Person Page - 42

     Ensign Joshua Holcombe was born on 18 September 1672 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood. Ensign Joshua Holcombe married Hannah Carrington, daughter of John Carrington, in 1694. Ensign Joshua Holcombe married Mary Hoskins, daughter of Robert Hoskins and Mary Gillett, in 1709.² Ensign Joshua Holcombe died on 10 February 1727/28 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 55.³

Seaver says wife (1) may be Mary Carrington.

McCracken:

His will was dated 30 March 1727, inventory taken by Joseph Case, James Case, James Hillyer (Manwaring 2:328f.) on 1 March 1727/8, and he mentions wife Mary, sons Caleb, Joshua, Matthew, David, Joel, Phineas; four daughters by first wife: Thankfull, Experience, Hannah, Eleaner; daughters (by second wife) Mary, Mercy, Miriam; six sons Caleb, Joshua, Matthew, David, Joell, Phineas; executors: wife Mary and brother Joseph Hoskins; witnesses: Andrew Robe, Josiah Alford, Edward Strickland. On 2 April 1728 Mary Holcombe petitioned for her share of the estate. On 1 Jan 1739/40 she was appointed guardian of her son Joel aet. 16. Stiles (2:395) says he married Mary Griffin which is wrong. He married, first, Hannah Carrington, born 1675, died, according to the Rev. Dudley Woodbridge, 13 May 1707, daughter of John Carrington of Waterbury, whose parents were probably executed as witches; second, Mary Hoskins....See my corrections of Mrs. McPherson's errors (TAG 28:32034), where the list can still be slightly improved...

     Deborah Holcombe was born on 10 February 1674/75 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3,4 She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood. Deborah Holcombe was baptized on 5 December 1697 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^5,6 She married Dr. Daniel Porter before 1699. Deborah Holcombe died in 1765.

Seaver shows a marriage to Daniel Porter of Waterbury, but McCracken only lists it as a suggestion, noting that the only known Daniel was ten years younger and his only know mariage is to another woman in 1713.

     Mary Holcombe was born in 1676; Birth not recorded at Simsbury. Seaver also shows possible birth year of 1680. She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood. Mary Holcombe married John Barber, son of Lt. Thomas Barber and Mary Phelps, on 26 February 1701/2 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Mary Holcombe married Ephriam Buell, son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan, on 16 October 1713 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Mary Holcombe died on 14 July 1745 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.⁵

See The American Genealogist for the details of her offspring by both husbands.

     John Barber was born on 1 November 1662 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Lt. Thomas Barber and Mary Phelps. John Barber married Mary Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood, on 26 February 1701/2 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ John Barber died on 1 March 1711 or 1712 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT; Probate in Manwaring 2:153.

     Lt. Thomas Barber was born at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was baptized on 14 July 1644 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Sgt. Thomas Barber and Jane (?) Lt. Thomas Barber married Mary Phelps, daughter of William Phelps Sr. and Anne Dover, on 17 December 1663 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Lt. Thomas Barber died on 10 May 1713 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 68.

     Sgt. Thomas Barber was born on 21 December 1612 at England. He was baptized on 25 December 1612 at St. George Parish, Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. He died on 10 September 1662 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 49.

First of the name in New England, came to Windsor 1635 with the Saltonstall party under Mr. Francis Stiles; was then aged 21 years. he was made freeman 1645; was a soldier in the Pequot fight.

Dr. Barber has also written an article for TAG 71:2, page 111-112 which describes Thomas' English origins:

Thomas was the son of John Barber who was born probably in the early or middle 1580's and was buried at All Saints, Stamford, County Lincoln, England, on 21 April 1620. He married at Uffington, county Lincoln, on 17 October 1608, Elizabeth Lumley.

     Ephriam Buell was born on 20 February 1682/83 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 He was the son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan. Ephriam Buell married Mary Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood, on 16 October 1713 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Ephriam Buell died on 16 January 1718/19 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 35.³

With his son-in-law, i.e. stepson, John Barber, he had gone out to the west of Simsbury to hunt horses and both were frozen to death, being found on the 17th.

     Mindwell Holcombe was born in 1678; Birth not recorded in Simsbury. She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood. Mindwell Holcombe married Theophilus Cook, son of John Cook and Sarah Fisk, on 26 September 1721.

McCracken shows no further record, Seaver shows marriage. Bowman questions the marriage because the last child would have been born when Mindwell was 62. Is it possible that some of the children were those of her daughter Mindwell?

