Thomas Bunce of Hartford

• Possible parents (disconnected) seen as James Bunce of Otterden and Elizabeth Bunce (NO)
• Peter BUNCE
• (Probably) the brother of the Katherine Clark named in his will.

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Controversies

Birth location seen as Westhorpe, Suffolk, England without citation. Removed.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bunce-48

In many genealogy family records, Thomas' parents are claimed to be known. But no sources are provided, and the PGM standard reference, Anderson, states Thomas' parents are currently unknown. So the 'fake' (unsourced) parents claimed here, James Bunce and Elizabeth Raynor, have been removed from the profile's ancestral links, and those links are instead placed here in the text as documentation.

In many genealogy family records, Sarah (______) Bunce has been confused with her daughter-in-law Susannah (Bull) Bunce, who married her son, Thomas Bunce Jr. So far as is known, Sarah's LNAB is unknown.

It has been speculated that Thomas may have been from “Saybrooke, England” (Seabrook, Kent?), of English or Scottish ancestry.

Research Notes

A Thomas Bunce, son of John Bunce was baptized on 11 Oct 1612 in Kent, England. [6] No evidence has been found connecting this Thomas Bunce with the Thomas of this profile.

The family of that James Bunce is detailed within the Visitations of Kent and does not include a son called Thomas. Further, James Bunce died in 1606 well before this Thomas is said to have been born, and the Tyler abstract of the Kent PRs names his father as John not James

Thomas Bunce was one of the founders of Connecticut as an English colonist, not an immigrant.

An English colonist was someone who transported the English way of life and culture to the New World, such as Bunce and his fellow Hartford English colonists. They did not come to America to immigrate into Indian culture, but to colonize with English families and transport their English way of life to the New World.

Whereas, an immigrant was someone who moves into an existing society to assume that culture.

1. Thomas Bunce born about 1612, possibly at Seabrook, Kent, England, married Sarah Bull, and he died before August, 1683, at Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. The Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut, p. 535, and other sources state that Thomas Bunce was born in 1612 in England, said to have been from "Saybrooke, England," of English or Scottish ancestry. He was a "sturdy Puritan, who was at Hartford in 1639, a landed proprietor."

As a member of an army of about 90 men raised from Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield, he served as an ensign in the Pequot Indian War of May, 1637, which was undertaken at the order of the General Court after 30 people had been killed. The Pequot nation (the word "Pequot" is interpreted as "The Destroyers") was considered to be the "most warlike and blood-thirsty Indian nation in New England" because having about 500 warriors (Hinman, First Puritan Settlers of Connecticut) and, along with other Indian tribes in the vicinity, they posed a threat of 4,000-5,000 warriors against the small English settlements of about 800 persons in the Connecticut Colony. Additionally they were trading with the Dutch, and the English were interested in settling in New York, then controlled by the Dutch. Thomas Bunce was granted 60 acres in 1671, and an additional 50 acres in 1672, by the General Court "for his Good service therein [in the Pequot Indian War]." His land was located near the present site of the state capitol.

He and his wife, Sarah, were early members of the First Church of Hartford, but separated from it, and had joined the Second or South Church by 1670.

Historians differ on when Thomas came to America and settled in Massachusetts, but it was sometime between 1632 and 1639. It is thought he marched with Rev. Hooker from Cambridge to Hartford in May, 1636. His name is inscribed on the Founders' Monument in Hartford as a proprietor "by courtesie of the town" which is assumed to indicate that he did not come with the first settlers, but settled there a short time later.

Thomas Bunce filled a number of civic offices in Hartford, i.e., was chimney viewer in 1646 and 1670, constable in 1648, juror in 1649, Townsman or selectman for the years 1653, 1661, and 1665; was Rate and list maker in 1669; and list maker in 1671, 1672 and 1673. He was an active investor in real estate in Hartford, as there are records of nine land transactions for him in the Grantor Land Files of Hartford, and he was also a land speculator in Wethersfield. From early records it appears he also was involved in construction in Hartford, since his will shows he helped to build a saw mill, and also he worked on repairs to the bridge across Little River in 1648. In September, 1672, he was relieved of military training, because he was then sixty years of age.

He was considered a wealthy man, as he owned land in Hartford and Wethersfield at the time of his death. His wife survived him by ten years, dying in January, 1693/94, leaving a will dated 1689, which mentioned their grandchildren, Sarah, Thomas and Mehitabel Meekins, and the two oldest children of her son, John Bunce, leaving the remainder of her property to her sons John and Thomas Bunce, executors of her will. A copy of her will also appears in A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, in Vol. 1, p. 283, but is not reproduced here, but it has been transcribed on the genealogy message board for Hartford County, Connecticut. In some records Sarah (______) Bunce is confused with her daughter-in-law Susannah (Bull) Bunce, who married her son, Thomas Bunce, Jr.

