A catalogue of the names of the first Puritan settlers of the colony of Connecticut;
with the time of their arrival in the colony and their standing in society,
together with their place of residence, as far as can be discovered by the records.
&c collected from the state and town records by R.R. Hinman,
Hartford. Printed by E. Gleason, 1846,
[Transcribed by Dave Swerdfeger]
CATALOGUE OF THE NAMES OF THE FIRST PURITAN SETTLERS OF CONNECTICUT
Soper, Mary
of Windsor, guardian of Pelatiah, 19 years old, Sarah 16, John 13, Abigail 12, Dorcas 7, and Return Soper 4—her children.
Southmayd, William
mariner, of Middletown—died in 1702. Wife, Margaret. He left some daughters, and an estate of £1086.
Sparks, John
of Windsor—died in 1710. Estate £54. Children, Martha, 16 years old, Esther 18, Ruth, John, Anne, Dorothy and Thomas.
Spencer, William
of Hartford—died in 1640. He left a wife and 3 children, viz. Sarah, Elizabeth and Samuel. He was a kinsman of Matthew Allyn, a brother in law of John Pratt and John Talcott. William Spencer was the ancestor of the Hon. Judge Spencer and Hon. John C. Spencer, of the State of New York. He was one of the first Puritan settlers of Hartford. John Spencer, of Haddam, died in 1682. Children, Gerrard, Rebecca, Benjamin, Lydia and Grace. The two eldest children he placed in the care of his sister Hannah, who had married Daniel Brainerd, and allowed Mr. Brainerd the use of the two children's interest in his estate. His son, Benjamin, he placed in the charge of Nicholas Noyes, of Haddam, until he became of age, with the liberty to take the use of Benjamin's share. Lydia he gave to his father Howard, and gave her the old cow and £7 more than her portion, because she had a defective hand. His youngest daughter, Grace, he placed in the care of his brother in law, Kinne, and his sister Rebecca. He left for them to use as a compensation for keeping her, her share, and gave Grace a cow and £5 more than her portion of his estate. The deceased John had taken Tho's Brooks at the age of four years, who had now become 18 years of age, a son of his sister Brooks. This adopted son he directed to respect his mother, (who had married Thomas Shailer,) and gave him his time until 21 years of age; he also gave him his loom and tacklin for it, and two steers, and directed him to be clothed as well as his own children. He gave the remainder of his property equally to all his children, after dividing to each son £30, and each daughter £20. He allowed 74 shillings to purchase books for his children, and gave Goodwife Smith 20 shillings—his sister Shailer and Thomas Brooks each 20 shillings, for their kind attention in his sickness. He desired Nicholas Royes, George Gates, Daniel Brainerd, Daniel Cone and Thomas Spencer to be overseers of his will. Ebenezer Spencer married Mary Booth in 1699. Garrit Spencer married Hannah Pratt, daughter of
John, in 1680. She died in 1692.
Stanclift, James
of Middletown—died in 1712. Wife, Mary. Left two sons, William and James.
Standish, Thomas
of Wethersfield—died Sept. 1735. Estate £396.
Starr, Comfort
was a physician, and the first of the name in New England. He married Elizabeth —---. He came from Ashford, in the county of Kent, in England, and settled at Cambridge, Mass. in 1633. He died at Boston, Jan. 1660—his wife died in 165S. Children, Doct. Thomas, John, Comfort, Elizabeth, Hannah and Maynard.
Starr, Doct. Thomas
son of Doct. Comfort, married Rachel -----, and settled in Charlestown. His children were, Thomas, Comfort, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Constant, (died in 1654,) William b. in 1654, and Josiah b. in 1657.
Starr, Benjamin
son of Doct. Thomas, married Elizabeth Alston in 1675, but left no children.
Starr, Josiah and Thomas
sons of Doct. Thomas, settled at Danbury, and in 1715-16 purchased 100 acres of land of Abraham Adams, located in Danbury. Josiah married and had Benjamin and Comfort.
Starr, John
2d son of Dr. Comfort, of Cambridge, resided at Boston. He married Martha ---, and had a son, Comfort, b. in 1661.
Starr, Rev. Comfort
3d son of Doct. Comfort, graduated at Harvard College in 1647. He then returned to England, and after having been settled there, died in 1711.
Starr, Comfort
son of Doct. Thomas, settled at Middletown. He married Rachel Harris, and had children, Comfort, 24 years old, b. in 1670, Mary 22 years old, Joseph b. in 1676, Benjamin b. in 1679, Rachel b. in 1681, Thomas b. in 1684, and Daniel b. in 1689. At his decease Mary was his relict. He died in 1693. Estate £89.
Starr, Joseph
son of Comfort, of Middletown, married Abigail Baldwin, and had nine children, seven sons and two daughters.
Starr, Comfort
son of Comfort, of Middletown, married Elizabeth Hopson, and had eight children, three sons and five daughters.
Starr, Jonathan
son of Comfort, resided at Stonington, married Abigail Cadwell, and had one son and two daughters, the last born in 1750. He died in 1765—his wife died in 1764.
Starr, Jehosaphat
son of the 3d Comfort, married Elizabeth Ruggles, and had two sons and two daughters. But the record says he settled at Newport, R.I., and his estate at Middletown was about £54. His sister, Elizabeth, married Capt. Thomas Ward. His sister, Hannah, married Mr. Greenfield, of Newport, R.I. He died at sea, in 1717, and his property at Middletown was distributed to his aforesaid sisters. Yet he might have had four children who were deceased at his death—if not, why was his property at Middletown distributed to his sisters instead of his children and widow ?—doubtful whether he left children.
