Stilson Family History - Life of Moses- 2nd generation - part 7

A small recap: Vincent Stilson founder of the Stilson's in America.  Born possibly in Wales.  Though not totally known.  Came to america possibly with the John Davenport group, which was very religious group who went on to settle in a small town, near milford.  Though Vicent may have been a "principal planter" he was also a shoe maker.  Haveing worked his time, received a small piece of land, which he raised his family of 8 children, he had 2 wives, first wife died about the age of 37 and his 2nd wife, was about 20 years younger than he.   His children all led different lives as they went through life, with one even dying from an Indian raid well his wife and children captured and sold to french, in canada from that same raid.  Other children I know little about, other than what others researched.  Though Moses was his first born to his 2nd wife, hes our 2nd generation heir.

Now after Vincent died, his 2nd wife, Mary remarried to a Mr. Couch.  What happened to her after that is a little unknown.  Moses on the other hand after his fathers estate was sold, married Charity Bayley, and moved to a small home closer to the town.  I believe he was to live there his life out, but circumstances unknown leads him to move later on in his life.

Moses left the old family homestead, with his new wife Charity (Bayley) Stilson:  Though he took first to likeing her after his other brothers had moved out and had families of their own.

Charity was a pretty little thing, only a few years younger than Moses himself.  Charity  was born in 1686.  We do not know who her parents were, but i will assume here that they moved to Milford from Boston.   Charity joined the church in Milford May 9, 1708.  Which is also where I presume Moses met her.

Moses then proceeded to take her out and get to know her.

Here he gets to know her not only takeing her to an opera but then out to a meal at one of the local cafes. 
After a few dates, he takes her to see a beautiful lake, where he then purposes to her.

The lake had a beautiful water fall, and alot of wildlife.

Moses talks to charity about getting married, she seems to agree with him.  Seems shes falling head over heals in love with this good looking redhead, that she met at church.
But before they could marry, Moses attended his graduation from the areas, school.  Where he learned that he was the most likely to be electricuted, lol, since there was no electricy back in those days I thought that was totally halarious, and he was King of the prom, where he got into a few fights, and told a few off, became enemies with one, and fell in love with another.  Though that love, never led to anything, since he Met Charity that was his love of his life.
  When next he took Charity out it was back to that same lake.  A place they both seem'd to enjoy, they had a picnic, and watch the wild deer, even a horseherd grazed nearby.

Finally with a bit of nerve, Moses steals his first kiss,  That also sealed their fates to each other.
For it was on this night that he asks Charity to be his wife.

As he purposed to his beloved, he had no idea, she was truely excited about their marriage to be. Until:

She leaped into his arms crying tears of joy.  Though after they talked along time, it was decided they would marry in a private ceremony. 

Moses and Charity were married by a Samuel Eels J.P. 17 March 1704/05.  They then went to a new home that Moses bought for 30 pounds.

It wasn't very big to start with, made of stone, and wood, with a small barn for the horse he would need to help with the fields, and farm work.  Moses here in simland is an inventor, he loves to mess around with things, and find new things.  But in RL, we know not what he was other than a family man and farmer.

In what seem'd like no time at all Charity learned she was expecting Their first born. (Do to the sims being totally wacked out their first was suppose to be a boy, who was to be heir, and will be but not as first born, ack, she did eat alot of apples.  I do mean alot of apples.still though she had a girl who in the family was actually 5th born.)
  So though we have a few little mishaps do to the sims, we will continue them on and still have our boy heir later.
   Time flew through that pregnacy, with Moses gathering scrap from around town, and Charity who loved reading also took to writing.  They took care of the farm, the gardening, the animals, the fences, and the hard work within the home though now they had wood floors, was still long hours of time to clean those.
   Finally after haveing lost his dog back shortly after his father died, he decides they could use another.  And bring also to the family a new breed of hunting dog.  New to the states that is, a Besingi.   Not totally a small dog, yet not totally a big dog.
   Finally as time went on the baby was born.  (Susanna should have been born 5th, and in the year of 1719, which is the same year that they made a move) But the time era presently is about 1705.
     It was at this time that legislations were coming forth on slavery, both black, and indian slaverly.  Laws were coming out on the fact that they were property and not of their own, but of those that held their lives in their hands.
     It was also at this time that money was something the people of the states were thinking on.
" There are several Proposals offer'd to Remedy the Difficulties
the Nation is under from the great Scarcity of Money.
That a right Judgment may be made, which will be most Safe,
Advantageous and Practicable; It seems Necessary, 1. That the Nature
of Money be inquired into, and why Silver was us'd as Money preferable
to other Goods. 2. That Trade be considered, and how far Money affects
Trade. 2. That the Measures have been us'd for preserving and
Increasing Money, and these now propos'd be examin'd."

with purposals of many kind.  Though it does seem that Silver was what was the main money of the land at that perticular time era.

