NOTE: There is much controversy as to Mary Metcalf being the wife of Jonathan Rudd.** While the Metcalf name is unproven and a great source of dispute, the book, "Descendants, Thomas Bingham of Connecticut", page 1-2 is one of the major sources cited for her being a Metcalf, yet there is no proof shown, only the following statement:
"Five years after the first division lots were laid out, Thomas (Bingham) married Mary Rudd 12 Dec 1666. He was twenty-four years old; she was seventeen. Mary probably was the daughter of Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf, the celebrated "bride of Bride Brook." In a deed recorded in Norwich, Thomas named Nathaniel Rudd as his brother and in a deed recorded in Saybrook, Nathaniel Rudd named Jonathan Rudd as his father."
In the Bingham family there was such musical talent, which they could not account for unless inherited from Mary which indicates she was a person of education, talent and perhaps gentle birth. Also from the Bingham family, as given in the Bingham Family Genealogy, is a picture of a dowery chest which Jonathan supposedly gave his bride, with the initials J.R. and M.M. They also have printed her name as Mary Metcalf. While I find no proof for this, the only Mary Metcalf that early that I have found is the daughter of Michael, of Dedham, MA. She was born 1620, came with parents, married in Dedham and lived there all her life. This dowery chest remained in their family, was loaned a few years ago to the Lyme Historical Society. Someone in California wished to buy it for $2,000. The historical society was seeking financial help to purchase it, so it would remain near the scene of the Brides Brook Wedding. When I wrote them, I requested a colored picture of the chest as it is in the Historical Society. They sent the negative, and some prints. It looks old, but I could not accept the initials as being made at the time it was given, but was most happy to have it
Most believe Mary Metcalf is the bride of "Bride Brook."
As the family story is told: In the winter of 1646/47, Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf of Saybrook wished to be married but there was no magistrate or minister in Saybrook. As the winter was very severe, the magistrate from Hartford was unable to make the trip to Saybrook. The distance to Hartford and the snows of winter turned the bridegroom's thought to journey to Pequot Harbour (now New London).
There Jonathan Winthrop, afterward Governor of Connecticut, held authority from the Colony of Mass. to marry. At that time New London was part of the Massachusetts Colony and Winthrop was not authorized to perform. the ceremony in Connecticu so the home of the betrothed was beyond his jurisdiction. Midway between her home and that of the "squire," a little rivulet "rippled down the boundary line" between the two colonies. The stream, now known as Bride Brook, was considered to be the boundary between the Connecticut and Massachusetts colonies.
So here, by arrangement, a cavalcade from New London, marshaled by the worthy magistrate, met the bridal party from Saybrook. The parties met on the stream bank and Winthrop officiated at the marriage on the east bank or Massachusetts side where he had authority and the bridal couple on the west side of the rivulet, the ceremony was performed. Hence the little ice-bound, snow-covered stream has ever since been known as "Bride Brook."--(Bingham, p. 171.)
See "Atlantic", April 1876, for a poem by G.P. Lathrop on the subject.
"Connecticut Nutmegger", Vol. 6, June 1973:
A dower chest belonging to the bride with the initials JR and MM carved on it has been preserved. Until recently it was owned by the Bingham family and a photograph of it is in the Bingham Genealogy. It was last owned by the Lyman-allen Museum in New London until two years ago when the ladies of the society raised funds to purchase it. The chest now stands in the keeping room of the house.
Documentation of the Bride Brook wedding is unusually good. During the 1670s there were some excellent hay fields in the vicinity of the Lee House. The right to cut the hay was claimed by farmers from both New London and Lyme. John Winthrop, Jr. testified before the court that was attempting to settle the boundary dispute and told of the wedding and established Bride Brook as the boundary at that time. The dispute remained unresolved until finally it was agreed to settle the matter by means of a fist fight; each town selecting a man to represent it. The fight was held and the man from Lyme won. As a result, the boundary was moved about 2-1/2 miles eastward where it remained until 1839 when East Lyme was formed from parts of Lyme and Waterford."87
**From "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Joseph Rudd, Jr., 1740-1818 and his wife, Sarah Story, 1744-1842," by Dorothy Rudd DuMond
"The Bride Brook Wedding - 1646/7
By Charles Boynton Martin,
Descendant of Bride Brook Marriage
In quaint East Lyme there is a stream
That flows from lake to sea
Bride Brooke is its romantic name --
It lives in history.
