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Notes for Richard Miles

1598 "Rychard Myles sonne of Rychard Myles and Als his wife" was baptized on August 27 at Great Munden, Hertfordshire, England. [1] [2] [3]

1623 "Richard Myles and Mary Chambers" were "maryed Octobr 3" at St. Nicholas, Great Munden, Herfordshire. [4] [5]

1627/28 "Frances Myles daughter of Richard Myles of Great Munden & Mary his wife," was "baptized 24 January" at St. Mary the Virgin, Baldock, Hertfordshire. [6] [7] [8]

1628 "Francis Myles Daughter of Richard Myles the yonger was buryed Septembr 15" at St. Nicholas, Great Munden, Hertfordshire. [9] [10]

1629 "Richard Myles ye sonne of Richard Myles & Mary his wife was baptyzed October 20" at St. Nicholas, Great Munden, Hertfordshire. [11] [12] [13]

1632 "Miles Martha daughter of Richard baptiz: ye xith" of July at St. Mary the Virgin, Baldock, Hertfordshire. [14] [15]

1637 Richard Miles of Wormley, Hertfordshire, immigrated to New England by 1637. "A retorne for arrears of shepp mony in the Countie of Hertfe for the yeare 1636. Hertfd et Braughin Hundrede Stortford—Thomas Welshe 0. 4. 0. Gone into New England, Wormley—Richard Miles 0. 5. 0 gone into New England … (S. P. Dom., vol. 376 of Charles I., No. 106.)" [16] This item is summarized in the the published Calendar of State Papers, in the undated papers of 1637, as "106. Return of arrears of ship-money in co. Hertford for 1636. Gives names, places of abode, sums assessed, and the reason of nonpayment. Many of the defaulters were very poor; many had gone into New England; and it is stated of many of the principal persons, as of Lord Falkland, Sir Thomas Reade, and Sir William Lytton, that the bailiff dare not distrain, for fear of being sued. [6 pp.]" [17]

1639 Richard Miles was named in the will of Nathaniell Axtell, written in England, "'I Nathaniell Axtell now or late of the parish of St. Peters near the Burrough of St. Albans' co. Herts, yeoman, 17 Aug. 1639, 'being now purposed to travayle to New England into the parts beyond the Seas …' To Richard Miles of the same place [Queen Epioth in New England], husbandman, all my wearing apparel linen & woolen, all my bedding & household stuff whatsoever in New England. …" [18] Jacobus notes, on the previous page, "It appears that Axtell arrived in New Haven (then called Quinnipiack) in the latter part of 1639, and that on 27 Jan. 1639/40 he made a will just before returning to England, which was left in the hands of Goodman Miles to dispose of what estate he left in New Haven; this will was proved in New Haven on 5 Mar. 1639/40 … It is likely that Axtell died on the eve of departure, as his death was known here before it was in England."[19]

1639 Richard Miles was listed as a freeman and chosen as a judge in Milford, Connecticut. [20]

November 20th 1639. Those persons whose names are here under written are [allowed] To be free planters hauing for the present libertie to [act] Jn the Choyce of Publique officers for the Carrying of Publique Affaires in this Plantation. … Thomas Wheeler … Richard Miles Richard Platt … The power is Setled in the Church to Chuse persons out of them[selves] To diuide the lands into Lotts, as they shall haue light from the [word] of God, and to take order for the timber. … William Fowler Edmond Tappe Zachariah Whitman John Ast[wood] And Richard Miles are Chosen for Judges in all Ciuill Affaires [and] Are to try al Causes Between man and man, as A Court.

1640 Samuel Miles was baptized on April 12. Jacobus describes the church record as follows [21]:

The original first book of Milford Church records shows [page 1] that the church was gathered at New Haven, 22 Aug. 1639. The list of admissions shows new members added in October and December 1639 and in January and on 9 February 1640, and under the last is written: 'These were added to ye church in New Haven.' The next entry is the admission of William East on 8 Mar. 1640, after which is written: 'joined at Milford.' The church returned to New Haven for the ordination of Peter Prudden on 8 April; and on 12 April 'ye next sab after the ordination,' as the record reads, Samuel Miles was baptized. The next baptismal entry is that of Epenetus Plot [Platt] on 2 July, and since the record adds 'at Milford,' we take this to be the first baptism performed there.

c1640 Mary Chambers Miles, wife of Richard, died.

1640/41 Katherine Elithorpe Constable was named as "Mr Constable" in a New Haven land division.

c1641 Richard Miles and Katherine Elithorpe Constable were married.

