The family of John Hitchcock 1670-1751

 These Hitchcock men are a bit confusing, and I seem to have written last week about Luke Hitchcock who married Elizabeth Gibbons.  He is a grandfather through a different line, and a brother to the man I'd intended to write about, John Hitchcock born 1670 and died 1751.  Both of these men are descendants of the immigrant Luke Hitchcock who married Elizabeth Gibbons, so you can see why I got just a little bit confused and out of my intended order.  It makes no difference, really, so bear with me.  

John Hitchcock was born in 1670 in Springfield, Massachusetts to John and Hannah Chapin Hitchcock.  He seems to have spent his entire life in Springfield, which is where he married Mary Ball, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Graves Ball.  John was given land due to his father and father in law's fighting at Turner Falls, but John was too young to have served in that conflict.  He likely did serve later at least in the militia, and would have been on alert if not a responder to the Deerfield and other battles with native Americans as the frontier of Massachusetts was "settled."

John and Mary had eleven known children, and they are documented about as well as any family I've looked at so far.  This may be because he was an ancestor of Grover Cleveland, or it may be because someone in the family took great interest in keeping his story alive.  Once again, this family has many connections to others in our family tree, which keeps getting more and more tangled.

Their first born son was-you guessed it-John, born in 1692 and died in 1777 in Springfield.  He married Abigail Stebbins, the daughter of Samuel and Abigail Brooks Stebbins.  Abigail was a granddaughter of Thomas and Hannah Wright Stebbins, who are our ancestors in another line. Their children are Abigail, Miriam, John, Reuben, Josiah, Simeon, Benjamin, Isaac, and Levi.  

Mary was born in 1694 and died possibly in 1695.  Her death date is uncertain, but we know she died as an infant.  As sad as this death would have been, we can be glad that she was the only Hitchcock in this family who did not survive to adulthood.

Sarah was born next, in 1697.  I've seen several death dates for her but we know it was after 1736, because she is named in her father's will, and it may have been as late as 1790.  A possible death location is Sunderland, Massachusetts.  She married Samuel Gunn, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Wyatt Gunn.  I haven't yet identified Samuel, but it's possible that he is somehow related to John Gunn(e), who died in Westfield in 1726, because Westfield was created from Springfield.  Further research needs to be done there.  Sarah also had a large family, including Elizabeth, Samuel, Wyatt, David, Israel, and Mary.  

Mary was born in 1699 and died in 1781 in Charlemont, Hampshire, Massachusetts.  Her first marriage was to Samuel Taylor, the son of John and Thankful Woodward Taylor.  (Thankful may go back to Henry and Elizabeth Mather Woodward, as they had a daughter named Thankful and the name may have continued in the family.  Henry and Elizabeth are also our ancestors in another line.) Her children are Othniel, Mary, John, Jonathan, and possibly another Jonathan.  After Samuel's death, she married Daniel Arms, the son of William and Joanna Hawks Arms, with no children noted.  She later married Ebenezer Barnard, son of Joseph and Sarah Barnard.  By this time, she had "aged out" of child-bearing.  

Mercy was born in 1700 and died in 1776 in Springfield.  She married Increase Sykes, the son of Increase and Mary Warriner Sykes.  And once again, we have Warriners in our tree who, based on location and dates, would be likely ancestors to Mary Warriner.  Their children are Mary, Margaret, and Increase.  There may be more children, but these are the ones I've located so far.

Next is Abigail, born in 1703 and died in 1732 in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts.  She married Samuel King, the son of Samuel and Abigail Clapp King.  Their children are Abigail, Samuel, Sarah, Mary, Mercy, Hannah, and Edward.  Nathaniel was born in 1705 and died in 1750 in Wilbraham, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.  He married Hannah Taylor, the daughter of John and Hannah Gillette Taylor.  Their children are Hannah, Nathaniel, Mary, Gideon, Silas, and possibly Zena.

Thankful was born in 1707 and died in 1801 in Bennington, Vermont.  She married Jonathan Scott, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Belden Scott.  Their children are Jonathan, Matthew, David, Eunice, Thankful, and Mary.  

