See also
1 Daniel BRAINERD1,2 (1707- ) [3627]. Born 2 Aug 1707, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.1,2
2 James BRAINERD1,3 (1669-1743) [3565]. Born 2 Jun 1669, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.1,3 Marr Deborah DUDLEY 1 Apr 1696.2,4 Marr Sarah ? 23 May 1711.2 Died 10 Feb 1742/43, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.1,3
From: Ancestors of Daniel Brainerd by Jane Devlin.
James Brainerd was born on 2 Jun 1669 in Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT and died on 10 Feb 1741/42 in Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT.
Documented events in his life were:
1. VR - Marriage; 1 Apr 1696; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Married Deborah Dudley
2. Executor or Overseer of Will; 17 Jun 1696; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. John Bailey, Sen., in his will dated 17 Jun 1696, appointed "my neighbors Timothy Spencer & James Brainard to be Overseers."
3. Guardian; Bet 7 Sep 1704 And 5 Apr 1708; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Ruth Spencer, daughter of Timothy Spencer, chose James Braynard of Haddam to be her guardian; allowed. Page 110--5 April, 1708: James Braynard, guardian to Ruth Spencer, exhibits in Court an acquittance or discharge, under the hand of sd. Ruth, now of age. Bond now cancelled.
4. Military Service; May 1714; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Colonial records of Conn (1706-1717) Vol V p. 427 May 1714..This assembly do establish and confirm Mr. James Brainerd to be Lieutenant of the company or the trailband on the west side of said town of Haddam and that he be commissioned accordingly"
5. Mention in Will, Inv. or Prob.; 2 May 1715; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Reached an agreement with his siblings to a distribution of his father's estate.
6. Military Service; Oct 1722; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. "This assembly do establish and confirm Mr. James Brainerd of Haddam Conn to be Captain of the company or trailband on the west side of said Connecticut River, in the town of Haddam, and that he be commissioned accordingly".
4 Daniel BRAINERD1,3 (c. 1641-1715) [3617]. Born c. 1641, Braintree, Essex, England.1,3,5 Marr Hannah SPENCER 1655, Lynn, MA.1 Marr Elizabeth Arnold WAKEMAN 30 Mar 1693.6 Marr Hannah SPENCER 3 Nov 1698.6 Died 11 Apr 1715, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.3,5 Buried Old burying-ground in the village of Haddam.5
From Commemorative Biographical Record of Middlesex Co., Connecticut, 1903
BRAINERD. The Brainerds in America are descended from Daniel Brainerd, one of the proprietors of Haddam. Undoubtedly he came as a child, with some relatives who were emigrating from Essex or Warwick Co., to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. When about eight years old, in 1649, he was brought to Hartford, and lived in the family of Gov. George Wyllys, who had in 1636 purchased a property which included the land on which the Charter Oak grew, and had occupied it in 1639. The Brainerd boy grew to manhood in his family, and in 1662, when 21, became one of the 28 original proprietors of the old town of Haddam. He is described by Dr. Field as a prosperous, influential and very respectable man, a justice of the peace and a deacon in the church, and the largest landholder in the town. He married (first) Hannah Spencer, a daughter of Gerrard Spencer of Lynn, Massachusetts, who afterword removed to Haddam, and subsequently married Hannah Sexton. All his children, seven sons and one daughter, were by the first marriage. Daniel Brainerd died April 11, 1715, and is buried in the old burying-ground in the village of Haddam. His children all lived in Haddam or East Haddam. The only daughter, Hannah, married George Gates, one of the proprietors, and also dwelt in the old town of Haddam.
