Pawcatuck in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Stonington Founders Monument
Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 27, 2013
1. Stonington Founders Monument
( west face )
Inscription.
Stonington Founders Monument. .
William Chesebrough. The first white settler of Stonington. Born in England, 1594. Migrated to America in John Winthrops company, which planted Boston in 1630. After spending a few years in Rehoboth Mass. he, with his wife and four sons in 1649 fixed his permanent home in this, then wilderness, and built his dwelling house not far from this monument. He took a leading part in the organization of the town and the conduct of its early affairs. He died June 9, 1667. A bold pioneer; a wise organizer; a firm Christian.
Chesebrough.
Lieut. Thomas Minor. Born in Chew Magna, Somerset County England, April 23, 1608. He was first, by the name of Minor to migrate to this country, coming on the ship Arabella which reached Salem Harbor June 14, 1630. He married Grace, daughter of Walter Palmer at Charlestown April 23, 1634. He took up his permanent abode at Quiambaug in 1653, or 1654, where he lived till his death Oct. 23, 1690. One of the founders of New London and Stonington; prominent in public office; an organizer of the church.
Minor.
Walter Palmer. One of the founders of Stonington. Emigrated to New England in 1629 and settled in Charlestown, Mass. Became a freeman, May 18, 1631, and united with the Charlestown church, June 1, 1633. Removed to Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony, in 1642, and represented that town in the General Court. Came to Stonington in 1652 and lived here until his death, Nov. 10, 1661. At his home near this spot was held the first religious service between the Thames River and Narragansett Bay.
Palmer.
Thomas Stanton. Interpretor General for the New England colonies. Died Dec. 2, 1677, aged 62 years. He came from England in 1635. Was of Boston in 1636, Hartford 1637, and Stonington in 1656. Was Marshal of the Colony. County Commissioner, member of the General Court and one of the founders of the first church in Stonington. A man of wide spread and lasting importance to the colonies, and identified with nearly every transaction between the natives and colonists up to the year of his death.
Stanton.
William Chesebrough
The first white settler of Stonington. Born in England, 1594. Migrated to America in John Winthrops company, which planted Boston in 1630. After spending a few years in Rehoboth Mass. he, with his wife and four sons in 1649 fixed his permanent home in this, then wilderness, and built his dwelling house not far from this monument. He took a leading part in the organization of the town and the conduct of its early affairs. He died June 9, 1667. A bold pioneer; a wise organizer; a firm Christian.
Chesebrough
Lieut. Thomas Minor
Born in Chew Magna, Somerset County England, April 23, 1608. He was first, by the name of Minor to migrate to this country, coming on the ship Arabella which reached Salem Harbor June 14, 1630. He married Grace, daughter of Walter Palmer at Charlestown April 23, 1634. He took up his permanent abode at Quiambaug in 1653, or 1654, where he lived till his death Oct. 23, 1690. One of the founders of New London and Stonington; prominent in public office; an organizer of the church.
Minor
Walter Palmer
One of the founders of Stonington. Emigrated to New England in 1629 and settled in Charlestown, Mass. Became a freeman, May 18, 1631, and united with
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the Charlestown church, June 1, 1633. Removed to Rehoboth, Plymouth Colony, in 1642, and represented that town in the General Court. Came to Stonington in 1652 and lived here until his death, Nov. 10, 1661. At his home near this spot was held the first religious service between the Thames River and Narragansett Bay.
Palmer
Thomas Stanton
Interpretor General for the New England colonies. Died Dec. 2, 1677, aged 62 years. He came from England in 1635. Was of Boston in 1636, Hartford 1637, and Stonington in 1656. Was Marshal of the Colony. County Commissioner, member of the General Court and one of the founders of the first church in Stonington. A man of wide spread and lasting importance to the colonies, and identified with nearly every transaction between the natives and colonists up to the year of his death.
Stanton
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1608.
Location. 41° 21.586′ N, 71° 52.598′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Pawcatuck. It is on Palmer Neck Road 0.1 miles south of Greenhaven Road, on the left when traveling south. The marker stands in Wequetequock Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stonington CT 06378, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and monument is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 4,088 times since then and 213 times this year. Last updated on June 17, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 20, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
