William Thrall

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 6174
• Will: 11 Dec 1678, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
• Death: 3 Aug 1679, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Notes:

From the Thrall website at http://www.thrale.com/history/usa/william_thrall.php: Note-This passage contains errors-see below.
William Thrall is the founder of the Thrall family in the United States. He was born in 1605 in Sandridge, Hertfordshiure, England and came to the Colonies on the 'Mary and John' in the year 1630. The Mary and John was a vessel of four hundred tons captained by a man named Squeb and the vessel sailed with 180 passengers.

William was part of a company of Puritans under the leadership of Rev. John Wareham of Exeter and Rev. John Meverick, both ministers of the Church of England Setting sail from Plymouth, England on 20 March, they first came ashore on 30 May 1630. They disembarked with what goods they had, to some high land in the salt meadow, now a part of the city of Boston. They named the place Dorchester, which was selected by the captain of the "Mary and John" as he came from Dorchester, England. Page 277 of Prince's Chronology of New England records…

“May 30, Lord's Day. Mr. Wareham and his church, and their goods, were put ashore at Nantasket Point. The went immediately to Charlestown, and from thence to Mattepan, and began a town and named it Dorchester, and the native Indians were kind to them.”

Revs. Wareham and Meverick and their group stayed in Dorchester less than five years, as a number of their menfolk had discovered more fertile land below the first falls of the Connecticut River, at the junction of the Farmington River just above Hartford. Part of the Colony went by boat and the remainder traveled across the one hundred miles of virgin forest, to establish the town of Windsor. Windsor was unofficially known as Thrallville in the early years.

The first we know of William Thrall is that he is listed with the following men who were among the thirty men who went from Windsor to join in the fight against the Pequod Indians in May 1637. Capt. John Mason, Sgt. Benedict Alvord, Thomas Barber, Thomas Buckland, George Chappel, John Dyer, James Eggleston, Nathaniel Gillet, Thomas Gridley, Thomas Styles, Sgt. Thomas Stares, Richard Osborn, Thomas Parsons, William Thrall. The Indian village in this case was so completely destroyed that for many years, the settlers had no further trouble with the Indians. Some years later, the participants were given land grants. To quote from Dr. Styles records with regard to the first Indian war in New England,

“The danger was imminent, and so complete the victory that it caused universal rejoicing throughout New England, and a grant of land was given each soldier and officer, and to this day the memory of an ancestor who was in the Pequod fight, is an honorable heirloom in every Connecticut family”

William Thrall is mentioned many times in the early records. His lot shows up in the first plot of Windsor, between the lots of Nicholas Palmer and Thomas Bascomb, and ran from the road to the Farmington River. In 1646, William sold this lot to Nicholas Palmer and moved to Simon Hoyte's place, north of the village. Robert Wilson bought a half interest with William in the Hoyte's 80 acres, but sold his half to Thrall in 1654. This 80 acres has been part of the holdings of the Thrall family ever since.

William Thrall was born in 1605 in Sandridge, Hertfordshire, England, and died on 3 August 1679 in Windsor, Connecticut, America. William Thrall made a will.

We know very little about the wife of William Thrall. She is referred to in the Old Windsor records as Goode Thrall, but 'Goode' was an expression applied to women with families and it is simply an abbreviation of 'Goodwife'. Whether she came over to New England on the "Mary and John" with her husband or they met in Dorchester, has never been established. The record of her death simply states… “Goode Thrall, wife of William, died 30 July 1676”

The above quote from the Thrall website has some good information, but some of the important details are incorrect. The birthdate of 1605 in Sandridge is generally accepted to be another William Thrall. There is no evidence that William was aboard the 1630 voyage of the Mary & John. It is generally accepted that he was not. Records with his name begin in 1637. It may be a good assumption that he arrived in 1636 with another voyage of the same ship. The other information given above does all appear to be correct.

There is no good evidence of birthplace or parents name. There were a lot of Thralls in England and there are many possibilities. Winthrops Journal did have an entry that William Thrall was 60 years old in 1666. See TAG V24 P112.

