Timothy Chauncey Jerome, Sr.

To US in 1710. It is assmed that Timothy was born French as he was a French Heugenot religion in Meriden. The French Heugenots were driven out of France in the early 1700's by the catholics.

Timothy Chauncey Jerome was born about 1688, and died at Wallingford (now Meriden), Conn., Feb. 23, 1751. It is said that he was one of three brothers who came together to America. (John and Stephen Jr.), which implies that there was a Stephen Sr. They came from England with a Royal Grant for monopoly on salt making in the area. Timothy came from the Isle of Wight, England to New England about 1709. He settled first in Dorchester, Mass., but lived in Windham, Conn. by 1713. About 1709/10 he married Abigail Rich, daughter of Nicolaus and Abigail (Greene) Rich. She was born about 1686. Timothy came from the Isle of Wight, England (according to family tradition) to New England about 1709. In 1717 he was a resident of Wallingford, being one of the first settlers. He was a Sergeant of a train band, and was recorded as a Freeman on Apr. 30, 1730. It is said that he was a captain in the military and that his sword is still in the Jerome family. His wife was recorded as a member of the Christian Brethren Church of Meriden on Oct. 29, 1729. He supposedly died a wealthy man. There is a book in the library of Congress by Samuel B. Jerome that gives a detailed view of the family life and descendants of Timothy. On 27 Mar 1738-39, David and Patience Sanford, of Wallingford, quit claimed all their rights in the Burrows farm in Wallingford "near the stone house" to Timothy Jerome. Timothy and Abigail's wills both exist in the Wallingford (New Haven) town records.

Part of Timothy's will reads: "This 8th day of March, in the 22nd year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King George ye 2nd, Anno Domini 1748-9, I Timothy Jerome of Meriden in Wallingford, in Connecticut Colony in New England, being in the sixty first year of my age, and though sound in body and mind, yet calling to mind my own mortality - do make, constitute and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament. And first of all I recommend my soul into ye hands of Almighty God, in hope of his Eternal Mercy, through Jesus Christ - and my body to ye duct by decent Christian burial, at ye discretion of my executors hereafter named." The will goes on to list a lengthy inventory of posessions, including four slaves, Pomp, Rose, Jenny and Prince, valued at over 1000 English pounds. Other items listed in the inventory include books, a vast collection of wearing apparel, 7 punch bowls, bottles, land, buildings, etc. The total value of the estate was just under 9,000 English pounds. One interesting part of his Will left to his wife "use of" the kitchen, "use of one milk cow", "use of the bedroom", and "use of the hallway" All material possessions were left to his sons.

Timothy was buried at Burying Ground Hill, Buckwheat Hill, or Meeting House Hill (different names for the same place) in Meriden CT, which is at the end of Ann St. on the North side of the road in Meriden. A large monument stands in the center of the fenced cemetary. The sign on the gate of the cemetary says, "Meeting House Hill Burying Ground, 1729 - 1777, Erected by Ruth Hart chapter, D.A.R., 1904." The monument in the center of the cemetary is inscribed, "In memory of the first settlers of the town of Meriden who were buried within and near this enclosure and whos names so far as known are inscribed on this monument. The meeting house in which they worshipped and the first erected in the town, stood about 50 rods west of this memorial. Erected by the town of Meriden, 1857." On the remaining two sides of the monument are listed several names, as if they had been taken off tombstones, since each contained a death date and their age at death. Timothy Jerome's name is third on the monument, just under the preacher of the parish and his wife. The cemetary still contains about 25 semi-readable tombstones, and pieces of several others that have been broken or that are unreadable. Timothy's tombstone wasn't among the readable ones, but apparently existed in 1857 when the memorial was erected, because his information is on the memorial.

Timothy was the Great Great Great Great Grandfather of Sir WInston Churchill.