Wilds, all converts to the Shaker faith under the preaching of Ann Lee, and by so doing severed all family ties, and they with their children were merged in the Shaker community, and Elijah Wilds, Jr., was appointed an elder at the organization of the society in Shirley, and continued in the office up to the time of his death, March 14, 1829, at the age of eighty-three years. Anna Wilds was born February 15, 1779, and with her parents and grandparents became members of the Shaker community at Shirley, and here met Flavel Coolidge, son of Elisha Coolidge, who was born January 19, 1775, died February 1, 1848. He was one of the founders of the First Universalist Church of Cambridge and a deacon for many years. Elisha Coolidge was born July 29, 1720, died August 18, 1807. Flavel Coolidge was also a convert to the faith. When he left the community in 1796 Anna Wilds also deserted it and went to live with relatives in Lancaster, Massachusetts, and it was there that her lover found her and they were married. Flavel and Anna (Wilds) Coolidge had three children born at their home at Cambridgeport, where the mother died June 28, 1874, aged ninety-five years and four months. Children: 1. Merrick, born October 6, 1806, married Sarah Ann Tucker, November, 1831, died 1850. He had two children: Helen and Anna. 2. Martha Ann, born January 19, 1814, died January 2, 1890. She married Ira Stratton, and their children were: i. Flavel Coolidge, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 4, 1836, died February 15, 1840. ii. Flavel Coolidge (2), born in Cambridge, February 14, 1840. He prepared for college at the New Salem Academy, entered Harvard University, 1858, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1861, the year in which he attained his majority. He studied law and then went abroad, visiting England, where he engaged in the banking business with Belding, Keith & Company. After returning to Cambridge he removed to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the dry goods business. Upon the death of his father, August, 1873, he retired from business and resided with his mother in Cambridge, where he died suddenly of heart failure, July 23, 1906. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was unmarried. A friend speaking of Flavel C. Stratton said "he was learned yet unpretentious, thoughtful yet not effusive in speech. Tender as a woman in his sympathies, yet lion hearted for the right." iii. Anna Maria, born in Cambridge, February 4, 1848, died September 23.

1850. iv. Martha Louise, born in Cambridge, February 4, 1851, received her education in the public schools, completing the high school course. She married, November 20, 1889, Dwight W. Ensign, see forward. 3. Flavel, Jr., born August 8, 1816, died in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, February 28, 1891. He married Betsey Perkins, and (second) Almira Peirce.

Dwight W. Ensign, above mentioned, was born in Sheridan, Chautauqua county, New York, August 2, 1839. He is the son of Seymour P. and P. and Diantha (Holmes) Ensign, grandson of Otis Ensign, Jr., who enlisted in the Continental army when sixteen years old and served five years, being one of the guard at the hanging of Major Andre, and was with General Washington at Valley Forge, when he received a scolding and apology from Washington when circumstances were explained; great-grandson of Otis Ensign, Sr., who was killed in the massacre of Wyoming, and a descendant of James Ensign, who settled in Brattle street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, about 1632, moving to Hartford, Connecticut, 1635. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Union Club of Cambridgeport and the Boston Art Club. His wife, Martha Louise (Stratton) Ensign, has travelled extensively in Europe. She is a member of the Vermont Society of Colonial Dames; Old South Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Revolution, The Daughters of Massachusetts, New England's Women's Club, Cantabrigia Club of Cambridge, Peabody Home for Crippled Children, The Home for Aged People, and other societies and organizations. Mrs. Ensign takes a deep interest in charitable and religious work. She is a member of the Second Church (Unitarian) of Boston, Copley Square.

WAKEFIELD

No less than twentyseven varieties of spelling in early records are found of the surname now spelled Wakefield in America and England. It is a town name and has been in use as a surname also in England since the beginning of the practice of having family names.

(I) John Wakefield, the immigrant ancestor of the Boston family, was born in England in 1614-15. He was according to the best information at hand, a native of Gravesend, county Kent, England, as Thomas Wakefield, probably his brother, came from

that town which was an ancient seat of this family. Thomas embarked in the ship "America," William Barker, Master, June 23, 1635, for Virginia, and it is evident that John went to the same locality about the same time. But prior to 1647 John removed to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. He had a grant of land there, but failing to fulfill the terms he forfeited it, and it was re-granted to Nicholas Butler. He was a boatman or shipwright and owned a half-interest in one old boat and one new boat at the time of his death, and it is likely that he was engaged

