South Dedham/Norwood Teacher and Patriot

Jeremiah Kingsbury (1730-1788)

Born on January 9, 1730 in Stoughton, Jeremiah Kingsbury was the son of Jeremiah Kingsbury (1700-1786) and Rest (White) Kingsbury (1699-1789). He married Abigail Fisher (1736-1809). Among their children were Abigail and Moses each of whom died during a small pox epidemic in 1775. Another daughter, Mehetable, married Dr. Philip Draper, the earliest known resident physician in South Dedham.

Although the records of schools in South Dedham during the colonial era are few, it appears that Jeremiah Kingsbury was the school-master in the village during the winters of 1768-1769 and 1769-1770.

Along with many other men of the South Parish district, Kingsbury answered the call to arms on April 17, 1775 and mustered at Dedham. At the time, Kingsbury was a Sergeant in the militia. It is unknown how long he participated in the conflict, but he was a veteran of the Revolutionary War.

Jeremiah Kingsbury died on June 3, 1788 at the age of 57. His widow, Abigail, survived him for two decades until June 14, 1809, when she died at the age of 72.

While documenting those buried at Old Parish Cemetery, it was discovered that the site of Jeremiah Kingsbury’s grave had been misidentified. The 1890 Plan of the Old Cemetery designated his grave as being in lot #1. Instead, Jeremiah is buried at the top of the hill in a row of family graves. From left to right at the crest of the hill are: Son-in-law Dr. Philip Draper (#131); wife, Abigail Kingsbury (#132); Jeremiah Kingsbury (#133); daughter Abigail Kingsbury (#134), son Moses Kingsbury (#135), father, Jeremiah Kingsbury (#136); and mother, Rest Kingsbury (#137).