Rev. 3 Oct. 2005

DEACON GEORGE GRAVES

1636 Settler of Hartford, Connecticut

and His Descendants

GENERATION 1

George Graves (1), referred to in many documents as Deacon George Graves (often spelled Grave, without the final "s"), was born in England[1]^,[2]. Based on the ages of his children, he may have been born about 1600. He died Sept. 16731,2 and was buried 27 Sept. 16731. (According to the Deming genealogy, he died 5 June 1668 in Wethersfield, Conn.) It is believed that he and all the other "original proprietors" (so called because they received their land from "the crown") of Hartford were buried beneath a large monument (on which their names are inscribed) at the rear of the Centre Church in Hartford1.

It was stated by genealogist John Card Graves of Buffalo, N.Y. that Deacon George Graves had a sister, Sarah Graves, who married Richard Lord of New London, Conn. (However, the IGI has a record of Sarah Graves marrying Richard Lord in Hartford in 1635[3]. Since he was an original settler at Cambridge, MA, and probably a part of the Hooker pilgrimage to Hartford in 1636, he may not have been “of New London.”[4]) They were related to widow Ann Graves of Great Minores St., St. Botolph Parish, Aldgate (or Olgate), London, England, who by will proven 20 March 1676 gave annuities to the children of Deacon George in case of failure of issue to her grandson Joseph Hardey.

It is also believed that George Graves had another sister, Abigail Graves, who first married William Andrews[5] and secondly married Nathaniel Barding[6], both in Hartford, CT or vicinity. (See further discussion in the Appendix.)

It is believed that George Graves was from either Hertford, Hertfordshire9,15, or from Braintree, Essex, England[7]. Because of this, it is interesting to note that there was a John Graves who settled in Roxbury, MA in May 1633[8], coming from Nazing (or Nazeing or Nasing), Essex, England, with wife and 5 children: John, Samuel, Jonathan, Sarah, and Mary. His wife died soon after arrival, and he then married Judith Alward, or Allard, in Dec. 1635, and had a daughter Hannah. He died 4 Nov. 1644, and is definitely not the same as John Graves of Concord, MA, mentioned in the next paragraph. The eldest son of John Graves of Roxbury, also named John, died 5 Dec. 1645. Nazing is less than 10 miles from Hertford (where George Graves may have been from), so it is possible the two were related.

It was stated by John Card Graves that John Graves of Concord, Mass. was a brother of George. However, there is no known evidence of this relationship. Although it was cited as "part of the proof", the only "proof" as far as this author knows is a letter dated 27 Feb. 1675 from an aunt, Anna Graves of London, to John Graves of Guilford, Conn. She wrote that she was 92 at that time and her only daughter had died Nov. 1674. Based on the present evidence, it seems likely that Anna Graves was a sister-in-law of Deacon George Graves. There is also the possibility that Anna and Ann Graves were the same person. Research needs to be done in London records to further establish the facts.

The reason this letter was cited as proof is that the date was misread as 1645. The letter is actually written to John Graves, son of Deacon George Graves, and not to John Graves of Concord. To establish this, the author has recently examined a photocopy of the actual letter and seen the envelope which is addressed to John Graves of Guilford, Conn. and not John of Concord. The brother George mentioned in the letter is not the immigrant Deacon George Graves but the son of George. The text of the letter is as follows. This letter and several others were stored in a bank vault in Madison, Conn. in 1990, and copies were in the possession of members of "The Deacon John Grave Foundation, Inc." located in Madison.

"London, Febr'y the 27, 1675

Couzen John Graves in New England

My kind love to your wife and children. Hoping yt these few lines will find you well as I pray ye Lord left me, in considering my age. Couzen having an oportunity of sending caused me to write this being the sixth letter to you since I received yours yt some of those may come safe to yr hand and to inform you yt hath pleased God to take away from me unto himself my deare and only daughter which is a great greafe and heavy burden to me in my great age (92) but considering whither she has gone I am satisfied. She departed this life ye 21st day of ye last November 1674. She had a great desire to hear from you before she died and if she had she would a remembered you at her death. And now couzen I am of great age and cannot expect to live long but have made my will and have left 50 pounds among you as a token of my remembrance after I am dead. I have left 10 pounds to yrself, 10 pounds to yr brother George and yr sister 10 pounds which is 30 pounds. The 20 pounds remainder for yr children. If it shd please ye Lord to take me out of this world before ye letter comes I have left to good bondsmen over here in trust my will.

Ye one is Mr. William Griffing, a Merchant in Austin St. and ye other is Mr. James Arbell at ye White Anchor in ye little Minery. So I close commiting you to the protection of ye almighty God who never forsakes any yt wholey put their trust in him.

Your loving Aunt till death.

Anna Graves"

George Graves was one of the original proprietors1^,[9],[10] of Hartford, Conn., where he settled about 16361,2, on the south side of Elm St. about opposite the Daniel's Mill1. A sketch map showing the south-side plantation portion of Hartford in 1636 (map shown on next page) shows Deacon George Graves' house lot situated on the Little River between the lots of Governor Edward Hopkins and Stephen Post[11]. He was a weaver1,9 in comfortable circumstances, and was appointed to inspect linen and woolen goods for the Colony at Hartford 3 June 16441,2. He was chosen "Townsman", as the Selectmen were then called, in 1650

and 16681,9. He was Deputy to the General Court (Assembly) in 1657 and 16581,9, and fence viewer in 16669.

He was married first in England1,[12], and his two eldest children were born there and brought to America by their father1. He secondly married widow Sarah Ventres1,9, mother-in-law of his son George1,9.

He was against the "withdrawers" from the First Church of Hartford in 1658, but afterwards on Feb. 22, 1670, when the Second Church was organized, he was one of the founders and the first Deacon of the new Church1,9. The Second Church was organized, as a result of baptismal and synodical controversy, by a group of 31 members of the First Church, under the leadership of the then senior minister, Rev. Whiting[13]. George's wife, Sarah, was also an original member of the new Church9.

Of his second wife it was said (in the Hartford Courant, Feb. 15, 1896) in a sketch of the three prominent women who united with the Church at that time, viz. Sarah Ensign, Sarah Graves, and Margaret Nash, "that she was a sincere Christian Woman who loved her church and whose simple service was a delight and joy, and the legacy of her influence and character helped to mould the belief for the next generation."

The inventory of the estate of George Graves indicated a value of 278 pounds, 13s, 2d1,9. His will dated at Hartford 17 Sept. 16731,11 specified that his lands should "pay their rates according to their proportion, to the maintenance of the ministree at the new meeting house"11. He mentions his wife Sarah, sons George and John, son-in-law Jonathan Deming, daughter Mary Dow, and granddaughter Priscilla Markham.

His will follows:

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 dow also 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 granddaughter Priscilla Markham my least brass pott & pott 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 dow 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 payd) 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 Nov. 1673, Will proven.

The planning for the movement of some of the people of Newtown (later Cambridge), MA, to found Hartford began prior to May 15, 1634. On this date the General Court gave them permission “to seeke out some convenient place,” promising to confirm it to them, provided the place chosen was not prejudiced to any plantation already settled.

