1 Mehitabel Wanton. Born 8 Mar 1738 in Newport, Rhode Island. Died 1 Dec 1839 in Boston, Massachusetts. She married William Guise Hagger, 6 Oct 1796 in Boston, Massachusetts.
2 John Wanton. Born 1697 in Newport, Rhode Island. He married Ann Redwood, 10 Jun 1718.
The Newport Historical Society has a house bought by John Wanton for one of his daughters. You can see pictures of it at their website.
Research:
Rhode Island Genealogical Register v. 13:
P. 46 Wanton, John [son of Gov. John] of Ne. Will dated 30 Jan 1764, bottom of page with proved date destroyed, prob. proved 1764, pgs 17-18. Mentions: Land my father John Wanton gave me. Wife Meribah Wanton who recd all goods I had with her at the time of our marriage... agreement we made sons John Wanton and Jonas Langford Wanton. Daughters Mercy Wanton, Sarah Wanton, Mehitable Hager wife of William Hager, and Ann Rhodes wife of William Rhodes.
From Colonial Rhode Island by Sydney V. James, Publ. 1975 by Charles ScribnerÕs Sons P. 224 Post Revolution:
"This change of heart signalled the end of Newport Quakerism... slowly Quakerism ceased to embrace the old portion of the high and mighty. The heritage of William Coddington and the Quaker Wantons faded away."
3 Ann Redwood.
Children of John Wanton and Ann redwood:
Mehitable, b. Sept. 6, 1719
Edward, b. April 8, 1721
John, b. January 1, 1723
Ann, b. July 25, 1728
William, b. March 9, 1730
Mehitable, b. November 1, 1732
Edward, b. Sept. 9, 1733
Mary, b. Jan. 10, 1736
Mehitable,
b. March 8, 1738
Jonas Langford, b. May 25, 1740, d. Nov. 30, 1827
Sarah, b. May 3, 1742
4 Colonel John Wanton, Governor of Rhode Island. Born 1672. Died 5 Jul 1740. Buried in Clifton Burial Ground, Golden Hill St. He married 1. Ann, daughter of Gideon Freeborn of Portsmouth, and 2. Mary (Stafford) Stover.
There is a painting of Governor John Wanton in the Rhode Island State House. It is a copy of a painting in the collection of the Redwood Library. Although I have a photocopy of a reproduction of the painting, I have not been able to obtain a quality reproduction.
From Colonial Rhode Island by Sydney V. James, Publ. 1975 by Charles Scribner's Sons
P. 176: On the issuance of paper money: "Rhode Island went on to issue more bills - a third bank of L40,000 in 1728, then L60,000 in 1731 over mounting opposition. The second of these provided for bounties on hemp, flax, whale oil and codfish... Towns with commercial ambitions...called for a new bank, while a coterie of opponents coagulated in Newport. This group included the customs collector, attorney Nathaniel Newdigate, and an assortment of merchants, seven of them Anglicans and probably several with aspirations to open direct trade with Britain. They planned an appeal to the Board of Trade, seconded by Governor Joseph Jenckes, who inquired whether his refusal of assent to the act had vetoed it. These opponents even went so far as to talk of Rhode Island's laws becoming subject to review by the Privy Council like those of royal colonies. Deputy Governor John Wanton got wind of these schemes, called the Assembly back into session to hear about them, seized the opposition's papers, rushed some explanatory statements through the legislature, and then reutrned the papers in a mutilated condition."
"Suddenly Rhode Island faced a constitutional crisis. Even the elderly and experienced agent in London, Richard Partridge, feared the consequences. Astonishingly, the Crown's attorney general and solicitor general announced that the charter did not give the governor a veto and that "the crown hath no discretionary power of repealing laws" in Rhode Island. Jenckes tried to rescind his dissent from the paper money act and declined to stand for reelection, pleading advanced years and failing memory. Paper money advocates triumphantly elected the Wanton brothers governor and deputy governor and proceeded in 1733 to celebrate the victory by authorizing the fifth land bank of L104,000. In London, however, the Board of Trade began a long, slow search for ways to stop this sort of thing. (In Boston, frightened merchants set up a syndicate to issue bills with silver backing, vainly hoping to drive the dubious paper out of use. All that came of their efforts was hoearding of their bills and a steeper rise of the price of silver as the merchants tried to buy enough to expand their operations.)"
