Person Page - 124

     Obediah Hayes was born on 14 June 1754 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 He was the son of Daniel Hayes II and Abigail Hayes. Obediah Hayes married Ahinoam Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin, on 25 September 1780 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Obediah Hayes died on 23 March 1817 at age 62; pleurisy.³

Obediah was a farmer, Revolutionary soldier, and school commissioner, in North Granby.

"Aloud I call to all around, While here inclos'd I lie, Let faith and love in you abound, For you must shortly die."

     Bathsheba Holcombe was born on 17 August 1761 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin.

     Hannah Holcombe was born on 8 March 1764 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin. Hannah Holcombe was baptized on 17 March 1764 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She married Jabez Gillett, son of Jacob Gillett and Lydia Phelps, on 5 December 1784 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^3,4 Hannah Holcombe died on 29 May 1850 at Italy, Yates Co., NY, at age 86.⁵ She was buried at Italy-Naples Townline Cemetery, Yates Co., NY.

The Simsbury Vital Records, page 184, shows Hannah born March 17, 1764. However, Simsbury Town Meeting Records, Vol. 4, P. 198, show the birth to be 8 March. ⁶

     Jabez Gillett was born on 13 January 1761 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Jacob Gillett and Lydia Phelps.² Jabez Gillett married Hannah Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin, on 5 December 1784 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^3,4 Jabez Gillett died on 25 May 1839 at Prattsburgh, Steuben Co., NY, at age 78.⁴

Jabez was enumerated in the 1830 Prattsburgh, Steuben Co., NY, federal census. Beside a woman his age, there was also a young woman, 20-30, probably Rosina as Enoch Barker lived next door (family of Harriet). Also living nearby were Jabez Jr., and Seymour. Also living nearby was William McConnell (family of Alexander who married Rosina).

     Not in Seaver. Zekoah Hesse Holcombe was born on 28 December 1765 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin.

     Seaver and Weir show Leonard, Simsbury records do not. Leonard Holcombe was the son of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin.

     Amasa Holcombe was born in 1768. He was the son of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin. Amasa Holcombe married Ruth Hoskins, daughter of Ezra Hoskins and Ruth Granger. Amasa Holcombe died on 19 September 1848.³ He was buried at Baptist Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.³

     Ruth Hoskins was born in 1768. She was the daughter of Ezra Hoskins and Ruth Granger. Ruth Hoskins married Amasa Holcombe, son of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin. Ruth Hoskins died on 6 February 1835.¹ She was buried at Baptist Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Zilpah Holcombe was baptized on 28 August 1774 at Scotland, CT.³ She was the daughter of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin. Zilpah Holcombe married John Goddard, son of John Goddard Jr. and Mary Hillyer, in 1793.³ Zilpah Holcombe died on 24 July 1813 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 38.³ She was buried at West Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.⁴

Seaver has this record, Simsbury records do not.

     John Goddard was born on 24 September 1759 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of John Goddard Jr. and Mary Hillyer.¹ John Goddard married Lydia Cossitt in 1783.¹ John Goddard married Zilpah Holcombe, daughter of Joshua Holcombe IV and Martha Griffin, in 1793.¹ John Goddard died on 22 March 1852 at Canton, Hartford Co., CT, at age 92.² He was buried on 24 March 1852 at North Canton Cemetery, Hartford Co., CT.²

Some records held by the Cossitt family, show his wife to be Temperance Cossitt, the daughter of Alexander Cossitt and Mindwell Wilcoxon. This cannot be correct, since we have a reasonably complete record of Temperance's life including her birth n 23 mar 1771, and her marriage to Butler Holcomb in 1793. Further study shows that the first daughter of Alexander and Mincwell Cossitt was Lydia Cossitt, born 21 Oct 1761. The Cossitt genealogy shows nothing more on her life. He birth date would make her just two years younger than John Goddard which seems much more reasonable than for Temperance, who would have been twelve years younger than John, and would have been only 12 at the time of her marriage to John, and only 14 at the time of birth of the first child. Further, John's first child, a girl, was named Lyddia. With this information, it seems very probable that his wife was actually Lydia Cossitt. ³


