Mary (Bradish) Rand, widow of Samuel, who died in 1781 from the effects of imprisonment by the British. She died May 9, 1807. He received the Masonic degrees in The Massachusetts Lodge in April and May, 1779, became a member June 7, 1779, and was admitted a member of St. Andrew's Chapter, Jan. 26, 1792. He joined the Lodge of St. Andrew in 1790, and was its master from 1795 to 1801. He was present at the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1781. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1800, and in the militia rose to the grade of captain. He died in September, 1810. James Harrison (1796), merchant, of Boston and Charlestown, son of John and Martha Harrison, was born in Great Britain in 1767. He emigrated, with his parents, to Boston, and established himself as a merchant here in company with Francis Wilby. He married (1) Alice; (2) Feb. 7, 1796, in Boston, Charlotte Noble. About 1799 he made his home in Charlestown, Mass. He had then acquired a large estate, and retired from active business. He was a deacon in the Baptist church in Charlestown, and one of the original members. "The First Baptist Church and land” is enumerated in the inventory of his property under the will. He became a member of King Solomon's Lodge, A. F. and A. M., in February, 1795, and of St. Andrew's Chapter of Boston, Aug. 17, 1796. He was the first officer of the latter body five years, 1800-5. He died Jan. 20, 1812, aged forty-five years. The inventory of his estate includes twenty-four pieces of property. His tomb was No. 7 in the Charlestown burial ground. He was a generous man, and was highly esteemed. William Jackson (1796), of Boston. There were in Boston in 1796 two persons by the name of William Jackson. One was a merchant, on the south side of the market, and resided on Winter Street, the other was an apothecary and physician, and resided at No. 29 Union Street. Mr. Whitman (1810), in his history of the Company, says William Jackson was a "tallow-chandler." William Jackson, of Newton and Boston, by trade a tallow-chandler, was born Sept. 2, 1783, and could not have joined the Artillery Company in 1796. William Jackson, son of Joseph and Abigail Jackson, was born in Boston, Feb. 5, 1748; and, again, William Jackson, son of Joseph (1738) and Susanna Jackson, was born in Boston, Sept. 5, 1746. It does not clearly appear which of these, if either, was a member of the Artillery Company, but it seems more probable that William Jackson (1796) was a son of Col. Joseph (1738), who for fifty-two years was an active member of the Artillery Company. John Miller, Jr. (1796), of Charlestown, son of John and Hannah (Hill) Miller, was born in Billerica, Aug. 18, 1765. He was a member of the militia, and rose to the grade of captain. Administration was granted on his estate, Nov. 5, 1825, to John Belknap, of Charlestown. Solomon Phipps (1796), of Charlestown, son of Solomon and Abigail (Fosdick) Phipps, was born in Charlestown, Oct. 12, 1756. He married (published), May 13, 1780, Persis Morse, who died April 29, 1829, and he died Feb. 17, 1822. Their James Harrison (1796). AUTHORITIES: Wy. man's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates; ByLaws of St. Andrew's Chapter. Solomon Phipps (1796). AUTHORITY: Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates. daughter Nancy married Mark Winchester, who founded the Winchester Home for Aged Women. He was interested and active in the militia for several years, and in 1787-8 was captain-lieutenant of the artillery company in Charlestown. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1799. Ephraim Prescott (1796), shopkeeper, of Boston. He "resided in a house which was owned by a widow, Rachel Appleton, and which fronted on Cornhill," numbered 23. Mr. Prescott (1796) "went to China, where he procured a large punch-bowl (ten gallons) to be made, with the Company's name, etc., thereon; but dying on the passage homeward, the intended present did not come to the knowledge of the Artillery Company for many years. It was preserved by his widow, who became poor. Nearly thirty years afterward, it was accidentally discovered and purchased by Hon. Jonathan Hunnewell for fifteen dollars, and presented by him to the corps. It has been kept with great care, and is used only on the anniversary." He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1799. He died in 1805. Amasa Stetson (1796), merchant, of Boston, son of John Stetson, was born in Randolph, March 26, 1769. He married, Aug. 21, 1798, Rebecca Kettell, of Boston. He began life as a poor boy, and learned the shoemaker's trade, which was the trade of his father. He afterwards went to Boston, and engaged in the shoe business with his brother Samuel. He was prosperous; gave some attention to public matters; was commissary for the district of Massachusetts during the war of 1812-5, and held the office of State senator. The inventory of his estate, at his decease, was five hundred thousand dollars, and his liberality was in proportion to his wealth. He gave the town of Randolph ten thousand dollars for the erection