A Maine Family's History - Davis / McDowell

Stephenson

Stephenson, Stevenson, Stevens

John STEPHENSON / Stevensone born 1648

Spouse: Bessie ___ born 1649

Children: Elizabeth

Elizabeth / Bessie STEPHENSON born 1687 Makery Monechen Ireland, married 8/27/1706, died 3/13/1753 age 66 Lunenburg; daughter of John Stephenson born 1648 and Bessie Stevensone born 1649

Spouse: John WHITE born 3/17/1672 Glasglow Scotland, moved to Ireland 1723, settled in Lunenburg 1734, died 4/27/1739 age 68 Lunenburg Worcester Co. MA,

Children: Elizabeth; John married Molly Wallis 1747, removed to Petersborough NH circa 1760; Patrick born in ireland 1710 m Jane White 1741, "man of education & possessed some wealth", studied for priesthood, renounced the doctrine & fled the country; Mary married Wlm Grimes 1740

? STEPHENSON from Scotland

Spouse: Mary ? John named a ship for his mother

Children: John born 4/30/1690 married Rachel Tower

John STEPHENSON born 4/30/1690 Carnford ENG near Newcastle on Tyne; a ship's carpenter impressed into the British Navy; in 1711 off Cohasset MA deserted from the Lucitanus; died 4/9/1773 in 83d year, will dated 11/6/1770 was proved 5/7/1773

Spouse: Rachel TOWER married 6/22 or 29/1717 Boston; born Hingham MA 2/24/1696-7

Children: Jesse born 1/29/1721 married Content Cushing, member Committee of Inspection in 1774; John born 8/6/1718 married Martha Nichols; Obadiah born 10/22/1724 died 10/23/1750; Rueben born 10/2/1726 married at Boston 11/24/1757 Elizabeth Parrott; Luke born 6/17/1728 died 12/31/1750; Luther born 7/30/1730 married Lucy Beal born 4/16/1736; Lucitanus born 4/13/1732 died 7/22/179, soldier in French and Indian War, served in Revolutionary War; Solon born 9/14/1734, mariner, served in French & Indian War, married Susanna Beal born 1/27/1736-7, they moved to Belfast ME; Sarah born 6/16/1736 married 11/8/1756 Caleb Joy; Jerome baptized 6/25/1738 served in Revolutionary War & French & Indian War, married Mary Beal born 7/1740, moved to Belfast ME; Thomas born 1739, living in 1786
[MA Vital Records: Luke s of Jno & Rachel bp 7/28/1728 CRI; Reuben s. of Jno & Rachel bp 4/9/1727 CRI; Luther s. of Jno & Rachel bp 4/23/1732 CRI; Solon s. of John & Rachel bp 11/17/1734 CRI; Sarah d. of Jno & Cachel bp 12/5/1736 CRI; Jerom s. of Jno & Rachel bp 6/25/1738 CRI; Lyssitanus s. of Jno & Rachel bp 4/23/1732 CRI; Abehiah s. of John & Rachel bp 5/23/1725 CRI. Deaths: Luke s. John & Rachel 12/3/1750 a 22y 6m; Lucitanus 7/22/1791 in 59th yr. CRI.] The Story of John and Rachel

Jesse STEPHENSON born 1/29/1721 Cohasset Norfolk MA died before 1/4/1777 Cohasset

Spouse: Content CUSHING born 7/19/1722 Scituate intensions 12/4/1742 married 5/3/1743 Scituate Plymouth MA

Children: Elisha born 9/14/1753 died 2/1796 in 44th year, married 9/27/1778 in Hingham Lucy Beal died 2/10/1791 in 34th year; Ruth born 3/14/1744 bp 4/1/1744 CRI [listed as Stevens] died 4/12/1764 ; Elisha born 8/4/1747 died 12/25/1748 age 1y 5mo; Molly born 10/8/1748 died 12/1748; Molly born 1/11/1749-50 married 7/24/1770 Edward Amos; Hannah born 12/17/1755 died 1/7/1760; Luke born 5/6/1757 bp 5/23/1757 CRI Revolutionary War soldier see notes below; James born 6/16/1759 died 12/27/1759; Sarah born 11/20/1760 married 9/17/1781 Joseph Marble [dates from MA Vital Records]

Elisha STEPHENSON born 9/14/1753 Hingham Plymouth MA died 2/1796; Revolutionary Soldier Private & Sergeant, see below notes

Spouse: Lucy BEAL born 8/4/1757 married 9/27/1778 Hingham died 2/1791

Children: Jesse born 6/2/1784 baptized 6/18/1786 married Elizabeth Lilley, 1806-7 in Eastport ME; John; Margaret (Peggy) Loring baptized 6/18/1786 Cohasset taught school at Hingham MA and was among first school teachers in Wiscasset ME married Stearns about 1812; Rachel baptized 6/18/1786 Cohasset died Nov 1804-6 Hingham; Elisha born 1788 died Wiscasset Lincoln ME; all children born in Cohasset

Jesse STEPHENSON born 6/2/1784 Cohasset Norfolk MA (Eastport ME per marriage record in Eastport ME) baptized 6/18/1786 Cohasset; was at Eastport (Moose Island) ME by 1800, at Alexander before 1816 where he built the sawmill on Sixteenth Stream in that year; was a merchant while in Eastport; died Calais ME 7/21/1863 age 79 years 1 month 11 days

Spouse: (1) Elizabeth LILLEY/LILLY/LILEY born 5/22/1785 in or near St Stephen Charlotte NB died 10/29/1860 buried 10/31/1860 Alexander ME married 3/29/1807 Eastport ME by Oliver Shead Justice of Peace

Children: Margaret Loring born 12/3/1807 (Margrette L. per birth record Eastport ME); Caroline C. born 10/7/1809 Eastport died 11/1886 Crawford married Jedediah Dwelley 2/16/1834 at Crawford; Elisha born 7/5/1811 Eastport married Abigail Spencer Bonney daughter of William and Rhonda (Pike) Bonney 10/2/1850; Elizabeth born 8/1/1813 Eastport died 2/17/1857 married Francis Burns; Lucia born 5/31/1816 Eastport married Isaac Bickford Edgerly son of Richard and Abigail (Bickford) Edgerly, this was his third marriage; Hannah born 11/18/1818 Eastport died Fitchburg MA 6/6/1914 married Harlow H. Thompson ; Jesse Jr. born 5/18/1821 Eastport married at Alexander on 12/10/1845 Sabrina Knight born 4/18/1825 Calais Maine daughter of Hiram Knight born 9/2/1798 Calais and Jane Hester Duke born 3/22/1799 Annapolis Royal, NS married 5/27/1824; Rachel born 5/2/1823, the 1880 census lists her as age 57, single, and a housekeeper in John Sears household; Luke Wilton born 10/30/1825 married at Alexander on 6/29/1850 or 6/13 Elizabeth Harmon born circa 1829 at Machiasport daughter of Peter M. and Betsy (Woodruff) Hammond, on 9/24/1892 Luke married Martha widow of Levi Connick in St. Stephen NB; James Ripley born 5/6/1828 married Harriet L. ? (per A-CHS married Mary Caroline Hatfield daughter of Francis and Mary (Fraser) Hatfield); Harriet Lydia born 4/2/1830-3 married 11/1852 to James Philbrook Hammon brother of Elizabeth who married Luke

Margaret [Margrette] Loring STEPHENSON born 12/3/1807 Eastport ME died 11/3/1887 Alexander ME buried 11/5 Alexander Cemetery.

