John Upson

 

AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT

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Direct descendant is highlighted in red 

John Upson
   
Born: 13 Dec 1702 Waterbury, New Haven, CT    
     
Died: 02 Nov 1789 Southington, Hartford, CT    
     

FATHER

Stephen Upson

MOTHER

Mary Lee

WIFE

Elizabeth Judd

b. 23 Jul 1704

d. 28 Jan 1798

CHILDREN

1. Daniel Judd Upson
     b. 19 Mar 1725/6
    m. Abt. 1751 Hannah Judd
    d. 11 Jun 1782

2. Elijah Upson
     b. 11 Feb 1727/8
    d. 23 Mar 1729/30

3. Elijah Upson
     b. 05 Feb 1730/31
    d. Jan 1732/3

4. Hannah Upson
     b. 17 Nov 1733
    m. Silas Merriman
    d. 28 Apr 1820

5. Martha Upson
     b. 01 May 1736
    m. Jan 1757 William Barnes
    d. 8 Oct 1828

6. John Upson
     b. 31 Mar 1739
    m. 14 Dec 1768 Lois Atwater
    d. 11 Mar 1816

7. James Upson
     b. 04 Nov 1742
    d. Bef. 1763

8. Elijah Upson
     b. 06 May 1745
    d. Bef. 1763

9. Jesse Upson
    b. 04 Dec 1748
    d. Bef. 1763

 

Upson Family in America" 1940  pg. 28-29

"11. John Upson (Stephen, Thomas). Born December 13, 1702, Waterbury. Died November 2, 1789, Southington.  Married July 1, 1725, Waterbury, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Freeman) Judd.  She born July 23, 1704, Waterbury. Died January 28, 1798, Southington.
John Upon, realizing the need to provide land for his family, came to the same conclusion as did his brother, Thomas, namely, that the newly opened lands on Southington Mountain provided an opportunity.  Moreover, their wives were sisters, daughters of Thomas Judd, who was the owner of a vast tract of land in this vicinity, part of which would eventually be inherited by their wives.  John Upson disposed of his property in Waterbury, and with his wife and son, Daniel, together with his brother, Thomas, and his family, moved over the Mountain in 1732.  At the foot of the mountain in the valley runs Judd Brook, mentioned in early Upson deeds.  Arriving in Southington (then Farmington), John and Elizabeth Upson promptly united with the First Congregational Church Society, established in 1724.  The site of this church is marked today by a boulder in Oak Hill Cemetery.  Here, their six youngest children were baptized by the Reverend Jeremiah Curtiss.  The second meeting house was build on the present green.  It was in this house that John Upson and his wife were assigned one of the first pews and seated with the dignitaries.  He was styled "Mr." John Upson, a title of distinction.  Elizabeth (Judd) Upson came of a prominent family, her father, Thomas, being the son of William Judd of Farmington, and her mother the daughter of Reverend Stephen Freeman of Milford, Connecticut, and Newark in "East Jersey."  In their declining years, they were called upon to meet their severest blow, the loss of their eldest son, Daniel.  His passing marked the loss of all their sons, save John, Jr.  Just before the close of the 18h century, the family of John, Jr., moved to Massachusetts, and thence to Ohio.  Other members of the family left in the early 1800's for western New York,  Others pushed on to the great West.  His descendants were, and always have been, pioneers in every field of endeavor. They have preserved that quiet, unassuming manner, so well known as a trait of the Upson family."

 

The will of John Upson

"In the name of God Amen
This twentieth day of October A. D. one Thousand Seven hundred Sixty three, I John Upson of Farmington in the County of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut in New England, being advanced in years, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God therefor, but calling to mind the Mortality of my Body, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Dye and after this the Judgment.
Imprimis, I recommend my soul into the Hands of God who gave it and my Body to be Buried in a Decent and Christian Manner at the discretion of my Executors, when it shall please God to call me out of this Life.  But or touching such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with in this world, I dispose of it in the following Manner:
Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Upson all and everything that the laws of this Colony would give her, if I should have died Intestate and no more.
Then I give unto my son Daniel Upson all my land lying in the bounds of Wallingford together with all privileges and appurtences theron.  Also I give him ten Acres of Land at the west end of the lot I now live on to extend eastward as far as the Highway Extends that runs upon the top of the mountain.  Also I give him the one half of one piece of land I have in Waterbury by Estimate twenty Acres.  Also I give him all my property in said Waterbury.  Also the one half of my Stock that is not above distributed and also the one half of my Husbandry Tools. 
Item: I give unto my son John Upson my Dwelling House and barn, all the remainder of my Land in the Lot above distributed that is not disposed of above, also one half of one piece of twenty Acres Lying in Waterbury.
Item: I give to my daughters Hannah Merriman and Martha Barnes the two thirds of my household goods to be equally divided between them over and above what I have already give them.
Item: I appoint my Beloved son Daniel J. Upson my sole Executor of this my last Will and testament by me made, ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament.

signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said John Upson to be his last Will and testament the day and year above written in presence of

William Judd
Timothy Judd
William Southmayd

Litchfield County   Watertown
November 16, 1789
Personally appeared Timothy Judd, Esquire and made solemn oath that he signed as a witness to the within will in the presence of the testator and in the presence of the other witnesses that I saw Mr. John Upson sign and seal the within will in the presence of the subscriber witnesses and that he appeared of sound mind and memory.    Thomas Fenn, Justice of Peace

Mr. John Upson's Will exhibited December 2, 1789
by Mr. John Upson

the executor therein named being dead, and being duly proved is approved and ordered to be recorded and kept on file.

Executor's Bond
John Upson of Southington
Enos Cowles
December 2, 1789

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