, 1791. 314--5 Abigail, b. Sept. 3, 1769, m. John Stanyan, Oct., 1818. 315--6 Martha, b. Oct. 17, 1771, m. Charles Barrett, Jr., of New Ipswich, Oct. 15, 1799. He was the son of Charles Barrett. [176--3] 316--7 Samuel, b. April 1, 1774, m. Hannah Stow of Concord. 317--8 Stephen, b. Sept. 28, 1776, m. Rebecca Trask, Nov. 9, 1809. 318--9 James, b. July 4, 1779, m. Sally Wilson of Nelson, Feb. 8, 1809.

(48) Dea. George Minot [111--5] settled in the eastern part of Concord. He commanded a company in the Revolution, at Saratoga, (the taking of Burgoyne,) and in several other places; and was a highly meritorious officer. He was chosen deacon of the church, Aug. 3, 1779, and continued in office until his death, which took place April 13, 1808, a. 65. He m. 3 wives, all by the name of Barrett. His 1st wife was Rebecca, daughter of Col. James Barrett, [184--4] whom he m. Jan. 17, 1765, and who d. March 3, 1775, a. 33. His 2nd wife was Elisabeth, daughter of Humphrey Barrett, [151--1] whom he m. Dec. 12, 1776, and who d. April 10, 1789, a. 45; and his 3d wife was Lydia, daughter of John Barrett and widow of Silas Mann. [169--3] He had the following children all by his first wife;

319--1 Rebecca, b. Feb. 4, 1768, m. William Heywood. 320--2 Dorcas, b. April 19, 1769, m. James Barrett, a grandson of Col. James B. [181--1] 321--3 Lucy, b. April 27, 1770, m. Abel Barrett [159--9].

(49) V. Stephen Minot [115--1] m. Sarah Clark, only daughter of Jonas Clark, Esq., of Boston, June 10, 1736. He d. Sunday, Jan. 14, 1787, a. 75. He graduated H. C. 1730, and was a merchant of Boston. His wife d. June 10, 1783, in her 64th year. They had the following children;

322--1 Jonas Clark, b. Aug. 20, 1738, m. Hannah Speakman. 323--2 Stephen, b. Feb. 14, 1740, merchant in Jamaica, d. single. 324--3 William, b. Feb. 7, 1743, m. Mary Collson, July 1, 1773, one of the first settlers in Camden, Me., d. in Boston, Nov., 1773. 325--4 John, b. Oct. 21, 1744, m. Mary De Rue of Boston; was master of a vessel in the West India and Surinam trade, d. of fever at sea, leaving one child, Stephen. 326--5 Francis, b. Aug. 9, 1746, d. single in Marlborough, where he had been for his health. He was a merchant in Boston. 327--6 Sarah, b. Nov. 7, 1749, m. Gilbert Warner Speakman, by whom she had 6 children. She d. Aug. 29, 1786. 328--7 James, b. Dec. 5, 1751, m. Mary Deming of Boston. 329--8 Christopher, b. March 8, 1754, m. Elisabeth Mayhew of Plymouth. 330--9 George, b. Sept. 6, 1756, d. March 2, 1758. 331--10 George Richards, b. Dec. 22, 1758, He grad. H. C. 1778, and was the historian of Massachusetts. He d. Jan. 2, 1802. He m. Mary Speakman.

(50) V. Jonathan Minot [130--4] lived in Westford, where he d. Feb. 7, 1806, a. 83. He married Esther Proctor of Chelmsford, who d. March 30, 1808, a. 83. They had

332--1 Esther, b. May 23, 1747, m. Samuel Wright of Westford. 333--2 Jonathan, b. Aug. 23, 1749, m. Hannah Eastman, Sept. 3, 1771. He d. in Westminster, Ms. 334--3 Joseph, b. Jan. 13, 1751. He was killed in the battle of Bunker Hill. 335--4 Olive, b. Jan. 14, 1753, m. William Reed of Westford. 336--5 Elisabeth, b. Jan. 13, 1755. 337--6 John Marston, grad. H. C. 1767, lived in Castine, Me. 338--7 Jesse, b. Nov. 5, 1759, m. Betsey Adams. 339--8 Joash, b. m. ---- Hildreth of Westford. 340--9 Patty, b. m. John Clark.

THE PARSONS FAMILY.[21]

As it respects the _origin_ of the name of Parsons, some have supposed that it was derived from the word _parson_, a clerical title, given from the fact that a clergyman is the principal person in the church. Hence in law he is termed _ecclesiæ persona_, and has full possession of all the rights of a parochial church. The _s_ is added for euphony's sake, or from the fact that the individual was the parson's son.

Others have derived it from the word _parish_, as parish-son, meaning the son of some parish, one supported or educated by the parish.

And others again have supposed that the name is the same with _Person_, _Peerson_, _Pierson_, and _Pearson_, modified in the spelling.

_Peirson_ or _Peerson_ is derived, according to Camden, from _son of Peter_ or _Peterson_, the former coming originally from the French word, _Pierre_.

It does not appear that there has ever been any attempt to collect even the materials for a history of the English family of Parsons, so far as has come to our knowledge, notwithstanding there have been many individuals among them of great distinction; as knights, baronets, and noblemen. Those of the name are, and have been for a long period, found in several counties; as Devonshire, Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, &c.

Prior to 1672, Andrew Parsons, gent., was of Somersetshire, and Philip Parsons, gent., of Worcestershire. But the earliest record we have noticed is in

1290. WALTER was then a resident of Mulso in Ireland. How long before this he or his ancestors went there we know not. The name is still extant there, and something above one hundred years ago, Bishop Gibson remarked, (in his edition of Camden's Britannia,) "The honorable family of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of Viscounts, and more lately, Earls of Ross."

