Nathaniel Foote "the Settler"

I have no clue about the authenticity of this entry, found on familysearch.org on 5/24/22
Janet Milburn (Schultz) Nathaniel Foote "the Settler" is my 10th great grandfather.

Life Sketch

 •  

Nathaniel Foote, the emigrant ancestor, born in England in 1593, came to New England with his wife Elizabeth born about 1595. Nathaniel died in Nov 1644. He married Elizabeth Deming born about 1595, and died 28 Jul 1683. ( She was the sister of Mr. John Deming, also one of Weth's first settlers...and one of the patentees named in its Charter) whom he had married about 1514, in England. They had seven children, all, with, perhaps, the exception of the youngest, born in England.

Mr Foote... was one of the first ten men, known as "adventurers, " who absolutely first settled here... His wife was Elizabeth Deming, whom he married in England about 1615. He died in 1644, age about 51 years; his widow then married about 1646, Mr. Thomas Welles, Magistrate, afterwards Governor of the Colony, whom also she survived, dying 28 July 1683, age about 88 years.

A conspicuous feature in the history of the first generations of the Foote family, is the deaths, sufferings and captivities of its members and of those connected with them by marriage, at the hands of the Indians.

Their children were:
Nathaniel born about 1620, married Elizabeth Smith, who married second William Gull
Robert born about 1627 married Sarah, she married second Aaron Blachley
Elizabeth born about 1616 married Josiah Churchill
Mary born about 1623 married first John Stoddard, second John Goodrich, third Lt. Thomas Tracy
Frances born about 1629 married first John Dickenson, second Francis Barnard
Sarah born about 1632 married Jeremiah Judson, he married second wid. Cath. Fairchild
Rebecca born about 1634 married first Lt. Phillip Smith, second Aaron Cooke ("The history of ancient Wethersfield")

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Below was written by Linda Mac.
Born in Colchester, Essex, England to Jonathan & Elizabeth (Gilbert) Deming. First married Nathaniel Foote about 1615 in England.
They had 7 children: Elizabeth Churchill, Nathaniel, Mary Stoddard Goodrich Tracy, Robert, Frances Dickinson Barnard, Sarah Judson, & Rebecca Smith COOKE.
Married, second, about 1646 to Governor Thomas Welles of Connecticut as his second wife.
Elizabeth may be sister of John Deming {1636, Wethersfield}

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From footefamilycompr011907foot.pdf:
FOOTE HISTORY AND GENEALOGY

DESCENDANTS OF NATHANIEL FOOTE OF
WETHERSFIELD, CT.
1. NATHANIEL FOOTE. The first settler. He was b. abt. 1593; m. in Eng-
land abt. 1615, Elizabeth Deming, sister of John Deming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield. She was b. abt, 1595. He d. abt. 1644. She m. abt.
1646, Thomas Welles. He was magistrate, afterwards Governor of the Colony.
He d. . She d. July 28, 1683.
I. NATHANIEL FOOTE, one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, Ct., belongs,
not to that class of men who fill a large place in the world 's history, because called by
some great emergency into positions of power and influence,—but to that more meri-
torious class of pious and excellent persons, who, born to the great inheritance of
labor, walk meekly along the paths of common life, perform every duty, public or
private, love and help their fellow men, and act always as if in their Great Task
Master's eye. It is to such men that society owes at once its peace, stability and
progress, and yet history takes no note of such, and hence
'
' The world knows nothing of its greatest men. '
'
His business in life was that of agriculture,—necessarily the leading pursuit
of New England in its early history, when the forests were to be elled, the soil broken up, the seeds of all the grains, and plants and fruits which constitute the food
of men and beasts to be sown, and its great staples of commercial exchange supplied.
And in every period of society the agriculture population has proved of the highest
importance to the wealth, dignity and strength of a State. It is from this class of
the population that the city and the village, that commerce and the arts, are ever drawing the bone and muscle of their laborers, and much of the energy of their
directing force. In no other of the leading pursuits in society are there the same
facilities for cultivating bodily energy, and the force and vigor of mind conse- quent upon a vigorous constitution. The pure air, the rough exposure, the health-
ful toil, the constant call for thought and reflection, the walking with God in the
open field, the study of his laws as unfolded in the circuit of the seasons, and in
the growth of the seed and ripening of the harvest, the better domestic training
under which children can be reared in the country,—all these things are favorable
for converting the agricultural population into an element of conservation, much
needed to give stability to the ever restless desire of change which animates a young community, and to uphold society in moments of danger and trial. It is the boast of Connecticut, and of Wethersfield in particular, to have had from the
beginning a large population of intelligent, industrious and pious farmers in her
population, and that the ranks of her merchants, her mechanics, her seamen and
her professional men have been replenished by contributions drawn from this source. To this she undoubtedly owed her reputation for steady habits, and the
domestic peace which has reigned so continuously in her borders. To this class of
her population Mr. Foote belonged;—he was an intelligent, pious and industrious
farmer, and, like all of that class of farmers, he was from time to time summoned
to the discharge of public trusts by his neighbors and townsmen.
From all that we can learn Mr. Foote came from Shalford, in Colchester, Eng.,
and settled in Watertown, Mass. The first mention I find made of his name is in the Kecords of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in 1633, when he took the oath
of freeman. In the "Eecords of the Grants and Possession of the Lands in
Watertown," (in which town Mr. Foote first located himself) the following entry
is made:
"1. An homstall of sixteen acres by estimation, bounded ye north and north-
west wth ye highway, the south and southwest wth Jeremiah Norcross, granted
to him.
"2. Two acres of marsh by estimation, bounded ye south wth ye River, the
north wth Henry Curtis, the east wth John Firmin, and the west wth John Smith,
granted to him."
Whether Mr. Foote was among the pioneers from Watertown, who made the
first lodgment in, or before, 1635, on the banks of the Connecticut at Pyquag, is not known, but his name is found in its first Eecords, and among those to whom
the first distribution of land was made; and he, therefore, must have shared all the
dangers and privations of that long and toilsome journey through the wilderness
in 1636, and have encountered all the horrors and trials of the first winter in
their new home. And how difficult it is for us, in our comfortable dwellings, or traversing with every means and appliance of comfort, the distance between
Wethersfield and Boston, in half as many hours as they consumed days, to realize
the sufferings of that journey and of that first winter here! We never can be
too thankful that courage and strength was meted out to them in proportion
to their trials. For them, the trail of the Indian, too narrow for teams or herds,—for them, the unbridged stream and morass,—for them, the steep hill,—for
them, the dangers from wild beasts, or from savage men, were not enough to cause them to turn back. It was not 'till winter had come down from the north
to lock up the streams, 'till the fire in their temporary lodgments could not keep
out the biting cold, 'till famine stared them in the face, that they turned again
for food and shelter to the coast; and when spring returned, they were again on
their way, with their thinned ranks recruited, to commence anew the work of
settlement.
In a few years we find them, with their brethren in Hartford and Windsor,
laying the foundations of a Commonwealth in which they aim "to maintain and
preserve the liberty and purity of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus," and "to be
governed and guided by such laws, rules, orders and decrees as shall be made,
ordained and declared" by the General Court, to be appointed by the freemen
of the Commonwealth. To found a State under any circumstances has ever been
counted among the great works of great men, but to found a State, in which
the equal rights of all men are so well recognized and guarded, in the wilderness,
amid the trials of frost and famine, and with daily, hourly, constant apprehension
of assault and butchery from the savage, is no common event in the world's
history, and should be ever remembered by those who have enjoyed its protection.
In the original distribution of the lands of the town, as recorded in 1640, Mr,
Foote had assigned him a house lot of ten acres on the east side of Broad street, near the south end of the street. A part of this lot is now owned and occupied
by Mr. Josiah Adams. Mr. Foote became the owner of several other tracts of
land, laying partly in the Great Meadow east of his house lot, and containing in
the whole, upwards of four hundred acres. The cultivation of his land constituted
his main business, although he was called by his neighbors to participate in the
public trusts of the town, and in 1644 was appointed a delegate to the General
Court.
Mr. Foote married in England, about the year 1615, to Elizabeth Deming,
sister of Mr. John Deming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, and
for many years one of the magistrates of the Colony of Connecticut, and one of the patentees named in its charter. His children were all boru in England, except
perhaps the youngest. Mr. Foote died in 1644, aged about 51 years, and was
buried in the ancient burying ground in the rear of the Meeting House, where are gathered together the ashes of nine generations. He left behind him, surviving, a widow, two sons and five daughters. He left no will. At a Particular Court
held at Hartford, November 20, 1644, the following inventory of his property and
distribution of his real estate were exhibited, and an order of court granting
administration on his estate and directing a distribution to be made, was passed.
An inventory of the goods and lands of Nathaniel Foote, of Wethersfield,
deceased, being truly taken and indifferently prised by Eichard Tratte,
Samuel Smith and Nath: Dickinson.
Imprs his purse and apparrell 7 . 16 . 00
It in neat cattell and in hay 93.00.00
It in horsse fleshe 34 . 00 . 00
It in hoggs 66.00.00
It in debts 29.00.00
It in Englishe corne 70.00.00
It in goats 3.15.00
It in carts, ploughs and the furniturr belonging theretoo 6.00.00
It in nayles 1.10.00
Ite in Indian corn 8 . 00 . 00
It in old wheat and pease 6 . 06 . 00
It for certen things in the chamber 2 . 00 . 00
It ffor amunition 5.00.00
Ite for fewer beds wth the furniture 13 . 06 . 08
le in fyne Lynnen 5 . 10 . 00
Ite 2 table boards, 2 chests, Trunke wth other Implets 5.00.00
It pewter and brasse and other useful vessell 12.00.00
It in husbandry tools 3 . 00 . 00
It in beife butter and cheese and other necessary pvision for the howse 8.14.00
Ite in poultry 1 . 00. 00
380.17.00
THE LAND.
Ten acres of home lots wth one dwelling house and 2 barnes wth other build-
ing thereuppon.
4 acres of home lotts. 6 acres of meadow wth an acre of swampe.
SO acres of plaine fenced in being 14 ac broke up.
7 acres of the plaine meadow plowed up.
20 acres in the great meadow of hay ground.
4 acres in the bever meadow.
27 acres of swampe ground.
81 acres of upland in the weste field. 32 rod broad beyond the Kiver being three myles in length.
RICHAED TREAT.
SAMUEL SMITH.
NATHANIEL DICKENSON.
A debt formerly forgotten wch the said Deceased Nath: Foote did owe. 1.10.00
Dated November the 20th, 1644. Land devided to theWydowe ffoote. 4 ac home lott when her howse is 20 . 00 . 00
The howseing 50.00.00
2 ae unsubdued 4.00.00
7 ac plaine brok 28.00.00
314 plaine med : 20 . 00 . 00
14 ac meadow 70.00.00
3 ac plaine not broake up 5 . 00 . 00
30 ac upland in Westfield 15 . 00 . 00
212.00.00
Land devided to the eldest sonne. 3 ac homelott next her 15 . 00 . 00
2 ae unsubdued 4 . 00 . 00
7 ac plaine broke up 28 . 00 . 00
3% of meadow 20.00.00
3 ac in great med: 24.00.00
4 ac in beaver med: 4.00.00
27 ac swampe 1 . 10. 00
3 ac not broke up 5.00.00
30 ae upland west field 15.00.00
Halfe the east side 10.00.00
126.10.00
Land for the youngest sonne.
3 ae homelott 15.00.00
6 ac mea: in the swamp 30 . 00. 00
21 ae west field 10.00.00
halfe on the east sd 10. 00 . 00
65.00.00
The age of the 5 children Dwelling wth their mother.
Nath: ffoote 24 years
Eob ffoote about 17 years
Frances about 15 years
Sarah about 12 years
Eebecka about 10 years
The wyddowe of the said Nath: ffoote is admitted to administer the Estate,
and the eldest sonne is to have the lands before mentioned as they are valued at
1261. 10s. wch is to be made uppe 1481, and the youngest sonne the pticular landes
above mentioned for him at 651. wch is to be made uppe 741. and the daughters dis- posed in niarriedge are to have 301. a peece wch they have receevede made uppe
741. and the other children are to have 741. a peece privded it is lefte at the dispose
of their mother to detracte from any of them if shee see just cause 51. of the
portion here sett downe, and to adde yt to such of the other as best desearve yt.
"At a Particular court holden December 12, 1644. Present,—Edward Hop-
kins, Esq., Governor; John Haynes, Esq., Deputy Governor, and the several Magis-
trates.
"Mr, Heynes and Mr. Willis are desired to consider of the estate of Nath:
flfoote, deceased, and to take in what help they please from any of the neighbors
to advise how yt may be Disposed of, and to report there apprehensions to the
. next Court."
This last vote is of many evidences which might be quoted from the Eecords
to show the confidence reposed in the leading men of the Colony, and how natur-
ally the people turn to such men for help when public business is to be done, or private affairs even are to be regulated.
Mrs. Foote, the widow of Nathaniel Foote, was married about the year 1646,
to "Mr. Thomas Welles, Magistrate," afterwards Governor of the Colony, whom
she likewise survived.
Governor Welles died Jan. 14, 1659-60, leaving a will. When in life, he gave
a good estate to each of his children, except his son John, who settled in Stratford,
Ct. Mr. John Welles died before his father, and in his will gave him his son Eobert, then a child, to whom Governor Welles, in his will, which is dated Novem-
ber 7, 1659, gave the bulk of the large estate of which he died seized. Mrs. Welles died July 28, 1683, aged about 88 years. She left a will which was exhibited to and approved by the "Particular Court," August, 1683. The
following is a copy of that Instrument:
"I, Elizabeth Welles, of Wethersfield, in the county of Hartford, in the
colony of Connecticut, Widdow, Being stricken in yeares & in expectation of my
Solemn Change but of Good and perfect memorie blessed by allmighty God for
the setleing of the Temporall estate God hath lent me, & that peace may be con- tinued amongst my relations when I am gathered to my Fathers, doe make, con-
stitute & ordain & declare this to be my last will & Testament in Manor & form
following, revoking & adnulling by these presents all former & other will or
wills, Testament or Testaments by me heretofore made and declared by word or writeing & this to be taken onely for my last will & Testament & none other, &
first I committ my soule to allmighty God my Saviour & redeemer in whome & by
the merits of Jesus Christ I trust and believe to be saved & to have forgiven of
my sins, & that my Soule with my body at the Generall day or resurection Shal
be reunited againe, & through the meritts of Christ's death and passion possesse
& Inheritt the kingdom of heaven prepared for the Elect, & my body to comely
and Christian Buriall as my overseers shall see meet, & my estate I disspose as
followeth. I will that all those debts I ow in right or consciens to any man or men be well and Truly contended & payd out of my estate in the first place. My
fourteen acres of land in the great meadow & Thirty acres in the west field I give unto my son Eobert foote and to his heirs forever prohibiting him the sale of the same, he paying for these lands forty five pounds to be payed to the children
of my Daughter Sarah Judson deceased nine pounds, & to my foure daughters,
viz. my daughter Churchall, my daughter Goodrich, my Daughter Barnard & my
daughter Smith, to each of them Nine pownds a piece, I give unto my son Nathaniel
foots Eldest son and his Brother eleven pownds, & to their children. To Daniel
forty shillings, & to Elizabeth fewer pownds which legacies, bothe the eleven
pownd forty shillings & fower pownds shall be payed out of The money Nathaniel
Graves owes me By Bill, I give and bequeth unto my Grand Son John Studder
halfe my Great lott which lyes at the farther Bownds of the Towne & the other
halfe of the sayd lott I give unto my Grandsons Joseph & Benjamin Churchall &
theire heirs forever. The remaynder of my estate (when a legacy is pd to my
overseers out of it) shall be divided into five parts one part I give to my daughterJudsons children to be to them and their heirs for ever, & to my daughter Churchall
& her children one fifth part, & to my Daughter Goodrich & her children one fift part, and to my Daughter Barnard & her children one fift part, and to my
Daughter Smith & her children one fift part, it is my will that what I give my
four<3 daughters shall be wholly at their disspose, to disspose among their children as they see Good, I do nominate & appoynt my welbeloved Captaine John Allin
to be my Executor, & my beloved Brother, Mr. John Deming, senr, & my Grand
Sonn Henry Beck to be the desired overseers of this my will, and as a token of my
respect to them I give them Thirty Shillings a piece out of my estate, & for the
confirmation of the premises I have hereunto Set my hand this 28 day of March,
1678. memorandum it is my will that the Nine pounds a peice I give my foure
daughters & the fift part of my estate I give them shall be divided among the
children of each of them the one halfe of it imediatly after my deccasse.
Elizabeth Welles
E. W. L. S. her mark
This signed and declared to be the last will and Testament of Mrs. Elizabeth
Welles In presence of us: Joseph Eowlandson.
John Deminge.
Memorandum: I give unto my grandson Nath: ffoott: the eldest son of my
sonn Nathll; the one half of my fourteen acres of Medow & one half of my thirty acres of upland lying in the West field; wth liberty of takeing the first choice, he
paying one half of the Legacyes wch were to be pd by my sonn Kobt had he lived
to possess ye sd land.
my will is that that part of ye eleven pownds (wch I formerly will'd to my
sd grandson Nathll & his Brothr,) wch belonged to him by will, shall be equally
distributed between my foure daughters above mentioned, and for the memorandum
all rents of Land due to me, I will to be divided equally amongst my foure fore- mentioned daughters & their heirs;
Elizabeth Welles
her mark
Witnessed by us Samll Tallcott
John Deminge
The following entry appears on the back of the will: The distribute of 17 lb: To Samll: Foott = 05 = 10 = 00
To Elizabeth ffoot z= 04 = 00 = 00
To Lift : Smith =01 = 07 = 06
To ffrancis Barnard =01 = 07 = 06
To Josiah Churchall =01 = 07 = 06
To Lift. Tracey =01 =07 = 06
To Danll: ffoot =02 = 00 = 00
17 = 00 = 00
The original will of Mrs. Foote, alias Welles, from which I copy, is in the
handwriting of Eev. Joseph Eowlandson, minister of Wethersfield; the codicil, or "Memorandum," in that of Samuel Tallcott, of Wethersfield, son of John Talcott,one of the first settlers of Hartford.

