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Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family in America, 1869
Fourth Generation, cont.

XIII.  Sarah married Andrew Waterman, in 1749. He was one of the largest land holders in Smithfield. Their children are:

XIV.  Ruth married April 25, 1773, Benjamin Williams, son of Benoni Williams, who was the son of Joseph Williams (and Sarah his wife) who was the son of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island. They had no children, and both are buried on the north side of the Hartford Turnpike, near the present residence of John Harris.

XV.  William the youngest child of Joseph and Martha, and the second of the name, married Hannah Gore. Her connexions sic lived on the island of Rhode Island. William inherited, or purchased a farm in the southwestern corner of Glocester, and built a house which is still standing, and is occupied by a Mr. Smith. The view from this site is decidedly picturesque and beautiful. To the south lies Killingly Lake, and the meadows and woodlands covered with verdure, adds a charm to the scenery. William was an eccentric man and accumulated quite a property. Specie he sometimes deposited in banks of his own establishing, hiding it in the walls and stone-heaps about his farm. Since his decease quite an amount has been found thus secreted.
He had several sons and daughters. Two of his sons married and moved to Pennsylvania. Some of his daughters married and lived in Connecticut. Judge Westcott says, "William Wilkinson's children were William, Benjamin and Stephen. Benjamin never married—died in Glocester. William and Stephen moved to the southerly part of New York state, and died there, leaving families. The daughters, as far as I know, were Mary and Mercy and one or two more, but they moved into Connecticut, and I know nothing more about them."
Since this, more definite information has been furnished by George Wilkinson of Tiskilwa, [Bureau Co.,] Ill., a grandson of William. See post.

John Wilkinson3     [14] John,2 [4] Lawrance.1 [1]
      and
Rebecca Scott

Of Smithfield, R. I.

58.I. John,4 (142-144) b. March 20, 1724,
   [handwritten addition] 		d. June 23, 1804.
59.II. Ahab,4 (145-149) b. Oct. 16, 1734,
   [handwritten addition]		d.
60.III. Amey,4 b. Jan. 23, 1719,
    [handwritten addition]		 d.    
61.IV. Sarah,4 b. June (?), 1727(?),
   [handwritten addition] 		d.    
62.V. Susanna,4 b. Sept. 20, 1728(?),
   [handwritten addition]		d.
63.VI. Joanna,4 b. Sept. 12, 1732(?),
   [handwritten addition] 		d.
--- VII.June (or Jane)4,
[handwritten addition]		b. May 19, 1721,
   [handwritten addition]		d. Sept. 7, 1722.
   [handwritten addition]

[Note: As noted, most of the above dates were handwritten on the scanned page, but no source for them was provided. Also the handwriting was faint and sometimes difficult to decipher in the scanned copies, so question marks have been placed after some of them.]

I.  John was born in Smithfield about 1718, or 19; sic was a farmer and blacksmith, and had his shop on a little stream of water called the Mussey's Brook. It was at this place that a trip-hammer was erected notwithstanding the Parliamentary prohibition that no "rolling or slitting mill, nor tilt-hammer carried by water should be erected in the Colonies of North America."* John lived in Smithfield till some time after the close of the Revolutionary war, and then moved to Pawtucket, where he spent the last of his days. He lived to see his grand children growing up around him, and prided himself on mounting his horse with more agility than his son Oziel, or his grandsons Abraham, Isaac and David. He held a Lieutenant's commission granted by Gov. Wm. Greene, May 9, 1757. He married Ruth Angell, grand daughter of the first Samuel Wilkinson, and his second cousin. Her father was James Angell, son of John, and grandson of Thomas Angell, who came with Roger Williams from Seekonk, being one of the six original founders of Providence.
He became quite decrepit during his last days, and had a cord attached to the ceiling over his bed by which he would raise himself. Several years before his death he made his Will, and inasmuch as he mentions the names of his children, &c., we give it entire.

The Will of John Willkinson.

