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DOCUMENTARY  HISTORY  OF 
RHODE   ISLAND 


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DOCIMNIRY 

HISTORY  of 
Rhode  Island 


VOLUME  TWO 

BEING  THEHISTORY  OF 
THE  TOWNS  OF  PORTS- 
MOUTH AND  NEWPORT 
TO  1647ANDTHE  COURT 
RECORDS  OF  AQUIDNECK 


BY 

HOWARD    M.    CHAPIN 


PROVIDENCE; 

PRESTON    AND    ROUNDS    CO. 

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EDITION    LIMITED   TO 

TWO    HUNDRED    AND     FIFTY 

COPIES 


THE     PLIMPTON     PRESS 
NORWOOD,    MASS. 


PREFACE 

The  previous  volume  contained  a  history  of  the 
towns  of  Providence  and  Warwick  to  1649  and  of  the 
Colony  to  1647.  This  volume  covers  the  towns  of 
Portsmouth  and  Newport.  As  the  early  Portsmouth 
town  records  have  been  carefully  printed  and  are  easily 
accessible,  those  after  the  reunion  of  the  two  towns 
(1640)  have  not  been  included  in  this  volume. 

The  court  records  which  are  printed  in  this  volume 
have  been  transcribed  from  a  manuscript  volume 
entitled  "Rhode  Island  Colony  Records  1646-1669." 
This  volume  is  in  the  custody  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
State.  It  contains  the  minutes  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, the  minutes  of  the  Aquidneck  circuit  courts,  the 
minutes  of  the  Colony  Court  of  Trials,  a  large  number 
of  deeds,  and  a  few  vital  records.  The  entries  are  not 
in  chronological  sequence,  but  seem  to  have  been 
entered  somewhat  at  random.  The  minutes  of  the 
General  Assembly  were  transcribed  in  1822  by  Charles 
Gyles  and  subsequently  printed  in  Bartlett's  "Rhode 
Island  Colonial  Records."  The  minutes  of  the  Aquid- 
neck court  are  printed  in  the  present  volume.  The 
minutes  of  the  Court  of  Trials  are  being  transcribed  by 
the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society.  The  land  records 
have  not  as  yet  been  printed,  transcribed  or  even 
abstracted,  except  in  a  few  isolated  instances. 

H.  M.  C. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.  The  Visit  of  Verrazzano i 

II.   The  Voyage  of  Block — The  Early  Use  of  the 

Name  Rhode  Island 12 

III.  The   Organization    of   the   Government  —  The 

Search  for  a  Location  —  The  Adoption  of 

A  Dating  System 16 

IV.  The  Deed  of   Aquidneck — The   Gift   of   Dyre 

Island 24 

V.   PocASSET  Under  the  Judge 32 

VI.   PocAssET  Under  the  Judge  and  Elders  ...  47 

VII.  The  Coup  d'Etat  of  1639 55 

VIII.  Portsmouth  Under  the  Hutchinsons  ....  62 

IX.  The  Settlement  of  Newport 69 

X.   Religious  Affairs  at  Aquidneck 84 

XI.  The  Union  of  Newport  and  Portsmouth      .     .  94 

XII.  The  Acquidneck  Government  in  1641       .     .     .  107 

XIII.  Early  Residents  of  Aquidneck 116 

XIV.  The  Aquidneck  Government  from  1642  to  1644  121 
XV.   Aquidneck  Quarter  Court  Records    .     .     .     .  132 

XVI.   Contemporary  Letters 166 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Page  of  "  John  Clark  Bible  " 22 

William  Coddington's  House 44 

Henry  Bull's  House 64 

Title  Page  of  John  Clark's  Book 82 

Roger  Williams'  Compass 90 

Window  from  the  Coddington  House  (outside)    .      .      .      .  no 

Window  from  the  Coddington  House  (inside)       .      .      .      .  124 

Balusters  from  the  Coddington  House 140 

William  Coddington's  Gravestone 168 


ABBREVIATIONS 

Aspinwall=Aspinwall  Notarial  Records.      (Printed.) 

I.R.  =  Records  of  the  Island  of  Rhode  Island. 

M.C.R.  =  Massachusetts  (Colonial)  Court  Records. 

M.H.S.C.  =  Massachusetts  Historical  Society  Collections. 

P.C.R.  =  Plymouth  Colony  Records. 

Po.R.  =  Portsmouth  Records.      (Printed.) 

R.I.C.R.  =  Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records. 

R.I.H.S.P.  =  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society  Proceedings. 

R.I.L.E.  =  Rhode  Island  Land  Evidences. 

Winthrop=The  History  of  New  England  by  John  Winthrop. 


Documentary  History  of 
Rhode  Island 

I 

THE  VISIT  OF  VERRAZZANO 

ALTHOUGH  the  history  of  the  political  entities  of 
Newport  and  Portsmouth  begins  with  the  visit  of  the 
Antinomian  leaders  to  Aquidneck  in  March,  1637/8,  yet 
there  is  an  interesting  prelude  in  the  contemporary  accounts 
of  two  earlier  visits  to  the  island. 

On  Thursday,  21  April,  1524,  Giovanni  da  Verrazzano,  a 
French  corsair,  then  perhaps  better  known  as  Juan  Florentin, 
a  name  derived  from  his  ItaHan  birthplace,  sailing  in  the 
"Delfina"  under  the  banner  of  Francois  I  of  France, 
dropped  anchor  in  Newport  Harbor.  Verrazzano,  on  board 
the  "Delfina"  at  Dieppe,  8  July,  1524,  writing  in  ItaHan, 
but  signing  his  name  in  Latin,  Janus  Verazzanus,  gave 
the  following  description  of  his  visit  to  Newport. 

**We  weied  Ancker,  and  sayled  towarde  the  East,  for  so 
the  coast  trended,  and  so  alwayes  for  50.  leagues  being  in 
the  sight  thereof  wee  discovered  an  Ilande  in  forme  of  a 
triangle,  distant  from  the  maine  lande  3.  leagues,  about  the 
bignesse  of  the  Ilande  of  the  Rodes,  it  was  full  of  hills 
covered  with  trees,  well  peopled,  for  we  sawe  fires  all  along 
the  coaste,  wee  gave  the  name  of  it,  of  your  Maiesties  mother, 
not  staying  there  by  reason  of  the  weather  being  contrarie. 
And  wee  came  to  another  lande  being  15.  leagues  distant 


2  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND      [cHAP.  I 

from  the  Ilande,  where  wee  founde  a  passing  good  haven, 
wherein  being  entred  we  founde  about  20.  small  boates  of 
the  people  which  with  divers  cries  and  wondrings  came 
about  our  shippe,  comming  no  nerer  then  50.  paces  towards 
us,  they  stayed  and  behelde  the  artificialnesse  of  our  ship, 
our  shape  i^  apparel,  tha  they  al  made  a  loud  showte 
together  declaring  that  they  rejoyced:  when  we  had  some- 
thing animated  them  using  their  geasters,  they  came  so 
neare  us  that  wee  cast  them  certaine  bells  and  glasses  and 
many  toyes,  whiche  when  they  had  received  they  lookte  on 
them  with  laughing  i^  came  without  feare  aborde  our  ship. 
There  were  amongst  these  people  2.  kings  of  so  goodly 
stature  and  shape  as  is  possible  to  declare,  the  eldest  was 
about  40  yeeres  of  ag,  the  second  was  a  yong  man  of  20 
yeres  old.  Their  apparell  was  on  this  maner,  the  elder  had 
upo  his  naked  body  a  harts  skin  wrought  artificialie  with 
divers  branches  like  Damaske,  his  head  was  bare  with  the 
haire  tyed  up  behinde  with  divers  knottes:  About  his 
necke  he  had  a  large  chaine,  garnished  with  divers  stones  of 
sundrie  colours  the  young  man  was  almost  appareled  after 
the  same  manner.  This  is  the  goodliest  people  and  of  the 
fairest  conditions  that  wee  have  found  in  this  our  voyage. 
They  exceed  us  in  bignes,  they  are  of  the  colour  of  brasse, 
some  of  the  encline  more  to  whitnes :  others  are  of  yellowe 
colour,  of  comely  visage  with  long  ^  blacke  heire  which 
they  are  very  carefuU  to  trim  and  decke  up,  they  are  blacke 
and  quicke  eyed.  I  write  not  to  your  Maiestie,  of  the  other 
parte  of  their  bodie,  having  all  suche  proportion  as  apper- 
tayneth  to  anye  handsome  man.  The  women  are  of  the  like 
conformitie  and  Beawtie,  verie  handsome  and  well  favoured, 
they  are  as  well  mannered  and  continente  as  anye  women, 
of  good  education,  they  are  all  naked  save  their  privie  partes 
which  they  cover  with  a  Deares  skinne  braunched  or  em- 
brodered  as  the  man  use:  there  are  also  of  them  whiche 
weare  on  their  armes  verie  riche  skinnes  of  leopardes,  they 


lAP.  ij  THE    VISIT    OF    VERRAZZANO  3 

iorne  their  heades  with  divers  ornamentes  made  of  their 
>vne  heire,  whiche  hange  downe  before  on  both  sides  their 
restes,  others  use  other  kinde  of  dressing  them  selves  like 
nto  the  w^omen  of  Egypt  and  Syria,  these  are  of  the  elder 
)rte:  and  when  they  are  married  they  weare  divers  toyes, 
:cording  to  the  usage  of  the  people  of  the  East  as  well  man 
!  women. 

Among  whom  wee  sawe  many  plates  of  wrought  coper, 
hich  they  esteeme  more  then  golde,  which  for  the  colour 
ley  make  no  accompt  of,  for  that  among  all  other  it  is 
)unted  the  basest,  they  make  most  accompt  of  Azure  and 
id.  The  things  that  they  esteemed  most  of  al  those  which 
e  gave  them  were  bels,  cristall  of  Azure  colour,  and  other 
)ies  to  hang  at  their  eares  or  about  their  necke.  They  did 
Dt  desire  cloth  of  silke  or  of  golde,  muche  lesse  of  any  other 
)rte,  neither  cared  they  for  thinges  made  of  Steele  and 
on,  which  wee  often  shewed  them  in  our  armour  whiche 
ley  made  no  wonder  at,  and  in  beholding  them  they  onely 
;ked  the  arte  of  making  them:  the  like  they  did  at  our 
asses,  which  whe  the  behelde,  they  sodainely  laught  and 
ive  them  us  againe.  They  are  very  liberal  for  they  give 
lat  which  they  have,  we  became  great  friendes  with  these, 
id  one  day  wee  entred  into  the  haven  with  our  shippe, 
here  as  before  wee  rode  a  league  of  at  sea  by  reason  of  the 
)ntrary  weather.  They  came  in  great  companies  of  their 
nail  boates  unto  the  ship  with  their  faces  all  bepainted  with 
ivers  colours,  shewing  us  yt  it  was  a  signe  of  ioy,  bringing 
3  of  their  vidluals,  they  made  signes  unto  us  where  wee 
light  safest  ride  in  the  haven  for  the  safegarde  of  our  shippe 
eeping  still  our  companie:  and  after  we  were  come  to  an 
ncker,  we  bestowed  fifteene  dayes  in  providing  our  selves 
lany  necessary  things,  whether  every  day  the  people 
ipayred  to  see  our  ship  bringing  their  wives  with  them, 
hereof  they  are  very  ielous:  and  they  themselves  entring 
arode  the  shippe  and  stayinge  there  a  good  space,  caused 


4  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND      [cHAP.  I 

their  wives  to  stay  in  their  boates,  and  for  al  the  intreatie 
we  could  make,  offering  to  give  them  divers  things,  we 
could  never  obtaine  that  they  would  suffer  them  to  come 
aborde  our  ship.  And  oftentimes  one  of  the  two  kings  com- 
ming  with  his  queene,  and  many  gentlemen  for  their  pleasure 
to  see  us,  they  all  stayed  on  the  shore  two  hundred  paces 
fro  us,  sending  a  smal  boate  to  give  us  intelligece  of  their 
comming,  saying  they  would  come  to  see  our  shippe,  this 
they  did  in  token  of  safetye,  and  assoone  as  they  had  answere 
from  us  they  came  immediately,  and  having  stayed  a  while 
to  behold  it,  they  wondered  at  hearing  the  cryes  and  noyes 
of  the  marriners.  The  queene  and  her  maids  stayed  in  a 
very  light  boate,  at  an  Hand  a  quarter  of  a  leage  off,  while 
the  king  abode  a  long  space  in  our  ship  uttering  divers 
conceites  with  geastures,  viewing  with  great  admiration,  all 
the  furniture  of  the  shippe,  demaunding  the  propertie  of 
everie  thing  perticularly.  He  tooke  likewise  great  pleasure 
in  beholding  our  apparell  and  in  tasting  our  meates,  and  so 
courteously  taking  his  leave  departed.  And  sometimes  our 
men  staying  for  two  or  three  dayes  on  a  little  Ilande  nere  the 
ship  for  divers  necessaries,  (as  it  is  ye  use  of  seamen)  he 
returned  with  7.  or  8.  of  his  gentlemen  to  see  what  we  did, 
and  asked  of  us  oft  times  if  wee  meant  to  make  any  long 
aboade  there,  offering  us  of  their  provision:  then  the  King 
drawing  his  bowe  and  running  up  and  downe  with  his  gentle- 
men, made  much  sporte  to  gratifie  our  men,  wee  were  often- 
times within  the  lande  5.  or  6.  leagues,  which  we  found  as 
pleasant  as  is  possible  to  declare  very  apt  for  any  kinde  pf 
husbandry  of  corne,  wine,  and  oyle:  for  that  there  are  plaiiies 
25.  or  30.  leagues  broad,  open  and  without  any  impediment 
of  trees  and  such  fruitfulnerse,  that  any  seede  being  sowne 
therein,  will  bring  forth  most  excellent  fruite.  We  entred 
afterwards  into  the  woods  which  wee  found  so  great  and 
thicke,  that  any  armie  were  it  never  so  great  might  have  hid 
it  selfe  therein,  the  trees  whereof  are  okes,  cipres  trees,  and 


CHAP,  f]  THE    VISIT    OF    VERRAZZANO  5 

Other  sortes  unknowen  in  Europe.  We  found  Pomi  appii, 
Damson  trees,  and  Nutte  trees,  and  many  other  sorts  of 
fruits  differing  fro  ours:  there  are  beasts  in  great  abundance, 
as  hartes,  deares,  leopardes,  and  other  kinds  which  they  take 
with  their  nets  iff  bowes  which  are  their  chiefe  weapons,  the 
arrowes  whiche  they  use  are  made  with  great  cunning,  and 
in  steade  of  iron,  they  head  them  with  smeriglio,  wt  jasper 
stone,  y  hard  marble  iff  other  sharp  stones  which  they  use 
in  stead  of  iron  to  cut  trees,  and  make  their  boates  of  one 
whole  piece  of  wood,  making  it  hollowe  with  great  and 
wonderfull  art,  wherein  lo  or  12  men  may  be  comodiously, 
their  oars  are  shorte  and  broad  at  the  ende,  and  they  use 
them  in  the  sea  without  anye  daunger,  and  by  maine  force 
of  armes,  with  as  great  spedinesse  as  they  lifte  them  selves. 
We  sawe  their  houses  made  in  circuler  or  rounde  fourme,  10 
or  12  foote  in  compasse,  made  with  halfe  circles  of  timber, 
seperate  one  from  another  without  any  order  of  building, 
covered  with  mattes  of  strawe  wrought  cunningly  together, 
which  save  them  from  the  winde  and  raine,  and  if  they  had 
the  order  of  building  and  perfect  skil  of  workmaship  as 
we  have:  there  were  no  doubt  but  yt  they  would  also  make 
eftsoones  great  and  stately  buildings.  For  all  the  sea  coastes 
are  full  of  cleare  and  ghttering  stones,  and  alablaster,  and 
therefore  it  is  full  of  good  havens  and  harbarours  for 
ships.  They  moove  the  foresaide  houses  from  one  place 
to  another  according  to  the  commoditie  of  the  place  and 
season  wherein  they  will  make  their  aboade,  and  only  taking 
of  the  cover,  they  have  other  houses  builded  incontinent. 
The  father  and  the  whole  famihe  dwell  together  in  one 
house  in  great  number:  in  some  of  them  we  sawe  25  or 
30  persons.  They  feede  as  the  other  doe  aforesaide  of 
pulse  whiche  doe  growe  in  that  countrey  with  better  order 
of  husbandry  the  in  the  others.  They  observe  in  their 
sowing  the  course  of  the  Moone  and  the  rising  of  certaine 
starres,  and  divers  other  customs  spoken  of  by  antiquitie. 


6  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND      [cHAP.  I 

Moreover,  they  live  by  hunting  and  fishing,  they  hve  long, 
and  are  seldome  sicke,  and  if  they  chaunce  to  fall  sicke  at 
any  time,  they  heale  them  selves  with  fire  without  any 
phisition,  and  they  say  that  they  die  for  very  age.  They 
are  very  pitiful  and  charitable  towardes  their  neighbours, 
they  make  great  lamentations  in  their  adversitie  iff  in  their 
miserie,  the  kinred  reckon  up  all  their  felicitie,  at  their 
departure  out  of  life,  they  use  mourning  mixt  wt  singing, 
wc  continueth  for  a  log  space.  This  is  asmuch  as  we  coulde 
learne  of  them.  This  lande  is  situated  in  the  Paralele  of 
Rome,  in  41  degrees  iff  2  terces:  but  some  what  more  colde 
by  accidentall  cause  and  not  of  nature,  (as  I  will  declare  unto 
your  highnesse  els  where)  describing  at  this  present  the 
situation  of  the  foresaide  countrie,  which  lyeth  East  and 
West,  I  say  that  the  mouth  of  the  haven  lyeth  open  to  the 
South  halfe  a  league  broade,  and  being  entred  within  it 
betweene  the  East  and  the  North,  it  stretcheth  twelve 
leagues:  where  it  wareth  broder  and  broder,  and  maketh  a 
gulfe  aboute  20  leagues  in  compasse,  wherein  are  five  small 
Islandes  very  fruitfuU  and  pleasant,  full  of  hie  and  broade 
trees,  among  the  which  Ilandes,  any  great  Navie  may  ryde 
safe  without  any  feare  or  tempest  or  other  daunger.  After- 
wardes  turning  towards  the  South  and  in  the  entring  into 
the  Haven  on  both  sides  there  are  most  pleasant  hilles, 
with  many  rivers  of  most  cleere  water  falling  into  the  Sea. 
In  the  middest  of  this  entraunce  there  is  a  rock  of  free 
stone  growing  by  nature  apt  to  builde  any  Castle  or  For- 
tresse  there,  for  ye  keeping  of  the  haven.  The  fift  of  May 
being  furnished  with  all  thinges  necessarie,  we  departed  from 
ye  said  Coast  Keeping  along  in  the  sight  thereof.   .  .  ." 

(London  1582  ed.  of  Hakluyt's  Divers  Voyages.) 

The  Italian,  as  printed  in  Ramusio,  is  as  follows: 

"Leuata  I'anchora  nauigamo  verso  leuante  che  cosi   la 
terra  tornaua,  y  cosi  leghe  cinquanta  sempre  a  vista  di 


CHAP.  l]  THE    VISIT   OF   VERRAZZANO  7 

quella    discoprimo   un'isola    in    forma    triangulare,    lontana 

dal  continente  leghe  dieci,  di  grandezza  simile  all'isola  di 

Rhodi,    piena    di    colli,    coperta    d'arbori,    molto    popolata, 

perche  si  vedeuano  continui  fuochi  per  tutto  intorno  al  lito. 

Battezzamola  in  nome  della  vostra  Serenissima  madre  non 

sorgendo  a  quella  per  la  contrarieta  del  tempo,  l^  peruenimo 

ad   vn'altra   terra   distante   dall'isola   leghe   quindici,    doue 

trouamo    vn    belissimo    porto,    entrati    in    quello    vedemo 

circa. XX.barchette  di  gente,  che  con  varij  gridi  ^  marauiglie 

veniuano  intorno  alia  naue,  non  approssimandosi  a  piu  di 

cinquanta  passi,  fermauansi  guardando  I'artificio,  la  nostro 

effigie  y  gliha  biti:  dapoi  tutti  insieme  metteuano  vn'altro 

grido,  significando  rallegrarsi  assicuratigli  alquanto,  imitando 

li  lor  gesti:   tanto  s'approssimorono  che  gettamo  loro  alcuni 

sonagli  ^  specchi  ^  molte  fantasie,  lequali  prese  con  riso 

riguardandole    sicuramente    entrarono    nella    naue.     Erano 

fra  queste  genti  duoi   Re  di  tanto  bella  statura  ^  forma 

quanto  narrar  sia  possibile,   il    primo   d'anni    .40,  in  circa, 

I'altro  giouane  d'anni  venti,  I'habito  de  quali  era  di  questa 

maniera.     II   piu  vecchio  sopra  il   corpo  nudo  haueua  vna 

pelle  di  ceruo  lauorata  artificiosamete  alia  damaschina  con 

varij  ricami:   la  testa  nuda  con  li  capelli  auolti  a  drieto  con 

varie  legature.     Al  collo  vna  catena  larga,  ornata  di  molte 

pietre  di  diuersi  colori.     il  giouane  era  quasi  nella  medesima 

forma.     Questa  e  la  piu  bella  gente,  ^  di  piu  gentili  costumi 

che  habbiamo  trouata  in  questa  nauigatione,  eccedono  noi 

di  grandezza,  sono  di  color  bronzino,  alcuni  pendono  piu  in 

bianchezza,  altri  di  color  giallo:    il  viso  profilato,  ^  capelli 

lunghi    y   neri,    ne    quali    pongono    grandissimo    studio    in 

adornarh:    gliochi    neri   y   pronti:    I'aria    dolce   y   soaue, 

imitando  molto  I'antico,  dell'  altre  parti  del  corpo  non  dico 

a  Vostra  Maesta,  tenendo  tutte  le  proportioni  che  s'appar- 

tengono  ad  ogni  huomo  ben  composto.     Le  donne  loro  sono 

della  medesima  conformita  ^  bellezza,  molto  gratiose,  di 

piaceuole  aria  ^  grato  aspetto,   di   costumi  ^  continentia 


8  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND      [CHAP.  I 

secundo  I'uso  feminile  quanto  ad  ogni  persona  di  buona 
creanza  sapartiene:  vanno  nude  fuor  che  le  parte  vergognose, 
lequali  cuoprono  con  vna  pelle  di  ceruo  ricamata,  come  gli 
huomini,  vene  sono  di  quelle  anchora  che  alle  braccia  portano 
pelli  di  lupi  ceruieri  molto  ricche,  adornano  il  capo  con  varij 
ornaventi  di  treccie,  composte  de  medesimi  capelli,  che  pen- 
dono  dall'uno  iff  I'altro  lato  del  petto.  Alcune  hanno  altre 
aconciature  come  vsano  le  donne  d'Egitto  iff  di  Soria,  iff 
queste  sono  quelle  ch'eccedono  I'altre  di  eta:  i^  essendo  ma- 
ritate  all'orecchie  tengouo  pendenti  di  varie  fantasie,  come 
gli  orientali  costumano  cosi  gli  huomini,  come  le  donne,  a 
quali  vedemo  molte  lame  di  rame  lauorate,  da  quelli  tenute 
in  pretio  piu  che  I'oro,  il  quale  per  il  colore  nom  stimano, 
imperoche  fra  tutti  e  da  loro  tenuto  il  piu  vile,  I'azzuro  i^ 
il  rosso  sopra  ogni  altro  esaltano,  quello  che  piu  tenessino  in 
prezzo  delle  cose  che  da  noi  gli  erano  donato,  erano  sonagli, 
cristalhni  azzuri,  iff  altre  fantasie  da  metter  all'orecchie  6 
al  collo.  Non  pregiauano  drappi  di  seta,  o  d'oro,  iff  manco 
d'altra  sorte,  ne  si  curauano  hauerne  di  simili  a  quelli,  de 
metalli  come  e  acciaio  iff  ferro,  (che  piu  volte  mostramo  loro 
delle  nostre  arme)  non  ne  pigliauano  admiratione,  iJ  quele 
riguardando,  solo  dimandauano  I'artificio:  delli  specchi  il 
simile  faceuano,  che  riguardandoli,  subito  ridendo,  ce  li 
restituiuano:  sono  molto  liberali,  perche  donano  cio  che 
hanno:  facemo  con  loro  grande  amista.  iff  vn  giorno  con  la 
naue  entramo  nel  porto,  standoper  li  tempi  contrarij  vna 
lega  al  mar  surti.  veniuano  con  gran  numero  di  loro  bar- 
chette  alia  naue  tutti  dipinti  iff  acconci  il  viso  con  varij 
colori:  mostrandoci  ch'era  segno  d'allegrezza,  portandoci 
delle  lor  viuande,  ci  faceuano  segno  doue  nel  porto  hauessimo 
a  sorgere  per  saluatione  della  naue,  di  continuo  accom- 
pagnandone.  poi  che  fumo  forti  posamo  quindici  giorni, 
prouededoci  di  molte  cose  necessarie,  la  onde  ogni  giorno 
veniuano  genti  a  veder  la  naue  menando  le  lor  donne, 
dellequali  sono  molto  gelosi:    imperoche  entrando  essi  nella 


CHAP.  l]  THE    VISIT    OF    VERRAZZANO  9 

naue,  ^  dimorandoui  per  lungo  spacio,  faceuano  aspettar  le 
loro  donne  nelle  barchette:  iff  con  quanti  preghi  facemo 
loro,  offerendo  donarli  varie  cose,  non  fu  mai  possibile  che 
volessero  lasciarle  entrar  in  naue.  Et  molte  volte  venendo 
vno  delli  duoi  Re  con  la  Reina,  iff  molti  gentilhuomini  per 
suo  piacere  a  vederci,  tutte  si  fermauano  ad  vna  terra 
distante  da  noi  dugento  passi:  mandando  vna  barchetta  ad 
auisarci  della  sua  venuta,  dicendo  volar  venire  a  vedere  la 
naue:  questo  facendo  in  segno  di  sicurezza.  ^  come  da  noi 
habbano  la  risposta,  subito  venono:  iff  stati  alquanto  a 
riguardere,  si  marauigliauano,  sentendo  il  gridi  iff  strepiti 
delli  marinari.  madama  la  Reina  con  le  sue  damigelle  in  vna 
barchetta  molto  leggiere  resto  a  riposar  ad  vna  isoletta 
distante  da  noi  vn  quarto  di  lega,  in  dimorado  il  Re  lunghis- 
simo  spatio  nella  nostra  naue,  con  ragionare  per  canni  iff 
gesti  varie  fantasie,  riguardando,  con  marauiglia  tutti  li 
apparati  iff  fornimenti  della  naue:  dimandando  in  par- 
ticulate la  proprieta  di  quelli.  prendeua  ancho  piacere  di 
vedere  li  nostri  habiti,  iff  gustare  li  nostri  cibi:  dipoi  cor- 
tesemete  presa  licetia  da  noi,  si  parti,  iff  alcuna  volta  stando 
le  nostre  geti  due  e  tre  giorni  ad  vna  isoletta  vicina  alia  naue 
per  varie  necessita,  come  e  costume  de  marinari,  torno  con 
sette  o  otto  de  suoi  gentillhuomini  per  vedere  quello  che 
faceuamo,  iff  piu  volte  ci  dimando  se  voleuamo  quiui  restate 
per  lungo  tepo,  ofFeredoci  de  le  sue  faculta:  dipoi  tirando  il 
Re  con  I'arco  iff  correndo  faceua  con  li  suoi  gentilhuomini 
varij  giuochi  per  darne  piacere.  fumo  piu  volte  infra  terra 
cinque  o  sei  leghe,  laquale  trouamo  tanto  amena,  quanto 
dir  si  possa,  atta  ad  ogni  sorti  di  cultura,  di  frumento,  vino, 
lolio:  imperoche  in  quella  sono  capagne  larghe  .25.  in  .30 
eghe,  aperte  iff  senza  alcuno  impedimento  d'alberi:  di. 
tanta  fertilita,  che  qual  si  voglia  semeza  in  quelle  produrebbe 
ottimo  frutto.  Entramo  dipoi  nelle  selue,  lequali  trouamo 
tanto  grandi  iff  folte,  che  vi  si  potrebbe  ascondere  ogni 
numeroso  esercito,  gli  alberi  di  quelle  sono  quercie,  cipressi 


lO  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND      [cHAP.  I 

iff  altri  incogniti  nell'Europa.  trouamo  pomi  appij,  susine  iff 
nociuole,  iff  molte  sorte  di  frutti  dalli  nostri  differeti:  vi 
sono  animali  di  gradissimo  numero,  come  cerui,  daini,  lupi 
ceruieri,  iff  altre  sorte,  quali  pigliano  co  lacci  iff  archi,  che  sono 
el  loro  principal!  armi.  le  freccie  che  vsano  sono  con  grande 
eccellentia  lauorate.  iff  neU'estremita  di  quelle  pongono 
per  ferro  smeriglio,  diaspro,  duro  marmo,  iff  altre  taglienti 
pietre,  dellequali  si  seruono  per  ferro  in  tagliar  alberi,  iff 
fabricar  le  loro  barchette  d'un  sol  fusto  di  legno  con  mirabile 
artificio  cocauo,  nellequali  comodamente  vanno  dieci  iff 
dodici  huomini:  i  lor  remi  sono  corti,  iff  neU'estremita  larghi, 
iff  adoperangli  in  mare  senza  pericolo  alcuno,  iff  solamente 
con  forza  di  braccia,  con  tanta  velocita,  quanto  a  lor  piace. 
Vedemo  le  loro  habitation!  in  forme  circulare,  di  dieci  in 
dodici  passi  di  circuito,  fabricate  di  semicircoli  di  legno,  sepa- 
rate I'una  dall'altra  senza  ordine  d'architettura:  coperte  con 
tele  tessute  di  paglia,  sottilmente  lauorate,  che  da  vento  iff 
pioggia  si  difendono.  iff  non  e  dubbio  che  se  hauessero  lordine 
del  fabricare  iff  la  perfettione  delli  artificij  come  habbiamo 
noi  altri,  non  e  dubbio  dico  che  ancho  loro  no  con  ducessero 
grandi  iff  superbi  edificij,  imperoche  tutto  il  lito  maritime 
e  pieno  di  pietre  vine  trasparenti,  iff  alabastri,  iff  per  tal  causa 
e  copioso  di  porti  iff  recettacoli  di  nauilij.  mutano  le  dette 
case  d'uno  in  altro  luogo,  secodo  la  comodita  del  luogo  iff 
tempo  che  in  quelle  vogliono  dimorare,  iff  leuando  solamete 
le  tele,  hano  in  vn  istate  fabricate  altre  habitation!,  di- 
morano  in  ciascuna  padri  iff  famiglia  in  grandissimo  numero. 
in  alcuna  vedemo  .25.  iff  .30,  anime.  II  viuer  loro  e  come  de 
glialtri,  di  legumi,  che  quelle  terre  producono,  con  piu  ordini 
di  coltura  de  ghaltri.  osseruano  nelle  semenze  il  corso  della 
luna,  iff  il  nascimeto  d'alcune  stelle  iff  motli  modi  detti  da 
gli  antichi.  oltre  di  cio  viuono  di  cacciagioni  iff  pesci. 
Viuono  lungo  tepo,  iff  rare  volte  si  amalano,  iff  se  pur  alle 
volte  sono  oppress!  de  qualche  infermita,  senza  medico,  col 
fuoco  da  lor  medesimi  si  sanano.     iff  la  loro  morte  dicono 


CHAP.  l]  THE    VISIT   OF    VERRAZZANO  II 

venire  da  vltima  vecchiezza.  sono  de  loro  prossimi  molto 
pietosi  y  charitatiui,  facedo  nelle  aduersita  loro  gran  lament! ; 
y  nelle  miseria,  i  parenti  luno  con  I'altro  ricordano  tutte 
le  lor  felicita.  Nel  fine  de  la  lor  vita  vsano  il  pianto  misto 
con  canto,  &  dura  per  lungo  tempo.  Questo  e  quanto  di 
loro  habbiamo  potuto  conoscere.  Questa  terra  e  situata 
nel  parallelo  di  Roma,  in  gradi  .41.  e  dua  terzi.  ma  alquanto 
piu  fredda,  pr  accidete,  no  pr  natura,  come  in  altra  parte 
narrero  a  V.S.  Maesta,  descriuedo  al  presente  il  sito  di  detto 
paese,  qual  corre  de  leuate  a  ponete.  dico  che  la  bocca  del 
porto  guarda  verso  mezzo  di,  strezza  mezza  lega.  dipoi 
entrando  in  quello,  infra  leuanto^  tramotano,  si  estende  leghe 
docici,  doue  va  allargandosi,  iff  fa  vn  golfo  di  circuito  di  leghe 
venti  incirca,  doue  sono  cinque  isolette  di  molta  fertilita  Iff 
vaghezza,  piene  di  alti  iff  spatiosi  alberi.  fra  liquali,  ogni 
grossa  armata,  senza  timor  di  tempesta  o  altro  impedimeto 
di  fortuna,  puo  star  sicura.  Tornando  dipoi  verso  mezzo  di, 
all'entrata  del  porto  dall'uno  laltro  lato,  sono  amenissimi 
colli  con  molte  Riui,  che  dalla  eminentia  di  quelli  conducono 
chiarissime  acque  al  mare,  nee  mezzo  di  detta  bocca  si 
troua  vno  scoglio  di  viua  pietra,  dalla  natura  prodotto,  atto 
a  fabricarui  qual  si  voglia  fortezza  per  custodia  di  quello. 
II  giorne  quinto  di  Maggio  essendo  d'ogni  nostro  bisogno 
prouisti,  partimo  dal  detto  porto,  continuando  il  lito,  non 
perdendo  mai  la  vista  di  terra,  ^nauigamo  leghe  .150.  .  .  .  " 

(Ramusio,  1556,  vol.  3,  p.  421) 


Seal  used  by  William  Coddington 


II 

THE  VOYAGE  OF   BLOCK -THE   EARLY   USE 
OF  THE   NAME   RHODE   ISLAND 

THE    Dutch    captain,   Adrian    Block   or    Blox,    visited 
Narragansett  Bay  about  1614.     The  following  account 
of  his  visit  was  printed  by  De  Laet  in  Dutch  in  1625: 

"  Beyond  these  lies  also  an  island  to  which  our  countrymen 
have  given  the  name  of  Block's  Island,  from  Captain  Adrian 
Block.  This  island  and  the  Texel  above  mentioned  are 
situated  east  by  north  and  west  by  south  from  one  another, 
and  the  distance  is  such  that  you  can  see  both  from  the 
quarter  deck  when  you  are  halfway  between. 

To  the  north  of  these  islands  and  within  the  main  land,  is 
situated  the  river  or  bay  of  Nassau,  which  lies  from  the 
above  named  Block's  Island  north-east  by  east  and  south- 
west by  west.  This  bay  or  river  of  Nassau  is  apparently  very 
large  and  wide,  and  according  to  the  description  of  Captain 
Block  must  be  full  nine  ^  miles  in  width;  it  has  in  the  midst 
of  it  a  number  of  islands,  which  one  may  pass  on  either  side. 
It  extends  east-north-east  about  twenty-four  miles,  after 
which  it  is  not  more  than  two  petard  shots  wide,  and  has 
generally  seven,  eight,  nine,  five,  and  four  fathoms  of  water, 
except  in  a  strait  in  the  uppermost  part  of  the  bay,  at  a 
petard  shot's  distance  from  an  island  in  that  direction, 
where  there  is  but  nine  feet  water.  Beyond  this  strait  we 
have  again  three  and  a  half  fathoms  of  water;  the  land  in  this 
vicinity  appears  very  fine,  and  the  inhabitants  seem  strong 
of  limb  and  of  moderate  size.  They  are  somewhat  shy, 
however,  since  they  are  not  accustomed  to  trade  with 
strangers,  who  would  otherwise  go  there  in  quest  of  beaver 

^  "twee"  in  Dutch  text. 


CHAP.  Il]  THE    VOYAGE    OF    BLOCK  I3 

and  fox  skins,  i^c,  for  which  they  resort  to  other  places  in 
that  quarter. 

From  the  westerly  passage  into  this  bay  of  Nassau  to  the 
most  southerly  entrance  of  Anchor  bay,  the  distance  is 
twenty-one  miles,  according  to  the  statement  of  our  skippers, 
and  the  course  is  south-east  and  north-west.  Our  country- 
men have  given  two  names  to  this  bay,  as  it  has  an  island 
in  the  centre  and  discharges  into  the  sea  by  two  mouths, 
the  most  easterly  of  which  they  call  Anchor  bay,  and  the 
most  westerly  Sloop  bay.  The  south-east  shore  of  this  bay 
runs  north-east  by  north  and  north-north-east.  In  the 
lower  part  of  the  bay  dwell  the  Wapenocks,  a  nation  of 
savages  like  the  rest.  Capt.  Adrian  Block  called  the  people 
who  inhabit  the  west  side  of  this  bay  Nahicans,  and  their 
sagamore  Nathattozv;  another  chief  was  named  Cachaquant. 
Towards  the  north-west  side  there  is  a  sandy  point  with  a 
small  island,  bearing  east  and  west,  and  bending  so  as  to 
form  a  handsome  bay  with  a  sandy  bottom.  On  the  right 
of  the  sandy  point  there  is  more  than  two  fathoms  water, 
and  farther  on  three  and  three  and  a  half  fathoms,  with  a 
sharp  bottom,  where  lies  an  island  of  a  reddish  appearance. 
From  Sloop  bay,  or  the  most  westerly  passage,  it  is  twenty- 
four  miles  to  the  Great  Bay,  [Long  Island  Sound,]  which 
is  situated  between  the  main  land  and  several  islands, 
that  extend  to  the  mouth  of  the  Great  River  [Hudson.]" 
(Translation  in  N.Y.H.S.C.  2,  I,  293.) 

The  original  Dutch  as  given  by  De  Laet  is  as  follows: 

"Hier  buyten  af  leght  mede  een  Eylandt  welck  de  onse 
den  naem  gheven  van  Blocks  Eylandt  /  naer  de  naem  van 
Schipper  Adriaen  Block:  dit  Eylandt  ende  het  voornoemt 
Eylandt  Texel  legghen  Eost  ten  Noorden  /  ende  West  ten 
Suyden  van  malkanderen  /  ende  de  distantie  is  sulcx  dat 
ghyse  beyde  van  de  Compagnie  sien  kont  als  ghy  ten  halven 
tusschen  beyden  ziit.     By  Noorden  dese  Eylanden  ende  aen 


14  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND      [cHAP.  II 

t'vaste  landt  leghte  eerst  de  rievier  ofte  baye  van  Nassouwen, 
welck  van  Blocks  Eylandt  voornoemt  streckt  Noord-oost 
ten  Oosten  ende  Suydt-west  ten  Westen.  Tese  baye  ofte 
rievier  van  Nassouwen,  is  seer  groot  ende  wijt  om  in  te 
sien  /  ende  is  naer  t'segghen  van  Schipper  Adriaen  Block 
wel  twee  mijlen  wijt  /  ende  heeft  int  midden  eenige  Eylande- 
kens  daer  men  aen  beyde  ziiden  oin  mach  zeylen  /  streckt 
O.  N.  O.  in  ontrent  acht  mijlen  /  dan  is  achter  niet  over  twee 
geutelingh  scheuten  wijt  /  ende  daer  is  meest  seven  /  acht  / 
neghen  /  vijf  ende  vier  vaden  waters  /  uytgesondert  int 
achterste  daer  een  droogte  is  van  neghen  voet  water  /  op  een 
geutelinck  scheut  na  by  een  Eylandeken  welck  men  daer 
ghemoet;  daer  over  heest  men  weder  dry  vaden  ende  een 
half;  het  is  daer  om  her  seer  schoon  landt  ende  seer  kloeck 
volck  van  leden  /  ende  tamelijck  groot  /  dan  ziin  wat  schouw 
door  dien  sy  noch  geen  handel  met  vreemde  ghewent  ziin; 
anders  zijn  daer  mede  vellen  van  Bevers  /  Vossen  /  ende 
anders  te  bekomen  /  gelijck  in  de  plaetsen  daer  ontrent: 
Van  t'Westelijckste  gat  van  dese  baye  van  Nassouwen,  tot 
aen  het  Suydt-oostelijckste  gat  van  de  Ancker  baye,  zijn 
seven  mijlen  naer  de  rekeninge  van  onse  schippers  /  ende  de 
cours  Oost  ten  Suyden  ende  West  ten  Noorden:  dese  baye 
heeft  by  de  onse  twee  namen  door  diense  een  Eylandt  int 
midden  heest  /  ende  met  twee  monden  in  Zee  Komt  /  waer 
van  het  Oostelijckste  gat  ghenoemt  wort  de  Ancker  baye, 
ende  het  Westelijckste  de  Sloep  baye:  de  Suydt-oost-wal 
van  dese  baye  street  hem  N.  O.  ten  N.  ende  N.  N.  O.  inden 
bodem  van  de  baye  woonen  de  Wapenocks  een  natie  van 
Wilden  als  de  reste;  Schipper  Adriaen  Block  noemt  het 
volck  welck  aen  de  West-zijde  van  dese  baye  woont  Nahicans, 
ende  haren  Sagimos  Nathattou;  eh  een  anderen  Cachaquant; 
aen  de  Noortwest  zijde  legt  een  sandt  punt  /  ende  een 
Eylandeken  N.  ten  W.  in  dem  bocht  met  een  schoone  sandt 
baye;  op  de  steert  van  t'sandt  punt  is  maer  twee  vadem 
waters  /  dan  daer  voor  by  weder  dry  ende  dry  en  een  half 


CHAP,  II]  THE    VOYAGE    OF    BLOCK  1 5 

vadem  steeck-grondt  /  ende  daer  legt  een  rodlich  Eylande- 
ken  dicht  by.  Van  de  Sloep  baye  ofte  het  Westelijckste 
gat  van  desen  in-wijck  tot  aen  de  groote  baye  /  zijn  acht 
mijlen;  dese  groote  baye  is  gelegen  tusschen  het  vaste  lant  / 
ende  seker  gebroken  lant  oste  Eylanden  die  haer  strecken 
tot  in  de  baye  welck  legt  aen  de  mondt  van  de  groote 
rieviere:  .  .  ."  (loannes  de  Laet's  Nieuv^^e  Wereldt,  1625, 
p.  85.  Book  3,  Chapter  8.) 

The  earliest  appearance  of  the  name  Rhode  Island  as  the 
designation  of  the  island  of  Aquidneck  is  in  a  letter  of  Roger 
Williams  to  Deputy  Governor  John  Winthrop  v^hich  is 
dated  "New  Providence,  this  2d  of  the  week,"  and  which 
from  its  context  was  evidently  written  in  the  spring  of  1637. 

It  reads: 

"4.  They  also  conceive  it  easy  for  the  English,  that  the 
provisions  and  munition  first  arrive  at  Aquednetick,  called 
by  us  Rode-Island,  at  the  Nanhiggontick's  mouth,  .  .  ," 
(M.  H.  S.  C.  3, 1,  160.) 

In  1666  Roger  Williams  wrote:  "Rode  Island  (in  the 
Greeke  language)  is  an  He  of  Roses."  (R.  I.  H.  S.  P.  VIII, 
p.   152.) 

In  the  preface  of  the  "Short  Story"  of  1644,  Winthrop 
wrote:  "Read-Hand,  (surnamed  by  some,  the  Hand  of 
errors)."     (Prince  Col.  21,  p.  93.) 

In  1646  Henry  Walton  styled  himself  as  of  Portsmouth 
on  the  Isle  of  Rodes.    (Aspinwall,  21.) 


Seal  used  by  Benedict  Arnold 


Ill 

THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT  — 
THE  SEARCH  FOR  A  LOCATION  — THE  ADOP- 
TION OF  A   DATING  SYSTEM 

[1638] 

JOHN   CLARK,  writing  in   1652,   thus   relates   how  the 
Antinomians   came  to  choose  the  island  of  Aquidneck 
as  the  place  for  their  abode. 

*'In  the  Colony  o{  Providence  Plantations  in  point  of  an- 
tiquity the  Town  of  Providence  is  chief,  but  in  point  of  pre- 
cedency Rode-Island  excels.  This  Hand  lieth  in  the  Narra- 
ganset  Bay^  being  14  or  15  miles  long,  and  in  breadth  between 
4  and  5  miles  at  the  broadest;  It  began  to  be  planted  by 
the  English  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  39,  and  by  the  hand 
of  providence.  In  the  year  37  I  left  my  native  land,  and 
in  the  ninth  moneth  of  the  same,  I  (through  mercy)  arived 
at  Boston,  I  was  no  sooner  on  shore,  but  there  appeared  to 
me  differences  among  them  touching  the  Covenants,  and  in 
point  of  evidencing  a  mans  good  estate,  some  prest  hard 
for  the  Covenant  of  works,  and  for  sanctification  to  be  the 
first  and  chief  evidence,  others  prest  as  hard  for  the  Cove- 
nant of  grace  that  was  established  upon  better  premises,  and 
for  the  evidence  of  the  Spirit,  as  that  which  is  more  certain, 
constant,  and  satisfactory  witness.  I  thought  it  not  strange 
to  see  men  differ  about  matters  of  Heaven,  for  I  expect  no 
less  upon  Earth:  But  to  see  that  they  were  not  able  so  to 
bear  each  with  other  in  their  different  understandings  and 
consciences,  as  in  those  utmost  parts  of  the  World  to  live 
peaceable  together,  whereupon  I  moved  the  latter,  for  as 
much  as  the  land  was  before  us  and  wide  enough,  with  the 


1638]        THE    ORGANIZATION   OF   THE    GOVERNMENT  I7 

prefer  o{  Abraham  to  Lot,  and  for  peace  sake,  to  turn  aside  to 
the  right  hand,  or  to  the  left:   The  motion  was  readily  ac- 
cepted, and  I  was  requested  wth  some  others  to  seek  out 
a  place,  which  accordingly  I  was  ready  to  do;  and  thereupon 
by  reason  of  the  suffocating  heat  of  the  Summer  before,  I 
went  to  the  North  to  be  somewhat  cooler,  but  the  Winter 
following  proved  so  cold,  that  we  were  forced  in  the  Spring 
to  make  towards  the  South;    so  having  sought  the  Lord 
for  diredlion,  we  all  agreed  that  while  our  vessel  was  passing 
about  a  large  and  dangerous  Cape,  we  would  cross  over  by 
land,  having  Long  Hand  and  Delaware-Bay  in  our  eie  for 
the  place  of  our  residence;   so  to  a  town  called  Providence  we 
came,  which  was  begun  by  one  M.  Roger  Williams  (who 
for  matter  of  conscience  had  not  long  before  been  exiled  from 
the   former  jurisdidion)    by  whom    we    were    courteously 
and  lovingly  received,  and  with  whom  we  advised   about 
our  design;   he  readily  presented  two  places  before  us  in  the 
same  Naragansets  Bay,  the  one  upon  the  main  called  Sow- 
zvames,  the  other  called  then  Acquediieck,  now  Rode-Iland; 
we  enquired  whether  they  would  fall  in  any  other  Patent,  for 
our  resolution  was  to  go  out  of  them  all;    he  told  us  (to  be 
brief)  that  the  way  to  know  that,  was  to    have    recourse 
unto  Plymouth;   so  our  Vessell  as  yet  not  being  come  about, 
and  we  thus  blockt  up,  the  company  determined  to  send  to 
Plymouth,  and  pitcht  upon  two  others  together  with  my 
self,  requesting  also  M.  Williams  to  go  to  Plymouth  to  know 
how  the  case  stood;   so  we  did;   and  the  Magistrates  thereof 
very  lovingly  gave  us  a  meeting;    I  then  informed  them  of 
the  cause  of  our  coming  unto  them,  and  desired  them  in  a 
word  of  truth  and  faithfulness  to  inform   us  whether  Sozu- 
wames  were  within  their  Patent,  for  we  were  now  on  the 
wing,  and  were  resolved  through  the  help  of  Christ,  to  get 
cleer  of  all,  and  be  of  our  selves,  and  provided  our  way  were 
cleer  before  us,  it  were  all  one  for  us  to  go  further  off,  as  to 
remain  neer  at  hand;    their  answer  was,  that  Sow-zvames 


1 8  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [1638 

was  the  garden  of  their  Patent,  and  the  flour  in  the  garden, 
then  I  told  them  we  could  not  desire  it;  but  requested 
further  in  the  hke  word  of  truth  and  faithfulness  to  be 
informed,  whether  they  laid  claim  to  the  Hands  in  the 
Naraganset  Bay,  and  that  in  particular  called  Acquedneck? 
they  all  with  a  cheerfull  countenare  made  us  this  answer,  it 
was  in  their  thoughts  to  have  advised  us  thereto,  and  if  the 
provident  hand  of  God  should  pitch  us  thereon  they  should 
look  upon  us  as  free,  and  as  loving  neighbours  and  friends 
should  be  assistant  unto  us  upon  the  main,  &c.  So  we 
humbly  thanked  them,  and  returned  with  that  answer:  So 
it  pleased  the  Lord,  by  moving  the  hearts  of  the  natives, 
even  the  chiefest  thereof,  to  pitch  us  thereon,  and  by  other 
occurrences  of  providence,  which  are  too  large  here  to 
relate:  So  that  having  bought  them  off^  to  their  full  satis- 
faction, we  have  possessed  the  place  ever  since;  and  not- 
withstanding the  different  understandings  and  consciences 
amongst  us,  without  interruption  we  agree  to  maintain 
civil  Justice  and  judgment,  neither  are  there  such  outrages 
committed  mongst  us  as  in  other  parts  of  the  Country  are 
frequently  seen."  (Ill  News  from  New-England,  reprinted 
in  M.  H.  S.  C.  4,  II,  23.) 

