Bio from "History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.): from the grant ..., by Abijah Perkins. Page 430:
"Hon. Abel Wilder was born in Leominster, April 15,1741, old style, the 26th, new style. He was in Winchendon as early as 1762, and from that time till his decease in 1792, was constantly in public employment, He was the first town Clerk, and he held, at different times, every office worth having. He was the first representative to the General Court, after the Constitution was adopted, and from 1779 to 1792, was either in the House or the Senate, except a year or two when the town sent no delegates. He represented the town in the first Constitutional Convention. At his decease the public mind was prepared to send him to Congress. He was chosen deacon of the First Church in 1769. Mr. Wilder was a remarkable man. He was of stout build, and though not handsome, had a pleasant countenance and commanding presence. Though in constant employment in public business, not only as an officer, but as a member, and generally chairman of every important committee in town, parish and church, he seems never to have provoked the jealousy and envy that usually follow superior men. Though a man of firm principle and unbending rectitude, and earnest piety, he appears to have been one of those rare men whose " enemies are at peace with him." His minister relied upon him, the public confided in him, the church rested on him as a pillar, and his family regarded him with love and reverence. He fills the largest place in the history of the town. And as he was so useful in his life, so there were mitigating circumstances attending his lamented departure. He was chairman of the building Committee, in erecting the meeting-house in 1792. The day he left home to go to Jaffrey, where he was inoculated for the small pox, of which he died, he passed over the Common. The men were leveling the land before the meeting-house, and when, after a few pleasant words, he rode on his way, the workmen, with the ancient courtesy, took off their hats and bowed to him. He returned the salute, and was seen no more. When it appeared that his case was to have a fatal termination, Dr. Israel Whiton visited him, and received his parting directions respecting his business and family. He was cheerful and prepared for his departure. His grave is with six others, who died at the time, of the same disease, on the farm owned by Mr. Benjamin Pierce, one mile northeast of East Jeffrey. The graves are enclosed, and there are gravestones to two of them."
It should be noted that Abel at the time of his death was a state Senator and Presidential Elector for Worcester County and was on his way to cast their votes at the National Convention in Baltimore. At that time, Baltimore was undergoing a smallpox epidemic and prevailing medical theory called for risking self-inoculation instead of contracting the disease through contact. Abel took the inoculation at the Jaffrey "Pest House" from Dr. Adonijah Howe and lost his life (immunization was in its infancy at the time and of course inoculation at times ended in death) So great was the fear of smallpox that its victims were buried not in the local cemeteries but in remote locations, often under cover of darkness and with little ceremony; they were separated from society not only in life but in death. The "Smallpox Cemetery" (as it came to be known) where Abel and the other five victims of the dreaded disease were buried was at that time located in a farmer's field (the Benjamin Pierce family land). It is still privately held.
Abel was a captain of a company (6th Company, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle's Regiment) of approximately 50 "Minute Men" who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
Following is a letter from Abel to his wife Anna from Bunker Hill encampment the day after the Battle of Bunker Hill (the original spellings are retained):
" CHARLESTON ENCAMPMENT, " June ye l8th, 1775.
DEAR WIFE: These Lines are to inform you that I am pretty well, though I have had a poorly two or three days. Friday night I was quite poorly. Doctor Wait said I must have a Vomit; but I told him as there was a battle expected Satterday, I would not take it, lest I should be charged of taking it on purpose. But I took some tincture, which answered a good purpose. And according as was expected, a very hot Battle ensued Satterday after noon. Our people had built a fort on a hill in the town of Charleston, and the Regulars landed upwards of two thousand men on said hill; and our Regiment on the hill; and they fired upward from four or five Ships, the north battery, and two or three field pieces, but blessed be God, there was not many killed by them. But presently they advanced up near to us, and I fired nineteen times, and had fair chances, and then they was too hard for us, and we retreated. The balls flew very thick, but through the Divine protection, my company was all preserved but one, Phineas Nevers, who is missing, and Samuel Bradish, badly wounded. But men are in good spirit.
I remain your true and loving husband,
ABEL WILDER
Note: Please, if anybody knows whether or not Abel's original letters from Bunker Hill survived and their location, please, please contact Bruce Meinsen via this Find A Grave Memorial. They were originally in the possession of his grandson Deacon Albert Brown, 1806-1887, died Royalston, Mass.
Note: If anyone can provide information as to the final resting place of Abel's wife Anna Butler Wilder (1738-1818), please contact me.
"Hon. Abel Wilder was born in Leominster, April 15,1741, old style, the 26th, new style. He was in Winchendon as early as 1762, and from that time till his decease in 1792, was constantly in public employment, He was the first town Clerk, and he held, at different times, every office worth having. He was the first representative to the General Court, after the Constitution was adopted, and from 1779 to 1792, was either in the House or the Senate, except a year or two when the town sent no delegates. He represented the town in the first Constitutional Convention. At his decease the public mind was prepared to send him to Congress. He was chosen deacon of the First Church in 1769. Mr. Wilder was a remarkable man. He was of stout build, and though not handsome, had a pleasant countenance and commanding presence. Though in constant employment in public business, not only as an officer, but as a member, and generally chairman of every important committee in town, parish and church, he seems never to have provoked the jealousy and envy that usually follow superior men. Though a man of firm principle and unbending rectitude, and earnest piety, he appears to have been one of those rare men whose " enemies are at peace with him." His minister relied upon him, the public confided in him, the church rested on him as a pillar, and his family regarded him with love and reverence. He fills the largest place in the history of the town. And as he was so useful in his life, so there were mitigating circumstances attending his lamented departure. He was chairman of the building Committee, in erecting the meeting-house in 1792. The day he left home to go to Jaffrey, where he was inoculated for the small pox, of which he died, he passed over the Common. The men were leveling the land before the meeting-house, and when, after a few pleasant words, he rode on his way, the workmen, with the ancient courtesy, took off their hats and bowed to him. He returned the salute, and was seen no more. When it appeared that his case was to have a fatal termination, Dr. Israel Whiton visited him, and received his parting directions respecting his business and family. He was cheerful and prepared for his departure. His grave is with six others, who died at the time, of the same disease, on the farm owned by Mr. Benjamin Pierce, one mile northeast of East Jeffrey. The graves are enclosed, and there are gravestones to two of them."
It should be noted that Abel at the time of his death was a state Senator and Presidential Elector for Worcester County and was on his way to cast their votes at the National Convention in Baltimore. At that time, Baltimore was undergoing a smallpox epidemic and prevailing medical theory called for risking self-inoculation instead of contracting the disease through contact. Abel took the inoculation at the Jaffrey "Pest House" from Dr. Adonijah Howe and lost his life (immunization was in its infancy at the time and of course inoculation at times ended in death) So great was the fear of smallpox that its victims were buried not in the local cemeteries but in remote locations, often under cover of darkness and with little ceremony; they were separated from society not only in life but in death. The "Smallpox Cemetery" (as it came to be known) where Abel and the other five victims of the dreaded disease were buried was at that time located in a farmer's field (the Benjamin Pierce family land). It is still privately held.
Abel was a captain of a company (6th Company, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle's Regiment) of approximately 50 "Minute Men" who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
Following is a letter from Abel to his wife Anna from Bunker Hill encampment the day after the Battle of Bunker Hill (the original spellings are retained):
" CHARLESTON ENCAMPMENT, " June ye l8th, 1775.
DEAR WIFE: These Lines are to inform you that I am pretty well, though I have had a poorly two or three days. Friday night I was quite poorly. Doctor Wait said I must have a Vomit; but I told him as there was a battle expected Satterday, I would not take it, lest I should be charged of taking it on purpose. But I took some tincture, which answered a good purpose. And according as was expected, a very hot Battle ensued Satterday after noon. Our people had built a fort on a hill in the town of Charleston, and the Regulars landed upwards of two thousand men on said hill; and our Regiment on the hill; and they fired upward from four or five Ships, the north battery, and two or three field pieces, but blessed be God, there was not many killed by them. But presently they advanced up near to us, and I fired nineteen times, and had fair chances, and then they was too hard for us, and we retreated. The balls flew very thick, but through the Divine protection, my company was all preserved but one, Phineas Nevers, who is missing, and Samuel Bradish, badly wounded. But men are in good spirit.
I remain your true and loving husband,
ABEL WILDER
Note: Please, if anybody knows whether or not Abel's original letters from Bunker Hill survived and their location, please, please contact Bruce Meinsen via this Find A Grave Memorial. They were originally in the possession of his grandson Deacon Albert Brown, 1806-1887, died Royalston, Mass.
Note: If anyone can provide information as to the final resting place of Abel's wife Anna Butler Wilder (1738-1818), please contact me.
