Proof Reasoning for Rhoda (Scoville/Scofield) Wickwire

Rhoda SCOVILLE (sometimes spelled SCHOFIELD or SCOFIELD) was born about the year 1724, at Colchester, Connecticut. Her tombstone in the Jawbone Corner Cemetery in Wolfville, Nova Scotia reads, “To The Memory of Rhoda, Wife of Capt. Peter Wickwire, a native of Colchester, State of Connecticut, who died Sept. 24, 1802 in the 78th Year of her Age. Gentle Reader drop a mournful tear, the best of Mothers, Wives and Friends lies here.” The only other factual evidence for her appears in the Congregational Church records for Montville, CT. In the family record for Peter Wickwire and Patience Chapell is the baptism of their son Peter Wickwire (Jr.) by which entry are the words, “Marrd. Rhoda Scofield.” Certainly the list was compiled some time after the last entry for this family was made, which was the death of Sarah Wickwire on 23 March 1756. No other formal marriage record survives. However, Rachel Scoville married John Baker of Montville on 14 March 1754, where the record notes her as the daughter of Arthur of Colchester. Rhoda and Peter named their first daughter Rachel. John Baker was also Peter Wickwire’s second cousin through the Tonge family of New London, CT. This familial connection, the tombstone, the marriage record, and the fact that Arthur Scoville’s family is the only one of that name in Colchester at the time, leave little doubt that Rhoda is also their child.