in coast trading. He kept up some

relations with his brother Thomas of Maryland. He took up his residence in Boston prior to 1651, and bought a tract of land on the south side of Middle street (now Hanover), extending from the corner of what is new Prince street to within ninety feet of the street now named Richmond, and to rear from Middle street, one hundred and eightyfour and one-half feet, reaching nearly to North square and North street. Through the center of this lot, nearly at right angles with Middle street, he opened a narrow lane or alley, making the entire estate accessible from Middle street. For more than a century it was known as Wakefield's alley, and in colonial days was the site of the homes of prominent and historic personages of the town. Wakefield was thrifty and fairly prosperous, but he had some serious setbacks. His house was struck by lightning March 9. 1664, and badly damaged. He was fined March 30, 1659, for entertaining a Quaker or "stranger." He was killed while helping the ropemaker, July 19, 1667, and was buried in the Granary burying ground, a short distance west of the Franklin tomb, and the inscription on the stone, the oldest in the yard, is still legible. He died intestate and his wife Ann was administratrix. She married (second) John Child, a tailor, Boston, and on the back of Wakefield's gravestone is inscribed an epitaph to Child, who died April 3, 1703, aged about eighty. Children of John and Ann Wakefield: 1. Elizabeth, born about 1638, married, August 20, 1660, Jasper Frost. John, born about 1640, mentioned below. 3. Obadiah, born about 1642, married Susannah ; (second), Elizabeth Willis. 4. Samuel, born about 1644, married, June 2, 1675. Elizabeth Dove.

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(II) John Wakefield, son of John Wakefield (1), was born in Maryland or Edgartown, Massachusetts, about 1640. He was a shipwright. He removed to Boston prior to 1651

with his parents. About 1663 he built a house on his father's homestead on Middle, now Hanover street, extending his possessions by inheritance at his father's death. He lived and died in this house which was afterward occupied by his wife Deliverance until her death in 1691. He was chosen hogreeve, March 15, 1674-75. A fire broke out November 27, 1676, in his house and caused a conflagration in which forty-five houses were destroyed, also the North Meeting House and several warehouses. But for rain and a change in the wind all that end of the town and probably Charlestown also would have been burned. The district was laid out by the selectmen and streets straightened after the fire. Wakefield was an assistant to manage the fire-engine in 1678, subscribed to the almshouse fund in 1685, and was tithingman. He was of Captain Terrill's company in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. He died

March, 1703. His will is dated October 18, 1698, and proved March 14, 1703-04. The widow died in January, 1716-17, and her son John was administrator. Children, born in Boston: 1. Deliverance, born September 8, 1664, married Joseph Bill, 2. Anna, born September 2, 1666, married, November 16, 1710, Thomas Odell. 3. John, born January 27, 1668-69, mentioned below. 4. Joseph, born 1670, married (first) Abigail Lord; (second), Esther Archer; (third), Priscilla Russell. 5. Sarah, born March 1, 1674, married, May 20, 1703, John Courser. 6. Samuel, born January 15, 1677-78, died November 12, 1709.

(III) John Wakefield, son of John Wakefield (2), was born in Boston, January 27, 1668, and inherited a part of the original homestead, but before 1718 he removed to a residence on Back, now Salem street, then owned by his father-in-law, Thomas Walker, Jr. This place was given to his wife by deed dated October 14, 1718, recorded July 12, 1738. He married, November 23, 1693, (by Rev. Cotton Mather) Elizabeth Walker, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Collins) Walker, granddaughter of Thomas and Ann Walker, and of John and Ann Collins. His wife inherited part of her father's mansion house on Orange street. Mr. Wakefield died January 31. 1735. and is buried in King's Chapel burying ground, Boston. He was a shipwright or mariner. The widow became distracted and unable to manage her affairs after his death, and her son Samuel was appointed her guardian. She died about August I. 1738. Children, born in Boston: 1. John, born August 14, 1694, baptized in Old North

Church, August 19; died March 13, 1695. 2. John, born September 19, 1695, married, December 10, 1719, Susanna Trask, of Salem. 3. Thomas, born January 5, 1698, baptized January 9; died November, 1761. 4. Deliverance, born August 17, 1699. 5. Joseph, born June 9, 1701, mentioned above. 6. Elizabeth, born July 4, 1703, married, March 22, 1722, James Adlington. 7. Miles, born September 29, 1705, died young. 8. Samuel, born July 4, 1707, married Hannah Pearle; (second), February 5, 1761, Annie Utley. 9. Benjamin, born June 23, 1709. 10. Susanna, born March 15, 1710-11, married Samuel Dolbear. II. Abigail, born June 25, 1712, married David Lennox. 12. Miles, born March 17, 1715-16.

