HISTORY OF ANCIENT WETHERSFIELD (CT)
Volume I: History based upon the manuscript collection of the late Judge Sherman W. Adams, recast, enlarged
and edited by Henry R. Stiles, A.M., M.D, author of the History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, CT. Volume
II: Genealogies and Biographies By Henry R. Stiles, A.M, M.D Published by The Grafton Press, New York MCMIIII
MATTHEW WILLIAMS (1) Born @ 1605 in Wales. Supposed to have been the eldest son of Mr. Richard Williams
who came from Glamorgan, Wales, to America, with his family 1620-21. One authority states that Richard had 4
sons; another that the children of Richard, an early settler at Taunton, MA. were John, Samuel, Joseph,
Nathaniel, Thomas and Benjamin, also daughters (Elizabeth w/of John Bird) and Hannah (w/of John Parmeutor).
Inasmuch as tradition also affirms that Matthew of Wethersfield was of an ancient Welsh family of
Glamorganshire and a kinsman of Oliver Cromwell, a tradition claim of Richard Williams as well, and a claim
moreover which is not common to the other pioneer Williams families of New England, it is believed that the full
number of Richard Williams children has not been credited in meager colonial records and that he had 7 sons.
The Richard Williams of Taunton, MA supposed to be the father of Matthew, the Wethersfield settler is ceded to
be R. Williams of Abrpgraway, who married Francis Dighton, sister of Katharine Dighton, second wife of Gov.
Thomas. Dudley of Massachusetts. However, he may have had a former wife who accompanied him hither.
The will of Jane Williams, spinster, of Whetenjurst, Co Gloucester, 1650, leaves a pittance of remembrance to
"Brother Richard and sister Elizabeth Williams, that are in New England.." a testamentary proof that Elizabeth,
not Frances, was the name of the wife of Richard of Taunton of this date, thirty years after his departure from
Wales.
Furthermore, there is another Old World will that throws a shaft of light into this time-dimmed knowledge, viz. that
of Benjamin Williams of Guldeford, Co. Surrey, 1695, wherein it says,"1 give to my cousins, Samuel, Thomas and
Benjamin Williams, of New England, and to my cousin Elizabeth Bird of Dorchester, in New England. and to the
eldest. Child of my cousin Williams, deceased, in case there be any of them living, to each of them 20 shillings,
within one year of the death of the testator, etc." Benjamin Williams of Surrey had evidently been in frequent
communication with his kinspeople across the sea; and was aware of Richard Williams death; dead doubtless for
many years past, John Williams, had died while young, the names of his brothers as far as known, appear in the
following order, Samuel, Joseph, Nathaniel, Thomas and Benjamin. A peculiar significance might be attached to
the manner of mention of "the eldest. child of my Cousin Williams, deceased".
Certainly, the eldest. son of Richard Williams was better known, even if only by letter, to the Guldeford
schoolmaster, than his brothers. It is a plausible supposition that Matthew Williams was the unnamed heir to that
one pound, in coin of the realm; he had early been estranged from his father through his rebellious attitude
adopted towards the General Court.
However, he was not wholly cut off from his people, for his brother Thomas held him in such fraternal friendship
that he soon followed him into those western wilds, and also settled at Wethersfield.
MATTHEW Williams, seems to have been for a time at Watertown, Massachusetts, from whence, like others,
allured by the attractive reports of Oldham and Hall, the pioneer traders and explorers of the Connecticut Valley,
he moved to Pyquang (now) Wethersfield.
Some of his descendants are inclined to claim him as one of the seven founders of the town; but Judge Adams'
elaborate discussion of those adventurers (as they are termed in the Wethersfield records) does not support
this claim. The nearest date which we can depend upon, makes him here "before 1645," (See Vol I, p 31:
Matthew Williams listed with early settlers none later than 1645); and that he was a "brickmaker" by trade; and
probably a farmer also. (Wethersfield T. V. p. 6 contains the entry of his cattle ear-mark.)
Previous to 1644 he married Susanna Cole, a girl of English birth, supposed to have been a sister of James
Cole, an early settler at Wethersfield and in 1639 an original planter at Hartford. After 1655 he was for a time on
Long Island and eventually at Barbados, though still a house holder at Wethersfield, where his family. was living.
Hotten's Emigration Lists that on Jan 14, 1678, he was granted a ticket of emigration from Barbados to the
Colony, with his servant.
His death probably occurred the following year in 1680. His widow Susannah asked the Court at Wethersfield to
appraise her estate and makes a petition to divide it between the sons. This step on her part
probably fixes a conclusive date for the departure from Connecticut of the widow and her sons, Amos, now 35
years of age, with his wife and 3 children, Matthew, now 29 years of age; and Samuel, probably a widower.
Children of Matthew and Susannah (Wethersfield Records)
1. Amos b. March 14, 1645/6
2. Matthew, b. Oct 27, 1647, died in infancy
3. Matthew, b May 14, 1651
4. Samuel, b. Jan 4, 1653/4
Miss Sidney Lyon's (Jeffersonville, IN) records give a daughter Ruth born between the two Matthews who married
Caleb Pierson and died before 1680 but of this we have no record.
From A HISTORY OF ANCIENT WETHERSFIELD Volume II
DESCENDANTS OF MATTHEW WILLIAMS IN THE LINE OF HIS SON SAMUEL, OF ELiZABETHTOWN, NJ.
SAMUEL-2 (Chapter VII, Vol 1) the youngest son of Matthew and
Susannah, was born at Wethersfield, 1653, and was brother of Matthew, who settled at Newark, NJ and of Amos,
who settled in Essex Co, NJ. The three brothers removed after their father's death, probably in 1683, to "the
Jerseys." Samuel was at that time, either a married man or a widower, as he had a son Joseph, born 1678.
When or where his first wife died we know not; but previous to 1690 he married (2) Esther Wheeler (daughter of
Nathaniel) of Newark, NJ who died before him. He died 1706 some months after he made his will (a quaint and
pious document) dated May 4, 1706.
Children (by first marriage):
1. Joseph, b. 1678; d. 1730; his will mentions wife Mary, sons
1.Joseph, 2. Benjamin; and 3. a daughter Mary who
married John Denman III of Westfield, NJ b.
1700; d. 1775.
2. Samuel
3. Nathaniel
4. David married his cousin Phoebe (daughter of John and Elizabeth Wheeler) Ogden b. 1703; d 1769.
5. Josiah
6. Susannah, supposed to have married a Teckenor.
7. Sarah, supposed to have married a Shipman.
8. Esther, supposed to have married James Pierson of Hanover, VT; it is however claimed that she married John
(son of Stephen) Crane of Elizabethtown, NJ. It would appear she could have hardly been the wife of Pierson for
according to his will dated 9/3/1761 his wife
Esther was then living. Esther Crane died 1748 and Esther Pierson died after 1761 and no other Esther
gd-daughter of Esther Botsford Wheeler can be found, yet Esther Crane must have been the mother of 8 or
more children of John Crane for in her will she says "my youngest son Samuel which demonstrates that she had
other sons and my six daughters. She could hardly have been the mother of these Crane children nor yet the
"minor" mentioned in Samuel Williams' will, for a married woman is not by law, a minor. We assume, therefore
that she was the wife of John Crane, carpenter of Elizabethtown, NJ; nor is there any evidence that John Crane
ever had any wife other than Esther. Issue according to will of John Crane, 2/7/1722 and probated 2/18/1722:
1. John Crane b 1700, d. 9/11/1763
2. Joseph Crane
3. Matthew Crane
4. Samuel Crane b. 1 71 2
5. Benjamin Crane b. 1710
6. Hannah Crane
7. Abigail Crane b. 1/25/1703; 6/10/1770 m. Jacob DeHart
8. Esther Crane, b. 1705; m. David Durham
9. Sarah Crane, b. 1708 m. Philip Denman
10. Rebecca Crane b. 1711; m. Effingham Townley
11. Deborah Crane, b. 1713; m (1) Brooks; m (2) John High
Nathaniel Wheeler born Fairfield, CT 1639, died10/4/1726 and is buried in the Cemetery of the old Presbyterian
Church at Orange, NJ. He
was a son of Lieut Thomas. W. Wheeler (born in Wales and who came to New England, with his father, Capt.
Thomas W. Cator, later known as a famous Indian fighter) his mother was Joanna (daughter of Robert)
Seabrook of Stratford, CT.
Nathaniel Wheeler married 6/27/1665, Esther, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Botsford of Milford, CT. born
1645, and who died at Orange, NJ and was the mother of Esther Wheeler who became the wife of Samuel
Williams. But Samuel Williams' will mentions "my father Wheeler" and names the children (as given by us) among
them, Esther being named as a minor.
Esther Wheeler Williams is also mentioned in the will of
her father Nathaniel Wheeler signed Aug 21, 1724 and proved Feb 24, 1726, as."deceased" and in the same
document also appears the name of her son David.
Papers connected with the settlement of the estate of Esther Botsford Wheeler, widow of Nathaniel Wheeler, who
died March 14, 1732/33, were signed by four of her grand-children, three of whom Susannah Teckenor, Sarah
Shipman and Esther Pierson were probably the children of Esther Wheeler Williams.
From A HISTORY OF ANCIENT WETHERSFIELD Volume II page 827-828
Samuel Williams (s. Matthew and Susannah) born 1653-4 given land at
Rocky-Hill by the town 1698, that had formerly been given to Wm. Morris.
