Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family in America, published 1869
Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family in America, 1869
First Generation.

Lawrance Wilkinson
and
Susannah Smith.

The traditions concerning our paternal ancestor have been greatly at variance, as will be shown hereafter, but the documentary evidence seems quite satisfactory and conclusive. No effort has been spared to arrive at a correct conclusion, and the author flatters himself that the account herein presented is in the main reliable. He has not been satisfied with an unsupported statement, or a tradition recently put into print; but has gone to original sources, and from public and private records gathered such facts as their pages contained of the ancestor of the Wilkinson family in America.

He has in connexion sic with Andrew J. Wilkinson of Keokuk, Iowa, instituted researches in England, and by so doing, has brought strong confirmation of the facts elicited some years ago by H. G. Somerby, Esq., the distinguished genealogist of Boston, Mass. Correspondence with William Courthorpe, Somerset Registrar of the College of Arms, London, and with Rev. John Dingle of Lanchester, and others in England, has been opened and although their researches have not been perfectly conclusive, yet taken in connexion sic with other facts previously ascertained, they form a statement upon which we may rely with confidence.

Mr. Courthorpe in a communication dated April 30, 1866, sends the pedigree of the Wilkinson family from which Lawrance is descended, and says "In compliance with the instructions of your friend I have been looking into the business placed before me in relation to the family of Wilkinson:—Seldom or never can we connect the families of emigrants to America at that early period with their relatives in England; they were probably designedly left out of the English Pedigree, and unless they carried with them to their adopted country a clue to their English ancestry it was soon lost altogether. In Durham there is a family in which the name of Lawrance Wilkinson is found, but although I have gone through Surtee's Durham, and consulted other books, especially a List of the officers who served in the Royal and Parliamentary armies, nothing is found beyond what I send you: you will see in the Durham pedigree a William Wilkinson who may have had a son Laurence Wilkinson, who was the emigrant, but this seems to be the only probability gathered from our books.

The Pedigree forwarded contains the name of Lawrance's father, and is given elsewhere. The Rev. John Dingle under date of March 23, 1866, says: "You will perhaps be aware that, during the Commonwealth the registers were kept by the civil authorities. It so happened that one of our books containing the registers for fifty years (1603-1653) came to a conclusion while that regulation was in force, and another was commenced. The former was never restored to the church, and I have never been able to get any trace of it, though it must probably be among the public records somewhere. The name Lawrance Wilkinson however, occurs in our Registers, and names of the family who resided at Harperly in this district abound. There is another Harperly _____ Darlington, where an old family of Wilkinson's still resides, and I should imagine that they must have originally been the same. A Lawrance Wilkinson is mentioned as having had one daughter baptized in 1587, and a son in 1590. This is perhaps the grandfather referred to; another is mentioned as having one daughter in 1653, and another in 1654; and his death occurred in 1674, or 1683, as in each of these years the burial of a person of that name is mentioned."

In another communication to the author from "Lanchester Parsonage" under date of Jan. 16, 1867, he says: "It appears from the Register that the Wilkinsons were living at Harperly both before and after the period you refer to, (1645-1652) but even if the estate was sequestered it is not improbable that it was granted to another branch of the family of which there appears to have been several branches located on various estates in this neighborhood. How the different branches have been related I have been unable to trace, but that there has been some connexion sic appears from the use of certain peculiar christian sic names."

These with the researches and positive statements of Mr. Somerby, give us the ancestry of Lawrance, and I shall now enter upon such facts, and incidents concerning him as may be found in our own records which have been carefully and thoroughly examined.

From the pedigree forwarded by Courthorpe, and the researches of H. G. Somerby, Esq., made at the insistence of W. H. Wilkinson, merchant, formerly of Boston, Mass., now of Sidney, New South Wales, Australia; it appears Lawrance Wilkinson, our paternal ancestor and the first of our kind in America, was the son of William Wilkinson, and Mary (Conyers) his wife, sister of Sir John Conyers, Bart., and grandson of Lawrance Wilkinson of Harperly House, Lanchester, County Durham, England. Nothing, or but little is known of his early youth. At a later period we find him a Lieutenant in the Royal Army, fighting for the Crown and endeavoring to sustain the tottering throne of his sovereign, King Charles I. against the usurpation of Cromwell. He was however, taken prisoner at the fall of Newcastle, and his estates were sequested by order of Parliament. The following is taken from the Register's office in Durham.

