Joseph Holden was the fourth son of Justinian Holden and Mary Rutter. He was born at Watertown on September 6, 1683. He married there, on February 17, 1714, Abigail, daughter of William Shattuck and Susanna Randall. They lived in Watertown for the next 14 years, and all their children were born there. Abigail must have died sometime around 1728, because Joseph married Elizabeth Russell of Cambridge on June 11, 1729. In the spring of 1737, Joseph moved his family to the newly laid out town of Westminster, becoming the first permanent residents there, the first family to arrive there having moved away after only a few years.
For some time, Joseph was, without a doubt, the most active and influential inhabitant of the town. He shared in the planning and laying out of the new town, and was largely responsable for its success and early growth. He was often called upon to represent the town at the state level, and was repeatedly elected to positions of trust in the town government. He was also chosen to be the first Deacon of the Church in Westminister, a position he occupied until his death. His first wife, Abigail, was the mother of all of his children. Joseph died November 3, 1768 in Westminister and is buried in the Woodside Cemetery there.
For some time, Joseph was, without a doubt, the most active and influential inhabitant of the town. He shared in the planning and laying out of the new town, and was largely responsable for its success and early growth. He was often called upon to represent the town at the state level, and was repeatedly elected to positions of trust in the town government. He was also chosen to be the first Deacon of the Church in Westminister, a position he occupied until his death. His first wife, Abigail, was the mother of all of his children. Joseph died November 3, 1768 in Westminister and is buried in the Woodside Cemetery there.
Joseph Holden was the fourth son of Justinian Holden and Mary Rutter. He was born at Watertown on September 6, 1683. He married there, on February 17, 1714, Abigail, daughter of William Shattuck and Susanna Randall. They lived in Watertown for the next 14 years, and all their children were born there. Abigail must have died sometime around 1728, because Joseph married Elizabeth Russell of Cambridge on June 11, 1729. In the spring of 1737, Joseph moved his family to the newly laid out town of Westminster, becoming the first permanent residents there, the first family to arrive there having moved away after only a few years.
For some time, Joseph was, without a doubt, the most active and influential inhabitant of the town. He shared in the planning and laying out of the new town, and was largely responsable for its success and early growth. He was often called upon to represent the town at the state level, and was repeatedly elected to positions of trust in the town government. He was also chosen to be the first Deacon of the Church in Westminister, a position he occupied until his death. His first wife, Abigail, was the mother of all of his children. Joseph died November 3, 1768 in Westminister and is buried in the Woodside Cemetery there.
For some time, Joseph was, without a doubt, the most active and influential inhabitant of the town. He shared in the planning and laying out of the new town, and was largely responsable for its success and early growth. He was often called upon to represent the town at the state level, and was repeatedly elected to positions of trust in the town government. He was also chosen to be the first Deacon of the Church in Westminister, a position he occupied until his death. His first wife, Abigail, was the mother of all of his children. Joseph died November 3, 1768 in Westminister and is buried in the Woodside Cemetery there.
Inscription
"In memory of Dea. Joseph Holden who departed this life Novr. Ye 30th 1768: in the 84th year of his age. He brought his family into this town in ye year 1737 Being ye second family was ye first Dean. In ye church gathered here and faithfully discharged the duty thereof mark ye perfect Behold ye upright for the end of that man is peace."
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