In Stonington, CT "First Congregational Church 1674-1874" by Richard A WHEELER (Pub. 1875) the following baptisms by the Reverend James NOYES are recorded:
6 Aug 1699 Mary, Wife of Joseph GARD (baptised)
6 Aug 1699 Joseph and Mary, Children of Joseph and Mary GARD, baptised 25 Aug
1700 Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph GARD, baptised.
18 Apr 1703 Elisha, son of Joseph GARD, baptised.
19 Apr 1705 William, son of Joseph GARD, baptised.
13 Oct 1707 Joseph GARD, an adult, baptised.
9 Nov 1707 Daniel GARD, an adult, baptised.
15 May 1709 Judith, daughter of Joseph GARD, baptised.
15 May 1709 Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph GARD, baptised. (1st Elizabeth
Died?) 10 Jun 1711 Daniel, son of Joseph GARD, baptised.
This church was organized 67 Mar 1674 by nine people. The name of GARD is not among them.
"The American Genealogist" Whole Number 123, Volume 31. Number 3 July 1955:
p.144 - John COLVER of Groton conveyed 20 Jan 1724/5 (which was shortly befoe his death) to his son David of Groton all his rights in the town. (Groton Deeds, Vol?:155) David sold 19 May 1725 a wood lot that belonged to Joseph GARD late deceased of Groton; and the 26 Apr 17-- Mary GUARD, Elisha GUARD,
William GUARD, Elizabeth GUARD, and David and Mary COLLVER, conveyed an acre which had been bought by Jospeh GARD, dec'd. (ibid 2:169,384) David CULVER was a cordwainer (shoemaker).
From a letter by Nellie A GARD dated 25 Oct 1970:
"THE LYONS MEMORIAL" 2 Volumes says the parents of Jeremiah were Joseph & Mary of Stoningtown, Connecticut. Joseph the son of John and John the son of Roger GARDE, recorder of York, Maine. That has not been proven, and I doubt if it can be proven. I have researched fairly extensively on the name (GARD) at the New England Historical and Genealogical Society library and elsewhere. I recently sent a carbon of my typed notes to Dr Claude BARLOW, F.A.G.S. at Norcest, Mass, who has worked with me for two years to see if he could unearth anything I haven't found. There were several GARD immigrants to N.C., VA, N.Y.
City, Mass, R.I. and Maine 1623-1850 (or so).
New and Complete Gazetteer of the U.S. (1854), p.1115 STONINGTON, a post-borough and port of entry of New London county, Connecticut, on the seacoast, at the southern terminus of the Stonington railroad, 63 miles E. from New Haven, and 50 miles S. S. W. from Providence. It is built on a peninsula somewhat more than half a mile in length from N. to S., and contains 5 churches of the various denominations, several flourishing schools, 2 banks, with an aggregate capital of $160,000; a savings' institution, with $46,182 on deposite, and about 20 stores. Manufactures have recently been introduced; one large establishment has gone into operation here the present season, (1853.) Stonington is much resorted to during the summer
months as a watering-place, and a first-class hotel has been erected for the accommodation of visitors. The harbor of Stonington is capacious, and partly protected by a national breakwater, constructed at a cost of $100,000. Previous to 1835, the inhabitants were extensively and profitably engaged in various enterprises of navigation, principally in the sealing and whaling business. Some years as many as 100,000 seal skins were brought into port. The fleet of whalers at one time numbered 27 ships and barques. Sealing has of late been discontinued, but the whale fishery is still carried on to advantage. The borough has also an important coast trade. The shipping owned in the district which includes Stonington borough, Pawcatuck, and Mystic, June 30th, 1852, amounted to an aggregate of 15,106 46/95 tons registered, and 8055 56/95 tons enrolled and licensed?l, 23,162 7/95 tons. Of the registered tonnage, 10,031 38/95 tons were employed in the whale fishery, and of the enrolled and licensed, 5798 81/95 tons were employed in the coast trade, and 1784 73/95 tons in the codfishery. The foreign arrivals for the year were 10, (tons,
2489;) and the clearances for foreign ports, 19, (tons, 5329,) of which 18 (tons, 5248) were by American vessels. During the year, 15 vessels, (3 of them ships,) with an aggregate burthen of 3259 26/95 tons, were admeasured. The Stonington railroad, which commenced its operations in 1835, was the first constructed in the state. Stonington has steamboat communication with New York, Providence, and other places along the coast. The town is celebrated for the spirited and successful resistance it made against the attack of Sir
Thomas Hardy, during the war of 1812. Settled in 1649, and incorporated as a borough in 1801. Population of the township in 1840, 3898; in 1850, 5431, and of the borough in 1853, about 2800.
