"It is wise for us to recur to the history of our ancestors. Those who do not look upon themselves as a link connecting the past with the future, do not perform their duty to the world." -- Daniel Webster

"Let us gather up the traditions which still exist; let us show the world that if we are not called to follow the example of our fathers, we are at least not insensible to the worth of their characters; not indifferent to the sacrifices and trials, by which they purchased our prosperity." -- Edward Everett

The Bartletts or Bartelots, trace their lineage back to Adam de Bartelot, who came from Normandy with William the Conquerer and fought at the Battle of Hastings. He received grants of land in Sussex and was buried at Stepham in 1100 AD.

The next several generations were all buried at Stepham Church, built upon the estate which has been in the family more than eight hundred years

John Bartlett, Esquire, six generations later, was in command of the Sussex troops which captured the Castle of Fontency in France, and to him was granted the Castle Crest of the Bartelot Arms. He married Joan, daughter of John de Stepham, and their son John , member of Parliament for Sussex County, fought at Agincourt and died in 1463.

His son Richard, who married Ketremilla, heir general of Walton, died in 1432 and their grandson Richard Bartelot, Esquire, of Stepham married Elizabeth, daughter of John Gates and died at Tournay, France in 1614.

Their grandsons; John, Richard and Thomas, born in England between 1580 and 1590, emigrated to America in 1635. John and Richard settled in Newbury, Massachusetts, and Thomas in Watertown. They became the original ancestors of that branch of the Bartlett family in America. Richard used the Swan crest which had been inrtoduced in the fifteenth century to commemorate the right of the family to keep swans upon the River Arun, which right had been granted by William the Conquerer.

His son Richard (1621-1698) removed from Newbury to Bartlett's Corner near Deer Island and was for years Deputy to the General Court.

Prof. S.C. Bartlett, of the Theology Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, wrote from London in August 1873, to Levi Bartlett of Warner, New Hampshire the following:

"I was invited down to Stepham, Sussex, and had a very pleasant visit of a single night. The present representative of the family there is Col. Walter B. Barttelot, M.P., born October, 1820. His father, George Barttelot, died last November, age eighty-four years. Col. Barttelot is satisfied that we came from some of the junior members of the family in former times, and so am I."

Robert Bartlett, the earliest settler of the name in New England, came to Plymouth in the ship "Ann", July 1623 and married in 1628, Mary, daughter of Richard Warren of the "Mayflower". Benjamin Bartlett, his oldest son, settled in Duxbury, Massachusetts, married in 1656, Sarah, daughter of Love Brewster, and was Representative in 1685.

Besides the Bartlett families of Newbury, Watertown and Plymouth, there were others in New England at an early date. One of these was George Bartlett of Guilford, Connecticut. The relationship of this family to the Massachusetts Bartletts, though probable, has not been established.

1. George Bartlett and Mary Cruttenden

2. Daniel Bartlett and Sarah Meigs

3. Daniel Bartlett and Anne Collins

4. John Bartlett and Lois Chidsey

5. Samuel Bartlett and Cynthia Benton

6. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan

7. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler

Deacon George Bartlett is said to have been a brother of John Bartlett who lived in Windsor. He was at Guilford soon after the settlement of the plantation in 1639. His name appears as a witness in the first Court record, August 14, 1645, and it would seem as if he had been there a considerable time. At a Court, October 9, 1645, he was appointed, with three others, " to make and finish ye pound within ye time of 3 weeks under ye fine of 20 shillings." He seems to have been a man of education and consequence in the community and was frequently a witness in the Courts.

At a General Court, on May 22, 1648, "Mr. Bartlett was given the Freeman's Charge." In the book of "Terriers" his name is tenth, with a house lot containing four and a half acres, allowed for four, at the southwest corner of the Grean. He was chosen Overseer of highways, on May 12, 1649, and on June 9. 1653, one of the Townsmen. He succeeded Governor William Leete as Secretary of the plantation, on June 5, 1662, and at the same time became one of the Deputies to hold the Particular Courts. He was chosen on April 23, 1665, with John Fowler as one of the first representatives sent by Guilford to the General Assembly of Connecticut, by which colony the New Haven jurisdiction had just been absorbed. On July 6, 1665, he was appointed Lieutenant of the Train Band at Guilford. Prior to that date but after 1660, he and John Fowler were made the first deacons of the Guilford Church.

On June 23, 1654, New Haven Jurisdiction raised a company numbering 133, commanded by Captain Seeley, to cooperate with an army of 800 from all the United Colonies of New England, and George Bartlett was appointed to command the Guilford contingent of 17, with the rank of sergeant. On June 9, 1651, he was elected Marshall of the Plantation, succeeding Thomas Jones. In 1665 he was appointed , with Robert Kitchel, as commissioner for Guilford , and "invested with magestrational power." In 1669, he and John Hoadley were appointed by the town of Guilford to build a cart bridge over East River, receiving three pounds in English commodities, the rest in "country pay or works." A year previously he had been one of three men appointed to build a fence to keep young cattle from the "herd's walk." Deacon Bartlett was married by Mr. Samuel Desborough to Mary, daughter of Abraham Cruttenden on September 14, 1650. He died August 2, 1669, and was buried the next day. His wife did not long survive but died on September 10, 1669.

Abraham Cruttenden probably came from Kent. He was among the colonists who sailed from England about the 20th day of May, 1639. After having been about ten days on their voyage they drew up and signed their plantation covenant, pledging themselves to stand by and not desert each other in the new land which they were about to enter. There are but twenty-five signatures to this covenant but as each head of a family signed for himself and those that belonged to him , including minors, dependants and servants, it may readily be concluded that the whole number of male persons was much larger. Abraham Cruttenden was the eighteenth signer. The colonists landed at New Haven about the 15th of July 1639. Abraham Cruttenden later went to Guilford. The earliest list of planters and freemen made in Guilford after that of the Plantation Covenant is in 1650. The name of Abraham Cruttenden was added to this list May 19, 1651. His name is marked with a star which indicates that he is a covenant signer. The high social standing of the covenant signers, in comparison with the later settlers is noticeable. Abraham Cruttenden died in January, 1683.

Ensign Daniel Bartlett, son of George Bartlett and grandson of Abraham Cruttenden, was born Decemeber 15, 1665 and died November 14, 1747. He inherited his father's home lot, and was granted seven acres of third division land in 1692. He married Sarah, daughter of John Meigs, Jr., January 11, 1687.

John Meigs came to Guilford from New Haven where he resided previously, and was admitted planter on his buying a hundred pound allotment at Hammonassett on its settlement March 3, 1653-54. He was a shoemaker and seems to have been unpopular.

On April 3, 1644, the General Court of New Haven ordered that, "for the more comfortable carrying on of the affayres at Guilforde, till they have a magistrate their the free burgesses may chose among themselves fower Deputies and forme a Courte."

The proceedings of this court reveal a most curious complaint and one characteristic of Puritan morals. With all the strictness of the observance of the Lord's Day, this is the only accusation found against anyone of violating it.

On December 4, 1657, John Meigs was brought up for having come " with his cart from Athomonossak, late in the night on the Lord's Day (Saturday night), making a noise, as he came with his cart, to the offence of many yt. heard it." He pleaded that "he was mistaken in the time of day, thinking that he had time enough for the journey; but being somewhat more laden than he expected, & the cattell came more slowly than usual, & so cast him behinde, it proving to be more late in the day than he had thought."

"But he professeth to be sorry for his mistake & the offence justly given thereby, promising to be more careful for the time to come." The Court, "seeing the matter seemed to be done upon a surprisall" passed it over with a reproof and commanded him to make "a public acknowledgement of his evil on the next lecture of fast day."

Daniel Bartlett, Jr. , son of Daniel and Sarah Meigs Bartlett, was born March 31, 1688, removed to North Guilford about 1700, and was given eleven and one-fourth acres there "at the Cohabitation," by his father in 1722. He married first, Hannah, the daughter of Thomas Willard, on December 6, 1715. She died June 30, 1716, and he married Anne, daughter of John Collins, Jr., March 3, 1720. She died October 11 1745. He died June 15, 1769.

John Collins, Jr., was probably born in England in 1640 and came with his father to Boston soon afterward. He learned his father's trades, those of shoemaker and tanner, but was well educated. He moved to Middletown in 1663, to Brandford in 1667. He came to Guilford in 1667, bought John Stevens' house and land and was made planter February 13, 1670-1. He married Mary, sister of Henry Kingsnorth, and afterwards in 1686 in right of his wife, came into possession of the lands of Henry and James Kingsnorth.

On September 30, 1682, Mr. John Collins was engaged to teach the school in Guilford for a quarter of a year only; but continued in the position of school-master for several years. The teachers were selected by the townsmen and confirmed by the town. On January 15, 1683-4, the town voted the school teacher thirty pounds salary, two-thirds to be paid by the town and the rest by those having children taught. Payment might be made in "winter wheat at 5s. a bushel, good meselanat at 4s. 6d. a bushel, Indian corn at 2s. a bushel, Barley at 4s. a bushel, and flax well dressed from the swingel at 1shilling a pound." A similar decree on August 12, 1685, "ordered that whosoever shall not bring a sufficient load of wood to the school house, within two weeks after their child or children, begin to go to school shall pay for their neglect therein 3s. for every load." Mr. Collins probably discontinued teaching in 1686. On December 13, 1700, he again took charge of the school and continued until November 27, 1701. In September 1709, Mr. Daniel Chapman of Saybrook, a Yale graduate and a grandson of Mr. John Collins, taught the school. John Collins died December 10, 1704.

Henry Kingsnorth, brother of Mary Kingsnorth Collins, and the twenty-second signer of the Plantation Covenant, was from Staplehurst, in the county of Kent, where he was born about the year 1618. He was a friend of Rev. Henry Whitfield. He married Mary Stevens, daughter of John Stevens, who came early to Guilford, but was not in the first company. He was a man of standing and property both in England and New England. He died without children in the time of the great sickness and buried July 30, 1668. By his will he disposes of his property in England to his relatives and his property in Guilford to such son of his brother Daniel Kingsnorth as should come from England for it, otherwise to John Collins and his wife Mary. Accordingly James Kingsnorth came the year following with a certificate of the rector, church wardens and parish clerk of Staplehurst, in Kent, to his identity. He also brought a letter from Rev. Henry Whitfield to Mr. Jno. Hall affirming the same. Therefore he was adjudged the estate and resided in Guilford until his death in 1682. Not leaving any issue, by his nuncupative will he bequeathed all his real estate to either of his brothers or either of their sons that could come over to New England for it, and if none of them came in five years time, then the inheritance was to fall to his Uncle and Aunt Collins, they sending over to each of his brothers or their sons a piece of plate worth three pounds in England.

His two brothers, Daniel and John Kingsnorth, afterward acknowledged the receipt of such pieces of plate, and by their deed, made and executed in England, conveyed the said real estate to John Collins, 1686.

John Bartlett was a son of Daniel Bartlett, Jr., and Anne Collins Bartlett. He was born March 1, 1735, lived in North Guilford, and was deacon of the church there. He married Lois, daughter of Joseph Chidsey. She died aged 79, February 15, 1820. He died March 13, 1801.

