USA > Connecticut > New London County > Montville > History of Montville, Connecticut, formerly the North parish of New London from 1640 to 1896 > Part 34
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" 2d, Whereas an agreement between Mrs. Lucy Harris and myself touching our worldly estate made before marriage, dated Dec. 16th, 1756, It is my will that said agreement be carried out and fulfilled according to the intent thereof;
" 3d, I give to my only son, Peletiah, my dwelling house, barn, and one hundred acres of land. The land to be set to his on the north part of my farm, to be laid out in equal breadth so as to inchide one hundred acres, south by land of Ezekiel Fox, westerly by land of John Baker, north by land of Esquire Raymond and Daniel Rogers, and east by the land of John Vibber.
" 4th, I give to my daughters, Sarah Ransom, Elizabeth Jones, Ann Welch, Althea Comstock, Delight Swaddle, Mary Fargo, Thankful Baker, Abigail Baker, and Eliphal Scofield,
526
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
all the remainder of my real estate after the payment of my debts. To my son Peletialı I give my gun and sword.
Witnesses.
John Baker
(Signed) PELETIAH BLISS."
David Jewett
Rachel Baker
Children, all by First Wife.
24. Sarah, b. ; m. Joshua Ransom.
25. Elizabeth, b. ; m. Joshua Jones, . 1740.
26. Ann, b. ; m. William Welch.
27. Althea, b. : m. Joseph Comstock, and had one son, Joseph, b. 4 June, 1749.
28. Delight, b. ; m. Samuel Swaddle.
29. Mary, b. ; m. Joshma Fargo.
30. Thankful, b. ; m. Gideon Baker.
31. Abigail, h. : m. Joshua Baker.
32. Poletialı, b. ; I. Elizabeth Harris.
V. PELETLAH (32), son of Peletiah (13); m. , Elizabeth Harris, b. about 1738, daughter of Ephraim Harris. He settled first in the North Parish of New London, and afterwards removed to Avon, N. Y., where he died. She died there in 1834.
Children.
33. Elizabeth, b. 8 May, 1769; m. Gurdon Rogers.
34. Hannah, b. 19 Jan., 1772; m. William Vibber.
35. Peletiah, b. 17 March, 1774; m. Gilbert.
36. John, b. 8 Nov., 1780: m. Lucretia Bishop.
PELETIAH (35), son'of Peletiah (32); m. , Gil- bert. They lived in Avon, Otsego County, N. Y. He mar- ried for second wife, Elizabeth Lathrop, born in 1769.
Child by First Wife.
37. Gilbert, b. , 1796.
527
BLISS FAMILIES.
Children by Second Wife.
38. Eliza, b. , , 1798.
39. Hannah, b. , 1801.
40. John, b. 20 Feb., 1804: m. Rosina Higgins.
41. Seth L., b. 20 Feb., 1804: twin to John.
42. E. Lathrop, b. , 1806.
43. Peletiah, b. , 1808.
44. James, b. 28 Jan., 1812.
JOHN (36), son of Peletiah (32); married, 1802, Lu- cretia Bishop, b. 29 March, 1777. She died in Ohio, 1839.
Children.
45. Giles Bishop, b. 16 Dec., 1803.
46. Robert Stanton, b. 1 Aug., 1805.
47. Ruia Angeline, b. 29 April, 1815; m. Edwin Holden, 1833.
COPP FAMILIES.
Dea. Jonathan Copp was the first deacon chosen by the church in the North Parish of New London, now called Mont- ville Center Church, at its organization in 1722. Hle, with Capt. Thomas Avery, Capt. Robert Denison, Mr. Samuel AAllen, Mr. John Vibber, and Mr. Nathaniel Otis, with their wives, were the first covenanters, forming the nnelens for the future church of North Parish, and over this little flock in the wilderness Rev. James Hillhouse was ordained its pastor 3 Oct., 1722.
Some two or three years previous to the calling of Rev. James Hillhouse as pastor, this little band of Christian work- ers had met together on the Sabbath for divine worship with Deacon Copp as the probable leader. ITis farm lay in the northern part of the Parish, near the Norwich line, in what is now called Leffingwell Society.
