1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
2Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch.com, AFN: 8MZS-JM.
3Henry R Stiles, A.M., M.D, History and Genealogy of Ancient Wethersfield
, The Grafton Press, New York, 19044 Beldon family website , http://kinnexions.com/smlawson/belden.htm#Standish
" "b. abt 1612, England; d. Dec 5, 1692, Wethersfield. Thomas married second about 1660, probably at Wethersfield, CT, Susannah Smith (b. abt 1624, England; d. Nov 30, 1692, Wethersfield), the daughter of Richard Smith, Gov. Dr. John Winthrop, Jr. records "Patient, Thomas Standaish his wife, Sussane Smith, daughter of old Richard Smith." The name of Thomas' first wife, believed to be the mother of Lydia, is not known."."5Miles Standish, A.M., M.D, Standishes of America, Boston1895
"Thomas Standish, one of the original settlers of Wethersfield, CT. A list of his property is in the first records of the town in 1640. He gave most of his property to his only son by deed in 1688, and the original deed is in the possession of his descendant, James Standish of Wethersfield. He had Thomas, Sarah, and Eunice (doesn't mention Lydia)."
1Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch.com.
1Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch.com.
1Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch.com.
1Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch.com.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002, quoted from "Descendants of Andrew Warner". "As one of the inhabitants of Hadley, MA to which place he haddoubtless removed with his father in 1659, he signed a petition againstimposts, Feb 19, 1668. He was one of the engagers for Northfield in 1683and was there at the Second Settlement. He became a man of influence inthe new plantation, but when the settlement was deserted after KingWilliam's War, he removed to Deerfield where he died."
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.
2The Gilbert Family-Descendants of Thomas Gilbert, 1582(?)-1659, http://www.lauricellas.com/clint/jonatgnt.htm. "The Gilbert Family-Descendants of Thomas Gilbert, 1582(?)-1659 of Mt. Wollastin (Braintree), Windsor, and Wethersfield, 1953, which includes reference to: The Diary of Joshua Hempstead, 25 - 32.
Genealogy of Samuel Converse, Jr., of Thompson Parish, Killingly Conn.; Major James Convers of Woburn, Mass.; Hon. Heman Allen of Milton and Burligton, Vermont; and Captain Jonathan Birby, Sr., of Killigly, Conn. Vol. 2. Boston: Eben Putnam, 1905. 739 - 741
Capt. Joseph Prentis married, 2 May 1727, Mercy Gilbert. Mr. Charles H. Miner of New London, from authentic and unquestioned records, finds that she was born in Colchester, Conn., 4 October 1709, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Rogers) Gilbert and granddaughter of Jonathan and Mary (Wells) Gilbert of Hartford, Conn. This conclusion was also reached by Mr. Eben Putnam, editor of The Genealogical Quarterly Magazine, after a careful examination of town and county records.
