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Gc 974.6 N82 21517
PUBLIC LIBRARY FORT WAYNE & ALLEN CO., INC.
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01104 3020
ANNEX
The Author Affectionately Dedicates This Book Co George Merriman of Bristol, Connecticut "The Truest, noblest and Best Friend T Ever had"
Copyrighted, 1905, by Frederick Calvin Norton Printed by Dorman Lithographing Company at New Haven
Copyrighbal, mor, by Fredence Faliil Norton wer pling Coll at New Star
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/governorsofconne00nort 0
The Governors of 6921
Connecticut
BIOGRAPHIES OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE COMMONWEALTH THAT GAVE TO THE WORLD THE FIRST WRITTEN CONSTITUTION KNOWN TO HISTORY
BY FREDERICK CALVIN NORTON
Illustrated with reproductions from oil paintings at the State Capitol and facsimile sig- natures from official documents
923.2 N82
MDCCCCV PATRON'S EDITION PUBLISHED BY THE CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE COMPANY AT HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
By Way of Introduction
W HILE I was living in the home of that sturdy Puritan governor, William Lecte,-my native town of Guil- ford,-the idea suggested itself to me that inasmuch as a collection of the biographies of the chief executives of Connecticut had never been made, the work would afford an interesting and agreeable undertaking. This was in the year 1895. I began the task, but before it had far progressed it offered what seemed to me insurmountable obstacles, so that for a time the collection of data concerning the early rulers of the state was entirely abandoned. A few years later the work was again resumed and carried to completion. The manuscript was requested by a magazine editor for publication and appeared serially in " The Connecticut Magazine."
To Rev. Samuel Hart, D.D., president of the Connecticut Historical Society, I express my gratitude for his assistance in deciding some matters which were subject to controversy. Many current but unreliable anecdotes I have omitted after careful con- sideration, and much care has been taken to record entertainingly only facts that are of essential interest and worth to the public-at- large. Knowing the inclination of both dates and data to become distorted, I secured the services of Mr. Frederick E. Norton, of the editorial staff of the "Hartford Courant,"-a name-sake by chance,-to edit my original manuscript by verifying every fact and date herein given by his own original research.
2/517
By
of Introduction
I am under obligation to several persons for many favors shown and valuable assistance cheerfully given in securing the material for these sketches. My thanks are especially due to the late Charles Jeremy Hoadly, LL.D., long time librarian of the Connecticut State Library. One of the ripest historians of this or any other generation, his vast storehouse of historical information was always open to investigators. Dr. Hoadly furnished many facts for the compilation of the following sketches which the author desires to publicly acknowledge.
Professor Franklin Bowditch Dexter, assistant librarian of Yale University, placed at my disposal much valuable information in the shape of rare books, pamphlets, etc., not elsewhere to be found, which assisted materially in the preparation of these sketches. Few scholars of this or any other state are as ready and willing to assist students of history in their investigation as Professor Dexter.
Among the volumes consulted may be specially mentioned the " History of Hartford County," edited by Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull and Mr. Charles Hopkins Clark. This work contains some valuable articles by Miss Mary K. Talcott on the original proprietors of Hartford, and from these articles were obtained many facts of interest regarding the early governors of Connecticut colony. The " Civil and Judicial History of Connecticut," edited by the late Judge Dwight Loomis, contributed many important details regarding the lives of the chief executives who were mem- bers of the legal profession. Trumbull's, Hollister's and Barber's
By Way of Introduction
general histories of Connecticut, were freely consulted, as well as that unique and brilliant volume, "Connecticut : A Study of a Commonwealth Democracy," by the late lamented Professor Alexander Johnston of Princeton University.
All that I have attempted in this the first collected account of the governors of Connecticut is to place in a concise and per- manent form the principal events in the life of each governor from John Haynes of Coddicot to Henry Roberts of Hartford.
Fifty-eight men have been chosen governors of Connecticut in the last two hundred and sixty-seven years. Including the royal governor, popularly known as a usurper, there are therefore fifty-nine biographies in this book, appearing in the consecutive order in which each one was first called to the governorship.
The subject has been more and more fascinating during the years that I have worked at it; and now that I am about to dis- miss the last page of my book it is with the hope that the work will fill a place in the biographical history of our Commonwealth.
It is indeed my own fond intention to make, at some time in years to come, when time permits, a still further study of the lives of the founders of Connecticut.
FREDERICK CALVIN NORTON
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIVE
Digest of the Governors of Connecticut
.
