Person Page - 74

     Orator H. Holcombe was born on 5 August 1770 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁵ He was the son of Reuben Holcombe and Susanna Hayes. Orator H. Holcombe married Hannah Terry. Orator H. Holcombe died on 14 January 1843 at Sycamore, DeKalb Co., IL, at age 72. He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery, Sycamore, DeKalb Co., IL; Section G.

They removed from CT., to Erie Co., NY, and then to Canandaigua, Ontario Co., NY; they then moved again to Attica, Wyoming Co., NY, where he bought a tract of land included in the immense acreage sold by Robert Morris to the Amsterdam Co., known as the "Holland Purchase"; came West, to Sycamore, Ill., with his family about 1839. Orator died in 1843 and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery as his second burial place. Hannah Terry Holcombe returned to New York State.

William Frey mentions additional sources:

Obituary: Oldest in Sycamore-Death of Sylvanus Holcombe, aged ninety-three years, 1896 The True Republican Sycamore, Illinois, 22 January

Henry L. Boise, History of DeKalb Couinty, Illinois (Chicago; O.P. Bassett, Printer, 1868) Pages 476-478.

Glance Back 70 years ago-Great contrast in Conditions then and now, 1913, Sycamore True Republican, 2 August

Obituary: Grief comes on Holidays-Death of four Good Citizens of Sycamore-Orator F. Holcomb is suddenly taken, 1911 Sycamore True Republican 4 January

Obituary: Death Claims S. A. Holcomb-Civic leader is called Wednesday-Friend to mankind, 1940, Sycamore True Republican, 5 April

Obituary: Arthur Holcomb Rites Thursday, 1956. Sycamore True Republican 29 June.

     Sylvanus Holcombe was born on 9 July 1768 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Reuben Holcombe and Susanna Hayes. Sylvanus Holcombe died circa 1800 at Canandaigua, Ontario Co., NY;

Sylvanus died intestate and administratation was granted to his brother Seth on 3 Dec 1800.²

     Lt. Thomas Wells was born on 10 June 1652. He was the son of Thomas Wells. Lt. Thomas Wells married Hepzibah Buell, daughter of William Buell and Mary Post, on 12 January 1672/73 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.¹ Lt. Thomas Wells died in 1691.

     Peter Buell was born in 1671.¹ He was the son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan. Peter Buell died; young.¹

     Abigail Buell was born on 17 May 1673 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan.³ Abigail Buell married Thomas Barber III, son of Lt. Thomas Barber and Mary Phelps, on 25 May 1699 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Abigail Buell died on 30 August 1727 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 54.⁵

Heirs of Abigail were mentioned in her father's will but not by name. her husband was probably the son of Lt. thomas Barber (Thomas) and, if so, was born at Windsor, 17 October 1671, died Simsbury, 17 July 1714 (Manwaring 2:155), but though the probate shows Abigail as widow, no children are named, and the only child seen is Thomas.

     Sarah Buell was born on 22 January 1679/80 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.^1,2 She was the daughter of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan.² Sarah Buell married William Goring on 11 September 1700. Sarah Buell married Elias Slater, son of John Slater and Abiah Gillett, circa 1715. Sarah Buell died on 4 October 1734 at age 54.

McCracken notes that she survived her father but he knows nothing of her subsequent history. Howeve Olivia Patch and Richard C. Roberts in the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor Newsletter of the Summer 2019 documented William Goring and Elias Slalter.

     Peter Buell was born on 2 April 1681 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan. Peter Buell died on 25 October 1703 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 22.²

     Hannah Buell was born circa 1684.² She was the daughter of Sgt. Peter Buell and Martha Cogan. Hannah Buell married Richard Saxton, son of Mary Hill, on 20 June 1706 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     Thomas Wells was the son of Hugh Wells.

     McCrackey in not satisfied that Mercy was a Strong. Mary Strong married Sgt. Peter Buell, son of William Buell and Mary Post, in 1687.¹ Mary Strong died on 4 June 1688 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She was buried at Main Street Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     Robert Hoskins was born between 1689 and 1700. He was the son of Robert Hoskins and Mary Gillett. Robert Hoskins married Elizabeth Buckland in 1725.

