Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Joseph Skinner

Male Abt 1671 - 1756  (~ 85 years)


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  • Name Joseph Skinner 
    Born Abt 1671  of Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 19 Jan 1756  Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2337  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Joseph Skinner,   b. Abt 1643, of Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 May 1724, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 81 years) 
    Mother Mary Filley,   c. 3 Aug 1651, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Apr 1711, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 59 years) 
    Married 5 Apr 1666  Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F1195  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary Grant,   c. 23 Jan 1675, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Apr 1711, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 36 years) 
    Married 13 Mar 1694  Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1222  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Esther Bissell,   b. 10 Sep 1679, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Dec 1755, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Married 21 Aug 1718  Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1370  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Early published accounts of this family confused two Joseph Skinners -- one being the son of Joseph Skinner and Mary Filley and the other being a first cousin and son of John Skinner and Mary Easton. Later research realized that they needed to be switched. The Joseph who married Dorothy Hosmer and Elizabeth Olmstead is now correctly assigned to John Skinner and Mary Filley. The Joseph who married Mary Drake and Esther Bissell is properly the son of Joseph Skinner and Mary Filley. This change, noticed as early as the 1920s in the Skinner Kinsmen as quoted below, was confirmed by me by studying the tombstone of the Joseph Skinner who is buried in Hartford. Church records confirm that his wife Elizabeth is also buried there, which makes him the Joseph who married Elizabeth Olmstead and presumably Dorothy Hosmer as well. The age on the tombstone confirms that Joseph be born circa 1668/9, which is too early to be the Joseph who was born 1671 to 1673 to John Skinner and Mary Filler. The latter parents had a daughter proved to be born in 1668/69 which precludes the Joseph buried in Hartford. Also the the parents John and Mary were of Hartford whereas the parents Joseph and Mary were of Windsor, which is where the Joseph who married Mary and Esther resided.

      2. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, p. 687: "Joseph Skinner (son of John), m. 5 Apr 1666, Mary (dau. Wm.) Filley of Windsor (O.C.R.); bought land in Windsor 1666, west side of Broad St., abt. midway of which he was possessed 1684, and prob. res. there. There was an affirmative vote passed by the Windsor Church on his application to receive baptism on owning the cov't, 1679, as follows (O.C.R.): 'Feb. 16, (16)78 (79), Joseph Skinner having never been baptized, desired that he might be baptized, and ye Church granted it, so (i.e. on condition that) he would be tried (examined) concerning his knowledge and blameless life, and own ye Ch. Cov't, and come under dissipline to be owned as a (church) member, and so any others might come in, in like manner, man or womankind. On ye 2 of March there was none that lay any blame on him in point of his conversation, so he owned ye Ch. Cov't and was baptized.' His wife d. 13 Apr 1711 (East Windsor Church Records); resided East Windsor. Children:
      A. Mary, b. 22 Sep 1667. - O.C.R.
      B. John, who d. 1704. - 'Loomis Geneal.' [Kerry's note: this appears to be a misprint of 1740 for death date - confirm from Loomis book.]
      C. Elizabeth, b. 23 Jun 1669. - O.C.R.
      D. Joseph, b. (prob.) about 1673.
      E. Isaac, b. 16 Aug 1691.
      F. Thomas, s. Joseph, bp. 23 Dec 1677. - O.C.R."

      3. These are quotes of the earliest publications is for our family albeit with the son Joseph mixed up with the other per the note above:
      A. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, p. 688: "Joseph Skinner (son of Joseph, g.son of John), m. (1) Dorothy Hosmer, 1 Jan 1696, who d. Mar 1702; m. (2) Elizabeth Olmsted, 28 Jan 1707/8; resided Hartford. Children:
      A. Joseph, bp. 31 Oct 1697; m. Mary Hinsdale 30 Mar 1738.
      B. Stephen, bp. 13 Aug 1699.
      C. Jonathan, bp. 13 May1711.
      D. Elizabeth, bp. 30 Aug 1713; m. Knight Sexton 25 May 1735.
      E. Stephen, bp. 11 Mar 1715. d. 11 Jul 1758.
      F. Dorothy, bp. 30 Mar 1718; m. George Olcott, 28 May 1741.
      G. Hannah, bp. 7 Feb 1719/20; m. Sam. Barnard.
      H. Rebecca, bp. 17 Jun 1722; m. Joseph Mason of Litchfield, 4 Jun 1754."
      [Note: Hosmer and Olmsted genealogies in the book are sketchy at best and do not show either of the two wives' paternal families.]