According to Winthrop’s journal[14], under the date of Oct. 15, 1635: “About sixty men, women and little children, went by land toward Connecticut with their cows, horses, and swine, and, after a tedious and difficult journey, arrived safe there.” This apparently referred to the first group of settlers in Hartford (previously called Suckiaug by the Indians). Nearly half of this pioneer company from Newtown were recent arrivals from England. They arrived at their destination toward the end of October, their journey taking about two weeks. Thirteen men of this group returned to Newtown in November, having stayed in Hartford long enough to claim house lots and help the new settlers get established.

A sketch showing the north-side plantation house lots of these first settlers is on the next page. The road from Little River to the north meadow was the precursor of present day Front Street. The road from the Palisado to Centinel Hill is now Main Street.

The first group of settlers, led by Thomas Hooker[15] (picture on page 18), left Newtown on Tuesday, May 31, 1636. Many were from Newtown, but others came from other Massachusetts towns, or soon after their arrival from England. The location of his house lot indicates that George Grave arrived in 1636, but it is not known where he came from or exactly when in 1636.

The settlers in 1636 did not make their way through an unmarked, trackless wilderness with only their compass to guide them, as has been stated by some writers. They followed a beaten path, already trodden that season by several other companies with cattle. The path led from Newtown on the north bank of the Charles River, through Watertown, Waltham, Weston, Wayland and Framingham, passing north of Cochituate Pond. Then it turned southward through the present borders of South Framingham, Ashland, Hopkinton and Westborough to Grafton. Then it crossed the Blackstone River, and went through the present town of Milbury, through Charlton to Sturbridge. From there it went through Fiskdale and Agawam, to Springfield. The route was then down the Connecticut River, crossing the river at the ferry at Windsor, finally arriving in Hartford.

At least many of the 1636 settlers were granted lands in the south-side plantation, as shown on the map on page 12.

The original “writeing” in which Sequassen and his tribe conveyed the Suckiaug lands to Samuel Stone and William Goodwin in 1636 specified “all the land from Wethersfield bounds on the south to Windsor bounds on the north, and the whole bredth from Connecticutt river on the east six large miles into the wilderness on the west.” The grant was later renewed and enlarged.

Thomas Hooker

The first meeting house at Hartford was only temporary. The construction of the second meeting house was begun in 1638 and was probably far enough along to be occupied during the winter of 1638-39. It was on “Old Meeting House Hill”, near the dwelling of Capt. John Lawrence. A sketch of it is on the next page. It was probably 50 feet square, the same size as some later churches in Hartford. (R‑202, R‑204, R‑214)

Children - Graves[16]

+2. George Graves, b.c. 1631, m. Elizabeth Ventres, 2 April 1651, d. 3 Dec. 1692.

+3. John Graves, b.c. 1633, m. Elizabeth (Crittenden) Stillwell, 26 Nov. 1657, d. 31 Dec. 1695

+4. Sarah Graves, m. Jonathan Deming, 21 Nov. 1660, d. June 1668.

+5. Mary Graves, m. Samuel Dow, 12 Dec. 1665, d. Sept. 1673.

+6. Priscilla Graves, m. William Markham, d.c. 1668.

GENERATION 2

CHILDREN OF GEORGE GRAVES (1)

George Graves (2) was born about 1631 in England, and died 3 Dec. 1692 in Middletown, Conn. He married Elizabeth Ventres on 2 April 1651 in Hartford, Conn. They moved to Middletown, Conn., where he was made freeman 18 May 1654, Deputy to the General Court in 1656, was Marshall of the Colony for several years, and was appointed to measure the bounds of Wethersfield, Conn. 10 Oct. 1667. His will (vol. 1, p. 455, Mainwaring's Early Probate Records) mentions his wife Elizabeth, sons George and John, and daughters Mercy, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Sarah Loomis. (R‑202)

Children - Graves

7. George Graves, never married, d. 1699.

8. Elizabeth Graves, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Mitchell.

+9. John Graves, m(1) Susannah Webster, 1681, m(2) Hannah Davis, 1690, d.c. 1702.

+10. Mercy Graves, b.c. 1670, m. Nathanael Winchell, 15 March 1694, d. after 1700.

11. Sarah Graves, m. Jonathan Loomis, 27 Dec. 1688. He was a son of Nathaniel Loomis and Elizabeth Moore, and was born 31 March 1666. They lived in Hartford until at least 1694.

John Graves (3) was born about 1633 in England1,2, and died 31 Dec. 16951^,[17],[18] in Guilford (now Madison), Conn. He was buried in East Guilford (now Madison), on the green where the First Church stood at the time. He came to America with his father. He was a blacksmith by trade, living at Hartford until 1657[19].

He married Elizabeth (Crittenden) Stillwell2,17, daughter of William and Mary Cruttenden (or Crittenden) of Guilford, on 26 Nov. 1657 in Guilford, Conn. She was the widow of Jasper Stillwell, and was born about 1639. Jasper was buried 8 Nov. 1656, and his widow decently waited a year before she married John Graves. The erroneous information previously published by various authors that John was married twice is corrected and explained by Donald Lines Jacobus in the reference cited below. Elizabeth was living in 1697/8 when her brother's will referred to her.

After John Graves died in 1695, his widow Elizabeth thirdly married John Sperry of New Haven, CT, and then married as her fourth husband Benjamin Burnett1 or Burwell2.

John and Elizabeth moved in 1657 from Hartford (Colony of Connecticut) to Guilford, Conn. (under the New Haven Jurisdiction), where John was Town Clerk from 1673 to 1685. He was deputy to the General Court most of the time from 1670 to 1695, representing Guilford 23 times. He was Deacon in the First Church. He was confirmed as Ensign of the train band of Guilford 10 Oct. 1667, was one of the grantees in the Town Patent in 1685, and owned several parcels of land in the town.

John was a freeman of Guilford before 16592, and became a proprietor inhabitant18^,[20]. "John naturally [having lived in Hartford until his marriage] sided with the Rossiter[21] or Hartford party in the troubles connected with the absorption of New Haven Jurisdiction by Connecticut."2 In 1669 he was one of 3 townsmen on a committee, ordered by the court, to draw up a list of freemen of Guilford. John was eleventh on the list of 36 freemen18.

In addition to a home lot of 5-1/4 acres, he owned one parcel of upland in the Great Plaine, 10 acres and 2-1/2 acres of upland marsh in the same plain. In 1667 he bought from Robert Kitchel, for 27 pounds, the latter's lot in the Little Plain, and 6 acres of upland on the north side of the country highway1,2. The General Court granted him farm land (part of Guilford Farms) in the southwest part of town which fell within the bounds of Durham when that town was formed[22].

He built in Guilford (in that part that is now Madison, CT) in 1659 the historic old "Graves House"[23] which was still standing in the early 1900's and occupied by his descendants. (It was built on two lots of land north of Jasper Stillwell's stone house on the east side of South Lane, later called Harbour Street. A painting of the restored house and a map of its location in present-day Madison are on the next page. It is called the “Deacon John Grave House at Tuxis Farm.”) At that time, it was probably one of the best preserved of the early houses built in this country. The following history and description of this house was prepared by one of the descendants of John Graves, Mrs. Anne Kelsey Maher, wife of William H. Maher of Toledo, Ohio, after five years of research for the Colonial Dames. It was published in the Hartford Courant of April 14, 1903.