Between Peqwuot and Old Saybrook
It was the boundry[sic] line
When they were little separate states
In old colonial time.
Young Jonathan Rudd of fair Saybrook
A married man would be
And he would wed 'mid winter's cold
Brook no delay would he.
In snow-bound Saybrook none was found
The nuptial knot to tie;
The Governor of Pequot was asked,
Who sent this kind reply.
"Within the limits of Pequot
I'll gladly marry thee
So meet me at the boundary stream
Where it flows out to sea."
The day was fixed; the parties made;
They all set forth with glee --
But oh! in flood the little brook
A river proved to be.
When hopes are high and lovers young
And hearts are all aquiver,
What shame a marriage to postpone
Justs for a raging river!
The governor pointed up the stream
Where banks were close together
And where the voice could bridge the brook
Through the blustery weather.
And there the wedding was performed
Across the boundry[sic] river
While cakes of ice were floating by
'Mid cold that made them shiver.
The snow flakes wove the bridal veil
Her train - the drifting snow
The winds played in the pine tree tops
A march both sweet and low.
The wild fowl flying overhead
The Indians lurking nigh
Were witness of their plighted troth
Beneath the vaulted sky.
The prayer by John Winthrop offered up
The vows that there were made
Are written in the books above
Where records never face.
And Winthrop at that time and place
Gave to that little river
The name of Bride Brooke as its own
Which it will keep forever.
And lovers linger on its banks
And talk in voices low
Of lovers true who there were wed
In days of long ago.
Jonathan and Mary had 9 known children.
Children
John (1644-?)
Patience (1644-?)
Mary Mabel (1648-1726)
Patience (1649-<1700)
Nathaniel (1652-1727)
Jonathan II (1655-1689)
William (1655-?)
Daughter Rudd (1657-)
Child Rudd (1662-?)
[rev 11-13-15]
"Five years after the first division lots were laid out, Thomas (Bingham) married Mary Rudd 12 Dec 1666. He was twenty-four years old; she was seventeen. Mary probably was the daughter of Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf, the celebrated "bride of Bride Brook." In a deed recorded in Norwich, Thomas named Nathaniel Rudd as his brother and in a deed recorded in Saybrook, Nathaniel Rudd named Jonathan Rudd as his father."
In the Bingham family there was such musical talent, which they could not account for unless inherited from Mary which indicates she was a person of education, talent and perhaps gentle birth. Also from the Bingham family, as given in the Bingham Family Genealogy, is a picture of a dowery chest which Jonathan supposedly gave his bride, with the initials J.R. and M.M. They also have printed her name as Mary Metcalf. While I find no proof for this, the only Mary Metcalf that early that I have found is the daughter of Michael, of Dedham, MA. She was born 1620, came with parents, married in Dedham and lived there all her life. This dowery chest remained in their family, was loaned a few years ago to the Lyme Historical Society. Someone in California wished to buy it for $2,000. The historical society was seeking financial help to purchase it, so it would remain near the scene of the Brides Brook Wedding. When I wrote them, I requested a colored picture of the chest as it is in the Historical Society. They sent the negative, and some prints. It looks old, but I could not accept the initials as being made at the time it was given, but was most happy to have it
Most believe Mary Metcalf is the bride of "Bride Brook."
As the family story is told: In the winter of 1646/47, Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf of Saybrook wished to be married but there was no magistrate or minister in Saybrook. As the winter was very severe, the magistrate from Hartford was unable to make the trip to Saybrook. The distance to Hartford and the snows of winter turned the bridegroom's thought to journey to Pequot Harbour (now New London).
