Thomas Bliss and Elizabeth —

1. Vital Records of Norwich Connecticut, 1659-1848. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007.) Originally published as: Vital Records of Norwich, 1659-1848. Hartford, Society of colonial wars in the state of Connecticut, 1913.
2. Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.
3. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.
4. Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.
5. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772–1934." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.
6. Ancestry.com. Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers. Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucestershire, England.
7. Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Boston, 1862, retrieved from http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/newengland/savage/, Nov 2012.
8. Caulkins, Francis Manwaring, History of Norwich, Connecticut, H.P. Haven, 1874.
9. Perkins, Mary Elizabeth, Old Houses of the Antient Town of Norwich, 1660-1800, Norwich, CT: Press of the Bulletin Co., 1895.
10. Bjorkman, Gwen Boyer, New London County CTGenWeb: Deeds, Film #5024 Norwich, New London, CT, Deed Books 2A & 2B 1660-1717, Part One, http://www.ctgenweb.org/county/conewlondon/deeds/NorwichRecords.html, retrieved Feb 2013.
11. New London County CTGenWeb, Preston, Connecticut Deeds, Page 10, http://www.ctgenweb.org/county/conewlondon/deeds/PrestonDeeds10.html, retrieved Feb 2013.
12. Jacobus, Donald Lines, "New London (Conn.) Probate Record," The American Genealogist, Vol. 10, 1933, p. 36.
13. Ancestry.com. U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012. Original data: Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004.
14. Bliss, John Homer, Genealogy of the Bliss family in America from about the year 1550 to 1880, Boston, Mass.: J.H. Bliss, 1881.
15. Gravestone of Josiah Rockwell, Plains Cemetery, Franklin, New London, Connecticut.
16. Gravestone of Rebeckah (Bliss) Lathrop, Old Norwichtown Cemetery, Norwich, New London, Connecticut.
17. Gravestone of Israel Lathrop, Old Norwichtown Cemetery, Norwich, New London, Connecticut.
18. Huntington, Elijah Baldwin, A Genealogical Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family in this Country: Embracing the Descendants, as Far as Known, E. H. Lathrop, 1884, pages 7-8.
19. Smith, Henry Allen, A Genealogical History of the Descendants of the Rev. Nehemiah Smith of New London County, Conn. : with mention of his brother John and nephew Edward, 1638-1888, Albany, NY: J. Munsell's Sons, 1889, pgs. 47-8.

Records related to Thomas and Elizabeth Bliss but not copied below due to copyright considerations:

1. Jacobus, Donald Lines, The Granberry family and allied families: including the ancestry of Helen (Woodward) Granberry, Hartford, Conn.: E.F. Waterman, 1945.
2. Bennett, Anne Selene, "The First Wife and Older Children of Thomas Bliss of Gloucester, England, and Hartford, Connecticut," The American Genealogist, vol. 91, Jan 2019, pgs. 43-45.

A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England

Vol. 4
SLOMAN, SLUMAN, or SLOWMAN
THOMAS, Norwich 1663, m. Dec. 1668, Sarah, d. of Thomas Bliss of the same, had Sarah, b. 13 Mar. 1670; Mary, 13 Feb. 1672; Thomas, 19 Dec. 1674; Elizabeth 23 July 1677; Abigail, 14 Mar. 1680; and Rebecca, 3 Oct. 1682; was constable 1680.

Source: Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Boston, 1862, retrieved from http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/newengland/savage/, Nov 2012.

History of Norwich, Connecticut

Page 167-8:
Thomas Bliss, Senior and Junior, had house-lots and divisions of land in Hartford, as early as 1640. The senior died in Hartford, leaving nine children, and his widow, Margaret, apparently a woman of resolute, independent character, removed with the younger part of the family to Springfield. Thomas Bliss, Junior, is afterwards found at Saybrook, where his marriage and the births of six -children are recorded. The list is repeated with some variation of date and the addition of two more children, at Norwich. The wife's family name is not given in either place. "Thomas and Elizabeth Bliss were married the latter end of October, 1644."

The allotments of Thomas Bliss in Saybrook were eastward of the river in what is now Lyme. His house-lot of thirty acres lay between John Ompsted (Olmstead) on the north, and John Lay south. He sold it, July 23, 1662, to John Comstock. His home-lot in Norwich was also near to that of John Olmstead, extending originally, at the north-west, to the pent highway. That part where the house stands, has never been alienated. Seven generations have dwelt on the same spot, and the house is supposed not to have been entirely rebuilt since it was erected by the first proprietor.