See: https://archive.org/stream/footefamilycompr011907foot#page/n3/mode/2up for Foot Family History & Genealogy.

Birth: 1592 Shalford Essex, England Death: Nov. 20, 1644 Wethersfield Hartford County Connecticut, USA

Nathaniel arrived in Wethersfield CT inin 1634. He died after August 1, 1644, but before Nov 20, 1644 when his inventory was presented at Hartford.

He was the son of Robert Foote Jr and Joan (Brooke) Foote of Shalford, Co.Essex.

His wife was Elizabeth Deming. She was a sister of John Deming of Wethersfield. After Nathaniel Foote's death, she married Thomas Welles (Governor of Connecticut 1655-1658).

Children: Elizabeth Foote Churchill, Nathaniel Foote Jr, Mary Foote Stoddard Goodrich Tracy, Robert Foote, Frances Foote Dickinson Barnard(whose second husband was Francis Barnard), Sarah Foote Judson, and Rebecca Foote Smith Cook.

Family links:

Parents:

 Joan Brooke Foote (1560 - 1634)

Spouse:

 Elizabeth Deming Foote Welles (1600 - 1683)*

Children:

 Elizabeth Foote Churchill (1616 - 1700)*

 Nathaniel Foote (1620 - 1655)*

 Mary Foote Tracy (1623 - 1685)*

 Sarah Foote Judson (1632 - 1673)*

 Rebecca Foote Smith Cooke (1634 - 1701)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Wethersfield Village Cemetery Wethersfield Hartford County Connecticut, USA Plot: Buried in Unmarked Grave

Maintained by: Kevin Avery Originally Created by: Ryan Curtis Record added: Aug 07, 2008 Find A Grave Memorial# 28849438

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28849438/nathaniel-foote

_______________________________________

Nathaniel Foote "the settler" was born on 21 Sep 1592 in Colchester, Essex, England. Nathaniel arrived at Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA in 1630 and removed to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he was among the first ten settlers, and was the largest landholder there. He died after August 1, 1644, but before Nov 20, 1644 when his inventory was presented at Hartford.

“This most reputable Conn. family, commenced its American history in Weth., yet, owing to an apparently inconquerable migratory tendency in its earlier representatives, the name had entirely disappeared form the town by the end of the third generation. Through its various early intermarriages with other Weth. families, however, the history of these early generations possess Colchester, Conn., and Hadley, Hatfield, Deerfield and other old towns in Western Mass. The family has also been fortunate in having had its history wirtten by a competent lad, half a century ago. [The Foote Family, by Nathaniel Goodwin, 1849.]

Family

• son of Robert Foote of Shalford & Joan Brooke

Nathaniel Foote The Settler resided in Shalford Parish, county Essex and St Mary Bothaw Parish, London. at the age of sixteen was apprenticed on 21 September, 1608 to Samuel Croyle of Colchester, a "Grocer" and "Free Burgess", for a period of 8 years or until his 24th birthday in the year 1616. when he brought a message from Beatrice Barker, Esq., located on East Street, St James Parish, Colchester. He was a grocer himself as of 18 Oct 1619.

A short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, he was married to Elizabeth Deming (In January of the year 1616) in Colchester, Essex, England. She was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1615. John Deeming was for many years the one of the magistrates of the "Colony of the Connecticut" and one of the Patenees named in it's charter. She was the daughter of Jonathan Deming (411) (ca 1574-) & Elizabeth Gilbert, in Colchester, Essex, Eng. Born in Oct 1595 in Shalford, Essex, England. Elizabeth died between 16 Aug 1682 adn 3 Sep 1683 in Wethersfield, CT.4

That Elizabeth “was a woman of character and a good wife, is evidenced by the fact that her first husband (Foote) dying intestate, she was by the Particular Court to whom the inventory of his estate was presented, ‘admitted to administer the estate;’ and by the will of her second husband (Welles) ‘she was to enjoy and improve’ his whole estate, so long as she remained a widow, ... ‘that she may keep the better hospitality.’”167

7 children include:

• 4031 i. Elizabeth Foote (16 Jan 1617-8 Sep 1700)
• 4032 ii. Nathaniel Foote (ca 1619-1655)
• 4033 iii. Mary Foote (ca 1622-)
• 4034 iv. Lieut. Robert Foote (8 Dec 1627-1681)
• 4035 v. Frances Foote (ca 1629-ca 1681)
• 4036 vi. Sarah Foote (ca 1632-1673)
• 4037 vii. Rebecca Foote (ca 1634-6 Apr 1701)

Events

Nathanield brought from England his wife Elizabeth and children Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Frances, and Sarah; had REbecca, born probably at Watertown. Freeman 3 Sep 1634, then removed to Wethersfield 1636, where he was rep. 1641-44.

Nathaniel was admitted freeman 3 Sep 1634, a proprietor of Watertown in 1642. Previous to this date, he went to Wethersfield, CT, where he was deputy 1641, and juror 1743-1644.11 When Nathaniel was 15 he was an apprentice to Samuel Croyle, grocer of Colchester. He arrived at Watertown, MA, in 1630, a freeman there in 1634. He removed to Wethersfield, CT, in 1636.

“A conspicuous feature in the history of the first generations of the Foote family, is the deaths, sufferings and captivities of its members, and of those connected with them by marriage, at the hands of the Indians.

“>It is by no means certain that Mr. Foote, as some have asserted, was the first settler at Weth., but it is probably true that he was one of the first ten men, known as ‘adventurers,’ who absolutely first settled here; and that he was the largest holder of so-called ‘Adventurer’s lands.’ In the original lay-out of the town, 1640, he received a home-lot of ten acres, at South End of Broad St., East side, and gradually became the owner of other pieces of ld., partly in the Great Meadow, east of his home-lot, amounting in all to over 400 acres. ... In 1641-2-4, he represented the town in the General Court, an evidence of the respect and confidence in which he seems to have been held by his fellow-townsmen. In May 1637, when the little army under Capt. John Mason was being provisioned for the memorable Pequot campaign, it was ‘ordered yt that there shalbe 1 hogg prvided att Wythersfeild for the design in hand, weh. [i.e. the hogg, not the expedition] is conceived to be Nathaniell Footes’—a compliment, certainly form the Col. authorities, to Mr. Foote’s ability in raising good pork!”167

Will

Will: A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS.

   1635 to 1650.

Page 461 Name: Nathaniel Foote Location: Wethersfield

   Invt. £380-17-00. Taken 20 November, 1644, by Richard Tratte, Samuel Smith and

   Nath: Dickinson.

   £ s d

   The Children: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have 148-00-00

   Robert Foote, " 17 " " " 74-00-00

   Frances Foote, " 15 " " " 74-00-00

   Sarah Foote, " 12 " " " 74-00-00

   Rebeckah Foote, " 10 " " " 74-00-00

   The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion. 212-00-00

   £ s d

   Imprs His purse and apparrell. 7-16-00

   It. In neat Cattell and in Hay, 93-00-00

   It. in horsse fleshe. 34-00-00

   It. in hoggs, 66-60-00

   It. in debts, 29-03-04

   It. in Englishe Corne. 70-00-00

   It. in goats, 3-15-00

   It. in Carts, ploughs, etc. 6-00-00

   It. in nayles, 1-10-00

   Ite. Indean Corne, 8-00-00

   It. in old Wheat and pease, 6-06-00

   It. for certain things in the chamber. 2-00-00

   It. for amunition, 5-00-00

   Ite. for fouer beds wth the furniture. 13-06-08

   It. in fyne lynen, 5-10-00

   Ite. 2 table boards, 2 chests. 1 Trunke. wth other Implts. 5-00-00

   It. pewter & brasse and other vseful vessells. 12-00-00

   It. in husbandry tooles, 3-00-00

   It. in beife, butter, and cheese and other necessary prvision for the howse. 8-10-00

   It. in poultry. 1-00-00

   somm: £380-17-00

   The Land:

   Ten acres of home lotts wth one dwelling howse and 2 barnes

   wth other buildings therevppon,--

   4 acres of home lotts,--

   6 acres of meadow wth an acre of swampe,

   20 acres of plaine fenced in being 14 ac. broke vp.

   7 acres of plaine meadow plowed vp.

   20 acres in the great meadow of hay ground.

   4 acres in bever meadow.

   27 acres of Swampe Ground,

   81 Acres of Vpland in the Weste field 32 Rod broad beyond the River, being 3 Miles

   in length, Richard Trott, Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Dickinson.

   Court Record, Page 115--11 December, 1644. Mr. Heynes & Mr. Willis are desired

   to consider of the Estate of Nath: Foote, decd, and to take in what helpe they please

   fro any of the neighbours to advise how yt may be disposed of, and to report their

   apprehensions to the next Court.

==Sources==

1. Donald Lines Jacobus and Edgar Francis Waterman, Hale, House and Related Families Mainly of the Connecticut River Valley, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, 1952.
2. Genealogies and Biographies of Ancient Wethersfield.
3. Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston,.
4. Henry Bond, Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, NEHGS, Boston, 1860.

Links

• Foote Family Association - Nathaniel Foote the Settler, Our First Ancestor in America
• ==========================

Nathaniel arrived at Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA in 1630, and was a freeman there Sep. 3, 1634. He had a homstall of 16 acres and 2 acres of Marsh at Watertown but they were acquired by Henry CUTTRIS by 1636. Nathaniel removed to settle at Wethersfield, Hartford Co., CT in 1636. He was deputy to the CT General Court twice in 1641, and once in 1642 and 1644. Nathaniel's estate was inventoried Nov. 20, 1644 at £380 17s, plus land totaling 211 acres, with distribution to his widow and unmarried children, named as "Nath[aniel] Foote, 24 years," "Rob[ert] Foote. about 17," " Frances, about 15," "Sarah, about 12," and "Rebecka, about 10." Married about 1615, England.

Nathaniel Foote "The Settler" - came to New England with his wife Elizabeth. He was one of the first ten settlers (known as "adventurers) in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Elizabeth was the sister of Mr. John Deming, also one of Wethersfield's first settlers.

In the original layout of the town, 1640, Nathaniel received a home-lot of ten acres, and gradually over the years he became owner of over 400 acres. He represented the town in the General Court - this is evidence that he was held in respect and confidence by his fellow townsmen.

In May 1637, when the little army under Capt. John Mason was being provisioned for the memorable Pequot campaign, it was "ordered y that there shalbe 1 hogg p'vided att Wythersfeild for the design in hand, wch is conceived to be Nathaniell Footes"----a compliment, certainly from the Col. authorities, to Mr. Foote's ability in raising good pork!

From an abstract of the record of the apprenticeship agreement of our Nathaniel Foote from the Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester is as follows: "Nathaniel Foote aged 16 years, son of Robert Foot of Shalford in Com. Essex yeoman doth put himself apprentice to Samuel Croylye of Colchester, aforesaid grocer and Free Burgess from the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel last past for the term of eight years. Dated 21 Sept. V James I (1608). Sealed and delivered in the presence of me Robert Foot and of me George Lumpkin."

Nathaniel Foote was one of those named in the charter of patentees of Wethersfield. The Foote family became one of the leading families of the little Connecticut Colony. He became a magistrate, a leading land owner, eventually owning more than 500 acres of land in Wethersfield, some of the great meadow, and his home on the south end of the green, next to the present Broad Street.

The family was saddened by Nathaniel's death at age 51. Elizabeth was so respected that she was allowed to be executor of his estate. Elizabeth was left a wealthy widow, but did not remain in that status for long. In 1646 she married Thomas Wells who was a widower with several children from his first marriage. Thomas Wells served as Governor of Connecticut Colony for two terms, 1655-1658. When he was not serving as governor he was a Deputy Governor. He died during his last years of being deputy governor, 14 January 1659/1660.

Walter G. Ashworth 7th Great grandson

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Son of Robert Foote Of Shalford (Third Direct Ancestor In England) (First Direct Ancestor In America)

Birth Date: September 21, 1592. Birth Place: Shalford,Colchester, Essex, Eng, Christening: Unknown. Death: Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut Burial: November 20, 1644 In Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut Children: Seven Children

Generation: First Generation In America

Father: Robert Foote of Shalford

Mother: Joan Brooke

Our No. 1 Ancestor in America, was born September 21, 1592 in Shalford Colchester Esses, England. He was the son of Robert Foote of Shalford, County of Essex, A Yoeman and grandson of John Foote of Royston. Royston is located near Colchester England. Nathaniel s mother's name was Joan (Brooks). She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Brooks of London. He resided in Shalford Parish, county Essex and St Mary Bothaw Parish, London. Marriage: A Short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, he was married to Elizabeth Deming (In January of the year 1616) in Colchester, Essex, England. She was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1615. John Deeming was for many years the one of the magistrates of the "Colony of the Connecticut" and one of the Patenees named in it's charter.

Children of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Foote No. Ancestor's Name Parent Birth Death Wife (22) Elizabeth Foote (10) 1616 1700 Josiah Churchill (23) Nathaniel Foote (10) 1618 1655 Elizabeth Smith (24) Mary Foote (10) 1623 1687 John Stoddard (25) Robert Foote (10) 1627 1681 Sarah Potter (26) Frances Foote (10) 1629 1673 John Ickinson (27) Sara Foote (10) 1632 1672 --- (28) Rebecca Foote (10) 1634 1701 Phillip Smith Nathaniel's Apprenticeship Nathaniel Foote The Settler resided in Shalford Parish, county Essex and St Mary Bothaw Parish, London. at the age of sixteen was apprenticed on 21 September, 1608 to Samuel Croyle of Colchester, a "Grocer" and "Free Burgess", for a period of 8 years or until his 24th birthday in the year 1616. when he brought a message from Beatrice Barker, Esq., located on East Street, St James Parish, Colchester. He was a grocer himself as of 18 Oct 1619.

A short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, he was married to Elizabeth Deeming (In January of the year 1616) in Colchester, Essex, England. She was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1615. John Deeming was for many years the one of the magistrates of the "Colony of the Connecticut" and one of the Patenees named in it's charter.

The Movement to America Sometime before the year 1633 the family moved from London England to Boston, Massachusetts. He settled first, upon arrival in the New World, at Watertown, Mass.; where he took the freeman's oath 3 Sep 1633. According to the records of "The Original Distribution of Lands Around Wethersfield" recorded in 1640, a short time after arriving in Wethersfield in 1635, Nathaniel received a ten acre house lot on the east side of Broad Street. This land was near the south end of the street. This land was purchased directly from the Wongunk Indians at a place located along the Connecticut River that was called Pyguaq, later renamed Wethersfield. Additionally, he became the owner of several other tracts laying in part in the great meadow east of his house and containing close to 400 acres of land. In 1641, he was appointed a delegate to the General Court. He was a juror in 1643 and 1644.

Note: Part of his land is now a public park at the foot of Broad Street.

Sources: "NEHGR", Vol. IX, 1855, p.272, "Pedigree of Foote", compiled from Goodwin's Genealogy of the Foote Family.

"Foote Family, comprising the Genealogy and History of Nathaniel Foote of Wethersfield, Conn.", Vol. I, Abram W. Foote, 1907.

"Footenotes", newsletter of The Foote Family Association of North America, Vol. XI, p.9, October, 1992.

"New England Families", Vol. I, pp.279-281, William Richard Cutter, Woburn, MA., 1913.

World Family Tree, Vol. 2, chart 861.

Nathaniel's Profession Even though Nathaniel's main profession in England was that of a Crochet, he became a farmer. He was also active in the public trusts of the town. He was appointed as a delegate to the "General Court" in the year 1644.

Nathaniel Foote was the first cousin of Sir Thomas Foote, Sheriff of London in 1649 and Lord Mayor of London in 1650. Sir Thomas Foote was the son of Robert Foote of Royston and the brother of Robert Foote of Shalford, who was Nathaniel s Father.

Records show that Nathaniel Foote died in Wethersfield, Mass in November, 1644 at the age of 51. He was buried in the burying ground in the rear of the town meeting house, where nine generations are buried. Nathaniel was survived by his wife, two sons, and five daughters.

