Person Page - 164

     Mercy Old was born on 4 Jul 1767 at Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.^1,2 She was the daughter of Elisha Olds Jr. and Elizabeth Grainger.¹

     Mercy (Mary) Old was born on 30 Apr 1724 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ She was the daughter of Nathaniel Old and Mercy Steel.¹ Mercy (Mary) Old married Timothy Woolworth on 13 Jun 1747.^2,3 Mercy (Mary) Old died on 30 Oct 1801 at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut, at age 77⁴ and was buried at Old Center Cemetery, Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.⁵
     On 15 March 1746/47, Mercy Old and Azubah Old were "taken under the Watch of the Church and Publickly owned ye Covenant". They were taken into the church as adults on the same day.⁶
     There is a possibility that two people, Mercy and Mary Old, have been combined into one person here, although I have several times seen the names Mercy and Mary applied to one person in this way. E. B. Olds gives her as Mercy Old, daughter of Nathaniel and Mercy and wife of Timothy Woolworth. The Suffield Vital Records show her birth as Mercy and her marriage as Mary.

     Mindwell Old was born on 4 Feb 1674 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ She was the daughter of Robert Old and Susannah Hanford. Mindwell Old married John Stockwell on 11 Dec 1716 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.
     Sheldon says she was the the only white child born at Suffield before King Phillip's War. However, this is not the earlest birth in the Suffield records.
     Mindwell Old renewed her baptismal covenant at Suffield on 28 Feb. 1713/14. She also appears to be the only available identification for the Mindwell Old who married John Stockwell at Suffield on 11 Dec. 1716 (intentions published 25 Nov. 1716). John Stockwell joined the church at Suffield on 28 April 1728 and Mindwell Stockwell joined on "June ye last" 1728. No children are recorded for this couple at Suffield. On 12 Aug. 1702, at Suffield, John Stockwell had married Elizabeth Weller (17 April 1680 - 12 Sept. 1716).
"It is certain that John's house was built before 1732. From circumstantial evidence, we think it must have been built around 1720. By 1720 John definitely needed a large house for his considerable family. His first wife, Elizabeth Weller, had given him eight children; six of whom were still living. Elizabeth had died following Samuel's birth, but Mindwell Old was John's second wife and was the new mother in the family. We have searched all cemeteries in and around Suffield in vain for Elizabeth's and Mindwell's graves. It is surmised that they, like Quinton and Abigail, were probably buried in the part of the Congregational churchyard that was obliterated to make way for a new wing of the church. We know that Elizabeth died in 1716. It appears that Mindwell probably died between 1732 and 1737. She and John both signed a deed at Suffield in 1732, (Deed f. 242, court records). In 1737, John signed one alone with no mention in the document of a wife. ... He was admitted to membership in the Suffield Congregational Church on 28 Apr. 1728 and his wife Mindwell (Old) Stockwell was admitted on 3 [sic] June 1728."

     Miriam Old was born on 23 Jun 1747 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.² She was the daughter of William Old and Damaris Gilbert.¹

     Nathaniel Old was born on 2 Mar 1702 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut. He was the son of Robert Old and Dorothy Granger. Nathaniel Old married Mercy Steel on 18 Jul 1722 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹

     Nathaniel Old was born on 1 Oct 1722 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ He was the son of Nathaniel Old and Mercy Steel.¹
     A Nathaniel Olds was baptized at Springfield, Massachusetts on 12 July 1741. A Nathaniel Olds joined the church at Springfield on 28 July 1741 and also on 1 Nov. 1741.²

     Olive Old was born on 13 Jan 1768 at Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Old and Abigail (?).¹ Olive Old died on 18 Mar 1771 at age 3.²

     Olive Old was born on 9 Aug 1771 at Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Old and Abigail (?).¹

     Oliver Old was born on 7 Sep 1739 at Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.^2,3 He was the son of Jacob Old and Mary Streen.^2,1 Oliver Old was baptized on 10 Nov 1739 at First Church of Christ, Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.⁴ He married Hannah Rice on 21 Jun 1766 at Westfield, Massachusetts.^5,6
     He served in the Revolutionary War from Woodbury, Connecticut.⁷

