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Last updated July 14, 2014|
John /Wickware/ John immigrated to New London, CT from Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, England in 1675. Date of birth given is actually a baptizm date. More information on page 63 of AMW book. JOHN WICKWARE 1656-1712 The First American Ancestor John Wickware settled in New London, Connecticut by 1675, when his name appears on a list of Connecticut soldiers of the King Philip's War. He is listed as a New London resident in 1676. However, no record exists of John's journey to either New London or North America. Possibly, he first arrived in another colony, or elsewhere in Connecticut. If so, he may have travelled to New London as part of the 315-man Connecticut militia established to fight the war. The militiamen were mostly young bachelors. The militia wintered in New London 1675-76, and some men undoubtedly remained in New London after the War ended. Alternately, John came first to New London, which was settled by immigrants from the same area in England where John is believed to have originated. John is reckoned to be the same John Wickware who was born 1656 in Wotten-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, England. This John was a fifth generation descendant of Thomas (1500-1560) and Jane Wickwarre of Calne, Wiltshire, England. Their son John [1] Wickware (c1526-1582) married in 1550 Alice Thornell (c1526-1582). Alice was an 11th generation descendant of a John Thornhull. Among John and Alice's six children was John [2] Wickware (c1555-1626) who married 1580 Elizabeth ? (-1608). Their only surviving child was John [3] Wickwire (1588-1657) who married in 1614 Annie Poole. John and Annie moved from Calne to nearby Wotton-Under-Edge, a clothmaking center, about 1640. Their son John [4] was born 1626 in Calne and married c1650 Mary ?. Presumably, they were the parents of John [5] Wickware of New London, Connecticut. Although no documented link between the John of England and John of New London has been found, it seems probably that they are the same person. The major English port of emigration in the later 17th century was Bristol, which was just 30 miles from Wooten-Under-Edge. Furthermore, the West Country, which includes Wooten-Under-Edge, suffered depressed economies and religious conflict during the dictatorship of Oliver Cromwell, a radical Puritan, from 1649-60 and the Stuart Restoration of absolutist Catholic monarchy, 1660-88. The latter period also saw the Bubonic Plague (1665), the London Fire (1667) and the Second English-Dutch War (1665-67). Domestic unrest encouraged emigration and the West Country furnished the majority of English immigrants to North America during 1660-80. Finally, the unusual last name and the correct age suggest that John of England and John of New London were the same person. Our ancestor, John Wickware of New London, fought in the King Philip's War. The war had primarily involved Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In September 1675, however, the New England Confederation of colonies declared war on King Philip and required all the member colonies to commit troops. Connecticut determined how many soldiers each colony town must provide; the towns selected the individuals, most of whom were young and unmarried. By 10 December 1675, the Connecticut force had gathered in New London. On 19 December 1675, John Wickware was one of 315 Connecticut militia men (70 were from New London) who participated in the Great Swamp Fight, in which King Philip was killed and his family enslaved. About 80 of the Connecticut men were killed or wounded during the battle. Afterward, the Connecticut forces wintered at New London. When the war officially ended two months later, over half of the European settlements in New England had been destroyed. For his war service, John Wickware was granted 140 acres in what was named Voluntown in 1708. The grants were made in 1696 from a 36 square mile area bordering Rhode Island. However, the actual allotments were not determined until 1700. Like many veterans, John never lived in Voluntown; he deeded the land to his son Jonathan in 1712, and Jonathan sold the land in the same year. John married 6 November 1776 Mary Tonge of New London. They settled in the town's north parish, which became Montvale, Connecticut. John was a farmer, like his neighbors. He may have also worked for his father-in-law, George Tonge, who engaged in intercolonial trade. On 5 May 1685, John witnessed a will in East Hampton, Long Island (proved 20 October 1685), when John was described as away from the community. Perhaps John was on a business trip for George Tonge. In 1704, John became one of the 77 original patentees of New London, by a grant arranged by his brother-in-law, Connecticut Colony Governor John Winthrop. Winthrop was also a patentee and therefore did not sign the grant; Deputy Governor Robert Treat was the signator. John and Mary received significant land south of Stony Brook in Montville from George Tonge, an area called Pooleville. When John died, between 15 March and 11 April 1712, he left an estate valued at over £300. His will Besides a homestead, 120 other acres, and furnishings, John left three wigs, eight books including a bible, a flint gun with bayonet, a rapier (sword), and a range of clothing and tools. In the name of God amen. The seventh day of February 1712, I, John Wickwere [sic] of the County of New London in the Coloni of Connecticut. I futturi being very sick and weak in body