Samuel Bartlett, son of John and Lois Chidsey Bartlett, was born April 2, 1760; married Cynthia, daughter of William Benton, October 4 1791. He served as a soldier in the American Revolution and died September 25, 1841. She died December 14, 1839.

John Bartlett, son of Samuel and Cynthia Benton Bartlett, was born September 17, 1788; married Lodoiska, daughter of Josiah Coan, January 24, 1843, died September 12, 1864. She died October 6, 1851 at Guilford.

Their children; all born at North Guilford:

Samuel Coan Bartlett

Walter Josiah Bartlett, b. Feb. 19, 1846, d. Mar. 22, 1921 at Los Angeles.

Katherine Lodoiska Bartlett, b. Mar. 16, 1851, m. Ira F. Dudley of North Guilford.

 

1. Deacon John Chidsey and Elizabeth __________.

2. Joseph Chidsey and Sarah __________.

3. Joseph Chidsey and Bathsheba Baldwin.

4. Lois Chidsey and John Bartlett.

5. Samuel Bartlett and Cynthia Benton.

6. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan.

7. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

Deacon John Chidsey, of East New Haven, Connecticut, was an early settler at New Haven, and took the oath of fealty in 1647, He married Elizabeth _________, and died December 31, 1688. His wife died the same year.

Joseph Chidsey, son of John and Elizabeth Chidsey, was born December 5, 1655, and married Sarah __________, and died in 1712.

Joseph Chidsey, son of Joseph and Sarah Chidsey, was born August 8, 1710. He went to North Guilford from New Haven about 1735, and married Bathsheba, daughter of Timothy Baldwin of North Guilford on October 22, 1735. He died May 19, 1790, and his wife died September 15, 1782, aged 76.

Lois Chidsey, daughter of Joseph and Bathsheba Baldwin Chidsey, was born July 3, 1741, married July 2, 1760, John Bartlett of North Guilford. They are the great-grandparents of Samuel Coan Bartlett.

1. Edward Benton and Anne ___________.

2. Andrew Benton and Elizabeth Rolf.

3. James Benton and Hannah Bushnell.

4. Joseph Benton and Esther Bishop.

5. Elihu Benton and Sarah Lyman.

6. Cynthia Benton and Samuel Bartlett.

7. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan.

8. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

Edward Benton was one of the early settlers of Guilford, though not a signer of the Plantation Covenant. He came possibly from Wethersfield or Milford, and was in the town as early as 1643; the oath of a freeman was given him May 19, 1651. This shows that he was a church member. His home-lot was on the west side of the Green, and contained two acres. Other parcels of land owned by him amounted to sixty-three acres. He never bore any considerable public office, and was not entitled to the prefix "Mr." He was a brother of Andrew Benton of Milford and Kartford, who died July 31, 1683, aged 63, and who had a large family by his wife Hannah Stocking. Edward Benton married Anne, who was buried August 22, 1671. He died October 1680. In 1672 his list was 72 pounds, 1 shilling. His will, made March 7, 1673-4, is of interest. It states that "as the holy providence of God hath left the burden of a crippled child upon my hand to be cared and provided for, who may live and be burdensome after my decease, Zacheus Benton by name and that affliction is an interruption to the more equal distribution of my small estate amongst all my children, I do, therefore, give only the sum of 5 shillings apiece unto my five children" (not including Zacheus or Andrew) and to "my son Zacheus Benton, I give a colt, which he may choose. Item, I give my son Daniel's widow a cow." "Lastly all the rest of my estate...I give unto my son Andrew Benton, upon condition that he shall duly attend and provide for his brother Zacheus Benton, during the term of his natural life with all necessaries of food and rayment, washing and lodging, suitable for him." Andrew is also made executor.

Andrew Benton, son of Edward and Anne Benton, was born at Milford in 1639. He married Elizabeth Rolf February 4, 1664. He had a home-lot granted him by the town, containing one and three-fourth acres, "bounded by the crossways east by Samuel Hughes Westerly, by the two streets Northerly and Southerly, " and inherited from his father, the home-lot on which the latter spent his last days, on Crooked Lane, now State Street, containing three acres, with another piece adjoining, in all eight acres. His list was 55 pounds in 1672. His wife died October 27, 1713. She was the daughter of Thomas Rolf and Elizabeth Desborough Rolf, who was a sister of Dr. Samuel Desborough.

Samuel Desborough was prominent among the pioneers of Guilford, their first magistrate, third among the pillars of the first church, a future member of Parliament and Lord Chancellor of Scotland. He left behind him on the Guilford records, as a specimen of his fine conceptions and exquisite skill, the beautiful draft of their gathering into church estate, and of the constitution and laws by which they embodied themselves into their civil community.

He was born on the Manor of Eltisley, in Cambridgeshire, on the 30th of November, 1619, and was the third surviving son of James Desborow, Esquire, and a younger brother of the famous Major General John Desborow who married Jane Cromwell, a sister of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, and was a member of several Parliaments and one of the judges appointed to try Charles I.

Mr. Samuel Desborow studied law with his brother John Desborow, who in early life was a barrister. He was brought up as a puritan. His father, James Desborough, Esquire, and his ancestors for several generations had owned the manor and advowson of Eltisley. When Samuel was but nineteen years of age his father died, and hia elder brother, James Desborough, Esquire, inherited the manor and advowson of Eltisley. He did not find himself free to follow his own opinion at home and the next year joined Mr. Whitfield and Mr. Leete and their company in their emigration to New England. Whether he had ever been a graduate or member of the university which was in his own neighborhood does not appear. It is certain that his education was superior to men of his rank at that time.