In  regard  to  this,  under  the  date  of  March  22,  1637,  Win- 
throp,  after  giving  an  account  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  wrote 
in  his  Journal:  "At  this  time  the  good  providence  of  God 
so  disposed,  divers  of  the  congregation  (being  the  chief  men 
of  the  party,  her  husband  being  one)  were  gone  to  Naragan- 
sett  to  seek  out  a  new  place  for  plantation,  and  taking  a  liking 
of  one  in  Phmouth  patent,  they  went  thither  to  have  it 
granted  them;  but  the  magistrates  there,  knowing  their 
spirit,  gave  them  a  denial,  but  consented  they  might  buy 
of  the  Indians  an  island  in  the  Naragansett  Bay."  (Win- 
throp,  I,  311)  The  discrepancy  between  the  statements  of 
Clark  and  of  Winthrop  was  noted  by  Savage  who  made  the 
following  comment  in  his  edition  of  Winthrop's  Journal: 


1638]  THE    ORGANIZATION    OF   THE    GOVERNMENT  I9 

*' The  denial  wa.s  matter  of  inference,  for  the  adventurers  were 
resolved  to  go  free  of  Plimouth  as  well  as  Massachusetts; 
and  the  consent  was  the  advice  of  equals,  not  the  didlate  of 
superiors."     (Winthrop,  i,  311) 

However,  before  the  "chief  men  of  the  party"  started 
upon  this  exploring  expedition,  a  compa(ft  was  drawn  up 
and  signed,  presumably  at  Boston,  on  7  March,  1637/8. 

"The  7th  day  of  the  first  month  1638. 

We  whose  names  are  underwritten  do  here  solemnly  in 
the  presence  of  Jehovah  incorporat  our  selves  into  a  Bodie 
Politick  y  as  he  shall  helpe  will  submit  our  persons  lives  and 
estates  unto  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  King  of  Kingj  y 
Lord  of  Lords  and  to  all  those  perfecft  iff  most  absolute 
lawes  of  his  given  us  in  his  holy  word  of  truth,  to  be  guided 
y  judged  thereby. 

Willmj  Coddington  Exod.  24.  3,  4, 

John  Clarke  2.  Chron:   11:  3. 

Willm  Hutchinson.  J,  2.  Kings:   11.  17. 

John  Coggeshall 

William  Aspinwall 

Samuell  Wilbore 

John  Porter 

John  Sanford 

Edward  Hutchinson  Junr.  Es. 

Thomas  Savage 

William  Dyre 

William  Freeborne 

Phillip  Shearman 

John  Walker 

Richard  Carder 

William  Baulston 

Edward  Hutchinson.  Senr. 

Hennery  +  Bulle  his  marke 

Randall  Howldon"  (L  R.  i,  i.) 


20  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [1638 

Four  signatures,  which  appear  below  Randall  Holden's 
name,  have  been  partly  erased.     They  were: 

"Thomas  Clarke 
John  Johnson 
William  Hall 
John  +  Brightman  Esq." 

The  erasure  of  these  names  may  have  been  due  to  the 
fad:  that  they  did  not  move  to  the  island  with  the  first 
settlers,  or  through  some  error  they  may  have  at  a  later 
date  subscribed  their  names  to  this  paper  after  their 
arrival. 

Apparently  the  signers  of  this  compad:  planned  to  establish 
a  theocratic  state  governed  by  their  interpretation  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  i.e.  "his  holy  word  of  truth." 

The  biblical  references,  as  taken  from  John  Clark's 
Bible, ^  perhaps  the  one  used  by  those  who  drew  up  the 
compadl,  are : 

"3  Afterward  Moses  came  and  tolde  the  people  all  the 
words  of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  Lawes:  and  the  people 
answered  with  one  voyce,  and  sayd,  All  the  things  which  the 
Lord  hath  said,  will  we  doe. 

4  And  Moses  wrote  all  the  wordes  of  the  Lord,  and  rose 
up  early,  and  set  up  an  Alter  under  the  Mountaine,  and 
twelve  pillars  according  to  the  twelve  Tribes  of  Israel." 
Exod.  24. 

"And  Saloman  sent  to  Huram  the  king  of  Tyrus,  saying, 
As  thou  hast  done  to  David  my  father,  and  diddest  send 
him  Cedar  trees  to  build  him  an  house  to  dwell  in,  so  doe  to 
me."     2  Chron.  H,  3. 

"And  Jehoiada  made  a  covenant  betweene  the  Lorde,  and 
the  King  and  the  people,  that  they  should  be  the  Lordes 
people:  likewise  betweene  the  King  and  the  people." 
2  Kings  XI,  17. 

1  Now  in  R.  I.  H.  S. 


1638]]        THE    ORGANIZATION    OF   THE    GOVERNMENT  21 

At  this  meeting  officers  were  eleded  for  the  as  yet 
unfounded  town. 

"The  7th  of  the  first  month  1638.  We  that  are  Freemen 
Incorporate  of  this  Bodie  Pohtick  do  Eled  and  Constitute 
Wilham  Coddington  Esquire  a  Judge  amongst  us  and  so 
Covenant  to  yeeld  all  due  honour  unto  him  according  to 
the  lawes  of  God,  and  so  far  as  in  us  lyes  to  maintaine  the 
honour  iff  privileges  of  his  place  wch  shall  hereafter  be 
ratifyed  according  unto  God,  the  Lord  helping  us  so  to  do. 

WiUiam  Aspinwall    Sec'r. 

I,  Willm  Coddington  Esquire  being  Called  ^  chosen  by 
the  Freemen  Incorporat  of  this  bodie  Politick  to  be  a  Judge 
amongst  them;  do  Covenant  to  do  Justice  iff  Judgment 
impartially  according  to  the  lawes  of  God  and  to  maintaine 
the  Fundamentall  Rights  iff  Priviledges  of  this  bodie  Poli- 
tick wch  shall  hereafter  be  Ratifyed  according  unto  God, 
the  Lord  helping  us  so  to  do. 

Wm  Coddington. 

WilHam  Aspinwall  is  appointed  Secretary."      (L  R.  i,  12.) 

That  the  "  compa(5l"  of  March  7  was  signed  before  the  com- 
mittee went  in  search  of  a  place  to  settle,  is  shown  by  the 
fadl  that  Clark  states  that  the  committee  went  out  in  the 
"spring,"  by  which  he  could  scarcely  mean  before  March  7; 
and  by  the  fad:  that  Winthrop's  entry  in  regard  to  this 
expedition  appears  under  March  22.  If  Clark  understood 
"spring"  to  begin  on  March  21st,  as  it  is  reckoned  today, 
it  would  mean  that  the  "committee"  left  Boston  on  the 
2ist,  went  to  Providence,  then  to  Plymouth  and  on  to 
Aquidneck  and  Narragansett,  arriving  at  the  latter  place 
on  the  24th,  the  day  the  deed  was  executed.  This  would 
be  making  the  journey  rather  rapidly  for  that  period  and  it 
is  more  probable  that  Clark  used  the  word  "spring"  broadly, 
meaning  about  the  middle  of  March. 


22  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

It  is  a  curious  facH:  that  these  Aquidneck  settlers  adopted 
a  dating  system  of  their  own,^  sHghtly  at  variance  with  that 
in  vogue  in  New  and  Old  England;  where  March  was 
reckoned  as  the  "first  month,"  and  the  year  was  reckoned 
as  beginning  upon  the  25th  of  the  first  month.  Thus 
March  24,  1637  (March  24,  1637/8)  was  the  last  day  of  1637, 
and  the  year  1638  began  on  March  25,  1638. 

The  Aquidneck  leaders  were  educated  men  and  must 
have  been  perfectly  conversant  with  the  current  dating 
system,  yet  they  arbitrarily  decided  to  begin  their  year  on 
March  i,  the  "first  day  of  the  first  month."  It  was  a 
rational  change,  but  it  makes  some  of  the  old  entries  rather 
confusing.  The  days  from  March  i  to  March  24,  which 
by  common  consent  were  called  1637  (1637/8),  they  called 
1638  as  would  be  done  in  New  Style.  Thus  Sunday,  March 
24,  1638  Old  Style,  Sunday,  March  24,  1639  Aquidneck 
Style,  and  Sunday,  April  3,  1639  New  Style  are  adlually 
the  same  day. 

From  January  i  to  February  29  inclusive  the  Aquidneck 
settlers  used  the  Old  Style  current  calendar;  from  March  i 
to  March  24  inclusive  they  used  the  Old  Style  calendar 
but  the  New  Style  year  date;  and  for  the  remainder  of  the 
year  used  the  Old  Style  calendar. 

In  regard  to  the  banishment  of  the  Antinomians  Winthrop 
gives  the  following  interesting  testimony: 

"After  the  usual  exercise  by  Mr.  Cotton,  on  the  26th  of 
September,  1640,  objed:ions  were  raised  by  the  members 
who  were  under  discipline, 

Objedion  4.  But  the  Court  hath  censured  us,  and  drove 
us  out  of  the  country;  and  Mr.  Winthrop  advised  us  to 
depart. 

Answer.     Mr.   Winthrop    affirms   his   advice  was   not   as 

^  Roger  Williams  at  Providence  had  also  adopted  a  dating  system  of  his 
own.      (See  Doc.  Hist,  of  R.  I.  i,  36.) 


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«j«t»f»ijtnb«,  to;OtoB*v,anD  IjcArO  bcl'iiii-c  mcaflccat 

ehap.jtfi.ij      i)c(cr,asifl)aD(jrciicofafriniipif,  ,   ,      .                       ^^- -.■•-,  w.uwiamji 

iiU phi.ife Paul      II  ®ay(ng,J«jn' aipbaanfi  Catfga,  ni'O'Uialbctljiiitljf  uiiCsoftijcCcuciiaoiDcn  byti.ijMow 

ukftliGod,.»(l  t^E  firltauB  tijc  [art: ana  that  lul)ub  ttjoti  caiiDltilicKre.                                           btc^orct^■clar«^1 

chiift,3iid(he    ff«.1,to.'jrf  itial'tDkcatiD  UtiBitDntot[)E  2   J  kiwuitfliytociiJiCS,  atiO  tl)»  labour,  Codjmeiltn-     j 

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'tbc  X/Z^ito  thcansrl  of  tbe  Gijurcft  of  C'  ,  fo  the  P  fto^ 
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1    Thatiijhinmhufe  »oicsIhtaii^      -              -  ought  to  dime  befi)t  mtn. 


OUKBt  to  Ixiiiie  sell)  c  men. 


«i 


^w.'^-^ 


PAGE  OF   "JOHN   CLARK   BIBLE"   SHOWING   MANUSCRIPT  ENTRY 

OF  JOHN  CLARK'S   DEATH. 

From  original  in  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society  Library. 


1638] 


THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT 


23 


Governor,  nor  as  the  mouth  of  the  Court,  but  only  in 
Christian  love,  to  depart  for  a  time,  till  they  could  give  the 
Court  satisfaction.  He  answers  that  he  did  not  advise  all 
to  depart,  for  he  persuaded  Mr.  Coddington  earnestly  to 
stay,  and  did  undertake  to  make  his  peace  v^ith  the  Court. 
Neither  did  the  Court  banish  or  drive  any  away  but  two, 
Mr.  Aspinwall  and  Mrs.  Hutchinson.  Some  were  under  no 
offence  at  all  with  the  Court,  as  our  brother  Hazard. " 
(Keayne's  Mss.  in  Ellis',  Anne  Hutchinson,  p.  343) 


Seal  used  by  William  Coddington 


IV 

THE   DEED  OF  AQUIDNECK  — THE   GIFT  OF 
DYRE   ISLAND 

[1638] 

THE  committee  of  the  Antinomian  leaders,  consisting 
certainly  of  William  Coddington,  William  Hutchinson, 
John  Clark,  Randall  Holden,  and  probably  also  of  John 
Sanford  Sr.,  John  Porter,  Richard  Carder  and  William 
Dyre,  left  Boston  about  the  middle  of  March,  possibly  as 
late  as  March  21,  1637/8,  and  proceeded  to  Providence. 

Here  they  were  joined  by  Roger  Williams,  who  accom- 
panied them  to  Plymouth,  where  after  a  consultation  with 
those  in  authority  there,  the  settlers  decided  to  buy  Aquid- 
neck. 

The  party  then  proceeded  to  that  island,  where  they  con- 
ferred with  the  local  sachem,  Wonnumetonomey.  He 
referred  them  to  his  overlords,  the  chief  sachems,  Canonicus 
and  Miantonomi.  Thereupon  the  party  crossed  the  bay 
to  Narraganset,  and,  through  the  influence  and  mediation 
of  Roger  Williams,  purchased  the  Island  of  Aquidneck  on 
24  March,  1637/8. 

In  regard  to  the  purchase  of  Aquidneck,  Roger  Williams 
wrote  in  1658,  as  follows: 

"I  have  acknowledged  (and  have  and  shall  endeavour 
to  maintain)  the  rights  and  properties  of  every  inhabitant 
of  Rhode-Island  in  peace;  yet  since  there  is  so  much  sound 
and  noise  of  purchase  and  purchasers,  I  judge  it  not  unseas- 
onable to  declare  the  rise  and  bottom  of  the   planting  of 


1638]  THE    DEED    OF   AQUIDNECK  25 

Rhode-Island  in  the  fountain  of  it:  It  was  not  price  nor 
money  that  could  have  purchased  Rhode-Island.  Rhode- 
Island  was  obtained  by  love;  by  the  love  and  favour  which 
that  honorable  gentleman  Sir  Henry  Vane  and  myself  had 
with  that  great  sachem  Miantinomu,  about  the  league 
which  I  procured  between  the  Massachusetts  English,  ^c. 
and  the  Naragansets  in  the  Pequod  war.  It  is  true  I 
advised  a  gratuity  to  be  presented  to  the  sachem  and  the 
natives,  and  because  Mr.  Coddington  and  the  rest  of  my 
loving  countrymen  were  to  inhabit  the  place,  and  to  be  at 
the  charge  of  the  gratuities,  I  drew  up  a  writing  in  Mr. 
Coddington's  name,  and  in  the  names  of  such  of  my  loving 
countrymen  as  came  up  with  him,  and  put  it  into  as  sure 
a  form  as  I  could  at  that  time  (amongst  the  Indians)  for 
the  benefit  and  assurance  of  the  present  and  future  inhabit- 
ants of  the  island.  This  I  mention,  that  as  that  truly 
noble  Sir  Henry  Vane  hath  been  so  great  an  instrument  in 
the  hand  of  God  for  procuring  of  this  island  from  the  bar- 
barians, as  also  for  procuring  and  confirming  of  the  charter, 
so  it  may  by  all  due  thankful  acknowledgment  be  remem- 
bered and  recorded  of  us  and  ours  which  reap  and  enjoy 
the  sweet  fruits  of  so  great  benefits,  and  such  unheard  of 
liberties   amongst   us."     (Backus,  i.  91.) 

Coddington  made  the  following  deposition  in  regard  to 
this: 

"William  Coddington,  Esq.,  aged  aboute  seventy-six 
years,  testifyeth  upon  his  engagement,  that  when  he  was 
one  of  the  magistrates  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony  he  was 
one  of  the  persons  that  made  a  peace  with  Caunonnicus  and 
Mianantonomy  in  the  Collony's  behalfe  of  all  the  Narra- 
gansett  Indians,  and  by  order  from  the  authoritie  of  the 
Massachusetts  a  little  before  they  made  war  with  the 
Pequod  Indians.  Not  long  after  this  deponent  went  from 
Boston  to  find  a  plantation  to  settle  upon,  and  came  to 


26  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

Acquidneck,  now  called  Rhode  Island,  where  was  a  sachem 
called  Wonnumetonomey;  and  this  deponent  went  to  buy 
the  Island  of  him,  but  his  answer  was  that  Caunonnicuss  and 
Miantonomy  were  the  chiefe  sachems,  and  he  could  not  sell 
the  land;  whereupon  this  deponent,  with  some  others  went 
from  Acquidneck  Island  into  the  Narragansett  ^  to  the  said 
sachems,  Caunonicus  and  Miantonmy,  and  bought  the 
Island  of  them;  they  having,  as  I  understand  the  chief 
command,  both  of  the  Narragansett  and  Aquidneck  Island; 
and  further  saith  not. 

Taken  upon  engagement  in  Newport,  on  Rhode  Island, 
the  27th  day  of  September,  1677. 

Before  P.  Sanford,  Assistant" 
(R.  I.e.  R.I.  51.) 
The  deed  is  as  follows: 

"The  24th  of  the  ist  month  called  March,  in  the  year  (so 
commonly  called)  1637. 

Memorandum.  That  we  Caunounicus  and  Miantunnomu 
the  two  cheife  Sachims  of  the  Nanhiggansets,  by  vertue  of 
our  generall  Command  of  this  Bay,  as  allso  the  perticular 
subjecting  of  the  dead  Sachims  of  Acquednecke  ^  Kit- 
ackmuckqut,^  themselves  and  Lands  unto  us,  have  sold 
unto  Mr  Coddington  and  his  freinds  united  unto  him,  the 
great  Island  of  Acquednecke  lying  from  hence  Eastward 
in  this  Bay,  as  allso  the  Marsh  or  grasse  upon  Quinunigut 
and  the  rest  of  the  Islands  in  the  Bay  (exceptinge  Chi- 
bachuwesa  ^  formerly  sold  unto  Mr.  Winthrop,  the  now 
Gov"^  of  the  Massachusetts  and  Mr.  Williams  of  Providence) 
allso  the  grasse  upon  the  rivers  and  Coves  about  Kitacka- 
muckqut,^  and  from  these  to  Paupasquatch,^  for  the  full 
payment   of  forty   fathom   of  white   beads,   to   be   equally 

'  This  confirms  the  location  of  the  conference  as  Narragansett.  See  Doc. 
Hist,  of  R.  I.  Vol.  I,  p.  60. 

^  Kittackquamuckquiet  (Po.  Rec.)  '  Doc.  Hist,  of  R.  I.  i,  47. 

*  Kittackquamuckopette  (Po.  Rec.)  *  Pumposquatick  (Po.  Rec.) 


1638] 


THE    DEED    OF   AQUIDNECK 


27 


divided    betweene    us.     In   witnes   whereof  we    have    here 
subscribed. 

Item    Tht  by  giveing  by  Miantunnomu's  ten  Coates  and 
twenty  hows  to  the  present  Inhabitants,  they  shall  remove 
themselves  from  off  the  Island  before  next  winter. 
Witnes  our  hands. 


the  marke  of 

In  the  presence  of 

The  mark     ^      f     of  Yotuesh.^ 


Caunounicus 


Roger  Williams 

The  mark  of  Miantunnomu  ^ 
Randall  Howldon 
The  mark  of     y  ^      Assotemuit 


J^ 


The  mark  of 


I 


Mishammoh  ^ 


Caunounicus  his  son." 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  1,46.     Po.  R.60) 
"This  witnesseth  that  I,  Wunumataunemet  the  present 
Sachim  Inhabitant  of  the  Island  have  received  five  fathom 

1  Yotuesh  is  identical  with  the  Yotaash  misread  Sotaash  of  the  "Towne 
Evidence."     (Doc.  Hist,  of  R.  I.  i,  62.) 

^  Marks  are  different  on  Po.  Rec.  ^  Neshanmah  (Po.  Rec.) 


28  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [1638 

of  wampam  and  doe  consent  to  the  contents,  witnes  my 
hand 

The  mark  of  Wanamataunemet. 

In  the  presence  of 
Randall  Howldon." 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  I,  46.) 

John  Cotton,  in  his  "Way  Cleared"  (1648),  p.  88,  wrote 
in  regard  to  the  purchase  of  Aquidneck: 

"Fourthly,  that  which  Mr.  Baylie  further  relateth  from 
the  testimony  of  Mr.  Williams,  is  as  farre  from  truth,  as  the 
former. 

Mr.  Williams  (saith  Mr.  Baylie)  told  me,  that  he  was 
employed  to  buy  from  the  Savages,  for  their  late  Governour, 
and  Mr.  Cotton,  with  their  Followers,  a  portion  of  Land 
without  the  English  Plantation  whither  they  might  retire 
and  live  according  to  their  mind,  exempt  from  the  jurisdidlion 
of  all  others,  whether  Civill  or  Ecclesiastick,  Mr.  Williams 
was  in  so  great  friendship  with  the  late  Governour,  when 
he  told  me  so  much,  that  I  believe  he  would  have  been  loth 
to  have  spoken  an  untruth  of  him. 

Answ.  But  this  I  dare  be  bold  to  say,  if  Mr.  Williams 
told  Mr.  Baylie,  so  much,  that  he  was  imployed  by  me  to 
buy  any  Land  from  the  Savages,  for  mee  and  my  followers 
(as  he  calls  them)  he  spake  an  untruth  of  me,  whatsoever 
he  did  of  the  governour.  Yet  because  I  would  not  speake 
nor  thinke  worse  of  Mr.  Williams  then  necessitie  constrayn- 
eth,  I  cannot  say  but  that  he  might  speak  as  he  thought,  and 
as  he  was  told;  for  it  may  well  bee,  that  such  as  abused  the 
Governours  name  to  him  for  such  an  end,  might  also  more 
boldly  abuse  mine.  But  I  must  professe,  I  neither  wrote 
nor  spake,  nor  sent  to  Mr.  Williams  for  any  such  errand. 
If  ever  I  had  removed,  I  intended  ^uinipyack,  and  not 
Aquethnick.  And  I  can  hardly  beleeve  the  Governour 
would  send  to  him  for  any  such  end,  who  I  suppose  never 


1638]  THE    DEED    OF    AQ.UIDNECK  29 

thought  it  likely,  that  himself  should  tarry  longer  in  the 
Country,  then  he  tarried  in  the  Bay." 

In  1652  William  Coddington  made  the  following  deposition 
in  regard  to  the  purchase  of  Aquidneck: 

*' Whereas  there  was  an  agreement  of  Eighteene  persons  to 
make  purchass  of  some  place  to  the  southward  for  a  planta- 
tion, whether  they  Resolved  to  Remove;  for  which  end  some 
of  them  were  sent  out  to  veiw  a  place  for  them  selves  and 
such  others  as  they  should  take  in  to  the  liberty  of  freemen 
and  purchasers  with  them,  and  upon  their  veiw  was  pur- 
chast  Rhode  Island,  with  some  small  Neighbouring  Islands 
and  previleges  of  grass  and  wood  of  the  Islands  in  the  Bay, 
and  Maine  adjoyninge  .  .  ."         (R.  I.  L.  E.  i,  77.) 

Later  during  1638  and  1639  quitclaims  were  obtained 
from  various  Indian  sachems,     (see  pp.  72  &  73.) 

Apparently  upon  the  trip  back  from  Narragansett,  on 
this  memorable  24  March,  1637/8,  William  Dyre  asked  for 
and  obtained  as  a  gift  from  the  other  settlers,  the  island 
since  called  after  him,  Dyre  Island. 

The  affidavits  in  regard  to  this  gift  follow: 

"To  whome  these  shall  Concern  I  Testefy  that  the  Htle 
Island  lying  in  the  bay  on  the  North  Side  of  the  wading 
River  was  given  mr  Dyre  by  the  Purchassers. 
31  October  1650  Jno.  Sanford. 

I  Attest  that  the  above  written  Premisses  were  by  my 
fathers  Order  and  Comand  by  me  written  my  father  then 
being  very  sick  and  ill  witness  my  hand  the  4th  of  October 
1669     John  Sanford. 

I  do  afirm  also  that  as  wee  past  along  by  the  afore-said 
Island  the  Purchassers  gave  the  said  Island  to  mr  William 
Dyre. 

N°.  I.  1650  John  Porter." 

(R.  I.  L.  E.  I,  267.,  Po.  R.  346.) 
"Newport  on  Rhode  Island  10  Novemb  1664  (ut  vulg) 

This  is  to  Testefy  that  I  Roger  Williams  being  acquainted 


30  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

(by  the  good  Providence  of  God)  with  the  first  Conception 
Birth  and  growth  of  Rhode  Island  (ahas  Aquednick)  doe 
Asert  and  affirme  as  in  the  holy  Presence  of  God,  that  by  the 
Consent  of  the  first  Purchassers  of  Rhode  Island  (Dead  and 
liveing)  the  litle  Island  Comonly  Called  Dyres  Island  was 
from  the  first  and  allways  (sometimes  in  Meriment)  but 
always  in  Earnest  granted  to  be  not  only  in  Name  but  also 
in  truth  and  reality  the  Proper  Right  and  Inheritance  of 
mr  William  Dyre  of  Newport  On  Rhode  Island. 

Roger  Williams  Assista:" 
(R.  I.  L.  E.  I,  267.,  Po.  R.  376.) 

"Captn  Randall  Houldon  of  Warwick  in  the  Province  of 
Rhode  Island  iff  Providence  Plantation  aged  57  years  or 
thereabouts  being  Ingaged  according  to  law  Testefieth  as 
followith  That  the  Purchassers  gave  that  litle  Island  Called 
Dyres  Island  to  mr  William  Dyre  senr  that  was  then  one 
of  us  and  further  saith  not.  Taken  the  24th  day  of  June 
1669." 

"I  Doe  affirm  that  wee  the  Purchassers  of  Rhode  Island 
(my  selfe  being  the  chief)  William  Dyre  desireing  a  spot  of 
land  of  us  as  we  passed  by  it,  after  we  had  Purchassed  the 
said  Island,  did  grant  him  Our  Right  in  the  said  Island  and 
named  it  Dyres  Island. 
Witness  my  hand.     October  i8th  1669 

William  Coddington." 

"I  Richard  Carder  being  a  Purchassere  doe  own  the 
above  said  writeinge:  November:  7th  1669  by  me  Richard 
Carder" 

"William  Cooley  aged  66  years  or  thereabouts  being 
Ingaged  Testefieth  that  in  the  first  year  of  the  setling  of 
this  Plantation  of  Newport  he  being  Master  of  a  boat  and 
Jeffery  Champlin  and  Richard  Series  being  of  his  company, 
and  stoping  at  the  Island  Called  Dyres  Island  mr  William 
Dyre  in  Presence  of  them  took  posession  of  the  said  Dyres 


1638] 


THE    DEED    OF    AQUIDNECK 


31 


Island  and  further  saith  not    Taken  before  me  this  6th  of 
December  1669. 

John  Green  Assistant" 
(R.  I.  L.  E.  I,  267.,  Po.  R.  346.) 


Seal  of  Roger  Williams 


POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE 

[1638] 

IN  regard  to  the  settlement  of  Aquidneck,  Winthrop  wrote 
under  the  date  of  March  22,  1637/8. 

"After  two  or  three  days,  the  governour  sent  a  warrant  to 
Mrs.  Hutchinson  to  depart  this  jurisdiction  before  the  last 
of  this  month,  according  to  the  order  of  court,  and  for  that 
end  set  her  at  liberty  from  her  former  constraint,  so  as  she 
was  not  to  go  forth  of  her  own  house  till  her  departure;  and 
upon  the  28th  she  went  by  water  to  her  farm  at  the  Mount, 
where  she  was  to  take  water,  with  Mr.  Wheelwright's  wife 
and  family,  to  go  to  Pascataquack;  but  she  changed  her 
mind,  and  went  by  land  to  Providence,  and  so  to  the  island 
in  the  Narragansett  Bay,  which  her  husband  and  the  rest 
of  that  sedl  had  purchased  of  the  Indians,  and  prepared 
with  all  speed  to  remove  unto.  For  the  court  had  ordered, 
that,  except  they  were  gone  with  their  families  by  such  a 
time,  they  should  be  summoned  to  the  general  court,  etc." 
(Winthrop,  311) 

On  March  12,  1637/8,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
Bay  had  enad:ed  the  following  resolution : 

"About  Mrs  Hutchinson.  It  is  ordered,  that  she  shalbee 
gone  by  the  last  of  this  month;  ^  if  shee  bee  not  gone 
before,  shee  is  to  bee  sent  away  by  the  counsell,  wthout 
delay,  by  the  first  oportunity;  iff  for  the  charges  of  keeping 
Mrs  Hutchinson,  order  is  to  bee  given  by  the  counsell  (if 
it  bee  not  satisfied)  to  levy  it  by  distres  of  her  husbands 
goods."     (M.  C.  R.  I,  219) 


1638]  POCASSET   UNDER   THE   JUDGE  33 

At  the  same  Court,  March  12,  1637/8,  a  number  of  men 
were  summoned  to  appear  at  the  May  Court  if  they  had  not 
removed  from  the  colony  by  that  time.  Of  those  so  sum- 
moned, the  following  removed  to  Newport;  viz.:  "Mr 
Willi:  Coddington,  Mr.  John  Coggeshall,  Goo:  William 
Baulston,  Edward  Hutchinson,  Samuell  Wilbore,  John 
Porter,  Henry  Bull,  Philip  Shearman,  Willi  Freeborne, 
Richard  Carder,  and  Nicholas  Easton."  (M.  C.  R.  i,  218: 
Cf.  M.  H.  S.C.  4-7-1 10.) 

Under  the  date  of  April  26,  1638,  Winthrop  wrote:  "26.] 
Mr.  Coddington  (who  had  been  an  assistant  from  the  first 
coming  over  of  the  government,  being,  with  his  wife,  taken 
with  the  famihstical  opinion)  removed  to  Aquiday  Island 
in  the  Narragansett  Bay."     (I.  318) 

It  would  appear  from  Winthrop  that  Mrs.  Hutchinson 
and  her  family  were  the  first  to  settle  on  Aquidneck,  and  that 
they  removed  there  in  the  latter  part  of  March,  1638.  The 
Coddingtons  joined  them  there  the  latter  part  of  April  and 
most  of  the  other  signers  of  the  compadl  arrived  with  their 
families  before  May  2,  1638,  the  date  of  the  aforesaid  meet- 
ing of  the  General  Court. 

Thomas  Savage,  although  son-in-law  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson, 
seems  to  have  remained  in  Boston,  where  he  had  a  child 
baptized  in  August.  There  is  no  record  of  his  ever  residing 
at  Aquidneck. 

Aspinwall,  Edward  Hutchinson,  Carder  and  Bull  did  not 
attend  the  town  meeting  held  on  Aquidneck  May  13,  1638, 
but  with  the  exception  of  Aspinwall,  they  were  mentioned 
in  the  records  of  the  meeting  of  May  20,  1638.  Aspinwall 
may  have  removed  to  the  island  with  the  majority  of  the 
settlers,  and  then  not  attended  the  town  meetings  because 
of  his  disagreement  with  the  leaders,  for  in  January,  1638/9, 
he  is  charged  with  "defaults,"  in  February  suspedled  "for 
sedition,"  and  in  April,  1639,  his  property  was  attached  for 
debt. 


34  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

The  record  of  the  first  town  meeting  held  on  Rhode 
Island  13  May,  1638,  is  as  follows: 

"It  is  agreed  that  William  Dyre  [shall  be  Clarke  of]  this 
Body 

3d  Month  13  day:  i638: 

At  a  Generall  Meeting  upon  publicke  Notice,  there  being 
present. 

Mr.  Coddington  Judge:  Sam  Willbore 

Will  Hutchinson:  John  Samfford 

John  Coggeshall  Wm  Freeborne 

Edward  Hutchinson:  Philip  Sherman 

WilHam  Baulston:  John  Walker 

John  Clarke  Randall  Houlden 
John  Porter 

It  is  ordered,  that  none  shall  be  Received  as  Inhabitants 
or  Freemen,  to  build  or  plant  upon  the  Hand  but  [such]  as 
shall  bee  Received  in  by  the  Consent  of  the  bodye,  and  doe 
submitt  to  the  Governement  that  is  or  shall  be  established, 
according  to  the  word  of  God. 

:2:  It  is  also  ordered  that  the  Towne  shall  be  builded  at 
the  springe,  and  Mr.  William  Hutchinson  is  prmitted  to 
have  sixe  Lots  for  himselfe  i^  his  Children,  Layd  out  At  the 
Great  Cove.     EXP: 

:3  :  It  is  ordered  also  that  a  Generall  Fence  be  made  from 
Baye  to  Baye,  Above  the  head  of  the  springe  wth  five  rayles, 
the  Charge  of  this  to  be  borne  proportionally  to  every  mans 
alottment     EXP: 

'.4.:  It  is  ordered  that  every  one  of  this  body  shall  have  for 
his  present  use  one  acre  of  medow  for  a  Beast,  one  acree  for 
:  5 :  sheep,  ^  one  acree  ^  a  halfe  for  a  horse,  to  be  layd  out  at 
the  discretion  of  Mr.  Sanford  ^  Mr.  Willbore  ^  John  Porter, 
wth  what  convenient  speed  may  be  upon  notice  given  of 
every  mans  severall  Cattle.^     EXP: 

^  From  a  marginal  note  it  appears  that  orders  3  and  4  were  later  "  Repeald.' 


1638]  POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE  35 

:5:  It  is  further  ordered  that  every  Inhabitant  of  this 
Island  shall  be  alwayes  prvided  of  one  muskett,  one  pound 
of  powder,  twenty  Bulletts  i^  two  fademe  of  match,  wth 
Sword  and  rest  ^  Bandeliers,  all  Completely  furnished: 

:6:  It  is  ordered  Also  that  the  meeting  house  shall  be  set 
one  the  necke  of  Land  that  goes  over  to  the  maine  of  the 
Island  wher  Mr.  John  Coggeshall  ^  Mr  John  Samfford  shall 
lay  it  out."     (I.  R.  3) 

The  record  of  this  meeting  is  in  the  handwriting  of  William 
Dyre,  the  Clerk.  The  office  of  Clerk  seems  to  have  super- 
seded that  of  Secretary,  which  was  held  by  William  Aspin- 
wall  at  the  meeting  in  Boston,  which  is  recorded  in  his 
handwriting. 

The  explanation  of  the  change  may  be  due  to  the  dispute, 
previously  mentioned,  between  Aspinwall  and  the  other 
leaders,  in  which  case  it  may  have  been  easier  for  them  to 
create  a  new  office  than  to  suspend  Aspinwall. 

The  "Springe"  at  which  the  Town  was  built  was  near  the 
Great  Cove  at  the  northeast  end  of  the  island.  John  Cal- 
lender,  in  his  "Historical  Discourse,"  deUvered  24  March,  1738 
said:  "The  Settlement  began  immediately,  at  the  Eastward  or 
Northward  End  of  the  Island^  (then  called  Pocasset,)  round 
the    Cove,   and   the    Tozvn  was    laid   out    at   the    Spring.'^ 

(P-  33)  ^^ 

The  "General  Fence,"  later  known  as  the  "Common 
Fence,"  which  ran  from  bay  to  bay,  has  given  its  name  to 
the  peninsula  north  of  it,  which  is  still  called  "Common 
Fence  Point." 

At  this  first  town  meeting,  two  committees  were  ap- 
pointed, one  to  lay  out  land,  and  the  other  to  choose  a  site 
for  the  meeting-house. 

Although  the  "compacft"  may  be  considered  as  estab- 
lishing religious  liberty  for  Christians,  which  those  who 
drafted  it  doubtless  considered  as  "complete  religious 
liberty";  yet  it  should  be  noted  that  the  church  was  a  state 


36  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [1638 

church,  and  that  the  town  government  appointed  a  com- 
mittee in  regard  to  the  meeting-house. 

The  neck  of  land  designated  for  the  meeting-house  is 
probably  the  one  now  occupied  by  the  village  of  Island 
Park. 

The  elaborate  ena(5lment  with  regard  to  firearms  looks 
as  if  the  settlers  did  not  feel  that  they  were  on  very  friendly 
terms  with  the  Indians. 

The  enadlments  concerning  firearms  and  the  meeting- 
house were  doubtless  in  strong  contrast  with  the  legislation 
at  Providence,  early  records  of  which  unfortunately  have 
not  been  preserved  in  full. 

A  week  later  the  second  town  meeting  was  held  at  Pocasset. 
Thereafter  these  meetings  were  held  at  irregular  intervals. 

"At  a  Generall  Meeting  upon  Publicke  notice  20th  of  the 
3d  month: 

Present 

Mr  Coddington  Judge 
Mr  Will  Hutchinson: 
Mr  John  Coggeshall 
Mr  Will  Balston 
Mr  John  Samford 
Mr.  Sam  Willbore 
John  Porter 
Willi  Freeborne: 
John  Walker: 
Philip  Sherman 
Wm.  Dyre,  CI. 

:7:  It  is  ordered  that  the  neck  of  Land  by  Mr.  Esson's 
house  shall  be  sufficiently  fenced  in  wth  five  Rayles  at 
that  place  where  John  Samford  Will  Balston  iff  Philip 
Sherman  shall  appoint,  for  to  lye  as  a  Comon  feild  belong- 
ing to  the  towne:  iff  the  fence  to  be  begun  on  the  2d  day 
ensuing. 


1638]]  POCASSET    UNDER   THE    JUDGE  37 

:8:  It  is  ordered  l^  agreed  upon  that  Every  mans  alottmt 
recorded  in  this  Book  shall  be  his  Sufficient  evidence  for  him 
y  his,  rightly  to  possess  l^  enjoy. 

:9:  It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Coggeshall  Mr  Samffbrd  ^  John 
Porter  shall  lay  outt  the  Allottmts  for  the  towne  ^  accord- 
ing to  orders,  thess  allottmts  following  are  Layd  out  by  Mr 
Coggeshall  and  Mr  Samfford. 

Impr.  To  Mr  Will  Coddington  a  house  lott  of  six  acres, 
8  [poles]  in  breadth  ^  120  poll  in  Length  lying  North  ^ 
South,  the  [breajdth  East  ^  West  along  by  the  sid  of  the 
great  pond. 

Itt.  Mr.  Clarke  6  acres  lying  upon  the  west  side  of  the 
same,  being  of  the  same  bredth  ^  length. 

[Itt  To  Mr]  Wm  Dyre  At  the  Cove  by  the  marsh 
6  Acres  being  [10]  pole  in  bredth  l^  50  in  Length  y 
bounded  round  by  the  marsh. 

Itt  To  Mr.  Wm.  Hutchinson  6  Acres  being  10  Rode  in 
bredth  bounded  by  the  great  cove  on  the  East  l^  14  at  the 
West  y  so  it  runs  80  pole  in  Length  westward. 

Itt.  To  Mr.  Samuel  Hutchinson  6  acres  adjoining  lying 
as  the  former  on  the  North  Side. 

Itt.  To  Mr.  Easton  6  acres  is  granted  to  lye  next  the 
Cove  on  the  North  side  of  the  great  Cove. 

Itt.     To  Edward  Hutchinson,  Senior,  Idem. 

Itt.     To  Edward  Hutchinson,  Junior,  Idem. 

Itt.  To  John  Samfford,  Idem,  as  it  is  marked  out  by 
Trees.     West  side  of  the  Spring. 

Itt.  To  Mr  John  Coggeshall  6  acrees,  20  pole  in  bredth 
on  the  East  iS  96  feet  long. 

Itt.  To  Randall  Houlden  5  acres  Large  9  pole  in  bredth, 
96  long. 

Itt.  to  Richard  Burden  5  acres  Large,  9  pole  in  bredth, 
96  long. 

Itt.     To  Will.   Balston  6  acres  on  the  East  side  of  the 


38  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

Spring  10  pole  in  bredth  on  the  West  Ifj  So  in  Length,  y 
14  at  the  East. 

:io:  It  is  also  ordered  l^  agreed  upon,  by  Generall  Consent 
that  Will.  Balston  shall  Ere(5l  ^  sett  up  a  howse  of  Enter- 
tainmt  for  Strangers,  as  also  to  Brew  beare  ^  to  sell  wines  ^ 
Strong  waters,  ^  such  necessary  provisions  as  may  be  usefuU 
in  any  kind. 

:ii:  It  is  ordered,  that  Mr.  Coggeshall  ^  Mr  SamfFord  is 
appointed  to  lay  out  :io:  acres  of  plowing  ground  for  Mr 
Coddingtin,  i^  :6:  acres  to  Mr  Wm  Hutchinson  for  the 
same  use.     (I.  R.     pp.  4  ^^  5) 

From  these  records  it  appears  that  Samuel  Hutchinson, 
Nicholas  Easton,  and  Richard  Burden  had  by  this  time 
joined  the  young  colony,  although  Peter  Easton  wrote  in 
1669  that:  "They  [the  Eastons]  went  into  Rhode  Island  in 
June  .  .  .  1638"  and  "builded  at  Portsmouth  at  the  cove 
and  planted  there  this  year,  1638,  15th  of  the  5th  month." 
(Notes  of  Peter  Easton,  printed  in  Newport  Mercury,  2  Jan. 
1858) 

William  Baulston  established  the  first  tavern  within  the 
present  boundaries  of  Rhode  Island  and  enadlment  10  is  the 
grant  of  the  first  hotel  license,  and  the  first  license  to  make 
and  sell  liquor. 

On  June  i  an  earthquake  occurred  which  was  felt  at 
Aquidneck.^     In  regard  to  this  Winthrop  wrote: 

"This  is  further  to  be  observed  in  the  delusions  which  this 
people  were  taken  with:  Mrs.  Hutchinson  and  some  of  her 
adherents  happened  to  be  at  prayer  when  the  earthquake 
was  at  Aquiday;  etc.,  and  the  house  being  shaken  thereby, 
they  were  persuaded,  (and  boasted  of  it,)  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
did  shake  it  in  coming  down  upon  them,  as  he  did  upon  the 
apostles."     (1,352) 

"At  a  Generall  Meeting  upon  Publick  notice  the  27th  of 
the  4th  month.  i638. 

1  See  Doc.  Hist,  of  R.  I.  i,  75. 


1638]  POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE  39 

Present. 

Mr  Wm  Coddington  Judge:  Mr  Willbore 

Mr  Wm  Hutchinson  John  Porter 

Mr.  John  Clarke  Randall  Howlden 

Mr  Coggeshall  Wm  Freeborne 

Mr  Balston  John  Walker 

Mr  Edw'd  Hutchinson  Sen  Richard  Carder 

Edw'd  Hutchinson  Jun  Henry  Bull 

Mr.  Samford  Wm  Dyre,  CI. 

It  is  ordered  by  Generall  Consent,  that  Wm  Balston,  y 
Edward  Hutchinson,  are  chosen  Serjeants  of  the  Traine 
Band  y  Samuell  W^illbore  Clarke  thereof,  ^  Randall  Howlden 
y  Henry  Bull  are  chosen  Corporalls. 

Whereas  ther  be  divers  as  well  Inhabitants  as  Freemen, 
who  have  taken  up  Certaine  proportions  of  Land  In  the 
Island  of  Aquethnek,  It  is  ordered  that  they  shall  pay  in 
lieu  thereof  two  shillings  for  every  acree  that  they  doe  enjoy 
and  so  the  like  summ  to  be  payed  of  all  such  who  shall 
herafter  be  admitted  as  Inhabitants  into  the  Island:  And 
it  is  further  ordered  that  thess  monies  shall  be  paid  the  one 
halfe  presently,  y  the  other  halfe  att  three  monthes  End; 
and  it  is  further  ordered  that  those  who  shall  pay  in  their 
monies  shall  bring  in  a  note  unto  the  Company  under  the 
Treasurer's  hande,  his  name  iff  Lands  then  to  be  Registred 
in  the  Records  according  to  a  former  order,  fol.  :i:  numb  :8: 

:  14:  Mr  Wm  Hutchinson  y  Mr  John  Coggeshall  is  chosen 
Treasurers  for  the  Company  for  one  whole  year  next  ensuing, 
or  untill  such  time  as  new  be  chosen. 

:i5:  It  is  ordered  that  all  such  Sumes  of  mony  as  the 
Treasurers  shall  receive  they  are  to  dispose  of  iff  employ,  by 
the  Companies  order,  iff  no  otherwise,  and  to  be  accountable 
for  the  same  to  the  Company  when  they  shall  require  it 
of  them. 

:i6:   It  is  ordered,  that  Mr  Hutchinson  iff  Mr.  Coggeshall 


40  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

Treasurers  of  the  Company  shall  receive  y  discharge  such 
sumes  of  mony  as  the  Company  hath  comming  unto  them, 
and  is  indebted  by  them;  the  sight  of  this  order  given  under 
the  prties  hands  that  receives  them  shall  be  their  discharge. 

wj:  It  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Samfford  wth  foure  others 
shall  presently  repair  the  highwayes  betweene  Titicutt  ^ 
Aquethneck,  and  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury. 

:  18 :  It  is  ordered  that  if  any  of  the  Freemen  of  this  Body 
shall  not  repair  to  the  Publick  meetings  to  treate  upon  the 
Publick  affaires  of  the  Body  upon  Publick  warning  (whether 
by  beate  of  the  Drumm  (or  otherwise)  if  they  fayle  one 
quarter  of  an  howre  after  the  second  sound  they  shall  for- 
feitt  twelve  pence,  or  if  they  depart  wthout  leave,  they  are  to 
forfeitt  the  same  summ  of  twelve  pence."     (I.  R.  pp.  4^5) 

On  July  6,  1638,  Ousamequin  confirmed  the  settler's  rights 
to  the  grass  on  the  mainland. 

''Memorandm.  That  I  Ousamequin  freely  Consent  that 
Mr.  William  Coddington  and  his  freinds  united  unto  him 
shall  make  use  of  any  grasse  or  trees  on  the  maine  land  on 
Pawakasick  side,  and  doe  promise  loveinge  and  just  Carriage 
of  my  selfe  and  all  my  men  to  the  said  Mr.  Coddington  and 
English  his  freinds  united  to  him,  haveing  received  of  Mr. 
Coddington  five  fathom  of  wampam  as  gratuity  from  him- 
selfe  and  the  rest. 

Dated  the  6th  of  the  fifth  month,  1638. 

The  marke  of  "f"   Ousamequin 

Witnes 

Roger  Williams 

Randall  Howldon"  (R.  I.  C.  R.  i,  46.) 

This  memorandum  shows  that  Roger  Williams  again 
served  the  Aquidneck  settlers  as  interpreter  and  mediator 
with  the  Indians. 


1638]  POCASSET    UNDER   THE   JUDGE  4I 

Under  the  date  of  August  3,  1638,  Winthrop  mentions  a 
storm  which  caused  very  high  tides  in  Narragansett  Bay.^ 

Under  the  same  date  Winthrop  wrote: 

"Many  of  Boston  and  others,  who  were  of  Mrs.  Hutchin- 
son's judgment  and  party,  removed  to  the  Isle  of  Aquiday; 
and  others,  who  were  of  the  rigid  separation,  and  savored  ana- 
baptism,  removed  to  Providence,  so  as  those  parts  began  to 
be  well  peopled."     (1,268) 

Under  the  date  of  13  August,  1638,  Winthrop  wrote: 

"Those  who  were  gone  with  Mrs.  Hutchinson  to  Aquiday 
fell  into  new  errors  daily.  One  Nicholas  Easton,  a  tanner, 
taught  that  gifts  and  graces  were  that  antichrist  mentioned 
Thess.,  and  that  which  withheld,  etc.,  was  the  preaching  of 
the  law;  and  that  every  of  the  eled:  had  the  Holy  Ghost  and 
also  the  devil  indwelling.  Another  one  Heme,  taught  that 
women  had  no  souls,  and  that  Adam  was  not  created  in  true 
holiness,  etc.,  for  then  he  could  not  have  lost  it."     (338) 

It  is  not  clear  who  the  Heme  is,  whom  Winthrop  mentions. 

Under  the  date  of  August  15  Winthrop  records: 

"The  wind  at  N.  E.,  there  was  so  great  a  tempest  of  wind 
and  snow  all  the  night  and  the  next  day,  as  had  not  been 
since  our  time.  .  .  .  Two  vessels  bound  for  Quinipiack  were 
cast  away  at  Aquiday,  but  the  people  saved."     (345) 

"At  a  Generall  Meeting  of  the  20th  of  the  6th  mo.  1638, 
upon  Publick  notice. 

