Andrew Wiggin I

Hannah's mother Anne Dudley was married in 1628 to Governor Simon Bradstreet, Governor of Mass. Her mother Dorothy York was of Royal English line. Anne Bradstreet was a poetess, author of "The Tenth Muses," 1650, the first book of poems by an English woman in America. She came to America with her husband and her father in Gov. Winthrop's party. Governor Simon Bradstreet (son of Simon, a non-conformist of England) was born 1603, and died in Salem, Mass., 1697.

Gov Simon Bradstreet and Anne had seven children, John Bradstreet was their youngest son. John Bradstreet, married 1677 to Sarah Perkins, daughter of Rev. William Perkins. John and Sarah had nine children, Simon was the second, he was born in Topsfield, Mass., 14 Apr 1682 and married 12 Oct 1711 to Elizabeth Capen, daughter of Rev. Joseph Capen.

Gov Simon came from England with Governor Winthrop, 1630; settled at North Andover, Mass., about 1644. He was the first secretary of the Colony of Mass. Bay, 1630-36; assistant 1630-78; commissioner United Colonies, 1643, '63,'66; deputy governor 1672- 76, governor 1676, '86 and '89.

Gov Thomas Dudley of the Mass. Bay Colony, was Hannah Bradstreet's grandfather. Captain Roger Dudley who died in 1585, married Susannah Thorne, baptized Yardley, Hastings, Northants, England, 5 Mar 1559/60, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Purefoy) Thorne. (Through this marriage, descendants are of Royal Descent). Governor Thomas Dudley, son of Roger Dudley and Susannah Thorne, was baptized Yardley, 12 Oct 1576, and buried in Roxbury, Mass., 21 Jul 1685. Governor Thomas Dudley came to America in the ship "Arbella"; was deputy governor of the Mass. Bay Colony 13 years, governor's assistant 7 years, and governor in 1634, 40, 45, and 50; commissioner United Colonies, 1643, 47, and 49; Lt Col Suffolk Co., Mass., 1636; commissioner of military affairs, 1636; founder of Harvard College, 1637; name on new charter of Harvard College, 1650.

Gov Thomas Dudley married in England, 25 Apr 1603, Dorothy York, born in England 1582 and died in Roxbury, Mass., 27 Jul 27, 1643, the daughter of Edmund Yorke of Northampton, England. By this marriage, there were among others, a daughter Anne.

It can be shown by the Encyclopedia Britannica and the Complete Peerage to have been a direct descendant of King Edward 1 of England, who is turn married the granddaughter of King Louis 1X (St. Louis) of France. SO THAT ALL THE WIGGINS OR DESCENDANTS, DESCENDED FROM ANDREW WIGGIN, CAN PROVE ROYAL DESCENT PROBABLY MORE AUTHENTICALLY THAN ANY FAMILY IN THE US.

From and account of the Wiggin family printed in Exeter News Letter in 1839: "Andrew Wiggin was not much in public life but in private life was much regarded. He came into collision at times with Mason and his agents, in regard to the ownership of the lands. In June 1667 Walter Barefoot entered a complaint against Andrew Wiggin for beating and bruising him in the public highway and robbing of a pistol..and several writings of great concernment."

Andrew lived on the Squamscott Patent in what is now the town of Stratham. By deed dated June 4, 1663, Thomas Wiggin and Catherine, his wife, gave to their son Andrew, "in consideration of his late marriage with Hannah, Daughter of Simon Bradstreet of Andover, Esquire," all their land known as Quamscutt, being about three miles square or thereabouts "160 pole by the water side and extending back three miles into the woods." From the will of John Cutt President of the Province of New Hampshire dated 6 May 1680: "To my son John Cutt all the land I bought of Mr. Andrew Wiggin 160 pole by the water side (more or less according to bill of sale) and three miles back into the woods, together with the marsh or meadow abreast of it. This tract of nearly one thousand acres was on the north westerly side of the tract that Andrew Wiggin received from his father.

On 4 Jun 1663 Andrew Wiggin bound himself in the sum of 500 pounds on condition that his father deed to him all his property at Quampscott, to provide for his father and mother and a maid servant in point of fiet house room and lodging etc. fit for their degree and places. "So long as they or either of them shall live and to pay unto them or the longer liver thirty pounds "annual current pay" and to his sister Mary the sum of 150 pounds within two years after demand. Also three parts of fower of all ye old engagements" that were made by his father before his (Andrew's) marriage.

By deed dated 10 Jul 1707, Andrew Wiggin conveyed land in Quamscott to his son Simon in consideration of an annuity. He also at some time sold land in Quamscott to his brother Thomas. By his will he gave his dwelling house, barn and outhouses to his son Jonathan, and other land to his sons Simon, Andrew and Bradford (Bradstreet?), his daughter Abigail French and his grandson Samuel Wentworth.