but of perfrect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial, at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such wordly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. Imprimis. I give and bequeath to Mary Wickwere, my dearly beloved wife, whome I likewise constitute, make and ordain my Executrix of this my last will and testament. Item. Igive and bequest to my dearly beloved wife Mary Wickwere all my Real and personal Estate after my funerall charg and all my just debts air paid, during her natural life and at her deth then the said Estate is to go my children but my said wife is to dispose of the estate to my above sd children as she sees cause. And I John Wickwire do constitute, make and appoint Col. John Livingston and Mr. James Harris, Junor, Boath of New London my Executors with my wife Mary Wickwere and [revoke] every other former Testaments wills legacies and bequests and executors by me in any before named will willed and bequesthed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to my last will and testament. In witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. John Wickwere (SEAL) John Livingston was a brother-in-law and James Harris. Samuel Young, Benjamin Star, and William Swaddle witnessed the will; Young and Star swore this 16 June 1712 at the New London Court of Probate, when the estate inventory was also entered. Land:house, barn and homestead £165; a third of 200 acres at Ting's Hill £52; 50 acres probably adjacent to the 200 acres £12.10. Animals:Five cattle and three horses £15.15. Farm tools:Pair plough cleves with pin, chain, hooks, ring, and bell; spade and speer £2.11.6. House tools:Two tramels, three pair pot hooks, great pot, four iron pots, Furnishings:Feather mattress, frame, and furniture; two beds, two sheets, two bolsters, seven blankets, feather pillow and case £16.10. two pair sheets and 2 pillowcases 2.05. 2 bed frames and cords .12 2 chests .11.06 wanscut chest .12 2 boxes and 2 tables .13 looking glass .15 6 old barrels and half bushel barrel .08 6 glass bottles and 6 earthen jugs .07 earthen ware 8 wooden dishes and wooden bowles .11 stewing pan .08 3 peuter platers and 6 peuter plates 2.02 2 small peuter platers, two baisons, old quart peuter pot, saucer .10 5 coms. napkins .06.06 5 fin napkins and table cloth .13 3.5 dozen wostard buttons .13.06 2 shirts .07.06 3 pott wigs 1. stockings .04 old hat .03 neckcloth .03 wearing clothes, two coats 2.01.06 2 dusel coats .18 2 jackets and 2 pair breeches .18 2 snap scarves .04 2 pair shoes .04.06 2 razors and a pen knife .06 bible 1. 7 books .11 flint gun and bayonet 3. catoos box and amunition .06 rapier .12 COMMENT ON THE WICKWARE GENEALOGY The male or family-name descendants of John Wickwire can be grouped into three major lines: via Christopher, via Jonathan, and via Peter. Christopher's line remained mostly in Connecticut for three generations. By the fourth generation, many Wickwares had relocated to New York State. However, one of Christopher's sons, Zebediah, resettled in Nova Scotia as part of an English "Plantation" of formerly French held territory. Zebediah's sub-line represents the first of three Canadian lines of Wickwares. Jonathan's line initially split between Connecticut and Vermont (son Jonathan had gone to Bennington with Peter's children Joseph and Sarah). The Vermont line resettled in New York State within the generation. The Connecticut line largely split between Kentucky and Ontario, Canada. This second Canadian line of Wickwares were Loyalists or Tories--colonists who opposed independence from England. Peter's line split into three sub-lines: Cpt. Peter, like his cousin Zebediah, moved to Nova Scotia as part of the English Plantation, thus beginning the third Canadian Wickware line. Cpt. Joseph moved to Vermont. Jeremiah remained in Connecticut, although some of his sons moved to New York State. Before the Revolution, descendants of John Wickwire had helped found Bennington, Vermont; Wolfsville and Cornwallis, Nova Scotia; Troy (as Lansingburg), New York; and Simpson County, Kentucky. During the 19th Century, descendants helped settle towns in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Texas, and California. One descendant was among the original surveyors of Nebraska; mapping a territory by surveyors always preceded general settlement. At least three US towns have been named after the family: Wickwire, Sanilac County, Michigan; Wickwire Corners, Minnesota; and Wickware, Tyler County, West Virginia. And, Wickware Pond, neighborhood near Hickory, Newton County, Mississippi. Wickwire, an area in Wisconsin. In Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas, descendants owned slaves. At least two new branches of the family began, as African-American Wickwares moved on from Kentucky and Texas. In Illinois, descendants operated stations of the Underground Railroad, through which Southern slaves reached freedom in the North. In war, at least four fought in the American Revolution, one of whom, in the English forces. At least 11 descendants fought in the War of 1812, one, for the English, and one, died. At least 14 descendants fought in the Civil War, four, for the South; six descendants are known to have died in combat or in prisoner camps. The most common occupation among John Wickware's descendants was farming. A notable share of each generation, however, became public servants, either civil or elected. Although the most common position was as postmaster, descendants served as mayors or acting mayors of