DANIEL SPELMAN (Richard*) was born in Middletown, Conn., 23 March, 1704, and baptized 11 March, 1705 [Middletown First Church Records, p. 62]. He married Annah Cornwell of Middletown, the daughter of William and Mary (Thompson) Cornwell, as the following records show. "Anna daughter to Wm. & Mary Cornwell b. January 26, 1707-8" [Middletown Town Records, Vol. i, p. 22]. "Daniel Spelman and Annah Cornwell were Joyned in Marriage Covenant December 12, 1728" [Ibid, Vol. 5, p. 55.]
Daniel Spelman, about the time of his marriage, received a gift from his father, Richard Spelman, of which he should have been proud, since it was part of the latter's original home lot in Middletown, the first abiding place of the Spelman family in America. The deed reads: "February 10, 1728-9, one certain piece or parcel of Land within the Township of Middletown on the West side of the Connecticut River, near South from the Town plot, containing one acre and half acre of land at the Westerly most end of my home Lot" [Middletown Records, Vol. 2, pp. 486, 487. For full quotation of the deed see biographical sketch of Richard Spelman]. For some unexplained reason, possibly because his father-in-law, William Cornwell, had also presented him with twelve or fourteen acres of land located on the "Stoney Hills in the Newfield," Daniel sold his father's land, the day he received it, 10 February 1728, to his brother, Richard, Jr., for £16-14-0, with the stipulation that if Richard should ever desire to sell this property his brothers were first to be given the opportunity to purchase it. This agreement was carried out at Richard's death, in 1739, by his executor, Captain Joseph Coe. The full deed is as follows:
"Know all men by these presents, that I Daniel Spellman of Middletown in the County of Hart, in the Colony of Connecticut in New England for and in consideration of the sum of sixteen pounds & fourteen shillings current/money to me in hand paid by my brother Richard Spellman of the same Town County & Colony aforesaid, or foficiantly secured to be paid: whereof. I do acknowledge the Receipt, and myself therewith fully, and entirely satisfied Have Bargained, Sold, set over and Delivered, and by these presents, do Bargain, sell, set over and Deliver unto the said Richard Spellman and to his heirs and assigns one certain piece or parcel of land within the bounds of Middle town on the west side of Conn. River Southerly from the Town plot containing one acre and a half of land: it being the Westernmost end of my Hon. father’s, Richard Spellman's home lot bounded westerly & southerly on highway & northerly on Jonathan Blake's Land; to extend so far/from the west end, the whole breadth of Said Lott eastward as to contain one acre & a half & will bound easter y on the Remainder of my father's home lot the f<^ Richard obliging himself if he shall sell lands to make tender of the same to his father or brethren — to have and to hold, the said bargain and premises with the appurtenances to the proper use and behoof of him the said Richard Spellman to his heirs executors, administrators and assigns forever, and I the said Daniel Spellman by this present Instruments for myself my heirs executors and administrators the said bargained premises unto the said Richard Spellman & to his heirs executors and administrators and assigns, against all and all manner of persons Shall and will warrant, and defend forever, by/these presents. In witness whereof: with the delivery of the fame — I have hereunto set my hand and feal this tenth Day of February — In the second year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George ye second/of Great Britain &c. King anno que Donim: — 1728/9 "Signed, Sealed and delivered: in presence of
Han^ Rockwell
Joseph Rockwell
"Middletown February 10, 1728/9 "then Daniel Spellman the Grantor, personally appeared/and acknowledged the "True record of ye Deed above within Instrument to be his free ffebry : loth 1728/9 — and voluntary act and Deed — Teft Joseph Rockwell — Before me Isaiah Wetmore Justs of Peace Register" [Middletown Records, Vol. 2, p. 488] .
The land received from William Cornwell was afterwards exchanged, for, 31 March 1732, Daniel Spelman and Annah, his wife, and Mary Cornwell deeded to Capt. Joseph Cornwell land given to the said Annah and Mary by "Honored Father William Cornwell" in Newfield Quarter and Stony Hills, consisting of about 12-T4 acres. Joseph Cornwell deeded them land in the same quarter of the town. [Middletown Records, Vol. 7, pp. 20, 21.]
Thus, Daniel and Annah Spelman began their life together under auspicious circumstances. Three children were born to them; then, when the youngest was but two months old and the eldest only four years, the happy little family was suddenly bereft of the husband and father by a sad accident. He was drowned in the Connecticut River and his young widow was left alone with her three babies. "Daniel Spelman first above named departed this life by drownding Jan 2,1733-4 [Ibid, Vol. 5, p. 55]. Benjamin Cornwell, a brother of Annah, was afterwards chosen by the two boys to be their guardian.
"Court of Probate, Hartford. It was Certified to this Court by Giles Hall Justice of peace that Tomson Spelman a Minor in the 16th year of his age Son to Daniel Spelman Deceased before said Justice made Choice of his uncle Benjamin Cornwell to be his Guardian and also that Daniel Spelman a Minor in the 15th year of his age, son to the said Daniel Spelman, made choice of his uncle Benjamin Cornwell to be his Guardian which choice this Court allows and the s^ Benjamin Cornwell now before this Court ac- knowledge himself bound to the Judge of this Court or his Successors in a Recognizance of £500 money for each minor that he will faithfully discharge the Trust of a guardian To the said Minors during their Minority according to law" [Hartford Probate Records, Vol. 15].
Two years after the tragic death of Daniel Spelman, his widow married again, in 1735, her second husband being Samuel Mackey, by whom she had seven children: John, Sybil, Samuel, Annah (who died young), Phineas (who died young), Annah, and Phineas.
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