Richard Wilder of Shiplake

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1. Richard^B Wilder (#11980) was born before 1560. Richard died after 24 April 1596 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, at approximately 36 years of age.

He married Alice (Wilder) probably before 1577.⁽¹⁾ (Alice (Wilder) is #11981.) Alice died after 1595/6 in perhaps, Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England. 24 April 1596 Alice was named In Richard Wilder's will in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England as executor of the estate.⁽²⁾

Richard Wilder wrote his will 24 April 1596 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England.⁽³⁾ He named his wife Alice and his son Thomas as executors. He made bequests to his son Richard and his daughters, Alice and Elizabeth. To his son Thomas, he left property located in the parish of Mapledurham, about six miles west of Shiplake.

Richard's estate was probated 12 June 1596 in Archdeacon Court, Oxford, England.⁽⁴⁾

Richard Wilder and Alice (Wilder) had the following children:

• + 2 i. Thomas^A Wilder was born probably before 1578.

• 3 ii. Richard Wilder (#2840) was born in perhaps, Oxfordshire, England. Richard died after January 1618/19. In Richard Wilder's will written 24 April 1596 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Richard was named as his son, not yet of legal age.⁽⁵⁾ In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Richard was named as his brother.⁽⁶⁾

• 4 iii. Elizabeth Wilder (#2842) was born in perhaps, Oxfordshire, England. Elizabeth died after January 1618/19. In Richard Wilder's will written 24 April 1596 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Elizabeth was named as his daughter.⁽⁷⁾ In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Elizabeth was named as his unmarried sister.⁽⁸⁾

• 5 iv. Alice Wilder (#2841) was born in perhaps, Oxfordshire, England before 1596. Alice died after January 1618/9. In Richard Wilder's will written 24 April 1596 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Alice was named as his daughter.⁽⁹⁾ In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Alice was named as his unmarried sister.⁽¹⁰⁾

2. Thomas^A Wilder (Richard^B) (#5990) was born probably before 1578.⁽¹¹⁾ Thomas died late in 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, at 41 years of age.

He married Martha Keene January 1, 1606 in St. Mary, Reading, Berkshire, England.⁽¹²⁾ (Martha Keene is #5991.) Martha was born before 1591. (Additional notes for Martha Keene⁽¹³⁾) Martha died April 20, 1652 in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony, at 61 years of age.⁽¹⁴⁾ Martha was buried April 22, 1652 in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony.⁽¹⁵⁾ In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Martha was named as his wife and executrix.⁽¹⁶⁾ She disposed of her husband's holdings in Shiplake by deed in 1620 and 1621. How she was maintained thereafter has not been discovered.⁽¹⁷⁾

In 1638, she determined to move to New England, coming with her daughter Mary. It has been speculated that she intended to join her presumed children, Elizabeth and Edward Wilder, who apparently had preceded them. The ship's passenger list has been preserved.

"Martha Wild'r of Shiplocke in Oxfords'r spinster" and "Mary Wild'r her Daughter" appear on "The List of the Names of the Passeng'rs Intended for New England in the good shipp the Confidence of London of CC. tonnes, John Jobson, M'r. And thus by vertue of the Lord Treas'rs warr't of the xj'th of Aprill, 1638. Southampton, 24 Aprill, 1638."

This list is divided by the author of the article in which it was published (NEHGR V.14) into sections by families; three family groups from "Go'n'sham in Oxon" surround the Wilder party. In each section a relationship is specified, such as "children" or "servants." No such relationships are noted in the Wilder section, and the others in that group have no town of origin named. Those included were Augustin Bearce age 20, John Keene 17, Martha Keene 60, Eliza: Keene 13, and Martha, Josias, and Sara Keene whose ages were not reported. It is this association with the Keene family, combined with the marriage record in Reading, which leads the present author to his assignment of Martha's surname.

No mention of any of these Keenes has been found in New England records before 1659, when a John Keene, seaman, was listed. Perhaps they perished soon of disease, or returned to England; perhaps they just missed the boat.

Rev. Moses Wilder, and his successor, Dr. Edwin Wilder, cite family traditions relating the immigrants Thomas and Edward Wilder as brothers. Both authors offer the conjecture that Martha Wilder had sent two sons and a daughter to New England, with friends, before her departure with her remaining daughter. No document has been found to support this speculation, which may well be dismissed if the will of Thomas Wilder of Shiplake is considered to be that of the husband of this Martha who immigrated to Massachusetts.

