Person:Jonathan Hendy (5)

BIOGRAPHY: Ref. History of Norwich, Caulkins, 1866. XIX HENDY

This name is identical with Hende, Hendys, and Handy. Richard Hendy seems to have been one of the first purchasers of Norwich, and to have had an early allotment in the neighborhood of the town-plot. He also shared in the first divisions of land, but there is no evidence of his actual residence at any time in the settlement. In 1660 and '61 a person of this name was at work upon vessels at New London and Newport. A Richard Handy, four or five years later, was proprietor of a mill built by John Elderkin on the Menunkatesuck river at Killingworth, and died at that place, Aug. 4, 1670. This mill at Killingworth, and fifty acres of land on Westward Hill in Norwich, were among his assets.* The same year the townsmen of Norwich, directed that the children of Richard Hendy, deceased, should have a share in the divisions of common land equal with other proprietors. From these and other concurrent facts, it is evident that Richard Hendy, the Norwich proprietor, and Richard Handy, of Killingworth, were one and the same person.

Hannah, the wife of Richard Handy, was a daughter of John Elderkin. Only three children appear as heirs, Jonathan, Richard, and Hannah. Elderkin was their guardian, and settled the estate. Richard lived in the family of Elderkin, and became an inhabitant of Norwich. Hannah married Samuel Belding of Wethersfield, Jan. 14, 1685.

• Conn. Col. Rec., 2, 191. The author is indebted for this fact and other information concerning Richard Handy of Killingworth, to R. D. Smith, Esq., of Guilford. Miss Sally Handy, the last of the name in Guilford, died Feb. 28, 1849, almost a centenarian. She was born March 20, 1750.

Other References: Society of The Sons & Daughter of the Pilgrims, Vol. 2, pg 197 list an Ensign Richard Hendee (1666-1742/3) md 1695 Elizabeth Conant (Connaut).