Selected Families and Individuals

Notes


Abraham MARSHALL

This person is dead.


Mary HUNT

This person is dead.


George SAXTON

Extensive discussion of SAXTON or SEXTON families in volume 4 of Savage's Dictionary of First Settlers in New England, also available on CD-ROM produced by United Ancestries. Following except describes George:
    "GEORGE, Windsor, had John, b. there 26 May 1673, went back to Westfield where he had lived bef. and had Benjamin a. 1667 said to be the first white b. in that place, wh. also liv. to old age, but Joseph bef. him and prob. George earlier still, before W. was plant. and in 1688 sold to Joseph and Benjamin his est. there for L160., his wife Catherine join in the deed, and he d. a. 1690. "

    So, James not mentioned in this segment, but later in paragraph is listed as "perhaps s. of George the first, or of Richard.."    Dates above of other children of George are later than James' 1660 birth.

Listed in LDS Ancestral File, AFN: B6D6-M3. The additional details included birth year (1632), specific date of death (2 years later than other sources), and marriage year. Last name spelled SEXTON

From History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, CT, by H.R. Stiles,1892, vol 2:

    George Sexton (Saxton), of Windsor and Westfield, was a contemporary of Richard Saxton of Windsor, and probably his brother. That he was not a son, appears from the settlement of the wid. of Richard. (Gen. Court Rec.). The earliest mention thus far found of him is in Rec. of Deeds(i.33) at Springfield, MA, in a deed from Thomas Cowper to George Sexton, "now resident at Windsor," of lands at Warranoke River, 10 June, 1663. On the Windsor Records is the following: "John, the son of George Sexton, was born at Windsor, 26 May 1673." The date of George Sexton's removal to Westfield, MA appears from the following entry in Springfield Records: "Jonathan Alford, aged 70, and John Fowler, aged 67, say that Ambrose Fowler and George Sexton, formerly of Westfield, now deceased, were possessed of land there above 46 years ago," etc. dated 10 Jan 1717, which places the date of his removal at about 1671.
    By a deed recorded at Springfield, George and Catherine Sexton convey land in Westfield to their sons Joseph and Benjamin, in consideration of the sum of 160 lbs, dated 25 Jan 1687/8, and by an instrument signed by George Sexton, Jr., "sometime of Westfield, but now of Newtown, on Long Island, son and heir to George Sexton of Westfield, lately deceased, consenting to the before mentioned writing made by my honored father" to my brothers Joseph and Benjamin, and dated 31 Oct 1690, it appears that George Sexton, Sr, died between 1688 and 1690.

From Saxton Family History in America, compiled by Charles M. Williams 1928, updated by Ruth E. Papka 1959:

    There are indications that Richard and George Saxton were brothers; Windsor and Westfield are near together in the valley of the Connecticut River, but the name "Richard" does not appear among the children or grandchildren of George Saxton as far as known, which would seem rather remarkable if they were brothers, considering that in those days the attachment to family names were very strong.
    It is doubted whether Savage is correct in ascribing to GeorgeSaxton a son "john".
    There is good reason to suppose that most of the Saxtons and Sextons of distinctly American (at least New England) ancestry are descended from George Saxton of Westfield, MA, who died there about 1689. It is not known when George Saxton came to New England and whence. All 5 children married and left descendants.

From "Genealogical Notes" , manuscript by Louis Marinus Dewey regarding ancestors of Westfield, MA families, manuscript found in Westfield, MA library:

    George Saxton or Sexton b. prob. abt 1618, brother of Richard Saxton of Windsor, Conn, who came in the ship "Blessing", John Lester, Captain, in 1635; was at Windsor, CT when he bought land on the North Side, Union St. at Woronoco June 10, 1663 of Lt. Thomas Cooper and soon settled there as one of the 3 first permanent ones. He became in straightened circumstances and was compelled to mortgage his land and crops to pay his debts. Sold his housing and lands at Westfield Jan. 25, 1687-8 to his sons, Joseph and Benjamin for 160  pounds. He and his wife were before the County Court, Sep 24, 1678, for "abusive words and actions to Samuel Root, constable".
    He died before Oct 30, 1690; his inventory taken Jan 19, 1690-1, by Josiah Dewey and Joseph Pomeroy amounted to 49 pounds , 10 shillings.
    His wife Katharine joined Westfield church July 23, 1682 and died Sep 19, 1689.
    The old Saxton homestead, Benjamin 3rd, after 1778; the house was strongly built and was used as a fort and refuge from the Indians.

From "Early Saxton Roots in America,"  author states George Sexton born in Ireland 1632, married Katherine (last name unk).

