William S. Diggins

Notes:

William Diggins was a brother to Joseph, Wesley, and Franklin Diggins, who all married daughters of Julius Augustus Owen - "Descendants of John Owen of Windsor, Connecticut" p. 196

William married Lucinda Skinner on 1 Dec 1825 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont. Lucinda (daughter of Eli Skinner and Lucinda Nims) was born on 5 Aug 1797 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont; died on 1 Dec 1825 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Miranda L. Diggins was born on 28 May 1827 in Waitsfield, Washington Co, Vermont; and died.

Notes:

Oliver Diggins born about 1735, died at Weathersfield, Vt. in 1819, where he settled in 1780-81. His will, dated June 15, 1815, probated Mar. 13, 1819 names nine of his children...He was a soldier in the Revolution. Oliver enlisted 19 May 1775. He was with 2nd Co, 4th Reg in the siege of Boston. See DAR applications 54385 and 132186.

From Connecticut Men in the Revolution pp59-60: Connecticut Continental Troops Eight Regiments for the Year 1775 Among the names: Oliver Diggins; Time Enlisted, May 19, 1775; When Discharged, Dec 20, 1775

Fourth Regiment - Col. Hinman's - 1775Raised on the first call for troops, April-May 1775 and recruited mainly in Litchfield County. Upon the surprise of Ft. Ticonderoga, May 10, Gov. Trumbull ordered this regiment to march as soon as possible to secure that post and Crown Point against recapture. A request to this effect was also made by the Continental Congress. The regiiment reached Ticonderoga in June and Col. Hinman assumed command until the arrival of Gen Schuyler. It took part in the operations of the Northern Department until expiaration of term of service Dec. 1775. Regiment suffered much from sickness and many men were mustered out in Oct-Nov 1775.
2d Company (This Company served at the Siege of Boston) Capt George Pitkin and Capt Ozias Bissell.

Oliver married Mehitable Porter on 20 Sep 1758 in Windsor, Hartford Co, Connecticut. Mehitable (daughter of Hezekiah Porter and Mary Stoddard) was born about 1730 in Windsor, Hartford Co, Connecticut Colony; died on 8 Feb 1811 in Wethersfield, Windsor Co, Vermont; was buried about Feb 1811 in Ascutneyville Cem, Windsor Co, Vermont. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was a pupil of Rev. Timothy Edwards. He served as Sergt. under Capt. Ebenezer Grant, upon an "Expedition into ye Frontiers" Dec 19, 1745 and was commissioned Ensign, Oct 1749. It is said that Gov. William Franklin was quartered at his house under a juvenile guard during his captivity.
In 1740 Diggins had his children baptized by Rev. Mr. Woodbridge of the East Hartford Church but was later received back into the East Windsor Church.

Joseph married Elizabeth Stoughton in 17 Dec1735 in Somers, Tolland Co, Connecticut. Elizabeth (daughter of William Stoughton) was born on 2 Oct 1711 in Hartford County, Connecticut Colony; died on 22 Dec 1769 in Windsor, Hartford Co, Connecticut Colony. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
From Conn Genealogies: [Elizabeth was the] daughter of William Stoughton. This marriage was against the wish of the bride's father, and [Rev. Timothy] Edwards refused the communion to the young couple, and refused to baptize their children, unless Diggins should make public confession of his "scandalous offence." The church seems to have taken the young man's part, and endeavored in every way to persuade the pastor to recede. A lengthy controversy ensued, which finally developed into a trial of the pastor's power and right to negative (sic) a vote of the church. The struggle continued for several years, and is fully recorded in "A Narrative of the Troubles in the Second Church in Windsor from the year 1735 to the year 1741" a manuscript of Gov. Roger Wolcott in the possession of the Connecticut Historical Society at Hartford.
A Mr. Matt B. Jones who contributed the Dickens, Diggins notes states that he has recently (1980's) found Joseph Diggins' and Elizabeth Stoughton's "marriage record among the early marriages of Somers, Conn, under date Dec 17, 1735, the name of the wife there appearing as Elizabeth Houghton, but it is stated that both were of Windsor and there was no Houghton family of Windsor, the evidence being abundant that he did marry Elizabeth Stoughton."
In light of the scandalous nature of their marriage, it seems likely the couple dashed over to the neighboring Toland county to get married and the bride "accidentally" misspelled her last name.

Hezekiah married Mary Stoddard about 1727 in Woodbury, Litchfield Co, Connecticut. Mary (daughter of Anthony Stoddard and Prudence Wells) was born on 19 Jun 1702 in Woodbury, Litchfield Co, Connecticut; died on 27 May 1727 in Woodbury, Litchfield Co, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]