He returned to England in 1651, a year after the return of Mr. Whitfield. He was almost as great a loss to Guilford as Mr. Whitfield. He was at once sent to Scotland "in some employment under the state through the interest of his brother and Oliver Cromwell, the General." He was chosen to represent the city of Edinburgh in Parliament and, at a council held at Whitehall, May 4, 1655, he was appointed by the Protector Oliver Cromwell one of the nine councillors for the kingdom of Scotland. In the following year he was returned a member of the British Parliament for the sheriffdom of Mid-Lothian. He so pleased the Protector that, on September 16, 1657, Cromwell gave a patent for the office of Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland to him or his deputy during his natural life, with all the fees from May first preceding. He was continued in all his employments by the Protector Richard. After the Restoration he prudently embraced the Royal proclamation sent from Breda. In the presence of General Monk he signed the submission to his majesty, May 21, 1660, and later obtained the King's warrant for a pardon.

"After this he retired to his seat, in Ellsworth in Cambridgeshire, which, with the manor and advowson of the church, he had purchased. He reamained in privacy until his death, December 10, 1690, and was buried on the south side of the communion rails of the church in Ellsworth." Over his remains is a black marble slab. The inscription on his tomb is:

Here lyeth the body of Samuel Disbrow Esquire, late Lord of the Manor, aged 75. He dyed the 10th of December in the year of our Lord, 1690.

James Benton, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Rolf Benton, of Guilford was a weaver and had list of 92 pounds 15 shillings in 1716. He married Hannah, daughter of John Bushnell of Seybrook, August 2, 1694. She died September 22, 1756. He was born December 1, 1665 and died November 7, 1735.

Joseph Benton, son of James and Hannah Bushnell Benton, lived in North Guilford. He married Esther Bishop Novemebr 27, 1729. She died September 29, 1752, and he died September 17, 1735.

Elihu Benton, son of Joseph and Esther Bishop Benton, was born in 1734, lived at North Guilford and married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Lyman of Durham. She died August 22, 1796, aged 65; and he died February 9, 1796. Their daughter, Cynthia, married Samuel Bartlett, whose son was John Bartlett, the father of Samuel Coan Bartlett.

1. Francis Bushnell and Rebecca _______________.

2. Francis Bushnell, Jr. and Marie or Mary ________________.

3. John Bushnell and Sarah Scranton.

4. Hannah Bushnell and James Benton.

5. Joseph Benton and Esther Bishop..

6. Elihu Benton and Sarah Lyman.

7. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan.

8. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

Francis Bushnell, "the elder", and Francis Bushnell, "junior", most undoubtedly father and son, were among the first settlers of Guilford. One of them signed the Plantation Covenant. Probably this was the elder. He died in 1646, and his will proved on October 13. Rev. John Headley, who signed the same covenant, came over on the "Anne" ship. On the voyage, his grandson, the famous Bishop Benjamin Headley, says he "accidently met with" Sarah Bushnell, a daughter of Francis, whom he afterwards married. Francis Bushnell, Jr., probably came over in April, 1635, in the "Planter", with his wife and infant daughter. John Bushnell, the glazier, another son, came over in another vessel, the "Hopewell", in the same year. Both brothers were at Salem in 1637. Another Bushnell, who may have been a relative, was in the employ of John Winthrop, the younger, in Boston, and died in March, 1636. Francis Bushnell, the elder, married Rebecca ___________. He had a home-lot of three acres in Guilford, having John Headley, William Dudley, and Thomas Jordan as neighbors. Among his descendants are David Bushnell, who invented the first torpedo, the American turtle, and Cornelius Bushnell, who advanced Ericsson the funds with which the "monitor" was built.

Deacon Francis Bushnell, Jr. , was a carpenter and millwright and had charge of the Town Mill at Guilford, after the death of Thomas Norton in 1648. About the same time his name appears among those who took their lands at Oyster River quarter in Saybrook. He remained; however, at Guilford some time longer, making arrangements meanwhile for the transfer of his family to Saybrook. In 1662, he was at Saybrook, where he continued to reside until his death. He built the corn mill at Oyster River, the first erected in Saybrook. The town of Saybrook gave him a farm, on condition of keeping up the mill for the benefit of the town. After his death, the farm went to his son-in-law, Samuel Jones. It remained a long time after in his family. His home lot in Guilford contained about five acres and was near his father's. He also woned land at the Point of Heaks, and conveyed all his real eatate property in Guilford to his son-in-law, William Johnson, when he left Guilford. Francis Bushnell died at Saybrook, aged 72, December 9, 1681. He married, in England Narie or Mary _________.

John Bushnell, son of Francis and Marie or Mary Bushnell, was born in 1632, and lived in Saybrook. He married May 15, 1665, Sarah, daughter of John Scranton. He died in 1686. Their daughter, Hannah, married James Benton, whose son was Joseph Benton, whose son was Elihu Benton, whose daughter, Cynthia , married Samuel Bartlett, the grandfather of Samuel Coan Bartlett.

1. Peter Coan and Hannah Davis.

2. John Coan and Mabel Chittenden.

3. Josiah Coan and Corrine Graves.

4. Josiah Coan and Susan Fowler.

5. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan.

6. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

The progenitors of those in this country who bear the name of Coan were a family consisting of a father, a mother, and three sons, natives of Worms in Germany. In 1715 they embarked on an emigrant ship bound for New York. The names of the parents have not been ascertained. Of the sons, Peter the oldest, was about eighteen years of age, George about eleven, and the third son, whose name was supposed to be Abraham was still younger.

