Mathew Beckwith (1st)

Mathew Beckwith, "born in Pontefract, Yorkshire, Engl., about 1610. Emigrated to New England in 1635, residing for a time at Saybrook Point 1638, Bramford 1638, Hartford among the first settlers in 1642, Lyme in 1651 he purchased large tracts of land on the Niantic river, and was left a legacy by Capt. Lyrado, his land laid practically in Lyme and New London. Mould & Art ship builders constructed especially for him the barque Endeavor, which was the first vessel launched from New London, and traded with the Barbadoes, she was sold at barbadoes in 1666, for a cargo of sugar. Mathew was of that class known as planters, many of whom were men of means, who placed their vessels in the charge of competent mariners, who also attended to the mercantile transactions and interests of the owners. Mathew was born September 22d, 1610, and died December the 13th 1681. His death being sudden and being the result of an accident, a jury was summoned, who gave their verdict, that he came to his death by mistaking his way on a dark night and falling from a cliff of rocks. He left an estate valued at 393 pounds at his death he left a wife Elizabeth". His ancestry is traced back to Sir Hugh de Malebisse who "held lands time with William the Conqueror is all that is known of this valiant knight; born in Normandy as were all the followers of the Conqueror". (See his father's profile for details). (Source: The Beckswiths, by Paul Beckwith, 1891).