History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889, Part 32

Author: Camp, David Nelson, 1820-19l6
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New Britain, W. B. Thomson & company
Number of Pages: 622


USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 32
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 32
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 32


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45


380


HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.


the Neck, near the corner of Front and Morgan streets. He was one of the first settlers of Farmington, having for his house-lot a tract on the west side of Main Street, opposite the site of the meeting-house and extending to the river. His house-lot contained fifteen acres, being four or five times as large as the others. In consideration of holding so large a house-lot he was to erect and maintain a mill. He also owned large tracts of land in other parts of the town, one of these being in " Great Swamp," Kensington. He was one of the foremost men in the new settlement, one of the first representatives to the General Court at Hartford in 1647, and was re-elected each succeeding year, with one exception, until 1655, and again in 1660. He was active in securing the organization of the church in 1652, was one of the seven pillars, his name standing next to that of the pastor, Mr. Newton, and he was appointed the first deacon. His influ- ence, both in civil and religious matters, was quite extensive for the times. He was one of the eighty-four proprietors by whom the township was divided in 1672.


After the death of his first wife, whose name is unknown, he married Margaret, first the widow of Arthur Smith, and second of Sergeant Joseph Nash, both of Hartford. His will, which was dated March 16, 1682-3, a short time before his death, divided his estate among his children and grand- children. His house lot was given to his two sons, the north part to John, and the south part to Thomas.


He died March, 1682-3 ; his widow died March 1, 1693-4.


CHILDREN. 1. Sarah, m. Nov. 20, 1644, Thomas Porter; 2. Mary, m. John Lee, and (2) Jan. 5, 1672, Jedediah Strong; 3. John, m. Sarah -; 4. Stephen; 5. Mehitabel, m. John Coles; 6. Thomas, b. 1643, m. Ruth Hawkins.


3. JOHN LEE, 1620-1690.


The Lees of New Britain and Berlin were the descend- ants of John Lee, a native of Colchester, Essex County, Eng. He was born about 1620, came to Massachusetts in 1634 with his guardian, William Westwoode, and the next year was one of the Hooker company that removed to Hartford. About


381


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


1641, he went to Farmington, and this place was afterwards his home. He was one of the original town proprietors, his "town lot" of three acres being on the north side of Farmington Street, north of the church, and next Stephen Hart's homestead. He married in 1658, Mary, daughter of Stephen Hart. He united with the church in Farmington with his wife, July 15, 1660. He died Aug. 8, 1690 .* His property, which included land at Great Swamp, was inven- toried at £359 11s. 8d.


CHILDREN. 1. John, b. June 11, 1659, m. Dec. 27, 1682, Elizabeth Loomis of Windsor; 2. Mary, b. Aug 14, 1664, m. Dec. 28, 1682, Stephen Upson of Waterbury; 3. Stephen, b. April, 1669, m. Oct. 1690, Elizabeth Royce of Wallingford; 4. Thomas, b. 1671, m. Sept. 11, 1707, Mary Camp of Hartford, and (2), Eliza Hubbard; 5. David, b. 1674, m. Sept. 5, 1695, Lydia Strong of Northampton; 6. Tabitha, b. 1677, m. Oct. 23, 1701, Preserved Strong of Northampton.


4. JOHN STANLEY, 1624-1706.


In the early history of the northern part of New Britain, no name occurs more frequently than that of Stanley. Oc- cupying at first almost exclusively the rich district which has ever since borne the name of Stanley Quarter, the repre- sentatives of these early families, both in church and state, had an honorable position in the history of the colony and of the parish. The Stanleys of Farmington, New Britain, and Berlin, were chiefly the descendants of John Stanley, an emi- grant from England, who left the mother country in the spring of 1634, and died during the voyage, leaving two chil- dren, John and Ruth. John Stanley, the eldest child of John Stanley, was born in England, in January, 1624. He left his native country with his father, who died on the passage in 1634, and soon after his arrival in Massachusetts, was placed in charge of his uncle, Thomas, with whom he came to Hart- ford in 1636. He married Dec. 5, 1645, Sarah Scott, who


*A few years ago in the old cemetery at Farmington, the grave and ancient headstone of John Lee were discovered. The latter was partially covered with earth, but upon the place being identified, William H. Lee, Esq., of New York, one of the descendants of John Lee, caused an appropriate monument to be erected upon which the inscription upon the old headstone was placed.