     Prudence Old married Joseph Pease.² Prudence Old was born on 14 Feb 1722/23 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ She was the daughter of Ebenezer Old and Rebecca Temple.¹ Prudence Old was baptized on 19 May 1723 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.³

     Rachel Old married Oliver Watson on 11 May 1757 at Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.^2,3,4
     Note that the records of Sheffield, Massachusetts, also show the birth of Rachel Old, daughter of Moses and Miriam, 20 Sep 1736.⁵

     Rebeckah Old was born on 15 Feb 1720/21.¹ She was the daughter of Ebenezer Old and Rebecca Temple.¹ Rebeckah Old was baptized on 30 Apr 1721 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut. The date is given as "April last", listed between Apr 23 and June 11, 1721. She renewed the baptismal covenant on 30 Dec 1739.² Marriage banns for her and Manassah Pomeroy were published on 10 Nov 1739 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.³ Rebeckah Old married Manassah Pomeroy on 2 Jan 1739/40.⁴
     The widow Rebeckah Pomeroy who married Ephraim French, of Enfield, on 28 Nov. 1744, may be a person of interest. According to the Enfield Vital Records, they were both of Enfield. They had children in Enfield until 1764, including one named Manassah French.^5,6

     Rhoda Old was born on 11 May 1727 at Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.¹ She was the daughter of Hanford Old and Elizabeth Neal.¹
     Albert Olds says this Rhoda married Thomas Leavenworth. His data is probably taken from Jacobus who makes no Olds connection but states (under Leavenworth):

     Rhoda Old was born on 20 Oct 1725 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Old and Susanna Temple.¹ Rhoda Old was baptized on 6 Mar 1725/26 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.²

     Robert Old was born on 9 Oct 1670 at Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹ He was the son of Robert Old and Susannah Hanford. Marriage banns for him and Elizabeth Atchison were published on 9 Jan 1696 at Springfield, Massachusetts.² Robert Old married Elizabeth Atchison, daughter of John Atchison and Deliverance (?), on 23 Jan 1696 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.³
     They were married by Judge John Pynchon of Springfield, Massachusetts.⁴ Burt's History of Springfield lists "Robberth ould, Senre", fence viewer for the plain, 8 March 1697/8 and "Robbert Old", fence viewer and hayward for "Chicopy pliane", 11 March 1700".⁵ Robert had the title of Doctor and lived on Springfield road within the present town bounds of Brimfield.⁶ Although his death date has been given as 16 Jan. 1727/28⁷, that date has been shown above to apply to Robert Old, Sr. Robert Old held land on the west side of the Connecticut River in Springfield, not far from the Connecticut border and was living there in 1720.⁸ Steward includes "Dr. Robert Olds” and Elizabeth Atchison, b. 22 April 1672, widow of Daniel Lamb, among the ancestors of Sir Winston Churchill. That article says Robert died, probably at Monson, Massachusetts, by 1736, and that Elizabeth was living in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in 1736.⁹
I have no contemporary reference to his use of the title "Doctor". Warren says that Robert Old went to Brimfield and was "said to be the first person to settle in Monson". Also that Elizabeth Old of Brimfield, widow of Robert, deeded land in 1736, citing deed I-199.¹⁰

     Robert Old was born s 1645, perhaps in England. He married (1) Susannah Hanford on 31 Dec 1669 at Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹
Robert Old married (2) Dorothy Granger, daughter of Launcelot Granger and Joanna Adams, on 1 Apr 1689 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.^2,3 Robert Old died on 16 Jan 1727 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.
     Sheldon says a small stone marked Robert's grave in the Suffield Cemetery but I was not able to locate or identify it.⁴
     The history of this branch of the Olds family was the major component of at least one genealogy.⁵ The immigrant, Robert Ould (Old, etc.) was said to be a son of John and __________ (Gatherest) Old of Sherborne, County Dorset, England. John Old was buried at Hillfield, Dorset, 15 Jan. 1682, and his wife was buried at Chard, Dorset, 29 May 1660.⁶ Although I have examined some of the parish registers and tax lists there, I have found no record of this Robert Old in England. The English connection is based on an English pedigree showing Robert Ould was born in 1645, moved to America and settled in New Windsor.⁷ His estimated birth date is in the midst of three English Civil Wars, 1642 - 1651, between Royalists and Parliamentarians. Dorset saw considerable action. The wars were partly based on disagreements between the Church of England and Puritans and one result was the decline in the quality of parish record keeping.
     Robert Old is first found in America at Windsor, Connecticut, in 1667 as an apprentice to Jacob Drake⁸ (perhaps he should be described as a servant; we may need to know more about Drake, as well). On 19 Feb 1667 at a meeting of the Hartford County Court held in Windsor, several fines were levied and the record includes "Jacob Drake undertakes for Rob^t: Old for 30^ss fine for Night walkeing and Rob^t Old obligeth to repay it to his master Drake & in case he falls in such transgression whiles he remaynes servant to Jacob Drake he is to pay in steed of this thirty shillings the summe of three pownds."^{9 10}
     
