John WILLEY III (1699 – 1743) was Alex’s 8th Great Grandfather; one of 512 in this generation of the Miner line.

John Willey was born 24 May 1699 in East Haddam CT.  Some say his parents were Isaac WILLEY II and Rose BENNETT. But it is more likely that they were John WILLEY II and Elizabeth HARVEY.  Isaac and John were brothers.  He married Sarah SAUNDERS on 5 Apr 1722 in East Haddam.   John died on 13 Nov 1743 in East Haddam, CT.

View of East Haddam. Connecticut and Goodspeed’s Landing Connecticut River 1880

Sarah Saunders was born in 1705 in East Haddam.  It is not know what branch of the Saunders family she is from. She died in 1791 in East Haddam. (The record of the 1st ch. in East Haddam in a list of deaths in 1791, has Widow Willey, aged 86.)

Children of John and Sarah:

Isaac Willey of New London Connecticut and His Descendants states that John Willey’s parents were John Willey Jr.  and Elizabeth Harvey   instead of Isaac Willey and Rose Bennett.  John and Isaac were brothers.  According to the source, a gravestone in East Haddam cemetery, with the inscription ” I. W., D. Sep. 6, 1728,” perhaps records the death of the John Willey who was the son of Isaac.  John’s birth date is adjusted to be May 24, 1699 which fits him in as the first born before Allen who was born Sept. 29, 1700.  If these revisions are true, we have the following alternative ancestors
John Willey Jr. (1675 -1754)  and Elizabeth Harvey (1680 – )
John Harvey ( 1647 – 1705)  and Elizabeth Willey ( 1650 -1705)
Thomas Harvey (1615 –   and Elizabeth Andrews ( 1614 – 1717)

The following ancestors would be incorrect
Isaac Willey II
Henry Bennett Jr.
Henry Bennett Sr.
Henry Champion

23 Jan 1728 – John  is described in a deed as a miller,

5 Jun 1724 – John bought land in Lyme, with a grist-mill and saw-mill thereon, from John Pelton, which, with 158 acres of land, he sold to his brother Allen Willey for £200.

1739 – John’s grist-mill is mentioned in a deed of Abel Willey to Zachariah Willey

11 Nov 1743 – Will is dated and proved Dec. 26, 1743, he gave the saw-mill to his daughter Keziah, but if David would pay £40, he was to have the mill.  John’s brother Allen was executor. The inventory amounted to £514 14 14 which was a tidy sum in those days.

Children

1. Keziah WILLEY (See Elihu MINER Sr. ‘s page)

2. David Willey

David’s first wife Abigail Cone was born about 1726, baptized 11 May 1729  in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT. Her parents were David Cone (1704 – 1754) and Molly [__?__] ( – 1754).

David’s second wife was Rachel Spencer was born 6 Mar 1728 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT. Her parents were Sgt. Micajah Spencer (1693 – 1753) and Sarah Booge (1704 – 1744). Sarah died about 1775 in East Haddam.

Some genealogies say David’s second wife was Rachel Dutton, but Rachel Dutton married David’s uncle Benajah Willey (1713 – 1752). Rachel Dutton was born 6 Nov 1727 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT. Her parents were Samuel Dutton (1706 – 1790) and Rachel Cone (1708 – 1718) Rachel died 1793 in Millington, CT.

Some genealogies say that the John Willey who married Elizabeth Marshall was David’s son, but it seems more likely that he was the son of Benajah Willey and Rachel Dutton.

John Willey, b. ~ 1741; d. 28 Jun 1818 Litchfield, Middlesex Co., CT; m.  30 Apr 1767 in Litchfield, CT to Elizabeth Marshall ( b. 9 Feb 1741 in Freetown, Mass. – d.  3 Jun 1817 in Litchfield, CT, at the age of 76.) Elizabeth’s parents were John Marshall and Elizabeth Winslow.   John and Elizabeth had seven children born between 1767 and 1782.

John had an illegimate son with Mindwell Scoville, John Willey Jr. ( b. 2 Jan 1789 – d. 21 Oct 1879) After the birth of this child he ran away, and was gone several years. When he returned he lived with his  eldest daughter Abigail till his death.

David’s third wife Rachel Church was born 5 Sep 1732 Millington, Middlesex, CT.  Her parents were John Church (b. 1682) and   Elizabeth Olmstead (b: 1688 in Hartford, Hartford, CT). She first married 14 Nov 1751 to Hezekiah Mack( b. 20 Jan 1728 in Lyme, New London, CT – d. Oct 1755 at Lake George in his 28th year) and had two children John Mack (b. 1752) and Hezekiah Mack (b. 1754).  Rachel died 10 Jul 1801 in her 69th year in Millington.

