USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 22
USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 22
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Robert Wm. Walker, Died May 8, 1852 ; Aged 59.
Here Lyes Buried Ye Body of Mr. Robert Walker, Who Depart- ed this Life, April ye Ist Anno Domni, 1743, in ye 75th Year of His Age.
In memory of
Mrs. Abigail Walker, the beloved Consort of Mr. Robert Walker, Junr., Who departed this Life June 25th, 1769 in the 25th year of her Age.
Joseph Walker, Son of Robert Walker, Esqr., by his wife Rebeckah, who died the 8th day of May, A. D. 1752, aged 9 years, five months & 27 Days.
Capt. William Walker, died in the service of the United States at Burlington, Vt., Dec. 31, 1812, aged 29.
In Memory of
Anna Wells, Wife of James Wells, who died April 9, 1831, aged 77 years. Two Children, daughters of Nathan and Mary R. Wells. Catharine June, died March I, 1806, aged 16 days.
Mary Ruggles, died Sept. 2, 1813, aged 2 years & 5 months.
In Memory of
Mrs. Charity Wells, ye daugr of Mrs. Comfort Wells, and Sister to the wife of Jabez Curtis. She Departed this Life July 29th, 1783, in the 42ª1 Year of her Age.
Here lyes Buried the Body of
Mr. David Wells, Who Departed this life April 25th. Anno Domini, 1742, Agcd 43 Years.
In memory of
Hannah Wells, who died April 19, 1806, aged 55 years.
Mrs. Hepsa Wells, wife of Mr. John Wells, died Sept. 9, 1815, in the 26 year of her age.
Nathaniel B., their son, died August 30, 1815, Æt. S weeks.
In memory of
Mr. Isaac Judson Wells, Who Departed this Life, April 19th, 1772, in ye 62 Year of his Age.
Mr. Isane Wells died Feb. 27, 1814, in the 62 year of his age.
In Memory of
James Wells, who died August 2, 1821, in his 74th year.
Here lyes Buried ye Body of
Capt. John Wells, Who Departed this Life February 17th, Anno Domni 1735, Aged 59 Years.
Here lyes Buried the Body of Mr. John Wells, Who Departed this Life February ye Sth, Anno Dom- ni, 1753, in Je 40 Year of his Age.
In Memory of
Mrs. Comfort Wells, Wife to Mr. John Wells, who departed this Life, February 9, 1790, In the 73 Year of her Age.
In memory of
Mr. John Wells, Son of Mrs. Com- fort Wells and only Brother of the Wife of Jabez Curtis & beloved friend of Phebe Gorham, who Departed this Life, Jany 14th. A. D. 1789, in the 41st Year of his Age.
Here lyes Buried ye Body of
Mrs. May Wells, Widow of Capt. John Wells, Who Departed this life Jany 6th, Anno Domni 1743. Aged 64 Years.
In memory of
Mary Wells, Relict of Benjamin Wells, who died May 24, 1796, aged 68 Years.
Mrs. Molly Wells, wife of Mr. John Wells ; died Jan. 29, 1814 ; aged 46.
In memory of
Nancy Wells, who died Nov. 29, 1835, in the 60 year of her age.
Mrs. Eunice Wells, relict of Mr. Nathan Wells, died April 12, 1816, aged 87 years.
In memory of
Lieut. Nathan Wells, Who De- parted this mortal life on the 20th of May, Anno Dom. 1776, in the 49th year of his Age.
Think of your friend lies buried here, And view your transient state ; Bestow at least one pious Tear, And with Submission wait,
E'er long this melancholy scene, Shall on your hearse attend ; With haste employ the Space between, To make of God a Friend.
In Memory of
Miss Phebe, Daughter of Mr. Stephen & Mrs. Mary Wells, Who Departed this Life, Sept. 9, 1775, in the 10th Year of her age.
235
Inscriptions in the Congregational Burying-place.
In memory of Mr. Samuel Wells, Jr., who de- parted this life, Sept. 9th, 1804, aged 39 years.
In memory of
Lieut. Stephen Wells, who depart- ed this life April 4, 1799, in ye 58 year of his age.
In memory of
Mr. Thomas Wells, who departed this Life, Sept. 23d, 1791, In the 74th year of his Age.
Here lyes Buried ye Body of Mr. William Wells, Who depart- ed this life Nov. I, Anno Domni, 1745, in ye 30th Year of his age.