There Jonathan Winthrop, afterward Governor of Connecticut, held authority from the Colony of Mass. to marry. At that time New London was part of the Massachusetts Colony and Winthrop was not authorized to perform. the ceremony in Connecticu so the home of the betrothed was beyond his jurisdiction. Midway between her home and that of the "squire," a little rivulet "rippled down the boundary line" between the two colonies. The stream, now known as Bride Brook, was considered to be the boundary between the Connecticut and Massachusetts colonies.
So here, by arrangement, a cavalcade from New London, marshaled by the worthy magistrate, met the bridal party from Saybrook. The parties met on the stream bank and Winthrop officiated at the marriage on the east bank or Massachusetts side where he had authority and the bridal couple on the west side of the rivulet, the ceremony was performed. Hence the little ice-bound, snow-covered stream has ever since been known as "Bride Brook."--(Bingham, p. 171.)
See "Atlantic", April 1876, for a poem by G.P. Lathrop on the subject.
"Connecticut Nutmegger", Vol. 6, June 1973:
A dower chest belonging to the bride with the initials JR and MM carved on it has been preserved. Until recently it was owned by the Bingham family and a photograph of it is in the Bingham Genealogy. It was last owned by the Lyman-allen Museum in New London until two years ago when the ladies of the society raised funds to purchase it. The chest now stands in the keeping room of the house.
Documentation of the Bride Brook wedding is unusually good. During the 1670s there were some excellent hay fields in the vicinity of the Lee House. The right to cut the hay was claimed by farmers from both New London and Lyme. John Winthrop, Jr. testified before the court that was attempting to settle the boundary dispute and told of the wedding and established Bride Brook as the boundary at that time. The dispute remained unresolved until finally it was agreed to settle the matter by means of a fist fight; each town selecting a man to represent it. The fight was held and the man from Lyme won. As a result, the boundary was moved about 2-1/2 miles eastward where it remained until 1839 when East Lyme was formed from parts of Lyme and Waterford."87
**From "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Joseph Rudd, Jr., 1740-1818 and his wife, Sarah Story, 1744-1842," by Dorothy Rudd DuMond
"The Bride Brook Wedding - 1646/7
By Charles Boynton Martin,
Descendant of Bride Brook Marriage
In quaint East Lyme there is a stream
That flows from lake to sea
Bride Brooke is its romantic name --
It lives in history.
Between Peqwuot and Old Saybrook
It was the boundry[sic] line
When they were little separate states
In old colonial time.
Young Jonathan Rudd of fair Saybrook
A married man would be
And he would wed 'mid winter's cold
Brook no delay would he.
In snow-bound Saybrook none was found
The nuptial knot to tie;
The Governor of Pequot was asked,
Who sent this kind reply.
"Within the limits of Pequot
I'll gladly marry thee
So meet me at the boundary stream
Where it flows out to sea."
The day was fixed; the parties made;
They all set forth with glee --
But oh! in flood the little brook
A river proved to be.
When hopes are high and lovers young
And hearts are all aquiver,
What shame a marriage to postpone
Justs for a raging river!
The governor pointed up the stream
Where banks were close together
And where the voice could bridge the brook
Through the blustery weather.
And there the wedding was performed
Across the boundry[sic] river
While cakes of ice were floating by
'Mid cold that made them shiver.
The snow flakes wove the bridal veil
Her train - the drifting snow
The winds played in the pine tree tops
A march both sweet and low.
The wild fowl flying overhead
The Indians lurking nigh
Were witness of their plighted troth
Beneath the vaulted sky.
The prayer by John Winthrop offered up
The vows that there were made
Are written in the books above
Where records never face.
And Winthrop at that time and place
Gave to that little river
The name of Bride Brooke as its own
Which it will keep forever.
And lovers linger on its banks
And talk in voices low
Of lovers true who there were wed
In days of long ago.
Jonathan and Mary had 9 known children.
Children
John (1644-?)
Patience (1644-?)
Mary Mabel (1648-1726)
Patience (1649-<1700)
Nathaniel (1652-1727)
Jonathan II (1655-1689)
William (1655-?)
Daughter Rudd (1657-)
Child Rudd (1662-?)
