Hartford County CT Archives Biographies.....Harmon, Joseph January 4, 1646 - October 28, 1729 *********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ct/ctfiles.htm *********************************************** ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification. ************************************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cheryl Harmon Bills cherylbills@gmail.com May 29, 2007, 6:14 pm Author: Cheryl Harmon Bills Joseph Harmon was one of the first settlers of Suffield, Connecticut. Joseph Harmon was the third son and fourth of eight children of John and Elizabeth Harmon of Springfield, MA. According to: Genealogical and Family History of Western New York Vol 2. Film 6,046,620, we read: "Joseph, third son of John and Elizabeth Harmon, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, "11 mon. 4 day 1646," and died in Suffield, Connecticut, October 28, 1729, aged nearly eighty-three years. In December 1664, upon the request of Anthony Dorchester, [who at that time was Joseph's step-father] there was granted by the town of Springfield to his own and to his wife's sons thirty acres of land each. Joseph was one of those who received one of these portions of thirty acres. Joseph Harmon's place in the church was "in ye south side at ye upper end of the Backer seate." in 1662-63. In 1670 Samuel and Joseph Harmon were required to furnish one load as their part of the minister's wood. Samuel and Joseph Harmon seem to have been successful hunters; on the town books, among similar entries of date January 11, 1668, are the following: "To Samuel and Joseph Harmon for killing 6 wolves this Summer past 3 pounds." December 1670, "To Samuel and J. Harmon for killing 4 wolves 2 pounds." January 14, 1670, the settlement of Suffield, Connecticut, was begun by the grants of land to Samuel and Joseph Harmon, Benjamin Parsons and others, says Burt in his "History of Springfield." D. W. Norton in his "Statement at the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the Town of Suffield October 12, 1870, states that the settlement of the town was begun in 1670." John Lewis, Esq., at the same place says, "Unfortunately, no documents have yet been discovered, that definately state the time, place, and circumstance of the first settlement of Suffield...While it is quite certain that the Harmons were the pioneers of the town, and that they came here in 1670, the exact date of the settlement is not known. In 1669, the selectmen of Springfield assumed authority to form and direct the settlement of Springfield. They made several grants of land, and among others to Samuel and Joseph Harmon, who it is thought in the following summer, took up their abode on the Northampton road, in the vicinity of Stony Brook." This was about one mile west of High Street to West Suffield. From The History of Suffield, by Hezekiah Spencer Sheldon (dave.richardson@mindspring.com)[p.16] FIRST MARRIAGES, BIRTHS AND, DEATHS, we read: "The first recorded marriage after the actual settlement of the town began was that of Joseph Harmon, with Hannah Filley of Windsor, January 22, 1673. Previous to 1692, only magistrates such as the General Court authorized could join persons together in marriage; ministers and justices afterward being allowed." [p.33 & 34] Hannah Philley, was born in Windsor, Connecticut July 3, 1653, and died in Suffield August 28, 1729, aged 76. Two months later, her husband died. She and Joseph had ten children. In 1675 Samuel and Joseph Harmon were two of several persons desiring grants of land at, towards or about Stony River on the west side of the great river toward Windsor; and the selectmen granted to the Harmons, "30 acres of land apiece there and six acres of wet meadow." The following was copied in Suffield by Juanita Price. The title and author are unknown: Hastings Hill Road--West Side: Joseph Harmon--Nathaniel Harmon--John Harmon These farms must be taken together, although the farm of John Harmon belongs rather to the History of Mountain Road. We start with the norther-most grants on Hastings Hill Road and with the farm of Joseph Harmon: 1683: Laid out to Joseph Harmon--a home lot of 15 acres more or less bounding NW on his own meadow and SW on the land of Nathaniel Harmon. 1683: Laid out to Joseph Harmon--7 acres of Meadow on Muddy Brook. It bounded E on the meadow belonging to the widow Jeffries (which later belonged to the Old farm) and W. o nthe meadow of Nathaniel Harmon. 