| Notes |
- Source: Calkins Family in America, Calkins Family Association, Kenneth W. Calkins, Editor, September 2000. Book located in the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT.
BACKGROUND OF THE FAMILY
It has been well established that Hugh and Ann Calkins, with at least four of their living children, came to the New World between 1638-1640, as members of the "Welsh Company" under the leadership of Reverend Richard Blynman. The exact date and the ship that they came on have not been clearly determined. It is also well established that this group departed from Chepstow, Monmouthshire, one of the border counties between Wales and England. These facts have led many writers to conclude that Hugh and his family were "born" in Chepstow. However, thorough searches of the Parish Registers and Bishop's Transcripts of the area around Chepstow have been unsuccessful in finding any indication that anyone named Calkins, by any spelling variation, lived there around the time that Hugh or members of his family would have been born. By comparison, similar searches conducted in other areas have located a number of families, with a spelling variation of the name Calkins, in counties to the east and north of Monmouthshire. In particular, the name has been found in the early 1600's in Gloucestershire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire.
As a result of these early searches, and following some additional clues provided, in 1998 Mr. Roy Edwards of Hayes, Middlesex, England, initiated intensive research on the records of the area near Chester, Cheshire. Mr. Edwards found clear evidence that Hugh Calkins was the son of Rowland and Elen {Ellen} (Payne) Calkins,christened on 8 April 1603 in Waverton, a village south and east of Chester. He also found records of the christening of Hugh's three oldest children in Waverton, within a few years after the birth dates that were deduced from later records. An article describing the research and the proof is being prepared by Mr. Edwards for submission to a recognized genealogical publication.
The origin of Hugh's wife, Ann, is even less well known. Her surname has often been given as Eaton, Easton, Eston, or a similar variation. To our knowledge, there is no evidence - other than frequent repetition - to support any of these names. The research by Mr. Edwards described above provided no evidence on Ann's family name.
Because the Ancestral File records of the LDS Church are so frequently used by genealogy researchers, it should be mentioned that these records list the fathers of Hugh and Ann to be William Calkins and Laurentine Eaton, respectively. We believe this information is in error. At the very least it is certainly unproved.
Another statement that has often been made is that Hugh Calkins was a direct descendant of Sir William Colkin, who was one of the Magna Carta Barons, and who was a member of a family who founded a hospital in Canterbury. Again, there is no know evidence to support this statement as a fact.
A Coat of Arms is displayed on the title page of this volume. The use of this symbol does not imply a claim to nobility, or even that there is a connection to the individual to whom it was issued. Rather, it is only shown out of interest because the Burke's General Armory lists one. It is officially described as "Ar; a pile GU.", which is translated to "Silver; a red pile." From this description, different artists have come up with different renditions of the Coat of Arms.
Upon their arrival in America, Hugh and his family, together with the rest of the Welsh Pary, landed first at Plymouth, and settled briefly at Green's Harbor, near Marshfield, MA. Probably in 1641, they relocated to Gloucester, MA, where Hugh Calkins and others were nominated as Freemen. In about 1651, most of the original Welsh Pary, including Rev. Blynman and Hugh Calkins and family moved again to what was then named Pequot Harbor and founded the town of New London, CT. Around 1659, the Rev. Blynman left the community, returning to England where he later died. Hugh Calkins and his wife, with a number of other settlers, including their older son John and his family, moved northward and founded the town of Norwich, CT. Younger son David Calkins and several of his sisters remained in New London with their respective families. Accounts of the early movements of these groups can be found in several articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register and in History of New London, CT, and History of Norwich, CT
Source: Caulkins Family of Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Etc., Compiled by Mrs. Turney Sharps, Fairfield, CT, manuascript located in the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hugh Caulkins came with his wifte and four children in the Welsh Colony under the Rev. Richard Bliman to Green's Harbor, Plymouth Colony, MA, where he was made freeman 2 March 1640; later at Cape Ann and Gloucester.
After five years, finding the climate too bleak for farming, the party moved to New London, CT. Made freeman at Salem, MA, 27 Dec. 1642 and at Lynn, MA, 27 Dec. 1648. Representative to the MA Court from Gloucester 1650 to 1652 but left without finishing out his term.
Deputy twelve times from New London to the Connecticut Assembly, May 1652 to 1660 and from Norwich, CT, to all Legislatures from March 1663 to 1671.
Selectman at New London until he moved to Norwich. On the War Committee at New London, May 1653 to Oct. 1654.
First Deacon of the Norwich Congregational Church.
All the towns where he lived honored him with positions in public affairs, serving committees, on committees of consultation, fortifying, drafting soldiers and especially affairs connected with boundaries and surveying, the latter for which he had apparently been trained in England.
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The H600 Project Genealogy DB
Abt 1600 - 1690 (90 years)