Jerusha was born in 1709 and died in 1797 in Wilbraham, Hampden County, Massachusetts.  She married Daneil Warner, the son of Daniel and Sarah Golding or Golden Warner.  Their children are Daniel, Comfort, another Daniel, Jesse, Jerusha, William, David, Thankful, and another Daniel.  It appears that there was sadness in this household, as the early Daniels seem to have not survived.

Margaret was born in 1712 and died in 1804 in Palmer, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.  She married David Cooley, the son of Obadiah and Dorcas Hale Cooley.  Their children are David, Margaret, Moses, Jonathan, Tabitha, Abner, Submit, another Abner, and Sarah.  

By this time, Mary may have been a little weary with repeated childbirths, but there was one more son, Samuel, born in 1717. He died in 1777 in Springfield.  He married Ruth Stebbins, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Ely Stebbins.  Their children are Ruth, Margaret, Lois, Samuel, Eunice, Naomi, Arthur, Editha, Eliax, Oliver, Heman or Herman, and Gaius.  I will follow this family in my next blog post.  

Most of these Hitchcocks stayed either in Springfield or within 50 or so miles of Springfield.  By the mid 1750s, it was getting difficult to give land to each son within the immediate Springfield area.  Some may have learned a trade and moved on. The men would have been part of their local militias, and it's possible that some were involved in the French and Indian War, although I've not researched that.  We can tell that John and Mary left a large family to continue the Hitchcock heritage, and we can be glad that they did!   

  

 

The family of Luke Hitchcock 1674-1752

Luke Hitchcock, one of many of that name, was born in 1674 and died in 1752, both in Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.  He is the son of John and Hannah Chapin Hitchcock, and he married Elizabeth Walker, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Wheeler Walker.  They had a rather large family, as was common at the time.  

Elizabeth was their first born.  She was born in 1701, and she is a bit of a mystery.  It appears that she married Ezekiel Mighill, the son of John and Elizabeth Firman Mighill, and after his death she married Ephraim Colton, the son of Ephraim and Mary Noble Colton.  Other than a mention in her father's will of daughter Elizabeth Colton, I have not been able to find any additional information about her.  I do not know of any children, nor do I know that she did not have children.  There is certainly more to her story.

Hannah was born in 1702 and died in 1778 in Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts.  She married Abel Chapin, (likely related in some fashion to Hannah Chapin above), the son of Thomas and Sarah Wright Chapin.  Their children are Hannah, Abiah, Abel, Jemima, Elizabeth, and Moses.  

Next came another daughter, Ruth, born in 1704 and died in 1742 in Springfield.  She married Jonathan Church, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Noble Church,  and they are our ancestors in the Church line.  Their children are Joseph, Jonathan, Ruth, and Aaron.  

Finally, a son was born, named (what else?), Luke, born in 1706 and died in 1785 in Rockingham, Windham County, Vermont.  He married Abigail Norton, the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Galpin Norton.  Their children are Tabitha, Abigail, Achsah, Cloe, Luke, and another Tabitha.  All the children were born in Springfield.  Luke may have gone to Vermont to live with a child after Abigail died.  Luke was a deacon in the church.

Jacob was born in 1708 and died in 1746 in Hampden County, Massachusetts.  He married Abigail Butler, the daughter of James and Abigail Eustiss Buter.  Their children are Abigail and possible Elizabeth.  His wife died young and Jacob next married Bathsheba Chapin, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Wright Chapin (Siblings Hannah and Jacob married siblings Abel and Bathsheba).  It is possible that Elizabeth is the child of Bathsheba rather than Abigail, but I've not found a definitive record on that yet.  I don't know of any other children born to Jacob and Bathsheba. 

Moses was born in 1712 and lived for just over a month.  His five older siblings, as well as his parents, would have mourned him together.

Eunice arrived in 1713, to bring joy to the family.  She died in 1796 in East Hampton, Middlesex, Connecticut.  She married John Norton, the son of John and Ann Thompson Norton.   Their children are Aseneth, Anna, Elizabeth, John, Martha, Jacob, Elias, Ann, another Elias, and Eunice.  

