hurd-house.jpg

The Hurd House in Woodbury is a combination of what were originally two smaller houses. The older, north section, dates to around 1680 and was the home of John Hurd, who became the town’s miller in 1681. The south section, which may have originally been the home of Hurd’s son, was added to the older structure in 1718, to increase the overall size of the house. The two original houses were of the end-chimney type, while the structure resulting from the combination has a central chimney. By 1779, a lean-to was added, making the house a saltbox, although this was later removed. In 1967, the house was acquired by the Old Woodbury Historical Society.

A new feature is being launched today at Historic Buildings of Connecticut. I plan to do a series of articles discussing some of the different architectural styles found in Connecticut. I will be using buildings which have appeared on this site as examples, sometimes with different photos than those which have appeared here before. The first of these articles is on Colonial Houses, which can be found at the url address:
https://historicbuildingsct.com/?page_id=502. This and later articles to come will be indexed on the Architecture page (also listed in the bar above the site banner), so please check there for future additions!

Buy my books: “A Guide to Historic Hartford, Connecticut” and “Vanished Downtown Hartford.” As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Hurd House (1660)
Tagged on:     

31 thoughts on “The Hurd House (1660)

  • May 23, 2011 at 2:45 pm
    Permalink

    I am also a descendant of the John Hurd family> My father was named Adam Martin Hurd and was a son of Charles Augustus Hurd and Anna Schultz. We have been able to trace back to approx. 1560 when apparently after coming from England, A Mary and John Hurd who was a civil engineer, and whose father was Sire John (Hurde)Hurd (name change) was one of the first settlers in Stratford, Ct., son John moving to Woodbury, Ct., etc.

  • May 21, 2012 at 11:16 pm
    Permalink

    John Hurd (whose home is pictured here) was my 9th generation maternal Great-Grandfather (my grandmother’s maiden name was Adora Adelaide Hurd). My Hurd genealogy begins with Thomas Hurde (d.1574, Kingsdon, England) and moves to his son, John Hurde (1560-1624; Somerset, England), his son, John Hurd (b. 1585, Somerset, England; came to CT c. 1630; d. 1649), his son, Adam Hurd (b. 1606, Crewkewe, Somerset, England and d. 1671 in Stratford, CT), his son, John Hurd (b.1639 in Stratford, d.1681 in Woodbury) and his son, John (1664-1732; who was my 9th generation Great-Grandfather).

  • May 22, 2012 at 5:52 pm
    Permalink

    Based on the information I’ve acquired from on-line searches, it appears that I am also descended from the line of Thomas Hurde (d. 1574) via his son, John (1560-1624), his son, John (1581 or 1585-1649), his son, Adam (1606-1671), his son, John (1639-1681), his son, Ebenezer, his son, Daniel (1695-1768), his daughter, Mary Hurd (1741-1806) who married David Buell (1737-1816). I was curious to learn if anyone knows which Hurd built the house shown above. I’m assuming, based on birth dates of the Johns we’ve listed, that perhaps the John who became the town miller in 1681 was a son of John Hurd, born 1639 and died 1681, making him a brother to my Ebenezer Hurd.

  • April 13, 2013 at 7:47 pm
    Permalink

    My Great Grandmother was Anna Hurd Sire John Hurd is also my 12th Great Grandfather.
    sire hurde hordehurd
    is your 12th great grandfather
    John Hurde (1560 – 1624)
    son of sire hurde hordehurd
    John HURD (1585 – 1649)
    son of John Hurde
    John Hurd (1613 – 1681)
    son of John HURD
    Jacob Samuel Hurd (1655 – 1694)
    son of John Hurd
    Thomas Hurd (1692 – 1751)
    son of Jacob Samuel Hurd
    Jacob Hurd (1728 – 1830)
    son of Thomas Hurd
    Roswell Hurd (1762 – 1849)
    son of Jacob Hurd
    Samuel Hurd Sr. (1793 – 1875)
    son of Roswell Hurd
    Broadstreet Hurd (1832 – 1863)
    son of Samuel Hurd Sr.
    George E Hurd (1857 – 1932)
    son of Broadstreet Hurd
    Anna Hurd (1878 – 1916)
    daughter of George E Hurd
    leona marion sanders (1914 – 2002)
    daughter of Anna Hurd
    loretta claudette Rose charsky (1935 – )
    daughter of leona marion sanders
    deborah ann passero
    You are the daughter of loretta claudette Rose charsky –

