The Ranney Family - Second Generation
Extracted From
Middletown Upper Houses

a history of the north society of Middletown, Ct.
from 1650 to 1800
with genealogical and biographical chapters
on early families.

Charles Collard Adams
New York: Grafton Press, 1908.

[transcribed by Liz Matthews]

   

DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS RANNEY SECOND GENERATION 2 Thomas2 Ranney (Thomas1), b. Mar. 1, 1660-1; m. Mar. 29, 1691, Harford, Rebecca Willett, b. ----------, Hartford, Conn., dau. of Nathaniel Willett and Hannah2 Adams, who was the dau. of Jeremy1 Adams and Rebecca2 Fletcher (John1 Fletcher). Original members of the church organized in the "North Society," on Jan. 5, 1714-15. Their homestead was on the right hand side of the road leading to "Berlin quarter," beginning at "Wilcox brook," being part of the land bought in 1686 from the estate of John Crow by Thomas Ranney, and given to him by this father's will, according to the custom of that day, though he undoubtedly had built on it at the time of his marriage. He d. Feb. 6, 1726, and has a gravestone. His widow married Jacob3 White. ADAMS LINEAGE - Jeremy Adams, in Braintree, 1632; freeman in Cambridge, May 6, 1635; in Hartford, 1636; m. Rebecca, widow of Samuel Greenhill, as a second wife, it is supposed; given, May, 1660, exclusive right to retail liquors; Mar., 1661-2, to keep ordinary. This tavern was on the site of the new (1906) Traveller's Building. In it the Great and General Court was in session with the Charter, when the demand of Gov. Andros was ignored, the lights put out, and the Charter concealed in the Charter Oak tree. He held many local offices. His wife, Rebecca, d. 1678, and he m. (2) Rebecca, widow of Andrew Warner, Jr., who was dau. of John Fletcher. He d. Aug. 11, 1683. His widow removed to Middletown, where she lived with a son, and d. Jan. 25, 1715, aged 77. Hannah Adams m. Nathaniel Willett. He came to Hartford in 1642; d. Jan. 4, 1698. WILL OF THOMAS2 RANNEY I, Thomas Ranny of Middletown, in the County of Hartford, husbandman, doe make this my last will and testament: Imprimis: I give to Rebeckah, my wife, ½ of my now dwelling house, ½ of my land at home; ½ of my orchard and ½ of my land in the long meadow. This I give her during her natural life, excepting only my wearing apparel, which I give to my three sons, Thomas, Willet and Nathaniel. And what money that is lent out I give to my wife to be at her own disposal. I give to my son Thomas yt lottment of land whereon his house stands; also I give him my land lying on the plain, north of lands belonging to my brother Joseph Ranny and south of land belonging to Lt. Frary, and butts on ye road from Middletown to Wethersfield west; also I Give him 1/3 of my other land lying on the plain easterly of land that belongeth to my brother Joseph Ranny; also I give him half of my long meadow land after my wife's decease; also I give him the ½ of my land in Wangunk meadow; also I give him the ½ of my Burch Swamp Pasture; also I give him my meadow at Goose Delight and all my Neck land that lyeth near sd. Goose Delight Meadow. I give to my son Willet all my land at Timber Hill; also my lower lott in Boggy Meadow; also I give him the remainder of my land at Passonchoague after my grandson George hath had 2 acres more than what I have given him and his sister by deed of gift, and two acres to lye next to that which I have given him and his sister as above, and then all the remainder of my land there or thereabouts to be to my son Willet; also I give him 1/3 part of my lottment of land on the plain that lyeth easterly of land that belongeth to my brother Joseph Ranny and westerly of land belonging to my brother Ebenezer Ranny. I give to the heirs of my son George in this my will what I have given them by deed of gift. Also I give to my grandson George Ranny, the son of my son, George Ranny decd. two acres of land adjoining to that which I have given to him and his sister by deed of gift, which is the two acres above specified. I give to my son Nathaniel the ½ of my now dwelling house and half of my barn, ½ of my land at home, ½ of my orchard at my