Joseph Cole & Rebecca Allin

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Rev. John Greenwood & Lydia Holmes | Joseph Cole & Rebecca Allin | John Braley & Joanna Alger

Joseph Cole & Rebecca Allin

Joseph Cole was the only son of William Cole, the tanner. His mother's name was Mary. Joseph learned the trade of his father, processing leather from the hides brought to the mill by town farmers. The tanner was a valuable member of the community. People needed leather for clothing, shoes and boots, harnesses, saddles and many other necessary articles. Joseph and his father worked their mill on the Ten Mill River in Rehoboth. Joseph died in 1724, leaving a young wife and infant son.

Their story follows:

Becky Allin grew into a lovely young woman. Although she had many suitors, Joseph Cole, the only son of the tanner from Rehoboth, caught her eye. Perhaps they sat in the meeting house together, or met on the beach by the bay.

Joseph travelled to her home in his wagon from the next town over, to arrange for sheepskins to be processed at his tannery. By the time he was twenty-four, he had asked for Rebecca's hand in marriage. Thomas, her father, had spoken with Joseph's father, William and his wife Anne. A dowry was arranged

by the elders, and the announcement of their coming marriage was made at Newman Congregational Church on July 28, 1722. The summer passed quickly, while Becky and her mother Anna and sisters prepared linens and gathered household utensils for Becky's new home.

On a snowy winter day, January 24, 1723, Rebecca Allin and Joseph Cole stood side by side in the meeting house, while Rev. John Greenwood pronounced them man and wife.

They set up housekeeping in Rehoboth, down near the Ten Mile River. When winter was over, Becky was overjoyed to learn that she and Joseph were going to have a child soon after the new year.

On January 24, 1724, Rebecca gave birth to a healthy boy. He was named for his grandfather, as was the custom in early New England. There was much joy in their home. Grandfather William Cole now had

a grandson to love as he loved his only child Joseph. All was well , but not for long.

The town records of Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony, tell of the fear of smallpox in the town and in the neighboring communities of Swansea and Providence.

It was written:

"If Persons should have the smallpox; that are near unto Neighbours or Near the Rhoad; then the selectmen to Remove them unto some Convenient Place; that to be left to the Selectmens Prudence as to the Place or to the Removing them."

As the springtime blossoms bloomed in the orchard, Joseph became ill. His fever and blisters spoke of the horror to come. Now, the young family, with their infant son, were left no choice. Joseph had to leave their home.Rebecca's sister Anna lost her husband to the disease on Apri l 19, 1724.

Joseph, age 26, died the following day, April 20 ,and was laid to rest by his grieving widow,their four

month old son asleep in her arms. William, his father, shed bitter tears as his only son was buried. Rebecca was grief stricken as she tended to her son, wondering what was to become of them.


	Footsteps Through Time \| Home Rev. John Greenwood & Lydia Holmes \| Joseph Cole & Rebecca Allin \| John Braley & Joanna Alger Joseph Cole & Rebecca Allin Joseph Cole was the only son of William Cole, the tanner. His mother's name was Mary. Joseph learned the trade of his father, processing leather from the hides brought to the mill by town farmers. The tanner was a valuable member of the community. People needed leather for clothing, shoes and boots, harnesses, saddles and many other necessary articles. Joseph and his father worked their mill on the Ten Mill River in Rehoboth. Joseph died in 1724, leaving a young wife and infant son. Their story follows: Becky Allin grew into a lovely young woman. Although she had many suitors, Joseph Cole, the only son of the tanner from Rehoboth, caught her eye. Perhaps they sat in the meeting house together, or met on the beach by the bay. Joseph travelled to her home in his wagon from the next town over, to arrange for sheepskins to be processed at his tannery. By the time he was twenty-four, he had asked for Rebecca's hand in marriage. Thomas, her father, had spoken with Joseph's father, William and his wife Anne. A dowry was arranged by the elders, and the announcement of their coming marriage was made at Newman Congregational Church on July 28, 1722. The summer passed quickly, while Becky and her mother Anna and sisters prepared linens and gathered household utensils for Becky's new home. On a snowy winter day, January 24, 1723, Rebecca Allin and Joseph Cole stood side by side in the meeting house, while Rev. John Greenwood pronounced them man and wife. They set up housekeeping in Rehoboth, down near the Ten Mile River. When winter was over, Becky was overjoyed to learn that she and Joseph were going to have a child soon after the new year. On January 24, 1724, Rebecca gave birth to a healthy boy. He was named for his grandfather, as was the custom in early New England. There was much joy in their home. Grandfather William Cole now had a grandson to love as he loved his only child Joseph. All was well , but not for long. The town records of Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony, tell of the fear of smallpox in the town and in the neighboring communities of Swansea and Providence. It was written: "If Persons should have the smallpox; that are near unto Neighbours or Near the Rhoad; then the selectmen to Remove them unto some Convenient Place; that to be left to the Selectmens Prudence as to the Place or to the Removing them." As the springtime blossoms bloomed in the orchard, Joseph became ill. His fever and blisters spoke of the horror to come. Now, the young family, with their infant son, were left no choice. Joseph had to leave their home.Rebecca's sister Anna lost her husband to the disease on Apri l 19, 1724. Joseph, age 26, died the following day, April 20 ,and was laid to rest by his grieving widow,their four month old son asleep in her arms. William, his father, shed bitter tears as his only son was buried. Rebecca was grief stricken as she tended to her son, wondering what was to become of them.