Ralph Tough

Probate Records

Name:    Edward Stebbing
Location:    Hartford
Date of Will:    24 Aug 1663
Page:    52-3-4
Full Text:    Invt. œ639-02-00. Taken 19 August, 1668, by Eleazer Holyoke, John Allyn, Thomas Bull & James Ensign. Will dated 24 August, 1663.I Edward Stebbing do here make my last Will & Testament: First, I give to my wife Frances my houseing & Lands in Hartford, except such Lands as are hereafter mentioned to be sold, which she is to enjoy for the terme of her natural life, as also two best Cows & 3 of the Best Swine, as also ye Use of the Household Stuffe or so much of it as she shall see need to make Use of. Also in ye End of her natural life she shall have liberty to dispose of œ40 as she shall see Fit. I give to our beloved son John Chester œ40. I give & bequeath, after my wives decease, my Houseing & Land, such of my Lands as shall not be sold to pay my Engagements, I give them to Edward Cadwell, my son Cadwell's Child, and John Wilson, or, if he dye before 21 years of age, I give them to Samuel Wilson. And in Case my gr. child Edward Cadwell dye, then I give the above to the Children of my daughter Cadwell. Also, I give to Samuel Wilson œ30. I give to my son Gaylord's Children, Joseph, Benjamin and Joanna, œ8 apeice, also Mary Gaylord, whome I do order to be with her gr. Mother. Also, I give to the four children of my daughter Holyoke, 40 Shillings apiece, John's part to be paid at the age of 21 years. Also, I do appoint that John Wilson shall be with his Gr. Mother to help her according to his best skill and ability during her natural life, during which time I desire my Executors that he be instructed in my trade by Caleb Stanly, as it may accord with my wives comfort. I ordain my wife to be my Executrix. I desire the Hon. Mr. Samuel Wyllys, my Brother Eleazer Holyoke, Lieut. Bull and Robert Webster to be Executors. The remainder of my Estate, after the decease of my wife, to be disposed to my daughter Cadwells Children, to John Wilson, and to Mary Gaylord, at the discretion of my Executors. I give to Richard Weller 20 shillings. I give to my Executors 50 shillings apiece.Witness: Eleazer Holyoke.Edward Stebbing.Court Record, Page 79--3 September, 1668: Will proven and Inventory Exhibited.Page 162--18 April, 1677: Jeremy Diggins, Plntf., Contra Thomas Cadwell, Dfnt., in an Action for illegal Detaining a peice of Land in Hartford South Meadow belonging to the sd. Jeremy Diggins in the Right of Mary his wife, and appointed to him by the Executors of the last Will of Edward Stebbing, Decd.
Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1663 to 1677.

Name:    Mrs Frances Stebbing
Location:    Hartford
Date of Will:    23 Dec 1673
Page:    119
Full Text:    Invt. œ82-11-02. Taken 23 December, 1673, by Thomas Bull & Robert Webster.I ffrances Stebbing, Living in Hartford, in the colony of Conecticot, Widdow, being aged and under many weaknesses of body, but having my perfect memory and Understanding, Doe make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament, wherein I give to my Dear and beloved son Mr. John Chester, now living in or neer unto London in old England, the ffull and Just some of Twenty and four pounds Starling; or, if deceased, to his wife and his two Sons John and Sampson Chester, in equal portion, to be paid in Hartford. I give unto my ffowr grand children, Thomas, William, Matthew and Mary Cadwell, fower pounds a pece, to be paid in Currant Country pay into the hands of my Son Thomas Cadwell. I give to my daughter Cadwell all my wearing apparell, both Woolen and Linen. I Constitute Lt. Thomas Bull and James Ensign Executors. 20th May, 1670.ffrances X Stebbing.Witness: Thomas Bull.Codicil, wherein is given 7 Acres of Land in the South Meadow not before disposed of, it being four score Rod Long and about fourteen Rod and a quarter wide, bequeathed to Thomas, William and Mary Cadwell. And 4 acres more I doe give, two acres of ye said fowre to ye now two youngest children of my son and daughter Matthew and Abigail Cadwell, and the other two acres I leave to the dispose of my two friends in trust, Lt. Bull and Lt. Robert Webster, whom I ordain Executors.I ffrances Stebbing doe now Rattify the within specified will, dated 20th May, 1670; only the Executors, which I now ordain Lt. Bull and Lt. Robert Webster. And also I now doe bequeath to my daughter Cadwell only my wearing goone, and the rest of my apparell to be divided betwixt ye wife of John Wilson, Mary Day and Mary Cadwell.--12 November, 1673. Also I give to Mr. John Whiting 40s, and my husbands cloak to John Wilson.Witness: Eliazer Way, John Wilson.Ffrances X Stebbing.Court Record, Page 136--20 January, 1673-4: Will exhibited. Proven.
Source:    A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.1663 to 1677.

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.

Probate papers of Edward Stebbins:
Cover page for the probate records of Edward Stebbins

Source: Author: Connecticut State Library (Hartford, Connecticut); Probate Place: Hartford, Connecticut. Notes: Probate Packets, Standish, John-Stedman, H, 1641-1880. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Connecticut County, District and Probate Courts.

