Ann DEMING

Ann married Nathaniel WRIGHT on 12 Mar 1712 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ann married John CHURCH about 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"Deming Genealogy": the birth-date of Jonathan Deming is determined by the record of his death, which states that he "died suddenly, aged about 61 as he supposed." There is some doubt as to the identity of his first wife, but it is supposed that she was the daughter of George Graves. She died in child-bed, at the birth of her daughter Comfort. At the time of his second marriage he was said to be 34 years old, and his wife 20. the date of her death is given in the probate of her will, although other authorities differ. In his will dated 27 Mar 1696, proved 9 Mar 1699-1700, he names his wife Elizabeth, and his sons Jonathan, Thomas, Charles, jacob and Benjamin, giving to the latter the property inherited from Josiah Gilbert, his wife's father. He also names his daughters Sarah Ryley, Comfort, Elusia, Elizabeth, mary, and Ann, and a son-in-law John Williams, who was perhaps the first husband of his daughter Elusia.

Jonathan married Elizabeth GILBERT on 25 Dec 1673 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Josiah GILBERT and Elizabeth BELCHER) was born on 28 Mar 1654 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 8 Sep 1714 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"Deming Genealogy": John Deming, the immigrant ancestor of most of the persons bearing his family name, was one of the early settlers of Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he recorded his homestead in 1641, as a house, a barn, and five acres of land, bounded by High Street, west, the Great Meadow, east, Thomas Standish's homestead, north, and Richard Crabbe's homestead, south. The dates of his birth, marriage and death, have never been discovered. His wife was HONOR TREAT, daughter of Richard Treat, whose second wife Alice Gaylord, was her mother. It has not been proven that Honor was his first and only wife, nor that she was the mother of all of his children, although it is probable. In his will of 13 Feb 1668, Richard Treat makes the following bequest: "Item: My debts being paid, I give to my loving sons John Demon, and Robert Webster, equally, all the rest of my goods and chattels whatsoever, except Mr. Perkins book, which I give to my son John Demon, and my great bible to my daughter Honor Demon. And that money in my cousin Samuel Wells, his hand, unto my cousin David Deming, son of John Demon senior." This obscure clause seems to indicate that there was a John Demon senior, as well as John Demon the son-in-law, and suggests the possibility that the father of John Deming of Wethersfield was also names John. This is stated as a fact by Hinman, without giving authority, and the theory is further supported by the statements of the compiler of the Wells Genealogy, and other genealogists. Treat refers to David Deming as his cousin, and indicates the same relationship with Samuel Wells, who is presumably the son of Gov. Thomas Welles, who married Elizabeth Deming, said to have been a sister of John Deming. It would thus appear that the Treats, Welles, and Demings were connected in some way, perhaps before their removal to America. This is the only clue to the parentage of John Deming, and may ultimately lead to its final discovery.

It has been stated by some genealogists that John Deming was among the very first settlers of Wethersfield in 1635, and such is probably the case, but the proof is lacking. His first appearance upon the public records of the colony, after recording his homestead, was in 1642, March 2nd, when he was one of the jury of the "particular court." In 1645, Dec. 1st, he appears among the deputies as Jo. Demon, and in 1656 as John Dement, when as a deputy, he is appointed one of a committee, "to give the best safe advice they can to the Indians." In 1657, May 21st, he appears as a deputy to the General Court, as John Deming, and the following year as John Dement. He was a deputy at various courts until 1667, under various names, the name Deming prevailing at the last. He was also a litigant in several lawsuits. He is one of those named in the famous charter of Connecticut, in which King Charles granted to them and to those who should afterwards become associated with them, the lands of connecticut, "in free and common socage," and established a colonial government with unusual privileges.

Across the river from Wethersfield, and within its boundaries, lay the "Naubuc Farms," afterwards incorporated into the town of Glastonbury. Here among the first to obtain a lot, was John Deming in the year 1640, his name appearing as John Demion. It is not at all likely that he ever lived here, for he had a house in Wethersfield the following year, and he sold the land on the east side of the river to Samuel Wyllis before 1668. he also owned land in Eastbury, for which he was taxed in 1673. In 1669 he is listed among the freemen of Wethersfield, as John Deming Senior, together with John Deming Junior, and Jonathan Deming. He bought considerable land in Wethersfield at various times, some of which he gave to his sons before he died. The actual date of his death has never been discovered. He signed a codicil to his will Feb. 3, 1692, and this is the last recorded act of his life. When the public lands were allotted to the inhabitants in 1695, he did not draw a portion. It is probable that he died soon after 1692, although his will was not pored until 21 Nov. 1705, and Savage, and other genealogists have assumed that he lived until that year.