Thomas Bliss died April 15, 1688. His will, executed two days before his death, was proved at New London, before Edward Palmes, June 13, and allowed by Sir Edmund Andress at Boston; this being the period when that delegated despot arrogated to himself supreme authority over the courts of New England. The will recognizes wife Elizabeth, son Samuel, and six daughters. His oldest son, Thomas, had died without issue, Jan. 29, 1681. Elizabeth, the relict, died Feb. 28, 1699-1700.

Samuel Bliss married, Dec. 8, 1681, Anna, daughter of John Elderkin.

Five of the daughters married as follows:
Elizabeth married Edward Smith of New London, June 7, 1663.
Sarah m. 1st, Thomas Sluman, Dec, 1668; 2d, Solomon Tracy.
Mary m. David Calkins of New London.
Deliverance (recorded also Deliver and Dolinda) m. Daniel Perkins of Norwich.
Anne, one of the first-lborn daughters of Norwich, m. Josiah Rockwell, 1688.
Rebecca, the youngest daughter, born in 1663, has not been traced.

In the inventory of Thomas Bliss, his estate is estimated at £182.17.7. He had land, besides his home-lot, over the river, — on the Little Plain, — at the Great Plain, — at the Falls, — in Yantic meadow, — in meadow at Beaver Brook, — in pasture east of the town,— and on Westward hill.

This illustrates the prudential course of the early rulers of the plantation in regard to the common lands. They were divided in small quantities at short intervals, corresponding to the growth and necessities of the town and the ability of the owners to clear them up and place them under cultivation.

Page 203:
Solomon Tracy was a physician, and the second in Norwich of whom we find any notice, — John Olmstead being the first. He was united in
marriage, Nov. 23, 1676, to Sarah, daughter of Simon Huntington. She died in 1683, and he married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Bliss and relict of Thomas Sluman.

...
Solomon Tracy, second and youngest son of Solomon, removed to Canterbury.

Page 240:
Sluman. Thomas Sluman married, Dec., 1668, Sarah, daughter of Thomas Bliss; constable in 1680; died 1683, leaving a son Thomas and five daughters. His relict married Solomon Tracy. Thomas Sluman, 2d, was on the roll of 1702.
 
Source: Caulkins, Francis Manwaring, History of Norwich, Connecticut, H.P. Haven, 1874.

Old Houses of the Antient [sic] Town of Norwich

Pages 31-32:

Just beyond the little lane or "highway to Great Plain" lies the home-lot of Thomas Bliss, of five and a quarter acres, abutting east on the Town street 20 rods, south on the highway to Great Plain 58 rods, west on the river 16 rods, and north on the land of Stephen Backus 36 rods. This extends from the lane to the land of the late Benjamin Huntington.

Thomas Bliss was the son of Thomas Bliss, who was born in Okehampton, in the parish of Belstone, County Devonshire, England, came to Braintree (now Quincy), Mass., in 1635, and from thence went to Hartford, where he died in 1650. His widow, Margaret, an enterprising, capable woman, went with her other children to Springfield, Mass., where her descendants still remain. But the son, Thomas, though a home-lot had been assigned to him at Hartford, moved to Saybrook. He married, in 1644, Elizabeth, and came with the first settlers to Norwich in 1660.

His eldest son, Thomas, died in 1681-2, and the father in 1688, leaving to his only surviving son, Samuel, the house and home lot. This Samuel Bliss married, in 1681, Ann, daughter of John Elderkin. He was a merchant, and among the many valuable family papers owned by his great-great-great-grandson, Mr. John Bliss, of Brooklyn, L. I., are an account of Samuel Bliss with Daniel Johonnot, "the wine merchant of Boston," from 1704-6, for Rum, leather gloves, "hogs fatt," pork, &c., for which Samuel gives country pay, in pork, beeswax, "Baiberry wax," beaver skins, otter, mink, and "Deare" skins; another account with a Mr. Leaske from 1703-6 in which Samuel Bliss is credited with 14 "bare" skins, pork, "rackoon," mink, fox, and beaver skins &c.; the New London custom house clearance of the sloop Ann, in April, 1697, with a cargo of wooden ware, earthen ware and powder ; the bill of sale from John Richards and Thomas Avery to Samuel Bliss, in 1705, of 1/8 part of the sloop Love and Ann
for £46, 9 s., 1 d. ; and another bill of sale dated 1700 from John Chandler of ye part of the "brigantoon" Success, "about 54 tons burthen" for £37. In Aug., 1705, Samuel Bliss ships to Barbadoes in the sloop Love and Ann, Richard Caider, master, a new water hogshead, 1049 staves, and a horse, "paying frait for said horse ten pounds if he lives, and nothing if he dies."

