Robbing The Cradle

 I always heard the term "Robbing the Cradle", perhaps this is where it started.

     Thomas Tomson was born Oct 19, 1664 in Middleboro, MA. He was good friends with John Morton who also lived in Middleboro and they frequently visited each other. 

On one occasion when Thomas had turned 25, Morton advised that he should soon marry as he was of the proper age. Thomas is alleged to have replied, "I will marry that daughter of yours when she is old enough," pointing to John Morton's infant daughter Mary in her cradle. 

 John is not known to have objected, and when Thomas was 50, he made good his word, marrying Mary, aged 25. They married on December 13, 1715 in Middleboro, Massachusetts. They had seven children.

Thomas was a farmer and a glazier, and set diamond glass in lead, a feature of windows common in those days.

Thomas had an estate of 700 acers.  He was well off financially and was always charitable.  Rev. Cotton, the first minister of Halifax said, “Thomas Tomson was the wealthiest man in town but more to his honor was rich toward God.