[A MONUMENT.]
This monument, erected by Robert M. Welman, of New York. Sacred to the memory of his much be- Ioved wife,
Catharine Rebecca Welman, who left this sublunary sphere July 2ª, 1804, Æ. 22 years, 7 months and II days.
Pause Gentle traveler, Was her matchless worth
To thee in happier moments known ? Then pour the tide of sorrow forth, And in her fate lament thine own. But didst thou not her virtue know, Still let thy tears her death attend And mourn that midst a world of woe Thou wert not lovely Catharine's friend. Deep the sleep of death ! low the pillow of dust.
Catharine M. Wetmore, relict of Victory Wetmore, died Oct. 14, 1859, Æ. 86.
Sacred to the Memory of Victory Wetmore, Esq., who De- parted this life, March 10, 1817 ; Et. 50.
In Memory of
Charles Joseph Wetmore, who died the 17 of July, A. D. 1816, in the 37 year of his age.
Rev. Izrahiah Wetmore, died Augt. 3ª, 1798, in the 70th Year of his age, and 45th year of his ministry. Mrs. Phebe Wetmore, Consort of Revd Izh. Wetmore, and Daughter of Robert Walker, Esq., died Septr. 12th, 1784, in the 45th year of her age.
In Memory of Victory, son of the Revd Izrahiah Wetmore, and Phebe Wetmore, his wife, who Deceased Novem' 1762, in the 3d Year of his Age.
In Memory of
Rebecca, Daughter of the Revd. Izra- hiah Wetmore, and Phebe Wetmore, his wife, who deccased Decr. 1, 1760, Aged about 10 months.
Light as the Summer's dust we take in air A moment's giddy flight and fall again Join the dull mass, increase the trodden soil, And sleep till earth herself shall be no more.
In Memory of
Mrs. Tryphena Whetmore, Dautr of Capt Hezekiah Wetmore, of Mid- dletown (Deceas'd), Who departed this mortal life on the 11th day of July, 1772, in ye 221 year of her agc. The Souls the only thing we have Worth an important thought. The soul is of the immortal kind Ne'er formed of Fire, or Earth, or Wind outlives ye mouldering corpse & leaves ye globe behind.
Mrs. Charity, relect of Mr. Elna- than Wheeler, died March 6, 1816, in 77 year of her age.
In Memory of
Miss Charity Wheeler, Daughter of Mr. Elnathan and Mrs. Charity Wheeler, Who died May Ist, 1797, in the 28th Year of her Age.
Charles H., died June 17, 1812, Æ. 7 years & 5 months.
Nelson, died June 28, 1817, A. S years, Sons of John & Avis Wheeler.
Elisha Wheeler, died May 5, 1853, Aged 81 years.
In memory of Dorothy, Wife of Elisha Wheeler, who died Jan. 12, 1847, ÆE. 71 Years. Here lyes Buried yo Body of Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler, Wife to Nathan Wheeler, Who Died Jan. 22, Anno Domini, 1739-40, in ye 518t Year of Her Age.
In memory of Elnathan Wheeler, Jr. He died Nov. 1st, 1805, aged 39 years. The sweet memory of the just Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust.
In Memory of Mr. Elnathan Wheeler, who died Feb. 14, 1809, In the 69th year of his age.
Here lyes Buried the Body of Deacon Elnathan Wheeler, Who Departed this Life, March the 14th, 1761, Aged 58 Years.
Emily Curtis, Daughter of Ezra & Emily Wheeler, Born Oct. 4, 1852, Died Aug. 28, 1872.
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History of Stratford.
Edward, son of Ezra & Emily Wheel- er, Died Nov. 10, 1865, Æ. I yr. & 6 mos.
George Wheeler. died July 16, 1835, aged 35, also,
Mary C., daughter of George & Bet- sey C. Wheeler, died July 29, 1833, Æ. 2 yrs. and 7 mo.
J. W., 1694. [Perhaps Joanna Wheel- er, youngest dau. of the Ist Moses.] In memory of
Mrs. Jeunet, wife of Mr. David Wheeler and daughter of Capt. Dan- iel and Mrs. Betsey Booth, who died Oct. 29, 1817, aged 23 years.
Here lyes intered The Body of Mary Wheeler, Who Departed this Life in March the 4th day in the year 1726, and in 17th year of her age.