Bio from "History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.): from the grant ..., by Abijah Perkins. Page 430:
"Hon. Abel Wilder was born in Leominster, April 15,1741, old style, the 26th, new style. He was in Winchendon as early as 1762, and from that time till his decease in 1792, was constantly in public employment, He was the first town Clerk, and he held, at different times, every office worth having. He was the first representative to the General Court, after the Constitution was adopted, and from 1779 to 1792, was either in the House or the Senate, except a year or two when the town sent no delegates. He represented the town in the first Constitutional Convention. At his decease the public mind was prepared to send him to Congress. He was chosen deacon of the First Church in 1769. Mr. Wilder was a remarkable man. He was of stout build, and though not handsome, had a pleasant countenance and commanding presence. Though in constant employment in public business, not only as an officer, but as a member, and generally chairman of every important committee in town, parish and church, he seems never to have provoked the jealousy and envy that usually follow superior men. Though a man of firm principle and unbending rectitude, and earnest piety, he appears to have been one of those rare men whose " enemies are at peace with him." His minister relied upon him, the public confided in him, the church rested on him as a pillar, and his family regarded him with love and reverence. He fills the largest place in the history of the town. And as he was so useful in his life, so there were mitigating circumstances attending his lamented departure. He was chairman of the building Committee, in erecting the meeting-house in 1792. The day he left home to go to Jaffrey, where he was inoculated for the small pox, of which he died, he passed over the Common. The men were leveling the land before the meeting-house, and when, after a few pleasant words, he rode on his way, the workmen, with the ancient courtesy, took off their hats and bowed to him. He returned the salute, and was seen no more. When it appeared that his case was to have a fatal termination, Dr. Israel Whiton visited him, and received his parting directions respecting his business and family. He was cheerful and prepared for his departure. His grave is with six others, who died at the time, of the same disease, on the farm owned by Mr. Benjamin Pierce, one mile northeast of East Jeffrey. The graves are enclosed, and there are gravestones to two of them."
It should be noted that Abel at the time of his death was a state Senator and Presidential Elector for Worcester County and was on his way to cast their votes at the National Convention in Baltimore. At that time, Baltimore was undergoing a smallpox epidemic and prevailing medical theory called for risking self-inoculation instead of contracting the disease through contact. Abel took the inoculation at the Jaffrey "Pest House" from Dr. Adonijah Howe and lost his life (immunization was in its infancy at the time and of course inoculation at times ended in death) So great was the fear of smallpox that its victims were buried not in the local cemeteries but in remote locations, often under cover of darkness and with little ceremony; they were separated from society not only in life but in death. The "Smallpox Cemetery" (as it came to be known) where Abel and the other five victims of the dreaded disease were buried was at that time located in a farmer's field (the Benjamin Pierce family land). It is still privately held.
Abel was a captain of a company (6th Company, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle's Regiment) of approximately 50 "Minute Men" who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
Following is a letter from Abel to his wife Anna from Bunker Hill encampment the day after the Battle of Bunker Hill (the original spellings are retained):
" CHARLESTON ENCAMPMENT, " June ye l8th, 1775.
DEAR WIFE: These Lines are to inform you that I am pretty well, though I have had a poorly two or three days. Friday night I was quite poorly. Doctor Wait said I must have a Vomit; but I told him as there was a battle expected Satterday, I would not take it, lest I should be charged of taking it on purpose. But I took some tincture, which answered a good purpose. And according as was expected, a very hot Battle ensued Satterday after noon. Our people had built a fort on a hill in the town of Charleston, and the Regulars landed upwards of two thousand men on said hill; and our Regiment on the hill; and they fired upward from four or five Ships, the north battery, and two or three field pieces, but blessed be God, there was not many killed by them. But presently they advanced up near to us, and I fired nineteen times, and had fair chances, and then they was too hard for us, and we retreated. The balls flew very thick, but through the Divine protection, my company was all preserved but one, Phineas Nevers, who is missing, and Samuel Bradish, badly wounded. But men are in good spirit.
I remain your true and loving husband,
ABEL WILDER
Note: Please, if anybody knows whether or not Abel's original letters from Bunker Hill survived and their location, please, please contact Bruce Meinsen via this Find A Grave Memorial. They were originally in the possession of his grandson Deacon Albert Brown, 1806-1887, died Royalston, Mass.
Note: If anyone can provide information as to the final resting place of Abel's wife Anna Butler Wilder (1738-1818), please contact me.
