Daniel “Ould” Finch

Nicknamed "Ould Finch", Abraham [SIC: DANIEL] Finch Sr. of Essex came over from England with the Winthrop fleet, with the Arbella as flagship in 1630. Also making the voyage were his sons Abraham Jr., Samuel, John and Daniel. They sold their English inheritances to pay for passage to the new world. Soon after making the landing, Abraham's wigwam burned and his property was lost. In 1637 a Pequot War Chief named Nepaupuck murdered Abraham Jr. (b. 1585) and was beheaded for the crime in 1638.

Biography

Daniel Finch emigrated in 1630, initially settling in Watertown, MA, then removing to Wethersfield 1635, Stamford 1641, Fairfield 1653.[1] He was made freeman 18 May 1631.[1] Daniel was among the founders of Watertown,[4] and built his house on land previously untouched by Europeans.[4]He removed before the beginning of recorded land grants in 1636.[1] On 26 April 1636, Daniel Finch was appointed Constable at Wethersfield, Connecticut.[1]

Family

Parents unknown

Married

1. He married by 1610 in England, as his 1st, to Unknown Unknown; not seen in any NE record.[1]
2. He married after 25 Dec 1657, as his 2nd, to Elizabeth (Unknown) Thompson; widow of John Thompson. She died by 1658.[1] No known children of Daniel and Elizabeth.
3. He married by April 4, 1660, as his 3rd, and as her 2nd, to Mary (Unknown) Dickerson, widow of Thomas Dickerson. Mary outlived Daniel and married, as her 3rd, to Nicohlas Pinion, of East Haven.[1][3]

Child with first wife, name unknown:[1]

• Abraham b "say" 1610 in England; m Dorothy Moulton (she m 2) John Edwards, 3) Richard Tousley[5]

Daniel and his 2nd wife had no children.

Child with third wife, Mary (Unknown) Dickerson:[1]

• Nathaniel Finch born say 1662; mar 1) Mary Hemingway, 2) Mary's sister Elizabeth, invalidated by the Court, although there was a child, 3) Mary Hoadley, widow of Jonathan Frisbie, Robert Darby

Origins

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Finch-361

Daniel Finch - both he and John first lived in Watertown, both moved to Stamford, (though Daniel lived in Wethersfield before moving to Stamford).[1] They were not father and son, apparent from Daniel's will.[1] They could have been brothers, although Daniel was almost a generation older than John.[1]

Samuel finch of Roxbury - has also been named as a brother of Daniel and/or John, but according to Anderson, this is less likely.[1]

From Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Oct 17 2017, 23:45:26 UTC

According to Anderson in Great Migration Begins, we do not know the origin of Daniel Finch. He was probably born in England and was the father of Abraham Finch who was born in England "say" 1610.[1] Estimated birth date is 1585, based on the estimated date of his first marriage.

Abraham had a son named Abraham, (grandson to Daniel), who would have been born just before son Abraham was killed in the Pequot War.[2] Many researchers have contended that this grandson Abraham was adopted by his grandfather, Abraham[2] [sic the grandfather was named Daniel].[3]

Some works, including The History of Wethersfield have contended there was an ancient Abraham Finch known as "Old Finch" and that he was the father of "Abraham killed by Indians."[3] Jacobus contends that this character, "Old Finch," was actually Daniel Finch, and the problem arises from a single error in the record.[3] Upon the death of son Abraham, the 1640 estate record stated that the grandfather "Abraham" offered to take responsibility for the child, Abraham.[3] This single error, in calling the grandfather "Abraham" instead of his correct name, Daniel, has caused much confusion.[3] We find proof when in 1657, the estate of Daniel was committed by the court to the management of his grandson, Abraham.[3] Daniel, born c. 1585, was certainly old enough to be called "Old Finch" in the Wethersfield records of the 1640's, and since his grandson was also living there, the nick-name would have been used.[3] In addition, when the grandson, Abraham, died in Saybrook (will presented 5 June 1667) his estate included both property at Wethersfield and livestock in Fairfield.[3] This identifies him as the son of Abraham and the grandson of Daniel Finch.[3] He had removed with his mother and her 3rd husband, Richard Tousley, to Saybrook.[1]

Associations

Anderson admits the likelihood that Daniel and John Finch were related, but believes that Daniel was a generation older.[1]

Jacobus did much work on the Finch family and described them as, "perhaps the most difficult family he has studied" (Page 669).[1]

Daniel Finch, only child of John and Anne Finch, married, and in 1644 with a number of others, removed to Brantford, Connecticut, where they were joined in the settlement of the place, and the formation of a church by the Rev. Abraham Pierson and a part of his congregation from Southampton, Long Island. (Note: Date of Indian Massacre, April 23, 1637).

This removal from Wethersfield was caused by a contention and division in the Church of long standing, which the Rev. Mr. Davenport of New Haven, Connecticut and some others were sent to reconcile, but failed. They recommended a separation and the formation of a new settlement, which took place and Brantford, Connecticut, purchased by William Swaine and others of Wethersfield, became the place of their settlement. The Indian name of Brantford was Totoket.