Samuel Culver

Samuel Colver, the fifth surviving son of Edward Colver of Norwich, was born at that place in February, 1691. When he was about eight years old his parents removed to Lebanon, Connecticut, and there Samuel grew up to manhood, taking an active part in the affairs of the town, of which his father was one of the original settlers.

He was married at Lebanon to Hannah Hibbard 13 May, 1714. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary Walden Hibbard of Lebanon. Nine children were born of this marriage; all of them at Lebanon, except the last three, who were born at Litchfield, Connecticut.

Samuel, with his father and two brothers, Hezekiah and Daniel, removed to Litchfield when that place was opened for settlement, about 1722-3 ; they were all original proprietors, and were intimately associated with the growth and development of the town. In 1723 Samuel Colver assisted in the building of town forts; in 1725 he was a town surveyor and one of a list of proprietors; a school trustee in 1731; then a selectman, and in 1744 a sergeant. He was a large land holder, his name occurring frequently in the Land Records at Litchfield ; he also held responsible appointments from the Colonial Assembly of Connecticut,* reference to him being made quite often in the Colonial data of this time in this locality. In 1741 he was a member of the General Court at Litchfield. About the years 1743-45, he deeded much land to his sons, Benjamin, Zebulon, Samuel, Joshua, and Ebenezer; also in 1752 he made deeds of land to the two youngest sons, Nathaniel and Jonathan. There are also deeds of land to his daughter, Zeruiah, who was married to Ebenezer Taylor. In 1768 he deeded land to his son, Nathaniel, and his last deed is recorded in 1770 ; probably a short time before his death.

Samuel Colver was a liberal contributor to the church at Litchfield, taking much interest in its management and work. He died at Litchfield, probably in the year 1770; the exact date is not known, but it occurred shortly before that of his wife, Hannah, which is recorded on 6 July, 1770. From his prominence in the town he is usually spoken of the local chroniclers as Samuel Colver of Litchfield. There was still standing in 1904 the substantial chimney of his Litchfield home, locally known as "Samuel Colver's Chimney.

a portion of his house still stands, as of 1984

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Dec 31 2022, 10:42:22 UTC