Person Page - 93

     Capt. Isaac Phelps was born on 20 August 1638 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of George Phelps and Phillury Randall.¹ Capt. Isaac Phelps married Ann Gaylord, daughter of William Gaylord and Ann Porter, on 11 March 1662/63 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2

     Child Phelps was born between 1639 and 1640. Child Phelps was the child of George Phelps and Phillury Randall. Child Phelps died in 1647.

     Abraham Phelps was born on 22 January 1642. He was the son of George Phelps and Phillury Randall.

     Abigail Phelps was born between 1644 and 1646. She was the daughter of George Phelps and Phillury Randall. Abigail Phelps died in 1649.

     Capt. Joseph Phelps was born on 24 June 1647 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of George Phelps and Phillury Randall. Capt. Joseph Phelps married Mary Porter, daughter of John Porter II and Mary Stanley, on 26 June 1673. Capt. Joseph Phelps married Hester Hosford circa 1688. Capt. Joseph Phelps died in 1695.

Moved with his father to Westfield, Mass., and after the birth of his first child, or about 1676, he, with his father-in-law, John Porter, Jr., Samuel Grant, Samuel Rockwell, and Thomas Bissell, removed to the East side of the Great River and were the first settlers of East Windsor, or what is now south Windsor.

     Frances (?) married (?) Clark. Frances (?) married Thomas Dewey on 22 March 1638 or 1639 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. Frances (?) married George Phelps, son of William Phelps, on 22 March 1649. Frances (?) died on 7 September 1690.

From the windsorhistoricalsociety.org:

Frances (unknown) (Clark) (Dewey) Phelps is one of the few women included on the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor’s founders list, which only includes heads of household. As yet, her maiden name and the name of her first husband have not been determined, so her origin story is murky.

As was true of most Windsor founders, Frances settled in Dorchester before arriving in Windsor at some point prior to her second marriage. Many genealogists believe that her first marriage was to a Clark because her second husband’s estate documents mentioned a daughter, Mary Clark, whose age at that time indicates she would have been born about 1636. Earlier genealogists believed Joseph Clark (another Windsor founder) was a likely candidate as her first husband, but we know that his wife died in 1639, and he did not pass away until 1641, several years after our Frances’s second marriage. The records of Dorchester and Windsor are littered with mentions of various other Clark men, many of whom appear only once in land records or passenger lists and never again. Details are scarce and it is impossible to say which one might have been Frances’s first husband.

Frances’s second marriage occurred under dramatic, challenging circumstances. We know from Windsor founder and documentarian Matthew Grant’s record that a great flood, which inundated many houses in the new settlement, began on March 5, 1638/9. On March 14th, “2 youths drwned being in a conno one ye flood gathring up of palles swimming on ye flood against Thomas Deweys hows.”1 Nonetheless, just eight short days later, Frances and Thomas Dewey were married.2 As Grant wrote, “One ye 22 day at night [the flood] was well fallen & yet it was as hoye as ye hoyest flood we had knowen before.”3 The floodwaters may have begun to recede, but Windsor’s recovery from this natural disaster had only just begun.

One wonders where Frances and Thomas spent their wedding night, considering his house had recently flooded. Their marriage would have commenced with grief over the loss of their two neighbor boys’ lives, a move to higher ground, and the tremendous work it would take the entire community to rebuild all that the flood waters had swept away.

Women in Frances’s era rarely show up in official records, but their circumstances can be partially deduced from their husband’s records. Thomas’s estate documents prove that the couple thrived in their marriage, in spite of its inauspicious beginnings. Together, Frances and Thomas had five children: Thomas, Josiah, Anna, Israel, and Jedediah Dewey, all born between 1639/40 and 1647. Thomas appears to have been a farmer, with 12 acres of corn planted at the time of his death. He also owned oxen, horses, cows, pigs, and bees. He died in April of 1648, following ten years of marriage to Frances. His estate inventory totaled £213, with £118 of that being real estate including a house, barn, and homelot of just over an acre, plus significant landholdings elsewhere, mostly in the Great Meadow (land between the Palisado and the Connecticut River).

Frances’s life can be glimpsed through this inventory. She would have spun the hemp and flax it lists, prepared meals in the brass and iron kettles, and ridden upon the pillion behind Thomas’s saddle. She would have been proud of the trappings of success which furnished their home. They owned pewter, a chest, a box, tables, and a “cubberd.”4

In November of 1648, roughly seven months after Dewey’s death, Frances married again. This time, she wed George Phelps. He was also a farmer, a prosperous one, who had been married previously to Philura Randall. Philura had died just two days after Thomas Dewey on April 29, 1648, so it is fitting that George and Frances, both newly widowed, married each other.

