GEN
24. Thomas WAKELY-ROCKETT-WAKELY
Surname: WAKELY alias ROCKETT
Forenames : THOMAS
Date of Birth: c. 1575
Place of Birth : Probably Thorncombe
Date of Death: 1648
Father's Name: John Rockett alias Wakely <wakely-sheet-9.html>
Mother's Name: Margaret (?) Balstone
Married (Spouse):
1. Joan Wolmington of Chardstock c. 1600
2. Mary Pysing c. 1623
Issue:
1. John, eldest son b.1602 at Chardstock; heir to grandfather's Chackridge lands in Phillyholme; father of John who married Jean Warry of Chard and had son John (b.Wakely alias Rocket)
2. Thomas, second son b.1604 at Chardstock; first wife a Pysing; second wife Marjorie Pinney d. of Robert Pinney of Hawkchurch; used Wakely and Rockett names; died 1672
3. Robert. b.1607; mentioned in grandfather's will; Commissary of Commonwealth garrison of Weymouth in Civil War; married Elizabeth Derby of Dorchester; had at least 12 children including Thomas, Joseph, Samuel and Robert; normallyused name Wakely.
4. William, (3rd of name), b.1611 at Whitchurch Canonicorum
5. Abraham <wakely-sheet-12.html>, b.l611 at Whitchurch Canonicorum.
6. Stephen, b.1613 at Whitchurch Canonicorum. Wakely to start with, later Wakely alias Rockett.
7. Joane, b.1615 at Whitchurch Canonicarum; buried Thorncombe 1620
8.Mary, ???
9. Edward, b.1621 - BA Oxford in 1642
10.Elizabeth, buried Thorncombe 1623
Siblings:
l. Elizabeth m.Richard Wilkins, had s.Robert, d.Jaane, d.Mary
2. Nicholas b.c1585 d.1660 m.Elizabeth Wolmington sister of Joane, brother Thomas' wife. Sequestrator, Bridport Div. during Commonwealth. Will proved 1661.
Other information:
Thomas was probably named in honour of his mother's father/brother Thomas Balstone, The naming of Thomas's cousin Sylvester provides further evidence of the Balstone connection Sylvesters were included in each of the two generations of Hawkchurch Balstones in the second half of the sixteenth century. Sylvester Rockett alias Wakely is not named in the very full will of John Rockett alias Wakely (Thomas's father) and the naming of the descendants of this Sylvester suggests he was the son of William of Whitestaunton (Thomas's uncle).
Thomas was the co-purchaser of Thorncombe lands with his father and acquired further lands by purchase after his father's death (notably a three thousand year lease of 90 more acres in Holditch) and from his two marriages.
Joan Wolmington, the first wife he married in 1800 brought him lands in Chardstock as well as money. She came from a family which had been established in Chardstock since at least the thirteenth century, taking the name Wolmington from a manor there of which they were probably the original lords. Their decline from gentry to yeomen seems likely to have occurred in the middle of the sixteenth century. Joan's sister Elizabeth Wolmingtan married Thomas's brother Nicholas. In keeping with yeoman customs, both girls received identical legacies from their father, large enough to ensure they got rich husbands; forty pounds each, plus leasehold lands.
Mary Pysing, his second wife came from a rich family that had acquired lands in Hawkchurch in the sixteenth century, but were primarily based in Crewkerne by the seventeenth century.
Before Thomas came into his inheritance he appears first to have lived on the lands Joan Wolmington brought him in Chardstock, and then in Whitchurch Canonicorum.
Unlike his brother Nicholas, Thomas had a very large family and this is known from his father's will, Abraham (the next ancestor we deal with) was probably child six or seven.
It is in the records associated with Thomas and his brother Nicholas that we can build up a fuller appreciation of the conflicting emotions co-existing between the Rockett and Wakely names. They both married as Rocketts but Nicholas then re-registered his marriage as a Wakely, and christened his children as Wakelys. Thomas, however, did not re-register his marriage - but he christened his first children as Wakelys, a later set as Rocketts, and a final set as Wakelys (all in the space of fifteen years) . In one deed he calls himself Wakely alias Rockett and also as Rockett alias Wakely. We signed his will Thomas Rockett but was buried at Thorncombe as Thomas Wakely in 1648. His will was proved in London in 1649 and by its brevity it backs up information given in deeds that he had distributed almost all of his property among his children before his death.
