Col. Oliver Wilder

VII) Oliver Wilder, youngest son of Nathaniel

Wilder (6), was born in 1694. He married, 1713, Mary Fairbanks, daughter of Jonathan Fairbanks, who served in Captain Champney's company under Sir William Phipps in the Canada Expedition, and was a grandson of the emigrant, Jonathan Fairbanks, of Dedham. (See sketch.) She was born in 1692 and died June 15, 1745. When he was sixteen years old he was working on his father's farm with his brother Nathaniel, when they were attacked by Indians. Three years before their brother Jonathan had been brutally tortured to death by the Indians and their brother Ephraim severely wounded. Oliver and Nathaniel managed to escape to the garrison, but the Indian servant who was working with them was killed. Oliver was an ensign in the service August 23, 1725, and at that time was living at Turkey Hills. In 1726 he refused to accept the office of constable and declined to pay the five pound line which the law imposed as a penalty for refusing to take office. He rose through the various grades to the rank of colonel. At the age of sixtythree he turned out with his regiment at the Fort William alarm in 1757 and marched as far as Springfield, Massachusetts. • He was in the Crown Point expedition in 1759. He often served the town as moderator and selectman. He owned a mill privilege. His home was at South Lancaster and his house is now or was lately standing. The place is now known as the Heald place. He was a cousin of Judge Joseph Wilder, another very prominent Worcester county man. Colonel Oliver Wilder died March 16, 1765. There are stones suitably inscribed marking the graves of Colonel Wilder and his wife.

Lancaster VRs, marriage, Pg 33

"Colonal Oliver Wilder entered his intention s of marriage with Mrs. Rebekah Barns of Chelmsford July the 1st 1749"

References

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6238558/oliver-wilder