"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."
-- John Adams, 1765
Greenwich, Hampshire County, Massachusetts was incorporated in 1749 and dissolved in 1938. It was renamed from Quabbin in 1754 .
During Shays' Rebellion the rebels were mostly farmers angered by excessive debt and taxes. Failure to repay debts could resulted in imprisonment in debtor's prison or the state claiming property.
He married Rebecca Peacock in 1775. Rebecca was born on August 15, 1756 in Hardwick, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Her parents were John Peacock and Esther Lessley.
Jonathan and Rebecca's children included:
Asenath Davis (1775),
Isaac Davis (1778, married Lydia Stoddard),
Roswell Davis (1784),
Osborne Davis (1779),
Susannah Davis Stoddard (1781, married David Stoddard),
Jacob Davis (1786),
Lucy Davis (1786),
Clarissa Davis Barrett (1788, married Henry Barrett),
Jonathan Davis (1791-1868), and
Sally Davis Stoddard (1796, married Eleazer Stoddard).
Jonathan remained in Chesterfield and is listed in the 1790 census.
Rebecca died in 1796 and he died March 22, 1799 in Chesterfield, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. He may be buried in Old West (Goodrich) Cemetery in Chesterfield.
The Association Test was a loyalty oath that men were required to sign to declare their support for the Patriot cause. It was often administered by local Committees of Safety, and refusing to sign could result in social ostracism.
"We, the subscribers do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will, to the utmost of our powers, at the risque of our lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies."
1756
New Hampshire was first settled by Europeans in 1623. It was separated from Massachusetts in 1679.
TheAmerican Revolutionary War(1775–1783) was between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the 13 colonies which became the newly formed United States.
History of Chesterfield
Jonathan [Davis], oldest son of Capt. Isaac (1), m. 1775 Rebecca Peacock and settled in Chfd. He. d. Mar. 22, 1779, in his 49th year.
Ch.
Asenath, b. Dec, 29, 1775.
Isaac, b. Jan. 16, 1778 m. 1804 Lydia, dau. of David Stoddard (2) who had d. 1832. Resided in Chfd. He d. Nov. 10, 1827. Had no ch.
Osborn (4), b. Sept. 17, 1779.
Susanna, b. Feb. 20, 1781; m., 1801 David Stoddard (3)
Roswell (5), b. Feb 3. 1784.
Jacob and Lucy b. Apr. 5, 1786
Clarissa, b. Mar 17, 1788; m., 1808, Henry Barrett, of Hins.--
Jonathan (6), b. June 12, 1791.
Sally, m., 1816 Eleazer Stoddard (8); d. June 14, 1864. a. 68
Europeans first settled New Hampshire in the 1620s.
In early New England towns policy was set by a board of 3 to 5 selectmen. They oversaw public responsibilities such as the policing, roads, and fences.
from Genealogical and Family History of Northern New York: A Record by William Richard Cutter
David [Stoddard], son of Eliezer Stoddard, was born in Newton, Massachusetts, November 27, 1726. He came to Chesterfield, New Hampshire, about 1767. . .David was a soldier in the revolution, third sergeant in the summer of 1775 in Captain Jacob Hind’s company, Colonel James Reid's regiment, and was paid four dollars for a coat. The Chesterfield historian states that he was in the battle of Bennington, and died on the way home from the army. He may have volunteered in a company of which no payroll has been saved, of a company that asked no pay. (See New Hamp. State Papers, vol. xiv, pages 84 and I99). He was selectman of Chesterfield in I771-72.
He married Joanna.
Children:
1. Eliezer (named for his grandfather), married, in 1778, Alice Coburn; he was also a soldier in the revolution.
2. Lemuel, mentioned below.
3. David [Stoddard], born 1754; married Sarah French.
4. Abigail, married Shadrach Herrick; died March 26, 1835.
5. Samuel, May 11 1767.
6. Asa, August 27, 1770.
7. Joseph, December 30, 1771.