Nathaniel's Will The probate record for Nathaniel includes a complete inventory; it is recreated here with the spelling as found in the original:

To The Children:

Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have �148

Robert Foote, about 17 years, to have �74

Frances Foote, about 15 years, to have �74

Sarah Foote, about 12 years, to have �74

Rebecca Foote, about 10 years, to have �74

The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion, �212

Other Possession s Imprs His purse and apparrell, �7-16-00 It. In neat Cattel and in Hay, �93-00-00 It. in horsse fleshe, �34-00-00 It. in hoggs, �66-60-00 lt. in debts, �29-03-04 It. In Englishe Corne, �70-00-00 It. in goats, �3-15-00 It. in Carts, ploughs, etc. �6-00-00 It. in nayles, �1-10-00 Ite. Indean Corne, �8-00-00 It. in old Wheat and pease, �6-06-00 It. for certain things in the chamber, �2-00-00 It. for ammunition, �5-00-00 Ite. for fouer beds with the furniture, �13-06-08 It. in fyne lynen, �5-10-00 Ite. 2 table boards, 2 chests, 1 Trunke, with other Implts. �5-00-00 It. pewter & brasse and other vseful vessells, �12-00-00 It. in husbandry tooles, �3-00-00 It. in beife, butter, and cheese and other necessary provision for the howse, �8-10-00 It. in poultry, �1-00-00 somm: �380-17-00

The Land: Ten acres of home lotts with one dwelling howse and 2 barnes with other buildings thereuppon 4 acres of home lotts 6 acres of meadow with an acre of swampe 20 acres of plaine fenced in being 14 ac. broke vp 7 acres of plaine meadow plowed vp 20 acres in the great meadow of hay ground 4 acres in bever meadow 27 acres of Swampe Ground 81 Acres of Vpland in the Weste field 32 Rod broad beyond the River, being 3 Miles in length

Land Devided to The Widow

4 a-c house lott wherr her house is The hoseing 2 ac Unsubdued 7 ac plaine brok 3-1/2 plaine med: 14 ac meadow 3 ac plaine not broaks up 30 ac upland in Westfield

Land Devided to The Eldest Sonne 3 ac home lot next her 2 ac unsubdued 7 ac plaine broke up 3-1/2 of meadow 3 ac in great med: 4 ac in beavermed: 27 ac swampe 3 ac not broke up 30 ac upland West Field Halfe the east side

Land Devided to The youngest Sonne 3 ac homelott 6 ac med: in the swamp 21 ac West Field halfe of the east sd.

The age of the 5 children Dewelling with their mother. Nathaniel Foote - 24 years Robert Foote - about 17 years Francis - about 15 years Sara - about 12 years Rebecka - about 10 years.

The widdowe of the said Nath: ffote is admitted to administer the Estate, and the eldest sonne is to have the lands before mentioned as they are valued at 1261. 10s wch is to be made uppe 1481, and the youngest sonne the particular landes above mentioned for him at 651. wch is to be made uppe 741, and the daughters disposed in merrage are to have 301 .8 peece wch they have receevede made uppe 741. and the other children are to have 741. a peece provided it is left at the dispose of their mother to etacte from any of them if she sees just cause 51. of the portion here sett downe and to adde yt to such of the other as best desearve yt. The Will was endorsed by the inventorers, Richard Trott, Samuel Smith, and Nathaniel Dickinson

The Above Chart is an image map. Click on the name to see more information about that person.

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Very little is known of the Deming family before they left England. Since the first Puritans left England to secure a better place to practice their religion. It might be assumed that the Demings left England for similar reasons.

That they held strong religious convictions is evident in the records they left in Connecticut. Elizabeth was born in England in the last part of the 16th century. In January of the year 1616, a short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, she married Nathaniel Foote in Colchester, Essex, England.

After the birth of their sixth child Nathaniel decided to sell his grocery business in Colchester and immigrate to the New World. By some he is considered to be the first settler of Wethersfield.

Whether or not that is true we do not know. We do know he was one of ten men who settled along the bank of the Connecticut River and named their settlement, Wethersfield. They are know as the "Ten Adventurers"

Elizabeth was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1630. John Deeming was for many years one of the magistrates of the " Colony of the Connecticut " and one of the patentees named in it's charter.

Since Elizabeth Deming married Nathaniel Foote who spent his early life in Shalford, Colchester, England, it can be assumed that

(1.) John and Elizabeth lived in the same area of England.

(2) Elizabeth and Nathaniel were known to have been in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay and residing in Waterton when it is recorded Nathaniel took the oath of a freeman.

(3.) The Foote family must have joined with the Demings in feeling some dissatisfaction with the manner of life in Watertown and joined with others in making the 100 mile trek in 1635 through the forests of the New World until they arrived at Pyquag on the shores western shore of the beautiful Connecticut River.

Nathaniel Foote was one of those named in the charter of patentees of Wethersfield. The Foote family became one of the leading families of the little Connecticut Colony. He became a magistrate, a leading land owner, eventually owning more than 500 acres of land in Wethersfield, some of the great meadow, and his home on the south end of the green, next to the present Broad Street.

The family was saddened by Nathaniel's death at age 61.

Source http://www.langeonline.com/ and the article "The Descendents of Gov. Thomas Welles of Connecticut, of Connecticut 1590-1658, By Donna Holt Siemiatkoski, Gateway Press, Inc, Baltimore, Maryland 1990 pp 11-13

In the original layout of the town, 1640, Nathaniel received a home-lot of ten acres, and gradually over the years he became owner of over 400 acres. He represented the town in the General Court - this is evidence that he was held in respect and confidence by his fellow townsmen.

In May 1637, when the little army under Capt. John Mason was being provisioned for the memorable Pequot campaign, it was "ordered y that there shalbe 1 hogg p'vided att Wythersfeild for the design in hand, wch is conceived to be Nathaniell Footes"----a compliment, certainly from the Col. authorities, to Mr. Foote's ability in raising good pork!

From an abstract of the record of the apprenticeship agreement of our Nathaniel Foote from the Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester is as follows: "Nathaniel Foote aged 16 years, son of Robert Foot of Shalford in Com. Essex yeoman doth put himself apprentice to Samuel Croylye of Colchester, aforesaid grocer and Free Burgess from the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel last past for the term of eight years. Dated 21 Sept. V James I (1608). Sealed and delivered in the presence of me Robert Foot and of me George Lumpkin."

This family, as a whole, had a large share in the tragedies of that early day for Philip Smith, husband of Rebecca Foote, was announced to have been "murdered with an hideous witchcraft";

Trouble with Indians: among the members of the early generations, Nathaniel Foote had, (a), a daughter-in law and two of her children taken captive by the Indians and another child killed; (b), a daughter and three of her children killed, while (c), her husband and two other children were made captives; and (d), two more of her children wounded; and Frances Foote lost two husbands by the Indians as well as one son-in-law killed and another, with four of his children, taken into captivity.

Sir Thomas Foote, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1649, was a first cousin of Nathaniel Foote, the settler. Sir Thomas Foote was buried in the parish church of All Saints of West Ham, now a part of the City of London. He lived to the great age of ninety-six years. There is a very pretentious monument to his memory erected in the church.

Ancestral chain: b. 1592 Nathaniel FOOTE “the Settler” and Elizabeth DEMING; Frances FOOTE and John DICKENSON; Hannah DICKINSON and Samuel GILLETT; Hannah GILLETT and John TAYLOR; Mary TAYLOR and Joseph BRONSON; David BRONSON and Jerusha COOLEY; Sylvanus BRONSON Esther REMINGTION;

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1. _FA1: 1630 Came to America to Watertown, MA 1
2. _FA2: 1636 Went to Weathersfield, CT 1
3. _FA3: 1634 Was a freeman in Mass. 1
4. _FA4: 1642 Proprietor at Watertown 1
5. _FA5: 1641 Served as deputy in Weathersfield 1
6. _FA6: BET 1643 AND 1644 Served as juror in Weathersfield 1
7. Reference Number: 1347
8. Note:

   [a11584.ged]

Age 16 and a apprentice to Samuel Croyle, grocer of Colchester, on September 21, 1608. Nathaniel arrived at Watertown, MA in 1630, and was a freeman there in 1634. He removed to settle at Wethersfield, CT in 1636.
701. Nathaniel Foote (Robert, John)(1543) was born in St. Buttolph, Billingsgate, London, England, September 21, 1592.(1544) Nathaniel died 1644 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT, at age 51.
He married Elizabeth Deming January 1614/1615 in Colchester, Essex, England.(1545)
Conflicting evidence states that Nathaniel was born 1593 in Shalford, Colchester, England.(1546) Nathaniel's will was probated November 20, 1644 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT.(1547)
The probate record for Nathaniel includes a complete inventory; it is recreated here with the spelling as found in the original: The Children: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have £148 Robert Foote, about 17 years, to have £74 Frances Foote, about 15 years, to have £74 Sarah Foote, about 12 years, to have £74 Rebeckah Foote, about 10 years, to have £74 The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion, £212 Imprs His purse and apparrell, £7-16-00 It. In neat Cattel and in Hay, £93-00-00 It. in horsse fleshe, £34-00-00 It. in hoggs, £66-60-00 It. in debts, £29-03-04 It. in Englishe Corne, £70-00-00 It. in goats, £3-15-00 It. in Carts, ploughs, etc. £6-00-00 It. in nayles, £1-10-00 Ite. Indean Corne, £8-00-00 It. in old Wheat and pease, £6-06-00 It. for certain things in the chamber, £2-00-00 It. for amunition, £5-00-00 Ite. for fouer beds with the furniture, £13-06-08 It. in fyne lynen, £5-10-00 Ite. 2 table boards, 2 chests, 1 TGrunke, with other Implts. £5-00-00 It. pewter & brasse and other vseful vessells, £12-00-00 It. in husbandry tooles, £3-00-00 It. in beife, butter, and cheese and other necessary prvision for the howse, £8-10-00 It. in poultry, £1-00-00; somm: £380-17-00
FOOTE.
Nathaniel Foote was in Watertown 1634; went to Wethersfield in 1636, where he became the richest landholder of his day. He was born in England in 1593. Died shortly before November 20, 1644. He married Elizabeth Deming (sister of John), 1615. She was born 1595 and died July 28, 1683. She married second, Governor Thomas Welles, about 1646.
Nathaniel Foote was Deputy 1641, 1643, 1644. When the Pequot War was determined upon his name was mentioned in the Colonial records as one from whom supplies were to be purchased for the commissary service.
"Nathaniel Foote, belongs, not to that class of men who fill a large place in the world's history because called by some great emergency into positions of power and influence,--but to that more meritorious class of pious and excellent persons, who walk meekly along the paths of common life, perform every duty, public or private, love and help their fellowmen, and act always as if in their great Task Master's eye. It is to such men that society owes at once its peace, stability and progress,--yet history takes no note of such, and hence, 'The world knows nothing of its greatest men.'"--Nathaniel Goodwin in the Foote Genealogy.'

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Our No. 1 Ancestor in America, was born September 21, 1592 in Shalford Colchester Esses, England. He was the son of Robert Foote of Shalford, County of Essex, A Yoeman and grandson of John Foote of Royston. Royston is located near Colchester England. Nathaniel s mother's name was Joan (Brooks). She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Brooks of London. He resided in Shalford Parish, county Essex and St Mary Bothaw Parish, London. Marriage: A Short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, he was married to Elizabeth Deming (In January of the year 1616) in Colchester, Essex, England. She was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1615. John Deeming was for many years the one of the magistrates of the "Colony of the Connecticut" and one of the Patenees named in it's charter.

Children of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Foote No. Ancestor's Name Parent Birth Death Wife (22) Elizabeth Foote (10) 1616 1700 Josiah Churchill (23) Nathaniel Foote (10) 1618 1655 Elizabeth Smith (24) Mary Foote (10) 1623 1687 John Stoddard (25) Robert Foote (10) 1627 1681 Sarah Potter (26) Frances Foote (10) 1629 1673 John Ickinson (27) Sara Foote (10) 1632 1672 --- (28) Rebecca Foote (10) 1634 1701 Phillip Smith Nathaniel's Apprenticeship Nathaniel Foote The Settler resided in Shalford Parish, county Essex and St Mary Bothaw Parish, London. at the age of sixteen was apprenticed on 21 September, 1608 to Samuel Croyle of Colchester, a "Grocer" and "Free Burgess", for a period of 8 years or until his 24th birthday in the year 1616. when he brought a message from Beatrice Barker, Esq., located on East Street, St James Parish, Colchester. He was a grocer himself as of 18 Oct 1619.

A short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, he was married to Elizabeth Deeming (In January of the year 1616) in Colchester, Essex, England. She was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1615. John Deeming was for many years the one of the magistrates of the "Colony of the Connecticut" and one of the Patenees named in it's charter.