Dea. Jonathan Copp was born 23 Feb., 1665, son of David Copp and Obedience Topliff. He came from Boston, but the exact date is not certainly known, probably soon after 1700. ITis children were all probably born before his re- moval here. He was married to Catherine Lay 18 Aug., 1690. He died 4 Nov., 1746. She died 24 May, 1761. Both were buried in the church cemetery in the rear of the First Church, on Raymond Hill.
Children.
2. Catherine, b. 7 July, 1692; m. Thomas Edgecomb.
3. Jonathan, b. 12 June, 1694; m. 1st, Margaret Stanton; 2d, Widow Hubbert.
4. Obedience, b. 17 Sept., 1696; m. Stephen Baldwin.
5. Mary, b. 27 Oct., 1698; m. John Mason, Jr.
6. Sarah, b. 24 Sept., 1700; died 21 Dec., 1710.
7. David, b. 3 Oct., 1702: m. Widow Dorothy Rogers.
529
COPP FAMILIES.
S. Samuel, b. 24 Jan., 1704-5; m. Elizabeth Leffingwell.
9. Amy, b. 24 Sept., 1707; m. John Vibber.
10. John, b. 29 Sept., 1709; m. Isabel Dixson.
11. Sarah, b. 31 Dec., 1712; m. Abraham Avery, 2d wife.
DAVID (7), b. 3 Oct., 1702, son of Jonathan Copp and Catherine Lay; m. Widow Dorothy (Denison) Rogers, daugh- ter of Capt. Robert Denison. He was also a deacon of the church, succeeding his father. He died May, 1751, and his widow afterwards married Jonathan Avery of Norwich.
Children.
12. Dorothy, b.
13. Mercy, b.
14. Obedience, b.
SAMUEL (S), b. 24 Jan., 1704-5, son of Jonathan Copp and Catherine Lay; married Elizabeth Leffingwell, daughter of Samuel His children were all born here, but probably moved away before they grew up, as no mention of his death is made in the record.
Children.
15. Prudence, b. 5 April, 1746.
16. Samuel, b. 22 Nov., 1747.
17. Jonathan, b. 5 Nov., 1749.
18. David, b. 10 Aug., 1752.
19. Lois, b. 31 Dec., 1754.
20. Catherine, b. 15 May, 1757.
21. Abigail, b. 14 Nov., 1759.
JOHN (10), b. 29 Sept., 1709, son of Jonathan Copp and Catherine Lay; married 7 Nov., 1744, Isabel Dixson. His children were all born in Montville, but they all removed to Nova Scotia with their parents.
Children.
22. Catherine, b. 12 Aug., 1745.
23. Isabel, b. 17 Nov., 1747,
34
530
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
24. Anna, b. 6 July, 1749.
25. Sarah, b. 20 May, 1751.
26. John, b. 3 Jan., 1753.
27. Timothy, b. 30 Dec., 1755.
JONATHAN (3), b. 12 June, 1694, son of Jonathan Copp and Catherine Lay; married 28 Dec., 1721, Margaret Stanton; 2d, Widow Hubbert.
Children.
28. Dorothy, b. 25 Nov., 1722.
29. Jonathan, b. 22 July, 1725.
30. Margaret, b. 29 May, 1727.
31. Catherine, b. 16 July, 1730.
32. Joseph, b. 18 Nov., 1732.
CROCKER FAMILIES.
Thomas Crocker appears at New London in 1660, at which time he bought a house in New Street. He was born about 1633, and among those whose names appear in the Letters Patent granted by his Royal Majesty Charles the Second of England in 1663. His wife Rachel was daughter of George Chappell. He died 18 Jan., 1715-16, aged eighty- three years.
Children.
2. Mary, b. 7 March, 1668-9.
3. Thomas, b. 1 Sept., 1670; m. Ann Beeby.
4. John, b. ; m.
5. Samuel, b. 27 July, 1676.
6. William, b. 1680.
7. Andrew, b. , 1683.
II. SAMUEL (5), b. 27 July, 1676, son of Thomas Crocker and Rachel Chappell; married The name of his wife is not to be found on record. He early pur- chased twenty acres of land of Capt. Joseph Tracy on Little Lebanon Hill, afterwards called Crocker Hill, in Franklin, Conn. He was an active and influential member of the settle- ment. In 1716 he served on an important committee, and his name often appears upon the records of the society at later dates. In 1722 he served as selectman. He had children, Samuel, John, Jabez, and Hannah, baptized in 1709.