Here lyes ye Body of
Mrs. Martha Wheeler, Wife to Mr. Elnathan Wheeler, Who departed this life August the 5th, 1764, Aged 64 Years.
In Memory of Miss Martha Wheeler, who died Aug. 14, 1827, aged 63.
1694 J. W. February ye 17 .*
MOSES +WIELER
AGED 10
IN
-
DYEDJANIS
1698
Nathaniel Wheeler, died May 19, 1819, ŻE. 85.
Mrs. Rachel Wheeler, wife of Mr. Nathaniel Wheeler, Died Sept. 15, ISI4 ; aged SI years.
Here layes the Body of
Nathan Wheeler, Who Departed this life, January the 31, 1722, In 19 year of his Age.
Here lyes Buried the Body of
Mr. Nathan Wheeler, Who de- parted this life Nov. ye 7th, 1765, in ye 86th Year of his Age.
In Memory of
Capt. Samuel Wheeler, who died June 2, 1815, in the 57 year of his age.
Our Mother Rests. Betsey Hawley Wheaton, Died Aug. 17, 1872, In Her 85th year.
Anna M., Daughter of David & Jane E. Wheaton, died June 20, 1863, Æ. 16 yrs. & I mo.
* This Stone is at the left side of Moses Wheel- er's.
237
Inscriptions in the Congregational Burying-place.
HERE LAVES THE BODY OF MRMOSES WHELLER WHO DEPARTED THIS. LIFE JANUARYTHE30 1724INTHE 74 YEAR OF HIS AGE
In memory of Mary Whippo, who died Jan. 23, ISI2, aged 53 years, and of her late husband, Isaac Wihippo, who died in New York, July 6, 1807, aged - years, also of their two sons John & Charles.
John died in the Island of New Prov- idence, June 30, 1799, aged 17. Charles went to sea Aug. IS07, at 23 years of age and has not since been heard from.
In Memory of Mr. Ephraim Willcockson, Who died July 21, IS06, Aged 78.
In memory of three Children of Elna- than & Sarah Willcoxson. Isaac, died July 14, 1783, Æt. 5 years. Elias, died July 3, 1783, Æt. 3 years. Sarah, died July 12, 1783. Et. S months.
Here Lyes Buried ye Body of Lieut. John Willcockson, Who Departed this Life, Sept. 12th, Anno Domni, 1748, in ye 65th Year of His Age.
Here lies the Body of
Lucy Willcockson. Daughter of Lieut. Ephraim & Ruth Willcockson, died June 9th, A.D. 1784, in the 25th Year of her age.
Sacred to the Memory of
Mrs. Ruth Willcockson, Consort of Lieut. Ephraim Willcockson, Who departed this Life, July 30, ISO1, In the 74th Year of her Age.
In memory of Ruth Ann, daughter of Col. Ephraim J. & Mrs. Mary Wilcoxson, who died Sept. 22, 1815, aged 6 years. In memory of Samuel O. Willcockson, who died June 7, 1804, ÆEt. 34.
238 .
History of Stratford.
Here lies the Body of Samuel Willcockson, who departed
this Life August 19, A. D. 1783, in the 59th year of his Age.
The Woman's Seed shall bruise the Serpent's Head,
And Christ shall raise his servants from the Dead.
In Memory of
Chester G. Whiting, who died Aug. 19, 1847, Æ. 25 yrs. & 6 ms.
Hannah, wife of Seymour Whiting, Died Sept. 25, 1846, E. 78 yrs. & 3 mo.
Mrs. Mary Ann, widow of Ezra C. Whiting, Died Dec. 16, 1866, ÆE. 67 yrs. II mos.
"I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness."
In Memory of
Esra C. Whiting, who died April 10, 1824, in his 32 year ; And of 2 in- fant Children by his wife Mary Ann :
Elbert, died Sept. 7, 1819, aged 1 year & 17 days.
Elbert, 2d, died Aug. 27, 1821, aged I year & 10 days.
In Memory of
Col. Samuel Whiting, who died Feb. 15, 1803, aged 82 yrs. Also of Elizabeth, his wife, who died Dec. 5, 1793, aged 70 yrs.
In memory of
Seymour Conway Whiting, who departed this life July 26, 1841, aged 74 years.