of a hall, ten thousand dollars for the endowment of a school, and one hundred dollars for the benefit of the burial-ground in that town. The town of Stetson, Me., was named for him, and he erected a church, for use by all denominations, in that town, and, what is a little singular, the first time the bell was tolled was for his death. He resided in Dorchester, and presented Rev. Mr. Hall's church with an expensive town clock. A full-length portrait of Mr. Stetson, by Frothingham, of Charlestown, is in the town hall at Randolph. He died Aug. 2, 1844, and was buried in the Dorchester burial-ground. He participated in the expedition against Shays' Rebellion in 1787, being in Capt. Moses Draper's company; was a captain in the Legionary Brigade, Boston, in 1799, and major of the Third Sublegion of Infantry in 1803, but never held office in the Artillery Company. Mr. Stetson (1796) was initiated into Freemasonry in Columbian Lodge, Boston, Dec. 8, 1795, and became a member thereof March 22, 1796. He was treasurer of that Lodge for four years between 1797 and 1806; junior warden in 1799; senior warden in 1800-1, and master in 1802-3. Samuel Townsend, Jr. (1796), pump and block maker, of Charlestown, son of Samuel and Mary (Austin) Townsend, was born in that town, July 26, 1766. He died May 11, 1815, aged forty-eight years, and his remains were buried in Charlestown. Ephraim Prescott (1796). AUTHORITIES: Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Boston Records. Amasa Stetson (1796). AUTHORITIES: Hist. of Columbian Lodge, by John T. Heard, 1857; Mem. of the Stetson Family, 1534-1847, by J. S. Samuel Townsend, Jr. (1796). AUTHORITY: The record of the Artillery Company for 1796 is as follows: "Monday, April 4th 1796. The Company performed the duties enjoined by their Charter commanded by Col. Davis [1786]. The Rev. Doct. Bentley of Salem was chosen to preach the Anniversary Election Sermon in June next. Voted, that the Commissioned Officers be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Doct. Bentley and inform him of the choice. "Monday, May 2d 1796. The Company paraded as usual under command of Col. Davis [1786]. The Committee appointed to wait on the Rev. Doct. Bentley reported, that he accepted of their invitation and would preach the Election Sermon in June next. "Attest. THOMAS CLARK, Clerk. "Wednesday evening, May 18th 1796. Col. Davis [1786], Capt Eaton [1773], Mr. Kahler [1790], Capt Jenkins [1756], Col Winslow [1786], Col. Waters [1769] & Maj. Cunningham [1786] were appointed a Committee to make arrangements for the Election & report what sum shall be assessed upon each member of the Company towards defraying the expenses of the day. "June 1st 1796. The Committee reported that three dollars be assessed on each Member of the Company and that the Treasurer be directed to pay the deficiency out of the Company's Funds. "Friday evening, June 3d 1796. Voted, Unanimously, that the thanks of the Company be given to Capt Eaton [1773] for four hats presented by him for the use of the Musick. Voted, Unanimously, that the thanks of the Company be given to Mr. Samuel Perkins [1791] for painting the drums and fife-cases belonging to the Company. Voted, that the Clerk may deliver to the members of the Company twelve cards, each card to be paid for at the rate of the assessment for Election Day. Should a greater number be applied for, the Clerk may upon the unanimous consent of the Committee deliver them. It is understood that the gentlemen, who purchase cards for the introduction of their friends, will see the other members accomodated before they take their seats at table, in order that the Company may experience no inconvenience from the above indulgence. Attest. THOMAS CLARK, Clerk. "Monday, June 6th 1796. This day being the anniversary of the Election of Officers, the Company paraded at the Old South Meeting House at eleven o'clock, from whence they march'd to the Commandant's house to receive an elegant new Standard, which by his order was presented to the Company by his daughter, Miss Catherine Davis, who addressed Ensign Kahler [1790] as follows: "Sir: In obedience to a command of my Father, I have the pleasure to deliver to you, Sir, a Standard for the Ancient & Honorable Artillery; and I comply with this order in full confidence that it will be defended & protected by the soldier citizens of that Ancient and Respectable Company. As a soldier, you no doubt will esteem it "your other self," as such Death alone should part you. Convinced that it will never be deserted, I cheerfully present it, with my wishes, that it may never be unfurled but in the cause of American Liberty & Independence. "Having received the Standard, Mr. Kahler [1790] made the following reply: -"Miss Davis: Highly honoured to receive from your hands so valuable a present, I shall have the additional honor to display it through the Company, where it will receive that respect, defence & protection due from a Soldier to his Standard. Accept, Miss, my sincere thanks in behalf of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery.' |