Generation 1

JOHN BACON (d. 1450/1) of Helmingham

John Bacon died between 14 Aug 1450 and 29 Jul 1451. He married Anne Unknown.

On 26 Sep 1439 John Bacon was one of the witnesses of the transfer of lands and tenements in Helmingham, Otley, Ashbocking and Gosbeck that had belonged to Robert Bernard of Helmingham and passed by inheritance to Agnes, the widow of Alan Ryst of Framsden, to James Joce, Esq. [Ref, HD/1538/253/82] On 4 May 1443, John Martyn, Sr. of Helmingham and Thomas Martyn, his son, transfered land in Helmingham to John Bacon of Helmingham and others. [Ref, HD/1538/253/85]

John Bacon of Helmingham signed his will on 14 Aug 1450; it was proved on 29 Jul 1451. He asked to be buried in the churchyard in Helmingham. He left bequests to his wife Anne; his daughter Anne; his son William Bacon; William Martin; his servants Richard and Alice. He named "William Bacown of Helmyngham and William Martyn of Assch" his executors. [Ref]

Children of John Bacon and Anne Unknown:

1. William Bacon probably died shortly before 4 Apr 1492. He married Isabel Unknown.

Generation 2

WILLIAM BACON (d. prob. 1492) of Helmingham

Parents: John Bacon (supposed) and (perhaps) Anne Unknown

William Bacon probably died shortly before 4 Apr 1492. He married Isabel Unknown.

William Bacon witnessed a transfer of land in Helmingham on 4 Dec 1461. [Ref, HD/1538/253/104] On 10 Feb 1463 William Joce of Helmingham, Esq. transferred a piece of pasture with dykes and trees in Helmingham to William and his wife Isabell on 10 Feb 1463. [Ref, HD/1538/253/108] William and others sold a close called Harysclos in Helmingham on 27 Sep 1467. [Ref, HD/1538/253/111] William and John Bette senior bought this close back on 4 Oct 1467. [Ref, HD/1538/253/112] William and others sold piece of land called Costynes in Helmingham on 7 Feb 1468. [Ref, HD/1538/253/114] William and others sold a tenement in Helmingham called Pappes, with gardens and adjoining land on 29 Jul 1471 to Thomas Bacon of Helmingham and others. [Ref, HD/1538/253/116] On 10 Feb 1481 William Bacon of Helmingham and others bought a curtilage in Helmingham and Thomas Bacon of Helmingham was one of the attorneys to deliver seisen. [Ref, HD/1538/253/121] On 15 Feb 1481, two pieces of arable land called Reyfeld in Helmingham were bought by William Bacon and others. [Ref, HD/1538/253/122]

In his will, proved on 4 Apr 1492, William left bequests to his wife Isabel and to John Bettes; he left his son Robert Bacon messuages, lands, tenements, rents and services in the town of Helmingham that he was given by John Martyn junior; he left his son Thomas Bacon land in Helmingham called Jotyslond, Jotyspyghtell and Awfys and, after Isabel's death, land called Julkenys and Skoldynges in Helmingham. He named his Thomas Bacon and Geoffery Style of Ashbocking his executors. He paid for many masses to be said. [Ref]

Children of William Bacon and Isabel Unknown:

1. Thomas Bacon was born in 1475. He between 31 Jul 1534 and 28 Feb 1535. He married Joane Unknown.
2. Robert Bacon

Generation 3

THOMAS BACON (1475 - 1534/5) of Helmingham

Parents: William Bacon and Isabel Unknown

Thomas Bacon was born in 1475. [Ref] He between 31 Jul 1534 and 28 Feb 1535. He married Joane Unknown. [Ref] She died between 30 Jul 1540 and 12 Dec 1540.

William Bacon and others sold a tenement in Helmingham called Pappes, with gardens and adjoining land on 29 Jul 1471 to Thomas Bacon of Helmingham and others. [Ref, HD/1538/253/116] On 10 Feb 1481 William Bacon of Helmingham and others bought a curtilage in Helmingham and Thomas Bacon of Helmingham was one of the attorneys to deliver seisen. [Ref, HD/1538/253/121] Thomas Bacon of Helmingham and others sold a messuage in Helmingham on 20 Jun 1502. [Ref, HD/1538/253/138] Thomas Bacon, Sr. and others bought land and tenements in Helmingham on 12 Feb 1506. [Ref, HD/1538/253/140]

Thomas of Helmingham in Norwich signed his will on the last of Jul 1534; it was proved on 28 Feb 1535. He had lands in Helmingham, Otley, Winston and Pettaugh. He mentions his son John, his wife Johan, his son Thomas, his youngest daughter Elizabeth and his son John. He added a clause that if his son Thomas tried to claim any land that was left to John or Elizabeth, then all land left to Thomas should be sold and the proceeds given to charity. He left property known as Jolyspighttyll [that he inherited from his father] to Elizabeth. [Ref, p. 12-13]

Joane signed her will on 30 Jul 1540; it was proved on 12 Dec 1540. She mentions her daughters Elizabeth Bacon and Anne Dow. [Ref, p. 14] Perhaps Anne is a daughter from a previous marriage.

