History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

168 History of Swansea
in 1827, it is still used as an asylum for the towns poor. He married Laurana,
daughter of Simeon and Hannah (Thomas) Mason born 1754 Dec. 10
died 1825 Dec. 1.
They had seven children, all of whom left town in early life except
Levi, who built the house now owned by Wm. F. Holden's heirs. John
Hale and wife Lurana are both buried in the cemetery on the Hale farm.
(V) Daniel Hale, (1758-30) was the most distinguished of the Swansea
Hales, at nineteen he served with the revolutionary forces in Capt. Peleg
Sherman's Co., also with Capt. Peleg Peck's Co. He was commissioned
Lieut. 1790, and a year later Capt. of a Co. 1st. regt. 2nd. Brigade 5th
division of Massachusetts Militia. He served about seven years in both
capacities.
In 1806, he was elected to the General Court serving fourteen terms.
In 1820 he was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
He was one of the local leaders of the Republican, or JefFersonian party,
which later became the Democratic party. All his sons (with a single
exception) were Democrats, as were most of his sons-in-law and grandsons,
and many of his descendants to the present time.
A justice of the peace many years, he married several of his children
besides settling estates, and serving as guardian in several instances.
His papers are still in his desk, among them packages of receipts that
had probably never been opened since tied by his hand, until examined by
the writer nearly sixty yeeirs later.
He served as clerk of the First Christian Church many years. He was
once censured by the church for negb'gence in faihng to record some record;
this vote is recorded in his handwriting, but notwithstanding this action he
was continued in the office.
He learned a shoemakers trade but was engaged in farming during all
his life. He inherited the buildings and about one third of the farm by his
father's will, and purchased his brother's rights in the remainder.
Late in life he met with business reverses through investment in the
Westport Mfg. Co. and deeded his farm to his son Daniel who had rendered
him pecuniary aid. The first time the whole of the farm had ever been
deeded.
He married Cynthia daughter of William and Phoebe (Luther)
Buffington born 1761 July 28 died 1822 Oct. 14.
Daniel Hale who had suffered much from rheumatism and dropsy during
the later years of his life died suddenly Sunday morning Sept. 5th 1830,
while lying on a lounge. Both he and his wife are buried in the cemetery
on the Hale farm. Their children were as follows:
Married Died
1. Mason 1781 Feb. 4 Mary Mason 1806 June 12 1845 June 21
2. Pheobe 1783 Aug. 26 John Monroe 1809 Jan. 1 1834 Nov. 12
3. William 1785 Nov. 18 Clarissa Bowen 1820 Aug. 13 1856 Jan. 17
4. Slade 1788 Sept, 4 Mary Brown 1811 Feb. 3 1811 June 29
5. Cynthia 1791 Apr. 23 Spencer Rounds 1812 Mar. 16 1841 Mar.
6. Daniel 1791 Apr. 30
7. Daniel 1794 June 16 Sarah Mason 1817 Sept. 14 1867 Feb. 5
8. Nancy 1796 Nov. 26 Samuel Walker 1816 Dec. 19 1821 Jan. 25
1800 Sept. 28
9. Jonathan Buffington Rosanna West 1830 Mar. 14 1858 Nov. 4
10. Luther Baker 1803 Apr. 25 1828 July 20
11. Betsey 1806 Sept. 4 Asa Peck 1826 Feb. 26 1890 Sept. 2
(VI) Mason Hale (1781-45) was a shoemaker, and lived on a httle
place of nine acres near the homestead now owned by Daniel Maher. He