Edward Colver, Sr.

Edward Colver was born circa 1599 at Of, Dedham, Norfolk, England. Edward Colver was born circa 1610 at England.

He married Ann Ellis, daughter of John Ellis and Ann Benjamin, on 19-Sep-1638 at First Church of Dedham, Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; this marriage was the second entered in the records of the First Church of Dedham. Rev. John Allin performed the ceremony.

Edward Colver died in 1685 at Mystic, New London County, Connecticut. He died in 1685 at New London, New London County, Connecticut.

Edward immigrated circa Sep-1635 to Massachusetts Bay Colony; He came with John Winthrop, the younger son of John Winthrop, Governor of MA, and himself Governor of CT.

He took part in the Pequot War. He enlisted the aid of the Mohicans to defeat the Peqots, and was later held in such high esteem by Chief Uncas that he name one of his children after Edward Colver's son Joshua, in 1637.

He resided at at Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, between 1648 and 1653. He was granted 200 acres between 1652 and 1653. He resided at at Pequot now, New London, New London County, Connecticut, after 1653. He was granted 400 acres known as Chepadas. He made his home here. In 1654. He sold land he deeded the 400 acres to his sons Joseph and Ephiram. In 1678. He resided at at Mystic, New London County, Connecticut, after 1678; He lived in a house built by his son Joshua. He was a wheelwright and Indian scout.

Children of Edward Colver and Ann Ellis:

1. John Colver+ b. 15-Apr-1640, d. 1725
2. Joshua Colver b. 12-Jan-1641/42, d. 23-Apr-1713
3. Samuel Colver b. 9-Jan-1643/44
4. Joseph Colver b. 20-Sep-1646
5. Gershom Colver b. 3-Dec-1648, d. 1717
6. (Unknown) Colver b. 1652, d. 1652
7. Hannah Colver b. 11-Apr-1652
8. Lt. Edward Colver Jr. b. circa 1654, d. 7-Apr-1732
9. Ephraim Colver b. circa 1656

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Disputed Origins

Seen as son of John Edward Allyn Culver and Mercy Ann Colver, but this seems a case of “born on the internet.” Mercy / Mary Ann Winthrop is a frankly fictional construct who never existed.

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Biography

Edward Cullver was a founder of Dedham, Mass., in 1636. He Married Ann Ellis (Elles) on Sept. 19, 1638 by the Rev. John Allyn. His Father-in-law John Elles was also a signer of the Covenant of Dedham. After the Indian wars he removed with his family to New London, Conn., where the Collvers became acquainted with the prominent Rogers family.

Children of Edward and Anne (Ellis) Culver:

• 1. John Collver, Sr., baptized 15 Apr 1640, died 1733. Will dated 2 Dec 1732, Black River, Hunterdon Co., N.J. m. Sara Winthrop, daughter of Gov. John Winthrop
• 2. Joshua Culver, baptized 12 Jan, 1643
• 3. Samuel Culver, baptized 9 Jan, 1645
• 4. Gershom Culver, baptized at Roxbury, MA, Dec 1648. Found at Southampton, L.I. in 1668. m. Mary Howell will probated 2 July 1716, names his wife, Mary, and his children, Jeremiah, David, Jonathan, Moses, Mary and Gershom
• 5. Joseph Culver, baptized at Roxbury, MA, Dec 1648
• 6. Hannah Culver, baptized at Roxbury, MA, Apr 11 1651 m. John Burrows
• 7. Edward Culver, Jr., b. 1653, a founder of Lebanon, Conn. m. Sarah Backus, b. 1663, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Pratt) Backus; Edward and Sarah had a son: Samuel who married Harriet Hibberd

As a very young man, Edward Colver Immigrated in about 1635 from England with John Winthrop, Jr., son of John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts to MA possibly on the the Mary and John. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Boston in 1635. He was a Wheelwright.

Culver Family Tradition - Yale Ancestors

The following note has been circulating in our family for several years, although its origin is unknown to us.

It may have been based in part upon the R.H. Yale book, "Yale Genealogy And The History Of Wales", although at least some of the genealogy (and possibly the entire text of the note), apparently came from the July, 1924 issue of the New Haven Genealogy Magazine, published by D. L. Jacobus, New Haven, Connecticut. However, it is clear from the dated references and the inclusion of later descendants that some of the genealogy came from other sources, possibly the records of Phyllis Melissa Culver (Raymer) or those of Edwin (Ned) Culver (See also, Ned's Family History, "The Golden Years from 1908" on this Website).

The names of Millard Everett Culver and his children (displayed in red) were not included in the original, but have been added by us.

Although we do not yet possess primary source documentation of this lineage, the confidence we have in connecting our immediate family (the descendants of Millard Everett Culver) to the line of Ambrose Culver and Eliza Yale rests in the fact that Millard's brother, Lawrence Culver and his sister, Phyllis Melissa Culver are listed in this genealogy, along with Phyllis' children (who, as our cousins, have contributed to this website), and her parents are the parents of our grandfather, Millard Everett Culver.

If you have information regarding the origin of this material, we would appreciate hearing from you.

CULVER

BACKGROUND:

The name CULVER is derived from the Anglo-Saxon "culver," meaning a pigeon, dove or gentle, and the word culverhouse is still found in some parts of England where it is used to indicate a dovecote. It probably originated as a surname with some person who kept doves or pigeons.

According to the documentation accompanying the CULVER family arms, there are two possible explanations for the origin of the English surname Culver. In the first case, it may be of local origin, being one of those names derived from the place where a man once lived or where he once held land. The source of the name can be traced to the Old English word "culfre" which denotes "a dove." Thus, the bearer of the surname was one who lived at or near the sign of the culver or dove.

Alternatively, the surname may be of nickname origin, being one of those names based on a personal or physical characteristic of the original bearer. In this case, the name was probably given to a person as a term of endearment. However, it may also have been applied to a mild and peaceful person.

The surname is recorded in English documents in 1273. In that year one William Culvere of Hertfordshire is listed in the Hundred Rolls. John Culvard of Oxford and William Culverd are also mentioned in that document.

ARMS:

BRAZON OF ARMS: Argent, a chevron between three culverin gules.

Translation: Argent (white) denotes Peace and Sincerity. The chevron signifies Protection and is granted to those who have accomplished some notable service. Gules (red) represents Military Fortitude and Magnanimity.

CREST: A pelican vulning herself proper.

Translation: The pelican symbolizes Filial Devotion

ORIGIN: ENGLAND

CULVER in America

Edward Culver, the English progenitor of the American family, came from one of the southern counties of England, emigrating to this country in the company of John Wentworth, of Massachusetts, and arrived in the autumn of 1635. He was quite a young man at that time, belonged to the guild of Millwrights, and was often designated in the old records as "Edward Culver, Millwright:. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Boston, in 1636, and was an energetic and enterprising spirit, for we hear of him shortly after his arrival taking part in the court in Boston, called for the purpose of forming a company willing to push into the wilderness and start a new settlement. This settlement was at first called Contentment but later Dedham. The name of Edward Culver was sixty-eight on the list of one hundred and twenty-four who signed the covenant.

On November 24, 1647, the following grant of land is recorded: "Edward Coulver-10-Ordered that Edward Coulver, whealright, shal have twoe akers layed out for implymen of his trade, and afterward to have an addician, also where it shal be found needful…in the meantyme to have free liberty of taking Timber for his trade."

His name is mentioned frequently in the town records, and he was a man of affairs. He took part in the Pequot War in 1637, and from that time on, was noted as an Indian Scout, being on terms of friendship with several Indian tribes who accompanied him on scouting expeditions.

In the first Pequot War he was sent by Colonel John Mason who commanded the band of ninety whites to enlist help of the Mohicans with result that King Uncas brought one hundred and fifty warriors to take part in the battle. At daybreak, June 4, 1637(?), they separated and utterly exterminated the Pequots. King Uncas held Edward Culver in great esteem and named a son after Culver's second son, Joshua. For the service mentioned above, Culver received two grants of land, one of two hundred acres, and the other of four hundred acres. These grants of land were situated about four miles north of the scene of the battle, at New London.

In 1676, when King Philip made war against the New England Colony, Edward Culver, then an old man of 75, went out with his four sons, Edward, Ephraim, Joshua, and Samuel, to fight against the noted chief. They took part in the Swamp Fight near Tiverton, Rhode Island, December 19, 1675, where the tribes met defeat and heavy losses of historic note.

