Wakefield Dibble

Wakefield Dibble was born in Windsor, Connecticut in 1667. He married there (twice), and started a family. Around 1704, Wakefield Dibble, his second wife and their children moved to Danbury, Connecticut, where more children were born, including Ebenezer Dibble who later became Rev. Ebenezer Dibble. Wakefield Dibble was an Assembly Representative of Danbury. He died in Danbury in 1734.

Wives

From Windsor Marriages (First Book) 1638-1704:
    Wakefield Dible and Sarah Loomis were married Dec 27th 1692
    Wakefield Dible and Jane Fyler were married Sept 29th 1694

The will of Thomas Loomis (1689) was disputed by Wakefield Dible on behalf of his wife. This would be Sarah Loomis. The will describes her as lame. See various wills.

The will of Zerubbabell Fyler (1716) was settled by agreement of his heirs, which include Wakefield Dibble. This is on account of Wakefield's second wife, Jane Fyler. "Wakefield Dibble and Jonathan Deming [to] have, besides what they have received of the movables, with which they are content, the 54 acres of First Grant Lands and 30 acres of Second Division Lands in Suffield". See various wills.

One of Wakefield's granchildren, Rev. Ebenezer's son, was called Fyler Dibblee.

Children

Move to Danbury

Wakefield Dibble was born in Windsor, Connecticut, but he and his family moved to Danbury at some point. Henry Stiles' Ancient Windsor, Connecticut Vol I (history) gives the birth dates of Wakefield's children: Ezra, Mary, Sarah, and Abigail. Stiles mentions Ebenezeer (who had a wider reputation) but is vague about the birth date, and does not mention any other children. So it is reasonable to assume that Ezra, Mary, Sarah, and Abigail was born in Windsor, the family moved to Danbury, and the rest of the children were born in Danbury. Since Wakefield had so many children (fourteen in some accounts, although I have only listed those I can find documentary evidence for), this looks as if the move was around 1704. By 1709, Wakefield Dibblee is a Deputy or Representative for Danbury (with Mr James Beebee) at the General Assembly at Newhaven. James Beebee was one of the original settlers of Danbury.

Why don't we have the dates and place of birth of the rest of Wakefield's children? From the website of Danbury - USGenWeb Project: "The Continental Army established a major storage area in Danbury in 1775, which led to the raid by the British in 1777, which resulted in the burning of many buildings in the town center... All pre-colonial records for Danbury were burned during the British raid of 1777." (Bother!)

The other question is why did Wakefield Dibble move? There are two events just before the move which may be relevant.

Wakefield's father, Ebenezer Dibble the older, had died when Wakefield was a child, and left his family destitute. Thomas Dible, Wakefield's grandfather, died in 1700 at the venerable age of 87 years old. His will mentions Wakefield, but only to leave him some clothing. This will was disputed by members of Thomas' family, but not Wakefield. Thomas had two surviving sons and a daughter, plus a son-in-law, and plenty of grandchildren, so there was cannot have been enough land to go round, and perhaps Thomas' death made Wakefield accept that he needed to go elsewhere to make his living.

The other date is 1702. In History of Danbury. Conn 1684-1896, page 26, it says "At a session of the General Assembly in May 1702, a patent was granted, giving town privileges to the inhabitants and proprietors of Danbury." Connecticut records 1636-1776 page 385 gives the order, which is confirmed in May 1703 (page 433). So it seems that Danbury is a new town, which will accept new settlers. Henry Stiles' Ancient Windsor, Connecticut Vol I (history) page 237 says "In May, 1702, Queen Anne of England, the Emperor of Germany, and the States-General united in a declaration of war against France and Spain. This, of course, involved the American colonies in a French and Indian war."... "Simsbury, Waterbury, Woodbury, and Danbury, then frontier tows of the colony, were objects of special care and precaution." It seems that Wakefield accepted the challenge of this 'frontier town'. He became an Assembly Representative for Danbury, he and his wife raised a large family, and his son Ebenezer studied at Yale. I think Wakefield made a success of his life!

Assembly Representative

Wakefield Dibble was a representative at the Assemblies, although he was sometimes absent. From the Public Records of Connecticut 1706-1716:

[page 114 - 13 Oct 1709]
A General Assembly holden at Newhaven, in her Majesties Colony of Connecticut, in New England, on Thursday, the 13th day of October, in the eighth year of the reign of our Sovreign Lady Anne, Queen of Great Britain, &c., Anno Dom, 1709.
Deputies or Representatives that were present and attended at this Assembly were as hereafter followeth, viz: ...
Mr James Beebee, Mr Wakefield Dibble for Danbury

[page 140 - Oct 1710]
Of the Representatives that attended at this Assembly, several were absent, as follows, viz: ... Mr Wakefield Dibble was absent 3 days

Will

From Probate records - Connecticut Fairfield Abstracts scan page 955

Fairfield Probate Records Vol. 1716-1735...
Page 267. Dibble, Wakefield, on Danbury. Will dated Jany. 31, 1734, filed May 2 1734. Exrs. 3 sons Ezra, John & Nehemiah. Mentions son Ebenezer, daus Mary Hiccock decd. Elizabeth Star, Sarah Hurd & Abigail Star & Experience Dibble, wi. [wife] Jane, son Ezra, Nehemiah, John.

From History of Danbury. Conn 1684-1896 page 14

The will of Wakefield Dibble, of Danbury, dated in Stratfield, January 31st, 1733-34, mentions "sons Ebenezer, Ezra (oldest son), Nehemiah (he is very lame), John (has property at Pocono, between Danbury and Newtown)." Will probated May 2d, 1734.

From research of John and Celia Dibblee (see Snippet from Wakefield Dibble's will)

[In his will, Wakefield directed his executors to pay] al ye charges which do, or may arise upon ye education of my son, Ebenezer. Also £30 towards furnishing him with books, etc."

© Jo Edkins 2012 - Return to Early Dibblee History index