decease and the other half at my wife's decease. I give to my three daughters Rebecca, Margaret and Anne, 2/3 of my moveable estate at my decease. Also I give to my three daughters all my lands that are already laid out in the last division on the east side of the Great River. Also I give them all my land in the Round Meadow. Also I give them all my land lyeing on the Heither Neck, so called. Also I give to my three sons all my propierty right in lands that are yet to be divided in Middletown. And whereas it is sayd in that part of my will that my son Willet shall have all my land at Timber Hill, it is to be understood that Willet is to accommodate his mother with pasturing for a cow or two if she needs it. I appoint my three sons, Thomas, Willet and Nathaniel, Executors. Thomas X. Ranny. Witness: Joseph Ranny Roger Gipson, John Warner Be it known to all men by these presents: That whereas I, Thomas Ranny of the Town of Middletowno have made my last will and testament in writeing bearing date 31st January 1726-7, I the sd. Thomas Ranny, by this present codicil, do ratify and confirm my sd. last will and testament, and do will and bequeath to my three daughters, Rebeckah, Anne and Margaret, the sum of £20 in money or bills of credit of this Colony or the neighboring provinces, to be paid unto them by my son Willet on consideration of his having all my land at Timber Hill, the sd. £20 to be paid after my wife's decease. Thomas X Ranny. Witness: Joseph Ranny Roger Gipson, John Warner. ___________________ Children: 9 Thomas, b. Aug. 14, 1692. 10 Willett, b. Mar. 30, 1693-4. 11 George, b. Oct. 28, 1695.     Rebecca, b. Dec. 10, 1700; m. Jonathan3 Doolittle. (See the Doolittle Family.) 12 Nathaniel, b. June 17, 1702.     Ann b. July 23, 1706.     Margaret, b. Aug. 21, 1708; m. Ebenezer3 Ranney. ___________________ 3 John2 Ranney, (Thomas1), b. Nov. 14, 1662; m. Dec. 28, 1693, Hannah Turner, b. Mar. 4, 1678-9, Middletown, dau. of Edward Turner and Mary Sanford. Edward Turner was in Milford, 1651; rem. to Middletown in 1665. In his will he names his daughter Hannah "now the wife of John Ranney." His tombstone in Riverside Cemetery says he died Apr. 4, 1717, aged 84. Richard Sanford was in Boston in 1640, in which year his wife Margery died. John2 Ranney and his wife were adm. to full communion in the Middletown ch. June 2, 1695; were original members of the North Society ch. Organized Jan. 5, 1714-15. His homestead was next north of that of his brother Thomas. In 1717 he sold out and rem. to East Middletown where he and his wife were original members of the Third Society ch. organized 1721. The dates of their deaths are unknown. Children:     Marce3, b. Dec. 28, 165, Upper Houses; m. July 19, 1722, East Middletown, John Hall, b. Aug. 19, 1699, Upper Houses, son of Deacon Samuel Hall and Sarah Hinsdale. She d. Oct. 1, 1726, he Feb. 3, 1767. Children: John, Hannah, Marce, Gideon and Mary4, who m. Comfort Eaton; Sylvanus5 Eaton m. Sarah Goodrich; David6 Eaton m. Selinda Sweetland; Jacob Sweetland7 Eaton m. Adaline Reynolds; Jane Adaline8 Eaton m. Henry Kirke Wight. They res. Indian Orchard, Mass.     Hannah, b. June 1, 1699; d. Nov. 26, 1699.     John, b. Sept 12, 1700; d. Sept. 20, 1700. 13 John, b. Oct. 1, 1703. 14 Richard, b. Feb. 18, 1705.     Deborah, b. Aug. 24, 1708.     Jeremiah, b. Jan. 25, 1713; d. Feb. 16, 1713.     Samuel, b. Aug. 12, 1715; m. Ann Miller, b. Dec. 7, 1701, dau. of John Miller and Marcy Bevins. He served in 7th Co., Capt. Herlihy, 1st Reg., 1758, French- Indian War, reported as having d. Aug. 21, 1758. Owned several pieces of property. No probate record. ___________________ 4 Joseph2 Ranney (Thomas1), b. Sept. 1663, Upper Houses; m. Jan. 1693, Mary4 Starr, b. 1672, New London, Ct., d. Oct. 18, 1747, Upper Houses, dau. of Comfort3 Starr and Marah Weld. He was given as a homestead a part of the land bought in 1686 by his father of John Crow's estate. His house stood where Deacon John Stevens built. It was transferred to him in his father's will. He and his wife were adm. to full communion in the original church on Sept. 15, 1695. They were original members of the