(NOTE: For additional information and other sources, please see Thomas Bunce Family, which is part of Pam's Genealogy Page and also the online edition of James Savage's A Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England, Before 1692.)
Thomas Bunce's will is recorded in a series of books, A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, compiled by Charles William Manwaring, 1902, R.S. Peck & Co. Printers, Hartford, Connecticut, in Vol. 1, p. 418 and reads:

Will of Thomas Bunce, Hartford, Inventory £1024-03-00. Taken August 3, 1683, by James Steele, Nathaniel Stanly, John Easton, in Hartford. £767-03-00. Taken 1683, by Samuel Talcott, John Deming, Wethersfield. A Home lot and dwelling house, £100; to 9 acres of Meadowland at the Pond, £70; to land at the Wherle pool, £9; to Land in the Wett swamp £6; to 30 acres of Land in the Wett swamp, £30; to 6 Acres dry swamp, £12; summe £257; £767-03-00-£1024-03-00. Will not dated.

I, Thomas Bunce, do give and confirme to John Bunce, my sonn and his heirs forever, all that my house and Lott and barn with all the appurtenances belonging to it (which I bought of Thomas Gridley) within the Bounds of the Township of Hartford and my 40 acre Lott which I bought of the aforesayd Gridley which Lyeth near Weathersfield Bounds, together with my whole, right, title and interest in the saw mill built by Mr. Gardener, Stephen Hosmer and my selfe, and doe put him in present possession thereof. Moreover I doe give and bequeath unto my sayd sonn John Bunce six acres of Meadow land in the South meadow on the south side of my Lott Lying by John Wattson's, Thomas Catlin's and Steven Hopkins' Land, as I also give and bequeath to him my Lott lying over against Mr. Webster, which abutts on the Highway east and on John Wattsons land on the west and on John Richards' Land on the South and on the Highway on the North. These last two parcels of land my sayd son John Bunce is to possess immediately after the decease of me and my wife Sarah Bunce. Moreover I give to my sayd (sonn) John Bunce out of my moveable estate £10. I doe give unto my dau. Elizabeth White £20. I doe give unto all my grand child ren to each of them £5. I doe give unto my cousin Elizabeth White £5. I doe give unto my sister Katheren Clark £10. I doe give to my wife all my moveable estate, both of cattell and household stuffe, to be to her use and behoofe whilst she shall Live and to dispose of it at her decease to our children. I doe give unto her the use and improvement of all my houseing and Land that I stand possessed of at my decease, to be for her comfortable subsistence, she keeping houses and fences in good repayre; provided, if she marry again she shall have but one halfe of my houseing and Lands. I do give unto my son Thomas Bunce, Jr. and his heirs forever, after the decease of my wife, all my houseing and lands of what nature and kind they soever be, or wheresoever situated. I doe nominate my sayd sonn Thomas Bunce to be my whole and sole Executor and to enable him to per forme this my will and to pay such legacies as I have herein given, I do grant him the power to sell any part of my Land at Weathersfield for the end afore sayd, not with standing any clause or bequest in this my will to the contrary and that he may have a refuge to repayre unto for advice and councill in all difficul ties that may arise in the attendancy of this my will, I do desire my Breathern Ens. Nath Standly and Steven Hosmore to be my desired overseers to assist him with council and advice as there shall be need.

Thomas Bunce Witness: John Allyn Joseph Whiting Children of Thomas and Sarah (______) Bunce (not in order of birth): 2. John (Sergt) Bunce born about 1650. Elizabeth Bunce married Jacob White of Hatfield, Massachusetts. Elizabeth died about 1716, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. From A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol. II, pp. 449-450: Page 104. White, Elizabeth, widow, Hartford. Invt. £87-05-04. Taken 20 July, 1716, by Cyprian Nichols and Thomas Hosmer.

Court Record, Page 19: 3 July, 1716: Adms. joyntly to John Bunce, Jonathan Bunce and Thomas Meekins.

Page 26: 5 February, 1716-17: Isaac Hynsdale, of Hartford cited into Court to answer upon oath several interrogatories touching the estate of Elizabeth White, the answers to be kept on file.

Page 38: 2 July, 1717: An extension of time to the Adms.

Page 53: 4 March, 1717-18: John Bunce and Thomas Meakins report account of Adms. Allowed, and order to dist. the estate: To the heirs of Thomas Bunce decd., brother of the said Elizabeth White deed., £15-07-08¼ (to be sub divided: to Susannah Howard, £3-01-06½ to Joseph Bunce, the sum of £3-01-06½; to Sarah Wadsworth, £3-01-06½ to Jonathan Bunce his heirs, & £3-01-06½ to Abigail Stanly, £3-01-06½ children and grandchildren of the sd. Thomas Bunce decd., which is their part and portion of sd. estate). — Also to John Bunce, brother of the sd. Elizabeth White decd., £15-07-08¼, which is his part or portion. To the heirs of Mary White, sister of the sd. Elizabeth White decd., £15-07-08¼ (to be subdivided: to John White, £3-16-11; to Sarah White, £3-16-11; to Elizabeth Morton, £3-16-11; to William Worthington, £3-16-11; children of Sarah White decd., which is their portion. To the heirs of Mary Meakins, sister of the sd. Elizabeth White deed., £15-07-08¼ (to be subdivided: to John Meakins, £2-11-03¼ to Thomas Meakins, £2-11-03¼ to Sarah Jones, £2-11-03¼; to Mary Lewis, £2-11-03¼; to Mehetabell Dickinson, £2-11-03¼; to Jonathan Downing, £2-11-03¼; children of the sd. Mary Meakins, which is their part or portion of sd. estate). And this Court appoint Nathaniel Stanly, Thomas Hosmer and William Goodwin, of Hartford, distributors.