[rev 11-13-15]
NOTE: There is much controversy as to Mary Metcalf being the wife of Jonathan Rudd.** While the Metcalf name is unproven and a great source of dispute, the book, "Descendants, Thomas Bingham of Connecticut", page 1-2 is one of the major sources cited for her being a Metcalf, yet there is no proof shown, only the following statement:
"Five years after the first division lots were laid out, Thomas (Bingham) married Mary Rudd 12 Dec 1666. He was twenty-four years old; she was seventeen. Mary probably was the daughter of Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf, the celebrated "bride of Bride Brook." In a deed recorded in Norwich, Thomas named Nathaniel Rudd as his brother and in a deed recorded in Saybrook, Nathaniel Rudd named Jonathan Rudd as his father."
In the Bingham family there was such musical talent, which they could not account for unless inherited from Mary which indicates she was a person of education, talent and perhaps gentle birth. Also from the Bingham family, as given in the Bingham Family Genealogy, is a picture of a dowery chest which Jonathan supposedly gave his bride, with the initials J.R. and M.M. They also have printed her name as Mary Metcalf. While I find no proof for this, the only Mary Metcalf that early that I have found is the daughter of Michael, of Dedham, MA. She was born 1620, came with parents, married in Dedham and lived there all her life. This dowery chest remained in their family, was loaned a few years ago to the Lyme Historical Society. Someone in California wished to buy it for $2,000. The historical society was seeking financial help to purchase it, so it would remain near the scene of the Brides Brook Wedding. When I wrote them, I requested a colored picture of the chest as it is in the Historical Society. They sent the negative, and some prints. It looks old, but I could not accept the initials as being made at the time it was given, but was most happy to have it
Most believe Mary Metcalf is the bride of "Bride Brook."
As the family story is told: In the winter of 1646/47, Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf of Saybrook wished to be married but there was no magistrate or minister in Saybrook. As the winter was very severe, the magistrate from Hartford was unable to make the trip to Saybrook. The distance to Hartford and the snows of winter turned the bridegroom's thought to journey to Pequot Harbour (now New London).
There Jonathan Winthrop, afterward Governor of Connecticut, held authority from the Colony of Mass. to marry. At that time New London was part of the Massachusetts Colony and Winthrop was not authorized to perform. the ceremony in Connecticu so the home of the betrothed was beyond his jurisdiction. Midway between her home and that of the "squire," a little rivulet "rippled down the boundary line" between the two colonies. The stream, now known as Bride Brook, was considered to be the boundary between the Connecticut and Massachusetts colonies.
So here, by arrangement, a cavalcade from New London, marshaled by the worthy magistrate, met the bridal party from Saybrook. The parties met on the stream bank and Winthrop officiated at the marriage on the east bank or Massachusetts side where he had authority and the bridal couple on the west side of the rivulet, the ceremony was performed. Hence the little ice-bound, snow-covered stream has ever since been known as "Bride Brook."--(Bingham, p. 171.)
See "Atlantic", April 1876, for a poem by G.P. Lathrop on the subject.
"Connecticut Nutmegger", Vol. 6, June 1973:
A dower chest belonging to the bride with the initials JR and MM carved on it has been preserved. Until recently it was owned by the Bingham family and a photograph of it is in the Bingham Genealogy. It was last owned by the Lyman-allen Museum in New London until two years ago when the ladies of the society raised funds to purchase it. The chest now stands in the keeping room of the house.
Documentation of the Bride Brook wedding is unusually good. During the 1670s there were some excellent hay fields in the vicinity of the Lee House. The right to cut the hay was claimed by farmers from both New London and Lyme. John Winthrop, Jr. testified before the court that was attempting to settle the boundary dispute and told of the wedding and established Bride Brook as the boundary at that time. The dispute remained unresolved until finally it was agreed to settle the matter by means of a fist fight; each town selecting a man to represent it. The fight was held and the man from Lyme won. As a result, the boundary was moved about 2-1/2 miles eastward where it remained until 1839 when East Lyme was formed from parts of Lyme and Waterford."87
**From "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Joseph Rudd, Jr., 1740-1818 and his wife, Sarah Story, 1744-1842," by Dorothy Rudd DuMond
"The Bride Brook Wedding - 1646/7
By Charles Boynton Martin,
Descendant of Bride Brook Marriage
In quaint East Lyme there is a stream
That flows from lake to sea
Bride Brooke is its romantic name --
It lives in history.