Children of Thomas Bacon and Margaret Unknown:

1. Thomas Bacon died between 21 Oct 1556, when he signed his will, and 16 Dec 1557, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 14] He mentions his wife Agnes. [Ref, p. 14] Agnes died in 1579. [Ref, p. 14] She signed her will on 18 Jan 1579/80. [Ref, p. 14]
2. John Bacon was born about 1505. He died between 7 Sep 1557 and 19 Mar 1557/8. He married Margaret Unknown.
3. Elizabet Bacon

Generation 4

JOHN BACON (c. 1505 - 1557/8) of Helmingham

Parents: Thomas Bacon and Joane Unknown [Ref, p. 14]

John Bacon was born about 1505. [Ref] He died between 7 Sep 1557 and 19 Mar 1557/8. He married Margaret Unknown. [Ref, p. 14]

His father left him lands in Winston and Pettaugh after Joane's death and a tenement called Ryste in Helmingham and enclosed lands called Goldsmyth in Otley. [Ref, p. 13]

John Bacon of Helmingham signed his will on 7 Sep 1557; it was proved on 19 Mar 1557/[8]. He asked to be buried in the churchyard at Helmingham. He mentions his wife Margaret; his youngest son William, who was to receive a meadow plot in Ashbocking after Margaret's death; his eldest son William; his underage son Thomas; his son Michael; his underage son Richard; his underage daughters Barbara and Rose. He left the bringing up of his underage children to Margaret and Michael. [Ref, p. 15]

Children of John Bacon:

1. William Bacon died in 1610. [Ref, p. 16] He was of Coddington. [Ref, p. 16] In his will he mentions his brother Michael's son William. [Ref, p. 16]
2. Michael Bacon was born about 1535. He was buried on 25 Mar 1615. He married first Elizabeth Wylie. He married second the widow Grace Blowerses
3. Thomas Bacon was born after 1536. He died after 1574, when he is mentioned in his brother (the younger) William's will.
4. Richard Bacon was born after 1536. He died after 1574, when he is mentioned in his brother (the younger) William's will.
5. William Bacon was born after 1536. He died on 13 Oct 1574, unmarried. [Ref, p. 16] In his will, proved on 6 Dec 1574, he names his brothers Michael and William executors. He left Michael his meadow plot in Asbocking. He left legacies to his brothers Thomas, William, Richard and his sister Rose. [Ref, p. 16]
6. Barbara Bacon was born after 1536. She died after 7 Sep 1557, when she was mentioned in her father's will, and probably before 1574, when her brother (the younger) William did not mention her in his will.
7. Rose Bacon was born after 1536. She died after 1574, when she is mentioned in her brother (the younger) William's will.

Generation 5

MICHAEL BACON (c. 1535 - 1615) of Winston

Parents: John Bacon and Margaret Unknown

Michael Bacon was born about 1535. He was buried on 25 Mar 1615. He married first Elizabeth Wylie on 16 Aug 1565 in Helmingham. [Ref, p. 16] Michael and Elizabeth were baptised as adults on 31 May 1566, along with their eldest son. [Ref, p. 17] Michael married second Grace Blowerses on 20 Sep 1607 [Ref, p. 17] in Winston [Ref says that she was a widow].

His father left him tenements, land and pasture called Rosland in Winston and Pettaugh. [Ref, p. 15]

Michael, yeoman of Winston, signed his will on 24 Oct 1614. In this rambling document, he threatens his wife and children with the loss of all or part of their inheritance if they flout his instructions and he expresses his concern for his apparently parentless granddaughter. He names his wife Grace; his son Thomas; his apparently deceased daughter Elizabeth and her daughter Katherine; his son John and his children John, Michael and Elizabeth; his son Michael; his son William; his daughter Sarah, the wife of Daniel York. He left his son Michael his land and tenements in Winston, his best featherbed bolster and covering and - importantly for genealogists - "A pott Tipped with silver Six silver spoons marked with M and B". He asks his son Michael to maintain and raise Katherine and his son John to be his executor. [Ref, p. 17-24] The will was proved by his eldest son John on 20 Apr 1615. [Ref, p. 17]

Children of Michael Bacon and Elizabeth Wylie:

1. John Bacon was baptised on 31 May 1566. [Ref, p. 17] He died after 20 Apr 1615, when he proved his father's will. He had at least three children.
2. William Bacon died in Salem in 1653. [Ref][Ref, p. 16] He married Rebecca, the daughter of Thomas Potter. [Ref, p. 16] Thomas Potter was mayor of Coventry, co. Warwick. [Ref, p. 16]
   In 1639, William went to Dublin, Ireland. [Ref, p. 16] He went to New England in 1640 and settled in Salem. [Ref, p. 16] He is mentioned in the will of his uncle William (the elder). [Ref, p. 16]
3. Thomas Bacon was living on 24 Oct 1614.
4. Michael Bacon was baptised on 6 Dec 1579 in Winston. He died on 18 Apr 1648 in Dedham. He married Alice Unknown.
5. Elizabeth Bacon was baptised on 3 Sep 1584. [Ref, p. 17] She and her husband died before 24 Oct 1614, when Elizabeth's father wrote his will. They left a daughter.
6. Sarah Bacon married Daniel York. [Ref, p. 17-24] She was living on 24 Oct 1614.

