John Wilkinson, Sr.

Source 1: From the research files of Pat Ezell,Texas

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Source 2: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfqw474b_490468bqqfc

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III. John was born in Providence, R.I. Married, April 16, 1689, Deborah Whipple. She was born Aug. 1, 1670, and was sixteen years younger than her husband. The advanced age of John at the time of his marriage, and of one or two others in the lineal descent of this branch, causes a less number of generations than will be found in the lineal descent of Samuel who married at a much earlier age. John became an extensive land owner, and at a very early date fixed his residence in that part of Providence which was in 1731, called the town of Smithfield. His house was on the margin of the Blackstone River, near what was called "Martin's Wade," a little south of the present villa of Ashton. Here he took up, from time to time, tracts of land varying from four to twenty acres on the west side of the river, and crossing over into what was called the "Gore of Land," alias Attleboro, now Cumberland, he purchased a number of lots, some of which his descendants hold at the present day. He bought at one time eighty acres of John Blackstone, and the same was sold by his son, John, to Sylvanus Scott, for the sum of £160. The description runs as follows: "All that land which my Honored Father, John Wilkinson in his life time bo't of John Blackston."* [This Jno. Blackstone was the only son of the famed Wm. Blackstone, the first settler in R.I. See Bliss' Hist. of Rehoboth, p. 13.]

• Book of Records, 187, Providence.
• History of Narragansett Church, p. 53.
• Book of Deeds, p. 108, Providence.

A Deed from Abraham Mann to John Wilkinson bears date 1685—consideration £1.10, currant Silver"—description—"A full quarter part of a purchase right of Commoning throughout the jurisdiction of Providence, reaching so far as the seauen mile line, with all the undivided lands and meadows whatsoever belonging or appertaining, until the said quarter part of Commoning." Dated. "in the first year of his Majesty's reign James, the 2d. &c." James II. commenced his reign in 1685.† By attempting to establish the Roman Catholic religion against the wishes of his people he was obliged to abdicate in 1689, reigning only four years. The revolution followed. The disrepect to King craft was not confined to England, it reached America and some of these ancient deeds bear marks of the people's displeasure. The folly of the King had its influence in shaping the future of the Colonies, and Roger Williams, having had sad experience in regard to religious intolerance, determined that nobody should suffer for conscience sake within his domains. The times became an educator and the people were taught wisdom. The following, as it determines the location of his dwelling, in the wide spread town of Providence, is of interest.

   "John Wilkinson, Return Original Right.

   January ye 29, 1707-8.

   Layed out about four acres of Rockey uneven land to John Wilkinson for allowance for the Highway that was layed out at Martin's Wadeing place, which land for allowance lieth on adjoining to John Wilkinson's home land, and beginning at a Red oak tree marked and rangeth Southwesterardly to a Black oak tree marked, being a corner of Eleizer Whipples Lott, and from said Black oake to range Southwardly to a heape of stones being a corner of John Dexter's land, and from said heap of stones to range Northwestwardly with Dexter's land till it meeteth with Wilkinson's former land, and thence to ye foresaid Red Oake, where ye Range began."

   "Layed out by mee, Ths. Olney jr. Surveyor.

   Recorded Nov. ye 9, 1709 Tho. Olney, Clerk."*

This was near the "Dexter Lime Rock," and the John Dexter referred to was the son of Rev. Gregory Dexter. The early records of the Colony show John to be an active, energetic business man, and he was not confined to Providence in his land purchases. He had lands assigned to him in Rehoboth North Purchase. The following is an extract of a Deed of sale from his sons, Daniel and Jeremiah to Israel Wilkinson, jr. A part of the description reads: "Seven acres and forty-one rods of common, or undivided land, to be taken up in Rehoboth North Purchase so called, on the Right of our Honoured Father, John Wilkinson, deceased."

He was admitted freeman, May 3, 1681, and always exercised the elective franchise. Being a strong, athletic man he feared nothing in human form, and his rashness was sometimes checked by severe casualties. He was noted for his bravery and daring in the wars with the Indians and did not mind the hand to hand conflict with the ferocious savages. In one encounter with them he was severely wounded and the General Assembly voted him pension. He held several town offices, was Deputy for Providence at the General Court in 1699, 1700, 1706, &c. He died suddenly, and was found by the side of the road between his own and his brother Samuel's house.

† Hume's Hist. of England, p. 285.

• Book of Deeds.

The Inventory of His Personal Property.

