William Hyde, Hartford Founder

Compiled by Timothy Lester Jacobs, SDFH Genealogist

WILLIAM¹ HYDE, HARTFORD FOUNDER was born in England, and died 06 Jan 1680/81 in Norwich, CT. He married (1) _______ ______. He married (2) JOANNA ______ 04 Jun 1667 in Rehoboth, MA. She was born in England, and died aft. Jan 1680/81 in prob Norwich, CT.

The origin of William Hyde, and when he emigrated to the American colonies is unknown, but he was in Hartford as an original proprietor by 1639. In the Hartford land inventory of February 1639/40 he owned four parcels: four acres and two roods on which his dwelling house stood with other outhouses, yards, and gardens, located on the south side of the road from George Steele’s to the South Meadow; four acres in the South Meadow; two acres of meadow and swamp on the east side of the Great River; and three acres abutting on the road from George Steele’s to the Great Swamp. He does not appear to have held any public offices in Hartford.

He removed from Hartford to Saybrook fairly early, at least by 1652, when his daughter was married there. Thereafter he removed to Norwich in 1660, where he was among the thirty-five original proprietors of that town with his son Samuel and his son-in-law John Post.

He was a man of considerable importance among the settlers of Norwich, and was frequently elected as one of the selectmen.

Recommended genealogy: “Hyde Genealogy; or the Descendants, in the Female as well as in the Male Lines, from William Hyde, of Norwich”, Vol. 1, Reuben H. Walworth, Albany, 1864 (Despite the early year of its publication, this is a remarkably comprehensive genealogy, covering not only the Hyde family, but also the descendants of those who married into the family.)