Maintaining a household and livelihood in 17th-century New England was hard work. Nothing was mechanized, everything had to be done by hand, and it was nearly impossible to manage the physically demanding domestic chores, the raising of many young children, and the labor of maintaining fields and livestock, alone. Therefore, people typically remarried very quickly, usually within months of a spouse’s death. George had five children from his first marriage, who were followed by three more sons, Jacob, John, and Nathaniel, born to Frances between 1649/50 and 1654.

At some point before 1672, Frances and her family moved to Westfield, Massachusetts.5 George is listed on deeds there as early as 1667, the same year he and another man were tasked with laying out a highway through the settlement.6 Was Frances excited about the prospects ahead of them in this new community? Did she dread the challenges of settling yet another new town? We’ll never know how she felt, but we do know that Frances and George’s hard work paid off. By the time of his death on May 8, 1687, he estimated his landholdings in Westfield at 80 acres, and he also retained some Windsor landholdings.

In his will, George spoke lovingly of Frances, conveying his respect for her opinions and his hope that their children would take good care of her. In flowery language unusual for a will at this time, he wrote,


George gave her control of a wing of their house in Westfield, a home she would share with her son Jacob. He also left her his bedding and other possessions.7 These considerations, along with the cash, grain, farmland, and the share in the orchard George allotted, would have provided for her comfortable existence for the rest of her life. In 1672, when Jacob married Dorothy Ingersoll, Frances would have had to adjust to having a new mistress in charge of her house, but she might have also welcomed the help with household chores, particularly in her later years. Dorothy and the grandchildren would have cared for Frances at the end of her life, after Jacob passed away in 1689.

Frances herself passed away in Westfield on September 27, 1690. She must have been about 80 years of age. Before her death, she would have witnessed the births of six grandchildren, born to Jacob and Dorothy during her lifetime in the home they all shared. She would have seen her other children grow up, marry, have children, and become prosperous. Some followed her and George to Westfield, others settled Lebanon and Northampton, some stayed in Windsor.

Through her perseverance, she helped to settle Windsor, building a community here that thrives to this day. She also settled Westfield, another thriving New England community. Though Frances outlived several of them, her children all seem to have survived to marriageable age, which must have resulted in thousands of descendants who are alive today. From her uncertain beginning aboard whatever ship brought her to New England, Frances survived, thrived, and provided a solid foundation for later generations of Americans to build upon.

     (?) Clark married Frances (?)

     Thomas came from Sandwich, Kent, England to Dorchester in 1633 and to Windsor in 1638. Thomas Dewey married Frances (?) on 22 March 1638 or 1639 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. Thomas Dewey died on 27 March 1648 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.

     Mary Clark was born circa 1636 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of (?) Clark and Frances (?) Mary Clark was baptized on 30 September 1638. She married John Strong Jr., son of Elder John Strong and Marjorie Dean, on 26 November 1656.¹ Mary Clark died on 26 November 1663 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹

Mary's father's given name is unknown but Mary was not the daughter of Joseph Clark of Windsor, as his daughter married Joseph Bird. ²

     John Strong Jr. was born circa 1632 at Chard area, Co. Somerset, England.³ He was the son of Elder John Strong and Marjorie Dean. John Strong Jr. married Mary Clark, daughter of (?) Clark and Frances (?), on 26 November 1656.³ John Strong Jr. married Elizabeth Warriner in 1664. John Strong Jr. died on 20 February 1697 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.

John Jr. spent his life in Windsor and was a man of prominence in the affairs of that city. He was not mentioned in the will of Elder John Strong having received, along with his brother Return, the Strong Tanneries in Windsor as his inheritance portion. ⁴

     Mary Porter was born on 17 July 1653. She was the daughter of John Porter II and Mary Stanley. Mary Porter married Capt. Joseph Phelps, son of George Phelps and Phillury Randall, on 26 June 1673. Mary Porter died on 10 January 1682 at age 28.

     Hester Hosford was born on 27 May 1664 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She married Capt. Joseph Phelps, son of George Phelps and Phillury Randall, circa 1688.

     John Porter II was the son of John Porter Sr. John Porter II married Mary Stanley in 1650 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. John Porter II died on 2 August 1688.

     Mary Stanley was born on 2 February 1631 at Ashford, Kent, England. She married John Porter II, son of John Porter Sr., in 1650 at Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. Mary Stanley died on 13 September 1688 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 57.

     Jacob Phelps was born on 7 February 1649/50 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of George Phelps and Frances (?) Jacob Phelps married Dorothy Ingersoll on 2 May 1672 at Westfield, Hampden Co., MA. Jacob Phelps died on 6 October 1689 at age 39.

