Jeffrey Ferris1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
M, b. 1610, d. 31 May 1666
Greenwich CT was named after the English hometown of Jeffrey Ferris [New York Times, June 1937]. On 6 May 1635, Jeffery was made a freeman in Boston. By 1641, Jeffery had moved to Wethersfield, CT owned land, but apparently not remaining there only a short time, selling his lot of 45 acres to John Deming, and had moved on to Stamford where he was among the first settlers. He is on the list of those who paid for the survey, and received ten acres at the first assignment of land. Jeffrey was included on a list of pioneers living at Stamford at the end of 1642. He was vital to the community's development, and though he himself did move to Greenwich eventually, he gave homes in Stamford to two of his sons. At Stamford, Jeffrey had a mill complex complete with dam, head and tail races, the mill itself with its heavy grinding stones, and enough land along the sides of the river for both repairs and business expansion. He apparently remained there a short time before removing to Fairfield and there to Greenwich where he was again one of the earliest settlers. Jeffrey moved back to Fairfield, where after a change of jurisdiction, he moved again to Greenwich. In 1656, he was one of the eleven appointed to petition to be accepted under the New Haven law. He married his third wife in Greenwich and died there. It has been noted that Greenwich CT was named after the English hometown of Jeffrey Ferris [New York Times, June 1937]
It is believed that Jeffery descends from the House of Feriers - the propietor of which was Henry de Feriers, son of William. see Cutter's Encyclopedia of New England Families.
Jeffrey was born in 1610 in Leicestershire, England. Jeffrey married Mary circa 1634. He and Mary were blessed with 5 children. Jeffrey's wife, Mary, died on 31 May 1658 in Fairfield County, Connecticut, leaving him a widower. Jeffrey married 2nd Susannah Norman, daughter of Richard Norman and Florence (?), in 1659 in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Jeffrey had a marriage contract with Susannah, dated May 28, 1661, in which he pledged certain legacies to the children of Robert Lockwood-deceased, and mortgages his Greenwich lands and "housings". Jeffrey's wife, Susannah, died on 23 December 1660 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut, leaving him a widower. Jeffrey married 3rd Judith Feake, daughter of James Feake and Audrey Crompton, circa 1662 in Connecticut. Jeffrey made his will on 6 January 1665 at Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
I, Jeffery Ferris, being now at this time through the mercy of God in indifferent health and good memory thanks be to the Lord that giveth it to me, do make this as my last will and testimony in brief considering age; I knowing not whether the Lord may take me away with sudden death.. ITEM I give unto my wife that now is; all the estate that she can make appear that she brought with her; also; ITEM I give also to her four children that is to say, those four boys which I brought up and kept forty pounds, that is to say ten pounds apiece; that if they stay and live with any of my children until they be of the age of eighteen years; then it shall be put out for them and for their use until they are twenty years of age; and then to receive it into their possession; further in case that my wife that now is shall see cause to remain a widow after my decease; for so long as she so remaineth I give for her use five acres of land that is now in till the one half in my home lot and the other half at the marsh or neck; also I give her free for her and hers one of my allotments that is on Mihernoes Neck that is now fenced in; also that she sees cause I will that she shall live in one part of my now dwelling house so long as she shall remain a widow; also I give her two of my Pewter Platters one great and one small. ITEM I give unto my son James Ferris twenty pounds, that is to say besides his cattle that now is; also beside the quarter part of those which I gave between my son Juda and James and Jonathan Lockwood that is to say Juda's running remote in the woods; also I give unto my son James my great copper kettle and also my bed that standeth in the low room of my house, that is to say that bed with all the furniture which my wife and myself commonly lodged on, also I give unto my son James that bed with the furniture that commonly James lay on in the other fore room of my now dwelling house; I give also unto my son James Ferris all my carts and plows and all materials thereunto belonging; also I give unto James my Iron Pot and three Pewter platters... ITEM Also I give unto my daughter Mary Lockwood that now is twenty pounds besides the quarter part of my before mentioned Juda's I gave to her husband Jonathah Lockwood; also ITEM I give unto my son Peter Ferris his three children one mare colt that shall run in stock, to be equal proportion between the three children; also ITEM I give unto my son Joseph's two children one mare colt to run for stock for them and for their use and portion; ITEM Farther my will is that what more of my estate shall be found after those above mentioned legacies paid, shall be equally divided amongst all my children; ITEM Further it is my will that in case God should choose to give my wife a child born of her body whilst she remains my wife, that is to say whilst I live or that I leave her with child when I die, that then I give unto that child male or female the other half of my farm that I now possess -- with the right and privileges thereunto belonging; further it is my will that this child shall have a young mare also; which I give it by, this, my will; but in case this child should die before it hath any issue, then this my gift to return to the rest of the estate as before mentioned; Further it is my will and I do depute my loving friend John Holly now in Stanford and my son Peter Ferris as my overseers to see this my will performed according to this just expression and intent of this my writing: In witness that this is my free will and act I set to my hand This is the mark of
Jeffrey Ferris
Witnesses: Phillip Minthorn. March 9th 1667 I Juda Bowers lately Widow Ferris sometimes wife to Jeffery Ferris do hereby acknowledge I have received in full satisfaction what was given me by my husbands will, and I do hereby fully acquit and discharge for me and mine forever. WITNESS Rich; Lane or Lorn Johnathan Sellick Juda Bowers Mark. March 9th 1667 This will on the other side written was presented to be approved by the parties concerned in the distribution of the order of the will and in witness hereunto we do mutually agree to subscribe our names with our own hands.
