Abner Wilcox

Notes:

Notes from John Wilcox on his family tree at Rootsweb's Worldconnect:
"Abner and Comfort Wilcox apparently suffered from marital problems, as documented in the following announcement that appeared in the The Newport Mercury November 30, 1805: 'Whereas Comfort Wilcox, Wife of the subscriber, has eloped from his bed and board, and has otherwise behaved in a very improper and unbecoming manner - this is therefore to forbid all persons from trusting or harbouring her on my account, as I am determined to pay no debts of her contracting from this date. [signed] Abner X Wilcox (his mark), Tiverton, Nov. 25, 1805.' Abner Wilcox is presumably the person referred to in the newspaper announcement that appeared in the The Newport Mercury November 07, 1829.

"Commissioners' Notice: We the Subscribers having been appointed by the Hon. Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton, Commissioners to receive the claims of the Creditors against the estate of ABNER WILCOX, late of Tiverton, dec. represented insolvent...[signed] Job Cory, John Gray, Peleg Stafford, Comm'rs...George Wilcox, Adminis'r, Tiverton, Oct 7, 1829."

The same newspaper had a prior notice of submission to probate was dated Sept. 7, 1829, establishing the approximate date of his death.

(both quotes from NEHGS, Early American Newspapers, Series I 1690-1876, ht tp://infoweb.newsbank.com)

My note: I am wondering if he is the Abner Wilcox who fathered a child with Lydia Manchester: Jeremiah Manchester born 20 Dec 1810, Tiverton, d 10 Sep 1891 Tiverton. I have not yet found another Abner Wilcox, so for the time being I am assuming he is the same individual, so I am linking Lydia and her son Jeremiah to his name, with Lydia as a second wife (possibly common law wife or not; his wife Comfort had apparently left him).

I am not sure which Lydia it was, as there were two (at least), one born in 1781 and the other born in 1791.

Abner married Comfort Brownell 17 Nov 1779, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

1. George Wilcox was born 26 Jan 1781, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI.
2. Sarah Wilcox was born Abt 1785.
3. Clarissa Wilcox was born 8 Mar 1790, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI.
4. Benjamin Wilcox was born Abt 1801; died 4 May 1869; was buried , Congregational Cemetery, Lake Rd., Tiverton, RI.

Abner married Lydia Manchester Abt 1810, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. Lydia (daughter of Job Manchester and Zilpha Woodman) was born 1781. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I don't think they were ever married, although they had a child together -- according to Jeremiah's death record.

1. Jeremiah Manchester was born 20 Dec 1810, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; died 10 Sep 1891, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI.

Notes:

William's will, dated 7 Mar 1808, mentions his late father Josiah; four sons: Thomas, Abner, Pardon, and Borden; and three daughters: Sarah, Ruth, and Nancy; also mentioned is grandson Benjamin, son of Abner.

William — Elizabeth Horswell. [Group Sheet]

Josiah — Patience Borden Chase. [Group Sheet]

Edward married Sarah Manchester 1699, Tiverton, RI. Sarah (daughter of William MANCHESTER and Mary COOK) was born Abt 1680; died Aft 1741. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She is mentioned in her grandfather's will dated 15 May 1691.