382


HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.


died June 26, 1661, and he married, second, April 20, 1663, Sarah Fletcher of Milford. Soon after his first marriage he removed to Farmington, where he acquired a handsome property. He was much respected and chosen to various offices of trust and honor. He was elected a deputy to the General Court nearly every year from 1659 to 1696, was con- stable in 1654, and served on various committees appointed by the town or colony. He was also active in military affairs, being appointed sergeant of the Farmington train band in 1669, ensign in 1674, and captain in 1676. He was, when quite young, in the expedition against the Pequots, and was also active in King Philip's war. During the latter years of his life, he generally had his military title of captain. He died Dec. 19, 1706.


CHILDREN - by his first wife: 1. John, b. Nov. 4, 1647, m. Nov. 18, 1669, Esther Newell; 2. Thomas, b. Nov. 1, 1649, m. May 1, 1690, Anna Peck; 3. Sarah, b. Feb. 18, 1651, m. July 14, 1670, Joseph Gaylord; 4. Timothy, b. May 17, 1654, m. 1676, Mary Strong; 5. Elizabeth, b. April, 1657, d. in infancy; 6. Isaac, b. Sept. 22, 1660; - by his second wife: 7. Abigail, b. July 25, 1669, m. Nov. 24, 1687, John Hooker; 8. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 28, 1672, m. Aug. 20, 1696, John Wadsworth.


5. JOHN HART, 1630 ?- 1666.


John Hart, eldest son of Dea. Stephen Hart of Farming- ton, was born in England, but when quite young came to this country with his parents, residing first in Cambridge, Mass., then in Hartford, and at last in Farmington, where he was admitted to the church April 2, 1654. He bought a house- lot of one of the original settlers of Farmington. It was on the west side of the main street near the homestead of his father, and here he had his home and became one of " the eighty-four proprietors." He was much respected in the community, being appointed to offices of responsibility by the town and by the General Court. His house was burned to the ground in 1666, and he and all his family, except his son John, perished in the flames.


CHILDREN. 1. Sarah, b. 1653; 2. John, b. 1655, m. Mary Moore; 3. Stephen, b. July, 1657.


383


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


6. REV. SAMUEL HOOKER, 1632-1697.


Rev. Samuel Hooker, son of Rev. Thomas Hooker, the first minister of Hartford, was born in 1632. He graduated at Harvard College in 1653, and studied theology with his father. He preached for a time at Plymouth, Mass., where he married, Sept. 22, 1658, Mary Willett, daughter of the first mayor of New York. In July, 1661, he was ordained pastor of the church in Farmington. He was an excellent preacher, esteemed in his parish, and respected wherever he was known. He twice preached the annual election sermon, for which he received a special vote of thanks. He was a fellow of Harvard College, and in 1662, was one of the com- mittee of four to treat with New Haven in reference to a union with Connecticut. After the English revolution of 1688, his name, with the names of three others, was appended to the address to King William of Orange. He was a large landholder, had eleven children, some of whose descendants became distinguished in the annals of New England. He died Nov. 6, 1697.


