The Founders of Hartford
William Rruscoe (Reskoe, Rescue), Cambridge, came in the “Increase,” April, 1635, aged 51, with
wife Rebecca, aged 40, ch. Sarah (9), Marie (7), Samuel (6), and William (1), bringing a certificate from the
parish minister of Billerica, Co. Essex; big wife died early, perhaps on the voyage, and he m. (2) in Feb. or
March, 1635-6, Heater Musse or Must, widow, of Cambridge. He was appointed to “make a pound” at Newtown,
April 23, 1636. An original proprietor at Hartford ; big home-lot in 1639 was on the west side of the road from
Seth Grant's to Centinel Hill. Chosen surveyor of highways, 1641 ; employed by the General Court to keep the house
of correction at a salary of £IO per year, Feb., 1649-50. May 1, 1667, by a writing he " past over" to Nathaniel
Ruscoe, and his son, all his lands in Hartford that were undisposed o£ Before that date, March 27, 1665, Will.
Ruscoe's home-lot is mentioned on the Norwalk records, so he prob. removed there.-Ch. : i. Nathaniel (q. v.). ii.
Sarah, b. ab. 1626; m. (1) Dec. 10, 1646, Henry Cole, who removed to Middletown; (2) Nov. 1679, Bull, of Saybrook; d.
Jan., 1688. iii. Mary, b. ab. 1628 ; m. Aug. 19, 1647, Hugh Wells, of Wethersfield. iv. Samuel, b. ab. 1629; d. young.
v. William, b. 1634. vi. John; m. Jan. 2, 1650-51, Rebecca, sister of Nathaniel Beebe, of Stonington ; signed the
agreement for planting Norwalk, June 19, 1650; freeman there, 1669; had an estate of £250 in 1687. vii. Samuel, b.
in H. March 12, 1648-9.
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