August 2019 - FrenchINO

Bigod (Beget/Begatt/Beggett/Baggett) Eggleston was a man with a mysterious name, mysterious origins, and a mysterious marital history… One estimate suggests that Bigod Eggleston is the ancestor of more than 12 million Americans. Founders Series: Bigod Eggleston – Windsor Historical Society

Bigod Eggelston (Egelston), my paternal 9th great-grandfather, was one of the residents of ancient Windsor, Connecticut who took shelter in the Palasado (Palisades) during the Pequot War.

*From Henry Stiles’ Ancient Windsor, Connecticut Vol I (history) page 120-21* Drawing and Excerpt

Great information on the history of Windsor, CT. and the Pequot War:

Exploring and Uncovering the Pequot War – Connecticut Explored, 2013

John Mason and His Statue – Windsor Historical Society

Windsor’s Palisade – Friends of the Office of State Archaeology

‘Connecticut’s Jamestown’? An Incident in Wethersfield Nearly 400 Years Ago May Rewrite Early American History – Connecticut Magazine, Mar 2019.

St. Gabriel’s Church, later renamed Grace Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Parish of St. Gabriel was organized December 14 1842. Its original members were Isaac Underhill, George Spalding, Fitch Bissell, John Spencer (my 2nd great-grandfather), Alonzo M. Smith, Quarles Bedorthy, Samuel Loomis and Henry A. Bliss. The corner stone for the church edifice was laid on the 6th of November 1843 and it was consecrated January 15, 1845. The building is about 48 feet long by 28 feet wide with transepts on each side. The posts are 20 feet high and the body of the church is entirely free from any cross timbers except short hammer beams the roof is very steep and high and its internal finish corresponds therewith being lathed and plastered so as to bow the plates principal rafters arches curves etc., which are of a mahogany color in bold relief and with a very pleasing effect. The cost of the church exclusive of the organ was about $2000 and is said to be unsurpassed for ease of speaking and singing.
Source: (p.58) The History of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut: including East Windsor, South Windsor: By Henry Reed Stiles.

Bigod, it is War!

St Gabriel’s Episcopal Church – Windsor, CT