JONATHAN GILBERT,1 in 1645, being about 27 years of age, was a bachelor landholder in Hartford, Conn., and soon after married Mary White, daughter of John White. He had probably been in New England some time, as he was familiar with the language of the Indians. As interpreter between the Indians and the English government, he "rendered important service in the subsequent Indian wars and difficulties by his facility in the language and his resolute bravery. He was generally selected as a leader in emergencies of danger and importance." He was a man of business and enterprise. He was engaged in the trade and coasting business of the young colonies, and was possessed of great wealth for those days. By grants of land from the government, and by purchase, he acquired large tracts of land in different settlements. He was Collector of Customs of the Colony, and Deputy to the General Court. He was also Marshal of the Colony, an office corresponding to that of High Sheriff. He acted as Commissioner for the Colony in negotiations with the Indians; was sent in 1646 to negotiate with Sequasson, the sachem of Waranoke; was sent to Long Island, in 1654, with John Griffin, to negotiate with Ninegrate the chief of the Narragansett Indians, during the hostilities between the Narragansetts and the Long Island tribe. In 1646 he was also sent to negotiate with Chickwallop, sachem of Norwootuck, and with Manasanes; in 1657 was messenger to Pacomtuck in the troubles between the Pequots and Podunks; and was one of the troopers sent from Hartford to compel payment from the Farmington Indians of the annual sum due in satisfaction for damages from a fire caused by them. In March 1657-8, with Maj. John Mason and others, he was "in command of the listed persons for Troopers presented to and allowed by the Court." Trumbull's History of Hartford also includes his name as a member of Maj. Mason's Hartford Co. troop. The Court confirmed him, 8 Oct. 1668, as Cornet of troop of horse. In 1661 the Court granted him a farm of 300 acres. In 1653 he received a grant "at the common landing place in the little meadow (at Hartford) to set up a ware house" which afterward became a station of considerable traffic, and in which also Mr. Pynchon of Springfield was largely interested. Jonathan Gilbert's daughter, Sarah, married Andrew Belcher, the most opulent merchant of his time in Boston, and their son Jonathan Belcher was Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 1730-41; Governor of New Jersey 1747-1757, and a benefactor of Princeton College.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT,
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
HARTFORD, MARCH 11, 1902.
This is to certify that the following record of JONATHAN GILBERT appears in Colonial Records, State of Connecticut, 1636-1665.
Page 139, April 9, 1646.
"Whereas Tho. Steynton, by his long absence is disabled to attend the court according to his place. It is now ordered his salary shall cease, and Jonathan Gylbert is chosen to supply the place for this year, and the court will attend him with reasonable satisfaction."
Page 252, Session of the General Courts, in Hartford, 6 March, 1653. Special warrant granted to Jonathan Guilbert to arrest Thomas Baxter for his several misdemeanors committed; the said Jonathan to have power to raise such considerable forces as he sees meet to execute his warrant.
Page 294, General Court, April 9, 1657, In relation to a horrid murder committed by some Indians at Farmington. Instructions to those who are to go and acquaint the Sachem and chiefs at Norwootuck and Pacumtuck with the horrible bloody act that is lately done at Farmington, and the murderers must be procured by them, also accessories. The persons the Court appoints with all speed, to attend this service are Jonathan Gilbert and John Gilbert, from Hartford, and the Deputies in Windsor.
Session of General Court in Hartford the 11th day of March, 1657-1658, page 309, listed persons for Troopers under command of Major John Mason, In Hartford ... JONATHAN GILBERT...
Page 332, appointed for entry and recording such goods as are subject to custom for Hartford; 1658-1659... JONATHAN GILBERT.
Page 343, November 1659, Jonathan Gilbert is appointed to require the payment of that which Farmington Indians are engaged to pay to this Court in October yearly; the first payment being two years now past.
Page 346, Session General Court, April 11, 1660.
"Mr. John Allyn and Jonathan Gilbert appointed to bound out land."
Page 372, Session, August 28, 1661.
"This Court hath granted to Jonathan Gilbert a farm to ye number of 300 acres of upland, and 50 acres of meadow."
Page 382, Session, May 15, 1662.
"This Court grants liberty to ye Marshall, Jonathan Gilbert, to keep an Ordnary at his house at Cold Spring for the relieving of travellers, according to their needs."
Page 430, at a Session at Hartford, May 12, 1664, for Election, the Court made choice of Jonathan Gilbert for Marshall for the year ensuing.
Records 1665-1678.
Jonathan Gilbert Deputy to General Court, May 10, 1677, page 300. Court of election, Hartford, May 9, 1678, Deputy to General Court Jonathan Gilbert, from Hartford, page 2.
Court of election, October 8, 1668, page 101.
This Court confirms Marshall Jonathan Gilbert Cornett of the troop of Horse. Jonathan Gilbert, Deputy to General Court, May 12, 1681, from Hartford, page 74.
