Rev. Joseph Davis

Rev. Joseph Davis the first minister of Holden, was another son of Simon Davis, Senior.  According to Historical records of Rutland.

Dolor Davis A Sketch of his Life with a Record of his Earlier Descendants by Horace Davis Printed in 1881 page 42 Under the Heading Children of Simon and Dorothy (Heald) Davis. Item 3. Joseph, born July 16, 1720; Harvard College, 1740; minister at Holden, 1742-1773; died March 4, 1799; 3 children, perhaps more.

The Massachusetts Vital Records Project page 100 Concord Births. 6th Item from the bottom counting to the top States: " Joseph Davis ye son of Simon Davis and Dorothy his wife was born July ye 16 day 1720

http://www.findagrave.com found this entry

Birth: Jul. 16, 1720 Concord Middlesex County Massachusetts, USA

Death: Mar. 4, 1799 Holden Worcester County Massachusetts, USA

December 22, 1742 marks the organization of the First Congregation Church and the ordination of the Rev. Joseph Davis as the town's first minister. He served until 1772.

Burial: Old Burying Ground Holden Worcester County Massachusetts, USA

Find A Grave Memorial# 56810429

The Massachusetts Vital Records Project page 206 Holden Deaths I found the following entries:

(1) James Davis, son of Joseph and Catherine, Aug. 15, 1749, at 1 year 2 months and 12 days

(2) Joseph Davis, son of Joseph and Catherine, Oct. 10, 1744, at 1 year 2 months and 10 days

(3) Joseph Davis, son of Joseph and Catherine, Feb. 16, 176-. Church Record

(4) Joseph Jr. Davis, son of Rev. Joseph, Feb. 16, 1769, at age 23

(5) Lemuel Davis son of Rev. Joseph and Catherine, October 9, 1762 at age 6.

Joseph I can see from these records that he had a wife named Catherine but I can not find any information out on her except her name  here in these documents. Its very sad that they had 5 sons and lost them all before 20 years of age. One of the Joseph entries might be a duplicate possibly , one has the year listed as 176-, and the other has the year filled out as Feb. 16, 1769, at age 23.

The Massachusetts Vital Records Project page 206 Holden Deaths 21 items counting from the top States: " Rev. Joseph, March 5, 1799 [ at age 79, grave stone inscription]