Spouse: Samuel Brackett LAMB born 1/6/1797 Windham Cumberland Co ME died 5/23/1857 age 60 Alexander married 1/3/1830 Alexander

Children: Irene Ingalls born 6/3/1830; Elisha William born 12/26/1831, mustered into US Service 1/15/1861, reduced to ranks, absent, sick, married Mary Ann Smith 1/5/1857; Hannah Elizabeth born 7/12/1833 died 10/9/1893 Alexander buried 10/11 Alexander Cemetery. married Charles Hazen Card; Margaret Lydia born 8/26/1835; Samuel Brackett born 3/3/1837; Elizabeth Stephenson born 3/31/1841; Lucy Edgerly 3/31/1841 Alexander buried Calais Cemetery. married Jacob S. Davis; Seavey Edgerly born 3/31/1841; Jesse R. born 1846 married Susan App marriage intensions filed 11/30/1870, in 1880 Census they lived with Haskell Smith family; all born Alexander ME

Elisha William born 12/26/1831,married Mary Ann Smith 1/5/1857

Letters from Margaret L. Stephenson Stearns to her Brother 1800 - 1810

The Story of John Stephenson and Rachel Towe

Per Alta Flyn: Calais Library - Nov 1824 Jesse Stephenson was one of the signers of a petition to name the town of Alexandria. Town inc. 1825 as Alexander. Census Roll 272, 8/28/1850, Alexander Washington Co ME dwelling 13 family 14. Jesse was 66 , occupation was "farmer & lumber" with $300 in real estate. Elizabeth was 65, Elisha 39, a laborer & he and Abigail lived with his parents. Census Roll 455, 6/23/1860 Alexander Washington Co ME page 29, dwelling 189, family 186. Jessie was 76, a farmer with $1,700 in real estate and $300 in personal property. Margaret was living with her father's family and was 52. Benjamin Droelley 36 a millman and Elisha Droelley 22 a common laborer lived in the home (is Droelley - Dwelley?)

1820 Census Plantation 16 [Alexander] Washington Co. ME: Jesse Stephenson. Free White males under 10 1; Free white males of 10 and under 16 0; Free white males of 16 and under 18 0; Free white males of 16 and under 26 1; Free white males of 26 and under 45 1; Free white males of 45 and upwards 0; Free white females under 10 3; Free white females of 10 and under 16 2; Free white females of 16 and under 26 0; Free white females of 26 and under 45 1; Free white females of 45 and upwards 0; Foreigners not naturalized 0; Persons engaged in agriculture 1; Persons engaged in commerce 0; Persons engaged in manufacturing 0.

1880 Census, Alexander, Washington ME: Elisha Stephenson, born 1812 ME, age 68, farmer, married, white, head of household, father born in MA, mother born in Canada; Abigal S., wife, white, age 50, born ME, keeping house, father & mother born ME; Ida A., daughter, single, age 27, born ME, keeping house, father & mother born ME; William E., son, single, age 20, born ME, laborer, father & mother born ME; Lilly M. Stephenson, niece, age 9, born Canada, father born ME mother born Canada.
1880 Census, Alexander, Washington ME: Jesse Stephenson, born 1821 ME, age 59, farmer, married, white, head of household, father born ME, mother born Canada; Sabrina, wife, white, age 55, born ME, keeping house, father born ME, mother born Canada; Elizabeth, daughter, single, age 31, born ME, works in cotton mill, father & mother born ME; John C. F., son, single, age 23, born ME, school teacher; Edgar O., son, single, age 21, born ME, laborer; Mary, daughter, single, age 18, born ME, works in cotton mill; Alice A., daughter, age 12, born ME; Amerias Stephenson, nephew, age 13, born Canada, father born ME, mother born Canada; Jesse F. Stephenson, nephew, age 3, born ME, father born ME, mother born Canada

Petition for Incorporation Town of Alexander 11/24/1824 (Plantation 16): Warren Gilman, Joel Scott, Ebenezer Gooch, Jeremiah Spearin, Ananiah Bohanon, William Connick, Miner Sprague, John G. Taylor, Samuel Dunn, Samuel Scribner, William Crockett, Joel Gooch, Samuel Connick, Jesse Stephenson, Peter Flood, Solomon Strout, Joseph Davis, John Moore, John Butler

Marriage and Birth Records in Eastport ME spell last name Stevenson.

