John Deming and Honor Treat

John Deming was thought by Cutter to have probably been among the early settlers of Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut. He likely married first -- -- (in TAG 62:140-142, Paul Prindle, after analyzing probable birth dates, came to the conclusion that John likely married an unknown first wife, who was the mother of his eldest son, John). By about 1639, John married second Honor Treat (who Prindle concluded was likely the mother of John's other children). Honor was christened 19 March 1615/6 in Pitminster, Somerset, England, the daughter of Richard Treat and Alice Gaylard. She is mentioned in her father's will, where he leaves her "my great bible." John was admitted freeman in 1645. He was one of the patentees named in the 1662 Connecticut charter granted by King Charles II. In addition, John held a number of offices and was appointed to several committees. He was a selectman in 1647-8 and a deputy to the General Court in 1657 to 1667. He became a constable, along with Samuel Smith, Sr., for Wethersfield 2 March 1653. John served as a juror of the Particular Court a number of times 1643-8, 1653, 1661-2, 1664, and 1666 and served on the Grand Jury in 1650 and 1660 and the jury of the Court of Assistants in 1673. He represented the town of Wethersfield at a number of sessions. On 26 February 1656, he was appointed to a committee "to giue the best safe advice they can to the Indians, if they agree to meete & being mett shall craue the same of them." He was among those appointed 16 April 1658 to treat with the minister, John Russell, relating to a dispute in the church, and was later among those who signed a petition to be able to select a new minister (resulting in Russell and others leaving Wethersfield for Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts in 1659). On 24 March 1658/9 and on later dates, John was among those appointed to procure a new minister. He was appointed to committees to find a house for the minister in 1660-3 and to a committee to assign seats in the meetinghouse 7 March 1670/1. John's will was dated 26 June 1690 with a codicil dated 3 February 1692. This codicil withdrew a bequest of several items to son John and instead gave him "all my materials and tools in my shop and my book debts, he paying those debts I owe about my trade." This trade-related bequest had previously been left to son David, who was now to be given five pounds instead. The five pounds itself was a bequest that had been revoked from daughter Hannah's daughter Ann Beckley ("shee having miscarryed, I withdraw my gift from her"). Stiles theorized that this referred to Hannah Beckley (Hannah and Ann being interchangeable at this period) marrying and having a child just a month later and being accused with her new husband of incontinence before marriage. He also stated that there was enough distance between where the Beckleys were living at the time and where John was living to have made it possible to hide this incident from John for awhile. Of the overall tenor of the will, Judson Kieth Deming remarks, "This old will is the one glimpse we have of the character of John Deming. It reveals a spirit of piety, of love for his family and his friends, and the companionship of some of the best men in the colony. It shows that he was a man of substance, well supplied with lands, and cattle; that he was equipped to work at some trade, which no doubt proved of service in the little colony when they first settled so far from the older towns on the coast." John closed the will with words to his children: "finally I doe desire and commend all my children to know fear & serve the God of their father with all their hearts might & strength, & to Live in Love & unity one with another that God even my God may be with them & blesse them." John's will was proved 21 November 1705.

John’s child, by an unknown first wife, is: John Deming, Jr., born about 1632 (gave age as "about 50 yeares" in 1682), mentioned in his father's will ("having done well by my son John," he left him a Geneva Bible, a feather bed and bolster, and a kettle but this gift was withdrawn in a codicil and replaced with a bequest of "all my materials and tools in my shop and my book debts" that had previously been given to brother David), married Mary Mygatt (b. 1637 to Joseph and Ann Mygatt, d. 1714) 12 Sep 1657 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, died 23 Jan 1711/2 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, a sergeant, representative in the General Court 1669 to 1672. John and Honor’s children are: Jonathan Deming, born about 1639, mentioned in his father's will, married 1) Sarah Graves (dau. of George Graves, d. 2 Jun 1668 in childbirth) 21 Nov 1660 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut and 2) Elizabeth Gilbert (b. 1654 to Josiah Gilbert, d. 4 Sep 1714, nuncupative will taken 4 Sep 1714 and proved 4 Oct 1714) 25 Dec 1673 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, died 8 Jan 1699/1700, will dated 27 Mar 1696. Sarah Deming, mentioned as "my daughter Moody" in her father's will (only inherited ten shillings in her father's will but he had "already given her a good portion"), married Samuel Moody (b. 1636 (according to Plinius Moody), son of John and Sarah (Cox) Moody, d. intestate 22 Sep 1689 in Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, inventory taken 25 Oct 1689), moved from Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut to Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts in 1659, died 29 Sep 1717 in Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts. Hannah Deming, mentioned as "my daughter Beckly" in her father's will, married John Beckley (b. 6 Mar 1641/2 to Richard Beckley, nominated freeman at Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut 13 May 1669, d. 1696, inventory 8 Apr 1696). Rachel Deming, mentioned as "my daughter Morgan" in her father's will, married John Morgan (b. 30 Mar 1645 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts to James and Margery (Hill) Morgan, m. 2) Elizabeth Williams, d. Feb 1712 in Connecticut, bur. in Spring Grove Cemetery, Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut) 16 Nov 1665 in New London, New London, Connecticut. Samuel Deming, born about 1646, mentioned in his father's will, married Sarah Buck (b. 1669 (1 Apr 1669 to Enoch and Mary (Kirby) Buck, according to Judson Kieth Deming), m. 2) Benjamin Churchill, d. 1754) 29 Mar 1694 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut (according to Hinman; Torrey gives the year as 1684), died 6 Apr 1709 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, estate administered 5 Sep 1709 and distributed 6 Mar 1715/6. Ebenezer Deming, mentioned in his father's will, married Sarah -- (possibly Sarah Grant, according to Torrey, although this has been called into question) 16 Jul 1677 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, died 2 May 1705 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, estate settled 5 Jun 1710. David Deming, born about 1652, mentioned in his father's will (in which he was left "my materials and tools in my shop" but this gift was later given in a codicil to brother John and David was given money that had been earmarked for sister Hannah's daughter Ann Beckley), married Mary -- (possibly Mary Belding, according to Torrey, b. abt. 1652, d. 14 Oct 1724 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts) 14 Aug 1678 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, fenceviewer in 1699 and tithingman in 1700 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, a "knacker" (defined by Cutter as "a maker of small work; a rope maker"), died 4 May 1725 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, will dated 23 Apr 1725, inventory included "Benjamin Deming's time" (perhaps a relative indentured to David) and "the Indian boy valued at 60 pounds." Mary Deming, mentioned as "my daughter Hurlbut" in her father's will, married John Hurlbut (b. 8 Mar 1642 (probably in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut) to Thomas and Sarah Hurlbut, blacksmith who worked first at Wethersfield, then at Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut, contracted 25 Oct 1669 to "do the town's work of smithing" at Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, received as a member of the church 24th day 10th month 1671, freeman in 1671, d. 30 Aug 1690 in Connecticut at Middletown, administration of estate 4 Sep 1690, inventory 9 Sep 1690, distribution of his estate delayed due to one of his children being yet unborn but finally took place on 19 Jun 1696, sergeant) 15 Dec 1670 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, received as a member of the church 5 Sep 1675 at Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut. Mercy Deming, mentioned as "my daughter Wright" in her father's will, married 1) Joseph Curtis (b. abt. 1643, d. 31 Dec 1683 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, will dated Mar 1683) 8 Feb 1674 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut and 2) Joseph Wright (will dated 14 Feb 1711/2 with codicil added 9 Dec 1714 and proved 7 Feb 1714/5, inventory 5 Feb 1714/5)  in 1685.

Further Deming Family Connections

Elizabeth stated in her 1678 will referred to "my beloved Brother Mr John Deming sen." In addition, John Deming was appointed as one of the supervisors of Thomas Welles's will and was one of the men taking the inventory of his estate. At first glance, this would seem to indicate that she was Elizabeth Deming, sister of our John. However, McCracken (TAG 55:28-31) mentioned a possiblity that Elizabeth could have been a half-sibling on the mother's side or sister-in-law. Thus far, it is not known exactly how Elizabeth is related to John. Elizabeth --, married 1) Nathaniel Foote (b. abt. 1592 to Robert and Joan (Brook) Foote, of Shalford, Essex, England, arrived in New England in 1634 and settled at Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, freeman 3 Sep 1634, moved to Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut in 1635, deputy for Wethersfield several times in 1641-2 and Apr 1644, served on the petit jury and grand jury in 1643, d. in 1644, inventory 20 Nov 1644, among Nathaniel and Elizabeth's children were Nathaniel and Rebecca, who married, respectively, Elizabeth Smith and Philip Smith, both children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Smith) Smith) and 2) Thomas Welles (son of Robert and Alice Welles, of Tidmington, Worcester, England, m. 1) Alice Tomes, arrived in New England in 1635, settled first in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, moved to Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut in 1636 and Wethersfield in 1646, Treasurer of the Colony 1639 and 1649, 1649, 1650, Secretary 1641, 1643, 1644, 1645, 1647, assistant of the General Court 1637-53, magistrate of the Particular Court 1637-59, Commissioner for Connecticut to the United Colonies of New England in 1649 and 1659, Moderator of Connecticut 1654, Deputy Governor 1654, 1656, 1657, 1659 and Governor 1655 and 1658, d. 14 Jan 1659/60, will dated 7 Nov 1659 and proved 11 Apr 1660, inventory 30 Jan 1659/60), will dated 28 Mar 1678 and proved in 1683, inventory 3 Sep 1683. In addition, there are other clues as to further possible Deming family members. In John Deming's will, he mentions "my couzen Unis Standidge" and "my cousin Sarah Wyer, wife of John Wyer." According to both Frank Farnsworth Starr and Judson Keith Deming, Unis and Sarah are Eunice and Sarah Standish, daughters of Thomas Standish. Keeping in mind that cousin in this time period was used more like we would now use the broad word "relative" (rather than the children of an aunt or uncle), John's exact relationship to them are not known. Judson Keith Deming notes one other possible clue to John Deming's family: "In his will of 13 Feb. 1668, Richard Treat makes the following bequest: 'Item: My debts being paid, I give to my loving sons John Demon, and Robert Webster, equally, all the rest of my goods and chattels whatsoever, except Mr. Perkins book, which I give to my son John Demon, and my great bible to my daughter Honor Demon, And that money in my cousin Samuel Welles, his band, unto my cousin David Deming, son of John Demon senior.' This obscure clause seems to indicate that there was a John Demon senior, as well as John Demon the son-in-law, and suggests the possibility that the father of John Deming of Wethersfield was also named John. This is stated as a fact by Hinman, without giving authority, and the theory is farther supported by the statements of the compiler of the Welles Genealogy, and other genealogists. Treat refers to David Deming as his cousin, and indicates the same relationship with Samuel Welles, who is presumably the son of Gov. Thomas Welles, who married Elizabeth Deming, said to have been a sister of John Deming. It would thus appear that the Treats, Welles, and Demings were connected in some way, perhaps before their removal to America."

Sources: 

"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NX5H-K2T : 19 April 2018, Richard Trat in entry for Honor Trat, ); citing Pitminster, Somerset, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,526,710. Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton, Somerset, England; Somerset Parish Records, 1538-1914; Reference Number: D\P\PIT/2/1/1. Ancestry.com. Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Anglican Parish Registers. Somerset Archives & Local Studies, South West Heritage Trust, Taunton, England. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection), Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data - White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002. Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection), Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data - White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002. "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch; citing Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, reference p 7; FHL microfilm 186,152. Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850, Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2010. 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. Putnam, Eben (ed.), "New London, Conn., Early Records," The Genealogical Quarterly Magazine, vol. 2, Burlington, VT, 1901, p. 286. Hinman, R.R., "Records of Wethersfield, Conn.," New England Historic and Genealogical Register, vol. 16, Aug 1862, p. 264-5. Boston, MA: Deaths, 1700-1799. (Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), (Dunkle, Robert J. and Lainhart, Ann S. Boston Deaths, 1700-1799, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1999.) Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook). "Connecticut Marriages, 1640-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7LW-ZLM : 5 November 2017), John Hurlbut and Mary Deming, Marriage 15 Dec 1670, Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States; Connecticut State Library, Hartford; FHL microfilm 1,513,707. "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7KV-FVZ : 9 February 2018), Mary Deming in entry for John Senior Hurlbut, 30 Aug 1690; citing , reference item 1 p 45; FHL microfilm 1,513,707. Manwaring, Charles William, A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol I (Hartford District, 1635-1700), Hartford, CT: R. S. Peck & Co., 1904. Manwaring, Charles William, A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol. II (Hartford District, 1700-1729), Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1995 (originally published 1904). Ancestry.com. Hartford, Connecticut Probate Records, 1639-1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Hartford District, 1635-1700. Vol. I. n.p., 1906. Moody, Plinius, The Moody Family, or Records of the Descendants of Mr. John Moody of Hartford, Connecticut, 1856, organized and recorded By Theodore L. Moody And Maxine Bull Moody, Nov 1991. Starr, Frank Farnsworth, Various Ancestral Lines of James Goodwin and Lucy (Morgan) Goodwin of Hartford, Connecticut, Vol. II (Morgan Lines), Hartford, CT: The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Press, 1915, pgs. 223-261. Deming, Judson Keith, Genealogy of the Descendants of John Deming of Wethersfield, Connecticut, Dubuque, IA: Press of Mathis-Mets Company, 1904, pgs. 3-14. Torrey, Clarence A., New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004. Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, vol. III, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914, p. 1195. Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, vol. IV, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914, p. 2116. Cutter, William Richard et al., Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut, vol. II, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911, p. 937. Coe, Sophia Fidelia Hall, Memoranda Relating to the Ancestry and Family of Sophia Fidelia Hall, Meriden, CT: The Curtiss-Way Co., 1902, pgs. 129-131. Hurlbut, Henry Higgins, The Hurlbut Genealogy: Or, Record of the Descendants of Thomas Hurlbut, of Saybrook and Wethersfield, Conn., Albany, NY: Joel Munsell's Sons, 1888, pgs. 19-20. Wheeler, Richard Anson, History of the Town of Stonington, County of New London, Connecticut, New London, CT: Press of the Day Publishing Company, 1900, p. 479. Treat, John Harvey, The Treat Family: A Genealogy of Trott, Tratt, and Treat for Fifteen Generations, and Four Hundred and Fifty Years in England and America, Salem, MA: The Salem Press Publishing & Printing Company, 1893, p. 32. Stiles, Henry R., Families of Ancient Wethersfield Connecticut, Part 1, 1904, p. 272, (reprinted by Heritage Books, Westminster, MD, 2006). Blauvelt, Don, comment found on profile for Ebenezer Deming, Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34191990, retrieved 20 May 2018. Boston, MA: Old Cemeteries of Boston. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), (Inscriptions and Records of the Old Cemeteries of Boston, Dunkle, Robert J. and Lainhart, Ann S., Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2000.) Gravestone of David and Mary Deming, Granary Burying Ground, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.   Records related to the John and Honor (Treat) Deming family but not copied below due to copyright considerations: Prindle, Paul W., "Honor Treat, Wife of John Deming: Mother of Which of His Children?," TAG, vol. 62, Jul 1987, pgs. 140-2. McCracken, George E., "John Deming and Elizabeth Foote," The American Genealogist, Jan 1979, vol. 55, pgs. 28-31. Entry for John Moody (Sarah Deming's father-in-law); Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011. Entry for Joseph Mygate; Great Migration 1634-1635, M-P. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010.) Originally published as: The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume V, M-P, by Robert Charles Anderson. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007, https://www.americanancestors.org/DB401/i/12155/212/23908744 Entry for Nathaniel Foote; Great Migration, Vol 2, C-F. (Ancestry.com. New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013). Original data: Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes 1-3; The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volumes 1-6. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1996-2011. Entry for Thomas Welles; Great Migration 1634-1635, T-Y. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2012.) Originally published as: The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume VII, T-Y, by Robert Charles Anderson. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011. Jacobus, Donald Lines, Hale, House and Related Families, Mainly of the Connecticut River Valley, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2001, pgs. 777-779. Anderson, Robert Charles, The Great Migration Directory, Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640: A Concise Compendium, Boston, MA: The New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015.

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Church Records

Name: Honor Trat Residence Place: Somerset, England Gender: Female Christening Date: 19 Mar 1615 Christening Date (Original): 19 Mar 1615 Christening Place: Pitminster, Somerset, England Father's Name: Richard Trat Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I07999-8 System Origin: England-EASy GS Film number: 1526710 Reference ID: Item 19 Source: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NX5H-K2T : 19 April 2018, Richard Trat in entry for Honor Trat, ); citing Pitminster, Somerset, England, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,526,710. Name:    Honor Trat Event Type:    Baptism Baptism Date:    19 Mar 1615 Baptism Place:    Pitcombe, Somerset, England Father:    Richard Trat Source: Somerset Heritage Service; Taunton, Somerset, England; Somerset Parish Records, 1538-1914; Reference Number: D\P\PIT/2/1/1. Ancestry.com. Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Anglican Parish Registers. Somerset Archives & Local Studies, South West Heritage Trust, Taunton, England.

Town Records

Wethersfield Deming, John, m. Marry [ ], Sept. 20, 1657 (LR2, p. 6) Jonathan, m. Elizabeth [ ], Dec. 25, 1673, by Samuel Talcott (vol. 1, p. 26) David m. Mary [ ], Aug. 14, 1678, by Capt. Samuell Talcott New London Vital Records Dymond, Dyman, Rachell, m. John Morgan, s. James, Nov. 16, [1665] (vol. 1, p. 4) Middletown Vital Records Deman, Mary, m. John Hurlbutt, Dec. 15, 1670 (vol. LR1, p. 43) Source: Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection), Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.Original data - White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002. Wethersfield Deming, John, Sergt., d. Jan 23, 1711/12 (vol. 1, p. 03) Jonathan, Sr., d. Jan. 8, 1699/1700, AE about 61 (vol. 1, p. 26) Curtis, Joseph, d. Dec. 31, 1683, AE 40 (vol. 11, p. 28)   Source: Connecticut Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection), Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.Original data - White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002. Name:    Samll Moodie Gender:    Male Death Date:    22 Sep 1689 Death Place:    Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts Source: "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC9D-7ZL : 10 February 2018), Samll Moodie, 22 Sep 1689; citing Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, reference p 7; FHL microfilm 186,152. Name:    Sarah Moody Gender:    Female Death Date:    29 Sep 1717 Death Place:    Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts Marital Status:    Married Spouse's Name:    Samuel Moody Source: "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC9D-7ZT : 10 February 2018), Sarah Moody, 29 Sep 1717; citing Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, reference p 7; FHL microfilm 186,152. Roxbury Morgan John, s. James, bp. 30: lm: 1645: C. R. 1. Source: Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850, Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2010. Name:    John Morgan Birth Date:    30 Mar 1645 Age at Death:    67 Death Date:    Feb 1712 Death Place:    Connecticut Burial Place:    Hartford, Connecticut Cemetery:    Spring Grove Cemetery Gender:    Male FHL Film Number:    3338 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. 1665 ... John Morgan, son of James, m. Rachel Dyman, 16 Nov. Source: Putnam, Eben (ed.), "New London, Conn., Early Records," The Genealogical Quarterly Magazine, vol. 2, Burlington, VT, 1901, p. 286. Deming, Ebenezer and Sarah his wife, were m. July 16, 1677. Is.--Ebenezer, b. May 5, '78; John, July 26, '79; Sarah, Jan. 6, 1681. Mr. E. D. d. May 2, 1705. Deming, David and Mary his wife, were m. Aug. 14, 1678. Is.--David, b. July 20, '81; Samll, Aug. 9, '83; Honor, May 9, 1685. ... Deming, Samll. and Sarah his wife, were m. Mar. 29, 1694. Is.--John, b. Dec. 27, '94; David, Dec. 29, '96; Samuell, June 12, '99; Honor, Dec. 16, 1701; William, May 10, 1705. Mr. S. D. d. April 6, 1709, in his 63d year, near out. Source: Hinman, R.R., "Records of Wethersfield, Conn.," New England Historic and Genealogical Register, vol. 16, Aug 1862, p. 264-5. Names: David DEMING Town Page Detail: Boston Date of Death: 4 May 1725 Reference: M. Halsey Thomas, ed., 2 vols., The Diary of Samuel Sewall 1674 - 1729, (New York, 1973). Source: Boston, MA: Deaths, 1700-1799. (Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), (Dunkle, Robert J. and Lainhart, Ann S. Boston Deaths, 1700-1799, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1999.) Name:    David Demming Event Type:    Death Birth Date:    abt 1652 Death Date:    4 May 1725 Death Place:    Boston, Massachusetts Death Age:    73 Source: Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook). Name:    John Hurlbut Event Type:    Marriage Event Date:    15 Dec 1670 Event Place:    Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States Gender:    Male Marital Status:    Married Spouse's Name:    Mary Deming Spouse's Gender:    Female Source: "Connecticut Marriages, 1640-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7LW-ZLM : 5 November 2017), John Hurlbut and Mary Deming, Marriage 15 Dec 1670, Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States; Connecticut State Library, Hartford; FHL microfilm 1,513,707. Name: John Senior Hurlbut Gender: Male Death Date: 30 Aug 1690 Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Mary Deming Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I01326-9 System Origin: Connecticut-EASy GS Film number: 1513707 Reference ID: item 1 p 45 Source: "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7KV-FVZ : 9 February 2018), Mary Deming in entry for John Senior Hurlbut, 30 Aug 1690; citing , reference item 1 p 45; FHL microfilm 1,513,707.

