John Alexander, but in at least seven different records, contemporaneous with him, or nearly so, the name is John, while the name Alexander is found in no record of those times. From Simsbury town records, date, Dec. 18, 1710:

Mr. Viett admitted to be an inhabitant here in Simsbury. From a deed made in 1710, acknowledged before justice of peace Jan. 5, 1711, and recorded in Simsbury records: To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come: Greeting: Know ye that we the subscribers hereunto, Namely, the surviving successors and alleants to the estate of our predecessor, sargeant John Griffin, long since deceased, and being rightful owners to those lands in Simsbury that our honored stood possessed of in his lifetime, therefore we of our own free bounty and of the good will and affection that we bear to Mr. John Viett now resident in Simsbury who inclining to settle himself in this said town, therefore his subscribers being and belonging to the County of Hartford and the Colony of Connecticut in New England do for ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, by these presents wholly, clearly and absolutely, alien, enfeefe, set out, convey, ratify and confirm unto the above mentioned John Viett a certain piece and parcel of land being situated within the township of Simsbury at Samon Brokks near the falls some what northerly of Thomas Griffin's house where said Thomas now dwells, and north eastward of said Thomas Griffin's field leaving a convenient passable way between said Thomas Griffin's field and the bounds of Mr. Viett's land of three rods wide. The said parcel of land is forty four rods and an half southeast taking its abutment at a white oak staddle, then turned the square and measured forty three rods. Said parcel of land is by estimation an eleven acres, three roods, eight perches, be it a little more or a little less.

In witness whereof and for the confirmation of this instrument of alienation to John Viett we set to our hands and seals this year of our Lord God one Thousand seven hundred and ten, and in the ninth year of the reign of our sovreign lady Ann by the grace of God queen of England, etc., signed, sealed and delivered in the presence and witnesses of us this the fifth day of January, seventeen hundred and eleven.

THOMAS HOLCOMB,
JOHN TERRY.

JNO. GRIFFIN,

THO. GRIFFIN.

EPHRAM GRIFFIN.

NATHANIEL GRIFFIN.

MARY HOSKINS.

ELIAS GILLETT.

JOSEPH HUMPHREY.

Jan. 5, 1711, John Griffin, Thomas Griffin, Nathaniel Griffin, Mary Hoskins, and Elias Gillett, all and each of them personally appeared before me the subscriber and acknowledged these above mentioned deed and instrument to be their and each of their voluntary act and deed before me John Higly, Justice of peace.

into Simsbury record April 14, 1713.

Received above said to enter

Test. JOHN SLATER, Clerk.

Simsbury Town Records, b. IV, p. 49:

April 8, 1723, At the same time layed out to John Viett one parcel of land bounding north on the highway that leads from the Samon brook mill towards Windsor, westerly on William Hayes' and Joseph Lamson's land, being in length 150 rods, and in breadth at west end 120 rods, and at east end 36 rods, being 82 acres be it more or less.

Hartford Probate Records, b. X, p. 55:

At a court of Probate holden at Hartford on the 3d day of January Anno Domini 1724.

Present Joseph Talcott esq. Judge. Hez. Wyllys Clerk. This Court Grant Letters of administration on the estate of John Viett, Late of Symsbury deceased unto Katharine Viett widow of said deceased and Andrew Henning of said Symbury provided bond be given us as the law directs and order that they render an account of administration of said estate on or before the first tuesday of January 1725. bond was accordingly given and Letters of administration taken this day.

