Gov. Thomas Wiggin

Capt Thomas came to the New England states from England, probably Shrewsbury, about 1630 on the ship "White Angel." He came as an agent for the proprietors of the Upper Plantation. Gov/Capt Thomas went back to England in 1632-1633 and returned arriving 10 Oct 1633 at Salem, Mass., on the ship "James" having taken 8 weeks between Gravesend, England and Salem, Mass. He brought with him a company of about thirty people to settle in Dover Neck, 40 people to settle in Virginia, 20 people for Boston, Mass and 60 head of cattle. Included with the 30 men was Reverend William Leveridge. Colonel Banks found a Wiggin farm, at Creeting, County Suffolk, England,about 11 miles from Great Livermere, where Reverend Willliam Leveridge was Rector in 1631.

Capt Thomas managed Dover Neck for seven years, until 1637. He moved in about 1640 to his plantation at Squamscott, where he acquired a tract of land, and there he established his home-on the Sandy Point on the southern shore of Great Bay, sometime between 1638 and 1650. He bought the Squamscott Patent for 600 pounds. There he resided till his death which occurred in 1667. Squamscot for a time was under the government of Exeter, but in 1716 Squamscott was incorporated as a township under the name of Stratham. Captain was one of the earliest members of Government of New Hampshire.

In 1642 Gov Thomas was appointed as Assistant to the Magistrates by the Massachusetts General Court, for Dover and Exeter. Tne next year, his authority was extended to include Hampton. He held courts in Hampton, Dover, York, ME., Kittery, Me., Portsmouth and Exeter. Records show that he was entitle to make grants of land.

He acquited much land. In one deed, he sold to his son Andrew, "for love and affection" nine square miles in Stratham. His other children received generous allotments also.

From the Stratham Historical Society report Ref: History of Stratham New Hampshire by Charles B. Nelson: "It was called Squamscott because the Squamscott Indians inhabited the Stratham area more than 375 years ago." Prior to the arrival of Thomas Wiggin in Stratham, "Edward Hilton, member of the Fishmongers Guild of London, came to Dover Point in 1623 to establish a commercial fishing operation. He received a grant known as the Squamscott Patent. This Patent included land in Dover and vicinity, and extended south to the falls at Exeter. Thomas Wiggin came from England in 1631. He was employed by some of Hilton's associates, merchants from Bristol and Shrewsbury, to look after their interest in this new land, and they directed Wiggin to begin a plantation higher up the river for them. In 1656, under the authority of Massachusetts, the Squamscott Patent was divided into three shares. The second or middle division was assigned to Thomas Wiggin and his partners. The third or southern division was given to a company known as the "Shrewsbury Men" with Thomas Wiggin the agent for the company. Within these two divisions the Town of Stratham was located. Wiggin was elected Governor of the settlement of Dover, which was part of Massachusetts 1641-1680. By 1639 he had built a house in Stratham. In the middle 1660's a total of four families, Wiggins, Veaseys, Scammons and Waldrons, made up the entire population of the Town and owned all of its territory."

From the History of Strafford and Rockingham counties is a copy of a letter to Gov. Winthrop from Edw. Howes, June 22, 1633 (Copy from Page 761.)"Before I end, I must not forget to put you in minde of one that is coming to, whoe hath deserved exceedingly of your father and the plantation, many ways; he discovered (under God) our enemies plotts, and helpt to prevent them; he hath dispossest our enemies of their hope, Piscataqua and intends to plant himself and many gracious men there this summer. Noe doubt but this may be and will be diverse in the shipp reported to you: but out of the mouth of diverse witnesses the truth is confirmed. I have, and you all have cause to bless God that you have soe good a neighbor as Capt Wiggin." (End letter).

A quote from Belknals History, year 1641 "Capt Thomas Wiggin's son Thomas, in a dispute with Mason who claimed certain rights on the lands, in self defence threw Mason down with such violence that he fell into the fire but was not much hurt."

Thomas Wiggin married CATHERINE WHITING In London, England on 11 Jul 1633. Catherine was born about 1601, sister of Major William Whiting of Hartford, Conn. Thomas was a gent., and a widower, aged about 41 years, and Catherine Whiting, both of the St. Matthew's Parish, spinster, aged about 32 years married at St. Margaret, New Fish Street. The Wiggins and Whitings were in Loondon on visits from New England, and so were merely temporary sojourners in the Parish. William Whiting willed Katherine 5 pounds and to each child 5 pounds. Their children born at Dover Neck, Captains Hill were: ANDREW, Thomas, and Mary and were baptized 20 Sep 1641 at Hampton.

Click Here  for a possible geneology of Thomas Wiggin

Click Here  for another Wiggin geneology. This site is huge and traces Thomas Wiggin's son Thomas' decendents. Look for "Wiggin" in the list of surnames.

[Andrew and Hannah Wiggin]

[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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