Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
NameWilliam BACKUS 
Birthabt 1606, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England2879, p 254
Removal1639, Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut2622, p 1 Age: 33
Deathbef 7 Jun 1664, Norwich, New London, Connecticut2879, p 254,2881, p 175 Age: 58
Probate7 Jun 16642881, p 175 Age: 58
Memodate inventory taken
FlagsEarliest Immigrant
Individual Notes
• William Backus, of Saybrook, 1638, was the common ancestor of the Norwich and Windham Backus families. He removed to Norwich, 1660, was one of the original proprietors of that town, freeman there, 1663, and d. June, 1664, leaving a 2d wife, Ann, who the Norwich records call the mother of Thomas Bingham, sen., (she was probably his step-mother) who d. May, 1670.1439, p 58
• Although William Backus of Saybrook and Norwich, Connecticut, has been said to have been in New England as early as 1637, no actual record of him prior to 1659 has been found.2879, p 253
• About 1659, he moved to Norwich being one of the first settlers under the leadership of Rev. James Fitch and John Mason. He brought with him three daughters, two sons, and his stepson, Thomas Bingham.2880, p 7
• Although William Backus of Saybrook and Norwich, Connecticut, has been said to have been in New England as early as 1637, no actual record of him prior to 1659 has been found.2879, p 253
• About 1659, he moved to Norwich being one of the first settlers under the leadership of Rev. James Fitch and John Mason. He brought with him three daughters, two sons, and his stepson, Thomas Bingham.2880, p 7
Spouses
Burial9 Feb 1643, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England2879, p 254
Marriageabt 1627, England2447, p 29; marriage only,2879, p 254
Birthabt 1602, England2622, p 2
Memo“I was fifty-six when Mr. Bingham and I left England”
DeathMay 1670, Norwich, New London, Connecticut2879, p 254,1868, p 7; Norwich VR (153, Vol. 1, p 8); “Mother of Thomas Bingham, Sr.” Age: 68
FatherRobert FENTON (1583-~1623)
MotherAlice HANCOCK
Individual Notes
• In “Origins of William Backus of Sheffield, England, and Norwich, Connecticut,” it was stated that William’s second wife was Anne (Stenton) Bingham, widow of Thomas Bingham. In a subsequent correction, it was established that Anne’s maiden name was Fenton, the original error having clearly been a mistranscription of the double ‘ff’ in ‘ffenton’ in the Sheffield parish register.
Further proof of Anne’s identity was recently submitted by Richard C. Bingham of Centerville, Utah, who has found the will of Anne’s mother, Alice Fenton of Sheffield.2883
Further proof of Anne’s identity was recently submitted by Richard C. Bingham of Centerville, Utah, who has found the will of Anne’s mother, Alice Fenton of Sheffield.2883
Marriage1659, Saybrook, Middlesex, Connecticut2447, p 29; marriage only,2879, p 254