Person:John Skinner (54)

"8. Sergt. John Skinner (3) John (2) (1) was born in Hartford, Conn., March 1, 1666-67, … and died Oct. 27, 1743. … Besides cultivating his land he was a locksmith and gunsmith.

In his father's will, in 1690, John Skinner received the north half of the home lot at 'Rocky Hill' and in March, 1691-92, sold it to his brother-in-law, Joshua Carter. The property he bought of the Olmsteads, long known as the 'Skinner homestead,' was situated on the west side of Front Street south of Grove Street and within about two blocks of the old Meeting House. Here he lived, and his descendants after him for several generations lived there, the old homestead remaining in possession of the family for nearly 180 years, until it was finally disposed of about 1870. John Skinner joined the First Church in Hartford, Feb. 3, 1694-95, the day of the baptism of his daughter Rachel, and he was admitted to full communion April 12, 1696.

John Skinner was a leading citizen of Hartford in his day and actively participated in the conduct of the town's affairs. In 1692 he was chosen a chimney viewer for the north side; in 1695, a fence viewer; in 1703, a surveyor of highways, but refused the appointment; in 1704, again, a surveyor of highways; and in 1732, -33 and -34, sealer of weights. He served nine terms as selectman of Hartford, namely, in 1700, 1708, 1713, 1717, 1722, 1723, 1726, 1730, and 1737. His name appears in many places on the town records as a member of important committees, such as the laying out and care of highways, correction of disorders in the town taverns, management of the ferry across the Connecticut River, management of the 'free Grammar School in Hartford,' etc.

The colonial records of Connecticut show that in August, 1711, he was paid £0-17-0 for supplies furnished for use 'on the present expedition against Canada;' in May, 1724, he was a member of the committee appointed to investigate the request of the residents of Poquonock, in Windsor, to be formed into a separate society; and in May, 1729, was a member of a committed appointed to direct the construction of a workhouse in Hartford.

He is referred to in the town records of Hartford, in 1715, and in many places thereafter as 'Serg^t John Skinner,' but whether he held this rank in the colonial troop of cavalry, in which his father before him had served as a corporal, or in the infantry train band, is impossible to determine at this time, although it is more likely that he belonged to the cavalry troop."

"John Skinner s of John & Mary (Easton) born Mch 1, 1666-7 (Hartford Town Record) died Oct 27, 1743 ae 77 bur Center Ch … owned cov 1 Ch Feb 3, 1694-5, ad full com May 1, 1709."

"Skinner, … John, s. [John], b. Mar. 1, 1666/7 [D:18]"
"Skinner, … John, s. [John], b. Mar. 1, 1667 [FFS:21]"

"Probate Records. Vol. XIV, 1742 to 1745. Page 129.

Skinner, John, Hartford. Will dated 19 September, 1741: I, John Skinner of Hartford, do make this my last will and testament: I give to my wife Rachel Skinner the 1-3 part of my moveable estate forever, and the use and improvement of all my houseing and lands which I have not already disposed of during her natural life. I give unto my eldest son John Skinner my lott at Rocky Hill, and my lott at the South Meadow which I bought of Hezekiah Hopkins, and also my lott in the sd. meadow which I bought of John Easton, together with my right in the land commonly called the Five-Miles, lying on the east side of the Great River, to be unto him, his heirs and assigns forever. I give unto my son Timothy Skinner 2 lotts in the Long Meadow, viz., my lott which I bought of Mr. Isaac Burr and my lott that I bought of Hezekiah Talcott, together with my right in the lands called the western lands, to be to him and his heirs forever. I give unto my son Daniel Skinner my homelott with all the buildings thereon, together with all my working tools and husbandry implements, also my upper lott and lower lott in the Long Meadow, and in the South Meadow my upper lott, and also that lott that I bought of Paul Peck, together with my lott in the Neck and my lott commonly called the Cow Pasture, to be to him and his heirs forever. I give unto my daughter Rachel Welles £200, including what she hath already received. I give unto my daughter Mary Skinner the sum of £200. My will is that after my just debts and funeral charges are paid, and also legacies, that the remainder of my moveable estate shall be equally divided amongst my sons and daughters. I appoint my wife Rachel Skinner, with my son John Skinner, executors.

JOHN SKINNER, LS.

Witness: John Marsh, Mehetabell Bushnell, Elizabeth X Marsh.

Codicil, dated 25 February, 1742-3: I, John Skinner, the above subscriber, do make this following addition to this my last will and testament, namely: I add to my daughter Rachel Welles the sum of £50, and also to my daughter Mary Skinner the sum of £100, to be paid by my executors, said legacies to be paid according to the value of the old tennor bills as they commonly pass in the country. I do hereby ratify and confirm this addition, with the foregoing instrument, as my last will and testament.

JOHN SKINNER, LS.

Witness: John Marsh, John Pantry Goodwin, John Jones.

Court Record, Page 36—16 January, 1743-4: The last will and testament of John Skinner, late of Hartford decd., was now exhibited in Court by Rachel Skinner, widow and relict, and John Skinner, executors. Proven and ordered to be recorded."