Machias Union, 7/4/1884: Mr. Jesse Stephenson of Alexander, whose potatoes were up finally were frozen black, others met with similar losses. 4/2/1889: Fremont Stephenson is down in Meddybemps, teaching. He is inside of a school house most of the time and is quite a successful teacher.

Vital Records of Calais ME pg 466: Deaths - 1863 Jul 23, Jefse Stephenson, aged 80 yrs. Pg 179 - Child of Luke Stephenson d. Jan 8, 1862, aged 6. Pg 465 Deaths - Luke Wilton, child of Luke & Elizabeth A. Stephenson, died Jul 29, 1857.

Marriage Records of Washington Co. pg 51:Alexander Elisha Stephenson [no town] & Abigail Bonney [no town] m 1 Oct 1849 by William Spring. Luke Stephenson [no town] & Elizabeth Harmon [no town] m. 20 June 1850 by William Spring JP.

Machias Union 10/12/1869 re Saxby Gale Alexander: "Our correspondent says, S. Strout, Jr. barn down and hog killed; C.M. Huff new barn unroofed; J. Godfrey barn roof off and colt injured; Jas. Perkins barn down; Mrs. Little's barn badly damaged; Isaac Crafts one barn roof off; Thos. Carter and James Fenlason each a barn down; E. Perkins shed and "L" down, house much injured; T. Palmer barn down, house injured; Reuben Keen and Jon. Taylor each house down; E. Stephenson shed and "L" down, barn shattered. The storm here was terrifying. A man's barn down and no means to repair, his only horse killed and no means to buy, all his cows dead and it is out of his power to replace them or even one! All I can say is 'May God help such.'"

MA Soldiers & Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Vol 14, page 912: Stephens, Elisha, Cohasset. Private, Capt. Job Cushing's co., Col. J. Greaton's regt.; muster roll dated 8/1/1775; enlisted 6/1/1775; service, 2 mos. 5 days. [See Elisha Stephenson.] Page 925: Stephenson, Elisha, Cohasset (probably). Private, Capt. Job Cushing's co., 36th regt.; company return dated Camp at Fort No. 2, Oct. 5, 1775; enlisted June 1, 1775 [see Elisha Stephens]; also, Capt. Cushing's co., Col. John Greaton's regt.; order for money in lieu of bounty coat dated Cambridge Camp, 12/18/1775; also, Sergeant, Capt. Peter Cushing's co., Col. Solomon Lovel's regt.; service, 4 days; company raised in Hingham and Cohasset and assembled at Hull 12/14/1776; also, Private, Capt. Obadiah Beal's (Cohasset) co., Col. Lovel's regt.; service, 2 days; company assembled at Hull 6/14/1776. Page 918: Stephens, Luke, Cohasset. Private, Capt. Job Cushing's co., Col. J. Greaton's regt.; muster roll dated 8/1/1775; enlisted 6/16/1775; service, 2 mos. 21 days; also, descriptive list of men raised to reinforce the Continental Army for the term of 6 months, agreeable to resolve of 6/5/1780, returned as received of Justin Ely, Commissioner, by Brig. Gen. John Glover, at Springfield, July 19, 1780; age, 23 yrs.; stature, 5 ft. 9 in.; complexion, ruddy; engaged for town of Cohasset; marched to camp 7/19/1780, under command of Capt. Clark; also, list of men raised for the 6 months service and returned by Brig. Gen. Paterson as having passed muster in a return dated Camp Totoway, 10/25/1780. [See Luke Stephenson.] Page 926: Stephenson, Luke, Cohasset (probably). Private, Capt. Job Cushing's co., 36th regt.; company return dated Fort No. 2, 10/5/1775; enlisted 5/16/1775; also, Capt. Cushing's co., Col. John Greaton's regt.; order for money in lieu of bounty coat dated Cambridge Camp, 12/18/1775; also, Private, Capt. Obadiah Beals's (Cohasset) co., Col. Solomon Lovel's regt.; service, 2 days; company assembled at Hull 6/14/1776; also, Capt. Theophilus Winder's co., Col. Benjamin Gill's regt.; enlisted 8/24/1777; discharged 11/29/1777; service, 3 mos. 19 days, in Northern department, including 13 days (252 miles) travel home; also, pay roll for 6 months men raised by the town of Cohasset for service in the Continental Army during 1780; marched 7/13/1780; discharged 1/7/1781; service, 6 mos. 6 days, including travel (250 miles) home. [See Luke Stephens.] Page 925: Stephenson, Jerome. Private, Capt. Obadiah Beals's (Cohasset) co., Col. Solomon Lovel's regt.; service, 2 days; company assembled at Hull 6/14/1776. Page 926: Stephenson, Lusitanus. Privte, Capt. Obadiah Beals's (Cohasset) co., Col. Solomon Lovel's regt.; service, 2 days; company assembled at Hull 6/14/1776; also, Capt. Thomas Nash's co., Col. David Cushing's regt.; service, 3 days, in 8/1777 at Hull.