Stedman, Samuel
died in 1684. Simmons Stedman, of Farmington, also died—was a brother of Thomas, of Wethersfield. Lieut. John, and his wife, Elizabeth, both died before 1678, and left four small children, with an estate.
Stearns, John
children were, John, Jacob, Josiah, Mary and Hannah Hopkins. This 2d John moved to and died in Northampton or Hadley.
Stevens, Thomas, sen'r.
of Middletown—died in 1714, and left a son, Thomas, and other children.
Steward, Alexander
of East Haddam—died in 1732. Margaret, his relict.
Stillman, George
resided in Hadley, Mass. He married Rebecca Smith, daughter of Dea. Philip Smith, in 1685, and lived there until 1703 or 4, and then removed to Wethersfield, Conn. He was a selectman of Hadley in 1696, and a deputy to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1698, and a juror of Wethersfield in 1705, and selectman in 1708. His origin is not known. He was born in 1654, and died in 1728, aged 74 years. He was a merchant at Wethersfield, and left an estate valued at £3622:4:7. Dea. Smith, the father of his wife, moved to Hadley, one of the first settlers, with Gov. Webster and the Rev. John Russell and others, from Hartford and Wethersfield. His children were, George born in Hadley about 1686, whether he married or not is not known-was living in 1728, and named in his father's will; Rebecca b. Jan. 14, 1688, d. Oct. 19, 1712; Mary b. July 12, 1689, m. Deliverance Blinn; Nathaniel b. July 1, 1791; John b. Feb. 19, 1693; Sarah b. Dec. 28, 1694, m. Mr. Willard, of Saybrook; Martha b. Nov. 28, 1796, d. Oct. 2, 1712;
Anna b. April 6, 1699, m. Dea. Hezekiah May, of Wethersfield; Elizabeth b. Oct. 19, 1701, m. Mr. Blinn; Hannah b. Nov. 7, 1702, d. Aug. 9, 1705; Benjamin b. in Wethersfield, July 29, 1705; Lydia m. Rev. Daniel Russell in 1728, minister at Wethersfield; Hannah m. John Caldwell, of Hartford.
Stillman, Nathaniel
2d son of George, m. Anna Southmayd, daughter of William, of Middletown, for his first wife, by whom he had one child, Nathaniel b. March 10, 1719, Anna, his wife, d. Jan. 6, 1729. aged 37-he then m. Sarah, daughter of Capt. Joseph Allyn, and had the following children: Allyn b. March 20, 1731; Anna b. March 26, 1734, m. Ezekiel Fosdick; Sarah b. Feb. 26, 1736, m. Mr. Burr, of Hartford,; Joseph b. Oct. 21, 1739; Samuel b. March 18, 1741; Mary b. Nov. 18, 1744, m. Appleton Robbins, father of Appleton Robbins, Esq., of Granby; George moved to Machias, Maine-his daughter Elizabeth O., m. Hon. James Savage, of Boston. He has numerous descendants living in Maine and Massachusetts.
Stillman, John
3d son of Gecrge, m. Mary, daughter of Samuel Wolcott, and his wife Judith, who was an Appleton from Massachusetts. His children were, John b. Aug. 9, 1717; Rebecca b. Sept. 17, 1719; Mary b. Dec. 31, 1721; Abigail b. Jan. 22, 1723; Martha b. Aug. 20, 1726; Sarah b. Dec. 2, 1728; Elisha b. Feb. 14, 1730, d. Sept. 23, 1803, aged 73; Abigail b. March 2, 1732; Appleton b. March 23, 1734; Huldah b. April 30, 1737.
Stillman, Benjamin
4th son of George, m. Sarah, daughter of Capt. Samuel Doty, of Saybrook, for his first wife, and Katherine Chauncey, of Durham, for his second wife. His children were, (those known to the writer.) George b. Nov. 24, 1729; Samuel b. Nov. 28, 1731.
Stillman, Nathaniel
eldest son of Nathaniel and his wife Anna, m. Mahitabel, daughter of David Deming of Wethersfield, June, 1743, and resided in Wethersfield until his death, Feb. 1811, aged 92. His children were, Anna b. Aug. 6, 1748, m. Asa Talcott for her first husband, then m. Abijah Ranney; Mahitabel b. Sept. 23, 1750, m. Peter Deming as his second wife; Nathaniel b. Nov. 27, 1752; Southmayed b. Nov. 3, 1754—lost at sea when young; Allyn b. Dec. 12, 1757, m. Elizabeth Deming, had no children, and died in 1818; William b. Nov. 3, 1759; David b. Jan. 3, 1762; Simeon b. June 12, 1764; Giles b. Jan. 15, 1766; James b. Sept. 9, 1770.
Stillman, Allyn
2d son of Nathaniel and his wife Sarah, was a sea captain in the employ of Congress, or the State, in 1771, and afterwards moved to Enfield, where he has descendants still living.
Stillman, Joseph
3d son of Nathaniel, m. Huldah Wright for his first wife—was the father of major Joseph Stillman, who entered the army of the Revolution as a drummer, at the age of 16, and afterwards rose to the rank of major in the militia of the State. He was the father of Capt. George, Deac. Timothy and Ebenezer Stillman now living at Wethersfield. He married Sarah Meekins for his 2d wife, by whom he had Otis, a sea captain in the merchant service, who was lost at sea.
