Father: John Sperry, Jr.
Mother: Mary *****
Spouse: Dennes or Dennis ***** - b: ~1626 - England
d: Mar/1707 - New Haven, New Haven Co., CT
m: ~1647 - New Haven Col.
Child-1: John - b: 9/Jan/1648(1649) - New Haven Col.
d: 1692 - New Haven Co., CT
m: Elizabeth Post - 1/Sep/1676 - New Haven Co., CT
2: Mary
- b: 14/Mar/1649(1650) - New Haven Col.
m: Benjamin Peck - 29/Mar/1670 - New Haven Co., CT
3: Richard,
Jr. - b: 20/Jan/1651(1652) - New Haven Col.
d: 1734 - CT
m: Martha Mansfield - 16/Dec/1680 - New Haven Co., CT
4: Hester
or
Esther - b: 16/Sep/1654 - New Haven Col.
m: Daniel Hotchkiss - 21/Jun/1683 - New Haven Co., CT
m: Stephen Pierson - CT
5: Nathaniel
- b: 13/Aug/1656 - New Haven Col.
d: 1735 - CT
m: Sarah Dickerman - 2/Oct/1683 - New Haven Co., CT
m: Esther Winston Morris - CT
6: Thomas
- b: 13/Jul/1658 - New Haven Col.
d: 22/Apr/1718 - New Haven, New Haven Co., CT
m: Elizabeth Fearnes - 18/Nov/1684 - New Haven Co., CT
7: (unnamed
daughter) - b/d: 3/Jul/1661 - New Haven Col.
8: Ebenezer
- b: Jul/1663 - New Haven Twp., Conn. Col. - bp: 30/Aug/1663
d: 1738 - CT
m: Abigail Dickerman - 21/Jan/1689(1690) - New Haven Co., CT
9: Daniel
10: Joseph - b:
24/Jul/1668 - New Haven Co., CT
d: 1762 - New Haven, New Haven Co., CT
m: Elizabeth Bradley - 1/Jun/1698 - New Haven, New Haven Co., CT
Biographical Details:
According to the records of Thurleigh Parish in Bedfordshire, England, Richard Sperry was baptized on February 16, 1606 (1607 N. S.). Undoubtedly, this implies that his birth occurred a short time earlier, perhaps, in the first or second week of February and almost certainly not earlier than January. His parents were John, Jr., and Mary Sperry; however, his mother's maiden name remains unknown. It is believed that Richard Sperry immigrated to New England in the late spring and early summer of 1637 on the ship "Hector", which carried the original party of colonists organized by Rev. John Davenport and Mr. Theophilus Eaton.1 Both of these men were shareholders in the Massachusetts Bay Company, but they had not emigrated from England with the earlier Massachusetts Bay colonists. Nevertheless, they were convinced Puritans and, consequently, Rev. Davenport came under persecution in England from Archbishop Laud, which undoubtedly, provided motivation for him to migrate to North America. Accordingly, the immigrant party consisted primarily of families of strict Puritan sentiment from different parts of England, but individuals, especially merchants, from London and its close environs formed the nucleus of the group. After wintering in Massachusetts, the party reached Quinnipiac, later renamed New Haven, on April 24, 1638. Even so, the name of Richard Sperry does not appear in modern published lists of the fifty-four free planters who signed the "Colony Constitution" the following June and neither was he included in the first division of land. This suggests that his status in the colony was relatively low. Alternatively, he may not have immigrated in 1637, but may have come to the colony a few years later. Within this context, at least two fanciful accounts have been put forward in connection with the immigration of Richard Sperry to New Haven. The first of these is described as a "tradition in the family" and supposes that he was an agent for Sir Robert Rich, the second Earl of Warwick.2 Indeed, Rich had strong Puritan sympathies and was an avid supporter of colonization. In 1628 he indirectly procured the patent for the Massachusetts Bay Colony and in 1631 he was associated with the grant of the "Saybrook" patent for colonization in Connecticut.3 However, there is no evidence that the Earl of Warwick was ever directly involved with the settlement of New Haven. Furthermore, some versions of this same story additionally propose a date of 1634 for Richard's immigration, which immediately presents a severe chronological difficulty, since New Haven did not even exist until 1638.4 Therefore, it is likely that all of this is merely a legend. Even more improbable is an account which states that three young men having the surname "Sperry", presumably brothers, came to New Haven from Wales in 1637.5 Subsequently, the account continues, two of them went west but Richard Sperry remained behind. There is no evidence of any actual existence of either of the putative two brothers and it almost does not merit further comment to observe that the entire idea of "going west" comes from a much later time and was not a priority in seventeenth century New England. Even so, this story continues by identifying Richard Sperry as "head farmer for Stephen Goodyear". A relationship between Sperry and Goodyear is affirmed by other sources and, thus, this part of the legend may have some basis in fact. What is likely is that Richard Sperry came to the colony either with the first settlers or somewhat later, perhaps, in indentured status, but in any case he was probably "in service" in some capacity to Goodyear, who was a prominent colonist and served as Deputy Governor.Source Notes and Citations:It is thought with some confidence that Richard and Dennes (or Dennis) Sperry were married in New Haven. Two dates for their marriage have been proposed by various researchers, viz., March 10, 1645 (1646 N. S.) and August 28, 