Abel Wilder (1775-1857-'59)
Marian and Agnes Wilder
James Lewellyn Wilder, the son of
Francis L. Wilder, the son of
James Marvel Wilder (great grandfather)
Abel Wilder (great great grandfather)
Abel Wilder was born in Lancaster, MA in 1778. He was the son of Moses Wilder of Lancaster, and his second wife, Eunice Forbush of Harvard, Mass (this is not the Harvard of Cambridge, but a small town that was a split off from Lancaster in the 1700’s. Abel’s birth record in Lancaster MA suggests the uncertainty of the written word before dictionaries became common:
“Abel Sone to Mosies and Eunice Wilder Born october 21, 1778”
Very little is known about Abel. He was the descendant of one of the founding families of Lancaster. He married Grace Hosmer of (apparently) Lincoln, MA in 1796. (Lincoln was originally part of Concord, MA ). There is little known about Grace, as well. The fact that they were married at about 18 years old was unusual at the time, but a check of the birth dates of their children suggests that the first child, a girl, was born about a month after their marriage. in Concord. According to research done on Concord in the 18th century, there were a relatively high number of out of wedlock births. It has been suggested that the new freedoms of the United States may have sublimated into the moral fiber of some of the youth of the time. Abel and Grace moved north and settled in the small town of Temple, ME. They had many children. Abel’s occupation is unknown but it is assumed at this time that he was a farmer. On state tax lists from 1815, Abel Wilder of Temple, ME is shown as owning 80 acres with home and several out buildings. They are apparently buried in a cemetery at Temple. Abel Wilder died Oct 27 1857/9? at Temple. He is believed to be buried there, but where isn't known.
Below is a link to information about Grace Hosmer Wilder, the wife of Abel Wilder and mother of James Marvel Wilder.