The precise time when the original Suffield 'Burying Ground' was used for burials is unknown but undoubtedly it was between the years 1677 and 1683 . In making a grant to Robert Old, October 30, 1677 of a lot twelve rods broad on the north side of ye Highway that goes over Muddy Brooke,' the committee reserved three lots to the north of Old, 'to be granted to some useful persons;' but in March 1683 the town granted to Robert Old 'a parcel of land lying below ye Burying Place, indicating that it had been established as such. The next year a committee was appointed to fence in the burying place and to 'settle ye bounds.' This was done and the record reads: 'Layed out by ye order of Town on ye Meeting House Hill a burying place containing one acre and a half, the bounds whereof are as follows, viz: South and west bounded by Robert Old's land; north by Serg. Thomas Huxley, his son's lot; ye east or front upon ye Common land. It is twenty rod in length and twelve rod in breadth and bounded at each corner by stake and stone.' The first Meeting House then stood on the Common where the boulder now is. The next year, 1685, Serg. Thomas Huxley was appointed grave digger, receiving four shillings for graves of persons sixteen years old and upward and two shillings and six pence for children. He was also constable and innkeeper. He died in 1721 ; his son William was grave digger in 1717.
"For a long period the care of the burying ground was evidently a difficult subject for the town. In 1698 it was voted 'to let the burying ground to Goodman Old, his heirs and successors for his or their sole use and benefit, for the pasturing and feeding of cattel, for the term of twenty years; upon the conditions following, viz: that said Old, his heirs and successors after him, and at all times duering said term, securing said burying place with a sufficient fence from damage done by hoggs and other creatures. The Town engaging to cut down the Bushes in said burying place; said Old alike engage to keep themdown as well as he can.' This lease expired in 1718, and at a special town meeting that year it was voted that the town bear the charge of clearing the burying place and fencing it 'so far as in their part and proper for them to do.' Two years later the town granted John Huxley 'the use of the burying place for twenty year, provided he clear it and leave it fencet when the time is up.'"¹¹
In October of 1920, at the "Quarter Millenial Celebration of Suffield", an historical pageant was produced. In one scene, entitled "The Early Days of Suffield", Mr. Thomas F. Cavanaugh was assigned to play Robert Olds but no details of his part in the action are provided.¹²¹¹
     His household size was 2 persons on 7 March 1670.¹³ After that, Robert and Susannah had two children born at Windsor.¹⁴
     Although there is no record of his having acquired land at Windsor, "Robert Old, of Windsor, in the County of Hartford, has assigned and made over to Thos. Bissell of Windsor all his estate to take out as much as is due to himself and to allow to the wife of Robert Old out of the rest of the estate as she desires for herself and children. Dated Oct. 27, 1673".⁷ Robert Old was one of the five founders of Suffield, (then in Massachusetts), in 1670 where he was granted (i. e. allowed to purchase for 4 pence per acre) fifty acres of land on Jan. 26, 1670.^15,16, It was in 1673 that he moved to Suffield. He lived on the part of Northampton Road later called Old Street. Robert Old was not qualified at the first town meeting of Suffield and probably was never made a freeman.¹⁷
All the first settlers of Suffield, which was part of Massachusetts until 1749, were induced to move there by grants of land on the condition that they settle there and improve the land. The area, prior to the establishment of Suffield in 1670, had been considered to be part of Springfield, Massachusetts, whose boundaries were not well defined.
     On 5 Sep 1672, Robert Old again appeared before the Hartford County Court, meeting in Hartford, when the record states: "The Court haueing examind Rob^t Old and John W^ms, concerning the fray at Wetherfeild & what wroung George Beswick reced Doe find that Rob^t Old at least is susspicoiusly guilty of wrounging the sayed Besswick Deceased by Beating of him Thereby (as may be feared at least) hastening his death, which suddainly Followed & therefore Doe order Robert Old to be returned to the comon Gaole there to be secured till he shall be deliuered by law. And John Williams to giue in forty pownds for his appearance at the court in october to Answer what shall be objected against him in the Case or else he is to remayne In durance till the said Court." "John Bissell, Dan^ll Hayden, Thomas persons & John persons" each put up bond for ten pounds on the condition that Williams would return to court. The next entry recorded the appointment of a committee to care for the estate of George Beswick.¹⁸
     On 8 Oct 1672, the Connecticut Court of Assistants meeting in Hartford, indicted Robert Old and made this record: "Robt Old thou are Indicted by the name of Rob^t Old for that not haueing the fear of God before thine eys thou has risen up against thy neighbour Georg Besswick assaulted & beaten him so that death hath followed to the loss of the life of one of the subjects of our soueraigne Lord the King the peace broken the estate of the famaly damnified for which according to the law of God & the law of this colony thou deseruest to dye or to be otherwise punished as it shall be fownd.
"The Grand Jury return they find not the Bill as to the act of murther but they finde high breach of the peace.
[Some material relating to other cases here.]
"John Williams for his misdemeano^r in abetting Robt Old when he was in his riotous way & breaking the peace is to give in Tenn pownds Band for his peaceable Behauior towards all persons and things in this colony till this court in decem^r next & tthen appear and take up in Bond./
"And Robert Old for his high Breach of the peace in fighting & quarreling &c is adjudged to be whipt and bownd to the peace till Court in decemb^r next & then appear to take up his Bond./.¹⁹
     The testimony of Heny Stiles given for this case is recorded in the Wyllis Papers as follows:
"the testimony of henry Stilles saieth that I fell into ye Company of John williams and Robtt old and went with them to weathersfield and by ye time wee Came theather it was darke I parted with them agine goodman Sadlers houes and went ouer to my brothers when I Came theare was nobody at home at my brothers: my brother beinge at goodman Sadlers had information yt I was Come he Came straight home: and beinge troubeld yt his wife was gon from home and yt he had not suetable entertanement for me he did impertuen me to goe ouer with him to goodman Sadlers where was Mr. Samuel talcott and Sgett John Demmon and George Beswicke and old and willims aboused my brother invited me into ye outher roome to drinke a dram whearupon he desiered goodman Sadler to spare him halfe a pint of liqo^r and he towld him he had not aboue a qrt in ye houes, yet did spare him two glls presently M^r. talcott and John Demon went away and old and willms Came into ye roome whear wee weare and presently after Came in George beswicke and willms asked him what he should giue him to make him a surtine number of brikes, beswicke returninge him an answer so much [ ] he went out of the roome and old and willms followed him and they quarrelled a while in the outher roome and old took beswicke by the shouelder and thrust him out of dours and followed him. I asked them wheather they knew what they did and willms answered me they turned him out to goe home: and goodman Sadler Called to them to Ceepe fast the dour Sudenly after thear was a great tumbe without: and goodman Sadlers man rise up to goe out and Comeinge to the doure Isacke Stiles stoptd him and he went through ye entry and gott out at ye outher doer seeinge yt my brother Isacke went from ye doer and willms presently went out at ye doer and what they did when thay wear out I know not further this oponant saieth not:
[Indorsed] Rob^t old & John Wiiliams Case octob^r 8. 1672."²⁰
     Although no further record of the case of Robert Old is found, on 6 Mar 1672/3, John Williams was "Freed from his recognizance for his Good behaviou^r".²¹
     "At a Legall meeting of the Inhabitants of Suffield Jan. the 14th 1695/96: the towne made choice of Anthony Austin, Jno Pengilly, David Winchill, Jn" Hanchet, and Jonathan Tailor: to compound, or agree with Goodman Old; what his compensation should be; for his two journeys downe to the Bay, about Towne business; which accordingly they did, the same day, and the returne which they made to the towne, is as followeth:
"The agreement which we have made with Goodm Old in theTownes behalfe, and if the towne please to concur in it, and accept of it; is as followeth: The whole summs which Goodm Old demands for his owne time, and horse, together with money which he expended in the townes Service in his two journeys down to the Bay, [Here Sheldon's footnote says: The inhabitants were poor, and with difficulty paid the town rates. The mission of Robert Old was successful. In 1698, the accumulated Province taxes of "Southfield" amounting to £228. 4s. 9d. were "abated, remitted, and forgiven" by act of the General Court. Prov. laws, Vol. I, p. 341, and Suff. Doc. Hist., pp. 115, 119, 120.] is thirteen pounds, nineteen shillings, and six pence; But we have thus agreed; that the towne allowing him seven pounds fifteen shillings in the towne Rate, and ten acres of land at the South end of the great Swamp, on the north end, and westerly side of the [Here Sheldon's footnote says: This Hill was on disputed Territory, and situate in the N. E. corner of ancient Simsbury, now in East Granby.] Round hill; he therewithall rests satisfyed, as Just compensation for his time, and other expenses; and what money he hath allready received of the towne, is to be deducted out of this seven pounds fifteen shillings; and if any man shall see cause to pay his proportion in money; he is to be allowed double in pay. This agreement was read severall times to the towne, and then put to vote; which past on the affirmative."²²
     "At a Leagall meeting of the Inhabitants of Suffield, Jannuary ye 27'h 1695/96: it was agreed and voted, to imploy Goodman Old in building the chimneys for the ministers house. And accordingly said Old did then promise, and covenant to, and with the Towne, to build a stack of chimneys in said house, with five tunnels; and to carry it up from the bottome of the cellar: which chimneys, he the said Old doth engage to build, according to his best art, and skill in all respects substantiall: compleat, and workman like, and to finishe the same by the middle of May next Ensuing the Date hereof. On the other part the Towne did then promise, and covenant to, and with said Old, seasonably to find, all materials for building said chimneys, as clay, stone, brick, lime, litter, mantle trees, and ye like together with sufficient attendance whilst in, and about said worke. And as a compensation, or reward for his labour; to give him four acres and a halfe of upland, upon the edge of the plain, beyond Joshua Wells, and Benjamin Dibble their lots, where said Old shall appoint; provided he come not upon, or marr any former Grant of Land thereby. And allsoe to break up this Land for him, as soon as he, said Old shall have Stub'd, and clear'd ye same, fit for the plow to goe."²³
     On 16 May 1697, Robert Old of Suffield was named in a court record for Springfield, Mass. Thomas Mighill, also of Suffield, was summoned before Judge John Pynchon for "his Breach of the Peace, in striking of Robert Old of Suffield, beating and wounding him sometime in February last which they have compounded [agreed] as to the Damage to Robert Old[,] but it being a great Breach of the Peace: which said Thomas Mighil now appearing according to Summons and owning the Same Falling under it, Saying he was in a Passion and thereby disordered so that he struck and wounded Robert Old which he is very sorry for as he says, and will be more careful and orderly for time to come ..."²⁴
     On 3 Jan 1715/16, at a town meeting, grants of land were made to many residents including 12 1/2 acres to Robert Old, Senr., 5 acres to John Old and 5 acres to Ebenezer Old. These grants were, however, rescinded at the next meeting.²⁵

