Thomas WELLS (1687 – 1767) was Alex’s 7th great grandfather, one of 256 in this generation of the Miner line.

Thomas Wells was born in 1687 in Groton CT.  Alternatively, Thomas was born in 1682.  His parents were Joseph WELLS and Hannah REYNOLDS.  He married Elizabeth HOWLAND.  Thomas died between 13 June 1767 and 1 Sep 1767  at Cobb Place, or Cobbstown, near Mystic CT.  In his will probated 1 sep 1767 he mentions wife, Elizabeth

and children: Lois, Phebe, Eunice, Amey, Elizabeth, Lucretia, Wait, & Oliver.

Elizabeth Howland was born in 1689 in Groton, CT.  Elizabeth died in 1767 or 1770 in Groton, CT.

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth

	Name	Born	Married	Departed
1.	Thomas Wells Jr.	c. 1710 New London, CT
2.	Lois Wells	c. 1711 New London	Samuel Lamb 5 Mar 1745 Stonington, CT
3.	Amy Wells	c. 1712 New London	[__?__] Scott
4.	Eunice Wells	c. 1713 New London, CT	Thomas Clapp 16 Jul 1740 Newington, Conneticut
5.	Phebe Wells	c. 1714 New London, CT
6.	Elizabeth Wells	c. 1715 New London, CT
7.	Lucretia Wells	~1719 or 13 Aug 1744 Stonington, CT?	Jonathan Jackway? 1762 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut	24 Feb 1836 West Hartford, NY
8.	Wait Wells	3 May 1724 Groton, CT (Old Mystic)	Anna Strickland 13 Dec 1753 New London, CT	24 May 1819 Groton, CT
9.	Oliver WELLS	19 Jun 1732 Groton, CT	Azuba (Fenbor) FITCH 7 Feb 1760 in Norwich-Bozra, CT	25 Oct 1810 Colchester, CT

[Boston Transcript: 8 Apr 1907 9169] Oliver Wells was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Wells of Groton Conn. Beyond this proof is lacking. Thomas(4) is given as being the son of Joseph(3) and Hannah (Reynolds) Wells of Groton Conn and Westerly RI; son of Thomas(2); son of Nathaniel(1) of RI. The maiden name of wife of Thomas(4) is said by a descendent to have been Howland. Thomas(4) died at Cobb Place, or Cobbstown, near Mystic Ct. His will was dated 13 June 1767 and mentions wife Elizabeth and sons Wait and Oliver, daughters Elizabeth, Locretia, Lois, Phebe, Eustice, and Amy.

Delynn Flinn in researching Margaret Wells who married Aaron Stark 1709 in Groton, New London, CT.found the following excerpt:

“Aaron Stark, John Wells & Thomas Wells all of Groton yeomen sendeth greetings, £35, from Joseph Wells of Groton yeoman, lott of land in Groton being the heads of that land [ ] by their father deceased containing by estimation forty acres, [unreadable),

Signed: Aaron Stark, John Wells, Thomas Wells.
Wit: Ebenezer Avery, Dorothy Avery.
Ack. And Recd: 20 Jan 1713/4.”

Children

2. Lois Wells

Lois’ husband Samuel Lamb was born 1692 in Glastonbury, Hartford, CT and was christened 6 Aug 1693 in Glastonbury, Hartford, Connecticut. His parents were Samuel Lamb (1656-1737) and Rebecca Bird.

Lois and Samuel didn’t marry until 1745 when she was about 35 and he was 52. Maybe they didn’t have any children.

4. Eunice Wells

Eunice’s husband Thomas Clapp was born about 1725 Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. His parents were Ensign Thomas Clapp (1688 – 1745) and Mary King (1691 – 1772). He was baptized on Dec 5, 1725 and married Eunice Wells. (Families of Early Hartford, p. 175) Thomas died 26 Jun 1768 in Hartford.

