General Notes

ID: I1648 Name: William FOWLER 1 2 Sex: M Birth: ABT. 1606 in DalburyLee
s, Derbyshire, England 2 Birth: ABT. 1606 in Dalbury Leiss, Derbyshire, En
gland 1 2 Death: 25 JAN 1660/61 in Milford, New Haven, Connecticut 1 2 Not
e:
William Fowler emigrated from Hertfordshire, England to Boston in Ju
ne 26 1637 with Reverend John Davenport. He moved to New Haven, Connecticu
t, then called Quinnipac, in 30 March, 1638 and later moved to Milfo
rd in 1639.
From the New England Historical & Genealogical Register Vol. 11 page 248
William Fowler came over in the company of Rev. John Davenport, Governo
r. Eaton and others, and arrived at Boston 26 June 1637. William Fowl
er is mentioned as a prisoner in Bridewell with other Puritans in the ye
ar 1592. The list of poisoners is immediately preceded by a petition addre
ssed to the Lord Treasurer by many of the "poor Cristiains impresoned by t
he Bishops in sundry prisons in and about London." About this time a congr
egation of Puritans were discovered at Islington, which was then and n
ow is a part of London in fact. He was an old man when he settled in Milfo
rd, having died sixty-eight years after, and if he was, say, twenty at imp
risonment, this would make him 88. There is therefore nothing improbab
le in the supposition that the prisoner was the William Fowler that ca
me to New Haven. If so, he was probably from Islington, or near Londo
n. In this connection we introduce the following from " Weever's Funeral M
onuments," of " Monumental remains at Islington near London." -- "Here --
-- John Fowler -- 1538," and "Alis Fowler, wife of Robert Fowler, Esquir
e, who d. ---- , 1540;" "Divers of the family lie here interred; the ances
tors of Sir Thomas Fowler, Knight and Baronet, living 1630." Mr. Davenpo
rt was born in Warwickshire, and removed to London, where he was vic
ar of St. Stephen's Church, Mr. Eaton, another of the New Haven company, w
as a member of this Church, and also from Warwickshire -- the ancesto
rs of both being originally from the County of Chester. Mr. Fowler sail
ed with this company from Boston, and arrived at New Haven in April, 163
8, and was at the famous meeting in Mr. Newman's barn, 4 June, 1639, wh
en the peculiar constitution and policy of Mr. Davenport, which afterwar
ds characterized the New Haven Colony, was agreed upon. Mr. Fowler subscri
bed to that agreement. In the spring of 1639, the settlement of Milford h
ad been arranged, and Mr. Fowler is the first named of the trustees, and t
he only one bearing the honorable prefix of Mr." At the first meeting of t
he Milford Company he was chosen one of the "Judges." The church was organ
ized 1639, and he was elected one of the "seven pillars," -- Mr. Peter Pru
dden, Pastor. Mr. Fowler was elected magistrate, and reappointed year
ly to 1654. In 1640, by agreement with the town, he built a mill, the fir
st erected in New Haven Colony, and which is now in possession of his desc
endants. It is probable that Mr. Fowler was one among those of the first s
ettlers who had received a classical education in his native country. H
is name is in the roll of planters at New Haven, 1642, as having an &800 e
state, and a family of three persons. He d. 25 Jan 1660-1, and his will w
as presented by his son William to the General Court of the Colony 1661, b
ut was not recorded, and being unfortunately lost, we are without gui
de as to his family. His children were born before his removal to Americ
a, he at the time of his settlement being an old man, and "his family of t
hree" were doubtless himself, wife and one child. The child may have be
en Mary who married John Caffing. There is nothing inconsistent in this su
pposition and tradition that Ambrose of Wia(n?)dsor, and John, who settl
ed in Guilford, were brothers of William Fowler, Jr., (who settled at Milf
ord,) and sons of Mr. William Fowler the magistrate.
Father: John FOWLER b: 25 JUN 1571 in Dalbury Lees, Derbyshire, Engl