     Sheldon applies the death date, 16 Jan. 1727/8, to this Robert Old, although the same date has been given for his son Robert.²⁶ The town records quoted below make it clear that it was the first Robert Olds who died on this date.

"Robert Old the first
Mindwell Old the Daughter of Robert Old which Susanah his Wife Gave to him born February the 4th 1674. Handford his Son born March the 24th, 1677. William his Son born Feb". the 7th 1679 and Die- (died) Augs. 24th 1680, his son William born August the 28th. 1680. his Son Ebenezer born Dec. 22 1688. Susannah his Daughter born October the 21st 1683. Ebenezer his son Die" (died) Decem" 30th 1688. his Wife Susannah Dei" (died) January the 6th 1688. and himself joined im [sic] Marriage with Dorothy Granger April the 1st 1689. John his son which Dorothy his Wife bore to him born July the 11th 1691. Ebenezer his son born Jan. 22. 1692-3. his son Jonathn died Decemb" the 19th 1696. his Son Josiah born March the 4th. 1694-5. Jonathan his Son born June the 8th 1698. Nathan his Son born March the 2nd, 1701-2. his Son Joseph born Feb. 7th his son Josiah die Decemm the 28th 1712. Robert Old himself died January the 16th. 1727-8."²⁷
     Olds lists the birth and death year for the first Ebenezer as 1681, which does justify listing him between William and Susannah. The order is followed by Sheldon and Stiles while giving the birth year as 1688. The out of sequence record leaves doubt about his birth year.
All fourteen children are named by Sheldon, Stiles and Olds²⁸ perhaps from Sheldon, in the order given below. Robert Ould, b. 9 Oct. 1670, and Jonathan Old, b. 4 Jan. 1672, are listed as sons of Robert Ould and Susannah Hanford in the Matthew Grant Record, a private record of Windsor Vital Statistics kept from the early years of the town. Later, in summarizing the births in Windsor from the beginning up to 17 Aug. 1677, Grant lists Robert Ould with two, thus not including Mindwell and Handford who had been born at Suffield by that time. Each birth after the first two is in Barbour and both parents are named in the record. The Barbour Collection lists an Allyn Old, who died 12 Sept. 1675, from Vol. 1, p. 40 of the Windsor record. This, however, should be old Mst. [i.e. Mistress] Allyn who was one of the twelve people who died at Windsor in 1675, as recorded in the Matthew Grant Record.
     In his Erratta and Addenda for page 44, which summarizes the Robert Old family, Sheldon has added "Robert Old; in his later years practiced medicine; and had the title of Dr. in the records".²⁹