From "Genealogies and Biographies of Ancient Windsor," by Henry Stiles:

    George, of Windsor and Westfield, was a contemporary of Richard of Windsor, and probably his brother. That he was not a son, appears from the settlement of the wid. of Richard. The earliest mention thus far found of him is in Rec. of Deeds at Springfield, MA in a deed from Thomas COWPER to George Sexton, "now resident at Windsor," of lands at  Warranoke River, 10 Jun 1663. On the Windsor Records is the following: "John, the son of George Sexton, was born a Windsor, 26 May 1673." The date of George Sexton's removal to Westfield appears to be about 1671. ...it appears that George died between 1688 and 1690.


From Pynchon Ancestors at www.enter.net/~torve/trogholm/general/pynchon.htm:

    George Sexton was b 1632 in Limerick, Ireland, while Catherine Cowing was b.c. 1636, but in Westfield MA.  Do not believe Westfield as birthplace, but birthdates are better considering birthdates of children.

From "Early Saxton Roots in America", by Velma Odeal Gehrke. Private printing:

    Denis Saxton and Edmond Saxton both served 8 years as Lord Mayors of Limerick, the latter arraigned as "of Irish blood and corrupt affection to traitors," (ie., the Irish who resisted English aggression), but still a friend and favorite of Henry VIII who knighted him in the year 1638 and granted him the title and rights of Prior of the Cathedral.

    It was at this time of persecution by the English soon after the middle of the 17th century that George Sexton, the oldest son of James Sexton of Limerick, Ireland (a descendant of Denis) and his wife Katherine and their family fled to North America, making them among the first Sextons to arrive in this country.


Thomas BANCROFT

[olsen5.FTW]

From Saxton Family History in America, compiled by Charles M. Williams, 1928 (updated by Ruth E. Papka 1959):

Listed in LDS Ancestral FIle, 9GNS-P8

From "Ethan Bancroft's Ancestry and Descendants", manuscript by Mrs. Luella Bancroft Fant, at New England Historical and Genealogical Society:

    He was the first settler of Freshwater Brook, now Thompsonville, (Enfield) CT. The Enfield records are in print and there appears an affidavit from Simsbury, CT, made by "Thomas Bancroft, 36 years of age; Mar 11, 1662 in which is mentioned "brother John Griffin", who married Ann Bancroft, May 13, 1647. In 1668 Thomas Bancroft moved to Westfield,MA where he was a Selectman. Sold at Westfield in 1680 and returned to Enfield where he died Dec 14, 1684. He ranked as Ensign in Indian War. His will, dated Nov 1684 was recorded at Springfield, MA but could not be established because unwitnessed. The estate however was settled in 1703-4 thus placing considerable material upon the records, Widow Hannah Bancroft m. Dea John Barber, and his name appears with hers on estate settlement 1703-4.

     Article says he "m. (2) Hannah Gardner".   Margaret Wright is not mentioned.

    Article states he was born in England 1625.

From "Genealogies and Biographies of Ancient Windsor," by Henry Stiles:

    Was at Springfield before 8 Dec 1653; in 1654 resided there at the"lower wharf," now Thompsonville (Enfield) CT.   He was a farmer; while at Westfield a selectman; in 1668 he was at Westfield; sold farm there in 1680, Mar 20; returned to Enfield, where he died 14 Dec 1684; will dated in Nov of that year and upon rec. at S,; gave son Thomas Jr. 15 acres of land on S. side of Woxonoak River, belonging to Springfield, to sons Samuel, John and Nathaniel, equal shares at Enfield; 7 pounds each to daus Anne and Rebecca; house etc to his loving wife. The will, being unsigned, could not be estab., and est. was not settled until 3 Feb 1703/4, before which time the wid. had married John Barber.  He had married a second time, name of wife unknown. (however J.M.B. thinks that the Hanna (dau. Samuel) Gardner of Hadley who m. Nathaniel Bancroft 1675,really married this Thomas Bancroft, and was the second wife, who married second John Barber. )


James SAXTON (Sexton)

Listed in LDS Ancestral File, AFN: B6D6-T4. 10 children

From "Early Saxton Roots in America", by Velma Odeal Gehrke. Private printing:

    Denis Saxton and Edmond Saxton both served 8 years as Lord Mayors of Limerick, the latter arraigned as "of Irish blood and corrupt affection to traitors," (ie., the Irish who resisted English aggression), but still a friend and favorite of Henry VIII who knighted him in the year 1638 and granted him the title and rights of Prior of the Cathedral.

    It was at this time of persecution by the English soon after the middle of the 17th century that George Sexton, the oldest son of James Sexton of Limerick, Ireland (a descendant of Denis) and his wife Katherine and their family fled to North America, making them among the first Sextons to arrive in this country.

    Born in 1604 and head of a family of Limerick known to be Protestants.