P. 180: "Anguished Boston importers saw Newport thrive during the depression that spread over most of New England from the late 1720's through the 1730's."
P. 235: "By that time the budding Newport swells had long abandoned hostility to the charter government. Led by Coddington's grandsons, they had joined forces with the Wanton brothers, newly rich ex-Quakers, and newcomers to the colony though they were."
"In the 1720's, the Newport gentry was enlisting recruits of diverse character. Abraham Redwood moved in from Antigua; he was much more given to ostentation, knowledge, and the socail whirl than his Quaker precursor, Thomas Richardson... Later Godfrey Malbone from Virginia followed the Wanton path to wealth and eminence."
Research: From Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island by John Osborn Austin, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1978 P. 216:
John b. Dec. 24, 1672
He was a merchant He belonged to the same religious denomination as his father and the Friends' records declare that "for many years he was a valuable public friend."
1706-7-8-9-10-13 Newport Deputy
1707-10-13 Speaker
1707 He took prizes this year, as shown by petition of John Dublin, who was wounded with Colonel John Wanton, in taking the French privateers.
1721-22-29-30-31-32-33-34 Deputy Governor
1734-35-36-37-38-39-40 Governor
From Genealogies of Rhode Island Families, Vol. II, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983 P. 275:
"Among the citizens of Rhode Island who have rendered distinguished service to the State since its foundation, none are more prominent than the Wanton family. For a century, their names appear among those who were prominent in social, political and commercial life. For several generations they were the leading merchants in the Colony. They were active in support of religion; and in all works for the advancement of the town where they resided, as well as for the colony at large, they were always found among the leaders. During the war between Great Britain and France, when two of them filled the office of governor, they rendered distinguished service, which was acknowledged by their sovereign. Four bearing the name were at different times elected governor of the colony. William Wanton was elected governor in 1732, and served two years. John, elected in 1734, served seven years. Gideon, elected in 1745 and 1747, served two years, and Joseph, elected in 1769, served until November 1775. Another, Joseph, Jr., held the office of deputy governor. Portraits of William, John, and Joseph are preserved at the Redwood Library at Newport, and copies from the same have been placed in the state house in Providence."
P. 332: "The Wantons were all laid in a vault in the Clifton burial ground, Golden Hill St., and so far as I know had no inscriptions except coffin plates. The vault is never open to the public. None of the Wantons are in the Coddington ground..." Governor John Wanton died July 5, 1740, aged sixty-eight years.
From History of the Wanton Family of Newport, Rhode Island, by John Russell Bartlett, Rhode Island Historical Tracts, No. 3 (1871):
John Wanton, b. 1672: "He was a merchant, and associated with his brother [William] in business. He resided in a house opposite that of his brother William, in Newport, now owned and occupied by James Horswell and William H. Bailey." Religion: Church of England
5 Mary (Stafford) Stover. Born About 1664 in York, York Co., ME.
Children of John Wanton and Mary Stover:
John, b. Oct. 22, 1697
Elizabeth, b. 1700
Susanna, b. 1704
Mary, b. 1707
James, b. 1717
6 Abraham Redwood. Born 1665 in Bristol, England. Died 17 Jan 1729 in Salem, Massachusetts. He married Mehetable Langford, 1687 in Cassada Garden, Antigua.
Research: From History of the Wanton Family of Newport, Rhode Island, by John Russell Bartlett, Rhode Island Historical Tracts, No. 3 (1871):
P. 737: Abraham Redwood b. Bristol, England in 1665 commanded a ship trading between London and Jamaica. M. Mehetable Langford, dau. of Jonas Langford, on Antigua in 1687. He thus acquired a sugar plantation called the Cassada Garden. He stayed in Antigua until 1712. His wife died in 1715. He then moved with his ten children to Salem, Mass. for 17 years, then to Newport, RI. He died at Salem Jan. 17, 1729 (64). Ann Redwood m. John Wanton on June 10, 1718 Mehetable b. Mar. 8, 1738, d. 1839
From Colonial Rhode Island by Sydney V. James, Publ. 1975 by Charles Scribner's Sons P. 219:
"One does not see in Rhode Island the development of the Quaker style found in Pennsylvania. The great meetinghouse erected at Newport in 1699-1700 was an adaptation of the old Massachusetts four-square meetinghouse favored by Puritans; there was even a cupola that to visiting Friends in alter years smacked of steeple. Berkeley was offended by the fondness for bright colors and heavt silver among the wealthier Rhode Island Friends... No one could accuse Abraham Redwood of austerity in the fine wrought iron gates of his country seat." [He may be referring to Abraham Redwood, Jr.]
