EARLY SETTLERS
Before or at incorporation
DEACON JOHN ANDREWS - born abt. 1686, might have been the son of Henry & Mary (Deane) Andrews who were married Feb. 17, 1685-6; possible grandson of Henry Andrews, one of the first settlers of Taunton. He lived near No. 3 Schoolhouse. For several years, he was a deacon of the Congregational church. He married Hannah ---, and had 5 children. He died Jan. 28, 1763, in his seventy-seventh year.
JOHN AUSTIN - son of Jonah Austin, Jr., of Taunton; born 1 July, 1671. He lived in the east part of town near the sawmill above Capt. T. Copeland. His wife was Sarah --- by whom he had 3 or more children. Death date unknown.
SAMUEL BAYLEY - lived at the east part of Mansfield. He married, Aug. 28, 1711, Elizabeth Caswell, and had 8 or 9 children. He died previous to March 5, 1754.
THOMAS BRAMAN, Sen. - might have been the son of Thomas, who, with his wife, were at Taunton, June 1653; but ancestry uncertain. Married Hannah Fisher, Jan. 20, 1685-6; and had 9 or 10 children. He died June 7, 1709. His widow died Sept. 18, 1714.
THOMAS BRAMAN, Jun. - may have been son of Thomas sen., born about 1686; but his name is not recorded with the other children of Thomas, sen. He was dead previous to May 1, 1725.
DANIEL BRAMAN - son of Thomas, sen, and Hannah (Fisher) Braman; born Oct. 11, 1688. Lived at the place where his father settled. He married, Nov. 25, 1714, Rachel Cambell (probably first couple married by Rev. Mr. Avery), and had 6 children. He died between May 22-28, 1753. His wife may have died in 1756 as her will was probated Nov. 29 of that year.
DEACON JOHN BRIGGS - the son of Richard and Rebecca (Haskins) Briggs, of Taunton, was born Feb. 26, 1669-70. Presumed to have lived near the center, as he used to sweep the meeting-house, and was several times chosen "Clark of ye Market". May have been the first town clerk of Norton. Sometimes called John Briggs the eldest, and sometimes grand senior. Married (probably 2nd wife) Mary Burt, May 29, 1727. One of the original members of the church and for several years, deacon of the same.
JOSEPH BRIGGS - (brother of Deacon John), born 15th June, 1674. Settled near Laban Lincoln. Married 2nd? wife, Oct. 20, 1718, Mehitable Hall and had 3 children. He died previous to Dec. 18, 1751.
RICHARD BRIGGS, brother of Deacon John and Joseph; born 12 January 1679. His house was also the Dr. Bates House and stands directly in front of the Trinitarian meeting-house. His wife was Mercy, married about 1706 or 8; they had 4 sons. He died about the 1st of Jan. 1733**; his will was proved Jan. 10, 1732-3. **Richard & Mercy Briggs are buried in the Centre Burying ground. It is believed the dates on the gravestones are erroneous. (He, Oct. 1741 & she, Sept. 1749).
SAMUEL BRIGGS - lived at the same place owned by Benjamin Sweet. Ancestry unknown. He married on July 27, 1692 to Mary Hall, and had several children. He died about 1705, and his widow married Benjamin Caswell.
CAPT. SAMUEL BRINTNELL - son of Thomas & Esther Brintnell (1st lettlers of what is now Mansfield), born Dec. 2? 1665. Lived at his father's homestead and led a very influential life in early town history. Married 1st to Margaret Carpenter; 2nd bef. 1701 Esther, who died Dec. 20 1730; 3rd Mrs. Elizabeth Blake of Wrentham. He died between Nov. 19, 1734 (will date) and Jan. 14, 1735-6 (will probated). In his will, he names six children.
SAMUEL BRINTNELL, Jun. - son of Samuel, born abt. 1690. First wife was Hannah ---, who died March20, 1712-13. 2nd wife Lydia Briggs, married on Dec. 22, 1726. They had 3 children and his wife Lydia was administratrix of estate, Dec. 16, 1740.
SYLVANUS CAMBELL - settled in the house between Mr. Freeman and Mr. Benjamin C. Wetherell's. Unknown ancestry. Wife's name was Mary ..., and he had fourteen children. Will probated Sept. 1, 1718.
JOHN CASWELL, Sen. - son of Thomas Caswell of Taunton, born July 1, 1656. Settled in area now called Mansfield. Believed to be same who married Elizabeth Hall, Nov. 26, 1690 amd had 6 children.
JOHN CASWELL, Jr. - son of John, born July 19, 1690. Settled in easterly part of Mansfield. A lieutenant in Capt Breton expedition in 1744-5. Married Hannah--- before 1713 and had 10 children. He died 18th December, 1773. She died 6th July 1769, in her 81st year. A letter from her to him while in the king's service is in the Genealogical Register vol. iv. p. 27.
BENJAMIN CASWELL - probably son of Thomas and grandson of Thomas, sen. of Taunton. Born Nov. 16, 1675. Married March 17, 1706-7 to Mary, widow of Samuel Briggs, and had 5 children by her. Death date unknown.
JAMES CASWELL - possibly brother of Benjamin, who was born May 17, 1681. No other information available.
JOHN COBB - may have been son of John and Jane (Woodward) Cobb of Taunton. Born March 31, 1678. Wife's name was Susannah. Town records for births of his children were lost. His son John was appointed administrator of his estate, Sept. 15, 1724.
WILLIAM COBB - perhaps a brother of John. Wife was Mary Newland, married Feb. 11, 1694-5. She may have been daughter of Jeremiah/Kathleen Newland of Taunton; for Jan. 10, 1700-1, John Wetherell, William Wetherell, Jeremiah Newland, William Cobb, John Newland, Benjamin Newland, Anthony Newland, and Nicholas Smith, enter into an agreement re: property of said Jeremiah and Katherine, whom they call their father and mother. No account of any children.
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