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James Danielson

Birth	:	1648 North Ayrshire, Scotland
Death	:	22 Jan 1728 Danielson, Windham County, Connecticut, USA
Burial	:	Westfield Cemetery, Danielson, Windham County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.8177986, -71.8891983
Plot	:	Old Westfield
Inscription	:	IN MEMORY of the well beloved Mr. James Danelsone (sic) who after he served God and his generation faithfully for many years of his life did with the holy disciple (words obscured with lichen) Sweetly fell (obscured with lich
Description	:	Born into poverty in war-torn Scotland James Danielson by 1710 had become one of the wealthiest men in Connecticut colony with vast landholdings that included modern-day Danielson, Connecticut. James Danielson was the son of James Danielson, Sr. On 3 September 1650 (when the younger James was 2-years-old) the Scots army under General David Leslie was defeated by English forces under Lord-General Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar during the 3rd English Civil War. The battle took place on the southeast Scottish coast. James Donaldson/Danielson, Sr. was taken prisoner along with 5,000 other Scots. During the 8-day forced... Read More	Born into poverty in war-torn Scotland James Danielson by 1710 had become one of the wealthiest men in Connecticut colony with vast landholdings that included modern-day Danielson, Connecticut. James Danielson was the son of James Danielson, Sr. On 3 September 1650 (when the younger James was 2-years-old) the Scots army under General David Leslie was defeated by English forces under Lord-General Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar during the 3rd English Civil War. The battle took place on the southeast Scottish coast. James Donaldson/Danielson, Sr. was taken prisoner along with 5,000 other Scots. During the 8-day forced march southward 2,000 prisoners died. 1,500 additional Scots prisoners perished during many weeks of imprisonment in Durham Cathedral under appalling conditions. James Danielson and the other surviving prisoners were taken by ship to London and from there were sold off as forced labor for the colonies. On 3 November 1650 he was sent with 150 other indentured Scots prisoners on the ship 'Unity' to the colonies to serve for seven years of forced labor. David Dobson of King's College, University of Aberdeen listed James as one of the Scots prisoners in his 1998 book 'The Original Scots Colonists of Early America: "DONALDSON ("Danielson") James, b 1633, a prisoner of war captured after the battle of Dunbar 1650, transported from London to Boston, New England, Unity of Boston." On 3 September 1651 the older James was listed as one of 38 Scottish prisoners working at the Lynn (later Saugus) Iron Works in Massachusetts colony. In 1653 the older James gave a court deposition at Saugus where he and George Thompson testified that they were colliers (coal miners) in Will Tingle's work. They said they sent "in the coal carts full and Giffard (John Giffard) went into the wood to tell them to bring in full measure." About 1657 James and his fellow prisoners regained their freedom. Some of the other former prisoners went to Maine to work in the timber industry. However, this researcher believes that the older James Danielson returned to his family in Scotland. None of the Scottish records survive, but it is known that the older James lived at least until 1697. The family surname was spelled several different ways in the colonial records: 'Danielson,' 'Donelson,' and 'Donaldson.' For example in the Arnold Collection of Marriage Records for New Shoreham, Rhode Island, he was listed as 'James Donelson.' It is likely that "Donaldson" rather than "Danielson" was the spelling used in Scotland. The younger James Danielson, memorialized here, first appeared in the records in 1675. By then he had emigrated from Scotland to America. A resident of Connecticut colony he enlisted as a volunteer in King Philip's War. He served under Major Robert Treat and was at the Great Swamp Fight. 25 years later James received a land grant in Voluntown, CT, as a reward for his war service. Nine years after King Philip's War in 1685 he moved to Block Island, Rhode Island, where several of his father's old friends from Saugus Iron Works lived. James Danielson, Jr. began a series of shrewd land purchases on Block Island that became the foundation for his fortune. Some sources mistakenly assumed that the land purchases were made by James Danielson, Sr., rather than by his son, James, Jr. On 11 Mar 1685 in New Shoreham, RI, he married Hannah George, daughter of Peter George and widow of Tormut Rose, a prominent early resident of Block Island. Hannah already had three children from her first marriage: John Rose, 1678-1720, Daniel Rose, b. 1677, and, Hannah Rose Young, b. 1679. James Danielson and his new wife had one son, James Danielson, b. 1687. His first wife Hannah died in RI in 1693. His son, James, on 14 July, 1714, married in Pomfret, CT to Mary Benson Glazier. Mary was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Benson and the widow of Benjamin Glazier. James and his wife Mary Benson Glazier had no known children. James Danielson married, second, on 22 Jan 1700, Mary Cuck (sp?). Mary was said to have been the widow of either _____ Rose or ____ Tosh. James and Mary had a son, Samuel, in 1701. Early researchers believed James also had a third wife and also a third son, John, from whom John Danielson of Brimfield, MA, descended. However, in the past decade most researchers have rejected the theory that John was James' son. James named only two sons, Samuel and James, Jr. in his 1728 will. However, on 9 Jan 1724 (Killingly Deeds 2:76), when James' transferred his vast landholdings to son, Samuel, he had as his witness 'John Danielson.' This researcher believes that John Danielson, who lived from about 1670 to at least 1732, was probably a younger brother or half-brother of James. From Marcella Pasay, "The Origins of the Danielson Family," Killingly Journal Online, Killingly Historical Society, October 1999: "Reading early histories of the area one may be led to believe that James Danielson arrived in Connecticut almost directly from Scotland. Some texts refer to his being "of New Shoreham" (now Block Island, RI) at the time he bought land in Pomfret in 1706. Where did he come from? In RI Genealogies, in the chapter entitled 'Early Block Island Families,' we read: 'Some of the first proprietors in Dorchester and Braintree did not go to Block Island in person but sent agents