Ives Family History Blog

Thomas Atwater (1500 - 1547) and Before

Thomas Atwater was born about 1500 in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England. He married Johanna before 1521. He died on Dec. 1, 1547. His will was proved December 1, 1547; Archdeaconry Court, book 25, page 3. An unknown number of children were born, but included: Thomas, Christopher, Edward, William, and Alice. Thomas's will mentions his wife Johanna, sons Thomas, Christopher, Edward, and William, and a daughter Alice. It also mentions properties: "one messuage called Ward's and one gardeyn"; "another messuage and one gardeyn sitt., lying and being at Grant's Gate; "my house, the whic I now dwell in, and gardeyn"; and 22 pieces of land, of which are named Edythe, Westbroke, Churchfilde, Darbolls, Broke, Undercroft, Hyfield, Symerfield, Agellcroft, Pyxes, Dervold and "other two pieces" (Parkfields) in Royton, Bromfeld, Bromecroft, and Randalls in Boughton Malherbe.

Robert Atwater was born in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England. His will was proved December 22, 1522; Archdeaconry Court, book 15, page 6. An unknown number of children were born, but included: John and Thomas. This Robert Atwater is designated "the elder". His will mentions sons John and Thomas, brother John and his children, sisters Florence and Thomasyn, and Alice wife of son John. It also mentions properties Langderfield, Parkfields, Little Scotland, and land lying in Lenham called Grant's Gate.

John Atwater was born in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England. His will was proved July 14, 1501; Archdeaconry Court, book 8, page 25. He married Maryan, also born in England. An unknown number of children were born, but included:

1. Robert was born in England, had two sons: John and Thomas. (see above)

2. John, his will was dated August 20, 1537.

3. Florence, her husband was Walter Spyce.

4. Thomasyn, her husband was John Turner.

Thomas Atwater was born in Roynton, Lenhan, Kent, England died there in 1484. He married Eliner who died in Roynton in 1497. She was buried in the churchyard of Lenham. The following appear in Thomas's will but no relationship is given.

1. Robert was born in Roynton.

2. John was born in Roynton. (see above)

Thomas Atwater is most probably the father of Robert and John given above. His will was proved October 5, 1484, and is on file in Canterbury, Kent. This is the earliest will recorded in Canterbury of an Atwater of Royton. His will mentions his wife, Eliner, Robert Atwater, Jr., and John Atwater. While the relationship to Robert and John was not specified in the will, it seems certain if they were other than sons, the relationship certainly would have been given. The will also mentions the properties Bromecroft and Chotecroft in Boughton Malherbe, Langderfield and other properties in Lenham.

The will of Eliner was proved May 16, 1497. Again, it mentions Robert Atwater and John Atwater without specifying their relationship to her. It also mentions properties Bromecroft, Derplon and other properties in Lenham.

Christopher Atwater (1521 - 1573)

Christopher Atwater was born in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England, in 1521, and died in Royton in 1573. His will was proved April 6, 1573; Archdeaconry Court, book 42, page 22. He was buried in the churchyard, Lenham, county Kent, England. His wife was Maryan. They had five children:

1. David, born after 1549, died in Lenham, Kent, England, in July, 1620. His baptism was not recorded in the register of the Lenham Church, which dates from 1558. Per his father's will, David is under the age of 24 at that time. His burial is found on the Lenham Church register in July 11, 1620. His will is on record in Book 45, page 31, Consistory Court, Canterbury; it was proved September 27, 1620. His wife's name was Susanna. No children of his are mentioned.

2. George was baptized in Lenham on February 2, 1565, and died Kent, England, in 1622. He was baptized on the same day as his brother Matthew; they likely were twins. His will is on record in Book 63, page 305, Archdeaconry Court, is dated February 18, 1621, and was proved April 26, 1622. His wife's name was Ann. No children of his are mentioned.

3. Matthew was baptized in Lenham on February 2, 1565. He was baptized on the same day as his brother George; they likely were twins. He probably died young.