Thomas was bequeathed six acres in Mapledurham in the will of his father written 24 April 1596 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England.⁽¹⁸⁾ In Richard Wilder's will written 24 April 1596 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Thomas was named as his son and executor.⁽¹⁹⁾ He had a lease of land in the parish of Shiplake, in Oxfordshire. In 1613, he made a declaration of the use of his land; the manuscript is preserved in the Bodleian Library.⁽²⁰⁾

Thomas Wilder wrote his will 3rd January 1618/9 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England.⁽²¹⁾ He made bequests to his wife, Martha, his sons, Isaac, Mathew, and Abraham, his daughters Elizabeth and Mary, "the child my wife now" [carries], his brother Richard, and his sisters Alice Wilder and Elizabeth Wilder. It was proved by the executrix, his wife, Martha.

Thomas's estate was probated April 1619 in Archdeacon Court, Oxford, England.⁽²²⁾

Thomas Wilder and Martha Keene had the following children:

• + 6 i. Elizabeth¹ Wilder was born before 1619.

• 7 ii. Mary Wilder⁽²³⁾ (#3181) was born in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England before 1619. Mary died December 23, 1658 in Watertown, MA, at 39 years of age. She married Joseph Underwood. (Joseph Underwood is #3180.) Joseph was born circa 1614 in England.

  In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Mary was named as his daughter, not yet of legal age.⁽²⁴⁾

• 8 iii. Isaac Wilder (#3113) was born in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England before 1619. In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Isaac was named as his son, not yet of legal age.⁽²⁵⁾

• 9 iv. Mathew Wilder⁽²⁶⁾ (#3114) was born in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England before 1619. In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Mathew was named as his son, not yet of legal age.⁽²⁷⁾

• 10 v. Abraham Wilder⁽²⁸⁾ (#3115) was born in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England before 1619. In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Abraham was named as his son, not yet of legal age.⁽²⁹⁾

• + 11 vi. Edward Wilder was born circa 1619.

6. Elizabeth¹ Wilder (Thomas^A, Richard^B)⁽³⁰⁾ (#2995) was born in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England before 1619. Elizabeth died 1688 in probably, Marshfield, MA, at 69 years of age.

She married Thomas Ensign January 17, 1638/9 in Plymouth Colony.⁽³¹⁾ (Thomas Ensign is #2994.) Thomas was born before April 15, 1599 (chr. date) in Rye, Sussex, England. Thomas⁽³²⁾ was the son of Thomas Ensinge and Constance Pilcher. Thomas died 1663 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co, MA, at 64 years of age. He was christened April 15, 1599 in Rye, Sussex, England.⁽³³⁾ Thomas's estate was probated June 9, 1664 in General Court, Plymouth Colony.⁽³⁴⁾

Some authors have given him another daughter, Elizabeth, said to have married Nicholas Wade, but no such name appears in the wills of Thomas Sr. and Jr. As mentioned in TAG 61:47, the author Mary Lovering Holman has convincingly argued that Nicholas Wade actually married Elizabeth Hanford.

In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Elizabeth was named as his daughter, not yet of legal age.⁽³⁵⁾ Dr. Edwin Wilder has pointed out that she married two months after her presumed mother's arrival in New England.

Elizabeth Wilder and Thomas Ensign had the following children:

• + 12 i. Hannah² Ensign was born before July 6, 1640 (chr. date).

• 13 ii. Sarah Ensign (#1644) was born in probably, Hingham, MA after 1640. Sarah died after 1663/4.

11. Edward¹ Wilder (Thomas^A, Richard^B) (#1790) was born in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England circa 1619. He is presumed to have been "the child that my wife now ..." mentioned in the will of his father. Edward died October 28, 1690 in probably, Hingham, MA, at 71 years of age. Mr. George Lincoln says he was "stricken suddenly with malignant fever."

