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WELLES, Captain Robert Bourne

Male 1649 - 1714  (64 years)  Submit Photo / DocumentSubmit Photo / Document


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  • Name WELLES, Robert Bourne 
    Prefix Captain 
    Birth 22 Jun 1649  Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Burial Jan 1714  Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Death 22 Jan 1714  Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    WAC 8 Sep 1887  LOGAN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    _TAG Reviewed on FS 
    Headstones Submit Headstone Photo Submit Headstone Photo 
    Person ID I22563  Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith
    Last Modified 19 Aug 2021 

    Family GOODRICH, Elizabeth ,   b. 1658, Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationWethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United Statesd. 17 Feb 1698, Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 40 years) 
    Marriage 9 Jun 1675  Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F12171  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 24 Jan 2022 

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  • Notes 
    • Captain Robert Welles was made heir to his grandfather, the Gov., to whose care and responsibility for his education he had been committed by his father, and by him was bro't back to Weth., and educated; but had a quarrel with his step-gd-mother, and in 1676, the year after his marriage was ordered tby the Ct., that whereas he "hath damnyfied her Barne, by parting with the other part of the Barne that ded adjoyn to it," he shoud repair it, and "make up the annuity of 12 pds pr. annum" which by his gd.-fthr*s will, he was to pay her. The ill-feeling that existed did not soon heal over, for when she died she left the not the value of a farthing to a Welles; and went outside the family for the executor and overseers of her will. And there appears to have been no inter-marriages between the Deming and Welles families for a long time thereafter.
      Stiles "Genealogies and biographies of ancient Wethersfield.

      Robert Welles was born in 151 in Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut. He was the second child of John Welles and Elizabeth Bourne. He had an older brother, two younger brothers and two younger sisters.

      Robert was made heir to his Grandfather, Thomas Welles, who was the Governor of the Colony. His Father committed him to the Governor for the "care and responsibility for his education". The Governor brought Robert back to Wethersfield and educated him there. He also gave him "The Swayne Homestead" which he had purchased in Wethersfield.

      Robert married Elizabeth Goodrich in June 1675 in Wethersfield. He was 24, she was 17. When they married, Elizabeth had a dowry from her Father of: 2 cows, 2 steers, putor, feather bed, 1 bolster, 1 blanket, linen, curtains, porke, 7 bushels indians corn, 1 cittel (kettle), 1 scillet, bacon, sarge (serge) and worsted, a trunk, wooden ware, and 4 lbs 12 shillings in silver. Robert and Elizabeth had six children; Thomas 1676, John 1678, Joseph 1680, Prudence 1682, Robert 1684, and Gideon 1686. All the children were born in Wethersfield.

      In 1676 Robert quarelled with his step grand mother. In that year he was ordered by the court "Whereas he hath damnyfied her barne, by parting with the other part of the barne that had adjoyn to it" He should repair it and make up the annuity of 12 Lb per annum, which by his grandfathers will, he was to pay her. The ill feeling did not soon heal over, for when she died, she left "not a farthing to a Welles, and went outside the family for the executor".

      Robert was an important man in colonial affairs. In 1682 he was nominated as Freeman in the General Court. The next year he was chosen Captain of the Train Band. He was a Representative to the General Court for over 25 years. He was one of the patentees that received the Wethersfield Patent in 1685. In 1704, his house was chosen one of six that were fortified against Indians. His earmark for cattle was 2 half pennies on the underside of the off ear, and was granted him in 1685.

      Robert became a widower in February 1698 when Elizabeth died. She died in Wethersfield and ws buried there. Eight months later Robert remarried. His second wife was Mary Stoddard and they married in Boston. Robert was 47 at the time.

      Robert died in 1714 at the age of 66. An inventory of his estate in July 1714 was valued at 3,667 Lbs, a very large amount for those times. His will dated January 1711/2, provided for his widow and four sons, his daughter prudence shared only in the "moveable estate", probably she had had her portion upon her marriage. Robert's sons Joseph, Robert Gideon and Grandson Robert were given houses as well as lands. To he wife he divised "a sixth part of his silver bills and plate, with the exception of a silver punch bowl which was to go to his grandson Robert Welles. To his son Robert he gave his negro Phebe "and to take good care of her", to son Gideon a gun and sword, a "great table, one silver tankard and a large looking glass." His inventory itemizes silver spoons 4 lbs, a silver beaker 4 lbs, a silver tankard 8 lbs, a cane with silver head 10 shillings, and a great looking glass 4 lbs. "In his dress Captain Robert must have made a brave appearance. For this inventory mentions a broad cloth coat 3 lbs, a russett waistcoat with plated buttons and chains on sleeves 47 shillings and another similarly adorned, 1 pair plush breeches . . . 6 pairs gloves" in all his clothing was valued at 81 lbs. Robert died in Wethersfield and was buried there.


      Information from; "History of Ancient Wethersfield" by Henry Stiles. Compiled by G. Lewis, October 2006,