Robert Wilcox

Notes:

At the time of his marriage, Robert was of Narragansett.

Robert and his wife Sarah are found several times in the land records of South Kingstown.

There was a different Robert Wilcox in Exeter; also a Robert & Sarah in the North Kingstown records -- could be same couple.

Robert married Sarah Wilcox 20 Nov 1723, Dartmouth, MA. Sarah was born Abt 1700. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

WILCOX Robert of Narragansett and Sarah Wilcox of South Dartmouth, married at Dartmouth by Dr. James McSparran Nov. 20, 1723; Narragansett records.

1. William Wilcox died Abt May 1810.
2. Jeremiah Wilcox
3. Robert Wilcox was born 9 Sep 1729, South Kingstown, Washington Co., RI; died Abt Jun 1768.

Notes:

Stephen was of Westerly, where he had an iron works and saw mill.

Stephen married Elizabeth Crandall Bef 21 Jan 1703/04. Elizabeth (daughter of John Crandall, Jr. and Elizabeth Gorton) was born Abt 1675. [Group Sheet]

Stephen married Hannah Hazard Bef 30 Jan 1657/58. Hannah (daughter of Thomas Hazard and Martha Unknown) was born Abt 1637. [Group Sheet]

John married Elizabeth Gorton 10 Jun 1672, Warwick, RI. Elizabeth (daughter of Samuell GORTON and Mary MAPLETT) was born Abt 1645. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Apparently Elizabeth and Susan were married on the same day, if the records are accurate.

Notes:

According to researcher Alden G. Beaman, the only one of Edward's children whose existance is proven is Daniel. He also mentions a theory that Edward was possibly a son of John Wilcox, b.1580, of Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England.

However, a more recent article clarifies some family data on Edward. See "Edward Wilcox of Lincolnshire and Rhode Island" by Jane Fletcher Fiske, New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 147, April 1993, pp. 191 ff.

His name was on a list of inhabitants admitted to Aquidneck Island in 1638.

Edward — Susanna THOMPSON. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Thomas was admitted a freeman of Portsmouth, RI, in 1640.

His will, proved in 1680, mentions his wife Martha as his "beloved yokefellow"; son Robert; daughters Hannah Wilcox and Martha Potter (w/o Ichabod).

For information on the Hazard family, see "The Hazard Family of Rhode Island, 1635-1894: Being a Genealogy and History" by Caroline Elizabeth Robinson, pub 1896, at Google Books.

Thomas married Martha Unknown Abt 1634. Martha was born Abt 1615; died 1669. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Samuell always signed his name with two "LL"s.

There is an excellent biographical sketch of Samuell by Thomas Gorton in his book "Samuel Gorton and His Descendants," published by Gateway Press. Also interesting is a book entitled "Warwick Neck," compliled by a Mr. Nixon, and published by the Warwick Neck Association. It is available in the reference section of the Warwick Public Library.

Samuell Gorton was a very intelligent free-thinker who was not bound by many of the entrenched conventions of his time. This brought him into conflict with others, especially those who were in positions of power and leadership. Samuell was not hesitant to speak up about what he believed was right, both in his own defense and on behalf of other individuals, and was known to be quite candid and sometimes even sarcastic in his confrontations. While some people of his day considered him to be a rabble-rouser, his political beliefs were vindicated in time, and his religious beliefs are held by many today. I daresay most of us would have strong words for the town fathers of Massachusetts Bay, if we had the opportunity to go back and confront them. Although Gorton has been criticized by some writers, he was greatly respected and admired by many in his own time, and can be credited, along with Roger Williams, for helping to obtain the rights enjoyed by the Colony of Rhode Island, freedoms which eventually spread to the rest of America and to other parts of the world.

There is no ambiguity about his motives in coming to America; his own words were: "I came to New England to enjoy libertie of conscience in respect to faith towards God, and for no other end." Samuell arrived in Boston in March of 1636 or 1637, at the height of a controversy already raging over doctrinal differences. He soon relocated to Plymouth, whose pastor at the time, Rev. Smith, was somewhat "lacking in gifts." As Samuell led his family in times of worship and Bible study at his home, which happened to be rented from the minister, others of the community began to join them. Before long there was jealousy, with some people taking sides. When Mrs. Gorton's servant was ordered to appear in court, supposedly over some inapproprate conversation but really because she had smiled in church, Samuell told her not to go and went to court in her stead to plead her case. Because the proceedings were handled unfairly and the so-called judge criticized by Gorton, the outcome was that he was told to leave the community, which he did. Moving to Portsmouth, RI, he was one of the group who in 1639 signed the second town compact, and was referred to as "Mr." Gorton, which at that time conveyed respect. A struggle over politcal leadership was going on, involving William Coddington and Anne Hutchinson. Of course Gorton freely expressed his opinion, again incurring resentment from certain individuals. A situation with a servant again was the reason for a visit to court, but it soon turned into barrage of accusations against Samuell by the officials, mostly because he had questioned their right to be in charge at all. He and those who spoke up on his behalf were told to leave, which they did, even though the town reversed this order a month later. Gorton and his family, along with his friends and their families, moved to Providence, where most of the town leaders agreed in principle with Gorton's views. However, some key differences in opinion caused tension, so the Gortonites moved south and settled in the area now known as Warwick Neck, adjacent to the settlement at Pawtuxet. A large tract of land was purchased from the Indians, with Roger Williams helping in the negotiations. However, their troubles were not over yet, because a group of Indians on Warwick Neck, the Shawomuts, refused to leave, even though the land had been fairly purchased by the settlers. Years of controversy ensued, during which Massachusetts and Connecticut tried to use differences between the Indian tribes as an occasion to gain control of the Rhode Island territory. At one time Massachusetts even sent a raiding party down to arrest Gorton and the other families. Finally, a charter granted by the King of England and facilited by Richard Rich, the Earl of Warwick, brought resolution to the situation. Samuell named the town Warwick after the Earl. However, the Indians on the neck continued to harass the settlers up until the end of King Philip's War. That such turmoil should prevail in such a beautiful location is a shame. However, in time Samuell Gorton and his family would enjoy the fruits of their labor and persistance.

Samuell, with the help of his sons, built a house at Warwick Neck in 1677, when he was 85 years old -- the year before he died. The house burned down in 1848, and another was built on the site in 1849. There is a stone marker at the lot, 190 Warwick Neck Avenue.

Bio here:
https://www.warwickhistory.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=476:samuel-gorton-15931677&catid=57&Itemid=130

Samuell married Mary MAPLETT Abt 1629, England. Mary (daughter of John MAPLETT and Mary Unknown) was born 12 Mar 1608/09, London, England; died Aft 1650, RI. [Group Sheet]