USA > Connecticut > New London County > Stonington > History of the town of Stonington, county of New London, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1649 to 1900 with a genealogical register of stonington families > Part 59
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708
HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
of the moveable estate to amount to the sum of 790 pounds, 3 S. 0 Pence, we do order and appoint unto the widow of the deceased John Babcock, the sum of 263 pounds, seven shillings and 8 pence for her part of the abovesd. sum, it being one-third part; and whereas there are nine children more, to wit: Ann Babcock, Mary Babcock, John babcock, Job Babcock, George Babcock, Elihu Babcock, Robert Babcock, Joseph babcock, Oliver babcock, we doe order and appoint to the several children the sum of sixty seven pounds, two shil- lings and four pence for each child, out of the remaining parte of the afore- sd. sum as they come of age.
And furthermore we doe by these presents, order, constitute and appoint, Mary Babcock, the widow of the deceased John Babcock, executrix of all the orphan's estate consisting of lands or catttle or houses or monies and whatso- ever else valuable according to Inventory. And likewise to charge care of the orphans, drawing their monies, and in case any one or more of the orphans die before they come of age, then his or their portion to be equally divided among those that survive; we doe hereby also order and appoint that the widow shall pay or cause to be paid the several legacies unto the children as is before expressed in the meantime To give in bonds to the Council for the performance thereof.
TOBIAS SAUNDERS, WILLIAM W. CHAMPION.
This is a true copy of the original, compared and entered by Joseph Clark, Clerk to the Town, this 7th of Feb., 1685.
EDWARD V. LARKIN,
A LIST OF STONINGTON MEN WHO SERVED IN THE COLONIAL INDIAN WARS OF NEW ENGLAND.
1. Capt. George Denison,
31. Thomas Park,
2. John Frink,
32. Henry Elliott,
3. John Avery,
33. Isaac Wheeler,
4. Thomas Avery,
34. John Gallup,
5. Samuel Yeomans,
35. Benadam Gallup,
6. John Fish,
36. William Gallup,
7. George Denison, Jr.,
37. Nathaniel Chesebrough,
8. William Denison,
38. Ephraim Miner,
10. Henry Stephens,
40. Samuel Miner,
11. Edmund Fanning,
41. John Ashcraft,
12. John Bennet,
42. Joshua Holmes,
13. William Bennet,
43. Edmund Fanning, Jr.,
14. Ezekiel Mayn.
. John Denison,
15. William Wheeler,
45. Henry Bennet,
16. Gershom Palmer,
46. Henry Hall,
17. Thomas Stanton,
47. Capt. James Pendleton,
18. Thomas Stanton, Jr.,
48. Daniel Crumb,
19. Samuel Stanton,
49. Nicholas Cottrell.
20. Robert Stanton,
51. William Randall,
22. Manasseth Miner,
52. Thomas Williams,
23. James Millit,
53. Robert Holmes,
24. Rev. James Noyes,
25. Capt. John Stanton,
55. William Billings,
26. Joseph Stanton,
27. James York,
57. Stephen Richardson,
28. Thomas Bell,
58. Ebenezer Billings,
29. Lieut. Thomas Miner,
59. Jonathan Burch,
30. Robert Park.
44.
50. Clement Miner,
21. Daniel Stanton,
54. Joseph Ingraham,
56% John Shaw,
60. Samuel Richardson,
9. Nathaniel Beebe,
39. Joseph Miner,
709
APPENDIX.
WILL OF NICHOLAS COTTRELL, SR.
