Abraham Todd, (Jonah, Samuel, Christopher) born Feb. 18, 1709-10, died Dec. 17, 1772, married Nov. 30, 1727, Hannah, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Glover) Dickerman, who was born May 19, 1709, died July 21, 1777. She was a sister of Mary Dickerman, wife of his cousin Michael Todd. He was a graduate of Yale College of the class of 1727. He was ordained in 1733, pastor of the second or West society at Greenwich, Conn. at Horseneck, the church having been located on the hill down which Gen. Putnam later made his famous escape. Here Mr. Todd remained forty years or till his death.
“In 1732, the Church extended a call to Rev. Abraham Todd, who accepted the call, and during the next year was duly installed. Mr. Todd was then a young man, having just finished his theological studies. Of his character, the duration of his ministerial office over a single church is, perhaps, a sufficient indication. He is said to have been of a mild, easy disposition, and many anecdotes are handed down to us by tradition concerning him. Although a general favorite throughout the whole period of his ministry, he may, like others, have had some though few, enemies. It is related that during his ministry, many of his hearers were outspoken men, even expressing themselves publicly during worship, as to the merits or demerits of the doctrines advanced. Among this class of persons was one Palmer, who was present during the service on an occasion when an Indian missionary preached to Mr. Todd’s congregation. He preached fluently, and we presume, well; and so great an impression did his logic and eloquence make upon Palmer, that he exclaimed, at the close of the sermon, with great vehemence, “Let’s swap Todd, and buy the Injin; he does a good deal the best.” Mr. Todd himself was present. In the old French war, “the inhabitants gave of their substance for the support of this war; and the ladies of the various towns formed associations for the clothing of the soldiers. Mrs. Abraham Todd was a president of such an association in Greenwich.” “In 1773 occured the death of Mr. Todd, until which time he was pastor of the church in the West Society of Greenwich. For a period of more than forty years he had enjoyed the confidence of his people, adding to his flock. Many laughable ditties are related concerning him, which only show a warm heart and an innocent life. Unambitious and unpresuming, none of his people seem to have disliked him.” “He was buried in the old burying ground in Davis’s lane. In 1769 the society by vote “empowered Mr. Todd to desire one or more persons to tune the Psalm, as he shall see proper.”
From Mead’s History of Greenwich, Conn.
In 1732-33 Abraham Todd is called of New Haven, Conn., with a deed to Isaac Jones. In 1733 of Greenwich, Conn., in a deed of land in Governors Quarter, New Haven, to Michael Todd. In 1740 he sold dwelling house and lot in New Haven, that was Jonah Todd’s late of New Haven, deceased, to Thomas Wilmot; in 1741 land in Governors Quarters to heirs of Francis Brown.
His wife survived him as appears by a deed in 1775 from Hannah, widow of Abraham Todd, of Greenwich, Conn., to Leveret Stevens, of land conveyed to me by my husband Abraham Todd.
Children:
156. Mehitabel, b. Dec. 9, 1729, d. 1742.
157. Lois, b. May 13, 1732, d. May 22, 1812; was twice married, first Obidiah Mead, second Stephen Holley.
*158. Jonah, b. Aug. 12, 1734.
*159. Abraham, b. Dec. 21, 1738.
160. Hannah, b. Nov. 18, 1741, m. Gideon Reynolds,
161. Mabel, b. Nov. 21, 1744, d. July 25, 1824, m. Allen, son of Aaron and Sarah Mead, of Greenwich, Conn.
*162. Oliver, b. Oct. 15, 1748.
163. Mary, b. Feb. 10, 1751, m. Joel Waring, of Bedford, N. Y.