Biography
Page Number
Full Name of Governor
Born
Birthplace
Education
I
I
John Haynes
1594
Coddicot, Eng.
II
7
Edward Hopkins
I600
Shrewsbury, Eng.
III
I3
George Wyllys
1570
Fenny Compton, Eng.
University
IV
19
Thomas Welles
1598
*London, Eng.
V
25
John Webster
....
*Warwickshire, Eng.
VI
28
John Winthrop
I606
Groton Manor, Eng.
Trinity College (Dublin, Ire.) For the Bar
VII
35
William Leete
1612
Dodington, Eng.
VIII
41
Robert Treat
1622
*Pitminster, Eng.
Royal
47
Sir Edmund Andros
1637
London, Eng.
Royal Court
IX
57
Fitz-John Winthrop
1639
Ipswich, Mass.
Gurdon Saltonstall
I666
Haverhill, Mass.
X XI XII
63 69
Joseph Talcott
1669
Hartford, Conn.
75
Jonathan Law
1674
Milford, Conn.
XIII
81 Roger Wolcott
1679
Windsor, Conn.
XIV
87
Thomas Fitch
1 700
Norwalk, Conn.
XV XVI
93
William Pitkin
1694
East Hartford, Conn. Lebanon, Conn.
XVII XVIII
107 II3
Matthew Griswold
1714
Lyme, Conn. Windham, Conn.
Self-Educated Self-Educated
XIX
119
Oliver Wolcott
1726
Windsor, Conn.
Yale College
XX
I27
Jonathan Trumbull, 2nd
I740
Lebanon, Conn.
Harvard College
XXI
I33
John Treadwell
I745
Farmington, Conn.
Yale College
XXII
I39
Roger Griswold
I762
Lyme, Conn.
Yale College
XXIII
145
John Cotton Smith
1765
Sharon, Conn.
Yale College
XXIV
151
Oliver Wolcott
I760
Litchfield, Conn.
Yale College
Harvard College Self-Educated Yale College
99
Jonathan Trumbull
1710
Harvard College
Samuel Huntington
1731
Harvard College Harvard College
* Not fully authenticated.
Tabulated Contents of this Volum
Early Occupation
Occupation When Chosen Governor
Residence When Chosen Governor
Age when
Chosen
Date of Service
Years of Service
Died
Ageđ
Biograp
Wealthy Emigrant Merchant
Emigrant
Hartford
72
I
1645
75
III
Wealthy
Hartford
57
1655, 58
2
I660
62
IV
Emigrant
Hartford
. .
1656-57
I
1661
V
Barrister
New London
5I
1657, 59-76
I8
1676
70
VI
Barrister Planter
Guilford
64
1676-83
7
I683
71 89
VII VIII
Military
Leader Military
New York
50
1687-89
I yr.
1714
77
Royal
Military
Military
New London
60
1698-1707
9
1707
69
IX
Theology
Clergyman
New London
42
1708-25
17
I'724
58
Planter
Military
Hartford
56
I725-42
I7
1741
72
XI
Lawyer
Judiciary
Milford
68
1742-51
9
1750
76
XII
Weaver
Military
Windsor
72
1751-54
3
1767
89
Clergyman
Lawyer
Norwalk
54
1754-66
I2
1774
74
XIV
Military
Judiciary
Hartford
72
1766-69
3
I769
75
XV
Clergyman
Merchant-
Lebanon
59
1769-84
15
1785
75
XVI
Farmer
Lawyer
Lyme
70
1784-86
2
1799
85 65
XVII
Cooper
Lawyer
Norwich
55
1786-96
9 yrs.
1796
XVIII
Military
Physician
Litchfield
70
1796-97
I yr.
1797
71
XIX
Military
Statesman
Lebanon
57
1797-1809
II yrS.
1809
69
XX
Merchant
Judiciary
Farmington
64
1809-II
I yr.
1823
78
XXI
Lawyer
Statesman
Lyme
49
18II-12
I yr.
1812
50
XXII
Lawyer
Judiciary
Sharon
47
1812-17
4 yrs.
1845
80
XXIII
Military
Manufacturer (Statesman)
Litchfield
57
1817-27
IO
1833
73
XXIV
1 Ages are given in full years, but in some cases lacked a few weeks of the age recorded.
o e
e
re
Land Owner (planter) Trading Merchant Land Owner (planter) Land Owner (planter) Land Owner (planter) Adventurer and Scholar Magistrate Military
Hartford
45
8
1653-4
59
I
Hartford
40
1639,41,43,45, 47,49,51,53 1640,44,46,48, 50,52,54 1642-43
7
1657
57
II
Wealthy Emigrant
Milford
61
1683-98
I5
1710
XIII
Lawyer
8 mos.