Edward Culver the only soldier in that engagement who had taken part in the previous Pequot War, and as the tactics were the same, it is thought that the old soldier aided Captain Dennison who commanded the Connecticutt men at the Swamp Fight. The "Colonial Records of Connecticutt" mentions the service of Edward Culver as follows: "The Council order John Steadman and Edwrd Culver, with some Indians to goe forth upon Scout betwixt this and Springfield to make what discoveries they could upon the enemie to the west of the river…"

Culver or Colver:

Edward Culver founder of the Culver family in America, came in 1635 with Governor Winthrop of Connecticut. He was a native of Southeast England. He settled near Boston at a place called "Contentment." He fought in King Philip's War. He married Ann Ellis, daughter of John Ellis, at the First Church of Dedham (first marriage performed there).

Children of Edward and Ann Culver

1. John (b. 4/15/1640 - married Mary, daughter of Governor Winthrop)

2. Joshua (b. 1/12/1642, - married Elizabeth Ford)

3. Samuel (no further information available)

4. Joseph (b. 9/20/1644 - married John's widow, Mary)

5. Gershom (b. 12/3/1645, no further information)

6. Infant daughter died.

7. Hannah (b. 4/11/ 1652, married John Burrows)

8. Edward (b. 1654, no further information)

9. Ephraim (b. 1656, no further information)

Children of Joshua Culver and Elizabeth Ford Culver

1. Elizabeth

2. Ann

3. Elizabeth (first must have died, no further information)

4. Joshua (born in Wallingford, Connecticut in 1684)

5. Samuel

6. Abigail

7. Sarah

8. Ephraim

Children of Joshua Culver and Katherine Street (daughter of Samuel Street, the first pastor of Wallingford married April 1713)

1. Benjamin, born September 1716

2. Stephan

3. Samuel

4. Stephan (first must have died)

5. Daniel

6. Titus

7. Joshua

8. Joshua (first must have died)

Children of Benjamin Culver and Lydia Tuttle

1. Joshua

2. Benjamin, born at Wallingford March 25, 1757, died March 8, 1860 (103 yrs old?), married Martha Howd in 1782. Minuteman and volunteer in Captain James Peck's Company, and Colonel Roger Enos' Battalion, September 17, 1777, as a private (20 years old).

Children of Benjamin Culver and Martha Howd Culver (all born in Wallingford)

1. Ambrose (b. November 27, 1782, (sea captain))

2. Orrin

3. William Howd

4. Benjamin (b. 1798, married Harriet Allen, 1819, had a daughter Harriet who died February 12, at age of 18)

5. Lavinia (married Samuel Cook, who became U.S. Senator)

6. Harriet (married George Cook, brother of Samuel Cook)

(From Vital Records of Wallingford)

Ambrose Culver married Lucy Peck (b. December 6, 1781, daughter of Abner and Sarah Peck, they were married in the First Congregational Society, Wallingford, Connecticut. Ambrose Culver died before 1810, and Lucy Peck Culver married William of New Haven, Connecticut, December 1, 1818. (This information was taken from the New Haven Geneology Magazine, July 1924, published by D. L. Jacobeus, New Haven, Connecticut.)

Child of Ambrose Culver, son of Ambrose Culver and Lucy Peck

Ambrose (b. July 18, 1806, Wallingford. Married Eliza Yale (b. June 4, 1806 - See Yale Geneology).

Children of Ambrose and Eliza Yale Culver

1. Henry (b. February 4, 1829, married Elizabeth Duley Mead on June 25, 1852, died at New Haven , Indiana, 1893).

2. Harriet (b. December 4, 1833, married Eli Stratton, March 18, 1852, died January 5, 1859).

3. Mary Elizabeth (b. March 12, 1837, married Dr. Elwood P. Haines, September 25, 1861, died in Orwell (Ohio?) May 30, 1868, left a daughter Katherine).

4. Lucy Delight (b. in Atwater, Ohio, April 20, 1840, married Byron Hillyer November 17, 1858, died September 1, 1886).

• Known children of Lucy and Bryon Hillyer

         o Emerson (b. 1860, died 1918 (maybe in Belliare (?) Michigan)

         o Wells (m. Lela, had 3 children: Bert 1889 (Bronson, Michigan, had 2 sons), Ralph, had 2 adopted sons in Coldwater, Michigan.

         o Minnie E. (b. 1865, died 1890

5. Ella Julia (b. September 28, 1850, died at Colorado Springs, Colorado, March 1921, married Jerome Carpenter, with 2 children: Roy Culver Carpenter and Lulu (b. 1881, died in Colorado Springs, CO, she was an artist and sculpter).

• **Eliza Yale Culver died September 4, 1865. Ambrose C. married Mrs. Abby Merrick at Atwater, Ohio on September 5, 1866, married by Professor Hosford. Mrs. Merrick had one son, Will, who died 1930 at Youngstown, Ohio.

Children of Henry and Elizabeth Duley Mead or Meads

1. Frederick Ambrose (b. March 28, 1853, died February 1924).

Children:

• Rupert, died young.
• Frances (married William (Bill) Matson, who had William and JoAnn…their children - Harvey married Sally, and there were Gwendolyn and Chawncey Bruce (no further information))

2. Frances Moore Margretta (b. March 19, 1855, married Gilbert Miller June 26, 1880, , had a child, Roy, who married Mildred Carrington. Roy died in 1942 (age or cause unknown), Roy's child, Frances Margaret married a Hursh (a teacher at New Haven, Indiana), she died 1906).

3. John Mead or Meads, born April 27, 1857, married Celia Guilluame, they had 3 children: 1) Raymond, born 1889; 2) Clayton born March 23, 1892, married Velma Boyles, who had a child, Phyllis, who married Roy Fisher, who had a child, Sally; 3) Maurice, born July 15, 1900, and married Harriet (no additional data), he died August 1927).

4. Melville Mason (b. May 31, 1859), no additional information.

5. Della Eliza (b. March 23, 1866, Married Joshua Ruch 1888, had 3 children; 1) Hazel, married Orville B. Rinehart who died in 1932, no known children; 2) Bruce K. married Rachel Blume, and had 3 children: a) Philip C. born September 1937; b) Linda r. born December 1941; c) Robert B. born 1943, and 3) Glenn who died in 1900, no known children.).

6. William Mansfield (b. April 22, 1868), married Zella Zook, they had one child Ona, who married Ray Blessing, and they had 3 children a) Janette; b) Douglas; c) Beverly, no additional information

7. Bert Emerson (b. August 14, 1871), married Edna Ida Shaw of Texas, Bert and Edna both died and are interred in Haywood, California, 1960).

Children of Bert and Edna Ida Shaw

1. Laurence (no additional information) b. in Wisconsin.

2. Millard Everett (b. October 29, 1904, d. March 1949), married Jeannette Turner of Montford, Wisconsin (b. March 25, 1905, d. September 9, 1995).

They had ten children:

1) Richard Kingston (Dick)

2) Meredith June (Robin) My mother

3) Geraldine Virginia (Jerry)

4) Vernon Edwin (Eddy)

5) Millard Duane (Buster)

6) Gary Allen

7) Carlyle Meade (Lyle)

8) Malcolm Bert (Mack)

9) Gregory Owen

10) Elaine Ardith.

Of the ten children of Millard and Jeanette; Jerry, Eddy, Buster, Gary, Lyle and Mack have all passed away. The remaining four, the two oldest and the two youngest, presently live in Houston and Dallas, Texas.

See Culver Descendant Tree for continuation of this line and other descendants of Edward Culver

3. Phyllis Melissa (b. January 23, 1904 or 1905, married Claude Clay Raymer (b. March 3, 1900); Hunter, Missouri, 1921).

4. Ardith (married Cecil Runkle, International Falls, MN, both passed away, no children, no additional information).

5. Floyd (b., married 2 times, has children from both marriages, Floyd and Mary both of Oregan; and John of Bethato, Illinois, and Susan of Leesburg, VA., Floyd died 198?, East Alton, Illinois.

6. Edwin (Ned) (b.1910, married Pauline Smith (deceased) of Wood River, Illinois, has one child, Gary, lives in Hayward, California).

