This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Author: shrp6
Surnames: Jewett, Littell, Potter, Gard, Pearce (var. spelings)
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
Susan,
Thank you for your research. It has all been quite helpful and I have been working on it.
Yes, I had come across the Jewett Family history online.
At one place, I think it was Dr. Jewett's father, who was at Wyndham Co., CT.
Starting with finding a Butler Co., OH history which indicated Dr. Luther Jewett of
Lafayette, IN had started in practice with Dr. Squier Littell of Trenton, OH, having known
each other from New England, it helped me find where these folk were in New England.
I am a Pearce researcher. It has been difficult to identify if the John and Marta Pearce
family of Union/Essex Co. NJ related to Daniel Peirce of Newbury, Essex Co., MA, which I
now think is so. A son, Michael Pearce, migrated to Butler Co., OH and founded Trenton.
He brought his son-in-law Dr. Squier Littell and other relateds with him, including
Potters and Squiers.
I have found that the Littells also traced to Newbury, MA. In researching the history of
the Jewetts, they traced to Newbury and into NH and VT. Daniel Peirce came to NJ then
went back; we think some of his sons stayed in NJ, owning part of the Woodbridge/Elizabeth
Patent. One of his sons went to Providence and Dover NH, north of Newbury. Then I found
the Jewetts went to the same place in NH and VT. The Jewetts found Rowley, MA, down the
road 7 miles from Newbury. Then I found that the Squiers were first lot buyers in
Ashford, Wyndham Co., CT, which they called New Scituate Plantation. Scituate, MA, just
to the north of this area was home to a well established Pearce family, which may be mine
and Daniel Peirce of Newbury may be a branch. There are hints my Pearces had a history in
CT; not sure where. The Potters were from CT.
What I am learning from following Dr. Luther Jewett is that about four or five of these
families that I know of were in MA when they had the opportunity to buy into the
Woodbridge/Elizabeth Plantation in NJ in the Passaic Valley in the late 1600s or about
1700. That brings them all together there. Some went back to MA, some members of the
families stayed. Then some family members had a chance to buy into the settlement of
Ashford, CT (I haven't found Canterbury, CT in Wyndham Co. yet, but suspect it to be
near Ashford.) This includes the Squiers, where one member was listed from Ashford and
one from Newbury but they became extensive in Union Co., NJ.
It is these little clues where persons are mentioned as old family friends that help out.
In fact, Dr. Squier Littell's mother is given as Hannah Jewel, but I now think she was
a Jewett and these two doctors were probably cousins. There were many doctors in the
Littell family as well as the Jewetts, and there is controversy as to whether the Littells
might have been French Hugenot as well (LaTel) but it hasn't been proven.
So all of this information is good and helpful in retracing these families.
Important Note:
The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply
to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.