Hannah (Warner) Fellows (1684 - 1758)

Born 28 Aug 1684 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony, New England

Ancestors

Wife of Ephraim Fellows — married 19 May 1703 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 19 Mar 1758 at age 73 in Stonington, New London County, Connecticut Colony, New England

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Biography

Hannah Warner was born on 28 Aug 1684 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony.^[1] She was the daughter of Nathaniel Warner and his wife, Hannah Boynton. Among her siblings was an older sister of the same name who died young.^[2]

Marriage

Hannah Warner married Ephraim Fellows on May 19, 1703, in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony.^[3]

Ephraim Fellows, a blacksmith who later owned a saw mill,^[4] was born on 3 Sep 1679, in Ipswich, the son of Isaac Fellows^[5] and his wife, Joanna Boreman.^[6] His grandfather, William Fellows, emigrated from England in 1635 and settled in Ipswich.^[7]

After their first two children were born, Ephraim and Hannah moved about 130 miles southwest of Ipswich to the seaport town of Stonington, New London County, Connecticut Colony, in June 1709.^[4]

Children

Ephraim Fellows and Hannah Warner had the following 8 children, 6 of whom lived to adulthood.^[8] The first two were born in Ipswich, and the rest born in Stonington.

1. Hannah Fellows (1705–aft. 1730), married Thomas Hall^[9][10]
2. Ephraim Fellows (1707–1780), married Prudence Plumb^[11][12]
3. Sarah Fellows (1710–), married Samuel Holdredge^[13][14]
4. Nathaniel Fellows I (1713–1800), married Hopestill Holdredge^[15][16]
5. Isaac Fellows (1719–1806), married Mary Want<^[17][18]
6. John Fellows (1722–1723), died young^[19]
7. Joanna Fellows (1724–), married William Brown^[20][21]
8. Mary Fellows (1726–1726), died young^[22]

Death

Hannah (Warner) Fellows, widow, died on either the 9 Mar or 19 Mar 1758 in Stonington. The original town clerk record image of her day of death could be interpreted as either the 9th or 19th.^[23][24] She was buried there in Great Plain Cemetery.^[25]

32 years earlier, her husband Ephraim Fellows, aged 46, died on 12 Mar 1726 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut Colony.^[8] While Ephraim was hunting seabirds at a seaside spot called Otter Point, Thomas Stanton mistook Ephraim's otter hat for a living otter and accidentally shot him.^[4] Hannah was left with a houseful of children – their youngest, Mary, still to be born and die as an infant, and their eldest child, Hannah, about 21 years old.

On 12 Apr 1726, Hannah Fellows, administratrix, and Ezabar Brown, both of Stonington, signed the bond of administration for the estate of Ephraim Fellows, late of Stonington, and an oath to provide inventory of the estate by 2nd Tuesday of April 1727. Inventory was made 6 May 1726, with real estate including house, smith shop, saw mill and land. Papers included promissory note signed by Ephraim Fellows, locksmith, on 7 Dec 1725 to pay a debt of 8 pounds, 12 shillings to Thomas Wells of Westerly, Rhode Island. List of debts were paid out from the estate, signed by Hannah Fellows. ^[26]

Church Membership

It is curious that the records of the First Congregational Church of Stonington include a notation that Ephraim and his wife were examined for admission and then admitted on 1 Nov 1724.^[27] The same church already had recorded baptisms for 4 of their children, Sarah, Nathaniel, Isaac and Joanna, before that date.

The notation may have been referring to admission to an additional meeting house, established in 1721 north of Stonington, in what would later be officially called the town of North Stonington in 1807. "An ecclesiastical line of division was established by the Connecticut General Assembly and the first North Society meeting was held on January 18, 1721," according to the History web page of the First Congregational Church of North Stonington, United Church of Christ. A new house of worship was created a mile north of the village at "Meeting House Corner" at the intersection of Wyassup and Reutemann Roads. It was called "the old black church" because of its weathered, unpainted wood. The North Society appointed Ebenezer Russell its first permanent minister in 1727.^[28]

At that time, a year after Ephraim died, the "widow Fellowes" was dismissed from the Congregational Church of Stonington and recommended to ye communion of ye Church of Christ in North Stonington on May 07, 1727.^[29] It appears that it became too difficult for Hannah, aged 43, to make the longer trip without Ephraim to "the road church" on Pequot Trail. The First Congregational Church of Stonington was then called "the road church" because it was located midway on the Pequot Trail, an old Indian trail from the head of Mystic River to what is now Westerly, Rhode Island.^[30]

