John Wadleigh

John Wadleigh¹

• Marriage*: Spouse=Mary (?)²
• Immigration*: 1630; John Wadleigh and his family were probably among the passengers on the ship "Swift of Bristol", master Stephen Reekes, from Bristol, England, arriving at Saco River, Province of Maine, mid-summer 1630, by 30 June 1630. He is first documented at Saco in 1635.^3,4
• Death*: between 7 July 1671 and 20 September 1671; Wells, York Co., Maine⁵
• Note*: John Wadleigh was an early immigrant to Maine, appearing in records there from 1635 through 1663. He probably came from Bristol England, and quite possibly was in Maine by June 1630. He resided first at the Saco River, and then in the town of Wells. His lands were granted by explorer Richard Vines on behalf of patentee Sir Ferdinando Gorges. He also obtained an Indian deed for all of the town of Wells.
  
  Three children of John Wadleigh are known, presumably all born in England. Their birth dates are unknown. Mary is said to be of Bristol; and she had a child in 1653.
  
  John Wadleigh's wife in 1663 was also named Mary. It is unknown whether or not she was the mother of these children.
• Note: Richard Vines established a plantation at the mouth of the Saco River, Maine. Passengers and provisions were transported on the ship "Swift of Bristol", master Stephen Reekes, arriving mid-summer 1630. Vines formally took possession of the premises at Saco 25 June 1630. The names of the settlers who came with Vines were not recorded. Researcher Wilbur D. Spencer constructed a list of ten, including "John Wadley".³
• Note: Historian Folsom notes that the first settlers of Saco came from the counties around Bristol, Devonshire and Somersetshire, in southwestern England.
  
  That John Wadleigh came from around Bristol is supported by his granddaughter’s Canadian baptism record: In February or March 1689/90 at Berwick Maine, Martha (Mills) (Smith) Grant and her 4 1/2 year old son John Smith were captured by Indians and transported to Canada. On 29 June 1693 at Montreal she was baptized. That record states that she was "born in Sacio in New England 8 Jan. 1653 of the marriage of Thomas Mills, native of Excester in Old England and of Marie Wadele native of Brestol near London ..."^6,7
• Note: John Wadleigh is first documented at Saco in 1635: A Richard Williams died there intestate "about the beginning of March 1634/5". His estate was appraised 15 June 1635 by John Wadlow and others. In 1660 John Wadleigh deposed that he was one of the appraisers of that inventory taken at Saco at Winter Harbor.⁴
• Note: A document dated 7 Sept 1636 lists the residents at Saco taxed for support of a minister, including the name John Wadlow.⁸
• Note: On 1 April 1639 Richard Vines, on behalf of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, authorized John Wadlowe of Saco, planter, to take possession of a sufficient lot of land in Yeapskessett River to plant inhabit.
  
  Spencer explains that Neapskessett was the Indian name for Little River with tributaries Maryland River and Branch Brook, located in the center of the town of Wells, then an unbroken wilderness. Spencer further states that "Wadley soon claimed a large area in the heart of the town."^9,10,11
• Note: On 20 Nov 1645 Richard Vines, on behalf of Thomas Gorges, granted to John Wadlow and Edmond Littlefield of Wells 200 acres of land on the south west side of the Obumkegg River (Ogunquit) from the falls to the river mouth.
  
  Spencer notes that the Wheelwright Exeter exiles of 1641 were on the eastern side of the river.
  
  The falls are about one mile inland.^12,13,14
• Note: Owners of a conflicting patent for Lygonia attempted to include Wells within their western boundary. See Spencer regarding Cleave in 1647; and York Deeds, vol. p. 113-4, regarding Edward Rigby, 1650, 1652. Spencer reasons that in response to this pressure Wadleigh obtained additional title from the Indians.
  
  Folsom points out that "Under the jurisdiction of Mass., Indian titles were held valid where previous grants had not been made. A small part only of the township of Wells had been taken up previously to the date of Chabinocke's will."^11,15
• Note: On 18 October 1649 Sagamore [Indian chief] Thomas Chabinocke of Nimscoscocke, by the terms of his last will and testament, and with the consent of his mother Roamnascho, granted unto John Wadleigh after the death of the said Sagamore all the Sagamore's lands called by the name Nampscosocke bounding between Noguncoth [Ogunquet] and Kenebunke and up as high as Cape Porpus falls. Signed by 'The Sagamores' by mark. Witnessed by Ramanascho, and by Nell wife to Sasagowhaway the Sagamore's sister, and they confirm Ceaser consents. Also witnessed by Philemon Pormortt, William Warwell, Stephen Batson, Robert Wadleigh. On 25 March 1657 William Wardell testified that this was the act and deed of Thomas Chabinocke, the Sagamore of Wells. Recorded 28 Oct 1662 York Deeds, Book I, Part 1, Folio 128.
  