NOTES FROM TIMOTHY W. TUCKER, HADDAM, CT. RESEARCHER
Daniel Brainerd was the progenitor of nearly all who bear the name Brainerd/Brainared. He was born in 1641. His name, originally, was Brainwood. He was stolen from his native town of Braintree, Essex, England, when he was about eight years old and brought to America. He was sold to a Mr. Wadsworth, farmer in Hartford, for his passage: "To be learned to read and write and at the time of his freedom when twenty-one years old to be given two suits of clothes." It is difficult to see what advantage was gained from all this business by whoever it was that "stole" young Daniel if all he got for the boy was the recovery of the expense of passage. Farmer Wadsworth, of course, got thirteen years of service form the lad; and the boy himself seems not to have done badly, besides getting an education of sorts and two suits of clothes. He lived with the Wadsworth family in Hartford, and remaining there until 1662 when he turned 21 and was freed. Then, with others, he went to Haddam and took up land and made the new town his permanent home, where there was still unbroken wilderness. He and the others had to fell trees for their houses. He, his wife Hannah Spencer, and their eight children worshiped in Middletown, CT (about 8 miles away) before permission was granted to the citizens of Haddam, by the General Court of CT, to build a church. He became a merchant in Haddam and built a store out of logs. He became a Deacon of the Church, a Commissioner in 1669, and a Deputy to the General Court. Deacon Daniel Brainerd died April 1, 1715 at age 74. He is buried in the ancient burying ground in Haddam, a few rods east of the Courthouse. His home is town plot No.5 1/2 and bounded on the west by Main St., north by John Bailey (my ancestor), east by the river, and south by Joseph Stannard. Home lot was 4 acres. Daniel married 1st Hannah Spencer (daughter of Gerrard (Ensign) Spencer and Hannah Hills) in 1663, 2nd Elizabeth Arnold Wakeman on March 30, 1693, and 3rd Hannah Spencer (daughter of Thomas (Sargent) Spencer and Sarah Bearding) on November 3, 1698.
Daniel Brainerd's children were baptized in Middletown, about eight miles distant, before permission was granted to the citizens of Haddam by the General Court to build a church and with a settled minister to maintain independent worship, to baptize the children, to perform the marriage ceremony, and to bury the dead. The journey thither was on horseback, following the Indian trail, which became a bridle path, with the wife seated on a pillion, carrying the child in her arms. The children were baptized as "children of ye church of Christ in Lyn (Lynn, Mass.) received ye Initiatory seal of ye covenant baptism by virtue of Communion of Churches
Daniel Brainerd held many public offices of that day. He was repeatedly honored by reappointment to the office of constable, surveyor, fence viewer, town assessor, collector, and justice of the peace, and with others was one appointed to stake out land and to lay out highways. He was elected Commissioner by the General Court in Hartford, Conn., in 1669. He was one of a committee to secure a minister, Jan. 1, 1682, and was elected deacon of the Congressional Church in that place, serving in that capacity through his life.
From: Ancestors of Daniel Brainerd by Jane Devlin.
Daniel Brainerd was born abt. 1641 and died on 1 Apr 1715 in Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. [one web source gave his birthplace as Braintree, Essex, Eng., & his parents as Daniel Brainerd and Hannah Vantree, but this has not in any way been verified.]
Documented events in his life were:
1. Emigrant Ancestor; 1649; Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.
2. Mention in Will, Inv. or Prob.; 11 Nov 1674; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. 22 September, 1674. Thomas Smith of Haddam.. I give to the wife of Daniel Brainwood all my Household Stuffe & Moveables that by this Will are not otherwise disposed of, and my Hay to Daniel Brainwood.. I make John Bailey sen. and Daniel Brainwood my Executors to see this my Will fulfilled
Court Record, Page 144--11 November, 1674: Daniel Brainard refused the Executorship, & this Court grant Adms. unto John Bailey
3. Mention in Will, Inv. or Prob.; Bef 3 Aug 1682; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Given custody of Rebeckah Spencer, 16, and Jarrard Spencer, 14, childern of his brother-in-law, John Spencer. Appointed administrator of the will, 7 Sep 1682.
4. Administrator of Will / Estate; 7 Sep 1682; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Along with Thomas Spencer, appointed administrator of the estate of John Spencer, who died 3 Aug 1682.
5. Took Inventory; 2 Mar 1691/92; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Along with Timothy Spencer, took inventory of the estate of Joseph Arnold, who died 22 Oct 1691
6. Debt Owed To; 7 Sep 1693; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Owed debt of unstated amount by the estate of James Cockshott of Machamoodas who died 11 Jan 1692/3.
7. Inventory Taken; 19 Apr 1715; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Invt. £834-10-03.
8. Probate; 2 May 1715; Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. Invt. and Agreement in Vol. IX, Page 37 Name: Daniel Brainard Location: Haddam
Invt. œ834-10-03. Taken 19 April, 1715, by Nathaniel Spencer, Gerrard Spencer and Joseph Arnold.