and factors, among them several of the Scots from the Braintree iron works, who left numerous descendants on the island. Among these may be mentioned William Tosh (McIntosh), Duncan Ross alias Tormut Rose, Alexander Enos (Innis), Duncan McWilliamson, Robert Guttridge, James Danielson, and others.' What was James Danielson's connection with the Braintree iron works? Established in the mid-seventeenth century on the Saugus River, the iron works recruited "…skilled and unskilled…free and indentured…" workers. Among the indentured were a number of Scots prisoners taken at the Battles of Preston and Dunbar and Worcester. Was James Danielson, namesake of the Borough, a Scots prisoner? No. James was born in 1648/1649. These battles took place within a few years after his birth. Searching the New Shoreham records, however, we read: 'James Danelson Juner his Marke being the marke….' It was, in fact, his father, James, who first arrived in New England, probably not as a prisoner, but as a skilled worker from Scotland. Prisoners were not allowed to bring their families and were not paid much. According to the New England Genealogical Register (vol. 6, p. 250) and the Essex Quarterly Court Files, a James Danielson resided in Braintree and gave a deposition in 1653. It states he was twenty years old but he was most likely older... There are no further records of this first James, his wife, or what happened to them. It may be that when his work was completed he returned to Scotland and left his son as an apprentice in Braintree. James, Jr., must have been a trusted employee and exhibited good business sense to be selected as an agent for the New Shoreham enterprise. He must also have had some capital of his own in order to begin his land purchases. James did very well on the island buying and selling property and building a cattle herd. He married twice and each wife bore him a son..." From Danielson family researcher, Donald Wilkinson: "David P. Wilson, researcher of CT genealogy found a book of Rhode Island records in the library at ECSU that listed James Danielson being made a free man (in RI) May 5, 1696. Since James Jr. was born 5/15/ 1687 he would have been 9 years old so this was apparently James Sr. The info from my mother's (Harriet Donaldson Wilkinson) 30 year research into her family reflects the following: James Danielson was resident of Ayrshire, Scotland. He settled at Block Island in May 1683... (H)e became an important and influential citizen with much land on the island before selling and moving to Killingly, Conn. The records we have shows land purchases of 170 acres on the island between 1686 and 1696. He sold 124 acres of land and a mansion house on the island to Thomas Mitchell for 545 pounds. He already lived in Conn. at that time. We do not know when he moved to Conn. but they still bought Block Island property in 1704 and started selling it in 1705. Anita Leon, of NYC, now deceased, was a family historian. In a letter to my mother, Harriet H. Donaldson Wilkinson, she said that James had a son named John by his 1st wife Abigail. There is no record of a wife Abigail on BI and no record of the date of birth for John on BI. My mother speculated that John was born in Scotland and his mother Abigail died there. This would explain the missing info on BI." Note: In 2005 when researcher Donald Wilkinson last went on record he stated he no longer believed that James Danielson (1648-1728) was the father of John Danielson of Brimfield. Marilyn Labbe of the Killingly Historical Society also shares the view of Wilkinson (and this researcher) that James Danielson, Jr., was not the father of John, but was related in another way. In the Battle of Dunbar the Scottish regiments were from the Scottish Lowlands. James, Sr. probably lived in Ayreshire. From 'Magazine of New England History,' Vol. III, 1893, R. H. Tilley, pub., Newport, R. I., p. 150-151: "James Danielson went to Block Island...(then) bought some two thousand acres in Windham County, Conn., and settled there, on the shores of the great pond. From him the town of Danielsonville takes its name, where his great granite tomb still stands with its beautiful epitaph, now, alas, illegible although his name is clearly traced. From him came a race of illustrious men, Major William Danielson, of the Revolution, and Gen. James Danielson of later years. He was not among the earliest settlers of Block Island (R. I.)...Who can solve this riddle and tell of James Danielson's origins?" While living in Rhode Island James Danielson was elected sergeant of New Shoreham in 1700. In 1704-05 he was on the town council. In 1705 he also was deputy to the general assembly. On 12 Oct 1715 James Danielson and his wife Mary became new members of the North Killingly Congregational Church. According to church records they transferred from the Woodstock congregation. In his 1727 will James left almost everything to his younger son, Samuel. His oldest son, James, received only 100 pounds. James' grandson, also named James, also was a beneficiary. A friend, Ebenezer Williams, was also mentioned in the will. Value of estate was 1390 pounds. Tombstone inscription: "In memory of the well beloved James Danielson who, after he served God and his generation faithfully many years of his life, did, with the holy disciple, lean himself upon the breast of his Beloved, and sweetly fell asleep in the cradle of death, on the 22d day of January, A. D. 1728, in the 80th year of his age." KD (#50702087) wrote: "Stone is signed 'Made by B. Collins, Lebanon,' referring to the carver Benjamin Collins, who lived in the west part of Lebanon called Lebanon Crank, now called Columbia. Despite the inscribed date this stone was carved no earlier than 1735 due to Collins career timeline." Sources: David Dobson, "The Original Scots Colonists of Early America: Supplement, 1607-1707," Genealogical Pub Co, 1998; Charles E. Banks, "Scotch Prisoners Deported to New England by Cromwell, 1650-51," 1927, MA Historical Society; New Shoreham Town Book; Westfield Cemetery Records; 'Saugus Iron Works,' by J. H. Woodbury, 1892; Early Killingly Church Records Windham, CT Probate Records, vol. 1, p. 280 and 281.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Danielson's memorial?
James Danielson's memorial is located at: Westfield Cemetery, Danielson, Windham County, USA.
When did James Danielson death?
James Danielson death on 22 Jan 1728 in Danielson, Windham County, Connecticut, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Danielson's memorial?
Latitude: 41.8177986
Longitude: -71.8891983

