Captain Joseph Cady, son of Nicholas Cady, was born at Watertown, Massachusetts, May 28, 1666, died at Killingly, Connecticut, December 29, 1742. He went to Groton with the family when a child and served in the garrison defence of the town in 1691-92. In 1695 he was constable of Groton, and in 1699-1701 was granted permission to keep an inn by the general court.
He sold his holdings at Groton, February 22, 1702-03, and bought one hundred and fifty acres of land of John Chandler, of Woodstock, later Killingly, now Putnam, Connecticut, whither he went with his family, and there he spent the remainder of his life.
His farm was located north of the old Providence road, about one mile east of the village of Putnam. The site of the first log house can still be identified. He built a frame house in 1714, and at last accounts that was still standing, though not occupied. A short time before his death, Joseph Cady Jr. sold this homestead to Darius Session, deputy governor of Rhode Island.
In 1708 Captain Cady was chosen lieutenant of the train-band of Aspinock; in 1721 he was commissioned captain and he was engaged in Father Rasle's war. He was noted for his giant frame and physical prowess, and gained great influence over the Indians. This story is told of him: "As Joseph Cady was one day cutting brush alone, an Indian approached him from the neighboring forest and expressed a strong desire to try the skill of a white man in wrestling. Cady thought to himself that if he could throw the fellow it might operate to deter the Indians from hostilities against the settlements, and accepted the challenge. Both men struggled long and desperately, but Cady at last prevailed and the Indian was prostrated. Unfortunately he fell among the brush, which his antagonist had been cutting, and one of the sharp stumps perforating his skull, he died on the spot."
Captain Cady had charge of the public lands of Killingly for many years and was useful in public affairs. He was townsman in 1728 and deputy to the general court in 1731-34.
He married Sarah Davis, born August 12, 1667, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Waters) Davis, of Groton. Children, the six eldest born in Groton, others in Killingly: Joseph, October 3, 1690; William, about 1692; James, November 22, 1694; Isaac, January 17, 1696-97; Abigail, January 22, 1699: Stephen, June 16, 1701; David, September 17, 1703; Jonathan, mentioned below; Benjamin, baptized April 4, 1714.