"Very early in the history of Guilford, attempts were made to survey and allot the eastern part of the town, then called East Guilford, now Madison, and to encourage removal to it by offering a certain portion of land to every settler. The work went on slowly till 1672, when a third survey and division were made, and the allotments offered to the planters in proportion to their rate account, under three conditions. The first class, 'those who will take up their properties of land to farme and dwell upon it in three years,' were to have first choice and five acres of upland more than their proportion upon rate account would come to. If, however, anyone did not build 'a convenient house' in three years, he should forfeit 10 shillings a year thereafter.

Painting of Deacon John Grave House at Tuxis Farm

Location of Deacon John Grave House in Present-Day Madison, CT

Evidently John Graves of Guilford availed himself of this offer, for in 1675 he owned a tract of land in East Guilford and built on it a house, certainly a 'convenient' one, which has stood there more than two centuries and a quarter, and is known as the old Graves house.

It was built after the solid and generous fashion of those times, with heavy oak beams in the corners and across the ceilings, and in the center a rough stone chimney, twelve feet square, whose wide fireplaces opened into all the living rooms. The roof was covered with cedar shingles. In front it was two stories high, but the long slope of the back roof reached to within six or eight feet of the ground. The chambers were finished in native wood, probably butternut, which has darkened almost beyond recognition. The present owners, who have devoted themselves to the loving task of restoring, as far as possible, the original features of their ancestral home, have rescued much of this wood from the wall-paper under which it had been hidden. Doubtless the same wood was used in the parlors, but years ago it was covered with many coats of white paint.

In the front rooms were triangular corner cupboards, the pride of the successive mistresses of the old house. Here were kept the glass-stoppered decanters and dainty wine glasses, and on these shelves rested the pewter plates and platters, shining like silver; they are still shining there today.

Our forefathers did their work well in those last years of the seventeenth century, and John Graves builded better than he knew; for after more than two hundred years the old house is still standing solidly, and seemingly abundantly able to brave the storms of two centuries more.

It is owned and occupied by the sixth generation of his descendants, and from attic to parlor is a museum of antiquities; of treasures of old glass, pewter, and china; of rare embroideries and antique furniture; of yellow documents bearing dates in the 1600's; of muskets and cocked hats, regimental coats and swords, with revolutionary memories hanging round them.

Among its most carefully treasured heirlooms is a letter written by Ann Graves of London, dated February 12, 1675, to her nephews, George and John Graves. In it she tells them she has left them in her will 10 pounds each, and desires them to let her know whether they will have this money sent in money or in goods. A few years later (the date is not given) John charges his brother for 'money towards the payment of Mr. William Whiting for his charges in sending the goods from England, and more, 2s 6d, to be paid to Mr. Pirpkins for wrighting.' Probably these 'goods' represented the legacy of Mrs. Ann Graves, and one likes to think that they may be the very china and pewter platters now lying in the corner cupboard of the old house.

Naturally we are interested in the personality of the man who built this house, and of those who succeeded him in it, but have long since passed away. John Graves was the son of George Graves, who came to America in 1639, with his wife, Sarah, his sons George and John, and possibly his daughters, Sarah, Mary, and Priscilla. It is not certain whether the daughters were born in this country or in England.

The English home of the Graves family [although not necessarily this Graves family] was in the counties Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby and York. Here they enjoyed various honors, including a coat of arms, and a choice of some fourteen Latin mottoes, beginning with the worldly-wise maxim: 'Aquila non capit muscas,' and ending with the devout aspiration: 'Suprema quaero.'

They also had a pedigree reaching back into France before the time of the Norman conquest. But six hundred years had gone far to dilute their Norman blood, and the dust lay thick upon their heraldic emblems, when plain George Graves, weaver, came to Hartford, and settled down on the highway, now known as Elm Street, near Little River.

John Graves was about six years old at the time of his migration. In 1657 he went down to Guilford and married Elizabeth, only child of Jasper Stillwell, who had died a few months before. [As noted in the section prior to this newspaper excerpt, this has been proven to be incorrect. Elizabeth was the widow of Jasper.] Of Jasper Stillwell very little is known, except that he was one of the richer planters of the colony, as shown by the fact that he owned and lived in one of the four stone houses built at the time of the first settlement.

John Graves stepped at once into his father-in-law's [this should be his wife's first husband's] very comfortable shoes, and settled down with Elizabeth in their stone house, just north of Rev. Henry Whitfield's, now owned by the state of Connecticut and famous as the 'Old Stone House.' As time went on he developed into a very busy and capable man. He stood so high in the confidence of his townsmen that between 1670 and 1693 he was sent thirteen years to represent them at the General Court at Hartford, and what was even a higher mark of esteem in those days -- they elected him a deacon of the church.

One would think that these offices, with the care of the Stillwell estate, and the raising of his eight children, would have kept him busy; but he still found time to take a hand in most town matters, and there is scarcely a committee on public affairs of that time in which his name does not appear.

It is interesting to note some of the various matters that claimed his attention. We find him in 1664 'auditating the Towne and minister's booke of accounts;' in 1666 laying out a fence for 'the common oxe-pasture at Sachem's Head.' The next year he turned his attention to military matters, and at the General Assembly held at Hartford, October 10, 1667, John Winthrop, Jr., Governor, the court 'confirmes John Graves ensign of the Traine Bande of Guilford.' In 1673 the Court 'grants to Ensign John Graves an hundred acres of land,' but we do not now know where that land was situated, nor for what special service it was given. In 1690 he was promoted to the rank of captain, and the Court 'approved for him to be commissionated accordingly.'

In the meantime the versatile man had been surveying and settling the boundaries of the town, including 'the line running from the sea tenn miles into the wilderness'; fixing the dimensions of the new school house, and 'engaging a man or men to build it'; ordering the fortifications when the town feared an attack during King Philip's war; and superintending the building of his new house in East Guilford, whose story we are now telling.

In 1685 he was on a committee 'to search the town records and find out what is needful in preparing the charter of the town.' From 1673 to 1685 the duties of town clerk were added to his other labors. Five days after the death of their pastor, Rev. Joseph Elliott, in 1694, he was one of a committee appointed to 'take care for sanctifying the Sabbath and for supply in the ministry.' This appears to have been the last of his public duties. In the following year his busy life of sixty-six years came to an end, and the builder of the old Graves house was gathered to his fathers.

In 1685 John Graves, son of the first John, married Elizabeth Foote and at once installed his household goods in the house which his father had built in East Guilford ten years before. It is not known by which member of the family it had been occupied meanwhile. In his will the elder John speaks of it as 'the house at Tuxis Farms'; this name is taken from Tuxis Pond, a small body of water in that vicinity, and may have been applied to the whole district or only to that particular homestead.

Much of the story of the house and the people who lived in it can be learned from an old leather-covered book in which the first John Graves and his successors kept their accounts. It is about six inches wide and twice as long, with leaves of coarse, strong paper, and with slender leather thongs attached to the front edge of each cover by which it was securely tied together when not in use; a most substantial and dignified book, as befitted a man of John Graves's character and standing.

It has come down to the present day, worn and frayed with the service of four generations, and venerable with its weight of two and a quarter centuries. John Graves, his son John, his grandson John, and his greatgrandson Elias have left their records here. The earliest item is dated March 6, 1678-9. An unfamiliar hand of the fifth generation made the last entry: 'Elias Graves died May the 31st 1802 in the 71 year of his age.'