  • May 26, 2013 at 9:47 pm
    Permalink

    My niece traced our lineage back to John Hurd who was born in 1613, but that was as far back as she was able to go. Thank you!

  • September 5, 2013 at 2:12 pm
    Permalink

    My Grandfather was raised in the Hurd house, from age 1 to 5, by his childless married cousin Mamie Skelley after the death of his Mother. We spent many a wonderful day on the property and my Grasndfather took care of Mamie until her death in the early 60’s. He inherited the house at that time.

  • September 24, 2013 at 4:09 pm
    Permalink

    I am also a descendant of Thomas Hurde d.1574, his son John 1560-1624, his son John 1585-1649, his son Adam Hurd 1607-1671, his son John 1639-1681,his son Ebenezer 1668-1750, his son Robert Hurd 1695-1794, his son Crippen Burd Sr. 1727-1821, his son Elijah Hurd 1770-1816, his son Lyman Hurd b. 1797, his son William W Hurd 1823-1894, his son Alton L Hurd b. 1857, his son George L Hurd 1877-1944, his son William A Hurd 1909-1971 to his daughter Mary b. 1936.

  • September 25, 2013 at 4:12 pm
    Permalink

    I am also a descendent of the John Hurd line…my father, David Drue Hurd, born in Springfield, Ohio, completed the research in 1983. I have the records in storage…I suppose I should recount the lineage here.

  • October 18, 2013 at 6:34 am
    Permalink

    With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems
    of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot
    of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up
    all over the internet without my agreement. Do you know any methods to help reduce content from being stolen?
    I’d really appreciate it.

  • January 8, 2014 at 10:47 pm
    Permalink

    This is the first time I have seen these posts, and I find them very interesting. John Hurde is my 10th great grandfather, through John, Adam, John, Ebenezer, Daniel, Ebenezer, Sr., Ebenezer, jr., Egbert, Albert R., Egbert Swarthout and Laurence Egbert, my father. Most interesting to me is seeing that people have Thomas Hurde as the father of John Hurde; I have not seen this on Ancestry.com. Does anyone have any source data for Thomas Hurde?

    In May, 2014, I plan to visit High Ham and Alleton, the stated homes of John Hurde and his son John. Does anyone know what I should look for? Has anyone been there?

    Margaret, your Mary and my Ebenezer, Sr., are siblings, which makes us 5th cousins if we are in the same generation.

    I have a recent picture of the headstone of Ebenezer Hurd, jr., with a plaque commemorating his Revolutionary War service, which I am happy to share.
    Bill@BillHurd.com

  • February 4, 2014 at 4:32 pm
    Permalink

    John Hurd is my 8th Great Grandfather, and I have been to this lovely home in Woodbury, CT. I have been able to trace our lineage only back to about 1560 to Sire Hurd Hordehurd. If anyone has any documentation about Thomas Hurd d.1574, I would love to be able to add that info. to my ancestry.com tree. Thanks!!

  • March 18, 2014 at 8:30 am
    Permalink

    This is just wonderful.. we are all related. I’m 9th generation of Ebenezer Hurd. My grandmother was Lorraine Eggleston-Hurd, who just pasted away last week at 101. Got to see some Hurd family haven’t seen in a while. They told me about the Hurd House, planning on a visit this year. Love to see the pic of Ebenezer Hurd Jr or anything else. I’m not sure what happened docementation. My grandmother was youngest of 7 so… ?? my DAR president wanted to know if we are related to silversmith hurd, are we? take care

  • June 4, 2014 at 11:08 am
    Permalink

    William, it’s nice to meet a new relative! Mary (Hurd) Buell is my fourth-great-grandmother. I hope that helps you in determining our generation. I find studying genealogy to be such fun because we get to meet and/or converse with family we never knew existed. I hope you’re enjoying it, too!

  • June 14, 2014 at 12:57 am
    Permalink

    Has anyone here looked at familysearch.org? Does your information match up with what is listed there? I hadn’t heard of Thomas Hurde d. 1574. I thought John was as far back as the line went.

    It looks like Adam, (son of John, son of John, son of Thomas), was the first Hurd in America. Does anyone have any leads regarding his story? It would be interesting to know his motivations. What a long American line!

  • August 30, 2014 at 3:52 pm
    Permalink

    I am also a Hurd through John. Are there ever any Hurd reunions?

  • April 14, 2015 at 12:55 am
    Permalink

    I did a search on my dad Herbert E Hurd and his father and it went back to Sire Hurde Hordehurd 1560-1624. My dads father was berton Hiram Hurd and his father Hiram Hurd. All I can say is I am glad they shorten the name to Hurd.

  • January 17, 2016 at 3:31 pm
    Permalink

    I am a Hurd.
    I have traced all the way back to Sire Hurd. No information Sire.
    I am on family tree.

    Like tom hear from some Hurd’s.

  • May 2, 2016 at 11:09 am
    Permalink

    I too am a Hurd. My grandmother Jane Hurd was born in Canandaigua, NY, there married Orange Culp and they moved to Wisconsin, as did her father John. I can trace the Hurd back to High Ham as well. There is quite a bit of bad information on the Internet, lots of confusion because John and Adam both named their sons John. The Dena Hurd book added to the confusion. I would be thrilled to hear from family members about their ancestors. For example was Wait Hurd always a male? A couple of places I’m not sure. Jane’s grandfather was Elijah, his father was Benjamin. There is some confusion out there regarding the Elijah/Benjamin connection. Elijah is buried in Canandaigua.

  • July 12, 2016 at 10:54 pm
    Permalink

    Justus Hurd b. 2 Apr. 1721 was married to Rachel Love Fuller, her great-grandfather Samual Fuller came over on the Mayflower.

  • Pingback:Following the Road Home – Intelligent Travel

  • November 5, 2016 at 1:46 am
    Permalink

    Nice to see so many people connecting here. It is amazing to see how many decedents there are. My great grandfather was Henry Hurd and his part of the family came to Canada around the time of the American Revolution from Stratford, CT. If anyone is ever looking to fill in some blanks in the family tree feel free to contact me at cjcollin@gmail.com. Some of my relatives have done extensive research and I would be happy to share.

  • January 29, 2018 at 10:56 pm
    Permalink

    I’m looking for any and all information relating to this house and the park in Conn.

  • March 19, 2018 at 11:59 am
    Permalink

    Though my last name is Lamothe, my mother’s maiden name is Hurd. She is a descendant of Nathan Hurd of Killingworth CT and founding member of the town of Newport NH. Nathan was 3rd great grandson of John Hurd the emigrant who’s son John was the builder of the elder part of this home.

    I don’t see any contact information here, is it possible to visit this house? Would it be possible for descendants to hold a special event here?

    Thanks
    -Bob

  • March 13, 2021 at 9:40 pm
    Permalink

    Just discovered this forum. This is amazing. Knew I must have many relatives I was unaware of when I traced my dad and saw how many siblings many of my ancestors had.

