The Wadleigh Surname

From what my limited research has been able to inform me, most of the Wadleys (and hence Wadleighs) were located in west-central England in the shires/counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. The above counties are the part of England that border Wales, which may be an indication that the Wadleigh/Wadley line contains Welsh blood. Within England, we only know that our provable Wadleighs were located in the county of Gloucestershire.

Our earliest detectable Wadleigh ancestor, John Wadleigh, was born circa 1600 in England. We have not been able to find definitive proof of his parentage or birthplace or really anything about him before he migrated across the Atlantic Ocean. According to some accounts, before his migration he lived at Bristol, a port city in Gloucestershire, England. If that is true, one possibility for his identity is a John Wadley, who was baptized in 1602 in the small village of Dymock, about thirty miles northeast of Bristol. The similarity in name, age and geographic location warrants further research. John Wadley, baptized 1602, was the son of Richard and Ann Wadley of Dymock. Richard was in turn the son of Robert Wadley and Katherine Gamon of Dymock. Robert was in turn the son of John and Margaret Wadley, who are the earliest known individuals in this Wadley line. John and Margaret Wadley were probably born during the 1510's. WARNING: the postulation that the Wadleighs in America descend from the Wadleys of Dymock is nothing more than my own guesswork based on NO proof or evidence. Please use caution.

If the above connection is correct, the village of Dymock could be considered a place of origin for our family. It was settled quite early (I don't know when) and although small now, was an important village during the Medieval Times. It is located in what is called the Forest of Dean and is known for its forests and daffodil gardens. Dymock was also a favored stomping ground of poets during the 1910's and was the home of Robert Frost. The above photograph is of St. Mary's Church in Dymock, which was probably built in the 11th or 12 Centuries and has been restored over the years. It would probably have been the baptismal place of John Wadley in 1602.

Places named after the Wadleigh family:

Wadleigh Island, Prince of Wales County, Alaska Wadleigh Rock, Prince of Wales County, Alaska Wadleigh Branch, Ouachita County, Arkansas Wadleigh Arm, Ventura County, California Wadleigh (town), Webster County, Iowa Wadleigh School, Ford County, Illinois Wadleigh Brook, Aroostook County, Maine Wadleigh Mountain, Piscataquis County, Maine Wadleigh State Park, Merrimack County, New Hampshire Wadleigh Cemetery, Rockingham County, New Hampshire Wadleigh Park, Malheur County, Oregon Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford, New Hampshire Wadleigh Falls Campground, Lee, New Hampshire Wadleigh Falls Road, Lee, New Hampshire Wadleigh Point Road, Kingston, New Hampshire Wadleigh Road, Sanbornton, New Hampshire Wadleigh Library, Chester College, Chester, New Hampshire Wadleigh Secondary School for the Visual and Performing Arts(previously Wadleigh High School), New York City, New York Wadleigh Theatre, Daggy Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington "Wadleigh Fest", WSU, Pullman, Washington Wadleigh Drive, Pullman, Washington

Ryan and Carmen Wadleigh (my sister and I) at Wadleigh Drive in Pullman, Washington

Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford, New Hampshire

U.S.S. Wadleigh

• USS Wadleigh
  The 'USS Wadleigh' (Navy Destroyer ship during WWII) was named after George Henry Wadleigh, the 4th cousin of my great-great-great-grandfather, John Blake Wadleigh. The logo on the patches that the navymen wore was embroidered with the motto "Wadleigh We Will." The ship was in service in the US Navy from 1943-1962. It was afterwards sold to the Chilean Navy where it was renamed "Blanco Encalada." It has since been scrapped.

• Wadleigh Pears
  The original Wadleigh pear tree was planted by Joseph Wadleigh (1759-1851) in Sanbornton, New Hampshire on the farm that he settled in 1782. By 1882, the original tree had disappeared but there were descendants growing throughout the town and 'Wadleigh' had become an acknowledged variety of pear in the area. Wadleigh pear trees can still be found to this day growing in Sanbornton and the vicinity. Apparently, they are characterized by their distinct flavor and their early ripening.

John Wadleigh was born circa 1600 in Gloucestershire, England ¹. He died before September 16, 1671 in Wells, York Co., Maine ¹.

(If my conjecture is correct, he was the son of Richard and Ann Wadleigh of Dymock, Gloucester, England.) In his youth, John apparently moved to Bristol, England, where he was probably married to Mary in the 1620's. In about 1632, John and his family left England made the trip over the Atlantic Ocean for the English colonies of America.

John and his family arrived in New England and settled soon after at Saco, Maine. In Saco, John was by occupation a planter and vinter. Prior to 1640, they moved a short distance to Wells, Maine. In Wells, John was an exemplary citizen, making a living as an innkeeper. He also was a selectman (early town officer/politician) and had land dealings with the Indians of that area. He died in 1671 in Wells, Maine, and his wife preceded him in death.

One sources indicates that her name may have been Mary Goddard.

1	Robert Wadleigh
2	Mary Wadleigh was born circa 1629 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England 1. She married Thomas Mills.
3	Joanna Wadleigh was born circa 1632 in England or Maine 1. She married first to Jonathan Thing. (He was born circa 1621 in England 1 and died on April 26, 1674 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hamsphire 1. She married second to Bartholomew Tipping.
4	John Wadleigh was born circa 1636 in Wells, York Co., Maine. He married Margaret.