Mobile, Alabama; Jersey City, New Jersey; Webster and Sioux City, Iowa; Colchester, Vermont; and Hamilton, New York. Party membership has included Federalist, Whig, Democratic-Republican, Democratic, and Republican. A smaller share of family members became teachers. By the second half of the 19th century, a sizable portion were engaged in industry, finance, or trade. In New York, the Wickwire Steel and Wire Company employed 2000 workers in the early 1900; it still operates as part of a larger company. The Cortland, New York area was served by the Wickwire Hospital from the late 1800s. Today, Eastern Connecticut State University maintains the Wickwire Planetarium. Family members have also made their mark in Sports and Theater. The lead-off pitcher for the winning team in the 1913 Negro League world series was Frank Wickware. One of the first Americans to climb K-2 was Jim Wickwire (who also attempted Mt. Everest). And Damon Wickware was an all-Southwestern Conference defensive lineman for two years in the 1990s. Nancy Wickwire became a well known stage and television actor in the 1950-60s. Another area of family involvement has been the law--on both sides. An increasing number of family members have become lawyers. The author of the 1909 Wickware Genealogy was a corporate lawyer. One family member was the attorney general of Nova Scotia; another was a recent assistant attorney general of Alaska. At least two Wickwires are currently name partners in law firms. But at least one of "our" lawyers has been sued for legal malpractice. Nonlawyer family members have also been involved in the court system. Suits over inheritance, real estate, disability claims, and personal injury appear in recent court reporters. Additionally, family members have been convicted of crimes in at least three states: California, Kentucky, and Texas. Church affiliation among descendants has apparently been varied. The first two generations were probably Congregationalist Puritans, which was the dominant church in New London. But at least Cpt. Joseph's children were raised in the Separate Puritan church in Bennington, Vermont. Fourth generation descendants founded the First Presbyterian Church of Lansingburg, New York. In New Jersey, fifth generation Melancthon Smith Wickware was married at a Dutch Reformed Church. But his children's funerals were held in either Episcopalian or Methodist Episcopalian churches--and some of their descendants became Roman Catholics. Other branches of the family probably joined a range of Protestant churches. Geography was likely the determinate factor. Often, many new or small towns contained a single church, which all town residents attended and thus "join" a particular denomination. Based on geography, for example, Southern relatives were probably Baptists and maybe some were Methodists. Today, some descendants are Mormons, based on the "Stake" records of the Church of Latter Day Saints. COMMENT ON THE SPELLING OF THE FAMILY NAME Known descendants of John and Mary Wickware today spell their name either Wickware or Wickwire. Eighteenth century variations also included Wickwere, Wickwer, and Wickwerr. Previously, in England, the name was at one time spelled Wickwarre. Variations in name spelling were common before the twentieth century, when standardized spellings emerged. Before then, lower literacy rates and much less official record keeping resulted in a broad range of name spellings. Regarding literacy, most Europeans in America during the 18th and 19th centuries could sign their name. Many could also read. The least common literacy skill was the ability to write. In official records, therefore, most people relied on someone else to write their name down; they might merely sign their signature. Dictionaries and other media that promoted a standardized language were not common during this period. As a result, spellings generally varied and people accepted most varieties. The first recordings of the family name in New London were "Wickware." In John Wickware's last will and testament, however, three variations appear. The text reports Wickwere. John signed Wickware. And the probate clerk recorded Wickwire. In the second generation, Christopher and Jonathan spelled their name Wickwere. Peter, however, appears to have spelled the name Wickwire. In the third generation, Christopher's sons appear to spell the name Wickwire. Jonathan's son Lebbeus appears to have spelled the name Wickware. Jonathan's son by the same name, however, and Peter's son, Cpt. Joseph, spelled the name Wickwire. By the fourth generation, the spelling Wickwire had become the common spelling. In the fifth generation, however, all of Jonathan's male line (Jonathan, Philip, Jonathan, James, Samuel, and Elisha) spelled the name Wickware. And Peter's descendant, Chapel, reflects the same spelling. The reputed change from Wickwire to Wickware by Peter's grandson, Chapel, illustrates how easily different spellings were adapted. According to Lawson Harrison Wickware, Chapel's grandson, and as reported by Lawson's daughter Doris N. Wickware, a military clerk recorded Chapel's name as Wickware. Chapel, for unknown reasons, simply acquiesced to the US Army's recorded spelling; and his descendants have retained the Army's spelling. Today, as far as discernable, the families have retained the spellings set in the fifth generation. In other words, all of Christopher's and Peter's (except Chapel's) descendants use Wickwire. All of Jonathan's (and Chapel's) descendants use Wickware. This week we have decided to tell