Anna Jones' Ancestors |
Click on a name for info, click on an arrow to follow that branch, click Home to go to the main page, or click for an Alphabetic List of all Names. |
 |
| One arrow is disabled at this time. |
| Note: Before 1752 the year began on March 25th. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year, not the beginning. |
|
| ~<^>~ |
Anna Kibbe Jones died at 35 years old, before her husband and father, on August 21, 1763, in Somers. She left her husband with six children, the oldest was 17 and the youngest child was just over one year-old. In 1772, her father left to her children in his will, “one-seventh part of my Real & personal Estate Equally Divided amongst them.” (Mouse over and click on image on right, that list the items left to her children from her father, to enlarge it in a new window/tab.) |
| ~<^>~ |
On June 1, 1709, he received 8 acres of land in Enfield, Connecticut from his father. This may have been a wedding present as sometime prior to 1710, Benjamin Jr. married Anna Prior in Somers, Tolland County, Connecticut. See Anna below for details on the children. On November 19, 1737, he followed his father's example and deeded land to his son Benjamin, as he was about to wed. Just a few years after that on June 13, 1744, he deeded 60 acres to his son Zebulon, just prior to his wedding. Benjamin Jones died on February 5, 1754; in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut at the age of 71 and is buried in West Cemetery (aka South Cemetery) in Somers. The stone reads: “Here Lies the Body of Mr Benjamin Jones who Died Febr 5th A D 1754 in the 72nd Year of his Age.” |
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
It is not known when Anna Prior Jones died, as there is no record to indicate that Anna is located at any cemetery in Somers. Because Anna's husband grave is located in an open area in the West Cemetery (pictured left, lone dark stone in the center), she could be buried with him, without a stone. Unfortunately, there are no original maps of this section of the cemetery remaining. |
| ~<^>~ |
Grace died in 1734 and Jacob married Sarah Bush of Enfield on January 10, 1735/6 in Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, when Jacob was 34 and Sarah was 36 years old. They had three children together all born in Somers, Tolland County, Connecticut – Abigail was born on November 21, 1736, and baptized on February 6, 1736/37; Mary, born on December 3, 1738, was baptized on July 15, 1739; and Bathseda born on June 12, 1740, whose baptism record hasn’t been found. Sarah died on February 10, 1740/1, leaving Jacob with six children aged 8 months through 16 years. He then married Mary, probably in April of 1741. They had a son named Joseph born on March 19, 1742, and baptized on May 15, 1743, in Somers. Mary died and Jacob then married Anna who outlived him and is mentioned in his probate papers.
|
| ~<^>~ |
Grace Sitton was born in 1705 in the wilderness that became Pomfret, Windham County, Connecticut. She was the fourth of five children born to Benjamin Sitton and Lydia (Kibbe?). Grace Sitton Kibbe died on February 15, 1733/4, in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, at the age of 29, leaving her three young children, the eldest being 9 years old. She may have died giving birth to Jacob, as he was never baptized as a child, and her other children were. Grace is buried in the South Cemetery, now known as the West Cemetery in Somers (pictured right). Her stone reads: “Hear Lys the Body of Grace Kibbe Wife of Jacob Kibbe who Dceast Febr the 15th anno 1734 and in the 30th year of her Age.” |
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
Benjamin Jones was born on July 31, 1651, in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts.