The father and mother died on the passage. Upon arrival in New York, the family being left destitute, the two elder sons, Peter and George, were apprenticed out with a Deacon Mulford, and taken to East Hampton, Long Island. Here they lived some twenty years, married, and had families. In 1738, or about that time, both families removed to North Guilford, Connecticut. The youngest brother was never heard from by the other brothers after their separation.

Peter Coan, was born in 1697, married Hannah Davis of East Hampton, and died at North Guilford, October 31, 1779.

John Coan, son of Peter and Hannah Davis Coan, was born in December, 1729; married in 1752 Mabel Chittenden of North Guilford who was born November 5, 1737. She was a daughter of Deacon Simeon Chittenden and Submit Seranton. John Coan died October 18, 1795 at North Guilford.

Josiah Coan, son of Josiah and Corrine Graves Coan, was born August 8, 1788; married Susan Fowler, who was born in October 1792, and died March 19, 1852. He died June 21, 1874.

Josiah Coan, son of John and Mabel Chittenden Coan, was born November 20, 1760; married Corrine, daughter of Abraham Graves and Catherine Hall of Wallingsford, who was born November 9, 1764.

Lodoiska Coan, daughter of Josiah and Susan Fowler Coan, was born February 6, 1814; married John Bartlett January 24, 1843, died October 6, 1851 at North Guilford. She was the mother of Samuel Coan Bartlett.

Abraham Sherwood Coan , who is better known as S. C. Campbell, was born in North Guilford on May 15, 1829, and died in Chicago, at the home of his brother Douglas, November 25, 1874. In early life he worked at the trade of carriage-maker at New Haven. He began his musical career in connection with the Campbell Minstrels. Later he sang in English opera being associated with Fanny Stockton, Rosa Cook, Zelda Harrington, P______ R_____ and his inseparable friend, William Castle. He also sang for a time in the choir of Grace Church, New York City, and the fame of that church for music is said to be due in no small degree to his ability. His early playmate, Dr. Ellsworth Eliot of New York City, writes of him; " His baritone voice; sweet, mellow, sympathetic, firm and powerful made him a great favorite. He had no rival and left no successor. While living he was greatly beloved, and at his death he was greatly lamented."

Rev. Titus Coan , (Gaylord, Mulford, George) married November 3, 1834, Fidelia Church. He was an American missionary born in Killingsworth, Connecticut. He was ordained as a congregational minister in 1833 and in that year explored Patagonia, where his attempt to establish a mission was unsuccessful. Immediately afterward (1835) he went to the Hawaiian Islands, and for the remainder of his life, except a visit to the United States in 1870, was a missionary at Hilo, where he received more than 12,000 into a church, and organized missions from Hawaii to the Marquesas and Gilbert Islands. He published many valuable papers on the volcanoes of Hawaii and two books entitled "Adventures In Patagonia" (1860) and "Life In Hawaii" (1881), the latter a classic of missionary literature.

Titus Munson Coan , was born September 27, 1836. He was an American author, son of Titus Coan, born at Hilo, Hawaiian Islands. He was educated at Williams College and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. From 1861 to 1863 he served as an intern at Bellvue Hospital and in army hospitals, and from 1863 to 1865 was assistant surgeon in Admiral Farragut's Squadron. In 1880 he founded and thereafter was director of the New York Bureau of Revision, and founded "Topics of the Time". His writings include; "Ounces of Prevention" (1885), "Hawaiian Ethmography" (1899), "the Natives of Hawaii", "A Study of Polynesian Charm" (1901), and "Climate of Hawaii" (1901).

1. George Graves and Sarah __________________.

2. John Graves and Elizabeth Cruttenden.

3. Joseph Graves and Margaret ____________________.

4. Daniel Graves and Elizabeth Stevens/Stephens.

5. Abraham Graves and Catherine Hall.

6. Corrine Graves and Josiah Coan.

7. Josiah Coan and Susan Fowler.

8. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan.

9. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

George Graves was one of the earliest settlers of Hartford, Connecticut, which town he represented in the General Assembly of 1657. He died September, 1673. Sarah was the Christian name of his second wife.

Deacon John Graves , of Guilford, was born in 1633, married Elizabeth Cruttenden in 1670. He was a blacksmith by trade. He sided with the Rossiter or Hartford party in the troubles connected with the absorption of the New Haven jurisdiction by Connecticut. He seems to have come to Guilford about 1657, and was a freeman there before 1659. He held several town offices, and was town clerk from 1673 to 1685. He was one of the grantees of the town patent in 1685, and frequently served on commissions to run town boundaries and audit town accounts. He served as a deacon in the church from about 1678 until his death, and represented Guilford twenty-three times in the legislature. In addition to a home lot of five and one-fourth acres, he owned one parcel of upland in the Great Plaine, ten acres, and two and one-half acres of a land and marsh in the same plain. In 1667, he bought of Robert Kitchel, for twenty-seven pounds, the latter's lot in the Little _ala, and six acres of upland on the north side of the county of the country highway. He died December 31, 1695.

Joseph Graves, of Guilford, son of John Graves and Elizabeth Cruttenden, was born August 17, 1672. His wife's name was Margaret. Her list in 1716 was fourteen pounds, eleven shillings. He died before 1716.

Daniel Graves, son of Joseph and Margaret Graves, was born April 19 1704, married Elizabeth Stevens, January 20, 1732. She died August 9, 1751. He died September 12 1782. He lived at North Guilford.