Greenlee and Greenlee's The Stebbins Genealogy

DEACON EDWARD STEBBINS OF HARTFORD.

1. DEACON EDWARD STEBBINS, born in England; died in 1668 at Hartford, Connecticut ; married FRANCES , who died between November 12 and December 23, 1673, at Hartford, Connecticut. Occupation, probably a tanner.

CHILDREN:
2. I. Daughter; married John Chester; lived in or near London, England, in 1670, and had sons, John and Sampson.
3. II. Mary; married Walter Gaylord, April 22, 1648.+
4. III. Elizabeth; married first, Robert Wilson; married second, Thomas Cadwell.+

EDWARD STEBBINS is supposed to have come to this country from Braintree, Essex County, England, in 1632. He was made freeman at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1634, on the same day on which Rev. Thomas Hooker hers and others took the oath, although Hooker did not arrive in this country until September 4, 1633. He may have been one of Hooker's parishioners at Chelmsford, Essex County, England, and among the large number thereof who came over in 1632, expecting Hooker to follow them. Undoubtedly he was among the first who settled at Cambridge in that year.
Hinman's Puritan Settlers (1846) p. 167.

While there is reason to suppose him to have been a kinsman of Rowland Stebbins, who came to this country in 1634, there is nothing to prove it nor to indicate what the relationship might have been.

The first record of EDWARD STEBBINS is found in an agreement about "paling in the neck land" — dated March 29, 1632 — with the first lists of names ever made of the inhabitants of "New Towne, now Cambridge, the fifteenth name in the list being "EDWARD STEBINGE." The shares of land to each person is designated in rods and ranges from two to seventy rods for each person, "STEBINGES'" proportion in the lands being given as twelve rods.
Paige's Cambridge Mass. pp 10 & 11.

In 1634 John Endicott of Salem, Massachusetts, was chosen one of the board of military commissioners for the colony. The banner used by the train band at Salem had the cross of Saint George worked upon its folds. In Endicott's impetuous resolution to put down every remnant of what he deemed to be popish or heathenish superstition, he cut the cross from this banner. The Magistrates, fearing the result of what might be considered an insult to the English Government, publicly censured Endicott, who was brought before the Court at Boston in 1635 — one year after the cross was cut out. — and after due investigation was adjudged to be guilty of a great offence and prohibited "from bearing any public office for one year"; "EDWARD STEBBONS" was a member of the committee which had been appointed at the "Gen'rall Court holden at Newe Towne, May 6th, 1635," to "consider of the act of Mr. Endicott in defacing the colors, & to reporte to the Courte howe farr they judge it sensureable."
Colonial Record of Mass I p. 145.

The first record of his land is dated October 5th, 1635, and consisted of seven pieces, the first two of which were recorded as foIIows:
"EDWARD STEBINGE In the Towne, one house and Garden with backside aboute halfe aroode Tymothy Stanly south west, Watter street south east Braintree street north east Symon Bradstreet northwest."
"Moore In Cowyard Rowe aboute one Acker Richard Goodman northwest Cowyard lane south west Daniel Patrike south east the Comon Pales north east."
The other five pieces contained respectively three, seven, one, three, and nine acres each.
Register Book of Lands & Houses of Cambridge Mass. (1896) p. 21.

His residence was on the westerly corner of Harvard and Dunster streets.
p. 661.

Under date "The 2d of the 3d mouth 1636," is a deed from "EDWARD STEBINGE" to Nicholas Danforth, of "all the right title and Intrest wch he hath in all those percels of land ffollowing," which included his dwelling house and five other pieces of land. Another piece is included, with the statement "that these p'sells of land purchased by Nicholas Danfor of EDW. STEBBINE was bought for the use of Edward Collins." Then follows a deed of two more pieces of land to the said Danforth, consisting of four and five acres each. On September 21, 1639, he sold two pieces of land to Thomas Marriot, the first containing "3 Roods more or less," the second containing one acre.
p. 38.
p. 52.

As early as 1636 he removed to Connecticut. He was one of the founders of Hartford, of which place he became a prominent and greatly respected citizen. In the Historical Catalogue of the First Church of Hartford, he is mentioned as one of the Deacons, and he served as such for many years; but when he was appointed, or when he joined the church does not appear. There is no record of the original members of the church, excepting as all the original proprietors of Hartford are supposed to have also been members of the church. He was chosen constable of Hartford in 1638.
Trumbull's Hartford, Conn, p. 261.

Major John Mason, in his History of the Pequot War, says "The year Ensueing [1638] the Colony being in extream Want of Provision, many giving twelve Shillings for one Bushel of Indian Corn; the Court of Connecticut imploying Captain Mason, Mr. William Wadsworth and DEACON STEBBINS to try what Providence would afford, for their Relief in this great Straight; Who no'withstanding some discouragement they met with from some English, went to a place called Pocumtuck; where they procured so much corn at reasonable Rates, that the Indians brought down to Hartford and Windsor, Fifty Canoes Laden with Corn at one time. Never was the like known to this Day: So although the lord was pleased to shew his People hard Things; yet did he execute Judgment for the Oppressed and gave Food to the Hungry. let us meditate on the Great Works of God: Ascribing all Blessing and Praise to his Great Name, for all his Great Goodness and Salvation: Amen, Amen."
Mass. Historical Soc'y's Collections 2nd Series, VIII p. 153.