Generation 6

MICHAEL BACON (bp. 1579 - 1648) of Winston and Dedham

Parents: Michael Bacon and Elizabeth Wylie [Ref, p. 116,124]

Michael Bacon, the immigrant, was baptised on 6 Dec 1579 in Winston. [Ref, p. 125] He died on 18 Apr 1648 in Dedham. [Ref, p. 26] He married Alice Unknown. She died on 2 Apr 1648 in Dedham. [Ref, p. 25-26] There was a small pox epidemic in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1648. It appears that Michael's daughter Alice died on 29 Mar of small pox, followed by her mother on 2 Apr and then Michael on 18 Apr.

Michael went to Ireland briefly, before going to New England. [Ref, p. 25] He came to New England in 1639 or 1640. His son Michael, who came with him, had a son Michael who was baptised on 16 Feb 1639/[40?] in Winston. [Ref] The records of the 26 May 1640 town meeting in Dedham say, "... the Town of Dedham shall enterteyne ... Mr. Bacon ... from Ireland." [Ref, p. 125] On 24 Jun 1640 he was granted permission to inhabit. [Ref, p. 25] He was granted land in Dedham in 1644. [Ref, p. 26]

Michael Bacon of Dedham signed his will on 14 (2) 1648. He left his oldest son Michael "one tipped pot (torn) silver spoons" [that his father left to him], his "stuffe coate" and stockings; he left his second son Daniel his best "kowe", his best steer, an iron kettle, three pewter dishes of middle sort in value, his best coat and his wife's best gown; he left his third son John upland called "the twelve Acre Lott", meadows and swamps, his best feather bed except one, bed clothes, a pot and a trammel; he left his daughter Sarah Bacon his tenement, where he dwelled, and land, cattle, swine and household goods. He left his son-in-law Thomas Bancroft 20 shillings. He will was proved on 26 (2) 1649 and inventory was taken on 20 (2) 1649; his estate was valued at £54.15.04. [Ref][Ref, p. 27-28] The silver pot and spoons are important in identifying Michael of Winston as the father of Michael of Dedham.

Children of Michael Bacon and Alice Unknown:

1. Michael Bacon died on 4 Jul 1688. [Ref] He married first Mary Jobo on 31 Aug 1624 in Winston. [Ref] She died on 26 Aug 1655. [Ref] He and his first wife had one son and two daughters. [Ref] He married second Mary Richardson on 26 Oct 1655 [Ref] in Woburn. [Ref] Mary was the widow of Thomas Richardson. [Ref] She died on 19 May 1670. [Ref] He married third Mary Noyes on 28 Nov 1670. [Ref][Ref] Mary was the widow of Thomas Noyes of Sudbury. [Ref]
   Michael came to Dedham in 1640 with his father. [Ref] He was of Charlestown on 18 Dec 1640. [Ref] On 13 Apr 1644 he was surveyor of highways in Woburn. [Ref] He bought a farm in the northwest part of Cambridge (now Bedford) from Robert Shaw in 1648. [Ref] On 8 Jun 1675 he was referred to as a citizen of Billerica in a mortgage. [Ref] He was assigned to garrison 10 in Billerica during King Philip's War. [Ref] He is said to have built a mill before 1677. [Ref] He is on a 1679 Billerica tax list. [Ref] In Oct 1685 "Daniel Mackginney" sued Michael Bacon of Billerica over a land transaction; the verdict was for the defendant. He (or a son?) is on a 24 Aug 1688 tax list. [Ref]
2. Daniel Bacon was born about 1615. He died on 7 Sep 1691 in Newton. He married Mary Reed.
3. John Bacon was probably born in England. [Ref] He married Rebecca Hall of Dedham on 17 Dec 1651. [Ref] She died on 27 Oct 1694. [Ref] John and Rebecca had five sons and four daughters. [Ref] John came to Dedham with his father in 1640. [Ref] He was a freeman in 1647. [Ref]
4. Alice Bacon died on 29 Mar 1648. [Ref][Ref] She married Lieut. Thomas Bancroft of Dedham on 31 Mar 1647 in Dedham. [Ref date only][Ref] Thomas married second Elizabeth Metcalf, daughter of Michael Metcalf of Dedham on 15 Sep 1648. [Ref][Ref][Ref]
5. Sarah Bacon married Anthony Hubbard of Dedham on 14 Apr 1648 (the day her father made his will). [Ref] She died in 1652. [Ref]

Generation 7

DANIEL BACON (1615 - 1691) of Bridgewater, Cambridge and Newton

Parents: Michael Bacon [Ref, p. 111] and Alice Unknown

Daniel Bacon was born about 1615. He said that he was 70 when he witnessed a deed in 1685. [Ref, p. 111] He died on 7 Sep 1691 in Newton. [Ref][Ref][Ref, p. 113] He married Mary Reed. [Ref] She died on 4 Oct 1691 in Newton. [Ref]

