Celebrity Genealogy      Research - My Family

Discovering My Puritan Ancestors: Hugh Calkins and Anne Eaton

I recently discovered that my 10x great-grandparents, Hugh Calkins and Anne Eaton, were Puritans who took part in the Puritan migration from England to colonial America. Tracing this branch of my family has revealed fascinating insights into early New England history.

The Calkin family was well-known in New England, and my research has uncovered numerous articles and records documenting their legacy on my paternal side.

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Early Life in England

My 10x great-grandfather, Hugh Calkins, was born on April 8, 1603, in Waverton, Cheshire, England, near the border with Wales. In 1622, he married Anne Eaton in Monmouth, England. Several of their children were born in England before Hugh and Anne decided to leave due to the religious persecution they faced during the reign of King Charles I.

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Migration to America

An excerpt from a biography of Hugh and Anne highlights their journey:

 

Between 1638 and 1640, Hugh Calkins, a religious non-conformist, along with his wife Anne and their young son John, joined the Welsh Company and emigrated to America with their pastor, Rev. Richard Blinman. They departed from Chepstow, Monmouthshire, and arrived at Green Harbor in the Plymouth Colony, near present-day Marshfield, Massachusetts.

The family initially settled in Marshfield but later moved to Cape Ann Lane, Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts, likely due to religious conflicts with the Pilgrims.

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Life in Connecticut

By 1650, Hugh and his family relocated to Pequot (now New London), Connecticut, following Rev. Blinman. Hugh received a land grant from the townsmen of Pequot on October 19, 1650, and became deeply involved in civic and military affairs, including:

• Serving as Deputy to the General Court of the Colony

• Acting as a Representative to the Massachusetts Court from Gloucester (1650–1652)

• Organizing local militias during conflicts with the Naragansett Indians

• Participating in town planning and land surveys

In 1659, Hugh, along with his son John and thirty-two others, founded the town of Norwich, Connecticut. He became one of the town’s 35 original proprietors, served as Deacon of the Norwich Church, and represented the town in the Connecticut Assembly multiple times between 1663 and 1671. Hugh was known for his leadership in public affairs, including fortifications, boundary surveys, and legislative duties.

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Later Life

Hugh Calkins passed away around 1690 at the age of 90, and Anne died in July 1711, both in Norwich. Their legacy lives on through the numerous records of their public service and contributions to early colonial society.

Personal Reflection

I had no idea I was descended from Puritans—and even American Revolutionary soldiers—until recently. Discovering this history has renewed my passion for genealogy and reminds me why ancestry research is full of surprises.