Robert Wadleigh was born circa 1628 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England ². He died circa 1708-1709 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire ¹.

Father: John Wadleigh
Mother: Mary

When he was about 4 years old, he moved with his family to America, and settled with them in Saco, Maine. As a child still, he moved with them once more to Wells, Maine. As a young adult, Robert moved to Kittery, Maine by 1651 and was there married to Sarah Smith, prior to 1654.

Robert was by occupation a millwright, tavern keeper, and ferryman. He moved to Dover, Maine in about 1667 and finally to Exeter, New Hampshire in the early 1670's. In Exeter, Robert was a much trusted judge and selectman. During the Gove Rebellion of 1684, his sons John, Joseph and Robert had taken a part of the rebellion and were imprisoned. Robert then went to England himself and plead with the King (Charles II) to release his sons, and they were pardoned.

They had the following children:

1	Sarah Wadleigh was born on June 15, 1655 in Wells, York Co., Maine 1. She married John Young on February 1671/2 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. She married second (or first?) to a Mr. Robinson.
2	John Wadleigh was born on December 7, 1657 in Wells, York Co., Maine 1. He died on November 7, 1727 1. He was married to Abigail Marston in 1683 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
3	Robert Wadleigh was born on December 26, 1659 in Wells, York Co., Maine 1. He died in 1734 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He married Sarah Nelson on September 8, 1696 1.
4	Joseph Wadleigh was born on December 3, 1660 in Wells or Kittery, Maine 1. He died in 1683 or 1684 1.
5	Mary Wadleigh was born circa 1664 in Kittery, York Co., Maine 1. She died on December 24, 1727 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. She married John Cram in March 1689/90 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. (He was born on April 6, 1665 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1 and died in January 1727/8 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. They had the following children: Argentine Cram (1693-1771) md. Abraham Brown Abigail Cram (1695-1773) md. John Batchelder We also have Wadleigh descent through this child, her granddaughter was Sarah (Lane) Stearns Benjamin Cram (1699-???) md. Abigail Dearborn Wadleigh Cram (1702-???) md. Hannah Marston md. 2nd. Ruth Gilman Jonathan Cram (1706-1760) md. Elizabeth Heath John Cram (1710-c. 1773) md. Mary Sanborn Mary Cram (1713-???) md. Samuel Cram
6	Henry Wadleigh
7	Jonathan Wadleigh was born circa 1666-1670 in Lee, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He died in 1755 or 1756 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He married first to Ann Wilson and second to Abigail Eastman.

Henry Wadleigh was born on May 16, 1666 in Kittery, Maine ¹. He died on August 2, 1732 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire ¹.

Father: Robert Wadleigh
Mother: Sarah Smith

When he was about a year old, he moved to Dover, Maine, and when he was about 10 years old, to Exeter, New Hampshire. It is possible that Henry served in King William's War based on the fact that he was sometimes known as "ensign" (a military title).

Henry was by occupation a millwright. In 1693, he was married to Elizabeth Gilman Ladd, widow of Nathaniel Ladd, who died in King William's War. Henry spent most of his life in Exeter, where he served as selectman in 1695.

Father: John Gilman
Mother: Elizabeth Treworgye

1	Sarah Wadleigh was born on September 3, 1694 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 2. She died after 1725. She married John Scribner in 1713 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
2	Abigail Wadleigh was born on September 2, 1696 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 2. She died after 1756. She married Samuel Maggon.
3	Joseph Wadleigh
4	Martha Wadleigh was born in January 1700/1 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 2. She married Ephraim Philbrick in 1722 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
5	Benjamin Wadleigh was born in 1703 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 2. He died in 1716 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 2.

Joseph Wadleigh was born in September 1698 in Exeter, New Hampshire ^1,2. He died on April 14, 1779 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire ¹.

Father: Henry Wadleigh
Mother: Elizabeth Gilman

He may have been named after his uncle Joseph Wadleigh who died in the 1680's in prison after taking part in the Gove Rebellion. As a youth, Joseph moved by himself to the town of Kensington, New Hampshire. He was married there in about 1720 to Lydia Smith, who probably died during or soon after giving birth to their daughter of the same name in about 1724. Joseph married again to Mary Fogg.

Joseph remained in the town of Kensington where he was moderately successful. According to some records he was known as a "noted mover of buildings." [Whatever that means, I do not know.] He married for a third time to Esther Fogg Dearborn, a relative of his second wife.

They had the following children:

1	Theophilus Wadleigh was born on July 30, 1721 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He married first to Abigail Bean on June 13, 1742 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He married second to Catherine Folsom in about 1766 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
2	Joseph Wadleigh was born in September 1722 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He died on December 31, 1808 1. He married first to Anne Dearborn on January 11, 1748/9 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1,4. He married second to Jane Buffam on December 14, 1786 1.
3	Lydia Wadleigh was born in 1723 or 1724 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1.

