Holbrook line: Alexanger Wignall, "Mister", immigrant and not a conformist

We only know a little bit about Alexander Wignall, but it is so tantalizing.  A novelist could really make something of his story, I think.  There are so many fascinating directions to go with it.

We don't know where he was born, or when, or where or when he died.  We don't know when he arrived at Massachusetts Bay Colony (best guess is 1629), or how long he stayed.  We don't know who his wife was, or how many children they may have had, or where they married, or what his occupation was, or any of the things I usually write about in my posts.

But we do know that there was something a little bit different about Alexander.  There is some confusion because there are early references to both a Jno. Wignall and and Alexander Wignall, both at Charlestown, Massachusetts.  Robert Charles Anderson, who is the authority on the people who came over in the Great Migration, believes that these are one and the same person, and I am certainly in no position to argue, discuss, or even question that.  So,,,

Jno. Wignall is listed in a 1630 Charlestown list of inhabitants as one of four men who "went and built in the main on the northeast side of the northwest creek of this town.  Walter Pope bought his (Jno.Wignall's) house and land later that same year.  No more mention of Jno. Wignall is found.

However, in October of 1630 Mr. Alexander Wignall asked for admission as a freeman to the colony, and he was admitted on May 18,1631.  It appears that he would have needed to have been a member of the church to be admitted, and also the owner of property, not necessarily land.  His good standing would last just a brief period of time, because on August 16, he was fined five marks for drunkenness.  Than on September 6, he was "fined 40 shillings, bound to his good behavior, and enjoined to remove his dwelling to some settled plantation before the last of May next, for drunkenness and much misdeameanor by him committed at the plantation where he now dwelleth".  It appears that two strikes and you were out, in that time and place.

On July 2, 1633, "Mr. Woolridge and Mr. Gibbons are appointed to join with Mr. Graves and Mr. Geneson (Jennison) to inventory the goods and chattels of Alex: Wignall". There is no "Mr." in front of his name this time, but there also is no mention that he is deceased.  This is where the mystery comes.

Was Alexander the same man as John?  If so, the land had been sold in 1630, so where did Alexander live?  If not, where did he live?  I'm not sure we've found the answer yet.  There is no mention of land or dwelling when the inventory was ordered in 1633.  Was this a matter of bankruptcy or debt collection?  Had Alexander returned to England?  As far as I can determine, no one has located records for him there.  There are some hints that some of his friends may have been mariners.  Perhaps Alexander had gone on a trip, either coastal or to the West Indies or back to England, and been lost at sea.  Instead of following orders to remove to some "settled plantation", perhaps Alexander had moved into the wilderness, or gone to live with natives, and had some sort of accidental death, or a fatal sickness, there.  We simply don't know.

I really haven't seen speculation about his disappearance or death, other than my own suggestions above. I have seen speculation as to his parents, his wife (Martha or Elizabeth unknown are the two most common guesses), and children.  He is thought to have been born about 1578, perhaps.  Speculated children are John (possibly because of the explanation above), Judith, and Elizabeth.  I would like to know why he is referred to as "Mr.".  Usually that connotes respect, and indicates that he held a position of some status, either by education, by family connections, or by occupation (merchant).  It shouldn't be so hard to find more information about him. Really, it shouldn't!

The line of descent is:

Alexander Wignall-
Judith Wignall-Reginald Foster
Abraham Foster-Lydia Burbank
Abraham Foster-Mary Robinson
Nathan Foster-Hannah Standish
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsy Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants