Thomas Wilder

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1639, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
• Religion: 30 Mar 1640, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; Thomas was admitted to the Charlestown Church.
• Freeman: 2 Jun 1641, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
• Moved To: 1654, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
• Legal: 1 Jul 1659, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He signed the Town Orders.
• Will: 22 Jan 1666/67, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
• Offices Held: 3 Feb 1667, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He was elected a Selectman.
• Inventory: 29 Nov 1667, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
• Probate/Proved: 04 Mar 1667/68, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts

Notes:

Name:
For many years Thomas has been thought of as the son of Martha Wilder who came to New England on board the Confidence. DNA testing has proved this false.

Moved To:
Wyman (1877) gives the year as 1659.

Buried:
to the Memory of
THOMAS WILDER,
from Lancaster in England,
who first settled at Hingham
in 1641, and came to this Town
July 1, 1659, and died Oct 23,
1667, leaving three sons - viz
THOMAS, JOHN and NATHANIEL,
from whom are derived all
of the name WILDER in
this Town and vicinity

Family/Spouse: Anna. Anna died on 10 Jun 1692 in Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Her birth date was recorded as 30 (4) 1642.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 25 Jun 1668, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Mary Wheeler, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Turner) Wheeler. She was born on 5 October 1646 and was christened on 18 October 1646 both in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. She died on Tuesday 25 October 1650. Issue: 1. Mary Wilder (c1675-1718) 2. James Wilder (1680-1739) 3. Joseph Wilder (1683-1757) 4. Sarah Wilder (1685-____) 5. Elizabeth Wilder (1687-____) 6. Anna Wilder (1689-1746)
• Military: 1704; In 1704, he was made a commander of a garrison in Lancaster.

Notes:

Birth:
His birth date was recorded as 4 (7) 1644.

Name:


Married:
Nourse (1890) lists Mary Houghton as the wife of Thomas Wilder. This is not supported by the evidence. MacKenzie (1966) uses the Nourse annotation to come to the same incorrect conclusion, but he changes the year of the wedding to make it more acceptable. Bullard (1930) proves that the Mary, Thomas married was Mary Wheeler, not Houghton.

According to Bullard (1878) "Proof of the surname of Mary, wife of Thomas Wilder, is shown in a petition sent to the General court of Massachusetts in 1738, in behalf of those who went into the Canadian Expedition of 1690 under Capt. John Withington. Among the signers was Joseph Wilder, son of Thomas and Mary, who applied "in the right of his uncle, Samuel Wheeler, his mother's brother, who served under Major Wade." A copy of this petition was published in Marvin's "History of Lancaster," p. 125. There are many erroneous records of the name of Mary, wife of Thomas Wilder, due to the loss of the early Vital Records of Lancaster, and the imperfections in the later copies, but evidence supplied in the petition of Joseph Wilder is conclusive proof that she was Mary Wheeler, daughter of Richard and sister of Samuel Wheeler of the Canadian Expedition of 1690. "


Buried:
Here Lyes Buried
y^e Body of Cap^t.
THOMAS WILDER
who dec^d August. 7^th,
1716, about y^e 70^th
Year of His Age

Other Events and Attributes:

• Moved to: 1675, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; John fled from Lancaster to Charlestown during King Philip's War. He probably had other children.
• Offices Held: 1706, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He was elected a Selectman.

John married Hannah Atherton on 17 Jul 1672 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Hannah (daughter of James Atherton and Hannah) was born on 10 Jan 1657/58 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 8 Jan 1737/38 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• History: He was involved in the killing of some Indians and showing his hatred to some friendly Indians during King Philip's War along with Daniel Hoar. They were released by the General Court upon payment of £20 to each of the Indians involved.
• Moved To: 1676, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He removed to Sudbury when Lancaster was destroyed during the War. They returned to Lancaster after 1681 where they may have had more children and he ran an inn.
• History: 1688; He was paid forty shillings by Lancaster for the killing of two wolves.

Notes:

Died:
He was killed by Indians. During Queen Anne's War, he was the commander of a garrison house and was shot in the thigh by Indians near that house in the attack of 30 July 1704. He soon died of the wound.

Nathaniel married Mary Sawyer on 24 Jan 1673/74 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Thomas Sawyer and Mary Prescott) was born on 4 Jan 1652/53 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military: 1722; During Lovewell's War, his name appears on the muster roll of Sergeant Thomas, Buckminster of Framingham with duty of four weeks and five days in July and August 1722.
• History: 5 Apr 1725; John Wilder deposed concerning the estate of James Atherton, his aunt's brother.
• Military: 3 Jun 1725 to 10 Nov 1725; His name appears on the muster roll of Captain Josiah Willard's company.

Notes:

Birth:
His birth was recorded as 11 (5) 1673.

Name:

John married Sarah White in 1699 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of Sgt. Josiah White and Mary Rice) was born on 21 Oct 1680 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth: His birth was recorded as 2 (1) 1676 and was recorded at Charlestown, though birth was in Lancaster just before the massacre.

Christening: His christening was recorded as 30 (2) 1676.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 1715, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Col. Josiah Willard, the son of Henry and Dorcus (Cutler) Willard. He was born in 1693 in Lancaster, Massachusetts. [This marriage] He joined the Lancaster Church on 18 June 1721. He was made a captain of a company during Lovewell's War. Josiah removed to Turkey Hills and became a colonel during the French and Indian War. Issue: 1. Josiah Willard (1721-____) 2. Abigail Willard (1721-____) 3. Susannah Willard (1721-____) 4. Lois Willard (1723-____)

Notes:

Birth: Her christening is recorded as 31 (8) 1680.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 1702, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Mercy Houghton, the daughter of John and Mary (Farrar) Houghton. She was born on 15 March 1682 in Woburn, Massachusetts. [This marriage] She died 7 January 1733/34 in Lancaster, Massachusetts. Issue: 1. Benjamin Wilder 2. David Wilder 3. Hephzibah Wilder 4. Benjamin Wilder (1711-____) 5. Hephzibah Wilder (1712-____) 6. Jacob Wilder (1717-____)

Notes:

Christening: Her christening date was recorded as 13 (2) 1684.

Buried:
HERE LIES BURIED
Y^e BODY OF MR
EBENEZ^R WILDER
WHO DEPARTED
THIS LIFE
DECEM^br Y. 25^th
A-D 1745
IN Y^e 65^th YEAR
OF HIS AGE
HERE LIES BURIED
Y^e BODY OF
MR^s
MARY WILDER
Ye WIFE OF MR
EBEN^zr
WILDER WHO DEC^d
JANUARY Y^e 6^th
A-D 1733-4
AGE 54 YEARS
9^M & 22 D^s

Other Events and Attributes:

• History: His home was listed as having two fireplaces. Ephraim later served as a selectman in Lancaster and town moderator. He also served several times as the Representative to the General Court.
• Married: 1698, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Elizabeth Stevens, the daughter of Cyprian and Mary (Willard) Stevens. He was born in 1681 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. She died on Sunday 28 May 1769 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Elizabeth's gravestone inscription in Old Settlers Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, reads: In Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth, y^e Wife of Capt. Ephraim Wilder, who died May y^e 28 1769, in y^e 89^th. year of her Age. The Stroke of Death hath laid my Head, Down in this dark and Silent Bed. The Trump shall Sound I hope to rise, And meet my SAVIOUR in the Skies Issue: 1. Ephraim Wilder Jr. (1708-1770) 2. Elizabeth Wilder (1708-____) 3. Martha Wilder (1711-____) 4. Dorothy Wilder (1714-____) 5. Eunice Wilder (1719-____) 6. Susanna Wilder (1723-____) 7. Asaph Wilder (1724-1747)
• Military: 1705; During Queen Anne's War, Ephraim was attached to Lt. Nathaniel Wilder's garrison, his brother. During the attack, he lost his home, one ox, two calves, three cows, one horse, fifteen sheep, and one swine.