In testimony whereof, we have affixed hereto, the seal of this office.
(Signed) WM. E. F. LANDERS,
(SEAL) Col. and Asst. Adjt, General.
Jonathan Gilbert's son Thomas was master of Andrew Belcher's ship "Swan," a heavy ship for those days, carrying twelve guns. In King William's War, Capt. Thomas Gilbert captured the French ship "Saint Jacob" in the St. Lawrence, and brought it in as a prize. Subsequently when his ship was disabled, en route to London, he was captured with his ship b
Jonathan Gilbert was born in Yardley, county Worcester, England, on Sunday, June 8, 1617, and died in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 19, 1682. Mary White was baptized in Messing, Essex, England, on Sunday, July 16, 1626, and died in Hartford in about December, 1649. They were married in Hartford on Thursday, January 29, 1645/6. She took the name Mary Gilbert. He is the son of Thomas Gilbert and Elizabeth Bennett. She was the daughter of John and Mary (Leavitt) White of Messing and Hartford. They had two children:
i. Jonathan Gilbert was born in Hartford on May 11, 1648. He married Dorothy Stow.
ii. Mary Gilbert was born in Hartford on December 15, 1649, and died in Killingsworth, Connecticut, in September, 1670.
His second marriage was to Mary Wells. She was born in Colchester, Essex, England, in about 1626, and died in Hartford on July 3, 1700. She is the daughter of Hugh and Frances (Belcher) Welles. They had eight children:
i. Sarah Gilbert was born in Hartford on July 25, 1651, and died in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1688/9. She married Andrew Belcher, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Danforth) Belcher. They had children:
Andrew, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Jonathan, Anna, Martha, and Deborah.
ii. Lydia Gilbert was born in Hartford on October 3, 1654. Her first marriage was to Stephen Richardson; they had children Jonathan, Stephen, Mary, Amos, Rachel, Samuel, Lemuel, Jemima, and Nathaniel. Her second marriage was to John Chapman; they had no children.
iii. Thomas Gilbert was born in Hartford in about 1655, and died in 1718/9. He is buried in the Granary Burial-Ground in Boston. He was a well known and successful sea captain. He married first Lidia Ballard (October 27, 1670-March 23, 1707/8); second, Mary Trowbridge on September 24, 1708. She died December 30, 1733, at age 63 years.
iv. Nathaniel Gilbert was born in Hartford in about February, 1660. He died unmarried.
v. Hester Gilbert was born in Hartford in 1662. She married Charles Dickinson.
vi. Samuel Gilbert [#256]: He was born in Hartford on August 5, 1664, and died in Paugwonk in Lyme (now Salem), Connecticut, on August 5, 1733.
vii. Rachel Gilbert was born in Hartford in July, 1668, and died in Hartford on November 13, 1754. She married Josiah Marshfield; they had children Josiah, Rachel, Mary, Sarah, Esther, Catherine, Samuel, and Elizabeth. Catherine married Eliphalet Steel, son of Samuel and Mercy (Bradford) Steel and great-grandson of William Bradford, {Gov.) of Plymouth. They had children Josiah, Mercy, Theophilus, Eliphaz, Elijah, Rachel, Catherine, Eliphalet, and Joshua. Mercy married Noah Webster, son of Daniel and Miriam (Cook)(Kellogg) Webster. The son of Noah and Mercy was Noah Webster, noted American lexicographer and author.
viii. Ebenezer Gilbert was born in Hartford in about 1670. He married Esther Allyn.
The earliest mention of Jonathan Gilbert in Hartford records is his first marriage, which occurred January 29, 1645/6. After his marriage, Jonathan lived upon a lot near the corner of the present Sheldon and Governor Streets in Hartford, a portion of the lot of William Hills which he bought in 1648/9, Hills having moved across the Connecticut River to the locality still called Hockanum. The original lot was of one acre in extent. The northern part with Hill's original house had passed to the town of Hartford and this house was the first school house in Hartford, and was used as such for a number of years, housing the schoolmaster and his sixteen students of Latin Grammar. Gilbert lived upon the southern part of the original Hills lot in a small house. It was near the house of his father-in-law, Elder John White, who was, however, not an elder at this early date, the Second Church of Hartford not having been founding until 1669-70.
