Person Page - 43

     Edward Messenger was born before 1630 in England.¹ He was the son of (__?__) (__?__). He married Dorcas(?) (__?__) circa 1649.^1,2 He died after February 1686 in Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn., when he is mentioned in a deed by Job Drake.³
     
Immigration: before 1650.

     Edward Messenger's origins are unknown and references to Edward of Windsor, Henry of Boston, and Andrew of New Haven and Long Island, as brothers, has little basis. There is some certainty that Henry and Andrew were related, however, there has yet to be found any direct connection between them and Edward. That said, Edward did have business dealings in Boston and New York so the possibility does exist. Henry, of Boston, is probably the best documented of the three and it is known that he was entitled to a coat of arms which were passed on to his son.
     Edward Messenger was surely born in England by 1630, perhaps much earlier. He married, probably about 1649, possibly in England but probably in Connecticut. Edward's close connection with the Drake family at Windsor suggests his wife might have been related to them, but not even her given name is known, though some suggest "Dorcas" with no evidence.
     Matthew Grant recorded the births of Edward's three children in his "Old Church Record" and in "Volume II of the Land Records of the Colony of Connecticut." In both books, Grant specifically says that he is recording the number of children born in Windsor, in Edward Messenger's case three. The fact that the three children born of Edward from 1650-55 were recorded at Windsor strongly suggests that Edward's wife was from Windsor and may have remained with her family while he was at New London. Edward himself, probably located to Windsor in 1653 or 1654. Before 1655, his land and business records involve New London with some reference to Boston. The Boston connection could support a relationship with Henry Messenger of Boston.

     It appears that Edward did a lot of traveling, perhaps driving cattle, both to New York and Boston - areas in which Andrew and Henry Messenger lived. In discussing the Indian troubles during King Philip's War in 1675, John Winthrop, Jr. wrote to his son, apparently with concern, that "Ed: Messinger is gone this weeke alone w cattle...."
     In 1661, Edward bought "the just one half of the three hundred and nine acres of land called Greenfield, which the sd Job [Drake] purchased of Thomas fford, but at present not divided from the other half or one Hundred fifty four acres and a half that yet Remains in the property of Job Drake." About 1678, and perhaps on the occasion of his marriage, Edward Messenger assigned a deed of land to his son, Nathaniel, which Edward had purchased from Simon Buell. The transaction was witnessed by Matthew Grant and John Drake Sr. In 1683, Edward and Job divide up the lands that they had held in common for over 20 years and Edward deeds parcels to his son Nathan and his daughter Dorcas and her husband Peter Mills (the Dutchman). Apparently Edward was still living on 3 February 1685/6 when Job Drake sold 14 acres at Greenfield to Nathan Messenger saying, "only Edward Messenger is to have the benefit and improvement of one acre and halfe of the grass land dureing the time of his natural life....". Job Drake signed all of these deeds while Edward signed with his mark (a round, upper case E). This is the last record we have of Edward Messenger.⁴

     Richard Darling married Abigail Messenger, daughter of Andrew Messenger and Rachael (__?__), in 1662. He and Abigail Messenger were divorced on 7 July 1674.

     Elnathan Lamson was born on 7 June 1733 in Simsbury, Conn..¹ He was the son of Ebenezer Lamson and Mary Matson. He married (1) Jean Hayes, daughter of George Hayes and Jane Matson, circa 1753.² He married (2) Lucina (__?__) (possibly Lucine Griffin, the daughter of John Griffin and Eleanor Holcomb and widow of Joseph Remington) circa 1762.³ He married (3), at age 73, Jane Lindsley on 23 November 1806.⁴ He died on 31 March 1827 in Granby, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 93.⁴ He was buried on 31 March 1827 in West Granby cemetery (memorial marker).
     
Military Service: American Revolution, Capt. Bates Company of Col. Phelps 18th Regt., September 7, 1779.

On the 7th of September, 1779, Elnathan Lamson is present on a list of those ordered to "Aquipt them Selves with arms and acouterments and hold them Selves in Readeynes to march at ye Shortest Notis for ye Defence of this State." In Capt. Bates Company of Col. Phelps 18th Regiment in Simsbury.
Elnathan's will is dated in 1806 and the estate is distributed in 1827. Children listed when the will is dated are; James, Joseph, Jesse (executor, but dead in 1827), Lucy, Jane, Rebeckah, Naomi, Abigail. In 1827, distribution of the estate goes to; Lucy, Rebeckah, Jane, Naomi, heirs of Jesse, and Abigail.
In 1829, Joseph Lamson of Luisten (Lewistown?), Livingston Co. NY and Rebecca (Lamson) Hayes of West Bloomfield, Ontario Co. NY seek a share of their fathers estate. They state that their father, Elnathan, is dead and left no will (which is not true) and that they are possible heirs. Their attorney is a Cyreno Lamson of Luisten, NY.