Present 

Mr  Coddington,  Judge  Philip  :  Sherman 

Mr  Wm  Hutchinson  Rich  Carder 

Mr  Clarke  Randall  Howlden 

Mr  Willbore  Edw:  Hutchinson 

Mr  Samfford  Will  Dyre,  CI 
Wm  Freeborn 

I  Doc.  Hist,  of  R.  I.  I,  75. 


42  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [1638 

It  is  Agreed  that  a  paire  off  Stockes  wth  a  whipping  post 
shall  forthwth  be  made  ^  the  Charges  to  be  payd  out  of  the 
Treasury. 

:20:  It  is  ordered  that  thoss  Allottments  wch  are  to  be 
layd  out  for  the  towne  are  to  be  layed  out  eight  Rodd  brood 
up  along  the  spring;  iff  6  rodd  brod  along  by  the  waters 
sides;  And  the  length  to  be  left  to  the  further  Consideration 
of  the  Body. 

:  2 1 :  It  is  agreed  this  present  20th  of  the  6th  by  the  Generall 
Consent  of  the  Body  present,  That  Mr.  Rich:  Dummer; 
Mr  Nicholas  Esson,  Mr  Willia  Brenton  ^  Mr  Robert 
Harding  are  admitted  as  Freemen  of  this  Society  wth 
them  fully  to  enjoy  the  priviledges  belonging  to  that 
Body."      (I.  R.  p.  5.) 

There  is  no  section  numbered  19  in  the  original  records. 

It  will  be  noted  that  Mr.  Easton  evidently  had  been  living 
at  Pocasset  as  an  inhabitant  since  before  the  20th  of  May, 
although  he  was  not  enfranchised  until  the  20th  of  August. 
The  other  three  men  may  have  just  arrived  in  the  settle- 
ment.    Cf.  p.  38. 

"At  a  Generall  Meeting  upon  Publick  Notice  this  23d  of 

the  6th  month  rr>  i 

[rresentj 

Mr  Coddington,  Judge  Mr  Ed:  Hutchinson 

Mr  Dummer  Mr  Brenton 

Mr  Esson  Mr  Willbore 

Mr  Hutchinson  John  Porter 

Mr.  Clarke  Wm  Freeborne 

Mr  Harding  Rich  Carder 

Mr  Samfford  Randall  Howlden 

WiUia  Dyre,  Cla. 

22.  It  is  agreed  that  thirteen  lotts  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Spring  shall  be  granted  to  Mr  Richard  Dummer  ^  his 
friends  to  witt  Mr  Stephen  Dummer,  Mr.  Tho  Dummer, 
Mr   Esson,    Mr   Jefferyes,    Mr.    Doutch,   Wm    Baker,    Mr. 


1638]  POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE  43 

Spencer,  Adam  Mott,  Robert  Feild,  James  Tarr,  Mr  Hard- 
ing, and  thess  to  Build  ther  at  the  Spring  at  furthest;  or 
else  their  lotts  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  Company. 

123:  It  is  ordered  that  a  howse  for  a  prison,  Containing 
twelve  foot  in  length  y  tenn  fotte  in  Bredth  ^  ten  foote 
Studd,  shall  forthwth  be  built  of  Sufficient  strength  iff  the 
Charges  to  be  payd  out  of  the  Treasury  and  the  oversight  of 
the  work  being  committed  to  Mr.  William  Brenton. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Remainder  of  the  Grass,  wch  is  yett 
uncut  at  hogg  Island  shall  be  granted  to  Mr  Brenton  to  mow 
this  yeare  for  his  necessity     EXP 

125:  It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Richard  Dummer  In  regard 
of  a  miller  that  he  undertooke  to  build,  wch  was  Conceived 
to  be  usefule  to  the  plantation,  he  should  be  accomodated 
answerable  to  a  man  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  estate 
allottments. 

26:  It  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Richard  Dummer  wth  his 
friends,  whose  names  are  Recorded  in  the  :22:  order  shall 
eyther  be  accomodated  wth  us  in  the  present  plantation 
Equall  to  ourselves,  or  in  Case  there  be  not  sufficient  accom- 
odation here;  then  to  accomodate  them  on  some  other  parte 
upon  the  Island. 

127:  It  is  ordered  according  to  a  former  Choyce  that 
Randall  Houlden  shall  be  Marshall  for  one  whole  yeare." 

(I.  R.  5) 

From  a  marginal  note  it  appears  that  order  25  was  later 
"Repeald." 

"At  a  Generall  Meeting  on  the  1 5°  of  the  7°,  [1638] 

Present 

Mr  Coddington,  Judge  Mr  Samford 

Mr  Esson  Henry  Bull 

Mr  Hutchinson  John  Porter 

Mr  Coggeshall  Randall  Holden 

Mr  Clarke  Will  Dyre  Cler 


44  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

By  virtue  of  a  Warrant,  George  Willmore,  George  Parker, 
John  Lutner,  John  Arnold,  Samuell  Smith,  Robert  Stanton, 
Anthony  Robinson,  John  Vahun,  being  summoned  to  appeare 
before  the  Body  for  a  Riott  of  drunkenesse  by  them  commit- 
ted on  the  13°  of  the  7°  month:  It  was  accordingly  agreed 
y  ordered  in  Regard  the  default  was  different  in  some 
Circumstances,  That  George  Willmore  ^  George  Parker 
shuld  pay  into  the  Treasury  5^  a  peece,  and  to  sitt  till  the 
Evening  in  the  Stockes;  and  that  John  Lutner  shuld  pay 
5s  y  sitt  one  howre  in  the  Stockes;  iff  that  Samuell  Smith, 
Robert  Stanton,  Anthony  Robinson  iff  John  Vahun  should 
pay  5s  a  peece  as  a  fine  for  their  default. 

29  It  is  further  ordered,  that  Mr.  Esson  Mr.  Coggeshall, 
iff  Mr.  Willbore  shall  veiw  such  damages  that  are  done  upon 
the  Corne  iff  other  fruits  iff  accordingly  shall  give  information 
to  the  Body."     (I.  R.  6) 

It  will  be  noted  that  Pocasset  had  by  this  time  become  a 
sizable  town  and  in  population  had  surpassed  the  neighboring 
settlement  of  Providence. 

The  rapid  growth  of  Pocasset  was  due  chiefly  to  the 
temporary  popularity  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson's  religious  teach- 
ings. 

It  will  also  be  noted  that  Will.  Balston's  beer  had  begun 
to  take  effect  and  that  the  "  Stockes  "  authorized  on  August  8 
were  in  use  in  less  than  a  month. 

The  inhabitants  of  Pocasset  were  divided  into  two  classes, 
those  enfranchised  numbering  about  25  heads  of  families  and 
those  not  enfranchised  numbering  at  least  17  or  18  and 
probably  more. 

"At  a  Generall  Meeting  upon  Publicke  notice,  the  5th  of 
the  9°  month 

Mr  Coddington,  Judge  Mr.  Samford 

Mr  Hutchinson  Mr.  Freeborn 

Mr  Brenton  Phihp  Sherman 


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1638]  POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE  45 

Mr  Clark  Mr  Henry  Bull 

Mr  Balston  John  Walker 

Mr  Willbore  Randall  Howlden 

Mr  Hutchinson  Wm  Dyre,  Cler. 

30:  It  is  ordered  that  on  the  12th  of  this  9°  month  ther 
shall  be  a  generall  day  of  trayning  for  the  Exercise  of  those 
who  are  able  to  beare  Armes  in  the  Arte  of  military  discipline, 
and  all  that  are  of  16  yeares  of  age  ^  upwards  to  50  shall  be 
warned  therunto.^ 

31  It  is  ordered  that  Mr.  SamfFord  i^  Mr.  Jefferies  shall 
lay  out  the  house  lotts  for  the  towne,  three  Acres  to  each 
house,  to  thoss  that  are  not  yett  provided  for,  y  it  was  further 
ordered,  that  those  who  were  upon  the  first  discovery  (and 
freemen)  shall  be  provided  according  to  six  acres  a  howse 
lott  as  near  to  their  howses  as  Conveniently  may  be. 

32.  It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Edward  Hutchinson  shall  Bake 
bread  for  the  use  of  the  plantation  iff  that  his  Bread  for  the 
assize  shall  be  ordered  by  the  Body."^     (I.  R.  6) 

"At  a  Generall  Meeting  upon  the  Publicke  Notice,  the 
i6th  of  the  9°: 

Present 

Mr  Coddington,  Judge  Hutchinson, 

Mr  Esson  John  Porter 

Mr.  Hutchinson  John  SamfFord 

Mr  Clarke  Will  Freeborn 

Mr  Brenton  John  Walker 

Mr  Coggeshall  Henry  Bull 

Mr  Balston  Richard  Carder 

Mr  Willbore  Randall  Holden 
Wm  Dyre,  Cler 

It  is  ordered,  that  John  Porter  and  John  SamfFord  shall 
treate  wth  Mr  Nicholas  Esson,  Iff  shall  fully  agree  wth  him, 

^  Universal  military  training. 

^  Regulation  of  the  size  of  bread,  i.e.  food  prices. 


46  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND  [1638 

in  allowing  of  him  sufficient  accommodations  for  four  Cowes 
ifj  planting  ground  as  they  shall  think  meett  all  wch  is  for 
the  setting  up  of  a  Water  Millur  wch  the  sd  Mr  Esson  hath 
undertaken  to  build  for  the  necessary  use  If^  good  of  the 
plantation,  and  further  it  is  granted  to  the  said  Mr.  Esson 
that  he  shall  have  liberty  to  fall  i^  carry  away  any  such 
timber  as  shall  be  of  necessary  use  for  the  present  building 
of  the  mill. 

Forasmuch  as  John  Lutner  Carpenter  is  departed  the 
Island  wthout  leave  or  licence,  ^  is  found  to  be  indebted  to 
sundry  prsons;  It  is  therfore  ordered  that  Mr.  William 
Brenton  ^  Mr.  John  Coggeshall  shall  seize  upon  his  howse 
ifj  what  he  hath  in  the  same  Ifj  shall  satisfie  themselves  & 
others  of  his  Creditors,  so  farr  as  it  shall  goe  being  by  them 
lawfully  praysed. 

It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Coggeshall  ^  Sargent  Hutchinson  iff 
Mr  Willbore  iff  Mr.  Dyre,  is  appoynted  for  the  venison  trade 
wth  the  Indyans,  ^  that  they  are  not  to  give  them  above 
three  halfe  pence  a  pound  in  way  of  trade,  iff  that  those 
truck  masters  doe  sell  forth  the  sd  venison  for  two  pence  a 
pound;  a  farthing  for  each  pound  being  allowed  to  the 
Treasury,  y  the  Rest  be  unto  themselves  for  their  attendance 
thereon."      (I.  R.  6.) 


Seal  of  Richard  Smith 


VI 

POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE 
AND  ELDERS 

THE  management  of  the  aflPairs  of  Pocasset  by  a  Judge 
and  general  town  meeting  after  an  experiment  of  eight 
months  proved  unsatisfactory.  Whether  the  transacflion 
of  business  at  a  general  town  meeting  was  too  cumbersome, 
or  whether  the  administration  of  the  Judge  was  too  auto- 
cratic, we  do  not  know,  although  later  events  point  to  the 
latter  probability. 

The  religious  differences  between  Coddington  and  Mrs. 
Hutchinson  would  naturally  cause  her  "party,"  a  group 
which  at  first  was  probably  bound  only  by  religious  ties,  to 
chafe  under  the  civil  administration  of  a  religious  opponent. 

The  next  step  would  naturally  be  for  her  "party"  to  seek 
to  increase  its  political  power  in  order  to  safeguard  its 
religious  views.  The  arrival  of  Gorton,  if  it  did  not  in  fad: 
foster  this  change,  certainly  must  have  aided  in  its  develop- 
ment, even  if  the  actual  change  had  already  occurred. 
Gorton's  extremely  hberal  civil  ideas,  and  his  religious 
proselyting  would  inevitably  have  thrown  him  into  any 
party  opposed  to  Coddington's  strong  theocratic  govern- 
ment. It  is  not  surprising  that  Gorton  and  Mrs.  Hutchin- 
son, although  teaching  antagonistic  creeds,  should  have 
temporarily  united  to  oust  from  civil  power  one  of  a  different 
mind. 

Coddington,  apparently  fearing  the  power  of  the  majority, 
ingeniously  acceded  to  their  demands  and  acquiesced  in  the 
creation  of  a  board  of  three  elders.     The  eledlion  of  Cod- 


48  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND  [1638 

dington's  followers  on  January  2,  1638/9,  to  all  the  positions, 
on  this  board  only  serves  to  show  the  extraordinary  political 
ability  and  foresight  of  the  Judge. 

On  4  December,  1638,  the  Plymouth  Court  enabled  that: 
"Samuell  Gorton,  of  Plymouth,  yeom  for  his  misdemeanrs  in 
open  Court  towards  the  elders,  the  Bench,  Iff  stirring  up  the 
people  to  mutynie  in  the  face  of  the  Court  is  fyned  xxl:  to 
be  prsently  levyed  and  to  put  in  sureties  for  his  good  be- 
havior during  the  tyme  he  shall  remayne  at  Plymouth, 
wch  is  limitted  by  the  Court  to  xiiij  dayes,  and  if  he  stay 
above,  then  to  abide  the  further  censure  of  the  Court." 
(P.  C.  R.  I,  105.) 

Hence  it  would  appear  that  Gorton  with  his  family,  and 
perhaps  some  of  his  followers,  left  Plymouth  before  Decem- 
ber 1 8th  and  hence  reached  Pocasset  during  that  month, 
probably  about  the  middle  of  December. 

"At  a  Generall  meeting  of  the  Body  o[n]  the  2d  of  the 
nth  month,  i638 

Present 
Mr  Coddington  Judge  John  Porter 

Mr  Esson  Randall  Holden 

Mr  John  Clarke  Wm  Freeborn 

Mr  Coggeshall  Adam  Mott 

Mr  Brenton  John  Walker 

Mr  Jeremy  Clarke  Henry  Bull 

Mr  Willbore  Rich  Carder 

Philip  Sherman  Wm  Dyre  Clarke 

By  the  Consent  of  the  Body 
It  is  agreed 

That  such  who  shall  bee  chosen  to  the  Place  of  Eldership 
they  are  to  assist  the  Judge  in  the  Execution  of  Justice  and 
Judgmt  for  the  regulating  tff  ordering  of  all  offences  ^ 
offenders:  And  for  the  drawing  up  iff  determining  of  all  such 
Rules  y  Laws  as  shall  be  according  to  God;   wch  may  Con- 


1638]         POCASSET    UNDER   THE    JUDGE    AND    ELDERS  49 

duce  to  the  Good  &  wellfare  of  the  Comonweale.  And  to 
them  is  Comitted  By  the  Body  the  whole  care  and  charge  of 
all  the  Affaires  thereof.  And  that  the  Judge  together  wth 
the  Elders  shall  Rule  and  Governe  according  to  the  Generall 
rule  of  the  word  of  God,  when  they  have  no  Particular  rule 
from  God's  word  by  the  Body  proscribed  as  a  diredion  unto 
them  in  the  case:  And  further  it  is  Agreed  ^  Consented  unto. 
That  the  Judge  wth  the  Elders  shall  be  Accountable  unto 
the  Body  once  Every  Quarter  of  the  year  (when  as  the  Body 
shall  be  Assembled)  of  all  such  Cases,  Adions  ^  Rules  wch 
have  passed  throw  their  hands;  By  them,  to  be  scanned  ^ 
weighed  by  the  word  of  christ.  And  if  by  the  Body  or  any  of 
them  the  Lord  shall  be  pleased  to  dispence  Light  to  the 
Contrary  of  whatt  by  the  Judge  ^  Elders  hath  been  deter- 
mined formerly;  that  then  &  there  it  shall  be  repealed  as 
the  A(5l  of  the  Body.  And  if  it  be  otherwise,  that  then  it 
shall  stand  (till  further  light)  Concerning  it  for  the  present, 
to  be  according  to  God,  ^  the  tender  Care  of  Indulgent 
Fathers. 

Given:  this  2d  of  iith  1638 

WillmDyre,  CI: 

The  votes  being  unseal'd  upon  this  Conclusion  iff  the 
Providence  casting  it  upon  Mr  Esson,  Mr  Coggeshall  ^ 
Mr  Brenton,  it  was  further  ratified  as  followeth,  viz 

By  the  Eledion  of  the  Body  Mr  Nicholas  Esson  Mr  John 
Coggeshall  and  Mr  WiUiam  Brenton  are  chosen  and  Called 
on  unto  the  place  of  Eldership  to  assist  the  Judge  in  the 
Execution  of  Justice  ^  Judgmt  for  the  Regulating  and 
ordering  of  all  offences  ^  offenders,  ^  for  the  drawing  up  ^ 
determining  of  all  such  Rules  iff  Lawes  as  shall  be  according 
to  God,  wh  may  Conduce  to  the  good  iff  wellfare  of  the  Com- 
monweale,  iffc,  as  aforesayd. 

It  is  ordered  that  Mr  John  Clarke  wth  Mr  Jefferies  iff 
John  Porter  iff  Richard  Burden  shall  survey  all  the  Lands 


50  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1638 

near  abouts  ^  shall  bring  in  a  mapp  or  Plott  of  all  the  s'd 
lands,  iff  so  to  make  Report  to  the  Judge  Iff  Elders,  whereby 
they  may  Receive  Information  ^  direcflion  for  the  distribu- 
tions to  each  man  his  Propriety. 

It  is  Ordered  that  Mr  JefFeries  iff  Will  Dyre  shall  lay 
out  iff  measure  the  home  Allotments. 

These  prticular  casses  vis.  To  deale  wth  Wm  Aspinwall 
Concerning  his  defaults  as  also  Concerning  Invasions  for- 
reine  and  domestick  as  also  the  determination  of  military 
discipline,  Iff  the  disposing  of  the  lands  as  well  hous  lotts  iff 
impropriations,  is  committed  to  the  Judge  iff  Elders  to 
Agitate  iff  dispose  of."     (p.  7) 

"The  24°  of  the  ii°:   1638: 

The  body  being  assembled  wth  the  Judge  iff  Elders  it  was 
agreed  (as  necessary  for  the  Commonwealth)  that  A  Con- 
stable iff  a  Sargeant  shuld  be  chosen  by  the  Body  to  execute 
the  Lawes  iff  Penalties  thereof,  viz:  The  Constable  is  to  see 
that  the  Peace  be  kept,  iff  that  ther  be  no  unlawfuU  meetings, 
or  any  thing  that  may  tend  to  Civill  disturbance  pracflised  iff 
furthermore  he  is  to  informe  in  Generall  of  all  manifest 
Breaches  of  the  Law  of  God  that  tend  to  Civill  disturbance 
iff  that  he  hath  Authority  to  Command  prtie  or  prties, 
one  or  more  (as  need  shall  require)  to  assist  him  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  office. 

The  Sergeant  he  is  to  attend  all  meetings  of  the  Judge  iff 
Elders  iff  to  execute  the  Sentences  of  the  Courte  And  he  is 
to  serve  all  warrants  diredled  unto  him  And  to  informe  of  all 
Breaches  of  the  Lawes  of  God  that  tend  to  Civill  disturb- 
ances; And  further  he  is  to  keep  the  prison,  iJ  all  such  who 
shall  be  comitted  unto  his  Custody  wth  all  safety  iff  diligence, 
And  unto  him  is  granted  authority  to  Command  prtie  or 
prties,  one  or  more  as  need  shall  be  to  assist  him  in  the 
discharge  of  their  several  offices 

Samuel  Willbore  by  the  Consent  of  the  Body  is  chosen 
Constable  iff  is  invested  wth  the  Authority  aforesayd  iff 


1638]   POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE  AND  ELDERS       5 1 

what  else  shall  be  found  meet  to  Concurr  wth  that  office  of 
Constableship: 

Henry  Bull  is  by  Consent  of  the  Body  Chosen  Sergeant  ^ 
invested  wth  the  Authority  aforesayd,  ^  whatt  else  shall  be 
found  meet  to  Concurr  wth  that  office  of  Sergeantship. 

It  is  ordered,  that  the  prison  formerly  Agreed  upon  shall 
be  proceeded  wthall  ^  finished  ^  that  Mr  Esson  shall  assist 
Mr  Brenton  in  the  worke,  ^  then  that  it  be  sett  near  or 
Joyned  unto  the  house  of  Henry  Bull,  Sergeant."     (p.  8.) 
"By  the  Judge  ^  Elders  on  the  f  I2°i638 

Richard  Maxon  Blacksmith,  upon  Complaints  made 
against  him  was  accordingly  detected  for  his  oppression  in 
the  way  of  his  Trade,  who  being  Convinced  thereof  promised 
amendment  ^  satisfa(n:ion. 

Osamond  Doutch,  upon  Complainte  ^  Information  agst 
him  Concerning  damage  'd  wrong  done  by  him,  promised 
to  give  satisfaction  wn  his  accusers  shall  be  produced,  ^ 
thereupon  bond  taken  of  him  wth  the  engagement  of  his 
shallop  to  the  prformance  of  the  same. 

Thomas  Beeder  John  Marshall  Robert  Stanton  and 
Osamund  Doutch  are  admitted  as  Inhabitants. 

Mr  Aspinwall  being  a  suspected  prson  for  sedition  agst 
the  State  it  was  thought  meet  that  a  stay  of  the  building 
of  the  bote  should  be  made  whereupon  [the?]  workman  was 
forbidden  to  proceed  any  further."     (p.  8.) 

Winthrop  recorded  under  the  date  March  16,  1638/9: 

"There  was  so  violent  a  wind  at  S.  S.  E.  and  S.  as  the  like 
was  not  since  we  came  into  this  land.  It  being  in  the  even- 
ing, and  increased  till  midnight,"  and  later  he  added,  "The 
Indians  near  Aquiday  being  pawwawing  in  the  tempest,  the 
devil  came  and  fetched  away  five  of  them."  Under  this 
same  date  Winthrop  makes  another  reference  to  Aquidneck: 

"At  Aquiday,  also,  Mrs  Hutchinson  exercised  publicly, 
and  she  and  her  party  (some  three  or  four  families)  would 
have  no  magistracy.     She  sent  also  an  admonition  to  the 


52  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [1638 

church  of  Boston;  but  the  elders  would  not  read  it  publicly, 
because  she  was  excommunicated.  By  these  examples  we 
may  see  how  dangerous  it  is  to  slight  the  censures  of  the 
church;  for  it  was  apparent,  that  God  had  given  them  up 
to  strange  delusions.  Those  of  Aquiday  also  had  enter- 
tained two  men,  whom  the  church  of  Roxbury  had  excom- 
municated, and  one  of  them  did  exercise  publicly  there. 
For  this  the  church  of  Boston  called  in  question  such  of 
them  as  were  yet  their  members;  and  Mr.  Coddington, 
being  present,  not  freely  acknowledging  his  sin,  (though 
he  confessed  himself  in  some  fault,)  was  solemnly  ad- 
monished. 

This  is  further  to  be  observed  in  the  delusions  which  this 
people  were  taken  with:  Mrs.  Hutchinson  and  some  of  her 
adherents  happened  to  be  at  prayer  when  the  earthquake 
was  at  Aquiday,  etc.,  and  the  house  being  shaken  thereby, 
they  were  persuaded,  (and  boasted  of  it,)  that  the  Holy 
Ghost  did  shake  it  in  coming  down  upon  them,  as  he  did 
upon  the  apostles."     (p-  352) 

Although  there  is  nothing  to  show  what  the  sedition  was 
of  which  Mr.  Aspinwall  was  susped:ed  and  punished  on 
February  12,  1638/9,  it  is  extremely  likely  that  it  was  part 
of  the  Anti-Coddington  "Conspiracy"  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson, 
which  is  suggested  by  Winthrop's  entry  of  March  16,  1638/9, 
and  which  resulted  in  the  overthrow  of  Coddington  in  the 
following  May. 

"On  the  2J°:  12°:  1638:  It  is  ordered  that  that  neck  of 
Land  lying  in  the  Great  Cove  Containing  about  two  Acres 
or  thereabouts  on  Corner  whereof  butting  upon  Serjeant 
Hutchinsons  i^  Lying  northeast,  tj  Southwest,  joining  to 
the  Maine  of  the  Island  is  granted  to  Mr  Samuell  Willbore 
for  him  ^  his  Rightly  to  possess  Iff  enjoy  ^  is  to  go  one  as 
prt  of  his  second  division  wch  is  to  be  layed  out  hereafter. 

It  is  ordered  that  that  lott  wch  was  Reserved  for  Valentine 
Hill  is  granted  to  Serjeant  Hutchinson  as  prt  of  his  Second 


1638]   POCASSET  UNDER  THE  JUDGE  AND  ELDERS       53 

division  if  so  be  Valentine  Hill  doth  not  Come  to  Inhabit  ^ 
build  thereon. 

Joseph  Clarke  Robert  Carr  iff  John  Briggs  are  admitted 
Inhabitants. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Swinn  that  are  upon  the  Hand  shall 
be  sent  away  from  the  plantation  six  miles  up  into  the 
Island  or  unto  some  Yslands  adjacente  by  the  loth  of  the  2° 
1639:  or  else  to  be  shutt  up  that  so  they  may  be  inoffenseve 
totheTowne."     (p.  9-) 

"On  the  6°  of  the  2°  1639  Whereas  ther  was  an  Order  by 
the  Body  that  Mr  Esson  Mr  Coggeshall  &  Mr  Wilbore 
shuld  take  a  veiw  of  the  severall  damages  done  by  the  Cattle 
of  severall  beards  of  Cattle;  and  accordingly  give  informa- 
tion wch  being  done,  we  the  Judge  ^  Elders  due  further 
order  that  every  one  who  shall  Come  to  make  demaund 
therof,  shall  have  Liberty  to  demaund  of  every  such  prson 
whose  Cattle  hath  done  the  harme  according  to  the  Informa- 
tion given  in  by  them;  and  that  if  such  prsons  shall  refuse 
to  pay,  that  then  both  prties  shall  in  time  Convenient 
repair  to  the  Court  i^  ther  in  a  Legall  way  according  to  God 
implead  each  other,  Iff  that  if  any  shall  Refuse  to  make 
their  prsonal  appearance  that  then  warrants  shall  be  granted 
forth  for  the  destraining  for  the  due  satisfadlion  of  the  en- 
damaged. 

It  is  ordered  that  those  parcels  of  Ground  wch  was  planted 
the  Last  yeare  by  severall  prsons  That  they  shall  have 
Libertie  to  plant  it  also  this  yeare  and  then  all  thoss  prcels 
of  Lands  to  Returne  unto  the  Towne  or  to  such  to  whom  the 
Land  shall  be  appropriated  unto,  i^  for  any  Charge  Concern- 
ing it  shall  be  left  unto  the  arbitration  of  such  who  shall  be 
thereunto  appointed. 

It  is  ordered  that  All  such  Hoggs  as  shall  be  found  wthin 
the  Towne  after  the  10  of  the  2°  shall  pay  2d  for  each  hogg 
y  it  shall  be  Lawfull  for  any  man  to  take  them  up  ^  retaine 
them  in  their  Custody  till  the  said  Summ  be  paid  tff  that 


54  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND        ^1^3^ 

the  owners  therof  forthwth  upon  the  delivery  shall  Convey 
them  away  tht  they  be  no  more  offensive  iff  the  Sarjeant 
shall  see  that  this  Law  be  dewly  executed. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  a  place  for  the  Impounding  of 
Cattle  shall  be  made  iff  sett  up  in  some  Convenient  place  of 
each  Towne  iff  that  the  Treasurer  shall  see  it  accomplished  iff 
satisfie  for  itt  wthin  30  days  after  the  5°  of  May:  1640. 

It  is  ordered  that  in  Regard  of  the  many  Incursions  that 
the  Island  is  subjed:  unto  iff  that  an  Alarum  for  the  Securing 
of  the  place  is  necessary  therfor  itt  is  thought  meet  for  the 
present  that  an  Alarum  be  appointed  to  give  notice  to  all 
who  Inhabit  the  place  that  they  may  forthwth  repair  iff 
gather  together  to  the  house  of  the  Judge  for  the  defending 
of  the  Island  or  quelling  any  Insolencies  that  shall  be 
tumultuously  raysed  wthin  the  plantation,  Therfore  the 
Alarum  that  we  appoynt  shall  be  this,  Three  Musketts  to 
bee  discharged  distinctly  iff  a  Herauld  appointed  to  goe 
speedily  throw  the  Towne  iff  Crye  Alarum,  Alarum  upon 
wch  all  are  to  repaire  Immediatly  to  the  place  aforesaid." 

(p.   ID.) 

The  reference  to  "each  Towne"  on  April  6,  1639,  is  sug- 
gestive. There  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  there  was  more 
than  one  town  at  this  time,  hence  it  would  appear  that  the 
formation  of  another  town  on  the  island  was  already  seriously 
contemplated. 


Seal  of  Samuel  Gorton 


VII 
THE  COUP   D'ETAT  OF   1639 

WILLIAM  CODDINGTON,  by  far  the  ablest  man  in 
the  plantation,  had  dominated  its  affairs  from  the 
organization  of  the  government  in  March  1637/8.  At  that 
time  he  had  been  ele(5led  to  the  chief  office,  the  Judgeship, 
and  had  presided  at  every  recorded  town  meeting.  On 
January  2,  1638/9  a  change  was  made  in  the  government, 
three  "Elders"  being  appointed  to  "assist  the  Judge." 
This  change  may  have  been  due  to  the  acftivity  of  a  minority 
party  which  was  headed  by  Mrs.  Anne  Hutchinson.  At 
first  merely  as  an  expounder  of  religious  ideas  she  had 
gathered  about  her  a  number  of  followers,  but  finding  that 
Coddington,  4:he  head  of  the  political  government,  was  not 
in  sympathy  with  her  religious  views,  and  that  furthermore 
justice  "according  to  the  lawes  of  God"  as  interpreted  by 
Coddington  might  readily  fall  heavily  upon  her,  for  it  would 
be  easy  for  him  to  interpret  her  religious  teachings  as  not 
"according  to  the  lawes  of  God,"  Mrs.  Hutchinson  con- 
verted her  religious  following  into  a  political  faction. 

Coddington's  concession  of  the  establishment  of  a  board 
of  Elders  was  cleverly  executed,  for  he  succeeded  in  filling 
all  three  offices  with  his  own  followers,  Easton,  a  religious 
opponent  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  a  preacher  of  his  own  ideas, 
Coggeshall,  and  Brenton. 

Mrs.  Hutchinson,  finding  that  the  change  had  strengthened 
rather  than  weakened  Coddington's  power,  continued  her 
political  agitation  and  according  to  Winthrop  "she  and  her 
party  (some  three  or  four  families)  would  have  no  magis- 


56  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1639 

tracy"  (p.  51),  by  which  she  meant  no  jurisdidlion  of  civil 
officers  over  religious  affairs. 

Coddington  must  have  visited  Boston  about  this  time, 
for  according  to  the  letter  quoted  below,  this  conspiracy 
was  hatched  while  he  was  "in  the  Baye." 

The  "  Coup  "  was  skillfully  planned,  presumably  by  Gorton 
and  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  and  took  place  on  Thursday,  April 
28th  1639.  It  is  difficult  to  reconstruct  the  scene  from  the 
fragmentary  records. 

However,  a  town  meeting  was  evidently  held  on  that  day, 
and  the  first  business  transa(5led  was  in  regard  to  the  Aspin- 
wall  case.     The  record  is  as  follows : 

"On  the  28°  of  the  2°  1639.  Upon  the  Complainte  of 
Jeffrey  Champlin  y  In  the  behalfe  of  a  debt  due  to  Wm 
Cowly  y  himselfe  from  Mr  Aspinwall,  warrant  was  granted 
forth  for  the  Attachmt  of  his  shallopp  till  both  that  debt 
y  other  Adlions  of  the  Case  be  satisfied  ^  discharged  by 
him."     (p.  10.) 

One  of  Aspinwall's  crimes,  that  of  sedition,  may  have 
been  his  sympathy  with  the  Hutchinson  party,  and  hence  the 
discussion  of  his  case  may  have  adted  as  a  spark  to  kindle 
the  Hutchinsonian  plot. 

This  is  the  last  record  of  the  "old  government."  The 
surprise  must  have  occurred  immediately  after  the  entry, 
and  the  clerk,  Dyre,  sympathizing  with  the  old  regime  did 
not  see  fit  to  record  the  rest  of  the  meeting,  which  he  doubt- 
less considered  as  out  of  order. 

In  regard  to  the  affair  Coddington  wrote  to  Winthrop  on 
9  December  1639,  "I  am  removed  12  myles  further  up  in 
to  the  Hand.  Ther  they  have  gathered  a  Church,  ^  doe 
intend  to  chuse  officers  shortely,  ^  do  desire  better  healpes 
in  that  kind,  when  the  Lord  is  pleassed  to  send  them,  i^ 
would  gladly  use  what  meanes  doth  lye  in  us  to  obtayne 
them.  Things  are  in  fare  better  passe  conserning  our  civill 
governmentt  then  they  have  bene,  divers  Famelyes  being 


1639]  THE    COUP    d'etat    OF    1639  57 

come  in  that  had  revolted  from  ther  owne  ade,  ^  have 
given  satisfadion.  Mr.  Gorton  i^  Mrs.  Huchson  doth 
oppose  it.  It  was  hached  when  I  was  last  in  the  Baye,  iff 
the  Lord,  I  hope,  will  shortely  putt  an  esew  to  it."  (M.  H. 
S.  C,  4,  7,  278.)  Winthrop  in  his  Journal  under  the  date, 
II  May  1639,  wrote:  "At  Aquiday  the  people  grew  very 
tumultuous,  and  put  out  Mr.  Coddington  and  the  other 
three  magistrates,  and  chose  Mr.  William  Hutchinson  only, 
a  man  of  a  very  mild  temper  and  weak  parts,  and  wholly 
guided  by  his  wife,  who  had  been  the  beginner  of  all  the 
former  troubles  in  the  country,  and  still  continued  to  breed 
disturbance.  They  also  gathered  a  church  in  a  very  dis- 
ordered way;  for  they  took  some  excommunicated  persons, 
and  others  who  were  members  of  the  church  of  Boston  and 
not  dismissed."     (1,356.) 

It  would  appear  that  the  Hutchinsonians  called  for  an 
eledlion  of  officers  and  that  a  tumultous  meeting  ensued. 
The  "conspirators"  had  a  majority,  for  they  succeeded  in 
carrying  their  point  and  eledled  a  new  Judge. 

Coddington  and  his  friends  withdrew  in  anger  from  the 
meeting  and  held  a  meeting  of  their  own.  The  Clerk, 
William  Dyre,  sided  with  Coddington  and  carried  away  the 
records  with  him.  In  this  manner  the  rebels  were  enabled 
to  enter  the  records  of  their  meeting  in  the  original  record 
book.  Nevertheless  they  began  the  records  of  this  meeting 
upon  a  new  page  and  did  not  make  them  a  continuation 
of  the  records  of  the  previous  meeting  of  the  same  day, 
although  there  was  room  upon  the  remainder  of  that  page. 
The  entry  is  as  follows : 

"Pocassett  on  the  28°  of  the  2°:  1639 
It  is  Agreed 

By  us:  whose  Hands  are  under  written  to  Propagate  A 
Plantation  in  the  midst  of  the  Island  or  Elswhere  And  doe 
ingage  our  selves  to  beare  Equall  charges  answerable  to  our 


58  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND         [1639 

Strength  and  Estates  In  Comon  and  that  our  determina- 
tions shall  be  by  Major  voice  of  judge  ^  Elders  the  Judge 
to  have  a  Double  voice."     (p.  11.) 

This  agreement  was  never  signed,  and  the  names  which 
follow  it  are  not  signatures,  but  were  written  by  Wm.  Dyre 
as  part  of  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  May  i6th.  The 
difference  in  the  ink  establishes  this  fad:.  The  record  of 
April  28th  was  written  in  brown  ink,  while  the  names  and 
the  record  of  May  i6th  were  written  in  black  ink;  and 
from  the  condition  of  the  ink,  it  is  evident  that  the  names 
and  the  record  of  May  i6th  were  written  at  one  time. 

The  majority,  having  eledled  their  candidates,  adjourned, 
and  having  no  record  book  entered  no  records.  But  two 
days  later,  on  Saturday,  30  April  1639,  they  again  met  and 
recorded  the  minutes  of  the  previous  meeting  as  follows: 

"Aprill.  30.  i6[39] 

We  whose  names  are  underw[ritten  do  acknowledge]  ^ 
ourselves  the  Loyall  subje[^j  of^  his  Majestic]  King  Charles, 
and  in  his  m[me  do  hereby  bind  our]selves  into  a  Civill  body 
Politicke:  a[nd  do  submit]  unto  his  lawes  according  [to  .  .  ,] 
matters  of  Justice: 

Willm  Hutchinson 
Samuell  Gorton 
Samuell  Hutchinson 
John  Wickes 
Richarde  Maggson 
Thomas  Spiser 
William  Aspinwall 
William  Haule 
John  Roome      R  mark 
John  Sloffe     I  mark 
Thomas  Bedder   X  mark 
Erasmus  Bullocke 
Sampson  Shotten 


1639II  THE    COUP    d'etat    OF    1639  59 

Ralph  Earle 

Robert  Potter 

Nathanyell  Potter  X  mark 

George  Potter  X  mark 

Wm  Heavens  X  mark 

George  Cleare  X 

George  Lawton 

Anthony  Paine  X  his  mark 

Jobe  Haukins  X  mark 

Richarde  Awards 

John  More  X  his  mark 

Nicholas  Brownes  X  his  mark 

Wilham  Richardson  X  mark 

John  Tripp 

Thomas  Layton  X  his  mark 

Robert  Stainton  his  X  mark 

John  Briggs  his  X  mark 

James  Davice  X  his  mark"     (Po.  R.  7.) 

The  names  in  italics  have  been  crossed  out.  This  was 
probably  done  when  the  three  men  moved  away. 

"Aprill.  30th  :  i[639]i 

According  to  the  true  intent  of  [the  foregoing  instrument, 
zvee]  ^  whose  names  ar  above  perticularly  [recorded  do  agree] 
jointly  or  by  the  major  Voice,  to  [govern  ourselves  by  the] 
Ruler  or  Judge  amongst  us  in  [a/1  transad:ions]  for  the  space 
y  terme  of  one  [yeare,  ...  he]  behaving  himself  according 
to  the  t[enor  of  the  same.] 

We  have  freely  made  Choice  of  [William  Hutchinson] ' 
to  be  ruler  or  Judg  Among  [us.] 

'  The  words  in  brackets  are  Bartlett's. 

'  The  words  in  italics  were  in  the  original  according  to  Bartlett  1856,  but 
had  disappeared  by  1901. 

'  Name  inserted  on  authority  of  Williams  ^  Winthrop. 


6o  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND         C1639 

We  have  also  for  the  helpe  i^  ease  [of  the  condudling  of] 
pubhque  businesse  iff  affaires  for  [the  colonies]  for  one 
yeare  also,  Chosen  Unto  him  [.  .  .]  William  Balston,  John 
Porter,  Jo[.  .  }]  William  Freeborne,  John  Wal[ker.  .  .] 
Phillipe  Shermon,  as  also  w'll  [Aspmwall  to]  lay  out  landes  as 
they  sh[all  be  disposed.] 

We  have  also  made  Choice  of  [.  .  .]  amongst  Us  for  this 
yeare  en[suing]."     (Po.  R.  i,  9) 

The  words  in  brackets  in  the  above  items  were  supplied 
by  Bartlett  (R.  1.  C.  R.  pr.  i.  70-71)  with  the  exception 
of  the  names  William  Hutchinson  and  Walker.  Bartlett 
gives  Walker  as  Wall,  but  there  was  no  John  Wall  at  Ports- 
mouth and  k  at  the  edge  of  a  torn  sheet  might  easily  re- 
semeble  /. 

Robert  Baylie  in  "A  Dissuasive  from  the  Errours  of  the 
Time,"  (London,  1645,  p.  150)  wrote: 

"IVIr.  Williams  related  to  me,  that  Mistris  Hutchinson 
(with  whom  he  was  familiarly  acquainted,  and  of  whom  he 
spake  much  good)  after  she  had  come  to  Rid  Island,  and 
her  husband  had  beene  made  Governour  there,  she  per- 
suaded him  to  lay  downe  his  Office  upon  the  opinion  which 
newly  she  had  taken  up  of  the  unlawfulnesse  of  Magistracy." 

In  the  second  edition  (1646),  the  word  "beene"  appears 
as  "been"  and  a  comma  appears  after  "office." 

From  the  fadt  that  the  aforesaid  minutes  are  recorded 
in  the  past  tense  it  might  be  inferred  that  they  had  been 
enacted  previously,  i.e.  on  April  28,  and  that  the  following 
items,  being  in  the  present  tense,  are  the  adlual  minutes  of 
the  meeting  at  which  they  were  recorded,  i.e.  April  30. 

"It  is  appoynted  tht  theire  shalbe  [a  court  held  every] 
yeare,  evry  quarter  one  for  [.  .  .]  to  doe  right  betwixt 
man  y  [man  ...  a]  Jury  of  12  men,  as  also  it  is  [ordered 
that]  the  Eight  men  chosen  \i[nto  him.  shall  hold  a]  meeting 
amongst  themsel[z><?j  to  consult  together]  as  also  to  put  an 

^    Probably  John  Sanford. 


1639] 


THE    COUP   d'etat   OF    1639 


61 


end  to  any  controver[2;f3']  if  it  amount  not  to  the  Value  of 
io[rtie  shillings]  the  Judge  wth  the  rest  of  the  eight  [men 
shall  decide  .  .  .  ]  it  brought  to  the  pubhke  court. 

The  quarter  courts  ar  to  bee  the  [first  Thursday  in  June  ^] 
next  the  second,  first  thursd[ay  in  September  the  third]  the 
first  thursday  in  decembe[r  fourth  to  be  the]  day  of  Election 
of  new  officer[s  the  first  Thursday]  in  IVIarch. 

And  for  the  Monthly  courts  to  [be  the  last  Thursday]  in 
the  month."     (Po.  R.  i,  9) 

^  Words  in  brackets  supplied  by  the  Editor;  see  previous  note. 


Seal  of  John  Clark 


VIII 
PORTSMOUTH  UNDER  THE  HUTCHINSONS 

OWING  to  the  mutilated  condition  of  the  Portsmouth 
records  we  have  very  incomplete  minutes  of  the 
town's  proceedings.  There  are,  however,  fragmentary 
records  of  four  monthly  meetings  on  page  1 1,  which  appear  to 
have  been  held  previous  to  the  last  Thursday,  31  October, 
1639,  for  the  minutes  of  that  meeting  are  at  the  top  of 
page  12.  If  their  meetings  were  held  regularly  on  the  last 
Thursday  of  each  month,  it  would  appear  that  the  records  on 
page  II  were  for  the  4th,  5th,  6th,  and  7th  months  and 
that  the  records  of  the  meeting  of  the  30  May  1639  were 
probably  on  a  lost  page. 

"At  a  Monthly  meeting  the  [last  Thursday  in  the  4th 
mo.]  1639. 

Job  Haukins  was  granted  one  House  [lott  neare] 
the  west 

side  of  the  swampe  to  buld  on  [within  one  year  or  to] 
be  forfitt  at  the 
yeares  end. 

It  It  is  ordered  tht  meddowes  2i{hove  .  .  .  ^e] 
laid  out  according  to  ech  mans 
prp[ortion]"     (Po.  R.  11) 

"At  a  quarter  meeting  the  [first  Thursday  in] 
the  5th  mo.  1639. 
these  th[.  .  .] 

That  evry  man  that  hath  a  house  [lot  .  .  .] 
shall  buld  upon  the 
same  wthin  on[e  yeare  ...  or]  he  loaseth  it. 


1639]]  PORTSMOUTH    UNDER   THE    HUTCHINSONS  63 

mr.  Thomas  Spicer  l^  Robert  Potter  ar[e  hereby] 
chosen  Surveyers 
for  the  hiewayes,  l^  .  .  . 
come  in,  two,  foure,  or  six  daies  a[^  .  .  .] 
this  y  the  29  of  7  mo.  next,  y  if  the  nece  .  .  . 
as  he  cannot  come  or  prcure  a  man,  he  .   .  . 
day  to  the  surveyers  i^  the  surveyers   [to  make  report  at] 
the  Court  at 
the  yeares  end. 

It  is  agreed  upon  to  call  this  towne  [Portsmouth] 
To  Richard  Haukins  is  granted  one  ho[use  lot  to  build  on 

within] 
one  yeare  or  to  be  forfitt 

To  Thomas  Slaid  is  granted  one  house  lot  [to  build  on] 
upon  the  said 
tearmes 

To  Tho :  Waite  one  house  lott  next  mr.  [Wickes] 
To  Edward  Fisher  one  house  lott  next  [him]"     (Po.  R.  13) 

"At  a  Monthly  meeting  the  last  t\)[ursday  in  the  5th  mo.] 
It  is  ordered  that  no  man  shall  sell  his  lott  or  [meadow  unless 

he  first] 
offer  it  to  the  boddy  heare  in  Portsmouth 
It  is  ordered  tht  John  Porter  ^  Tho:    Spiser   [shall  receive 

from  the] 
inhabitants  of  the  laitly  purchased  meddo[ws  .  .  .] 
theire  monyes  for 
this  yeare  i^  bring  it  [to  the  Tozvne] 
It  is  agreed  upon  tht  theire  shalbe  tend  .  .  . 
Joyning  wth  him  to  putt  our  matter  o  .  .  . 
2  among  themselves,  ^  we  tow  amo  .  .  . 
ende  it,  to  referr  it  to  4  men  of  [righ 
tow,  they  other  two, 

It  is  ordered  that  wm.  Freeborne  ^  R  .  .  . 
about  the  corne  Feilds  of  both  sid  .  .  . 
man  maintaine  his  own  Fen[ce  .   .  .] 


64  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1639 

to  be  maintained  by  the  whole  feilde,  .  .  . 
the  owners  theirof  are  to  pay  the  d  .   .  ." 

(Po.  R.  II) 
"At  a  Monthly  meet[ing  the  last  Thursday  in  the  6th  mo.] 
It  is  ordered  tht  no  man  shall  g  .  •  . 
shall  loase  his  lott  heare,  ti  .   .  . 

"At  a  Mont[hly  meeting  the  last  Thursday  in  the  7th  mo.] 
To  John  Alborah  [Albro]  wa[s  granted  a  house  lot  on] 
condition  of 

buil[ding  within  a  yeare] 
To  John  Vane  [Vaughn]  one  [house  lot  .  .  .] " 

(Po.  R.  II) 

"[At  a  monthly  meet]ing  the  last  thursday  in  the  8th  mo. 

[i6]39 

.  .  .  one  House  lott  next  John  Vane  [Vaughn]  upon  the 
said  tear 

[mes  .  .  .]  tht  wch  was  George  Gardiners  grownd  in  the 

[.   .  .  t] 

ow  more  next  it,  upon  the  vew  of  [sd]  Balston  iff 

[ ] 

in  the  said  North  feild  to  plow 

[ ]  land  at  the  Comon  seller  on  the  neck  from  wm 

[.  .  .  Hu]tchisons 

lott."     (Po.  R.  12) 

"At  a  quarter  Meeting  the  first  Thursd[ay  in  the  8  mo]  1639 
Nicholas  Browne  doth  dismisse  himself  of  [hi  .  .  .] 

the  govourment  heare 

[y]  Meddowes  formerly  granted 

[.  .  .  h]ie  way  adioyninng  to  mr  Coddingtons  garden 

him  wth  the  Httl  marsh  wthout  the  Comon  fenc  nex  the 

.  .  .  xt  vnto  him 

next  vnto  him 

next  him  iff  one  at  the  end  of  his  lott  on  the  neck 

.  .  .  t  mr  wilbore 


1639]  PORTSMOUTH    UNDER   THE    HUTCHINSONS  65 

...  en  the  salt  Crick  iff  his  lotte 

Crick 

ge  [4  Rood  left  for  a  hie  way  to  the  spring]  Tow  acre 

him  i  Ac. 

halfe  next  vnto  him 

xt  vnto  him 

tow  Ac  next  to  him 

next  to  them, 

vnto  him 

halfe  next  vnto  him  beyond  the  hieway. 

t  to  him 

halfe  next  to  him 

[ G]eorg  Layton  iff  Tho  Laiton  to  ech  halfe  an  ac 

next  him 

e  of  the  ponde 

ne  Ac  next  next  his  house 

tton  i  Ac  next  to  him 

i  Acr  next  to  him 

i  Ac  next  to  him 

next  to  him 

iff  [^]  halfe  next  to  him 

at  the  ponds  mouth  next  the  North  sea 

[......  Mjeddow  of  the  Northwest  side  of  the  Towne 

end  of  the  meddow  2  Ac  of  upland 

[ u]nto  h[im]  3  Ac  of  meddow, 

ac  of  meddow 

t  to  him 

xt  to  them 

xt  to  them 

xt  to  him 

meddow,  wth  an  addition  of  vpland  to 

o  the  Meddowe 

.  .  .  estward  beyond  the  long  Meddow.     from  the  sea 

eddow;"     (Po.  R.  13-14) 

"[At  a  monthly  m]eeting  the  last  thursday  in  9  Mo. 


