John Porter, II, of Windsor

John Porter, son of John Porter (1560 - 1625) and Sybil Vessey (1561 - 1625), was baptized on 21 June 1594 in Holy Cross Church, Felsted, Essex, England. He died on 21 April 1648 in Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, at age 53, and was buried the next day. Believed to be the ancestor of three US presidents: Grant, Cleveland, and Ford.

Marriage and Children

John Porter married Anna White (also known as Roseanna White), daughter of Robert White and Bridget Allgar, on 18 October 1620 in All Saints Church, Messing, Essex, England. She was born about 13 July 1600 in Shalford, Essex, England, and died 11 May 1647 at Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut. Anna was probably the sister of Mary White of Messing who married Joseph Loomis, the immigrant ancestor of the Windsor family of that name. Another sister married 7 Nov 1616 Wm. Goodwin of Hartford and the three are thought to have been the sisters of Elder John White though this has not yet been proven. Both the Loomis and Goodwin marriages are from the Shalford Parish register.

John and Anna's known children were:

1. Thomas Porter (1620 England - 1697 Hartford, Connecticut) married Sarah Hart
2. Johanna "Anna" Porter (christened 22 September 1621 Felstead, Essex, England - 21 July 1653 Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut) married (1) Joseph Judson (2) William Gaylor.
3. John Porter (c. 9 February 1623 Felstead, Essex, England - 2 August 1688)
4. Sarah Porter (15 March 1624 Felstead, Essex, England - 16 March 1696 Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, buried at Congregational Burying Place, Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut) married (1) Joseph Judson on 24 October 1644 (2) spouse Josiah Barber
5. James Porter (c. 20 February 1627/28 Felstead, Essex, England - 27 September 1727 London, England) married (1) Elizabeth Baldwin (2) Sarah Tudor
6. Rebecca Porter (c. 16 September 1630 Felstead, Essex, England - 9 January 1682/83 Saybrook, Connecticut) married John Clark
7. Samuel Porter (22 May 1632 Felstead, Essex, England - c. 26 May 1632 Felstead, Essex, England) married Hannah Stanley in 1659 Windsor, Connecticut
8. Rose Porter (c. 24 June 1633 Felstead, Essex, England - 12 May 1648 Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut
9. Mary Porter (1 October 1637 Messing, Essex, England - 16 December 1681 Windsor, Connecticut) married Samuel Grant
10. James Porter (born 1638 Felstead, Essex, England)
11. Nathaniel Porter (19 July 1640 Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut - January 1680 Statford, Fairfield, Connecticut) married (1) Hannah Groves (2) Elizabeth Baldwin.
12. Hannah Porter (4 September 1642 Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut - 19 September 1677 Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts), married John Coleman
13. Joseph Porter (born 1644 Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut)

Brief Biography

John Porter was born in Felsted, Essex County, England. In 1620 he married, in Messing, Anna White. Both were of fairly prosperous families. They had nine known children born in Felsted; the marriage and birth records are found in Essex County records. In 1638, when John was 44, the family emigrated to New England, probably with the Huit party on the "Susan and Ellen", in company with Anna's brother-in-law, Joseph Loomis.

In April of 1639 John acquired a home lot in Windsor on "the Island", located at the confluence of the Farmington and Connecticut rivers in Windsor. The land is elevated and is typically an island unless there's a drought. He resided next door to Joseph Loomis, whose wife, Mary White, was a sister to John's wife. Both John and Joseph were influential and prosperous men in Windsor. By 1641 John had grants from the town totaling 400 acres, ranking among the top quarter in Windsor. John Porter and Joseph Loomis were also brother-in-laws to William Goodwin and John White, both influential men in Hartford.

John and Anna had two more known children born in Windsor. He was active in the community serving in both town and colony offices, serving as Deputy from Windsor to the Connecticut Legislature in August 1639, October 1646, and May 1647. He was involved in the merchant trade, probably in cloth, and probably traded with his son James, who was a merchant in London. James would also eventually act as agent of the Colony of Connecticut in London.

John Porter died at the age of 53 at Windsor, 21 April 1648, and was was buried the next day. His will, dated 20 April 1648 and found in Connecticut Colonial Records, mentions his "sonne Josepgh Judgson", who was actually his son-in-law. His large estate was probated on 7 June 1649.