The first owner used the book for strictly commercial accounts, and his entries are chiefly of interest as showing the cost of living in those early days of the colony. From them we learn that Nathaniel's 'shoose' cost 2s, 6d, and Joseph's pumps, 3s, 6d; John's 'sute' 10s; Mistress Elizabeth's 'wastcoat' 4s; Sarah's 'samar' 6s. Who in this dawn of the twentieth century knows what manner of garment Sarah's 'samar' was? Our good mothers would have told us that it was a coat reaching to the knees.

We also know that John paid four pounds of 'swingled flax' for his gloves, one shilling for mending his 'leather britches', and that he paid his church rate in 'inden corne.'

At the death of his father the second John fell heir to the leather book, finding ample unoccupied space in its pages not only for his accounts and memoranda but for those of his successors. His entries, made in the quaint phraseology and uncertain spelling of those days were not confined to debits and credits, but included any items which its successive owners wished to commit to its safe keeping. Births, deaths and marriages, the date when he began to take the newspaper, the day when Elias returned from the war, the earmarks of his sheep, the field where he 'soed' flax, the length of the fence between his lot and his neighbor's, all found a place in these family archives. The result is a curious medley of commercial transactions, farm memoranda, and family chronicles; and a careful study of the yellow and time-stained pages gives many an interesting glimpse of the way our fore- fathers lived, as well as the outlines of the history of four generations of the Graves family.

If the law-givers of Guilford included capacity in their idea of 'a convenient house', the dwelling at Tuxis Farms had good need to be convenient, for in it John Graves 2d and his good wife Elizabeth raised their ten children, beginning with a little Elizabeth and including, of course, a young John. And every branch of the family was sure to have, in each generation, its own John.

From the leather book and from town records we gather that the second John was a worthy successor of his energetic father, though his activities were less varied. One historian states that John Graves was appointed to keep an 'ordinary', an important and honorable office in those times. From his frequent charges for meals and other comforts furnished to travelers it seems probable that the John Graves so appointed was the second of that name, and the old house, in his time, served in the capacity of a wayside inn. It stands on a highway which was the direct route between New York and Boston by way of Saybrook, and doubtless many travelers availed themselves of its shelter and accommodations. This is a specimen of his accounts:

Mark Mallam Debt

s d

To a pot of cider 0 0 3

To two quarts of oats 0 0 3

To a diner and a tankard of cider and two quarts of oats 0 1 5

To a pot of phlip 0 0 8

To victuals 0 1 3

To two meals of victuals and a night's lodging 0 1 0

To victuals for seamen 0 4 0

To expenses for a Branford gentleman 0 0 11

To two pots of cider one ordered sweetened 0 7

Under another date he makes a charge for 'diating the workmen engaged in repairing the church.' This is not so bad as it sounds; 'diating' was John's synonym for boarding. His successors used the same quaint phraseology. One of them charges Elijah Evarts for 'diating the schoolmaster.' Another makes the seemingly disrespectful entry 'for diating Uncle Norton.'

The records of the years 1702-13 show that the Graves house was a busy place during the time of Queen Anne's wars. John not only continued to furnish food and lodging to travelers but also kept a store of military supplies. In his spacious chambers sick soldiers were nursed and friendly Indians were fed in Mistress Elizabeth's kitchen. This is a specimen of the entries of that time:

County Debt in 1709

s d

by a bullet pouch impressed into her majestie's service 0 2 0

by a powder horne 0 1 6

by a horse jorney to Seabroke to fetch a doctor to sicke souldier

in her majesties service

by a souldier three meals whilst waiting on the sick souldier 0 1 0

by vitling and lodging a souldier 0 0 6

by four meals of victuals to Indians in the Queen's service 0 2 0

by new pair of stockings and a snapsack 0 3 0

John not only furnished food and lodgings to sick soldiers and friendly Indians but was himself active in military service. In the account book he writes: 'I went up to hadley in the Queen's service on the 11th of August and taried there till the 27th (in the yeare) 1708, with my horse and all my accoutrements at my owne finding.'

In the Court records of October 1707, we find that 'this assembly do establish and confirm Mr. John Graves to be Lieutenant of the first company or train band in the town of Guilford.'

But in the midst of the alarms of war John did not neglect the arts of peace. One of his entries reads: 'I began to teach schoole the 16 of December, 1707.' Then follows a list of his pupils, nine boys, two of them being his own sons. Probably John taught a private school that winter in one of the rooms of the 'convenient' house at Tuxis Farms.

It behooved a man who was a schoolmaster and the father of ten children to keep in touch with the current events; accordingly we find this entry: Boston News Letters The time of our News Letters began the 23rd of Aprill or the 30th in the yeare 1711.

This was the first paper printed in America, with the exception of one that lived but three or four weeks. When we consider the distance between Boston and Tuxis Farms, and the scarcity of money in those times (a man's wages being 2s 6d per day), it speaks well for John's enterprise that he should subscribe for a weekly paper. Probably a newspaper was a very rare thing in the community and the arrival of the post bringing the Boston News Letter was quite an event. We can imagine the planters dropping in at Neighbor Graves's that evening, and sitting around him while he held a candle close to the paper and read aloud the news; the arrival of the last ship from England; her passenger list and the reports which she brought; the market price of corn and flax; the last battle with the Indians or French, and the gossip of Boston.

In a later entry John records that in the year 1713 he paid Ebenezer Stone 1 pound 7s for making a drum, and remembering his record with the militia we naturally connect the drum with training days. But from another entry we learn that it was designed for religious service, being used to summon the people to Sabbath worship. He writes: 'I had the care of beating the drum on Sabbath days the first day of July 1713.' The records show that he was paid 20 shillings a year for this service.

In those days the town gave much attention to the draining, or as they called it, the 'drowning' of swamp lands. As early as 1694 permission was given to John Graves and three others 'to drown a swamp above Tuxis Pond, and to have it set out to them when drowned, to prevent the harboring of varment.' His descendants still own a tract of marshy land in that neighborhood; perhaps the same swamp which their progenitor 'drowned' more than two centuries ago.

Books were rare in those days, but the Graves house could boast a very modest library, and it occurred to John to place a catalogue of it in the leather book. It is somewhat interesting as showing the rather depressing nature of the religious literature of the day. This is the catalogue:

An account of some books of divinitie belonging to me John Graves, with some of their titles.

first The Triumph of a True Christian

one a practicall exposition on the 130 psalme

one harts division the evill of our times

an interest in a book intitled the rare jewell of contentment

two psalme books

one the pious remains of Mrs. Henry William Ludolf on meditation

one the glory departing from New England

one a call to the unconverted

one my peace I give unto you my peace I leave with you

one war with the divell or the young man's conflict with the powers of

darkness

one Zion in distress or the groans of the probistant church

one the familier explanation of the Assemblie of devines short cattechism

one old booke called pilgrims progress

one small booke Thirstie siners invited to Christ

one old Testament

one old Bible and part of old Bible

one the horers and terors that seze upon the unpardoned siners in the day of

judgement

one the old mens tears

three books of Mr. Wises works

one the quarell of the church espoused

two other paper books

one the dutie of all christians urged

one Mr. Whitmans election sermon

sundry other small paper books

Many of these books are still preserved in the old house.

At the death of John Graves, 2d, in 1726 the homestead at Tuxis Farms passed into the possession of the third John, who was thrice married. This John seems to have been by nature a very merry and light-hearted fellow, and to have taken his grandfather's leather book at first much less seriously than did his predecessors. He often relieved the monotony of debit and credit by a joke, or by dropping into poetry, and sometimes by pious precepts and admonitions. On one occasion, in a fit of exuberance, he closes an account thus: 'June 22, 1749, then reconed with Elijah Evarts and all accounts balanced from the beginning of the world to this day.'