"Sequestrations in Durham, 1645-47.  Lawrance Wilkinson, of Lanchester, officer in arms, went to New England."

With the permission of Lord Fairfax, he left his father-land never to return. On his arrival at Providence, he was immediately received into the fellowship of the infant Colony, and lands were granted to him as will appear from the following

Documentary Evidence.
See "Records of the Town of Providence, 1637 to 1682."

The first mention of his name on this side of the Atlantic is that found in the book "First Book of Records," page 87 or the "2d Old Book" with brass clasps, pages 30-31, where he with a number of others, appended his name to the original civil compact of the founders and early settlers of the colony established by Roger Williams, dated as follows:

"The 19th of the 11th Month, 1645.
"We whose names are hereafter subscribed having obtained a free grant of twenty-five acres1 of land apeice sic with right of commoning2 according to the said proportion of lands from the free Inhabitants of this Town, do thankfully accept of the same and hereby do promise to yield active, or passive obedience to the authoritys of King and Parliament [The Estate of England3] established in this Colony according to our Charter4, and to all such wholesome laws and orders that are or shall be made; also not to claim any Right to the Purchase of the said Plantation5, nor any privilege of vote in Town affairs untill we shall be received as free men6 of the Town of Providence.

John Brown,
Lawrance Wilkinson,
Samuel Bennett,
Pardon Tillinghast,
Daniel Cumstocke,
Edward Smith,
William Fenner,
Benjamin Smith
John Fenner,
John Joanes,
John Smith,
John Sayles,
Thomas Clemenie,
John Clawson,
Stephen Northup,
Henry Shepard,
Thomas Hanklin,
Daniel Brown,
Robert Pyke,
Benjamin Herden,
Epinetus Olney,
Mathewin Bellou
Edward Inman,
John Steere,
Thomas Walwin,
Henry Reddock,
George Way.

"N. B. All those signers of this agreement did not do it at the date, but as they were received into Towne fellowship. See page 137 and 138 &c., for several of them in the year 1651. M. B."7

The present inhabitants of Providence will recognize among these names, the ancestors of some of the first men of the State. The Browns', the Fenners', the Smiths', the Olneys', the Steeres', the Sayles', the Tillinghasts', and the Ballou's of the present generation, not only hold possesion of some part of their ancestors' estates, but are honored with the highest civil and military positions in the gift of their fellow-citizens.

The following things are noticeable in the foregoing agreement, viz., observe:
  1. The free gift of twenty-five acres.  These were quarter right grants.

  2. The right of commoning was not only the right to pasture cows, cattle, sheep, horses, &c., but of tilling the land on the stated common, and other commons of the Freeholders.

  3. The Estate of England is marginal, and was added at a later date. The unsettled state of England in the wars of King Charles and his Parliament gave rise to this.

  4. It appears they had a charter. Roger Williams had secured one in 1644.

  5. They were not to claim any right to the Purchase of the said Plantation. The original purchasers have been elsewhere given, and they claimed special privileges and rights not yet granted to these new comers.

  6. They must be received as freemen in order to entitle them to the privileges of the elective franchise.

  7. The note would give latitude to the arrival of given signer of this agreement, but some one or more signed at the date, but what particular ones it is impossible now to determine. Hence, Lawrance Wilkinson may not have arrived in this Colony on the date above written. The names are placed at random, not in order consecutively, or in columns, but hap-hazard, and several of them by their marks, while the Clerk appended their name. Some signing by a mark or cross were able to write, as their signatures to other articles plainly show. Other names signed are erased.

The following is the first record I am able to find after the civil compact above mentioned. It is said the early records of Providence were loosely kept, and a part of them were lost when the town was burned during King Philip's war, hence this may in fact not be the next mention of his name. It is very singular that he should be ten or twelve years in the Colony, or even five or six years, without manifesting that aggressive spirit which characterized his later years:

  1. "At a Quarter Court, Jan. 27, 1657. Ordered that Lawrance Wilkinson shall have three acres of land lying by the New field beyond the great Swamp."*

Where the "New Field" or the "Great Swamp" was I am not able to state, but certain sections then described as swamps are tillable lands now.

The boundaries of Lawrance Wilkinson's land are partially described by the following records:

  1. "Robert Colwell had a house lot of five acres laid out to him in the Neck being at the head of a lot which the said Robert Colwell sold unto Roger Mowry, only a highway between, bounding on the north with the land of Anna Smith (which formerly was John Smith's, Mason's) on the south with the land of Lawrance Wilkinson, and on the east end with the land of Lawrance Wilkinson, &c.†  Laid out by R. Waterman, Town Deputy, 1658."

  2. "At a Town Meeting, May 15, 1658. Mr. Olney moderator. Ordered, that all those who enjoy lands in the jurisdiction of this town are Freemen."‡

Lawrance Wilkinson was admitted as a Freeman at this time, if he had not been before; but this by no means determines the point. No other record however has been found of his admission prior to this.

*  Book of Deeds transcribed, p. 110 and 2nd Old Book, 74.
†  Book, 29.
‡  Book Records, p. 108.

  1. "At a Quarter Court, Jan. 27, 1659.
    "Chosen Jury man for this quarter, Thos. Arnold, Wm. White, Thos. Walling, Valentine Whitman, Lawrence Wilkinson, and Edward Smith."*

  2. "August 15, 1659.  Lawrence Wilkinson, chosen Commissioner to the Court of Commissioners to be held at Portsmouth 23d of Aug., 1659."†

At this early date we find him a member of the Legislature, plainly showing he had gained the confidence of the people.

  1. "At a Town Meeting, March the 9, 1660-61.
    "It is granted unto Lawrance Wilkinson that he may take up the five Lott sic which Christopher Smith Laid down in the Neck in Liew of all his Right which he gott sic to take up, which is thirteen acors sic and A Hafe sic." ‡

Christopher Smith was his father-in-law. We have spoken of him elsewhere. Those familiar with the early division of the Town will recognize the location. Charles II. was restored this year, (1660) Cromwell having died in 1658.

  1. "At a Quarter Meeting, April 27, 1666. Thos. Olney moderator. Forasmuch as Lawrence Wilkinson hath desired to have a share of Meadow recorded which he hath taken up, it being lying up beyond Loquasqussuck1, northern end; it is granted that it shall be recorded when it is known whether it be not it be not within the land to be laid out on the east side of the seven mile line,2 but within the lands which were to be laid out in the first division."§

* Book of records, 1637-1682, p. 103, Providence, R.I.

† Book of records, p. 105, Providence, R.I.

‡ Book, p. 94 and I Old Book 42 Providence, R.I.

1 "Loquasqussuck— was afterwards spelled Locusquissit, or for short, Loquissit and was at, or near the place where Samuel Wilkinson, Lawrance's oldest son, settled in Smithfield about ten miles north of Providence.  The origin of the name is not known—supposed to be from the noises produced in the evening by Locusts, Tree-toads, &c. Others say it is an Indian name.||

2  The seven mile line extended from near the northeast corner of the present town of Coventry northward to the Mass. state line. It is frequently mentioned in the old records.

§ Book of records 187, Providence, R.I.

|| Jas. Wilkinson, says, "that section of the town was always called Loquissit—a militia company was known by that name—and the turnpike leading to Providence had that name, but the origin of the name is not known."

  1. "At a Quarterly meeting ______ 1667." The following were chosen Commissioners or Deputies to the General Assembly, viz.— "John Throckmorton, Edward Inman, Lawrance Wilkinson, and Resolved Arnold."*

  2. "Lawrance Wilkinson—Return Original Right.  Capt. Arthur Fenner was before me the 9th day of June 1703, and acknowledged that when he was one of the Town Surveyors; he Layed out to Lawrance Wilkinson of Providence a tract of Swamp Land neare ye place commonly called the World's-End Meadow, Lying on both sides of the river Moshasuck River, Joining on the south to a Swamp of Samuel Whipples, the Southeastern corner of Said Land is a white oke tree on the east side said River marked—the southwest corner of said Land is a Red oake tree on the west side of said River marked—the northwest corner of said Land is a white oake marked on ye west side of said River—the north east corner of said Land is a blacke oake tree on the east side of said River marked—the said Land aforementioned that is contained within the bounds prescribed is about twelve acres; this land abovementioned was Layed out by mee, Arthur Fenner, Surveyor a little before the Indian warr broake out, when King Phillip Rose in arms against the English in the month of June 1675.
    These lines were acknowledged for a truth by Arthur Fenner, Surveyor, the day and year aboue written.
    Befor me, Joseph Williams, Assisant.
    Recorded this 15th day of ffebruary, 1716-17.
    mee Richard Waterman, Clerke."
The above gives us some idea of the timber that covered the land in the early days, and indicates the nature of the soil. No one from present appearances would ever imagine the character of the primeval forests.

