THE WOMEN WHO MARRIED THE ORCUTT MEN
(compiled by Judy Orcutt Holy 3/2000)
Prudence Hayden
Elijah Orcutt, fourth generation of Orcutts in Massachusetts, was born June 5, 1737 in Hingham second precinct (became Cohasset). He was baptized July 10th of that year (church records Cohasset). By 1749, he and his parents and siblings moved to Abington (see prior chapter). On January 4, 1770 he married Prudence Hayden of Scituate, in Scituate (V.R. Scituate). Prudence, daughter of William and Anna (Stetson) Hayden, was born in 1748/49 (figured from age on death record). Elijah died December 21, 1821 in Abington, aged 84 years; Prudence survived him by 11 years and died there May 29, 1832 (both from V.R. Abington).
FSO titled Prudence Hayden “Mrs. Prudence Hayden.” Believing then that she was a widow, JOH hunted for indications of a prior marriage to learn her maiden name, but without success. Finally, having found separate marriage records listing her as both “Mrs. Prudence Hayden” and “Prudence Hayden,” a search began for her with maiden name Hayden, and a very lengthy chart was found for her via World Family Tree (WFT henceforth), volume 5 [See that chart as Addendum A – useful for tracking the following lengthy and involved account.]. A birth record verifying her as daughter of William and Anna (Stetson) Hayden can be found in the Scituate VR, birthdate given as April 20, 1749; thus she would have been not quite 21 when she married Elijah Orcutt January 4, 1770, and unlikely at that age to have been previously married. Verification for Prudence’s parents, together with confirmation for most of the chart’s connections, makes the chart a helpful guide. Hence, it will be used as the outline for what follows (generation numbering has been added to the chart information in brackets).
Prudence Hayden’s background:
Prudence’s background on her father’s Hayden side is found for only two generations, her father and grandfather, but her mother’s Stetson chart goes back for 7 generations, and allied families (Collamore and Chittenden especially) almost as far.
Hayden: Her father, William Hayden [2], is listed in the chart as born about 1724. He married Anna Stetson May 18, 1744. Anna was born June 2, 1724. He died after 1744, and she also after 1744. Another WFT source states William Hayden [2] was in service in the French and Indian War at St. John’s, 1759; if this second piece of information is accurate, then his death would have come after 1759.
The children of William [2] and Anna Stetson Hayden, all listed with birthdates of WFT estimate 1740-1744 [! For 8 children?? Probably an error, but twins are involved, for the Scituate V.R. definitely says Prudence and Desire are twins born 4/20/1749; what intriguing names for twin daughters!]: 1. William [3]; 2. Anna [3]; 3. Prudence [3];
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4. Desire [3]; 5. Tamerson [3]; 6. Ezra [3]; 7. Peleg [3]; 8. Elisha [3]. [Elisha and Ezra are indicated later as Rev., possibly also Peleg. The Scituate V.R., besides Desire and Prudence, have Anna b. Sep. 2, 1746, Ezra b. May 17, 1754, Tameson b. Sept. 12, 1751,and William b. Nov. 9, 1744; Elisha and Peleg are not given, although children of Peleg and wife Rhoda are given.]
William Hayden [2]’s father is given in the chart as John Hayden [1], born about 1700. He married Mary Vinal according to a WFT estimate between 1716-1748 (1723, according to Samuel Deane, see below). He died WFT est. 1728-1791; she died WFT est. 1728-1794.
According to another important Scituate source, Samuel Deane’s History of Scituate, Massachusetts From Its First Settlement to 1831, published in 1831, p. 282: “John Hayden came into Scituate from Hingham, 1720. He married Mary Vinal 1723. His sons were William, Ezekiel and Joseph. William left sons William, Ezra, Peleg, and Elisha, and two daughters, viz. Anna, (wife of Abner Sutton, and the wife of Collier). [Note that WFT chart above lists 4 sons and 4 daughters. The four sons’ names are the same as Deane’s.]
“Elisha married Deborah Pierce, his son Elisha is the sole survivor of the name in this town, except Elisha’s children”
JOH thus far (3/2002) has been unable to find any Hingham record for John Hayden. Deane on p. 346 states that Abner Sutton “married Ann Hayden 1776” and had sons Reuben and Seth. This would be the eldest daughter, Anna, b. 9/2/1746 according to Scituate V.R.
Prudence Hayden is not listed in Deane’s account as a daughter of William Hayden. Seeking who may be “the wife of Collier” from Deane yields the following information (p. 241): “Isaac Collier married Tamsen Hayden 1770 – children, Rev. William born 1771, sometime of Charlestown, Isaac 1773, James 1775, Moses 1777, Elizabeth 1779, Fanny 1782, Peleg and Judith 1784, Anna 1786, Elisha 1788, Mary 1792, Cynthia 1794. He lived on the beach, between the Barker farm and the glades. He died 1817.” Scituate V.R. spells her name “Tameson”; other sources call her “Tamerson.”
Deane was apparently unaware of the twin daughters of William and Anna Stetson Hayden, Prudence and Desire.
Stetson: Prudence’s mother, Anna Stetson, will be given here the generation designation of 7, since the chart provides a full seven generations of Stetsons. The Stetson family, very well known in the Scituate area, is thoroughly documented, with extensive stories given about the immigrant ancestor, Cornet (title) Robert Stetson [3].
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According to the extensive chart Anna Stetson [7]’s parents were Anthony Stetson [6], b. September 12, 1693 in Scituate, married March 28, 1717 in Scituate Anna Smith [2] who was b. about 1693. He died 1747 in Scituate, she died after August 18, 1741.
Prudence’s maternal grandmother Anna Smith [2]’s parents were Joseph Smith [1] b. about 1670, married Anna Hatch [2] WFT estimate between 1686-1718, she b. about 1670. He died WFT estimate between 1697-1761, she between 1697-1764. [JOH: figuring out WFT estimates sometimes creates headaches!] Her father was Jeremiah Hatch [1], b. about 1650, married WFT estimate 1669-1698, and died 1712.
Samuel Deane gives interesting information about Prudence’s gg grandfather, Jeremiah Hatch, together with his father, as follows: “Jeremiah (son of Elder William) [see below], settled near his brother Walter, with whom he was engaged in ship building for many years. He was often a deputy to Colony Court [i.e., Plymouth Colony], a surveyor, selectman, and in short a man of great usefulness. He married Mary, daughter of John Hewes, “the Welshman,” and had fourteen children, born from 1658 to 1678. His sons Jeremiah, John, Israel, Joseph, Thomas and James. Jeremiah succeeded his father in his residence and his calling. Several descendants are in Vermont.” (Deane, p. 279)
Deane (p. 283) gives the following on Prudence’s Hewes ancestors: “John Hewes, ‘the Welshman,’ was in Scituate 1632. We trace him previously at Plymouth: the name is sometimes written Hewghs. He was freeman 1639. His house was on Kent street, the second south of Meeting-house lane. There are few notices of his family. He was living 1673. His daughter Mary married Jeremiah Hatch 1657. His son John, who had been a freeholder, died 1661, leaving no family here. John Hughs of Hingham, in 1664, who left sons John, Samuel, and others, may have been his son. He died 1672.”
Deane gives the following about Jeremiah Hatch’s father (pp. 289f):
“Elder William Hatch [1] settled in Kent street 1634. His house lot was the first south of Greenfield lane. He was the first ruling elder of the second Church, 1643 [see information on that church, the same where most of William Orcutt [1]’s children were baptized, in the first chapter on Mary Martha Lane, p. 7; the minister would have been the Rev. William Witherell, first pastor of 2nd Church Scituate]. He was an active and useful man in the settlement of the Town. His children probably were born in England. His wife’s name was Jane. Walter, his son, bore arms 1643, when he was, of course, over sixteen years of age. He settled on a point of land north-east of Stoney cove, and south-east of the second Society’s Meeting-house. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Holbrook of Weymouth, 1650. His children [besides Wm. Jr. and Jeremiah mentioned elsewhere by Deane] Hannah, born 1651, Samuel 1653, Jane 1655, Antipas 1658, Bethia 1661. His posterity are in Marshfield. Mr. Samuel Hatch of Scituate, near Stockbridge’s mill, is also his descendant….Elder Hatch died 1651…Jane, the widow of Elder Hatch, married Elder Thomas King, 1653.” (p. 279)
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Back now to the Stetsons via the father of Prudence’s mother Anna Stetson [7], according to the extensive WFT chart.