Probate Records

Page 111-112. Grave, Deacon George, Hartford. Invt. £278-13-02. Taken 30 September, 1673, by Gregory Wolterton, Thomas Bull. Will dated 17 September, 1673. I George Grave of Hartford, upon the River of Conecticutt, weaver, doe in this my Last Will & Testament give unto Sarah my wife all my houseing & Barne, orchards, Home Lott, Meadow Land, Swamp Land & upland, & whatever is in my house, for her to make use of during the time of her Life, and after her decease to be disposed of as followeth : I doe also hereby give unto my sonn John Grave one parcell of meadow Land Lying in the south meadow between Mr Richards Land & Mr Whitings Land, which peice of Land is by estimation allmost Three Acres. I doe also hereby give unto my son John Grave one parcell of Swamp Land Lying by the Land called the forty Acres, in the south meadow, Between Mr Goodwins Land and Tho: Catlins Land, which parcell of Land is by estimation Two Acres & a halfe, both which parcells of Land are for him to injoy forever after the death of my wife. I doe also hereby give unto my sonn-in-law Jonathan Deming my Two Cowes, for him to injoy after my decease. I doe also hereby give unto my daughter Mary Dow the sume of Tenn pounds, to be paid to her forty shillings in every yeare until the Ten pounds be discharged, next after my decease. I doe also hereby give unto my daughter Mary Dowe my great Brass pott & pott hooks, & also one feather Bed & Feather Bowlster, & one green Blankett, & one Pillow & two pillow beirs, for her to injoy after my wive's decease. I doe allso hereby give unto my grandaughter Priscilla Markham my least brass pott & pot hooks, & my Iron Kettle, & two of my best platters, a bigger & a lesser. I doe allso hereby give unto priscilla Marcum one Flock bed & one Bowlster, for her to Injoy after the death of my wife. I doe allso hereby give unto my sonn George Grave my house, Barne & Home Lott, orchards & all other of my Lands both meadow. Swamp & upland. Except what is before given away, to him during the time of his life & to his heirs forever, for him to possess after the death of my wife. I doe allso hereby give unto my sonn George Grave (my debts & the Legacies being pay d) my Cattell, my household stuffe & what ever els is mine or due to me from any one, for him to possess & injoy forever, after the death of my wife. My will also is that all my Land shall pay their rates, according to their proportion, to the Maintenance of the Ministree at the new meeting house. My will and desire is that my sonn George Grave should take my Estate into his hands & custodie, & the care of my wife, his mother-in-law, & see that shee bee Comfortably provided for during the time of her life, she now not being in a fitt capacittie to help her selfe in this way. Also, if more than ordinary charges should arise by reason of any Long sickness that should attend her, that then the whole estate should share in the Charge that ariseth. Allso my will is that all the Lining that shall remayn after my wifes decease, which is not given before, shall be equally divided between my son George's wife & my daughter Dowe. I doe also hereby make my two sons George Grave & John Grave my Executors of this my last will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Witness : John Richards,                                                       George Grave, sen. Steven Hopkins, Court Record, Page 134 — 25 November, 1673 : Will proven. Page 241. Mygatt, Widow Ann, Hartford. Will dated 28 December, 1681. I Ann Mygatt, Widow of Joseph Mygatt, do make this my last Will & Testament : I give to my daughter Mary Deming all my Woolen Apparrell excepting my Broad Cloth Coat, which I give unto my gr, daughter Sarah Mygatt, I give to my daughter Mary Deming my Bed whereon I lye & all its furniture thereunto belonging. And further, my Will is that my wearing Linen be equally divided between my daughter Mary Deming & my gr. daughter Sarah Mygatt ; & my Will is that the remainder of my Estate be equally divided between my daughter Mary Deming and my gr. son Joseph Mygatt, excepting my Chest. Witness : Paul Peek sen., Ann X Mygatt, George Grave. Court Record, Page 115 — 4 March, 1685-6: Will proven. Order to Dist. Persons concerned in the Dist. agreed to it in Court. Page 55-6, Mygatt, Deacon Joseph, Hartford, Died 7 December, 1680. Invt. £368-11-06. Taken 10 December, 1680, by Thomas Bull sen., Paul Peck sen., George Grave. Will dated 27 November, 1676. I Joseph Mygatt of Hartford do make this my last Will & Testament : Whereas, in a Writing bearing date 27 November, 1654, I have already engaged the manner of a dispose of my Estate after my Death, I do now for the substance thereof fully consent thereunto, only some things mentioned needing some explication I thought good to mention, 1st, that I have already paid the marriage portion for my son Jacob as is expressed in the Agreement, & have built a house for him of more value than was promised, & have truly fulfilled that first particularly. 2nd, Whereas it is mentioned in the Agreement with Mrs. Susannah Fitch, & the Trustees in behalf of her Brother, that the Estate by her should be let out to procure a farm, that it might have been so but they conceived that it might be more advantageous to adventure the Money abroad, being at that time in a way of Trade, the which with their desire I consented too, — these things being confiscated, I do dispose of my whole Estate as is there mentioned, only my Mind is that in Case the £12 be not paid to my wife (as is expressed), that so much of my Lands be sold (that may best be spared) as may enable the true performance of the yearly Annuity willed to her during her natural life. I give unto Joseph Deming, my gr. son, all my Wearing apparrel. I appoint my gr. child Joseph Mygatt to be my Executor. I desire my friend Paul Peck sen. and my son John Deming to be Overseers, Witness: Jos: Haines, Jo: Mygatt. Ls. Paul Peck. Court Record, Page 33 — 29 December, 1680 : Will proven, and approved so far as consistent with a former writing. Page 135-6-7-8-9. Deming, Jonathan sen., Wethersfield. Died 8 January, 1699-1700. Invt. £550-14-04. Taken by Jonathan Boreman, Ebenezer Deming and Jacob Williams. Will dated 27 March, 1696. I Jonathan Deming sen. of Wethersfield doe make this my last Will & Testament: I give to my wife Elizabeth Deming the Use of all my Real & Personal Estate during her Widowhood, excepting what I have given to my Children. I give to her the Use of all my Improved Lands, with my House & Barn, & 1-3 of all my Moveable Estate, & so much of the Benefit of my Team that she shall need for the Improvement of my Lands. I give to my son Jonathan Deming the House & Land that he lives on, and about 5 1/2 acres, and also 2 acres of Land in the Mile Meadow. I give to my son Thomas Deming that Lott I bought of Joseph Andrews, in that Division made for the List of Estate for the year 1693. I give to my sons Charles & Jacob the West half of my Lott that I live upon, to be equally divided between them, the east part to Charles & the West part to Jacob. I give to my sons Charles, Benjamin & Jacob, that 10 acres of Land that I bought of Ezekiel Buck, to be equally divided between them. I give to my son Benjamin my Dwelling house & Barn and all the remainder of my Lott that I now live upon as it is now fenced. I give to my daughter Sarah Rylie 10 Shillings with what she hath already had. I give to my son-in-law John Williams 1 Shilling together with what he hath had already. I give to my daughters, viz. Comfort, Elusia, Elizabeth, Mary & Ann, all the rest of my Moveable Estate when my wife has had her thirds, to be equally divided between them. I give to my brother John Deming a convenient highway in Mile Meadow by the Side of Mr. Lord's Lott to his own Land. All the Estate that shall happen to fall to me by my sd. wife Elizabeth out of the Estate of her father Josiah Gilbert, late deceased, I give the same to my sd. wife Elizabeth and to the Children I had by her, to be equally divided amongst them. I give my Land in the Indian Purchase to all my Children, except Sarah Rylie and John Williams. I appoint my wife Elizabeth Deming and my son John Deming to be Executors. In Case of their Decease, my son Thomas Deming to succeed to be Executor when he shall be 21 years of age. I also appoint my son Jonathan Deming and Mr. Jonathan Boreman to be Overseers. Witness : John Deming sen.,                                                                              Jonathan X Deming sen. Ls.                 Jno. Welles. Court Record, Page 125 — 9 March, 1699: One Witness, viz, John Welles, late of Wethersfield, being removed out of the Country before the Exhibition of the Will, the Court do approve the same upon the Testimony of John Deming sen., the other Witness, and order the Will to be recorded. Page 63. Hurlbut, John, Middletown. Died 30 August, 1690. Invt. £374-15- 06. Taken by Nathaniel White, John Hamlin and John Hall sen. Legatees : John, born 8 Dec, 1671 ; Thomas, b. 20 Oct., 1674; Sara, b. 5 Nov., 1676; Mary, b. 17 Nov., 1678; Marcy, b. 17 February, 1680; Ebenezer, b. 17 January, 1682; Margaret, b. Feb., 1684-5; David, b. 11 August, 1688; one child about 3 months old, since March, 1690-1. Court Record, Page 17 — 4 September, 1690: Adms. to the Widow, with advice of Capt. Nathaniel White in her administration. See File : Under this date, 6th May, 1698, appears upon a broken and part-missing paper an Agreement for the Settlement of the Estate, signed by the Underwritten Legatees: Witness: Ebeneser Deming sen.,                                        Mary X Hurlbut,                John Hamling, Ellexander Rollo,                         Mary X Hurlbut,                and Andrew Warner.                                           Nathaniel Churchill,                                                                                               Marcy X Hurlbut,                                                                                               John Hurlbut,                                                                                               Margrit Hurlbut,                                                                                               Thomas Hurlbut,                                                                                               Ebenezer Hurlbut,                                                                                               Sary X Hurlbut,                                                                                               David Hurlbut.                                                                                               Mehetabel X Hurlbut, Page 91 — (Vol. XI) II May, 1733: An Agreement for the Settlement of the Estate of John Hurlbutt of Middletown, Deed, made Anno Dom, 1698, was now exhibited in Court with the Hands of the heirs affixed thereto, and under the hands of Mr, John Hamlin and Ebenezer Deming, Distributors. Page 135. Welles, Thomas, Wethersfield. Invt. £1069-08-02. Taken 30 January, 1659-60, by John Cotton & John Deming. Will dated 7 November, 1659: I Tho. Welles of Wethersfield, being in health of body but fynding the Symptoms of Mortality uppon me, am called to set in Order that little Estate comitted to me. As I have receaved what I am or have from the devine hand of allmighty God, so I comitte my soull to him, resting uppon his ffree grace and favor manifest through the Lord Jesus, and my body to a comely buriall. My will is that my wife should enjoy the on halfe of my houseing & Orchard & twelve pound pr annum out of my Estate during her life, she keeping the said houseing in Repair, and that the land wch I head of hers should return to her agayne ; also I give her the bay mare & two kine, to be Sett forth by my Overseers, and that howsehold stuffe wch remaynes that was formerly hers, and the use of such Implements of household during the tyme she remaynes a wyddowe as my Overseers shall sett forth. Alsoe I give to my grandchild Robert Welles, the sonne of my sonne John diceased, the House & Lott I live uppon, wch I bought of Mr. Plume, & Pennywise to the cross fence on the south side, during his life, and wn he shall have attayned the age of one & twenty years, & after his Decease to his heirs for ever. And wheras ther yet remayneth a little household stuff wch I thought to have divided betwixt my Children, I now conceive yt more convenient that it remayne to my heire Robert Welles, he paying in convenient tyme, as my overseers shall find him able. Twenty pound apiece to my Children, viz., Tho. £20, Samuel £20, My daughter Mary's Children £20, Anne £20, & Sarah £20, & ten pound to my Cossen Robbins' Children. My just debts being first paid, I give my ffarme on the East side of the great River to be divided betwixt my sonne Samuel & my gran child Tho. Welles, sonne to my sonne John deceased; and I give to my sonne Tho. Welles my meadows and swamp in Pennywise on the north side the fence, and also that fower acres of Swamp wch I bought of Nath. Willett, & my upland on the East side the great River by Mr Hopkins ffarme, wth the ffence, having sold that wthhin the fence to Capten Cullick & given Six Rodde in breadth & the whole length to Ed. Andrews. And I desire my Loveing ffriends Mr John Talcoat & Mr Cotton, Techer att Wethersfield, to be overseers of this my will, & give them five pound apeece out of my Estate. And so long as my wife remaynes a widdow Shee may injoy & Improve my whole Estate if my overseers Findye yt meet, they (discharging) out of it my iust debts & takeing in the debts oweing to mee & manteining my heirs, in Lewe of her twelve pounds, — and that shee may keepe the better (words not read- able.) In witness to this my will I have hereunto sett my hand the day & yeare above written.                                                                                                                                                             Tho. Welles. No witnesses. The Will of Tho. Welles Esq. within spcified was exhibited and proved and ordered to be recorded 11 April, 1660. The Court doth iudge yt those words the 1/2 in reference to ye house should have relation to ye orchard likewise. Will Wadsworth and John Deming are appointed by the Court to Assist Mr. John Cotton as Supervisors of ye Will and Adms. to ye Estate of Mr. Thomas Welles Esq., and wt any two of them shall doe shall be accounted Authentick respecting the Execution of the Will of the sd. Esq. deceased, 11 April, 1660. Daniel Clarke, Secretary. Court Record, Page 153 (Vol. Ill) 7 Sept., 1676: Mrs. Welles petitioning this Court for some relief respecting what was allowed her by her husband, This Court order that Mr. Robert Welles doe set her part of her house in repayre according to the order of the General Court, & that what he hath damnyfyed her Barne by parting with the other part of the Barn that did adjoyn to it, he shall repayre, & make up the annuity of Twelve pounds Pr annum that By the will the sayd Mr. Welles is to pay his grand mother. He shall pay to her in wheat, pease & Indian Corn by equall proportion at prise Current. And the orchard Mr. Welles had Layd out to her by Mr. Wadsworth & Mr. Demmon as her part of the orchard, she is to possesse it according to his will, & is not to be molested in it by Mr. Robert Welles ; & in case of blasting of wheat, then to pay some in porck. Source: Manwaring, Charles William, A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol I (Hartford District, 1635-1700), Hartford, CT: R. S. Peck & Co., 1904. Page 132. Deming, John, Sen., Wethersfield. (No inventory or apprisers mentioned.) Will dated 26 June, 1690: I, John Deming, Senior, do declare this to be my last will and testament: I having done well by my son John, I now give him my great Bible, Geneva print, and my feather bed and bolster, and my great kettle. I give to my son Jonathan my fifty-acre lot at the west side of the bounds, to be to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son Samuel my house and home lot, wth all the buildings upon it, containing nine acres be it more or less, and bounded as in the record; as also my meadow adjoining, containing about 17 acres, and abutting on Mr. Willis south, Thomas Standidge his land east, the highway north, and my homelott west; and 12 acres in the West Swamp, at the rear of my son David's lott. Also I give unto him my flock of sheep, and my neat cattle, and all my horses and swine, and all my moveables, within doors and without (not otherwise disposed of by this my last will), and all my husbandry tools, he paying my just debts, funeral charges and such legacies as I do hereby appoint him to pay. I give to my son David all my materials and tools in my shop, and my book debts, he paying those debts I owe about my trade. I give to my son Ebenezer my best coat and my best hat. I give to my daughter Morgan, my daughter Beckly, my daughter Hurlbut and my daughter Wright, five pounds apiece, to be paid by my executor within five years after my deceasse. I give to my couzen Unis Standidge, and to my cousin Sarah Wyer, wife of John Wyer, twenty pounds apiece, to be paid by my executor within two years after my decease. I give to my daughter Moody 10s, having already given her a good portion. I give to my grandchild Ann Beckley £5. I appoint my son Samuel executor, and desire Capt. Samuel Talcott and my son Ebenezer Deming to be overseers. Witness: John Allyn,                                                                                                                                                                       JOHN DEMING, SEN., LS.               George Grave. Codicil, dated 3d February 1692: Whereas, I gave to my son John my great Bible, my feather bed and bolster, and my great kettle, I now withdraw that gift and give unto my son John all my materials and tools in my shop and my book debts, he paying those debts I owe about my trade. And whereas, in my will I gave my grandchild Ann Beckley £5, shee having miscarryed, I withdraw my gift from her, and that £5 I give to my son David. Witness: John Allyn,                                                                                                                                                                       JOHN DEMING, LS.                Zachariah Sandford. Court Record, Page 72--21 November, 1705: Will exhibited by Samuel Deming. Proven by testimony of Zachary Sandford, the other witness being dead. Page 124-5. Gilbert, Josiah, Wethersfield. Died 2 February, 1704-5. Invt. £85- 16-02. Taken 15 February, 1704-5, by Daniel Bordman and Jonathan Belden. Will dated 24 January, 1704-5 : I, Josiah Gilbert, of Wethersfield, being weak and low through sickness, do now make this my last will and testament. Imprimis : I give to my Brother Benjamin Gilbert 1-3 part of all my land, and he to have the first choice in taking his third part of my lands at Divident in Wethersfield. I give to my brother Moses Gilbert 1-3 part of my lands at Divident. I give to my sister Mary, the wife of Symon Willard, the remaining third part of my land at Divident. I give to my brother Caleb Gilbert 5 shillings. I give to my sister Elizabeth Deming 5 shillings. I give to my sister Lydia Riley 5 shillings. I give to my cousin Josiah Willard (the son of my brother Willard) all my cooper's tools. I give my new Bible to my cousin Mary Willard, daughter of my brother Willard. It is my will that, my just debts being first paid, my sister Amy Gilbert have all the remaining part of my estate which I have not given, viz., all my debts due to me and all other estate which I have not disposed of in this my last will, whatsoever it be. I appoint my brother Benjamin Gilbert executor. Witness: Peter Bulkeley,                                                                           Josiah Gilbert, ls.               Mary Boardman. Court Record, Page 66—5 April, 1705: Will and invt. exhibited, approved and ordered to be recorded and kept on file. Will and Invt. in Vol. IX., Page 57. Deming, Elizabeth, Wethersfield. Invt. £37-00-07. Taken by Samuel Williams and Philip Goff, Jr. Will nuncupative, dated 4 September, 1714 : Elizabeth Deming, widow, relict of Jonathan Deming, declared in presence of the subscribing witnesses that she gave what estate she had to her two daughters, Mary and Ann Deming, to be equally divided between them. Witness: Sarah Deming,               Abigail Deming. Court Record, Page 217 — 4 October, 1714: Will proven and allowed, but there being no executor appointed in sd. will, Adms. is granted to Jonathan Deming and John Edwards, with the will annexed. Page 3 (Vol. X) 7 December, 1715: Jonathan Deming and John Edwards, Adms., exhibit an account of their Adms., which this Court accept, order recorded and kept on file. Page 43-4-5- Deming, Ebenezer, Wethersfield. Died 2 May, 1705. An agreement for the settlement of the estate of Ebenezer Deming: We the subscribers, inhabitants in Wethersfield, widow and children of Ebenezer Deming of Wethersfield, have agreed and do agree to the following: That the Widow Sarah Deming shall have during her natural life 1-3 part of all the real estate that the sd. Ebenezer Deming her husband died seized of, and shall have the whole of the personal estate to be to her forever, as also one-third part of either of the dwelling houses of the sd. Ebenezer Deming which she the sd. Sarah shall choose. And the sd. Sarah shall pay all the just debts of the sd. Ebenezer, deed. That Ebenezer Deming, eldest son, shall have all that tract of land which is bordering or near the Town Plot, by estimation 40 acres, and a tract of land in the West Swamp, of 18 acres. The remainder to be equally divided between Ephraim Deming and Josiah Deming, two younger sons. A tract of land of two parcels, one of which, containing 50 acres, being granted to the sd. Ebenezer by the Town of Wethersfield, and another lott of 50 acres which was granted by the Town in the last division of land, numbered 11 6- 17- 18, said lotts to be divided to John, Ephraim and Josiah Deming, to each a third part. The aforesd. Sarah Deming, widow of sd. Ebenezer, deed., shall pay or caused to be paid to Joseph Talcott of Wethersfield and Thomas Wright, Jr., sons-in-law of sd. Sarah, so much of the movable estate as may make what each of them have already received as the portions of their wives, Sarah and Prudence (the latter of which is deceased), £80 each. In testimony we, Sarah Deming, widow of abovesd. Ebenezer Deming, deed., Ebenezer Deming, John Deming, Ephraim Deming and Josiah Deming, Joseph Talcott and Thomas Wright, Jr., children of sd. Ebenezer, deed., have set to our hands and seals :                                                                                                                                                                           Widow Sarah Deming, ls.                                                                                                                                                                           Ebenezer Deming, ls.                                                                                                                                                                           John Deming, ls.                                                                                                                                                                           Josiah Deming, ls.                                                                                                                                                                           Joseph Talcott, ls.                                                                                                                                                                           Sarah Talcott, ls.                                                                                                                                                                           Thomas Wright, ls.,                                                                                                                                                                                    (In behalf of his wife). Court Record, Page 13 — 5 June, 1710: This agreement accepted and ordered to be recorded and kept on file. Page 23. Deming, Samuel, Wethersfield. Invt. £648-12-06. Taken by Moses Crafts and James Patterson. Court Record, Page 133 (Vol. VII) 5 September, 1709: This Court grant Adms. unto Sarah Deming, the widow of sd. deed. Page 8 (Vol. IX) 6 March, 1715-16: This Court orders the estate to be distributed as followeth :                                                                                                                               £   s   d Inventory,                                                                                                        648-12-00 To Sarah Churchill, formerly Sarah Deming,                                                  85-04-00 To John Deming, eldest son,                                                                         187-16-00 To David, Samuel, William and Honour Deming, to each,                          93-18-00 And appoint Capt. David Goodrich, Lt. Joseph Talcott and Mr. James Patterson of Wethersfield to distribute the estate accordingly. Page 216 (Vol. X) 1st April, 1729: An agreement for a division of the estate of Samuel Deming, deed. : To the widow, now Sarah Churchill, to John, to David, to Samuel, to William, and to Honour Deming. By Samuel Talcott and Francis Hanmer. Accepted and ordered on file. Will and Invt. in Vol. IX, Page 21-22. Wright, Joseph, Wethersfield. Invt £499-18-09. Taken 5 February, 1714-15, by William Bumham, Thomas Standish and Samuel Wright. Will dated 14 February, 1711-12. I, Joseph Wright of Wethersfield, do make and ordain this to be vay last will and testament : I give unto my wife Mercy £20 in country pay of this Colony, to her and to her heirs forever, and the use of what part of my dwelling house she shall think needful for her, and that during her widowhood. I give to Joseph Wright, now of Coldiester, my eldest son, to him and his heirs forever, 2 acres in Wethersfield Great Meadow which I purchased of Mr. Blackleach ; also, 5 acres of land on the Great Island in Connecticut Great River, witfiin the Township of Wethersfield, bounded east and west on the said Great River, on land of David Goodrich of Wethersfield north, and on land of Jonathan Smith of Glastonbury south. To my son Thomas Wright I give 2 1-4 acres of land in Wethersfield Great Meadow, bounded east on the Great River, west on a highway, north on my son Joseph's land, and south on land of John Deming, Sen., of Wethersfield; 3 acres in the Dry Swamp, bounded (in part) on land of Deacon Warner and Nathaniel Churchill ; also half my pasture, bounded (in part) on land of John Curtis, Jr., Samuel Butler, and my son John Wright's land which sometime since I gave him — to him the said Thomas Wright and his heirs forever. I have given my son John Wright, by deed of gift formerly, the whole which I desired as his portion. I give to my son Jonathan Wright 50 acres of land m the Township of Wethersfield, butting on the Township of Farmington west, on a highway east, north on land of Robert Welles, Jr., and south on land of Major John Chester. To my two sons, Benjamin Wright and Nathaniel Wright, I give that tract of land which fell to me in the last general division of lands in Wethersfield, to be equally divided between them. To Benjamin Wright I give 3 acres in the Great Swamp in Wethersfield, bounded (in part) on land of my son Thomas Wright and (in part) on land belonging to heirs of Stephen Chester, Jr., deed.; also .five and a half acres in the said swamp, bounded (in part) on land of Deacon William Warner, on my own land, and upon land of heirs of Stephen Chester. I give to my youngest son Nathaniel Wright 3 1-2 acres of land bounded (in part) on land of heirs of Stephen Chester, on land of my son Benjamin Wright, and on land of Nathaniel Boreman; also 3 acres bounded (in part) on land of Jacob Williams of Wethersfield, on land of Thomas Bunce of Hartford, and on land of Jonathan Smith of Wethersfield. I give the whole of what shall remain of my movable estate to my eldest daughter Mary Griswold, to my second daughter Elizabeth Curtis, and to the children of my youngest daughter Sarah Hand of East Guilford deceased— one-third part to each: to Mair Griswold, to Elizabeth Curtis, and to the children of Sarah Hand deed I appoint my two eldest sons» Joseph Wright and Thomas Wright, executors.                                                                                                                                                                                               Joseph Wright, ls. Witness: John Nott,                John Goodrich, Jr. A codicil, dated 9 December, 1714.                                                                                                                                                                                              Joseph Wright, ls. Witness: George Kilbourn,                John Goodrich, Jr. Court Record, Page 234—7 February, 1714-15: Joseph Wright of Colchester and Thomas Wright of Wethersfield exhibit the will of their late father Joseph Wright of Wethersfield deceased. The will and codicil approved. Source: Manwaring, Charles William, A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol II (Hartford District, 1700-1729), Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1995 (originally published 1904). Name:    John Beckley Location:    Wethersfield Full Text:    Court Record, Page 106--8 April, 1696: An Inventory of the Estate of John Beckley was exhibited in Court.Page 108--8 April, 1696: Order for Distribution: To the Widow, 1-3 part of the Real Estate during Life; To the eldest son a double portion, and to the other Children single portions. And appoint Ebenezer Deming and Benjamin Churchill of Wethersfield Distributors.Dist. File, 11 January, 1699: Estate of John Beckley. To the Widow, to ye Eldest son, to Robert Webster, to Samuel Spencer, to Matthew Cadwell, to ye youngest daughter. By John Deming & Benjamin Churchill. Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1687 to 1695. Name:    Joseph Curtice Location:    Wethersfield Date of Will:    Mar 1683 Page:    173-4 Full Text:    Died 31 December, 1683. Invt. œ271-09-00. Taken by Samuell Tallcott, John Deming. The children: Joseph, age 9 years; Henry, 7 years; Sarah, 5 years; Thomas, 3 years; David, 1 year old.6 March, 1683-4: Mercy Curtice personally appeared and gave oath that she had made a due presentment of the Estate of her deceased husband, according to her knowledge. Before Mr. Samuel Tallcott, comr.Court Record, Page 85--6 March, 1684: Adms. to the Widow, and appoynt the Estate to be distributed: to the Widow, œ20 personal Estate & a 3d of the real Estate during her life; to the eldest sonn, œ77; to the two other sonns, Thirty Nine pounds a peice; to the Two daughters, Thirty eight pounds a peice; to be payd, the sons' portions at 21 years of age, the daughters' at eighteen years of age, & the rest in reversion after their mother's decease. This Court appoynt Sargt. John Deming & Ebenezer Deming & John Curtice to be overseers to assist the widow in the distribution of the Estate, & ordering & disposeing of the children & their Estate. Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1677 to 1687. Name:    Mrs Elizabeth Welles Location:    Wethersfield Date of Will:    3 Sep 1683 Page:    158-9 Full Text:    Invt. œ328-12-06. Taken 3d September, 1683, by Samuel Talcott, James Treat, Samuel Butler. Will dated 28 March, 1678.My Estate I dispose of as followeth: I will that all those debts I ow in right or conscience to any man or men be well & Truly contented & payd out of my Estate in the first place. My fourteen acres of Land in the great meadow & Thirty acres in the West field I give unto my son Robert foote & to his heirs forever, prohibiting him the sale of the same, he paying for these Lands forty five pounds, to be payd: to the Children of my Daughter Sarah Judson Deceased, Nine pounds; & to my foure daughters, viz, my daughter Churchill, my daughter Goodrich, my Daughter Barnard, & my Daughter Smith, to each of them Nine pounds a piece. I give vnto my son Nathaniel Foote, eldest son, & his Brother, Eleven pounds; & to their children: To Daniel forty shillings, & To Elizabeth fower pownds, which Legacies, both the eleven pownd, forty shillings, & fower pounds, shall be payd out of The money Nathaniel Graves owes Me By Bill. I give & bequeath unto my Grand son John Studder halfe my Great Lott which Lyes at the further Bownds of the Towne, & the other halfe of the sayd Lott I give vnto my grand sons Joseph & Benjamin Churchill & their heirs forever. The remainder of my Estate (when a Legacie is pd. to my overseers out of it) shall be divided into five parts; one part I give to my daughter Judson's Children, to be to them & their heirs forever; & to my daughter Churchill & her children one fifth part, & to my daughter Goodrich & the children one-fifth part, & to my daughter Barnard and her children one-fifth part, & to my daughter Smith & her Children one fifth part. It is my will that what I give my fouer daughters shall be wholly at their dispose, to dispose among their children as they see good. I do nominate & appoynt my wel beloved Captain John Allin to be Executor; & my beloved Brother Mr John Deming sen. & my Grand sonn Henry Buck to be the desired overseers of this my will; & as a token of my respect to them I give them thirty shillings a piece out of my Estate; & for the confirmation of the premises I have hereunto set my hand this 28 day of March, 1678.Memorandum: It is my will that the nine pownds apiece I give my foure daughters' heirs, & the fifth part of my Estate I give them, shall be divided among the children of each of them, the one halfe of it imediately after my decease.Elizabeth X Wells.This signed & declared by Mrs. Elizabeth Welles in presence of us:Joseph Rowlandson, John Deming.Memorandum: I give to my grand son Nathll ffoott, the Eldest son of my sonn Nathll, the one halfe of my fourteen acres of meadow, & one halfe of my thirty acres of upland lying in the West field, wth liberty of takeing the first choice, he paying one halfe of the Legacys wch were to be paid my sonn Robt had he lived to possess ye sd. Land. My will is that that part of ye eleven pounds wch I formerly willed to sd. Nathaniel, grand son, & his Brother, wch belonged to him by will, shall be equally distributed between my four daughters above mentioned. And for the confirmation of the prmisis I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of August, 1682. Memorandum: All rents of Land due to me I will to be divided equally amongst my fower formentioned daughters and their heirs.Elizabeth X Wells.Witnessed by us: Samuel Talcott, John Deming.Mrs. Elizabeth Welles's Will, 1683:Dist. of Estate on the reverse side of the paper as follows:œ s dTo Samll Foote 5-10-00To Elizabeth ffoote. 4-00-00To Lift. Smith 1-07-06To ffrancis Barnard 1-07-06To Josiah Churchill 1-07-06To Lift. Tracy 1-07-06To Danll ffoott 2-00-00œ17-00-00 Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1677 to 1687. Name:    Nathaniel Foote Location:    Wethersfield Date of Will:    20 Nov 1644 Page:    461 Full Text:    Invt. œ380-17-00. Taken 20 November, 1644, by Richard Tratte, Samuel Smith and Nath: Dickinson.œ s dThe Children: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have 148-00-00Robert Foote, " 17 " " " 74-00-00Frances Foote, " 15 " " " 74-00-00Sarah Foote, " 12 " " " 74-00-00Rebeckah Foote, " 10 " " " 74-00-00The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion. 212-00-00œ s dImprs His purse and apparrell. 7-16-00It. In neat Cattell and in Hay, 93-00-00It. in horsse fleshe. 34-00-00It. in hoggs, 66-60-00It. in debts, 29-03-04It. in Englishe Corne. 70-00-00It. in goats, 3-15-00It. in Carts, ploughs, etc. 6-00-00It. in nayles, 1-10-00Ite. Indean Corne, 8-00-00It. in old Wheat and pease, 6-06-00It. for certain things in the chamber. 2-00-00It. for amunition, 5-00-00Ite. for fouer beds wth the furniture. 13-06-08It. in fyne lynen, 5-10-00Ite. 2 table boards, 2 chests. 1 Trunke. wth other Implts. 5-00-00It. pewter & brasse and other vseful vessells. 12-00-00It. in husbandry tooles, 3-00-00It. in beife, butter, and cheese and other necessary prvision for the howse. 8-10-00It. in poultry. 1-00-00somm: œ380-17-00The Land:Ten acres of home lotts wth one dwelling howse and 2 barneswth other buildings therevppon,--4 acres of home lotts,--6 acres of meadow wth an acre of swampe,20 acres of plaine fenced in being 14 ac. broke vp.7 acres of plaine meadow plowed vp.20 acres in the great meadow of hay ground.4 acres in bever meadow.27 acres of Swampe Ground,81 Acres of Vpland in the Weste field32 Rod broad beyond the River, being 3 Miles in length,Richard Trott, Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Dickinson.Court Record, Page 115--11 December, 1644. Mr. Heynes & Mr. Willis are desired to consider of the Estate of Nath: Foote, decd, and to take in what helpe they please fro any of the neighbours to advise how yt may be disposed of, and to report their apprehensions to the next Court. Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1635 to 1650. Source: Ancestry.com. Hartford, Connecticut Probate Records, 1639-1700 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Hartford District, 1635-1700. Vol. I. n.p., 1906.

