William (Roswell), Branford, merch. rem. to Charlestown, there was inhab. 1658, and Frothingham, 145, says, m. 29 Nov. 1654 (tho. judge Smith of Guilford makes the date many yrs. later, and perhaps is should be, by ten yrs. nearly), Catharine, d. of Hon. Richard Russell of that place, but rem. soon aft. to Branford, where he, in Jan. 1668, partook in the new combinat. for ch. aft. withdrawal of Rev. Abraham Pierson to New Jersey, and very soon rem. to New Haven, and was active in business, sent in 1673 to the Dutch, after they had retaken New York, to inqu. a. their further purpose, named capt. of the horse in Philip's war, but declined to accept, was a judge of the Co. bef. during, and aft. the usurp. of Andros, but turned out in 1690; and in 1692, with Edward Palmes and Gershom Bulkley, oppos. the Charter gov. and d. 19 July 1694, aged 64, as the gr.st. tells, and his wid. d. 1698. He had Maud, b. 21 Aug. 1688; and William, 16 June 1670; both at New Haven, beside the Richard, wh. prob. was b. at Charlestown; and perhaps by ano. w. Eliz. 1 Oct. 1679. This call. by Caulkins "only ch. of W. R." bec. sec. w. of Gov. Saltonstall, had five ch. and d. soon aft. b. of the last. It must be that "only child" means only surviv. My informat. is deriv. chiefly from Judge R. D. Smith of Guilford, aft. dilig. scrutiny of rec.