1647. Both of these are plausible chronologically, however, the underlying sources are not at all clear and, hence, neither date can be accepted with any confidence. In addition, it has been widely reported (apparently, in some reprinted versions of Stiles and Steele as well as others) that Dennes was the daughter of none other than Stephen Goodyear, mentioned previously. Moreover, it has been further stated more recently that she was born (or as is more likely, baptized) on March 9, 1624 (1625 N. S.) in Monkleigh, Devonshire, England. Presumably this derives from a corresponding parish register. However, although the proposed birthdate is plausible (notwithstanding that at her death in 1707 she was said to be either seventy-eight or eighty years old, which implies that she was born between 1627 and 1629), there is no credible documentary evidence that she was Goodyear's daughter. Indeed, it is certain that he was from London (or its vicinity), which is quite distant from Devonshire and, hence, does not tend to support such a relationship. Alternatively, the maiden names "Honeyman" or "Freeman" have also been proposed for her. Therefore, the identity of Dennes Sperry's parents should be properly regarded as unknown. Within this context, it would seem that Richard Sperry was about twenty years older than his wife. Since, there is no indication that he had been married previously, such a late marriage supports the preceding presumption that he had been a servant and, consequently, did not have the financial means to marry earlier. Indeed, this was not an unusual situation for early American colonists. The first reference to Richard Sperry in the proprietor's records of New Haven appeared in January of 1643 (1644 N. S.) when he was fined one shilling for possessing a defective firearm.6 Subsequently, he took the oath of fidelity to the colony on July 1, 1644. This chronology is further supported by Savage.7 In passing, it is, perhaps, significant that the period between 1637 and 1644 was exactly seven years which, would be consistent with a usual period of indenture and suggests that by 1644, Richard had discharged any obligation for his transportation and, thus, was able to become a freeman of the colony. Furthermore, a relationship between Richard Sperry and Stephen Goodyear is specifically supported by a record of 1648 in which Sperry was accused of not coming to the watch, but was defended by Goodyear on the grounds that he had to tend to a sick animal on the "farme". According to Atwater's History of New Haven, "Mr. Goodyear's farm was north of the town, and in the neighborhood of Pine Rock". Likewise, it was further said by Dr. Stiles writing in the 1790's, that Goodyear bought about twelve hundred acres of relatively level ground lying west of the West Rock and installed Richard Sperry as his tenant. Modern maps of the area indicate that Pine and West Rocks are separated by less than half a mile and lie approximately two miles northwest of the center of New Haven, i.e., the original "nine squares". Furthermore, Dr. Stiles stated that, "this farm Sperry afterwards owned and now, above a century has been known as Sperry's farm." In any case, it is certain that the Sperry family lived at or near this location for several succeeding generations.
Of course, the most famous incident involving Richard Sperry concerns the regicide judges, Edward Whalley and William Goffe.8 They had been denied amnesty for their part in the execution of Charles I and were being pursued for retribution by agents of his son, the restored King Charles II. New Haven was, perhaps, the most Puritan of all the colonies and, accordingly, Whalley and Goffe fled there for protection in the late spring and summer of 1661. In the period between May 13th and June 11th, they hid in the "Judges' Cave" near the West Rock. Atwater's history states that this was located about a mile from Sperry's farm and that he and his family provided them with shelter in inclement weather as well as food, which it is told they left on a nearby stump. From a tradition handed down in the family, it has been said that Whalley and Goffe left the cave on June 11th because they had been frightened by a wild animal (supposedly they saw the "glaring eyes" of a "panther" at the entrance of the cave). However, this is probably merely a legend since Atwater makes no mention of it and indicates that they left their hiding place and showed themselves openly so that Davenport and others who might have been thought to be concealing them would be relieved of suspicion. It is not known where Whalley and Goffe went between June 11th and the following 22nd, however, on the latter date they returned openly to New Haven. At this time, they considered surrendering to the authorities, but by June 24th on the advice of friends they had changed their minds and, again, went into hiding at the Judges' Cave. Undoubtedly, as before the Sperry family provided sustenance for the regicides. Atwater reports that they remained in secret at the West Rock until August 19th "when the search for them being pretty well over", Whalley and Goffe went to Milford where they stayed two years and afterward went to Hadley, Massachusetts. They were never captured by royal agents.