An agreement, dated the 2nd of May, 1715: A distribution of the estate by an agreement among the children, Daniel, James, Joshua, William, Caleb, Elijah and Hezekiah (sons), Thomas Gates and Hannah his wife (only daughter): Our father's will not being so full and clear as we could wish, we have thought best to agree upon a distribution of the estate of our hond. father. And having first come to a loving agreement with our hond. mother-in-law, Hannah Brainard, we have proceeded to make the following distribution: I, Thomas Gates, acting in behalf of my wife Hannah, and we, Daniel, James, Joshua, William, Caleb, Elijah and Hezekiah, have fully and freely made up our hond. father's Daniel Brainard his estate, and do hereby promise and engage, for ourselves and heirs, each to take up satisfied of lands heretofore set down to us and to make no more challenges or demands of any more lands or rights, neither by virtue or under color of any deed of gift received from our father in his life-time or upon any other color or pretense whatsoever, and that we do receive sd. lands and every parcel of them as our sd. father held them the day of his death, each running the risk of the title our father had to them, and being obliged to defend the same for his own part if there (was) occasion. Moreover we the sd. Daniel, James, Joshua, William, Caleb, and Elijah, do hereby (declare) that we have received œ8-01-00 apiece out of the personal estate. I, Thomas Gates, do acknowledge that I have received œ33-01-00, and I, Hezekiah Brainard, have received œ32-12-00. Moreover we do all and each of us for ourselves and heirs hereby covenant and promise that we shall make no more demands of estate, real or personal, that was our father's, and that we will in no wise disturb or annoy each other, but each of the eight aforementioned and their heirs may quietly enjoy his part aforementioned. Under the full ratification of all which premises we have all and each of us hereunto set our hand and affixed seal this 2nd May, 1715.
Daniel Braynard, ls. James Braynard, ls. Joshua Braynard, ls. William Braynard, ls. Caleb Braynard, ls. Elijah Braynard, ls. Hezekiah Braynard, ls.
To Thomas Gates, acting in behalf of his wife Hannah (only daughter to our hond. father) 50 acres of land bought of Mr. Blackleach, on the north side of Haddam bounds in Colchester bounds more, in personal or moveable estate. Total, œ45-10-00.
Court Record, Page 253--14 April, 1715: Adms. granted to Daniel and Hezekiah Brainard jointly. They exhibited an invt. of sd. estate and also an agreement for a division of the estate, which was accepted by the Court.
Daniel married Hannah Spencer, daughter of Ensign Gerard Spencer and Hannah Joannis Hills, about 1663. (Hannah Spencer was born about 1640 and died on 1 Apr 1715 in Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT.)
Documented events in her life were:
1. Lawsuit; 7 Mar 1660/61; Hartford, Hartford Co., CT. Quarter Court, March 7 1660/61: Simon Lobdell Plt cont: Jared & Hannah Spencer in an action of ye case shee for refuseing to marry with him according to promis and Jared for breach of promis to ye balue of 150£ damadg. [p 232] The Magistrates and Jury in Simon Lobdels case doe returne this as a special Verdict. That ye find not any possitiue engagemt broken by her respecting coniugal relation or absolutely binding her to consummate such a relation: Neuertheles we find vpon Evidenc that Simon hath susteined much damadge by their occasion And therfore doe find it iust and meet that all expences that he hath bin at in referenc to these proceedings ec Jared shal repay to the said Simon and to returne any Goods or money receaued by Jared or any of his family from ye said Simon. And futher that the said Simon shal haue paid vnto him as recompense for his damadge Ten pounds wthin ye space of six months.
[155] Mrch: 14. 60 The Genll Court doth further act in reference to ye Just expenses mentioned in ye special verdict that Jared Spencer shal pay to Simon Lobdel fiue pounds besides the 10£ forementioned in ye verdict all wch Sum of ffifteen pounds shal be paid in wheat and pease or other estate Equivalent therto: Fiue pounds to be paid by the 10th of Aprill the other Ten pounds according as is specified in ye special verdict and this is to be a final issue of yt case.