Last will and testament of Nicholas Cottrell, Sen., living by Taunton River, taken - day of Feb. 1680, as followeth: as Cottrell having my per- fect memory and understanding, but being weak in body-my body to the grave and my soule to God that gave it, and I give unto my eldest son, Nichol- as Cottrell, five shillings hee having received a sufficient portion of me before. I give and bequeath unto my son John Cottrell, one hundred acres of land which he now liveth upon, at Skonomicutt by Narragansett. I give and bequeath unto my son Gershom Cottrell, one hundred acres at Skonomicutt, that he now liveth upon. I give unto my son Eleazer five shillings. I give unto my daugh- ter Mary two pounds, ten shillings. I give unto my grand-child Hannah Crowe two pound, to be payed att her day of marriage. I give unto my daugh- ter Hannah eight pound, which her husband owed me upon bond, and my warming pan. I give and bequeath unto my grand-child Nicholas Osborne an hundred acres of land upon the lott I now live on by Taunton River, beginning at the path that is now the roadway to Rhode Island and to begin at that side of the lot next to Job Winslows lott, and so to run half the breadth of my lott and soe into the woods until it extends to an hundred acres from the path before mentioned, he is not to receive this land until after the decease of his father and mother. I give and bequeath unto my wife Martha Cottrell an hun- dred acres of land, beginning att that side of my lott next to John Hathaway, Jr., his lott and soe to run to that land in breadth that I give my grand-child above mentioned and from the said path above mentioned until it extends to one hundred acres. This land to bee my wife's only during her life, and after her decease to fall to my son James Cottrell, hee paying to her agents or assigns what rationall men shall judge for what the land may be better by what she shall doe upon it in her life by building or renting or breaking up. I likewise give my wife three cows, one mare and one breeding sow and one pot and kettle and one bed and bedding belonging to it, and if please God to take me away now, then my wife to have so much provision as will serve her own spending until the next harvest ensuing the date thereof. I likewise will, that my wife shall have libertie to cutt so much grass of my meddow as will winter her three cows, two years next insuing. I give and bequeath unto my son James, all the rest of my land that I now dwell upon and meddow or whatsoever other land or meddow that belongeth unto me with all the rest of my catttle and hoggs and horse-kind and all the rest of my household stuff that is not above mentioned or disposed of in my will and doe make and appoint my son Jabez my whole and sole executor to see this my will performed, this was done in the presence of us,
JOHN HATHAWAY, SR. The mark of I rf NICHOLAS COTTRELL, SR.
The mark of M of MARTHA COTTRELL.
The mark of / rf RICHARD OSBORNE. HANNAH OSBORNE.
Martha Cottrell aged 36 yrs. testifyeth and saith that this was the last will of her husband Nicholas Cottrell, she hath taken her oath the first day of July 1681. Taken before me,
GEORGE LAWTON, assistant.
Att the court of his Majtt. held at Plymouth the 29th of October, 1682, John Hathaway of Taunton made oath to the truth of the above written will before the Court.
WILL OF WILLIAM CHESEBROUGH.
Stonington, May ye 23rd, 1667.
The last Will and Testament of William Chesebrough, aged 73 years, as fol- loweth: First, I Give unto my son Samuel all lands formerly granted to him and taken in by him farm; Nextly, I give unto my sons Nathaniel and Elisha,
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HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
ye neck of land called Waddawonnet, which was formerly granted to them, bounded by ye fence yt crosses ye aforesaid neck called Waddawonnet, with their broken up lands which they now have in possession, all other lands which is in my management, broken up or meadow, and two or three acres my son Elisha improveth this year.
I give to my loving wife, the Commons, answering to it, during ye time of her life, and after her decease, I give unto my son, Samuel, Two acres- next to ye said Samuel's Dwelling-house, and ye remainder of my broken up lands and meadow to be divided equally between my two sons, Nathaniel and Elisha, The Little Island, I give to my son Nathaniel, and ye piece of meadow land by Goodman York's, I give to my son Elisha, and all other lands that I had from New London, I give to my three sons, every one of them, an equal share. And if these do want advice about ye dividing of it, I do ordain my trusty and well-beloved friends, Mr. James Noyes and Mr. Amos Richardson, to be helpful to them about ye Dividing of it. And ye farm of land and meadow, three hundred and fifty acres, more or less, near to a place, Cowsatuck, I give to my son Samuel's second son William. For all my housing I give to my loving wife, to be wholly at her Disposing, to keep or sell, or dispose of as she shall please, and likewise ye pasture by ye house, only a piece to my son Elisha, from ye place where his house joyneth to mine, throughout ye pastore to ye stone wall next to ye highway, and for my son Samuel's eldest son Samuel and his youngest daughter Sarah and what his wife is now with child with, I give five pounds a piece, and likewise my son Nathaniel their children, five pounds a piece, which is to paid within six years, all ye rest of my goods and chattels, my debts being paid, I give to my loving wife, whom I make full and Lawful Executrix. WILLIAM CHESEBROUGH.
