I48471: Joshua A. BRETT (29 JUN 1751

Joshua A. BRETT

29 JUN 1751 - 21 DEC 1822

OCCUPATION: physician
BIRTH: 29 JUN 1751, Freetown, Bristol Co., MA
BURIAL: Harpersfield Rural Cemetery, Harpersfield, Delaware Co., NY
DEATH: 21 DEC 1822

MARRIAGE:

Find A Grave Memorial 67805133 offers:

Today, February 6, 2014 I received the transfer of this memorial and spent hours researching the Revolutionary War records and pondering this Memorial.

I struggled with changing the original name on this memorial, however, I have decided to leave it as it is since Revolutionary War records list him many ways for this Surgeons Mate. I did add Dr. to his name since all records for the Revolutionary War list him as a surgeons mate.

Per "Vital Records of the town of Freetown, MA 1686 through 1890" we find the marriage record: Brett, Dr. Joshua Howard and Anne Dunbar of Easton, 4 Apr 1782 by Arch. Campbell (Easton record) Int. gives Anna."

The Brett Genealogy states that he studied at Yale with one of the best physicians of the times. Before entering the Revolutionary War he practiced his profession in Assonet, MA. I also could have added "Judge" to his name, but until today, I did not know this myself, so I want him still to be found by his descendants. I have shared his identity with hundreds of my closest cousins.

Per "Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors" page 460 "Breett, (not misquoted) Joshua H. (not misquoted) Surgeon's Mate, ship "Protector", commanded by Capt. John F. Williams; engaged Oct. 28, 1779; discharged Aug 17, 1780; service 9 mos. 20 days."

The main information comes from "The Brett Genealogy" Fifth Generation: Joshua Howard Brett was born to Silas Brett and his wife, Thankful, daughter of Lt Joshua Howard and his wife Susanna (Hayward) Howard.

This is information from the History of the City of Harpersfield, NY:

http://www.dcnyhistory.org/books/munsharp.html

"HON. JOSHUA H. BRETT, the first practicing physician in Harpersfield and one of the early settlers, was born about 1750, and came to Harpersfield about 1788. The record shows him to have been elected assessor in 1789, 1790 and 1791, and in 1791 he is first noticed as one of the justices of the peace. In 1795 he first presided at the annual town meeting, previous to which a moderator had always been chosen. In 1796-7 he was one of the members of Assembly from Otsego county, and it is largely owing to his exertions that the county of Delaware was formed at that time, notwithstanding a strong opposition. In 1797 he was appointed first judge of the new county, which office he held until 1810, when being sixty years of age, he was disqualified by the constitution from holding the office longer. he was State senator for the middle district from 1804 to 1811. He continued to hold office of some kind nearly to the time of his death, which took place December 24th, 1822."

This memorial lists this exact cemetery for Joshua Howard Brett even though a search of this cemetery does not show a listing for Joshua H (or Howard) Brett.

Joshua A. BRETT

29 JUN 1751 - 21 DEC 1822

Daniel COOK

1811 - 1849

William DRURY

1499 - 11 JAN 1558

Ephraim DYER

19 FEB 1727 - ____

John GRESEBROKE

1500 - 26 MAY 1540

Violet Mae HARTING

2 FEB 1907 - 20 JAN 1995

Johann Heinrich HEIST

26 OCT 1721 - 29 APR 1804

Sarah HOLBROOK

24 JUL 1740 - 1840

Edward S. LANPHER

19 DEC 1920 - 24 APR 1960

Rebecca MABERRY

1822 - ____

Caroline Elizabeth ("Carrie") NASON

28 APR 1877 - 17 APR 1943

Margaret ("Jane") SMITH

23 SEP 1837 - 28 DEC 1921

Gladys SOPER

6 OCT 1914 - 15 FEB 2015

Paul Andrew SOUERS

11 JUL 1901 - 25 OCT 1987

Anna Magdalena STRAUSS

21 DEC 1744 - 4 MAY 1823

Charlotte F. WARDWELL

CA. 1820 - ____