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Michael Taintor and Elizabeth Rose

Compiled by Judy & Gary Griffin, 2007 - email address

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Michael Taintor + Elizabeth Rose
..... 2 Joanna Taintor + Josiah Gillett
........ 3 Mary Gillett +Nathaniel Skinner
............ 4 Cynthia Skinner + Oliver Eggleston
................ 5 Zalmon Eggleston Polly Bundy
.................... 6 Charles H. L. Eggleston + Alwilda M. Edwards
........................ 7 Goldie Ellen Eggleston + Bruce Griffin

Proposed Family of Joanna Taintor (1)

Charles Taintor
... 2 Michael Taintor ca 1620 – 1672-73 + Elizabeth Rose 1621 – 1659
...... 3 John Taintor 1650 – 1698 + Dorcas Swain 1657 – 1734
...... 3 Michael Taintor 1652 – 1731 + (1) Mary Loomis 1659 – 1695, (2) Mabel Olmsted Butler – 1742
......... 4 Deacon Michael Taintor 1680 – 1771 + Eunice Foote 1694 – 1784
.............. 5 Eunice Taintor 1717 – + Aaron Skinner 1713 – 1766
.............. 5 Michael Taintor 1719 – 1748 + Sarah Loomis 1722 –
.............. 5 Charles Taintor 1722 – 1807 + Mary Skinner 1742 – 1823
................. 6 Anna Taintor 1767 – 1836 + Erastus Worthington 1761 – 1831
................. 6 Charles Taintor 1769 – 1771
................. 6 Eunice Taintor 1770 - + Cyrus Bill 1772 – 1852
................. 6 Sarah Taintor 1775 – 1834 + John Charles Bulkeley 1772 – 1844
................. 6 Charles Taintor 1772 – 1827 + Sarah Fox 1792 –
................. 6 Elizabeth Taintor 1777 – 1868 + Elijah Fox 1761 – 1847
................. 6 Sophia Taintor 1780 – 1875 + Erastus Daniels 1778 – 1819
................. 6 Newhall Taintor 1782 – 1854 + Ruth Smith 1788 – 1866
................. 6 Eudocia Taintor 1785 – 1849 + Samuel Reid 1780 – 1852
.............. 5 John Taintor 1725 – 1798 + Ester Clark 1729 – 1756
.............. 5 Mary Taintor 1727 – 1815 + David Wells 1723 – 1814
.............. 5 Prudence Taintor 1729 – 1823 + John Otis 1727 – 1804
.............. 5 Sarah Taintor 1731 – 1755 + John Watrous 1726 – 1817
......... 4 John Taintor 1682 –
......... 4 Mary Taintor 1685 – 1751 + Edward Moore 1674 – 1724
......... 4 Joseph Taintor 1687 – 1729 + Elizabeth Foote 1696 – + (2) Mabel Olmsted Butler
........... 4 Sarah Taintor 1698 – + Noah Clark 1697 – 1749
...... 3 Elizabeth Taintor 1655 – 1732 + Noah Rogers ca 1645 – 1725
......... 4 Mary Rogers 1675 – 1705 + William Barnes – 1706
......... 4 John Rogers 1677 – 1764 + Lydia Frisbie 1692 – 1751
......... 4 Josiah Rogers 1679 – 1757 + (1) Ruth Wheeler, (2) Lydia Goodsell 1692 – 1760
......... 4 Hezekiah Rogers – 1780
......... 4 Noah Rogers 1688 – 1760 + (1) Sarah Parmlee, (2) Elizabeth Wheeler
......... 4 Elizabeth Rogers 1695 – +(1) Abiel Frisbie (1695 – ca 1745, (2) Joseph Palmer – 1777
......... 4 Ann Rogers + Isaac Barnes ca 1675 – 1769
...... 3 Joanna Taintor 1657 – 1734/35 + Josiah Gillett ca 1650 – 1736 (see Gillett history)
......... 4 Mary Gillett 1686/87 – 1740 + Nathaniel Skinner 1685/86 – 1750 (See Gillett and Skinner histories)
...... 3 Sarie/Sarah Taintor 1658 – 1732 + Samuel Stone 1646 – 17?8
......... 4 Sarah Stone 1684 – 1684
......... 4 Samuel Stone 1685 – +Mercy Rowlee
......... 4 Abigail Stone 1687 – 1703
......... 4 Sarah Stone 1689 – +Bezaleel Bristol
......... 4 Deborah Stone 1689 – Thos. Ward
......... 4 Mary Stone 1690 – 1770 + Hugh White 1691 – 1778
......... 4 Bathsheba Stone 1695 – +Timothy Baldwin
......... 4 Elizabeth Stone 1697 – Abraham Bradley
... 2 Charles Taintor (possible)
... 2 Joseph Taintor (possible)
... 2 Marie Taintor – bef 1658 + John Banks – 1685
...... 3 Mary Banks – 1689 + Samuel Taylor
...... 3 John Banks – 1699 + Abigail Lyon
...... 3 Benjamin Banks – 1692 + Elizabeth Lyon
...... 3 Obadiah Banks – 1691
...... 3 Joseph Banks – 1682
...... 3 Samuel Banks
...... 3 Susannah Banks – bef 1692 +Jonathan Sturges 1650 – 1711
...... 3 Hannah Banks + Daniel Burr 1660 – ca 1727

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Charles Taintor

Variously spelled Taintor, Tentor, Tayntor, Teynter, Taynter, Tainter.

Charles Taintor, father of Michael Taintor, was in New England in 1643 and may have been lost at sea in 1654. His wife’s name is unknown. According to Savage: (2) “Charles, Wethersfield 1643, rem. to Fairfield, said by tradit. to have come from Wales, with ch. Michael, Charles, Joseph, and Mary, and the same doubtf. autho. wh. takes care only of Michael, sends Charles the s. to Virg. a. 1656, and makes the f. lost at sea 1654. Perhaps he had no s. Charles, but was a merch. and may have been lost on coast. voyage, or in the sh. of Capt. Garrett, founder. 1657. His d. Mary m. 27 Nov. 1662, it is said, Thomas Pierson.” “Michael, [of] Branford, an early sett. perhaps s. more prob. younger br. of Charles, for no single circumstance is kn. to prove there were two call. Charles . . .” According to C. M. Taintor: (3) “Charles Taintor, of South Wales, migrated to America, with his family in consequence of religious persecution; was deprived of a large estate in Wales, by conclusion – his home was Fairfield, Conn. – he was a commercial man, – was intrusted in foreign voyages and was lost at sea with Mr. Jagger, in Oct. 1654, with whom he was probably part-owner of the ship – he possessed real estate in Fairfield, which was sold by his sons Charles, Jr. and Michael, in 1656, to John Burr.”

C. W. Taintor also stated that “R. Hinman, late Secretary of State fox Conn., has recently published the names of the first settlers of Conn., from 1635 to 1665, and he has discovered that “ Taynter was a deputy in 1643, and 1646, and frequently held offices.” On the same authority, I learn that a Taintor was in “Windsor in 1643; only 6 years after the settlement of that town.”

An extensive genealogy of the Taintor family was completed by Starr Taintor, and much of the information below is from his work. (4)

Charles Taintor. The date and place of Charles Taintor’s birth unknown. All accounts of him found agree that he emigrated with his family from Wales to America before 1640, but as to just how much of a family accompanied him, or the exact date of his arrival is apparently not recorded. Hinman in his book Connecticut Names states that Charles Taintor was in Connecticut as early as 1640. Hinman lists Charles Taintor among the first settlers of Wethersfield and states he was there in 1640 though he may have been there earlier. He owned property in Wethersfield in 1643, situated on the west side of High Street, the second lot north of Fort Street (now Prison Street). His Wethersfield property was sold to Josiah Churchill when he moved to Fairfield.

Charles Taintor was Deputy to the General Court from Wethersfield in 1643 and 1644. He moved from Wethersfield to Fairfield about 1647, and was Deputy from Fairfield in 1647 and 1648. He owned property in Fairfield which was sold in 1656 to John Burr from the Fairfield records as follows “June 14, 1656 John Burr hath purchased of Charles Tainter and Michael Taintor, the following parcels of land and housing as by a deed under their hands bearing date June 14, 1656, may appear viz; One house-lot bounded east by Common Street, with the buildings thereon. Five acres of land in Old Field, four and 1/2 acres of meadow in Sascoe Neck.”

Atwater in his History of the Colony of New Haven states that Charles Taintor was lost at sea. Other accounts state he was lost in company with Jeremiah Jagger of Stamford. If so, his death occurred on June 14, 1658, since the Stamford Town Records give this date as Jagger’s death. Atwater says Jagger was master of a trading vessel and went to the West Indies about 1654 and died abroad August 14, 1658. Charles Taintor’s will was probated October 20, 1658. (5) Administration of his estate was granted to his son Michael December 1 [or 7], 1659 as per Hartford Probate Records.