Father: James Fogg
Mother: Mary Burren

1	Benjamin Wadleigh was born on January 18, 1727/8 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He died after 1783. He was married to Hannah Dearborn on October 29, 1752 1.
2	James Wadleigh
3	John Wadleigh was born on November 26, 1732 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He died on August 30, 1762 1.
4	Mary Wadleigh was born on December 22, 1734 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. She died before May 20, 1761 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She married Enoch Coffin on December 26, 1757 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1.
5	Sarah Wadleigh was born circa 1738 in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

James Wadleigh was born on September 20, 1730 in Kensington, New Hampshire ¹. He died after 1776.

Father: Joseph Wadleigh
Mother: Mary Fogg

He was probably named after his paternal grandfather, James Fogg. In 1752 in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, James was married to Mary Dearborn. They immediately thereafter settled in the town of Epping, New Hampshire, where they raised a family of 10 sons.

James was by occupation a carpenter and a millwright. According to one source, he built the first mill at Franklin Falls, New Hampshire. He is last found in the year 1776 on a tax list for the town of Epping. We have not been able to find any information on him or his wife after this date. Of course they may have died in Epping, yet they may have also moved to the area of Franklin/Sanbornton/Meredith in central New Hampshire, where many of their sons had settled.

They had the following children:

1	James Wadleigh
2	John Wadleigh was born on August 10, 1753 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He died on August 11, 1842 in Laconia, Belknap Co., New Hampshire. He married Molly Fox
3	Nathaniel Wadleigh was born in 1758 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He died in 1834 in Meredith, Belknap Co., New Hampshire. He was married to Mary Robinson.
4	Joseph Wadleigh was born before January 21, 1759 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on July 10, 1851 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co. New Hampshire 5. He was married to Molly Weeks on May 3, 1787 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire. He married second to Mrs. Sanborn after 1823.
5	Dearborn Wadleigh was born in 1761 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He died in Deerfield, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He was married to Judith Roby in March 1793 1.
6	Simeon Wadleigh was born on October 3, 1762 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He died on August 25, 1843 in Meredith, Belknap Co., New Hampshire. He was married to Abigail Hayes on October 27, 1785 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire.
7	Thomas Wadleigh was born in 1763 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He may have died in Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
8	Enoch Wadleigh was born in 1766 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He died on June 6, 1838 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1. He was married to Hannah Morrill on August 6, 1782 1.
9	William Wadleigh was born in 1771 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He may have died in Kensington, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He was married to Mary.
10	Josiah Wadleigh was born in 1771 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1 and died in 1822 in Meredith, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 1. He was married to Sally Chapman.

6th Generation: James Wadleigh was born on August 10, 1753 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 1,6. He died on February 11, 1830 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5,6. Father: James Wadleigh Mother: Mary Dearborn While living in Epping, James served in the American Revolution. He served under various commands as a private in the year years 1777 and 1778. According to one record, he was present at the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga in October of 1777. It is said that after this, James walked some 300 miles to his home, carrying with him his flint-lock musket. After his war service, James continued living in Epping, where he married Molly Blake in 1780. In March 1782, James and his wife and child and brother Joseph left Epping and moved to the "frontier" town of Sanbornton in what then Strafford but is now Belknap County, New Hampshire. James and Joseph settled on neighboring farms on land that was deeded to them in part by their grandfather Joseph Wadleigh. The original owner of this land was their maternal uncle by marriage, Thomas Blake. A portion of this land has remained in the family for over two hundred years until it was just recently sold. James was a farmer in Sanbornton and was also a teamster for Lovejoy & Company to Boston. He was said by his contemporaries to be a "very exemplary man, training his children religiously." James and his family were Baptists and were faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Sanbornton. They were probably the first of the family to switch to the Baptist faith. Both James and Molly are buried at the family farm in unmarked graves. James was married to Molly Blake on June 5, 1780 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5. She was born in 1755 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5,6. She died on August 14, 1813 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. Father: Jedediah Blake Mother: Mary Rowe

The present (2000) remains of the Wadleigh farmhouse on the Wadleigh homestead in Sanbornton, NH, settled by James Wadleigh in 1782.

