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Justice Seelye- David Welch Deed

HISTORY

A Bit of Family History

Who was David Welch and where did he come from?

David Welch came to Litchfield in 1753 from New Milford. David Welch was the great-grandson of Thomas Welch, an original settler of Milford CT and the first recorded Welch in this country. Thomas Welch married Hannah Buckingham of New Haven and settled in Milford CT in 1639. His son Thomas married  Elizabeth Peck of Hartford and they lived in Milford CT. One of Thomas and  Elizabeths children was John Welch, who married  Deborah Ferris. Their third child was David Welch- of this family line. He was Commissioned as Capt. than Major in Col. David Woosters Regiment 1775 (4th Company, 1st regiment) , Served in the northern Department and assisted in the reduction of St. Johns.(DAR) In 1775 he was  appointed Capt. of 4th Company, 2nd Major of First CT. Regiment.Served summer and fall of 1775 in NY. Welch-Raymond house on Milton Road given to David Welch by his Father inlaw- (John Marsh Jr?). (Irene's Father) in 1758. In 1784, David gave the house to his son Lt. John Welch as a wedding present.  David bought the Parmalee House (Hart-Welch) for his retiremnt and moved into the house in approximately 1784.  David Welch died in same house1815. David Welch Had a store and started Iron Forge puddling works on what is now Shear Shop Road,  making iron bars that were forged out for Blacksmiths iron and nail bars.  Nail making became prosperous business in Milton. Ethan Allan had similar forge in Salisbury and Welch bought Pig Iron from him and carted it over the hills to Milton. Owned at least 4 "servants" according to the 1790 Census:  Jep of Phillis b. Feb 6, 1786, Frank of Phillis, b. Feb 2 1785, Lovise a Mulatto b. Mar 4, 1789, Hosea b. Jun29 1796 1790 CT. Census