II mos.
8 mos.
9 mos.
5 mos.
7 mos.
6 mos.
X
e
Digest of the Governors of Connecticut
Biography
Page Number
Full Name of Governor
Born
Birthplace
Education
XXV XXVI XXVII
16I 167
Gideon Tomlinson
1780
Stratford, Conn. Hebron, Conn. New Haven, Conn.
XXVIII
177
Samuel Augustus Foote
1780
Cheshire, Conn.
XXIX
183
William Wolcott Ellsworth
1791
Windsor, Conn.
XXX
189
Chauncey Fitch Cleveland
1799
XXXI
195
Roger Sherman Baldwin
1793
XXXII
203
Isaac Toucey
1796
Newtown, Conn.
XXXIII
209
Clark Bissell
1782
Lebanon, Conn.
XXXIV
215
Joseph Trumbull
1782
Lebanon, Conn. Hartford, Conn.
XXXVI
225
Charles Hobby Pond
1781
Milford, Conn.
XXVII
229
Henry Dutton
1796
XXXVIII
237
William Thomas Minor
1815
XXXIX XL
243
Alexander Hamilton Holley
1804
249
William Alfred Buckingham
1804
XLI
259
Joseph Roswell Hawley
1826
XLII
269
James Edward English
1812
XLIII
277
Marshall Jewell
1825
XLIV
285
Charles Roberts Ingersoll
I82I
Winchester, N. H. New Haven, Conn.
XLV
293
Richard Dudley Hubbard
Berlin, Conn.
XLVI
301
Charles Bartlett Andrews
XLVII
309
Hobart Baldwin Bigelow Thomas McDonald Waller
1834
XLVIII
315
Henry Baldwin Harrison Phineas Chapman Lounsbury Morgan Gardner Bulkeley
I821 1841 1837
1827 1836 1831
Newtown, Conn. Mansfield, N. Y. New Marlboro, Mass.
LV
359
George Edward Lounsbury
1838
LVI
365
George Payne McLean
1857
Pound Ridge, N. Y. Simsbury, Conn.
LVII LVIII
337 381
Abiram Chamberlain Henry Roberts
1853
Colebrook, Conn. Brooklyn, N. Y.
Williston Seminary
Yale University
S:
LI
333
LII
34I 347
Luzon Burrett Morris Owen Vincent Coffin
LIII LIV
353
Lorrin Alanson Cooke
1818 1834
1840
Sunderland, Mass. North Haven, Conn. New York, N. Y.
XLIX L
32I
New Haven, Conn.
Ridgefield, Conn. East Haddam, Conn.
Yale College Amherst College Private Academy Bartlett High School, New London Yale College Public School
Hartford High School Yale College Private Seminary Norfolk Academy Yale College Hartford High School
1837
Yale College Self-Educated College of New Jersey Yale College
Yale College Self-Educated Yale College Self-Educated
XXV
219
Thomas Hart Seymour
1808
Waterbury, Conn. Stamford, Conn. Lakeville, Conn. Lebanon, Conn.
Yale College Yale College Military Institute- Middletown Yale College Yale College Yale College Private Seminary Bacon Academy
(Colchester) Hamilton College Public School Self-Educated Yale College
327
John Samuel Peters
173
Henry Waggaman Edwards
1772 1779
Canterbury, Conn. New Haven, Conn.
Stewartsville, N. C. New Haven, Conn.
Tabulated Contents of this Volume
Early Occupation
Occupation When Chosen Governor
Residence When Chosen Governor
Age when
Chosen
Date of Service
Years of Service
Died
Aged
Biography
Tutor
Lawyer Physician Lawyer
Fairfield Hebron
59
54
1833-34, 35-38
4
1847
68
XXVII
Farmer
Cheshire
54
1834-35
I
1846
66
XXVIII
Shipping Merchant
Lawyer
Hartford
47
1838-42
4
I868
77
XXIX
Lawyer
Lawyer
Hampton
43
I842-44
2
1887
88
XXX
Lawyer
Lawyer
New Haven
5I
1 844-46
2
1863
70
XXXI
Lawyer
Lawyer
Hartford
50
1846-47
I
1869
73
XXXII
School Teacher
Lawyer
Norwalk
65
1847-49
2
1857
75
XXXIII
Lawyer
Lawyer
Hartford
67
1849-50
I
I86I
79
XXXIV
Lawyer
Lawyer
Hartford
42
1850-53
3 yrs.