1	James Wadleigh was born on December 3, 1781 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on August 8, 1835 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. He is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. He was married to Eunice Farnam on November 25, 1802 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. (She was born on February 25, 1782 5 and died on August 15, 1870 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. She is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. They had the following children: Hannah Piper Wadleigh (1803-???) md. Calvin Pollard James C. Wadleigh (1805-1879) md. Hannah Piper P. Pearson Esther Wadleigh (1807-???) md. John S. Burley Nathaniel Farnham Wadleigh (1816-1879) md. Sally M. Plumer
2	Joseph Wadleigh was born on January 11, 1784 in Epping, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on May 1, 1867 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. He was married to Phebe Dustin on July 3, 1803 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. (She was born circa 1782 and died on March 12, 1872 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5.) They had the following children: Lydia Dustin Wadleigh (1804-1888) md. Asa Swain Warren Wadleigh (1807-1889) md. Harriette O. Thomas Shedrack Wadleigh (1810-???) md. Huldah S. Hunt Benjamin Mason Wadleigh (1817-1876) md. Mary J. Foss Joseph Dustin Wadleigh (1823-aft. 1900) md. Sarah S. Hunt
3	Nancy Wadleigh was born on February 6, 1786 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She died on August 2 5 or 4 1, 1822 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire. She married Ebenezer Lane on March 26, 1812 1,5. (He was born on October 16, 1786 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5 and died on September 9, 1834 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5.) They had the following children: Samuel Clifford Lane (1813-1834) George Washington Lane (1815-1864) md. Mary Ann Burleigh Mary Jane Lane (1817-1863) md. Amos S. (Caverly) Williams Eliza Ann Lane (1819-1822)
4	Polly Wadleigh was born on February 6, 1786 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She died on July 19, 1826 5 or 1827 1 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire. She married Benjamin Mason on February 18, 1808 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 1,5. (He was born circa 1784 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5 and died on September 16, 1845 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire.) They had the following children: Jerusha Mason (1810-1827) Mary Ann Mason (1812-1841) md. Joseph Precott Eaton Levi Mason (1814-1836) Joseph Mason (1816-1891) md. Susan Prescott Eaton Benjamin Mason (1819-1839) Betsey Mason (1821-1833) James Mason (1822-1840) Rosilla Mason (1824-1840)
5	John Wadleigh
6	Betsey Wadleigh was born on April 30, 1791 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She died on July 1, 1850 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She never married. Her father's will of 1830 left provisions for her for the use of part of her father's dwelling house, as long as she remained unmarried.
7	Sally Wadleigh was born on August 11, 1793 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She died on May 18, 1857 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. She married Thomas Morrison on November 28, 1821 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 1,5. (He was born on April 2, 1794 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5 and died on September 30, 1873 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5.) They had the following children: Mary Wadleigh Morrison (1823-1892) md. Hiram Porter Wadleigh William Rundlett Morrison (1825-???) md. Emily Jane Burleigh
8	Asa Wadleigh was born on June 24, 1801 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on June 16, 1860 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. He married first to Lucy Woodman on March 26, 1826 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. (She was born circa 1801 in New Hampshire 15 and died on December 27, 1852 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5.) They had the following children: James Monroe Wadleigh (1827-1859) md. Caroline Stall Jacob W. Wadleigh (1829-1863) md. Eliza A. Sanborn Mary Mason Wadleigh (1840-1866) He married second to Jannett Eastman on November 11, 1856 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. They had no children.

John Wadleigh was born on June 24, 1788 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 1,5,6. He died on August 20, 1850 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire ^1,5,6. He is buried in the First Baptist Church Cemetery, Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire.

Father: James Wadleigh
Mother: Molly Blake

John farmed at various places in Sanbornton until the year 1819, when he took over the portion of his father's homestead that was sold to him by his brother Joseph Wadleigh. John appears to have led a rather uneventful life. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a farmer and farmed on the same land until his death. John and his wife also had continual membership at the First Baptist Church in Sanbornton. In fact, John "inherited" his father's pew in the First Baptist church.

At some point in his life, John had some kind of accident where an axe hit him on his knee. He was made permanently lame for the rest of his life. John died of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1850 at the age of 62. His widow Sally died in 1858. Both are buried in the First Baptist Church Cemetery in Sanbornton, New Hampshire.

Of his 14 grandchildren, only Georgiana Clark, Oscar Wadleigh, Fred Wadleigh, Inez Blake and Sadie Emery had children of their own.

They had the following children:

1	Molly Blake Wadleigh was born on August 20, 1815 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She died on March 25, 1817 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5.
2	Mary Blake Wadleigh was born on May 25, 1817 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She died on July 19, 1818 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5.
3	Jonathan Taylor Wadleigh was born on May 14, 1819 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on April 18, 1874 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. He is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. He married Betsy Thomas on January 1, 1843 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. (She was born on November 6, 1823 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5 and died in 1892 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 8. She is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire.) They had the following children: Josephine Louise Wadleigh (1844-1900) md. Clinton Blake Charlotte Fogg Wadleigh (1852-1922) md. Phineas A. Nourse Walter Kendall Wadleigh (1864-1900)
4	Sarah Ann Bartlett Wadleigh was born on August 1, 1821 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5,22. She died on December 13, 1883 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 7,22. She married Charles Bartlett Perley in March 24, 1844 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5,22. (He was born on April 26, 1818 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5,22 and died on May 5, 1885 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 22.) They had the following children: Georgiana Bartlett Perley (1848-aft. 1937) md. Nathan Joshua Clark Martha Elma Perley (1856-aft. 1930) md. Moses Coffin Burleigh
5	Eliza Melcher Wadleigh (Taylor) was born on November 2, 1825 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. She died aft 1910 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. Eliza was named after the wife of her maternal uncle. Sometime between 1825 and 1830, Eliza was sent to go live with her aunt and uncle Daniel and Eliza Taylor in Boston, Massachusetts. Daniel and Eliza were childless and it appears that Eliza was adopted by them, or at least assumed their last name. Eliza never married and spent the remainder of her life in Boston, where she had the last name Taylor.
6	John Blake Wadleigh
7	Daniel Taylor Wadleigh was born on March 2, 1835 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on January 24, 1909 in Andover, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire 8. He is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. He married Hannah Piper Burley on April 19, 1862 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 11. (She was born on October 23, 1829 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire 5 and died on December 22, 1893 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 8. She is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire.) They had the following children: Fred Burley Wadleigh (1862-1865) William Augustus Wadleigh (1863-1865) Sarah "Sadie" Esther Wadleigh (1865-aft. 1930) md. Henry Levi Emery Mary Percy Wadleigh (1867-1894)

John Blake Wadleigh was born on April 25, 1829 in Sanbornton, Strafford (now Belknap) Co., New Hampshire ^1,5,7. He died on July 13, 1912 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire ^6,7,8. He is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire.

