John Denison

Notes:

"John Denison moved to Bishop's Stortford before 1566, for in that year he was 'collector for the poor' in Bishop's Stortford and in 1582 paid a tax in Stortford." [Spencer Miller, "Willie, Denison and Abbott Families", citation details below.]

He was a tailor. He died of the plague.

John married Agnes Wylley on 11 May 1561 in St. James Church, Thorley, Hertfordshire, England. Agnes (daughter of John Wylley and Joan Marshall) was born about 1544; died after 1613. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: 25 Jan 1653, Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Notes:

He was a maltster and a merchant. Emigrated 1631 on the Lyon, along with the Rev. John Eliot, later "apostle to the Indians," said to have been William Denison's children's tutor. With his son Edward, William Denison was among the supporters of Mrs. Hutchinson who were disarmed along with the Rev. John Wheelwright.

William married Margaret Chandler on 7 Nov 1603 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England. Margaret (daughter of Tobias Chandler and Joan Momford) was born on 13 Oct 1577 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England; was christened on 13 Oct 1577 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England; died on 3 Feb 1646 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Arrived in New England in 1631. In his autobiographical sketch written for his grandchildren, published in the The New England Historical and Genealogical Register in April 1892, he very specifically points out that the date of his baptism and of his marriage to Patience Dudley were exactly twenty years apart.

Daniel married Patience Dudley on 18 Oct 1632 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Patience (daughter of Thomas Dudley, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Dorothy Yorke) was born about 1612; died on 8 Feb 1690 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: 28 Apr 1668, Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Notes:

With his father, he was among those disarmed along with the Rev. John Wheelwright.

Edward married Elizabeth Weld on 30 Mar 1641 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Weld and Elizabeth Wise) was born before 22 Feb 1626; was christened on 22 Feb 1626 in All Saints, Sudbury, Suffolk, England; died on 5 Feb 1717 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emigrated in 1631 with his parents and brothers. Settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts. Married Bridget Thompson, 1641. She died two years later, whereupon he returned to England to take up arms for Parliament. Was injured and (possibly) captured and escaped, a sequence of events that somehow resulted in him returning to Massachusetts in 1645 with a second wife, Ann Borodell. Removed to New London, 1651; served on the New London war committees in 1653 and 1654, when the Dutch threatened war. Removed to Stonington, 1654. Two decades later, we find him as captain of the New London County forces in King Philip's War, where he fought in and survived the Great Swamp Fight in Rhode Island, 19 Dec 1675. In 1676 he is "Provo-Marshall" of New London, pursuing remnants of the Narragansett and Wampanaug. He captured Chief Canonchet and worked with Pequot chiefs to "control the remnant of their tribe."

"We would premise, that William Denison, came to Roxbury, Mass., in company with Rev. John Eliot, in 1631, bringing with him his wife and three sons, Daniel, Edward and George. The last named married in 1640, Bridget Thompson, supposed to have been a sister of Rev. William Thompson, of Braintree. His wife died in 1643. Mr. Denison visited his native country the same year, 'and engaged in the civil conflict with which the kingdom was convulsed.' On his return to this country, about two years afterwards, he brought with him his second wife, Ann, daughter of John Borrowdale, or Borrodel, of Cork, Ireland. Mr. D. emigrated to Connecticut as early as 1651, and in 1654 settled in what is now Stonington, to which the name of Southerton was given in 1658, when the territory was annexed to the County of Suffolk, Mass. He filled acceptably many offices of public trust, and was particularly distinguished as a leader in King Philip's war. He died at Hartford, Oct. 23d, 1694, during the session of the General Court, and was there buried. His age, according to the inscription on his grave stone, was 76." [Introduction to "Will of George Denison,--1693", New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 13, 1859, p. 73.]

"My Brother George buried his first Wife in the year 1643, went to England, was a soldier there about a year, was at the Battle of York or Marston Moor where he did good service, was afterward taken prisoner, but got free, and having married a second Wife, he returned to New England the year before our Mother died, and not long afterward removed himself to New London, near whereunto at Stonington he now liveth." ["Autobiography of Major-General Daniel Denison." The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 46:127, April 1892.]

Along with TNH ancestors William Chesebrough, Walter Palmer, and Thomas Stanton, he was one of the founders of Stonington, Connecticut.

