Both the Huntington and Backus Families were among the first to settle in Windham and were prominent in the early history of the area.
Thomas Huntington was a justice of the peace in Windham. He was among the first settlers of Windham, having removed there from Norwich, Conn. The name of Thomas Huntington appeared often in the records of the new town.
Thomas was among the founders of the Congregational Church of Windham. Thomas Huntington was ordained a deacon in the church, February 20, 1714-15 and was in the records referred to as "Captain." Thomas's wife, Elizabeth, was also one of the first members of the church; she died in 1728. Thomas died several years later at the age of sixty-eight in Windham; Thomas's tombstone reads: "After he had served God and his people, Both in Church and State, he fell asleep in Jesus, November 7, 1732."
Following is an excerpt from "The Huntington Family in America: A Genealogical Memoir," by The Huntington Family Association (see below for full citation):
"Thomas Huntington, born in Norwich, Conn., March 18, 1664; must have attained some distinction since he appears on the record, toward the close of his life, with that title, which in those days had significance, Thomas Huntington, Esq., he being a Justice of the Peace."
"He married February 10, 1686-7, Elizabeth, second daughter of Lieut. William and Elizabeth (Pratt) Backus, one of the most enterprising of the Norwich settlers. He was a professed Christian, and as appears from contemporary records, an active and successful businessman. In the Fall after a marriage he removed with his cousin Joseph to aid in laying the foundations of the new town of Windham. Here his name occurs often in the early records, and always honorably. He received from his father a tract of land, lying to the north of the town of Windham; now lying in the towns of Windham and Mansfield, his own house lot lying in the latter town. Accordingly, at the organization of the Mansfield church, October 18, 1710, Thomas Huntington enters his name with ten others to constitute the new church. His wife's name is recorded among the members, on the 25th of the same month and year. He was ordained deacon, February 20, 1714-15, and is in the record styled Capt. Thomas Huntington."
"In his will, dated October 31, 1732, he divides his "lands and meadows, in about the Nanchang Cedar Swamps," to his three sons, Thomas, Jedidiah and Eleazer. His tombstone bears the inscription: "After he ahd served God and his people, Boath in Church and State, he fell asleep in Jesus, November 7, 1732."
"His wife died, December 29, 1728, and was also buried in the Windham burying ground."
Biography Compiled by David M. Pierce
Thomas is the child of Christopher Huntington and Ruth Rockwell.
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