Thomas Sanford

     ***Research Conclusion (Probably) the Townsend genealogy says Thomas was the son of Anthony Sanford and Joan Stratford. I have decided that that is incorrect - following what others have said in the RootsWeb database (and Sanford-Shulsen database). Thomas Sanford was born in 1608, in Hatfield Broad Oaks, Essex, England.¹ Brothers Thomas, Robert, Andrew, probably Zachary and Andrew Warner, their uncle, all went to America together - for "material independence". Thomas immigrated in 1632 Thomas probably came with his uncle Andrew Warner in 1632. Thomas lived in Dorchester, MA. He married Mrs Sarah (Unknown) Sanford in 1636 in Dorchester, MA.² Thomas was admitted freeman on 9 March 1637 in Dorchester, MA, The title gave the right to vote, and was an advantage in the division of lands. To be a freeman required that one be at least 20 years old, a church member, take an oath of allegiance to the government of Massachusetts, to be worth L200, to hold office if elected or pay a fine of 40s, and to vote at all elections or pay the same fine.¹ 1644 in Milford, CT, he was one of the original settlers.¹ On 17 May 1661 Regicides Cols. Edward Whalley and William Goffe hid at Milford. Under Cromwell, they were two of the Judges who signed the death warrant of Charles the First, and once Charles' son regained the throne of England, they were under sentence of death. The plain people of Milford were mostly their friends, and they hid them and brought them food. A search was required by royal decree.
From the Milford CT records: "May 17th, 1661 for the Marshalls or Deputies at Milford. You are to make deligent search by the first throughout the whole town of Milford and the precincts there of taking with you two or three sufficient persons and--calling in any other help you shall see need of who are hereby required for your assistance upon call! and this to be in all dwellings houses, barns or other buildings whatsoever and all vessels in the harbor for the finding and aprehending of Colonel Whalley and Colonel Goffe who stand charged with crimes as by his Majestie's letter appears: and being found you are to bring them to the Deputee Governor or some other Magistrate to be sent over for England according to his Majestie's orders whereof fail at peril.
Attest by order of General Court
Jasper Crane William Leete, Dep. Gov.
Nathan Gilbert
Robert Treat
In the Marshalls Absence, I do appoint and empower Thomas Sanford, Nicholas Camp and James Tapping to the above named power according to the tenor of the warrant and to make a return of under your hand to me by the first. Robert Treat, Gov. We the said persons appointed to serve and search by virtue of this order warrant do hereby declare and testifie that to our best light we the 10th May, 1661 made deligent search according to the tenor of this warrant as Witness our hand.
Thomas Sanford
Nicholas Camp
James Tapping his
Lawrence Ward x
mark"

Family stories handed down about the search indicate they tried very hard to comply with the decree - many men searched diligently with many lanterns and much noise.
The judges hid in the cave at West Rock (later known as "Judges Cave") in New Haven from May 15 to June 11, and resided in concealment in the vicinity of Milford from 1661-1664, three years and seven months. The most prominent house of historic interest that can be identified as still in existence is undoubtedly the Regicide House, restored and removed within the recollection of many of the present day to the south side of Peacock Lane (now Maple Street) a short distance from West River Street. Stiles says, "The Judges took up an asylum in the house of Mr. Tompkins thirty or forty rods from the meeting house; that Governor Law afterwards bought this house and lot and built his seat on that lot a rod or two from it."... The Judges were here in concealment for two years, 1661-1662. Roger Newton was the minister. Mr. Treat, Mr. Fenn and a few others were said to be in the secret. The regicides later died at the home of Rev. John Russell of Hadley MA.¹ He left a will dated 23 September 1681.¹ To view the will, please click here:. He died in October 1681 in Milford, CT. Inventory of his estate was taken on 21 October 1681. by John Beard and Samuell Clarke and amounted to L450:18:03.¹