8 John BRAINERD7 ( - ) [8966].
9 Hannah VANTREE7 ( - ) [8967].
5 Hannah SPENCER1,3,5 (1641-1691) [3618]. Born 1641, Lynn, Essex, MA.1,3 Died 1691, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.1,3
10 Gerrard SPENCER1,3 (1614-1685) [3640]. Born 25 Apr 1614, Stotford, Bedfordshire, England.1,3 Bap 28 Apr 1634.5 Marr Hannah Joannis HILLS c. 1637, Lynn, MA.1 Died 3 Sep 1685, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.1,3
From Commemorative Biographical Record of Middlesex Co., Connecticut, 1903
The Spencer family has a history that runs back as far as Robert de Spenser, who is recorded as a 'dispenser' of the king, William the Conqueror. The first of the line to come to America was Gerrard Spencer, who with his brother, William, Thomas and Michael, located at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1634. Gerrard Spencer was born in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, and was baptized April 28, 1634. He came to New England in 1632 and was admitted a freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony March 9, 1637. He was a resident of Cambridge in 1634, and owned land on the south side of the river. Later he moved to Lynn. In 1660 he came to Connecticut, and was probably in Hartford a short time. In 1662 he and his son John, were among the 28 purchasers of the town of Haddam, which was then, and for many years thereafter, a part of Hartford. He was the wealthiest man of the town. Gerrard Spencer died in 1685.
Genealogist note. The connection to William the Conqueror is interesting. He was the duke of Normandy who defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became the first Norman King of England.
SPENCER lineage has been documented in England prior to 1300. See The Spencers of the Great Migration, Vol I 1300 A.D. - 1783 A.D., by Jack Taif Spencer and Edith Woolley Spencer.
11 Hannah Joannis HILLS1,4 (c. 1618-1692) [3641]. Born c. 1618, Possibly in Stotford, Bedfordshire, England.1 Died 22 Oct 1692, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.1,3
3 Deborah DUDLEY1,3 (1670-1709) [3566]. Born 11 Nov 1670, Saybrook, CT.1,3 Died 22 Jul 1709, Haddam, Middlesex, CT.2,3
6 William DUDLEY , Jr1,3 (1639-1701) [3619]. Born 8 Jun 1639, At sea aboard the St. John.1,3 Died 17 May 1701, Saybrook, Middlesex, CT.1,3
12 William DUDLEY1,3 (1608-1684) [3646]. Born 11 Sep 1608, Sheen (later Richmond), County Surry, England.1,8 Marr Jane LUTEMAN 24 Aug 1636, Ockley, England. Died 5 Mar 1683/84, Guilford, New Haven, CT.1,3
William Dudley was among several emigrants that signed the 'Guilford Covenant', in the company of Rev. Henry Whitfield, aboard the St. John.
Guilford Covenant - signed "on shipboard" June 1639
"We, whose names are hereunder written, intendending by God's gracious permission to plant ourselves in New England, and, if it may be, in the southerly part, about Quinnipiack: We do faithfully promise each to each, for ourselves and families, and those that belong to us; that we will, the Lord assisting us, sit down and join ourselves together in one intire plantation; and to be helpful each to the other in every common work, according to every man's ability and as need shall require; and we promise not to desert or leave each other or the plantation but with the consent of the rest, or the greater part of the company who have entered into this engagement.
As for our gathering together in a church way, and the choice of officers and members to be joined together in that way, we do refer ourselves until such time as it shall please God to settle us in our plantation. In witness whereof we subscribe our hands, the first day of June 1639.
Robert Kitchell, John Stone, Thomas Norton, John Bishop, William Plane, Abraham Cruttenden, Francis Bushnell, Richard Gutridge, Francis Chatfield, William Chittendon, John Hughes, William Halle, William Lute, Wm. Dudley, Thomas Naish, Thomas Joanes, John Parmelin, Henry Kingsnorth, John Jordon, John Mepham, Henry Doude, William Stone, Henry Whitfield, Thomas Cooke, John Hoadly"
From William Dudley, a Biographical Sketch by Al Dudley, an eleventh generation descendant.
"On May 20, 1639, under Captain Richard Russell, the St. John left England for the colonies. It was the first boat to cross the Atlantic and go directly from England to Connecticut. The passengers, followers of Reverend Henry Whitfield, included William Dudley and his pregnant wife, Jane Lutman. They had been married some three years earlier on August 24, 1636 by Rev. Whitfield in his church, Saint Margaret's located in Ockley, County Surrey, England.
