(Source: Births, Marriages and Deaths returned from
Hartford, Windsor and Fairfield, Connecticut 1631 - 1691
and Entered in the Early Land Records of the Colony of Connecticut
Vols. I and II of Land Records and No. D of Colonial Deeds.
Transcribed and Edited by Edwin Stanley Welles
Hartford , Conn.
1898

     Within fifteen years of the settlement of Connecticut Colony, steps had been taken to have official records kept of births, marriages and deaths.
     The first suggestion of such records is contained in an order of Court of Election, April 10, 1640, that "the Magestrate who solemnizeth Mariedge betwixt any, shall cause a record to be entered in Courte of the day & yere thereof."¹
     Four years later, on June 3, 1644,² an order was passed that the town clerks or registers should record marriages and births, - strange, as it now seems, the importance of recording deaths was not appreciated at that date, though the evolution of all such entries was progressing with the progress of the plantations.
     It is in the Colonial Laws of 1650 that we find the provision which covered the three classes of these records, - births, marriages and deaths.  It likewise included a paragraph requiring an annual transmission of the town clerks, of copies of their records of births, marriages and deaths, to the Secretary of the Court.  And it is due to this section of the law that the records here printed are found in the first volumes of the Colony's Land Records.  The entire law reads as follows:

     It is ordered by this Courte and Authority thereof, that the Towne Clarke or Register, in the several Townes of this Jurissdiction, shall record all Births and Deaths of persons in theire Towne: And that all parents, masters of servants, executors and administrators, respectiuely, shall bring in to the Register of theire severall Townes, the names of such persons belonging to them or any of them, as shall either be borne or dye; and allso that euery new married man shall likewise bring in a certificate of his Marriage, vunder the hand of the Magistrate w^th married him, to the said Register; And for each neglect the person to whome it doth belong shall forfeitt as follow^th, viz: If any person shall neglect to bring in a noate or certificate as aforesaid, together with three pence a name, to the said Registers, for all Births and Deaths, and six pence for each Marriage, to bee recorded, more then one month after such Birth, Death or Marriage, shall forfeitt for euery default fiue shillings, and the penalty further increased vppon longer neglect, according to the judgement of the Courte.
     And the Register of each Towne shall yearely conuey to the Secretary of the Courte a true transcript of the Births, Deaths and Marriages, giuen vnder theire hands, with a third parte of the aforementioned fees, vnder the penalty of forty shillings for euery such neglect, all w^th forfeitts shall bee returned in to the Treasury; Allso the Grand Jurors may present all neglects of this order.³
    
     These ancient records do not at all conform to our modern ideas of what such records should be.  There are tantalizing omissons and inaccuracies which sometimes make us wonder at the carelessness of the town clerks.  But, considering the rough conditions in which the early settlers lived, the distances to be traveled, the rude roads - where roads existed at all, - the stern necessity of making homes and a subsistence; in short, considering their hard, laborious lives, the wonder is, not that the records were so poorly kept, but that they were kept so well.
     It is evident that Windsor made the only persistent attempt to carry out the section enacting that the registers or clerks should yearly transmit to the Secretary of the Court copies of births, marriages and deaths, from their respective towns.
     Very likely such a provision was considered unnecessary, as it met with no general response.  And, although it appears in the laws of 1672, that portion of the law is dropped out in the code of 1702.  It remained, therefore, on the statute book for fifty-two years.
     Matthew Grant, who succeeded, in 1652, Dr. Bray Rosseter, the first town clerk of Windsor, in that office, kept a note book, which is preserved at the rooms of the Connecticut Historical Society.
     John Cullick was Secretary of the Colony for ten eyars from 1648, and Matthew Grant made these two curiously interesting entries:
     march 19-55 . I caried
     to captain culik mr rofeters
     old booke
     and 38 . copies of land
     and of children 48 -
          mariags - 11 -
          deths - 18
     feb 23 - 56.
     Giuen in to cap cullik
     of berths 10 - of deths - 3 -
     of marrags 2 - of pfalls 46 - 0 - 9 - 1

     Indeed, Matthew Grant not only caried the entries to Hartford, but he also transcribed many of them for the Secretary in the first volume of the Land Records.
     William Andrewes, Hartford's first schoolmaster, and its town clerk 1651-8, did much of the writing in Volume II of the Land Records, and entered some of the births, marriages and deaths, scattered throughout that book.
     The entries that appear in NO. D of the Colony Records of Deeds were made by John Allyn of HArtford, for thirty years SEcretary of the Colony, 1664-65, and 1667-97.
     The careful reader will notice some repetitions and some palpable errors among them.  Of course the duty of the editor was to transcribe them just as they were written.  And this he has tried to do with all the entries, keeping in mind the fact that the value of his work is wholly dependent upon its accuracy.  Thanks are due Dr. Charles J. Hoadly, the State Librarian, Mr. Frank Farnsworth Starr, the well-known genealogist, and Mr. Albert C. Bates, Librarian of the Connecticut Historical Society, for their kindly assistance.  In the preparation of the index, the editor has been greatly helped by his sister, Miss Mary C. Welles.  Above all, he is indebted to his friend and kinsman, George Dudley Seymour, Esq., of New Haven, through whose generous interest these records are now for the first time printed.
                                                                                                                 E. S. W.
     NEWINGTON, CONN., August 3, 1898.

----------------------
^1. Colonial Records of Connecticut, 1636 - 1665, p. 48.
^2. Idem, pp. 105-6.
³. Colonial Records of Connecticut, 1636-1665, pp. 551-2.

Note at the beginning of Volume I.

     This volume which had been lost for a very long period was recovered in September 1862.  It is mostly in the handwriting of Thomas Welles.
                                                                       ~ CHARLES: J: HOADLY.

Note at the beginning of Volume II.

     This volume, which had not been in the Secretary's Office within time of memory, was recovered September, 1862.  The greater part of it is in the handwriting of William Andrewes.
                                                                      ~ CHARLES: J: HOADLY.

MARRIAGES     -     BIRTHS     -     DEATHS

NOTE:  Usually the letter "f" is actually an "s"
Lots of words are misspelled by today's standards.

Folio No. 45 Mather, Eliezer of Northampton Warham, Hefter of Windfor feptem. 29 . 59   Goodman, Richard of Hartford Terry, Mary of Windfor Decem. 8 . 1659   Strong, Thomaf of Windfor Hewit, Mary of Windfor Decem. 5 . 1660   Elderkin, John of New London Drake, Elifabeth, widow of Windfor  March. 1 . 1660   Biffell, Nathanell of Windfor Moore, Mindwell of Windfor feptem. 25 . 1662   Warham, John, Mr. of Windfor Branker, Abigail, widow of Windfor Octo. 9 . 1662   Buell, famuel of Windfor Grifwold, Debora of Windfor Nouem. 13 . 1662   Tery, John of Windfor Wadfworth, Elifabeth of Hartford Nouem. 27 . 62   Lomaf, Thomaf of Windfor Judd, Mary of Ffarmingtown Janua. 1 . 62  at Hartford by Mr. Willef Grant, Tahan of Windfor Palmer, Anna January 22 . 1662   Phelpf, Ifack of Windfor Gayler, Ann of Windfor March 11 . 1662/3   ftillef, Henry  Wilcokfon, Elizabeth Aprell 16 . 1663 at Windfor Deble, Ebenezer of Windfor Wakefield, Mary of New hauen Oct. 27 . 1663 by Mr. Jonef at Newhauen Barber, John of Windfor Cogginf, Bathfheba of fpringfeld feptemr. 2 . 1663 at fpringfeld Prier, Houmfery Ofbon, Ann Noumr. 12 . 63 by Mr. Allyn Halle, Timothy Barber fara Noumbr. 26 . 1663 at Windfor by Mr. Alyen Weftouer, Jonaf Grifwold, Hanna Noumbr. 19 . 1663 at Windfor Bartlet, Efayah Gilliet, Abia Defem: 3 . 1663 at Windfor by Mr. Clark Barber, Thomaf Phelpf, Marfey Defembr. 17 . 1663 at Windfor by Mr. Clark Gibbef, famuell Deble, Hepfiba Aprell. 15 . 1664 at Windfor by Mr. Clark ftrong, Returne Warha, fara May 11 . 1664 at Windfor by Mr. Clark Holcom, Jfua fharod, Ruth Juen 4 . 1663 in Widfor by Mr. Wolcot ffily, famuell of Windfor Gillet, Anna of Windfor october . 29 . 1663 by mr. Allyn  Moor, John  Goffe, Hanna feptem. 21 . 1664 by mr. Woolcot Wolcot, Henery Goff, Abia october 12 1664 by mr Wolcot Pomry, Eltwed Parfon, Lidea widow Noumber 30 . 1664 by mr Wolcot Madefly, John of Windfor Numbery, Mary defember . 14 . 1664   Pettebon, John of Windfor egglftone, fara of Windfor february 16 . 1664 by mr Wollcot Winchell, Nathanell of Windfor Porter fara of farmingtowne Aprell 8 . 1664 by Anthony Howkins affiftant Bartlet, Beniamen of Windfor Barnard, Debra of Windfor feb . 16 . 1664 mr Wolcot Pumry, Caleb of Windfor Baker, Hepfiba of Windfor march 8 . 1664 by mr Allyn Phelps, Abraham of Windfor Pinne, mary of Windfor July 6 . 1665 by mr Allyn Pinne, Samuell of Windfor Biffell, Joyce of Windfor Nouember 17 . 1665 by mr Allyn Haydon, Daniel Willcockfon, Hanna march 17, 64/65 by mr Allyn fkiner, Jofeph of Winfor ffilly, mary of Windfor Aprel . 5 . 1666   Grant, John  Hull, mary Aguft 2 . 