     Theophilus Cook was born on 12 January 1698 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of John Cook and Sarah Fisk. Theophilus Cook married Mindwell Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood, on 26 September 1721. Theophilus Cook died circa 1776 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Hannah Holcombe was born in 1680; Seaver shows 1689-6, and marriage as 11-29-1710-11.^2,3 She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood. Hannah Holcombe married Samuel Buell, son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan, on 29 November 1711 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Hannah Holcombe died on 11 March 1740/41 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     Samuel Buell was born on 10 May 1686 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan. Samuel Buell married Hannah Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood, on 29 November 1711 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Samuel Buell married Ann Orton circa 1741.²

Simsbury Town Records show marriage in 1711, Seaver shows 1710.

     Joab Holcombe was the son of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood. Seaver lists Joab, died 1723 in this family. Bowman places him with Joshua Jr; McPherson does not list him here either. Joab Holcombe died on 5 December 1723 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³

     Moses Holcombe was born on 4 July 1686 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT; Seaver lists birth as 7-4-1686-8. He died 10 Sept 1699 according to Simsbury Records, on which day his mother also died, but since if he died in September, he could not have been baptized in October, it is much more probable that he died on 16 Feb 1699/1700 as is recorded in Simsbury Records on the very next line.² He was the son of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood. Moses Holcombe was baptized on 29 October 1699 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ He died on 16 February 1699/0 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 13.²

     Sarah Eno was also known as Sarah Ennos. She was born on 15 June 1649 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of James Eno and Anna Bidwell. Sarah Eno married Sgt. Benajah Holcombe, son of Thomas Holcombe and Elizabeth (?), on 11 April 1667 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2,3

     Benajah Holcombe was born on 16 April 1668 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. Benajah Holcombe married Martha Winchell, daughter of David Winchell and Elizabeth Filley, on 17 May 1705 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.³ Benajah Holcombe died on 30 October 1716 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 48.

McCracken says Benajah d.v.p. Martha was made administratrix of Benajah's estate, 4 June 1717 (Manwaring 2:400); inventory of L41/2/15 taken 2 Nov. 1722, after Martha's death, when administration was granted to Benajah's brother, Joseph Holcomb. The probate shows ages of the children on 4 Dec 1722.

     Martha Winchell was born circa 1678 at Suffield. She was the daughter of David Winchell and Elizabeth Filley. Martha Winchell married Benajah Holcombe, son of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno, on 17 May 1705 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² Martha Winchell died on 8 September 1722.

     James Holcombe was born on 13 October 1671 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT; Named for maternal grandfather. He was the son of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. James Holcombe died on 11 February 1681 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 9; Seaver incorrectly shows death in 1687.¹

     Samuel Griswold was born on 15 December 1684 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Thomas Griswold and Hester Drake. Samuel Griswold married Deborah Holcombe, daughter of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno, on 5 March 1713/14 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^3,4 Samuel Griswold married Elizabeth Gaylord, daughter of Nathaniel Gaylord and Abigail Bissell, in 1717 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. Samuel Griswold died on 16 May 1777 at age 92.

His death was caused by a fall; he was dragging in a back-log for the fire by an axe which was stuck into one end of it; the axe suddenly loosening, he fell backward, the shock causing his death. In person he was but a little above middle height; eyes, hair, and general complexion light; an enterprising and influential man in all public affairs; rep. the town in General Assemb, 1732, and accumulated a large estate.

His residence was on a farm of nearly 500 acres, beautifully located in the bend of the Farmington River, in Simsbury, where it breaks through the Talcott mountains. His dwelling was on a lovely swell of ground, commanding a romantic view of valley and mountain scenery, and of the river for a considerable distance above and below its plunge into the wild gorge of the mountains, whence it rushes to meadows of the Connecticut River. His estate was divided between his two youngest children.

     Deborah Holcombe was born on 26 October 1690 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. Deborah Holcombe married Samuel Griswold, son of Thomas Griswold and Hester Drake, on 5 March 1713/14 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 Deborah Holcombe died on 22 December 1715 at age 25.

     Six Children. Seaver shows her marryng Isaac on Dec 20, 1676, hardly possible; and marrying (2) Nathaniel Holcomb. Sarah Holcombe was born on 11 February 1673/74 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. Sarah Holcombe married Isaac Owen, son of John Owen and Rebecca Wade, on 20 December 1694 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² Sarah Holcombe died on 22 January 1763 at age 88.