P. 235: "In the 1720's, the Newport gentry was enlisting recruits of diverse character. Abraham Redwood moved in from Antigua; he was much more given to ostentation, knowledge, and the socail whirl than his Quaker precursor, Thomas Richardson... Later Godfrey Malbone from Virginia followed the Wanton path to wealth and eminence."
7 Mehetable Langford. Died 1715.
8 Edward Wanton. Born 1629 in England. Died 16 Dec 1716 in Scituate, Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth, 1663.
Research: From Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island by John Osborn Austin, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1978 P. 215:
Edward Wanton, b. 1629, d. Dec. 16, 1716 m. Margaret d. 1661 m. 2 1663, Elizabeth d. 1716 Scituate, Mass. He was a shipbuilder 1658 Boston 1661 Scituate, Freeman 1664, May 4. The constable was ordered "forthwith to repair to edward Wanton's house," where a stranger and a Quaker was "endeavoring to seduce His Majesty's good subjects and people to his cursed opinions by his preaching amongst them." &c. When the constable got there, the meeting was ended "and the starnger was gone."
From his will, proved Jan. 7, 1717: To sons Joseph, William, and John, all lands at Pennsylvania, and what money shall be in hands of Edward Shipin. To son John, what money of testator's he has in his hands at testator's decease and two young oxen. He was buried on his farm.
From History of the Wanton Family of Newport, Rhode Island, by John Russell Bartlett, Rhode Island Historical Tracts, No. 3 (1871):
Edward Wanton Res. Boston 1658 In 1661, owned a farm of 80 acres a little below Dwelly's Creek in Scituate, Mass., and land on Cordwood Hill and Hooppole Hill. There were executions of Quakers in 1659, 1660, and 1661. He was an officer of the guard on one or more of these occasions. From Mr. Deane, in his history of Scitutate: "He became deeply sensible of the cruelty, injustice, and impolity of these emasures; was greatly moved by the firmness with which they submitted to death, and was won entirely by their addresses before their execution. He returned to his house saying, "Alas, Mother! we have been murdering the Lord's people," and, taking off his sword, put it by, with a solemn vow never to wear it again. From this time he took every opportunity to converse with the Friends, and soon resloved to become a teacher of their faith." It is said that he built the first Quaker meeting house in Massachusetts. Religion: Quaker
9 Elizabeth. Born in England.
Children of Edward Wanton and Elizabeth:
Joseph, b. 1664
George, b. 1666
Elizabeth, m. Edward Scott of Scott Hall, Kent, England 1668
William, b. 1670
John, b. 1672
Sarah and Margaret, twins, b. 1674
Hannah, b. 1677 m. James Barker of Scituate
Michael, b. 1679
Stephen, b. 1682
Philip, b. 1686
10 Sylvester (Stafford) Stover. Born 1634. Died 14 Feb 1689 in York, York, ME. He married Elizabeth Norton, 25 May 1652 in York, York Co., ME. He was married to Elizabeth NORTON on 25 May 1652 in York, York Co. ME.
Research: From Mike Stafford [email protected] from his webpages at http://pages.prodigy.net/mike-sta4d/josiahst/josiahst.htm
Sylvester STOVER was born about 1628 in England (Ipswich, Suffolk ?). LDS source has his birth in 1634 and death on 14 Feb 1689 in York, York, ME. He signed a will on 21 Jul 1687. In 1687, having some occasion to visit England, he made his will in advance as a precautionary measure on account of the known perils of that voyage as well as his advancing years: Sylvester Stover named his wife Elizabeth and his sons John, Dependence, Josiah, and George, and mentioned "the rest of my children." He bequeathed to his son Dependence Stover threescore and ten acres of land where his house was, up the river, in "Cape Nedick," to his son Josiah " the new pasture lying upon the right hand of the lane going from my house to York.... after the decease of my wife, and to his son son George " the houses and the rest of my land that is not deposed of ... and if my son John Stover please he shall have that Libertie for to change with my son George Stover for what land and house which he have at the cape neck for that which my son George Stover have here after the decease of my wife."
