125 Sturges Family Papers
Sturges Family Papers
Collection, Ms 32
1707 – 1954
Jonathan Sturges was the patriarch of a family active in the social, political and economic life of the town of Fairfield from its earliest settlement. The library owns several published Sturges genealogies. Additional information can be found in Donald L. Jacobus’ book The History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield and in the vertical files.
The materials in this collection represent individual members of different branches of the
Sturges family of Fairfield County and New York City. Determining the relationships
within the family is difficult, and no attempt has been made to organize the collection by
lineage or family group. Instead, the collection is arranged alphabetically by the first
name of the individual. In some cases, material in a folder may actually represent more
than one person.
The estate of Abigail Sturges (possibly different people) is represented by a record of real
estate distribution, n.d., and a transcript of the will, 1748. Anna B. Sturges collected
patterns, signatures, and instructions in her notebook, 1864-1875, while a student at the
Golden Hill Seminary in Bridgeport. Folder 3 contains legal records and correspondence,
1815-1862, related to Banks Sturges, including a petition against him sent to the Superior
Court in 1815 and a letter describing the history of the case, written in 1844. Daniel
Sturges is represented by deeds, 1773, 1778, in Folder 4. David Sturges’ legal records in
Folder 5 include executions of judgment, 1771, 1774; and a summons, 1804. Deeds
issued to Eleazar Sturges, 1745, are arranged in Folder 6.
Frederick Sturges, the son of Jonathan (1802-1874) kept account books for the family
farm, 1878-1890. The books include daily notations on the weather and the amount of
labor expended, accounts with Sturges, and an inventory of “his place.” His son,
Frederick Sturges, Jr. is represented by a military discharge, 1919; a certificate that he
donated to the Liberty Loan, 1919; and blackline maps of his property on Unquowa
Road, surveyed by Huntington and Company, 1954, in Folder 10. Gershom Sturges is
represented by a copy of a register for the Ship Eliza, 1818, and a lease with Ellen Bennit,
1833, arranged in folder 11. Henry A. Sturges’ ledger, 1836-1845, is an oversized item
and is stored separately. Henry Cady Sturges was a historian by avocation, gave
numerous presentations at the Fairfield Historical Society, and published at least one
book. His manuscript history of Mill Plain, n.d., a pedigree chart for cows on his farm,
n.d., and correspondence concerning family history, 1914, are arranged in Folder 13.
Hezekiah Sturges served in the militia, and his papers include his military discharge,
1794, along with a draft, 1774; account book, 1770-1816; and a deed, 1822, in Folder 14.
At least three Jonathan Sturges are represented in the collection. Copies of deeds from
1707 and 1742 are attributed to Jonathan (1679-1744) but may in fact belong to two
different people. A letter of appreciation, delivered at New York merchant Jonathan
(1802-1874) Sturges’ retirement in 1867, is housed in Folder 16. Folder 17 contains the
estate records of Jonathan (1816-1892), son of Banks Sturges. Several Peters are also
represented in the collection. A deed, 1757, and an estate distribution, 1771, are attributed
to Peter (1685-1757) and are stored in Folder 18. Samuel Sturges’ papers include two
plot maps, 1767, and a promissory note, 1799. These items, in folder 19, may actually
belong to two different individuals.
Folders 20-24 contain records relating to a variety of Sturges family members. Folder 20
contains a plot plan, 1767; deeds, 1817, 1833, 1884; estate records, 1729, n.d.; financial
records, 1812, 1831, 1907; and Mary’s membership certificate in the New York
Colonization Society, 1845. Executions of judgment in which Sturges family members
were involved in the case or witnessed the settlement, 1773-1790, are organized in Folder
21. A petition to the General Assembly in Folder 22 was written by Jeremiah Sturges
“and others of Fairfield” concerning the need for an Insurance Company, 1825. Folder 21
contains genealogical information on the Sturges family.
Sturges family of Fairfield County and New York City. Determining the relationships
within the family is difficult, and no attempt has been made to organize the collection by
lineage or family group. Instead, the collection is arranged alphabetically by the first
name of the individual. In some cases, material in a folder may actually represent more
than one person.
The estate of Abigail Sturges (possibly different people) is represented by a record of real
estate distribution, n.d., and a transcript of the will, 1748. Anna B. Sturges collected
patterns, signatures, and instructions in her notebook, 1864-1875, while a student at the
Golden Hill Seminary in Bridgeport. Folder 3 contains legal records and correspondence,
1815-1862, related to Banks Sturges, including a petition against him sent to the Superior
Court in 1815 and a letter describing the history of the case, written in 1844. Daniel
Sturges is represented by deeds, 1773, 1778, in Folder 4. David Sturges’ legal records in
Folder 5 include executions of judgment, 1771, 1774; and a summons, 1804. Deeds
issued to Eleazar Sturges, 1745, are arranged in Folder 6.
Frederick Sturges, the son of Jonathan (1802-1874) kept account books for the family
farm, 1878-1890. The books include daily notations on the weather and the amount of
labor expended, accounts with Sturges, and an inventory of “his place.” His son,
Frederick Sturges, Jr. is represented by a military discharge, 1919; a certificate that he
donated to the Liberty Loan, 1919; and blackline maps of his property on Unquowa
Road, surveyed by Huntington and Company, 1954, in Folder 10. Gershom Sturges is
represented by a copy of a register for the Ship Eliza, 1818, and a lease with Ellen Bennit,
1833, arranged in folder 11. Henry A. Sturges’ ledger, 1836-1845, is an oversized item
and is stored separately. Henry Cady Sturges was a historian by avocation, gave
numerous presentations at the Fairfield Historical Society, and published at least one
book. His manuscript history of Mill Plain, n.d., a pedigree chart for cows on his farm,
n.d., and correspondence concerning family history, 1914, are arranged in Folder 13.
Hezekiah Sturges served in the militia, and his papers include his military discharge,
1794, along with a draft, 1774; account book, 1770-1816; and a deed, 1822, in Folder 14.
At least three Jonathan Sturges are represented in the collection. Copies of deeds from
1707 and 1742 are attributed to Jonathan (1679-1744) but may in fact belong to two
different people. A letter of appreciation, delivered at New York merchant Jonathan
(1802-1874) Sturges’ retirement in 1867, is housed in Folder 16. Folder 17 contains the
estate records of Jonathan (1816-1892), son of Banks Sturges. Several Peters are also
represented in the collection. A deed, 1757, and an estate distribution, 1771, are attributed
to Peter (1685-1757) and are stored in Folder 18. Samuel Sturges’ papers include two
plot maps, 1767, and a promissory note, 1799. These items, in folder 19, may actually
belong to two different individuals.
Folders 20-24 contain records relating to a variety of Sturges family members. Folder 20
contains a plot plan, 1767; deeds, 1817, 1833, 1884; estate records, 1729, n.d.; financial
records, 1812, 1831, 1907; and Mary’s membership certificate in the New York
Colonization Society, 1845. Executions of judgment in which Sturges family members
were involved in the case or witnessed the settlement, 1773-1790, are organized in Folder
21. A petition to the General Assembly in Folder 22 was written by Jeremiah Sturges
“and others of Fairfield” concerning the need for an Insurance Company, 1825. Folder 21
contains genealogical information on the Sturges family.
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