[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of Hannah Polina Child (Elmer), daughter of Alfred Bosworth Child, son of Hannah Benedict (Child), daughter of John Benedict, son of Daniel Benedict, son of John Benedict, son of John Benedict, son of Phebe Gregory (Benedict), daughter of John Gregory.]
John Gregory - a founder of Norwalk, Connecticut
East Norwalk Historical Cemetery28 May 2009, East Norwalk Historical Cemetery, Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
Birth: 1612, Nottingham, England
Death: 1689, Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
The son of Henry and "Goodie" Gregory, the name of his wife was "Sarah". John probably came with his parents to New England in the early 1630's. He is in the records of New Haven, New Haven Colony by 1639, and was assigned the 8th seat in the middle section of the meeting house on March 10, 1646 in New Haven. In 1644, he was admitted to the New Haven Court. His sons, Joseph and Thomas were baptized in New Haven in 1646 and 1648, respectively. He was a shoemaker, as was his father, and testified on behalf of his father in 1647. About 1653 to 1655, his family removed to Norwalk. He was a representative for Norwalk to the General Court in Hartford for several years. "John Griggorie, Sr and John Griggorie, Junr." were on the list of Freemen of Norwalk. His will was written August 15, 1689 and witnessed by Thomas Benedict, naming his wife, Sarah and sons-in-law, John and James Benedict (Thomas' sons).
Burial: East Norwalk Historical Cemetery, Norwalk, Fairfield County Connecticut, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 37642060
Found on findagrave.com
John Gregory
John Gregory was born probably in Nottinghamshire about 1612 to 1615. He married Sarah St. John. At the settlement of his father's estate he was called the eldest "living" son. This implies an older brother, dead. Judah was dead, but the date of Judah's marriage makes it likely that he was younger than John. Perhaps John did not go with his father to Springfield, Massachusetts. He may have been the John Gregory who was a proprietor in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 1638. The Plymouth County Records, Vol I and II say "John Gregory is graunted six acres of land at West end of the New Field, and the next garden place above Robert Paddock." This date is January 7, 1838/39. A Plymouth deed dated October 26, 1640 adds that Andrew Ringe bought from Matthew ffuller the garden place in Plymouth and six acres in the New Field which Matthew had lately bought of John Gregory. New Field seems to have been in what is now the town of Barnstable. ... The earliest mention of John, son of Henry Gregory, is the following from the New Haven Colony records: "At a General Court held at New Haven 24 of February 1644 (1644/45) Jer. Whinill, Thomas James, Robert Martin, John Gregory and John Meggs were admitted members of the Court." This means that they became free burgesses and were church members. That John had not long been in town is indicated by the absence of his name from a list of those who took the oath of fidelity July 1 preceding. He was a shoe manufacturer, tanner and sealer of leather ... May 35, 1646, June 6, 1848, January 31, 1647/48 - court appearances about shoemaking. ... John lived in the Yorkshire quarter of New Haven which was northerly from where the old Yale buildings now are. There had had a cottage and six acres, acquired probably from John Evance ... March 2, 1646/47. The "seatings in the meeting house" of March 10, 1646/47 show that John was in the 8th seat on the men's side and S. (Sarah) Gregory on the 8th seat on the women's side. ... In that church were christened two of John's sons -- Joseph July 26, 1646 and Thomas, March 19, 1648/49. ... On January 8, 1648/49 ... complaints about fences gone, mentioning John Gregory and four others. John sold his house and six acres to Thomas Wheeler ... June 6, 1654. Between his New Haven and Norwalk, Connecticut residences, John Gregory lived in his father's town, Stratford, Connecticut ... land record of 1653. ... The double homelot of John Gregory was on the west side of Main Street, between South Avenue, and Birdsey Street. The home of P. G. Darling in 1931 stood on it. It was opposite a lot on which William Crooker, John's brother-in-law, lived. Probably his sister Elizabeth, and her husand Richard Webb, induced John to join in the "planting" of Norwalk, Connecticut -- and Sarah's father may well have been one of the Matthew/Matthias Sention names on the same monument (a variation of the St. John spelling). ... We first learn of the presence there of John Gregory from the record of a town meeting held April 24, 1654 ... As his home lot was "No 1" and four acres of it was an original grant to him there seems little doubt that his was one of the earliest families that planted the town -- in 1651. John in Norwalk held office almost continuously -- 1660 voted "constubull", 1657 townsman, 1665-66 1669 selectman, 1659 1662-3 1665 1667-72 1674-5 1677 1679-81 deputy of Colonial Court (legislature), 1659 cow herder, 1674 sealer of leather. John Gregory took a leading part in the movement that resulted in the founding of Newark New Jersey intending to live there ... John acquired numerous parcels of land including Gregory's Point, which extended into the harbor, southerly from his home. It was later, for many years, called Dorlon's Point, but now the original name again is used. It is owned by the Norwalk Country Club. ... The early church records of Norwalk were destroyed by rats; so we do not know much about John's religious activities. ... Next to the deacon's pew the most important place was the round seat. John and seven others occupied that, showing he was a cheerful giver.
