The Founders of Hartford
Governor Thomas Welles, an original proprietor of Hartford; his home-lot in 1639 was on the east side of
the street now Governor St. He removed to Wethersfield, where he was also an original proprietor. He became a member
of the Court of Magistrates, March 28, 1637, and continued a magistrate until he was chosen deputy-governor, May 18,
1654 (again in 1656, 1657, 1659) ; he was the first treasurer in 1639, Secretary of the Colony in 1640, and held the
office until 1649. In 1649 he was a Commissioner of the United Colonies; Governor in 1655 and 1658. Ho m. (1) in
England, Elizabeth Hunt; (2), ab. 1645 or 1646 Elizabeth Deming, widow of Nathaniel Foote, of Wethersfield; d.
in Wethersfield, Jan. 14, 1659-60; his widow d. July 28, 1683, c. ab. 88 ; inv. £1069. 9.-Ch.: i. John; settled
in Stratford; freeman, 1645; m. ab. 1647, Elizabeth, dau. of John Curtis, of Stratford ; deputy, 1656 ; assistant,
1658-9; d. ab. 1660. ii. Thomas, Hartford ; m. 23 June, 1654, Hannah, widow of John Pantry, and dau, of William Tuttle,
of New Haven ; he was quartermaster under Major John Mason, 1658; deputy, 1663; assistant, 1668 ; killed in 1668 by a
fall from a cherry-tree. iii. Samuel, Wethersfield ; freeman, 1657; deputy, 1657-1662, and 1675 ; m. 1659, (1)
Elizabeth, dau. of John Hollister, of Wethersfield ; (2) Hannah, dau. of George Lamberton, of New Haven; d. July 15,
1675. He was the ancestor of the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. iv. Mary, d. before her father. v. Ann,
m. l) April 14, 1646, Thomas Thomson, of Hartfonl, afterward of Farmington; (2) Anthony Hawkins, of Farmington, as his
2d wife ; d. 1680. vi. Sarah, b. 1631 ; m. Feb., 1653, Capt. John Chester, of Wethersfield ; d. Dec. 16, 1698.
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