Page 57: 1st April, 1718: Report of the distributors. Accepted, and grant a Quietus Est.

3. Thomas Bunce, Jr. 4. Sarah Bunce born about 1634. 5. Mary Bunce born 17 Sep 1645. Second Generation

2. Sergt. John Bunce born about 1650, married Mary Barnard, dau. of Bartholomew Barnard and Sarah Burchard/Birchard. John died before 1734, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. In Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut, p. 535, it says John Bunce and wife were admitted to the South Church of Hartford, 1686. He was townsman or selectman in 1701, 1711 and 1715. His estate was valued at £538-6-8. In his will dated 16 Jul 1730, he left one-half of his homestead to son James and one-half to Jacob, John and Isaac, the children of his son John, who was given right to live in his house during his life; also there were small legacies to three daughters not named in his will. He "owned" the Church covenant on 22 Feb 1670. Their children: Sarah Bunce married George Olcott. Sarah died 7 Jul 1760.

6. John Bunce, Jr. Jonathan Bunce probably died before 1730, since his name is not in his father's will. Elizabeth Bunce.

7. Deborah Bunce.

8. James Bunce. Jacob Bunce probably died before 1730, since his name is not in his father's will. Abigail Bunce. 3. Thomas Bunce, Jr. married Susannah Bull, born about 1650, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, dau. of Thomas Bull and Susannah _____, who died 1683 in Hartford. Thomas died about 1711 in Hartford. According to Hinman's First Puritan Settlers of Connecticut, 1852, pp. 403-05, Thomas Bunce, Jr. was "a man of large estate in lands; had many lots south of Little River, on Rocky Hill, in Wethersfield, east of Great River, his house and home-lot in Hartford where he lived, a right in five-mile purchase, interest in mills, etc." In his will, dated 25 Apr 1709, he referred to himself as an "aged man." He and his wife were received into the Second Church of Hartford 24 Mar 1677/78. He served as townsman, 1679-80, '84, '89, '93, '98 and 1703. Their children were:

Sarah Bunce born Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 1707, William Wadsworth.

9. Thomas Bunce III. John Bunce born 10 May 1674, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, died 20 Oct 1674, in Hartford.

10. Jonathan Bunce. Susannah Bunce born about 1676, Hartford, married 16 Feb 1696/97, in Hartford, Connecticut, Samuel Howard/Hayward. Susannah died 22 Dec 1755.

11. Joseph Bunce. Abigail Bunce married 15 Feb 1704/5, in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, Caleb Stanley. 4. Sarah Bunce born about 1634, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married (1) John White, Jr., born about 1630, died 15 Sep 1665, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, married (2) about 1668, Nicholas Worthington, born about 1635, England, who died 6 Sep 1693, Hartford. Sarah died 20 Jun 1676. The following is from Genealogy of the Worthington Family, complied by George Worthington, 1894:

p. 13-14—Nicholas Worthington of Hartford, Conn. married Sara White, dau. of Thomas Bunce, widow of John White, Jr. Sara d. 20 Jun 1676, and Nicholas m. (2) Susanna, who, after Nicholas' death, m. Capt. Jonathan Ball of Springfield, Mass. Capt. Ball d. 21 May 1741. Nicholas d. 6 Sep 1693. Susanna d. 9 Mar 1727. Thomas Bunce, father of Sara, served in Pequot War, m. Susannah dau. of Thomas Bull, under whom he served during war. Had issue: Thomas, John, Sara, Mary and Elizabeth, who m. Jacob White, brother of John. Nicholas and Sara had issue: William b. 1670, Elizabeth b. 1672, Mary b. 24 Jan 1673, died young. Nicholas and Susanna had issue: Jonathan and John, b. 17 Aug 1679. Children by John White, Jr.: Sarah White born about 1656, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 12 Feb 1677/78, John Graves. According to a website Epitaphs in the Old Burying-Ground at Deerfield, Mass., Sarah (White) Graves died 3 Jan 1741, at age 79 years, which would have given her an approximate date of birth of 1662, which means she married at about age 16. Buried with her was a grandson, "Job Son of Mr. Daniel & Mrs. Thankful GRAVES, Died August 12, 1744 aged 9 M." A note on the website says that Job was the son of Daniel and Thankful (Smead) Graves. John White born 1663, married Hannah Wills. Children by Nicholas Worthington:

Elizabeth Worthington born about 1668, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, married Mr. ______ Morton. William Worthington born 1670, Hartford, Connecticut, married Mehitable Graves. William died 22 May 1753. Mary Worthington born 24 Jan 1673/4, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, died young. 5. Mary Bunce born 17 Sep 1645, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married (1) Thomas Meekins, born 8 Jun 1643, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, died 19 Oct 1675, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, married (2) 1676, John Downing, born about 1640, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts. The date of birth for Mary Bunce, dau. of Thomas and Sarah (_____) Bunce is from p. 109 of book, Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut, by Lucius Barnes Barbour, published by Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc. 1977. According to p. 60 of the book, Oliver-Miner, Ancestors and Descendants, by Frederick L. Oliver, 1956, Thomas Meakins of Hatfield was killed by Indians 19 Oct 1675, and his widow afterwards married John Downing of Hatfield.