Aaron was born in 1715 and died in 1808 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut.  He married Experience Kent, the daughter of John and Abigail Winchell Kent.  Their children are Experience, Ruth, and Apollos.  There may be more children, as yet not located.

And finally, another Moses, who like his namesake brother died shortly after birth in 1718.

This family is reported to have had a good reputation in and around Springfield for generations.   They supported their church and their community, and the men likely served in the militia, although I've not found records for military service.  The men may have served in the French and Indian War, or at least been home guards during that conflict.  Regardless, they all contributed to the life of our country and we can be grateful.  

 

The family of John Hitchcock 1642-1712

 John Hitchcock, the son of Luke and Elizabeth Gibbons Hitchcock, is the first Hitchcock in our line to be born in the New World.  He was born in 1642 in New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut.  His wife is Hannah Chapin, the daughter of Samuel and Cicely Penny Chapin, whom he married in 1666 in Springfield, Massachusetts.  John was a soldier in King Philip's war, promoted to lieutenant for bravery following the horrible battle at Turner's Fall.  He was wounded there, but recovered and also served in King William's war.  He was a freeman, a deacon, a constable, a selectman, and a deputy to the General Court, so he was one of the more respected men in town.  

John and Hannah had a large family, as was typical of the time.  We have lines through two of the sons, so this is another tangled family tree in our forest.  The first child, an unnamed daughter, was born or stillborn in 1667, but soon there were more children.

Hannah was born in 1668, and died in 1748 in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut.  She married Samuel Parsons, the son of Benjamin and Sarah Vere Parsons.  Their children are Samuel, John, Luke, Hannah, Nathaniel, Moses, and Miriam.

John was born next, in 1670, and died in 1761, in Springfield.  He married Mary Ball, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Graves Ball, who also was born and died in Springfield.  Their children are John, Mary, Sarah, two more daughters named Mary, Abigail, Nathaniel, THankful, Jerusha, Margaret, and Samuel.  I'll follow this family in a future post.

Samuel was born next, in 1672, and died in 1727 in New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut.  He married Sarah Weller, the daughter of John and Mary Alward Weller.  Their children are Samuel, Jonathan, Sarah, Esther, Deborah, John, and Hannah. 

Another son, Luke, was born in 1674.  He also stayed in Springfield, dying in 1752.  He married Elizabeth Walker, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Wheeler Walker.  Their children are Hannah, Ruth, Jacob, Moses, Eunice, and Aaron.  I will follow this family also, in a future post.  

Nathaniel was born in 1677 and died in 1762 in Brimfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.  He married Abigail Lombard, the daughter of David and Margaret Filley Lombard.  Their children are Nathaniel, Noah, Moses, Joseph, and John.  

David was born in 1678 and died in 1762 in Monson, Hampden, Massachusetts.  He married Elizabeth Mighill, the daughter of Thomas and Bethuia Weld Mighill.  Their children are Paul, David, Grace, and Jonathan.

The family ended as it began, with the early deaths of two more children.  Jonathan was born in 1682 and died three months later, in February 1683.  The last child, Sarah, was born in 1685 and died in 1690.

I'm not sure that I've found all of John and Hannah's grandchildren, but I am confident that those that I have found will have stories.  The Hitchcock name is an honorable one, and at one time was influential in town life.  Since the male line stayed mostly in or near Springfield, it is more than possible that they served in the militia and responded in one way or another to the Deerfield massacre of 1704.  Life was unsettled in that part of the country for many years, as this was still part of the frontier of the time.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allen line: The family of Luke Hitchcock 1614(?)-1659

 Luke Hitchcock's origins are not verified, but he was from England, perhaps somewhere in Wiltshire.  His parents are often given as John and Mary Franklin Hiscockes, which may or may not be correct.  He was in New Haven, Connecticut by 1644, when he took the freeman's oath there.  He married Elizabeth Gibbons, who may be the daughter of Thomas Gibbons, but is probably not the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Pierpont Gibbons. (If their birthdates are correct, then they are much too old to be parents of Elizabeth, although they could possibly be grandparents.  I'm not aware of records that would resolve this issue.)  Sadly, Luke died at a relatively young age, in 1659, in Weathersfield, Connecticut.  Elizabeth next married William Warriner, Jr. (who is a relative of ours but I don't think he's an ancestor) and then Joseph Baldwin, before dying in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1696.

