The Founders of Hartford
John Webster Hartford, 1636; by family tradition he was from Co. Warwick; he was an original proprietor
of Hartford, and his home-lot in 1639 was on the east side of the street now called Governor St. He was one of
the Committee who for the first time sat with the Court of Magistrates, 1637 and 1638, and a magistrate from 1639 to
1655, when he was made deputy-governor, and the next year governor. He was one of the committee who formed the code
of criminal laws for the Colony in 1642 ; a Commissioner for the United Colonies, 1654. He was an influential member of
the church in Hartford, took a deep interest in the controversy which agitated that and other churches, was one of
the leaders of the Hadley company, and removed thither in 1659 ; he was admitted freeman, Mass" and in May, 1660, made
a magistrate. He d. in Hadley, April 5, 1661, leaving a widow, Agnes. Ch. : i. Matthew, freeman, Hartford,
1645 ; Farmington, 1669; d. July 16, 1675. ii. William Hadley, m. Feb. 17, 1670, Mary, den. of Thomas Reeve, of
Springfield ; his wife was accused of witchcraft, and sent to Boston for trial, in 1684, but was acquitted, and died
in peace, 1696. He d. about 1688 (s. p.). iii. Thomas, Northampton ; m. June 16, 1663, Abigail, dau. of George
Alexander, of Northampton ; removed to Northfield in 1674 ; driven away in 1675 by the Indians, and removed to Hadley.
He returned again to Northfield, and d. there in 1686. iv. Robert, Middletown; m. about 1652, Susannah, dau. of
Hon. Richard Treat, of Wethersfield ; at the organization of the town of Middletown, Feb. 26, 1654, he was chosen
recorder; he continued there until about 1660, when he returned to Hartford; chosen townsman, 1664 ; list and rate
maker, 1668 ; he d. in Hartford in 1676. v. Anne ; m. John Marsh, of Hartford and Hadley; d. June 9, 1662. vi.
Elizabeth, m. prob. William Markham, of Hadley, as 2d wife; d. in 1688. vii. Mary ; m. John (1) Hunt; their
descendants lived in Northampton. John, eldest son of Lieut. Robert Webster, was the great-grandfather of Noah Webster,
the renowned lexicographer.
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