I868
60
XXXV
Lawyer
Lawyer
Milford
72
1853-54
II mos.
I86I
80
XXXVI
School Teacher
Lawyer
New Haven
58
1854-55
I
1869
73
XXXVII
Lawyer
Stamford
40
1855-57
2
1889
74
XXXVIII
Manufacturer
Salisbury
53
1857-58
I
1887
83
XXXIX
Manufacturer
Norwich
54
1858-66
8
1875
72
XL
Lawyer
Editor
Hartford
40
I866-67
I
1905
78
XLI
Carpenter
Manufacturer
New Haven
55
1867-69, 70-71
3
1890
78
XLII
Tanner
Manufacturer
Hartford
44
1869-70, 71-73
3
1883
58
XLIII
Lawyer
Lawyer
New Haven
52
1873-77
3 yrs.
1903
82
XLIV
Lawyer
Hartford
59
1877-79
2
1884
66
XLV
Lawyer Machinist
Manufacturer
New Haven
46
1881-83
2
189I
57
XLVII
Newsboy
Lawyer
New London
42
1883-85
2
-
XLVIII
School Teacher
Lawyer
New Haven
63
1885-87
224 2 4 2
IQOI
80
XLIX
Store Clerk
Manufacturer
Ridgefield
45
1887-89
Office Boy
Insurance President
Lawyer
New Haven
65
1893-95
2
1895
68
LII
School Teacher
Banker
Middletown
58
1895-97
2
-
Manufacturer
Winsted
65
1897-99
2
1903
72
LIV
Manufacturer
Ridgefield
61
1899-190I
2
1904
66
LV
Lawyer
Simsbury
44
1901-03
2
-
LVI
Reporter
Civil Engineer Lawyer
Banker
Meriden
66
1903-05
2
-
L VII
Manufacturer
Hartford
52
1905
-
LVIII
47
1827-31
4
1854 1858
74
XXV
School Teacher Lawyer
85
XXVI
1831-33
2
Lawyer
School Teacher Store Clerk Surveyor
Lawyer Lawyer
Litchfield
45
1879-81
2
I902
67
XLVI
L
--
Hartford
51
1889-93
LI
Blacksmith
LIII
School Teacher School Teacher
Newspaper
9 mos.
I mo.
New Haven
Portraits of the Governors of Connecticut
Reproductions from Official Oil Paintings in the State Library in the State Capitol at Hartford, Connecticut-Collected under the supervision of EDWARD BAILEY EATON and reproduced by the Randall studio at Hartford-Facsimile signatures from official documents in the archives of the State Library- Acknowledgment is here made of courtesies extended by George S. Godard, State Librarian
Portrait Number Opposite
I-JOHN WINTHROP from portrait at State Library by George F. Wright of Hartford from the original, by an unknown artist, in possession of the New York branch of the Winthrop family. 28
2-FITZ JOHN WINTHROP from portrait at State Library painted by an unknown artist 56
3-GURDON SALTONSTALL from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright from a portrait in possession of Yale University. 62
4-JONATHAN TRUMBULL from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright from portrait by the Governor's son, Col. John Trum- bull. 98
5-SAMUEL HUNTINGTON from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright from the painting in Independence Hall, Philadelphia. 112
6-OLIVER WOLCOTT from portrait at State Library painted by Ralph Earle about 1784, and presented to the State by Oliver Wolcott's grandson in 1830. II8
7-JONATHAN TRUMBULL, JR., from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright after the original by Sully. I26
8-JOHN TREADWELL from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright after a portrait in the possession of the Connecticut Historical Society by an unknown artist. ..
I32
9-JOHN COTTON SMITH from portrait at State Library painted by Albert H. Emmons of Hartford, from a miniature 144
IO-OLIVER WOLCOTT, JR., from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright after an original by Stuart .. 150
II-GIDEON TOMLINSON from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright after a portrait by an unknown artist. I60
12-JOHN S. PETERS from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright. I66
Portraits of the Governors of Connecticut
Portrait
Number Opposite
13-HENRY W. EDWARDS from portrait at State Library painted by George . 172
F. Wright from a daguerreotype ..
14-SAMUEL A. FOOTE from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright from an unsigned portrait. 176
15-WILLIAM W. ELLSWORTH from portrait at State Library supposed to have been painted by George F. Wright, but unsigned. 182
16-CHAUNCEY F. CLEVELAND from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright .. 188
17-ROGER S. BALDWIN from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright. 194 18-ISAAC TOUCEY from portrait at State Library painted by unknown artist. 202 19-CLARK BISSELL from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright 208 20-JOSEPH TRUMBULL from portrait at State Library painted by George . F. Wright 214
21-THOMAS H. SEYMOUR from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright 218
22-CHARLES H. POND from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright. 224 23-HENRY DUTTON from portrait at State Library painted by George F. Wright. 228 artist.
