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Timothy Fletcher (1719–1786), son of Joseph Fletcher and Sarah Adams

Bridget Richardson (1726–1770), daughter of Captain Zachariah Richardson and Sarah Butterfield

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Timothy, the son of Joseph and Sarah Fletcher, was born on 12 April 1719 in Chelmsford. [1] He died on 15 April 1786, age 67, in Westford. [2] He married first Bridget Richardson of Chelmsford by an intention dated 15 February 1745/6 in Westford. [2] He married second Huldah Purley of Boxford by an intention dated 14 May 1774 in Westford. [2] Huldah was probably Huldah Putnam, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Porter) Putnam, who was born on 29 November 1716 in Salem, Essex County Massachusetts. [3] This Huldah was probably the one married Francis Perley on 8 November 1734 in Boxford, Essex County. [4] Huldah, the wife of Timothy, died on 21 August 1777, age 60, in Westford. [2] Timothy married third Hannah Parker (or Proctor) on 25 November 1778 in Westford. [2] Hannah was possibly the daughter of Philip Proctor and Phebe Hildreth. The widow Hannah Fletcher married Captain Eleazer Hamlin of Harvard on 3 June 1789 in Westford. [2]

Bridget, the daughter of Zachary and Sarah Richardson, was born on 23 April 1726 in Chelmsford. [1] Bridget, the wife of Timothy and daughter of Captain Zach. Richardson, died on 8 June 1770, age 44, in Westford. [2]

Huldah Putnam was the sister of General Israel Putnam.

Timothy, Bridget, Huldah, and Captain Eleazer and Hannah (Proctor) (Fletcher) Hamlin are buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Westford. Timothy's inscription says, "In memory of Timothy Fletcher who departed this life April 15th 1786 aged 67 years." Bridget's inscription says, "Here lies ye body of Mrs Bridget Fletcher wife of Mr Timothy Fletcher who departed this life June 8th 1770 in the 45th year of her age." Huldah's inscription says, "In memory of Mrs. Huldah Fletcher wife of Mr. Timothy Fletcher who departed this life Aug 21st 1777 age 60 years." [5]

Francis Perley is buried in the Harmony Cemetery in Boxford. The inscription on his gravestone says, "Here lies buried the body of Capt Francis Pearley who departed this life March 5, 1756." [5]

Timothy was usually referred to as Timothy, Jr. This was to distinguish him from an older cousin, Lieutenant Timothy Fletcher, the son of Paul and Deliverance Fletcher, who died in 1780 and had a wife named Mary.

Children of Timothy Fletcher and Bridget Richardson: Births recorded in Westford. [2] Baptisms were recorded in the church in Westford. [6]

i. Reverend Elijah Fletcher was born on 8 June 1747. He was baptized on 14 June 1747. He died on 8 April 1786, probably in Hopkinton, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. [7] Reverend Elijah Fletcher of Hopkinton married Mrs. Rebecca Chamberlain on 24 May 1773 in Westford. [2] Rebecca, the daughter of Ephraim and Esther Chamberlain, was born on 6 April 1754 in Westford. [2] Rebecca married second Reverend Christopher Paige. [8]

Elijah is buried in the Old Hopkinton Cemetery. Christopher and Margaret Paige are buried in the South Road Cemetery in Salisbury, Merrimack County. [5]

Elijah graduated from Harvard in 1769. [8] Elijah, B.A. was admitted to the church in Westford on 17 September 1769. [2]

Elijah was pastor of the church in Hopkinton from 23 January 1773 until his death. [7] He was deputy from the town for six months in 1775. [8]

Elijah was the father of Grace Fletcher, the first wife of Daniel Webster. [8]

Photo: Grace Fletcher by Gilbert Stuart

ii. Josiah Fletcher was born on 19 October 1749. He was baptized on 22 October 1747. He died on 2 February 1825 in Ludlow, Windsor County, Vermont. [9] He married first Margaret Fletcher on 25 February 1779 in Littleton. [2] Margaret, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Fletcher, was born on 13 September 1755 in Westford. [2]

Josiah and Margaret are buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Ludlow. [5]

Josiah Fletcher of Ludlow made his will on 2 September 1824. His main heirs were his wife Margaret, his sons Asa and Nathan P. Fletcher, and Asaph Green Fletcher, the son of his deceased son Luther. He also left bequests to Joseph, the son of his deceased son Joseph, his daughter-in-law Salome Fletcher, his young friend and namesake Josiah Fletcher McCallom, and several religious and educational societies. His witnesses testified on 21 March 1825. [10]

iii. Bridget Fletcher was born on 14 July 1751. She was baptized on 28 July 1751. She apparently died young.

There are two birth records for Bridget, one says 1751 and one says 1757. The one saying 1751 seems more likely to be correct.

iii. Lucy Fletcher was born on 30 August 1754. She was baptized on 1 September 1754.

iv. Jesse Fletcher was born and baptized on 27 February 1757. He apparently died young

v. Bridget Fletcher was born on 12 August 1760. She was baptized on 17 August 1760. She died on 16 July 1804 in Cavendish. She married Isaac Parker.

vi. Jesse Fletcher was born on 9 Novermber 1762. He was baptized on 14 November 1762. He died on 14 February 1831 in Ludlow. [9] He married Lucy Keyes on 8 August 1782 i in Westford. [2][7] Lucy, the daughter of Jonathan and Betty Keyes, was born on 17 December 1764 in Westford. [2] She died in 1846. [7]

Jesse and Lucy are buried in the Pleasant View Cemetey in Ludlow. [5]

Jesse was preparing for college under his brother Elijah when the Revolutionary War broke out. He served for six or eight months near the end of the war. [7]

Jesse and Lucy went to Ludlow, Vermont about 1784. [7] Jesse was the first town clerk, a justice of the peace, and the second representative from Ludlow to the General Court. [7]

Jesse had 15 children and not much money. [7] He was the father of the Honorable Calvin Fletcher. [7]

References:

1. Vital Records of Chelmsford, Massachusetts: To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem: Essex Institute, 1914).

2. Vital Records of Westford Massachusetts: To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem: Essex Institute, 1915).

3. Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts: To the End of the Year 1849, 6 vols. (Salem: Essex Institute, 1916, 1918, 1924, 1925), vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4, vol. 5, vol. 6.

4. Vital Records of Boxford, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 (Topsfield: Topsfield Historical Society, 1905).

5. Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 25 May 2023), memorial pages for

6. "Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620–1988," database with images, Ancestry(https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2495), > Westford > Church Records, with Births, Marriages, and Deaths.

7. William B. Trask, "The Honorable Calvin Fletcher," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 23 (1869): 377–91.

8. C.C. Lord, Life and Times in Hopkinton, N.H. (Concord, NH: Republican Press Association, 1890).

9. "Vermont, U.S., Vital Records, 1720–1908," database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4661) > 1870 and prior > Fletcher, A.–Foley image 591, Jesse Fletcher; image 666, Josiah Fletcher.

10. “Vermont, Wills and Probate Records, 1749–1999,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9084) > Windsor > Probate Records: Vol. 9–10, images 360–361, entry for Josiah Fletcher.

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©2019 A. Buiter

Revised 26-May-2023