INTRODUCTION to "George Wightman of Quidnessett, R.I."
by Mary Ross Whitman

The genealogical data concerning the first four generations of Wightmans as found in the following pages are based almost entirely upon original town records in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Not many families of the kindred removed from New England until the fifth generation, although a few of earlier date did go to Dutchess County, New York, or to Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The original records in the town books of New England, especially during these earlier years, are remarkably full, consisting as they do of vital statistics, wills, land records, and town meeting records, and these can be supplemented by church and military data and, in a few instances, by Bible records. Most of the Wightmans of these early generations left wills, and where one source of data was lacking others were usually found to check and supplement. For these reasons it was not difficult to establish an almost complete account upon which to build the record of succeeding generations.
Beginning with the fifth generation there was in most lines a marked migration to the region of the Hudson River and especially to Renssalaer County and about Albany, New York, following the war experiences of the young men who had seen service in those parts. A few went to Pennsylvania. As the country westward was soon opened up, especially in the region of German Flatts in New York state, great numbers of New Englanders took up land there. Among these were numerous Wightmans from both Rhode Island and Connecticut.
The children of these early pioneers generally moved again and very frequently made several successive migrations searching for better location. Records were not well kept, vital statistics of the period are absolutely lacking, and definite data of the fifth and sixth generations have had to be secured very largely from living descendants scattered all the way across New York state, the Western Reserve, and into Michigan and other states of the Middle West. This has been done in a great number of cases by the compiler who has traveled and visited these families, and the number of family Bibles which has been brought forth to yield up valuable data has been astonishing. Beginning with the seventh generation many individuals sought the far West. From these, data have been secured most largely through correspondence. A very few have failed to respond.
As to the relationships established in the following record, all except a single instance are fully proved by definite authentic record or by circumstantial evidence which, checked and rechecked, supports the conclusion. The single instance referred to is fully discussed in its proper place in the text. So much cannot be claimed for the accuracy of details such as dates, places of birth, etc. Such sources as Bible records, family papers, tombstones, official town records, and genealogies are found to disagree in numerous instances. Mistakes in names also may occur due to illegible writing or by use of misleading nicknames. Such mistakes, regrettable but unavoidable, will undoubtedly be found.
The compiler is indebted to a great number of the family kindred who have shown a lively interest in the undertaking and furnished much valuable material, often going to the trouble of compiling a record covering their own collateral branches. In some instances the inquiry has aroused an interest in family history not previously felt, and the data sought have been graciously hunted up and supplied. In innumerable cases a personal visit has resulted in not only valuable gleanings of data but in delightful personal acquaintance.
A complete list of all those who have graciously furthered the enterprise by supplying material cannot be given here. In most cases, acknowledgment has been made in the text to those who have made extensive contributions. To the following persons, however, the compiler is especially indebted, either for the very full record contributed, for particularly valuable items supplied, or for the considerable and persistent effort made to seek out exact data: . . .