1666 by mr Clark ** Sarah, daughter of John osbon was Borne ffebuary 8 1666 ** Margret daughter of Henery ftills Was Borne ffebuary 6 1666 ** Henery fonn of Henery Wolcot jun4 was Borne Aprell 13 1667. Parsons, William Parkes, Hanna octobr 26 . 1666   Holcomb, Beniaga Enno, farah Aprell 11th . 1667 by mr Allyen Pond, Ifack griffen, Hanna May . 10 . 67 by capten John Allin at Hartford Clay, Prefance fonn of Capten Roger Clay of Dochestr  Newbery, fara dafter of Capten Beniamen Newbery of Windfor Juen . 4 . 1668 by mr. Talcott Millington, John fmith, fara Aprel . 14 . 68 by mr Mathew Allin Buckland, Nichlas of Windfor Wackfeld, martha of Newhauen aprel . 14 . 68 by mr mathew Birg, Danell of Windfor Holcom, Debroa of Windfor noumr . 5 . 68 at Hartford by mr John Allyn Parfons, Thomas Dare, fara Decemr . 24 . 6[8]? by mr Wolcott Deble, famuell of Windfor Bartlet, Hepseba of Windfor Jan. 21 . 1668   Ponder, John† Buckland, Temprannc Juen . 26. 1668 by mr. John Allyn at Hartford fylar, fur Roball of Windfor Ftrong, experenc of Windfor May . 27 . 1669 by mr Newbery commifoner Rowly, Thomas Denflo, mary May 5 1669 by mr Wolcott Jonathan Winchell Brunfon, Abigall 1666 May at farming Town by Mr H_wkins flater, John Abia, former wife to efaia bartlett 1779 July ye 15   ofbon, John, junr egelfton, Abigall 79 Oct. 14   Winchell, Daued ffillye, elizabeth 169 noumr. 17   Cooke, Mofef of Warronock Clarke, elifabeth of Windfor 1669 noumr 25   Porter, John junr gaylar, Joanna 1669 Decmber 16 by Capten Newbery Hodge, John Denflow, fusanna dafter of Henery Denflow of Windfer 1666 Aguft 1   Buell, Peter of Windfer coggins, Martha of Windfer 1670 march 31   gillet, John of Windfor barber, Marcy of Windfor 1669 July 8   Barker, famuell of Windfor Cook, fara of Windfor 70 Juen 30   gaylar, Jofeph fonn of Walter gaylar of Windfor ftandly, fara of farmingtown 1670 July 14   Pinne, Nathanell of Windfor Phelps, fara of Windfor 1670 July 21 by Capten Newbery ould, Robard of Windfor Hanford, fufan of Windfor 1669 defemb 31   Folio No. 46 Grifwold, Jofeph Gaylar, Mary, daughter of famuell Gaylar 70 Juen 10 by capten Newbery Taylar, Samuell  Bankes, mary of Windfor 1670 octobr 27 by mr Wolcot wells, Jofua lamfon, Afubath 1670 May ye 5 by capten Newbery euenes, Nicolas of windfer Parfon, mary of windfer 1670 noumber 17 by capten Newbery Barber, famuell coggens, mary 1670 Decmr ye 1 by capten Newbery Holcom, Nathanell bliffe, mary of fpringfeld 1670 february 27   fonn, William of Thomas Burnam Elizabeth daufter of Nathanell loomas 71 Juen 28 by mr Wolcott Heglee, John Drake, Hanna dafter of John Drake 71 noumr 9   Dorchefter, John of fpringfield Gaylar, Sara dafter of famuell Gaylar 1671 noumber 29 by capten Newbery Moore, Andrew Phelpes, fara yt was Dafter of famuell Phelpes 1671 febuary 15 by capten Newbery Drake, John born in Windfor fonn of John Drake Watfon, Mary born in Windfor 71 march 20 day by capten Newbery Drak, Job ye fonn of John Drak  Aluard, elizabeth 71 march 20 night by capten Newbery Williames, John Mafkell, bethia - widow 72 Aguft 8   ffilar, John born in Windfor Dolman, elizabeth from Ingland 1670 octobr 17   Phelps, Jofeph of Windfor Porter, mary of Windfor 1673 Juen 26 by mr. Wolcott Bartlit, Jehoggada born in Windfor Hillar, fara born in Windfor 1673 July ye 10 by capten Newbery Rising, James Bartlet, martha - widow 173 Aguft 13   Drifcoll, ffluranc of windfor Webfter, mary of Windfor 1674 Aprel 24 by capten Newbery leweis, Jofeph café, elizabeth 1674 aprell ye 30 by capten Newbery chancy, Nathanell, mr. ftrong, Abigall dfter of elder ftrong 1673 nueemr 12 at norhamton   owen, Jofias