Prudence’s maternal grandfather, Anthony Stetson [6] was b. September 12, 1693 in Scituate, married March 28, 1717 in Scituate, Anna Smith as given above. He died 1747 in Scituate. Their eleven children : 1. Mary [7] b. Dec. 9, 1717; 2, Isaac [7], b. Oct. 19, 1719; 3. Joseph [7], b. Feb. 24, 1721/22; 4. Anna [7], b. June 2, 1724; 5. Charles, b. Oct. 17, 1726; 6. Ezra [7], b. Sept. 22, 1729; 7. Elisha [7], b. Jan. 28, 1730/31;
8. Thomas [7], b. April 22, 1734; 9. Benjamin [7], b. July 7, 1736; 10. Abiel [7], b. Oct. 23, 1738; 11. Martha [7], b. Aug. 18, 1741.
Anthony Stetson [6]’s father was Robert Stetson [5], born December 9, 1670 in Scituate, married January 12, 1691/92 in Scituate Mary Collamore. He died in 1760 in Hanover, MA; she was born 1667 in Scituate, died after September 3, 1710. [Of the notable Collamore line, see much more, beginning on p. 13 below.]
Prudence’s maternal Stetson great-great grandfather was Joseph Stetson [4], b. June 1639 in Scituate, married Prudence Clapp (b. about 1639 [see more, p. 13]) before 1670. He died about 1724 in Scituate; she died WFT est. 1684-1734.
The much-documented immigrant ancestor, Prudence’s g-g-g-grandfather was Cornet Robert Stetson [3], b. 1615 in Modbury, Devon, England. [One Stetson internet writer specifies that Modbury neighbors Plymouth in South Hamms, commenting that it makes sense that Cornet Robert would have resurfaced in America as an early Plymouth settler.] He married Honor Tucker on May 2, 1635, who was his second wife. [First wife appears to have been Mary Hiland, Hyland, or Highland; however, the supposedly ten children are all with second wife, Honor Tucker.] He died February 1, 1701/02 in Scitiuate. Honor Tucker was born about 1612 in Plymouth, England, and died about 1682 in Scituate. [According to composites of internet WFT charts, her father was John Tucker, b. about 1580, m. Urith Dennis 6 Feb. 1602 in St. Andrew’s Church in Plymouth, and died in England in 1626. John Tucker’s father was also named John Tucker, b. 1554 in Devon, England.]
Robert Stetson [3]’s father was Thomas Stitson [2] [exact spelling], b. 1580, m. March 3, 1604/05 in Modbury, England Argent Lukesmore who was b. 1584 in Modbury; he died before 1643, she 16 May, 1643, in Plymouth, Devon, England.
Thomas Stitson [2]’s father was John Stedson [1] [exact spelling], b. 1554, Modbury,
England, m. 1574 in Modbury, Anyes [some charts say Agnes, others correct it to Anyes] ___, b. 1558, died 24 Sept. 1622.
Information regarding immigrant Cornet Robert Stetson [3] follows (all bold-facing by JOH):
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According to Samuel Deane (pp. 340-341): “Cornet Robert Stetson received a grant of a considerable tract of land 1634, from the Colony Court, on the North River, which constituted his farm. His house was on a beautiful plain near the river. And unfailing and valuable spring, out of which eight generations of the family have been supplied, marks the spot. ‘Cornet’s Rocks,’ in the river east of his farm, are well known to those who navigate the river. He was possessed of considerable wealth, an enterprising and valuable man in the plantation, a deputy to Court, a Cornet of the first light horse corps raised in the Colony, a member of the Council of war, a Colony Commissioner for selling the patent line – in short, he lived long and left a good name at last. He died Feb. 1st, 1702, aged 90. His children were Joseph [4] born 1639, Benjamin 1641, Thomas 1643, Samuel 1646, John 1648, Eunice 1650, Lois 1651, Robert 1653, Timothy 1657. These sons he was able to settle around him on his plantation. –Joseph left sons Joseph born 1667, Robert [5] 1670, William 1673, Samuel 1679…. Robert…had sons Anthony [6] 1693, Isaac 1696, William 1700, Gideon 1709, Robert 1710. Anthony married Ann Smith [other sources say Anna Smith, as above] 1717, and was the father of Isaac, who first settled south of George Moore’s Pond, and of Charles and Ezra of Rochester, and of Elisha (born 1731), of Kingston and of Thomas of Barnstable. Isaac, above named, was father of David, Esq. of Charleston.” [Of the sons, Deane seems to leave out Joseph, Benjamin, Abiel, as well as their two daughters, Mary and Anna; see list p. 4.]
In an addendum following other Stetson listings, Deane adds the following for Robert Stetson [3]:
In 1660, and several years subsequently, “Cornet Stetson was Commissioner to act for the country in all matters relating to the trade at Kennebec.” Also, 1665, for his services he had granted to him ‘200 acres south of Mr. Hatherly’s grant, above Accord pond.” Colony Record. (Deane, p. 342.)
The reference to “Mr. Hatherly’s grant” can be amplified somewhat from the early history of Scituate found in Joseph Foster Merritt’s A Narrative History of South Scituate-Norwell, Massachusetts, 1938. Since the general Scituate environs are the locale for the first seven generations of Orcutts as well as many generations of their wives’ families, a somewhat lengthy portion of Merritt’s first chapter on early settlement follows:
“The story of South Scituate and Norwell in early times must necessarily be that of Scituate as well, for the Town of Scituate included, for many years, what is now the Towns of Norwell, Hanover, the “Two Mile” section of Marshfield and a bit of Rockland.
“The first white people came to town a little before 1628, but the town of Scituate was not incorporated until 1636.
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“They came in two ways, some from the settlements in and around Boston and some up the coast from the Pilgrim settlement at Plymouth, as the people of that town began to branch out and occupy the territory comprising Kingston, Duxbury, Marshfield and to the south, the towns of Barnstable county. [JOH: to this could be added Bridgewater to the west, settled by Miles Standish, John Alden and others from Plymouth/Duxbury.]
“A large company came in 1633, many of them being from Kent County, England. Timothy Hatherly and the Conihasset Partners had a large grant of land which they controlled for some years, but it was finally incorporated in the town of Scituate. [Since several of Prudence’s ancestors were included in the list of Conihasset Partners, see added information below, p. 7]
“In a very short time the settlers began to move back into the interior, into what is now Norwell, and gradually the country along the North River Valley was pretty generally settled. For many years the river was the natural highway; there were no roads, only Indian paths, and it was much easier to get around in small boats and canoes, than it was to cut roads. Added to this, the marsh lands were greatly prized for the grass that furnished forage for cattle and horses the settlers were able to keep.
“One of the early settlers in Norwell, was Cornet Robert Stetson, who came up the river and settled in the southerly part of the town. He was a very prominent man in the military and civil life of those times, builder and owner of two mills, a cornet of horse (as the old English expression goes) in other words, commanding officer of a mounted troop, and a high official in the Plymouth Colony. A good portion of the older families of the town can trace their descent from him. His farm is now owned by the Stetson Kindred, and is used as a ‘Shrine’ where each year the Stetsons from all over the country gather to honor the memory of their celebrated ancestor.
“Using the river as the settlers did for transportation, it is quite natural that shipbuilding should follow. The forests were filled with excellent ship timber and from almost the first, this industry sprang up that was destined to make the North River, a stream not over eighteen miles long and with an average width above Little’s Bridge of only about one hundred feet, known all over the world. From the North River Bridge at Hanover to White’s Ferry near the mouth, wherever suitable locations were to be found, shipyards were established. Over one thousand vessels were recorded as having been built here and that does not include the whole number…. Much of the wealth and early prosperity of the town was from the products of its shipyards….” (Merritt, pp. 1-3) [JOH: Merritt lists families connected with the shipyards, including, among Prudence Hayden’s ancestors, Chittendens and Clapps – see below. His book also includes photos taken of the Stetson Homestead, and of an ancient cradle used by the Stetson family. See Attachment B.]