* Staples' Annals of Providence.

The exact locality of this land has not been determined, it was somewhere on the Moshassuck, and near the "World's-End Meadow." Those familiar with these ancient names would have no trouble locating it. Moshassuck, or as it is sometimes spelled, "Mooshassic," is the perpetuated Indian name of the river which empties into the cove from the north. It is now a mere walled canal spanned by bridges. Two centuries ago, the scenery of its banks was regarded as "sacredly Romantic."

  1. May 6, 1673. "Laid out unto Lawrance Wilkinson one lot on the plain where his cellar is—in length one hundred and twenty poles, and in breadth eighty poles."*

The Return of sixty acres occurs with a large number of others, viz:  William Hakeniss, John Steere, Gregory Dexter, Arthur Fenner, S. Manton, Richard Waterman, Edward Manton, Thomas Arnold, William Wickenden, Hannah Ballou, Robert Pyke, John Field, and Edward Inman; Richard Pray, George Shepard, William Fenner, &c.

The date preceding is May 6th, 1673, and is prefixed to a remonstrance against the oath of allegiance required by the King of England.

  1. "Oct. 1673.  At Quarter Court &c.
    Lawrance Wilkinson chose Grand Juryman."†

  2. April 28, 1673.  "At a town meeting 28th of April, (the 27th being the Quarter day but it fell to be the first day of the week) 1673. Mr. Arthur Fenner, Moderator.

    This day were chosen men to serve at the General Assembly at Newport, for deputies:  John Throckmorton, William Harris, Anthony Everinden and Lawrance Wilkinson."‡

Providence and Newport divided the honors of entertaining the Legislature of the colony at an early period.

The following are the lots drawn at different times by the Purchasers of the town of Providence.

* Book of Records, 279, Providence
†   "     "       "      281,     "
‡   "     "       "      272,     "

  1. Lands drawn on the "Stated Commons:"

Lawrance Wilkinson drew Lot No. 41.

The Stated Common was situated where the State Prison now stands, and extended back over Smith's Hill into the country. It consisted of a thousand acres, and was divided into 104 shares, and then numbered and drawn by the shareholders. Many years after the original drawing (June 15, 1724) this tract was platted, and filed in the Clerk's office of the city of Providence.

  1. Lands drawn on the South Side of Olney Street:

Lawrance Wilkinson's name appears upon the original plat, now (1865) in the office of the "Society for the Improvement of Domestic Industry," Providence, R.I.

How much land was included in these draughts is not known by the compiler. The Plat was projected in 1718, several years after the drawing took place. The lots were larger than those on the Stated Common, and were intended to be of equal value.

  1. Lands drawn west of the "Seven Mile Line:"

"April 12, 1675. The names of those which drew papers and their places in order as it fell unto them at a Town Meeting the 12th of April 1675. Capt. Fenner, Moderator, it being for the dividing of land beyond, or on the west side of the seven mile line, as followeth &c. Lawrance Wilkinson drew Lot No. 72."*

* Book of records, 304-5.  For the number of acres contained in one of these draughts, see Return Original Right. Benj. Wilkinson, "Laid out on the original Right of Lawrance Wilkinson and in the Hundred and Seventy acre division. Recorded in the Providence Purchaser's Records, p. 258.  Rich'd Brown, Clerk."

  1. Lands drawn between the Seven Mile Line and Four Mile Line:

May 24, 1675.  "The names of those which drew papers and their places in order as it fell unto them at a Town Meeting, May 24, 1675. Thomas Harris, Moderator, it being for the dividing of the Land between the "Seven mile line," and the "Four mile line," east side of the Seven mile line, &c.*

Lawrance Wilkinson drew Lot No. 20."

  1. Lands drawn west of the Seven mile line (2d Division):

March 17, 1683-4.  "List of Draughts made 17th March, 1683-4 for the division of land on the west side of the Seven mile line, &c.

Lawrance Wilkinson drew Lot No. 32."†

From the records it appears Lawrance took up about 1000 acres of land in and around Providence, and if he lost his patrimony in the old world by sequestration, he was not long in gaining a larger estate in the new.

  1. The following Deed from Lawrance Wilkinson to his son Josias, bearing date Aug. 31, 1691; about one year before his death is the last record of the transfer of property that we find, and is interesting as it describes the residence of our paternal ancestor in Providence. It reads as follows:

    Deed from Lawrance Wilkinson to his son Josias Wilkinson:

    "To all these presents shall come:  Know ye that I Lawrance Wilkinson, as well for the naturall loue and affection which I have and beare unto my well beloved son Josias Wilkinson of Providence (&c) give (&c) a certain house and lot which the said Lawrance Wilkinson dwelt on, as also, Twelve acres of swamp bounded upon ye land of Samuel Whipple, and on ye north end on James Ashton's meaddow; together with three parts of a purchase Right in Common:  All which said houses and lands herein speciffied are in ye possession of Lawrance Wilkinson aforesaid until signing hereof, and then revert unto Josias Wilkinson, his heirs, or assignes forever as his or their own proper estate, according to the Tenour of East Greenwitch in Kent, free from all Mortgages, Leases, Jointures, Dowers, Intails, Wills, Judgments, Executions, or any other encumbrances whatsoever committed or done by me, the said Lawrence sic Wilkinson, my heirs and assigns forever; to the only purpose and behoof of ye said Josias Wilkinson his heirs and assigns forever; And I Lawrance Wilkinson do covenant and agree (usual full covenants).

    In witness whereof I haue hereunto set my hand seale this thirty and one day of August in the yeare of our Lord God, one thousand six hundred and ninety one, and in ye third yeare of their Majestyes Reigne—William and Mary.

    Signed, sealed and delivered

    with the Presence of us
    		   Lawrance Wilkinson (L. S.)
        Jonathan Sprague

        Mehettabell Sprague.

    Recorded Nov. 2, 1708, Thos. Olney, Clk."*

Rev. Jonathan Sprague, the subscribing witness, was a Baptist minister, and preached for many years to a society in the east part of what is now Smithfield, and died Jan. 1741, 2 aged 93. He is the author of the reply to the association of Ministers of Mass., which is preserved in Benedict's History of the Baptists,† and was a very judicious, talented and pious man.‡ He was a firm friend of the Wilkinson family, and was called upon at a subsequent period to aid the heir of this property in securing her rights.

Josias' daughter, Hannah, married James Dexter, and the original residence of Lawrance Wilkinson in Providence, is now known as the "Old Dexter Place."

About one year after this deed of gift, Lawrence sic departed this life and the following

  1. Letter of Administration was granted:

"At a meeting of ye Town Councill ye Aug. 31, 1692:
Whereas Lawrance Wilkinson of this Towne of Providence departed this life the 9th day of August, 1692, and dieing intested, an Inventory being taken of the said Lawrance Wiilkinson, sic his estate, and hath been this day by ye councill examined; And whereas Samuel Wilkinson and John Wilkinson, hath desired administration upon their said deceased Father; his Estate; Samuel Wilkinson and John Wilkinson have this day given in Bond to ye Councill to legally Administer upon their deceased Father, Lawrance Wilkinson, his estate; the Town Councill thereupon have given unto them a letter of Administration to Administer upon said estate."*

* Book of Deeds, pp. 109-110, Providence
† Benedict's History of Baptist, p. 469
‡ Backus' Church History of N.E., p. 149. Am. Tract Society Ed.
* Council Records, p. 1
I have presented this documentary chronologically and consecutively for obvious reasons, and will now speak of his marital relations.

Lawrance married Susannah Smith; only daughter of Christopher Smith.† He appears from the records to have been quite a prominent man in the infancy of the Colony. Savage mentions his name in the list of freeman, 1655.

"He was chosen at a Quarter Court, 27th of the 2d month, [April] 1655. Roger Williams being Moderator, for the General Court and Province of Mass., &c."

One Capt. Reyne having lost a servant by the name of James Bitts, a Scotchman, the Town of Providence voted to return him to the Court of Seacunck. As Bitts was refractory and refused to go, Capt. Reyne desired aid. "Christopher Smith," says the record, "to the good example of all younger persons, willingly offered himself to help."‡

June 4, 1655, he was chosen Sergeant and filled the office acceptably.§  He had a share of meadow laid out to him "beyond a meadow commonly called the World's End, in lieu of a share of a meadow formerly laid out to him between the great meadow & Pawtucket path."||

The Pawtucket Path has become a noted highway in N.E. On the same page his name is mentioned again, and "Richard Waterman and Thomas Harris were appointed to set bounds between him and Thomas Olney, jr., in the Stamper's Bottom."