II. JOHN (4), b. about 1672, son of Thomas Crocker and Rachel Chappell; married and had a son (S) John, b. about 1706. He married 20 March, 1733-4, Jerusha Larrabee. He was a soldier of the French Wars, and was a resident of Montville, where he died 30 Nov., 1746.
532
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
Children.
9. John, b. 20 Jan., 1734-5.
10. Joseph, b. 18 March, 1735-6.
11. Mary, b. 14 March, 1737-8.
12. Mercy, b. 2 March, 1739-40.
13. Phebe, b. 16 Feb., 1741-2.
14. Andrew, b. 28 March, 1743-4.
III. JOHN (9), b. 20 Jan., 1734-5, son of John Crocker and Jerusha Larrabee; married 18 May, 1758, Ann Camp, daughter of William Camp. He was a member of the Mont- ville Center Congregational Church, and resided in the north part of the town. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His wife died 7 Oct., 1787. Ile afterwards mar- ried, 13 June, 1802, Thankful Robbins.
Children by Ann.
15. Joseph, b. 21 March, 1759; died 28 Oct., 1776.
16. Lydia, b. 27 Oct., 1761; m. Samuel Bailey 6 May, 1787.
17. Malzor, b. 6 Aug., 1763.
18. John, b. 11 Sept., 1765.
19. Elizabeth, b. 14 May, 1768.
20. Mary, b. 30 May, 1770.
21. Anna, b. 20 July, 1772; m. Josiah Hills.
22. Merey. b. 20 March, 1775.
23. Sarah. b. 31 May, 1777.
24. Joseph, b. S April, 1781.
LYDIA (16), b. 27 Oct., 1761, danghter of John Crocker and Ann Camp; married 6 May, 1787, Sanmel Bailey, and had children, 1st, Chloe, b. 1789; 2d, Gordon, b. 1792; 3d, Lydia, b. 1795, died young; 4th, Lydia Agan, b. 1798; 5th, Abigail, b. 1801, m. - Beanmont, and was living in
1893.
CHAPMAN FAMILIES.
Joseph Chapman was an inhabitant of the North Parish of New London previous to 1755, at which time he exchanged 25 acres of land with Rev. David Jewett, which he says, " being land that my father, Samuel Chapman, gave me." The land thus exchanged by Mr. Chapman lay along the north side of the Jewett Farm, now owned by D. Chester Comstock. IIe afterwards owned the farm on which the famous " Coche- geon Rock " is located, afterwards owned by Bliss Baker, and a part of which farm Mr. Chapman sold to Joshua Baker, Jr., in 1762.
This Samuel Chapman was one of the patentees named in the list of signers to the patent of New London presented to the governor and approved Oct. 14, 1704. He was probably a grandson of William Chapman of 1657, who " bought the house and lot of Mr. Blinman, formerly be- longed to Capt. Denison."
Among the minutes of county court cases in 1667 is the following item: " John Lewis and Sarah Chapman, presented for sitting together on the Lord's day under an apple tree in Goodman Chapman's orchard."
Joseph Chapman is supposed to have been a brother of Jonathan Chapman, born in Nov., 1726, and who settled in Leffingwell Society near the Montville line, and has de- scendants still living in that society.
Joseph Chapman, whose wife was Mary Perkins, had sons, 1st, Joseph, b. 15 May, 1761, m. Sabra Baker, daughter of Gideon Baker. He was killed by the falling of a tree on 26 May, 1799. After his death his widow married Nathan Latimer. His son, John Chapman, b. about 1798, died at the residence of his cousin, Joseph L. Chapman, 13 Oct., 1876,
534
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
unmarried: 2d, Zebulon, b. about 1765; 3d, Alpheus; 4th, Dyer; 5th, Gideon, married Sarah Cook.
ZEBULON, second son of Joseph and Mary Chapman; married 12 March, 1795, Ann Latimer, daughter of Nathan Latimer and Jane Lee. He settled in Chesterfield Society, a farmer. He died 8 June, 1802, in the 37th year of his age.
