At the time that the Pilgrims arrived in America Thomas Fairchild was approximately 10 years old. Assuming that he grew up in a Puritan household there very likely was great interest in the adventures of the Pilgrims as they emigrated from intolerant England to America. Thomas’ exact birth date and location are not known. Based on evidence citing his age at various times historians estimate he was born in 1610. Some histories suggest that he likely spent his early years at High Laver, Essex, England.
He married his first wife, Sarah Seabrook in England and in 1638/1639 journeyed from England to the New World. It seems to be generally accepted that Thomas sailed for America from Barnstable, Devonshire, England.
With him was his wife, Emma, her father Robert Seabrook and three of her sisters. He was among those families who first settled at the site of Stratford, Connecticut in 1638/1639. He quickly thrived in the new colony, acquiring extensive land holdings and holding various offices in the local government. He owned a home on what is now Elm Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut. A map indicates the location of his home in the early colony.
He was a Deputy from Stratford to the General Court (early form of state legislature) and he served eleven sessions from April 1646 to October 1665. In those days the office of Commissioner was similar to that of the elected Justice of the Peace today, and Thomas served in this capacity more than once.
FAIRCHILDS IN STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT
Thomas’ wife Emma was Robert Seabrook’s daughter and sister to the wives of Thomas Sherwood, William Preston, of New Haven, and Lieutenant Thomas Wheeler, of Milford. These connections gave the Fairchild family significant influence in the new colony. Emma was born on Dec 28, 1608 and died on October 23, 1658. Children included Samuel, Sarah, Faith, John, Thomas Jr., Dinah, Zachariah and Emma. More about the family will be discussed in the next chapter.
As noted earlier, Mr. Fairchild was one of the most prominent and respected men of Stratford. He was appointed by the General Court, with Thomas Sherwood and the Constables of Stratford, to draft men in 1654 for the then proclaimed Narraganset war; and again on a committee with Philip Groves, as leather sealer of Fairfield county. In 1654 he was elected Deputy, and a number of times after that, and in 1663 he was nominated for an Assistant and the same for three successive years, but was not elected. As these nominations were made at or by the General Court, this shows the estimation of him by that body. In 1664 he was appointed a Commissioner, which was a Justice of the Peace, for Stratford and was reappointed afterwards.
Several of the children were very young when Emma passed in 1658. Thomas, in order to care for his family and also attend to his family recognized the need to remarry. Given the shortage of eligible females in the colonies Thomas journeyed to London with John Winthrop, Jr., Connecticut’s Governor. Winthrop and his father both are famous for their contributions. John Winthrop Jr. introduced Thomas to his future second wife, Catherine Graigg. They were married on December 15th, 1662 at St. Stephen’s Church on Coleman Street in London (which later burned and was never rebuilt) and returned to Connecticut in 1663.
Thomas and Catherine signed a pre-nuptial agreement that provided the bride with a life estate in his lands and a sum of 200 pounds to be paid to her if he died before arrival in New England. The contract was never carried out and was settled after Thomas’ death by the General Court, ordering the money to be paid. The estate was valued at 360 pounds.
Additional information about each generation is included in subsequent chapters. The Fairchild family played a significant role in Stratford, Connecticut for many years following its founding. Over the years some family members migrated to other locations and that migration will be thoroughly documented throughout this manuscript. Before closing this first chapter it is worth including a list of the early founders of Stratford. Their determination and focus in terms of leaving England, journeying to a wilderness occupied by wild men and beasts, giving up the comforts offered in England, and taking the first steps toward starting a new country are worthy of specific merit and recognition.
He died Dec. 14, 1670, and the select-men reported his inventory at £350. He had four sons by his first wife and two by his second, and the descendants were numerous. After his death Catherine Fairchild married widower Jeremiah Judson, whom she and Thomas had known for many years.
American Generation #1
Thomas Fairchild and Wives and Children
| Thomas Fairchild | b: Oct 10, 1610, Englandd: Dec 14, 1670, Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Emma Faith Seabrook Fairchild(Married Dec. 22, 1638) | b: Dec 28, 1608, Buckinghamshire, Englandd: Oct 23, 1658 |
| Catherine Craigg Fairchild(Married Dec. 15, 1662) | b: 1616, England. May 1706, Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut |
Children with Emma Fairchild
| Benjamin | b: 1639, Stratford, Fairfield, CTd: Mar 27, 1686, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Samuel | b: Aug 31, 1640, Stratford, Fairfield, CTd: Jan. 1704, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Sarah (Preston) | b: Feb. 19, 1641, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Faith | b: 1642, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| John | b: May 1, 1644, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Thomas Jr. | b: Feb. 21, 1646, Stratford, Fairfield, CTd: Mar 26, 1686, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Dinah | b: Jul. 14, 1648, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Zachariah | b: Dec. 14, 1651, Stratford, Fairfield, CTd: Jun. 23, 1703, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Emma (Preston) | b: Oct. 23, 1653, Stratford, Fairfield, CTd: Feb. 25, 1732, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
Children with Catherine Craigg
| Joseph | b: 1639, Stratford, Fairfield, CTd: Mar 27, 1686, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| John | b: Jun. 8, 1666, Stratford, Fairfield, CT |
| Priscilla | b: Apr. 20, 1669, Stratford, Fairfield, CTd: |