On January 9, 1640, the town of Hartford gave liberty to Edward Hopkins and John Haynes "To sett up a mill & a bridge one ye Litell River ofer against the palisadoe att theare own proper charge." These were to be finished the following winter and to be kept in repair four years. This mill was on the north bank of Park River, just below the falls, which are near the present Welles Street. In 1655 a new and larger mill was built on about the same site. At a town meeting held June 6, 1646, liberty was given to the townsmen to exchange the mill house for Goodman Gilbert's house, he to have, "alowans of ground out of the meeting howse lot as they think may Resnabelly be spared," he to pay the town forty shillings. Thus the town became the owner of the whole of William Hill's home lot and Gilbert of the mill house and a valuable site near the town's center, not far from the public square. No record has been found to show that Gilbert actually operated the mill, but such was probably the fact. It is possible that this change was not effected, for Gilbert was still owning the south part of the Hills houselot in 1659, when the town sold the north part with the school house to Joseph Smith.
In 1651 Gilbert with three other men acquired eighteen acres of woodland in the southern part of town, west of "Rocky Hill" (Rocky Hill is the ridge upon which the buildings of Trinity College now stand), and in 1653 the town voted that there was "liberty granted to Jonathan Gilbert to set up a warehouse at the common landing place in the little meadow, upon that land without Mrs. Hooker's lot." He erected the building at once. "It was a two story building, had a cellar beneath it and a staircase leading to the second floor. Very likely Gilbert stored here the corn he collected in 1654 for the trainband. He had charge of the military stores for some years." [W.D. Love, Colonial History of Hartford, p. 170.] This achievement gave Gilbert a foothold at the center of the expanding trade and commerce of the town and colony upon the Great River. He profited thereby, although his was not the only warehouse near the river. This building stood for at least fifty years afters its erection. In 1660 Gilbert further strenghtened himself in the locality by purchasing two islands, called Bird's Island and the Dutch Island. These islands lay near the east bank of the river, opposite the public landing, and even there the channel to the east of them was beginning to fill up. It later entirely disappeared, the main channel of the river working its way westward and cutting away the western bank.
On Sept. 5, 1663, he bought from Anthony Wright two acres with a messuage or tenement. It was situated between the market place on the north and Jeremy Adam's land on the south. This land was even then in an advantageous location, and is now in the heart of Hartford, between Central Row and the Travelers Insurance Company's building. Here Gilbert had his residence and kept the inn until his death, and was succeeded after his decease by his widow Mary and son Samuel as innkeepers. Jeremy Adams also kept an inn which was the official meeting place of the General Court and in which he entertained the lower courts and other public officials. No doubt Gilbert also had his share of this public patronage and he was most favorably situated to obtain the latest political and commercial news, an advantage he did not hesitate to avail himself of.
Gilbert had meanwhile aquired various parcels of land, woodland and meadow in different parts of town. These need not detain us. In less than twenty years he had secured a firm position in the town and colony, at the very center of its commercial, social, and political life. His second marriage to Mary Wells had without a doubt helped him. From all that can be learned of her, it would appear that she was a keen and practical woman with an eye to business. In this she was like her husband. The two were well mated and worked together for common ends and had common ambitions. From this period also begins Gilbert's participation in public affairs. He is no longer Goodman Gilbert, but is called Jonathan Gilbert, Mr. Jonathan Gilbert and Mr. Gilbert in the records, a sure indication of advancing official and social status.
