Samuel Wells

M, #11016, b. 31 July 1771, d. 20 March 1827
Father*Timothy Wells1
Mother*Miriam Douglas1 b. c 1743
ChartsThompson (maternal side) - Mary Elizabeth Wells
ReferenceT32
Birth*31 July 1771 Samuel Wells was born on 31 July 1771 at New Hartford, Litchfield Co., Connecticut; age 55y 7m 20d from death works out to this date. Son Theron's 1880 census says both parents born CT, in spite of the Orwell church record saying VT. New Hartford for his birth place is assumed because his parents were married there, and his son was born there. However, he might have been born across the county line in Burlington, Hartford County, about 8 miles away. This would solve the Orwell church record that says he was born in Burlington VT - someone made a mistake and put VT instead of CT.
     Note that the Samuel born 11 Nov 176 6in Wethersfield, Hartford Co, CT is not our Samuel, as that one married Anna Griswold in 1787 per http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/4791/williamsamuelmorris.html. 
Census1790*1790 He was the head of the household in the 1790 census, Connecticut with index
1790 CT Samuel Wells Fairfield Stratford pg 232 (10 of 10) 1-2-2 (also Stephen 2-0-2)
1790 CT Samuel Wells Fairfield Weston pg 237 (3 of 8) 3-0-3 (also Nathan 1-1-2)
1790 CT Samuel Wells, Jr. Fairfield Weston pg 237 (3 of 8) 1-1-5
1790 CT Samuel Wells Litchfield Litchfield pg 393 (30 of 40) 1-2-3 (also Noah 1-0-1)
1790 CT Samuel Wells, II Hartford Wethersfield pg 482 (2 of 8) 1-1-2 (also Thomas 2nd 2-3-3)
1790 CT Samuel Wells, II Hartford Wethersfield pg 486 (5 of 8) 2-0-3 (also John 3-1-1 and many more including Ichabod, Hezekiah, Josiah, etc)
1800 CT Samuel Wells Hartford Wethersfield 301
1800 CT Samuel Wells Hartford Wethersfield 301
1800 CT Samuel Wells Hartford Galstonbury 432
1800 CT Samuel Wells, II Hartford Galstonbury 434
1800 CT Samuel Wells Hartford Granby 528
1800 CT Samuel Wells Litchfield Canaan 50. 
Marriage* He married Jemima Johnson, daughter of Artemus Johnson and Mary Barns; "Samuel Wells, who married a sister of Asahel Johnson, came from Burlington, Vermont (sic, s/b CT not VT), and settled on the farm just south of Johnson, in 1799. His oldest son, Theron, now owns the property."
     History of the Churches of Orwell, PA 1803-1951 by Detty "Jemima Wells, fourth of those joining August 3, 1816 was the wife of Samuel Wells who came in 1797 to Orwell from Burlington Vermont (sic, s/b CT not VT).2 
Negative*1795 Negative Research: The Captain Samuel Wells who bought land this year is a much older man, and not "our" Samuel. 
Residence*1797 Samuel Wells lived in 1797; Orwell Churches book says they moved from Burlington VT to Orwell Twnshp, Bradford, PA and that the "Wells farm was in Wells Hollow on Johnson Creek, occupied by Theron in 1878 and is now the property of Fred Hunt. - However, it is more likely that he came from Burlington CT which is in Hartford County, and is also where Jemina's brother was born.2 
(Witness) Event-Misc1797 Asahel Johnson and Zenas Cook came first to Sheshequin in the winter of 1795-96, and made that settlement their headquarters while they explored the country for a location. They made their selection in Orwell, Mr. Johnson purchasing of Towner Hill. Their report was so flattering, several of their neighbors determined to come also; a company was formed, and Marks and Cook were sent to view the land more thoroughly. Their report being favorable, the company purchased the township, which was to be divided among its members. Mr. Johnson remained a year at Sheshequin, and came into Orwell permanently in 1797. The town was six miles square, and was called Menden; Mr. Johnson owned 3,000 acres. He lived where Albert Conklin now lives, and his brother Truman, who came in 1796, lived on the farm now owned by Albert Allen and Lewis Darling. His brother William lived where Zebulon Frisbie lives, The family came from Burlington, Litchfield Co., Conn.
     Capt. Josiah Grant settled in the town in 1798, from Vermont. He was a captain in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, serving under Col. Ethan Allen, whose cousin he was, in his brigade of "Green Mountain Boys." Capt. Grant lived about one hundred rods west of the present site of the Presbyterian church in Orwell. Samuel Wells, _who married a sister_ of Asahel Johnson, came from Burlington, Vt (sic, s/b Ct)., and settled on the farm just south of Johnson, in 1799. His eldest son, Theron, now owns the property.
     ... (different paragraph) Levi Frisbie, Richard Marks, Asahel Johnson, William Johnson, Truman Johnson, Zerias Cook, Asa Upson, and perhaps one or two others, formed the company, which, at the solicitation of Col. Ezekiel Hyde and Blisha Tracy, agents for the first Delaware company, purchased of these agents a township of land six miles square, as before stated, extending north and east from the present Orwell. Zenas Cook was the surveyor. Although they discovered the Connecticut title was worthless, yet so pleased were the company with the country, that they determined to settle herein. (Levi Frisbie came to Orwell from Bristol, Connecticut, in February, 1800.)3 
Census1800*1800 He was the head of the household in the 1800 census, Orwell, Luzerne (now Bradford) Co., Pennsylvania, with 1m0-10, 1m16-26, 1m26-45, 1f26-45 ages don't match kids???. 
Note1800  In 1800 About the year 1800, it was decided that the land claimed under the Connecticut title belonged to Pennsylvania. A large number of the settlers had paid Thayer more or less for their lands, and on the decision being made that his title was worthless, so enraged were the victims that Thayer found it expedient to seek a less heated locality. (The Susquehanna company's townships were Watertown, which was five miles Square, and granted to Daniel Brown, Sept. 5, 1794; and Graham, granted to Sheldon Graham, of Albany Co. NY, March 4, 1795. Lots were sold in Graham to Captain Samuel Wells, of Hartford, Conn. Theron Darling, Francis Mesusan, and Josiah Grant..."
     This Capt Samuel Wells is of an older generation, and not our Samuel.4 
Residence1802 He lived in 1802 at Orwell, Luzerne (now Bradford) Co., Pennsylvania; The following is extracted from Clement F. Heverly, Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, 1770-1800, Vol. 1, Bradford Star Print, 1913.
Local Government
For twenty-five years before the organization of Bradford county, the local government of the Northern townships of Luzerne was in the hands of officers, appointed by the Court, except justices-of-the-peace who were appointed by the Governor. Assessors and tax collectors were appointed by the Governor. Assessors and tax collectors were appointed by the County Commissioners. The constable was the most important officer in the new townships. His bailiwick embraced a great scope of country and each constable was responsible for the peace and order in his district. He was required to go to Wilkes-Barre, the county seat, a distance of 70 miles to make report to court. If he failed to do so, the court imposed a fine of not less than $4 and sometimes the penalty imposed was $8. Officers for the several districts were appointed as follows:
(partial) Orwell:
1802-’3 Samuel Wells
1805 Asahel Johnson
1812 Theron Darling. 
Census1810*1810 He was the head of the household in the 1810 census, Orwell, Luzerne (now Bradford) Co., Pennsylvania, with 2m0-10 (Rebzeman & Hyram), 4m10-16 (Theron, Shubuel, Correll, & George), 1m26-45 (Samuel), 2f0-10, 1f26-45 (Jemima). 
Census1820*1820 He was the head of the household in the 1820 census, Orwell, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, with 1m10-16 (Hyram or Rebzeman or George), 1m16-18 (1m16-26) (Hyram or Rebzeman or George), 1m45+ (Samuel), 2f10-16 (Pantha & Cynthia), 1f45+ (Jemima). 
Death*20 March 1827 He died on 20 March 1827 at Orwell, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, at age 55; Another source said he died 20 Mar 1837 at 55 years 7 months and 20 days. Orwell Churches book says he died 26 Mar 1827 which makes a lot more sense for a birth date. Tombstone book says he died 20 Mar 1827. 
Burial He was buried at Old Cemetery First Presbyterian Church, Orwell, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania; page 55 Inscriptions in the Old Cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of Orwell (Orwell Ridge Road, West Side, midway between Potterville Road and Road from Ridge to Orwell Village)
Samuel Wells, died Mar. 20, 1827
Aged 55 years 7 mo. & 20 d.
 
