Hi to all, First of all, I'm going to make a suggestion... Lately, when I have posted to any Rootsweb List, cutting out a portion of someone else's post and then responding to it, even thought I have left a couple of spaces between, Rootsweb has run it all together so you can't tell where one stops and the other starts. Therefore, I'm going to suggest that we all put a line -------------- (like this) between them when we respond in that manner. ----------------------- Now to the topic at hand... Below is Hannah Pratt who was married in Bellingham as "Mrs" but had never been married before. Sue ---------------------------- 1. HANNAH3 PRATT (JOSEPH2, JOSEPH1) was born 24 March 1756 in Oxford, Worcester, Massachusetts (Source: Vital Records of Oxford, MA, to the end of the Year 1849, (Publ. by Franklin P. Rice, 1905), page 91.), and died 10 March 1828 in Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: (1) New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), page 174, "in 72nd year.", (2) Center Street (Scott) Cemetery, Bellingham, MA., Tombstone.). She met (1) UNKNOWN (the father of her first child). She married (2) JOSEPH CHILSON, JR. 25 January 1786 in Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), page 95, Marriage record shows her as "Mrs." Hannah Pratt -- but this stands for "Mistress" and was commonly used for unmarried women in Bellingham in this time period.), son of JOSEPH CHILSON and LYDIA PRATT. He was born 17 July 1751 in Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), page 21.), and died 5 April 1841 in Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), Year in parentheses--age 86--may have died in 1837?). More About HANNAH PRATT: Burial: Center Street Cemetery (Scott), Bellingham, Massachusetts More About JOSEPH CHILSON, JR.: Fact 1: 1790, On census in Bellingham, Norfolk Co., MA--name spelled Jillson. Fact 2: 1798, On tax list in Bellingham, Wrentham, Franklin district. Fact 3: 1800, On census in Bellingham, Norfolk, MA. (6 in fam) Fact 4: 1810, On census in Bellingham, Norfolk, MA Fact 5: 1820, On census in Bellingham, Norfolk, MA Fact 6: 1830, On census in Bellingham, Norfolk, MA. Fact 7: 1840, On US Census in Bellingham, Norfolk, MA Alternate Death Date: 3 January 1841. Marriage Notes for HANNAH PRATT and JOSEPH CHILSON: Hannah Pratt and Joseph Chilson, Jr. were first cousins. Joseph's mother and Hannah's father were brother and sister. Hannah and Joseph were married the same day as Hannah's half brother, Joseph Pratt III. Child of HANNAH PRATT and UNKNOWN is: i. MELITIAH/MILLITIAH4 PRATT, b. 22 May 1779, Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), page 54.); d. 12 November 1825, Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: (1) Center Street (Scott) Cemetery, Bellingham, MA., Tombstone gives her name as CHILSON., (2) New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), page 174, Refs: Baptist Church Record ____, 1825; Center Cemetery Record 12 Nov in 47th year; private record of Wight Family 12 Nov age 45, death records list her as CHILSON.). Notes for MELITIAH/MILLITIAH PRATT/CHILSON: She was born out of wedlock as Melitiah Pratt and later used her step-father, Joseph Chilson's name. She died unmarried. More About MELITIAH/MILLITIAH PRATT/CHILSON: Burial: Center Street Cemetery (Scott), Bellingham, Massachusetts Children of HANNAH PRATT and JOSEPH CHILSON are: ii. HANNAH4 CHILSON, b. 25 August 1788, Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), page 21.); d. 24 December 1866, Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: Center Street (Scott) Cemetery, Bellingham, MA., Tombstone.). Notes for HANNAH CHILSON: Died unmarried. More About HANNAH CHILSON: Burial: Center Street Cemetery (Scott) Fact 1: 1850, On census in Bellingham, MA. iii. JOSEPH CHILSON III, b. 18 January 1791, Bellingham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (Source: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Bellingham, MA to 1850, (1904), page 21.); d. Unknown. Notes for JOSEPH CHILSON III: He may be the child of Joseph who died in Bellingham, MA, 3 Jul 1800. Susan M. Hillier Roe Seal Beach, CA SueMHR@aol.com "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, 1901-1978