Lydia Taft
| Lydia Chapin Taft | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 2, 1712 Mendon, Massachusetts Colony, British America |
| Died | November 9, 1778 (aged 66) Uxbridge, Massachusetts State Revolutionary United States |
| Occupation | Suffragist |
| Known for | Women's suffrage, America's First Woman Voter |
| Spouse(s) | Josiah Taft |
| Children | Bazaleel Taft, Sr. and six other children |
| Parent(s) | Seth and Bethia Chapin |
Lydia Chapin (Taft) (February 2, 1712 – November 9, 1778) was the first woman known to legally vote in colonial America. This occurred at a Town Meeting in the New England town of Uxbridge in Massachusetts Colony.
Lydia Chapin was born in Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts on 2 February 1712. She was the daughter of Seth Chapin, and Bethia Thurston. Seth Chapin was a respected member of the community and a Captain in the militia. Young Lydia Chapin grew up in Mendon, in a large family with nine siblings. Lydia's mother had 14 children. Her father Seth owned much property in what is today Milford, south Hopedale and Posts Lane in Mendon.
The family lived on 45 acres (180,000 m2) near the Post's Lane bridge and Mill River.
In 1727 the western part of Mendon became the newly incorporated town of Uxbridge. Mendon and Uxbridge were at that time rural communities in central Massachusetts. The reference cited also mentions that she married a Taft. In 1731, these communities became part of the new county of Worcester County.
Lydia Chapin was married to Josiah Taft, on December 28, 1731 at the Congregational Church in Mendon. Josiah Taft was born on April 2, 1709. Josiah's father Daniel, had been a local "squire" and Justice of the Peace. Lydia and Josiah then settled in Uxbridge. Josiah and Lydia had eight children between 1732 and 1753. Their children were: Josiah, born 10 May 1733, Ebenezer, born 20 August 1735, (died 16 October 1735), Caleb, born 15 January 1739, Asahel born 23 April 1740, Joel, born 15 August 1742, (died before 19 February 1747), Joel born 19 February 1748; (died 30 August 1749) at age 1, Bazaleel, born 3 November 1750, and Chloe, born 7 June 1753.
Josiah became a prominent citizen in early Uxbridge as wealthy farmer, local official, and Massachusetts legislator. He served several terms as a member of the Board of Selectmen, as town clerk, as town moderator, and in the Massachusetts General Court. HR, 1753.
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