Between Peqwuot and Old Saybrook
It was the boundry[sic] line
When they were little separate states
In old colonial time.
Young Jonathan Rudd of fair Saybrook
A married man would be
And he would wed 'mid winter's cold
Brook no delay would he.
In snow-bound Saybrook none was found
The nuptial knot to tie;
The Governor of Pequot was asked,
Who sent this kind reply.
"Within the limits of Pequot
I'll gladly marry thee
So meet me at the boundary stream
Where it flows out to sea."
The day was fixed; the parties made;
They all set forth with glee --
But oh! in flood the little brook
A river proved to be.
When hopes are high and lovers young
And hearts are all aquiver,
What shame a marriage to postpone
Justs for a raging river!
The governor pointed up the stream
Where banks were close together
And where the voice could bridge the brook
Through the blustery weather.
And there the wedding was performed
Across the boundry[sic] river
While cakes of ice were floating by
'Mid cold that made them shiver.
The snow flakes wove the bridal veil
Her train - the drifting snow
The winds played in the pine tree tops
A march both sweet and low.
The wild fowl flying overhead
The Indians lurking nigh
Were witness of their plighted troth
Beneath the vaulted sky.
The prayer by John Winthrop offered up
The vows that there were made
Are written in the books above
Where records never face.
And Winthrop at that time and place
Gave to that little river
The name of Bride Brooke as its own
Which it will keep forever.
And lovers linger on its banks
And talk in voices low
Of lovers true who there were wed
In days of long ago.
Jonathan and Mary had 9 known children.
Children
John (1644-?)
Patience (1644-?)
Mary Mabel (1648-1726)
Patience (1649-<1700)
Nathaniel (1652-1727)
Jonathan II (1655-1689)
William (1655-?)
Daughter Rudd (1657-)
Child Rudd (1662-?)
[rev 11-13-15]
"Five years after the first division lots were laid out, Thomas (Bingham) married Mary Rudd 12 Dec 1666. He was twenty-four years old; she was seventeen. Mary probably was the daughter of Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf, the celebrated "bride of Bride Brook." In a deed recorded in Norwich, Thomas named Nathaniel Rudd as his brother and in a deed recorded in Saybrook, Nathaniel Rudd named Jonathan Rudd as his father."
In the Bingham family there was such musical talent, which they could not account for unless inherited from Mary which indicates she was a person of education, talent and perhaps gentle birth. Also from the Bingham family, as given in the Bingham Family Genealogy, is a picture of a dowery chest which Jonathan supposedly gave his bride, with the initials J.R. and M.M. They also have printed her name as Mary Metcalf. While I find no proof for this, the only Mary Metcalf that early that I have found is the daughter of Michael, of Dedham, MA. She was born 1620, came with parents, married in Dedham and lived there all her life. This dowery chest remained in their family, was loaned a few years ago to the Lyme Historical Society. Someone in California wished to buy it for $2,000. The historical society was seeking financial help to purchase it, so it would remain near the scene of the Brides Brook Wedding. When I wrote them, I requested a colored picture of the chest as it is in the Historical Society. They sent the negative, and some prints. It looks old, but I could not accept the initials as being made at the time it was given, but was most happy to have it
Most believe Mary Metcalf is the bride of "Bride Brook."
As the family story is told: In the winter of 1646/47, Jonathan Rudd and Mary Metcalf of Saybrook wished to be married but there was no magistrate or minister in Saybrook. As the winter was very severe, the magistrate from Hartford was unable to make the trip to Saybrook. The distance to Hartford and the snows of winter turned the bridegroom's thought to journey to Pequot Harbour (now New London).