the story of the Wickwire family as written in Volume 4 of The New England Families Genealogical and Memorial by William Richard Cutter. Much of the data listed is familiar to us from Arthur Manley Wickwire's book, but there are some discrepancies. Most of you have seen some or all of the information before but we have so many new cousins in the group it is hoped that they will enjoy the story and learn more about their family ancestors. Here is the story: WICKWIRE: In Burke's "Commoners", Volume IV., the statement is made: "The family of Ware claims descent from Roger de la Ware, Lord of Isefield, and a baron of Parliament in the reign of Edward I." The founder was Jordan de la War of Wick, Gloucestershire, England, whose descendants enjoyed extensive grants of land in the southern, middle and western counties of England, for bravery in various wars, particularly on the fields of Cressy and Poictiers. In early records the name is spelled: War, Ware, Warr, Warre and Weare. Arms: Gules a lion rampant, between eight crosslets argent. Crest: Out of a ducal coronet or, a griffin's head azure. During the century following the grant of the Manor of Wick to John de la Warre in 1207, the Manor gradually acquired the name of Wyke-Warre. In 1290 the parish of Wickwar was established. The advowson of the church belonged to the Warre family, passing from them after the death of Thomas, Lord de la Warre, governor of Virginia, when the manor of Wickwar was sold to Sir Robert Ducie and descended to his heirs. The town of Wickware, or Wickwaire, lies in the parish of the same name, about twenty-six miles south of Gloucester, on the best road from there to Bath. The town has the privilege of a weekly market and a yearly fair, granted by King Edward I. Wickware as a surname was not in use until 1500, and probably first came from that branch of the family residing at or near the Manor of Wick, or Wickwarre, who assumed that name to distinguish themselves from the main branch. The latter after a few generations had their principal seat in Sussex county. In the earliest entries the name is spelled Wyckwarre, Wyckwarr, Wyckware, Wickwarre, Wickwarr and Wickware. There are many entries of the name prior to the year 1700 in various parishes, but none are found that give a John Wickware whose age corresponds with the supposed age of John Wickware (or Wickwire), of New London, except one baptismal record. The family is almost extinct in England, and the name is an uncommon one in the United States. (I) John Wickware (or Wickwire), ancestor of the American families of Wickware and Wickwire, is supposed to have been John (2), son of John and Mary Wickware, of Wotton-Under-Edge. Gloucestershire. England, who was baptized May 18, 1656. The John Wickware who emigrated to America, died in March or April, 1712. His father died when he was less than a year old, and this lack of paternal support may have been the chief factor in his determination to seek a fortune in the new world. John Wickware was a soldier in King Philip's war, and was engaged in the Great Swamp fight, December 19, 1675, when the power of the Narragansetts was broken. For his services in this war he afterwards received from the general court a grant of one hundred and forty acres of land in Voluntown. He settled at New London, Connecticut, in 1675, and his name appears on the list of residents there in 1676. He settled in the North Parish of New London, now known as Montville. He was one of the seventy-seven patentees of New London named in the patent granted by Governor Winthrop, October 14, 1704. By deed, dated June 30, 1698, he and Mary, his wife, granted to Rene Grigon the tract of land in Voluntown, which had been received for service in the Indian war. At the time of his death he owned several tracts of land besides his homestead and was considered a man of wealth for those times. The use of the word "Mr." before his name in the clerk's certificate indicates social position, as it was only applied to men of property. He married, November 6, 1676, Mary, daughter of George and Margert Tonge. George Tonge was an early settler in New London, and in 1656 the general town meeting chose him to keep an inn for five years. In those times only trustworthy citizens were accorded this privilege. In the same year he purchased a house and lot on the Thames river, "and here he opened the house of entertainment which he kept during his life and which, being continued by his family, was the most noted inn of the town for sixty years." Children of John and Mary (Tonge) Wickware: 1. George, born October 4, 1677. 2. Christopher, of whom further. 3. John, December 2, 1685. 4. Elizabeth, March 23, 1688-89; married, at New London, September 9, 1708, Jonas Hamilton, born about 1678, son of David Hamilton, a Scotchman of Berwick, Maine, who was killed by the Indians on September 28, 1691. He and his wife were baptized at New London, June 25, 1710, and he joined the church in the same town, October 8, 1738. In 1748 Jonas Hamilton was described in a petition to the general court as a member of the church in the parish of New Salem. Children: Jonathan, Solomon, Mary, Elizabeth, James, Lucretia, Daniel and Ann. 5. Jonathan, born February 19, 1690-91. 6. Peter, March 12, 1694. 7. Ann, September 25, 1697; married, October 14, 1714, James Brown, of Colchester, who was probably son of James and Remembrance (Brooks) Brown, of Colchester. She was baptized, with her daughter Ann, by Rev. James Hillhouse, on October 28, 1722. Children: James, Ann, Jonathan. |