Per The Churchill Family In America by Gardner Asaph Churchill and Nathaniel Wiley Churchill: Joseph Churchill was one of the beneficiaries named in the will of his maternal grandmother Elizabeth (Deming) Foote Welles. In the inventory of his estate his home lot is mentioned as consisting of three acres, which would indicate that he passed his life on the homestead bequeathed by his father. That he was a man of ability and influence is shown by his gradual advancement to places of trust and influence. The Wethersfield records show that at the age of thirty he was chosen one of the town surveyors; and the next year, 1684, he was made collector of taxes; in 1689 was chosen constable, assessor again in 1695 and at the annual meeting, held on December 27, 1697, Sergeant Joseph Churchill was chosen "Selectman" and again elected in 1698 and was still holding that office when he died in 1699 at the age of forty-nine years. Mary survived him and lived to an advanced age. She is mentioned as "Widow Mary, Senior," in the settlement of her son Nathaniel's estate, April 2, 1728. An estate, apparently hers, was inventoried July 4, 1738. This would indicate that she died that year.
Per Boyd R. Churchill: Joseph was born and lived his entire life at Wethersfield. As a boy of seven he probably was present the day the church bell was installed at the meeting house in 1657. Before this time people had been called to church by a "roll of drums." He wore homemade clothes as did all of the family (it would be another 200 years before clothing could be purchased ready made in stores). The material (flax) was carded by hand and spun by hand in the home. The spinning wheel was introduced into America during Joseph's life time. As a boy in his early teens he probably visited the tannery and brick factory. He must have spent many hours at the blacksmith shop since his brother-in-law, Henry Buck (husband of Joseph's older sister Elizabeth), was co-owner of the shop. Henry and Thomas Hurlbut had been given land for the shop by the town in 1658, two years before Henry and Elizabeth were married. Joseph learned the use of a gun at an early age. At the time every able bodied male was required to join the trainband at age sixteen.
Per Boyd R. Churchill: Joseph was born and lived his entire life at Wethersfield. As a boy of seven he probably was present the day the church bell was installed at the meeting house in 1657. Before this time people had been called to church by a "roll of drums." He wore homemade clothes as did all of the family (it would be another 200 years before clothing could be purchased ready made in stores). The material (flax) was carded by hand and spun by hand in the home. The spinning wheel was introduced into America during Joseph's life time. As a boy in his early teens he probably visited the tannery and brick factory. He must have spent many hours at the blacksmith shop since his brother-in-law, Henry Buck (husband of Joseph's older sister Elizabeth), was co-owner of the shop. Henry and Thomas Hurlbut had been given land for the shop by the town in 1658, two years before Henry and Elizabeth were married. Joseph learned the use of a gun at an early age. At the time every able bodied male was required to join the trainband at age sixteen.
Per The Churchill Family In America by Gardner Asaph Churchill and Nathaniel Wiley Churchill: Joseph Churchill was one of the beneficiaries named in the will of his maternal grandmother Elizabeth (Deming) Foote Welles. In the inventory of his estate his home lot is mentioned as consisting of three acres, which would indicate that he passed his life on the homestead bequeathed by his father. That he was a man of ability and influence is shown by his gradual advancement to places of trust and influence. The Wethersfield records show that at the age of thirty he was chosen one of the town surveyors; and the next year, 1684, he was made collector of taxes; in 1689 was chosen constable, assessor again in 1695 and at the annual meeting, held on December 27, 1697, Sergeant Joseph Churchill was chosen "Selectman" and again elected in 1698 and was still holding that office when he died in 1699 at the age of forty-nine years. Mary survived him and lived to an advanced age. She is mentioned as "Widow Mary, Senior," in the settlement of her son Nathaniel's estate, April 2, 1728. An estate, apparently hers, was inventoried July 4, 1738. This would indicate that she died that year.
Per Boyd R. Churchill: Joseph was born and lived his entire life at Wethersfield. As a boy of seven he probably was present the day the church bell was installed at the meeting house in 1657. Before this time people had been called to church by a "roll of drums." He wore homemade clothes as did all of the family (it would be another 200 years before clothing could be purchased ready made in stores). The material (flax) was carded by hand and spun by hand in the home. The spinning wheel was introduced into America during Joseph's life time. As a boy in his early teens he probably visited the tannery and brick factory. He must have spent many hours at the blacksmith shop since his brother-in-law, Henry Buck (husband of Joseph's older sister Elizabeth), was co-owner of the shop. Henry and Thomas Hurlbut had been given land for the shop by the town in 1658, two years before Henry and Elizabeth were married. Joseph learned the use of a gun at an early age. At the time every able bodied male was required to join the trainband at age sixteen.
Per Boyd R. Churchill: Joseph was born and lived his entire life at Wethersfield. As a boy of seven he probably was present the day the church bell was installed at the meeting house in 1657. Before this time people had been called to church by a "roll of drums." He wore homemade clothes as did all of the family (it would be another 200 years before clothing could be purchased ready made in stores). The material (flax) was carded by hand and spun by hand in the home. The spinning wheel was introduced into America during Joseph's life time. As a boy in his early teens he probably visited the tannery and brick factory. He must have spent many hours at the blacksmith shop since his brother-in-law, Henry Buck (husband of Joseph's older sister Elizabeth), was co-owner of the shop. Henry and Thomas Hurlbut had been given land for the shop by the town in 1658, two years before Henry and Elizabeth were married. Joseph learned the use of a gun at an early age. At the time every able bodied male was required to join the trainband at age sixteen.
Family Members
Siblings