Children by Thomas Meekins: Sarah Meekins born 25 Feb 1666, died 28 Dec 1739. Mary Meekins born 28 Mar 1670, Hadley, Massachusetts. John Meekins born 13 Jan 1672, Massachusetts. Thomas Meekins born 8 Nov 1673, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Mehitable Meekins born Aug 1675, Connecticut. Children by John Downing:

Jonathan Downing born 1677, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. John Downing born about 1679, Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Third Generation

6. John Bunce, Jr. married Abigail Sanford, born 11 Oct 1692, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, dau. of Zachariah Sanford and Sarah Willet, who died 2 Nov 1774, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. John died 1743. A record of the family of John Bunce, Jr. is in the book, Oliver-Miner, Ancestors and Descendants, compiled by Ret. by Capt. Frederick Lansing Miner, privately published 1956, pp. 60-64. He listed the following as his sources for the section on the Bunce family: "First Puritan Settlers of Connecticut, 1852, Royal Hinman, pp. 403-4. Bunce Mss., Mrs. Mary P. Morris, Conn. Hist. Soc., Hartford Connecticut Hartford Times, Oct. 26, Nov. 16, 1916; Nov. 13, 1905. Hartford, Conn., land, vital, church and probate records." From A Digest of Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol. III, p. 17: Bunce, John, Hartford. Invt. £538-06-08. Taken by Jonathan Olcott and Jonathan Steele. Will dated 16 July, 1730. I, John Bunce of Hartford, do make this my last will and testament: I give unto my wife Mary Bunce the use and improvement of all my houseing and lands during life, and all my moveable and personal estate to be at her own dispose as she pleases, to and amongst my children after my wife's decease I give all my houseing and lands, the moiety or half-part thereof, unto my son James Bunce, and the other moiety or 1/2 part thereof unto my grandsons, Jacob, John and Isaac Bunce, to be equally divided to them, my sd. son James Bunce 1 part, and my sd. grand sons, Jacob Bunce, John Bunce and Isaac Bunce, the other part, to be to them and their heirs forever. Binding and obliging my sd. grandsons, when they are of lawful age and come into possession of what I have given them, to pay 20 shillings a piece unto their father (my eldest son) John Bunce, Jr., per annum during his natural life. I give unto my sd. son John Bunce 20 shillings besides what I have formerly given him,, to be paid him out of my estate. I give unto my three daughters 5 shillings apiece besides what I have formerly given them, to be paid out of my estate.

Witness: George Wyllys, John Bunce, LS. John Dod, Elizabeth Wyllys.

And further, I, the above-named John Bunce, do make this codicil to my aforewritten will: that my son John Bunce shall have liberty to dwell in, my house, which is now the dwelling house of my son James, in case he shall live to survive me and my wife, during my sd. son John's natural life if he my son John shall desire and require the same. And further, it is my will that my son James and my grandchildren, Jacob, John and Isaac, to whom I have given the 1-2 of my houseing and lands, shall have an equal right in my well to use the water thereof as they have occasion. And further to explain what is above written wherein it is my will, that he shall have my house which I now dwell in for his property after me and my wife's decease.

Witness: Thomas Ensign, Jr., John Bunce, Ls., Hezekial Lane, John Dod. 7 October 1733.

Furthermore, it appears this family was the subject of the following paper which was quoted in a letter to Mrs. Alice K. Howard from Louise Howes Burnett (who died last year and had collected family history for 55 years) on page 3 of the letter, a copy of which Mrs. Kennedy sent to me in 1977:

Also, from xerox copy of a letter enclosed with cover letter from Mrs. Alice (Kennedy) Howard dated May 6, 1977: From: Louise Howes Burnett 3 Lyncrest Dr. Paramus NJ 07652

Mrs. Howard's handwritten note about Louise: "She was assisting me in gathering data of Nathaniel b. Mar. 10, 1780 and Cynthia (Fish) Bunce. - Their son Nathaniel R. m. Mary J. Suffern & their dau. Ella Augusta m. Henry Rowlands. Another dau. Florence de La Mongagne (d. unm.)"

"In the possession of the Rowlands family is a paper once owned by Florence De La Montagne Bunce, who collected family history. It reads as follows:

"Abraham Settled in New York State and had a family which scattered to Long Island and the western part of Conn.

"From the family the only Bunces in England, belonged D'Bunce and four sons at Isle of Wight all living in 1821.