Witness: GERSHOM PALMER,
THOMAS BELL.
WILL OF MRS. ANNA CHESEBROUGH.
The Last will and Testament of Anna Chesebrough aged 75 years, or there- abouts:
Imp. I give to my two sons Samuel and Nathaniel yt land which was given to me by my husband upon his will yt my son Elisha should have had if he had outlived me. I give to my son Nathaniel, my barn. I give to my son Samuell my yard, between my barns and his orchard.
I give to William Chesebrough, my son Samuel's second son, my dwelling- house with ye pastor to ye yard.
I give to my son Samuell, my fifteen acres of land on ye east side of Paw- catuck river. I give to my son Nathaniel, one of ye mares yt my son Elisha leased or hired of me, and ye other mare I give to my son Samuell's son Wil- liam. My bay horse I give to my Son Nathaniel. My black horse I give to my son Samuell. I give to my son Samuell a feather-bed. I give to my daughters Abigail and Hannah my cloathes and linnen. The rest of my estate (my debts being paid) I give to my two sons, an equal share, whom I make my full and lawful Executors.
Dated in Stonington, this 19th of March 1672-3.
ANNA A. CHESEBROUGH. her mark and seal.
Signed and sealed d. and D. D. in presence of us,
THOMAS STANTON, SEN. JAMES NOYES.
Mr. James Noyes appearing before me, this fifth of September, 1673, made oath yt ye was ye will of Anna Chesebrough, Deceased, and yt his hand is twice to it as a witness.
THOMAS STANTON, Commissioner.
711
APPENDIX.
JOINTURE OF CAPT. GEORGE DENISON.
During the courtship of Capt. George Denison and wife Ann Borodell, he made a jointure which became a part of their marriage vows; their agreement in after years was fulfilled by Capt. Denison, as follows:
[Extract from 1st Book State Records, Vol. 1, Pages 273 and 274.]
This witnesseth that I, George Denison of Southerton, in Quenecticut Juris- diction, in New England, for and in consideration of an Jointure due unto my now wife Ann Denison, upon marriage, and upon my former engagement, in consideration of the sum of three hundred pounds by me received, of Mr. John Borodell, which he freely gave to my wife, his sister Ann Denison, and I have had the use and improvement of, and for and in consideration of conjugal and dearer affection moving me thereto, have for the reasons above said, and for the only use and benefit of my said wife Ann Denison, her heirs, and assigns, and by these presents do fully and absolutely give, grant, alien, make over and confirm unto my brother Edward Denison, all that my farm, which, I now dwell upon, consisting of five hundred acres, more or less, as it lyeth at Mys- tick in Southerton upon the East side of Mystick River, together with all the housing that at present are, or hereafter may be raised upon the said farm, with the household furniture, together with all the fencing privileges, and appurtenances belonging to it, with all the stock upon that farm aforesaid, re- serving only to myself there, my bald faced mare and all my goats, and the present use and improvement of the said farm, housing household stuff, lands, stock, fencing, and privileges according to my pleasure during my natural life, to have and to hold the said farm, housing, lands, furniture, stock, and fences, with all the privileges and appurtenances for the only use of the said Ann Denison, under him the said Edward Denison his heirs and assigns forever, to his and their own proper use and behoof for the only benefit of the said Ann Denison, and the said George Denison, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, doth further covenant and grant to and with the said Edward Denison, his heirs and assigns, that he, the said George Denison, his heirs and executors, shall at all times forever hereafter warrant the said bargained premises, against all persons whatsoever claiming any right thereunto by from or under me. In witness hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. Dated according to a former deed of the same to my wife, May the third, One thou- sand six hundred and sixty-two. GEORGE DENISON, (Seal.