It was on June 1, 1639, while still at sea that the twenty-five male family heads drew up and signed an agreement known variously as the Guilford Compact and the Plantation Covenant. This simple agreement formed the basis for the establishment of a new settlement along the shores of what is now Long Island Sound in Connecticut. It has been documented that Jane delivered a child, William, while at sea aboard the St. John. Thus, the boat arrived with one more passenger than were on board when it left England.
We do not know William's birth date but some sources indicate he was born in 1608 in the town of Sheen, later Richmond, in County Surrey, England. His parents are sometimes reported to be David Dudley and Joanna Arnold. We have not yet confirmed this information. Nothing is known of Jane's birth or parentage, but she is said to have been "of Wyseborough Green". Guilford records indicate that the couple had four children. William, was born aboard the St. John on June 8, 1639; Joseph was born in Guilford, April 24, 1643; Ruth was born in Guilford April 20, 1645; and Deborah was born in Guilford, September 20, 1647. Two sources ascribe to them a fifth, unnamed child, but no records have been found to confirm this birth. No mention of a fifth child is made in William's will.
There is very little of record concerning William and Jane although he was apparently a substantial member of the community. He was granted 3 3/4 acres of land on Petticoat Lane (now Fair Street) for a home lot in the first division of land. In subsequent divisions he was granted additional land and eventually accumulated holdings of about 150 acres in various parts of Guilford. William was a farmer and kept cows, horses, sheep, and oxen. Upon his death, his estate was valued at 345 pounds, 3 shillings, 5 pence, a considerable sum in 1684.
Records reveal that he became a Freeman on June 30, 1650, at the same time as many others of the 25 original settlers. We have recently examined some old town records and find that William was elected and served as Townsman on three occasions, in 1653, 1656, and again in 1661. He was also chosen to "set out highway" as needed, to "set out grounds for the mill's use" and to set out fence for the young cattle. He also served as an appraiser of estates on several occasions. It has been claimed by some that he served as a representative to the General Court, but lists of those Deputies do not include his name and town meeting records do not reveal his ever having been elected to such a position. He may have been illiterate. His will drawn up on December 22, 1679 and a codicil, drawn up on July 25, 1683, were not signed, but marked and affirmed. His signature does appear on the Guilford compact, but one or two persons may have written it, like all the others. Similarities in the signatures leads one to this possible conclusion. If he were illiterate, it might explain why he never held public office as all Freeman were expected to do.
William Dudley died in Guilford on March 16, 1684 following by ten years the death of his wife, Jane in Guilford on May 1, 1674."
13 Jane LUTEMAN1,3 (c. 1615-1674) [3647]. Born c. 1615, Wysborough Green, England.3 Died 1 May 1674, Guilford, New Haven, CT.3
7 Mary ROE1,3 (1643-1727) [3620]. Born 1643, Weymouth, MA (Possibly in England).1,3 Died 23 Sep 1727, Saybrook, Middlesex, CT.1,3
14 Hugh ROE , Jr1,3 (c. 1621-1689) [3629]. Born c. 1621, Possibly in Suffield, Hartford, CT.1 Marr Abigail ? c. 1643, Suffield, Hartford, CT. Died 5 Aug 1689, Suffield, Hartford, CT.1,3
15 Abigail ?1 (1620-1689) [3630]. Born 1620.1 Died 1689.1
| 1 | "Ancestry.com, Snow/Lyman Ancestors". |
| 2 | "The Genealogy of the Brainerd Family in the United States by Rev. David D. Field, D.D., 1857". |
| 3 | "Genealogies of Connecticut Families from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register". |
| 4 | "Ancestors of Daniel Brainerd by Jane Devlin". |
| 5 | "Commemorative Biographical Record of Middlesex Co., Connecticut, 1903". |
| 6 | "Notes from Timothy W. Tucker, Haddam, CT. researcher". |
| 7 | "Ancestry.com OneWorldTree". |
| 8 | Francis Bazley Lee, Editorial Supervisor, 1907, "Genealogical and Personal Memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey". |