Jonathan Maltbie, the eighth child of William Maltby and the second child of his third wife, Abigail Bishop, was born at branford, Conn., July 26, 1698, and his birth is so recorded in the handwriting of his father. (Branf. Rec., Vol. II.) He was baptized the same month. (Branf. Ch. Records, in M.S.)
In March, 1715, at the age of seventeen he united with the church at Bronford (Branf. Ch. Man. P. 21). In Oct., 1710, Daniel Maltbie, his half-brother, was “appointed guardian to Jonathon Maltbie, minor, son of Wm. Maltie of Branford, deceased” (New Haven Probate Rec., Vol. III., p. 235). Jonathon at this time was twelve years old. But Daniel was guardian for not more than two years, as then we find “Janathon Maultbie, Minor, choose Mr. Edward Barker of Branford to be his guardian.” (New Haven Probate Rec., p. 66, Vol. I. ?)
1718-19. Jan. Licence was granted to Jonathon Maltbie of Branford to practice the art and mystery of a tanner” (Country Court Rec. of New Haven, Vol. III., p. 101).
1719. Jonathon Maltbie married, Sept. 25, 1719, Mrs Sarah Potter at Stamford, Conn. They were married by the Rev. John Davenport.
1719. Oct. 26. Jonathon and Samuel Maltbie divide the land given them by their father (Branf. Rec., Vol. IV., p. 399).
1719. Oct. 26. Deed. “Samuel and Jonathon Maltbie of Branford being fully persuaded it was ye mind and will of our Honrd Father, Wm. Maltbie, that our brother Daniel Maltbie should have all his right and interest in Beacon Swamp, although not specified in ye last will of our Honrd Father, have therefore given, etc., all our right in ye above swamp – 8 acres” (Vol. IV., p. 187, Branford Records).
This is an act of generosity and “square-dealing” that may well cause a feeling of just pride and respect in all descendants.
Jonathon Maltby evidently resided at Branford in the family homestead which became his by his father’s will. 1710, until about 1720, when he evidently removed to Stamford, Conn., for the next record we find is:
1722. Dec. 7. “Deed. Jonathon Maltbie of Stamford, gentleman, gives land to Edward Barker in Branford” (Branf. Rec., Vol. IV., p. 446).
1722. April 16. “Jonathon Maltbie of Stamford, cordwainer, sells Samuel Maltbie of Branford, 2 acres and 3 rods of land in Branford, for £10” (Branf. Rec., Vol. IV., p. 426).
Note. – Here we find him called cordwainer,” while in a previous record he is licensed to be a tanner.” Evidently he was proficient at both “art.”
1722. Dec. 7 “Deed. Jonathon Maltbie of Stamford, cordwainer, for £130 gives his brother, Daniel Maltbie, of Branford, 10 acres of land, being Jonathon’s share of the home lot, given him by his father, William” (Branf. Rec., Vol. IV., p. 445).
1723. March 25. “Jonathon Maltbie of Stamford, gentleman, for £38 – 10 gives to his brother, Samuel Maltbie, of Branford, his interest in Cow pasture, 16 ½ acres” (Branf. Rec., Vol. IV., p. 478).
The History of Stamford says the first mention of Jonathon Maltbie is made among those who came in between 1643 and the Revolution.
Jonathon Maltbie represented the town of Stamford in the Legislature from 1735 to 1756 inclusive. He was also Captain of Company Two and on his resignation Ebenezer Weed was chosen Captain, about the year 1755. Beginning in 1728 he servered as townsman, or selectman for twenty years and at this time was called Major Maltbie.
N.B. – The spelling is as that in the item sent me. Taken from Huntington’s Hist. of Stamford.
Rev. E.B. Huntington also says that Jonathon Maltby was Captain of Company 2 in the French and Indian war.
In the records of the First Church, begun Jan. 1, 1747, is the name of “Jonathon Maltbie, Esqre.”
Quoting again from Huntington: “Among the town notables of that day, 1746, were Col. Jonathon Hoyt, Captain Jonathon Maltbie and Mr. Abraham Davenport.”
THE CHILDREN OF JONATHON AND MRS. SARAH (PORTTER) MALTBIE
1. Jonathon, b. June 26, 1720.
2. Abigail, b. Aug. 26, 1725, at Stamford.
3. David, b. Feb. 7, 1727.
4. Sarah, b. July 5, 1731, at Stamford.
5. Mary, b. March 14, 1733, at Stamford.
6. Hannah, b. Oct. 30, 1741, at Stamford.
7. David, b. May 14, 1748. (This should probably be James).
Note. – The births that have “at Stamford” after them were copied from the Stamford records by Rev. R.B. Thurston, in a letter dated “Stamford, Jan. 17, 1866” and written to Mrs. John P. Cushman. There is evidently a mistake in the name of the last child given, as he could not have been born in 1748, and married in 1749. There is confusion in the records somewhere. One authority gives “Davide Maltbie married Sarah Holly, Sept. 28, 1749,” while another claims their son Jonathon was born Sept. 28, 1749. Personally I believe that the name of the last born child of Janathon (2) Maltby was James, and for proof would give the will of his mother. For records of the descendants of Jonathon Maltby (2) see Maltby Genealogy.
The Compiler is indebted to Mrs. Aaron T. Bailey and Miss Emily A. Lynes, descendants of Jonathon (2) for much of the data contained in this sketch. Mrs. Bailey and Miss Lynes endeavored to locate the grave of Capt. Jonathon Maltby and his old homestead, but unsuccessfully.