In the year of his death, 1689, John gave to his five sons most of his lands by deed. One parcel to Thomas and Jachin was "to equalize them with" John and Joseph. He "sot" his hand to his will August 15, 1689, making a big shaky J. Earlier he had signed his name. His books valued at nearly £5 do not indicate illiteracy. He left all his cattle, chaqttels and movable goods in house and shop to his wife Sarah "to be hers to dispose of after my death according to her own will and discretion among the children." He gave her his book of accounts and what bills of debt were owing him, also all lands not disposed of by deeds of gift. The remaining land was to be sold and the proceeds given to the two daughters. James Benedict was to have as much as John Benedict, to whom had been deeded land. They were sons-in-law. This trust imposed in his wife indicates that she was the mother of all the children. The will was acknowledged August 21; presented for probate by the widow October 9, 1689. That latter day she signed with a mark her own short will. "I, Sarah Gregory, widow of John of Norwalk, do choose my beloved friends Mr. Thomas Hanford (the minister) and Sergt. John Plat to distribute to my children according to instruction and directions I have left in their hand as to pertickular movables." As to the rest they had full power. John Fitch and James Betts were witnesses. November 1, 1689, the sons John, "Jakin," Judah, Joseph and Thomas, and John and James "Benedick," signed an agreement and declared themselves satisfied with the "bequeathment" of their mother. The Benedict boys received the seven and a half acres of Gregory's Point. The inventory of Sarah's estate was taken 28 October 1689, by John Platt, Sr. and Chris. Comstock.
Children:
1. John II (born 1639, died 4/5/1721 Connecticut, married1. 10/18/1663 Elizabeth Moulthrop, married2. 10/15/1699 Sarah Messenger, 7 children)
2. Jachin (born 1640-1642, died 2/22/1697, married 1669 Mary, 7 children)
3. Judah (born 1643-44, died 1733 Danbury, Connecticut, married 10/20/1664 Hannah Hoyt, 7 children)
4. Joseph (baptized 7/26/1646 in First Church, New Haven, Connecticut, died 5/14/1718 New Haven, Connecticut, thought no wife or children)
5. Thomas (baptized 3/19/1649 New Haven, Connecticut, died 11/1693 Connecticut, married 12/25/1679 Elizabeth Pardee, 3 children)
6. Phebe (born 1650 Norwalk, Connecticut, died 1748 Norwalk, Connecticut, married 11/11/1670 John Benedict-twin to James, 9 children)
7. Sarah (born12/3/1652 Norwalk, Connecticut, died 1692 Norwalk, Connecticut, married 5/10/1676 James Benedict-twin to John, 7 children)
http://haygenealogy.com/hay/henrygregory.html FOOTNOTES: The "Ancestors and Descendants of Henry Gregory" book details all descendants of all the children -- for nine generations; I have lifted just the portions relevant to our ancestors for this summary
found on ancestry.com
notes
John GREGORY and Sarah ST JOHN
HUSBAND:[F2130].
John GREGORY. [see PC M2-10].
Born December 16, 1615 in St. Peter's Parish, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England; son of Henry GREGORY [F4260] and Mary [F4261].
He was a shoemaker. He married Sarah ST. JOHN [F2131] (about 1635/1637-S3)(1636-S8)(in 1637-S5,S14) at (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England-S3,S5).
He is NOT the John Gregory that married Sarah Burt and Elizabeth Brightman. They were at least a generation earlier. In any case, he was already in New England, and his will mentions his wife Sarah.