Daniel Bacon calls Thomas Read his father-in-law in a 16 Jul 1668 deed and refers to Thomas's daughter Mary as his wife. [Ref, p. 111-2] In his will, Thomas, a carpenter of Colchester, speaks of his son Thomas in New England and his daughter Mary and her husband, Daniel Bacon, who are also living in New England. [Ref] In 1678 he gave a deed in observance of the last will and testament of Thomas Read of Colchester, co. Essex, England. [Ref, p. 112]

Daniel is referred to as a tailor in deeds. [Ref, p. 111]

Daniel came to Dedham with his father in 1640. [Ref] He was a freeman on 26 May 1647. [Ref] He was in Bridgewater early, [Ref] but did not remain there long. [Ref, p. 111] In 1669 he was an early settler of Newton. [Ref, p. 112] In 1670 he exchanged land with his nephew Michael Bacon, Jr. of Woburn and speaks of himself as formerly of Bridgewater, now of Cambridge. [Ref, p. 112]

Children of Daniel Bacon and Mary Reed:

1. Daniel Bacon may be the Daniel Bacon who married Susan Spencer on 1 Aug 1664 in Salem. [Ref] He was of Boston and Salem. [Ref] However, Baldwin [Ref, p. 114] says that he died young.
2. Thomas Bacon was born on 13 Apr 1645 in Cambridge (now Newton). [Ref] He died on 25 Oct 1701 in Roxbury. [Ref] He married Mary Unknown in 1664. [Ref] They had five children. [Ref] Baldwin [Ref, p. 114] says that he died young.
3. John Bacon was born on 8 Sep 1647. [Ref says probably in Bridgewater] He died on 7 Apr 1678 of small pox. [Ref] He married Susanna Draper on 2 Sep 1668. [Ref] Susanna, the daughter of James Draper, died on 20 Mar 1677/8 of small pox. [Ref] John and Susanna had four children. [Ref]
4. Isaac Bacon was born on 4 Apr 1650 in Cambridge (now Newton). [Ref][Ref] The Newton records say 14 Apr 1654, obviously not consistent with Jacob's birth. He died on 8 Jan 1684 in Newton. [Ref][Ref gives only the year] He married Abigail Unknown, who died on 10 Jul 1715. [Ref]
5. Rachel Bacon was born on 4 Jun 1652 in Cambridge (now Newton). [Ref][Ref] She married Thomas Peirce on 24 Mar 1680. [Ref, p. 114] Thomas, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Cole) Peirce, was born on 21 Jun 1645 and died on 8 Dec 1717. [Ref, p. 114]
6. Jacob Bacon was born on 2 Jun 1654. He died in 1709 in Newton. He married Elizabeth Knight.
7. Lydia Bacon was born on 6 Mar 1656 in Cambride (now Newton). [Ref][Ref] She died on 5 Dec 1717. [Ref, p. 114] She married Samuel Peirce, the brother of her sister Rachel's husband, on 9 Dec 1680. [Ref, p. 114] Samuel was born on 7 Apr 1656 and died on 5 Jul 1721. [Ref, p. 114]

Generation 8

JACOB BACON (1654 - 1709) of Cambridge, Newton and Watertown

Parents: Daniel Bacon and Mary Reed [Ref, p. 117]

Jacob Bacon was born on 2 Jun 1654 in Cambridge (now Newton). [Ref][Ref][Ref] He died on 5 Jun 1709 [Ref, p. 117] in Newton and is buried in the Centre Street Cemetery. [Ref] He married Elizabeth Knight. [Ref][Ref, p. 117]

Jacob's occupation is given in deeds as weaver. [Ref, p. 117]

Jacob moved to Newton by 1677. [Ref] He and his brother Isaac were petitioners for the separation of Cambridge Village (later Newton) from Cambridge in 1678. [Ref] He was taxed £0.3.5 in 1688 in Little Cambridge (now Newton). [Ref] Jacob Bacon was a freeman on 26 Mar 1690 in New Cambridge. [Ref] In a 1692 deed, Jacob gave his residence as Watertown. [Ref, p. 117] In his will he says that he is of Newton. [Ref, p. 117]

Jacob signed his will on 25 May 1709; it was proved on 4 Jul 1709. [Ref, p. 117-8] In his will, which is transcribed in Baldwin [Ref, p. 117-8], Jacob mentions his youngest child Abigail; his son Jacob; his other children John, Ruhamah, Mary and Elizabeth. His daughters are unmarried. He named Nathaniel Healy and Ephraim Wheeler his executors. [Ref, p. 117]

An agreement for the division of the estate was signed on 22 May 1713. The heirs were Jacob Bacon; John Bacon; Benjamin Crehore and Ruhammah his wife; Mary Bacon; Elizabeth Bacon; Nathaniel Healy, the guardian of Abigail Bacon. [Ref, p. 117]

On 19 May 1719, Jacob's sons Jacob and John filed a petition with the Judge of Probate saying they were going to Connecticut and intended to take Abigail, but decided that it was too dangerous because she was not used to horseback riding. They wished to leave her behind with their brother and sister White, who would have the use of the money left for her. [Ref, p. 120]

