(8) III. James Minot, Esq., [7—2] was b. Sept. 14, 1653, and graduated at H. C. in 1675. He studied divinity and physic. He kept the grammar-school in Dorchester in 1679, but soon after removed to Concord, where he was employed as a teacher and physician. In 1685, he was hired to preach in Stow, "for 12. 6 per day, one half cash and one half Indian corn;" and again in 1686 for "what older towns had given their ministers—£13 for 13 sabbaths." In 1692 he had another application to preach there, which he declined. Relinquishing the profession soon after, he was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1692, and a Captain of the militia, then offices of much distinction. He represented the town several years in General Court, was much employed in various public trusts, and distinguished himself for his talents and excellent character. He d. Sept. 20, 1735, a. 83. He m. Rebecca, dau. of Capt. Timothy Wheeler, the founder of the ministerial fund in Concord, and inherited the homestead of his father-in-law, near the residence of the Hon. Daniel Shattuck, where he d. She d. Sept. 23, 1734, a. 68. The following are the epitaphs on the gravestones erected to their memories, now standing in the "Hill Burying-Ground," in Concord.

Here is interred the remains of James Minott, Esq., A. M. an Excelling Grammarian, Enriched with the Gift of Prayer and Preaching, a Commanding Officer, a Physician of Great Value, a Great Lover of Peace as well as of Justice, and which was His greatest Glory, a Gent'n of distinguished Virtue and Goodness, happy in a Virtuous Posterity, and living Religiously, Died Comfortably, Sept. 20, 1735, Æt. 83.

Here is interred the body of Mrs Rebecca Minott ye virtuous Consort of James Minott Esq. (and daughter of Capt. Timothy Wheeler) She was a person of Serious piety and abounding charity, of great usefulness in Her Day, and a pattern of Patience and holy Submission under a long Confinement, and resigned Her Soul with Joy in her Redeemer Sept 23, 1734 aged 68.

The following were children of James Minot, Esq.;

31—1Rebecca,b. Feb. 9, 1685,m. Joseph Barrett, Dec. 27, 1701.(13)
32—2Lydia,b. March 12, 1687,m. Benjamin Barrett, Jan. 3, 1705.(14)
33—3Mary,b. Nov. 16, 1689,m. Ebenezer Wheeler, Sept. 26, 1706.
34—4Timothy,b. June 18, 1692,m. 1. Mary Brooks—2. Beulah Brown.(15)
35—5James,b. Oct. 17, 1694,m. 1. Martha Lane—2. Elisabeth Merrick.(16)
36—6Elisabeth,b. Jan. 29, 1697,m. Daniel Adams, April 23, 1715.(17)
37—7Martha,b. April 3, 1699,m. James Lane, April 30, 1719. She d. Jan.18, 1739, in Bedford, a. 40.
38—8Love, twins. b. April 15, 1702,m. John Adams, Dec. 13, 1722.(18)
39—9Mercy,m. Samuel Dakin, Dec. 13, 1722.(19)
40—10Samuel,b. March 25, 1706,m. 1. Sarah Prescott, 2. Dorcas Prescott.(20)

In the above family, two sisters married two brothers by the name of Barrett; two other sisters married brothers by the name of Adams; a brother and a sister married a brother and sister by the name of Lane, and two were born the same day and married the same day.

There are few parents who have so great reason to be "happy in a virtuous posterity," as had these. One son was a minister, another was a deacon, and eight of the grandchildren were deacons or married to deacons; several were clergymen or married to clergymen. Very many of the great-grandchildren sustained the same offices, or were otherwise distinguished in military, civil, or religious life. A large proportion of those who arrived at mature age professed religion; and the succeeding and numerous families were among the most respected, useful, and influential in the towns in which they lived. Very many distinguished men descended from them; among whom were Rev. Stephen and Hon. Timothy Farrar of New Ipswich, N. H., Roger Minot Sherman, of Fairfield, Ct., and several eminent physicians by the name of Adams; and Hon. Roger Sherman, and several other distinguished men of New Haven married descendants.

(9) III. Stephen Minot [9—4] d. in Sudbury street, Boston. He left a will, recorded in Suffolk Records, Vol. XXXI. p. 82. He was a merchant and member of Brattle Street Church; married Mary Clark, dau. of Capt. Christopher Clark, Dec. 1, 1686. They had the following children;

41—1Rebecca,b. Aug. 20, 1687,d. Aug. 26 of the same year.
42—2Stephen,b. Oct. 27, 1688,m. 1. Sarah Wainwright; 2. Mary Brown.(21)
43—3John,b. Dec. 27, 1690,d. at Brunswick, Jan. 11, 1764.
44—4Mehetabel,b. Dec. 6, 1692,was engaged to be married to Richard Bills,when her father made his will.
45—5Lydia,b. May 15, 1695,m. Joseph Eaton, May 10, 1720; had one dau.
46—6Rebecca,b. Nov. 6, 1697,m. Samuel Miller, Oct. 8, 1724.
47—7George,b. Jan. 21, 1700,d. Nov. 13, 1702, of the small-pox.
48—8Peter,b. March 4, 1702,d. Oct. 30, 1702, of the small-pox.
49—9George,b. Jan. 29, 170-,m. Elisabeth Moore of North Carolina, by whomhe had a son who d. in infancy, and a dau. Sarah who m. Nathaniel Taylor,Esq., an officer of the customs in Boston. Mr. Minot d. Jan. 18, 1785. Hewas a merchant, and owned the T wharf in Boston.
50—10Christopher,b.gr. at H. C. 1725, was an officer of the customs in Bostonuntil 1776, when he removed to Halifax, where he d. unmarried, May12, 1783, a. 77.
51—11Peter,b.m. was drowned at Halifax with his wife.
52—12James,b.was a merchant at Jamaica where he d. unmarried.