Welcome to
Clinton, Connecticut
Genealogy

Town Information: Homepage

Clinton traces its history from 1663 when the land between Guilford and Saybrook, as they were then bounded, was known as Homonoscitt. In this year a committee was appointed by the General Court at Hartford to lay out this area as a plantation. In 1667 the settlement was designated a town and named Kenilworth. By the middle of the eighteenth century, through changes in usage, this name became Killingworth. In 1838 the southern portion was incorporated by the General Assembly as the Town of Clinton, the northern portion retaining the name of Killingworth. The line marking the division between the towns of Killingworth and Clinton was the same as that which divided the first and second ecclesiastical societies, or, as they were later known, "school societies, " which were established in 1735.

Organized May 1838 from Killingworth. Clinton is located on the Connecticut shore of Long Island Sound midway between New Haven and New London, covers 17.8 square miles and is home to some 12,800 residents. It is bounded on the north by Killingworth, on the east by Westbrook on the west by Madison, and on the south by Long Island Sound. Clinton was originally settled in 1663. The town was named and incorporated when the town of Killingworth was divided in 1838. Once known for its significant ship building industry the harbor is no longer in industrial use, and it and Kelsey Point have become popular recreational facilities.

As in most small New England shore towns, life centered about fishing, farming, shipbuilding, and the church. One of the early leaders of Clinton's church was the Reverend Abraham Pierson. In 1701, when the General Court of the Colony in Hartford granted a charter for "the founding of a collegiate school within His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut, " its founders chose the Reverend Mr. Pierson as its rector. The first classes were held in his parsonage in Clinton. In later years the school was moved to Saybrook and then to New Haven, where it eventually became Yale University. Clinton, overlooking Long Island Sound, is located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, 3 8 miles south of the capital city of Hartford. Equidistant from New York and Boston, it is within comfortable commuting distance of the metropolitan industrial centers of New Haven, Middletown and New London. Clinton is contained within 17.2 square miles and has 72 miles of town roads with an estimated population of 13,500. During the summer month it's estimated the population reaches 20,000.

Town Facts: Zip code; 06413; Located on USA Highway 1


   Henry Carter Hull Library in Clinton, CT 

Clinton Town Hall 82 East Main St Clinton, CT 06413 

Reseach Resources:


Volunteers  

I have the book, "History of the Redfield Family in the United States", printed 1860, listing the genealogy of that family.  About 200 other surnames are also listed, the vast majority from the Middlesex county area, 1635-1860.  The listings are quite thorough.  Will be glad to do lookups for any interested party.  Ray Downing, Las Vegas, NV.

Hello. My name is Martha Miller Byrnes. I grew up in Clinton and have many ancestors from 1663-1990 traced. Most via my helpful cousin, Frances Pudeler of Beach Park, Clinton, who compiled an extensive MILLER family history in 1989. Her handwritten volume includes items verified by vital records (VR) and Miller family bibles and a bibliography of sources of local and state histories. I am just starting to re-verify much of her information. She is elderly and I don't think she has access to email or the internet.
I used to have a set of the KELSEY Kindred genealogy books, but supposedly they were given to the Clinton Historical Society in about 1995 and should be in "The Brick House" in Clinton. I do have my father's original documentation for charter membership in the Kindred.
Please know I don't always respond for up to a week; but I will get back to you eventually.

CARTER,CONKLING,DOANE,GRISWOLD,HULL,KELSEY,MILLER,NETTLETON,STANNARD,WOODMANSE

 I no longer live in Connecticut -- having moved to northern Illinois in 1999. I'm sorry, but I no longer have the same resources previously available.Would be interested in exploring names listed above with others. Please include any dates you have with correspondence. Thank you. HomeByrnes@aol.com


If you have more resources and would like to help others in their research for Clinton ancestors please e-mail me

In SUBJECT: VOLUNTEER - Clinton
In BODY of letter: Full name -- email address -- and resources

  Queries

 

21 June 2002 pristinebullet@msn.com Bridget Clock, Katy, TX  I am looking for any information about great-grandmother and her family.  Her name was Gertrude Sperry and I believe her mother's maiden name was Clara Kendall Morgan.  She would probably been born between 1865 and 1880.  Anything would be appreciated!