Children of Jacob Bacon and Elizabeth Knight: The births of the first two Elizabeths, Jacob and Ruhumah are recorded in both Cambridge and Newton. [Ref][Ref] The births of Mary and Isaac are recorded in Newton, with a note that they are also recorded in Roxbury. [Ref]

1. Elizabeth Bacon was born on 26 Mar 1676/7 in Cambridge (later Newton). She died on 6 Apr 1678 in Cambridge (also recorded in Newton). [Ref][Ref][Ref date only]
2. Jacob Bacon was born on 9 Apr 1679/80 in Cambridge (later Newton). He married Dorothy Broadhurst on 24 Dec 1700 in Roxbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 124] Dorothy, the daughter of Ralph and Hannah (Gore) Broadhurst, was born on 1 Mar 1680 in Roxbury. [Ref, p. 124]
   Jacob and Dorothy went to Connecticut, and later to Warwick, RI. John Bacon 1
   
3. Elizabeth Bacon was born on 27 Mar 1682 in Cambridge (later Newton). She died on 12 May 1684 in Watertown. [Ref]
4. Dea. John Bacon was born on 27 Feb 1682/3 in Watertown. He died on 19 Feb 1740 in Canterbury. He married first Marcy Foster. He married second Hannah (Adams) Perkins.
5. Ruhumah Bacon was born on 8 Apr 1686 in Cambridge (later Newton). She married Benjamin Crehore and was living on 22 May 1713.
6. Mary Bacon was born on 2 Feb 1689 in Newton. She was living and unmarried on 22 May 1713.
7. Isaac Bacon was born on 2 Feb 1689 in Newton. He died on 12 Aug 1699 in Newton. [Ref]
8. Elizabeth Bacon was born on 6 May 1692 [Ref] in Watertown. [Ref] She was living and unmarried on 22 May 1713.
9. Abigail Bacon was the youngest child.

Generation 9

Canterbury and the Awakening

The Canterbury Congregational Church was left without a minister after a scandal caused its pastor to be dismissed in May 1741. By April of 1742 Canterbury was greatly affected by revivalism; there were religious meetings almost everyday - often conducted by laymen in private homes. By May 1742 the Connecticut General Assembly was sufficiently alarmed by the extent of the Awakening in the colony that it banned unapproved itinerancy and lay exhorting. This act caused division in Canterbury: one group, led by Elisha Paine continued to support the revivalist meetings while the other sought to surpress them. Disagreement arose in the Congregational Church when the revivalists voted -- over the protests of Col. John Dyar and selectman Edward Raynsford -- to admit as members people who were in full communion with other churches. The church then proceeded to admit ten new members, at least nine of them revivalists. A further controversy was over whether the church had the right to appoint a new minister -- the view supported by the revivalists -- or whether it was a matter for the parish or ecclesiastical society. Eventually -- after outside mediation -- on 28 Dec 1743 the Rev. James Cogswell (who married Alice, daughter of Dr. Jabez Fitch) was selected. Controversy strengthened however. Cogswell was in favour of the Halfway Covenant, which did not require the public relation of religious experience as a criterion for membership and favoured the Saybrook platform, which gave individual congregations less autonomy than the Cambridge platform favoured by the revivalists. On 28 Dec 1744 Cogswell was installed. The revivalists called themselves the "Strict Congregationalist" Church of Canterbury and, as they were in control of the church records, in August 1745 they amended the original church covenant. Among the revivalists are many the people mentioned in this genealogy: William Fitch, a grandson of Maj. James Fitch, John Bacon's widow Hannah, his two sons Joseph and Ebenezer, his daughter-in-law Marjorie. The separate church flourished for a while. (From Jeffries, Canterbury Congregational Church Records, Canterbury church history)

DEA. JOHN BACON (1683 - 1740) of Norwich and Canterbury

Parents: Jacob Bacon and Elizabeth Knight [Ref, p. 125]

Dea. John Bacon was born on 27 Feb 1682/3 [Ref] in Watertown. [Ref] He died on 19 Feb 1740[/1] in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 125]

John Bacon married Marcy Foster [Ref] on 23 May 1710 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref, p. 124] She died, presumably in childbirth, a few days after her third son was born on 9 Mar 1716 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref, p. 124] John married second Hannah (Adams) Perkins, the widow of John Perkins, on 25 Dec 1716 in Norwich. [Ref, p. 124-5][Ref says Job Perkins][Ref] Hannah was the daughter of Richard Adams. [Ref, p. 124] Hannah was a member of the Canterbury revivalists in 1745 (See Canterbury and the Awakening, above).

