Family:John Graves and Elizabeth Cruttenden (1)

Elizabeth (Cruttenden) Stillwell was the only wife of John Grave(s)

"John Grave(s) had but one wife, Elizabeth Crittenden, whom he married under the name of Stillwell because she was the young widow of Jasper Stillwell and that was then her correct surname. Jasper was buried 8 Nov. 1656, and his widow decently waited a year until 26 Nov. 1657 before she married John Graves. She was the mother of all his children. This is proved readily enough by the will of Abraham¹ Cruttenden, dated 14 Sept. 1681 [New Haven Probate, 1:part 2:94], in which he gave £5 'to my daughter Elizabeth Grave.' One clause reads, 'I give my right of third division land to four of my grandchildren Vizt to Danll Bartlet a fourth part, to John Grave a fourth part, to Abraham Cruttenden a fourth part & to Samuell Cruttenden a fourth part.' The other three grandchildren are easily identifiable, and John Grave can only be the young man born 27 Feb. 1658/9, the eldest son of John² Grave(s) by Elizabeth Stillwell who is thus proved to have been Elizabeth (Cruttenden) Stillwell at marriage."^[1]

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Jacobus, Donald Lines. Graves-Cruttenden-Stillwell: A Correction. American Genealogist (D.L. Jacobus). (Jul 1955)
   31:173.
2.   Guilford Vital Records (NEHGS), in Connecticut, United States. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records
   111.

   "Grave, John, mar Elizabeth Stillwell, 26 Nov 1657 [A:60]."