33. James WAKELEE-ROCKETT-WAKELY
1. James1 Wakelee (1026) was born between 1600 and 1610. He married Alice on 5 October 1652.1,2 He died in 1690 in Providence, Providence County, RI.3
The relationship of James to Henry and Richard Wakelee is not exactly determined, but it is a reasonable guess that they were his sons by an earlier marriage. Jacobus also hypothesizes there may have been an intermediate wife by whom he fathered the Rebecca "Wiekle" who married Ezekiel Sanford.4 James lived in Hartford, Hartford County, CT, in February 1639/40 where he had lands recorded. For several years thereafter, his name frequently appears in lawsuits, and he sometimes acted as attorney for others.4,5,3,6 James Wakelee courted Alice Boosey, the wealthy widow of James Boosey. She promised to marry him, but the family opposed the marriage and tried to promote a different match. In 1650 Wakely brought suit against Alice for "the breach of Covenants," but did not appear in court to press the charge; the court ruled that her conduct was at least disorderly. After a carefully worked out marriage contract, the couple married on 5 October 1652.7,6 After his marriage to Alice, James removed to Wethersfield, CT. He was Constable of Wethersfield March 1656/1657, and served on several juries 1655-1662.4,5,6 The Court Record for 1st Thursday in March 1652-3 shows that "James Wakeley proved at this Courte by Samll Steele that the wife of the said James hath in the time of her widdowhood given a bond to Joseph Boosy of £100 forfeiture if shee ever married to James Wakeley."8,7 On 24 July 1655 in his nuncupative will, James Boosey of Westchester NY instructed his wife Esther: "to pay out of the Estate 2 Oxen to James Wakeling of Wethersfield, being his free Gift to the sd. Wakeling; they are to bee the same Oxen that was bought of James Wakeling by Joseph Boosey upon Consideration that the sd. James Wakeling must acquit all Account between them."9 On 26 October 1655 James Wakely gave Nathaniel Willette "acquittance from demands of Bill or Bills of all debt & damage from the beginning of the world to this day."10 In 1662, James appears to have been living in Hartford again, where he had a house lot on the north side of the road from George Steele's to the South Meadow. Nine Hartford residents were charged with witchcraft. Those implicated were a group of acquaintances, some of whom had a history of misdemeanors or immorality. They were Nathaniel and Rebecca Greensmith; Elizabeth, wife of Richard Seager; Andrew Sanford and Mary his wife; William Ayres and his wife; Judith Varlett and James Walkley. The Colonial History of Hartford records: "One night they had a merry-making, under a tree on the green near Rebecca Greensmith's house. James Walkley, Goodwife Ayres and Goody Seager were present. They all danced and had a bottle of sack. Other nocturnal gatherings were held. Suspicions were awakened in the neighborhood.... The crisis came in the spring of 1662, with the accusations of a young daughter of John Kelley, uttered in the delirium of sickness. The child died. Immediately, the neighborhood was busy with reports that she had been bewitched unto death. Shortly after this, three women of Hartford were subject to strange fits. When a special day of prayer was held for them, the noise and motion of their afflictions was so terrible that a woman in the congregation fainted from fright. One of those afflicted was Ann Cole, the daughter of John Cole. In her fits she began to cry out that she was being tormented by witches and to name those responsible. Ann claimed not to remember what she spoke during the seizures. Some of what she said was unintelligible, but in what could be understood she claimed that a band of witches lived in Hartford and were tormenting her and several others. "They planned, she said, to afflict her body, spoil her good name and prevent her marriage." She named Elizabeth Seager, Rebecca Greensmith, and, by implication, Judith Varlett. On 30 December 1662 a Particular Court indicted Nathaniel and Rebecca Greensmith; Rebecca confessed in open court that she was a witch and was jailed pending trial. Nathaniel was freed to return home until the trial. When the trial was held 8 January 1663, Rebecca told a colorful story of meetings with strange creatures. She asserted a band of witches in Hartford met for revels in the wood at night and on the green by her home where they would dance and drink sack. Some would come in the form of crows or cats or other creatures. She named the other witches as Elizabeth Seager, Mary Sanford, Goody Ayres, James Wakely, Peter Grant's wife, Judith Varlett and Katherine Palmer of Wethersfield. Nathaniel and Rebecca Greensmith and Mary Barnes were convicted, and on 25 January were hanged at Hartford. Elizabeth Seager and Judith Varlett were freed. When faced with the witchcraft accusation, Wakely immediately fled and his estate was sequestered on 6 January 1663.11,3 In May 1663 Henry Wakelee had a power of attorney from James, and the General Court released Henry, at his own request, from attending to the estate of James.12,6 On 8 July 1663 the Court Record shows: "Ensign Samuel Steele & Alice Wakeley gave an Account of the Dispose & Improvement of the Estate of James Wakeley that was sequestered by order of the Court. James Wakeley being present again, and this Court was well satisfied and do discharge the sd. Alice and Ensign Steele of the Trust committed to them, and hereby take off the Sequestration that this Court laid upon the Estate."13 James continued to be under suspicion, however. On 5 July 1665, Jeremiah Adams and Thomas Catlin helped James post a £150 bond for his appearance in court on renewed charges. This time Wakely fled to Rhode Island, and carried on a long correspondence, first trying to recover the forfeited bond money, and then in an attempt to divorce wife Alice.3 In May 1666 the General Court, at the request of Alice Wakelee, remitted a third of the bond of £150 which James had forfeited when he fled to Rhode Island. A year later, his housing and land were ordered sold. In 1668 a petition by the town of Stonington mentions among the "illegal" acts of Rhode Islanders the taking in of "new comers," one of whom was James Wakelee.6 On 5 October 1676 Wakely petitioned the court to either compel Alice to come to him in Rhode Island or to grant him a divorce. Alice cited the terms of the marriage contract, which promised she would not have to move from Wethersfield, and filed a court divorce petition. On 7 October 1680 the court denied both petitions and promised James he could return to Wethersfield and not be called to account unless new complaints of the same nature as before were made. James continued the correspondence, but did not come.3,1 In 1681 James, still in Providence, petitioned vainly for the remission of his forfeiture.4,6 In 1690 he was still living in Providence.5,4Children of James1 Wakelee (1026) and an unknown spouse were as follows:
2. i. Henry2 Wakelee (1026i), born before 1620; married Sarah Burt (1029).
