By John Stetson Barry
William A. Hall & Co. 1847
In the following pages I have embodied all the information I have succeeded in obtaining, of the Stetson Family. Though I have not been able to trace its history back farther than to the earlier days of our country's history, I regret this the less, for the reason that the Family has made for itself a name, and rendered—itself illustrious, by the private and public virtues, intelligence, and enterprise of its members. Cornet Robert Stetson, our first ancestor, was one of the most noted and valuable men in Plymouth Colony, and held many offices of trust and responsibility. Several of his descendants distinguished themselves in the War of the Revolution, and the War of 1812!, and held different offices in the U.S. Army. Among our number, there has been one Representative to Congress, and several Senators and Representatives in Massachusetts and Maine; Clergymen, Lawyers, Physicians, and Justices of the Peace; eminent Merchants, and Manufacturers; one Judge of the Municipal Court; Deputy Sheriffs; n, and other Town Officers; one Professor, in Jefferson La.; Captains, in the Army and Navy; Directors of Rail Roads, &c, &c. Indeed, the name stands in the public esteem; and it is believed none, with advantages, can present a greater array of men of worth and influence. Its present representatives, wherever known, truth of this assertion.
I find our Family name differently spelt on old records; as Sitson, Sturtson, Studson, Stedson, Stutson, and Stetson. At present it is usually spelt Stetson, though some families spell it Stutson.
The Coat of Arms, in the Title-page, is a copy of the coat among the papers of Cornet Robert, and is, without doubt, authentic.
To those who have assisted me, by furnishing copies of Records, &c., I tender my sincere thanks. Were I to name all to whom I have been thus indebted, I should mention several Town Clerks and very many heads of Families. I have sought to; render, the work as perfect as possible. I dare not flatter myself that it is entirely free from errors, but as a whole, it is believed to be worthy of confidence.
The ancestor of the Stetson family in America, was Robert Stetson, commonly called Cornet Robert, because he was Cornet of the first Horse Company raised in Plymouth Colony, Mass., in the year 1658 or 9. From what place he originated, I have not been able satisfactorily to learn. Tradition says that he came from English, and from the County of Kent. The precise year when he landed in this country, is also unknown. He settled in Scituate in the year 1634, at which time he received from the Colony Court a grant of a considerable tract of land, on the North River, which constituted his farm. [Deane, History of Scituate. The recrod of this grant, if contained in the volumes deposited in the State House, in Boston, must have escape my notice when I examined them.] His house stood on a sloping plain, near the bank of the river, and an unfailing and valuable spring, which supplied him and his descendants with water for two hundred years, still marks the spot. The old house is gone; and the farm, which was kept in the possession of the family until the time of Charles Stetson, has, by his death, and by the marriage of his widow to Clarke Sampson of Duxbury, now passed out of the Stetson name.
Whether the Cornet married before or after his settlement in Scituate, I am unable to say; and the maiden name of his wife is unknown. Tradition says he married twice, and the last time a widow Bryant. In his will, he calls his widow Mary.
I find the name of Robert Stetson among those able to bear arms in Scituate, in the year 1643; and in the year 1652 he became a freeman. ["Att the general Court of election holden at Plymouth for the jurisdiction of New Plymouth; the 3rd of June 1652 before Wm. Bradford, gent. governor, Thos. Prince Miles Standish Timothy Hatherly John Browne and John Alden, gents assistants," the name of Robert Studson is among those who "stand propounded to take up their freedom." —Col. Rec.] The Cornet appears to have been a very enterprising man from the time of his first settlement in the Colony, and was held in high estimation by his own townsmen, and by the Colony in general.
In 1656, he erected a saw-mill on what was then called the "third Herring brook," [1] which was burnt by the Indians in 1676. [2]
In 1658, being in "want of a covenient way from his house to the meeting ; this Court doth request and appoint Mr. Hatherly and Capt. Cudworth with any other whom they shall-choose to lay out a foot way from the uper meeting house att the north river at Scittuate up the said river to the house of Robert Studson ; soe as may be most convenient and least prejudiciall to any." —Col. Rec. In the years 1654, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ; 1660, 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 ; 1670, 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8 ; seventeen in all —he was a deputy to the General Court; a responsible office at that time, and one conferred only upon the most prominent men in the several towns. In 1660, and for several years subsequent, according to Deane, he was commissioner to act for the country, in all matters, relating to the trade at Kennebec ; and in 1665, for his services in that capacity, he had granted to him two hundred acres south of Mr. Hatherly's grant, above Accord Pond.[3]
In the year 1661, Cornet Stetson was chosen a member of the Council of war;[4] and in 1681, I find him still holding that office.[5] it is presumed that he held it during this whole period of twenty years, as at different intervals his name is mentioned under such circumstances as to prove that he was connected with this council.[6] The members of the Council of War were all men of the first standing; chosen because of their peculiar qualifications for the office; and regarded as among the most active and valuable men in the Colony.