Granby records have been found showing the birth of two children to John and his first wife, however, Mrs. Jesse Green of Ohio, has furnished the dates and names for two additional children. She has since died and her records have not been located. It is suspected that she had some records not available elsewhere, such as a family bible or official papers which gave this information. The date of birth of John's fourth child also agrees with the probable time of the death of his first wife. ³


There does not seem to be any official documentation such as Vital Records or church records that shows that the above two sets of children do in fact belong to the same John Goddard. John lived out his later life with his son, Grove, and in his will (Granby #594), only Grove is mentioned. When it is realized that most of the family except Grove had moved to Ohio before 1831, it is likely that he would have lost contact with them. A study of many deed records, the census records from 1790 to 1850, and a record of a court judgment against Ranny Goddard provides the necessary proof for the fact that the two sets of children do indeed belong to this John Goddard. ⁴


John Goddard served in the Revolutionary War. The meager War record only shows that he was a private in the Company of Capt. Judd and in the Regiment of Col. Wills. There are however, extensive files on his applicatins for pension. He was granted a pension based on teh above service as a private. Much of his file consists of his efforts to have the pension increased, as he had served as a corporal for about 9 months of his almost two years total service. The many affidavits of friends and relatives provide much general background. These records also profice the only known proof of his birth date, and also include the date of his death. ⁴ Winfred Goddard's book has an illustration of his request for a pension increase.

     Abel Forward was born on 4 November 1710.¹ He was the son of Samuel Forward and Deborah Moore.² Abel Forward married Hannah Phelps, daughter of Joseph Phelps and Rebecca North, on 28 April 1736.¹ Abel Forward married Tabitha Moore, daughter of Benjamin Moore and Eunice Owen, on 25 September 1791.¹ Abel Forward died in 1798 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Hannah Phelps was born on 7 June 1717 at Turkey Hills, Hartford Co., CT.³ She was the daughter of Joseph Phelps and Rebecca North. Hannah Phelps married Abel Forward, son of Samuel Forward and Deborah Moore, on 28 April 1736.³ Hannah Phelps died on 13 April 1790 at age 72.³

     Lt. Benjah Philo Holcombe was born on 5 August 1764 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁵ He was the son of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward. Lt. Benjah Philo Holcombe was baptized on 16 September 1764. He married Mary Case, daughter of Martin Case and Lucy Adams, on 19 April 1784.⁶ Lt. Benjah Philo Holcombe died on 2 January 1828 at age 63.⁷ He was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁸

Seaver and McPherson call this son Benjah Philo while Bowman lists seperate children, Benjah and Philo.

Listed in DAR record # 11414.

Ruth Cost Duncan lists children Polly, Edmund, Burt, Nancy, and Hariet that Seth and McPherson show as children of Hull.

     Elihu Holcombe died. He was born on 20 August 1766 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward.

     Jemima Holcombe was born on 26 February 1777 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ She was the daughter of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward. Jemima Holcombe married Titus Barber, son of Thomas Barber III and Martha Case. Jemima Holcombe died on 9 March 1858 at age 81.⁵

     Rachel Holcombe was born in 1769. She was the daughter of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward.

     Lydia Holcombe was born in 1776. She was the daughter of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward. Lydia Holcombe married Bela Tuller, son of Elijah Tuller and Sarah Case, in 1794. Lydia Holcombe died in 1848.

     Roswell, his wife, and six children moved ot Sharon township, Franklin Co., OH. Sarah Holcombe was born in 1772 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward. Sarah Holcombe married Roswell Tuller in 1803.

     Polly Holcombe was the daughter of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward.

     Sabrina Holcombe was the daughter of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward.

     Hull Holcombe was born in 1779. He was the son of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward.

     Seaver and McPherson call this son Benjah Philo while Bowman lists seperate children, Benjah and Philo. Philo Holcombe was born in 1773. He was the son of Benajah Holcombe II and Lydia Forward.

