John Newell

John, b. Jan., 1647, and was one of the first settlers of Waterbury (see History of Waterbury), and is numbered among the original subscribers in 1674, the name being written "Thomas Newell son, £100." Bronson, in his history, says: "If he did anything worthy to be remembered, history has taken no note of it." In 1694 he returned to Farmington, having disposed of his property in Waterbury. He died in 1696 without a family, his brothers Thomas and Samuel administering upon his estate.

His father, Thomas Newell was the first of the name to settle in Farmington, whither he came from Hartford, in its early settlement — it is said from Hertfordshire, England. At what time he came to this country is unknown. He married Rebeckah Olmstead, a neice of John and Richard, and sister of the first James of Hartford (see Savage), with whom she came over to Boston September 16th, 1632, six years after the settlement of Connecticut by the English. Thomas Newell appears in Farmington among the original settlers not long after 1640. In the church records he is enrolled a member February 7th, 1653, and his wife July 12th, 1763. In 1669 his name appears on the list of freemen; in 1672 on the list of the eighty-four proprietors. In 1673 h e was one of the preliminary committee who went to view Mattatuck (now Waterbury), as a place for a new settlement. (See History of Waterbury). The same year he was one of the peti- tioners for liberty of planting ye same. Subsequently he signed the articles, taking the place of Samuel Gridley, but declined joining the new settlement. The early records of Farmington having been destroyed by fire, it has been impossible to trace the relationship of brother to Abraham, who settled in Roxbury, Mass., in 1634, which many claim. He died September 13th, 1689, leaving an estate of £700. His widow died February 24th, 1698. She was remembered in the legacies of Doctor John Olmstead's widow, who was left wealthy, bequeathing £50 to the poor. His house was just at the north part of the village, fronting the Main street, showing much taste in the selection of a building spot. Tradition says an Indian fort was located back of it. ,

DISTRIBUTION OF HIS ESTATE.

"Hartford, Nov. 8M, 1689.

" Whereas, Thomas Newell, of Farmington, lately deceased, died without will, it is mutually agreed between the widow of said Thomas and the children that were present at the County Court when the distribution of said estate was made, viz.:

" The oldest son, John Newell, Samuel Newell, John Stanley, Thomas North, that married two of the daughters, Hester and Hannah ; that what each child had formerly received of their father Thomas shall be reckoned and accounted as part of their portion, and with what the oldest son, John Newell, had already received he is to have a double portion of all the land of his deceased father of all sorts and kinds whatsoever, and after the widow's thirds are taken out of all the personal or movable effects, then the aforesaid eldest son, John Newell, agreed to take up with a single or equal proportion of the personal estate with his younger brothers and sisters ; all which above written the eldest son, John Newell, doth fully accept as his full portion out of his deceased father's estate, relinquishing any farther claim or right he now hath or might have on his deceased father's estate, out of his natural love and affection unto his other brothers and sisters.

"Further, the widow and relict of the said Thomas Newell reserveth the full disposal of her third of all the movable estate for her own maintainance. It is also agreed by the widow and children that Rebeckah Woodford, grandchild of the said Thomas, that hath lived several years with her grandfather and mother, shall have ^"io in movable estate given her out of her grandfather's estate before any other distribution is made.

"Also it is mutually agreed by the sons of the said Thomas Newell that they possess all the lands of their father upon these conditions, that they do pay their sisters so much in current money, for that part of their portion ; that is to say, after that value. If the movable estate will not pay their portion — that is to say, after their value that the land is appraised at — they are to redeem in country pay. Lastly, we have given to the worshipful court the several sums that each of the children have already received, as near as we can, instructing them to make equal distribution of the forementioned estate, according to our agreement, unto all which we have set our hands and seals this eighth of November, 1689.

Signed and sealed in^j Rebeckah Newell,

the presence of John Newell, George Crane, j Samuel. Newell, Caleb Stanly. J John Stanly, Thomas North."

An inventory of his estate taken Nov. 7th, 1689 : Brass, Pewter and Tin, China, Household Ware and Iron, Wooden Ware, .... Bedding and Bedsteads, Wearing Clothing, Linen, Cheeses and other things, Neat Cattle, Hogs, Sheep and Swine, Meadow Land and Upland, . Team Tackling, with other things, and Arms, Provision in the house, Corn, Steelyards, Hooks and other things,

Total, ..... £449 17 06

Appraised by John Stanley and Samuel Cowles. An account of the several sums received before their father's death : John, £34; Thomas, £65; Rebeckah, £30; Mary, £40; Hester, £28; Sarah, £40; Hannah, £28.

Ages of the children when their father died : John, 42; Thom- as, 39; Samuel, 28; Rebeckah Woodford, 46; Mary Bascomb, 44; Hester Stanly, 37; Sarah Smith, 34; Hannah North, 31.

Source: THOMAS NEWELL, WHO SETTLED IN FARMINGTON', CONN. A. D. 1632. AND HIS DESCENDANTS. A GENEALOGICAL TABLE COMPILED B\ Mrs. Mary A. (Newell) Hall, j SOUTHINGTON, CONN. : COCHRANE BROS., BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS; 1878