Joseph Parsons

     Joseph married Mary Bliss, daughter of Thomas Bliss and Margaret Hulins, on 26 November 1646 in Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹ Joseph & Mary had children: Joseph [11/01/1647-11/__/1729][m. 3/17/1669 Elizabeth Strong], Benjamin [1/22/1649-1/22/1649], John [8/14/1650-4/15/1728][m. 12/03/1675 Sarah Clark], Samuel [1/23/1652-11/12/1734][m. 1677 Elizabeth Cook, 2nd 1691 Rhoda Taylor & 3rd 12/15/1711 Mary Wheeler], Ebenezer [1655-9/08/1675], Jonathan [6/06/1657-12/__/1694][m. 4/05/1682 Mary Clark], David [4/30/1659-d.y.], Mary [6/27/1661-8/23/1711][m. 10/16/1685 Joseph Ashley & 2nd Joseph Williston], Hannah [8/01/1663-4/01/1739][m. 1/07/1687 Pelatiah Glover], Abigail [9/03/1666-6/27/1689][m. 2/19/1685 John Colton], Esther [9/11/1668-9/11/1668], Benjamin [9/11/1668-9/11/1668] & Hester [12/24/1672-1760][m. 9/15/1689 Joseph Smith].² They first settled in Springfield where they had their first 5 children. In 1654, the family moved to Northampton, their remaining children were born there. About 1670, neighbors, envious of the family's prosperity, accused Mary of witchcraft. She was sent to Boston where she was fully acquitted. On 2 September 1675, their son, Ebnezer was killed by the Indians. Those who had accused Mary, then publicly announced that Ebenezer's death was God's retribution; also accusing the judges of having been bribed. The family returned to Springfield by 1679. Joseph departed this life on Saturday, 9 October 1683 in Springfield.³ He was buried there in the Springfield Cemetery.⁴