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Research of Darlene KellyThomas Bliss ( Thomas (1) ) was born 1615, in Preston Capes, England and died April 15, 1688 in Norwich, Ct. On Oct 30, 1644, he married Elizabeth at Saybrook. Elizabeth died Feb. 28, 1699/1700 at Norwich, Ct.Theirhouse allotment in Saybrook, where they had moved after the death of his father,was east of the Connecticut River, in now what is called Lyme Ct. His house lotof thirty acres layed between JohnOmpsted ( Olmstead) on the north, and John Lay on the south. This was sold July 23, 1662, to John Comstock. In 1660 he movedto Norwich Ct., with Thomas Agate and built the Bliss Homestead on North Washington St. Here too, his home lot in Norwich, was also near to that of John Olmstead, extending originally, at the north-west, to the highway. That part where thehouse stands, has never been aleinated, being occupied by his descendants until1860. It was occupied by seven generations and had not been entirely rebuilt since it was erected by Thomas Bliss, Jr.Gilman's History Discourse, of Sept 7, 1859, states:" No motto has ever been better put. Bliss in 1659; Bliss in 1859. Theportrait of Dr. Benjamin Lord, one of the ministers of the parish, and the maternal ancestor hung upon its walls, and seemed to accord with the ancient date and quiet comfort of the dwelling."Thomas Bliss, Jr died April 15, 1688. His willexecuted two days before his death, was proved at New London, before Edward Palmes, June 13, 1688 and allowed by Sir Edmund Andross at Boston; thus being the period that the delegated despot arrogated to himself supreme authority over the Courts of New England. At this time, the will recognizes wife Elizabeth, son Samuel, and six daughters. His oldest son, Thomas, had died without issue, Jan 29, 1681. Elizabeth, his wife died Feb 28, 1699/1700.Their children (first six born in Saybrook, last two in Norwich) were;1. -- Elizabeth Bliss, b. Nov 20, 1645, d.1689. m. June 7, 1663, to Edward Smith.2. -- Sarah Bliss, b. Aug 26, 1647,d. Aug 29, 1730, m. (1st) Thomas Sluman, (2nd) Soloman Tracy.3.-- Mary Bliss, b. Feb7, 1648/49 m. David Caulkins 1672/73 at New London, Ct.4.-- Thomas Bliss, b. March 3, 1651/52, d. Jan 29, 1681, no issue.5 -- Deliverance Bliss, b Aug 10, 1655m. Daniel Perkins of Norwich, Ct.6 -- Samuel Bliss, b.Dec 7, 1657 d. Dec 30, 1729, m. Anna Elderkin, Dec 8, 1681.7. -- Anne Bliss, b. Sept 15, 1660 d. Feb 19, 1714/ 15 m. Josiah Rockwell of Norwich, Ct., in 1688.8. -- Rebecca Bliss, b. Mar18, 1663, d. Aug 22, 1737 m. Israel Lathrop of Norwich, CtIn the inventory of Thomas Bliss, Jr., his estate was valued at 182 pds 17 shillings and 7 pence. He had land, besides his home lot, over the River, on the Little Plain, at the GreatPlain, at the Falls, in Yantic Meadow, in meadow at Beaver Brook, in pasture east of town, and on Westward Hill. This illustarates the prudential course of theearly settlers. the lands divided in small quanities at short intravals, corresponding to the growrh and necessities of the town and the ability o the owners to clear then up and place them under cultivation. The bigger the family of sonsold enough to help clear the lands of course, benefited greatly.Norwich Town;Norwich was founded in 1659 by settlers from Old Saybrook led by Major John Mason and Reverand James Fitch. They puchased the land that wpuld become Norwich from the local Native American Mohegan Tribe.In 1668, a wharf was established at Yantic Cove. Settlement was primarily in the three mile area around the Norwichtown Green. The 69 founding families soon divided up the land in the Norwichtown vicinity for farms and businesses.By 1694 the public landing built at the head of theThames River allowed ships to off load goods at the harbor. The dstance betweenthe port and Norwichtown was serviced by the East and West Roads which later became Washington Street and Broadway. Norwich merchants were shipping goods directly from England and sugar, oils, salt, and etc. from the Barbadoes, but then the Stamp Act of 1764, forced Norwich to become more self sufficient. Three Riverstraversed the
town, the Yantic, Shetucket, and the Thames Rivers. Before the Stamp Act was inforce, these rivers were bustling with trade and shipping. Boat and ship building was a good profitable business for the area. At first most boats had to launched sidewise, until the rocks and bluffs were slowly erroded away.During the American Revolution, Norwich supported the cause for independence by supplying soldiers, ships, and munitions.
                  

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