1642 Annah Miles was baptized on October 7 in the Church of New Haven, Connecticut. [22]

1643 Richard Miles was listed among those with homelots in Milford, Connecticut. "Number of acres and homelots, 22 Nov. 1643: … Thomas Wheeler … Richard Miles … Richard Platt …" [23]

1644 John Miles was baptized in October in the Church of New Haven, Connecticut. [24]

1666 Richard Miles wrote his will on December 28. "Will made at New Haven Dec. 28, 1666. Bequeaths to eldest son Richard, to the rest of children living, and to children of deceased daughter Martha. Estate which came to him through wife Katherine to go to her children in England by a former marriage. Wife Katherine made executrix, and Capt. John Nash, John Cooper, and James Bishop to be overseers. Witnesses: Roger Alling and Abraham Dowlittle. Inventory, taken Dec. 8, 1660, by John Cooper and Roger Alling., £288: 06:10." [25]

1666/67 "Deacon Richard Miles died January 7th" in New Haven, Connecticut. [26]

1681 On May 10 "Katherine Miels some time lately inhabitant of New Haven now resident in Wallingford Widow for and in consid. Of my Motherly love and affection to my son John Miels … deed of gift in way of portion … my land which is undisposed of by myself or my late husband Ricard Miles deceased in new haven … with rights in commons. Witnesses: Samuel Street, John Ball." [27]

Research Notes:

Moved from his birthplace, Great Munden, with parents to Wormley Co, Hertfordshire, England in 1630. Wormley is six miles South of Ware. Came to American with the group of Puritans led by Rev. Peter Prudden. Sailed on ship "Hopewell" out of London bound for Milford, CT 1636. He arrived at Boston 26 Jul 1637. Earliest date of record in New Haven is the Court Record of Freeman (free planter) about 1639. Found briefly in Milford 1640-41, and back to New Haven where he was admitted a member of the General Court 29 Nov 1641. General Court 21 Oct 1644 chosen contant surveyor of all roads and bridges. General Court New Haven Colony 22 May 1648 he was chosen Deputy for the Plantation. On the same day he was chosen Clerk, Artillery Co. Judge of New Haven town May 1648-1652. Deputy (New Haven) to NH Legislature May 1651. NH Colony 1, 381, 382, 456. NH Town 1, 21, 72, 127. Husbandman (farmer).

Congregational Church, New Haven, New Haven, CT. First Church of Christ records 1639-1926, Vol 1, Milford, New Haven, CT; transferred to the church at New Haven 13 Oct 1639. Dismissed from New York Church. Refered to as Deacon Richard Miles. Served as magistrate, elder and deacon (1656-67) of the First Church of Christ in New Haven (Center Church).

See articles (1) John Insley Coddington and Donald Lines Jacobus (1957), Richard Miles of Hertfordshire, England and New Haven, CT, and his family. The American Genealogist 33:130-137 and (2) John Insley Coddington and Donald Lines Jacobus (1958), Richard Miles of Hertfordshire, England and NH, CT, and his family (II). The American Genealogist 34: 216.

Richard Miles (deacon) came from Wormela near Warfe Hertfordshire with the company that arrived in Boston 1637. Had planned own colony so went to New Haven 1638. Some part of them later established Milford and Richard Miles is sixth on list of proprietors (free planters). One of "five judges of ? affairs." New Haven 1641. Deputy to Ct. 1648 and 1649. Representative 1651. Surveyor of roads and bridges 1644. Listed with family of seven persons in early New Haven. His wife was Mrs. Constable, a widow of Rogers' Company. Well off -- perhaps widow of Sir William Constable. Tombstone in Wallingford. [28]

Milford 1639, New Haven 1643, then had seven in his family of which Samuel was bapt. at Milford 12 Apr 1640, being the first in that town; but at New Haven, Hannah, Oct. 1642; and John, Oct. 1644. Died 7 Jan 1667. In his will of 28 Dec 1666, names wife Catherine, eldest son Richard, and to other children without name makes division. In 1651 he was representative. His widow was no doubt a sec or third wife for in the will which was probated 13 June 1667, after providing for his children he gave residue to her, because she had considerable, when he married her, part of which belonged to her children by former husband. [29]

Richard Miles married 2nd to Catharine (Elithorpe)/(Spoore?) Constable, widow of Rev. Marmaduke Constable, either before 1638 or 1642, but Torrey lists death of unnamed 1st wife as about 1644. [30]


Footnotes:

[1] Hertfordshire Record Office, DP 70 1/1, Great Munden Parish Register, 1558-1681, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord].

[2] John Insley Coddington and Donald Lines Jacobus, "Richard Miles of Hertfordshire, England, and New Haven, Connecticut, and his Family," The American Genealogist 33 (1957), 129-137, at 132, citing the parish register of St. Nicholas Church, Great Munden, Hertfordshire and noting that the registers "began in 1558, but that all entries for the years 1561-1587 and 1624-1626 are missing, those entries having been cut out of the first register" before 1952 when the registers were examined for the author, [AmericanAncestors].