George married Bridget Thompson in Mar 1640 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Bridget (daughter of John Tompson and Alice Freeman) was born before 10 Sep 1622 in Preston Capes, Northamptonshire, England; was christened on 10 Sep 1622 in Preston Capes, Northamptonshire, England; died in Aug 1643 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts; was buried in Aug 1643 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Ann Borodell about 1645 in England. Ann (daughter of John Borodell) was born about 1615; died on 26 Sep 1712 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was buried in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptised: 19 Dec 1650, Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Margaret married Daniel Mason before 8 Feb 1674. Daniel (son of John Mason and Anne Peck) was born in Apr 1652 in Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut; died on 28 Jan 1737 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Said in some sources to have died 30 Sep 1677 in Roxbury, but her will was dated 8 Oct 1715 in Stonington.

Hannah married Nathaniel Chesebrough in 1659 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Nathaniel (son of William Chesebrough and Ann Stevenson) was born before 25 Jan 1630; was christened on 25 Jan 1630 in St. Botolph's, Boston, Lincolnshire, England; died on 22 Nov 1678 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hannah married Joseph Saxton on 15 Jul 1680 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Joseph (son of Thomas Saxton and Ann Copp) was born on 9 May 1656 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; was christened on 11 May 1656; died after 8 Jul 1715; was buried in Old Taugwonk Cemetery, Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He fought in King Philip's War.

William married Sarah Stanton in May 1686. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Stanton and Anna Lord) was born in 1655 in New London, New London, Connecticut; died on 7 Aug 1713. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ann married Deacon Gershom Palmer about 26 Nov 1667 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Deacon (son of Walter Palmer and Rebecca Short) was born in 1644 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts; died on 27 Sep 1718 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was buried on 30 Sep 1718 in Wequetequock Burial Ground, Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 16 Jul 1653, New London, New London, Connecticut

George married Mercy Gorham about 1677 in Barnstable, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Mercy (daughter of Capt. John Gorham and Desire Howland) was born on 20 Jan 1658 in Barnstable, Barnstable, Massachusetts; died on 24 Sep 1725 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Dorothy Hobart on 9 Apr 1704. Dorothy (daughter of Rev. Jeremiah Hobart and Elizabeth Whiting) was born on 21 Aug 1679 in Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts; died on 11 Mar 1731. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Lt. William Gallup on 4 Jan 1687 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. William (son of Capt. John Gallup and Hannah Lake) was born in Apr 1658 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; died on 15 May 1731 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was buried in White Hall Graveyard, Mystic, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Said by some to have died 4 Dec 1791 at Lebanon, Connecticut, aged 105. We doubt it.

Mercy Saxton (b. 1686) = William Dewey (1692-1759)
Elijah Dewey (b. 1728) = Abigail Martin
Martin Dewey (1757-1849) = Hannah Waterman (d. 1823)
Granville Dewey (1787-1840) = Harriet B. Freeman (1799-1872)
George Martin Dewey (1832-1897) = Emma Bingham (1837-1910)
George Martin Dewey (1869-1927) = Annie Thomas
Thomas Edmund Dewey (1902-1971) -- governor of New York 1943-54; Republican nominee for President in 1944 and 1948

Mercy Saxton (b. 1686) = William Dewey (1692-1759)
Simeon Dewey (1718-1751) = Anna Phelps (1719-1807)
William Dewey (1746-1813) = Rebecca Carrier (1747-1837)
Simeon Dewey (1770-1863) = Prudence Yeomans (1772-1844)
Julius Yemans Dewey (1801-1877) = Mary Polly Perrin (1799-1843)
Admiral George A. Dewey (1837-1917)

Mercy married Isaac Bayley on 4 Jun 1702 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Isaac (son of Rev. James Bayley and Mary Carr) was born on 2 Oct 1681 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts; died on 23 Aug 1711 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut; was buried in Old Cemetery, Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mercy married William Dewey on 2 Jul 1713. William was born in Jan 1692 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; died on 10 Nov 1759 in Albany, Albany, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: Abt 1669
• Alternate birth: 8 Sep 1670, Stonington, New London, Connecticut

Notes:

"The Breed Family" (citation details below) says they were married 8 June 1691, but Buys (citations details below) gives the date and place we show, citing the records of the First Congregational Church (the "Road Church") in Stonington.

Mercy married John Breed on 11 Apr 1689 in First Congregational Church, Stonington, New London, Connecticut. John (son of Allen Breed and Mary) was born on 18 Jan 1663 in Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts; died in 1751. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Prudence Minor on 17 Feb 1707. Prudence (daughter of Joseph Minor and Mary Avery) was born before 6 May 1688 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was christened on 6 May 1688 in Stonington Congregational Church, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; died on 17 May 1726. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: 23 Nov 1749, Charlestown, Washington, Rhode Island

Elizabeth married Christopher Champlin on 5 Dec 1705 in Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island. Christopher (son of Christopher Champlin) was born on 26 Sep 1684 in Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island; died on 23 Oct 1734 in Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jeremiah Mason (1705-1771) = Mary Clark (1705-1799)
Jeremiah Mason m. Elizabeth Fitch
Jeremiah Mason m. Mary Means
Robert Means Mason m. Sarah Ellen Francis
Elizabeth Mason m. Robert Charles Winthrop
Margaret Tyndal Winthrop m. James Grant Forbes
Rosemary Isabel Forbes m. Richard John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry (1943- )

Jeremiah married Mary Clark on 24 May 1727. Mary (daughter of Thomas Clark) was born in 1705; died in 1799. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was baptized by her future father-in-law, the Rev. James Noyes.

Mary married Deacon John Noyes on 16 Mar 1715 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Deacon (son of Rev. James Noyes and Dorothy Stanton) was born on 13 Jan 1685 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was christened on 26 Jul 1685 in First Congregational Church, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; died on 17 Sep 1751 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married John Ticknor on 14 May 1724 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. John (son of William Ticknor and Lydia Tilden) was born on 24 Jun 1699 in Scituate, Plymouth, Massachusetts; died on 7 May 1751 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Saxton married Hannah Hunt on 24 Jun 1731 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. Hannah (daughter of Ebenezer Hunt and Hannah Clark) was born on 12 Oct 1699 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"In 1736, John Breed, Junior, was made Captain of the 3rd Military Company at Stonington. He was also a Deacon of the church. [...] Capt. John Breed served as Representative from Stonington in 1735, 1741, and 1746. He was a Selectman in 1736, 1740, and 1764." [Marcia Wiswall Lindberg, citation details below.]

John married Mary Prentice on 14 Aug 1725 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Mary (daughter of Samuel Prentice and Esther Hammond) was born on 12 Apr 1706 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; died on 5 Nov 1799 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was buried in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Borodell married Ezekiel Turner on 12 May 1729 in Groton, New London, Connecticut. Ezekiel (son of Ezekiel Turner and Susannah Kenney) was born on 14 Mar 1699 in New London, New London, Connecticut; was christened on 19 Mar 1699 in New London, New London, Connecticut; died between 3 Jun 1769 and 13 Mar 1770 in Groton, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He commanded the militia that, in 1775, prevented the British ship Rose from landing at Stonington Point. His first wife was Rebecca Chesebrough.

Joseph married Mary Noyes on 8 Feb 1753 in First Congregational Church, Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Mary (daughter of Deacon John Noyes and Mary Gallup) was born on 14 Aug 1725 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was christened on 26 Sep 1725 in First Congregational Church, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; died in Dec 1808 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut; was buried in Windham Center Cemetery, Windham, Windham, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Dr. William Whiting in 1759. William (son of Col. William Whiting and Anna Raymond) was born on 17 Apr 1731 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut; died on 8 Dec 1792 in Great Barrington, Berkshire, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was baptized by his grandfather, the Rev. James Noyes (1640-1719). The date of his death is unknown; his tombstone in South Guilford was gone by 1889, not having been seen for many years.

John married Mercy Breed on 30 May 1744 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Mercy (daughter of John Breed and Mary Prentice) was born on 3 Aug 1727 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; died on 5 Aug 1811; was buried on 5 Aug 1811 in Guilford, Windham, Vermont. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was baptized by the Rev. Ebenezer Rosseter.

Mary married Col. Joseph Champlin on 8 Feb 1753 in First Congregational Church, Stonington, New London, Connecticut. Joseph (son of Christopher Champlin and Elizabeth Denison) was born on 4 Aug 1709 in Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island; died on 20 Dec 1792 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was buried in Wequetequock Burial Ground, Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Served in the Revolution 28 Oct to 18 Nov, 1776, as a lieutenant in Col. Jonathan Chase's regiment. Again as a private 11 and 18 Jun 1777; as a lieutenant 27 Jun, and as captain 4 Jul, all in the same regiment.