Children of Eunice and Thomas

i. Thomas Clapp b. ~1760 in Hartford, Hartford, CT; m. 8 Feb 1781 Middlesex, CT or Jan 1782 Newington, Hartford, CT to Huldah Bull (b. ~1765 in Hartford)

ii. Roger Clapp b. ~ 1763; d. 24 Sep 1806 in Hartford, Hartford, CT; m. Mary [__?__] (b ~ 1766 Hartford, Hartford, CT – d. 14 Mar 1800 in Hartford, Hartford, CT)

7. Lucretia Wells

Research from Bob Foran – Connecticut shows that it is possible our Lucretia Wells married Thomas Quniley instead of Jonathan Jakways.

The plot on Lucretia Wells b 1744 in either CT or RI and married to Jonathan Jakways (Jaques) 1762 in either Stonington, CT or Exeter, RI – thickens. But another DAR record may be my undoing. DAR 14:340: Thomas Quinley and Lucretia Wells, his wife. Thomas Quinley, (1754-1832), who was born in Scotland, served in the Connecticut militia under Col. Jedediah Huntington. He received a pension for three years’ actual service. He died at New London.

Since Thomas Quinley died across the Thames River from Groton, CT where Thomas & daughter, Lucretia, Wells lived, there is the possibility (probability?) that the Groton Lucretia Wells is not (unfortunately) the same that marred Jonathan Jakways. I would be most grateful for any info or suggestions on tracking down the lineage of Lucretia. Thanks much.

Not only that, but Lucretia’s mother Elizabeth Howland Wells would have been 55 years old 13 Aug 1744 Stonington, CT when Jonathan Jackway’s wife was born. Since Jonathan’s wife’s gravestone shows 24 Feb 1836, there is not much room for her to be born earlier.

Lucretia’s husband Jonathan Jackway, eighth child of Thomas Jacques (1689 – 1744) and Hannah Spink (1696 – 1778) was born April 2, 1739 in Stonington, CT.   Jonathan died 20 Sep 1824 in West Hartford, NY. Burial: West Hartford Cemetery.

The Jackway family is difficult to find  as the name is spelled umpteen different ways including: Jackwais, Jakways, Jackways, Juquay, Jacques, Jackway,  Jackewish, Jaques, and Jaquith.

Jonathan’s great grandfather Abraham Jaquith (1615 – 1676) is believed to have landed in Boston June 18, 1643 with Huguenots from La Rochelle, France, who stopped at Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, where Charles de la Tour and Madame La Tour boarded their vessel. They proceeded to Boston where La Tour persuaded Governor Winthrop and his council that they could stay.”

The ancestors of the Jaquiths were French Huguenots who fled France some time previous to 1628 and went to Cornwall, England, [possibly back to France temporarily], and from there to America. They became a well known, highly respected family of patriots. They were first –in presence and in numbers– at Lexington, Massachusetts at the outbreak of the American Revolution. Abraham was admitted to the 1st Church of Charlestown on October 9, 1643. His wife, Ann, had been admitted earlier in the same year, on February 13, 1643.   In 1648/49, Abraham purchased the home of “Widow Alice Barnard”. He was declared a “Freeman” in 1656.  Abraham died during the smallpox epidemic which swept Charlestown in 1676 but the actual cause of death and place of burial are not known.

Jonathan and Lucretia moved to what is now Washington County, New York in 1773. Washington County is a long narrow county located between Vermont and the Hudson River.  They stayed in Cambridge township for  two years. They then moved to Fort Miller  a pretty little village on the Hudson, for two years. Then they moved to Kingsbury, Washington, NY for three years.  During the Revolution, Kingsbury was twice invaded by British armies. The second invasionary force set fire to everything but the homes of Loyalists. The family finally to West Hartford, Washington, NY in 1780 and settled. Charlotte County, of which Hartford was a part, was annexed by the Vermont Republic in 1781. The following year, it renounced its claim to Charlotte County, and New York officially recognized the town.  Many of the family are buried in the Jakway Cemetery on the Henry Jakway farm in West Hartford, NY.