March 13th 1667 We whose names are underwritten do own and approve this will within written to be the will of Jeffery Ferris deceased.
Witness our hands Juda Bowers The mark of lately wife of Jeffery Ferris In presence of Joseph Ferris, Joshuah Knapp, James Ferris, Joseph Gurnsee or Gornsee
Inventory of the estate of Jeffery Ferris dec: taken and approved by Joseph Mead, Angell Husted, John Holly appointed thereunto (and under oath) by Mr. Lanes present on the 24th 25th 26th and 27th Nov: 1666.
Jeffrey departed this life on Monday, 31 May 1666 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut. His will was probated on 27 November 1666.
It is believed that Jeffery descends from the House of Feriers - the propietor of which was Henry de Feriers, son of William. see Cutter's Encyclopedia of New England Families.
Jeffrey was born in 1610 in Leicestershire, England. Jeffrey married Mary circa 1634. He and Mary were blessed with 5 children. Jeffrey's wife, Mary, died on 31 May 1658 in Fairfield County, Connecticut, leaving him a widower. Jeffrey married 2nd Susannah Norman, daughter of Richard Norman and Florence (?), in 1659 in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Jeffrey had a marriage contract with Susannah, dated May 28, 1661, in which he pledged certain legacies to the children of Robert Lockwood-deceased, and mortgages his Greenwich lands and "housings". Jeffrey's wife, Susannah, died on 23 December 1660 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut, leaving him a widower. Jeffrey married 3rd Judith Feake, daughter of James Feake and Audrey Crompton, circa 1662 in Connecticut. Jeffrey made his will on 6 January 1665 at Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
I, Jeffery Ferris, being now at this time through the mercy of God in indifferent health and good memory thanks be to the Lord that giveth it to me, do make this as my last will and testimony in brief considering age; I knowing not whether the Lord may take me away with sudden death.. ITEM I give unto my wife that now is; all the estate that she can make appear that she brought with her; also; ITEM I give also to her four children that is to say, those four boys which I brought up and kept forty pounds, that is to say ten pounds apiece; that if they stay and live with any of my children until they be of the age of eighteen years; then it shall be put out for them and for their use until they are twenty years of age; and then to receive it into their possession; further in case that my wife that now is shall see cause to remain a widow after my decease; for so long as she so remaineth I give for her use five acres of land that is now in till the one half in my home lot and the other half at the marsh or neck; also I give her free for her and hers one of my allotments that is on Mihernoes Neck that is now fenced in; also that she sees cause I will that she shall live in one part of my now dwelling house so long as she shall remain a widow; also I give her two of my Pewter Platters one great and one small. ITEM I give unto my son James Ferris twenty pounds, that is to say besides his cattle that now is; also beside the quarter part of those which I gave between my son Juda and James and Jonathan Lockwood that is to say Juda's running remote in the woods; also I give unto my son James my great copper kettle and also my bed that standeth in the low room of my house, that is to say that bed with all the furniture which my wife and myself commonly lodged on, also I give unto my son James that bed with the furniture that commonly James lay on in the other fore room of my now dwelling house; I give also unto my son James Ferris all my carts and plows and all materials thereunto belonging; also I give unto James my Iron Pot and three Pewter platters... ITEM Also I give unto my daughter Mary Lockwood that now is twenty pounds besides the quarter part of my before mentioned Juda's I gave to her husband Jonathah Lockwood; also ITEM I give unto my son Peter Ferris his three children one mare colt that shall run in stock, to be equal proportion between the three children; also ITEM I give unto my son Joseph's two children one mare colt to run for stock for them and for their use and portion; ITEM Farther my will is that what more of my estate shall be found after those above mentioned legacies paid, shall be equally divided amongst all my children; ITEM Further it is my will that in case God should choose to give my wife a child born of her body whilst she remains my wife, that is to say whilst I live or that I leave her with child when I die, that then I give unto that child male or female the other half of my farm that I now possess -- with the right and privileges thereunto belonging; further it is my will that this child shall have a young mare also; which I give it by, this, my will; but in case this child should die before it hath any issue, then this my gift to return to the rest of the estate as before mentioned; Further it is my will and I do depute my loving friend John Holly now in Stanford and my son Peter Ferris as my overseers to see this my will performed according to this just expression and intent of this my writing: In witness that this is my free will and act I set to my hand This is the mark of
Jeffrey Ferris
Witnesses: Phillip Minthorn. March 9th 1667 I Juda Bowers lately Widow Ferris sometimes wife to Jeffery Ferris do hereby acknowledge I have received in full satisfaction what was given me by my husbands will, and I do hereby fully acquit and discharge for me and mine forever. WITNESS Rich; Lane or Lorn Johnathan Sellick Juda Bowers Mark. March 9th 1667 This will on the other side written was presented to be approved by the parties concerned in the distribution of the order of the will and in witness hereunto we do mutually agree to subscribe our names with our own hands.
