Robert Stetson was first mentioned in the Scituate records in 1634. He was one of the earliest settlers and built the first mill in the southern part of the town, now known as Norwell. When a "troop of horse" was ordered raised by the Colony Court, he was commissioned Cornet, an office he continued to hold for twenty years and, as was the custom, was addressed as "Cornet Robert Stetson" thereafter. In 1661, he was chosen a member of the Council of War and held the office for many years. In 1665, he received a grant of two hundred acres of land from the Colony for his services in settling the difficulties with the Indians at the "Kennebeck Plantation." It was said, "In those trying days the fate of this entire section of Plymouth was literally in his hands." He represented Scituate at the Plymouth Colony Court for seventeen years. He was chosen first selectman at the first town meeting which was held in 1666. He continued to be active in town and military affairs until he was well over sixty years of age. Cornet Stetson owned much land in Scituate. He had a flourishing mill on Herring Brook and was much in demand everywhere. He died at the age of ninety years, "having lived long and left a good name."

Cornet Robert and his first wife Honor (Tucker) Stetson had nine children, all born in Scituate, MA:

• Joseph, b. June 1639; m. (1) Ruth Hiland, daughter of Thomas Hiland; m. (2) Prudence -----.
• Benjamin, b. Aug. 1641; m. Bethia Hawke, daughter of Matthew Hawke.
• Thomas, b. 11 Dec. 1643; m. Sarah Dodson, daughter of Anthony Dodson.
• Samuel, b. June 1646; m. Lydia Pickles, daughter of Jonas Pickles.
• John, b. April 1648; m. Abigail Hudson, daughter of John Hudson.
• Eunice, b. 28 April 1650; m. Timothy Rogers, son of John Rogers.
• Lois, b. Feb. 1652; (not in will).
• Robert, Jr., b. 29 Jan. 1653; m. Deborah Brooks, daughter of William Brooks.
• Timothy, bpt. 11 Oct. 1657; not in will or in Scituate Vital Records.

Joseph Stetson served his town as constable and he and his family lived on the homestead farm bequeathed to him by his father and that homestead remained in his branch of the family until it was purchased and restored by the Stetson Kindred of America, Inc.

Joseph and his first wife Ruth (Hiland) Stetson had one son:

• Joseph, b. in Scituate, MA, 1667; m. (1) Hannah Oldham, daughter of Thomas Oldham; m. (2) widow Mary Perry.

Joseph and his second wife Prudence (-----) Stetson had seven children, all born in Scituate, MA:

• Robert, b. 9 Dec. 1670; m. Mary Collamore, daughter of Capt. Anthony Collamore.
• Lois, b. March 1672; m. Deacon Joseph Ford, son of William Ford.
• William, b. Dec. 1673; d. 14 Aug. 1699.
• Desire, b. Sept. 1676; m. Richard Sylvester, son of Israel Sylvester.
• Prudence, b. Sept. 1678; m. Ebenezer Leach, son of Giles Leach.
• Samuel, b. Dec. 1679; m. (1) Elizabeth -----; m. (2) Rachel Stetson, daughter of Sgt. Samuel Stetson.
• Hannah, b. June 1682; m. Solomon Lincoln, son of Joshua Lincoln.