Person Page - 410

Joshua Welles^1,2

• Father*: Joseph Welles^3,2 b. 16 Sep 1680, d. 1744
• Mother*: Hannah Robbins^3,2 b. 18 Jun 1688

• Reference: W015 ID508

• Birth*: 3 September 1726; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA⁴
• (Groom) Marriage*: 1757; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; Joshua, m Experience DICKINSON, _____.; Bride=Experience Dickinson^5,3,2,6
• (Deceased) Death*: 12 August 1798; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920
  Wells, Joshua, d: Aug 12, 1798, age 72⁴

• Nam-Std: Wells
• Milt-Event: 1776; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; NSDAR, Application Patriot
  WELLS, JOSHUA Ancestor # A122549
  Birth 9- -1726 WETHERSFIELD HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Death (POST) 1790 WETHERSFIELD LIV HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Service State/Organization: CONNECTICUT
  Rank PRIVATE
  Spouse 1) EXPERIENCE DICKINSON²
• Milt-Event: 1776; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; NSDAR Application Patriot
  WELLS, JOSHUA Ancestor # A122549
  Birth 9- -1726 WETHERSFIELD HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Death (POST) 1790 WETHERSFIELD LIV HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Service State/Organization: CONNECTICUT
  Rank PRIVATE
  Spouse 1) EXPERIENCE DICKINSON
  
• Milt-Event*: 1776; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; NSDAR Application Patriot
  WELLS, JOSHUA Ancestor # A122549
  Birth 9- -1726 WETHERSFIELD HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Death (POST) 1790 WETHERSFIELD LIV HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Service State/Organization: CONNECTICUT
  Rank PRIVATE
  Spouse 1) EXPERIENCE DICKINSON
  ²
• (Head of Household) Census*: 1790; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; 1790 United States Federal Census about Joshua Wells
  Name:     Joshua Wells
  [Joshua Well]
  Home in 1790 (City, County, State):     Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut
  Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over:     2
  Free White Persons - Females:     3
  Number of Household Members:     5; Household Member=Daniel Welles, Household Member=Abigail Welles, Household Member=Pamela Welles, Household Member=Prudence Welles

Experience Dickinson^1,2

• Reference: W015 ID049

• Birth*: 17 April 1736; Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; parents: Elihu Dickinson & Lucy Deming²
• (Bride) Marriage*: 1757; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; Joshua, m Experience DICKINSON, _____.; Groom=Joshua Welles^3,4,2,5
• (Deceased) Death*: 27 June 1773; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; Experience, wife Joshua, died June 17, 1773^6,1,2

• Nam-Std: Mrs. Wells (Dickinson)
• Married Name: 1757; Mrs. Welles (Dickinson)
• Milt-Event: 1776; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; NSDAR, Application Patriot
  WELLS, JOSHUA Ancestor # A122549
  Birth 9- -1726 WETHERSFIELD HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Death (POST) 1790 WETHERSFIELD LIV HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT
  Service State/Organization: CONNECTICUT
  Rank PRIVATE
  Spouse 1) EXPERIENCE DICKINSON
  

Experience Welles^1,2

• Father*: Joshua Welles^3,4,2 b. 3 Sep 1726, d. 12 Aug 1798
• Mother*: Experience Dickinson^4,2 b. 17 Apr 1736, d. 27 Jun 1773

• Reference: W015 ID049

• Birth*: 14 August 1758; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA^5,2
• (Bride) Marriage*: 26 October 1786; Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA^6,2
• (Deceased) Death*: 9 August 1789²

• Nam-Std: Wells
• Married Name: 26 October 1786; Mrs. Stanley (Welles)

Walter Welles^1,2

• Father*: Robert Welles b. 1484, d. 30 Aug 1558
• Mother*: Alice Anne Elizabeth Bryan b. 1488, d. 1572

• Reference: W015 ID001

• Birth: circa 1503; of, Tredington and Tidmington, Worcester, England
• Birth*: 1510; Stourton, Whichford, Warwick, England
• (Deceased) Death*: December 1577; Tidmington, Worcester, England; From "Randall and Allied Families", p355:
  "yeoman (d. Tidmington, Co. Worcester, England, Dec 1577 without surviving issue) will left legacies to several relatives and made his nephew Robert Welles residuary legatee. Taxed at Burmington, 1542, at Tredington, 1558, and at Tidmington, 1570; also had property at Ditchford; administrator of estate of his brother, Thomas welles, 1558"^3,2

• Note: of Tredington and Tidmington, Worcestershire, died between 1 Dec 1577, the date of his will and 9 Dec 1577; unmarried at time of death, apparently died without living children.
• Nam-Std: Wells
• (Researcher) ResAddr: Researcher=_ID001 _Researcher²
• Note: 1559; Stourton, Worcester, England; Worcestershire: - Wills and Administrations in the court of the Bishop of Worcestershire, also Marriage Licences and Sequestrations, 1451-1600
  Burialls 1559.
  Volume 6, 1554-1584
  1598
  County: Worcestershire
  Country: England
  55 Welles, Walter, husbandman, Stourton. W. I.
  