We leave you now, with a bit more knowledge of the times and a start on the life of Moses and Charity.  To be continued in part 8 of Stilson family History.

Please leave comments and likes or dislikes about the story for me, even if you see a possiblity of how to make it more interesting.  Love the feedback thanks.

Stilson Family History Part 6

Times had been moveing since Vincents Death.  His wife, with an old friend.  A daughter that is married, and moses becomes a Young Adult.  The family had many things happen after Vincents death.

The Hubbles come over for a visit, they have a question for Mary (daughter of vincent) and of course Samuel Couch comes to talk to Mary Stilson(vincents wife) about becomeing his wife, and tells her of things he knows the boys did or will do.

Samuel tells Mary how sad he feels that her father passed away, but that he had come with a reason.  He wanted her to marry him. 

He gives her the flowers he brought her, and tells her that marrying him, will bring prosper to her life.  That he and his father were in business together, and they did not have to farm for a living.

He then purposes to her, and the ring he got for her shows truth in his words.  She accepted.  Their marriage was to be held in a few weeks.  Both excited and both a bit worried.  Family history, never tells us much about them, after they were married, other than they were married.  We know not if they had any children, or exactly where they lived other than starting out in Millford, CT.
The weeks flew by, the preperations for the marriage, being small and only of family, a judge, and a few friends.

As everyone gathered for the marriage, Samuel and Mary were married.  Meet Mr. and Mrs. Hubble.  They soon moved in with his parents, since he it seem'd was an only child and would inherit the family home.  Though as mentioned not alot is known about her life, or even if she ever had children.

The weeks seem'd to fly by, as mary and Samuel Couch were getting to an understanding in what they were doing, when they would Mary and that She and some children left would live in his home.  he was a newspaper man, he wrote articles for the paper.  He did not farm, and had the money to pay for just about anything they wanted.  Of course that did not make life in those time easy.  The indians still were going nuts, and the french from canada were still buying slaves.

Moses haveing been old enough said he would not live with them and went about selling the family farm, that was stated in the will when his father passed.  he had a girl in mind for his wife, and was planning on asking her when all things were settled.

With Samuel haveing talked all things out with Mary, they were soon packed and on their way to his home.  Mary we know nothing of after her marriage to Samuel Couch.
And with this Moses is our heir and 2nd generation of the Stilson line.  With his comeing of age our story finds an end of generation 1.

With all things said and done, the fun of writing about this family and the hard things to research.  We leave generation `1 behind and head into Generation 2 and Moses with his wife, and their many children, to lead us down a trail of what life was through the early 1700's. 

Thanks for reading, leave your comments, and hopefully will see u again when generation 2 gets going, with the life of Moses Stilson.

Stilson History Part5

I will appologize for adding so much historyto the last update. 

The family has been growing and moving on.  Still the Stillson live in Milford Conneticut.  Though Vincent seem'd to travel quite a distance to another town and quite frequently.  I do believe i left you all with Mary being pregnate with a 3rd child.  That winter was horrible, as Mary came close to delivery.  Her worries, for food shortages, and Indian Raids, some takeing others off to sell in Canada, made her a bit shakey.  When it came time to give birth, several of the older children were around.

Her step daughter Mary, was yelling what can I do, What can I do.  Mary on the other hand calm and ready, just went with it.  Soon a lovely little Girl was born into the family. 

Susanna is born: Nov. 9, 1680 Millford CT.  Though the winter was just getting started it was cold and blowing.  The snow already accumulateing in feet not inches.  The baby cried and cried, it was like she never got enough to eat, Mary worried, because she was not eating good enough this winter, and her milk was not nearly what it should be.  It was early in Dec. When the baby subcombed to a pnemonia.  Causeing a depression within all members of the family.  When Vincent finally got back from a trip, he was both upset and worried.  Trying hard to help the family overcome the death of the baby.  Haveing traded and brought in much needed meats and vegtables the family once again became strong and careing of others in the area.