Another interesting source for Scituate history comes from a book titled Old Scituate, compiled and published in 1921 by the Chief Justice Cushing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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This book gives further information about Timothy Hatherly and the Conihasset Partners, calling Hatherly the “Father of Scituate” (p. 6). Deane tells us that Hatherly [one of the “Merchant Adventurers,” who financed the original Mayflower trip, and who came to Plymouth on the Ann in 1623, but returned to England in 1625] settled in the Scituate area soon after he returned to New England in 1632, and states (p. 6): “We will now remark , that the Conihasset Grant was purchased by Mr Hatherly of the other Merchant Adventurers [earlier identified as Mr. James Shirley, Mr. John Beauchamp and Mr. Richard Andrews; together with Hatherly described as “of London” who had together been granted a large tract of land “between the brook at Scituate, on the N.W. side, and Conahassett”, pp. 4-5] before 1646: and that in this year, he divided it into 30 shares (reserving one fourth part of the whole) and sold it for 180 pounds to a certain company, since called the “Conihasset partners.” Many of this company were such as had already located themselves upon those lands, and thus an amicable adjustment was made with those individuals.” Included in the list of partners are Mr. Charles Chauncy who was minister of first church, Scituate; and, among Prudence’s ancestors, Thomas Chittenden and Ann Vinall [JOH: a John Daman is also on the list of Conihasset partners; he is likely the ancestor of a later Orcutt wife, Esther Damon who married William 6 Orcutt. Esther is listed as being from Hanover which later separated from Scituate, see following on Cornet Robert Stetson’s “Drinkwater” mill location]. These partners appointed their clerks, surveyors, committees and agents, and conducted their affairs with all the efficiency of a corporate town. They laid out and maintained their own roads, until 1715; they made grants to their minister, &c…. Their records were kept of all transactions, conveyances, &c. in beautiful order, and fill a large volume. Their last meeting on record was 1767.”
The chapter in Old Scituate describing King Philip’s War as it affected Scituate, titled “Indian Raid of 1676” includes the following information of interest regarding Prudence’s ggg grandfather:
“Hingham had been attacked on May 19th, several houses burned, and John Jacob, of Glad Tiding Plain, killed. The next morning they [the Indians] advanced over the old Massachusetts trail to that section of Hanover long known as “Drinkwater,” at that time a part of Scituate. Here Cornet Robert Stetson had built a sawmill, antedating his other mill on the Third Herring Brook by several years. The fury of the Indians was especially directed to the mills. It may be because they were lovers of nature, and the destruction of the beautiful primeval forests, still used by them as hunting-grounds, although sold to the white men, was a source of resentment. It can hardly be expected that they understood the meaning of a deed of conveyance, or conceived the fact that their fine hunting–grounds might disappear before the axes of the settlers; but they must have reasoned that the destruction of the mills meant that the advance of the English would be delayed.
“After burning the mill at Drinkwater, they proceeded to destroy that other mill built by the Cornet on the Third Herring Brook.” (Old Scituate, p. 10)
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And another note regarding the Cornet’s activities at this time, p. 13: “Cornet Stetson is said to have been constantly on horseback attending to various duties, and giving aid and council.”
A sidenote from this same source, related to Prudence’s Chittenden ancestors which are listed below (p. 16): her great-great-great grandfather Isaac Chittenden, a contemporary of Cornet Robert Stetson, was the only settler of Scituate killed by the Indians in 1676 (p. 12).
Old Scituate devotes an entire chapter to Cornet Robert Stetson. Since the source book is rarely found, it will be quoted in length here:
“Cornet Robert Stetson
“The career of Robert Stetson, of Scituate, the veteran “Cornet of the Troopers,” is one of the most unique in the annals of Plymouth Colony, and the elements of romantic adventure running through his whole life appeal to everyone. In 1634, he made his appearance in Scituate, and soon after was granted a large tract of land on the banks of North River, where he built his rude home and reared his large family – but how and whence he came is still a mystery. [JOH: subsequent genealogical research has learned his background in Modbury, near Plymouth in England.] So far as can be discovered, no other pioneer had established himself here at this early date, and it is believed that Robert Stetson was the first settler within the territory now known as Norwell.
“We are told that he “was only a Cornet,” that he “couldn’t even write his name.” Now if this be true – and there seems to be no evidence that it is not – is it not remarkable that he should have been chosen repeatedly to represent Scituate, at that time the wealthiest and most populous town in the colony (Plymouth not excepted), as their deputy to the Colony Court, and always with, or alternately with, such men as Gen. Cudworth, Lieut. James Torrey, and John Cushing, who were among the best-educated men in Scituate, or in the colony? Certain it is, that they shared the honor with the unlettered “Cornet of the Troopers” until he had served the town in this capacity for seventeen years – more than twice as long as any other deputy from Scituate. As long as Cornet Stetson lived, he was – possibly with one exception – the only deputy chosen to represent at the Colony Court that part of Scituate now known as Norwell, Hanover, and the “Two Mile.”
“We do not know that the Cornet was connected with any church previous to the establishment of the Second Church in Scituate, but Rev. Wm. Wetherell, its first minister, having been ordained the previous month, baptized on October 6, 1645, the Cornet’s three older sons [JOH: this would have included Prudence’s ancestor Joseph Stetson, eldest son of Cornet Robert. The Rev. Wetherell – or Witherell – also baptized ten of William Orcutt 1’s twelve children in the same church a generation later]. From that day to this, there has been no time when a considerable number of the Cornet’s descendants were not prominently connected with this old church.
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“Cornet Stetson served on Scituate’s first board of selectmen, and was continuously in the service of the town and colony. In 1653, he was chosen “foreman of the jury” that laid out many of the earlier roads, among these the “Countrey Road,” from North River Bridge to Hingham, and the “Town Way,” through the “Four Corners” to the Harbor. He was often employed by the colony in its dealings with the Indians, in the laying out of lands, and in the adjustment of perplexing situations.
“We find him on the Colony Records constantly serving on important commissions with Maj. Josias Winslow, Colony Treasurer Constant Southworth, Maj. Wm. Bradford, Gen. Cudworth, and others, but have only space to mention briefly some of the most important instances. In 1655, Josias Winslow, Sr. (brother of Gov. Edward), Maj. Josias Winslow, Jr., Thomas Hinckley (later Governor), Mr. Wm. Clarke, and Cornet Stetson were appointed a committee “to regulate the disorders of the Gov’ment,” and to “treat and conclude about settling of the trad att Kennebecke which was much interrupted by reason of trouble amongst the Indians.” Later, this committee met with the (then) “farmers of the trad,” i.e., “Gov’r Prence, Mistris Allice Bradford Sen’r (the Governor’s widow), Capt. Thomas Willet (a wealthy partner from Mass.), and Maj. Josias Winslow,” to settle these difficulties. The next year (1660), Maj. Winslow, Capt. Thos. Southworth (Governor of Kennebecke Plantation), “The Treasurer,” Cornet Stetson, and Josias Winslow, Sr., were “empowered to act for the Countrey in all matters relating to the trad at Kennebecke.” In 1663, “Cornet Studson” was appointed by the court “to accompany the treasurer in demanding and receiving the moneys due to the Countrey from the purchasers of Kennebecke,” and for his trouble in settling the affairs of the troublesome Kennebecke Plantation, the Cornet received 200 acres of land in Drinkwater.
“Previous to 1664, several unsuccessful attempts had been made to establish the boundary line between Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony. This was permanently established in 1664 by a commission from Massachusetts Bay, and Maj. Josias Winslow (later Governor), Capt. Constant Southworth (Colony Treasurer), and Capt. Stetson of Plymouth Colony.
“In 1668, Cornet Stetson was commissioned by the Colony Court to purchase of Sachem Wampatucke (in his deed to the Cornet he takes his father’s name, and styles himself Josias Chicatagutt, Sachem of Matakeesett) a six-mile tract, called by the Indians “Nan-u-mack-e-uitt,” and afterwards known as the “Cornet’s Purchase.” This was south of the Hatherly grant, and now forms a part of Hanover, Rockland, Whitman, and Hanson. This locality is now known as Drinkwater. Mr. Barry, in his “History of Hanover,” tells of the legend that the name Drinkwater was derived from the fact that no strong drink was used in raising the early mill, but we are fully convinced that Drinkwater is simply the literal translation of the Indian Name “Nanumackeuitt.” Over seven hundred acres of this tract eventually became the property of Cornet Stetson.