Hartford Probate Records, b. X, p. 211:

An inventory of the estate of Doctor Jonn Viett deceased November the 18th, 1723, as followith: Wearing Apparel, £1, 10s, Cutlass, 10s., one Bed, Bedstead and covered furniture, £2, 10s., one Bed Ticking and Blanket, 10s., Saddle and bridle, 15s., one Collar and Traces, Is., one Horse Cart Irons and Cart Saddle, 9s., one Sledge, 4s., 3 wedges, 6s., one axe, 3s., Stubbing Hoe, 5s., one pair of Andirons, 8s., old Iron, 10s., one chisel, 8d., 15 books written in the german language, the worth not known to us. Two Peauter Platters, 9s., 5 Peauter Plates, 7s., 16 quart cups and pint Cups, 7s., one Iron Pott and Pott Hooks, 8s., one Trammel, 3s., one Little Pott, 2s. 6d., one Brass Kettle, 8s., 3 Bowles, 8s., 2 dishes, 6d., 8 Trenchers, 8d. and Platters, 6d., one earthan Jugg and earthan Pott, 2s., 6d., one hand bellows, 3s., one Table, 35., one morter and Iron Pessel, 3s., one Trunk, Is., one old Chest, 3s., one Little wheal, 2s. 6d., one great wheal, Is. 6d., 5 chairs, 2s., 2 Payles, 2s., Eleven Vials, 2s., 6d, Lumber, 6s., one Brass Candlestick, Is., 4 Piggs, £1, 3s., one gollon Bottle,

Is., one Picture, 2s., 78 acres of Land, £15, 12s., Part of a Building with some Boards, £1, 8s., . taken this 31st day of De

cember, 1723.

The following three quotations are from the old account book of Henry Viets, now in possession of Jonathan M. Viets of Bryan, O.:

On the first page:

Henry alias Henricus alias Horniricus Viett of Simsbury, Conn., His book of Accounts or Accompts 1729.

On the back leaf:

November ye 18th Deth of my father Dr. John Vietts 1723.
March ye 6th Deth of my mother year 1734.

A record similar to these is said to be seen in the old account book of Captain John Viets, brother of Henry, now in possession of Charles Preston of Syracuse, N. Y.

Inscription from a stone in the burying ground at Sims

bury:

Catron Vets, ye wife of Dct. John Vets, died March 5, 1734, Æ. 68. In the inventory of the estate of Henry Viets, son of Dr. John, are mentioned among other things the following articles:

Further quotations from the life of Bishop Griswold:

On page 29 the author quotes from Mrs. Bright, whose mother was a sister of the bishop:

"His mother (Eunice), whom in person he strongly resembled, was a woman of uncommon energy, dignity, and decision of character. Well do I remember the deep awe and veneration which filled our minds (as children) when she entered the room where we were. I remember when myself a very young child, accompanying my mother on a visit to her and the bishop's grandmother (Lois) then very aged." Mrs. Bright says that Eunice, the bishop's mother, was very strict with her children, and kept them at work every moment.

On page 35 is a quotation from the bishop's journal referring to Roger Viets:

"About the time of my birth my mother's brother, the Rev. Roger Viets, returned from England in Priest's orders. For several years he was an inmate in my father's family, and for most of the time till my twentieth year I lived with him. He was an excellent scholar, with a rare talent for communicating knowledge to others. . . . Even when laboring in the field together, as we did for hundreds of days, he would still continue his instructions." As the bishop often told his worthy companion

many are the Latin lessons which he has studied by taking his book from his pocket and poring over its contents while riding horse for his ploughman uncle.

Will of John Viets, Jr., son of Captain John, and brother of Roger, as recorded at the Halls of Record, Hartford:

In the name of God amen. I John Viets Junr. of Symsbury, in the County of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut in New England being sick and weak in Body, but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given unto God, calling to mind the mortality of the body and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of God Almighty that gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian Burial at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such worldly estate, as herewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. . . Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto Elizabeth, my Beloved Wife one third of all my personal estate, also the use of one third part of my Real Estate During her natural life.

Item, I give unto my beloved sons Hezekiah Phelps Viets and John Viets the sum of 120 pounds each.

Item, I give unto my two beloved Daughters Deborah Viets and Elizabeth Viets the sum of 50 pounds each. . . . I have herewith set my hand and seal this 11th Day of January, 1763.