On April 5, 1638, at a "Gen'rall Cort at Harteford," it was "ordered that these men followinge shall receive the Corne aforesaide for the plantac'ons according to their proporcons agreed on, and shall keepe one exact account of what every man hath att the rates aforesaid; the men appointed for this service are EDWARDE STIBBEN and Thomas Scott for Harteford" * * *
Colonial Records of Ct. p. 18.

EDWARD STEBBINS' proportion in the first division of land, dated January 3, 1639, was "24 Ackers." His home lot in 1639 extended from the Meeting House Square to the street, now known as Front Street. This lot is recorded on page 106 of Hartford land records book of "Distributions," under date of February, 1639, as follows — "One parcell on which his dwelling house now standeth with out house, yards and gardens therein being, Containing by estimation two acres, more or less, abuttinge upon the highway leading to the little river into the North meadow on the East, and upon the highway leading to the meeting house on the south, and the meeting house land on the west, and Timothy Standley's land on the north."
Hartford Co., Memorial I p. 261.

He was a large land owner; and his name is connected with more than fifty different parcels of land in the said book of distributions. He was not only a very worthy and respected man, but he was in the strict sense of the word a public man and a servant of the community. He was deputy to the General Court, in 1639, 1640, 1641, 1648. 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1653, 1654, 1655, and 1666. He served as juror in 1639, 1642, 1643, 1645, 1647, 1651, 1655, 1658, and 1662.
Conn. Historical Soc'y Collections VI p. 250

At a town meeting in September, 1639, it was "ordered that EDWARD STEBNE & brother Reseu shall vew the pale & take the forfits & demand the trespases of any man against the former orders Concerning fences gats or hogs," etc.
p. 5

His name appears in a list of such as have right in the undivided lands, 1639-40.
p. 17.

He was appointed on February 18, 1640, as one of the committee to make the "men that be behind in yr laste towne Rate * * * to work out a sertyne Soom of mony in pipe staves."
p. 43.

"April the Xth 1640. Forasmuch as many stubborne & refractory Persons are often taken w'thin these libertyes, and no meet place yet pr'pared for the detayneing & keepeing of such to their due & deserved punishment. It is therefore Ordered that there shall be a house of Correction built, of 24 foote long & 16 or 18 foote broad, w'tli a Celler, ether of wood or stonne, according as Mr. Talcotte, ED: STEBING, Tho : Ford and James Boosy shall thinke meete, who are chosen by the Courte to lette out the worke, appoynt out the place & to order and directe whatsoever oceations and businesses that may fall out for the compleate finishing the said house, wch is to be done by the next Courte, in September."
Colonial Records of Conn. V. p. 47.

On May 6, 1641, it was recorded that "The acwntes of the owld townse being tacken it then Resteth due to the towne ffrom good man STEBIN. 1. 16. 10."
Conn. Historical Soc'y Collections VI p. 57.

The nuncupative will of Thomas Scott of Hartford, which was recorded November, 1643, is mentioned as "yt was spoken by him to EDWARD STEBBING" Tymothy Standley who were sent for by him for that end": and MR. STEBBINS was appointed one of the overseers.
Colonial Records of Conn. I p. 453.

At a meeting of the General Court, October 25, 1644, "The pr'positions conserneing the mayntenaunce of scollers at Cambridge, made by the said Comissio'rs is confirmed, and It is Ordered that 2 men shalbe appoynted in every Towne w'thin this Jurisdiction, who shall demaund what every family will give, and the same to be gathered and brought into some roome, in March; and this to continue yearely as yt shalbe considered by the Comissio'rs. The p'rsons to demand what will be given are
For Hartford, Nathaniell Waird and ED: STEBBING."
p. 112.
Conn. Historical Soc'y Collections VI p. 71.

"The 18th of november 1644," at a town meeting it was ordered that EDWARD STEBBINS and three others "shall have full power to viw the land from that fenc alredy dune up to podunk."
Colonial Records of Ct. I p. 121

On the 5th of February, 1644, he was appointed by the court to inspect the commerce on the Connecticut River at Hartford; and on the same day "EDWARD STEBBING at Hartford, is appointed to collect tariff on grain which is exported."
p. 135.

"Dece'ber the first 1645, ED. STEBBING of Hartford is appoynted to receive notice of the kylling of hogge or swyne," for Hartford.

On April 9, 1646, Samuel Martin and William Andrews gave bond to "answer the complaints of EDWARD STEBBING for lading 97 bush of Corne aboarde a vessell at Hartford wch dep'rted the harbor without entering the said come according to order."
Conn. Historical Soc'y Collections 1 p. 110.

He served as a selectman of Hartford, in 1647-8, and on March 9, 1648, rendered his account as selectman. On March 13 of the same year there was "payd out of the rate to William wadsworth & EDWARD STEBING, 00. 08. 06." He was one of the persons appointed February 5, 1650, "to make the ratte."
Colonial Records of Ct. VI p. 86.
p. 90.
p. 95.

