Sgt. John Ward, of Branford & Newark

Not the same as John "Dish Turner" Ward

John Ward

• Birth: About 1625 "of" county Rutland, England, 6th son of Richard Ward, as per his 22 Apr 1635 will
• Death: between 31 October 1694 (will written) & 5 December 1694 (will proved) in Newark, Essex, New Jersey
• Parents: Richard Ward d 1635, Joyce Unknown, d. 1640, Wethersfield, Conn. "the widow of Wethersfield"
• Married: 1) Sarah (unknown) 2) Hannah Crane, widow Huntington.

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Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ward-6882
Ward-6882 created 1 May 2013 | Last modified 31 Aug 2023

John Ward, the son of Richard and Joice (birth surname unknown) Ward, was probably born in Stretton, Rutland England. He arrived in New England as a young man, accompanied by his widowed mother, his sister Mary, her husband John Fletcher and their daughter Mary.[1] Researchers have disproven that older brothers Anthony, William, and Robert also emigrated.[2]

The family initially settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut where John's mother died in early 1640-41.[3] The Fletchers departed and were instrumental in founding Milford; John also left to become one of the founders of Branford[4] where his children[5] were born.[6] Some sources name John's wife as Sarah Hill of Guilford, but the relationship has been disproven.[7][8]

Disagreeing with the more relaxed religious policies of the New Haven Colony, John co-signed the Fundamental Agreement of the new colony of Newark, New Jersey in October of 1666.[9] He moved the family there in the Spring of 1667 and for many years appeared frequently in town records as a civic leader.[8] As a member of the milita he earned the title "Sargeant."[10]

John's first wife died prior to 1690 when he married second wife Hannah Crane Huntington.[11] His will, dated October 31, 1694 and proved November 20, 1694 names his "Dear and Loving wife which Now is Hanna Ward by Name," son John Ward, son Nathanel Ward, grandson John Ward, "my Daughters now Living," "surviving children and issue of my Daughter Hanna Baldwin deceased," son-in-law Jabish Rogers, son-in-law John Cooper. Executors were his sons John and Nathanel Warde (Unrecorded Wills, vol. 5, pp. 369-70; NJA 23:489, 21:216). (FTM CD#182

Sgt/Lieut John Ward, died in Newark, New Jersey, in 1694[12]

Family

LT. JOHN WARD, born in England about 1625, died 1 November 1694; married (1) SARAH [%E2%80%A6]; (2) Mrs. HANNAH [CRANE] HUNTINGTON. They emigrated to Branford about 1648 and lived there many years; in 1666 they moved to Newark, NJ, as one of the founding families.

Children of John and Sarah, born at Branford, surname Ward:

• i. JOHN, born 1650
• ii. SARAH
• iii. PHEBE, born 1655
• iv. NATHANIEL, born 1656
• v. ABIGAIL, born 1658
• vi. JOSIAH, born 1661, died 1713; of Norwich

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Updated list of children (needs checking)

1. John Ward Jr. (1650-1695), b. 10 Apr 1650[13], m. [1] daughter of Henry Lyon, m. [2] Abigail Kitchell, d. 1695 in Newark. Named in the Will of John Ward (abt.1625-bef.1694).
2. Sarah b. c. 1652, m. by license dated 23 Jan. 1674 to Jabez Rogers (GMNJ 43:51). Jabish Rogers named in the Will of John Ward (abt.1625-bef.1694).
3. Mary, b. 11 Jun 1654 (year extrapolated from adjacent lines)[14], m. Samuel Harrison, d. 1738 in Newark
4. Nathaniel b. 30 Nov. 1656[15]; d. 1732 Newark (m. Christiana Swaine). Named in the Will of John Ward (abt.1625-bef.1694).
5. Hannah b. 20 1658[16], m. Jonathan Baldwin, d. 1693 in Milford. Named in the Will of John Ward (abt.1625-bef.1694).
6. Elizabeth b. 24 Jan 1659/60(? adjacent records state "1665") [17], m. Thomas Lyon, d. 2 Apr 1717. Thomas Lyon was named as a "brother" in the Will of John Ward (1650-1695).
7. Dorcas Ward b. 10 Mar 1661/62[18], m. Joseph Harrison, d. 25 Jan 1737/38. Joseph Harrison was named as a "brother" in the Will of John Ward (1650-1695).
8. Abigail, b. 20 April 1665[19]
9. Deborah, b. prob. ca. 1667, m. Eliphlet Johnson, d. after 1698. On Dec. 6, 1698 Eliphlet Johnson of Newarka and wife Deborah deeded some land (NJA 21:306).
10. Phebe, b. c. 1669, m. John COOPER, d. 16 Feb. 1720 in 51st yr. John Cooper was named as a son-in-law in the Will of John Ward (abt.1625-bef.1694)

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Will

Will dated October 31, 1694 and proved November 20, 1694 names his "Dear and Loving wife which Now is Hanna Ward by Name," widow and relict of Thomas Huntington, dec'd, son John Warde, son Nathanel Warde, grandson John Ward, "my Daughters now Living," "surviving children and issue of my Daughter Hanna Baldwin deceased," son-in-law Jabish Rogers, son-in-law John Cooper seven pounds "in part of phebys share in the division." Executors were his sons John and Nathanel Warde (Unrecorded Wills, vol. 5, pp. 369-70; NJA 23:489, 21:216). (FTM CD#182)

Disambiguation

THERE WERE SEVERAL PERSONS by the name of WARD among the first settlers of the Town of Newark. This study concerns John WARDE, Senr. and John WARD, turner.

