“Ah, the stories we could tell…”Gleanings from an 1848 Mather Genealogy

In a small volume entitled “Genealogy of the Mather Family from about 1500 to 1847,” the compiler states that “…he had been furnished with that part of the Lyme branch who descended from the Rev. Moses Mather of Darien, Ct, by his grand-son, Joseph Mather, Esq. now a resident of Darien…”

Thus, directly from the Deacon’s son, do we confirm, or perhaps learn the origin of, a story that has become part of virtually every Homestead tour…

“As Dea. Mather’s house was back a mile or so from any public road, many of the neighbors carried their silver ware and many other valuable articles to it for safe keeping.  By some means, however, the Tories became acquainted with this fact, and a large gang of them came over one night, and placing their bayonets at the breast of Mrs. Mather, demanded of her where the silver was deposited.  She was obliged to point out the spot, and after they had taken possession of it and whatever else they wanted, they then com-pelled Mrs. M. who had a nursing child at her breast, to make warm cakes and get supper for the whole party.  When they retired, they compelled Dea. Mather to accompany them to the shore lest he should give the alarm…”

We also learn another tidbit that is not often included in the tours—but perhaps should be…

When Dea. M. died he left ten children—forty-five grand children—forty-eight great-grand-children—and one great-great-grand child, in all one hundred and four…”

In 1953, Bertha and Ed McPherson invited…”You who are descendants of Deacon Joseph Mather and his wife Sarah Scott…” to the Homestead’s 175^th Anniversary.  For the 200^th, it was reported that “…more than 100 descendants of Deacon Mather attended…”   How many can we anticipate in just three years for the 250^th?!!