  On the reverse side of the will: On 17 October 1650 Romanascho mother of Sagamore Thomas Chabinocke of Nampscoscocke of late deceased, in consideration of £10, assigned to John Wadleigh any title or interest in the lands assigned by the Sagamore's will to John Wadleigh. Signed by Romanascho by mark. Witnessed by Philemon Pormortt, Robert Wadleigh, Sasawgowhaways, Thomas Besson, William Coole junior, & Joane Junkesquaw. Recorded 28 Oct 1662 York Deeds, Book I, Part 1, Folio 128-129.
  
  Spencer notes that the Kennebunk River was recognized as the eastern boundary of the town of Wells. And titles on the westerly side of the river sprung from Wadley, or grants from the town after 1650. He also notes that the Cape Porpoise River is now known as the Mousam.
  
  The mouths of the Oququet and Kennebunk rivers are about eight miles apart. The Mousam is between them, and its falls are about eight or ten miles inland.^16,17
• Note: On 31 March 1650 John Wadleigh took possession of the premises in this paper contained and delivered to his son Robert Wadleigh as joint purchaser laying the whole continent from Cape Porpus falls to Ogunquet. And further he assigned the same as it shall be inhabited to be liable to all common charges and rates for the town of Praeston alias Wells. Witnessed by Philemon Pormortt, William Warwell, Ezek. Knights, William Hamons & Edmund Littlefield. Recorded 28 Oct 1662 York Deeds, Book I, Part 1, Folio 129.
  
  Spencer states: "The next year [1650] Wadley disposed of his interest in all of the territory west of the Neapskessett River to his son Robert, but continued to occupy the premises during his lifetime."^18,19
• Note: On 5 July 1653 the freemen of Wells, under pressure, signed there submission to the governance of Massachusetts. They included John Wadleigh and Robert Wadleigh. John Wadleigh was among the five first appointed selectmen.²⁰
• Note: On 13 March 1659/60 John Wadleigh of Wells and his son Robert Wadleigh sold to Daniel Epps a major portion of their lands purchased from the Indian Thomas Chabinocke, specifically those lands between Little River (Neapskessett) and Kennebunke River, inland as far as Cape Porpus Falls. Exceptions were made for lands of other settlers, and thirty acres for John Wadleigh.^21,22
• Note: On 19 December 1663 John Wadleigh of Wells, with the consent of his wife Mary Wadleigh, sold to Francis Littlefield senior seven and a half acres of salt marsh in Wells. Signed by John Wadleighs and Mary Wadleigh, both by mark. Acknowledged by both 18 April 1664. Recorded York Deeds, 6 May 1664.²
• Note: On 18 July 1664 John Wadleigh of Wells in York county granted to his daughter Mary Mills and her children title to the land which they dwelled upon in the town of Wells and other lands along the Webhannet River, reserving to himself and his heirs the privilege of placing a mill and dam on said brook. Recorded York Deeds 4 June 1686.
  
  On 16 April 1683 Robert Wadleigh of Exeter in the province of New Hampshire, being the executor of the last will and testament of his father John Wadleigh, ratified the deed. Witnessed by John Gillman senior and John Wadleigh. Recorded York Deeds 4 June 1686.²³
• Note: Will of John Wadleigh senior of Wells, York County, Maine. Dated 7 July 1671, inventory 20 Sept 1671, proved 3 July 1672, recorded in Court Records of York County 18 July 1672. Requests to be buried by his deceased wife. Bequeaths all his houses and lands in New England to son Robert Wadleigh. Bequeaths a pair of oxen named Sparke and Berey which are in the hands of John Cloyce to his daughter Mary Mills. Divides his cattle two thirds to his daughter Mary Mills, one sixth to his daughter Joan Thing, and one sixth to his son Robert. Cattle to be delivered to his daughters within eight months of his decease. Son Robert named executor. Edward Rishworth of Yorke and Samuel Wheelwright of Wells to become supervisors of his will. Witnesses Samuel Wheelwright, Robert Paine junior and Sam Austin. Inventory by James Gouch and James Smith, £453. Abstracted by Jeff Moore.¹

Family:

Mary (?) d. bt 1664 - 1671

• Marriage*: Spouse=Mary (?)²

Children:

Joanne Wadleigh¹
Robert Wadleigh+ ¹ d. a 28 Oct 1701
Mary Wadleigh+¹