Richard Chase (1766- 1850) and Priscilla Snow (1767-1849), Harwich, Mass.

Richard Chase was born June 1766 in Harwich, Mass., the son of Samuel Chase and Zilpha Burgess.

Richard married Priscilla Snow about May 1792 probably in Harwich. He was a mariner, eventually becoming a sea captain.

Priscilla Snow was born 17 September 1767, in Yarmouth, Mass., the daughter of Thomas Snow and Elizabeth Nickerson. Priscilla Snow, daughter of Thomas Snow, Jr., was baptized on 24 Nov 1771, at the First Parish Church in Brewster.

Thomas Snow was a shipwright in Harwich and he mentioned his daughter Priscilla Chase in his will.

Richard and Priscilla Chase had at least two children: Priscilla born 28 November 1796 and Mary Ann born about 1808. Census records seem to indicate he also had a son. Mary Ann married Joshua Dillingham and lived in Brewster, where she died in 1865. I descend from Priscilla who married Oliver Kelley, and I wrote about them here.

1800 census Harwich

Richard Chase

1 male 26-44

2 females under 10

1 female 26-44

1820 Census Brewster

Richard Chase

In a neighborhood with many Dillinghams

1 male 16-26

1 male over 45

1 female 10-16

1 female over 45

2 people engaged in commerce

Richard Chase died in Harwich, Mass., on 01 January 1850 at age 83 years, 7 months, widower, in Harwich, mariner, born Harwich, son of Samuel and Zylphia Chase, cause of death was gravel. (Note: gravel is what we would now call a kidney stone.)

 I have not looked for his probate records, but if they exist they may shed some light on his children.

Priscilla died 01 December 1849 at age 82, presumably in Harwich.

Richard and Priscilla are buried at the Kelley Cemetery in Harwich. Richard is called “Captain” on his stone.

Richard Chase's gravestone at Kelley Cemetery

Priscilla Snow Chase's gravestone, Kelley Cemetery

Richard and Priscilla (Snow) Chase are one of those couples I have incomplete information on and would love to hear from anyone who also descends from this couple. The Chase family was prolific and many Harwich records have gone missing, a combination that has made research challenging.