66  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [1639 

[.  .  .  granjted  6  ac  of  planting  ground  at  his  Meddow 
where 

.   .  .     next    John    Motts    upon    the    former    condition    of 
bulding" 

(Po.  R.  12) 

Coddington,  as  soon  as  he  was  well  established  at  Newport, 
endeavored  to  extend  his  power  over  the  whole  island  by 
uniting  the  towns  under  one  government.  On  Dec.  9,  1639 
he  wrote  Winthrop  in  the  letter  previously  quoted:  "Things 
are  in  fare  better  passe  conserning  our  civill  governmentt 
then  they  have  bene,  divers  Famelyes  being  come  in  that 
had  revolted  from  ther  owne  adle,  ^  haue  given  satisfac- 
tion. Mr.  Gorton  ^  Mrs.  Huchson  doth  oppose  it."  (M.  H. 
S.  C.  4,  7,  279.) 

From  this  it  would  appear  that  some  of  the  Portsmouth 
men  had  already  acknowledged  the  authority  of  the  Newport 
government,  and  in  confirmation  we  find  that  Robert 
Stanton  and  George  Gardiner  were  admitted  freemen  at 
Newport  17  Dec.  1639  and  Baulston  seems  to  have  become 
on  very  close  terms  of  friendship  with  Coddington  for  the 
latter  adds  as  a  postscript  to  the  said  letter. 

"Mr.  John  Cogshall,  Mr.  Willm.  Brenton,  iff  Sergant 
Balstone  doe  desire  to  have  their  service  presented  to  your 
worship" 

"[At  a  Monthly]  meeting  the  10  mo.  1639 

house  lotte  next  beyond  mr.  Cowland  on  the 

the  former  condition  of  bulding  wthin 

tow  house  lotts  of  the  east  side  of  the  swampe 

next  the  Coupers  upon  Condition  of 

y  selling  the  3d  lott  bought  of  Anthony 

good  behaviour"     (Po.  R.  12) 

"[At  a  Monthly  meetijng  the  ii  mo.  1639 

have  bene  divers  times  trobled  wth  Claimes 

ing  an  equall  right  wth  the  purchasers  to 

tion,  wch  is  contrary  to  what  is  declared 


1639]  PORTSMOUTH    UNDER   THE    HUTCHINSONS  ^J 

at  our  entrance  into  this  combination 

tuall  peace,  tht  all  such  Claimes  should 

have  his  lands  layed  out  to  him  as 

uppon   the   receite  of  theire  monyes"     (Po. 

R.  12) 

"At  a  meeting  the  loth  of  the  12  mo.  163  [9] 
y  further  confirmed  the  18  of  the  said  [mo.] 

It  is  Mutually  agreed  by  the  p 
that  these  quanteties  of  grow 
in  these  places  following. 
William  Hutchison  Four  Hundred 
North  side  of  the  salt  Crick  at  Sachua  East,  y  bo 
on  the  west  ^  soe  to  ronne  Northward, 
John  Sanforde  Tow  hundred  13  Fourtie  Acre 
William  Aspinwall  Tow  hundred  Acres  ab 
Sandy  poynte  of  the  same  side  to  pay 
Philip  Shermon  Tow  Acres  ab 
from  the  Towne  of  the  same  side 

Of  the  west  side 
William  Freeborne  One  hundredth  ^  Fortie  Acr 
at  his  little  Meddow  13  soe  sowth  west, 
John  Walker  one  hundred  Acres  ne 

40 
William  Balston  Tow  hundreth  Acr 
brooke  on  the  North  East  end  of  his  Meddow 

40 
John  Porter  Tow  hundreth  Acres 
Edwarde  Hutchison  Tow  Hundret 
y  if  theire  be  noe  Meddows  within  hi 
of  Tow  Acres  he  is  to  have  Tow 
Porters  Meddow, 

30 
Richard  Carder  Thirtie  Ac  next 


68  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND  [1639 

It  is  also  ordered  that  the  afForsaid 
the  one  halfe  of  theire  lande 
regarde  of  theire  first  advento 
Also  it  is  ordered  tht  Robt  Potter  sha 
som  losses  he  had  by  the  heard 
Adam  Mote  fower  scoere  and 
Brooke  next  mr  William  B 
ward"     (Po.  R.  15) 

At  this  special  meeting  of  18  Feb.  1639/40,  the  first  enact- 
ment passed  25  July  1639  and  the  enacftment  passed  29  Aug. 
1639  were  repealed.     (Po.  R.  Marginal  notes,  page  11) 

Coddington,  having  the  original  deed  in  his  own  name 
and  the  oflicial  records,  practically  controlled  all  the  land 
titles,  and  this  in  itself  must  have  been  a  strong  argument 
to  the  Portsmouth  men  to  submit  to  the  Newport  govern- 
ment. What  influence,  conscious  or  subconscious,  this 
may  have  had  on  Mrs.  Hutchinson's  sudden  opinion  of  the 
unlawfulness  of  Magistracy,  as  related  by  Roger  Williams 
(see  p.  60),  we  can  only  conjecflure,  but  by  persuading  her 
husband  to  lay  down  his  office,  she  removed  the  chief 
obstacle  to  the  union  of  the  two  towns.  Gorton  and  his 
party  still  opposed  the  union,  but  they  were  an  unimportant 
minority.  Coddington  on  his  part  seems  to  have  off^ered,  as 
a  compromise,  annual  elecftions;  and  as  a  result,  on  12  March 
1639/40  at  a  General  Court  held  at  Newport,  eighteen  Ports- 
mouth men  were  received  as  Freemen.  William  Hutchin- 
son was  ele(5led  one  of  the  assistants,  doubtless  in  recognition 
of  the  service  he  rendered  the  Coddington  facRiion  by  re- 
nouncing his  office. 


Seal  of  Robert  JeoflFrey 


IX 
THE  SETTLEMENT  OF  NEWPORT 

ACCORDING  to  the  notes  of  Nicholas  Easton's  son, 
Peter,  Newport  was  founded  May  ist  1639.  The  note 
reads,  "(Sine)  Nuport  began  may  first  30  1639."  These 
notes  were  written  on  one  of  the  blank  pages  of  an  almanac 
for  1669,  and  the  30  refers  to  the  fadl  that  the  entry  was  in 
regard  to  an  event  which  occurred  30  years  earlier,  (Peter 
Easton  Mss.  Amer.  Antiq,  Soc.)  He  adds:  "(Sine.)  the 
first  hous  built  in  nuport  in  may  1639  30"  (ibid.) 

In  an  edition  of  Morton's  Memorial  of  1669,  which  he 
bought  in  November  of  that  year,  Peter  Easton  wrote  in  the 
margin  of  a  page  dealing  with  1639:  "This  year  id  3m  we 
came  to  newport"  and  "In  the  beginning  of  May  this  year 
the  Eastons  came  to  Newport  in  Road  Hand  and  builded 
ther  the  first  English  building  and  ther  planted  this  year 
and  coming  by  boat  they  lodged  at  the  Hand  caled  coasters 
harbour  the  last  of  April  1639  and  the  First  of  May  in  the 
morning  gave  that  Hand  the  Name  of  Coasters  Harbour 
and  from  thence  came  to  Newport  the  same  Day."  (R.  I. 
H.  S.  C.  XII,  80.) 

From  this  it  would  appear  that  the  Eastons  left  Pocasset 
on  April  30,  1639,  and  proceeded  by  boat  down  Narragansett 
Bay  along  the  west  shore  of  Aquidneck,  and  began  the  settle- 
ment of  Newport  on  i  May  1639.  Coddington  and  the 
rest  of  his  followers  joined  the  Eastons  very  soon,  if  they 
did  not  accompany  them,  and  a  town  meeting  was  held 
16  May,  1639. 


yO  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1^39 

Henry  Bull  (in  the  Rhode  Island  Republican  for  29  May, 
1832;  Newport)  in  his  "Memoir  of  R.  Island,"  wrote: 

*'We  have  now  arrived  at  that  period  of  our  history  when 
the  settlement  of  the  town  of  Newport  first  commenced; 
the  land  fronting  on  the  harbor  where  Thames  street  now  is, 
was  then  an  impenetrable  swamp,  which  circumstance  so 
discouraged  the  settlers  that  they  once  concluded  to  locate 
the  town  near  the  Beach;  but  on  further  survey  they  found 
the  roadstead  altogether  unsafe  for  shipping,  which  obliged 
them  to  resort  again  to  the  spot  where  Newport  now  stands; 
when  they  rounded  and  Examined  the  harbor,  and  finding 
it  safe  and  commodious,  they  concluded  to  encounter  the 
swamp  and  establish  the  town  on  its  margin;  then  they 
voted,  that  it  should  be  built  upon  both  sides  of  the  spring, 
and  so  by  the  sea  side  southward.  The  place  thus  described 
was  a  running  spring,  and  was  in  the  place  where  the  fountain 
is  now,  on  the  west  side  of  Spring  street  a  short  distance 
south  easterly  from  the  State  House.  The  stream  from  this 
spring  run  about  North  West  into  the  river  (as  it  was  then 
called)  which  now  runs  under  the  Jail,  and  about  this  spring, 
and  on  both  sides  the  stream  running  down  into  the  harbor, 
was  intended  for  the  place  to  commence  building  the  town. 
By  their  saying  both  sides  the  spring,  we  understand  as 
meaning  not  only  the  source  but  the  stream.  Marlborough 
Street  was  the  first  street  built  upon  which  ran  to  the  harbor, 
and  wharves  were  first  built  into  the  cove.  On  the  North 
side  of  that  street  Gov.  Coddington's  house  was  built,  which 
is  now  standing  and  fronts  Duke  street." 

"The  fountain  mentioned  by  Mr.  Bull  has  recently  been 
covered  by  the  erection  of  a  stable  on  the  land  of  the  heirs 
of  Edward  Hazard,  on  Spring  street,  at  the  foot  of  Barney." 
(Footnote  of  R.  I.  Hist.  Mag.  VII,  192.) 

The  town  record  to  which  Mr.  Bull  referred  in  the  above 
quotation  is  that  of  the  first  meeting  held  in  Newport,  and 
is  as  follows: 


1639]  THE    SETTLEMENT   OF   NEWPORT  7I 

"Wm.  Coddington,  Judge,  John  Clarke 

Nicholas  Easton,     j  Jeremy  Gierke 

John  Coggeshall,      >  Elders,        Thomas  Hazard 
William  Brenton,     J  Henry  Bull 

W  Dyre,  Seer: 

i6th  3d    1639 

It  is  Agreed  y  ordered,  that  the  Plantacon  now  begun 
att  this  South  west  end  of  the  Island  shall  be  called  Newport; 
and  that  all  the  Lands  lying  Northward  ^  Eastward  from 
the  sd  Towne  towards  Pocassett  for  the  space  of  five  miles. 
And  so  to  cross  from  sea  to  sea,  wth  all  the  Lands  Southward 
i^  westward,  bounded  wth  the  maine  sea  together  wth  the 
small  Islands  And  the  grass  of  Cunnunnegott  is  appointed 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  sd  Towne. 

It  is  ordered  that  every  such  Servant  as  shall  abide  wth 
any  of  us  that  first  Came  forth  shall  upo  their  deu 
admission,  have  Tenn  acres  of  Land  given  unto  them 
Grates 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Towne  shall  be  built  up  on  both 
the  sides  of  the  spring  iff  by  the  seaside  Southward." 

(LR.p.  II.) 

The  names  of  nine  of  the  Coddington  followers  are  thus 
made  known  to  us.  It  will  be  noted  that  they  did  not  hold 
an  eledlion,  but  retained  the  offices  that  they  had  previously 
held.  Dyre  however  signs  as  Secretary  instead  of  Clerk. 
Coddington  did  not  believe  in  ele(5lions,  apparently  claiming 
an  indefinite  or  life  tenure  for  these  oflSces. 

The  first  record  of  the  Newport  government  was  made 
at  Pocasset  on  the  day  of  the  schism.  The  clerk,  William 
Dyre,  withdrew  from  the  meeting  with  Coddington  and 
took  the  record  book.  The  Coddington  fadlion  held  a 
meeting  on  their  own  account,  and  Dyre  entered  the  fol- 
lowing record  of  it: 


72  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1639 

"Pocassett.         On  the  28°  of  the  2d:  1639. 

It  is  Agreed 
By  us  whose  Hands  are  under  written,  to  Propagate  A 
Plantation  in  the  midst  of  the  Island  or  Elsewhere  And  doe 
ingage  our  selves  to  beare  Equall  charges  answerable  to  our 
Strength  and  Estates  In  Comon  and  that  our  determina- 
tions shall  be  by  Major  voice  of  Judge  iff  Elders  the  Judge 
to  have  a  Double  voice." 

(I.  R.  II.) 

Besides  retaining  the  original  record  book,  Coddington 
had,  by  not  giving  deeds,  retained  in  "himself  and  friends" 
all  title  to  the  real  estate,  and  thus  had  two  valuable  political 
and  legal  weapons  for  later  use.  The  "double  voice  "  given  to 
the  Judge  is  an  example  of  Coddington's  political  ability. 

Nevertheless,  considering  discretion  the  better  part  of 
valor,  the  minority  decided  to  leave  Pocasset. 

It  would  seem  probable  that  all  the  Indians  did  not 
remove  from  Aquidneck  when  the  settlers  founded  Pocasset, 
and  that  some  remained  at  the  south  end  of  the  island. 
When  the  Coddington  party  decided  to  settle  there  it 
became  advisable  to  have  those  remaining  Indians  removed, 
and  this  was  accomplished  through  the  exertions  of  Mian- 
tonomi  and  two  lesser  sachems.  Gratuities  were  given  to 
these  Indians  for  their  services,  and  the  following  receipts 
were  signed  by  them: 

"the  nth  day  of  May  1639.  Received  by  me  Mian- 
tunnomu  (as  a  gratuety)  of  Mr.  Coddington  and  his  Friends 
unitted  for  my  paines  and  Travill  in  removeing  off  the 
natives  off  on  the  Island  of  Aquednecke  tenn  fathom  of 
Wampum  peage  and  one  broad  cloth  coate 

«T^       A/r  ^  Mian  ^^^  tannomu 

"Dat.  May  14.     1639 

Recieved   of  Mr.    William   Coddington   and    his    friends 


1639II  THE    SETTLEMENT   OF   NEWPORT  73 

unitted  to  him,  in  full  satisfadlion  for  grownd  broken  up 
or  any  other  title  or  claime  whatsoe-ever,  formerly  had  of  the 
Island  of  Aquednecke,  the  full  sum  of  five  fathom  of  wam- 
pum peage  and  a  Coate 

Weshaganesett,  his  marke 


Witnesses 

Miantinomu,  his  marke 

>  D> 

Witness 
Hugh  Durdall 

Thomas  Sabery    4f"^"^Cr*      his  marke" 

"June  20th  1639 

Received  from  Mr,  William  Coddington  and  of  his 
Friends  unitted  to  him  in  full  satisfaction  of  grownd  broken 
up  or  any  other  title  or  claime  whatsoever  formerly  had  of 
the  Island  of  Aquednecke,  the  full  sum  of  five  Fathom  of 
wampum  peage. 


Wonimenatony     f         his  marke 


William  Cowling 
Richard  Sawell" 

(I.  R.  68.) 


74  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1639 

Elizabeth  C.  Brenton  in  the  Newport  Mercury  for  August 
13,  1853  (reprinted,  Newport,  1877,  p.  5),  gives  in  a  different 
wording  the  tradition  recorded  by  Bull  (p.  70),  and 
adds: 

*'The  tall  forest  trees  which  luxuriantly  grew  from  the 
bottom  to  the  summit  of  the  hill,  were  first  cut  away,  and 
then  coming  downward  to  marshy  ground,  made  impene- 
trable by  low  brush,  the  work  was  suspended  by  order  of 
the  corporation,  until  they  could  plan  some  way  to  pursue 
their  obje(5l,  when  one  day  a  canoe  approached  the  shore 
near  Coaster's  Harbor,  where  Nicholas  Easton  Wm  Brenton, 
and  Thomas  Hazard  were  standing,  one  of  the  three  ad- 
dressed the  Indians  and  very  pleasantly  inquired  what  they 
would  take  to  clear  that  swamp;  and  after  some  moments 
silence  one  of  the  Indians  replied,  "if  you  will  give  me 
your  coat,  the  pale  faces  shall  have  the  land  made  clear." 
The  coat  was  given,  and  having  large  brass  buttons  upon 
it,  the  Indian  cut  them  off",  and  putting  them  on  a  string 
he  tied  a  knot  between  each,  and  placed  them  round  his 
neck,  for  an  ornament.  The  Indians  soon  after  fired  the 
swamp,  and  by  the  assistance  of  the  whites,  it  was  in 
time  cleared  and  filled  in  with  gravel  and  sand,  and 
thus,  after  much  labor,  made  sufficiently  firm  for  building 
lots." 

A  tradition  which  is  first  recorded  in  writing  over  200 
years  after  the  event  is  of  course  of  little  historical  value. 
Miss  Brenton  states  that  much  of  her  information  is  derived 
from  the  papers  of  Benjamin  Brenton,  who  obtained  much 
of  his  information  from  Doctor  Jonathan  Easton. 

5    of  4 

It  is  ordered  that  all  the  meadow  grounds  lying  wthin 
the  Circuitt  and  bounds  of  Nuport  shall  be  Layd  out  after 
the  rate  iff  proportion  of  Twentie  Cowes  meat  to  a  division 
of  Three  hundred  acres  of  upland  and  it   is   ordered    that 


1639II  THE    SETTLEMENT   OF    NEWPORT  75 

Mr  John  Clark  Mr  JeofFreys  Tho:  Hazard  i^  Wm  Dyre  or 
any  three  of  them,  by  the  major  vote  shall  proportion  it 
forth  dewlie,  iS  that  the  sd  Companie  which  shall  lay  it  forth 
shall  have  foure  pence  an  acre  for  every  acree. 

About  the  same  time  the  Secretarie  being  absent  and  the 
body  meeting  they  did  agree  that  the  Land  might  reason- 
ably accomodate  thoss  that  were  iff  as  many  as  would  bee 
fiftie  families;  wch  agreemt  being  left  wth  Mr  Easton  is  not 
readily  to  be  found,  but  tht  there  was  such  an  agreemt  most 
then  y  ther  present  do  confidently  remember,  therfor  a 
space  I  leave  to  insert  it. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  home  allotmts  shall  be  foure  acres 
a  peece  laid  out  Conveniently  wher  the  ground  affords  iff 
that  Mr  Coddington  shall  have  six  acres  for  an  orchard 
Laid  out  as  Conveniently  as  cann  bee"     (L  R.  p.  12.) 

"11°     5° 

It  is  agreed,  tht  Mr  Clark  Mr  Jeoffreys  iff  Wm  Dyre  shall 
have  full  powre  to  lay  out  all  the  Lands  for  the  townes 
accommodations  as  well  upland  as  Medow,  as  also  all  high- 
wayes  wth  the  home  allotmts,  i^  the  disposition  of  Severall 
farmes  to  the  prsons  Inhabiting  according  to  the  proportion 
that  shall  be  allotted  by  the  Judg  iff  Elders  and  are  to  have 
2    an  acre  for  the  great  lotts  laying  forth  EXP, 

2         7 

It  is  Agreed  that  Thomas  Hazard  iff  Mr  Jeoffreys  are 
imbraced  as  freeman  by  this  Body. 

Upon  some  differences  arising  Concerning  the  Trad  wth 
the  Indians  it  is  agreed  that  Mr  Brento  iff  Mr  John  Clark 
shall  informe  Mr  Jeoffreys  of  the  prticulars,  and  then  Mr. 
Jeoffreys  shall  determine  the  Cause. 

It  is  also  determined  that  Mr  Jeoffreys  shall  have  the 
hearing  iff  deciding  of  the  matters  Concerning  the  dammages 
done  by  the  Cattle  upo  the  planted  Corne  in  the  Circuit  of  the 


76  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [1639 

Towne  y  that  such  who  hath  been  so  endammaged  shall 
repair  to  him. 

It  is  agreed  that  the  trad  with  the  Indians  shall  be  free 
to  all  men  ^c 

It  is  ordered  that  if  Mr  Jeoffreys  cannot  joyntlie  goe 
along  with  the  rest,  in  the  Laying  forth  of  the  Lands,  then 
Mr  Easton  is  to  goe  along  ^  prforme  the  sd  service  in  Mr 
Jeoffreys  Roome,  who  have  full  power  to  dispose  of  all 
Circumstances,  as  fencings  U  timber  wth  other  Conven- 
iences as  may  paralell  the  impropriations  according  to  their 
best  discretions. 

I  of  8th. 

It  is  ordered  that  every  first  Tewsday  in  the  Moneth,  the 
Judge  y  Elders  shall  assemble  together  to  heare  iff  deter- 
mine all  such  Causes  as  shall  be  presented. 

It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Robert  Jeoffreys  is  Eledled  Threarer 
of  this  Body  for  on  whole  yeare  or  till  a  new  be  chosen,  y 
that  Mr  Jeremy  Clarke  shall  assist  him  in  taking  up  the 
accounts  of  the  old  Treasurer. 

Upo  an  account  of  the  Secretaries  for  Service  done  to  the 
Body  divers  wayes  a  bill  of  19^^  ^  ten  acres  of  Land  was 
assigned  to  be  pd  him  by  the  Threarer  and  to  Serjeant  Bull 
for  Service  by  him  done  6^ 

It  is  agreed  that  Mr  Foster  is  received  as  a  freeman  of 
this  Bodie 

It  is  agreed  that  in  the  Quarter  Courts  the  determinations 
of  matters  in  hand  shall  be  by  major  vote  the  Judg  having 
his  dowble  vote,  who  also  shall  have  power  to  putt  it  to  vote 
y  to  gather  up  the  votes."     (I.  R.  13) 

"The  22th  of  Novembr  1639 

Rc'd  by  mee  Miantunomu  of  Mr.  William  Coddington 
and  his  Friends  united  Twenty  and  three  Coates  and 
thirteen  howes  to  distribute  to  the  Indians  that  did  Inhabitt 


1639]  ^^^    SETTLEMENT   OF   NEWPORT  77 

off  the  Island  of  Aquednecke  in  full  of  all  promisses,  Debts, 
and  demands  for  the  said  Island  as  allso  two  tarkepes 


Mian       I       tunnomu 


Witnes  Can    I-  J  nonicus 

Mompaucke 


O 


Wampammaquitt 


(I.  R.  p.  68.) 
"By  the  Body  Politicke 
in  the  He  of  Aqethnec 
Inhabiting  this  presant 
25°  of  9°:  m:  1639 
In  the  fourteenth  yeare  of  the  Raigne  of  our 
Soveraign  Lord  King  Charles 
It  is  agreed 
That  as  Naturall  Subjeds  to  our  Prince,  ^  subjed  to  his 
Lawes  All  matters  that  Concerne  the  Peace  shall  bee  by 
those  that  are  officers  of  the  Peace  Transaded,  And  All 
anions  of  the  Case  or  Dept  shall  be  in  such  Courts  as  by 


78  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         C1639 

order  are  Here  appointed,  and  b}^  such  Judges  as  are  De- 
puted, Heard  and  Legally  Determined. 

Given  at  Nieu-Port  on  the 
Quarter  Courte  Day  which 
was  adjourned  till  ths  Day 

William  Dyre  Seer 

Mr  Jeremy  Clarke  is  Chosen  Constable  for  one  whole 
yeare  or  till  a  new  be  Chosen  And  is  to  Attend  that  service 
according  to  the  Law  in  that  Case  provided. 

Mr.  William  Foster  is  Chosen  Clerke  of  the  Train  Band, 
y  is  to  attend  that  service  till  another  be  Chosen  who  is 
presently  to  take  a  view  of  the  Armes  and  to  Returne  the 
defFedls  the  next  Courte  but  one 

It  is  ordered  ^  Agreed  upon  that  the  Body  of  the  people, 
viz.  the  Traine  Band  shall  have  Free  libertie  to  select  l^ 
chuse  prsons  one  or  more  from  Among  themselves  As  they 
would  have  to  be  officers  among  them,  to  excercise  i^  Traine 
them;  And  then  to  present  them  to  the  Magistrats  for  their 
approbation. 

It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Robt  Jefferies  shall  Traine  the  Band 
for  the  present. 

It  is  ordered  that  no  man  shall  goe  two  miles  from  the 
Towne  unarmed  eyther  with  Gunn  or  Sword  and  that  none 
shall  Come  to  any  Publick  Meeting  without  his  weapon, 
upon  the  default  of  eyther  he  shall  forfeitt  five  shillings. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  those  Commissioners  formerly 
appointed  to  negotiate  the  Business  with  or  Brethren  of 
Pocassett  shall  give  them  or  propositions  under  their 
hands  and  shall  require  their  propositions  under  their 
hands  with  their  answers  ^  shall  give  reply  unto  itt  And 
so  shall  returne  to  the  Body  a  Breive  of  what  they  therein 
have  done. 

By  order  Mr  Easson  Iff  Mr  John  Clarke  are  desired  to 
informe  Mr  Vane  by  writting  of  the  state  of  things  here  and 


1639]  THE    SETTLEMENT   OF    NEWPORT  79 

desire  him  to  Treate  about  the  obtaining  off  a  patent  of 
the  Island  from  his  Matie  and  Hkewise  to  writt  to  Mr 
Thomas  Burrwood  Brother  to  Mr  Easson  Concerning  the 
same  thing. 

The  Courte  is  adjourned  to  this  day  three  weekes." 
(I.  R.  16.) 

Two  exceedingly  important  matters  were  under  consid- 
eration, namely  the  uniting  of  the  Island  under  one  gov- 
ernment, and  the  obtaining  of  royal  recognition  of  this 
government. 

"At  the  prticular  Courte  holden  the  3d  of  the  ioth  1639 

John  Bartlett  and  John  Hudson  being  convented  and  as 
well  by  wittness  as  their  owne  Confession  found  guiltie  of 
the  Breach  of  the  Peace  by  their  excess  in  drinking,  is 
adjudged  to  pay  five  shilHngs  a  peece  unto  the  Hands  of  the 
Constable  according  to  the  Law  in  the  case  provided." 

(I.  R.  16) 

In  the  postscript  of  a  letter  dated  Dec.  9,  1639,  Codding- 
ton  styles  Balston,  "Sergant  Balston."  (M.  H.  S.  C.  4,  7, 
279.) 

"At  the  Generall  Quarter  Court  wch  was  adjourned  to 
this  present  17°    of  io°  mo  i639 

Mr  Eastone  for  breach  of  an  Order  in  Coming  to  the 
pubUke  meeting  wthout  his  weapon  according  to  that  order 
is  to  paie  five  shillings 

Whereas  according  to  a  former  Order  Mr  Clerk  was  to 
assist  Mr.  JefFeries  Treasurer,  for  the  taking  up  of  the 
Accounts  off  the  old  Treasurer,  wch  accordinglie  they  have 
done,  y  Exhibited  the  same  into  the  Courte,  wch  have 
passed.  And  ther  is  found  to  Remaine  due  to  Mr.  Coggeshall 
the  Sum  of  £57:  2j:  ^d;  wch  the  Treasurer  now  being 
shall  pay  unto  him  wth  all  Convenient  speed,  allowing 
suficient  satisfadlion  for  the  forbearance  therof  from  this 
present  day. 


8o  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [1639 

Itt  is  Ordered  that  those  who  are  appointed  to  lay  forth 
the  lands,  shall  (in  Regard  of  some  naturall  bounds  lying 
neare  unto  the  farme  of  Mr.  Will  Coddington  Judge;)  have 
full  powre  to  add  unto  the  sd  farme  such  prcell  or  prcells 
of  land  as  may  extend  to  thoss  Bounds  according  as  their 
discretions  shall  guid  them,  when  they  Come  to  a  veiw 
therof  prvided  that  Mr  Coddington  Judge  shall  pay  into 
the  Treasurie  so  much  monie  (according  to  the  order)  as 
the  overplus  of  his  proportion  amounts  unto. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Treasurer  shall  pay  no  monies  unto 
any  prson  till  he  be  Authorized  by  warrant  signed  under 
the  hands  of  the  Judge  ^  some  of  the  Elders,  the  wch  shall 
be  to  him  of  sufficient  Authoritie  to  pay  all  such  bils  so 
assigned. 

It  is  Agreed  that  Wm  Cowlie  Robt  Feild  George  Gardiner 
Robert  Stanton  Thomas  Clerk  iff  Joseph  Gierke  are  admitted 
iff  imbraced  as  Freemen  into  this  Body  Politike. 

It  is  agreed  iff  ordered  that  the  Secretarie  shall  take  notes 
of  all  dammages  of  the  Towne,  iff  shall  implead  such  as  shall 
be  delinquents;  Legalie.  And  in  every  defPed:  therof  shall 
forfeit  fortie  shillings. 

It  is  Ordered  that  ther  shall  be  sufficient  fences  eyther 
hedge  or  post  iff  raile  made  about  the  Corne  grownds  that 
shall  be  planted  or  sowne  by  the  i  of  May  next  iff  if  any  man 
shall  be  found  a  delinquent  therin  he  shall  forfeitt  for  every 
rod  that  is  defedlive  the  Sum  of  3J":  4J: 

It  is  ordered  that  no  man  shall  keep  any  Hoggs  about 
the  Towne  except  it  be  wthin  his  owne  inclosure  after  the 
15°  of  Aprill  untill  the  15°  of  October  upon  the  forfeiture  of 
4(i  a  foote,  iff  the  former  orders  are  Repealed. 

Itt  is  ordered  that  ther  shall  be  provision  made  of  Bulls 
into  the  Towne,  A  Bull  to  every  twentie  Cows  and  heyfers 
by  the  first  of  May,  i640. 

Itt  is  Ordered  that  keepers  shall  bee  appointed  to  the 
severall  beards  of  Cattle  from  the  15°  of  April  to  the  i  of 


1639I  THE    SETTLEMENT   OF    NEWPORT  8I 

November,  iff  that  the  spare  cattle  shall  be  separated  from 
the  milch  Beasts  iff  kept  att  Sachuis. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Lands  shall  not  be  fired  till  the  i° 
of  March  iff  so  for  fourteen  days  to  Continue  iff  that  if 
eyther  Indyan  or  English  shall  fire  any  before  or  after,  they 
are  liable  to  such  dammages  as  may  be  incurred  thereby:  ^ 

It  is  Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  shall  forthwth  provide  a 
pr  of  Stocks  iff  a  whipping  post  to  be  sett  in  some  such  place 
as  he  shall  have  Order  for  in  the  town  of  Niewport." 

(I.  R.  p.  18.) 

"At  the  Particular  Courte  held 
on  the  7°  of  ii°  1639 

Wheras  it  was  ordered  that  the  Gierke  of  the  Band  should 
take  Notice  of  what  defects  were  in  the  Armes  among  the 
Traine  Band;  iff  to  make  Returne  therof  at  the  Sessions  of 
this  Courte  wch  being  prformed  It  is  further  ordered  tht 
the  Corporall  shall  forthwth  give  warning  to  all  such  who 
are  defe(5live  to  make  their  appearance  before  the  Judge 
wthin  these  tenn  days,  to  give  answere  for  their  defiiciencies 
therin;  iff  further  it  is  Ordered  that  every  Traine  Souldier 
shall  be  provided  sufficiently  of  his  owne  Armes  by  the  last 
day  of  Aprill  i640  as  they  shall  answeere  it  att  their  prill. 

Wheras  Complainte  was  made  by  the  Secretarie  on  the 
behalfe  of  the  Towne  of  Nieuport  agst  Ralph  Earle  for  his 
falling  of  Timber,  Contrarie  to  order,  iff  suitt  made  accord- 
inglie  in  the  Courte.  By  the  Courte  it  was  ordered  that 
the  sd  Ralph  Earle  iff  Mr  Willbore  his  Copartner  shall  serve 
the  Towne  wth  good  sufficient  Stuff",  Vidz  with  sawn  board 
att  8s  the  hundred  iff  ^  inch  board,  at  ys:  to  be  dd  at  the 
pitt  by  the  water  side;  iff  Clapboard  iff  Paile  at  lid  a.  foote 
by  the  Stubb  sound  iff  good  sufficient  merchandisable  ware 
iff  futher  it  is  Ordered  that  the  sd  Mr  Willbore  iff  Ralph 
Earle  shall  not  make  sale  of  any  of  the  Timber  wthin  the 

^  According  to  a  marginal  note  this  order  was  subsequently  repealed. 


82  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1639 

Bounds  of  the  Towne  of  Nieuport  nor  Transport  any  of  it 
(eyther  whole  or  broken)  to  any  other  Plantation  wthout 
licence  as  they  shall  Answere  it  at  their  Prill."     (I.  R.  8) 
"At  a  Generall  Assembly  of  the  Body,  22°  Jan:   i6^g: 
Upon  A  Survey  of  the  Corne  wth  the  prsons  inhabiting 
the  Towne,  the  Corne  arising  to  io8  bushells  i^  the  persons 
196:    It  is  thfore  ordered  tht  the  sd  Corne  shall  be  propor- 
tioned forth  one  bush  iff  half  a  peck  to  each  prson  wch  is  to 
supply  the  sd  prson  for  the  space  of  six  weeks  ensuing  the 
date  hereof;    prvided  tht  such  who  shall  lend  their  Corne 
shall  in  due  time  be  repaied  as  soone  as  a  supply  can  be  made. 
Whereas  the  Generall  Q  Courte  doth   fall  on  the   2d  of 
feb.  wch  being  the  Lord's  day  upon  serious  Consideration  it 
is  assigned  to  be  kept  foure  days  sooner  being  the  29°  of 
ths  prsent  month."     (I.  R.  p.  18.) 

"At  the  Quarter  Courte 
held  the  29  of  Januarie  i639: 

It  is  Ordered  that  Mr  Jeremie  Clarke  shall  supply  the 
Trear  place  till  his  Returne  from  the  Dutch. 

It  is  ordered  iff  Ordayned  that  once  in  the  yeare  forever 
hereafter  namelie  the  twelfth  day  of  March:  The  Judge  iff 
Elders  y  all  other  Officers  of  this  Bodie  incorp  shall  bee  in 
the  Generall  Courte  or  Assembly  to  be  held  for  that  day  or 
time  Newlie  chosen,  for  the  yeare  ensuing  by  such  greater 
prte  of  the  Bodie  of  Freemen,  then  or  ther  present,  iff  such 
as  shall  be  necessarily  detained  to  send  in  their  votes  sealed 
up  to  the  Judge. 

It  is  ordered  that  on  the  6°  of  march  ensuing  the  Bodie 
shall  assemble  together  for  the  Recording  of  the  Lands 
according  to  the  order  in  that  Case  made  on  the  Sessions 
held  the  27°of  4°i638: 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Secretarie  shall  Commend  and 
advise  wth  the  Judge  iff  Elders  Concerning  such  suitts  iff 
Cases  as  he  shall  have  information  of."     (I.  R.  p.  19.) 


ILL 

NEW  E'  S 


FROM 


NEW-ENGLAND: 


O  R 


A  Narative  of  New-Englands 

PERSECUTION. 

WhERIN1SP6CLARE1> 

That  while  old^ngland  is  becoming  new^ 
NemrEngldm  is  become  Old 

Alfo  four  Propofals  to  the  Honoured  Pajrliatt^snt  an^Councd  of  tmti 
touching  the  way  to  Prof  agate  the  Goffel  ofChri^  ('  with  finall 
charge  and  gtcatlafey).bo>th  in  OH  iEwg/rfwa  and  Hew.    - 

Alfo  four  condufloos  t6ucBir^  die  faith  and  wder  of  the  Gofj^  of 
•    Chriftoutofhislart  Will  and  Tcftamsnt,  ^n&piedand  |iAified 

By  J  o'li  )i  C  t  A  R  K  jPhyficiao  ofRodcIfland  in  'Amerr- 


^'?i.  3ehml Come qnicijl^^ 


'"tw'\'.."    "»i*i  ""      '  — .  .»    _-.~ ~ '- 

'  .  .  *  L  Q  N*P  'O.N^    ' 

"PlM&dby  H^mj  Hi7/r  living  in  Tleet-Xurd  vntu  d«0£  »  tfeciScj^ 


TITLE-PAGE  OF   BOOK   BY  JOHN  CLARK. 
From  original  in  John  Carter  Brown  Library,  Providence. 


1639]  THE    SETTLEMENT   OF    NEWPORT  83 

"At  A  General  Assembly  of  the 
Body  on  the  6°  of  March: 

Wheras  according  to  Order  Mr  Nicholas  Eston  Mr  John 
Clarke  ^  Wm  Dyre  was  appointed  to  lay  forth  all  such  Lands 
as  by  the  Judge  iff  Elders  were  proportioned  forth  to  that 
purpose  a  schedule  was  given  them  from  the  Courte  of  such  as 
they  had  appointed  them  to  accomodate  who  according  to 
their  best  Judgmts  iff  discerning  have  prformed  the  same  iff 
exhibited  a  map  therof  to  this  Generall  Courte,  wch  is 
accepted  and  ratified  therby;  And  are  discharged  of  the 
service  by  the  authority  therof. 

It  is  ordered  that  All  the  Sea  Banks  is  free  for  Fishing 
to  the  Towne  of  Nieuport. 

Itt  is  ordered  that  such  that  shall  bring  in  their  acquit- 
tances from  the  Trear  to  the  Judge  iff  Elders  shall  have 
their  Lands  Recorded,"     (L  R.  p.  19.) 


Seal  of  Ezekiel  Holliman 


X 

RELIGIOUS  AFFAIRS  AT  AQUIDNECK 

ALTHOUGH   the  Aquidneck   settlers   were   deeply   in- 
terested in  religious  affairs,  they  do  not  seem  to  have 
immediately  formed  a  church  organization. 

The  construction  of  a  meeting-house  was  authorized  by 
the  town  meeting  on  May  13,  1638,  but  there  is  no  evidence 
to  show  that  it  was  immediately  built  or  even  begun.  (See 
Chap.  V.) 

The  settlers  at  first  were  probably  all  adherents  to  the 
docflrines  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson.^  Soon  however  the  teachings 
of  Nicholas  Easton  ^  and  John  Clark  ^  began  to  make 
proselytes,  while  Coddington  in  his  theocratic  office  of 
Judge  interpreted  Scripture  and  determined  without  appeal 
the  relation  of  temporal  and  spiritual  matters. 

Such  religious  differences  doubtless  prevented  the  organi- 
zation of  a  church,  and  the  building  of  a  meeting-house. 
One  Heme  ^  and  after  him  Samuel  Gorton  ^  brought  still 
other  religious  views  to  the  Island.  After  the  political 
separation  of  the  two  towns,  which  indeed  seems  largely  to 
have  been  due  to  religious  as  well  as  political  disagreements, 
a  church  was  established  at  Newport,  before  Dec.  9th,  1639, 
under  the  leadership  of  Clark  and  the  protection  of  Cod- 
dington. Lechford  in  1641  records  that  this  church  had 
been  dissolved  through  dissension.     Meanwhile  three  new 

1  See  Doc.  Hist,  of  R.  I.  vol.  i,  p.  95.  ^  See  Chap  V. 

'  In  Sept.  1638  Winthrop  styles  Clark:  "A  physician  and  a  preacher  to 
those  at  the  Island",     (p.  271.) 

<  See  Chap.  V.  =  See  Chap.  VI. 


1640]  RELIGIOUS    AFFAIRS    AT   AQUIDNECK  85 

religious  teachers,  Mr.  LenthalV  Mr.  Doughty  ^  and  Ezekiel 
HolHman  ^  arrived  on  the  island,  and  added  new  fuel  to  the 
religious  unrest. 

In  May,  1639,  referring  to  the  colonists  at  Aquidneck, 
Winthrop  wrote:  "They  also  gathered  a  church  in  a  very 
disordered  way;  for  they  took  some  excommunicated  per- 
sons, and  others  who  were  members  of  the  church  of  Boston 
and  not  dismissed."     (p.  297.) 

It  is  not  clear  whether  Winthrop  intended  to  refer  to 
Portsmouth  or  Newport,  but  probably  to  the  latter,  for  as 
late  as  July  20,  1640,  Francis  Hutchinson  stated  that  he 
knew  of  no  church  at  Portsmouth  (see  later) ;  but  this  state- 
ment was  an  attempt  to  appease  the  Boston  church,  rather 
than  to  give  an  historical  survey  of  Portsmouth. 

Coddington  in  a  letter  written  Dec.  9,  1639,  said: 

"I  am  removed  12  myles  further  up  in  the  Hand.  Ther 
they  have  gathered  a  Church,  i^  doe  intend  to  chuse  officers 
shoretly,  iff  do  desire  better  healpes  in  that  kind,  when  the 
Lord  is  pleassed  to  send  them,  ^  would  gladly  use  what 
meanes  doth  lye  in  us  to  obtayne  them.  Things  are  in 
fare  better  passe  conserning  our  civill  government.  .  .  ." 
(M.  H.  S.  C.  4,  7,  278.) 

Lechford,  writing  in  England  in  January,  1641/2,  and 
referring  to  conditions  in  New  England  between  March  and 
August,  1640,  wrote: 

"At  the  Island  called  Aquedney,  are  about  two  hundred 
families.  There  was  a  Church,  where  one  master  Clark 
was  Elder:  The  place  where  the  Church  was,  is  called  New- 
port, but  that  Church,  I  heare,  is  now  dissolved;  as  also 
divers  Churches  in  the  Country  have  been  broken  up  and 
dissolved  through  dissention.  At  the  other  end  of  the 
Island  there  is    another    towne   called   Portsmouth,  but    no 

1  See  Chap.  XI. 

2  Francis  Doughty,  formerly  at  Taunton,  and  subsequently  at  Long  Island. 
^   See  page  92. 


86  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [1640 

Church:  there  is  a  meeting  of  some  men,  who  there  teach 
one  another,  and  call  it  Prophesie.  These  of  the  Island 
have  a  pretended  civill  government  of  their  owne  eredlion, 
without  the  Kings  Patent.  There  lately  they  whipt  one 
master  Gorton,  a  grave  man,  for  denying  their  power,  and 
abusing  some  of  their  Magistrates  with  uncivill  tearmes; 
the  Governour,  master  Coddington,  saying  in  Court,  Tou 
that  are  for  the  King,  lay  hold  on  Gorton;  and  he  againe,  on  the 
other  side,  called  forth,  All  you  that  are  for  the  King,  lay  hold 
on  Coddington;  whereupon  Gorton  was  banished  the  Island: 
so  with  his  wife  and  children  he  went  to  Providence.  They 
began  about  a  small  trespasse  of  swine,  but  it  is  thought 
some  other  matter  was  ingredient. 

At  Providence,^  which  is  twenty  miles  from  the  said 
Island,  lives  master  Williams,  and  his  company,  of  divers 
opinions;  most  are  Anabaptists;  they  hold  there  is  no  true 
visible  Church  in  the  Bay,  nor  in  the  world,  nor  any  true 
Ministrie.  This  is  within  no  Patent,  as  they  say;  but  they 
haveof  latea  kind  of  government  also  of  their  owne  ere(5tion." 
(Lechford  41,  M.  H.  S.  C.  3,  3,  96.) 

In  the  Lechford  manuscript,  which  is  preserved  at  the 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  the  following  interesting 
variations  occur. 

Clark  is  styled  "Pastor"  instead  of  "Elder,"  and  the 
following  addition  appears:  "There  is  Mr.  Lenthall,  a 
minister  out  of  ofRce  and  imployment,  and  lives  poorly. 
Mr.  Doughty  also  is  come  to  this  Island.  The  place  where 
the  church  is,  is  called  New  porte."    (M.  H.  S.  C.  3,  3,  403.) 

Under  the  date  of  (i)  24]  i.e.  March  24,  1639/40,  Win- 
throp  records: 

"the  church  of  Boston  sent  three  brethren,  viz.  Capt. 
Edward  Gibbons,  Mr.  Hibbins,  and  Mr.  Oliver  the  younger, 
with  letters  to  Mr.  Coddington  and  the  rest  of  our  members 
at  Aquiday,  to  understand  their  judgments  in  divers  points 

'  Note  in  the  marginal  heading  "Providence"  is  called  "New  Providence." 


1640]  RELIGIOUS    AFFAIRS    AT    AQUIDNECK  87 

of  religion,  formerly  maintained  by  all,  or  divers  of  them,  and 
to  require  them  to  give  account  to  the  church  of  their 
unwarrantable  pra(ftice  in  communicating  with  excommu- 
nicated persons,  etc.  When  they  came,  they  found  that 
those  of  them,  who  dwell  at  Newport,  had  joined  them- 
selves to  a  church  there  newly  constituted,  and  thereupon 
they  refused  to  hear  them  as  messengers  of  our  church,  or 
to  receive  the  church's  letters.  Whereupon,  at  their  return, 
the  elders  and  most  of  the  church  would  have  cast  them 
out,  as  refusing  to  hear  the  church;  but,  all  being  not  agreed, 
it  was  deferred."     (p.  328.) 

On  24  February,  1639/40,  a  delegation  from  the  Boston 
church,  consisting  of  Edward  Gibbons,  William  Hibbins  and 
John  Oliver,  left  Boston  and  visited  Aquidneck.  The 
account  of  this  mission  is  preserved  in  The  Robert  Keayne 
Manuscript,  which  contains  a  record  of  the  conversations 
at  a  church  meeting  held  March  16,  1639/40,  upon  the  return 
of  the  delegates. 

Brother  Hibbins'  report  was  as  follows: 

"we  thinke  it  our  dutie  to  give  an  account  to  the  church 
of  gods  dealinge  with  us  in  our  jorny  owt  ^  in  ^  of  the 
successe  of  our  bussines  when  we  came  to  our  jornies  end, 
at  the  Hand.  The  second  day  of  the  weeke,  we  reached  the 
first  night  to  mownt  wolliston,  wheat  we  were  refreshed  at 
our  Brother  Savidges  ^  House  wherby  we  were  comfortably 
fitted  for  our  jorny,  the  next  day,  in  wch  by  the  mercy  of 
god,  y  the  helpe  of  yor  prayers,  god  did  accompany  us  with 
seasonable  weather,  iff  in  our  jorny  the  first  observable 
providence  of  god  that  presented  itselfe  to  our  vew  iff 
especially  to  my  owne  observation,  wch  was  in  providinge  for 
me  a  comfortable  Lodginge,  that  second  night,  wch  was  the 
thinge  I  most  feared  becas  I  never  was  used  to  lye  with  out  a 
Bead  iff  there  was  one  that  mett  us  in  the  way,  that  came  from 
Cohannet  who  had  a  Howse  to  him  selfe  13"  he  of  his  owne 

'  Savage  probably  never  moved  to  Aquidneck. 


88  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [164O 

accord,  did  give  us  Leave  to  Lodg  ^  abide  in  his  Howse  that 
night,  where  myselfe  especially,  i^  all  of  us  had  comfortable 
Lodginge  for  that  night,  wch  was  a  greate  refreshinge  to  us 
y  a  deliverance  from  my  fear. 

The  next  providence  of  god  that  fell  out  in  our  jorny,  was 
some  manifestations  of  gods  hand  agaynst  us,  for  beinge  the 
4th  day  to  passe  over  a  River  in  a  canew,  in  wch  was  8  of 
us  our  canew  did  hange  upon  a  tree,  to  very  great  daynger, 
the  water  runinge  swiftly  away,  now  my  Ignorance  was  Such 
that  I  feared  no  daynger,  though  those  wch  had  more  skill 
sawe  we  were  in  iminent  daynger,  here  our  god  delivered  us. 

But  now,  we  cominge  safe  over  the  water  it  pleased  god  to 
exercise  us  much  in  the  Losse  of  our  Brother  Oliver,  whose 
Company  we  mist  ^  did  not  perceave  it,  he  fallinge  unto 
mr.  Luttalls  company  that  was  a  goinge  that  way  to  the 
Hand,  then  they  Lost  thear  way  l^  as  our  hartes  was  full 
of  fear  ^  care  for  our  Brother,  soe  w^as  his  of  us  ^  the  fear 
increased  one  both  sides,  becaus  thear  fell  a  greate  snowe 
y  very  hard  weather  upon  it,  ^  it  was  to  our  greate  rejoys- 
inge  when  we  met  one  another  agayne  in  helth  l^  safetie 
accordinge  to  the  good  hand  of  our  god,  that  was  upon 
us  in  our  jorny  ^  they  had  bin  exposed  to  so  much  daynger 
in  that  could  season,  for  want  of  a  fiar,  ^  all  meanes  to  make 
it,  had  not  the  Lord  beyond  expectation  provided  for  them, 
to  bring  forth  a  little  powder  through  the  shott  of  the  peece, 
now  the  5th  day  we  were  to  goe  over  another  River,  where 
we  were  in  great  daynger,  our  Canew  fallinge  upon  a  Rocke, 
wch  had  not  some  of  our  brethren  more  skilfull  steped  out  on 
the  Rocke  ^  put  of  the  canew  our  daynger  had  bin  very 
greate,  but  god  brought  us  safe  at  Last  one  the  6th  day  viz. 
28  day  of  the  12th  month  to  our  greate  rejoysinge." 