In the 1800 census, Jonathan Jackways was head of household in Hartford, NY with five members over 25 and six under 25.  In the 1810 census, his household included 25 members!

Males – Under 10:	5
Males – 10 thru 15:	1
Males – 16 thru 25:	7
Males – 45 and over:	1
Females – Under 10:	5
Females – 16 thru 25:	4
Females – 45 and over :	1
Number of All Other Free Persons:(Non White)	1
Number of Household Members:	25

Children of Lucretia and Jonathan

i. Cynthia Jakways  b: 02 Sep 1765 in Stonington, New London, CT;  d: 09 Sep 1835 Madison, Madison, New York; m. 08 Apr 1784 in Hartford, Washington, NY to Oliver Stewart  (b: 02 Mar 1761 in Colrain, Franklin Co, MA  m: – d: 21 March 1858 in Stockbirdge, Madison, NY) Oliver’s parents were Samuel Stewart (1739 – 1759) and Rebecca Henry (1738 – 1823) Cynthia and Oliver had nine children between 1785 and 1806.

Oliver was in the New York Militia in the Revolution.

Settled in 1791 in Augusta (now Stockbridge) Madison, New York The area was a location where the Stockbridge Indians relocated around 1780, assisted by Quakers and was called the New Stockbridge Territory. These natives of New England accepted an invitation of the Oneida tribe to relocate in New York. Subsequent disagreements with the influx of white settlers caused the Stockbridge group to relocate to Indiana and later to Wisconsin. Stockbridge was the birthplace of meatpacking industrialist Philip Danforth Armour and brother Herman Ossian Armour

The town was first settled in 1791 by white pioneers. The town was formed in 1836 from parts of four other towns.

After Cynthia died, Oliver married 6 Jan 1844 Age: 82 Colrain, Franklin, Mass. to Margaret Spoor.  When he died in 1858 he was one of the last remaining Revolutionary war veterans.

Author: Edson, George Thomas Publisher: Burchard, Neb., The Times print shop Language: English Call number: 39999064403635

ii. Lucretia Jakways

iii. Asenath “Sena” Jakways  b. 06 May 1763 Litchfield, CT; m.1780 to Asa Durham (b ~ 1760 in Torrington, Litchfield, CT – d. May 1834) Asa’s parents were Samuel Darwin (1722 – 1789) and Dorthy [__?__] (1722 – ) Asenath and Asa had five children born between 1786 and 1808.

iv. Jesse Jaques b. 1765 Rhode Island; d. 1817 in Delaware, New York; m. Maria Boice (b. 1771 in Sandy Hill, Washington, New York – d. 1828 in Delaware, New York,) Maria’s parents were Abraham Boyce (1755 – 1831) and Mary Cowen (1750 – 1824) Jesse and Maria had eight children born between 1791 and 1816.

Jesse appears on the 1800 and 1810 census for Washington county, NY, but is known to have removed to Schoharie county before 1814.

v. Hannah Jakways b. 24 February 1768; m1. Hiram Arnold; m2. [__?__] Sloan

vi. Jonathan Jakways  b. 1770 in Hartford, Washington. NY; d. 1850 – Washington, New York

vii. Elisha Jakways  b. 2 May 1773 Washington, NY (Rhode Island on his 1850 census record); d. 14 May 1856 in Hartford, Washington, NY;m.  Lydia [____] (b. ~1781  – d. 17 Sep 1842 Washington, NY) Elisha and Lydia had four children between 1802 and 1814.

In the 1850 census, Elisha was living in Hartford, Washington, New York with his children John (48), Jonathan (42) and Almira (40).

viii Spink Jakways b. 15 May 1774; d. 20 Jun 1843 in West Hartford, Washington,  NY’; m. Mary [__?__] (b. 4 Jul 1800 (1804 New York according to 1850 census) – d. 6 Dec 1857) Spink and Mary had six children born between 1832 and 1843.