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“Inducements were early offered by the town of Scituate to anyone who would build a mill on the Third Herring Brook, and in 1656 the following was recorded in the Scituate Records: “We whose names are underwritten doe testifye that we were with Robert Studson att worke the ninth of February, 1656, to provide Timber to build the sawmill that the said Robert Studson hath built.”
“This record was signed with the marks of Josepth Wormall, John Hudson, and Josepth Bearstow.
“It is a fact not generally known, that at some time previous to January, 1674 – possibly as early as 1657 – Cornel Stetson also built a mill “at or near Indian Head River,” for the Colony Court Records show that in 1674 Cornet Stetson recovered 3 pounds 10 shillings from one Thomas Joy, of Hingham “for saying and repeating since January last past that the sawmill of Cornet Robert Studson, which standeth in Plymouth Collonie neare Scituate, standeth upon his, the said Joy’s land…whereby the said Studson comes to be greatly damnified.” [JOH: Hannah 3 Orcutt , daughter of John 2 Orcutt, brother to our Thomas 2 Orcutt, married Prince Joy 4, a widower of Hingham, Mass. on January 2, 1728 – see Helen Judson, Genealogy of John (2) Orcutt and His Descendants, p. 3; Prince Joy was a great-grandson of this Thomas Joy of the failed lawsuit against Cornet Robert Stetson, through his grandson Joseph 3, and son Joseph 2 Joy.]
[Fifty-four years later, in 1727, the town of Hanover was incorporated embracing the site of this Drinkwater mill. Less than100 years after that, William 6 Orcutt married Esther Damon of Hanover, and both their children, Esther Rowena 7 and William Edwin 7 Orcutt were born in Hanover. Hanover, it turns out, has many Orcutt connections -- even earlier than has been known previously!]
Continuing the Old Scituate chapter on Cornet Robert Stetson:
“This plant, known as “Drinkwater Mill,” was much more extensive than that on the Third Herring Brook, and the Cornet sold it in 1680 for “300 pounds currant silver money” to four enterprising colonists, viz., “Ralph Powel of Marshfield, planter, Chas. Stockbridge of Scituate, millwright, Isaac Barker of Duxborough, planter, and Robert Barker of Duxborough, planter.” We have not space here for these deeds, but copies of the deed of Nanumackeuitt to Cornet Stetson by Wampatucke in 1668, Thomas Joy’s gift deed from Wampatuck in 1668, the verdict for the Cornet against Thos. Joy in 1674, and the Cornet’s deed of the mill to the freemen in 1680, may all be seen in “Stetson Kindred of America,” Vol. 5.
“We have spoken of this mill at length, as we believe it of much importance in connection with the early history of Scituate and Hanover, and none of the local historians thus far seem to have had any definite knowledge of it. We also believe its establishment previous to 1674 antedates by many years any other business enterprise within the present limits of Hanover. [For any settlement in the colonies, one of the first
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requirements for permanence is the prompt establishment of a sawmill and a gristmill, permitting the building of living and farming structures, and for utilizing grains produced by farming. In Bridgewater, as noted in the chapter on Mary Martha Lane, Samuel Edson husband of Susannah Orcutt, built both types of mills, and was considered a key citizen.]
“In 1656, the Colony Court, realizing that the horsemen of the various towns should be organized for the protection of the colony, ordered raised a “troop of horse.” Gov. Bradford’s son William was made Captain, Gov. Prence’s son-in-law, John Freeman, was made Lieutenant, and Robert Stetson, Cornet. This troop at once became the most valuable company in the colony.
“Many years afterward, before the breaking out of King Philip’s War, Major (afterwards Governor) Josiah Winslow, and Gov. Bradford’s two step-sons – i.e. Capt. Thomas Southworth and Colony Treasurer Constant Southworth – were chosen commissioners to visit Philip at Mt. Hope – “to beard the lion in his den,” and if possible turn him from his purpose of exterminating the colonists. Cornel Stetson and the troopers were sent with this commission, and although the Cornet was well past his prime, evidently he still led the troopers. The following, from the Colony Records, we believe to be the only official record of this expedition:
“To Captaine Southworth for his paines and time forty shillings.
“To the treasurer respecting his long time and paines three pounds.
“To Cornet Robert Studson his horse time and paines forty shillings.
“Two shillings and sixpence a day is allowed unto the troopers to each of them that went on the abovesaid expedition, viz.; to each of them and his horse.” (Col. Rec.)
“Although a Captain is supposed to outrank a Cornet, we note that the Cornet and Captain Southworth received the same compensation.
“Cornet Stetson was a member of the “Council of War” for a period of over twenty years, including King Philip’s War. Rev. Samuel Deane, the historian, was ordained over the Second Church of Scituate more than one hundred years ago; he was a conscientious student of local history, and at a time when traditions were of much value, he wrote: ‘During Philip’s War, the veteran Cornet Stetson was constantly on horseback, either in making voluntary expeditions with Gen. Cudworth (as tradition asserts) or in returning to encourage the garrisons at home, or in guiding the Council of War.’
“We well remember our youthful conception of Cornet Stetson, i.e. a valiant horseman mounting a fierce steed, a sort of knight errant who roamed the forest, seeking adventures with the Indians. Of course we subsequently came to know that most of his dealings with the Indians were of a peaceful nature; nevertheless we can at least think of him as a sturdy horseman, for his home was a long way from his mills, the church, and the harbor, and his constant service as deputy to Plymouth, commissioner, and Cornet of the troopers, must have kept him constantly in the forest, often with no companion save his faithful horse.
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“In 1847, Rev. John Stetson Barry wrote the “Records of the Stetson Family.” A revised edition of this work is now in preparation, hence any extended account of the Cornet’s family is unnecessary. His family consisted of seven boys and two girls, -- Joseph, Benjamin, Thomas, Samuel, John, Eunice, Lois, Robert, and Timothy. Seven of these survived, married, settled near the old homestead, and reared large families. We would like to tell of these children and their homes – of the part they took in the affairs of Scituate, of their many distinguished descendants in all parts of the country, who have a kindly interest in Scituate as the early home of their ancestors, but for lack of room this is impossible.
“The once prosperous settlement that surrounded the Cornet’s old home by the river has been gradually changing all these years, until now the locality is fast approaching the primeval state in which the Cornet found it, nearly three centuries ago. To the north, evidences of the homestead of Sergt. Humphrey Johnson (1651) have entirely disappeared – the garden spot now grown a forest, the site, even, known only to the few. To the south, where were the homes of Capt. Benjamin, and David Bryant, and ‘the shipyard at Bald Hill,’ nature again has full possession. Following the uplands near the edge of the meadows, half a mile back from the nearest town way, much overgrown and hardly distinguishable, is the ancient road that connected these homesteads.
“Nearly three hundred years have passed since Robert Stetson and Honor encamped on the banks of North River, and the name Stetson is now extinct in the towns of Norwell and Scituate; yet incredible though it seems, it is nevertheless true, as the vital records will demonstrate, that more than half of the inhabitants of Norwell, even today [1921], are descendants of this ancient couple.
“Cornet Stetson died in the year 1702-03, at the age of ninety years, having lived for sixty-eight years in Scituate, during which time he was unquestionably the leading citizen of the south part of Scituate, now known as Norwell; for it will be remembered that Mr. Hatherly, Gen. Cudworth, James Torrey, and John Cushing all lived in the north part of the town.
“A society of Cornet Stetson’s descendants, known as the “Stetson Kindred of America,” has been organized, with Francis Lynde Stetson, of New York City, as President, and the late John B. Stetson, of Philadelphia, as Vice-president. These gentlemen purchased and presented to the organization the Cornet’s old homestead and forty-six acres of the original farm, although the original house was demolished more than one hundred and fifty years ago. Here at the ‘shrine,’ the home of their ancestor, his descendants from all parts of the country meet annually, drink from the ‘Cornet’s spring,’ and spend a day on the spot where 283 years ago Robert Stetson first brought Honor, his wife, built his rude home, and laid the foundation of the Stetson family of America, and the town of South Scituate (now Norwell).” (Old Scituate, pp. 15-22 published in 1921)
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And now, to return to other branches of Prudence Hayden Orcutt’s ancestral family. As stated on p. 4, her gg grandfather, Joseph Stetson [4], son of Cornet Robert Stetson [3], married Prudence Clapp before 1670.
