Solomon Kimball House (Wenham, Massachusetts) - Thomas and Mary (Solart) Killam

Thomas and Mary (Solart) Killam

Thomas Killam (or Kilham), son of Daniel and Mary (Safford) Killam, was born 1653-4 in Wenham, and married Martha Solart circa 1680. Killam was a veteran of King Philip’s War, serving under Major Samuel Appleton of Ipswich in Appleton’s campaign against the Narragansett, including the Great Swamp Fight of December 19, 1675. In May 1676 the General Court voted to repay soldiers for losses incurred, and voted £2 15d 6s for Killam’s losses.

Martha (Solart) Killam was the daughter of John, Sr. and Elizabeth (-----) Solart, who kept a tavern in Wenham, still standing at 106 Main Street. Solart, Sr. was financially successful, yet drowned himself in 1672 leaving an estate of over £500. Solart, Sr.’s widow soon remarried Ezekiel Woodward, and kept her seven children from receiving their rightful share of Solart, Sr.’s estate. Eventually, these children successfully petitioned the General Court for redress in 1682.

Martha was a sister of Sarah Good, who was one of the first three to be accused of witchcraft during the Salem witchcraft hysteria and was hanged in 1692. Sarah's 4 year-old daughter Dorothy Good (also known as Dorcas Good) was also accused and arrested for witchcraft. Dorothy Good survived the hysteria, but was the youngest to be accused of witchcraft during the Salem episode.

Thomas and Martha (Solart) Killam had six children, all born in Wenham and the last two likely born in the Solomon Kimball House:

1. Thomas, Jr., (date of birth not recorded); married Sarah Maxey, April 8, 1712, Topsfield, MA
2. Martha (date of birth not recorded); married Timothy Bragg, December 23, 1714, Ipswich, MA
3. Samuel (date of birth not recorded); married Grace Endicott, December 21, 1715, Boxford, MA
4. John, born November 3, 1695; died 1738; married Abigail Symonds, February 3, 1724-5, Boxford, MA
5. Daniel, born May 25, 1698; died October 20, 1699, Wenham
6. Daniel (2nd), born August 14,1700

Thomas Killam sold his house in Wenham to William Fairfield in July 1701, and moved to Boxford (MA).