There is no record of John at Springfield, Massachusetts. Was he the John Gregory who was a proprietor in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, in 1638? Plymouth Colony records dated January 7, 1638/9 show that a John Gregory was granted six acres of land at the west end of New Field (possibly later called Barnstable, where a William Crocker is found and John Gregory's sister Anne married a man by the same name in New Haven). (S20).
He is later settled at New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, and was admitted member of the New Haven Court on 24 February 1644-1645. He lived in the Yorkshire quarter of New Haven, with a property of six acres acquired from John Evance? (S20).
So he was in New Haven, Connecticut in 1644. However, it is said that his son John was born in New Haven in 1636, and his son Jachin in 1640-42. If that is true, he was there at least by 1636.
On 25 May 1646 it was ordered "that Bro. Seely and Brother Gregory doe looke that noe hydes come out of the tanners hands but those that are well tanned and that they seal them if they do allow them and that they have 4d per hyde for viewing of them." On 6 June 1648, "Brother Seely" again complained about the quality of the work of several tanners, including John. (S20).
On 31 January 1647-1648; "that as hides were nearly as cheap here as in England shoes might be sold more reasonably in New Haven than they were selling." John then deposed; " to the courte that a good while since there was a pare of shooes spake of in courte wch he sould William Paine, of the tenns [size 10], French Falls, at 5s 10d, at wch their was some offence taken, and he condemes himself that he hath let it lye so long uncleared, but now he presented a noat in courte wch showed the perticulers howe they did amount to so much, under two shooemakers hands, but the courte professed they could not see cause shooes should be sould at this rate." (S20).
January 8, 1648/9 noted that "John Cooper acquainted the court that he finds great difficultie in viewing fences, because some are gone out of towne and other agoeing and leave none to take order about their fences." John Gregory is mentioned as being absent. John sold property to Thomas Wheeler, and removed to Startford, Connecticut. (S20).
Property in Stratford included; "Item two house lotts five acres and a halfe more or less buting east upon the highway and west upon the swampe bounded with Thomas uford on the north and John Hurd on the south. (S20).Item two acres in the old feyld more or less buting north upon the highway and south upon the fresh pound bounded with Richard Booth on the east and John Curtis on the west."
These properties were on the west side of what later became Main Street between South Avenue and Birdsey Street, opposite the lot of William Crooker, his brother-in-law. He also owned four acres on the west side of "neesing-paw reef in the new feyld." (S20).
He apparently moved to Stratford, Connecticut in 1650 with planter Roger Ludlow. He was a sealer at Stratford, Connecticut; that is, he caught seals for food or used them for oil for lamps.
By 1651 or 1653 he had left Stratford. Records show that John Peacock purchased John's land during this time frame. By the fall of 1653, John settled in the new town of Norwalk. A record dated 24 April 1654 shows that the town ordered "that the allotments to beginne to be layed out as following; Videlicett to beginne at the end of the hither plaine where John Greggory mowed last year." John had lot "No. 1" with four acres of it being an original grant, supporting the conclusion that he was an early settler to the town. (S20).
He was a Selectman in March 1656-1657 and again in the years 1665, 1666, and 1669. (S20).
He was appointed Cow Herder in the year 1659. (S20).
He was selected as Deputy for Norwalk in October 1659, October 1662, May 1663, October 1663, March (May) 1665, October 1667, May 1668, May 1669. October 1669, October 1670, October 1671, May 1672, October 1672, May 1674, October 1675, October 1677, October 1678. May 1679, October 1680, and May 1681. (S20).
On 12 September 1660 he is named as "constubull for the Third yer insuing." (S20)."
March 11, 1662. John Gregorie arrived here [New Amsterdam] yesterday from New England, requested further answer to the propositins of some Englishmen . . . . The following answer was given to him . . . that there was no fundamental difference in religion between the two and only slight difference in church government and in civil justice. The bearer, your present messenger and agent John Gregorie being not further instructed, we shall break off for the present." (S20).
On 20 January 1665-1666; "Goodman Greggorie [was] to have liberty to buy the homelot of Stephen Beckwith [of four acres], to build a fence across the creek by his house and shopp, the fence to have a gate and pair of barrs." (S20).