North Society ch., organized Jan. 5, 1714-15. In 1740 he deeded his various properties to his children. He d. Mar. 21, 1745. WILL OF JOSEPH2 RANNEY This first Day of July, In the fourteenth year of the reign of his Majesty King George the second Anno Domini 1740. I Joseph Ranny of Middletown, in the County of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut, in New England, being advanced in years, and very infirm in body, but of sound disposeing mind and memory, thanks be given to God therefor, and calling to mind the mortality of my body, knowing it is appointed for man once to Dye, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, when he shall put a Period to my temporal life and my body to the earth to a Decent burial, Hopeing to have free pardon of all my sins, through the merits of Jesus Christ my blessed Redeemer, and to inherit everlasting life, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give, demise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. Imps. I give and bequeath unto Mary my well beloved wife one third part of all my household goods whatsoever, and one good cow, six sheep, and one swine, all which to be at her own dispose. I also give her the improvement of one third part of all my buildings and improved lands and fire wood (which I have reserved for her in the deeds that I have given to my sons) During the time that she shall remain my widow. And whereas I have by deeds of gift disposed of all my real estate to and among my three sons Joseph Daniel and Jonathan I also hereby give them all and every part of my personal estate whatsoever, that I have not herein given to my wife, Hereby also obliging my sd. three sons to pay all my just debts, funeral charges and legacies after mentioned, viz: to Edward Shepard & Mary Shepard the only children of my daughter Mary Shepard, Dec'd. the sum of fourty pounds money, to my daughter Abigail Stocking the sum of fourty pounds money, to my daughter Sibel Porter, the sum of fourty pounds money, and to Lucia Stocking and Grace Stocking the only children of my daughter Rachel Stocking dec'd the sum of fourty pounds money, which my sd sons shall pay in the parts following, Joseph fourty five pounds thereof, Daniel fourty five pounds thereof and Jonathan the remaining seventy pounds, which legacies my sd sons shall pay to such of sd daughters and grandchildren as shall be of lawful age at my decease, one half thereof within three months after my decease and the other half within nine months after my decease and those of my sd grandchildren that shall not be of lawful age at my decease, shall receive their legacies as the come to lawful age. And my will is that if one of the sd. children of either or both of my sd deceased daughters should decease before they attain to lawful age the surviver shall receive the whole of said forty pounds. But if both the sd children of either of my sd daughters should decease before they attain to lawful age, my will is that the said forty pounds shall remain to my said three sons. And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said three sons Joseph Ranny, Daniel Ranny & Jonathan Ranny executors to this my last will and testament. Hereby ratify allowing and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the day and year before written Joseph Ranny (Seal) Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Joseph Ranny to be his last will and Testament. In presence of, etc. Children: 15 Mary, b. Dec. 14, 1694; m. Samuel Shepard.     Elizabeth, b. Jan. 1, 1697; d. Jan. 9, 1723. 16 Joseph, b. Apr. 11, 1699.     Abigail, b. Nov. 16, 1702; m. Dec. 20, 1726, Capt. Joseph Stocking. (See the Stocking Family.)     Sybil, b. Mar. 10, 1704; m. Aug. 21, 1724 Amos Porter. Children: Rachel, Gideon, Amos, Lucretia, Asahel, Sybil, Medad. 17 Daniel, b. July 13, 1707. 18 Jonathan, b. Aug. 26, 1709.     