Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Previous to the thirteenth century there
were practically no surnames, and as the
need for names grew it became customary
to take a name from location of
residence, occupation or some personal
attribute. Yale belongs to the class of
place names. Originally it was spelled
Ial and Yal, and comes from the commune,
hundred or district of Yale in
Powys Fadog, Wales. The Yales are
descended from Osborn Fitzgerald,
through his descendant, Ellis ap Griffith,
who married Margaret, the heiress of
Plas yn Yale. From that time the surname
was adopted by their descendants,
the first to definitely assume it being Dr.
Thomas Yale, 1577.
(I) The immigrant ancestor of the family
herein under consideration was Thom-
as Yale, who was born about 1616 in
Chester, England, and died March 27,
1683, in New Haven, Connecticut. In
1637 he accompanied his father-in-law to
America, and settled at New Haven the
following year. In 1659 he returned to
England, but 1660 finds him a resident of
the Connecticut Colony. He was one of
the most prominent men in New Haven
he was active in every movement there
and was highly regarded by the other
settlers. In 1645 he married Mary
Turner, a daughter of Captain Nathaniel
Turner, of New Haven.
(II) Captain Thomas (2) Yale, son of
Thomas (1) Yale, was born in New
Haven about 1647, and died January 26,
1736, at Wallingford, Connecticut. He
was among the first settlers of the latter
town, having moved there in May, 1670,
and was instrumental in forming the first
church of that town, February 15, 1675.
Captain Yale was one of the only two
surviving members of the signers of the
Wallingford Plantation Covenant in 1710,
the second being Rev. Samuel Street. He
served as justice of the peace ; captain of
;
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
96
the train band ; surveyor of lands, and
held many other minor offices. He married,
December 11, 1667, Rebecca, daughter of
William Gibbards, born in New Haven,
February 26, 1650, died in Wallingford.
(III) Captain Theophilus Yale, son of
Captain Thomas (2) Yale, was born November
13, 1675, and died September 13,
1760. He served as magistrate from 1724
until his death, and was always engaged
in some form of civic work, and as one
writer has aptly said, "He was a true
servant of the people." He married Sarah,
daughter of Rev. Samuel and Anna Street,
of Wallingford, and her death occurred
November 28, 1785.
(IV) Elihu Yale, son of Captain Theophilus
Yale, was born in May, 1703, and
his death occurred while on the Louisburg
Expedition, at Cape Breton, December
31, 1745. He was a farmer. His
second wife was Judith Howe ; they were
married January 19, 1732, and after his
death she married Daniel Dutton, removing
soon thereafter to Waterbury.
(V) Captain Elisha Yale, son of Elihu
and Judith (Howe) Yale, was born August
29, 1742, and died April 1, 1825. He
followed agricultural pursuits. In 1761
he married Rebecca North, of Farming-
ton.
(VI) Elisha (2) Yale, son of Captain
Elisha (1) Yale, was born December 8,
1763, and died July 31, 1840. He mar-
ried Rhoda Culver, and like his ancestors
was a farmer.
(VII) Anson Yale, son of Elisha (2)
Yale, was born February 27, 1805, died
May 2, 1849. At different periods he
lived in South Canaan, Waterbury and
Middletown. Mr. Yale removed to East
Hartford in 1880 and there he made his
home until his death. He married, November
8, 1832, Mary A. Fields, who was
born April 25, 181 1.
(VIII) Charles Fields Yale, son of