This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/oR3.2ACEB/229 Message Board Post: There has been some debate on the origin of Stephen Northup of Cheshire, Mass. Does he belong to the Connecticut family, the subject of Anson Judd's book, or does he belong to the Rhode Island Northups? An early Berkshire County deed describes Northup as "of Danbury, Conn". However, I have a copy of a letter found in the Civil War pension file of Henry Hall Northup, the great grandson of Stephen, in which he states, "I have always written the name without the second r... In colonial times, the family of Northup setled in Rhode Island and a family of the name of Northrup settled in Connecticut. The Connecticut family became the more numerous, and the name is usually spelled as by them written". In my opinion, it is quite clear from Henry's letter that the Cheshire Northups belong to the Rhode Island family The above was posted on genealogy.com by Rick Leab. Plus whoever has been to the Cheshire cemetary will see the name Northup subscribe on the stones. I also have a copy of Stephen's Will as well as his son and grand son and so on. I interpet the Name as being Northup. I hope this will settle the debate of the origins of Stephen Northup. I also have the same opinion as Rick that the Cheshire Northups belong to the Rhode Island family