Edward Colver died in 1685 in the village of Mystic, Town of Groton, New London, in the colony of Connecticut. A small headstone bearing upon one face the roughly cut initials, ?E. C.? and another small headstone bearing upon one face the roughly cut initials ?A. C.? represent the original stones of Edward Colver and his wife, Ann Colver, in Wightman Cemetery. The inventory of Edward Colver's estate was exhibited and administration was granted to John Culver 2 June 1685 (New London County Court Records 5:108).

1. Burton (b. September 3, 1922, died 1 September 1925, Hunter, Missouri)

2. Della Elizabeth (b. February 1, 1925, Hunter, Missouri, married Marvin Hough of Council Bluffs, Iowa, had children 1) Stephen, of Wyoming; 2) Patricia; 3) Gary; and 4) Melissa and several grandchildren, all of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Della passed away 1987 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

3. Clayton Bruce (b. September 18, 1927, Hunter, Missouri, married Dorothy Noe of Wood River, Illinois, has 4 children, 1) Claudia McGee of Indianapolis, Indiana; 2) Cynthia Reams of Moro, Illinois; 3) Margaret Brown of Mississippi; 4) Alicia of Moro, Illinois

4. Edna Viola (b. July 25, 1930, married Delbert Ray Hutchens, of East Alton, Illinois, 8 children, all of Dow, Illinois, Edna passed away in 1989, buried in Grafton, Illinois.

5. Kenneth Culver (b. June 1, 1938, Van Buren, Missouri; married [1] Mathilda Marie Julino of Heilesstat Germany and of Alton, Illinois, divorced 26 November 1979, 3 three children 1) Pamela Maria of Saint Louis, Missouri, married [1] Michael Heinemann of Godfrey, Illinois, divorced, no children; [2] Geofrey Ferguson of Saint Louis, Missouri; 2) Catherine Ann of Saint Petersburg, Florida, married Michael Patton of Wood River, Illinois, 1 child, Sarah Ann Meyer Patton; 3) Melissa Lynn, married [1] Steven Yocius of Alton, Illinois, divorced, 2 children; a) Mara Abigail; b) Kyle Edward, [2] Anyhony N. Darr, of Alton, Illinois. [2] married Maria Guiseppa of Rome, Italy, divorced 14March 1988, no children. Currently residing in Arlington, Virginia, ex-soldier (Viet nam era), and public servant).

6. Timothy Stephen (b. Aug 4, 1940, Wood River, Illinois; married Carolyn Scott Waterman of Hartford, Illinois, 2 children a) Kevin Scott, married to Mary , of Benld, Illinois; b) Jason unmarried of Hartford, Illinois).

7. James Lawrence (b. February 21, 1943, Alton, Illinois; married Shirley Haggele of Alton, Illinois, who passed away 1989, 4 children a) Julie married Lance , no children; b) Christopher not married; 3) Matthew, married Elizabeth , and Michael, not married. All of Wood River, Illinois).

Sources:

1. books.google.com/books?id=lytGAAAAMAAJ

2. www.geocities.com/Heartland/River/7560/culver.html

3. www.schenectadyhistory.org/families/hmgfm/culver.html

4. "Pioneer Families of Northeastern New Jersey" by William C. Armstrong, published by Hunterdon House, Lambertsville, NJ, 1979, p95-99; 218-223.

5. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/River/7560/culver.html

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edward colver born near london england between 1600 and 1610, probably 1610. died 1685 in village of mystic, town of groton, new london in the colony of connecticut. buried in wightman cemetary. edward came to america from england with the massachusetts bay colony in the autumn of 1635.

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http://www.geocities.com/bpstratton/histories/Yale/culverhist.html Edward Culver, the English progenitor of the American family, came from one of the southern counties of England, emigrating to this country in the company of John Wentworth, of Massachusetts, and arrived in the autumn of 1635. He was quite a young man at that time, belonged to the guild of Millwrights, and was often designated in the old records as "Edward Culver, Millwright:. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Boston, in 1636, and was an energetic and enterprising spirit, for we hear of him shortly after his arrival taking part in the court in Boston, called for the purpose of forming a company willing to push into the wilderness and start a new settlement. This settlement was at first called Contentment but later Dedham. The name of Edward Culver was sixty-eight on the list of one hundred and twenty-four who signed the covenant.

On November 24, 1647, the following grant of land is recorded: "Edward Coulver-10-Ordered that Edward Coulver, whealright, shal have twoe akers layed out for implymen of his trade, and afterward to have an addician, also where it shal be found needful…in the meantyme to have free liberty of taking Timber for his trade."

His name is mentioned frequently in the town records, and he was a man of affairs. He took part in the Pequot War in 1637, and from that time on, was noted as an Indian Scout, being on terms of friendship with several Indian tribes who accompanied him on scouting expeditions.

In the first Pequot War he was sent by Colonel John Mason who commanded the band of ninety whites to enlist help of the Mohicans with result that King Uncas brought one hundred and fifty warriors to take part in the battle. At daybreak, June 4, 1637(?), they separated and utterly exterminated the Pequots. King Uncas held Edward Culver in great esteem and named a son after Culver's second son, Joshua. For the service mentioned above, Culver received two grants of land, one of two hundred acres, and the other of four hundred acres. These grants of land were situated about four miles north of the scene of the battle, at New London.

In 1676, when King Philip made war against the New England Colony, Edward Culver, then an old man of 75, went out with his four sons, Edward, Ephraim, Joshua, and Samuel, to fight against the noted chief. They took part in the Swamp Fight near Tiverton, Rhode Island, December 19, 1675, where the tribes met defeat and heavy losses of historic note.

Edward Culver the only soldier in that engagement who had taken part in the previous Pequot War, and as the tactics were the same, it is thought that the old soldier aided Captain Dennison who commanded the Connecticutt men at the Swamp Fight. The "Colonial Records of Connecticutt" mentions the service of Edward Culver as follows: "The Council order John Steadman and Edwrd Culver, with some Indians to goe forth upon Scout betwixt this and Springfield to make what discoveries they could upon the enemie to the west of the river…"

See also: http://www.mystic.com/dcd/collver/doc/CulverHist.html

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was a millwright and a wheelright; took part in the Indian wars fighting against the Pequot Indians in 1637, then as an Indian scout

When famed Indian Chief, King Phillip (also known as Metacam and Wampanoag Indian Sachem) made war against New England colonies, Edward (75 years old then) went out with his four sons to fight against the noted Indian Chief. They took part in the "Swamp Fight" which occurred near Tiverton, Rhode Island December 19, 1675

Edward Colver was the son of John Colver. Edward Colver was born circa 1599 at Of, Dedham, Norfolk, England. Edward Colver was born circa 1610 at England. He married Ann Ellis, daughter of John Ellis and Ann Benjamin, on 19-Sep-1638 at First Church of Dedham, Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; this marriage was the second entered in the records of the First Church of Dedham. Rev. John Allin performed the ceremony. Edward Colver died in 1685 at Mystic, New London County, Connecticut. He died in 1685 at New London, New London County, Connecticut.

    He immigrated circa Sep-1635 to Massachusetts Bay Colony; He came with John Winthrop, the younger son of John Winthrop, Governor of MA, and himself Governor of CT. He He took part in the Pequot War. He enlisted the aid of the Mohicans to defeat the Peqots, and was later held in such high esteem by Chief Uncas the he name one of his children after Edward Colver's son Joshua, in 1637. He resided at at Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, between 1648 and 1653. He was granted 200 acres between 1652 and 1653. He resided at at Pequot now, New London, New London County, Connecticut, after 1653. He was granted 400 acres known as Chepadas. He made his home here. In 1654. He sold land he deeded the 400 acres to his sons Joseph and Ephiram. In 1678. He resided at at Mystic, New London County, Connecticut, after 1678; He lived in a house built by his son Joshua. He was a wheelwright and Indian scout.

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Came to America in the year 1635 with Jn Winthrop, Jr Mar. 9-19-1638 Dedham, Mass.

• Edward COLVER • Birth: 1610 in Dedham,Norfolk,ENGLAND • Death: 1685 in Mystic,New London,Conn • Burial: 1685

• Event: marriage Unknown 1635 United States of America

Nickname: The Puritan Edward Colver was a millwright, and wheelwright at the time of his arrival in 1635.

