GENERATION 10

GENERATION 9

Biography

The book, William Holloway of Taunton, Mass., in 1637, and His Descendants, 1586-1949, says, "GRACE, daughter of William Holloway of Marshfield, Massachusetts, married Josiah 'Reed' and lived in Norwich, Connecticut."

JOSIAH READ was one of the 35 original proprietors of Norwich, New London, CT. He and his wife, GRACE HOLLOWAY are the grandparents of Deborah Reed, wife of Benjamin Franklin.

There is much controversy about the exact number of original proprietors. Although it is supposed that there were 35, early records show 38 names on the original Town Plat. In 1659, settlers in Saybrook petitioned the Connecticut Court for permission to settle at Norwich (then called the Mohegan Petition). No records were made at the time of the settlement. Later, in order to comply with English law, a list of the original proprietors was constructed.

The Leffingwell House Museum recognizes 35 settlers for qualification as a Member by Descent. This list of names follows:

35 original Proprietors