In 1666: Robert Treat and John Gregory, after consulting with Governor Cataret of New Jersey, chose the site of Newark which was settled by families from New Haven, Milford, Guilford, and Branford. When the first division of lands was made, John drew lot 41 "upon consideration that he come with his family to build and inhabit the same about two years." The town sold his lot in 1668 to Henry Lyon, and in 1669 disposed of an upland lot "that was formerly laid out to John Gregory, if he had come to town." (S20).
On 2 January 1670, the town challenged his right of ownership "of the lands he howlds from the right of James the Indyan" as well as his right to "Cokkanus Island." The town traded him other lands in return for the island, so that it - like the other islands in Norwalk - would remain common property. Gregory's Point which extended into the harbor from his house lot also belonged to him and it is presently owned by the Norwalk Country Club with Gregory Boulevard running into it. His total holdings were valued at £188.10.00 in 1655, and had increased to £253.10.00 in 1671.
June 1, 1670, on a committee to mark out the bounds between the Norwalk and Saketuk Rivers. (S20).
June 26, 1672, sent to a special meeting of the Legislature to consider war with Holland over the Dutch colony of Nieuw Nederland. 1674, appointed the sealer of leather. (S20).
His will was dated 15 August 1689 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. (S2,S20). His will was probated on 9 October 1689 in Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He therefore apparently died between 15 August and 9 October in 1689 in Norwalk (Danbury-S4,S17), Fairfield County, Connecticut. He left most of his estate to his wife, Sarah; with his two daughters to receive equally, and son-in-law James Benedict to have as much as John Benedict had.
August 15, 1689; " Know all men by thes pres yt I John Gregory of ye Town of Norwalk in ye County of fairefield in the Colony of Conocticut upon Right Consideration moveing me thereunto: do freely give unto my beloved wife Sarah Gregory all my moveable goods houshoulds, cattle, chattels, and all moveables in house and shop, I doe by this my act and deed pass over to ye sd Sarah my wife to be actually possesed of ye moveable estate and to be hers to despose of after my deseace according to her owne will and descretion amongst the Children. I doe also give to my said beloved Sarah my book of acct and all debts therin and what bills of debt are oweing me I pass them over by deed of gift to my sd wife provided ye sd Sarah shall see yt what I owe to any upon these account be duly paid wch is not [?] to wt is owed to me. I do also give to my sd wife Sarah all my Lands not desposed of by deeds of gifte only shee shall after my deseace either despose ye sd Lands and [give?] ye prise and monyes of them amongst my two daughters by an equall proportion to each making ye devition by judisius descretion. Jams Bennidick my son in Law may have so much as to answer ye worth as neer as may of that medow given to John Bennedick in Consideration of the deed only cautioning my beloved wife to remember the granchildren in her dissposall of the goods given her. I have set to my hand and seale this fifteenth of Agust in ye yeer of our Lord 1689."
WIFE:[F2131].
Sarah ST. JOHN. [see PC M2-10]. Born (about 1614-S2,S5,S7,S9,S10,S16,S20)(in 1614-S3,S8)(between 1614-1616-S11)(about 1616-S15) (in England-S2,S5,S7,S9)(in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England-S3,S8,S10,S11). She is said to be the daughter of Matthias ST. JOHN [F4262] and Elizabeth [F4263] (S5,S7,S8,S9). She cannot be the daughter of the Matthias who was christened in 1628. It is by no means clear that her name was even ST JOHN. Source 19 says she was Sarah BENEDICT.
She married John GREGORY [F2130] (S5,S8) (about 1635/1637-S3)(1635-1636-S11)(1636-S10)(in 1637-S5)(in 1648-S8) at (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England-S3,S5,S11)(at New Haven, Connecticut-S8).
Her will was dated 9 October 1689 at Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut. (S2). Her will states friends Thomas Hanford and Sergt. John Platt, overseers; witnesses John Fitch and James Betts; sons-in-law John Benedict, James Benedict; sons John, Jakin, Judah, Joseph and Thomas Gregory. Inventory was taken (28 October, with the Agreement on 1 November-S19)(1 November-S5) 1689. Therefore she died between 9 October and 28 October in 1689.
