Deacon Thomas Adgate (1620-1707)
Thomas Adgate was one of the first two deacons of Rev. James Fitch’s congregation in Norwich. The exact time frame that he served as deacon is unknown, however, it is known that the other first deacon was Hugh Calkins . Thomas Adgate was slightly older than Rev. Fitch, and perhaps worked closely with him on matters of the church. It is believed that Adgate served as deacon for at least a half a century.
The image on the left is an artist’s rendition of how the Church on the Hill where Adgate served as Deacon appeared.
Prior to 1679 the town officials of Norwich consisted of a single Constable and two Townsmen. There was one townsman for each end of the town. In 1674 Thomas Adgate was the townsman for the eastern-most part of the town. The term ‘townsman’ was later known as ‘overseer’, or ‘selectman’. According to a town vote in 1683, “It was their business to order the prudentials of the town, and see to it the wholesome town orders be attended to.” (Info Source 1, ppg 83-84).
Thomas Adgate was a “Freeman”, a British legal term, which gave him the right to vote in town matters.
FAMILY
Thomas Adgate was born in Great Bentley, Essex England on December 16, 1620 and died in Norwich on July 21, 1707. He was the son of Asahel and Elizabeth Adgate. His sister, Elizabeth Olmstead Adgate (1622-1689), was married to Dr. John Olmstead, also one of the Norwich founders. The 1705 Map of Southeastern Norwich shows that the Adgates and Olmsteads were next door neighbors in the year 1659.
Thomas Adgate married Elizabeth Adgate (1625-c1654) in circa 1650. They had two children. Their children were :
1) Elizabeth Adgate Bushnell (1651-1713) : Wife of Richard Bushnell, Esq.
2) Hannah Adgate Lathrop (1653-1695) : Wife of Samuel Lathrop
In 1660, approximately six years after Elizabeth’s death, Thomas married Mary Marvin Bushnell Adgate (1628-1713), the widow of Richard Bushnell Sr. When Thomas and Mary first arrived in Norwich, their household included his 2 daughters and her four children (from her deceased husband). Thomas and Mary had four children. Their children were:
1) Abigail Adgate Tracy (1661-1711) : Wife of Daniel Tracy the son of Lt. Thomas Tracy
2) Sarah Adgate Huntington (1663-1706) : Wife of Deacon Christopher Huntington Jr., the son of Christopher Huntington
3) Rebecca Adgate Huntington (1666-1760) : Wife of Joseph Huntington Sr., the son of Deacon Simon Huntington Jr.
4) Thomas Adgate Jr. (1669-1760) : Husband of Ruth Brewster Adgate and later Elizabeth Morgan Adgate. Thomas, like his father, served as Deacon of the church. He served for 42 years.
Thomas died on July 21, 1707 and his wife, Mary, died six years later in 1713. They are buried in the Old Norwichtown Cemetery. Thomas’s gravestone is the second oldest in the town (Info Source 1, page 129). The oldest gravestone in Norwich is that of Deacon Simon Huntington Jr. (1629-1706). (Info Source 1, page 133).
Both Thomas’s and Mary’s headstone are shown on the left, with the accompanying inscriptions.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, (ppg 83-84,155), by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
“Old Houses of the Ancient Town of Norwich, 1600-1800”, (1895), pp 350-352, by Mary Elizabeth Perkins
Geni.com
FindAGrave.com
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Thomas Adgate” in the SEARCH box.
Robert Allyn (1616-1683)
Robert Allyn was born in Dorset England in 1616. In 1637, while living in Salem Massachusetts, he enrolled as a member of the Puritan Church. He moved to New London in 1651 and later moved to Norwich after becoming one of the 35 original proprietors of Norwich. Not much is known about him during his time in Norwich, however, it was noted that he was the Norwich’s first constable. His Norwich house-lot was located near the corner of present-day West Town Street and Case Street. After living in Norwich for several years he retired to his farm at Allyn’s Point.
ALLYN’S POINT
In 1651 Robert Allyn obtained a grant of a large farm on the east side of the Thames river in the village known today as Gales Ferry. After relinquishing his house in Norwich to his son, John, he retired to his farm in 1661. The area, known today as Allyn’s Point, has a rich history.
The area became the southern terminal of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad. The Thames River frequently froze on its northern end, preventing steamboats from accessing the port at Norwich. To solve this problem, the railroad extended their line six miles, from Norwich to Allyn’s Point,
Allyn’s Point remained the southern terminal of the Norwich and Worcester until 1899 when the line was extended to Groton. The area near the rail terminal later housed the Allyn Point Plant of the Dow Chemical Company, which produced Styrofoam there until 2009. The AmSty Company, a leading producer of polystyrene and styrene monomer, is located at the site today. where freezing is less common.
