M. (1) 19 Dec 1701 in Northampton, Massachusetts2
Wife: Sarah Janes
M. (2) 7 Mar 1708 in Northampton, Massachusetts3
Wife: Mindwell Bartlett
D. 13 Nov 1762 in Northampton, Massachusetts4
Puritans in colonial New England applied great importance to the naming of their children. They often gave them names that represented their devotion to their religion, using virtuous words such as thankful, patience and silence as first names. But some virtue names were more curious than others, such as the one given to a man named Waitstill Strong.
Waitstill was born about 1677 in Northampton, Massachusetts to Thomas Strong and Rachel Holton.1 What does the name mean? There’s speculation that it expressed a desire of parents when they had wanted a child of the opposite sex; “wait-still” was a reminder to trust in God that they would get their wish in the future.5 The Waitstill of this biography was the fourth son in a row born to his mother, so maybe she chose his unusual name for that reason. And her next baby did turn out to be the daughter she wanted.
After he came of age, Waitstill married a woman named Sarah Janes. The wedding took place in Northampton on December 19, 1701,2 and about a year later, they had a son who was also given the name Waitstill, although most likely the child was simply named for his father. A couple of years later, Sarah passed away, and on March 7, 1708, Waitstill took a second wife who had the vanity name of Mindwell Bartlett.3 (It’s easy to imagine that they were the only couple ever named Waitstill and Mindwell.) Between 1709 and 1721, they had seven children, one of whom died as an infant.
Some examples of New England Puritan virtue names.
Waitstill spent his life in Northampton as a farmer, but he also owned 300 acres at nearby Cold Spring (present-day Belchertown) which he sold in 1728.6 Many sources say that he served as a sergeant in several military campaigns between 1722 and 1725, but given that he had a son with the same name who was a more appropriate age, the younger man was probably the one involved.
Waitstill’s wife Mindwell died on June 26, 1741,7 and since all of their children were grown, he didn’t remarry. He lived on for many years, and died in Northampton at the age of about 85 on November 13, 1762.4
Child by Sarah Janes:
1. Waitstill Strong — B. 18 Jan 1704, Northampton, Massachusetts;8 D. 9 Oct 1792, Southampton, Massachusetts;1 M. (1) Esther Root (1683-?), 23 Nov 1736, Northampton, Massachusetts;9 (2) Mary Wright, 23 Feb 1752, Massachusetts10
Children by Mindwell Bartlett:
1. John Strong — B. 2 Dec 1709, Northampton, Massachusetts;11 D. 19 Oct 1779, Northampton, Massachusetts;12 M. (1) Hannah Root (1722-?);12 (2) Eunice Brown (1730-1786), 11 Nov 17621
2. Mindwell Strong — B. 30 Oct 1711, Northampton, Massachusetts;12 D. 26 Jun 1754, Southampton, Massachusetts;14 M. Samuel Clapp, (1711-1775) 23 Nov 1732, Northampton, Massachusetts15
3. Submit Strong — B. 23 Dec 1712, Northampton, Massachusetts;16 D. 24 Apr 1788, Easthampton, Massachusetts;17 M. Jonathan Clapp (1713-1782), 23 Jan 1735, Northampton, Massachusetts18
4. Phebe Strong — B. 3 Dec 1714, Northampton, Massachusetts;19 D. 13 Nov 1753, Northampton, Massachusetts;20 M. John Wright (1713-1795), 18 Mar 1741, Northampton, Massachusetts1
5. Benjah Strong — B. 30 Jun 1717, Northampton, Massachusetts;21 D. 12 Jan 1783, Northampton, Massachusetts;22 M. Mabel Bartlett (1721-1795), about 1740, (probably) Northampton, Massachusetts1
6. Eleazer Strong — B. 1 Apr 1721, Northampton, Massachusetts;23 D. young1
7. Ithamar Strong — B. 1 Apr 1721, Northampton, Massachusetts;24 D. 28 Jul 1805, Northampton, Massachusetts;25 M. Experience King (1726-1795), 23 Jun 1750, Northampton, Massachusetts1
Sources:
1 The History of the Descendants of Elder John Strong of Northampton, Mass., V. II, Benjamin W. Dwight, 1871
2 Marriage record of Waitstill Strong and Sarah Janes, Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, FamilySearch.org
3 Marriage record of Waitstill Strong and Mindwell Bartlett, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
4 Find-a-Grave listing for Waitstill Strong
5 Behind the Name (website)
6 The History of Northampton, James Russell Trumbull, 1902
7 Death record of Mindwell Strong, Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, FamilySearch.org
8 Birth record of Waitstill Strong (younger), Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1635-1915, FamilySearch.org
9 Marriage record of Waitstill Strong and Esther Root, Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910, FamilySearch.org
10 WikiTree listing of Waitstill Strong (younger)
11 Birth record of John Strong, M. B. & C.
12 WikiTree listing of John Strong
13 Birth record of Mindwell Strong, M. B. & C.
14 Find-a-Grave listing for Mindwell (Strong) Clapp
15 Marriage record of Samuel Clapp and Mindwell Strong, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
16 Birth record of Submit Strong, M. B. & C.
17 Death record of Submit Strong Clap, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
18 Marriage record of Jonathan Clapp and Submit Strong, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
19 Birth record of Phebe Strong, M. B. & C.
20 Find-a-Grave listing for Phebe (Strong) Wright
21 Birth record of Benjah Strong, M. B. & C.
22 Find-a-Grave listing for Benjah Strong
23 Birth record of Eleazer Strong, M. B. & C.
24 Birth record of Ithamar Strong, M. B. & C.
25 Find-a-Grave listing for Ithamar Strong
