General Notes

b.  Tenterdon, Kent
bap. 28 Jul 1583 at Tenterdon, Kent, England

"Elder Nathaniel Tilden came from Tenterden in Kent, with his family, before 1628. He was chosen Ruling Elder of the first Church in Scituate 1634. His house lot was on Kent-street, the 3d. south of Greenfield lane. He had also lands at Long marsh: and lands also in 1640, on the east side of the North River, below Gravelly beach."5

Nathaniel arrived in New England in 1634 in the ship Hercules, of Dover, with his wife and children (Joseph, Mary, Sarah, Judith, Lydia, Stephen, and Thomas), and the following, who came under the designation of 'servants:' Thomas Lapham, George Sutton, Edward Ford, Edward Jenkins, James Bennett, Sarah Couchman, and Mary Perien. The Rev. William Witherell came on this same boat.6

"Nathaniel Tilden was among the earliest of the 'Men of Kent' who established plantations at Satuit before 1628, others being Anthony Annable, Thomas Bird, Edward Foster, William Gillson, Henry Merritt, Henry Rowley, Nathaniel Tilden, and Deane says, 'perhaps others.'"

Nathaniel was a Magistrate in Tenterden, and elected to the office of Mayor.

      "Elder Nath'l Tilden was the ancestor of nearly all the Tildens in Marshfield. He was one of three borothers, and they were called 'Men of Kent,' from ENgland. He came to Scitaute at that portion called 'Tow Mile' tract, now known as North Marshfield, in 1628. His farm extended both sides of North River, part of it being on 'Gravelly beach.'"25

      Nathaniel came in the Hercules in 1635 from Sandwich, in Co. Kent, being one of an old family at Tenterden, near Cranbrook, in that shire, bringing wife Lydia, seven children and seven servan ts. He may have visited our country before and went home to bring his household; but it does not appear by any facts. He settled in Scituate. In May 1637, with his friend Hatherly, he was appointed by Plymouth Colony to settle the bounds between it and the Massachusetts Colony. He was ruling elder in the church and died 1641, the inventory being of 31 July, and his will of 25 May preceding in that year. It names his wife Lydia, perhaps daughter of Thomas Bourne of Marshfield, yet married in England to which he gives his home at Tenterden, all the seven children Joseph; Thomas, b. a. 1621; Mary, the w. of Thomas Lapham, m. 13 Mar. 1637; Sarah, the w. of George Sutton; Judith; Lydia; and Stephen; also two servants who should serve his eldest son..2