John Gregory (settler) facts for kids

John Gregory (1612 – August 15, 1689) was an important person in early American history. He was a founding settler of Norwalk, Connecticut. John Gregory also worked as a shoemaker and a leather worker (called a tanner). He was a deputy (like a representative) in the government of the Connecticut Colony. He served many times in the General Court from 1659 to 1695.

Early Life and Moving to America

John Gregory was born in 1612 in Nottinghamshire, England. His parents were Henry Gregory and Mary Goody. In the early 1630s, John moved to America with his father. Many people moved from England to start new lives in the American colonies during this time.

Living in the New Haven Colony

John Gregory lived in the New Haven Colony from 1639 to 1646. This was one of the early English settlements in North America. In 1644, he became an official member of the New Haven Court. This meant he could take part in local government decisions. His sons, Joseph and Thomas, were born in New Haven in 1646 and 1648.

Helping to Settle Norwalk

Roger Ludlow bought the land for what would become Norwalk in 1640. Ludlow then made a deal with fourteen men to start the new town. In 1649, Richard Olmsted and Nathaniel Ely were the first two people to settle there. One of the fourteen men was Richard Webb, who was John Gregory's brother-in-law.

John Gregory lived in the East Norwalk area of the town. He was a very active member of the community. He held important positions in Norwalk almost all the time he lived there. His name is on the Founders Stone in the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery. This stone lists the names of the first settlers of Norwalk.

The Founding of Newark

In 1662, the New Haven Colony became part of the larger Connecticut Colony. Many of the Puritan settlers in New Haven were not happy about this change. The new colony's rules did not include certain restrictions for non-Puritan settlers. The Puritans believed that only members of their church should be allowed to vote. They also thought that only children of church members could be baptized.

Because of these disagreements, the New Haven Puritans decided to start a new settlement. They sent Robert Treat and John Gregory to meet with Philip Carteret. He was the new Royal Governor of New Jersey. The group chose the area where Newark, New Jersey, is today. In May 1666, the Puritan settlers, led by Treat, bought the land directly from the Hackensack Indians.