In 1718, and again in 1722-3, he is accused of selling liquor to the Indians. The fine for this offense was 20 s., one-half to go to the complainant; and as the Indian, Apeanuchsuck, when brought before the justice, and sentenced to pay a fine of 10s., or to be " whipt 10 lashes on ye naked body," accused Samuel Bliss "yt he sold him two pots of cider," he obtained the money necessary to pay the fine, and doubtless went off rejoicing. Ann, the wife of Samuel Bliss, was disciplined by the church in 1724 for "neglecting the ordinances of religion," but was "restored " to all the privileges of membership in 1736. Her brother, John Elderkin, who had also been "under discipline" was "restored" in 1735.

In 1729, Samuel Bliss deeds to his second son, Samuel Bliss, jun., his house and home lot, and dies in 1731. Samuel Bliss, Jun., had married, in 1715, Sarah Packer, probably daughter of John Packer, of Groton, and died in 1763.

Pages 193-4:

On the opposite side of the street leading up Long Hill, was the home-lot of Thomas Sluman, which was registered as "home lot and pasture of twelve acres more or less, abutting west, east, north, and south on highway." As the bounds of the home-lot and pasture are never clearly defined, and the greater part of the land is used as pasture land for many years, we will not attempt to mark the limits of this home lot, but only locate the houses, which are later erected, on that part of the land nearest the main highways. The date of the home lot is 1663. In 1668, Thomas Sluman,* of whose antecedents we know nothing, married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Bliss. Six children are born to them, and the father died in 1683. In the same year, died Mrs. Solomon Tracy, and in 1686, Dr. Solomon Tracy, who was the administrator of the Sluman estate, married the widow Sluman. In 1688, he sold nine acres with the house, bounded south on the highway 45 rods, abutting west on his own land 37 rods, abutting north on a highway and commons 49 rods, abutting east on his own land 32 rods to Christopher Huntington, who in the same year presents it to his son, Thomas, who has married in 1686-7, Elizabeth, daughter of Lt. William Backus. About 1692, Thomas Huntington removes to the then "nameless town of Windham," where he becomes a prominent citizen, and his descendants reside to this day. Two of his children were born in Norwich, Thomas and Jedidiah. In 1696-7, he sells his house and home lot to Thomas Leffingvvell, who sells it in three portions : the west part (frontage 9 rods, 6 4 feet), and the east (frontage 8 4 rods), to Daniel Tracy, and the middle of the lot (frontage 27 4 rods), to Christopher Huntington. In these sales no house is mentioned, so possibly it has disappeared. Daniel Tracy sells ere long his lots to Solomon, and the Solomon Tracy and Huntington families retain the property for many years.

Source: Perkins, Mary Elizabeth, Old Houses of the Antient Town of Norwich, 1660-1800, Norwich, CT: Press of the Bulletin Co., 1895.

Genealogy of the Bliss Family in America

Pages 34-5:
THOMAS, of Hartford, Saybrook, and Norwich, Conn., (son of Thomas and Margaret Bliss, of Hartford, Conn.,) was born in England, and removed to America with his father in 1635. Soon after his father's death he removed to Saybrook. Here his allotment of land was east of Connecticut River, in what is now Lyme, and his home lot lay between John Ompsted (Olmstead) on the north, and John Lay on the south. He sold his land here July 23, 1662, to John Comstock and Richard Smith, having removed his family to Norwich,* Conn., two or three years previous. He was married Oct. 30th, 1644, to a wife named Elizabeth, and they had six children born to them in Saybrook, and their seventh child, named Anne, born in 1660, was the second English child born in Norwich. His allotment in Norwich was "next to Sergeant Leffingwell, (opposite, according to the ancient map,) on the street as it runs south, five acres and a fourth, with a lane on the south leading to a watering place at the river." This homestead is still occupied by his descendants, (1880,) seven generations of the same name having successively inherited the homestead and dwelt therein, — the property being held under the original deed, — and the house itself, in its frame work is doubtless the original habitation built by the first grantee. In a country where the tenure is allodial, and there are no rights of primogeniture or entailment, instances of two hundred years of family ownership are not very common.

