Esther Grosvenor, (twin)

"FOLKLORE AND FIRESIDES OF POMFRET, HAMPTON AND VICINITY" by Susan Jewett Griggs pp 7,8,30,31

In the division of plots Mrs. Esther Grosvenor chose some of the finest land on Pomfret Hill, and a tract of land in the Ragged Hill section, on the Post Road. Mrs. Grosvenor was endowed with great courage and energy, and although she had been gently reared in England, like a true pioneer endured the hard life cheerfully. Skilled in the care of the sick, for many years she was the only medical practitioner. Once, when alone, her home was invaded by a company of Indians, who threatened to take a boiling pot of meat from the fire. In spite of their violent demonstrations, she defended her dinner, and held them at bay with a broomstick until the arrival of her son, Ebenezer. The story is also told of her strength in searching for and finding a new born calf in the woods, after the men had given up the search, and returning triumphant, with the calf rolled in her apron. Esther Grosvenor died in Pomfret in 1738, at the age of 86. She retained her health and vigor to a remarkable degree, walking to and from Pomfret Meetinghouse, more than a mile, every Sabbath. Her last days were spent at the old Ralph Sabin homestead at Sabin Corner, now owned by Capt. Hugh Goodhue, U.S.N., a descendant of the family. This house is one of three built by Esther Grosvenor, Construction was begun in 1696, and finished in 1725; a remarkable example of colonial architecture, the old timbers still there, and the shutters that were used when the house was built. The outer walls are lined with brick, as protection against Indian attack. The estate has ever been in the Grosvenor and Sabin families. The Esther Grosvenor house stood on Pomfret Street, and burned in 1913, while being used as an Episcopal Rectory. Maps of 1856 show it as owned by job Williams, Town Clerk. From: Roxbury, Mass. Land and Church Records, City of Boston, Record Commissioners. p. 211 On February 13, 1673 she was excommunicated from the church and on September 2, 1673 she was reconciled to the church and solemnly owned the covenant.

The following is from ; http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/a/m/M-F-LaMont/GENE3-0...

Esther Grosvenor was appointed administratrix of the estate of her deceased Husband, and on 2/17/1691/2 filed her bond for 700 pounds. On 9/16/1695 she sold 6 acres called Rock Pasture, the "Rightful Inheritance of Hugh Clarke late of said Roxbury deceased and by the said Esther Grosvenor purchased of his son John," and 3 1/2 acres, the "Rightful Inheritance of aforesaid John Grosvenor... together with Mansion house, barn, etc." On the same day she and her son William "and all other Heirs of the said John Grosvenor" purchased 65 acres at Muddy River, now Brookline, Mass., together with a dwelling house, the consideration being 312 pounds. On 10/7/1695 they purchased 30 acres at Muddy River, "together with the house, fruit trees, wood," etc., the consideration being 150 pounds. On 4/15/1701 Esther Grosvenor, William Grosvenor, Gentleman, and Susannah Grosvenor of Muddy River, and John Grosvenor of "Mashamnggabuck" in New London Co. Conn., sold "their Farm Tract" at Muddy River.(Suffolk Deeds, lib. 17, ff. 261, 262, lib. 31, fo. 198, and lib. 33, fo. 188). About this time, probably, the Widow Esther Grosvenor went with her family to Mashamoquet in Connecticut, where she resided for the remaining years of her life. The road to Hartford and Windham passed through the Grosvenor land, near the first Connecticut resident of the family, which was on the western declivity of Prospect Hill,near the site afterwards occupied by Col. Thomas Grosvenor's mansion house. Mrs. Grosvenor was a woman of great courage and energy, and was held in high esteem by the early settlers of Pomfret. It is a family tradition that she was skilled in tending the sick. The so-called (old Ralph Sabin homestead at Sabin Corner, now(1950) owned by Capt. Hugh Goodhue, U.S.N., a descendant of the family) "Sabin" house, in which she died, is still standing, and is owned by her descendants. Her sons aided in bringing the large possessions of the family under cultivation, and identified themselves early with the growth and interests of the town.

More About ESTHER CLARKE:

Buried: June 15, 1738, Wappaquian Burial Grounds, at the foot of Prospect Hill, Pomfret, Conn.

Prominent Descendant: Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor LDD (married Elsie May Bell, Alexander's daughter) Oct 28, 1875, Constantinople (now Istanbul), Turkey> Edwin Augustus Grosvenor Prof. (married Lillian Hovey Waters) Aug 30, 1845, Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, USA> Edwin Prescott Grosvenor MD (married Harriet Ward Sanborn) Sep 07, 1820, North Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts> David Augustus Grosvenor Sr. Dr. Dec 08, 1784, Pomfret, Windham, Connecticut, USA (married his cousin Sally Grosvenor Jul 29, 1779, Scituate, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA daughter of Ebenezer Grosvenor III Rev. Mar 06, 1738, Pomfret, Windham, Connecticut, USA and Elizabeth Clark Sep 25, 1737) >Asa Grosvenor Capt. Rev. (married Hannah Buckley Prescott Hall) Apr 06, 1745, Pomfret, Windham, Connecticut, USA> Ebenezer Grosvenor Jr. Col. (married Lucy Cheney) Dec 12, 1713, Pomfret, Windham, Connecticut, USA > Ebenezer Grosvenor Sr. (married Anna Marcy) Oct 09, 1684, Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA > John Grosvenor Sr. (married Esther Clarke) Jan 02, 1641, The Friars, St. Leonard Parish, Bridgenorth, Shropshire, England.