"Be it remembered that I, John Wilkinson of Smithfield, in the County of Providence, R. I., yeoman, Being indisposed of Body but of a mind and memory capable of disposing of those things wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say—I commit my spirit to him who created it, and and my body to be buried in a decent and christian sic manner at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter mentioned.
And as to the estate which I possess, I dispose thereof as follow—
In the first place I give to my beloved wife Ruth Wilkinson, in addition to her right of Dower of my Real Estate during her life, all my indoor moveable or house hold furniture to be disposed of by her as she sees meet.
Likewise my will is, and I do give my beloved Daughter, Martha Arnold, an Annuity of Fourteen Silver Spanish Milld Dollars a year during her natural life; But provided she should have issue to arrive at lawful age, then my will is that I give her said issue the sum of £70, in good lawful silver money at said Martha's decease which I hereby direct my Executor to pay accordingly.
Likewise my will is, and I do give to my beloved dau. Susanna Hopkins an annuity of 14 Silver Spanish Milld sic Dollars a year during her natural life, and at the decease of the said Susanna I give to her two sons Christopher Hopkins and Wm. Hopkins equally, share and share alike, the sum of £70, lawful silver money to be paid to be paid to them as soon as the said Susanna, their mother shall decease, after they become of lawful age, which said annuity, and the said £70, I hereby direct my executor to pay accordingly.
And the remainder of my estate after the payment of my just debts and sufficiency to discharge the above Legacies both Real and personal estate I give to my son Oziel Wilkinson, his heirs and assigns. Lastly, I do hereby Nominate and appoint my son Oziel Wilkinson sole executor to this my last Will and Testament and Trustee to execute and fulfill the Trust hereinbefore mentioned. And I do hereby revoke all other and former wills and Ratify and confirm this to be my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and set my seal this 1st day of Nov. 1791.     John Wilkinson, (L. S.)
Aaron Clark, Wm. Bryant, Ichabod Comstock."*

II.  Ahab married Abigail Scott of Smithfield June 1, 1755, and had five children, four sons and one daughter. Three of the sons married girls by the name of Jenks, and their descendants are still living, and are quite numerous. One of the present representatives of the family, is Ahab George Wilkinson, in the U. S. Patent Office, at Washington, D. C.
Statistics of this family have eluded all research and but very little is known of the remaining members.
Ahab was admitted freeman in Smithfield, in 1758.

III.  Amy married a Bucklin.

IV.  Sarah married an Arnold.

Whether the remaining three sic girls were ever married is not known by the compiler.

Daniel Wilkinson3     [18] John2 [4], Lawrance.1 [1]
      and
Abigail Inman*

Of Cumberland, R. I.

65.I. Joab,4 (150-152) b. July 30, 1741, d. March 2, 1818.
66.II. Daniel,4 (153-157) b. July 7, 1743, d.    
67.III. Nebadiah,4 (158-160) b. Sept. 24, 1745, d.              1802.
68.IV. Lydia,4 b. Oct. 14, 1747, d. Sept. 29, 1756.
69.V. Abigail,4 b. Feb. 9, 1749, d. Sept. 17, 1756.
70.VI. A Son,4 b. Aug. 6, 1751, d. in infancy
71.VII. John,4 (161-164) b. Nov. 13, 1758, d. Jan. 6, 1802.
72.VIII. Olive,4 b. March 28, 1761, d. Feb. 20, 1843.

I.  Joab always lived in Cumberland, R. I., was a farmer, married March 3, 1774, Jerusha Ray of Wrentham, [now Norfolk Co.,] Mass. She was born in 1745, d. Oct. 30, 1795. Ebenezer Fisher officiated at the marriage. They had three children, one son and two daughters. He died in the 77th year of his age, and is buried in the old grave yard in Cumberland, south of the Quaker meeting house. The name is extinct in this line.

