Gov. Webster's will (dated 25 June 1659) mentions his grandchildren Jonathan and Mary Hunt but does not give the names of his daughter and son-in-law, presumed deceased.(Webster, 1915).
"----There is no evidence that Gov. Webster had a daughter Mary, ---- evidence indicates that he had a daughter Margaret who m. Thomas Hunt and they were the parents of Jonathan and Mary Hunt who came to Hartford ---by 1655 to live with their grandfather Webster and moved with the Websters to Hadley, MA in 1659 during --- religious dispute in CT which led Websters and many other settlers to move upriver to Hadley and Northampton. The Parish Register of Cossington, Leicestershire, Eng., has the following data: John Webster m. Agnes Smith 7 Nov 1609. (Gov. John of CT.) Margaret Webster bapt. 21 Feb 1611/12 dau of John Webster. Margaret Webster m. Thomas Hunt 5 Jun 1632."
825By family tradition, he was from County Warwick and was an original proprietor of Hartford, His home-lot in 1639 was on the east side of the street now called Governor St. He was one of the Committee who for the first time sat with the Court of Magistrates, 1637 ans 1638, and a magistrate from 1639 to 1655, when he was made deputy-governor, and the next year governor. He was one of the committee who formed the code of criminal laws for the Colony in 1642; a Commissioner for the United Colonies, 1654. He was an influential member of the church in Hartford, took a deep interest in the controversy which agitated that and other churches, was one of the leaders of the Hadley company, and removed thither in 1659; he was admitted freeman, Mass., and in May, 1660, made a magistrate. He died in Hadley, 5 April 1661, leaving a widow Agnes.
828On the 11th of April, 1639, came the First General Meeting of the Freemen, under the Constitution, for the election of Magistrates, when John Haynes, who had been Governor in the Massachusetts Bay in 1635, was now chosen the first Governor of the Connecticut Colony. Mr. Roger Ludlowe, of Windsor, was chosen deputy-governor. The magistrates were Mr. George Wylls, Mr. Edward Hopkins, Mr. Thomas Welles, Mr. John Webster, Mr. William Phelps.
235The town of Farmington was incorporated in 1645, chiefly by men who went out of Hartford; but as Farmington is a part of Hartford County, upon this fact we shall not dwell. Hadley, Mass., was a direct outgrowth from hartford, aided by Wethersfield. It started with a strong and able body of men. They were some of Hartford's chief citizens, who had become weary with the long debate and strife in the First Church under Mt. Stone's ministry. Mr. John Webster, who had been Governor of the Connecticut Colony, and Mr. John Russell, minister at Wethersfield, who had been chosen spiritual head of the movement, may be reckoned as the chief leaders. On the written compact into which they entered, 18 April 1659, the names of Mr. Webster and Elder William Goodwin stand first, and are followed by about thirty more from Hartford., and by Mr. Russell's and about twenty others from Wethersfield. The territory on which they planted themselves under the general name of Hadley includes the present towns of Hadley, Amherst, Granby, Hatfield, and South Hadley. In this settlement, and by the Rev. Mr. Russell especially, the regicide judges were concealed when they could no longer be safely kept within the New Haven plantations.
Note: Have seen Mary (b. 30 March 1623) who married John Hunt listed as John's daughter. |