In (1680 ?) Thomas Bliss and Matthew Griswold were appointed agents by the town of Saybrook to "lay out a lot of land to an Indian named The Giant," near Black Point, in what is now East Lyme, Conn. The locality is still called "The Giant's Neck."

The energy, sound health, and good judgment of Thomas Bliss brought great prosperity, which is evidenced by his having made a will; for only those who had considerable property to dispose of did so, as it was a very expensive affair in those days, for the tyranny and rapacity of Sir Edmund Andros compelled the colonists to carry every such instrument to Boston to prove, and have recorded, in order that he (Sir Edmund) might avail himself of the fees of that office towards supporting the state in which he aspired to live; for he never appeared in the streets without guards, or two or three servants following him, — and it was quite as easy to obtain access to the King of England as to his ape, the governor of these colonies.

Thomas Bliss' will is dated April 13th, 1688, two days before his death; and in it provision was made for his wife Elizabeth and six daughters, and his only living son, Samuel, who was at that time thirty-one years of age. His estate was estimated at £182, 17s. 7d. He had land, besides his home lot, " over the river — on the Little Plain — at the Great Plain — at the Falls — in the Yantic meadow — in meadow at Beaver Brook — in pasture east of the town — and on Westward hill." Issue :

24. Elizabeth, b. at Saybrook, Conn., Nov. 20, 1645, m. June 7, 1663, Edward Smith, of New London, Conn. This couple, with their son John, aet. 15, died of an epidemic disease in 1689 — the son July 8th, the wife July 10th, and Mr. S. July 14th. A son, (Capt. Obadiah, b. 1677) and six daughters went to reside at Norwich with relatives.

25. Sarah, b. at Saybrook, Aug. 26, 1647, rn. Dec. 1668, Thomas Sluman, Norwich, and had six children. He died in 1683, and she afterwards m. April 8, 1686, Dr. Solomon Tracy, of Norwich, by whom she had one son. She d. Aug. 29, 1730. Dr. T. died July 9, 1732.

26. Mary, b. at Saybrook, Conn., Feb. 7, 1649, m. about 1672-3, David son of Dea. Hugh and Ann Caulkins, of New London, Conn., (a "Welchman who came to this country about 1640, stopped at Marshfield for a short season, then removed to Lynn, Mass., thence to New London about 1652, and finally to Norwich, Conn., about 1659.) He had the estate of his father in that part of New London now known as Waterford, near Niantic. From this union has descended the modest and diligent historian of Norwich and New London, — Miss Frances M. Caulkins, who was widely known as one of the leading antiquarian writers of her day. David Caulkins d. Nov. 25, 1717.

27. Thomas, b. at Saybrook, Conn., March 3, 1652, d. Jan. 29, 1682, probably unmarried.

28. Deliverance, b. at S., Aug. 10, 1655, m. June 8, 1682, Daniel Perkins, of Norwich, Conn.

29. *Samuel, b. at S., Dec. 9, 1657, d. Dec. 30, 1731.

30. Anne, b. at Norwich, Sept. 15, 1660, m. April 8, 1688, Josiah Rockwell, of N., and d. Feb. 19, 1714-15. He d. March 18, 1728. Josiah Rockwell was a son of Josiah Rockwell and Rebecca Loomis, of Windsor? Conn. A son Daniel, b. Oct. 24, 1689, m. Nov. 23, 1715, Tabitha Hartshorn, and d. in 1746, leaving several children, among whom was Daniel, jr., b. June 28, 1724, who m. Dec. 29, 1746, Mindwell Bliss, daughter of Samuel Bliss and Sarah Packer, of Norwich, Conn.

31. Rebeckah, born at Norwich, March 18, 1663, m. April 8, 1686, Israel Lathrop, of N., and d. Aug. 22, 1737. He d. March 28, 1733.