Here lies Interred the Body of
Mr. Samuel Whitney, who De- parted this life December ye 6th, 1753, in ye 66th Year of his Age.
Sacred to the memory of
Mrs. Abigail M. Woodbridge, the amiable Consort of Samuel Wood- bridge, Esqr., and eldest daughter of Robert & Margaret Walker, who de- parted this life, Aug. 15, A. D. 1814, Aged 34 Years.
In memory of
Ruth Wooster, widow of the late Col. Joseph Wooster, who died March 23ª 1801, aged 86 years.
ERRATA.
Peter Pixley, son of Mr. David & Mrs. Betsey Curtiss, died May 10, 1817, aged 3 months .*
* This inscription should have been in the Curtiss families, but was entered in the wrong place.
The date of death of John Hurd on page 221 was 1681, but it is not legible on the grave-stone.
NOTE .- The author has had the privilege, after copying the above list from the stones, of comparing it with the manuscript copy of these names and dates, made with great care and labor by Mr. Abraham W. Morehouse, of Bridgeport, at the request of the Fairfield County Historical Society, which has contributed much to the present state of perfectness of the list.
CHAPTER X.
NEW SETTLERS AND ENTERPRISES.
XCELLENCE of character is one of the most valuable qualities in the establishment of a new plantation in the wilderness. In the settlement of Stratford the planters pos- sessed, not only this quality in a marked degree, but there was almost a complete absence of those of an opposite kind during the first fifty years, and largely so the next fifty.
The early settlers in all New England were a select class, from the best stock of England, France and Scotland, in the sense of a well-informed, thinking, energetic peo- ple. Many of them were of the homes of the commoners of England, sometimes termed Landed Gentry, and most of them were ac- customed to honorable daily employment, although some of them could trace their ancestry back to royal blood. This pride in ancestry, although often the topic of ridicule, is nevertheless of much value and satisfaction, for, while royal blood-or any blood-may not always exhibit itself in the most perfect man- ner, nor prove itself worthy of the highest honor, yet it has represented the very best qualities of which the old nations can boast ; and every child in America that can trace its line of inheritance back to such an origin, may well claim it as a high honor.
It has been a practice to laugh at those who, not being third-rate mechanics when they came to this coun- try, pretended to be descended from royalty; but only
240
History of Stratford.
novices would indulge in such sourness of mind, for it is be- yond controversy that quite a number of the planters were not far enough removed from royalty and wealth to have had need of mechanical trades, and therefore had not such knowledge.
A large proportion of the settlers at Stratford were by occupation farmers, called planters here because they were of a company which established a plantation. A few had other trades, as ship builders, tailors, stone masons, and mer- chants, or traders. Several had estates which they left in England, but which they retained in their right and posses- sion many years after leaving them.
The prominent object in these planters in coming here was that they might enjoy church privileges in accord with the teachings of the Bible, as they understood them, and this they proposed to enjoy under the English Constitution. They evidently had no thought of independency from that constitution, and for one hundred years did not dream of such a thing.
This company of seventeen, after becoming located, imme- diately invited others to join them upon certain liberal, but substantial terms, and at the year 1650 about thirty-five had accepted those terms.
The township, being twelve miles long and ten miles wide, contained 120 square miles, or 76,000 acres of land ; giving to each of the 17 families over four thousand acres. The company disposed of their lands in various ways. A few acres were sequestered for public use ; some for individ- ual use and ownership. To new settlers they gave a home lot, a piece for meadow and another piece of upland for culti- vation, upon condition that the party should build a house and improve the few acres thus donated during four years, at the end of which the land became their own and was so recorded. Individual proprietors sold fractional parts of their Rights, so that at the end of about fifty years the pro- prietors numbered one hundred instead of seventeen, and in 1699 the number was 143.
The proprietors, for themselves, voted at first, to divide to each Right a certain number of acres, and the owner
241
Biographical Sketches.
selected the land, or located it, wherever he pleased, subject to the sanction of the division committee, only that he could take up but a few acres in one place, about 18 or 20 at most.
After some years certain tracts of land were laid into plots one for each proprietor, and then they drew lots for them as the most impartial way of locating each man's land.
Having heretofore given some personal account or bio- graphical sketches of nearly seventy persons, some further items in the same direction will illustrate the work of the settlement of the town.