The names of Richard Sperry and "Goodwife" Sperry appear in a seating arrangement given by Atwater for a general court (i.e., town meeting) held on February 20, 1661 (1662 N. S.). (In contrast, their names did not appear in previous seating arrangements for meetings held in 1646 and 1655.) On this occasion, Richard was seated in the "side seats above the door" and his wife was seated "before Mrs. Allerton's seat". While this was not the most exalted position in the house, it does indicate that the they must have been regarded with some respect in the colony. Moreover, it is plausible to speculate that their status may have improved signifcantly once their help of Whalley and Goffe became generally known, but this is not proven by any means. Even so, it has been reported that Richard Sperry was not admitted to church membership until December 25, 1689.9 (In contrast, his wife was apparently admitted to membership much earlier, as member number 250.) If this is true, it would seem quite strange since civil and religious duties were closely linked in Puritan society and it is difficult to understand how Richard Sperry could take part in civil affairs such as town meetings if he was not a church member. This suggests that the records are incomplete or erroneous. Alternatively, it is, perhaps, more likely that the church record of 1689 refers to Richard's son, also named Richard. It has been reported that Richard Sperry inherited a leather suit from Andrew Low in 1670. Subsequently, he made his will April 18, 1693; however, it is believed that he survived until 1698.10 His exact date of death is not known. Throughout his lifetime Richard Sperry was a husbandman and farmer and appears to have remained illiterate since he signed his will with a mark. Richard's widow, Dennes, apparently died in February or March of 1706 (1707 N. S.). Accordingly, an inventory of her estate was made by Abram Bradley and John How on March 17, 1706 (1707 N. S.), which returned a valuation of £51 3/ 6d. An administration bond was made by Nathaniel Sperry the next day and an additional inventory was to be returned in June of 1707.
1. Rodney Prestage Homer, The Sperry Family Line of Jeremiah Sperry of Minnesota, 1802-1870, privately published, Porterville, CA, 1969.
According to this author, at the age of twenty-two, Richard Sperry arrived in Boston on the ship "Hector" with a group of colonists led by Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton. The following year this group founded New Haven Colony. The connection with the Earl of Warwick is also mentioned and called "an old family story" saying "to what extent this might have been true is not known". However, if Richard Sperry was twenty-two years old in 1637, then he must have been born about 1615, i.e., nearly ten years after the date derived from the Thurleigh Parish Register.
back to bio.2. Henry Reed Stiles, The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut, Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co., Hartford, CT, 1891-2.
"Richard, of New Haven, 1643; sworn freeman 1644; m. Dennis ___. It is a tradition in the family that he came to New Haven as a gardener or agent for the Earl of Warwick. It is certain that to him was granted a large tract of land known as 'the farme', and still is called Sperry's Farms, located on the west side of West Rock, in what is now the Town of Woodbridge."
back to bio.3. "WARWICK, SIR ROBERT RICH, 2ND EARL OF (1587-1658), colonial administrator and admiral, was the eldest son of Robert Rich, earl of Warwick ... and his wife Penelope Rich (q.v.), and succeeded to the title in 1619. Early interested in colonial ventures, he joined the Bermudas, Guinea, New England and Virginia companies. His enterprises involved him in disputes with the East India Company (1617) and with the Virginia Company, which in 1624 was suppressed through his action. In 1627 he commanded an unsuccessful privateering expedition against the Spaniards. His Puritan connections and sympathies, while gradually estranging him from the court, promoted his association with the New England colonies. In 1628 he indirectly procured the patent for the Massachusetts colony, and in 1631 he granted the 'Saybrook' patent in Connecticut. Compelled the same year to resign the presidency of the New England Company, he continued to manage the Bermudas and Providence Companies, the latter of which, founded in 1630, administered Old Providence on the Mosquito coast. Meanwhile in England Warwick opposed the forced loan of 1626, the payment of ship-money and Laud's church policy ..." (Encyclopedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, 1911, available online from LoveToKnow Free Online Encyclopedia, www.1911encyclopedia.org, 2004.)
back to bio.4. Harrison Spencer Sperry, That Great Sperry Family: the genealogy of the Sperry brothers by families and generations, Hawkes Pub., Salt Lake City, UT, 1977.