The Movement to America Sometime before the year 1633 the family moved from London England to Boston, Massachusetts. He settled first, upon arrival in the New World, at Watertown, Mass.; where he took the freeman's oath 3 Sep 1633. According to the records of "The Original Distribution of Lands Around Wethersfield" recorded in 1640, a short time after arriving in Wethersfield in 1635, Nathaniel received a ten acre house lot on the east side of Broad Street. This land was near the south end of the street. This land was purchased directly from the Wongunk Indians at a place located along the Connecticut River that was called Pyguaq, later renamed Wethersfield. Additionally, he became the owner of several other tracts laying in part in the great meadow east of his house and containing close to 400 acres of land. In 1641, he was appointed a delegate to the General Court. He was a juror in 1643 and 1644.

Note: Part of his land is now a public park at the foot of Broad Street.

Sources: "NEHGR", Vol. IX, 1855, p.272, "Pedigree of Foote", compiled from Goodwin's Genealogy of the Foote Family.

"Foote Family, comprising the Genealogy and History of Nathaniel Foote of Wethersfield, Conn.", Vol. I, Abram W. Foote, 1907.

"Footenotes", newsletter of The Foote Family Association of North America, Vol. XI, p.9, October, 1992.

"New England Families", Vol. I, pp.279-281, William Richard Cutter, Woburn, MA., 1913.

World Family Tree, Vol. 2, chart 861.

Nathaniel Foote was in Watertown 1634; went to Wethersfield in 1636, where he became the richest landholder of his day. He was born in England in 1593. Died shortly before November 20, 1644. He married Elizabeth Deming (sister of John), 1615. She was born 1595 and died July 28, 1683. She married second, Governor Thomas Welles, about 1646.

Nathaniel Foote was Deputy 1641, 1643, 1644. When the Pequot War was determined upon his name was mentioned in the Colonial records as one from whom supplies were to be purchased for the commissary service.

"Nathaniel Foote, belongs, not to that class of men who fill a large place in the world's history because called by some great emergency into positions of power and influence,--but to that more meritorious class of pious and excellent persons, who walk meekly along the paths of common life, perform every duty, public or private, love and help their fellowmen, and act always as if in their great Task Master's eye. It is to such men that society owes at once its peace, stability and progress,--yet history takes no note of such, and hence, 'The world knows nothing of its greatest men.'"--Nathaniel Goodwin in the Foote Genealogy.

Age 16 and a apprentice to Samuel Croyle, grocer of Colchester, on September 21, 1608. Nathaniel arrived at Watertown, MA in 1630, and was a freeman there in 1634. He removed to settle at Wethersfield, CT in 1636.

701. Nathaniel Foote (Robert, John)(1543) was born in St. Buttolph, Billingsgate, London, England, September 21, 1592.(1544) Nathaniel died 1644 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT, at age 51.

He married Elizabeth Deming January 1614/1615 in Colchester, Essex, England.(1545)

Conflicting evidence states that Nathaniel was born 1593 in Shalford, Colchester, England.(1546) Nathaniel's will was probated November 20, 1644 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT.(1547)

The probate record for Nathaniel includes a complete inventory; it is recreated here with the spelling as found in the original: The Children: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have £148 Robert Foote, about 17 years, to have £74 Frances Foote, about 15 years, to have £74 Sarah Foote, about 12 years, to have £74 Rebeckah Foote, about 10 years, to have £74 The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion, £212 Imprs His purse and apparrell, £7-16-00 It. In neat Cattel and in Hay, £93-00-00 It. in horsse fleshe, £34-00-00 It. in hoggs, £66-60-00 It. in debts, £29-03-04 It. in Englishe Corne, £70-00-00 It. in goats, £3-15-00 It. in Carts, ploughs, etc. £6-00-00 It. in nayles, £1-10-00 Ite. Indean Corne, £8-00-00 It. in old Wheat and pease, £6-06-00 It. for certain things in the chamber, £2-00-00 It. for amunition, £5-00-00 Ite. for fouer beds with the furniture, £13-06-08 It. in fyne lynen, £5-10-00 Ite. 2 table boards, 2 chests, 1 TGrunke, with other Implts. £5-00-00 It. pewter & brasse and other vseful vessells, £12-00-00 It. in husbandry tooles, £3-00-00 It. in beife, butter, and cheese and other necessary prvision for the howse, £8-10-00 It. in poultry, £1-00-00; somm: £380-17-00

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Nathaniel Foote, b 21Sep1592, Colchester, Essex, Eng, d 1644, Wethersfield, CT.12 Admitted freeman 3Sep1634, proprietor of Watertown in 1642. Previous to this date, he went to Wethersfield, CT, where he was deputy 1641, & juror 1743-1644.11 This CT family, commenced its Am history in Weth, yet, owing to apparently inconquerable migratory tendency in its earlier representatives, name had entirely disappeared from town by end of 3rd generation. Thru its various early intermarriages w/other Weth. families, however, history of these early generations possess Colchester, CT, & Hadley, Hatfield, Deerfield & other old towns in Western MA. [Foote Family, by Nathaniel Goodiwn, 1849]. Conspicuous feature in history of 1st generations of Foote family, is deaths, sufferings & captivities of its mbrs, & of those connected by marriage, at hands of Indians. It is by no means certain Mr Foote was 1st settler at Weth, but probably true he was 1 of 1st 10 men, known as ‘adventurers,’ who absolutely 1st settled here; & he was largest holder of so-called ‘Adventurer’s lands.’ In original lay-out of town, 1640, he rec'd home-lot of 10 acres, at South End of Broad St, East side, & gradually became owner of other pieces of land, partly in Great Meadow, east of his home-lot, amounting to over 400 acres..1641-2-4, he represented town in Gen'l Court, evidence of respect & confidence in which he was been held by his fellow-townsmen. May 1637, when little army under Capt John Mason was being provisioned for memorable Pequot campaign, it was ‘ordered yet that there shalbe 1 hogg prvided att Wythersfeild for the design in hand, weh. [i.e. the hogg, not the expedition] is conceived to be Nathaniell Footes’—compliment, certainly form Colonial authorities, to Foote’s ability in raising good pork! 167 When Nathaniel was 15 he was apprentice to Samuel Croyle, grocer of Colchester. He arrived at Watertown, MA, in 1630, freeman there in 1634. He removed to Wethersfield, CT, in 1636. Nathanield brought from Eng wife Elizabeth & children Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Frances, & Sarah; had Rebecca, b prob at Watertown. Freeman 3Sep1634, then removed to Wethersfield 1636, where he was rep 1641-44.2 Will: Digest of Early CT Probate Records 1635 to 1650. P 461 Name: Nathaniel Foote Loc: Wethersfield Invt. £380-17-00. Taken 20 Nov, 1644, by Richard Tratte, Samuel Smith & Nath: Dickinson. £ s d Children: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 yrs, to have 148-00-00 Robert Foote, " 17 " " " 74-00-00 Frances Foote, " 15 " " " 74-00-00 Sarah Foote, " 12 " " " 74-00-00 Rebeckah Foote, " 10 " " " 74-00-00 The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion. 212-00-00 £ s d Imprs His purse & apparrell. 7-16-00 It In neat Cattell & in Hay, 93-00-00 It in horsse fleshe. 34-00-00 It in hoggs, 66-60-00 It in debts, 29-03-04 It in Englishe Corne. 70-00-00 It in goats, 3-15-00 It in Carts, ploughs, etc. 6-00-00 It in nayles, 1-10-00 Ite Indean Corne, 8-00-00 It in old Wheat and pease, 6-06-00 It for certain things in chamber. 2-00-00 It for amunition, 5-00-00 Ite for fouer beds wth furniture. 13-06-08 It in fyne lynen, 5-10-00 Ite 2 table boards, 2 chests. 1 Trunke. wth other Implts. 5-00-00 It pewter & brasse & other vseful vessells. 12-00-00 It in husbandry tooles, 3-00-00 It in beife, butter, & cheese & other necessary prvision for the howse. 8-10-00 It in poultry. 1-00-00 somm: £380-17-00 Land: 10 acres of home lotts wth 1 dwelling howse & 2 barnes wth other buildings thereupon,-- 4 acres of home lotts,-- 6 acres of meadow wth an acre of swampe, 20 acres of plaine fenced in being 14 ac. broke up. 7 acres of plaine meadow plowed up. 20 acres in great meadow of hay ground. 4 acres in bever meadow. 27 acres of Swampe Ground, 81 Acres of Upland in the Weste field 32 Rod broad beyond the River, being 3 Miles in length, Richard Trott, Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Dickinson. Court Record, p 115--11 Dec, 1644. Mr Heynes & Mr Willis are desired to consider of Estate of Nath: Foote, decd, & to take in what helpe they please from any of the neighbours to advise how yt may be disposed of, & to report their apprehensions to the next Court. Jan 1615 Nathaniel m Elizabeth Deming, dtr of Jonathan Deming (411) (c1574-) & Elizabeth Gilbert, in Colchester, Essex, Eng, b Oct 1595, Shalford, Essex, Eng. Elizabeth d bet 16Aug1682 & 3Sep1683, Wethersfield, CT. Elizabeth was woman of character & good wife, evidenced by 1st husband (Foote) dying intestate, she was by Particular Court to whom inventory of his estate was presented, admitted to admi estate; & by will of her 2nd husband (Welles) she was to enjoy & improve his whole estate, so long as she remained widow...she may keep better hospitality. Their children: Elizabeth Foote (16Jan1617-8Sep1700) Nathaniel Foote (c1619-1655) Mary Foote (c1622-) Lt Robert Foote (8Dec1627-1681) Frances Foote (c1629-c1681) Sarah Foote (c1632-1673) Rebecca Foote (c1634-6Apr1701) Francis Foote. Joshua Foote d Oct 1655 in Providence, RI. Occ: ironmonger. Joshua, citizen & ironmonger of London, & emigrant to Toxbury, MA, 1653. Joshua m Elizabeth [Foote]. Elizabeth d aft Jun 1658. 17Jul1617 Elizabeth m Thomas Jennings in St James, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, Eng. Thomas d 1658. Joseph Foote. Joseph d 1639. Bur Sep 1639 in Shalford, Essex, Eng. Joseph m Anne [Foote]. Anne d 1645. Bur 26Jan1645 in Shalford, Essex, Eng. Children of Joseph & Anna Foote: Robert, Anna, Mary (m William Cornell), Elizabeth, Leonard, Joseph, & Robert. Mary Foote. 14Feb1602 m John Hewes in Shalford, Essex. John d 1621. Occ: chandler. John Hewes of Royston, Hertfordshire. Their children: Elizabeth Hewes (c1603/4-2Feb1686) Joshua Hewes (c1612-25Jan1675/6) Anne Hewes Phebe Hewes (-28Feb1678/9) Sources: Donald Lines Jacobus & Edgar Francis Waterman, Hale, House & Related Families Mainly of CT River Valley, CT Historical Soc, Hartford, 1952. Genealogies & Biographies of Ancient Wethersfield. Robert Charles Anderson, Great Migration, New Eng Historic Genealogical Soc, Boston,. Henry Bond, Genealogies of Families & Descendants of Early Settlers of Watertown, MA, NEHGS, Boston, 1860. Nathaniel Foote b 1593, m 1615, d 1644 Nathaniel arrived at Watertown, Middlesex Co, MA 1630, Nathaniel Foote The Settler resided in Shalford Parish, Essex Co & St Mary Bothaw Parish, London. at age 16 apprenticed 21Sep1608 to Samuel Croyle of Colchester, Grocer & Free Burgess, for period of 8 yrs or until his 24th birthday in 1616. when he brought message from Beatrice Barker, Esq, located on East St, St James Parish, Colchester. He was grocer himself as of 18Oct1619. Short time aft he finished apprenticeship training, he m Elizabeth Deming (Jan 1616) in Colchester, Essex, Eng. She was sis of John Deeming, 1 of 1st settlers of Wethersfield, CT in 1615. John Deeming was for many yrs 1 of magistrates of CT & 1 of Patenees named in it's charter. Nathaniel arrived at Watertown, Middlesex Co, MA in 1630, & was freeman there Sep 3 1634. He had homstall of 16 acres & 2 acres of Marsh at Watertown but they were acquired by Henry Cuttris by 1636. Nathaniel removed to settle at Wethersfield, Hartford Co, CT in 1636. He was deputy to CT Gen'l Court twice in 1641, & once in 1642 & 1644. Nathaniel's estate was inventoried Nov 20 1644 at £380 17s, plus land totaling 211 acres, w/distribution to his widow & unmarried children, named as Nath[aniel] Foote, 24 yrs, Rob[ert] Foote. abt 17, Frances, abt 15, Sarah, abt 12, & Rebecka, abt 10. Married c1615, Eng. Nathaniel Foote "Settler"-came to New Eng w/wife Elizabeth. He was 1 of 1st 10 settlers (known as "adventurers") in Wethersfield, CT. Elizabeth was sis of John Deming, also 1 of Wethersfield's 1st settlers. In original layout of town, 1640, Nathaniel rec'd home-lot of 10 acres, & gradually over yrs he became owner of over 400 acres. He represented town in Gen'l Court-evidence he was held in respect & confidence by his fellow townsmen. May 1637, when little army under Capt John Mason was being provisioned for memorable Pequot campaign, it was "ordered y that there shalbe 1 hogg p'vided att Wythersfeild for the design in hand, wch is conceived to be Nathaniell Footes"--compliment from Colonial authorities to Foote's ability in raising good pork! From abstract of record of apprenticeship agreement of Nathaniel Foote from Court Rolls of Borough of Colchester as follows: Nathaniel Foote aged 16 years, son of Robert Foot of Shalford in Com. Essex yeoman doth put himself apprentice to Samuel Croylye of Colchester, aforesaid grocer & Free Burgess from the Feast of St Michael the Archangel last past for the term of 8 years. Dated 21 Sept. V James I (1608). Sealed & delivered in the presence of me Robert Foot & of me George Lumpkin. Nathaniel Foote was named in charter of patentees of Wethersfield. Foote family became 1 of leading families of little CT Colony. He became magistrate, leading land owner, eventually owning 500+ acres of land in Wethersfield, some of great meadow, & his home on south end of green, next to present Broad St. Family was saddened by Nathaniel's death at age 51. Elizabeth was so respected she was allowed to be executor of his estate. Elizabeth was left wealthy widow, but did not remain in that status for long. In 1646 she m Thomas Wells who was widower w/several children from his 1st marriage. Thomas Wells served as Gov of CT Colony for 2 terms, 1655-1658. When he was not serving as gov he was Deputy Gov. He d during his last yrs of being deputy gov, 14Jan1659/1660.