But family cares and public responsibilities gradually subdued his spirits. Like his father and grandfather he held various offices in church and state. In 1737 the General Assembly established and confirmed him to be Ensign of the train band. In 1753 he was chosen deacon of the church. In 1754 he was appointed Justice of the Peace, which office he held until his death in 1763.

As there was no public building in which his cases could be tried the old Graves house filled a new role and served as a court house. One of the books in which he recorded the cases tried before him (his docket) is still preserved. The cases are about equally divided between suits for debt and for Sabbath breaking.

A specimen of the latter shows the rigid Puritan idea of 'sanctifying the Sabbath.' Leaving out circumlocutions, Squire John records that 'On January 3d, 1758, Lydia Baily being presented and informed against by Richard Bristol, one of the tithing men in the town of Guilford, for the breach of the Law entitled an act for the better observation and keeping of the Sabbath or Lord's day, for that ye sd Lydia Baily on the Sabbath or Lord's day, December the 25th, 1757, in the meeting-house of East Guilford being assembled for Divine service did profain ye Sabbath by Laughing and other vile actions was sentenced to pay three shillings as a fine and costs allowed to be one shilling.'

The old house not only sheltered successive generations of the Graves family but also numbered several slaves among its inmates. In the accounts of the third John and his son Elias are frequent charges for work done by 'Stepney', 'Bille', and 'Tomme.' The present generation was always told that these were the names of negro slaves owned by the family. In one side of the great chimney is a flight of rough stone steps leading from a back chamber to the roof. These have always been called 'Stepney's stairs,' and there is a tradition that he used them as a means of leaving the house by night, when going on expeditions for his own amusement. If Stepney really used them for this purpose it was a very easy matter for him to creep down the long slope of the back roof and drop to the ground, and to return by the same route.

Squire John was nearing the limits of his three score years and ten when the breaking out of the French and Indian war brought fears and forebodings into the old house. There were heavy hearts under its roof one autumn day when he took down the leather book and wrote: 'Sept. the 8, 1755. Then Elias Graves was prest into the expedition to crownpoint.'

The succeeding records tell the rest of the story of the joy and sorrow, the hopes, fears, and sacrifice that followed each other under the old roof.

'Nov. ye 26, 1755. This day at night Elias Graves came home from the crownpoint expedition.'

Another entry reads: 'August the 8, 1757. Then Elias Graves was prest into the expedition to Lake George.'

This is followed later by this: 'April ye 10, 1758. Then Elias Graves listed into the expedition to Canada.'

This latter time it is evident he went as a volunteer, and his commission as an Ensign still hangs on the old walls.

This record is made of his return: 'December 11, 1758. Elias Graves came home from No. 4 this day at night.'

Between the time of Elias's return from Crown Point and the expedition to Lake George his father also saw military service. The official records in the State Library, at Hartford, show that 'April 24, 1756, John Graves enlisted in the regiments raised for service in the French and Indian war, and was discharged Nov. 23d of the same year.'

This ends the history of that John.

At the death of Squire John, in 1763, the book became the property of his son Elias, as did the homestead, then nearly a century old. His wife was Mabel Murray, daughter of Jonathan Murray. His records in the old book are much like those of his forefathers. He makes no mention of the events of the revolution, but treasures of cocked hats and military coats, of old swords and muskets, still preserved in the house, show that he played his part in that long war. In the muster roll of a militia company of 1777 he appears as Lieutenant Elias Graves, and in the inscription on his tombstone he is called Captain.

One could wish that he had been less modest and had told us something of the part he played in those long years.

The alarm of war had passed and the proprietor of the old house had grown gray in the occupations of peace, when he made his last entry: '1797. Soed flax behind the barn and in upper peace hom lot souwest corner.'

Five years later another hand wrote: 'Elias Graves died May 31st, 1802, in the 71 year of his age.'

This was the last entry in the old leather book. Its pages were filled; its work was done; it was laid away with other heirlooms in the old house whose early days it so vividly recalls. It continues to tell to successive generations the story of their early and honored ancestors, and recalls the days when kings and queens claimed authority over the land.

The old house continued to shelter the descendants of the man who built it, and is in their possession, staunch and strong, safe and serene, to this day, giving promise of ability to stand the storms of several centuries more.

After the death of Elias Graves, in 1802, it became the home of his son, Hubbard, whose wife was Elizabeth Pierson, then of his granddaughter, Mary Graves Redfield, and then of his greatgranddaughters, Mary and Augusta Redfield, the present owners and occupants of the homestead.

To each generation it has been a sacred duty and a labor of love to keep unaltered every feature of the venerable home of their forefathers. And were John Graves to now revisit the house which he so solidly built at Tuxis Farms in 1675, he might seat himself before the broad fireplace and never suspect by aught he should see that two hundred and twenty-five years of sun and snow had passed over its roof.

The years have dealt kindly with it, and

'Through every swift vicissitude

Of changeful time, unchanged it has stood.'"

(R‑201, R‑202, R‑203)

Children - Graves

+12. John Graves, b. 27 Feb. 1658/9, m. Elizabeth Foote, 12 Jan. 1684/5, d. 1 Dec. 1726.

13. Elizabeth Graves, b. 11 April 1661, d. 1662.

14. Elizabeth Graves, b. 16 Sept. 1665, d. 3 June 1669. Bur. 4 June 1669.

15. Sarah Graves, b. 14 March 1668, m. Thomas Robinson, Jr., 17 Jan. 1694, d. 10 Sept. 1715. He died 1712.

16. Abigail Graves, b. 6 March 1670, m. (Ensign) Ebenezer Benton, 14 June 1694, d. 10 April 1753. He was born 1663 and died 22 Jan. 1758.

+17. Joseph Graves, b. 27 Aug. 1672, m. Margaret Wilcoxson, c. 1697, d. 1714.

18. Daniel Graves, b. 17 Sept. 1675, d. 8 Nov. 1675.

+19. Nathaniel Graves, b. 27 Jan. 1678, m. Elizabeth Barron, 25 Nov. 1709, d. Jan. 1727.

20. Hannah Graves, b. 12 Jan. 1680, m. Nathaniel Stone, 6 Jan. 1709, d. 21 March (or May) 1757. He was a son of Nathaniel Stone and Mary Bartlett of Guilford, Conn., was born 7 Oct. 1678, and died 6 Aug. 1752.

Sarah Graves (4) was born in Hartford, Conn., and died 5 June 1668 in Wethersfield, Conn., in child-bed, at the birth of her daughter Comfort. She married Jonathan Deming, son of John, on 21 Nov. 1660. He was born about 1639 in Wethersfield, Conn., and died 8 Jan. 1700 in Wethersfield, at about 61 years of age. After Sarah died, he secondly married Elizabeth Gilbert, daughter of Joseph (or Josiah) and Elizabeth Gilbert, on 25 Dec. 1673 in Wethersfield. All children of Sarah and John were born in Wethersfield. (R‑202, R‑204)

Children - Deming

+21. Jonathan Deming, b. 27 Nov. 1661, m(1) Sarah Bow, c. 1681, m(2) Abigail Fyler, 5 Jan. 1709, d. 22 June 1727.

