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Marvin, Matthew
b. 26 MAR 1600 Great Bentley, Exeter, England (baptism)
Parents:Father: Marvin, EdwardFamily:
Mother: Margaret,Spouse: Elizabeth,Family History:
Matthew was a "sydeman" at St. Mary's in 1621. "Elizabeth ye daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Maruine his wife was baptised 1622, Sept. 15." "Mathew Meruine, the son of Mathew Meruine and of Elisabeth his wife baptised the 8th of Novem. 1626." Matthew was "overseer" in 1627, and senior warden in 1628. "Marie Meruin the daughter of Mathew Meruen and of Elisabeth his wyfe baptised 16 Dec. 1628:" "Sarah the daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Meruin was Christened the 27th of December, 1631." He is last mentioned there 22 Aug., 1633, when "William Littleburye, the servant of Matthew Mervin, was buried." He sailed from London in the "Increase," Robert Lea, master, having proved, 15 April, 1635, that his party had "taken the oathes of Allegeance and Supremacie: As also being conformable to the Government and discipline of the Church of England, whereof they brought testimony with Certificates from ye Justices and ministers wher there abodes have latlie been." The ship's passenger list states: "Matthew Marvynn, husbandman, aet. 35, Elizabeth Marvynn, vxor, 31; Elizabeth Marvinn 31 [a clerical error for 13]; Matthew Marvynn, 8; Marie Marvynn, 6; Sara Marvynn, 3; Hanna Marvynn, year." The "Increase" sailed about the middle of April, and reached New England about the first of June. Where he spent the first few months after his arrival, is not known, but his name is on the monument in honor of the first settlers of Hartford, the first of whom arrived there about November, 1635, and Matthew was one of "the twelve very earliest emigrants whose names are known," and who formed the company known as Adventurers, to whom belonged "Venturers' Field." He resided on the corner of Village (now Pleasant) and Front streets, the lot fronting east. In 1640 he lived in the north-east part of the village [of Hartford]. His lot was bounded north on the road from Centinel Hill to North Meadow road; west, on Wm. Kelsey's lot; south, on Stephen Hart's; east, by road from Windsor to Wethersfield, by North Meadow. In an allotment to the proprietors of undivided lands in Hartford in which Matthew had rights, he received at one time 30 acres, and at another 28; the division was made according to the "proportions payed for the purchass of sayd lands." He was 'Suruayer' (surveyor) of Highways 1639 and 1647. 9 Nov., 1640, Matthew and another were fined five shillings, "for puting ouer of their hoges ouer the great riuer" [the Connecticut]. March, 1641, in an agreement about fencing land to the corner of John Clark's lot, in the "Souldiers Field," (which he signs "Mathew Maruen,") he is to maintain a "Common gate" to the North Meadow; and "if any children shal be taken swinging by the said mathew meruill, he shall complayn to their parents or masters & if they doe not restraine them the second time it shall be lawful for him to [illegible] them, & if they brake the gate ther parents or masters shall make it good," etc. In 1648-9 he was voted ten shillings "for killing a wolfe." At a "Particular Court, 24 April, 1649, he was the plaintiff in a case against Matthew Beckwith for defamation of character, and recovered damages to the amount of oe339;50. This was remitted by the Court on Beckwith's making a public retraction of the slander. He apparently contemplated settling in Farmington, Ct., whither Reinold had gone, for both owned lands and dwelling houses there. In 1653 Matthew sold to Nathaniel Kellogg his dwelling house and land there. In 1650, he went to Norwalk, Ct., where he was one of the original settlers. In the Agreement of the Norwalk Planters with Roger Ludlow, 19 June, 1650, and in the deed from Runckinheage and other Indians, of 15 Feb., 1651, Matthew's name is third; in the confirmatory Patent of the General Court of 8 July, 1686 (after his death), "Mr. Matthew Marvin" is sixth. His home-lot in Norwalk, of four acres, was "bounded east by Town's Highway, west by Daniel Kellogg's home-lot, north by Thomas Fitch's home-lot, south by Meeting-house yard and Matthew Marvin, Jr.'s home-lot." "this house-lot marked the 'Hollow' in which the new settlers passed their first days and nights." The "Meeting-house yard and Ancient Parade", forms the corner of East Avenue and the "ancient county road from Stamford to Fairfield." Hannah (Marvin) Seymour lived opposite, and a little to the south; Matthew, Jr.'s lot of three acres, two roods, was between that of Kellogg on the west and the "Meeting-house greene" on the east, running back to his father's estate, and fronting south on the road to Stamford. John Bouton, Matthew's step-son, and later his son-in-law, lived on the south side of the road after it turned westward, and his house was opposite his