In about 1646, Thomas Stanton, the first marshal of the colony, left Hartford and successor in his office was needed. April 9, 1646, the General Court passed the following order: "Whereas Thos Steynton by his long absence is disabled to attend the Court according to his place, it is now ordered his sallery shall cease and Jonathan Gilbert is chosen to supply the place for this yeare and the Cort will attend him with reasonable satisfaction."[Colonial Records of Connecticut vol. 1, p. 139.] There is no mention of his re-election annually, but there is record of his appointment as Marshal in 1662, 1663 and 1664 [Colonial Records, vol. 1, pp. 382, 401, 430]. His successor, George Grave, was elected May 11, 1675. Thus we may assume that Gilbert served in this office 29 years altogether.
Evidence indicates that the marshal had, either in person or by deputy, the powers and duties of the hangman. No other mode of execution in recognized by the law of the Colony. This power brought Jonathan Gilbert into a tragic situation in the witchcraft cases, which involved his own mother. However it is not certain that he held the office of marshal in 1654-5.
The General Court or Colony government employed an official called the "marshall" to carry out its orders and decrees in both civil and criminal cases. He was a constable or high sheriff. He may also have been called upon to execute the orders of the lower or Particular Court as well. The office of marshal is mentioned in the Code of May 1650 and its duties and fees defined. The marshal was allowed 2 shillings 6 pence for every execution under £5, and 4 pence for every mile he goes "out of Town [Hartford] where he liveth"; and for every execution above £5 and under £10, 3 shillings 4 pence, and 4 pence for every mile, and above £10, 5 shillings and his other just and necessary charges. "If he be excessive therein, it shall be redressed, and the Marshall is allowed for every attachment half as much as for executions and four pence per mile." [Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. 1, p. 540-1.]FN:
The word "execution" is here used in its civil sense or meaning. Yet Dr. Love in his Colonial History of Hartford, p. 285, says that the execution of criminals devolved upon the marshal. I have been unable to find any record which directly conferred this duty upon him, except one in which Marshal George Grave was relieved of it. "May 11, 1675, The Court have made chyse of George Grave to be marshall for one year ensuing and until a new be chosen; and in the matter of execution he is only required to provide persons to do it upon the Countreys accot, as he shall be appointed by anthoritie."[Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. 2, p. 275.] I incline to the view that "execution" in this order means "execution of criminals," although admitting that it may mean only "execution" in the civil sense. Dr. Love is probably correct in his statement. Certain facts connected with the witchcraft cases support his view. One of those accused of witchcraft is said to have seen this worshipful official-the Marshal of the Colony-in a dream and was much distressed thereby. It seemed to presage the end. It may then be safely affirmed that the marshal had-either in person or by deputy-the powers and duties of the hangman. No other mode of execution was recognized by the law of the Colony. This power brought Jonathan Gilbert into a tragical situation in the witchcraft cases, which, as we have seen, involved his own mother [sister-in-law]. However we cannot be sure that he held the office of marshal in 1654-5.
Thomas Stanton was the first incumbent in this office. He was also official interpreter of Indian languages. About 1646 Stanton removed from Hartford and settled in Stonington, then claimed by Massachusetts. A successor in his office was needed. April 9, 1646, the General Court passed the following order: "Whereas Thos Steynton by his long absence is disabled to attend the Court according to his place, it is now ordered his sallery shall cease and Jonathan Gilbert is chosen to supply the place for this yeare and the Cort will attend him with reasonable satisfaction."
"Satisfaction" here means compensation. [Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. 1, p. 139-1 There is no mention of his re-election annually, but there is record of his appointment as marshal in 1662, 1663, and 1664 [Colonial Records, vol. 1, pp. 382, 401, 430], and in 1663 the Court reaffirmed its former order regarding the "marshall's" fees. His successor, George Grave, was elected May 11, 1675. Thus we may assume that Gilbert served in this office twenty-nine years altogether.
There are a number of records of special duties assigned to Marshal Gilbert by the General Court or by the Particular Court. These will be given chronologically.
