Deacon John BIRDSEY

1615 - 1690  (75 years)

• Name	John BIRDSEY  [1, 2]
  	John Birdsey's origins are unknown, and his immigration to New England was not recorded in a ship's list. He may have arrived inWethersfield by 1636. He was certainly in Milford by 20 November 1639 when he was named on a list of free planters there. He and wife joined the church in Milford 23 August 1640. They were dismissed to the Stratford church 29 March 1649. He was first referred to as Deacon of the congregational Church in Stratford in 1678. At a General Assembly held at Hartford 10 October 1667, John was accepted as a freeman with the oath of freedom to be administered by the Assistant Mr. Samuel Sherman. He was again named a freeman in Stratford 7 October 1669. he was named townsman in Stratford in 1669. Based on the loom and large value of linen and woolen clothing in his inventory, it appears that is occupation was weaver and tailor, Although he signed his will with his mark rather than his signature, his inventory contained "5 bibles and other books" valued at 7 pounds which was a significant value. John and Alice signed a pre-martial agreement on 8 October 1688 which noted that each of them had the right to enjoy, possess and dispose of his or her own estate both in life and death Also, if either of them was totally disabled by sickness, both estates would be available for their maintenance. If Alice outlived John, she would enjoy the dwelling house and yard during her natural life. John was to "winter and summer a cow" for Alice during her natural life. [1]
  Prefix	Deacon
  Birth	1615	Poss. in England   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Death	04 Apr 1690	Stratford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut   [1, 2]
  Person ID	I06293	Main Tree
  Last Modified	30 Dec 2020

  
  

  Family 1	Philippa ?
  Marriage	Abt 1640  [1]
  Children	1. John BIRDSEY,   b. 28 Mar 1640/1, Stratford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut d. 09 Jan 1697/8, Stratford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut (Age 56 years)  [Birth] + 2. Johanna BIRDSEYE,   b. 18 Nov 1642, Milford, New Haven Co., Connecticut d. Aug 1713, Stratford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut (Age 70 years)  [Birth]
  Family ID	F23863	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	30 Dec 2020

  
  

  Family 2	Alice ?   d. 25 Jan 1697/8
  Marriage	1688  [1, 2]
  Family ID	F23861	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	30 Dec 2020

  
  

• Sources

  [S1673] Connecticut Ancestry 2020 November Vol. 63 No. 2. [S02419] Donald Lines Jacobus, History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, Vol. 1, (Name: Name: Clearfield Company, Inc.;;), 76-3279.