(From Laura" ) In my research on the Chapin family I have found many places, including biographies of the family, which states the birth of Josiah as Oct. 29, 1637 Thanks for the information.....it's nice that the picture of the tombstone is also added. Laura

(From Lydia) Josiah was the son of Deacon Samuel Chapin and Cicely Penny. He was born 29 Oct 1634 in Berry, Pomeroy, Devonshire, England. He arrived in Roxbury, Massachusetts between 1635 & 1638. In 1656 he took the Oath of Fidelity. He married Mary King of Weymouth on November 30, 1658. They had 11 children. She died 30 May 1676 in Braintree, Massachusetts.

From 1661-1681 he was a resident of Braintree, Massachusetts. Served as a Selectman there in 1673, and was made a Freeman of the Colony in 1678. He married Lydia Brown September 20, 1676 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and they had four children.

From 1681-1726 he was a leading citizen of Mendon. He was a selectman for many years; Chairman of the Board for 11 years; and was Justice of the Peace by a commission said to have come from the British Parliament. In 1683 he was Surveyor of Highways in Mendon, in 1693 he was Clerk of the Market, he served five years as Commissioner of Assessments and was Moderator in 1716 and 1718. For many years he was the largest taxpayer in Mendon.

Lydia (Brown) Chapin died October 8, 1711 in Mendon. Josiah married Mehitabel Metcalf on June 22, 1713. He was the author of the so-called "Manuscript of Josiah Chapin", a genealogical account of his family.

Military Records: Was Captain of Massachusetts Colonial forces at Mendon. Sergeant in 1685; Ensign in 1687; Lieutenant in 1689 and Captain in 1692.

Josiah Chapin, Esq. died in Mendon, Massachusetts on September 10, 1726, aged 92 years, having out lived three wives.

[I know the birth dates don't match the age on the headstone but most town histories say he died at age 92 so that's what I've chosen to go with.]