"Isaac came to America to Boston in 1630 from England. He was said to have helped form and build the City of Boston."

Isaac was of Boston about 1640, and removed to Charlestown, before 1644. In 1645 he went with John Winthrop Jr., to New London, CT. What is known about him there is given in Mrs. Caulkin's History of New London. From this we learn that in 1645 Isaac Willey and John Stebbins mowed the meadows of the Upper Mamacook. At a meeting held 25 Feb 1647, he was chosen with John Winthrop, Robert Hempsteed, Samuel Lothroup and Thomas Minor, "to act in all Toune affaires;" and at the same meeting he was granted "to have a planting lot at the other side of the cove, near Mr. deane winthrops lot.". The first grantee was John Wimthrop and Isaac Willey was the fifth after him, "his home lying north west of Mr. Winthrop's on the upper part of what are now Williams street and Main street." More information available.

Notes

• Isaac Willey, Sr.24,25, born 1614 in Wiltshire, Yorkshire Co, England; died 1685 in Haddam, Middlesex Co, MA; married (1) Anna Lester Bef. 1637; died Unknown; married (2) Joanna Lutten 1637; born Abt. 1618 in New London, New London Co, CT; died Abt. 1670 in New London, New London Co, CT; married (3) Hannah Brooks 1670; born Abt. 1620 in Concord, Middlesex Co, MA; died Unknown.

Sources

1. Isaac Willey of New London, CT, & His Descendants, by Henry Willey, 1888, New Bedford, MA

Links

• http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/pearl/www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6315/family/willeyhenrybook.html

-------------------- Isaac Willey was born @1614 in England. He married 19-year-old Joanna Lutton in 1637.3 They were in Boston at least by August 8, 1640 because there they baptized their son, Isaac (Boston Records., p.10). In 1645, Isaac was one of the five original settlers of the Nameaug plantation at the mouth of the Pequot River which became the Town of New London, Connecticut on 6-MAY-1646. Isaac was a selectman in 1647. He built his farm at Mill Brook at the base of Post Hill on the upper part of what are now Williams and Main streets. Later he moved to the head of the Niantic (Nahantic) River where "Old Goodman Willie" was legally confirmed in his property in 1664. He was one of three "certain individuals at Pequot" who were charged in May of 1649 for resisting a constable and letting go an Indian in their charge. In 1657 he had 3 cows, 6 calves, a litter of swine, and a share in 2 or 3 sheep.8 Although a 23-JUL-1650 letter from the First Church in Boston had recommended Joanna, in 1667 Goodwife Willey was presented before the court "for not attending public worship, and bringing her children hither" and fined 5 shillings.6 In November, 1669, Isaac was one of 4 men to lay out the King's Highway between N.L. and the Niantic River.8 Over a land dispute between New London and Lyme, on March 12, 1671 Isaac was among those arraigned in Hartford "for attempts by violence to drive Mr. Griswold and Lt. Waller off their land, and resistance to authority, and assault."