Ancestor Birthday - September 17 - Mary Tonge - 1656- 1728

Mary Tonge was my 8th gt-grandmother, born on 17 Sep 1656 or 1657, in New London, Connecticut. She was the daughter of George and Margery Tonge. A New England history stated that George was an early settler in New London and about the time of Mary's birth he was chosen to keep an inn there. He purchased land along the Thames River and it was called the most noted inn in the town. So apparently Mary grew up there with at least 2 older sisters, Elizabeth and Hannah, and a younger brother, George.

When she was 19 or 20, on 6 Nov 1676 she married John Wickwire, a veteran of King Philip's War. They lived in the northern section of the town of New London and in 1786 it was incorporated as a separate town named Montville.

Mary and John had at least 7 children: George, Christopher (my 7th gt-grandfather), John, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Peter and Ann. Some researchers add an 8th child, Phebe. Find A Grave listed Mary's death date as 6 Apr 1728 in Montville. She was buried in Chapman Cemetery, Montville, New London County, Connecticut.