In the war with Philip and other Indian tribes, which was carried on by the Colony during the latter half of the aforenamed twenty years, Cornet Stetson was an active officer, and rendered valuable assistance. In 1671, the Court agreed and voted, that "some force be raised and sent to the Indians att Saconett to fetch in theire armes and in defect thereof theire p'rsons as occasion may require;" and the management of this enterprise was "referred to the Council of Warr, or soe many of them as shall meet; soe as they be nine in number, viz : the major p'rte of them concurring." —Col. Rec. Of this Council, it will be recollected, the Cornet was a member. At home and abroad, were his services important; in protecting his own townsmen, who suffered greatly during the war; and in giving battle to the foe wherever they went. In the year 1667, about the time of the opening of the war with Philip, Cornet Stetson was appointed by the Colony to visit that Sachem, "in behalf of the country," but it does not appear that he succeeded in his mission, or in inclining the Indian warrior to keep the peace.
In 1668, Cornet Stetson was commissioned to purchase of the Indian Sachem Joasias Chickatabutt, a tract of land now principally comprehended int he towns of Hanover and Abintong, for the use of the Colony; and as that tract of land, by order of the Court, was subsequently re-deeded to him, the following papers relating to that translaction are copied from the Colony records, as matters of family interest, and as serving to show, in connection with the grants of land made to the Cornet at different times by the Colony, the amount of his Real Estate.
"1674. Winslow Governor.
Know all men by these p'rsents that Josias Chickatabutt Sachem of Namassakeesett in the Government of New Plymouth in New England in America hath bargained sold allianed enfeoffed and confeirmed unto Cornett Robert Studson in the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth aforesaid, and by these p'rsents doth bargaine sell allien enfeofe and confeirme unto the said Stetson by his heires and assignes forever a certain tract or p'rsell of land by the Indians commonly called Nanumackeuitt, for a valuable consideration, to him in hand fully payed and satisfied; The said lands are bounded on the north of the lands formerly graunted to Mr. Timothy Hatherly and is to run by his line 2 miles west into the woods; and on the east is bounded by the line of the town of Scittuate and is to run 3 miles in length southerly from Mr. Hatherlys his said graunt upon the townes line; and soe againe 2 miles westerly upon Mr. Hatherly's line upon the other syde; and three miles againe northerly to meet with the first line; all which Tract of land, soe bounded, as is above expressed with all the woods waters, benifitts proffitts privilidges and emunities thereunto apertaining and belonging hee the said Josias hath sold, and by these p'rsents doth convey and passe over from himselfe and his heires forever unto the said Stetson and his heirs; The said Joasias hath only reserved until himself and his men, libertie of hunting with theire Guns, on the said lands; and the said Josias doth allow the said Cornett Studson to cause this deed to be involved in the records of New Plymouth or any other Regester, in New England; and doth further engage att the said Cornetts charge, att any time to make him such further assurance as according to law may be required, and doth warrant the said lands att this pr'sent to be free from all Intanglement and Incomberance and shall defend the same against all p'rsons claiming from by or under him, for true performance whereof hee hath herunto set his hand and seale, this 13th days of Aprill Anno Dom. 1668.
Josias Chickatabutt [his FO marke and a {seal}]
Signed sealed and delivered In the presence of Josias Winslow John Browne
Be it known and rightly understood That notwithstanding this deed was made unto Cornet Robert Studson and his heires; hee was ordered by the Court of Plymouth to make the purchase, and hee purchased it for the Collonies use and it is soe improved.
Major Josiah Winslow
This deed was acknowlidged on the day of the sealing before Josiah Winslow assistant." —Col. Rec.
"Know all men by these presents that whereas the Generall Court of New Plymouth as on record doth appeer ; have ordained and appointed Maj. Josias Winslow and Mr. Constant Southworth theire agents for to make sale of sume land, on the west ward of Scittuate Townes bounds; and the said Major Winslow and Constant Southworth have made report unto the said Court, that for and in consideration of X7. 5s. of Currant New England pay to them in hand payed before sealing and delivering hereof by Cornet Robert Studson of Scittuate ; have bargained and sold alliened enfeofed and confeirmed and by these pr'sents doe bargaine sell allien enfeofe and confeirme from the said Generall Court and their successors unto him the said Robert Studson bee his heires and assignes forever; one p'rsell of upland be it more or lesse ; and is bounded towards the North to the 3 miles square graunted to Mr. Hatherly by Accord pond, towards the South to a white oake tree marked on the north syde with R. S. and from the tree to a heape of rockes by the brooke syde ; and soe on the west line from the tree through the land to the utmost extent of the purchase made of Cornet Robert Studson of Josias ; the Court taking notice hereof from theire agents, doe for the aforesaid sum acknowledgede themselves fully satisfied contented and payed ; and thereof and of every p'rte and p'rsell thereof doth exounerate acquitt and discharge the said Robert Studson his heires executors administrators and assignes forever, and doe allow rattify and confierme the aforesaid bargaine and sale of land from them and theire successors unto him the said Robert Studson bee his heires and assignes forever ; To the proper use and behoof of him the sd. Robert Stetson, bee his heires and assignes forever, To be holden according to the manor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and common soccage and not in Capite nor by Knights service by the rents and services thereof due and of right accustomed and warranting the sale and title hereof against and from all people whatsoever claiming from by or under us or by our right or title claiming any right title or interest of or in the pr'mise, or any p'te or p'rsell thereof in witness whereof we have hereunto sett the seale of the Government; Memorandum before sealing; that the land above mentioned is bounded towards the East to the land given Cornet Studson by the said Court.
