Sabins in Connecticut, founders of Pomfret and Woodstock

One of my ancestors is William Sabin. William was one of the founders of Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony. Possibly he later moved to Boston to associate with the French Refugees, the Huguenots. Amongst William's sons were Benjamin b 1646 (who is my ancestor) and youngest son, John. Capt John Sabin, was probably the first settler, and he built a house in Windham County, Pomfret, in 1696. Pomfret was purchased from the Indians in 1686 for was 30 pounds and was known at that time as "The Mashmuket Purchase".

The Sabins had a sawmill in Pomfret. John's home also served as an outpost against the Indians. The Mashamoquet Brook was a source of power for the small mills developed along the brook and its tributaries. The ruins of these mills and their dam foundations still exist along the brook.

I think I would have loved to live in that area. Pomfret is located in the Northeastern corner of Connecticut, about a 60 min drive to Hartford, the state capitol, and only 45 minutes to the shoreline. Its climate has average winter temperature in the mid-teens to mid-20s in January and February. In summer, 80 to 90 degrees. My favorite seasons are spring and fall, and apparently both those seasons are wonderful there.

Benjamin Sabin b 1646, was one of the original founders of Woodstock Connecticut in 1686. His son Ebenezer, b 10  Dec 1671, was an Ensign in 1700, and he married a Mary. Their son Seth Sabin married Joanna Cady. Their daughter Jerusha Sabin married Elisha Stowell. Their daughter Jerusha Stowell married Samuel Porter Grow and  had Lorenzo Grow.

Lorenzo married Harriet Felker Currier. Their daughter, Mary Frances Grow married Arthur W Newell. Their son Samuel Newell was my grandfather Arthur Newell's father. I have found the ties back to this part of New England happens again and again. It is no wonder I am

so drawn to this region. I hope to visit there for an extended period some day.