Further description of Charles Taintor’s property in Wethersfield is contained in a record of land holdings of early inhabitants. Made by Sherwin W. Adams Esq. of Wethersfield. “A piece of 6 acres of land on the West Side of High Street between George Hubbard’s North and Mr. Swaine’s South. It was originally the Gildersleeve homestead. Taintor sold it to Josiah Churchill and soon removed to Fairfield.” In 1659 Josiah Churchill recorded a deed of land which he had bought of Mr. Charles Taintor in Little West Field on the south of the present Jordan Lane. (6)

From references to Charles Taintor in Colonial and subsequent records, it is assumed that he moved from Wethersfield about 1644, possibly to be near his daughter Marie, who the Fairfield Court records established as the wife of John Banks of Fairfield. John Banks also settled in Fairfield about 1644, coming from Windsor where he was Town Clerk in 1643. Wethersfield was one of the oldest settlement in the state. Since most of the original settlers came from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, it is likely that Charles Taintor came from there. His name has not been found among the emigrants to America between 1630 and 1640; but since he is recorded as a sea-faring man, he could have come to America in his own ship prior to his appearance in Wethersfield. He is recorded as an early settler and property owner in Wethersfield and was probably a man of consequence, since he represented Wethersfield in the General Court in 1643 and 1644 and Fairfield in 1647 and 1648. His son Michael/Micaiell, who married a daughter of Robert and Margery Rose of Wethersfield, was an early settler of Branford. Through this son and his wife Elizabeth Rose, the Connecticut family of Taintors descend. There are many references to Charles Taintor, his sons and daughter Marie in early Connecticut records, but none of his wife. Either he was a widower at the time he emigrated or his wife died soon after.

The Stamford Town Records, p. 45 mention a Charles Taintor: “Henery Jackson of Stamford conveyed 16 May 1649 to Georg Stuky witnesses Charls Tayntor and William Hitt” (Hill).

Charles Taintor was witness on will of Thomas Dunn of Fairfield, proved December 5, 1660. Charles Taintor sold 8 acres in Fairfield to Richard Lattin in 1653. George Hull (1590-1659) who came to Fairfield in 1653, also purchased land from Charles Taintor same year (Fairfield Records).

Henry Jackson (d. 1686) and William Hill (d. 1649) lived in Fairfield, as did Charles Taintor. Jackson, according to Stamford records, owned land there in 1649, and is recorded to have come there from Fairfield again in 1657 to testify in behalf of John Waterbury. Willian Hill came from England to Dorchester in 1630 in the ship William and Francis, then to Fairfield in 1644 from Windsor. George Stokey (Stackey in Stamford records) bought Henry Jackson’s house and lot in Stamford in 1650.

According to Starr Taintor: “ The original Taintor home built in 1761 is still standing near Colchester. . . . Michael Tainter (4) was in Colchester in 1698 [prob. Micael who married Elizabeth Foote?] and was influential in obtaining the grant for the town which was originally known as “Jeremiah’s Farms.” The original grant for the Taintor farm was probably obtained about this time. The original deed is supposed to have been signed by Uncas, a Mochican chief. It is said that when Michael Taintor came he slept under the rocks in frot of the present house and was brought food by the Indians. “The accepted date for the building of the house is 1761, although 1703 was mentioned in one place. The original home had ten rooms, but a wing was added with four more. The large porch with heavy stone steps was added much later. It has been called “Solomon’s Porch” and may have been built by Solomon Taintor about 1800. . . .

“The family at one time operated a grist mill near by. I was told that the land for the mill belonged to Nathaniel Foote and that Michael Taintor put up the money. The mill was to have been operated in competition with one owned by the Bulkeley family near by. However it has also been said that the right to use water power for custom grinding was a direct grant from the king to the Taintor family, such grant to continue as long as custom grinding was done. . . .”

Colchester was known as Jeremiah’s Farms from 1620 – 1638; Jeremiah’s Farms (New London) Connecticut Colony from 1638 – 1699; Colchester Village (New London) Connecticut Colony from 1699 – 1788; 1788 to present, Colchester (New London) Connecticut.

Charles’ children were:

• Michael/Micael Taintor, see below.

• Charles Taintor Jr. is said to have moved to Virginia. His date of birth is unknown, and identity not fully established. References to a son Charles are found in list of books referred to under Charles Sr. and his son Michael. He is also mentioned in the Taintor Genealogy published in 1847 by Charles M. Taintor, in which it is stated he went to Virginia about 1656. The allusions to such a son however are vague and infrequent and if a Charles Jr. did exist there is apparently no record of his birth, marriage or death, or any mention of his descendants.

• Joseph Taintor. According to Charles M. Taintor, Joseph, son of Charles: “Joseph Taintor, of Watertown, from Wales, appears on the Watertown records in 1644. Farmer says he ‘was proprietor of Watertown and Sudbury about 1640,’ – in 1663 ‘Nathaniel Treadaway and Joseph Taynter with the deacons, were chosen and empowered to act in all emergent occasions, to place people in the meeting-house as need do requier.’” According to Starr Taintor: “References to Joseph Taintor as a son of Charles Taintor appear to be all directed to a Joseph Taintor (Taynter) who emigrated to New England in 1638 and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. He married Mary Guy, daughter of Nicholas Guy, and his descendants are the subject of a genealogy published in Boston in 1859 by Dean Willis Tainter. This Joseph Tainter may have been a son of Charles Taintor, quite probably he was related, but as relationship has not been proved. The Massachusetts family in general spell the name Tainter, and are found in Massachussetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. See A History and Genealogy of the descendants of Joseph Taynter Who Sailed from England April A.D. 1638 and settled in Watertown, Mass, prepared by Dean W. Tainter, Boston, 1859, printed by David Clapp.”

• Marie (Maria, Mary) Taintor, date of birth not known. She married John Banks of Windsor, Connecticut, and had at least one child born there. Authority for this marriage is the Fairfield Court record of October 20, 1658, viz: “At a Court, Oct. 20, 1658. This court orders, that the Inventory that John Banks hath put into the Court, concerning his father Tainter hath left in Fairfield, shall be recorded; and Thomas Staples [Stepeles?] is desired to take care of it, until either his heir, executor, or administrator demand it. And it may be delivered them, provided they give in sufficient security that the estate shall be forthcoming, to be at the next Court, (that shall follow after such delivery) of this jurisdiction. - Pr. me, William Hill, Secretary.”

  John Banks was an Englishman and a lawyer. He was an early settler at Windsor and was Town Clerk there in 1643. He removed to Fairfield about 1644 and was granted a town lot there in 1649. His wife probably died before 1658, for on January 18 of that year John Banks married second Mary, widow of Thomas Sherwood (1585-1655). John Banks was the owner of much real estate in Fairfield and vicinity. He was deputy to the General Court 19 times between 1651 and 1683 from Fairfield or Rye (The latter a part of Connecticut until 1700). He died on January 22, 1685, will dated January 12, 1684. His second wife died in 1693-94. His children were probably all by his first wife. Thomas Sherwood was a Wethersfield man and came to Fairfield in 1644. He emigrated from England in the ship Francis to Boston in 1634. His wife Mary, who after he died married John Banks, was a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Reeve) Fitch.

  Several colonial writers, among them Savage in his Genealogical Dictionary, and Atwater in his History of the Colony of New Haven, refer to the marriage of Maria or Marie Taintor, daughter of Charles, and Thomas Pierson (1641-1684), son of Rev. Abraham and Abigail (Mitchell) Pierson of Bradford, but the marriage is doubtful. If Charles Taintor came to New England with only one daughter, she could not have married Thomas Pierson in 1662, as she was the wife of John Banks and died before 1658. The Pierson Genealogy states that Thomas Pierson, son Rev. Abraham, married Mary Brown. He was born in Southampton, Long Island circa 1641, went from Branford, Connecticut to what is now Newark, New Jersey with his father about 1667, and died there in 1684. There was another Thomas Pierson (1638-1701). Probably brother or nephew of Rev. Abraham, who married according to the Branford records on November 27, 1662, Maria Harrison, daughter of Richard and Sarah (York) Harrison of Branford. This latter Thomas Pierson was born in Yorkshire, England, 1638-1640, and died in New Jersey in 1701. (7) His will was dated January 12, 1697/98, and probated on March 3, 1701. Since the date for the marriage between Thos. Pierson and Maria Taintor is the same as that for Pierson-Harrison marriage at Branford, it is believed that the surname Taintor is a mistake, and has been confused in some way with Harrison. It may be noted in connection with the above that Savage in his Genealogical Dictionary, Vol. 3, p. 434, gives Mary Harrison as the wife of both Thomas Piersons mentioned above.

