Thomas Brush

Notes for Thomas Brush, quoted from research by Jo Rice and Richard Sweet Rice: "Thomas Brush was in Southold, L.I., before 8 October 1655, and an intimate in the family of John Concklyne, as is shown by an affidavit of John Concklyne, Junr. on that day regarding the non-cupative will of Mr. Frost, who had died recently. On 17 May 1656 Thomas Brush himself made this affidavit: "Thomas Brush doth witness upon his oath that Mr. Frost lying upon his sick bed did by word of mouth gave until John Concklyne Senr. all his estate wch hee had; and that because the said John Concklyne did curtiously receive him unto his house when he was destitute." Mr. Frost's will was proved at New Haven, Conn., 26 May 1656, upon the oaths (affidavits) of Thomas Brush and John Concklyne, Junr. The Brush's evidently returned immediately to Huntington for on 1 June 1663 that town placed Thomas on a committee of leading men to review old land lay-outs and to lay out and apportion certain new lands. His own lands are mentioned in deeds dated 27 November 1663 and 20 January 1663/64. On 6 April 1664 he and Thomas Scudder (Scudder probably was his brother-in-law, evidence being in existence pointing to a marriage between Scudder and a daughter of John Concklyne) signed the bond of James Mills of Virginia. The Court of 12 May 1664 at Hartford, Conn., accepted him as a freeman from Huntington. Inventory on the estate of Thomas Brush deceased of Huntington was presented to the Court at Southold on 1 June 1675. It amounted to 306 pounds and was presented by Thomas Brush and "his grandfather John Conckling." The Court judged "that hee the sd Thomas Brush is and is to bee reputed to all intents and purposes lawful and sole administrator of ye goods and Chattells belonging to his father." Apparently Thomas Brush was confirmed administrator by the court on 27 Sept. 1675." The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, New York, July 1935, Vol. LXVI, No. 3[:ITAL] From records of Fairfield County, Connecticut: Thomas Brush, son of John Brush, settled in Southold, Long Island, previous to 1657. He was also elected as Land Surveyor in 1663 in Southold, New York. From http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~legends/brush.html: In 1640, the New Haven Colony in Connecticut purchased land from the natives and founded Southold, Long Island, in New York, which probably received its name from Southold, Suffolk County, England. Most of the original purchasers came in that year from Hingham, Norfolkshire, England. By 1642, their homes and meeting houses were built. Volume 1 of the "Southold Town Record" (1653) says that "Thomas Brush was the first owner of his home lot." The lot was on the west side of the village off of Town Street between Horton's Lane and Beckwith Avenue. Thomas is mentioned as being "prominent and upright in character." In Huntington, Thomas became one of the community leaders. He was especially involved in land settlements, as in 1663 when he was chosen with Thomas Weeks and Isaac Platt "to take a vew of all lands layd out in feldes and to record the ownar and the quantity he has taken up in the town booke." In 1665, Thomas and two others were sent with a native called Chickinoe to the South Meadow to find and to fix the boundaries of land bought from the Massapaqua people. Thomas was also one of the people who conferred with the Chief concerning South Neck. Towards the end of his life, Thomas was chosen as Constable, which was considered a position of great authority and honor. A Constable was elected every year from among the previous year's overseers. The Constable had the power to establish the tax rate, nominate candidates for military offices, and they also chose the minister of the town church. Court could not be held except at the Constable's call. The Constable had general oversight of all the civil, military, and religious matters of the community. More About Thomas Brush: Burial: Old Burial Ground, Long Island, New York More About Rebecca Concklyne: Burial: Old Burial Ground, Long Island, New York Emigration: Bet. 1639 - 1640