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The Edgerton Database |
Capt. Elisha Edgerton, son of Joseph and Experience (Pratt) Edgerton.
Zerviah Abell, daughter of Theophilus and Anne (Caulkins) Abell.
Children:
Elisha Edgerton I was born in Norwich, Connecticut, November 29, 1719, the son of Joseph and Experience (Pratt) Edgerton. He was married in Norwich on December 31, 1744 to Zerviah Abell, the daughter of Theophilus and Anne (Caulkins) Abell. Zerviah was born in Norwich on January 29, 1721/2. Her elder sister, Anne Abell, had married Elisha’s elder brother, Hezekiah, in 1734. Elisha and Zerviah had four children – two daughters, Zerviah and Experience; and two sons, Elisha Jr. and Abel. The family was fully recorded in the Vital Records of Norwich (VRp I:285). All four of the children survived to adulthood and were married. Elisha Edgerton was a farmer and soldier. He lived in the district of Norwich known as West Farms (later to become the township of Franklin). Elisha was also evidently skilled as a blacksmith, as he passed on a blacksmith shop and tools of this trade to his younger son, Abel. An entry in Apprentices of Connecticut 1637-1900 (Ritter, Kathy A.; Ancestry Incorporated, Salt Lake City, UT 1986, page 48) records the following indenture on November 27, 1745: “Downer, Andrew, bound to Elisha Edgerton of Norwich until age 21 to learn the trade of husbandman.” Elisha and Zerviah appear to have changed their church affiliation from time to time. They were married at the Bozrah Congregational Church (ChR 3:27). Their eldest daughter, Zerviah, was baptized at the Franklin Congregational Church on August 30, 1747; but the next child, daughter Experience, was baptized at the Bozrah Congregational Church on May 27, 1750, where she was noted on the baptismal record as “of West Farms” (ChR 3:7). There is no record of baptisms for the two sons, Elisha and Abel. Elisha and Zerviah Edgerton were later formally admitted to the Franklin Church in March of 1782 (ChR 1:34). Elisha Edgerton was a Captain in the Connecticut militia. It is not certain whether he served actively in the Revolution, as he would have been nearing 60 at this time. He was listed as a Captain in the DAR Patriot Index, where he was noted as “Elisha Edgerton Sr.”, in order to distinguish him from his son, “Elisha Edgerton Jr.” A third Elisha Edgerton (a distant cousin) was also listed in the index. Both of Elisha’s sons, Elisha II and Abel, also served in the Revolution. Elisha may also have been the Elisha Edgerton who served earlier during the French and Indian War as an ensign in John Perkins’ Company, which was “in service for the time of alarm for relief of Ft. Wm. Henry and parts adjacent August 1757.” (see Rolls of Connecticut Men in the French and Indian War, 1755-1762; Albert C. Bates, ed., Connecticut Historical Society, 1903) However, as previously mentioned, there was another contemporary Elisha Edgerton (son of John and Ruth (Adgate) Edgerton) who was also an officer in the Revolution and may have been the Elisha Edgerton in John Perkin’s Company. As both Elishas were Captains of Connecticut troops from Norwich, it is difficult to distinguish which military records refer to whom. Elisha Edgerton died in Norwich, Connecticut on June 22, 1783, his death being recorded at the Franklin Congregational Church (1:441). Elisha’s death was also recorded in the private journal of his son, Elisha II, as follows: “June 22, 1783 Captain Elisha Edgerton died of a Sabbath Day.” (see Edgerton Tales and Details, 1836 – 1986; Jessie Edgerton Garner; Hanover, Illinois, 1986; pg. 25) Elisha was survived by his wife, Zerviah, and three of his children – Zerviah, Elisha and Abel. A month prior to his death (May 2nd) he had written his Last Will and Testament, which left bequests to his wife and children, as well as to a grandson, Ambrose Hilliard, the son of his deceased daughter, Experience. The eldest son, Elisha, was appointed sole executor of the estate. The will was proved in Norwich on June 30, 1783, before Barnabas Huntington, Justice of the Peace. Elisha Edgerton was buried at the Old Franklin Plains Cemetery, where his gravestone was inscribed: “Capt. Elisha Edgerton, died June 22, 1783, aged 62 years”. There is no record of the death of Mrs. Zerviah Edgerton. From the aforementioned will of her husband, it is known that she outlived her husband. She may have been buried beside him in the Old Franklin Plains Cemetery, but no headstone is found there. |