John Bacon went to Connecticut by 1708, when he witnessed a deed of Daniel Bacon of Dedham. [Ref, p. 125] On 18 Jun 1713, John bought property in what is now Lisbon, on the road from Norwich to Canterbury, for £25 from Joseph Buswell. [Ref, p. 125] On 15 Apr 1720, John bought 140 acres in Canterbury from Dea. Timothy Buswell. [Ref, p. 125] He bought adjoining property the next year. [Ref, p. 125] He was received as an inhabitant of Canterbury on 20 Dec 1720. [Ref, p. 125]

John Bacon was seven times a town officer. [Ref] He was chosen deacon of the Canterbury church on 16 Jun 1737. [Ref]

He left an estate of £1358. [Ref, p. 125] His estate was not finally settled until 3 Jun 1789. The heirs were: John Bacon, eldest son; heirs of Jacob Bacon, second son; heirs of Ebenezer Bacon, third son; Joseph Bacon, fourth son; Mary Bacon, eldest daughter; the heirs of Lucy Eaton, second daughter; Maj. Benjamin Bacon, youngest son; Rebecca Shepard, youngest daughter. [Ref, p. 125]

Children of John Bacon and Marcy Foster:

1. Lieut. John Bacon was born on 28 or 29 Apr 1711 in Norwich. He died on 2 Oct 1790 in Canterbury. He married Ruth Spaulding.
2. Jacob Bacon was born on 20 Apr 1714 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref, p. 126] He died before 3 Jun 1789, when his father's estate was settled.
   He lived in Canaan, CT and then Lennox, MA. [Ref, p. 126]
   
3. Ebeneazer Bacon was born on 5 Mar 1716 in Norwich. [Ref] He died in Jun 1780 in Suffield, CT. [Ref, p. 130] He married Margery Markham on 21 July 1737 in Canterbury [Ref]. Margery, the daughter of Daniel and Deborah (Meacham) Markham, died on 24 Mar 1798 in Suffield, CT. [Ref, p. 130]
   Margery was admitted to the Congregational Church in Canterbury on 27 May 1739; Ebenezer was admitted on 7 Apr 1742. [Ref] Ebenezer and Margery were members of the Canterbury revivalists in 1745. (See Canterbury and the Awakening, above) They moved to Enfield about 1750. [Ref, p. 130] Ebenezer was a blacksmith. [Ref, p. 130]

Children of John Bacon and Hannah Adams: The birth of Joseph is recorded in Norwich [Ref]; the births of the others in Canterbury. [Ref] Mary, Lucy and Benjamin were baptised in the Congretational Church in Canterbury. [Ref]

1. Joseph Bacon was born on 18 Mar 1717/8. He died after 3 Jun 1789, when his father's estate was settled, while visiting his daughter in Bozrah, CT. [Ref, p. 132] He was a member of the Canterbury revivalists in 1745 (See Canterbury and the Awakening, above). He married firstMary Fitch on 16 Oct 1745 in Groton. [Ref, p. 132] She died on 21 Mar 1752. [Ref, p. 132] He married second Patience Parks on 2 Nov 1752 in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 132]
2. Mary Bacon was born on 30 Jan 720/21. She was baptised on 26 Feb 1721. She died after 3 Jun 1789, when his father's estate was settled. [Ref, p. 125] She married Timothy Backus, Jr. on 14 Nov 1739 in Canterbury. [Ref] Mary was admitted to the Congregational Church in Canterbury on 30 Apr 1737. [Ref]
3. Lucy Bacon was born on 27 Dec 1723. She was baptised on 1 Dec 1723. She died before 3 Jun 1789, when her father's estate was settled. She married Capt. Ebenezer Eaton of Plainfield. [Ref, p. 126]
4. Col. Benjamin Bacon was born on 12 Dec 1726. He was baptised on 25 Dec 1726. He died after 3 Jun 1789, when his father's estate was settled. He married Deborah Adams on 14 Dec 1749 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] She died on 28 May 1797 in Cantbury, age 71. [Ref, p. 132] Benjamin was referred to as Col. Bacon. [Ref, p. 132]
5. Elizabeth Bacon was born on 8 Nov 1728 and died in Canterbury on 2 Nov 1736. [Ref]
6. Rebecca Bacon was born on 11 Nov 1731 in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 126] She died after 3 Jun 1789, when her father's estate was settled. She married Joseph Shepard. [Ref, p. 126]
   

Generation 10

LIEUT. JOHN BACON (1711 - 1790) of Canterbury

Parents: John Bacon and Marcy Foster [Ref, p. 126]

John Bacon was born on 29 April 1711 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref says 28 Apr] He died on 2 Oct 1790 [Ref] in Canterbury. [Ref] He married Ruth Spalding on 24 Sep 1734 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref]

On 14 Sep 1734 John and Ruth owned the Covenant in the Congregational church in Canterbury. [Ref]

John was known as Lieutenant John Bacon. [Ref, p. 130] He was deacon of the Congregational church. [Ref, p. 130] He was town clerk. [Ref, p. 130]

John Bacon and Ruth Spaulding had the following children: The births of Asa, John, Elizabeth and the second Olive are recorded in Canterbury. [Ref] John Bacon records the births of Asa, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Benjamin and the first Olive. [Ref] Asa, John, Elizabeth and the second Olive were baptised in the Congregational church in Canterbury. [Ref]