Thos. Prence, Governor.
New Plymouth, the 10th of July 1669."-Col. Rec. __________
"Whereas I whose name is hereunto subscribed was by the Court held at Plimouth the fourth of July 1684 ordered to lay out a certain p'rsell of land formerly purchased of Josiah Chukatabutt the late Indian Sachem by Cornett Robert Studson for the use of the Colony of New Plimouth ; as by the deed thereof under the said Indians hand and scale dated April 13th 1668, more at large appeareth, and after purchase made thereof the court disposed of the said tract of land to the said Studson, William Brewster and divers other p'rsons as by the order of the said Court may appeare Have according to the above recited order with the helpe of severall other p'rsons Laid out the said tract of land according to the length and bredth ; and in such manner as by the said deed is specified and sett down, viz : beginning at the South East corner of a tract of land of 3 mile square formerly graunted unto Mr. Timothy Hatherly at Accord pond commonly called the shares and from the South east corner wee measured along by the uper bounds of Scittuate Township 3 miles Southward and on the brow of a hill neare a beaver dam made across Indian head River wee marked a white oake tree of about two foot over on four sides for the southeast corner bounds from which tree we sett and ran west nine degrees south and marked severall Trees in and by the range and on the East side of poor meadow brooke at the bank side wee marked a Clumpe of maple trees, from whence wee continued our line about 60 rodd farther and came to the extent of 2 mile from the said white oake tree and there on a plane on the west side of the said brooke sett up a stake marked and raised heap of stones about it; for the south west corner bounds of the said tract and from the said heape of stones we sett and ran north to the shares aforesaid marking severall trees in the range and att the said shares we marked a white oake tree of about a foot over, formerly marked for the range or south side line of the said shares and soe butted the said tract of land north ward upon the said shares.
Note that the needle or flye by which I ranged the land abovesaid varied from the true meredlan of the heavens just one point westward from the north of the land above said was laid out according as the flye did traverse without allowance for variation. In witness whereof I hereunto sett my hand the 16th day of May 1685.
Nathaniel Thomas."
In 1672, Oct. 29th, an order of Court. was issued to the town of Scituate to lay out certain lands in the westerly part of the town, and in accordance with this order a Committee was chosen, of which Robert Stetson was a member, who reported their do-ings to the Court at its session of the 4th of June 1673 ; and in that report I find set off to Cornet Stetson " 80 acres of land along by the side of the land bee had of the Countrey and adjoyning to it 555 rodd in length."
In 1656, "fifty acres of land were granted to Robert Studson, aded to twenty acres which bee hath bought which was James Davis his land for which the said Robert Studson shewed a deed in Court; the said 50 acres of land to lye to the seaward of Plymouth path towards the Indian head river In case it be found not to intrench on any former graunts ; and in case it shall be soe faund to doe then to have it in some other convenient place where he shall find it."
The above seventy acres, fifty of which were granted him, and twenty purchased ; with the eighty acres of common land set off to him; and the Indian tract, three miles long and two wide ; and the two hundred acres granted at Accord Pond ; constituted his possessions in the west part of the town, and in Hanover and Abington ; —an immense body of land, now very valuable, and covered partly with heavy timber, and embracing several dwelling houses and farms. At the homestead, near the North river, his possessions were also extensive.' The exact amount of land owned by him here, I have not been able fully to ascertain, but according to the statement of Mr. William Stetson, one of his descendants, who lives very near the old place, and upon a part of the Cornet's land, it extended "from the Block house on the river, below Union bridge, to the Smelt brook, adjoining the bounds between Scituate and Hanover, and from the river back to the road upon which Deacon Ebenezor Stetson, one of the Cornet's descendants, now lives." He also, it appears, owned land in what is now called the "Old Pond Country." Putting all these together, it appears that his landed Property was very extensive.
Cornet Robert Stetson died Feb. 1, 1702 - 3, aged 90. He was a man much respected and highly esteemed. "He lived long, and left a good name at last."
His will bears the date of Sept. 4, 1702, and a copy of the same is annexed, which was taken from the Probate Records some years since by Nathaniel Thomas, Register.
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