John WILLIAMS

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In 1642, John Williams was admitted freeman: that is, he was made an acknowledged citizen of the place, was a member of the church, had a full right to vote on any and all questions, and had taken the oath of fidelity and allegiance. In 1643, according to a town vote, the valuation of his property was put at eighty pounds, which compares favorable with that of the 31 other land owners. Every stockholder who emigrated at his own expense was to receive fifty acres for each member of his family; and every fifty pounds contributed to the company's stock entitled the stockholder to two hundred acres of land. In the 4th division of land, 14 oct., 1659, John Williams drew the 4th lot. In 1667 he again received a share in the distribution of some lands belonging to the town, which confirms the statement that he was one of the original proprietors, and to be such he must have been in possession of means brought from the old country. He also owned other property in Haverhill, some of which he gave to his sons during his lifetime.

John williams passed the residue of his days in Haverhill, dying there 10 Feb., 1674; his widow Jane surviving until 21 Nov., 1680. His will, dated 9 Dec., 1670, probated 18 mar., 1674, mentions his children, John, Joseph, Sarah, Mary and Lydia, and a grandchild, Sarah, daughter of Sarah who had married John Ayer. ...

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

Family/Spouse: Jane ?. Jane died on 21 Nov 1680 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married John AYER on 05 May 1646 in Haverhill, Mass.. John (son of John AYER and Hannah ?) was born in 1622/3 in England; died on 03 Aug 1675. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Hester BLAKELEY on 5 May 1675. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Rebecca COLBY on 9 Sep 1661 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Rebecca (daughter of Anthony COLBY and Susanna ?) was born in Mar 1643 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts; died on 10 Jun 1672 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Daniel BRADLEY on 21 May 1662 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Daniel was born in 1615 in England; died on 13 Aug 1689 in Killed in Haverhill, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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He took the Colonial oath at Haverhill 28 Nov. 1677. His father conveyed to him property in Haverhill thus recorded 14 July, 1673:

" To my sonne Joseph Williams my now dwelling house, out housing, house lott, oarcheard and hopp years, ye are upon ye sd lott, together with eight commonages weh I have in ye sd towne of Haverhill, and also yt pcell of ox comon land wch was layd out to me beyond the fishing river towards the saw mill, and also my Duck meadow wch is bounded at ye south end with two oakes and at ye north end with a swamp."

This is evidently the same property which the father had willed to him in 1670.

Many years later "Joseph Williams of Norwich sold property in Haverhill inherited from his father."

After the birth of his youngest child in 1683 his name is found no more in the records of Haverhill. The next trace of him is gathered from the archives of Norwich, Conn. Here he settled on Poquetannock Cove, Brewster's Neck, on the extreme boundary line of the southern limits of old Norwich, east of The Thames, just within what was comprehended in the original Indian grant of the 'nine miles square tract."...

Every newcomer who succeeded in being publicly accepted obtained a grant of land comprising a building lot, pasture ground, and woodland sufficient for a family. So, in 1702, we learn that a vote was taken at a town meeting of Norwich, putting certain names on the Roll as an addition to its inhabitants, and in the number Joseph Williams was enteres as "a wholeshare man respecting lands. In 1703 he was a member of the first Congregational church of Norwich The Norwich town records mention many reaal-estate transactions of Joseph Williams, which show that he was a man in prosperous circumstances and that his business interests were in partnership with his son John. He as well as his son received lands in return for contributions to the meeting-house. A roll of landed proprietors is given in 1718, which mentions him; and the record of a deed bearing date of March, 1719, is in his name. In 1720, the year of his wife's death, he is referred to as deceased. He left but one son to carry down the Williams name.

Joseph married Mary FULLER on 18 Nov 1674 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Samuel FULLER and Jane LOTHROP) was born in Scituate, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; was christened on 16 Jun 1644; died on 11 Nov 1720 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: Between Jul and Aug 1676; Served in King Philip's War
• Military Service: Jan 1675; Served in King Philip's War

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Name:
He was a husbandman; served in King Philip's War Jan. 1675-1676 and July and Aug., 1676; was assigned L1.10.00 wages for military service for Haverell-towne 24 Aug., 1676. He lived in Andover in 1680 and in Newbury in 1696; was on list of proprietors in Andover 1702.