At a "Generall Courte of Electyon, the 18th day of May, 1654, EDWAR STEBBING & Tho : Coleman are appointed to draw up some rules for sealing leather," etc. MR. STEBBINS also acted as sealer of leather in 1659.
I p. 259.

On February 15, 1654-5, EDWARD STEBBINS was appointed on a committee for "Byinge or Bilding a Hoose for a schole Hous." December 18, 1655, "GOOD STEBING" was chosen one of those who were to take account of the money which Mr. Goodwin received of the town for building "a scoole Hous"; and on January 23, 1655-6, he was one of a committee to "end the Biusenes Between mr. Goodwin and the Town about a Schole Hous."
Conn. Historical Soc'y Collections VI p. 109
p. 107.
p. 109.

It is recorded on February "15, 1655, that he was one of the "men that wanted Leaders" [ladders].
p. 110.

The General Court, on May 21, 1657, approved the place for a farm for Mr. Haines at Pocumtuek, which "EDWARD STEBBIN & John White have loocked out for him."
Colonial Records of Ct. I p. 298

At a session of the General Court at Hartford. August 18, 1658, "Mr. John Allyn, EDWARD STEBBING, Nath: Ward, John Bernard, are appoynted to take in the account of the charge respecting al ye Elders attending the last Council, and the man yt was maimed, and to distribute it by way of rate upon both parties, viz: the church at Hartf : and ye withdrawers."
p. 321.

He was elected "chimney veiuer for North side," February 11, 1658. On March 9, 1658-9, he was one of five men appointed "to levy the rate for the charge of the last Council according to former order and to make provision for the entertaynement of this Councill."
Conn. Historical Soc'y Collections VI p. 123.
p. 334.

On November 9, 1659, "Mr. Willis, Talcot, Stone, and EDWARD STEBBING are desired by the Court to goe downe to Middle Towne to inquire ye nature of ye troublesom differ'nc fallen out there, and to endeavor a composition thereof."
p. 343.

He seems always to have been much interested in educational matters, November 20, 1660, he was appointed on a committee "to consider what way may be best for ye caring and end of a free schole."
p. 132.

March 14, 1660-1, the Court "haveing heard the case respecting Jeremie and John Adams and EDWARD STEBBING, respecting the sale of ye Homelot of Thomas Greenhill, at Hartford, doe sentence and conclude, that ye said sale of yt lot by EDWARD STEBBING to Mr. Goodwin is a legal sale: the sale being acknowledged by EDWARD STEBBIN in open Court."
Colonial Records of Ct. I p. 362.

He was a man in whom the people ever placed great confidence; and he was frequently asked to settle the estates, and care for the widows and children of his neighbors. While he appears to have been somewhat aggressive, most of his legal controversies were for the benefit of others rather than himself. In 1662 he was appointed administrator of the personal estate of Mrs. Dorothy Chester, and was to pay the debts, the remainder to be at his disposal.
Trumbull's Hist. of Hartford Co. Ct. p. 234.
Hinman's Puritan Settlers p. 162.

On the decease of Governor Hopkins, MR. STEBBINS was appointed one of the trustees to dispose of his estate.

"At a session of the Generall Assembly at Hartford, [October] the 8th, 1663," it was recorded that, "This Court doth approve of DEACON STEBBING and Lut Tho: Bull paying what doth [appear] to be due from Mr. Hopkins estate to Mr. Bournes and Mr. Dallye with what [ ]ency may bee."

It is recorded January 18, 1663-4, that "DEACON EDWARD STEBBING Lu't Thomas Bull doe engage themselves to pay unto the comittee of the towne of Hartford the sume of fower hundred pounds out of Mr. Hopkins estate in currant pay, this spring, to be improved by the sayd comittee in the towne of Hartford, for promoteing of learning according to the will of o'r honoured freind Mr. Hopkins." December 3, 1664, "MR. EDW. STEBBING" was appointed a trustee for the "Worshipfull Mr. Edw. Hopkins fund of four hundred pounds," and other funds "to bee employed in this Towne for the promotaing of Learning."
Colonial Records of Ct. XV p. 543.
Conn. Historical Soc'y Collections VI p. 144.

He continued as deacon of the church until his death. No dignity, except that of the minister, equaled the office of elder or deacon in colonial times. DEACON STEBBINS is frequently mentioned as a man of note, and of more than ordinary worldly possessions. His cattle mark was "a slitt downe the top of both eares." In addition to the ones already noted, he held numerous offices, and administered various estates, etc. His name was placed on the monument erected by the Ancient Burying Ground Association of Hartford, in memory of the First Settlers.
Hinman's Puritan Settlers p. 162.

Comparatively little is known of his wife. Her name appears first in the list of sisters in full communion with the Second Church of Hartford, in 1670. There is a tradition that she was a woman of such dignity and godliness and that, as a tribute to her worth, her name was given the place of honor on the church roll, preceding even that of the wife of the minister. Her will, dated November 12, 1673, is given below.
Talcott's N. Y. & N. E. Families p. 569.