*The town of Norwich was purchased from the Indian sachems of the Mohegan tribe in June, 1659, and settled that year by thirty-five men, most of whom were from Saybrook, Conn., Thomas Bliss being one of the number. The following year, 1660, the Rev. James Fitch, pastor of the church at Saybrook, and the greater part of his church removed to Norwich, where Mr. F. officiated as pastor until about the year 1696, when by reason of age and infirmity he resigned the pastorate, and in 1702 removed to the new town of Lebanon, Conn., where he soon died. The original tract of Norwich was "9 miles square," the consideration given the Indians being £70.

Page 40:
SAMUEL, of Norwich, Conn., (son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bliss, of N.) was born at Saybrook, Conn., Dec. 9, 1657, and married Dec. 8, 1681, to Anne, daughter of Dea. John Elderkin, one of the early settlers and proprietors of Norwich. She was considered one of the finest young ladies in the town — fine in those days consisting of thrift, intelligence, and usefulness. She outlived her husband nearly twenty years, and died May 17, 1748. He died Dec. 30, 1729 ? It is said he purchased of the Indian chief, Oweneco, in 1704-7, lands located in the town of Lebanon, Conn., about one mile east or northeast of the village, near the old burial ground. Issue :
81. *Thomas, b. Sept. 6, 1682, d. in 1719.
82. *Samuel, b. Nov. 13, 1684, d. Sept. 20, 1763.
83. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 28, 1687, m. April 25, 1710, Capt. Daniel White, of Hatfield, Mass., and Windsor, Conn., (being his third -wife,) and d. at N., July 2, 1757. He was a son of Lieut. Daniel White, of Hatfield, where he was b. July 4, 1671, and d. June 22, 1726. Issue : — Seth, Lucy, Elizabeth, and Oliver.
84. *John, b. Oct. 23, 1690, d. Feb. 1, 1741.
85. *Pelatiah, b. Nov. 17, 1697, d. 1765.
86. Thankful, b. March 7, 1700, m. April 6, 1719, Joseph Willoughby, of Norwich.

Source: Bliss, John Homer, Genealogy of the Bliss family in America from about the year 1550 to 1880. Boston, Mass.: J.H. Bliss, 1881.

A Genealogical History of the Descendants of the Rev. Nehemiah Smith

EDWARD SMITH, Groton, Conn.
Edward Smith, born in England about 1637, came to Boston about 1652, he then being about fifteen years of age and "exceedingly well clothed." The names of his father and mother do not appear, but he is spoken of as a very good man, and she as a precious Christian. His father was the eldest brother of John and Nehemiah Smith, who had then been in America fourteen or fifteen years. John was residing in Boston and Nehemiah on Long Island. Antony Waters, a man living with the latter, made a trip to England and brought Edward with him to his uncle John, who had written for him. Just previous to Edward's arrival, John had lost most of his property "in ye Civil war," and he sent Edward with Waters, to his brother Nehemiah on Long Island. Within a very short time, both families moved to New London, and Edward made his home with his uncle John, for nine years.

He was married June 7, 1663, to Elizabeth Bliss of Saybrook, she being seventeen years of age and a dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth Bliss of Norwich, Conn. The following Feb. he received a grant of fifty acres in Groton in 1664. His ear mark for cattle was "the right ear cropt, and the left ear slitt down and the upper part of it cutt away."

June 1, 1666, "Edward Smith was to take goodman Meads place to gather in the town rate of £40." In Nov., 1668, his uncle Nehemiah "made over property by the Big Pond" to him. He was a member of the Assembly in 1669. In 1680 and 1681, he contested the will of his uncle John, claiming that his uncle had promised his father by letter, and subsequently acknowledged to others that he would make him his heir. [See the attempt to break the will.]

The summer of 1689 was an exceptionally warm one, "the like having not been known in the memory of man." Prevalent at this time was a "distemper of sore throat and fever, which passed through most families and proved mortal with many." Edward, his wife and son John all died from it in less than one week. The son Obadiah and the seven daughters went to Norwich to live with relatives.