Samuel Deane , pp 234f, gives the following background for Prudence Clapp: “Mr. Thomas Clap was born in Dorchester, England, 1597. He came to New England with the early settlers of Dorchester, where his brothers John, Richard and Ambrose tarried [possibly near William Lane, grandfather to Mary Martha Lane who married William 1 Orcutt]. Thomas proceeded to Weymouth, where his first son Thomas was born 1639. He had grants of land in Hingham, 1637, but never resided there. His farm in Weymouth was near the present residence of Hon. Christopher Webb. He came to Scituate 1640. We find no record of his children born here, but we learn from incidental records, that he had Eliezer, Samuel, Elizabeth, Prudence, John born 1658 and Abigail born 1659. His farm in Scituate was on the south-west of Stockbridge’s mill pond, and now owned [1899] by Calvin Jenkins, sen. He was a Deacon of the first Church 1647 [this would have been the church 2nd Church Scituate separated from by 1642, largely over the issue of means of baptism; the 1st church minister was likely the Rev. Charles Chauncy who baptized by immersion]. He was an active, useful, and venerable man.
“His son Thomas lived at Dedham, and is the ancestor (we believe) of the Claps of Walpole. Eleazer lived at Barnstable, and left no family. Elizabeth married Dea. Thomas King, (son of Elder King), 1669. John died early, as did Abigail also.
“From Samuel descended the distinguished family of this name in this vicinity. He succeeded to his father’s residence. He married Hannah, the daughter of Thomas Gill of Hingham 1666. His children were Samuel born 1667, Joseph 1668, Stephen 1670, Hannah 1673, Bethia 1675, John 1677, Abigail 1679, David 1684, Deborah 1686, Jane 1689. [Deane goes on, p. 235 to trace to Samuel’s grandson from his son Stephen, Thomas Clapp who was President of Yale College, 1740-1765.]
The son of Joseph and Prudence Clapp Stetson, Robert Stetson [5] married Mary Collamore, which brings yet another interesting family into the picture.
According to a Stetson genealogist, Steve Phillips via his internet Stetson Message Board posting on GenForum dated 3/25/2001, Robert [5] lived near George Moore’s Pond in Scituate until 1719 when he purchased the Cornet’s old home from his father [Joseph 4] and moved there with his family. On 12 Jan. 1692/93 when Robert was 21, he married Mary Collamore, daughter of Captain Anthony Collamore (ca. 1643-16 Dec. 1693) and Sarah Chittenden (25 Feb. 1646/47-25 Oct. 1703), in Scituate, MA. Mary Collamore was born on 10 Nov. 1667 in Scituate, MA. She died after 1710. There are several variations in the spelling of her last name: Callomer, Collinor, Callomar. They had the following children: Anthony (1693-1747), Jemima (1694), Isaac (ca 1700), William (1700), Amos (1703), Martha (1706-1738), Gideon (1709-), Robert (1710).
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Continuing with Steve Phillips’ work: “By the way, Mary Collamore’s father, Captain Anthony Collamore, was an interesting guy. Here’s what I know about him. Anthony Collamore. Born: abt. 1643, Norham [Northam], England. Mar. 14 Jun 1666 Scituate, Plymouth, MA, to Sarah Chittenden. Died: 15 December, 1693 At Sea – Scituate Harbor. Occupation: Constable/Soldier/Ship’s Captain.
“Anthony Collamor was born in Norham [sic; Northam] England and came to Scituate in 1665 to make his home with his uncle, Peter Collamor who had arrived in 1639 [sic; see below, Charles Hatch book]. He married Sarah Chittenden of Scituate, the daughter of Isaac Chittenden, Jr., and Mary or Martha Vinal in Scituate on June 14, 1666. He was declared a freeman May 29, 1670 and was a constable in 1671. On July 4, 1684, he was commissioned as a captain of a Foot Company by William Phipps. He was drowned when he was shipwrecked in a snow storm on rocks near the Scituate shore on December 15, 1693. His body was recovered and he was buried in the First Parish Cemetary at Scituate Harbor. The ledges are still called the Collamors.
“According to the book “Mayflower Descendants” (which, btw, he was not) his stone reads:
Threnodia
Or a mournful remembrance of the much to be Lamented
Death of a worthy and pious
Capt. Anthony Collamor
who together with Five Persons were cast away in a
sloop going from Scituate Harbor toward Boston
on the 15th day of December, 1693.
“His children with Sarah Chittenden were born in Scituate: 1. Daughter Collamor, 2. Thomas Collamor, 3. Anthony Collamor, 4. Mary Collamor 1667 m. Robert Stetson, 5. Sarah Collamor 1670 m. James Torrey, 6. Peter Collamor b. 6 May 167_ d. 15 Nov. 1747 m. Abigail Davis 1671-1750, 7. Sarah Collamor 1673-, 8. John Collamor 1675-, 9. Martha Collamor 1677-1699, 10. Elizabeth Collamor b. 11 Dec. 1679, d. 18 Jan. 1758 m. Rev. Timothy Symmes; 2nd husband: Jeremiah Rose – President Benjamin Harrison descends from her and Rev. Timothy Symmes (Pres. Wm. Henry Harrison married their granddaughter, Anna Tuthill Symmes – Pres. Benj. Harrison was the grandson of Pres. W.H. Harrison), 11. John Collamor 1681-.”
In a book written by Charles Hatch, printed in 1915, called Genealogy of the Descendants of Anthony Collamer of Scituate, Massachusetts, there is the following depiction of Peter, Anthony’s uncle, the first Collamore family pioneer (pp. 9f): “Peter Collamore, the first settler in the Colony of Plymouth of that name, came from Northam, Devonshire County, England. In what year and upon what vessel he came the records fail to state. The earliest mention of him found, is in the year 1639, when for services rendered (probably military) he was awarded 25 acres of land at Namassacusett. This land, which appears to have been west of Massachusetts Bay Path, near “Luddens Ford” at North
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River, within the limits of what is now the town of Pembroke, was transferred by him to Ralph Chapman,…A Court of Assistants held at Plymouth Nov. 2, 1640, before Wm. Bradford, Thomas Prence, Miles Standish and others, granted to Peter Collymer xxv acres of land at Namassacusett….In 1643 he was on the list of those liable to bear arms in Scituate…. In 1647 he was chosen constable for the town of Marshfield…In 1650…surveyor of “Hieways” in Scituate, and was a constable for the town in 1651. Situated a few rods westerly from his first habitation on Wills Island was Brooke Hall Farm on Belle House Neck, owned by Mr. Samuel Fuller [Mayflower passenger]. This farm was purchased in 1650 by Peter Collamore and was known for many years thereafter as “Collamore Place.” It was located on the south side of the First Herring Brook, about one-half mile below the Stockbridge Mill, which was built in the year 1640, and stands as an ancient landmark at the present day [1915]. The poet Samuel Woodworth, in his song of the “Old Oaken Bucket”, refers to this locality when he speaks of
“The wide-spreading pond and the mill which stood by it,
The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell.”
It is this land, the “Collamore Place” which was inherited by Peter’s nephew, Anthony Collamore. Charles Hatch’s book gives the text of Peter Collamore’s deeds, as well as his letter to his brother in England, asking that he send over one of his sons to inherit, since Peter had no children of his own. That son was, of course, Anthony Collamore.
Charles Hatch gives additional information on Anthony Collamore, and significant variations in listing his children with Sarah Chittenden as follows (pp. 21-22):
“Anthony Collamore, b. ___: m. Sarah Chittenden of Scituate, June 14, 1666. He died Dec. 16, 1693. She died Oct. 225, 1703. Issue.
I. Mary, b. Nov. 10, 1667; m. Robert Stetson of Scituate, Jan. 11, 1692 [JOH: she was married the year before her father’s death by drowning; a side notation suggests she is the second child; hence following an infant who died].
