Genealogy Data
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Birth : 22 February 1800 in Coventry, Connecticut
Death : 15 October 1873 in St. Peter, Minnesota
Burial : 1874 in Concord, Dodge Co.,MN
[joan'sfam.FTW]
William T. Tilden was born in Connecticut (Coventry) not Pennsylvania as Etta Pease Johnson (his great-granddaughter) wrote in her diary and in a letter to her son Theodore. Etta also said her grandmother was born in Pennsylvania. She said "grandmother", but in the "family Bible" (which Etta wrote) she listed her grandmother - Mary Tildens place of birth as Holmes Co. Ohio, so we assume she meant her great-grandmother, Margaret Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Holmes County, Ohio was settled by Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish (amongst others) and since Ohio did not become a state until 1803 there may have been some confusion over what was Pennsylvania or Ohio*. The census index for 1830 lists a William TildAN (note spelling) and a Mary (Margaret?) in Holmes County, Ohio (township MEC). Some of the notes written by Helen Tilden McGovern and a Dr. Benjamin R. Tilden (Tilden family genealogist of Marion, Mass in the 1960's), lists Sally or Sarah Hatch as William's first wife, with Margaret Smith as second and (Elizabeth)) Sherwood as third. (Eliza A. Sherwood was Austin's (Williams' son) second wife), William was married to Mary Jane Sherwood- there are several inconsistencies in Bejamin Tilden's work. Joan is certain that Sally (Sarah) Hatch was William's mother because Sally (Sarah) Hatch is listed as the wife of Ebenezer Tilden and that Margaret Smith was his first wife. Etta's mother Margaret (Maggie) was probably named after Margaret Tilden. In many records William is listed as a Doctor and one note says "Herb" Doctor. (this is also in Etta's diary - also see notes under
Elbert Tilden). Although William died in St. Peter, his body was later moved to Concord, Dodge County. Notes from Dr. Benjamin Tilden (1961) say that William Tilden (Sr.) was a large man weighing about 300 pounds. He was known as Squire and Doctor Tilden.
Elizabeth Sherwood, William's second wife, was a sister to Mary Jane Sherwood, Austin (William's son) Tilden's second wife. Helen McGovern's notes state that the Sherwood's (the two sisters and a brother) came to Minnesota through Canada and Wisconsin as they were Tories and had to escape to Canada during the Revolutionary War. Children of William Tilden and Elizabeth Sherwood were Alice, Harriet, Cecelia, Ellsworth, and Joseph.
Etta also told her children and grandchildren that Samuel J. Tilden was a great uncle. Research indicates that he is a 3rd cousin (3 generations removed from Joan Schuette).Our common ancestor with Samuel is Stephen Tilden Jr., b. 1663), Samuel J. Tilden is a cousin to Joshua Tilden, William's grandfather.
*In the late 1700s the Northwest Territory exploration and development was underway. Existing states tried to lay claim to the land of Ohio. Groups of people from New England came to settle or buy land, as well as from Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Virginia. In 1795 the Indians surrendered claim to much of the territory and it was opened for development. Our Tilden family was part of this land development. 600 acre tracts in the Ohio Territory sold for as low as 66 cents an acre.
Settlers could later sub-divide their property, sell at a profit and move west to do the same. Our family moved to Miami County, Indiana (Gilead) near Peru, Indiana, and then to Dodge, Kandiyohi and Ramsey County Minnesota. They did not do a lot of farming, but bought and sold land and engaged in various business pursuits. (Some land in Ohio was given to settlers to settle debts the government owed to British merchants). Some notes say that William Tilden was living by his mothers "will" (inheritance?)
Parents:
Father: Tilden, EbenezerFamily:
Mother: Hatch, Sarah
Spouse:Family:Smith, MargaretChildren:
Birth : Connecticut
Death : 1860 in Concord, Dodge Co. Minnesota
Burial : 1860 in Concord, Dodge Co.,MN
[joan'sfam.FTW]
Also see notes for Sally/Sarah Hatch). Joan believes Margaret was William's first wife. She is buried in Dodge Co. MN (from Minnesota death record book @ MN Genealogical Society) and must have come with him from Indiana as did most of the children (see Elbert Tilden "History of Dodge County", appended). Nothing else is known about Margaret at this time. (Joan has never found her in census records in Ohio, Indiana or Minnesota). In Etta's diaries she once said her grandmother (who would be Mary Tilden Wright) was born in Pennsylvania, I think she means her great-grandmother (Margaret Smith).
1999 update: Joan received a copy of HISTORY OF NOTEORD 1854-1994 from Neil Wheeler a resident of West Concord, MN. (His name was given to Joan by the secretary at the Baptist church in West Concord). This booklet (unpublished) was originated by Flossie Embury in 1954. The first settlers to Dodge County apparently came in 1854 and founded Mantorville (County Seat). Fifteen of this original group moved on to (what is now) Concord and built a log house for James M. Sumner, the first permanent dwelling in Dodge County. Reference is made to a book, THE HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY, MINNESOTA, published in 1884 and written by H. A. Smith. Mr. Smith's father, A. N. Smith was one of the wagon train members. The Smiths' and other members of this group came from New York and Pennsylvania and had been gradually moving Westward. Is it possible that Margaret Smith is related to these Smith's and part of the reason the Tilden's came to Dodge County? (see note above on birth place of Margaret). Additional information from this booklet are in the appendage of this history. Margaret Smith is listed in the MN 1860 death records (Dodge County).Tilden, Welthia
Tilden, John
Tilden, William T
Birth : 1824 in Holmes County, Ohio
Tilden, Ebenezer E.
Tilden, Christenie
Tilden, Sarah
Tilden, Austin
Tilden, Mary
Tilden, Elizabeth
Tilden, Lydia Ann
Marriage: 1861 in Eagle Valley (Concord)Dodge Co. MN
Spouse:Sherwood, ElizabethChildren:
Birth : 1837 in St. John, New Brunswick
Death : 1905 in Reeve, Wisconsin
[joan'sfam.FTW]
Mary Jane Sherwood was the younger sister of Eliza Ann Sherwood, wife of Austin Tilden, William's son. (See notes under Eliza Sherwood). One record states that Mary Jane died in "Reeve", Wisconsin - there does not seem to be a town in WI with that name.Tilden, Alice
Birth : 1862
Tilden, Harriet
Birth : 1863
Tilden, Celia
Birth : 1866
Tilden, Elsworth
Birth : 1867
Tilden, Joseph
Birth : 1869
There are many interesting stories in the lives of those represented here. Please help me add information, photos, or whatever you feel comfortable with.
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This page has been slightly reformatted and preserved in memory of its creator and my brother.
(aka Bruce Johnson)
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