1)Archive Sheet submitted by May B. McCall;
2)First Book of Preston Marr. 974.65/p1V2p;
3)Letter from Mr. Wilfred Vasile, 26 Lincoln Ave, LeRoy N.Y. 14482, dated 13 Sep 1971;
4) 974.6 V25b 1968 Copy 2, Early Conn. Marr.
5) Probate Records of #1, #2, 4, & 5;
6) Film 459635 - Stephen Gates of Hingam & Lancaster, Mass.;
7) Will of Thomas Gates-Uncle to this father, Thomas; Will of Father Thomas-fr. Conn. State lib.
8) 929.273 C667c-chapman, F.C., "The Coit Family"
9) F1986 pt 2&3,, Preston Land Records; F3671 pt 19 Cem Records fro Plainfield, New Hampshire, F1922 pt 1.
NOTES OF INTEREST: Joseph Coit Jr. was Graduated from Harvard Univ. In 1697 and earned a masters degree from Yale University. He served as an ordained
minister for 43 years in Plainfield, Conn. He was described by a historian in
the following way:
"He was an ornament to his profession, not only as a preacher of the
gospel of peace, but a zealous promoter of peace among his hearers and others; so that even those in the later part of his ministry who were disaffected with his preaching never seemed to have any personal prejudice against him. Traditions report that Mr. Coit used to pray with great simplicity 'That his descendants might be the children of God as long as the grass should grow and the brooks should run,'---a prayer that seems to have been answered in respect to a large proportion of his descendants to the present time."
-F. C. Chapman-
His wife Experience was also a deeply spiritual God-fearing woman whose will
reads like a piece of poetry expressing her love for the Savior.
Sources of Information
1. Plainfield Vital Records: marriage date for parents.
2. 974.65/51K2w Stonington History of First Congregational Church in
Plainfield;
3. F2004 Plainfield Ct. Ch Records;
4. Fo2904 Barbour Coll Ch Records of New London (F1922);
5. Church Records New London 1916
6. F441390 Gravestones of Plainfield, Conn.
7. Wills of both Rev. Joseph Coit Jr. And his wife Experience Wheeler Coit.
Notes of Interest: Stephen Gates who married Sarah Woodward was Proprietor of Stow, Massachusetts and Later of Preston, Conn. He owned considerable property. Many of his descendants are still living in Preston.
974.65/p1V2p First Book of Preston Marriages.
F521771 Vol 12 p. 341 Probate Records of Middlesex Co., Mass.
F459635 Steven Gates of Hingham and Lancaster, Mass.
Archive Record submitted by May B. McCall.
History of Framingham by Barry 974.44/F1 H2h pp. 250-251.
History of Marlborough, Mass. (Hudson) 974.44/M5 H2h pp. 366-367