David Jewett (1743 - aft. 1783)

Born 6 Nov 1743 in Boxford, Essex, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Ancestors

Husband of Phebe (Thurston) Spofford — married 31 Oct 1771 in Rowley, Essex, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died after 30 Jan 1783 after age 39 in Candia, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States of America

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Biography

He graduated from Harvard College in 1769, was ordained Sept. 1, 1771, and settled over the Congregational Church of Candia, N. H., in 1771. The hard times of the Revolution coming on and the town small, they could not pay his salary, and he was dismissed about 1780. Jan. 2, 1782, he settled in Winthrop, Me., and became the first pastor of the Congregational Church of that town. " Oct. 17, 1781, Rev. David Jewett, who had been pastor of a church in Candia, N. H., was invited to become their pastor (Winthrop). The 19th of November he signified his acceptance of their proposals. The same day the church and the pastor elect agreed to send to the following pastors and churches viz—Rev. Mess. Upham of

Chadwick of Scarboro ; Webster of Arundell (now Biddeford) ; Eaton

of Harpswell; Whitney of New Castle, and Moore of Pownalborough to compose the installing council. Jan. 2, 1782, the installation took place, but who of them attended and performed on the occasion is not known. The result of the Council is lost. In about 14 months after the installation their pastor was removed by sudden death. During the following 17 years they remained destitute of a pastor." (Hist, of Winthrop-Thurston.)

"Oct. 17, 1781, the town voted as an encouragement to Rev. David Jewett to settle with us to give him the grant of a 260 acre lot and £60 lawful money the first year and the said salary to increase yearly as our interest increases until it arrives to £80 the same to be estimated at Rye at 5s per bushel ; indian corn at 4s and beef at 3d per pound ; what money he shall receive towards his salary shall be in proportion to the aforesaid articles as herein stated. And to prevent all misunderstanding of this vote it is the true intent and meaning of the same that if said articles fall, the salary shall fall in proportion, but that his salary shall be paid in proportion to the above said articles not exceeding the within price. The town voted to raise and pay Mr. Jewett £12 lawful money, probably for his services prior to this settlement."

His answer to the call of the church and people of Winthrop follows:

" And now Gentlemen of the town of Winthrop respecting your grant for the support of a public Teacher, you have done honorably and well: and have even exceeded my most sanguine desire. I therefore most cheerfully donate and refund one-twentieth of my salary during my ministry among you for the support of a school and to be distributed at the discretion of the selectmen of the town : only shall expect to be absent two Sabbaths in a year for the purpose of visiting my friends at a distance; should I occasionally be absent longer than that term shall expect to refund it out of my yearly salary, sickness only excepted. Wishing you the blessings of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the consolation of the Holy Spirit I am your affectionate and most humble servant

" David Jewett

" Dated at Winthrop, Me., Nov. 16, 1781."

Sources

• Jewett, Frederic Clarke, History and Genealogy of the Jewetts of America, Volume I, The Grafton Press, New York, 1908. Pgs. 62-3. 122-4.
• Blodgette, George Brainard, Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts Revised, Edited and Published by Jewett, Amos Everett. Newcomb & Gauss Co., Printers, Salem, Massachusetts, USA, 1933. Reprinted by the New England History Press, Somersworth, New Hampshire. 1981. Pgs. 175-6
• Thurston, Brown, Thurston Genealogies, 1635-1892, Second Edition, published by Brown Thurston, Portland, Maine, 1892, Pgs. 21-2.
• Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, database, FamilySearch (5 January 2021), David Jewett, 1743.
• Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, database with images, FamilySearch (19 April 2021), David Jewett and Phebe Thurston, 31 Oct 1771; citing Marriage, Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007009573.