Thomas Stanton
Encyclopedia
Thomas Stanton was a trader and an accomplished Indian interpreter and negotiator in the colony of Connecticut. One of the original settlers
of Hartford
, he was also one of four founders of Stonington, Connecticut
, along with William Chesebrough
, Thomas Miner
, and Walter Palmer
.
He first appears in the historical record as an interpreter for John Winthrop, Jr. in 1636. He fought in the Pequot War
, nearly losing his life in the Fairfield Swamp Fight in 1637. In 1638 he was a delegate at the Treaty of Hartford, which ended that war. In 1643, the United Colonies of New England
appointed Stanton as Indian Interpreter.
Following the war, Stanton returned to Hartford, where he married and became a successful trader. In 1649, Stanton settled a tract of land alongside the Pawcatuck River
in what is present-day Stonington. In 1649 or 1650 he was given permission to establish a trading post on the river and was granted a 3 year monopoly over Indian trade in the area. The trading house was built in 1651. During this time, Stanton's family remained in Hartford or New London
, joining him in Stonington in about 1657 after the trading venture had become established and a suitable house constructed.
Stanton's first house in Stonington was demolished in the 19th century and today the site is marked by a large inscribed stone. A subsequent dwelling, built beginning about 1670, is the oldest house still standing in Stonington and is now preserved as the Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum
.
Stanton and his wife Anna are buried in Stonington at the Wequetequock Cemetery.
Founders of Hartford, Connecticut
Here are the 163 men and women listed in the Book of Distribution of Land as being those who settled in Hartford, Connecticut before February 1640. Their names are on a monument in Hartford's Ancient Burying Ground....
of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, he was also one of four founders of Stonington, Connecticut
Stonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
, along with William Chesebrough
William Chesebrough
William Chesebrough was a farmer and trader in the colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut. He was one of the four co-founders of Stonington, Connecticut, along with Thomas Stanton, Thomas Miner, and Walter Palmer....
, Thomas Miner
Thomas Miner
Thomas Miner or Minor was a founder of New London and Stonington, Connecticut, USA, and an early New England diarist.-Early life and marriage:...
, and Walter Palmer
Walter Palmer (Puritan)
Walter Palmer was an early Separatist Puritan settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony who helped found Charlestown and Rehoboth, Massachusetts and New London, Connecticut.-Early life:...
.
He first appears in the historical record as an interpreter for John Winthrop, Jr. in 1636. He fought in the Pequot War
Pequot War
The Pequot War was an armed conflict between 1634–1638 between the Pequot tribe against an alliance of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies who were aided by their Native American allies . Hundreds were killed; hundreds more were captured and sold into slavery to the West Indies. ...
, nearly losing his life in the Fairfield Swamp Fight in 1637. In 1638 he was a delegate at the Treaty of Hartford, which ended that war. In 1643, the United Colonies of New England
New England Confederation
The United Colonies of New England, commonly known as the New England Confederation, was a short-lived military alliance of the English colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven. Established in 1643, its primary purpose was to unite the Puritan colonies against the Native...
appointed Stanton as Indian Interpreter.
Following the war, Stanton returned to Hartford, where he married and became a successful trader. In 1649, Stanton settled a tract of land alongside the Pawcatuck River
Pawcatuck River
The Pawcatuck River is a river in the U.S. states of Rhode Island and Connecticut flowing approximately . There are eight dams along the river's length. The former USS Pawcatuck was named after the river.-History:...
in what is present-day Stonington. In 1649 or 1650 he was given permission to establish a trading post on the river and was granted a 3 year monopoly over Indian trade in the area. The trading house was built in 1651. During this time, Stanton's family remained in Hartford or New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, joining him in Stonington in about 1657 after the trading venture had become established and a suitable house constructed.
Stanton's first house in Stonington was demolished in the 19th century and today the site is marked by a large inscribed stone. A subsequent dwelling, built beginning about 1670, is the oldest house still standing in Stonington and is now preserved as the Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum
Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum
The Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum is the oldest house in Stonington, Connecticut. It was formerly known as the Robert Stanton House. The house was built by Thomas Stanton, one of the founders of Stonington, beginning in 1670 with additions made in 1700. The property has been a working farm for...
.
Stanton and his wife Anna are buried in Stonington at the Wequetequock Cemetery.