Genealogy Data
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Birth : 28 July 1583 in Tenterden, England
Death : 1641 in Scituate, Massachusetts
Burial : Scituate, Massachusetts
[joan'sfam.FTW]
Nathaniel Tilden headed the first family of Tilden's to settle in America. He was baptized July 28, 1583 at St. Mildred's church, Tenterden, England. He had been mayor of Tenterden, Kent Co., England. Nathaniel, with his wife, seven children and seven servants sailed from Sandwich, England aboard the "good ship Hercules" to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634. (Records indicate that Nathaniel had previously visited Scituate in 1627/8 since there is a copy of a deed of sale of land dated 1628). He apparently returned to England and brought his family back later. Nathaniel was amongst the Pilgrim founders and governing elders of Scituate, MA. The town of Scituate (from Indian meaning "cold brook") was founded by Timothy Hatherly who later married Nathaniel's widow Lydia.
The Tilden's were Puritans but some early records indicate they were considered renegades. The Scituate men ("men of Kent") had come, not primarily for religious reasons, but as a group of "merchant adventurers" and while they were known as a 'pious group', they were far more liberal and tolerant than the strict moralist of Plymouth. The entire tract of land from Sauti Brook to the Conihasset marshes (now part of North Scituate and Cohasset) was once owned by Timothy Hatherly. He sold land to a group called the "Conihasset Proprietors". Nathaniel Tilden was one of this group. It has been said that the Tilden farm, operated now by Robert Tilden is the oldest farm in the United States to be continuously operated by one family. Other descendents of Joseph Tilden (Nathaniel's oldest son) still living on the property in Scituate, include Sam Tilden with whom Joan has corresponded and a
Nathaniel Tilden.
In one conversation Joan had with Sam Tilden, he said that at one time the "Western" Tildens ((descendents of Thomas) tried to claim property rights to the farm in Scituate. He also mentioned that the tennis play "Bill" William Tatem Tilden is related to us. The Davis Cup was started by Dwight Davis in about 1900 - his mother was presumably a Tilden (per Sam Tilden).
Nathaniel is buried in a small burial ground named "Men of Kent" on Meeting House Lane in Scituate. There is now a tall granite monument there dedicated to the Men of Kent and bears the names of the eleven original settlers of Scituate including Nathaniel Tilden and Timothy Hatherly.
(Update - November 2000). Joan visited Scituate this fall - the Tilden farm, Meeting House Lane (Men of Kent) Cemetery and the Scituate Historical Society )43 Cudworth Road, Scituate, MA 02066, 781-545-1083). The church our ancestors belonged to was originally called "The Churches of Christ of the Congregational Way of New England". It may also have been called "First Parish Church". Very early the church split and many became Unitarians.
Parents:
Father: Tilden, ThomasFamily:
Mother: Bigge, Alice
Spouse:Huckstep, LydiaChildren:
Birth : 11 February 1586/87
Parents:Father: Huckstep, Stephen
Mother: Wills, Winifred Hatch
Tilden, Mary
Birth : 1610
Tilden, Sarah
Birth : 1613
Tilden, Joseph
Tilden, Thomas
Tilden, Judith
Birth : 1620
Tilden, Winifred
Birth : 1622
Tilden, Lydia
Birth : 1625
Tilden, Stephen
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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