  The children of John Banks and Mary/Marie Taintor (order of birth not known):

• Mary Banks (called of Windsor), married Samuel Taylor on October 27, 1670. Samuel Taylor was the son of Stephen and Sarah (Hosford) Taylor of Windsor. He was born October 8, 16?7. Widow Taylor died August 5, 1689. (8)

• John Banks, married Abigail Lyon on April 3, 1672 at Stamford, Connecticut. Abigail Lyon was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hoyt) Lyon. He died July 14, 1699. Resided in Greenwich.

• Benjamin Banks, married Elizabeth Lyon on January 29, 1679 at Fairfield, Connecticut, Elizabeth Lyon was the daughter of Richard and Margaret Lyon of Fairfield. He died 1692 and his widow married (2) William Rowlandson circa 1695.

• Obadiah Banks, died February 1691, no children.

• Joseph Banks, died circa October 12, 1682.

• Samuel Banks, moved to Talbot County, Maryland in 1701 from Fairfield.

• Susannah Banks, married Jonathan Sturges (1650-1711), son of John and Deborah (Barlow) Sturges of Fairfield. He died at Fairfield, November 29, 1711. He was Deputy from Fairfield in May 1707. His wife died before 1692.

• Hannah Banks, married Daniel Burr (1660 - circa 1727), son of Jehu 2nd and Ester Burr of Fairfield. Jehu Burr 2nd (1625-1692) was a member of the Connecticut Council of War, 1675 to 1676(?). He was a Deputy from Fairfield 1675-1676 (or 1660-1691) and a Lieutenant in the Connecticut Militia in 1673.

References for Charles Taintor:

Ancient Wethersfield, by Stiles, Vol. II, p. 693.

Connecticut Colonial Records, Vol. I, pp. 149, 163.

Ancient Windsor by Stiles, Vol. II, p. 40.

History of the Colony of New Haven-Atwater Supplement, pp. 621, 622, 664.

History of Fairfield by Schenck, Vol. I, pp. 54, 55, 351.

History of Stamford by Huntington, p. 62.

Families of Old Fairfield, Jacobus, Vol. I, pp. 25,26.

Records of the Colony or Jurisdiction of New Haven, Hoadly, 1858, p. 120.

Savage’s Genealogical Dictionary, Vol. IV, p. 248.

Hinman’s Names of Conn. Pioneers, Edition 1846, pp. 165, 244.

Homer Brainard Ms. Conn. State Library, Hartford.

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Michael Taintor

Michael/Miaieal/Micaiell/Mica Taintor (Charles¹) was probably born abroad in circa 1620. Michael married Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Robert and Margery Rose of Wethersfield, Connecticut. See Rose history. Elizabeth was born in England in 1621 and died in Branford, Connecticut in July 1659. Michael died there in the winter of 1672-1673. His will was dated December 22, 1672, proved March 20, 1673. His estate was valued at £166 4s. 10p.

Michael Taintor is listed with the Wethersfield men who emigrated to Totoket (Branford), Connecticut in 1644, about the same time his father Charles moved to Fairfield, probably with Jeremiah Jagger. Michael was an early settler of Branford, and his name appears frequently in connection with the early records and history of this settlement. He was a master of a vessel owned by Isaac Allerton, trading to Virginia in 1653. He was a Judge of a Court held at Branford in 1669-1670, to settle the question of boundary lines with New Haven, Branford and Guilford. He was a member of the General Court or Connecticut Assembly from 1670-1672. He and his son John were signers of the Church and Plantation Covenant at Branford, June 20, 1667. He was also town Clerk in 1667.

A dispute between some of the Wethersfield Congregation and their minister Rev. Henry Smith resulted in fines by the General Court (Robert Rose fined 10 shillings), and this was probably the reason Charles Taintor moved to Fairfield, and his son Michael and Robert Rose to Branford.

According to C. M. Taintor, “Michael Taintor, from Wales, was Master of a yacht trading to Virginia in 1653 – he settled in Branford, Conn, and died there in 1672-3. In 1667 Michael Taintor was one of four employed and empowered by the town of Branford to buy the house and lands of Richard Harrison. He and Thomas Harrison witnessed a deed in 1671 – in 1669 he was one of the number chosen on the part of Branford to settle the difficulties relative to the boundaries between the towns of Branford and New Haven – in 1670, he was one of a committee of eight, to settle the bounds between Branford and Guilford – he was judge of a court held at Branford in 1669 – he was a member of Conn. Gen. Assembly several sessions—the inventory of his estate, taken in 1672-3, was £166 4s. 10p, – that of his son John, taken in Sept., 1699, was £493, 7s., and 2d. From the deed made by Charles Jr. and Michael of Charles Sen.’s. estate, and from the death of Michael only 19 years after the death of his father, it seems he must have been somewhat in life before the death of his father, although his energies of character were not called forth till Rev. Abraham Pierson and his people left the infant settlement to contend unaided with the hardship and trial incident to all new settlements; and here we first have notice of his prominence, perseverance, and patriarchal character – unaided by that clerical influence so peculiar and necessary to those times, the plantation seems to have progressed, and we find Michael Taintor and his son John, only seventeen years of age, signing the new plantation and church covenant, June 20th, 1667. We also find him, by state record, representative from Branford. In him we find the Ship Master, and man of enterprise, the legislator, and consistent Christian professor, the commissioner and judge, the puritan and patriarch; evidently bringing up his family in the fear of God. From all that can be known of him, it appears evident that he was a man of influence and discretion, and posterity for a series of time held his name in great respect and veneration, probably not so much from the splendor of his career, as from the disinterested nobleness, and integrity of his character. His wife, Elizabeth, died July, 1659.”

A census of New Haven County, Connecticut taken in 1667 listed the following in Branford: (9) John Rose, John Rose, Jonathan Rose, Jonathan Rose, M. Taintor, Michael Taintor, John Taintor, John Taintor, three Daniel Swaines, Samuel Swain.

The children of Michael Taintor and Elizabeth Rose were: (10)

• John Taintor was born on May 26, 1650 at Branford, Connecticut. He married Dorcas Swain, daughter of Daniel and Dorcas (Rose) Swain of Branford. Dorcas Swain was born in Branford on December 2, 1657. John Taintor died at Branford in September 1699, and his widow married, second, John Collins at Branford, on March 6, 1699. John Collins was the son of John and Susannah Collins of Boston, Massachusetts. He was born in Boston circa 1640 and died in Guilford, Connecticut on December 10, 1704. Dorcas died in May 1734. According to C. M. Taintor, “Capt. John Taintor, eldest son of Michael from Wales, seems to have possessed many of the qualities and virtues of his father – he was much in public life – his alliance by marriage was evidently with one of the most respectable families of New Haven Colony – Dorcas Swain, daughter of Daniel and grand-daughter of Samuel Swain, is known by tradition as one of the most comely maidens of the age, and wishing to confer every possible happiness upon her acquaintances, she married Mr. John Collins in six months after the death of her lord and husband John Taintor.” “ He (John Taintor) is known in the church history of the town of Branford, and was evidently, a man armed to every good work, and ready to sustain the purity of the pure principles of the Puritan fathers.” “He left no children, he died at Branford, Sept. 1699 – he left a will, in which, after several bequests to benevolent purposes, and certain provisions to his wife, he gave the main part of his estate to Joseph, youngest son of his brother Micaiell of Windsor.”

  It is probably this John Taintor who in 1699 bequeathed to the Branford church/town his home plot of land, and a new church was erected in the center of the village green. His will dated August 15, 1699 stated “I do give to ye town of Brandford that part of my homelott which I give to said Towne to build a publick meeting house upon, and to continue for that use so long as they shall maintain a meeting house there unless[s] ye town See cause to build elsewhere and then that land to by to ye common or what other use ye town see meet.” He also bequeathed “to ye Church of Christ in Brandford five pounds to be paid out of my moveable estate.” The unnamed roadway running between South Main Street and Main Street, east of the First Congregational Church, was named Taintor Drive in 1958 to honor the name of the donor “whose very generous gift of the Branford Green has preserved for the residents of Branford, a Green in the best New England tradition.” (11)

  Dorcas Swain was the granddaughter of William Swaine, who came from England to Massachusetts in 1635 in the ship Elizabeth. William was a Deputy from Watertown in 1636, and from Wethersfield, Connecticut from 1641-43. His son Daniel, who died in 1691, was one of the founders of Branford, Connecticut in 1644, and married on July 26, 1653, Dorcas Rose, sister of Elisabeth Rose who married Micael Taintor.