     Elizabeth Buckland married Robert Hoskins, son of Robert Hoskins and Mary Gillett, in 1725.

     Hannah Hoskins was born on 13 February 1726/27. She was the daughter of Robert Hoskins and Elizabeth Buckland.

     Miriam Buell was baptized on 12 March 1698/99.² She was born circa 1699.³ She was the daughter of Sgt. Peter Buell and Mary Gillett.³ Miriam Buell died on 24 May 1790 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, at age 91.²

     William Buell was born in 1701.² He was the son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Mary Gillett.² William Buell died on 14 September 1734.²

     Jonathan Buell was born in 1703 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Sgt. Peter Buell and Mary Gillett.² Jonathan Buell died on 13 October 1734 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.²

McCracken notes that Jonathan's widow Abigail married (2) Andrew Robe Jr. in Simsbury, CT, on 1 April 1735.

     Hesther Buell was also known as Esther Buell. She was born on 24 November 1705 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Sgt. Peter Buell and Mary Gillett.² Hesther Buell married Daniel Holcombe, son of Capt. Thomas Holcombe and Elizabeth Terry, on 1 January 1735/36 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³ Hesther Buell died in 1765.²

     Sarah Griswold was baptized on 29 January 1631/32 at Kenilworth, England.³ She was the daughter of Edward Griswold and Margaret (?) Sarah Griswold married Samuel Phelps, son of William Phelps Sr. and Mary (?), on 10 November 1650 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. Sarah Griswold married Nathaniel Pinney, son of Humphrey Pinney and Mary Hull, on 21 July 1670 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Sarah Griswold died on 6 November 1715 at age 83.

Sarah's will reads:


I, Sarah Pinney of Windsor, widow, being aged and weak, doe make this my last will and testament: I give to my four daughters, Sarah Moore, Mary Addams, Abigail Winchell and Sarah Grant, the wife of Thomas Grant, the whole of my estate, to be equally divided between them. I make my brother Ensign Joseph Griswold and Sergt. Benajah Holcomb executors. ⁵

     Francis Griswold was born circa 1629 at Kenilworth, England.² He was the son of Edward Griswold and Margaret (?) Francis Griswold died in October 1671. He was buried at Post-Gager Cemetery.

     Liddia Griswold was baptized on 17 November 1637 at Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England.² She was the daughter of Edward Griswold and Margaret (?) Liddia Griswold was also known as Lydia Griswold. She died before 1639 at England.

     Hannah Griswold was baptized on 19 June 1642.² She was the daughter of Edward Griswold and Margaret (?) Hannah Griswold was also known as Ann Griswold. Hannah Griswold was also known as Anna Griswold. She died on 3 May 1714 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 71.³

     Ensign Joseph Griswold was born on 12 March 1647 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Edward Griswold and Margaret (?) Ensign Joseph Griswold married Mary Gaylord, daughter of Samuel Gaylord and Elizabeth Hull, on 10 June 1670 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.³ Ensign Joseph Griswold died on 14 November 1716 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 69.²

Joseph was a freeman in 1670; ensign in 1690 under Capt. Thomas Allyn.

     Samuel Griswold was baptized on 18 November 1649 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Edward Griswold and Margaret (?) Samuel Griswold died on 6 July 1672 at age 22.

     John Griswold was baptized on 1 August 1652 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 He was the son of Edward Griswold and Margaret (?) John Griswold married Mary Bemis, daughter of James Bemis and Sarah Dimond, on 28 November 1672 at Killingworth, CT. John Griswold married Bathsheba North, daughter of Thomas North, circa 1680. John Griswold left a will on 6 June 1713. He died on 7 August 1717 at age 65.^2,3

John was a farmer, a prominent and leading citizen. He was a deacon for many years. He served on important civil committees and as deputy in 1690. he was named a captain in 1712 and served in the Indian Wars for which the town granted him six acres. His will named his wife, five sons, and seven daughters.