Brother  Oliver  reported: 

"Now  for  the  sucess  of  our  jorny  to  our  Brethren  at  the 
Hand,  we  acquaynted  them  with  our  purpose  in  Cominge, 
15"  desired  that  they  would  procure  us  a  meetinge  that  daye. 


1640]  RELIGIOUS    AFFAIRS    AT   AQUIDNECK  89 

but  for  reasons  in  thear  owne  brest,  ^  because  of  the  snowe 
they  did  not  thinke  meete  then  to  give  us  a  meetinge  but 
the  next  day  they  promisd  iff  did  give  us  a  meetinge, 
mr  Ashpinwall  our  Brother  Boston/  Brother  Sanfoard  iff 
others  iff  we  dehvered  our  message  iff  the  churches  Letter, 
wch  they  Read  iff  gave  us  satisfactory  Answers.  The  next 
day  we  went  to  Portsmouth  where  beinge  entertayned  at  our 
Brother  Cogshalls  Howse  we  desired  them  to  procure  us  a 
meetinge,  to  dehver  our  message  iff  the  churches  Letter, 
But  when  we  expected  a  meetinge  mr  Cogshall  sent  us  word 
that  by  reson  of  a  Civell  meetinge  that  was  befor  apoynted; 
But  for  a  meetinge  they  did  not  know  what  power  one  church 
had  over  another  church,  iff  they  denyed  our  comission  iff 
refused  to  Let  our  Letter  be  read,  iff  they  Conceave  one 
church  hath  not  power  over  the  members  of  another  church, 
iff  doe  not  thinke  they  are  tide  to  us  by  our  covenant  i^ 
soe  were  we  fayne  to  take  all  their  Answers  by  goinge  to 
thear  severall  Howses,  mr  Hutchison  tould  us  he  was  more 
nearly  tied  to  his  wife  than  to  the  church;  he  thought  her 
to  be  a  dear  st  iff  servant  of  god. 

We  came  then  to  mrs  Hutchison  iff  tould  her  that  we 
had  a  message  to  doe  to  her  from  the  Lord  i^  from  our 
church. 

She  Answered,  There  are  Lords  many  iff  gods  many, 
but  I  acknowledge  but  one  Lord,  which  Lord  doe  you 
meane 

We  Answered,  we  came  in  the  Name  but  of  one  Lord,  iff 
that  is  god.  then  sayth  she,  soe  far  we  agree  i^  where  we 
doe  agree.  Let  it  be  set  downe  Then  we  tould  her  we 
had  a  message  to  her  from  the  church  of  ch  in  Boston  She 
replyed,  she  knew  no  church  but  one  we  tould  her:  in 
scripture  the  Ho.  Ghost  calls  them  churches  She  sayd  Ch. 
had  but  one  Spouse  we  tould  her  he  had  in  some  sort  as 
many  spouses   as  sts;   but  for  our  church  she  would   not 

^  Baulston. 


90  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [164O 

acknowledge  it  any  church  of  Ch."  (Keayne  MS.  in 
Prince  Soc.  Coll.  V.  21.  p.  393.  The  original  is  in 
M.  H.  S.)  / 

In  summing  up  the  situation  Mr.  Cotton  said: 
"...  For  the  Answers  of  our  Brethren  at  the  Hand  they 
are  divers,  as  for  those  at  Portsmouth  that  they  would  not 
reaseve  thear  message  tff  comission,  except  they  would 
present  it  to  thear  church,  wch  had  bin  to  have  acknowl- 
edged them  a  Lawfull  church,  wch  they  had  no  comission 
to  doe,  now  these  doe  wholy  refuse  to  hear  the  church  or  to 
hold  any  submission  or  subjecflion  to  the  church  .  .  ."  and 
"Others  doe  not  refuse  to  hear  the  church  but  Anser  as  farr 
as  thay  can  goe,  only  some  scruple  the  covenant,  Iff  others 
other  things  but  doe  not  rejedl  the  church:  but  doe  honor  ^ 
esteeme  of  us  as  churches  of  Ch  now  consider  whether,  it  is 
not  meete  that  we  should  first  wright  to  them  iff  Labor  to 
satisfi  them  Iff  to  take  of  thear  growndes  ^  see  if  thay  may 
be  redused  befor  we  goe  to  further  prosedinges  with  them,  iff 
I  would  knowe  how  farr  the  wives  doe  consent  or  dissent 
from  thear  Husbands  or  whether  thay  be  as  resolut  iff  obsti- 
natle  peremptory  as  thay  Thear  is  another  sort  iff  that  was 
of  such  as  are  excomunicate,  now  we  have  gone  as  far  with 
them  as  I  thinke  we  can  goe  except  thay  did  showe  some 
pertenacy  iff  obstenacy  agaynst  ch  Je  iff  then  the  greate 
censure  of  anathama  marinatha  that  is  for  mrs  Huchison 
But  such  as  start  aside  from  church  censure  iff  Rules  out  of 
Ignorance,  another  corse  is  to  be  taken  with  them  to  reduse 
them  agayne  if  we  can;  as  mrs  Harding  iJ  mrs  dyar,  who 
acknowledgeth  the  churches  iff  desiar  Communion  with  us 
still  And  for  mr  Ashpinwall,  he  now  beinge  satisfied  of  the 
Righteous  iff  just  proceedings  of  the  church  in  castinge  out 
some  of  our  members  iff  soe  refuseth  to  have  any  communion 
with  them  in  the  thinges  of  god. 

I  pray  consider  of  these  things  agaynst  the  next  Lords 
day,  accordinge  to  the  distributions  of  the  qualetie  i^  nature 


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1640]  RELIGIOUS   AFFAIRS    AT   AQUIDNECK  9 1 

of  thear  offenses,  as  those  that  are  necessarily  tied  thear  for 
a  home  as  children  to  thear  parents  ^  wives  to  Husbands, 
and  others  that  stand  out  of  obstency." 

(Keayne,  Prince  Soc.  21,  p.  398.) 

On  March  30,  1640,  Mr.  Wilson  made  the  following  state- 
ment in  church: 

"Brethren  you  know  the  Bussines  of  the  Hand  hath  bin  a 
Longe  time  propounded,  ^  taken  by  the  church  into  Con- 
sideration y  now  we  should  drawe  to  some  Issue  ^  deter- 
mination you  know  the  Cases  of  them  thear  doe  much  differ, 
some  are  under  admonition  y  some  under  excomunica- 
tion:  y  some  have  given  satisfadion  in  part  to  the  church 
iff  doe  hould  themselves  still  as  members  of  the  church  y 
doe  yet  barken  to  us  ^  seeke  to  give  satisfaction  iff  others 
thear  be  that  doe  renounce  the  power  of  the  church  iJ  doe 
refuse  to  hear  the  church  as  mr  Coddington  mr  Dyar  i^  mr 
Cogshall,  the  2  first  have  been  questioned  in  the  church  iff 
delt  with  iff  are  under  Admonition  iff  have  bine  soe  longe, 
yet  this  ad:  of  the  church  hath  bin  soe  farr  from  doinge  them 
any  good,  that  thay  are  rather  growen  worse  under  the  same, 
for  mr  Coddington  beinge  delt  withall  abowt  hearinge  of 
excomunicate  persons  prophecy,  he  was  sensable  of  an  evell 
in  it,  iff  sayd  he  had  not  before  soe  well  considerd  of  it,  yet 
since  he  hath  not  only  hearde  such  by  accident  as  befor. 
But  hath  himselfe  iff  our  Brother  diar  iff  mr  Cogshall  have 
gathered  themselves  into  church  fellowship,  not  regardinge 
the  Covenant  that  thay  have  made  with  this  church,  neyther 
have  taken  our  advise  iff  consent  herin,  neyther  have  they 
regarded  it,  but  thay  have  joyned  themselves  in  fellowship 
with  some  that  are  excomunicated  wherby  thay  come  to  have 
a  costant  fellowship  with  them,  iff  that  in  a  church  way,  iff 
when  we  sent  messengers  of  the  church  to  them  to  admonish 
them  iff  treate  with  them  about  such  offences,  they  w^ear  soe 
farr  from  expressing  any  sorrow  or  givinge  any  satisfadlion 


92  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [164O 

that  thay  did  alltogether  refuse  to  hear  the  church.  .  .  ." 
(Keayne,  Prince  Soc.  21,  p.  400.) 

Keayne  made  the  following  entry  under  the  date  of  20  July, 
1640: 

"Francis  Hutchinson,  Hving  at  the  Island,  or  Portsmouth, 
with  his  father  and  mother,  so  that  he  cannot  frequent  the 
church,  nor  the  church  discharge  her  duty  in  watching  over 
him,  desired,  by  a  letter  to  the  church,  that  we  would  dismiss 
him  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  seeing  he  knew  of 
no  church  there  to  be  dismissed  to."  (Ellis'  "Anne  Hutch- 
inson," p.  338.) 

This  request  was  refused. 
On  September  26,  1640, 

Brother  Button  said,  "I  would  express  my  thoughts. 
I  being  at  the  Island  this  week,  they  expressed  themselves 
to  me,  that  if  we  do  send  to  them  in  a  church  way,  they 
would  not  hear  us.  Therefore,  I  think  the  best  way  were 
to  send  private  messengers  to  deal  with  them  first." 

(Keayne,  in  Ellis'  "Anne  Hutchinson,"  p.  345.) 

Into  the  midst  of  these  many  teachers  of  diverse  religious 
views,  Ezekiel  Holliman,  the  Baptist,  came  early  in  1640. 
He  had  in  1637/8  been  called  before  the  Massachusetts  Court 
for  seducing  many  with  his  religious  teachings,  had  in  1638  or 
1639  baptized  Roger  Williams  and  been  baptized  by  him, 
and  had  then  removed  to  Aquidneck.  He  was  in  1640  the 
only  man  known  to  be  a  Baptist  who  was  then  residing  on 
Aquidneck.  There  has  not  yet  been  discovered  any  evi- 
dence to  show  that  any  other  of  the  Aquidneck  settlers  were 
at  that  time  Baptists  or  that  the  Baptist  church  later 
founded  there  had  then  been  established. 

Callender  in  1738  said:  "In  the  mean  Time  Mr.  John 
Clark,  who  was  a  Man  of  Letters,  carried  on  a  publick  Wor- 
ship (as  Mr.  Brewster  did  at  Plymouth)  at  the  first  coming, 
till  they  procured  Mr.  Lenthal  of  Weymouth,  who  was  ad- 


1640] 


RELIGIOUS    AFFAIRS    AT    AQUIDNECK 


93 


mitted  a  Freeman  here  August  6,  1640"  (p.  62),  and  "It  is 
said,  that  in  1644,  Mr,  John  Clark,  and  some  others,  formed 
a  Church,  on  the  Scheme  and  Principles  of  the  Baptists. 

It  is  certain  that  in  1648  there  were  fifteen  Members  in 
full  Communion."     (p.  63.) 

In  a  footnote  Callender  gives  the  names  of  some  of  them: 
"The  Names  of  the  Males  were  John  Clark,  Mark  Lukar, 
Nathanael  West,  Wm.  Vahan,  Thomas  Clark,  Joseph  Clark, 
John  Peckham,  John .  Thorndon,  William  Weeden,  and 
Samuel  Hubbard." 

The  earUest  contemporary  reference  to  Baptists  or  Ana- 
baptistry  on  Aquidneck  is  that  made  by  Winthrop  in  the 
summer  1641,  the  year  after  Holliman's  arrival.  (See 
Chap.  XII) 


Seal  of  Samuel  Hutchinson 


XI 

THE  UNION  OF  NEWPORT  ^  PORTSMOUTH. 

[163  9- 1 640] 

IN  the  autumn  of  1639  the  towns  of  Portsmouth  and  New- 
port appointed  two  commissioners  to  meet  and  negotiate 
in  regard  to  a  union  of  the  towns,  as  appears  from  the  record 
of  November  25,  already  quoted.     (See  Chap.  IX) 

No  record  of  these  negotiations  has  been  preserved,  but  the 
fad  that  Coddington  held  in  himself  the  title  to  the  island, 
and  that  the  only  records  of  land  transfers  from  him  to  the 
other  settlers  were  those  recorded  in  the  official  record  book, 
which  was  in  the  custody  of  the  Newport  Secretary,  William 
Dyre,  then  a  strong  Coddington  man,  doubtless  exerted  an 
appreciable  if  not  a  determining  influence  in  inducing  the 
Portsmouth  men  to  unite  with  their  Newport  "brethren." 
They  nevertheless  insisted  upon  annual  terms  of  office,  and 
annual  eledions,  and  Coddington  seems  to  have  deemed  it 
advisable  to  compromise  to  this  extent. 

The  Union  was  consummated  on  12  March,  1639/40  at 
a  meeting  held  at  Newport. 

The  record  of  this  meeting  is:  "Att  the  Generall  Courte 
of  Eledion  held  on  the  twelvth  day  of  the  first  mo:  i640: 
in  the  Towne  of  Niewport. 

Present 

Mr  Willm  Coddington  Judge  Wm  Cowlie 

Mr  Nicholas  Easton  Elder  Thomas  Hazard 

Mr  John  Coggshall  Elder  Robert  Field 

Mr  Willm  Brenton  Elder  Thom:  Clarke 


1639-1640]      THE    UNION   OF    NEWPORT   &   PORTSMOUTH        95 

Mr  Robert  JeofFreys  Threar  Joseph  Clarke 

Mr  John  Clarke  George  Gardiner 

Mr  Jeremy  Clarke  Henry  Bull 

Mr  Wm  Foster  Robt  Stanton 

Mr  Sam  Willbore 

Guliel  Dyre,  Secret 

i.  Mr  William  Hutchinson  Mr  Wm  Balston  Mr  John 
Sanford  John  Porter  Adam  Mott,  Wm  Freeborne  John 
Walker  Philip  Sherman  Richard  Carder  y  Randall  Holden 
presenting  of  themselves  and  desiring  to  be  Reunited  to  this 
Body  are  readily  Imbraced  by  us. 

2.  It  is  Agreed  by  this  Bodie  united  that  if  ther  shall  be 
anie  prson  found  meett  for  the  service  of  the  same,  in  eyther 
plantation,  If  ther  be  no  just  exception  against  him,  upon 
his  orderlie  presentation,  he  shall  be  Received  as  a  freeman 
Therof. 

3.  Itt  is  Agreed  thatt  Mr  Samuell  Hutchinson,  Thomas 
Emons,  Job  Hawkins  Richard  Awards,  Sampson  Shatton 
Toby  Knight  John  Roome  And  George  Parker  are  Received 
as  freemen  of  this  Bodye  fully  to  enjoy  the  priviledges 
belonging  therunto. 

4.  It  is  ordered  that  the  Cheife  Magistrate  of  the  Island 
shall  be  Called  Governour  and  the  next,  Deputie  Governour 
and  the  Rest  of  the  Magistrates  Assistants,  and  this  to  stand 
for  a  decree. 

5.  It  is  Agreed  that  the  Governor  and  two  Assistants  shall 
be  chosen  in  one  Towne,  iff  the  Dept  Governor  and  two  other 
assistants  in  the  other  Towne. 

6.  It  is  ordered  that  the  Plantation  at  the  other  End  of 
the  Ysland  shall  be  called  Portsmouth. 

7.  By  Eledion 

Mr  Wm:  Coddington  is  chosen  Governor  for  the  yeare  or  till 
a  new  be  chosen  Mr  Wm:  Brenton  is  chosen  Dept  Governor 
for  the  yeare  or   till  a  new  be  chosen 


96      DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [1639-164O 

Mr  Nich:  Easton  is  chosen  Assistant  for  this  yeare  or  till  a 
new  be  chosen 

Mr  John   Coggeshall  is  chosen  Assistant  for  this  yeare  or 
till  a  new  be  chosen 

Mr  Wm:  Hutchinson  is  chosen  Assistant  for  this  yeare  or 
till  a  new  be  chosen 

Mr  John  Porter  is  chosen  Assistant  for  this  yeare  or  till 
a  new  be  chosen 

Mr  Robt:  Jeoffreys   |  are  chosen  Threars  for  ths  yeare  or 

Mr  Wm:  Balston       J      till  new  be  chosen 

Wm  Dyre  is  chosen  Secretary  for  this  yeare  or  till  a  new 
be  chosen 

Mr  Jeremy  Clarke  is  chosen  Constable  of  Niewport  for  this 
yeare  or  till  a  new  be  chosen 

Mr  Samfford  is  chosen  Constable  of  Portsmouth  for  this 
yeare  or  till  a  new  be  chosen 

Henry  Bull  is  chosen  Sarjeant  Attendant  for  this  yeare  or 
till  a  new  one  be  chosen 

8  It  is  Agreed  and  ordered  that  the  Governour  iff  Assist- 
ants are  invested  with  the  offices  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace 
according  to  the  Law. 

9  It  is  ordered  that  to  the  number  of  five  men  shall  be 
chosen  to  lay  out  the  Lands  belonging  to  the  Towne  of 
Portsmouth,  and  three  for  Nieuport 

10  By  order  of  Court,  John  SanmfFord  Adam  Mott 
Thomas  Spicer  Richard  Burden  ^  Philip  Sherman  is  chosen 
to  the  Service  of  laying  out  the  Lands  for  the  Towne  of 
Portsmouth. 

ii  By  order  of  Courte  Mr  John  Coggshall,  Mr  Robert 
Jeoffreys  and  Mr.  Jeremie  Clarke  shall  lay  out  the  Re- 
mainder of  the  Lands  of  the  Towne  of  Nieuport. 
12  It  is  ordered  that  Libertie  is  granted  for  the  major  parte 
of  the  freemen  of  Each  Towne  to  select  Certaine  men  from 
Among  them  selves  to  proportion  forth  to  Each  man  his 
propriety  of  land,  And  than  having  it  Layd  forth  orderly, 


l639~l640]      THE    UNION    OF    NEWPORT    &    PORTSMOUTH        97 

It    shall    be    Recorded    at    the    Generall    Courte."     (I.    R. 
p.  27.) 

It  would  appear  from  this  record  that  Brenton  must  have 
continued  to  reside  at  Portsmouth,  although  continuing  in 
office  as  an  Elder  in  the  Newport  government. 

It  will  be  noted  that  Secretary  Dyre  cleverly  arranged  the 
records  so  that  from  them  the  Newport  government  should 
appear  to  be  the  only  legitimate  successor  of  the  origmal 
"compad:"  government.  The  titles  of  the  officers  were 
changed,  and  more  officers  created.  The  political  power, 
however,  was  still  clearly  and  firmly  in  Coddington's  hands. 
It  is  noticeable  too  that  Gorton  did  not  take  part  in  this 
union  although  the  Hutchinsons  did.  This  might  seem  to 
point  to  an  estrangement  between  Gorton  and  Mrs.  Hutchin- 
son. It  seems  quite  probable  that  some  such  estrangement 
took  place  over  the  political  management  of  Pocasset  soon 
after  the  "coup  d'etat"  and  that  this  may  have  influenced 
the  Hutchinsons  toward  a  reapproachment  with  Codding- 
ton,  whose  political  genius  could  scarcely  fail  to  appreciate 
and  utilize  to  the  utmost  such  developments. 

"At  the  Generall  Courte  Held  on  the 

6th  of  May  i64o:   att 

Nieuport 

13  Whereas  it  was  desired  that  all  the  orders  ^  Lawes 
formerlie  Recorded  in  this  Booke  of  State  shuld  be  openlie 
read  prused  ^  Examined,  by  this  present  Court  assembled  be 
it  knowen  therfor  that  it  hath  been  so  done,  And  such  as 
were  disallowed  are  Repealed  ^  so  noted  in  the  margent  y 
the  Rest  are  Ratified,  iff  stand  in  full  force  though  the  Tittle 
of  the  magistrates  be  Altered. 

14  In  Regard  of  the  many  Incursions  our  Island  is  subjedl 
unto,  y  tht  an  Alarum  be  necessary  for  the  safe  securing 
therof,  be  itt  therfor  Enabled  that  in  each  plantation  ther 
bee  this   forme  dulie  observed,  That  as  soone  as  notice  is 


98      DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [1639-164O 

given  of  any  probable  Incursion  that  then  forthwth  Three 
musketts  be  distin(5lly  discharged,  ^  the  drum  or  drummes 
incessently  to  beat  an  Alarum;  i^  tht  forthwith  ev  man 
bearing  Armes  shall  Repair  to  the  Coullers  wch  shall  be 
Loddged  at  the  Chief  Magistrates  house  in  each  Plantation 
as  he  will  answer  it  as  his  prill. 

15  It  is  ordered  that  the  Governor  wth  the  Assistants  shall 
write  to  Plymouth  about  their  Tittle  of  the  maine  Land  grass 
i6  It  is  ordered  that  all  such  who  shall  have  a  houslott 
granted  unto  them  wthin  any  of  our  Townes  shall  build  A 
house  theron  wthin  a  yeare  after  the  grant  Therof  or  else 
it  shall  be  forfeitted  to  the  Townes  use  Repealed 

iy  It  is  ordered  that  Commission  be  direcfted  to  the  Threars  to 
make  demaunds  of  all  such  monies  as  is  due  to  the  Treasury  for 
the  Lands  assigned  forth  to  prticular  men  And  to  make  Re- 
turne  of  all  such  who  shall  be  therin  remiss  at  the  next  prtic- 
ular Corte,  who  are  to  bee  ordered  therby  according  to  Law. 
is  It  is  ordered  That  the  prticular  Courts  consisting  of 
magistrates  y  Jurors  shall  be  holden  on  the  first  Tuesday  of 
ev  moneth  iff  one  Court  to  be  held  at  Nieuport  the  other  at 
Portsmouth  i^  that  the  sayd  Court  shall  have  full  powre  to 
Judge  and  determine  all  such  cases  and  adlions  as  shall  bee 
presented."     (I.  R.  p.  28.) 

"At  the  Generall  Court  Held  att 

Portsmouth  on  the  6°  of  Aug 

i640 

19  By  the  Generall  Consent  of  this  Court  Mr  Robt:  Lenthall 
y  Thomas  Cornill,  y  Ralph  Cowland  are  admitted  freemen 
of  this  Body  PoUtike  fully  to  enjoy  the  priviledges  belonging 
therunto. 

20  It  is  Agreed  iff  ordered  thatt  all  men  allowed  iff  assigned 
to  beare  Armes  shall  make  their  prsonal  appearance  Com- 
pletely Armed  wth  muskett  iff  all  its  furniture  or  pike  wth 
its  furniture  to  attend  their  coulers  by  Eight  of  the  Clock 


1639-1640]      THE    UNION    OF    NEWPORT   &    PORTSMOUTH        99 

in  the  morning,  at  the  second  beat  of  the  drum  on  such 
dayes  as  they  are  appointed  to  Traine.  And  further  it  is 
ordered,  that  Eight  severall  times  in  the  yeare  the  Bands  of 
Each  plantacon  shall  openhe  in  the  field  be  exercised  ^ 
disciplined  by  their  Commanders  tff  officers.  And  further 
it  is  ordered  that  ther  shall  be  two  Generall  Musters  in  the 
yeare  the  one  to  be  disciplined  at  Nuport  the  other  at  Ports- 
mouth and  that  if  any  shall  faile  to  make  their  prsonal  ap- 
pearance as  aforsaid  according  to  time  iff  place  aforsd  he 
shall  forfeitt  iff  pay  the  sum  of  5^  into  the  hands  of  the 
Clark  of  the  Band.  And  further  it  is  ordered,  iff  by  this 
prsent  authority  established  that  if  any  prson  shall  Come  to 
the  sd  Training  or  Generall  Muster  defecflive  in  his  Armes  or 
furniture  equivolent  he  shall  pay  forthwth  the  sum  of  I2d, 
and  further  it  is  ordered,  that  when  the  Generall  Muster 
shall  be  held  at  the  one  Towne,  ther  shall  be  a  sufficient 
Guard  sett  iff  Left  at  the  other  Towne  wth  the  Constable  or 
his  deputy.  And  further  it  is  ordered  that  the  Commanders 
Vidgt  cheeftaine  iff  Leiutent  shall  appoint  the  dayes  iff 
times  of  their  sd  meetings.  And  further  it  is  ordered  tht  all 
men  who  shall  Come  iff  Remaine  the  space  of  Twentie  dayes 
on  the  Island,  he  shall  be  Liable  to  the  injunctions  of  this 
order,  prvided,  that  if  eyther  heardsmen  or  Lighter  men 
bee  otherwayes  detained  upon  their  necessary  Imploymnts, 
they  shall  be  exempted,  paying  only  2s  6d  for  tht  day  into 
the  hands  of  the  Clarke,  And  further  be  it  established  that 
the  two  Cheif  Officers  of  each  Towne,  to  witt:  the  on  of  the 
Comonweal,  the  other  of  the  Band,  iff  these  two  officers 
upo  the  exhibicon  of  the  Complaint,  by  the  Clark  (wch  shall 
be  wthin  three  dayes  after  the  faults  committed),  shall 
Judg  iff  determine  of  the  Reasons  of  their  excuses  who  upo 
the  hearing  therof  shall  determine  whether  ev  such  prson 
shall  pay  5^  or  2s  6d,  or  nothing.  And  further  it  is  ordered 
that  Libertie  be  granted  to  farmes  or  farmers  to  leave  on 
man  at  the  sd  farme  he  paying  the  suiii  of  2s  6d  into  the 


lOO   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [1639-164O 

hands  of  the  Clarke.  And  further  it  is  ordered  that  the 
Clark  of  Each  Band  shall  Receive  the  monies  off  any  man 
to  provide  ^  make  supply  of  such  things  as  he  shall  stand 
in  need  of;  during  whh  time  after  the  deliverie  of  the  sd 
mony,  he  shall  be  excused  for  his  defed:s  in  his  armes,  but 
if  the  mony  be  not  dd  then  to  be  Liable  to  the  injunctions 
herin  contained  provided,  also  tht  the  Clark  of  each  Band 
shall  hereby  be  authorized  to  ask  receive  or  destraine  for 
all  such  fines  or  forfeitures  as  by  any  is  made  i^  that  the 
sd  sum  of  monies  so  Levied  shall  be  imployed  to  the  use 
y  service  of  the  Band. 

2i.  It  is  ordered  that  the  Threary  shall  provide  iff 
fitt  up  on  Drum  Collers  Iff  halberds  for  the  Band  of  Ports- 
mouth. 

22.  It  is  ordered  thatt  Wm.  Dyre  shall  be  adjoyned  wth 
the  rest  in  Mr.  Jeoffrey's  Roome  for  the  Laying  outt  of 
the  Lands  of  Nuport 

23  It  is  further  ordered,  that  each  Towne  shall  have  a 
joynt  y  an  equall  supply  of  the  money  in  the  Threary  for 
the  necessary  uses  of  the  same;  iff  that  the  Governor  iff  one 
assistant  of  one  Towne,  iff  the  Dept  Governor  iff  one  assist- 
ant in  the  other  shall  give  a  warrant  according  to  the  de- 
terminacon  off  the  major  vote  of  the  Townsmen  for  the  same 
unto  the  Threasr  wh  shall  be  his  discharge:  and  it  is  further 
ordered  that  at  the  Issue  of  the  Threasurers  that  now  bee, 
a  due  iff  True  account  of  all  Bills,  iff  monies,  received  or 
dispended  shall  be  presented  by  the  Threasurer  of  each 
Towne,  And  the  chardges  dispended  shall  be  equally 
ballanced  iff  each  Towne  to  beare  its  true  proportion.  And 
likewise  wtt  hath  beene  expended  out  of  the  whole  shall  be 
borne  by  the  whole;  iff  what  orders  were  formerly  made 
being  repugnant  to  this  are  hereby  Nullified. 

24  It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Coggeshall  iff  Mr.  Balsto  Threas- 
urers shall  take  up  Mr  Hutchinson  his  accounts  iff  pruse  it 
iff  exhibite  it  at  the  next  Generall  Courte. 


1639-1640]      THE    UNION   OF    NEWPORT   &    PORTSMOUTH      lOI 

25  It  is  ordered  that  each  Towne  shall  have  the  Tran- 
sadlion  of  the  affaires  that  shall  fall  wthin  their  owne  Towne, 
And  that  the  magistrats  of  each  Towne  shall  have  Libertie 
to  call  a  Court  ev  first  Tewsday  in  the  moneth  at  Nuport,  Iff 
every  first  Thursday  in  the  moneth  at  Portsmouth  wherein 
actions  may  be  entered  and  Juries  impanelld  i^  Causes 
Tryed  provided  that  it  be  not  in  the  matter  of  Life  iff  Limb 
and  that  if  so  be  a  Plaintiff  hath  Commenced  his  suitt  iff 
the  defendant  cast,  he  shall  have  libertie  to  make  his  appeale 
to  the  Qter  Sessions  wch  are  to  be  held  upo  the  foure  Qter 
dayes,  And  the  two  Parlimentarie  (or  Gnerall)  Courts  to 
bee  held  on  the  Wensday  after  the  12  of  march,  wth  what 
time  is  requisitt  therunto,  iff  the  other  the  first  Wensday 
after  the  \2  of  od:ober  wth  what  time  is  requisite  therunto, 
wch  Courts  are  equally  to  be  kept  at  the  two  townes, 
and  what  former  orders  are  herto  Repugnant  are  hereby 
nullified. 

Explicacon  for  the  Better  understanding  of  the  terme  of 
the  foure  Qter  dayes.  It  was  at  the  next  Sessions  of  Court 
Generall  determined  that  the  Qter  Sessions  Courts  shuld 
be  held  the  Tewsdays  (or  days)  before  the  Two  Generall 
Courts,  iff  the  other  two  to  fall,  the  one  the  first  Tewsday 
in  July,  iff  the  other  the  first  Tewsday  in  January."  (I.  R^ 
P-  30.) 

"Certaine  Propositions  made  interchangably  on  the 
7°  of  July  i640. 

By 

Mr.  Willm  Coddington,  Governr  wth  the  rest  of  the  Assist- 
ants, iff  Miantonomie  Sachem  of  Narraganset  wth  the 
rest  of  the  Sachems  and  agreed  upon. 

That  no  Indian  whatever  under  his  Jurisdid:ion  shall 
eyther  Winter  or  Summer  kindle  or  cause  to  be  kindled 
any  fiers  upon  or  Lands,  but  such  as  they  shall  Put  forth 
immediatly  againe  upon  their  departure;    Provided  that  no 


I02   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [1639-164O 

hurt  or  dammage  be  done  therby  upon  or  after  the  kindhng 
of  the  said  fire;  or  if  it  so  fall  out,  that  hurt  or  dammage 
be  done  by  their  kindhng  of  fire,  then  the  dammag  to  be 
adjudged,  and  they  to  be  tryed  by  our  Law. 

That  in  Lieu  of  a  Boore  tht  belonged  to  the  Island,  killed 
by  an  Indian,  the  sd  Indian  shall  Pay  io  fadome  of  beads  at 
Harvest  next. 

That  no  Trapp  or  Engine  be  sett  by  them  upon  the 
Island,  to  take  or  stroye  the  deare  or  other  cattle  theron. 

That  if  any  Indian  shall  be  unruly  or  will  not  depart  or 
howses  whn  they  are  bidden  they  are  to  carry  them  to  the 
Governr  or  other  magistrat,^  they  shall  be  Punished  accord- 
ing to  their  demeritt.  And  further  that  for  any  common  or 
small  crime  he  shall  receive  his  Punishmt  according  to  Law; 
t^  for  any  matters  of  greater  weight  exceeding  the  valew  of 
io  fadome  of  beads  then  miantonomy  is  to  be  sent  for,  who 
is  to  come  ^  see  the  Tryall,  but  if  it  be  a  Sachem  that  hath 
offended  though  in  smaller  matters  then  he  is  also  to  be 
sent  for  i^  to  see  his  Tryall  ^  Judgmt  who  hath  Promised 
to  come. 

That  no  Indian  shall  take  any  Cannew  from  the  English 
neyther  from  their  Boatside  or  shoreside,  ^  the  like  not  to 
be  done  to  them. 

That  upon  their  trading  and  bargaining  having  agreed  they 
shall  not  revoke  the  sd  bargaine  or  take  their  goods  away 
by  force,  i^  that  they  shall  not  be  Idleing  about  nor  resort 
to  or  howses,  but  for  trade  message  or  in  their  Jour-neys. 

Ratified  at  1  These  two  leaves  were  torne  out  by  the 

Generall  Courte  !  G.  Cort  march  the  i6th,  1641  15"  these 
August  6°  I  two   forgoing  Containe   the  same  orders 

1640  j  being  again  written."     (I.   R.   p.    14.) 

"At  the  Generall  Courte 
held  on  the  14°  of 
the  7°  i640. 


1 63 9- 1 640]      THE    UNION   OF    NEWPORT   &   PORTSMOUTH       I03 

26  It  is  agreed  that  Mr.  Brace,  Jeremy  Gold,  Jeoffrey 
Champlin,  John  Anthony,  John  Hicks,  James  Rogers,  H. 
Bishop  iff  Marmaduke  ward  are  admitted  as  Freeman  of 
this  Body  Pohticke  to  enjoy  the  priviledges  throfF 

27  It  is  agreed  ^  ordered  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  this 
Court  that  a  Line  of  divisio  be  drawen  between  the  Townes 
of  Nuport  y  Portsmouth  as  the  bounds  of  the  Lands  of 
each  Towne,   vidgt.     The  sd   Line  to   begin   halfe  a  mile 
beyond  the  River  commonhe  cal'd  Sachuis  River,  being  the 
River  that  Hes  next  beyond  Mr.  Brentons  Land  on  the  South 
east  sid  of  the  Island  Towards  Portsmouth  and  so  on  in  a 
streight  Line  to  Runn  to  the  nearest  part  of  the  Brooke 
to  the  hunting  wiggwamm  now  standing  in  the  highway 
between  the  two  Towns  ^  so  by  that  Line  to  the  Sea  on 
the  North  side  of  the  Island,  wch  Line  shall  be  iff  is  the 
Bounds  between  the  Two  Townes,  ^  to   be  sett  out  by 
marked  Trees;    and  tht  Mr  Easton  iff  Mr  Porter,  iff  Mr 
JeofFreys  and  Mr.  Samfford  shall  Lay  out  this  Line  by  the 
first  of  November  ensuing.     And  further  it  is  ordered  that 
whereas  ther  was  900  acres  of  Land  (vidg't,  To  Mr  Wm 
Hutchinson  400,  iff  to  Mr  Samford  200,  iff  to  Mr  Samuell 
Hutchinson  200,  ijf  to  Francis  Hutchinson  ioo)  Layd  forth 
unto  them  on  this  side  of  the  sd  River,  called  Sachuis  River 
next  unto  Nuport,  shall  be  iff  is  still  graunted  to  them  iff 
their  posterity,  as  their  right  iff  propriety:    Provided  they 
hold  it  as  from  the  Towne  of  Nuport;  Provided  also  that  this 
graunt  do  no  wayes  damnific  the  Land  formerly  Graunted 
to  the   accommodation  of  Mr   Brentons   farme;    Provided 
also   that  if  so  be  the  Said  Parties  befor  mentioned  shall 
refuse     their    or     any    off    their    accommodations,    before 
premised    in    that    place    then    the    sd    Lande    or    Lands 
shall  Returne  to  the  use  iff  disposall  of  the  said  Towne  of 
Nuport. 

28    It  IS  ordered  that  wheras  ther  was  an  order  formerlie 
made  for  five  men  to  Lay  out  the  Lands  for  the  Towne  of 


I04   DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [^1639-1640 

Portsmouth,  iff  upo  Complaint  made  for  their  Negled  being 
so  many;  be  it  now  estabhshed  that  Three  of  them,  vidgt 
Mr  Samford,  Adam  Mott  iff  Richard  Burden  shall  Lay  out 
the  said  Lands  according  to  the  Proportions  granted  forth 
by  the  Towne. 

29  It  was  further  ordered  that  Two  Barrels  of  Gunn 
Poulder  be  alway  readie  in  the  Threary  of  each  Towne,  wth 
Bulletts  iff  match;  and  that  Provision  be  forthwith  hereof 
made  by  the  Threars;  And  that  the  Threasurers  make 
demaund  of  all  such  moneys  as  is  due;  and  if  any  negled:  the 
Payment,  then  to  take  warrants  from  the  Magistrats  to  the 
Constable  to  destraine  for  the  Same;  iff  that  also  the  Threas- 
urers shall  provide  Thirtie  two  pikes  to  lye  by  alway  in 
readiness  in  the  magazines  of  each  Towne. 

30  It  is  ordered  that  the  Secretary  shall  only  attend  the 
two  General  Courts,  iff  the  foure  Quarter  Sessions  Courts, 
unless  he  be  desired  iff  shall  have  3^  a  day  for  his  attendance 
theron, 

31  It  is  ordered  that  the  Governor  shall  writt  to  the 
Governor  of  the  Bay  that  they  would  Communicate  their 
Councells  concerning  their  Agitations  wth  the  Indians. 

Here  endeth  the  Ad:s  iff  Orders  made  by 
the  Bodye  in  the  yeare 

i64o: 
Being  one  iff  thirty  in 
Number 

W:  Dyre     Secrety  " 

Under  date  of  Odlober  (Mo.  8)  1640,  Winthrop  wrote: 
"We  received  a  letter  at  the  general  court  from  the 
magistrates  of  Conne(5licut  and  New  Haven  and  of  Aquiday, 
wherein  they  declared  their  dislike  of  such  as  would  have  the 
Indians  rooted  out,  as  being  of  the  cursed  race  of  Ham,  and 
their  desire  of  our  mutual  accord  in  seeking  to  gain  them  by 
justice  and   kindness,   and  withal  to  watch  over  them  to 


1639-1640]      THE    UNION   OF    NEWPORT   &    PORTSMOUTH     IO5 

prevent  any  danger  by  them,  etc.  We  returned  answer  of 
our  consent  with  them  in  all  things  propounded,  only  we 
refused  to  include  those  of  Aquiday  in  our  answer,  or  to 
have  any  treaty  with  them."  (p.  20) 

This  refers  to  the  following  resolution  of  the  General 
Court  passed  Ocftober  7,   1640: 

"It  is  ordered,  that  the  letter  lately  sent  to  the  Governor 
by  Mr  Eaton,  Mr  Hopkins,  Mr  Haynes,  Mr.  Coddington, 
y  Mr  Brenton,  but  concerning  also  the  Generall  Courte, 
shalbee  thus  answered  by  the  Governor;  that  the  Court  doth 
assent  to  all  the  prpositions  layde  downe  in  the  aforesaid 
letter,  but  that  the  answere  shalbee  dire(5led  to  Mr  Eaton, 
Mr  Hopkins,  iff  Mr  Haynes,  onely  excluding  Mr  Coddington 
&  Mr  Brenton,  as  men  not  to  bee  capitulated  wth  all  by  us, 
either  for  themselues  or  the  people  of  the  iland  where  they 
inhabite,  as  their  case  standeth."     (Mass.  Col.  Rec.  i,  290, 

pr.  305-) 

Robert  Lenthal  accompanied  the  mission  from  the  Boston 
Church  on  part  of  their  journey  to  Newport  in  March 
1639/40.  If  this  was  the  occasion  of  Lenthal's  removal 
from  Weymouth  to  Newport,  then  it  follows  that  Lechford 
must  have  visited  Newport  after  this  date,  and  before 
20  August  1640,  when  Lenthal  became  schoolmaster  (Cf 
Chap.  XI).  Lenthal  was  admitted  Freeman  at  Newport 
on  Aug.  6,  1640  (see  p.  98). 

Callender  adds: 

"And  August  20,  Mr.  Lenthal,  was  by  Vote  called  to  keep 
a  publick  School  for  the  learning  of  Youth,  and  for  his 
Encouragement  there  was  granted  to  him  and  his  Heirs  one 
hundred  Acres  of  Land,  and  four  more  for  an  House-Lot; 
it  was  also  voted,  'that  one  hundred  Acres  should  be  laid 
forth,  and  appropriated  for  a  School,  for  encouragement  of 
the  poorer  Sort,  to  train  up  their  Youth  in  Learning,  and 
Mr.  Robert  Lenthal  while  he  continues  to  teach  School,  is  to 
have  the  Benefit  thereof.'"     (p.  62)     Callender  would  seem 


I06   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [1639-164O 

to  have  had  access  to  records  which  have  since  disappeared. 
Ihis  first  Rhode  Island  school  did  not  continue  very  long 
for  Lenthal  returned  to  England. 


Seal  of  John  Coggeshall 


XII 
THE  AQUIDNECK  GOVERNMENT  IN   1641 

A  GENERAL  COURT  for  the  Island  was  opened  at 
Portsmouthon  16  March  i64i,the  records  of  which  are: 

"The  Generall  Court  of  Eledion  began  ^  held  at  Porths- 
mouth,  from  the  16°  of  March  to  the  19°  of  the  same  mo 
1641 

I.  It  was  ordered  ^  agreed  before  the  Eledlion,  that  an 
ingagemt  by  oath  shuld  be  taken  of  all  the  officers  of  this 
Body  now  to  be  Elected  as  Likewise  for  the  time  to  Come; 
the  ingagement  wch  the  severall  officers  of  the  State  shall 
give  is  this;  To  the  execution  of  this  office  I  judge  myself 
bound  before  God  to  walck  faithfully  ^  this  I  profess  in  the 
presence  of  God. 

By  Eledion. 

2  Mr  Wm  Coddington  is  chosen  Governor  for  on  whole 
yeare  or  till  a  new  be  chosen. 

Mr  Wm  Brenton  is  chosen  Dept  Governr  for  on  whole 
yeare  or  i^c 

Mr  John  Coggeshall  is  chosen  Assistant  for  on  whole 
yeare  or  iffc 

Mr  Robt  Harding  is  chosen  Assistant  for  on  whole  yeare 
or  iffc 

Mr  Wm  Balston  is  chosen  Assist  ^  Threar  for  on  whole 
yeare  or  iffc 

Mr  John  Porter  is  chosen  Assistant  for  on  whole  yeare 
or  ^c 

Wm  Dyre  is  chosen  Secretarie  for  on  whole  yeare  or  iffc 


is  chosen  Sargeant  Attendants. 


I08  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         C164I 

Mr  Robt  JeoflFreys   is  chosen  Threat  for  on  whole  yeare 

or  iffc 

Thomas  Gorton 

Henry  Bull 

Thomas  Cornill  I  [ofPortsmth 

y  \  is  chosen  Constable  \ 

Henry  Bishop    j  [ofNuport     J 

for  one  whole  yeare  or  till  a  new  be  chosen. 

3.  It  is  ordered  i^  unanimously  agreed  upon  that  the 
Governmt  wch  this  Bodie  Politick  doth  attend  unto  in  this 
Island  y  the  Jurisdiction  therof  in  favour  of  our  Prince  is  a 
Democracie  or  Popular  Governmt  that  is  to  say  It  is  in  the 
Powre  of  the  Body  of  freemen  orderly  assembled  or  major 
Part  of  them  to  make  or  Constitute  Just  Lawes  by  wch  they 
will  be  regulated  iff  to  depute  from  among  themselves  such 
ministers  as  shall  see  them  faithfully  executed  between 
man  ^  man. 

4  It  was  furthur  ordered  by  the  Authority  of  this  Present 
Court,  that  none  bee  accounted  a  Delinquent  for  the  Doc- 
trine: Provided  it  be  not  diredlly  repugnant  to  the  Governmt 
or  Lawes  established. 

5  It  is  futher  ordered,  that  all  such  who  shall  kill  a  fox 
shall  have  6s  8d  for  his  Paines  duly  Paid  unto  him  by  the 
Threar  of  the  Towne  in  wch  bounds  it  was  killed:  Pro- 
vided, that  he  bring  the  head  therof  to  the  said  Threasurer; 
y  this  order  shall  be  of  sufficient  Authority  to  the  Threar  to 
Pay  y  discharge  the  sd  summ. 

6  It  is  futher  ordered  tht  all  men  who  shall  kill  any 
Deare  (except  it  to  be  upon  his  owne  Proper  lands)  shall 
bring  ^  deliver  half  the  said  Deare  into  the  Threarie  or  Pay 
fortie  shillings;  Iff  further  it  is  ordered  that  the  Governor 
tff  Dep  Governr  shall  have  Authority  to  give  forth  a  warrent 
to  some  one  deputed  of  each  Towne  to  kill  some  against  the 


1641]  THE    AQUIDNECK    GOVERNMENT    OF    164I  IO9 

Court  times  for  the  Countries  use,  who  shall  by  his  warrent 
have  Libertie  to  kill  wher  ever  he  find;  Provided  it  be  not 
whin  any  man's  inclosure,  iff  to  be  Paid  by  the  Threarie: 
Provided  also  that  no  Indian  shall  be  suffered  to  kill  or 
destroy  at  any  time  or  any  wher. 

7  It  is  ordered  from  henceforth  that  the  Quarter  Session 
Courts  shall  alway  be  kept  the  first,  the  first  Tewsday  in 
march;  the  2d  the  first  Tewsday  in  Junn;  the  3d,  the  first 
Tewsday  in  September;  the  Last  the  first  Tewsday  in 
December. 

8  It  is  ordered  that  Eight  Gunns  iff  their  furniture,  wth 
two  corsletts  now  in  the  hands  of  Mr  Willbore,  shall  be  taken 
of  by  the  Threarie  Jointlie,  as  part  of  Satisfad:ion  for  what 
debts  from  him  is  dew  therto:  and  that  the  said  Armes  be 
Equally  devided  to  each  Towne 

9  It  is  ordered  that  the  Deptie  Govr  iff  Mr  Willbore  iff 
Mr  Coggshall,  iff  Mr  Jeremy  Clark  shall  be  joyned  in  Comis- 
sion  wth  the  Two  Treasurers  that  now  bee  to  Examine  the 
Treasurie  iff  to  even  the  Accounts,  iff  then  to  Present  them 
so  redified  to  the  next  Generall  Court  and  wtt  uneveness 
there  is  found  to  bee  the  on  Treasurer  shall  make  Paymt 
to  the  other  Treasurer  wthin  twentie  dayes  after  the  Period 
of  their  Comission,  the  Limitts  wh  is  set  for  the  performance 
of  this  shall  be  three  weeks  from  the  date  hereof. 

10  It  is  ordered,  that  Mr  Porter  Mr  Balston  Mr  Easton  iff 
Mr  Jeoffreys  shall  runn  the  Line  between  the  two  Towns 
wthin  twentie  dayes  after  the  date  hereof  or  else  shall 
forfeit  a  mark  a  peece,  iff  Performing  it  wthin  the 
(time  or)  tearme  they  shall  have  a  mark  a  Peece  for  their 
Labor. 

II.  It  is  ordered  that  each  towne  shall  Provide  a  Town 
book  wherin  they  shall  record  the  Evidences  of  the  Lands 
by  them  Impropriated;  and  shall  also  have  Powre  to  give 
forth  a  Coppie  therof,  wch  shall  be  a  cleare  Evidence  for 
them  iff  theirs  to  whom  it  is  so  granted. 


no  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [164! 

12.  It  is  ordered  that  the  officers  of  Justices  of  Peace 
is  Confirmed  to  the  magistrats. 

13.  It  is  ordered  that  no  fiers  shall  be  kindled  by  any 
whatsoev  to  runn  at  randome,  eyther  in  Meddows  or  woods 
but  whatt  by  him  that  so  kindled  it  shall  forthwth  be  putt 
out,  that  itt  damnifie  none,  And  that  if  dammage  shall 
accrew,  satisfadlion  to  the  utmost  shall  be  awarded. 

14.  It  is  ordered  that  A  Booke  shall  be  Provided  wherin 
the  Secrety  shall  writt  all  such  Laws  and  Ads,  as  are  made 
y  Constituted  by  the  Body,  to  be  left  Alway  in  that  Towne 
wher  the  said  Secretarie  is  not  resident;  And  also  that 
Coppies  of  such  Adls  as  shall  be  made  now  or  hereafter  at  the 
Generall  Courts  concerning  necessary  uses  ^  ordinances 
to  be  observed  shall  be  fixed  upon  some  Publik  Place  wher 
all  men  may  see  ^  take  notice  of  thm;  or  that  coppies 
therof  be  given  to  the  clerks  of  the  band,  who  shall  read 
thm  at  the  head  of  the  companie. 

15.  It  is  ordered  that  A  Manuall  Seale  shall  be  Provided 
for  the  State,  iff  that  the  Signett  or  Engraveur  thereof 
shall  be  a  sheafe  of  Arrow^es  bound  up  and  in  the  Liess  or 
Bond  this  motto  indented  Amor  vincett  omnia. 

