Timber, Trade, and the New London Shore

 

When William Hough left Cheshire, England, in the late 1630s, he carried with him the essential skill set of a timber framer and house-carpenter. Landing at Gloucester, Massachusetts, he joined the pioneer community centered around the Reverend Richard Blinman. There he married Sarah Calkins, daughter of Deacon Hugh Calkins, binding his family to one of New England’s prominent early families.

In 1650, seeking new opportunities along the Long Island Sound, William joined his father-in-law in moving south to help establish New London, Connecticut. As one of New London's premier builders, William's broadaxe and chisel helped construct the first meetinghouses, homes, and civic buildings that anchored the frontier seaport.

His son, Capt. John Hough, inherited both his father's tools and his standing in the community. Settling near Norwich and New London, John established himself as a master builder. In 1683, he raised Norwich’s very first formal schoolhouse, and by 1694 he was commissioned to oversee the construction of New London's major new meetinghouse. Promoted to Captain of the local militia, John was a respected leader across eastern Connecticut. Tragically, in August 1715, while working high on a roof frame, a scaffolding collapse ended his life.

When John’s daughter, Hannah Hough, married Oliver Manwaring Jr. in 1705, she linked this builder dynasty with one of New London's maritime merchant lines. Their daughter Bathsheba Manwaring would marry Peleg Barker, merging the Connecticut Hough-Manwaring lines with the Plymouth Mayflower descendants—a legacy carried down through the Brown family to your grandmother Lydia Corinna Brown.

NOTES:

Here are key genealogical additions, vital clarifications, and historical context for your William Hough and Capt. John Hough branch, followed by an authentic historical narrative.

Key Genealogical Additions & Corrections

1. William Hough (Immigrant) (c. 1619–1683)

• Origins: Cheshire records identify William as the son of Edward Hough (and likely his widow Ann Hough) of West Chester, Cheshire, England. 
• Spouse: Married Sarah Calkins (1627–1684) on October 28, 1645, in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Sarah was the daughter of Deacon Hugh Calkins (1), a founding member of the "Cape Ann Company". 
• Migration Route: Arrived in Gloucester, Massachusetts, before 1645. Around 1650, he migrated with his father-in-law Hugh Calkins to New London, Connecticut. 
• Trade & Civic Roles: He was a master house-carpenter by trade and served as a town selectman and appointed deacon of the church. 

2. Capt. Jonathan "John" Hough (1655–1715)

• Given Name Clarification: Primary vital records, court filings, and his own 1711 will record him consistently as John Hough (his younger brother born in 1659 was named Jonathan). 
• Marriage: Married Sarah Post (1659–1754) on January 27, 1680, in Norwich, Connecticut. Sarah was the daughter of John Post and Hester Hyde. 
• Life & Public Service: Like his father, John was a skilled builder and carpenter. In 1683, he co-built the first schoolhouse in Norwich. He was commissioned as an Ensign in 1694 and later rose to Captain in the local militia. 
• Death Details: On August 26, 1715, while working on a house frame in New London, he tragically fell from the scaffolding and died within an hour. His estate inventory totaled a substantial £796, including lands in both New London and Norwich. 

3. Hannah Hough (1688–1754)

• Birth & Death: Born January 30, 1688, in New London; died September 20, 1754. 
• Marriage: Married Oliver Manwaring Jr. (1679–1754) on March 15, 1704/5, at New London. 

Lineage Structure

                      EDWARD HOUGH & ANN

                              │

                  WILLIAM HOUGH (c. 1619–1683)

              === Sarah Calkins (1627–1684)

                              │

                 CAPT. JOHN HOUGH (1655–1715)

              === Sarah Post (1659–1754)

                              │

                   HANNAH HOUGH (1688–1754)

              === Oliver Manwaring Jr. (1679–1754)

                              │

               BATHSHEBA MANWARING (1714–1746)

              === Peleg Barker (1712–1784)

                              │

                  LYDIA BARKER (1738–1791)

              === Solomon Brown

                              │

                 [SOLOMON BROWN ➔ SAMUEL R. BROWN ➔

             JOHN G. BROWN ➔ ABRAHAM LINCOLN BROWN ➔

                   LYDIA CORINNA BROWN]

             Cheshire, England  ──────► Gloucester, MA (c. 1640s)

                                              │

                                              ▼

                                     New London, CT (1650)

                                    [Carpenters & Builders]

(1) Deacon Hugh Calkins (1603–1690) was a prominent Puritan settler, a founding member of the settlement at Cape Ann (Gloucester, Massachusetts), and a key founder of New London and Norwich, Connecticut. He arrived in America from Wales/England around 1640 as part of the "Welsh Company" led by Reverend Richard Blinman.

Life and Public Service

• Cape Ann / Gloucester (1640s–1650): Settled with Blinman's group on the rough promontory of Cape Ann, where they cleared land, farmed, and dug the early Blynman Canal. Served as a selectman, commissioner, and deputy to the Massachusetts General Court.
• New London, Connecticut (1651–1659): Moved with the company to New London (then Pequot) because the Cape Ann climate proved too harsh for farming. Served as a townsman, war committee member, and deputy to the Connecticut Assembly multiple times.
• Norwich, Connecticut (1659–1690): Helped found the town of Norwich alongside his family. Served as one of the first deacons of the Norwich Congregational Church and represented the town as a deputy to the legislature. He died in 1690 at the age of 87.

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