4. John was baptized in Lenham on March 5, 1567, and died in Royton in October, 1636.

5. Joanna was born after 1567. She married Stephen Cooke of Smarden in Kent.

Parts of the will of Christopher Atwater are listed below:
“In the name of God, amen, the 24th Day of February, in the 15 yeare of the reigne of our sovereign ladye Elizabeth [1573], by the grace of God Queene of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the faythe,

I, Christopher Atwater, of the Parish of Lenham in the countie of Kent and Diocese of Canterbury, being syck of bdye but of good and perfect remembrance, thanks be to God, do ordayne and make this my present testament, contayneing herein my last wyll and in manner and form hereafter followilige:

First, I trust my soule into the hands of Allmighty God, trustinge assuredlye by his mercye and by the deathe and passyon of or Savyre Jesus Christ to obtayne remissyon and forgyvenes of all my sinnes when it shall please God to take me.... I wyll my bodye to be buryed in the Church yard of Lenham aforesayd....

This is the last wyll of me, the sayd Christopher Atwater, made and delivered the daye and yeare above wrytten, conveying all my lands and tenements sitt, lyinge and being in Lenham aforesayd and Boughton, Malherbe or elsewhere.

First, I wyll that Marryon, my wife, shall have the profett of my three pieces of land called Parkfields and Randalls, lyinge in Lenham and Boughton, Malherbe, untyll my sonne Davyd come to the full age Of 24 years. And when the sayd Davyd cometh to the age 20 and four years, I wyll that the sayd Davyd shall have the three pieces of land called Parkfields and Randalls, to be had to hym and to his heyers forever.

I wyll that the sayd Marryon, my wife, shall have the issues and profetts of my tenement that I now dwell in and the residue of my lande untyl my sonne John cometh to the age of twenty and four years.... And after my sonne John cometh to the age of twenty and four years, I wyll that the said tenement and lande not before wylled shall remayn unto the sayd George and John, my sonnes, to be had to them and to thelr heyers forever.... And if either of the sayd George or John fortune to dye without heyers, then I wyll the one to be the other's heyere, And further, my wyll is that if any of my sonnes dye without heyers before they come to the age of thirty years then one to be the other's heyer.

But if any of my sonnes doe alyenate or sell his parte before wylled before he come to the age of thirty years, then my wyll is that his brothers shall enter uppon it as their owne.

Further my wyll is, that if it fortune my sayd wife to dye before my children come to the ages as is above lymitted and appoynted, that my brothers Thomas and Wyllyam, or one of them, shall receive the profett of my lande to the use of my sonnes, and also have the order of bringinge upp my children untyll they severally come to age, as is aforesayde.

Further, my wyll is that if the sayd Marryon, my wife, fortune to marrye before my children come to the age, that he with whom she shall fortune to marrye shall put in sufficient surety, which shall be bounde to my brothers Thomas and Wyllyam, or to one of them, to perform all the bequests and legacys of this, my last wyll and testament, or ells the sayd Thomas and Wyllym, or one of them, shall receipt the issues and profetts of all my lands, to see this my last wyll well and truly performed according to the true meaning thereof.”

Sole Executrix: Wife Marryon. Supervisors of the will, the brothers Thomas and William. These beinge wytnesses: Richard Ehristoiie, Clerk, Thomas Attwater, Wyllyam Attwood and Wyllyam Attwater.

John Atwater (1567 - 1636)

John Atwater was the son of Christopher Atwater (1521 - 1573). He was baptized in Royton, Lenham, Kent, England, on Wednesday, March 5, 1567, and died in Royton, in October, 1636 and is buried in the Lenham Church Yard. His children all went to new England but he stayed home in England. Administration of his estate was granted to his son, Joshua on November 29, 1636. He married Susan Narsin in Lenham on Sunday, December 3, 1598. Susan died in Royton in January, 1637. They were both buried in the churchyard at Lenham. John Atwater died without a will. His wife requested that the administration of the estate be done by their son, Joshua. She died about two months later.

