Martha PITKIN

Notes:

Name:
Martha Pitkin, sister of Mr. William Pitkin, the progenitor of the Pitkins in America, and of Roger Pitkin of London, was born in England in 1638. She followed her brother to America in 1661, to return with him England, "not once supposing he intended to remain in the wilderness," as she expressed it. Her first greeting on meeting her brother, whom she found feeding his swine was, "I left a brother in England serving his king, and find another in America serving his swine." She was a lady endowed with more than ordinary talent, improved by an excellent education. The reception she met with in the colony, was most flattering; her comely form and accomplished manner making the colonists anxious to retain her in their country. In the words of the Rev. Thomas Robbins, for many years the pastor of the church she attended, "this girl put the colony in commotion. If possible sh must be detained. The stock was too valuable to be parted with. It became a matter of general consultation what young man was good enough for Miss Pitkin. Tradition says that so many young man wished to marry the accomplished beauty, that they cast los for her hand, but fails to say what part Miss Pitkin was to take in the affair. The facts are, that the sons of Henry Wolcott, one of the first settlers of East Windsor, were well pleased with Miss Pitkin, and to avoid all question of strife or jealousy, it is believed it was decided by lot among themselves which one should sue for her hand. The lot fell to Simon Wolcott, the youngest son; at all events, he pressed his suit, and was successful. Her brother favored the match, and she became the wife of Simon Wolcott, and subsequently the mother of Governor Roger Wolcott, grandmother of Governor Oliver Wolcott, and great-grandmother of the second Governor Oliver Wolcott and of Governor Roger Griswold. Governor Ellsworth was also a lineal descendant. Her grand-daughter married Governor Matthew Griswold.

It was stated in the funeral sermon of Governor Roger Wolcott, her ninth child, "that he never went to school, but was educated by his mother in her own dwelling."

Martha married Simon WOLCOTT on 17 Oct 1661. Simon (son of Henry WOLCOTT, Sr. and Elizabeth SAUNDERS) was born in 1625; died on 11 Sep 1687 in Windsor, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth WOLCOTT was born on 19 Aug 1662; died on 3 Jan 1708.
2. Martha WOLCOTT was born on 17 May 1664; died on 7 Sep 1687/8.
3. Simon WOLCOTT was born on 24 Jun 1666.
4. Joanna WOLCOTT was born on 30 Jun 1668.
5. Henry WOLCOTT was born on 20 May 1670.
6. Christopher WOLCOTT was born on 4 Jul 1672; died on 3 Apr 1693.
7. Mary WOLCOTT was born in 1674; died in 1676.
8. William WOLCOTT was born on 6 Nov 1676.
9. Roger WOLCOTT was born on 4 Jan 1678.

Martha married Capt Daniel CLARKE in 1689. Daniel was born in 1622 in Chester, England; died on 12 Aug 1710. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

? married Unknown ?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]