The exact date of death of DEACON EDWARD STEBBINS is not known; he probably died in 1668, as his son-in-law, Thomas Cadwell, mentions in his will that his wife Elizabeth "was the only child living of" EDWARD STEBBINS "when he deceased in 1668." The inventory of the estate of DEACON EDWARD STEBBINS was taken August 10, 1668.

WILL OF DEACON EDWARD STEBBINS.
"Hartford August the 24th 1663"

"In the name & Feare of God I Edward Stebbins being weake in body but haveing my understanding & memory remayninge wth me (through ye mercy of God) yet not knowing the day of my death doe here make my Last will & testamt. And I shall here speake only to ye things of this life, wch ye Lord hath bestowed upon mee : First I give & bequeath unto my welbeloved wife ffrancis, my bowsing & Lands in Hartford (except such Lands as are hereafter mentioned as appoynted to be sold) wch Shee is to enjoy for terme of her naturall life as also ye two best Cowes: & three of the best swine: as also ye use of the household stuffe or soe much of it as shee shall see need to make use of : also in ye end of her naturall life shee shall have liberty to dispose of Forty pounds aecordinge as shee shall thinke fitt:

Item I give & bequeath unto our beloved son [son-in-law] Mr. John Chester the summe of forty pounds of my estate here: to be paid wth in two yeeres after my decease my debts beinge paid: to be paid also in this Countrey to him if he come over at his arrivall or to his assignes

Also I give & bequeath after my wives decease my housing & my Lands (vizt such of my Lands as shall not be sold to pay my engagemts) I say I give them to Edward Cadwell my son Cadwells child & John Wilson & in case John Wilson should dy before he attayne ye age of 21 yeeres yn the half of ye said house & Lands I give to Samuell Wilson at ye age of 21 yeeres & if Edward Cadwell dy before he attayne ye like age then that halfe shall pas to ye rest of my Daughter Cadwels Children & if John & Samll Wilson should both dy before such age as aforesaid then the whole shall pass to my Daughter Cadwells children the one half to be equally devided amongst them: Also I give to my son & Daughter Cadwell for ye use & benefitt of their chil-dren ye sum of twenty pounds to be paid in a feather bed & furniture & such other household stuffe or goods as shall seeme meet to my executors hereafter mentioned : to be paid within one yeere after my decease: Also I give unto John Wilson a feather bed & furniture & such things as belong to my shop & trade. Also I give & bequeath to Samuell Wilson the summe of thirty pounds to be paid that mare yt is in William Phelps his hands wch is to be prized quickly after my decease & the rest to be paid out of other estate as the executors see good: this estate to be paid to him at 21 yeeres of age together with the prnfitt yt shall come of ye mare in such regard he is to stand to ye venture of the mare: Also I give & bequeath unto the 4 children of my Deare Sister Holyoke 40/8 a yeere to be paid within one yeere after my decease excepting Johns part wch is to be paid wn he shall attayne ye age of 21 yeeres: Also I give to my son Gaylers children Joseph & Benjamin & Joanna 8 pounds apeece to be paid into ye fathers hands for ye use wth in two yeeres after my decease & if eyther of his said children shall dy before they come to age vizt the sons to 21 yeeres & ye Daughter to 18 that part or parts shall pass unto the rest to be devided equally between them Also Mary Gayler I doe order to be wth her Grandmother & I give unto her the summe of twenty pounds at 18 yeeres of age: provided she carry it dutyfully to her Grandmother: if otherwise it shalbe in the power of my executors to abate aeeordiug to ye discretion: Also I doe appoynt that John Wilson shalbe wth his Grandmother to helpe her accordinge to his best skill & ability during the tyme of her naturall life, during well tyme also I desire my executors that care may be taken that he he instructed in my trade by Caleb Stanley according as it may stand wth my wives comfort And after her Decease I desire my executors to take order yt he be pfected in his trade: And I doo ordayne & appoynt my welbeloved wife to be my executrix of this my last will & testamt: also I doe ordayn appoynt & desire ye honnord Mr. Samuell Willis & my welbeloved brother & freinds Elizur Holyoke & Leiut Bull & Leiut Robert Webster to be executors of this my last will & Testamt: To whom or to any two of them I give power to see the Legacyes above mentioned discharged & my just debts paid & to gather in wt debts are owing to nice & to make sale of wt of my stock is hereby undisposed of & if that will not satisfy to pay my debts then to sell that parcell of Land yt I bought of Deacon Parks wch was mr Chaplaines lying up in the Long meddow : about ten acres wth ye Lott : & yt overplus shalbe found of my estate after the Legacyes above mentioned by paid & my debts discharged after my wives decease shalbe disposed of to my Daughter Cadwells Children & to John Wilson & Mary Gayler accordinge to ye judgmt & discretion of my executors or any two of them: also I give to Richard Weller twenty shillings haveing formei'ly delivered into his hand about thirty pounds for the benefitt of his children And to my said executors I give the summe of ten pounds vizt 50/8 apeece : and in witnes hereto I have sett my hand

Edward Stebbing

This will & testament of Edward Stebbing was subscribed by him in ye presence of Elizur Holyoke.