John Atwater's name was spelled in different ways throughout his life. His marriage entry in the copy of the register of Lenham Church stored in Canterbury was: 1598, Dec. 3d. John Water and Susan Narsin marryed. On the burial register it is Attewatter. In the order of the administration of his estate, granted to his son Joshua, it is both Atwater and Attwater. His own signatures on the annual reports as written as warden of Lenham Church for three successive years all read Atwater. John and Susan had three children:

1. Ann was born before 1610. She married Samuel Caffinch of New Haven.

2. Joshua was baptized in Lenham on June 2, 1611, and died in Boston, on May 16, 1676. He married Mary Blackman, daughter of Rev. Adam Blackman, on May 6, 1651. They had 10 children but only two daughters had surviving families. His will was proved in Boston on May 24, 1676. Joshua was one of the seven men who accompanied Theophilus Eaton from Boston to look for new settlement. The seven remained in a hut at what is now the sourtheast corner of Church and Meadow Streets in New Haven to make observations thru the winter. His allotment in the 1643 division of land was 20 acres from the first division, 4 acres in the neck, 16 acres in the meadow and 64 acres for the second division. His annual rate for this land was 1 pd., 11 shillings, and 6 pence. His estate was valued at 300 pds. He lived in a house on the Corner of College and Chapel Streets and was listed as attending the 1644 New Haven Court. Joshua was a merchant in Ashford, England and knew Eaton and Davenport, emigrating with them. He continued as a merchant in the New Haven Colony, was its treasurer, and was its magistrate in 1658. In 1655 he moved to Milford and in 1659 to Boston, retaining his house in New Haven on what is now Fleet Street until 1665 when he sold it to his brother David.

3. David was baptized in Royton in Lenham, Kent, England, on October 8, 1615, and died in Cedar Hill, New Haven, on October 5, 1692. He married Damaris Sayre and they had ten children: Mercy (1647-1683), Damaris (1649-1711), David (1651-1735), Joshua (1652-1681), John (1654-1748), Jonathan (1656-1726), Abigail (1659-), Mary (1662-), Samuel (1664-1742), Ebenezer (1666-).

David Atwater's Will

Examination of David Atwater's will, in connection with knowledge obtained from other sources, providess information on his children. One of his six sons, Joshua, had removed to Wallingford, Connecticut, where he married, June 24, 1680, Lydia Rothwell, and died soon after, leaving no children. One of his four daughters, the eldest child, Mercy, who married John Austin, died in child birth in 1683, and the will related to her children.

There are special bequests of lands to each of the surviving five sons, David, John, Jonathan, Samuel and Ebenezer, determined in relation to the portions of the estate already received by each. Two of the sons had already been established in business in New Haven, namely, Jonathan, whose name appears in the list of "Proprietors of New Haven, Conn., in year 1685," the bequests to him being, in the words of the will, "besides what also he hath already received," and the youngest son and child, Ebenezer.

The portions of the estate already received by these two sons may have been the requisite money capital for business, and possibly the town lot (now 120 to 128 College Street, north of Elm), assigned to David in the original division of the lands, with its improvements and the house and land formerly owned and occupied by Joshua, on what was known as Fleet Street, bought by David from Joshua 19th June, 1665, after the removal of Joshua to Boston—which house is said to have been occupied by the descendants of David for more than two hundred years—neither of these properties appearing in the inventory of his estate in 1692. To each of the three remaining sons there is a specific bequest of a homestead.

To David Atwater, Jr., whose name was in the list of Proprietors in 1685, as follows.
Item. I doe Ratify and Confirm to David Attwater, junior, my eldest son, my old House, Barn and Orchard, which he already possesseth, and twelve acres, lying on both sides ye creek, adjoining to meadow of Issac Turner's, and twenty acres of upland, ten to ye Cornfield and ten in ye Neck, soth halfe that peese of land fensed in on ye west side of Road and ye Rock.

