Samuel Wilbore (abt. 1597 - 1656)

Born about 1597 in Sible Hedingham, Essex, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Smith) Wilbore — married 13 Jan 1620 in Sible-Hedingham, Essex, England

Descendants

Died 29 Sep 1656 at about age 59 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree [send private message] and J. Salsbery [send private message]

Samuel Wilbore migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See Great Migration Begins, by R. C. Anderson, Vol. 3, p. 1986) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

Samuel Wilbore was born in Essex, England.

Birth

Between 1595 and 1600

Samuel Wilbore was the son of Nicholas Wilbore and Elizabeth Thickines; along with his half-brother, Robert Harrington, he was his mother's executor in 1624^[1].

It is undisputed that Samuel was the first Wilbore to arrive in Colonial America; however, all of his children were born in England. His cousin, William Wilbore, the second of this family to arrive, had 10 children, all born in Colonial America. Therefore, William's first son, Joseph Wilbore, was the first male Wilbore progenitor in America.

Samuel Wilbore was of Boston, Massachusetts Bay, and declared a freeman. Both he and his wife, Anne, were admitted as members of the church in 1633.

Members further admitted upon the 1st of the 10th Moneth 1633 (December 1, 1633)

Samuell Wilbore and Anne his wife (https://www.colonialsociety.org/node/1070); Records of the First Church in Boston

He was Assessor of Taxes, November 10, 1634. To be an office holder or be given the privilege to vote, it was required for one to be a freeman. Thus, freemen were landholding, male, church members. Non-Puritans were not made freeman. Initially, a male was not formally considered free when first entering into the colony, or having become a member of the church; he was considered common. Such persons were never forced to work for another individual, per se, but their movements were carefully observed, and if they veered from the Puritan ideal, they were asked to leave the colony.

In November, 1637, Samuel was disarmed, and in March, 1638, he was banished from Massachusetts Bay having fallen out of sympathy with the major part of his fellow worshippers under the dangerous doctrine of Cotton and Wheelwright.

“Whereas I joyned with others in presentinge to the corte a writing called a petition or remonstrance* I confes it was far beyond my place and range to vse such unbeseming exspresyons to those whom the lord hath set ouer me thearfor intreat your worships to vnderstand that it is only the cause which mad me to doe it, and for my rashnes and ofence thearein I humbly craue your worships prayers to the lord for pardon and pardon from your selues: I haue bene noe enimy to this state nor through the Asistance of the lord I hope neuer shall.” ^[2]

Whereas I joined with others in presenting to the court a writing called a petition or remonstrance,* I confess it was far beyond my place and range to use such unbeseeming expressions to those whom the lord hath set over me, therefor intreat your worships to understand that it is only the cause which made me to do it, and for my rashness and offense therein I humbly crave your worships prayers to the lord for pardon and pardon from yourselves: I have been no enemy to this state nor through the assistance of the lord I hope never shall.

In other words, that in behalf of John Wheelwright in March, 1636/37, Wilbur was one of the large group of those signing this Remonstrance (a formal document of reasons for opposition or grievance) who were disarmed by order of the General Court in November, 1637. In March, 1638, he was, together with William Coddington and others, given ‘license to depart’ from Massachusetts Bay, and he went to Rhode Island.

With Coddington and seventeen others, among the best men of Boston, they purchased Aquidneck, now known as Rhode Island. Samuel formed corporation by solemn compact March 7, 1638, and was held in high esteem there for many years, so that though he had removed to Taunton, which was in Plymouth Colony at that time, his name, as senior, and Samuel, Jr., were retained on the list of freemen, 1655. The compact of Portsmouth, March 7, 1638, was as follows: "We whose names are underwritten do here solemnly in the presence of Jehovah incorporate ourselves into a Bodie Politick, and as he shall help, will submit our persons, lives and estates, unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of his given us in his holy word of truth, to be guided and judged thereby."

He was Clerk of Train Band June 27, 1638; Constable January 24, 1639; and Sergeant in 1644. In 1645 he was of Boston, Massachusetts Bay, but at the time of making his will he was living in Taunton, Plymouth Colony, and he died September 29, 1656, his first wife, whom he married in England, having died prior to November, 1645. Samuel and Ann Wilbur had at least 3 children^[3]

Surname Origin

Wyldbore is recorded in several spellings including Wildbore, Wildboar, Wildboer, Wyldbore, Wilber, Wilbor, and probably others, this is an English surname. It is of pre-7th century origins, and was originally a personal name "Wyld-bar"and does translate literally as - wild boar. This however did not refer to a persons attributes or lack of them, but was given in the period of history known as The Dark Ages, as a baptismal name of affection. The wild boar being held in high regard for its strength and ferocity, as was recognized in that it was one of the earliest of the heraldic charges which appeared officially upon a knights armour from about the year 1190. The name both as a personal name and later a surname seems to have been quite specific to the north country of England and particularly the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. This is quite appropriate given the long tradition of civil wars between the houses (families) of York and Lancaster. The first known recording is believed to be that of William Wyldbar, recorded in the Assize Court rolls of Lancashire in 1246. Another early recording and clearly one that is not related, is that of William Wyldbore in the register of the manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1307. Finally we have John Wylbor who may or may not have been related to William. He was recorded in the highly unpopular Poll Tax register for Yorkshire in 1379, although his address is not known.