Notes:

Name:


Buried:
In Memory of Capt.
Ephraim Wilder, Junr.
who died March y^e 7^th
A D. 1770, in the 63^d.
Year of his Age.
Every Man at his best state, is altogether Vanity.
Cease ye from Man whose Breath is in his Nostrils: and trust
in the Ever Living GOD

Other Events and Attributes:

• Moved to: Abt 1724, Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut

Notes:

Birth:
Mary was born during the exile from Lancaster after the massacre during King Philip's War. The Lancaster records list her as born in Boston, however the vital records of Sudbury list her birth as in that town.

Mary married Simon Stevens in 1701 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Simon (son of Cyprian Stevens and Mary Willard) was born on 13 Aug 1677 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; was christened in 1704 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; died on 25 Jan 1758 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 1706, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Mary _____.

Dorothy married Samuel Carter in Mar 1701 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Samuel (son of Rev. Samuel Carter and Eunice Brooks) was born on 7 Jan 1677/78 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; died on 23 Aug 1738 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 26 Dec 1707, Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; Demaris Whitcomb. She was dismissed to the Church in Nichewaug, now Petersham on 5 August 1739 from the Church in Lancaster. Issue: 1. Joshua Wilder (1712-____) 2. Bezaleed Wilder (1715-____) 3. Aholiab Wilder (1717-____) 4. Damaris Wilder (1720-____) 5. Jerahmeel Wilder (1721-____) 6. Aaron Wilder (1723-____) 7. Samuel Wilder (1725-____) 8. Elias Wilder (1727-____)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1710, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Capt. John White, the son of Josiah and Mary (Rice) White. He was born on 29 September 1684 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Capt. White was known as a great Indian fighter. He served on a grand jury in 1719, and was chosen a selectman a year later. During Lovewell's War, he led several expeditions against the Indians. By trade, John was a blacksmith and was well to do for his time. In 1717, he was licenced to keep a tavern. He died on Wednesday 12 September 1725 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. His inventory, dated January 1725/26, was valued at £1220. Eunice petitioned for relief after her husband's death. It relates much of what happened during the war and is excerpted below: 'Some few Instances whereof your Petr. would humbly ripresent to this Honble Court. Yor. Petrs. sd. husband altho he had divers times had the honour to bear command yet voluntarily Enlisted himself under the late Capt. Lovewell, and choose rather to go as and Under Officer at that time because he would do what in him lay to Encourage others to Enlist and marched with him at the time when they killed the Ten Indians, in which march they were out near Forty days, Then he performed a march to a place called Cohosse on Connecticut River thinking to meet with the Enemy there and come in at Fort Dummer, being out thirty four days, tho they missed of their desired Success; Then in about Eight days time he had a Company raised and went to Pigwacket to bury Capt. Lovewell which he performed in a very difficult season of the year. Then he went to Connecticut at his own cost and charge to get a Company of Mohege Indians in order to go down to St Francois to take an Indian fort there, but failing of his aim, he returned home and then enlisted a Company of Voluntiers and marched designing for a Fort beyond Pigwacket, but was taken sick before he got there, returned home and dyed leaving your Petr. his bereaved widow with seven Children the Eldest about Fifteen years old and Four of them very young, & one she then went with who is now living; Issue: 1. Eunice White 2. John White 3. Elizabeth White 4. Mary White 5. Thomas White 6. Lois White 7. Nathaniel White 8. Dorothy White (1717-____)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 1713; Mary Fairbanks
• Married: say 1745; Rebecca Prescott.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 29 May 1724, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Eunice Beaman. She died on Friday 15 June 1731 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Issue: 1. Joseph Wilder (1725-____) 2. Priscilla Wilder (1729-____) 3. Jonas Wilder (1731-____)

Notes:

Buried:
Here Lyes ye Body
of Hannah Willder,
Daughtr of Mr. John
& Mrs. Sarah Willder;
Who Decd. Septr.
30th, 1723, in ye 16
Year of her Age

