Nathaniel Eells

Nathaniel Eells (Samuel, Samuel, John), bapt. July 22, 1705, Milford, Conn.; m. Oct. 29, 1739, Middletown Upper Houses, Martha Stow; his father "Hon. Saml Eells Asst." performing the ceremony. She d. May 12, 1740. He m. (2) Feb. 17, 1742-3, Alice White, b. Feb. 25, 1713-14, Middletown Upper Houses, dau of Daniel White and Alice Cook of Guilford. On Apr. 10, 1742, he purchased of John Shepard for 1,000 lbs, four pieces of land in the Upper Houses.

The homestead of eight acres extended on Main Street from the south corner of the Methodist church lot to the S.E. cor. of land now (1908) the Soldier's Home. In 1743 he sold the southeast corner of 60 rods, 6x10, to Daniel Ranney, who immediately sold it to Jeremiah Ranney, who built thereon and who, in 1753, sold it to Francis Whitmore, whose daughter, Mary, later sold it to Nathaniel Eells, son of Nathaniel.

The great elm tree in front of the Methodist church is very aged. This Ranney house stood till 1857. Mr. Eells had been led to settle in Upper Houses by reason of the fact that his cousin, Rev. Edward, was pastor. He held many offices and d. Sept. 9, 1776. The gravestones of himself and second wife, are of Portland brownstone. His aged mother is buried next to him.

Children:

1. Martha, b. Dec. 12, 1743; m. Samuel Spencer.
2. Nathaniel, b. Sept. 8, 1748.
3. Theodosia, b. June 10, 1754; rem. 1795, with her brother, Daniel, to New Hartford, N.Y., where she d. Dec. 7, 1850, having lived under the same roof with this brother from his birth to her death.
4. Daniel, b. Dec. 5, 1757.

Source: http://dunhamwilcox.net/bios/eells.htm

He inherited the Wharf Lane Property (Eells-Stow House) from his step-mother. He sold the property to Stephen Stow his deceased first wife's brother.

From his father's will:

Item. I Give unto my Son Nath": Eells besides what I have already ^given him, my Houfe & Homelot where I dwell (upon Condition y' he pay to my Son John Eells one hundred & fourty pounds old Tenor) and to his Heirs for ever when my juft Debts are paid...

...the Reft of my Estate to be equally divided between my three Sons Sam": Eells, John Eells, Nath": Eells, & that my Ex'": receive & pay my juft Debts : and I do hereby appoint my three Sons Sam":, John & Nath": to be the Ex: of this my laft Will & Testam*: In witnefs y' this is my laft Will & Testam*: I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal in Miford Ocf: 28"": 1752. new Stile

Source:"The Eells family of Dorchester, Massachusetts : in the line of Nathaniel Eells of Middleton, Connecticut, 1633-1821 : with notes on the Lenthall family"

http://archive.org/stream/eellsfamilyofdor1903star/eellsfamilyofdor...