Person:Thomas Wardwell (2)

Thomas Wardwell and his brother, William were the first of this family to settle in the New World.Sailing from England in the summer of 1633 they landed in Boston, Mass. on September 4, 1633 on the good ship Griffen.William made the trip with his wife Alice, his first wife, and Thomas was married to Elizabeth Woddruff aboard the Griffen during the voyage.Thomas was 31 years old when he arrived in Boston. The 200 or more people abord the Griffen included such people as ; The Rev. John Cotton and Edmund Quincy. 1634-1637: Thomas Wardwell was considered a freeholder. 1638: The Rev. John Wheelwright came to Boston on May 26,1636 from Lincolnshire, England.Wheelwright became a preacher at Mount Wollarton, now called Braintree, which at that time was part of Boston. Wheelwright was a brother to Mrs. Ann Hutchinson whose Antinomious zeal brought her into public notice. During a fast in Boston in December of 1636, the Rev. Wheelwright preached a sermon that gave offense to reflect on ministers and magistrates. Rev. Wheelwright was summonsed to civil court to give in his answer explicitly, whether he would acknowledge his offense in preaching his late, seditious sermon, or abide the sentance of the Court. When he pleaded not-guilty of the crime and would leave the colony of his own accord he and his followers were then banished permanantly from Massachusets Bay Territory. Wheelwright bought land in what is now New Hampshire from the Indians called Squamscot Falls. In 1638 he began a Plantation called Exeter. The people formed themselves into a church outside the jurisdiction of Massachusets and combined into a seperate political body. This continued for three years with such people as , Richard Merrys, Richard Bulgar, Philamon Purmont, Isacc Gosse, Christopher Marshall, George Baytes, Thomas Wardwell and William Wardwell. Thomas was appointed Justice and Commisioner to try small cases for the Jurisdiction. Exeter eventually fell under the Jurisdiction of Massachusets, and Wheelwright's followers, still under banishment, had to move again. The people moved into the Province of Maine and settled at Wells around 1641. By the time Samuel was born the family had moved to Andover and Samuel was born in Boston.

1603-4 Jan. 31 Thomas filius Joh'es Wardale (Well)

Thomas Wardwell [#12], s/o John Wardale and Margaret ---, bp. Alford Parish 31 Jan 1603/4, d. Boston or Andover, Mass., 10 Dec 1646, m. abt 1633/4 Elizabeth Woodruff.

Thomas Werdall dyed 10 December 1646.