1481. SIR JOHN was Mayor of Hereford, who had for his armorial bearings, _Gules, a leopard's head between three crosses patee, fitched in the foot ar._--Crest, _a halberd headed az. embued gules_.

1546. ROBERT, afterwards the noted Jesuit, was born this year, and died April 18, 1610, a. 64. He appears to have been the first of note of his family. His father lived near Bridgewater, Eng., at a place called Netherstoway. Robert was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, and was early distinguished for his abilities, but being accused of some irregularities he forsook his country and resided for a time at Antwerp, Louvain, Padua, Rome, Paris and Valladolid. Becoming a convert to the Romish faith, he propagated that doctrine with all his ability, and was no small instrument in stirring up the benighted vassals of Philip II. to attempt the conquest of his native country. The event of that attempt will always be viewed with an intensity of interest.

How much Father Parsons had to do in circulating the Pope's bulls and inflammatory tracts in England at the period of the Armada can never be known, but from his knowledge of the country, the people, and their language, it is not unlikely that his agency was by no means inconsiderable. Fuller, in speaking of the fierceness of the battle between the fleets observes, that "bullets did not fly about so much at sea, as bastardly libels did by land; so fitly called, because none durst father them."

He established an English college at Rome and another at Valladolid, for such of his countrymen as might follow him, or come otherwise into exile. He published several works, but that by which he is best known is entitled "Leicester's Commonwealth," which, though abounding with misstatements, vague rumors, and base insinuations, was nevertheless a work of great ability. And although the pen of Sir Philip Sidney was exercised in its refutation, he is not considered to have completely effected his object. This most singular book of Father Robert was first printed in 1641, and in less than 70 years had become so rare that an edition of it was published, purporting to have been printed from a _newly discovered manuscript_, and passed current as such without detection, it is believed. To the original edition is appended a poem, entitled "Leycester's Ghost," a great literary curiosity. An extract from the poem is as follows:

Let no man think I exercis'd the Ghost Of this great Peere that sleepeth in the dust,-- Or conjur'd up his spirit to his cost To presse with dispraise or praise unjust, I am not partiall but give him his due, And to his soule I wish eternall health, Ne do I thinke all written tales are true, That are inserted in his Common-wealth; What others wrot before I do survive, But am not like to them incenst with hate, And as I plainely write, so do I strive To write the truth, not wronging his estate. Of whom it may bee said and censur'd well, Hee both in vice and vertue did excell.

1556. FRANCIS was vicar of Rothwell in Nottinghamshire. There is a wood called Parsons' wood, in the hundred of Nassaburgh, in the same county.

1618. BARTHOLOMEW appears as the author of three sermons--"First Fruits of the Gentiles," 4to. In 1616, "Assize Sermon," 4to. 1631, "Dorcas, or a Perfect Patterne of a True Disciple," Sermon, 4to. Oxford.

1634. About this year Thomas Parsons was knighted by Charles I. The foregoing engraving represents his arms, still retained in the family in the United States, and by his descendants in London, among whom were Sir John and Sir Humphrey; the former, Lord Mayor of that city in 1704, the latter, in 1731 and 1740. The same coat of arms is also retained by the branch of the Parsons family now long resident in Barbadoes.

Langley in Buckinghamshire was long a seat of a family of the name, but they seem to have abandoned it about the end of the 17th century for a residence in Nottinghamshire. The first of this family whose descendants we can trace appears to have been

RALPH, of Northampton, who had a son

JOHN, who lived at Boveney, Co. Bucks, who had by his wife, dau. of ---- Cutler, Esq.,

JOHN of Boveney and Langley, who m. Elisabeth, the sole heiress of Sir John Kidderminster, and had,

1. Charles, b. 1625, d. without issue. 2. William, and three daughters.

This WILLIAM, the only surviving son, m. Elisabeth, dau. and heiress of Sir Lawrence Parsons, by whom he had two sons; one a Colonel, d. without issue, and John, his successor. WILLIAM PARSONS (the father) was made a baronet by Charles II. for his adherence to the cause of his father, Charles I. He was somewhat conspicuous during the _interregnum_, as may be inferred from his granting a pass to one of the gentlemen of the privy chamber, to proceed to Ireland. The gentleman, however, having been taken by the parliament officers, was, Carte says, put to the rack, "to make him confess." This circumstance is supposed to have given Butler the ground he has taken in these lines in his _Hudibras_:

"Rack 'em until they do confess, Impeach of treason whom they please, And most perfidiously condemn, Those that engaged their lives for them."

SIR THOMAS PARSONS of Great Milton in Oxfordshire, (before mentioned,) m. in 1614, Catharine, a dau. of Edward Radcliff of London, son of Alderman Radcliff, by whom he had ROBERT, THOMAS, RICHARD, ANTHONY, and six daughters. He was the son of THOMAS of the same place, by his first wife, Judith Garbrand of the city of Oxford, who also had a daughter Amy, m. to Richard Alworth of Turford, Buckinghamshire. His second wife was Sarah, dau. of Edmund Waller of Costell, by whom he had three sons, JOHN, EDMUND, FRANCIS, and two daughters, Elisabeth, m. Anthony Radcliff of Chalford, Co. Bucks, and Ann, wife of Richard Baldwin of Beaconsfield, in the same county.

The grandfather of SIR THOMAS was THOMAS of Great Milton, who m. Catharine, dau. of Hester Sydenham, by whom he had THOMAS, HUGH, and RICHARD.

RICHARD m. Miss ---- Pierpont, and had a son JOHN of London, who m. 1. a dau. of Joshua Whistler, by whom he had a daughter Catharine; he m. 2. Mary Gualter of London. Some of this family were among the early emigrants to America.