      B. From the book "The Descendants (by the Female Branches) of Joseph Loomis, who Came from Braintree, England, in the Year 1638 and Settled in Windsor, CT, in 1639," by Elias Loomis (Yale Professor), 1880, v. 1, p. 108:
      A. "Mary Loomis, daughter of Joseph Loomis, m. John Skinner of Hartford, who d. in 1650. She d. 19 Aug 1680. Children:
      a. Mary, b. 1637, m. Robert Reeve.
      b. Ann, b. 1639, m. John Colt.
      c. John, m. Mary ___. He d. 15 Sep 1690. She d. 18 Jun 1695.
      d. Joseph, b. 1643, m. Mary Filley of Windsor 5 Apr 1666. She d. 15 Apr 1711.
      e. Richard, b. 1646."
      B. "Children of Joseph Skinner, Windsor:
      a. Mary, b. 22 Sep 1667.
      b. John, b. ___, d. June 1704.
      c. Joseph, b. ___, m. 1st Dorothy Hosmer 1 Jan 1696, who d. Mar 1702; m. 2d. Elizabeth Olmsted 28 Jan 1707-8.
      d. Isaac, b. 16 Aug 1691, m. hannah Moore 5 Dec 1716. He d. 31 Oct 1762.
      e. Deac. John, b. 1675, m. Sarah ___. Removed to Colchester and d. 27 Aug 1740.
      f. Richard, b. ___, m. Hannah Pratt 24 Nov 1708. Colchester.
      g. Ebenezer, b. ___."

      4. FHL publication "The Skinner Kinsmen. The Descendants of John Skinner of Hartford, Connecticut," compiled by Mrs. Natalie R. Fernald (The Pioneer Press; Washington, D.C.), pp. 9-12:
      "Deacon Joseph Skinner (2) John (1) was born in 1643 married in Windsor, Conn., April 5, 1666, Mary, daughter of William and probably Elizabeth Filley, not Margaret as on p. 1. It is certain that William Filley left a widow Elizabeth. Mary was born in 1647 and died in Windsor, August 26, 1734. They settled in Windsor, removed to Simsbury, Conn., in 1670, and evidently came back to Windsor about 1690. He died, in Windsor, May 31, 1724.
      Children:
      -Mary(3) b. Windsor, Sept. 22, 1687, m. 1st Suffield, Conn., Nov. 19, 1685, Nathaniel Harmon, he b. Springfield, Mass., Mar. 13, 1654, d. 1730, m. 2d John Hanchett.
      -Elizabeth (3) b. Windsor, Jan. 25, 1669, m. 1st Windsor, June 5, 1690, John Grant. He b. Apr. 24, 1664, d. July 19, 1695. She m. 24 May 12, 1697, Capt. Joshua Willis, Jr. She d. Oct. 9, 1707.
      -Deacon Joseph (3) b. abt. 1671, in. 1st Windsor, Mar. 13, 1694, Mary, dau. of Samuel and Mary (Porter) Grant, b. Jan. 23, 1675, d. Windsor, Apr. 15, 1711, m. 2d Windsor, Aug. 21, 1718, Esther Drake, she d. Dec. 28, 1755. He d. Jan. 19, 1756.
      -Richard (3) m. Windsor, Dec. 25, 1702, Sarah, dau. of Samuel and Anna (Burnham) Gaines, b. 1681, d. Nov. 18, 1753. He d. June 20, 1758.
      -John (3) m. Sarah, dau. of John and Joanna Porter, d. Aug. 27, 1740, Colchester.
      -Thomas (3) b. Nov. 15, bp. Dec. 23, 1677, m. Windsor, July 19, 1703, Sarah. dau. of Samuel and Grace (Minor) Grant. Thomas not mentioned in father's will.
      -Anne (3) b. 1684, m. John Rockwell, b. May 31, 1671 or 73, d. Aug. 6, 1746; she d. April 1, 1756.
      -Isaac (3) b. Windsor, Aug. 16, 1691, in. Windsor, Dec. 5, 1716, Hannah, dau. of Capt Thomas and Deborah Moore; he d. Oct 31, 1762.
      CONTEMPORARY Records .
      From Manwaring, Digest of the Early Conn. Probate Records.