Father: John Wadleigh
Mother: Sally Taylor

John was raised in a rural New England town where his family were farmers and were faithful members of the First Baptist Church in Sanbornton. Living in an environment like this, John decided to do what many young New England men of the time did: move out west. In 1850, 21-year old John was living at home with his parents where he was working on the farm and listed as having attended school that year. Clearly, he must have already been pursuing some kind of higher education or vocation other than farming. Some two years later, at the age of 23, John acquired a daguerrean saloon (something of a traveling photographic studio) and commenced his short career as a traveling photographer. Over the next eight years, he visited many towns in New Hampshire and even went as far as Illinois, where he worked for a year or two. In about 1860, John was done being a photographer and moved back to New Hampshire to engage in other pursuits. He moved to the town of Hill, New Hampshire (near Sanbornton), where he opened a business as a merchant of friction matches.

Not long after moving to Hill, 31-year old John fell in love with and became engaged to a young woman from the town, Helen Parker, who was 9 years his junior. They were married in Hill in 1860. Their brief, childless marriage was summed up with the statement that Helen "made home happy." Sadly she died in 1862, at the age of 23, not quite 2 years after their marriage. (John must have dearly loved his first wife. After his remarriage, he named his first daughter after her. He also remained close with Helen's parents.) It can be understandable that John was heartbroken with the death of his young wife. At that time, he sold or abandoned his business in Hill and returned to his hometown of Sanbornton, where he probably lived with his brother Daniel on the family farm. John apparently found solace for his grief in the form of a young woman named Abbie Tilton, the daughter of the local Baptist minister. They were a well-matched couple and were married in 1864, probably by her father Rev. Jeremiah Tilton at the First Baptist Church of Sanbornton.

John and Abbie farmed on the Wadleigh homestead of Sanbornton and continued to live in his parents' old house, where their first four children were born. A non-contemporary caption on a photograph of their house indicated that it was abandoned in 1871. More than likely though, the year was 1877. At that time, John acquired a new chunk of land a short distance away (it was called the "Piper Place") and there erected an elegant farmhouse in 1878 (which is still standing to this day). John and Abbie were successful farmers and were also faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Sanbornton. A fifth child, Inez, was born to the couple in 1885 (since she was born 13 years after the next oldest child and John and Abbie were 56 and 42 respectively; the birth may have been something of an "accident.")

In about March of 1912, 83-year old John had a slight injury, but never fully recovered and his health worsened. He died at his home in Sanbornton on June 13, 1912, at the age of 83. His widow Abbie continued to live in the farmhouse until her health worsened so much that in 1928 she moved to Franklin, New Hampshire, to live with her daughter Inez. She died there in 1929.

They had no children. Helen was the daughter of Isaac T. and Mary M. (Fowler) Parker. Her parents retained a close relationship with John after his remarriage.

They had the following children:

1	Oscar Stearns Wadleigh
2	John Parker Wadleigh was born on January 21, 1869 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on June 10, 1902 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 8. He is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire.
3	Fred Tilton Wadleigh was born on November 2, 1870 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. He died on February 13, 1957 in Milford, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire 9. He was married to Alice Bancroft Conant on April 20, 1899 in New Hampshire 9,23. (She was born on October 19, 1868 in Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts 23,24 and died after 1930 in Milford, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.) They had the following children: Theodore Conant Wadleigh (1900-1918) Winthrop Wadleigh (1902-1986) md. 1st. Sylvia Leach md. 2nd. Faith Preston Ruth Wadleigh (1903-1990) Eleanor Wadleigh (1908-1996) md. 1st Edward Haigh md. 2nd. Harold Scott
4	Helen Abbie Wadleigh was born on April 26, 1872 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 5. She died on May 8, 1955 in Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire 9. She is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. She was never married or had any children. She was named after her father's first wife. Helen spent her whole life living with other relatives. It appears that Helen had some form of mental retardation.
5	Inez Hattie Wadleigh was born on September 13, 1885 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 10. She died on September 16, 1973 in Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire 9. She is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. She was married to Henry Tildren Blake on July 20, 1906 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 11. (He was born on May 5, 1876 in East Haverhill, Grafton Co., New Hampshire 16 and died on May 22, 1951 in Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire 9. He is buried in the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire.) They had one child: Robert Wadleigh Blake (1911-2003) md. Barbara Jane Mulford