SOURCES: Colver-Culver Genealogy' by Frederic Lathrop Colver, published in 1910

SOURCES:

Genealogical Dictionary of New England Settlers Volume 1 Hide, blushing glory, hide Pultova's day. page 438 Colver, or Culver, Edward, Dedham 1640, by w. Ann had John, b. 15 Apr. 1640; Joshua, 12 Jan. 1642 ; and Samuel, 9 Jan. 1645.

Emigration: 1635 To America, landing in Salem, Massachusetts, in the Winthrop Fleet. 1 Note: Edward was a founder of Dedham, Massachusetts in 1636, and later at New London, Connecticut. came to Mass. with John Winthrop in 1635 settled Dedham, Mass.wheelwright and millwright.

He was a member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and was married in Boston, to Ann Elles. The marriage was performed by Rev. John Allyn. Edward, and his father-in-law, John Elles were both signers of the "covenant" a group formed for the purpose of settling a new place, ten miles up the Charles River.

He served in the Narrangansett, Pequiot, and King Phillip Wars, for which he received land on the Mystic River, Where he died. Another grant of land he received, was two miles furthur northwest, and called "Chespadas" by the Indians, and remained in the family for several generations.

IMIGRATION: Database: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Personal Information Name: Edward Colver Year: 1635 Place: Boston

Primary Immigrant: Colver, Edward Annotation: Date and port of arrival, or date and place of settlement or mention in the New World. Occupation, place of residence and information on at least one generation in America may also be provided.

OCCUPATION: History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume I, 1600-1760, and Volume II, 1760-1880 The Volunteers' Land. Division. Settlement. Addition.

Some years passed before the division was completed. The territory was still in dispute. The Mohegan claim was not adjusted till 1705, when their bounds were formally surveyed and established by Captain John Chandler-Captain JohnParke, Edward Colver and Samuel Sterry, assisting. Quatchiack, an aged PachaugIndian, familiar with this region, a Mohegan and two Shetuckets, helped point out the bounds. Beginning at Ahyohsupsuck-a pond in the north bound of Stonington-they ran the line north one mile, to a pond called Mahmansuck, near the present west bound of Voluntown; thence, a little east of north, three miles, to a very small pond with the very large name of Toshconwongganuck; thence, a mile and a half to a pine hill-the site of the present Line-meeting-house. Proceedingnorthward over a neck of land, "from whence they could see Egunk Hill and the Flat Rocks," they came to Egunk, near the great cold spring-Egunksunkapong,-at which place, being dark, they took up their lodging. In the morning they were joined by Major Fitch, and proceeded on their course, measuring and laying the line over the rough hill-top till they came to Pathigwadchaug-the north end of Egunk Hill, six and a half miles from Egunksunkapong, where a great spring issued out, "forty rods west of Moosup River, where the road goes from Plainfield to Providence," and ran down into the river. Thence, leaving the Moosup on the west, they traveled on to the Whetstone Country.

Father: John COLVER b: 1576 in Vicinity Of Middlesex England Near London Mother: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN b: Abt 1580 in ENGLAND

Marriage 1 Ann ELLIS b: 1 JUL 1619 in Skipton,,Yorkshire,England • Married: 19 SEP 1638 in Dedham,Norfolk,Ma

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Edward Colver had lived in Dedham where the births of three children are recorded: John, 15 Apr 1640; Joshua, 12 Jan 1642; Samuel, 9 Jan 1644. At Roxbury he had two more: Gershom, 3, Dec 1648; and Hannah 11 Apr 1651. His arrival at Pequot is announced by a land grant in 1653. In 1664 he moved to a place nearthe head of Mystic, but within New London bounds, called by the Indians Chepadaso. During King Philip's War, he was a soldier and scout, often sent out with Indians to explore the wilderness. In 1681, he is called "wheel-right of Mystic." Sons of Edward and Ann Culver, expressly named, are John, Joshua, Samuel and Joseph. It is supposed that Edward Culver, of Norwich, 1680, having wife Sarah and children ranging in birth from 1681 to 1694, and in 1700, an inhabitant of the new town of Lebanon, should be added to the list. If so, he was probably born after the removal to Pequot. John Culver was for several years a resident of New Haven, where the birth of a daughter, Abigail, is recorded in 1676, and son, James, in 1679. He ultimately returned to the neighborhood of Mystic. Joshua Culver, married in 1673, Elizabeth Ford,of New Haven, and settled in Wallingford. Samuel Culver, about the year 1674, eloped with the wife of John Fish, and is not known to have returned to this part of the country. Joseph Culver settled on his father's lands at Groton.

Edward Colver's parentage cannot be definately ascertained, there being several possibilities in England. He was born probably in 1610 in England and came to New England with the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635. He was an original founder of Dedham, Massachusetts where he continued his occupation of a millwright and wheelwright. He moved to Roxbury, MA in 1645 and to Pequot which became New London in 1653. He served in the Pequot War in 1637 serving as a scout. He recruited Chief Uncas and the Mohegan Indians to aid in the extermination of the hostile Pequots and was a life-long friend to them. He also served in King Philip's War also serving as a scout. Edward Colver died in 1685 inthe village of Mystic, Town of Groton, New London, Connecticut. He is buried in the Wightman Cemetary which is on property originally owned by him. (It later became the burial ground for the First Baptist Church which stood in front of it.)

The Connecticut Colony was still under Winthrop's control under the Massachusetts Bay charter. In 1662, Hooker successfully received a Crown Colony charter for Connecticut, thus severing control from Massachusetts. John Winthrop Jr. was asked to move to Connecticut with encouragement from his father and was elected governor. The colonies were basically on their own for a number of years due to the Civil War in England. Charles I was overthrown by Cromwell thus ending self rule (Charles I had dissolved parliament). The colony wisely remained neutral during this time and arrested people causing problems from either faction. Thus they retained power when Charles II ascended the throne.

The New England Colonies now consisted of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and Rhode Island with Massachusetts being the dominate one. They were bordered to the south and west by the New York Colony with whom they had poor relations with due to the ambitions of its governor. The areas to the northwest were still dominated by the mighty Iroquois, chiefly the Mohawk tribes.

Many of the Indians in the region were chaffing under the imposed rule of the colonists. The colonists tried to convert many of the Indians to Christianity and place them in tightly controlled towns. They also imposed English laws upon them, and of course the Indians didn't understand most of them. The summer of 1675 Philip an Indian Sachem (Chief) was called upon to answer to authorities over a series of grievances and most notably the murder of a Christian Indian leader. Rather than face the stern arm of English law, he openly rebelled and attacked several villages South East of Plymouth. Other Tribes who had been facing similar circumstances also took the chance to attack.

To the English this was a rebellion of the Indians (whom they believed were subject to the crown and English law) over land rights issues, but to the Indians it was a matter of sovereignty and divine rights, thus they were fighting for a way of life.

The Indians gained the initiative and was destroying village after village and farm after farm. The whites would board themselves up in a stockade until help would arrive. Many times this came to late as the Indians would burn them out. The Indians had a habit (acquired long before the whites came) of cutting of the heads and hands of the enemy and putting them on poles outside the destroyed village as a warning. The Colonies quickly formed regiments to deal with this crisis but were quite ineffective as they tried to use European techniques of warfare, basically marching in columns and trying to bring volley fire on an elusive enemy. The accounts of the battles seem small in comparison to modern warfare, but the population of New England at this time was somewhere around 50,000. They did outnumber the Indians by almost two to one though, and of course they were much more organized.

Edward and his four sons, Edward Jr., Ephraim, Joseph and Samuel where listed as being soldiers during the King Philip Wars and the Great Swamp Fight. Records showed that either Edward or Edward jr. had been commissioned as a lieutenant.

The first big break came for the colonists on Dec 16, 1675 during the great swamp fight, near Triverton Rhode Island. A joint colonial expedition was setup in the late fall and put under the control of General Winthrop of the Plymouth Colony. They gathered on the shores of Rhode Island in what turned into the first big snow storm of the season. Supply was difficult and they were running short fast, so they decided to attempt to engage the Indians directly with over a 1000 men, before their supplies exhausted. With a captured Indian to lead them to the main fort of the Indians they struggled through the forests and bogs. The fort they found was massive and the colonists were surprise that the Indians were capable of building such a structure. Luckily the swamp was frozen and the soldiers could attack at an exposed corner of the fort. The battle raged for hours with many casualties on both sides. The commander decided that enough was enough and ordered the torching of the city. Many innocent women and children died with the warriors in this fire, but such was the nature of the war with the Indians, as they hadn' t show much mercy on white families until much later in the war when they were starting to lose.

