Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

In order below the Bridgeport road Like
other proprietors his lands were spread
over a considerable area, and wire unconnected,
a fact which seems to be more
generally characteristic of Stratford than
of the majority of New England towns.
His name last appears on the records, in
March, [688-89, in hi-- eighty-second year.
Mr, Booth seems to have been twice married,
for in 1689 he speaks of "my now
wife," a phrase commonly indicative, as
then used, of a second marriage. 1 lis first
wife was Elizabeth; sister of Joseph Haw-
ley, founder of the Ilawley family of
Stratford, and the first recorder or town
clerk. This is another incidental proof of
his being one of the original proprietors
of the town.
(Ill Joseph Booth (or Boothe). ances-
tor of all of the name now living in the
present town of Stratford, was born there
in March. 1656. lie became a landed
proprietor in Stratford, and was one of
the leading men of the town in his day.
His estate was among the largest in the
town. Part of the front wall of the cellar
of his house still remains. Other relics
are in possession of his descendants. An
account book in which his business trans-
actions are entered is in the possession of
Mr. David B. Booth, of Putney. Several
leaves at the beginning of this interesting
old ledger are lost. The remaining en-
tries extend from 1681 to 1703. Two or
three generations of the descendants of
Joseph Booth used the volume for a like
purpose. Numerous debts of long stand-
ing were discharged by deeds of land,
which greatly increased his property, and
enabled him to confer valuable farms on
his children and their families. Joseph
Booth occupied a position of prominence
in the life and affairs of early Stratford.
He married (first) Mary Wells, daughter
of John Wells; (second) Hannah Willcox-
Conn—7-12 I
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
77
son, daughter of John WillcOXSOn, about
1685; she died in 1701. In 1702 he married
(third) Elizabeth , who after
his deatli pave bonds for the management
of the estate. He died in Stratford, Sep-
tember 1. 1703, aged forty six years.
illh David Booth, son of Joseph and
Mary
nnah (Willcxson) Booth, was born in
Stratford, Connecticut, about [698. He
married (first) in June, 17.27, Mrs. Anne
Mills, Of Windsor. About 1740 he mar-
and shortly
ried (second I
;
after his marriage removed to Roxbury,
Connecticut, where he died June 21, 1773,
aged seventy-four year-. David Booth
was a prominent resident of Trumbull,
and was one of the twenty-four original
members of the church formed there,
May 6, 1747. His wife died November
mi. 1793. aged ninety-one years.
(IV) David (2) Booth, son of David
(1) and Anne (Mills) Booth, was born in
October, 1733. He settled in Trumbull,
Connecticut, and was prominent in civil
life there. He was a large landowner,
and prosperous farmer. David Booth
served on the school committee of Trum-
bull, and in October, 1812, represented
the town in the Connecticut Legislature.
He married. November 12, 1752, Prudence
Edwards, who died December 21, 1782,
aged sixty years. He died September 14,
1824, aged ninety-one years.
( V )
Philo
Booth, son of David (2) and
Prudence (Edwards) Booth, was born in
Trumbull, Connecticut, and resided there
all his life, a prominent citizen and pros-
perous farmer. He died July 31, 1819,
aged sixty-one years. Philo Booth was
active in public affairs in Trumbull, and
in 1806 represented the town in the Con-
necticut State Legislature. He married
Anna , who died March 18, 1838,
aged seventy-six years. Both are buried
in the Unity Burying Place.