1. Capt. Asa Bacon was born on 21 Nov 1735. He was baptised on 29 Mar 1736. He died on 15 Oct 1819. He married first Edith Bradford. He married second Abigail Whitney.
2. John Bacon was born on 9 Apr 1738. He was baptised on 9 Apr 1738. He died on 25 Oct 1820 in Stockbridge. [Ref] He graduated from the College of New Jersey (later Princeton) in 1765. [Ref] He was minister of the Old South Church in Boston 25 Sep 1771 - 8 Feb 1775. [Ref]
3. Elizabeth Bacon was born on 31 May 1740 according to the town records and on 30 May 1741 according to John Bacon. She was baptised on 1 Jun 1740. [Ref] She died on 28 Jun 1749 in Canterbury. [Ref]
4. Benjamin Bacon was born on 17 Aug 1744. He died on 14 Jul 1749 in Canterbury. [Ref]
5. Olive Bacon was born on 24 Jun 1747.
6. Mary Bacon. The Barbour vital records for Canterbury list two Marys who are the daughter of John and Ruth, one born on 19 Aug 1749 and one born on 29 May 1750. [Ref] John Bacon only mentions one and says that she was born on 17 Aug 1748. [Ref] Mary died on 1 Jul 1781. [Ref] She married, as his second wife, Thomas Buswell on 10 Jun 1772. [Ref]
7. Olive Bacon was born on 6 Jun 1753. She was baptised on 10 Jun 1753. She died on 26 Sep 1754 in Canterbury. [Ref]

Generation 11

CAPT. ASA BACON (1735 - 1819) of Canterbury

Parents: Lieut. John Bacon and Ruth Spalding [Ref, p. 134]

Asa Bacon was born on 21 Nov 1735 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref][Ref] He was baptised on 29 Mar 1736 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref] He died on 15 Oct 1819 [Ref][Ref][Ref, p. 135] and is buried in the Hyde Cemetery in Canterbury. [Ref] Asa married first Edith Bradford on 16 May 1765 [Ref][Ref] in Canterbury. [Ref] Edith, the daughter of Thomas and Eunice Bradford, was baptised on 18 Dec 1641 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref] She died in Canterbury on 2 or 3 Mar 1766. [Ref date only][Ref date only][Ref] Thomas Bradford appears to be great-grandson of William Bradford and Alice Richards and the grandson of Pelatiah Adams. Asa married second Abigail Whitney on 2 Jun 1768 in Canterbury. [Ref date only][Ref date only][Ref]

After the Lexington Alarm, Canterbury elected a committee of inspection; Capt. Asa Bacon and two others were added to the committee of correspondence. [Ref] His headstone says that he was a captain in Col. Chester's company in the Revolutionary War. [Ref]

Asa and Abigail were members of the Canterbury Congregational Church. [Ref]

Asa Bacon's (and later is son Asa's) house was recently on the market. The realtor's description was: "Today, this 3600+ sq. ft., 4 bedroom home heralds itself to be the best detailed and most well-preserved of Canterbury’s late 18th century houses. Influenced by the more formal Georgian design, it embodies several distinctive features including a magnificent foyer, graced between two chimneys, eight fireplaces, and a bee-hive oven. The double dentillated moldings, wainscoting and detailed cabinetry is phenomenal. An intriguing basement and a walk up attic, which might be expandable finished space, looks to be in outstanding condition."

Asa has two headstones in the Hyde cemetery. Click here to see them. They say: "Revolutionary War/Col Chester's Co./Died October 15, 1819/AE 84" and "This is the grave of/Asa Bacon Esq/Who died/October 15, 1819, Age 84".

Asa Bacon and Edith Bradford had the following children:

1. Benjamin Bacon was born on 18 Jan 1766 in Canterbury. [Ref] He died there on 27 Jan 1766. [Ref]

Asa Bacon and Abigail Whitney had the following children, all except Elizabeth and Mary recorded in the Canterbury Barbour records [Ref]; all except Elizabeth recorded in their brother John Bacon's records; John also provides how own birthdate [Ref]:

1. Elizabeth Bacon died on 27 Feb 1770. [Ref]
2. Asa Bacon, Jr. was born on 8 Feb 1771. He died on 5 Feb 1857. He married Lucretia Chamption on 16 Mar 1807. [Ref] Lucretia was the daughter of Gen. Epaphroditus Champion. [Ref] She died on 2 Dec 1781 in Canterbury. [Ref date only][Ref] Epaphroditus's sister Esther was the wife of Gen. Cleveland, whose brother married Asa's sister Mary. [Ref] Asa graduated from Yale in 1793.[Ref] In Apr 1805 he was admitted as a member in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref] He settled in Litchfield in 1806. [Ref] He had four sons and one daughter in Canterbury. [Ref no location][Ref no location][Ref]
3. Abigail Bacon was born on 30 Dec 1772. She died in Canterbury on 2 Dec 1781. [Ref][Ref]
4. John Bacon was born on 24 Nov 1774. He died on 16 Jan 1846. [Ref][Ref] He is buried in the Hyde Cemetery in Canterbury. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of his grave. He graduated from Yale in 1796. [Ref] He kept the records for his family that are transcribed in Dumas (1984). His own death is entered in the records in pencil, in different hand writing.
5. Mary ("Polly") Bacon was born on 8 Oct 1776. She died 23 Jan 1801 of "a consumption" in New London. [Ref] She married, as his first wife, Judge William Pitt Cleveland on 2 Feb 1796 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] William was born on 18 Dec 1770 in Canterbury. [Ref] He was the son of Aaron and Thankful (Paine) Cleveland and the brother of Gen. Moses Cleveland, after whom Cleveland, OH is named. [Ref]
6. Amy Bacon was born on 13 Oct 1779 in Canterbury. She died in Canterbury on 24 May 1816. She married Fitch Adams.
7. Abigail ("Abby") Bacon was born on 20 Sep 1782. She married Walter Paine of Providence on 1 Jan 1818. [Ref][Ref says "Dea. Paine".]
8. David Bacon was born on 2 Jul 1785. He died of a "general debility" on 13 Jan 1823 in New York. [Ref] He graduated from Yale in 1804. [Ref] "He studied medicine after graduation, but early fell a victim to intemperate habits. He was unmarried." [Ref]