"A large and influential family of the town (Little Compton) are descended from William Wildebore (1630) William Wilbore, who was born in England, and Samuel, his uncle, who was with the original settlers of Aquidneck in 1638. The name is said to have an older form, Wildeboare. The various orthography used by different families in this town, which we have followed in these personal notes, has no significance as showing times of descent. Willbour-bore-boor-bur; Wilbour-bur-ber-bor-bar, are some of the modern variations which may be seen in the records and on the monuments here."

Disputed First Wife

He married his wife Ann Bradford (daughter of Thomas Bradford of Doncaster) in England, before coming to the colonies. This information is incorrect.

Savage's "Genealogical Dictionary" states, "Samuel Wildbore with wife Ann, who was daughter of Thomas Bradford of Doncaster............was admitted to the First Church December 1, 1633........" Mr. Savage was wrong about this as it has been proved otherwise. In 1923, Benjamin Franklin Wilbour examined the original will of Thomas Bradford, and found the following statement as to his daughter, Ann: "To my daughter, Ann Wildbore, the wife of Zacharias Wildbore." Therefore, it is concluded that Ann Bradford did not marry our Samuel Wilbore. In 1607, she married Zacharias Wildbore. Also, Samuel Wilbore never spelled his name "Wildbore".

Children

Samuel and his first wife, Anne, were the parents of six known children, all baptized at Sible-Heddingham, Essex, England; two of them had died in infancy in England before he emigrated:^[4]

1. Samuel Wilbore baptized 10 April 1622; married Hannah Porter, daughter of John Porter and Margaret Porter
2. Arthur Wilbore baptized 28 December 1623; buried 2 September 1624
3. William Wilbore baptized 27 August 1626; buried 28 January 1626/7
4. Joseph Wilbore baptized 28 February 1629/30; married about 1651 to Elizabeth Farwell daughter of Henry Farwell and Olive Welby (Farwell)
5. Shadrach Wilbore baptized 6 September 1631; married 1st by 1659 to Mary Dean daughter of Walter Deane and Eleanor Cogan; married 2nd on 13 September 1692 at Taunton, Ann Bass (Paine), widow of Stephen Paine

Death & Legacy

Samuel Wilbore's death was recorded in Boston as 29 : 7 : 56, or 29 September 1656.^[5] The Will of Samuel Wilbore of Taunton, Plymouth Colony, was dated 30 April 1656 and proved 06 November 1656 at Boston.^[6][7]

He named his wife Elizabeth, who was to have his house in Boston and other moveable goods; eldest son Samuell Wilbore lands at "Road Iland," and other goods and debts due him; to son Josepth Wilbore house and land in Taunton, and land by the Taunton iron mills and his share in the iron works; to youngest son Shadrach Wilbore house an land at Taunton, other goods and stock. Wife Elizabeth and son Shadrach co-executors. Mentions also Robert Blott of Boston, Goodman Flacke, John Mockelett a Scotsman his service to son Shadrach. Witnesses were Robert Howard or Haward, William Colbron.^[6][7]

The inventory of Samuell Wilbore of Taunton, yeoman, was made 23 October 1656 and exhibited at court 03 June 1657. It was attested to by the oath of Shadrach Wilbore.^[6][7]

Notes / Massachusetts Bay Colony

The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by the owners of the Massachusetts Bay Company, which included investors in the failed Dorchester Company that had established a short-lived settlement on Cape Ann in 1623. The colony began in 1628 and was the company's second attempt at colonization. It was successful, with about 20,000 people migrating to New England in the 1630s. The population was strongly Puritan, and its governance was dominated by a small group of leaders who were strongly influenced by Puritan religious leaders. Its governors were elected, and the electorate were limited to freemen who had been examined for their religious views and formally admitted to the local church. As a consequence, the colonial leadership exhibited intolerance to other religious views, including Anglican, Quaker, and Baptist theologies.^[8]

Research Notes

Birth: January 1595

Burial: Central Burying Ground, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay^[9]

Subsequent Generations:

Samuel’s first grandchild, Hannah Wilbore (daughter of Samuel Wilbur, Jr.), was born in Boston in 1645, and she was the first Wilbore born in Colonial America.

Samuel Wilbore’s grandson, John Wilbur, born to Samuel Wilbur, Jr. in Rhode Island in 1652, was the first male Wilbore born in Colonial America; however, it is unknown if John ever married or fathered any children to carry on the family name.