Luke and Elizabeth had at least three children.  I have seen at least one list that includes others, and their purported birth dates make sense, but I've not found records to support them.  So I'll concentrate on the three children I'm reasonably sure are theirs, and then briefly mention the others.  

John was born in 1642 and died in 1712 in Springfield, Massachusetts.  He married Hannah Chapin, the daughter of Samuel and Cicely Penny Chapin.  Their children are an unknown daughter who died young, Hannah, John, Samuel, Like, Nathaniel, Daniel and Jonathan.  I will follow this family in my next blog post.  

Hannah was born in 1644 and died in 1733 in Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts.  She married Chileab Smith, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Smyth Smith.  (Yes, this is the same Smith family that included Mary Smith who married John Graves, our ancestors in another line.)  Hannah and Chileab's children are Hannah, Samuel, Luke, Ebenezer, Nathaniel, John, Hester (Esther), Elizabeth, Mary, Chileab, and Sarah.  

Then there is a gap of close to 11 years, before Luke was born in 1655.  Luke died in Springfield in 1727.  He married Sarah Burt, the daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Lobdell Burt.  (She is the granddaughter of Henry and Eulalia Marche Burt, who are our ancestors in another line.) Their children are Sarah, Elizabeth, Mercy, Hannah, Thankful, Mary, Luke, Jonathan, Ebenezer, Jonathan, and Peletiah.  

So who are the "possible" children?  There is an earlier Hannah, born in 1641, who probably died young.  Then there are Elizabeth, born about 1645, Nathaniel, in 1647, and Matthias in 1650.  The dates may work, and it's possible that the records for these children are simply missing, or at least, I haven't found them yet.  It's also possible that they belong to a different Hitchcock family, perhaps that of Matthias or Edward, who were in the same area at the same time as Luke.  I'd be delighted to hear from someone who can point out records for these young Hitchcocks, to prove or disprove their parentage.   

 

The family of Isaac Lazell 1701-1783

 Isaac Lazell is our last male in this line.  His name seems to be recorded more often as Lassell during this time period but can be found under both, as well as other, spellings.  He is the son of Israel and Rachel Lincoln Lazell and was born in 1701 in Hingham, Massachusetts.  His life ended in 1783 in Mendon, Massachusetts, which is about 40 miles west of Hingham.  He married Deborah Marsh, daughter of Thomas and Mary Burr Marsh in 1741 in Hingham, and the children were all born in Hingham.  

Isaac and Deborah had at least 9 children, of whom 6 are known to have lived to adulthood.  Sadly, it was not uncommon to lose infants and children to various diseases, but that would not have made it easy for the parents or the children who watched younger siblings as their lives ended.  Fortunately, both parents had siblings in the village who would have been some help and comfort during the most difficult days.

Thomas was born in 1742 and died in 1825 in or near Morgantown, Monongalia County, in what is now West Virginia.  He was an early Methodist circuit rider pastor in the area, but I don't know at what point he answered the call.  He also is the only one of this generation to have settled so far from "home".  He married Hannah Beck, whose parents are so far not identified, and their children are Martha, Elizabeth, Amos, Polly, Thomas, John, Samuel, Zana, William, Sarah, Rebecca, and James.  He may have also married Nancy Scott, but I am not sure this was the same Thomas and it doesn't appear that they had children, if it is the same Thomas.

Susanna was born next, in 1744.  She died in 1822 in Hingham.  Her husband is Jacob Cushing, the son of Jacob and Mary Chauncy Cushing.  Jacob served in the Revolutionary War.  I have located just two children for this couple, Susanna and Jacob.  It is possible that there are more.

Israel was born in 1745 and that is all I can locate about him.  He is believed to have died young.