FAMILY
Robert Allyn married Sarah Gager Allyn (1620-1683) in 1638. Sarah was John Gager’s sister. They had five children. Their children were :
1) John Allyn (1642-1709) : Husband of Elizabeth Gager Allyn the daughter of John Gager and later married Hester Andrews
2) Sarah Allyn Geer (1642-1723) : Wife of George Geer
3) Mary Allyn Parke (1648-1699) : Wife of Thomas Parke Jr.
4) Hannah Allyn Rose (1650-1745) : Wife of Thomas Rose
5) Deborah Allyn Gager (c1652-1691) : Wife of John Gager Jr. the son of John Gager
Robert Allyn died on September 30, 1683. He is buried in Gales Ferry in the Allyn family graveyard that was inherited by the Dow Chemical Co. in the 1940’s. Three of his descendants, who died in Benedict Arnold’s 1781 attack on Fort Griswold, are also buried in the graveyard.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, pp 156-157, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
Geni.com
“Graveyard Holds a Battle’s Bitter Memory”, 1993, by Bill Ryan
by W.S. Calvert
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Robert Allyn” in the SEARCH box.
William Backus Sr. (1606-1664)
The earliest record of William Backus Sr. is of his apprenticeship as a cutler to William Nutt of Grimesthorpe, Yorkshire England. He completed his apprenticeship in 1627 and in 1631 was admitted to the Sheffield Cutlers Company. It is believed that he arrived in the America prior to 1638.
It is this occupation which helped conclusively prove his origins. He signed his cutlery work with a distinctive W over B mark, which is also exactly how he signed his will. His will mentions all his “tooles belonging to the trade of a smith and cutler.”
William Backus worked as a cutler in the early years of his life from circa 1625 to circa 1637. He became a Master Cutler at the age of 25 upon joining the Sheffield Cutlers Company, a British association of artisans and merchants who oversaw the cutlery trade in Sheffield England. The typical apprentice period, before becoming a full member of the guild, was about six years. Since it is known that William Backus joined a cutler’s guild in 1631, he was most likely an apprentice between the years of 1625-1631.
SHEFFIELD CUTLERS COMPANY
In 1625 there were two cutler guilds in the Sheffield area, “The Worshipful Company of Cutlers” and “The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire”. Both have been referred to as the “Sheffield Cutlers Company”. It is unknown which of these two guilds that Backus was a member of.
Some of the finest cutlery in England was produced in Sheffield during this time period. The term “Cutlery” refers to tools with an edge (such as knives, razors, scalpels scissors, scythes etc.) and flatware without a sharp edge (such as spoons, forks and serving implements).
The vintage cutlery shown on the left was made in Sheffield many years after Backus left. The handles of the cutlery shown are made of antlers.
It is interesting to note that Deacon Thomas Bingham’s father was also a Master Cutler in Sheffield during the same period of time. Furthermore, Deacon Thomas Bingham’s mother, Ann Bingham, married William Backus Sr, several years after his father’s death. There is a strong tie between the Backus and Bingham families.
William Backus Sr. lived the majority of his life in England. He was one of the oldest of the original 35 proprietors. Soon after arriving in Norwich, he signed over the rights and privileges of his house-lot to his youngest son, Stephen. The house-lot ownership was entered in the name of Stephen Backus, not his father William. Stephen married Sarah Spencer Backus in 1666, where they lived for more than thirty years.
FAMILY
William Backus’s first wife was named Elizabeth (1605-1643). However, her surname is unknown. She died in England before her husband sailed to America with their children.
They had seven children; three girls, two boys and two infants who did not survive. Their children were :
1) Sarah Backus Reynolds (1628-1702) : Wife of John Reynolds
2) Infant Backus (1630-1631) : Died as an infant
3) Mary Backus Crane (1632-1717) : Wife of Benjamin Crane
4) Lt. William Backus Jr. (Nov. 1634-1721) : Husband of Sarah Rhodes Backus and later Elizabeth Pratt Backus
5) Lydia Backus Baily (1637-1696) : Wife of John Baily Jr.
6) Infant Backus (1639-1640) : Died as an infant
7) Stephen Backus Sr. (1641-1695) : Husband of Sarah Spencer Backus
NOTE : Geni.com identifies an additional four non-surviving Backus infants born between the years of 1619-1626 that are not included in the above list. Geni.com also identifies a Samuel Backus born circa 1650, the son of William Backus Sr. and Elizabeth Ellen Backus. This identification is a mistake because Elizabeth Ellen Backus died in 1643.
William Backus Sr. later married Ann Fenton Backus (1606-1670), the widow of Thomas Bingham III, who was also the mother of the proprietor Deacon Thomas Bingham. They were married prior to 1659, probably in Saybrook Connecticut. They did not have any children together.
William Backus Sr. died in 1664, only four years after arriving in Norwich. He was the first of the 35 original proprietors to die. His burial location is unknown.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, pp 157-158, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
WikiTree
Geni.com
Find A Grave.com
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “William Backus Sr.” in the SEARCH box.
Lt. William Backus Jr. (1634-1721)
Lt. William Backus Jr. was the son of William Backus Sr. He was an active member of the Norwich community serving various civic duties and also as a leader of the local militia.
In 1663, he was “accepted to be made free” by the Connecticut General Assembly. The designation of “freeman” gave him the right to vote on town issues. He was listed as one of the 25 such persons in Norwich in 1669.
The Colonial Records of Connecticut show him confirmed as an Ensign in May 1680, and then later in May 1693, promoted to Lieutenant in the Norwich militia (a.k.a. train-band).
The Backus Family Coat of Arms is shown on the left. The family motto “Confido in Deo” translates to “I Trust God”.
It is clear that he was a well respected member of the community because he was entrusted to serve in various official capacities and community posts. Some of them were :
1) Marshal of a Norwich Court of Commission
2) Townsman (Selectman) during several periods from 1679 to 1686
3) Member of church committees, on church construction, selection of a pastor, plan for seating of the congregation
4) Member of a committee to negotiate a dispute with Uncas, the Mohegan Chief, in 1683
5) Deputy for Norwich to the General Court at Hartford in May and October 1680, October and November 1683, October 1684, and October 1689.
William was also a member of the group of thirteen men to whom, in circa 1675, Attawanhood, (also known as Joseph Uncas, a son of Uncas) conveyed land. This transaction was confirmed by a will of Joshua Uncas, dated April 29, 1684, by which William is said to have received three shares of 1000 acres each. This jointly held tract eventually became the site of Windham Connecticut. William continued to live in Norwich, but later deeded part or all of this land to his two elder sons, William and John, apparently receiving in return their property in Norwich, in circa 1692.
FAMILY
William Backus Jr. married Sarah Charles Backus (1637- June 1663) in 1659. It is believed that Sarah died as a result of giving birth to her daughter Sarah. They had three children. Their names were :
1) William Backus III (1660-1742) : Husband of Elizabeth Royce Backus, the daughter of Jonathan Royce. After her death he married Mary Benton Backus. William III and his brother, John, were early proprietors of Windham, CT.
2) John Backus (1662-1744) Husband of Mary Bingham Backus, the daughter of Deacon Thomas Bingham. John and his brother William III, were early proprietors of Windham, CT.
3) Sarah Backus Culver (June 1663-1732) : Wife of Lt. Edward Culver Jr.
After his wife’s, Sarah, death William married Elizabeth Pratt Backus (1641-1725) in 1664. They had six children. Their names were :
1) Samuel Backus (May 1665-?) : Died at a young age
2) Joseph Backus (1667-1740) : Husband of Elizabeth Huntington Backus, the daughter of Deacon Simon Huntington
3) Nathaniel Backus Sr. (1669-1728) : Husband of Lydia Edgerton Backus, the daughter of Richard Edgerton. After Lydia’s death he married Elizabeth Tracy Backus, the daughter of John Tracy Sr.
4) Elizabeth Backus Huntington (1670-1729) : Wife of Capt. Thomas Huntington, the son of Christopher Huntington
5) Hannah Backus Bingham Tracy Griswold (1675-1752) : Wife of Thomas Bingham IV, the son of Deacon Thomas Bingham. After his death she married Daniel Tracy the son of Lt. Thomas Tracy. After his death she married Samuel Griswold, the son of Lt. Francis Griswold .
6) Mary Backus Hyde (c1677-1752) : Wife of Thomas Hyde Sr., the son of Samuel Hyde
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, pp 159-161, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
Geni.com
Find A Grave.com
AmericanHeraldrySociety.org
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Lt. William Backus” in the SEARCH box.
John Baldwin (c1630-1681)
Not many details of John Baldwin’s occupation or contributions to Norwich are known. However, it is known that he was among the earliest proprietors to settle in the Bean Hill Historic District and the details of his family and descendants have been well documented.
His descendants include three Connecticut Governors :
1. Roger Sherman Baldwin, in office 1844-1846
2. Simeon E. Baldwin, in office 1911-1915, and,
3. Raymond Baldwin, in office 1939-1941
FAMILY
John Baldwin married Hanna Birchard Baldwin (c1630-1680) on April 25, 1653 in Guilford Connecticut. They had five children. The names of their children were :
1) Deacon John Baldwin (1654-1705) : Husband of Experience Abell Baldwin. He was one of the grantees of Lebanon, Connecticut in 1695. He was one of their selectmen and was chosen as a deacon of the church there.
2) Hannah Baldwin Abell Calkins (1656-1717) : Wife of Benjamin Abell. She later married David Calkins Sr., the son of Deacon Hugh Calkins.
3) Sarah Baldwin (1658-?) : Born on November 25, 1658 in Guilford Connecticut
4) Thomas Baldwin (1662-1741) : Husband of Sarah Calkins Baldwin, the daughter of John Calkins. He later married Abigail Lay Baldwin.
5) Ebenezer Baldwin (1664-?)
John Baldwin is buried in the Post-Gager, Founders Cemetery in Norwich.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, pp 161-164, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
Geni.com
WikiTree.com
Zazzle.com
Deacon Thomas Bingham (1642-1730)
Thomas Bingham was one of the youngest of the first 35 proprietors. He arrived in Norwich around the age of 18, and lived there about 33 years before moving to Windham. In 1693, he became one of the founders of Windham. It is also recorded that he was a member of the militia in Windham, where he was first a Sergeant and later promoted to Lieutenant.
Thomas Bingham became a Deacon of the First Church in Windham in December 1700 and served in that capacity until his death in 1730.
Thomas and his mother, Ann, arrived in Saybrook in 1659. Unfortunately, his father Thomas Bingham III, died at sea, ten years earlier. When Thomas and his mother, Ann, sailed to the New World, there is no evidence that any other of the Bingham family was aboard.
There is a strong connection between the Backus and Bingham families. Both William Backus and Ann’s first husband, Thomas Bingham III, were Master Cutlers in Sheffield England. Thomas Bingham III was admitted to the cutler’s guild in 1614 and William Backus was admitted in 1631. There was a seven year period (1631-1638) during which they were both master cutlers in Sheffield England. It is likely that they worked together and knew each other well.
Before coming to America Ann Bingham’s first husband, Thomas III, died. William Backus’s first wife, Elizabeth, also died before his voyage to America. The widower William Backus and widow Ann Bingham, were married in 1659 in Saybrook. They did not have any children of their own.
However, thru William’s son Lt. William Backus Jr. and Ann’s son Deacon Thomas Bingham, the two families became more firmly tied. Ann’s grandson Sgt. Thomas Bingham IV, married William’s granddaughter, Hannah Backus. Also, Ann’s granddaughter Mary Bingham, married William’s grandson John Backus.
How Bride Brook Got Its Name
There is a brook in the southwestern region of East Lyme Connecticut that runs from north to south and flows into Bride Lake. In the mid-1600’s the unnamed brook was the border of two town jurisdictions, New London and Saybrook. The parents of Mary Rudd Bingham, Deacon Thomas Bingham’s wife, were married by the side of the rivulet there on December 12, 1666. On that day the ground was covered with snow and the ceremony was held in the open air far away from any established towns.
The ceremony was performed there due to a legal jurisdictional problem. Mary’s future parents wanted to be married in Saybrook, but, there was no person duly qualified to perform the marriage there. They could have travelled to Hartford, but, the route was obstructed by too much snow. Luckily, John Winthrop Esq. the Governor of the Colony and acting magistrate of Massachusetts happened to be in New London. Unfortunately, Gov. Winthrop only had the authority to perform marriages in Massachusetts. To obviate the difficulty, he proposed to perform the ceremony on the border of two town jurisdictions, a place that was technically not in New London or Saybrook.
From that point on, even until today, the rivulet is known as Bride Brook.
FAMILY
Deacon Thomas Bingham married Mary Rudd Bingham (1649-1726) on December 12, 1666 in Norwich. They had eleven children. Their children’s names were :
1) Sgt. Thomas Bingham IV (1667-1710) : Husband of Hanna Backus Bingham, the daughter of Lt. William Backus Jr.
2) Abel Bingham (1669-1745) : Husband of Elizabeth Odell Bingham
3) Mary Bingham Backus (1672-1747) : Wife of John Backus, the son of Lt. William Backus Jr.
4) Jonathan Bingham (1674-1751) : Husband of Anne Huntington Bingham, the daughter of Christopher Huntington
5) Anne Bingham Mason (1677-1724) : Wife of Hezekia Mason, the grandson of Major John Mason
6) Abigail Bingham Huntington (1679-1734) : Wife of Daniel Huntington, the son of Deacon Simon Huntington Jr.
7) Nathaniel Bingham (1681-1754) : Husband of Sarah Lobdell Bingham
8) Deborah Bingham Tracy (1683-1735) : Wife of Stephen Tracy
9) Samuel Bingham (1685-1760) : Husband of Faith Ripley Bingham
10) Joseph Bingham (1687-1765) : Husband of Abigail Scott Bingham
11) Stephen Bingham (1690-1770) : Husband of Mary Kingsbury Bingham and later Rebecca Bishop Bingham
Deacon Thomas Bingham died in 1642 and is buried in Windham, Connecticut.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, pp 164-165, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
Geni.com
WikiTree.com
Find A Grave.com
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Thomas Bingham” in the SEARCH box.