Samuel L. Terry Sr.

• BIRTH Apr 1632 Barnet, London Borough of Barnet, Greater London, England
• DEATH 1731 (aged 98–99) Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA
• BURIAL Springfield Cemetery, Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA, PLOT Willow Avenue 2-97, MEMORIAL ID 112063577

Samuel Terry was found by Hon. William Pynchon in 1650 and placed in apprentice by him. Samuel was from a village called Barnet some eleven miles northward from the heart of London. He was probably an orphan and might have been born in 1634. In 1654-5 the two of Springfield granted to him ten acres of land on "Chickkuppe Plain" on condition that he remain in two five years. 1663 he was granted some land at Worronoco (now Westfied). He received some other grants and in 1678 was appointed surveyor of highways. In 1681 he took an apprentice John Matthews. His trade was a linen weaver. He was fairly well-to-do and somewhat of a farmer.

Samuel Terry came to America in his youth as an indentured servant to William Pynchon of Springfield 1650, with the consent of William Pynchon, apprenticed himself to Benjamin Cooley of Springfield, to learn the weaving business, for a period of three ½ years. He was to receive fifty shillings for each year in good merchantable peas at three shillings per bushel, provided "he will be willing and careful to learn." 1654 was granted 10 acres of land on Chicopee Plain. He served as surveyor of highways and constable and held other offices in Springfield. January 3, 1660 married in Springfield Ann Lobdell. They had ten children. several of whom died in early infancy and childhood. 1663-65 he received grants from William Pynchon in what is now Westfield & Enfield, Connecticut and an additional grant in Springfield, Mass. Prior to 1681 he served as Constable; 1685 was a member of the committee to establish boundaries between Springfield and adjoining towns in 1678 was appointed surveyor of highways 1693 made an agreement to teach his step-son Ebenezer Scott, the art of cloth weaving and was again chosen constable 1700 moved to what is now Enfield, Connecticut and became one of the most active and prominent men in the new settlement. [

He was indentured to William Pynchon of Springfield for at least 5 years for paying his passage to America. William Pynchon was a merchant and trader and founder of Springfield, Massachusetts. The town was named Springfield because that was the name of the town in England where Pynchon was born. He came to New England in 1630, but he must have made other trips back to England because Samuel Terry most likely did not come to America until 1647 or afterwards. One source says that he came on the ship "Pynchon." Another source says he was brought to New England in 1650 by Pynchon.

In 1650 when Samuel was about 15, he was bound to Benjamin Cooley for 3 1/2 years as a linen weaver apprentice. [William Pynchon had gotten into quite a bit of trouble with the Massachusetts authorities for writing a book that contradicted some of the church's teaching. After being called before the court in 1651 and harrassed, he decided in 1652 to move back to England, where he died in 1662. Perhaps he sold Samuel's remaining indenture to Cooley for this reason. [3] Married Sarah Blisse Scott on 19 NOv 1690

Recorded in the Pynchon book:
"Sammuell Terrey joyned in marriage to An Lobdell the 3 day of ye 11 mon 1660."
"An Terrey the wife of Saml Terrey senr. was sick and died May 1684."
"Samll Terrey widower & widow Sarah Scot were joined in marriage Nov. 19, 1690."

Quotes below from: The First Century of History of Springfield by Burt --
"He was chosen Constable, was placed on important committees to assist in laying out town boundaries and to do other work of a public nature. Evidently he made good use of his time, not only with Cooley in his apprenticeship but in subsequent years.
He opened his first account with John Pynchon (son of William) May 22, 1654 when he purchased a bill of goods including:
"1 yd 1-2 qr. of stuff, 1 hd 1-2 of blew cotton, 1 sickle, having promised to help me reap 2 days when I call."
"He was much in Pynchon's employ, going to the Enfield falls with wheat and bringing back goods to the Pynchon store, sometimes in connection with Miles Morgan and at other times with Thomas Miller. The balance in his accounts do not appear to have been more than a few pounds, to which he frequently set his hand.
"The movement to settle Enfield was originated by John Pynchon and a few others, and later Samuel Terry moved there with his family. The first town meeting in Enfield was held in 1688, and John Pease Jr and Samuel Terry were chosen Selectmen, and the latter became one of the most active and prominent men in the new settlement.

Samuel probably moved to CT after the death of Anna in 1684. He was present at the first town meeting in Enfield, CT in 1688. However, since he made trips to Enfield for his employer, perhaps he was at the meetings before he moved there. [Since his son, Capt. Samuel Terry also moved to Enfield, CT, it's hard to tell which these stories are about.]

Spouses
Ann Lobdell Terry 1634–1684 in Springfield, MA (m. 1660)
Sarah Bliss Terry 1638–1705 (m. 11/9/1690)

Children [2]
Samuel Terry, b July 18, 1661, d. 1731, m Hannah Morgan [and Martha Boardman]
EphriamTerry, b Aug 26, 1663, drowned July 15, 1670
Thomas Terry, b Mar 6, 1665, d 1760, m Martha Cooley
Mary (Terry) Horton b July 1667, m Jeremiah Horton
Rebecca Terry, b July 25 1669, d Aug 18, 1670 daughter, s/b Dec 12, 1679
Ephriam Terry, b Feb 3, 1671, d 1760, m Hannah Eggleston, went to Lebanon and died there in 1730.
Rebecca (Terry) Wright, b Dec 5, 1673, d 1759, m Abel Wright Jr
Elizabeth Terry, b Mar 25, 1677, d Apr 21, 1677
Ann (Terry) Bliss, m John Bliss"

References

[1] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112063577/samuel-l-terry

Sources

[2] The descendants of Samuel Terry include Seth Terry, founder of the clock industry in Connecticut, and General Terry of the War of the Rebellion. See the [10] children of Samuel and Ann Terry (below). This book also lists his date of death as Jan 2, 1731, but since this is the same death date as his son, Capt. Samuel Terry, Jr., perhaps it isn't right.

[3] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~nyterry/terry/contract.html

Note

The 02 jan 1730/31 death date and burial in Enfield, Connecticut is that of his son, Samuel Terry married to Hannah Morgan CBW

One source says he married to Sarah in 1690 and moved to Enfield soon after 1700.

Not the husband of Hester Foster