George Wightman

Notes:

George came to America sometime between 1653 and 1663. His older brother, Valentine, was already here in Providence, where his first child was born in 1653. Their grandfather Edward had been burned at the stake in England for his faith, so they came here for religious freedom, as many RI families did.

The area called Quidnessett was defined in 1659 by agreement with Indian sachem Kachanaquant; its boundaries were the Potomomut River (now Hunt's River) on the north, the Indian road or Pequot Path (now Post Road) on the west, Richard Smith's land (Wickford area) on the south, and Narragansett Bay on the east, totalling about 6x3 miles.

In 1660 the Atherton Company, a group of land speculators from MA Bay Colony and CT, was ordered by the Assembly to open up the Quidnessett tract to purchase by private individuals. Valentine Wightman, George's brother, procured an area of 100-plus acres bordering the bay. This land soon became the property of his brother George, and was handed down intact through 6 generations and known for over 200 years as the Wightman homestead in Quidnessett. George later acquired more land, totalling about 2000 acres.

For a fascinating history of the Wightman family, see: http://www.concentric.net/~Ssbray/wightman.htm

George married Elizabeth Updyke Abt 1663, Cocumscussuc, Kingstowne, RI. Elizabeth (daughter of Gysbert Updyke and Catherine Smith) was born Abt 27 Jul 1644, New Amsterdam, America; died Between 25 Dec 1712 and 26 Apr 1716, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI. [Group Sheet]

1. Elizabeth Wightman was born 26 Jul 1664, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI; died Abt Jan 1756, North Kingstown, RI.
2. Aylice Wightman was born 29 Dec 1666, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI; died Aft 30 Dec 1747, Exeter, RI.
3. Daniel Wightman was born 2 Jan 1667/68, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI; died 31 Aug 1750, Newport, RI.
4. Sarah Wightman was born 25 Feb 1670/71, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI.
5. George Wightman was born 8 Jan 1672/73, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI; died Abt Jan 1761, Warwick, RI.
6. John Wightman was born 16 Apr 1674, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI; died Abt Apr 1750, Exeter, RI.
7. Samuel Wightman was born 9 Jan 1675/76, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, RI; died Abt Jun 1724, North Kingstown, RI.
8. Valentine Wightman was born 16 Apr 1681, Quidnessett, North Kingstown, Washington Co., RI; died 7 Jun 1747, Groton, New London Co., CT.

Notes:

Edward was publicly burned at the stake for his faith.