Stillman, Samuel
4th son of Nathaniel, m. Meliscent Riley—was also a sea captain.
Stillman, Nathaniel
eldest son of Nathaniel and Mahitabel Deming his wife, m. Martha Hanmer—was a soldier of the Revolution, and died a pensioner, Aug. 1838, aged 86. His children were, Martha, m. Otis Stillman; Elizabeth m. William Montague—died at Hartford; Francis, was a sea captain—died in 1838; Clarissa; Charles, lost at sea with Otis Stillman when young.
Stillman, Southmayd
2d son of Nathaniel, was lost at sea when young.
Stillman, Allyn
3d son of Nathaniel, m. Elizabeth Deming, and died without issue, Nov. 12, 1818, aged 61.
Stillman, William
4th son of Nathaniel, m. Mary Goodrich, and removed to Sheffield, Mass., where he died. His children were, Southmayd, Hetty, Samuel, Hopey, Lois, Jared, Allyn and William.
Stillman, David
5th son of Nathaniel, m. Prudence Hurlbut, and removed to Sheffield, Mass. His children were, Amelia, Thomas, David, Prudence, (m. Mr. Crippen.) and Harriet.
Stillman, Simeon
6th son of Nathaniel, was formerly a sea captain in the merchant service—m. Rebecca Deming for his first wife, and Nancy Deming for his second wife. He died April 22, 1847, aged 83 years. His children were, Rebecca, m. George Butler; Simeon, jr., died at the age of two years; Simeon, Southmayd, Laura, m. Mr. Dickinson; and Jared A. Stillman, Giles, 7th son of Nathaniel, died at Cape Francois about 1796, unmarried.
Stillman, James
8th son of Nathaniel, m. Elizabeth, daughter of John Webster, a descendant of Gov. Webster. He is now living at the age of 77 years. His children were, James b. Feb. 12, 1796: Giles b. Aug. 11, 1798; Allyn Southmayd b. April 28, 1800; Mahitable b. Sept. 26, 1803; Elizabeth b. Jan. 15, 1807, m. Benjamin Boardman, of Hartford; John Webster b. May 10, 1813, and was drowned Jan. 11, 1822, aged 9 years.
Stillman, James
son of James, m. in Augusta, Georgia-his wife died in five or six years after marriage; William T., and Frances.
Stillman, Giles
2d son of James, m. Sally Loveland, of Wethersfield, and removed to Farmington-was a captain in the militia, and justice of the peace for several years in the town of Farmington. His children were, Sarah b. July 27, 1823, m. Edward Warren; Jane Maria b. Oct. 18, 1824, d. at the age of 20 years; John Webster b. Nov. 21, 1826; Walter b. Aug. 27, 1828; Giles b. July 9, 1830; James Allyn b. Feb. 14, 1833; Ellen Elizabeth b. April 22, 1737, died at the age of two years; Eliza L. b. Feb. 18, 1839; - Albert b. Dec. 29, 1840.
Stillman, Allyn Southmayd
3d son of James, m. Cecilia Andross, of Hartford-was a captain in the militia, has been a representative and selectman of Hartford. His children are, Cecilia A. b. Feb. 23, 1835; Charles Allyn b. Feb. 10, 1837; Alice Webster b. March 29, 1839; Anna E. b. July 28, 1841, d. at the age of two years; Mary b. Jan. 12, 1846.
Stoddard, John
moved from Wethersfield to Litchfield-was a descendant of Serg't. John, (in No. 2,) and not of Anthony.
Stocking, George
of Hartford-died in May, 1683. He was aged at his decease, and left children, Dea. Samuel, Hannah Benton, the wife of John Richards, and the wife of Samuel Olcott. Estate £257. He had a grandson John, a son of Dea. Samuel. Dea. Samuel Stocking, of Middletown, son of George, of Hartford, died Dec. 30, 1683. Wife, Bethia. Children, Samuel 27 years of age, Bethia Stowe 25, John 23, Ebenezer 17, George, Stephen 10, Daniel 6, Lydia 21. He gave to Rev. Nathaniel Collins, his minister, £3. (See p. 77, No. 2.)
Storrs, Samuel
of Mansfield-died in 1719.
Stoughton, Ancient
was appointed in 1636, with George Hubbard and S. Wakeman, to settle the bounds of Windsor towards the falls near little brook, and upon the east side of the river upon the same line. He with S. Wakeman in Nov. 1636, reported to extend Wethersfield towards Ira, six miles from the south line of Hartford, east of the river, to begin at the mouth of pewter-pot brook and run due east into the country three miles, and then south six miles. (Page 77.)
Stoughton, Thomas
an early and important settler—died in Sept. 1684. He left an estate of £941 to his children, John, Thomas, Samuel, Israel, Elizabeth and Rebecca. This name was formerly spelt Stoton, and afterwards Stoughton.
Stoton, Thomas
of Windsor, married Mary and had John b. in 1657, Mary b. in 1658, Elizabeth b. in 1660, Thomas b. in 1662, Samuel b. in 1665, Israel b. in 1667, and Rebecca b. in 1673.
Stoton or Stoughton, John
of Windsor—died in 1685. Wife, Mary. Estate £909. The use of one-third of his real estate and £100 personal estate was distributed to his widow, and to his children, as follows: To John £199; to Thomas £136; to Samuel £126; to Israel £126; to Elizabeth £116, and to Rebecca £116—to be received by the sons at the age of 21 years, and the daughters at 18 years of age. (See p. 77, No. 2.)