Edward died July 14, 1689, aged about 52.
His wife died July 10, 1689, aged 43, having been born Nov. 20, 1645. Ch.
    Elizabeth, b. Aug. 16, 1664; m. John Baley.
    Ann, b. Oct. 25, 1665 ; d. 1700 ; never married.
    Rebecca, b. Aug. 5, 1668.
    Sarah, b. Sep. 6, 1670 ; m. Richard Handy of Windham.
    Mary, b. Nov. 21, 1672.
    John, b. Dec. 28, 1674; d. July 8, 1689.
2. Obadiah, b. Feb. 5, 1676-7.
    Hannah, b. Oct. 5, 1678.
    Mehitable.

Source: Smith, Henry Allen, A Genealogical History of the Descendants of the Rev. Nehemiah Smith of New London County, Conn. : with mention of his brother John and nephew Edward, 1638-1888, Albany, NY: J. Munsell's Sons, 1889, pgs. 47-8.

A Genealogical Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family in this Country

7. Samuel

26. Israel, born in October, 1659, and married April 8, 1686, Rebecca Bliss, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Bliss, who went from Saybrook to Norwich. Her grandfather was Thomas Bliss, Sen., of Hartford. They settled in Norwich.
His rank among his townsmen in 1730, when all the freemen were enrolled, was next to his brother Samuel. He was a man of worldly thrift, and had a family of enterprising sons, who are said to have planted themselves on seven hills within the old nine-miles square of Norwich. He died March 28, 1733, and she Aug. 22, 1737. His headstone in old Norwich Town burial ground is the oldest one now there with an inscription on it. It gives us this tribute to his worth: "Here lies buried ye body of Mr. Israel Lothrup, ye Husband of Mrs. Rebckah Lothrup, who lived a life of exemplary piety & left ye Earth for Heaven Mar. ye 28, 1733, in ye 73d year of his age."

Source: Huntington, Elijah Baldwin, A Genealogical Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family in this Country: Embracing the Descendants, as Far as Known, E. H. Lathrop, 1884, pages 7-8.

Copies of church records are shown below as thumbnails. Click on each thumbnail to view a larger version of the record in another tab.

St. John the Baptist, Gloucester

Under 1617[/18]: "Thomas Blisse the sonne of Thomas Blisse was Baptized the xxiijth day of Januarie 1617" Reference Number: P154/9 IN 1/1

Source: Ancestry.com. Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers. Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucestershire, England.

Vital Records of Norwich

The names & ages of children of Thomas Bliss are as ffolloweth
Elisabeth Blis was borne in November Anno Dom 1645
Sarah Bliss was borne in Aguft Anno 1647
Mary Bliss was borne in ffebruary Ann: 1649
Thomas Bliss was borne in March An 1651
Deliuer Bliss was borne in Agust An 1655
Samuell Bliss was borne in Desemb Ano 1657
Anne Bliss was borne in Septem Ano 1660
Rebeckah Bliss was borne in March An 1663

Thomas Bliss Junior ended this life the 29th of January 1681:

The maryage of Thomas Sluman with Sarah bliss was in Defember Anno Dom 1668
Sarah Sluman was borne in March Ano 13 1669
Mary Sluman was borne in ffebry 13th Anno 1671
Thomas Sluman was borne the 19th of Desr 1674
Elisabeth was borne the 23 July Anno 1677
Abigaell Sluman was borne the 14th of March 1679/80
Rebeckah was borne the 3d of Octo An 1682

[33] The marriage of Solloman Tracey with Sarah Huntington was upon the 23d of November Anno Dom 1676
Lidyah Tracey was borne the 11th of October Anno Dorn 1677
Simon Tracey was borne the 8th of January Ano 1679
Sarah Tracey the wife of Sollomon aboue wrighten Departed this life in the 31st of aguft Anno Dom 1683
Solomon Tracy married unto farah Sloman Relict unto Tho sloman Aprill the 8th Anno 1686
Solomon Tracy the son of Solomon Tracy: and his wife Sarah Relict to Thomas Sloman was Born Septembr the 22d anno 1688:
Mr Solomon Tracy Died the Ninth Day of July 1732:
Mrs Sarah Tracy, ye wife of mr Solomon Tracy Died the twenty ninth Day of august in ye year 1730:
Samuell Tracy Deceafed Janur 11th 1693

The mariage of Dauid Perkins & Deliuer Bliss the Daughter of Thomas Bliss of Norwich was upon the 8th of June Ano Dom 1682

