- It is not certain where Matthias, Jr. lived, but the tradition has it that he built a house and lived in it about a quarter of a mile south of his father's house on the same side of the way toward "the mill". A Matthias Farnsworth was living there in 1830, over 100 years later, and it used to be said that the house had been occupied by one of that name from Matthias Farnsworth, Jr., down. Probably, he continued living there until his death, which took place about 1693, as his inventory is dated November 8, 1693 and he must have been dead before that date.
Matthias, Jr., was alive March 17, 1692, when he was assigned to the Farnsworth Garrison, organized for defence against the Indians. People had been building garrisons for protection after the settlers returned from Concord, and after the terrible Indian invasion of Groton in 1695, all of the people lived in garrisons. His death undoubtedly occured during the disturbances caused by the Indian wars--probably in consequence of them. His children were still not very old and were left fatherless in the wilderness.
Sarah, his widow, caused his estate inventory to be made November 8, 1693, but she did nothing with it until December 6, 1698, when she applied for the appointment as administratrix of his estate. She was so appointed and married John Stone ten days later, at Concord.
Matthias, Jr. was only about 45 years old when he died, but he had held several town offices. He served under Major Willard in King Phillip's War in 1675 in an expedition to Brookfield.
Information from Farnsworth Memorial and Vermont Historical Society.
Source: Dee Ann Harman Bishopp
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Our Family History
1649 - 1693 (44 years)