II.  Daniel married Anna Whipple, Oct. 16, 1767. Elder Daniel Miller performed the marriage rite. He sometimes traversed the seas, and died in the West Indies. He had five children, one son and four daughters. His descendants are still living of whom is Hon. Smith S. Wilkinson, President of the Senate of Wisconsin.

III.  Nebadiah married June 11, 1778, Lucy, dau. of Israel Whittaker of Bellingham, [now Norfolk Co.,] Mass., Elder Abner Ballou officiating. He had three children, one son and two daughters, and lived in Cumberland, R. I. and kept a public house where Liberty Metcalf (1866) now lives, and the following record of the Board of Excise on the Town books shows the rate of tavern licenses in those days:

"In Town Council, Apr. 18, 1781.
Voted, that Nebadiah Wilkinson have license to keep a Public Tavern in the house wherein he now dwells in said Cumberland; he complying with the Law, and paying therefor into the Town Treasury the sum of £72, continental currency."

He subsequently moved to Hartford, [Hartford Co.,] Ct. where he purchased Real Estate, and, probably kept a public house. The exact date of his death has not been ascertained. Letters of Administration were granted to his son, Otis of Bolton, Tolland Co., Ct., Sept. 15, 1802, as appears from the Records* at the Probate Office, City of Hartford.

The Inventory of Personal Property amounted to 
$3468,62
Real Estate 
 1000,00
Total 
$4468,62

His wife died March, 1814, and is buried in Hartford, Ct.
The name of Wilkinson is extinct in this line as his son never married, but his descendants in the female line still live of whom is Mrs. Ralph Cheney, the great silk manufacturer of Manchester, [now Essex Co.,] Ct.

VII.  John married Betsey Tower, dau. of John and Hannah Tower. Hannah was a near relative of John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence. They emigrated from Cumberland to Troy, [now Rensselaer Co.,] N. Y. about 1790 where they remained eight years, and then moved to Skaneateles, [now Onondaga Co.,] N. Y., where he purchased an excellent farm about one mile east of the village, which is still owned and carried on by the Misses Wilkinson, granddaughters of John. He had four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom married, and one, Elpha, is still living. The Hon. Morton S. Wilkinson, U. S. Senator from Minnesota, is a descendant from this branch of the family. John died in the 44th year of his age, and is buried on his farm in Skaneateles.

VIII.  Olive married Benjamin Chamberlain, son of Benjamin of Bridgewater, [now Litchfield Co.,] Mass., Dec. 18, 1783, John Dexter, Justice,

Pages 132-137 of the book were not scanned.
The next paragraph starts at the top of page 138.

[This small section at the top of page 138 is possibly is the last part of a paragraph on the children of Dr. Jephthah and Lucy (Smith) Wilkinson.  According to p. 770 of the History and Directory of Yates Co., New York, Dr. Jephthah Wilkinson died "a physician in New York during the prevalence of the plague in 1803." This was possibly the yellow fever epidemic in New York that year.]

. . . in Summerfield, Mich.; Mary Ann, in California; Nancy in Potter, Yates Co., N. Y.; Abigail A. and Alpha in Pulteney, [now Steuben Co.,] N. Y.

[80.] VIII. Jemima.  [She was born on 29 Nov 1752, Cumberland, Providence Co., Rhode Island, and died 1 Jul 1819, Town of Jerusalem, Yates Co., New York.]  See Biography of Jemima Wilkinson for a record of the life of the 8th child of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Amy (Whipple) Wilkinson.

[83.] XI.  Elizabeth, [dau. of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Amy (Whipple) Wilkinson] married Samuel Hartwell, and lived in Jerusalem, Yates Co., N. Y. They belonged to the Friends' Society. [This was the Society headed by Jemima Wilkinson, Elizabeth's sister, who called herself the "Universal Friend," it is not a reference to the Society of Quakers.] They had nine children.