Abraham Graves , son of Daniel and Elizabeth Stevens Graves, was born May 1737; married March 14, 1764, Catherine Hall of Wallingford, who died May 1, 1804. He died July 22, 1794. Their daughter, Corrine Graves, married Josiah Coan; and they are the grest grandparents of Samuel Coan Bartlett.

1. William Chittenden and Joanna Sheaffe.

2. Thomas Chittenden and Joanna Jordan.

3. Josiah Chittenden and Hannah Sherman.

4. Simeon Chittenden and Submit Scranton.

5. Mabel Chittenden and John Coan.

6. Josiah Coan and Corrine Graves.

7. Josiah Coan and Susan Fowler.

8. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan.

9. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

Mr. William Chittenden was a native of Cranbrook, in the county of Kent, and was born about the year 1610. His name is fourth on the plantation covenant. It is said that owing to persecution he retired into the low countries, and was for a while in the service of the Prince of Orange. He married Joanna Sheaffe, sister of Mr. Jacob Sheaffe and of Mrs. Dorothy Whitfield. Mr. Chittenden joined Mr Whitfield and his company in their emigration to New England. His name is the third in the list of trustees of the Indian purchases, and the second of the four men to whom the civil power for administration of justice and preservation of peace, was committed to await the gathering of the church. He was one of the deputies of the jurisdiction court chosen in 1646, and continued until his death. He was elected fourteen times deputy to the jurisdiction court at New Haven. He was lieutenant of the train-band and the principal military man in the plantation. He died February, 1660.

Thomas Chittenden, son of William and Joanna Sheaffe Chittenden, probably born in England, married Joanna Jordan, daughter of John and Anna Jordan, of Guilford. He died in Octiber, 1683.

John Jordan was the seventh on the plantation covenant. He came from the County of Kent, from Lanham or the vicinity, with his brother, Thomas Jordan, and joined Mr. Whitfield and his company in their emigration to New England. He was a witness to the deed of Uncas, and also that of Weekwash, and although quite young at the time of his emigration, still he was a prominent member of the community. December 17,1645, he was desired with John Stone to receive College Corn (the contribution for Harvard College), which is requested to be paid before the 25th of March ensuing. He married Anne Bishop, daughter of John and Anna Bishop, about the year 1640. He died about the first of January, 1649/1650. His will was dated February 2, 1646.

Thomas Jordan was a younger brother of John Jordan. His name does not appear on the plantation covenant, and probably, like Mr. Samuel Desborow, he was not then of full age. He appeared as a witness to the deeds of Uncas and Weakwash. He was a lawyer. In 1646, he was chosen treasurer of the plantation and afterwards, during his continuance at Guilford, no one shared more fully the public confidence. In 1646 he was chosen one of the deputies for the particular court to sit with the magistrate, and one of the three men to collect the minister's maintenance. In 1651he was chosen one of the deputies to the court of the Jurisdiction at New Haven, and so continued through all the sessions of that year and every year until he left Guilford about the beginning of 1655 and returned to England. At a Jurisdiction Court held at New Haven on the 29th of June, 1653, he was chosen to go to Boston with Mr. William Leete as commissioner to the Congress of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England and to bear an answer to the General Court of Massachusetts with regard to the proposed war against the Dutch. He was also appointed commissioner with Mr. Leete the next year. After his return to England he resided at Lanham in Kent and was an eminent attorney for many years. He died in England about the year 1707. He married Dorothy Whitfield, born at Ockley, March 1619, eldest daughter of Rev. Henry Whitfield.

Josiah Chittenden, son of Thomas Chittenden, was born in 1677, and married January 8, 1707, Hannah Sherman, of Woodbury, Connecticut, daughter of John and Elizabeth Sherman, of Woodbury. He died at Guilford, aged 82, August 28, 1759.

Deacon Simeon Chittenden, son of Joseph Chittenden, was born December 28, 1714, married January 26, 1737, Submit Scranton, daughter of John and Mary Norton Scranton, of Guilford. He removed to North Guilford, and had a large landed property; was chosen deacon of the church in North Guilford October 25, 1760, and died, aged 74, April 12, 1789.

John Norton, father of Mary Norton, was a miller at Guilford for many years. In 1667 he bought Mr. Robert Mitchell's home lot and removed thither. He died March 5, 1704. His father was Thomas Norton.

Thomas Norton came to Guilford with Rev. Mr. Whitfield in 1639, was a signer of the plantation covenant, and served the town as its miller until his death in 1648. He is stated to have been a church warden of Mr. Whitfield's parish at Ockley in Surrey, England and has been thought to have been connected with the Nortons of Sharpenhow, Bedfordshire. Deacon L. F. Norton of Goshen identified him with Thomas, son of William Norton, and put the date of his birth at about 1582. His home lot in Guilford contained two acres and was on the west side of Crooked Lane (now State Street). He also owned seventeen and one-half acres of upland in Norton's quarter, a parcel of four and one-half acres of "upland in the plain" and a parcel of one and one-half acres of marsh land by the seaside. His wife was named Grace and her maiden name is supposed to have been Wells.

Mabel Chittenden, daughter of Simeon and Submit Scranton Chittenden, was born November 5, 1737, and married John Coan; their son, Josiah Coan was the great grand-father of Samuel Coan Bartlett.

