James Wells (abt. 1640 - 1697)

Born about 1640 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Elizabeth (Clarke) Wells — married before 1668 in Haddam, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 5 Jan 1697 at about age 57 in Haddam, Middlesex, Connecticut

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Biography

James Wells

Origin

The origin of James Wells is unknown.

Many researchers estimate his birth about 1640, based on an estimated marriage about 1665. When James wrote his will in 1690, at least two of his children were minors (Mary and Susannah), placing their births between about 1666 and 1676. However, as Orin Wells contends, James appears to have immigrated about 1650, and a birth date about 1630 would be more likely.^[1]

Immigration

Apparently, there is information placing James' immigration at about 1650.^[1]

James Wells was among the first twenty-eight heads of families who removed from Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield and appeared at Haddam in the summer of 1662 (Church p 34).^[2] He settled in the area called "Town Plot," the larger of the two areas settled first, which began at the southeastern end of Walkley Hill and extended along the old road to the neighborhood surrounding the First Congregational Church (p 34).^[2]

Marriage and Children

James married c. 1665 to Elizabeth (possibly Clark/Clarke?).^[1] Another source says James Wells and Elizabeth Clark married by 1668, at Haddam, Connecticut.^[3] They had five children who were named in his will.^[1]

Children:

1. James Wells b c. 1665; mar Rebecca Selden (b c. 1679, d 1764) (p 17)^[2]
2. Thomas Wells  ? see public message
3. Thomas Wells, b c. 1682 (15 yrs old in 1697); mar Elizabeth
4. Elizabeth Wells ; mar Simon Smith, Jr.
5. Mary Wells* b after 1666; mar Josiah Arnold
6. Susanna(h) Wells* b after 1666 ; mar Unknown Cone

*Note: At least two of the children (Mary and Susannah) were minors when James wrote his will in 1690

The above are the only documented children of James and Elizabeth. The following children have been claimed by others, without citation.^{[citation needed]}

• Samuel Wells
• Stephen Wells
• Stephen Wells
• Alice Wells
• John Wells
• John Wells
• Joseph Wells
• Robert Wells
• Sarah Wells
• William Wells

Property and Positions

James and his family settled in the "Town Plot" part of Haddam (p 34).^[2] There is a Wells Brook at Haddam, apparently named after James Wells.^[1]

Death and Legacy

James died in the later part of 1697, as his estate inventory was recorded 5 January 1697/8.^[1]

I James Welles sen. of Haddam, being employed in the Country Service, doe think it my duty to set my worldly affairs in some Order. Item. It is my Will that my wife shall have my Homelott & House, and one of the 3-acre Lotts on the East side of the Great River, and my upper Lott in the Meadow, during her Widowhood; and if she marry again, then all to return to my son James. My son James shall have my Dwelling house & Homelott, and all the Land on the West side of the Great River, and all my Land in the Upper Meadow, & all my Rights on the Plaine on the East side of the Great River, he not claiming any right at Machamoodus. And my Will is that my son Thomas Welles shall have my Cow Meadow Lott, & all my Rights at Machamoodus. My son James shall have all my Moveables of Stock and all other things not above disposed of, and he my son James to pay to my daughter Elizabeth 10 besides what she hath already had. And to pay to my 2 daughters, Mary and Susannah Welles, when they come to age, 15 apeice.

Witness: George Gates, Thomas Gates.

JAMES X WELLES.

Court Record, Page 44-22 June, 1698: The last Will & Testament of Capt. James Welles exhibited in Court, and Capt. George Gates made Oath that the Testator did in their presence sign and declare it to be his last Will. Accepted, proven, and ordered to be recorded. There being no Executor expressed by Will, this Court grant Adms. to James Welles to perform the Will of the Deceased.^[4]

A seven-acre lot on the east side of the road, in the ravine where the brook runs, was laid out to James Wells, after whom the brook was named; but his house was half a mile away. Before coming to Haddam (1650), he had lived with William Pynchon, the founder of Springfield. He was captain of the militia in 1694.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} Wells, Orin, James Wells WELLS-CT-L Archives, November 20, 2008, accessed November 9, 2015.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} First Congregational Church of Haddam, The Two Hundredth Anniversary of the First Congregational Church of Haddam, Connecticut ... (Pages 17, 34, ) Haddam, CT: 1902, Archive.org accessed November 9, 2015.
3. ↑ Torrey’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. Reference Volume 3, page 1625. Subscription required.
4. ↑ Manwaring, Charles William, (1904) A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol I. 1635-1700 Hartford, CT: R.S. Peck & co., (Vol 1 page 592).

• Haddam Historical Society, History of Haddam. [1]