"7. Stephen3 Brainard (Daniel2, Daniel1) of East Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn.; … He was a farmer, and settled in the southwest district, in Westchester parish, in the town of Colchester, New London Co., Conn., on an elevation of ground just north of the line dividing the town of East Haddam from Colchester. His removal was then regarded as a removal into the country; all around was a dense forest, and the deer were then so plenty that they could be shot from their door. Tradition says his path from East Haddam to Westchester was marked by the blazing of trees. He cleared the land and made preparation for building a house, and when Saturday night came, sat down on a log and looked toward home and cried because he was so far from home. The following week, on Saturday night, he was to return to his father's home, about five miles distant, near East Haddam Landing. He was accompanied by two others [probably the two who accompanied him were his two future brothers-in-law, John and Jonathan Gates, who settled in Westchester, Conn.] when he went into the wild and uninhabited country. The house he built was on the site where his grandson, Amaziah Brainard, afterwards built a house, and in which he lived during his lifetime. When an old man and several of his grandsons were going to Hamilton Co., N. Y., he wondered they could go so far from home. His descendants always spoke of him with the greatest respect, and the following incident will show him to be entitled to it: One night, when quite aged, several young men of somewhat convivial habits had assembled by the well which was near the corner of the house where he had his room, and hearing their loud talk as the glass was passed from one to the other, he arose from his bed, and opening the door said, 'Gentlemen, I do not allow such talk around my house,' then closed the door. Not another loud word was spoken, and the group quietly dispersed, it is hoped with wiser and better thoughts for mending their habits. They were constituent members of the church in Westchester when it was formed, and probably before had belonged to the church in East Haddam. … Mr. Stephen Brainerd d. March 30, 1794, ae. 95 yrs."
