Deacon Thomas Benedict (b. 1617, d. Feb 28, 1689/90)
Deacon Thomas Benedict (son of William Benedict III and Ann Hunlocke) was born 1617 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, and died Feb 28, 1689/90 in Norwalk, Fairfield County, CT. He married Mary Bridgham on 1640 in Southold, Suffolk County, NY, daughter of Thomas Bridgham and Mary Cresswell.
Notes for Deacon Thomas Benedict: Geneological Guide to the Early Settlers of America, Whittemor, reprint 1967, Benedict, Thomas, of Norwalk, Conn. was of Southold, L.I before 1650. he came about 1636 to Mass. at the age of 22 and soon after Married Mary Bridgham, a fellow passenger. He was the only son it is said of William of Nottingham. he had Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah, Rebecca, all born at Southold and after living a short time at Huntington & Jamaica, he removed in 1665 to Norwalk and there was a deacon, selectman, townclerk, and rep. of the general court 1670. From THE ABRIDGED COMPENDIUIM OF AMERICAN GENEALOGY RECORD Vol. 3, p. 649 Benedict, Thomas (1617 -90) from England to Mass 1638 at Southold, LI; member Colonial Assembly from Hempstead; finally at Norwalk, Conn. where was deacon, selectman, town clerk and deputy at Gen. Court; Married Mary Bridgum (Bridgham). From COLONIAL CONNECTICUT RECORDS 1639-1776 p. 521 "Norwalk Plantation 11 Oct 1669 to be presented unto the Honoured Court assembled: Thomas Benedict, Sr. and Thomas Benedict, Jr." Vol 2. p. 73: Nominated in Gen Assembly for Freeman from Saybrook: Thomas Benedict Vol. 3, p. 143 May 1684 Thomas Benedict, et al are by this Court appoynted and empowered a committee for to order the planting of a Towne above Norwalk or Fairfield and to receive in inhabitants to plant there; and what they, or any three of them shall do in the premises shall be good to all intents and purposes for the planting of Paquiage.
(Ancestry of Esther Benedict. Http://kinship4.homestead.com/Benedict.html)
Emigrated from England in 1638 and settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony; he was the head of the Benedict family in America. He moved Southold, L.I. in 1640, where he and three others purchased a tract land called Hashamomuck; moved to Huntington L.I. before 1657, and t Jamiaca before 1662; he moved to Norwalk in 1665; he was a founder of the First Presbyterian Church in America at Jamaica in 1662 and was deacon there; he was a member of the colonial legislature at Jamaica 1664; he was selectman, town clerk, and rep. in gen. ct. 1670; he wa a member of the colonial Legislature at Jamaica, NY in 1664; he was influential in the colony and held the highest positions of trust; h was a member of the General Assembly 1670-1675; on 8 Feb 1665, he wa appointed by Gov. Nichols as delegate from Jamaica to settle "Good a d Known Laws" for the inhabitants of Long Island, which is thought to the first legislative body convened in NY.
DEAT NOTE Will written 28 Feb 1689/1690, inventory 18 Mar 1689/1690.
Deacon Thomas Benedict (b. 1617, d. Feb 28, 1689/90)
Notes for Deacon Thomas Benedict: