Sources: Barbour, Lucius B. Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut
Baltimore: Genealogical Publ. Co., 1977 (from Barbour's manuscript
copy) P. 75(Info from 15 Apr 97):
Tom Sharpless
tomas@ziplink.net
1 Drumlin Rd.
West Simsbury, CT 06092
born Belstone Parish, Devonshire or Gloucester, ENG(Info from 7 Apr 97:)
Fritz Van de Water
dutchman@infowest.com
Thomas came to America in 1638SOURCE: Savage, James. Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of
Ne England. 4 Vols. 1860-1862, reprinted 1986 by Genealogical
Publishing co., Balitmore, MDSource: NEHGR: New England Historical and Genealogical Register,
1847-1996+, 150+ Vols., 4 vol index (1995), New England Historic
Genealogy Society, Boston, MANOTE:( This from WFT disc 4, ped. 2728) Just why and when Thomas I left Eng. is not known. He came some time after the arrival of Gov. Winthrop's fleet in 1630. Charles I became King of England in 1625, and, like his father (James I - whom he succeded) he persecuted the Puritans, who wanted to "purify" (reform) the Church of England as well as the dissenters who wanted complete separation. He infuriated the people not only in religious affairs, but also in local civic affairs and in the local malitia, called "trian-bands". He waged costly and unsuccessful wars in Europe.
To finance them, he extorted "loans" and levied illegal taxes. Thousands left England for New England, Virginia and the Barbados Islands. Their experiences in England affected what they thought and did in New England.Thomas Bliss and his family came to Mass. Bay Colony sometime prior to 2/24/1640. On that date he was granted 36 acres of land because he had a family of 9. The land was at Mt. Wollaston in that part of Braintree that is now Quincy, MA.
In 1640 the family moved to Hartford on the CT River. He and his son Thomas were given land and were made proprietors of the undivided lands on 1/14/1641. Thomas was given 6 shares and his son 4 shares.
He was fined 3/4/1647 for not participating in the local Train-band (militia).
He d. at Hartford bef. 2/14/1651, when the inv. of his estate was taken. After his death, his widow continued in Hartford for abt. 2 yrs., then moved north up the CT River to Springfield, where her son Nathaniel had lived since 1645.
There is more abt. this family in the "Ancestry of Florence Able Stock".(JTH-8/2/97)The particular location of his birth within Gloucestershire is not known, however numerous Bliss records are traced to the Painswick area.. he resided in Rodborough, Gloucestershire at one time, and a son Nathaniel, was born and baptized December 28 1622. It was not his birth place. The reason for his presence was on Margaret Hulins (Hulings) of Rodborough.
Thomas came to America with his brother George, in 1635, landing at Boston, Massachusetts and then separated. Thomas settled in Mount (now Baintree) where he was called "Thomas of the Mount". His nephew, Thomas Bliss, son of his brother Jonathan settled with him. A year later they located in Hartford, Connecticut. Nephew Thomas Bliss was often called Thomas Bliss, Jr. The Bliss Street in Hartford Connecticut was changed to Trinity after 1855.
Thomas was in America by the time of his father-in-laws death, as in February 1640, his land was entered into the Hartford records, including his dwelling house. Here about 1638. Here follows a recital of his property, inventory of his estate, transcript of wife's will, etc. he was fined in 1647 for being absent from military training, a good indication that he was under age 60 at that time, but over 50, based on ages of his children. He died either late 1650 or early 1651 in Hartford Connecticut.. he had 58 acres of land only 86 pounds, 12 shillings, and 8 pence on February 14, 1650 inventory. His will was oral with daughter Mary Parsons as witness. Margaret, the widow was given power to administer the estate " if Shee so long continues a Widdow." After he died Margaret moved with the young children to Springfield, to be near her married children. There are several land records for her. Margaret died August 28 1684, her son Samuel of Springfield presented her last will and an inventory of her estate to the Hampshire County Court. The inventory of her estate was at 278 pounds, three times what her husband left her.They also lived in Hartford, Connecticut.
"The original Proprietor's of Hartford, CT"
"The following is a list of the names of the Founders of Hartford, Connecticut in 1636, taken from the obelisk erected in the Center Church Burying Ground by the Ancient Burying Ground Association of Hartford in 1837. In January 1986, the society of the Descendant's of the Founders of Hartford, Inc. signed a contract to replace the old monument with a new one. The monument was scheduled to be in place by July 4, 1986 at which a dedication ceremony was planned.
Thomas Bliss Sr. and Thomas Bliss Jr..
SOURCE: The Connecticut Nutmegger: Vol # 22 No. 2 September 1989.
Last Name also seen as HulinsHer grandfather was Henry Hulins, a yeoman farmer of Rodborough, who was born about 1540. He married Joane and eight children are known.
NOTE: per World Family Tree, Disc # 4, Pedigree # 2684, NATHANIEL "came to America in 1635 from England"- - (JTH-4/16/97)
NOTE: Birth and Death from "Gen. of the Bliss Fam. in Am., Vol. 1"-by Aaron T. Bliss-(JTH-6/30/98)
(Info from 7 Apr 97:)
Fritz Van de Water
dutchman@infowest.com
B-55, Vol. 18, p. 107:Almost a full page is devoted to their family. She was tried for witchcraft, first accused in 1656, but not tried until 1670. She was sent to Boston, where she was acquitted. They lived in Northhampton, Massachusetts after 1654, but moved back to Springfield in 1679. Bliss book suggests reading Trumbull's History of Northhampton, Volume One, Pages 43-40 and 228-234 for more information on the witchcraft case.
She was a twin to Hester. She was engaged to another man prior to her marriage to Sgt Morgan, but her intended husband was killed by Indians.
It was recorded that he died at 96 years, but this is doubtful. (Discussion of indications of his age follow).
He died in persecution as as a, Puritan, murdered.
From "Traditional History: Two of the men who went up to London from Devonshire were brothers Thomas & Jonathan Bliss; they rode 2 iron grey horse; they remained long enough for King Charles' officers to learn their names and conditions. They and others were marked for destruction. They were fined 1,000 pounds for nonconformity and thrown into prison. Even old Thomas Bliss, their father, was dragged through the streets with the greatest indignity.
The officers of the High Commission seized all their horses and sheep except one poor ewe that in its fright, ran into the house and took refuge under a bed. At another time, the 3 brothers with 12 more, were led through the marketplace in Okehampton with ropes around their necks and fined heavily. Jonathan and his father were thrown into prison where the sufferings of the former eventually caused his death. England was no longer home to them. Also see Bliss History of Rehoboth."The original Proprietor's of Hartford, CT"
"The following is a list of the names of the Founders of Hartford, Connecticut in 1636, taken from the obelisk erected in the Center Church Burying Ground by the Ancient Burying Ground Association of Hartford in 1837. In January 1986, the society of the Descendant's of the Founders of Hartford, Inc. signed a contract to replace the old monument with a new one. The monument was scheduled to be in place by July 4, 1986 at which a dedication ceremony was planned.
Thomas Bliss Sr. and Thomas Bliss Jr..
SOURCE: The Connecticut Nutmegger: Vol # 22 No. 2 September 1989.
BIRTH-MARR-DEATH: Letter from Capt. William H. Chandler, 3 Aug 1976 (Fye File) (473)
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
Batch #: 6000228, Sheet #: 04, Source Call #: 1553448
BIRTH-MARR-DEATH: Letter from Capt. William H. Chandler, 3 Aug 1976 (Fye File) (473)
BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
BIRTH-MARR-DEATH: Letter from Danny Rees, 4 Apr 1983, (Fye File) (684)
BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay FYE, "Our Fye Family", 1995 (811)
BIRTH-MARR-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
BIRTH-MARR-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
!MARR: History of Stephenson County, Illinois, 1880 (474)Batch #: 8019201, Sheet #: 98, Source Call #: 1260725
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Capt. William H. Chandler, 3 Aug 1976 (Fye File) (473)
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
Batch #: 8311003, Sheet #: 04, Source Call #: 1395517
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
!BIRTH-MARR-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
Batch #: 6000164, Sheet #: 34, Source Call #: 1553445
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
!BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay FYE, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
Batch #: 6000164, Sheet #: 34, Source Call #: 1553445
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
!BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay FYE, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
Batch #: 8311003, Sheet #: 04, Source Call #: 1395517
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
!BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
Batch #: 6000164, Sheet #: 34, Source Call #: 1553445
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
!BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
Batch #: 6000164, Sheet #: 34, Source Call #: 1553445
BIRTH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File) (310)
!BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995 (811)
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File)(310)
!MARR: Letter from Dany Rees, 4 Apr 1983 (Fye File) (684)
!BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995, (811)Batch #: 6000228, Sheet #: 04, Source Call #: 1553448
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Elden G. Burcham, 7 Apr 1951 (Fye File)(310)
!MARR: Letter from Arthur J. Fye, Jr., 22 Aug 1981 (Fye File) (606)
!BIRTH-DEATH: Art and Kay Fye, "Our Fye Family," 1995, (811)
Batch #: 6000164, Sheet #: 34, Source Call #: 1553445
BIRTH: Census Records, 1850, Richland Twp.,Cambria,PA (15)
!DEATH: Wills, Orphans Court, Ebensburg, Cambria, PA (270)
BIRTH: Census Records, 1850, Richland Twp, Cambria, PA (15)
!DEATH: Wills, Orphans Court, Courthouse, Ebensburg, Cambria, PA (270)
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Danny Rees, 4 Apr 1983 (Fye File) (684)
Batch #: 8311003, Sheet #: 05, Source Call #: 1395517
BIRTH: Census Records, 1860, Richland Twp. Cambria, PA (110)
BIRTH: Census Records, 1850, Richland Twp., Cambria, PA (15)
!DEATH: Letter from Danny Rees, 4 Apr 1983 (Fye File) (684)
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Danny Rees, 4 Apr 1983 (Fye File) (684)
Batch #: 8311003, Sheet #: 06, Source Call #: 1395517
BIRTH-DEATH: Cemetery Records, Sidman Cemetery, Sidman, Cambria, PA (268)
Batch #: 6000228, Sheet #: 36, Source Call #: 1553448
Martha or Mattie Magdaline Fye
BIRTH: Letter from Danny Rees, 4 Apr 1983 (Fye File) (684)
!BIRTH-DEATH:Batch #: 8707206, Sheet #: 70, Source Call #: 1396319
From Weary Bible of Agnes Golden, Hagerstown, MD
BIRTH-MARR-DEATH: Letter from Danny Rees, 4 Apr 1983 (Fye File) (684)
BIRTH-DEATH: Letter from Arthur J. Fye, 22 Aug 1981 (606)
!MARR: Census Records, 1850, Richland Twp., Cambria, PA (15)Batch #: 8311003, Sheet #: 05, Source Call #: 1395517