1. John Stephens (Stevens) and Mary _____________.

2. Thomas Stevens and Mary Fletcher.

3. John Stevens and Abigail Cole.

4. John Stevens and Elizabeth Grinnell.

5. Elizabeth Stevens and Daniel Graves.

6. Abraham Graves and Catherine Hall.

7. Corrine Graves and Josiah Coan.

8. Josiah Coan and Susan Fowler.

9. John Bartlett and Lodoiska Coan .

10. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

John Stephens, or Stevens, was one of the early settlers of Guilford, but not a signer of the plantation covenant. He shared in the first division of home lots and lands. His home lot of one and one-half acres was on the East side of Fair Street. In addition, he owned a parcel of upland containing thirty-six and one-fourth acres, beside the Alderswamp, near the present Alderbrook Cemetery. "Good man Stevens was fined for neglect of fencing", on October 9, 1645. He was a "planter" in 1650, but before 1656 seems to have united with the church, as he is recorded as a freeman in the latter year. He died September 1, 1670, leaving a will made on August 27th of that year. To his son Thomas he gave "the mare I usually ride on and my biggest brass kettle, my best sute and my cloake and my bed and one payre of sheets and all my other bedding," and made him executor. To his son William he gave " all my houseing and my homelot and my meadow at he East River here in Guilford, he paying out of it twenty pounds, ten pounds to my sonne John Stephens in old England to be paid here in current pay in New England, ten pounds to my daughter Mary Collins." To each of his four grandsona; James and John, the sons of Thomas, and John and Samuel, the sons of William, he gave five pounds. To his granddaughters Judith and Mary, each a "payre of sheets". The residue of his estate was to be divided between Thomas, William and his daughter Mary Collins. The inventory of the estate showed 22 pounds, 15 shillings of property at Killingworth, and ninety-three pounds, five shillings and one pence at Guilford. He signed his mark, and seems to have been one of the least conspicuous settlers. On March 11, 1669-70, six months before his death, John Stephens executed a deed of gift to his son Thomas of his East Creek land near the Alderswamp, and all after divisions of land, with his sons, he supported Dr. Rossiter in the troubles attending the union of New Haven and Connecticut. His wife was Mary.

Thomas Stevens, his son, was born about 1628, removed to Killingworth, and was a member of the church there in 1670. He never became a freeman in Guilford. He married in 1650, Mary, daughter of John Fletcher of Milford. She joined the Killingworth church in 1675. With his father and brother he was a strong adherent of Dr. Rossiter, and in October 1662, all three joined with others of Guilford in seceding from New Haven Colony, and tendered themselves with their persons and estates to the Connecticut Colony, and were accepted and promised protection. The bitter controversy that followed was the chief cause of both Thomas' and William's leaving Guilford. Thomas was a man of ability and prominence at Killingworth, and twice served in the General Assembly from that town. On March 11, 1670-71, he sold to William all his lands at the East end of Guilford, reserving his right in "any other divisions that shall be hereafter laid out", and his right in "commonage if they come to be stinted." On June 7, 1679, he sold nine acres of the East Creek land to Stephen Dodd, and on May 28, 1683, he sold to the same man the rest of the East Creek land, and the old homelot. In 1654-55, he was convicted of selling flax with defective weights, through carelessness in not having them inspected. He was a miller. In 1654, when an expedition against the Dutch was proposed, he was chosen corporal, "but only for this present service and that he accede no higher in say other office because he is not a freeman." He died November 10, 1685.

John Stevens, his son, was born May 10, 1660-61, married Abigail, daughter of Henry Cole of Wallingford, April 28, 1684. He died in 1722.

John Stevens, their son, was born December 29, 1689, married March 14, 1713, Elizabeth Grinnell. He died December 4, 1745. She died January 25, 1747-48.

Elizabeth Stevens , their daughter, was born April 17, 1724. She married Daniel Graves. They were the parents of Abraham Graves, who was the great great grandfather of Samuel Coan Bartlett.

  1. Thomas Sheffe.

  2. Richard Sheff and Elizabeth _______________.

  3. Thomas Sheafe and Mary Harman.

  4. Edmund Sheafe and Joan (Jordan) Downs.

  5. Joanna Sheafe and William Chittenden.

  6. Thomas Chittenden and Joanna Jordan.

  7. Josiah Chittenden and Hannah Sherman.

  8. Simeon Chittenden and Submit Scranton.

  9. Mabel Chittenden and John Coan.

10. Josiah Coan and Corrine Graves.

11. Josiah Coan and Susan Fowler.

12. Samuel Coan Bartlett and Mary Catherine Wheeler.

Some of the principal settlers of Guilford, Connecticut were men from the county of Kent, England, and it was an old Kent family, the Guilfords or Guildefords of Hemsted, Kent, from which it derived its name. Located at Hemsted, in Renenden parish, which adjoins Cranebrook and Relvenden, soon after the Conquest, the Guilford family were prominent, both from their public service and through alliances they formed. It was in 1575 that Sir Thomas Guldeford entertained Queen Elizabeth at Hemsted. It was Sir Henry Guldeforde, son of Sir Thomas above mentioned, who in 1587 sold a Thomas Kitchbell one hundred acres of marsh ground in Guldeforde Marsh, in the parish of East Guldeforde, Sussex. It was shortly before this period that Thomas Sheaffe, grandfather of Jacob, the emigrant, purchased lands in Woodchurch, Kenardington and Apledore, Kent, of Richard Guildford, son of Sir John and half-brother of Sir Thomas. Troops of young Flemings came to England in the time of Edward III, to establish the cloth trade, and finding Cranebrook, Kent, a favored spotfor the industry, it was started there, and broadcloth halls were soon built, where the master manufacturer lived and kept his stock. The cloth trade prospered, and large fortunes were made by the "Grey Coats of Kent," as they were called after their dress. Of these cloth workers were the Sheafe family, and others with whom they intermarried.

Thomas Sheffe of Cranebrook, Kent, in his will proved at Canterbury July 10, 1520, mentions his desire to be buried in the church of St. Dunstan of Cranebrook, within St. Thomas' Chancel, before the image of Our Lady of Pity there.