Robert Welles

• Father*: Baron Richard Welles b. c 1450
• Father: _ID732 B732 _W015¹ b. 732

• Reference: W015 ID001

• Birth*: 1484; Whichford, Warwick, England
• (Groom) Marriage: circa 1505; Bride=Alice Anne Elizabeth Bryan
• Death: 1523; prob, Stourton, Whichford, Warwick, England²
• (Deceased) Death*: 30 August 1558; Stourton, Whichford, Warwick, England

• Nam-Std: Wells
• Name Variation: Robert Wellys³
• (Researcher) ResAddr: Researcher=_ID049 B219 _W015
• (Researcher) ResAddr: Researcher=_ID001 _Researcher¹
• Note: 1523; taxed at Whichford, Warwickshire in 1523; the father of at least two of the following children: Thomas, Walter or Willian WELLES.²

Capt. Edmund Welles^1,2

• Father*: Thomas Welles^3,2 b. 10 Jan 1681/82, d. 4 Feb 1760
• Mother*: Elizabeth Merrill^3,2 b. 24 Dec 1686, d. 24 Dec 1770
• Father: _ID306 B413 _W018² b. 306

• Reference: W015 ID306

• Birth: 8 February 1720/21; Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, USA^4,2
• Birth*: 21 December 1721; Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, USA; from headstone
• (Groom) Marriage*: 12 May 1743; Southampton, Suffolk Co. (Long Island), New York, USA; Long Island, New York
  
  Father: Ezekiel Howell
  Mother: Mary Rogers
  ; Bride=Mary Howell^4,2
• (Deceased) Death*: 1 June 1805; Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA; Edmond moved with his family from Hebron, CT and settled in what is now the town of Cambridge on a farm. Edmund was very active in the Presbyterian church and fighting in the Rev. War. Edmund (age 55) as a private in the Albany County Militia in Col. Lewis Van Woert's regiment. He subsequently served as sergeant.
  
  Edmond's will is located on the llth floor of the Archives for the State of New York, Albany. It is dated Jan. 7, l800, probated July l, l805 (Gertrude Barber's abstracts, Vol l, page 44, (l788l806). It leaves all lands and real estate in CT to son John. He gave to son Edmund the lot of land and premises where he resided (Wheel House). Gave to son Daniel lot that belonged to John Mc Clung. Give to sons Edmund and Daniel the wood lot, Lot #43 NE part, containing 90 acres. all leased properties to be divided four ways and given to four sons, Austin, John, Edmund and Daniel. All the rest of my properties shall be divided five ways with the fifth part set aside for grandchildren of Molly, (dec) wife of Walter Raleigh, and children of Sarah, wife of Joseph Peters (deceased). Executors, sons Edmund WELLES, Jr, Daniel, Austin WELLES and brother Joseph WELLES. Witnessed by Lamhlin Wright, James Niles and Gerritt Wendell.^4,2
• Burial*: 1 June 1805; Old Turnpike Cemetery, Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA; Birth: Dec. 24, 1721, USA
  Death: Jan. 1, 1805
  Washington County
  New York, USA
  
  Revolutionary War Soldier
  
  Family links:
  Spouse:
  Wealth Wells (1749 - 1814)*
  
  *Point here for explanation
  
  
  Burial:
  Old Turnpike Cemetery
  Cambridge
  Washington County
  New York, USA^4,2

• Note: The Grant (Charter)that Edmund received from King George III of England July 23, l76l conveyed the 60,000 acres of ground including the lakes above Cambridge (well crisscrossed with streams and rivers in New York) to the new owners. They were but 6 in number and only three were mentioned in the Charter, viz Isaac Sawyer, and Edmund WELLES of CT and Jacob Lansing, founder of Lansingburgh. New owners could receive l00 acres free by settling and clearing the ground to induce settlements on this land. The territory at that time mostly was occupied by Indians.
  
  The Grant allowed Edmund to become in a way, a manorial lord of a vast estate. The land was, however, only valuable as settlers occupied it and brought it under the plow. To induce men to occupy it, farms were sold or leased for nominal consideration. It is traditional that the rent of one of these farms was "a bushel of corn a two fat barn yard fowls." The tenant would come with his large family of children in a great sleigh every New Year’s day to pay the rent. Coming from a great distance, he would, of course, be asked to take dinner and with his hungry sleigh load of children, would eat many times over the value of a ‘ bushel of corn and two fat barn yard fowls’. Thus it is that the WELLES while enjoying the reputation of being the First Family of the town, were actually no richer than their humbler neighbors. As these New Year dinners became rather expensive and troublesome, free deeds were given to many tenants from motives of economy"
  
  The evolution of Washington County, NY is as follows. The whole territory of northern New York, including what is now Vermont was part of Albany County. Soon after the capture of New Netherland from the Dutch, King Charles II granted the government of the province, under the name of New York, and the title to the ungranted lands therein, to his brother James, the Duke of York, bounding it on the east by the CT River. The eastern boundary was reported to conflict with earlier grants to proprietors of CT and Massachusetts. The rapidly increasing population of these colonies was permitted without much resistance by New York to occupy the territory to within 20 miles of the Hudson River. North of Massachusetts no colony was organized until the middle of the l8th century, and no question was raised; but above that line, New York extended to the CT River.
  