In Greenwood Cemetery in Stratham there is a prominent shaft in the center of the lot, erected by Andrew Wiggin, 1826-1888, on one face of which is the following inscription:

HON. ANDREW WIGGIN 1635-1710 SON OF GOV THOMAS WIGGIN AND SOLE OWNER OF ALL THE LAND CALLED QUAMSCUTT; NOW COMPRISING THE TOWN OF STRATHAM ERECTED BY HIS DESCENDANT ANDREW WIGGIN 1886.

The location of the Wiggin homestead in Squamscot (name changed to Stratham) was south of the railroad track and near the building which was formerly a station. The site of the original house is indicated by a depression. Gov. Thomas Wiggin and members of his family were buried on the place, in a field now overgrown, sloping towards the bay. The gravestones are gone, but his grave is marked by a boulder, placed there some forty-five years ago.

In 1994, excavation of the old homestead is taking place. a few artifacts have been located, and may be seen at the Historical Society in Stratham, NH.

After the original, another house was built, further up the slope away from the bay, which has since disappeared. A third house, built later still further up, has been enlarged and is now occupied as a residence. The entire property remained in the hands of descendants until it was sold by Mrs. Anne (Wiggin) Scammon, who now lives in Stratham. She was born and lived for years in the house now occupied by the present owner of the place.

Andrew and Hannah Wiggin spent, no doubt, a busy and happy life at "Squampscott Farm," busy because he had hundreds of acres of land to care for and besides he had his title to the land to defend.

In addition, he had a large family to provide for. Copies of ancient court records show that Andrew Wiggin had his troubles-records show his property was attached: January 22, 1683, warrant to James Sherlock gent. Sheriff to attach goods of Andrew Wiggin of Squampscott....To answer to a complaint of Robert Mason Esq., proprietor of said province for illegally keeping woods to his damage 200 pounds..... On March 24, 1683, warrant from John Tufton Sheriff for levying on the estate of Andrew Wiggin for 10 shillings damages and six pounds four shillings and eight pence; costs, being Judgement of Courte Nov 8th last given for Robert Mason the proprieter of said Province.

Again, on 1 Oct 1683, Andrew Wiggin's property attached in the sum of 3000 pounds complaint of Robert Mason Esq. Pro. of said province for illegally keeping him out of possession of lands at Swampscott to his damage 300 pounds..... The deposition of Thomas Thurston, Prov. Marshall and Wm. Godso Marshall, do testify and say that some time this last summer 1683, we went to the house of Mr. Andrew Wiggin to attach him, att the suit of the honorable Robert Mason Esq. and in the execution of our office, said "Wiggin broke out in great outtrages calling us Rogues and other abusive language and also assaulted us, which caused us to retreat before we could finish our business;" likewise reviled Squire Mason saying he cared not for Mason, he might keep his papers with much more scurilous language. Sworn in Court ye 9th March 1685/6 R. Chamberlain Prothon.

About 1685 the court found for plaintiff Robert Mason Esq. proprieter of the province of New Hampshire against Andrew Wiggin 4 pounds 7 shillings damage and cost. It seems that at one time Andrew Wiggin kept a tavern and it was probably kept in the house marked A. Wiggin Esq. on the road leading to Gt. Bridge. (Merrill's Plan.)

On the 20th of March, in the 35th year of the reign of King Charles (1683) Andrew Wiggin bound himself in the sum of 10 pounds to "well behave himself in the Tavern which he is licensed by a writing under my hand and seal bearing even date herewith, without suffering unlawful games or meetings or other disorders therein during the time of said license" this by Robert Mason Esq. Gov. May 12, 1669, a deed of Andrew Wiggin and Hannah his wife for 200 pounds to John Cutt, land in Swampscott lying at a White Oak tree marked on four sides adjoining to the Hoppole Marsh next to the lands on one George Veasey on the south side thereof and running 8 score rods upon a direct line northeast from the said marked White Oak tree standing together marked and extending itself in length from the water side three miles into the woods the breadth, the land of the same Andrew Wiggin lying in the north side thereof.

Hannah's life must certainly have been a busy one, with her household duties to attend to and her children to care for. She must have had but little leisure time. But with all theirs must have been a happy life. Squampscott seems to have been very free from Indian troubles and know they were always well supplied with the necessaries of life. Ten of their children lived to grow to man and womanhood and all were married. There were over 40 grandchildren. There is evidence that one child died in infancy. In the family bible mentioned Andrew Wiggin's will is a partial record of the descendants of this family. This bible is now probably in the possession of one of the descendants of Arthur Crocker Wiggin of Boston, Mass. Andrew and Hannah's children were Thomas, Simon, Hannah, Mary, ANDREW JR., John, Bradstreet, Abigail, Dorothy, Sarah and Jonathan.

[Andrew and Abigail Wiggin]

[Bradstreet and Phebe Wiggin]

[Andrew and Mary Wiggin]

[Nathan and Mehitable Wiggin]

[Andrew and Sarah Wiggin]

[Andrew and Cynthia Wiggin]

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