Digest of Early Connecticut Probate Records:
Page 27-8.
Thrall, William, Windsor. Died 3 August, 1679. Invt. £158-09-06. Taken by Christopher Sanders, Jacob Drake. Will dated 11 December, 1678.
I William Thrall of Windsor do give and bequeath my Outward Es tate, my House Barn & all my Lands of one sort or other, Upland or Meadow, to my son Timothy Thrall, to be his & his heirs forever, yt with this Proviso, that upon his possession thereof he stand bound to discharge the Legacies as followeth: First: that he pay to Daughter Phillip(i) Hosford the sum of £45, to be paid within 3 years after my decease. Sec-ond : that he pay to Samuel Cross, & also to her that was Mary Cross, both which live with me, 5 Shillings apeice. Third: That he pay to Mr. Ben jamin Woodbridge 20 Shillings. It is my Will & I do give to my gr. child Sarah Hosford the little House I have begun to build on John Hosford's Land. For my Household Goods, what is in the possession of my son Timothy Thrall I do bestow on him, & what part of my Household Goods is in the possession of John Shepherd I do give to my daughter Phillipi Thrall. A Cow of mine in John Hosford's Hands I do give to Daughter Phillip(i) Hosford, & the Cattle or Stock in my son Timothy Thrall's Hands I give to him. I ordain my son Timothy Thrall Executor. Also I desire Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge and Abraham Phelps to be my Over- seers.

Witness: Job Drake, william X thrall.
Mary Woodbridge.

Court Record, Page 18-4 December, 1679: Will & Invt. proven.

William married Elizabeth Unknown in 1632 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Elizabeth was born in 1609 in England; died on 30 Dec 1676 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 8619

Other Events:

• Name: Phillury Thrall
• Reference Number: 5934

Notes:

The Thrall Genealogy states William Thrall of Windsor had at least two sons, Timothy and David. John Winthrop, in his genealogical journal mentions that John Hosfords wife is the brother of Timothy Thrall of Windsor.(TAG 1948 p112)

NEHGS has entry under search of cemetery transcriptions (but doesn't show which cemetery??): John Hosford d. May 1868, m. Phillury 5 Nov 1657, dau of William Thrall, d. 7 Aug 1683

NEHGS- from "The Descendants of Benjamin Cooley": John Hosford, b. prob England, d. Aug 7, 1693(Savage d. Nov or May 8, 1698, Stiles) m. Nov 5, 1657, Philippa (Phillury) Thrall, dau William who was among the first settlers of Dorchester. William Thrall served in the Pequot war, and d. Aug 3, 1679, age 73. His wife d. 30 Dec 1676.

Phillipi Hosford is mentioned in the will of William Thrall. Also Philippi's child, Sarah Hosford is mentioned in the will. See will notes under William Thrall.

Most online trees show Philippa dying on 7 Aug 1683, the same date her husband died. But that is not correct. His probate file shows his widow Philippa as one of the administrators of his estate, so obviously she could not have died on the same date as him.

Philippi married John Hosford on 5 Nov 1657 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. John (son of William Hosford and Florence Hayward) was born on 3 Oct 1627 in Beaminster, Dorset, England; died on 7 Aug 1683 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 8615

Timothy married Deborah Gunn on 10 Nov 1659. Deborah was born in 1641. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 1751

Notes:

Early Connecticut Probate Records
Hosford, William, Wyndsor. Died 29 May, 1688 (W. R.) Will dated 28 May, 1688: I William Hosford of Windsor do make this my last Will and Testament. My will is yt my much Honrd Mother, who is weake of Body, shall have the Benefit & improvement of my whole Estate during her natural life, excepting Tenne pounds which I doe allowe to be in the hands of my executor; ffive pounds of the Tenne pounds I give freely to my Executor; ye other ffive pounds my will is that my said Executor Lay it out or improve it for and toward the cureing of my Lo Broyr Obadiah Hosford, who is exercised wth -weakness. After the decease of my honord mother, all of my Estate which remains to be equally divided amongst my Brothers and sisters and my Neice Sarah Phelps, daughter of my sister Sarah, who married Joseph Phelps, the sonne of Timothy Phelps, of Wyndsor. I appoint my Brother John Hosford Executor. I desire Benjamin Newbery sen,, Timothy Thrall & Sergt. Timothy Phelps to be Overseers.
william hosford, Ls.
Witness: Benja: Newbery, Justice,
Timothy Phelps. 7 Dec., 1688.

