Thomas Wiswall facts for kids

Thomas Wiswall (1601–1683) was an important early settler in British America. He was a key person in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Thomas Wiswall helped start a new community called Cambridge Village. Today, this place is known as the city of Newton, in Massachusetts.

Who Was Thomas Wiswall?

Thomas Wiswall was born in Warrington, Lancashire, England. He was baptised on September 30, 1601. To be baptised means to be welcomed into a Christian church.

In 1632, he married Elizabeth Berbage. They had ten children together:

• Enoch Wiswall (born 1633, England; died 1706)
• Esther Wiswall (born 1635, Dorchester, Massachusetts)
• Ichabod Wiswall (born 1637, Dorchester, Massachusetts; died 1700)
• Noah Wiswall (born 1638, Dorchester, Massachusetts; died 1690)
• Mary Wiswall (born 1640, Dorchester, Massachusetts)
• Ebenezer Wiswall (born 1641, Dorchester, Massachusetts; died 1691)
• Thomas Wiswall (born 1642, Dorchester, Massachusetts)
• Sarah Wiswall (born 1643, Dorchester, Massachusetts)
• Elizabeth Wiswall (born 1649, Dorchester, Massachusetts)
• Benjamin Wiswall (born 1649, Dorchester, Massachusetts)

Thomas Wiswall came to New England on August 16, 1635. He settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts. His twin brother, John, had arrived earlier in 1633.

What Did Thomas Wiswall Do in Dorchester?

Thomas Wiswall received land in 1637. He also gave money to help start a school in 1641. From 1644 to 1652, he served as a selectman in Dorchester. A selectman was a local leader who helped manage the town.

How Did Cambridge Village Start?

Around 1654, Thomas Wiswall moved from Dorchester to Cambridge, Massachusetts. He rented a large piece of land, about 400 acres (1.6 square kilometers). This land had belonged to John Haynes, a former governor.

In 1654, Wiswall built a new home. It was located next to the Dedham Trail, which is now Centre Street. His house was on the south shore of a lake. For 150 years, this lake was known as Wiswall's Pond. Today, it is called Crystal Lake in Newton, Massachusetts.

Building the Community Meeting House

Another early settler, John Jackson, gave one acre of land. This land was for a burying place and a meeting house. Thomas Wiswall built this meeting house. Today, the East Parish Burying Ground and the First Settlers Monument are located there.

Becoming a Separate Town

In 1656, Wiswall and John Jackson asked to stop supporting the church in Cambridge. This was the start of a long effort. They wanted their area to become a separate town. After 32 years, their efforts worked! In 1688, the area officially became Cambridge Village.

Cambridge Village was later renamed Newtown in 1691. Finally, in 1766, it became Newton.

Thomas Wiswall also started the Cambridge Village Church. On July 20, 1664, he became the first ruling elder and assistant pastor. He also helped manage fences and roads in the area.

When Did Thomas Wiswall Die?

Thomas Wiswall died in Cambridge Village on December 6, 1683. He is buried in the East Parish Burying Ground in Newton. His second wife, Isabella Farmer, died in May 1686.

Notable Family Members

Many of Thomas Wiswall's family members became important figures:

• His son, Ichabod Wiswall (1637–1700), was a pastor in Duxbury. He gave the first known funeral sermon in British America.
• His son, Captain Noah Wiswall (1638–1690), was killed in battle in 1690. This happened during events leading up to the Battle of Quebec in King William's War.
• Noah Wiswall (1699–1786), his grandson, was 76 years old in 1776. He marched 28 miles (45 kilometers) from Newton to Lexington. He was wounded at the Battle of Lexington.
• Jeremiah Wiswall (1725–1809) was a Captain in the Minutemen. He fought in the American Revolutionary War at Concord and Dorchester. He was Noah's son and his commander in battle.

See also

• Oak Hill Park