Jonathan married Zerviah Houghton on 23 Feb 1738/39 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Zerviah (daughter of Benjamin "Landlord Ben" Houghton and Zerviah Moore) was born on 26 May 1721 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; was christened on 26 May 1721 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died in Nov 1804 in Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1731; Abigail _____. Issue: 1. Moses Wilder (1732-____) 2. Prudence Wilder (1734-____) 3. Sarah Wilder (1738-____) 4. Rezineah Wilder (____-1744) 5. Dinah Wilder (1745-____)
• Married: say 1741; Sarah _____. Issue: 1. Batrix Wilder (1742-____)
• Complier's Note: 2018; Links to children need to be reviewed.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 22 Feb 1738/39, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; James Cleland. He was born in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut. James and an Thankfull filed marriage intentions on 4 February 1738/39 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Issue: 1. Helen Cleland (1739-____) 2. Thomas Cleland (1741-____) 3. Hannah Cleland (1743-____) 4. Samuel Cleland (1744-____) 5. James Cleland (1745-____) 6. Jonas Cleland (1748-____) 7. John Cleland (1750-____) 8. Mary Cleland (1751-____) 9. Thankfull Cleland (1754-____) 10. John Cleland (1758-____)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 26 Nov 1727, Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut; Abigail Warren, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Warren. She was born on 9 September 1708 in Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut. Issue: 1. Priscilla Stevens (1728-____) 2. Simon Stevens (1730-____) 3. David Stevens (1731-____) 4. Isaac Stevens (1735-____) 5. Jacob Stevens (1746-____) 6. Able Stevens (1752-____) 7. Joseph Stevens (1754-____) 8. Hannah Stevens (1757-____)
• Living: 1764

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 3 Jun 1732, Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut; Mary Tracy, the daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Clark) Tracy. She was born on 10 January 1711/12 in Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut. Issue: 1. Willard Stevens (1732-____) 2. Asa Stevens (1734-____) 3. Simon Stevens (1736-____) 4. Mary Stevens (1740-____) 5. Mary Stevens (1743-____) 6. Jonathan Stevens (1745-____) 7. Abigail Stevens (1748-____) 8. Sarah Stevens (1750-____) 9. Solomon Stevens (1754-____)
• History: say 1749; According to Holman (1948), "Although he was called 'of Plainfield' in 1749, Jonathan lived much of his life in Canterbury and was a member of the church there."

Other Events and Attributes:

• Moved To: Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts; Nathaniel went with his son, Martin, to Windham, Vermont, thence to Warwick, Massachusetts.
• Married: 5 May 1737, Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; Mary Martin, the daugher of Thomas and Mary (Grove) Martin. She was born on 16 December 1718 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Nathaniel and Mary were step-brother and step-sister. On 25 June 1772 Mary Martin was mentioned in the will of Mary Gove. She died in October 1803 in Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Issue: 1. Phebe Stevens (1739-____) 2. Mary Stevens (1742-____) 3. Lucy Stevens (1744-____) 4. Wilder Stevens (1747-1826) 5. Martin Stevens (1749-____) 6. Nathaniel Grove Stevens (1752-1832) 7. Lois Stevens (1754-____) 8. Abraham Stevens (1757-____) 9. Sarah Stevens (1761-____)
• Census: 1790, Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 18 Jan 1734, Rutland, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Capt. Phineas Stevens, the son of Deacon Joseph and Prudence (Rice) Stevens. He was born on 20 February 1706 in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts and was christened on 27 April 1707 in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Phineas and Elizabeth were cousins. He died on Friday 6 February 1756 in Cape Breton, Acadia, Canada while in military service. Issue: 1. Samuel Stevens (1735-____) 2. Willard Stevens (1735-____) 3. Simon Stevens (1737-____) 4. Enos Stevens (1739-____) 5. Mary Stevens (1742-____) 6. Phineas Stevens (1744-____) 7. Katherine Stevens (1747-____) 8. Prudence Stevens (1750-____) 9. Solomon Stevens (1753-____) 10. Dorothy Stevens (1755-1758)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: 13 Dec 1749, Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Nathan and Dorothy were admitted to the church in Petersham.