An Inventory of ye estate of DEACON EDWARD STEBBING late of Hartford deceased taken August 10th 1668
Imprim's. His purse & apitarell & plate                      15.13.00

In ye Parlour
Two tables & chairs and joynd stooles                        1.15.00
6 Cushions a pr Stelliards Andirons                               1.08.00
A cupboard                                                                    00.12.00

In ye Parlour Chamber
A Bedstead & furniture for a bed                                 05.02.00
Bookes                                                                             02.00.00
remnants of home made cloth                                    03.00.00
another remnant of cotton & wool cloth                 01.04.00
An old trunck a Cupboard a chest                              1.16.00
2 pr sheets, 5 table clothes 4 pill beeres                      4.16.00
2 Cupboard clothes 1 Diaper towell 6 old napkins    0.15.00
Flax a few nails working geere cheeses a lock           1.18.00

In ye little chamber
A bed & bedstead bolster & furniture                          6.00.00
Indian Corne, a cross cut saw an old HHdd                1.04.00

In ye Garrett
Some Ind Corne & Lumbar                                            1.00.00

In ye Dayry
Some meat & Lumber                                                    02.00.00

In ye Kitchin Chamber
A bedstead, bed & furniture                                        6.10.00
A trundle bed & furniture 2 warming pans                 2.06.00
8 pr sheetes 7.12 napkins .18                                        8.10.00
3 Course table clothes towells                                     0.05.00
A cupboard Chests & boxes                                        02.00.00
Bellowes Looking glass & a case for glasses               00.08.00

In ye closett
In wool flax cloth &c                                                      03.00.00

In ye other Garett
2 beds & their furniture                                                  04.00.00

In ye Kitchin
3 chaires 1 table 1 cupboard Cobjrons Fire pan
tongs trammell & frying pan                                        02.00.00
4 Kittles 3£ 4 potts 2.10 2 skilletts 3s    05.13.00
pewter 5.08                                                                    5.08.00
Lumbar in ye Cellar & Leane too & spitts & dishes
& kajez                                                                            01.10.00
Housing & Lands                                                            364.00.00
Corne Hay in ye barne & field                                     25.00.00

In ye shop
In ware leather & other things                                     8.00.00
In Armes & Ammunition                                                2.10.00
In Neat Cattell horses sheep & swine                         82.10.00
In husbandry tooles & tackling                                    04.19.00
                                                                                        _________
                                                       Summee totall        579.02.00
                                                  Elizur Holyoke               80.00.00

apprazed            John Allyn                                        659.02.00
By ous                  Thomas Bull
                             James Ensing
debts due to the estate at present valued at        150.00.00
debts due from the estate at present valued at     90.00.00
                                                                                        _________
                                                                                        60.00.00

WILL OF FRANCES STEBBINS.

Hartford Probate Rec. Ill p. 119.
I ffrancis Stebbing living in Hartford in the colony of Connecticut widdow being aged and under many weaknesses of body but having my perfect memory and understanding Doe make and Ordain this my last Will and testament Whearin I give and bequeath Unto my dear and beloved son Mr John Chester now living in or near unto London in old England the full and just som of twenty and four pounds sterling to be paid to him or his Order within two ffuU yeares after my desease to be paid in wheat pease and pork in an equal proportion all of it good and mereganhable at price current, my will is that my Executors doe faithfully tak car to tak the first opprtunety they can to give notice of this my will to my aforesaid Dear son Or if God hav taken him out of this world before that tini then the legacy I have given to my son aforesaid I give unto his dear and loving wife And too his two sons John and Sampson Chester to bee divided amongst them in an eciuall & just proportion the aforesaid legacies to bee paid good at hartford my son his heirs & assigns giving them Order for the payment & recovery of and sending his or their heirs Executors & assigns upon his or their full and true payment thereafter as before Exprest. Item I give unto my ffour grandchildren Thomas, William, Matthew, and Mary Cadwell four pounds a piece to be paid in currant country pay at price currant into the hands of my loving son Thomas Cadwell he giving security to my Executors for his true & faithfuU payment of theese legacies for the sons at the adg of twenty and on yeares & to the daughter at the adg of Eighteen j'ears or the day of her marriage my will is that these legacies be paid into the hands of my son Cadwell within two years after my decease Items I give to my Daughter Cadwell all my wearing apparell both woollen and Linnen that this my sayd will and testament to be in all things truly performed I constitute and ordayn my loving friend Luiftenant Thomas Bull and James Ensign Executors hei'eto for witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand this 20th day of May 1670.

The mark F S of

ffrancis Stebbing

Us two hereunto
Thomas Bull
James Ensing

Whereas there is in the South medow seven acres of land lying near the forty acres abutting on Lu't Bulls land on the east & land of Joseph Nash on the west, it being fower score rod long & about fourteen rod & a quarter wide which was not boixght when my husbands former will was made & not mentioned in it, but knowing of it to be my husbands will how it should be disposed of I doe accordingly will and bequeath the said seven acres to the three children of my son & daughter Cadwell viz Thomas William & Mary proportionable And also four acres more in the south meadow. I doe give & bequeath Two acres of the said fower acres to the now two youngest children of my son & daughter cadwell viz Mathew & Abigail cadwell & the other two acres I leave to the dispose of my Two Friends in trust Lent. Bull & Lent Robert Webster I ordaine executors of this my last will & Testament

I Francis Stebbins weak in body & of perfect understanding doe now rattify the within specified Will & Testament dated the 20th may 1670 also all above written onely altering of my executors which T now ordaine to be Lut. Bull & Lent Robert Webster & also that whereas in my former will I have given all my wearing apparell to my Daughter Cadwell I now doe bequeath to her onely my wearing gowne & the rest of my apparell to be divided betwixt the wife of John Wilson Mary Day & Mary cadwell & committing my Friends to the lord desiring them to be content quiet and loving I signe this as my last will this 12 November 1673 also I guiv to Mr. John Whitting one Forty shillings & my husbands cloake to John Wilson

The mark of X
Francis Stebbins.