  John Collins was a son of John Collins (161?-1670), who came from London to Massachusetts circa 1636. He was a settler in Boston and Braintree, a freeman in 1646, and a member of the Ancient and Honourable Artillery in 1644. He died March 29, 1670. His son John came to Connecticut from Boston in 1662 and was a deputy to the Connecticut General Court from Guilford in 1672. John Collins appears to have been married twice prior to his marriage to Dorcas Taintor, first to Mary Trowbridge, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Marshall) Trowbridge, who died in Branford in 1667, second to Mary daughter of John Stevens, and widow of Henry Kingsworth (1618-1668), whom he married on June 2, 1669. She died before 1700. (12)

• Michael/Micaiell Taintor, Esq. was born on October 12, 1652 in Branford, Connecticut, and died on February 19, 1730/31. (13) He married (1) Mary Loomis on April 3, 1679 at Windsor, Connecticut. Mary Loomis was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Fox) Loomis of Windsor. She was born there on January 16, 1659, and died on May 11, 1695. Michael Taintor married (2) Mabel (Olmsted) Butler on August 26, 1697. Mabel Olmsted was the daughter of Captain Nicholos and Sarah (Loomis) Olmsted, and the widow of Daniel Butler, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Bigelow) Butler of Hartford and Wethersfield, who died Mary 28, 1692. Michael Taintor died in Colchester, Connecticut on February 19, 1731. His wife Mable died there on March 31, 1742. He was one of the founders of Colchester, having moved there from Windsor with other first settlers circa 1698. He was a representative to the General Court of Connecticut for 26 sessions, viz: 1708-1716, 1718-1721, 1723-1726; a Town Clerk, and Justice of the Peace.

  According to C. M. Taintor, “Micaiel Taintor, son of Michael of Branford, went in early life to Windsor, and married Mary, daughter of Thomas Loomis. ‘In 1698, the legislature of Conn, passed a resolution providing that a new plantation should be made at a place called Young’s farms, between Middletown and Norwich, and the Rev. John Bulkley was appointed to lead out the new colony – among the most prominent persons enrolled in this enterprise, were Micaiell Taintor and his brother in law, John Loomis of Windsor, and this was the beginning of the present town of Colchester.’ (See Trumbull’s history.) He was “one of her majesty’s justices of the peace” (Queen Anne’s), a member of Gen. Assembly 26 sessions, Town Clerk of Colchester from its settlement until he died in Feb., 1730 – Register of deeds, and sometimes selectman, &c. He settled one mile west of the present village of Colchester on a hill embracing the best soil in Colchester, and commanding a fine prospect to the east. It appears evident from the honors conferred on him, and by the high estimation in which he was held by his contemporaries, that he was a man of high moral worth, and a man of superior abilities and attainments, and an ornament to the town of which he was one of the ‘first principal planters.’”

  Mary Loomis was descended from Joseph Loomis (1590-1658) who came from England in 1638, and was the first of that name in Windsor. Joseph’s father was Thomas Loomis (1624-1689), who married Hannah Fox on November 1, 1653. Hannah Fox died April 25, 1662, the daughter of Henry Fox of England.

  Mabel Olmsted was also descended from James Olmsted (1580-1640) who came from England in the ship Lyon to Massachusetts in 1632, and one of the 12 men appointed by Rev. Thomas Hooker to select the site of Hartford, and lead the emigration there in 1635. He married, first, in England in 1605, Joyce Cornish, who died in 1621. Their son Nicholas Olmsted (1612-1684) married Sarah Loomis on September 28, 1640. Sarah Loomis (1617-1667) was the daughter of Joseph Loomis and sister of Thomas Loomis, the father of Michael Taintor’s first wife. Nicholas Loomis was Deputy from 1672-1673; a Lieutenant in the Connecticut Troops in 1637, and a Captain in 1675.

  The will of Micaiell Taintor, Esq., recorded “Feb. ye 9th, 1729-30: In the name of God amen, in the yeare of our Lord Anno : Dom. 1729-30, I Micaiell Taintor of Coulchester in the county of Hartford, in his Majestie’s Coloney of Connecticut, in New England, being weak of body, but perfect in mind and memory, thanks be given to God, (therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body), and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die ; do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say principally and first of all I give and recomend my soule into the hands of God that gave it, hoping through the merits, death and passion of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, to have full and free pardon of all my sins, and to inherit eternal life, and my body I commit into the earth to be decently buried, nothing doubting but att the Generall Resurrection I shall receive the same againe by the mighty power of God; and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, (that is to say), first I will that my just depts be well and truly paid by my executor hereafter named.

  I give to my two daughters, Mary and Sarah, to each of them, twenty pounds out of my moveable estate, all the rest of my moveable estate I give to my loving wife during the time of her natural life, and after her death to be equally divided between my two daughters, Mary and Sarah abovesaid, but if the said Mary and Sarah should die, or either of them should die before my wife, that then the estate abovesaid to be divided, the one half to the surviving daughters of Mary aforesaid, and the other half unto the surviving daughters of Sarah aforesaid ; and further I give to my wife and my son John the use of all my lands: viz. my homelots, the whole about 60 acres, together with my dwelling-house, barn, and orchards, daring the time of both their naturall lives; and also my hundred acre lot lying on the east side of the town plot; and after the decease of my wife and my son John, I give unto John Taintor, son to my son Michaell Taintor, and to Miehaell Taintor, son of my son Joseph Taintor, late of Branford deceased, all my forementioned housing and lands and orchards, to he equally divided between them, also to each of them a fifty pound right in the commons and undivided land in Coulchester; and if John, son of my son Michaell die before my wife and my son John aforesaid that then the aforesaid one half of my housing and lands I give to the surviving male heires of my son Michaell, so likewise if Michaell, son to my son Joseph aforesaid, die before my wife and my son John aforesaid, that the other half to be divided between the surviving male heires of my son Joseph aforesaid deceased; further I do hereby make my wife sole executrix to this my last will and testament – further I give to my son Michaell Taintor one hundred pound right in the commons and undivided land within the township of Coulchester – further I give to my son John all my wearing appanell, both linen and woolin – further I give to my son Michaell, and my daughter Mary, and my daughter Sarah all my right in the commons and undivided lands in the township of Windsor which ought or doth accrue to me by vertue of the patent granted by the Gen. Assembly to the town of Windsor. Hereunto I set my hand and seale as my last will and testament. micaiell taintor. samuell knight, david hamiltone, george holmes. A true Inventory of all and singular the goods chattels and bonds of Mr. Michaell Taintor Esqr. of Colchester deceased is as folioweth, imprimus his bonds 61 lbs., 13s., and 2 lbs., 11s., 2d., - £64 4s. 2d.

  
  

  His wearing cloathes all of them at £11 18s.; Eight old books at 17d.	£12 15s.
  1 feather bed, 2 boulsters and old Gikin, £2 10s.; 3 Coverlids, £3	£5 10s. 0d.
  To 1 paire curtains, £2 16s., 1 pillow, 1s. 6d., a bedstead 10s., a bedcord 3s., a pair of Holland sheets £2	£5 10s. 6d.
  4 pair sheets, old, £l 10s., 2 Garlick napkins, 8s., 4 old towels and 2 table cloths, 2s. 6d.	£2 0s. 6d.
  To 4 old towels and a table cloth 2s. 6d., 1 table cloth 3s., 6 1/2 yds. tow cloth, 19s. 6d., 1 sheet, 6s.	£l 11s. 0d.
  To 1 old bedstead and cord, bed boalsters and covering and all at	£l 0s. 0d.
  To 4 bushs. Indian corn, 18s., foure bushells rie-meal, 20s.	£l 18s. 0d.
  To 1 bush, and 1/2 of wheat, 12s., 1-2 bush, malt, 2s.	£0 14s. 0d.
  To 3 1/2 hogsheads at 2s. each, 6s., 1 wash­ing tub with two old behives, 3s.	£0 9s. 0d.
  Halfe bush, indian meale 2s. one 1/2 bush. and one 1/2 peck measure 2s. 6d.	£0 04s. 6d.
  To 2 old swords 4s., one old cask and hops 4s., one old brass kettle 15s.	£l 3s. 0d.
  To 1 barrell and meat 9s., 3 baskets 3s., one churn 2s.	£0 14s. 0d.
  One tub and 1 pail and 1 pigen 3s., one brass kettle £3, a iron pot and hooks, 8s.	£3 11s. 0d.
  Two sives 3s., one dy-tub 1s. 6d., one paile 1s., 3 1/2 tubs, 3s.	£0 8s. 6d.
  Eight pound suit 4s., nine trays and botels 9s., sope 8s.	£l 1s. 0d.
  One paile, 2s., foure dishes 4s., 1 flesh fork 1s., pork and barrell £3	£3 7s. 0d.
  One bell-mettle-skillet 6s., 6 barrells 15s., 2 hogsets 10s.	£l 11s. 0d.
  One half barrell 2s., and one old brass ket­tle 6s., one frying pan 10s., 2 keilers 4s., 24 run of woolin yarn 45s., woosted yarn 9s., 25 run of linnen yarn £2 3s.	£5 19s. 0d.
  Shoe leather 5s. 6d., a warming pan 5s., 8 pound of tallow 8s.	£0 18s. 6d.
  Three old ____ 6s., two old axes, a old cooper axe, and 2 old bits 9s.	£0 15s. 0d.
  7 pounds and 1/4 old pewter 12s., 3 pew­ter platters 24s., 2 pewter basons 8s.	£2 4s. 0d.
  One porringer, one half pint cup and dram cup, 5s., one tankard, 1 old quart, 10s.	£0 15s. 0d.
  To 3 knifes and 2 forks 4s., one 5 quart glass bottle 4s., 2 paire of tramels 14s., a paire fire tongs and fire slice 7s., 1 paire of bellows and old grindstone 7s. 6d., old cobirons 8s.	£2 16s. 6d.
  11 chaires 22s., 1 gun, and looking glass and houre glass 5s.	£2 7s. 0d.
  1 old ads 1s., 1 old candlestick 1s., 1 feather bed and boalster and 2 coverlids and bedstead and cord £8, 4 quoshens 8s. and 1 old ditto 1s.	£8 11s. 0d.
  Six spoons 4s.. two barrels of syder 24s., an old yoke and piece of chaine 6s. 6d.	£1 14s. 6d.
  Eleaven Sheep at £6 14s., one bull £4, 2 year old heifers £3	£13 14s. 0d.
  2 cows £6 5s. each with a calf £12 10s., one cow at £5 10s., 1 mare at £6, one colt, £6	£30 0s. 0d.
  1 sow and 2 pigs 40s., a great table and foarme £1,1 drinking glass 1s.	£3 1s 0d.
  1 chest 8s., one box 3s., one trunk 10s.	£1 1s. 0d.
  	£181 1s. 8d.

