? PITKIN

Family/Spouse: Unknown ?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Excerpt from "Pitkin Genealogy":

William Pitkin, the progenitor of the family in America, who came from England in 1659, was possessed of great ability and tenacity of purpose. Endowed with a discerning mind, coupled with an excellent English education, coming into the Colony after its early settlement, he soon gained the full confidence of the Connecticut colonists. He was admitted a freeman, October 9, 1662, and was appointed the same year by the General Assembly, Prosecutor for the Colony. His marked ability gave him, in1664, the appointment of Attorney-General, by the King. From 1675 to 1690, a period of fifteen years, he annually represented Hartford in the Colonial Assembly. In 1676 he was chosen Treasurer of the Colony. He was often appointed Commissioner by the Colony to the United Colonies. In 1676 he was appointed with Major Talcott to negotiate peace with the Narragansett and other Indian tribes. In 1690 he was elected a member of the Colonial Council, and so remained till is death. In 1693 he was sent by the Colony to Governor Fletcher of New York, to negotiate terms respecting the militia until Governor Winthrop's return from England, whither he had gone on the same business (see Hollister's "Connecticut", p. 340). In 1693 "Mr. William Pitkin, Mr. Sanuel Chester, and Captain William Whiting were appointed by the General Court to run the division line between the Connecticut and Massachusetts colonies" (see Trumbull's History, p. 410; also see Col. Rec., Vol. I, p. 363-413, Vol. II, p. 426, Vol. III, p. 19). Aside from his profession, he was also one of the principal planters of the town, having purchased a large tract of land on the east side of the river, on which his sons all settled. It embraced a portion of East Hartford Center. He owned one-third interest in a saw-mill and a grist-mill at "Pitkin Falls", so called from the number of dams and mills erected there, by the Pitkin family. He was also appointed with Mr. John Crow, to lay out the first Main and other streets on the east side of the river.

William married Hannah GOODWIN in 1661. Hannah (daughter of Ozias GOODWIN and Mary WOODWARD) was born in 1637; died on 12 Feb 1724. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

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