WELCOME to the Alfred William Stillman
GENEALOGY PAGE

I am a direct decendent of Mr. George Stillman who arrived on this continent from London, England in early 1686

Founder of the largest North American Stillman branch, Mr. George Stillman was born George Stileman - the first of three sons of George Stileman (1621-    ) in 1654 - as per the spelling of the last name on the bronze plaque dated 1670 that hangs in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire County, England.

A decendent of the Stylleman/Styleman/Stileman/Stilman Family of Steeple Ashton - which included many landowners, church officials and civil officials - in 1677 George Stileman married the daughter - Jane Pickering - of a deceased Baronet Sir Gilbert Pickering, Baronet of Nova Scotia 1st, a strict Puritan and Oliver Cromwell's Lord Chamberlain to the Protector - a combination of supreme court judge and attorney general. As was the custom of the time - George Stileman took Jane Pickering's last name - rather than the reverse - so that Jane Pickering could retain her societal status and inheritance - thus George Stileman became George Stileman Pickering. Jane Pickering gave birth to their first son - George Stileman Pickering, Jr. - in August 1679.

Through Lady Elizabeth Montagu Pickering - the wife of Sir Gilbert Pickering - a royal lineage has been thoroughly documented by John R. Sprague III. The Stillman Family Genealogy Home Page extends sincerest gratitude to John R. Sprague for researching and documenting this lineage. All direct decendents of Mr. George Stillman may rightfully claim this lineage as theirs for whatever purposes such claim may serve.

In those times, there was a tremendous amount of termoil everywhere with the monarchy in constant struggle to wrest control from the Parliament and with religious groups fighting openly to gain control as well. Sir Gilbert Pickering died in 1668 leaving his elsest son Sir John Pickering in charge of the Pickering family. The throne of the King of England was once again claimed by the Roman Catholics through the Stuart family when Charles II died and his misfit brother James II - who, as his beheaded father Charles I, believed in the "devine right of kings" - became King of Great Britain in 1685. Most likely the the strongly protestant George Stileman Pickering and puritan-heritage wife - Jane Pickering - became involved in the ill-fated Duke of Monmouth rebellion of 1685. Though George and Jane Pickering were apprehended and charged with treason, they were enabled through wealth and influence to leave England - leading to their immediate setting sail for the American Colonies from London in late 1685 with all that they could carry with them. George Stileman Pickering Jr., a second son - Samuel Stileman Pickering , and a daughter - Jane Stileman Pickering, were left behind to be sent for when their new home in the New England colonies had been established. Tragedy struck during the trip when Jane Pickering died at sea of complications resulting from premature childbirth.

George Stileman Pickering settled in Hadley, Massachusetts - dropped the Pickering name - re-possessing his surname name of Stileman. George was joined by his eldest son George Stileman Pickering, Jr. Why son Samuel Stileman Pickering and daughter Jane Stileman Pickering did not remove to the colonies with their eldest brother is not known - perhaps they chose to stay in England and be raised by the family of Sir John Pickering. George Stileman Pickering, Jr. - unhappy with following his father's new trade - returned to England, and completed studies and qualifiications to practice as a medical doctor. In 1689 George Stileman changed to the surname spelling of Stillman. Doctor George Stileman Pickering, Jr. returned to the colonies permanently around 1700 - dropped his last name of Pickering and assumed the surname spelling of Stillman, the same as his father.

A man of education, George Stillman's merchantile business grew to make him wealthy and one of three in Hadley that were entitled to the title - Mr. - in front of their names. Mr. George Stillman served as a Selectman - which is a member of the Board of Governors - for Hadley, MA. Mr. George Stillman married Rebecca Smith of Hadley, MA. When King Phillip's war threatened his property, wealth, and family, Mr. George Stillman moved everthing to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where many of his wife's [Rebecca Smith] relatives lived. As per the inscription on his grave site - Mr. George Stillman served as a Selectman for Wethersfield and was Representative at the Court of Massachusetts in 1698.

In 1699, Mr. George Stillman and wife Rebecca had a daughter - Anna Stillman - who married Deacon Hezakiah May and they had a daughter - Elizabeth May - who married Daniel Newcomb they had a daughter - Lydia Newcomb - who married Timothy Bush and thus began the Stillman relationship to the Bush Family lineage.