Child of David and Abigail Cone:

i. Abigail Cone Willey bapt. 22 Jul 1753 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. 1 May 1792 Avon Livingston, New York; m. 4 Jun 1761 in East Haddam to William Markham (b. 14 Sep 1738 in Haddam, Middlesex, CT – d. 1 May 1792 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT)  William’s parents were William Markham (1706 – 1752) and Esther Arnold (1705 – 1746). Abigail and William had eight children born between 1762 and 1778.

The only way Abigail’s 1753 baptism date matches up with her 1761 marriage and 1762 first child is that she was born several years earlier.

In the French and American War in 1759, William was in Capt. Joseph Spencer’s company. Col. Nathan Whiting’s 2nd Connecticutt Regiment.

In 1761, William was in Capt. Giles Wolcott’s Company, Col. Phineas Lyman‘s 1st Connecticut Regiment.

Lyman earned a reputation as the most experienced colonial American officer during French and Indian War. In 1759  he was with Lord Amherst at the capture of Crown Point and Ticonderoga and in 1760 took part in the expeditions to Oswego and Montreal. In 1762 he commanded the colonial contingent of Lord Albemarle‘s army in the capture of Havana. (See my post Battle of Havana – 1762)

Abigail last know to be in Genesee Co., NY.

ii. David Willey, Jr., b. 10 Feb 1748 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. 16 Mar 1819 Lempster, Sullivan Co., NH, at the age of 71, and buried East Lemster Cemetery Lempster, NH.

It’s possible David’s parents were Benajah Willey and Rachel Dutton.

David was living in Lempster, Sullivan, New Hampshire in the 1776 state census.

In the 1790 census, David was living in Lempster, Cheshire, New Hampshire with a wife and a son under 16

Children of David and Rachel Spencer:

iv. Ahimaaz Willey, bapt. 31 Aug 1755 East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. CT 25 Apr 1831 – Wilbraham, Hampden, Mass; m. Jerusha Russell (b. 21 Jun 1751 in Ellington, Tolland, CT – d. 3 Nov 1817 in Windsor, Berkshire, Mass) Jerusha’s parents were Ebenezer Russell (1714 – 1791) and his cousin Susannah Russell (1719 – 1779)

Wilbraham, Hampden, Mass

Ahimaaz settled in Wilbraham, Hampden, Mass. , where he was one of the petitioners in 1805 to the Legislature, for the incorporation of the M.E. parish in W. Ludlow, and Springfield.

Wilbraham was first settled in 1730 by Nathaniel Hitchcock along with what is now Hampden, Massachusetts as the Fourth District of Springfield. It was also known as the Outward Commons, Mountains or Springfield Mountain. Hitchcock built a log hut along what is now Main St. Hunting and logging occurred in the late 17th century.

The Wilbraham town center is among the largest designated historical areas in the country, with fine examples of colonial and Victorian homes from as early as the 1730s along the historical areas of main street. The oldest Methodist meeting house in New England is located in the town’s center, as is the campus of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, founded in 1804.

Ahimaaz  was son and successor of Zadok in the office of high priest (1 Chronicles 6:8, 53). On the occasion of the revolt of Absalom he remained faithful to David, and was of service to him in conveying to him tidings of the proceedings of Absalom in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 15:24-37; 17:15-21).

v. Elizabeth Willey b. 1756 East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. 30 Apr 1835 Marion, Wayne, New York; Burial: Upper Corners Cemetery; m. 1775 East Haddam to Abel Brockway (b. 1755 in Waterbury, New Haven, CT – d. 28 Sep 1838 in Marion, Wayne, New York; Burial: Upper Corners Cemetery) Abel’s parents were Samuel Brockway (1717 – 1806) and Margaret Smith (1725 – 1757). Elizabeth and Abel had nine children born between 1775 and 1800.

Townships of Wayne County New York

Marion is an interior town near the center of the county, about 20 miles east of Rochester, New York and 50 miles west of Syracuse, New York.   Marion was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase.  The area was first settled around 1795.

vi. Jeremiah Willey, bapt. 27 Aug 1758 East Haddem, Middlesex Co., CT, last know in 1794 to be in East Haddem, Middlesex Co., CT, and was buried in East Haddem, CT.

vii. Rachel Willey, bapt. 14 Dec 1760 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT.

viii. Lovina Willey, bapt, 24 Apr 1763 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; m. 25 Jun 1789 – Lempster, New Hampshire to Eleazer Cary (b. 23 Apr 1757 in Windham, New London, CT – d. 15 May 1790 in Lempster, Sullivan, New Hampshire) Eleazer’s sister Eunice married Lovina’s brother Nathan. Their parents were William Cary (1729 – 1808) and Eunice Webb (1733 – 1809).