"Vital Records of Scituate, Massachusetts to the Year 1850," Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1909, page 1-116: "Cushing, Content, d. James and Mary, July 19, 1722." - - - page 2-90: "Cushing, Content and Jesse Stephens of Hingham, int. Dec. 4, 1742. (Stephenson, May 3, 1743, C.R.2) (C.R.2 = church record, Second Church of Scituate, now the First Unitarian Church of Norwell)

A-CHS Feb. 08. Value of Jesse Stephenson's farmland $1,700; Elisha Stephenson $600.

Tower Genealogical Society: THE STORY OF JOHN STEPHENSON AND RACHEL TOWER AS RELATED BY GENERAL LUTHER STEPHENSON Sometime in the year 1711 the British war vessel Lucitanus was anchored off the Cohasset shore She was bound for New York but the science of navigation was not as well understood in those days when she first sighted the shores of this town as in later times so she remained here through the day and night while her water casks were being refilled in preparation for a voyage of unknown length About midnight a young sailor stealthily lowered himself into the water and notwithstanding the distance and the tide succeeded in reaching the rocks along the shore There he remained during the night listening for any sound which would indicate that his flight had been discovered and that he was being pursued but when daylight appeared he heard with satisfaction the noise of the windlass as the anchor was raised the sails unfurled and the vessel sent out upon the ocean He watched her until she disappeared beyond the horizon and then the thoughts came rushing through his mind like a torrent that by his rash act he had severed all connection with his country his home mother sister and brothers that he was a deserter from the British navy and that if captured he must pay the penalty for his act at the yard arm He realized that he was alone in a strange country without relatives or friends upon whom he could call for aid and sympathy These thoughts brought a feeling of utter loneliness almost of despair but he was young vigorous in borly and mind and when reason returned to him he realized that he must accept the conditions that confronted him and by energy and activity make his life in the new land Hunger pressed upon him and he started for the village to obtain food and find temporary employment after which he intended to proceed to Boston when he suddenly came upon a group of girls who had come out with the sunrise to witness the departure of the vessel He ventured to speak to them and inquired whether they could direct him to some house where he could get something to eat and secure lodging for a few days Some of these girls were quite ready to talk with him and gave him the information he desired curious to know who he was and whence he came but one of them stood aloof taking no part in the conversation Yet when he turned to leave them she gave him a look of kindness and sympathy which touched his heart that glance settled his future life and destiny Following their directions he wended his way toward the village and soon met an old citizen of the town of whom he made further inquiries and also asked the name of that pretty girl one of the group standing on the rocks whom he had just passed Well they are all pretty good looking said the old man but which one do you mean The tallest one the one who is now standing alone Oh that is Rachel Tower was the reply That girl is going to be my wife said the young fellow Well I must say again answered the old man you have plenty of assurance to make that boast You are evidently absent without leave from the war vessel without a home and seeking charity Let me tell you that whoever gets Rachel Tower for a wife must be a true man in every respect and able to furnish her such a home as she has now I will make myself that man and 1 will earn a home for her was the final reply The young sailor save up his thoughts of going to Boston and decided to remain in Cohasset and work and strive for Rachel Tower He was a skilled ship's carpenter and soon founrl employment at his trade Day and night he labored to obtain the prize he sought gradually gaining the confidence and respect of every one by his manliness and courteous bearing We read in Holy Writ Jacob served seven years for Rachel but when John Stephenson at the end of five years was able to provide a comfortable home and support for Rachel Tower he told her of his love which she had long known and was made happy by the frank avowal that his affection was returned Together they walked hand in hand down the hillside of life happy in their mutual love and confidence true and faithful to the duties that devolved upon them his industry and her wifely devotion and care bringing comfort and happiness into their home Many children were born to them sturdy boys