 

19 June 2002 DSword1@tampabay.rr.com.  I am looking for a few pieces of information in hopes someone can help me.  My father (Harry Garland) spent summers in Clinton but his moms family grew up there.  My great grandmothers name is Edna/Dana Morgan her daughter Clara and 2 sons Charles and Harry Gay Morgan and was married to a dentist that past on at early age (unknown name), they lived at 71 High St. probably all their lives (1885-possible 1950).  Also my grandfather Albert Garland passed away at the age of 37 (maybe) and is buried at the Indian River Cemetary.  Just looking into possible owners of the house above and anyone knowing anything about this family from years ago.  Who knows I could have relatives in Clinton.  Any information would be a great help to me and my father Harry Garland.   Thank You, Dawn Sword      

31 Mar 2002  ferrofamily4@starpower.net Daniel J. Ferro. I'm looking for vital records of Henry A. Ferro Sr.  He moved to Clinton in the 1940's or 50's.  He owned a good size piece of property.  His wife's name was Eleanor.  They gave some property to a niece or cousin of Eleanor's that abutted their property.  Henry Sr. was active in local politics.  He
had two son's by a previous marriage Alvin J. Ferro and Henry A. Ferro JR. He died in the early to mid seventies.  I would like any information about his address when he bought the land.  When he died and who he sold the land to.  Also info on where to get a copy of his will.  He came from The Bronx in NYC.  Al and Hank never lived there.  Also I would like to be able to find a plat of the property. Thank you in advance.


30 Dec 2001 Megan@HighlandRose.net Leigh M. Burnham.  I'm looking for vital records for the Burnham family of Waterside Lane, particularly my grandfather Charles Theodore, his father James Frank, and so on back to James A. Burnham, b: 14 Feb 1765.  Also, I'd like to find out where they and their wives are buried.  Thanks for the help!

25Oct 2001 SJAM929@AOL.COM Carter I am looking for information on Daniel Carter the lst son of John Carter the first his marriages, children etc., and in particular his son, Joel Carter who would be my great grandfather.  His son Lovell Carter was my grandfather.

24 Oct 2001 Sylvia Munday SJAM929@AOL.COM I am looking for information on the Carter family.  My grandfather is Lovell A. Carter married to Mabel Easton Swain.  His Father was Joel Carter and his mother was Harriet Jones.  Want info back from Joel and Harriet. Also looking for information on Ellsworth Carter, my uncle, Helen McDowell Carter his first wife and Catherine Carter his second wife and Harry Carter his son.

24 Oct 2001 Cathy Nelson ryklmb@aol.com Does anyone have a guide locating the graves in Clinton's Indian River cemetery?  There is suppose to be a tablet for James Wright (1643-1726/7)  thank you--

6 Aug 2001   w_m_broxson@hotmail.com Marilyn Broxson I am searching for parents of Henry Pierson born in Middlesex, Ct.  He had a sister named Hannah.  Her headstone lists B and E Pierson as parents.  Henry Pierson was born in 1752 or 1762.  He is a relative of a Parley L. Pierson whose ancestors were also from this area.Henry Pierson died in New York in 1844. 

14 July 2001  jupiterlz@aol.com    Valerie Johnson I am looking for info on the Gates family. Ggrandmother Clara Lizetta Gates was born in Clinton May 30, 1871. She had a sister Elizabeth and other siblings. Parents were Benjamin Gates and Esther Dodge Gates. I am trying to find out who Benjamin's parents were. He was a painter and was born approx 1821. Also looking for names of siblings. Clara married Edward Page and later  William D. Spencer. Clara is buried in Guilford, CT.