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Nathaniel "The Settler" Foote came from England with his brothers, Pasco and Caleb, prior to 1630.

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Book of his descendants: http://www.archive.org/stream/thefootefamily00goodrich#page/n5/mode...

Website to his honor: http://www.footefamily.org/nathno1a.htm

Foote Family Association, Spring 1999: Very little is known of the Deming family before they left England. Since the first Puritans left England to secure a better place to practice their religion. It might be assumed that the Demings left England for similar reasons.

That they held strong religious convictions is evident in the records they left in Connecticut. Elizabeth was born in England in the last part of the 16th century. In January of the year 1616, a short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, she married Nathaniel Foote in Colchester, Essex, England.

After the birth of their sixth child Nathaniel decided to sell his grocery business in Colchester and immigrate to the New World. By some he is considered to be the first settler of Wethersfield.

Whether or not that is true we do not know. We do know he was one of ten men who settled along the bank of the Connecticut River and named their settlement, Wethersfield. They are know as the "Ten Adventurers"

Elizabeth was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1630. John Deeming was for many years one of the magistrates of the " Colony of the Connecticut " and one of the patentees named in it's charter.

Since Elizabeth Deming married Nathaniel Foote who spent his early life in Shalford, Colchester, England, it can be assumed that

(1.) John and Elizabeth lived in the same area of England.

(2) Elizabeth and Nathaniel were known to have been in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay and residing in Waterton when it is recorded Nathaniel took the oath of a freeman.

(3.) The Foote family must have joined with the Demings in feeling some dissatisfaction with the manner of life in Watertown and joined with others in making the 100 mile trek in 1635 through the forests of the New World until they arrived at Pyquag on the shores western shore of the beautiful Connecticut River.

Nathaniel Foote was one of those named in the charter of patentees of Wethersfield. The Foote family became one of the leading families of the little Connecticut Colony. He became a magistrate, a leading land owner, eventually owning more than 500 acres of land in Wethersfield, some of the great meadow, and his home on the south end of the green, next to the present Broad Street.

The family was saddened by Nathaniel's death at age 61. Elizabeth was so respected that she was allowed to be executor of his estate. Elizabeth was left a wealthy widow, but did not remain in that status for long. In 1646 she married Thomas Wells who was a widower with several children from his first marriage. Thomas Wells served as Governor of Connecticut Colony for two terms, 1655-1658. When he was not serving as governor he was a Deputy Governor. He died during his last years of being deputy governor, 14 January 1659/1660.

Elizabeth was again a widow, having two families instead of one. She was in control of a large estate from both husbands.

Elizabeth Welles was a tenacious and feisty old woman. She had not only survived a perilous voyage from England but while tending to six exuberant children and a husband, she had made a new life for herself and her family in a world they knew nothing about. This world was inhabited by Indians who were not always friendly with those pale face people. The rigors of life and managing a household did not daunt her.

Things went quite well through the intervening years since arriving on shores of the newly discovered continent, until she reached old age. In 1676 as she approched the age of 80 years, she ran into trouble with one of her step-grand children.

This was Robert Welles, a favorite of grandfather, Governor Thomas Welles when the governor was alive. Robert had arrived at the Governor's home, there to be taken care of and educated.

But now his grandfather was dead and Robert and his step-grandmother disagreed. Maybee she did not think him old enough to be married at age 24. Never-the-less it was 1676 when Elizabeth brought Robert Welles to court, because he "...hath dammyfield her Barne by Parting with the other part of the Barne that did adjoin to it."

Exactly what he did to her barn is not clear. The court's decision was clear. He was ordered to repair the barn and also to pay his step-grandmother rent for it. Elizabeth made sure the barn incedent was not here last word.

Two years later, in 1678, she made sure all of the Welles were taken care of when she made her will. She left them nothing. She stated someone outside the family would be executor of her will. Everything she had she left to her own family. That is the family she and Nathaniel has raised and nurtured. The Welles family got nothing.

Elizabeth died in 1683, at the age of 88. The estate was devided among the Footes. One of the documents in the Probates Court was that of the final disposition, that during that same year Robert Welles won a lawsuit against his step-grandmother's will that he would have to be paid by those who had been named in the will.

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Nathaniel was age 16 on 21 September 5 James I (1608) when he signed as an apprentice to Samuel Croyle of Colchester, grocer and free burgess, 8 years from the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel last past. Parke says that he married in England Elizabeth Deming, sister of John Deming who served the town of Wethersfield many years as Deputy and 1662 was one of the Patentees of the Royal Charter. Nathaniel was older than many of the colonists when he came to New England with his wife and children children Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Frances and Sarah. He first appears in Watertown MA in 1633 when he was made a freeman of Massachusetts Bay. He was granted a homelot of 16 acres in Watertown MA, and two acres of marsh along the river. Rebecca was probably born here. He removed to Wethersfield about 1636. In the 1640 original distribution of lands in Wethersfield, Nathaniel was assigned a house lot of ten acres on the east side of Broad Street, near the south end of the street. He became the owner of several others tracts of land, partly in the Great Meadow east of his house lot, upwards of 400 acres. He was a farmer, one of the largest landowners in Wethersfield, and across the Connecticut River in Glastonbury. He served as Deputy in 1641 and 1644. He died intestate at Wethersfield in 1644. Inventory amounted to L380-17-00, and was taken 20 November 1644 by Richard Tratte, Samuel Smith and Nath: Dickinson. The Children are listed: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have L148-00-00; Robert Foote about 17 years to have L74-00-00; Frances Foote about 15 years to have L74-00-00; Sarah Foote about 12 years to have L74-00-00; Rebeckah Foote about 10 years to have L74-00-00. (Two other children were already married.) The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion L212-00-00. The inventory included his purse and apparell, meat cattell and hay, horses, hogs, English corn, goats, carts, ploughs, Indian corn, old wheat and pease, ammunition, four beds with the furniture, fine linen, and other household goods and about 200 acres in various plots of land. He was buried in the ancient burying ground in the rear of the Meeting House.

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Born in England about 1593, married to Elizabeth Deming in England about 1615. They had seven children, most being born in England . He was among the first ten settlers of Wethersfield , Ct. and was the largest landholder there. He died in 1644.

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Nathaniel settled in Watertown, MA. He took the freeman's oath in 1633. He removed to Wethersfield, Ct where he was one of the first settlers. In 1640, he had a home lot of ten acres on the east side of Broad Street. He was a farmer. In 1644, he was a deputy to the general court. His wife's brother, John Deming, was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield.

Check these references in TAG for Nathaniel’s ancestry: 53:193-206, 54:99-101, 55:193-206, and 58:165-167.

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Nathaniel Foote, the first settler. He was born about 1592 or 1593; married in England about 1615, Elizabeth Deming, sister of John Deming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield. She was born about 1595. He died about 1644. She re married about 1646, to Thomas Welles. He was magistrate, afterwards Governor of the colony.

From all that can be learned Mr. Foote came from Shalford, In Colchester, England. and setted in Watertown, Mass. The first mention I find made of his name is in the Records of the Grants and Possession of the Lands in Watertown. " (in which town Mr. Foote first located himself) the folliwng entry is made:

"1. An homstall of sixteen acres by estimation, bounded ye north and northwest wit ye highway, the south and southwest with Jeremiah Norcross, granted to him......."

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Excerpt from "The Descendants of Nathaniel Foote Sr. & Elizabeth Deming" by Ellwood Count Curtis: From all that we an learn Mr. Foote came from Shalford, in Colchester, England, and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. The first mention I find made of his name is in the Records of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in 1633, when he took the oath of freeman.........

Mr. Foote married in England, about the year 1615, to Elizabeth Deming, sister of Mr. John Deming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, and for many years one of the magistrates of the Colony of Connecticut, and one of the patentees named in its charter. His children were all born in England, except perhaps the youngest. Mr. Foote died in 1644, aged about 51 years, and was buried in the ancient burying ground in the rear of the Meeting House, where are gathered together the ashes of nine generations. He left behind him, surviving, a widow, two sons and five daughters. He left no will. At a Particular Court held at Harford, 20 November 1644, the following inventory of his property and distribution of his real estate were exhibited, and an order of court granting distribution of his estate and directing a distribution to be made, was passed.

"An inventory of the good and lands of Nathaniel Foote, of Wethersfield, deceased, being truly taken and indifferently apprised by Richard Treat, Samuel Smith, and Nathaniel Dickinson. The estate was valued at over L380."

