Family of George Denison

(This person can be viewed within the Melton/Sharp Ancestry Chart by clicking here)

 

 

1.  CAPT. GEORGE³ DENISON  (WILLIAM², JOHN¹)¹ was born December 10, 1620 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, and died October 23, 1694 in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut.  He married (1) BRIDGETTE THOMPSON March 1639/40 in Roxbury, Norfolk, MA, daughter of JOHN THOMPSON and ALICE FREEMAN.  She was born September 11, 1622 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, and died August 1645 in Roxbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts.  He married (2) ANN BORODELL Abt. 1645 in Cork, County Cork, Ireland, daughter of JOHN BORODELL.  She was born March 17, 1615/16 in Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland, and died September 26, 1712 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.

 

Notes for CAPT. GEORGE DENISON:

His gravestone in the old cemetery in Hartford reads:

"Hear lies the body of Captain George Denison departed October the 23 in the 74 year of his age 1694."

He was a legislator, and died while the legislature was in session in Hartford.

 

 

DENISON GENEALOGY, by Denison, Peck, Jacobus, page 1

     George's bro. Gen. Danl Denison wrote in 1672 "My  two brothers, Edward and George had all the estate of my father left between them, being both married long before my father's death: my Brother George buried his first Wife in the tear 1643, went into England was a souldier there above a year, was at the Battle of York, or Marston Moor, where he did good service, was afterward taken Prisoner, but got free and having married a second Wife he returned to New England the year before our mother died, and not long afterward remobved himself to New London near whereunto at Stonington he now liveth.

     The tradition that George served in Cromwell's army is thus verified. The story is also told that he was wounded and was nursed at the home of John Borodell, a cordwainner, (leather merchant) of Cork, by his dau Ann who he married for his second wife.

     During 15 sessions George was Deputy for New London or Stonington at the CT General Ct., and he died at Hartford, while discharging this duty. His gravestone, which was cut by an illustrious craftsman, James Stanclift, Sr., is in the yard of the old Center Church, Hartford.

 

ELDRED AND ASSOCIATED FAMILIES, Researched by: Catherine Matson & Clarice McNiven, Compiled by: Carol & Susan Matson, pp. 56.

     George came to New England in 1633 on the "Lion". After the death of his wife Bridget, he returned to England and joined Cromwell's army. The story is told that he was wounded and was nursed at the home of John Borodell, a cordwainer (leather merchant) of Cork, Ireland, and later married his daughter, Ann. His first appearance after his return with Ann was in 1651 principally as a Guarantee of New London, CT. He had been in Roxbury, MA where he had a house lot given him on his settling there. He was a Capt. in 1647 in Roxbury and a Freeman in 1648. He was called a "young soldier lately come out of the wars in England". He was called a bold and distinguishing leader. He served as Deputy to the Connectiuct General Court from New London CT, Sept. 1653 to May 1654 and Feb. 1657. He served from Stonington CT Oct 1671, Oct 1674, 1678, 1682, 1683, and to the time of his death.

     When George was first mentioned in CT records he is called "Captain", based upon his service and commissioned in England. He served on the War Commission for New London in 1653, when war threatened with the Dutch. Although 56, he served as Capt. in King Phillip's war in 1676 in command of the New London Troops and 2nd in command of the Conn. Army under robert Treat. He was appointed Provost Marshall in 1677.

    

Researching this line is Munson Hinman at topbari@pacbell.net

 

   Sources: Montville; Park Society Newsletter, 1978, #3; Potter-Richardson

Memorial; Coe; The Great Migration Begins, v1, p523; Magna Charta Sureties 163-11; AF.

   Montville: Capt. George Denison, born 1618 in England, came to New England about 1631 with his father and two brothers and settled at Roxbury, Mass. He married Bridget Thompson of Stonington in 1640 and had two daughters. After her death in 1643, he returned to England "and engaged in the civil war"--side not stated. In Ireland he married Anne Brodil, daughter of John Brodil. They

had seven children: John, George, William, Anne, Margaret, Brodil and Mary.