Plinius Moody's The Moody Family

SAMUEL MOODIE son of Mr. John Moodie, the emigrant, b. in the year 1636, md. in 1658 SARAH DEMING 28, dau. of Mr. John Deming of Wethersfield, Conn. He remained awhile after marriage on the homestead of his father and continued to care for his now widowed mother who resided with him. He made purchase of several pieces of land the deed of which bears date April 7, 1658, also he is mentioned as proprietor of a parcell some of which was granted his father by the town and some of which his father bought - all of which, (bounded and described) was recorded Dec 12, 1680 in Vol 1 of the records in the town clerk’s office at Hartford. At this time, differences of opinion in regard to baptism and church government had made an unhappy controversy at Hartford and Wethersfield. Many in order to end the strife thereupon resolved to remove themselves and their families into the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Accordingly in the 18th of April 1659, sixty persons signed a compact that same year; with Rev. John Russell as their pastor, began the settlement of Hadley. Samuel Moodie was one of these. The birth of his second child is recorded on the Hadley records and from the fact that no record was made of the eldest is evidence that her birth happened the year of the removal, or in 1659. The original document by which he held his estate in Hadley is in my possession, having been handed down in the family, in direct line, as if Providence had designed that I should here insert its transcript. This record bearing date this twentie third day of ffebruarie in the yeare One thousand Six hundred Sixtie ffive witnesseth that the towne of hadley have given and granted unto Samuel Moodie an accommodation of land according to the rate or value of One hundred and ffiftie pound estate, viz. One house lott containing eight acres more or lesse bounded by the land of Nathaniel Ward south and John Crowe north abutting against the Common streets east and the place west allsoe in the greate medowe in the ffirst division of ploweland three acres more or lesse bounded by the land of Nathaniell Ward west and William Mascum east abutting against a high waye north and the plane south. Allsoe in the norherlie ffurlong towards the lower end of the meddowe foure acres more or lesse, bounded by the land of John Dickinsonwest and the towne east abutting against a high waye north and the adjoining ffurlonge south being in breadth five rod and ten thirteelnth of a rod, allsoe in the plane two acres one roode and ffifteene pole more or lesse bounded by the land of Richard Church east and Thomas Dickinson west abutting against a high way north and the adjoining ffurlong south in bredth five rod and five fourteelnths of a rod, allsoe one parcell of land adjoininge to the ffort meadowe northerlie, proportioned according to valuation to six acres of meddowe bounded by the ffort medowe ffense south and the woods north abutting on the rivellett east and the way running into the ffort meddowe west allsoe in the ffort meddowe ffive acres more or lesse proportioned to three roodes and twentie ffive pole for an acre, bounded by the land of Nathaniell Dickinson north and John White south abutting against the River west and the swalmpe east being in bredth eight rod and one eighteenth part of a rod, allsoe three acres more or lesse lying in the swalmpe southwest of the ffort medowe bounded by the land of Nathaniell Ward nor'east and Samuell Church southwest abutting on the river nor'west and on the high way southeast being in bredth twelve rod and seaven eights of a rod allsoe in the medowe called Hockanum six acres towe roodes and twentie nine pole more or lesse bounded by the land of widowe Hankes nor'east and John Taler southwest abutting against the river and nor'west being in bredth ten rod and one halfe of a rod allsoe in the medowe called greate pansett over the river three acres and one roode more or lesse bounded by the land of Samuell Smith nor'east and John Barnard southwest, abutting against the high waye southeast and the rivellett nor'west in bredth ffive rod & tow thirds of a rod; allsoe in the meadowe called little pansett towe acres and three roodes proportioned to three roodes & thirtie pole for an acre bounded by the land of Samuell Smith westerlie and Phillip Smith easterlie abutting on the river south and the banke north being in bredth foure rod and tow eights of a rod all and every of which parcells of land lying and being within the bounds of the towneshippe of Hadley aforesd with all the privilidges and appurtenances to all and everye of them belonging the said towne of Hadley hath freelie give (The Colony purchased of the Indians what is now embraced in the towns of Hadley, South Hadley, Granby & Amherst and Hatfield all of which were anciently called Hadley. As Samuel Moodie was one of the Colony who made the purchases the expression `given' as used in the above record denotes merely the appointment of his share by itself with specified boundaries) to the said Samuel Moodie his heires Executors and Assignees forever to have and to hould the same without any lett or molestation ffrom the said towne or any other claiming by ffrom or under them. (A transcript of the above document may be found on the Hadley records, in form nearly the same as here inserted). From the record here given it appears that the house of Samuel Moodie was on the west side of the Front Street in Hadley and the fourth from the river reckoning north. A slight elevation of ground with two dwelling houses – the residences of Messrs. Joseph Eastman and Addie Wallis - mark the spot. The old mansion long years ago was removed; but the street remains nearly the same as formerly being sixteen rods wide and one mile in length both ends abutting on the Connecticut River, which here forms a peninsula. The soil is highly productive and the scenery beautiful. Nor can we believe it to have been less so formerly. There he undoubtedly was, when on the morning of June 12, 1676, Hadley was attacked by 700 Indians. The fight must have occurred near his house for the Indians came upon the inhabitants at the south end of the street. We doubt not the musket and the sword mentioned in the inventory of his estate were then used in defense. It was there the foe was driven back by assistance of the Generals Goffe and Whalley both of whom had belonged to Cromwell's Army, but who with twenty eight other Judges having passed sentence of death upon Charles I of England were obliged after the restoration of monarchy to flee for safety to the wilds of America. To SAMUEL MOODIE, I find given the epithet `Goodman' which title undoubtedly denotes the fact of his being a member of the Church. We regret that nothing further in this respect can now be known as the early church records of Hadley unfortunately were burned with the dwelling of Rev. Mr. Hopkins. Mr. Samuel Moodie, son of Mr. John Moodie, the emigrant and progenitor of all of the name whom ancestors are traced to the Connecticut Valley in it's early history, died in Hadley, Mass. 22 Sep 1689, aged about 53 years. Sara ye beloved wife of Samuel Moodie, Senior, died Sept. ye 29, 1717. They were buried with the early settlers of Hadley, but I have not been able to identify their graves. The Probate of the Inventory of Mr. Samuel Moodie's Estate as copied from the Prob. Records, Vol. 1, page 269, of Hampshire Co., Mass. is here inserted as evidence of the authenticity of this account as thus far given. Sara ye Relict of Samll Moody of Hadley deceased who dyed intestate presented to this Corte an Inventory of her sd Husband's Estate to which she made oath before ye worshipll Petr Tilton, Esqr yt it was a true Inventory & if more estate appeared, she would readily make discovery of it to the Cortes. Power of administration on sd estate was by the Corte granted to sd widdow and to John and Samuell Moody, son of the deceased who gave in Bond of 1000 for securitie of sd estate & to give accmpt of their administering on sd estate. The inventory ffolows taken 25th October 1689 by Capt. Aaron Cooke, Lieut. Joseph Kellogg & Peter Tilton, Senr. Here followeth a settlement of Samll Moody's deceased, his estate at ye ajourmt of this Corte June 25, 1690. Whereas, Sarah the Relict of Samll Moody of Hadley deceased appeared in Corte desiring yt some settlement to be made of her sd husband's estate to hereslfe & ye children whom ye totoll sum amounts to 654 of thereabouts which this Corte settles as ffollows. Sarah, the widdow aforesd to have one 3d part out of the whole estate, lands and movables, the lands for her use & maintenance & one half of ye housing in Hadley, such as she shall chuse for her life or widdowhood & one hundred pounds of ye moveable goods at the absolute dispose forever. And John Moody, eldest son to the deceased, to have a double portion which with some small allowance to his double share come to 167-5-00 or thereabouts to be set out to him out of the housing & lands at Hartford, viz. All the housing & lands thereto, to be his own portion as aforesd answering his mother for her third, during her life. To Samll, the 2d son & Ebenezer, the youngest son, 76 apiece out of the lands & movables as yt administrator to each shall judge, with good advice, to be most convenient for ym. To the 2 daughters Mary & Hannah, 54 a piece out of the movables. Mary, portion to be to her & her children after marrieage if she hath issue & none to take away any part of it & convert or turn it aside from ye ends aforesd. Those of the children that are under age, their portions to be at ye widdow's use till they come to age & if ye legattees dye before they receive their portions, the survivors to enjoy it." (It will be observed that no mention is made of Sarah, the eldest daughter in the above settlement, but it will be seen by reference to her name in advance that she was at this time, deceased. The births of their children were copied from the Hadley records except that of Sarah - who was born about the time of their removal to Hadley - and that of Mary, which seems to have been carelessly omitted). Source: Moody, Plinius, The Moody Family, or Records of the Descendants of Mr. John Moody of Hartford, Connecticut, 1856, organized and recorded By Theodore L. Moody And Maxine Bull Moody, Nov 1991.

John Harvey Treat's The Treat Family

HONOR TREAT: SECOND GENERATION. (I) Honor2 Treat (Richard1), born 1616; baptized March 19, 1615-6, in Pitminster, Somerset, Eng., died -----; married about 1637, John Deming, who died in 1705, in Wethersfield, Conn., where he was among the earliest settlers in 1635. He was admitted a freeman in 1645; is named in the Charter of Connecticut of 1662; was deputy nineteen times from 1646-1665, and had the title of Mr. His will is dated Jan. 26, 1690, and probated in 1705. (See Goodwin's Genealogical Notes.) Children (not in order of birth), of John and Honor Deming, born in Wethersfield: 1. John3, b. Sept. 9, 1638; d. Jan. 23, 1712, in Wethersfield; m. Sept. 20, 1657, Mary Mygatt, b. in 1637, and dau. of Dea. Joseph Mygatt of Hartford, Conn. Had seven children, five sons and two daughters. 2. Jonathan, b. --- 1639 ; d. Jan. 8, 1699-1700, aged about 61, in Wethersfield ; m., 1st, Nov. 21, 1660, Sarah --- who d. June 2, 1668 ; 2d, Dec. 25, 1673, Elizabeth Gilbert, who d. Sept. 4, 1714. Had twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. 3. Samuel, b. --- 1646 ; d. April 6, 1709, aged 63, in Wethersfield; m. March 29, 1694, Sarah Kirby, dau. of John Kirby, of Middletown, Conn. 4. David, b. about 1652 ; d. May 4, 1725, aged 73, in Boston (g. s. Granary burying ground) ; m. Aug. 16, 1678, Mary --- who d. Oct. 14, 1724, aged 72 (g. s. Granary). He was a fence viewer in Cambridge in 1690, and tything man in 1700. Owned the Brattle estate, extending from Brattle Sq. to Ash St. No record of his family in Cambridge. Removed to Boston before 1707, where he resided on Newbury St. In his will dated April 23, 1725, probated May 25, 1725, he is called a "Knacker." Inventory, £846. 128. 3d., including an Indian boy valued at £60 (Suff. Prob.). He and various members of his family are buried in Boston. Is frequently mentioned in Sewall's Diary. His son Rev. David Deming, grad. H. C. 1700, and d. 1746. 5. Ebenezer, b. ---; d. May 2, 1705, in Wethersfield; m. July 16, 1677, Sarah --. Had three children, two sons and one daughter. 6. Rachel, b. ---; d. ---; m. Nov. 16, 1665, John Morgan. 7. Daughter, b. ---; d. ---; m. -- Beckley. 8. Mary, b. ---; d. ---; m. --- John Hurlbut of Middletown, Conn., b. March 8, 1642; d. Aug. 30, 1690. 9. Elizabeth, b. ---; d. ---; m. June 16, 1657, Thomas Wright. 10. Sarah, b. ---; d. Sept. 29, 1717, in Hadley, Mass. ; m. --- Samuel Moody, of Hartford who d. Sept. 22, 1689. Source: Treat, John Harvey, The Treat Family: A Genealogy of Trott, Tratt, and Treat for Fifteen Generations, and Four Hundred and Fifty Years in England and America, Salem, MA: The Salem Press Publishing & Printing Company, 1893, p. 32.