Richard Sheff, son of Thomas, born about 1510; married about 1534 Elizabeth ___________, who was buried October 15, 1564. He died in 1557.

The 21st day of June, 1557, I Richard Sheff of the parish of Cranebroke in County Kent, clothier.

To be buried in the parish church of Cranebroke, in St. Thomas' Chancel, beside the body of my father. Legacies to the said church and to the poor there. An obit to be kept yearly in the said church for four years after my death.

I give to Elizabeth, my wife £200.

To each of my unmarried daughters, viz: Margaret Sheff aged 16 -1/2 years, Alice Sheff aged 15-1/2 years, Margery Sheff aged 18-1/2 years, Mary Sheff aged 11-3/4 years and Anne Sheff aged 11 years at Easter next before the date hereof, I give £50.

If more than two of my daughters die before attaining the age of 25 or unmarried, then their portions to go to my sons Thomas and William, when the latter reaches the age of 22.

The said Thomas to be charged with the bringing up of my daughters, and I give him one of my silver goblets.

To Jean Knachebull, my dau. another goblet.

To Elizabeth my wife my best silver goblet, &c.

To Katherine Love my dau. a silver pot, and a scripture thereupon parcel gilt.

To Anne Knachebull dau. of Richard Knachebull and my dau. Jean £3.11.8.

The residue of my houshold stuff (after my wife has taken her choice) to be divided between my said wife & Thomas my son, reserving to the latter all the hanging now in my principal tent wherein I now dwell.

I will that the said Thomas shall yearly for 16 years after my death deliver to the said Elizabeth at the messauge whereon I now dwell or at my messauge where Robert Clachynden now dwells in Cranebrook 20 loads of good wood "redy made".

To William my son £400, & I will that my executors buy land within the same to the use of my said son.

To Walter Hendley my cousin my best gown, &c.

To John Sheff my brother £5, &c.

To Matthew Cryar a gown, &c.

To Sir John Baker, Knight, £5.

The residue of my goods to Thomas my son whom I make executor. The said Sir John Baker & Mr. Richard Baker to be overseers.

This is the last will of me the said Richard Sheff concerning my lands, &c.

I give to Elizabeth my wife the tenement and garden which Robert Clachynden now dwells in in the Cranebrook for her life, also the occupation of the great parlour at the upper end of the hall of my principal messauge, the chamber over the said parlour, the 2 chambers next to the harbor of said messauge, the little "Buttre", the little cellar, with a place for her wood.

I give to Thomas Sheff my son all my messauges, lands, &c. in Cranebroke; to him and his heirs male; for default, to my son William and his heirs male; for default, to the next heirs of the said Thomas in fee simple.

To William my son all my marsh lands in the parish of Ivechurch in the County Kent; to hold to him & his heirs male, for default to my said son Thomas & his heirs male; for default, the same to remain to the heirs of said William in fee simple.

Witnesses: George Atkynson, Vicar; Richard ---rter; William Corttopp; Henry Allard and Walter Henley.

Proved at London 24 September, 1557, by the ex'or.

Richard Sheaf of Cranbrook was on the Subsidy Roll in 1546. The church warden's accounts for Cranbrook for 1564-5 record the following; "received of Thomas Sheafe four pounds as a bequest for the burial of his father and mother in the church, and for repairs to the church."

Thomas Sheafe, son of Richard, born about 1535; married about 1559, Mary Harman, born in 1536. They had fifteen children, nine sons and six daughters. On a small brass plate in Cranbrook Church, Edmund Sheafe records of his mother; "Mary Sheafe, the wife of Thomas Sheafe who lived together nere XLV years, and has issue between them IX sons and VI daughters, she a grave and charitable Matron dyed LXXIII years of age, November 1609, impasivit. E.S.". Thomas Sheafe, Yeomanm was buried at Cranbrook 6 Sept. 1604.

Edmund Sheafe, son of Thomas, was baptised 1560, married Jane, or Jone Jordan, sister of Nicholas Jordan, and widow of _________ Downe of Challock. In his will dated November 1, 1625, proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Decemebr 11, 1625, he mentions among other relatives; Joane my wife, to my wife's five children, and to mt three sons-in-law which married her daughters- to Joane my wife furniture, &c., at her discretion "betwixt her children and mine" - my loving brother-in-law Mr. Nicholas Jordan, Esq., for my wife's sake, his own sister, to be overseer; my living kinsman and neighbor __llhope Hayes of Cranbrook, and Robert Kitchell, now of Cranbrook, my wife's eldest son, also overseers.

Joanna Sheafe, daughter of Edmund and Jane Sheafe, married William Chittenden who went to Guilford with his brother-in-law in 1639, Samuel Coan Bartlett is a lineal descendant of them as set forth in the Bartlett - Chittenden lineage.

We, whose names are hereunder written, intending by God's gracious permission so plant ourselves in New England, and if it may be, in the southerly part, about Quinniplack. We do faithfully promise each to each, for ourselves and families, and those that belong to us; that we will, the Lord permitting us, sit down and join ourselves together in one entire 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 destert 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. And 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 Hughes
John Bishop	William Dudley
Francis Bushnell	John Parmelin
William Chittenden	John Mephan
William Leate	Henry Whitfield
Thomas Joanes	Thomas Norton
John Jurdon	Abraham Cruttenden
William Stone	Francis Chatfield
John Headley	William Halle
John Stone	Thomas Naish
William Plano	Henry Kingsworth
Richard Outridge	Henry Doude
Thomas Cocke