"Jacob died old Batchelor. "Jared died, no issue. "Jonathan settled in Hartford in 1681 and had 9 children: "Theodosia mar. a Spencer and moved to Canaan and New Hartford she has numerous offspring. I remember seeing her children in 1794. "Abraham. "Isaac "Jacob "Gerusha died with lung manu.... [sic] "Jared, my grandfather, had Jared 73; Polly m. B ....... "Gerusha, died with lung manu..... [sic] "Isaiah "Abigail, mar Chadwich and had Caty Skinner." "Jared Bunce, 73 (I assume this means he aged 73 when paper was written) had Mary, William, Sarah, Jared, Elizabeth Lydia, Harriat [sic], Anna and Lydia Pittice. Mary Bunce and Rev. B. M. Palmer 48; had Sarah 23, Mary 21; Ruth, 18; Jane, 16; Sarah is married to Basile Leneard, Charleston, 1 son."

Their children were: 13. Jacob Bunce, baptized 22 May 1715, Second Church of Hartford. Anne Bunce. 14. John Bunce, III, 22 Jun 1718 Second Church of Hartford. Rebecca Bunce, baptized 5 Oct 1719, Second Church of Hartford. Jerusha Bunce, baptized 17 Sep 1721, Second Church of Hartford. 15. Theodosia Bunce. Abraham Bunce, baptized 25 Jun 1727, Second Church of Hartford. In the aforementioned source, Abraham Bunce was said to have gone to New York state, and had a large family which scattered and went to Connecticut and Long Island. There is a record in the 1800 New York census Reel 3, p. 186A of a man named "Abraham Bunts" living at Trenton (later Paris), Oneida County with the following members

1 male member aged between 10-16 1 male aged between 16-26 1 male aged between 26-45 1 male over the age of 45 (probably the head of household, Abraham Bunts) 2 white females under age 10 1 white female aged between 10-16 1 female over age 45

The 1810 census for what was then Wolcott, Seneca Co., N.Y. (now in Wayne Co.) has a record for an Abraham Bunce there as well; however, it has not been proven that this Abraham Bunts is the same person born in Connecticut, but "Bunts" is a spelling variation for "Bunce." Also another Bunce researcher found a town record for Wolcott, Seneca Co., NY where an Abraham Bunts was present at the meeting of the first town council, but his name did not appear on a census or town council meeting for 1812. 16. Isaac Bunce. Lemuel Bunce, baptized 5 Sep 1729, Second Church of Hartford. Lucretia Bunce born about 1730, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 17. Jared Bunce, born about 1702. Abigail Bunce born about 1733, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, married 7 Aug 1757, in Hartford, Connecticut, Barnabas Chadwick. 7. Deborah Bunce married 20 Dec 1704, in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, Edward Cadwell, born 24 Sep 1681, Hartford, who died 3 Sep 1751. Deborah died 1 May 1772.

From record copied from world wide web site: Town of Hartford Center Cemetery Inscriptions Before 1800 Compiled by Charles H. Hale, State Military Necrologist (Original at Connecticut State Library)

CADWELL

   * Deborah, w. Edward, d. May 1, 1772 ae. 84

   * Edward, d. Sep 3, 1751 ae. 70

   * Matthew, d. Apr 1719 ae. 50

The children of Edward and Deborah (Bunce) Cadwell: _____ Cadwell born 19 Oct 1705, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Jacob Cadwell, born 22 Feb 1709, married in 1711, Ann Osborn. Jacob had removed to Fairfield, Connecticut by 1737, and died there in 1765, according to Families of Old Fairfield, 1930, by Donald L. Jacobus. Nehemiah Cadwell born 8 Apr 1711, Hartford, Connecticut. Edward Cadwell, III, born 5 Feb 1713, Hartford, Connecticut. Deborah Cadwell born 26 Jan 1714/15, Hartford, Connecticut, died 2 Feb 1791. 8. James Bunce married (1) 6 Aug 1718, Sarah King, born 10 Mar 1697, probably at Northampton, Massachusetts, dau. of Joseph and Mindwell (Pomeroy) King, married (2) before 6 Jul 1749, Elizabeth (Barnard) King, born about 1698, Hartford, Connecticut, dau. of Joseph and Lydia (Howard) Barnard, who died 26 Feb 1783, Second Church Hartford, Connecticut, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. James died 9 Mar 1774, Hartford and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. From Oliver-Miner Ancestors and Descendants by F.L. Oliver, 1956: "His will, Dec. 19, 1757, proved Mar. 9, 1762, mentions my beloved wife Elizabeth; sons Aaron, Joseph, Phinehas, Perius (Perez) and George. Land at Northampton which came by my first wife to my youngest daughter Unis King. All the rest of my estate to be equally divided amongst all my children." The names of the children of James Bunce differ between the two books, Oliver-Miner and Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut since the Families book lacks the names of the children named Mindwell, Sarah and Jane.