  In l749, Benning Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire, proceeded to make grants of land and gave boundaries as south, running from Pawtucket Falls on the Merrimac River, due west "til it meets our other governments." He asked Governor Clinton where his government began; Clinton said the eastern boundary was the CT River.
  
  In l75l both governments of New Hampshire and New York sent representatives to London to settle the dispute. The Lords of Trade and the Privy Council delayed their decision until l754.
  
  Meanwhile, Wentworth continued to grant land in the disputed territory. Eighteen grants were made by New Hampshire before the French War, but none from l754 to l760. In l76l Wentworth again began making grants and in three years issued lll grants.
  
  New York did not seem to realize what was going on until l763. At that time, Governor Golden enjoined the Sheriff of Albany County to prosecute anyone who took possession of the land under New Hampshire.
  
  To this point, the few settlers in the disputed area were peaceable; this lasted until a New Yorker was forcibly driven from the eastern part of Hoosic Patent by New Hampshire men. Clashes continued along the eastern border of what is now Washington County. Discharged highland soldier in the area of Hebron were driven off their lands by mobs under Ethan Allen. Many of the Scotchmen either sold their land to some of their countrymen, or abandoned it to squatters. Some of the Scots who did remain were driven from their lands by Ethan Allen and his men and fled to New Perth (Salem).
  
  It was hoped that a new set of county officers would act more efficiently and on March l2, l772, a county was formed from Albany by Legislature and given the name "Charlotte," in honor of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III.
  
  Charlotte County was to be bound thusly: east of the Hudson River, the south line began at the mouth of Stony Creek, along the creek for 3 miles then south of the Batten Kill along that stream to the South line of Princetown, then east to the west line of Cumberland County, the summit of the Green Mountain.
  The present towns of Easton, Cambridge, Jackson, White Creek, and the southwest part of Greenwich remained in Albany County until l79l. At the same time, Albany County was divided into districtsall that part of it east of the district of Saratoga (which then included Easton) and north of Schaghticoke was formed into Cambridge.
  
  Many who had taken up lots previous to the Revolution left them during that period, some from fear of disturbance by Tories and Indians, who were prowling about the country for plunder, and some, who chose to desert their friends and join their enemies left this region altogether. The lands of some of these were confiscated by the government after the way, and sold to other settlers.
  
  (In l940 Miss Florence WELLES of l58 Webster St, Lewiston, Maine had the Land Grant that Edmund received from King George III). The town of Cambridge was incorporated by patent 2l July l76l. It was formed as a town in Albany County 07 March l788 and annexed to Washington County, 07 Feb l79l. The east boundry of New York State and the west boundry of Vermont had not been decided and further legal battles between New Hampshire and Massachusetts who gave grants of land in the disputed territory of Vermont went on for many years. Some records for what is now Western Vermont are kept in New York records.
  
  Scant information exists concerning the earliest human inhabitants , but it is known that, later, the Mohawks to the west and the Mohicans to the east were early contenders for control of this land and its waterways. The earliest Europeans arrived by boat up the Hudson and Hoosick Rivers as early as l540. In l688 the Owl was still living and through Indian warfare had already lost and regained his Owl Kill home. The Dutch were firmly established in the region via the Hoosick Patent, part of which was what is today the southern tier of Cambridge by l724. Decades which followed saw Cambridge disturbed by continued strife. War parties came much too often. The building of the Forts gave some protection as did the additional assurance of the Peace of l763. At last the settlement of Cambridge began to grow. On July 23, l76l the Cambridge Patent was issued. The establishment of farms now began in earnest. Under the leadership of the WELLES family, newcomers took up residence along the Owl Kill in the years l76l, l762, and l763. Most of these people were said to have come from Colrain, Mass. with others coming from Hebron, CT In l763 several young men of the Green family came from Carrickfergus, Ireland, settled along the Ondawa Trail. In l766 saw the Whiteside family (from Lancaster, Pa, earlier from County Tyrone, Ireland) establishing homes in the southwestern section of Cambridge.
  
  The relatively peaceful settlement which began in these three centers of population was soon to be interrupted by the Revolutionary War. Locally, the l6th Albany Militia Regiment was organized to meet military requirements.
  
  In l824 Gazeteer of the State of New York, CAMBRIDGE is listed as a small PostTownship of Washington County on the northern turnpike, 35 miles NE of Albany, l5 miles SW of Salem, bounded north by Jackson, East by White Creek, South by Rensselaer County, West by Easton. In April l8l5 the former town of Cambridge was subdivided into three towns of Cambridge, Jackson and White Creek. Cambridge extends south to Hoosac River, but is indifferently supplied with mill seats. The land surface is waving, in some parts rugged and hilly, but it has a good proportion of arable and very productive farm lands, a soil of warm, deep gravel, a proper medium, duly mixed with clay, sand and grave. Population 2,49l. 27l farmers, 80 mechanics, 5 traders, l5 foreigners, l8 slaves, 32 free blacks, taxable property, $493,294. l3 schools9 months of the year. l5,054 acres improved, 2,359 cattle, 644 horses, 3958 sheep, 2l,064 yards cloth, l grist mill, l2 saw mills, l fulling mill, l carding mill, l trip hammer, l distillery.
  