[84.] XII.  Deborah, [dau. of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Amy (Whipple) Wilkinson] married for her first husband Benajah Botsford, and according to Hudson's account, had quite a time getting married in consequence of the opposition of [her sister] Jemima. Deborah belonged to the Friends' Society [headed by Jemima Wilkinson, the "Universal Friend"] and the Shaker practice of celibacy was endeavored to be carried into effect in her case, but in vain. He died aged thirty-nine, and she married Elijah Malin for a second husband. He died aged eight-seven. She was noted for her skill and ingenuity in all kinds of needlework, and was an exemplary woman. She died at the advanced age of eighty-seven.

In the census of the Colony of Rhode Island taken June, 1774, Jeremiah's family consisted of two males above sixteen years of age, one under, and three females above sixteen, and two under; in all eight members.


Fifth Generation.

Josiah Wilkinson4     [22] Samuel3 [8], Samuel2
      and  [2] Lawrance.1 [1]
Margaret Thompson

Of _______, N. Y.

85.I. Jemima,5 b. April, 1737, d. Feb. 26, 1821.
86.II. Amos,5 b. d.
87.III. Chloe,5 b. d.

I.  Jemima lived in Smithfield and Providence, R. I. She was never married, and is buried in the family burying ground on the old homestead of the Elder Israel Wilkinson in Smithfield.

II.  Amos, and III.  Chloe, moved with their father Josiah, into the eastern part of the state of New York. Amos married and had a family, so says a distant relative now living, nearly ninety years of age, but no trace of the family can be found. It is probable he had no boys, and the name has become extinct.


David Wilkinson4     [27] Samuel3 [8], Samuel2
      and   [2] Lawrance.1 [1]
Mary Arnold  *

Of Providence, R. I.

88.I. Susanna,5 b.           d.      
89.II. William5 b. d.  
90.III. Mary,5 b.          d.            1819.
91.IV. Anna5 b. d.
92.V. Samuel,5 b. d.
93.VI. Betsey,5 b. d.
94.VII. Patience,5 b.         1757,d. July 11, 1781.
95.VIII. Sarah,5 b. d.
96.IX. Daniel,5 b. d.

I.  Susanna, married Daniel Marsh of Providence. Through the reluctance of his descendants, very little has been elicited concerning David's family. His children's names are believed to be correctly stated above, but perhaps not chronologically arranged. Susanna was, probably, married about 1754. Their children are as follows:

III.  Mary, married Charles Crouch, a lawyer, of Charleston, South Carolina. He was a man of some note, and they edited a paper in Charleston, which was quite popular as a miscellaneous and literary publication. They had several children, one of whom was born in Providence, viz:

One of this family was accustomed to visit James Wilkinson's family of Smithfield, but all knowledge of their descendants is entirely forgotten. Mary was appointed executrix of her father's †will.

IV.  Anna, married Jno. Clark of Providence. Probably had a family. Nothing is known of them.

VII.  Patience, married William Thurber, in 1772. They lived in Providence and had four children, viz:
Patience died at the early age of 27, and is buried in the "North Burying Ground," near Providence. Her grave may be found among the Thurber family, where several sarcophagi are arranged together in the east part of the cemetery.

Rev. C. C. Bemen in his "Sketches of Scituate," says "David had three sons who lived from seventeen to twenty-four years, but never married; he also had six daughters, four of whom married and left families. Mary, the second daughter, married Charles Crouch, Charleston, S. C., and died in 1819. David died in Providence, about 1791, aged 84 years."
The following is copied from a Bible in the possession of a lady by the name of Whitman, living in Providence, "David spent the latter part of his life in Providence. He had three sons who died young, at, or under twenty-five. They were all distinguished for talent and ingenuity. The third son was killed by being crushed between a large ship and the wharf at a launch."
The name of Wilkinson is extinct in this line.

Israel Wilkinson4     [29] Samuel3 [8], Samuel2
      and   [2] Lawrance.1 [1]
Mary Aldrich  *

Of Smithfield, R. I.