Last Will and Testament

The will of John Porter of Windsor was dated 20 April 1648. It reads: "Imprimis, This is the last Will and Testament made by mee, John Porter, of Wyndsor, allthough now weake and sick in body yet in perfect memory, doe bequeath my Soule to God that gave it, and my Body to bee buried, and my Goods as followeth:-- "Item, I give to my eldest sonne, John Porter, one hundred pounds; and to my second sonne Jeames Porter, I give three-score pounds; and to my other six children, to witt, Sammuell Porter, Nathaniell Porter, Rebecka Porter, Rose Porter, Mary Porter, Anna Porter, I give to each of them thirty pound a peece; w[hi]ch is to bee raised out of my whole estate, as howseings, lands, cattells and household goods, and is to bee paid as they come to bee twenty yeares of age or sooner if my overseers sees just cause, without whose consent I would not have them to marrye; w[hi]ch if they doe, it shall bee in the power my ov[e]rseers to abate of theire portions, and give it to the other that are more deservinge, And in case any of my children dye, before they bee married or bee twenty yeares of age, theire portion shall bee equally devided amongst the rest, unless the ov[e]rseers see cause to abate it uppon the eldest. In case my estate shall bee founde uppon perticular veiw to arise to bee more in valew then these portions above given, or less then the summ, my will is that it shall bee proportionably added or abated to my childrens severall portions, except my ov[e]rseers see cause to abate my eldest, that hath the bigger portion, or likewise my second. The particular goods wherein each childe shall have his porcon paid out of my whole estate, I leave to the discretion of my ov[e]rseers. "My sonn Joseph Judgson is to take twenty shillings of Thomas Thornton, the next winter. "Allso, I give fifty shillings to the pore of Wyndsor Church. "My desire is that these my beloved freinds would bee the ov[e]rseers of this my last will and Testament; Mr. Warham, of Wyndsor, Mr. Goodwyn, or Hartford, Goodman White, of Hartford, Mathew Graunt, of Wyndsor. "John Porter "Witnesses: Henry Clarke, Abigail Branker" The will and inventory were presented in court 7 June 1649. The inventory, made 27 April 1648, shows he had a five-room house consisting of parlor, chamber over same, kitchen, chamber over same, and a "new Roome," a total in real and personal property of L470-17s.

Notes

• Residence: 1620 Felsted, Essex, England
• Immigration: By 1638, possibly with the Rev. Huit party which came to Dorchester on the "Susan and Ellen" and arrived July 17, 1638. An alternate immigration date is 1639 OCR, according to statements furnished by Henry White, Esq., of New Haven, Connecticut.
• John was one of the first settlers of Windsor, Connecticut. According to Savage, he may settled briefly at Dorchester, but soon accompanied Rev. Ephraim Hewitt to Connecticut.
• The Connecticut Colonial Records cite that, 11 April 1639, "Jno Porter" was one of six who were found to pay for corn which was ruined by a defect in a fence, the corn being owned by Mr. Williams.
• Public Office: Constable 1639; Town Clerk 1640; Grand Juror 1643; Deputy to the General Court of Connecticut 1639, 1646, 1647
• Education: Signed his name
• Occupation: Merchant
• Ancestry: Descended in the 16th generation from William de la Grand, a Norman knight of Kenilworth in Warwickshire, 1066; descendant of John Porter (born 1519 Wraxhall Abbey, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

Discussion

• Although family legends hold that Anna White's actual name was "Rose Anna White", it should be noted that middle names were not in common use in England until some time after Anna's birth. It's more likely that her given name was "Roseanna", or that she was christened "Anna" but her nickname within the family was "Rose Anna".
• Many genealogists include Anna Porter (born c. 4 November 1638 Messing, Essex, England - died 4 November 1638) as a child of John Porter and Anna White, including Holman in TAG 16:53 (see Sources). Holman later corrected this error, noting a John Porter, gentlemen of Messing, married Anne Waller of Messing on 22 November 1637, and saying it was possible these were the parents of the child Anna baptised at Messing a year later, rather than John and Anna (White) Porter, who already had a daughter Anna living, and all of whose other children had been baptised at Felsted.
• Henry Porter Andrews, in his Porter genealogy (see Sources), lists a son Joseph born in 1634 (no further information given). Holman included no Joseph, and gave baptismal records for all the children she did include. Andrews omitted the Anna born in 1638 whom Holman included and then corrected as not belonging to this family.