22. Sarah Deming, b. 12 Aug. 1663, m. Jonathan Riley, 13 July 1681.

23. Mary Deming, b. 11 July 1665, m. Joseph Smith, 26 Nov. 1685, d. 1687.

+24. Comfort Deming, b. 5 June 1668, m(1) Nathaniel Beckley, 18 May 1693, m(2) Thomas Morton, 2 Feb. 1710, d. 13 July 1736.

Mary Graves (5) married Samuel Dow of Hartford, Conn. on 12 Dec. 1665. He was born 1621, and died 2 June 1690 in his Hartford home, although John Card Graves said he moved to Hadley, Mass. He was a sailor, with little money. How he met and succeeded in marrying the daughter of a very substantial Hartford citizen can only be surmised. He was home about the end of 1671, and was at sea 1672-4. After that he may have settled down. That he had more than one child is evident from some court proceedings: "A General Courte Held at Hartford, Oct. 8, 1674: Mary Dowe of Hartforde, informeing this Court that her husband being gone to sea and not having heard of for nearly two yeares, and leaving her destitute of supplyes necessary for the mayntenance of herself and children, she is fallen into debt and knowes not how to pay the same without it be by the sale of her house and lott, and therefore desired this Court to empower her so to doe, -- the Court considering the permises doe see good reason to grant her desire, and doe accordingly give her full power to grant, bargain, and sell the sayd house and lott, and her deed therein shall be esteemed good and valid in the law."

A probate record in Hartford gives an inventory for Samuel Dow of 21 pounds, 15 shillings, taken 24 Oct. 1690 by George Graves, Sr.[24] and Thomas Olcott. (R‑202, R‑205)

Children - Dow

25. Sarah Dow, bapt. 2 Feb. 1672 (Second Church, Hartford, Conn.). It is not known what became of her.

+26. Edmund Dow

Priscilla Graves (6) married William Markham of Hartford, Conn. She died about 1668, and definitely before 1673. He was born in 1621 and died in 1689 (or was killed 4 Sept. 1675 at "Beers Hill", Northfield, Mass., according to Families of Early Hartford, Conn., by Barbour). They lived in Hadley, Mass. He secondly married Elizabeth Webster, and had four children by her. (R‑13, R‑202, R‑204)

Children - Markham

+27. Priscilla Markham, b. 1654, m. Thomas Hale, 18 Nov. 1675, d. 15 April 1712.

GENERATION 3

CHILDREN OF GEORGE GRAVES (2) AND ELIZABETH VENTRES

John Graves (9) first married Susanna (or Susannah) Webster, daughter of Robert Webster and Susannah Treat, on 11 May 1681. She was born 26 Oct. (or Feb.) 1658 and died 1688. He secondly married Hannah Davis (or Davies), daughter of Philip Davis of Hartford, Conn., in 1690. She was admitted to full communion in First Church of Hartford on 20 March 1698. He was deputy to the General Court from Middletown, Conn. in 1676. His will, made in Hartford in 1702, mentions son John, and daughters Mehitable, Elizabeth, and Sarah. (R‑202, R‑212)

Children - Graves, by Susanna Webster

28. Mehitable Graves, m. James Henderson, 1 Jan. 1701 (Hartford, Conn.). He died 1745-6. She was living at Hartford as late as 1761.

29. Elizabeth Graves, b.c. 1683, m. Ebenezer Dudley (of East Guilford, Conn.), 26 Oct. 1713, d. 7 Oct. 1775. He was born about 1686 and died 1751.

Children - Graves, by Hannah Davis

30. Hannah Graves, b. 5 July 1691, died young.

31. Lydia Graves, b. 25 June 1693, died young.

+32. John Graves, b. 3 March 1695, m(1) Phebe Hand, 19 Nov. 1719, m(2) Kerziah Norton, 1 Aug. 1723, d. 8 Oct. 1771.

33. Susannah Graves, b. 6 Sept. 1696, died young.

34. Mary Graves, b. 12 Sept. 1697, died young.

35. Sarah Graves, b. 25 Sept. 1698, m. Jonathan Munger (of Woodbury, Conn.), 4 Jan. 1721, d. 31 Dec. 1725.

Mercy (or Mary) Graves (10) was born about 1670 in Hartford, CT, and died after 1700 in Farmington, CT. She married Nathanael Winchell, son of Nathanael Winchell and Sarah Porter, on 15 March 1694. He was born 7 Aug. 1665 in Windsor, CT, and died 4 Oct. 1741 in Farmington, CT. All their children were born in Windsor, CT. (R‑38)

Children - Winchell

36. Nathanael Winchell, b. 23 Dec. 1694.

37. Hannah Winchell, b. 5 Nov. 1695, m. Ebenezer Hurlbut, 11 May 1710. He was b. 17 Jan. 1683 in Middletown, CT.

+38. Hezekiah Winchell, b. 20 June 1697, m. Mary Cole, d. 27 Dec. 1760.

39. Mercy Winchell, b. 29 Feb. 1700, m. Amos Bronson, 13 June 1748.

40. Zebediah Winchell

CHILDREN OF JOHN GRAVES (3) AND ELIZABETH CRUTTENDEN

John Graves (12) was born 27 Feb. 1658/91,2,17 in Guilford, CT, and died 1 Dec. 17261,2,17. His will was admitted to probate 30 Dec. 1726. He married Elizabeth Foote, daughter of Lt. Robert Foote and Sarah Potter of Branford, CT, on 121 (or 62) Jan. 1684/5. She was born 8 March 1664 in that part of New Haven, CT, which in 1670 became part of Wallingford, and died 14 May 1730. They lived in Guilford (now Madison), CT.

John was made a freeman of Guilford Sept. 24 (no year given). When he married Elizabeth Foote in 1685, he installed his household goods in the house his father had built ten years before in Guilford (now Madison), called "the house at Tuxis Farms"[25].

When John's father died in 1695, John fell heir to his father's leather-bound account book. The first date in the book was March 6, 1678/9. His father had used it for commercial accounts only, but John used it for other information as well. (R‑202, R‑203)

Children - Graves

41. Elizabeth Graves, b. 17 July 1686, d. 28 May 1687.

42. Mehitable Graves, b. 5 Feb. 1687/8, m. Cornelius Hull (of Durham, CT), 1 Feb. 1715/16, d. 24 March 1756. He was a son of Joseph Hull and Mary Merwin of Killingworth, CT.

+43. John Graves, b. 1 Feb. 1690, m(1) Elizabeth Stevens, 10 May 1714, m(2) Abigail Starr, 1728, m(3) Mrs. Naomi (Dudley) Blatchley, 1753, d. 17 July 1763.

44. Ann Graves, b. 29 Aug. 1692.

+45. Noadiah Graves, b. 4 Dec. 1694, m. Sarah ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 24 July 1751.

+46. Mindwell Graves, b. 4 Nov. 1696, m. Nathaniel Stevens, 11 (or 10) Nov. 1713, d. 11 Feb. 1771.

+47. Sarah Graves, b. 14 April 1699, m. Thomas French, 14 Dec. 1720, d. 30 May 1784.

+48. David Graves, b. 31 Jan. 1701, m. Prudence Willard, 17 Feb. 1725, d. 16 Nov. 1726.

+49. Elizabeth Graves, b. 4 Jan. 1703, m. Daniel Redfield, 27 March 1728, d. 2 Nov. 1775.