      Deacon Joseph Skinner, Windsor. Invt. of real estate, ₤-02-09. Taken June 30, 1724 by Matthew Allyn, Thomas Marshall, and Henry Allyn. Will dated 13 January, 1715-16.
      I, Joseph Skinner of Windsor, doe make this my last will and testament: I give unto Mary my wife the use and improvement of all my estate, both real and personal, for her subsistence during her natural life. I give to my eldest son Joseph, his heirs and assigns forever, besides what I have already given him, half of my meadow on the east side of the Great River in Windsor. Item. I give unto my son Richard the other half of my sd. meadow on the east side of the great River besides what I have already given him. I give unto my son Isaac my dwelling house and barn in Windsor, with the home lot on which it standeth, being about 4 acres of land given to me and my wife by our father William Filley, also about 4 acres of land at a place called Swamp Field. Also a paire of looms and tacklin which I have already given him to carry on his trade. It is to be understood that the abovesd. lands as they are given are to be injoyed by each of them from and after the death of my sd. wife now, and not before. And further, my will is that all my personal or moveable estate that remains after the death of sd. wife, my just debts and funeral expenses being paid, shall be divided as followeth: To my grandson John Grant, son of my daughter Elizabeth deceased, 20 shillings in money; the rest is be equally divided among my now surviving children or to their legal representatives, viz. Joseph, John and Richard, and Isaac Skinner, Mary Hammond and Ann Rockwell. Finally, I do make and ordain my son Joseph Skinner sole executor.
      Signed: Joseph Skinner. Witness: Matthew Allyn, Josiah Allyn.
      Court Record, pp. 52-4. August, 1724. Will exhibited by Joseph Skinner - Proven (vol. 2, p. 27).
      From Windsor land records.
      May 29, 1666. Joseph Skinner hath purchased of Tahan Grant 2 acres more or less; North on land that was Thomas Newel dec'd, South and West by John Moore senr, East by the common way.
      June 3, 1684. These may certify that the above specified parcel of land recorded to Joseph Skinner he stands possessed of in his own right and it may be confirmed to him according to law. Signed: Benjamin Newberry, Commissioner, Henry Wolcot, Register, Thomas Stoughton, Townsman (vol. 1, p. 188).
      April 3, 1683. Timothy Halls of Southfield, Ma to Joseph Skinner of Windsor land on East side of Great River in Windsor 10 rods broad at river and runs Easterly three miles; West on the Great River, East on the commons, North by George Phelps, and South on John Porter (vol. 2, p. 91).
      Mar. 27, 1705. Joseph Skinner senior of Windsor for valuable sum paid by Jonathan Filley of the same town to my son John Skinner of Colchester; Land In Windsor near Messengers Farm (vol. 3, p. 8).
      Jan. 9, 1707. Agreement about settlement of estate of William Filley of Windsor Between Samuel Filley and Joseph Skinner, senr of Windsor and Elizabeth Filley widow of said William and Samuel Filley to have 1/2 of estate (vol. 3. p. 85).
      Feb. 19, 1707-8. Joseph Skinner senr of Windsor to Jonathan Filley of same all interest in estate of William Filley under the foregoing agreement (vol. 3, p. 86).
      March 5, 1711-2. Joseph Skinner senior to son Joseph both of Windsor Land on East side of Conn. River "where he has built his house" (vol. 3. p. 144).
      March 5, 1711-2. Joseph Skinner senr to son Richard Skinner both of Windsor. Land on East side of Great River where he has built his house; West on highway, North on Joseph Phelps, South on land my sons bought of Hezekiah Porter, East on land I made over to my two sons, Joseph and Richard. Also 1/2 of land from foot of hill which I have given to my son Joseph to run West to the plain meadow known by the name of the Husk. The whole of the land is bounded North on Joseph Phelps, South on Hezekiah Porter, East on land I have given my son Joseph, West on my own land. Also 1/2 of land on East side of Country road besides what I have given him as above. The whole of the land bounded North on Joseph Phelps, South on lands my sons bought of Hezekiah Porter, West on land I have given my son Richard as above, East on the commons (vol. 3, p. 144).
      Oct. 17, 1728. Mary Skinner, widow of Deacon Joseph Skinner of Windsor dec'd, in consideration of twenty shillings per annum for life secured to me, quit claims to her son Isaac Skinner also of Windsor all interest in the homestead of said Deacon Joseph Skinner bounded East on country road, West on Josiah Moore, North on Thomas Allyn, South on Benoni Bissell, also 4 acres North on Country road, South on Hez. Parson, East on Josiah Filley, West on Jonathan Filley (vol..5, p. 204)."
