“Joseph Peck, son of Joseph and Abigail (Baldwin) Peck, resided in Newtown until his death in 1780. Prior to the revolutionary war, those wishing representation of their colony in spit of English law and restrictions took an oath to their cause known as the Freeman oath. Joseph took his oath in 1749 as did many others. He married Rebecca Shepherd, daughter of John and Abigail (Allen) Shepherd. The ceremony was performed by Captain Thomas Bennitt, the Justice of the Peace. Rebecca was born Nov. 1, 1720 in Milford and died Oct. 31, 1773 in Newtown.”96