Wells Family History

1630-1966

Originally complied in 1942 by Jesse William Wells
from family records and correspondence.

Typed and brought up to date by daughter Edith Wells Frazee in 1966

They sold their farm north of Montague, on Walsh Road, (which Jesse always felt was intended to hav been named Wells Road, as their farm was the principle one on it, and no one named Walsh ever lived on it, to their knowledge,) and moved to Montague in 1915. After living there a short time, they moved to Muskegon, and lived there from 1916 - 1922. After a year in Allegon, Mich. they moved to Grand Rapids, in 1923. In 1934, they moved to Muskegon Heights, Mich., where they lived til Aug. of 1962, when they moved to Saline, Michigan, to live with their daughter, Edith Wells Frazee and husband. Nanette died in a nursing home near there on March 16, 1963, aged 85 years, 7 months, and 5 days. Jesse had passed away following a stroke and two weeks illness on January 28, 1963, at Whitehall convalescent Home, where Nanette was a patient. He was aged 85 years, 8 months, and 22 days. They are both buried in Montague, Mich. cemetery.

Random Notes by Mrs. Lella b. Wells Sampson, Raleigh Hotel, Washington, D. C.

Mrs. Sampson spent 8 years collecting data on the Wells family. She worked in the Library of Congress, and obtained some of her material there. She also spent a month in Pittsfield, Mass. Copied Wills and Deeds, and corresponded with the descendents of 4) John Wells (1744-1813). She found in Pittsfield the record that Rufus Wells 5)(x) married Mary Phillips, and record of the first three children: James, Daniel and Rufus. This verified pervious records we had. Mrs. Simpson believes that Rufus Wells was the son of John Wells and Frances Brown. His first child, James, was b. in 1797, and Elisha Wells 5) b. 1767 was a brother to Rufus Wells 5), as Elisha named a son Rufus. (James and Samuel are favorite names in this line). The only one of our branch who served in the Revolutionary War, as far as we know, would be John Wells 4) b: 1744.

1) Peter Wells believed to have come from England, during the latter half of the 17^th century. Mrs. Sampson's ancestors came from County Warwick, England.

2) Peter Wells (1681-1732)

3) James Wells, born 1706, Westerly, R. I. Married Roberta Barker 1731

4) James Wells b. 1732 , married Ruth Hannah b. 1737

4) Barbara Wells, b. 1734

4) Peter Wells, b. 1737, marr. Eliz. Carpenter. Lived Cazenovia, Madison Co., NY in 1759

4) Barker Wells (1750-1810) in R. I. Died Hopkinton, R. I. was Lt. Of Artillery in Rev. War. Marr. Rebecca Clark (1748-1827) in 1769.

4) Joshua Wells b: 1753

4) Thomas Robinson Wells, b. 1755. No record of children.

5) Barker Wells, Jr. and 6) Peter Clark Wells 1778-1849. Descendants all lived in Chenango Co., N. Y.

Notes: re: 7) (x) Ann Maria Fortune, who marr. Paris Ellison Wells. Her father was John Fortune, Mother was Mary Hannaman (Fortune). This name is mor often sp. Hahneman, or Hahnneman, but in the old family Bible which I have it is always sp. Hannaman. (E.W. F.)

1) John Fortune, b. Oct 17, 1805, d. Aug. 26, 1892. Buried Soldier's Home Los Angeles, Cal.

1) Mary Hannaman Fortune b. Sept. 3, 1809, d. June 10, 1881. Marr. Above May 22, 1827 6 children.

2) Elizabeth Fortune b. May 3, 1829

2) Catherine Fortune v. August 12, 1831

2) William Nicholas Fortune b. Mae 18, 1833, d. May 30, 1863. Buried at Vicksburg, Miss.