Read, sealed, and delivered in the presence of THOMAS MICHELL, ELIZABETH DENISON,
This is a true copy of the Original examined and compared therewith this 17th of March, 1667-S.
From me, JOHN ALLEN, Secretary.
THE WILL OF CAPT. GEORGE DENISON.
Stonington, Nov. 20, 1693.
I, George Denison of Stonington, in the county of New London and Colony of Connecticut in New England, being aged and crazy in body, but sound in mind and memory, and being desirous to make preparation for death, and to set my house in order before I die, I do, therefore, as it becometh a Christian, first, freely and from my heart, resign my soul, through Christ, into the hands of God who gave it to me, and my body to the earth from whence it came, and to be buried in decent manner by my executor and friends, in the hope of a joyful and glorious resurrection, through the perfect merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, my strong Redeemer.
And as concerning my outward estate, which the Lord hath still entrusted me with after all my just debts are paid, I give and dispose of as followeth: First, I give and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife, Ann Denison, my
712
HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
new mansion place, to wit, the house we live in, the barns and buildings, the orchards, and the whole tract of land and improvements thereon, as far as Mistuxet eastward, and it is bounded upon record, south, west, and north, except only thirty acres given to my son, John Denison, which is to lie on the south side next to Capt. Mason's, east of our field, and also one hundred pounds in stock, prised at the county price, all which is and hath been under our son William Denison's improvement and management for these several years to mutual comfort and content, which I do will and bequeath unto my said wife for her comfortable supply during her natural life.
And I give unto my said wife, all the household stuff that was and is prop- erly belonging unto us, before my son William took the charge of the family, to be wholly at her disposal, to bequeath to whom she pleaseth at her death.
Unto my eldest son, John Denison, I have already given his portion, and se- cured to him by a deed of deeds, and I do also give unto him, his heirs or as- signs, forever, a county grant of two hundred acres of land or two hundred pounds in silver money, which grant may be found on the General Court Records.
Also I give unto him, my great sword and the gauntlet which I wore in the wars of England, and a silver spoon of ten shillings, marked G. & A. Unto my son, George Denison, I have formerly given a farm, lying and being at the northwest angle of Stonington bounds, and adjoining the ten mile tree of the said bounds, which farm contained one hundred and fifty acres, more or less, as also, the one half of a thousand acres of land, lying to the northward or northwest of Norwich, given to me as a legacy by Joshua the son of Uncas, the same time Mohegan sachem, the same land to be divided as may more fully appear in the deed, which I then gave him of both those tracts in one deed, signed and sealed with both my own and my wife's hand, and delivered to him and witnessed, and I have several times tendered to him to acknowledge it before authority, that so it might have been recorded according to the formality of law, the which he had wholly neglected or refused, and will not comply with me therein, and yet hath sold both those parcels of land and received pay for them; what his motive may be I cannot certainly divine, but have it to fear they are not good, nor tending to peace after my decease. Wherefore, to pre- vent further trouble, I see cause herein to acknowledge said deed, and to con- firm those said parcels of land unto him, according to the date of said deed, and the conditions therein expressed, but do hereby renounce any other deed not herein expressed, the which two tracts of land before mentioned, with two Indian servants, to wit, an Indian youth or young man, and a woman, to- gether with a considerable stock of neat cattle, horses, sheep and swine I then give him, and permitted him to have and carry with him, I do now con- firm to him, the which was and is to be, the whole of his portion, I either have or do see cause to give him, and I give unto him twenty shillings in silver, or a cutlas or rapier, the which I leave to the discretion of my executors, to choose which of them to do.
