Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

have been John Ellsworth, of a town of
that name near Cambridge, England. His
three sons, presumable because of adher-
ance to other than the recognized state
religion, incurred dangers of imprisonment
and consequently they were forced
to leave the country. The three brothers
eventually reached American shores,
Arthur and Josias (or Josiah) coming
direct, and the third coming later, after a
period spent in Holland. Josias Ellsworth
was born in 1629, near Cambridge,
England, son of John Ellsworth, and said
to have been a descendant of Sir John
Ellsworth, who lived in the time of Edward
III. and whose estate was in Cam-
bridgeshire. This conjecture is derived
from "Mr. John Ellsworth, who was a re-
spectable merchant in London, early in
the nineteenth century, who stated that
it was a tradition in his family, which had
long resided in Yorkshire, that a member
of it had formerly removed to foreign
parts ; that he was a young man when he
left, and never returned." Josias Ells-
worth, according to one historian, was in
Connecticut "as early as 1646;" but it is
known that he arrived in America in 1644,
and the "History of Ancient Windsor"
(Stiles) states that he had settled in
Windsor in that year. In 1654 he bought
a house and lot from Alexander Alvord,
in Windsor, located on the road to Poquonock
south of the rivulet, near the
old mill. This he sold in 1658 to Cornelius
Gillet, and it was thereafter known
as the Gillet place. In 1655, having mar-
ried, he purchased a more pretentious
dwelling, that belonging to Widow Joanna
Davison, and generations later
known as the Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth
place. He was admitted a freeman,
May 21, 1657; was a juror in 1664;
and took part in most public movements.
His name appears on a list of subscribers,
June 11, 1676, to state fund "for the poor
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
79
in other colonies ;" his subscription was
three shillings, a substantial amount for
that time and place, no other individual
subscription exceeding eleven shillings.
He married, November 16, 1654, Elizabeth
Holcomb, who died September 18,
1712. Of their nine children, Jonathan
was the sixth. Josias Ellsworth died Au-
gust 20, 1689, leaving an estate valued at
six hundred and fifty-five pounds.
Captain Jonathan Ellsworth, son of
Josias and Elizabeth (Holcomb) Ellsworth,
was born in Windsor, June 28,
1669. He resided in Windsor, where he
kept a tavern. He was apparently of en-
terprising spirit ; he dealt in West India
goods, and engaged in many small busi-
ness ventures. He was a man of broad
understanding, a raconteur whose re-
partee and wit gained him the name of
"Hector Ellsworth." Of commanding
stature and powerful physique, he was a
man of conspicuous presence, and was
well respected in the town and vicinity.
He fell from his horse and was killed,
September 13, 1749, being then eightyone
years of age. He married, October
26, 1693, Sarah, born September 19, 1675,
died November 9, 1755, daughter of
Tahan Grant. They had ten children.
Giles Ellsworth, son of Jonathan and
Sarah (Grant) Ellsworth, was born August
6, 1703, died March 20, 1765. He
married Hannah, daughter of John and
Sarah (Fitch) Stoughton. She was born
February 6, 1705, and died December 29,
1756, aged fifty-one years. They had five
children.
Giles (2) Ellsworth, son of Giles (1)
and Hannah (Stoughton) Ellsworth, was
born September 6, 1732, died July 20,
1796; married (first) Keziah Moore, who
died June 26, 1762; (second) Hannah
Burr, who died March 18, 1777, aged
forty-two years. There were four chil-
dren.