To John Atwater, whose name was in the list of Proprietors in 1685, as follows.
Item. I doe give and bequeath unto my son, John Attwater, ye House and accommodations at Wallingford, with ye Rights and privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, wch I bought of Samuel Potter, with two acres of meadow I had of John Dod, formerlv Ephraim Young's land, and one acre more of silt marsh next ye River, lying near my son David's.

To Samuel Atwater, whose name was not in the list of Proprietors in 1685, as follows:
Item. For all the Rest of my lands, both uplands and meadow, with my dwelling house, barne and other buildings, wth the Orchard, privileges and appurtenances, I give to my son, Samuel, to be to him and to his Heires forever.

And for these lands and meadows, above mentioned, given to my other sons, my will is that it be to them and to their Heirs forever. And my further will is yt, if any sons see Cause to sell any of their lands, they shall first offer it to their Brothers, that they may have ye first refusal.

It would appear that there had been three divisions of lands to the planters, according to their original agreement, the third division, as indicated in the inventory, being about one hundred acres to him:
Item. From my owne 3d Division, and wt I had of my son John, I give and bequeath unto my ffour sons, David, Jonathan, Samll and Ebenezer, to be equally divided between them.

And forr all ye Rest of my p'sonal estate, movables and stock of cattle, my will is it be equally divided between all my children, at least to ye vallew of it, my Grandchildren, sons of my daughter Austin, to be included for one share."

On December 9, 1691, he recorded his equal care for all his children in an Appendix to his will, without the formality of witnesses, in these words:

Know all men whom it may concern, that I, David Attwater, Senr, Doe upon further consideration, and from a desire to promote love and peece among my children, and to make, as neere as I can, an equall distribution of that estate wch God hath given me, I Doe heereby, as my will, give to each of my children, out of Samuell's part, five pounds, to be paid out of ye stock of cattle or as he may think best.

Probate record:
This Appendix to ye will admitted by all of ye children & ye Court as if proved by witnesses. Agrees with ye Original Text.
Wm. Jones, Clerk.

These extracts from the will of David Atwater, of Royton in Lenham and Cedar Hill, New Haven, end with its opening and closing words:

Know all men by these p'sents, that I, David Attwater, Senr, of New Haven, in ye Colony of Connecticut in New England, though weak of body, yet of Competent, sound understanding & memory, Doe Make and Ordaine this as my last will and testament, in manner and fform following:

Imprimis. I comend my sowle unto the hands of God, through Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, & my body to the earth, to be buried in a Comely and desent manner, according to the discression of my executors hereafter named."

Lastly. I doe hereby constitute and appoint my loving son-in-law, John Punderson, and my son Samuell, to be Executrs of this, my last will and testament. And Capt. Moses Mansfield, Overseer. And Doe order my son-in- law, John Punderson, and my son Samuell, to pay him twenty shillings for his trouble. And I doe hereby Revoak and make voyd all former will or wills. And Declare this to be my last will and testament.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seale this fourteenth day of April, one thousand six hundred ninety-one. 1691.
David Attwater. [Seal.]
Signed, sealed and delivered in p'sense of
John Sayre
Sworn in court:
Samuel Sayre

David Atwater (1615 - 1692) Part Two

David married Damaris Sayre who was born in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England, in about 1625, and she died in New Haven on April 1, 1691. She is the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Aldrich) Sayre. David married Demaris before March 10, 1646/7, the date of the General Court, when the name of "David Atwater's wife" was read among those seated in the meeting-house.

In the first division of lands among the settlers, a farm was assigned him in the "Neck," as the tract between the Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers was called, in an area now part of Hampden, upon which it is believed that he lived until his death. He also had a town lot but never lived on it, preferring the farm. His neighbors included Nat Turner.