In volume three of the History Of Enfield, he is listed as a soldier in 1675 in King Philip's War, which was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–1676. In George Madison Bodge's Soldiers in King Philip's War, his name is listed as serving under Capt. Samuel Brocklebank, with a payment of 1£, 16s on July 24, 1676. This company was stationed at the Marlborough Garrison in Western Massachusetts. Benjamin married Elizabeth Wildes on January 22, 1678/9 in Gloucester. See Elizabeth below for their nine children. Benjamin’s mother died and at the court held at Ipswich on March 28, 1682, he presented an inventory of her estate and was appointed administrator. He appeared at the court held at Salem, on August 2, 1682, to lay out the debts due on his mother’s estate. On November 28th he appeared again in the Salem court asking for reimbursement totaling 4£, 9s, 7d, to himself for the care and funeral costs of his mother. At this same time Benjamin was dealing with another serious matter. A warrant dated April 28, 1682, ordered Benjamin and Elizabeth to appear at the court held at Ipswich, on May 9, 1682, for the charge of shamefully beating a child who was fatherless and in their service. Among the witnesses was Elizabeth’s sister Phebe. After an investigation found the charges true, the young boy was removed from their home and they were fined 20 shillings. At the court held at Salem, on August 2, 1682, Benjamin asked that his fine be remitted as an allowance for maintaining the boy for almost two years without benefit, saying, “I pray Conceder my pouerty I am uary low in the world and know not How to pay the twanty shilins.” Some time between 1686 and 1689, they moved to Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut. The Enfield Land Records tell us that on November 8, 1686, Benjamin was granted in Enfield “. . . 40 acres of field land with proportion of meadow which is 4 acres and a home lot of 12 acres on the west side of the street or if he desires it his home lot on the east side of the street, . . .” On March 8, 1687, the Enfield record states: “Benjamin Jones elected surveyor of Highways.” He held this position for two more terms. He continued to receive many more grants of land and he amassed a large estate in East Enfield, which became the town of Somers, where his family settled. In volume one of the History of Enfield it states, “This year [1689] the first settlement of the eastern part of the Township including the territory now called Somers, commenced by Benjamin Jones who erected a small house about half a mile east of the present village. He with family resided there several years alone in the summer season. In the winter he used to return to the old settlement in Enfield.” On June 1, 1709 he deeded 8 acres of land in Enfield, Connecticut, to his son Benjamin possibly as a wedding present. Then on May 1, 1714, he deeded 60 acres near the mountains-country road north to his son Eleazer.
|
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
Elizabeth Wildes was born about 1653 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts, the fourth of eight children born to John Wildes and Priscilla Gould. Her mother died when she was about 10 years-old, and her father remarried Sarah Averill seven months later. She most likely was raised by her step-mother, who gave her a half-brother. Almost 30 years later, two of her sisters and her stepmother were accused of witchcraft, resulting in the execution of her step-mother. Elizabeth Wildes Jones died some time after March 4, 1723/4, the date Benjamin’s will was settled, as she was one of the signers of the settlement agreement. It is not known where she is buried, but it is likely she is buried with her husband. |
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
His name appear several times in John Chauncey Pease’s book History of Enfield Connecticut Volume III in the Early Deeds section. The earliest was dated December 17, 1711, and reads as follows: “John Pryor to his son Benjamin Jones. (War. ) 10 acres in ‘ye field’ -Shubael Geers south, Great River west, John Pryor north, Country road east. Witnesses Thomas Jones, Mary Jones.” At that time, Benjamin Jones was his new son-in-law; Shubael Geer is his brother-in-law; and John Pryor is his son. The latest record clearly of John Sr is dated September 22, 1727 and reads as follows: “Benjamin Jones Jun' to his father John Prier. (War.) 10 acres in South field-Shubael Gear south, Great River west, Benjamin Jones, formerly John Prier north, Country road east. 10 acres in the South field river division-Thomas Abby senr formerly north, Benjamin Jones, formerly John Prier south, Country road east, Great River west.” So we know that John was alive in the fall of 1727. There is one additional record which seems to be of John Sr. that is dated December 28, 1730, which reads “John Pryor to his son Daniel Pryor. (War.) 1 1/2 acres on Buckhorn brook-John Bement decd south, uplands northwest. 