  Cambridge was primarily an agricultural area and remains so today. The raising of sheep and of flax no longer have their former importance, but agricultural enterprises, especially dairying are an important element of the local economy.
  
  Edmund's homestead in Cambridge was a red brick house built around the original log cabin which was built in l770. A cornerstone was laid and after the Revolutionary War they began construction again and laid another. The Wheel House had 4 fireplaces, (two down and two in the upstairs bedrooms), one cooking fireplace and 6 divided rooms in the basement. It is on the Historical List of Homes in the area, now called the Wheel House for the unusual circle sun dial design on the front of the house in contrasting brick. The house was one of the first to have lightning rods installed on it. Lightning rods were invented by Benjamin Franklin. The lightning always struck over in Dewell Hollow back of the Wheel House. The house is located about l/2 miles south of the Turnpike Cemetery where many of the early WELLES family are buried, l/2 miles north of the Daniel WELLES homestead, (all are located south of the present village of Cambridge. NY.) The house is in a fine state of preservation, with 75% outside original, 90% inside original. The brick was imported from Holland. There is a dark, secret room in the cellar where many fled for safety. The Wheel House was built during Edmund WELLES' lifetime, then passed to his son, Edmund Jr, and on his death to his son, Sidney WELLES. Upon Sidney's death in l859, to settle the estate, his son Henry Martyn WELLES sold the Wheel House residence outside of the family.
• Nam-Std: Capt. Wells
• Name Variation: Capt. Edmund Wells
• Note: 1725; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA; He was a carpenter by trade, and also a farmer. He removed to Hebron with his father's family in 1725 . He settled on his father's patent in northern New York and was one of the original proprietors of Cambridge township, Washington county, New York , where he June 1, 1805 , aged eighty-four years. He was a captain in the old French war, of the Fifth Company, commissioned by Governor Thomas Fitch , of Connecticut , at Norwalk , March 27, 1758 . The original commission is in the possession of his descendant, John Latimer Way . Colonel Nathan Whiting commanded the regiment which was sent to invade Canada .⁵
• Milit-Beg*: between 1755 and 1762; French and Indian War; Connecticut Soldiers, French and Indian War, 1755-62
  Given Name: Edmund
  SURNAME: WELLS
  PAGE #: 147
  RANK: Capt.
  LOCATION: Hebron
  REGIMENT: Fourth
  REGT.COMMAND: Ward, Andrew Col.
  COMPANY: Fourth
  CO.COMMAND: WELLS, Edmund Capt.
  COMMENTS: Muster Roll.²
• Milit-Beg: 1776; New York, USA; 1776 1) ALSO SOD,COL VAN WOERT,ALBANY CO.,MIL.⁶
• (Head of Household) Census*: 1776; Gilead Parish, Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA; private in the Albany County Militia in Col. Lewis Van Woert's regiment. He subsequently served as a sergeant. He was a captain in the old French war, of the Fifth company, commissioned by Governor Thomas Fitch of CT , at Norwalk March 27, l758. The original commission is in the possession of his descendant, John Latimer Way. Colonel Nathan Whiting commanded the regiment which was sent to invade Canada.²
• NSDAR/NSSAR: 1776; New York, USA; Type: NSDAR 1776 0^7,6
• Note: 1779; Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA; Tax Lists: Edmund and Joseph Wells

Sgt. Austin W Welles¹

• Father*: Capt. Edmund Welles^2,1 b. 21 Dec 1721, d. 1 Jun 1805
• Mother*: Mary Howell^2,1 b. 14 Feb 1717/18, d. 2 Jan 1776
• Father: _ID092 B408 _W018¹ b. 092

• Reference: W015 ID712

• Birth*: 14 February 1759; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^2,1
• Baptism: 1 April 1759; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA
• (Groom) Marriage*: 7 December 1784; prob., Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA; Bride=Sarah Cowan^3,1
• (Deceased) Death*: 8 December 1849; White Creek, Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA^2,1
• Burial*: 8 December 1849; Old Turnpike Cemetery, Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA; U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
  Name: Austin Wells
  Service Info.: SERG CONTINENTAL LINE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
  Birth Date: 14 Feb 1759
  Death Date: 8 Dec 1849
  Cemetery: Old Turnpike Cem
  Cemetery Address: Turnpike Rd Cambridge, NY 12816
  
  Birth: Feb. 14, 1759, USA
  Death: Dec. 8, 1849
  Washington County
  New York, USA
  
