This is an English family that, transplanted to the new world, has made a history that entitles them to consideration, regardless of ancient lineage.
(I) John Wilde, first of this name in America, came from England in 1688. Two years later he married Sarah Hayden, a descendant and probably a granddaughter of William Hayden, of Windsor, Connecticut, who came in the ship "Mary and John," with Mr. Wareham's church in 1630, and lived at Dorchester, Massachusetts. He was an active participant in the Pequot war and saved the life of Captain Mason, commander of the expedition. The children of John and Sarah (Hayden) Wilde were John, Samuel, William and Sarah.
(II) Samuel, son of John and Sarah (Hayden) Wilde, married and had a son Joseph, mentioned below.
(III) Joseph, son of Samuel Wilde, was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, about 1730. He was a man of great personal courage and among the first to enlist in the cause of liberty. His commission as lieutenant in the continental army was signed by John Hancock, and is still in existence. He married Mehitable Doubleday, born 1739, died 1837.
(IV) John, son of Joseph and Mehitable (Doubleday) Wilde, was born in Dutchess county, New York, died in Saratoga county, New York, when in the prime of life. He married Mary Shadbolt, thought to have been of English ancestry, who died not long after her husband. Children:
- Anna, married James La Dowe; children: John, James E., William, Amanda, Eliza, Lucy, Sarah; they lived and died in Milton, Saratoga county; James La Dowe was a farmer.
- Joshua; mentioned below.
- Mary, married Valery Howard; both deceased; children: Edward and Mary, both deceased.
- Phoebe, married Elias Wagner; both deceased; left children; Ann, Mary, Nelson, Edward, Obadiah, Theodore, Marshall, and others, who died young.
- Obadiah, married Eliza McKay; no issue; died in Amsterdam.
- Edward, died young.
(V) Joshua, son of John and Mary (Shadbolt) Wilde, was born in Dutchess county, New York, January 1, 1800, died January 9, 1876. While he was still a minor, Joshua and his brother Obadiah left their birthplace, accompanied by their parents, and settled in Saratoga county, near Ballston Centre, and later Joshua settled in Perth, Fulton county. The brothers purchased, improved and sold farm property, finally settling on farms of their own in West Amsterdam, near Aikens. Here Joshua lived for many years, honored and respected as an upright and worthy citizen. He was a Republican, and served the town officially in different positions. He was a member of the Methodist church, as was his wife. There were three sisters who came also to Saratoga county: Anna, Mary and Phoebe. Joshua Wilde married, in Fulton county, New York, April 2, 1822, Phoebe, born in Perth, Fulton county, New York, 1804, died May 20, 1861, daughter of John and Prudence (Thorne) Bostwick, who lived and died in Fulton county, New York. In addition to Phoebe Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick were parents of Hannah, Robert and Steven Thorne, all now deceased. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilde:
- John Bostwick, born May 11, 1823, resides in Grundy Centre, Iowa; married Katherine Putnam; children: Albert, Amanda E. and Alice.
- James L., November 12, 1825, died October 17, 1901; married Mary Yates, now deceased; child, Mary Minerva, died in 1878.
- Amanda, August 6, 1828, died April 19, 1854.
- Edward, January 26, 1831, died August 22, 1857; married (first) Harriet Plantz; (second) Sophia Hanson; child, Laura.
- William, September 3, 1833, died at Anderson, Iowa, July 4, 1902; he was a prosperous farmer; he married Mary Owen, living at the present time (1909) in Audubon county, Iowa; children: Clyde and Charles.
- Mary H., January 6, 1836, died August 8, 1872; married George Clark, who died February, 1900; child; Edward, deceased, who married Elizabeth Stevens and had Clara, Mary and Wilhelmina.
- Obadiah, mentioned below.
- Stephen Thorne, February 25, 1840, resides in Amsterdam; married (first) Sarah Johnson, born 1848; died, 1894; (second) Carrie Johnson, born 1859, a cousin of his first wife; no issue.
- Ann Eliza, July 1, 1842, died November 22, 1905; married Darwin Shuler, who died November 18, 1908; children:
- Ida, wife of Rev. George Knight, baptist minister, and they have Kenneth and Carolyn Knight;
- William, married Laura Wilde and had two children, Darwin and Ralph, the latter deceased.
- Charles Henry, March 13, 1845; married, in Perth, February 1, 1882, Elizabeth L. Johnson, born May 25, 1859, daughter of David Johnson, born in Columbia county; Charles Henry and wife live in Aikens, New York.
- Jennie Maria, November 10, 1847; married Horace B. Shepherd; children:
- Horace B. Jr., married Ethel Davison;
- Clarence W., married Rachel Johnson;
- Belle, at home;
They reside in Aikens, New York.
(VI) Obadiah, seventh child of Joshua and Phoebe (Bostwick) Wilde, was born on the Fulton county homestead at Aikens, March 23, 1838. He was educated in the town schools, and worked on the farm with and for his father until he gained his freedom at age of twenty-one. He remained at home for five years longer, then with the assistance of his father purchased a good farm and began to build up his own fortune. He succeeded in his aims, and after a life of earnest endeavor is now living retired from active pursuits in Amsterdam. His brother, Stephen Thorne, resides with him, enjoying the final years of a well spent life. Obadiah Wilde married Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Charity (Cline) Clark, both members of old Montgomery county families. She was born in July, 1846, died in Amsterdam, April 19, 1905; without issue.