5 acres-above meadow west.” From this we can assume John Prior Sr died after December 28, 1730. Fortunately, Genealogist Eugene Cole Zubrinsky, has kindly informed me that John Prior Jr had left Enfield in August of 1727, leaving only John Sr. in Einfield. Thus all the deeds with his name belong to John Sr. Zubrinsky also sent me a listing of deeds that mention John Prior’s name. The last was dated October 10, 1748, which reads in part, “that was formerly Danll Priors late of Enfield Deceasd . . .” and “North Partly on Land of John Pryors . . .” Not having the Deceasd after his name means John was alive at age 83, in 1748. Unfortunately a death or burial record can not be found. |
| ~<^>~ |
Mary Geer (or Geares as it reads on the Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910 record) was born about 1670 to parents Thomas Geer and Deborah Davis, the eldest of at least three children. On April 15, 1686, in what was then Enfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, which is now in Hartford, Connecticut, she married John Pryor. They had at least ten children born to them, the first three recorded in Windsor Township, and the others all in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut – ancestor Anna; Mary born on March 6, 1692; John, born on May 16, 1695; Daniel born on October 16, 1697; Sarah born on February 12, 1699/1700; Nathaniel born on September 21, 1702; Azariah or as listed on the record Ezerriah Prier, born on January 26, 1704/05; Ezekiel born on April 24, 1708; a daughter Thankfull born on September 9, 1709, who married at 18 years old, but died at 25 years old; and Ebenezer born on October 2, 1712. Their name has been spelled as Prier and Prior as well as Pryor. The last entry of Mary’s name in Pease’s book History of Enfield Connecticut Volume III was on April 13, 1727, and reads as follows “John Pryor husbandman and wife Mary to Ebenezer Bliss of Springfield cordwainer. (War.) 12 acres Simeon Booths homelot-Great River west, Country road east, William Booth north, John Pryor jun' south.” So she was alive in the spring of 1727. Unfortunately it is not known when she died or where she’s buried. |
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
Edward Kibbe was born on February 2, 1669/70, in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was the second of at least seven children born to parents Elisha Kibbe and Rachell Cooke. His last name, Kibbe, has been recorded as Kibbee, Kebbee, and Kebbe on different records. He was one of the founders of Somers, see below.
Like his father before him, his name is recorded many times in Francis Olcott Allen’s book The History of Enfield, regarding sales and purchases of land, as well as witnessing land deals, and also his name being used as boundary lines in land descriptions. From this we can assume that he was a large land owner like his father. In volume three of this book, on May 16, 1717, he deeded 60 acres of land to the “Commissioners of Mass.” On a deed dated February 25 1722/3, and recorded on September 1, 1731, it states that he sold 52 acres to Samuel Terry and describes Edward as a yeoman: “Edward Kibbee senior, yeoman to Capt. Samuel Terry yeoman. (War.)” In 1725 and 1726 he deeded land over to his sons and sons-in-law.
In the name of God Amen I Edward Kibbe of Somers in the County of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut in New England, yeoman; Being Considerably advanced in years but of Perfect mind and memory Thanks be to God— Calling to Mind my one Mortality and not knowing how soon or suddenly Death may Seize upon me have therefore and by those present, Do Make this my Last Will and Testament which is a followeth (viz) - -
- Edward Kibbe died in Somers on August 22, 1756, and is buried in the West Cemetery (aka South Cemetery) in Somers. His grave stone reads: Here Lies ye Body of Mr Edward Kibbe who Died Aug 22nd 1756 in ye 88th year of his Age. |
| ~<^>~ |