     Isaac Owen was born on 27 May 1670 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of John Owen and Rebecca Wade. Isaac Owen married Sarah Holcombe, daughter of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno, on 20 December 1694 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² Isaac Owen died on 13 June 1742 at perhaps Simsbury, CT, at age 72.

One of the first settlers of Turkey Hills.

     John Owen was born on 25 December 1624. He married Rebecca Wade on 3 October 1650 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.³ John Owen died on 18 February 1698 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 73.³

     Anna Holcombe was born on 19 March 1675 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2 She was the daughter of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. Anna Holcombe married Samuel Hayden, son of Lt. Daniel Hayden and Hannah Willcockson, on 26 January 1703/4.³ Anna Holcombe died on 13 June 1756 at age 81.

Colonial Families of the United States of America, vol. 3, gives the marriage date as 28 June 1703-4, but shouldn't be using the Old Style notation in June, so January is probably correct. Seaver doesn't list Anna at all.

     Abigail Holcombe was born on 12 May 1681 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.^3,4 She was the daughter of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. Abigail Holcombe married Ensign Anthony Austin, son of Capt. Anthony Austin and Esther Huggins, in 1699 at Suffield, CT.

They had 12 children listed by descendants.

     Corporal Samuel Holcombe was born on 29 November 1683 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. Corporal Samuel Holcombe married Martha Phelps, daughter of Lt. Timothy Phelps and Mary Griswold, on 13 October 1709. Corporal Samuel Holcombe died on 13 August 1722 at Poquonock, Hartford Co., CT, at age 38. He was buried at Old Poquonock Burying Ground, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

     Joseph Holcombe was born on 7 November 1686 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2 He was the son of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno. Joseph Holcombe married Mary Winchell on 11 November 1714.³ Joseph Holcombe died on 3 April 1756 at age 69.³

     Benjamin Holcombe was born on 1 June 1689 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Sgt. Benajah Holcombe and Sarah Eno.

     Brewster Higley was born on 10 January 1679 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Capt. John Higley and Hannah Drake. Brewster Higley married Hester Holcombe, daughter of Nathaniel Holcombe and Mary Bliss, on 17 February 1708/9 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 Brewster Higley died on 5 November 1760 at age 81. He was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴

Bowman says that Brewster is one of five children of Capt John Higley, but Stiles lists 10 by his first wife Hannah Drake and 7 more by second wife Sarah Strong. Stiles notes that Brewster's Simsbury descendants are the most numerous of the whole line. They are chiefly settled in Vermont, in Meigs and Windham counties, Ohio, and in Central New York.

     Joseph Messenger was born on 2 September 1687 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Nathaniel Messenger and Rebecca Kelsey. Joseph Messenger was baptized on 11 March 1687/88 at Hartford Second Church. He married Catherine Holcombe, daughter of Nathaniel Holcombe and Mary Bliss, on 22 January 1707/8 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 Joseph Messenger died on 10 May 1763 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 75.¹

     Nathaniel Messenger was born on 18 June 1653 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Edward Messenger and Unknown (?) Nathaniel Messenger married Rebecca Kelsey, daughter of Mark Kelsey and Rebecca Hoskins, on 5 April 1678 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.

     Edward Messenger was born by 1630 at England.¹

Helen S. Ullmann discusses the origins of the Messenger family and the possibility that Edward, Andrew, and Henry were brothers at great length in the July 1998 New England Historical and Genealogical Register in article titled The Three Messengers - Clearing the Decks.


Edward's close connection with the Drake family at Windsor suggests his wife might have been related to them, but not even her given name is known. ¹

     Rebecca Kelsey was born on 2 January 1659/60 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Mark Kelsey and Rebecca Hoskins.² Rebecca Kelsey married Nathaniel Messenger, son of Edward Messenger and Unknown (?), on 5 April 1678 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. Rebecca Kelsey married Elias Gillett, son of Nathan Gillett and Elizabeth (?), between 1694 and 1699.³

     Joseph Messenger Junior was born on 30 July 1709 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe. Joseph Messenger Junior died in February 1709/10 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     Sarah Messenger was born on 11 January 1710/11 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe.

     Joseph Messenger 2nd was born on 25 April 1713 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe.

     Jehiel Messenger was born on 11 November 1715 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Jehiel Messenger was the child of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe. Jehiel Messenger died in March 1761 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 45.