Links

• http://genealogy.drnewcomb.ftml.net/b257.htm
• http://www.robsgenealogy.net/woodson/p175.htm
• Porter Family Lineage
• Scottish/English roots Updated: Tue Dec 2 2003

Sources and Further Information

• Andrews, Henry Porter, and Peter Porter Wiggins. The Descendants of John Porter, of Windsor, Conn., in the Line of His Great, Great Grandson, Col. Joshua Porter, M.D., of Salisbury, Litchfield County, Conn., with Some Account of the Families into Which They Married ... Saratoga Springs, NY: Printed for the Compilers by G.W. Ball, 1882. 1:1-28, 2:817-819. Print.
• Barbour, Lucius Barnes. Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records. Salt Lake City, UT: Genealogical Society, 1949. Print. "John Porter Sr. d. 21 Apr 1648, bd. 22 Apr 1648"
• Boardman, William F. J. The Ancestry of William Francis Joseph Boardman, Hartford, Connecticut: Being His Lineage in All Lines of Descent from the Emigrant Ancestors in New England. Hartford, CT: Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1906. Print.
• Coddington, John Insley. "John Porter of Windsor, Conn., and His Parents." The American Genealogist, (n.d.). Vol. 17: 86-87. Print.
• Coddington, John Insley. John Porter of Windsor, Conn., and His Parents: Further Notes. New Haven: American Genealogist, 1943. Vol. 18: 56-60. Print.
• Coleman. "John Porter." Find A Grave. 7 Apr. 2009. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. Find A Grave Memorial# 35636972
• Grant, Matthew, and Henry Reed Stiles. Matthew Grant's Old Church Record. Hartford: S.n., 1930. 57. Print. "John Porter snr . came from Ingland and settled here in Windsor.in 1639. he Dyed Aprell.21.1648"
• Holman, Winifred Lovering. "John Porter of Windsor". New Haven: The American Genealogist, (n.d.). Vol. 16: 49-53, 122. Print.
  • Vol. 16:51-52. The Parish Register of All Saints, Messing: Marriage Record. 1620 Oct 18 John Porter of Felsted and Anna White of Messing. Print.
• Jacobus, Donald Lines. History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield. Vol. 1. Fairfield, CT: E.D. Burr Chapter, D.A.R., 1930. 487-89. Print.
• Roberts, Gary Boyd., and Julie Helen Otto. Ancestors of American Presidents. Santa Clarita, CA: Published in Cooperation with the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass. by C. Boyer, 3rd, 1995. 30-32. Print.
• Savage, Albert Wilcox. The New England Ancestry of Albert Wilcox Savage, Jr. Vol. 2. Baltimore: Gateway, 1988. 1161-162. Print.
• Savage, James, O. P. Dexter, and John Farmer. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Showing Three Generations of Those Who Came before May, 1692, on the Basis of the Farmer's Register. Vol. III. Baltimore: Genealogical, 1965. Print.
• Stiles, Henry Reed. The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut: Including East Windsor, South Windsor, Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, and Ellington, 1635-1891. Camden, Me.: Picton, 1992. Print.
• Trumbull, J. Hammond. The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut. Hartford: Brown & Parsons, 1850. 1:43, 475. Print.
• Virkus, Frederick Adams, and Albert Nelson Marquis. The Compendium of American Genealogy; First Families of America; The Standard Genealogical Encyclopedia of the United States. Vol. VI. Chicago: A. N. Marquis, 1925. Print.
• Woodson, Henry Morton. Historical Genealogy of the Woodsons and Their Connections. Memphis, TN: Published by the Author, 1915. 26-27. Print.

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Came to America on the ship " Susan & Ellen" . was deputy, Conn state legislator, grand juror & merchant

Name: John PORTER

Sex: M

Change Date: 25 JAN 2005

Birth: ABT 1767

Death: 19 OCT 1827 in Williamson, TN

Note: was called 'lame' John Porter on records after 1807 to distinguish him from other John Porters living in Williamson. Tax lists and his marriage to Miriam German all have this designation.

Note: Settlement of his estate in Williamson Co. TN 1827-30 names the following heirs: James H. Porter, Thomas B. Porter, Joseph M. Porter, Mary J. Porter, Amanda F. Porter, Serena G. Porter, Rebecca B. Porter, John B. Porter.

Note: Legislative Petition by Miriam wanting to sell crops, gives his death date.

Note: Owned 140 acres on Little Harpeth

Father: John PORTER b: ABT 1740

Mother: Rebecca

Marriage 1 Lucy HOPKINS b: ABT 1778

Married: 07 JAN 1797 in Williamson, TN

Note: John Pickering was the bondsman.

