A Hooker Moves William Kelsey
William Kelsey, my 9th great paternal grandfather, arrived in New England in 1632 and was one of the original founders (proprietors) of Hartford, Connecticut. He was a member of the Braintree Company (Congregation) and a follower of Reverend Thomas Hooker.
Note: William Goodwin, mentioned above, is the brother of my 9th great-grandfather Ozias Goodwin (1595-1683). Ozias was also a Hartford founder.
Bits and Pieces about William Kelsey:
- Granted one rood for a cowyard in Cambridge, 5 August 1633
- Listed as a freeman in 1634.
- Sold a meadow at Cambridge in 1635
- William was among the “Adventurers Party” of twenty-five men who set out to from Massachusetts to explore the area that would become Hartford, in October 1635.
- His daughter Hester is said to be the first female (European) born in Hartford. Hester is my 8th great-grandmother and was married to James Eggleston.
- In March 1663, William and 26 others migrated to the “Hammonossit Plantation” and founded the town of Killingworth, Connecticut.
- He was one of the original members of the First Congregation Church in Hartford, Ct. (presently known as Center Church)
Great Resources for information on William Kelsey and Rev. Hooker:
The Digital Puritan – Thomas Hooker
Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy – Notes
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