1683: Liad out to Joseph Harmon--4 acres of upland adjoining his meadow and on the North or Northerly side thereof, for the conveniencey of fencing. It bounds NW next to Nathaniel Harmon and on the SE and SW corners are on his own meadow. 1699: Laid out to Joseph Harmon--7 acres bounding on the S of his own home lot in Old Street and W on his own meadow; E--Mr. Youngglove. 1699: Laid out to Joseph Harmon--3 acres north of Muddy Brook. It is a triangular piece bounding E on his own meadow and two W corners bound on Nathaniel Harmon. This made a home lot of 36 acres. ----------- Joseph Harmon was referred to as Captain Joseph in Suffield Records. He was a freeman, and voted at the first Suffield town meeting. Joseph was the town's first Constable. He was chosen a selectman, which office he filled for many years, the last time in 1719, when seventy-three years of age. He was treasurer, land measurer, and often employed in settling boundary lines. He was appointed Captain of the Suffield militia company, after the death of Captain Joseph Sheldon, 1708. For more than fifty years he held some important town offices. He first settled on Northampton Road (now Remington street). After Philip's war, his house lot was in High street. In West Suffield Cemetery, there is a Harmon Monument erected by Israel Harmon 3rd. Plot B-40 which honors the Harmon Brothers who were among the first settlers of Suffield. It has been said that Suffield High School once had class rings using the Harmon Coat of Arms as their insignia. When their brother, Samuel passed away, Joseph gifted his portion of Samuel's land to his younger brother, Nathaniel. LAND: Film 844,486 Nathaniel Harmon A copy of a deed of gift from Joseph Harmon to Nathaniel Harmon To all Christian People to whom this deed of gift shall come, Joseph Harmon of Southfield (alias Suffield) in the Colony of the Massachusetts, sendeth Greeting; Know Ye that I have and de beare to my loving and younger brother, Nathaniel Harmon of Southfield aforesiad for divers and other good causes and considerations me thereunto mvoing, have given, granted, aligned, assigned, and confirmed, And by these presents do grant fully, clearly, and absolutely give grant, align, assign and confirm unto the said Nathaniel Harmon his heirs and assigns forever two parcels of land lying and being within the bounds of the township of Southfield aforesaid. The one parcel being an home loat wat was of Brother Samuel Harmon, deceased, his lot, containing seventeen acres more or less and bounded by the street called Old Street on the east, extending one hundred and fourteen rods in length to the common on the west and adjoynes ro Robert Old on the south and extends in breadth four and twenty rods to the said Joseph Harmon’s own land on the north of the other parcel being meadow low land and also was the lot of aforesaid Brother Samuel Harmon, deceased, lying upon a Brooke called Muddy Brooke and contains two acres and a half more or less being half of said Brother Samuel his grant and here and is bounded by the common easterly and westerly and joins to the said Joseph Harmon’s own meadows on the south ; extends to the said Nathaniel Harmon’s meadows on the north to have and to hold the said seventeen acres and the said two acres and a half unto the said Nathaniel Harmon his heirs and assigns forever, hereafter lawfully, quietly, and peaceably to have, hold, occupy, and enjoy the above grants, premises, and all their appurtenances, free and clear and ... ... ... .... from all manner of former and other gifts, grants, bargains. Sales, leases, mortgages, ...., dowers, judgments, ... awards, forfeitures, ... from all other titles, ... ... or incumberances whatsoever has made, committed, ... of forfeited to ... ... by hin the said Joseph Harmon his heirs and assigns as ... ... before the ensealing hereof; in witness whereof the said Joseph Harmon has hereunto set his had and seal this fourth day of February 1679. Signed, sealed, and Delivered Joseph Harmon & his Seal In the presence of: Stephen Taylor John Taylor This witnesseth that Hannah Harmon the wife of the above named Jospeh Harmon doth freely consent to this act and deed of gift of her husband. Hannah Harmon & Seal Additional Comments: A view of the Suffield cemetery showing Harmon monument. For information on the monument, see history of Joseph's brother, Nathaniel Harmon. 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