27 Jan 2001 Catherine_Castro@3com.com Catherine P. Castro I am trying to locate the will of Goode Buell. She may also be known as Catherine Buell or Catherine Goode - she died on December 3, 1639. She was reportedly related to William Buell, one of the founders of Windsor, CT (my ancestor). I would also greatly appreciate any and all information you have on William Buell. He married Mary (surname is not known) on November 18, 1640. I line would really like to know who she was and who her parents were so I can trace that portion of my lineage. I also can't locate the gravesites of William and Goode Buell. I was told Goode's grave was one of the oldest in Windsor. Can anyone shed any light on this for me? I would really appreciate your help. Thanks and warm regards, Catherine Castro.

4 Dec 2000 fswai1@mediaone.net, Frances Swain   I am searching for more information on the following Kelsey decendants:  Ronald C. Kelsey and Florence E. Zimmerman, William Albert Kelsey and Bertha C. Chittennnden, Eldridge J. Kelsey and Mary Ann Taylor,  Albert Kelsey and Ann C. Post, Amos Kelsey and Mabel Parmelee, and Daniel Kelsey and Abigail Hurd.  They are my ancestors, but their names are the only information which I have, any additional infoormation would be greatly appreciated.    In addition, I am searching for more information on my great grandmother Mary Ellen Miller, born in Guilford, Ct. in 1875, who was married to Frederick Treadway Swain and resided in Clinton, Ct.

October 23, 2000  Connie Wellman I am looking for any info on the Wellman Family. My Grandfather was John Wellman (of Waterside Lane) son of Elma and Clarence Wellman. His Brothers were Charles and Harry. I am interested in knowing who came before Clarence and so on.... I know my family was in Clinton from the start. Any info would be great, I need a place to start!

May 28, 1998 Jennifer Carr I am researching CARR...one lead I'd like more info on is George Gilbert CARR b 29feb 1840 Waymart Pa.. Married 24 Dec 1865 in Killingworth, CT Mabel Rosella BARNUM...am interested in any children/family history.

Mar 3 1998 Jan Robinson Amarillo, Tx. Looking for any information concerning a DANIEL GRISWOLD b. Jan. 17, 1756 to Daniel B. and Mary Bushnell Griswold, in Killingworth, Ct. I am trying to establish who he married, when and what children he may have had. I know of one child, a Daniel GRISWOLD III who was born in 1780 in Newy York and died Oct. 3, 1831 in Victory, Cayuga Co., New York. Surely he had brothers and sisters. Also anyone with knowledge of children which Daniel Griswold III may have had. I know he and his wife Judea had at least one son, Eli, b. 1809 in Cayuga Co., New York. Other children may have been Chauncey, Jonathan M. and Rosannah, all born early 1800s. Any connection will be greatly appreciated.

 Nov 27, 1996 Harry Walden I am trying to trace Benjamin TURNER, b. 1695, m. in Killingworth, 31 Mar 1720, Martha CHAPMAN, dau. of Samuel and Margaret (GRISWOLD) CHAPMAN, b. 2 Apr 1700, Old Saybrook. Benjamin, d. 25 Nov 1776, Martha, d. 31 Aug 1751. They are both buried in Union Cemetery in Killingworth. Need Parents of Benjamin TURNER.

Jan 25,1997 Killingworth and Fran Peltier Seeking info on children of James PARMLEY (Parmelee), b. 19 Nov 1757 in Lydia Robbins DONELSON, b. 7 Sep 1770, d. 19 Feb 1860. Their youngest daughter Emily PARMELY, b. 11 Aug 1814 in South Bristol, Ontario Co., NY. James moved to NY after Revolutionary War..date unknown. James is a descendant of John PARMELEE who settled in Guilford in 1639.

 Middlesex County Genealogy

Revised Jan 28,2003