97.I. Hannah,5 b. Feb. 1, 1733-4, d. May 26, 1826.
98.II. Huldah,5 b. Nov. 22, 1735, d.             1737.
99.III. Jacob,5 (213) b. Oct. 27, 1737-8, d. Jan. 19, 1766.
100.IV. Israel,5 (214-21) b. Mar. 10, 1741, d. Sept. 13, 1818.
101.V. Robert,5 (222-29) b. Apr. 18, 1743, d. Apr. 18, 1788.
102.VI. Wait,5 b. Sept. 29, 1746, d. Nov. 2, 1777.
103.VII. David,5 (230-34) b. Oct. 10, 1748, d. Apr. 12, 1780.
104.VIII. Martha,5 b. Aug. 13, 1750, d. Feb. 17, 1779.

I.  Hannah, married Joseph Davis of Cumberland, R. I., a man much respected in his own town. He was born Aug. 14, 1723, died May 29, 1777, leaving an only child.
(1) Asenath, b. Nov. 30, 1756, d. Nov. 22,1783.
She married Ebenezer Metcalf of Cumberland, a very worthy man, who died Oct. 23, 1820. Their children were:
They all lived in Cumberland, R. I., and were members of the Friends' Society, and are noted for their humanity and benevolence, and for every good word and work. Firm in their convictions of the truth of Quaker principles and practices, they have led consistent christian sic lives, free from persecution and bigotry. To these people as well as well as to the Baptist, Rhode Island and the world is indebted for the best form of Civil government established among men. A Government which recognizes no authority in the civil arm to enforce conscience, no external power to interfere with "Soul liberty," but leaving every man, woman and child free to worship God, or not to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience without molestation.* So careful were the early settlers of Rhode Island, that no infringement of this rule should be allowed that Joshua Verin was denied the privilege of voting for restraining his wife from attending religious meetings.†
The descendants of this family are not very numerous, but they are abundantly blessed in worldly matters, and are able financiers. The "Tax list" of Cumberland exhibits their taxable property real and personal amounting to $1,300,000, or about one-sixth of the whole town.
Joseph is still living, a firm Friend, and a follower of our blessed Savior, and is now (1866) over eighty-three years of age. His life is an example of industry, economy, and piety worthy of all imitation.
The Bible containing the record of the Metcalf family was printed in America in 1731, purchased in 1745, (price £3.10s.) and it was presented to Joseph David, April 30, 1755, by his mother. It is now owned by Joseph Metcalf.
The senior Ebenezer Metcalf was thrice married. By his second wife Anna, he had Whipple, b. May 29, 1788, d. Sept. 28, 1795. By his third wife Abigail Dexter, he had Dexter b. 1799, m. Polly Bishop, d. June 20, 1853.

III.  Jacob married Mary Potter, Aug. 21, 1763, and died at the age of twenty-nine, and is buried at the Friends' burying ground at Woonsocket, [Providence Co.,] R. I. His wife was a Quaker. They had but one child Cynthia, and lived in Smithfield and Cumberland, R. I. His widow never married, but in 1794, moved with her daughter, who had married Welcome Capron, to Easton, Washington Co., N. Y. She died in Mayfield, Fulton Co., N. Y., and is buried there.
Jacob was admitted freeman in 1760.

*Original Bill is in the Secretary of State's office, Providence. See Letters, 1746-50.

*See Book of Wills, Town Clerk's office, Pawtucket.

*In the census of 1774, this family numbered two males above 16 years of age and one below, one female above 16 and one below; in all five.

*Book 27, Records of Wills, &c., Hartford, Ct.

*Census of 1774, 1 male above 16, 2 under, 3 females above, 1 under, 2 blacks.

*2 Record of Marriages, 166, B'd of Health's Office, Providence

†Book of Wills, p. 975-6, Providence, R. I.

*Census of 1774, 3 males above 16, 1 under; 3 females above, 1 under.

*1 Bancroft's History U. S. 369 et seq.

†See Backus' Church Hist., 50, A.B.P.S. Edition, also old Record in City Clerk's Office, Providence.

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