sister Bridget's, who lived next west of Matthew, Jr. Thus, like the patriarchs of old, clustered about his home were those of his sons and daughters. The late Rev. Dr. Bouton, of Concord, N. H., a descendant of Matthew Marvin and of his son-in-law John Bouton, Jr., in an "Historical Sermon on the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town," said "Respect was paid to age, character, rank and property, in assigning the Norwalk home-lots, and that of Matthew was evidently one of the most desirable.... His name is inscribed on almost every page of Norwalk's early history.... Devout, discreet, calm, sound in judgment, he gained and held the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and discharged for them many offices of civil life." The frequent use of the title "Mr.," as applied to him on the records, and the value of his estate, confirm this estimate of the man. The wealthiest proprietor was Thomas Fitch, whose estate of "lands and accommodations" was oe339;314. That of Matthew was oe339;279, and his son's estate was exactly half his father's, oe339;139: 10, in 1652. Toward the close of his life he made provision for his daughters, all of whom had married; some had already been remembered; to the others he made liberal gifts. He was sent as a Deputy in 1654, and was among the first to represent the town; 19 May of that year he was "freed from Watching and training." The old records of the Church are irretrievably lost, and what position he held therein is unknown. When the meeting-house was enlarged in 1664 to nearly double its original size, the town "appoynted Thomas Fitch sen. and Matthew Marvin sen., to call out as many many men as they think fitt.... To fell and cutt the timber and allso to summon each to draw the saied timber." When the enlargement was completed, Matthew and his associates were instructed "to provide a luncheon and a barrel of good beans for the help." Grants on the records, and the List of 9 Feb., 1672, in which his estate is reckoned at oe339;169, show that he had given most of it to his children. On July 11, 1672, he sold to Peter Clayton of Fairfield, a farm at 'Saukatuck,' of about forty acres, with buildings, etc. In 1678 began a quarrel about moving the location of the meeting-house; in 1680 a new and larger structure was erected on the opposite side of the street, some distance northward, but Matthew did not live to see it occupied. The ancient Norwalk records have many references to his name, as one of the leaders in the foundation of the town; that it is still honored by its citizens was pleasantly shown in June, 1902, when the School Committee of the East Norwalk district, by a unanimous vote, decided to call the new school in that part of the town the "Marvin School." Martin prepared his will December 20, 1678, and the inventory was recorded July 12, 1680. "To all Christian people to home these presents shall come greeting--I, Mathew Marvin Senr., of Norwalk, in the County of ffairfield, in the Colleny of Connecticot being aged fourscore years or ther aboute though weake and feeble in body, yet through the mercy of God of perfect mind and Memory, disallowing, disowning, cancelling and making void all former wills and wrightings of this kind hitherto made by me, doe make ordayne and appoint this present wrighting to be my last Will and Testament. First I doe bequeath and resigne up my soul unto God who gave it and doe commit my body to the duste from whence it came, to be Interred by desent and comely buriall, hoping and Trusting in the Lord of a happy Resurrection at the Last day: and as for the Temporal effects wherewith the Lord hath blessed me I doe will and dispose thereof as followeth-- IMPMS. I doe will and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Alice Marvin the sum of Twenty pounds as her owne true and proper estate, for her to will order and dispose as shee pleaseth and alsoe I doe give will and bequeath unto my sd dearly beloved wife the use of all other my estate whatsoever during her natural Life. Item. I doe give and bequeath unto my son Mathew Marvin of Norwock aforesaid all my right of the Devission of Lands on the east side of Sagatuck River to have, hold, possess and enjoy to him and his heirs forever: Item. I doe will and bequeath unto my grand childe Mathew Marvin, sonn to my sonn Mathew Marvin aforesaid my now dwelling house with half my orchyard and home Lot the same to Lye Lengthwise as it now Lyeth, next to his fathers dwelling lot partly and partly to the Town Land to have, hold, possess and enjoy to him and his heirs forever after my decease and the decease of my beloved wife aforesaid provided always my will is that my said Grand childe and his heirs Successively doe at all times allowe and aknowledg free egress and regress unto my sonn Samuel Smith and his heirs to and from the barn (which is in the Lot aforesaid) with Carts or any other way without any hinderence Let