John DEMING

Notes:

Name:
"Deming Genealogy": John Deming, the immigrant ancestor of most of the persons bearing his family name, was one of the early settlers of Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he recorded his homestead in 1641, as a house, a barn, and five acres of land, bounded by High Street, west, the Great Meadow, east, Thomas Standish's homestead, north, and Richard Crabbe's homestead, south. The dates of his birth, marriage and death, have never been discovered. His wife was HONOR TREAT, daughter of Richard Treat, whose second wife Alice Gaylord, was her mother. It has not been proven that Honor was his first and only wife, nor that she was the mother of all of his children, although it is probable. In his will of 13 Feb 1668, Richard Treat makes the following bequest: "Item: My debts being paid, I give to my loving sons John Demon, and Robert Webster, equally, all the rest of my goods and chattels whatsoever, except Mr. Perkins book, which I give to my son John Demon, and my great bible to my daughter Honor Demon. And that money in my cousin Samuel Wells, his hand, unto my cousin David Deming, son of John Demon senior." This obscure clause seems to indicate that there was a John Demon senior, as well as John Demon the son-in-law, and suggests the possibility that the father of John Deming of Wethersfield was also names John. This is stated as a fact by Hinman, without giving authority, and the theory is further supported by the statements of the compiler of the Wells Genealogy, and other genealogists. Treat refers to David Deming as his cousin, and indicates the same relationship with Samuel Wells, who is presumably the son of Gov. Thomas Welles, who married Elizabeth Deming, said to have been a sister of John Deming. It would thus appear that the Treats, Welles, and Demings were connected in some way, perhaps before their removal to America. This is the only clue to the parentage of John Deming, and may ultimately lead to its final discovery.

It has been stated by some genealogists that John Deming was among the very first settlers of Wethersfield in 1635, and such is probably the case, but the proof is lacking. His first appearance upon the public records of the colony, after recording his homestead, was in 1642, March 2nd, when he was one of the jury of the "particular court." In 1645, Dec. 1st, he appears among the deputies as Jo. Demon, and in 1656 as John Dement, when as a deputy, he is appointed one of a committee, "to give the best safe advice they can to the Indians." In 1657, May 21st, he appears as a deputy to the General Court, as John Deming, and the following year as John Dement. He was a deputy at various courts until 1667, under various names, the name Deming prevailing at the last. He was also a litigant in several lawsuits. He is one of those named in the famous charter of Connecticut, in which King Charles granted to them and to those who should afterwards become associated with them, the lands of connecticut, "in free and common socage," and established a colonial government with unusual privileges.

Across the river from Wethersfield, and within its boundaries, lay the "Naubuc Farms," afterwards incorporated into the town of Glastonbury. Here among the first to obtain a lot, was John Deming in the year 1640, his name appearing as John Demion. It is not at all likely that he ever lived here, for he had a house in Wethersfield the following year, and he sold the land on the east side of the river to Samuel Wyllis before 1668. he also owned land in Eastbury, for which he was taxed in 1673. In 1669 he is listed among the freemen of Wethersfield, as John Deming Senior, together with John Deming Junior, and Jonathan Deming. He bought considerable land in Wethersfield at various times, some of which he gave to his sons before he died. The actual date of his death has never been discovered. He signed a codicil to his will Feb. 3, 1692, and this is the last recorded act of his life. When the public lands were allotted to the inhabitants in 1695, he did not draw a portion. It is probable that he died soon after 1692, although his will was not pored until 21 Nov. 1705, and Savage, and other genealogists have assumed that he lived until that year.

No public record has been found of the births of the children of John Deming, but their names, as far as known, have been taken from his will, which is preserved in the Probate Court of Hartford........