Dorothy Phelps was born on May 10, 1675, in Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. She was the second of seven children and the second of that name born to Jacob Phelps and Dorothy Ingersoll, the first Dorothy having died the year before at the age of 3 ½ months. On November 13, 1693, she married Edward Kibbe in Enfield, Connecticut. They had nine children, all born in Enfield – Edward on July 16, 1694; Dorothy on October 20, 1696; Elisha on February 23, 1698/9; ancestor Jacob; Israel on October 21, 1704; Rachel on April 16, 1707; Rebecca on June 14, 1710; Anna on March 23, 1712/3; and Naomy on November 26, 1715. Dorothy's name is also listed in many of the early land deals mentioned in The History of Enfield, for example: “Edward Kibbe and wife Dorothy to Ephraim Colton. 10 acres homelot. . . . 15 March 1696. Recorded 20 Sept. 1709.” The last deed this researcher has found that mentions her name was dated 1720, “ Edward Kibbee sen' husbandman and wife Dorothy to Richard French . . .13 acres homelot at the north end of the town.” The last we know of her is that she is called “my Well Beloved Wife” in her husband’s 1753 will. Unfortunately, it is not known when or where Dorothy Phelps Kibbe died or if she is buried with her husband. |
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
Benjamin Sitton is thought be the seventh of nine children born to John Sutton and Elizabeth House, born on March 22, 1674, in Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Records show that a Benjamin Sutten/Sutton, was born to a father named John and was baptized at the Second Church of Scituate on July 21, 1678 with his younger brother Nathaniel. No other records exist here for a Benjamin, so it has been assumed that this is the Benjamin who evidently left Scituate as a young man and settled in Connecticut. About 1693, 21 year-old Benjamin married Lydia, surname unknown. See Lydia below for children. Because records exist for the birth of their first child, we know they either lived or stopped in Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts in 1694. No other Springfield documents can be found for the family. Scituate to Springfield, on today’s roads, is about a 117 mile trip. Then they travelled to Windham County to the area where Pomfret is now, another 53 miles away. In 1698 Benjamin purchased land from the Danas (Native Americans?), “fifty acres of wilderness land at a place called Mashamoquet, bounded west by Windham Rode.” This would later become the town of Pomfret, Connecticut. He signed a petition for town organization in 1713. In both versions of the book History of Windham County Connecticut, Ellen D. Larned and Richard M. Bayles state, “During the Indian war the family of Captain Sabin were the only white inhabitants of the future Pomfret now known to us, though it is possible that Benjamin Sitton, styling himself of ‘Mashamoquet in Nipmug Country,’ who purchased of the Danas in 1698, ‘fifty acres of wilderness land at a place called Mashamoquet, bounded west by Windham Rode,’ was also a resident.” (The Danas were brothers who received the land in a transfer made earlier.) This land would later become the town of Pomfret, Connecticut.Volume 75 of The American Guide: Connecticut, written by the Federal Writers Project in 1938, tells us that this land “although in the limits of Pomfret, remained entirely outside it’s jurisdiction until 1713, and even then was only partially controlled by the parent settlement. This was actually a feudal holding, free from the responsibilities and privileges of suffrage, paying no taxes, recording no deeds, and furnishing no recruits for Colonial military service. Tales of extreme hardship and lawlessness abound. Mashamoquet Plantation was no place for weaklings; these pioneers held their lands by superior marksmanship and intestinal fortitude. Deeds, when they existed, were sketchy affairs that cause confusion even in preset-day land records.” We know Benjamin was living on this land because he was one of the signers on the petition for town organization in 1713. Larned goes on to say in her “Minister and Meeting-House. Church Organization. Second Land Division” section, “In the autumn, the house was completed so far as had been specified, and was probably opened for public worship and town meetings. December 6, 1714, various new officers were chosen, including Benjamin Sitton, collector.” May 9, 1715, the town voted, "That the space in the meeting-house at the west end, between the stairs and door, be a place for boys to sit in. Also, that Lieutenant Chandler shall have liberty to build a pew for himself and family in our meeting-house, at the south side, between the great door and the next window. Also, that Benjamin Sitton shall have liberty to build a pew for himself and family in the meeting-house, adjoining to the east of Lieutenant Chandler's.” From Pomfret, the family traveled back about 33 miles toward Springfield, but stopped in Enfield, CT, the part which is now Somers. The name Benjamin Sitton is mentioned many times in all three volumes of The History of Enfield, Connecticut. In the Early Deeds section, Benjamin Sr. is listed as a husbandman and a yeoman, both of which would mean that he was a farmer. His son, Benjamin was mentioned several times as a carpenter, and his grandson, son of Benjamin Jr, Christopher, was called an