16  It  is  ordered  that  Ingagemt  shall  be  taken  by  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  in  their  Qter  Sessions  of  all  men  or 
youth  above  fiveteen  yeares  of  Age,  eyther  by  the  oth  of 
Fidelity  or  some  other  strong  cognizance. 

17  It  is  ordered,  that  a  Line  be  drawen  and  a  way  be 
cleared  between  the  townes  of  Nuport  and  Portsmouth,  by 
removing  of  the  wood  iff  mowing  itt;  that  drift  cattle  may 
sufficiently  Pass;  and  for  the  performance  therof  Capt 
Morris,  of  the  one  towne  iff  Mr  Jeoffreys  of  the  other  is 
appointed  to  draw  the  Line,  iff  to  be  Paid  therfore,  and  the 
Townes  to  Perform  the  rest. 

18.  It  is  ordered  that  the  Traine  Bands  shall  choose 
among  the  freemen,  on  or  more  such  as  shall  be  for  their 
commanders  iff  Present  them  to  the  Towne.     The  major 


WINDOW   FROM   WILLIAM   CODDINCiTON'S   HOUSE   AT  NEWPORT   (1641). 
Original  window  is  in  museum  of  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society. 


1641]  THE    AQUIDNECK   GOVERNMENT   OF    164I  III 

vote  of  the  Towne,  by  the  Authoritie  of  this  Courte,  shall 
have  the  Negative  voice  for  the  Estabblishment  of  them, 
y  shall  order  their  Powre  till  the  next  Generall  Courte. 

19.  It  is  ordered  that  the  major  part  of  the  Courts,  being 
Lawfullie  assembled  at  the  Place  and  houre  appointed,  shall 
have  full  Powre  to  transac5l  the  businesses  that  shall  be 
Presented;  (Provided,  it  be  the  major  pt  of  the  body  intire, 
if  it  be  the  generall  Courte  be  present)  or  the  major  pt  of 
the  magistrats  wth  the  jury  in  the  inferior  Courts  iff  that  such 
adls  Concluded  iff  Issued  be  of  as  full  authority  as  if  ther 
were  all  present.  Provided,  ther  bee  due  iff  seasonable  no- 
tice given  of  every  such  Court. 

The  Tenure  of  the  Lands  of  Aquethneck. 

20.  It  is  ordered  Established  and  Decreed,  unanimouslie, 
that  all  men's  Prorietes  In  their  Lands  of  the  Island,  and 
the  Jurisdi(5lion  therof  shall  be  such,  and  soe  free,  that 
neyther  the  State  nor  any  Person  or  Persons  shall  intrud  into 
it,  or  molest  him  in  itt,  to  deprive  him  of  any  thing  whatso- 
ever is  or  shall  be  wthin  that  or  any  the  bounds  theroff,  and 
that  this  Tenure  and  Propriety  of  his  therin  shall  be  con- 
tinued to  him  or  his,  or  to  whomsoever  hee  shall  assigne  it 
for  Ever."  (I.  R.  p.  37.)  Captions  for  each  sedlion  were 
written  in  the  margins. 

In  regard  to  the  religious  contentions  at  Aquidneck  in 
1641  Winthrop  wrote: 

"Mrs.  Hutchinson  and  those  of  Aquiday  island  broached 
new  heresies  every  year.  Divers  of  them  turned  professed 
anabaptists,  and  would  not  wear  any  arms,  and  denied  all 
magistracy  among  christians,  and  maintained  that  there 
were  no  churches  since  those  founded  by  the  apostles  and 
evangelists,  nor  could  any  be,  nor  any  pastors  ordained,  nor 
seals  administered  but  by  such,  and  that  the  church  was  to 
want  these  all  the  time  she  continued  in  the  wilderness,  as 
yet  she  was  .  .  . 


112  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [164I 

Other  troubles  arose  in  the  island  by  reason  of  one  Nicholas 
Easton  a  tanner,  a  man  very  bold  though  ignorant.  He 
using  to  teach  at  Newport,  where  Mr.  Coddington  their  gov- 
ernour  lived,  maintained  that  man  hath  no  power  or  will  in 
himself,  but  as  he  is  ad:ed  by  God,  and  that  seeing  God  filled 
all  things,  nothing  could  be  or  move  but  for  him,  and  so  he 
must  needs  be  the  author  of  sin,  etc.,  and  that  a  christian  is 
united  to  the  essence  of  God.  Being  showed  what  blas- 
phemous consequences  would  follow  hereupon,  they  pro- 
fessed to  abhor  the  consequences,  but  still  defended  the 
propositions,  which  discovered  their  ignorance,  not  appre- 
hending how  God  could  make  a  creature  as  it  were  in  him- 
self, and  yet  no  part  of  his  essence,  as  we  see  by  familiar 
instances;  the  Hght  is  in  the  air,  and  in  every  part  of  it, 
yet  it  is  not  air,  but  a  distincfl  thing  from  it. 

There  joined  with  Nicholas  Easton  Mr.  Coddington, 
Mr.  Coggeshall,  and  some  others,  but  their  minister,  Mr. 
Clark,  and  Mr.  Lenthall,  and  Mr.  Harding,  and  some  others 
dissented  and  publicly  opposed,  whereby  it  grew  to  such 
heat  of  contention,  that  it  made  a  schism  among  them." 
(v.  2  p.  41.) 

"The  Orders  iff  Lawes 
made  the  Generall  Courte  held 
att  Newport,  the  17°  of  Septem  Ano  i64i. 

21  Whereas  ther  was  certain  Records  to  witt  Eleven  in 
number  made  iff  entered  into  this  Booke  of  State  wch 
records  are  since  found  to  be  imperfed:  by  wanting  of  that 
wch  was  intended  both  for  bounds  quantitie  iff  Tenure;  It 
is  therfore  ordered  that  it  shall  be  Lawfull  to  transcribe  i^ 
redlifie  the  said  Records  according  to  the  Perfed:  rule  i^ 
orders  in  that  case  Provided. 

The  order  made  for  the  restraint  of  killing  deare  the  last 
Court  is  repeald. 

22  It  is  ordered  iff  agreed  that  no  English  man  or  other 


1641]  THE    AQUIDNECK   GOVERNMENT   OF    164I  II3 

shall  sett  any  Trapps  for  deare  upon  the  Island  under  the 
paine  of  forfeiting  five  pounds,  except  it  be  wthin  his  owne 
inclosed  grownds. 

23  It  is  also  ordered  that  no  Indian  shall  fall  or  Peel  any 
trees  upon  the  Islands  and  that  if  any  be  found  so  doing  or 
carrying  of  Bark  (so  Peeled  upon  the  Islands)  away;  It 
shall  be  Lawfull  for  all  that  so  finds  them  to  bring  or  cause 
to  be  brought  the  Parties  so  offending  before  the  magistrats, 
who  shall  order  and  Punish  them  according  to  the  Law. 

24  Wheras  ther  was  difference  in  the  understanding  of 
that  order  made  the  Last  Court  concerning  the  Elecftion  of 
military  Commanders  it  was  explained  by  the  authority 
of  this  Courte,  vidg't.  That  the  freemen  of  the  Towne 
according  to  order  shall  confirme  one  to  each  office,  out  of 
all  such  as  the  whole  Traine  Band  did  Present;  and  this  to 
stand  as  the  true  meaning  of  that  clause  in  tht  order. 

25  It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Jeffrey's  shall  draw  the  Line 
between  the  Townes  by  the  Last  of  November  next  who 
shall  have  five  shillings  a  day  for  the  time  he  spends  att 
home  about  it  and  ten  shillings  a  day  wn  he  Lies  abroad, 
upon  paine  of  forfeiting  5  li  if  nott  done;  also  those  that  shall 
helpe  him  shall  have  ^s  per  diem,  and  the  chardge  to  be 
Equally  borne  by  the  Townes. 

26  It  is  ordered  that  Mr  Robt  Jeoffreys  shall  be  author- 
ized to  exercise  the  funcftion  of  chirurgerie. 

27  It  is  ordered  that  every  half  yeare  ther  shall  bee  3 
men  chosen  out  of  each  Towne  to  view  the  swine,  that  shall 
be  kill'd  by  any  Person  or  Persons  wthin  the  Limitts  of  the 
said  Towne:  And  that  he  that  doth  or  shall  kill  any  swine,  ^ 
not  call  on  or  more  of  the  said  men  to  veiw  y  see  the  said 
swine  so  kill'd  or  to  be  kill'd,  he  shall  forfeitt  five  and  also 
it  is  ordered  that  every  Inhabitant  or  Person  keeping  swine 
shall  wthin  on  month  after  the  end  of  this  court  bring  in  their 
earmarke  wch  they  have  or  do  usually  give,  y  ther  to  be 
kept  in  the  Towne  Records  upon  paine  of  forfeiting  6s  8d; 


114  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [164I 

and  those  that  have  the  Seigniority  of  the  marke  shall  keep 
it,  and  others  that  have  given  the  same  shall  alter  the  said 
marke  upon  notice  given  to  em;  and  it  is  also  ordered  that 
the  same  order  in  all  Points  shall  be  observed  for  Goates;  and 
also  that  each  Towne  shall  have  a  Coppy  of  each  others 
Earmarks. 

28  It  is  ordered  and  received  that  the  Ingagemt  that 
already  was  given  by  the  Freemen  was  ^  is  of  the  force  as 
tht  oath  is  wch  is  authorized  to  be  administred  to  the  In- 
habitants wh  oath  Nicholas  Easton  Robt  JeofFreys  ^  Wm 
Dyre  did  take  in  Presence  of  the  Court. 

29  It  is  ordered  that  if  any  Person  or  Persons  on  the 
Island,  whether  Freeman  or  Inhabitant  shall  by  any  meanes 
open  or  Covert  endeavour  to  bring  in  any  other  Powre  than 
wt  is  now  here  Established  (except  it  be  from  our  Prince  by 
Lawfull  Commission)  shall  be  accounted  a  delequent  under 
the  head  of  Perjurie. 

30  It  is  ordered  that  that  Law  of  the  Last  Court  made 
concerning  Libtie  of  Conscience  in  point  of  Dodlrine  is 
Perpetuated. 

31  It  is  ordered  That  Order  concerning  trainings  made  at 
Portsmth  aug:  6,  i640,  shal  be  dulie  observed  and  kept  in  all 
Points  efFedlually,  excepting  the  Powre  i^  all  Particles 
therof  wh  is  given  to  the  Commanders  therin;  also  bee 
excepted  the  two  Generall  musters,  and  also  bee  excepted 
the  half  crowne  paying  for  such  as  are  necessarily  detained. 
And  be  it  further  ordered  that  the  Townes  shall  order  the 
Powre  of  the  officers  of  their  severall  Bands  from  time  to 
time. 

32  It  is  ordered  that  each  Towne  shall  choose  a  comitte 
to  Examine  the  accounts  of  each  Towne  Interchangeably 
and  to  exhibitt  them  wholie  at  the  next  General  Courts. 

33  It  is  ordered  that  the  Indian  Corne  shall  goe  at  4/  a 
bushell  between  man  i^  man  in  all  Paymts  for  debts  made 
from  this  day  forward  Provided  it  bee  Merchandable. 


1641]  THE    AQ.UIDNECK   GOVERNMENT   OF    164I  II5 

34  The  Court  doth  order  ^  Proclayme  a  Generall  Pardon 
of  all  offences  that  have  been  Presented  to  and  given  in  this 
Present  Session. 

35  According  to  an  order  of  Court  made  in  March  last 
wherin  a  comitte  was  appointed  to  examine  i^  redlefie  the 
Threaries  accounts,  wh  accordingly  they  have  done  and  also 
exhibiting  this  follovi^ing  ans:  in  vv^ritting. 

Memorandum  Ther  remains  due  from  the  Threasury  of 
Portsmo  to  the  Threasury  of  Nuport  the  summ  of  on  hundred 
Pounds  and  Eleven  li  three  shillings  ^  four  pence  as  ap- 
peareth  by  the  severall  prticulars;  and  in  case  that  Mr  Dyre 
y  Henry  Bulls  bills  upon  Portsmouth  be  more  then  on 
Nuport  then  the  Surplus  to  be  discounted  ^  in  case  any 
thing  be  omitted  by  eyther  Threasury  then  upon  demand 
allowance  to  be  made  of  the  on  halfe. 

Signd, 

William  Brenton 
John  Coggeshall 
Wm  Baulston  ^ 
Robt  JeofFeries."     (I.  R.  p.  39-) 


Seal  used  by  Mary  Sweet  Holliman 


XIII 
EARLY  RESIDENTS  OF  AQUIDNECK 

WE  have  for  Aquidneck  several  lists  of  the  early 
residents  before  1647:  the  original  signers  of  the 
compad:,  the  "inhabitants"  admitted  up  to  May  3,  1638, 
the  "inhabitants"  of  Portsmouth  in  1639,  the  "inhabitants" 
admitted  at  Newport  after  May  20,  1638,  and  the  list  of 
qualified  Freemen  in  1641. 

There  were  three  classes  of  persons  on  Aquidneck;  viz. 
"Freeman,"  who  could  vote  and  hold  office  in  the  Aquid- 
neck government  (i.e.  the  government  of  the  two  towns); 
"Inhabitants,"  apparently  admitted  by  each  town,  who 
had  certain  rights,  at  first  that  of  land  owning,  and  later  that 
of  jury  service  and  perhaps  that  of  voting  and  office-holding 
in  their  own  towns;  and  a  third  class  that  for  lack  of  a  con- 
temporary name  we  might  call  "temporary  residents." 
Those  who  signed  the  compadl  were  ipso  fadlo  Freemen,  and 
all  of  them  with  the  exception  of  William  Aspinwall,  who 
was  suspedled  of  sedition  in  1638  and  probably  disenfran- 
chised, are  listed  as  Freemen  in  1641.  Carder,  Holden, 
Shotton,  Potter,  Briggs,  and  Lenthall  were  subsequently 
disenfranchised.  Freemen  were  admitted  at  various  meet- 
ings from  1638  to  1640,  and  in  every  case  the  men  so  ad- 
mitted are  named  in  the  list  of  1641,  with  the  exception 
of  Richard  Dummer,  who  had  moved  away  to  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Inhabitants  were  admitted  at  the  meeting  of  December  7, 
1638,  but  the  names  of  inhabitants  admitted  later  do  not 
seem  to  have  been  entered  with  the  mmutes  of  the  meetings. 


1641]  EARLY    RESIDENTS    OF   AQUIDNECK  II7 

When  Pocasset  and  Newport  separated,  and  Pocasset 
reorganized  as  Portsmouth,  the  new  compacfl  was  signed  by 
the  "inhabitants"  of  Portsmouth.  Every  one  of  these 
signers,  except  Job  Hawkins,  who  is  Hsted  as  Freeman  in 
1641,  is  either  one  of  the  signers  of  the  first  compacft  or  is 
named  in  the  hst  of  "inhabitants"  admitted  before  May, 
1638.  Some  of  the  men  named  in  the  two  hsts  of  inhabit- 
ants are  also  named  as  Freemen  in  1641,  showing  their  ad- 
vance in  rank. 

The  hsts  not  printed  in  the  previous  pages  follow: 
"A  Catalogue  of  such  [persons]  who  by  the  Generall 
Consent  of  the  Company  [were]  admitted  to  be  Inhabitants 
of  the  Is[land]  now  Called  Aqueedneck,  having  submitted 
themselves  to  the  Governement  that  is  or  shall  be  Estab- 
lished, according  to  the  word  of  God:   therin. 

3d  month  20th 

1638  Mr.  Samuel  Hutchinson,  James  Davis. 

Thomas  Emons:  George  Parker. 

Richard  Awards:  Erasmus  Bullock, 

Edward  Willcocks:  2°  ii°  George  Cleer. 

Thomas  Clarke.     24°  :ii°  Thomas  Hazard. 

John  Johnson.  William  Cowlie, 

William  Hall.  Jeffery  Champlin, 

John  Briggs:  Richard  Sarle, 

George  Gardiner:  John  Sloff, 

20th:  3d:    William  Withrington:  Thomas  Beeder. 

20th :4th    Mr.  Sammuell  Gorton:  John  Tripp. 

John  Wickes.  Osamond  Doutch: 

Ralph  Earle:  John  Marshall: 

27th  :4th    Nicholas  Browne.  Robert  Stanton 

Richard  Burden.  Joseph  Clarke; 

Richard  Maxon.  Robert  Carr. 

i6th:  5th    Mr.  Nicholas  Esson.  George  Layton. 

Thomas  Spicer:  John  Arnold. 


ii8 


DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND 


[164I 


Robert  Potter. 

Wm.  Heavens. 

Nathaniell  Potter 

Thomas  Layton. 

William  Nedam 

Edward  Poole. 

Sampson  Shatton 

Mathew  Sutherland 

Adom  Mott 

John  Mott 

Mr.  Robert  JefFeryes 

Thomas  Hitt 

James  Tarr 

John  Rome. 

Robert  Gilham, 

Jeremy  Clarke. 

12°  9° 

Nicholas  Davis. 
Wm.  Baker. 

16°  9° 

John  More. 

6°  10° 

Anthony  Pain 
George  Potter. 
Wm.  Richardson. 

27:  loth 

Wm.  Quick. 

Inhabitants  Admitted  at"^  the 
the  1°  of  the  3d,  i638. 

Marmeduke  Ward, 
Robert  Feild 
Thomas  Stafford 
Job  Tyler 
Thomas  Savorie 
Hugh  Durdall 
William  Baker 
John  Layton 
Mr.  Will  Foster. 
John  Hall 
Tobye  Knight 
John  Peckum 
Michell  Williamson, 


Towne  of  Nieu-Port  since 

Nicholas  Cotterell, 
John  Vaughan 
John  Smith 
John  Merchant 
Jeremy  Gold 
Enoch  Hunt 
Nathaniell  Adams 
Samuell  Allen, 
George  Allen, 
Ralph  Allen 
Mr.  Thomas  Burton, 
Henry  Bishop 
John  Hicks 


I64I] 


EARLY   RESIDENTS    OF   AQUIDNECK 


119 


Mr  Robt  Lintell  Edward  Browce 

Richard  Smith  Mathew  Gridell." 

John  Smith  (I.  R.  41-42) 

James  Rogers 

Wm.  Parker. 

John  Grinman 

Edward  Rero, 

John  Macunmore 

Robert  Root 

Ezekiah  Meritt 

James  Burt 

John  Bartlett 

Edward  [Andrews] 

Sampson  Salter, 

"The  Court  Roll  off  Freemen  wth  the  officers  as  they  were 
Elected  on  the  1 6°  of  march,  1641 : 


Mr  Willm  Coddington  Goverr, 

Mr  Willm  Brenton  Dept  Goverr. 

Mr  John  Coggshall, 

■ 

Mr  Robert  Harding, 

Assistants 

Mr  Willm  Ballston, 

^ 

Mr  John  Porter, 

Threar 

Wm  Dyre,  Secret, 

Mr  Robert  Jeoffreys 

Threar., 

Mr  Nicholas  Easton 

Robt  Carr 

Mr  John  Clarke 

John  Briggs 

Mr  Jeremy  Clarke 

Mr.  Cornill  Const 

Mr  Samuel  Willbore 

Henry  Bishop  Const 

Wm  Freeborne 

Ralph  Cowland 

Philip  Shearman 

Mr  Bracee 

John  Walker 

Jeremy  Gould 

Adam  Mott 

Henry  Bull,  Sarj 

Mr  Foster 

Jeoffrey  Champlin 

Mr  Spicer 

John 

Anthony 

I20  DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        |Il^4I 


Mr  Lenthall 
Wm  Cowlie 
Geeorg  Gardiner 
Robert  Feild 
Thomas  Clark 
Joseph  Clarke 
Robt  Stanton 
Thomas  Emons 
Job  Hawkins 
Rich:  Awards 
Thomas  Hazard 
Toby  Knight 
John  Roome 
George  Parker 
Richard  Burden 
John  Smith 
Thomas  Wait 
John  Peckum 
JMichall  WilHamson 


John  Hicks 

James  Rogers 

Marmeduke  Ward, 

Capt  Moris, 

Thomas  Gorton,  Sarj 

Mr  Wm  Hutchinson 

Mr  Samfford 

Mr  Sam  Hutchinson 

Mr  Edw:  Hutchinson  Senr 

Mr  Edw  Hutchinson,  Junr 

Mr  Savadge 

Richard  Carder, 

Randall  Holden, 

Sampson  Shatton, 

Robt  Porter, 

These  foure  by  the  Court 
at  the  Sessions  march  i6 
were  disinfranchised  y  Thr 
names  to  be  Cancelld  out  of 
the  roll."     (I.  R.  p.  33.) 


Seal  of  Obadiah  Holmes 


XIV 

THE  AQUIDNECK  GOVERNMENT  FROM  1642  TO 

1644 

"At  the  Generall  Court  of  Eledion  held  on  the  16  ^  17 
-Z  A.     march  att  Nuport  1641. 

It  is  ordered  that  Richard  Carder  Randall  Holden  Samp- 
son Shatton,  y  Robt  Potter,  are  disfranchised  of  the  Privi- 
ledges  and  Prerogatives  belonging  to  the  Body  of  this  State 
y  that  their  names  be  cancelld  out  of  the  record. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  George  Parker  and  John  Briggs 
are  suspended  their  votes  till  they  have  given  satisfacon 
for  their  offences. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  Mr  Lenthall  being  gone  for 
England  is  suspended  his  vote  in  Elecon. 
By  Eledlion 

Mr  Wm  Coddington  is  chosen  Govr  for  on  whole  year  or 
till  a  new  be  chosen. 

Mr  Wm  Brenton  is  chosen  Deptie  Govr  for  on  whole 
year  ^c. 

Mr  Nicholas  Easton  is  chosen  assistant         1 
Mr  John  Coggeshall  is  chosen  assistant  !  for  on  whole 

Mr  John  Porter  is  chosen  assistant  year  or  till 

Mr  Wm  Balston  is  chosen  assistant  J      ^c 

William  Dyre  is  chosen  Secretarie  for  on  whole  year  or  till 
yc 


Mr  Robt  Jeoffries  is  chosen  Threar  of  Nuport 
Mr  Thom:  Spicer  is  chosen  Threar  of  Ports- 
mouth 


for  on 
•  year  or 

^c 


122   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [I1642-1644 

Henry  Bull  1  are  chosen  sargeant  attendants  for  on 

Thomas  Gorton    J  whole  yeare  or  till  new  be  chosen. 

George  Gardiner,       )  ,  ^  ,  , 

xTTii      T-      1  r  are  chosen  Constables. 

Wiiim  rreeborn  J 

The  Court  doth  declare  that  it  was  the  Intent  of  tht  order 
made  Concerning  militarie  officers,  that  each  Town  or  Band 
shuld  chuse  their  officers  wthin  themselves,  iff  not  to  choos 
their  officers  out  of  another  Towne  or  Band. 

The  Court  doth  further  declare  that  the  Officers  for 
militaries  affaries  is  included  in  that  order  of  yearly  Elections 
namelie:  in  that  Particle  (all  officers  ^c) 

Forasmuch  as  by  the  dew  care  of  this  honord  Court  divers 
orders  from  time  to  time  have  been  made  i^  Established 
Concerning  Trainings  and  great  neglecft  have  been  therin 
hitherto,  wherby  great  detriment  hath  iff  is  like  to  ensue 
upon  the  state  by  reason  therof  the  wh  being  earnestly  desired 
by  divers  of  this  Court  to  be  taken  into  Consideracon.  Be 
it  therfore  enacfted  and  by  this  Present  authoritie  Estab- 
lished that  the  officers  for  militarie  affairs,  vid  Captains, 
Leiftents,  Ensigns,  Sarjeants  iff  Clarks  shall  be  dewlie 
chosen  every  yeare  at  the  Generall  Court  of  Eledlion;  iff 
that  also  the  officers  of  Each  Band  shall  be  chosen  wthin 
themselves  or  Limitts  (and  not  officers  to  be  chosen  on  band 
out  of  another  Towne  or  Band)  and  further  that  their  Powre 
shall  be  ordered  from  time  to  time  by  the  Towne  according 
to  the  order  in  tht  case  Provided;  and  also  that  the  order  or 
orders  made  aug  6°  1640  Sept  17  1641  be  effedually  observed 
in  all  Points,  excepting  what  is  already  excepted;  and  that 
all  former  orders  excepting  are  hereby  made  void  iff  of  no 

force : 

By  Eledion 

Mr  Robt  Jeoffreys  is  Eleded  Capt  for  Nuport. 

Mr  Jeremy  Clarke,  Lieftenant. 

Mr  Smith  Ensigne 

George  Gardiner,  Sarjant  Sent 


1642-1644II      AQUIDNECK   GOVERNMENT    1642   TO    1644        1 23 

Robt  Stanton,  Sarjant  Junr 

Toby  Knight,  Clarke. 

Mr  Rich:  Morris  is  Elecfted  Capt  for  Portsmo 

Mr  Balston,  Lieftenant, 

Mr  Tho:  Cornill,  Ensign, 

Mr  Cowland,  Sargent,  Jun'r, 

Adam  Mott,  Clarke. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  first  munday  of  every  moneth  the 
Train  bands  shall  be  excersised  by  the  Comanders  excepting 
in  the  moneths  of  may  ^  august  Jan  y  Febru  and  thewarning 
to  be  seasonably  given  by  the  officers  at  the  on  meeting 
against  the  other  iff  further,  it  is  ordered  that  the  Capt  shall 
chuse  their  Drumers  tff  Corporalls. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  he  tht  shall  kill  a  wolf  upon  the 
ysland  shall  have  30j-  for  every  wolf  he  kills,  also  it  is  ordered 
that  the  magistrats  of  each  Towne  shall  procure  two  men  for 
each  Town  to  range  the  woods  for  to  kill  them  who  shall 
also  agree  to  satisfie  them  by  the  day  besides  the  301  a  head 
wh  mony  or  Paymt  shall  be  made  the  moitie  out  of  each 
Threasurie. 

Mr  JeofFreys  Threar  his  accounts  being  dewlie  examined  by 
the  auditors  by  order  appointed,  and  accordingly  exhibited 
to  this  Court,  Is  allowed  of  and  he  is  discharged  of  the  said 
account  and  wt  remaines  to  be  Transferrd  to  the  other 
accounts  he  being  again  chosen  Threar.  Also  it  is  ordered 
that  the  other  Towne  shall  appoint  three  to  audite  the  old 
Threars  accounts,  and  exhibit  them  att  the  next  Qter  Ses- 
sions, and  the  remainder  to  be  transferd  to  Mr  Spicer  now 
Threasurer. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  ordinaries  shall  no  Longer  make 
Provision  of  diett  for  the  Courts  of  the  contrie  charge. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  the  31  a  day  allowance  shall  be 
taken  of  from  the  officers,  and  that  the  Secretarie  shall  have 
the  fees  and  customes  allowed  by  the  Lawes  and  Constitu- 
tions of  England;    also  he  shall  execute  the  Clarke  of  the 


124   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [1642-1644 

Peace  his  office,  and  for  what  time  the  said  Secretarie  shall 
expend  for  writting,  or  enroUing  the  Courts  adls  satisfacon 
shall  be  made  out  of  the  Treary.  Also  the  Sarjeants  shall 
have  the  fees  allowed  them  by  order  of  law  for  their  arrests 
and  sumons  ^c,  or  upon  the  States  service  their  attendance  to 
to  be  satisfied,  Provided  also  that  by  this  order  their  bills  for 
the  last  yeare  be  not  frustrated. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  ther  shall  be  but  one  Generall 
Court  in  the  yeare  vidgt  the  Court  of  Elecon,  and  that  to  be 
held  according  to  the  antient  forme  i^  Custome,  and  but 
two  Qter  Sessions  in  the  yeare  vidgt  the  one  in  June  the 
other  in  Decem:  and  they  to  be  held  according  to  the 
antient  forme  and  Custome,  Provided  that  if  ther  shall 
appeare  spetiall  occasion,  then  the  Govt  l^  Deptie  wth  the 
rest  of  the  magistrats  or  two  of  them  shall  have  Powre  to  call 
eyther  Generall  Courts  or  more  Session  Courts,  and  what 
former  orders  are  Contrary  here  unto  to  this  Present  ad:  is 
made  void. 

It  is  also  further  ordered  that  such  acquittances  for  the 
receipt  of  the  Land  moneys  under  the  Threars  hand,  being 
exhibited  or  sent  unto  the  Secretarie,  he  shall  have  full  powre 
to  record  the  said  lands  ^  give  the  Parties  exemplifications 
of  the  same  under  his  hand  in  the  States  name. 

It  is  ordered  that  if  any  Prson  or  persons  shall,  sell,  give 
deliver,  or  any  other  waies  convey,  any  Powlder,  shott, 
Gunn,  Pistoll,  sword,  or  any  other  Engine  of  warr,  to  the 
Indians  that  are  or  may  prove  offensive  to  this  State  or  to 
any  member  therof,  he  or  they  for  the  first  offence  being 
lawfully  Convidl  shall  forfeit  the  sum  of  40J,  i^  for  the  2d 
offence  offending  in  the  same  kind,  shall  forfeit  5/2  half 
to  or  Sovr  Lord  the  King  l^  half  to  him  tht  wil  sue 
for  it  y  no  wager  of  law  by  any  meanes  to  be  allowed  the 
offender. 

It  is  ordered  tht  if  John  Weeks,  Randall  Holden,  Richard 
Carder,  Sampson  Shatton  or  Robert  Porter  shall  come  upon 


II 


'4   v> 


'•0. 


WINDOW   FROM   WILLIAM   CODDINGTON'S   HOUSE  AT  NEWPORT   (1641). 
Original  window  is  in  museum  of  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society. 


1642-1644]      AQUIDNECK   GOVERNMENT    1642   TO    1644        1 25 

the  Island  armed,  they  shall  be  by  the  Constable  (calling 
him  sufficient  aide)  disarmed  iff  carried  before  the  magis- 
trate and  there  find  sureties  for  their  good  behavior,  and 
further  be  it  istablished  that  if  that  Course  shall  not  regulate 
them  or  any  of  them  then  a  further  dew  iff  lawfuU  course 
by  the  magistrats  shall  be  taken  in  their  Sessions.  Pro- 
vided that  this  order  hinder  not  the  Course  of  Law  already 
begun  with  J.  Weeks. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Secretarie  shall  have  full  powre  upon 
the  Threars  informacon  to  sew  for  the  monys  that  is  due  unto 
the  Threaries 

Finis." 
(I.  R.  p.  59) 

"At  the  Generall  Court  assembled  att  Nuport  on  the  19° 
of  sept  1642  these  orders  following  were  agreed  upon. 

It  is  ordered  that  George  Parker  iff  John  Briggs  are 
remitted  of  their  censure  of  suspencion. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  freemen  of  the  Towne  in  their  Towne 
meetings  shall  appoint  the  Juries  for  the  Courts,  y  tht  they 
shall  have  powre  as  well  to  appoint  the  Inhabitants,  as  free- 
men, for  that  service,  by  vertue  of  the  Tenure  iff  grant  of 
their  lands  wh  is  freehold;  and  further  it  is  ordered  that  the 
two  Courts  in  June  iff  Decemb:  shall  be  held  as  the  two 
Generall  Sessions,  also  that  the  two  other  Courts  vidgt  in 
march  y  sept  shall  againe  be  held  and  kept  as  Qter  Courts, 
and  further  it  is  ordered  that  the  Juriors  shall  have  izd 
a  peece  pd  thm  for  every  Cause  upon  Issue  joined, 
both  at  thess  iff  all  other  Courts  held  iff  kept  wthin  our 
Jurisdicon. 

It  is  ordered  that  full  Commission  is  granted  to  Mr  Roger 
Williams  to  Consult  iff  agree  wth  miantonomie  Sachem  of 
the  Narragansets;  For  the  destruction  of  the  wolves  that 
are  now  upon  the  ysland,  as  also  that  they  no  way  damnifie 
the  English  in  that  or  in  a  present  hunting  granted  to  them 


126   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [1642-1644 

for  the  killing  of  the  deare  that  are  upon  the  same  provided 
tht  the  Indians  shall  no  more  require  the  like  Curtesie  of 
hunting  upon  the  Island  wn  as  this  enterprise  is  efFedled. 

It  is  ordered  that  a  Comitte  shall  be  appointed  to  Con- 
sult about  the  procuracon  of  a  Patent  for  this  Island  and 
Islands  iff  the  lands  adjacent,  and  to  draw  up  Peticon  or 
Peticions,  iff  to  send  letter  or  letters  for  the  same  end  to 
Sr  Henry  Vane,  and  that  if  any  oppertunitie  be  presented 
they  shall  have  full  Powre  to  transact  iff  send  to  the  fore- 
named  Gentlemen  or  any  others  whom  they  shall  think 
meet  for  the  speedy  eflfecniing  of  said  business  provided  that 
an  oppertunitie  be  as  aforesd  presented,  between  this  iff 
the  Generall  Court  in  march  next  wh  oppertunitie  failing 
then  to  present  the  affaires  ripened  to  the  Generall  Court 
then  assembled;  iff  further  it  is  ordered  tht  what  charges 
shall  any  way  be  dispended  herein  the  Body  doth  ingage 
themselves  a  dew  proporcon  therin. 

The  Comitte  appointed  for  the  transacon  of  this  business 
is  the  Govr,  the  Dept,  the  foure  assistants  the  Secret,  Capt 
Jeoffreis  Capt  Harding  iff  Mr  John  Clarke. 

It  is  ordered  that  all  such  freemen  that  doth  not  Cohabitt 
upon  the  Island  shall  have  no  vote  or  Powre  to  transad:  in  our 
Courts. 

It  is  ordered  that  no  man  shall  be  disfranchised,  but  wn 
the  major  parte  of  the  bodie  intire  is  Present. 

It  is  further  ordered  that  all  the  Priviledges  prerogativies 
iff  liberties  of  the  Governmt,  State,  Townes,  Persons  or 
person  is  confirmed. 

It  is  ordered  that  if  any  English  man  shall  kill  and  bring 
in  any  wolves  heads  tht  are  upon  the  Island  iff  slain  theron,  iff 
bring  the  head  therof  to  the  Govr  in  Nuport  or  Dept  in 
Portsmo,  he  shall  have  five  pound  for  his  Paines,  iff  that  at 
the  next  Town's  meeting  a  rate  by  the  townsmen,  shall  be 
made  for  every  man  to  pay  to  it  accordmg  to  his  state  of 
cattle,  wh  mult  shall  be  levied,  and  raisd  by  the  Sarjant, 


1642-1644]      AQ.UIDNECK    GOVERNMENT    1642  TO    1644        I27 

who  shall  be  satisfied  for  his  Paines,  and  that  both  Towns 
shall  pay  it  proporconably  to  the  Cattle  therin. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Govr  ^  Dept  shall  treat  wth  the 
Govt  of  the  Duch  to  supplie  us  wth  necessaries  Iff  to  take  of 
our  comodities  at  such  rates  as  may  be  sutable. 

It  is  ordered  that  no  person  or  persons  shall  make  any  sale 
of  his  lands,  (in  or  belonging  to  our  Jurisdicon)  to  any  other 
Jurisdicon  or  person  therin,  unless  that  that  Jurisdicon  or 
person  shall  subje(5l  to  the  Governemt  here  established, 
upon  paine  of  forfeiture  of  the  sd  lands  so  proffered."  (I.  R. 
p.  64.) 

"At  a  Generall  Court  of  Eledion  held  at  Portsmo  the 
15°  of  March  i643. 

By  the  Eledion  of  the  Body  The  officers  of  the  State  were 
ele(5led  as  they  stood  the  former  yeare  excepting  the  Sarjants 
wh  were 

James  Rogers  for  Nuport 
and  George  Parker  for  Portsmo 

Mr.  Baulston,  Threar  of  Portsmo  exhibited  his  Thre 
accounts  this  Present  Court  and  by  the  Court  was  allowed 
y  the  sd  Mr  Baulston  discharged  of  the  sd  accounts  for  the 
time  passed,  and  whatt  surpluss  remained  her  to  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  other  Accounts."     (I.  R.  p.  64.) 

In  September  a  vessel  bound  from  Boston  to  Virginia,  and 
carrying  three  Ministers,  Mr.  Thompson,  Mr.  Knolles  and 
Mr.  James  from  New  Haven  "lay  windbound  sometime  at 
Aquiday"  according  to  Winthrop  (p.  115). 

Sometime  between  1641  and  1643  Anne  Hutchinson,  Mr. 
Cornell  and  some  others  removed  from  Aquidneck  to  a  new 
settlement  on  Long  Island  Sound  near  New  Amsterdam. 

Under  the  date  of  September  (Mo  7),  1643,  Winthrop 
wrote : 

"The  Indians  near  the  Dutch,  having  killed  15  men,  as  it 
is  before  related,  proceeded  on  and  began  to  set  upon  the 
English  who  dwelt  under  the  Dutch.     They  came  to  Mrs. 


128   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [1642-1644 

Hutchinson's  in  way  of  friendly  neighborhood,  as  they  had 
been  accustomed,  and  taking  their  opportunity,  killed  her 
and  Mr.  Collins,  her  son-in-law,  (who  had  been  kept  prisoner 
in  Boston,  as  is  before  related,)  and  all  her  family,  and  such  of 
Mr.  Throckmorton's  and  Mr.  Cornhill's  families  as  were  at 
home;  in  all  sixteen,  and  put  their  cattle  into  their  houses 
and  there  burnt  them.  By  a  good  providence  of  God,  there 
was  a  boat  came  in  there  at  that  same  instant,  to  which  some 
women  and  children  fled,  and  so  were  saved,  but  two  of  the 
boatmen  going  up  to  the  houses  were  shot  and  killed. 

These  people  had  cast  off  ordinances  and  churches,  and 
now  at  last  their  own  people,  and  for  larger  accommoditions 
had  subjected  themselves  to  the  Dutch  and  dwelt  scatter- 
ingly  near  a  mile  asunder:  and  some  that  escaped,  who  had 
removed  only  for  want  (as  they  said)  of  hay  for  their  cattle 
which  increased  much,  now  coming  back  again  to  Aquiday, 
they  wanted  cattle  for  their  grass."     (2,  164.) 

"At  the  Generall  Court  off  Eledion  held  at  Nuport  on  the 
13  of  the  first  month  Ann°  i644: 

All  were  chosen  officers  againe  as  they  were  Last  yeare, 
except  Mr  Jeremy  Clark  who  was  chosen  Threar  of  Nuport 
in  Mr  Jeoffrey's  stead. 

The  military  officers  eleded  for  Nuport  was  Mr  Clark  chef 
Mr  Smith  LLt  Georg  Gardiner  Ens:  Toby  Knight  Clark 
Robert  Stanton  iff  Peter  Easton  Sarjts  John  Coggeshall 
Tho:  Gould  James  Barker  Henry  Timberleggs  Corp  &  Jon 
Hardy  Drummer.  For  Portsmo  Capt  morris  chef  Mr  Sam- 
ford,  LLt:  Mr  Cornill  Ens  Mr  Willbor  Clark  Georg  Parker 
Tho:  Gorton  Sam  Willbor  Sarj  John  Alsborow  Tho 
Brookes  Rich:  Awards  Jo  Anthony  Corp  iff  Jo  Cranston 
drum. 

It  is  ordered  by  this  Court  that  the  ysland  comonly  called 
Aquethneck  shall  be  from  hencforth  calld  the  He  of  Rhods, 
or  Rhod-Island. 

It  is  ordered  that  a  debt  of  30J  due  to  Mr  Ed:  Hutchinson 


1642-1644II      AQUIDNECK   GOVERNMENT    1642   TO    1644        1 29 

for  trading  Comodities  shall  be  satisfied  out  of  the  Threarie 
joyntly. 

It  is  ordered  that  forasmuch  as  according  to  divers  orders 
by  Generall  Courts  formerly  made,  That  all  such  Lands  as 
were  granted  to  any  they  shuld  be  recorded  in  the  State  Book 
wh  shuld  be  their  Evidence  to  Perpetuity  ^c  And  itt  now 
appearing  to  this  present  Court  that  much  Lands  have  been 
granted  unto  divers  Persons  who  have  made  sales  therof  ^ 
have  negle(5led  to  record  their  Lands  so  granted  or  past  or 
so  y  so  to  Persons  Purchasing  the  same  Lands,  and  since 
have  gone  away  or  departed  from  this  Jurisdiction  so  that 
originall  Records  cannot  be  in  a  dew  forme  made.  Be  itt 
now  Established  ^  decreed  by  this  Court  and  the  authority 
hereof  that  all  who  hath  made  or  shall  make  Purchases  of 
any  such  Lands  and  shall  sufficiently  evince  eyther  by 
writtings  bargins  contracfls  or  other  Testimony  of  the 
Purchase  of  any  such  Land  or  Lands,  before  on  Judg  of  the 
Court  and  the  Clerk  of  the  Peace,  and  then  the  Secret  shall 
have  full  Powre  to  record  the  sd  Lands  in  the  State  Booke 
to  the  Purchaser  ^  in  his  name  then  Holding  the  sd  Land, 
wh  Record  shall  be  as  Authentick  to  him  or  them  their 
Heires  Executors  or  Assigns  as  if  the  sd  Lands  had  been 
originally  granted  and  according  to  that  Trad:  in  all  Points 
observed. 

It  is  ordered  that  Robt  west  shuld  be  pd  3/2  from  Nuport 
y  2li  from  Portsmo  Threarys  for  destroying  the  other  wolf." 
(I.  R.  p.  67.) 

"It  was  ordered  and  Agreed  by  the  Body  of  this  State 
Before  the  eledion  this  Present  day  that  the  Major  of  the 
Major  part  of  the  Body  in  the  Generall  Courts,  appearing 
shall  have  full  Powre  to  transa(5t  the  Affaires  of  the  state 
also,  to  Impose  fines  or  Penalties  upon  all  such  of  the  Body 
that  shall  not  appeare  or  other  wayes  shall  negled  or  absent 
themselves  from  the  service  of  the  state  having  made  their 
appearance  in  the  Court,  wthout  leave."     (I.  R.  p.  68.) 


130   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [1642-1644 

Under  the  date  of  July  1644,  Winthrop  wrote: 

"Those  also  of  Aquiday  Island,  being  in  great  fear  of  the 
Indians,  wrote  to  us  for  some  powder  and  other  ammunition, 
but  the  court  was  then  adjourned;  and  because  the  deputies 
had  denied  our  confederates,  the  magistrate  thought  not  fit 
to  supply  them:  but  certainly  it  was  an  error  (in  a  state 
policy  at  least)  not  to  support  them,  for  though  they  were 
desperately  erroneous  and  in  such  distradlion  among  them- 
selves as  portended  their  ruin,  yet  if  the  Indians  should  pre- 
vail against  them,  it  would  be  a  great  advantage  to  the 
Indians,  and  danger  to  the  whole  country  by  the  arms,  etc., 
that  would  there  be  had,  and  by  the  loss  of  so  many  persons 
and  so  much  cattle  and  other  substance  belonging  to  above 
120  families.  Or,  if  they  should  be  forced  to  seek  proted:ion 
from  the  Dutch,  who  would  be  ready  to  accept  them,  it 
would  be  a  great  inconvenience  to  all  the  English  to  have  so 
considerable  a  place  in  power  of  strangers  so  potent  as  they 
are."     (2.  211.) 

Shipbuilding  early  became  an  important  industry  at 
Rhode  Island.  Trumbull  makes  the  following  reference  to 
it  under  the  date  of  1646: 

"New-Haven  having  been  exceedingly  disappointed  in 
trade,  and  sustained  great  damages  at  Delaware,  and  the 
large  estates  which  they  brought  into  New-England  rapidly 
declining,  this  year,  made  uncommon  exertions,  as  far  as 
possible,  to  retrieve  their  former  losses.  Combining  their 
money  and  labors,  they  built  a  ship,  at  Rhode-Island,  of 
150  tons,  and  freighted  her,  for  England,  with  the  best  part 
of  their  commercial  estates.  Mr.  Gregson,  captain  Turner, 
Mr.  Lamberton  and  five  or  six  of  their  principal  men  em- 
barked on  board.  They  sailed  from  New-Haven  in  Janu- 
ary, 1647." 

(Trumbull's  Hist,  of  Conn.  p.  i.,  p.  161.) 

Winthrop  referring  to  1646  wrote:  "Mr.  Lamberton,  Mr. 
Grigson,  and  divers  other  godly  persons,  men  and  women. 


1642-1644]      AQUIDNECK   GOVERNMENT    1642   TO    1644        I3I 

went  from  New  Haven  in  the  eleventh  month  last  in  a 
ship  of  80  tons,  laden  with  wheat  for  London;  but  the  ship 
was  never  heard  of  after.  The  loss  was  very  great,  to  the 
value  of  some  looo  pounds;  but  the  loss  of  the  persons 
was  very  deplorable."     (2,  p.  266.) 


XV 


AQUIDNECK  QUARTER  COURT  RECORDS 

[1641-1646] 

AT  the  [Q]ter  Session  held  att  Portsm  the  first  of  June 
Ano  1641 
An  ac  of  debt  commenced  by  mr  wm  Brenton  of  Portsmo 
agst  Ralph  Earle  of  the  same  Towne  upon  two  bills  by  the 
Ralph  Earle  signd  ^  DD  to  mr  John  yarrow  of  London 
haberdasher,  demurd 
(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  16.) 

At  a  Qter  Session  Court  held  at  Portsmo  the  i  of  Dec  1641 


Petit  Jury  imp. 
Jeremy  Gould 
Richard  Awards 
John  Walker 
Thomas  Emons 
Job  Hawkins 
Ralph  Cowland 
JeofFry  Champlin 
Ralph  Earle 
Thomas  Atkinson 
Thomas  Brooks 
Richard  Hawkins 
Thomas  Gorton 


Grand  Jury 
Jeremy  Clarke 
Richard  Morris 
Thomas  Spicer 
Thomas  Cornill 
John  Anthony 
William  Freeborne 
William  Foster 
John  Roome 
Joseph  Clarke 
Toby  Knight 
Geordg  Gardiner 
Richard  Barden 


The  aeons  Entered 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  between  Tho:  Brassy  of  Nuport  Pla 
y  Henry  Bishopp  of  of  the  same  tow  deffd. 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK    QUARTER    COURT   RECORDS  I33 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  between  Henry  Bishop  of  Nuport 
Pla  y  Thomas  Brasey  of  the  same  tow  deffd. 

An  aeon  of  debt  commenced  by  Henry  Bishop  of  Nuport 
Pla  iff  Thomas  Brasey  of  the  same  tow  deffd.  wch  three 
aeons  were  taken  up  by  arbitracon 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  Commenced  by  [Thomas]  Apple- 
gate  of  Nuport  Pla  agst  John  Roome  of  the  same  towne 
defFd. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  Corheneed  by  William  foster  Junr  agst 
Anthony  Paine  of  Portsmo  deffd.  The  defF  before  Tryall 
promised  to  give  satisfacon  for  the  sd  Coat  demanded  iff 
what  damages  i^  charges  shall  be  thought  meet  since  the 
Lone  thereof  by  two  Indifferent  men. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  between  Ezekiell  holyman  of  ham- 
brook  ^  pla  agst  Thomas  Read  iff  Isaac  Allerto  of  the  masa- 
chusetts  demurrd. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  between  mr.  willim  Coddington  of 
Nuport  Agst  Richard  Tew  of  nuport  Clifts  who  appeared 
not,  being  Returnd  summond 

The  Court  orderd  an  attaehmt  upon  his  pson  Lands  goods 
iff  Chattells  for  the  Jury  to  assease  20/  damages  the  next 
Sessions  [marginal  note] 

A  Capias  awarded  served  upon  the 

It  an  aeon  of  debt  Commenced  by  the  sd  mr  Coddington 
pla  agst  the  sd  Richard  Tew 

[Marginal  note]  both  these  aeons  by  plantiff  are  deffer[ed  to] 
the  sessions  in  May. 

The  Grand  Jury  Return  these  psons  following  as  having 
agst  the  peace  of  our  Sovern  Lord  the  King  his  Crown  iff 
dignitie  transgresd. 

George  Parker  of  Portsmo  for  drunkenness  iff  to  appear  the 
next  cort  iff  continued  till  the  next. 

being  Con[vieted]  the  .  .  .  was  bound  to  his  good 
behavr. 

*  Hambrook  is  on  Aquidneck. 


134   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

James  Tarr  of  Portsmo  for  drunkenness. 
[Marginal  Note]  being  the  i  time  Convict  was  ad(judge]   to 
sit  in  the  stocks. 

Robert  Ballard  for  oppression  in  the  way  of  his  Servt 

John  weeks  for  Defamacon  of  the  Island  y  the  Governr 
therof 

Richard  Tew  for  non  prformance  of  a  Bargaine  of  Farm- 
ing of  mr  Wm  Coddington  Contra  St.  5  Ed:  4 

John  Briggs  of  Portsmo  for  Trespassing  agst  Adam  Mott 
of  the  same  Towne  In  taking  y  Killing  a  whitt  weather 
goat  somwhat  [Damdg?]  price  12s 

The  Towne  of  Nuport  for  want  of  a  prison 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  17.) 