From A HISTORY OF ANCIENT WETHERSFIELD
Volume I page 314
Volume I: History based upon the manuscript collection of the late Judge Sherman W. Adams, recast, enlarged
and edited by Henry R. Stiles, A.M., M.D, author of the History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, CT. Volume
II: Genealogies and Biographies By Henry R. Stiles, A.M, M.D Published by The Grafton Press, New York MCMIIII
MATTHEW WILLIAMS (1) Born @ 1605 in Wales. Supposed to have been the eldest son of Mr. Richard Williams
who came from Glamorgan, Wales, to America, with his family 1620-21. One authority states that Richard had 4
sons; another that the children of Richard, an early settler at Taunton, MA. were John, Samuel, Joseph,
Nathaniel, Thomas and Benjamin, also daughters (Elizabeth w/of John Bird) and Hannah (w/of John Parmeutor).
Inasmuch as tradition also affirms that Matthew of Wethersfield was of an ancient Welsh family of
Glamorganshire and a kinsman of Oliver Cromwell, a tradition claim of Richard Williams as well, and a claim
moreover which is not common to the other pioneer Williams families of New England, it is believed that the full
number of Richard Williams children has not been credited in meager colonial records and that he had 7 sons.
The Richard Williams of Taunton, MA supposed to be the father of Matthew, the Wethersfield settler is ceded to
be R. Williams of Abrpgraway, who married Francis Dighton, sister of Katharine Dighton, second wife of Gov.
Thomas. Dudley of Massachusetts. However, he may have had a former wife who accompanied him hither.
The will of Jane Williams, spinster, of Whetenjurst, Co Gloucester, 1650, leaves a pittance of remembrance to
"Brother Richard and sister Elizabeth Williams, that are in New England.." a testamentary proof that Elizabeth,
not Frances, was the name of the wife of Richard of Taunton of this date, thirty years after his departure from
Wales.
Furthermore, there is another Old World will that throws a shaft of light into this time-dimmed knowledge, viz. that
of Benjamin Williams of Guldeford, Co. Surrey, 1695, wherein it says,"1 give to my cousins, Samuel, Thomas and
Benjamin Williams, of New England, and to my cousin Elizabeth Bird of Dorchester, in New England. and to the
eldest. Child of my cousin Williams, deceased, in case there be any of them living, to each of them 20 shillings,
within one year of the death of the testator, etc." Benjamin Williams of Surrey had evidently been in frequent
communication with his kinspeople across the sea; and was aware of Richard Williams death; dead doubtless for
many years past, John Williams, had died while young, the names of his brothers as far as known, appear in the
following order, Samuel, Joseph, Nathaniel, Thomas and Benjamin. A peculiar significance might be attached to
the manner of mention of "the eldest. child of my Cousin Williams, deceased".
Certainly, the eldest. son of Richard Williams was better known, even if only by letter, to the Guldeford
schoolmaster, than his brothers. It is a plausible supposition that Matthew Williams was the unnamed heir to that
one pound, in coin of the realm; he had early been estranged from his father through his rebellious attitude
adopted towards the General Court.
However, he was not wholly cut off from his people, for his brother Thomas held him in such fraternal friendship
that he soon followed him into those western wilds, and also settled at Wethersfield.
MATTHEW Williams, seems to have been for a time at Watertown, Massachusetts, from whence, like others,
allured by the attractive reports of Oldham and Hall, the pioneer traders and explorers of the Connecticut Valley,
he moved to Pyquang (now) Wethersfield.
Some of his descendants are inclined to claim him as one of the seven founders of the town; but Judge Adams'
elaborate discussion of those adventurers (as they are termed in the Wethersfield records) does not support
this claim. The nearest date which we can depend upon, makes him here "before 1645," (See Vol I, p 31:
Matthew Williams listed with early settlers none later than 1645); and that he was a "brickmaker" by trade; and
probably a farmer also. (Wethersfield T. V. p. 6 contains the entry of his cattle ear-mark.)
Previous to 1644 he married Susanna Cole, a girl of English birth, supposed to have been a sister of James
Cole, an early settler at Wethersfield and in 1639 an original planter at Hartford. After 1655 he was for a time on
Long Island and eventually at Barbados, though still a house holder at Wethersfield, where his family. was living.
Hotten's Emigration Lists that on Jan 14, 1678, he was granted a ticket of emigration from Barbados to the
Colony, with his servant.
His death probably occurred the following year in 1680. His widow Susannah asked the Court at Wethersfield to
appraise her estate and makes a petition to divide it between the sons. This step on her part
probably fixes a conclusive date for the departure from Connecticut of the widow and her sons, Amos, now 35
years of age, with his wife and 3 children, Matthew, now 29 years of age; and Samuel, probably a widower.
