352 Hohart. 



iSToAH (II. p. 338 : 10, xiii.), the youngest s. of David, and gr.-s. of 

 Rev. Peter Hobart, the first minister of Hing., appears to have been 

 m. to his sec. w. under somewhat romantic circumstances. Concern- 

 ing this alliance with Priscilla Thomas, John L. Watson of Orange, 

 X. J., contributed to the "Kew England Historical and Genealogical 

 Register"' (Vol. XXVIL, Xo. 1), from records left by his brother 

 Benjamin M. Watson, deceased, which had been received from his 

 aunt, Mrs. Priscilla (Watson) Cotton of Ply., the following : — 



Chap. 1. 



Noah Hobart, y® last husband of my Great Grand, Mother, Priscilla flo- 

 bart, was a school teacher in Duxbury, Mass*«% having graduated at Harvard 

 College in 1724, and become acquainted with Priscilla Thomas, a very inter- 

 esting young girl, daughter of Caleb Thomas, a respectable citizen'of that 

 town. Their acquaintance ripened into an engagement, & mutual promise of 

 marriage, whenever his circumstances w''' permit him to discharge y« debts he 

 had contracted for his education. While this understanding subsisted between 

 them, & they were enjoying y'' happy relation of affianced lovers, & calmly 

 waiting for such improvement in their affairs as w"i justify their marriage, 

 John Watson Esqs of Plymouth, my Great Grand Father, being a Widower, 

 having seen Priscilla, was much pleas'd with her, although y« serious differ- 

 ence of nearly thirty years existed in their ages, he being about 50, & she 22 

 years old. Being, however, thus charm'd with Priscilla, he proceeded to Dux- 

 bury & call'd on her parents, & made known to them his views & wishes in 

 relation to Priscilla, & requested their consent to visit their dauafhter, with 

 y object of offering himself to her in marriage. They inform'd Wv Watson that 

 Priscilla was engaged to Mr. Hobart, but they w'd call her & let her speak for 

 herself, they seeming pleas'd with y' offer, as M'r Watson's circumstances 

 were known to be very eligible. 



Chap. 2. 

 Priscilla was call'd, & appear'd gratified with an offer from so rich a suitor, 

 & observed that she w'd see Noah, & talk with him about it. She convers'd 

 with Noah, and he thought that, upon y<= whole, it was not advisable for her to 

 lose so good an opportunity ; & as he was still so much in debt for his education, 

 that it was quite uncertain when he w'<i be able to relieve himself from his em- 

 barrassments, & be in a condition to marry her. She then concluded to 

 accept Mt Watson's offer; and in a few weeks he married her, & carried her 

 to his home in Plymouth. In due time she bore him two sons, y* eldest, my 

 great uncle William Watson ; & y« youngest my grandfather Elkanah Watson ; 

 & soon after, in SeptT 1731. her husband died of a fever, and left his wife a 

 handsome young widow, of about 25 years of age. 



Chap. 3. 



About y^ same time that M'r Watson's death occurr'd, the wife of Thomas 

 Lothrop Esq\ one of their neighbours, died, leaving a young infant, w'h was 

 frequently sent to Mr's Watson to be nursed, she having also a nursing infant. 

 In y meantime, Noah Hobart, probably not having yet paid his college debts, 

 did not now manifest any particular sentiments, or intentions in relation to 

 her, perhaps also being influenced by y« contrast in their condition, she being 

 left a rich widow. 



The intercourse created between M'r Lothrop (*) & Mr"s Watson by their 

 mutual interest in his nursing infant, brought about a reciprocal interest in each 

 other, & in due time he offer'd, & was accepted by her as her second husband. 

 She lived with him happily for some years, & bore him three children, (*) two 

 sons & a daughter; viz. D'r Nathaniel Lothrop & Isaac Lothrop Esqe, of Ply- 

 mouth, and Priscilla, married to Gershom Burr Esq% of Connecticut ; when M'r 

 Lothrop died, & Priscilla became a widow for y'' second time. 



