Person Page - 310

     Thomas Slayton was born on 20 February 1732/33 in Weston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.¹ He was baptized between 29 April 1732 and 1733 in Weston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.² Thomas was a farmer. He apparently moved to Brookfield, Massachusetts after 1740. He served in the French & Indian War where he marched on 20 September 1756 in Capt. Obadiah Cooley's company in an expedition expected to capture Crown Point. But Lord Loudon spent the autumn digging ditches around Albany, and when the snow began to fall the Massachusetts troops were sent home, reaching Brookfield November 24th.

Thomas also served in 1757, a year of disasters to the English and American forces, remembered for generations as the year of "The Great Alarm about the taking of Fort William Henry." The expedition planned against Crown Point and Ticonderoga was popular; many of the last year's men re-enlisted, and new men were readily secured. But by order of Lord Loudon, then commanding in the Provinces, the bulk of the army was drawn off in an expedition against Louisbourg, which proved a failure. Only about 7,000 men -- 4,000 under General Webb at Fort Edward, 3,000 under Col. Munroe at Fort William Henry -- were left for the defense of the north-western frontiers. Gen. Montcalm, with an army of 11,000 French and Indians concentrated at Ticonderoga, and August 3rd, invested Fort William Henry. Col. Munroe had an effective force of only 2,372 men; but gallantly held the great army at bay for six days, and surrendered August 9th. By the terms of capitulation, Col. Munroe and his troops were allowed to march out with the honors of war, retaining their arms and baggage. But the Indians attached to Montcalm's army, without hindrance from the French officers, plundered the most valuable stores, and murdered in cold blood about 300 officers and men.

Thomas served in Capt. Jabez Upham's company which started 9 August 1757 for the relief of Fort William Henry. When nearly there they heard of the Fort's surrender and returned, reaching home on August 26th.

After his marriage to Judith, Thomas bought 10 acres from Mr. Harrington on 14 December 1758 and his father and mother deeded 49 acres to him on 7 March 1762. Asa Slayton believes that Thomas and Judith lived at the Slayton homestead where their first 3 children were said to have been born until a new house was built about 1770 (That house was torn down about 1860).

Thomas married Judith White on 13 June 1758 in Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.³ Thomas and others signed a petition on 20 February 1764 to separate their land from Brookfield and attach it to Spencer. The petition was not granted but several years later a road was laid out to provide better access to the Slayton/Harrington farms on the condition that Thomas Slayton and his sons-in-law Henry Spring and Nathan Whitney build and maintain the necessary bridges. As late as 1870, there were still many Slayton's and Harrington's living in this area between Seven Mile River and Teneriffe Hill..^4,5 In March 1772, a Commiitte of Selectmen voted that Thomas Slayton who had 100 acres "southerly of Mr. Ryder's Mill Pond" should be annexed to Spencer. However, it appears that the annexation never actually occurred as a result of the Revolution and Thomas remained in the Third Precinct of Brookfield..⁶

Thomas was listed as the head of household in the 1790 Census at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Included in the household were 1 male,16 and up, presumably Thomas; 2 other males 16 and up, 1 male under 16 (probably his son Josiah), and 3 females (probably including his wife Judith and his daughter Judith)...⁷

Thomas was listed as the head of household in the 45 and over age group in the 1800 Census at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Included in the household was 1 female over 45, presumably his wife Judith.⁸

Thomas was listed as the head of household in the over 45 age group in the 1810 Census at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Included in the household were 1 female over 45, presumably his wife Judith; 1 male 26-45, probably his son Isaac; 1 male 10-16, probably Isaac's son Russell; 1 female 10-16. presumably Isaac's daughter, Judith; 2 males under 10, probably Isaac's sons Isaac Jr. and Orrino; and 3 females under 10, probably Isaac's daughters Judith, Selinda, and Lucinda..⁹ He made a will on on 6 December 1815 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.. His will contained the following provisions:
1) To his wife Judath, the income from all his land and buildings not previously deeded to his son Isaac; and the use of all household property, except "Cider Barrels, Meat Tubs, Meat Chests, and one Desk", during her life. Also 1 cow, 4 sheep, 1 swine, and the use of a suitable horse;
2) To his son Isaac, all his remaining real estate, reserving the income for his mother during her life. Also all Cider Barrels, Meat Tubs, Meat Chests, and one desk;
3) The remainder of his personal estate to be divided equally between his children Ebenezer, Asa, Isaac, Reuben, Josiah, the children of his deceased daughter Judath, and Saly Shimmaway, daughter of Ebenezer Shimmaway;
4) All household property to be divided half to the children of his daughter Judath Pierce and half to Sally Shimmaway;
5) In consideration of these bequests, Isaac is to pay:
Ebenezer Slayton, $146 six months after death;
Asa Slayton, $146 18 months after death;
Reuben Slayton, $146 two years and six months after death;
Josiah Slayton, $1 six months after death;
Children of Judath Pierce, $146 equally divided three years and six months after death
Sally Bemis, wife of Ananiah Bemis, $146 six months after death
Amos Harrington, $80 six months after death in consideration of money that should have been paid by Josiah Slayton
All of these sums to bear interest after six months;
6) Son Isaac appointed Executor
The will was recorded on 8 April 1823..¹⁰

Thomas was listed as the head of household in the over 45 age group in the 1820 Census at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Included in the household was his wife, Judith, in the over 45 age group..¹¹

Thomas died on 28 December 1822 in Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 89.¹² He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery at East Brookfield, Hampton County, Massachusetts. Note that the Evergreen Cemetery is currently located in East Brookfield but East Brookfield was only separated from Brookfield in 1920 so that all local events in the Slayton history actually took place in Brookfield itself..¹³