Children of Matthew and Susannah (Wethersfield Records)
1. Amos b. March 14, 1645/6
2. Matthew, b. Oct 27, 1647, died in infancy
3. Matthew, b May 14, 1651
4. Samuel, b. Jan 4, 1653/4
Miss Sidney Lyon's (Jeffersonville, IN) records give a daughter Ruth born between the two Matthews who married
Caleb Pierson and died before 1680 but of this we have no record.
From A HISTORY OF ANCIENT WETHERSFIELD Volume II
DESCENDANTS OF MATTHEW WILLIAMS IN THE LINE OF HIS SON SAMUEL, OF ELiZABETHTOWN, NJ.
SAMUEL-2 (Chapter VII, Vol 1) the youngest son of Matthew and
Susannah, was born at Wethersfield, 1653, and was brother of Matthew, who settled at Newark, NJ and of Amos,
who settled in Essex Co, NJ. The three brothers removed after their father's death, probably in 1683, to "the
Jerseys." Samuel was at that time, either a married man or a widower, as he had a son Joseph, born 1678.
When or where his first wife died we know not; but previous to 1690 he married (2) Esther Wheeler (daughter of
Nathaniel) of Newark, NJ who died before him. He died 1706 some months after he made his will (a quaint and
pious document) dated May 4, 1706.
Children (by first marriage):
1. Joseph, b. 1678; d. 1730; his will mentions wife Mary, sons
1.Joseph, 2. Benjamin; and 3. a daughter Mary who
married John Denman III of Westfield, NJ b.
1700; d. 1775.
2. Samuel
3. Nathaniel
4. David married his cousin Phoebe (daughter of John and Elizabeth Wheeler) Ogden b. 1703; d 1769.
5. Josiah
6. Susannah, supposed to have married a Teckenor.
7. Sarah, supposed to have married a Shipman.
8. Esther, supposed to have married James Pierson of Hanover, VT; it is however claimed that she married John
(son of Stephen) Crane of Elizabethtown, NJ. It would appear she could have hardly been the wife of Pierson for
according to his will dated 9/3/1761 his wife
Esther was then living. Esther Crane died 1748 and Esther Pierson died after 1761 and no other Esther
gd-daughter of Esther Botsford Wheeler can be found, yet Esther Crane must have been the mother of 8 or
more children of John Crane for in her will she says "my youngest son Samuel which demonstrates that she had
other sons and my six daughters. She could hardly have been the mother of these Crane children nor yet the
"minor" mentioned in Samuel Williams' will, for a married woman is not by law, a minor. We assume, therefore
that she was the wife of John Crane, carpenter of Elizabethtown, NJ; nor is there any evidence that John Crane
ever had any wife other than Esther. Issue according to will of John Crane, 2/7/1722 and probated 2/18/1722:
1. John Crane b 1700, d. 9/11/1763
2. Joseph Crane
3. Matthew Crane
4. Samuel Crane b. 1 71 2
5. Benjamin Crane b. 1710
6. Hannah Crane
7. Abigail Crane b. 1/25/1703; 6/10/1770 m. Jacob DeHart
8. Esther Crane, b. 1705; m. David Durham
9. Sarah Crane, b. 1708 m. Philip Denman
10. Rebecca Crane b. 1711; m. Effingham Townley
11. Deborah Crane, b. 1713; m (1) Brooks; m (2) John High
Nathaniel Wheeler born Fairfield, CT 1639, died10/4/1726 and is buried in the Cemetery of the old Presbyterian
Church at Orange, NJ. He
was a son of Lieut Thomas. W. Wheeler (born in Wales and who came to New England, with his father, Capt.
Thomas W. Cator, later known as a famous Indian fighter) his mother was Joanna (daughter of Robert)
Seabrook of Stratford, CT.
Nathaniel Wheeler married 6/27/1665, Esther, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Botsford of Milford, CT. born
1645, and who died at Orange, NJ and was the mother of Esther Wheeler who became the wife of Samuel
Williams. But Samuel Williams' will mentions "my father Wheeler" and names the children (as given by us) among
them, Esther being named as a minor.
Esther Wheeler Williams is also mentioned in the will of
her father Nathaniel Wheeler signed Aug 21, 1724 and proved Feb 24, 1726, as."deceased" and in the same
document also appears the name of her son David.
Papers connected with the settlement of the estate of Esther Botsford Wheeler, widow of Nathaniel Wheeler, who
died March 14, 1732/33, were signed by four of her grand-children, three of whom Susannah Teckenor, Sarah
Shipman and Esther Pierson were probably the children of Esther Wheeler Williams.
From A HISTORY OF ANCIENT WETHERSFIELD Volume II page 827-828
Samuel Williams (s. Matthew and Susannah) born 1653-4 given land at
Rocky-Hill by the town 1698, that had formerly been given to Wm. Morris.
From A HISTORY OF ANCIENT WETHERSFIELD
Volume I page 314
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