  The foregoing inventory was taken by us and apprised, being under oath thereto, this 2d day of Aprill 1723. Samuell Loomis, William Roberts.”

  The children of Michael Taintor and Mary Loomis were:

• Micael (Deacon Michael) Taintor was born on September 6, 1680 at Windsor, Connecticut. See below.

• John Taintor was born on October 3, 1682 at Windsor (Windsor Records) and probably died young. In Homer W. Brainard, “John Taintor died January 9, 1746 ae. 63.”.

• Mary Taintor was born on September 22, 1685 at Windsor. She married Edward Moore there on April 4, 1705. Edward Moore was the son of John and Hannah (Goffe or Coffe) Moore of Windsor. He was born in Windsor on March 2, 1674 and died on February 18, 1724. His wife Mary died on July 15, 1751. (14) Edward Moore was descended from Thomas Moore (died 1645), who was probably from Dorchester, Massachusetts and came to Windsor in 1639, the first of the name in Windsor. Descended through Deacon John Moore (died in 1677), married on June 16, 1639 to Abigail _?_. John Moore, born on December 5, 1645, married (1) Hannah Goffe on September 21, 1664. Hannah Goffe (died April 4, 1679), was the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Wilkinson) Goffe of Windsor.

• Joseph Taintor was born on November 24, 1687 at Windsor. He married Elizabeth Foote on March 29, 1710. Elizabeth Foote was the daughter of Nathaniel and Tabitha (Bishop) Foote of Branford, Connecticut. She was baptized on March 1696 at Branford. Joseph Taintor died in January 1729. Elizabeth Foote was descended from Nathaniel Foote (1593-1644), who came from England to Watertown in 1630, then to Wethersfield in 1636. Nathaniel married Elizabeth Deming (1595-1683), sister of John Deming, one of the first settlers at Wethersfield, and daughter of John Deming of Colchester. Robert Foote (1627-1681) married in 1659 to Sarah Potter (died circa 1687), daughter of William Potter of New Haven and Frances _?_. Nathaniel Foote (April 13, 1660 - 1714) married Tabitha Bishop of Guilford (1658-1715). According to C. M. Taintor, “Joseph Taintor, youngest son of Esq. Micaiell, went from Colchester, where his father then lived and settled at Branford, as the heir of his uncle John. He was a man of quiet and retired habits – having by heirship a very ample estate, for the times, he appears to have given his attention to domestic pursuits – he was but about 12 years old when his uncle John left him his estate, but probably resided at Colchester, with his father, till his majority – he was known as a mild, amiable man, of industrious habits, and somewhat given to the acquisition of property – he stood amongst his neighbors, high, as a man of probity and integrity, but declining public employment and responsibility – he died aged 41 years, and his wife near the same time, leaving an orphan family, his youngest son, Nathaniel, being but about three years old ; his oldest son, Joseph, but about 14 – but very little of his estate seems to have passed to his children at their majority – between the necessary expenses attending their youth and the rapacity of guardians, they were left to begin the world with but little except their hands, and what native or peculiar energy of character they might possess – some of them were apprenticed, in early life to trades, which they never subsequently followed.”

Child of Michael Taintor and Mabel Olmsted:

• Sarah Taintor was born on November 19, 1698, at Hartford, Connecticut. She married Noah Clark at Colchester on June 10, 1719. Noah Clark was the son of Daniel and Hannah (Pratt) Clark, of Hartford, Windsor and Colchester. He was baptized at Hartford on April 25, 1697 and died at Colchester on June 1, 1749. Noah Clark was descended from Daniel Clark (1623-1710), who came from England to Massachusetts circa 1639. He was a first settler at Windsor, Connecticut in 1639 and Hartford in 1644, Lieutenant in the 1st Troop of Capt. Mason in 1657. He was Secretary of the Colony of Connecticut from 1658 to 1666. He married Mary Newberry on June 13, 1644. Mary Newberry was born in 1626, died August 9, 1688, daughter of Thomas Newberry (1594-1636) and Jane _?_ from England to Dorchester in 1630, descended through: Daniel Clark, born April 4, 1654, died 1746. Married in 1678 to Hannah Pratt, died 1751, daughter of Daniel Pratt (1636-1691) of Windsor and Hannah _?_. Daniel Pratt was the son of John Pratt who died in 1655, came from England in 1632 and was a founder of Hartford in 1636. He was a Deputy to the General Court in 1639 et. seq. Married Elizabeth _?_. The children of Sarah and Noah were: (15) Sarah Clark, born February 19, 1719; Sarah Clark, born March 9, 1721; Noah Clark, born August 24, 1722/23; Jerusha Clark, born February 28, 1724; Ezra Clark, born November 8, 1725; Elihu Clark, born November 8, 1727; Esther Clark, born October 14, 1729.

• Elizabeth Taintor was born on June 22, 1655 in Branford, Connecticut. She married Noah Rogers on April 8, 1673, at Branford, Connecticut. Noah Rogers from Savage: (16) “Noah, Branford, youngest s. of John of the same, whose prop. he inherit. m. 8 Apr. 1673, Elizabeth d. of the first Michael Taintor, had Mary, b. 14 Apr. 1675; John, 8 Nov. 1677; Josiah, 31 Jan. 1680; Hezekiah; Noah; Elizabeth; and Ann; but the last four names are obt. from his will of 22 Dec. 1724, wh. ment. all the seven.” However, Starr Taintor states that Noah Rogers was the son of William and Anne (Hale) Rogers of Southampton, Long Island. He was born at Huntington circa 1645, and died in Northford, Connecticut on October 8, 1725. Elizabeth died in Branford on December 9, 1732.

  Noah Rogers was one of seven children and came to Connecticut from Long Island with his brother John, whose property he inherited after the latter’s death. His father, William Rogers, (1600-1664) is named by some genealogical writers as a son of Thomas of the “Mayflower,” but this has apparently not been proved. His mother’s will was proved February 2, 1670 at Huntington, Long Island, dated November 22, 1669. William Rogers emigrated from England in the ship Philip from Gravesend on June 20, 1635. He was in Wethersfield in 1637-40, then to Long Island. Noah Rogers was a Deputy from Branford in 1704.

  The children of Noah Rogers and Elizabeth Taintor were:

• Mary Rogers was born at Branford, Connecticut on April 14, 1675. She married William Barnes, son of William and Elizabeth Barnes of Easthampton, Long Island. He died on August 6, 1706. She died on May 9, 1705.

• John Rogers was born at Branford on November 8, 1677. He married Lydia Frisbie on June 27, 1713 at Branford. Lydia Frisbie was born in 1692, daughter of John and Ruth (Bowers Frisbie. She died on June 3, 1751. He died on February 9, 1764.

• Josiah Rogers was born at Branford on January 31, 1679/80. He married Ruth Wheeler on March 10, 1701. Ruth Wheeler was the daughter of William and Ruth (Smith) Wheeler of Milford, Connecticut. He married, second, in 1713, Lydia Goodsell, born Mary 3, 1692 (East Haven Records), daughter of Thomas (1646-1713) and Sarah (Hemingway) (1663-1725) Goodsell. Josiah died on December 29, 1757. Lydia Rogers died on March 21, 1760.

• Hezekiah Rogers died in 1780-81, no children.