Elisha married Deborah Davis on 2 Jan 1772 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. Deborah (daughter of Samuel Davis and Alice Swift) was born on 28 Feb 1750 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut; died on 19 Jul 1804; was buried in South Cemetery, Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Hannah married Elisha Doubleday on 2 Oct 1749. Elisha (son of Elisha Doubleday and Mary Woodhead) was born in of Lebanon, New London, Connecticut; died on 9 Jan 1806 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Or Mary.

Mercy married John Noyes on 30 May 1744 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. John (son of Deacon John Noyes and Mary Gallup) was born on 22 May 1718 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut; was christened on 6 Jul 1718 in First Congregational Church, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; died in South Guilford, Windham, Vermont; was buried in Groll Cemetery, Guilford, Windham, Vermont. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Amos married Prudence Allyn on 1 Jun 1770. Prudence (daughter of Samuel Allyn and Hannah Avery) was born on 19 May 1751 in Groton, New London, Connecticut; died on 27 Sep 1834 in Groton, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: of Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island

Notes:

Joseph Champlin and Mercy Sisson were first cousins once removed, he being a grandson of John Noyes and Mary Gallup, and her being a great-granddaughter of the same couple.

Joseph married Mercy Sisson in 1790. Mercy (daughter of William Sisson and Mercy Noyes) was born on 15 Apr 1771 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lawyer, member of the New York state legislature; later a district attorney. He was one of the first settlers of Chenango Point, New York, later called Binghamton.

Mason married Mary Ogden Edwards on 26 Apr 1800. Mary (daughter of Timothy Edwards and Rhoda Ogden) was born on 11 Oct 1780 in Stockbridge, Berkshire, Massachusetts; died on 23 Jan 1873; was buried in Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, Broome, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also called Mary Noyes.

Mercy married William Sisson on 10 Apr 1766 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. William (son of William Sisson and Hannah) was born on 12 Jul 1744 in Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island; died on 15 Oct 1798; was buried in Great Plain Cemetery, North Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: of Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island

Notes:

Joseph Champlin and Mercy Sisson were first cousins once removed, he being a grandson of John Noyes and Mary Gallup, and her being a great-granddaughter of the same couple.

Joseph married Mercy Sisson in 1790. Mercy (daughter of William Sisson and Mercy Noyes) was born on 15 Apr 1771 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Deborah married Alfred Bingham on 15 Aug 1793. Alfred (son of Elisha Bingham and Hannah Slapp) was born on 30 Jan 1771 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut; died on 12 Apr 1862 in Norwichville, Oxford, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 4 Feb 1757, Lebanon, New London, Connecticut

Notes:

Soldier and then privateer in the Revolutionary War. Suffered through the winters of both Valley Forge and Monmouth, New Jersey.

Notes:

"[E]nlisted in the Army of the Revolution at the age of sixteen. He spent the night of March 4, 1776, on Dorchester Hill, while it was being fortified, and was also with General Washington during that dreary winter at Valley Forge and continued in service during the war, attaining to the rank of major." ["Mrs. Julia Waters Johnstone," citation details below.]

"[S]erved as a private, corporal, and sergeant in the Revolutionary War in the First Connecticut Regiment." [Abner Doubleday: His Life and Times, citation details below.]

Family/Spouse: Lois Tilden. Lois (daughter of John Tilden and Bathsheba Janes) was born on 20 Apr 1763; died on 8 Sep 1840; was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, New Hartford, Oneida, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The 1917 history of Twinsburg, Ohio (citation details below) places another Steven (or Stephen) Turner as father of this one, and son of Amos Turner, but provides no further information. Given that Amos Turner and Prudence Allyn married in 1770, and this Steven Turner's wife Lucretia Wightman was definitely born in 1772, we find this extra generation implausible on simple chronological grounds.

Also notably, A Portrait and Biographical Record of Portage and Summit Counties, Ohio (citation details below) says "Stephen Turner's father was Amos Turner, who married Prudence Allyn, June 1, 1770."

