Author: Michael Duane Mattox
John was the second child and eldest son of Deacon Benjamin Sedgwick and Ann Thompson Sedgwick. He was born at West Hartford, CT and baptized there on 7 MAR 1742. The Sedgwick family moved to Cornwall Hollow, CT in 1748. His father died when John was only 14 yrs old, and it became his duty to help raise his family of six.

Eventually, as he grew up, he became one of the most prominent citizens and largest landowners in that section of the state of CT. The large number of employees that worked on his estate also lived onsite in ten log houses next to the Sedgwick home.

As for marriage, John first married Abigail Andrews of Wallingford, CT on 3 FEB 1763. From this union there were 13 children born; seven were boys, and six were girls. On 26 APR 1811, Abigail died, having been married to John some 48 years. Sometime after 1811, he married a second wife, Mrs Sarah Lewis of Farmington, CT; they had no children. Both John and 1st wife Abigail are buried in the “New Cemetery” at Cornwall Hollow, CT. His second wife Sarah, is buried in Simsbury, CT.

In stature and physical strength, he excelled his friends, and in moral qualities he was equally unrivalled. He was a man of strict religious principles. Anecdotes related to him about his physical strength are numerous. One such anecdote is that when one of his oxen slipped the yoke in a muddy mire, John got into the yoke saying, “I will have it a go; whip the other ox,” and it was freed from the mud. Another time, while John was hunting on Cream Hill near his home, it was claimed by him that a bear came out of a rock cleft where he was watching for game. Jumping upon the bear, he rode it some distance down the mountain before the bear was “subdued”.

As a magistrate, he was remarkable in leading contending parties to an amicable settlement. He was a member of the Connecticut legislature for 28 sessions.

He always lived on his farm. In the year 1780, he erected a forge on the stream at the east side of Cornwall Hollow and large quantities of iron were manufactured from the Salisbury ore mined nearby. Also upon this stream, he built a grist mill about 900 feet away. John also built a saw mill upon this same stream.

By his death on 28 AUG 1820, he had amassed not only a great many friends and grandchildren, but also about 1600 acres of farmland. His tract was about 2 and a half miles from east to west, averaging about ½ mile wide. Although not rich, all his income went to support the large family he loved and was devoted to.

MILITARY: Was a MAJOR in the Seventh Regiment, Connecticut Line. This RGT was raised 1 JAN 1777, as the “new Continental Line” to continue thru the REV WAR. It was recruited from the CT counties of Fairfield, Litchfield, and others. First went to the field in spring of 1777 and to Camp Peekskill NY. In Sept 1777, the RGT was ordered
under GEN McDougall to join up with GEN George Washington Army in Pennsylvania. The RGT fought at Germantown on 4 OCT 1777 and suffered some losses. GEN Washington was a personal friend of John’s and stayed at his home in Cornwall Hollow on several occasions. On 10 FEB 1778, he resigned his commission, stating financial responsibilities of his farm and family are weighing heavily on him. Later, he was commissioned a LT COL, then BRIG GEN and MAJ GEN in the Connecticut Militia. His grandson, MAJ GEN John Sedgwick, graduated from West Point, and served in the Army for nearly 30 years in the Indian and Mexican Wars, and the Civil War. He was killed at Spotsylvania in May 1864.