• Noah Rogers was born in Branford in 1688. He married (1) Sarah Parmlee, (2) Elizabeth Wheeler on November 28, 1722. He died on April 28, 1760. Noah and Edward Rogers, born May 8, 1732 and April 14, 1735 respectively, moved from Branford to Cornwall, Connecticut in 1760 and were founders of the Rogers family in Cornwall.

• Elizabeth Rogers was baptized in 1695. She married Abiel Frisbie on July 25, 1722. Abiel Frisbie was the son of Jonathan and Mary (Hoadley) Frisbie. He was born on May(?) 26, 1695, and died circa 1745. His wife married, second, Joseph Palmer, who died at Roxbury, Connecticut on September 14, 1777.

• Ann Rogers married Isaac Barnes on April 19, 1704. Isaac Barnes was the son of William and Elizabeth Barnes of Easthampton, Long Island. He was born circa 1675 and died on August 20, 1769.

• Joanna (Hannah) Taintor was born at Branford, Connecticut on April 29, 1657. She married Josiah Gillett at Branford on June 30, 1676. See Gillett history. Josiah Gillett was the son of Jonathan and Mary (Dolbair) Gillett of Windsor. He was baptized at Windsor on July 14, 1650, and died on October 29, 1736 at Colchester. Joanna Gillett died at Colchester, Connecticut on January 23, 1735. Josiah Gillett was the son of Jonathan Gillett (died August 1677), who came from England to Dorchester, Massachusetts circa 1630, and moved to Windsor in 1636. He married Mary Dolbair, daughter of Rawkey and Mary (Mitchell) Dolbere of Colyton, Devon on March 29, 1634. See Skinner family history. She died January 5, 1685. Josiah and his family moved from Windsor to the new settlement at Colchester in 1702, along with other Windsor families. Jonathan Gillett was the son of William Gillett, rector of Chaffcombe, Somerset, who died early in 1641.

• Sarie/Sarah Taintor was born October 1658, at Branford, Connecticut. She married Samuel Stone on November 1, 1683. Samuel Stone was the son of John and Mary Stone of Guilford. He was born on December 6, 1646, and died at Guilford on April 5, 17?8. Sarah, his wife died in July 1732. John Stone (1610-1687), the father of Samuel, came to America from England in 1639 in company with William Leete(?), afterwards Governor Leste(?), and Rev. Henry Whilfield. They were early settlers at New Haven, but soon removed to Guilford, where the name of John Stone is recorded among the first settlers. He married Mary _?_. The children of Sarah Taintor and Samuel Stone were:

• Sarah Stone, born on September 22, 1684, died the same day.

• Samuel Stone, born April 25, 1685, married Mercy Rowlee.

• Abigail Stone, born January 31, 1687, died October 10, 1703.

• Sarah Stone, born May 26, 1689, married Bezaleel Bristol.

• Deborah Stone, born May 26, 1689, married Thos. Ward.

• Mary Stone, born February 13, 1690/91, married Hugh White (1691-1778), son of Ensign Daniel and Susanna White, on August 13, 1717. She died on July 9. 1770.

• Bathsheba Stone, born August 10, 1695, married Timothy Baldwin.

• Elizabeth Stone, born October 1, 1697, married Abraham Bradley.

References for Michael Taintor.

Ancient Wethersfield, Stiles, Vol. I, pp. 154, 157.

History of the Colony of New Haven, Atwater, p. 322.

New Haven Colonial Records, Hoadley, p. 451.

Supplementary History and Personnell of the Towns belonging to Colony of New Haven, Atwater, pp. 602, 609, 621, 622.

New England Historic and Genealogical Register, Vol. 3, p. 155.

Genealogy and History of the Taintor Family, C. M. Taintor, 1847, p. 42.

Savage’s Genelogical Dictionary, Vol. 4, p. 248.

New Haven Historical Society Papers, Vol. 3, p. 262.

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Deacon Michael Taintor

Micael (Deacon Michael) Taintor (Michael², Charles¹) was born on September 6, 1680 at Windsor, Connecticut. He married Eunice Foote at Wethersfield, Connecticut on December 3, 1712. Eunice Foote was the daughter of Nathaniel and Margaret (Bliss) Foote of Wethersfield. She was born at Wethersfield on May 10, 1694. Micael Taintor died at Colchester, Connecticut on March 11 or 18, 1771. Eunice died in 1784 (will in probate record, Hartford). (17)

According to C. M. Taintor, “Deac. Micaell Taintor, eldest son of Esqr. Micaell, was a farmer and a cooper, and died on the place where his father settled. He appears to have cared but little for public stations, and the attendant responsibility – he was a mild and amiable man distinguished for nothing more than he was for his high sense of honor, his integrity and love of justice and truth. He was held in such high estimation by his contemporaries that his word was a bond, and his love of justice and truth (as manifested in his life) was proverbial –he was temperate and of in­dustrious habits, and died at the advanced age of ninety-one in March, 1771.”

Eunice Foote was descended from Nathaniel Foote (1593-1644), who came from England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1630, then in Wethersfield in 1636. Nathaniel married in England circa 1615 to Elisabeth Deming (1595-1683). Eunice also descended from Nathaniel Foote (1620-1655), who was married in 1646 to Elizabeth Smith (1627-1701), daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Smith (1602-1680), who came from England in 1634. Nathaniel Foote (January 10, 1647 - January 12, 1703) was married in 1672 to Margaret Bliss (1649-1745), daughter of Nathaniel Bliss (1621-1654) and Catherine Chapin (1630-1712). Nathaniel Foote (1647-1703) was Quartermaster, Captain William Turner’s company, Falls Fight, King Philip’s War.

The children of Micael Taintor and Eunice Foote:

• Eunice Taintor was born on April 13, 1717 at Colchester, Connecticut. She married Aaron Skinner at Colchester on August 4, 1737, son of John and Sarah (Porter) Skinner of Colchester. Aaron Skinner was born at Colchester on June 14, 1713 and died there on November 17, 1766. Aaron was a Deacon in the First Church at Colchester. The children of Eunice Taintor and Aaron Skinner were: Eunice Skinner, born July 22, 1738; Aaron Skinner, born July 12, 1740, married Mehitable Worthington April 12, 1764; a daughter born December 1742, died young; David Skinner, born December 22, 1743; Mary Skinner, born February 4, 1745; Charles Skinner, born January 3, 1748; Jared Skinner, born November 18, 1751; Lydia Skinner, born August 5, 1754, married Benjamin Nash [Nach?] January 1, 1778; Lovina Skinner, born March 7, 1757; Eli Skinner, born July 30, 1760; Amasa Skinner, born March 16, 1762. (18)

• Michael Taintor was born on December 31, 1719 at Colchester. He married Sarah Loomis in 1745, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Skinner) Loomis of Colchester. She was born there on September 15, 1722. Michael Taintor died at Colchester on November 25, 1748, buried in Westchester Cemetery. Sarah, his widow, married Jonathan Willard there on December 21, 1752, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Whitney) Willard of Roxbury. Jonathan Willard’s first wife was Sarah Childs who died on April 3, 1750. Jonathan was born circa 1720 and died in Rutland, Vermont in April 1804. According to C. M. Taintor, “Michael Taintor, eldest son of Deac. Micaell, settled on a good farm in Westchester, (Colchester) and died at the early age of 29, in 1748, Nov., leaving a handsome estate to his infant children.”

  According to C. M. Taintor, “Deac. Michael Taintor, son of Michael of West-Chester, was brought up at his grandfather’s. On becoming of age he engaged in sea-trading, and resided for a while in Charleston, S. Carolina – not being one of fortune’s favorites, he lost his property and removed 200 miles from his native place, up the Conn, river, and cleared up a farm in Orford, N. H., where he at length acquired a competency. The Revolutionary war commenced soon after his emigration, and his patriotism constrained him to enter the war as a volunteer, having some commission – he was afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was also a cooper. He was chosen Deac. of the first Congregational church in Orford – was a sealer of weights and measures, and a royal arch mason – in his younger days, he studied medicine, but never practiced – he died in April, 1831.”

  Sarah Loomis was descended from Joseph Loomis (1590-1658), who came from England, resided at Windsor in 1639, and was married in 1614 to Mary White (1590-1652), daughter of Robert and Bridget (Allgar) White of Messing [Wessing?], Essex County, England. His son Nathaniel Loomis (1626-1688) was married in 1653 to Elizabeth Moore (1638-1728). Nathaniel’s son Josiah Loomis (1660-1735) was married in 1683 to Mary Rockwell (1662-1738), daughter of Sam’l and Mary (Norton) Rockwell. Nathaniel Loomis Jr. (1700-1768) was married in 1721 to Sarah Skinner.

