The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

HISTORY OF DORCHESTER. 127
two others, land on Thompson's Island, for the fishing business, which he and Nathaniel Duncan and
others carried on to a great extent, by sales for export. He was an active man, both in church and
town affairs, and left a large estate for those times.
He died 18th March, 1692-3, aged about 98 years,
and his grave-stone still marks the spot where he
was laid. His wife Joan, who was in every thing
all that adorns a wife, mother and friend, died in
1682, and lies by his side in Dorchester burying
ground. Their children were-Joseph and Benjamin (twins), born in Dorchester in 1637; and Hannah, born in 1639. Joseph married Meriam, daughter of Capt. Aaron Cook, of Northampton, Nov. 8,
1661. They resided at Northampton till about
1672, when they returned to Dorchester. He was
a farmer. He died Jan. 28, 1714-15, about 77 years
old; and his wife 23d August, 1720, about 78 years
of age - leaving a large family of children. They
were an exemplary couple, and their children were
among the most prominent of their generation.
They were both buried ini Dorchester, and their
grave-stones may still be seen. Benjamin lived in
Dorchester, was also a farmer, and perhaps engaged
in the fishing business. He married Mary Brinsmade, daughter of William Brinsmade, of Dorchester, and sister of Rev. Mr. Brinsmade, of Marlborough, Mass. His second wife was Mercy, who
died August 10, 1692. He was married the third
time by Rev. John Danforth, of Dorchester, to Abigail Knights, the 11th of the 6th month, 1696.
She died June 12th, 1712. He never had children.