History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume I, 1600-1760, and Volume I I, 1760-1880
Windham.

With many gains, they had some losses-James Birchard sold his right in Win dham to Philip Paine, in 1696, and removed to the West Farms of Norwich; S amuel Abbe died a few months after his arrival in Windham, his son, Samue l, succeeding to his estate at the Centre, his widow marrying Abraham Mitc hell. John Cates, the first Windham settler, died in the summer of 1697. T hough less active in town affairs than younger and more vigorous citizen s. Mr. Cates was greatly esteemed for prudence and sound judgment, and pro ved his interest in his adopted township by leaving legacies for its benef it. A service of plate was left for the communion service of the church, t wo hundred acres of land in trust for the poor, and two hundred acr es to be applied to schools. His faithful Joe, together with a bed, a che st and wearing apparel were given to Mr. Whiting. His housekeeper, Mary-si ster of Benjamin Howard-was his executrix. His land-one Windham allotment- was valued at £40; his servant at £30. It is said that poor Joe manifest ed his grief at his master's death by the most frantic outbursts, and d id not long survive him. A tomb-stone-probably the first in Windham buryin g-ground-thus commemorates its first settler and benefactor:- In Memo ry of Mr. John Cates. He was a gentleman, born in England. And the first s ettler in the Town of Windham. By his last Will and Testament He gave a Ge nerous legacy To ye first Church of Christ in Windham In plate, and a gene rous Legacy in land For ye support of ye poor; And another Legacy for ye s upport Of ye school In said town for ever. He died In Windham, July ye 16t h, A. D. 1697.