David AMBLER

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David Ambler was admitted to 1st Ch. Stamford 21 Dec., 1766. His name appears frequently in Stamford land recs. up to 1773 when he sold Stamford holding and removed to Bethleham Parish, Woodbury, Conn. huntington's Stamford and Cothren's Woodbury both contain eulogistic articles about him. He was for a long time supervisor of Bethlehem affairs, an efficient magistrate and during the Rev. rendered important service as a member of the Committee of Safety and in procuring and forwarding supplies to the army. He was among the Whigs who on 18 July 1776 stated, "We the householders of Bethlem do volunteer and engage to equip ourselves for the defence of our rights." He represented Woodbury and Bethlehem at 10 sessions of the state legislature. He acquired large land holdings and inventory of his estate shows that his family enjoyed luxuries not found outside the homes of the affluent. His life was that of the country squire at its best.

He d. 8 Jan. 1808. His will dated 28 Aug. 1804, pro. 2 Feb., 1808 names wife Olive, sons Bill ad David Jr., and daus., Polly Brace wife of Horace Brace, BetseyCamp wife of Libbeus Camp, Dorcas Hull, wife of Laurens Hull and daug. Sarah Ambler. His pro. papers are very complete and give much detail on dist. of his property.

David married Olive WILDMAN on 3 Nov 1761 in Danbury, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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On 6 Oct. 1747, Sergeant Stephen Ambler was appointed guardian of Silvenus Hoyt, nephew of his wife and son of Jagger Hoyt, deceased. From that date until 1769 when he became Deacon of the First Church, Stephen Ambler is referred to frequently as "Sergeant Ambler." He and his wife are on earliest list of members of the First Church, Dec., 1746, when they were in "good standing."

He entered his ear mark for animals at Stamford, 1 may, 1719, His name appears frequently in town land records as grantee and grantor. His high standing in Stamford is shown by frequency of his name as guardian, executor, administrator, taker of inventories, and witness to wills and deeds. Probably he spent much of his life in Northfields (northern section of Stamford City), and on Davenport Ridge, He had large land holdings throughout the town.

Stephen Ambler was a selectman in 1754 serving two years.

The will of Stephen Ambler dated Stamford, 12 Sept., 1770, he "being in advanced years," was probated 25 Nov., 1783, Joshua Ambler and Ebenezer Weed having been named administrators. The will provided for wife Mercy and divided residue into fourteen equal parts. Sons Joshua, Joseph, John and David each to receive three parts, daughter Deborah Davenport, one part, and the children of deceased daughter Hannah Davenport, one part. It named "beloved friend Abraham Davenport" sole executor. (Abraham Davenport was the most important man in the Stamford of his day.) Inventory of personal estate totaled L735, much of it in notes given by sons Joshua and John...

Stephen Ambler probably was buried in the Stamford Congregational Cemetery long since destroyed.

It is of interest to note that Stephen Ambler lived to see three namesakes serve in the army, two of whom, a son and a grandson, died in the service, while the third, a grand nephew, served five and a half years with Washington.

Stephen married Deborah HOYT on 14 Dec 1721 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Deborah (daughter of Benjamin HOYT and Elizabeth JAGGER) was born on 09 Aug 1698 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA; died on 08 Oct 1768 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]