  Revolutionary War Soldier
  
  
  Burial:
  Old Turnpike Cemetery
  Cambridge
  Washington County
  New York, USA
  
  ¹
• (Interred) Probate: 1850; Austin WELLES' will was written Nov. 5, 1845, (White Creek, NY) with a codicil added on August 20, 1848 to include a grandson Jonas Holden WELLES and Lila Ann, wife. The will was proved on Jan 8, 1850 with Sidney WELLES and Edward Long as Executors. Heirs were listed as
  
  A. Sarah (WELLES) Hodge b. 28 March 1793, $300.00 wife of Samuel Hodge, Sarah was b. 30 March 1793, d. 21May 1853 at the age of 60 years, l mo, 24 day. Buried Turnpike Cemetery, Cambridge, NY.
  a. Simeon Hodge $250.00
  b. Mary, wife of Wm. Heywood $250.00
  c. Henry Hodge (minor) $250 when reach age 2l
  d. Harvey Hodge (minor) $250 when reach age 2l
  
  B. James WELLES, (dec.) wife Sally (Skinner) $300.00, James was born 07 May 1785 and died 26 Oct 1845, age 60 yrs, Married Sally 16 April 1807. Sally was born 1789 and died 06 Oct 185l, age62. Both are buried at Turnpike Cemetery, Cambridge, NY. Children include Elizabeth, Charity, Mary, Sarah Jane, Jonas Holden (resided with his grandfather Austin), Raleigh (resided at Coila, NY, previous known as Scotland, NY). A son of James & Sally, Samuel Hodge WELLES
  
  Charity W. WELLES, daughter of James and Sally WELLES, wife of Charles Smith. Charity was born 1812 and died 15 Sept. 1852 at age of 40. Charles Smith was born 1800 and died 23 Sept 1852, at the age of 53, one week after his wife, both buried at Turnpike Cem., Cambridge, NY
  
  Mary A. WELLES, dau of James and Sally WELLES, wife of George Chase, Hoosick, NY (Rensselear County)
       
  Grandson Jonas Holden WELLES, wife Lilah Ann WELLES of Sartoga Springs, NY
  
  
       C. Edmund Austin WELLES b. 05 Nov 1788 died 07 May 1823 at White Creek, NY age 35, married 25 Jan 1810 Abiah WELLES, (daughter of Joseph WELLES Jr and Abiah Dunham) b. 1789, d. 29 Oct 1840 at age 5l. Both buried at Turnpike Cemetery, Cambridge, NY. Had children; Abiah WELLES, Nancy T., Austin WELLES-resided at Waite’s Corners, Cambridge, Alfred, resided at Johnsburg, Warren Co; Edmund (unmarried) resided with his brother Alfred.
  
  D. Walter Raleigh WELLES of Hoosick and Troy, NY had son named Horace Lyman WELLES, born to Walter and Eliza H. on 30 June 1834. Eliza H. ( Kones) WELLES died 30 Nov. 1858 at the age of 39 years. Another son Herbert Gres WELLES was b. 27 Oct 1848 at Jackson, NY. He married Elva Askins at Lansingburgh NY l0 June 1872 and had l child Elva b. 2l Aug 1874 in NY.
  
  Sarah Jane WELLES, minor of White Creek
  Judith Maria WELLES, minor of White Creek,
  
  E. Abiah WELLES, b. 23 May, 1809; d. Mar 1895, age 86 year, wife of Merritt Fowler, Wayne Cty, NY. Merritt was the son of Thomas and Charlotte (Dutcher) Fowler. Abiah and Merritt FOWLER had 8 children: Austin WELLES Fowler, Sarah, Eliza, Merritt, George Mark, Nathen, Lydia
  
  
  Austin WELLES of White Creek, NY, son of Edmund and Abiah WELLES
  
  Austin WELLES, a son of Edmund WELLES, the latter a pioneer of Cambridge, NY came first to Cambridge with his Uncle Joseph WELLES and again on horseback with his father from Hebron, CT when fourteen years old (1773) to visit his brother Edmund, Jr.. He remained over winter and then returned to Hebron, CT. Following his mother’s death, he removed in Feb 1776, and resided Cambridge ever since. Enlisted April 1776 for one year and was stationed at Ft. Stanwix, and was later Sgt., Cambridge Militia. In 1777 he went to assist an older brother in Cambridge to remove his family to a place of safety, information having been received that a detachment of Burgoyne's army might be expected through the Cambridge Valley, Having taken the family to Williamstown, the brothers hastened back and reached Bennington (VT.) in time to join in the closing scenes of the battle. Not long after he went into the service as a substitute for an older brother. Austin remained two years in the army, was stationed at the different forts on the Hudson, north of Albany, and was at Fort Stanwix and Albany.
  
  After the war he settled in White Creek, NY upon the farm later occupied by Uriah Pratt. Austin WELLES' house was the one at the turn of the road towards Waites Corner, south of Cambridge. He passed a long life in the midst of his people, dying at the age of ninetyone, Dec 8, 1849. He was very highly esteemed. At his funeral psalms were read from the Bible he carried with him into camp, said to have been the only one in the company to which he belonged. (Taken from History of Washington County, New York). White Creek was a township formed from a part of old Cambridge from the earliest settlement down to the year 1815.
  