     Nathaniel Holcomb was born on 4 November 1648 in Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn..^1,2 He was the son of Thomas Holcomb and Elizabeth (__?__). He married (1), at age 22, Mary Bliss, age 19, daughter of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin, on 27 February 1670/71 in Springfield, Mass..³ He married (2), at age 74, Sarah (__?__) (widow of Josiah Owen) on 17 January 1722/23.^4,3 He died on 5 March 1740/41 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 92.³
     
Occupation: Farmer.
Public Office: in 1677 chosen as a Deputy to the General Court of Connecticut and served for 6 terms; Simsbury town constable, 1681; Designated as the lister (tax assesor) for "Samon Brooke", 1687.
Military Service: in 1691 Sergeant in the militia, "an experienced Indian Fighter", probably a veteran of King Philips War.

In 1677, Nathaniel was chosen as a Deputy to the General Court of Connecticut and served for 6 terms. In 1688, he offered to the citizens of Salmon Brook and Low Meadow an exchange of land "to better fortify against Indians". His second wife, Sarah, was the widow of Josiah Owen.

     Mary Bliss was born on 23 September 1651 in Springfield, Mass..¹ She was the daughter of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin. She married (1), at age 19, Nathaniel Holcomb, age 22, son of Thomas Holcomb and Elizabeth (__?__), on 27 February 1670/71 in Springfield, Mass..² She died before 1722 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn..²

     Nathaniel Bliss was baptized on 28 December 1622 in Rodborough, Glousester, England.¹ He was the son of Thomas Bliss and Margaret Hulins. He married, at age 23, Catharine Chapin, daughter of Deacon Samuel Chapin and Cicely Penny, on 30 November 1646 in Springfield, Mass..¹ He died on 8 November 1654 in Springfield, Mass., at age 31.¹
     
Immigration: circa 1639, Prob. with his mother, as it appears his father may have arrived earlier.

     Nathaniel immigrated to New England with his family about 1638, or possibly a little later with his mother who may have not made the initial trip. From Hartford he removed to Springfield in 1643 and in 1646 married Catherine Chapin, just a few days prior to his sister Mary's marriage to Joseph Parsons.

     Margaret Bliss was born on 12 November 1649. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin. She married, at age 22, Nathaniel Foote, age 23, son of Nathaniel Foote and Elizabeth Smith, on 2 May 1672 in Springfield, Mass.. She died on 3 April 1745 in Colchester, New London Co., Conn., at age 95.

     Samuel Bliss was born on 7 November 1647 in Springfield, Mass.. He was the son of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin. He married, at age 24, Sarah Stebbins, age 17, daughter of Lieut. Thomas Stebbins and Hannah Wright, on 2 January 1672. He died on 19 June 1749 in Longmeadow, Mass., at age 101.

     Nathaniel Bliss was born on 27 March 1653 in Springfield, Mass.. He was the son of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin. He married Deborah Colton, daughter of George Colton and Deborah Gardner. He died on 23 December 1736 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Mass., at age 83, left no issue.

     Thomas Gilbert was born on 16 February 1611/12 in Worcester, Yardley, England. He was the son of Thomas Gilbert and Elizabeth Bennett. He married, at age 43, Catharine Chapin, daughter of Deacon Samuel Chapin and Cicely Penny, on 31 July 1655.¹ He died on 5 June 1662 in Springfield, Mass., at age 50.

     Sarah Stebbins was born on 18 August 1654. She was the daughter of Lieut. Thomas Stebbins and Hannah Wright. She married, at age 17, Samuel Bliss, age 24, son of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin, on 2 January 1672. She died on 6 November 1721 at age 67.

     Nathaniel Foote was born on 14 January 1648/49 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Conn.. He was the son of Nathaniel Foote and Elizabeth Smith. He married, at age 23, Margaret Bliss, age 22, daughter of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin, on 2 May 1672 in Springfield, Mass.. He died on 12 January 1702/3 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 53.

     Deborah Colton was the daughter of George Colton and Deborah Gardner. She married Nathaniel Bliss, son of Nathaniel Bliss and Catharine Chapin. She died on 26 November 1733.

     Thomas Bliss was born circa 1590 probably in Gloucester, England.¹ He married Margaret Hulins, daughter of John Hulins and Margaret (__?__), circa 1617 in Rodborough, Gloucester, England.¹ He died before 14 February 1650/51 (estate inventoried) in Hartford, Hartford Co., Conn..²
     
Immigration: before 1639, From England.
Founder/Proprietor: Hartford, by 1639, named on The Founders Monument, Center Church burial yard.
Occupation: Farmer.
Residence: in 1639 Hartford, CT.