Probate*15 June 1827 His estate was probated on 15 June 1827 at Bradford Co., Pennsylvania; pg 51 - Letters of administration granted to Chauncy Frisbee[?] and Theron Wells of Bradford County on the estate of Samuel Wells Deceased they having first given security and having been duly sworn well and truly to administer said estate to exhibit a true inventory and render a just account of their administration according to law. Given under the seal of the Register this 15th Day of June AD 1827
pg 83 - Burr Ridgway Adm of Samuel Wells decd. Citatioce Issuece April 13th AD 1831 to widow & heirs of Samuel Wells deceased to appear on Saturday the 23rd same month at 2'oclock P.M. to accept or renounce their right to administer De Bonis Non upon the estate of the said Samuel Wells decd April 25, 1831. Theron Wells and Shubal Wells appear & by their consent continued to Tuesday May 10th 183[blank] at 7:oclock P.M. Pursuant to continuous the said Shubal and Theron appeared & ___ to take Letters of Amininstration De Bonis Non to any other person. Caveat filed May 11, 1831. Dec 8, 1830 affidavit of H. Wells filed noting there was a residue of personal property after the discharge of the former administrators - whereupon it is decreed that Letters of Administratio De Bonis Non be issued to some suitable & discreet person. Letter of Administation De Bonis Non issued to Burr Ridgway on the estate of Samuel Wells deceased he having first given security & having been affirmed well and truly to administer said estate exhibit a true inventory and render a just account of his said administration according to law. Given under the seal of the registers office this 9th day of Decemeber AD 1831. Inventory filed Jan 7, 1802
     Have to find the entry, but at some point we found that Norman Wells was also involved with Samuel's estate.5 
Probate1835 His estate was probated in 1835; Page 51 of Orwell church book makes a transfer of the church shares:
Jan. 3, 1835 - Estate of Samuel Wells, deceased to his heirs:
2 shares to Jemima Wells, 1 share to Theron Wells;
1/2 share to Shubael Wells, 1 share to Pantha Warner,
1 share to George Wells, 1/2 share to W. T. Brown.
Jan, 15, 1835 - Pantha Warner, 1 share to Morris Woodruff