Stowe, Thomas, sen'r.
of Middletown—died in 1683. Children, John, Nathaniel and Thomas; he also appears to have had a son in law, Samuel Bidwell, who shared in his estate. The Stowe family settled first at Middletown.
Strickland, Joseph
of Wethersfield, in 1636. Upon the 29th of March, 1636, a dismission from the church at Watertown, Mass., was granted to Robert Coe, Robert Reynold, Jonas Wood, Joseph Strickland, Joseph Sherman and Andrew Ward, conditioned that they should renew the covenant in Connecticut. The court therefore at Hartford on the 26th day of April, 1636, confirmed the certificate, by their promising shortly publicly to renew said covenant, upon notice to the churches. These men settled at Wethersfield, April, 1636.
Strong, John, sen'r.
of Windsor, son of John, of Northampton, was one of the early settlers with his father, at Windsor. His children were, John 32 years old, b. in 1663; Jacob 25, b. in 1675; Josiah 19, b. 1678; Mary 40, b. in 1658; Hannah Hopkins 36, b. in 1660. Estate £483, Michael Taintor, appraiser. He married Mary Clark in 1656: she died in 1663; he then married Elizabeth Warner.
Strong, Return, sen'r.
of Windsor—died in 1726. Children, Samuel, Benjamin, Sarah, Abigail, Elizabeth, Damaris, Hannah and Margaret. He had grandsons, William Boardman, John Warham Strong, and William Warner.
Strong, Return, jr.
of Windsor—died in 1708-9, by trade a tanner, a brother of Samuel. Wife, Elizabeth. Children, John Warham, 7 years old, only surviving son of Return, jr., and Elizabeth, 5 years old in 1713. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. John Warham, of Windsor. Estate £419. The widow was guardian of the 2 children.
Strong, John Wareham
son of Return, jr.,—died in 1752. Wife. Azubah. Left a large estate.
Strong, Samuel
of Windsor, a brother of Return, jr.—died in 1741 . Left his widow, Martha, and children, Samuel and Return. He owned land at Torrington, which he ordered to be sold, in his will. He also owned land in Harwinton, which had been laid out to his father, Return. He also had daughters, Mary, Sarah Phelps and Martha Strong. He was a grandson of Rev. John Warham.
Strong, John
son of Return, jr., who deceased in 1726. Wife, Mary, and children, Jonathan, David, John, Hester Clark, Abigail Loomis, Sarah Clark, Elizabeth Burnham and Hannah Strong. David had land in Bolton, and removed there. John died in 1749.
Strong, Asahel
of Farmington—died in 1739, and left children, John, Margaret Root, and Mary Lewis.
Strong, Asahel
of Farmington—died in 1751. Wife, Ruth, and children, Lois 4 years old, Ruth 11, Elnathan 9, Cyprian 7, Elizabeth 4 years old. Estate £1003. Rev. Cyprian, D.D., graduated at Yale College in 1763. He was settled in the ministry at Chatham, and was an eminent divine. He died in 1811.
Sumner, William
of Middletown—died July, 1703. Children, Hezekiah, aged 20, Daniel 15, Sarah 18. This family came late into the colony, but before 1700.
Taintor, Charles
of Wethersfield, in 1644, is found upon the records of lands, and was probably the man who was deputy in 1643 and '46, (in No. 2, p. 79.) Michael Taintor was in this colony, and at Branford and Windsor. As none of the family appear to have died in the probate district of Hartford, Charles probably removed to Fairfield with Jagger, before 1650.
Taintor, Michael
of Colchester, supposed the son of Charles, first of Wethersfield, and afterwards of Fairfield county. Michael's children were, Mary, Sarah, John, Michael and Joseph. His daughters were married at their father's decease. He owned land at Windsor at his death. He had a grandson Michael, and a grandson John, son of Michael, a grandson Michael, son of Joseph, of Branford, deceased. Michael, sen'r., moved from Windsor to Colchester. Wife, Mabel. He died in 1731. Estate £181.
Tomlinson, Noah and Isaac
brothers, were born about 1720. Noah settled at Derby, and married Abigail Beers, of Newtown, and had children, Dan, Nathan, Noah and Beers. Dan lived and died at Derby. He had children, Philo, Abijah, Dan, Eliphalet, Abigail, Susan and Comfort. Philo marred Miss Atwell; Abigail died single; Dan married Miss Judd, and lives in East Bloomfield, N.Y.; Eliphalat married Polly Logan, of Washington, where he lived and died. He left children, Christopher, of Canada, married Susan ----; Comfort married George Bradley, of Newtown, Conn. This is the family of which Governor Tomlinson is a descendant. The first of the family appears to have settled in Milford or Stratford.
Tomlinson, Thomas
of Hartford—died March 27, 1685. Estate £68. Widow, Elizabeth. Children, Sarah Bishop, aged 20, Mary 18, Ruth 15, Phoebe 12, Elizabeth 10, Hannah 6, and Thankful 1. No sons. In 1727, Henry Tomlinson, of Colchester, died, and left a widow Elizabeth.
Thompson, William
of New London, in 1664, removed to Virginia.
Towson, John
of Fairfield, in 1641.