(IV) Joseph Wakefield, son of John Wakefield (3), was born in Boston, June 9, 1701, baptized June 15, 1701, in the Old North Church. Married December 7, 1726, Mrs. Copia Love, widow of Richie Love, and daughter of Rev. Thomas and Elizabeth (Turner) Bridge. He died April, 1732. His wife Copia was administratrix of the estate of her first husband. She died August 5, 1727, about a year after the birth of her son, Thomas Wakefield. The will of Joseph Wakefield left all his estate to his only child, Thomas. Luke Hardy, of Boston, was executor. Joseph Wakefield was a periwig maker and was also in the jewelry business, a silversmith. Rev. Thomas Bridge was born at Hackney, England, in 1656, and educated at Oxford; minister in Boston. Child of Joseph and Copia Wakefield: Thomas, born August 5, 1727, mentioned below.

(V) Thomas Wakefield, son of Joseph Wakefield (4), was born in Boston, August 5, 1727, died September, 1791. Married, March 24, 1750, Dorcas Pratt. Upon the death of his mother in that or the following year he was taken by his father to the home of Dr. Abraham Gould, of Stoneham, on the road between Stoneham and South Reading (now Wakefield), to be cared for. According to family tradition he was after a time taken home, but Mrs. Gould had become so attached to the child that she could not live without him and he was allowed to return to her house, remaining until he was old enough to learn his trade, when he was bound out to William Beard, then living near the Parker Pratt house on Haverhill street, Reading, to learn the carpenter trade. It was stipulated in the papers that he should not be fed on beans and that he should have sugar on his puddings. His wife was the daughter of

Timothy (4) and Tabitha (Boutwell) Pratt, granddaughter of John (3) and Sarah Pratt. Lineage: John (2); John Pratt (1). Her father lived "side the pond" on the easterly side of what is now Main street, Wakefield, in what was called the old Harrison house. Thomas Wakefield succeeded to this homestead, which is now owned by Charles Wakefield, mentioned below. Thomas resided in Reading until 1756-57, when he removed with his family to Souhegan West, (Amherst) New Hampshire, where he lived the remainder of his days. He was a selectman, town clerk, taking a prominent part in Revolutionary affairs, and performing other important duties at Amherst. He was an honest, upright and respected citizen. His widow returned to Reading to live and died there November 25, 1802. Children: 1. Thomas, born January 12, 1751, married Elizabeth Hardy. 2. Joseph, born May 9, 1752, married, November 5, 1777, Relief Kendall. 3. Ebenezer, born November 15, 1753, married Abigail Damon. 4. Timothy, born February 5, 1756, mentioned below. 5. William, born 1757, married, November 17, 1786, Sarah Hosea. 6. Dorcas, born December 13, 1759. 7. John, born March 7, 1762, married Sarah Underwood. 8. Peter, born August 7, 1764, married, March 3, 1791, Keziah Burns.

(VI) Hon. Timothy Wakefield, son of Thomas Wakefield (5), was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, February 5, 1756, and died at Reading, Massachusetts, April 19, 1849. He married (first) Susanna Bancroft, November 19, 1778, who was born October 2, 1758, and died August 30, 1791, daughter of Joseph (5) and Elizabeth (Temple) Bancroft. Timothy Wakefield lived in Reading, Massachusetts. He was a minuteman and soldier in the Revolution, private in Captain Thomas Eaton's company, Colonel Green's regiment; also on Train Band, and fought in the attack on the retreating British, April 19, 1775, on the Lexington alarm, under Captain John Bachellor, Colonel Ebenezer Bridges; also in Captain Jesse Wyman's company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment, in 1778; also in Captain Nathan Sargent's company in 1779. He was a pensioner of the Revolution; application granted August 6, 1833. He was selectman of Reading in 1813-14. justice of the peace, captain of the Reading company, representative to the general court from 1807 to 1815, and delegate to the constitutional convention in 1820. Children, born at Reading: 1. Timothy, born September 8, 1779, mentioned below. 2. Ebenezer, born January 20, 1781,

died January 20, 1802. 3. Bridge, born June 30, 1783, married, December 20, 1812, Mary Foster. 4. Caleb, born April 18, 1785, died March 4, 1876; married (first) Matilda Poole; (second), November 3, 1823, Nancy Temple. 5. William, born July 17, 1787, married, January 1, 1812, Sally Parker; he died February 22, 1875. 6. Thomas, born February 23, 1789, died August 29, 1823; married, January 11, 1816, Nancy Eaton. 7. Susan, born March 10, 1791, died October 23, 1863; unmarried. Child of Timothy and his second wife, Hannah, John, born September 23, 1795, died May 22, 1796.