This old will is the one glimpse we have of the character of John Deming. It reveals a spirit of piety, of love for his family and his friends, and the companionship of some of the best men in the colony. It shows that he was a man of substance, well supplied with lands, and cattle; that he was equipped to work at some trade, which o doubt proved of service in the little colony when they first settled so far fro the older towns on the coast. We would like to know what that trade was, but the records are silent on that point. under the first will, David was to have the tools of the shop, and David, we know, was a rope-maker; but under the codicil to the will, these tools went to john Deming Junior, and whether he continued in his father's trade or not, we are not informed. At the time this will was written, John Deming must have been over seventy years old, and we may picture him in his last days among his children, and grandchildren, reading from his old Geneva bible, or talking with his old friends and neighbors of the trials and hardships of the early days of the settlement. As his wife is not mentioned in his will, it is probable that she died first. The church records of Wethersfield show among the members in 1694 "Jon. Deming Jr's. widow." It is hard to tell to whom this refers, unless to the widow of John Deming the first settler, but it is more probable that some other person is meant. Eunice Standish and her sister Sarah mentioned in the will as cousins, were daughters of Thos. Standish, whose land adjoined Deming's. The connection of this family with Capt Miles Standish of the Plymouth colony, has not been discovered. It would be interesting to learn how close was the relationship between the Deming and Standish families.

That John Deming was a prominent man in the affairs of the Connecticut colony, cannot be doubted, and his apparent association by kinship and friendship with those whom we look upon as among the founders of new England, indicates that he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and possessed of some education. It is to be hoped that future investigation may bring to light more information than we now have regarding his life in America, and the history of his birth and ancestry in his mother country.

Trumbull speaks of John Deming as one of the fathers of Connecticut, and Hinman says of him, that in 1654 he held the office of constable of Wethersfield, an office which proved that he was in the full confidence of the Governor. His name frequently appears upon the records of the colony with the prefix "Mr.," a courtesy paid only to men of some prominence. The same authority states that he was a representative at fifty sessions of the General Court, while in Hollister's roll of deputies, he is credited with nineteen sessions. It is certain that he bore his full share in the upbuilding of the colony, serving his country as the opportunity presented itself, and setting an example of good citizenship, which has born fruit in the loyalty and patriotism of many of his descendants during many generations.

John married Honour TREAT about 1637. Honour (daughter of Hon. Richard TREAT and Alice GAYLARD) was born in 1616 in Pitminster, Somerset, England; was christened on 19 Mar 1615/16 in Pitminster, Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"Deming Genealogy": According to Savage, John Deming Jr., was born in 1638, but the authority for this statement is not given. Hinman says that he was born in 1632, and if this earlier date is correct, he must have been born before his father moved to Wethersfield. To distinguish him from his father upon the early records of the town, he is called "Sergeant John Deming," this title indicating that he may have taken part in the Indian wars of the period. In 1662 he became one of the selectmen of the town, and was Representative from Wethersfield to the General Court from 1669 to 1672. In 1694, he and his wife appear among the members of the church at Wethersfield. His son John probably remained with his father on the home farm, while the other sons scattered, and their records are only partly found. Joseph probably moved to Woodstock, Hezekiah went to Farmington, and Jacob to hartford, while Jonathan lived in the vicinity of Wethersfield. Of Samuel no trace can be found, and it is supposed that he either died young, or moved to a distance. The fate of his daughters, Mary and Sarah has not been discovered. Fe 16, 1712, shortly after his death, his sons John, Joseph, Jonathan, and Hezekiah deed to each other, lands and other property possessed by each of them at the death of "our natural father Mr. John Deming." This indicates that Jacob and Samuel were not living at that time.

According to one authority Sergt. John Deming was a "packer" in 1692. As he inherited his father's tools a few years later, it is possible that this was also his father's trade. His brother David, to whom his father first bequeathed his tools, (and later withdrew the gift) is described as a "knacker," which is defined as a maker of small work, or a rope-maker. Perhaps both John and David followed the trade of their father, and the copyist has mistaken the word "knacker" for "packer."

John married Mary MYGATT on 12 Dec 1657. Mary was born about 1637. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"Deming Genealogy": the birth-date of Jonathan Deming is determined by the record of his death, which states that he "died suddenly, aged about 61 as he supposed." There is some doubt as to the identity of his first wife, but it is supposed that she was the daughter of George Graves. She died in child-bed, at the birth of her daughter Comfort. At the time of his second marriage he was said to be 34 years old, and his wife 20. the date of her death is given in the probate of her will, although other authorities differ. In his will dated 27 Mar 1696, proved 9 Mar 1699-1700, he names his wife Elizabeth, and his sons Jonathan, Thomas, Charles, jacob and Benjamin, giving to the latter the property inherited from Josiah Gilbert, his wife's father. He also names his daughters Sarah Ryley, Comfort, Elusia, Elizabeth, mary, and Ann, and a son-in-law John Williams, who was perhaps the first husband of his daughter Elusia.