Petit  Jury 


Clark( 


morris 

Burden 

|Marmad]uk-ward 

Field 

Cowley 

Cowland 

Hassard 

Stanton 

[Ajwards 

Hicks 

CJhamplin 

second  Jury 
impanelld 
[J]ermy  Gould 
Robinson 
[K]night 


(Prob.  Mar.  1641/2) 

Grand  Jurii  Imp. 
Jeremy  Gould 
wm  Foster 
Michall  Williamson 
John  Room 
Tobie  Knight 
George  Gardiner 
Thomas  Spicer 
Adam  Mott 
Willm  Freeborne 
John  Walker 
John  Anthonie 
Job  Hawkins 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I35 


Stanton 

ny 
Champlin 

er 
Hawkins 

ooen 


An  aeon  of  the  case  commenced  by  Nicholas  Cotterell  of 
Nuport  agst  wm  heavens  of  the  same  towne  Carpenter  con- 
cerning a  deed  off  a  house  sold  to  the  sd  Nicholas  conceived 
to  bee  fradulent  John  Room  Ingageth  himself  that  wm 
Heavens  shall  answ  this  suitt  the  next  Cort. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  coihenced  by  Thomas  Cornill  of 
Portsmo  agst  Henry  Bull  of  Nuport  concerning  a  sow  by 
the  sd  Henry  driven  out  of  the  Comon  find  for  the  deffendant 
damag  2d  Costs  of  the  Court. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  Comenced  by  John  Gibbs  of  Nuport 
seaman  agst  John  Briggs  of  Portsmo  concerning  a  Sow  in 
difference  find  for  the  plaintiff  the  sow  i^  6d  dammage  ^ 
costs  of  the  Court 

The  said  John  upon  Judgmt  given  was  also  bound  over  to 
his  good  behavor  till  the  next  Court, 

An  Aeon  of  the  case  comenced  by  Thomas  Applegat  of 
Nuport  pla  against  John  Roome  of  the  same  towne  Carpenter 
agreed. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  comenced  by  Jeremy  Gould  agst 
Thomas  Applegate  both  of  Nuport  the  cause  by  thm  both  is 
relfered  to  Mr  Coggeshall  ^  are  bound  in  10  Li  days  to  other 
to  abide  [the]  arbitration  by  the  last  day  of  Apr  1642. 

The  aeon  of  the  Case  comenced  by  Jeremy  Gould  of 
Nuport  agst  Mr.  Foster  michall  williamson  ^  John  Peckam 
of  the  same  Towne  demurred  till  next  Court. 


136   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

William  Chapman  Sojourner  at  Mr.  Balst[on]  of  Ports- 
mouth found  y  Inditted  for  taking  away  out  of  a  chest  a 
cap  y  [pair  of  St]ockings  to  the  valeu  of  \od  was  adjudged 
to  be  whipt. 

The  Court  held  at  Portsmo  the  8°  of  June  butt  non  ap- 
pearance was  Generall. 

John  Briggs  being  bound  over  to  this  Court  in  a  bond  of 
lo  Li  to  or  Souveramg  L  the  Kmg  upon  testimonie  of  his 
neighbors  of  his  peaceable  ^  good  behavor  was  released 
paying  charges. 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  i8.) 

[Probably  at  Quarter  Court  held  in  September  1642] 

A  sale  of  Land  by  Robt  Carr  of  Nuport  to  Mr.  Jeremy 

Clarke  made  on  the  Eigth  day  of  Sept  Ano  dom  1642  vid 

Towne  Register 

prse  Wm  Dyre  P.  CI 

Memorandum  that  on  the  Eigth  day  of  Sept  1642  Mr 
Wm  Coddington  Mr  John  Coggeshall  i^  Mr  Jeramie  Clarke, 
bought  and  purchased  to  them  their  heires  ^  assignes  of 
Robert  Carr  a  prcell  of  Land  contayning  sixtie  two  ac 
more  or  less  lying  on  the  East  sid  of  millbrook  bounded  on 
the  south  by  the  hieway  that  goes  to  the  great  Comon  in 
prsent. 

Wm  Dyre  P.  CI. 

memorandum  that  on  the  Eigthteeth  day  of  Sept  Ano 
1642  Toby  Knight  of  Nuport  bought  i^  purchased  of  Thomas 
Beeder  of  the  same  Towne  his  hous  lott  contayning  four  ac 
more  or  less  wth  another  like  prcell  adjoyning  wch  was  the 
houslott  of  Robt  Root  i^  by  assignmts  transferred  to  John 
Mott  who  discharged  [to]  the  Threarie  i^  then  sold  it  to  the 
sd  Thomas  i^  inffeofed  the  sd  Toby  into  the  full  possession 
y  injoymt  of  the  said  Land  housing  ^  fencing  therto  belong- 
ing in 

prsent  Wm  Dyre  P.  CI. 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I37 

Memorandum  that  on  the  Ninteenth  day  of  Sept  Ano  dom 
1642  Robert  Staton  of  Nuport  bought  and  purchased  of 
Thomas  Beeder  of  the  same  Towne  a  prcell  of  Land  lying 
on  the  South  side  of  the  harbor  bounded  on  the  East  by 
Toby  Knights  Land  on  the  South  by  the  Comon  on  the  west 
by  James  Rogers  Land  i^  on  the  North  by  the  harbor  wch 
deed  of  sale  by  the  sd  Thomas  Beeder  was  made  to  the  sd 
Robert  Stanton  his  heires  y  Assignes  for  Ever  in  prsent 

Wm  Dyre  P.  Cler. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  comenced  by  Thomas  Slade  of 
Portsmo  agst  wm  withrington  of  Nuport. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  com  by  Mr  Wm  Brento  of  Portsmo 
agst  Wm  Richardson  of  Nuport 

Gilian  Touzar  [or  Tonzar]  ^  is  discharged  of  her  Recogniz 
paying  her  fees.  (R.  L  C.  R.  p.  18.) 

At  the  Qter  Session  Court  held  att  Nuport  the  7°  day  of 
dec.  Ano  Do:  1642 


5s 

Jeremy  Gould 

ks 

John  Smith 

han5s 

John  Peckham 

hman 

mar:  ward 

Bliss 

John  Room 

dre-s 

Tobie  Knight 

Paine 

Robert  Stanton 

esburie 

JefF.  Champlin 

par  ...   5s 

Rich  Morris 

Morris 

...  in 

Rich  Barden 

Smith 

def 

Rich  Hawkins 

Burden 

ault 

Michall  S 

George  Parker 

John  Anthonie 

John  Roome 

Christop  Holmes 

^  Perhaps 

identical  with  the  Gillian 

who  was  wife  of  John  Vaughn  in  1644. 

138   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

The  ac  between  Nicholas  Cotterell  iff  wm  Heavens  adjoined 
to  this  Court. 

The  aeon  of  debt  comenced  by  wm  Dyer  against  John 
Briggs  of  Portsmouth  for  court  fees  by  the  sd  Briggs  de- 
tayned  promised  to  satisfie 

The  aeon  of  mr  wm  Brenton  agst  Ralph  Earle  in  the  behalf 
of  Mr  John  Yarrow  of  London  haberdasher  Reviued  y 
Issued  the  Jury  Returned  find  for  the  plaintiff  the  house  i^ 
Land  y  Twenty  pound  damag  and  the  whole  chardges  of 
the  Court, 

[Marginal  Note]  The  pi  declared  two  bills  of  iii  Li  i^  the 
disprove  a  colatoll  satisfad:ion  propounded  i^  accepted 
by  an  attournmt  .  .  .  that  by  the  party  himself  a  writting 
drawn  but  not  interchangably  signed  the  issue  ut  apatur. 

An  aeon  of  the  case  depending  between  Ezekiell  holyman 
y  Isaac  Allerton  tff  Thomas  Read  of  Salem  upon  an  attach- 
ment of  goods  for  a  debt  due  to  the  widdow  Sweet  now  the 
wife  of  the  sd  Ezekiell  demurrd  bill  dd  againe  demurrd. 

An  aeon  of  Trespass  com  by  Adam  Mott  of  Portsmouth 
agst  Ralph  Cowland  of  the  same  Towne  in  20  bush  corne 
i  bush  of  Indian  Beanes  Refferd  Mr.  Eston  hath  undertaken 
to  satisfie  the  pi  for  io  bush  of  corne. 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  Wm  Withrington  against 
Mr  Wm  Balston  of  Portsmo  on  10  £i  dam  for  retayning  his 
couent  to  him  dds  we  found  for  the  defendant  cost  6d  iff 
the  charges  of  the  Courte 

[Marginal  Note]  The  pi  declared  for  an  Indenture  of  his 
servt  dd  to  the  deflPt  to  keep  the  pi  gave  his  servt  the  last 
yeare  but  to  be  at  his  masters  disposall,  the  case  beeing 
mingled  the  issue  ut  aprtm. 

An  aeon  of  Case  commenced  by  wm  withrington  agst 
Ralph  Earle  of  Portsmo  for  detayning  his  servant  Nathaniell 
Browning  to  Arbitratio. 

An  aeon  of  dd  for  Retayning  Joseph  Ladd  to  Arbitration 
(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  20.) 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  1 39 

At  the  Qter  Court  held  at  Portsmo  March  7  [1642/3] 

Jury  Imp  and  Sworn 
Thomas  Burton 
Jeremy  Gould 
George  Parker 
John  Anthony 
Thom:  Emons 
John  Briggs 
Wm  Freeborn 
Henry  Bull 
James  Babcock 
Robert  Bennett 
Wm  Field 
Wm  Amie 

An  ac  of  the  case  come  by  Esek  Holyman  agst  Isaac  Al- 
lerton  in  an  aeon  of  2  years  dependance  upon  Arreages  of  a 
purchase  between  the  sd  Isaac  and  mary  Sweet  the  wife  of 
the  sd  Ezekiell  the  rest  4  Li  i^  a  barr  of  mackrell  find  for  the 
pi:  damages  7  Li  i^:  costs  of  the  Court  24®  etc. 

An  ac  of  the  case  by  mr  Nicholas  Easton  agst  Henry 
Bishopp  of  Nuport  twice  sumd  ^  non  appearance  the  court 
awards  An  attachmt  it  was  issued  the  7°  of  Jun  Ano  1642 
find  for  pi  damage  50^  y  charge  of  the  Court  12^  3^:  10^  3^^: 

An  aeon  of  the  case  comr  by  Ezekiell  Holyman  agst  Ralph 
Earle  of  Portsmo  30  L'  damage  demurrd  find  for  pi  13L  2®  2^ 
cost  of  the  Court  issued  the  7°  of  June  1642. 

An  ac  of  the  case  coiii  by  Jeremy  Gould  agst  wm  Richard- 
son of  Nuport  demurd  wth  a  cross  ac  by  the  sd  Richardson 
demurrd 

An  ac  com  by  John  Smith  agst  Jeremy  Gould  demurrd 

An  ac  of  the  case  com  by  John  Gibbs  seaman  agst  Ralph 
Earle  of  Portsmo  demurred 

An  ac  of  the  case  commenced  by  Jeremy  Clarke  on  the 


140   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

behalf  off  Sampson  Salter  pi  upon  the  attachmt  of  goods  of 
the  widdow  Sutherland  of  Long  Island  demurred. 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  Henry  Bull  of  Nuport  agst 
Ralph  Earle  of  Ports:  agreed  that  Ralph  Earle  shall  nt 
take  any  thing  from  the  house  of  the  sd  Henry  that  is  nayld 
or  pinned,  ^  tht  the  sd  Ralph  shall  keep  the  sd  house  l^ 
lot  tenentable  in  regacon  (Casualties  excepted  y  tht  he 
shall  leave  the  other  lott  next  adjoyning  to  it  of  3  ac  fenced 
^  broken  up  at  the  end  of  a  yeare  to  the  sd  house  and  lott 
the  sd  Henry  dding  6  bushells  of  Indian  marchandable  corne 
to  the  sd  Ralph  at  a  Lady  day  next  come  12°  mo:  further  tht 
the  sd  Ralph  shall  not  destroy  the  old  stock  of  hopps  ^  tht 
the  sd  Henry  shall  have  Libertie  to  sell  the  sd  house  y  Land 
y  Ralph  to  degt  at  2  mo  warning  given  him  as  two  men 
Equall  judgmeet  for  consideracon  of  his  depture  each  one, 
provided  the  sd  Ralph  shall  nt  be  damnified  in  his  crop. 

Ralph  Earle  upon  the  impanelling  of  Jury  chalenged 
threeupon  the  ray  vidzt  John  Smith  Rich  burden  ^  Rich 
morris  for  that  they  wth  the  rest  of  the  Jury  in  the  Tryall 
(between  himself  ^  mr  Brenton  in  the  behalf  off  mr  Yarrow 
of  London  haberdasher  had)  went  contrary  to  their  oathes 
and  that  sd  he  I  will  prove:  wherupo  the  three  prayed  proves 
tht  the  sd  Earle  might  be  made  good  his  Charge: 

bond  to  appear  if^  give  ans:  to  wt  shall  be  objedled. 

The  sd  Ralph  Earle  upon  the  7°  day  of  June  1643  did  in 
the  presence  of  the  Court  acknowledge  y  confessed  that  he 
had  scandalized  and  done  great  wrong  unto  the  prties 
afornamd  ^  the  Right  wth  them  accused  by  him  in  that  he 
had  them  accused  in  saying  (they  had  gone  contrary  to  their 
oathes  l^  tht  I  will  prove)  for  wch  I  am  hartily  sorry  ^if  do 
pray  them  to  use  so  much  lenitie  ^  mercy  as  to  pardon  that 
expression  or  the  like  to  that  purpose  by  me  uttered  i^  I 
shall  acknowledg  my  self  thankfull  ^  gratiously  dealt 
withall. 

Teste  pr  Cur  will  Dyre  Reg.  (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  21.) 


BALUSTERS  FROM   WILLIAM   CODDINGTON'S  HOUSE  AT  NEWPORT   (,64,). 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I4I 

At  the  Qter  Session  held  att  Nuport  the  7°  day  of  June 
1643 

Harding 


An  aeon  of  the  case  commenced  by  wm  Dyer  of  Nuport 
agst  Thomas  Applegate  weaver  of  the  same  towne  for  de- 
tayning  of  goods  to  the  damage  of  40^  the  D:  acknowledged 
wrong,  y  was  injoyned  to  aske  forgiveness  of  the  PI:  ^  his 
wife  for  wronging  of  them  y  so  cary  back  the  goods  to  the 
PI.  house. 

Itt  An  aeon  of  the  case  Commenced  by  wm  dyre  of 
Nuport  agst  wm  Richardson  of  the  same  Towne  to  the 
valew  of  3  li/damag  concerning  a  sheep  killed  by  his  dogg 
demurrd 

Itt  an  ac  of  the  case  Commenced  by  Robert  Harding  of 
Nuport  agst  wm  withington  of  Sachuis  upo  the  forfeiture  of 
abond  of  iooli 

Itt  An  ac  of  debt  by  the  towne  of  Nuport  agst  Edw: 
Andrews  Richard  Tue 

Itt  An  ac  of  Trespass  com  by  Henry  Bull  agst  Thom :  Apple- 
gate  of  the  same  Towne  in  damagg  Apple  is  to  satesfie  the 
Pla  as  his  neighbors  hath  done  ^  doth 

Itt  An  ac  of  the  Trespass  Com  by  Henry  Bull  of  Nuport 
agst  Ed  Robinson  of  the  same  Towne  demurrd. 
Itt  An  ac  of  John  Richman  agst  John  wood  of  the  same 
Town  in  an  ac  of  Trespass;  Referrd  to  mr  Easton  in  8** 
a  peice  to  abide  the  arbitrmt  of  all  causes. 
Itt  An  ac  of  slaunder  by  John  Richman  agst  Job  Tiler  of  the 
same  Towne  for  saying  in  the  mouth  of  two  wittnesses  tht  the 
PI  stoole  a  bagg  of  meale  y  layd  it  in  his  house  (confessd  by 
the  deft  tht  he  did  him  wrong,  the  Jury  find  for  the  pla 
xxs  damagg  iff  costs  of  the  Court  iff  to  aske  forgiveness  of 
the  pi  who  did  iff  was  forgiven 


142    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

It     an  ac  of  Trespass  by  David  Greenman  agst  John  wood 
of  the  same  Towne  Reffered. 

It     an  ac  of  the  case  com  by  Ralph  Earle  agst  wm  Richardso 
of  Nuport  RefFered 

Ralph  Earle  acknowledging  his  faults  comitted  the  last 
Cort  was  Remitted  of  his  Recognisance  paying  his  charges 
of  Court  is  discharged.     (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  22) 
It     an  ac  of  Batterie  Comced  by  Jno  Briggs  Constable  of 
Portsmo  agst  Jno  Slade  of  the  same  Towne. 

to  pay  the  pi  5  li 

The  Court  doth  order  that  Thomas  Sladde  is  ordered  to 
pay  to  Rich  morris  Lambert  woodward  Richard  Readman 
each  of  them  6s  8d  for  their  costs 

Itt     an  ac  of  the  Case  com  by  Edw:  Andrews  of  Stony  River 
agst  y  upon  an  attachmt  of  goods  belonging  to  John  Allen 

Lett  sallen 

Job  Tyler  being  accused  by  two  witnesses  for  slighting  the 
Authorie  when  the  S[er]jant  came  to  Sum  him  that  he 
sd  he  car'd  not  a  fart[or]  turd  for  all  their  warrants,  who 
be  adjudged  to  be  whipt  till  his  back  be  bloody 

The  Court  doth  order  that  a  standard  for  measures  vidzt 
a  half  peck  i^  peck  shall  be  made  for  each  Towne  iff  that  they 
shall  be  made  equall  wth  mr  Hardings  seald  measure  (and 
James  Rogers  to  do  them  wthin  3  weeks)  also  that  a  seale 
shall  be  made  to  seale  them  ^  then  all  measures  to  be  made 
y  sealed  by  them  iff  further  it  shall  nt  be  lawfull  for  any  to 
buy  or  sell  but  by  such  measures  that  are  authorized  by  the 
standard  iff  seald  according  to  law  in  that  case  pvided.  the 
care  wherof  for  the  oversight  for  prsent  is  comitted  to  the 
magistrats  to  see  sd  measure  equall  iff  seald. 

The  court  doth  order  exec  to  be  made  upon  Jno  Roome  iff 
wm  heavens  for  the  mony  dew  to  Nuport  for  thr  Lands. 

The  Court  ordered  this  prsent  Session  that  Edward 
Andrews  having  exhibited  sufficient  proof  of  a  good  iff  suffi- 
cient purchase  of  the  land  of  John  Allen  in  Nuport  being 


164I-1646]      AQ.UIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I43 

a  4  ac  lott  more  or  less  is  also  to  make  sale  therof  iff  to 
award  the  title  good 

The  Court  doth  order  tht  the  Rigster  shall  make  out  exec 
upo  Henry  Bishop  for  charges  dew  unto  him  vidzt  ioj 

An  ac  of  Trespass  com  by  Henry  Bull  agst  Edward  Rob- 
mson  for  a  pound  breach  to  the  damagg  of  5  li 

It  is  ordered  that  every  man  m  his  Jurisdicon  shall  secure 
sufficiently  his  owne  corne  feilds  by  a  fence  as  also  to  secure 
his  neighbors  from  damage  in  the  same  upo  paine  of  dowble 
damagg  upo  dew  informacon  and  proofe 

An  ac  of  the  case  coin  by  Mr  wm  Coddingto  of  Nuport 
agst  Thomas  Stafford  iff  Nicholas  Cotterell  of  thesameTowne 
for  Non  prformance  of  Covenant  upo  damag  of 

By  the  assent  iff  consent  of  Edward  Robinson  iff  Henry 
Bull  mr  Wm  Coddington  Gent  iff  mr  Nicholas  Easton  are 
jointly  chosen  iff  if  they  cant  agree  they  to  choose  a  third  to 
determine  all  cases  of  difference  tht  is  or  hath  been  to  this 
prsent  day  the  7°  of  June  1643  upo  paine  off  forfeiture  of  x  li  a 
peice  to  each  other 

An  ac  of  Trespass  agst  Robert  hobbs  of  Nuport  com  by 
wm  withrigto 

An  ac  of  the  Case  com  by  wm  withringto  agst  Robert 
Harding  of  Nuport 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  23.) 

At  the  Qter  Session  held  at  Portsmo  September  5° 
Ano-43 

The  acs  depending  between  mr  Robert  Harding  and 
william  Withington  upon  prayer  of  both  were  Reffered  as 
appeares  by  the  joint  petcon  of  both  exhibited  to  this 
Session. 

Most  humbly  petcon  of  Capt  Robt  Harding  off  Nuport  iff 
wm  withington  of  the  same. 

Most  humbly  sheweth  tht  yor  peticoners  having  wearied 
themselves  wth  those  controversies  iff  suits  wch  they  have 
for  long  since  both  troubled  themselves  iff  freinds  in  both 


144   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [[164I-1646 

wch  arbitracons  iff  suits  and  uncomfortable  troubles  do  now 
enter  into  some  strong  ingagements  each  to  other  to  have  a 
finall  end  therof  and  to  this  end  that  the  award  may  be 
Irrevocable  we  desire  tht  the  sd  award  may  be  Recorded  in 
the  Court  Rolls 

And  we  most  humbly  pray  of  this  honoed  Court  to 
have  this  our  peticon  i^  ingagement  to  be  Recorded 
amongst  the  Records  of  this  prsent  Court  also,  vidzt  or 
Ingagmt  is  on  hundred  pounds  a  peece  tht  each  of  yor 
peticoners  shall  dd  into  the  hands  ^  possession  of  Mr  wm 
Brenton  mr  John  Porter  Isf  mr  John  Clarke  of  their  owne 
pper  goods  looli  into  their  hands  iff  possession  to  Remaine 
to  this  use,  that  is  to  say  we  having  bound  orselves  in 
lOoli  a  peece  each  to  other  to  abide  the  finall  determinacon 
of  the  aforsd  mr  Brenton  mr  Porter  iff  mr.  John  Clark  or 
any  two  of  them  touching  all  these  controversies  wch  now 
are  between  yor  Peticoners  iff  on  Robt  hobbs  iff  yor  peti- 
cioner  wm  withington,  in  all  iff  all  manor  of  Aeons  Suites  iff 
controversies  concerning  ether  the  Comon  Law  or  Equity 
wch  now  is  or  may  be  between  any  of  those  prties  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world  to  the  day  of  the  date  hereof  prvided 
tht  the  end  iff  purpose  wch  the  loo/z  that  is  to  be  dd  into 
those  3  gentlemens  hands  is  to  this  purpose,  tht  when  those 
three  or  any  two  of  them  have  dewly  examined  the  truth 
and  equitie  of  thoss  controversies  iff  determined  therof,  tht 
then  they  shall  out  of  tht  lOoli  give  dew  satisfacon  to  the 
wronged  prson  and  the  Remainder  unto  him  to  whom  it 
belongeth  and  that  at  the  publicacon  of  their  Award  iff 
giving  satisfacon  therin  iff  Ristoring  the  overpluss  to  the 
Right  owner  yor  peticoners  shall  then  make  seale  and  dd 
each  to  other  a  generall  Release  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world  to  the  date  herof,  And  tht  or  Agremt  between  us  is 
and  also  or  desire  of  the  Court  that  wn  the  Award  is  made 
it  may  also  be  Recorded  in  the  next  Court  iff  farther,  it  is 
desired  tht  all  three  of  the  arbitrators  be  prsent  wn  the  Award 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I45 


is  made  iff  dd  also  tht  it  be  Issued  wthin  ten  dayes  of  the 
date  herof 

dat  Sept  8  subsc     Robert  Harding 

William  Withington 

The  petcon  of  Capt  Robt  Harding  iff  wm  withington  is 
accepted  iff  by  this  Court  confirmed  to  be  so  ordered  iff  ac- 
cordinglie  recorded  and  for  the  further  confirmacon  therof 
the  psons  abovsd  did  Reciprocally  dd  an  assumpsitt  of  blew 
wampom  each  to  other  saymg  I  bmd  my  self  by  the  Receav- 
ing  of  this  Assumpsett  to  dd  into  the  hands  of  the  three 
gentlemen  above  named  looli  for  the  use  iff  end  tht  is 
menconed  and  farther  upo  the  assumpsitt  it  is  accorded  that 
they  bind  all  their  Lands  goods  iff  Chattells  for  the  prform- 
ance  thereofF 


[petit]  jury  Imp. 
ward 
knight 
Champlin 
Richman 
Almie 
Roome 
[Freejborne 
wilber 
Layton 
land 
Hall  Xs 
taken 
defalt 


Grand  Jurie  Imp:  Sworn 

Richard  Morris 

John  Anthonie 

Tho:  Emons 

wm  Freeborn 

John  Briggs 

wm  Almie 

John  Hall 

John  Crandall 

Tho:  Stafford 

Jeffrey  Champlin 

John  Vaughan 

John  Richman 


Itt  the  aeon  Com  by  mr  wm  Coddingto  of  the  case  xxli 
agst  Tho:  Stafford  iff  Nicholas  Cotterell  for  non  prform- 
ance  of  Covent  the  Jury  find  for  pla  damag  40J  iff  the  Charges 
of  the  Court  iff  to  pay  back  agen  wth  they  have  Rd  over- 
pluss. 


146   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

Itt  an  ac  of  case  Com  by  mr  Nicholas  Easton  pla  agst 
Thomas  Bracee  5/f  damag  for  nt  making  his  fence  find  for 
pla  id  y  in  case  the  fence  be  not  done  by  munday  come 
seven  night  then  3/1  ^  the  chardges  of  Court 

It  an  ac  of  slaunder  com  by  Richard  morris  of  Portsmo 
agst  Ralph  Earle  xxli  damage  find  for  pla  damage  2d  ^  to 
acknowledge  in  the  Court  tht  he  had  wrongd  Richt  morris 
in  saying  he  had  forged  a  fals  bill  ^  the  like  to  be  done  at 
Nuport  y  if  he  Refuse  to  abide  the  sentence  of  the  Court  ^ 
costs 

An  ac  of  mr  Jeremy  Clark  agst  the  Towne  of  Nuport 
upon  Areregs  of  money  due  to  him  wherupo  an  attachmt 
is  granted  ^  sved  upo  the  Publick  house  of  the  sd  Towne 
2oli  damag  if  the  Towne  satisfie  nt  by  next  Court  then 
Judgment  to  be  granted. 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  Nathan  Browning  agst  wm 
withrington  of  Nuport  Arbitrated 

An  ac  of  the  case  com  by  Ralph  Earle  of  Portsmo  agst 
wm  withrington  of  Nuport 

Arbitrated. 

memorandum  tht  Ralph  Earle  l^  wm  withington  have  bound 
themselves  in  40  li  p  peec  to  or  Soveraigne  Lord  the  Kings 
mtie  to  stand  to  the  arbitremt  of  mr  Nicholas  Easton  ^  mr 
wm  Balstone,  as  well  in  this  case  as  in  the  three  other  before 
one  being  between  Browning  ^  withington  l^  in  case  the 
two  caunt  end  then  the  arbitrats  to  chuse  a  3d  the  time  of 
their  limits  is  on  mo  from  the  date  herof. 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  mr  Nicholas  Easton  upon  an 
attachmt  of  the  Record  of  the  Land  of  michel  williamson 
demurrd  Issued  by  the  Sessions  July  7°  and  find  for  the  pi 
proved  dd  to  the  deft  450  of  Iron  at  7  li  10s,  Spoild  in 
corne  i:  ioj  ^  a  debt  —  9J  y  costs  of  the  Court  w:  6d  A  fees 
—  los  R:  ch:  6s:  Jury  12s 

An  aeon  of  the  case  commenced  by  JeofFry  champlin  upon 


164I-1646]      AQ.UIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I47 

an  attachmt  of  the  goods  i^  Lands  belonging  to  michall 
Williamson  of  Nuport  demurrd  40J 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  mr  wm  Coddingto  agst  Tho 
owin,  marchant  up5  an  attachmt  of  goods  i^  cattell  i^  a  debt 
in  mr  Coggeshalls  hand. 

The  cort  doth  order  tht  the  goods  cattle  ^  debt  attached 
for  in  y  upon  this  aeon  shall  be  prised  by  the  Sarjant  y  by 
him  seen  forth  Coming  ace  to  a  dew  cours  of  Law  ^  the  debts 
satisfied  upo  the  ysland  off  the  sd  goods  l^  chattells  the  said 
Owen  y  wt  overpluss  shall  be  found  upon  the  same  tht  the 
creditors  of  the  other shall  have  the   Remainder 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  Thomas  Applegat  of  Nuport 
agst  Edward  Andrews  of  the  same  Towne  Referd  to  mr  wm 
Coddingto  y  mr  Nich.  Easto 

(R.  L  C.  R.  p.  25.) 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  wm  dyre  on  the  Towne  of 
Nuport  behalf  agst  wm  Richardson  Ezekiell  holyman  y 
Thomas  Bracee  for  not  paying  their  Towne  Rates  Com- 
pesition  mr  Bracee  if  he  come  nt  by  the  next  cort  y  satisfie 
Judgmt  shall  be  granted 

An  aeon  of  debt  coin  by  wm  Dyre  on  the  behalf  of  Nicholas 
Cotterell  of  Nuport  agst  wm  Riehardso  of  the  same  Towne 
Referrd 

An  aeon  of  debt  com  by  wm  Dyre  on  the  behalf  of  the 
Towne  of  Nuport  agst  the  Towne  ^  Treasurie  of  Portsmo 
in  a  debt  of  iii  3^^  4J  demurrd  The  cort  doth  accept  the 
propocon  of  the  Towne  of  Portsmo  by  mr  wm  Brent5  for  the 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  of  Equitie  coin  by  Ralph  Earle  of 
Portsmo  agst  mr  wm  Brenton  Dept  Govt  of  the  same  Towne 

An  action  of  the  Case  coin  by  Thomas  Applegate  of  Nuport 
agst  wm  Heavens  of  Portsmo  upon  a  morgage  of  house  y 
land  Consigned  by  Sam  Willbore  to  the  sd  Thomas  Refferd 

An  aeon  of  the  ease  Com  by  John  Smith  of  Nuport  agst 


148   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

the  sd  Towne  of  Nuport,  if  satisfacon  be  nt  given  thn 
Judgment  be  granted  in  the  next  court. 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  Jeremy  Clark  agst  Ralph 
Earle  It  is  agreed  tht  Ralph  Earle  for  the  satisfacon  of  mr 
Jeremy  Clarke  debt  of  28  li  principall  for  wch  the  house 
wch  the  sd  Ralph  Earle  sometime  bought  ^  tied  for  the 
satisfacon  of  the  principle  debt  of  the  sd  Jeremy  some  3 
years  since  the  sd  Ralph  doth  promise  to  surrender  wthin 
3  days  to  the  sd  Jeremy  or  his  assignes  wth  the  lot  iff  fencing 
thrto  belonging  wch  house  lott  fencing  y  all  apurtenances 

fixed  therunto  shall  so  be  faithfully ^  delivered 

wth  all  claims  Right  or  interest  by  the  sd  Ralph  his  heirs 
or  assignes  in  the  sd  house  lott  iff  appurtenances  thrto  now 
fxed  or  belonging  upo  wch  true  ^  faithfull  deliverie  the  sd 
Jeremy  Clarke  doth  acquite  discharge  iff  Release  the  sd 
Ralph  Earle  of  the  sd  28/1  wth  all  arreages  debts  or  demaunds 
fro  the  begining  of  the  world  to  this  prsent 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  26.) 

At  the  Qter  Session  held  at  Nuport  the  3  of  dec  Ano  1643 

Petitt  Jury  Impa:  [Grand  Jury] 

iff  Sworne 

Jer  Clark  Jer: 

Sam  Willbore  Sen  Tho 

Jo:  Peckham  Geord  G[ardiner] 

Jo:  Hall  Rich.  H[awkins] 

Tho:  Gorton  John  Hicks 

Tho:  Layton  Rich  Bur[den] 

James  Badcock  Hen  Knol[les] 

James  Weeden  John  Smith 

Jeffry  Champlin  marm:  war[d] 

John  Alsborow  wm  Almy 

Tho  Cornill  Toby  Knight 
John  Tefte 


164I-1646]      AQ.UIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I49 

taken 


Robt  Stanto 
Ed  Robinson 
Toby  Knight 
Rich  Morris 
Capt  Harding 


upo 
defFalt 


An  ac  of  the  Case  corn  by  Thomas  Tewe  Marriner  agst 
mr  John  Coggeshall  upo  the  attachmt  of  his  boate,  find  for 
the  defft  2d  dam  ^  costs. 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  com  by  wm  Almy  of  Portsmo  agst 
Georg  Roame  marriner  upo  x  li  damage  find  for  pla: 
XX  d  debt  to  be  pd  in  silver  ^  2d  damag  ^  costs 

An  ac  of  trespass  coin  by  Job  Tyler  agst  mr.  Nich 
Easto  .... 

An  ac  at  Case  com  by  Nicholas  Easton  agst  How 

of  Long  Island  demurrd  ^  againe  demurrd 

wm  Richardson  upo  his  Inditmt  of  selling  a  peec  to  the 
Indian  was  injoyned  to  bring  in  againe  the  sd  peec  by  the 
last  day  of  June  ensuing. 

Upo  the  ac  between  N  Cotterell^  Tho:  Applegate  the  last 
Cort  it  was  disired  that  Jeremy  Gould  ^  Capt  harding 
might  find  the  matters  of  difference  between  them  ^  bond 
them  selves  in  x  li  a  peece  to  stand  therto  provided  it  were 
issued  in  a  month 

An  ac  of  the  case  Com  by  mr  Nicholas  Easto  agst  mr  will 
Foster   RefFerd. 

An  ac  of  the  Case  Com  by  John  Stretton  marchant  agst 
Tho:  Toue  marriner  upo  100/2  damag  find  for  pla  loli  damage 
y  costs  of  Court  y  each  of  them  to  have  their  proper  goods 
in  the  vessell  exec  award:  .  .  .  nihill  habet:  a  Capias  was 
granted. 

Tho:  Gennings  acqt  his  indidmt  by  Crandall  ^  paying 
chardges  is  freed 

John  Briggs  paying  his  chardges  is  acqted  of  his  Indidmt 

Nicholas  Brown  paying  Chardges  is  acqted  his  Indidmt. 


150   DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

Robt  Hobbs  paying  chardges  is  acqted  his  in  Indtmt. 

Robt  Bentett  of  Nuport  being  inditted  this  prsent  Court 
for  reporting  slanderous  speeches  concerning  the  Gor  was 
committed  and  acknowledging  his  fault  i^  the  due  deserning 
of  Condigne  punishmt  the  Gor  Interseded  the  Court  for 
mercy,  the  Court  Injoyned  the  sd  Bennett  both  at  this 
Court  y  the  next  qter  Court  as  also  att  the  next  Generall 
Court  to  acknowledg  his  offence  both  to  the  Gor  i^  the 
Court  or  els  by  liable  to  farther  sentence 

John  Roome  upo  his  Report  of  some  slaunderous  speeches 
concerning  mr  Coddingto  Govr  being  Indited  ^  committed 
acknowledged  his  offence  ^  disired  hartily  to  be  Remitted 
wch  was  to  pay  chardges. 

George  Cleere  i^  John  Cory  being  indited  upo  suspicion  of 
felony  ^  bound  in  x  li  a  peec  to  appear  the  next  Qter  Court 

Ralph  Earle  againe  for  misbehaving  himself  it  was  ordered 
that  execucon  shuld  go  forth  for  breach  of  his  Recognizance." 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  27) 

At  the  Qter  Session  Court  held  at  Portsmouth  the  7°  of 
the  i  mo  1644 
rk 
Champlin 
Gardiner 
r-ill 
[F]oster 
[Frjeeborn 

alder 
[An]thony 
[Antho]ny  Paine 
Knolls 
Brayton 

It  an  ac  of  debt  up5  the  forfeiture  of  a  Recognizance  of  It 
com  by  henry  Bull  agst  Edw:  Robinson  both  of  Nuport 
found  for  the  pla  the  forfeiture  ^  costs 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  I51 

Itt  an  ac  of  the  case  Com  by  Richard  Awards  agst  Richard 
Hawkins  And  Thomas  Brookes  of  Portsmo,  iipo  a  bill  of 
debt,  find  for  pla  the  bill  of  ...  y  costs 

It  an  ac  of  the  case  Corn  by  Richard  Hawkins  ^  Thomas 
Brooks  of  Portsmo  against  Richard  Awards  of  the  same  towne 
find  for  pla  x  s  dam  i^  costs 

An  ac  of  the  case  bet  John  Hall  iff  Wm  England  of  Ports- 
mo agreed  tht  England  shall  Return  14  score  of  Railes  to  the 
place  when  he  had  them. 

An  ac  of  the  case  bet  Tho:  Gorto  y  wm  Almy  Agreed 

An  ac  of  the  case  com  by  Jeremy  Gold  on  the  behalf  of 
Robt  Lenthall  agst  Robt  Bennett  Taylor  agreed 

memo  John  Hickes  of  Nuport  being  bound  to  the  peace 
by  the  Govt  iff  Mr  Easto  in  a  bond  of  x  li  for  beating  his 
wife  Harwood  Hicks  iff  prsented  this  Court  was  ordered  to 
continue  in  his  bonds  till  the  next  iff  then  his  wife  to  come 
iff  give  evidence  concernmg  the  case 

Georg  Laycon  bound  ov  by  the  dept  iff  at  the  Court 
Released 

memorandum  That  Ralph  Earle  of  Portsmo  Carpenter 
acknowledges  to  owe  to  or  Soveraigne  Lord  x  li  to  be  Leived 
of  his  Lands  goods  or  chattells  the  bond  to  appeare  the 
next  session  at  Nuport  iff  nt  to  dept  the  Court  wthout 
Licence. 

John  Roome  iff  Tho:  Gorton  as  his  sureties  in  8  li  pr- 
peece 

Memorand  that  mr  Thomas  Burton  att  this  Court  ex- 
hibitting  a  motion  by  way  of  Complaint  that  John  Free 
defundl  at  Newport  by  the  fall  of  a  Tree  was  indebted  unto 
the  sd  Thomas  the  sum  of  Eight  pounds  or  therabouts  iff 
the  sd  John  leaving  nothing  behind  him  to  give  satisfacon 
but  a  peeic  of  Land  lying  att  Hambrook  containing  ten  ac 
more  or  less  facing  upo  the  mill,  the  Court  doth  by  this 
order  allow  and  Authorize  the  sd  mr  Burton  to  adminster 
upo  the  sd  pcell  of  Land  taking  unto  and  injoying  the  same 


152   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

peacbly  ^  quietly  as  his  owne  peculiar  Right  wth  the  Evi- 
dences herof  unless  any  other  as  the  True  heire  of  the  sd 
John  shall  come  and  make  claime  therof  wthin  on  yeare  ^ 
a  day  and  so  satisfie  tff  difray  the  sd  sum  of  Eight  pounds  i^ 
the  Arreages  therof  Teste  William  Dyre  pac:  cler: 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  28.) 

Taken  out  of  a  letter  from  John  Hicks  to  mr  Coggeshall 
dated  at  Flushin  the  12  of  decemb: 

now  for  parting  what  way  ther  is  seeing  she  have  carried 
the  matter  so  subtilly  as  she  have  I  know  nt,  but  if  ther  be 
any  way  to  bee  used  to  untie  that  Knott,  wch  was  at  the 
first  by  man  tyed  that  so  the  world  may  be  satisfied  I  am 
willing  ther  unto,  for  the  Knot  of  afFedlion  on  her  part  have 
been  untied  long  since,  and  her  whordome  have  freed  my 
-conscience  on  the  other  part,  so  I  Leave  myself  to  yor  advise 
[being  free  to  condissend  to  yor  advice  if  ther  may  be  such 
a  way  used  for  the  finall  parting  for  us. 

Teste  William  Dyre  Gen  Record 
(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  36.) 

In  the  records  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  of  7,  i,  1644  will 
be  found  a  previous  reference  in  regard  to  the  case  of  Hicks 
vs.  Hicks  which  eventually  culminated  in  a  divorce.  Horod 
Hicks,  nee  Herodias  Long,  married  secondly  George  Gar- 
diner and  thirdly  John  Porter. 

"At  a  monthly  Court  Held  at  Nuport  the  6th  day  of 
Jan:  1645 

An  aeon  of  debt  Com  by  the  Recorder  of  the  Towne  on  the 
Townes  behalf  agst  Ed:  Robinson  wm  weedan  James 
Weedan  ^  Nicholas  Cotterell  for  monyes  dew  for  their 
Lands  who  appeared  nt,  Cotterell  forwarnd  the  Sarjant  of 
his  ground  telling  him  tht  if  he  or  any  of  his  Confederates 
did  Come  to  take  his  prson  or  goods,  they  shall  find  hott 
water,  ^  further  tht  he  was  no  officer  nor  would  he  obey 
him 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  1 53 

Marmeduk  ward  Jo  Vaughan  John  Hornden  Toby  Knight 
and  George  Hamund  warnd  to  serve  upo  the  Jury  appeard  nt 
iff  lost  their  Issues 

Mr  John  dolling  of  vncaway  merchant  having  part  of, 
y  goods  in  a  shipp  lately  brought  to  Anchor  in  Nuport 
Harbor  iff  being  unwilling  that  she  should  dept  in  an  un- 
seonable  time  drew  up  a  protestacon  And  by  the  Authoritie 
of  Mr  Jeremy  Clark  being  on  of  the  magistrates  sent  the 
serjant  therwth  to  the  master  of  the  sd  shipp,  who  gave 
affedavitt  this  prsent  Court  of  the  ddrie  therof  into  the 
hands  of  Thomas  Newton  Master  of  the  sd  shipp  or  vessell, 
wch  protest  the  said  John  dolling  peticoned  this  Court  to 
be  entered  into  the  Records  therof  the  better  to  give  Evi- 
dence therof  to  such  whom  afterwards  it  might  further 
Concern 

I  John  Dolling  of  uncaway  Merchant  doe  by  these  presents 
as  Aturney  for  John  Richbell  Merchant,  and  for  myself, 
Protest  against  the  setting  sayle  of  the  shipp  Virgin  now  at 
Anchor  in  the  Road  of  Nuport  and  doe  hereby  deliver  that 
itt  is  by  me  this  present  day  Protested  wittness  my  hand 
this  4  of  Janu:  Ano:  i645 

pr  mee  John  dolling 

Before  me  Jeremy  Clarke  the  day  &  yeare  above  written. 
Supers  To  Thomas  Newton  Master  of  the  said  shipp" 

(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  33.) 

From  the  above  entry  it  would  appear  that  they  had 
monthly  courts  at  Newport  as  well  as  at  Portsmouth.  The 
Quarter  courts  it  will  be  noted  met  alternately  at  Newport 
and  Portsmouth. 

"At  a  Qter  Court  held  the  first  Tewsday  of  March  1645 

Richard  Morris 
Richard  Burden 
panelld  iJ  Jo:  Greenman 


154   DOCUMENTARY  HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

for  the  Tho:  Brookes 

persone  David  Greenman 

Rich  morris  Henry  Bull 

teased  John  Vaughn 

Jeremy  willie 
John  Horndall 
John  Green 
Tho:  Brookes 
Richard  Awards 
Marmaduk  ward 
Note  that  in  the  morning  the  Towne  Court  was  proclaind 
but  defFdts  Came  nt. 

Itt  the  ac  prosecuted  by  the  Towne  agst  Ed:  Robinson  the 
Jury  Returnd  found  4/281  arreareges  find  more  xxs  damage 
y  the  Charge  of  the  Court  28  s 

[A  marginal  note  gives  the  account  itemized,  but  it  is 
almost  illegible.] 

Ed  Robinson  bound  to  his  good  behavr  to  appeare  the 
next  Sessions  in  xx  li  John  wood  ^  Robt  Griffin  his  sureties 
in  X  li  a  peec,  W  Robinson  became  bound  in  xx  li  bond  to 
same  upon  farmless  discharged  at  Portsmo  paying  fees. 

Itt  thear  prosecuted  on  the  Townes  behalf  agst  Nicholas 
Cotterell  the  Jury  Returnes  found  40  j-  arraredges  l^  \os 
damag  l^  charg  of  the  Court  28  s 

Nich  Cotterell  bound  to  his  good  behavr  y  to  appear 
next  qter  session  in  x  li  Jeremy  Gould  l^  Robt  Stanton  his 
surties  in  8  li  a  peec 

Wm  y  Jamics  Weedan  Junr  presented  by  the  G  Jury  for 
setting  of  traps  so  likewise  [William]  Jeoftreys  Jer:  Goulds 
sonn  in  Law"  (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  34.) 

"At  the  Quarter  Sessions  Court  held  att  Nuport  the  6th 
of  oC(5lob  Ano  1646  upo  an  adjournmt 

Petitt  Jury  Grand  [Jury] 

Tho  Cornill  Tho:  Corn  [ill] 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  1 55 

John  Smith  R:  Griffin 

Rich  Morris  J  wilHs 

Robt  Griffin  J  Richman 

Jo  Horndall  R  Burden 

Jer  Willis  Wm  Freeborn 

Mar  ward 

Jo  Richman 

Rich  Burden 

Ralph  Cowland 

wm  Freeborne 

Jo:  Walker 

upon  the  last 

trial  of  Tho:  Gold 

sam  willso 

R  Bennet 

H  Walton 

R  Stanton 

J  Barker 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  com  by  Bartholemew  Hunt  Edward 
Greenman  and  Robert  Bennett  agst  Jeremy  Gould  the  4  of 
June  delayed  to  this  Court  Issued  and  found  for  the  Plain- 
tiffs X  li  damage  the  fence  to  be  the  sd  Jeremies  and  accord- 
ing to  the  Record  so  to  mainteyne  itt  iff  the  Costs  of  Court 

[An  illegible  marginal  note  gives  the  charges.] 

Thomas  Gould  Inditted  by  the  Grand  Inquist  for  breaking 
the  Peace  Refusing  to  give  baile  for  his  good  behavr  was 
Commited  to  the  Constable  till  further  order  being  found 
guilty  upo  the  Traverse 

Capt  Partridg  atturny  for  Georg  Hamond  demanded 
Early  declaracon  agst  him  or  else  a  non  suitt  iff  Costs, 
Judged  for  execucon  5  J"  4^ 

Memord  that  on  this  prsent  8  day  of  ocflober  I  Daniel 
Gould  of  Nuport  in  Rhode  Island  came  into  this  Court  in 
prsonall  .  .  .  some  iff  did  accknowledg  to  surrender  up  all 


156   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

his  Right  and  tittle  in  wtt  ever  estate  he  had  or  could  make 
claime  unto  into  his  father  Jeremies  hands  for  the  satis- 
facon  of  the  Cause  depending  between  his  father  ^  mr  wm 
Coddington  Memorand  that  Mr  Easton  ^  Mr  Balston 
Magist  being  sent  by  the  Court  to  Thomas  Gould  being  in 
duranc  Retarnd  this  Ans:  That  Thomas  Gould  sonn  to 
the  sd  Jeremy  did  acknowledge  himself  to  surrender  all  his 
Right  y  Tittle  in  wtt  ev  estate  he  had  or  could  make  claime 
unto  into  his  fathers  hands  for  the  satisfacon  of  the  cause 
depending  between  his  father  y  Mr  Willm  Coddington  of 
Nuport 

Memorand  that  on  this  prsent  8th  day  of  odob  that 
Jeremy  Gould  of  Nuport  came  into  this  Court  and  did 
acknowledg  himself  to  bee  indetted  unto  Wllm  Coddington 
[to]  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  to  be  Levied  of  his 
lands  goods  ^  chattells  for  the  use  of  [the]  said  William 
Coddington,  prvided  that  no  Execucon  shall  be  issued  out 
upon  this  Judgm[ent]  untill  the  arbitrators  chosen  in  this 
Cause  between  the  pla  ^  defFt  shall  be  agree[d]  the  Award 
be  dd  or  Ready  to  be  dd  .  .  .  unto  them  in  writting  under 
their  hands  ifJ  se[ales]  and  if  the  prtie  judged  to  be  indebted 
against  whom  the  Award  shall  be  shall  R[efuse]  to  dd  up  so 
much  of  his  Estat  as  shall  Satisfie  the  Award  Then  Execucon 
for  [so]  much  as  the  Award  shall  be  shall  issue  forth  by  the 
powre  of  this  Court  agst  body,  goods  &  Chattells,  and  from 
this  prsent  ad:  ther  shall  be  no  appeale  prvided  that  [both] 
Jeremy  iff  Willm  doth  upo  this  judgment  consist,  and  the 
Record  therof  made  [did]  choyce  of  eight  Arbitrators  vidzt 
Mr  John  Porter  Capt  Alexander  Partridge,  Mr  Rog[er] 
Williams  Capt  Jeremy  Clarke  Richard  Burden,  Chad 
Brown,  Mr  John  Clarke  ^  Ezekiell  [Holliman]  ^  did  author- 
ize them  wth  full  powre  to  judge  iff  issue  all  manner  of 
differences  de[bts]  or  demands  that  is  hath  or  may  be  pre- 
sented since  the  beginning  of  the  world  to  [the]  day  of  the 
date  herof  between  them  and  do  both  agree  for  themselves 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK    QUARTER    COURT    RECORDS  1 57 

heyres  [  ]  and  administrators,  that  if  all  or  six  of  the 

eight  shall  accurr  then  the  case  is  full[y]  determined  but 
if  ther  do  but  five  of  the  eight  agree  then  a  fift  prt  of  the 
award  to  be  abated  y  the  determinacon  of  those  five  to 
stand  good  and  effed:uall,  bu[t]  ^  if  ther  be  an  equall 
divident  between  them  that  is  foure  ^  foure  then  to  deter- 
mine itt  by  Lott  Any  two  of  the  Arbitrators  to  cast  itt  The 
Time  That  the  Arbitrators  shall  have  to  Issue  this  shall  Bee 
till  the  Last  day  of  Novemb  next  ensuing 

Memorand  that  Mr  William  Coddington  did  acknowledge 
y  cijfess  the  above  said  in[strument]  also  unto  Jeremy 
Gould  reciprocally  ut  supra  dicitur"    (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  7.) 