7. JOHN STANLEY, 1647-1729.


John Stanley, eldest son of Capt. John and Sarah (Scott) Stanley, was born Nov. 4, 1647. He married Nov. 18, 1669, Esther Newell. He was first settled in Farmington, but re- moved about 1678 with others to form a settlement at Matta- tuck (Waterbury). He took great interest in this settlement, was one of the assignces to whom the first Indian grant of lands was made, laid out the lots of the first settlers, and was prominent in the management of the local affairs of the new town. He held the highest office of the Waterbury train- band for some years, and was a representative to the General Court. He returned to Farmington in 1695, became justice of the peace in 1704, and deacon of the church in 1711. He died May 16, 1729.


CHILDREN. 1. Esther, b. Sept. 2, 1672, d. young; 2. John, b. April 9, 1775, d. in infancy; 3 Samuel, b. June 7, 1677, m. July 15, 1702, Eliza beth Bronson; 4. Nathaniel, b. Sept. 25, 1679, m. Dec. 2, 1714, Sarah


384


HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.


Smith; 5. John, b. Feb. 17, 1682, m. Aug. 1710, Hannah Porter, and (2), Dec. 9, 1714, Mary Wright; 6. Thomas, b. Feb, 1684; 7. Sarah, b. 1686, m. Daniel Hooker; 8. Timothy, b. June 6, 1689, m. Dec. 25, 1718, Martha Smith; 9. Ruth.


8. RICHARD SEYMOUR, 1648-1710.


Richard Seymour, the fourth son of Richard Seymour of Hartford, was born about 1648. He removed to Farmington where he was freeman in 1669, and in 1672 was one of the eighty-four proprietors who divided the town. He married Hannah, daughter of Matthew Woodruff of Farmington. He was the leader of the Great Swamp settlement at Christian Lane, and was captain of the fort at that place, and of the . company constituted for its defence. He gave the plot for the old cemetery at Christian Lane, and was the first person buried there. He was killed while felling a tree in 1710. He was one of the wealthiest men in the new settlement, the inventory of his estate after his death being £416 5s. 3d.


9. DANIEL ANDREWS, 1649-1731.


Daniel Andrews, the third son of John and Mary An- drews, was born May 27, 1649. He was probably the only one of his father's children who remained in Farmington and had a permanent residence there. He was a large landholder, inheriting some land from his father, and increasing his hold- ings by purchases, both in Farmington parish and in the Great Swamp society. He was one of the carly landed proprietors of the latter place, and also one of " the eighty-four proprie- tors " of Farmington. He was townsman (selectman), and held other public offices. He died April 16, 1731.


CHILDREN. 1. Daniel, b. March 9, 1672, m. Oct. 30, 1707, Mabel Goff; 2. Mary, b. Dec. 9, 1674, m. Jan. 3, 1694, Isaac Cowles; 3. Joseph, b. Aug. 10, 1676, m. Feb. 10, 1707, Susanna Hough; 4. Thomas, b. June 3, 1678, d. young; 5. John, b. June 10, 1680, m. June 26, 1712, Mary Goff; 6. Martha, b. July 17, 1682; 7. Hannah, b. Jan. 13, 1684; 8. Paul, b. Jan. 2, 1686; 9. Stephen, b. Aug. 2, 1689, m. Dec. 29, 1720, Abigail Porter; 10. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 28, 1692, d. in infancy.


10. JOHN HART, 1655-1714.


John Hart, eldest son of John and Sarah Hart, Farming- ton, was born in 1655. He was absent from home at the


385


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


time of the burning of his father's house and thus his life was preserved, when all the other members of the family perished. He married Mary Moore, and in 1686, with his wife, was admitted to the Farmington Church. He held va- rious offices in the town and colony, was successively ensign, lieutenant, and captain of the Farmington train-band, was for four successive years deputy from Farmington to the General Court, was one of the auditors of the colony in 1705, and was appraiser on his uncle Stephen Hart's estate. He died Nov. 11, 1714.