    I am also a Hurd and have traced my genealogy back to Tomas Hurde (D-1574) who is my 12th GGF. Goes through,
    – John Hurd 1560-1624
    – John Hurd 1585-1649
    – Adam Hurd 1606-1671
    – John Hurd 1639-1681
    – John Hurd 1664-1732 (Stratford/ Woodbury)
    – Jedediah Hurd 1721-1792 (Woodbury)
    – Moses Amos Hurd 1746-1832 (Woodbury, CT)
    – Moses Hurd jr 1781-1859 (Vermont)
    – James Hurd 1810-1852 (VT)
    – William M Hurd 1842-1929 (NY)
    – Madison (Matteson) Hurd 1871-1956 (New Haven, CT)
    – Herbert P Hurd 1898-1982 (NY)
    – Richard W Hurd 1929-2013 (my dad) (NH-CT)

    We also live in CT. Working on tree on Ancestry.com (Hurd Family Tree) which is still a work in progress.

  • June 7, 2021 at 9:09 pm
    Permalink

    I hope to add a couple more generations for those stuck on Sire Hurde hordehurd.
    If my research is correct, John Hurde’s full name was actually Sire William John Hurde.

    John was Married Twice
    1st Wife: MARY (Goodwyffe) HURDE (born RODE) in 1578, at age 17 and had 5 children.
    2nd Wife: Lady Johane Hurde (born Lavor) on month day 1583, at age 23 and had son, John Hurde II

    His Father, Sire Hurde Hordehurd’s true name was:
    Thomas Hurde (Thomas and his wife had 13 children…. Sire is fitting)
    B:1524 Somerset, England
    D:1574
    Thomas’s Wife was:
    Lady Johannam Christina Hurde (maiden name of Wyten)
    B:1524 Somerset, England
    D: Unknown

    Thomas’s Father was:
    Rauphe Hurd (also spelled as Ralf or Raulph in some records)
    B:1510
    D:1593
    Rauphe’s Wife was:
    Mary Paling (35 yrs older than Rauphe and had Thomas at the age of 49 (don’t do the math on Rauphe’s age when he became a father!!!))
    B:1475
    D:1554

    Rauphe’s Father was:
    Thurstance Hurd (no dates or locations are known to me)

  • June 7, 2021 at 9:25 pm
    Permalink

    Thurstance could also be Thurstanus but I do not have access to those records.
    Possible wife’s name of Elena North

  • June 7, 2021 at 9:41 pm
    Permalink

    So, here’s the lineage:

    Daniel, son of
    Charles Edward, son of
    Arthur Vincent, son of
    Clint, son of
    Hiram Alonzo, son of
    Hiram, son of
    Elijah, son of
    Jedediah, son of
    John III, son of
    John Jr., son of
    Adam, son of
    John, son of
    Sire William John, son of
    Thomas (sire hordehurd), son of
    Rauphe, son of
    Thurstance (Thurstanus)

    Damn Patriarchy!!!

  • November 2, 2021 at 8:10 pm
    Permalink

    We have lots of cousins and relatives on here! I am also related to John Hurd through his son Adam. Discovered John Hurd and my mother’s ancestor, Thomas Sherwood, we’re co-owners in the mill in Stratford! Recently documented direct relationship to Capt. Samuel Hurd, NH, Revolutionary War patriot for DAR!

