596327

[marlow.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #6300, Date of Import: Sep 11, 1998]

Soon after the death of his father at Leicester, Massachusetts, he left his home and sought employment with a gentleman near Boston, where it is said he continued for some time; and of this gentleman and his wife he always spoke in the most ardent and affectionate terms, for their interest manifested in his welfare. For previous to this he had lacked the privilege of schools, and with this family he learned arithmetic and much valuable information in which he was deficient. He probably learned the art of brickmaking here, and soon after settled in Barrington, Rhode Island, where he commenced the business, which he pursued with success for more than half a century, at first on the land of John Reed, Esq.
Before the marriage of Matthew to Miss Reed, her parents, particularly her father, was opposed to his visiting his daughter, and he was treated very coldly. Matthew, therefore, asked the Squire for an explanation, and stated that his intentions in visiting his daughter were honorable and that he had always entertained for him and his family the highest regard, and besides, that ever since he had lived near him he had done him many kind favors; that his feelings had often been wounded by the cool and neglected manner in which he had been treated. He regretted that it should be so, as it was his intention to make his daughter his wife. This appeared to have the effect he desired, and the objections were withdrawn. After the marriage did take place he enjoyed, in every respect, their esteem and confidence.
He purchased the John Reed property from the Reed Family, consisting of about one hundred acres, and made additions until, as been stated, he owned two or three thousand acres. During this time, the neighbors could not (as Matthew Watson expressed it) see how that beautiful girl could throw herself away on that "poor little Irishman". He said, although born in Ireland, he was not one any more than a colt foaled in a cow stable was a calf, as as to being poor he then had at interest 1,400 pounds and owned part of the home farm in Leicester, Massachusetts; yet no one in that town knew of it except himself and Bethiah.
Mr Watson was known to be one of the first to introduce tea-drinking in Barrington. He also carried the second set of China there. Miss Kent, of East Providence, has a few pieces of this set, now at about 145 years old. A neighbor, Mr Hooker Low, had a short time previously, carried a set home from the same place. Mr Watson purchased one-half pound of tea and after he arrived home that afternoon they were for the first time to drink tea, little thinking that they were then to set the example for a great nation to imitate, but like many other things that astonish mankind, it was but a small beginning. They soon found that the first beginning must meet with some difficulty, for behold they had forgotten to buy that great indispensable, the tea kettle, this therefore, must be dispensed with and the dinner pot was then furnished in which the water was heated for the first time. The next time Mr. Watson went to Newport, the teapot was purchased and brought home. It was some time before the daughters liked it and was used on Sunday afternoons only. Mr. Watson's improvements on his farm were continued until within a few years of his death. While setting out an orchard after he was eighty years old, he was accosted by a neighbor who asked him why he should take the pains to set an orchard at this time in his life, saying he was a fool to do it as he would never live to have any good from it. His answer was "If I am a fool, I am not a hog, for it will benefit someone." Yet he did live for more than twenty years after this, and partook of his fruits and often mentioned the circumstance.
The most noted dwelling in Barrington is the Old Watson House. It was built of brick, made by hand upon the plantation north of it. It's mortar was mixed with lime obtained by burning the heaps of oyster shells that generations of Indians had left behind. Matthew Watson was its builder and it was finished in 1745. The house as first constructed, was one of the lean-tos, so dear to the hearts of the early settlers of Massachusetts. Two stories high in front; in the rear its roof terminated in a wood pile. Fire caused the removal ofthe second story some time before the year 1849. It was one of the first dwellings of brick erected in the country, and was unusually elegant mansion for its day. Its hearths, chimney jambs and mantles were all of imported marble. Quaint dutch tiles, imported from Amsterdam, were freely used for decoration. Upon one of its floors was laid the first woolen carpet known in Barrington. The first wallpaper seen in the town was also hung in the same room.
Matthew Watson, was born in the seventeenth, lived through the eighteenth and died in the nineteenth century at the age of 107 years. Almost to the last he maintained his muscular vigor. At the age of 100, he was able to place his foot in the stirrup and mount his horse with more than the ordinary east of a man of fifty. He amassed a great property for that time, amounting to $80,000. His life was one of great energy and usefulness, and was worthy of imitation. He sustained the office of Justice of the Peace for many years and was one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Bristol County. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Barrington between seventy and eighty years. He was always a friend to the friendless, assisted the young men who were virtuous and frugal. His wealth and hospitality were alike proverbial. His integrity he held fast throughout his life and in a great and good old age descended to his grave in peace "like a shock of corn fully ripe."