Ernie Wentrcek
email communication on December 5, 2004. "Wisdom and Stewart Info"
The Wisdom family from Berkshire, England has existed since the year 1375. Thomas Wisdom (farmer), b. 1630 at Bucklesbury, Berkshire, England; d. 1685 at Petsworth Parish, Glouchester Co., VA. (based on church records which indicate the parish budgeted funds for the keeping of the widow Wisdom). It is believed that Thomas was the son of John Wisdom, b. circa 1604 at Bucklesbury; d. before 1681. Thomas arrived in the Virginia Colony in early 1662 as a follower of Minister Thomas Vicaris of the Church of England (Episcopal) to prepare for his recent bride's arrival. He was granted 127 acres of land in Petsworth Parish on 10 April 1662, adjoing Rev. Vicaris' land. He married, circa 1661, in England Martha Collins, b. ca 1640 at Appleton-on-Eaton, Berkshire, England; arriving in the Nancemond area of Glouchester Co. in October 1662 by way of Barbados with transport provided by Colonel John Blake. In 1668 Thomas & Martha obtained additional land adjoining that of Robert Pryor and Christopher Greenway. The Wisdom land was located on Craney Creek of the Nancemond River between Petsworth Parish and Ware Parish. After Thomas' death, Martha and her children remained on their farm for many years.