Andrew Lester @ New London

Ledge Lighthouse, New London

1678 Hempstead House, oldest surviving house in New London

Andrew Lester is the 6th great-grandfather of Lewis Way (Andrew Lester, Daniel Lester, Ann Lester, David Way, Samuel Way, Solomon Way, Edward Lewis Way, Hiram Lewis Way, Lewis Betheal Way).

Genealogy of the Lesters that settled in the town of Ledyard, New London County, Connecticut

Andrew Lester was born 1618 in New London, Connecticut, son of Francis Lester and Jane Bywell. He married Barbara Bradley.  

He first appears at Gloucester, Mass. An early settler from 1643. (Then called Lister). He was licensed to keep a house of entertainment by the county court, Feb* 26, 1648-9.

The births of four children of Andrew and Barbara Lester, are recorded at Gloucester, Mass.:

Daniel Lester, born April 15, 1642, married Hannah Fox, daughter of Thomas Fox, 1669.

Andrew Lester removed to Pequot (now New London, Conn.), in 1651. Eearly in 1651 a new street was laid out in the rear of the town plot in New London, for the accommodation of "The Cape Ann Company." This street was called "Cape Ann Lane." The lots on this street were nine in number, and Andrew Lester had lot 4.

April, 1651, the marsh land laying along Alewive cove, was given to a company of undertakers, viz., Mr. Denison, Hugh Caulkins, John Elderkin and Andrew Lester, who undertook to drain it, and were to have all the land "Now under water forever."

Barbara, wife of Andrew Lester, died at New London Feb. 2, 1653-4, being the first death of a woman recorded in New London. Andrew Lester's second wife was Joanna, widow of Robert Hempstead, and probably daughter of Isaac Willy. She died in 1659, without issue. Andrew Lester married, for his third wife, Anna Clark. They had three children.

Andrew Lester was constable and collector of New London in 1668, and bought land in said town, July 12, 1659. He died in 1669. His widow married Isaac Willey. She died in 1692.

Daniel Lester, son of Andrew and Barbara, married Hannah Fox, daughter of Thomas Fox, of Concord, 1669. They had a daughter, Ann, born Aug. 30, 1670.

Sergeant Daniel Lester, son of Andrew and Barbara, lived upon the great neck, New London, where he died June 16, 1716. He was brought in to town and buried under arms.

-History of the town of Ledyard, John Avery