     Elijah Holcombe was born in 1761. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans. Elijah Holcombe died in 1761.

     Sarah Thede Holcombe was born in 1762. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans.

     Elijah Holcombe was born in 1764. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans. Elijah Holcombe married Mary Smith, daughter of Samuel Smith, on 3 February 1785 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.³ Elijah Holcombe died in 1815.

     Different sources report his death being in Michigan or Utah. Eli Holcombe was born in 1766. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans.

     Lois Holcombe was born in 1768. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans.

     Olive Holcombe was born in 1770. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans. Olive Holcombe died in 1791.

     Zerviah Holcombe was born in 1773. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans.

     George Washington Holcombe was born on 13 August 1776.³ He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans. George Washington Holcombe married Electa Loomis, daughter of Israel Loomis and Abigail Saxton. George Washington Holcombe died on 28 September 1847 at Hudson, Summit Co., OH, at age 71.³ He was buried at Old Hudson Township Burying Grou, Hudson, Summit Co., OH.

     Justus Holcombe was born in 1779 at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Sarah Evans. Justus Holcombe married Lois Rice, daughter of Eleazar Rice and Rosannah Viets, at East Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

Justus served on a sailing ship on several trips to the South Pacific, Japan, and Hawaii; moved to Meadville, PA, about 1820; went to California in the Gold Rush of 1849 and settled in Napa County, CA. They had children 1,2, 7, 9 in Viets, the others in Weir.^3,4

     Died unmarried. Samuel Simpson Grant was born on 23 September 1825 at Georgetown, Brown Co., OH. He was the son of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson. Samuel Simpson Grant died on 13 September 1861 at St. Paul, MN, at age 35.

     Clara Rachel Grant was born on 11 December 1828 at Georgetown, Brown Co., OH. She was the daughter of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson. Clara Rachel Grant died on 6 March 1865 at Covington, Kenton Co., KY, at age 36.

     Virginia Paine Grant was born on 20 February 1832 at Georgetown, Brown Co., OH. She was the daughter of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson.

     Orvil Lynch Grant was born on 15 May 1835 at Georgetown, Brown Co., OH. He was the son of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson.

     Mary Frances Grant was born on 28 July 1839 at Georgetown, Brown Co., OH. She was the daughter of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson.

     Zaccheus Gillett was born on 18 December 1724 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Isaac Gillett and Elizabeth Griswold. Zaccheus Gillett married Ruth Phelps, daughter of Timothy Phelps and Rachel Moore, on 15 December 1743.² Zaccheus Gillett died on 7 January 1793 at age 68.

     Ruth Phelps was born on 5 April 1728. She was the daughter of Timothy Phelps and Rachel Moore. Ruth Phelps married Zaccheus Gillett, son of Isaac Gillett and Elizabeth Griswold, on 15 December 1743.¹ Ruth Phelps died circa 1773.²

     Rachel Moore was born on 6 February 1690/91 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Andrew Moore and Sarah Phelps. Rachel Moore married Timothy Phelps, son of Joseph Phelps and Hannah Newton, on 10 December 1707.¹

     Sarah Phelps was born on 16 March 1653/54 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Samuel Phelps and Sarah Griswold. Sarah Phelps married Andrew Moore on 15 February 1671.⁵ Sarah Phelps died in November 1732 at age 78.⁶

The Phelps Genealogy, page 98, does not show William as a child of Sarah and Andrew.

     Andrew Moore married Sarah Phelps, daughter of Samuel Phelps and Sarah Griswold, on 15 February 1671.¹ Andrew Moore died on 29 November 1719 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.²

The first mention, yet discovered, of Andrew Moore, of Poquonnock, Conn., is the record of his marriage, which is as follows: "Andrew Moore & fara Phelpes yt was Dafter of famuell Phelpes ware married by capten Newberry, February 15 1671"

In 1673, 34 members of the church of Windsor, called the new church, signed a paper which Gov. Winthrop endorsed, "Windsor men of the new church, complaint in Winter, 1673." (See Stiles' Ancient Windsor, Vol. I, p. 206.) In 1675 Matthew Grant paid Andrew Moore £1, 17s, on "war account." This must have been for services during the destruction of Simsbury by the Indians. Jan. 23, 1674, the town, by Matthew Grant, paid Andrew Moore, Nathaniel Pinney and Joseph Griswold for making a new ferry boat. They were paid £3, 6s., 8d., in barter, and it seems, too, that the tax levy was assigned before collection in the payment of debts, "In the good Old colony times."

