Thomas Bedient

Thomas and his family lived for some unknown period of time in Woodbury Conn, but by 1697 he had moved to Fairfield Conn on Long Island Sound. His life in Woodbury needs research.

On Sept. 27, 1697 the town of Fairfield granted Thomas Bedient the liberty to erect a grist mill on the Mill river. Page 355 of the Town Minutes, 1689-1734 found at the Fairfield Historical Society. The mill was erected on Herdsmans Island, a small island in the river where sheep were herded there each night to protect them from roaming wolves and dogs. It is of historical significance because it is the last remaining tidal mill which worked with the movement of the tides. The orginial mill burned in 1702. It was rebuilt with a new owner and the history of the mill continues with burnings, rebuilding, becoming a Tavern and currently hosting office and apartments. It is an attractive site and a number of news articles have been written about the site. They are found at the Fairfield Historical Society.

Thomas died intestate in Fairfield county, CN in 1698. Mary was his administratrix. Mary Osborne Bedient, the widow, reported back to the Court in Fairfield Ct on July 21, 1699 that distribution had been ordered to one son and six daughters, all under age. The children we can name are:

Mary Bedent born about 1682

Grace Bedent born about 1690 wed John Segar in 1713

John Bedent born May 28, 1695 wed Abigail Walling

Dorothy Bedent born about 1698, baptized in 1701 in Fairfield

Abigail Bedient

2 unknown daughters

Thomas' twin brother Morgan was living in Monmouth County NJ. At least the Catchings' book states Morgan died there, though no date is given. If we assume he is living there in 1698, it could have been understandable for his niece Mary Bedient to move or visit there. That would put young Mary in Monmouth County to meet John Baird and marry him about 1699.

GEDCOM Note

Thomas Bedient Vital Events (3 of 3 timeline events) Birth 22 Jul 1654 England Marriage 25 Nov 1678 to Mary Osborn Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA Death 21 Apr 1699 Woodbury, Litchfield, Connecticut,

Parents No Father No Mother Spouse Mary Osborn 1648 - 1688 and Children John Bedient 28 May 1695 - 1761