Weymouth New England Genealogy

r152 He inherited half his father's estate in 1773 and added toit in 1774 1nd 1778 large portions of P;um Island along theIpswich shore, purchased for 660 pounds. [All wildlife refuge inlate 1900's] On 30 April 1779, Jeremiah and Mary sold their farmto James Pickard for 1900 pounds and followed his uncle, DavidNelson, to the North Parish in Pownalboro where he apparentlyowned a half interest in the Upper Mill. He was assessed inPownalboro first in 1779 but probably lived for a time on theNewcastle side of the river as Jeremiah and Mary were called "ofNewcastle" when they sold their interest in the Upper Mill in1780. The fact that he was not assessed a poll tax at Pownalborofrom 1780 to 1786 may indicate a continued residence elsewhere,perhaps at Cape Newagen, where he owned property also. On 29 January,1783, he sold his holdings at Plum Island toBenjamin and Sarah Abbott of Pownalboro and in exchange, boughtfrom them for 200 "current money of the Commonwealth", a farm ofthirty acres on the town road in Alna, which remained the familyhomestead for twenty years. As late as 10 April 1789, they soldan acre of their farm,but his death probably occurred soon aftersince the census of 1790 lists Mary as head of the family. Sheremarried in 1793, Deacon James Rowe of New Milford whose sonLevi had married her daughter Lucy.Mary was still living in Alna in 1811. Jeremiah styled himself "yeoman" or farmer but was evidently aman of considerable means and standing."Early Settlers of Rowley," page 247, discusses Jeremiah Nelson(# 130-72), born "28 Apr., 1739; m. in Rowley, 29 Mar., 1764,Mary Nelson. He was then 'of Ipswich.' His seven children areof record in Ipswich."