      CORRECTIONS. [KP note: even though the following note was attached by the compiler to the descendants of John2 (John 1), it also concerns the children Joseph2 (John1). In regards to Joseph, the compiler believed the wives of Joseph3 were of Joseph son of John2; however, I am currently of the opinion that they pertain to Joseph son of Joseph 2 - more research is needed to confirm.]
      A study of the original records of Windsor, Conn., has convinced me that the early genealogists whose work has heretofore been widely accepted, fell into some errors concerning the marriages of the children of Corporal John2 Skinner (John1). There is credible evidence that:
      Deacon Joseph married 1st Dorothy Hosmer, 2nd Elizabeth Olmstead, and did not marry Mary Grant.
      Richard did not marry Sarah Gaines. She was the wife of Richard (3) Joseph (2).
      Thomas. Some doubt is thrown on the identity of his wife by the fact that Thomas (3), Joseph (2) married Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Grace Grant on July 19, 1705."

      5. FHL publication "The Skinner Kinsmen. The Descendants of John Skinner of Hartford, Connecticut," compiled by Mrs. Natalie R. Fernald (The Pioneer Press; Washington, D.C.), pp. 13-15; the compiler presents a Joseph as follows with wives Mary Grant and Hester Drake; however, on page 9, the same compiler notes: "CORRECTIONS. A study of the original records of Windsor, Conn., has convinced me that the early genealogists whose work has heretofore been widely accepted, fell into some errors concerning the marriages of the children of Corporal John Skinner . There is credible evidence that Deacon Joseph married 1st Dorothy Hosmer, 2nd Elizabeth Olmstead, and did not marry Mary Grant."
      I do include the following quote for reference purposes, albeit erroneous in probably wives, children, etc.; however, some of the references to Joseph in Windsor may actually pertain to our proper Joseph:
      "Deacon Joseph Skinner (3) (2) John (1), born abt. 1671, married, first, in Windsor, March 13, 1694, Mary, dau. of Samuel and Mary (Porter) Grant; born Jan. 23, 1675, and died in Windsor April 15, 1711. He married, second, in Windsor, August 21, 1718, Esther or Hester Drake. She died in Windsor, Dec. 28, 1755. He died in Windsor, Jan. 19, 1756.
      Children:
      Mary (4), b. Windsor, Dec. 26, 1695, living March 23, 1748.
      Joseph (4), b. Windsor, Apr. 30, 1698, probably bp. Mar.1699, living in Windsor, 1748.
      Hannah (4), b. Windsor, April 2, 1700, m. June 1 Barnabas Hinsdale. He b. Aug. 28, 1694, settled in Tolland, Conn., d. Jan. 24, 1728. She living `1748.
      Ann (4), b. Windsor, Oct. 31, 1701, m. Enoch Merrill, Mar. 6, 1726. She living 1748.W
      Daniel (4), b. Windsor, April 1, 1703-4, m. Windsor, Mar. 6, 1727-8, Abigail, dau. of John and Sarah Smith, b. June 22, 1706, d. Jan. 17, 1795. He d. July 13, 1776.
      Elizabeth (4), b. Windsor, Oct. 21, 1706, living 1748.
      Abijah (4), b. Windsor, April 9, 1709, d. Windsor, Mar. 8, 1793.
      Azariah (4), b. Windsor, Dec. 10, 1719, m. 1st, Windsor, Arispah Mitchelson, Aug. 10, 1749; she d. Windsor, May 14, 1756. He m. 2d, Windsor, Mar. 16, 1758, Priscilla Stevenson. He d. Mar. 9, 1797.
      Lucy (4), b. Windsor, Mar. 6, 1721, d. Windsor, Sept. 3, 1724.
      Lucy (4), b. Windsor, Oct. 12, 1723, d. Windsor, Oct. 28, 1736.
      John (4), b. Windsor, April 29, 1725, m. Windsor, Nov. 21, 1762, Sarah, dau. of Thomas Kennedy, an Irishman. She b. Aug. 12, 1744. The name is spelled Canada on the records.
      CONTEMPORARY Records .
      From probate records at Hartford, Conn.