Sarah's will: " Know all these prsts that I Sarah Gregory widow of ye town of Norwalk in ye County of fairefiled in ye Colony of conecticut, do choose ordaine confirme and appointe my trusty and well beloved friends Mr. Thomas Hanford and Sergt. John Plat boath of Norwalk afforsd to be Jointe over seers and administrators of my estate and committ to them ye distribution thereof to my Children according to what instructions and derections I have left in ther hand as to pertickular moveables expresed after my deseace and for Lands and Cattels or unspecified moveables I leave it to my faithfull frends to distribute according to ther wisdom amongst all my aforsd Children. I doe also by these put over into ye hands of those my Trustees all bills of debts and my book of account giveing them full power to demand and sue or impower therunto whom of my sons they shall judg meet to demand and sue any yt refuse to make Just and honist paymt of Debts due by bill or book as itt shall appear to be due. I doe also commit to these my Trusty frinds the care of dischargeing what Debts are oweing from me to ant that shall make honnest and Just demands therof and for what time Labor and paines my aforesd frends and Trustees shall expend nessecarily upon ye ocation and affairs afforesd I do alow them out of ye sd estate resonable and Just sattisfaction in conformation of ye severall premises above sd I do set to my hand this ninth october Anno dom 1689. " (S20).
The inventory was taken on 4 November 1689: (S20).
" An Inventory of ye Estate of Sarah Gregory as it was taken and apprised by us whose names are under writen October: 28 1689.
1 horse, 3 cowes, 1 calfe, 3 swine and pigs 20.15.00
4 sheep, 6 Turkeys, 16 Geese 05.15.00
1 fether bed, 1 bolster, 2 pillows, 2 blankets, 1 coverled, flocks 03.16.00
1 fetherbed, 1 bolster, 4 fether pillowes 08.00.00
1 home made Rug, 1 bought coverled 1 Green Rug 04.10.00
2 fether bolsters, 1 flock bed, 2 beds 05.10.00
1 home made coverled, 2 blankets, green Rug, 2 blankets 07.10.00
1 blanket, 1 bed and bolster 7 chairs, 11 Cushings 03.00.00
1 Bedstead, Curtains and Vattens, Truckle bed, 5 chests 05.00.00
1 table and Form, 2 boxes, Grindstone, Shop tooles 03.06.00
5 barrells, Pease, 21 pewter dishes 52 pounds weight 06.09.00
2 basons, 2 Candlesticks, 2 Small basons, 10 porringers 01.17.00
2 Saws, 1 Gill bottle, 1 cup, 2 chamber pots, ould pewter 00.16.00
1 Tankert, 1 Pinte pot, 10 Glass bottles, 1 Quart pot,1 Brass Kettle
1 lesser kettle, 3 Iron Kettles, 2 Iron potts 09.10.00
2 brase skillets, 1 warming pan, 2 frying pans, 1 Spitt 01.02.00
Cobirons, 2 Trammells, 1 Slice, 1 Tongs, 2 pot hookes, 1 gridiron 02.02.00
1 hammer, 1 Trowel, hinges and latch, dripping pan, 1 Spade 00.19.00
2 Coulters, chain and hoaw, 1 chain, powder and led 01.13.06
1 Gun, 1 pistol, 1 Sword, Bandilears, 1 gun barrell 02.04.06
9 pr and 1 sheets, 1 Table cloth, 1 Table cloth 10.05.00
½ pint bottle, 2 Table cloathes, 2 Table cloths 01.11.06
13 Napkins, 2 Cotteon Pillowbees, 6 linen Pillowbees 03.03.00
Wheat, Indian [corn], 4 barrells, 2 hogsheades 06.11.00
3 Canew Troughs, 1 Trough, 1 Trey, 2 Sives, handsaw 01.01.00
2 Stone jugs, 1 broaken juge 00.10.00
1 Cream pot, earthen pans, 3 jars, 1 Tub, barrells in the Seller 00.17.06
1 churne and milk boals, 6 Spoones, Salt meat 02.04.00
2 bills of Credit 29.12.00
Silver, ferret and Cotton Rib, Sisers, knife, Razor, Silk 00.13.00
3 Parcells of Land 54.00.00
In Books 04.15.06
2 pair of Cotton shirts, 1 pillow bed 02.14.00
16lb of flax, a Hetchel, 1 flagon, Spoones 01.07.00
1 Holland Sheet 01.08.00"
The total value was £215.04.06.