David was probably the first settler in this area that became Hampden (Hartley, 1959). He also had a house lot in New Haven town on what is now called State Street and may have lived there for a part of the year. In this first division of land in 1641, he received 24 ¼ acres in the meadow with 141 acres in the second division. His annual tax for this land was 1 pd.,11 shillings and 4 pence. He is listed in attendance in the general court of July 1, 1644, as well as March 10, 1646. In the Feb. 24, 1644 court he was appointed a fence viewer for the farms.

David was appointed town treasurer at the court of Oct. 22, 1645 he and several others were selected to audit the accounts of former treasurers. His role was renewed in 1646. At the court of July 7, 1647 he was fined for being absent from the watch one night. In 1649 he was called for letting his hogs go abroad and for not having them ringed as ordered and was fined 12 pence a hog (see John Cooper). David was involved in several estates. He took the inventory of the estate of: Henry Humiston with Thomas Barnes on Feb. 29, 1663 which was presented in court on May 3, 1664, William Potter with Thomas Yale on Aug. 2, 1662 and the inventory of Gilliam Mansfield on after Dec. 8, 1669 with William Bradley.

At the April 1663 court David Atwater and Mr. Goodenhouse asked for a decision about a land dispute on their adjoining boundary lines. They were both told it was their own fault for not getting their land measured. The court asked them to settle it themselves, which was most desired, or continue it at the next court. Both men requested to continue the issue at the next court. The court also ruled that Mr. Goodenhouse had do wrong to David Atwater in the dispute and ordered him to pay ten shilling for this along with charges of witnesses.

In 1665 a deed of sale from his brother Joshua of all his land and house in New Haven to him was recorded. Joshua is listed as living in Boston at this time. At the January 15, 1665 meeting, David along with others, was appointed to collect the church tax on the farms. He received 90 ½ acres in the third division of land in 1680. At the court of April 26, 1681 he was chosen surveyor of the highways, with William Johnson, for the ensuing year.

David and Damaris had ten children, all born in New Haven:

1. Mercy was born on February 29, 1647. She married John Austin (1643-1690) on Nov. 5, 1667 in New Haven. She died on Apr 14, 1683 in child birth in New Haven. They had nine children: John (1668-1683), David (1670-1713), Joshua (1673-1760), Mary (1675), John (twin) (1677-1773), Hannah (twin) (1677), Mary (1680-1683), son (1683 – Mercy also died in his child birth). All children were born in New Haven.

2. Damaris was born on November 12, 1647/48, baptized on October 21, 1649, and died on December 14, 1711. She married John Punderson (1644-1729) on Nov. 5, 1667 in New Haven. They had eight children: Abigail (1671), John (1673-1739), Thomas (1678-1742), Hannah (1679-1740), Mary (1683-1713), David (1686-1731), Samuel (1691-1731), Ebenezer (1694-1702). All were born in New Haven.

3. David was born on July 13, 1650, and died on January 10, 1735/6. His birth date has also been reported as July 13, 1651. He received 11 acres in the third division of land in 1680 and is listed as a Proprietor of New Haven in 1685. He married Joanna and lived upon and cultivated a portion of the land which was originally assigned to his father. They had three children: Joanna (1682-), Abigail (1684-1742), and Joshua (1686-1773).

4. Joshua was born on January 11, 1652/3. He moved to Wallingford where he married Lydia Rockwell on June 24, 1680. He and Lydia died in 1681, leaving no children.

5. John was born on November 1, 1654, and died in 1748. He married Abigail Glover on September 13, 1682. He is listed as a Proprietor of New Haven, CT, in the Year 1685 (NEGHSR, vol. 1, pp. 157–8). His second wife was Mary Beach, widow of John Beach. He then married Abigail Mansfield and settled in Wallingford on a farm which had belonged to his brother Joshua. He and Abigail Glover had ten children: John (1683-1765), Abigail 1685-, Mercy (1687-), Hannah (1690-), Joshua (1693-1787), Moses (1696-1786), Phineas (1699-1777), Ebenezer (1703-1758), Caleb (1705-1736) , Benjamin (1708-1792).