Sources

1. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DCY4-Z4N2 : Wed Oct 25 12:58:03 UTC 2023), Hanah, daughter to Nath and Hanah Warner born 28 Aug 1684, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony.
2. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DCYH-MXT2 : Wed Oct 25 16:31:43 UTC 2023), Hanah Warner, born 13 Feb 1680, father Nathaniell Warner, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony. [All the source transcriptions give the date of Hannah's birth as 1680. This, however, would mean that she was born only four months after her brother, John. The logical explanation is that the date was in 1680, according to the Julian calendar, which would make it 1681, according to the Gregorian calendar.]
3. ↑ "Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCC3-WJP : 4 December 2014), Ephraim Fellowes and Hanah Warner, 19 May 1703; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 0547505 IT 1.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Ellsworth, Phebe May Fellows. The Many Branches; Genealogy of These Families, Fellows, Woolsey, Stewart, Ellsworth, Towslee. Compiled and self-published, Monroe, Green, Wisconsin, 1985. The Story, pp. 29-31 [This is an account of time in Stonington and the death of Ephraim Fellows, attributed to “Ephraim Fellows, the compiler of these memoirs died April 28, 1780 at 72 years", the eldest son of Ephraim Fellows and Hannah Warner]
5. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DZM9-BRN2 : Wed Oct 25 13:01:51 UTC 2023), Marriages, Births & Deaths, County of Essex, 1654-1691, from Essex County Court House, Births in Ipswich, Exact transcription from handwritten image: “Ephraim son of Isaac Fellows, borne 3rd September 1679”
6. ↑ Anderson, Robert Charles; Sanborn Jr., George F.; Sanborn, Melinde Lutz. The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, v. 1, A-B, Great Migration Study Project, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1999.(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2496/images/42521_b158312-00451?pId=16217 : 14 Nov 2023), Thomas Boreman, p. 352-355, slide 450-453. “V. JOANNA, b. say 1650 (under age 22 in 1670 when her father made his will); m. Ipswich 29 January 1672/73 Isaac Fellows.” [cited as daughter of Thomas Boreman and Margaret Offing, Joanna mentioned in father’s will, Joanna Fellowes mentioned in her mother’s will]
7. ↑ Anderson, Robert C.; Sanborn Jr., George F.; Sanborn, Melinde L. The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England 1634-1635. Vol. II: C-F (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Great Migration Study Project, Boston, 2001), William Fellows. Pages 507 - 512
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLMM-SR8D : 22 July 2021), Stonington Town Clerk Record. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BP-Q3BM-5?i=153&cc=2448940), Family of Ephraim Fellows and Hannah Warner, including death dates of Ephraim and Hannah
9. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG1K-Q45M : Wed Oct 25 23:48:02 UTC 2023). Ipswich Town Records. Book No. I. Births, Marriages and Deaths. Page 44. Image 50. Births in Ips. [Ipswich] anno. 1705. “Hannah, da. to Ephra. and Hannah Fellows, Bapd. Augs. 12, 1705”
10. ↑ Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920. Ancestry.com. Book source: Connecticut Church Records, State Library Index, Stonington, First Congregational Church (“The Road Church”) 1674-1925, Connecticut State Library, Vol. 111, Stonington, 1961, p. 160. “Fellows…Hannah, m. Thomas Hall, July 10, 1730, by Rev. Ebenezer Rosseter”
11. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #20784507, memorial page for Ephraim Fellows (1705–28 Apr 1780), Great Plain Cemetery, North Stonington, New London County, Connecticut, USA; Maintained by C•P The LaPlante Files (contributor 46814587).
12. ↑ "Births, Marriages, Deaths, No. 3" in Stonington, New London County, Connecticut. Town Clerk, Stonington. Book filed under ”Connecticut Marriages, 1640-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BP-QQ4P-N?cc=2448940 : 11 April 2017), Connecticut State Library, Hartford. Ephraim Fellows and Prudence Plumb marriage 13 May 1731 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, includes names and birth dates of 9 children, Hannah, Ephraim, George, Samuel, Warner, John, Prudence, Sarah, Joseph. From old handwritten book entitled "Births, Marriages, Deaths, No. 3" in Stonington, New London County, Connecticut. Town Clerk, Stonington, Connecticut.
13. ↑ Schott, Nancy E. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Stonington Vital Records 1658-1854. Genealogical Publishing Co. 2000, p. 146. “Fellows … Sarah, d. Ephraim, b. Jan. 3 1710/71”