or Molestation. But yf my said Grand child or his heirs at any time shall refuse or deny the aforesaid liberty unto Samll Smith or his heirs then my Will is that the said Samll Smith shall have the whole barn yard to him and his heirs forever. Moreover I doe give Will and bequeath unto my said Grand child Mathew Marvin one peece of Meadowe Lying and being between his fathers Meadowe and the Meadowe of Samll Campfield at a place or near a place comonly called fruitful Spring; and further I doe give, will and bequeath unto my said Grand child Mathew Marvin my Stony Hill Lot of upland as it now Lyeth and is bounded, all which the premises to the said Mathew Marvin my Grand son my will is it shall be to him and his heirs forever. Item. I doe give will and bequeath unto my sonn John Bowton and to my daughter Abigal his wife one parcel of Meadowe of mine which is adjoyning to the meadowe of the said John Bowton Lying at Sagatuck brooke. Item. I doe give and bequeath unto my Grand childe Richard Bushnell the sum of Ten pounds. Item. I doe give and bequeath unto Francis Bushnell of Norwalk aforesaid four Acres of Land which is granted me for a house Lot near Standford path together with Ten pounds Comonage to him and his heirs forever. Item. I doe give and bequeath unto the Reverent Mr Thomas Handford Pastor of the Church of Norwock the sum of five pounds. Moreover my will is that after my due debts and Legasies together with funeral rights be discharged, what estate, Lands, Chattles, goods whatsoever shall remaine after mine and my wives deceass (to whom as aforesaid I give and bequeath the use of my whole estate during her Natural Life) I say it is my will that all such estate (which is not disposed off by will or deed of gift under my hand and seal:) shall be equally devided amongst my four daughters (viz) Mary Adgate of Norwich, Hanna Semer (abating her Twelve pound for a pair of oxen already payd) Abigal Bowton of Norwocke and Rebecca Clarke of farmington this distrebution my will is shall be made by the discreation of my Executors & Overseers: By whom my Will and desire is all Controversies amongst my Children (yf any shall arise) about this my Will shall be decided. And farther it is my Will and desire that my Children rest satisfyed in [their] decission. Furthermore my Will and desire is and I doe hereby make, appoint and ordayne after mine and my wives deceass my sonn John Bowton and John Platt the executors of this my Last Will & Testament. I also doe request and desire the Reverend Mr Thos. Handford and Lieut Richard Olmsteed to be overseers of this my said Last Will and Testament; And my will and desire is that the said executors and overseers of this my Last Will and Testament be payd out of my estate to each man Three pounds (that is to say) the sum of Twelve pounds in all for their care and pains they shall be at in ye behalf of the servises And that this is my true intent and meaning in this my last Will and Testament; for the True and full Confirmation of this my Last Will and Testament as my own Act and deed I have hereunto set my hand & seale this six and Twentyeth day of decembr Anno Domenij 1678. Signed and sealed in the presence of us-- Thomas Handford. James Cornish. Christo: Cumstocke The Marke of Mathew (X) Marvin Senier SEAL When the will was offered for probate, Matthew, Jr., objected to some of its provisions, but these objections were withdrawn in consequence of an agreement recorded 6 Nov., 1680: "We John Bowton [and Thomas Semer] in our owne and in our wives rights: and in the right of our brother and sister Clarke, doe Covenant and engage unto our sd brother Matthew Marvin .... that [he] shall have the eighth part of the said effects." Signed Thomas Semer, John Bowton. The eight parts were doubtless those of the eight living children of Matthew. It was also agreed that Matthew1 had disposed of certain lots to his son, Matthew, Jr. Matthew then withdrew his objections and "desires the Will to be probated." The widow made oath to the inventory 17 Dec., 1680, and the will was finally presented and approved 25 Jan'y, 1681. An Inventory of the Estate of Mathew Marvin senr deceased In Norwocke taken this 13th of July Anno 1680 In wearing clothes oe339;07056Family:
In housing and Land212000
In Neat Cattle 14:00. In Sheep and Lambs 09:0023000
In I Carpit & 1 Curtain01010
In Linsie Woolsy 28 pound of yarn04090
In 17 napkins 02:03. In 4 Towels & three Table clothes 01:0503080
In 6 pillow beers 01:03. In 9 pr of Sheets 1 Single Sheet 12:1313160
In one bed & Silk rugg04100
In one boulster & 5 pillowes01050
In one bed & Curtains vallens03000
In one boulster and Ruggs 01:13. In 2 blankets 3:004130
In one bed and 1 rugg 01:10. In 2 bed steeds 01:0402140
In Pewter and Tin vessels03070
In brass Kettles & one Lanthorn04050
In Iron pot & Pothookes & Iron kettels01150
In frying-pan Tonges fire shovel & Cob Iron00170
In one And Iron & Spit & grid Iron01040
