Deacon John Grave Foundation
Madison, Connecticut

17th Century Letters From England

Exhibit | House | Document Collection | Account Books | Family History

In 1673/4 John Grave received a letter from his cousin in England, Susannah Hardey. She enquired about his well-being and hoped he was "in the land of the liveing" and begged for a return letter so she and her mother, Ann Grave, will know if he is alive. She writes of her family and explains that her mother wishes to include in her will a bequest for the Grave family in New England.

In 1675/6 Ann writes to say her daughter, Susannah, has died leaving her with the care of her two sons, Jonathan and Joseph. She notes that this is the sixth letter she has written hoping the some of them will be received. She writes she is "now of great age and can not expect to live long". She has made her will and left John, his brother George, his sister Mary and their children the sum of 50 pounds which is to be divided amongst them as she orders in her will. She also states that in the event she dies before she receives a letter from John she has appointed William "Kiffing" and James Orbell as executors of her will "soe hopeing that sume of these may come safe to your hands."

In 1679/80 Joseph Hardey writes to say that Ann has died and he has wanted to write but "could not gett tyme ...becaus one business or other attended me". He asks John to write.

Eventually a Mr Whiting and Mr Kiffen write to settle the terms of the will and in due time the bequest arrives with a list of costs debited to the account. John Grave, George Grave, and Mary Smith, their sister, receive "a parcell of goods shipt (in 1683) in ye Advent Wm Condy Mastr".

Images of the original letters may be viewed here.

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