From Pynchon Ancestors atwww.enter.net/~torve/trogholm/general/pynchon.htm:

    James Sexton, b.c. 1604, Limerick, Ireland, d. 14 Dec 1669, Limerick, Ireland (An ancient family -- name was originally O'Seasnain. 8  Sextons were mayors of Limerick.)


John BANCROFT

From Wayne Olsen

Listed in LDS Ancestral FIle, AFN: 9P3S-2P

From "Ancestry of Frederic Rockwell Gladstone Sanborn", by F. R. Sanborn. 1928.

    John Bancraft was eldest son of Thomas Bancroft and Rebecca ______,and was  in Swarkeston  in 1627. His oath is recorded at Westminster, April 12, 1632, and he sailed in the JAMES, arriving at Salem. He settled at Lynn, where he died in 1637. His wife was Jane ______, who was granted 100 acres of land at Lynn in 1638. She removed to Southampton, L.I., and then to Windsor, C, where she died before 1644.

From "Ethan Bancroft's Ancestry and Descendants", manuscript by Mrs.Luella Bancroft Fant, at New England Historical and Genealogical Society:

    States he was the immigrant ancestor, coming from Swarkiston, married before 1622 in England. He sailed with wife Jane, and son Thomas from London on "the James", April 1632, arrived in America June 12, 1632. The family settled at Lynn, MA, where he died in 1637.  In 1638, 100 acres of land was allotted to the widow Bancroft.

    5 children.

From "Genealogies and Biographies of Ancient Windsor," by Henry Stiles:

    Came in the James from London Apr 1632 arrived Jun 12 ( 8 weekpassage); res. Lynn, MA, d. 1637. His widow Jane received 100 acres of land at Lynn, 1638. Nov 19, 1644, Jona. Strattan and Thos. Talmadge, Jr.,of Southampton, L.I. (a settlement emanating from Lynn) petitioned for the peaceable sett. of the lot betwixt them "which formerly was gr. unto Widd. Bancroft," which was consented to. Trad. in the Bancroft family says she m. (2) a man who removed with her and her children to CT.


Samuel WRIGHT Deacon

from Wayne Olsen 2002:


Listed in LDS Ancestral File, AFN: 9GPX-9T

From"The Wrights of Colonial Connecticut", by Walter William Lawrence. 1991.

    Undoubtedly, Samuel Wright was born in England. It is suggested that he was the son of Nathaniel and Lydia (James) Wright, and was baptized 17 Jan 1615 in Kelvedon Hatch, Essex. If so he would not have been an infant at baptism, since he probably married about 1630. His wife was named Margaret but her family name and dates of birth or marriage have not been determined. Samuel Jr. is shown on the Kelvedon Hatch parish records as baptized 10 Mar 1632. The next 3 children were girls; Hester, Lydia and Margret. Since all 3 married within about a year (1652-4), they may well have been triplets, born in 1634. The next was Mary, born about 1636.

    Samuel, Margaret and family immigrated to the Bay Colony in 1638 and shortly moved to Springfield. It was there that son James was baptized in 1639. In 1642 Samuel and Margaret had Judah and, lastly, in September of 1644 daughter, Helped, was born. Helped was mentioned in her mother's will but no other record of her was located.

    Samuel became a Freeman of Springfield on 13 April 1648. He was a deacon of the church and was appointed by the town since it was an ecclesiastical society) to fill-in as temporary pastor after a squabble sent the first minister away in 1653. This dissension induced several families, including the Samuel Wrights, to move away from Springfield in early 1654 and form the Northampton Society. Samuel was probably not a farmer. In order to have served in the pulpit, he must have been learned and also have had some  university training. He may even have been ordained.

    Although Samuel owned land in many different places, no single plot was larger than 8 acres. His home lot was only two acres. The total amounted to about 30 acres in scattered small lots. He died "sitting in his chair" on 17 Oct 1665. His wife Margaret outlived him nearly 16 years, dying 24 Jul 1681 in Northampton.

    Many of Samuel Wright's descendants had notable military careers. His son, Seargeant Samuel, was killed fighting Indians at the Battle of Bloody Brook in 1675. In this same battle Samuel III was wounded. Grandson, Benjamin, became a Captain in the militia and was a famous Indian fighter. This captain's son Benjamin was also a captain in the militia, while another son, Remembrance, was also a noted Indian fighter. Many from this family served in the Revolutionary War.

From "Genealogical and Biographical Notices of Descendants of Sir John Wright of Kelvedon Hall, Essex, England in America; Thomas Wright of Wethersfield CT and Deacon Samuel Wright of Northampton, MA." By Curtis Wright, Carthage MO, 1915.

    Eldest son of Nathaniel and Lydia (James) Wright. Dea. Wright married Margaret _____ in England, settled in Springfield, MA, then Agawam. In 1638 he was granted 9x10 rods for planting. In 1639 his name appears on record as a juryman.  He was chosen a deacon of the First Church and took an active part in its affairs. Addnl info about filling in for minister.

