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Judge John Phelps
Signatory to the Constitutional Convention
Judge John Phelps, b. Suffield, Ct., 1736.
The record of this child is not found in Suffield records, nor can any probate of his father's will be found though his direct connection with this family comes through a source from which there can be no doubt. Married Mary Richardson about 1754, she daughter of Lady Abigail and William Richardson of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was about fifteen years old at time of marriage.
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| Judge John Phelps of Suffolk, Connecticut |
Say her descendants, "We find from Douglas Peerage of Scotland, 'Richardson, Lord Cramond, Edinburgh.' Sir Thomas, Lord Cramond, had 1st, Thomas, who inherited the the title, 2nd William, Sergeant at Law, m. Abigail Richardson. The date of William Richardson's will is 8 Mar, 1681. Here the Richardson family become extinct for want of a male heir. Mary Richardson was daughter of and only child of this William and Abigail Richardson. Abigail Richardson died at Stafford Springs, Conn., in 1772.
Judge Phelps settled in Stafford Springs, soon after marrying, where he became an honored and influential man. He held the office of justice of the Peace for many years, and re. presented his town in the Legislature several times. He was also a delegate with Elisha Treat Mills, (whose Son afterward married his daughter), to the Convention of 1779, to ratify the Constitution of the United States. He was also largely interested in the manufacture of iron. In 1775, he with others, erected a blast furnace on a large scale, where they manufactured cannon balls for the government, and other war implements. He died in Stafford, Ct., about 1808, honored and respected by all about him.
It is said by the descendants of this family that judge Phelps, when about 19 years old, fell in love with Mary Richardson, then fifteen years old, and who later became his wife. At that time the Richardson family was quite a wealthy and aristocratic family, while the Phelpses were comparatively poor, and Mary was kept confined so as not to meet her lover, but as the story goes Mary was faithful to her lover, and one night after the family had retired, she was waisted by her colored servant who had been her nurse, to leave the home, meet her lover John, when they ran away and were married.
Some six months after, the mother was reconciled to the marriage, saying her only objection was they were too young to marry.
Mrs. Richardson lived to see her son-in-law, Mr. Phelps, a man of influence, honored and respected by all who knew him.
From The Phelps Family of America and Their English Ancestors, (Save $200 by ordering through us.) By Oliver S. Phelps and Andrew T. Servin. (Get a free, updated index here.), p 185-6.