II. Sarah, b. Mar. 26, 1670; died young.
III. Peter, b. May 6, 1672; m. Abigail Davis of Roxborough, Nov. 8, 1694. [JOH: Peter is Anthony Collamore’s only surviving son, but many Collamores descend from him.]
IV. Sarah, b. July 12, 1673; m. James Torrey of Scituate, Apr. 20, 1710.
V. John, b. Dec. 14, 1675; died young.
VI. Martha, b. May 12, 1677; d. Aug. 21, 1699, unmarried.
VII. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 11, 1679; m. 1st, Jeremiah Rose of Scituate, in 1698; m. 2nd, Timothy Symmes of Scituate [Hatch notes on p. 26 that “Benjamin H. Harrison, President of the United States, was a descendant of Elizabeth Collamore and her second husband, Timothy Symmes.” Timothy Symmes is also mentioned by Deane, p. 94 in section for Scituate’s history of Education:
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“In 1725, Mr. Timothy Symmes was employed as a grammar schoolmaster.”].
VIII. John, b. June 11, 1682; died young.
IX. Deborah, b. Mar. 14, 1682; died young.
X. Thomas, b. Mar. 12, ___; died young.
XI. Anthony, b. July 20, ___; died young.
XII. A girl, b. ___; died young (the bible record has worn away).
“Biography. Anthony Collamore came from England to Scituate, Mass., in the year 1665 to make his home with his uncle Peter Collamore, whose property was to be his by inheritance. The next year he married Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Martha (Vinall) Chittenden, Jr., of Kent street, Scituate.
“He was made a freeman in the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth, May 29, 1670. He was a constable in Scituate in 1671. In 1686 he was made a Lieutenant by Gov. Andros. In 1692 he was commissioned as Captain of a Foot Company by William Phips…. (p. 23). It was customary for the militia to meet at the Collamore homestead in readiness for expeditions against the Indians when occasions demanded. Sometimes a bell was rung to warn the inhabitants in the town of the approach of savages; and the locality became known as Belle House Neck.”
The entire text of the memorial poem following the drowning of Capt. Anthony Collamore by the Rev. Deodat Lawson (this had to have been done before Lawson absented himself so much from his ministry at 2nd Church Scituate that he was eventually dismissed), “Threnodia”, is printed in Hatch’s account (5 pages! These JOH will relieve you from reading!). A photo of what appears to be a plaque/monument of that poem is included on Hatch’s p. 29 – possibly to be found in the vicinity of Capt. Anthony Collamore’s grave on Meetinghouse Lane in Scituate, for any who care to check for it.
JOH: Another Collamore/Orcutt connection occurred when Rhoda 5 Collamore, daughter of Benjamin 3 Collamor (Peter 2, Anthony 1), married Seth 4 Orcutt (Thomas 3, Thomas 2, William 1) Feb. 24, 1780 (FSO, p. 50).
Resuming Steve Phillips’ internet posting account: “Sarah Chittenden [wife of Anthony 1 Collamore] was the granddaughter of Thomas Chittenden (through his son, Isaac and Mary Vinal. Isaac Chittenden died fighting Indians in Scituate on May 20, 1676 during King Philip’s War [see above, p. 8]
“Here’s some info on Thomas Chittenden: born 1584, Hawkhurst, Kent, England, married to Rebecca , died by 7 Oct. 1668; occupation: linen weaver.
“Wife Rebecca was born about 1595 in Kent and died in Scituate. He and his family sailed from Wapping on the Ship “Increase” in 1635. On Feb. 1, 1638/39 he was declared a freeman. In 1646 he was one of the Conihasset Partners. He died before Oct.
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7, 1668 when his will was probated. Their children were: 1. Isaac Chittenden c. 1621-1676, m. Mary Vinal c. 1625 [?? Age 4?; more likely, this refers to Martha Vinal(l), and they were married 1646]; 2. Henry Chittenden c. 1625-1713.
“Departed London April 17, 1635 on the ship “Increase” (also called the “Encrease”). He was a “lynnen wever” by trade. He was listed as “Age 51” at the time. His wife (Rebecca, age 40) and his two sons (Isak, age 10 and Henry, age 6) also came.” [Ages don’t quite match birth dates above.]
Samuel Deane’s Scituate history, p. 232, gives the following information on Isaac Chittenden and his father Thomas:
“Isaac Chittenden was one of the men of Kent. His house lot assigned in 1633, was on Kent street. He bore arms 1643. He came with his father Thomas Chittenden, who was one of the Conihassett partners in 1646. Thomas deceased in 1669, leaving legacies to his sons Isaac and Henry, and to Benjamin, son of Isaac. (Footnote: Thomas’s son Henry left a family, Joseph born 1656-7, also Susanna, Elizabeth and Ruth, and Joseph had a son Nathaniel born 1694, his grandfather Henry lived to a great age. He died 1713, leaving legacies to “gr. son Nathaniel my Conhihassett lands – to gr. daughter Mary Morton, Ruth Stetson and Alathea Chittenden 20 shillings each. Daughter Elizabeth Executrix.”)
“Isaac, jr. [there are references in several sources to an Isaac, jr., although the dates seem to suggest this is Isaac, son of Thomas] married Martha [Mary in Steve Phillips’ account above], (daughter of widow Anna Vinall), 1646. His children, Sarah and Rebecca born 1646, Mary 1648, Israel 1651, Stephen 1654, Elizabeth 1658, Isaac 1663. Isaac jr. [sic, see above] was an active and useful man, often a deputy to Court. He fell in repulsing the Indians from the Town 1676.” [From Deane’s account, it is evident Sarah and Rebecca were twins.]
Deane gives the following account for Anna Vinal, p. 364f: “Widow Anna Vinal with three children, appeared in Scituate 1636. A record made by her son Stephen is extant, from which we quote “as I had the relation from my owne mother, I was born about the middle of Dec. 1630. We came into New England in the year 1636, and into the town of Scituate the same year.”
“Martha was the eldest of the three children; she was married to Israel [should be Isaac] Chittenden 1646. Stephen was born 1630, and John was two or three years younger.
“Anna, this enterprising widow, erected a house in 1637, on the brook, (north of Stockbridge’s mill pond, in later times). She seems to have possessed considerable property. Amongst the Conihassett partners in 1646, we notice Anna Vinal. She deceased in 1664: Stephen and John were administrators. Colony Records.
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“Stephen succeeded to his mother’s residence. He married Mary, the daughter of Rev. Nicholas Baker 1661. Children, Mary 1662, Stephen 1664, (died early) John 1667, Adam 1670, (died early) Hannah 1671, Stephen, jr. 1675, Gideon 1678, Samuel 1681, Mary 1684.
“John lived on the corner of Kent street and Meeting-house lane. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Nicholas Baker 1664. Children, John born 1665, Elizabeth 1667, Hannah 1669, Jacob 1670, Grace 1672, the wife of Ebenezer Mott 1700.” [Deane goes on to list many grandchildren who remained in Scituate.]
As is evident from all the above, ancestors of Prudence Hayden in Scituate are abundantly documented, probably more thoroughly (to date) than any of the other women who married the Orcutt men. A part of the reason is that there are so many extensive historical sources for Scituate available in genealogical collections. And more are currently being compiled and published.
Prudence’s ancestors’ information is included in such detail also because both earlier and later Orcutt-related family members come from the area, including a sojourn for possibly nearly 20 years by William 1. Light is shed on the early settlement and locations, as well as church, valid for them as well. For descendants interested to see the locales of the early families’ homes, a visit to the broad Scituate area (Hanover, Hingham, Cohasset, Abington all nearby, and Bridgewater not very distant) would be valuable. The quotes for locations of property given here may prove helpful.
Quite recently has been published The 17th Century Town Records of Scituate, Massachusetts, Volume One, 1977, Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs, under the auspices of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, one among a number of their interesting current projects. This work contains many, many references to virtually all of the above-depicted ancestors of Prudence Hayden Orcutt. A map of the Scituate area printed in that book is of special interest in locating the sites mentioned, which is appended as Appendix C.
Family of Elijah Orcutt and Prudence Hayden
(Source for family chart: FSO. Other sources as indicated.)