Children by Sarah King:

18. James Bunce, Jr. Elisha Bunce married 10 Sep 1746, in New London, Connecticut, Mary Bramble (or Bramat). 19. Aaron Bunce. Joseph Bunce married Susannah Gross. Phinehas Bunce married 9 Nov 1752, in Simsbury, Connecticut, Mary Reade (or Reed). Perius (Perez) Bunce died 19 Dec 1760, of smallpox Hartford, Hartford Co., Conn. George Bunce. George, son of James and Sarah (King) Bunce, was mentioned in his father's will. Eunice Bunce married Medad King. Sarah Bunce married Capt. Samuel Kilbourn. Mindwell Bunce married Daniel Cornish. Jane Bunce married (1) _____ Guilford, married (2) Eleazer Root. 9. Thomas Bunce III born Hartford, Connecticut, married 2 Jun 1709, in Hartford, to Elizabeth Easton, dau. of Joseph and Hannah (Ensign) Easton, who died 27 May 1741, in Hartford, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. Thomas died 30 Dec 1711, in Hartford, Connecticut. Information on family of Thomas Bunce III is from Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut by Lucius Barnes Barbour, pub. 1982, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. p. 111. Thomas Bunce's estate worth £1185-10-3 in 1712. Thomas Bunce owned the covenant (or basically confessed his faith) at the First Church 27 Oct 1710, wife owned the church's covenant at the First Church on 23 Feb 1695/96, and was admitted to the First Church on 18 Jan 1712/13.

From A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol. II, Hartford District, 1700-1729, page 168-169. Page 179. Bunce, Thomas, Jr., Hartford. Invt. £1185-10-03. Taken 26 March, 1712, by Joseph Wadsworth, Hez: Wyllys and James Steele.

Court Record, Page 57-7 February, 1711-12: And this Court grant letters of Adms. on the estate of Thomas Bunce, Jr., late of Hartford, deed., to Jonathan Bunce, brother of the said deceased, and to Elizabeth Bunce, widow of the said deceased.

Page 59-60-3 March, 1711-12: Mr. Richard Edwards, attorney for Mrs. Elizabeth Bunce, moved this Court to set aside their order of 7 February, 1711-12, appointing Jonathan Bunce with said Elizabeth as Adms., and to grant letters entirely to Mrs. Elizabeth Bunce. The Court refusing, an appeal was taken to the Superior Court, Jonathan Easton, her brother, giving bond.

Page 110-2 February, 1712-13: Elizabeth Bunce, Adms. exhibits invt.

Page 48 (Vol. X) 7 March, 1726-7: Caleb Bull, in right of Elizabeth his wife, Adms., being cited to appear with Adms. account, produced several sums paid, but no receipts. He was ordered to procure and produce receipts.

Page 150-4 April, 1727: Exhibits now account of Adms. Accepted. Estate now £1185-10-03 Order to dist: To Elizabeth Bull, relict of the decd., and to Susannah, the only child. By John Skinner, James Ensign and James Easton.

Page 151-Susannah Bunce, age 16 years, chose James Easton of Hartford to be her guardian. Rec., £400.

According to an entry in the book, Records of the Second Church of Hartford, by Edwin Pond Parker, published in 1892, Widow Elizabeth Bunce was admitted to the Second Church on 18 Jan 1711/12. Their child: Susanna Bunce born 22 Oct 1710, Hartford, Connecticut, married Stephen Hosmer, Jr. of East Haddam, Connecticut. Susanna died 17 Jun 1738, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery.

Copied from world wide web site: Excerpt from: HEADSTONES OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT Town of Hartford Center Cemetery Inscriptions Before 1800 Compiled by Charles H. Hale, State Military Necrologist (Original at the Connecticut State Library) HOSMER

 * Frances, w. Thomas, d. Feb 15, 1675 ae. 73

 * Joseph, d. Jun 27, 1777 ae. 71

 * Mary, d. Stephen & Hannah, d. Mar 4, 1683/4 ae. 3

 * Sabra, w. Joseph, d. Jun 5, 1780 ae. 62

 * Sarah, d. Stephen & Hannah, d. May 3, 1685 ae. 4

 * Stephen, s. Stephen & Hannah, d. Sep 9, 1678 ae. 5 da

 * Susannah, w. Stephen Jr & dau. Thomas & Elizabeth Bunce, d. Jun 17, 1738 ae. 26

 * Capt Thomas, d. Mar 9, 1732 ae. 56

 * Thomas, d. Apr 12, 1687 ae. 83

10. Jonathan Bunce married 16 Dec 1700, in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, Sarah Sanford, born 1681, Hartford, dau. of Zachariah and Sarah (Willet) Sanford, who died 26 Jan 1761, at Hartford and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. Jonathan died in Jan., 1718. Their children were: 20. Zachariah Bunce born about 1702. Susannah Bunce born about 1704, Hartford, Connecticut, married (1) Freeman Gross, married (2) Samuel Deming.

Sarah Bunce born about 1706, Hartford, married 24 Dec 1730, in Wethersfield, Connecticut, Samuel Flagg. Abigail Bunce born about 1708, Hartford, Connecticut.

