Person:David Silvester (2)

The following profile is from "Richard Silvester and His Descendants," New England Historical and Genealogical Register:^S2

"When a Masonic lodge (Lincoln Lodge) was instituted in Pownalborough, 19 June 1792, David Silvester was the first man made a Mason by the Lodge, and he was also elected its treasurer. At a meeting held 27 December 1792 he was by a unanimous vote made the first regularly elected master of Lincoln Lodge, a position which he retained until his death. While serving as treasurer he was authorized to erect a hall for the use of the Lodge.

"There is a tradition that David Silvester and Thomas Rice, another prominent citizen of Pownalborough, were confined for a short time on the British frigate Rainbow, 44 guns, as hostages for the safety of the ship from the attack of the American Patriots, who endeavored to prevent the warship from seizing a ship loaded with masts for France.

"For five terms Mr. Silvester served as a representative in the Massachusetts General Court in Boston, and he and Thomas Rice were the two delegates from Pownalborough to the Convention that met in Boston to decide whether Massachusetts should ratify or reject the proposed Constitution of the United States. By unanimous vote the town of Pownalborough had instructed its delegates to vote against ratification; but, after the weeks of debate, both Mr. Silvester and Mr. Rice voted in favor of ratification (February 1788), and probably succeeded later in convincing their fellow townsmen of the necessity of this action, since Mr. Silvester was reelected to the General Court."

Collector of Import & Excise for the Western District of the County of Lincoln

David Silvester was appointed by the legislature on 13 Mar 1790 to be the Collector in Wiscasset. A letter in Wiscasset in Pownalborough from George Thacher to George Washington includes a reference for David Silvester:

"David Sylvester lives at the Port of Wiscasset. he has been two or three years appointed Collector of Import & Excise for the Western District of the County of Lincoln, & I believe he will make a good & faithful Collector of Import at that Port under the Laws of the United States."^S3

1. ↑ "Wiscasset Cemetery Inscriptions", in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society)
   Vol 72 p. 278.

   "Here lies entombed the mortal part of David Sylvester Esqr. He was a worthy citizen; and, many years, a Magistrate, who distributed Justice and promoted peace among his fellow men. From the early institution of the Society untill his death, he was Master of Lincoln Lodge.... Obit. Feby 25th 1798, AEtat. 56." Per Register footnote, this inscription is on a large flat stone on the top of a tomb. On the iron door of the tomb are the words "Lincoln Lodge." On a stone near the tomb are the words "Father & Mother."

2.   "Richard Silvester and His Descendants", in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society)
   Vol 86 p. 296.

   "David Silvester (Joshua, Samuel, John, Richard), of Pownalborough (now Wiscasset), Me., merchant, born 13 May 1742 in what was later the town of Pownalborough (incorporated in 1760), died at Pownalborough 25 Feb. 1798. He married in Boston, 5 June 1766, Martha Paul...
   
   "David Silvester left a will dated 8 Feb 1798, in which he mentioned his wife Martha, his mother Mary, and his sisters Mary, Lydia, Sarah, Jane, Elizabeth, and Rachel."
   
   See text for more information.

3.   Chase, Fannie S. (Fannie Scott). Wiscasset in Pownalborough: a history of the shire town and the salient historical features of the territory between the Sheepscot and Kennebec rivers. (Wiscasset, Maine: [s.n.], c1941)
   p. 120.

   see text

4. ↑ David Silvester, in Wiscasset (Maine). Town Clerk. Town and vital records, 1739-1929. (Wiscasset, Maine)
   Online database, FamilySearch Record Search, Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900, Accessed 12 Sep 2010.

   Name David Silvester
   Gender Male
   Birth Date 13 May 1742
   Birthplace Wiscasset, Lincoln, Maine
   Father's Name Joshua Silvester
   Mother's Name Mary
   Indexing Project (Batch) Number C52118-1
   System Origin Maine-EASy
   Source Film Number 12309
   Reference Number v 1 & 2 p 3