He married Elizabeth Eames circa 1652 in probably, Hingham, MA.⁽³⁶⁾ (Elizabeth Eames is #1791.) Elizabeth was born before June 13, 1624 (chr. date) in Fordington, Dorsetshire, England. Elizabeth was the daughter of Anthony Eames and Margery Pierce. Elizabeth died June 9, 1692 in probably, Hingham, MA, at 67 years of age. She was christened June 13, 1624 in Fordington, Dorsetshire, England.⁽³⁷⁾

In Thomas Wilder's will written January 3, 1618/19 in Shiplake, Oxfordshire, England, Edward may have been mentioned as "the child my wife now carries".⁽³⁸⁾ Mr. George Lincoln wrote that Edward received a grant of land in Hingham "containing ten acres, the 8th of Oct. 1637, 'in a place as convenient as can be discovered.' He subsequently received other grants from the town, including a tract situated next to that given to his mother, the widow Martha Wilder, in 1638, which was located at or near the junction of Main and Pleasant Sts., and inc. the est. now" (1893) "owned by heirs of Fearing Loring, deceased. He also owned all the land between Tower's Bridge and Wilder's Bridge ..."⁽³⁹⁾

Rev. Moses Wilder wrote that he had been "associated with his mother in business relations until her death in 1652." Rev. Wilder notes that he was made a freeman in 1645, and suggests his birth year was 1624, based on the presumed age of twenty one then.

16 May 1664 he sold to John Tower 5 acres given by the town "unto Martha Wilder, my mother" in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony.⁽⁴⁰⁾

Traditions of the family of Edward Wilder are found in a letter written by his great grandson, Edwin Wilder of Hingham, which Rev. Wilder quoted in his book. Edwin opined that all of the Wilders in Hingham, and in the state of Massachusetts, descended from Edward, except for those of a family in Lancaster (descendants of Thomas), "and we do not know of any relationship between us and them."⁽⁴¹⁾

Edward Wilder and Elizabeth Eames had the following children:

• 14 i. Isaac² Wilder (#4217) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony circa 1656. Isaac died Sept 6, 1690.

• 15 ii. Mehitabel Wilder (#4218) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony circa 1661. She married Joseph Warren December 20, 1692 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co, MA.⁽⁴²⁾ (Joseph Warren is #4227.) Joseph was born 1657.

• 16 iii. Abia Wilder (#4223) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony 1659. She married William Clark of Plymouth. (William Clark of Plymouth is #4231.)

• 17 iv. Abigail Wilder (#4224) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony 1662. Abigail died Jan. 6, 1717/8.

• 18 v. Elizabeth Wilder (#4216) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony 1651/2. Elizabeth died Jan 27, 1731 Hingham, Massachusetts. She married Israel Fearing July 22, 1673 in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony. (Israel Fearing is #4221.) Israel was born Sep 1644. Israel died Jan 1693 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony, at 48 years of age.

• + 19 vi. John Wilder was born circa 1653.

• 20 vii. Ephraim Wilder (#4222) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony 1655. Ephraim died unmarried Oct. 28, 1690.

• 21 viii. Jabez Wilder (#4220) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony March, 1657/8. Jabez died May 24, 1731 Hingham, Massachusetts. He married Mary Ford May 16, 1691. (Mary Ford is #4229.) Mary died 1 Feb 1748.

• 22 ix. Anna Wilder (#4225) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony 1664.

• 23 x. Hannah Wilder (#4226) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony Mar. 16, 1665. Hannah died 1690.

• 24 xi. Mary Wilder (#4219) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony April 5, 1668. She married twice. She married Francis LeBaron Sept. 6, 1695. (Francis LeBaron is #4228.) Francis was born 1668 in France. Francis died 8 Aug 1704 in Plymouth, MA, at 36 years of age. She married Return Wait Dec. 10, 1707. (Return Wait is #4230.) Return was born 1678 in Boston, MA. Return died 3 Oct 1751 in Plymouth, MA, at 73 years of age.

12. Hannah² Ensign (Elizabeth¹ Wilder, Thomas^A, Richard^B) (#1497) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony before July 6, 1640 (chr. date). Hannah died March 14, 1697/8 in probably, Milton, MA, at 57 years of age.⁽⁴³⁾

She married Thomas Shepard November 19, 1658 in Malden, MA.⁽⁴⁴⁾ (Thomas Shepard is #1496.) Thomas was born circa 1636 in Dedham, MA. Thomas was the son of Ralph Shepard and Thanklord Perkins. Thomas died September 29, 1719 in probably, Milton, MA, at 83 years of age. The Shepard Families of New England Vol. I, "Ralph Shepard of Dedham", (1971), proves his parents by a deed in Middlesex County land records Book 14, pp.562-64, between Wm and Walter Power, sons of Trial Shepard, and "their two cousins vizt. Ralph Shepard and Jacob Shepard", of which the only two such were the sons of this Thomas. Thomas' gravestone at Milton says he died in his 87th year. This was apparently an exaggeration, as he wasn't on the 1635 ship that brought his parents. He testified at Ipswitch in 1684 that he was about age 48.

