1. Bray Wilkins was an immigrant, patriarch, and founder of Middleton, Massachusetts.
14 Facts About Bray Wilkins
1. 2.
The prevailing assumption is that Bray came from modern-day Wales; it is sometimes suggested he was born in Brecknockshire this is evidently based on the mistaken assumption that Bray was a descendant of the Bishop of Chester, John Wilkins, who married the sister of Oliver Cromwell, the fact that John Wilkins was born more than four years after Bray often overlooked.
3.
The authors of several historical works on old Salem and New England make significantly similar claims that Bray was a descendant, in varying forms, of the lordly Wilkins families in Wales.
4.
William C Hill states it is "quite likely" that Bray heralded from one of these Wilkins families, whose presence in Wales is well attested.
5.
Regardless of his origins, Bray Wilkins arrived in the Thirteen Colonies around 1630, his first residence being recorded as Lynn, Massachusetts.
6.
Bray Wilkins was known by the community as a model citizen: upright, pious, and adored.
7.
In 1661, Bray Wilkins was arrested and charged with theft, later admitting to stealing hay in order to feed his oxen with which he transported his timber to Salem.
8.
Bray Wilkins informed Willard he was to travel out of town for business later that evening, and asked him to return before nightfall.
9.
Willard was unable, and Bray Wilkins did not honor his request for prayers.
10.
The condition, probably a kidney stone, forced Bray Wilkins to remain in Boston for several days.
11.
When Willard and Henry Bray Wilkins returned to Salem, Henry's son Daniel was horribly ill.
12.
Bray Wilkins was only married once, the wedding probably taking place between 1632 and 1636.
13.
The identity of Bray Wilkins' wife is not known, but there are two candidates: Hannah Way and Hannah Gengell.
14.
Furthermore, during his testimony against Willard in 1692, Bray Wilkins called Richard Way, his theoretical brother-in-law, his 'brother'.