GENERATION 12

Biography

The ancestry of THOMAS FORD is not absolutely certain. There is some speculation that his parents are JOHN FORD and ELLYNOR WALDRON, and that possibility is presented in this history. Various dates of birth are given for THOMAS, c.1587 by "Strong Family History," c.1582 by "Passenger List of Mary & John", and c.1580 by others.

He married first at Powerstock, Dorsetshire, England, on Dec. 13, 1610, Joan Way, daughter of Stephen Way and Ursula Gill. Joan was possibly baptized Jan. 22, 1582. She was buried on May 10, 1615.

THOMAS married second ELIZABETH (CHARDE) COOKE on JUN. 19, 1616 in Bridport, Dorsetshire, England. She was the widow of Aaron Cooke, and mother of Aaron Cook. She first married Aaron Cooke at Thorncombe, Dorsetshire, England on Sep. 2, 1610. He died and was buried at Bridport, Dorsetshire, England on Dec. 29, 1615. In 1623 the family was living in Dorchester, Dorsetshire, England, and were members of Holy Trinity Church, whose rector was Rev. John White. John White has been called the "Founder of Massachusetts."

Rev. John White wrote to Gov. John Endicott, "to acquire places of habitation for sixty families out of Dorsetshire who were to arrive the following spring". A meeting was held on Oct. 15, 1629, "at the Deputyes House." Twenty-five members of the council which financed the planters were there and "Mr. Ford with divers others of the genalitie." This meeting was arranged so that the finance company would benefit for seven years by the shipping of furs. The government of the colony was to be placed into the hands of Gov. John Winthrop, in New England.

THOMAS FORD and his family came to America on the 'Mary and John' leaving from Plymouth, Devonshire, England, Mar. 20, 1630. It landed at Nantasket, Plymouth, MA, May 30, 1630. The passage costs were 5 pounds per adult, 10 pounds per horse, and 3 pounds per ton of freight.

The family settled in Windsor, Hartford, CT, where he requested admission as a freeman Oct. 19, 1630, and took the oath May 18, 1631 in Dorchester, Suffolk, MA. The last record of THOMAS FORD in Dorchester, was Jul. 5, 1636.

THOMAS was one of four men who purchased a large tract from Sachem Tehano, which now includes Windsor Locks, the northern third of Windsor and the southern part of Suffield. In 1637, he was granted fifty acres in Simsbury. He was deputy to the General Court 1637-40, and juror 1643 and 1644.

ELIZABETH died Apr. 18, 1643 at Windsor, CT. After her death, he married third Mrs. Ann Scott on Nov. 7, 1644. She was the widow of Thomas Scott.

In 1645 Thomas moved to Hartford, Hartford, CT and established a tavern in the house of Thomas Scott, located on the southwest corner of State and Front Streets. An entry in the diary of John Winthrop, Jr. "reached the Inn of Thomas Ford at Hartford", Nov. 17, 1645. In 1652 he sold the tavern to Thomas Cadwell, and in 1655 was constable at Windsor.

THOMAS and his third wife, Ann, moved to Northampton, Hampshire, MA, in 1659. She died there on May 5, 1676.

It has been said that THOMAS FORD may have left more descendants than any other immigrant who ever came to New England.