6. Jonathan was born on July 12, 1656, and died in New Haven on June 3, 1726. He married Ruth Peck on June 1, 1681. He is listed as a Proprietor of New Haven, CT, in the Year 1685 (NEGHSR, vol. 1, pp. 157–8). They had eleven children, all born in New Haven: Joshua (1681), David (1683-1727), Jeremiah (1684-1732), Mary (1686-1753), Ruth (1688-1758), Jonathan (1690-1760), Lydia (1693-1694), Joseph (1694-1766), Stephen (1696-1704), Damaris (1698-1762), Lydia (1701-1708).

7. Abigail was born on March 3, 1659/60 and died after 1692. She married Nathaniel Jones (1659-1684) on Oct. 7, 1684 in New Haven. He was born in Westminster, London, England. They had three children, the first and third born in New Haven and the second in Wallingford: Hannah (1687 – ), Theophilus (1690-), Abigail (1692-).

8. Mary was born on March 31, 1662. She first married Ichabod Stow on Oct. 22, 1688, secondly she married David Robinson.

9. Samuel was born on September 17, 1664, and died on September 17, 1742. He married Sarah Alling (1666-1742) on July 7, 1691, daughter of John and Elena (Bradley) Alling. They had eleven children: Samuel (1692-1713), Daniel (1705-1757), James (1696-1722), Sarah (1698-1699), Damaris (1700-1770), Caleb (1702-1775), Stephen (1705-1757), John (1707-1709), Seth (1711-1712), Mabel (1713). All were born in New Haven,

10. Ebenezer was born on January 13, 1666. He married Abigail Heating (1673-1731) on Dec. 9, 1691 in New Haven. They had four children: Sarah (1693-1761), Mary (1695-1772), James (1697-1766), Abigail (1700-1782). All were born in New Haven. Sarah married James Humiston (son of John) on Jan. 7, 1719.

David Atwater (1615 - 1692) Part One

David Atwater was the son of John Atwater (1567 - 1636). He was born and baptized in Royton in Lenham, Kent, England, on Sunday, October 8, 1615, and died in Cedar Hill, New Haven, on October 5, 1692 and is buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in North Haven. There is much written about him so I will divide this into two parts. He outlived most of the other original planters in new Haven. The immigration of David and his siblings, Joshua and Ann Atwater, to America was partially the result of the religious persecutions and illegal "taxation" by King Charles I in England. In addition, their parents had just died, as had their uncles. From David's birth thru 1633, George Abbott was the Archbishop of Canterbury.

During this period, the Puritans in his own Diocese of Canterbury were largely protected from the persecutions of Charles I by his personal authority. Archbishop Abbott permitted the French and Dutch churches to continue to worship according to their Presbyterian form in Maidstone, Sandwich, and Canterbury. One of these congregations worshiped according to that form in his own Cathedral Church of Canterbury as had been done from the time of Queen Elizabeth. [Abbott was employed on the authorized translation of the Bible under King James I.]

However, another Archbishop, Laud, gained unlimited sway over the mind of Charles I and convinced him that the Puritans should no longer be afforded asylum in England. When Archbishop Abbott died in 1633, persecution of the separatists became much more active. On Christmas Day, 1636, Laud wrote to the king that even though the ringleaders of the Brownists and other separatists from the Church of England had been imprisoned, the movements continued. "Neither do I see remedy like to be, unless some of their seducers be driven to abjure the Kingdom, which must be done by the judges at the common law, but is not within our power." Charles I responded with the memorandum: "C. R. Informe me of the particulars and I shall command the Judges to make them Abjure." Six months later, on June 26, 1637, Joshua, David, and Ann Atwater arrived in Boston on the Hector.

In addition to these ecclesiastical troubles, the forced loans and illegal extractions, resulting from the attempt of King Charles I to govern without a parliament, were severely felt. Each person was required to pay a fixed proportion of his property in land or goods. Those who refused were impressed to serve in the navy, others were imprisoned, "committed by special command of his majesty."