Mr. George Stillman carried on a large trade business with the West Indies and England until his death in 1728. His will - which I personally have seen - is signed George Stileman. Mr. George Stillman left his large property to his wife, children and grandchildren. Mr. George Stillman established his son John Stillman in business, provided son Benjamin Stillman with a Yale education and a very fine residence nearby. Mr. George Stillman gave his son Nathaniel Stillman a good homestead and helped his daughters at the time of their marriages. To Doctor George Stillman Jr., he gave 100 pounds sterling besides what he already had. The Will of Mr George Stileman - which I have personally seen - is signed with the last name spelled Stileman - the l ending in a distinctly downward curled loop creating a small e . Alfred William (Bill) Stillman, Jr. - 12 Mar 2004

Last Will and Testament of Mr. George Stilman

Land records and tax rolls, quoted by Judd show that his name was spelled both Stileman and Stillman.

1687	bought house and lot
1688	paid taxes as Stileman
1689	paid taxes as Stillman
1689, 1692, 1696	Selectman
1693	"had liberty to fortify Stillman house for benefit of those in North End without the palisade," His stockaded house had also a secret room in the chimney. One of the Regicides took refuge there. It is believed he was the one who appeared mysteriously during an Indian battle and rallied the colonists and disappeared by the time the battle was over.
1696	list of grand jury
1698	Representative from Hadley to General Court
1703	moved to Weathersfield, where second wife's relatives lived, for greater security for his family during Indian troubles. Engaged in mercantile business there and trade with West Indies and England

Real estate transactions in Weathersfield show that he transferred considerable land to his sons before he died and his will divides a large property. His children were educated - at least one (Benjamin) went to Yale.

The preceding was written by Hannah Amelia Stillman Bradfield in FAMILY HISTORY OF HANNAH STILLMAN (MRS. RICHARD) BRADFIELD dated November 1, 1963 - edited for this page

The account of Mr. George Stillman contained in Genealogies and Biographies of Ancient Wethersfield
is not entirely accurate and should be considered in the total context of this document - curator

Born in London in 1679, George Stileman Pickering, Jr. Gent, was educated and apprenticed to the trade of tailor when he first moved to the colonies to live with his father in 1689. Not liking that profession, George persuaded his father that he should be a Medical Doctor and returned to England, studied medicine and became known as Doctor George Stileman Pickering, Jr.. Rejoining his father in around 1700, Doctor George dropped the last name Pickering, took the new surname spelling of his father - Stillman - moved to Wethersfield with his father, then on to Westerly, Rhode Island, where he was made a freeman or citizen.

Professor Thomas Bliss Stillman writes that George Jr. on a journey from Wethersfield to Boston, passed through the town of Westerly, RI, the seat of a Society of Sabbatarians, who observed the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, and he was much surprised to see the people at their work on Sunday and thought they must be a very deluded set. Upon his return from Boston, he thought he would stop at Westerly and inquire into the matter. Accordingly, he had an interview with their pastor, Elder Thomas Hiscox, but instead of convincing them of error, he became convinced himself and took up his abode with them.

In 1706, Doctor George Stillman, Jr. married Deborah Crandall, daughter of Reverend Joseph Crandall and Deborah Burdick of Westerly, RI. Deborah Burdick was grandaughter of Samuel Hubbard, charter member of the 1st Seventh Day Baptist Church in America at Newport, RI in 1671. It is through Deborah Crandall that all decendents of Doctor George Stillman are direct decendents of royalty such as: Charlemagne Emperor of the West, King of Franks; Alfred the Great, King of West Saxony; and, the Kings of Scotland PLEASE NOTE - the Crandall links to these lineages are severely disputed by the Crandall Family Association (CFA). After careful review of the evidence presented by the CFA, the Crandall links to the lineages should be considered to be very likely inaccurate. Accurate family links to the lineages have been found in the past and are currently being researched - Bill Stillman, September 2002

Doctor George Stillman, Jr. purchased a large tract of land in Westerly, RI, situated in the bend of the Pawcatuck River, where he settled after his marriage and practiced medicine. Doctor George Stillman, Jr. was a member of the Westerly Seventh Day Baptist Church where he was appointed lay preacher and served as Clerk of the Church for over 30 years. Doctor George Stillman, Jr. died in 1760.