For the following wills of Jonathon and Mrs. Sarah Potter Maltby we are indebted to Miss Ethel Lord Scofield of New Haven and regret that time prohibited the copying of his inventory.
The Will of Captain Jonathon (2) Maltbie of Stamford (Stamford Probate Rocords, Vol. III., p. 291):
In the name of God Amen.
I, Jonathon Maltbie of Stamford in Fairfield County and Connecticut Colony in New England in America, being of Sound mind & memory for which God Almighty be thanked yet being advanced in years Laboring under Bodily Infirmities and Disorders Knowing it is appointed for all men once to Die not knowing how Soon my Cange may Come Do now Declare my mind in This my Last will and testament as followeth: viz., I give my Soul to God my great Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ my all-sufficient Redeemer The Holy Spirit my Blessed Sanctifyer & Comforter and my Body to the Earth to be Buried in a Decent Christian manner according to the Discretion of my Executrix hereafter named having Hope in the Resurrection of the Just and touching Sad worldly Goods & Lands as it hath Pleased the Divine Bounty to Bless me with is that my Just Debts & funeral Charges Shall be first paid and to Enable my Executrix hereinafter named to pay them I do hereby authorize and Impower her to make Sale of my Lands as she Shall find Occasion and the Remainder of my Estate I Give & Dispose of in the following manner, viz.:
Imprimis. I Give & Bequeath unto my Loving Grandson, Jonathon Maltbie, the Son of my Dec’s Son Jonathon Maltbie of my Estate to the value of Thirty-five pounds Lawful money to be paid to him by my Executrix Hereafter named & to Enable her to pay it Do hereby authorize & Impower her to make Sale of So Much of my Land as Shall be needful for that purpose.
Item. The Remainder of my Estate both Real & personal after my Just Debts and funeral Charges & the above Legacy to my Grandson are paid I Give Bequeath & Devise unto my Loving and Beloved wife, Sarah Maltbie, to be unto her and to her heirs & assigns forever. Further the Reason why I Do not in this my will give any of my Estate to any of my Children or to the Children of my Dec’s Son David is not because I have forgot them or have not a Suitable Regard for them but the Reason is this:
I have already advanced for my sd Dec’d Son & my Children which are Living & Given to them as Portion as much of my Estate ad the Circumstances thereof will admit of & if my Said wife Shall not have occasion to Improve & Spend all that is above given her (She being the mother of all my children) I Leave it with her to Dispose of it among them as She Shall think Proper.
Finally. I Do nominate Constitute & appoint my said Loving wife, Sarah Maltbie Sole Executrix of this my Last Will & Testament hereby Revoking and Disanulling all and every other and former will and testament by me made & Ratifying & Confirming this & no other to be my Last Will & testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal the 19th Day of Sept., A. D. 1767.
JONATHON MALTBIE
Signed Sealed published pronounced &
Declared by Jonth Maltbie, Esq., the
Testator to be his Last will and testa-
Ment in the presence of
Abrm Davenport
Peter Demill
Daniel Loder.
The will of Sarah Maltbie, widow of Jonathon (2) Maltbie, Esq. (Stamford Probate Records, Vol. III., p. 408):
In the name of God Amen.
I, Sarah Maltbie of Stamford in Fairfield County & Connecticut Colony in New England being of Sound mind & memory for which God Almighty be Thanked yet being advanced in years & Labouring Under bodily Sickness and knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to die and not knowing how soon my Change may come do now make my Last Will & Testament as followeth, viz.:
First of all I Give m soul to God who gave it me, hoping in his mercy thro’ the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ for the pardon of all my sins & my body to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian Manner according to the Discretion of my Executor hereafter named having hope in the Resurrection of the Just & touching such worldly Estate as it hath pleased the Divine Bounty to Bless me with while in this life my Will is that first my Just Debts & funeral charges shall be paid, the Remainder I Give Devise & Bequeath in the following manner & form, viz.:
Imprimis. My wearing apparel I Give & Bequeath unto my three Daughters, viz.: Abigail Squire, Mary Waterbery & Hannah* Buckley to be equally Divided among them & to their own absolutely & forever.
Item. The Remainder & Residue of my Estate I Give Devise & Bequeath unto my two loving Daughters, viz.: Abigail Squire & Mary Waterbury to be equally Divided between them and to be unto them the sd Abigail & Mary and to their Heirs & Assigns forever.
Further. The Reason why I do not give my Daughter Hannah and equal share with her Sisters is not for want of an equal affection to her but because my Dec’s Son James hath given her such a Legacy that I have not enough to make her Sister’s equal with her & the Reason why I do not give some part of my Estate to the children of my Dear Son David Maltbie is not for want of a Suitable affection for them but because my Dec’d Husband gave to their Dec’d Father more that an equal share of his Estate.
Lastly I do nominate, constitute & appoint my Loving and Trusting Son-in-law Major David Waterbury Sole Executor of this my Last Will & Testament & I hereby give him full power & authority to sell of my Real Estate what shall be needful to pay my Debts & the Debts of my Dec’d Husband hereby Revoking & Disanulling all and every other former Will & Testament by me made and Ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my last Will & Testament in witness whereof I have herunto set my hand and seal the 24th day of April, A.D. 1770.
her
SARAH (+) MALTBIE
mark
Peter Demill
Ann Demill
Joseph Demill
Note – Mrs. Maltbie was aged and feeble when she made her will, hence the “mark”; this does not in any way indicate that she was unable to write, as witness the will of Samuel (2) Maltbie, who signed his will with a “mark” although he wrote an unusually fine hand.