The inventory, as presented by Elizabeth Stover, widow, 17 Feb 1689/90, showed that the estate was appraised at L731. 7s (Maine Wills, p. 12). He died before 1689 in England. It is not in eveidence whether he died in England or had returned. The natural inference would be that his death occurred while in England. His Will Proved on 14 Feb 1689/90.
Sylvester received a grant of land on 13 July 1649 at Cape Neddick, ME. He built a fortified house on this land. From 1688 to 1712, the Indian Wars made life hazardous in this region. He was a fisherman in partnership with John Ball, Thomas Waye, and Michael Powell.
He was appointed a ferryman at Cape Neddick River in at a town meeting held December 8,1652. "It is likewise ordered that Sylvester Stover shall keep a ferry at Cape Neddick river & shall provide canoos sufficient for that end. In which consideration the sd. Stover is to have two pence a person for every one he carries or fetches over, If he be a stranger; and a penny for every inhabitant of York, that he so carrieth or fetcheth, & four pence for every hors or beast that sd Stover swimmeth or causeth by his help to be sworm over the sd. river." (T.R. i, 17) He apparently continued to act in this capacity until 1687 when he left town for England never to return. (History of York Maine Vol II pg 12)
In 1660, his mother-in-law, Margret Norton, lived at his house, causing Sylvester such trouble that the Court threatened to imprison her. In 1665, he and his wife were before the Court for "Complaining on one another on the Lord's Day in the morning - He for saying that his wife did abuse him and bid him go to Thomas Crockett's and carry some bread and cheese to his bastard".
With the exception of Ferryman, he held no public office. He did sign the following:
The Submission in 1652.
The petition to Cromwell in 1656
The Address to Massachusetts in 1662.
The English origin of Sylvester may trace to the County of Suffolk. In no other County in England is Stover to be found and its ancient spelling is Stopher, Stofer, and while the form now known does not appear until after 1600 in the Suffolk - the names are interchangeable in the English records. Stovers are found in the following parished from 1524 to 1640: Ipswich, Walton, Felixstowe, Peasenhall, Badingham, Bruisyard, Parham and Framlingham. The last five being a group of adjoining parishes.
Children were: John STOVER , Elizabeth STOVER, Sarah STOVER, Dependence STOVER, Josiah STAFFORD (Stover), Mary STOVER, Deborah STOVER, George STOVER, Hannah STOVER.
11 Elizabeth Norton. Born About 1631 in York, York Co., ME. Died About 1722 in Scituate, Plymouth, MA.
Research: Research: From Mike Stafford [email protected] from his webpages at http://pages.prodigy.net/mike-sta4d/josiahst/josiahst.htm
Elizabeth NORTON(358) was born about 1631 in York, York Co. ME. She signed a will on 7 Dec 1714 in Scituate, Plymouth, MA.(359) She died about 1722 in Scituate, Plymouth, MA. Her will proved on 4 Sep 1722 in Plymouth, MA. (360) That Elizabeth Stover, widow, was of high courage and tenacity is shown by the records of the General Court of Massachusetts. Her home at the Neck was in an Indian-haunted region, and from 1688 to 1712 the Indian wars made life hazardous for the families there. Elizabeth Stover, being of stern stuff, did not leave her home fort readily, but finally she was obliged to yield to fate, as the following letter petition shows:
"Feb 26 1695/6 - James Convers in behalf of Elizabeth Stover petitioned the General Court saying that said widow in the beginning of the present was lost her husband and she with much difficulty and charge maintained her fort at Cape Nadick about two years. But in the year (1691) she was neglected, her neighbors left her, her sons removed, she was forced to quit the (then) best fort in the Eastern parts which was within one week seized by the Enemy; her houses one of stone and the other of wood within the walls burnt, during the time of her abode there she was very ready and forward to supply soldiers with beef and other provisions upon the march and otherwise as need required. She obtained a ticket from your Petitioner and other commanders for her disbursements and had a debenture signed to the Treasurer for fifteen pounds and seven schillings (according to the best of my remembrance) sent to her son-in-law of Scituate, and her sd. son lost it by the way. The books have been searched and no payment thereof found. She hath made as many journeys up to Boston with a man she hired to come with her (about it) as cost her above three pounds in money, and always met with disappointment, though our late honeored Govr promised she should be paid tet she being weary left the matter to your Petitioner." (The Court voted to pay her 15 pounds 18 schillings)
Will of Elizabeth Stover, Probate Court, Plymouth, MA
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. The Seventh day of December in the first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George, by the grace of God of Great Brittan, France, and Ireland, Defender of the faith & c. Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and fourteen; I ELIZABETH STOVER of SCITTUATE in the County of Plymouth in the Provice of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, Spinster; Being of weak body but of sound memory; calling to mind my mortality, & the uncertainty of my Life, I do make & ordain this my Last Will and Testament In manner & form following, hereby revoking & making null & void all former Will or Wills by me made either by word or writing, ratifying & confirming this & no other to be my Last Will & Testament.
