Person:Thomas Tousey (3)

"Hannah (Clark),⁴ … m. (1st) Nov. 12, 1717, Rev. Thomas Tousey, b. circa 1688, d. at Newtown, Conn., Mar. 14, 1761, in his 74th yr., a graduate of Yale (1707), son of Thomas Tousey of Wethersfield, Conn.; …"

"Thomas Tousey was the only surviving son of Thomas Tousey, of Wethersfield, who was the son of Richard Tousey, of Say brook. He studied theology, and is said to have first preached in Hebron, Connecticut. In May, 1713, he began to preach in the new settlement of Newtown, Connecticut, and in July, 1714, terms of settlement were agreed upon. In May, 1715, the General Assembly authorized the gathering of a church, and Mr. Tousey was ordained pastor, October 19, 1715. He relinquished his charge, however, in March, 1724, and memorialized the General Assembly two months later to secure the receipt of his last year's dues (£60 and firewood). He alleged that he was 'sore broken in health and as it may seem refusing recovery;' per contra, some of his flock filed charges of his unsatisfactoriness as a pastor.

He was a large land-holder, and later became the most influential civilian in Newtown. He was commissioned a Captain in the militia in October, 1727, and thenceforwards was known by his new title. From 1728 until his death he was a justice of the peace, and in 1747-8 and 1751 served as representative to the General Assembly for four sessions. He died in Newtown, March 14, 1761, aged 71. He married in 1717, Hannah, daughter of Captain Samuel Clark, of Milford, Connecticut, and through his descendants the name has been honorably perpetuated in Connecticut.

His wife's father died in 1725, leaving a large landed estate, but no will; and the eldest son, Samuel Clark, Jr., of Milford, appealed to the Superior Court for a reversal of the decree of the New Haven Probate Court (dated February 28, 1726-7), dividing the estate, real as well as personal, according to the old law of the Colony (1699) equally among all the children, excepting a double portion to the eldest son. Before this appeal was acted on, a similar appeal made by another party had been carried to England, and unexpectedly sustained by the King in Council, on the ground that the Connecticut statute was contrary to the laws of the realm. The principle involved was important, since the titles to land acquired under the old law would be unsettled if the law were pronounced invalid; and when Samuel Clark, Jr., having compounded with all the other co-heirs, was unable to overawe Captain Tousey, all the Colony was interested. Clark carried his appeal to England, and in 1742 the General Assembly voted £500 to Captain Tousey for the defence of his suit, and instructed the Colony's Agent in London to retain able counsel to assist and defend him. He did not go to England himself, but in July, 1745, an order was finally passed in Council dismissing Clark's petition."

"Toucey, … Thomas, Rev., ordained 1714; dism. 1724 [5:4]"
"Toucey, … Thomas, Pastor Oct. 19, 1715-1724; d. Mar. 14, 1761 [8:B; 10:1]"
"Toucey, … Tho(ma)s, Esq., d. Mar. 14, 1761, age about 74 [5:30]"