Elizabeth PITKIN

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of William and Hannah (Goodwin) Pitkin of Berkhamstead, co. Hertford and Hartford.

Notes:

Excerpt from"Pitkin Genealogy":

He was educated by his father in his profession of the law. He was Judge of the County and Probate Courts and Court of the Assistants from 1702 till 1711. Upon the establishment of the Superior Court, in 1711, he was appointed Judge of that court, and in 1713 he was made Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He represented Hartford in the General Assembly in 1696. In 1697 he was elected one of the commissioners to receive the Earl of Belmont on his arrival in New York. He was Commissioner of War in 1706 and 1707 (Col. Rec., p. 535). He was one of the committee to prepare the manuscript laws of the Colony in 1709; also committee on the revision of said laws (Col. Rec., Vol. V, p. 479). In 1718 he was appointed one of a committee of three, by the General Assembly, to build the first State House in the colony, at Hartford (Col. Rec., Vol. VI. PP. 157 and 197). He was also one of a committee to procure a map of the course of the Connecticut River from the "mouth of it to the north bounds of this Colony, to be inserted in the plan of the colony now ordered to be drawn."

He was a military officer in the company of his brother Roger.

He is said to have been no less able to repartee than in argument. Being once opposed in a case by Mr. Eels, a brother lawyer, who, in summing up the case, thinking he had the better of Mr. Pitkin, said: "The Court will perceive that the pipkin is cracked." His instant reply was, "Not so much cracked, your honor, but he will find it will do to stew eels in yet."

Although so much engaged in his professional business, he had, previous to 1706, built two fulling mills at Pitkin Falls; in connection with which he carried on a large business in clothings and woolens. These mills were bequeathed to his sons, William and Joseph, who succeeded him in the business.

He "owned his covenant" with the "First Church of Christ in Hartford" Sept. 4, 1687, at which time his oldest child, Elizabeth, was baptized. he and his wife, with his brother Roger and wife, joined the church in "full communion" August 14, 1692.

William married Elizabeth STANLEY in 1686. Elizabeth (daughter of Capt. Caleb STANLEY and Hannah COWLES) was born on 24 Oct 1669; died on 12 Feb 1751. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]