The accounts of this battle and the subsequent lose of life of the wounded on the march back due to injuries and the bitter cold was tremendous. I find that if Edward Culver really fought in this battle, he would have had to been one rather tough old buzzard as he would have been somewhere between 65 and 75 years of age. But the population of that region was rather scarce and every able bodied man who could be spared was sent, plus his experience in the Pequot War probably ensured his participation in the war. But this battle was grim and treacherous, especially for someone of his age.

The ineffectiveness of the colonial governments due to infighting, finally turned around with experience and sheer magnitude of their dire situation. The war went for two years, meaning little farming was occurring and commerce ceased to exist. Families joined into fortified homes for protection and impressment of soldiers was occurring to raise an army. The Indians suffered as well, as they couldn't build any permanent villages, grow crops or hunt and fish in their usual places. The English in retaliation to the destruction of their farms would look for the food caches of the Indians, further worsening the situation. After sickness and famine took its toll, the Indians surrendered in droves. The prisoners were mostly sold into slavery by the Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies, while Connecticut and Rhode Island imposed an indentured servitude for 10 years on their captives, to help rebuild the damage they caused. But the proud Indians of that area didn't make good slaves and would tend to run off for Northern and Western destinations.

One of the factors that lead to the defeat of the Indians was that the colonist finally found the right formula for battling the Indians. The famous Indian fighter Benjamin Church formed up a select company of troops that also consisted of captured Indians who swore allegiance to him. This group was responsible for the capture of many chiefs and even the wife and son of King Philip himself (they were both sold into slavery). He was the one who finally ambushed King Philip's party resulting in the chiefs death. It is interesting that the best Indian fighters happened to have the best relations with the Indians and treated them with great respect. At wars end, there was scarcely a family in New England that was not touched in some way by the war. As payment to many of the soldiers of this war, they were given land grants, as many men didn't wish to return to their burned towns and homes (of which there was many). Over 2000 colonists died in this war, which doesn't sound like a lot, but considering that of a population of 50,000, that would be around 4% died, not accounting for the wounded and maimed. The government set up a pension for those that were disabled from the war, mostly in the form of jobs (tax collectors in which they would receive a percentage) and patents.

It appears that in his old age he became a bit cantankerous and maybe a little senile. He was given a license to sell bread and beer. He died 1685 at Mystic River, New London CN. Ann died in 1682, also at Mystic. A monument was erected in honor of Edward and Ann in 1982 by descendants at the Wightman Burying Ground near Groton Connecticut. The original tombstones are there, but they are nothing more than large stones with the initials E.C. and A.C. engraved on them, church records verify the plots as theirs.

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1 Edward Colver Born: 1600 in Groton, England. Edward (Colver) Culver is the founder of the Culver Family in America, a Puritan emigrant from Middlesex, England, where John Winthrop and his son recruited a band of colonists. Edward sailed from the Port of London in 1635. Edward's name appears on the original Covenant entered into by members of the Colony at Boston for settlement of "Contentment" (later changed to Dedham, Ma.) September 10, 1636. Edward's occupation is reported as a millwright and a wheelwright. Edward participated in the Indian Wars and in King Philip's War in 1675. For his services as Scout and Indian Fighter, Edward was rewarded with four grants of land. One of the grants he named "Chepadas" which his descendants held for many years. Edward moved to Mystic, Ct. in 1668. Died: 1685 in New London, Ct.

.... +Ann Ellice Ellis Born: 7/1/1617 in Dedham, Norfolk, England Father: John Ellis Mother: Susan Lombard Married: 9/19/1638 in Dedham, Ma. Died: 12/4/1678 in Groton, Ct.

.. 2 John Colver Born: 4/15/1640 in Dedham, Ma. Died: 1725 in Groton, Ct. ........ +Mercy Clark Born: in New Haven, Ct. Father: James Clark Mother: Married: 1665

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http://www.archive.org/stream/colverculvergene00colv#page/n0/mode/2up

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1. Edward5 Culver (John4, Edward3, Edward2, Richard1) was born Abt. 1610 in Westminster, London, England, and died 1685 in New London, Connecticut. He married Anne Ellis September 19, 1638 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, daughter of John Ellis and Ann Benjamin.

Notes for Edward Culver: Edward1 Colver "Colver:Edward [Abt 1600/1610-1685]" was born about 1600/1610 in Suffolk County, England. He was the son of Edward Colver "Colver:Edward [ -1594]". Edward died 1685 in Groton/Mystic, New London Co., Connecticut, and was buried in Wightman Burying Ground, Groton, New London Co., CT. Edward Colver was the grandson of Rev. Edward Colver, born ca 1550. 2 Sept 1575 made vicar. Queen Elizabeth in 1575 presented Rev. Edward Colver to the Rectory of Hardmondsworth, County Middlesex, England.

Here is another entry about Edwards roots from Doug Drowley that is attributed to a Virginia Mills of Orrick Missouri:

Edwards father was John Colver, born in 1576 in England. There were three children listed (Joseph, John and Edward). Johns father as another Edward Colver, b. 1550 in England, d. 28 Mar 1594 in Middlesex, England.

More About Edward Culver: Immigration: 1635, first Culver to North America

Here is another entry about Edwards roots from Doug Drowley that is attributed to a Virginia Mills of Orrick Missouri:

Edwards father was John Colver, born in 1576 in England. There were three children listed (Joseph, John and Edward). Johns father as another Edward Colver, b. 1550 in England, d. 28 Mar 1594 in Middlesex, England.

Edward Culver (Colliver/Colver) born 1600-1610, probably in the vicinity of Middlesex England near London. He came to America with John Winthrop Jr., son of John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts, in 1635, after Winthrop Jr. had obtained the land grants for Connecticut from King Charles I. He may have came across on the Mary and John in 1635. Edward was a member of Massachusetts Bay Colony and was a signer of the "Covenant" on 20 Sep. 1636, a group that was formed to settle Dedham, ten miles up the Charles River. The town of Dedham was setup that you had to apply to move there and get approval from the council. They were very selective and ensured that the signers were of like religious views. According to "Colver-Culver Family Genealogy, Valerie Dyer Giorgi" he was a millwright and wheel wright by trade. He served in several of the earliest Indian wars of New England.

New England was populated by many Indian tribes, the main one's were the Wampanoag, Pequots, Narragansett, Mohegans and Nipmuc . The mighty Iroquois nation was to their west in New York (this included the Mohawks) and the Mohawks kept the New England tribes from uniting by playing the tribes off against each other. Thus there was a lot of border squabbles between the tribes and mutual distrust. The dominant New England tribe in the 1630's was the Pequots. The English would trade "barter" land from the local tribes, but wouldn't always immediately occupy it. The Indians would see that the land was not being used, so they would continue to grow crops and hunt the land. This led to a series of misunderstandings and the Pequots, who felt that the whites were arrogant and a threat to the existence of Indians in general, thus attacked the villages of Saybrook (in which Edward had just helped to build a fort there) and Weathersford, Connecticut, causing the colonists to lock themselves in their newly created fort. Negotiations failed (apparently the English Settlers were rather arrogant in their dealings with the natives) and skirmishes occurred and emissaries attacked. This caused an uproar and the Pequot campaign was formed.

In a book called "The Pequot War", the reproductions of documents describing the events in John Masons hand are available. Major John Mason was appointed command of the expeditionary force as he had experience at war in Europe. Mason gathered 90 men and some Indians mostly of Mohegan and Narragansett lineage and took the force up a river (Mystic River?)in the general area of present day New London Connecticut. The march inland as described by Mason brings an almost comical vision to mind, as they were ill dressed and supplied for this mission and of course were unseasoned and largely untrained soldiers. Most of the men were new to America and didn't have much in the way of wood craft and they feared to venture far from their boats. But they happened on the main Pequot stronghold and burned it to the ground with many men, women and children inside, forcing the Pequots to sue for peace.