May 15, 1651. "Jonathan Gillburt is appointed by the Courte to goe to Wethersfeild and gather vp the seuerall Sums of mony, of those men whose Cattle did Jointe Damages with Thomas Ossmores, according to the destribution of the whole damage made formerly by the Courte, together with his Just fees and Charges in and about the same, and if any whome it Concerns refuse to pay him, hee is to warne them to appeare at the next particular Courte in Hartford to Answer the same." [Records of the Particular Court, Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, vol. 22, p. 101.]
March 6, 1653/4. Special warrant to Jonathan Gilbert to arrest Thomas Baxter for his misdemeanors and Jonathan to have power "to rayse such considerable forces as hee sees meete to execute his warrant." [Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. 1, p. 252.]
In 1656 Jonathan Gilbert and his brother John Gilbert desired a grant of land in what is now Westfield, Mass., but neither of them complied with the terms of the grant so far as to settle there, and the land was forfeited to Capt. Pynchon, Robert Ashley and George Colton.
April 9, 1657. "Jonathan and John Gilbert to go with others to the sachem at Norwootuck and Pacumtuck [Northampton and Deerfield] to tell him of the horrible, bloody acts of some Indians at Farmington." [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 294.]
Jonathan Gilbert also advanced in the military arm of the government. Like all men between the ages of sixteen and sixty years, he served in the trainband or militia company of Hartford. On Feb. 20, 1650/1, he was chosen and sworn clerk of the trainband in Hartford for the year ensuing. March 11, 1657/8, Jonathan Gilbert and others named to be troopers (i.e., horse soldiers or cavalrymen) under the command of Maj. John Mason.] [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 309.]
October 8, 1668. "This Court confirms Marshall Jonathan Gilbert Cornett of the Troope of Horse." [Ibid., vol. 2, p. 101.] This made him commander of the Hartford troop. It was a valued distinction, and the title attached itself to him for the remainder of his life, for the title of Cornet appears upon his gravestone in the old Center Cemetery at Hartford.
The warehouse, erected by Gilbert near the landing place in Hartford, has already been mentioned. It speedily became a bonded warehouse for imports into the Colony and Gilbert was in fact, if not in name, collector of the port, as records show.
March 9, 1658/9, Wines and liquors entering the Colony to be taxed. Jonathan Gilbert appointed to see the entry and recording thereof at Hartford. Such persons to pay 2 shillings for every Butt of Wine and 12 pence for every anchor of liquors. [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 323.] "Anchor," more correctly "anker," was a measure for liquids, nine or ten gallons capacity.
Gilbert did not always comply with the law. May 4, 1663, "This Court doth determine that Jonathan Gilbert's Butt of Wine, seized for the country, be according to the law established, forfeited to the Countrey." [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 401.]
Two records show that Gilbert must have been on good terms with the Indians and able to speak their tongue.
November 9, 1659. "Jonathan Gilbert appointed to require payment of that wch Farmington Indians are engaged to pay to this Court yearly, the first payment being due two years now past." [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 343.]
April 11, 166o. "John Allyn and Jonathan Gilbert are appointed to bound [i.e., mark the bounds of] the land of Tantonimo at Podunk to Thomas Burnham." [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 346.] This land, upon which was an Indian village and fort, was in the region between East Hartford and South Windsor. Many Indian relics have been dug up there.
Such service to the Colony demanded and received material reward. Gilbert's land holdings at Hartford were important, but not extensive. He was not one of the proprietors. In company with his brothers he had leased the Hollister farm at Nayaug (South Glastonbury) for some ten years, probably surrendering the lease at the death of his father in 1659 or about that time. He was now to receive from the General Court a grant of many acres.
August 28, 1661, "This Court hath granted to Jonathan Gilbert a farme to the number Of 300 acres of upland and 50 acres of meadow, provided it be not prejuditiall where he finds it to any Plantation yt now is or hereafter may be settled." [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 372.] Mr. Gilbert had occasion in the course of his official duties to travel often between Hartford and New Haven, and he saw the need of an accommodation for travelers, or halfway house, since the journey between the two places or from more remote places required more than a single day. This was especially necessary after the union of the Connecticut and New Haven Colonies in 1664, since the General Court met alternately at the two places. But Gilbert did not wait until the union occurred in order to accommodate travelers.
May 15, 1662. "This Court grants liberty to the Marshall Jonathan Gilbert to keep an ordinary at his house at Cold Spring for relieving of Travellers according to their needs." [Ibid., vol. 1, p. 382.]
This farm and inn were near the present city of Meriden. Mr. Gilbert also bought of Capt. Daniel Clark of Windsor and from the Indian Massecup large tracts of land on the Mattabeset River, now chiefly in the town of Berlin, where his son Ebenezer settled early in the eighteenth century, in the locality known as Christian Lane, so called on account of its being the site of the first meeting house in Great Swamp parish. This land was ordered to be laid out to him (surveyed), May 11, 1671. [ Ibid., vol. 2, p. 151.] It is evident that he had occupied some part of it before the order of survey was made.
The General Court of March 1661/2 and October 1665 granted to Capt. Daniel Clark of Windsor three hundred acres of land, to be taken up partly on the branches of the Mattabeset River and partly upon the road from Wethersfield to New Haven, at or near a place called Cold Spring on the west side of a ridge of mountainous land commonly called by the name of Lamentation Hills. On Apr. 22, 1664, Capt. Daniel Clarke sold to Gilbert the three hundred acres of this grant. The original deed is still in the possession of Gilbert's Christian Lane descendants. The Clarke tract is described as "lying at a place called Meridam, where Mr. Jonathan Gilbert's farm is and bounded partly on the Mattabeset River, where it may be allowed by the town of Farmington." Four hundred and seventy acres of these two grants were laid out to Jonathan Gilbert at Cold Spring. He also purchased the native right to the land and to other lands at Pagonschaumischaug (the Indian name of the present town of Berlin or Kensington) of the Indian Massecup, son of Suckiauge, the sachem who sold the site of Hartford to its first settlers. END FN
In his will, dated Sept. 10, 1674, at the time when his displeasure over the conduct of his oldest son Jonathan was at its height, Mr. Gilbert bequeathed his farm at Meriden to his son Nathaniel with £30 more; and to his son Ebenezer he gave the three hundred acres he bought of Capt. Clarke, with £ 50 more and the land he bought of Massecup. His son Nathaniel Gilbert died at some time after the will was made, probably after 1682, and Nathaniel is not mentioned in the will of his mother, Mrs. Mary (Wells) Gilbert, dated May 23, 1700. By the death of Nathaniel Gilbert, the Meriden farm passed to his heirs, his surviving brothers and sisters, of whom Capt. Andrew Belcher of Boston, the husband of his sister Sarah Gilbert, was one. Capt. Belcher by purchase acquired all the interest of the Gilbert heirs in this farm, and in October, 1703, the General Assembly sitting at New Haven confirmed the whole of the four hundred and seventy acres to Capt. Belcher, in consideration of the fact that Belcher had expended money upon the land in building dwelling houses and settling tenants therein, and in other improvements, which "are like to be a public as well as a private benefit, the said tenements being conveniently situate for the relief of travellers in their journeying from place to place." David Rich, from Wrentham, Mass., and Eleazer Aspinwall from Brookline, Mass., were Capt. Belcher's stewards or managers of the farm for some years. A few other men settled on or near the farm. After a number of years, Capt. Belcher lost his interest in the farm, and after some vears it was sold to parties who divided it amongst themselves. A few traces of its ancient occupation still remain. It lies off the present routes of travel and is seldom visited.