    Nov 7, 1648, he became one of the owners of a toll bridge and way over Ashby Madow. Moved to Northampton MA in 1656, was among the first settlers there. He and his wife were admitted to the church upon its organization 1661; he was there a deacon and an active member of society; was engaged in building mills, and made many public improvements.

    In 1656 was chosen with others on committee to General Court.

    In 1657 he and David Burt were chosen measurers... In 1660 he donated 4 acres for the common good of the town and with others built the first mill.

    His descendants own a beautiful knoll adjoining the cemetery of Northampton, called Stebbins Hill,...

From "   ":

    Nothing of his life prior to his going to Springfield MA has been discovered. At the time of his arrival there he was referred to as having a wife and children and births of only his two youngest children are recorded at Springfield. He is recorded as on jury duty there in 1639, and it may be that one other child was born there. However, Pope calls attention to the fact that the son, Samuel, was a father in 1654 and may  have been born in England.

    Very early, Samuel Wright was made deacon of the first church in Springfield which leads to the suspicion that he had been known in some other place by some who had made their home in Springfield. In 1656, Mr.Thompson, who had ministered there had left town; and on Mar. 24, of that year, when six men were chosen to consider the situation and see what could be done and report, Deacon Wright was one of the six; on the day before, it being the Sabbath, he had been chosen by the congregation to conduct the service of worship, and on this day when the six were chosen that he be chosen "to dispense the word of God in this place until some  other should be found" , and was to receive 50 shillings per month. Later in that same year, it was found desirable to relieve him of the constant duty and 4 men were chosen, he being one; the town records state that he was also chosen for the same service in the following year.

    He had not held any other town office, except being one to see to the making of a cartway over the meadow, where he was one of the owners of the toll gate in 1648. He went to Northampton, as late as 1657.  Statements are to be found that he was in Northampton in 1655, or 1656, but the Springfield records make the date as late as 1657.

    Conflicting dates are given for his birth and marriage and also for the birth of his children. Different sources credit him with 8, 9, 10, and even 11 children. Probably the most generally accepted list includes Benjamin, Hannah, Samuel, James, Mary, Margaret, Esther, Lydia, Judah, and Helped. It is possible that Hannah was his sister, not his daughter.

    His will was dated Nov 10, 1663, probated Mar 27, 1666.

Info also contained in "Genealogical Notice of Samuel Wright, of Springfield, MA" by Joseph W. Wright, Esq., NEHGR, vol 4, 1850.

Direct ancestor of President Grover Cleveland through daughter Hannah Wright.

Deleted maiden name of Margaret. Do not believe Compton is correct, since marriage date of Sep 10, 1625 in London is early, considering ages of children. Also deleted her birth date of about 1605.


Nathaniel WRIGHT

From Wayne Olsen:

From "Genealogical and Biographical Notices of Descendants of Sir John Wright of Kelvedon Hall, Essex, England in America; Thomas Wright of Wethersfield CT and Deacon Samuel Wright of Northampton, MA." By Curtis Wright, Carthage MO, 1915.

    Of London, England, son of Lord John Wright of Wrightsbridge, Essex, by his second wife, Bennett Greene. He was a merchant of London, Assistant to the Massachusetts Bay Company, appointed by the charter and selected by the company of which he was a charter member and an active officer; he owned one eighth of the ship "Arabella," which in 1630 brought the colony to America.

    He was a distinguished member of the company, and one of the undertakers for the management of the general stock of the company from1627 to 1630; served on important committees in England, but did not come to America.

    Mr. Wright objected to the transfer of the charter, and resigned his office when Sir Brian Janson was chosen in his place. On this account Mr.Wright had trouble with the MA Bay Company who brought suit against him, William Eaton and others. No record of his later life or of his death has been found.

    Relative to research for data in England, the genealogist ___writes: "In those turbulent times whole families were frequently wiped out."

    "Nathaniel Wright signed a pedigree chart in 1633 for the Vicar of London, in which it is stated that John Wright of Wrightsbridge m. first,____, dau  of ____ Linsell, and by her had children John Wright, clerk of the Parliament, and Samuel Wright, and by his second wife, Bennett Greene, dau. of Lawrence Greene, merchant of London, he had Nathaniel, who m. Lydia James, by whom he had son, Samuel, then 19 years of age.

From http://vader.castles.com/ffprints/web81017.html

    States He died Aug 15, 1643. In 1630 he was merchant of London and Ass"t to Winthrop"s Company; Merchant member of Mass Bay Co. sending settlers to America.


Lydia JAMES

From Wayne Olsen:

From http://vader.castles.com/ffprints/web81017.html

    Buried Aug 15, 1643, in St. Helen's Church, Bishopsgate, London. 11of 12 children also buried there.