   "Here followeth ye Record of ye inventory of John Wilkinson of Providence, Deceased, his estate:

   A true Inventory of all and singular Goods & Chattels and Credits which were brought to our view of ye Estate of John Wilkinson who deceased April ye 10, 1708, appraised ye 26th of April 1708, by us whose names are hereunto inscribed and in manner and value as followeth:

   "Imprimis, to his wearing apparel and Cane,

   £19.15.00

   To beds, bedding, table linen, chests & other goods in ye North room,

   18.15.00

   In ye North Chamber a bed & stead & furnature, sic & wheat, rye, feathers, &c.,

   6.11.00

   In ye East Chamber, bed & bed-stead & furnature with grain & other things,

   8.18.00

   In ye Lower East Room in Pewter, brass pots & kettles & other house hold utensells, sic

   17.18.00

   In Peantry, sic frying pans, milk vessels with other lumber,

   2.00.00

   ye Cellar, in Cider, Pork, Tobacco & Casks,

   9.00.00

   In ye West Chamber two beds with furnature with some cloth, grain, &c.

   19.16.00

   In ye Garrett in Tobacco, Flax & some tooles, sic

   21.14.00

   In ye Corner West Room in Tables, Frames, Chaires, Wheels, Utinsells sic for ye fire,

   5.16.00

   To Joyner's tooles,

   3.12.00

   To Cooper's tooles,

   1.14.00

   To Husbandry Tooles:  6 cart-wheels, Plows, Chains, Yokes, hoes, Axes, pitchforks, grind stones & Spades,

   16.08.00

   To Corn in ye Cribb & rye in ye Barn,

   10.09.00

   To Deale sic boards,

   1.01.00

   To Swine,

   4.10.00

   To a horse bridle & Saddles,

   1.10.00

   To 29 head of neat Cattell, sic

   58.06.00

   To 12 Calves,

   3.12.00

   To Cooper Staves,

   14.00

   To a piece of Druggett sic at ye Fullers, & a piece at ye Weavers,

   7.10.00

   To a Negro Youth,

   30.00.00

   To Severall sic perticulars in ye Closett, sic

   18.00

   April ye 30, 1708, ye above Inventory was by ye Town Councill meeting examined,

       Attested:  Tho. Olney, Clerk.

   Recorded, May ye 4, 1708,

             per Tho. Olney, Clerk."*

• Book of Wills, Probate Office, Providence.

The above inventory is presented as it shows several particulars in regard to the prosperity of the Colony at that early period—the productions of wheat, rye, tobacco, the increase of livestock and the abundance that pervaded the households of the settlers all indicate a thrifty growing Colony. Another fact is noticeable—the "Negro Youth." No State or Colony was exempt at that period—not even Massachusetts, from the curse of slavery. But Rhode Island, at an early date rid herself of this incubus.

His wife Deborah was appointed Administratrix, as appears by the following:

   "At a Council Meeting, April ye 30, 1708.

   "Whereas John Wilkinson of the Towne of Providence departed this life on ye 10th day of this instant April, 1708, and dying intested, his Widdow Deborah Wilkinson caused an Inventory to be taken of her said deceased husband, his Estate: The which said Inventory the said Deborah Wilkinson hath this day presented unto the Councill for examination. The which Inventory beareth date ye 26th day of April, 1708, and was appraised by Eleizer Arnold, John Angell, Samuel Wilkinson and Joseph Jenks, jr.

   "Administration ordered to the widdow."*

The burial place of John is not remembered, but as almost every freeholder had a small yard on his farm it is probable he was interred on the west bank of the Blackstone a little south of his house on his own premises.

For other facts concerning John, see Biography No. III.

• Book Council Records, Providence.
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Source 3:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:842555&i...

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Sterling L.Mock

Entries: 2936 Updated: Sat Aug 25 21:35:24 2001 Contact: Sterling MOCK

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1. ID: I2633
2. Name: John WILKINSON
3. Sex: M
4. Birth: 2 MAR 1653 in Providence, Providence, Rhode IsIand
5. Death: 10 APR 1708 in Providence, Providence, Rhode IsIand
6. Change Date: 28 JUL 2000

Father: Lawrence WILKINSON b: ABT 1620 in Lanchester, Durham, England

Mother: Sussannah SMITH b: ABT 1628 in England

Marriage 1 Deborah WHIPPLE b: 1 AUG 1670 in Providence, Providence, Rhode IsIand

   * Married: 16 APR 1689

Children

  1. Has Children John WILKINSON Jr. b: 16 MAR 1690 in Providence, Providence, Rhode Island

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• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Dec 9 2019, 14:45:01 UTC