24-WILLIAM T. MINOR from portrait at State Library painted by unknown 236 25-ALEXANDER H. HOLLEY from portrait at State Library painted by Henry Wilson. 242 26-WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM from portrait at State Library painted by Albert H. Emmons .. 248
27-JOSEPH R. HAWLEY from portrait at State Library painted by Jared B. Flagg, N. A., of New Haven .. 258
28-JAMES E. ENGLISH from portrait at State Library painted by Jared B. Flagg, N.A., of New Haven .. 268
29-MARSHALL JEWELL from portrait at State Library painted by William R. Wheeler of Hartford. 276
30-CHARLES R. INGERSOLL from portrait at State Library painted by Jared B. Flagg, N.A., of New Haven. 284
31-RICHARD D. HUBBARD from portrait at State Library painted by Wil- liam Lazarus of New York. 292
32-CHARLES B. ANDREWS from portrait at State Library painted by .
George F. Wright .. 300
Portraits of the Governors of Connecticut
Portrait Number Opposite 33-HOBART B. BIGELOW from portrait at State Library painted by Harry I. Thompson of New Haven .. 308 34-THOMAS M. WALLER from portrait at State Library painted by Harry I. Thompson of New Haven .. 314 35-HENRY B. HARRISON from portrait at State Library painted by Harry I. Thompson of New Haven .. 320 36-PHINEAS C. LOUNSBURY from portrait at State Library painted by Harry I. Thompson of New Haven. 326 37-MORGAN G. BULKELEY from portrait at State Library painted by Charles Noel Flagg of Hartford. 332 38-LUZON B. MORRIS from portrait at State Library painted by Harry I. Thompson of New Haven 340
39-O. VINCENT COFFIN from portrait at State Library painted by Charles Noel Flagg of Hartford. 346
40-LORRIN A. COOKE from portrait at State Library painted by Charles Noel Flagg of Hartford .. 352
41-GEORGE E. LOUNSBURY from late photograph by Randall-There has since been placed a portrait at State Library by Charles Noel Flagg of Hartford 358
42-GEORGE P. McLEAN from portrait at State Library painted by Charles Noel Flagg of Hartford. 364
43-ABIRAM CHAMBERLAIN from late photograph by Randall-There has since been placed a portrait at State Library by Harry I. Thompson of New Haven. 372
44-HENRY ROBERTS from late photograph by Randall -- A portrait is now being painted for the collection at the State Library .. 380
SIR EDMUND ANDROS from portrait at State Library painted by Charles Noel Flagg of Hartford from a colored photograph of a miniature in posses- sion of his collateral descendants in London and an engraving prefixed to the Andros Tracts of the Prince Society is now in the collection at the state capitol, but could not be conveniently reproduced at the time of this book publication
It is believed that there are no portraits nor likenesses of any kind extant of the following Governors, as thus far the State has been unable to secure portraits of any of them: JOHN HAYNES (1594-1653-4), EDWARD HOPKINS (1600-1657), GEORGE WYLLYS (about 1570-1645), THOMAS WELLES (1598-1660), JOHN WEBSTER (. .... .- 1661), WILLIAM LEETE (about 1612-1683), ROBERT TREAT (1622- 1710), JOSEPH TALCOTT (1669-1741), JONATHAN LAW (1674-1750), ROGER WOLCOTT (1679-1767), THOMAS FITCH (1700-1774), WILLIAM PITKIN (1694- 1769), MATTHEW GRISWOLD (1714-1799), ROGER GRISWOLD (1762-1812).