CHILDREN. 1. John, b. 1684, m. March 20, 1706, Esther Gridley ; 2. Isaac, b. 1686, m. Nov. 24, 1721, Elizabeth Whaples; 3. Sarah, b. 1687, m. Feb. 15, 1705, Ebenezer Steele; 4. Matthew, b. 1690, m. Jan. 10, 1725, Sarah Hooker; 5. Samuel, b. 1692, in. Dec. 5, 1723, Mary Hooker; 6. Nathaniel, b. 1695, m. Dec. 3, 1719, Abigail Hooker; 7. Mary, m. John Leffingwell.


11. BENJAMIN ANDREWS, 1659-1727.


Benjamin Andrews, the youngest child of John and Mary Andrews of Farmington, was born in 1659. He married, May 26, 1682, Mary Smith, who died in 1707, and June 14, 1710, he married, second, widow Dorcas (Wright) Wetmore. She died Dec. 4, 1716, and he married, third, Sarah, who was living at the time he made his will in 1724. He resided at the old homestead of his father, in the north part of Farm- ington. He died in 1727.


CHILDREN. 1. Benjamin, b. Aug. 20, 1683, m. Dec. 6, 1711, Elizabeth Gridley; 2. John, b. May 8, 1685, m. April 26, 1716, Elizabeth Orvice; 3. Mary, b. Aug. 24, 1688, m. Feb. 26, 1712, Nathaniel Cowles; 4. Stephen, b. Sept. 20, 1690, m. Ruth Barnes; 5. Daniel, b. Sept. 7, 1693, m. Feb. 8, 1720, Mary Cowles ; 6. Samuel, b. Nov. 20, 1695, m. Nov. 8, 1721, Mary Scott; 7. Johanna, b. May 24, 1698, d. young; · 8. James, b. Aug. 1, 1700, m. Dec. 9, 1730, Elizabeth Gillett.


12. JOHN LEE, 1659-1723.


John Lee, the oldest son of John, the emigrant, and Mary Hart Lee, was born June 11, 1659. He married, Dec. 27, 1682, Elizabeth Loomis of Windsor. He was a man of in- fluence in Farmington, being appointed street and land sur-


386


HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.


veyor, committee to treat with the Indians, and also to other offices of honor and trust. He had considerable property which was devised by will dated 1723. He died April 24, 1723.


CHILDREN. 1. John, b. Dec. 7, 1683, d. young; 2. Jonathan, b. March 20, 1686, m. June 4, 1713, Mary Root; 3. Mary, b. March 15, 1689, m. July 2, 1713, Thomas Newell; 4. Elizabeth, b. Jan., 1692, d. young; 5. Samuel b. March 23, 1694, m. Dec. 4, 1713, Eunice Goodwin; 6. Hezekiah, b. June 6, 1697, m. Dec. 23, 1728, Sarah Porter; 7. Elizabeth, b. March 6, 1700, m. Dec. 28, 1721, Samuel Lankton; 8. Ruth, b. June 14, 1703, m. March 24, 1723, William Judd.


13. SAMUEL SMITH, 1664-1725.


Samuel Smith, youngest child of William and Elizabeth (Stanley) Smith, was born May, 1664. He married March 24, 1687, Ruth, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Hart) Por- ter. He appears to have been one of the early members of the Great Swamp Society and Church, for at the annual meet- ing, held Dec. 8, 1713, he was appointed one of the commit- tee of three " to preserve our former records, on loose papers, & transcribe such as they think needful." When the first meet- ing-house was seated, he was honored with a seat in " the first pue " next the pulpit, with Lieut. Stephen Lee, Thomas Hart, and others. In the rate bill for support of the min- ister in 1720, he has, with one exception, the largest credit of three bushels wheat, 16s. 6d. Besides working his farm he seems to have given attention to weaving, for in the records of those days he is called " Samuel Smith, weever." He died Jan. 6, 1725.