August 24, 1678, Andrew Moore and 34 others were sued by James Cornish for a school bill of £0-5-2. His oldest child, Sarah, was then but 6 years of age. It would seem that Andrew was a little slack in educational matters. Dec. 20, 1680, he was paid by the town for labor on the church. He had a grant of land at Salmon Brook, now Granby, Conn., in 1680, in which he is called "Andrew Moore, the carpenter, of Windsor, Conn."

Major John Talcott, who had agreed to extinguish the Indian title to Simsbury for 300 acres of land, gives a gloomy account of this, at that time, western country. He says that he "can find on place where any thing considerable can be taken up, the most of that which some call meadow is full of small brush and vines through which is no passing or full of trees great and small, and in ye place where the best land of that sort is, there is no accommodation of upland to it saving only mighty tall mountaynes and Rockes and the way bad to it, and a great way to all of it, and will be dismally obscure and solitary to any that shall live upon it, and very hard coming at the market, not only because of the remoteness but badness of the passage, and the society of the neighborhood will be very thin, all which will be discouraging."

At a later date Andrew bought land of John Gozard on the "east side of the mountains bounded easterly by Simsbury easterly bounds, southerly by John Pettybone, his lot, (allias Jonathan Moore, his lot) the bredth of s'd lot westerly by the commons is fifty rods." March 29, 1715, Andrew Moore of Windsor, deeded to his son Benjamin Moore "for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving, but especially in consideration of my fatherly love and affection I have to my son Benjamin Moore," fifty acres of land in Turkey Hills, now East Granby. In the description of this land Andrew mentions his son William.

Andrew Moore lived in Windsor, where the birth of all his children is recorded except that of William, and died Nov 29, 1719. The inventory of his estate was made on the 17th of December following, amounting to £320, and his widow, Sarah, was appointed administratrix. He had 15 acres of land in Windsor with house and barn, carpenter's tools, with farming implements, a cider mill, loom, spinning wheel, sword and belt and a library "prised at 8 shillings," besides two pieces of land in Simsbury. The distribution of the estate took place April 5, 1720, and each of his nine children took his share of the property after the widow's portion had been set off to her. ³

     Ruth Gillett was born on 29 September 1751 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Zaccheus Gillett and Ruth Phelps. Ruth Gillett married Capt. Abner Pinney, son of Capt. Abraham Pinney and Elizabeth Butler, in 1773. Ruth Gillett died on 28 March 1806 at Worthington, Franklin Co., OH, at age 54.³ She was buried at St. John's Cemetery, Worthington, Franklin Co., OH.³

     Nathan Gillett was born on 17 April 1655 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Nathan Gillett and Elizabeth (?)¹ Nathan Gillett married Rebecca Owen, daughter of John Owen and Rebecca Wade, on 30 June 1692 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Rebecca Owen was born on 28 March 1666 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of John Owen and Rebecca Wade. Rebecca Owen married Nathan Gillett, son of Nathan Gillett and Elizabeth (?), on 30 June 1692 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Rebecca Owen died in 1711.

     Roger Newton Rev. married Mary Hooker in 1644. Roger Newton Rev. died in 1683.

     Mary Hooker was born in 1616. She married Roger Newton Rev. in 1644. Mary Hooker died in 1676.

     Timothy Thrall was born on 25 July 1641 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of William Thrall and Old Goode Thrall.² Timothy Thrall married Deborah Gunn, daughter of Thomas Gunn, on 10 November 1659 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² Timothy Thrall died in 1697.