The first volume of minutes of the annual meetings of the proprietors of the Presbyterian meeting house of Orwell, near Roberts Corners, came to a close with the year 1840. A second volume brings the records down to 1918. The second volume includes a copy of the minutes of volume one, and was found in the fall of 1949, after thirty years being mislaid, it being thought to have burned with the house of Mr. Ford. It was found in the garret of the Rodger Platt home on Orwell Hill.

Record of the shares transferred 1839 to 1845.
Date Name of Buyer Name of Seller No. of shares
Jan. 3, 1835 Jemima Wells Samuel Wells Est. 2.0
Theron Wells “ ” “ 1.0
Shubael Wells “ ” “ 0.5
Pantha Warner “ ” “ 1.0
George Wells “ ” “ 1.0
W. T. Brown “ ” “ 0.5

page 55 Inscriptions in the Old Cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of Orwell (Orwell Ridge Road, West Side, midway between Potterville Road and Road from Ridge to Orwell Village)
Theodore F. Wells,
Died Sept.29, 1850, aged 22 yrs, 2 ms, & 2 d.
Not known who this is.2 

Family

Jemima Johnson d. 21 Sep 1843
Marriage* He married Jemima Johnson, daughter of Artemus Johnson and Mary Barns; "Samuel Wells, who married a sister of Asahel Johnson, came from Burlington, Vermont (sic, s/b CT not VT), and settled on the farm just south of Johnson, in 1799. His oldest son, Theron, now owns the property."
     History of the Churches of Orwell, PA 1803-1951 by Detty "Jemima Wells, fourth of those joining August 3, 1816 was the wife of Samuel Wells who came in 1797 to Orwell from Burlington Vermont (sic, s/b CT not VT).2 
Children
Last Edited1 Jan 2012

Citations

  1. [S214] A Collection of Family Records ... Bearing the Name Douglas, Charles Henry James Douglas, E.L. Freeman & Co.: Providence, 1879, https://archive.org/details/collectionoffami00doug, pg 126.
  2. [S265] A History of the Churches of Orwell, Pennsylvania 1803-1951, http://www.joycetice.com/church/detty01.htm
  3. [S175] History of Bradford County PA 1770-1878, Rev David Craft, , SLC 1036550 , http://www.archive.org/details/historyofbradfor01brad, 473.
  4. [S175] History of Bradford County PA 1770-1878, Rev David Craft, , SLC 1036550 , http://www.archive.org/details/historyofbradfor01brad, pg 350 (Rome Twnshp).
  5. [S143] Bradford Co PA Registers Docket #1, SLC 1033166 #2, pg 51, My Evd # 143.