Children.
6. Joseph Lee, b. 9 Dec., 1795; m. Phebe Wickwire.
7. Mary, b. 15 July, 1798; m. John Latimer.
8. Oliver Raymond, b. 6 May, 1801; died 9 March, 1802.
JOSEPHI LEE (6), b. 9 Dec., 1795, son of Zebulon ('hap- man and Ann Latimer; married 5 Feb., 1818, Phebe Wick- wire, danghter of Willard Wiekwire and Hannah Chapel. Hle settled in Montville, Chesterfield Society, a farmer. A man of considerable ability, and active in town affairs. He represented his native town in the state legislature in 1837. A Jackson Democrat. He was well informed in both politi- cal and civil affairs of the town and country. He died at Montville 15 Oct., 1876. She died 18 Jan., 1879.
Children.
9. Oliver Wolcott, b. 21 Oct., 1818; m. Ile died in Jan., 1864.
10. Sarah Gardner, b. 15 Sept., 1821; m. Alvin Gardner.
11. Hannah, b. 27 June, 1824; m. Artemas Gardner.
12. Frank, b. 1827; died young.
13. Leander, b. 18 May, 1828; m. 1st, -- Landphere; 2d,
14. Mary Jane, b. ; m. John Bogne.
15. Charles Allen, b. 29 Oct., 1838; m. 1st, Mary R. Ed- wards; 2d, Laura S. Comstock.
JONATHAN CHAPMAN, supposed son of Samuel Chapman, b. about 1726; married Mercy --- , b. about 1732. Hler maiden name has not been ascertained. He
535
CHAPMAN FAMILIES.
settled in Bozralı, Leffingwell Society, a farmer. He died 9 May, 1802. She died 11 May, 1818.
Children.
2. Christopher, b. 20 Ang., 1756; m. Eunice Fitch. He
died 13 Nov., 1834. She died 30 Nov., 1834.
3. Lucy, b. 25 Aug., 1759; died 14 Sept., 1837.
4. Desire, b. about 1762; m. Maples.
5. Prudence, b. about 1769; died 28 Dec., 1792, unm.
6. Jonathan, b. 28 Sept., 1771; m. Phebe Leffingwell.
JONATHAN (6), b. 28 Sept., 1771, son of Jonathan Chapman and Mercy --; married, 1798, Phebe Leffing- well, b. about 1774, daughter of Samuel Leffingwell and Betsey Baker; a farmer, lived at the old Chapman homestead in Leffingwell Society. She died 20 Nov., 1847. He died 15 Oct., 1859.
Children.
7. Christopher, b. 16 Feb., 1799; m. 1st, Sabra Harring- ton; 2d, Clarissa Lampher.
S. Abby, b. S Feb., 1806; m. Marvin Leffingwell.
CHRISTOPHER (7), b. 16 Feb., 1799, son of Jonathan Chapman and Phebe Leffingwell; married 1st, Sabra Harring- ton. She died 12 Feb., 1821. He then married 3 Nov., 1824, Clarissa Lampher. He settled on the old homestead in Bozrah, a farmer. He died 7 Sept., 1851. She died 2 Oct., 1832, leaving two children, 1st, Sabra, b. 1 May, 1825, m. Isaac Winchester; 2d, Christopher Nelson, b. 7 Jan., 1827, mı. Mary (Gardner) Maples, widow of George Maples, and daughter of Rhoderick Gardner.
ALPHIEUS CHAPMAN, son of Joseph Chapman and Mary Was an inhabitant of Montville and lived on the farm afterwards occupied by Gilbert Allen, and sub- sequently by John McAlpine. He was one of the appraisers on the estate of Samuel Holmes, his nearest neighbor, Oct. 8,
536
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
1774. He was born about 1750, and was living in 1812. His wife's name was Martha , and was one of the witnesses to the last will of Samuel Holmes, August 4, 1774. Hle had sons, Alpheus, who married Elizabeth Allen; Jesse married Hannah Holmes, daughter of Jabez, and his children were Jesse, Mary, married Nehemiah Fargo. James Bab- cock, Alpheus Babcock, Thomas Babcock, and Mary Babcock, Henry Minard, Sophia Minard, Emiline Minard, and Am Bird were heirs at law of the estate of Alphens Chapman.