Eleazer and Eunice Cary’s father, William was Captain of the first company in Col. Benjamin Bellow’s 16th New Hampshire Militia Regiment in 1776. William was Captain of the 8th company in the same regiment in Sep and Oct 1777 which reinforced the army of Gen. Gates at Saratoga.

The regiment was called up at Walpole, New Hampshire, on September 21, 1777, as reinforcements for the Continental Army during the Saratoga Campaign. The regiment marched quickly to join the gathering forces of Gen. Horatio Gates as he faced British Gen. John Burgoyne in northern New York. The regiment served in Gen. William Whipple’s brigade of New Hampshire militia. With the surrender of Burgoyne’s Army on October 17 the regiment was disbanded on October 27, 1777.

ix. Nathan Willey, b. 1765 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. 15 Jun 1826 Goshen, Sullivan, New Hampshire and was buried  in Four Corners Cemetery, Goshen, Sullivan Co.; m. 1 Oct 1789  Lempster, Sillivan, NH to Eunice Cary (b. 4 Jan 1767 in Windham, CT – d. 1807 in West Greece, New York) Eunice’s brother Eleazer married Nathan’s sister Lovina. Their parents were William Cary (1729 – 1808) and Eunice Webb (1734 – 1809) Nathan and Eunice had ten children between 1790 and 1805.

Eunice was a triplet. Born at the same time as Eunice were James Cary (1767 – 1767) and William Cary (1767 – 1815)

x. Deacon Reuben Willey, bapt. 12 Jul 1767 East Haddam, Middlesex, CT;  d. 6 Jan 1846 Goshen, Sullivan, NH buried in Four Corners Cem, Goshen, Sullivan Co.; m. ~ 1796 East Haddam to Sarah Hall ( b ~1777 – d. 9 Nov 1835 in Goshen, Sullivan, NH buried in Four Corner Cemetery)  Reuben and Sarah had six children born between 1797 and 1814.

Reuben settled in Goshen, Sullivan, New Hampshire

Incorporated in 1791, Goshen was first settled in 1768 as a part of Saville (now Sunapee). The name Goshen may have been taken from Goshen, Connecticut, where many residents had relatives.

xi. Olive Willey, bapt. 1 Jul 1770 in East Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT.

Children of David and Rachel Church:

xii. Jeremiah Willey, b. 28 Jul 1777 East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; bapt. as an adult in St. Stephens, East Haddam 20 Jul 1794; d. 14 May 1865 Hamilton, Madison, NY at the age of 87; m. 1797 to Hannah Staples (b.  27 Dec 1778 in Colchester, New London, CT – d. 29 Dec 1869 in Hamilton, NY, at the age of 91) Hannah’s parents were Elijah Staples (1752 – ) and Hannah Bigelow (1759 – ) Jeremiah and Hannah had eleven children born between 1798 and 1821.

Typical scenery of the Hamilton area in the fall season.
Hamilton township is the home of Colgate University founded in 1817.

In the 1860 census, Jeremiah and Hannah were living with their youngest son Omri in Hamilton, Madison, New York

xiii. Sarah Willey b. ~1776; bapt. as an adult 12 Oct 1794 in St. Stephens, East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; m. 12 Oct 1794 in East Haddam to John Osborne (b. CT )

4. Jonathan Willey

Jonathan’s wife Mary Bates was born 21 Aug 1735 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT. Her parents were Clement Bates (1706 – 1784) and Mary Strobridge (1706 -).

Children of Jonathan and Mary

i. Susannah Willey, b. 23 Nov 1758 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT.

ii. Mary Willey, b. 5 Mar 1761 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT.

iii. Jonathan Willey b.    2 Jun 1763 in East Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT; d. bef. 1845 in Rock Creek, Morgan, Ashtabula, OH; m1. Mary [__?__]; m2. 2  Oct 1828 Torrington, Litchfield, CT to  Irena Warner (b. Waterbury, CT – last known to be in Rock Creek, OH)  Irena first married Elisha Hayden. ( – 1812 Wolcotville, CT)

Jonathan was a private in the Connecticut Continental Army.  He was placed on the pension roll 14 Sep 1833 with an annual benefit of $80.00. His pension date was 4 Mar 1831 sums received $240.00
Sums received: 240 00. In 1854 Irena applied for a widow’s pension, bounty land warrant.