9th Generation: Oscar Stearns Wadleigh was born on July 24, 1865 in Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire 1,5,6. He died on February 1, 1932 in the Bronx, Bronx Co., New York 9,12. He is buried in the US Columbarium, Middle Village, Queens Co., New York. Father: John Blake Wadleigh Mother: Abigail Ruthena Tilton He was named after his maternal uncle Oscar Tilton who had just died the previous year at the age of 14. Oscar was raised on the old Wadleigh homestead in Sanbornton, where he and his family attended the First Baptist Church in town. In 1877 or 1878, he moved with his family from their aged farmhouse to a newer and more elegant house that his father had built on the other end of Wadleigh Road in Sanbornton. In the early 1880's, Oscar's parents had plans for him to go to college to receive a "classical" education, but being of a restless nature like his father he decided to go on his own route. In about 1883, he left his hometown of Sanbornton, New Hampshire, and became an agent for a Boston company, during which he traveled all over the United States. (Nowhere does it list what this company was or what he did for them). He worked for this company for four years, and by 1887, had moved to Buffalo, New York. While traveling, probably towards New York City, he stopped in the small village of Cannonsville, on the Delaware River, and there met Lottie Winters, the daughter of the local general store owner. The two of them fell in love and were married at her parent's house in 1887. Oscar and Charlotte began living together in Cannonsville until they could find a place to locate and it was there that their son Odin was born in August of 1888. In late 1888 or early 1889 Oscar and his family moved to Buffalo, New York, where Oscar worked as a printer. They lived in Buffalo for about three years and in the summer of 1892 moved to Deposit, Delaware County, New York (a short distance from Cannonsville). In 1892, Oscar bought one-half interest in the newspaper, Deposit Journal, and operated the newspaper under the firm Oakley & Wadleigh. The following year, he bought out his partner and became the sole owner of the paper. Oscar and his family only lived in Deposit for a few years and by the late 1890's moved to Binghamton, Broome County, New York, where he worked in the printing business where he was a manager for the Vail Ballou Press. In about 1912, Oscar and his family moved to Brooklyn, in New York City. They lived in Brooklyn for a few years and in the late 1910's they moved to the Woodhaven neighborhood of Queens. In New York City, Oscar worked for the J. J. Little & Ives Publishing Company, where he was a superintendent/manager for many years until his health failed him and he then worked as a salesman in the few years before his death. Oscar's wife Charlotte died in 1924 and he afterwards moved in with his son Gerald in Queens and died in a hospital in the Bronx, New York in 1932. Oscar was married to Charlotte Frances Winters on November 17, 1887 in Cannonsville, Delaware Co., New York 9,13,14.

1

Odin Francis Wadleigh

2

Gerald Tilton Wadleigh was born on October 11, 1893 in Deposit, Delaware Co., New York 10,16,17. He died on August 17, 1983 in Osceola Co., Florida 17. He was married to Mabel Esther Anderson on May 15, 1916 in New York, New York Co., New York 18. (She was born on May 20, 1894 in New York 10,17 and died on January 26, 1989 in Osceola Co., Florida 17.) They had two children: Charlotte Maria Wadleigh, (1921-1979) md. Robert James Wilson Gerald Tilton Wadleigh, (1924-1994) md. Unknown Gerald was a printer like his father and remained in New York City. He moved to Kissimmee, Florida sometime in his old age.

Odin Francis Wadleigh was born on August 19, 1888 in Cannonsville, Delaware County, New York 6,10,13. He died on August 5, 1964 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana ¹⁹. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.

Father: Oscar Stearns Wadleigh
Mother: Charlotte Frances Winters

Odin was probably named after his great uncle Josiah Odin Tilton. Odin was probably born at his maternal grandparents' house in the center of the small village of Cannonsville. Sadly, the quaint village of his birth no longer exists and the physical location can be found at the bottom of the Cannonsville Reservoir. When Odin was just an infant, he moved with his parents to the city of Buffalo, New York, where his father had business as a printer. There, they rented a house. On several occasions, Odin traveled with his mother back to Cannonsville to visit his grandparents. They also traveled to Sanbornton, New Hampshire to visit with his paternal grandparents. In the summer of 1892, Odin and his parents moved to the city of Deposit, a short distance away from Cannonsville. Once again, they did not remain there long, probably only two or three years. Sometime between 1894 and 1900 (probably closer to the earlier date) Odin and his family moved to Binghamton, New York. There, Odin spent the remainder of his childhood and had his public school education. Odin graduated from the Binghamton High School in 1906. Odin's complete diary from the year 1906 has been transcribed and is now online.

After graduating from high school in 1906, Odin acquired his first job at General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. It is unknown exactly how long he worked for General Electric, but he lived back and forth between Binghamton and Schenectady. Even in high school, Odin had plans to attend college. At some point, he began attending the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York City. There, he was a student of electrical engineering and graduated in 1910. Odin continued his employment with General Electric, but did not like working for them. He began searching for a new job and because he did not feel wedded to his home state of New York, sent out applications around the country. At the same time, he and his girlfriend of at least six years were finally married in 1912. The company that eventually hired him was Sanborn Electric in Indianapolis, Indiana. Odin and Eva moved to Indianapolis in 1912 where they began renting a house. Odin first lived in a house at 2415 N Delaware Street in Indianapolis. Sometime between 1921-1923, they began living at 3030 N Delaware Street (whether they purchased a home a short distance away or the house numbers changed, is unknown).

