John Marsh, Hartford Founder

Compiled by Timothy Lester Jacobs, SDFH Genealogist

JOHN¹ MARSH, HARTFORD FOUNDER (JOHN^A) was born 1618 in Braintree, Essex, England, and died 28 Sep 1688 in Windsor, CT. He married (1) ANNE WEBSTER abt. 1642 in Hartford, CT, daughter of FOUNDER JOHN WEBSTER and AGNES SMITH. She was born abt. 1621 in England, and died 09 Jun 1662 in Hadley, MA. He married (2) HEPZIBAH FORD 07 Oct 1664 in Northampton, MA, daughter of THOMAS FORD and ELIZABETH CHARD. She was baptized 15 May 1625 in Dorchester, Dorsetshire, England, and died 11 Apr 1683 in Northampton, MA.

John Marsh of Braintree, Essex, England removed to the American colonies about 1635, though his original location therein is unknown, but he had removed to Hartford by 1639/40.

In the Hartford land distribution of February 1639/40, it was recorded that “several parcels of land in Hertford upon the River of Conecticot (part) whereof did belong to John Stone & were by him given to Samuel Stone & by the said Samuel Stone unto John Marsh of Hertford & and now belongeth to him and his heires for ever”. These were: two acres on which his dwelling house stood with other outhouses, yards, or gardens located on the road from the Little River to the North Meadow; two roods and thirty-one perches in the North Meadow; another five acres, two roods and thirty-four perches in the North Meadow; and three acres in the West Field. In addition, he held one acre, two roods, and twelve perches on the east side of the Great River originally sequestered for Founder Thomas Beale; two acres also on the east side of the great River which formerly belonged to Founder Thomas Munson and was forfeited unto the town and settled on John Marsh; and three acres in the North Meadow which formerly belonged to Thomas Munson and was also forfeited under the town and was settled on John Marsh.

He was chosen as chimney viewer in Hartford in 1658.

Ironically, since some of the lands he held were given him by Founder Samuel Stone, John Marsh became one of those protesting the appointment of Samuel Stone as minister, signed the agreement to remove to Hadley, Massachusetts in 1659, and removed there soon after. He removed to Northampton, Massachusetts by 18 June 1661 when he united with the church there and where on 7 October 1664 when he married Hepzibah Ford, the widow of Founder Richard Lyman.

His first wife, daughter of Hartford Founder John Webster, died in Hadley on 9 June 1662. His second wife Hepzibah Ford died in Northampton 11 April 1683, and he later returned to Hartford, where he died 28 September 1688.

Genealogy: “Marsh Genealogy: Giving Several Thousand Descendants of John Marsh of Hartford, Conn., 1636 – 1895”, Dwight W. March, 1895