She was christened July 6, 1640 in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony.⁽⁴⁵⁾

Hannah Ensign and Thomas Shepard had the following children:

• 25 i. Thomas³ Shepard (#2464) was born in maybe Malden, MA circa 1660. Thomas died April 18, 1726 in East Haven, CT, at 65 years of age. He married Hannah Blanchard December 7, 1682 in Charlestown, MA. (Hannah Blanchard is #2465.) Hannah was born circa 1670. Hannah was the daughter of George Blanchard.

• 26 ii. Hannah Shepard (#2467) was born in maybe Malden, MA circa 1662. Hannah died in maybe, Charlestown, MA. She married Joseph Blanchard April 13, 1681 in Charlestown, MA. (Joseph Blanchard is #2466.) Joseph was born circa 1653. Joseph was the son of George Blanchard. Joseph died October 24, 1694 in Charlestown, MA, at 41 years of age.

• 27 iii. Ralph Shepard (#748) was born in Malden, MA January 5, 1664/5. Ralph died January 26, 1721/2 in Milton, MA, at 57 years of age. He married Mary (Shepard). (Mary (Shepard) is #749.) Mary was born circa 1665.

• 28 iv. John Shepard (#2468) was born in maybe Malden, MA circa 1669. John died March 9, 1690/1 in Quebec, Canada, at 21 years of age. He married Persis Pierce March 26, 1690 in Charlestown, MA. (Persis Pierce is #2469.) Persis was born January 30, 1668/9 in Charlestown, MA. Persis died June 25, 1748 at 79 years of age. Died of wounds received in attack on Quebec by the Phipps expedition against the French in Canada. John(3) Shepard of Stoughton claimed by right of his uncle John Shepard, who served under Major Wade, a grant of land in Ashburnham MA made to soldiers of the Canada expedition of 1691.

• 29 v. David Shepard (#2470) was born in maybe Malden, MA circa 1671. He married Rebecca Curtis April 12, 1699 in Taunton, MA. (Rebecca Curtis is #2471.) Rebecca was born circa 1675.

• 30 vi. Jacob Shepard (#2472) was born in maybe Malden, MA circa 1674. Jacob died 1718 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony, at 44 years of age. He married Mercy Chickering November 22, 1699 in Medford, MA. (Mercy Chickering is #2473.) Mercy was born March 13, 1667/8 in Charlestown, MA. Mercy died March 1730/1 in Wrentham, MA, at 63 years of age.

• 31 vii. Isaac Shepard (#2474) was born in Charlestown, MA May 1682. Isaac died June 4, 1724 in Norton, MA, at 42 years of age. He married Elizabeth Fuller December 31, 1702 in Cambridge, MA. (Elizabeth Fuller is #2475.) Elizabeth was born January 22, 1679/0 in Cambridge, MA. Elizabeth died June 29, 1761 in Weston, MA, at 81 years of age.

19. John² Wilder (Edward¹, Thomas^A, Richard^B) (#1792) was born in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony circa 1653. John died April 11, 1724 in Hingham, Plymouth Co, MA, at 70 years of age.

He married Rebecca Doggett November 30, 1675 in Marshfield, MA.⁽⁴⁶⁾ (Rebecca Doggett is #1793.) Rebecca was born July 29, 1655 in Marshfield, MA. Rebecca was the daughter of Thomas Doggett and Joane (Chillingsworth). Rebecca died October 4, 1728 in Hingham, New Plymouth Colony, at 73 years of age.

John Wilder and Rebecca Doggett had the following child:

• 32 i. Ephraim³ Wilder (#7324) was born in Hingham, Plymouth Co, MA 25 Aug 1696. He married Mary Lane. (Mary Lane is #7325.) Mary was born probably before 1700.

Notes and References

Index

(Shepard)

(Wilder)

Blanchard

Chickering

Clark

Curtis

Doggett

Eames

Ensign

Fearing

Ford

Fuller

Keene

Lane

LeBaron

Pierce

Shepard

Underwood

Wait

Warren

Wilder

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