from
History of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Biographical
NY: The American Historical Society, Inc.
1920
p. 231:
"WANTON LILLIBRIDGE -- The Lillibridge family in the United States dates
from the close of the seventeenth century, when the first record of the
founder, Thomas Lillibridge, is found in Newport, R. I. His descendants,
though not numerous, have figured honorably in Rhode Island life and affairs
for two centuries, and the name to-day is unblemished. The early
Lillibridges were extensive landowners, and much of their holdings remain in
the hands of their descendants. The line of ancestry herein under
consideration is that of Wanton Lillibridge, long a prominent resident of
Richmond, R. I.
(I) Thomas Lillibridge, immigrant ancestor and progenitor, was born in
England, in 1662. He is first of record in the New England Colonies in the
year 1699. On September 26, of that year, he signed a petition at Newport
addressed to the Earl of Bellomont, then in Newport, to use his influence
with his Majesty, William III., for the establishment of an Episcopal church
in Newport. This petition led to the founding of the original Trinity
Church, in which Thomas Lillibridge was a warden in 1709 and 1713, and where
he owned pew 8 until 1719. He was admitted a freeman at Newport, May 6,
1701. In 1718, 1722, 1723, 1724, he was vestryman in the historic St.
Paul's 'Narragansett' Church, which was built in 1707, and in 1800 was
removed to Wickford about five miles north of its original site. This
church, which is still occasionally in use, is said to be the oldest
Episcopal church north of the Potomac. Thomas Lillibridge removed to
Westerly in 1715, and settled in the part originally called Shannock, and
incorporated August 22, 1728, as Charlestown. He reisded in that part of
the town which on August 18, 1747, was set off as Richmond, R. I., and he
died there, August 29, 1724. He was a man of considerable wealth. His
will, dated August 24, 1724, disposes of much real estate: 'To my eldest
son Thomas * * * one of my homestead farms * * * to take which he likes
best;' this contains the family burying ground of Thomas Lillibridge, Jr.,
also Thomas Lillibridge (1), (2), (3) are all buried there, and is situated
just west of Richmond town hall; it is known as the 'Nelson K. Church
place'; a second farm adjoining, he gave to his son Robert, and this still
remains in the Lillibridge family, and is now the home of Mrs. Frank
Reynolds Brown, nee Jennette Lillibridge. Thomas Lillibridge, Sr., married
(first) Mary Hobson; they were the parents of two daughters. He married
(second) Sarah Lewis, and they were the parents of nine children, of whom
Thomas, Jr., mentioned below, was the oldest.
(II) Thomas (2) Lillibridge, son of Thomas (1) and Sarah (Lewis)
Lillibridge, was born in Newport, R. I. He settled in Westerly, where he was
admitted a freeman, April 30, 1723. He was a commissioner to lay out the
road from Pawcatuck bridge to South Kingston line, 1727. He died in
Westerly, February 8, 1757, 'in the 55th year of his age.' He married,
June 12, 1726, Mary Woodmansee.
(III) Edward Lillibridge, son of Thomas (2) and Mary (Woodmansee)
Lillibridge, was born on March 25, 1732, in Richmond, R. I. He died
February 3, 1810, and was buried in Wood River Cemetery, Richmond. Edward
Lillibridge purchased the farm of his uncle, Robert Lillibridge, in
Richmond, and resided there until his death, taking a prominent part in
local affairs. He married (first) December 4, 1755, Patience Tefft;
(second) January 6, 1765, Thankful (Tefft) Wells.
(IV) Amos Lillibridge, son of Edward and Thankful (Tefft-Wells) Lillibridge,
was born in Richmond, R. I., in 1776. He inherited all his father's lands,
including the Robert Lillibridge farm in Richmond, where he made his home
until his death. He died July 4, 1857, and was buried in Wood River
Cemetery. Amos Lillibridge married Phebe Hoxie.
(V) Wanton Lillibridge, son of Amos and Phebe (Hoxie) Lillibridge, was born
in Richmond, October 17, 1806, and resided there all his life. He was a
prosperous farmer and a prominent citizen, and for several decades occupied
a prominent position in Richmond. He was one of the framers of the
Constitution of Rhode Island, member of the Legislature, very prominent,
president of Town Council, and held many other town offices. He died in
Richmond, September 4, 1890. On November 7, 1841, Wanton Lillibridge
married Sarah Ann Champlin, daughter of John A. Champlin, and member of one
of the oldest and most prominent of old Rhode Island families. They were the
parents of the following children: 1. Horace, died in infancy. 2. Sarah
Mason; born May 11, 1843, died Feb. 2, 1906; married, May 25, 1871, Robert
I. Moore. 3. Amos A., enlisted in the Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island
Volunteers, and was killed near Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 18,
1864. 4 Charles W., married Abbie Bowen. 5. Edward Hoxie, married Addie
Shumard. 6. Jennette, mentioned below. 7. John H., married Emma Pinckney.
8. William W., married Ida Spencer. 9. Jennie F., married Charles H.
Stevens. 10. Hattie E., married William F. Joslin.
(VI) Jennette Lillibridge, daughter of Wanton and Sarah Ann (Champlin)
Lillibridge, was born at Richmond, R. I. She married, June 26, 1884, Frank
Reynolds Brown, born in North Stonington, Conn., and died there, son of
Charles L. and Margaret (Reynolds) Brown. Mrs. Brown makes her home an the
Thomas Lillibridge estate, which she purchased in 1915. Mr. Brown was a
farmer and prominent business man in North Stonington, also interested in
school work."
for more info:
Thomas Lillibridge of Newport, RI and his descendants
http://www.rootsweb.com/~scwhite/lillibridge.html
Descendants of Thomas Lillibridge
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~irishrose/thomas_lillibridge.html
Lillibridge Family Reunion, 2000, 2003:
http://www.geocities.com/lillibridgereunion/2000review.html
HISTORICAL CEMETERY #: RD019 LILLIBRIDGE LOT, RICHMOND RI
Location: 500 ft west of CAROLINA NOOSENECK RD at TEL pole # 250
23 burials with 15 inscriptions from 1752 to 1859
Located behind cornfield across from Kenyon Farm (former Lillibridge Farm).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Hurd
Johnston, RI USA
beth(a)the-hurds.com
http://www.the-hurds.com
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