Edward Katcham died in Stratford, and his will was proved June 17, 1655. The inventory of his estate amounted to £90-11-6. In his will, dated June 1655, he names three daughters, Mary, Hannah and Hester.
Richard Mills, to all appearance, was one of the first company at Stratford. He married the daughter of Francis Nichols, and probably came with the Nichols family to Strat- ford in 1639. He sold much, perhaps all of his estate to Joseph Hawley in 1650, and removed, it is said, to Westches- ter, N. Y.
It is in connection with his name that the term " Lordship" is first found, as applied to a meadow, on what is still known as the Lordship farm. It is said in the deeds of land-1650 to 1660-several times, "Mill's Lordship" and the "Lord- ship meadow."
No explanation of the term is found or known, but was doubtless wholly connected with Mr. Mills or his family ; and hence the name did not originate with the Nicoll family who owned the Lordship farm many years. The term was at first applied to the salt meadow at that place.
Samuel Mills, believed to be the son of Richard, came to Stratford, and on Dec. 24, 1666, purchased land of Hope Washburn, and was one of the earliest settlers at Oronoke, soon after this purchase, where he resided nearly twenty years, being quite active as a citizen of the town. One record says, " Samuel Mills purchased from his uncle Caleb Nichols, six acres of land, 29th 10th month, 1668."
He sold his estate here in 1670, to " Hugh Makie," but
242
History of Stratford.
the next year he took it back and Mr. Makie removed from the town.
Samuel Mills died at Southampton, L. I., in 1685, leaving a widow and an only heir Richard Mills, who disposed of the Stratford property soon after.
David Mitchell, son of Matthew, and brother of the wife of Mr. Samuel Sherman, sen., came to Stratford and pur- chased the " accommodations" of John Reader, Feb. 26, 1659, consisting of a house lot and several pieces of land.
David Mitchell became quite prominent in the town as a land owner and farmer.
John Washburn was at Stratford and married Mary, daughter of Richard Butler, June 7, 1655, and probably re- moved to Hempstead, L. I., with his father, William Wash- burn.
Hope Washburn, son of William of Mass., and per- haps of Stratford a short time, was made a freeman here at or before 1669. He purchased land at Oronoke in 1666, and was one of the three earliest settlers at that place, probably the next year. He purchased several pieces of land at that place, but soon removed to Derby, where his descendants continued many years.
On the Stratford records is an agreement of the widow Mary and children, William, Samuel, Sarah and Jane, to di- vide the estate of Hope Washburn, dated Nov. 16, 1696.
James Clark, Jr., son of James of New Haven, came to Stratford and married Deborah, daughter of John Peacock. about 1662. He was a farmer and received considerable land by his wife; had a family of five sons and three daughters, and the descendants were quite numerous and active citizens for many years. He purchased land of Joseph Judson " near unto Nesumpaws creek," Nov. 25, 1667, and several other pieces soon after.
Jabez Harger, said to have been a Huguenot, from Westchester, N. Y., came to Stratford and married Margaret the daughter of Henry Tomlinson in 1662, and settled in Derby about 1670. He had a house lot recorded to him in
243
Biographical Sketches.
1669 in Stratford, and the same year seems to have had land recorded to him in Derby, where he lived, and died in 1678. He had a family of three sons and six daughters. He resided in Stratford several years and bought land of the Indians at Oronoke, on which one of his sons settled many years after- wards.
John Hull, son of Richard of Dorchester, Mass., and New Haven, came to Stratford, and received in 1662, the grant of a "home lot on the north side of Jabez Harger, pro- vided he build on it and improve it three years." This was only a home lot without other land. He was accepted as an inhabitant at Derby in 1668, but seems to have resided at Stratford until 1675. He was successful at Derby in accumu- lating property, but removed to Wallingford in 1687, where he is called Doctor,-received a mile square of land from the town, and where he died Dec. 6, 1711, leaving a numerous family. Three of his sons remained in Derby and their de- scendants became greatly celebrated.
John Pickett was of Salem, Mass., in 1648, and came to Stratford in 1660, with a family of four sons and two daughters. He had a home lot granted him by the town, Apr. 1, 1665, and was a permanent citizen. His wife died Oct. 6, 1683, and he died Apr. II, 1684. His son Daniel set- tled at Danbury about the year 1700, and Daniel, junior, was one of the early settlers in New Milford. John, sen., was constable at Stratford in 1667, townsman in 1669, and repre- sentative in 1673.
