Searching for any information on a Simon DROCK, b. approx 1750. In a land purchase in NH in 1788, he said he was "Simon, a blacksmith of Preston". It is supposed that he meant Preston, New London, CT, since he appears to have connections to CT people, possibly to the Buel family. Simon was identified as a "free negro", likely self-named upon freedom. Married to Susanna (unk last name).

Any help on the origin of this person, prior owner, birth, etc., would be mightily appreciated!

Interesting - my great grandfather and great great grandfathers were both blacksmiths in Preston, CT. William Gardner Wilcox was born 1862 and died 1897. His father was Gardner Nelson Wilcox and was born 1825 and died 1883. Both are buried in a graveyard in the Poquetanuck section of Preston. I know my great grandmother, Lillias B. Parkhurst Wilcox lived in the Doan Homestead, which was torn down, I believe at the intersection of two highways in Preston. I think the blacksmith shop was there. My sister has in storage one photo of the blacksmith shop. My grandfather died in 1991, so I can't ask him any more questions. I wish he had written his memories down. I'm still trying to find Gardner's parents and ancestors. I think they were Gardner Wilcox (born around 1805) and Nabby Eccleston. I think this Gardner's parents were Isaac Wilcox (b Abt 1761 in Stonington, CT) and Nancy Newcomb and his grandparents were Isaac Wilcox (b 1738/39 in Stonington, CT) and Desire Crandall. I don't know if they were also blacksmiths, but it is getting closer to the years your ancestor was a blacksmith. Do you know any more?

Looking for info on William Park Spicer b. Ledyard Ct. 1878
m.Anna Isabelle House

Hi Marcia,

I'm so sorry to have not responded for so long. Moved many times and lost track of the research. Sigh...

Since I posted this originally, I have indeed learned a great deal more! Turns out that Simon Drock (Blacksmith of Preston) was the son of Guy Drock and Sarah Powers. Guy was the slave of Benajah Bushnell, and in the 1750s, Sarah Powers indentured herself for a number of years in exchange for his purchase. (Note: So far as I've found, she purchased him, but I haven't found anything manumitting him!)

Eventually, obviously, Guy was freed, because when he died, his property went through probate and Simon (who was by then living in Goshen NH) was the executor of his 'estate'.

I have enormous interest in nailing down Simon's activities in Preston, because he appears to have married there - and I have no idea who she was, other than "Susanna".

Daryl

Daryl, I wish I could help you. The names you mention are not familiar to me. I have been away from doing genealogy for quite a while. I suppose it's possible that Simon Drock worked with my Great Great Grandfather, Gardner Wilcox, but other than that, I know of no connection. Gardner lived and worked in the Poquetanuck section of Preston from about 1848 until he died in 1883. He worked with his son, William G. Wilcox until he died in 1897 and then William's sons Maurice and George may have continued the business until the 1930s.

Hello Daryl,

I am in Newport, NH. There is info here on Vance Coit.
There is a mountain here named after him, Coit Mountain.
There was a black community that lived on Coit Mountain for a number of years. Please reply to this post. I am very interested in the Coit Mountain community. Thank you!
Kathy