Individual Details

Ephraim moved with his family to Medfield about 1650, but his name occurs on the Dedham tax lists. Ephraim was made a freeman on 8 October 1672. He and his brother, Henry, were appointed executors of their father's will, which was probated in 1674. Ephraim was the residuary legatee of his father's estate, and received also by special devise the homestead on Green Street. His name appears among the Medfield proprietors in 1675. His house seems to have escaped the ravages of King Philip's Indians in February 1676, although the residence of Thomas Wight, his brother, adjoining was burned. Ephraim's subscription of "2 bushelles of Endian corne" for building the "new brick college" at Cambridge occurs with many others. In 1697, he and his wife appear among the members of the Parish Church, Medfield. Ephraim was also interested in Medway property. He was one of twelve citizens of Medfield who accepted the offer of that town "to give 50 acres of land whre it may be most convenient for the encouragement of any that would adventure to build a gristmill upon Charles River. This was the first mill built at Rockville, in Medway. When the Black Swamp of Medway was laid out in 1702, 7 rods and 4 feet fell to Ephraim. He never resided in Medway, his son Nathaniel being the first Wight to reside within the limits of that town. Ephraim's mental condition late in life is to be inferred from the fact that Nathaniel Partridge and Thomas Boyden, husbands of his daughters Lydia and Deborah, "protested against the so-called will of our honored father, knowing him to be a religious, good man, but not capable to make a will these 7 years and past." Notwithstanding this protest, the will which was made 27 September 1717, was probated in March 1722-23. The original Wight Homestead went to his son, Daniel.

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine, by Henry Sweetser Burrage and Albert Roscoe Stubbs, 1909, p.1254
"Ephraim, youngest child of Thomas and Alice Wight, was born January 27, 1645 in Dedham, and was baptized there February 8 of the same year. He was one of the executors of his father's will and residuary legatee of that instrument. He had previously received a deed of the homestead on Green Street in Medfield, where he resided. He was among the proprietors of Medfield in 1675 and was among those who subscribed two bushels of "Endian Corne" to the building of the new brick college at Cambridge. He was an owner of property in Medway, where some of his children lived, and with his wife was a member of the church at Medfield, in 1697. He died there February 26, 1723. He was married March 2, 1668 in Medfield, to Lydia Morse, who was baptized in Dedham, April 13, 1645, and died July 14, 1722. Their children were: Lydia, Esther, Ephraim, Miriam, Nathaniel, Daniel, Bethia, Deborah, and Ruth.


According to family tradition, Thomas came from the Isle of Wight. England in 1637, with his wife and children: Henry, John, and Thomas. He settled first in Dedham, MA., He was of the Medfield Corporation by 1652, and Selectman there almost every year for the next 22, until he died. The inventory of seven days after his death shows good property, and his widow's will was probated 27 JUL 1676. She remarried Thomas Ellis. (Source: "Genealogical Dictionary", Vol. 4, p. 543).
In 1636, he was in Watertown, and then became a proprietor of Dedham the following year. Twelve acres was allotted to each married man, so that is what he received. He also received other grants of planting land, woodland and meadow. His tillage land was 15 acres on the east side of the public road in 1890, and and extending from the crossroad bounding his homelot nearly to the great common. He and Hannah were received into the church 6 MAY 1640. He then became a Freeman 8 Oct 1640.
Eventually, Dedham was divided to form Medfield. He, and Robert Hinsdale and Peter Woodward were among those assigned to manage and carry out the establishment of the new town. On 19 Jun 1650, the town was laid out, with 13 12-acre lots Thomas's lot touched that of Robert Hinsdale and wasteland. John Wights lot was adjoining, and Wight's Lane led to these lots.At that time, Thomas was the wealthiest man in the new community.
In 1654, he became Selectman of Medfield and served 19 out of the next 20 years, until his death. In 1667, he was mentioned as Deacon of the church. In the New Grant of 1669, Thomas received 166 acres, the largest of all proprietors. Nobody lived there until 1713.: Thomas and all his sons subscribed for the "new college" at Cambridge, Harvard University, today. Alice, mother of all his children, d. in 1665, and Thomas remarried five months later, to Lydia Eliot.
Wealthiest citizen of Medfield in 1652. A selectman of Medfield from 1654 to 1674, the year o f his death. On August 19, 1664, Thomas Wight's name was third signed with his sonsSamuel, Thomas and hi s son-in-law Thomas Ellis and 41 other inhabitantsof Medfield to a memorial to the general co urt of the Colony, statingthat representations had been made to the King that there were div isionsand dissatisfaction about the present government of the Colony.
The signers testify their unanimous satisfaction in adhering to the present government and "ea rnest desire for the continuance thereof and ofall the liberties pertaining thereto, which ar e contained in the charter granted by King James and King Charles, the first of famous memorie ,under the encouragement and security of which we, or our fathers,ventured over the ocean int o this wilderness through great hazards,charges and difficulties."
It should here be noted how large Dedham was and will assist in following the areas the Wight s settled in. Dedham was incorporated in 1636. The territory which included theoriginal grant now forms th e whole or part of different towns. Dedham, 1636; and from Dedham came the following, being formed from Dedham land;
Medfield,1651; Wrentham, 1673; Sherborn, 1674; Needham, 1711; Medway(from Medfield), 1784; B ellingham, 1719; Walpole, 1724; Foxbore (Foxboro)and Franklin (from Wrentham), 1778; Natick , 1781; Dover, 1784; Hyde Park,1868; Norfolk, 1870; Norwood, 1872; Wellesley (from Needham) , 1881;Millis, 1885; and West Roxbury. ( Register XLI,21; Dedham 250th. anniversary, 209.)
Thomas Wight left England amid the difficulties between King Charles the First and his embitte red subjects. He and his wife were received into the church on July 6, 1640 and on October 8, 1640 he became a freeman. As early as 1649 he became interested in the movement for dividing Dedham, which resulted in the formation of Medfield.
On May 10, 1650, Thomas Wight was chosen the first of a committee of five- Thomas Wight, Robe rt Hinsdell, Timothy Dwight, Samuel Bulleyn and JohnFrairy - to assist and direct the measurering laying out house lots in Medfield.
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Deacon of the Puritan Church
The Wight (Wright) family
Memoir of Thomas Wright of Deedham, Massachusetts with Genealogical Notices od his descendants From 1635-1670 by Danesforth Phillips Wight Boston Press