According to this author, "Richard Sperry immigrated from England to New Haven, Connecticut as early as 1634. He died after 1668." As noted above, such an early date for immigration is highly unlikely.
back to bio.5. Dorothy Hodgman, Anson and Thyrza Sperry : unsung epic, Braun-Brumfield, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI, 1977.
back to bio.6a. On January 4, 1643 (1644 N. S.), "Rich: Spery" was fined one shilling "for defect in their [gun]cocks" (New Haven Colony Records, Bk. 1, pg. 122. (reprinted in Charles J. Hoadly (ed.), Records of the Colony and Plantation of New Haven, from 1638 to 1649, Case, Tiffany and Co., Hartford, CT, 1857.)) (cited by Steven Curtis Perkins, "Ancestry of Jabez Perkins", freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~scperkins/jabez.html, 1989-2001.)
b. He took the Oath of Fidelity to New Haven on July 1, 1644. (New Haven Colony Records, Bk. 1, pg. 138. (reprinted ibid.)) (cited ibid.)
c. On May 2, 1648, "Richard Spery was complained of for not comeing to watch, but Mr. Goodier answered for hime that when he was neare comeing from the farme they wanted an oxe, the neager said he was sicke & left in the woods, so he was faine to goe forth to seeke hime least hee should be lost". (New Haven Colony Records, Bk. 1, pg. 378. (reprinted ibid.)) (cited ibid.)
back to bio.7. James Savage, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England - Vols. 1-4, Little, Brown and Co., Boston, MA, 1860-1862: Vol. 4, pgs. 150-1. (Reprint available from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD, 21202-3897)
"SPERRY, RICHARD, New Haven 1643, sw. freem. 1644, had Ebenezer, b. July, bapt. 30 Aug. 1663; and Daniel, 1665; beside Esther, wh. m. 21 June 1683, Daniel Hotchkiss; had liv. on the W. side of the rock, a. one mile from the cave, where Goffe and Whalley, the regicides, enjoy. their hiding, and he had supplied them, with food; was a propr. 1685, as were JOHN, RICHARD Jun. NATHANIEL, and THOMAS, perhaps his s. Mary, prob. his d. m. 29 Mar. 1670, Benjamin Peck. JOHN m. Elizabeth wh. next m. Benjamin Bunnell; and next, 19 Sept. 1700, Edward Dorman; and THOMAS m. 18 Nov. 1684, Elizabeth d. of Samuel Fernes."
back to bio.8. Edward E. Atwater, History of the Colony of New Haven to its absorption into Connecticut, privately published, New Haven, CT, 1881: pgs. 214 & 430-4.
"On Monday, May 13, Whalley and Goffe were conducted by Mr. Jones and two other friends some three miles into the wilderness beyond the mill, where, a booth having been constructed, the colonels spent two nights. Having found a hatchet at the moment when one was needed for constructing, the booth, they called the place Hatchet Harbor. On Wednesday, Kellond and Kirk being now far on their way to New Amsterdam, it was safe for Whalley and Goffe to come nearer to the habitations of men, and they were on that day conducted to West Rock, or Providence Hill, as they named it, by Richard Sperry, one of the three friends who had guided them to Hatchet Harbor. Here were several huge fragments of trap rock, placed so as, with the aid of hemlock boughs, to shield the space amidst them from the wind, and some of them projecting overhead so as to afford shelter from rain. This cluster of rocks, which has ever since been called the Judges' Cave, was the refuge of these hunted regicides from May 15 to June 11. They were supplied with food from day to day by the faithful Sperry, whose house at the foot of the hill, though much nearer than any other, was nearly a mile distant. It is not unreasonable to conjecture that they went down in the evening to Sperry's house to sleep, and returned early in the morning to the cave, though tradition allows only that they sometimes came to the house in stormy weather. Probably not more than three or four persons knew that they were in Sperry's neighborhood; perhaps of the few who knew that he supplied their wants and guarded the approach to their privacy, none but himself had ever seen the Judges' Cave."