CARDWELL FAMILIES.
William Cardwell, whose name is first found on the records of New London, and who married 4 September, 1747, Elizabeth Burch, has very little said about him. His marriage is the only evidence, together with the birth record of his children, of his being a resident of New London. It is not ascertained who his parents were or where he came from to New London, nor in what part of the town he lived.
The young man mentioned by Mr. Hemstead as being killed by a stroke of lightning that descended upon the old Saltonstall meeting-house in New London on the Sabbath, while the people were at worship, August 31, 1735, shaking its very foundation, splitting timbers, rafters, and posts, scat- tering them in fragments on every side, and laying about forty persons prostrate and senseless upon the floor, may have been a brother of Elizabeth Burch. "It pleased God," says Hemstead, " to spare all our lives but Edward Burch, a young man newly for himself, who was strnek fatally and died."
Children.
2. Samuel, b. 27 Aug., 1748; died in the 17th year of his age.
3. William, b. 6 April, 1751; m. Sibbel Griswold.
4. John, b. 5 May, 1752.
5. Nathaniel, b. 10 May, 1755.
6. Mary, b. 16 June, 1757.
7. Sarah, b. 1 Aug., 1767.
WILLIAM (3), b. 6 April, 1751, son of William Card- well and Elizabeth Burch; married 11 April, 1779, Sibbel Griswold. He probably resided in New London, as the births of his children are recorded there.
Children.
8. John, b. 23 April, 1780.
9. Samuel, b. 6 March, 1782.
538
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
10. Uriah, b. 10 Feb., 1785; m. Hough of Bozrah.
11. Nancy, b. 6 Ang., 1786.
12. Robert, b. 23 March, 1788; m. 1st, Lydia Dorsett; 2d, Rebecca (Breed) Potter.
13. Lydia, b. 23 Jan., 1790; m. Russel Treadway.
14. Rebecca, b. 6 June, 1792; died um.
15. Vera Ann, b. 22 Ang., 1794; m. Gurdon Abel.
16. Sibbel or Sybel, b. 28 June, 1797; m. William Tew.
17. William S., b. 10 Oct .. 1802: 1. 1st, Rebecca B. Land-
phere: 2d. Nancy (Lester) Comstock.
WILLIAM S. (17), b. 10 Oct., 1802, son of William Cardwell and Sybel Griswold; married 1st, Rebecca B. Land- phere 25 Nov., 1830, daughter of Oliver Landphere of Bozrah. She died 7 June, 1837. He married for his second wife Nancy (Lester) Comstock, widow of Amos Comstock, 24 March, 1839. He settled in Montville: a merchant. IIc commenced the grocery business in the old store of Giles Turners, afterwards owned by Erastus Baker, on the "old Colchester road." Mr. Cardwell, about 1832, removed to Montville Center, where he carried on the grocery business in the old red building that formerly stood nearly opposite the present church edifice. From this place he removed to Uncasville, and bought a house and a few acres of land of Daniel Lester, on which he erected a store, which he occupied until his death, 25 Sept., 1865. He was succeeded by his son- in-law, John A. Coggeshall, who built a new house and store. He was a successful merchant at Uncasville, and highly respected by his fellow townsmen. He was a do- scendant of John Coggeshall, one of the founders of Newport, R. I., " from whom all American Coggeshalls are descended." He died 22 May, 1892, and was succeeded by his son, William A. Coggeshall, now in active business at the old store.
Children of William S. Cardwell.
18. Mary, b. 1 Sept., 1831; m. John A. Coggeshall.
19. William Henry, b. 25 Aug., 1833; m. Lucy Morgan.
20. Winslow G., b. 14 Aug .. 1835; m. Sarah Holdridge.
DENISON FAMILIES.
Capt. Robert Denison, the first of the name that settled in the North Parish of New London, now Montville, was son of John Denison and Phebe Lay, and a grandson of Capt. George Denison, the first of Stonington.