Toobe or Tobe, John
of Middletown—(wife, Sarah) died in 1728. Sarah Marks, administratrix, 1730. Son Anthony, aged 15—perhaps other children. His name is spelt Toobe on the record.
Tyler, Isaac
of Haddam—died in 1718-19. Wife, Abigail. Estate £136. Children, Abraham, 13 years old, Abigail 14, Isaac 11, Ann 9, Watchful 8, Israel and Hannah 4.
Tryon, David
of Wethersfield, died as early as 1733. He had a son Benjamin, aged 18 years.
Wade, Robert
of Windham—died in 1696. Peter Cross, administrator. (See p. 86.)
Wait, William
(an Indian man, of Hartford,) died in 1711. Estate £6:4:5, which was paid him for his expedition against Canada in 1709.
Warner, John
of Waterbury—died while on a visit at Farmington in 1707. Children, John, Ephraim, Robert, Ebenezer, Lydia Brunson, wife of Samuel Brunson.
Waters, Bevil
of Hartford, purchased land of J. Pantry before 1686.
Way, Elizur
of Hartford, (see No. 3, p. 90.) He owned lands at Westfield, Southfield and Rocky Hill. Estate divided by the heirs, March, 1695.
West, Benjamin
of Middletown—died in 1733. Widow, Hannah. He left a daughter, Abigail, and perhaps other children. He moved from Enfield to Middletown. He married Hannah Haddock in 1692. (See p. 181.)
Whitmore, John
son of Thomas, of Middletown—died in 1696-7. Mary, his widow. Children, Thomas, Abigail, Elizabeth 9, Mary 5. John 2. and Ebenezer 3 months old. Some of these may have been the children of his first wife. His widow, Mary, appears to have been the daughter of Andrew Warner. John married Mary for his second wife, she also appears to have married Mr. Savage, for her first husband. John, the deceased, was a brother of Beriah and Joseph Whitmore. (See p. 97.)
Watson, Caleb
of Hartford—died in 1725. Wife, Mary, executrix of his will. He left no children. Samuel Mitchell, administrator with the will annexed. Estate £320. He gave his estate to his sister, Dorcas Adams, of Ipswich, and to his relative Sarah Mitchell, wife of Samuel. In early life he was a school master at Hartford. At the close of his life he was called Rev. He is supposed to have died over one hundred years of age.
Wilcox, Israel
died in 1689. Children, Israel 10 years old, John 8, Samuel 5, Thomas 3, and Sarah 1.
Winchill, Nathaniel, sen'r.
of Windsor—died in 1700. Sarah, his relict, and his son Nathaniel, administrators, presented the inventory. Estate £540. Children, Nathaniel 32 years old, Thomas, (deceased when 28 years old, left four children,) Stephen 22. John 20, Sarah 25, and Mary 17.
Wood, Jonas, jr.
son of Jonas, of Wethersfield, removed to Stamford in 1640.
Wright, Anthony
of Wethersfield—died in 1679. Wife, Mary, (who had been the widow of Matthias Treat, by whom she had children.) Estate about £200.
Woodruff, Matthew
of Farmington, went there in the early settlement of the town, from Hartford. He lived to old age, and died in 1682. When he made his will he omitted to notice in it, one of his daughters, but the court gave her a share in his estate. His children found, were, Samuel, John, Matthew, Hannah, Seymour, and his daughter, unnoticed by him.
Woodruff, Wid. Sarah
died in 1690. She left two sons, Nathaniel 5 years old, and Joseph 3. (See p. 38.)
Woodruff, Matthew, jr.
son of Matthew, sen'r., died in 1691. His children were, Matthew 23 years old, John 19, Samuel 14, Nathaniel 5, Joseph 2, Mary 21, (a cripple,) Sarah 17, Hannah 10, and Elizabeth 12. Estate £324.
Woodruff, John, sen'r.
son of Matthew, sen'r., died in 1692. His children were, John aged 23 years, Joseph 13, Mary 25, Hannah 21, Phoebe 16, Margaret 10, and Abigail 8 years. Estate £353. He left a widow. He had a grandson, John Root, son of his daughter Mary.
Woodruff, Samuel
(that hereafter follows, now of Windsor,) was probably the great grandson of Samuel, the son of Matthew, sen'r.; at all events, Matthew was his progenitor—whether of the fourth or 5th generation.
Woodruff, Samuel
of Southington, long since deceased, was the grand father of Hon. Samuel, of Windsor, who is now living, aged 87 years. Samuel, of Windsor, was long a judge of the County Court—was also an agent to Greece, and published his journey and travels in Europe. The children of Samuel, his grand father, were, Samuel, Isaac, Phoebe, Lois, Rebecca, Sarah and Bulah. Phoebe married Mr. Peck; Lois married Richard Porter; Rebecca married Benjamin Dutton; Sarah married Mr. Peck, and Bulah married Mr. Scott, all of Southington. Judge Samuel, the grandson of Samuel, had children, James, now of Detroit, Michigan, Samuel Henry, Esq., of Tariffville, Sophia, who married Egbert Cowles, Esq., of Farmingion, Esther Julia, married Albert Clark, of Enfield. Hon. Samuel married Esther Sloper, of Southington—she died in 1807; he then married Chloe Phelps for his second wife, by whom he had one daughter. His son James, of Detroit, married Sophia, daughter of Rev. William Robin. son, of Southington, and has children, Anna Mills, Helen E. Anna M. married Theodore Romain, of New York. Helen E. married George H. Tracy, of Troy, N.Y. Samuel H. married Elizabeth M. Root, daughter of Joel Root, of New Haven, in 1812. His children are, Samuel R. born in 1813, William Henry (died an infant,) Sarah S. born in 1818, (died young,) James C. born in 1821, William Forbes born in 1822, Henry Dwight born Dec. 1824, Joel Root Woodruff born Aug. 1828.