Doctor George Stillman, Jr. deeded land to his sons, after they became 21, and they settled on Crumb's Neck. His will divided a considerable estate. His home went to the youngest son, with provision for life use of part of it by his widow.

The preceding was written by Hannah Amelia Stillman Bradfield in FAMILY HISTORY OF HANNAH STILLMAN (MRS. RICHARD) BRADFIELD dated November 1, 1963 - edited for this page

The account of Doctor George Stillman contained in Genealogies and Biographies of Ancient Wethersfield is not entirely accurate and should be considered in the total context of this document. One plausible interpretation is that the name appearing to be "Picard, partly blotted out." is the surname of his deceased mother, Jane Pickering, and her brother Sir John Pickering, Baronette of Nova Scotia 2nd, brother-in-law of Mr. George Stileman Pickering, and uncle to George Stileman Pickering, Jr., with whom the latter most likely would have lived with while obtaining his medical degree in London, England during 1689 - 1700.

Doctor George Stillman had eight children - two daughters and six sons - the 2nd youngest of which was Elisha, born on 25 April 1722 in Westerly. Elisha died on 26 July 1796 in Westerly.

Elisha Stillman's 2nd wife was Mary Molly Davis. They had six daughters and six sons - one of their sons was William born on 4 May 1767 in Westerly, who became Deacon William Stillman. Deacon William wrote a rather famous family book of Poetry and Prose published in 1852. Deacon William's book presents a good expose' of that day and time in our family.

Deacon William Stillman was married three times; to - Welta Coon - Martha Potter - and to - Charlotte (Clark) Geer. Deacon William and Martha Potter had 10 children - the oldest of which was Doctor William Stillman, Jr., born in Westerly on 20 October 1792. Deacon William died 20 November 1858 and is buried in Pawcatuck, RI.

Doctor William Stillman, Jr. married Charlotte Coggeshall Champlin on 30 April 1818. Doctor William and Charlotte had eight children - one of whom was Joseph Fulton Stillman, (my grandfather) born on 16 March 1831. Doctor William Stillman, Jr. died on 24 March 1874 and buried in Ashaway, RI.

Joseph Fulton Stillman married Adaliza C. Burdick on 19 August 1865. Joseph and "Ada" had three daughters - Alice Maude, who died in her first year; Phoebe C.; and, Margaret May - and four sons - Edwin Coggeshall; Joseph LaVerne; Benjamin Silas; and, Arthur Main. On 5 December 1873, my father - Joseph LaVerne Stillman - was born in Nortonville, Kansas. Joseph Fulton Stillman died on 16 February 1914 and was buried next to his wife in Gentry, Arkansas.

Joseph LaVerne Stillman married Addie Carpenter on 14 October 1902. My parents - Vern and Addie had one daughter - Lucille - and three sons - Glen, Ralph and me - Alfred - their youngest son. My brother Glen Carroll Stillman died 29 Nov 2001.

I, Alfred William Stillman, married Marie Ann Hengen on 17 April 1940. Marie and I have three daughters - Helen Carole - Marie Ann - and Margaret Mae - and one son - Alfred William, Jr.. Marie Ann Hengen Stillman died on 19 November 1994 and is buried in D'Iberville, Mississippi.

Alfred William (aka Bill) Stillman, Jr., our son, has been married twice - first to Rosemary Oliphint - and - to Cheryl Ann Power.

Helen (aka Fanny) Carole Stillman, married Richard Don Atkinson and they have two sons - William (Will) Ray Atkinson and Richard Thomas (Toby) Atkinson.

Marie (aka Phoebe) Ann Stillman married Fred Blair First, Jr. and they have a daughter - Holli Marie First Miner - and a son Nathan Laney First.

Margaret (aka Margie) Mae Stillman married Paul Gilbert Shuman and they have a son Perry Graham.

A very detailed Stillman Family genealogy is being developed by Bill Stillman. Some of the information is common to this page. ALL contributions will be greatly appreciated along with any constructive comments.

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