The Founders of Hartford
John Bidwell was a proprietor “by the courtesie of the town” in 1640, when his home-lot was south
of Seth Grant's home-lot, and on the east side of the road from Seth Grant's to the Mill. He also owned a tan-yard on
an island in Little River, receiving four acres in all. He m. Sarah, dau. of John Wilcocks, of Hartford.
Chosen chimney-viewer, 1655, 1661; freed from watching, warding, and training, Nov. 9, 1670. He and his wife, Sarah,
were original members of the Second, or South Church, Feb. 12, 1670. He d. in 1687; inv., June 4, £419. 10. 6.-Ch.:
1. John, Hartford; m. Nov. 7, 1678, Samb, dau. of Thomas and Hannah (Tuttle) [Pantry] Welles, of H.; admitted to the
South Chumb, Feb. 21, 1685. He owned six saw and grist mills, -three at Hartford, one each at East Hartford,
Wethersfield, and Middletown; d. July 3, 1692. Inv. £1081. ii. Joseph, Wethersfield, east side of the river; m.,
May 18, 1675, Mary Colefax, dau. of Wm.; adm. to the South Ch., Hfd., Feb. 1672; had a saw-mill in Glastonbury ; d.
in 1692. iii. Samuel, b. 1650; Middletown ; m. (1) Nov. 14, 1672, Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Stow, of Middletown ;
(2) Sarah, dau. of Capt. Daniel Harris; (3) Abigail-; he d. April 5, 1715. iv. Sarah, m. William House, of Hartford;
adm. to the South Church, March 31, 1678. v. Hannah, To.- Waddams. (John Waddame, of Wethersfield t) vi. Mary, m.
Lieut. John Makin (Meakins), of East Hartford. vii. Daniel, b. 1655; in. (1) Elizabeth-; (2) Dorothy -; lived in
East Hartford, where he was first constable, 1699, and held other offices; d. Nov. 29, 1719.
 |