Two of Samuel's other sons, Joseph Wilbore and Shadrach Wilbur, also had male heirs born in Colonial America; however, they were not the first ones born in Colonial America. That distinction would go to his cousin William Wilbore, whose second child and first born male was Joseph Wilbore.

Emmigration on the Arabella:

There are claims that Samuel came to New England as part of the Winthrop Fleet, possibly the Arabella. There is no foundation for this, and with the baptism of his son Shardrach in England in September 1631, highly unlikely.

Sources

1. ↑ Roberts, Gary Boyd. English OrigIns of New England Families, Vol. III. [1] (Citing article "The English Ancestry of Samuel Wilbore, of Boston, and William Wilbore, of Portsmouth, R. I." by Benjamin Franklin Wilbour. The will of Elizabeth (Thickines) (Harrington) Wilbore is quoted).
2. ↑ [2]
3. ↑ A register of the ancestors of Dorr Eugene Felt and Agnes (McNulty) Felt Author Holman, Alfred L. (Alfred Lyman), b. 1854, pages 233 and 234
4. ↑ Wilbour, Benjamin Franklin "The English Ancestry of Samuel Wilbore of Boston and William Wilbore of Portsmouth, RI, by Benjamin Franklin Wilbour of Little Compton, RI." The New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol, 112: 108-118, 250-257 Vol.113 (1959): 55-58, 94-104. AmericanAncestors.org ($)
5. ↑ "Early Records of Boston," NEHGR Vol. 10(1856):220.Link on Archive.org.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997D-VSPR?cc=2018320&wc=M6BX-F29 : 20 May 2014), Wills 1633-1686 vol 1-4 > image 177 of 616; State Archives, Boston. Plymouth Colony Probate Records, Vol. 2:1:49-59
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Bowman, George Ernest, "Plymouth Colony Wills and Inventories - Samuel Wilbore's Will," Mayflower Descendant Vol. 14:150-151. Link on Archive.org.
8. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Massachusetts_Bay_Colony&oldid=845036656
9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9121082/samuel-wilbor: accessed 03 October 2023), memorial page for Samuel Wilbor Sr. (Jan 1595–24 Jul 1656), Find A Grave: Memorial #9121082, citing Central Burying Ground, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA; Burial Details Unknown, ; Maintained by The DeLong Family (contributor 46542324). (NO gravestone image).

See also:

• Essex : Sible Hedingham : St Peter : Parish Register : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5817d96ae93790eb7faec3db : viewed 29 Jun 2021) marriage Samuell Wilbore to Anne Smith 13 Jan 1619/20

• Winthrop Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society[3]

• A Guide to Old Colony Wills and to other Plymouth Colony Probate Records 1621-1692. Compiled by, and Copyright © 2013-2018 by Dale H. Cook

• "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L97D-VSTY?cc=2018320&wc=M6BX-F29%3A338083801 : 20 May 2014), Wills 1633-1686 vol 1-4 > image 146 of 616; State Archives, Boston.

• "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997D-VSPR?cc=2018320&wc=M6BX-F29%3A338083801 : 20 May 2014), Wills 1633-1686 vol 1-4 > image 177 of 616; State Archives, Boston.

• A register of the ancestors of Dorr Eugene Felt and Agnes (McNulty) Felt AuthorHolman, Alfred L. (Alfred Lyman), b. 1854 Pages 315

• Wikipedia:Massachusetts Bay Colony

• "The Pioneers of Massachusetts, A Descriptive List, Drawn from Records of the Colonies, Towns and Churches, and other Contemporaneous Documents" by Charles Henry Pope, Pastor First Church, Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts; Compiler of the Dorchester/Pope Family, The Cheney Genealogy, etc. Published in 1900 by Charles H. Pope, 221 Columbus Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts

• England, Essex Parish Registers, 1503-1997, database, FamilySearch : 12 December 2014), Samuell Wilbart and Anne Smith, 13 Jan 1619, Marriage; citing Hedingham-Sible, Essex, England, Record Office, Chelmsford; FHL microfilm 1,472,365.

Event Date: 13 Jan 1619

Event Place: Hedingham-Sible, Essex, England

Gender: Male

Marital Status: Married

Spouse's Name: Anne Smith

• England, Essex Parish Registers, 1503-1997; GS Film Number 1472365, Digital Folder Number 004298612, Image Number 01484

• Wilbour, Benjamin Franklin "The English Ancestry of Samuel Wilbore of Boston and William Wilbore of Portsmouth, RI, by Benjamin Franklin Wilbour of Little Compton, RI." The New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol, 112: 108-118, 250-257 Vol.113 (1959): 55-58, 94-104. AmericanAncestors.org ($)

• Wilbor, John Reid. The Wildbores in America, a Family Tree. Saint Paul, MN, 1907. Print.

• Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633 (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1995) Pages 1986-1988. View with NEHGs Membership

Acknowledgements

• The profile created by Eunice Wilbur (Pender) on January 8, 2016