Ann, thanks, and I wonder if the given name "Gershom" was actually Gresham and a clue to maiden name of John's wife? Purely a guess. Bebe Fox Winston-Salem, NC In a message dated 10/31/99 11:34:03 AM, rlelong@bellsouth.net writes: <<John & Mary's second son, John was married in Salem, Mass. in 1681, his > wife's name is unknown. Baptism records in Salem show they had at least > 7 children: Gershom (1681-1695), John (c.1683), Mary (c1687), Jonathan > (c1689), Joseph (1693), Samuel (c1694) and Elisha (c1695). In 1695 John > and family left Salem with a 52-person colony that later shipwrecked > near Cape Fear, NC in 1695. The colony was brought to Seewee (northeast > of Charleston) by Gov. John Archdale of the Province of Carolina. This > is where the Wappetaw Congregation Church was founded and where some of > our Whilden ancestors are buried. > > Jonathan Whilden (c.1683) married Elizabeth Dubose, d/o Isaac & Suzanne > Couillandeau Dubose, about 1721. Upon his older brother's death, Jonathan > became the guardian for John's son, John Whilden (III). Jonathan and > Elizabeth had 7 children: John (c1731), Jonathan Jr. (c1722), Joseph (c1724), > Elisha (c1729), Elizabeth (1726), Suzannah (1788) and Mary (1736). > > The will of John Whilden [II] cites five daughters, including Mary, who > married about 1730 John Dubose (born ca 1694/1799), a Santee River planter > and brother of Elizabeth Dubose Whilden. > >>