PASSENGERS OF THE MAY FLOWER IN 1620.
I have taken the liberty of copying from that most excellent work, which should be in every family in New England, "The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, published quarterly, under the direction of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society," at Boston, Mass., a List of the Names of the Passengers of that noted vessel, the "May Flower," on her first voyage to this country, in 1620, and landed her passengers at Plymouth Rock, (now in Massachusetts,) on the 11th day of December, 0. S., 1620.
LIST OF THE NAMES.
John Carver
died in April, 1621; Mrs. Carver, his wife, died in May, 1621; Elizabeth Carver, daughter of Mr. Carver, and afterwards wife of John Howland; Jasper, the boy of Mr. Carver, died Dec. 6, 1620; John Howland; three others of this family died before 1627.
William Bradford
Mrs. Dorothy Bradford, his wife, drowned Dec. 7, 1620.
Edward Winslow
Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow, his wife, died March 24, 1620-1; Edward Winslow, jr., son of Edward; John Winslow, son of Edward; George Soule.
William Brewster
Mrs. Brewster, his wife; Love Brewster, son of William; Wrestling Brewster, son of William; Mrs. Lucretia Brewster, wife of Jonathan, the eldest son of Elder Brewster; William Brewster, son of Jonathan.
Isaac Allerton
Mrs. Mary Allerton, his wife, died February 25, 1620-1; Bartholomew Allerton, son of Isaac; Remember Allerton, daughter of Isaac; Mary Allerton, daughter of Isaac, and afterwards wife of Elder Thomas Cushman; Sarah Allerton, daughter of Isaac, and afterwards wife of Moses Maverick.
Miles Standish
Mrs. Rose Standish, his wife, died Jan. 29, 1620-1.
John Alden.
Samuel Fuller
William Butten, his servant, died Nov. 6, 1620.
Christopher Martin
died Jan. 8, 1620-1; Mrs. Martin, his wife, died the first winter; Solomon Martin, son of Christopher, died Dec. 24, 1620; one other of this family died the first winter.
William Mullins
died Feb. 21, 1620-1; Mrs. Mullins, his wife, died the first winter; Priscilla Mullins, daughter of William, and afterwards wife of John Alden; two others of this family died the first winter.
William White
died Feb. 21, 1620-1; Mrs. Susanna White, his wife, afterwards wife of Governor Winslow; Resolved White, son of William; William White, jr., son of William; Edward Thompson, died Dec. 4, 1620.
Richard Warren.
Stephen Hopkins
Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins, his wife; Constance Hopkins, daughter of Stephen, and afterwards wife of Nicholas Snow; Giles Hopkins, son of Stephen; Caleb Hopkins, son of Stephen; Oceanus Hopkins, son of Stephen, born at sea.
Edward Dotey
Edward Leister
Edward Tilley
died the first winter; Mrs. Tilley, his wife, died the first winter; two others of this family died the first winter.
John Tilley
died the first winter; Mrs. Tilley, his wife, died the first winter; one other of this family died the first winter.
Francis Cooke
John Cooke, (called the younger,) son of Francis.
Thomas Rogers
died the first winter; Joseph Rogers, son of Thomas.
Thomas Tinker
died the first winter; Mrs. Tinker, his wife, died the first winter; one more of this family died the first winter.
John Ridgdale
died the first winter; Mrs. Ridgdale, his wife, died the first winter.
Edward Fuller
died the first winter; Mrs. Fuller, his wife, died the first winter; Samuel Fuller, (called the younger,) son of Edward.
John Turner
died the first winter; two others of this family died the first winter.
Francis Eaton
Mrs. Eaton, his wife, died before 1627; Samuel Eaton, son of Francis.
James Chilton
died Dec. 8, 1620; Mrs. Chilton, his wife, died the first winter; Mary Chilton, daughter of James, afterwards wife of John Winslow, the brother of Edward.
John Crackston
died the first winter; John Crackston, jr., son of John.
John Billington
Mrs. Helen Billington, his wife; Francis Billington, son of John; John Billington, jr., son of John.
Moses Fletcher
died the first winter.
John Goodman
Degory Priest, died Jan. 1, 1620-1.
Thomas Williams
died the first winter.
Gilbert Winslow
brother of Edward.
Edward Margeson
died the first winter.
Peter Brown.
Richard Britterige
died Dec. 21, 1620.
Richard Clarke
died the first winter.
Richard Gardiner.
John Allerton
(seaman,) died the first winter.
Thomas English
(seaman,) died the first winter.
TOBACCO LAW OF CONNECTICUT IN 1647.
