SHELDONS in AMERICA

ISAAC SHELDON
Windsor & Northampton

ISAAC SHELDON is the original immigrant to America of our line of Sheldons coming from England. We have no proof from whence in England he originated, though the lineage developed by T. Gardner Bartlett, presented in 1926, seems possible. See The Sheldons of Derbyshire, England.

The history of our branch of the family — from which the Sheldons in Suffield, Connecticut are descended — begins with Isaac Sheldon, who was born about 1629. For a long time it was supposed that this same Isaac Sheldon was the man who seems to have been in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1634, and that he removed to Windsor, Connecticut in 1634/1635 with part of the congregation of the Rev. John Warham as one of the original settlers of Windsor. On the original town records is a date that makes it appear Isaac was there on 10 January 1640, and owned at that time some few acres of land. This has caused no small amount of controversy, and it is likely we will never know the real answer but you can

CLICK HERE for some of the theories and details.

In 1651 or 1652, Isaac Sheldon (at about 22 years of age) bought of John Stiles a home lot of three acres with Dwelling House, barn and orchard, at the very least, possibly other land, including a meadow lot, at Windsor, Connecticut.

At a meeting of Windsor’s Selectmen on 13 September 1652, an order was passed giving permission for Isaac Sheldon to share his home with Samuel Rockwell: "It is asented yt Isack Shelden and Samuell Rockwell shall keepe house together in ye house yt is Isackes, so [long] thay cary themselves soberly and doe not intertayne Idel persones to ye evell Expenc of time by night or daye" (Windsor, Connecticut, Town Acts, 1650-1714, fo. 11).

MARRIAGE

His bachelor life didn't last long, for in 1653, Isaac married MARY WOODFORD at Hartford, Connecticut. She was born in 1636 at Windsor or Hartford, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Blott) Woodford of Hartford, Connecticut and Northampton, Mass.

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WOODFORD FAMILY

In 1654, Isaac sold his place in Windsor to Samuel Rockwell, and removed to Northampton, Mass. where he was one of the first Settlers. He owned farm land in "Manhan Meadow," and a home lot of four acres. He was a Selectman in 1656 and a leading man in town affairs. In 1660 he was assigned a home lot on Bridge Street, which was handed down from father to son at least to 1896.

When the Rev. Eleazar Mather settled in Northampton as pastor of the church, 163-1/2 acres of land were placed at his disposal, to be given by him to such persons as came to Northampton to settle through his influence. Isaac Sheldon got six acres and his father-in-law, Thomas Woodford, six acres. Isaac and his wife, together with Thomas Woodford, signed the church covenant on 18 June 1661.

It is on record that Isaac contributed to Harvard College 9 pounds of flax, valued 9s. There were many contributors in Northampton, each one giving what he could.

In March 1678, Isaac was appointed one of the first Tithingmen in Northampton, whose duty it was to have charge of the morals of the community. On 27 Feb 1681, he was appointed to a committee to stake out highways.

Mary Woodford Sheldon died 17 April 1684 at Northampton, Mass.

After Mary's death, Isaac remarried in 1686, Mehitabel (Gunn) Ensign at Northampton. She was the daughter of Thomas Gunn, born in Windsor, Conn. on 28 July 1644. She had first married David Ensign on 22 October 1663, but divorced him in October of 1682 "because of his misconduct". She had five children by Ensign.

CLICK HERE to read details of Mehitabel's case against David Ensign.

The last civil appointment we have for Isaac Sheldon was as overseer of the poor, on 7 Mar 1698.

Isaac Sheldon died 27 July 1708 (at age 78 years) and is buried at the Bridge Street Cemetery, Northampton, Massachusetts. Photos of Sheldon Gravestones [not ready yet] in Northampton, Mass. (July 2002) by [email protected].

Since his will is signed with his mark, we also know that he was unschooled.

Mehitable (Gunn Ensign) Sheldon died 30 Jan 1720/21 also at Northampton.

The records show that Isaac had 14 children and 115 grandchildren. In view of this good beginning, the numerical strength of this branch of the family through all generations is not surprising.

CHILDREN by MARY WOODFORD
All but the first born at Northampton

Mary, born 1654 at Windsor, Conn. She married John Bridgeman on 11 Dec 1670 at Northampton, Mass., and died 1728 in Mass.
Isaac, born 4 September 1656. He married 25 Nov 1685, Sarah Warner, and succeeded to the old homestead at Northampton. Isaac died 29 March 1712 in Northampton, Mass.
Captain John, born 8 Dec 1658; died 1733 at Hartford, Conn. He married [1] Hannah Stebbins on 5 Nov 1679; and [2] Elizabeth (-) Pratt, on 20 April 1708.

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Thomas Sheldon, born 6 Aug 1661. He married 1685, Mary Hinsdale. Thomas died 7 June 1725 at Northampton, Mass.
Ruth (twin) Sheldon, born 27 August 1663. She married [1] Joseph Wright on 6 Nov 1679; and [2] Samuel Strong on 27 Oct 1698 at Northampton, Mass.
Thankful (twin) Sheldon, born 27 Aug 1663. She married 23 Feb 1681, Benjamin Edwards. Died 1741, Mass.
Mindwell Sheldon, born 24 February 1666. She married [1] John Pomeroy on 30 April 1684; and [2] John Lyman on 19 April 1687. Mindwell died 8 April 1735 at Northampton, Mass.
JOSEPH SHELDON, born 1 Feb 1668; died in Boston, Mass., 1708. He married Mary Whiting and resided in Suffield, Conn.

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JOSEPH SHELDON
Hannah Sheldon, born 29 June 1670. She married Samuel Chapin on 24 Dec 1690, and resided in Springfield Mass.
Eleazer Sheldon, born 4 Aug 1672; died 13 Dec 1673 at Northampton, Mass.
Samuel Sheldon, born 9 November 1675; died 1745 at Boston, Mass. He married by 26 Jan 1700, Mary Warner and resided in New Marlborough, Mass.
Ebenezer Sheldon, born 1 March 1678; died 1755, Mass. He married Mary Hunt on 16 Dec 1701 at Northampton, Mass.
Mercy Sheldon, born 4 Feb 1682; died 24 February 1682.