JohnsonFamily2/19/24 - Person Sheet
JohnsonFamily2/19/24 - Person Sheet
Spouses
Family ID360
Birthabt 1640, Salem, MA
Death16 Oct 1705, Bridgewater, MA138
FatherDeacon Samuel Edson (1613-1692)
MotherSusanna Orcutt (~1617-1699)
Family ID56
Marriageabt 3 May 1668, Bridgewater, MA
ChildrenJames (1669-1739)
Notes for Rev. James Keith
Rev. James and Susanna Edson Keith were the parents of nine children born between 1669 and 1687. The first was named James II.
James Keith arrived in Boston about 1681 when he was about 18 years old. Born in Scotland, he had completed divinity studies at Marshall College, founded by the Keiths of Scotland in 1593, Aberdeen University. A visitor to the University library today can see the record, maintained in Latin, for the enrollment of Jacobus Keith. His parentage, however, has never been determined.
Bridgewater was the first inland town established by the Puritans upon land purchased from Chief Massasoit by Myles Standish, Goodman Alden, Samuel Nash and others.
Samuel Edson, one of the early settlers to Salem, moved to Bridgewater in 1651 where he built two sawmills and later a grist mill. He was born in Fillongly, Warwickshire, England and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Copson Edson. Considering the role of both religion and manufacturing, Deacon Samuel Edson and his son-in-law, Rev. James Keith, were probably the town leaders.
About 1662 the town build a house for their minister and reserved a full share of 12 acres of the original platting for him. In 1664, after studying with Rev. Increase Mather in Boston, Rev. Keith was installed by Mather as the towns first minister. Standing on pulpit rock, near Edson's mill stream, Rev. Keith preached his first sermon on the text “Behold I cannot speak for I am a child," (Jerrmiah 1:16). Temperance became a favorite subject for his sermons, and he was a strong disciplinarian. His daughter was once charged with giving a drink of cider to an Indian and she was brought before the congregation and her father charged her with having “debauched an Indian". Later Mary eloped with Ephriam Howard, who was not acceptable as a son-in-law to Rev. Keith, so the text of his next sermon was "Ephriam is joined to his idols. Let him alone" (Hosea 4:17). After a reconciliation with the Howard's, Rev. Keith's text was "Is Ephriam my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still", Jeremiah 31:20. Rev. Keith could be merciful and just and was liberal in his treatment of Indians. After the capture of the wife and son of King Philip he interceded with the political authorities and their lives were spared.
The home of Rev. James and Susanna Keith was built with the product of her father's sawmills. It was a two-story “salt box” with a large central chimney to service the fireplace in each room. The windows were casement style with diamond shaped bulls-eye glazing. The restored home is now a museum maintained by the Bridgewater Historical Society and is the oldest parsonage in America.
The graves of Rev. Keith, his wife Susanna, (eldest daughter of Deacon Edson), and those of Samuel and Susanna Edson are located in The South Street Cemetery of West Bridgewater.88
James Keith arrived in Boston about 1681 when he was about 18 years old. Born in Scotland, he had completed divinity studies at Marshall College, founded by the Keiths of Scotland in 1593, Aberdeen University. A visitor to the University library today can see the record, maintained in Latin, for the enrollment of Jacobus Keith. His parentage, however, has never been determined.
Bridgewater was the first inland town established by the Puritans upon land purchased from Chief Massasoit by Myles Standish, Goodman Alden, Samuel Nash and others.
Samuel Edson, one of the early settlers to Salem, moved to Bridgewater in 1651 where he built two sawmills and later a grist mill. He was born in Fillongly, Warwickshire, England and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Copson Edson. Considering the role of both religion and manufacturing, Deacon Samuel Edson and his son-in-law, Rev. James Keith, were probably the town leaders.
About 1662 the town build a house for their minister and reserved a full share of 12 acres of the original platting for him. In 1664, after studying with Rev. Increase Mather in Boston, Rev. Keith was installed by Mather as the towns first minister. Standing on pulpit rock, near Edson's mill stream, Rev. Keith preached his first sermon on the text “Behold I cannot speak for I am a child," (Jerrmiah 1:16). Temperance became a favorite subject for his sermons, and he was a strong disciplinarian. His daughter was once charged with giving a drink of cider to an Indian and she was brought before the congregation and her father charged her with having “debauched an Indian". Later Mary eloped with Ephriam Howard, who was not acceptable as a son-in-law to Rev. Keith, so the text of his next sermon was "Ephriam is joined to his idols. Let him alone" (Hosea 4:17). After a reconciliation with the Howard's, Rev. Keith's text was "Is Ephriam my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still", Jeremiah 31:20. Rev. Keith could be merciful and just and was liberal in his treatment of Indians. After the capture of the wife and son of King Philip he interceded with the political authorities and their lives were spared.
The home of Rev. James and Susanna Keith was built with the product of her father's sawmills. It was a two-story “salt box” with a large central chimney to service the fireplace in each room. The windows were casement style with diamond shaped bulls-eye glazing. The restored home is now a museum maintained by the Bridgewater Historical Society and is the oldest parsonage in America.
The graves of Rev. Keith, his wife Susanna, (eldest daughter of Deacon Edson), and those of Samuel and Susanna Edson are located in The South Street Cemetery of West Bridgewater.88