In the 1850 census, Mary was living in Hartford, Washington, New York with Harriett Grant her children Simeon (18), Melissa (16), Matilda (14), Lucretia (12) and Thomas (9).

ix. George Jakways b. 03 Oct 1777;  d. 18 Nov 1825 in West Hartford, Washington, NY; m. 1794 Age: 17 Fort Ann, Washington, New York to Ruth Morey (b. 24 Dec 1776 in Rhode Island – d. 17 Nov 1868 in Martville, Cayuga, New York) George and Ruth had eight children.

In the 1860 census, Ruth was living with her youngest son Archibald Jackways in Victory, Cayuga, New York.

x.  Simeon Jakways  b. 6 Jan 1780;  d: 17 Oct 1825 in West Hartford, Washington, NY; m. Sara [__?__] (1789 – 31 Jul 1838 Washington County New York)

xi. Thomas Jakways b. 1782;  d.  16 Sep 1841 in West Hartford, Washington, NY; m. Mary “Polly” Rosey (b. Massachusetts – d. 25 Dec 1855) Thomas and Mary had eight children.

In the 1850 census, five of their children Ira (39), Morgan (31), Hester (26), Frank (22) and Bill (23) were farming together in Cato, Cayuga, New York.

The village of Cato was part of the Central New York Military Tract, land set aside in 1782 for veterans of the Revolution. Prior native occupants were compelled to live on reservations established at that time. The first permanent settler arrived around 1805, and the new community was called “Jakway’s Corners.”

xii.  John Jakways  b. 28 Sep 1784 – Hartford, Washington, New York; d. 30 Apr 1845 – Cato, Cayuga, New York

John is buried within an iron picket enclosure over six feet high, with no gates, located between two buildings in back of the Jewel Funeral Home in Cato NY.

Settlement at Cato was commenced in 1805, by Platt Titus, who remained only two or three years. The first permanent settler was Dr. John Jakway, who came from Vermont [Washington County, New York could have been considered part of Vermont at that time], in company with John Hooker, the latter of whom settled in the Ira side of the village. They came about 1809, and were preceded by some squatters, whose improvements Jakway bought. The village was long known as Jakway’s Corners, a name it derived from the fact of Jakway’s settlement there.

Dr. John Jakway opened a store about 1838, which he kept some seven or eight years, when he sold his stock to Wm. H. Nobles, who kept a store four or five years.

The first physician at Cato was John Jakway, who practiced till his death in 1844. The next was John Hoxie, who practiced with Jakway till 1833. Ezra Parker came in from Fort Ann, Washington county, about 1833, and practiced with Jakway some ten years, when he removed to Wisconsin.

FROM STORKE’S HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY N.Y., PG. 290: Dr. John Jakway came in- about 1809, from Vermont, where he was a confrere of Ethan Allen, of whose singularly rugged energy he largely partook. About 1812 he bought the improvements of Abner Hollister, at Cato,.to which place he gave the name of Jakway’s Corners, by which it was known for many years. He was the first permanent settler at that village. He was preceded by some squatters, among whom were John West and Barber Allen, whose improvements he also bought. Jakway was a bachelor and a confirmed infidel, and a man of generous impulses and marked idiosyncrasies.

xiii. Henry Jakways b. 07 April 1788 – Unknown

8. Wait Welles

Wait’s wife Anna Strickland was born 1733 in Groton, New London, Connecticut. Her parents were Thomas Strickland and Zipporah Billings. Anna died 28 Apr 1799 in Groton, New London, Connecticut. Burial: Wightman Cemetery, Groton

Wait enlisted May 8, 1775; discharged Dec 17, 1775; Served as a Private in Captain Abel Spicer’s company and 1776 served in Captain Edward Motte’s t for the defense and protection of the harbor of New London.  Wait fought at White Plains.

