James Bly Research

From findagrave: Some trees say that John Riley was born on May 12, 1625, but there is no documentation. Because John bought some land in Wethersfield in 1643, he would have to be at least 21 years of age in order to qualify for land purchases. Based on that and possible immigration year, he was probably born in about 1620 or earlier.

John migrated to America around 1640 from England and probably went to Watertown, MA for a little while before relocating permanently in Wethersfield, CT. He was known as "John the Settler".

John Riley married Grace Buck in about 1645 in Wethersfield, Colony of Connecticut, now known as Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Hartford County did not exist until 1666. This source The New England Marriages Prior to 1700, by Clarence Torrey clearly states this marriage: "RILEY, John (-1649) & Grace [BUCK?] (1624-1703); b 1646; Wethersfield, CT." b 1646 means their first child was born in 1646, therefore, the marriage can be assumed to have taken place a year or more earlier.(see pg. xiv).

John was a carpenter. Was a juror in 1649 and 1671.

John died in in June 1674. His will was drawn up on 13 May 1674. The inventory was taken on 11 Jun 1674. It was probated on 4 Sep 1674 (looked like 1679). It should be noted that Torrey erred in stating that he died in 1679 when he actually died in 1674. The error probably occurred from a mistranscription of the probate date in the original copy, since 4 can be misread as 9.

John and Grace had eight known children, all born in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., CT:

1) John RILEY, Jr 1646-1711, married Lydia Gilbert. (Note John Riley of Springfield, MA (~1635-1684) who married Margaret O'Dea/O'Day in 1660 and John Riley, Jr are not one and same person).

2) Joseph RILEY 1649–1700

3) Jonathan RILEY 1652–1712

4) Mary RILEY 1657–1692, m. Benjamin Gilbert on 25 Nov 1680.

5) Sarah RILEY Sayer / Sayres (or Sears) (1658–1752)

6) Jacob RILEY 1660-1706 of Windsor, 1730

7) Grace RILEY 1661-1712

9) Isaac RILEY 1671-1737

Probably is buried here. Headstone is missing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Will and Testament

John Riley Sr (Immigrant) left a will 13 May 1674 Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut,

Be it known to all men by these prsents, that I Jno Ryley of the Town of Wethersfield do make this my last Will & Testament:

I give to my son John Ryley the House & Lott which I bought of John Dickinson, the 4 acres of Land lying at the east lower End of Beaver Meadow wch I had by Exchange of John Betts, The 1/2 of that Land which I bought of Will Gull, lying in the Plaine, 2 acres of my Plaine at the South Field, wch 2 acres shall be on the north side of it. The 1/2 of that Land wch shall by Division fall to me on the East side of the Great River. I do give to my son Joseph that House & Homelott which I had by Exchange of Tho: Couch.

Item, the other half of ye Land in ye Plaine which I bought of Will: Gull. Item : 2 acres of my Pasture at the South Field, next to his Brother John. Item : the other half of the Land which by Division shall fall to me on the East side of the Great River. Also, I give to him my gray mare and her Colt, only I do hereby enjoyn him my son Joseph to pay to his sister Mary the sume of £10 in Current pay of the Country 2 years after the Lands shall come into his Hands. Item : I do give to my son Jonathan 3 acres of Land lying at the lower End of ye Meadow between John Damon Jr. and Samuel Boreman. Item: 4 acres in Beaver Meadow between Goodman Churchill & Jonathan Damon. Item : 8 acres at Rocky Hill. Item : my Lott of 50 acres or there abouts in ye Woods or West Division. Further, my Will is, with reference to these my three sons, John, Joseph & Jonathan, that my wife their Mother shall have the thirds of all the yearly products & Increase of such of the Lands bequeathed unto them as are improveable at my Decease, and this she shall have during her life.

Item : I do give to my daughter Mary, besides ye £10 above mentioned, £20 more wch my Executor and Adms. shall pay out of my other Estate. Item : I do give to my daughter Grace £20, which shall in like manner be paid by my Executors when she shall come to age. Item : I give to my daughter Sarah £20 when she shall come to age. Item : I do give to my 2 youngest sons, Jacob and Isaac, this house in which I now dwell. Item : 5 acres of Land at the Pond, 5 acres more or less of Meadow Ground within ye Meadow Gate. Item : 4 acres of Land in ye Plaine between Lands of Mr. Robbins & John Dickinson. Item : 4 acres of my Pasture at the South Field, which is the remainder from yt before bequeathed. All which Houseing &: Lands shall be equally divided between these my 2 sons, Jacob and Isaac, after the decease of their Mother. I give unto my three older sons my Carpenter Tooles.

I appoint my wife sole Executrix. I desire Mr. Bulkeley, my brother John Belding, my Brother Emanuel Buck, and my Cousin Michael Griswold to be Overseers.

John X Ryley. Ls. Witness : Gershom Bulkeley, Michael Griswold.3

Source: Early Connecticut Hartford Probate Court 1635-1700, Vol 1, Hartford District, pg 229-230, by Charles William Manwaring.