21. Jonathan Bunce, Jr. Anne Bunce died young Hartford, Connecticut. Anne Bunce died before 1717. Jeremiah Bunce. 11. Joseph Bunce married (1) 27 Apr 1708, in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, Ann Sanford, born 27 Aug 1689, Hartford, Connecticut, dau. of Zachariah and Sarah (Willet) Sanford, who died 18 Oct 1710, in Hartford, married (2) after 1712, Amy Bishop (or House). Joseph died 9 Jun 1750, Hartford, and was buried in the Center Church cemetery. Helen McDonald's Notes: "Apparently Joseph Bunce did not leave a will, so the court granted adms. to Amy Bunce, widow, who gave bonds with William Hooker of Hartford. Then on 10 Aug 1750 Amy Bunce Adms. exhibited an inventory which was accepted. It was made and dated 13 Jul 1750 in which the court granted 'Amy, the widow to serve without bond' and the following agreement: 'We the subscribers being the only heirs to the estate of Joseph Bunce do agree to divide the estate as follows.' etc. and the following children are mentioned: Abjiah, Gideon, Jerusha, Ann, Amy, Martha, Mary, Abigail and Sussanah. No mention was made in the above record of William, Thomas, Joseph and Timothy, but baptism records were found for them, so it is assumed they died before this settlement date."

Children by Ann Sanford:

22. Abijah Bunce. Children by Amy Bishop (or House):

William Bunce died before 1750. Anne Bunce married John Bunce. Amy Bunce married in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, Ebenezer Deming, Jr. born 17 Dec 1712, of Wethersfield, Connecticut, son of Ebenezer and Rebecca (Treat) Deming. Martha Bunce married Joseph Tuttle, of Simsbury, Connecticut. Mary Bunce. Thomas Bunce died before 1750. 23. Joseph Bunce. Jerusha Bunce married William Hooker. 24. Gideon Bunce, born about 1726. Abigail Bunce married Patrick Bainingham. Susannah Bunce married 24 Dec 1754, James Stanclift. 12. Abigail Bunce married 15 Feb 1704/05, in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, Caleb Stanley, Jr. Their child:

25. Timothy Stanley, born 1708.

Birth: 1612 Kent, England Death: Aug., 1683 Hartford Hartford County Connecticut, USA

THOMAS BUNCE, Hartford, 1639, a proprietor "by courtesie of the town." His home– lot in 1639–40 was near the site of the present Capitol. He served in the Pequot War, and was granted 60 acres for good service, in 1671, and 50 more in 1672. He was chosen chimney–viewer, 1646; constable, 1648; juror, 1649; townsman, 1653, 1661, 1665; rate and list maker, 1669; chimney–viewer, 1670; list–maker, 1671, 1672, 1673; freed from training, etc., Sept. 1672, being then 60 years of age. He and his wife Sarah were original members of the South Church, Feb. 12, 1670. He d. before Aug. 1683; appoints "beloved brethren, Ensign Nathaniel Standly and Steven Hosmore" overseers. Inv. July and Aug., 1683, £1,024. He names in his will wife Sarah, "cousin Elizabeth White," and "sister Katherine Clark." His widow d. Jan. 1693–4. —Ch.: 1. John, Hartford; received from his father the house, barn, and home–lot, wh. he purchased of Thomas Gridley, besides other property; he was admitted to the South Church in 1686, with his wife, Mary; townsman, 1701, 1711, 1715; d. before 1734. ii. Elizabeth, m. Jacob White, of Hatfield. iii. Thomas, m. Susannah, dau. of Capt. Thomas Bull; admitted to the South Church, with his wife, 1677; townsman, 1679, 1680, 1684, 1689, 1693, 1698, 1703; he owned a large estate in land in Hartford, on Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, etc. Will dated April 25, 1709; proved April 25, 17 12. iv. Sarah, m. (1) John White, Jr., of Hatfield; (2) ab. 1668, Nicholas Worthington, of Hatfield; d. June 20, 1676. v. Mary, b. Sept. 17, 1645; m. (1) Thomas Meakins, of Hatfield, who was killed by the Indians, Oct. 19, 1675; (2) John Downing, of Hatfield. The late Deacon Russell Bunce and his sons, John L. Bunce, President of the Phoenix Bank, and James M. Bunce, were descended from John Bunce, son of Thomas.

Family links:

Spouse:

 Sarah Bunce (1612 - 1694)*

Children:

 Sarah Bunce Worthington (1634 - 1676)*

 Thomas Bunce (1643 - 1711)*

 Mary Bunce Meekins (1645 - ____)*

 Elizabeth Bunce White (1646 - 1716)*

 John Bunce (1650 - 1733)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Ancient Burying Ground Hartford Hartford County Connecticut, USA

Created by: Kay Record added: Feb 11, 2013 Find A Grave Memorial# 104994923

◦[bunce.GED]

From The Connecticut Nutmegger, September 1991, page 238: Thomas, the original

immigrant who came from England around 1635, probably marched with Hooker from

Cambridge to Hartford in 1636. He was there early enough to be considered a

"founder", and his name is on the proprietor's list of 1639. He and his wife

were members of the Second or South Church.

