Jonathan Risley (1687-1762)

Biography
Jonathan Risley was a school commissioner for several years. He died intestate with administrative proceedings taken in Probate Court. It lists his several children and his widow, Dorothy Unknown.

Dorothy may have his been his second wife, for their is a headstone in East Hartford Cemetery (established in 1710) which states: "Abigail wife of Jonathan Risley died May 13th 1750 in her forty seventh year." (Church records for First Church of East Hartford begin in 1745.)

Probate Record
From Book 19, pg 35 ofthe Probate Records of Hartford CT.

At a Court of Probate held at Hartford for the district of Hartford, January 21, 1763, on account of the administration of the estate of Jonathan Risley late of Hartford, deceased, was now exhibited in Court, Moses Risley administrator by which account he had paid in debts and charges the sum of L8, 18s...

...Dorothy, widow of the said deceased, one third part of the estate when the debts and charges are subtracted therefrom, to be her own property and one third of the lands and buildings of the said deceased for her during life, and to Moses Risley, eldest son of the deceased, a double share of the remaining estate, and to Nathaniel, Richard, Joshua and Rebecca Risley children of the said deceased to such of them as such estate allows...

Identity of Grandma Kilbourne
Many genealogical records show Nathaniel and his wife as having the same mother. Dorothy Kilbourne (1697-1746) as married to both his paternal grandfather Jonathan Risley (1687-1762) and maternal grandfather John Cadwell (1702-1746), which simply cannot be the case.

The book Families of East Hartford Pg 147 lists her as spouse to John Cadwell. Additionally she seems a bit young to be married to Jonathan Risley. There is no source that clearly states that Risley married which Dorothy. His Probate record only mentions a widow Dorothy, but no clue of her maiden name. Cemetery records lead us to beleive that Jonathan Risley was married to Abigail Graft instead.

The Cadwell marriage took place between 1727 and 1733 with children being born from 1734-1745. John Cadwell born 30 Nov 1702, died 02 Apr 1746, md Dorothy Kilbourn. Children: John b:1734, Matthew b:1740, Ann, Abigail md Fox, Ruth md Nathaniel Risley, Dorothy b1736, Susannah b1743, Lucy b1745.