Alexander Chalker:  Our first Chalker ancestor to migrate to America

Son of Robert Chalker and Margaret

Born:  23 Feb 1625 in Cranbrook, Kent, England

Died:  Feb 1673 in Saybrook, New London, CT

Married Katherine (Kateren) Post 29 Sep 1649 in Hollingbourne, Maidstone Burrough, Kent, England

Children:

1. Samuel (by a different mother 1648 - )

2. Stephen (Steven) (1650-1673)

3. Mary (1653-1711)

4. Abraham Chalker (Abram) (1655-1730)

5. Katherine (Kateren) (1657- 1689)

6. Sarah (1659-1694)

7. Jane (1662-1742)

8. Alexander (1666-1689)

Alexander Chalker, sometimes called "Sander Chawker" was among the early settlers of Guilford, Connecticut. He came to America in July of 1639 on a second shipload of prospective settlers coming from Kent and Surrey Counties in England according to "The History of Connecticut". He united with the church early and was made a freeman on May 22, 1648. This means that he may have been sponsored or identured in order to make the journey from England to Connecticutt. He would have been 35 when he signed the document, having served 9 years after his arrival. He signed this document with an X which may indicate that he could not read or write (?). HIs house and lot of three acres stood on Crooked Lane - later State Street. On February 20, 1649 he stated in a town meeting that he doubted if he should be able to continue his contributions to the minister's salary.

Alexander Chalker may have been married early and lost a wife in childbirth (Samuel) then married Katherine Post of Saybrook, Connecticut on September 29, 1649. He sold his lands at Guilford between 1652 and 1655 and moved to Saybrook, Connecticut where he became a prominent citizen. He died on September 23, 1673. 

Notes from:  "Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines: Volume II", the "Chalker" section

Early records concerning him are in 1645 and 1647 when he was brought before the court having been charged with "neglect of duty while serving as a night watch". He was fined for "losing his arms". In the second case, having "showed much rashness and confidence" in daring to criticize the amount of cotton allotted to him for a padded canvas coat. The New Haven Court had, in 1643, ordered that every planter should have a canvas coat quilted thickly with cotton as a defense against Indian arrows. The town bought and distributed a quantity of cotton and the secretary's bill showing "everyone's just proportion" was "proved to be just and true". Alexander's criticism was construed as "speaking against the government" and he and a companion acknowledged their fault and craved forgiveness which was granted. He continued to hold to his own opinions, however, and on February 20, 1649 or 1650, at a meeting held to consider the prospects for the continuance or increase of contributions to the minister's salary, he "doubted how he should".

Since his marriage took place in Saybrook and all of his children were recorded as born there, he is thought to have moved there by 1649-50. 

History of Guilford, CT
Alexander Chalker is listed as one of the first settlers that came over in 1639.

In May of 1639, a band of Puritans, led by the Reverend Henry Whitfield, left England to seek religious freedom in the New World. They set sail for Quinnipiac (now called New Haven) and arrived there later that Summer.
(Thomas French was not one of these immigrants because he arrived first in Charleston, MA, and only later moved to Guilford, CT.)

After negotiating with the local Native Americans, who were represented by their squaw sachem (female chief) Shaumpishuh, the group purchased land halfway between New Haven and Saybrook. There they established the plantation of Menuncatuck, which would later be known as Guilford.



Like most 17th century New England towns, Guilford was organized around a common or green. The first houses were small huts with thatched roofs, wooden walls, and dirt floors. Guilford, unlike other villages, had no protective palisade fence surrounding the community; instead they build four large stone houses for the leaders of the plantation. These homes were strategically located and used for shelter during times of danger. Life in Guilford was extremely primitive and resembled a medieval village for several generations.



Later in the 17th century, Guilford became part of the New Haven Colony and then Connecticut Colony. Guilford's William Leete was one of the first governors of these colonies. By the 18th century, the town had become a thriving coastal community with agriculture and the sea supporting the economy.

Citation:  Town of Guilford History

https://www.guilfordct.gov/town_of_guilford/historical_overview.php

More information about Guilford:  https://visitguilfordct.com/colonial-life-in-guilford/ 

Additional Resources:  England Births and Christenings, Connecticutt Vital Records, births and christenings, A Statistical Account of the County of Middlesex, Connecticut