Stiles's Families of Ancient Wethersfield

Pages 55-6: Beckley Page 272: Source: Stiles, Henry R., Families of Ancient Wethersfield Connecticut, Part 1, 1904, p. 272, (reprinted by Heritage Books, Westminster, MD, 2006).

Starr's Various Ancestral Lines of James Goodwin and Lucy (Morgan) Goodwin

Pages 223-228: The records of the First Church of New Haven show that John Beckley was born March 6, 1641, and was baptized the same week. In September 1659 he was a witness in a suit brought by his father, Richard Beckley against the widow Hitchcock for slander.43 John is supposed to have moved to Wethersfield with his father in 1660, but he does not seem to have had the necessary £20 estate to enable him to be admitted a freeman as he was not "nominated to stand for acceptation" until the session of the General Court of May 1669.44 It will be remembered that Richard Beckley bought his farm of three hundred acres at Beckley Quarter from the Indians about 1668, to which he is supposed to have at once removed. If John went with him to reside on the tract it is perhaps sufficient reason for the failure to find any entry on the Wethersfield Records of his election to office. The village of Wethersfield was six or more miles distant and his nearest neighbors were Indians and wild animals. In February 1670 the "Mile in Breadth" was divided among the householders of Wethersfield. John Beckley drew lot 52, which was bounded west on Farmington town line. He sold this lot December 25, 1674, to Stephen Chester.45 The Commons were divided by lot in April 1695, John Beckley drawing number 117.46 On page 12 of the reverse end of the original first volume of Wethersfield Town Votes is entered a fragmentary assessment of the property in the town with the amount of tax to be paid by each person. In this list of twenty names the last one is that of "John Beckly", whose tax is given as £ 00-10s-6 1/2d, and is the only one whose property valuation is not stated. This entry is separated from the others on the page, is in a different handwriting, and may have been added at a later date. A study of the names would lead to the conclusion that the list was made out not later than 1677, and the amount of the tax paid by some of those in the list whose property valuation is given, would indicate that John Beckley's taxable property amounted to a trifle over £59. On folio 63 of volume 3 of the Land Records is entered the rate or tax on one-half penny on the pound laid on the inhabitants of the town January 15, 1673, for the payment of the lands purchased from the Indians. John Beckley's proportion of the total tax was £ 00-02-01. By the will of his father which was made May 15, 1689, and probated September 6, 1690, John was given all of the testator's lands that were in his possession whereon John's house stood together with enough land out of the farm to make up a total of one hundred acres; but as there was no division of Richard Beckley's real estate until November 1701, the title of John's share passed directly to his only son who was also named Richard.47 There is no record of John Beckley's marriage but from the fact that he was one of the "householders" among whom the "Mile in Breadth" was divided in February 1670, it is inferred that he had married prior to this date.48 It has been supposed that his wife's name was wholly unknown. John Deming Senior of Wethersfield, made his will June 26, 1690. Among the bequests therein was one of £5 to each of his daughters, one of whom is described as "daughter Beckly." In his will he appointed his son Samuel executor,49 who died April 6, 1709. On the original inventory of the latter's estate presented to the County Court, September 5, 1709, is this entry: "An acompt of Whatt Debts is Dew from the Estate of mr Samll Deming Deesest to these under written" "To the Legatees Hannah Beckly 3 — 00 — 00"50 This evidently refers to the legacy given by John Deming Senior to his "daughter Beckly", and proves that her name was Hannah. He also made this bequest: "I give to my Grand Child Ann Beckly fiue pounds to be payd her by my executor at her day of Mariage." Appended to the will is a codicil dated February 3, 1692-'93, in which this clause appears: "& whereas in my will aboue I gaue my Grandchild ann Beckly fiue pownds she hauing miscarryd I withdraw my guift from her."51 At the date of John Deming's will, June 26, 1690, only two of the three sons of Richard Beckley were married, namely, John and Benjamin. According to the Wethersfield Records, Benjamin was married in October 1685, and his eldest recorded child Martha was born October 15, 1692. John Beckley, the only other married son, had no daughter Ann, but he did have a daughter Hannah who was of marriageable age when John Deming made his will. On the back page of fly leaf 2 in volume I of the Hartford Land Records is entered the marriage, September 10, 1689, of Hannah, daughter of John Beckley, to Robert Webster, and on the front page of fly leaf 2 is entered the birth of their son Robert in October 1689, the day of the month not being stated. Among the records of a session of the Hartford County Court held May 26, 1692, is this entry: "Robt Webster & his wife for Incontenensy before Mariage confest by them are fined forty shillings."52 The clause in the codicil to John Deming's will revoking the legacy to his grandchild Ann Beckley, taken in connection with the entry of Robert Webster's marriage on the Hartford Records and the Court Record just referred to, would seem to prove that John Beckley had married HANNAH DEMING, daughter of John Deming, thus making his children Deming's grandchildren, the last of whom married only sixteen years after the date of John Deming's will. It is also significant that the County Court in December 1699 appointed John Deming Senior in addition to those previously named as distributors of the estate of John Beckley.53 The date of John Beckley's death is not a matter of record nor is there any gravestone to his memory now extant. The records of the Hartford County Court do not show the appoint- ment of any administrator on his estate, but April 8, 1696, there was presented to the court an inventory of his estate,54 taken March 2, 1695-'96. The house and homestead were valued at                                £80-00-00     "armes and amanistion"                                                                 3-10-00     A fifty acre lot                                                                                10-00-00 The remainder of the property consisted of household furniture, cattle, etc., the whole estate being valued at                                                      £191-02-00. In the original document are given the names of the children as follows: Hannah, Richard, Deborah, Abigail and Katherine. Two entries read: "My Daugfter Hannah Webster : has allredi Receuied To tow cowes To a hors and a young Mare To a feather Bad new To Tow paire of sheates To a Rudg prise cost 20 shillings mony. To tow puter platters To a small bell metel pot To a puter bassen." "To My daugfter Deborah Spencer Receuied       To one coew       To on tow year ould hefer.55 April 8, 1696, the court ordered that after the payment of the debts the remainder of the estate should be distributed: to the widow one-third of the personal estate absolutely and the life use of one-third of the real; to the eldest son a double share of the remainder and to each of the other children a single share.56 A distribution of the estate dated January 11, 1699, was presented to the County Court April 8, 1701, which was accepted and ordered on file.57 In it there were set to the widow an interest in the house, barn, and about nine acres of land; to the son the remainder of the farm and buildings at £45. The balance of the estate was divided as follows: To Robert Webster what he had formerly received amounting to £19-10-00, and live stock of £3 value, making a total of £22-10-00. To Samuel Spencer what he formerly received valued at £13-10-00, one-half of a fifty acre lot at £5, and live stock, a total of £22-10-00. To Matthew Cadwell one-half of a fifty acre lot at £5, what he had formerly received valued at £11-10-00, and live stock amounting to £22-10-00. The youngest daughter Katherine being under age her share of £22-10-00 was left in her mother's charge.57 The memorandum appended to the inventory of Samuel Deming's estate to which reference has been made in this sketch shows that Hannah, widow of John Beckley, was living September 5, 1709, and nothing is known of her after this date. CHILDREN OF JOHN AND HANNAH (DEMING) BECKLEY Hannah58      b.         mar. Sept. 10, 1689, Robert Webster59 of Hartford, Conn. Richard58       "              "     Nov. 23, 1699, Elizabeth Deming,60 and lived in Wethersfield, Conn. Deborah58     "              "     before Oct. 10, 1696, Samuel Spencer61 of Hartford and Middletown, Conn. Abigail58        "              "     1, Mar. 25, 1695, Matthew Cadwell62 of Hartford, Conn.                                              2, May 10, 1721, Caleb Leete62 of Guilford, Conn. Katherine58    "              "     1, Sept. 27, 1706, Daniel Dewey63 of Farmington, Conn.                                              2, Aug. 12, 1731, John Deming63 of Wethersfield, Conn. 43New Haven, Conn., Town Votes or Records, vol. 2, 1649-1662, p. 290. 44Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, p. 389, and vol. 2, p. III. 45Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, no. I, folio 51, p. 113, and Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 3, folio 174. 46Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, no. I, folios 118-119, pp. 235-238. 47See page 222 of this sketch, also Hartford, Conn., Probate Records, vol. 7, p. 20, and Probate Files, Richard Beckley estate. 48Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, no. I, folio 51, p. 113. 49Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 7, reverse end, p. 132. 50Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, Samuel Deming estate. 51Ibid., will of John Deming, Senior. 52Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 5, p. 42. 53Ibid., vol. 6, p. 114. 54Ibid., vol. S, p. 106. 55Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, John Beckley estate. 56Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 5, p. 108. 57Ibid., vol. 7, p. II, and Probate Files, John Beckley estate. 58These names appear on the inventory of John Beckley's estate as being those of his children. 59Hartford, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, fly leaf, 2. 60Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folio 20. 61Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 4, p. 260; Hartford, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, fly leaf, 2, and Records of Baptisms, First Church, Hartford, Conn. Since the publication of the "Thomas Spencer Family" there has been discovered on folio 260 of volume 4 of Wethersfield Land Records, the copy of a deed dated March 6, 1701, whereby Samuel Spencer of Hartford conveyed to Ebenezer Deming of Wethersfield twenty-four and a half acres being lot 117 in the land laid out to the inhabitants on the list of 1693. The property was bounded east on that part of the lot owned by Matthew Cadwell; "both parts of ye Lott which formerly was their father Beckleys which falleth to them by Distribution as part of their wives portion by Order from Court." Deborah Spencer signed the deed June 25, 1719. Her acknowledgement taken at that date states that she was the "wife of Samuel Spencer & Daughter of Jn° Beckley of Weathersfield." 62Hartford, Conn., Land Records, "Book of Distributions", reverse end, p. 12; Hartford, Conn., Probate Records, vol. 9, pp. 151, 152, Matthew Cadwell estate, and Historical Catalogue, First Church of Hartford, p. 242. 63Farmington, Conn., Land Records, vol. 2, p. 125, and Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folio 78. Pages 229-245: THE FAMILY OF JOHN DEMING At a session of the General Court of Connecticut, held October 10, 1639, it was enacted that "The Townes aforesayd shall each of them prvide a Ledger Booke, with an Index or alphabett vnto the same: Also shall choose one who shall be a Towne Gierke or Register, who shall before the Generall Court in Aprill next, record every man's house and land already graunted and measured out to him, with the bounds & quantity of the same, and whosoever shall neglect 3 monthes after notice given to bring into the sayd Towne Clerke or Register a note of his house and land, with the bounds and quantity of the same, by the nearest estimacon, shall forfeit 10s. and soe 10s. a month for every month he shall soe neglect"........................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... "And the sayd Register shall, every Generall Court, in Aprill and September, deliver into the same a transcript fayrely written of all such graunts, bargaines or ingagements recorded by him in the Towne Booke, and the Secretary of the Court shall record it in a booke fayrely written prvided for that purpose, and shall preserue the coppy brought in vnder the hand of the Towne Clerke."1 The Town of Wethersfield does not seem to have taken action under this law until the "12th mo 11 day 1640", or February 11, 1640-'41, when the lands of seven persons were entered on the Town Records.2 Just two weeks later, the lands of Richard Crabb were recorded. The first piece was his homestead which was bounded west on the street, east on the Great Meadow, south on the house-lot of Ed. Sherman and north on the house-lot of "Jo: Demion", or John Deming.3 On folio 131 or page 223 of the first volume of the Wethersfield Land Records is entered the homestead of John Deming, as follows: "The 2d month & 25th Daie 1641 the land of Jo : Demion lying in wethersfeild on Conecticutt riuer./" "One pace wheron his howse & barne standeth con fine acr one halfe more or lesse (for fouer acr he is to paie rates for the rest he haue made a gate into the mea neare the same & like wise to continew & mainteyne it) the ands abutt against hie streete west & great mea : East the sids against the howse lotts of Tho Standish North & Ric: Crabb South./" He later bought the adjoining property of his brother-in-law, Thomas Standish. The homestead thus enlarged to nine acres is situated in the northerly part of the village, and is now bounded west on High street and north on the highway leading to the landing. Following the record of his homestead, there were entered to him, 10 acres in the Great Meadow. 5 acres in the Great Meadow. 2 acres in Beaver Meadow. 17 acres in the Wet Swamp. 51 acres in the West Field, and 120 acres on the east side of the Connecticut River. Among the early entries of homesteads on the Wethersfield Records, there are a few instances where it is stated that the persons to whom the lands were recorded, had bought them of previous owners. In the case of most of the early residents, there is nothing to indicate that they purchased their homesteads, and the inference is that they received them by grant directly from the town. In this latter class were Richard Crabb and John Deming as shown by the record of their homesteads just cited. The Colonial Records show that Crabb was a member of the General Court of April 11, 1639,4 and at that time he is believed to have been residing on his homestead before referred to, with John Deming as his neighbor on the north, which was certainly the case when Crabb's lands were recorded in February 1640-'41. The earliest record of John Deming's service in a public capacity is as a juror of the Particular Court on March 2, 1642-'43. He also served at the sessions of June 15 and November 9, 1643; June 6 and December "first Thursday", 1644; June 5, 1645 ; June "the last", 1646; May 21 and 24, 1647; an undated session about March 1647-'48; October 17 and December 7, 1648; June 2, 1653; September 5, 1661 ; May 13, 1662; December 1, 1664, and October 9, 1666. He was one of the Grand Jury, March 7, 1649-'50; May 15, 1650, and May 17, 1660, and was on the jury of the Court of Assistants, September 4, 1673.5 It is unfortunate that there are no records extant of the proceedings of the town of Wethersfield for the first ten years of its existence, the earliest entry on the first volume of Town Votes being March 16, 1646. Among the records of a town meeting held one month later or April 22, 1647, John Deming is referred to as one of the Townsmen.6 He was re-elected to this office in January 1647 and 1648. He was also a member of the board in March 1651-'52, and again chosen in February 1654, 1663 ; April 1667 ; February 1668-'69 and February 1669-'707 He represented the town of Wethersfield in the General Court at the following sessions: December 1, 1645; October 30, 1646; January 28, 1646-'47; September 13, October 10, November 7 and December 5, 1649; February 6 and March 20, 1649-'50; May 16 and 21, and June 26, 1650; May 15, September 11, October 6 and December 3, 1651; March 2, 1651-'52; May 20, June 30, September 9 and October 6, 1652; April 14, October 21 and 29, November 23 and 30, 1653; March 1, and 6, 1653-'54; April 6, 1654; May 17, 1655; October 2, 1656; February 26, 1656-'57; April 9 and May 21, 1657; May 20, August 18 and October 7, 1658; March 9, 1658-'59; May 19, June 15 and October 6, 1659; February 23, 1659-'6o; April 11, May 17 and October 4, 1660; March 14, 1660-'61 ; May 16, June 7, August 17 and 28 and October 3, 1661 ; October 10, 1667; May 14 and October 8, 1668; May 13, 1669 and October 10, 1672.8 The title to the territory comprised within the borders of the Colonies of Connecticut and New Haven in 1660 was largely if not wholly obtained from the Indians by purchase. The Connecticut colonists realized that they needed a more secure title to their property and took measures to obtain a document which should give them absolute ownership of the lands and power to make laws for the inhabitants. John Winthrop, Governor of the Connecticut Colony, was appointed its agent in May 1661 to proceed to England to accomplish the above purpose.9 By his skillful management and with the aid of powerful friends in court, he secured from the King, Charles II., on the 23rd of April 1662, a Patent or Charter, confirming to the colonists the territory in question, and granting them exceedingly liberal powers of government.10 Of the nineteen persons named in the Patent to whom the grant was made in behalf of the colony, sixteen including the Governor and Deputy Governor, were members of the General Court of May 1661.11 John Deming was one of this number and his selection as a Patentee proves that he had become a man of consequence in the colony. Some years earlier or March 2, 1653-'54, John Deming Senior and Samuel Smith Senior were sworn into the then very important office of Constable for Wethersfield.12 From February 1643-'44 to May 1655, John Deming was either plaintiff or defendant in a number of cases in the Particular Court.13 Captain John Cullick, formerly of Hartford, then of Boston, assigned to the Connecticut Colony a debt due him from John Deming Senior, Thomas Ford Senior and others, and the General Court at a session held October 9, 1662, appointed William Pitkin attorney for the colony to bring suit against the parties. The case was tried at the Particular Court of October 15 of that year and judgment rendered against Deming for £ 28-06-09.14 In the twenty years the whites had lived in this part of the country, the problem of living in peace and safety with the Indians was one requiring constant attention and thought. Various laws had been passed prohibiting the sale of liquors and fire arms to the Indians. In September 1654 the General Court voted to employ an interpreter who should aid the ministers or others duly appointed, instructing "those poore, lost, naked sonnes of Adam".15 At a session of the court held February 26, 1656, there were appointed "Mr. Steele, Mr. Allin, Mr. Dan: Clarke, Mr. Lord, William Wadsworth, Mr. Hollistr, John Deming, Robert Webster, wth the Magistrates, to bee Committee, to giue the best safe advice they can to the Indians, if they agree to meete & being mett shall craue the same of them."16 By appointment from the County Court, John Deming had charge of settling various estates. April 11, 1660, he and William Wadsworth of Hartford were appointed administrators with the will annexed of Governor Thomas Welles.17 In March 1664-'65, he was named as one of the overseers of the estate of John Stoddard, his nephew by marriage.18 February 13, 1668, he was selected by his father-in-law Richard Treat, as one of the three overseers of the latter's will.19 He served in the same capacity on the estates of his brother-in-law Lieutenant John Hollister and Captain Samuel Welles.20 The troubles in the Hartford church between Mr. Stone the pastor and Elder William Goodwin representing the opposite party, were long and bitter, and involved a large number of the churches of the colony. On the "Lord's Day", November 29, 1657, John Russell Junior, pastor of the Wethersfield church, read a paper, which it was claimed, was defamatory to Mr. Stone and the Hartford church, and "tendeth to the disturbance of the peace of the Churches and Commonwealth."21 It is evident that Mr. Russell was in sympathy with the seceding element in Hartford which removed to Hadley, Massachusetts. At a town meeting held in Wethersfield, April 16, 1658, it "was uoated that sixe men should be chousen to tret with Mr Russel to nowe wether he doth intend to remoue from us, or taray with us, Mr. Trat, Mr Hollester, John Demon, Tho : Curtis, Tho : Standish Sam. Boreman and so to re turne ansuer to the toune."22 Of the six men chosen on this committee, four were evidently related. John Hollister and John Deming were the sons-in-law of Richard Trat or Treat, and Thomas Standish was a brother-in-law of John Deming. Matters came to a climax when John Hollister, one of the most prominent men of the plantation, was excommunicated through the influence of Mr. Russell, without being given a chance to know beforehand what the charges against him were.23 As a natural result of this arbitrary proceeding, the following petition was presented to the General Court: "To the right Wor the Govorn,and Deputy Gov, the Wor Magistrates, and Deputies, assembled at Hartford in this Honoured Court, your humble petitioners wish increase of all felicity. August 17th (58)" "Wee Inhabitants of Wethersfield, are necessitated to implore, the aid and assistance of this Honoured Court: and the rather by reason of an order made last March : ffor Mr Russel as wee conceve, is not our setled nor approved minister, ffirst hee havinge sent vs a wrightinge (in the springe) to provide for our selves lest wee bee destitute, and wee havinge proflfessed wee looke vpon our selves as free by the answer of our Committee, nor can wee closse with him, and are afrayed to venture our soules vnder his ministry: hee havinge given soe greate a scandall to the Gospell of our Lord Jesus Christ, by such a grievous oath, acknowledged by himselfe, to bee ambiguous, rash, and sinfull, and what more may bee made evident, "Therefore wee your humble petitioners, humbly crave, that wee may not bee held in bondage, but may vse our liberty, in procuringe a minister, who may bee faithful! in the administrations of the Gospell, and inofifencive in his conversation, otherwise wee your humble petitioners shall [bee] forced to vndergoe whatever inconvenience or damage may come vpon us or ours, for wee thinke him altogether vnfit for our comfort And wee your humble petitioners, humbly crave your helpe for wee professe it lyes as a heavy burden vpon our consciences, and wee know noe rule, that hee should compell vs to it. And if your humble petitioners find acceptance and releife, you will more ingage vs to all loyall subiection to you, soe humbly wee take our leaves of you, and rest yours to bee commaunded." These of the Church                                                          Thomas Curtis                                   Thomas Gilbert "John Holister                                  John Chester                                    Thomas Williams Thomas wright se:                         Sammuell Boreman                          John Sadler John Demminge se:                      Thomas Standish                              John Belden John Edwards se:                          John killburne                                    Emanuell Bucke Richard Smith se:                           Richard Treate                                  Hugh Wells                                                         John Nott                                           John Harison Alc Treate                                       Thomas Lord                                     Robert ffrancis Joane Holister                                Thomas Wright Ju :                           Beniamin Crane Mary Robins                                   John Ryly                                           Mathias Treate Margaret Wright                            Richard Smith Ju :                            William Colefax Rebeckah Smith                            James Wright                                   Phillip Goffe Dorothy Edwards                           James Wakely                                 James Treate                                                          Joseph Smith                                   Samuell Wright                                                          Michael Griswold                           Jonathan Smith                                                          George Woolcut                            John Curtis                                                          Thomas Wickam                             James Boswell                                                                                      Nathanel Graves                            Henery Crane                                                          John Woddams                              Lewes Jones                                                          John Demminge Ju :24 The result of all this was, that Reverend John Russell and about twenty other residents of Wethersfield, removed to Hadley in 1659. At a town meeting held in Wethersfield, March 24, 1658-'59, John Deming and four others were appointed "to procure a setled and an aproved minister". He was chosen on similar committees in October 1676, November 1678 and July 1692.25 In the vote passed on the last given date, he is called "Mr. John Deming Senior". He and five of his associates under the appointment of July 1692, were re-appointed for the same purpose December 25, 1693, and in the record of this vote he is described as "Deacon : John Demming",26 indicating that prior to this last date he had been chosen to the office of Deacon. Immediately following the vote of December 25, 1693, there is entered in a different hand the following: "Att a town metting October ye 15th 1694" "It was Voated & agreed that ye foresd Comitte or ye Major part of them shod have full power to proced in procuring & settling of a Minister"26 This vote may indicate that some of the committee were at that time incapacitated from serving. A few pages further on in the book are entered the regular proceedings of the meeting of October 15, 1694. One of the votes authorized the committee to secure the Reverend Stephen Mix as the town's pastor. For a number of years from 1660, Wethersfield seems to have been obliged to provide a house for its minister. John Deming was appointed on committees for securing a house for Mr. Russell's successor in July 1660, February 1660-'61 and October 1663.27 Wethersfield like the early New England towns, appointed committees to assign seats for the inhabitants in the meeting house. March 7, 1670-'71, the Townsmen and five others including John Deming Senior were chosen such a committee.28 In March 1717, the town instructed the committee to seat the inhabitants according to the following "Grounds of Advancement": "Age; Dignity of Descent : Place of publick Trust; Pious Disposition & Behaviour: Estate : Peculiar Serviceableness in Any kind.'"' Mention has been made of the homestead and other lands which were recorded to Deming April 25, 1641. Jeffrey Ferris, one of the settlers of Wethersfield, removed to Stamford in 1641, and April 26 of that year, his Wethersfield homestead of four acres and seven other pieces belonging