idiot, who was taken care of by many in the community after his parents died In this book series, Benjamin's name was spelled, Sitton, Sitten, Sittan, Sittern, Citron, Siton, Sittorn, and Citton, but no record of it was spelled Sutton, the way his father’s name was spelled. The History of Enfield lists quite a few land transactions in the Enfield area with the name Benjamin Sitton. There is no way to tell them apart in the land records, unless they are listed by Sr./Jr. or by occupation. Some records simply have the name. The earlest date where the name appears is on June 13, 1718, where it is listed as a witness to a deed. On April 15, 1721, Benjamin Sitton of Pomfret Conn purchased 200 acres on the Scatick River. It could be that the son Benjamin went to Enfield first, sometime prior to 1718 and the father followed later in 1721. It is recorded in church records that after Lydia died, Benjamin married Rachel Bigbie, a widow of Ashford, CT, early in 1731. Their marriage intentions were published on December 19, 1730 and on March 7, 1731, the wife of Benjamin Sitton was admitted to the Congregational Church in Somers, from the church in Ashford. Benjamin Sitton died on December 18, 1742, in Somers, Tolland County, Connecticut. It is not known where he is buried. Rachel, his second wife, died in 1760. |
| ~<^>~ |
The first instance that definitely has Benjamin Sr. and Lydia in Somers is found in the records of the Church at Somers which was the Second Ecclesiastical Society of Enfield, organized in 1727. August 6 1727: “Benjamin Citron & Lydia his wife upon their desire & being dismissd from ye church of Pomfret were receivd into fellowship with us.” Then on February 4, 1728, “Recd into full Communion: Sarah Citron ye wife of Benjamin Citron Jun'. Lydia Citron.” The Connecticut Deaths and Burials records state that Lydia Sitton died in 1729 in Somers, Tolland County, Connecticut, at the age of 64. (This is where we get her birth year from.) She is buried in the West Cemetery in Somers. The gravestone reads: Here lys the body of Lydia Sitton wife of Benjn Sitton who deceased in 1729 aged 64. |
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
This area was settled as the southeast part of Agawam (Springfield), Massachusetts. Because of a boundary dispute between Massachusetts and Connecticut, in 1642 two Boston Surveyors were appointed by the Masschusetts Bay Colony to lay out the boundary between Connecticut and Massachusetts. The boundary ended up eight miles too far south, assigning the towns of Enfield, Suffield, Somers and Woodstock to Massachusetts. (Mouse over and click on the early Enfield Plat map image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)
Both Enfield and Somers were de facto in Hampshire County, Massachusetts during this period. They separated from Massachusetts and were annexed to Connecticut by an Act of the Massachusetts General Court in May 1749. Thus Somers, Woodstock, Enfield and Suffield were joined to the Colony of Connecticut.
Some time prior to November 26,1897, James Allen Kibbe, to the best of his ability, collected all the Epitaphs in Enfield and Somers and faithfully recorded them. When finished he visited all the cemeteries and all names and dates were carefully compared with the original recorded inscriptions, and all errors and omissions discovered were carefully corrected. The cemeteries he visited were:
To learn more about these times, read the record compilation books The History of Enfield Connecticut by Francis Olcott Allen. |
| ~< Back to Chart >~ |
Benjamin Jones was probably born in November of 1682 in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts, because his tombstone says he was in his 72nd year of life, and his parents lived there at that time. A record for his family exists in the Gloucester files, but Benjamin is not mentioned. Birth records for his four youngest siblings exist in the Enfield files, but again, no mention of Benjamin. What we do know is that he was one of the nine children born to Benjamin Jones and Elizabeth Wildes. He earned his living as a cooper, one who makes and repairs barrels and tubs. Benjamin Jones was said to be the first settler of Somers, Connecticut, in 1706, 
They had nine children, all but the last two are recorded as born in Enfield – Benjamin on June 9, 1710; Joseph on January 3, 1711/2; Anne on September 9, 1714; Levi on November 9, 1716, who died in 1766 in an accidental explosion of a schoolhouse during preparations of fireworks to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act; Abi on March 15, 1718/9; Naomy on March 28, 1721; ancestor Zebulon; Irene, was the first to be recorded as born in Somers on March 30, 1730, and baptized on May 21, 1730; and Lucretia, born on March 15, 1733. 