   The daughters by Bridget Thompson were Sarah, born 20 March 1641, who married a Stanton, and Hannah, born 20 May 1643, who married a Saxton.

   He was the first representative from Stonington in the General Assembly at Hartford. He died 23 Oct. 1694, age 76, while attending the assembly at Hartford.

   Memorial: George Denison, 1618-1694,  son of William and Margaret (Chandler) Denison of Roxbury.

   Migration: George Denison, baptized 10 Dec. 1620 at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. Married (1) Bridget Thompson March 1640 in Roxbury, and (2) Ann Borodell about 1645 in England. [Article on his father, William, and his family begins on page 521.]

   Sureties: Capt. George Denison, gentleman. Baptized Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire 10 Dec. 1620. Died Hartford, Conn., 23 Oct. 1694. Married (1) Bridget Tompson; (2) Ann Borodell. He was the son of William Denison and Margaret (Chandler) Monck.

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Daniel Denison wrote, "Brother George buried his first wife in the year 1643, went into England[,] was a soldier there above a year, was at the Battle of York or Marston Moor, where he did good service, was afterward taken prisoner, but got free and having married a second wife returned to New England, the year before our mother died, and not long after removed himself to New London . . ." (NEHGR 46:128, quoted in The Great Migration Begins, p. 524)

 

(See Denison Genealogy: Ancestors and Descendants of Captain George Denison, Stonington, CT, 1963.)

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More About CAPT. GEORGE DENISON:

Burial: Old Center Church Cemetery, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut

Christening: December 10, 1620, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England

 

Notes for BRIDGETTE THOMPSON:

Denison Genealogy, by Denison, Peck & Jacobus, page 1.

     dau of John and Alice (Freeman) Thompson

 

   Sources: Montville; The American Genealogist, 13/2; History of Stonington;

Potter-Richardson Memorial; The Great Migration Begins, v1, p523; Magna Charta Sureties 163-11.

   Migration: Bridget Thompson, daughter of John and Alice (Freeman) Thompson of Preston, Northamptonshire, married George  Denison March 1640 at Roxbury.

   Am. Genealogist: Bridgett Thompson, baptized 11 Sept. 1622, Preston Capes Parish, Northamptonshire. Married George Denison March 1640  [1640/41].

   Stonington: Bridget Thompson, married George Denison in 1640.

   Montville: Bridget Thompson of Stonington, married 1640, died 1643. Page 541 reprints a 1640 letter to Bridget from her future husband.

   Memorial: Bridget Thompson, 1622-1643; married George Denison, son of William. Baptized at Little Preston, Preson Capes, Northamptonshire, 11 Sept. 1622. Married George Denison, Roxbury, MA, 1640. After the birth of her second child she died in 1643 and was buried in Roxbury.

   Sureties: Bridget Tompson, baptized Preston Capes, 11 Sept. 1622. Died August 1643. Married March 1640/1 Capt. George Denison.

 

 

More About BRIDGETTE THOMPSON:

Burial: Mystic, New London Co., Connecticut

Christening: September 11, 1622, Preston Capes, Northamptonshire, England

 

More About GEORGE DENISON and BRIDGETTE THOMPSON:

Marriage: March 1639/40, Roxbury, Norfolk, MA

 

Notes for ANN BORODELL:

DENISON GENEALOGY, by Denison, Peck & Jacobus, page 1.

     Father John Borodell, cordwainner (leather merchance) of Cork, Ireland.

 

   Source: Montville.

   Montville: Anne Brodil, died 26 Sept. 1712, age 97.

 

 

More About ANN BORODELL:

Burial: Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, New London Co., Connecticut²

 

More About GEORGE DENISON and ANN BORODELL:

Marriage: Abt. 1645, Cork, County Cork, Ireland

     

Children of GEORGE DENISON and BRIDGETTE THOMPSON are:

              i.   SARAH⁴ DENISON, b. Bef. March 20, 1641/42, Roxbury, Suffolk Co., MA; d. December 19, 1701, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; m. THOMAS STANTON, 1658, Stonington, New London Co., CT; b. 1638, Hartford, Hartford County, CT; d. April 11, 1718, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.