Signed in presence of
Eliza Way
John Wilson

An inventory of ye estate of ffrancis Stebbing deceased taken the 23d of December 1673
Imp Purse and apparrell                                         24.10.0
In other Goods                                                         2.17.0
Debts sertain & uncertain                                       15.04.2
Left by her husband to be at her dispose           40.00.0
                                                                                  ________
Totall                                                                          82.11.2

Thomas Bull
Robert Webster.

3. MARY STEBBINS2, daughter of Deacon Edward Stebbins and Francis ------; died June 29, 1657, at Windsor or Hartford, Connecticut; married April 22, 1648, at Hartford, Connecticut, to WALTER GAYLORD, of Windsor, Connecticut; died August 9, 1689, at Hartford, Connecticut (?), who was a son of Deacon William Gaylord. He married second, March 22, 1658, Sarah Rockwell.

CHILDREN :
5. I. Joseph Gaylord, born May 13, 1649; married July 14, 1670, Sarah Stanley. +
6. II. Mary Gaylord, born March 19, 1650.
7. III. Joanna Gaylord, born February 5, 1652; married December 16, 1669, John Porter, of Windsor, Connecticut, son of John and Mary (Stanley) Porter. +
8. IV. Benjamin Gaylord, born Ai)ril 12, 1655.
9. V. Isaac Gaylord, born June 21, 1657; probably died young.
[All the above children except Isaac are mentioned in the will of their grandfather. Deacon Edward Stebbins, dated August 24, 1663.]

...

4. ELIZABETH STEBBINS2, daughter of Deacon Edward Stebbins and Frances -----; married ROBERT WILSON, of Farmington, Connecticut, who died July 21, 1655, at Farmington, Connecticut. She married second, 1658, THOMAS CADWELL, of Hartford, who died October 9. 1694. Occupation, ferryman at Hartford from December 13, 1687, until his death. Residence, Farmington and Hartford, Connecticut.

CHILDREN :
10. I. John Wilson, born 1650; married Lydia Cole.+
11. II. Samuel Wilson, born between 1651 and 1655 ; married Mary Griffen.+
Mary Cadwell, born January 8, 1859-60; married Jeremy Diggins.
Edward Cadwell, born November 1, 1660; married September 23, 1687, Hannah Butler; he was living May 25, 1697.
Thomas Cadwell, born December 5, 1661; was living May 25, 1697.
William Cadwell, born July 14, 1664.
Mathew Cadwell, born October 5, 1668.
Abigail Cadwell, born November 26. 1670.
Elizabeth Cadwell, born December 1, 1672.
Samuel Cadwell, born April 30, 1675.
Hannah Cadwell, born August 28, 1677.
Mehitable Cadwell, born January 12, 1679.
[Dates of birth of children by second husband are from the Catalogue of the First Church at Hartford.]

THOMAS CADWELL lived on a portion of Deacon Stebbins' home lot, on the corner of the streets, now Front and State streets. He was constable in 1662, and was licensed to keep the ferry in 1681.
Trumbull's Hartford Co., Ct. p. 273.

Source: Greenlee, Ralph Stebbins and Greenlee, Robert Lemuel, The Stebbins Genealogy, vol. 2, Chicago: M. A. Donohue & Company, 1904, pgs. 1005-16.

Transactions of the Leicestershire Architectural and Archaeological Society

...

II.

Leonard Chester, the second son of William Chester of Chipping Barnet, purchased a small estate consisting of two messuages five cottages and six and a half virgates of land in the parish of Blaby, a village four miles south of Leicester on the high road to Lutterworth. His estate extended into the neighbouring village of Countesthorpe and was held of the King as lord of the Honour of Leicester which is parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster, in free and common socage, and not in capite, nor by military service. This holding was rated in the books of the Duchy as of the annual value of 40 shillings beyond all reprises.

Leonard married three wives and survived them all. His first wife, whose maiden name is not recorded, was the mother of his heir, but he had issue four sons and two daughters by his second wife Bridget, who was the daughter and co-heir of John Sharpe of Frisby in Leicestershire. He married thirdly at Blaby on 12 June 1606 Jane widow of Mr. Wolle and daughter of Nicholas Savile Gent, of Blaby. His third wife had no children and died in the third year after her marriage, for she was buried at Blaby on 29 Oct. 1608. Leonard died on 8 August 1615, and was buried on 16 August at Blaby. As he was a tenant of the Duchy of Lancaster an inquest was held after his death by the King's escheator at Leicester on 28 September 1615, when the jury found that he had died a widower on 8 August preceding and that his son and heir Augustin Chester was thirty years old and upwards at the time of his father's death.