Robert Lane, from Derbyshire, England, first located at Killingworth, Conn., came to Stratford and was granted a home lot, two acres, April 1, 1665, " on the same terms as John Hull and Jabez Harger." On the 19th of December he married Sarah, the daughter of John Pickett, and became a successful farmer in the township. On February 21, 1676, he was chosen " burier," or sexton for the graveyard.
Robert Clark, from New Haven, married Sarah, the widow of Francis Stiles of Windsor some years before 1665, and probably after he came to Stratford.
244
History of Stratford.
He became an influential citizen ; was successful as a far- mer, and gave considerable land to each of the sons of his wife, Ephraim, Samuel and Thomas Stiles.
Nicholas Gray came from Flushing, L. 1., and pur- chased land in Stratford in 1661; remained here 12 or 14 years and returned to Flushing. In 1676, he was in Flush- ing, and in 1678 he rented " his dwelling house, land and orchard in Stratford to Joseph Blakeman, but in 1680, his taxes remaining unpaid for several years the constable took possession of his estate, which matter he seems to have set- tled by the sale of the land.
John Cook seems to have come to Stratford as servant to Richard Butler, perhaps when quite young. His first land is thus : " John Cook by gift from his Master Richard Butler, two acres of upland in the Neck," and "by gift from the town two acres, Feb. 1, 1667."
Henry Summers came to Stratford, apparently in company with Samuel Gregory, who was his brother-in-law, before 1668. Whether they were just come from England or not has not been ascertained. The town records say that Samuel Summers purchased of his uncle Samuel Gregory, four acres of land, in 1696, near Golden Hill.
Henry Summers purchased his first land in Stratford, " 27th of Ist month, 1668 ; land lying at Pequonnock, bounded east with the great river called Pequonnock river, and south with the Indians' land, north on common." This he sold the same day to Samuel Gregory.
In 1686, he was living at Pequonnock, his dwelling being located, as near as can be ascertained, a little way south of what is now the junction of Park and Washington avenues. Here he was residing, apparently, in 1707, but in 1710 he was residing in Milford, for at that time, he deeded, as he says: " to my son John Summers, one-half of my house lot in Strat- field, a dwelling house, barn and orchard," it being eleven acres, " the half of the home lot on which the building stands." He owned several pieces of land in the vicinity- one of 16 acres, purchased in 1686, " lying on a hill west of Ireland's brook between the wolf-pits."
Biographical Sketches. 245
Henry Gregory was in Stratford as early as 1647, as recorded in the New Haven records, where he is represented as having sons Judah and John and a daughter, the wife of William Crooker. Henry Gregory died before 1655.
Samuel Gregory, probably the son of the above Henry, was one of the first settlers at Pequonnock, now Bridgeport, where he was residing in 1686, at what is now the junction of Park and Washington avenues, for the highway now Wash- ington avenue was laid out through the Indians' land, begin- ning at Samuel's Gregory's house. He settled at Pequon- nock about 1665.
Richard Beach was of New Haven in 1639, and one of the original signers of the compact. He married there about 1640, and came to Stratford with a family of four children, where he purchased his first land February 6, 1660, of Thomas Wheeler ; " one house lot with all the buildings upon it." In 1662, he purchased other pieces of land-one of five acres " on west point of the Neck, butted south upon the meadow called Mills' Lordship."
He and his descendants became substantial and influen- tial inhabitants of the town.
Rev. Israel Chauncey, youngest son of the Rev. Charles Chauncey, president of Harvard College, was born in 1644, at Scituate, Massachusetts, where his father was then preach- ing. He was graduated at Harvard in 1661, in the class with his older brothers Nathaniel and Elnathan.
In 1663, he compiled and edited the New England Alma- nac, on the title page of which is, ISRAEL CHAUNCEY. On the last two pages he states "The Theory of Planetary Orbs and the natural portents of eclipses."
He preached in Stratford from April, 1665, to June, 1666, as assistant to the Rev. Adam Blakeman, when he received a call to settle as pastor over this church and society, and was soon after ordained as such, he being then but 22 years of age. He was made freeman in the town in 1667, and married Mary, the daughter of Isaac Nichols, senior, one of his most prominent parishioners. His first wife died and he married 2d Sarah Hodson of New Haven in 1684.
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