Thomas Wells (abt. 1626 - abt. 1699)

Born about 1626 in Colchester, Essex, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 12 Feb 1699 at about age 73 in Westerly, Kings, Rhode Island

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Biography

Thomas Wells Sr.

Thomas Wells was one of the early band of planters at Pequot Harbor; probably on the ground in 1648, and certainly in 1649. He was a carpenter, and worked with Elderkin, on mills and meeting houses.^[1]

" 22 Feb. 1648, ['49.] The inhabitants of Pequit plantation have chosen by a joynt consent Mr. John Winthroup, Robert Hempsteed, Caiie Latham, John Stubens and Thomas Minor for this yeare following to act in all towne afiaires as well in the disposing of lands as in other prudentiall occasions for the towne.^[1]

" The same day the inhabitants did consent and desier that the plantation may be called London."^[1]

Thomas Wells was an early settler of the Pequit or London Plantation, or Lon'on Towne or "New Lon'on" (now New London, CT.) Thomas Wells was granted a home lot, (1 of 36 lots,) in the London Plantation on Feb. 16, 1649-50.^[1]

The last notice of him on the town record [New London} is in 1661, when Wells and Elderkin were employed to repair the turret of the meeting-house. No account can be found of the sale of his house or land. He may have left the settlement, or he maybe concealed from our view by dwelling on a farm remote from the center of business.^[1]

Thomas Wells removed from New London, CT to Ipswich, MA, where he was engaged in shipbuilding until 1677, at about which date he removed to Rhode Island and lived in Wellstown.

A Thomas Wells was found at Westerly, RI, about the year 1677, engaged in constructing vessels at a ship-yard on the Pawkatuck River [The Pawkatuck River divides CT from RI, Westerly is on the River, and is 17 miles from New London.] He is styled, " of Ipswich [MA], shipwright." In 1680, having a lawsuit with Amos Richardson, respecting a vessel of forty-eight tuns burden, which he had contracted to build for him, two of his sons appeared as witnesses, viz., Joseph, aged twenty-two, and Thomas, seventeen. Of Thomas Wells [Jr.], we have no later information, but his fraternity to Joseph Wells is thus established.^[1]

Birth

Thomas Wells was born about 1626 in Colchester, Essex, England. His parents were Nathaniel WELLS and [__?__]. He emigrated with his parents in 1629 and landed at either Salem or Boston^[2]. This birth date is supported by his being granted a home lot at London plantation in February, 1649/50.^[1]

Marriage

Thomas Wells married Naomi MARSHALL on 12 Feb 1655 in Boston, Mass^[3]. Naomi Marshal was baptized 24 Jan 1637 in Salem, Mass. Her parents were Edmund MARSHALL and Millicent BLINMAN. Naomi died in 1700 in Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island.

Children

Children of Thomas and Naomi:

1. Joseph Wells (1), b. 7 Jun 1656 at Boston, MA; d. bef. 1658 [Died young]^[4].

2. Joseph WELLS (2), bp. 1658 Boston MA.; m. Hannah REYNOLDS on 28 Dec 1681; d. 26 Oct 1711 at Groton, New London, CT.^[1][5].

3. Thomas Wells Jr. b. 4 Dec 1661 at Boston; m. Sarah Rogers 1691; d. 29 Jun 1716^[6]. Birth year conflicts with the statement that Thomas Wells Jr. was 17 years old in 1680. This suggests that Thomas was born ca. 1663.^[1] It is possible that theer were two sons named Thomas, one born in 1661, the other born in 1663. More investigation is necessary.

4. Mary Wells b. 15 Apr 1665 at Ipswich, MA; m. Ezekiel Maine on 15 Dec 1690; d. 12 Jan 1693 at Stonington, CT.^[7]

5. Ruth Wells b. 1667 at Ipswich, MA; m. James Kenyon on 1690 at South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island; d. aft. 1720 at South Kingstown, CT.^[8]

6. Sarah Wells b. 27 Aug 1668 at Ipswich, MA; m. Joseph Clark on 11 Dec 1693 at Boston, MA; d. 1699.^[9]

7. John Wells b. 1670 at Ipswich, MA; m1. Mary Peck on 18 Feb 1697; m2. Eliza Bickford on 31 Oct 1698 in Boston, MA; d. aft. 1700 ^[10] .

8. Nathaniel Wells b. 10 Dec 1673 at Ipswich Mary Crandall on 1706 at Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island; d. 1769 at Chimney Orchard Burial Ground, Hopkington, Washington, Rhode Island^[11].

Death

Thomas died 12 Feb 1700 at Hopkinton, Rhode Island^[12].

Thomas Wells was living in New London, CT in 1661, and if the two Thomas Wells are the same, he was living in 1680.^[1]

His will is dated 27 December 1699, and proved on 12 February 1699/1700 in Westerly, Rhode Island.^[13]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9} History of New London, Connecticut: From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1860
2. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
3. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
4. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
5. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
6. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
7. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
8. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
9. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
10. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
11. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
12. ↑ Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.
13. ↑ Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9079/images/007649997_00012). Rhode Island, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1582-1932 [database on-line], Town Council and Probate Records, Vol 2-4, 1699-1736, image 12-13. Westerly, Council Records, Probate Records & Lands, 1699-1719, No. 2, Page 7-8. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Free Ancestry.com iamge of Will

• Minor Descent -- Thomas Wells Sr.

• History Book: History of New London, Connecticut: From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1860. Francis Caulkins, Applewood Books, Feb 2, 2010 - History - 716 pages. This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. 1852