Lillibridge Family in the United States File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan W. Pieroth, (© 1997 Susan W. Pieroth) USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages are for the use of indivisual researchers, and may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. __________________________________________________________________ The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biograşhical, by the American Historical Society, Inc., 1920. For an unknown reason there are two coşies of the book with the same title şage, but with different contents. ----------------------------------------------------------- The Lillibridge Family in the United States. From şage 231 WANTON LILLIBRIDGE - The Lillibridge family in the United States dates from the close of the seventeenth century, when the first record of the founder, Thomas Lillibridge, is found in Newport, R. I. His descendants, though not numerous, have figured honorably in Rhode Island life and affairs for two centuries, and the name to-day is unblemished. The early Lillibridges were e×tensive landowners, and much of their holdings remain in the hands of their descendants. The line of ancestry herein under consideration is that of Wanton Lillibridge, long a prominent resident of Richmond, R. I. (I) Thomas Lillibridge, immigrant ancestor and progenitor, was born in England, in 1662. He is first of record in the New England Colonies in the year 1699. On September 26, of that year, he signed a petition at Newport addressed to the Earl of Bellomont, then in Newport, to use his influence with his Majesty, William III., for the establishment of an Episcopal church in Newport. This petition led to the founding of the original Trinity Church, in which Thomas Lillibridge was a warden in 1709 and 1713, and where he owned pew 8 until 1719. He was admitted a freeman at Newport, May 6, 1701. In 1718, 1722, 1723, 1724 he was vestryman in the historic St. Paul's "Narragansett" Church, which was built in 1707, and in 1800 was removed to Wickford about five miles north of its original site. This church, which is still occasionally in use, is said to be the oldest Episcopal church north of the Potomac. Thomas Lillibridge removed to Westerly, in 1715, and settled in the part originally called Shannock, and incorporated August 22, 1728, as Charlestown. He resided in that part of the town which on August 18, 1747, was set off as Richmond, R. I., and he died there, August 29, 1724. He was a man of considerable wealth. His will, dated August 24, 1724, disposes of much real estate: "To my eldest son Thomas * * * one of my homestead farms * * * to take which he likes best;" this contains the family burying ground. of Thomas Lillibridge, Jr., also Thomas Lillibridge (1), (2), (3) are buried there, and is situated just west of Richmond town hall; it is known as the "Nelson K. Church place;" a second farm adjoining, he gave to his son Robert, and this still remains in the Lillibridge family, and is now the home of Mrs. Frank Reynolds Brown, nee Jennette Lillibridge. Thomas Lillibridge, Sr., married (first) Mary Hobson; they were the parents of two daughters. He married (second) Sarah Lewis, and they were the parents of nine children, of whom Thomas, Jr., mentioned below, was the oldest. (II) Thomas (2) Lillibridge, son of Thomas (1) and Sarah (Lewis) Lillibridge, was born in Newport, R. I. He settled in Westerly, where he was admitted a freeman, April 30, 1723. He was a commissioner to lay out the road from Pawcatuck bridge to South Kingston line, 1727. He died in Westerly, February 8, 1757, "in the 55th year of his age." He married, June 12, 1726, Mary Woodmansee. (III) Edward Lillibridge, son of Thomas (2) and Mary (Woodmansee) Lillibridge, was born on March 25; 1732, in Richmond, R. I: He died February 3, 1810, and was buried in Wood River Cemetery, Richmond. Edward Lillibridge purchased the farm of his uncle, Robert Lillibridge, in Richmond, and resided there until his death, taking a prominent part in local affairs. He married (first) December 4, 1755, Patience Tefft; (second) January 6, 1765, Thankful (Tefft) Wells. (IV) Amos Lillibridge, son of Edward and Thankful (Tefft-Wells) Lillibridge, was born in Richmond, R. I., in 1776. He inherited all his father's lands, including the Robert Lillibridge farm in Richmond, where he made his home until his death: He died July 4, 1857, and was buried in Wood River Cemetery. Amos Lilli- bridge married Phebe Hoxie. (V) Wanton Lillibridge, son of Amos and Plebe (Hoxie) Lillibridge, was born in Richmond, October 17, 1806, and resided there all his life. He was a prosperous farmer and a prominent citizen, and for several decades occupied a prominent position in Richmond. He was one of the framers of the Constitution of Rhode Island, member of the Legislature, very prominent, president of Town Council, and held many other town offices. He died in Richmond, September 4, 1890. On November 7, 1841, Wanton Lillibridge married Sarah Ann Champlin, daughter of John A. Champlin, and member of one of the oldest and most prominent of old Rhode Island families. They were the parents of the following children: 1. Horace, died in infancy,2. Sarah Mason; born May 11, 1843, died Feb. 2, 1906; married, May 25, 1871, Robert I. Moore. 3. Amos A., enlisted in the Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, and was killed near Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 18, 1864. 4 Charles W., married Abbie Bowen. 5. Edward Hoxie, married Addie Shumard. 6. Jennette, mentioned below. 7. John H., married Emma Pinckney. 8. William W., married Ida Spencer. 9. Jennie F., married Charles H. Stevens. 10. Hattie E., married William F. Joslin. (VI) Jennette Lillibridge, daughter of Wanton and Sarah Ann (Champlin) Lillibridge, was born at Richmond, R. I. She married, June 26, 1884, Frank Reynolds Brown, born in: North Stonington, Conn., and died there, son of Charles L. and Margaret (Reynolds) Brown. Mrs. Brown makes her home an the Thomas Lillibridge estate, which she purchased in 1915. Mr. Brown was a farmer and prominent business man in North Stonington, also interested in school work.