     Robert Old was born on 6 Jun 1701 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.^2,3 He was the son of Robert Old and Elizabeth Atchison.¹ Robert Old married Mindwell Wright c 1722.⁴
     A child of Robert Old(s) died 20 Jan 1736/37, but has no name in the record.⁵

     Rufus Old was born on 15 Apr 1776 at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹ He was the son of Stephen Old and Elizabeth Rockwood.¹

     Ruth Old married John Hull.² Ruth Old was born on 2 Jun 1784 at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹ She was the daughter of Josiah Old and Ruth Barker.¹

     Ruth Old was born on 30 Oct 1759 at Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Old and Abigail (?).¹

     Sabra Old was born on 30 Apr 1736 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.² She was the daughter of Nathaniel Old and Mercy Steel.² Sabra Old was baptized on 15 Aug 1736 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.³

     Samuel Old was born on 29 Apr 1706 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.² He was the son of Hanford Old and Elizabeth Neal.¹ Samuel Old married Abigail Handchit on 10 Jul 1745 at Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.^3,4 Samuel Old died on 17 Apr 1766 at Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, at age 59.⁵

     Samuel Old married Elizabeth (?).² Samuel Old was born on 1 Apr 1747 at Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.¹ He was the son of Samuel Old and Abigail Handchit.¹ Samuel Old was baptized on 24 May 1747 at Church of Christ, Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.³ He died a 30 Jun 1832.⁴
     He marched in 1775 on the Lexington alarm. He lived in Southwick, Massachusetts, where he was chosen constable in 1779, warden in 1783 and surveyor in 1784.⁵ Heman is the only child listed by E. B. Olds. The children, some of their dates, the will and other information are given by E. D. Clements
"[Samuel] died in Southwick, Massachusetts, about 1832. ... He was a private in Captain Silas Fowler's company of Minute Men, which marched, April 21, 1775, and reached Roxbury on April 29, joining Colonel Danielson's regiment. After twenty-one days' service he was dismissed. He also served twenty-eight days as corporal in the same company in a detachment to Colonel John Mosley's regiment, serving from October 21 to November 17, 1776. He later was in a detachment under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Timothy Robinson to reinforce the Northern Army. In the 1790 census he is recorded as head of a family at Southwick, Massachusetts, consisting of two males over sixteen (one being himself) three under sixteen and four females (one probably being his wife)."
"The will of Samuel Olds was dated June 30, 1832, and reads as follows:

"I Samuel Olds, of Southwick in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, considering the uncertainity of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, and Blessed be God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form following (to wit) First, I give and bequeath unto the Heirs of my son Levi Olds (decased) one dollar, I do also give and bequeath to my son Justus Olds one dollar, I also give and bequeath to the Heirs of my son Wareham Olds (deceased) one Dollar.
"I do also give and bequeath to my Daughter Elisabeth Mather the sum of one Dollar, I do also give and bequeath unto my Daughter Lucinda Carter one dollar, I do also give and bequeath to the Children of my Daughter, Sarah Smith (Deceased) one Dollar and I do also give and bequeath to my Daughter Julia Holcomb, the sum of thirty Dollars.
"Which said several legacies or sums of Money, I will and order shall be paid to the said respective legatees, within one year after my decease, by my Executor herein after named
"I also give and devise unto my Grand-son William Olds (the son of Sylvester Olds) and to his heirs and assings [sic] forever; the following real estate: (to wit) the Homestead where I now live Bounded southerly by the road, Easterly by land of Thaddeus Foote, Northerly by the land of Thaddeus Kellogg, and westerly by the Mountain road partly & partly by land of Joshia L. Grofs -- together with two Dwelling Houses & two Barns standing thereon, Containing about thirty five acres of land
"Also one other tract of land lying the south side of the road & oposite [sic] the House I now live in -- and bounded Northerly by said road, Easterly by land of Josiah W. Stevens, southerly by land of Jesse Stevens, and Westerly by the Brook Containing about twenty-five acres.
"And it is further my will that my Executor herein after named shall hold the use and improvement of the whole of the land herein given to my Grandson William Olds untill he, if living should be of the age of Twenty one years as Trustee, and the income of said lands and Buildings, to be appropriated, for the support of my son Sylvester Olds his wife and Children and after my Grandson William Olds becomes twenty one years of age he shall come into possession of one half of the aforesaid described tracts of land and Buildings, and the other half of the aforesaid described tracts of land and Buildings my Executor to hold the same as trustee for the benefit and comfort of the said Sylvester Olds wife and Children -- during his natural life; and should his wife survive him, it is my will that she should occupy one room in ... of my houses and one quarter of an acre of Land for a garden where she may chuse, so long as she remains his widow & no longer;
"and I also give and bequeath all my personal property, to my Grandson William Olds he to pay all my Just Debts and the legacies herein given and funeral expenses and should my Grandson William Olds die and leave no Children, then it is my will that the same shall go to his Brothers and Sisters who shall .....survive him equal Shares, and to their heirs and assigns forever.
"And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint
"Abraham Rising Jun my Executor, of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all former wills by me made.
"Dated at Southwick this thirtieth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two in Testimony Thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal and published by the said Samuel Olds, declaring this to be his last will and testament in presence of us, Who at his request were called as witnesses to the same, and in his presence did hereunto subscribe our names.
Saml Fowler
Stiles Fox           Samuel Olds
Third signature illegible)."

     Sarah Old was baptized on 20 Apr 1735 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Old and Susanna Temple.

     Sarah Old was born on 10 May 1756 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.^2,3,4 She was the daughter of William Old and Damaris Gilbert.¹ Sarah Old married Jonathan Brigham on 14 May 1774.^5,6 Sarah Old died on 18 Feb 1836 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 79.⁷

     Seth Old was baptized on 20 Jul 1740 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ He was the son of Jonathan Old and Susanna Temple.

     Stephen Old was baptized on 3 Jul 1737 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ He was the son of Jonathan Old and Susanna Temple. Stephen Old married Elizabeth Rockwood on 4 Oct 1762 at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.² Stephen Old married (2) Elizabeth Hale on 8 May 1777.³
     Stephen Old appears on the list of Suffield men who served under Capt. Jonathan Pettibone of Simsbury in the campaign of 1757, and in the 1st Company, 1st Regiment in 1758 and 1759 during the French and Indian War.⁴

     Stephen Old was born on 26 Apr 1769 at Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts.^3,4 He was the son of Abner Old and Mary Snow.^2,1

     Stephen Old was born on 27 Nov 1765 at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹ He was the son of Stephen Old and Elizabeth Rockwood.²

     Susanna Old was baptized on 9 Jun 1734 at Suffield, (in Mass. 1670 - 1749), now Connecticut.¹ She was the daughter of Jonathan Old and Susanna Temple.