3. ii. Richard Wakelee (1026ii), born before 1634; married Rebecca.
4. iii. Rebecca Wicklee (513), married Ezekiel Sanford (512).Alice married (1) James Boosey before 1630 in England.1,14 She died on 30 August 1683 in Wethersfield, Hartford County, CT; there was probate action on Alice's estate in 1683 and much litigation about the lands.15,7
There were no children of James1 Wakelee (1026) and Alice.Ancestral File Number:<AFN> H1GK-57
1. James1 Wakelee (1026) was born between1600 and 1610. He married Alice on 5 October 1652.1,2 He died in 1690 in Providence, Providence County, RI.3
The relationship of James to Henry and RichardWakelee is not exactly determined, but it is a reasonable guess that they werehis sons by an earlier marriage. Jacobus also hypothesizes there may have beenan intermediate wife by whom he fathered the Rebecca "Wiekle" who married Ezekiel Sanford.4 James lived in Hartford, Hartford County, CT, in February 1639/40where he had lands recorded. For several years thereafter, his name frequently appears in lawsuits, and he sometimes acted as attorney for others.4,5,3,6 James Wakelee courted Alice Boosey, the wealthy widow of James Boosey. She promised to marry him, but the family opposed the marriage and tried to promote a different match. In 1650 Wakely brought suit against Alice for "the breach of Covenants," but did not appear in court to press the charge; the court ruled thather conduct was at least disorderly. After a carefully worked out marriage contract, the couple married on 5 October 1652.7,6 After his marriage to Alice, James removed to Wethersfield, CT. He was Constable of Wethersfield March 1656/1657, and served on several juries 1655-1662.4,5,6 The Court Record for 1st Thursday in March 1652-3 shows that "James Wakeley proved at this Courte by SamllSteele that the wife of the said James hath in the time of her widdowhood givena bond to Joseph Boosy of £100 forfeiture if shee ever married to James Wakeley."8,7 On 24 July 1655 in his nuncupative will, James Boosey of Westchester NYinstructed his wife Esther: "to pay out of the Estate 2 Oxen to James Wakelingof Wethersfield, being his free Gift to the sd. Wakeling; they are to bee thesame Oxen that was bought of James Wakeling by Joseph Boosey upon Considerationthat the sd. James Wakeling must acquit all Account between them."9 On 26 October 1655 James Wakely gave Nathaniel Willette "acquittance from demands of Billor Bills of all debt & damage from the beginning of the world to this day."10In 1662, James appears to have been living in Hartford again, where he had a house lot on the north side of the road from George Steele's to the South Meadow.Nine Hartford residents were charged with witchcraft. Those implicated werea group of acquaintances, some of whom had a history of misdemeanors or immorality. They were Nathaniel and Rebecca Greensmith; Elizabeth, wife of Richard Seager; Andrew Sanford and Mary his wife; William Ayres and his wife; Judith Varlett and James Walkley. The Colonial History of Hartford records: "One night they had a merry-making, under a tree on the green near Rebecca Greensmith's house. James Walkley, Goodwife Ayres and Goody Seager were present. They all danced and had a bottle of sack. Other nocturnal gatherings were held. Suspicionswere awakened in the neighborhood.... The crisis came in the spring of 1662, with the accusations of a young daughter of John Kelley, uttered in the deliriumof sickness. The child died. Immediately, the neighborhood was busy with reports that she had been bewitched unto death. Shortly after this, three women of Hartford were subject to strange fits. When a special day of prayer was heldfor them, the noise and motion of their afflictions was so terrible that a woman in the congregation fainted from fright. One of those afflicted was Ann Cole, the daughter of John Cole. In her fits she began to cry out that she was being tormented by witches and to name those responsible. Ann claimed not to remember what she spoke during the seizures. Some of what she said was unintelligible, but in what could be understood she claimed that a band of witches livedin Hartford and were tormenting her and several others. "They planned, she said, to afflict her body, spoil her good name and prevent her marriage." She named Elizabeth Seager, Rebecca Greensmith, and, by
Name Prefix:<NPFX> Mrs.
Ancestral File Number:<AFN> H1GK-6DName Prefix:<NPFX> Mrs.
Ancestral File Number:<AFN> 1VT4-KST
34. Sylvester WAKLEY-ROCKETT-WAKELI--WAKELY
Ancestral File Number:<AFN> RSF5-MQ