Joshua was born in 1748 and died in 1751, so these were a difficult few years for Isaac and Deborah.

Deborah was born in 1749, and died in 1807 in Bellingham.  She married Levi Rockwood, a Revolutionary War soldier, the son of Joseph and Alice Thompson Rockwood.  Their children are Rachel, Susanna, Hannah, Joseph, Levi, Nathan, Martin, and Reuben.  This is where our Lazell line ends. 

Isaac was born in 1751 and died in 1812 in Dover.  I am unsure as to whether this was in Norfolk County, Massachusetts or Windham County, Vermont.  I have seen it reported in both locations, but I haven't found original documents. (This is not the Isaac Lazell who died in Bridgewater in 1810.)  Isaac married Deborah Thompson, the daughter of Jonathan and Jemima Baxter Thompson.  Their family includes Thomas, Muriel, Nathan, Isaac, Rachel, Thurber, Samuel, and John.  At least some of these children were born in Vermont, lending a bit of credibility to the idea that Isaac died there.

Joshua was born in 1753 and died in 1832 in Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts.  He married Levina Cook, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Scott Cook.  He was a private in the Massachusetts troops of the Revolutionary War.  His children are Warren, David, John, Lydia, Dorothy, John, Elias and Sally.

There was a son born in 1756, either stillborn or died the day of his birth.  

Finally, Olive was born in 1758 and died in 1831 in Milford, Worcester County, Massachusetts.  She married Ichabod Corbett, the son of Jesse and Mary Woodwell Corbett.  Their children are Truelove, Otis, Pamelia, Leavitt, Jesse, Nancy, Polly, and Horace.

If this list is complete, Isaac and Deborah had at least 45 grandchildren, although most were born after the death of their grandparents.  Their legacy lived on, with namesakes and surnames that continued through the generations.  It was a family to be proud of, and we are honored to continue saying their names and telling their stories. 

 

 

 

 

The family of Israel Lazell 1671-1755

 Israel Lazell (Lassell and various spellings) was born in 1671 in Hingham, Massachusetts, the son of John and Elizabeth Gates Lazell.  He married Rachel Lincoln, the daughter of Daniel and Susannah (possibly Cushing) Lincoln, in 1698.  The couple had four sons, and Israel died in Hingham in 1755.  We don't know much more about him than that, other than he farmed, was a constable for the town at least once, and lived "over the river".  

Four sons are named in his will.  As far as my research shows, there is no record of other children, but it's possible there are more.

Isaac was born in 1701 and died in 1783 in Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts.  He married Deborah Marsh, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Burr Marsh.  Their children are Thomas, Susanna, Israel, Joshua, Deborah, and a second Joshua.  I'll follow this family in my next blog post.

Israel was born in 1703 and died August 10, 1770 in Hingham, Massachusetts.  He married Silence Tower, the daughter of Samuel and Lydia Whiton Tower.  Their children are Silence and Hanna.  

Daniel was born in 1706 and died in 1782 in Hingham.  He married Patience Jones, the daughter of Thomas and Catherine Caswell Jones.  Their children are Daniel, Rachel, Lydia, Daniel again, John, and Samuel.   

And finally, Jonathan was born in 1707 and died in 1786 in Hingham.  He married Sarah Jacob, the daughter of Peter and Hannah Allen Jacob.  Their children are Jonathan, Adam, Sarah, and Mary.  

Even though I've not found enough information to have a real feel for Israel's life story, we can appreciate that he worked hard and provided for his family.  He's one of those semi-anonymous men who led his family in worship, had some assets to hand down to his children, and helped America get its start.  

 

 

 

Holbrook line: The family of John Lazell 1620 ish-1700

 I wish I could tell you the ancestry of John Lazell (or Lassell, or some other variant thereof).  I've seen Henry, Edward, William, and John all put forth.  These men seem to have one thing in common in that they all lived in Essex, England.  Based on the names of his children and grandchildren, I would guess that John is the most likely ancestor, since I find none of the other names used.  But of course, that is less than a hunch and is not really worthy of mentioning.  Still, there is a possible John, born 1595, in Essex, England.  We don't know his spouse's name, so we're stuck there, at the moment.  