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• Reference Number: 1755

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• Reference Number: 1780

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• Reference Number: 546

Family/Spouse: Joseph Phelps. Joseph (son of George Phelps and Phillury Randall) was born on 24 Jun 1647 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died in 1695 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5923

Notes:

born same day as her husband-search for passengers of the mary & john 1630

Sarah married Joseph Phelps on 18 Nov 1686 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Joseph (son of Timothy Phelps and Mary Griswold) was born on 27 Sep 1666 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 30 Aug 1716 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 2338

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• Reference Number: 65

Nathaniel married Mary Phelps on 19 Apr 1700 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Mary (daughter of Joseph Phelps and Mary Porter) was born on 13 Jan 1674 in Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA; died on 3 Jan 1750/51 in Litchfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 565

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5921
• Birth: 23 Sep 1677, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Notes:

The following is copied from werelate.org:

From Ye Horseford Booke

Obadiah became resident and prominent at Hebron.

Obadiah and Mindwell were both buried in "Obadiah's Nine Acres." This nine acres he bought from the Deweys in 1720 and he allowed priviledge of burial to all persons from the town. No stone appears for Mindwell but Obadiah's stone displays a long and curious inscription which reads as follows:

"These in memory of that most Worthy and much serviceable and well beloved Capt. Mr. Obadiah Hosford, Capt. of the First Military Company in Hebron and Grate Practicnor of Phisick who after sarveing God his generation & the publick Faithfully many years in this life and a patient looking for the Blissful dawn of that Illusterous day wherein our Victorious and tryumphant Joshua will lead the Armies of Israel into the land of Canaan and command the Sun of Glory to stand still in the noon of Eternity and that Permanent Happiness... love to know an evening did with the holy disciple lean himselfe upon the Breast of his Beloved and the will of God ...lly fell asleep in the cradle of Hope on the 27th day of February A.D. 1741 in the 63 year of His Age.
By Benjamin Collins-Lebanon Crank"

The Benjamin Collins of the last line was the maker of the tombstone, possibly the composer of the epitaph. Lebanon Crank does not refer to Mr. Collins but denotes a town adjacent to Hebron which later became Columbia.

... Court and land records show him at Hebron in and after 1706. The people worshipped for a time in Dr. Obadiah Horsford's barn. Sheldon's History of Northfield states that David Barber and 13 others were baptized in this barn in 1717. The church was later built upon the N.W. corner of Obadiah's farm. In 1712 Obadiah petitioned the General Court for leave to practise medicine. The following testimonials are on file:

The first was given by Gershom Buckeley, by profesion first a minister, later a physician. He was evidently of a discreet and cautious temper.

"Gasen bury May 7, 1712
As to Mr. Obadiah Horsford's desire of a Testimonial to ye wld fr his allowance to practise Physick, my answer is that when men give any Testimony whatever, they ought to testify what they know, not what they do not know.

I know by written report and in part from himself that he hath practised divers years, but as for his having skill and success in ye art and practise of Physick, I know nothing. It may be very good for ought I know. G. Buckeley"

The second testimonial is from Samuel Mather, also a physiscian:

"Whereas Docter Obediah Hosford of Hebron, desireth a testimonial from us as to his qualifications fitting him for ye practise of Physick in this Collony - We do by what we have heard of his practice some years past and by ye good acceptance he hath had among his people and by what we conceive he hath gained, by Reading and Experience in that Science, approve of his being an allowed Physitian and hope he may be allowed and encouraged therein. Saml Mather (Practr Medicine) Windsor May 16, 1712"

At New Haven, Oct. 11, 1722, The Court of Conn. Colony established and confirmed Mr. Obadiah Hosford to be Captain of a Train Band in Hebron. In 1729 and 1731 he was Deputy from Hebron to the General Court. He kept an inn at Hebron and in 1731/2 was one of the incorporators of the New London Company "invited for trade and commerce."

Obadiah's will, dated Sept. 14, 1737, proved June 1, 1741, describes him as Captain Obadiah Horsford of Hebron...

?References
1.? Hosford, Henry Hallock. Ye Horseforde Booke: Horsford-Hosford families in the United States of America. (Ann Arbor, Michigan: Cleveland, Ohio: Tower Press, 1936).

Will uses name Horsford

2.? Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States. Records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1638-1925, Bk I p. 18.