Jonathan and Mary’s daughter married Elisha and Irena’s son Augustus in Ohio;  Augustus died after 1888 in Cortland, OH.

Jonathan removed to Morgan, now Rock Creek, bt. 1832, his
wife surviving him in 1845.

iv. Clements Bates Willey b. 19 Apr 1765 East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. 25 May 1841 Rock Creek Morgan Township, Ashtabula, Ohio; m1. 29 Mar 1791 – Barkhamstead, Litchfield, CT to Sarah Hart (b. 1767 – d. 1794 Barkhamstead);  Clement and Sarah had one son Rodney Bates (b. 1790);  m2. 1795 in CT to Candace Merrills (b. 12 Feb 1773 in Canton, Hartford, CT – d. 14 Apr 1846 in Rock Creek, Ohio) Candace’s parents were William Merrill (1732 – 1806) and Sarah Kellogg (1735 – 1801) Clements and Candace had  fourchildren born between 1796 and 1801.

Clement removed about 1808 from Barkhamstead, CT  to Rock Creek, Morgan, Ashtabula, OH.

In the 1820 census, Clement had a household of nine in Tiffin, Adams, Ohio, a few miles north of the Ohio River, 75 miles east of Cincinnati

v.  Azubah Willey, b. 24 May 1767 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. aft. 1804 Marcellus, NY; m.  Humphrey Baker (b. 1772 in W. Simsbury, CT – d. 1832 in Marcellus, NY) Humphrey’s parents were Bildad Baker and Lois Humphrey.

vi. Elles “Alice” Willey, b.  30 Apr 1769 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. 2 Sep 1836 – Castile, Wyoming, New York; m. 11 Jan 1791 – East Haddam to Green Hungerford (b. 20 Aug 1765 East Haddam – d. 1 Jul 1840 in Castile, Wyoming, New York) Green’s parents were Lemuel Hungerford (1733 – 1786) and Sarah Stewart (1732 – 1817) Alice and Green had one child Edmund Hungerford (1791 – 1851)

Green is a common first name in the Hungerford family.

In the Revolution, Green was a private in the Connecticut Militia. He was placed on the pension roll in Genesee County New York on 26 Jul 1833 with an annual allowance of $40.00. His pension commenced 4 Mar 1831 with $100.00 received.

In the 1800 census, Green was living in Canandaigua, Ontario, New York with a household of 5. The town was first settled around 1789. Canandaigua officially became a town in 1791.

vii. Hannah Willey b. 23 Apr 1771 East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. ~1825 Barkhamsted, Litchfield, CT Alternatively, Hannah died about 1841 in East Haddam; m. 20 Jan 1795 Barkhamsted to David Bristol (b. 29 Jan 1776 Barkhamsted – d. 5 May 1856? Stoughton, Dane, Wisconsin). NOTE: I’m not sure this is the same David Bristol because the gravestone reads “AE 64 yrs & 6 ms.” There were two David Bristols in the 1830 census, one living in Barkhamsted, Litchfield, CT with a household of 8 and another living in Vienna, Oneida, New York with a household of 7.

David’s parents were David Bristol Sr. (1742 – 1820) and Lois Hart (1743 – 1825).  Hannah and David had seven children born between 1795 and 1818. After Hannah died, Daniel married Mary Robinson (b. 1805 in Connecticut – d. Kenosha, Kenosha, Wisconsin)

David Bristol Sr. bought 400 acres in Ohio as a member of the Scioto company and was a signer of the articles of agreement  executed Dec 14 1802 in Granby Mass. They paid $1.25 per acre to GeneralJonathan Dayton of Elizabeth Town NJ and Dr. Jonas Stanberry of New York City. David Sr. died in 1820 in Ohio.

The Scioto Company was a French institution whose option on 4,000,000 acres expired in 1790 and sold  worthless deeds in the Northwest Territory, later Ohio, to French colonists. The French settlers  arrived in 1791 and later bought their land again at Gallipolis, from the Ohio Company,  for the same $1.25 per acre that Bristol paid.  The US government also granted to them 24,000 acres  in the southern part of what is now Scioto County, Ohio in 1795,  known as the First French Grant.

David Bristol (1776 – 1856)

viii. Keziah Willey, b. 28 Sep 1773 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT; d. 11 Mar 1813 CT

Sources:

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=32939803

http://www.genealogyofnewengland.com/b_w.htm

Isaac Willey of New London Connecticut and His Descendants – Google Books

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/586973/person/39313152?ssrc=

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nhmerrim/families/AWilleyfamily2.htm