Rev. Peter Thacher, III

From Find A Grave contributor:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71621211/peter-thacher

The Continental Journal, and Weekly Advertiser, Boston, Mass., Sept. 22, 1785, Vol. IX, Issue 500, Page 3.• On the 13th inft. died at Attleborough, in the 70th year of his age, the Rev. Mr. PETER THACHER, paftor of the fecond church in that town. En[dowed] by the great author of nature with refpectable abilities, he early devoted them to the fervice of God in the miniftry: In this employment he placed his higheft fatisfaction, and while he difcharged its duties with ftrict punctuality and temperate zeal, he acquired the efteem and refpect of all who were acquainted with his character. Strongly attached to the peculiar doctines of the gofpel, he held them up in the cleareft and moft explicit terms; but he never fuffered this attachement to prejudice his mind, or embitter his conduct towards thofe who differed from him. His warm and exemplary piety evidenced that the religion which he preached to others, had made a real impreffion upon his own heart; and his inflexible integrity compelled the refpect of his enemies, while his warm benevolence, and open, hofpitable temper, conciliated the affection of his frends. Under long and distreffing informities, which for two years paft, have prevented his attendance upon the public duties of his profeffion, he exercifed the greateft patience and refignation, and died as he lived, in the firm faith of the gofpel, and a joyful hope of its future and eternal rewards.Rev. Peter Thacher, 3rd child and eldest s. of Rev. Peter Thacher, Jr. and Mary Prince, b. of record Jan. 14, 1715/6 (g.s., Jan. 25) at Middleborough, Mass. He d. Sept. 13, 1785 at Attleborough, Mass., Æ 70. He was the longstanding pastor of the 2nd Congregational Church of Christ at Attleborough.[1] On Nov. 30, 1749 at Attleborough, Rev. Peter m. Bethiah Carpenter, dau. of Dea. Obadiah and Bethia (Carpenter) Carpenter, b. Dec. 6, 1729 at Attleborough. She d. Jan. 27, 1793 at Attleborough, Æ 64. They had the following ten children b. of record at Attleborough:• i. Mercy Thacher, b. Dec. 16, 1751, d. Jan. 14, 1835 at Harford, Susquehanna County, Penn.; m. by intention pub. May 14, 1768 at Attleborough, John Tyler, Jr., s. of Capt. John Taylor and Anna Blackington, b. Apr. 15, 1746 at Attleborough. He d. May 22, 1822 at Ararat, Susquehanna County, Penn. Nine children b. of record at Attleborough.• ii. Dea. Peter Thacher, 4th, b. Oct. 21, 1753, d. Dec. 4, 1814 at Attleborough (g.s.); m. by an intention pub. Mar. 4, 1778, Nanna Tyler, sister of his sister Mercy's husband, b. July 14, 1754 at Attleborough. She d. Jan. 17, 1816 at Attleborough (g.s.) Four children of record at Attleborough.• iii. Thomas Thacher, b. Nov. 24, 1755.• iv. Obadiah Thacher, b. July 30, 1757.• v. Capt. John Thacher, b. Oct. 25, 1759; m. Dec. 7, 1780 at Attleborough, Sarah Richardson. Seven children recorded at Attleborough.• vi. Mary Thacher, b. Mar. 24, 1762.• vii. Bethiah Thacher, b. Mar. 27, 1764; m. Aug. 28, 1790 at Attleborough, Noah Blanding.• viii. Dea. Moses Thacher, b. Aug. 15, 1766; m. Apr. 1, 1793 at Attleborough, Sarah Read. Two children recorded at Attleborough, but was living at Harford, Penn. in 1814. He likely had two additional wives.• ix. Samuel Thacher, b. Oct. 28, 1768; m. Feb. 4, 1793 at Attleborough, Betsey Carpenter, dau. of Daniel Carpenter and Elizabeth Tyler, latter sister of his sister Mercy and brother Dea. Peter's spouses, b. Mar. 28, 1772 at Attleborough. One child recorded at Attleborough.• x. Nathan Prince Thacher, b. Feb. 13, 1771, d. an infant Sept. 19, 1771.[1] The 11 day difference between Peter's recorded date of birth (Jan. 14, 1715/16) and his stated date of birth on his gravestone (Jan. 25, 1716) is the result of Peter's family misunderstanding the result of England's conversion from the Julian to modern Gregorian calendar effective Jan. 1, 1752. The 11 day difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendar was corrected on a one-time only basis by the day following Sept. 3, 1752 being Sept. 14, 1752. It did not require any other adjustment to a prior or future date in the English calendar.Edited 4/30/2017

Inscription

                                       In Memoryof the Rev'd PeterThacher, M.A. the lateFaithful & belovedPafter of the 2nd Chh.of Chrift in Attleboroughhe was born Jan'ry 25th1716: Ordained Nov'br 30th1748: Died Sept'br 13th1785: in the SeventiethYear of his Age: &43rd of his Ministry[four lines of verse]On the day Rev. Peter died he was 69 years old, and Ætatis suæ (i.e., Æ, "Aged," in the XX year of his Age) 70.