In the East Burying Ground in Litchfield are the following Inscriptions:

www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9188/East.html.

Generation 12

AMY BACON (1779 - 1816)

Parents: Capt. Asa Bacon and Abigail Whitney

Amy Bacon was born on 13 Oct 1779 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] She died of consumption on 24 May 1816 in Canterbury [Ref] and is buried in the Hyde Cemetery in Canterbury [Ref]. For a photo of her grave, click here. She married Fitch Adams on 16 Jan 1800 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref]

References

Cemeteries

Hale Collection, Connecticut Cemeteries, Windham County, CT USGenWeb Project.

Church Records

Odiorne, James C., "A Complete List of the Ministers of Boston of All Denominations from 1630 to 1842, Arranged in Order of Their Settlement," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 1;134-136.

Records of the Congregational Church in Canterbury Connecticut 1711-1844, published jointly by the Connecticut Historical Society and the Society of Mayflower Descendants of in the State of Connecticut, Hartford, 1932.

Commemoratives

Dexter, Franklin Bowditch, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College: with annals of the college history, Vol. I, New York, H. Holt and Co., 1885-1912. Online: Ancestry.com.

Encylopedias

Cutter, William Richard, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, 1910.

Family Genealogies

Allen, John Kermott, "Thomas Bancroft of Dedham and Reading, Mass. and Some of his Descendants," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 94, 1940, 215.

Bacon, Eliza Buckingham, "Michael Bacon of Dedham: His Probable Ancestry," Notes and Queries Section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 57, 1903, 329.

Bacon, Leon Brooks, "Michael Bacon and his Descendants," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 56, 1902, 364. Errata: 57, 1903, 223.

Baldwin, Thomas Williams, Bacon Genealogy: Michael Bacon of Dedham, 1640 and his descendants, Cambridge, Mass, unknown, 1915.

Bartlett, J. Gardner, "Bacon Family of Helmingham and Winston County, Suffolk, England and Dedham and Salem, Mass.," Notes Section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 90, 1936, 300.

Hayward, Kendall, "Richard Adams of Sudbury, Mass.; Plainfield and Norwich, Conn.," The American Genealogist 23, 1946, 141-149, Addenda 24, 1948, 193.

History

Jeffries, John W., "The Separation in the Canterbury Congregational Church: Religion, Family and Politics in a Connecticut Town," The New England Quarterly 52 (1979), 522-549.

Local Histories

Lanard, Ellen D., History of Windham County, Connecticut, Vol. 1-2, Worcester, MA, USA, 1880.

Personal Records

Dumas, David W., "Bacon - Adams - Whitney - Kingsbury Family Record," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 138, 1984, 32-38.

Walker, Edith Carey, daughter of Brig. Gen. Asa Bacon Carey, notes on her family.

Public Records

The Iveagh (Phillipps) Suffolk Manuscripts, Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch.

Jeffries, Walter Lloyd, "Town Rates of Newton and Billerica, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 31, 1877, 302.

Paige, Lucius R., "List of Freemen," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 3, 1849, 347-8.

Paige, Lucius R., "Middlesex Statistics. 1680," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 5, 1851, 171.

Vital Records

Barbour Vital Records for Windham County Connecticut, Windham County, CT USGenWeb Project.

Johnson, Edward F., Woburn Records of Births, Deaths, and Marriages From 1640 to 1873, Woburn, Andrews Cutler & Co., 1890.

Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850. Online Database: NewEnglandAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2007.

Vital Records of Norwich, CT 1659 - 1848, Robertson Family Genealogical Research Project.

Vital Records of Watertown, 1630-1825. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007.

Vital Records of Woburn, New England Historic and Genealogical Society.

Wills

W.S.A., "More Immigrants Traced," Notes and Queries Section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 21, 1867, 369.

Transcriptions of William Bacons's will and John Bacon's will, translated from Latin, were posted by Kathy Kuhnle on 1 May 2009 on: Ancestry.com. Public Member Stories [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Wills

Trask, William, "Abstracts from the Earliest Wills on Record in the County of Suffolk, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 7, 1853, 231.