18. John Stephenson

John Stephenson was pressed into service aboard the British warship, The Lucitanus, as the ship's carpenter. In 1711, while at anchor near Hingham (Cohasset), he slipped overboard and found his way to shore. His desertion did not create the usual fervor since he was well liked and not registered as a sailor. Determined to become a respectable man, he worked hard to gain the confidence and respect of the community. In July 1717, he married Rachel Tower, daughter of early Cohasset settlers Richard and Abigail Tower. They had 11 children, including a son named Lucitanus. Stephenson was part of the 1747 committee responsible for designing and building the new parish and precinct meetinghouse on the Common, known as First Parish.

More details of John Stephenson’s arrival in Cohasset available at: https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/b/e/l/Jessey-Belcher/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0075.html