     Isaac Messenger was born on 29 March 1717 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe. Isaac Messenger married Hannah Alford, daughter of Nathaniel Alford and Experience Holcombe, circa 1740.² Isaac Messenger died on 2 June 1801 at North Canton, Hartford Co., CT, at age 84.²

Isaac and his ten sons were noted for being markedly strong, expert hunters and woodsmen, and over 6 feet in height.

     Catherine Messenger was born on 29 September 1720 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe. Catherine Messenger married Jonathan Phelps, son of Ephriam Phelps and Sarah Owen, on 30 March 1723.

     Elijah Messenger was born on 21 January 1722 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe. Elijah Messenger died on 13 December 1802 at Montgomery, MA, at age 80.

     Elam Messenger married Julia Dewey. Elam Messenger was the son of Lemuel Messenger and Abigail Lampson.

     Ezekiel Messenger was born in 1727. He was the son of Joseph Messenger and Catherine Holcombe.

     Margaret Holcombe was born in 1687. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Holcombe and Mary Bliss. Margaret Holcombe married Nathaniel North in 1704; Marriage described in sister Mary's will.² Margaret Holcombe died in 1777.

Margaret is not listed by Seaver, but is in her father's will. Barbour collection of the Simsbury Vital Records.

     Bowman speculates that Nathaniel is likely a descendant of John and Hannah Buel North, brother of Lydia who was the mother of Tryphenia Humphrey. Margaret and Nathaniel had eight children, Bowman only identified three here. Gayle Ghbeish (ggbeish@swbell.net) identified the remainder and all descendents from here.

Gayle Ghbesh cites the following sources for the descendants.

A Family History written by Mary Frances Millard Hall and Sylvester Millard.

Sources at Burton Historical Collection.
History of Ontarion County and its People by Charles F. Millikan.

History of Hatfield, Massachusetts by Daniel Wells & Reuben Field Wells, 1910

The Rev. Jonathan Lee & His 18th Century Salisbury Parish
The History of the Town of Salisbury, Conn. by Julia Pettee Salisbury Assoc. Inc., Salisbury, CT, 1957.

The Chapin Book of Genealogical Data with Brief Biographical Sketches of the Descendants of Deacon Samuel Chapin compiled by Gilbert Warren Chapin; Vol I, the First 7 Generations Published and copyrighted by Chapin Family Association, Hartford, CT, 1924.

Nathaniel North married Margaret Holcombe, daughter of Nathaniel Holcombe and Mary Bliss, in 1704; Marriage described in sister Mary's will.²

     Hannah Case was born on 30 January 1698/99 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Samuel Case and Mary Westover. Hannah Case was baptized on 5 February 1698/99. She married Benjamin Holcombe, son of Nathaniel Holcombe and Mary Bliss, on 12 October 1727 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Hannah Case died on 10 January 1769 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 69.⁴ Baptized by Dudley Woodbridge.

     Elizabeth Terry was born on 16 December 1663 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Leftenant John Terry and Elizabeth Wadsworth. Elizabeth Terry married Capt. Thomas Holcombe, son of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood, on 1 January 1690. Elizabeth Terry died on 9 December 1699 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 35.¹

     Rebecca Pettibone was born on 19 March 1675. She was the daughter of John Pettibone Sr. and Sarah Eggleston. Rebecca Pettibone married Capt. Thomas Holcombe, son of Joshua Holcombe and Ruth Sherwood, on 5 December 1700 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Rebecca Pettibone left a will on 14 April 1731. She died on 13 October 1731 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 56.²

Rebeckah's will:

"I, Rebeckah Holcombe of Symsbury, in Hartford County, do give unto my daughter Rebeckah Holcomb all my moveable estate, after my decease, that was given to my by my husband Thomas Holcomb by his last will, to her and to her heirs forever.. My daughter Rebeckah to be my executrix."

Witnesses: Joshua Holcomb, Ruth Griffin, Consider Holcomb.

     John Pettibone Sr. was born in 1640 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He married Sarah Eggleston, daughter of Bygod Eggleston and Mary (?), on 16 February 1664 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² John Pettibone Sr. left a will in 1711. He died on 15 July 1713 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. His estate was probated on 3 August 1713.

The first of the name in America; perhaps from Wales, and possibly a soldier under Cromwell; was a freeman at Windsor, 1658.

     Sarah Eggleston was born on 28 March 1643. She was the daughter of Bygod Eggleston and Mary (?) Sarah Eggleston married John Pettibone Sr. on 16 February 1664 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.²