Jacob Waterhouse, the immigrant ancestor, … whose English ancestry has not been traced, was in Wethersfield by 1637, when he was one of eighteen men from Wethersfield who fought in the Pequot Indian Campaign, 26 May 1637, under the command of Captain John Mason of Windsor. His holdings in Wethersfield consisted of a house and 2¼ acres of land, extending from Sandy Lane south to Fort Street (now Prison Street) north. In 1640 his land abutted on Edward Mason in little West Field. In 1645 he removed to New London, then called “Pequot.” There are references to the fact that marshes and meadows in the vicinity were mowed that year “at Fog-plain by Cary Latham and Jacob Waterhouse.” … As he was not liable for military duty in 1665, he must have been over sixty years of age. … He died in 1676, and his nuncupative will was proved on 21 September 1676, “The last will and testament of Jacob Waterhouse, deceased, John Stebbins, Senior and Alexander Pygan being at Jacob Waterhouse’s Senior when he was sick, he being in perfect memory so far as we could perceive, he did desire us to bare in mind how he would have his estate disposed of, etc. And first, for my son Isaac, I wish I could give to the rest of my children so good a portion as he hath had, but, however, I will him four shillings. And for Abraham, I have given him a peice of land already; for Jacob and John, I will my house and house lot I now live in, with a peice of salt meadow at ffoxons and this they to have after my wives decease, and also all the rest of my lands undisposed of I will to my four sons, namely, Jacob, and Joseph and John and Benjamin only that peice of land now improved for my wife to have ths use of it during her life, and also I will to my daughter Elizabeth two cows and five pounds out of the land, if may be, and all the rest of my movables I will to my wife, etc. “John Stebbings and Alexander Pygan made oath to what is above written, In Court Sept. 21, 1676. As Attest: John Allyn. Above Cogue: Attest: George Denison Clerk of ye Pro. Court N. London May 12th 1702.”