Once again Mary is Pregnate, with her 4th child.  This time she feels all is well. Though the indian raids continue around them, she worries only for those not in her family.    Soon enough Charls was born, abt 1687.  Durring this time though she saw her husband ageing, realizing that she was still young but he was ageing.  The children too all quickly growing up.

Mary realizes that Vincent is no longer a young man, a man of hartyness.  She tries to console herself, by takeing care of the home, the animals and the children.  Vincent still goes on many trips, tradeing his shoes to others for supplies the family could not raise on their own.

Though durring these travels he misses much about his children growing.  As Vincent Jr. Soon became a Young Adult, he was a bit on the mischievious side.

Vincent Jr. seems to think of himself as a ladies man, bringing upon himself trials and tribulations. Before Vincent Jr ever married, he was party to a trial.  And back then the things done as he did, today would be overlooked, or not even mentioned.  Though in those times, they were terrible and magnified beyound belief.  Vincent found himself on trial against a man whos wife, had defamed him.  His mother stood up for him, and it brought him the justice, though it was some time before he married.  
   Vincent  married his first Wife Sarah and had 2 children by her.  Susanna christened april 19, 1685 and Vinson born aug 22 1686.  Vincent jr's wife sarah died  in 1696.  he then remarried to a Susanna Gray of Boston, may or march of 1696.  It is not known if he had children with his 2nd wife, for non are shown.

James soon was a young adult as well. 

james born abt 1658 lived with both his mother and step mother.  Helping around the farm, and even getting education.  THough education was short lived for some, others were able to do quite well.   James married  Margaret Gould, born in 1660.   She was the eldest daughter of Alexander and margaret Gould.   He was married Dec. 18, 1677. james however did not live in Millford, but moved to a colony on Muscongus Island, off of Main.  Durring the 2nd Indian war, on aug. 2, 1689 the fort was taken, and James Stilson was killed by the redskins while crossing a stream in a canoe.  His wife Margaret and their children were taken captive and carried to canada where they were sold to the french.  The Indians took the stilson infant and burned it to death, before starting the captives on their way.  Soon enough an expidition was started, but only Margaret was among those brought back, her two children, remained in captivity until about 1699 and 1703.  Though her children continued to live in canada, not returning to the states.  They lived as french canadians.

During these hard times the other children continued to grow

Mary Stilson daughter of Vincent, was soon a teen, and learning what it was like to live in a wild and untamed country.  At least they lived in a fairly tame town, compared to new colonies around them. 
and

one day at a birthday party for moses, their faithful dog died.  Mary crying says we now need desperately to get another, so that we have early warnning that anything maybe lurking in the area.
It was at this time that moses was become a teenager.

Moses is the Heir to the Stilson History, and mostly we will follow his life, through the teen years, to young adult and marriage, and however many children he may have.

The news of his brother being killed unsettled him and the rest of the family, as nothing was known of what may have happend to his brothers wife, and other two children.  his father got the towns going on getting them back but as seen above not alot was accomplished.
Time was flying though as their son Hugh was growing rappidly

Hugh was a bit more quite than the others, he was more into wanting to write about the things happening around the area.  He learned his school lessons well, how to sign his name, and how to write so that one day he could work in the newspaper office, that was now starting to print stories, and news about the area.

Though things in the family did ok, there was still much that happened, another son was born to Mary and Vincent, Charls.  and ya with no e.  Though little is known of Charls, we do know he married, but not if he had children, or even if he survied the harsh times there.

All of these things were wearing on Vincent and he was of course getting much older.  Soon he went and had a will drawn up.  This was found in vol 3, page 45 the will of Vincent Stilson of Milford is given, dated 17 Sept 1687, total value was L161:01:02. 
Soon Vincent passed on,

Dying on  May 13, 1690.  His will had the house and home lot appraised at 50 pounds.  No other realty, from the will he mentions his loving wife, Mary Stilson, his sons Vincent, James, Hugh, Charls and Moses and daughters Agnus Hawkins and Mary Barly.  After Vincent dies, His widow Mary remarries to a Samuel Couch.  Takeing with her those still remaing at the home. 