"Hon. Abel Wilder was born in Leominster, April 15,1741, old style, the 26th, new style. He was in Winchendon as early as 1762, and from that time till his decease in 1792, was constantly in public employment, He was the first town Clerk, and he held, at different times, every office worth having. He was the first representative to the General Court, after the Constitution was adopted, and from 1779 to 1792, was either in the House or the Senate, except a year or two when the town sent no delegates. He represented the town in the first Constitutional Convention. At his decease the public mind was prepared to send him to Congress. He was chosen deacon of the First Church in 1769. Mr. Wilder was a remarkable man. He was of stout build, and though not handsome, had a pleasant countenance and commanding presence. Though in constant employment in public business, not only as an officer, but as a member, and generally chairman of every important committee in town, parish and church, he seems never to have provoked the jealousy and envy that usually follow superior men. Though a man of firm principle and unbending rectitude, and earnest piety, he appears to have been one of those rare men whose " enemies are at peace with him." His minister relied upon him, the public confided in him, the church rested on him as a pillar, and his family regarded him with love and reverence. He fills the largest place in the history of the town. And as he was so useful in his life, so there were mitigating circumstances attending his lamented departure. He was chairman of the building Committee, in erecting the meeting-house in 1792. The day he left home to go to Jaffrey, where he was inoculated for the small pox, of which he died, he passed over the Common. The men were leveling the land before the meeting-house, and when, after a few pleasant words, he rode on his way, the workmen, with the ancient courtesy, took off their hats and bowed to him. He returned the salute, and was seen no more. When it appeared that his case was to have a fatal termination, Dr. Israel Whiton visited him, and received his parting directions respecting his business and family. He was cheerful and prepared for his departure. His grave is with six others, who died at the time, of the same disease, on the farm owned by Mr. Benjamin Pierce, one mile northeast of East Jeffrey. The graves are enclosed, and there are gravestones to two of them."
It should be noted that Abel at the time of his death was a state Senator and Presidential Elector for Worcester County and was on his way to cast their votes at the National Convention in Baltimore. At that time, Baltimore was undergoing a smallpox epidemic and prevailing medical theory called for risking self-inoculation instead of contracting the disease through contact. Abel took the inoculation at the Jaffrey "Pest House" from Dr. Adonijah Howe and lost his life (immunization was in its infancy at the time and of course inoculation at times ended in death) So great was the fear of smallpox that its victims were buried not in the local cemeteries but in remote locations, often under cover of darkness and with little ceremony; they were separated from society not only in life but in death. The "Smallpox Cemetery" (as it came to be known) where Abel and the other five victims of the dreaded disease were buried was at that time located in a farmer's field (the Benjamin Pierce family land). It is still privately held.
Abel was a captain of a company (6th Company, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle's Regiment) of approximately 50 "Minute Men" who fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
Following is a letter from Abel to his wife Anna from Bunker Hill encampment the day after the Battle of Bunker Hill (the original spellings are retained):
" CHARLESTON ENCAMPMENT, " June ye l8th, 1775.
DEAR WIFE: These Lines are to inform you that I am pretty well, though I have had a poorly two or three days. Friday night I was quite poorly. Doctor Wait said I must have a Vomit; but I told him as there was a battle expected Satterday, I would not take it, lest I should be charged of taking it on purpose. But I took some tincture, which answered a good purpose. And according as was expected, a very hot Battle ensued Satterday after noon. Our people had built a fort on a hill in the town of Charleston, and the Regulars landed upwards of two thousand men on said hill; and our Regiment on the hill; and they fired upward from four or five Ships, the north battery, and two or three field pieces, but blessed be God, there was not many killed by them. But presently they advanced up near to us, and I fired nineteen times, and had fair chances, and then they was too hard for us, and we retreated. The balls flew very thick, but through the Divine protection, my company was all preserved but one, Phineas Nevers, who is missing, and Samuel Bradish, badly wounded. But men are in good spirit.
I remain your true and loving husband,
ABEL WILDER
Note: Please, if anybody knows whether or not Abel's original letters from Bunker Hill survived and their location, please, please contact Bruce Meinsen via this Find A Grave Memorial. They were originally in the possession of his grandson Deacon Albert Brown, 1806-1887, died Royalston, Mass.
Note: If anyone can provide information as to the final resting place of Abel's wife Anna Butler Wilder (1738-1818), please contact me.
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