Odin continued with steady employment at the Sanborn Electric Company. In 1920, he was promoted from engineer to secretary. Yet while his career was taking a turn for the better, tragedy struck his family. In 1921, his beloved wife Eva committed suicide. It is thought that this may have been a result of postpartum depression developed after Eva gave birth to her son Gerald seven months earlier. Odin was obviously heartbroken by his wife's death and apparently afterwards burned or destroyed anything that would remind him of her, including priceless photographs. After his wife's death, Louise Custer (a close friend of his wife and also a co-worker at Sanborn Electric) was helpful to him and his family and they eventually became engaged. They were married in 1923 and spent their honeymoon in New York.

Odin's hard work at his job eventually paid off in 1941 when he was named President of Sanborn Electric Company. He continued working as president until 1960, when at the age of 72 he resigned but remained Chairman of the Board until his death. In about 1943, Odin and Louise purchased a spacious home at 4220 Roland Road in the Wynnedale neighborhood of Indianapolis. Odin and his family were noteworthy Indianapolis citizens and were involved in a number of civic organizations. In later years, Odin and his family were members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, but when they first moved to Indiana in 1912 and through the 1920's, were members of the Universalist Church. Odin's later years must have been difficult as he had to deal with his wife's lengthy battle with cancer until her death in 1962. Odin died from heart failure in 1964 at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Odin was married first to Evangeline "Eva" Marsh on May 28, 1912 in New York. She was born on February 3, 1889 in Binghamton, Broome Co., New York. She died on February 21, 1921 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. She is buried in the Floral Park Cemetery, Johnson City, Broome Co., New York.

Eva was the daughter of Andrew Julian Marsh and Sarah Amelia Burt of Binghamton, New York.

1	Eric Julian Wadleigh [information on living individual is witheld.]
2	Gerald Marsh Wadleigh was born on July 16, 1920 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 6. He died on August 10, 1984 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 9. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. He was married to Charleen Dabbs. The following biography was written by Gerald's daughter Susan: Gerald Marsh Wadleigh was born July 16, 1920 in Indianapolis, IN. He was the second son of Odin Francis and Evangeline Marsh Wadleigh. His mother, suffering from post-partum depression, committed suicide on February 21, 1921. Odin married Louise Custer, a family friend, in 1923, and their son Paul Custer Wadleigh (1925-2007), was Gerald’s half-brother. William and Bea Devine, church friends of Louise and affectionately known as “Aunt Bea and Uncle Will”, looked after Gerald and his older brother Eric after Eva died, and subsequently helped Odin and Louise with the three boys and the household at 3030 North Delaware in Indianapolis. Louise (known to her grandchildren as “Dudu” – a nephew’s mispronunciation of “Lulu” – short for Louise) had been a family friend of Odin and Eva. Louise was instrumental in ensuring that Eva’s surviving brother, Robert Pawnee Marsh of Cincinnati, was included in family gatherings and that her step-sons got to know their maternal uncle. Gerald attended Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 82, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating high school in 1937, he attended Purdue University before enlisting in the Army. On June 24, 1944 he married Charleen Dabbs, who graduated from Shortridge shortly after Gerald but met him through mutual friends while he was attending Purdue. They married in Tabernacle Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, where Gerald later served as deacon, elder and chairman of the Board of Trustees. Gerald served in England and Germany as a Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Indianapolis and went to work for The Sanborn Electric Company, a commercial electrical construction firm of which his father Odin was President. In 1961, he was named President of Sanborn Electric Company and served in that capacity until 1981, when he was named Chairman of the Board. Although he did not graduate from college, he was the president and governor of the North Central Indiana Chapter of the National Electrical Contractor’s Association, and a member of NECA’s Academy of Electrical Contractors. In 1975 he was named Electric League Man of the Year, and in 1976 received the NECA McGraw Medal in recognition of his national contributions to the commercial electrical contracting industry. He was a driving force in establishing Purdue University’s College of Construction Technology. Gerald was the president of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis from 1971-1973, and was Chairman of its Board of Trustees from 1975-1982. His personal interests included railroads, Greentown glass, and forestry. And he was, forever, a Purdue fan and member of the John Purdue Club. During the early 1980’s, it became apparent that something was wrong with Gerald. His mobility wasn’t the same; his speech slurred; he had trouble using his hands, swallowing became difficult. After a series of tests which ruled out any other cause, he was diagnosed in May, 1984 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). He died at his home, 122 West 81st Street, in Indianapolis, on August 10, 1984. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. Gerald and Charleen had 3 children: Susan, Robert Marsh and William Odin.	Susan Wadleigh Gard at swgard@hotmail.com is a researcher/descendant of this line. (She is Gerald's daughter).

They had the following children:

1	John Odin Wadleigh was born on August 19, 1924 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 22. He died on August 23, 1924 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 22. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. John suffered from "heart trouble" and died at the age of 4 days. He does not have a tombstone in the Crown Hill Cemetery.
2	Paul Custer Wadleigh

Father: Odin Francis Wadleigh
Mother: Louise Elizabeth Custer

Paul was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he first lived with his family at 3030 N Delaware Street. In about 1943, he moved with his family to their Wynnedale house in Indianapolis on Roland Road. Paul graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in 1943. Afterwards, he attended Purdue University Officer Training School for the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater as a mine sweeper during World War II. He afterwards served in the Korean War before he was discharged in 1954 as a lieutenant. In 1946, Paul was married to Bettye "Moe" Brown, whom he had known since junior high school. They had three children together; Karen, Mark and Randy. Because of different teaching positions and military requirements, they had to move quite a bit. In 1948, they were in Washington, Indiana and were in Bloomington, Indiana in 1950. They were back in Indianapolis, Indiana by 1952. In August 1952, they moved to Long Beach, California. (In California, they also lived briefly at San Pedro and at Mare Island Shipping Yards.) In March 1954, they moved back to Indianapolis and in June 1958, they moved to Bloomington, Indiana.