     John Phelps Sgt. was born on 15 February 1651 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of George Phelps and Frances (?) John Phelps Sgt. married Sarah Buckland in 1673.¹ John Phelps Sgt. died circa 1741 at Poquonock, Hartford Co., CT.

     Nathaniel Phelps was born on 9 December 1653. He was the son of George Phelps and Frances (?) Nathaniel Phelps married Eunice (?)¹ Nathaniel Phelps died in June 1723 at age 69.

     Margaret Cook was born on 20 July 1722.¹ She was the daughter of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe. Margaret Cook married John Sirles.

     John Sirles was also known as John Searle. He married Margaret Cook, daughter of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe.

     Mindwell Cook was born in 1724. She was the daughter of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe. Mindwell Cook died in 1801.

     Samuel Cook was born in 1726. He was the son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe. Samuel Cook married Dorothy Gillett, daughter of Daniel Gillett and Mary Eno, on 25 November 1747.¹ Samuel Cook died in 1815.

     Dorothy Gillett was born on 15 May 1726 at Harwinton, Litchfield Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Daniel Gillett and Mary Eno.¹ Dorothy Gillett was also known as Dorothea Gillett.¹ She married Samuel Cook, son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe, on 25 November 1747.¹

     Theophilus Cook Jr. was born in 1729. He was the son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe. Theophilus Cook Jr. died in 1795.

     David Cook was born in 1733. He was the son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe. David Cook died in 1796.

     Jonathan Cook was born in 1733. He was the son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe.

     Noah Cook was born on 7 May 1736 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe.

     Bowman questions brides identity. Elijah Cook was born in 1738. He was the son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe.

     Josiah Cook was born in 1740. He was the son of Theophilus Cook and Mindwell Holcombe. Josiah Cook died in 1792.

     Samuel Mather II married Martha Holcombe, daughter of Benajah Holcombe and Martha Winchell. Samuel Mather II was born in 1706. He was the son of Dr. Samuel Mather and Abigail Grant. Samuel Mather II was graduated in 1726 at Yale. He died on 29 April 1779.

Settled in Northhampton, Mass, as its first regular physician where he practiced nearly 50 years; selectman for 14 terms; justice of peace from April 1754 to 1762; appointed Special Justice of Co. Court of Com. Pl.

     John King was born on 17 May 1705 at Suffield, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of James King III and Elizabeth Huxley. John King married Parnell Holcombe, daughter of Benajah Holcombe and Martha Winchell, on 24 May 1727 at Suffield, Hartford Co., CT. John King died on 19 November 1789 at Suffield, Hartford Co., CT, at age 84.

Information on John King, his ancestors, and his descendants is from John H. and Kathy Lynnette (Evans) Watts, Jr., 3605 N. Lindeke St., Spokane, WA, 99205-2358 jkwatts @icehouse.net; (509) 326-5391.

     Rebecca Wade married John Owen on 3 October 1650 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Sarah Owen was born on 17 February 1694/95 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe. Sarah Owen married Ephriam Phelps, son of Ephraim Phelps and Mary Jaggers, on 30 December 1714.

     Ephriam's will dated 18 July, 1743, probated in Hartford, mentions sons, Asa, David, Jonathan, Elihu, and little daughter Sarah. Ephriam Phelps was born on 28 September 1692 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Ephraim Phelps and Mary Jaggers. Ephriam Phelps married Sarah Owen, daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe, on 30 December 1714.

     Ephraim Phelps was born on 1 November 1663 at Poquonock, Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Samuel Phelps and Sarah Griswold. Ephraim Phelps died on 30 October 1697 at age 33.

     Eunice Owen was born in 1696. She was the daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe. Eunice Owen married Benjamin Moore, son of Andrew Moore and Sarah Phelps. Eunice Owen died in 1732.

     Benjamin Moore was born on 5 December 1693 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Andrew Moore and Sarah Phelps. Benjamin Moore married Eunice Owen, daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe.

     Rebecca Owen was born in 1697. She was the daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe. Rebecca Owen married Mathew Copley Jr. in 1736.

     Mathew Copley Jr. married Rebecca Owen, daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe, in 1736.

     Ann Owen was born in 1700. She was the daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe. Ann Owen married David Higley, son of Brewster Higley and Hester Holcombe, in 1735.

     David Higley was born in 1712. He was the son of Brewster Higley and Hester Holcombe. David Higley married Ann Owen, daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe, in 1735.

     Deborah Owen was born in 1696. She was the daughter of Isaac Owen and Sarah Holcombe.