Unto my son William Denison, I have formerly given him one hundred and thirty acres of land, be it more or less, to wit, all of the land to the eastward of Mistuxet brook which did originally belong unto my new mansion place, and is part of three hundred acres granted unto me by New London, as may appear upon record, and three hundres acres of land, lying and cutting upon the North boundary of Stonington, as may more fully appear upon record in Stonington, and the native right thereof, with some addition, confirmed to me by Oneco (as may more fully appear by a deed under his hand and seal, ac- knowledged before Capt. Mason, and recorded in Stonington. Also, I then gave him two Indian servants, viz., John whom I bought of the county, and his son Job, which was born in our house, together with one third part of stock which we have together, all which as aforesaid we formerly give unto my son William Denison by a former deed, unto our hands and seals, and I see just reason to confirm the same unto my son William in this my last will, that so I may take off all scruple or doubt respecting the said deed. Moreover I give
713
APPENDIX.
unto my son William Denison, fifty acres of land, as it was laid out and bounded unto me by Stonington surveyors, and joins upon the before-mentioned three hundred acres, on south side thereof, cuts also upon lands belonging to my son John Denison, to be to him my said son William Denison, and his heirs forever. Also, I give unto my son William Denison, and his heirs forever, the one half of my allotment at Windham, to wit., five hundred acres of land, which is a part of a legacy given me by Joshua, the son of Uncas, the same time sachem of Mohegan, as may more fully appear upon the Court Records at New London, as also, upon that former experience we have had of his great industry and child-like duty in the management of all our concern, for our comfort and comfortable supply &c., it is therefore my will, and in confidence of his love, duty and wonted care of his loving mother, my dear wife, after my decease, I say, I do still continue him in the possession and improvement of my new mansion place, with the stock mentioned herein in my deed to my loving wife, he taking care of his said mother for her comfortable supply, with what may be neccessary for her comfort during her natural life, and do, or cause to be paid to his said mother, forty shillings in silver money yearly, or half-yearly, while she shall live, and at her decease, I fully and abso- lutely give and bequeath that my aforesaid mansion place, together with the stock mentioned before, unto my said son, William Denison and his heirs forever.
Also, I give unto my son, William Denison, my rapier, and broad buff belt, and tin cartridge box, which I used in the Indian wars, together with my long carbine, which belt and sword I used in the same service.
Unto my eldest daughter Sarah Stanton, as I have given her formerly her portion as I was then able, so I do now give her ten pounds out of the stock as pay, and one silver spoon of ten shillings price, marked G. & A. Unto my daughter Hannah Saxton, as I have given unto her also, her portion as I was then able, so I do now give unto her ten pounds out of the stock, as pay.
Unto my daughter Ann Palmer, besides that I have formerly given her, I do now give her ten pounds out of the stock as pay.
Unto my daughter Margaret Brown, I have given already her portion, and give ten pounds out of the stock as pay.
Unto my daughter Borrodel Stanton, I have formerly given, and do now give her five pounds out of the stock as pay, and command it to my beloved wife, that at or before her death, she would give her silver cup, which was sent us from England, with brother Borrodel's name, J. B., under the head, to her.
Unto my grandson, George Denison, the son of my oldest son John Denison, I give my black-fringed shoulder belt, and twenty shillings in silver money, toward the purchase of a handsome rapier to wear with it.
Unto my grandson, George Palmer, I give the grant of one hundred acres of land, which was granted unto me by the town of Stonington, not yet laid out, or forty shillings out of my stock, as pay, at the discretion of my executor to choose which. And whereas there is considerable rent due me for a house of my wife in Cork, in Ireland, which was given unto her as a legacy by her father, John Borrodell, at his death, and no doubt may appear upon record in Cork, the which house stands upon lands which they call Bishop's land, and was built by our said father, he to have lived in the same, whereof my said wife was next to himself, as may also appear there upon record; and whereas I have a right to land in the Narragansett country, which is mine by deed of the native right from the true proprietors thereof, as may appear upon rec- ord in Boston, and in the records of Stonington, the which, my rights, have been and are under the possession and improvement of those who have no just right to them, to which by reason of the many troubles, woes and difficulties which have arisen, together with our remoteness, we have not been able to vindicate our just rights, but have been great sufferers thereby; but if it please God to send peaceable times, and our rights be recordable in law, I do by this my last will, give and bequeath my said right unto my sons John Deni- son and George Denison, to be equally divided betwixt them, provided that
714
HISTORY OF STONINGTON.
