William Churchill

http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Churchill-753

Churchill, WilliamFamily History From: Genealogical and Family History of Western New YorkWilliam Richard CutterLewis Historical Publishing Co. 1912 William Churchill, immigrant ancestor, is first mentioned in the year 1672, when he married. It is thought he was son of Joseph Churchill, of London, though no relationship has been found. He may have been a soldier in England. When William of Orange was placed on the throne, the provinces repudiated the officers of King James II, and organized a self-government. Jacob Leister, a German by birth, had been appointed by King James, and he was chosen to become the leader of the party until the new king should appoint officers. William Churchill was appointed lieutenant and Joost Stoll ensign. Lt. Churchill became a chief military officer until Lt Gov Leisler, through enemies, was seized, condemned and executed without authority from the new king, after the new royal governor was sent over, although he had served him faithfully. Churchill, though he was imprisoned, escaped the fate of his superior officer, and was released. When he was tried, the judge who tried him said he was “apparently illiterate,” but despite lack of education, he was a strong, honest and fearless man. In 1696 he was summoned before the court because he refused to appear before at muster in arms on a training day; he was enrolled as a “Sentinel, “ or private, in Capt. Tudor’s company; he was “commanded by the Lieut-Coll, in his own person,” and replied to him in “insolent language.” Churchill said that he had a commission for a lieutenant under Leisler, and “did then say that he would not appear in arms in any inferior station,” that being sufficient tp discharge him. For contempt of court he was fined ten pounds or six month’s imprisonment. In 1698 he was admitted freeman at New York. He was a brick-layer. The lot on which he lived is said to have been on Wall Street, and in 1676 he received 80 acres on the northwest side of Staten Island, with 6 acres if salt meadow, and 4 acres if fresh meadow in the cove. It is thought that he moved to Jamaica, Long Island, about 1690, but no authority has been found. His will was dated Sept 19, 1702, bequeathing most of his property to his wife Susannah, but for some reason the will was declared invalid and the property went to his elder son, Charles, mariner. On Sept 25, 1714, Charles deeded the property over to his mother. He married at Manhattan, after March 10 1672, Susannah Baryster or Brasyer. Children born in Manhattan, now New York City: Anne, born Sept 1673; Charles, May 1675; Richard March 1676; Robert mentioned below; Edward 1679. 1) Robert, son of William Churchill, was born in Manhattan and settled at or near Fairfield, Connecticut. His will was dated Nov 3, 1733, bequeathing his property to his children. He married about 1693-94, Sarah. Children born near or in Fairfield: Abigail baptized Feb 17, 1695; Sarah baptized Feb 17, 1695; Elinor baptized Oct 20, 1695; Nehemiah baptized Mar 21, 1698; Edward mentioned below, Robert and Patience. 2) Edward, son of Robert Churchill was born abt 1718, and lived in Greenwich Conn. He married in Walesburg, New Haven Co, Conn, 1741, Esther, Daughter of Abijah and Abigail Hull. Children born in Greenwich: James Dec 25, 1742, died in infancy; John Jun 3, 1744; Esther May 11, 1746; Edward mentioned below; Sarah 1750. 3) Edward, son of Edward Churchill, was born at Hartford or West Haven Conn about 1773. His son John wrote about him; “My father’s parents died when he was an infant; he had one sister, by the name of Abigail. He was bound out to a Mr. Buckingham, and suffered many hardships in his early days. In 1830 he removed to Boston, Erie Co., New York, and there died aged about 100 years. .He was a very temperate man, honest and upright in his dealings, a Baptist in his religious faith. He lived to see 5 generations of his descendants. My mother died 58 years ago (1826), and my father married his sister Martha.” His grandson, Bryon A Churchill, of Buffalo0, New York, gives the date of his birth as 1767 and death as 1867, and his first wife’s death as 1819. He says his grandfather was a shoemaker and farmer, of very small stature, never weighing more than 130 pounds; he says that he was very energetic all his life; one example was that he one day, when he was 92, rode a horse without a saddle, 45 miles. He had property amounting to nearly $20,000. He married in Litchfield, Conn., in 1797, Margery Morse, who died before 1826, married 2nd Martha Morse who died in 1865. Children by fist wife: Sarah born 9/17/1799; Martha 12/1/1800; Abigail 10/20/1802; Edward 2/25/1805; Levi 7/10/1807; Laura 12/20/1808; Achsie Maria 4/29/1811; John mentioned below, Stephen 4/30/1816; Luman B. 3/3/1819; Margery 6/5/1831 died in infancy. By 2nd wife: Olive.