+50. Ebenezer Graves, b. 15 July 1705, m. Mary Isbell, 12 Feb. 1730, d. 1 March 1785.

Joseph Graves (17) was born 27 Aug. 1672 and died 1714. He married Margaret Wilcoxson about 1697. She was born 1673 in Killingworth, CT, and died 2 (or 9) Feb. 1763 in Guilford, CT. The information that Margaret was a Wilcoxson is from "A Preliminary Report on the Descendants of William Wilcoxson" by Thomas Wilcoxson, 1937. Margaret was a daughter of Joseph Wilcoxson, b. 1636, Concord, MA, d. 1689, Killingworth, CT, and married in 1658 in Stratford, CT to Anna, an American Indian who died in 1708 or later. Joseph Wilcoxson was a son of William Wilcoxson, b. 1601, St. Albans, London, England, and d. 1651-2, Stratford, CT, married Margaret Birdseys, b. 1611, d. 1655, Windsor, CT, daughter of John Birdseys of Berkshire, England, who died 1649 in Glastonbury. William was a son of John Wilcoxson of England.

In Oct. 1718, permission was given by the General Court to James Hooker and John Graves (brother of Joseph) of Guilford, CT to sell the real estate of Joseph. In 1719, Joseph's brother Nathaniel was appointed guardian of Joseph's son Daniel. (R‑2, R‑202)

Children - Graves

51. Hannah Graves, b. 30 Oct. 1699, m. Samuel Leete, 26 Nov. 1723, d. 26 March 1770. He died 20 Feb. 1751.

52. Abigail Graves, b. 22 Feb. 1702, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Way.

+53. Daniel Graves, b. 9 April 1704, m(1) Elizabeth Stevens, 20 Jan. 1732, m(2) Elizabeth Lee, 20 Dec. 1755, d. 12 Sept. 1782.

54. Thankful Graves, b. 15 (or 18) Feb. 1706 (Guilford, CT), m. Moses Page (of Branford, CT), 20 Oct. 1731 (Branford, CT). Information on descendants is in Families of Ancient New Haven, (originally published as New Haven Genealogical Magazine), p. 1336 (Page family) (R‑5).

+55. Joseph Graves, b. 14 Feb. 1709, m(1) Ann Latimer, 7 June 1733, m(2) Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 23 May 1770.

Nathaniel Graves (19) was born 27 Jan. 1678 at Guilford, Conn., and died Jan. 1727. He married Elizabeth Barron of Concord, Mass., daughter of Ellis Barron and Sarah Ingersol, on 25 Nov. 1709. She was born 26 Oct. 1687 at Groton, Mass., and died 16 Oct. 1782. After Nathaniel died, she married Seth Morse. (R‑202)

Children - Graves

56. Mary Graves, b. 11 Oct. 1712 (Groton, Mass.), d. 31 Oct. 1715.

+57. Ann Graves, b. 8 Feb. 1714, m. Stephen Dudley, 15 Nov. 1736, d. 7 July 1782.

58. Mary Graves, b. 6 April 1716, m. Nehemiah Griswold (of Guilford, Conn.), 23 Jan. 1745, d. 25 Nov. 1776. He died 31 Dec. 1787.

+59. Nathaniel Graves, b. 26 Nov. 1722, m. Rebecca Elliott, 27 May 1756, d. 29 Nov. 1799.

CHILDREN OF SARAH GRAVES (4) AND JONATHAN DEMING

Jonathan Deming (21) was born 27 Nov. 1661 in Wethersfield, Conn., and died 22 June 1727 in Wethersfield. He first married Sarah Bow, daughter of Alexander and Sarah Bow, about 1681. She was from Middletown, Conn., and was born 20 June 1662. He secondly married Abigail Fyler, daughter of Zerubabel Fyler and Experience Strong, on 5 Jan. 1709. She was born 8 April 1683 and died 24 Dec. 1754. After Jonathan died, Abigail married Abraham Waterhouse.

Jonathan Deming was a blacksmith. Of his early life little can be found. It is not proven that he was the Jonathan Demon, Jr., who lived in Middletown and married Sarah Bow, but the theory is supported by many facts. His home was in Stepney Parish, near the Middletown line, and it would seem that the name Jonathan Demon, Jr., which frequently appears in the Middletown records, must refer to him. These records indicate that he married Sarah Bow in 1681, and that they had a son Daniel born soon after, and baptized 21 Aug. 1681. His wife's father died in 1678, and in July 1681, Jonathan disposed of land which he had received as his wife's portion of the estate of her father. In 1689 he received a gift of land from Thomas Allen, who had died the year before. At this time he was still called a resident of Middletown. In 1709 Jonathan Deming, then aged forty-eight, was married in Wethersfield to Abigail Fyler. There is nothing on the Wethersfield records to show the history of his life previous to this marriage. At his death his estate was divided between his two sons and their mother, Abigail. It is evident, therefore, that if he had been married previous to his marriage to his marriage to Abigail Fyler, his former wife and her children must have died before he did.

His estate was valued at about fifteen hundred pounds, and included fifteen acres of land given to him by the General Court, which had been assigned to his father, "he having been very helpful to his father." This land was afterwards laid out by the widow of Jonathan Deming, Jr., and the other heirs of Jonathan Deming, Sr. brought suit to obtain title to their inherited right, which the Court was obliged to recognize, and the land in controversy was divided among all of the heirs. (R‑204)

Children - Deming, by Sarah Bow

60. Daniel Deming, b. 1681, bapt. 21 Aug. 1681, probably died before 1709.

Children - Deming, by Abigail Fyler

+61. Daniel Deming, b. 5 Nov. 1709, m. Mehetabel Russell, 19 Nov. 1729, d. 23 April 1748.

+62. Charles Deming, b. 26 June 1714, m. Ruth Warner, d. 1780.

Comfort Deming (24) was born 5 June 1668 in Wethersfield, CT, and died 13 July 1736. She first married Nathaniel Beckley on 18 May 1693. He was born in 1652 and died in 1697. She secondly married Thomas Morton on 2 Feb. 1710. (For information on the Beckley family, see Caraoleen Beckley Sheppard, The Descendants of Richard Beckley of Wethersfield, Conn., Hartford, CT, 1948.) (R‑30)

Children - Beckley

+63. Joseph Beckley, b. 19 Sept. 1695, m(1) Mary Judd, 23 Oct. 1723, m(2) Sybil Porter, 29 March 1953, d. 30 Jan. 1772.

64. Mary Beckley, b. 1 March 1697, m. Thomas Hopkins, 1 March 1717, d. 7 March 1754 (or 1759).

CHILDREN OF MARY GRAVES (5) AND SAMUEL DOW

Edmund Dow (26) is known mainly by the record of his son George. He may have had other children. (R‑205)

Children - Dow

+65. George Dow, bapt. 7 Aug. 1720, married.

CHILDREN OF PRISCILLA GRAVES (6) AND WILLIAM MARKHAM

Priscilla Markham (27) was born in 1654, and died 15 April 1712 in Enfield, Conn., aged about 58. She married Thomas Hale, son of Thomas Hale and Jane Lord[26], on 18 Nov. 1675. He was baptized 19 Jan. 1650/1 at Hartford, Conn., and died 22 April 1725 at Enfield, Conn. After Priscilla died, Thomas secondly married Sarah (Patch) Osborn on 17 Dec. 1713. She may have been the widow Sarah Hale who died 6 July 1748 at Somers, Conn., widow of Samuel Osborn of Enfield.