Wait’s great great grandson said he served in the 10th company, 6th Continental Regiment, but I can’t find a record of that regiment.  10th company,  The only Connecticut unit at White Plains I can find is  Joseph Spencer‘s 2nd Connecticut Regiment.  Washington ordered Spencer out to slow the British advance.

The Battle of White Plains was fought on October 28, 1776. Following the retreat of George Washington’s Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed troops in Westchester County, New York intending to cut off Washington’s escape route. Alerted to this move, Washington retreated farther, establishing a position in the village of White Plains but failed to establish firm control over local high ground. Howe’s troops drove Washington’s troops from a hill near the village; following this loss, Washington ordered the Americans to retreat farther north.

Later British movements chased Washington across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. Washington then crossed the Delaware and surprised a brigade of Hessian troops in the December 26 Battle of Trenton.

Children of Wait and Anna:

i. Thomas Wells b. 12 Sep 1753, Groton, New London, CT; d. 16 Apr 1846, Groton (age 92) Burial: Wightman Cemetery, Groton; m. 1782 Stonington, New London, CT to  Phoebe Ecclestone (b. 1765 Stonington – d. 17 Sep 1840 Groton) Phebe’s parents were Benedict Eggleston (1739 – 1834) and Abigail Woodward (1747 – 1802). Thomas and Phebe had nine children.

ii. Zipporah Wells b. 1761 Groton, CT; d. 31 Dec 1859, Whitman Burial Ground, Groton, New London, CT

Zipporah Wells Gravestone It appears she lived to 98 unmarried, though her sister Hannah’s gravestone doesn’t mention a husband either

iii. Hannah Wells b. 1764, Groton, CT; d. 28 Dec 1849 Groton, CT; Burial: Wightman Cemetery, Groton Hannah’s gravestone doesn’t mention a husband, maybe because Roswell Hoskins died almost 40 years earlier; m. 1 Dec 1791 Winchester, Litchfield, CT or Wethersfield, Hartford, CT to Roswell “Rozel” Ira Hoskins (b. 30 Aug 1769 in Winsted, Litchfield, CT – d. 1810 in Brookfield, Morgan, Ohio) Roswell’s parents were Joseph Hoskins (1731 – 1818) and Eunice Coe (1742 – 1810). Hannah and Roswell had five children between 1794 and 1811.

iii(a). I’m including this alternative Hannah Wells because she is listed in so many genealogies, but I don’t think any of Wait and Anna’s children were born in Stamford. b. 26 Apr 1766 in Stamford, Fairfield, CT; d, 25 Apr 1849 in Middle Granville, Washington, New York; m. 1782 to Asa Reynolds (b. 8 Aug 1759 in Nine Partners, New York – d. 25 Dec 1834 in Ganville, Washington, New York) Asa’s parents were Joseph Reynolds (1727 – 1799) and Lydia Parker (1732 – 1789) Hannah and Asa had fourteen children between 1781 and 1806.

iv. Edward Welles b. 3 May 1768, Groton, New London, CT;  d. 5 June 1856, Groton, New London , CT m.  19 Oct 1809 to Ruth York (b. 26 Mar 1786 Groton – d. 31 Oct 1870 Groton) Edward and Ruth had five children born between 1812 and 1824.

In the 1870 census, Ruth was living with her son Russell in Groton.

v. Sarah Wells b. 1774 in Groton, New London, CT; d. 1795 in Groton

vi. Wait Wells b. 30 Jan 1776 – Hartford, CT; d. 21 May 1777 – Glastonbury, Hartford, CT

Sources:

hhttp://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hillmer/DNA/p222.htm#i5665

http://users.ece.utexas.edu/~perry/fun/genealogy/mell-chrt7.pdf

http://users.ece.utexas.edu/~perry/fun/genealogy/mell/wells.html

Early Connecticut marriages as found on ancient church records …, Volume 5 edited by Frederic William Bailey