June 27, 1658, he took up sixty acres of land and one share of meadow.* In 1672, he gave a deed of real estate to Shadrach Manton.† In this deed his wife's christian name is mentioned. It was Alce, not Alice, as Savage has it. No name has been more frequently repeated in the Wilkinson family, or at least in certain branches of it. Even at the present day the name occurs in more than one family.

Christopher Smith's name has been perpetuated in Providence by Smith's Hill, as his first share of lands was bounded as follows:  "On the north, and on the south, with the Brow of the hill, &c."‡ He was more than once elected Deputy to the General Court, and held other offices in the Colony. We have no account of any other child save the wife of Lawrance Wilkinson. She proved to be an excellent wife, and a kind and affectionate mother. Her impress was made upon her offspring, and her life in the wilderness of the New World was marked with peculiar success. She is the mother of us all, and we rejoice to do her reference.

"As morning when she shed her golden locks
And on the dewy top of Hermon walked,
Or Zion hill, so glorious was her path."

We have no record of her death, nor place of burial.§ She probably died before her husband, as no mention is made of her in the records.

This closes the documentary evidence of Lawrance Wilkinson. He had been in America between forty and fifty years, and had become the father of six children, three sons and three daughters. He had been a firm supporter of the grand doctrine of soul liberty, and aided as a citizen in establishing the Colony on a firm basis, and in protecting it against the encroachments of Massachusetts on the one side, and Connecticut on the other. He added his influence and voice in enacting, as legislator, some of the wisest and best laws that ever blessed and honored any government. He aided in the wars with the Indians, nor laid down his arms tiil sic they were thoroughly subdued. He became the owner of many broad acres upon which he settled his three sons, and endowed his daughters—he was respected and honored by his fellow-citizens, and at last fell asleep and rested from his toils.

"Life's blessings all enjoyed, life's labor done
Serenely to his final rest he passed;
While the soft memory of his virtues, yet
Lingers like twilight hues, when the bright sun is set.

No stone marks his grave; and, as Roger Williams, the Founder of the colony was buried, and his grave forgotten; so with many others of the first settlers, his place of interment is not known.

For other facts concerning Lawrance Wilkinson, see Biography No. 1.


† "Smith, Christopher, Providence,—in the list of freemen there, 1655,—had a daughter Susanna, who married Lawrance Wilkinson; engaged for allegiance to Charles II., June, 1668. In 1672, his wife was Alice(?) but what was her family name, or whether she were first, 2d, or later wife is unknown." Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of N.E.

‡ Book of Records, p. 123, Providence.

||       do.               113,     do.

* Book of Records, 81, Providence.

†       do.            290,     do.

‡ Book of Records, 39, Providence

§ See Memorials of Roger Williams by Z. Allen, p. 9


Second Generation.

1. Lawrance Wilkinson1[1]
            and
    Susannah Smith.  

Of Providence, R.I.

2.I. Samuel,2 (8-13) b.   d. Aug. 27, 1727.
3.II. Susannah,2b. March 9, 1652,   d.
4.III. John,2 (14-19)  b. March 2, 1654, d. April 10, 1708.
5.IV. Joanna,2b. March 2, 1657, d.
6.V. Josias,2 (20)b.     d. Aug. 10, 1692.
7.VI. Susannah,2b. Feb. 1662, d.

I.  Samuel. There has been some diversity of opinion about the birth of Samuel. An article appeared in the June number, (1865) of the Heraldic Journal—published in Boston—entitled the "Wilkinson Family and Arms," by Hon. Theodore A. Neal, which states that Lawrance Wilkinson, "after having obtained special permission from Lord Fairfax, in 1652, went with his wife and son to New England." From this record it would appear that Samuel was born in England. No record of his birth is to be found in this country, and it is probable the above statement of Mr. Neal is correct, although there is some difficulty about it. Lawrance married Susannah, daughter of Christopher Smith of Providence, but we find no account of this marriage in the old records of Providence, neither do we find any account of Christopher Smith until after 1650. He appears in the list of Freemen in 1655. After a thorough and careful search of the first records kept by Roger Williams and the town clerks of his day, we find nothing to determine this matter positively, hence we are left to conjecture, that Christopher Smith came to Providence after Lawrance Wilkinson had established himself there. No record of Samuel's birth has been found anywhere, neither have we any data to determine it. The birth of his next younger sister, as given by Savage, occurred March 9, 1652. He was then in Providence.

[HOME]     [TOC]     [NEXT]     [TOP]