and gentle girls Some of them passed away before the lives of their parents were ended but these sorrows only strengthened the ties of mutual dependence and affection between John and Rachel John became prosperous in business and built a number of vessels One of them a fine barque of which he was part owner he named the Mary after his mother He had the confidence of the people of the town and took prominent part in the building of the meeting house which stands close by The military spirit and the love of liberty which was in the blood that coursed through his veins and Rachel's loyalty and devotion to duty descended to their children and their children's children Three of their sons served in the French and Indian war four of their grandsons in the war of the Revolution while a number of their descendants served on sea and land in the war of 1812 After Sumpter was fired upon the Lincoln Light Infantry of Hlng ham named after Gen Benjamin Lincoln of Revolutionary fame received a sudden call from Gov Andrews to report at once in Boston Six hours afterwards this company which included in its ranks three decendants of John and Rachel joined its regiment the 4th Mass Militia at the state house in Boston and in a few minutes the regiment was marching to the music of the Union for the South the first to leave our own state the first Union regiment to land on Virginia soil and the first volunteer organization that was mustered into the service of the I nited States in the Civil War It so happened that the Lincoln Light Infantry was the first company of the regiment to be mustered and at the head of the muster roll was the name of the great great great grandson of Kachel Tower the first soldier who took the oath to defend the Union and the Constitution at the commencement of the War of the Rebellion Two more of her descendants living in Hingham enlisted in another regiment later In the war The secret of John Stephenson's life his antecedents previous to his appearance in Cohasset were never known to the people of that town or even to his children although Rachel probably knew his history because when they died Massachusetts was still a British colony In a strange manner these facts came to my knowledge For a number of years I was a lecturer on three of the great battles of the Civil War Antietam Fredericksbnrg and Gettysburg and in the early months of 1883 I had engagements for forty lectures in the states of New York and Michigan I was riding on the train on the 13th of March from the central part of Michigan to the town of Bangor in the southern part and had on thp seat beside me my valise on which was pasted a printed slip giving my name and address I had been riding between two and Ihree hours when someone on the seat behind touched me on the shoulder and turning around I saw a gentleman who said very courteously Please excuse me Sir but I saw that name on your valise and T always make It a point to speak to everyone of that name whom I meet for my name Is also Stephenson We entered at once Into a very pleasant and to me a very important conversation I asked him a number of questions regarding himself and his ancestry and he related to me a part of his history His father with his family had migrated from England to Canada about twenty five years before He was a clergyman energetic and self willed but earnestly devoted to his profession He had been in charge of a parish some seven years when he was taken very ill but had nearly recovered when he was called to minister at the death bed of one of his parishioners and despite the protests of his family he decided that his duty called him to obey the summons He rode a long distance on horseback was obliged to ford a stream getting very wet and on his return to his home had a relapse and lived but a short time leaving his widow with seven children to rear and support Believing that she could do better in the States than in Canada she moved to Ohio where she raised and educated her children three of whom including my informant entered the ministry After he had finished his story he asked me to tell of my own life and ancestors I told him that I could not go back farther than one John Stephenson who deserted from a British war vessel and settled in Cohasset Massachusetts then a part of the town of Hingbam where I resided Where he came from I said and what his previous history was none of his descendants ever knew My acquaintance replied I can tell you all about him For many years he continued I have inquired of every one bearing our name whom I have met about this man and you are the first one who could give the slightest information regarding him whose story has come down in the traditions of my family John Stephenson's father came from Scotland across the mountains