      Will of Deacon Joseph Skinner, of Windsor, made March 23, 1748, probated March 2, 1756. Makes a provision for wife Hester. Gives son Joseph his right in the Equivelent lands. To son Daniel his lot in the Mile and Half Mile division of the Commons. To son Abijah. south half of homestead. To son Azariah, north half of homestead. To son Abijah, lands in Barkhamstead, third division. To son John, land in Wintonbury, also first division of Birkhamsted land. To sons Daniel, Azariah, and John remainder of Barkhamsted lands. Sons Abijah and Azariah to pay to his four daughters, Mary, Hannah, Ann, and Elizabeth, £20 each. Sons Abijah and Azariah to be executors. Witnesses:
      Jerjan Phelps, Benjamin Phelps, Mathew Rockwell.
      March 2, 1766. Will of Joseph Skinner of Windsor presented by Abijah and Azariah Skinner, sons and executors named, who accepted the trust, will approved and ordered recorded.
      June 21, 1756. Abijah Skinner, one of the executors of the will of Joseph Skinner, dec'd, of Windsor, requests distribution of the estate. Distributors appointed, but evidently no further action (vol. 17, pp. 95, 108).
      From Stiles, Ancient Windsor.
      April ye 9th, 1694. We whose names are underwritten, being the inhabitants of Windsor, on the east side Connecticut river, do earnestly desire that we may have liberty to procure and settle a minister among us to be maintained by the present inhabitants and those that shall inhabit with us hereafter. Joseph Skinner, Jr., and others (p. 229).
      A Distinct Society was incorporated, Oct., 1699, Joseph Skinner and John Rockwell were chosen collectors. Mr. Edwards was in charge of the church (p. 231).
      Occupations of Early East side settlers: Deacon Joseph Skinner is given as a veritable "Jack at all trades," including tooth drawing.
      Tax list of East Windsor, 1720. Thomas Skinner ₤: 15; Richard Skinner ₤: 11; Joseph Skinner ₤5:14 (p. 543).
      Records of Church under Rev. Samuel Mather, second pastor. Mary Skinner, Joseph's wife owned the covenant, 1700 (p. 886).
      From Windsor land records.
      April 6, 1694, Joseph Skinner purchased of Nathaniel Phelps, of Westfield, Land on East side of Conn. River in Windsor, two rods, three feete, & eight inches in breadth. South on said Joseph Skinner, North on John Phelps, West Connecticut River and runs Easterly three miles, and bounds on ye common.
      July 4, 1694. Joseph Skinner hath purchased of John Phelps Land on East side of Conn. River in Windsor one rodd, one foot, tenn inches breadth: South on said Joseph Skinner which he bought of Nathniel Phelps, North on Joseph Phelps, West on Conn. River, and runs easterly three miles, & bounded on ye common. Recorded Sept 20, 1694 (vol. 2, p. 90).
      Sept. 3, 1709. Joseph Skinner Junr & Richard Skinner to Samuel Grant junr, John Wolcott junr. & Hezekiah Porter all of Windsor Land adjoining Podunck brook or pond, acknowledged Dec. 28, 1714 (vol. 4, p. 64).
      Jan 25, 1730-31. Joseph Skinner to Joseph Newbery both of Windsor land on East side of Great River. Richard and Martha Skinner witnesses (vol. 6, p. 88).
      April 13, 1747. Peter Mills junr to Deacon Joseph Skinner of Windsor Land at Wintonbury, Abijah and John Skinner witnesses (vol. 7, p. 366).
      Dec. 24, 1750. Joseph Skinner to Azariah Skinner both of Windsor 18-1/2 acres in Wintonbury parish laid out to grantor (vol. 9, p. 122).
      Sept 13, 1754. Deacon Joseph Skinner to son Daniel Skinner both of Windsor 9-1/2 acres laid out to grantor in that part of Town Commons called Sequestered lands on East side of Conn. River (vol. 10, p. 242).
      April 27,1702, Hezekiah Porter of Windsor to Joseph Skinner Junr & Richard Skinner of Windsor Land on East side of Conn. River in Windsor South on heirs of Thomas Newberry dec'd, North on Deacon Joseph Skinner, West on Beaver Pond and runs East from the pond to the end of the three miles & bounds on the Common (vol. 2, p. 417).
      From Barkhamsted land records, Proprietors' Book.
      Azariah and John Skinner both of Windsor, Conn., to our Brother Daniel Skinner all our share and parts that Our Honored Father Joseph Skinner late of Windsor by his last Will etc. (p. 398)."