Zechariah married Elizabeth CHASE on 27 Jun 1678 in Andover, Massachusetts. Elizabeth (daughter of Aquila CHASE and Anne WHEELER) was born on 13 Sep 1657 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts; died after 1696. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nathaniel married Ann SWAN on 31 Aug 1683 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Ann (daughter of Robert SWAN and Elizabeth ACIE) was born on 3 Mar 1658. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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He took the oath of allegiance and fidelity in Haverhill 28 Nov. 1677, with his father and brothers. Lived there until he removed to Ipswich, and thence about 1703 to West Farms (Franklin), Conn. Miss Caulkins says that John and Joseph Ayer settled at Preston and North Stonington as farmers. Joseph's farm was within the bounds of "Norwich East Society" (part of Preston) where he was admitted an inhabitant in 1704.....

Joseph Ayer brought his two sons with him; no doubt the other children came soon after, for they married in this neighborhood. He bought a large tract of land from Uncas (a Mohecan chief) and built the Ayer homestead in a narrow gap at the foot of Ayer's mountain, known as Ayer's Gap, where his father had settled before him. His will, dated Norwich, 6 Sep., 1736, proved in 1747, mentions his four living children.

Joseph married Sarah CORLISS on 24 Nov 1686 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of George CORLISS and Joanna DAVIS) was born on 23 Feb 1663 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts; died on 11 May 1733 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA; was buried in Plains Cemetery, Franklin, New London Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Joseph BOND on 26 Nov 1679 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Joseph (son of John BOND and Hester BLAKELEY) was born on 14 Apr 1653 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 26 Feb 1724 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Joseph Bradley was one of those appointed to keep snow shoes to be ready for emergency in case of Indian attacks. He was a constable and had command of the fifth fort in Haverhill. His house was attacked three times. In the massacre of 1696/7 two of his children were killed and his wife Hannah Heath taken captive by the Indians at the same time as Hannah Dustin who made such a memorable escape from the savages. Hannah Heath Bradley was in captivity nearly two years as shown by the list of the "Captives Received at board the Province Galley from the Indians, No. 5 Hannah Bradley of haverhill,' dated "1698/9 ye 17 January Cascoe Bay" (now Portland). Several years after her escape their house was again attacked in the massacre of 8 Feb., 1704, when 13 were killed, 5 carried away and 3 escaped. At this time, Hannah "snatched a ladle of boiling soap from the fire and dashed it upon a Savage's head, scalding him to death." Hannah was again taken captive and two children were killed. Another child, born in captivity, was cruelly murdered. Hannah was sold to the French for 80 pounds and carried to Canada. After two years' bondage she was rescued by her husband who went with Ensign Sheldon to the relief of the captives. They embarked fro Quebec with forty-four prisoners 30 may, 1706, and reached Boston 1 August after a two months' voyage. In response to Joseph's appeal for assistance to Gov. Dudley he was allowed twenty pounds "over and above what they had in fitting them out."

A month after the return , his house was attacked for the third time. All were armed with guns and saved themselves. Hannah shot one of the Indians, killing him, and the rest fled.

In 1738 Hannah petitioned the General Court for a grant of land in consideration of her former sufferings among the Indians and "present low circumstances." That honorable body granted her 250 acres of land in Methuen. Her success in this appeal stimulated Joseph Neff, a son of mary Neff, to make a similar request. He petitioned for a grant of land in consideration of his other's services in assisting Hannah Dustin in killing "divers Indians," in being "kept prisoner for a considerable time and in suffering great hardship in returning home." He was granted 200 acres of land. Accompanying Neff's petition was the following deposition of Hannah Bradley, which proves that she was taken prisoner at the same time as Hannah Dustin, and traveled with her as far as Pennacook, and that Hannah Dustin and Mary Neff had killed the"divers Indians."

