Micah Palmer (abt. 1671 - abt. 1748)

Born about 17 Aug 1671 in Branford, New Haven, Connecticut

Ancestors

Husband of Damaris (Whitehead) Palmer — married 14 Feb 1694 in Branford, New Haven, Connecticut Colony

Descendants

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Biography

Micah was born about 1671. He was the son of Micah Palmer and Elizabeth Bulkeley. He passed away about 1748.

In November 1716, Micah Palmer sued Mehittabel Whitehead for slander. The story, written by Sarah Morin, 21 Sep 2021, was part of a “women in colonial Connecticut“ series. To read the story, The Bold Defense of Mehittabel Whitehead, published on the Connecticut State Library blog site, see https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/archives/uncoveringnewhaven/blog/The-Bold-Defense-of-Mehittabel-Whitehead

The story includes transcribed quotes from the case as well as a court document image of her written rebuttal. Surprisingly, given the position of women at that time, the court actually sided with Mehittabel’s request for abatement of the charges, as well as a decision “the Defendant shall Recover of the plaintiff her [Court] Costs” (County Court Records, New Haven County, Vol. 3, 1713 to 1739, p. 74).

While not confirmed, it is quite possible that the Mehittabel Whitehead in this case was Micah's sister-in-law. Micah's wife had a brother John Whitehead, who was married to a Mehittabel. John Whitehead died in 1708, prior to this 1716 court case.

Burial: Congregational Church Cemetery, North Branford, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Sources

• Hatcher, Patricia Law. English Origin of Leslie Bradfield of Wethersfield and Branford, Connecticut, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 2019) Vol. 173, WN 689, Page 79.
• Find A Grave: Memorial #18348515
• Shepard, James. John Whitehead of New Haven and Branford, Conn., The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 1901) Vol. 55, Page 184.
• The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records (NEHGS, Boston, 2011) Vol. Branford, Page 135. Marriage record.