Genealogy of Patty Rose
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| Notes for Rev. Josiah STEARNS | ||||||||||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - son of John STEARNS and Esther JOHNSON - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rev. Josiah Stearns, b. Jan. 20, 1731. Josiah grad. from Harv. Coll., 1751; was ord. Mar. 8, 1758, first pastor of the ch. in Epping, N. H., which pastorate he held till he d. Feb. 24, 1786. He m. (2d), Sarah Ruggles. He was a devoted student of the Bible, very patriotic, a bold and firm advocate of the Rev. War, sacrificing most of his worldly interests, some of his sons being in the field almost the entire war. He was a mem. of the first "Provincial Congress," in which he regarded himself as fully committed to the risk of his personal safety. On returning home he informed his chil. of the stand he had taken and said: "If the cause shall prevail, it will be [ref 69:72] a great benefit to the country; but if it shall fail, your poor old father's head will soon be a button for a halter." He was tall in person and an interesting speaker. Says Dr. Bond: "He held the untiring attention of his audience which not infrequently filled the seats and aisles of his meeting-house; while in pleasant weather a number stood abroad, around the doors and windows." He entered coll. at the age of 15 yrs., grad. at 19, and began preaching at 21; but not wishing to assume the responsibilities of a parish while so young, he taught school for a time, continuing his studies meantime, and was settled over the ch. at Epping when 26 yrs. of age. "He was a close and thorough student. He studied the Scriptures in their original languages with unremitting diligence. So intimate was his knowledge of them that he could readily cite the chapter and verse where almost any text was to be found. The late Dr. Thayer, of Kingston, mentioning this fact, added, 'The Bible especially was his library.' ... He was eminently a man of prayer. The place of his retirement witnessed the fervent outpourings of his soul, frequently for two hours at a time." [ref 69:73] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Josiah Stearn birth 20 Jan 1731-2 Billerica Middlesex /s John and Esther [ref 76] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Josiah Sterns married Sarah Abbott Dec 04, 1755 in Andover, Essex Co., MA [ref 23:0496897] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||||||||
| Notes for Sarah ABBOTT | ||||||||||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sarah5 Abbott, b. Dec. 7, 1726; d. Nov. 5, 1766; m. Dec. 4, 1755, Rev. Josiah Stearns. Children: Sarah, Betsey, Dudley, John, Josiah, Esther. [ref 69:72] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||||||||
| Last Modified 16 Feb 2004 | Created 4 Jan 2005 |