to him, were entered on the Wethersfield Records.30 This homestead and five of the other parcels were recorded on the 4th month, (June), 20th day, 1645, to John Deming as having been bought of Jeffrey Ferris.31 Subsequently Deming sold this homestead to Thomas Standish.31 January 26, 1659, there was recorded to John Deming, as purchased of Richard Belding, a homestead of four acres with house and barn thereon, situated on the easterly side of High street, bounded north on the home-lot of Thomas Bunce and south on land of Samuel Boreman.32 This was the original homestead of John Gibbs who removed to New Haven. The day following the record of this Belding homestead to John Deming, there is an entry showing that the latter had given it to his son John Deming Junior, with four other pieces,33 three of which were bought of Jeffrey Ferris. December 18, 1685, John Deming Senior deeded to his son Ebenezer four acres in the West Field with house and barn thereon, also ten acres in the Wet Swamp.34 May 15, 1690, he gave to his son David, six acres in the Great West Field, with the house and barn thereon, also eight acres in the West Field or West Swamp and seven acres in the Wet Swamp.35 There is no known record of the marriage of John Deming. Richard Treat of Wethersfield in his will dated February 13, 1668, made bequests to "my sonn John Demon" and "my Daughter Honour Demon", and appointed "my son in law John Demon", one of the overseers of his will.36 These facts prove that John Deming married Honour, daughter of Richard Treat of Wethersfield, and writers have inferred that she was his only wife and mother of all his children. The Treat Genealogy gives the baptism of Honour Treat, daughter of Richard, at Pitminster, Somersetshire, England, on March 19, 1615-'16.37 August 25, 1682, John, eldest known child of John Deming the emigrant, made an affidavit in which he gave his age as "about 50 yeares",38 therefore making him born about 1632. Jonathan the next known child was born about 1639, as indicated in an affidavit made probably in December 1695.39 At the birth of John the eldest son. Honour Treat could only have been sixteen years old, and in order to have been his mother, she must have married at the age of fifteen, which was not common even for those days. Sarah, John Deming's eldest known daughter, was supposedly born about 1640. There is a gap of six years before the birth of Samuel the next child to Sarah and he is the oldest one of the children to have a daughter Honor.40 It is apparent that Honour Treat, wife of John Deming, was the mother of Samuel and the other younger children. Whether she was the mother of the three older ones, is a question yet to be determined. It has been shown in this sketch that Deacon John Deming was one of the committee appointed by the town of Wethersfield, December 25, 1693, to secure a minister. He is supposed to have been living when the committee was further instructed October 15, 1694. On the Wethersfield Town Records is an entry showing the division by lot among the inhabitants on April 25, 1695, of a tract of land in the westerly part of the town. This territory was divided into one hundred and sixty-five lots and was drawn by as many persons. The names of these persons are entered in full on the records and are believed to be those of all the heads of families living at that time. Seven males by the name of Deming participated in the drawing, the first mentioned being "Sergt Jno Demming",41 referring to John, the eldest son of the emigrant. As John Deming the emigrant is not mentioned in this allotment, he must have died prior to April 25, 1695. Further, Jonathan Deming, son of the first John, made his will March 27, 1696, the witnesses to which were John Wells and "John Deming ser".42 This autograph of John Deming Senior is written in a firm hand and is wholly unlike that of John Deming the emigrant, as signed to the latter's will June 26, 1690, and his codicil February 3, 1692. It is therefore evident that the witness to the will of Jonathan Deming was his brother Serjeant John Deming, son of the settler. John Deming Senior, the settler and head of the Wethersfield family, died between December 25, 1693, and April 25, 1695, and probably between October 15, 1694, and April 25, 1695. As he made no mention of his wife Honour in his will which is here given in full from the original on file, it is conclusive that she predeceased him. "I John Deming Sen'' of weathersfeild being of Good Understanding & sound Memory doe see it my duty to set my house in order, & to setle my estate so that peace may be continued in my famaly when I shall be gathered to my fathers. & I doe therefore make & declare this to be my last will & Testament hereby renowncing & makeing voyd all former wills & Testaments, by me made, & establishing this onely to be my last will & Testament. "first I commend my spirit to God expecting Saluation onely by Jesus Christ & my body to a comely christian Buriall expecting a glorious resurection & reunion of soule & body In the last day. "l       for my worldly Goods I haueing allready done well for my son John. I now giue him my Great Bible Geneua print & my feather bed & boulster & my Great ketle. to be to him & his heires. for euer. "2      I giue to my son Jonathan my fifty acre lott, at the west side of the Bownds, to be to him & his heires for euer "3      I giue to my son Samuel my house & Home lott. wth all the buildings upon it. containing Nine acres be it more or less & is Bownded as In the records as allso my meadow adjoyning. containing about seuenteen acres be it more or less & a butts on mr willys Sowth Tho Standige his land east the High way North & my home lott west, & Twelue acres in the west swamp at the reare of my son dauids lott, allso I giue unto him my flock of sheep & my neat cattell & all my horses & horss kind. & all my Swine, & all my moueables with in dores, & all my Moueables with out dores (not other wise dissposed by this my last will) & all my husbandry tooles & Implements all to be to him & his heires for euer he payeing my Just debts & funerall charges & such legacies as I doe hereby appoynt him to pay. "4       I giue to my son dauid all my Materialls & tooles in my Shop & my booke debts he payeing those debts I owe about my Trade. "I giue to my Sonn Ebenezer my best coat & my best Hatt. "I giue to my daughter Morgan my daughter Beckly my daughter Hurlbut my daughter wright fine pownds a peice to be payd by my executor with in fiue yeares after my deceasse. "I giue to my Couzen vnis : Standidg & to my Couzin Sarah wyer wife of John Wyer43 Twenty pownds a peice to be payd by my executor within Two yeares after my decease "I giue to my daughter Moody as a token of my loue to her Ten shillings, I haueing all ready giuen her a Good portion. "I giue to my Grand Child Ann Beckly fiue pownds to be payd her by my executo' at her day of Mariage. "I doe hereby constitute & appoynt my Son Samuell to be my whole & Sole executo"^ of this my last will & Testament & desire my Honord freind Capt Samll Tallcott & my Son Ebenezer Deming to be overseers whoe I desire to Assist my executor wth their best aduice in all his occassion & to see this my will be duely attended. "finally I doe desire and command all my children to know fear & serue the God of their father with all their hearts might & strength, & to live in loue & unity one with another that God euen my God may be with them & blesse them "for confirmation here of I haue set to my hand & seall June 26. 1690. "signed sealed & declared                             In presence of vs. John: Allyn  George Graue" "February 3d 1692. whereas I gaue to my son John my great Bible my feather bed & Boulster & my great ketle I doe now with draw that Guift & I giue unto my sayd son John all my materiall & tooles in my shop & my book debts he paying those debts I ow about my Trade & whereas in my will aboue I gaue my Grand child Ann Beckly fiue pownds she hauing miscarryd I with draw my guift from her & that fiue pownds. I giue to my sonn Dauid. "for the confirmation hereof & of all the aboue writen I doe here unto set my hand the day & yeare aboue written "signed sealed & declared in presence of vs                                                 John Deming" seal John Allyn. Zacharihah Sandford" For some reason, not now altogether apparent, the will was not presented to the County Court until November 21, 1705, or more than ten years after the death of the testator. It will be noticed that the son Ebenezer, who died May 2, 1705, was, in this will, given only some articles of clothing. Is it possible, that he knowing of the will and being dissatisfied with the bequest to himself, concealed the document and therefore its existence was unknown to the other heirs until after his death? On the same day that the will was presented to the court, the son Samuel qualified as executor, but he did not file any inventory of the property nor did the court take further action regarding the settlement of the estate. Samuel Deming, the executor of the will, died April 6, 170944 and administration on his estate was granted September 5 following, when an inventory of the estate was presented to the court.45 On the original inventory appears this entry: "An acompt of Whatt Debts is Dew from the Estate of mr Samli Deming Deesest to these under written" "To the Legatees Hannah Beckly - - - - 3 — 00 — 00 To brother morgin -------- — 10 — 00 To sister Hurlbutt -------- 2— 6—00 To sister Wright --------- 5—00—00".46 This significant memorandum throws light on the identity of John Deming's daughters "daughter Beckly" was evidently named Hannah, and "daugter Morgan" was apparently dead at this time, as part of the legacy to her from her father was now due to "brother morgin" her husband. "sister Hurlbutt" and "sister Wright", other daughters of John Deming, were living at this date. Children of John Demina John47             b. about 1632 ;53         mar. Sept. 12, 1657,                                                                         Sept. 20, 1657, Mary Mygatt,57 and lived in Wethersfield, Conn. Jonathan47     "   about 1639;54           "       1, Nov. 21, 1660, Sarah Graves.58                                                                         2, Dec. 25, 1673, Elizabeth Gilbert,59 and lived in Wethersfield, Conn. Sarah48            "                                      "       about 1659, Samuel Moody48 of Hadley, Mass. Samuel47         "   1646;55                       "       Mar. 29, 1694, Sarah Buck,60 and lived in Wethersfield, Conn. Rachel49         b.                                    mar. supposedly Nov. 16, 1665, John Morgan49 of New London, Conn. Hannah50        "                                      "        before Feb., 1670-71, John Beckley50 of Wethersfield, Conn. David47            " about 165256              "       Aug. 14, 1678, Mary             ,61 and lived in Wethersfield, Conn., Cambridge and Boston, Mass. Ebenezer47      "                                      "        July 16, 1677, Sarah            ,62 and lived in Wethersfield, Conn. Mary51              "                                     "        Dec. 15, 1670, John Hurlbut51 of Middletown, Conn. Mercy52            "                                     "        1, Feb. 8, 1674, Joseph Curtis52 of Wethersfield, Conn.                                                                           2, Mar. 10, 1685, Joseph Wright52 of Wethersfield, Conn. John Stoddard also had a son, Joshua, who married Bethia ------, and died prior to September 12, 1725, when his will was presented to the Probate Court. As the will was disallowed by the court the estate was ordered distributed to the heirs of his two brothers and two sisters, John Stoddard, Nathaniel Stoddard, Elizabeth Wright and Mary Wright. Hartford, Conn., Probate Records, vol. 10, pp. 100, 121, 133, reverse end, pp. 228-229, and Probate Files, Joshua Stoddard estate. As no children of Mercy Stoddard were recognized in the decree of the court, she could not have been the Mercy who married Joseph Wright for his second wife, because at this time there were two children of this marriage living, Benjamin and Nathaniel Wright. Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, pp. 2, 63. John Deming, in his will made June 26, 1690, gave a legacy to "my daughter wright". Among the debts due September 5, 1709, from the estate of Samuel Deming, who was executor of the will of his father, John Deming, was one of £5 to "sister Wright", indicating that she was living at this last date. As Joseph Wright married his wife Mercy more than four years prior to the date of John Deming's will, and as she was living in February, 1711-'12, when Wright made his will, at least two years and five months after the date of the inventory of Samuel Deming's estate, she might easily have been the daughter of John Deming, and Joseph Wright was the only member of the Wright family who could have married a daughter of John Deming. Therefore, Joseph Wright's wife Mercy must have been the daughter of John Deming and widow of Joseph Curtis. 1Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 35, 37-38. 2Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, pp. 256-264. 3Ibid., vol. I, p. 266. 4Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. i, p. 27. 5Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 81, 88, 95, 106, 114, 126, 141, 148, 149, 162, 167, 170, and Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 2, pp. 42, 160, 169; vol. 3, pp. 24, 55; vol. 2, pp. I, 6; Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. i, pp. 347, 349, and Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 3, p. 132. 6Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 25. 7Ibid., vol. I, pp. 28, 32, 39, 44, 80, 101, 105, 106. 8Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 133, I4S, 146, I95, I99, 200, 201, 204, 205, 207, 208, 209-10, 218, 224, 225, 229, 229-30, 230-31, 234, 234-5, 235, 238, 247-8, 248, 249, 250, 250, 251, 252, 273-4, 282, 288, 293, 297, 314-IS, 317-18, 323, 330, 334, 337, 340, 343-4. 346, 347, 353-4, 358-9, 364-5, 369, 370-1, 371, 372: vol. 2, pp. 69, 82, 93-4 104-S, 183. 9Ibid., vol. I, pp. 364, 368. 10Ibid., vol. 2, pp. 3-1 1. 11Ibid., vol. I, pp. 364-365. 12Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 2, p. 48. 13Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 102, 109, 133, 164, and Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 2, p. 66. 14Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 384, 388, and Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 2, p. 180. 15Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, p. 265. 16Ibid., vol. I, p. 288. 17Ibid., vol. I, p. 346. 18Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 3, p. 27. 19Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 3, reverse end, p. 72. 20Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 4, p. 122, and Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 3, p. 157. 21Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 2, p. 108. 22Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. i, p. 53. 23Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. i, pp. 330-331. 24"Eccleciastical", vol. I, document I, Conn. State Library. 25Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, pp. 58, 148, I55, 221. 26Ibid., vol. I, p. 224. 27Ibid., vol. I, pp. 66, 69, 77. 28Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, pp. 115, 116. 29Ibid., vol. I, p. 329. 30Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, p. 189. 31Ibid., vol. I, p. 95. 32Ibid., vol. I, p. 224. 33Ibid., vol. I, p. 137. 34Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 3, folio 229. 35Ibid., vol. 3. folio 238. 36Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, will of Richard Treat. 37Treat Family, by John Harvey Treat, 1893, pp. 9, 31. 38"Private Controversies", vol. 2, document 163, Conn. State Library. 39"Towns and Lands", vol. 2, document 37, Conn. State Library. 40Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folio 60. 41Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 235. 42Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, Jonathan Deming estate. 43Eunice Standish and Sarah Standish wife of John Wyer "couzens" i.e. nieces of John Deming, were the daughters of Thomas Standish of Wethersfield, an adjoining land owner and neighbor of Mr. Deming. 44Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. i, folio 60. 45Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 7, pp. 132, 133. 46Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, Samuel Deming estate. 47Ibid., John Deming will. 48A study of the records shows that John Moody was the head of the only Moody family in early Connecticut. He had one son, Samuel, who removed to Hadley, Mass., with the other settlers of that town, and could have been the only one of the name who married John Deming's daughter. The Hadley and Northampton Records prove that Samuel's wife was named Sarah. It is unlikely that they were married later than 1659, because their second child, John, was born July 24, 1661. See Hadley, Mass., "Births, Burials and Marriages, by Families", folio 7, and Hampshire County, Mass., Probate Records, vol. I, folio 270. 49Among the entries of Births, Marriages and Deaths, on page 204 in volume 4 of New London, Conn., Land Records, is the marriage on November 16, 1665, of John Morgan and Rachel Dyman. Of their children were John, Samuel, Mercy and Sarah, all names borne by John Deming's children. See New London, Conn., Land Records, vol. 4, pp. 203, 202, 196, 193. Is it not probable that Rachel, wife of John Morgan of New London, was the daughter of John Deming of Wethersfield? 50Hannah Beckley was one of the children of John Deming whose legacy had not been fully paid at the death of the executor, Samuel Deming, the inventory of whose estate was taken September 5, 1709. The Beckley sketch shows that the granddaughter mentioned in John Deming's will, Ann or Hannah Beckley, later wife of Robert Webster of Hartford, was the daughter of John Beckley of Wethersfield. Therefore, John Beckley's wife, daughter of John Deming, was named Hannah. The marriage of John Beckley and Hannah Deming must have taken place before February 1670-'71, as at that time John Beckley was one of the house-holders in Wethersfield, among whom the Mile-in-Breadth was divided. Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 113. 51Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, John Deming will, and p. 43 of Births, Marriages and Deaths in vol. i, of Middletown, Conn., Land Records. 52Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, John Deming will ; Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 3, pp. 126, 133 ; Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages, and Deaths, vol. i, p. 28, family record of Joseph and Mercy Curtis; in this record the date of death of Joseph Curtis is given as December 31, 1683, the same date being entered on the inventory of his estate, which was sworn to by his widow Mercy. Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 4, pp. 85, 86, reverse end, pp. 173-174, and Probate Files, Joseph Curtis estate; Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. i, p. 63, marriage of Joseph Wright and Mercy -----. Nathaniel Goodwin in his Genealogy of the Foote Family, p. 270, states that John Stoddard had two daughters, Mary and Mercy, who became the first and second wives respectively of Joseph Wright of Wethersfield. 53Document 163 in volume 2 of "Private Controversies", in the Conn. State Library, is an affidavit dated August 25, 1682, wherein John Deming gives his age as "about 50 yeares". Nathaniel Goodwin in his Genealogical Notes, page 233, gives the birth of this John as September 9, 1638. There is no such date of birth on record. It should read September 9, 1658, being the date of birth of John Deming, son of this John and grandson of John the settler. See Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, p. 36. 54In an affidavit made October 13, 1696, Jonathan Deming gave his age as "about 56 years". In another affidavit, made presumably the previous December, he gave the same age. "Towns and Lands", vol. 2, documents 54 and 37, Conn. State Library. The Wethersfield Town Records give his death as January 8, 1699-1700, aged about 61. Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folio 26. He was possibly born as early as June, 1637, as he was made a freeman in May, 1658. Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 314, 315. The seventh of the Fundamental Orders adopted January 14, 1638-'39, prescribed that in the election of Deputies, they should "be chosen by all that are admitted Inhabitants in the seurall Townes and haue taken the oath of fidellity". Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, p. 23. In February, 1656-7, the General Court passed an act defining admitted inhabitants to mean "only housholders that are one & twenty yeares of age, or haue bore office, or haue 30 1. estate." Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 288, 293. This interpretation would seem to indicate that persons had been admitted inhabitants under twenty-one years of age. It is therefore uncertain whether or not Jonathan Deming was twenty- one years old when he was admitted a freeman. 55Samuel Deming died April 6, 1709, "aged nearly 63". Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folio 60. 56His gravestone in the Granary burying ground, Boston, Mass., gives the date of his death as May 4, 1725, aged 73. Pilgrims of Boston, by Thomas Bridgman, 1856, p. 62. 57Births, Marriages and Deaths, County Court Record, 1655-1689", folio 20, Northampton Marriages, Town Clerk's Office, Hadley, Mass., and Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, p. 36. 58Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 2, reverse end, p. 6, and Conn. Particular Court Records, vol. 3, reverse end, p. III, will of George Graves. 59Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folio 26, and Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 3, folio 154. 60Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folios 60, 36, and Middletown, Conn., Land Records, vol. 5, pp. 464-465. 62Wethersfield, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, folio 21. 63Ibid., vol. I, folio 29. Pages 247-261: THE FAMILY OF RICHARD TREAT In the Treat Genealogy compiled by John Harvey Treat of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and printed in 1893, are extracts from the Parish Register of the church of St. Andrew and St. Mary, Pitminster, Somersetshire, England. From these extracts, it appears that RICHARD TREAT, son of Robert, was baptized at Pitminster, August 28, 1584, and that he married April 27, 1615, ALICE GAYLORD, daughter of Hugh Gaylord. The Register also gives the baptisms at that place of their ten children, from March 19, 1615-'16 to June 29, 1637, inclusive.1 The next known of Richard Treat is at Wethersfield, Connecticut, where on "The 7th month (September) & 6th Daie 1641", there is recorded to him as having bought of John Whitmore, "One peece wheron his howse & barne standeth con : twelue acor on halfe more or lesse the ands abutt against the comon or landing place & pte against the house lott of Wm Butler late Ro : Bates his house lott west & the mea : of ffran : Norton east the sids against the lands of Wm Butler Tho : Curtice North & the lands of Tho : Whitwaie ffran : Norton Mr Denton John Jessop & Tho : Colman South./ " At the same time he also bought of John Whitmore eight other pieces of land in the Beaver Meadow, Wet Swamp, Dry Swamp, West Field, Pennywise and on the east side of the Connecticut River, all in Wethersfield.2 The above home-lot was recorded to Whitmore on the 5th of April 1641,3 five months earlier than when recorded to Richard Treat. John Whitmore was one of the party that removed from Wethersfield in 1641 and founded the town of Stamford. The conclusion is that Richard Treat bought the Whitmore property between April 5, 1641, and September 6 of the same year. It is improbable that Richard Treat, a man of means, and with his large family of wife and nine children, should have been living in Wethersfield for any length of time before owning a home. The statement has been made he must have emigrated to America as early as 1639, because his son Robert, who was then only fourteen years old, was living in Milford that year and was one of the committee that divided the lands of that town among its inhabitants. It is an unheard of thing that a minor should have been appointed to any official position, and particularly to one of such importance as that just mentioned. It is not generally known that the oldest volume of records of the town of Milford is not in existence; the present first volume was made by a committee chosen January 7, 1677, "to Transcribe out of y'' Old books what is Necessary and of use to be Taken out of them and written in y« New book as Grants of Land &c"4 The first entry in this digest reads, "Nouember 20th 1639" "Those persons whose names are here vnder written are allowed To be free planters hauing for the present liberty to act In the Choyce of publique officers for the Carrying on publique Aflfaires in this plantation." Under this entry are the names of these forty-four men : "Zachariah Whitman              Henry Stonhill                        Thomas Lawrance    Thomas Welsh                         Nathaniel Baldwin               Thomas Samford       Thomas Wheeler                     James Prudden                   Timothy Baldwin     Edmond Tappe                       Thomas Baker                      Georg Clarke Junr      Thomas Buckingham              George Clarke Senr            John Burwell    Richard Miles                           George Hubburt                  Henry Botsford      Richard Platt                            Jasper Gunn                        Joseph Baldwin       Thomas Topping                      John ffletcher                      Philip Hatly          M'' Peter Prudden                    Alex: Bryan                           Nicholas Camp      William fifowler                         ffrances Bolt                        John Rogers John Astwood                         Micah Tomkins                     Thomas Vffett Richard Baldwin                      John Birdsey                         Nathaniel Briscoe Benjamin ffenn                        Edmond Haruy                     Thomas Tibballs Samuell Coley                         John Lane                             John Sherman John Peacocke                      William East"5 Immediately following this list of names appears this vote: "The power is Setled in the Church to Chuse persons out of them [selues] To Diuide the lands into Lotts, as they shall haue light from the [word] of God, and to take order for the timber."5 Directly after this entry are these nine names : "Robert Plum                            John Baldwin                         William Brookess Roger Terrel                             William Slough                        Robert Treat Joseph Northrupp                   Andrew Benton                     Henry Lyon"5 The New Haven Colony Records make it clear that up to October 23, 1643, except in the case of six persons, the town of Milford had required church membership as a prerequisite to admission as freeman.6 An examination of the original records, still extant, of the First Church of Milford shows that on November 20, 1639, the date given at the beginning of the Town Records, there were but eight men who were members of the church. The names of these eight are not entered in the list of free planters in the order of their admission to the church, as the Church Records prove, nor are those of the thirty-six following. Thomas Wheeler, the third person named in this list was not admitted to the church until August 9, 1640, and three of the seven organizing members of the church August 22, 1639, are named after one who was not admitted until July 2, 1640. It is strongly suspected that on the original record considerable space was left after the first entry in the book and before the second entry regarding the qualification of church membership for appointment on town committees. As the names now appearing in this space were entered either from time to time or as a whole several years later, the allotted space became filled and the nine names following the second vote are believed to be a continuation of this list of free planters. They could not be the names of church members appointed for committee work at that date, November 20, 1639, as Robert Plum, the first one named, did not become a church member until August 4, 1644, and Joseph Northrupp, the earliest of these nine to become a church member, was not admitted until March 27, 1642. March 9, 1639-'40 is the date of the entry on the Town Records immediately following this list of nine names and thereafter the entries run in chronological order. These facts strengthen the suspicion that these two lists of forty-four and nine names respectively, fifty-three in all, should be taken together as the list of the free planters of the town up to April 19, 1649, when Robert Treat, next to the last one named in the list, was admitted to membership in the Milford Church, and has no other significance. Robert Treat was evidently living in Wethersfield September 26, 1647, for at a town meeting held there on that date "Nath Dickinson" and "Robert Tratt"' were appointed a committee to make a rate for the raising of £25 to defray the debts owing by that town.8 Possibly Robert Treat was living in Milford in 1648 when his son Samuel was baptized there on the 3rd of August or September of that year, as the imperfect date on the Milford Church Records indicates, the father Robert, according to the entry, still being a "memb"" of ye church of Wethersfield."9 There are no lands in Milford recorded to Robert Treat until February 23, 1649-'5010 although he and his wife Jane were admitted to membership in the Milford Church April 19, 1649, ten months earlier. Because of all these facts, it is believed that Richard Treat, head of the Connecticut Treat family and father of Robert, did not emigrate to America and certainly did not appear in Wethersfield, much if any before 1641. Richard Treat added to his Wethersfield holdings of September 1641, by purchasing November 28 of the same year, from Thurston Rayner the latter's homestead of four acres and six other pieces, aggregating four hundred and thirty-nine acres.11 October 27, 1643, he bought the homestead and other lands of Matthew Mitchell, comprising two hundred and thirty acres.12 These various parcels amounted in all to more than six hundred and sixty acres, and their purchase discloses real estate transactions of magnitude, very rare for that time and unusual even at a later date. One year after his first purchase of lands in Wethersfield, he entered upon his notable public life. Among the records of a session of the General Court of Connecticut, held September 29, 1642, appears this entry: "That the Country may be better enabled to kill yearely some Beves for supply of Leather, "It is Ordered, that no Calues shall be killed wthin these Plantations, wthout the approbation of two men wthin ech Towne, by the Court to be appoynted for that searuice, vppon forfeture of ten shillings to the Country"....................