  Austin WELLES served in the 16 Regiment, Albany company when he was 16 years old, and was a veteran of the Revolutionary War of 1775. He was active in the community, acting as justice of the Peace in 1815 for 3 years, 1818 for 3 years and 182l for 3 years. Austin WELLES supplied the information included in Asa Fitch manuscript stories about the WELLES Family.
  
  Austin contributed $25.00 towards the establishment of a Cambridge Library and was a Library Trustee. in 1802.
  
  Austin applied for a pension application S 32054 on the 28th day of August 1832 at the age of 73 years old, stating he was residing at White Creek, NY.
  
  Austin WELLES had a slave woman named Hannah whom he manumitted Feb. 13, 1813. Manumitted meant "gave them their freedom"
  
  A grandson of Austin WELLES, also named Austin WELLES died at the age of 40, died 06 Aug 1850.
  
  Alfred WELLES in Johnsburgh, Wyoming Cty, NY, son of Edmund and Abiah WELLES
  F. Nancy A. WELLES, wife of Nathan Morgan, Victor, NY in Ontario County
  
  G. Lewis M. WELLES, Saratoga Springs, NY
  
  H. Charlotte WELLES, dau. of Austin and Sarah (Cowan) WELLES, b. 16 March 18l0, d. 12 Jan 1822, age 11 yr buried Turnpike Cemetery, Cambridge, NY¹

• Nam-Std: Sgt. Wells
• (Head of Household) Census*: 1773; Washington Co., New York, USA
• NSDAR/NSSAR*: 1776; Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA; WELLS, AUSTIN Ancestor #: A122303 Service: CONNECTICUT Rank: SERGEANT Birth: 2-14-1759 HEBRON HARTFORD CO CONNECTICUT Death: 12-8-1849 CAMBRIDGE WASHINGTON CO NEW YORK Pension Number: *S32054Service Source: *S32054Service Description: 1) ALSO PVT,CAPT WOODBRIDGE,COL ELMORE
  2) CAPTS GILMORE,HODGE,ADIAL,SHERWOOD
• Milit-Beg: 1776; Connecticut, USA; 1776 1) ALSO PVT,CAPT WOODBRIDGE,COL ELMORE 2) CAPTS GILMORE,HODGE,ADIAL,SHERWOOD⁴
• NSDAR/NSSAR: 1776; Connecticut, USA; Type: NSDAR 1776^5,4
• Milt-Event*: between 1831 and 1850; Albany, Albany Co., New York, USA; U.S. Pensioners, 1818-1872
  Name: Austin Wells
  Pension Office City/Town: Albany
  Pension Office State: New York
  Year Range: 1831-1850
  
  ¹
• (Head of Household) Census: 1840; White Creek, Washington Co., New York, USA; 1840 United States Federal Census
  about Ruther Mells
  Name: Ruther Mells
  [Austin Wells]
  Township: White Creek
  County: Washington
  State: New York
  Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
  Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
  Free White Persons - Males - 80 thru 89: 1
  Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
  Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
  Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
  Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
  Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1
  Free White Persons - Females - 70 thru 79: 1
  Total - All Persons (Free White, Free Colored, Slaves): 9
  Persons Employed in Agriculture: 4
  Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
  Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 4
  Total Free White Persons: 9
  Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 9; Head of Household=Austin Welles

Sarah Welles^1,2

• Father*: Capt. Edmund Welles^1,2 b. 21 Dec 1721, d. 1 Jun 1805
• Mother*: Mary Howell^1,2 b. 14 Feb 1717/18, d. 2 Jan 1776

• Reference: W015 ID712

• Birth*: 28 February 1757; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^1,2
• (Bride) Marriage: October 1778; Second Congretional Church, Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA; Joseph was the son of Joseph and Deborah (Burchard) Peters. She lived and died in Cambridge, NY (Bailey, book 3, page 94)
  They had four children, surname PETERS, Mary Sarah, Joseph, James .^3,4
• (Bride) Marriage*: 11 January 1781; Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, USA^5,2
• (Deceased) Death*: 30 September 1819; Union Cemetery, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut, USA; Birth:      Feb. 28, 1757
  Death:      Sep. 30, 1819
  
  Daughter of Edmund Welles and Mary (Howell) Welles
  
  
  Family links:
  Spouse:
  Nathaniel Griswold (1759 - 1839)
  
  Children:
  Ashbel Griswold (____ - 1830)*
  Tryal Griswold Parmelee (1794 - 1853)*
  
  *Calculated relationship
  
  Burial:
  Union Cemetery
  Killingworth
  Middlesex County
  Connecticut, USA
  
  Edit Virtual Cemetery info [?]
  