Apparently Edward was noted as an Indian scout and was to supposedly had good relations with the Indians. According to Valerie Dyer Giorgi, he was sent by Major Mason to enlist the aid of warriors from Chief Uncas of the Mohegans. He must have been successful as Uncas provided about 150 men.

He Married Ann Ellis (Elles) on Sept. 19, 1638 by the Rev. John Allyn. His Father-in-law John Elles was also a signer of the Covenant. In 1645, they moved to Roxbury Mass. and in 1650, he constructed a Grist Mill for Governor Winthrop (jr.). In 1653 they moved again, this time to Pequot (present day New London, Conn.), where he again built another Grist Mill. I believe the reason he moved, was because he received land grants in 1652 and 1654 in the upper Mystic River, for his earlier service in the Pequot War. He traded this lands for other land in the general area, closer to the town of Pequot. In about 1654 Edward built a water power grist mill at the head of the cove of New London which was in daily use until 1897, or perhaps later. Records also show that he was embroiled in some land disputes with the Winthrops over property boundaries which affected the ownership of one of the Grist Mills.

Edward and Ann had the following children:

1.John Colver, born 15 April 1640, Dedham Massachusetts. 2.Joshua Colver, born 12 Jan 1642, Dedham Massachusetts. 3.Samuel Colver, born 9 Jan 1644, Dedham Massachusetts. 4.Joseph Colver, baptized 20 Sep 1646, Dedham Massachusetts. 5.Gershom Colver, baptized 4 Dec 1648, Roxbury Massachusetts. 6.daughter, born/died 21 Jan 1650 , Roxbury Massachusetts. 7.Hannah Colver, baptized 11 April 1652, Roxbury Massachusetts. 8.Edward Colver, born 1654, New London Connecticut. 9.Ephraim Colver, born 1656, New London Connecticut.

The Connecticut Colony was still under Winthrop's control under the Massachusetts Bay charter. In 1662, Hooker successfully received a Crown Colony charter for Connecticut, thus severing control from Massachusetts. John Winthrop Jr. was asked to move to Connecticut with encouragement from his father and was elected governor. The colonies were basically on their own for a number of years due to the Civil War in England. Charles I was overthrown by Cromwell thus ending self rule (Charles I had dissolved parliament). The colony wisely remained neutral during this time and arrested people causing problems from either faction. Thus they retained power when Charles II ascended the throne.

The New England Colonies now consisted of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and Rhode Island with Massachusetts being the dominate one. They were bordered to the south and west by the New York Colony with whom they had poor relations with due to the ambitions of its governor. The areas to the northwest were still dominated by the mighty Iroquois, chiefly the Mohawk tribes.

Many of the Indians in the region were chaffing under the imposed rule of the colonists. The colonists tried to convert many of the Indians to Christianity and place them in tightly controlled towns. They also imposed English laws upon them, and of course the Indians didn't understand most of them. The summer of 1675 Philip an Indian Sachem (Chief) was called upon to answer to authorities over a series of grievances and most notably the murder of a Christian Indian leader. Rather than face the stern arm of English law, he openly rebelled and attacked several villages South East of Plymouth. Other Tribes who had been facing similar circumstances also took the chance to attack. To the English this was a rebellion of the Indians (whom they believed were subject to the crown and English law) over land rights issues, but to the Indians it was a matter of sovereignty and divine rights, thus they were fighting for a way of life.

The Indians gained the initiative and were destroying village after village and farm after farm. The whites would board themselves up in a stockade until help would arrive. Many times this came to late as the Indians would burn them out. The Indians had a habit (acquired long before the whites came) of cutting of the heads and hands of the enemy and putting them on poles outside the destroyed village as a warning. The Colonies quickly formed regiments to deal with this crisis but were quite ineffective as they tried to use European techniques of warfare, basically marching in columns and trying to bring volley fire on an elusive enemy. The accounts of the battles seem small in comparison to modern warfare, but the population of New England at this time was somewhere around 50,000. They did outnumber the Indians by almost two to one though, and of course they were much more organized.

Edward and his four sons, Edward Jr., Ephraim, Joseph and Samuel where listed as being soldiers during the King Philip Wars and the Great Swamp Fight. Records showed that either Edward or Edward jr. had been commissioned as a lieutenant.

The first big break came for the colonists on Dec 16, 1675 during the great swamp fight, near Triverton Rhode Island. A joint colonial expedition was setup in the late fall and put under the control of General Winthrop of the Plymouth Colony. They gathered on the shores of Rhode Island in what turned into the first big snow storm of the season. Supply was difficult and they were running short fast, so they decided to attempt to engage the Indians directly with over a 1000 men, before their supplies exhausted. With a captured Indian to lead them to the main fort of the Indians they struggled through the forests and bogs. The fort they found was massive and the colonists were surprise that the Indians were capable of building such a structure. Luckily the swamp was frozen and the soldiers could attack at an exposed corner of the fort. The battle raged for hours with many casualties on both sides. The commander decided that enough was enough and ordered the torching of the city. Many innocent women and children died with the warriors in this fire, but such was the nature of the war with the Indians, as they hadn't show much mercy on white families until much later in the war when they were starting to lose.

The accounts of this battle and the subsequent lose of life of the wounded on the march back due to injuries and the bitter cold was tremendous. I find that if Edward Culver really fought in this battle, he would have had to been one rather tough old buzzard as he would have been somewhere between 65 and 75 years of age. But the population of that region was rather scarce and every able bodied man who could be spared was sent, plus his experience in the Pequot War probably ensured his participation in the war. But this battle was grim and treacherous, especially for someone of his age.

The ineffectiveness of the colonial governments due to infighting, finally turned around with experience and sheer magnitude of their dire situation. The war went for two years, meaning little farming was occurring and commerce ceased to exist. Families joined into fortified homes for protection and impressment of soldiers was occurring to raise an army. The Indians suffered as well, as they couldn't build any permanent villages, grow crops or hunt and fish in their usual places. The English in retaliation to the destruction of their farms would look for the food caches of the Indians, further worsening the situation. After sickness and famine took its toll, the Indians surrendered in droves. The prisoners were mostly sold into slavery by the Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies, while Connecticut and Rhode Island imposed an indentured servitude for 10 years on their captives, to help rebuild the damage they caused. But the proud Indians of that area didn't make good slaves and would tend to run off for Northern and Western destinations.

One of the factors that lead to the defeat of the Indians was that the colonist finally found the right formula for battling the Indians. The famous Indian fighter Benjamin Church formed up a select company of troops that also consisted of captured Indians who swore allegiance to him. This group was responsible for the capture of many chiefs and even the wife and son of King Philip himself (they were both sold into slavery). He was the one who finally ambushed King Philip's party resulting in the chiefs death. It is interesting that the best Indian fighters happened to have the best relations with the Indians and treated them with great respect. At wars end, there was scarcely a family in New England that was not touched in some way by the war. As payment to many of the soldiers of this war, they were given land grants, as many men didn't wish to return to their burned towns and homes (of which there was many). Over 2000 colonists died in this war, which doesn't sound like a lot, but considering that of a population of 50,000, that would be around 4% died, not accounting for the wounded and maimed. The government set up a pension for those that were disabled from the war, mostly in the form of jobs (tax collectors in which they would receive a percentage) and patents.

It appears that in his old age he became a bit cantankerous and maybe a little senile. He was given a license to sell bread and beer. He died 1685 at Mystic River, New London Connecticut. Ann died in 1682, also at Mystic. A monument was erected in honor of Edward and Ann in 1982 by descendants at the Wightman Burying Ground near Groton Connecticut. The original tombstones are there, but they are nothing more than large stones with the initials E.C. and A.C. engraved on them, church records verify the plots as theirs.

Edward Colver and his wife Ann lived on the farm called Chepadas (Intersection of trails), about 1664-1678. Edward may have spent his last days here and we are told that it is the oldest continually lived in house in Connecticut, occupied by Colvers, Culvers and Lambs for generations.

"Pioneer Families of Northeastern New Jersey" by William C. Armstrong, published by Hunterdon House, Lambertsville, NJ, 1979, p95-99; 218-223.

Edward Cullver, b. 1600 England d. 1685 - came to America in 1635 - founder of Dedham, Mass., in 1636 m. 1638 Anne Ellis, daughter of John Ellis

after the Indian wars he removed with his family to New London, Conn., where the Collvers became acquainted with the prominent Rogers family.

