CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 092 205 834 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924092205834 EARLY CONNECTICUT MARRIAGES AS FOUND ON ANCIENT CHURCH RECORDS I^RIOR TO 1800. RESERVED. THIRD BOOK. EDITED BY SU^'faLO FREDERIC W. BAILEY, MEMBER AMERICAN HIST. ASSO., CONN. HIST. SO., NEW HAVEN COLONY HIST. SO., NEW YORK GEN. AND BIOG. SO., SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION '' '(MAja-.},-1Vtri.NAGER BHS^AU CV A^lE'Rl-Z^\-'l ANCS&TPY. PUBLISHED BY THE flnaarchM ', BAJIEY. HOn. P.O. BOX 587. NEW HAVEN, CONN. y.o V.3 /Vl^o r; Copyright 18 By FREDERIC W. BAILEY. PREFACE. A preface to this, the Third Book of " Early Connecticut Marriages," seems hardly necessary in view of the fact that so little is to be added to what has already been stated in our two previous issues. And yet a word must be said if only to express our sincere gratification that through sufficient patronage this unique genealogical enterprise should have been found popular enough to warrant the issue of a third book of the kind without financial loss. However certain a gain all such productions always are to earnest seekers, we ourselves are not so sure but that its fate may yet be not unlike many another such— "a drug on the market;" still, with past encouragement and increasing interest the hope is augmented that as a natural consequence a fourth book may duly appear, leading to the ulti- mate completion of this most helpful work. And the strength of this position rests upon these two indisputable facts. The first is in the fact of the constantly increasing number devoted to the pursuit of a knowledge of their worthy American ancestors. To many it has been a sudden awakening and a surprise in view of the long- standing disparagement with which the subject was for years considered. Of course there have ever been scattered all over our land a few faithful ones, who, notwithstanding many insurmountable obstacles, diligently but quietly pursued these pressing inquiries. The desire was so born in them that no possible discouragement seemed in any way suffi- cient to destroy the determination of imearthing their past And, too. such knowledge came at times so slowly and in such driblets that but to veterans of genealogy life seemed all too short. Herein was their peculiar virtue revealed. But in these recent years, with the remark- able growth of our beloved country, the spirit of inquiry has gone more and more abroad, and the desire for this one particular kind of knowl- edge greatly increased, till on every hand there appears the wish to make up for those past deficiencies of both indifference and neglect by which so much had been irreparably lost. To be sure, in some cases such knowledge is sought only under the spell of the momentary impulse, affording a little recreation and relief. Certain popular and patriotic movements have done a grand, good work in this direction if only in creating this slender interest to know both self and country better. So much be it said in praise. Patriotism has no better way of being enkindled, and manhood and womanhood, too, no more certain method of elevating itself than in these individual dis- coveries of our ancestors' virtues. For they did have virtues, too, of which we might well be proud. But it is our firm conviction that many of these new disciples will never be content to stop in the pursuit, once having shared in the delights which such knowledge always brings. They will in due time from a natural impulse, too, be found among those who ever seek to untangle themselves from the increasing masses that know no day but to day and no inspiration than that which is afforded by a commonplace everyday life. Some learned writer has said that the three vital questions most con- cerning our race are briefly stated in these words: " Whence came I ? What am I ? Whither do I tend? " They all had a theological bearing as applying to the past, present and future condition of the human soul. And yet they do bear very decidedly upon life from its material aspects and are problems that, with the unusual popularity of scientific knowledge, must interest multitudes of thoughtful people. For years have we heard and known about those characteristic qualities of the various nationalities that go to make up our common manhood. Indeed a man's nationality goes far toward determining our opinion of him, and he mingles among us with this standard brand of a character stamped upon his name, no matter how much education in our American ideas may have altered his environment. Now this long- standing prej- udice, if such it may be for the moment called, is in the light of scien- tific knowledge to-day recognized as a bald and an undeniable fact. A fact that is carried far into detail as applicable not only to foreign born, but to us natives of old time as well. All of us are in this way subject to a reduction into these primary elements or characteristics whose origin dates from some source other than ourselves. Of course man is more than an animal; but it is foolish to deny the fact of the animal in us even if not pleasant, refuse to recognize such traits as are inherited or to give them such attention as should serve to develop the better man. In the ideal state of the race science will have much to say about inherited tendencies, early training and marriage, too. Hence to know ourselves does involve the past and the distant past with all its hard- ships, its strifes, its successes, its heroic achievements of which we, our- selves, partake by an inheritance of blood. At some distant day gen- ealogy will be part and parcel of every complete life. The other fact to be remembered is the comparative ease with which one may pursue this fascinating subject. To be sure there will always be the unsolved problem, though by persistent effort it may be forced far- ther and farther away. But so far as determining who our immediate ancestors in America may be, the soui'ces of information are much more numerous than once they were. Not, certainly, that the old records have in any way been increased, which is impossible, but they are being the better located and, as found, are now more tenderly cherished and protected for what they contain than they ever were before. That indifference with which these old books were preserved is pass- ing away and in its stead arises an interest, a pride and a spirit of helpfulness to make all such of service to seekers and inquirers. And let us say for the encouragement of our readers that so far as the old State of Connecticut is concerned, it is rich in much valuable matter sought for, but never probably to be seen in print or otherwise made public. But it is accessible enough at least to be of use, ultimately to throw its bright light upon many cases of despair. As to the marriage records herein contained, we feel sure they will prove of great value as being of this nature; and should there among its pages be found a name or a date to gladden the tired eyes of some enthusiast such as we, may it be accepted as our contribution to this popular cause that can carry nothing but the purest patriotism in its steady trend. FREDERIC W. BAILEY. New Haven, Conn.. June 15, i8g8. CONTENTS. THIRD BOOK. PAGE Preface, , Churches Reporting Records Lost, 6 Wethersfield, Hartford County, . 7 KiLLiNGWORTH, Middlesex County, . 30 Scotland, Windham County, , 43 Cheshire, New Haven County, 51 Wilton, Fairfield County, . 62 Chatham, Middlesex County, 74 Riugefield, Fairfield County, . 84 Hebron, Tolland County, . gi Colchester, New London County, 97 Milford, Litchfield New . County, . 108 Voldntown, New London County, . 124 Lyme, New London County, . 132 New Hartford. Litchfield County, 144 Fairfibld-Westport, Fairfield County. 151 Errata, .... 169 Index, lyi Bureau of American Ancestry, . end First Book—"Early Connecticut Marriages" contains New Ha- ven Church records 1758, Woodstock 1690. Ashford 1719. Brooklyn 1737, North Stonington 1733. Redding 1734, Pomfreti753, East Haddara 1748, Washington 1749. Madison 1757. Chester 1759. Norfolk 1762. Haddam 1756, Montville (New London) 1724, East Windsor 1761. Price (post- paid), cloth, $1.50. Second Book—Contains complete records of Churches at Branford 1651, New London 1697, Lebanon and Canterbury 1712, Saybrook 1726, West Hartford 1727, Thompson 1730, Cromwell 1738, Newtown 1743, Mansfield 1744, Plainfield 1748, East Hartford 1783. Price (postpaid), cloth, $1.50. RECORDS LOST. The following is a (revised) list of Congregational Churches so far reporting the loss of their records of Baptisms and Marriages prior to 1800. Church. WETHERSFIELD. HARTFORD COUNTY. Wethersfield was one of the three first settled towns of Connecticut. Sir Richard Saltonstall with his company settled at Watertown, Mass., but on account of the great number of immigrants from England, some of the people at Watertown left and settled Wethersfield. Church organized 1635. Town settled 1635. Named 1637. Elisha Borman & Hannah Dix (?), Aug. 2, 1739 Thomas Hurlibut & , Aug. 27, 1740 Jonathan Goodrich & widow Abigail -, Nov. 25, 1740 Nathaniel Coleman & Ruth Beadle, Jan. 19, 1744 Joseph Biggeleo of Hartford & Mary Wells of Wethersfield, March 12, 1745 (1744?) Elisha Deming & Elizabeth Williams, "March 13, 1745 Samuel Robbins & Ester Wells, Feb.