"Perhaps they made a visit to Connecticut, and allowed themselves to be seen there in order to divert attention from New Haven. On Saturday, June 22, they came to New Haven, and remained till Monday, causing Mr. Gilbert, who, since the election on the 29th of May, had been deputy-governor, to be informed that they were ready to surrender, if necessary, and choosing to do so rather than bring ruin upon their friends. But on Sunday some persons came to them advising not to surrender; and so on Monday they disappeared while the magistrates were consulting together, and taking measures for their arrest. 'Thereupon a diligent search was renewed, and many were sent forth on foot and horseback to recover them into their hands.' From a letter of Edward Rawson, secretary of the colony of Massachusetts to Gov. Leete, it may be inferred that these pursuers went to Branford. But if the regicides were seen going in that direction, as if they would return to Connecticut, it was only to mislead, for the same night they were lodged in their former retreat at West Rock. 'They continued there (says Hutchinson, who had access to a diary of Goffe, not now extant), sometimes venturing to a house near the cave, until the 19th of August, when the search for them being pretty well over, they ventured to the house of one Tomkins, near Milford, where they remained two years without so much as going into the orchard. After that they took a little more liberty, and made themselves known to several persons in whom they could confide; and each of them frequently prayed, and also exercised, as they term it, or preached at private meetings in their chamber.'" (Anonymous, "History of New Haven Colony", www.quinnipiac.edu/other/ABL/etext/colony/colony.html, 2004.)
back to bio.9. Richard Sperry was admitted to membership in the First Church of Christ (or Congregational Church) at New Haven on December 25, 1689. (Records of the First Congregational Church, New Haven , CT: Nos. 250 & 408. (cited op. cit. (Perkins)))
back to bio.10. "I Richard Sperry sen'r of New Haven in New England being in Competency of health, and p'fect understanding and memory Calling to mind the transitory estate of men in this World and not Knowing how soone God may Call me away by death Doe so cause to make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manor and forme following, committing my Soule to God yt gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buryed according to the Discresion of my Executor and Executrix hereafter to be named. After all my just debts and funerall expenses Discharged my will is as to ye Dispose of ye portion of worldly estate wich ye Lord hath gratiously given me I Doe dispose of it as followeth.
Imprimis: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Dennis Sperry all my moveable and stock of Cattle of all sorts to enable her to pay all my Just Debts and Expenses as aboves'd And for her owne Comfortable Subsistence and widowhood. And to dispose of among my Children as she in her prudence shall Judge ye necceseity of one or other of them may require. And further my will is considering my deare and beloved wife afores'd for her Comfortabel subsistence in her widowhood if she shall Remaine possessed of all such parts and parcells in housing and lands as are Reserved by C'vnt which my daughter in law, Relict of my son John Sperry dec'd. forever to my sd wifes Comfortable subsistence as by sd Covenant doth and may more fully Appear in Case she continue a widow bearing my name. But if she marry againe then my will is yt she shall have for her Improvement but one end of my Dwelling house and ye third part of my barne and yards. And yt ye Improvement only of ye third part of land reserved for my subsistence be in her hand during her n'rall life Leaving my sd Relict daughter in law and her Children without molestation to occupy to her and their set profitt the whole tract and tracts of land by Deed also granted unto them; as also yt my sd wife upon her Mariage shall have but her third part of my moveables and stock of Cattle as above my just debts being first pd. And this to be wholly at her owne dispose. And ye Remainder of my estate to be equally devided between all my Children.