On 1 November 1689, the heirs divided the estate: " Know all men by these presents yt we whos nams are underwritten, being Legatees to ye estate of ye deseaced Sarah Grigory of norwalk our once surviveing mother have jointly agreed among our selves to approve of the declared will of our deseaced mother and do rest sattisfied with ye bequeathment therein to each of us John Bennidick and Jams bennidick haveing receaved and declared themselves satisfied with ther portions do mutually consent yt what estate is remaining in ye Inventory should be destributed amongst the five brothers John Jakin Judah Joseph and Thomas Gregory according to the descretion of the Oversers and they do by these persens mutually and severally binde themselves each to other ther heirs ans Assigns forever hereafter to stand to this agreement and to Avoid all furer strife and Contention about ye above sd estate in Confirmation of ye premises we have each to other enterchangably set to our hands this first of November 1689. " (S20).
John Gregory was born probably in Nottinghamshire about 1612 to 1615. He married Sarah St. John. At the settlement of his father's estate he was called the eldest "living" son. This implies an older brother, dead. Judah was dead, but the date of Judah's marriage makes it likely that he was younger than John. Perhaps John did not go with his father to Springfield, Massachusetts. He may have been the John Gregory who was a proprietor in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 1638. The Plymouth County Records, Vol I and II say "John Gregory is graunted six acres of land at West end of the New Field, and the next garden place above Robert Paddock." This date is January 7, 1838/39. A Plymouth deed dated October 26, 1640 adds that Andrew Ringe bought from Matthew ffuller the garden place in Plymouth and six acres in the New Field which Matthew had lately bought of John Gregory. New Field seems to have been in what is now the town of Barnstable. ... The earliest mention of John, son of Henry Gregory, is the following from the New Haven Colony records: "At a General Court held at New Haven 24 of February 1644 (1644/45) Jer. Whinill, Thomas James, Robert Martin, John Gregory and John Meggs were admitted members of the Court." This means that they became free burgesses and were church members. That John had not long been in town is indicated by the absence of his name from a list of those who took the oath of fidelity July 1 preceding. He was a shoe manufacturer, tanner and sealer of leather ... May 35, 1646, June 6, 1848, January 31, 1647/48 - court appearances about shoemaking. ... John lived in the Yorkshire quarter of New Haven which was northerly from where the old Yale buildings now are. There had had a cottage and six acres, acquired probably from John Evance ... March 2, 1646/47. The "seatings in the meeting house" of March 10 1646/47 show that John was in the 8th seat on the men's side and S. (Sarah) Gregory on the 8th seat on the women's side. ... In that church were christened two of John's sons -- Joseph July 26, 1646 and Thomas, March 19, 1648/49. ... On January 8 1648/49 ... complaints about fences gone, mentioning John Gregory and four others. John sold his house and six acres to Thomas Wheeler ... June 6, 1654. Between his New Haven and Norwalk, Ct. residences, John Gregory lived in his father's town, Stratford, Ct. ... land record of 1653. ... The double homelot of John Gregory was on the west side of Main St., between South Ave., and Birdsey St. The home of P. G. Darling in 1931 stood on it. It was opposite a lot on which William Crooker, John's brother-in-law, lived. Probably his sister Elizabeth, and her husand Richard Webb, induced John to join in the "planting" of Norwalk, Ct -- and Sarah's father may well have been one of the Matthew/Matthias Sention names on the same monument (a variation of the St. John spelling). ... We first learn of the presence there of John Gregory from the record of a town meeting held April 24, 1654 ... As his home lot was "No 1" and four acres of it was an original grant to him there seems little doubt that his was one of the earliest families that planted the town -- in 1651. John in Norwalk held office almost continuously -- 1660 voted "constubull", 1657 townsman, 1665-66 1669 selectman, 1659 1662-3 1665 1667-72 1674-5 1677 1679-81 deputy of Colonial Court (legislature), 1659 cow herder, 1674 sealer of leather. John Gregory took a leading part in the movement that resulted in the founding of Newark NJ intending to live there ... John acquired numerous parcels of land including Gregory's Point, which extended into