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... "for Wethersfield, Leo : Chester, Rich : Trotte."13 At another meeting of the Court held December i, 1642, "The Gour, Mr. Heynes, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Whiting, Capten Mason, Mr. Chester, Mr. Hill and Mr. Trott are desiered to take the accoumpt of what the seuerall Townes will disburse toward the building of a Shippe, (and if they find yt phesable,) they haue power to agree wth workemen to carry on the worke and to take ingadgements of the Country to prforme what they vndertake, and to doe all things requisit for the full accomplisheing of the worke."14 It is noteworthy that within so short a time after Richard Treat's appearance in Connecticut, he should have been selected to serve on a committee among the leading men of the colony, such as the Governor and four of the Magistrates. Mr. Treat's ability was already being recognized at this early date. He served on the jury of the Particular Court in June and September 1643, October 1645, December 1647 and December 1648.15 On page 27 of volume i of Wethersfield Town Votes is entered an agreement regarding the payment, between April 22 and the last of September 1647, to Nathaniel Dickinson, of a debt owing him by the town. The document is signed by "Richard Tratt" and "Robert Parke", who it is suspected were acting at that time in the capacity of Townsmen. The records of the town meetings held February 17, 1653-'54 and February 24, 1654-'55, show that Richard Treat was elected a Townsman on those dates.16 In the agreement with George Fenwick for the purchase of the Saybrook Colony, he was to receive a duty on corn and other produce which should pass out of the Connecticut River. He was also to be paid a tax on cattje and horses owned in each of the river towns, and on swine killed therein.17 In accordance with this agreement, the General Court in December 1645, appointed one man in each of the three towns to collect the tax due under the agreement. "Mr. Trotte" was appointed for Wethersfield.18 Like other early New England towns, the seating or dignifying of the meeting house was done by a committee appointed in town meeting. December 28, 1649, "Mr Trat Sam: Smith senior & Nath Dickinson" were chosen such a committee.19 The history of Wethersfield in regard to its early ministers is not pleasant reading. Bitter quarrels arose between Reverend Henry Smith and some of the inhabitants, and his successor Reverend John Russell had a similar experience. At a town meeting held April 16, 1658, it "was uoated that sixe men should be chousen to tret with Mr Russel to nowe wether he doth intend to remoue from us or taray with us, Mr. Trat, Mr Hollester, John Demon, Tho : Curtis, Tho : Standish Sam. Boreman and so to re turne ansuer to the toune."20 In the Deming sketch is given a petition to the General Court, dated August 17, 1658, in which Mr. Russell is accused, among other things, of taking a "sinfull" oath. The petition was signed by five male and six female members of the church, among the latter of whom was "Alc Treate", and by thirty-nine other residents of the town, among whom was "Richard Treate", husband of Alice. Lieutenant John Hollister, son-in-law of Richard Treat, had been summarily excommunicated from the Wethersfield Church, probably because of his opposition to Mr. Russell. The matter was brought before the General Court, March 9, 1658-'59, and the church was ordered to disclose on what grounds Mr. Hollister was expelled. The record of that date further shows that, "whereas Mr. Treat, Mr. Hollister, Jo : Demant, are desirous and willing to attend some regular way for the composing their differences, and to yt end desire some Chs: or prsons may be thought on, to heare and determine the same; It is desired by the Court, that Wethersfeild Ch:, wth ye officer, would considr the matter and seasonably, wthout delay, conclude if it can be, vpon some way that may effect the issueing their sad differences."21 The removal of Mr. Russell from Wethersfield left a vacancy in the pastorate, and March 24, 1658-'59, "Mr Tratt" and four others were appointed a committee to procure "a setled and an aproved minister".22 He was chosen on similar committees in September 1663, July 1664 and September 1667.23 In February 1660-'61 he was on a committee to secure a house for the minister.24 Within four years after his arrival in Wethersfield, Richard Treat was elected a Deputy to the General Court, appearing first at the session of April 1644. He also served at the sessions of September 12, November 15 and December 11, 1644; April 10, July 9, September 11, October 8 and December 1, 1645; April 9 and October 30, 1646; January 28, 1646-'47, May 20, June 2 and September 9, 1647; February 23 and March 9, 1647-'48; May 18, September 14 and December 6, 1648; January 25 and March 14, 1648-'49; May 17, June 6, September 13, October 10, November 7 and December 5, 1649; March 20, 1649-'50; May 16, October 9 and 31, 1650; February 5 and March 19, 1650-'51 ; May 15, September 11 and October 6, 1651 ; May 20, June 30, September 9 and October 6, 1652; February 23, 1652-'53; April 14, May 18, July 28, August 11, September 8, October 21 and 29 and November 23 and 30, 1653; March 1 and 6, 1653-'54; April 6, May 18, July 11, September 14 and October 3, 1654; March 7, 1654-'55 ; May 17 and October 4, 1655 ; March 26 and May 15, 1656; February 26, 1656-'57; April 9, May 21, August 12 and October i, 1657 and March 11 and 24, 1657-'58, making in all seventy sessions.25 At the session of October 25, 1644, action was taken regarding "the mayntenaunce of scollers at Cambridge", and two men were "appoynted in euery Towne wthin this Jurisdiction, who shall demaund what euery family will giue, and the same to be gathered and brought into some roome, in March; and this to continue yearely as yt shalbe considered by the comissiors. "The prsons to demand what will be giuen are" .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... "For Wethersfield, Mr. Trott, Mr. Wells."26 At a session of the General Court held March 11, 1657-'58, nominations for the office of Magistrate or Assistant were made to be voted for at the annual election of that year; one of those nominated was "Mr. Treat Senior of Wethersfeild".27 The nomination of Richard Treat to that office was confirmed by the people and his election declared at the "Court of Election", which opened May 20, 1658.28 He was continued in this office until May 1665,29 serving his last term as Assistant at the advanced age of eighty years. In October 1660, a committee consisting of a Magistrate and Deputy from each of the three towns, Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield, with John Hart of Farmington, was appointed to view and dispose of the lands for a plantation at "30 Miles Island", now Haddam. "Mr. Treat Senr" was the Magistrate appointed from Wethersfield.30 Among the acts of a General Assembly held at Hartford, March 11, 1662-'63, we find one as follows: "This Court doth order that in ye vacancy of the sitting of the Generall Court, there shalbe a Councill, consisting of the Assistants here on the Riuer, or such as can convene, to ye number of fiue at least, to act in emergt occasions that concerne ye welfare of this Colony. And hereby doe authorize the said Councill to act in all necessary concernments, both miletary and civill, according as the prsent exegents require and call for."31 From the papers of Governor Jonathan Trumbull preserved in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society and some of which are printed in the Society's Collections, we learn that at a meeting of the Council held at Hartford, April 2, 1664, at which were present Governor John Winthrop and four of the Assistants, three men were appointed as Commissioners with magisterial powers, for the town of Wickford and "the places adjoining within the Colony of Connecticott". Richard Treat was one of the Assistants present at this meeting.32 Among the steps taken to procure a charter for the Connecticut Colony was the action of the General Court held March 14, 1661-'61, when it was declared that "it is our duty and very necessary to make a speedy address to his Sacred Maiesty, our Soveraigne Lord Charles the Second, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, to acknowledge our loyalty and allegiance to his highnes, hereby declareing and professing ourselues, all the Inhabitants of this Colony, to be his Highnes loyall and faythfull subjects. And doe further conclude it necessary that we should humbly petition his Maiesty for grace and fauour, and for ye continuance and confirmation of such privilidges and liberties as are necessary for the comfortable and peaceable settlement of this Colony."33 At the same time an appropriation of I 500 was made to meet the expenses of the transaction, and on the 7th of June following, the Treasurer was authorized to sign a letter of credit for that amount, in behalf of the Governor who was deputed as the colony's agent to proceed to England to obtain a charter from the King.34 Document 330 in the Collections of the Robert C. Winthrop Papers in the Connecticut State Library reads thus: "Wee whose names are vnder written being Magestrates of this Colony of Conecticut doe hereby declare and Testify to all whom it may concerne that Capt John Talcot is ye Treasurer for the said Colony of Conecticutt and that he had spetiall order from ye Generall Court of the said Colony to signe and deliuer a Letter of Credit to ye Right Worshipll: John Winthrop Esqr and Gouernor of the Aforesaid Colony to ye value of ffiue hundred pounds sterling to be paid in provisions or such vsuall pay of this Countrey for which he shal charg Bills to Ye Treasurer of this said Colony of Conecticut and that the said Treasurer hath order vpon ye Receipt of any Bills from ye Right Woppll: John Winthrop Esqr for ye said sum or any part thereof to make due and ful payment thereof according to ye Tenour of ye said Bills.                                                                                                                                                                                  Samll Willys                                                                                                                                                                                  Mathew Allyn                                                                                                                                                                                  William Phelps.                                                                                                                       With the instructions given to Governor Winthrop for his guidance in securing the Charter was a Hst of the names of those persons to whom it was desired that the Charter should be issued in behalf of the colony. Among these men was Richard Treat and his name appears eighth in that memorable document.35 It has been shown that Richard Treat, by purchase of John Whitmore, Thurston Rayner and Matthew Mitchell, became the owner of a large landed estate in Wethersfield, part of which lay on the east side of the Connecticut River. In April 1653, the town granted him as an addition to his farm on the east side of the river a tract of land, the full width of his farm and extending eastward three miles.36 September 17, 1659, he bought of the Reverend John Russell on the latter's removal to Hadley, his homestead in Wethersfield." On page 120 of the first volume of Wethersfield Land Records is an undated entry showing the transfer from Richard Treat to his son Richard, of lands at "Noyake", now a part of the town of Glastonbury. The tract fronted on the river three hundred and ten rods or nearly one mile. Prior to February 28, 1656, part of the homesteads of Thurston Rayner and Samuel Hubbard had been transferred to Richard Treat Junior, who sold them to Thomas Colman.38 On folio 112 of volume 2 of the Wethersfield Land Records is entered a deed dated September 28, 1664, whereby Richard Treat Senior, "in consideration of the fatherly loue and natarall affection which I haue and bare unto my beloued Sonn James Treat of weathersfield", conveyed to the said James seven pieces of land in Wethersfield. The first was a home-lot of three acres with a dwelling house and barn thereon, and was bounded southeast on Broad street, southwest on the home-lot of John Riley, northwest on Rose Lane and northeast on land of Richard Treat. The second piece was another home-lot of three and one-fourth acres and was bounded northwest on Broad street and northeast on the way leading into the plain. The other pieces, aggregating two hundred and fourteen and one-half acres, were located at "Fill Barne" and "Send Home" in the Great Meadow, the Long Row in Dry Swamp, the West Field and Mile Meadow. The title to these lands was not to take effect until after the deaths of the grantor and his wife. The deed was witnessed by Hugh Welles and "Alce" Treat. March 3, 1668-'69, he also gave his son James the title to five acres of land at the upper end of Mile Meadow.39 The will of Richard Treat made February 13, 1668-'69, which is herewith given in full, shows that at that date his wife "Alis" was living. How much longer she lived after the date of this document is now unknown. He was living as late as October 1669, when he was enrolled among the freemen of Wethersfield.40 He must have died within the next three months, for in January 1669-'70 an inventory of his estate was taken. This with the will was presented to the County Court, March 3, 1669-'70.41 "The last will and Testament of Mr Richard Treatt senior of Wethersfeild in the Collonie of Conecticotte in mannor and forme as followeth" "Imprimis I being weak and infirme of body, but of sound vnderstanding and of competent memory, doe resigne my soull to the lord hopeing to be Justified & saued by the merrit of christ and my body to be buried. "Item I giue and bequeath to my loueing wife Alis Treatt after my decease all the lands of what kinde soeuer, I stand possessed of within ye bounds of Wethersfeild vid : fine acres of land lyeing in the dry swompe wch I haue jmproued and prpared for use lyeing next my son James his land. Item one peece of meddow lyeing in the great meddow comonly called by the name of send-home. Item the one halfe or eight acres next home of that peece of meddow comonly cald filbarne Item the home lotte by the plaine lane side Item ye dwelling house that I formerly liued in with Convenient yeard room and that end of ye barne on ys side the threshing fioure next the dwelling howse with the one halfe of that lotte belonging to ye said dwelling howse lyeing next his son Richards howse & lotte except my wife & son James shall agree other wise. Item all my pasture land fenced in beyond my Daughter Hollisters lotte Item the use of two of my best Cowes wch shee shall chuse wch if they shall continue & stand longer then my loueing wife liueth, they shall be my eldest sone Richard Treatts Item I giue to my loueing wife the standing bed bedding bested wch all the furniture thereto belonging with the use of so much of the houshold goods dureing her life time as she shall judge need full for her comforte of what sort soeuer "Item I giue and bequeath to my eldest son Richard Treat the full possession & confermation of the farme of Nayog wth all ye respectiue Priueledges therto belonging with three of my youngest heifers "Item I giue to my second sonne Robert Treat ten pounds "Item I giue to my youngest sonne James Treatt besides the lands already made ouer to him my mill & grinding stone fanne timber chaine stilyeards and my little bible "Item I giue to my sonn in law Mathew Camfeild twentie pounds for that wch is remaineing of his portion "Item I giue to my Daughter Hollister fourtie shillings "Item to my Daughter Johnson ten shillings "Item my debts being paid I giue to my loueing sons John Demon and Robert Webster equally all the rest of my goods and chattells whatsoeuer Except mr Perkins Book wch I giue to my sonn John Demon and my great bible to my Daughter Honour Demon and that moeny in my Cousen Samuell Wells his hand vnto my Cousen Dauid Demon son of John Demon senior, and my desire is that my son in law John Demon Robert Webster and Richard Treat would be my ouerseers for their mutuall helpfullness to my loueing wife & endeauoure to see the accomplishmt this my last will & testamt: "And for the Ratification heerof I haue this thirteenth of ffebruary 1668 set to my hand & seall                                                                                                                                                                            Richard Treat                                seal "An Inuentory of ye Estate of Mr Richard Treat Senior of (wethersfeild) deceased" "Imp: Cattell and swine                                                  -                 -                  341 -00 — 00 Item Seuerall Goods in ye house ye     perticulars haue been Valued are these         that follow In ye chamber next ye barne -                                     -                 -                   05 — 06 — 00 In ye other chamber                -                                     -                 -                   05—15—00 More in ye same chamber                                          -      -                                02 — 16 — 00   To seueralls in ye kitchen wch haue been                                                          ualued at                                                      131-11 — 02 In ye parlour                                                                  -                   -                    03 — 12 — 06        oats & indian corn & salt                                          -                   -                   04 — 10 — 00                                                                                                                                ______________                                                                                                                                 69=10=08" "Jan : 69. prised by                                      John Deminge                                      John Not                                      Robert webster"42 Richard Treat was unquestionably one of the wealthiest men of Wethersfield of his day. His will made within twelve months of his death indicates that he owned considerable real estate at that time. The Wethersfield Records do not show any transfer of this property by him and it is very peculiar that it does not appear in the inventory. Moreover the amount of personal estate mentioned therein evidently does not include all he possessed. Beyond accepting and recording his will and inventory, nothing was done by the County Court. That such was the case still remains a mystery. CHILDREN OF RICHARD AND ALICE (GAYLORD) TREAT Honour                bap. Mar. 19, 1615-'16;43    mar.      John Deming44 of Wethersfield, Conn. Joanna               "         May 24, 1618;43          "            John Hollister45 of Wethersfield, Conn. Sarah                  "         Dec 3, 1620;43             "            before Oct. 19, 1645, Matthew Canfield46 of New Haven and Norwalk, Conn., and                                                                                                Newark, N.J. Richard              bap. Jan. 9, 1622-'23;43       mar.      before Feb. 14, 1661-2, Sarah Colman,47 and lived in Wethersfield, now Glastonbury, Conn. Robert                "        Feb. 25, 1624-'25;43     "            1, before Sept., 1648, Jane Tapp.48                                                                                         2, Oct. 24, 170S, Elizabeth ( ) Hollingsworth Bryan,49 and lived in Milford, Conn., Newark, N. J.,                                                                                             and again in Milford, Conn. Elizabeth            "        July 25, 1627;43            "            before June 20, 1650, George Wolcott50 of Wethersfield, Conn. Alice                   "        Feb. 16, 1631-2;43      bur.        Aug. 2, 1633.43 James                "        July 30, 1634;43           mar.      Jan. 26, 1664-5, Rebecca Latimer,51 and lived in Wethersfield, Conn. Katharine          "         June 29, 1637;43         "             Nov. 19, 165s, Rev. William Thomson52 of Springfield, Mass., New London, Conn., and                                                                                                       , Virginia.   1The Treat Family, by John Harvey Treat, Salem, Mass., 1893, pp. 9, 26. 2Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, p. 118. 3Ibid., vol. I, p. 213. 4Milford, Conn., Land Records, vol. 9, reverse end, p. 14. 5Milford, Conn., Land Records, "vols, I & 2", p. I. 6New Haven Colonial Records, vol. I, pp. no, in. 7The family name has undergone various changes. On the early records the surname was written sometimes Tratt and again Trotte. In 1647 Richard the founder of the American family signed his name on the Wethersfield Records as Richard Tratt. Eight years later or September 23, 1655, as an appraiser of the estate of Nathaniel Foote of Wethersfield, he subscribed his name Richard Treat and thereafter, or for the last fifteen years of his life, he appears to have adhered to this form of the name. 8Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 27. 9Milford, Conn., First Church Records, unpaged. 10Milford, Conn., Land Records, "vols, I & 2", p. 118. 11Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, p. 119. 12Ibid., vol. I, p. 121, and original document preserved in the Henry Whitfield House, Guilford, Conn. 13Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, p. 75. 14Ibid., vol. I, pp. 77, 80. 15Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 88, 93, 132, 159, 172. 16Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, pp. 26, 44. 17Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 266-270. 18Ibid., vol. I, pp. 134-135. 19Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 35. 20Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 53. 21Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 330-331. 22Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 58. 23Ibid., vol. I, pp. 77, 81, 101. 24Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. i, p. 69. 25Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. i, pp. 103, 111, 114, 116, 124, 128, 130, 132, 133, 137-138, 145, 146, 149, 155, 157, 159, 160-161, 163, 166, 169, 174, 178, iSs, 188, 195, 199, 200, 201, 205, 207, 212, 212, 213-214, 216, 218, 224, 225, 230-231, 234 234-235, 235, 237, 238, 240, 245, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 250, 251, 252, 256, 261, 264, 261, 272, 273-274, 278, 279, 280-281, 288, 293, 297, 300, 306, 308, 313. 26Ibid., vol. I, pp. Ill, 112. 27Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. i, pp. 308, 310. 28Ibid., vol. I, p. 314. 29Ibid., vol. I, pp. 334, 347, 364-365, 378, 398, 425- 30Ibid., vol. I, pp. 353, 354. 31Ibid., vol. I, pp. 392, 397. 32Mass. Historical Society's Collections, fifth series, vol. 9, pp. 59-61. 33Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 358, 361-362. 34Ibid., vol. I, pp. 358, 362, 369, 370. 35Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. I, pp. 579-581, and vol. 2. pp. 3-1 1. 36Wethersfield, Conn., Town Votes, vol. I, p. 41. 37Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 2, folio 18. 38Ibid., vol. I, p. 163. 39Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 2, folio 113. 40Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. 2, p. 520. 41Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 3, p. 97, and reverse end, pp. 72-73. 42Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, Richard Treat estate. 43The Treat Family, by John Harvey Treat, Salem, Mass., 1893, p. 9. 44Hartford, Conn., Probate Files, will of Richard Treat. 45Hartford, Conn., County Court Records, vol. 3, reverse end, pp. 72-73, will of Richard Treat, and reverse end, p. 13, will of John HoUister. 46New Haven, Conn., First Church Records, unpaged, baptism of Samuel, son of Matthew Camfield. 47Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. 2, p. 29, birth of Richard, son of Richard and Sarah Treat, and vol. 3, p. 60, receipt from Richard Treat of a legacy from the estate of "his father Thomas Colman deceased". 48Milford, Conn., First Church Records, unpaged, baptism of Samuel, son of Robert Treat, and Milford, Conn., Land Records, vols, 1 & 2, p. 118. 49Milford, Conn., Births, Marriages and Deaths, vol. I, unpaged; New Haven, Conn., County Court Records, vol. I, pp. 171, 141, 258, and New Haven, Conn., Probate Records, vol. 3, pp. 86, 296. 50Wolcott Ledgers & Genealogy, 1647-1691, unpaged, family of Henry Wolcott, Conn., Historical Society, and Wethersfield, Conn., Land Records, vol. I, p. 17, birth of Elizabeth, daughter of George and Elizabeth Wolcott. 51This date of marriage is given on page 230 of Nathaniel Goodwin's Genealogical Notes. Perhaps it was taken from some private record, but the original authority for it is now unknown. 52Boston Record Commissioners' Report, vol. 9, p. 53. Source: Starr, Frank Farnsworth, Various Ancestral Lines of James Goodwin and Lucy (Morgan) Goodwin of Hartford, Connecticut, Vol. II (Morgan Lines), Hartford, CT: The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Press, 1915, pgs. 223-261.