ofbon, mary 1674 october 22   warrennak, robard of Mideltown Rockwell, deliuranc, wido that had bin wife to John Rockwell of Windfor 74 febuy 2 by mr wolcott leweic, John of Windfor Humfery, mary dafter of micall Humpfery 1675 Jun 16 at Hartford by capten John Allyen Marfhall, famuell fonn of famuell Marfhall Newbery,, rebeca 1675 Juen 22   Buckland, Thomas Cook, Hanna dafter of nathanell Cook 75 octobr 21   fhadock, elias ofbond, Hanna dafter of John ofbond 1675 noumbr 26   gillet, Jofia of Windfor Taintor, Hanna of Windfor 1676 Juen ye 30 by John Allyen Wilfon, famuell of Windfor giffen, mary of Windfor 1672 may 1   Deble, Thomas, junr Tuker, Mary that came from Ingland 72 octobr 10   Taylar, ftephen, junr Porter, Johana of farming Town 76 noumr 8   ftandly, Timothy of farming Town ftrong, mary daughter of John ftrong of Windfor 1676 nouemr 22   gillet, Jonahan now fener Deble, meriam daughter of Thomas Deble snr 1676 decembr 14 by capten Newbery Phelpes, Willilam Pinne fara 1676 decmr 20 by captn Newbery Barber, famuell drake, ruth of John drake his dafter 76 Janny 25   Baker, Jofeph Buckland, Hanna widow of Thomas Buckland 1676 January 30   Burnam, Thomas, junr Hull, naomy 1676 January ye 4 by edward grifwold at Killingworth Powell, Thomas Traharne, allfe 76 aguft 25   Hillar, James deble, mary, that was ye wife of ebner deble 1677 Juen 28 by capten Newbery farmesworth, famuel of dorchefter in ye matecufets ftoton, mary dafter of Thomas ftoton of windfor in hartford county 1677 Juen ye 3 by capten Newbery crofts, famuell chapman, elizabeth, widow that was wife of edward chapman 77 July 12   faxfton, John Hill, mary 1677 July 30   Barber, Jofia loomys, Abigall daughter of nathanell loomys 77 nouemr 22 capten Newbery Adames, Danell pinne, mary, dafter of famuel 1677 december ye 20   Admes, John pinne, Abigall 1677 decemr ye 6   Newbery, Thoams foord, ann 1676 march ye 12   Bancroft, Nathanell williams, Hanna dafter of John williams 77 decmbr 26 by captin Newbery Hofkins, John denflo, Debra 1677 January 29   Drake, Job, sonn of Job Drake cooke, elizabeth - widow 77 feptmr 13   Powell, Thomas treharne, Alfe 1675 aguft he 25 by capen Newbery Phelps, famuell fonn of famuell Phelps williames, abiell daufter of John williames 1678 Juen 21   Gaylar, Nathanell bifell, Abigayell dafter of Thomas bifell snr 1678 october ye 17   Biffell, Thomas junr, fonn of Thomas Biffell, snr ftrong, hefter, dafter of John ftrong, elder 1678 octobr ye 15 at norhamton   egelfton, geniamen ofbons, Hanna, widow fhadock John ofbons dafter  1678 march ye 6 by capten Newbery Taintor, micall loomys, mary daughter of Thoams loomys 1679 Aprell ye 3   Enno, James, sonn of James Enno Biffell, Abigall, daughter of famuell Biffell 1678 decemr 26 by capten Newbery Porter, James fonn of John Porter snr Tudor, fara dafter of owen Tudor 1679 Janur 15 by wolcott, mr., afiftant enno, James, snr egelston, Hefter that was wife to James Egelston Aprell 29, 1680 by captin Newbery loomys, Nathanell, fonn of Nathanell elefworth, elizabeth dafter of Jofias elefworth 1680 decmbr 23 by captin Newbery Loomas, Danell fonn of John Loomas elfworth, mary 1680 Decembr 23 by captin newbery grifwold, Danell, fonn of gorg grifwold Bifell, Mindwell, dafter of Nathanell Bifell 1680 febry 3   loomys, Jofeph, fonn of Jofeph loomys, senr. Drake, lidea, dafter of John Drake, senr 1681 Aprell 10   enno, John, fonn of James enno Deble, mary dafter of ebenezr Deble 81 may 10   Folio No. 47 Drak, Enock, fonn of John Drak Porter, fara, Dafter of John Porter sener noumbr. 11, 1680