Andrew Belcher was born Jan. 1, 1647. When he grew to manhood, he owned several vessels employed in coastwise trade, besides being the agent of Connecticut Colony in purchasing arms and ammunition and the agent of Massachusetts in procuring provisions from Connecticut to be sent to Boston to supply its army and the Colonv. On one or more of his visits to Connecticut upon this business he stopped at Jonathan Gilbert's inn at Hartford, saw the landlord's fair daughter, fell in love and married her.
They had two sons and five daughters. The younger son, named Jonathan after his grandfather Gilbert, graduated at Harvard College in 1699 and soon visited Europe, there making the acquaintance of the Princess Sophia Dorothea, queen of George 1, and also of her son, later King George II. Returning to New England, Jonathan Belcher was Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire from 1730 to 1741 and afterward Governor of New Jersey. He was instrumental in enlarging the charter of Princeton College, of which he was patron and benefactor. His son Jonathan Belcher, grandson of Capt. Andrew and Sarah (Gilbert) Belcher, graduate at Harvard College, studied law in London and was Lieutenant-Governor and Chief justice of Nova Scotia. Sir Edward Belcher, a grandson of the last-named, was a Commander in the British navy, commanding the expedition which went to the polar regions in search of Sir John Franklin in 1852. [North's History of Berlin, Conn.]
On June 5, 1662, the Court granted, "liberty to Jonathan Gilbert of delivering upon oath to the Treasurer account of such goods that he doth at any time trade in that are subject to customs."
During the years from 1654 to 1664, the records of the Particular Court (after 1666 the Hartford County Court) show that Jonathan Gilbert was a party-generally the plaintiff-in numerous lawsuits involving debt, transactions in trade, and the like. A few were cases of personal damage or injury, growing out of Gilbert's official position as marshal. Gilbert was generally successful in these suits and no indication of wrongdoing on his part attaches itself to any of them. On Oct. 13, 1669, the Court chose Jonathan Gilbert and John Gilbert, then living at Hartford north side, as freemen of the Colony. This gave them the right to vote for the highest officials of the Colony under the charter of 1662 and to hold office as deputies in the General Court or Assembly, which met twice a year, in May as a Court of Election and in October for general legislation. The executive, legislative and judicial functions of the colonial government were not then separated into three independent departments, as in the present state governments. The General Assembly at this time had almost unlimited powers and acted as a superior court of original jurisdiction as well as a court of appeal from the actions of the four county courts. Jonathan Gilbert was chosen Deputy from Hartford in 1677, 1678, and 1681. This was just after King Philip's War, when the colonies were all striving to recover from the ravages of the war and staggering under a heavy load of debt. Connecticut suffered less than Massachusetts and Rhode Island in this respect, but it was a most difficult time. The losses in men and property had been heavy. The records of the time show little if any legislation of interest or importance. Gilbert did not live to see the exciting times when Andros was demanding the surrender of the New England charters and Connecticut's charter was saved for better times through the sagacity of her officials and the episode which has immortalized Capt. Joseph Wadsworth and the Charter Oak. When the revolution in England brought William of Orange and his English Mary to the throne of England, Andros was driven from his post of governor of all New England and New York, the Connecticut Charter was brought out from its hiding place, and government under it was resumed as of old. Later King William declared the charter of Massachusetts forfeit, but a technical flaw in the proceedings against the charter of Connecticut saved it. Government under it was continued until 1818, when a new state constitution was ratified by the electors.
It remains to tell of Gilbert's last days, of his break with his eldest son and the tardy reconciliation. All that is known about these affairs is contained in the Hartford Probate records, vol. 4, pp. 111-115, and in the documents in the case of Jonathan Gilbert, Jr. vs. Mary Gilbert, contained in that volume of State Archives known as Private Controversies, vol. 2, document 129.".
1Olsen, Wayne, PAF file: Boslow_Anc_Stevens.paf, rec'd via EMail 0n 14 APR 2002.