Excerpt from "Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines": Nathaniel, with his wife and probably six children, emigrated to New England where he became a freeman of Watertown, Massachusetts,on September 3, 1634, owned a homestead of sixteen acres and a two-acre marsh and was still a proprietor as late as 1642, but removed before that date to Wethersfield, Connecticut, probably with the first group of its settlers in 1634-6. In this new home he was the wealthiest man and the largest holder of the so-called "Adventurers' lands." He held a ten-acre home lot and gradually added various other tracts including the southern part of "Pennywise Island." In 1639 he laid out a road two rods wide which ran east from the Connecticut River "to the Wilderness" through his "3 mile lot." Farming was his occupation and, apparently, he established a good reputation as a stock raiser, or else he had superior breed of swine, for in May 1637, when the time "army" of ninety men under Captain John Mason was being provisioned to go against the Pequots, the Colonial authorities specified that "there shalbe 1 hogg provided att Wythersfield for the designe in hande, wch is conceiued to be Nathanial Footes.........." He acted as Representative to the General Court from 1641-4 and served the community in other useful capacities.

This family, as a whole, had a large share in the tragedies of that early day for Philip Smith, husband o Rebecca Foote, was announced to have been "murdered with an hideous witchcraft"; among the members of the early generations, Nathaniel Foote had, (a), a daughter-in-law and two of her children taken captive by the Indians and another child killed; (b), a daughter and three of her children killed, while (c), her husband and two other children were made captives; and (d), two more of her children wounded; and Frances Foote lost two husbands by the Indians as well as one son-in-law killed and another, with four of his children, taken into captivity.

Nathaniel, aged about fifty-one, died intestate before December 11, 1644.

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FOOTE FAMILY, Comprising the GENEALOGY and HISTORY of NATHANIEL FOOTE of Wethersfield, Conn., and His Descendants by Abram W. Foote (1907) http://books.google.com/books?id=f1dMAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v...

"With very few exceptions, the Footes in America all descended from either Nathaniel Foote, of Colchester, England, who came to Watertown, Mass., about 1630, or Pasco Foote, who settled in Salem, Mass., soon after, or from Richard Foote, of Cornwall, England, and later of Stafford Co., Va. That the first two were nearly related, if not brothers, there can be very little doubt. ... "It is very difficult to connect these emigrants with their ancestors in the Mother Country."

(from the Preface)

"NATHANIEL FOOTE, one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, Ct., belongs, not only to that class of men who fill a large piece in the world's history, because called by some great emergency into positions of power and influence,--but to that more meritorious class of pious and excellent persons, who, born to the great inheritance of labor, walk meekly along the paths of common life, perform every duty, public or private, love and help their fellow men, and act always as if in their Great Task Master's eye. It is so much men that society owes at once its peace, stability and progress, and yet history takes no note of such, and hence 'The world knows nothing of its greatest men.'" (p. 17)

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Nathaniel arrived in Watertown in 1634. He died after August 1, 1644, but before Nov 20, 1644 when his inventory was presented at Hartford.

He was the son of Robert Foote Jr and Joan (Brooke) Foote of Shalford, Co.Essex.

His wife was Elizabeth Deming. She was a sister of John Deming of Wethersfield. After Nathaniel Foote's death, she married Thomas Welles (Governor of Connecticut 1655-1658).

Children: Elizabeth Foote Churchill, Nathaniel Foote Jr, Mary Foote Stoddard Goodrich Tracy, Robert Foote, Frances Foote Dickinson Barnard(whose second husband was Francis Barnard), Sarah Foote Judson, and Rebecca Foote Smith Cook.

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NOTES: Nathaniel Foote "The Settler" - came to New England with his wife Elizabeth. He was one of the first ten settlers (known as "adventurers) in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Elizabeth was the sister of Mr. John Deming, also one of Wethersfield's first settlers.

In the original layout of the town, 1640, Nathaniel received a home-lot of ten acres, and gradually over the years he became owner of over 400 acres. He represented the town in the General Court - this is evidence that he was held in respect and confidence by his fellow townsmen.

In May 1637, when the little army under Capt. John Mason was being provisioned for the memorable Pequot campaign, it was "ordered y that there shalbe 1 hogg p'vided att Wythersfeild for the design in hand, wch is conceived to be Nathaniell Footes"

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a compliment, certainly from the Col. authorities, to Mr. Foote's ability in raising good pork!

From an abstract of the record of the apprenticeship agreement of our Nathaniel Foote from the Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester is as follows: "Nathaniel Foote aged 16 years, son of Robert Foot of Shalford in Com. Essex yeoman doth put himself apprentice to Samuel Croylye of Colchester, aforesaid grocer and Free Burgess from the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel last past for the term of eight years. Dated 21 Sept. V James I (1608). Sealed and delivered in the presence of me Robert Foot and of me George Lumpkin."

This family, as a whole, had a large share in the tragedies of that early day for Philip Smith, husband of Rebecca Foote, was announced to have been "murdered with an hideous witchcraft";

Trouble with Indians: among the members of the early generations, Nathaniel Foote had, (a), a daughter-in law and two of her children taken captive by the Indians and another child killed; (b), a daughter and three of her children killed, while (c), her husband and two other children were made captives; and (d), two more of her children wounded; and Frances Foote lost two husbands by the Indians as well as one son-in-law killed and another, with four of his children, taken into captivity.

Sir Thomas Foote, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1649, was a first cousin of Nathaniel Foote, the settler. Sir Thomas Foote was buried in the parish church of All Saints of West Ham, now a part of the City of London. He lived to the great age of ninety-six years. There is a very pretentious monument to his memory erected in the church.

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GEN: _FA1 GEN: DATE 1630 GEN: PLAC Came to America to Watertown, MA GEN: _FA2 GEN: DATE 1636 GEN: PLAC Went to Weathersfield, CT GEN: _FA3 GEN: DATE 1634 GEN: PLAC Was a freeman in Mass. GEN: _FA4 GEN: DATE 1642 GEN: PLAC Proprietor at Watertown GEN: _FA5 GEN: DATE 1641 GEN: PLAC Served as deputy in Weathersfield GEN: _FA6 GEN: DATE BET. 1643 - 1644 GEN: PLAC Served as juror in WeathersfieldAge 16 and a apprentice to Samuel Croyle, grocer of Colchester, on September 21, 1608. GEN: Nathaniel arrived at Watertown, MA in 1630, and was a freeman there in 1634. He removed to settle at Wethersfield, CT in 1636. GEN: 701. Nathaniel Foote (Robert, John)(1543) was born in St. Buttolph, Billingsgate, London, England, September 21, 1592.(1544) GEN: Nathaniel died 1644 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT, at age 51. GEN: He married Elizabeth Deming January 1614/1615 in Colchester, Essex, England.(1545) GEN: Conflicting evidence states that Nathaniel was born 1593 in Shalford, Colchester, England.(1546) Nathaniel's will was probated GEN: November 20, 1644 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT.(1547) GEN: The probate record for Nathaniel includes a complete inventory; it is recreated here with the spelling as found in the GEN: original: The Children: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have £148 Robert Foote, about 17 years, to have £74 Frances Foote, GEN: about 15 years, to have £74 Sarah Foote, about 12 years, to have £74 Rebeckah Foote, about 10 years, to have £74 The Wyddow of GEN: sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion, £212 Imprs His purse and apparrell, £7-16-00 It. In neat Cattel and in Hay, £93-00-00 GEN: It. in horsse fleshe, £34-00-00 It. in hoggs, £66-60-00 It. in debts, £29-03-04 It. in Englishe Corne, £70-00-00 It. in goats, GEN: £3-15-00 It. in Carts, ploughs, etc. £6-00-00 It. in nayles, £1-10-00 Ite. Indean Corne, £8-00-00 It. in old Wheat and pease, GEN: £6-06-00 It. for certain things in the chamber, £2-00-00 It. for amunition, £5-00-00 Ite. for fouer beds with the furniture, GEN: £13-06-08 It. in fyne lynen, £5-10-00 Ite. 2 table boards, 2 chests, 1 TGrunke, with other Implts. £5-00-00 It. pewter & GEN: brasse and other vseful vessells, £12-00-00 It. in husbandry tooles, £3-00-00 It. in beife, butter, and cheese and other GEN: necessary prvision for the howse, £8-10-00 It. in poultry, £1-00-00; somm: £380-17-00 GEN: FOOTE. GEN: Nathaniel Foote was in Watertown 1634; went to Wethersfield in 1636, where he became the richest landholder of his day. He GEN: was born in England in 1593. Died shortly before November 20, 1644. He married Elizabeth Deming (sister of John), 1615. GEN: She was born 1595 and died July 28, 1683. She married second, Governor Thomas Welles, about 1646. GEN: Nathaniel Foote was Deputy 1641, 1643, 1644. When the Pequot War was determined upon his name was mentioned in the Colonial GEN: records as one from whom supplies were to be purchased for the commissary service. GEN: "Nathaniel Foote, belongs, not to that class of men who fill a large place in the world's history because called by some great GEN: emergency into positions of power and influence,--but to that more meritorious class of pious and excellent persons, who walk GEN: meekly along the paths of common life, perform every duty, public or private, love and help their fellowmen, and act always as GEN: if in their great Task Master's eye. It is to such men that society owes at once its peace, stability and progress,--yet GEN: history takes no note of such, and hence, 'The world knows nothing of its greatest men.'"--Nathaniel Goodwin in the Foote GEN: Genealogy.

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Birth of Nathaniel, The Settler

Nathaniel Foote, son of Robert and Joan (Brooke) Foote, was born about 1592,[1] (age 16 on 21 Sept 1608 - citing apprenticeship record).

 Nathaniel's Parents 

Nathaniel Foote is the son of Robert Foote, a yeoman of Shalford, County of Essex,[1][2] and is grandson of Robert and Helen (Warren) Foote of Royston.[1] (Royston is located near Colchester England.) Nathaniel's mother is Joan (Brooks), the daughter of John and Elizabeth Brooks of London.[2]

"Royston is a village in the extreme northeastern corner of Hertfordshire, on the border of Cambridgeshire... about forty miles north of London."[3] The town of Royston is about 2/3 in county Hertfordshire, and 1/3 in Cambridgeshire, which may explain why some biographers of Robert Foote give his birthplace as "Royston, Cambridgeshire, England" and others as "Royston, Hertfordshire, England". Unless someone finds a primary source to the contrary, we may as well agree with the Foote Family Association, and list his birthplace as Royston, Hertfordshire. Although Robert Foote is called "Robert of Shalford", this indicates the place he established his home in the country. Robert's father lived at Royston, (about 28 miles east of Shalford), and Robert and his brother John were probably born there.

 Apprentice to Grocer 

When Nathaniel Foote's father Robert Foote died in 1608, Nathaniel's older brother, Robert Jr, became the head of the house. Robert Foote Jr apprenticed his brother Nathaniel at the age of sixteen, to Samuel Croyle of Colchester, "grocer and free burgess", on 21 September, 1608, for a term of eight years or until his 24th birthday in the year 1616, ("eight years from the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel last past".[1] A wholesale merchant, or as often called in those days "a grosser," was one who sold by the gross instead of by the pound or small quantity.

A Short time after he finished his apprenticeship training, he married Elizabeth Deeming (In January of the year 1616) in Colchester, Essex, England. She was the sister of John Deeming, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield Conn. in the year of 1615. John Deeming was for many years the one of the magistrates of the "Colony of the Connecticut" and one of the Patenees named in it's charter.

Nathaniel's Profession

Even though Nathaniel's main profession in England was that of a Grocer, he became a farmer. He was also active in the public trusts of the town. He was appointed as a delegate to the "General Court" in the year 1644.

Nathaniel Foote was the first cousin of Sir Thomas Foote, Sheriff of London in 1649 and Lord Mayor of London in 1650. Sir Thomas Foote was the son of Robert Foote of Royston and the brother of Robert Foote of Shalford, who was Nathaniel's Father.

 Marriage and Children 

Nathaniel was married in 1615 to Elizabeth Deming, sister of John Deming who served the town of Wethersfield many years as Deputy and 1662 was one of the Patentees of the Royal Charter. Elizabeth, oldest child of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Deming Foote was baptized in St. James Parish Church, January 14,1617 (or according to our reckoning,1618). Nathaniel, their oldest son, was baptized March 5th,1619 (1620), both children baptized in the same church, St. James, Colchester.