[3] Susan Woodruff Abbott, Families of Early Milford, Connecticut (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1979), 446, [GoogleBooks].

[4] Hertfordshire Record Office, DP 70 1/1, Great Munden Parish Register, 1558-1681, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord].

[5] England Marriages, 1538–1973, Parish Register, St. Nicholas, Great Munden, Herfordshire, Hertfordshire Record Office, [FamilySearchRecord].

[6] John Insley Coddington and Donald Lines Jacobus, "Richard Miles of Hertfordshire, England, and New Haven, Connecticut, and his Family," The American Genealogist 33 (1957), 129-137, at 133, citing the parish register of St. Mary the Virgin's Church, Baldock, Co. Hertford, and "Francis Myles daughter of Richard & Mary Myles baptized at Baldock January 24" (1627/8) recorded in the parish register of St. Nicholas Church, Great Munden, Hertfordshire, [AmericanAncestors].

[7] Hertfordshire Record Office, DP 70 1/1, Great Munden Parish Register, 1558-1681, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord].

[8] FamilySearch.org, [FamilySearchRecord].

[9] Hertfordshire Record Office, DP 70 1/1, Great Munden Parish Register, 1558-1681, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord].

[10] John Insley Coddington and Donald Lines Jacobus, "Richard Miles of Hertfordshire, England, and New Haven, Connecticut, and his Family," The American Genealogist 33 (1957), 129-137, at 133, citing the parish register of St. Nicholas Church, Great Munden, Hertfordshire, [AmericanAncestors].

[11] Hertfordshire Record Office, DP 70 1/1, Great Munden Parish Register, 1558-1681, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord].

[12] John Insley Coddington and Donald Lines Jacobus, "Richard Miles of Hertfordshire, England, and New Haven, Connecticut, and his Family," The American Genealogist 33 (1957), 129-137, at 133, citing the parish register of St. Nicholas Church, Great Munden, Hertfordshire, [AmericanAncestors].

[13] FamilySearch.org, [FamilySearchRecord].

[14] Hertfordshire Record Office, DP 12 1/1, Baldock Parish Register, 1558-1681, [FindMyPastImage], [FindMyPastRecord].

[15] FamilySearch.org, [FamilySearchRecord].

[16] New England Historical and Genealogical Register 54 (1900), 352, [HathiTrust].

[17] John Bruce, Calendar of state papers, Domestic series, Charles I, 1637-1638 (London: HMSO, 1869), 88, [HathiTrust].

[18] Donald Lines Jacobus, "Axtell and Buckingham in English Records," The American Genealogist 13 (1936), 205-208, at 207, citing PCC. 82 Coventry, [AmericanAncestors].

[19] Donald Lines Jacobus, "Axtell and Buckingham in English Records," The American Genealogist 13 (1936), 205-208, at 206, [AmericanAncestors].

[20] Donald Lines Jacobus, "Milford Land Records," The American Genealogist 12 (1935), 170-173, at 171, [AmericanAncestors].

[21] Donald Lines Jacobus, "Origins of the Botsford Family," The American Genealogist 14 (1937-1938), 58-64, at 60, citing Milford Church Records (original, at the State Library, Hartford, Conn.), [AmericanAncestors].

[22] Henry White, "List of Baptisms in New Haven, Conn.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 9 (1855), 357-364, at 361, [HathiTrust].

[23] Donald Lines Jacobus, "Milford Land Records," The American Genealogist 12 (1935), 170-173, at 172, [AmericanAncestors].

[24] Henry White, "List of Baptisms in New Haven, Conn.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 9 (1855), 357-364, at 361, [HathiTrust].

[25] Winifred S. Alcorn, "Abstracts of Early Probate Records of New Haven, Connecticut, Book I, Part I, 1647-1687," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 81 (1927), 121-135, at 128, [AmericanAncestors].

[26] Vital Records of New Haven, 1649-1850, part 1 (Hartford: The Connecticut Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, 1917), 25, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].

[27] John Insley Coddington, "Katherine (Elithorpe) (Constable) Miles, Ancestress of Certain Miles and Street Families," The American Genealogist 31 (1955), 24-29, at 28, citing New Haven Deeds, 1:87, [AmericanAncestors].

[28] Family Document, Evelyn Miles Krase Notes.

[29] James Savage, John Farmer, Orrando Perry, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Showing three generations, Vol. 3 (Boston: Little Brown & Co, 1861), 207, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[30] Clarence Almon Torrey and Elizabeth Petty Bently, New England Marriages prior to 1700 (Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1985), 508, [GoogleBooks].