  • December 25, 2022 at 10:04 pm
    Permalink

    We are Hurds that settled the “The Connecticut Western Reserve” Ohio This is our direct line:
    9. Ebenezer HURD,,,, (John-3, Adam-2, -1) was born on 9 Nov 1688 in Stratford, Fairfield Co., CT.,,, He died in 1750 in East Haddam, Middlesex, CT. Source given as: per esK att 12 Feb 70 hT66 (5 Sep 1966) All children born or baptized in Woodbury, Litchfield Co., CT. (Cothren, 1854. Vol 3) Ebenezer(3) Hurd bought land in Killingworth 5 Apr 1711. (Christendon) Joseph Hurd and Benjamin Hurd, Sr. or Woodbury, and Ebenezer Hurd of Killingworth, agreed to divide land of father John Hurd, 27 Nov 1716. (Woodbury Deeds)
    Ebenezer HURD and Sarah Pickett LANE were married.,, Sarah Pickett LANE,,,, (daughter of Robert LANE and Sarah PICKETT) was born on 24 Feb 1666 or 1667. She died on 11 Mar 1725.
    Ebenezer HURD and Sarah Pickett LANE had the following children:
    +41 ii. Daniel HURD, married Rachel SMITH, on 10 Feb 1718 or 1719, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT
    41. Daniel HURD,,,, (Ebenezer-4, John-3, Adam-2, -1) was baptized on 3 May 1696 in Woodbury, Litchfield Co., CT.,, He died on 1 Jan 1766 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT.,,
    Daniel HURD and Rachel SMITH were married on 10 Feb 1718 or 1719 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT… Rachel SMITH,,, (daughter of John SMITH and Rachel BLANCHARD) died on 24 Apr 1730 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT. “ae. 47 years” According to Jacobus (The American Genealogist, vol. 25) Rachel Smith was born “say 1701”. However, this would make her only 29 if she died in 1730, the date given by Griswold (1936). If she was 47 when she died, as Griswold states, that would mean she was born in 1683, making her 13 years older than her husband, assuming Daniel Hurd was baptized in the same year he was born.
    Daniel HURD and Rachel SMITH had the following children:
    +198 ii. Daniel HURD, born on 16 Sep 1722, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT,,; married Esther MALTBY, on 17 Apr 1744, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT,,; died on 16 Jan 1790, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT,.
    Daniel HURD and Esther MALTBY were married on 17 Apr 1744 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT.,, Esther MALTBY,,,, (daughter of John MALTBY (MALTBE) and Mehitable CLARK) was born on 28 Dec 1725 in Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT. She died in Feb 1790 in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT.
    Daniel HURD and Esther MALTBY had the following children:
    +500 viii. Seth HURD, born on 7 Jul 1759, Killingworth, Middlesex Co., CT,; married Thankful RAY, on 2 Jul 1782,; died on 1 Jan 1837, Southington Twp., Trumbull Co., OH,. Seth HURD and Thankful RAY were married on 2 Jul 1782., Thankful RAY (daughter of Isaac RAY and Hannah) was born on 5 Jul 1759 in Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT. She was a nurse. She died on 17 Mar 1836 in Southington Twp., Trumbull Co., OH.,
    Seth HURD and Thankful RAY had the following children:
    +958 iv. Joy Seth HURD, born on 14 Dec 1793, Colebrook, Litchfield Co., CT; married Nancy HUSTON, on 6 Mar 1820,; died on 12 Mar 1875.
    Joy Seth HURD and Nancy HUSTON were married on 6 Mar 1820., Nancy HUSTON was born on 6 Mar 1796. She died on 19 Apr 1865. called “Nancy Hudson” by Louise Varisco
    Joy Seth HURD and Nancy HUSTON had the following children:
    +1526 ii. Seth Ray HURD, born on 18 Feb 1823; married Susan PAXTON; died on 25 Apr 1872.
    Seth Ray HURD and Susan PAXTON were married. Susan PAXTON Seth Ray HURD and Susan PAXTON had the following children:
    2153 i. Charles S. HURD
    Judge Joy Seth Hurd b. 1886 d. 1963 and Frances Stimmel Hurd b.1893 d.1966
    Had 15 children (8 boys and 7 girls) and 72 grandchildren in Cleveland, Ohio
    The Book of Hurd website link: Internet Archive Boston Public Library search your line

  • July 23, 2023 at 1:16 pm
    Permalink

    Hello Cousins! My line is as follows, but I still have work to do. I would love to visit the Hurd House in CT!