 

More About THOMAS STANTON and SARAH DENISON:

Marriage: 1658, Stonington, New London Co., CT

 

              ii.   HANNAH DENISON, b. Bef. May 20, 1643, Roxbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. (1) NATHANIEL CHESEBROUGH ³, 1659; b. Bef. January 25, 1629/30, Boston, Lincolnshire Co., England; d. November 22, 1675, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; m. (2) JOSEPH SAXTON, Bef. 1681, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; b. May 09, 1656, Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts; d. July 18, 1715, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.

     

Children of GEORGE DENISON and ANN BORODELL are:

             iii.   JOHN BORODELL DENISON, b. June 14, 1646, Roxbury, Suffolk Co., MA; d. Abt. 1698, Stonington, New London Co., CT; m. PHEBE LAY, November 26, 1667, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., CT; b. January 05, 1651/52, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., CT; d. September 27, 1718, Stonington, New London Co., CT.

 

             iv.   ANN DENISON, b. Bef. May 20, 1649; d. November 17, 1706, Stonington, New London Co., CT; m. GERSHOM PALMER, November 28, 1667, Stonington, New London Co., CT; b. Bef. June 16, 1644, Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA; d. September 27, 1718, Stonington, New London Co., CT.

 

Notes for ANN DENISON:

DENISON GENEALOGY, by Denison, Peck & Jacobus, page 1, 2.

 

THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, Vol. XII, 1859, page 27.

 

WALTER PALMER OF CHARLESTOWN AND REHOBOTH, MA & STONINGTON CT, a 400-Year (1585-1985) Family History, Compiled, Edited, Typed and Partly Researched by Doris Palmer Buys. pages 106.

     Most published records give the year as 1694 as the year of the deathof Gershom's first wife, Ann, merely adding that he thereafter married the widow Mrs. Elizabeth (Peck) Mason. The Wheeler Chronology of families, page 461, in Stonington gives 30 Mar 1705 as the date of death of Elizabeth's husband, Jamor Samuel Mason and the year 1699 as the birthdate of her last child by him.

     Manasseh Minor's Diary records for 20 March 1704/5 'mr John masan departed." and also records for 17 November 1706 "Deaken pallmors wife dyed;" and on 18 November "She was buryed."

     page 109.

     The January 1859 publication for the New England Historical and Genealogical Society (the Register) had an article by J. D. Champlin, Jr., of Stonington entitled "Ancient Burial-Ground at Stonington" in which he set forth the inscriptions taken from some of the very early markers in the Wequetequock Burial Yard, pages 23 to 29. In addition to those of Thomas Miner and his wife, Grace Palmer Miner, those included some of particular interet to those descended from Deacon Gershom Palmer although his was not included:

     "A rough unhewn stone, about fourteen inches wide and six feet long, and nearly imbedded in the turf, is supposed to mark the resting palce of Ann, wife of Gershom Palmer, it is inscribed simply -- Ann Palmer

 

Researching this line is cscox@gci.net

 

 

More About ANN DENISON:

Burial: November 18, 1706, Wequetequock Burying Ground, Stonington, New London Co., Conn.

Christening: May 20, 1649, Roxbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts

 

Notes for GERSHOM PALMER:

HISTORY OF STONINGTON CT, by Wheeler, page 509.

 

WALTER PALMER OF CHARLESTOWN AND REHOBOTH, MA & STONINGTON CT, a 400-Year (1585-1985) Family History, Compiled, Edited, Typed and Partly Researched by Doris Palmer Buys, pages 103-4.

     Following the path of his parents, brothers and sisters, Gershom was devoutly religious and he and his wife, Ann, were admitted 19 Aug 1677 to the First Congregational Church at Stonington (known as "The Road Church") according to the church records.

     In 1675 Gershom Palmer, then aged theiry-one years, particiated in King Philip's War and served as a lieutenant of a Stonington company. The Pyron Plamer typescript manuscripts, page 997, "His name appears as a soldier in that war on the records of the town of Voluntown, which town was given by the General Court of Conn. to the soldiers of that war."