"Obediah son of John Hossord (or Hofford or Hosford) was born Sept 28th 1677"

Obadiah married Mindwell Phelps on 4 May 1704 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Mindwell (daughter of Joseph Phelps and Mary Porter) was born in 1682 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 3 Oct 1771 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 524

Notes:

Died:
died in infancy

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• Reference Number: 530

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• Reference Number: 2445

Notes:

Died:
unknown

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• Reference Number: 6163

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• Reference Number: 6152

Notes:

See her fathers will. Mary is listed as aminor age 13. But that just cannot be correct.

Family/Spouse: Mathew Griswold. Mathew (son of Joseph Griswold and Mary Gaylord) was born on 25 Feb 1686 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died in 1737 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5933

Joseph married Susannah Eno on 8 Mar 1715 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. Susannah was born on 16 May 1699 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 11 Dec 1778 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 5910
• Birth: 1693

Notes:

Birth:
died young

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• Reference Number: 5948

Edward married Deborah Bissel on 18 Jun 1723 in Litchfield, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA. Deborah was born on 7 Nov 1698 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 18 Jan 1771 in Harwinton, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5943

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 6622
• Birth: 1700
• Birth: 20 Sep 1703, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
• Will: 28 Jan 1769, Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Notes:

Many published genealogies list his birth date as 20 Sep 1703, but nowhere can I find the source of that date. The Barbour collection of Connecticut births lists the birth of 8 or Joseph's 10 children. Only John and Edward are not found. His fathers will in 1716 lists him as 16 years old. His death record lists him as 68 in 1769. There is some doubt then as to the actual birth date.

The Phelps Family Book has Anna Hosford as the mother of the first 6 children and has her dying in about 1740. It then has her sister Mindwell Hosford as the mother of the last 4 children.

The Hosford Book, which I have not seen, supposedly on page 33 has Anna as the mother of all the children and as living until at least 1773. It has Mindwell marrying Daniel Tillotson and moving to New Hampshire where she died in 1807 on page 35. Obviously it would be nice to find a copy of that book.

The History of Ancient Windsor by Stiles on P. 568 shows John as marrying 2nd to Mindwell (Hosford?). The last name being in parenthesis with a question mark indicates that the name is uncertain.

The Barbour Collection of records shows Mindwell marrying Daniel Tillotson on 16 Sept1742 in Tolland. It does not show a second marriage for John. It shows the birth of the first 7 children, noted as son of John, without listing the mother. The last 3 children do not show.

The will of John Phelps in 1769 shows his wife's name as Anne and also shows the names of the remaining children.

My conclusion is that Anna Hosford was the mother of all the children.


Birth:
from death record

Birth:
listed as age 16 in fathers will in 1716

John married Anna Hosford on 11 Feb 1724/25 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. Anna (daughter of Obadiah Hosford and Mindwell Phelps) was born on 23 Feb 1705/06 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died after 1773. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 5908

Family/Spouse: Jerusha Unknown. Jerusha was born about 1705. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary Pinnuck. Mary was born in 1716; died in 1808. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5944

Notes:

Date of birth appears to be incorrect. See his fathers will; in 1716 Daniel is appointed executor. Certainly he would be more than 9 years old then. Other children were listed as minors, but not Daniel.

Family/Spouse: Sarah Unknown. Sarah was born about 1707. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Capt Ichabod Phelps
• Reference Number: 5912

Ichabod married Martha Tillotson on 10 Dec 1730 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. Martha was born on 16 May 1715 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA; died on 3 Feb 1786 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 6560
• Death: 10 Feb 1769, Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA

Anna married John Phelps, Sr on 11 Feb 1724/25 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. John (son of Joseph Phelps and Sarah Hosford) was born in 1701; died on 10 Feb 1769 in Hebron, Tolland, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 757

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• Reference Number: 767

Daniel married Sarah Phelps on 2 Feb 1737/38. Sarah (daughter of Joseph Phelps and Susannah Eno) was born in 1720; died in 1773. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 6578

Notes:

This person shows in the Barbour Collection for Tolland as marrying Daniel Tillotson 16 Sept1742. The only source I have found for marrying Phelps is in the Phelps book. Supposedly the Hosford book, which I have not seen, says on page 33 that Anna is the mother of all the children.

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 584