No public record has been found of the births of the children of John Deming, but their names, as far as known, have been taken from his will, which is preserved in the Probate Court of Hartford........

This old will is the one glimpse we have of the character of John Deming. It reveals a spirit of piety, of love for his family and his friends, and the companionship of some of the best men in the colony. It shows that he was a man of substance, well supplied with lands, and cattle; that he was equipped to work at some trade, which o doubt proved of service in the little colony when they first settled so far fro the older towns on the coast. We would like to know what that trade was, but the records are silent on that point. under the first will, David was to have the tools of the shop, and David, we know, was a rope-maker; but under the codicil to the will, these tools went to john Deming Junior, and whether he continued in his father's trade or not, we are not informed. At the time this will was written, John Deming must have been over seventy years old, and we may picture him in his last days among his children, and grandchildren, reading from his old Geneva bible, or talking with his old friends and neighbors of the trials and hardships of the early days of the settlement. As his wife is not mentioned in his will, it is probable that she died first. The church records of Wethersfield show among the members in 1694 "Jon. Deming Jr's. widow." It is hard to tell to whom this refers, unless to the widow of John Deming the first settler, but it is more probable that some other person is meant. Eunice Standish and her sister Sarah mentioned in the will as cousins, were daughters of Thos. Standish, whose land adjoined Deming's. The connection of this family with Capt Miles Standish of the Plymouth colony, has not been discovered. It would be interesting to learn how close was the relationship between the Deming and Standish families.

That John Deming was a prominent man in the affairs of the Connecticut colony, cannot be doubted, and his apparent association by kinship and friendship with those whom we look upon as among the founders of new England, indicates that he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and possessed of some education. It is to be hoped that future investigation may bring to light more information than we now have regarding his life in America, and the history of his birth and ancestry in his mother country.

Trumbull speaks of John Deming as one of the fathers of Connecticut, and Hinman says of him, that in 1654 he held the office of constable of Wethersfield, an office which proved that he was in the full confidence of the Governor. His name frequently appears upon the records of the colony with the prefix "Mr.," a courtesy paid only to men of some prominence. The same authority states that he was a representative at fifty sessions of the General Court, while in Hollister's roll of deputies, he is credited with nineteen sessions. It is certain that he bore his full share in the upbuilding of the colony, serving his country as the opportunity presented itself, and setting an example of good citizenship, which has born fruit in the loyalty and patriotism of many of his descendants during many generations.

John married Honour TREAT about 1637. Honour (daughter of Hon. Richard TREAT and Alice GAYLARD) was born in 1616 in Pitminster, Somerset, England; was christened on 19 Mar 1615/16 in Pitminster, Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 27 Nov 1625, Yardley, Worcestershire, England
• Death: Abt Sep 1688, Wethersfield, Connecticut

Josiah married Elizabeth BELCHER about 1651. Elizabeth (daughter of Gregory BELCHER and Catherine ?) was born about 1632; died on 17 Oct 1682 in Wethersfield, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
There is a difference of opinion as to the name of the father for Elizabeth and John Deming. The book "The Descendants of Nathaniel Foote and Elizabeth Deming" by Ellwood Count Curtis, list Elizabeth's father's name as Richard. However, the book "Genealogy of the Descendants of John Deming of Wethersfield, Connecticut" lists John's father's name as John. Since the latter book gives reason for their conclusion, I am using the name of John.

I have placed the "Sr" after his name to be able to distinguish him from his son.

John married ? UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of Robert and Honora/Honour Trott

Notes:

Name:
"Hale, House and Related Families": "He was baptized under the name of Trott, married under the name of Trett; his children were baptized by the names of Trott and Tratt, and he was called Treat when he died." He signed documents with the spellings Treat and Treate. Winthrop referred to him in 1669 as Mr. Richard Treat, senior above 80 years. But in 1657 he noted Elizabeth Treat, 1 1/2 years, a daughter of "Mathias Treat alias Trott - a Kinsman of Mr. Trott." These entries show Winthop's knowledge of the shift in spelling the name, and confirm the opinion of the compiler of "The Treat Family" that Matthias Treat of Wethersfield was a relative of Mr. Richard Treat.

Alice Gaylard(Gaylord, Gaylaud) was daughter of Hugh Gaylard who appears in Taunton manor Registers as early as 1573, and was buried at Pitminister, 21 Oct 1614. He was probably son of Nicholas and Johane Gaylard, and by 1608 had an adult son George.

