Histories

William and three of his brothers left England and went to Canada when he was about 21 years old.

William Wildman settled in Reach, Ontario, Canada in the Port Perry region. According to family history, he saw Janet Wells walking through an orchard. The sun was falling on her reddish hair and he fell in love with her. Although only 16, she already had a son, Albert Wells. William and Janet were married in 1859. William and Janet had 15 children, three of whom died in infancy. The property in Reach was purchased from "old Wells" Robert Wells.

William seems to have been a rather harsh man. While the girls were allowed to knit socks in their free time, lace for petticoats was forbidden. Although his sons did well in school, when the teacher wanted Frank to continue his education, William refused. He didn't want his children to be any smarter than he was. He refused to allow Agnes to marry a man she was in love with. At his death, he left his property to his son Edward Wildman, subject to the payment of a yearly legacy and bequests to "my beloved wife." His estate was apportioned to his children (see copy of will included with this data). After his death, she married William Hope, living to 1917.

Six of Williams' children, Marmaduke, Frank, Agnes Ann, John, Richard, and Edith, immigrated to the United States, originally heading for Kansas where a sister of their mother's, Agnes Holtby, lived near Winfield. The others remained in Canada, as did Albert Wells.

Uxbridge Journal, Uxbridge, Ontario. Thursday April 26 1900

The late William Wildman was a native of Yorkshire England and came to Canada at the age of 21. Three of his brothers also came out, one of whom is in Britsh Columbia and one in Michigan; the other was killed in Carden or Eldon 35 years ago by a falling tree. Mr. Wildman, the subject of this sketch, settled in Reach upon his arrival from England and by his own industry, assisted by his faithful wife, soon acquired a farm of his own where he resided until his death. In the course of time he purchased other property and for some years he has been in comfortable circumstances. Mr. & Mrs. Wildman reared a family of twelve-- five sons and seven daughters, a number of whom are married and settled in life. The funeral to the Greenbank church and cemetery on Thursday last was largely attended. The service was conducted by Rev. Mr. Secoombe assisted by Rev. Mr. McFarlane of Port Perry Ontario.