Paul would have had a lucrative career ahead of him had he stuck with the family business, Sanborn Electric Company. Instead, he decided to follow his interests and pursued a career in teaching. After his military service was over, Paul attended Indiana University in Bloomington where he received his PhD. Meanwhile, Paul made his living by teaching English, drama, speech, theater and history at local schools. (He was teaching at Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis in 1956; and he is also said to have taught at Shortridge High School.) In 1957, he began teaching theater arts at Indiana University. In 1961, he moved his family to Bellingham, Washington, where he taught theater at Western Washington University. They lived there until 1965, when they moved to Pullman, Washington, where he had a teaching position at Washington State University. He was a professor at this college until his retirement in 2004, ending a 54-year career of teaching students. At WSU, he created and directed many theater and teaching programs. These include the 'Summer Palace,' a re-creation of the 19th century American touring theater experience in 'typical' small American towns, and 'The Commedians', a group of university Shakespearean actors which toured high schools for several decades throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. In old age, Paul decided to try his luck in Hollywood. In 1999, just 8 days after arriving in Los Angeles, he got a role in a four hour Revolutionary War pilot movie called "Dawn of our Nation." Paul then had the lead role in the 1999 independent film Sammyville. (An online review of the movie said "The old man who plays Sammy is the best.") In 2000, Paul also had the role of "old man" in the independent film Dog Story.

Paul and Moe were divorced in 1971. He then married Camille Hutchinson in 1972 and they had two children together; Rafe and Gillian. They moved to the nearby town of Palouse, Washington, where they made their home.

They had the following children:

1	Karen Ann Wadleigh
2	Paul Mark Wadleigh
3	David Randall Wadleigh

They had the following children:

4	Rafe James Wadleigh
5	Gillian Louise Wadleigh

David Randall Wadleigh [identifying information on living individual is withheld]

Father: Paul Custer Wadleigh
Mother: Bettye Boone Brown

He goes by the name Randy, originally to differentiate him between his cousin David Dragoo. His original name was supposed to have been John Odin Newell Wadleigh (in honor of an uncle and both grandfathers), but his grandmother (Louise Wadleigh) intervened, saying that that was not a good name for a little boy. As an infant and small child, Randy lived in Long Beach, California, and in Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana. In 1961, he moved with his family to Bellingham, Washington and in 1965, to Pullman, Washington. He graduated from Pullman High School. Randy is currently working as a painting contractor.

They had the following children:

1	Odin Randall Wadleigh Odin graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. He is an aspiring cinematographer and director. Please visit his website www.odinwadleigh.com
2	Ryan James Wadleigh
3	Trevor Daniel Wadleigh Trevor is a student at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where he is a Music Performance major. He is an accomplished viola player (and also plays a variety of other instruments.)
4	Carmen Marie Wadleigh

Ryan James Wadleigh [identifying information on living individual is withheld]

Father: David Randall Wadleigh
Mother: Barbara Ann Plymale

Ryan graduated from Seattle University in 2006 with a BA in Sociology, with a Criminal Justice minor. He currently works for the King County Archives in Seattle. He devotes a large portion of his time to his interest in genealogy, and is the webmaster of this website.

1. Wadleigh, Donald E. The Wadleigh Chronicle. (Heritage Books Inc., Bowei, MD, 1992).
2. Noyle, Libby and Davis. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire. Southworth Anthoensen Press, 1928-1939.
3. Savage, James A. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England. Boston, MA: 1860-1862.
4. Dow, Joseph. History of the town of Hampton, New Hampshire. L.E. Dow, 1893.
5. Runnels, Rev. M.T. History of Sanbornton, New Hampshire. Alfred Mudge & Son, Boston, MA, 1881.
6. DAR Application of Susan Wadleigh, 1949
7. Death Certificates, State of New Hampshire
8. Tombstone Inscriptions, Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, New Hampshire
9. Information from Eric J. Wadleigh, 2001
10. Social Security Death Index
11. Marriage records, State of New Hampshire
12. Death Certificates, New York City, New York
13. Vital records of Tompkins, NY, transcribed from Frances Webb, town clerk
14. Matrimonial, Walton Chronicle, November 17, 1887
15. US Federal Census records
16. World War I Draft Registration Cards
17. Florida Death Index
18. New York City Marriage index
19. Death Certificate of Odin Wadleigh, Marion Co., IN
20. Marriage records, Marion Co., IN
21. Death Certificate of Louise Wadleigh, Olmsted Co., MN
22. Perley, M.V.B. History and Genealogy of the Perley Family. M.V.B. Perley, Salem, 1906.
23. History of the town of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire. Blanchford Printing Co., Boston, 1907.
24. Conant, Frederick O. A history and genealogy of the Conant family in America. Privately printed, Portland, ME, 1887.