LEONARD CHESTER or BLABY co. LEICESTER GENT.

Will dated 1 Dec. 1614.

My body to be buried in the Parish Church of Blaby near my wife Bridget, & I give to the repairs of that church 6s. 8d.
To my Son Sampson Chester 40s. a year during his life, to be paid out of my dwelling house &c three tenements at Chipping Barnet Herts.
To my son George Chester 20s. a year during his life, out of the same house & tenements.
To my son Augustine Chester the said house and tenements at Chipping Barnet &. also a dwelling house in that parish called the Flower de luce now occupied by John Franklin 4c also all other my lands & tenements at Chipping Barnet, to hold the same during his life; & after the death of the said Augustine Chester, his wife Phœbe Chester (if she survives him) is to have one third part of the said lands & tenements for her life in lieu of jointure or dower; remainder to Charles Chester the eldest son of the said Augustine and his heirs male; remainder to Clement Chester, John Chester & Leonard Chester the second third & fourth sons of the said Augustine and their respective heirs male successively; remainder to the said Augustine Chester & his right heirs for ever.
And whereas I have already assured to my son John Chester all my lands & tenements in Blaby & Countesthorpe in the County of Leicester upon his promise (though not expressed in writing) that he will be good to his bretheren Sampson & George Chester, & be as a father to them; I now desire & charge my said son John to pay £40 within two years after my death to each of my said sons Sampson and George Chester.
To every cottier in Blaby fourpence each.
To my son Augustine my second sute of apparel; to my son Sampson my best sute, & to my son George the rest of my apparel.
And whereas by re-grant of my son John I hold one half of a yard land in Blaby for a term of years not yet expired, I give the unexpired term to my son Augustine. My two sons Sampson & George Chester to be my Executors & residuary legatees, & Mr. William Yard of Cosby, to whom I give a legacy of 10s. to be overseer of my will.
My Executors are not to require payment from my son Augustine of his debt to me for five years from this date.
Will proved at Leicester 26 August 1615.

Leonard Chester had issue by his first wife
I. Augustin Chester his son and heir. He had issue by his second wife Bridget Sharpe
II. John Chester ancestor of the Chesters of Wethersfield in New England, of whom in my next chapter.
III. William Chester was living beyond seas in 1619 but is mentioned in his father's will.
IV. Sampson Chester, the 3rd son of Leonard by his second wife Bridget Sharp, was brought up to trade, and was apprenticed for seven years on 13 October 1606 to John Gilbert of Holborn, merchant taylor of London. Sampson was admitted to the freedom of the Merchant Taylors' Company* on 3 July 1615, when he set up for himself in business in the parish of St. Anne's Blackfriars. He married at St. Anne's Church on 26 Nov. 1617 Frances daughter of Ralph Tough alias Tuffe of Barrow in Leicestershire, by whom he had issue four children. Sampson died before 1627, and his widow Frances married at St. Mary Magdalene's Bermondsey on 25 Feb. 1627-8 Thomas Smith of that parish. Sampson Chester left issue three daughters and a son, viz.:—
1. Margaret Chester, baptized at St. Anne's, Blackfriars, 28 Oct. 1618.
2. Johanna Chester, baptized at St. Anne's Blackfriars, 21 Jan. 1619-20.
3. Abigail Chester was baptized at St. Mary Magdalene's, Bermondsey, on 5 Nov. 1623, and dying unmarried in her 13th year was buried there on 8 Sept. 1636.
4. John Chester, the only son of Sampson by Frances Tough, was baptized at St. Mary Magdalene's, Bermondsey, on 23 May 1621, and is mentioned amongst the legatees in his uncle John's Will in 1628. He was a clergyman in holy orders, and is described as of Southwark, Clerk, in his son's indentures of apprenticeship. Sampson Chester, son of Rev. John Chester of Southwark, Clerk, was apprenticed for seven years in May 1669 to Richard Butler, Citizen and Merchant Taylor of London.**
...
V. GEORGE CHESTER, the 4th son of Leonard by his wife Bridget Sharpe, was baptized at Blaby on 18 October 1594, and was living in 1628 when his brother John made his Will.
I. ANNE CHESTER the eldest daughter of Leonard by Bridget Sharpe, was the wife in 1619 of her cousin Robert Sharpe of Frisby in Leicestershire. II. ALICE CHESTER was in 1619 the wife of Richard Sharpe, the brother of her sister's husband.
III. AUGUSTINE CHESTER, the son and heir of Leonard by his first wife, succeeded on his father's death in 1615 to the estate at Blaby and Countesthorpe...

* Extracted from the books of the Merchant Taylors' Company, by G. E. Cockayne, Norroy King of Arms.
** Extracted from the books of the Merchant Tuylors' Company, by G. E. Cockayne Norroy, King of Arms.

Source: Waters, R. E. Chester, "The Chesters of Blaby," Transactions of the Leicestershire Architectural and Archaeological Society, vol. 6, Leicester: Clarke and Hodgson, 1888, pgs. 177-181.