The Founders of Hartford
Jeremy Adams was at Braintree, perhaps, 1632, removed soon to Cambridge; freeman there, May 6, 1635 ; came to
Hartford in 1636, where he was an original proprietor; his home-lot in 1639 was on the highway now Elm Street; constable
in 1639; he married about that time Rebecca, widow of Samuel Greenhill, it is supposed as a second wife, and in
the Distribution, p. 217, he is described as in possession of the house-lot and lands of Greenhill, until the two
children come of age (date not given). He was licensed for exclusive right to retail liquors, May, 1660; to keep
ordinary, March, 1661-2; this tavern was on the site of the present Universalist Church; he bought the lot of John
Morrice, and mortgaged it to the Colony Jan. 26, 1660; his affairs had evidently been in an embarrassed condition for
some time, and the mortgage was foreclosed Jan. 14, 1680-1. He was appointed custom-master, May, 1663; freed from
watching and warding, at the age of 60, March 2, 1664-5; townsman, 1671. His wife, Rebecca, died in 1678, and he
married Rebecca, widow of Andrew Warner, Jr., and daughter of John Fletcher. He died Aug. 11, 1683. Inventory, £243.
5. 6.He mentions in his will his grandson, Zachary Sandford, children of son John Adams, and children of son Willett.
His widow survived him (although not mentioned in his will) and died in Middletown, Jan. 25, 1715, aged 77.-Children:
i. Ann, married Robert Sandford, of Hartford (q. v.). Her son Zachary redeemed his grandfather's property in 1685, and
kept an ordinary in the same place for many years. ii. Hannah, m. Nathaniel Willett, of Hartford (q. v.). iii. John,
m.; d. 1670; inv. Sept. 6, 1670. iv. Samuel, baptized Nov. 23, 1645; prob. died young. v. Hester. vi. Sarah.
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