Capt. Thomas Topping

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Topping

Capt. Thomas Topping, first of the name in Southampton, was born in Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, England. He was son of John and Selena Blacket Crossman Topping and was baptized March 19, 1608.Capt. Topping was made freeman of Southampton in 1650 after residence in Wethersfield, Conn. (1636) and Milford, Conn. (1640) and Hempstead, L.I. (1644), leaving his mark as a man of strong character and action upon each community. He lived in Southampton from 1649 to 1673, and was one of the most active developers of the town, a magistrate, a Captain of militia, served many terms as representative of Southampton at Hartford when the eastern Long Island towns were under Connecticut Colony; was one of New York Governor Nicolls' Council in 1664, a member of the Hempstead Convention, and one of the Commissioners of Admiralty in 1665, High Sheriff in 1666. He made the Topping Purchase of land west of Canoe Place, which was turned over to Southampton town after some years' controversy and now forms its western half. He eventually returned to Milford, then settled in Branford, serving also from there, as representative to the legislature in Hartford; and died there in 1687. Capt. Topping's home lot was on South Main Street, Southampton His house still stands; today it is a part of the Episcopal Rectory. His sons' James, John, and Elnathan were among the founders of the hamlet of Sagaponack, between Southampton and East Hampton villages and so near Wainscott (in E.H. Town) that its families have always been intimately associated with East Hampton. Toppings have always lived close to the Town Line on both sides. [topping1New.ged]

Thomas Topping (b. 1608), the first of this name in Southampton, according to family tradition was a refugee from religious persecution in England.

Sources

  1. [S19402] "The Early History of Southampton, L.I., NY With Genealogies" by GeorgeRogers Howell, M.A. (Yale Univ.) 1887.

 Thomas Topping, the first of this name in Southampton, according to family tradition, was a refugee from religious persecution in England. Savage says "Thomas Topping of Milford, 1639, but earlier was of Wethersfield and Representative in 1639, joined the church of Milford with his w. Emma in 1640. Had son Elnathan baptized Aug. 2, 1640, and James Feb. 12, 1643. A contract made Oct. 20, 1666, at Milford, for his marriage with Mary, widow of Timothy Baldwin, is by her referred to ten years later when she was disposing of her property, in conformity with said contract to her children. He had before 1678 made Lydia the widow of John Wilford his third wife, and for the residue of his days lived at Branford, where, Oct. 5, 1686, he gave by deed to his sons Elnathan and James at Southampton, all his lands in the latter place; to d. Mary Quinney (or some such name), ten cows; to d. Martha Herrick 10 pounds, in addition to what she had already received, to be paid by the sons, who then had the keeping of the cows also. His widow in 1688 transacted business with those sons and died Nov., 1694." From the Southampton Records it is clear that the Thomas Topping mentioned by Savage resided several years in Southampton, then removed to Branford, and there remained till his death. Capt. Thomas the first settler gave his son 5 Capt. Thomas his homestead at the south end. The latter dies in 1682, and in 1683 Capt.Thomas of Branford confirms the gift of the same to Thomas, oldest son of 5 Capt. Thomas. (History of Southampton) Birth: 1608 in Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, England Death: DEC 1687 in Branford, New Haven Co, CT Burial: 1688 Branford, New Haven Co, CT Baptism: 19 MAR 1608 Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, England

GEDCOM Source

@R603430127@ One World Tree (sm) Ancestry.com Name: Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., n.d.; Source Medium: Ancestry.com Online publication - Ancestry.com. OneWorldTree [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc.

GEDCOM Source

@R603430127@ One World Tree (sm) Ancestry.com Name: Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., n.d.; Source Medium: Ancestry.com Online publication - Ancestry.com. OneWorldTree [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc.