Thomas STAPLES

Notes:

"History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield": Staples, Thomas - Deputy (Fairfield) to Conn. Leg., Sept. 1649, Sept. 1650, Oct. 1661
He was an original settler of Fairfield, 1639.
In 1653 when Goody Knapp was tried and executed as a witch, Staples' wife placed herself under suspicion, to which her unusual intelligence had already made her liable, by epressing doubt, saying for exanple "it was long before she could believe this poor woman was a witch, or that there were any witches, till the word of God convinced her". Mr. Ludlow reported the suspicions of her to Rev. Mr. Davenport, but Thomas Staples boldly brought the matter to an issue by suing Mr. Ludlow for slander in the New Haven Colony Court, which awarded him damages of L10. In 1692, during the witchcraft epidemic, Mrs. Staples was accused again, together with her dau. Mary Harvey and gr. dau. hannah Harvey, but no evidence sufficient for indictment was produced.
In 1664 Winthrop treated Staples' wife of Fairfield and the children, specifying their ages thus: mary 18, Mehitabel 12-13, Hester 8, John 1/2.
The estate of Thomas was settled, 12 Jan. 1668/9 by arbitrators between Mary widow of Thomas Staples, Sr., Thomas Staples, Mehitabel Staples, and John Staples, and Mr. Josiah Harvey and John Beach in right of their now wives.
Will of Mary Staples, 12 Sept. 1696, sons Thomas , John; daus. mary wife of Josiah Harvey and Hannah wife of John Beach; friend Widow Mary Slawson, as a token of my love, for her kindness to me; gr. child Hannah harvey; gr. child Mehitabel Fanton; to nathan Gold, a book by Dr. Preston.

Family/Spouse: Mary ?. Mary died after 12 Sep 1696. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John STAPLES was born about 1663 in Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died between 19 Feb 1747 and 1748 in Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
2. Hannah STAPLES was born about 1659.