• Charles Taintor was born on February 8, 1722/23 at Colchester, Connecticut. He married Mary Skinner there on August 20, 1766, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Mary (Newhall) Skinner of Westchester, Connecticut, and the widow of Eliphalet Welles, whom she married at Colchester on Mary 20, 1764. Eliphalet and Mary (Skinner) Wells had a daughter Mary, born November 30, 1764 and died on October 15, 1809 (Mary Taintor’s Bible). Eliphalet Welles was born in 1735 and died on May 10, 1765. Mary Skinner was born on January 31, 1742/43 and died on November 23, 1823, age 80. Charles Taintor died at Colchester on March 16, 1807, age 85. His will was dated March 28, 1806. He was town treasurer. Both gravestones are in the Colchester cemetery.

  C. W. Taintor stated, “Capt. Charles Taintor was born at Colchester, 1723, lived on the farm where his grandfather settled, and died there in March, 1807. He was wealthy, owning large real estate. He was a pious, influential man; a worthy descendant of the Puritans. He was Town and Society Treasurer. His wife died in 1822.” Charles Taintor was established Lieutenant of the North Company or trainband in the Town of Colchester by the Connecticut General Assembly session of October 1760, and Captain of the Third Company or trainband in the Twelfth Regiment in the Colony at the session of October 1769. (19)

  Mary Skinner was descended from Thomas and Mary Skinner, who came from Chichester, England to Massachusetts in 1649-51. Thomas was a freeman at Malden in 1653. He was born in England in 1617 and died on March 2, 1703-04. His wife Mary died on April 9, 1671. Thomas’ father was Abraham Skinner, baptized at Chichester, England on September 29, 1649, married Hannah (perhaps Lewis, died on January 14, 1725/26). He died in Malden circa 1694.

  The children of Charles Taintor and Mary Skinner:

• Anna Taintor was born on July 13, 1767 at Colchester. She married Erastus Worthington, son of Captain Elijah and Anne (Lovett) Worthington of Colchester. He was born in Colchester on May 8, 1761, and died there on January 8, 1831. His wife died in Brooklyn, New York circa 1836. (Family bible record in Connecticut State Library shows Anna married on February 25, 1787, died December 22, 1833). Erastus Worthington served as a private in the 4th Regiment, Connecticut Line, Colonel John Durkee from July 1 to December 10, 1780; Corporal, Colonel Samuel Canfield’s Militia regiment in 1781. (20) Erastus Worthington was descended from Nicholas Worthington (1640-1683) of Hatfield, Massachusetts through William Worthington (1670-1753) of Colchester who married Mehitable Graves in 1693-94. Mehitable Graves (October 1, 1671 - March 22, 1742) was the daughter of Isaac and Mary (Church) Graves, and widow of Richard Morton Jr. (died February 14, 1692). Elijah Worthington (1710-1764) of Colchester, married Mary Wells in 1733. Nicholas Worthington’s (1640-1683) wife was Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Susannah (Bull) Bun?e and widow of John White. She died on June 20, 1676. Nicholas Worthington came from England to Saybrook in 1649-50. Elijah Worthington (1736-1797) of Colchester, married Anne Lovett in 1756. Anne Lovett (1739-1814) was the daughter of Rev. Joseph and Ann (Holmes) Lovett of Colchester. Elijah Worthington served in the Lexington Alarm from Colchester Lieutenant under Captain Amos Jones, service 10 days. (21)

• Charles Taintor was born on January 1, 1769 at Colchester, Connecticut, baptized on February 12, 1769, died at Colchester on November 23, 1771.

• Eunice Taintor was born on December 27, 1770 at Colchester, Connecticut. She married on December 19, 1799 to Cyrus Bill, son of Oliver and Martha (Skinner) Bill of Lebanon, Connecticut. He was born in Lebanon, October 17, 1772 and died in Brooklyn, New York in 1852. Cyrus Bill was descended from John Bill, who came from England to Boston before 1635 and died there on January 21, 1638/39. John Bill was descended through Philip Bill (1620-1689) married Hannah _?_ (died in 1709). John Bill (1667-1739) married Mercy Fowler. James Bill (1703-1781) married in 1727 to Keziah French (1704-1786) to Oliver Bill (1737-1828) who married Martha Skinner in 1763. Martha Skinner died in 1805 age 63 years.

• Sarah Taintor was born on July 11, 1775 at Colchester, Connecticut. She married John Charles Bulkeley on December 22, 1798. John Charles Bulkeley was the son of Eliphalet and Anna (Bulkeley) Bulkeley of Colchester. He was born on August 8, 1772 and died on April 22, 1844. His wife Sarah died in October 1834. Both were born and died in Colchester. Rev. John Bulkeley, first minister of the First Church in Colchester, son of Rev. Gershom Bulkeley and Sarah Chauncey of Wethersfield, Connecticut, and grandson of Rev. Peter Bulkeley and Grace Chetwood of Concord, Massachusetts, formerly of Bedfordshire, England, born 1679, died June 10, 1731. Gershom Bulkley, son of Rev. John Bulkeley, married Abigail Robbins, on May 4, 1790 his estate was divided, daughter [granddaghter?] named was Sarah Tainter. Abigail’s will also named Sarah Tainter.

• Charles Taintor was born on December 18, 1772 at Colchester, Connecticut, baptized on January 3, 1773. He married Sarah Fox in December 1800 at Colchester. Sarah Fox was the daughter of Jesse and Ruth (Hall) Fox of Colchester. He died in Buffalo, New York in 1827. They resided at New London, Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania and Buffalo, New York. Sally (Sarah), child of Jesse Fox, was baptized at Windham, Connecticut on January 27, 1792. (22) According to C. M. Taintor, “Charles Taintoe, son of Capt. Charles, was an enterprising business man – was engaged in business in New London, Wilkesbarre, (Penn.) and Buffalo, where he died in 1827.” Jesse Fox, of Plainfield, Connecticut, the son of Samuel Fox, was born on February 8, 1754 in Groton, Connecticut. He enlisted in April 1775 and served one month as a private in Colonel Aaron Cleaveland’s Regiment; enlisted circa the first of September 1776, and served three months as a private in Colonel John Douglas’ Connecticut Regiment; enlisted on August 6, 1777 and served two months as a private in Captain Green’s company of Cavalry under Major Elijah Hyde in the Connecticut Troops. He was allowed a pension on his application executed on December 22, 1832, while a resident of Colchester, New London County, Connecticut. He died on February 13, 1834 in Colchester. (23)

• Elizabeth “Betsey” Taintor was born on December 18, 1777 at Colchester. She married Elijah Fox at Waterford, June 1, 1806. Elijah Fox was the son of Samuel and Prudence (Turner) Fox of New London. He was born on March 1, 1761 at Preston, Connecticut and died on June 2, 1847 at Monmouth, Maine. Elizabeth, his wife, died at Monmouth on August 2, 1868, buried in the Fox Cemetery at Montiville, Connecticut. Elijah Fox married first on February 28, 1788 at Plainfield, Connecticut to Polly Parks, daughter of Nehemiah and Sibbel (Douglas) Parks. She was born January 25, 1764 and died on November 3, 1805. Buried at Oakdale, Montville, Connecticut. Sarah Fox, wife of Charles Taintor, and Elijah Fox, husband of Elizabeth Taintor were descended from Thomas Fox of Concord, died 1658. Thomas emigrated from England before 1644, married (2) in 1647 to Hannah Brooks, daughter of Henry Brooks of Concord and Woburn.

• Sophia Taintor was born on February 16, 1780 at Colchester (dates from Mary (Skinner) Taintor’s Bible in possession of C. M. Taintor). She married Erastus Daniels, born on January 15, 1778, son of Amasa and Hannah (Clark) Daniels. They married in 1808 at Colchester. He died on November 5, 1819 at Earlville, New York. She died on March 25, 1875. Both were buried in Earlville Cemetery at Earlville, Madison County, New York.

• Newhall Taintor was born on July 7, 1782 at Colchester (Mary Skinner Taintor’s bible). He married Ruth Smith on January 9, 1809. Ruth Smith was the daughter of Capt. Ralph and Hannah (Smith) Smith of Middle Hadden. Newhall Taintor died on October 1, 1854 at Colchester. He was a representative to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1837-38, also a Deputy Sheriff in New London County. His wife was born on July 18, 1788 and died at Colchester on April 15, 1866. Newhall Taintor served as Captain in the Connecticut Militia during the War of 1812 under Lieutenant Colonel E. Brainerd from August 25 to October 25, 1814. (24) According to C. M. Taintor, “Capt. Newhall Taintor, resides on the old place where Esq. Micaiell settled about 1700 – a he has been very extensively engaged in business, and has held many important posts – has been Representative to Gen. Assembly of Conn., Justice of the peace, Selectman and Constable, Deputy Sheriff 16 successive years, has presided at the freeman’s meetings, &c. – in masonry he was Knight templar.”