Item my will is, and I have hereby give and bequeath to my Son Ebenezer Sperry the house, barne upland and meadow being in quantity fourteen acres be it more or less formerly in the possession of my son John Sperry estate Deccd with ye p'viledges and appurtenances thereof to be to him his Heires and assignes forever
Item my will is And I do hereby give and bequeath unto my Son Richard Sperry besides wt I have already given unto him and is upon Richard vizt twenty acres of upland be it more or less wch I doe hereby Ratify and confirm two acres of Meadow be it more or less lying upon the South side of Morrills rate to him his Heires and assignes for ever
Yt as for my son in law Benjamin Peck as I have given him twenty acres of land be it more or less being alsoe upon Record wch I doe now Ratify and Confirme, soe now I give unto ye sd Peck and Mary his wife and their Heires two Acres of Meadow be it more or less bounded upon my son Richards and my son Nathlls Meadow South, to be to them theire Heires and assignes for ever, the sd Mary being his p'sent wife and my daughter
Item my will is I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my son Nathll Sperry besides what I have given and Recorded to him already vizt twenty acres of upland two acres of wch lye in my ffeild wch I doe heereby ratify and confirme Alsoe five acres of meadow be it more or less lying on ye south of Morrells rate. Alsoe one acre adjoining unto yt two acres in ye feild above mentioned unles I see cause to make some other legall dispose thereof while I live All ye above mentioned p'cells to be to him his Heires and Assignes for Ever
Item my will is and I doe heerby give and bequeath unto my two sons Thomas Sperry and Daniell Sperry a p'cell of upland lying southward of ye Land given unto my son Nathll Contayning by estimation about thirty acres be it more or less to be equally divided betweene ym And I doe further give unto my son Thomas Sperry a p'cell of Meadow containing by estimation two acres be it more or less bounded by Meadow called Morrells rate south and meadow granted unto the Heires of my late dec'd son John Sperry -- on ye north the afores'd p'cells to be unto them their Heires and assignes for ever
Item my will is and I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my said son Danll Sperry the seal part of ye swamp I lately purchased of ye towne of Newhaven Alsoe one p'cell of Meadow land bounded by swamp land given unto Ebenezer south of the River East and land given to Nathll Sperry and Benjamin Peck North to be alsoe to him his Heires or Assignes for ever
Item I doe further give and bequeath unto my son Ebenezer Sperry a p'cell of ten acres of land lying at a pplace between ye live meadows on ye west side of ye River bed more or less to him his Heires and Assignes for ever
Item my will is and I doe heerby give unto my four sons Nathll, Thomas, Ebenezer and Daniell Sperry all my third division land lying at ye Round hills to be equally divided between them toy their Heires and Assignes for ever
Item my will is and I doe heereby give and bequeath unto my Son Ebenezer Sperry ye peece of land yt lyes Northnd of ye land graunted unto ye Heires of my sd son John Sperry dec'd between yt and what is above given unto him it being over upon the Rock or Hill to him his heires or Assignes for ever
Item my will is if any of my children shall see cause to sell any of the lands above granted unto ym if they shall first tender it unto their Brethern yt if they will give as much as another yt they shall have it before another
Item my will is yt the severall parcells of land given unto my sons shall Run to ye outside of my land westward
And lastly my will is and I doe heereby nominate constitute and appoint my deare and beloved wife Dennis Sperry soe long she Continues a widow and my son Nathll Sperry to be Executrix and executor of this my last will and testament But after the Decease of my sd wife (or mariage) if it soe fall out yt then my said son Nathll to be sole Executor of this my sd will And I doe heerby Revoak and Annull all other and former wills and declare this to be my sole Will and testament In witness whereof I have heerunto put my hand and seale this eighteen day of Aprell Ano Dni one thousand sic hundred ninety three
Richard (X) Sperry
Witnesses: Samuel Mansfield, Elizabeth Davenport, Nathaniel Bower" (Probate Bk. 2, New Haven Co., CT, pgs. 230-1.)
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
11. Lorissa E. Steele, Ancestry and Descendents of of William Curtis of Marcellus, N. Y., privately published, 1912: pg. 52.12. Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven - Vols. 1-9, Printed by Clarence D. Smith, Rome, NY, 1923 & 1929: Vol. 1, pg. 243 & Vol. 7, pg. 1665; also appeared as "New Haven Genealogical Magazine", Vols. I-VIII, 1922-1932. (Reprint available from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD, 21202-3897)
13. Ezra Stiles, A History of Three of the Judges of King Charles I, Major-General Whalley, Major-General Goffe, and Colonel Dixwell, printed by Elisha Babcock, Hartford, CT, 1794.
14. Rollin Gustav Osterweis, Three Centuries of New Haven, 1638-1938, Yale Univ. Press, New Haven, CT, 1953: pgs. 56 & 354.
15. New England Genealogical and Historical Register, Vol. 121, pgs. 81-91, 1967.
16. New Haven Probate Records, Bk. 3, pg. 155; also New Haven Dist. #9719; New Haven Probate Packets, 1683-1880, Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT, (microfilm: roll #1024387 (928)). (cited op. cit. (Perkins))
17. Ancestral File: 2M7P-4N, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT, continuously updated.