14. ↑ Connecticut Church Records, Stonington, First Congregational Church (“The Road Church”) 1674-1925, Vol. 111, Stonington, Connecticut State Library 1961, p. 162. “Fellows … Sarah, m. Samuel Holdridge, Sept. 23, 1731, by Rev. Ebenezer Rosseter.
15. ↑ Schott, Nancy E. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Stonington Vital Records 1658-1854. 2000, p. 146, “Fellows… Nathan, s. Ephraim, b. June 22, 1714”
16. ↑ Schott, Nancy E. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Stonington Vital Records 1658-1854. 2000, p. 146, “Fellows… Nathaniel, m. Hopestill Holdredge, Mar. 2, 1736/37, by Rev. Joseph Fish
17. ↑ "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F74J-M4R : 7 January 2020), Isaac, son of Ephraim Fellows, born 19 Feb 1719 in Stonington, New London County, Connecticut
18. ↑ “Connecticut, Church Records, 1660-1955," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRS-8TLK : 3 October 2019), New London, Connecticut, First Church of Christ Records 1670-1916, Vol. II. p. 169. Slide 102. Isaac Fellows and Mary Want married 30 Sep 1742 in New London, Connecticut, British Colonial America
19. ↑ Schott, Nancy E. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Stonington Vital Records 1658-1854. Genealogical Publishing Co. 2000, p. 145. “John, s. Eph[rai]m, b. Oct. 8, 1722, d. Apr. 2 [—]”
20. ↑ Schott, Nancy E. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Stonington Vital Records 1658-1854. Genealogical Publishing Co. 2000, p. 145. “Fellows … Joanna, d. Ephraim, b. Apr. 4, 1724
21. ↑ Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920. Ancestry.com. Book source: Connecticut Church Records, Stonington, First Congregational Church (“The Road Church”) 1674-1925, Vol. 111, Stonington, Connecticut State Library 1961, p. 161. “Johanna [Fellows], m. William Brown, July 1, 1742
22. ↑ Schott, Nancy E. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Stonington Vital Records 1658-1854. 2000, p. 146, “Fellows, Mary, d. Ephraim, b. Aug. 16, 1726; d. Sept. 16
23. ↑ "Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLMM-SR8R : 22 July 2021), Town Clerk, Stonington, New London, Connecticut, Birth, Marriage, Death. Page 6, Image 154. “Widow Hannah Fellows Dyed March the 19th [or 9th] 1758” [The original town clerk record image of her day of death could be interpreted as either the 9th or 19th. Click link to review.]
24. ↑ Schott, Nancy E. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Stonington Vital Records 1658-1854. Genealogical Publishing Co. 2000, p. 145. “Hannah, wid., d. Mar. 9, 1758”
25. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/157781557/hannah-fellows: accessed 16 November 2023), memorial page for Hannah Warner Fellows (28 Aug 1684–19 Mar 1758), Find a Grave Memorial ID 157781557, citing Great Plain Cemetery, North Stonington, New London County, Connecticut, USA; Maintained by Mookie (contributor 47515129).
26. ↑ Connecticut, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999. Ancestry.com. Probate Packets, Ely, E-Fitch, J, 1675-1850. New London Probate District, Hartford, Conn. No. 1985. Multiple documents. Probate: 1726. Ephraim Fellows, late of Stonington, New London County, Colony of Connecticut. No will included in packet. On 12 Apr 1726, Hannah Fellows, administratrix, and Ezabar Brown, both of Stonington, signed the bond of administration for the estate of Ephraim Fellows, late of Stonington, and an oath to provide inventory of the estate of Ephraim Fellows by 2nd Tuesday of April 1727. Inventory made 6 May 1726, with real estate including house, smith shop, saw mill and land. Papers include promissory note signed by Ephraim Fellows, locksmith, on 7 Dec 1725 to pay a debt of 8 pounds, 12 shillings to Thomas Wells of Westerly, Rhode Island. List of debts paid out from the estate, signed by Hannah Fellows.
27. ↑ Connecticut Church Records, Stonington, First Congregational Church (“The Road Church”) 1674-1925, Connecticut State Library 1961, p. 160. “Fellows … Eph[rai]m and w. Hannah, examined for admission [ ] 1724 “ [page torn]” “Fellows…Ephraim and w. Hannah, adm. ch. Nov. 1, 1724”
28. ↑ "Congregational Church of North Stonington History. The Congregational Church of North Stonington, United Church of Christ. (https://www.nostoucc.org/about-3-1 : 15 Nov 2023)
29. ↑ Connecticut Church Records, Stonington, First Congregational Church (“The Road Church”) 1674-1925, Connecticut State Library 1961, p. 162. Widow Fellows, dismissed & recommended 7 May 1727 to Christ Church, North Stonington
30. ↑ Wheeler, Richard Anson. History of the Town of Stonington, County of New London, Connecticut, The Day Publishing, Co., New London, Conn., 1900.