Children

James Hopkins PORTER b: 1798 in Williamson, TN

Mary J. PORTER b: ABT 1803 in Williamson, TN
Thomas Brantley PORTER b: 02 NOV 1804 in Williamson, TN
Joseph Moody PORTER b: 1806 in TN
Amanda F. PORTER b: 11 APR 1809 in TN
Marriage 2 Miriam GERMAN b: ABT 1781

Married: 06 JUN 1812 in Williamson, TN

Children

PORTER b: BET 1810 AND 1820 in Williamson, TN

Syrena G. PORTER b: ABT 1813
Rebecca Barlow PORTER b: 1814 in TN
John B. PORTER b: ABT 1815

Name: John PORTER

Sex: M

Change Date: 25 JAN 2005

Birth: ABT 1767

Death: 19 OCT 1827 in Williamson, TN

Note: was called 'lame' John Porter on records after 1807 to distinguish him from other John Porters living in Williamson. Tax lists and his marriage to Miriam German all have this designation.

Note: Settlement of his estate in Williamson Co. TN 1827-30 names the following heirs: James H. Porter, Thomas B. Porter, Joseph M. Porter, Mary J. Porter, Amanda F. Porter, Serena G. Porter, Rebecca B. Porter, John B. Porter.

Note: Legislative Petition by Miriam wanting to sell crops, gives his death date.

Note: Owned 140 acres on Little Harpeth

Father: John PORTER b: ABT 1740

Mother: Rebecca

Marriage 1 Lucy HOPKINS b: ABT 1778

Married: 07 JAN 1797 in Williamson, TN

Note: John Pickering was the bondsman.

Children

James Hopkins PORTER b: 1798 in Williamson, TN

Mary J. PORTER b: ABT 1803 in Williamson, TN
Thomas Brantley PORTER b: 02 NOV 1804 in Williamson, TN
Joseph Moody PORTER b: 1806 in TN
Amanda F. PORTER b: 11 APR 1809 in TN
Marriage 2 Miriam GERMAN b: ABT 1781

Married: 06 JUN 1812 in Williamson, TN

Children

PORTER b: BET 1810 AND 1820 in Williamson, TN

Syrena G. PORTER b: ABT 1813
Rebecca Barlow PORTER b: 1814 in TN
John B. PORTER b: ABT 1815

“In 1638, when John was 44, the family emigrated to New England, probably with the Huit party on the "Susan and Ellen", in company with Anna's brother-in-law, Joseph Loomis.” “He was active in the community serving in both town and colony offices, serving as Deputy from Windsor to the Connecticut Legislature … He was involved in the merchant trade, probably in cloth, and probably traded with his son James, who was a merchant in London.”   

(f/g) John Porter Birth: Jun. 21, 1594 Felsted Uttlesford District Essex, England Death: Apr. 22, 1648 Windsor Hartford County Connecticut, USA

husband of Anna White, married Oct, 18, 1620 in Messing Essex , England ,they had 13 children together

Family links:

Parents:

 John Porter (1563 - 1625)

 Sibyl Vessey Porter (1561 - 1625) 

Spouses:

 Rosanna White Porter (1600 - 1648)*

 Anna White Porter (1600 - 1647)* 

Children:

 Thomas Porter (1620 - 1697)*

 Anna Porter Gaylord (1621 - 1653)*

 Ann Porter Gaylord (1621 - 1653)*

 John Porter (1622 - 1688)*

 Sarah Porter Judson (1624 - 1696)*

 Johanna Porter (1625 - 1653)*

 James Porter (1628 - 1727)*

 Rose Porter (1633 - 1648)*

 Joseph Porter (1634 - 1648)*

 Samuel Porter (1635 - 1689)*

 Mary Porter Grant (1637 - 1681)*

 Anna Porter (1638 - 1638)*

 Nathaniel Porter (1640 - 1680)*

 Nathaniel Porter (1640 - 1680)*

 Hannah Porter Coleman (1642 - 1677)*

Burial: Center Cemetery East Hartford Hartford County Connecticut, USA Created by: Coleman Record added: Apr 07, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 35636972 -tcd

GEDCOM Note

<p>[g675.ftw]</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>REF: Ralph Turner: "The records in England give his descent, in the sixteenth generation from William de la Grande, a Norman Knight who came in the army of the Norman Duke, at the conquest A.D. 1066, and that he acquired lands at or near Kenilworth in Warwickshire. His son Ralph (or Roger) became "Grand</p><p>Porteur" to Henry First A.D. 1120 to 1140 from whichhe derived the name Porter." See print out in file from State Hist. Library Wisc.

GEDCOM Note

2 AGE 53