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- Born Staten Island, New York
Burial: Unknown, Dover, Staten Island, Richmond Co. NY.
The Stillwells were descended from one of the most influential and important families, which first settled in New Amsterdam (New York) in the late 1630's while it was still controlled by the Dutch. The family originated in Surrey England. The progenitor of the family in America was Lt. Nicholas Stillwell, 1603-1671. To escape religious persecutions in England he went to Holland. There he offered his services as a soldier to Elizabeth the queen of Bohemia in support of Protestantism. After suffering defeat at Prague, he was one of the queen's escort during her flight to Breslau. It is rumored that he married one of her maids of honor, Abigail Hopton. Extensive research had yet to prove that that marriage happened. After the disbandment of the queen's army he and other family members came to New Amsterdam. He emigrated with his family to New Amsterdam, apparently in the 1640's. The Stillwells eventually settled at Graves End on Long Island with the Lady Moody colonists. Lt. Nicholas Stillwell commanded forces against the Indians in Virginia and later aided Governor Claybourne in MD. He owned one of the original 20 acre farms at Graves End. and eventually resided on 200 acres near Graves End. He was a lieutenant and commander in charge of the expedition against the Indians in the Esopus war. After completing that mission successfully he returned to New Amsterdam and served as a friend and confident of Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, the last of the Dutch governors before the English takeover of New Amsterdam.
His second son was Captain Nicholas Stillwell 1636-1714/15. He served as a justice and a constable at Graves End for a number of years. He also served as captain of the Graves End militia. From 1691-1698 he was a member of the colonial assembly from King's County NY. In 1693 he commanded the King's County contingent of men with the Fletcher expedition to Canada against the French and the Indians. He was a man who received many honors during his lifetime. He was also well educated which was an exception in the times in which he lived. (Source: Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, vol. II, pp146-147.
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1603 - 1671 (68 years)