  Created by: Kathryn Hill
  Record added: Feb 15, 2010
  Find A Grave Memorial# 48173369^6,2

• Nam-Std: Wells
• Married Name: October 1778; Mrs. Peters (Welles)³
• Married Name: 11 January 1781; Mrs. Griswold (Welles)

Maj. James Welles^1,2

• Father*: Capt. Edmund Welles^3,2 b. 21 Dec 1721, d. 1 Jun 1805
• Mother*: Mary Howell^3,2 b. 14 Feb 1717/18, d. 2 Jan 1776

• Reference: W015 ID712

• Birth*: 14 April 1752; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^4,2
• Baptism: 25 April 1752; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^3,2
• (Groom) Marriage*: 8 May 1777; He left l777, along with other Cambridge men, to enlist at Hartford, CT. in a cavalry co. Attached to Sheldon’s regiment. He was stationed on the lines around New York City and once entered the city under the flag of truce; commissioned a lieutenant of Light Dragoons in the Continental service; he died at Croton River Sept 23, l78l, age 30 years of inflammation of the brain, while stationed at White Plains, buried at Crumps Pond, NY. He married 08 May, l777 to Susanna Lankinnon. No tombstone.; Bride=Susanna Lankinnon^5,2
• Burial*: 23 September 1781; Gilead Cemetery, Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA
• (Deceased) Death*: 23 September 1781; Crumps Pond, Suffolk Co. (Long Island), New York, USA; James, Lt., 2nd Regt. of Light Dragoons, s of Edmond & Mary, d Continental Service Sept. 23, 1781, 29 yrs, buried at Crump Pond, NY^1,2

• Nam-Std: Maj. Wells
• Milt-Event*: 1778; 2nd Regt. of Light Dragoons^1,2

Henry Wells¹

• Father*: Capt. Edmund Welles^2,1 b. 21 Dec 1721, d. 1 Jun 1805
• Mother*: Mary Howell^2,1 b. 14 Feb 1717/18, d. 2 Jan 1776

• Reference: W015 ID712

• Birth: 25 March 1750; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^3,1
• Birth*: 5 April 1750; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^4,1
• Burial*: 30 March 1763; Gilead Cemetery, Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA; Son of Capt Edmund Wells
• (Deceased) Death*: 30 March 1763; Gilead Cemetery, Gilead, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA; Birth: unknown
  Death: Mar. 30, 1763
  
  Son of Capt Edmund Wells
  
  
  Burial:
  Gilead Cemetery
  Gilead
  Tolland County
  Connecticut, USA
  
  Created by: KC
  Record added: Mar 28, 2009
  Find A Grave Memorial# 35279664^2,1

• Name Variation: Henry Welles^4,1

Mary Howell Welles^1,2

• Father*: Capt. Edmund Welles^1,2 b. 21 Dec 1721, d. 1 Jun 1805
• Mother*: Mary Howell^1,2 b. 14 Feb 1717/18, d. 2 Jan 1776

• Reference: W015 ID712

• Birth*: 16 May 1748; Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA^3,2
• Birth: 27 May 1748; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^1,2
• (Bride) Marriage*: September 1776; Second Congregational Church, Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA^4,2
• (Deceased) Death*: 20 October 1799; Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA^5,2

• Nam-Std: Wells
• Married Name: September 1776; Mrs. Rollo (Welles)⁶
• Married Name: September 1776; Mrs. Raleigh (Welles)

Edmund Welles^1,2

• Father*: Capt. Edmund Welles^3,2 b. 21 Dec 1721, d. 1 Jun 1805
• Mother*: Mary Howell^3,2 b. 14 Feb 1717/18, d. 2 Jan 1776

• Reference: W015 ID712

• Birth*: 30 August 1746; Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA⁴
• (Groom) Marriage*: 22 February 1770; Second Congregational Church, Hebron, Tolland Co., Connecticut, USA; Bride=Wealthian Goodrich^5,6,2
• (Witness) Burial*: 17 September 1826; Old Turnpike Cemetery, Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA; Birth:      1746, USA
  Death:      1826
  Washington County
  New York, USA
  
  Revolutionary War Soldier
  ******************
  Capt. Edmund Wells Jr. was born 30 August 1746 in Hebron, Connecticut, the son of Edmund Wells Sr. and Mary Howell. He married in February 1770, Welthian Goodrich, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Whiting) Goodrich. Capt. Edmund Wells Jr. died 26 September 1826 in Cambridge, New York (Hughes, "American Ancestry").
  
  The children of Edmund and Welthian were:
  i. Capt. Edmund Henry Wells (Abt 1771-1813) who married in about 1792, Hepsibah Buell (Hulslander, "The Asa Fitch Papers", Paragraph 839).
  ii. Elizabeth Wells (1774-?) who married Lewis Berry ("DAR Lineage Books", Vol. 50, p 92).
  iii. James Wells (1778-1848) who married Chlorinda Griffin.
  iv. William Wells (Abt 1778-1829) who married Wealthy Gilbert.
  v. Samuel Wells (1781-1866) who married Marian Henry.
  vi. Sidney Wells (1786-1859) who married Sylvia Fairchild.
  vii. Solomon Wells (Abt 1790-?) who married Mary Ann Dunlap.
  
