Genealogy of the Olmsted family in America : embracing the ...

FIRST GENERATION
RICHARD OLMSTED, Norwalk, Conn. bap. at Fairsted, Essex County,
England, Feb. 20, 1612 ; son o£ Richard Olmsted, who was son of James and Jane
(Bristow) Olmsted, of Great Leighs, Essex County, England. His will is
dated Sept. 5, 1684. As appears in his will, he was married twice, but the
names of his wives are not known. His sons were children of the first wife.
He also had a daughter who had died before the making of his will.
3954, James +. 3955, John +.
Richard Olmsted came with the family to America, and until his marriage
was probably a member of his Uncle James' family; but of the date of that
event we have no record. He came to Hartford in the summer of 1636, with
the party from Newtown, Mass. He was one of the first settlers and proprietors
of the new town. In two divisions of land, he had in the proportion
of 10 and 8. His house lot was No. 49, and was on the west side of Main St.,
on part of which now stands the Center Church and the old burying ground
(the second one in Hartford).
The town bought the lot, as per record: " The 11 of January, 1640. It is
further ordered that the Burying-place is appointed to be (a) parcel of Richard
Olmsted's lot; and for satisfaction to Richard Olmsted for the said Buryingplace,
and the fencing about it, he is to have a parcel of land lying at the North
Meadow gate; (the Cow-yard: containing about an acre and a half of ground.)"
" The said Richard Olmsted is to have part of John Skinner's lot, on which
the said John Skinner's house stands; and the said John Skinner is to remove
his dwelling house." " Richard Olmsted is to trans-sill his house that stands
upon the Burying-place and then the town is to remove it to the lot, the same,
Richard Olmsted receives of John Skinner." This lot of John Skinner's was
No. 48, next north of Richard Olmsted's lot No. 49.
One of the first persons buried there was probably his Uncle James
Olmsted.
From his owning a house in Hartford, it is probable that he was married
before 1640.
On June 19, 1650, articles of agreement were drawn up for the purchase of
" Norwalke," from Roger Ludlow, of Fairfield, Conn., and at a session of the
General Court of the Colony, the 26th of June, 1650, Nathaniel Ely and Richard
Olmsted in behalf of themselves and other inhabitants of Hartford, desired the
leave and approbation of the Court for (the) planting of Norwalk, to whom an
affirmative answer was returned Sept. 11, 1651: " it was ordered that Norwalk
should be a town."
Richard Olmsted moved to Norwalk in 1650 or 1651, as his name appears
in the deed of the Indian Chiefs dated Feb. 15, 1651. The land purchased
from Roger Ludlow comprised only the eastern part of the town. The purchase
price was fifteen pounds with some additional considerations. The
central part of Norwalk had been originally purchased by Capt. Patrick of
Greenwich, but the payment had never been completed to the satisfaction of
the Indians. The amount still owing, viz.: " two Indian coates and fowre
fathom of wampam " was made good to them and that part of the town also
acquired. The additional land secured from the Indian chiefs, Feb. 15, 1651,
" for the consideration of Thirtie Fathum of Wampum, Tenn Kettles, Fifteen
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