Thomas Taft, Jr.

BIOGRAPHY: Thomas had a twin sister Susannah - born 1712"Thomas was a blacksmith and mechanical genius. In addition to a farm, he also conducted a cider mill. He settled on a part of the original homestead in Mendon, and there he lived until his death. His will, executed in 1773, was disallowed after his death in 1793, for the reason that he had deeded away his real estate during his life, so that the provisions of the will could not be carried out. Thomas became involved in a church row during which he and his friends preferred charges against the Rev. Mr. Willard. The church records state that, in 1772, 'Thomas Taft was suspended from communion in special ordinances, for repeatedly refusing to hear, and casting contempt upon the church, particularly upon the pastor of said church, till he should make manifest repentance and reformation.' The pastor was aquitted of the charges, but was dismissed from his pastorate, and as there is no record that Thomas ever made 'manifest repentance and reformation,' it is probable that he spent some twenty years 'suspended from communion in special ordinances.' Thomas may have derived his militant strain from service under his brother Eleazer, since he is undoubtedly the Thomas referred to in the military order quoted under notes for Eleazer."

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