"The Deposition of the Widow Hannah Bradley of Haverhill of full age who testifieth and saith that about forty years past the said Hannah together with the widow Mary Neff were taken prisoners by the Indians and carried together into captivity, & above penny cook the deponent was by the Indians forced to travel farther than the rest of the Captives, and the next night but one there came to us one Squaw who said that Hannah Dustin and the aforesaid Mary Neff assisted in killing the Indians of her wigwam except herself and a boy, herself escaping very narrowly, shewing to myself and others seven wounds as she said with a hatchet on her head which wounds were given her when the rest were killed, and further saith not."

The above deposition was sworn to before Joshua Bayley of Haverhill June 28, 1739.

Joseph married Hannah HEATH on 14 Feb 1691 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Hannah (daughter of John HEATH and Sarah PARTRIDGE) was born on 3 May 1673 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts; died on 2 Nov 1761 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Bartholomew HEATH on 23 Jan 1690/1. Bartholomew (son of John HEATH and Sarah PARTRIDGE) was born on 3 Sep 1667 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts; died on 4 Aug 1704 in Killed by the Indians. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hannah married Joseph HEATH in 1697 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Joseph was born on 23 Mar 1672. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married John ROATH on 6 Aug 1695. John was born in Nov 1669 in Norwich, New London Co., Connecticut; died on 9 Mar 1743/4. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of Joseph Williams and Mary Fuller

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...His interest in military affairs is shown in the two commissions he obtained from the State Assembly, in 1721 as Lieutenant, and in 1735 as Captain, in the 5th Company of te Eastern Society of Norwich, by which titles he is always referred to in town records and deeds thereafter. These were not as empty and complimentary as they too frequently have been in later days, and were the highest grades known to the colonists in times of peace. he was active not only in local affairs and in the school of the solider, but socially, religiously, and as a public-spirited citizen.

He was influential as few others have been, in reaching out for new fields in the opening up of trade, and in the bringing of fresh business to the port of Norwich, which was just beginning at that early epoch to give promise of its subsequent importance. he engaged in the business of building ships and trading in them to foreign parts. We read of vessels as early as 115, venturing in the trade with the Barbadoes, and, although we do not know the names of the merchants connected with the enterprise, we may be assured that John Williams was not behind in supporting it. We know that he owned two warehouses at the "Landing," besides a wharf. He developed the possibilities of the water-power at Poquetannock, where we learn of his having a sawmill, a gristmill and a fulling-mill. There was abundance of sheep in the neighborhood yielding wool in great plenty; and a fullin-mill, which, without doubt, included the entire manufacture of cloth as it was understood at that time, was a crying necessity.

The mill seat was bought 7 May, 1720, and the adjoining farm 26 Oc. 1723. Upon purchasing the latter he erected the dwelling house, which is still standing (1925) and has been an object of veneration for succeeding generations. it is situated at the bend of the road just before one enters the village of Poquetannock from the present city of Norwich, which is distant perhaps five miles by the rive route.....

John Williams must certainly have been a man of charitable impulses. the records of 1711 and again of 1715 make mention of his contributions to the building of the meeting-house in Norwich for which there was granted a piece of land in requital; and he is credited with having made a gift of the land at "Long Society," which includes the church site and the graveyard adjoining, where are buried the remains of its benefactor together with those of his wife and others of his family.....

That John Williams was a man of mark and one of te most prosperous in the colonies for his day and generation is a matter of record. In the diary of Joshua Hempstead, of New London, a most faithful record of current affairs, excelling the daily newspapers of the 18th century, is found this entry: "Jan. 12, 1741/2, Capt. John Williams died at Poquetannock, of pleurisy after seven days illness. he was a good Commonwealth's man, traded much by sea and land with good success for many years, and acquired wholly by his own industry a great estate. He was a very just dealer aged about 60 years."