March 13th 1667 We whose names are underwritten do own and approve this will within written to be the will of Jeffery Ferris deceased.
Witness our hands Juda Bowers The mark of lately wife of Jeffery Ferris In presence of Joseph Ferris, Joshuah Knapp, James Ferris, Joseph Gurnsee or Gornsee
Inventory of the estate of Jeffery Ferris dec: taken and approved by Joseph Mead, Angell Husted, John Holly appointed thereunto (and under oath) by Mr. Lanes present on the 24th 25th 26th and 27th Nov: 1666.
Jeffrey departed this life on Monday, 31 May 1666 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut. His will was probated on 27 November 1666.
Family 1 | Mary d. 31 May 1658 |
| Children |
|
Family 2 | Susannah Norman b. c 31 Jul 1617, d. 23 Dec 1660 |
Family 3 | Judith Feake b. c 1621, d. a 9 Mar 1668 |
Citations
- [S95] Spencer P. Mead, History of Greenwich, Connecticut, page 58.
- [S46] William Richard Cutter, New England Families, genealogical memorial; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of commonwealths & the founding of a nation, page 17.
- [S27] Robert Bolton, A History of the County of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present., pages 415-416.
- [S19] Floyd I. Ferris, Jeffery Ferris Family Genealogy, pages 5-11.
- [S22] Norman Davis, Westchester Patriarchs, A Genealogical Dictionary of Westchester Co., N.Y., page 8.
- [S45] Charles Edward Crowell, Partial Genealogy of the Ferris Family, page 2 - Jeffrey Ferries or Ferris is first heard of in Watertown, Mass., where he was admitted a freeman, May 6, 1635. He must have been residing at Fairfield, Conn., at the time of his death, according to the following extract taken from the Probate record: Order of the Court of Probate.--Fairfield, on estate of Jeffrey Ferris, relative to marriage contract with his deceased wife Susanna, by which he agreed to pay certain legacies to children of Robert Lockwood, deceased, according to the administration entered in Courte 20th October, 1658, &c. It is very evident that Jeffrey Ferries, or Ferres removed from Watertown, Mass., to Wethersfield, Connecticut, thence to Stamford, Ct., in 1640, and became an original freeholder. The history of Stamford, by Huntington, says at page 31 he was made freeman in Boston in 1635; came with first settlers and received 10 acres assignment of land. Savage says he was from Watertown, Mass., where he was made freeman, thence to Wethersfield, and from Wethersfield in 1656, one of the eleven Greenwich men who petitioned to be accepted under the New Haven jurisdiction will probated in Fairfield, as heretofore stated, January 6, 1664, &c. Tradition invests the immigration of this family to this country with the lines of romantic adventure. The ancestress, who was also high born, following her lover out into this western world to share with him here the fortunes which English aristocracy would not allow. Jeffrey died 31 May, 1666 and Susannah, his first wife, died at Grinwich, December 23, 1660. Before marrying Jeffrey Ferris she was the widow of Robert Lockwood by whom she apparently had one daughter, Mary Lockwood, and a son, Jonathan Lockwood. Huntington says Judy Burns (who must have been his second wife), receipted for her widow's portion in his estate March 6, 1667, and his will names his wife Judy, son James, son Jonathan Lockwood and Mary Lockwood, son Peter's three children and son Joseph's two. I. Jeffrey left the following issue: II. John Ferris, married twice, Mary and Grace. II. Peter Ferris; born July 5, 1654 died September 28, 1706; married Elizabeth Reynolds. II. Joseph Ferris; born September 20, 1657; married Ruth, daughter of Nicholas Knapp.
- [S315] James G. Ferris, Bones & Bombs, Lists the Descendants of Jeffrey Ferris including many wills & other interesting material.
- [S339] James G. Ferris, A Ferris Genealogy, Volume 1: Fairfield, Conn. Probate Book from 1665 to 1675 Page 20.