First & principally I give & recomment my Soul into the hands of God yet gave it & my body to the earth to be buried after a Decent & Christian manner at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named. - And as touching such worldly estate as the Lord hath blessed me with, I do give & bequeath & dispense of the same in manner following.
Imprimiss: I give & bequeath unto my son JOHN STOVER the Summ of twenty & three pounds in silver money at eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my son DEPENDANCE STOVER the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my son JOSIAH STOVER the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my son GEORGE STOVER the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my daughter ELIZABETH WALFOOT the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my daughter SARAH LANCASTER the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my daughter DEBORAH SAWYER the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my daughter MARY WANTON the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my daughter HANNAH BRYANT the summ of twenty & three pounds in Silver money at Eight shillings an ounce.
Item. I give unto Phebie, my Negro woman slave, her freedom at my death, and ten pounds in silver money at eight shillings an ounce to be paid her by my Executors at the end of one month after my decease. Item. I give unto my said negro woman all her wearing cloths, together with the bed she lyeth on, and the bed stead & clothing which belongs to it.
Item, I give unto Jonathan my Negro Lad, the Son of Phebie my negro woman, his freedom at my decease: Item I give unto the lad Jonathan all his wareing cloths, the bed whereon he lyeth and the clothing belonging to it, my Gun, and ten pounds in silver money at eight shillings an ounce to be paid him by my Executor when he shall arrive to the age of twenty and one years.
Item. I give unto Jerrusha my Negro Girl the Daughter of Phebie my negro woman her freedom at my decease;
Item I give the sd Jerusha her wareing cloths, & ten pounds in silver money at eight shillings an ounce, to be paid unto her by my Executor when she shall arrive at the age of eighteen years.
Parents: Henry NORTON and Margaret. She was married to Sylvester STOVER on 25 May 1652 in York, York Co. ME.
Children were: John STOVER, Elizabeth STOVER, Sarah STOVER, Dependence STOVER, Josiah STAFFORD (Stover), Mary STOVER, Deborah STOVER, George STOVER, Hannah STOVER.
For additional Norton genealogy, please go to Norton
14 Jonas Langford.
Brother of John Wanton:
Research: From Genealogies of Rhode Island Families, Vol. II, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983 P. 291: "Governor William Wanton, third son of Edward Wanton, was born in 1670. He married Ruth, the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Deacon John Bryant, of Scitutate, Massachusetts, June 1, 1691. It appears that there was serious opposition to this match on the part of Deacon Bryant, who was a rigid Presbyterian, and of that uncharitable class which detested he Quakers. After much delay, William paid Miss Bryant a visit, and, in the presence of her family, thus addressed her: "Ruth, I am sure we were made for each other, and neither of us can live without the other. Now let us cut the knot of difficulty. I will leave the Quakers, and thou shalt leave the Presbyterians. We will both go to the Church of England and to the devil together." Ruth agreed to the proposal, and the marriage took place."
Any additional information on the people on these pages is MOST WELCOME! Please send me a message at [email protected]