John Hubbell, of Stratford, Fairfield County, Colony of Connecticut, son of Richard Hubbell and Elizabeth Meigs, was born in New Haven, (New Haven County,) Colony of Connecticut, in 1652. He was raised in Guilford, Connecticut, and it was there he spent his early youth.
The History of Derby, Connecticut, says: that "John Hubbell was one of six men to whom were appointed by the Court fifty acres of land near the Old Fort, on the east side of the Housatonic river."
"At a Town Meeting, February 13th, 1683, the town granted to said John Hubbell, twenty acres of pasture land, upon the northwest side of ye east hill near Woodbury old path, provided highways be not hindered. On March 2nd, 1683, the town of Derby, Connecticut, granted to Mr. John Hubbell, a fifty acre allotment in the neck, (viz., that lot formerly granted to Josiah Nichols and afterward to Johnathan Nichols, this land was granted to ye said Hubbell, provided he come to Derby this next April or May with his family and settle a consistent inhabitant for the full time of seven years, to be fully issued upon ye place, and also to build a sufficient house, (viz), a tenantable house to entertain a family, great or small, and also to pay ye purchase money of ye said land to the town, or unto such as ye said town shalt appoint, if it do not appear to ye town's satisfaction it be already done, and also to pay ye minister's rate now due from ye said lot, and all other charges, with the rest of the inhabitants."
In 1678 he lost a finger, evidently in the service of his country, as is shown by following clause:
"The General Court, May 13, 1678, granted to John Hubbell, in consideration of his loss of one of his fingers and cure, &c., one hundred acres of land, provided he take it up where it may not prejudice any former grant to a plantation or particular person."
After receiving from Governor Robert Treat his commission as Lieutenant, he embarked for Albany, about seven weeks after the Schenectady massacre, and was in discharge of his duties when attacked by that loathsome disease, smallpox, from which he died. He was buried in full uniform, and a stone bearing his initials and the year of his death (1690) was placed above his grave. The Indians with whom he was engaged in conflict, disinterred his body at night, and appropriated to their own use his uniform. The effect was terrible, and must have satisfied the Colonial Government that Lieutenant John Hubbell was an efficient officer even in death, for half the tribe fell victims to their cupidity, and died of smallpox.
The clergy made good use of the horrible catastrophe, and many sermons are said to have been preached, of which his untimely death was the text.
John Hubbell married Patience Nichols, with whom he had three children: Margery (1681-); Richard (1684/5-1758) and Josiah (1688-1752). The widow Patience Hubbell married secondly, Samuel Hawley.
Burial:
Body lost or destroyed
Specifically: The Indians with whom he was engaged in conflict, disinterred his body at night, and appropriated to their own use his uniform (findagrave.com)