Genealogy of the Descendants of John Deming

JOHN DEMING, the immigrant ancestor of most of the persons bearing his family name, was one of the early settlers of Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he recorded his homestead in 1641, as a house, a bam, and five acres of land, bounded by High Street, west, the Great Meadow, east, Thomas Standishe's homestead, north, and Richard Crabbe's homestead, south. The dates of his birth, marriage and death, have never been discovered. His wife was Honor Treat, daughter of Richard Treat, whose second wife Alice Gaylord, may have been her mother. It has not been proven that Honor was his first and only wife, nor that she was the mother of all of his children, although it is probable. In his will of 13 Feb. 1668, Richard Treat makes the following bequest: "Item: My debts being paid, I give to my loving sons John Demon, and Robert Webster, equally, all the rest of my goods and chattels whatsoever, except Mr. Perkins book, which I give to my son John Demon, and my great bible to my daughter Honor Demon, And that money in my cousin Samuel Welles, his band, unto my cousin David Deming, son of John Demon senior."* This obscure clause seems to indicate that there was a John Demon senior, as well as John Demon the son-in-law, and suggests the possibility that the father of John Deming of Wethersfield was also named John. This is stated as a fact by Hinman, with- out giving authority, and the theory is farther supported by the statements of the compiler of the Welles Genealogy, and other genealogists. Treat refers to David Deming as his cousin, and indicates the same relationship With Samuel Welles, who is presumably the son of Gov. Thomas Welles, who married Elizabeth Deming, said to have been a sister of John Deming. It would thus appear that the Treats, Welles, and Demings were connected in some way, perhaps before their removal to America. This is the only clew to the parentage of John Deming, and may ultimately lead to its final discovery. It has been stated by some genealogists that John Deming was among the very first settlers of Wethersfield in 1635, and such is probably the case, but the proof is lacking. His first appearance upon the public records of the colony, after recording his homestead, was in 1642, March 2nd, when he was one of the jury of the "particular court." In 1645, Dec. 1st, he appears among the deputies as Jo. Demon, and in 1656 as John Dement, when as a deputy, he is appointed one of a committee, "to give the best safe advice they can to the Indians." In 1657, May 21st, he appears as a deputy to the General Court, as John Deming, and the following year as John Dement. He was a deputy at various courts until 1667, under various names, the name Deming prevailing at the last. He was also a litigant in several lawsuits. He is one of those named in the famous charter of Connecticut, in which King Charles granted to them and to those who should afterwards become associated with them, the lands of Connecticut, "in free and common socage," and established a colonial government with unusual privileges. Across the river from Wethersfield, and within its boundaries, lay the "Naubuc Farms," afterwards incorporated into the town of Glastonbury. Here among the first to obtain a lot, was John Deming in the year 1640, his name appearing as John Demion.t It is not at all likely that he ever lived here, for he had a house in Wethersfield the following year, and he sold the land on the east side of the river to Samnel Wyllis before 1668. He also owned land in Eastbury, for which he was taxed in 1673. In 1669 he is listed among the freemen of Wethersfield, as John Deming Senior, together with John Deming Junior, and Jonathan Deming. He bought considerable land in Wethersfield at various times, some of which he gave to his sons before he died.‡ The actual date of his death has never been discovered. He signed a codicil to his will Feb. 3, 1692, and this is the last recorded act of his life. When the public lands were allotted to the inhabitants in 1695, he did not draw a portion.‡ It is probable that he died soon after 1692, although his will was not proved until 21 Nov. 1705, and Savage, and other genealogists have assumed that he lived until that year. *Goodwin's Conn. Families p. 227. t Chapin't History of Glastenbury p. 162. ‡ Mss. of Judge Adams of Wethersfield.   No public record has been found of the births of the children of John Deming, but their names, as far as known, have been taken from his will, which is preserved in the Probate Court of Hartford, and is given herein, in full: The Will of John Deming Senior of Wethersfield Conn. I, John Deming Sen'r, of Wethersfield, being of Good understanding & sound Memory, doe see it my duty to set my house in order, & to setle my estate so that peace may be continued in my famaly, when I shall be gathered to my fathers; & I doe therefore Make & declare this to be my last win & Testament/hereby renowncing & making voyd all former wills & Testaments by me made, & establishing this onely to be my last will & Testament, first I commend my spirit to God expecting Salvation onely by Jesus Christ, & my body to a comely Christian Buriall expecting a glorious resurrection & reunion of soule & body In the last day. for my worldly Goods I haveing allready done well for my son John, I now give him my Great Bible Genera print, & my feather bed & boulster & my Great Ketle, To be to him & his hetres forever. I give to my son Samuel my house & Home lott, wth all the buildings upon it, containing Nine acres be it more or less & is Bownded as In the records as allso my meadow adjoyning, containing about seventeen acres be it more or less & abutts on mr willys South, Tho Standige his Land east the Highway North & my home Lott west, & Twelve acres in the west swamp at the reare of my son davids Lott, allso I give unto him my flock of Sheep & my neat cattell & all my horses & Horse kind, & all my swine, & all my moveables within dores, & all my Moveables with out dores (not otherwise dissposed by this my Last will) & all my husbandry, tooles & Implements all to be to him & his heires forever, he payeing my Just debts & funerall charges, & such Legacies as I doe hereby appoynt him to pay. I give to my son david all my Materialls & tooles in my Shop & my booke debts he payeing those debts I owe about my Trade. I give to my sonn Ebenezer my best coat & my best Hatt. I give to my daughter Morgan my daughter Beckly my daughter Hurlbut my daughter Wright five pownds apeice to be payd by my executor with in five yeares after my deccasse. I give to my couzen Unis Standidg & to my cousin Sarah wyer wife of John Wyer Twenty pownds apeice to be payd by my executor within Two yeares after my decease I give to my daughter Moody as a token of my love to her Ten shillings, I haveing allready given her a Good portion. I give to my Grand Child Ann Beckley five pownds to be payd her by my executor at her day of Mariage. I doe hereby constitute & appoynt my son Samuell to be my whole & sole executor of this mv Last will and Testament & desire my Hono'rd friend capt Sam'll Talcott & my son Ebenezer Deming to be overseers whoe I desire to Assist my executor wth their best advice in all his occassion & to see this my will be duely attended, finally I doe desire and commend all my children to know fear & serve the God of their father with all their hearts might & strength, & to Live in Love & unity one with another that God even my God may be with them & blesse them for confirmation here of I have Set to my hand & seall June 26 1690 signed sealed & declared                                                    John Deming         _______                                                                                                                                  )   red  ( in presence of us                                                                     Sener                     )  wax  ( John: Allyn                                                                                                               ) seal   (                                                                                                                                   _______  George Grave                                                                                                                        February 3d 1692, whereas I gave my son John my great Bible my feather bed & Boulster, & my great Ketle I doe now with draw that Guift & I give unto my sayd son John all my materiall & tooles in my shop & my book debts he paying those debts I ow about my Trade & whereas in my will above I gave my Grand Child Ann Beckley five pownds she having miscarryd I withdraw my guift hrom her and that five pownds I give to my sonn David for the confirmation hereof & of all the above writen I doe hereunto set my hand the day & yeare above written.                                (red) signed sealed & declared in presence of us                                                                John Deming    (seal) John Allyn Zacharihah Sandford (On the reverse side of the will appears the following:) Att a Court of Probates holden at Hartford, November 21st 1705 Zachariah Sandford one of the Witnesses of the within written Last Will of Mr. John Deming dec'd appeared in this Court and made Sollemn Oath, that he was present & saw the Sd John Deming Subscribe & Seal the Addition or Codicill to the Sd within written Will, and did hear the Sd John Deming declare the Same, with what else is Contained in this Sheet, to be his last Will & Testament, and that then John Allyn Esq, the other of the Sd Witnesses was present also, and With him Signed as Witnesses thereunto, & that the Sd John Deming was at the Same time (according to his Judgement) of Sound and disposeing mind and Understanding.                                                                                                                                                                    Test Caleb Stanly Clerk. This old will is the one glimpse we have of the character of John Deming. It reveals a spirit of piety, of love for his family and his friends, and the companionship of some of the best men in the colony. It shows that he was a man of substance, well supplied with lands, and cattle; that he was equipped to work at some trade, which no doubt proved of service in the little colony when they first settled so far from the older towns on the coast. We would like to know what that trade was, but the records are silent on that point. Under the first will, David was to have the tools of the shop, and David, we know, was a rope-maker; but under the codicil to the will, these tools went to John Deming Junior, and whether he continued in his father's trade or not, we are not informed. At the time this will was written, John Deming must have been over seventy years old, and we may picture him in his last days among his children and grandchildren, reading from his old Geneva bible, or talking with his old friends and neighbors of the trials and hardships of the early days of the settlement. As his wife is not mentioned in his will, it is probable that she died first. The church records of Wethersfield show among the members in 1694 "Jon. Deming Jr's. widow." It is hard to tell to whom this refers, unless to the widow of John Deming the first settler, but it is more probable that some other person is meant. Eunice Standish and her sister Sarah mentioned in the will as cousins, were daughters of Thos. Standish, whose land adjoined Deming's. The connection of this family with Capt. Miles Standish of the Plymouth colony, has not been discovered. It would be interesting to learn how close was the relationship between the Deming and Standish families. That John Deming was a prominent man in the affairs of the Connecticut Colony, cannot be doubted, and his apparent association by kinship and friendship with those whom we look upon as among the founders of New England, indicates that he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and possessed of some education. It is to be hoped that future investigation may bring to light more information than we now have regarding his life in America, and the history of his birth and ancestry in his mother country. Trumbull speaks of John Deming as one of the fathers of Connecticut,§ and Hinman says of him, that in 1654 he held the office of Constable of Wethersfield, an office which proved that he was in the full confidence of the Governor.t His name frequently appears upon the records of the colony with the prefix "Mr.," a courtesy paid only to men of some prominence. The same authorityt states that he was a representative at fifty sessions of the General Court, while in Hollister's roll of deputies, he is credited with nineteen sessions.‡ It is certain that he bore his full share in the upbuilding of the colony, serving his country as the opportunity presented itself, and setting an example of good citizenship, which has born fruit in the loyalty and patriotism of many of his descendants during many generations. § Trumbull's History of Conn. Vol. 1 p. 46. t Hinman Mss. ‡ Hollister's History of Conn. Vol. 1 p. 501. CHILDREN OP JOHN DEMING: 2. John, b. 9 Sep. 1638. 3. Jonathan, b. about 1639.     A daughtert, b. about 1643, m. a Beckley of Wethersfield.     Rachel, b. about 1644, m. 16 Nov. 1665, John Morgan of Wethersfield, 4. Samuel, b. about 1646.    Mary, b. about 1648, m. about 1670, John Hurlburt of Wethersfield.    Mercy§, b. about 1651, m. Thos. (or Jos.) Wright of Wethersfield, and d. 17 Dec. 1714, s. p. 5. David, b. about 1652.    Sarah, b. about 1654, m. Samuel Moody of Hartford, and d. 29 Sep., 1717, in Hadley, Mass. 6. Ebenezer, b. about 1659. 2 JOHN DEMING, (son of John 1) born 9 Sep. 1638 in Wethersfield, Conn., died 23 Jan. 1712 in Wethersfield; married 12 Dec. 1657t in Northampton, Mass., Mary Mygatt, daughter of Joseph, and Ann Mygatt, born about 1637.‖ According to Savage, John Deming Jr. was born in 1638, but the authority for this statement is not given, Hinman says that he was born in 1632, and if this earlier date is correct, he must have been born before his father moved to Wethersfield. To distinguish him from his father upon the early records of the town, he is called "Sergeant John Deming," this title indicating that he may have taken part in the Indian wars of the period. In 1662 he became one of the selectmen of the town, and was Representative from Wethersfield to the General Court from 1669 to 1672. In 1694, he and his wife appear among the members of the church at Wethersfield. His son John probably remained with his father on the home farm, while the other sons scattered, and their records are only partly found. Joseph probably moved to Woodstock, Hezekiah went to Farmington, and Jacob to Hartford, while Jonathan lived in the vicinity of Wethersfield. Of Samuel no trace can be found, and it is supposed that he either died young, or moved to a distance. The fate of his daughters Mary and Sarah has not been discovered. Feb. 16, 1712, shortly after his death, his sons John, Joseph, Jonathan, and Hezekiah deed to each other, lands and other property possessed by each of them at the death of "our natural father Mr. John Deming." This indicates that Jacob and Samuel were not living at that time. t Called "Daughter Beckley" in her father's will. Her name not yet discovered. She may have married John son of Richard Beckley, b. 1642. § According to several authorities, but proof lacking. ‡ By Northampton records, but 20 Sep. 1657 by Wethersfield records. ‖ Goodwin's Conn. Families.   According to one authority,t Sergt. John Deming was a "packer" in 1692. As he inherited his father's tools a few years later, it is possible that this was also his father's trade. His brother David, to whom his father first bequeathed his tools, (and later withdrew the gift) is described as a "knacker," which is defined as a maker of small work, or a rope-maker. Perhaps both John and David followed the trade of their father, and the copyist has mistaken the word "knacker'' for "packer." CHILDREN BORN IN WETHERSFIELD, CONN: 7. John, b, 9 Sep. 1658. 8. Joseph, b. 1 June 1661. 9. Jonathan, b. 12 Feb. 1663.     Mary, b. 1 July 1666.     Samuel, b. 25 Aug. 1668. 10. Jacob, b. 26 Aug. 1670.     Sarah, b. 17 Jan. 1672. 11. Hezekiah, b. 1680. t Manuscript of Judge Adams of Wethersfield. 3 JONATHAN DEMING, (son of John 1 ) born about 1639 in Wethersfield, Conn.; died 8 Jan. 1700 in Wethersfield, aged about 61; married 1st, 21 Nov. 1660 Sarah Graves, daughter of George Graves, who died 5 June 1668 in Wethersfield. He married 2nd, 25 Dec. 1673 in Wethersfield, Elizabeth Gilbert, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Gilbert, born 28 March 1654; died 8 Sept. 1714. The birth-date of Jonathan Deming is determined by the record of his death, which states that he "died suddenly, aged about 61 as he supposed." There is some doubt as to the identity of his first wife, but it is supposed that she was daughter of George Graves. She died in child-bed, at the birth of her daughter Comfort. At the time of his second marriage he was said to be 34 years old, and his wife 20. The date of her death is given in the probate of her will, although other authorities differ. In his will dated 27 Mar. 1696, proved 9 Mar. 1699-1700, he names his wife Elizabeth, and his sons Jonathan, Thomas, Charles, Jacob and Benjamin, giving to the latter the property inherited from Josiah Gilbert, his wife's father. He also names his daughters Sarah Ryley, Comfort, Elusia, Elizabeth, Mary, and Ann, and a son-in-law John Williams, who was perhaps the first husband of his daughter Elusia. CHILDREN BY FIRST MARRIAGE BORN IN WETHERSFIELD, CONN: 12. Jonathan, b. 27 Nov. 1661.       Sarah, b. 12 Aug. 1663; m. 13 Jul. 1681 Jonathan Riley.       Mary, b. 11 Jul. 1665; m. 26 Nov. 1685 Joseph Smith, and d. in 1687.       Comfort, b. 5 June 1668; m. Ist, 18 May 1693 Nathaniel Beckley. She m. 2nd, 2 Feb. 1710 Thos. Morton and d. 13 Jul. 1736. CHILDREN BY SECOND MARRIAGE BORN IN WETHERSFIELD:       Elizabeth, b. 12 June 1674;t m. 23 Nov. 1699 Richard Beckley.       Elusia, b. 16 Feb. 1676;‡ m. 15 May 1707 John Edwards. 13. Thomas, b. 27 Nov. 1679. 14. Charles, b. 10 June 1681. 15. Benjamin b. 20 Jul. 1684. 16. Jacob, b. 20 Dec. 1689.       Mary, b. 24 Oct. 1692; m. in 1719 Gershum Butler, of Middletown.       Ann, b. 1 Oct. 1695; m. 1st, 12 Mar. 1712 Nathaniel Wright. She m. 2nd, John Church, and d. 3 Dec. 1790.§ t 1677 by one account. ‡ 1674 by one account. § Aged 85 by grave-stone at Rocky Hill, a dlscrepancy which leaves some doubt as to the identity. 4 SAMUEL DEMING, (son of John 1) born about 1646 in Wethersfield, Conn.; died 6 Apr. 1709 in Wethersfield; married 29 Mar. 1694 Sarah Buck, daughter of Enoch and Mary (Kirby) Buck, born 1 Apr. 1669. Mrs. Sarah Deming married 2nd, Capt. Jonathan Churchill. The record of the death of Samuel Deming upon the town records of Wethersfield, states that he was aged 63 "near out," and thus fixes the year of his birth at about 1646. According to the Kirby Genealogy, Talcott, and other authorities, his wife was Sarah Kirby, daughter of John Kirby of Middletown, the statement being based, probably, upon the fact that she was an heir of John Kirby. The land records of Middletown show that Sarah, widow of Samuel Deming, was one of the heirs of Mary Buck, and joined in deeding land which the latter received from the estate of John Kirby. The same records give a list of the grandchildren of Kirby, which includes Sarah Churchill, who was none other than the former widow of Samuel Deming, as shown by her signature to the distribution of Samuel's estate in 1729. These facts indicate that Mrs. Sarah Deming was the grand-daughter and not the daughter of John Kirby. CHILDREN BORN IN WETHERSFIELD, CONN: 17. John, b. 27 Dec. 1694 18. David, b. 29 Dec. 1696. 19. Samuel, b. 12 June 1699.       Honour, b. 16 Dic. 1701; m. 1st, 16 Oct. 1729 Hezekiah Goodrich. She m. 2nd, 5 Jul. 1733 Dr. Thos. Perrin. 20. William, b. 10 May 1705. t Grave-stone Granary Burying Ground, Boston. 5 DAVID DEMING, (son of John 1) born about 1052 in Wethersfield, Conn., died 4 May 1725t in Boston, aged 73; married 14 Aug. 1678 in Wethersfield, Mary, who died 14 Oct. 1724t in Boston, aged 72. David Deming remained in Wethersfield, probably as late as 1690, in which year he received a tract of land there, from his father. In 1699 he appears in Cambridge, Mass., where he is called a "fence-viewer," and in 1700 he was "tything-man." He owned the Brattle estate extending from Brattle Square to Ash Street. Before November 1707, he removed to Boston; at which date he sold the westerly portion of this estate to Andrew Belcher and the easterly portion, including the house, to Rev. Wm. Brattle. In the conveyance he is called "Knacker," which has been defined as "a maker of small work; a rope-maker."‡ In his will dated 23 Apr. 1725, "being sick and weak,'' he discharges his son David of a debt of one hundred pounds more or less which he had bestowed upon him "at sundry times for his education at Collidge and since." To the three children of David, namely; David, Mercy, and Jonathan, he leaves a bequest in money. To his daughter Martha, wife of Henry Howell he leaves "one hundred pounds and household stuff and moveables." To his grandson Joseph Deming, son of Hannah Deming widow, he leaves "all that my dwelling house which I now dwell in, fronting to Newbury Street, with all the yard garden and premises thereunto belonging." In case of Joseph's death before he comes to the age of 21, then his brother John Deming is to have the property. To his son-in-law Henry Howell (blacksmith) he left the remainder of his estate. The inventorv names "15 Seal-skins; 17 Sheep-skins; and leather and tools." It also includes "Benjamin Deming's time valued at 24 pounds, and the Indian boy valued at 60 pounds."§ His first three children were born in Wethersfield, but it is probable that Martha was born in Cambridge. Her birthdate has not been found. The family name, of his wife is not known. t Grave-stone Granary Burying Ground, Boston. ‡ Paige's Hist, of Cambridge p. 534. § Suffolk Co. Probate Rec.  CHILDREN: 21. David, b. 20 Jul. 1681. 22. Samuel, b. 9 Aug. 1683.       Honour, b. 9 May 1685; d. 13 May 1713.t       Martha, b.         m. 15 Dec. 1709 Henry Howell of Boston. t Grave-stone Granary Burying Ground, Boston. 6 EBENEZER DEMING, (son of John 1) born in Wethersfield, Conn.; died 2 May 1705, in Wethersfield; married 16 Jul. 1677 in Wethersfield, Sarah. The birth-date of Ebenezer Deming has never been discovered. It is supposed that he was the youngest son of John Deming, and that he was born about 1659. In 1698 he received a deed of land in Wethersfield from his brother David Deming of Cambridge, and inherited from his father other land in the vicinity. In the record of his marriage the family name of his wife is obliterated, and it has not been discovered from any other source. In the distribution of his estate, his widow and all of his children including his two sons-in-law Talcott and Wright, are named. CHILDREN BORN IN WETHERSFIELD, CONN: 23. Ebenezer, b. 5 May 1678. 24. John, b. 26 Jul. 1679.       Sarah, b. 6 Jan. 1681; m. 1 Apr. 1701 Joseph Talcott, and d. 19 Mar. 1755.       Prudence, b. about 1688; m. 4 Oct. 1705 Thos. Wright, and d. 24 Oct. 1706. 25. Ephraim, b. about 1685. 26. Josiah, b. about 1688. Source: Deming, Judson Keith, Genealogy of the Descendants of John Deming of Wethersfield, Connecticut, Dubuque, IA: Press of Mathis-Mets Company, 1904, pgs. 3-14.

