Capt Giles HAMLIN

Notes:

Name:
We learn from the inscription on his tombstone that he was b. in England about 1622; but the place of his nativity has not been discovered. He m. 1655 Hester, dau. of John Crow, of Hartford Ct., b. about 1628, probably in England. His epitaph tells us that he was "near fifty years crossing the ocean wide," which means that he was a mariner for that period of time. One authority states that he arrived in America before1651, and resided in Hartford, Ct., before settling in Middletown. Another author says, that he came direct to Middletown. the writer has found no direct proof of the time of his arrival in America, or how he came here. He settled in Middletown, Ct., as early as 1654, and resided there the remainder of his life. Both members of the fist church established there, Sept. 4, 1668; to which he was admitted Nov. 15; and she Dec. 30, of the same year. He was a puritan, a man of good sense, and soon gained a high standing for probity and ability; and has been justly styled one of the pillars of the Colony in its early settlement. He was long engaged in foreign commerce, partly on his own account, partly with John Pynchon, of Springfield, son of the founder of that town; with his brother-in-law, JohnCrow, Jr., of Fairfield, and with Elder William Goodwin, of Hartford, and afterwards of Farmington, Ct. he was long honored with public offices, and his descendants, as we shall see, retained a remarkable degree of influence in public affairs, even down to the present time. His home lot, on the east side of Main street, extended from about the north side of Bunce's store; nearly if not quite, to Court street. He purchased a house and ten acre lot on the south west corner of Main and Washington streets, 1679; which was the family homestead for four generations. He commanded "The Desire", 1665; and "The John and James", 1679. He was Rate Maker, Grand Levy-man, townsman, and served the town on various committees. he gave a drum to the town and Train band, 1666.

Family/Spouse: Hester CROW. Hester (daughter of John CROW and Elizabeth GOODWIN) was born in 1628 in England; died on 23 Aug 1700. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Hon. John HAMLIN was born on 14 Dec 1658 in Middletown, Connecticut; died on 2 Jan 1732/3 in Middletown, Connecticut.
2. Mehitabel HAMLIN was born on 17 Nov 1664 in Middletown, Middlesex Co., Connecticut ; died in 1749 in Hartford, Connecticut.
3. William HAMLIN was born on 3 Feb 1667/8 in Middletown, Connecticut; died on 22 May 1733 in Middletown, Connecticut.