Jonathan RUDD

Sources:

1998 Ancestral File
1997 Ordinance Index
2000 LDS Ordinance Index
Pedigree Resource File
Ancestry World Tree
New.familysearch.org, Feb 2010

Notes:

                   NOTE:
      Historical detail in NOTES


"During the winter of 1639 and early spring 1640, the record at Hartford shows that four boys, John Olmstead, Jonathan Rudd, John Pierce and Nicholas Olmstead, got into grave trouble for "wanton dalliances, lacivious Caridge & fowle Mysdemenors at sndry times with Mary Brunson." Mary and the first three boys were "corrected" and Nicholas Olmstead was given a stiff fine and ordered "to stand uppon the Pyllery at Hartford." On 2 April of that year, Mary was married to Nicholas Disbrow, a "safe, substantial and somewhat older man."On 4 January 1643/1644 he was fined in New Haven for defective arms. Three months later he was fined with others for attending a drinking party. He took the oath of fidelity on 1 October 1644. On 5 June 1645 at Hartford he was sued by William Edwards. He was mentioned in New Haven records on 2 June 1646 as having told Edward Parker some gossip he heard from the boatswain, he did not appear to testify in the case.It is not known when he settled in Saybrook, but he was there by the winter of 1646/1647. Jonathan was married that winter by John Winthrop of New London, later Governor of Massachusetts. The Granberry genealogy tells that Gov. Winthrop testified about the marriage in a deposition relating to the boundary between New London and Saybrook. "It fell out, the first winter of our setling there [at New London, 1646-7] that Jonathan Rudd being to be maried at Saybrooke, there falling out at y time a great snow, the magistrate intended to goe downe thither was hindred by the depth of yt snow; whereupon they desired me to assist them there in yt businesse. But I saw it necessary to denye them in yt way, but told them yt for an expedient of their accommodation, if they come to ye plantation [New London] it might be done; but that being too difficult for them, it was agreed they should come to yt place wch is now called Bride brooke; and accordingly I mett them there, at the tyme appointed (others of our plantation being wth me, knowing the place) and there those persons were then maried, as being a place wthin the bounds of y authority wherby I then acted; otherwise I had exceeded ye limits of my commission."The bridal party stood on the west bank of the brook known by the Indians as Sunkapung ("cold water"), in the couple's own parish of Saybrook. Winthrop and his friends from Pequot stood on the east bank, within his New London jurisdiction. And there, across the babbling brook the couple were united in holy -- and legal -- matrimony.From that day forward the stream was called Bride's Brook, and later it became so officially in the Colonial Record. Descendants erected a memorial marker at the spot in 1925. The marker is located on Rt. 161, south of I95 between Saybrook and New London CT. As you go south on 161, you will pass the Lee House, owned and maintained by the East Lyme Historical Society. It is thought to be the oldest wooden frame house in Connecticut, and is named after Thomas Lee 2nd, who attended the Bride Brook wedding. The house contains the dower chest of Jonathan Rudd's bride, thought to be Mary Metcalf. A little further south, on the right just past a left turn into Rock Neck State Park, is the Bride Brooke marker.Jonathan appears to have settled down after his marriage. He was made freeman of the Colony of Connecticut 15 May 1651. At that same session of General Court at Hartford, "Thomas Chapman, William Pratt, Jonathan Rudd, Sachary Sanford and Christopher Huntington did all testifie .. that they knew nothing of John Dyers carrying Indians aboard the Dutch vessell, and that their was no ground of theire seizing the vessell and goods." (Colonial Record 1:219)On 23 February 1652/1653 he was appointed with Thomas Tracy to assist Capt. John Mason in fitting out the six great guns for the defense of Saybrook. Jonathan's title of Lieut., which appears in records of his estate, may have come from this appointment, but unlike his co-assistant Thomas Tracy, he does not seem to have been formally commissioned.He was made leather sealer for Saybrook on 4 October 1656. He also served as a
selectman for Saybrook in 1656.The probate record shows: "Rudd, Lt. Jonathan. Saybrook. Inv. L106-03-10. Taken July 1658 by John X Westil and Stephen Post. This Court desires these to Adms. Mr. Fitch also desired to be helpful to the Children, as is declared are two sons and 4 daughters - 2 June 1663: Mr. Westell brought his books to me, wherein was a account of Debts paid upon the account of Jonathan Rudd, amount L96-08-00. Account accepted by the Magistrates. Test: Samuel Wyllys. Recorded by me, John Allyn, Secretary, 23 May 1667."Jonathan Rudd is a qualifying ancestor for Sons of Colonial Wars.The following poem about the Bride Brooke Wedding was written by Charles Boynton Martin, a descendant of the Bride Brook marriage:"In quaint East Lyme there is a streamThat flows from lake to seaBride Brooke is its romantic name --It lives in history.Between Pequot and old SaybrookIt was the boundry lineWhen they were little separate statesIn old colonial time.Young Jonathan Rudd of fair SaybrookA married man would beAnd he would wed 'mid winter's coldBrook no delay would he.In snow-bound Saybrook none was foundThe nuptial knot to tie;The Governor of Pequot was asked,Who sent this kind reply.'Within the limits of PequotI'll gladly marry theeSo meet me at the boundary streamWhere it flows out to sea.'The day was fixed; the parties made;They all set forth with glee --But oh in flood the little brookA river proved to be.When hopes are high and lovers youngAnd hearts are all aquiver,What shame a marriage to postponeJust for a raging riverThe Governor pointed up the streamWhere banks were close togetherAnd where the voice could bridge the brookThrough the blustery weather.And there the wedding was performedAcross the boundry riverWhile cakes of ice were floating by'Mid cold that made them shiver.The snow flakes wove the bridal veilHer train - the drifting snowThe winds played in the pine tree topsA march both sweet and low.The wild fowl flying overheadThe Indians lurking nighWere witness of their plighted trothBeneath the vaulted sky.The prayer by John Winthrop offered upThe vows that there were madeAre written in the books aboveWhere records never fade.And Winthrop at that time and placeGave to that little riverThe name of Bride Brooke as its ownWhich it will keep forever.And lovers linger on its banksAnd talk in voices lowOf lovers true who there were wedIn days of long ago." "==================== End of Notes =====================