THE NAME BRISTOL may have originated as a place-name. Harrison's "Surnames of the United Kingdom gives four forms of the name -- Bristowe, Bristoll and Bristol. Harrison says that it derives from the Anglo-Saxon "Bricq" and "stow(e)" or place; hence Bridge-place. Several other origins of the name have been suggested, but there is no proof as to any of them. In the present family it was spelled Bristow(e) in the earliest times, occasionally Bristoll through the 5th generation in America, and since then usually Bristol, excepting in some sections of the country where the older spellings persist to some extent. Richard Bristow and his younger brother Henry came from England, probably not together, the former settling at Guilford (Conn.). As Richard had no children, Henry remains as the immigrant ancestor of many of the American Bristols. (For more about Richard, see New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1903, vol. 53, page 263.)

Henry Bristol was born in England probably between 1620 and 1625 and came to New Haven a few years after that colony was founded, which was in 1638. He was indentured to William Davis, a cooper, perhaps before his arrival in New Haven. He took the freeman's oath on 7 March 1646/7 at the age of at least 21, and was of course a member of the Rev. John Davenport's congregation. He was assigned a seat in the church in 1636, and in 1662 his second wife, Lidiah, was also assigned a seat, his to be "...before Mr. Rudderford's seat...and...Sister Bristow before the little short seat...". At a court held 2 Oct. 1649 "Henry Bristow, because the scabbard of his sword was broke, so that the point came out which is dangerous, was fined 12d." In December 1653 he was found innocent of a charge of sleeping while on watch.

On 19 May 1656 he was appointed "a packer of flesh", and later was cleared of a charge of "false meat packing". In 1663 he was appointed a fence-viewer, in 1666 "...to gage cafks for this year..." which fitted in with his trade.

Henry received his first lands in November 1657, after the birth of Lydia, the first child of his second wife. Henry now owned land on the west side of the river in what came to be known as West Haven. However, he probably still packed meat in New Haven.

Where in New Haven Henry lived before November of 1667 is not known. During his apprenticeship he presumably lived in the household of William Davis. He may have continued to do so thereafter. This is suggested by the inclusion of two of Henry's children in the will (proved in 1663) of Martha Davis, widow of William Davis.

It is recorded that 7 Jan. 1667 he bought of John Morris 114 acres "be it more or less" of land on "the western side of the town" (now West Haven), and a town meeting held in 1668 mentions his land at Malbon's (Malebon's) Cove near Oyster River, which forms the present boundary between West Haven and Milford.

By 11 November 1667 Henry "...has gone to a farm, leaving no meat packer...". It was on this land that he was to live the rest of his years.

In addition, then, to his trade of cooper, Henry was a meat packer and farmer, probably simultaneously, until his move in 1667.