“The first English inhabitant in Wrentham was one Mr. Shears.  In Mr. Bean’s Century Sermon, preached in 1773, it is stated that the town was named Wrentham, because some of the first settlers were from a town of that name in England.  The first English person born in the town was Mehitable Shears, daughter of Samuel Shears.  The first person buried in the town was an infant son of John Ware, Feb 10th, 1673.  In Philip’s war, after the inhabitants had left the town, the Indians burnt all the houses but two ; these were saved, it is stated, on account of persons having the small pox in them, of which fact the Indians, by some means, became acquainted.  After the Indian war was over, the following persons had their names affixed to an instrument engaging to return.

… Robert Ware,… John Ware,… Nathaniel Ware,…”

Reference Data:

Historical Collection: Being a General Collection of Interesting Facts, by John Warner Barber, 1839, page 491