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New London County CTGenWeb  |
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 The
town
of Stonington was first settled under the leadership of
William
Chesebrough,
who had come to visit John Winthrop's settlement at Pequot
(later New
London),
but preferred the region further east. He built in 1649 a
house and
settled
with his family, supposing he was within the boundries of
Massachusetts.
The General Court of Connecticut, however, claimed
jurisdiction of the
region. In 1652, after considerable effort, he obtained a
grant for
himself
and his sons. Other settlers came gradually, amongst whom were
Thomas
Stanton,
Thomas Miner, Governor Haynes, Walter Palmer, Capt. George
Denison,
Capt.
John Gallup, Robert Park, and their families.
In October 1659, the Massachusetts Court granted that the English plantation between Mystic and Pawcatuck be named Southertown, and to belong to the County of Suffolk. The first small meeting house was built May 13th, 1661. Gov. John Winthrop procured the new charter from King Charles II which fixed the eastern line of Connecticut at Pawcatuck river, which included the township of Southertown.
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