General Notes

Ridgefield was part of South Salem New York
Deputy, Norwalk, CT.
Original proprietor of the Keeler Tavern
Mentioned in the book "Ridgefield in Review, by Silvio A. Bedini.

Samuel Keeler, born in 1656, married Sarah St. John in Norwalk on Mar. 10, 1681/2. She was born in Norwalk on Jan. 18, 1659 and was the daughter of Mark and Elizabeth Stanley St. John.

Samuel Keeler was a man of great energy and activity. He was a representative to the General Court in 1701 and

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served in all of the early Indian Wars but was especially noted for his participation on Dec.19, 1675 in the Narragansett Swamp Fight of King Philip's War. At a Norwalk town meeting on Jan. 12, 1676 the Towne in consideration of the good service of Samuel Keeler in the swamp fight made the following grant.

"Granted by the plantation of Norwalke, unto Saml. Keeler, with respect to his service, as he was a souldier in the late Indian warr, one parcell of land lying upon Clapboard Hill, so called, containing twelfe acres more or less; and lyeth bounded East an West the common, North Tho. Hyatt Land, South Ebenezer Sension Land. Recorded May, 1681".

The town records of Norwalk show many different services performed by Samuel Keeler for the community. He erected a "Belfree" upon the meeting house, he mended the towne barres, he burned in the woods, he killed wolves and he rode his horse to the Court at New Haven.

He was one of the original proprietors of Ridgefield and he died there on May 19, 1713. His wife died there on Apr. 15, 1714. His estate was settled at Fairfield, Conn.

The children of Samuel and Sarah (Sension) St. John Keeler were:

  1. Samuel, b. 1683, Norwalk; d. Aug. 8, 1763, m. 1st
     Rebecca Benedict on June 18, 1704.
  2. Joseph, b. 1684; d. Nov. 29, 1757, m. Elizabeth Whitney.
  3. Benjamin, b. 1685; d. 1719, m. Hannah (???).
  4. Jonah, b. 1690; d. May 24, 1767 at Ridgefield.
  5. Timothy, b. 1695; d. Aug. 30, 1748, m. 1st Abigail
     Osborn on May 19, 1720.


There were eight different purchases made by the proprietors of the Town of Ridgefield from the Indians. The first purchase was made on Sept. 13, 1708 for 100 pounds of the current money of the Connecticut province. The purchase was made by Samuel Keeler, Senior, Matthias St. John, Joseph Keeler, Samuel Keeler, Junior, Matthew St. John and others.

The second purchase was made on Mar. 18, 1715 for four pounds current money and was made by Jonah Keeler, Timothy Keeler, Joseph Keeler and others.

The third purchase was made Nov. 22, 1721 for six ponnds in money. Tomothy Keeler, Joseph Keeler and others were involved.

The fourth purchase was made on July 4, 1727 by Jonah Keeler, Joseph Keeler, Timothy Keeler and others. The price was two guns, eighteen shillings and three bottles of Rhum. The four other purchases were made during the next twelve years.


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Jonah Keeler, born 1690 in Norwalk, was married on Nov.5, 1713 to Ruth the daughter of Samuel and Rachel Marvin Smith. Ruth Smith Keeler was born in Norwalk and died at Ridgefield on Nov.1, 1754.

The children of Jonah and Ruth Smith Keeler all born in Ridgefield were:

1. Jonah, b. Sept.17, 1714.
2. Samuel, b. Feb.9, 1716; d. June 30, 1781.
3. Ruth, b. Dec.2, 1717; d. Jan.26, 1718.
4. Hannah, b. Oct.14, 1719/20; d. 1722.
5. Abigail, b. Oct.12, 1721/2.
6. Matthew, b. Mar.13, 1724/5; d. Oct.29, 1795, m.
   Deborah Close.
7. Rachel, b. May 5, 1727.
8. Hannah, b. Dec.13, 1728.
9. Lidia, b. Oct.14, 1731.


Samuel Keeler, born Feb.9, 1716, married Mary Kendrick on Jan.22, 1735/6. He performed patriotic service in Conn. during the Revolutionary War. He died at Ridgebury,


 
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