    #1 in America
    Immigrant: John Hurd
    b. 1613 – Somersetshire, England ( identity of parents unclear)
    m. #1 – before 1662 – name unknown at present
    m. #2 – 1662 – Sarah Thompson (1642-ca. 1717) @ Stratford (daughter of John Thompson and Mirable??? Mehitable???); she was 20, John was 48
    d. 1681 – Sarah married next Thomas Barnum of Danbury, CT; he died in 1695, so Sarah returned to Stratford where she died at 75 or 76 years of age
    Notes: Migrated to Stratford, CT with brother, Adam, ca. 1639; documented by 1642; removed to Windsor; in 1644, court appt. him to collect money in Stratford for Harvard College students; in 1649, appt. deputy to General Court from Stratford; may have built the first mill in CT at Little Neck; built second mill at Eagle’s Nest ca. 1650; in 1652, with Thomas Sherwood, built mill at Old Mill Green, Stratford, what is now Bridgeport; in 1659, Hurd sold site and mill.

    #2
    Eldest son: John Hurd Jr. (1664-1731)
    b. 1664 @ Stratford
    m. 1692 – Abigail Wallis (ca. 1664-1728)
    d. 1731 @ Stratford

    #3
    Eldest son: Jabez Hurd (1706/7-1793)
    b. 1706 or 1707 @ Stratford
    m. 1727 – Phebe Burritt (1708-?)
    d. 1793 @ Arlington, VT at age 88

    #4
    Son: Abel Hurd (1735-?)
    m. ? – Martha Ferris (?)

    #5
    Son: Jabez Hurd (ca. 1772-1844) – – other sources say b. 1762 and b. 1765
    m. ? – Lucy Blakeman/Blackman (1768-1851)

    #6
    Son: Philo Hurd (1795-1885)
    b. 1795 – Brookfield, CT
    m. 1823 – Melinda Tomlinson (1802-1882) – she was b. Brookfield

    #7
    Son: Melancthon Montgomery Hurd (1828-1912)
    m. 1851 – Clarissa Armstrong Hatch (1830-1916)
    Notes: MMH was the first of our line to move to Boston; he founded Hurd and Houghton, publishers, which became Houghton Mifflin (later, Harcourt); earlier, he worked for many years at the Riverside Press in Cambridge.

    #8
    Son: Alfred Dennis Hurd (1855-1930)
    b. 1855 @ Bridgeport
    college: Trinity College
    m. 1883 – Louisa Maria Coolidge (1860-1961)
    d. 1930, probably in Cambridge; buried at Mtn. Grove Cem., Bridgeport
    Notes: Louisa’s father, Horace Hopkins Coolidge, was an attorney and legislator who became president of the Massachusetts Senate; her mother was Eunice Weeks Coolidge; Louisa was born in Boston and died in Cambridge; buried in Coolidge plot in Mt. Auburn Cem..

    #9
    Son: John Coolidge Hurd (1888-1989) – MY GRANDFATHER
    Daughter: Marjorie Hurd (1886-1977) – MY GREAT AUNT, for whom I am named
    Notes: Among her many accomplishments, my great aunt was an attorney who worked for the Boston Legal Aid Society for decades; avid mountain climber, traveler, member and supporter of numerous nonprofits; she held degrees from Radcliffe, Portia School of Law (today, New England Law), and Cambridge Law School for Women — both law schools were “first” in the country for women!!!

    #9 continued
    John Coolidge Hurd
    b. 1888 @ Boston
    College: Harvard
    m. #1 – 1913 – Katherine Dix Bolles (1887-1930) – divorced
    m. #2 – 1927 – Mary Knap Hough (1903-1995) @ Brookline, MA
    d. 1989 @ Cambridge (Mt. Auburn Hosp.; residence: Belmont)
    Notes: Grandpa served in the US Navy in WWI and WWII, retiring as Lieut. Commander; remained active as a recruiter and member of Ward Room Club of Boston; Grandma att. Radcliffe College and taught French bef. marrying Grandpa.

    #10
    Daughter: Lydia Averil Hurd Smith (1929-2021) – MY MOTHER
    m. 1958 – Alan Adelbert Smith (1920-2003)

    #11
    Daughter: Marjorie Hurd (“Bonnie”) Smith (1961- ) – ME!!!

    Regards to all,

    Bonnie

Comments are closed.