Twice wed and born in New Haven County, Connecticut, Ruth Lindsley Wheeler Williams was the daughter of Francis and Susannah Lindsley*. When she was about 20 years of age, she married a man whose surname was Wheeler, with whom she is believed to have had children. Widowed in the early 1680's, her name was recorded as "Ruth Wheeler" in 1685 when she married her second husband, Matthew Williams. Nine children were consequently born to the couple. It is known that Ruth died in the "67th year of her age", predeceasing Matthew by eight years. Her gravestone, cut from the brown sandstone typically used in this region, is simple, painstakingly lettered, and one of the earliest in this burial ground, which was donated to the church by Nathan Wheeler in 1723, the year before her death. It's thought that a son from her first marriage may have erected her stone. "ANONYMOUS" PHOTO TAKEN BY NIKITA BARLOW IN 2002
*In January 2012 Findagrave member David Anthony Beard reported that some controversy exists on Ruth Williams' parentage: Condit family records identify her as the daughter of Francis & Susannah Lindsley, while other sources name John Wheeler as her father.
In October 2017, Findagrave member Diane Gravlee cited "Connecticut Births and Christenings 1649-1906" as the source of the February 4, 1658 birthdate for Ruth, and the identification of Francis Lindley "spelled variously" as her father. Ms. Gravlee also stated "My belief is that she married first to Mr. Wheeler at about age 20 (a common age at the time). He died and she married second to Matthew Williams in 1685 at the age of 27 (would be old for a 1st marriage in those times), and where her name is given as Ruth Wheeler (i.e. widow of Mr. Wheeler) in the marriage record. She probably had children by Mr. Wheeler as well as the 9 children by Mr. Williams. A Wheeler son may have provided for her gravestone."
In 2019, Findagrave member Gordon Baker (#47425729) cites Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) to confirm Lindsley as Mrs. Williams' maiden name, and that she was born in Bradford, Connecticut on February 4, 1658, the child of "Franses".
*In January 2012 Findagrave member David Anthony Beard reported that some controversy exists on Ruth Williams' parentage: Condit family records identify her as the daughter of Francis & Susannah Lindsley, while other sources name John Wheeler as her father.
In October 2017, Findagrave member Diane Gravlee cited "Connecticut Births and Christenings 1649-1906" as the source of the February 4, 1658 birthdate for Ruth, and the identification of Francis Lindley "spelled variously" as her father. Ms. Gravlee also stated "My belief is that she married first to Mr. Wheeler at about age 20 (a common age at the time). He died and she married second to Matthew Williams in 1685 at the age of 27 (would be old for a 1st marriage in those times), and where her name is given as Ruth Wheeler (i.e. widow of Mr. Wheeler) in the marriage record. She probably had children by Mr. Wheeler as well as the 9 children by Mr. Williams. A Wheeler son may have provided for her gravestone."
In 2019, Findagrave member Gordon Baker (#47425729) cites Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) to confirm Lindsley as Mrs. Williams' maiden name, and that she was born in Bradford, Connecticut on February 4, 1658, the child of "Franses".
Twice wed and born in New Haven County, Connecticut, Ruth Lindsley Wheeler Williams was the daughter of Francis and Susannah Lindsley*. When she was about 20 years of age, she married a man whose surname was Wheeler, with whom she is believed to have had children. Widowed in the early 1680's, her name was recorded as "Ruth Wheeler" in 1685 when she married her second husband, Matthew Williams. Nine children were consequently born to the couple. It is known that Ruth died in the "67th year of her age", predeceasing Matthew by eight years. Her gravestone, cut from the brown sandstone typically used in this region, is simple, painstakingly lettered, and one of the earliest in this burial ground, which was donated to the church by Nathan Wheeler in 1723, the year before her death. It's thought that a son from her first marriage may have erected her stone. "ANONYMOUS" PHOTO TAKEN BY NIKITA BARLOW IN 2002
*In January 2012 Findagrave member David Anthony Beard reported that some controversy exists on Ruth Williams' parentage: Condit family records identify her as the daughter of Francis & Susannah Lindsley, while other sources name John Wheeler as her father.
In October 2017, Findagrave member Diane Gravlee cited "Connecticut Births and Christenings 1649-1906" as the source of the February 4, 1658 birthdate for Ruth, and the identification of Francis Lindley "spelled variously" as her father. Ms. Gravlee also stated "My belief is that she married first to Mr. Wheeler at about age 20 (a common age at the time). He died and she married second to Matthew Williams in 1685 at the age of 27 (would be old for a 1st marriage in those times), and where her name is given as Ruth Wheeler (i.e. widow of Mr. Wheeler) in the marriage record. She probably had children by Mr. Wheeler as well as the 9 children by Mr. Williams. A Wheeler son may have provided for her gravestone."
In 2019, Findagrave member Gordon Baker (#47425729) cites Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) to confirm Lindsley as Mrs. Williams' maiden name, and that she was born in Bradford, Connecticut on February 4, 1658, the child of "Franses".
*In January 2012 Findagrave member David Anthony Beard reported that some controversy exists on Ruth Williams' parentage: Condit family records identify her as the daughter of Francis & Susannah Lindsley, while other sources name John Wheeler as her father.
In October 2017, Findagrave member Diane Gravlee cited "Connecticut Births and Christenings 1649-1906" as the source of the February 4, 1658 birthdate for Ruth, and the identification of Francis Lindley "spelled variously" as her father. Ms. Gravlee also stated "My belief is that she married first to Mr. Wheeler at about age 20 (a common age at the time). He died and she married second to Matthew Williams in 1685 at the age of 27 (would be old for a 1st marriage in those times), and where her name is given as Ruth Wheeler (i.e. widow of Mr. Wheeler) in the marriage record. She probably had children by Mr. Wheeler as well as the 9 children by Mr. Williams. A Wheeler son may have provided for her gravestone."
In 2019, Findagrave member Gordon Baker (#47425729) cites Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) to confirm Lindsley as Mrs. Williams' maiden name, and that she was born in Bradford, Connecticut on February 4, 1658, the child of "Franses".
Inscription
"1724
HERE LYES THE
BODY OF RUTH
WILLIAMS
WHO DEPARTED
THIS LIFE
JULY 27 AN IN THE
67TH YEAR
OF HER AGE"
Gravesite Details
Day of birth: Findagrave member "Scott" (#48256770)
Family Members
Spouse
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