The papers (1703-1906) of the Stoddard family of Litchfield, Conn., including correspondence, deeds, documents related to estates, legal documents, financial records, and other items. John Stoddard (1674/5-1727/8) of Wethersfield, Conn., was one of the original proprietors of Litchfield. He married Sarah Camp. Their children were Lydia, Moses, Sarah, Jerusha, Mary, John, Abigail, James, Josiah, and Prudence. Moses Stoddard (1700/1-1777) married Ruth Goodwin. Their children were Hannah, Jerusha, John, Aaron, Moses, Obed, and David. Many of John Stoddard's descendants remained in Litchfield and what later became Morris. The papers also relate to the Bird and Bishop families. The majority of the papers is from the 1700s. Several deeds document some of the earliest land transactions in Litchfield. Correspondence includes one letter written during the Civil War that presents a detailed, first-hand account of the execution of a deserter. There are a number of legal documents, such as executions, writs, and documents related to estates. Some items reflect everyday life in the 18th century: a prescription, handwritten hymns, poetry, handwriting exercises, and recipes. One particular item of note is a seating plan for the Congregational Church, circa 1788.