From http://www.altlaw.com/edball/html/d0110/i01042.htm

John Ward, Sergeant (or Senior) son of Richard and Joyce Ward, was born in England. In a sworn affidavit in 1661 he stated his age as about 36 years, which means he was born c. 1625.

John Ward, was brought to New England, after 1635, when his father died in Stretton, England. He was apparently in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1640 when his mother's will was probated. In 1646 he moved from Wethersfield to Branford, where he married, Sarah, last name unknown, in 1646. Their first child was born in Branford in 1647.

On 30 October 1666, John signed the "Fundamental Agreements" of the new colony of Newark, New Jersey and moved there in the spring of 1667. His wife Sarah died prior to 1690, when he married second, Hannah Crane Huntington, the widow of Thomas Huntington

John's name appeared frequently in the Newark town records. He was chosen to arbitrate disputes, elected surveyor of the highways and drew several lots of land. In 1673 he was chosen one of a group to negotiate with the new Dutch rulers. That same year he was elected lieutenant of the militia. From 1676 to 1680 he was a magistrate. He was on a committee in 1679 to curtail travel to New York City on account of a smallpox epidemic in that city. Finally, in 1692 he was on a committee formed to encourage John Prudden to become the new minister.

John died in Newark, New Jersey, his will dated 31 October 1694, was proved 5 December 1694.

His mother Joyce was referred to in Wethersfield records as the Widow Ward and was already a widow when she arrived. A Richard Ward also immigrated and for a short time lived near them but afterward they were always in different locations. The probate records of Stephen Ward(e) in Rutland, clearly identify Joyce (Traeford/Trafford) Ward as his relic and her location in Wethersfield. In addition to John Ward the dish turner (often confused with Sgt John), there was another John Ward who was sometimes in the same vicinity of this Sgt John Ward. The will of Richard Ward does not connect him to this Sgt John Ward of Rutland, Branford, Wethersfield and Newark.

Comments

From the will of Mary (Ward) Fletcher Clarke, of Farmington, 1677:

http://nefamilies.com/fam/groupsheetI100002999.aspx

"I give unto my brother John Ward of Newark 20 Shilings."

Origins

John Ward, resident at Stratton, county Rutland

Source: The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Volume 49. (1918). “Ward of Connecticut.” Page 263. < GoogleBooks >

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References

1. http://mattocks2.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/john-warde-and-john-ward-...
2. http://www.dennismk1.info/getperson.php?personID=I24822&tree=Tree001
3. http://www.condit-family.com/ps01/ps01_493.html
4. http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db... (dead link)
5. The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Volume 49. (1918). “Ward of Connecticut.” Page 263. < GoogleBooks >
6. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ward-6882 Cites
   1. Hutchinson, J.R. "Ward of Connecticut I, Widow Joice Ward of Wethersfield." New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. Volume 49, July 1918. Page 264.
   2. Molyneaux, M. Wheeler. "Some Descendants of William Ward of Middletown, Conn." The American Genealogist. Volume 54, No. 3, July 1978. Page 129. https://www.americanancestors.org/DB283/i/12604/129/24378895
   3. Connecticut: Early Probate Records, 1635-1730. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2006-2019), (A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, by Charles W. Manwaring, R. S. Peck & Co. Printers, Hartford, CT, 1904.). Page 264. [https://www.americanancestors.org/DB82/i/11949/38/1425925802
   4. Simonds, J. Rupert. A History of the First Church and Society of Branford, Connecticut 1644-1919. New Haven, CT: 1919. Page 8.
   5. Atwater, Edward Elias. History of the Colony of New Haven to its Absorption into Connecticut. Meriden, CT: The Journal Publishing Company, 1902. Page 617
   6. Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630-1870 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011.) From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928. https://www.americanancestors.org/DB414/i/13112/184/0
   7. Cook, Richard W. “John Warde and John Ward of Newark,” Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey Volume 57, 1982. Page 59. https://mattocks2.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/john-warde-and-john-ward...
   8. Wolzanski, Karen Hand. http://njfounders.org/node/216 Descendants of Founders of New Jersey. Accessed 14 Aug 2020.
   9. Simonds, 1919. Page 32
   10. Pierson, David. Narratives of Newark (in New Jersey) from the Days of its Founding 1666-1916. Newark, NJ: Self-Published, 1917. Page 97.
   11. New England Marriages to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. https://www.americanancestors.org/DB1568/i/21176/1592/426908526
   12. "John Ward Sr." Descendants of Founders of New Jersey
   13. Branford town records. Volume 1. Pages 171 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-B3LY-Q?i=93&c...)
   14. Branford town records. Volume 1. Pages 171 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-B3LY-Q?i=93&c...)
   15. Branford town records. Volume 1. Page 172 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-B3LB-Q?i=94&c...)
   16. Branford town records. Volume 1. Page 172 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-B3LB-Q?i=94&c...)
   17. Branford town records. Volume 1. Page 173 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-B3LB-Q?i=94&c...)
   18. Branford town records. Volume 1. Page 173 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-B3LB-Q?i=94&c...)
   19. Branford town records. Volume 1. Page 173 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-B3LB-Q?i=94&c...)
   20. N. J. Archives, XXL, p. 216, and Essex Wills https://ia800902.us.archive.org/14/items/calendarofnewjer00newj/cal...
   21. For ancestry users: see Volume XXIII, Abstracts of Wills, 1670-1730 Page 489-490, Calendar of Wills.
7. Lee Francis Bazley. 1910. Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey. New York: Lewis historical Pub. http://books.google.com/books?id=apE-AAAAYAAJ. “Ward.” Page 242-244. < GoogleBooks >