Judge Joseph Wilder

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Judge Joseph Wilder Birth 5 Jul 1683 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, and died 29 Mar 1757 in Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Parents: second son of Thomas Wilder (1644 – 1716) and Mary (Houghton) Wilder (1646 – 1716)

Married:

1. on 5 Jan 1707 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts to Lucy Gardner daughter of Captain Andrew Gardner, of Lancaster. She was born in 1679 and died May 13, 1753. [1]

Children: He left four sons. We do not know of his daughters.

1. Thomas, born in 1704
2. Andrew, December 28, 1706, married Elizabeth Carter
3. Joseph
4. Caleb, born in 1710, married Abigail Carter

Golden Wedding Anniversary

Judge Joseph and Lucy Wilder celebrated their golden wedding anniversary 1-5-1757.

Gravesite

On his monument in the Old Cemetery at Lancaster is the inscription:

"In life exemplorarty and a steady friend to his country, to the good, to the poor, to virtue and to God."

Brief Notes

Joseph, son of Thomas, married, about 1702, Lucy Gardner, sister of the wife of James, daughter of Andrew Gardner. Though he had but the ordinary of education and means of culture, he was a man of intellectual power. At an early day he was a Judge of the Courts in the province of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. In 1720 - 26, he was a representative in the General Court, and in 1732 he was appointed a Judge of the C. C. P. for Worcester County, and from 1741 until his death he was its Chief Justice. In 1739 he was made Judge of Probate for Worcester County, which office he also held until his death.

He was also a man of incorruptible piety and integrity, and left his impress on the church and the community to a most remarkable extent; and on his monument in the old cemetery in Lancaster is the inscription: " In life exemplary, and a steady friend to his country, to the good, to the poor, to virtue, and to God." He left four sons. We do not know of his daughters. His sons were all eminent men.

Detailed Notes

Joseph Wilder (1683-1757)

Judge Joseph, second son and child of Thomas (3) and Mary (Houghton) Wilder, was born July 5, 1683, probably in Lancaster, Massachusetts. Although his early educational advantages were limited, he was a man of great intellectual gifts, and at an early day was made a judge in the courts of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. In 1732 he was appointed a judge of the court of common pleas for Worcester county, and from 1741 until his death he served as chief justice. In 1739 he was made judge of probate for Worcester county, which office he also held until his death. He is said to have been a man of incorruptible piety and integrity.

In 1702 Judge Joseph Wilder married Lucy Gardner, daughter of Captain Andrew Gardner, of Lancaster, who was born in 1679. She was the sister of Rev. Andrew Gardner who was accidentally killed by being mistaken for an Indian during the time bf the massacres. The sentinel heard the approach of a man in the bushes, and receiving no reply to his command, fired his musket and killed the clergyman just on the eve of the latter's ordination. The soldier was exonerated by the authorities, but he never recovered from the effects of the tragedy. Judge Joseph and Lucy (Gardner) Wilder had four sons, but no daughters are recorded. The sons were Thomas, born in 1704; Andrew, December 28, 1706, married Elizabeth Carter; Joseph (2), whose sketch follows; Caleb, born in 1710, married Abigail Carter. Judge Joseph Wilder died May 26, 1757. and his wife died May 13, 1753.

Excerpted from Wilder book

Joseph Wilder: Wilder book exerpt
Though he had but the ordinary advantages of education and means of culture, he was a man of intellectual power. At an early day, he was a Judge of the Courts in te Province of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. In 1720-26, he was a Representativve in the Genera Court (Legislaure). In 1732 he was appointed a Judge of the COurt of Common Pleas for Worcester County and from 1741 until his death, was its Chief Justice. In 1739 he was made Judge of Probate for Worcester County which office he held until his death.

He was also a man of incorruptable piety and integrity and left his impression on th Church and community to a most remarkable extent. On his monument in the Old Cemetary at Lancaster is te inscription, "In life exemplorarty and a steady friend to his country, to the good, to the poor, to virtue and to God."

His funeral sermon is in the puublic library at Lancaster, Mass.

Sketches of the Judicial History of Massachusetts from 1630 to 1775

Joseph Wilder belonged to Lancaster, and, on the decease of Judge Chandler, succeeded him as Chief Justice of this court. He was also his successor in the office of Judge of Probate. He was the father of Judge Joseph, who was upon the bench of this court from 1762, till the Revolution.

He often represented Lancaster in the General Court, and sustained other public trusts with ability and honor. He died March 29, 1757, aged 74

Source

1. * Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850 about Joseph Wilder

• Name: Joseph Wilder
• Gender: Male
• Spouse: Lucey Gardener
• Marriage Date: 5 Jan 1707
• City: Boston
• County: Suffolk
• Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0818093-0818095.

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Birth: Jul. 5, 1683 Lancaster Worcester County Massachusetts, USA Death: Mar. 29, 1757 Lancaster Worcester County Massachusetts, USA

m Lucy Gardner Jan 05, 1707 in Boston, Suffolk Co., MA Their children include Andrew, Thomas, Anna, Joseph, Lucy, Caleb, Lois, Beulah, Sarah.

He was a deacon in 1715. Also a judge in the courts of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. In 1732 he was appointed a judge of the court of common pleas for Worcester county, and from 1741 until his death he served as chief justice. In 1739 he was made judge of probate for Worcester county, which office he also held until his death. He is said to have been a man of incorruptible piety and integrity.

Inscription reads:

In Memory of the Honorable Joseph Wilder, Esq., who died March 29th A Domi, 1757, AEtatis 74. He was enrich'd with strong Powers and good Accomplishments which were exerted in his numerous public, & private connections. He was pleasant to Conversation; in Life, exemplary;& a steady friend to his Country, to ye Good, to the Poor, to Virtue and to God.

Family links:

Parents:

 Thomas Wilder (1644 - 1716)

Spouse:

 Lucy Gardner Wilder (1679 - 1763)

Children:

 Thomas Wilder (1704 - 1771)*

 Joseph Wilder (1706 - 1777)*

 Lucy Wilder Joslin (1715 - ____)*

Siblings:

 Mary Houghton Wilder Fairbank (1676 - 1718)*

 James Wilder (1680 - 1739)*

 Joseph Wilder (1683 - 1757)

 Sarah Wilder Hartwell (1685 - 1764)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Old Common Burial Ground Lancaster Worcester County Massachusetts, USA

GEDCOM Source

@R-849328603@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=59365638&pid...