"… Another interest which Henshaw found in Milton was of a domestic nature. On May 30, 1777. he and Sarah Swill filed an intention of marriage. Sarah, however, suffered through 'near seven years painful, distressing sickness, and uncommon weakness, which baffled the skill of the able physicians.' After successfully undergoing the smallpox inoculation in 1778, she began to improve. The family's hopes were crowned with the birth of a son but soon turned to dust when Sarah died in childbed on January 22, 1781. She was followed to the grave by their infant within a fortnight. After this personal tragedy, Henshaw left Milton and moved into Boston, where he was appointed as clerk of the house of representatives for the session beginning May 30, 1781."