     Sarah Dimond was the daughter of John Dimond and Rebecca Bemis. Sarah Dimond married James Bemis. Sarah Dimond married Edward Griswold, son of George Griswold and Dousabel Leigh, before 25 December 1672.

     George Griswold was baptized on 6 November 1574 at Wooten Wawen, Warwickshire, England.³ He married Honora Pawley circa 1616.⁴ George Griswold died in 1623.³

     Matthew Griswold was born in 1620 at England.³ He was the son of George Griswold and Honora Pawley. Matthew Griswold married Anna Wolcott, daughter of Henry Wolcott Sr. and Elizabeth Saunders, on 16 October 1646 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. Matthew Griswold died on 27 September 1698 at Saybrook, Middlesex Co., CT.³

Matthew came to Windsor in 1639 with Edward Griswold, his older half brother, and the cngregation of the Rev. Ephraim Huit, but did not remain there long. He became an agent of Lord Fenwick and moved to Saybrook where he received a grant of land in 1645 which became the foundation of a large fortune.

Old Lyme was first settled in 1664 as East Saybrook, and Matthew as the pioneer and its first settler. He was one of the signers of the Articles of Separation in 1665.

Although Matthew was a lawyer, he also followed the trade of a mason, furnishing the stones for many of the graves of the early settlers. He also furnished the stone for his father-in-law, Henry Wolcott, which is almost intact after all these years. However, there is no stone for Matthew's grave, nor do we know exaclty where he is buried, although there are are records which would lead one to believe that he is probably buried in the Old Saybrook Cemetery. Although he removed to Lyme, he remained a member of the Saybrook church and was brought there for interment.

The terrible consequences of the witchcraft delusion and the opportunity which it provided for the poor and unscrupulous membes of the community to harass people of wealth and character cannot be better illustrated than by the following account, although the outcome was more fortunate than for some.

In 1667 John Tillerson charged the wife of Mathew Griswold of Lyme with being a witch and induced others to suspect her of witchcraft, for which Matthew caused him to be arrested and arraigned before the court. This John stated the cause of his suspicions and jealousies. The court decided that she was not a witch and that he had no cause to be jealous of her; that he had greatly sinned in harboring such jealousy against so good a neighbor who had done him so many favors. To clear Mrs. Griswold of all suspicion of the offense the Court ordered that its opinion should be published by the constables at Saybrook and Lyme at some public meeting.

Anna was living in September 1700 when she and Abraham Bronson were summoned before the court at New London as adminstrators fo the estate of Matthew. Abraham was summoned alone to the court in May 1701, so Anna evidently died in the interim.

The birth sequence of the children is from Vol. II:122 of the Middletown Congregational Church records, but the Frenches suspect a discrepancy.

The Frenches cited the following sources: Town and church records of Lyme, Middletown and Saybrook, Ct; Wolcott Memorial; Connecticut Colony Records Vols. I, II; Historical Society Collections, Particular Court Records; Court of Assistants Records, Office Secretary of State.

     Thomas Griswold was born circa 1622.¹ He was the son of George Griswold and Honora Pawley. Thomas Griswold died in 1699.¹

     Anna Wolcott was born in 1620. She was the daughter of Henry Wolcott Sr. and Elizabeth Saunders. Anna Wolcott married Matthew Griswold, son of George Griswold and Honora Pawley, on 16 October 1646 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. Anna Wolcott died say 1700.

     Henry Wolcott Sr. was baptized on 6 December 1579 at Parish of Lydiard, St. Lawrence, Somerset, England.⁴ He was the son of John Wolcott and Agnes Cross.⁴ Henry Wolcott Sr. married Elizabeth Saunders on 19 January 1606 at Parish of Lydiard, St. Lawrence, Somerset, England.⁵ Henry Wolcott Sr. died on 30 May 1655 at age 75.

Henry was the emigrant to Windsor, Conn. As the second son of John Wolcott, of Galdon Manor, Tolland, Co. Somerset, Eng., he held a fair position among the landed gentry, and an estate which placed him in affluent circumstances. By the decease of his elder brother Christopher, intestate, 1639, the family estate, including the manor-house, mill. etc., also came into his possession after his removal to America.