The financial implications on David, Joshua, and Ann Atwater were significant. According to the custom of gavelkind of the time, David, the youngest son, would retain the homestead and remain at Royton when his father died. Joshua had received the rest of the estate and was a mercer (merchant in fabrics) in Ashton, about seven miles from Royton. Both had received much from the estates of their uncles George and David, and from that of Ann, George's wife. Therefore, to leave for America on short notice likely meant selling all of their lands and possessions at a considerable disadvantage.

David Atwater was 22 years old when he arrived in New England in 1637. If he was one of those who accompanied Mr. Eaton to Quinnipiack in the autumn of that year, he returned to Boston, for only seven of the company, including his brother Joshua, remained at Quinnipiack through the winter. It is likely that David and his sister Ann stayed in Boston for the winter and sailed with the company for their new home in the spring of 1638. He signed the plantation covenant on June 4, 1639, the day of the constituent assembly in Mr. Newman's barn.

David was unmarried thru 1643 when his name appears on the list of 21 planters with a valuation upon their estates of £500 or more, "according to which he will pay his proportion in all Rates and Public charges from time to time to be accessed for civil uses, and expect Lands in all divisions which shall generally be made to the planters". (Barber's History and Antiquities of New Haven, edition 1831.)

Jonathan Atwater (1656 - 1726)

Jonathan Atwater was the son of David Atwater (1615 - 1692). He was born in the New Haven Colony on Saturday, July 12, 1656, and died in New Haven on June 3, 1726. He married Ruth Peck in New Haven on Wednesday, June 1, 1681. Ruth also died in New Haven on June 3, 1726. Ruth is the daughter of Jeremiah and Joanna (Ketchell) Peck who came to Connecticut from London. With his father William Peck, Jeremiah’s brother, John Peck, was one of the 39 original signers of the Wallingford Agreement in 1668.

Jonathan Atwater lived in New Haven and was described in a deed as a merchant. At the April 29, 1679 town meeting, he requested approval to receive a grant of land to build a house on. The town approved a grant from the highway or street to the creek, beginning at the north end at Joseph Allsups’ fence, leaving the street at least three rods wide and to extend in length to the southward four rods and at the fourth side, a square line from the street to the creek and all along the front street to be fll three rods wide. He received 5 ½ acres of land in the third division of land in 1680 and is listed as a Proprietor of New Haven in 1685. At the town meeting of August 15, 1681, Jonathan requested some enlargement at the south end of his house that he might secure the bank from washing by water in time of floods. The court appointed Thomas Trowbridge, John Tomson and Moses Mansfield to view the place and observe the water course and make a recommendation to the town at a later meeting. Jonathan and Ruth had 11 children:

1. Joshua was born in New Haven on Feb. 21, 1681, and died on Mar. 16, 1681.

2. David was born in New Haven on August 5, 1683, and died on May 1, 1727. He married first, Ruth, daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth (Dickerman) Bradley, on June 25, 1712. He married second, Tabitha Whithead, on December 2, 1718. His house was in that part of State Street formerly called Fleet Street. He and Tabitha had four children: Ruth (1719-1739), Jonathan (1722-1764), David (1725-after 1750), Samuel (1726-1749). All were born in New Haven. A David Atwater served in the French and Indian War in 1760 in the Sixth Company from New Haven under Capt. Hitchcock, along with Jeremiah Ives. It also could be David (1723-1806), the son of Joshua Atwater or David (1736-1777) the son of Moses Atwater.

3. Jeremiah was born in New Haven on January 31, 1684/5, and died on October 27, 1732. He married Lydia Rosewell (1687-1713) on April 9, 1713 in New Haven. They had two children, both born in New Haven: Lydia (1715-), and Jeremiah (1717). Lydia divorced her first husband, Alexander Wolcott, in 1740 and married John Eliot on Oct. 22, 1740.