Additional from "The Wights" by William Ward Wight: "I know of Thomas Wight's arrival in New England, or his history there previous to the winter of 1655-6, at which time he seems to have been in Watertown. Over a year later he appears tangibly in Dedham. "The 18th of ye 5th mo., commonly called July 1637.' Thomas Wight with 11 other persons, having been duly ceretified by the magistrates, and having subscribed unto the covenant, was admitted an inhabitant of Dedham. At this time his family consisted of his wife, Alice (or Elsie), and his children, Henry, John, Thomas, and doubtless, Mary. In the distribution of lands for homesteads, Thomas wight received from the town of the portion of 12 acres, allotted to each married man. The boundaries of this early grant are given in the Town Records as follows: 'Thomas Wight 12 Acres more or lesse made up good by an enlargement rune in amongst ye Rockes & for woode and timbr as it lyeth ye one side by the highwaye leading into the Rockes for ye most pte & John Luson from that waye upon a lyne S.W. unto ye brooke that compasseth said Wight and soe by that Brooke within the said Antho.fisshers lyne as by the marks and dooles app'eth. The one head abbutteth upon the waest towards the East and the other upon John Lusons Rockes towards ye west, the highwaye leading towards the Ragged playne run'g through the same.' The highway at that time passed over the hill to the S.E. of where it now runs and adjoining the residence of Thomas Wight. The outline of this grant will ever be easily traced by the Rockes & Brooke. In addition to the home lot, is a number of subsequent grants of 'planting ground,' woodland and meadow. His tillage land, besides the home lot, consisted of 15 acres on the east side of the present public road extending from the cross road bounding his home lot nearly to the great common. This history of this home lot will come later."

Birth	27 Jan 1645	Dedham, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Christen	8 Feb 1645	Dedham, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Marriage	2 Mar 1668	Medfield, Suffolk County, Massachusetts - Lydia Morse
Death	26 Feb 1723	Medfield, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Spouse	Lydia Morse ( - 1722)
Child	Lydia Wight (1669 - 1741)
Child	Esther Wight (1670 - 1714)
Child	Ephraim Wight (1672 - 1744)
Child	MIRIAM Wight (1675 - 1746)
Child	Nathaniel Wight (1678 - 1748)
Child	Daniel Wight (1680 - 1744)
Child	Bethiah Wight (1682 - 1756)
Child	Deborah Wight (1685 - 1714)
Child	Ruth Wight (1688 - 1747)

Father	Thomas Wight ( - 1674)
Mother	Alice (1605 - 1665)