• Eudocia “Docia” Taintor was born on August 21, 1785 at Colchester (from Mary Skinner Taintor’s bible). She married Samuel Reid, son of Samuel and Charity (Boarne) Reid of Fall River, Massachusetts. He was born at Assonet, Massachusetts on November 25, 1780, and died at Suffield, Connecticut on December 4, 1852. Eudocia died at Suffield on September 7, 1849. Samuel Reid’s first wife was Hope Chace, born on June 22, 1786 and died on June 26, 1817.

• John Taintor was born on July 23, 1725 at Colchester, Connecticut. He married Ester Clark on December 12, 1751. Ester Clark was the daughter of Noah and Sarah (Taintor) Clark of Colchester, Connecticut. She was born on October 14, 1729, died on September 19, 1756. John Taintor marrried (2) Sarah Bulkeley on November 23, 1758 at Colchester. Sarah Bulkeley was the daughter of Capt. Gershom and Abigail (Robbins) Bulkeley. She was born on November 10, 1735 and died at Windham, Connecticut on November 6, 1806. John Taintor died in April 1798. According to C. M. Taintor, “John Taintor, son of Deac. Micael of Colchester, died in April, 1798 – was a man of influence and wealth in Colchester – was an inn-keeper in Colchester during the war of the Revolution, as well as before and subsequent. His second wife (Sarah Bulkley) was grand-daughter of Rev. John Bulkley, first minister of Colchester, who was son of Gurshom and grandson of Peter Bulkley, three of the most eminent of New England Divines – her father was Capt. Gurshom Bulkley.”

  Sarah Bulkeley was descended from Rev. Peter Bulkeley (1583-1659), who came from England to Cambridge, Massachusetts in the ship Susan and Ellen in 1635. He graduated from St. Johns College at Cambridge, England in 1608. Descended through Rev. Gershom Gulkeley (1636-1713), A.B. from Harvard in 1655, married in 1659 to Sarah Chauncy (1631-1669). Rev. John Bulkeley (1661-1737), married in 1701 to Patience Prentice, daughter of John and Sarah Prentice. Gershom Bulkeley (1709-1788) married on November 27, 1733 to Abigail Robbins (1714-1793), daughter of Joshua and Abigail (Warner) Robbins. This is possibly the John who owned tavern in Colchester. There are several references to John Taintor’s owning a tavern in Colchester. ““On June 6, 1781, at five o’clock in the morning, Wooster Lodge #10 was instituted in John Taintor’s tavern.” It was located in Colchester at Broadway and Lebanon. (25) In the march of Rochambeau’s Infantry through Connecticut in 1781, they took a “southerly road (Route 16) to Colchester, past John Taintor’s Tavern on Buckley Hill Road.” (26)

  In the records at the Connecticut State Library, there is the following:

  Charles Taintor, his negro, died April 6, 1778, Colchester.
  Dill Taintor, negro, died April 1791, Colchester.
  Eve Taintor, servant of John Taintor, bap. November 13, 1763, Colchester.
  Eve Taintor, negro servant of John Taintor, died February 19, 1773, Colchester.
  John Taintor, his servants Nepoli and Eve married April 15, 1762, Colchester.
  John Taintor, a negro child of his, bap. May 6, 1764, Colchester.
  John Taintor, his negro servant Sampson, bap. October 27, 1765, Colchester.
  John Taintor, his negro child died February 8, 1766, Colchester.
  John Taintor, his two negro children bap. June 14, 1767.
  John Taintor, his negro servant Naph (Nepoli?) died December 15, 1773 ae 40.
  Sampson Taintor, negro servant of John, bap. October 27, 1765, Colchester.

  With the exception of two, all those listed belonged to John Taintor, probably this John. There are several references to John Taintor’s owning a tavern in Colchester. He seems to be about the only one who owned slaves . . . None of these are listed as a slave, but perhaps the word “servant” was a way of avoiding the unpleasant idea of owning slaves.

  The child of John Taintor and Esther Clark:

• Esther Taintor, married Hon. Joseph Isham, of Colchester, Conn.

Children of John Taintor and Sarah Bulkley:

• Betsey Taintor, born at Colchester. Married Capt. Chas. Bulkley, of Colchester.

• John Taintor, born September 1760. Married Miss Hosford of Marlborough, Conn.

• Charles Taintor, born December 17th, 1762, married Miss Mary Abbe of Windham, Conn. According to C. M. Taintor, “Charles Taintor, born at Colchester, 1762, went South with the French Army, which quartered in Colchester for one winter. He left Colchester, and commenced the mercantile business in Windham, in Dec. 1789, in which he has been eminently successful. He has been a member of Conn. Gen. Assembly, and is still living in Windham, (1847).”

• Gershom Taintor, born May 1765, died October 1775.

• Roger Taintor, born December 1767, married Nabby Bulkley in December 1789.

• Solomon Taintor, born October 1769, married Judith Bulkley, December 1797.

• Sally Taintor, born August 1773, married Joshua E. Bulkley.

• Polly, born May 1777, married Godfrey Grosvenor of Pomfret.

• Mary Taintor was born on November 6, 1727 at Colchester, Connecticut. She married David Wells in Colchester on January 19, 1749. David Wells was the son of Noah and Sarah (Wyatt) Wells. He was born at Colchester on September 10, 1723 and died on January 10, 1814. Mary Wells died on December 10, 1815. David Wells moved from Colchester to Shelburne, Massachusetts in 1772. David Wells was descended from Hugh Wells (1590-1645) who emigrated from England in the ship Globe to Massachusetts in 1635, then to Hartford in 1636 and later resided at Wethersfield. David married in 1619 to Frances _?_ (died in Hadley, Massachusetts on March 16, 1698). Thomas Wells (1620-1676) married in May 1651 to Mary Beardsley (1631-1690), daughter of Wm. Beadsley. Noah Wells (1666-1712) married in 1685 to Mary White, born 1665, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Crow) White. Noah Welles (1686-1753) married in 1716 to Sarah Wyatt (1693-1769), daughter of Israel and Sarah (Pratt) Wyatt.

• Prudence Taintor was born on December 9, 1729 at Colchester. She married John Otis (possibly Nathaniel Otis) there on December 20, 1750. John Otis was the son of Nathaniel and Hannah (Thatcher) Otis of Colchester. He was born in Colchester on June 4, 1727 and died on October 24, 1804. Prudence, his wife, died on June 17, 1823. John Otis was descended from John Otis (circa 1581-1657), who came from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony circa 1630, and settled at Hingham, married (1) in England to Margaret _?_ (d. 1653). Descended through John Otis (1621-1684), married in 1662 Mary Jacob (born 1635), daughter of Nicholas and Mary Jacob of Hingham. Joseph Otis (1665-1754) married in 1688 to Dorothy Thomas (1670-1755), daughter of Nathaniel and Debora (Jacob) Thomas of Marshfield. Nathaniel Otis (1690-1771) married in 1716 to Hannah Thatcher (October 9, 1689 - May 6, 1780), daughter of Colonel John Thatcher (March 17, 1639 - May 8, 1713) and Lydia Gorham (November 6, 1661 - June 2, 1744). Lydia Gorham was a daughter of Captain John Corham (1621-1676) who married Desire Howland (1625-1683), daughter of John Howland (1592-1673), thirteenth signer of the Mayflower Compact. Family bible record in Connecticut State Library states Prudence was born on August 20, 1729. Note C. M. Taintor has Prudence married to John Watrous and Sarah married to John Otis.

• Sarah Taintor was born in April 3, 1731 at Colchester, Connecticut. She married John Watrous on April 30, 1752 at Colchester. John Watrous was the son of Jabez and Sarah (Bronson) Watrous of Lyme, Connecticut. He was born at Lyme on February 28, 1726. Sarah Watrous died at Colchester on January 3, 1755 and John Waltrous married on May 28, 1760 (2) Jerusha Huntington, daughter of Jabez and Elizabeth (Edwards) Huntington. She was born on August 24, 1731 and died at Colchester on April 25, 1804. John Watrous died there on January 11, 1817. (27) John Watrous was a physician, a Colchester member of the First Church, and the Town Clerk in May 1733. He was a Deputy to the Connecticut Court in May and July 1775. His will was drawn on August 10, 1816 and probated on February 4, 1817. He was descended from Jacob Waterhouse (circa 1605 - 1678) and Hannah _?_ (died 1704), who came from England to Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1639, then moved to New London in 1645, and through Isaac Waterhouse (1641-1713) married in 1671 to Sarah Pratt (1651-1725), daughter of Lieutenant William and Elizabeth (Clark) Pratt of Hartford, Connecticut. Jabez Watrous (Waterhouse) (1683-1759) married in 1713 to Sarah Bronson (died in 1761), daughter of Abraham and Sarah Bronson. (28) (Records of Henry W. Belknap, Salem, Massachusetts, 1915)

• Anne Taintor, born October 31, 1734, died January 31 1755, age 21, unmarried. Anne is listed as a child of Deacon Michael by C. M. Taintor, but not by Starr Taintor.

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Endnotes