David Ensign I (abt. 1644 - 1727)

Born about 26 Nov 1644 in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Mehitable (Gunn) Sheldon — married 22 Oct 1663 (to 28 May 1683) in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut Colony

Husband of Sarah (Wilcox) Ensign — married 3 Oct 1684 in Hartford County, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 13 Dec 1727 at about age 83 in West Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, British Colonial America

Problems/Questions Profile managers: John Putnam [send private message] and Sheri Havens [send private message]

Biography

David Ensign was born about November 26, 1644 in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut Colony, son of James Ensign (1606–1670) and Sarah Unknown (~1612–<1676).

He emigrated to Dorcester, Massachusetts Bay Colony and became freeman on May 6, 1635. He then moved to Windsor, Connecticut Colony, and later moved to Westfield, Massachusetts Bay Colony.

David (18) married Mehitable Gunn (19) (born on July 28, 1644 in Windsor, Hartford; daughter of Thomas Gunn and Unknown (UNKNOWN) Gunn) on October 22, 1663 in Hartford.^[1] Their children were:^[2]

1. David Ensign (1664–1665)
2. James Ensign (1666–1754)
3. Thomas Ensign (1668–1738)
4. Sarah Ensign (1671–~1720)
5. Mary Ensign (1675– )

David was miller and farmer who was prominent in town and church affairs. He was chosen as chimney viewer on Feb 16, 1665 and surveyor on Feb 23, 1688. He also served as grand juror.

Mehitable divorced him for his "ill conduct" in October 1682.

"David Ensigne personally appeared July 23, 1682 and did bind over to the Publick Treasury of the Colony of Connecticut, all his housing and lands within the township of Hartford, both on the East and West side of the Connecticut River as they stand bound to him in the publick records of the said town, or by his father's last will in the court records, to stand as security for his good behavior, and that he will totally forbear going into or keeping company with Sarah, the wife of Thomas Long, according to the judgement of the Court of Assistants, passed against him at their last session May 31 last passed, and for the confirmation hereof he hath sett to his hand and acknowledged the same before John Allyn, Assistant and Secretary. Page 34.

Divorce - May 28, 1683:

"Upon the petition of Mehitable Ensigne, that she might be freed from the conjugality to David Ensigne, the court hath considered the case, and finding testimony that the said David Ensigne hath sundry times withdrawn himself from his wife, the said Mehitabell, and bedded and boarded with the late wife of Thomas Long, and owned her to be his wife, and carried so to her, and hath not had, nor desired, communion with the said Mehitable for a long time, as she allegeth, but the last winter carried it in a laseivious manner towards the wife of Samuel Elmor, and is now gone from his wife to New York. And it may well be concluded he has gone after the said Long's wife again.

"Upon those considerations this court do see good reason, and accordingly do grant, the said Mehittabell Ensigne a release from the matrimonial tye to the said David Ensigne.

"And this court do order that an inventory of the personal estate of David Ensigne be taken, and that it be equally divided between the said David Ensigne and Mehitabell. And this court orders that the house the said Mehitabell now lives in, she be not molested in her inhabiting there, without order of this court by any person whatever." Page 45. (published in 1988 or 1989 as page 24 in one issue of the Sheldon Family Association Newsletter. )

He moved to West Hartford in 1685 and was a petitioner for the establishment of a church.

David (39) married Sarah Wilcox (36) (born on October 3, 1648 in Hartford, Hartford County; daughter of John Wilcox Jr. and Sarah (Wadsworth) Wilcox) on October 3, 1684 in Hartford County. Their son was David Ensign (1688–1759).

David died on December 13, 1727, aged 83, in what was then Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut according to the Barbour Collection of Vital Records,^[3] but on the 14th according to his gravestone.^[4][5][6]

Sources

1. ↑ "Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPQ1-DKLW : 7 February 2023), Dauid Ensigne, ; citing Marriage, Hartford, Connecticut, United States, Compiled by Lucius A. and Lucius B. Barbour, housed at State Library, Hartford, Connecticut; FHL microfilm 008272230.
2. ↑ Barbour, Lucius Barnes. Families of Early Hartford, Connecticut. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. , 1977.) p. 238
3. ↑ White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Hartford. (Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002.) p 139
4. ↑ "Connecticut, Charles R. Hale Collection, Vital Records, 1640-1955", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7ZL-56G : 16 September 2020), David Ensign, 1727.
5. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #44473570
6. ↑ "Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPQ1-DKLJ : 7 February 2023), David Ensign, ; citing Death, Hartford, Connecticut, United States, Compiled by Lucius A. and Lucius B. Barbour, housed at State Library, Hartford, Connecticut; FHL microfilm 008272230.

• FamilySearch Person: L87K-Q3V
• https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L87K-Q3V/david-ensign-sr-1644-1727
• Hartford vital records, in Connecticut, United States. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records.