Ann Borrodell Denison: A Colonial Matriarch

Chapter 1: Noble Beginnings

Ann Borrodell (also spelled Brordel) was born in 1615 into a distinguished English family, though she likely spent her early years in Cork, Ireland, where her father, John Borrodell, was a man of standing. The Borrodells were a fine old English family of means, as evidenced by the extraordinary dowry Ann would later bring to her marriage.

Growing up during a time of political tension between England and Ireland, Ann was raised with a strong sense of tradition, familial duty, and the refined manners befitting her station.

Chapter 2: A Marriage of Distinction

In 1644, Ann married Captain George Denison, a widower and rising leader in the New England colonies. Their union was remarkable not only for George’s prominence but also for Ann’s legendary dowry—her weight in gold (90 pounds), a staggering sum that reflected her family’s wealth and elevated her status in colonial society.

The couple settled first in Roxbury, Massachusetts, where they began building their family. Together, they had seven children: John, Ann, George, William, Borrodell, Margaret, and Mary, ensuring the Denison name would endure in early America.

Chapter 3: A Pillar of Colonial Life

As the Denisons moved to Stonington, Connecticut, Ann embraced the demanding life of a colonial wife and mother.

While George became a key military and civic leader, Ann managed their household, raised their children, and maintained stability through the hardships of frontier life—Native American conflicts, harsh winters, and the constant struggle for survival.

Her resilience and leadership within the home were as vital to the family’s success as George’s public deeds.

Chapter 4: A Lasting Legacy

Ann lived an extraordinarily long life for her time, passing away on September 26, 1712, in Stonington, Connecticut, at the age of 97. She was laid to rest in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, New London County, Connecticut, where her gravestone still stands today.

Her descendants became influential figures in New England, shaping politics, commerce, and community life for generations.

A Woman of Strength and Refinement

Ann Borrodell Denison’s story embodies the fortitude and grace of early colonial women. From her noble English-Irish roots to her vital role in building a new society, she exemplified the quiet power behind America’s founding families. Her legacy endures not only in the Denison name but in the very fabric of New England’s history.