There appear to have been two Joseph Hoyts who served in the Revolution from Norwalk, Connecticut, which included what would become New Canaan. One was an officer from a different branch of the family, leaving the other who was a private. This may have been Joseph of Canaan Parish, but no further information has been found to confirm this. He and Phebe were admitted to the New Canaan Congregational Church by profession of their faith on 24 March 1782.1
     Joseph was deeded land from his father in Canaan Parish on 1 July 1779, and it was there that he settled.2 He purchased several more lots before his death in 1792. The exact location of his house has yet to be found. He also owned a nearby sawmill that his father bought in 1750. Joseph died "of a consumption" at the age of 41. The inventory of his estate shows that his living was modest, but the land, livestock and crops easily sustained this family. The following transcripts are taken from Joseph's probate file in the Fairfield County Probate Court records:

I Joseph Hoyt of Norwalk in the County of Fairfield and state of Connecticut being in a weak, low and declining state of body but of sound disposing mind and memory thanks to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die to make an ordain this my last will and testament. Principally and first of all I commit my Soul to God who gave it hopeing throught the merrits of the Lord Jesus Christ to receive the free Pardon of all my Sins and to Inherit everlasting Life, and my Body I commit to the Dust to be Buried decently at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named, nothing doubting but that I shall receive it again at the general Resurrection to Eternal Life. And as to such worldly goods and estate as it hath pleased God in this life to bless me with I give, bequeath and bestow in the following form and manner (viz)

Imprimis, my will and pleasure is and I'd do hereby order and direct my executor to sell a certain tract or piece of low land meadow in quantity 1 acre and an half with half an acre of land in a drift away leading from the highway to it, said land is in New Canaan Parish in Norwalk west of the highway On Canoe Hill so-called and I do hereby authorize and impower him to execute and give a deed of said land as the law directs in such cases for the purpose of paying my funeral expenses and my other just debts, and the remaining part of my debts by hereby direct to be paid out of my personal estate.

Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Phebe Hoyt the use an improvement of one third part of all my estate both real and personal which I die possessed of during the time of her natural life.

Item I give and bequeath the whole of my estate (that remains after all my just debts be paid as is above provided) to my two sons Joseph Hoyt and Eneas Hoyt and my four daughters Asenath Hoyt, Rhoda Hoyt, Phebe Hoyt and Elizabeth Hoyt in the following proportion viz.

One half of my estate to my two sons in equal proportion and the other half of my estate to my four daughters making them equal sheares therein so that each of my two sons Joseph Hoyt and Eneas Hoyt shall be entitled to a share twice as large as either of my daughter's and of each my daughters Asenath Hoyt, the Rhoda Hoyt, Phebe Hoyt and Elizabeth Hoyt shall be entitled to half as large a shear in my estate as either of my sons.

Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my well beloved brother Timothy Hoyt sold executor of this my last will and testament revoking and disannuling all former wills and testaments by me made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness and testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 31st day of July 1792.

Joseph Hoyt

signed sealed published pronounced and declared to be the last will and testament of the tester in presence of

Joseph Silliman
Isaac Hoyt
Mary Benedict

An adn [administrative] Acct of Timothy Hoyt agt [against] the Estate of Joseph Hoyt late of Norwalk decd [accepted at Fairfield County Probate Court on 6 November 1792]

To pd for digg grave 4/6. pd for coffin 5/ 10 [lbs] 9 [shillings] 6 [pence] the
To pd to C. Silliman provg Will /6 0.0.6
To attending probate to [?] prove [?] 0.6?.0
To pd probate for record will 0.6.4 1/2
To pd for bond 0.1.6
To pd for inventory to court 0.6.4 1/2
To pd [2?] appraisers 1.0.0
To pd advertisement to printer 0.3.0
To my attendg the appraisers 2 1/2 days 0.8.0
to attendg court to exhibit accts & take
order for distribution 0.6.0
To pd probate for allowing accts 0.1.6
To pd for ord. distribution 0.2.0 To settling accts not before charged
trouble and care of Estate mendg fences &c
[?ing] & paying out money legacies etc. 1.14.0
To pd distributors 0.12.9
To keeping do 2 days 0.4.0
To my time atteng Do 2 days 0.6.0
To attending probate to accept distributn. 0.6.0
To pd do for recordg Do 0.10.0

"An inventory of the Estate of Mr. Joseph Hoyt late of Norwalk Deceased apprised by the Subscribers being Sworn for that purpose (viz)

Best hat 1.0.0
Old Do 0.1.0
Best coat 0.14.0
Best vest 6/ blue vest 4.6.0 10.6.0
Gray coat 0.18.0
Striped vest 1/6 0.1.6
One Serge vest 0.3.6
One diaper vest 0.1.6
One old coat 0.1.6
One pair Corduroy breeches 0.11.0
One pair buckskin breeches 0.10.0
One old Do 0.4.0
One Gray pr breeches 0.2.6
One white pr breeches 0.1.3
One old pr Do 0.1.0
One pr overhauls linnen 0.4.6
One pr old Do 0.1.0
Two pr old Do 0.1.6
One old frock 0.0.9
One holland Shirt 0.4.0
One Linnen Shirt 0.2.6
One old check linnen Shirt 0.1.3
Two woollen Shirts 0.5.0
One pr Stockings 0.3.0
One old pr Do 0.0.9
One pr Do linnen 0.1.0
One pr Shoes 0.2.3
One pr boots 0.6.0
Bed No 1 Weighting 19 1/2 lb. 1.5.0
Bed No 2 Weighting 33 lb. 1.2.6
Three pillows weight 5 lb. 0.5.0
One bolster 0.1.0
One coverlid [coverlet] [?] blue white 0.8.0
One old Do black & white 0.2.0
One bed quilt callico 0.12.0
One Do 0.3.0
One blanket 4/ 0.4.0
One Do @ 3/ 0.3.0
One pr linnen [sheets] No 1 0.9.0
One pr linnen sheets No. 2 0.4.0?
11.13.0
One Woollen Sheet 0.5.0
One old Do 0.1.6
One pr linnen and woollen Sheets 0.4.6
One pr Pillow cases 0.1.0
4 yards Tow Cloth 0.4.0
One Table cloth Diaper 0.3.0
One napkin Diaper 0.1.0
One Bedstead & cord 0.4.6
One Do & cord 0.5.0
One pr case drawers 0.18.0
One Round Table 0.3.0
One Square Table 0.4.6
One Do 0.2.0
One press cupboard 0.12.0
One chest with two drawers 0.9.0
Six chairs @ /9 each 0.4.6
One Great Wheel 0.2.0
One clock Real 0.2.0
One Chest 0.4.0
Five pails 0.2.6
One Wooden bottle 0.0.9
One Barrel & Bushel buckwheat 0.2.0
Two cider Barrels 0.2.9
Two caggs [kegs] 0.1.6
One churn 0.1.3
One Half Bushel 0.2.6
One half Hogshead 0.1.0
Three cider barrels @ 1/6 each 0.4.6
One meat barrel 0.1.6
Two Washtubs 0.1.0
One fat Tub 0.0.6
Four flower casks 0.2.0
One flax Hetchel 0.12.0
One Basket 0.2.6
One flax Hetchel 0.0.9
One Side Saddle 1.4.0
four bags 0.4.6
One Wheat Riddle 0.2.0
One oat Do 0.1.0
One gun and bayonet 0.12.0
One old Do 0.2.0
One old Saddle 0.3.0
Three Milk Trays 0.0.9
One cloathes basket 0.1.4
Stone Pot 0.1.0
Earthen Pot 0.1.0
Tea kettle 0.3.0
One Iron pot 0.5.0
One Small Do 0.3.0
Three pewter Quart basons 0.2.0
One large pewter platter 0.2.6
Half dozen pewter Plates 0.3.0
One Quart Pewter Pot 0.2.0
One Pewter Tea pot 0.0.9
one frying pan 0.2.6
One Inch Auger 0.0.6
One Narrw Axe 0.4.0
Two old Do 0.2.6
Two old Sythes 0.1.4
Old Sythe tackling 0.1.0
One Iron Wedge 0.1.0
One cart Clovis and bolt 0.1.3
One Crowbar 0.5.4
One Shaving knife 0.1.3
Half Dozen knives and forks 0.1.4
One Iron Shovel 0.1.3
Two tramels 0.7.0
One Ox Yoak 0.1.6
One Ox Chain 0.9.0
Horse Trases 0.5.0
One Bridle 0.0.6
Three Pounds Nails 0.1.10
One Cart 1.5.0
One Grind stone 0.6.0
One pair Yoke irons 0.1.6
Twenty Eight Pounds wool sheeps 2.2.0
Twenty one [store?] sheep 5.10.3
One Pair Oxen 11.5.0
One black cow white face 3.0.0
One black pide cow 2.14.0
One brindle cow 2.5.0
One black heifer with calf 2.10.0
One year old bull 1.6.0
Three swine 2.16.0
Three Pigs 0.14.0
Draw mare 4.14.0
One black three years old steer 2.12.0
One Read Pide Calf 0.12.0
One Dunn Calf 0.6.0
One plough & irons & clovis and bolt 0.5.0
One steel sythe 0.1.0
Sixteen bushels Wheat in the Sheaf in the Barn 2.8.0
Twenty five bushels of Rye in the Sheaf 3.2.6
Fourteen Bushels of Oats in the Sheaf 0.17.6
Two loads English hay 3.0.0
Three Loads coarse hay 1.16.0
Two Loads Sedge 1.0.0
One Ox Sled 1.0.0
Three Sticks Square Timber 0.3.0
Three Hundred and fifty feet of white wood board 0.14.0
One Dwelling House 18.0.0
One barn 6.0.0
One Bible 0.1.6
One old do. 0.0.6
One peice of Land in Quantity Thirty Acres At L2.0.0 pr Acre 60.0.0
One Cart Rope 0.2.6
One plough share and coulter 0.4.9
One bag 0.0.9
Part of barr of Steel 0.1.0
Flax in the Sheaf 0.10.0
Bushel of flax seed 0.[?]
Four Acres Rye in the Ground 2.0.0
Corn on the ground 6.0.0
Home land 50 Acres 123.0.0
One grid iron 0.1.0
-----------
£191.7.0

addition

four acres of Segg flats 7.0.0
one Great Coat 1.4.0
one hide 0.7.6
------------
£199.18.6