We do know that John came to North America and settled in Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts by 1647.  He married Elizabeth Gates, the daughter of Stephen and Ann Neave Gates there in November of 1647, so either it was a short courtship or John had been in the New World earlier than 1647.  It was apparently a happy marriage, or at least a productive one, as the couple had at least 11 children together, all born in Hingham.  John died in Hingham in 1700, and Elizabeth followed him in 1704.  

Their firstborn was a son, John, born in 1650 and died in 1665.  There may have been an earlier pregnancy, as his birth was nearly three years after his parents married.  

Thomas was born in 1652 and died in 1725 in Windham, Connecticut.  He married Mary Allen, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Partridge Allen. I have not been able to determine whether James Allen is connected to the Samuel Allen who is also our ancestor.  Their children are Joshua, Elizabeth, Thomas, Mary, Hannah, Sarah, John, James, Abigail, and Ruth.  

Joshua was born next, in 1654.  He served in King Phillip's War, and died in 1689 in Hingham, Massachusetts.  He married Mary, who may be Mary Trott, the daughter of Simon and Mary Baston Trott.  I have seen this in narrative form but not in an offical record.  Their children are Elizabeth, Martha, Joshua, and Simon.

Stephen was born next, in 1656.  He died in 1717 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  He married Sarah Stevens Stearn, or Woodward, whom, obviously, I have not been able to identify any further.  Their children are Sarah, Lydia, Phebe, Stephen, Lydia, Hannah, Mary, and a second Mary.  

By now, there was likely rejoicing, at least on Elizabeth's part, when a daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1658.  She was likely a help to her mother, and perhaps spoiled a little by one or more of her big brothers, before she died in April of 1676 in Hingham.  (Hingham doesn't appear to have been attacked in King Phillip's War, so Elizabeth's death was likely from some other cause.)

Isaac was born in 1660 and died in 1690 in Hingham.  He married Abigail Leavitt, the daughter of John and Sarah Gilman Leavitt.  Their children are Abial and Isaac.  If you are keeping track, Isaac was the fourth of their children to pass on before the death of the parents, but the rest of the family at least outlived their parents.

Hannah was born in 1662 and died in 1717 in Andover, Essex, Massachusetts.  She married first James Turner, not yet further identified, and their children are Isaac, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Samuel.  Her second marriage was to William Johnson, also not further identified.  There were no children known to be born to this couple.

Mary was born in 1664 and died in 1729 (possibly 1742, but I think that is likely a "before" date) in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts. She married Simon Burr, the son of Simon and Hester, possibly Sparhawk, Burr.  Simon and Hester are our ancestors through another line.  Mary and Simon's children are Hannah, Simon, Mary, Ruth, Rachel, Isaac, David and Samuel. 

Sarah was born in 1666 and died in 1736 in Hingham, Massachusetts.  She married Peter Ripley, the son of John and Elizabeth Hobart Ripley. Their children are Elizabeth, Peter, Nehemiah, Sarah, Ezra, and Lydia.

John was born in 1669 and died in 1755 in Windham, Connecticut.  He married Deborah Lincoln, the daughter of Joshua and Deborah Hobart Lincoln.  I think there is a connection here to our Lincoln ancestors but I'm not sure I have it figured out yet.  John and Deborah's known children are John, Joshua, and a second John.

Israel was the last of the children, born in 1671 and died in 1755 in Hingham.  He married Rachel Lincoln, the daughter of Daniel and Susanna Cushing Lincoln.  Their children are Isaac, Israel, Daniel, and Jonathan.  I will follow this family in my next blog post.

John is a minor success story, I think.  He came to Massachusetts as a young man, married, and raised a large family.  Most of his children stayed in or near Hingham, which could mean they were able to make a living there as the town grew.  At least one of his sons served in King Phillip's War, and others would have been in the town militia.  Of course I would like to know more about this family and their individual lives, but I'm happy to think of them as productive citizens.