This Capt. George Denison was born in England in 1618. He came to this country with his father and two brothers about 1631, and settled at Roxbury, Mass. In 1640 he married Bridget Thompson of Stonington, by whom he had two daugh- ters. Upon her death, in 1643, Capt. Denison returned to England and engaged in the civil war, which was then going on there. And the tradition in the family is that in an engagement in Ireland he was dangerously wounded, and in this situation was cast upon the hospitality of Mr. John Brodil of Cork, a gentleman of wealth who had an only daughter, Anne Brodil, who became a ministering angel to him in his critical condition and great need. That he recovered and persuaded her to marry him and to share his fortunes in this new world the sequel of events clearly prove. He had by her seven children, John, George, William, Anne, Margaret, Brodil, and Mary. The two daughters by his first wife were Sarah, born 20 March, 1641; married Stanton; and Hannah, born 20 May, 1643: married Saxton.
Capt. George Denison was the first representative of Ston- ington in the General Assembly at Hartford. He died 23 Oct .. 1694, while attending the assembly at Hartford, at the age of 76. His widow died 26 Sept., 1712, aged 97.
John Denison, their eldest son, born 1646, at Roxbury; married in 1667 Phebe Lay of Saybrook, daughter of Robert Lay. Their son, Robert, born 17 Oct., 1673, married Joanna Stanton, born 5 Jan., 1679. He is known to the records as
540
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
Capt. Robert Denison of the North Parish. In January, 1709, Owaneco, the sachem of the Mohegans, conveyed by deed to Capt. Robert Denison, then of Stonington, a tract of 500 acres of land " on the southmost side of the little pond called ' Opsoboxuk' and adjoining land of Oliver Manwar- ing in the North Parish of New London." He moved on to this land within two or three years thereafter, and built his house. This house is still standing, though it may have been several times remodeled since. This house was afterwards occupied by Erastus Gardner, and now by Mr. Theodore Lehman. Capt. Robert Denison died about 1737.
Children by Joanna.
2. Robert, bap. 21 March, 1697; m. Deborah Griswold.
3. John, b. 28 Nov., 1698; m. Patience Griswold.
4. Johanna, b. ; m. Thomas Morehouse.
5. Mary, b. ; died young.
6. Nathaniel, b. ; died about 30 years old, unm.
; died about 11 years old.
7. Sarah, b. ; died in the West Indies at 23.
8. Andrew, b.
9. Anna, b.
; m. Capt. James Fitch.
12. Elizabeth, b.
13. George, b.
; died in infancy.
14. Abigail, b.
: m. Wm. Wattles of Lebanon. His first wife died and he married for his second, Widow Dorothy Frink. Her maiden name was Stanton.
Children by Dorothy.
15. George, b. ; m. Hannah Dodge.
16. Dorothy, bap. 30 Dee., 1722; m. 1st, Ebenezer Rogers: 2d, Dea. David Copp: 3d, Jonathan Avery.
ROBERT (2), bap. 21 March, 1697, son of Capt. Robert Denison and Johanna Stanton; married 19 Oct., 1721, De- borah Griswold, b. at Lyme about 1697, daughter of Mathew Griswold and Phehe Hyde. He first settled at Montville,
10. Thomas, b.
; m. Elizabeth Bailey in 1709.
11. Lucy, b.
; m. Samuel Rogers.
; died young.
541
DENISON FAMILIES.
and afterwards removed West. He is known to the records as Major Robert Denison, and died in June, 1766. His first wife died 24 Dec., 1731. He then married Prudence Sher- man.
Children by Deborah.
17. Deborah, b. Dec., 1722; m. Christopher Manwaring.
18. Elizabeth, b. about 1723; died in infancy.
19. Robert, b. about 1725; died when nine weeks old.
20. Elizabeth, b. Sept., 1726; m. Nathan Smith of Groton.
21. Andrew, b. 2 May, 1728; m. Mary Thompson.
22. Mary, b. Jan., 1729; died 21 Dec., 1743.
23. Robert, b. ; died in infancy.
Children by Prudence.