The earlier portion of his life was passed in the quiet pursuit of a country squire's duties and responsibilities; but, becoming converted under the teaching of the Rev. John Elton, he soon found himself closely identified with the Puritan party in the religious and political revolution which then convulsed England. American presented to him, as to hundreds of others like-minded, the only asylum where civil and religious freedom could be found; and, though then past 52 years of age, and with children of an age when they most needed the social and educational advantages afforded in their native land, --to emigrate to a new home beyond the ocean. Taking their three sons, and leaving behind them for a time two daughters ands their youngest son (age 5), they joined the Warham and Maverick emigration of 1630, on the 19th of October in which yr. we find Henry Wolcott's name as one of the first list of freemen of Boston.


He rem. from Dorchester to Windsor in 1635; in 1637 was elected a member of the lower house of the first General Assembly of Conn; in 1640 stands first in a list of the inhabitants of Windsor; in 1643 was elected to the House of Magistrates (the present Senate) of Conn., and was annually re-elected during life, and was probably, after the pastor, the most distinguished citizen of Windsor; the younger child who had been left behind, rejoined the family between 1631 and 1641. His estate was inventoried at £764, 8s, 10d, not a large sum for one who is known to have sold about £8,000 worth of estate in England preparatory to removing to America. In the Ancient "Family Chronologie" it is recorded of Henry Wolcott and his wife, that "these both dyed in hope and Ly buried under one Tomb in Windsor."

     Elizabeth Saunders was born in 1584. She married Henry Wolcott Sr., son of John Wolcott and Agnes Cross, on 19 January 1606 at Parish of Lydiard, St. Lawrence, Somerset, England.¹ Elizabeth Saunders died on 5 July 1655.

     Elizabeth Griswold was born circa 1652 at Lyme, New London Co., CT. She was the daughter of Matthew Griswold and Anna Wolcott. Elizabeth Griswold married John Rogers, son of James Rogers and Elizabeth Rowland, on 17 October 1670 at Blackhall, Lyme, CT. Elizabeth Griswold married Peter Pratt, son of Phineas Pratt and Mary Priest, on 5 August 1679.

     Matthew Griswold was born in 1653 at East Saybrook, CT. He was the son of Matthew Griswold and Anna Wolcott. Matthew Griswold married Phoebe Hyde, daughter of Samuel Hyde and Jane Lord, on 21 May 1683 at Lyme, New London Co., CT. Matthew Griswold died in 1715.

     French: "No records, probably died unmaried." John Griswold was the son of Matthew Griswold and Anna Wolcott.

     Sarah Griswold was the daughter of Matthew Griswold and Anna Wolcott. Sarah Griswold died on 12 September 1690.

     Anna Griswold was the daughter of Matthew Griswold and Anna Wolcott.

     Timothy Palmer was baptized on 20 March 1641 or 1642. He was the son of Nicholas Palmer. Timothy Palmer married Hannah Buell, daughter of William Buell and Mary Post, on 17 September 1663 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 Timothy Palmer married Miriam Dibble circa 25 October 1704. Timothy Palmer died on 29 August 1713.

     Timothy Palmer was born in 1664. He was the son of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.

     Hannah Palmer was born on 3 October 1666. She was the daughter of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.

     Mary Palmer was born on 14 May 1669. She was the daughter of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.

     Sarah Palmer was born on 25 February 1671/72.¹ She was the daughter of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.

     John Palmer was born on 13 April 1673. He was the son of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.

     Sarah Palmer was born on 12 April 1675. She was the daughter of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.

     Samuel Palmer was born on 7 September 1677. He was the son of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.

     Martha Palmer was born on 29 December 1679 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell. Martha Palmer died on 16 August 1683 at Windsor, Hartford Co., CT, at age 3.

     Benjamin Palmer was born on 24 February 1681 or 1682. He was the son of Timothy Palmer and Hannah Buell.