Wheeler's History of Stonington

I. JAMES MORGAN, the emigrant ancestor and progenitor of the Morgan family, was born in Wales in 1607. He m. Margery Hill of Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 6, 1640. He was made freeman there. May 10, 1645. Early in 1650 he had lands granted him in Pequot, now New London, as New London records show, which was soon occupied by him as a homestead, ''on the path to New street or Cape Ann street," as it was called in honor of the Cape Ann Company, who chiefly settled there. On the 25th day of December, 1656, he sold his homestead and removed soon after, with several others, across the river, upon large tracts of land previously granted them by the town. The spot where he built his first house in Groton in 1657, and where he ever resided and died, is a few rods southeast of the dwelling of Elijah S. Morgan, about three miles from Groton ferry, on the road to Poquonock Bridge. He was one of the townsmen or selectmen of New London for several years, and one of the first "Deputys sent from New London Plantation" to the General Court at Hartford, May session, 1657, and was nine times afterwards chosen member of the assembly, the last in 1670, and he was also an active and useful member of Rev. Richard Blinman's church, as his name is prominent in every important movement or proceeding. He also served in the early Colonial wars. He d. in 1685, aged 78 years. CHILDREN: 2 HANNAH, b. May 18, 1642, m. Nehemlah Royce Nov. 20, 1660. 8 JAMES, b. March 3, 1644, m. Mary Vine of England Nov., 1666. 4 JOHN, b. March 30, 1646, m. 1st, Rachael Dymond; 2d, wife, widow Ellzabeth Williams, daughter of Lieut. Gov. William Jones of New Haven, and granddaughter of Gov. Theophllus Eaton. 5 JOSEPH, b. Nov. 29, 1646, m. Dorothy, daughter of Dea. Thomas Park, April, 1670 (No. 26), Park family. 6 ABRAHAM, b. Sept. 3, 1648, d. Aug., 1649. 7 A daughter, b. Nov. 17, 1660, d. young. Source: Wheeler, Richard Anson, History of the Town of Stonington, County of New London, Connecticut, New London, CT: Press of the Day Publishing Company, 1900, p. 479.

Memoranda Relating to the Ancestry and Family of Sophia Fidelia Hall

JOHN AND MARY (DEMING) HURLBUT. Sergeant John Hurlbut, son of Thomas and Sarah Hurlbut, born March 8, 1642, learned the blacksmith's trade of his father and after becoming of age worked at Wethersfield and also at Killingworth. In 1672 John Hurlbut was propounded to the court of election for freeman. At the age of 27 he received a proposition from the settlers of Middletown, Conn., to locate among them with his business "and do the town's work of smithing for seven years." He joined in such a contract, bearing date October 25, 1669, which he faithfully kept. He married Mary Deming, December 15, 1670. She was daughter of John and Honour (Treat) Deming of Wethersfield. Her father was one of the Patentees named in the Connecticut charter of 1662. Her mother was daughter of Richard Treat, also named in the charter, and sister of Governor Robert Treat, famous in Indian warfare. Mr. Hurlbut was industrious and successful in his occupation, and became a large landholder and one of the prominent men of Middletown. He died at the age of 18 years. He made no will, but the inventory of his property was presented September 9, 1690. His widow Mary and Captain Nathaniel White were appointed to administer, but as one child was yet unborn, the court ordered that "there shall be no distribution now made." June 19, 1696, "the court being desired" the estate was distributed. From the records of the 1st church of Middletown : "24. 10th, 1671 John Holibut was received a member of this church in ye state of Innitiation — his child John, the same day baptized." His wife joined the same church, September 5, 1675. CHILDREN OF JOHN AND MARY (DEMING) HURLBUT. 1. John — born in 1671. He was a farmer and occupied the house and land given him by his father. He was admitted to church in 1731. In 1731 he sold all his right to lands east of the Connecticut river. In 1691 he petitioned the General Assembly, to appoint a committee to lay out the grant of 120 acres of land made to his grandfather, Thomas Hurlbut, Sr., of Wethersfield, the immigrant ancestor of the family, for services in the Indian wars. "John Collins and John Bacon of Middletown, were appointed to lay out the said lot, where John Hurlbut shall direct them, not interfereing with other grants, at John Hurlbut's charge." He married, July 8, 1698, Rebecca, daughter of Lieut. Andrew and Rebecca Warner of Middletown. Four children. 2. Mary—bapt. April 7, 1673. Died in infancy. 3. Thomas — born October 20, 1674 He was a blacksmith, and occupied the homestead and the original smithery on a town-lot given to his father in 1669. He was a man of industry and integrity — a large landholder and a prominent man in the town. He married, December 15, 1705, Martha, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel and Mary (Whiting) Collins. She died June 7, 1748. She was born in 1674 and admitted to church in 1712. He died February 3, 1752. Four children. 4. Sarah— born November 5, 1676. 5. Mary— born June 9, 1679. 6. Marcy— born September 17, 1680. 7. Ebenezer married Sarah Dickens, (Next in line.) 8. Margaret— born in February, 1684. 9. David— born August 11, 1688. He was a blacksmith in Upper Houses and owned land in Chatham. He, with Samuel Frary, rented a grist mill for eight years. September 22, 1709, he married Mary Savage. In 1711 he removed to Groton, Conn. He married 2nd, Mercy, in Middle Haddam, and died on the farm in Chatham, October 29, 1773. He had eleven children. 10. Mehitabel— horn November 23, 1690, posthumous. Source: Coe, Sophia Fidelia Hall, Memoranda Relating to the Ancestry and Family of Sophia Fidelia Hall, Meriden, CT: The Curtiss-Way Co., 1902, pgs. 129-131.

The Hurlbut Genealogy

3 John Hurlbut2 (Thomas3) was b. (prob. in Wethersfield, Ct.), 8 Mar,, 1642. He learned the trade of blacksmith of his father, and after becoming of age, he worked at Wethersfield and also at Killingworth. At the age of 27, he received a proposition from settlers then planting the town of Middletown, to locate among them with his business, "and do the Town's work of smithing for seven years." He joined in such a contract, bearing date 25 Oct., 1669, and which he faithfully kept. He m. 15 Dec, 1670, Mary Deming, dau of John and Honor (Treat) Deming of Wethersfield. She was b. 1655; joined ch'h in Middletown 5 Sept., 1675. Mr. Hurlbut was industrious and successful in his occupation, and he became a large landholder, and one of the prominent men of the place. He was made freeman in 1671, and held the office and title of Sargent among the citizen soldiers. Sargent John Hurlbut d. at middle age; according to the Town Records 30 April, 1690, but by the Probate Court Records (prob. more reliable) his death occurred 30 August, of that year, aged 48. He made no will, but the inventory of his property was presented 9 Sept., 1690. Mary his widow with Capt. Nathaniel White, were appointed to administer; but as one child was yet unborn, the court ordered that "there shall be no distribution now made." The estate appears as follows: £373, s. 15, d. 6; his house, shop and home lot £100, other lots £160, cattle &c., £46, smith's tools and iron £10. "June 19, 1696, the Court being desired," the estate was distributed. The wid. Mary was to have half the personal property, and one-third of the real estate during life ; eldest son John to have a double portion, the other children a single one. The time of death of the widow is not learned ; but few gravestones had inscriptions as early, and no deaths appear to have been recorded on the church books, until after that period. 12. John, Jr., b. in Middletown, Ct., 8 Dec, 1671 + 13. Mary, b. in Middletown, bap. 7 April, 1673, d. in infancy. 14. Thomas, b. in Middletown, 20 Oct. 1674. + 15. Sarah, b. in Middletown, Ct., 5 Nov., 1676. (Hinman gives it "Laura, b. Dec. 6, 1676.") + App. 16. Mary, 2d, b. in Middletown, 17 Nov., 1678 + App. 17. Mercy, b. in Middletown, 17 Feb., 1680/1 + App. 18. Ebenezer, b. in Middletown, 17 Jan., 1682/3 + 19. Margaret, b. in Middletown, Feb., 1684/5 + App. 20. David, b. in Middletown, 11 Aug., 1688. + 21. Mehitabel, b. in Middletown, 23 Nov., 1690 + Source: Hurlbut, Henry Higgins, The Hurlbut Genealogy: Or, Record of the Descendants of Thomas Hurlbut, of Saybrook and Wethersfield, Conn., Albany, NY: Joel Munsell's Sons, 1888, pgs. 19-20.

Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700

DEMING, John (?1615-1705?, ca 1694?) & 2/wf? Honor [TREAT] (1616-); b 1632, b 1637; Wethersfield, CT DEMING, John (-1711/12) & Mary [MYGATT/MYGATE] (-1714); 12 Sep 1657, ?20 Sep, 12 Dec 1657; Wethersfield, CT DEMING, Jonathan (?1634-1700) & 1/wf Sarah GRAVES (-1668); 21 Nov 1660, ?11 Nov; Wethersfield, CT DEMING, Jonathan (?1639-1700) & 2/wf Elizabeth GILBERT (1654-1714); 25 Dec 1673; Wethersfield, CT BECKLEY, John (-1696) & Hannah [DEMING]; b 1670(1?); Wethersfield, CT MORGAN, John (-1712) & Rachel DEMING/DYMOND; 16 Nov 1665; New London, CT DEMING, Samuel (1668-1709) & Sarah [BUCK] (1669-1754), m/2 Benjamin CHURCHILL; 29 Mar 1684; Wethersfield, CT DEMING, Ebenezer (-1705) & Sarah [?GRANT]; 16 Jul 1677, 1677; Wethersfield, CT DEMING, David (1652-1725) & Mary [?BELDING] (-1724, ae 72); 14 Aug 1678; Wethersfield, CT HURLBUT, John (1642-1690) & Mary DEMAN/DEMING; 15 Dec 1670; Middletown, CT CURTIS, Joseph (-1683) & Mercy [DEMING], m/2 Joseph WRIGHT 1685; 8 Feb 1674, 1673/4; Wethersfield, CT Source: Torrey, Clarence A., New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004.

Cutter's New England Families

(I) John Deming, the emigrant ancestor, was early of Wethersfield, probably among the first settlers in 1635, where his homestead is recorded as a house, a barn and five acres of land. He was a deputy to the general court in 1657 as John Deming, and in the following year as John Dement, his name appearing variously spelled. He continued as deputy until 1667, under various names, Deming prevailing at the last. He was one of the nineteen named in the famous charter of Connecticut, granted by King Charles to them and to those who should afterward be associated with them. That John Deming was a prominent man in the affairs of the Connecticut colony cannot be doubted, and his apparent association by kinship and friendship with those regarded as the founders of New England indicate him to have been a man of more than ordinary intelligence as well as of some education. He married Honor, daughter of Richard Treat, and their children were: John, of whom further; Jonathan, born about 1639; Rachel, born about 1644; Samuel, born about 1646; Mary, born about 1648; Daniel, born about 1652; Sarah, born about 1654; Ebenezer, born about 1659. (II) John (2), son of John (1) and Honor (Treat) Deming, was born September 9, 1638, died January 23, 1712, in Wethersfield, Connecticut. He was known as Sergeant John Deming, the title indicating that he may have taken part in the Indian wars of that period. From 1669 to 1672 he was a representative in the general court. On December 12, 1657, in Northampton, Massachusetts, he married Mary, daughter of Joseph and Ann Mygatt. Their children were: John, born September 9, 1658; Joseph, June 1, 1661; Jonathan, February 12, 1663; Mary, July, 1666; Samuel, August 25, 1668; Jacob, of whom further; Sarah, January 17, 1672; Hezekiah, 1680. Source: Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, vol. III, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914, p. 1195. (III) Samuel Moody, son of John Moody, was born about 1640. He removed from Hartford to Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1659, and died there September 22, 1689. He married Sarah Deming, who died September 29, 1717, daughter of John Deming, of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Children: Sarah, married John Kellogg; John, mentioned below; Hannah, born March 5, 1663, died unmarried, January 6, 1713; Mary, married twice; Samuel, born November 28, 1670; Ebenezer, October 23, 1675, lived in Hadley. Source: Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, vol. IV, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914, p. 2116

Cutter's Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut

(II) David Deming, son of John Deming (q. v.) was born about 1652, in Wethersfield, Connecticut, died May 4, 1725, in Boston. He remained in Wethersfield as late as 1690 probably, when he received a tract of land there from his father. In 1699 he appeared in Cambridge, where he was called a "fenceviewer," and in 1700 he was "tything-man." He owned the Brattle estate extending from Brattle square to Ash street. Before November, 1707, he moved to Boston, when he sold the west portion of the estate to Andrew Belcher and the east portion to Rev. William Brattle, and in the conveyance he is called a "Knacker," which has been defined as "a maker of small work; a rope maker." His will was dated April 23, 1725, and "being sick and weak," he discharges his son David of a debt of one hundred pounds more or less which had been given him at different times for his education at college and since then, and he left money to the three children of David, namely David, Mercy and Jonathan. He left to his daughter, Martha, wife of Henry Howell, one hundred pounds, household stuff and movables, and to his grandson, Joseph Deming, son of Hannah Deming, widow, he left his dwelling house, with the proviso that if Joseph died before he was twenty-one, the property should go to his brother, John Deming. The remainder of the estate was left to his son-in-law, Henry Howell, blacksmith. The inventory named "15 Seal-skins; 17 Sheep-skins; and leather and tools," and it also included "Benjamin Deming's time valued at 24 pounds, and the Indian boy valued at 60 pounds." He married, August 14, 1678, in Wethersfield, Mary who died October 14, 1724, in Boston, aged seventy-two. Children, three born at Wethersfield, last probably born at Cambridge: David, born July 20, 1681, mentioned below; Samuel, August 9, 1683; Honour, May 9, 1685, died May 13, 1713; Martha, married December 15, 1709, Henry Howell, of Boston. Source: Cutter, William Richard et al., Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut, vol. II, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911, p. 937.

Commentary on Sarah, wife of Ebenezer Deming

Find A Grave contributor Don Blauvelt adds: There is no proven surname for Ebenezer Deming's wife Sarah, let alone that it was Grant or Phelps, as in an errant 2003 compilation of the Wethersfield Wright family on the web by Albert Nye & an erroneous genealogy of the family of Samuel Grant and his wife Mary Porter, who by some are the purported in-laws of Ebenezer Deming. Nye either misread three separate 1901-1929 compilations of the Wethersfield Wrights, added the Grant surname from some undocumented reference from a member supplied genealogy to the LDS, etc. Ebenezer and Sarah Deming were the parents of Prudence, the brief 1st wife of Dea. Thomas Wright, the maternal as well as paternal grandson of my ancestors. Albert Nye in his errant compilation then proceeds to add nine additional children for Dea. Thomas Wright, when as verified by his own will in 1760 he had only one child by first wife Prudence and none by second wife Abigail Churchill. In Judson Keith Deming's "Deming Geneaology" (1904), p. 14: "EBENEZER DEMING, (son of John 1) born at Wethersfield, Conn.; died 2 May 1705, at Wethersfield; married 16 JuIy 1677 at Wethersfield, SARAH...In the record of his marriage the family name of his wife is obliterated, and it has not been discovered from any other source. In the distribution of his estate, his widow and all of his children including his two sons-in-law Talcott and Wright, are named..." In addition: Stiles: Ancient Wethersfield, Deming, p. 274. "FAM. 6. Ebenezer,2 (John,1), m. Sarah ____, 16 July 1677;..." Further, in Curtis Wright's "Wright Family (1915), p. 120: "He m. Oct. 4, 1705, Prudence, dau. of Ebenezer and Mary Deming, who died Oct. 24, 1706." Ebenezer's purported wife named Mary is a mistatement by Stiles, who later calles Ebenezer's wife as Sarah as in the above citation, and copied verbatim by Curtis Wright. And much further, the marriage record of Ebenezer Deming to a wife named Sarah in the Wethersfield VRs is recorded as follow: "Ebenezer, m Sarah ______, July 16, 1677." According to the Grant family generalogy, the immigrant Matthew of Windsor being my ancestor, Sarah Grant, dau. of Samuel Grant and Mary Porter, was b. at Windsor in 1679 and died as an infant in 1680. Thus, she could not have the wife of anyone. Source: Blauvelt, Don, comment found on profile for Ebenezer Deming, Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34191990, retrieved 20 May 2018.

Gravestones

Page 424 Demming, David, May 4, 1725, ae. 73 y. [Tomb 29. M.C.] Demming, Mary, w. David, Oct. 14, 1724, ae. 72 y. [Tomb 29. M.C.] Page 586 Demming, David [no entry in card file] [Pilgrims; epitaph on stone with Mary]: “Here Lyes The Body Of / Mr. David Demming / Decd May Ye 4th / 1725 / Aged 73 Years.” Demming, Mary [no entry in card file] [Pilgrims; epitaph on stone with David & Jane]: “Here Lyes The Body Of / Mrs. Mary Demming / Wife to Mr. David Demming / Decd Oct. Ye 14th / 1724 / Aged 72 Years.” Source: Boston, MA: Old Cemeteries of Boston. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), (Inscriptions and Records of the Old Cemeteries of Boston, Dunkle, Robert J. and Lainhart, Ann S., Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2000.) Gravestone of David and Mary Deming, Granary Burying Ground, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts (Photo credit: Historiana, findagrave.com):

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Last updated 22 June 2018