His total estate was estimated at L21,727. Among the personal effects were five negroes valued at L600. Very few fortunes in the early days of the eighteenth century, particularly in the United Colonies, approached anything like this figure. The will provides for his son Joseph not yet of age, the only child surviving (and the only one to carry down the Williams name), his two sons-in-law, and his widow Mary, who was made executrix.

John married Mary KNOWLTON on 26 Jun 1706 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA. Mary was born on 29 Mar 1681 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts; died on 09 Mar 1749 in Poquetannock, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Joseph Ayer and Sarah Corliss

Sarah married Thomas HAZEN on 30 Sep 1714. Thomas (son of Lieut. Thomas HAZEN and Mary HOWLETT) was born on 7 Feb 1690 in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts; was christened on 4 May 1690 in Topsfield, Massachusetts; died in 1774 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Son of Joseph Heath and Hannah Bradley

Joseph married Ann EMERY on 14 Apr 1732. Ann (daughter of Jonathan EMERY and Ruth RICHARDSON) was born on 07 Apr 1711 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Capt Nathaniel GIDDINGS on 12 Jun 1728 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA. Nathaniel (son of Nathaniel GIDDINGS and Sarah GOODHUE) was born in 1705 in Ipswich, New London, Connecticut, USA; died in 1768 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Zipporah married Capt James GEER on 24 Mar 1736/7 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. James was born on 7 Dec 1713 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; died before 8 Apr 1755. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Joseph Williams and his father belonged to the same military company, the Fifth in the Eastern Society. In May, 1746, he was made Ensign, in May, 1754, Lieutenant, and in October, 1758, Captain. He became a wealthy merchant in Norwich and his name occurs in numerous land transfers there. One of the earlier records is curious and worth quoting entire:

"May 12, 1746. To Joseph Williams, son of Capt. John Williams, for L1600 bills of Public Credit, of ye old tenour, one certain messuage or farme, situate in the Southeast Society in Norwich, with dwelling house, one barn, one blacksmith shoop, one herdinge and fencing thereon, containing 155 acres more or less."

A later Norwich town record informas us that on oct. 3, 1771, Joseph Williams of Norwich for L932 lawful money conveyed to Jonathan Brewster, his son-in-law, a certain tract or parcel of land

"Lying and being in Norwich, with house, barn and grist mil, containing 160 Acres, beginning at Poquetannock brook or river."

Soon after this he surrendered his other interests in Norwich and removed into the Hampshire Grants, later the State of Vermont.....Joseph located in the township of Brattleboro, not far from the Connecticut River. Besides his wie, he probably took with him his six younger children, the youngest being not over four years of age. Out of a family of seventeen children only three sons carried down the Williams name: John settled in Wethersfield, Vermont; Joseph in Norwich, Conn.; and William Wheeler in the Western Reserve, where now lies the City of Cleveland, Ohio.

The great struggle for independence on the part of the Colonies had begun and it was to continue until five of the sons of Joseph Williams had taken part in it, John, Frederick, Joseph, Benjamin and Isaac; Frederick and Benjamin at the cost of their lives.

His gravestone is to be seen today in the old cemetery on the top of the hill north of Centerville where stood the first meetinghouse of Brattleboro.

Inscription on tombstone:

Here lyes the Body of
Capt Joseph Williams
formerly an eminent Mer-
chant in the town of Nor-
wich in the State of Connecticut
he departed this life the
19th day of January 1776
in the 53d year of
his Age
He was remarkable for hie piety
and as a professor of Jesus Christ.

Joseph married Eunice WHEELER on 20 Feb 1746 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA. Eunice (daughter of William WHEELER and Hannah GALLUP) was born on 03 Jul 1727 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 18 Oct 1804 in Poquonock, New London Co., Connecticut; was buried in Brewster Burial Ground, Poquetannock, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Hannah LATHROP on 4 Mar 1742 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA. Hannah (daughter of Col. Simon LATHROP and Martha LATHROP) was born in 1722 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA; died on 28 Sep 1744 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]