After he had finished his story he asked me to tell of my own life and ancestors I told him that I could not go back farther than one John Stephenson who deserted from a British war vessel and settled in Cohasset Massachusetts then a part of the town of Hingbam where I resided Where he came from I said and what his previous history was none of his descendants ever knew My acquaintance replied I can tell you all about him For many years he continued I have inquired of every one bearing our name whom I have met about this man and you are the first one who could give the slightest information regarding him whose story has come down in the traditions of my family John Stephenson's father came from Scotland across the mountains and settled in Carnford England which is near Newcastle on Tyne There he married and lived for the remainder of his life John learned his father's trade of ship's carpenter and while at his work at Newcastle was impressed into the British navy and dragged away without even being permitted to visit his home and say goodbye to his parents his brothers and his sister When the Lucitanus returned from her voyage to America it was reported that he had either fallen overboard and been drowned or that he was a deserter But one of his shipmates said that John had applied for employment as a ship's carpenter and not as a common sailor and that having been refused having incurred thp ill will of one of the officers he had determined to desert He was a man of more than average ability industrious honest respected and loved by all who knew him He was well educated for those times a student especially of such scientific works as could be found in those days A story which came down for nearly two centuries in the family traditions credited him with being the first man to apply the solar system to navigation As the story was told he had made two voyages to America as ship's carpenter before his impressment into the British navy and on one of these he heard the mate of the vessel ask the captain when he expected to reach land The captain replied in about two weeks John spoke up and said My calculations show that we shall sight land within forty eight hours The captain angry at the interruption and at John's impudence as he deemed it ordered him to be put in irons but before two days had elapsed land was sighted and the crew compelled the captain to release him And thus 1 obtained my first information of my ancestor's early life Last year at the time of the Tower Reunion I came to this town and went to the old cemetery to search for the graves of my ancestors and as I stood on the hill looking out upon the ocean in dreams and in imagination 1 went back many years into the past I saw the stately war vessel at anchor beyond the rocks and in the bright moonlight the young sailor sliding down the side of the vessel struggling against the distance and the tide for freedom from oppression and abuse I lay beside him as wet and chilled he listened earnestly for the splashing of oars or or other sounds which might indicate that his flight was discovered I heard the creaking of the windlass as the anchor was raised the sails unfurled and the vessel moved out upon the ocean I shared with him his utter loneliness and despair when he realized that he could never see home and kindred again I had a vision of the beautiful girl standing upon the rocks and felt the power of that look of kindness and sympathy which changed and directed his life 1 saw him toiling through the long days and into the nights his heart and energies fixed upon securing the prize he sought I listened as he told his love and heard her earnest loving acceptance I went into their home the abode of happiness and contentment lighted by her love and devotion to her husband and children I went into yonder meetinghouse which he helped to build and saw Rachel leading her children into the sanctuary that they might learn holy things and the better truer duties of life I thought of her meeting the suffering trials and sorrows of motherhood the holiest thing that lives It is the glory of womanhood that she has the power to meet bravely the pain the trials and the sorrows of life lighting up the dark places with her love and loyalty Rich as the gold veins glittering bright Pure as the dewdrops in morning light Sweet as the honey from flower and bee Deep as the depths of the boundless sea Holy as the heaven rays shining above Bright with vernal beauty is woman's love Just two hundred years have passed away since she flashed the glance of kindness sympathy and sweetness that directed his destiny and mine and today I her great great great grandson pay this tribute of reverence and respect for woman and the memory of Rachel Tower Members of this society will be proud of the fact that among their number is General Luther Stephenson Member No 264 the John Tower Descendant mentioned above as the first soldier who took the oath of allegiance to the Union at the opening of the Civil War During the war General Stephenson was revetted for gallantry on the field.