24. David Sherman, b. 12 Aug., 1734; m. Sarah Fox.
25. Marcy, b. 5 Oct., 1736; died 15 Jan., 1743.
26. Robert, b. 31 July, 1739; died 25 Dec., 1743.
27. Prudence, b. 31 March, 1741; died 20 Dec., 1743.
28. Samuel, b. 8 Feb., 1742-3.
29. Sarah, b. 11 Nov., 1744.
30. Phebe, bap. 1 March, 1746-7.
The following is the copy of a letter sent by George Deni- son to Bridget Thompson in 1640:
" It is an ordinance, my dear, divine Which God unto the sons of men makes shine Even marriage, is that whereof I speak And unto you my mind therein I beak In Paradise, of Adam, God did tell To be alone, for man, would not do well He in His wisdom thought it right To bring a woman into Adam's sight A helper that for him might be most mete And comfort him by her doing discreet I of that stock am sprung, I mean from him And also of that tree I am a limb A branch, though young, yet do I think it good That God's great vows by man be not withstood Alone I am, an helper I would find Which might give satisfaction to my mind The party that doth satisfy the same
542
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
Is Mistress Bridget Thompson by her name God having drawn my affections unto thee My heart's desire is thine may be to me Thus with my blottings though I trouble you Yet pass these by because I know not how Though they at this time should much better be For love it is the first have been to thee And I could wish that they much better were Therefore I pray accept them as they are So hoping my desire I shall obtain Your own true lover I, George Denison by name From my father's house in Roxbury To Miss Bridget Thompson, Stonington, 1640."
·
GARDNER FAMILIES.
Stephen Gardner was among the early settlers in New London County, and was probably a descendant of the Rhode Island families. He is first known as a purchaser of a large tract of land near the "Great Pond," afterwards called " Gardner's Lake," lying partly in Montville, partly in Boz- rah, and partly in Salem. On this land he settled and reared a large family of children. He married, about 1700, Amy Sherman, born 25 Oct., 1681, daughter of Benjamin Sher- man and Hannah Mowry of Kingston, R. I. Very little is recorded relating to the characteristics of the man, and little known of his history. Neither the date of his death or that of his wife is found to be recorded.
Children.
2. Amy, b. 13 June, 1701.
3. Lydia, b. 10 October, 1702.
4. Stephen, b. 24 February, 1704; m., 1722, Frances Congdon, daughter of Benjamin.
5. Benjamin, b. 18 April, 1706.
6. Peregrene, b. 24 Jan., 1707; m. Susanna Robinson.
7. Daniel, b. 14 Dec., 1709; m. Bathshebe -.
S. Sarah, b. 25 Oct., 1711.
9. Hannah, b. 2 May, 1713.
10. Mehitabel, b. 22 May, 1715; m. John Congdon, Jr.
11. Abigail, b. 9 July, 1717.
12. David, b. 28 Jan., 1720; m. Jemima Gustin.
13. Jonathan, b. 18 April, 1724; m. 1st, Mary Haughton; 2d, Abia Fitch.
II. STEPHEN (4), b. 24 Feb., 1704, son of Stephen Gardner and Amy Sherman; married, 1722, Frances Cong- don, daughter of Benjamin Congdon. He was born at Kings- ton, R. I. The house where his father lived stood probably
544
HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
in the then town of Colchester, which afterwards was set off and became a part of the town of Salem. He died in 1776.
Children.
14. Frances, b. 7 June, 1723; died 27 June, 1786, unm.
15. Amy, b. 17 Feb., 1725; m. Capt. Stephen Harding.
16. Lydia, b. 20 March, 1727; m. Judge John Jenkins.
17. Esther, b. 26 Dec., 1729; m. Crocker.
18. Sarah, b. 10 Feb., 1731; m. Thomas Jenkins.
19. Hannah, b. 7 Nov., 1733; m. Thomas Jones, 1753.
20. Stephen, b. 27 March, 1735; m. 1st, Frances Brown; 2dl, widow of John Abbott.
21. Mary, b. 20 Dec., 1737: m. Israel Jones.
22. Thomas, b. 4 Sept., 1740.
23. Mchitabel, b. 11 Nov., 1745; m. JJames Angell.
II. PEREGRENE (6), b. 24 Jan., 1707, son of Stephen Gardner and Amy Sherman; married April, 1731, Susanna Robinson, b. 1711.
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