Dorothy married Nathan Goddard on 28 Nov 1748 in Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Nathan (son of Edward Goddard and Hepzibah Hapgood) was born on 18 Jan 1725 in Shrewsbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 12 Feb 1806 in Orange, Franklin County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 10 Jun 1745, Hardwick, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Dorothy Sawyer, the daughter of John and Sarah (Joslin) Sawyer. She was born on 3 March 1725/26 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts and was christened on 1 May 1726 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. On their marriage They lived in Petersham after their marriage. She died between 1787 and 1810 in Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Issue: 1. Eunice Stevens (1746-1838) 2. Lemuel Stevens (1748-1818) 3. Damaris Stevens (1751-1829) 4. Joseph Stevens (1754-____) 5. Simon Stevens (1756-____) 6. Gardner Stevens (1758-1838) 7. Simon Stevens (1760-1824) 8. Oliver Willard Stevens (1761-1845) 9. John Stevens (1765-____) 10 Mary Stevens (1767-1841) 11. Cyprian Stevens (1769-1807) 12. Dorothy Stevens (1770-1852)
• Will: 2 Apr 1787, Petersham, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He mentions his wife, Dorothy, and his children: Eunice, Lemuel, Simon, Damaris, Mary, Dorothy, Oliver, Cyprian, and Gardner.
• Probate/Proved: 16 May 1810, Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 14 Feb 1724/25, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Jemima Houghton, thge daughter of Jonas and Mary (Berbeane) Houghton. Issue: 1. Millisant Carter (1726-____) 2. Lucy Carter (1727-____) 3. Dorothy Carter (1729-____) 4. Mary Carter (1731-____) 5. Eunice Carter (1733-____) 6. Dinah Carter (1735-____) 7. Samuel Carter (1737-____) 8. Stanton Carter (1739-1823) 9. Silas Carter (1740-1820) 10. Prudence Carter (1743-1828) 11. Jonas Carter (1745-____) 12. Jemima Carter (1747-____)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 3 Nov 1724, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; David Osgood. He was dismissed to the Church in Chockset, now Sterling, Massachusetts on 25 November 1744 from the Church in Lancaster. He died on Wednesday 20 February 1771 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. David's gravestone inscription in Sterling Burying Ground, Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts, reads: David Osgood Esq. died Feb. 20, 1771 in the 73^rd year of his age Issue: 1. Dorothy Osgood (1728-____) 2. Azuba Osgood (1730-____) 3. David Osgood Jr. (1734-____) 4. Mary Osgood (1736-1739) 5. Elizabeth Osgood (1738-1739) 6. Mary Osgood (1744-____) 7. Elizabeth Osgood (1746-____)

Notes:

Buried:
Mrs. Eunice Osgood
died Nov. 16, 1789
aged 85 years

Other Events and Attributes:

• Offices Held: 9 Jul 1740, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He was elected as a Selectman on the town's first board.
• Religion: 1743; He was one of the sixteen who subscribe to the covenant of the First Church of Leominster, Massachusetts thus establishing it on 25 September 1743.

Notes:

Buried:
In Memory of
Mr. Nathaniel Carter
who departed this life
July 20, 1787
in the 79th year of his age

Nathaniel married Thankful Sawyer on 09 Feb 1731/32 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Thankful (daughter of Elias Sawyer and Beatrix Pope) was born in 1715; was christened on 24 Mar 1716/17 in Bolton, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 5 Dec 1755 in Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nathaniel married Dorcus Spofford on 21 Jul 1758. Dorcus was born in Lunenburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 6 Aug 1784 in Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1730; Thomas Fairbank.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1730; Daniel Knight.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1731; Damaris Joslin.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1733; Mary Osgood.
• Married: say 1743; Abigail Wilder, the daughter of James and Abigail (Gardner) Wilder.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1735; Beulah Wilder.
• Married: say 1745; Hannah Flagg.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1738; John Whitcomb.

Notes:

Birth:
Carter (2000) gives her birth date as 1719.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1742; Joseph Osgood Jr., the son of Joseph Osgood.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1743; Stephen Buss.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: say 1746; Tabitha Houghton.