"2. Joshua2 Brainerd (Daniel1) of East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn.; … He was town committee, and one of a committee to build a church with his brother Daniel, and one of a committee to repair the meeting house, to attend to the seating of it, and to finish the Turret, according to the Tenure of the vote, between Dec 1, 1704, and Nov. 12, 1705. He was commander of the first military company formed in East Haddam, and retained the command until it was divided by order of the Governor, into two companies. He was to lead the soldiers to a choice of officers, and it is said that he did so, commencing with prayer, and making an address founded upon the passage of Scripture, 'With my staff I passed over this Jordan (that is, Connecticut river), and now I am become two bands.' He was a farmer and lived a little east of where Selden Brainerd lived (1896). The place of his residence is marked by an old cellar mound, just south of the house. The second burying ground in East Haddam was laid out in the north part of Hadlyme parish by Joshua Brainerd and Isaac Spencer, town committee, near or joining Joseph Dunning's house lot, in the west side of said lot, near the upper end. Millington was settled about 1704 at which time Joshua Brainerd moved there. Sergt. Joshua was appointed Ensign in May, 1706. … He was town assessor in 1697. Capt. Joshua Brainerd d. May 13, 1755, in his 83d yr."