Thomas owned the Covenant of the Second Church, Hartford, 22 Oct. 1676, and his daughter Martha was baptized the same day. He was the first Town Clerk of Enfield, and Deacon of the church there.

The first child of Thomas and Priscilla was born in Hartford, the last in Enfield, and the others in Hadley, Mass. (R‑11, R‑13, R‑206)

Children - Hale

+66. Martha Hale, b. 10 Oct. 1676, m. David Burt, 28 June 1706, d. 20 Oct. 1714.

+67. Thomas Hale, b. 8 Oct. 1678, m. Mary Miller, 23 June 1714, d. 14 July 1760.

+68. John Hale, b. 26 Nov. 1680, m(1) Abigail Gleason, 21 Nov. 1716, m(2) Susannah (Risley) Colt, c. 1723, d. 24 May 1753.

69. Samuel Hale, b. 2 July 1683, d. 6 Aug. 1689.

+70. Priscilla Hale, b. 9 Sept. 1685, m. John Miller, 5 Jan. 1715/16, d. 4 Feb. 1766.

+71. William Hale, b. 18 Feb. 1687, m(1) Mary (Colt) Keeney, m(2) Mary (Bedortha) Barker, 15 Dec. 1738, d. before 1759.

72. son, b. and d. 10 Jan. 1689.

73. Joseph Hale, b. March 1691, d. 1773.

74. Samuel Hale, b. 22 Sept. 1698, d. 19 Jan. 1774.

GENERATION 4

CHILDREN OF JOHN GRAVES (9)

John Graves (32) was born 3 March 1695 in East Guilford, Conn., and died 8 Oct. 1771. He first married Phebe Hand on 19 Nov. 1719. He secondly married Kerziah Norton, daughter of Samuel Norton and Abigail Ward, on 1 Aug. 1723. She was born 21 Dec. 1700. He was known as "ye smith". (R‑202)

Children - Graves, by Keziah Norton

75. George Graves, b. 30 May 1724.

76. Phebe Graves, b. 29 Jan. 1726, m. Enos Hull, 6 Aug. 1752. He was born 12 Jan. 1725, son of Thomas Hull and Hannah Sheather of Killingworth, Conn.

77. Samuel Graves, b. 3 Aug. 1728, d. 25 Nov. 1736.

78. Joanna Graves, b. 8 Oct. 1730.

79. Sarah Graves, b. 23 Jan. 1733.

+80. John Graves, b. 9 Oct. 1735, m(1) Elizabeth Graves, 20 Dec. 1760, m(2) Sarah Dudley, d. 13 April 1791.

81. Submit Graves, b. 13 Jan. 1738, m. Adna (?) Cowles, 1768, d. 1772.

82. Keziah Graves, b. 27 June 1743.

+83. Samuel Graves, b. 11 June 1746, m. Anna Hern, 3 March 1774, d. 7 July 1822.

+84. Rufus Graves, b. 27 Sept. 1749, m. Elizabeth Benton, 7 Nov. 1773.

CHILDREN OF MERCY GRAVES (10) AND NATHANAEL WINCHELL

Hezekiah Winchell (38) was born 20 June 1697 in Windsor, CT, and died 27 Dec. 1760 in Kensington, CT. He married Mary Cole. She was born about 1700 in Farmington, Hartford Co., CT, and died 3 Jan. 1794 in New Britain, Hartford Co., CT. All their children were born in Kensington, CT, except for Ezekiel, who may have been born in Farmington, CT. (R‑38)

Children - Winchell

85. Solomon Winchell, b. 3 Feb. 1728.

86. Hezekiah Winchell, b. 1 March 1730.

87. Ezekiel Winchell, b. 11 March 1732, d. 4 Nov. 1737.

+88. Dan Winchell, b. 20 Nov. 1736, m. Lois Curtiss, 9 Oct. 1755, d. 9 Jan. 1808.

89. child

CHILDREN OF JOHN GRAVES (12) AND ELIZABETH FOOTE

Deacon John Graves (43) was born 1 Feb. 1690 (according to Mrs. Baker, or 5 Feb., according to John Card Graves) in East Guilford, Conn., and died 17 July 1763. He first married Elizabeth Stevens on 10 May 1714. She was a sister of Nathaniel Stevens, who married Mindwell Graves, John's sister, and a daughter of Lt. Nathaniel and Sarah Stevens of East Guilford. Elizabeth died 30 April (or 20 Feb.) 1725. John secondly married Abigail Starr in 1728. She was born 20 March 1700 and died 1752. He married for his third wife Mrs. Naomi (Dudley) Blatchley, daughter of John Dudley and widow of Aaron Blatchley, in 1753. She was born Oct. 1690 and died 22 Sept. 1770. (R‑202, R‑203)

Children - Graves, by Elizabeth Stevens

90. Anna Graves, b. 12 April 1715, m. Thomas Griswold (of Guilford, Conn.), 19 Feb. 1735, d. 29 May 1801. He died 16 Jan. 1784.

91. John Graves, b. 16 April 1717, d. 17 Feb. 1718.

+92. John Graves, b. 28 April 1719, m(1) Abigail Pierson, 15 Oct. 1744, m(2) Phebe Hart, 16 July 1747, d. 13 Dec. 1759.

+93. Ezra Graves, b. 3 July 1722, m. Elizabeth Graves, d. 29 Sept. 1747.

Children - Graves, by Abigail Starr

+94. Simeon Graves, b. 12 Nov. 1729, m(1) Naomi Dudley, 6 June 1750, m(2) ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 2 Jan. 1801.

+95. Elias Graves, b. 10 April 1733, m(1) Mabel Murray, 23 Feb. 1763, m(2) Mrs. Mary (Cleveland) Hubbard, 29 March 1780, d. 31 May 1802.

96. Timothy Graves, b. 3 Dec. 1740, died young.

Noadiah Graves (45) was born 4 Dec. 1694 in East Guilford (now Madison), CT1,17, died 24 July 1751 in Durham, CT (according to the tombstone inscription), and was buried in the Old Burial Ground, Durham, CT. He married Sarah ‑‑‑‑‑‑1,17. She was born about 1692, died 10 May 1777 in Durham, CT (tombstone inscription), and was also buried in the Old Burial Ground. They lived in Durham, CT, where all their children were born and baptized.

Noadiah was named as a full share proprietor of Durham in the 1724 list of proprietors. On 28 or 29 April 1733, Sarah was baptized and by baptism admitted into full communion of the Church of Christ of Durham.

Like other towns in Connecticut, people in Durham owned slaves. When slaves were married, it was done only with the consent of their masters. Their infants were not infrequently offered in baptism by their believing masters. Ceasar, negro child belonging to Noadiah Graves, was baptized at Durham June 20, 1742[27].

On 12 April 1749, Noadiah and two others of Durham[28] bought 500 acres of land in Bedford (now known as Granville[29]), MA. On 20 June 1750, Noadiah's name appears in a list of the settlers of Bedford township of that date. The number of persons was 79, and the number of dwelling houses was 7328. Noadiah returned to Durham, CT, where he died. The inscription on his tombstone in the Durham Cem. reads: "In memory of Mr. Noadiah Grave who died July 24, 1751 in his 57th year".