"Forasmuch as it is observed that many abuses are crept in, and committed by frequent taking of tobacko—It is ordered by the authority of this Courte, that no person under the age of twenty-one years, nor any other, that hath not already accustomed himself to the use thereof, shall take any tobacko until he hath brought a certificate under the hands of some, who are approved for knowledge and skill in Physick that it is useful for him, and also that he hath received a lycense from the Courte for the same—And for regulating of those who, either by their former taking it, have to theire own apprehensions made it necessary to them, or uppon due advice are persuaded to the use thereof." It is Ordered, that no man within this Collony after the publication hereof, shall take any tobacko publicquely in the street, nor shall any take yt in the Fyelds or woods unlesse when they be on their travill or joyrny, at lest 16 myles or at the ordinary tyme of repast comonly cauled dynner, or if it be not then taken, yet not above once in the day at most, and then not in Company with any other; nor shall any inhabiting in any of the Towns within this jurisdiction take any tobacko in any house in the same Town wher he liveth, with and in the Company of any more than one who vseth and drinketh the same weed with him at that tyme under the penalty of six pence for ech offence against this order in any of the particulars thereof," &c. The foregoing was one of the Public Acts of the Puritanic Legislature of Connecticut, passed in 1647, contemptuously termed Blue Laws. The great and only object of that noble and honest body of men who enacted it, appears uniformly to have been, to do all things without reserve, fear or affection, which they sincerely believed would result in the greatest good, to the largest number of the people of the colony, morally and politically. The disposition so often manifested by a class of men, even of our own citizens, to ridicule the acts of their ancestors, is too often indulged with far less reflection and honesty, than the Puritans manifested in their acts. There had been discovered in this country, a weed which had neither beauty in its form or fragrance agreeable to the senses, but on the contrary, so bitter and nauseous to the taste and smell, that but two living creatures on earth could relish it, one a worm the most filthy and obnoxious of its species, the other a kind of goat which stenched the air where it moved. It had been discovered by the good Legislators, that a disposition had been manifested by some few of their citizens, to level themselves with the worm and the goat in the use of this filthy weed, by snuffing it into their nostrils, to the injury of their smell and voices, by placing it in their mouths, causing an obnoxious breath, injuring the lungs, and destroying their general health; besides setting their heads on fire by its pestiferous and noxious smoke, or " drinking the weed," as the Indians called smoking; neither of which could ward off disease, prolong life, or afford nourishment to the body—but on the contrary, laid a sure foundation for disorders, and a certain result in evil consequences, to prevent which, the Puritans enacted the law above. Had the Legislature of Connecticut been alone in its action to prevent the use of tobacco, the enemies of her policy might have sneered at her Blue laws; but we find that Queen Elizabeth also caused an edict to be enacted against its use; James I. of England not only enacted laws against its use, but personally attempted to write it down; Charles I. also in his reign made a like attempt. Pope Urban VIII. of Italy, pronounced sentence of excommunication against all who should take snuff at church; Innocent XII. pronounced his curse upon all who should defile the walls of St. Peters with tobacco. In Russia the penalty for a violation of the tobacco law, was first, the knout, and death for the second offence—and for snuffing tobacco, to slit the nostrils of the offender. In Switialand, Persia and other Powers in Europe, edicts were passed to prevent the use of this filthy weed under severe penalties. Massachusetts legislated upon this subject, in its early settlement, and made it penal to smoke tobacco within "twenty poles of any house." It was declared by Abbot Nessens "that the devil first introduced tobacco into Europe." It will in this place be recollected that in the early use of tobacco, a servant of Sir Walter Raleigh entering the room of his master discovered volumes of smoke issuing from his mouth and nostrils, and, supposing his master's head on fire, dashed a pitcher of water into his face to save his life. Doct. Rogers in his valuable Lecture upon Tobacco, remarks "that in looking at the history of this plant, (tobacco) we shall see that it has thus advanced to universal sway against the united power of rulers both in church and state. Kings, Sultans and Emperors have opposed its progress; ecclesiastics have thundered their anathemas at the heads of those who should seek in it a gratification, which they pronounced unlawful; the bowstriag and the sword and the faggot have been unsparingly used in enforcing their authority; but in spite of edicts and anathemas, it has made its way, until triumphant over its bitterest opponents. Monarchs have now learned to enjoy in it a pleasure in common with their meanest subjects; and nations look to it as one of the most important sources of their wealth and power. And thus (he says) to borrow the words of a writer, the whole world finds itself—if I may so speak—tributary to an acrid, filthy, stinking vegetable." If, therefore, the Puritans are blameworthy for enacting the foregoing law, or are to be ridiculed for its being in the class termed blue laws, I have only to remark, that other countries and states much older, have been as blue and ridiculous in their laws, as Connecticut. Kings, Popes and Emperors, have imitated the Puritans in enacting laws to prevent the use of this noxious and unhealthy weed. The following are some of the First interesting events which occurred in Connecticut during its early settlement. The first Court held in the colony, was apparently self-constituted, and held at Hartford, April 26, 1636, by five men, before any laws had been enacted, or a government organized—for the trial of Henry Stiles for the offence of selling a gun to an Indian. The first Law enacted, was to prevent the sale of pistols, guns, powder and shot, to the Indians, April 26, 1636. The first Military training was ordered by the General Court, held at Wethersfield, in June, 1636. It was then ordered that "each plantation" should train once each month. Juries have attended the trials of cases in the colony previous to its organization as a colony. The first trial by jury was in the case of Serg't. Robert Seely vs. Wethersfield, before the General