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1828 Dummerston VT Pioneer Joshua Wilder Signed Farm Deed Family Settlement:
$299.49
1828 Joshua Wilder Signed Vermont Pioneer Farm DeedDummerston, Windham County | Lifetime Care Agreement | Wilder FamilyAn original August 16, 1828 manuscript deed signed by Joshua A. Wilder (1754–1849), one of the earliest settlers of Dummerston, Windham County, Vermont. This is far more than a routine land conveyance. It is a remarkable family estate settlement documenting the transfer of the Wilder family farm to Joshua's son Dan Wilder, while legally requiring Dan to care for his aging parents for the remainder of their lives.
The deed conveys an undivided one-half interest in approximately 210 acres, together with a one-half interest in an additional 58-acre parcel, all buildings, improvements, and appurtenances.
Unlike a standard deed, the agreement contains extraordinary family provisions requiring Dan Wilder to:
- Support Joshua Wilder and Lois (Hawes) Wilder for life.
- Provide food, drink, clothing, nursing, and medical care.
- Continue operating and improving the family farm.
- Pay Joshua's outstanding debts.
- Pay brother Columbia Wilder an additional $86.80 to equalize his inheritance at $200.
- Refrain from selling the property without Joshua's consent.
- Deliver one reserved cow to Polly Kendall.
The deed was witnessed by Leroy Wilder and Joseph Duncan, Justice of the Peace, acknowledged the same day, and recorded on September 4, 1828 by Joseph Duncan as Town Clerk.
Historical ImportanceThis document captures one of the defining moments in the history of one of Dummerston's earliest pioneer families.
Rather than waiting until death to distribute property, Joshua Wilder transferred his farm during his lifetime while creating a legally enforceable agreement that guaranteed lifelong care for himself and his wife. Such agreements represent an early American form of retirement planning and family succession before pensions or modern probate planning existed.
The deed also documents the economic realities of rural Vermont by recording inheritance equalization among siblings, responsibility for parental support, restrictions on future sale of the property, and transfer of livestock and farming equipment.
For collectors of Vermont history, genealogy, pioneer settlement, and early American legal manuscripts, this is a particularly desirable example because it combines land conveyance with rich family history.
BiographiesJoshua A. Wilder (1754–1849)Joshua A. Wilder was an early pioneer settler and prosperous farmer of Dummerston, Vermont. Born in Massachusetts, he married Lois Hawes in 1781 and helped establish one of the town's early farming families. Local histories identify him as a respected resident whose family remained prominent in Dummerston for generations. This deed documents his carefully planned transfer of the family farm while ensuring care during his final years.
Dan Wilder (1786–1875)Daniel "Dan" Wilder was Joshua's son and successor to the family homestead. He married Joanna Bemis and became a successful farmer and longtime Deacon of the Dummerston Congregational Church. By accepting this deed, Dan assumed not only ownership of the farm but also legal responsibility for caring for his parents throughout their lives.
Lois (Hawes) WilderLois Hawes Wilder was Joshua's wife and partner in building the Wilder homestead. The deed specifically protects her welfare by requiring Dan to provide food, clothing, nursing, and medical attention for the remainder of her life, making her one of the principal beneficiaries of this family agreement.
Leroy WilderLeroy Wilder witnessed the execution of this deed and was the eldest son of Dan Wilder. He later became a respected farmer and Deacon of the Dummerston Congregational Church, continuing the family's leadership within the community.
Columbia WilderColumbia Wilder, another son of Joshua, is specifically named in the agreement. The deed requires Dan to pay him an additional $86.80, bringing Columbia's inheritance to a total of $200, illustrating the family's effort to divide the estate fairly.
Joseph DuncanJoseph Duncan served as Justice of the Peace and later as Town Clerk of Dummerston. He witnessed Joshua's acknowledgment of the deed and recorded the instrument in the town land records, giving the document official legal standing.
Henry WillardHenry Willard was an earlier owner of part of the property referenced in the deed's chain of title. His inclusion reflects the interconnected network of Dummerston's earliest landowning families and helps trace the history of the farm through successive generations.
This version emphasizes that the document is not simply an early deed but a signed estate and lifetime support agreement involving one of Dummerston's founding families, which is its strongest selling point.