Family/Spouse: Lucretia Wightman. Lucretia (daughter of Lieut. Isaac Wightman and Lucretia Packer) was born on 27 Aug 1772 in Groton, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 16 Apr 1794, West Green River, Vermont
• Alternate birth: 16 Apr 1794, Shelburne, Chittenden, Vermont

Notes:

Note that no town called "West Green River" or "Green River" exists in New Hampshire. There is a river called the Green River in Vermont.

Wikipedia page about the Haun's Mill massacre here.

Posted to ancestry.com by "genealogy_man":

1836. William Sisson CHAMPLIN (Mercy SISSON, William, William, Thomas, George, Richard) was born 16 Apr 1794 in Shelburne, Vermont. He died 29 Jan 1861 in Lehi, Utah, Utah.

From Cheri Hardisty:

William Sisson Champlin and his family joined the Mormon Church in the 1830's and migrated to Missouri. He was the son of Joseph Champlin of Westerly, Rhode Island, and Mercy Sisson of Stonington, CT.

The Sissons settled in Independence, Missouri, and were driven out of that area along with the other Mormons. They subsequently located themselves in Clay County Missouri until the Mormons were driven out of there, and then located in Caldwell County, Missouri. Caldwell County was set up at that time by the government, as a county specifically for the Mormons to live in, in order to avoid further conflicts. However, there were some of the old settlers who remained in the county, and they were not happy to have the Mormons as neighbors. You see, Missouri was a slave state, and the Mormons were opposed to slavery. So the aim of the old settlers was to expel the Mormons from the state to ensure the state remained pro-slavery.

William Sisson and his family lived at a place called Haun's Mill. It was a Mormon settlement, but not a very large one. The largest Mormon settlement in Caldwell County was Far West which had about 5,000 residents. The Mormons were aware of the rising hostilities against them, and as a result, the Prophet Joseph Smith counseled those at Haun's Mill to come to Far West for safety. It was October 30th, 1838. William and his family were concerned about having food to last them through the winter at Far West, and so in preparation to go there, they were digging up carrots that day. As they did so, the mob rode in on horseback, and a massacre ensued. A couple of days after the massacre, the Governor of Missouri, Governor Boggs, issued his famous "extermination order" which resulted in the Mormons fleeing to Illinois for safety. The extermination order called for the Mormons to be driven from the state, or exterminated if necessary. (After Joseph Smith was murdered in Illinois, Brigham Young took the reins of leadership of the church, and in 1847, the Mormons began their famous pioneer trek to Salt Lake City, an area which was not desirable to others, in hopes that at last they would be able to live in peace.)

When the mob arrived at Haun's Mill, the women and children fled into the woods for safety, and the men ran into the blacksmith shop, and attempted to defend the settlement from that position. The blacksmith shop, however, was made of hewn logs, and there were cracks (the crack width being about 2") between the logs. The Mob came right up to the blacksmith shop and poked the barrels of their rifles through those cracks and opened fire on those inside. William Sisson Champlin was inside. And when the massacre was over, there were only two survivors from inside the blacksmith shop.

William was a smart man. When he saw what was happening, he laid down on the floor, and as his comrades fell to the ground, dead, he pulled their bodies over the top of his own, and pretended he was dead. When the mob rushed into the blacksmith shop after opening fire, they saw that William had new boots on his feet, and they wanted those boots. He allowed them to take the boots, all the while pretending he was dead, and as a result, he lived, and for the rest of his days, he was known as "Old Possum". His wife and children who had fled into the woods also survived.

William married Mary RING "Polly", daughter of Reuben RING and Anna, on 28 Mar 1816 in Hartland, Windsor, Vermont. They had the following children:

3724 F i
Sarah CHAMPLIN.
3725 M ii
William Jefferson CHAMPLIN was born 1820.
3726 M iii
Joseph Albert CHAMPLIN was born 1825.
3727 M iv
Alonzo CHAMPLIN was born 1827.
3728 F v
Angelina Avilda CHAMPLIN was born 8 Jan 1828 in Hartland, Vinson, Vermont.
+ 3729 F vi
Mary Jane CHAMPLIN was born 20 May 1830 and died 1 Nov 1906.
3730 F vii
Margaret Emma CHAMPLIN was born about 1833.

William married Mary Ring on 28 Mar 1816 in Hartland, Windsor, Vermont. Mary (daughter of Reuben French Ring and Nancy Reed) was born in 1794 in Old Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts; died on 3 Apr 1871 in Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]