Children of Edward Culver and Anne Ellis are: + 2 i. John6 Culver, born February 15, 1640 in Dedham, Massachusetts; died 1725 in Groton, Connecticut. + 3 ii. Joshua Culver, born November 12, 1642 in Dedham, Massachusetts; died April 23, 1713 in Wallingford, New Haven County, Conneticut.

 	4 	iii. 	  	Samuel Culver, born January 9, 1644 in Dedham, MA; died Aft. 1682 in Middleton, New Jersey. He married Martha.

	Notes for Samuel Culver: At a court held September 17, 1672, Samuel Culver and Martha Fish, wife of John Fish, were tried; Martha was then with child and two more of her children were by Samuel; they lived together four or five years. Fish divorced his wife in 1680. It is assumed that Samuel married Martha after her divorce and moved to New Jersey where a Samuel Colver had a cattle mark registered in Monmouth County in 1682 (S).

+ 5 iv. Joseph Culver, born July 11, 1646 in Dedham, Massachusetts; died 1730 in New London, Connecticut.

 	6 	v. 	  	Sarah Culver, born January 21, 1650; died January 21, 1650 in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

	More About Sarah Culver: Cause of Death: died in infancy

+ 7 vi. Hannah Culver, born April 11, 1652 in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died June 28, 1733 in Groton, Connecticut. + 8 vii. Gershom Culver, born December 3, 1648 in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died 1717 in Southampton, Long Island. + 9 viii. Edward Culver, born December 12, 1654 in Norwich, Connecticut; died April 7, 1732 in Llitchfield, Connecticut. + 10 ix. Ephraim Culver, born 1655 in New London, Connecticut; died March 11, 1709 in Groton, Connecticut.

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http://www.mystic.com/dcd/collver/doc/CulverHist.html#COLVER,%20Edw...

Edward Culver (Colliver/Colver) born 1600-1610, probably in the vicinity of Middlesex England near London. He came to America with John Winthrop Jr., son of John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts, in 1635, after Winthop Jr. had obtained the land grants for Connecticut from King Charles I. He may have came across on the Mary and John in 1635. Edward was a member of Massachusetts Bay Colony and was a signer of the "Covenant" on 20 Sep. 1636, a group that was formed to settle Dedham, ten miles up the Charles River. The town of Dedham was setup that you had to apply to move there and get approval from the council. They were very selective and ensured that the signers were of like religious views. According to "Colver-Culver Family Genealogy, Valerie Dyer Giorgi" he was a millwright and wheel wright by trade. He served in several of the earliest Indian wars of New England.

New England was populated by many Indian tribes, the main one's were the Wampanoag, Pequots, Narragansett, Mohegans and Nipmuc . The mighty Iroquois nation was to their west in New York (this included the Mohawks) and the Mohawks kept the New England tribes from uniting by playing the tribes off against each other. Thus there was a lot of border squabbles between the tribes and mutual distrust. The dominant New England tribe in the 1630's was the Pequots. The English would trade "barter" land from the local tribes, but wouldn't always immediately occupy it. The Indians would see that the land was not being used, so they would continue to grow crops and hunt the land. This led to a series of misunderstandings and the Pequots, who felt that the whites were arrogant and a threat to the existence of Indians in general, thus attacked the villages of Saybrook (in which Edward had just helped to build a fort there) and Weathersford Connecticut, causing the colonists to lock themselves in their newly created fort. Negotiations failed (apparently the English Settlers were rather arrogant in their dealings with the natives) and skirmishes occurred and emissaries attacked. This caused an uproar and the Pequot campaign was formed.

In a book called "The Pequot War", the reproductions of documents describing the events in John Masons hand are available. Major John Mason was appointed command of the expeditionary force as he had experience at war in Europe. Mason gathered 90 men and some Indians mostly of Mohegan and Narragansett lineage and took the force up a river (Mystic River?)in the general area of present day New London Connecticut. The march inland as described by Mason brings an almost comical vision to mind, as they were ill dressed and supplied for this mission and of course were unseasoned and largely untrained soldiers. Most of the men were new to America and didn't have much in the way of wood craft and they feared to venture far from their boats. But they happened on the main Pequot stronghold and burned it to the ground with many Men, Women and Children inside, forcing the Pequots to sue for peace.

Apparently Edward was noted as an Indian scout and was to supposedly had good relations with the Indians. According to Valerie Dyer Giorgi, he was sent by Major Mason to enlist the aid of warriors from Chief Uncas of the Mohicans ( I think he was chief of the Mohegans actually). He must have been successful as Uncas provided about 150 men.

He Married Ann Ellis (Elles) on Sept. 19, 1638 by the Rev. John Allyn. His Father-in-law John Elles was also a signer of the Covenant. In 1645, they moved to Roxbury Mass. and in 1650, he constructed a Grist Mill for Governor Winthrop (jr.). In 1653 they moved again, this time to Pequot (present day New London, Conn.), where he again built another Grist Mill. I believe the reason he moved, was because he received land grants in 1652 and 1654 in the upper Mystic River, for his earlier service in the Pequot War. He traded this lands for other land in the general area, closer to the town of Pequot. In about 1654 Edward built a water power grist mill at the head of the cove of New London which was in daily use until 1897, or perhaps later. Records also show that he was embroiled in some land disputes with the Winthrops over property boundaries which affected the ownership of one of the Grist Mills.

Edward and Ann had the following children: John Colver, born 15 Apr 1640, Dedham Massachusetts. Joshua Colver, born 12 Jan 1642, Dedham Massachusetts. Samuel Colver, born 9 Jan 1644, Dedham Massachusetts. Joseph Colver, baptized 20 Sep 1646, Dedham Massachusetts. Gershom Colver, baptized 4 Dec 1648, Roxbury Massachusetts. daughter, born/died 21 Jan 1650 , Roxbury Massachusetts. Hannah Colver, baptized 11 Apr 1652, Roxbury Massachusetts. Edward Colver, born 1654, New London Connecticut. Ephraim Colver, born 1656, New London Connecticut. The Connecticut Colony was still under Winthrop's control under the Massachusetts Bay charter. In 1662, Hooker successfully received a Crown Colony charter for Connecticut, thus severing control from Massachusetts. John Winthrop Jr. was asked to move to Connecticut with encouragement from his father and was elected governor. The colonies were basically on their own for a number of years due to the Civil War in England. Charles I was overthrown by Cromwell thus ending self rule (Charles I had dissolved parliament). The colony wisely remained neutral during this time and arrested people causing problems from either faction. Thus they retained power when Charles II ascended the throne.

The New England Colonies now consisted of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and Rhode Island with Massachusetts being the dominate one. They were bordered to the south and west by the New York Colony with whom they had poor relations with due to the ambitions of its governor. The areas to the northwest were still dominated by the mighty Iroquois, chiefly the Mohawk tribes.

Many of the Indians in the region were chaffing under the imposed rule of the colonists. The colonists tried to convert many of the Indians to Christianity and place them in tightly controlled towns. They also imposed English laws upon them, and of course the Indians didn't understand most of them. The summer of 1675 Philip an Indian Sachem (Chief) was called upon to answer to authorities over a series of grievances and most notably the murder of a Christian Indian leader. Rather than face the stern arm of English law, he openly rebelled and attacked several villages South East of Plymouth. Other Tribes who had been facing similar circumstances also took the chance to attack.

To the English this was a rebellion of the Indians (whom they believed were subject to the crown and English law) over land rights issues, but to the Indians it was a matter of sovereignty and divine rights, thus they were fighting for a way of life.

The Indians gained the initiative and was destroying village after village and farm after farm. The whites would board themselves up in a stockade until help would arrive. Many times this came to late as the Indians would burn them out. The Indians had a habit (acquired long before the whites came) of cutting of the heads and hands of the enemy and putting them on poles outside the destroyed village as a warning. The Colonies quickly formed regiments to deal with this crisis but were quite ineffective as they tried to use European techniques of warfare, basically marching in columns and trying to bring volley fire on an elusive enemy. The accounts of the battles seem small in comparison to modern warfare, but the population of New England at this time was somewhere around 50,000. They did outnumber the Indians by almost two to one though, and of course they were much more organized.