the harbor, southerly from his home. It was later, for many years, called Dorlon's Point, but now the original name again is used. It is owned by the Norwalk Country Club. ... The early church records of Norwalk were destroyed by rats; so we do not know much about John's religious activities. ... Next to the deacon's pew the most important place was the round seat. John and seven others occupied that, showing he was a cheerful giver. (See the Norwalk records that remain, mostly from town meetings.) In the year of his death, 1689, John gave to his five sons most of his lands by deed. One parcel to Thomas and Jachin was "to equalize them with" John and Joseph. He "sot" his hand to his will August 15, 1689, making a big shaky J. Earlier he had signed his name. His books valued at nearly £5 do not indicate illiteracy. He left all his cattle, chaqttels and movable goods in house and shop to his wife Sarah "to be hers to dispose of after my death according to her own will and discretion among the chidlren." He gave her his book of accounts and what bills of debt were owing him, also all lands not disposed of by deeds of gift. The remaining land was to be sold and the proceeds given to the two daughters. James Benedict was to have as much as John Benedict, to whom had been deeded land. They were sons-in-law. This trust imposed in his wife indicates that she was the mother of all the children. The will was acknowledged August 21; presented for pobate by the widow October 9, 1689. That latter day she signed with a mark her own short will. "I, Sarah Gregory, widow of John of Norwalk, do choose my beloved friends Mr. Thomas Hanford (the minister) and Sergt. John Plat to distribute to my children according to instruction and directions I have left in their hand as to pertickular movables." As to the rest they had full power. John Fitch and James Betts were witnesses. Nov 1 1689, the sons John, "Jakin," Judah, Joseph and Thomas, and John and James "Benedick," signed an agreement and declared themselves satisfied with the "bequeathment" of their mother. The Benedict boys received the seven and a half acres of Gregory's Point. The inventory of Sarah's estate was taken 28 October 1689, by John Platt, Sr. and Chris. Comstock.
Children:
1. John II (born~1639, died 4/5/1721 Connecticut, married1. 10/18/1663 Elizabeth Moulthrop, married2. 10/15/1699 Sarah Messenger, 7 children)
2. Jachin (born ~1640-1642, died 2/22/1697, married 1669 Mary, 7 children)
3. Judah (born~1643-44, died 1733 Danbury, Connicut, married 10/20/1664 Hannah Hoyt, 7 children)
4. Joseph (baptized 7/26/1646 in First Church, New Haven, Connecticut, died 5/14/1718 New Haven, Connecticut, thought no wife or children)
5. Thomas (baptized 3/19/1649 New Haven, Connecticut, died 11/1693 Connecticut, married 12/25/1679 Elizabeth Pardee, 3 children)
6. Phebe (born~1650 Norwalk, Connecticut, died ~1748 Norwalk, Connecticut, married 11/11/1670 John Benedict-twin to James, 9 children)
7. Sarah (born 12/3/1652 Norwalk, Connecticut, died 1692 Norwalk, Connecticut, married 5/10/1676 James Benedict-twin to John, 7 children)
Norwalk Cemetery entrance Memorial founders memorial at cemetery [Note: East Norwalk is the location of Norwalk's original colonial settlements. The land was purchased from the Norwalke Indians by Roger Ludlow in 1640. Historical markers in the neighborhood include the Roger Ludlow Monument, and the Founder's Stone Monument of 1649. The 31 first settlers listed are: George Abbitt, Robert Beacham, Stephen Beckwith, John Bowton, Matthew Campfield, Nathaniel Eli, Thomas Fitch, John Griggorie, Samuel Hales, Thomas Hales, Walter Haite, Nathaniel Haies, Rev. Thomas Hanford, Richard Homes, Ralph Keiler, Daniel Kellogge, Thomas Lupton, Matthew Marvin, Sen, Matthew Marvin, Jr, Isacke More, Jonathan Marsh, Widow Morgan, Richard Olmsted, Nathaniel Richards, John Ruskoe, Matthias Sention, Sen, Matthias Sention, Jr., Matthew Sention, Thomas Seamer, Richard Webb, Walter Keiler. British forces under General William Tryon arrived on July 10, 1779 at Calf Pasture Beach and almost completely destroyed Norwalk by fire; only six houses were spared. A portion of the Thomas Fitch (governor) house was left standing and in the 1950s it was moved to the Mill Hill Historic Park to make way for the construction of the Connecticut turnpike (I-95). In 1913, East Norwalk combined with the Town of Norwalk, the City (formerly Borough) of Norwalk, and the city of South Norwalk into the present day City of Norwalk. East Norwalk became the new city's third taxing district.]
found on ancestry.com
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