THE GOVERNORS OF CONNECTICUT
1906 1639
The FIRST GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT
was JOHN HAYNES
A wealthy English Emigrant who came to the New World in the ship "Griffin" with Thomas Hooker, the father of American Democracy, and spent much of his family fortune in estab- lishing the government
JO H N
H A Y N E S
T HE first governor of Connecticut was John Haynes, who had previously held the same office in the neighboring colony of Massachusetts. He was the oldest son of John Haynes of Coddicot, County of Hertford, England, and was born in 1594. The Haynes family was old and wealthy, and besides other valua- ble property they owned Copford Hall, a fine country-seat which furnished a large income. The father of Governor Haynes, in his will dated October 20, 1605, describes lands owned by him in the counties of Hertford and Essex.
Governor John Haynes became an admirer of Thomas Hooker and emigrated with him to America. They sailed from England in the Griffin in 1633, and in the party, besides Haynes and Hooker, were John Cotton, the eminent divine, and Samuel Stone, who was destined to take so important a part in the early history of Hartford. They landed in Massachusetts, September 3, 1633. Haynes was made a freeman May 14, 1634. He was chosen an assistant, and finally governor, in 1635. The next year he was made an assistant again; but in May 1637, he, with others, removed to Hartford where he was to be one of the
I
The Governors of Connecticut
foremost men in the infant colony. Hartford, at that time, had a population of eight hundred persons, of which two hundred and fifty were adult men.
Haynes was an original proprietor and owned a lot on the main street, "opposite the meeting-house yard," but previous to February, 1639, he purchased from Richard Webb the lot on the corner of Front and Arch Streets. In November, 1637, Haynes presided over the session of the General Court and continued in that position two years.
The first election of officers of the Connecticut colony, under the Constitution, was held April 11, 1639. John Haynes was elected governor and Roger Ludlow deputy governor. He was so satisfactory as chief magistrate of the colony that he was elected to that high office every alternate year until his death. Haynes was deputy governor in 1640, '44, '46, '50 and '52, interchanging with Edward Hopkins. Originally no one was to be chosen governor two years in succession; but in 1660 this restriction was abolished by the freemen. Governor Haynes' career in Hartford was emi- nently distinguished. He was one of the five who prepared the first Constitution of Connecticut, which embodies the main part of all subsequent state constitutions, and of the Federal Constitution.
In 1646 Governor Haynes made a voyage to England. He died at Hartford, on March 1, 1653-4 .* His will, dated 1646, brought to light the fact that his residence in Connecticut caused a
2
The Governors of Connecticut
serious shrinkage in his property, the estate inventorying only 1540 pounds. General Hezekiah Haynes, his son, wrote in 1675 of his father. "It is sufficiently knowne how chargeable the government was to the magistrates in that first planting wherein my father bore a considerable part to the almost ruin of his family . for he has transmitted into these parts between 7000 and 8000 pounds." Governor Haynes is described as "of large estate and larger affec- tions, and dear to the people by his benevolent virtues and disinter- ested conduct." He was probably the best representative of the republicanism of the period which Coleridge termed "the religious and moral aristocracy." His second wife was Mabel Harlakenden of prominent family and royal descent.
* NOTE: Genealogists in recording the death of Governor Haynes use both 1653 and 1654; therefore in such cases both dates are used throughout these biog- raphies. The apparent conflict of dates arises many times from a misuse of the years as computed old style and the reformed system. The old style was in use previous to 1752. In instances where the two methods are combined in this book the old style will be given first, followed by the new-Author
3
The SECOND GOVERNOR of CONNECTICUT was
EDWARD HOPKINS
A rich British Merchant and trader who emigrated to America in the ship "Hector," and upon returning to England be- came "Keeper of the Fleet Prison," famous in reigns of Mary and Elizabeth
1
EDWARD
HOPKINS
E DWARD Hopkins, the second governor of the colony, was, like his predecessor, John Haynes, a wealthy English land- holder. He was born at Shrewsbury in 1600, and early in life became a merchant. While his headquarters were in London he carried on an extensive business with many foreign countries.
While yet a young man Hopkins had made a comfortable fortune, and when in 1637 he concluded to emigrate to America he was classed as a rich man. For a long period he had worshipped at St. Stephen's parish, in Coleman street, London, where the Rev. John Davenport was the preacher and Theophilus Eaton a member. These three friends, Hopkins, Davenport, and Eaton, sailed for America in the ship Hector in 1637. Hopkins landed in Boston and proceeded to Hartford which he made his future home. Eaton and Davenport remained in Boston a few months and then went to Quinnipiac where they laid the foundation of the present New Haven in 1638. Soon after arriving in Hartford, Hopkins became a prominent citizen, and in 1639 was chosen the first secre- tary of the colony. The next year he was elected governor,
7
The Governors of Connecticut
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