     An original proprietor of Hartford, Thomas Bliss is named on The Founders Monument erected by the Ancient Burying Ground Association of Hartford.
     Thomas Bliss of Hartford Connecticut was probably a native of Co. Gloucester, England. He married Margaret Hulins of Rodborough in that county about 1617. Some say that the marriage took place at Gloucester St. Nicholas 18th Oct 1621 and that Margaret may have been the second wife of Thomas and that Thomas (II) and Ann may have been children by a first marriage. Their son Nathaniel was baptized at Rodborough 28th Dec 1622.
     Margaret seems to have also been a strong and dedicated mother. She was extremely active, and successful, in the defense of her daughter, Mary Parsons, who was jailed and tried for witchcraft.

     Lucy Lamson was born on 9 August 1754 in Simsbury, Conn.. She was the daughter of Elnathan Lamson and Jean Hayes.

     Ebenezer Lamson was born on 17 January 1694/95 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Mass..¹ He was the son of Joseph Lamson and Elizabeth Adams. He married, at age 25, Mary Matson, age 21, daughter of John Matson and Mary Adams, on 17 March 1719/20 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn..^2,3 He died on 15 October 1772 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 77 "in the fields of a sudden fainting fit."⁴
     

     Born in Concord, Ebenezer may have come to Simsbury with his older brother, Joseph, by 1715. In any case, he married Mary Matson, a Salmon Brook native, in 1719/20 and took up residence on Bushy Hill, next to Nathaniel and Thankful (Hayes) Holcomb.
     The records present some confusion with the births and deaths of children Mary and Jonathan, however, neither children, nor their heirs are mentioned in Ebenezer's will so they did apparently die young.
     Ebenezer died at age 77 with the estate distributed to his wife, Mary, children, Ebenezer, Hannah, Mercy, heirs of David, and Elnathan. Mary's death is not recorded but she was 74 at her husbands death and she did survive him.

     Mary Lamson was born on 6 February 1736/37 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn.. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Lamson and Mary Matson. She died in November 1755 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 18.

     Jesse Lamson was born on 10 September 1756 in Simsbury, Conn.. He was the son of Elnathan Lamson and Jean Hayes. He married (1) Ruth Miller, daughter of Ichabod Miller and Sarah Holcomb. He married (2), at age 58, Betsey Dibble, age 47 (as her 5'th husband), daughter of Moses Dibble and Elizabeth Holcomb, on 22 April 1815 in Granville, Hampden Co., Mass.. He died on 25 September 1818 in Granville, Hampden Co., Mass., at age 62 "by excruciating operation for stone."
     
Military Service: in 1780 American Revolution, 6th Brigade, 18th Regiment.

     James Lamson was born on 2 February 1758 in Simsbury, Conn.. He was the son of Elnathan Lamson and Jean Hayes. He died on 24 September 1762 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 4.

     Jane Lamson was born on 26 March 1761 in Simsbury, Conn.. She was the daughter of Elnathan Lamson and Jean Hayes. She married John Griffin Holcomb II, son of Consider Holcomb Jr. and Eunice Gillett.

     Mary Matson was baptized on 30 October 1698 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn..¹ She was the daughter of John Matson and Mary Adams. She married, at age 21, Ebenezer Lamson, age 25, son of Joseph Lamson and Elizabeth Adams, on 17 March 1719/20 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn..^2,3 She died after 1772 when she is named in her husbands probate record.⁴

     Johnathan Lamson was born on 17 September 1740. He was the son of Ebenezer Lamson and Mary Matson. He died on 30 March 1741 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 6 months and 13 days.

     Ebenezer Lamson Jr. was born on 16 December 1720 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn.. He was the son of Ebenezer Lamson and Mary Matson. He married (1), at age 28, Zerviah Hayes, age 24, daughter of George Hayes and Jane Matson, on 8 November 1749 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn.. He married (2), at age 40, Anna Humphrey, age 33, daughter of John Humphrey III and Lydia Reade, on 8 November 1761 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn..
     
Military Service: Veteran of the American Revolution.

     Zerviah Hayes was born on 15 December 1724. She was the daughter of George Hayes and Jane Matson. She married (1), at age 24, Ebenezer Lamson Jr., age 28, son of Ebenezer Lamson and Mary Matson, on 8 November 1749 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn.. She died on 26 June 1759 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 34.

     Mary Lamson was born in December 1727. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Lamson and Mary Matson. She died on 10 April 1737 in Simsbury, Hartford Co., Conn., at age 9.