In old Iron 00:10. In armes and Ammunition 02:1503050
In Axes wedg-rings hooks & other things01020
In peass hook on[e] fan 1 forke 00:11. In Corn Sacks 01:1002010
In wheat peass & Indian Corn03143
In wool & flax 01:07:3. In Nayles and stocklock 08:601159
In Porke and bacon 02:00. In Malt & brann 00:2:0220
In wool Card 00:3. In Measures Skales wayets 00:8:600116
In Candle Mould other nessesaries to make candles0060
In Tallow & Candles & hogs fat0108
In a pair of bellowes0030
In book Spice and endecoe [indigo?]00150
In Alkemy Spoons & earthen ware00080
In one Smoathing-iron and Sheep sheers 00:7. In mony 00:0200090
In Cheast Boxes 01:16. In Chayer and Cushings 00:1502110
In Trayes and bowles00090
In a Table forme Trenchers & brush00070
In Payles & musterd bowl 00:06: In sives and Meat Troff 00:1100170
In Spinning wheels one Trammer01020
In Cask and other things 03:17 In wheat upon the ground 04:0007170
In Cheespress & other things00070
In Sawes and other things 00:10. In horses 03:0003100
In debts due to the estate71100
398128
debts due from the forementioned estate of Mathew Marvin senr deceased is42100
furthermore It is to be minded that, there is a parcel or parcels of lands Lying in ffairfeild that belonged to the estate of the forementioned Mathew Marvin senr which is not vallued in this Inventory but remayns to be prized. this Land, as we understand did formerly belong to the estate of Richard Bowton. This Inventory was taken by us being apointed thereunto. RICH OLMSTEED WALTER HOIT NATH HAYES. It must be understood there are sum tools in Mathew Marvin's hand and sum small matter in the Widowes hands as an old brass kettle and old pewter platters and a gill pot and a chafendish that ware hers and her husband gave her Liberty to dispose of them Shee sayth these not Inventoryed as alsoe a Cheast Alice Marvin hath given oath to the abovesaid Inventory to be true to the best of her knowledg. Befor me 17 decemr 1680 RICH: OLMSTEED Commisr "To all Christian people to whom these prsents shall come greeting. I Alce Marvin of Norwocke in the County of ffairfield in the Colony of Conecticot; being aged seaventee years or therabouts; though weak and feeble in body yet through the mercy of God of perfect mind & memory: I doe make ordayne and appoint this prsent wrighting to be my last will and Testament. IMPRMIS. I doe will give and bequeath the sum of Twenty pounds to my Sonn John Bowton and to my daughter Bridgit Killock to be equally devided betwen thos two: That is to say Ten pounds apeese: Item. I doe give after my deceass: to my daughter Briggit Kellock my Scarfe and my best cloath wastcot and my best serg Coat and my best green Apron: and the best of my two under cotten coats & my spectacles. Item. I doe give unto my daughter Abigal Bowton my best hat and my best cloke and my Serge wastcoats: and my under cotten wastcoat: and a pair of Cotten gloves: and a pair of lether gloves 2 brass small wayts: Item. I doe give to my daughter Rachell Smith my penne stone Coat: and my flannell wastcoat: and to my grandchild Sarah Brinsmead my Cheast: And to my grandchild Ruth Bowton: my brass kettle 3 old pewter dishes and a brass Chafendish and a gilpot: And to my grandchild Rachell Bowton my bible. what remains not disposed of: my will is shall be devided between my two dafter Brigget Kellock & Rachell Smith. The hetchell my will is half to my sonn John Bowton and half to my daughter Briggit Kellock. That this is my last will and Testament witnes my hand this 1 of Decemr 1680 The Marke of Alce [X] Marven In the presence of vs Rich: Olmsteed Christo: Cumstocke: An Inventory of Alce Marven deseased In norwocke taken this Last of January: Anno Dom: 1680
Imprmis In her ordenary waring clothes01086
In 1 red flannel wastcoat00120
In 1 serge Coat00120
In 1 pair stockings00020
In 1 penestone Coat01120
In 1 Cloath wastcoat & Serg Coat02140
In 2 serge wastcoats & 1 Cloake010000
In a hatt and band001000
In 3 shifts001800
In a green Apron001000
In 2 Linsy woolsy Aprons001000
In 2 blew Aprons 1 neckcloath000400
In 3 peeces of black stuffe000306
In 2 pair of gloves000700
In head Linnin001300
In 1 bible000206
In 1 Cheast and a scarfe001800
In 1 p. Spectacles000202
In Pewter000900
In 1 Chafendish000500
In a kettle010600
In a p pattens 3 sh000300
In 1 hetchell010000
In 2 smal brass wayts000100
In deeds by Legasy from her husbands will200000
Totall360208
This was made by us apointed by the Select man. THO: BENNEDICT Sent NATHLL HAYES CRISTOPHER CUMSTOCKE
Matthew, Jr., and Samuel Smith settled the matter of the barnyard way mentioned in Matthew, Sr's will by a "covenant," exchanging land, which was held for the benefit of the son of Matthew, Jr.Children:
Spouse: Alice, Widow Bouton
Children:Marvin, Lydia
Marvin, Samuel
b. 6 FEB 1648 Hartford, CT (baptism)
Marvin, Rachel
b. 30 DEC 1649 Hartford, CT (baptism)
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Copyright 2001 Richard Joseph Bucknum