Family Members:

Children

James Danielson

(1687 - 1752)

Ens Samuel Danielson

(1701 - 1786)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Westfield Cemetery
Danielson, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8177986, -71.8891983

2. Holy Cross Cemetery
Danielson, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8153000, -71.8908005

3. Saint James Cemetery
Danielson, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8103070, -71.8856970

4. Hutchins Cemetery
Danielson, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8096123, -71.8807526

5. Day Cemetery
Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8418999, -71.8775024

6. High Street Cemetery
Dayville, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8436012, -71.8842010

7. Killingly Town Farm Cemetery
Dayville, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8464060, -71.8833240

8. Mashentuck Cemetery #2
Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8144417, -71.8494492

9. Mashentuck Cemetery #1
Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8153992, -71.8487167

10. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Dayville, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8485985, -71.8936005

11. Old Trinity Church Cemetery
Brooklyn, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8001410, -71.9244810

12. Young Cemetery #2
East Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8327980, -71.8485260

13. Burlingame Cemetery
Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8235741, -71.8411102

14. Allen Cemetery
Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8507652, -71.9122086

15. Warren Cemetery
Killingly Center, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8398972, -71.8485260

16. Brainard Cemetery
Killingly Center, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8424873, -71.8474045

17. Cleveland Cemetery
East Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8348274, -71.8395615

18. Young Cemetery #1
South Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8034058, -71.8376007

19. Breakneck Cemetery
Killingly Center, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8515053, -71.8537216

20. Mitchell Cemetery
Killingly Center, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8526306, -71.8506012

21. Slater Cemetery #2
Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8308334, -71.8302841

22. Fairmon Cemetery #2
Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7819519, -71.8506470

23. Chase Cemetery #2
East Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8450546, -71.8374252

24. South Killingly Cemetery
South Killingly, Windham County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7928100, -71.8333300