On February 4, 1727/8, Grace was received into full Communion at the 
He was the eighth of nine children born to Thomas Jones, 31 and Mary (Marie) North, 34 years old. (Mouse over image of his birth record on left.)
Elizabeth married Benjamin Jones on January 22, 1678, in Gloucester, Massachusetts . They had nine children. The first four are recorded as born in Gloucester – Thomas on March 13, 1679, who died on his way home from War in 1763; Preszillar, probably named after Elizabeth’s mother, on June 10, 1681; Ebenezer on April 17, 1684 and Elizabeth on January 26, 1685/86. Their son, ancestor Benjamin, is said to have been born in Gloucester, but no records exists for him there. He could have been born on the road traveling to Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, where the remaining children were born – Ephriam, probably named after her half brother, was born on July 31, 1688 and died just over a month later on September 3rd; Samuel on September 22, 1690, who died at 13 months-old on November 4, 1691; Eleazer on April 12, 1693; and Garessham on October 26, 1695, who died at 11 months-old on October 19, 1696. Walter Davis, Jr, states in his article The Wildes Family of Essex County, Massachusetts, that “The family lived on their farm during the summers, but returned to Enfield, which was more thickly settled, in the winter. He owned about 200 acres of land in the town in 1703.” 
Lydia was born about 1665. It is not known for certain what her maiden name was, but some sources suggest it was Kibbe or Kibbey. Lydia married Benjamin Sitton about 1693, and they eventually settled in Pomfret, Windham County, Connecticut, about 4 miles south of Woodstock, where their third child was born. They had at least six children – Benjamin born on February 1, 1694 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts; Sarah in 1696; Christopher on April 23, 1697 in Woodstock; John in 1700; ancestor Grace; and Mary in 1706. Sarah, Grace and Mary were probably born in the Mashamoquet Wilderness, which eventually became Pomfret, before records were kept.
In May 1683, Enfield was split off from Springfield by a Committee that settled the town. The first settlers of Enfield were young people living in Salem and vicinity. The largest island in the Connecticut river lies between the towns
of Enfield and Suffield. At first it was called Pynchon's Island. Afterwards it was known as King's Island. The name given it by 1897 was Terry's Island. It contains about one hundred acres. The jurisdiction of this island has been a matter of frequent dispute between the towns of Suffield and Enfield.
Somers was a settlement in the East Precinct of Enfield. It was started about 1706 by Benjamin Jones, with other settlers, Edward Kibbe, James Pease, Timothy Roote, and John McGregory, following in 1713. In 1726, the Massachusetts General Court constituted it the distinct Society of East-Enfield. It was incorporated as the Township of Somers in 1734 by the General Court of Massachusetts and named for Lord John Somers of England. Town vital records weren't recorded prior to 1734.
The Church at Somers organized in 1727 as the Second Ecclesiastical Society of Enfield by Separatists who left the First Society church, vigorously protesting against certain doctrines and practices. The Rev. Samuel Allis was its first pastor. He kept handwritten records until 1746, after which no Church Records are found for about 60 years. The Puritans had an intense reverence for social, political and official precedence. In their customs and laws the iron hand of social distinction appears, even to the forbidding of the use of silks and ribbons by certain classes; but inasmuch as they were of all things religious, the most remarkable exhibition of this tendency was in the separation of the people into classes in the house of God. Seating the meeting-house consisted of dignifying the seats, that is, giving to each seat its rank, and then fitting the people into these seats, each according to his supposed standing in the community. This work was done generally by a committee appointed in a town meeting, as the government was state and church combined. But it often happened that the committee's estimation of a man was not that man's estimation of himself. It appears that the Separatists, who established the new church, did not protest against nor abandon the customs of Dignifying of the Pews nor the Seating of the Meeting House.