Rachel, b. Dec. 25, 1711, m. Jan 26, 1737, Elisha Stocking. (See the Stocking Family.) [STARR LINEAGE - Dr. Comfort1 Starr, b. England, lived in Ashford Co., Kent, in the practice of his profession, was a man of wealth, position, and importance, being in 1631 Warden of St. Mary's church and in 1634 on a committee to repair the church. He having taken the oath of conformity to the orders and discipline of the Church of England, came from Sandwich, Co., Kent, Mar. 21, 1634-5, in the ship Hercules and made his residence in Newtowne; now Cambridge, Mass., where he practiced his profession. He rem. to Duxbury and in 1649 to Boston, where he d. Jan. 2, 1659-60. (See Starr Genealogy.) Dr. Thomas Starr2, b. England; d. Oct. 26, 1658; m. Rachel Harris. He was appointed, May 17, 1637, chirurgeon to the forces sent against the Pequots. He lived in Duxbury, Scituate, Yarmouth and Charlestown, where in 1654 he was "clerk of the writs." Comfort3 Starr, b. 1644, Scituate, Mass.; d. Oct. 18, 1693, Middletown, Conn.; m. in Boston, Marah Weld, bapt. Aug. 2, 1646, at Roxbury, dau. of Joseph Weld and Barbara Clapp. He went to New London in 1671, but soon rem. to Middletown, where he was granted lands in Mar., 1674-5. He left no will. The inventory names his children, Comfort 24, Joseph 17, Benjamin 15, Thomas 7, Daniel 1, Mary 22, Hannah 20, Rachel 10.] [SHEPARD LINEAGE - Edward1 Shepard, a cooper, was an early resident of Cambridge, Mass. He had six children. Sergeant John2 Shepard, b. abt. 1627, was made a freeman at Cambridge, Mass., in 1650; m. Oct. 1, 1649, Rebecca Greenhill, b. 1634, dau. of Samuel Greenhill. He had six children. Edward, the sixth, rem. to Hartford, residing on what is Lafayette street. Edward3 Shepard, b. July 31, 1662, Hartford, Conn.; d. Sept. 9, 1711, Upper Houses. He was granted land where the Cong. church now stands; m. Apr. 14, 1687, Abigail2 Savage (John1), b. July 10, 1666; d. Oct. 16, 1719. Children: John, b. Feb. 17, 1688; m. Feb. 17, 1720, Sarah Clark, dau. of John Clark and Elizabeth White, dau. of Capt. Nathaniel. They rem. to East Middletown. Edward, b. Dec. 18, 1689; d. Apr. 29, 1721. Samuel, b. Apr. 18, 1692.] ___________________ 5 Mary2 Ranney (Thomas1), b. Oct. 1665, Upper Houses; m. May 20, 1682, John2 Savage, b. Dec. 1, 1652, d. Oct. 31, 1726, son of John1 Savage and Elizabeth Dublin. (See the Savage Family.) He was comd. Captain of the traine band in 1711. She d. Aug. 19, 1734. They were original members of the church in the North Society organized Jan. 5, 1714-15. Children: John, b. Feb. 20, 1683, d. Mar. 13, 1683. Thomas3, b. Aug. 21, 1684; m. Mary Goodwin of Hartford. (John4, Huldah5, Hepzibah6 Wilcox, Norris Galpin7, Henry Norris8 Galpin, Ruth9 Galpin, a Life Member of Soc. M. U. H., res, Berlin Conn.) John, b. Jan. 30, 1685; d. Aug. 20, 1686. John, b. Aug. 7, 1688; d. ---. Mary, b. Feb. 11, 1690-1; m. Sept. 22, 1709, David Hurlbut, son of John Hurlbut and Mary Deming. William, b. July, 1693; m. Nov. 6, 1729, Hannah3 Savage, (William2; John1). Elizabeth, b. July, 1696; m. Sept., 1725, Andrew4 Cornwall, (William3, William2, William1). Abigail, b. Dec. 1698; d. Mar. 1699. Sarah, b. Sept., 1700; m. June 2, 1726, William3 Savage, (Willam2; John1). Rachel3, b. Jan. 15, 1703-4; m. Apr. 4, 1728, William Goodrich, (Mary4, Ruth5 Watson, Ruth6 Buck, James Gurdon7 Taylor, b. Nov. 6, 1842; m. Apr. 13, 1865, Adelia M. Miner. Res. So. Glastonbury, Ct.) Mercy, b. Apr. 10, 1706; m. Mar. 1, 1726-7, George4 Stocking, (George3, Samuel2, George1). ___________________ 6 Elizabeth2 Ranney (Thomas1), b. Apr. 12, 1668, Upper Houses, m. Aug. 4, 1698, Jonathan3 Warner, b. -----, son of John2 Warner who came to Upper Houses about 1660, occupying the Robert Webster place, and grandson of Andrew1 Warner. She was received into full com. of Middletown ch. July 28, 1695 and was an original member of the church organized in the North Society, Jan. 5, 1714-15. They rem. to East Middletown about 1710, where she was an original member of the Third Church organized in 1721. He d. Nov. 4, 1733. She d. Feb. 11, 1757. Both have gravestones. Children: Jonathan, b. July 2, 169--; d. July 6, 170--. John, b. Aug. 16, 171--; d. Sept. 5, 171--. ___________________ 7 Esther2 Ranney (Thomas1), bapt. Apr. 22, 1673; m. Dec. 3, 1696, Nathaniel2 Savage (John1), b. May 7, 1671, Upper Houses. He was 14 years of age when his father died and willed him the homestead. In 1709 he