4. Mary was born in New Haven on December 31, 1686, and died on August 31, 1753. She married Isaac Dickerman (1677-1758), son of Abraham and Mary (Cooper) Dickerman, on June 30, 1709 in New Haven. After Mary died, Issac married Elizabeth Alling (1691-1767), the widow of John Morris on June 12, 1754. Mary and Issac had nine children: Issac (1711), Samuel (Jan. 12, 1712-died soon), Ruth (Dec. 13, 1712 – 1752), Issac (1714-1750), Samuel (1717-1760), Jonathan (1719-1795), Stephen (1721-1779), Mary (1723-1807), Rebecca (1726-1768), Abigail (1728-1798). All were born in New Haven.

5. Ruth was born in New Haven on December 31, 1688, and died on May 17, 1758 in New Haven. She married Samuel Ives (1677-1726), son of Joseph and Mary (Yale) Ives, on January 3, 1705. They had nine children: Mary (1706 – after 1730), Lydia (1709-after 1752), Samuel (1711-1784), Ruth (1714-1777), Jonathan (1716-1792), Damaris (1718-1802), Phebe (1721-1725), David (1723-1753), John (1726-1812). All were born in New Haven.

6. Jonathan was born in New Haven on November 4, 1690, and died in New Haven on December 27, 1760. He married Abigail Bradley (1694 – 1733) (sister of his brother David’s first wife) on Dec. 15, 1713 in New Haven. They had eight children: Phebe (1714-1795), Abraham (1716-1786), Issac (1718-1770), Jacob (1720-1799), Jonathan (1723-1795), Jonah (1726), Joel (1728-1794), Abigail (1731-1800). All were born in New Haven.

7. Lydia was born in New Haven on April 18, 1693, and died on August 2, 1694.

8. Joseph was born in New Haven on December 9, 1694, and died on January 9, 1766 in Wallingford, CT. He married Hannah Doolittle (1699-1769) on September 10, 1722 in New Haven. She was from Middleton, CT. They moved to Wallingford before April, 1727. They had six children: Sarah (1723), Hannah (1725-1771), Benjamin (1727-1799), Joseph (1729-1769), Thankful (1733-1792), Jeremiah (1736-1812). Sarah and Hannah were born in New Haven and the others were born in Wallingford.

9. Stephen was born in New Haven on December 4, 1696, and died on October 28, 1704 in New Haven.

10. Damaris was born in New Haven on October 9, 1698, and died on July 30, 1762 in Wallingford, CT. She married Caleb Hall (1697-1749) on May 15, 1721. They had six children: Damaris (1722-1741), Stephen (1724-1798), Timothy (1726-1793), Ruth (1729-1783), Caleb (1731-1783), Jeremiah (1733-1740). All were born in Wallingford, CT.

11. Lydia was born in New Haven on July 31, 1701, and died on March 30, 1708.

Atwater Family in England and Early CT

This post begins a series on Atwater family genealogy. Ruth Atwater married Samuel Ives on Jan. 3, 1706 in New Haven, CT. Ruth was born Dec, 31, 1688 in New Haven, CT. She was christened 1689 in Congregational Church, North Haven, CT. (see Samuel Ives for their life together) Ruth died May 17, 1758 and was buried in North Haven, CT. The Atwater family continued to live in the New Haven area. In the 1790 US Census, there were 12 male Atwaters and one female listed as heads of households in Hamden, CT, along with 6 males and one female as heads of household in New Haven town but none in North Haven. There were also 3 male and 1 female heads of household in Wallingford.

In the following posts I will cover the ancestors of Ruth Atwater in New Engalnd and going back a bit into England, concluding with Thomas Atwater who died in 1484. Major sources were Atwater, Edward, History of the Colony of New Haven to its Absorption into Connecticut, Meriden, CT: The Journal Publishing Co., 1902 and Atwater, Francis, Atwater History and Genealogy, Vol. 1 - 4.