  (Radcliffe, "Family Group Sheet for Edmund3 Wells Jr", Sources cited: Wells' notes from Mrs. MacMorris Washington Co. Historian; JG Hunt's letters 1968 re data from Philip L. Cobb; Florence A. Wells, dau of Henry Martyn Wells, son of Sidney Wells; visited Turnpike Cemetery 2 June 1970.)
  
  provided by Mark Grafe #48262993
  
  Family links:
  Spouse:
  Wealthy Ann Goodrich Wells (1749 - 1814)*
  
  Children:
  Edmund Henry Wells (1771 - 1813)*
  Samuel D. Wells (1781 - 1866)*
  
  *Calculated relationship
  
  Burial:
  Old Turnpike Graveyard
  Cambridge
  Washington County
  New York, USA
  
  Edit Virtual Cemetery info [?]
  
  Created by: Thomas Dunne
  Record added: Apr 12, 2005
  Find A Grave Memorial# 10760344²
• Death: 17 September 1826; Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA⁷
• (Deceased) Death*: 17 September 1826; Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA²
• Burial: after 17 September 1826; Old Cemetery, Cambridge, Washington Co., New York, USA

• Nam-Std: Wells
• Name Variation: Pvt. Edmund Welles Jr⁸
• Note: 1768; Yale College Biographical Sketching, pp 298-99
  "Edmund Wells, the second son and child of Captain Edmund Wells, of Gilead Parish in Hebron, Connecticut and grandson of Thomas Wells who emigrated from Worcestershire, England to Connecticut in 1712 was born in Hebron on August 30, 1746.
  
  His mother was Mary, daughter of Austin Howell, of Southampton, Long Island (New York).
  
  For the first year or two after granduation he taught school in Long Island. He then went to what is now Lansingburg, New York and taught for two years.
  
  He the removed about twenty-five miles further to the northeastward, and settled in Cambridge, in the present Washington County, with his father, who had been on of the origional grantees of that township in 1761.
  
  He was a patriot in the time of the Revolution and fought at the battle of Bennington.
  
  Farming was his principal occupation, through he was also a magistrate for many years and he served as a member of the New York Assembly for one session (1781-82).
  
  He died in Cambridge on September 17, 1826, aged 80 years leaving five sons.
  
  He is remembered as an agreeable companion and a man of unusual social gifts."⁷
• Milit-Beg: 1776; New York, USA; 1776 1) CAPT JOSEPH WELLS,16TH ALBANY MIL REGT 2) ELECTION BOARD COMM CAMBRIDGE 1776⁹
• Note: 1776; Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., New York, USA; taught school in CT, was clerk in lst store in Lansingburgh, NY, came to Cambridge before the Revolution War. They had 7 children. They are Edmund Henry, Solomon, Elizabeth, Samuel, Sidney and William, and James
• NSDAR/NSSAR: 1776; New York, USA; Type: NSDAR 1776 0^10,9
• Note: 17 September 1826; died leaving 5 sons
  Mrs. Florence WELLES of Lewiston, Maine had his diploma in l94l.
  
  Edmund WELLES came to Cambridge with his father Edmund, Sr., his Uncle Joseph WELLES and others in l773. He was a prominent man in the town. Edmund (age 29) served as a private in l780 in Capt. Joseph WELLES' company, Albany County militia, and active in leadership positions in Cambridge offices, i.e. Northern Turnpike Co, director; town clerk l777l78l, and again l789l805.
  
       The Albany Northern Turnpike  The old Post Road, or more properly called the Albany Northern Turnpike, was established by an act of Legislature passed April l, l799. It ran from Troy through Lansingburgh, through Speigletown, Grant's Hollow, Melrose, Tomhannock, Millertown, Buskirks, Cambridge, Salem and to the north. At the lower end of the village of Tomhannock stands an old milestone which reads "to Lansingburgh, l0 miles". Near this stone was the tollgate with its house built very near the road. The Northern Turnpike is supposed to go right passed Daniel and Edmund's WELLES home. Some of the toll rates quoted for the Tomhannock gate are as follows, which would be posted and painted on a board:
       For one carriage or sleigh drawn by 4 horses 25 cents If drawn by 2 horses, l5 cents
  If drawn by l horse, l0 cents
  For any 20 cattle, 25 cents
  For any 20 sheep, l2 cents
  For every passenger on foot, 02 cents
  
       Citizens and travelers sometimes resented these tolls, and rose against the payment. One tollkeeper awoke one morning to find his gate gone and a bit of paper on the old gate post which read, "The man who stopped the boy when going to the mill, will find his gate at the bottom of the hill".
  
       In l849 these laws were passed in regard to those who were exempt from tolls at gates of the turnpikes:
       Persons going to and from any court in which they have been summoned as jurors or witnesses.
  
  
       Persons going to and from any training at which the law required them to attend.
  All going to any funeral or funeral processions.
  Troops in actual service
  Persons going to town meeting or elections
  Farmers going to or from work on their farms
       Persons living within l mile of any gate shall pass a half toll
  
       Just south of Edmund WELLES home is another road called the "shunpike" for those wishing to shun paying the fee and can cross diagonally over to another north south road. This road is the state highway for the area today. There is no fee paid today to travel on the Turnpike road (now called Union road).⁷