"19. John Holbrook4, son of John3 (Abel2, Richard1) and Abigail (Gunn) Holbrook, b. Aug. 12, 1726. He lived on Great Hill, a part of Derby at that time, in the house built by his father between 1740 and 45. During the Revolutionary War, he took an active part in the affairs of the town as shown by 'History of Derby.' He did not himself go to the front, but sent three of his sons. While at home he gave his aid in every way supporting the war vigorously until the end. Dec. 14, 1717 [error for 1777], he was appointed, with others, by the Legislature, to examine any mines or mineral substance containing sulphur to be found within the colony and procure experienced workmen to separate the sulphur to find the practicability of manufacturing it for use in the war. He left the Episcopal Church, the society his father was so active in forming, at the beginning of the war, because the pastor, Reverend Mr. Mansfield, preached and talked submission to the King of England and the present state. He united with the old Church until 1781, when, having a sawmill of his own and plenty of timber, he built a Church on his own land on Great Hill at a place called 'Meeting House Meadow.' He was the first deacon of this Church. He gave a pewter Communion set, which is still preserved although the Church records have been lost. He also gave a piece of land for a cemetery. He was reputed to own 1000 acres of land including most of the territory between the two rivers, the Housatonic at upper Squantuck, to the Seymour road near the Naugatuck."
