His Father’s Favorite Son — Joseph Dakin

B. 21 Jan 1669 in Concord, Massachusetts¹
M. 16 Jul 1696 in Massachusetts²
Wife: Dorothy Worcester
D. 13 Mar 1744 in Concord, Massachusetts¹

Even though Joseph Dakin was the youngest child in his family, his father seemed to have a closer bond with him than his siblings. Joseph was born on January 21, 1699 in Concord, Massachusetts to Thomas Dakin and Susanna Stratton,¹ one of their four known children. Joseph’s father was among the earliest settlers in Concord, Massachusetts, and the family was said to live in the southern part of town, near “Flint’s Pond.”³ 

Flints Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.

On July 16, 1696, Joseph married Dorothy Worcester at Concord;² the ceremony was performed by Reverend Joseph Estabrook, who was newly installed as Concord’s minister. The date of their first child's birth has been transcribed as June 1st of that year,⁴ which may be a mistake because it’s before their marriage date (the birth record transcription describes them as being husband and wife). Whether or not that’s an error, by 1715, Joseph and Dorothy had nine children in their family, with two or three of them dying young.

Joseph lived his entire life on the land he was born, because in 1708, he inherited the bulk of his father’s estate.⁵ When Thomas Dakin had made out his will 10 years earlier, he didn’t hide a preference for his youngest son. He left only small bequests to his son John and daughter Mary, and he completely cut out son Simon, expressing displeasure that he had moved to South Carolina, so Joseph was given nearly everything. His father wrote, “The reason why I give to my son Joseph Dakin so much is for the comfort of my life and my wife’s life. Therefore I charge you all my children to rest in it and live in peace, that the God of peace may be to you.” This seems to indicate that Joseph had taken care of his aging parents, and he was paid back with ownership of the family homestead.

In addition to managing his property, Joseph worked as a carpenter who built houses.³ He also served his community as church deacon, and was a constable in 1712, a selectman (member of the town council) in 1716, and a surveyor of highways and bridges in 1720.³

Joseph made out a will on May 8, 1739 leaving most of his property and possessions to his one surviving son Simon, and smaller gifts to each of his daughters.⁶ He passed away on March 13, 1744 at his home in Concord.¹ It isn’t known when his wife Dorothy died.

Children:
1. Mary Dakin — B. (possibly) 1 Jun 1696, Concord, Massachusetts;⁴ D. after 26 Oct 1725;⁷ M. Timothy Worcester, 5 Dec 1717, Middlesex County, Massachusetts⁸

2. Dorothy Dakin — B. 5 Aug 1698, Concord, Massachusetts;⁹ D. 4 Apr 1769, Worcester, Massachusetts;¹⁰ M. Daniel Hubbard (1694-1784), 5 Dec 1717, Concord, Massachusetts¹¹

3. Samuel Dakin — B. 23 Sep 1700, Concord, Massachusetts;¹² D. 20 Jul 1758, Lake George, New York;¹³ M. Mercy Minot (1702-1793), 13 Dec 1722, Concord, Massachusetts¹⁴

4. Sarah Dakin — B. 4 Jul 1702, Concord, Massachusetts¹⁵

5. Hannah Dakin — B. 23 Oct 1704, Concord, Massachusetts;¹ D. 3 Jul 1784, Concord, Massachusetts;¹⁷ M. Thomas Brooks (1701-1790), 24 Jun 1725, Concord, Massachusetts¹⁸

6. Rebecca Dakin — B. 8 Mar 1707, Concord, Massachusetts;¹⁹ D. 24 Dec 1717³

7. Dinah Dakin — B. 25 Apr 1709, Concord, Massachusetts;²⁰ M. Samuel Mead (1706-1788)²¹

8. Beulah Dakin — B. 26 Mar 1712, Concord, Massachusetts;²² D. 22 Jan 1733, Concord, Massachusetts;²³ M. Peter Holdin²³

9. Henry Dakin — B. 8 Mar 1715, Concord, Massachusetts;²⁴ D. 30 Apr 1717³

Sources:

1    Find-a-Grave listing for Joseph Dakin  
2    Marriage record of Joseph Dakin and Dorothy Worcester, Massachusetts Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
3    Descendants of Thomas Dakin of Concord MA, Albert Dakin, 1948
4    Birth record of Mary Dakin, Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
5    Will of Thomas Dakin, January 20, 1698  
6    Will of Joseph Dakin, May 8, 1739, FamilySearch.org  
7    Mary (Dakin) Worcester gave birth to youngest child Timothy on 26 Oct 1725, M.B. & C.
8    Marriage record of Timothy Worcester and Mary Dakin, M.V. & T.R.
9    Birth record of Dorothy Dakin, M.B. & C.
10  Find-a-Grave listing for Dorothy (Dakin) Hubbard  
11  Marriage record of Daniel Hubbard and Dorothy Dakin, M.V. & T.R.
12  Birth record of Samuel Dakin, M.B. & C.
13  Find-a-Grave listing for Samuel Dakin  
14  Marriage record of Samuel Dakin and Mercy Minot, M.V. & T.R.
15  Birth record of Sarah Dakin, M.B. & C.
16  Birth record of Dorothy Dakin, M.B. & C.
17  Find-a-Grave listing of Hannah (Dakin) Brooks  
18  Marriage record of Thomas Brooks and Hannah Dakin, M.V. & T.R.
19  Birth record of Sarah Dakin, M.B. & C.
20  Birth record of Dinah Dakin, M.B. & C.
21  Birth record of Dinah Mead (Dinah Dakin’s first child), M.B. & C.
22  Birth record of Beulah Dakin, M.B. & C.
23  Find-a-Grave listing of Beulah (Dakin) Holdin  
24  Birth record of Henry Dakin, M.B. & C.