sold it to Lieut. Samuel Frary of Wethersfield and rem. to East Middletown where she was an original member of the third church, organized in 1721. He was Lieut. of the east side train band. and d Jan. 4, 1734-5; she d. Apr. 1, 1750. Both have gravestones. Children: Esther3, b. Sept. 2, 1697; d. Apr. 16, 1769; m. Apr. 2, 1724, William4 Cornwall (William 3 2 1). He had a grist mill in E. Middletown and d. Dec. 13, 1775. (Rachel4 Cornwall, Prudence5 Goodrich, Prudence6 Dixon, Daniel7 Penfield, Daniel Edward8 Penfield, who m. Jan. 1, 1871, Alice8 Buck, Silas7 Buck, Erastus6 Buck, Ruth5 Watson, Mary4 Goodrich, Rachel2 Savage, Mary2 Ranney, Thomas1 D. E. Penfield and wife have Katie Louise, b. Feb. 24, 1874; d. Apr. 13, 1874. Res. Warren, Mass.) (John4 Cornwall, Ozias5, Ellesworth6, Sally Melissa7, Sarah Jane8, b. Aug. 9, 1838; m. June 27, 1876, Russell Smith Taft, b. Jan. 28, 1835, Williston, Vt., d. Mar. 22, 1902, State Senator, Judge Probate, Chief Judge of Supreme Court of Vt. Child: Russell Wales, b. May 4, 1878, grad. 1898, m. Dec. 16, 1901. Winona Lee Brigham, dau. of Rev. Sidney Sumner Brigham; son Robert Brigham, b. Oct. 4, 1902. Res. of Mrs. Judge Taft and son, Burlington, Vt.) Nathaniel, b. Oct. 3, 1698; d. Apr. 27, 1699. Abigail, b. Apr. 9, 1700; m. Mar. 21, 1726-7, Stephen Boardman. Susanna, b. June 29, 1702; m. Dec. 24, 1735, John Stephenson. Mary, b. July 10, 1704; d. July 27, 1742. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 27, 1707-8; m. Feb. 12, 1746, Gershom Goodrich. John, b. Sept. 1, 1710. Nathaniel, b. Oct. 29, 1713; d. Dec. 6, 1716. Jabez, b. July 12, 1718; d. July 20, 1743. ___________________ 8 Ebenezer2 Ranney (Thomas1), b. abt. 1681, Upper Houses; m. Aug. 4, 1698, Sarah Warner, b. -----, dau of John Warner and --------------------------. They resided on adjoining homesteads. She died Oct. 4, 1741. He died May 8, 1754. No tombstones. He had inherited the homestead. His will, May 24, 1748, gives "to my well beloved son, Ebenezer Ranny, all and singular my lands, messuages, tenements with two thirds of my horses, cattle and sheep, husbandry Emprovements of what kind soever and also my gun and war like stores of every sort, together with all my money, notes, bonds and other securities for money and all my wearing apparel with one third part of my household stuff and my will is that my son Ebenezer Rnny should keep winter and summer one cow and six sheep for my daughter Hannah Ranny so long as she lives unmarried.     To Hannah the south part of the house and what she needs of the cattel and two thirds parts of my household stuff during her life and if she have no lawful heir of her body to be distributed to my son Ebenezer and my daughter Ruth Moss.     To Ruth Moss £10 old tenner to be paid by my executor within 12 months after my decease.     Extracts from the inventory. "In old tenor money Rhode Island & Hampshire old tenour £77. 17-6. Conn. Old tenour £17-6-6." Total was £901-2-6. Children:     Sarah, b. Jan. 15, 1699; d. Sept. 4, 1742.     Hannah, b. Mar. 25, 1702; unm. In 1748. 19 Ebenezer, b. Nov. 22, 1704.     Ruth, b. Apr. 6, 1707; mm. Apr. 13, 1738, Theophilus Moss of Wallingford. Children:     Ebenezer, b. Nov. 25, 1740; m. Apr. 27, 1764, Esther Preston.     Esther, b. June 10, 1744; d. Aug. 25, 1744.     Ruth, b. Apr. 17, 1746.     Esther, b. Mar. 7, 1710; d. Oct. 7, 1741. [MOSS LINEAGE - John1 Moss was in New Haven as early as 1645. He was a prominent man there, frequently representing the people in the General Court. In 1667 he was in Wallingford. In 1670 at the age of sixty-seven he was active in procuring an act of incorporation, giving the name of Wallingford to the town, after which he often represented this town in the Great and General Court. He d. in 1707, at the advanced age of one hundred and three. (See the Moss Genealogy.) John2 Moss, b. -----; m. 1677, Martha Lathrop, who d. Sept. 21, 1719. He d. Mar. 31, 1717. Ten children. Deacon Samuel3 Moss, b. Nov. 18, 1680; m. Dec. 15, 1703, Susannah Hall. He d. July 29, 1765; she d. Mar. 4, 1766, aged eighty-three years. Theophilus4 Moss, b. Oct. 24, 1704; m. Apr. 13, 1738, Ruth Ranney.]