As described, Elijah 4 Orcutt and Prudence Hayden married in Scituate, intention dated January 4, 1770. The church record for that intention in the Scituate V.R., interestingly, is C.R. 1, meaning First Church Scituate. Possibly there had been a change back to first church by the time of William and Anna Stetson Hayden from the earlier Stetson involvement in the 2nd Church? The minister of 1st Church at the time was the Rev. Ebenezer Grosvenor, whose ministry extended from 1762-1780 (at 2nd church then was
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the Rev. David Barnes through the period 1754-1809). Samuel Deane indicates that 1st church during Grosvenor’s ministry – one “not very quiet” (p. 187) -- was divided between moderate and stricter Calvinist groups, Grosvenor reflecting the moderate group. “It is certain that he was not a zealot of Whitefield’s school, and hence they suspected him of Arminian heresy, but probably without foundation. He was undoubtedly too mild and catholic in his faith and practice, to give universal satisfaction at that time. It is said that his wife was much more vexed with the contradictions and oppositions which he met with, than Mr. Grosvenor himself, and was finally instrumental in decide ding his determination to retire.” (Ibid.)
But the Scituate area was pertinent more to Prudence’s family of birth and ancestors, not her own mature life, for she and Elijah Orcutt lived in Abington where their nine children were born, and both died and were buried in Abington (sadly, JOH has not yet (4/2002) been able to obtain histories of Abington). Their children were:
1. Mary 5 Orcutt (called Polly) b. Oct. 11, 1770. Married Elijah Hobart Nov. 29, 1794 (V.R. Abington, MA)
2. David 5 Orcutt b. July 18, 1772. Married 1st, Relief Burrell Oct. 27, 1795 (V.R. Abington, MA). Married 2nd Mrs. Relief Faxon Nov. 11, 1811. Married 3rd Elizabeth (Pratt) Perkins June 26, 1831 (V.R. Abington, MA).
3. Marcy 5 Orcutt b. March 4, 1775. Married Eleazer Chubbock June 6, 1802 (V.R. Abington, MA).
4. Hannah 5 Orcutt b. April 22, 1777. Married Jeremiah Chubbuck June 15, 1798 (V.R. Abington, MA).
5. Emerson 5 Orcutt b. Sept. 23, 1779. Married Mehitable Vining March 10, 1804 (V.R. Abington, MA) [See following chapter.]
6. Mehitable 5 Orcutt b. Sept. 29, 1785.
7. Elijah 5 Orcutt b. 1783 [likely 1788, per V.R. Abington; FSO states “record somewhat illegible but died young”], d. Mary 28, 1789. (V.R. Abington, MA)
8. Elisha 5 Orcutt b. Feb. 22, 1788. Married Mary Joy of Weymouth, Mass. June 3, 1810 (V.R. Abington, MA). Married 2nd Sarah A. Richmond of Bridgewater, Mass. Aug. 27, 1834.
9. Jane 5 Orcutt b. Oct. 17, 1791. Married Raymond Joel Reed (V.R. Abington, MA).
From notes of FSO’s mother, Florence Pluma (Waters) Orcutt, “Elijah Orcutt served in War of Revolution as private in Capt Edward Cobb’s Company, Major Carey’s Regiment, which marched July 30, 1780, in the “Rhode Island Alarm”. He marched from Abington, Mass., to Tiverton, R.I. (see Mass. Soldiers, Sailors, Vol II, p. 662.)”.
In that preceding reference, Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, 1903, II, pp. 660-1667, there are no less than 72 listings for Orcutt men, under the varied spellings of “Orcott, Orcult, Orcut, and Orcutt”. Furthermore, on p. 661 when the spelling becomes “Orcutt” the source also states: “[This name also appears under the
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form of Allcut, Ocutt, Olcut, Olcutt, Orcet, Orcett, Orchut, Orcott, Orcult, Orcut, Orket, Orkett, Orkut, Orlcott.]” Some of these names may duplicate the same person, however. Most appear to be from Massachusetts; a number are from Hampshire and Berkshire counties in western Massachusetts – these may include descendants of Thomas 2’s son Edward, some are from Bridgewater, some Cohasset. Other Massachusetts towns named from which Orcutt men came include, in eastern Massachusetts: Weymouth, Scituate, Pembroke, Mansfield and Murrayfield. From central Massachusetts: New Salem, Shutesbury, Ware, Wilabraham, and from the western part of the state: Cummington, Egremont , Whately and Warren (this Elisha Orcutt apparently received bounty to serve for another man, as did one other). Forty-five of the 72 were privates; 9 had no rank given; 2 were Ensigns, 4 were corporals, one a sergeant, 1 a 2nd Lieutenant, then Lieutenant, 1 a Gunner’s Mate, 2 were Drummers (1 also became Drum Major), and one, a Stephen Orcutt, joined up in order to have his 6 months imprisonment sentence remitted! He had been charged for setting fire to the Boston jail! (p. 661)
The exact listing on page 662 for our Elijah Orcutt is as follows”
“ORCUTT, ELIJAH. Private, Capt. Edward Cobb’s co., Maj. Eliphalet Cary’s regt.; marched July 30, 1780; discharged Aug. 1, 1780; service, 3 days; company marched from Abington to Tiverton, R.I., on an alarm.” Tiverton, R.I. is five miles south of Fall River, Massachusetts.
However, there is another listing with different spelling for an earlier and somewhat longer expedition on page 660:
“ORCUT, ELIJAH. Private. Capt. Nathan Snow’s co., Col. Hawe’s regt.; enlisted Sept. 24, 1777; service, 1 mo. 9 days, at Rhode Island on a secret expedition. Roll sworn to at Plymouth.”
Given the sequence in dates, the second reference may also be to our Elijah, since it also involved going to Rhode Island. JOH finds no other Elijah Orcutts of that generation (Elijah 4’s own son Elijah 5 died as a child; Elijah 5, son of Emerson, Jr., 4, son of Emerson 3 and Mary Gardiner Orcutt, wasn’t born until 1784 in Maine.) in the lines of Thomas 2 or John 2 Orcutt. Someone with expertise and access to extensive resources on the Revolutionary War may be able to resolve this small question. It appears that our Elijah may not have seen action in either expedition, although the circumstances for the alarm in Rhode Island were certainly dangerous.
It was noted in the previous chapter that Elijah’s father Emerson 3 Orcutt had purchased land from an Edward Cobb in 1766. Perhaps Elijah 4 served under this man or his son during the 1780 alarm to Rhode Island?
If the 1777 notice is our Elijah, he was away just over four months after their 4th child, Hannah, had been born that April, and Prudence would have cared for the family and
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household by herself, unless she had family assistance. Their oldest daughter Mary was then 7, and oldest son David, 5.
Then in 1780, during Elijah’s 3-day march to Rhode Island the end of July, fifth child Emerson 5 was almost a year old. Those must have been anxious days for Prudence and their young family.
According to the Abington V.R., Elijah 4 Orcutt died in Abington on December 1 or 2, 1821, aged 84 years. His wife, Prudence Hayden Orcutt died eleven years later, on May 29, 1832, aged 83 years.
Only one of their nine children died young, Elijah 5, who lived possibly for a year or less. However, there is no indication of marriage for Mehitable 5, born Sept. 29, 1785, as there is for the other seven surviving children; perhaps she too died young though there are no Abington death records that would fit her. The seven children who married all married in Abington. Elisha 5 died in Abington. David 5 appears to have gone for a time to Plainfield in western Massachusetts (his son Abial 6 was born there, as well as an infant daughter who died in 1810, the year David 5’s first wife Relief Burrell died). However, his children with 2nd wife Relief Faxon, and 3rd wife Elizabeth (Pratt) Perkins are recorded as born in Abington. A death record and location for David 5 has not yet been found.
Emerson 5 also married and may have died in Abington, though there is no record yet found (see following chapter). His six children were all born in Abington. Elisha 5 likewise seems to have married and had children in Abington. His 2nd wife, Sarah A. Richmond was from Bridgewater, but they were married in Abington.
