PRINCETON 1-0470

ARTHUR HERBERT OSBORN

FOUR GREENHOLM
PRINCETON. NEW JERSEY

page 2

We now come to the Thomas Osborn who was one of the original settlers of New Haven and the progenitor of our branch of the Osborn family in this country. He was born in Ashford in 1595. Married Mary Goatly in 1621 and came to the Colonies about 1634/35 with his brother Richard, and some of his children. Later in 1638 he was one of the original settlers of the Colony of New Haven. In 1648 he removed to East Hampton, Long Island to found the town which was then known as Maidstone after a place of the same name in Kent. He later returned to New Haven. His son Thomas Osborn, Jr. remained there and is buried in the old cemetery where his tomb stone can still be seen. The house which he built there is still standing and is owned by Nelson Osborn.

Among his children was one Jeremiah born in Ashford in 1624 and died in New Haven in 1676. He is our direct ancestor. His son Joseph Osborn born 1657 - died 1735. Married Mary Bennett

Jeremy Osborn his son, known as the Ensign, was born in New Haven in 1699 and died there in 1789. He married Elizabeth Sperry. His son David Osborn served in the War of the Revolution. Born 1746 he died at the age of 40 in 1786.

Eli Osborn, son of David, was born in New Haven in 1777 and died there in 1844. He was married to Elizabeth Augur the daughter of Hezikiah Augur, well known artist and inventor. The model of the first wood carving machine which he invented is in the New Haven Historical Society and some of his paintings are in the art gallery of Yale University.

My grandfather Walter Osborn was the son of Eli. One of his sons was my father William F. Osborn.

Your suggestion about a book covering the descendants of Thomas Osborn seems like an excellent idea to me and I will be glad to lend my assistance to it at any time.

I shall be delighted to call on you the next time I am in New Haven though at the moment I can't tell just when that will be. I might add that should you ever get to Princeton I trust you will let me know so that I may show you the complete history of our branch of the Osborn family.

Thanking you for your very nice letter and with kind regards I remain