There Jonathan Winthrop, afterward Governor of Connecticut, held authority from the Colony of Mass. to marry. At that time New London was part of the Massachusetts Colony and Winthrop was not authorized to perform. the ceremony in Connecticu so the home of the betrothed was beyond his jurisdiction. Midway between her home and that of the "squire," a little rivulet "rippled down the boundary line" between the two colonies. The stream, now known as Bride Brook, was considered to be the boundary between the Connecticut and Massachusetts colonies.
So here, by arrangement, a cavalcade from New London, marshaled by the worthy magistrate, met the bridal party from Saybrook. The parties met on the stream bank and Winthrop officiated at the marriage on the east bank or Massachusetts side where he had authority and the bridal couple on the west side of the rivulet, the ceremony was performed. Hence the little ice-bound, snow-covered stream has ever since been known as "Bride Brook."--(Bingham, p. 171.)
See "Atlantic", April 1876, for a poem by G.P. Lathrop on the subject.
"Connecticut Nutmegger", Vol. 6, June 1973:
A dower chest belonging to the bride with the initials JR and MM carved on it has been preserved. Until recently it was owned by the Bingham family and a photograph of it is in the Bingham Genealogy. It was last owned by the Lyman-allen Museum in New London until two years ago when the ladies of the society raised funds to purchase it. The chest now stands in the keeping room of the house.
Documentation of the Bride Brook wedding is unusually good. During the 1670s there were some excellent hay fields in the vicinity of the Lee House. The right to cut the hay was claimed by farmers from both New London and Lyme. John Winthrop, Jr. testified before the court that was attempting to settle the boundary dispute and told of the wedding and established Bride Brook as the boundary at that time. The dispute remained unresolved until finally it was agreed to settle the matter by means of a fist fight; each town selecting a man to represent it. The fight was held and the man from Lyme won. As a result, the boundary was moved about 2-1/2 miles eastward where it remained until 1839 when East Lyme was formed from parts of Lyme and Waterford."87
**From "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Joseph Rudd, Jr., 1740-1818 and his wife, Sarah Story, 1744-1842," by Dorothy Rudd DuMond
"The Bride Brook Wedding - 1646/7
By Charles Boynton Martin,
Descendant of Bride Brook Marriage
In quaint East Lyme there is a stream
That flows from lake to sea
Bride Brooke is its romantic name --
It lives in history.
Between Peqwuot and Old Saybrook
It was the boundry[sic] line
When they were little separate states
In old colonial time.
Young Jonathan Rudd of fair Saybrook
A married man would be
And he would wed 'mid winter's cold
Brook no delay would he.
In snow-bound Saybrook none was found
The nuptial knot to tie;
The Governor of Pequot was asked,
Who sent this kind reply.
"Within the limits of Pequot
I'll gladly marry thee
So meet me at the boundary stream
Where it flows out to sea."
The day was fixed; the parties made;
They all set forth with glee --
But oh! in flood the little brook
A river proved to be.
When hopes are high and lovers young
And hearts are all aquiver,
What shame a marriage to postpone
Justs for a raging river!
The governor pointed up the stream
Where banks were close together
And where the voice could bridge the brook
Through the blustery weather.
And there the wedding was performed
Across the boundry[sic] river
While cakes of ice were floating by
'Mid cold that made them shiver.
The snow flakes wove the bridal veil
Her train - the drifting snow
The winds played in the pine tree tops
A march both sweet and low.
The wild fowl flying overhead
The Indians lurking nigh
Were witness of their plighted troth
Beneath the vaulted sky.
The prayer by John Winthrop offered up
The vows that there were made
Are written in the books above
Where records never face.
And Winthrop at that time and place
Gave to that little river
The name of Bride Brooke as its own
Which it will keep forever.
And lovers linger on its banks
And talk in voices low
Of lovers true who there were wed
In days of long ago.
Jonathan and Mary had 9 known children.
Children
John (1644-?)
Patience (1644-?)
Mary Mabel (1648-1726)
Patience (1649-<1700)
Nathaniel (1652-1727)
Jonathan II (1655-1689)
William (1655-?)
Daughter Rudd (1657-)
Child Rudd (1662-?)
[rev 11-13-15]