A tracking has not yet been made for the daughters of Elijah 4 and Prudence Hayden Orcutt, but all four who married were married in Abington. Thus it appears that their entire family of descent may all have remained in the Abington area. For the line being tracked in these chapters, their descendants remained in the area until their great-grandson William Edwin 7 Orcutt moved as an adult to Austinburg, Ohio in the time of the American Civil War.
Prudence’s Era
On November 18, 1755, when Prudence was 6 (and her mother-in-law Mary Gardiner Orcutt 37) occurred the great earthquake which in Scituate knocked down chimneys and disjointed many houses, and probably had similar affects in neighboring areas. Samuel Deane described the impact for Scituate: “It happened at day dawn in the morning, and brought the people from their beds in dreadful consternation. The rumbling of the earth, and the crashing of the falling walls, &c. was like the loudest thunder, and the commotion and roaring of the sea is described as no less terrible by those who lived near its margin. Several water spouts bursted out in the Town; we can name particularly, one near the
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book at Sweet swamp, on the border of Dea. Joseph Bailey’s garden. It threw out a considerable quantity of reddish sand of a singular appearance, and the spring thus opened continues to run to the present time [1831]. Another fissure of considerable magnitude was made on the south side of ‘great swamp,’ so called.” (p. 150).
1749 to 1832, the lifetime of Prudence Hayden Orcutt, as for the earlier women who married Orcutt men and lived during some of those years, reflected a significant portion of the early history of the United States of America, much as recorded for Mary Gardiner in the previous chapter. The major events from our perspective were of course the Revolutionary War and establishment of the U.S.A. and as described above, Prudence’s husband Elijah Orcutt participated in that war.
As for the establishment of the independent USA, Massachusetts was NOT unanimously in favor of the Constitution during its convention in January of 1788, when Prudence was 39 and Elijah 51. “The Commonwealth was considered predominantly Antifederalist. Citizens reared in the town-meeting tradition despised all delegated authority. And the new Constitution was a government of representatives, some of whom (the senators) were to sit for six years – anathema to the democratic spirit, which looked on annual elections as the basis of liberty [and protection from the taxing authority of a central federal government].” (Miracle at Philadelphia, Catherine Drinker Bower, p. 282) Another issue in Massachusetts: western farmers were primed for opposition to the “despotism” of Boston merchants. (Ibid., p. 278)
Interestingly, however, Plymouth county was one showing a Federalist preference. “Election of delegates to the [Massachusetts] convention had shown solid Federalist majorities in the coastal counties of Sussex, Essex, Plymouth and Barnstable. The inland counties were Antifederalist, especially Worcester, also Hampshire and Berkshire to the west, where the skies had not yet cleared after Captain Shays and his little army of rebels.” (Bowen, p. 283) On the final question the vote in Massachusetts was close: 168 noes to 187 ayes, a margin of only 19. (Ibid., p. 290)
Did the turmoil of those controversies impact directly on the family of Elijah and Prudence Hayden Orcutt? It is difficult to say, although they probably had some indirect effect. Orcutts from the line of Elijah 4 who remained in the near eastern coast of Massachusetts until the mid-1800s appear mostly to have been what we think of as Republicans in the 1800s and 1900s, suggesting that their forebears may have been Federalists, just as the county of Plymouth appeared to be in 1788. But there is no indication that these Orcutts were sufficiently involved in those events to have participated in the public debates.
Besides the continuing controversies interpreting the Constitution, other events of the era included that further conflict with Great Britain in the War of 1812 (Britain had been impressing American seamen and interfering with American trade), in which only more distant Orcutt relatives served, none from the Scituate/Abington area.
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The early stages of the slavery controversy were underway by the time of Prudence’s death. Wealthy families in Scituate after 1700 sometimes had African slaves, and some had Native American servants prior to that time (Deane, p. 151, who says that “the posterity of that race [African] is now more numerous in this Town, than in any other town of the ancient Colony.”). By 1704 blacks made up about 3-4% of the Boston population (Everyday Life in Early America, David Freeman Hawke, 1988, p. 169).
Since no documents have yet (4/2002) come to light indicating the exact level of literacy for the family of Elijah and Prudence, we can only surmise what may have been their educational experience. Women continued to be illiterate (but see important definition below that stipulates “literacy” applies in the colonial era to writing and not reading ability for both males and females – indeed, the importance of being able to read God’s word directly from the Bible was prized by Protestants), but males eventually received some schooling. Plymouth Colony had no school until the 1670s. However, a qualification must be added here regarding colonial illiteracy: calculations of “literacy” were made regarding the percentage of white male adults who could sign their wills; in 1660 it was 60%, rising to only 69% by the end of the 17th century. One researcher states that these calculations are “faithful to what we can verify empirically, but probably wrong in emphasis. All of the literature on early modern literacy seems to suggest that many more could read than write, that in some places, reading was near-universal for males and not less for females, while writing skills were less frequent.” (Hawke, p. 71). This definition should probably also be applied to the earlier Orcutts considered “illiterate” because they could not write their names: William 1, William 2, Joseph 2. Quite possibly, they all could read.
Having been born in Scituate, settled home for multiple generations of her ancestors, it must have been good that her move with husband Elijah 4 to his family’s home territory of Abington was not a distant one from her family. Family connections surely continued strong, and in fact were the prime locus for community from the colonial period. “Family” came to embrace all blood relations, or kinfolk, in the neighborhood – and “neighborhood” meant an area reachable by horseback or canoe within a day, say, a radius of fifty miles (Hawke, p. 61).
This Orcutt family’s continued sojourn in Abington for 3 more generations suggests a preference for happily and successfully grown roots planted there, too; a tendency to longevity. Both Elijah and Prudence lived well into their eighties, an indication of robust good health, which seems to be something of a family trait, usually. It must also have been a healthy environment. We do not know Elijah’s profession, but the fact that his brother Emerson 4 bought land in Abington from their father Emerson 3 suggests that farming may not have been the primary source of Elijah’s family income (no will has yet been found for Emerson 3or Elijah 4, though one or both could exist in Plymouth County records). However, most families then, whatever the father’s occupation, kept some livestock and maintained family gardens. It may be worth noting here that Prudence and Elijah’s grandson was a bootmaker in the area, particularly in Hanover.
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By Prudence’s era, when men became more focused on crafts rather than just on livelihood farming, women’s roles were again shifting back to the home. Earlier, when all the family engaged entirely in farming, the women and older children were in the fields and caring for livestock right alongside the men, and were not limited to household chores, particularly at planting and harvest times.
How were their children raised? Again, David F. Hawke’s book provides insight, though focusing on the earlier colonial period. “John Locke held that the children of plain people should begin useful work at the age of three. The dictum of a philosopher, and a bachelor at that, should not be taken as the rule that guided early American parents. There is reason to think that Dr. Spock would find much to approve in the way colonial children were reared. In most homes the upbringing was strict and children were taught early about the horrible punishments that awaited in Hell for those who flouted parental authority, but it is too often forgotten that such strictness was laced with affection….”When I was a child,” one man recalled, “I was nurtured and tutored with such fatherly care and motherly affection as my parents at that time were endued with.” Another man recalled his mother’s strict hand but also the “great love” she gave him (p. 67).
“Parents then as now tended to be more tolerant than they liked to admit. Colonial children were initiated into the adult world early but not in a hasty or harsh manner. From the age of three or so they were given chores, partly for discipline but also to keep them from underfoot. Much of a child’s day passed with little supervision; parents and older siblings were too busy to mind what they did. They trusted the children early with responsibilities that would horrify a modern parent. John Adams was given a gun when only eight, just old enough to lift it, and alone, under no watchful adult eye, he spent hours, day after day, in the marshes bringing down birds, or trying to.” (Ibid.)
JOH recalls a childhood in rural Montana in the 1930s-40s with similar freedom and parental trust – for a girl as well as a boy – which, compared to her eastern U.S. urban life of active grandparenting in 2002, seems utterly unthinkable and amazing! To be sure, strong values, a sense of responsibility, and a range of skills for coping with dangerous situations had already begun to be carefully instilled. Even so, my own children as well as my grandchildren were/are raised far more protectively.
“The colonial child moved toward adulthood in a fairly straight line, with no pause for the miseries of adolescence. That phase, except in its physical manifestations, did not exist then, and the word itself did not achieve general use until the twentieth century.” (Hawke, p. 67)
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