CHILDREN. 1. William, b. Jan. 8, 1688; 2. Sarah, b. Aug. 2, 1690, m. Nathaniel Stanley; 3. Ruth, b. Feb 24, 1693, d. in infancy; 4. Samuel, b. Feb. 26, 1694; 5. Martha, b. Jan. 20, 1697, m. Timothy Stanley; 6. Thomas, b. Oct. 12, 1699; 7. John, b. Feb. 4, 1702, m. Abigail Wads- worth; 8. James, b. Oct. 9, 1704; 9. Stephen, b. April 3, 1707; 10. Ruth, . b. July 12, 1710; 11. Elizabeth, b. July 21, 1713.


14. JOHN HOOKER, 1665 -.


John Hooker, son of Rev. Samuel and Mary (Willett) Hooker, was born Feb. 20, 1665. He married, Nov. 24, 1687, Abigail Stanley, and made his home in Farmington. He re-


387


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


ceived a good education, and took an active interest in the welfare of the town and of the colony. He was for many years the chief magistrate of the town, and was also judge of the Superior Court of the colony from 1724 to 1732. He represented the town in the General Court for many years, was clerk of the assembly two sessions, and speaker six ses- sions. In 1723 he was chosen assistant, and for eleven years was re-elected. He served on many important committees, and was the recipient of many evidences of the trust reposed in him, in affairs both of church and state.


CHILDREN. 1. Hezekiah, b. Oct. 14, 1688, m. Abigail Cowles; 2. Abi- gail, b. May 25, 1691, d. in infancy; 3. John, b. Nov. 17, 1693, d. in in- fancy; 4. John, b. March 16, 1695; 5. Abigail. b. Jan. 14, 1698, m. Dec. 3, 1719, Nathaniel Hart; 6. Mary, b. June 11, 1700, m. Dec. 5, 1723, Sam- uel Hart; 7. Sarah, b. Sept. 11, 1702, m. Jan. 10, 1725, Matthew Hart; 8. Joseph, b. Feb. 15, 1705, m. Sarah Lewis; 9. Ruth, b. April 16, 1708, m. Asahel Strong; 10. Roger, b. Sept. 17, 1710.


15. STEPHEN LEE, 1668-1753.


Stephen Lee, son of John and Mary (Hart) Lee, and one of the most distinguished of the early residents of the Great Swamp Society, was born April 2, 1669. His father, John Lee, the emigrant, was one of the first settlers of Farming- ton, and also an owner of property in Great Swamp. Be- sides inheriting land from his father, Stephen Lee also re- ceived a grant from the town of Farmington in January, 1689, of five roods of land on the west side of East Street. He was an extensive farmer, and became one of the most distinguished men of the "Great Swamp " Society. He married, Oct. 1, 1690, Elizabeth Royce of Wallingford, and soon after moved into the house which he had built on the west side of East Street, New Britain .* He and his wife were members of the church in Farmington, but on the or- ganization of the church at Great Swamp in 1712, they be- came members of that church, his name standing next to that of the minister as one of the seven pillars of the church.


* This house, afterwards known as the " Hinsdale House," was for many years one of the grandest houses in New Britain. It was taken down in 1834.


388


HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.


He was one of the petitioners for the organization of the Great Swamp Society, one of the committee to erect and pro- vide seats and a pulpit for the meeting-house in 1713, and from 1739 to 1753, one of the most active in procuring a di- vision of the society, and the organization of the New Britain Society. He was a captain in the militia and had the title of " Captain Lee." He died June 7, 1753, and his widow died May 3, 1760.


CHILDREN. 1. Isaac, b. Sept. 5, 1691, m. Dec. 8, 1713, Mary Hubbard, and (2) Susanna Wolcott; 2. Elizabeth, b. April 18, 1693, d. same day. 3. Elizabeth, b. July 12, 1694, m. Dec. 28, 1721, Samuel Langdon; 4. Sarah, b. Nov. 8, 1696, m. Jan. 18, 1721, John Langdon; 5. Stephen, b. April 18, 1700, d. Sept. 17, 1718; 6. Martha, b. Feb. 17, 1701, m. Nathaniel Hart, and (2), Joseph Francis; 7. Mary, b. Sept., 1704, m. Ben- · jamin Beckley; 8. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 14, 1706, d. Aug. 28, 1725; 9. Han- nah, b. Oct. 15, 1708, m. Nathaniel North, and (2), William Barber; 10. Josiah, b. Aug. 13, 1711, m. Nov. 3, 1737, Hannah Warren.


