March 2011 Issue Volt, me. !6 Issue 12
Page 4
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Early Wilder Settlers in the 3 rd Precinct
(Including Revolutionary Participants)
By Robert Wilder
ABEL WILDER--Great grand uncle of the present
Wilders. Abel was born 31 August 1736. He married
Martha Peeters of Brookfield, (she was the daughter of
Asael and Elizabeth (Parsons) of Spencer), November
1759. They both lived on the Peeter s farm, off Long
Hill Road until the Revolutionary War was over. Their
children were all born in Brookfield, the 3 rd Precinct:
Peter, born October 24, 1761, Joshua, born December
20, 1763 and Joseph, born May 1768.
EPHRAIN WILDER IV--He lived in Brookfield and
married Hannah Reed. Their children were all born in
Brookfield, the 3 ' Precinct. Nathaniel was born
November 11,1763 and Ephrain V was born May 1788.
SOLOMON WILDER--He was the youngest
brother of Abel and came to Brookfield during January
1762 after his father died in Cold Springs (Belchertown).
He lived with his brother Abel.
Revolutionary War (Wilder participation)
ABEL WILDER: A minuteman. He responded to
the alarm of 17 April 1775 and left for Boston to fight
the British Army.
PETER WILDER: Abers son left Brookfield the
same day, he was 14 years old.
SOLOMON WILDER: Abers brother and Peter's
uncle accompanied Abel east on the Post Road toward
Boston. It is significant to note Abel, Peter and Solomon
all served during the same period and from the same
town. Solomon was 23 years old.
Solomon served as a Ranger (Indian Style
Fighters) in Captain Woolcot's Company through the
entire war. His last service was in Captain Hamilton's
Company, a portion of Colonel Brewer's Regiment at
Ticonderoga Mills from June 1, 1776 until February 1,1777.
All three Wilders returned to Brookfield at the
end of their service. They left Brookfield as angry
Englishmen and returned as proud Americans.
In conclusion, Abel and Solomon's brother and
my grandfather to the fifth generation, Nathaniel, was a
corporal of the 9 th Volunteer Regiment from Ware,
Massachusetts. He departed from his home and headed
east on the Post Road that winds through the
Brookfields on its way from New York to Boston.
It s thrilling to me to know that four close
members of the Wilder family were on their way east to
free this colony and help to forge a new nation, the
United States of America.
_, b :
THE000000CENTER
AT EAGLE HILL
An Evening with Ellen Jeweli
Saturday, March 5 @ 7:30 PM
"Sometimes as darkly damaged as Lucinda
Williams, at others as defiant and teasing as Peggy
Lee and always authentically Americana in the Gillian
Welch tradition...She's mighty good."
LUNASA
Thursday, March 17 @ 7:30 PM
The Cultural Center celebrates St. Patrick's
Day with "the hottest Irish acoustic group on the
planet". Add world-class step dancers hand-picked
by the band, and you've got an evening of magic and
joy not to be missed.
Pinocchio's Adventures in Funland
Performed by the Worcester Chamber Music Society
Sunday, March 20 @ 3:00 PM
An adventure for the young and the young at heart.
Art Teas at the Center
lan Callahan - Graphic Designer
lan is interested in the relationship between
philosophy and visual culture.
For more information: www.thecenterateaglehill.org
Elephant Man
By Bernard Pomerance
February 25 - March 13
Each Friday & Saturday at 8:00
Each Sunday at 2:00
Gillian's Island - the Musical
March 18 - April 3
Each Friday & Saturday at 8:00
Each Sunday at 2:00
We are proud to be staging the regional
premiere of this musical. We've got the whole gang:
Gilligan, the Skipper, the Howells, Mary Ann, Ginger
and all the crazies that visit the island. Join us for a
romping good time.
For more information: www.stageloft.com or
call 508-347 9005