The maryage of Samuell Bliss with Ann his wife was upon the eighth day of Desember in the yeare of our lord 1681 ite
Thomas Bliss the Son of Samuell Bliss & Ann his wife was borne upon the sixth day of September [note: "Desembe" written first and erased] in the yeare of our lord Ano Dom 1682
Samuell Bliss was borne the 13th of Novemr Ano 1684
Elizabeth Bliss borne 28th febry. 1686:
John Bliss was Born Octo 23d: Anno 1690
Peletiah Bliss was Born Novembr 17th Anno 1697

Anne Elderkin was borne in January Anno Dom 1661
[included in a list of John Elderkin's children]

Josiah Rockwell marrid to Ann Bliss ye 8th of Aprill 1686
Daniell Rockwell borne 24th octobr Anno 1689
John Rockwell was Born Apriell 3d anno 1692
Jerusha Rockwell was born march the 6 anno 1694/5
Hañah Rockwell was born in June 6th anno 1698
Elizabeth Rockwell was born Aprill 19th anno 1700
ann the Wife of Josiah Rockwell, Deceased, the 19th day of ffebr 1714:15
Josiah Rockwell & ann Birchard the Widdow of Samll Birchard ware married ye 19th day of Janur 1720/21
mr Josiah Rockwell Died the 18th day of march 1728/9

Iserell louthrup married to Rebeckah Bliss Aprill 8th 1686
Israell Lothrup was born ffebr the 11 anno: 1687/6
William Lothrup was born Sept the 20th anno 1688
John Lothrup was born octor the 2d anno 1690
Samuell Lothrup was born July: the 12th anno 1692
Rebecka Lothrup was Born Aprill 20th Anno 1695
Mary and Martha Lothrup twins ware born Nouembr 15th 1696
Benjamin Lothrup was Born ye: 31st day of July anno 1699
Ebenezar Lothrup was born ye 7th day of ffebr 1702/3
jabez Lothrup was Born ye 11th day of January 1706/7
Mr Israell Lothrup: Died ye 28th day of march 1733:
Mrs Rebeckah Lothrup widow of mr Israel Lothrup: Died augt ye 22nd 1737:

Source: Vital Records of Norwich Connecticut, 1659-1848. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007.) Originally published as: Vital Records of Norwich, 1659-1848. Hartford, Society of colonial wars in the state of Connecticut, 1913.
[Note: Some letters transcribed in the above record as F probably should have been transcribed as S (letters S's at the time often appearing a long F-like letters). So, for example, "poft" is actually "post," "Defember" is actually "Desember" or December, and "Jerufha" is actually "Jerusha." MB]

Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)

Name:    Elizabeth Bliss
Gender:    Female
Birth Date:    20 Nov 1645
Birth Place:    Saybrook
Parent:    Thomas
Parent:    Elizabeth

Name:    Sarah Bliss
Gender:    Female
Birth Date:    26 Aug 1656
Birth Place:    Saybrook
Parent:    Thomas
Parent:    Elizabeth

Name:    Mary Bliss
Gender:    Female
Birth Date:    7 Feb 1649
Birth Place:    Saybrook
Parent:    Thomas
Parent:    Elizabeth

Name:    Thos Bliss
[Thomas Bliss]
Gender:    Male
Birth Date:    3 Mar 1652
Birth Place:    Saybrook
Parent:    Thomas
Parent:    Elizabeth

Name:    Deliverance Bliss
Birth Date:    Aug 1655
Birth Place:    Saybrook
Parent:    Thomas
Parent:    Elizabeth

Name:    Samuel Bliss
Gender:    Male
Birth Date:    9 Dec 1657
Birth Place:    Saybrook
Parent:    Thomas
Parent:    Elizabeth

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.

Connecticut Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)

Name:    Thomas Bliss
Marriage Date:    Oct 1644
Marriage Place:    Saybrook, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:    Elizabeth
[Text: "Thomas, m. Elizabeth [   ], Oct. latter end, 1644"]

Name:    Elizabeth Bliss
Gender:    Female
Marriage Date:    7 Jun 1663
Marriage Place:    New London, Connecticut, USA
Residence Place:    Norridge
Spouse:    Edward Smith
Spouse Residence Place:    New London
Parent Name:    Thomas Bliss

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.

Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)

Name:    Solomon Tracy
Death Date:    17 Jun 1751
Death Place:    Canterbury, Connecticut, USA

Name:    Smith
Death Date:    10 Jul 1689
Death Place:    New London, Connecticut, USA
Spouse:    Edward

Name:    Edward Smith
Death Date:    14 Jul 1689
Death Place:    New London, Connecticut, USA

Name:    David Calkins
[David Caulkins]
Death Date:    25 Nov 1717
Death Place:    New London, Connecticut, USA

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.

New England Marriages Prior to 1700

Bliss, Thomas & Elizabeth [?Birchard]; latter end of Oct 1644; Norwich, CT/Saybrook
Caulkins, David (-1717) & 1/wf Mary [Bliss] (1649-); ca 1673; New London, CT
Bliss, Samuel (-1729?) & Anne [Elderkin] (-1748); 8 Dec 1681; Norwich, CT
 
Source: Ancestry.com. U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012.
Original data: Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004.

Connecticut Deaths and Burials Index

Name:    Thomas Bliss
Death Date:    15 Apr 1688
Death Place:    Connecticut
Burial Place:    Norwich, Connecticut
Gender:    Male
FHL Film Number:    3091

Name:    Solomon Tracy
Birth Date:    abt 1651
Age at Death:    81
Death Date:    9 May 1732
Death Place:    Connecticut
Gender:    Male
FHL Film Number:    3357

Name:    Rebekah Lothrup
Birth Date:    abt 1664
Age at Death:    73
Death Date:    22 Aug 1737
Death Place:    Connecticut
Gender:    Female
Marital Status:    Married
Spouse:    Israell
FHL Film Number:    3357

Name:    Israell Lothrup
Birth Date:    abt 1661
Age at Death:    72
Death Date:    28 Mar 1733
Death Place:    Connecticut
Gender:    Male
FHL Film Number:    3357

Source: Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772–1934." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.

New London (Conn.) Probate Record

BLISS, ELIZABETH, of Norwich. File No. 584. Inventory of the estate of Elizabeth Bliss of Norwich, who deceased 28 Feb. 1699/1700, taken by Thomas Leffingwell and Caleb Abell, Selectmen. The names of the children: Samll, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Deliverance, Ann, and Rebeccah.
 
Source: Jacobus, Donald Lines, "New London (Conn.) Probate Record," The American Genealogist, Vol. 10, 1933, p. 36.

New London County CTGenWeb: Deeds

2a:63 There being fifty acres of Land more or less by Record appears belonging to the estate of Thomas Sluman deceased and is lying att Shoutuckitt adjoining to the land of Samuell Bliss, I having already payd unto Samuell Abell his Wife’s portion of the sd estate in money, as also there being yet eight pounds and ten shillings due to me of the estate to make up my Wife’s Dowry … Solomon Tracy of Norwich for 16L … payd by Samuell Bliss of Norwich … 50A … 31 Mar 1698. Signed: Solomon Tracy. Wit: Christopher Huntington, Israell Lothrup.
 
Source: Bjorkman, Gwen Boyer, New London County CTGenWeb: Deeds, Film #5024 Norwich, New London, CT, Deed Books 2A & 2B 1660-1717, Part One, http://www.ctgenweb.org/county/conewlondon/deeds/NorwichRecords.html, retrieved Feb 2013.
 

Preston, Connecticut Deeds

4:744  Solomon Tracy of Norwich ... being administrator to ye Estate of Thomas Sluman of the same town Deceased and by ye advise of the overseers having sold ye house of ye aforesaid Thomas Sluman with ye home lott and their with having purchased 100A of Land for ye heirs ... Solomon Tracy Admr. to ye Estate fore mentioned do pass over unto Thomas Sluman Son & Heir to Thomas Sluman Deceast that 100A of Land which I purchased of Christopher Huntington Lying in Preston ... I pass over my whole right in yt 100A of Land ... 14 Jun 1698.  Signed:  Solomon Tracy.  Wit:  Joseph Edgerton, Mary Tracy.  Ack: 12 Jul 1698 before John Tracy Justice of ye peace.  Ent:  29 Nov 1731.

Source: New London County CTGenWeb, Preston, Connecticut Deeds, Page 10, http://www.ctgenweb.org/county/conewlondon/deeds/PrestonDeeds10.html, retrieved Feb 2013.

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Plains Cemetery, Franklin, New London, Connecticut

Old Norwichtown Cemetery, Norwich, New London, Connecticut