We will continue the story when Moses marries, and brings with him the starting of the history of the family for 2nd to 3rd generations.. Moses being of the 2nd generation, of the Stilson family history that will one day lead to my father.

I do hope that this part of the story was more reveling of the lives, and of the family.  Return and read, let me know how you think I am doing, what i can do and how to improve.  Thanks.

Stilson Family History Part 4

Millford was famous as a Milling town.  Many of the farmers brought their corn and other millable items to the mills springing up around the area.  The town was doing very well, and had trade centers now.  Where tradeing was done with indians and other towns.   Grace had died, when last we were in and Vincent being left with 4 children to raise, had found and married a new young woman.  His second wife, was Mary, but her last name is unknown to us.  Though it was certain that she was from a family in the area.  Mary was about 20 years younger maybe a bit more, when Vincent married her.  She was around the age of possibly 16.  

"Life is a simply a collection of memories, but memories are like star light... They live on forever." by C.W. McCall.

Life in the small town was simple, though hard.  There was no easy things like we have today.   Most of those living in the times, were farmers, though they had to be a jack of all trades, building their own homes, clearing their own lands, building fences, and items needed for compfort within the homes.  We did learn however that Vincent was a shoemaker by trade.  Most likely through all the things he had to do within his own home, family and life, he made shoes for those who could afford a little extra for the simple things of life.

It was seen around the area many forms of homes, most were one story but several now were being two stories, with loft rooms avaialbe for sleeping or added on slanted kitchens or store rooms.  Some even had their barns attached to the house, makeing it much easier to take care of the animals needed for both food, and clothing items.  The women scrubbed their homes.  Now think on this one awhile. get back to that in a moment.

Although the earliest local records are lost, the town was represented in the General Court in 1652. In 1653, the General Court approved that the town be known as Middletown, so named for is place at the halfway point between Windsor and Saybrook. By 1654 there were 31 taxable persons, mostly clustered near the meeting house near the north end of the present Main Street. Several families were located about two miles to the north in what would become known as the "Upper Houses" or "North Society." (Generally the settlers began with 5-acres house lots, with larger outlying tracts granted to them in subsequent land divisions.) Many of the 23 first settler heads of household were among the first settler families of Hartford, and some had been among the early inhabitants of Wethersfield. Three had spent nearly a decade in Rowley, Mass. One was from Concord, Mass.The life of the earliest mid and late 17th century settlers was dominated by the hard physical labor of clearing land, fencing pastures, and building houses. The daily work was done in constant vigilance of Native American harassment. Connecticut towns were required to have their own "train bands," or militias, with regular training days. During any public assembly at the meeting house, guards were posted outside. In Middletown the first meeting house, used for both town business and Sabbath Day meetings, was a frame structure 20-feet square.
 
Showing the hard work and the times it took to do much in their lives.
Now onto house keeping: 
Today we have detergents, household cleansers, and steel wool. But what did people use to shift dirt from unpainted, uncarpeted floors before modern technology? How did they deal with burnt food and rust on iron cooking pots?
Sand is an important part of the answer, along with stone and brick. Soap was also available for those who could afford to buy it for general chores, or who could make it themselves.
You could scour with sand, using a brush or a cloth, and it must have been hard work.

The women of our past did not have the easy lives we have today.  This made me thankful for the things we do have in our lives today, and sad for those back then. 
Now we show that Vincent Jr. learns to ride, thus giving him the opportunity to make deliveries for his father, help more around the farm, and generally take over many of the new tasks now available for his age.

His fear of riding soon leaving him, and he goes on to do much more.  His sister haveing gotton married and moved out of the home.  Agnus married, Joseph Hawkings, son of Robert, she went on to have 5 children of her own, I am unsure of when she died.  But her side of the family was of little interest to the family doing the recording of my fathers side of this family.  Though in the sims i took a picture of her and her husband:

Sorry on the clothes, the game changed them .... errrr.. It seems he may have been a part of the towns business.  But which ones that also I am unsure of, so here he does the  writing of the newspaper.

Moses is the first born of Mary and Vincent, and soon he becomes a toddler

Moses is our heir for the continuation of the Stilson History.Moses was born abt 1676-1678.    Moses learned from all the things a child must learn, his older brothers helping when they had time, his mother doing most of the training, and Vincent working hard, helps when and if he has the time.
  It was around this time that: Court records show that about one-third of the 23 first settlers, at some point in their lives, either before or after their arrival in Middletown, ran afoul of the Puritan laws to some degree --- incidents included "immoderate drinking," profanity or intemperate speech, illegal trade with Indians, adultery/fornication, and "intermeddling to the intangling of the affections."

Soon though we learn mary carries another child.  And Soon  she gives birth to another son, Hugh Stilson born about 1678-1679, now its possible that Hugh was born in Marblehead, MA.. But an absolute on that is unvariafiable.

 History leads us to know that some of these events then took place in several of the towns around the areas.
   1667 - General Court gives permission to Giles Hamlin to retail wine and liquor.
1668 - An agreement made with Rev. Nathaniel Collins to serve as minister of the newly organized First Church.
1669 - A shipwright, "Mr. Adams", granted rights to timber from the common lands to build "a vessel or vessels.

Vincent getting on in age, turns more and more over to the boys to help around the farm, though he still continues, as if he was not ageing.  Hugh soon became a toddler , and Mary was soon pregnate again.
The year now being sometime around 1679. 

This is short I know, but there was a lot of history to add in, and figured, i better get it in here.  Do come back and read more, and leave a comment on how to improve, how its going, or what you think. All comments are greatly appreciated.  Thanks for reading.

Stilson History Vincent and Mary part3

The town had grown from 25 families to 52 families.  Makeing it nearly a town of reputataion.  Though the signs of time and the growing towns.  Made for more families into which the children might marry into.

We last left you with vincent morning his wife Grace: haveing died about 1667.  He had gone a courting.  A young girl by the name of Mary, being about 20 years his younger maybe more.

Mary being born  around the same time as vincents teen son, Was whom vincent choose to be his next wife, and to take care of his children and home.  Being very much younger than Vincent himself, and unsure of what a wife was to be like or do.  Courted the man named Vincent Stilson. 
   A troop of actors had come into the small town, and Vincent took his soon to be new wife to see the opera, something many looked forward to doing.

It was not often that something of this venue was available.  Vincent took the time to court his new and future wife, by going to the opera, then by showing her the views around town.

Near the beaches you could see the ships come and go, the fishermen working and the beauty of the land they now lived in.
It was here that Vincent purposed to Mary. Asking her for her hand in marriage.

Mary knowing her father had given her hand to Vincent accepted the purposal.  The view the breathtakeing scenery and a man that loved showing her the beauty of the new lands.
It was on this very shore they were married.  He takeing his new bride home to meet his children, and to settle her into their home.  It was on that night she conceived his and her 1st child and vincents 5th child.

As a new family Mary tried to fit in.  Makeing meals and getting the children ready for chores or off to the new school for some learnings.  Vincent told them all that it was a families way to always help each other, to stay close and to be a family.  For no one else would be there for them but family.

There was a barn dance in town, a barn raising.  Many would go and there would be dancing and feasting.  Another event that brought the folks around town together.  Well at this dance, Mary was not sure what to think as another man oggled her, and thought or even spoke of love and life.  Vincent pulled her aside, telling her that it was her place to let others know she was taken and married. 

Shortly after Vincent Jr, joins his sister as a teen.  Takeing on more farming responsibilites, and helping his father in his trade. 

Life was harsh as Mary was learning.  But it was at this time that Mary went into labor with her first child.  Vincent running for a midwife, to help out.  Mary tried to stay calm, her step daughter agnus helping in what ever way she could, keeping the other little ones from the room.

We leave you now with the knowledge that Vincent is now married to his 2nd wife, and has another child to be born into the family , which was already at 4 children, several animals and lots of work.  But children were needed to help on the farms, in family business and just plain to be. 

Return and see where Vincents and Marys life leads them.  The year is now 1678 give or take a year.

Stilson Family Vincent and Grace Part 2

When last we left you agnus was born, and Vincent was adding to the home.  More room would be needed for children.  He had finished a loft area, where he and his wife would sleep, and was constructing a room where the children would sleep as they grew. 
    We learned that Milford was famous as a Mill Town.  from the early 1640' to as late as the 1700's.  Though the principal planters were there to try the different growting of plants, and what would grow the best in the area.  Many had or were given small plots of land about 5 acres.   