Richard Trotte appears in the Taunton manor Registers, which show that in 1600 he held land by surrender (because of death) of Robert Trotte, Honora relict of said Robert to hold during her widowhood. The family lived in the hamlet of Trendle (now the parish of Trull), in the large parish of Pitminster, less than five miles south of Taunton. Here all his children were born.

He emigrated after the baptism of his youngest child in June 1637, and was living in Wethersfield, Conn., by 1641, when entry of his land holdings was made there. He served as Deputy for Wethersfield to the General Court at the sessions of Apr. and Sept. 1644, Apr., Sept. and Dec. 1645, Apr and Oct. 1646, May and Sept 1647, May and Sept. 1648, May and Sept. 1649, May and Oct 1650, May and Sept. 1651, may and Sept. 1652, May and Sept. 1653, May and Sept. 1654, may and Oct. 1655, May 1656, Feb, May and Oct, 1657; and as Assistant of the Colony from May 1658 to May 1665. He was named as Patentee of the Royal Charter of Connecticut in 1662.

Richard married Alice GAYLARD on 27 Apr 1615. Alice was christened on 10 May 1594 in Pitminster, England; died after 1670 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Mr. Homer W. Brainard of Hartford, who has made an exhaustive study of Thomas Gilbert, states that the cumulative evidence shows that he was the father of Jonathan, John, Josiah, Obadiah, Thomas Ezekiel, Brothers, and Sarah Judkins, wife of Joel Judkins of Braintree, Mass., a sister. They all shared in his estate. Some of the children were young at the time of their coming to Connecticut and there was no other Gilbert there at the time to whom they appear to belong. he bought a house and lot in Windsor of Francis Stiles, Jan. 24, 1644, and seems to have cultivated Stiles' farm. No mention is made in the Windsor Records of him or children as such. the house be bought in 1644, he sold to John Drake and his son Jacob. In a deed from Francis Stiles to Robert Saltonstall, it is specified that the house and land are "at present in the occupation and tenure of Thomas Gilbert and John Bancroft." He continued to live at Francis Stiles' as late as 1651. he bought part of the home lot of Thomas Gunn on the west side of the street and built on it; this last he had sold Thomas Bissell by 1658, and removed to Wethersfield, (Glastonbury Society), where he died. It is thought by some good authorities that his wife was that Lydia Gilbert who was condemned to be hung as a witch Dec. 7, 1654, but from the fact that the funeral expenses of his wife were paid out of his estate in 1659, it would seem that this is either a mistake or that the sentence was not executed.

Thomas married Lydia ?. Lydia died before 1659. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Gregory Belcher, born about 1606, was in New England as early as 1637, and on Dec. 30, 1639, was granted a lot of 52 acres at Mount Wollaston (Braintree) for thirteen heads, paying three shillings per acre for the same. (Boston town Records). Here he settled, was admitted freeman on May 15, 1640, and was made selectman in 1646. He deposed in June, 1665, aged about 60 years. (Essex Co. court Files.) By occupation he was a farmer. On July 14, 1664, he purchased of John Smith 9 acres of land in Milton, which he gave to his son Joseph Belcher for a marriage portion (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vol. 4, p. 204a.) On Jan. 6, 1657/8, he obtained a lease of the Salter farm in Braintree from the estate of William Tyng of Boston; and on Jan. 15, 1666/7, Gregory Belcher and others bought the Salter farm for L1,900, Belcher's interest being one-eight. (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vl. 5, p. 229.) On Mar 26, 1671, Gregory Belcher and his son-in-law Alexander Marsh purchased the iron works with 200 acres of land, in Braintree; and on May 18, 1671, the same parties bought 40 acres in Braintree plain of Henry Crane. (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vol. 7, p. 172.) He died Nov. 25, 1674. The inventory of his estate, showing a total of L629-5-0, was presented by his widow Jan. 29, 1674/5. (Suffolk Co. Probate.) His wife Catherine survived him, and died in the spring of 1680. Her will, dated Sept. 3, 167, proved July 20, 1680, gives to son Josiah a cow "if he molest not my son Moses in his present dwelling and possessions;" to son John a cow and a horse; to daughters Elizabeth Gilbert and Mary marsh, and granddaughter Mary Marsh, some household effects; to son Moses (who hath all his life carried himself so dutifully to myself and his father) the great Bible and the whole house and land he now possesses which I declare his father gave him." Sons Moses Belcher and Alexander Marsh, executors.

On July 9, 1680, Josiah Belcher of Boston entered a caveat against the probate of any will said to be made by his late mother, Catherine Belcher, of Braintree, widow, deceased, until he be present. (Suffolk Co. Probate.) It does not appear, however, that any contest was made over the estate.

Gregory married Catherine ? in 1631 in England. Catherine died in 1680. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]