Court, with a jury, in Nov. 1636. The first warrant issued and ordered by the Court, was directed to Daniel Finch, of Wethersfield, to summon Richard Gildersleeve to appear before the Court, with the inventory of John Oldham's estate: The first Probate business done, was in settling the estate of John Oldham, who had been murdered by the Indians, in 1636. Clement Chaplin, first administrator. George Chappell, Tho's Cooper, and Thomas Barber were the first indentured apprentices, bound by the Court, to Francis Stiles, to serve him four days in each week, to learn the trade of a carpenter, in 1637. The first session of the General Court, with a Committee or Lower House, was held upon the first day of May, 1637, for the purpose of declaring war against the Pequot Indians; which was also the first declaration of war by Connecticut—the first victory as well as the first and last territory ever held by conquest by the colony, 1637. The first military draft for soldiers, was for this war in 1637. The first fort erected by the English was at Saybrook, in 1635-6-7, unless a small fort had been begun at Windsor in 1634. The Particular Court was the second Court, formed by the General Court, Feb. 9, 1637, 0.S., which was principally constituted as a Probate Court, to close the settlement of Oldham's estate, and the business of John Jessup. Clement Chaplin was the first treasurer, appointed February, 1637. He was also the first collector of rates, with William Wadsworth, Henry Wolcott, Andrew Ward and Jehu Burr, for his sub-collectors, in 1637. The first tax laid upon the people was for £520, to defray the expense of the war against the Pequots. The first constables in the colony were, Henry Wolcott, Samuel Wakeman and Daniel Finch, appointed by the General Court in April, 1636. The first election of the members of the General Court, was in March, 1637. And no evidence of record even then, is found that they were elected by the people; but they attended at the time stated for holding the court, and took their seats. Thurston Rayner was the first person fined for neglecting to attend the General Court, when elected a member, in 1637—probably few have been fined since for that offence Capt. John Mason was the first Major General in Connecticut, with a salary of £40 per annum, paid out of the public treasury quarterly, to train the men ten days each year, 1637. In 1637 all measures were regulated by law. The first house built in Windsor, was called the Plymouth house. The first highway laid out by order of the General Court was located between Hartford and Windsor, and made fit for horse and cart in 1638. Thomas Stanton was the first public officer appointed to attend courts upon all occasions, General, Particular and meeting of Magistrates, as interpreter between the whites and Indians, (1638) at £10 per annum. The first formal duty paid, was a duty of one shilling on each beaver skin, half yearly, to the public treasury, (1638.) Oaths were formed for the Governor, magistrates and: constables by law, in 1638; before this, the forms used in England, for constables, &c., were used here. The first General Court legally organized and holden under the Articles of Confederation between the towns of Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield, was in April, 1639. The first person who applied to the General Court for remuneration for injuries done to private property by the Indians, was Edward or Eltwed Pomeroy, of Windsor, for a horse killed by the Indians, for which he was allowed, in 1639, £10. The first case of bastardy punished in the colony, was that of Aaron Stark and Mary Holt, in 1639, (page 75.) The first writ of attachment issued by the Court against the goods of a debtor, to hold them in security for a debt, was against Thomas James, for five pounds of tobacco, in 1639. This was the first law of attachment in Connecticut. The first auditors of public accounts, after the Confederation, were Gov. Welles, William Hill and Andrew Ward, in 1639. Edward Hopkins was the first attorney of record. He appeared in Court for John Woodcock, as plaintiff, in 1639. Roger Ludlow, Deputy Governor, was fined 5 shillings for being absent from the General Court in September, 1639. The first court constituted for Poquonnuck, was in October, 1639, to try cases of less than 40 shillings, with the right of appeal. The first revision of the Laws of the colony was made by Governor Wyllys, Welles, and William Spencer, in 1639. In 1639 no person could be elected a magistrate unless he had been previously nominated by the General Court. Previous to Oct. 1639, the towns could not dispose of their lands, except by liberty from the General Court. At this session, liberty was granted; also the privilege of ordering their towns, making orders, imposing fines and collecting them—with power annually to elect 3, 5, or 7 chief men in each town, one of which should be chosen moderator, and sworn, to meet once in 2 months, as a court to try causes of trespass or debt under 40 shillings, and to administer oaths and issue summonses, with the right of appeal, if aggrieved—and to fine and punish the appellant, if the court should find there was no grounds for the appeal. In Oct. 1639, the General Court ordered each town in the colony to procure a book for town records, viz. a ledger, with an alphabet. At the same Court ordered town clerks to be elected in each town, to record all deeds of houses and lands, on penalty of 10 shillings per month. All deeds not so recorded, were declared invalid. In 1656, it was ordered, that all swine over three months old, should be wrung at all seasons of the year, if out of the owner's yard, or within 4 miles of any meeting house—which order extended to all towns in the colony, except Windsor—and there also if found at large, unwrung, within 3 miles of Connecticut river. A grand list of each town in the colony, in 1652, viz. Hartford, £19,733:19; Windsor, £14093; Wethersfield, £11499; Farmington, £5164; Saybrook, £3630; Stratford, £7040; Fairfield, £8850. The poll tax in 1651 was reduced from 2 shillings 6 pence to 18 pence per poll. In the year 1653, the General Court of the colony ordered the Hartford Guard, (Governor's Guard) to be allowed a half pound of powder to each man upon Election day, with orders that no enlisted soldier should leave the guard on that day, except by special liberty from the Gov. This appears to have been the company now called the Governor's Foot Guards, who yet attend the Governor on days of Election. It is probable this company has existed as a Governor's guard since the first formation of the colony as a distinct government, in 1639, (on the election of John Haynes, Governor of the colony.) If so, this company is the oldest in the State, if not in the United States, and is still one of the best drilled companies in Connecticut.
ERRATA.