they each one bear their equal share in the trouble and recovery of the same. Provided, also, that my son George Denison, do relinquish and deliver up any right he may pretend unto by a former deed which I gave him of the one half of Achagromeconsist, according as I formerly obliged him to do in a deed I gave him of the other farm, and gave him upon that consideration. And in ref- erence with Nathaniel Beebe, who hath been a retainer and boarder in our family between thirty and forty years, and for his board at our last reckoning, which was March 20th, 1680, he was indebted to me forty-six pounds six shil- lings and three pence, I say £46, 6s. & 3d. as may appear under his hand to said account in my book, since which time he hath boarded in the family near upon fourteen years, which at four shillings and sixpence the week, amounts to one hundred and sixty three pounds, sixteen shillings, out of which I do give unto Nathaniel Beebe, fifty pounds, in way of gratification and satisfaction for his love to me and my children and officers of love shown unto myself and any of them, in mine or their sickness or weakness, which fifty pounds must be deducted from the one hundred and sixty three pounds, sixteen shillings, and the remainder will be one hundred and thirteen pounds, which one hundred and thirteen pounds, sixteen shillings, together with the forty-six pounds, six shillings and three pence due upon book, under his hand, at our last reckoning as aforesaid, being added unto one hundred and thirteen pounds and sixteen shillings, the whole will be £160, 2s. 3d. the which I give unto my son William Denison, and his heirs forever, for him or them or any of them, or if they cause to demand, receive and improve as their own proper estate.
Also, I give unto my son William Denison, all and singular, whatsover that belongeth unto me, not already disposed of, to be to him and his heirs forever, whom also I do hereby constitute, appoint and make my sole executor, to pay all just debts, if any shall appear of which I know not any, and to receive all dues which either are or shall be due to me,, and to pay all legacies accord- ing to this my will, within twelve months after my wife's decease, and to take care for my decent burial. But in case my son William Denison shall de- cease before he hath performed this my will, or before his children are of age, then my will is that the whole estate be under the improvement of his wife, our daughter-in-law Sarah Denison, during the time of her widowhood, for her comfortable supply, and the well educating and bringing up their children in religion and good learning; all which she shall do by the advice of the Rever- erd and my loving friend Mr. James Noyes, my son John Denison and my son- in-law, Gershom Palmer, them or any two of them, if three cannot be ob- tained; but without advice she may not act, which three my dear friends, I do earnestly desire and hereby appoint as overseers for the children, and to take effectual care that this my will may be performed according to the true intent thereof; but if my said daughter-in-law shall marry again, then this whole es- tate do fall into the hands of my overseers, and by them to be secured for my son William Denison's children, to wit, William Denison, George Denison and Sarah Denison, and by those overseers to be improved for their well bringing up as aforesaid, and faithfully to be delivered unto the children as they shall come of age, to wit: the males at twenty-one years of age, and the females at eighteen; and if any of the said children should die before they come of age, the survivors shall inherit the same, and if they should all die before of age, (the which God forbid, but we are all mortal), then it is my declared mind and true intent of this my will that my grandson George Denison, the son of my eldest son John Denison, shall be the sole heir of that estate, out of which he shall pay unto his four brothers, to wit., John Denison, Robert Denison, Wil- liam Denison, and Daniel Denison, ten pounds apiece in current pay, and also ten pounds in current pay unto his cousin, Edward Denison, the son of my son George Denison; and in token that this is my last will and testament, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred and ninety three-four.
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