     The comprehensive account of that conflict was written by George Madison Bodge, A.B. in his book entitled "Soldiers in King Philip's War" reprinted in 1976 by Genealogical Publishing Co., of Baltimore, Maryland. In a chapter headed "The Narraganset Townships, Grantees and Claimants" page 406, is recorded on 10th December 1675 a proclamation was made to the soldiers, in the name of the Governor of the Mass. Colony that "if they took the fort and drove the enemy out of the Narraganset country, . . . they should have a gratuity of land, besides their wages."

     On 4 June 1685 (ten years later) a petition was presented to the General Court in session at Boston for the grant of land which had been promised byt many years passed before this was accomplished.

     On 5 June 1684 Gershom received from his brothers Nehemiah, Moses and Benjamin, 500 acres of land in Stonington as part of their father's estate. (Town Records, Vol. 1, page 129).

 

ELDRED AND ASSOCIATED FAMILIES, Researched by: Catherine Matson & Clarice McNiven, Compiled by: Carol & Susan Matson, pp. 102.

     Gershom Palmer on 5 Jun 1684 received from his brothers, Nehemiah, Moses and Benjamin 500 acres of land in Stonington, CT as a part of their partent's estate. Also on 3 May 1693 was laid out to Lt. Gershom 50 acres, then 100 acres, and then another 50 acres. On 23 Dec 1708, he have his sons George and Walter all his farm, they to allow him, for the rest of his natural life, one-third of the produce of the land, to dwell in the east end of the new dwelling house, and they were to fulfill the agreement he made his new wife, Elizabeth, before their marriage. This agreement was drawn up 1 Nov 1707, but on 16 Jun 1718 he made another deed, in which he states that he had, before marriage, agreed to give his wife 20 pounds before his own deceased and that he had ordered his sons to pay this, but since he had been boarding his wife's 2 daughters for some time he had caused different arrangements to be made. Ann (Borodell) Denison's mother, Mrs. Ann Denison, was of a fine old family and from her, young Ann inherited such stately and gracious manners that she was commonly called "Lady Ann."

 

Researching this line is cscox@gci.net

 

 

More About GERSHOM PALMER:

Burial: September 30, 1718, Wequetequock Burying Ground, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut

 

More About GERSHOM PALMER and ANN DENISON:

Marriage: November 28, 1667, Stonington, New London Co., CT

 

             v.   BORODELL DENISON, b. Abt. 1651, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. January 11, 1701/02, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; m. SAMUEL STANTON.

             vi.   GEORGE DENISON, b. Abt. 1653, New London, New London Co., Connecticut; d. December 27, 1711, Westerly, Washington Co., Rhode Island; m. MERCY GORHAM, 1677, Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA; b. January 20, 1657/58, Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA; d. September 24, 1725, Westerly, Washington Co., RI.

 

Notes for GEORGE DENISON:

WESTERLY & ITS WITNESSES, by Rev. Frederick Denison, A.M., Providence, Published by J.A. & R.A. Reid, 1878. Page 282.

 

 

More About GEORGE DENISON and MERCY GORHAM:

Marriage: 1677, Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA

 

            vii.   WILLIAM DENISON, b. Abt. 1655, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; d. March 26, 1715, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.

 

Notes for WILLIAM DENISON:

Denison Genealogy, by Denison, Peck & Jacobus, page 1 & 3.

     Lived in Denison Homestead. His will inh B & G Gen. He Ens Train Band, Stonington, Oct 1698. Lt. May 1705.

 

 

           viii.   MARGARET DENISON, b. Abt. 1657, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; d. May 05, 1741, Barrington, Massachusetts.

 

Notes for MARGARET DENISON:

Denison Genealogy, by Denison, Peck & Jacobus, page 3.

     Died in Barrington then MA now RI

 

 

             ix.   MERCY DENISON, b. Abt. 1659, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; d. March 10, 1670/71, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.