Jason Haven

Jason Haven (March 2, 1733 – May 17, 1803) was the longest serving minister of the First Church and Parish in Dedham.

Haven was born on March 2, 1733, in Framingham, Massachusetts. He was graduated from Harvard College in 1754. While at Harvard, he was a classmate of John Hancock and one year ahead of John Adams. Following a fever in 1774, for which a day of fasting and prayer was called, he remain "an invalid" for the rest of his life.

He married the oldest daughter, Catherine, of his predecessor in the Dedham Church, Samuel Dexter. He also had a son, Samuel. Two of his children died in infancy, one at one month old and the other at seven months old. His corn barn collapsed in the late 1700s. Haven died, May 17, 1803. The family lived in the Dexter's home. His first cousin, once removed, was Elias Haven.

Haven Street in Dedham was named for him.

He was a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779–1780 and a supporter of the American Revolution. He believed it granted Americans "civil and religious privileges, equal, or perhaps superior to those enjoyed in any part of the world."

Haven had dinner with Governor Thomas Hutchinson in December 1771. He had dinner with John Hancock at the home of his neighbor and brother-in-law, Samuel Dexter, in July 1773. His political influence waned as his health and mental capacity grew weaker with old age.

Haven was called to the Dedham church in 1755 and ordained on February 5, 1756. Prior to this, he was serving as interim pastor in Wrentham, Massachusetts. The church voted 40–6 to call him and the town voted 56–10 to ratify that decision. He held the pulpit until his death on May 17, 1803.

As part of the call, he was offered £133.06s.08d in addition to an annual salary of £66.13s.8d plus 20 cords of wood. He was also granted "the use and improvement" of a plot of land near the meetinghouse and given three parcels of land in Medfield, Massachusetts. In 1795, he was granted a £20 raise.