Nathaniel could not have turned Non Conformist until later, or the children would have been baptized in one of their chapels, as some of the others may have been, as we know nothing more until 1630, when we find our relatives as part of the contingent of Governor Winthrop's 1500 people coming at that time, Nathaniel with his wife and children: Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Frances and Sarah on the brig "Ann" with Sir Richard Saltonstall and settling at Watertown, Massachusetts (See Benjamin Trumbull's History of Connecticut 1798).

Later on a large part of the Watertown settlers, consisting mostly of the Colchester Party, went on and formed a new settlement on the banks of the Connecticut River, which they called Wethersfield, after the old Essex town they knew so well. Besides Nathaniel we find the names of Robert Francis, Thomas Welles and John Deming.

He first appears in Watertown MA in 1633 when he was made a freeman of Massachusetts Bay. He was granted a homelot of 16 acres in Watertown MA, and two acres of marsh along the river. Rebecca was probably born here.

He removed to Wethersfield about 1636. In the 1640 original distribution of lands in Wethersfield, Nathaniel was assigned a house lot of ten acres on the east side of Broad Street, near the south end of the street. He became the owner of several others tracts of land, partly in the Great Meadow east of his house lot, upwards of 400 acres. He was a farmer, one of the largest landowners in Wethersfield, and across the Connecticut River in Glastonbury. He served as Deputy in 1641 and 1644.

 Immigration 

Bef 1633 Boston, Massachusetts

The Movement To America Sometime before the year 1633 the family moved from London, England to Boston, Massachusetts and then Watertown, Massachusetts. In the same year (1632 or 1633) Nathaniel took the "Oath of Freeman", as is indicated by the records of the "Colony of Massachusetts Bay." He was also one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, Connecticut around the year 1635.

According to the records of "The Original Distribution of Lands Around Wethersfield" recorded in 1640, a short time after arriving in Wethersfield in 1635, Nathaniel received a ten acre lot on the east side of Broad Street. This land was near the south end of the street. Additionally, he became the owner of several other tracts laying in part in the great meadow east of his house and containing to 400 acres of land.

 Death and Summary of Estate 

He died intestate at Wethersfield in 1644. Inventory amounted to L380-17-00, and was taken 20 November 1644 by Richard Tratte, Samuel Smith and Nath: Dickinson. The Children are listed: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have L148-00-00; Robert Foote about 17 years to have L74-00-00; Frances Foote about 15 years to have L74-00-00; Sarah Foote about 12 years to have L74-00-00; Rebeckah Foote about 10 years to have L74-00-00. (Two other children were already married.) The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion L212-00-00. The inventory included his purse and apparell, meat cattell and hay, horses, hogs, English corn, goats, carts, ploughs, Indian corn, old wheat and pease, ammunition, four beds with the furniture, fine linen, and other household goods and about 200 acres in various plots of land. He was buried in the ancient burying ground in the rear of the Meeting House.

 Note 

Note: "This most reputable Conn. family, commenced its American history in Wethersfield, yet, owing to an apparently inconquerable migratory tendency in its earlier representatives, the name had entirely disappeared form the town by the end of the third generation. Through its various early intermarriages with other Wethersfield families, however, the history of these early generations possess Colchester, Conn., and Hadley, Hatfield, Deerfield and other old towns in Western Mass. The family has also been fortunate in having had its history written by a competent hand, half a century ago." [The Foote Family, by Nathaniel Goodwin, 1849.] "A conspicuous feature in the history of the first generations of the Foote family, is the deaths, sufferings and captivities of its members, and of those connected with them by marriage, at the hands of the Indians."

"It is by no means certain that Mr. Foote, as some have asserted, was the first settler at Wethersfield, but it is probably true that he was one of the first ten men, known as 'adventurers,' who absolutely first settled here; and that he was the largest holder of so-called 'Adventurer's lands.' In the original lay-out of the town, 1640, he received a home-lot of ten acres, at South End of Broad St., East side, and gradually became the owner of other pieces of land, partly in the Great Meadow, east of his home-lot, amounting in all to over 400 acres.

In 1641-2-4, he represented the town in the General Court, an evidence of the respect and confidence in which he seems to have been held by his fellow-townsmen. In May 1637, when the little army under Capt. John Mason was being provisioned for the memorable Pequot campaign, it was 'ordered yt that there shal be 1 hogg provided att Wythersfeild for the design in hand, which [i.e. the hogg, not the expedition] is conceived to be Nathaniell Footes'-a compliment, certainly from the colonial authorities, to Mr. Foote's ability in raising good pork!"

When Nathaniel was 15 he was an apprentice to Samuel Croyle, grocer of Colchester. He arrived at Watertown, MA, in 1630, a freeman there in 1634. He removed to Wethersfield, CT, in 1636.

In Jan 1615 when Nathaniel was 22, he married Elizabeth Deming, daughter of Jonathan Deming (ca 1574-) & Elizabeth Gilbert (ca 1578-), in Colchester, Essex, Eng. Born in Oct 1595 in Shalford, Essex, England. Elizabeth died in Wethersfield, CT on 28 Jul 1683; she was 87.

That Elizabeth "was a woman of character and a good wife, is evidenced by the fact that her first husband (Foote) dying intestate, she was by the Particular Court to whom the inventory of his estate was presented, 'admitted to administer the estate;' and by the will of her second husband (Welles) 'she was to enjoy and improve' his whole estate, so long as she remained a widow, ... 'that she may keep the better hospitality.'

Nathaniel arrived in Watertown in 1634. He died after August 1, 1644, but before Nov 20, 1644 when his inventory was presented at Hartford. He was the son of Robert Foote Jr and Joan (Brooke) Foote of Shalford, Co.Essex. His wife was Elizabeth Deming. She was a sister of John Deming of Wethersfield. After Nathaniel Foote's death, she married Thomas Welles (Governor of Connecticut 1655-1658).

Children: Elizabeth Foote Churchill, Nathaniel Foote Jr, Mary Foote Stoddard Goodrich Tracy, Robert Foote, Frances Foote Dickinson Barnard (whose second husband was Francis Barnard), Sarah Foote Judson, and Rebecca Foote Smith Cook. Parents: Joan Brooke Foote (1560 - 1634) Spouse: Elizabeth Deming Foote Welles (1600 - 1683)* Children: Elizabeth Foote Churchill (1616 - 1700)* Nathaniel Foote (1620 - 1655)* Mary Foote Tracy (1623 - 1685)* Sarah Foote Judson (1632 - 1673)* Rebecca Foote Smith Cooke (1634 - 1701)* Burial: Wethersfield Village Cemetery, Wethersfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA Plot: Buried in Unmarked Grave

Maintained by: Kevin Avery Originally Created by: Ryan Curtis Record added: Aug 07, 2008 Find A Grave Memorial# 28849438 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=28849438 mother: Joan Brooke Foote Birth: 1560, England Death: Oct. 10, 1634 Greater London, England Parents: John Brooke (1540 - 1584) Elizabeth Whatman Brooke (1535 - 1599) Children: Nathaniel Foote (1593 - 1644)* Burial: St Leonard Churchyard, Shoreditch, Greater London, England

 Memorial 

Inscription on Memorial "Nathaniel Foote The Settler Born in England 1593 Died in Wethersfield 1644" Erected by the Foote Family Association of America on the Original Home Lot, September 17, 1908

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"The Settler"

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Nathaniel Foote Memorial Photos Flowers Edit Share Birth: 1593 Shalford Essex, England Death: Nov. 20, 1644 Wethersfield Hartford County Connecticut, USA

Nathaniel arrived in Watertown in 1634. He died after August 1, 1644, but before Nov 20, 1644 when his inventory was presented at Hartford.

He was the son of Robert Foote and Joan (Brooke) Foote of Shalford, Co.Essex.

His wife was Elizabeth Deming. She was a sister of John Deming of Wethersfield. After Nathaniel Foote's death, she married Thomas Welles (Governor of Connecticut 1655-1658).

Children: Elizabeth Foote Churchill, Nathaniel Foote Jr, Mary Foote Stoddard Goodrich Tracy, Robert Foote, Frances Foote Dickinson Barnard(whose second husband was Francis Barnard), Sarah Foote Judson, and Rebecca Foote Smith Cook.

Family links:

Parents:

 Robert Foote (1553 - 1608)

 Joan Brooke Foote (1560 - 1634)

Spouse:

 Elizabeth Deming Welles (1595 - 1683)*

Children:

 Elizabeth Foote Churchill (1616 - 1700)*

 Nathaniel Foote (1619 - 1655)*

 Mary Foote Tracy (1623 - 1685)*

 Robert Foote (1627 - 1681)*

 Joanna Foote Kellogg (1628 - 1666)*

 Sarah Foote Judson (1632 - 1673)*

 Rebecca Foote Cook (1634 - 1701)*

Sibling:

 John Robert Foote (1583 - 1646)*

 Nathaniel Foote (1593 - 1644)

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Wethersfield Village Cemetery Wethersfield Hartford County Connecticut, USA Plot: Buried in Unmarked Grave GPS (lat/lon): 41.68718, -72.65496

Maintained by: Kevin Avery Originally Created by: Ryan D. Curtis Record added: Aug 07, 2008 Find A Grave Memorial# 28849438 ___________________________________________________________________________________________

A DIGEST OF THE EARLY CONNECTICUT PROBATE RECORDS. 1635 to 1650.

Page 461 Name: Nathaniel Foote Location: Wethersfield Invt. £380-17-00. Taken 20 November, 1644, by Richard Tratte, Samuel Smith and Nath: Dickinson. £ s d The Children: Nathaniel Foote, about 24 years, to have 148-00-00 Robert Foote, " 17 " " " 74-00-00 Frances Foote, " 15 " " " 74-00-00 Sarah Foote, " 12 " " " 74-00-00 Rebeckah Foote, " 10 " " " 74-00-00 The Wyddow of sd. Nathaniel Foote Adms. her portion. 212-00-00 £ s d Imprs His purse and apparrell. 7-16-00 It. In neat Cattell and in Hay, 93-00-00 It. in horsse fleshe. 34-00-00 It. in hoggs, 66-60-00 It. in debts, 29-03-04 It. in Englishe Corne. 70-00-00 It. in goats, 3-15-00 It. in Carts, ploughs, etc. 6-00-00 It. in nayles, 1-10-00 Ite. Indean Corne, 8-00-00 It. in old Wheat and pease, 6-06-00 It. for certain things in the chamber. 2-00-00 It. for amunition, 5-00-00 Ite. for fouer beds wth the furniture. 13-06-08 It. in fyne lynen, 5-10-00 Ite. 2 table boards, 2 chests. 1 Trunke. wth other Implts. 5-00-00 It. pewter & brasse and other vseful vessells. 12-00-00 It. in husbandry tooles, 3-00-00 It. in beife, butter, and cheese and other necessary prvision for the howse. 8-10-00 It. in poultry. 1-00-00 somm: £380-17-00 The Land: Ten acres of home lotts wth one dwelling howse and 2 barnes wth other buildings therevppon,-- 4 acres of home lotts,-- 6 acres of meadow wth an acre of swampe, 20 acres of plaine fenced in being 14 ac. broke vp. 7 acres of plaine meadow plowed vp. 20 acres in the great meadow of hay ground. 4 acres in bever meadow. 27 acres of Swampe Ground, 81 Acres of Vpland in the Weste field 32 Rod broad beyond the River, being 3 Miles in length, Richard Trott, Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Dickinson. Court Record, Page 115--11 December, 1644. Mr. Heynes & Mr. Willis are desired to consider of the Estate of Nath: Foote, decd, and to take in what helpe they please fro any of the neighbours to advise how yt may be disposed of, and to report their apprehensions to the next Court.

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