Jonathan married Sarah GRAVES on 21 Nov 1660. Sarah died on 5 Jun 1668 in Wethersfield, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Elizabeth GILBERT on 25 Dec 1673 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Josiah GILBERT and Elizabeth BELCHER) was born on 28 Mar 1654 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 8 Sep 1714 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ? BECKLEY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Rachell Dyman

Rachel married Capt John MORGAN on 16 Nov 1665 in New London, New London, Connecticut, USA. John (son of James MORGAN and Margery HILLS) was born on 30 Mar 1645 in Roxbury, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts; died in 1712. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
The record of the death of Samuel Deming upon the town records of Wethersfield, states that he was aged 63 "near out," and thus fixes the year of his birth at about 1646. According to the Kirby Genealogy, Talcott, and other authorities, his wife was Sarah Kirby, daughter of John Kirby of Middletown, the statement being based, probably, upon the fact that she was an heir of John Kirby. The land records of Middletown show that Sarah, widow of Samuel Deming, was one of the heirs of Mary Buck, and joined in deeding land which the latter received from the estate of John Kirby. The same records give a list of the grandchildren of Kirby, which includes Sarah Churchill, who was none other than the former widow of Samuel Deming, as shown by her signature to the distribution of Samuel's estate in 1729. These facts indicate that Mrs. Sarah Deming was the grand-daughter and not the daughter of John Kirby.

Samuel married Sarah BUCK on 29 Mar 1694. Sarah was born on 1 Apr 1669. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of John Deming and Honor Treat of Wethersfield
• Birth: 1655

Mary married Sergt John HURLBUT on 15 Dec 1670. John (son of Thomas HURLBUT and Sarah UNKNOWN) was born on 8 Mar 1642 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 30 Aug 1690 in Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Thomas/Joseph WRIGHT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"Deming Genealogy": David Deming remained in Wethersfield, probably as late as 1690, in which year he received a tract of land there, from his father. In 1699 he appears in Cambridge, Mass., where he is called a "fence viewer," and in 1700 he was "tythingman". He owned the Brattle estate extending from Brattle Square to Ash Street. Before November, 1707, he removed to Boston; at which date he sold the westerly portion of this estate to Andrew Belcher and easterly portion, including the house, to Rev. Wm. Brattle. In the conveyance he is called "Knacker," which has been defined as "a maker of small work; a rope-maker."

In his will dated 23 Apr. 1725, "being sick and weak," he discharges his son David of a debt of one hundred pounds more or less which he had bestowed upon him "at sundry times for his education at Collidge and since." To the three children of David, namely; David, Mercy, and Jonathan, he leaves a bequest in money. To his daughter Martha, wife of Henry Howell he leaves "one hundred pounds and household stuff and moveables." To his grandson Joseph Deming, son of Hannah Deming widow, he leaves "all that my dwelling house which I now dwell in, fronting to Newbury Street, with all the yard garden and premises thereunto belonging." In case of Joseph's death before he comes to the age of 21, then his brother John Deming is to have the property. to his son-in-law Henry Howell (blacksmith) he left the remainder of his estate. The inventory names "15 Seal-skins; 17 sheep-skins; and leather and tools." It also includes "Benjamin Deming's time valued at 24 pounds, and the Indian boy valued at 70 pounds."

David married Marie BELDEN on 16 Aug 1678 in Boston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Marie (daughter of William BELDEN and Thomasine (Tamsen) SHERWOOD) was born on 02 Feb 1653 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 14 Oct 1724 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Samuel MOODY. Samuel died on 22 Sep 1689. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
"Deming Genealogy": the birth-date of Ebenezer Deming has never been discovered. It is supposed that he was the youngest son of John Deming, and that he was born about 1659. In 1698 he received a deed of land in Wethersfield from his brother David Deming of Cambridge, and inherited from his father other land in the vicinity. In the record of his marriage the family name of his wife is obliterated, and it has not been discovered from any other source. In the distribution of his estate, his widow and all of his children including his two sons-in-law Talcott and Wright, are named.

Ebenezer married Sarah UNKNOWN on 16 Jul 1677 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]