BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MASON  
          

          Benjamin Franklin Mason (1804-1871). Born in Pomfret, he worked first in Vermont, then in Boston, Troy, Buffalo, and Milwaukee before finally settling in Woodstock. Other examples of his work are at the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury and the Woodstock Historical Society. (See Frankenstein and Healy, "Two Journeyman Painters." Sheldon Museum, 1950.)

Timothy Bartholomew   (1746 - 1831) Bartholomew was a surveyor by trade.  He came to Thetford by 1771, married Esther Grant in 1773.   They lived north of North Thetford (present Palmer Farm).  Bartholomew served in Strafford, Newbury and Royalton Alarms - 1778-1780.  He was a Selectman from 1779-1780, 1783-1784, 1786, 1802, 1811.  Bartholomew also served as Commissioner for sale of confiscated Tory estates - 1780.  He was a School Trustee 1784, and a State Representative during the 1780s.  The portrait at left of Bartholomew dates from 1825.

Joseph Hosford (left) and Abner Bartholomew Hosford

           Joseph Hosford (1772-1842), the son of Aaron Hosford, lived in North Thetford, probably on Clay Road. He married Abigail Bartholomew (1776-1858), daughter of Timothy Bartholomew. Their son was Abner Bartholomew Hosford (1812-1895), who married Elizabeth Sawyer (1818-1897). Either he or his father built the stone house in North Thetford.  Joseph Hosford is depicted in the portrait above left, and his son, Abner, is on the right.  Both portraits were painted in 1825.