Edward and his four sons, Edward Jr., Ephraim, Joseph and Samuel where listed as being soldiers during the King Philip Wars and the Great Swamp Fight. Records showed that either Edward or Edward jr. had been commissioned as a lieutenant.

The first big break came for the colonists on Dec 16, 1675 during the great swamp fight, near Triverton Rhode Island. A joint colonial expedition was setup in the late fall and put under the control of General Winthrop of the Plymouth Colony. They gathered on the shores of Rhode Island in what turned into the first big snow storm of the season. Supply was difficult and they were running short fast, so they decided to attempt to engage the Indians directly with over a 1000 men, before their supplies exhausted. With a captured Indian to lead them to the main fort of the Indians they struggled through the forests and bogs. The fort they found was massive and the colonists were surprise that the Indians were capable of building such a structure. Luckily the swamp was frozen and the soldiers could attack at an exposed corner of the fort. The battle raged for hours with many casualties on both sides. The commander decided that enough was enough and ordered the torching of the city. Many innocent women and children died with the warriors in this fire, but such was the nature of the war with the Indians, as they hadn' t show much mercy on white families until much later in the war when they were starting to lose.

The accounts of this battle and the subsequent lose of life of the wounded on the march back due to injuries and the bitter cold was tremendous. I find that if Edward Culver really fought in this battle, he would have had to been one rather tough old buzzard as he would have been somewhere between 65 and 75 years of age. But the population of that region was rather scarce and every able bodied man who could be spared was sent, plus his experience in the Pequot War probably ensured his participation in the war. But this battle was grim and treacherous, especially for someone of his age.

The ineffectiveness of the colonial governments due to infighting, finally turned around with experience and sheer magnitude of their dire situation. The war went for two years, meaning little farming was occurring and commerce ceased to exist. Families joined into fortified homes for protection and impressment of soldiers was occurring to raise an army. The Indians suffered as well, as they couldn't build any permanent villages, grow crops or hunt and fish in their usual places. The English in retaliation to the destruction of their farms would look for the food caches of the Indians, further worsening the situation. After sickness and famine took its toll, the Indians surrendered in droves. The prisoners were mostly sold into slavery by the Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies, while Connecticut and Rhode Island imposed an indentured servitude for 10 years on their captives, to help rebuild the damage they caused. But the proud Indians of that area didn't make good slaves and would tend to run off for Northern and Western destinations.

One of the factors that lead to the defeat of the Indians was that the colonist finally found the right formula for battling the Indians. The famous Indian fighter Benjamin Church formed up a select company of troops that also consisted of captured Indians who swore allegiance to him. This group was responsible for the capture of many chiefs and even the wife and son of King Philip himself (they were both sold into slavery). He was the one who finally ambushed King Philip's party resulting in the chiefs death. It is interesting that the best Indian fighters happened to have the best relations with the Indians and treated them with great respect. At wars end, there was scarcely a family in New England that was not touched in some way by the war. As payment to many of the soldiers of this war, they were given land grants, as many men didn't wish to return to their burned towns and homes (of which there was many). Over 2000 colonists died in this war, which doesn't sound like a lot, but considering that of a population of 50,000, that would be around 4% died, not accounting for the wounded and maimed. The government set up a pension for those that were disabled from the war, mostly in the form of jobs (tax collectors in which they would receive a percentage) and patents.

It appears that in his old age he became a bit cantankerous and maybe a little senile. He was given a license to sell bread and beer. He died 1685 at Mystic River, New London CN. Ann died in 1682, also at Mystic. A monument was erected in honor of Edward and Ann in 1982 by descendants at the Wightman Burying Ground near Groton Connecticut. The original tombstones are there, but they are nothing more than large stones with the initials E.C. and A.C. engraved on them, church records verify the plots as theirs.

Here is a new entry from Valerie Giorgi concerning Edwards roots: 1. Edward1 Colver "Colver:Edward [abt 1600/1610-1685]" was born about 1600/1610 in Co.Suffolk County, England. He was the son of Edward Colver "Colver:Edward [ -1594]". Edward died 1685 in Groton/Mystic, New London Co., Connecticut, and w as buried in Wightman Burying Ground, Groton, New London Co., CT. Edward Colver was the grandson of Rev. Edward Colver, born ca 1550. 2 Sept 1575 made vicar. Queen Elizabeth in 1575 presented Rev. Edward Colver to the Rectory of Hardmondsworth, County Middlesex, England.

Here is another entry about Edwards roots from Doug Drowley that is attributed to a Virginia Mills of Orrick Missouri:

Edwards father was John Colver, born in 1576 in England. There were three children listed (Joseph, John and Edward). Johns father as another Edward Colver, b. 1550 in England, d. 28 Mar 1594 in Middlesex, England.

These two pieces when put together look promising.

http://our.homewithgod.com/seeker/gen/culver/index.html

 1      Edward Colver    Born: 1550 in Hatfield Broad Oak, Hertfordshire, England   Died: 3/28/1594 in Middlesex, England     ..    2      John Culver    Born: Bef. 1576 in England                                                                         .......    3      Edward Colver    Born: 1600 in Groton, England.   Edward (Colver) Culver is the founder of the Culver Family in America, a Puritan emigrant from Middlesex, England, where John Winthrop and his son  recruited a band of colonists.  Edward sailed from the Port of London in 1635.  Edward's name appears on the original Covenant entered into by members of the Colony at Boston for settlement of "Contentment" (later changed to Dedham, Ma.) September 10, 1636.  Edward's occupation is reported as a millwright and a wheelwright.  Edward participated in the Indian Wars and in King Philip's War in 1675.  For his services as Scout and Indian Fighter, Edward was rewarded with four grants of land. One of the grants he named "Chepadas" which his descendants held for many years.  Edward moved to Mystic, Ct. in 1668  Died: 1685 in Groton, New London, Ct.    

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A Puritan that came to America with John Winthrop Jr. who later became Governor of Connecticut. In Old English his name is spelled "Coluer".

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Birth: 1610 Somerset, England Death: Sep. 16, 1685 Mystic New London County Connecticut, USA

Edward (Colver) Culver is the patriarch of the Culver Family in America, a Puritan emigrant from Middlesex, England, where John Winthrop and his son recruited a band of colonists. Edward sailed from the Port of London in 1635. Edward's name appears on the original Covenant entered into by members of the Colony at Boston for settlement of "Contentment" (later changed to Dedham, Ma.) September 10, 1636. Edward's occupation is reported as a millwright and a wheelwright.

Edward participated in the Indian Wars and in King Philip's War in 1675. For his services as Scout and Indian Fighter, Edward was rewarded with four grants of land. One of the grants he named "Chepadas" which his descendants held for many years. Edward moved to Mystic, CT. in 1668.

Find a Grave Contributor: Diana L. Brace

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Edward Allyn Colver BIRTH 1610 Somerset, England DEATH 16 Sep 1685 (aged 74–75) Mystic, New London County, Connecticut, USA BURIAL Wightman Cemetery Groton, New London County, Connecticut,

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34831272/edward-allyn-colver

Children Photo John Culver 1640–1725

Photo Joshua Colver 1642–1713

Joseph Colver 1648–1730

Hannah Culver Burrows 1651–1733

Ephraim Colver 1656–1709

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GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

GEDCOM Source

1,61175::71878

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@R1050710867@ U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Yates Publishing Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,7836::0

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Source number: 3670.007; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1 1,7836::301539

GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

GEDCOM Source

1,61175::71878

GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

GEDCOM Source

Book Title: Colver-Culver Genealogy 1,61157::3230934

GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,3824::0

GEDCOM Source

Genealogical Publishing Co.; Baltimore, MD, USA; Volume Title: New England Marriages Prior to 1700 1,3824::45944

GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

GEDCOM Source

1,61175::71878

GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

GEDCOM Source

Book Title: Colver-Culver Genealogy 1,61157::3230934

GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,3824::0

GEDCOM Source

Genealogical Publishing Co.; Baltimore, MD, USA; Volume Title: New England Marriages Prior to 1700 1,3824::45944

GEDCOM Source

@R1050710867@ U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Yates Publishing Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,7836::0

GEDCOM Source

Source number: 3670.007; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1 1,7836::301539

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 25 2023, 21:00:10 UTC