16. BENJAMIN JUDD, 1671-1764.


Benjamin Judd, son of Benjamin and Mary (Lewis) Judd, and grandson of Thomas Judd, the emigrant, was born in 1671. He married, Jan. 18, 1694, - - North. He was one of the petitioners to the General Assembly in 1705, for the organization of the Great Swamp Society, was a promi- nent member of that society, and frequently appointed on com- mittees for service in the church and society. In the seating of the meeting-house, he was assigned a place of honor in the " first pue." He was a member of the committee to provide for the instruction of the children, and held other civil offices. He was a sergeant in the military company, and honored by his neighbors and townsmen. He was a large land-holder, living upon East Street, at what was considered the north end of the Great Swamp parish. He was one of the peti- tioners for the organization of the society of New Britain, and one of the original members of the First Church. He was eighty-eight years of age when the church was consti- tuted. He died March 9, 1764.


CHILDREN. 1. Benjamin, b. March 2, 1697, m. Nov. 9, 1727, Sarah Hollister; 2. Susannah, h. Aug. 12, 1699, m. July 1, 1756, David Bronson;


389


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


3. Mary, b. Feb. 6, 1702, m. 1723, Joseph Beckley; 4. Abigail, b. Sept. 5, 1703, m. May 20, 1746, George Kilbourn; 5. Kezia, b. Sept. 14, 1705, m. June 12, 1729, Amos Judd; 6. Bathsheba, b. Aug. 20, 1707, m. 1728, David Sage; 7. Joanna, b. Oct. 16, 1709, m. 1731, Samuel Hubbard; 8. Catherine, b. Oct. 26, 1711; 9. Uriah, b. Dec. 28, 1713, m. Dec. 20, 1744, Mabel Bidwell, and (2), Feb. 19, 1747, Mercy Seymour; 10. James, b. 1717, m. 1749, Hannah Andrus; 11. Nathan, b. Aug. 24, 1719, m. Feb. 3, 1743, Thankful Wright; 12. Hezekiah, b. June 19, 1722, d. young.


17. DANIEL ANDREWS, 1672-1748.


Daniel Andrews, Jr., of the Great Swamp Society, son of Daniel Andrews, was born March 9, 1672, in Farmington. He married, Oct. 30, 1707, Mabel Goff of Wethersfield. He lived near the Wethersfield and Farmington town line, east of the southi end of East Street, and a short distance from the Hartford and New Haven turnpike. The Great Swamp Society was organized two years before his marriage and the church a few years after ; and he and his brother desiring to join this society gave a bond or note of £50 to Newington to be released from that parish that they might do so. He be- came a member both of the church and society at Great Swamp, and when the first meeting-house was seated was assigned to the second seat. He was a prominent member of the society, being one of the special building committee to contract for putting in galleries and making other improve- ments on the meeting-house. He died Aug. 21, 1748, and was buried in Christian Lane Cemetery.


CHILDREN. 1. Joseph, b. 1711, m. Dec. 13, 1733, widow Elizabeth Wilcox; 2. Abigail, b. July 22, 1713; 3. Mabel, b. June 6, 1715, m. March 4, 1741, Charles Kelsey; 4. Eunice, b. Sept. 18, 1717, m. Nov. 10, 1737, James Kelsey: 5. Daniel, b. May 12, 1720, m. Feb. 6, 1766, widow Eunice Kelsey; 6. Hannah, b. Sept. 8, 1723, m. 1749, James Judd; 7. Jacob, b. Jan. 24, 1729, m. Feb. 2, 1758, Eunice Emmons; 8. Hezekiah, b. Aug. 14, 1731, m. May 26, 1757, Anna Stedman.


18. THOMAS HART, 1680-1773.


Thomas Hart of Kensington, second son of Captain Thomas and Ruth (Hawkins) Hart of Farmington, was born April, 1680. He married, Dec. 17, 1702, Mary Thompson ; she died and he married, second, Jan. 2, 1764, widow Eliza-


390


HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.


beth Norton, he being eighty-four and she seventy nine years of age. He was admitted to the church in Farmin 1 1706, and on the organization of the church at Great Swamp in 1712, he and his wife were among the original members. He was chosen deacon of the latter church in 1719. He was active in church and society matters, was clerk: and rate maker of the society, and often served upon committees. When the second meeting-house was built, "it was set up & finished on Deacon Thomas Hart's home lot."


He lived about a quarter of a mile southeast of the Berlin railway station. He was one of the most influential men in the Great Swamp or Kensington parish, and was frequently : employed to present before the General Court matters relat- ing to the society. He was a justice of the peace, and repre- sented the town in the General Court six sessions between 1739 and 1747. He was a farmer, and also made weaver's reeds for house looms. He died Jan. 29, 1773.


CHILDREN. 1. Mary, b. Sept. 29, 1703, m. July 4, 1728, John Hooker; 2. Ebenezer, b. April 13, 1705, m. June 9, 1741, widow Elizabeth Law- rence; 3. Elijah, b. Feb. 1, 1707, d. young; 4. Hannah, b. Feb. 1, 1709, m. July 11, 1728, Joseph Porter; 5. Elijah, b. June 18, 1711, m. Dec. 26, 1734, Abigail Goodrich; 6. Ruth, b. Aug. 14, 1713, m. May 15, 1740, Wil- liam Wadsworth; 7. Mercy, b. Jan. 13, 1724, d. young.


19. JOSEPH SMITH, 1682 -.


Joseph Smith, son of Joseph, Sen., and Lydia Smith, a .. di grandson of William and Elizabeth (Stanley) Smith, was born in 1682 and was baptized in Farmington, Aug. 10, 1684. He was married, Jan. 19, 1707-8, to Mary Royce, daughter of Isaac Royce of Wallingford. He owned the covenant in Farmington, Sept. 24, 1710. He lived on East Street at the place which was owned and occupied by the family of Smiths for many generations. He was one of the petitioners for the Great Swamp Society in 1705, and also one of the petitioners for the relief of the families on East Street and Stanley Street, May 9, 1739, and for the division of the society in 1752. He was one of the original members of the First Church of Christ in New Britain, organized April 18, 1758.


391


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


CHILDREN. 1. Joseph, b. July 13, 1710; 2. Azariah, b. Dec. 28, 1712; 3. Jedediah. b. Feb. 12, 1716; 4. Esther, d. May 18, 1825; 5. Elijah, b. Oct. 29, 1721.10180


20. JOHN STANLEY, 1682-1750.


John, fifth child of John and Esther (Newell) Stanley, was born Feb. 17, 1682. He married, Aug., 1710, Hannah Porter, who died without leaving children ; and he married, (2), Mary Wright. He was one of the early proprietors in the Christian Lane settlement, his house being some distance south of the fort. He had been a member of the Farming- ton Church, but in 1705 was one of the petitioners to the Gen- eral Assembly for the Great Swamp Society. When the first meeting-house was seated he was assigned to the third " pue" with Samuel B. Cooper, Joseph Smith, and others. On the rate billsof 1720, his contribution for the support of the min- ister was given as one bushel of wheat, 5s. 6d. In 1730 he was appointed one of the " committee to order the pruden- tials for a school," in the Great Swamp Society. The agree- ment for the settlement of his estate was filed in court Feb. 9,1750.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.