The towns as they grew with their dirt roads, and homes of those that worked the lands.  Soon showed growth in the new lands of civilizations.  Lands haveing been bought from the Indians of the area.  This pic shows a small community of town plots.  Where shoemakers, traders, cloth makers, and others may have lived rather than on the farms.  Though each family had to be a Jack of all trades.  Cutting their own timber, building their own homes, and makeing their own tools.  Not including the fencing and barns that might be needed for them to survive the harsh winters.    We learned that Vincent was possibly a shoe maker.  Which gave him a bit of an edge to his farming.  He made shoes for others and traded for what they were unable to make or craft on their own.
    As we had left Agnus had become a toddler.  Now remember she should have been 3rd born.  But sims kinda had a mind of its own, no matter how many apples were eaten.  And as the times of the family went on, with their harsh winters, and lovely summers.  The family Grew. 

Mary loved being outdoors, and with the children, she taught them to walk, talk, and trained them in many things.  She worked hard as a wife and mother, helping in the gardens, with the milking, even to bedding down the horses for evenings.  Agnus also learned that she loved being outdoors, the warmer the better, for the cold winter months kept the family cooped inside their tiny log cabin.

   It was soon learned that she was with child again.  A 2nd to be born. 

Vincent Jr. was born about 1656.  The home had enlarged and the children doing well.  Times flew though even harsh and wild as they were.  Grace soon learns shes expecting another child.  Though during these times agnus became a child:

and vincent a toddler.  Grace flowed about the home, cleaning, cooking sometimes all day, makeing of the candles, with the help of her daughter who now could help more around the home.  Teacher her toddler son the things a toddler should know.  And carrying her 3rd child.

Though on the night that James was to be born, came the troubles Grace started to have in her life.  No longer was she quick on her feet, but she was quick with her mouth. 

James was the 2nd born but in my sims the 3rd.  James was born about1658.  And it was now that the real trouble started showing.    Grace was ill, though she wanted no one to know, thus it made her shout, yell and sometimes scream in anger.  As the children grew with age, Grace became pregnate a 4th time. 
      It is not known how or in what way Grace died.  But we will depict it as a birthing problem or an illness.
As Grace went threw her 4th pregnacy she often yelled at vincent though all he wanted was to know what was wrong.

Often times we would find her sick, and other times we would find her screaming.

Vincent crazy with worry, could get no answers from his wife.  He would find her in bed, or walking to far from the farm.  Even as his daughter tried to talk to her mom, she would yell at the children.  It was a crazy time, And Vincent pored himself into farm work.

If it was not in the gardening, it was in the training of the horses, the milking of the cows, the cutting down of timbers.  Life though harsh was also filled with bits of fun here and there.  Barn raisings, dances, and even picnics near the rivers that were to harsh to cross. 

As one day the farm was wild with crazyness.  Wild horses were crossing the property.  Everyone tried to stay out of their way, but all wanted to watch them.  Grace though hid in her room, not wishing to see, and not wanting to be outside.  The baby was comeing and she would stay away from the glories that were on their property that day.  Their 4th child being born, was Mary she was born about 1706.  When the wild horses left the property all ran to see the commotion in the home.  A baby screaming, only to find Grace was no longer with them.  Grace had passed giving child birth.

As Vincent morned his wife, he also came to realizations that he was now a father of 4, and no one was there to help him with these children.  He went to town one day leaving his teen daughter of barely 12 to help take care of the little ones.  he went looking to find a new wife. Someone to help raise his children and help around the farm.  Someone young and able.  Someone with whom he hoped he could spend his life with.

Though all the happenings, of life in colonial times, most of this is fictious.  Though Vincent did marry a Grace, and had the following 4 children. 1. Vincent born around 1656, 2. James born around 1658, Agnes born between 1660 and 1665, and Mary born about 1668. 
They did live in Milford, Ct.  He was a shoe maker, and a farmer/jack of all trades.  He did own a small plot of land, and from there we only know what history shows in possibles of life, and love.

Come again now and see the 2nd part of Vincents life, with a new wife.