(VII) Captain Timothy Wakefield, son of Hon. Timothy Wakefield (6), was born in Reading, Massachusetts, September 8, 1779, and died there January 22, 1865. He married (first) Betsey (Elizabeth) Wakefield, of Dublin, New Hampshire, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hardy) Wakefield, October 19, 1802. Her lineage: Elizabeth (7), Thomas (6), Thomas (5), mentioned above. She was born at Amherst, New Hampshire, November 8, 1777, and died September 18, 1848. He married (second), April 2, 1849, Nancy B. Tuttle, of Stoneham, who died September 25, 1851. Married (third), Abigail Leathe, of Woburn, June 30, 1852. Timothy was a farmer; was selectman 1821, 23, 35, 36; representative to the general court 1822 to 1825 and member of the school committee in 1825. He was captain of the Reading militia company. He lived on the old Wakefield homestead, was a member of the Congregational church, and was superintendent of the Old South Church Sunday-school one year. Children, born in Reading: 1. Otis, born July 19, 1803, married (first) Abigail Hammond, September, 1836; (second) Susan Paggett; he died March 24, 1876. 2. John, born April 28, 1806, mentioned below. 3. Betsey, born April 6, 1808, married, January 9 or 10, 1833, Joseph Bancroft; she died September 28, 1844. 4. Timothy, born May 10, 1810, died August 3, 1810. 5. Abigail, born September 18, 1811, died April 1, 1847; married, October 21, 1834, Theron Parker, of Reading. 6. Bridge, born June 25, 1814, died February 2, 1853; married, April 14, 1835, Catherine Cutler. 7. Martha, born June 20, 1817, died December 23, 1859; married, February 25, 1841, Joseph L. Pratt. 8. Susanna Bancroft, born February 20, 1820, died June 17, 1885; married, April 7, 1842, Milo Parker.

(VIII) John Wakefield, son of Captain Timothy Wakefield (7), was born in Reading, April 28, 1806, and died there May 5, 1863.

He married, October 4, 1838, Sarah Parker, daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Susie Bancroft) Parker. She died November, 1891. Children, born at Reading: 1. Charles, born July 24, 1839, mentioned below. 2. Laurinda Sarah, born March 9, 1841, died November 13, 1860. 3. Olena Anna, born July 22, 1843, graduated from Reading high school in 1863; also at Bridgewater Normal school. 4. Emeline Parker, born March 2, 1846, married, June 29, 1869, Alvin Barrus. 5. John Parker, born July 21, 1848, a farmer. 6. Zelia Abbie, born August 5, 1853, married, September 20, 1883, Edward C. Packard. 7. George, born October 12, 1856.

(IX) Charles Wakefield, son of John Wakefield (8), was born in Reading, July 24, 1839. He was educated in the public and high schools of his native town, and is a farmer on the old Wakefield homestead, known as the Timothy Pratt farm, where his ancestors, mentioned above, have lived for generations. In politics he is a Republican. All his family are members of the Reading Congregational Church. He is a man of sterling character, highly esteemed by his townsmen. He married, November 25, 1868, in Boston, Mary A. Kidder, who was born September 3, 1846, the daughter of Jacob and Sabrina (Davis) Kidder, of Dixfield, Maine, and granddaughter of Jacob and Esther (Waitt) Kidder. Her father was born in Dixfield; her mother in Oxford, Massachusetts. The ten children of Jacob and Sabina Kidder were: I. Aravesta Kidder, born August 7, 1837, married Hiram Litchfield, of Reading, Massachusetts. 2. Charles H. Kidder, born July 6, 1839. 3. Oscar Kidder, born December 30, 1843. 4. Melvin Kidder, born October 5, 1845. 5. Mary Kidder, born September 3, 1846. 6. William Kidder, born July 28, 1848. 7. Beadley Kidder, born May 12, 1851. 8. Sarah Kidder, born July 11, 1853, married Alvin Jennis, of Brooklyn, New York. Lucy Kidder, born October 25, 1855. IO. Anna Kidder, born January 1, 1857, married Walter S. Adams, of Dixfield, Maine. The children of Charles and Mary (Kidder) Wakefield: 1. Charles Clyde, born September 19, 1869, married Katherine 1869, married Katherine H. Forbes, of Somerville, Massachusetts, November 10, 1900. 2. Mary Grace, born February 3, 1871. 3. Chester Kidder, born July 29, 1872, graduate of Reading high school, 1888; married Florence Morse Flockton, at Somerville, November 14, 1898. 4. Edith, born November 3, 1873, graduate of Reading high school, 1890. 5. Emma Elsie, born May 10, 1875

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