Jeremiah B. Ellis
John Benedict

The following is an account of the distribution of Joseph's real estate among his heirs:

We the subscribers freehold being appointed by the honourable Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield destributors of the estate of Joseph Hoyt late of Norwalk decd. and being sworn accordig to law, have according to the orders of sd court and the last will and testament of the sd decd. destributed, aparted and set off to the widow of the decd one third part of the dwelling house and barn amounting to eight pounds £8=0=0

viz the two south rooms of the house and the west bay of the barn. Also eighteen acres and an half of the south end of the homestead land, it being eighteen rods wide at the east end by the highway and fifty rods wide at the west end to bounds set up amounting to forty six pounds fifteen shillings £46=15=0

Also ten acres at the north end of the swamp so called to bounds set up amounting to twenty three pounds eight shillings and four pence £23-8-4

The whole of the real estate destributed to the widow amounts to seventy eight pounds, three shillings and four pence £78=3=4

Destributed, aparted and set off to Joseph Hoyt, the oldest son of the dec., one third part of the house and barn amounting to eight pounds £8=0=0

viz the lower south room or cellar and the chamber over it and the north west room of the house and the chamber over it and the north half of the east bay in the barn and floor. Also one equal undivided half of the salt marsh or sedge flats amounting to four pounds £4=0=0

Also ten arcres of land of the homestead lying north of his mother's eighteen acres and an half and is twelve rods wide at the east end by the highway and seventeen rods and sixteen links at the west end land is bounded north by land set off to Elizabeth Hoyt. It amounts to twenty four pounds, eleven shilling and eight pence £24=11=8

The whole of the real estate destributed to Joseph Hoyt amounts to thirty six pounds, eleven shillings and eight pence £36=11=8

Destributed, aparted and set off to Eneas Hoyt, second and youngest son of the decd, one third part of the dwelling house and barn amounting to eight pounds £8=0=0

viz all the remaining part of the dwelling house, cellar and barn not disposed of to the widow and to his brother Joseph Hoyt. Also one equal undivided half of the salt marsh or sedge flats amounting to four pounds £4=0=0

Also ten acres of the north end of the homestead land, being ten rods wide at the east end by the highway from the pine tree southwards and fifteen rods and fifteen links wide at the west end amounting to twenty four pounds, eleven shillings and eight pence £24=11=8

The amount of the real estate destributed to Eneas Hoyt is thity six punds, eleven shillings and eight pence £36=11=8

Destributed, aparted and set off to Asenith Hoyt, oldest daughter of the dec., ten acres of the south end of the swamp so called it being twenty one rods wide at the east end west ends to bounds set up amounting to eighteen pounds, five shillings and ten pence £18=5=10

Destributed to Rhoda Hoyt, second daughter of the decd., ten acres of the swamp so called being the middle division of sd piece of land bounded north by the widow's ten acres and south to Asenith's ten acres, nineteen rods wide at the east end by the highway and twelve rods wide at the west end to bounds set up amounting to eighteen pounds, five shillings and ten pence £18=5=10

Destributed to Phebe Hoyt third daughter fo the dec. seven acres and one rood of the homestead land lying between Eneas Hoyt's ten acres and Elizabeth Hoyt's seven acres and one rood being eleven rods and an half wide at the west end & nine rods and seventeen links at the east end amounting to eighteen pounds, five shillings and ten pence £18=5=10

Destributed to Elizabeth Hoyt, fourth and youngest daughter of the decd., seven acres and one rood of the homestead land lying between Joseph Hoyt's ten acres and Phebe Hoyt's seven acres and one rood and is ten rods wide at the east end by the highway and twelve rods and an half wide at the west end amounting to eighteen pounds, five shillings and ten pence £18=5=10

April 24th A. D. 1794 [accepted at court on 16 June 1794]

Joseph Silliman
Jeremiah B. Ellis

freeholders and destributors under oath

children of Joseph Hoyt and Phebe Benedict:

i. Asenath b. 29 April 1779, m. Russell Gregory Raymond
ii. Daniel b. 12 March 1781, died young
iii. Joseph b. 1 March 1783
iv. Eneas b. 7 March 1785, m. Mary Stevenson
v. Rhoda b. 21 May 1787
vi. Phebe b. 5 May 1789, m. Ezekial Morse
vii. Elizabeth b. 17 August 1791, m. Alfred Nash

vital records sources: Joseph's birth, marriage and death records come from the New Canaan town records. His marriage appears on an added sheet of marriages on the flyleaf of one of the town record books, having occurred in Wilton when New Canaan was without a pastor. It also appears in the Wilton town (or church?) records.



1. New Canaan Congregational Church record.
2. Fairfield County deeds, 15:98 (1 July 1779).