Thomas was likely born in early 1626 in Norwich, England[1]. He was the second son of Margaret Barrett and Simon Huntington. As a young boy, Thomas emigrated with his family to Boston in 1633, endured the death of his father, his mother’s remarriage in 1635/36 to Thomas Stoughton, and the blended family removal to what would become Windsor, CT in 1636.
Thomas resided in Windsor the longest of Margaret’s sons. He was active in the late 1650s. He purchased land there in 1656, was employed to “mend the boat.” and in 1660 was elected fence viewer. Around, say, 1660, he was married to Hannah Crane the daughter of Jasper Crane, a leader of the town of Branford in New Haven Colony. By 1663, Thomas was living in Branford with Hannah.
In 1665, a portion of Branford families decided to uproot to what would be called Newark, NJ. This was partly a response to the absorption of New Haven Colony[2] into Connecticut Colony of which they disagreed.
Thomas’ name is among those who set up the new Congregational-based compact. The signers bound themselves to provide "with care and diligence for the maintenance of the purity of religion professed in the Congregational Churches of Connecticut." The subscribers had been alarmed by the admission into the civil offices of the union, of men not connected with the Christian church.
By 1666 the newly formed group having the purity of religion mainly in view, located themselves on the banks of the Passaic River, in New Jersey.
Among the pioneers of that new settlement, along with Jasper Crane his influential father-in-law, Thomas was a prominent man in town affairs. In 1677 he was appointed constable. In 1683 he was one of the townsmen. In 1684 he was on a committee to treat with the Governor, in regard to a supposed infringement on town rights. In 1685 he was elected one of the deputies from Newark to the general court of the province of New Jersey. He died in 1685, approximately 59 years old.
Thomas’ widow, Hannah, later married John Ward, first of Branford, and afterward of Newark.
CHILDREN
SAMUEL, born probably in Branford, CT.
HANNAH. Her grandfather, Jasper Crane, mentions her in his will, calling her his granddaughter. No other record of her has been discovered.
Last Updated: December 2025
THOMAS HUNTINGTON
1 This is based on his siblings’ baptism records in Norwich; his baptism record is unknown.
2 It is possible he had a first marriage.