Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1915-11-19
HISTORIC POMFRET
The Craft Family Of Abingdon

Lieut.. Griffin Craft came from Eng
land In 1880 and settled In Rexbury,
Mass, His son, Lieut. Samuel Craft,
was one of the thirty.nine men who
'ssigned" TO settle lin Woodstock in
| 1856 but he did not remain there per
maneutly. He was also agent for
Thomas Morey, one OF the grantees of
Mashmoquet Purchase.
Joseph Craft, the grandson of Lieut..
| Samuel, was born in Roxbury, Oct.
| 1894, and married Oct. l7l9, Susannah,
born July, 1704, daughter of Samuel
| Warner of PomfIet and granddaughter
of Benjamin Sabin, one of the grantees
of Mashmoquet. Joseph Craft sold all
his property in Roxbury and the same
day, April 6, 17X2, bought of Daniel
Weld, also of Roxbury, $50 acres in
four separate lots in the west part of
the second division OF Mash moquet
| Purchase. 1t is traditional that he
soon owned 1000 acres As first settler
on the Weld allotment he literally
uturned the virgin soil.n Town affairs
at once claimed his attention. In 1873
Pomfret appropriated twenty pounds
for schoolhouse, the sum proving In
sufficient the town declined to eNpend
more and Joseph Craft and others pro.
| tested in writing. He was soon town
officer, seectman fifteen Sears, in
1929 on committee TO build u bridge
over the Mashmoquet near Lyons
mill was deputy TO the General Court
several times, chairman of committee
to build the meeting house, chairman
of parish committee, county commits
sioner in 1852 and 3, on committee to
divide the county aud settle county
lines, and a contributor of ten pounds
for the library that was formed In
Pomfret In 1889 by sixteen subscribers.
Inheuting the military ability OF his
ancestors he was excessively commits
stoned ensign, lieutenant, and captain.
His life was devoted to his family
and the interests of the community.
Inscription on gfavestone in the
Pomfret Center Cemetery
Here lies The body Of Capt. Joseph
Craft, Esq
He departed this life Jan. u, ifDi In
We 6lst year of his age
All fruitless wish-how are hts curtains
drawn for long evening that
despalrs Of dawn
Inscription on gravestone in old
burying ground in Abingdon
In memory of Mrs. Susann all
Wife of Capt. Joseph Craft
Who Died August the 26t1 1855
in we s3rd Year of her Age
Capt. Joseph Gfaft had fifteen chill
dten. Samuel, his oldest son, born
July, lT22, married Judith Pay son. In
early life he taught school, In TAG his
father decided him 90 acres. He held
many offices OF trust, the fact of his be-
ing on the committee OF correspondence
in time of the Re, olution indicates his
judgment was valued. He was chosen
deacon at the organization OF the
church and the communion plates
have this inscription, "rhe gift Of Sam
uel Craft In 1881
Inscription on stone In old burying
ground, Abingdon
Samuel Craft Esq. In memory OF
whom this Stone is erected closed this
mortal Scene Nov'r 20lh 1901
In the 10th Year OF his Age
| An affectionate Husband, tender Par
ent and sincere Friend
| In Life beloved In Death lamented
| The memory OF the jest IL blessed
H.. ~
Joseph, served in 1867 aud s in the
French and Indian war He owned
land near Abingdon meeting house,
married and removed to Vermont
Joseph, son of Capt. Joseph, married
Hannah Goodell, removed 10 Brim
field, died in the Revolutionary army,
Elizabeth, daughter Of Capt. Joseph,
born 1927, WINS the first wife of Peter
Alien. They had four sons In the Rev
olutionary army.
| Edward, son OF Dea. Samuel, was a
skiIful physician and served In the
Revolutionary war
A few weeks after the death of his
wife in the spring of lzB5, Griffin, son
of Deacon Samuel, and his six young
children started for Cherry Valley, N
Y. Taking two hired men they drove
three OK teams, two yoke TO wagon.
In one week with hired help he cut
and prepared for burning fifty acses OF
timber. Rive years latar he bought
700 acres Of land In south part OF Otago
county. He employed men In sufiici-
ent number 10 reap, bind and put In
shocks 100 acres Of rye in day.
Moses, youngest son Of Capt. Joseph,
removed 10 Vermont, igsef 70 Troy,
i Y, where he was prominent citizen.
Sarah, daughter OF Dsa. samuel,
married l.eDbeus kim5alI, il soldier Of
The Revolution.
Enenezer, born Sept. 1740. son OF
Capt. Joseph, was one OF tie eight
young men from Pomffet who gradu-
aied from Yale in 1853. strong and
vigorous in his college days II is said
he could lift barrel Of cider and drink
from the bung. lie studied for the
ministry, was candidate for settlement
but falling to secure parish he turn.
ed his attention TO trade. HE married
1862 Mehitaoel chandler OF Wood
stock, built the house in Abingdon now
owned by Charles Warner, sold the
place and removed to Woodstock In