Thomas accepted civic responsibilities. He was a constable in 1648, juror in

1649, townsman (selectman) in 1655, 61, and 65, rate setter and list maker

1668-71 and 1672-73. He served as an ensign in the Pequot War, and "for his

Good service therein" was later granted 110 acres of land. His home was near

the site of the present Capitol. He was evidently involved with construction

work, since records show he helped build a new mill, and he worked to repair

the bridge across Little River in 1648.

His descendants were many in Connecticut, as evidenced by their numbers in

Barbour's 'Families of Early Hartford'.

Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America, Henry Whittemore, 1967:

Thomas Bunce, of Hartford, 1636, served the next year in the Pequot war, and

married a daughter of Captain Thomas Bull, under whom he served in that war.

He had Thomas, John, Sarah, Mary 1645, Elizabeth.

References - Hinman's Conn. Settlers, 403; Tuttle Gen. 658; Savage's Gen. Dict.

vol. 1, 298.

Boston Transcript, July 2, 1930, #9800: The list of names on the Hartford

Monument is copied from the account of the Hartford, Ct., old burying ground,

by the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, D. A. R.

"In the center of the cemetery is a venerable monument erected in 1835 in

1835 to the memory of 'The Founders of Hartford.' One hundred and two names

including Thomas Bunce.

Boston Transcript, 22 July 1908, #9961: The inventory of Thomas Bunce was

taken August 3, 1683. Will not dated. To his son John Bunce he gave "my Lott

Lyeing over against Mr. Webster," etc. The two last parcels of land John Bunce

was "to possess immediately after the decease of me & my wife Sarah Bunce."

Founders of Early American Families, Emigrants from Europe 1607-1657, 1975:

Bunce, Thomas. Hartford (Mass.) 1636 d there 1683. Ensign. Member of committee

of safety. Stiles, Wethersfield; Savage.

!A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, James Savage,

1965: Bunce, Thomas, Hartford 1636, serv. next yr. in the Pequot war, had,

prob. by a d. of capt. Thomas Bull, under wh. he had act. in that was, ch.

Thomas; John; Sarah, wh. m. John White of Hatfield, and, next Nicholas

Worthington; Mary, b 17 sept. 1645, wh. m. Thomas Meakins of Hatfield, and,

next, John Downing; and Eliz. wh. m. Jacob White of Hartford, br. of John bef.

nam.[1.GED]

theoretically, son of peter bunch and elizabeth raynor.

on the other hand, theoretically had kids despite dying at 14, well before the kids were born.

another branch via rborba26 @ ancestry.com

Source:

Thomas Bunce, "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"

Marriage: 1630 Hartford, Hartford, Colony of Connecticut, British Colonial America

• Thomas' birth and death information are available at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104994923/thomas-bunce
• The following write-up is available at the above-mentioned URL:
  • "THOMAS BUNCE, Hartford, 1639, a proprietor "by courtesie of the town." His home– lot in 1639–40 was near the site of the present Capitol. He served in the Pequot War, and was granted 60 acres for good service, in 1671, and 50 more in 1672. He was chosen chimney–viewer, 1646; constable, 1648; juror, 1649; townsman, 1653, 1661, 1665; rate and list maker, 1669; chimney–viewer, 1670; list–maker, 1671, 1672, 1673; freed from training, etc., Sept. 1672, being then 60 years of age.
  • " He and his wife Sarah were original members of the South Church, Feb. 12, 1670. He d. before Aug. 1683; appoints "beloved brethren, Ensign Nathaniel Standly and Steven Hosmore" overseers. Inv. July and Aug., 1683, £1,024. He names in his will wife Sarah, "cousin Elizabeth White," and "sister Katherine Clark." His widow d. Jan. 1693–4
  • "Ch.: 1. John, Hartford; received from his father the house, barn, and home–lot, wh. he purchased of Thomas Gridley, besides other property; he was admitted to the South Church in 1686, with his wife, Mary; townsman, 1701, 1711, 1715; d. before 1734. ii. Elizabeth, m. Jacob White, of Hatfield. iii. Thomas, m. Susannah, dau. of Capt. Thomas Bull; admitted to the South Church, with his wife, 1677; townsman, 1679, 1680, 1684, 1689, 1693, 1698, 1703; he owned a large estate in land in Hartford, on Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, etc. Will dated April 25, 1709; proved April 25, 17 12. iv. Sarah, m. (1) John White, Jr., of Hatfield; (2) ab. 1668, Nicholas Worthington, of Hatfield; d. June 20, 1676. v. Mary, b. Sept. 17, 1645; m. (1) Thomas Meakins, of Hatfield, who was killed by the Indians, Oct. 19, 1675; (2) John Downing, of Hatfield."

References

• page 109 of Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut By Lucius Barnes Barbour

  ---

According to my grandmother's notes, Thomas Bunce married Sarah who died in January 1693-4 at Hartford Conn. Her will dated August 19, 1689 Court records missing. He ccame to Hartford from Mass and lived south of Settle or Little River, had 264 acres in East Hartford June 12, 1666. Soldier in Battle against Pequots in 1637. In his will proved September 6, 1683 he mentions his sister Katherine Clark. The will not dated took inventory of estate August 3, 1683
She references History of 2nd Church of Hartford of Conn (Cutter) Vol. 1. p. 535