"At  a  Qter  Session  hold  att  Portsmouth  December  Ano 
Dofh  16^6 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  William  Withington  pla  of 
Nuport  agst  John  wood  of  the  same  upo  xx  nobles  damag 
Delayed  till  next  Court  find  for  the  defendant  costs 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  com  by  Nicholas  Easton  agst  Henry 
Timberleggs  upo  xx  li  damg  delayed 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  Nicholas  Easton  pla  agst 
John  Wardie  of  In  damg  of  xx  nobles  delayed 

An  aeon  of  the  case  com  by  mr  Easton  pla  agst  George 
Baldwin  upo  x  li  damag  delayed  mr  Balston  Bayle 

An  aeon  of  Sclaunder  Co  by  Jeremy  Willie  of  Nupt  agst 
Walter  Lettice  upo  xx  li  damage  delayed  mr  Jeremy  Clark 
Baile 

An  aeon  of  the  Case  com  by  Richard  Knight  pla  agst 
William  JeoflPreys  bearing  dat  27°  Novemb  upo  dam  of  30/1 

An  aeon  of  debt  com  by  Richard  Awards  of  Portsmo  agst 
Wm  Almie  of  the  same  towne  18  li  damag  delayed  Baile 
Rich  morris  y  John  Briggs  defF  Nihill  dixitt  [Marginal  note 
"dec  filed  the  2d  dec"] 

An  aeon  of  Trespass  com  by  Richard  Awards  pla  agst  Wm 
Almie  upon  damag  of  30  li  del  Baile  Rich  Awards  i^  John 
Briggs  find  for  pla  debt  16  li  10  s  iff  21  p  stock  damag  10  li 


158    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

The  Court  ord  the  Rec  to  sew  Ralph  Earle  for  forty 
shilling  upo  the  breach  of  the  Law  in  furnishing  an  Indian  wth 
a  Gun  he  being  convicH:  by  wm  Balsto  if^  others  also  to  Pay 
5  J  for  being  drunk  or  to  be  stockt,  the  Court  held  at  Nupt 
Ord  Judgmt 

The  Court  orders  the  peece  that  is  in  Mr  Eastons  hands 
wch  was  taken  from  the  Indian  provd  to  belong  to  Thos 
Layton  and  to  be  dd  to  the  Recod  who  is  to  keep  itt  till  the 
40  s  be  pd.,  it  is  also  granted  that  the  sd  Layton  may  appeare 
at  the  next  qter  Court  iff  be  heard  in  the  case  non  appear- 
ance Judgmt  orderd. 

An  aeon  of  Trespass  C.  by  Richard  Burden  pla  Cont 
Ralph  Earle  loo  It  damag  Willm  Richardson  iff  Earth  Hunt 
baile  100  li  a  peece 

An  aeon  Com  by  Nich  Easton  pla  agst  Wm  Dyre  5  marke 
damag 

An  aeon  of  trespass  of  Mr  Easto  contra  George  Baldwine 
20  marks  damage 

An  aeon  of  trespass  com  by  wm  dyre  of  Nuport  pla  agst 
wm  Coddington  deft  in  an  aeon  of  ...  to  the  .  .  .  dam- 
mage  40/1"  (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  9.) 

"Ingrocmt  of  Mr  Coddington  declara[tion]  May  the 
XXIIth  1646 

The  declaracon  of  william  Coddington  of  Nuport  in 
Roade  Island  Gent  Plaintiff  agst  Jeremy  Gould  of  the  same 
towne  Complaineth  agst  the  said  Jeremy  in  an  aeon  of  debt 
of  breach  of  Covenant  by  vertue  of  a  Covent  or  lease,  Signed 
y  Sealed  betweenethe  forsaid  PlantifF  and  defft  interchang- 
ably  and  befor  divers  sufficient  wittnesseth,  bearing  date 
the  first  day  of  July  in  the  sixteenth  yeare  of  king  Charles 
Ano.  1646  that  wheras  the  sd  Jeremie  hath  by  his  lease  or 
Covent  Indented  and  bound  himself  to  keep  and  mani- 
teyne  himselfe  his  wife  iff  a  maid  servant  iff  five  able  men 
kind  good  workers  to  bee  imployed  upo  and  about  the 
demised  premises  of  the  farme  for  the  benefitt  of  the  said 


164I-1646J      AQUIDNECK    QUARTER    COURT    RECORDS  1 59 

farme  Ifj  also  one  to  keepe  the  demised  goates  y  the  said 
Jeremy  is  to  the  best  of  his  skill  to  imploy  appoint  ^  im- 
prove the  Labors  of  himselfe  ^  those  other  eight  prsons 
befor  Covenanted  for  for  the  best  advantage  of  the  said 
farme  ^  the  said  Plaintiff  y  Now  so  it  is  that  for  the  space 
of  above  thess  three  yeares  last  past  that  is  to  say  from  the 
23  day  of  o(5t  1642  untill  the  25°  day  of  may  1646  the  sd 
defft  hath  willfully  negleAed  the  observing  of  his  Covent  y 
hath  not  kept  so  many  able  servants  as  his  chardge,  neyther 
hath  he  the  sd  defft  to  the  best  of  his  skill  imployd  him- 
selfe y  those  other  eight  prsons  before  Covenanted  to  the 
best  advantage  of  the  demised  premises  to  the  damage  of 
the  platf  500  li 

And  wheras  the  said  defft  is  to  Redeliver  two  of  the  oldest 
demised  oxen  unto  sd  Pla  ev  yeare  yearly  during  the  Covent 
on  the  first  of  May  and  to  Receave  tw[o]  steeres  in  their 
Roames,  the  sd  defft  hath  refused  so  to  do  to  the  damage  of 
sd  Pla  20  li 

And  wheras  the  said  defft  is  to  imploy  the  Labors  of  the 
draught  Cattle  Coming  unto  him  for  the  best  advantage  of 
the  demised  prmises  i^  the  Plaintiffs  thatt  is  to  say  twelve 
oxen,  one  stoned  horse  i^  one  mare  the  sd  defft  hath  divers 
times  used  the  demised  oxen  to  his  owne  use  i^  profitt  on 
y  above  the  twelve  dayes  specefied  in  his  Covent  ^  also 
the  demised  horse  y  mare  wholy  to  his  owne  use  l^  service 
y  nt  at  all  upo  the  demised  prmises  according  to  the  true 
purport  y  meaning  of  the  Covent  to  the  daiiiag  of  the  sd 
Pla  10  li 

And  wheras  the  sd  defent  is  to  mainteyne  ^  make  good 
sufficient  fences  ab[out]  the  demised  prmises,  And  to  beare 
Equall  charg  therat  for  the  preservacon  ^  Safety  of  the 
Corne  ^  seed  sowen  the  said  defftt  hath  nt  sufficiently  at  all 
kept  the  fences  in  good  Repair  for  the  space  of  thess  three 
ye[ares]  last  past  to  the  damage  of  the  Pla  300  li 

And  wheras  all  ac(5ls  wch  shall  arise  to  be  dew  unto  the 


l6o   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

Pla  shall  be  [ten]dered  iff  Cleerd  once  in  six  months,  he  the 
sd  defFt  hath  not  tenderd  hath  not  cleered  no  accfl  for 
the  space  of  thess  three  years  [last]  past  to  the  damag  of 
the  Pla  100  li 

And  wheras  the  sd  defft  was  to  expend  the  surpluss  of  .  .  . 
upo  the  Cattle  of  Pla  iff  defft  equally  by  Number  iff  growth 
and  on  no  other  persons  the  said  defft  for  thess  three  winters 
last  past  hath  kept  divers  nombers  of  Cattle  over  iff  above 
the  plaintiff  Contrary  to  his  Covent  to  the  damag  of  50  li 

And  wheras  the  said  diffendant  is  by  his  Covent  bound  to 
imploy  himself  and  those  eyght  persons  Covented  for  to  the 
best  of  his  skill  for  the  best  benefit  iff  improvmt  of  the  sd 
demised  prmises  now  so  it  is  that  the  said  defft  hath  nt 
imployed  himself  iff  those  eight  prsons  to  the  best  of  his 
skill  for  the  manuring  of  the  demised  premises  in  keeping  it  in 
good  .  .  .  fitt  for  tillage  but  hath  worne  itt  out  for  want 
of  good  manuring  to  the  damage  of  the  Pla  200  li 

And  wheras  the  sd  defft  is  to  Cary  all  the  Corne  of  the 
demised  into  the  barne  or  barnes  of  the  demised  prmises  iff 
ther  according  unto  [the]  intent  and  purport  of  the  Covent 
to  cause  it  to  be  therashed,  ^  ...  to  give  notice  to  the 
pla  wn  it  is  so  therashed  iff  cleansd  .  .  .  devided  ther 
by  the  bushell,  the  sd  defft  contrary  herunto  hath  .  .  . 
to  the  sd  Pla  att  any  time  or  times  to  ...  at  the  great 
.  .  .  Corne  so  threashed  iff  cleansed  as  aforsd  to  the 
damage  of  li"     (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  3.) 

[undated  Court  Record] 
"Memo  that  upon  the  misbehaviour  of  Ralph  Earle  of 
Portsmo  this  prsent  Court  In  comming  ther  into  iff  saying 
that  if  the  Court  would  not  administer  an  oath  unto  him  he 
would  administer  it  to  himself  iff  so  Informe  the  Grand  Jury 
divers  iff  other  Rude  deportmts  he  was  bound  to  his  good 
behavior  in  the  sum  of  Tenn  pounds  to  or  Soveraign  Lord 
the   Kings   matie. 


164I-1646]      AQ.UIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  161 

An  ac  of  slaunder  by  Com  Richard  Morris  of  Portsmo 
agst  Thomas  Gorton  of  the  same  Towne  in  xx  li  damage 
for  the  extravagancie  of  his  wives  Tongue  in  abusing  the 
sd  Richard,  the  Jury  find  for  pla  x  li  damage  iff  costs: 
or  else  the  woman  to  acknowledg  her  fault,  who  accordingly 
did  y  the  damag  was  Remitted 

An  ac  of  the  Case  Com  by  Henry  Bull  ^  Nicholas  will'd 
agst  John  Throgmorton 

An  ac  of  Case  Com  by  Nicholas  Cotterell  of  Nuport  agst 
Thomas  Applegate  for  [defed]  of  his  fence  wherby  the  pla 
hath  susteined  damag  to  5  li  by  the  deflPt  demurrd 

An  ac  of  the  Case  Com  by  John  Alsborough  of  Portsmo  pla 
agst  Wm  withington  of  Sachuis  5  H damag  by  the  deflp  demurrd 
till  the  next  Court  &  then  upo  non  appearance  of  the  defF 
the  Issue  was  joined  and  found  for  pla  ^os  damage  and  costs. 

An  ac  of  slaunder  Com  by  Adam  mott  Senr  agst  John 
Anthony  x  li  dam  by  the  assent  of  both  being  bound  in  a 
bond  of  X  li  2l  peece  that  the  Govt  Mr  Easton  Mr  Coggshall 
shall  determine  all  matters  between  them  in  3  dayes 

Ther  were  5  aeon  com  between  Jeremy  Gould  ^  John 
Layton  but  all  demurrd  iff  at  the  next  Court  agreed  that 
Mr  Brenton  Mr  Balsto  Mr  Easton  iff  mr  Jer:  Clark  should 
determine  the  matters  in  difference."     (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  13.) 

"The  declaracon  of  John  Richman  of  Nuport  plaintiff  agst 
John  west  of  the  same  towne  in  a  plea  of  sur  le  case  Com- 
plaineth  that  wheras  the  said  John  Richman  plaintiff  did 
agree  wth  the  aforsd  John  west  by  a  verball  accord  vidgt 
that  the  sd  defft  shuld  helpe  to  build  the  said  plantiff  a 
mansio  house  by  the  mill  brook  at  Nuport  iff  to  be  finished 
by  Aprill  last  past  was  twelve  months  the  deffendant  hath 
nt  so  done  to  the  damag  or  yr  pla.  xxx  li 

thirtie  eight  weekes  diett  iff  washing  to  the  valew  of  nine 
pounds  ten  shillings  at  five  shillings  p  week. 

And  further  the  said  Pla  Complaineth  tht  wheras  seeing 
ther  was  no  written  Covent  nor  wittness  of  the  bargaine 


l62    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

making  between  the  sd  Pla  ^  defft  but  the  sd  Pla  relying 
upo  the  honestie  of  the  defft  in  the  accord,  Yett  so  it  is  that 
since  the  house  so  farr  done  as  it  is,  and  the  difference  arysing 
between  the  sd  Pla  i^  defft  the  Pla  hath  divers  times  offered 
to  Comprmise  the  matter  of  difference  between  them  and  to 
that  end  did  take  wth  him  two  sufficient  workmen  to  Judge 
of  the  worke  who  have  given  undre  their  hands  their  estema- 
con  of  the  sd  work  tht  so  a  peaceable  end  might  be  made 
the  sd  defft  hath  Refused  to  attend  therto  to  the  damage 
of  yr  pla  xx  li  Refered  ^  ended."     (R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  4.) 

"The  declaracon  of  Mr  Willm  Coddingto  pla  agst  Jeremy 
Gold  defft,  Complaineth  against  the  sd  defft  in  an  aeon  of 
Accoumpt  May  22°  i646 

Wheras  the  sd  pla  did  demise  in  the  yeare  1642  unto  the  sd 
defft  60  female  goats  y  3  shooc  rams  to  be  kept  of  the  demised 
premises  at  the  care  i^  chardg  of  the  defft  for  the  milck  y 
the  one  moytie  of  the  increase  and  to  deliver  unto  the  pla 
yearly  the  other  moyetie  and  thess  to  be  pted  yearly  when 
they  are  weaned  after  the  old  stock  being  made  up  out  of 
the  ewe  kidds  befor  the  divident  Now  soe  it  is  that  the  sd 
defft  hath  at  no  time  for  the  space  of  fowre  yeares  last  past 
mad  no  divident  of  the  increase  of  the  demised  goats  unto 
the  pla  to  the  damage  of  the  pla  twenty  pounds 

And  wheras  the  sd  pla  did  demise  in  the  yeare  1640  unto 
the  sd  defft  eight  Cowes  to  bee  kept  as  aforesaid  and  the 
increase  therof  equally  to  be  divided  in  the  beginning 
of  May  the  yeare  after  they  are  fallen  (and  in  the  meane 
before  the  divident)  they  to  be  kept  on  the  farme  in  the 
most  secure  place  from  harme  y  danger  according  to  the 
true  purport  ^  meaning  of  the  Covent  the  sd  defft  Con- 
trary here  unto  hath  nt  for  thess  five  yeares  last  past  kept 
the  increase  of  thess  demised  cattle  in  some  safe  i^  secure 
place  on  the  farme  neyther  hath  made  any  true  divident  of 
the  increase  of  the  demised  cattle  unto  the  pla  to  the  damage 
of  the  pla  50  li 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  163 

And  wheras  the  sd  pla  did  demise  unto  the  defft  in  the 
yeare  aforsd  one  mare  to  be  imployed  of  the  demised  prmises 
y  the  sd  pla  to  have  l^  Receive  one  moyetie  of  the  Labor 
y  increas  of  the  sd  mare,  the  defFt  Contrary  herunto  hath 
nt  at  all  or  at  least  once  made  any  trew  divident  of  the 
increase  to  the  damag  of  the  pla  6  li 

And  wheras  the  sd  pla  did  demise  unto  the  sd  defFt  in  the 
yeare  aforsd  one  farme  Contayning  350  acs  more  or  less  to 
be  imployed  l^  improved  to  the  best  of  the  skill  of  the  defFt 
for  the  best  advantage  Ifj  Profitt  of  both,  the  pla  y  defFt  the 
sd  defFt  is  to  give  Iff  yeeld  unto  the  pla  the  one  moyetie  of 
all  the  increase  of  the  Corne  arising  l^  growing  of  the  demise 
prmises  Now  so  itt  is  that  the  sd  deft  for  the  Space  of  five 
yeares  last  past  hath  broken  up  and  sowed  for  score  or 
100  acs  of  Land  more  or  less  wheron  hath  Risen  y  growne 
great  crops  of  severall  graine  to  the  valew  of  1500  bush  a 
yeare  at  least  wherof  no  accompt  hath  been  given  unto  the 
pla  to  the  damage  of  the  pla  400  li 

Wheras  the  sd  pla  did  demise  unto  the  sd  defFt  in  the 
yeare  aforsd  to  be  kept  at  the  care  15"  chardg  of  the  sd  deft 
8  Cowes  y  that  if  threw  the  will  full  negled:  of  the  sd  def- 
fendt  or  any  of  his  servts  that  any  of  the  sd  demised  Cattle 
shall  dye  or  be  killed  then  shall  the  sd  defFt  beare  the  loss, 
Now  so  it  is  that  two  of  thess  demised  cattle  hath  threw  the 
will  full  negledl  of  him  ^  his  servts  been  killed  i^  dyed  to 
the  damag  of  the  pla  14  li 

And  wheras  the  sd  pla  did  lend  unto  the  defFt  in  the  yeare 
aforsd  one  black  ston'd  Colt  the  sd  defFt  hath  nt  since  tht 
time  Rendered  him  againe  but  hath  Converted  him  to  his 
owne  use  to  the  damag  of  the  pla  12  li 

wheras  the  sd  defFt  doth  stand  indebted  to  the  sd  pla  for 

3  yds  §  of  dimetie  valew  i  s  2  bush  ^  |  of  salt  13  9  d  for 

4  skinns  1 2J  for  wheat  3  J- 9^  for  a  bed  cord  I  J"  8^  .  ,  .  candles 
3/  4^  for  freitt  of  a  .  .  .  u  3J  for  x\s  dew  upo  the  last 
accompt  4/1  paid  for  you  in  the  Pay  to  Mr  Wm  Ting  for 


164   DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND     [164I-1646 

Iron  xxj  a  sith  "js  a  new  sack  ...  all  wh  i^  the  sd  defFt 
stands  in  debt  unto  the  sd  pla  to  the  damage  of  the  pla  10  /z " 
(R.  I.  C.  R.  p.  4.) 

"The  sum  of  the  Presentment  of  Samuel  Gorton  at 
Portsmouth  in  Roade-Island,  hy  the  Grand  Jury. 

First,  that  Samuel  Gorton  certaine  dayes  before  his  ap- 
pearance at  this  Court,  said,  the  Government  was  such  as 
was  not  to  bee  subjecfled  unto,  forasmuch  as  it  had  not  a 
true  derivation,  because  it  was  altered  from  what  it  first  was. 

2  That  Samuel  Gorton  contumeliously  reproached  the 
Magistrates  calling  them  Just  Asses. 

3  That  the  said  Gorton  reproachfully  called  the  Judges, 
or  some  of  the  Justices  on  the  Bench  (corrupt  Judges)  in 
open  Court. 

4  That  the  said  Gorton  questioned  the  Court  for  making 
him  to  waite  on  them  two  dayes  formerly,  and  that  now  hee 
would  know  whether  hee  should  bee  tryed  in  an  hostile  way, 
or  by  Law,  or  in  sobriety. 

5  The  said  Gorton  albdged  in  open  Court,  that  hee  looked 
at  the  Magistrates  as  Lawyers,  and  called  Mr.  Easton, 
Lawyer  Easton. 

6  The  said  Gorton  charged  the  Deputy  Governour  to 
bee  an  Abetter  of  a  Riot,  Assault,  or  Battery,  and  professed 
that  he  would  not  touch  him,  no  not  with  a  paire  of  tongues: 
Moreover  he  said,  I  know  not  whether  thou  hast  any  eares,^ 
or  no:  as  also,  I  think  thou  knowest  not  where  thy  ears 
stand,  and  charged  him  to  be  a  man  unfit  to  make  a  warrant. 

7  The  said  Gort07i  charged  the  Bench  for  wresting  wit- 
nesse,  in  this  expression,  I  professe  you  wrest  witnesse. 

8  The  said  Gorton  called  a  Freeman  in  open  Court  (saucy 
Boy,  and  Jack-an-Apes;)  and  said,  the  woman  that  was 
upon  her  oath,  would  not  speake  against  her  mother,  al- 
though she  were  damned  where  she  stood. 

1  See  Doc.  Hist,  of  R.  I.  vol.  i,  p.  64. 


164I-1646]      AQUIDNECK   QUARTER   COURT   RECORDS  165 

9  The  said  Gorton  affirmed  that  Mr.  Easton  behaved  him- 
selfe  not  Hke  a  Judge,  and  that  himself  was  charged  either 
basely  or  falsly. 

10  The  said  Gorton  said  to  the  Bench,  Ye  intrude  Oaths, 
and  goe  about  to  catch  me. 

11  The  said  Gorton  being  reproved  for  his  miscarriage, 
held  up  his  hand,  and  with  extremity  of  speech  shooke  his 
hand  at  them,  insomuch  that  the  Freemen  present  said, 
Hee  threatens  the  Court. 

12  The  said  Gorton  charged  the  Court  with  adling  the 
second  part  of  Plymouth  Magistrates,  who,  as  hee  said,  con- 
demned him  in  the  Chimney  corner,  ere  they  heard  him 
speak. 

13  The  said  Gorton  in  open  Court  did  professe  to  main- 
taine  the  quarell  of  another  being  his  Maid-servant. 

14  The  said  Gorton  being  commanded  to  prison,  im- 
periously resisted  the  authority,  and  made  open  Procla- 
mation, saying,  take  away  Coddington,  and  carry  him  to 
prison;  the  Governour  said  again,  all  you  that  ow^ne  the 
King,  take  away  Gorton  and  carry  him  to  prison;  Gorton 
replyed,  all  you  that  own  the  King,  take  away  Coddington^ 
and  carry  him  to  prison. 

William  Dyre  Secretary." 

(Winslow's  "Hyprocrisie  Unmasked,"  1646,  p.  55.) 


Seal  of  Benedict  and  Damaris  Arnold 


XVI 
CONTEMPORARY  LETTERS 

THE  following  contemporary  letters  with  their  homely 
details    give    a    little    local    color    to    our    idea    of 
Newport  life  in  the  early  seventeenth  century. 

*'To  the   Right  WorshipfuU   and   his   much  estemed  John 

Winthrape  Esqr.  Governour  of  the  Massachusets, 

dd.  in  Boston. 

Right  Worshipful,  —  Haveing  so  opportune  a  measeinger 
as  your  owne  Indean,  being  by  my  pinnice  returned  from 
Blocke  Hand,  i^  doth  now  hast  to  returne  unto  yow,  I  doe 
make  bould  to  salute  yow,  haveing  littell  else  to  informe 
your  worship  of.  Mr.  James  being  returned  lately  from 
Quinepage  doth  informe  that  the  Inhabitants  did  give  their 
power  to  the  Church,  iff  the  Church  hath  chosen  Mr.  The- 
ophilus  Eaton  their  Magistrate,  for  so  they  call  him,  Mr. 
Newman,  Mr.  Ffugall,  Mr.  Gilbard,  Captin  Turner,  as- 
sistants. He  did  lickewise  informe  that  they  have  taken 
one  of  the  Pequit  murderes  Nepawbuck  by  name,  y  have 
putt  him  to  death.  I  have  the  names  of  12  of  the  Pequits 
morders  that  are  yet  alive.  Your  Indan  knowes  some  of 
them,  his  brother  more,  iff  wher  they  live.  Our  Indeans 
here  are  peaceable,  though  we  trust  them  not.  Could  be 
glad  to  here  from  your  worshipe,  if  any  thinge  be  attempted 
aginest  them  about  two  maires  i^  cowe  we  heare  they  have 
killed,  that  we  might  stand  upon  our  gard.  I  am  removed 
12  myles  further  up  to  the  Hand.    Ther  they  have  gathered 


CH.  XVl]         CONTEMPORARY  LETTERS  1 67 

a  Church,  Iff  doe  intend  to  chuse  officers  shortely,  ^  do 
desire  better  healpes  in  that  kind,  when  the  Lord  is  pleassed 
to  send  them,  ^  would  gladly  use  what  meanes  doth  lye 
in  us  to  obtayne  them.  Things  are  in  fare  better  passe 
conserning  our  civill  governmentt  then  they  have  bene, 
divers  Famelyes  being  come  in  that  had  revolted  from  ther 
owne  a(5le,  ^  have  given  satisfaction,  Mr.  Gorton  &  Mrs. 
Huchson  doth  oppose  it  It  Vv^as  hached  when  I  was  in  the 
Baye,  iff  the  Lord,  I  hope,  will  shortely  putt  an  esew  to  it. 
Being  in  great  hast,  with  my  love  to  yourselfe,  Mrs.  Win- 
thrape,  y  all  that  doe  remember  me,  I  take  leave  iff  rest. 
Yours  to  be  commaunded  wher  in  I  maye, 

Willm  Coddington. 
Acquednecke,  Decmr.  9.   1639. 

Mr.  John  Cogshall,  Mr.  Willm.  Brenton,  iff  Sergant 
Balstone  doe  desire  to  have  their  service  presented  to  your 
worship." 

Indorsed  by  Gov.  Winthrop,  *'Mr.  Coddington."  (M. 
H.  S.  C.  4,  7,  279.) 


"To  the  Worshipfull   and  his   much   respedled   frind  John 
Winthrape  Esqr.  at  his  howse  in  Boston,  dd. 

Worthy  iff  Beloved,  —  I  have  recaived  your  letter  sent  by 
my  Cozen  Burt,  in  answer  wher  unto  I  would  not  have 
yow  trobled  how  to  write  unto  me,  seeing  at  this  distance 
we  knowe  not  how  other  wayes  to  confer  to  geather.  Many 
loveing  letters  have  passed  betweene  us,  at  a  fare  greater 
distance  of  place  then  nowe  we  bee  at.  Possibely  yow  may 
conceive  of  things  deeper,  or  otherwayes,  then  ther  is  cause 
for.  I  doe  intend  to  answer  for  my  selfe  (by  neighbors)  I 
doe  not  knowe  howe  yow  doe  meane,  unlesse  it  be  the 
brethren  that  did  remove  with  me.  It  may  be  they  are 
better  able  to  answer  for  themselves  than  I  am,    I  was  sick 


1 68        DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

when  the  measinger  yow  mention  came  to  the  Hand,  who 
said  they  had  onely  one  Question  to  put  to  me,  which  wos 
whither  I  did  hould  my  selfe  to  stand  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  Boston  or  not.  I  answered,  to  my  best  remem- 
berance,  to  this  effedle,  that  the  Question  was  very  con- 
siderable, iff  needed  my  best  health  to  answer  to  it,  but 
for  these  grounds  I  did  scruple  it,  viz:  after  serous  debate 
at  2  Solomon  meeting,  in  which  very  few  of  the  members 
wos  wanting  (to  my  best  rememberance,  i^  so  others  afFerme 
allso)  which  meeting  was  first  accationed  by  the  motion  of 
one  of  the  members  nowe  resident  with  you,  and  as  I  toucke 
it  in  the  name  of  others;  my  selfe  and  Mr.  John  Coggshall, 
being  to  geather  at  my  howse,  w4th  some  other  brethren, 
that  wee  two,  iff  some  others  he  mentioned,  would  remove, 
for  their  peace,  iff  settlement,  ^c.  I  did  inquire  how  that 
might  be  without  offence,  he  said  he  would  procuer  us  a 
church  meeting,  in  which  it  should  be  transacted.  At  the 
later,  our  teacher  being  out  of  the  towne  when  the  former 
wos,  it  wos  with  the  generall  advice  iff  consent  of  all  (as 
I  take  it)  we  were  commended  to  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus  in  our  removall,  iff  it  wos  the  substance  of  Mr.  Cot- 
ton's sermonds  the  next  Lord's  Day,  wher  ther  wos  not 
Churches  to  commend  their  brethren  two,  ther  they  might 
commend  them  two  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus;  which 
I  have  related  to  some  Elders  iff  brethren  of  other  Churchs 
amongest  your  selvs,  as  else  wher,  some  by  word,  others 
by  writing,  iff  though  they  differ  as  I  have  to  show,  "  i  El- 
der sayth  it  wos  a  dumbe  dismishon.  2:  Elder  sayth  it 
wos  because  most  of  them  wos  departed  in  their  spirits 
then  from  the  sents  here.  The  3d  Elder  sayeth  directly  that 
it  wos  a  dismishon,  iff  that  your  church  had  not  further  to 
doe,"  ^c.  And  trewely  I  would  seriously  move  this  ques- 
tion, that  if  the  Church  Covenant  did  reche  me,  being 
removed,  upon  what  grounds  they  did  first  advise  iff  motion 
my  departuer,  which  must  of  nessetye  cutt  of  that  relation. 


GRAV?:S'rONE  OF  GOVERNOR  WILLIAM  CODDINGTON  AT  NEWPORT. 


CH.  XVl]  CONTEMPORARY    LETTERS  169 

For  that  place  aleged  by  yow,  Mathew  i8,  it  doth  re- 
mayne  yet  to  be  proved  by  scripture  that  any  Church  did 
ever  clame  power  over  their  brethren,  removed  by  their 
consent,  more  then  those  that  wos  never  in  fellowshipe 
with  them.  It  wos  tendered  by  Mr.  Hibings,  ^  accepted 
by  me,  that  some  thing  should  be  donn  on  this  kind,  but 
I  have  hard  no  thing  of  it  as  yet,  I  would  therfore  wish  my 
brethren  knewe  it,  ^  that  I  wos  not  thus  charged. 

2ly  I  may  to  your  selfe  answer  my  dismishon  out  of  the 
Commonwealth,  l^  when  I  wos  departed  the  feare  that 
the  contrie  expressed,  which  stands  upon  recourde  in  your 
Court  booke,  that  my  selfe  ^  others  of  us  wos  gone  out  of 
the  way,  (when  wee  went  to  seeke  out  a  place  for  our  abod, 
y  though  I  have  it  to  shew  under  your  selfe  ^  the  Gover- 
nors hand  that  nowe  is,  that  I  had  a  yeares  libertye  for  my 
removeall)  to  escape  onely  the  censer  of  the  Court  for  the 
present,  y  therfore  it  was  inacted  that  unlesse  we  were 
departed  by  such  a  tyme,  we  were  to  appeare  at  the  Courte. 
For  my  owne  part,  I  was  not  willing  to  live  in  the  fyer  of 
contention  with  your  selfe  (^  others  whome  I  honered  in 
the  Lord),  haveing  lived  7  yeares  in  place  of  Goverment 
with  yow,  but  chose  rayther  to  live  in  exsile  y  to  put  my 
selfe  upon  a  sudayne  removall,  upon  14  dayes  tyme,  to  a 
place  with  out  howseing,  chuseing  rather  to  fall  in  to  the 
hand  of  God;  which  what  my  selfe  ^  wife  ^  fameyle  did 
induer  in  that  removeall,  I  wish  nether  you  nor  yours  may 
ever  bee  put  unto.  If  after  all  this  under  taken  of  my  part 
for  peace,  we  must  clash,  ^  make  it  appeare  in  the  Chris- 
tan  world,  we  that  are  as  a  citty  set  of  hill:  (the  will  of 
our  God  be  donn)  I  could  wish  for  the  good  of  both  plan- 
tations that  it  wos  other  wayes,  y  muteall  love  i^  helpe- 
fullnes  continued. 

For  the  letters  you  mention,  they  haveing  said  before 
that  they  had  onely  one  thing  to  propound  to  me,  y  not 
profering  me  any  leters,  I  might  not  possibely  attend,  being 


lyO       DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

sick,  to  what  passed  aboute  them,  as  indeed  I  do  not  re- 
member now,  would  they  that  wos  aboute  me  have  bene 
wiUing,  yf  they  had  profered  me  them,  that  I  should  then 
have  read  them,  feareing  it  would  doe  me  hurte.  Sence 
my  recovery  I  have  desired  a  copy  of  them,  ^  have  bene 
promised  one.  The  other  thing  you  mention,  concerning 
our  uncurteous  entertayment  of  your  Church's  measingers, 
I  have  enquired  into  it,  ^  cannot  understand  but  that  they 
were  recaived  with  resped:  ^  curteously  entertayned  at 
both   plantations. 

For  the  Indeans  I  could  wish  all  lenety  towards  them, 
which  understand  not  possibely  the  natuer  of  a  promise, 
they  saye  it  was  that  if  any  iniueryed  the  EngHsh,  they 
would  not  protedle  them,  but  deliver  them  up  to  make 
satisefacHiion  ether  in  their  persons  or  estates.  Ther  is  a 
lude  Felowe,  one  Tho.  Saverye,  whom  I  heare  is  now  in 
durance  with  yow,  who  haveing  stolne  a  paire  of  showes 
from  my  howse,  of  the  Lords  day,  iff  heareing  it  was  dis- 
covered, fled  from  the  Hand  to  the  7  myles  river,  iff  ther 
being  aflBidled  in  consence,  (as  he  pretended)  for  what  he 
had  donn,  came  to  acknowledge  the  evill  of  it,  iff  give 
satesefacflion.  I  susspedled  though  he  seemed  to  crye,  he 
did  but  dissemble,  therfore  searched  him,  iff  found  of  him 
a  silver  s[.  .  .  .]  marked  1639,  w^hich  he  said  he  had  6  yeare, 
which  wos  [ajbove  4  yeare  before  it  wos  mayd,  allso  a 
bugle  puree  iff  a  gould  ringe,  (which  he  said  he  found,  as 
theefes  use  to  fynd  their  goods)  but  wanting  a  prison  he 
mayd  an  escape  from  us  before  punishmentt,  aboute  5 
weekes  sence.  Lately  I  wos  informed  that  at  a  place  caled 
Puncataset,  upon  the  mayne  land,  wher  he  keept  the  last 
sumer,  iff  wos  much  freequent  in  folowing,  ^c.  he  hath  a 
child  by  an  Indean  womon,  which  is  a  boy,  iff  is  not  black- 
haired  lick  the  Indean  children,  but  yelow  haired  as  the 
English,  y  the  womon  being  laitely  delivered,  doth  say 
English  man  got  it,  iff  some  of  them  name   him,  iff  when 


CH.  XVl]         CONTEMPORARY  LETTERS  I7I 

he  ranne  away  from  us,  he  would  at  Titecute  have  lyne 
with  Knowe  Gods  mother,  which  doth  speake  of  it  in 
detestation,  ^  that  those  that  professe  them  selvs  to  be 
Christians  should  be  more  barberous  iff  wyld  then  Indeans, 
to  the  reproch  of  our  nation  ^  the  dishoner  of  God.  Seing 
God  hath  delivered  him  into  your  hands,  I  thought  meet 
to  informe  yow,  that  yow  might  se  justice  donn  of  him. 
Thus  with  my  due  resped:  to  the  Governor,  your  selfe,  the 
Debty  Governor,  Mr.  Endecote,  Mr.  Humfreyes,  Mr. 
Nowell,  y  Mr.  Bradstreete,  iffc.  I  sease  from  writeing,  but 
not  from  remayneing 

Your  loveing  frind  till  death 

Wm.  Coddington. 
Newport  this  22th  of  May  1640. 

Ther  is  a  lude  person,  one  Hugh  Durdall,  that  Mr. 
Pamer  brought  in  to  the  cuntrie,  being  bound  over  to 
answer  some  misedemenour  at  the  next  Courte,  hath  mayd 
escape  awaye  about  2  dayes  sence,  ^  is  feared  will  git 
passage  in  the  West  Indean  ship.  He  is  much  indebted 
here  also. 

Fale  in  Dom:  Jesu.^' 

Indorsed  by  Gov.  Winthrop.,  "Mr.  Coddington,  Resp. 
(4)  11,-40."     (M.  H.  S.  C.  4,  6,  316.) 


"Right  worll 

We  have  laitly  received  a  letter  from  Barborah  Sabire, 
the  wife  of  James  Sabire,  now  resident  in  Boston,  with  you, 
wherin  we  understand  tht  he  hath  made  complaint  of  her, 
if  not  false  accusations  laid  against  her,  theirfor  we  thought 
good  to  testefy,  being  desired  their  unto,  what  he  con- 
fessed upon  examination,  before  us  whose  names  are  heare 
under  written:    The  ground  of  his  examination  was  from 


172        DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

some  false  reporte  he  had  raised  up  against  his  wife,  we 
calld  them  falce  because  they  proved  so  to  be  when  they 
weare  inquired  into,  but  not  to  trouble  you  with  those: 
A  word  or  tow  of  what  he  did  confess,  when  the  question 
was  demaned  of  him,  did  your  wife  deny  unto  you  due 
benevolence,  according  to  the  rule  of  god  or  no.  his  answer 
was  she  did  not,  but  she  did  iff  had  given  her  body  to  him, 
this  he  confessed,  ^  did  cleare  her  of  tht  wch  now  he  con- 
demes  her  for  iff  this  may  evince  it  iff  prove  it  to  be  so,  for 
he  did  heare  likwise  reporte  his  wife  was  wth  childe,  wch 
we  understand  he  doth  also  deny  unto  your  wor'pps  and 
tht  will  also  prove  him  to  speake  falsely  if  he  shall  say  his 
wife  did  deny  him  manage  fellowship  untill  he  did  come 
under  your  goverment:  3  dly  this  we  must  wittness  that 
his  wife  was  not  the  ground  or  cause  of  his  being  sett  in 
the  stockes,  but  for  his  disturbance  of  the  peace  of  the  place 
at  unseasonable  howers  wheras  people  w^eare  in  bedd,  iff 
wthal  for  his  cursinge  iff  swearing  iff  the  like,  Againe  a 
word  or  tow  conserning  his  life  when  he  was  wth  us,  It 
was  skandolus  iff  ofFencive  to  men  sinful!  before  god;  iff 
towards  his  wife.  Instead  of  putting  honour  upon  her  as 
the  weaker  vessell,  he  wanted  the  naturall  affection  of  a 
reasonable  creature,  we  also  found  him  Idle  iff  in  deed  a 
very  drone  sucking  up  the  hony  of  his  wives  labour,  he 
taking  no  paines  to  provide  for  her,  but  spending  one  month 
after  an  other  wthout  any  labour  at  all,  it  may  be  some 
finde  one  day  in  a  month  he  did  something  being  put  upon 
it,  being  threatened  by  the  govourment  heare;  iff  Indeed 
had  he  not  bene  releived  by  his  wife  iff  her  freinds  wheare 
shee  did  keepe,  he  might  have  starved,  besides  he  is  given 
very  much  to  lying,  drinking  strong  waters  and  towards 
his  wife  showing  nether  pitty  nor  humanetie,  for  Indeed 
he  could  not  keepe  from  boyes  i^  servants,  secrete  passages 
betwixt  him  iff  his  wife  about  the  maryage  bedd,  and  of  those 
things  theire  is  more  wittenesses  then  us,  and  concerning 


CH.  XVl]  CONTEMPORARY  LETTERS  I73 

her;  she  hved  wth  us  about  3  quarters  of  a  yeare,  whose 
Hfe  was  unblamable  befor  men  for  anything  we  know  being 
not  able  to  chardg  her  in  her  life  l^  conversation  but,  be- 
side her  masters  testemony,  who  best  knowes  her  is  this, 
that  she  was  a  faithfuU,  carfull,  l^  panfull  both  servant  ^ 
wife  to  his  best  observation,  during  the  tyme  wth  him, 
those  things  we  being  requested  unto,  we  prsent  unto  your 
wise  considderations  hoping  tht  by  the  mouth  of  2  or  3 
wittnesses,  the  innocent  wilbe  accquitted,  ^  the  guilty  re- 
warded according  to  his  worke;  thus  ceasing  further  to 
trouble  you  we  take  our  leaves  ^  rest. 

Your  worppl  Lo :  freinds 
Willm  Hutchinson 
William  Baulston 
William  Aspinwall 
John  Sanford 

Portsmouth 

the  29th  of  4th  1640"  (M.  H.  S.  C.  Winthrop  papers  i,  135.) 

"To  the  Worshipfull  ^  his  much  respected  frind  John 
Winthrope  Esqr.  at  his  howse  in  Boston,  dd. 

Per  Mr.  Jer.   Gould. 

Newport  Aug.  25,  1640. 
Worshipfull  y   Beloved,  —  Your  leter  of  the    nth  of  the 
4  mo.     I  recaived.     The  substance  of  your  whole  leter  to 
me  falles  into  these  2  heads. 

First  will  conserne  your  Church  Covenant:  this  I  aleged 
in  my  former  leter  as  that  which  wos  the  princepale  force 
with  me,  which  yow  did  not  answer  unto,  viz.  That  it 
doth  remayne  to  be  proved  by  the  rules  of  the  gosple,  that 
any  church  ever  clamed  power  over  their  brethren  removed, 
more  then  over  those  that  was  never  in  fellowshipe  with 
them.     Mr.    Hibings   promised,   ^   I   accepted,   that   your 


174        DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

church  covenant  should  be  sent,  with  grounds  to  prove 
this  poynte.  The  other  that  yow  answer  tow,  of  the  advice 
I  had  taken  with  Elders  iff  brethren  in  the  poynt,  iff  of  the 
consent  of  the  maior  part  of  the  Church,  was  but  suborde- 
nate  to  this. 

2  head  of  your  leter  doth  trench  upon  the  passages,  con- 
cerning Mr.  Weelewrights  banishment.  What  I  did  ther 
in  wos  in  discharge  of  my  conscence  in  my  place.  And 
trewley,  Sir,  to  my  deserneing,  whither  yow  did  well  or  I, 
depends  of  the  trewth  of  the  cause,  the  way  of  soulvation, 
iff  evidenceing  therof,  which  Mr.  Cotton  iff  he  affermed, 
iff  the  rest  of  the  Elders  opposed,  which  remaynes  yet  con- 
trovered,  for  ought  I  knowe.  I  well  approve  of  a  speech 
of  one  of  note  amongest  yow,  that  we  were  in  a  heate  iff 
chafed,  iff  were  all  of  us  to  blame;  in  our  strife,  we  had 
forgotten  wee  were  brethren.     Not  further  at  this  present. 

I  wos  advised  by  leter  first  out  of  the  Baye  that  the 
Governor,  iff  the  Deputy,  iff  other  of  the  magistrates  had 
adviced  iff  incouraged  the  towne  of  Brantree  to  commence 
a  sute  aginest  me,  after  I  recaived  a  note  from  the  Gov- 
ernor that  it  wos  for  a  promise.  I  knowe  no  thing  of  it,  in 
regard  wher  of  I  desire  that  the  Plantives  may  put  in  their 
Complant  in  Answer,  iff  that  I  may  have  tyme  given  to 
put  my  defence,  seing,  for  these  reasons  I  have  aleged  to 
the  Governor,  iff  others,  I  cannot  be  free  to  come  iff  plead 
my  cause,  iff  seing  it  is  according  to  what  is  pradiized  in 
our  native  land,  iff  the  courts  of  justice  ther  established. 
I  could  wish  that  we,  that  have  lived  7  yeares  in  place  of 
magistracey  to  geather,  might  not  multeplye  greveances 
one  aginest  an  other;  but  I  shall  not  ade  further  ther  in. 
I  have  sent  over  the  berer,  Mr.  Jer.  Gould,  who  is  de- 
sirous to  confere  with  your  worship  about  it.  The  Nara- 
gansets  iff  Nantequits  keepe  constant  wach  sence  Con- 
ectecute  men  touck  3  Nantequits.  Ther  be  12  notorious 
murder[er]s  yet  liveinge,  4  at  Nantequite,  ^  8  of  them   at 


CH.  XVl]  CONTEMPORARY   LETTERS  1 75 

Mohegen  according  to  my  best  intelegence,  whose  names 
I  have.  The  Nanteqets  would  dehver  up  their  4,  but  they 
would  have  Ocas  first  deliver  up  his  8,  that  they  may  see 
its  justice  the  English  seekes.  With  my  love  ^  my  wifes, 
presented  to  your  selfe  iff  yours,  I  rest  yours 

Wm  Coddington." 

Indorsed   by   Gov.    Winthrop,    "Mr.    Coddington    about 
the  Church,  R  (6)  25,-40."     (M.  H.  S.  C.  4,  6,  318.) 


"Honnored  Sir,  —  I  doe  thankefully  acknowledge  your  love 
unto  mee  in  your  kind  profer  to  my  agent,  Mr.  Jer.  Clarke, 
to  return  to  me  my  runn  away  servant,  Tho.  Jonnes,  in 
case  hee  could  have  bene  found.  I  shall  be  ready  to  bee 
commaunded  by  yow  in  the  licke  or  wherin  I  may  heare. 
Now  deare  Sir,  for  soe  you  have  bene  to  mee,  as  Sollomon 
sayth,  ther  is  a  frind  that  [erased]  nearer  then  a  brother! 
Oh,  that  the  nearnes  of  that  relation  had  never  bene  vyo- 
lated.  But  wee  are  men,  iff  so  wee  shew  ourselves.  Some 
tymes  deifying  of  men  iff  ordenances,  other  whyle  vylefy- 
ing  of  them.  The  Lord  hath  let  mee  see  the  vanetye  of 
my  owne  spirit,  and  need  of  attending  of  him  in  all  his 
ordenances,  but  I  cannot  inlardge,  the  meassinger  staying. 
My  desire  is,  that  that  anchent  love  which  much  watters 
cannot  quench,  may  bee  renewed,  iff  in  token  wherof, 
that  yow  would  recaive,  at  my  hands,  a  smale  remember- 
ance  therof,  in  a  vessell  of  beefe,  for  your  winter  provishon, 
which  is  not  yet  redy,  but  aginest  that  tyme  by  some 
pinice  that  commeth  this  way,  shall  be  sent  unto  yow. 
Though  the  thing  bee  not  worth  the  mentioning  betweene 
us,  yet  because  I  remember  your  loveing  excussing  of  your 
non-acceptance  (of  my  profer  in  this  kind  att  my  depar- 
tuer)  so  as  it  did  not,  nore  doth  not  take  any  imprestion 
of  unkindnes  with  mee,  iff  I  hope  that  which  wos  then  a 
ground  to  yow  is  removed,  yet  I  desire  yow  fully  to  satisefye 


176       DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

mee  heare  in,  if  it  (or  rather  I)  may  thus  fare  fynd  accep- 
tance with  yow.  Not  other  at  present,  with  the  remem- 
brance of  my  love  iff  my  wifes  to  your  selfe  iff  yours,  with 
all  that  remember  us,  I  rest 

Your  assuered  lo:  friend  Wm.  Coddington. 

Newport,  mo  4.  12,  1643."     (M.  H.  S.  C.  4,  6,  319.) 


"Honered  Sir  — 

Yors  of  the  (8)  ic^43  I  have  received  filled  wth  exsamples 
of  the  Judgments  of  God  of  the  Duth  iff  English  that  fell 
by  the  Indeans,  for  the  English  yow  mention,  their  forsake- 
ing  the  fellowship  of  god's  people  y  ordenances,  i^  the 
unseasonableness  of  seeking  of  greate  things,  the  lord 
plucking  up  what  he  hath  planted,  iffc,  though  I  might 
render  some  excuses,  yet  I  forbear  Iff  doe  acknowledge  my 
neglede  in  not  writeinge  unto  you  long  ere  this,  iff  return- 
ing a  thankfull  acknowledgement  of  your  love  in  setting 
before  me  such  grave  exhortations  .  .  .  lemations,  let 
the  righteous  smite  me,  it  shall  not  (  break)  my  head,  noe, 
it  shall  be  a  healing  balsome.  I  have  forsaken  yourselfe 
and  others  against  my  .  .  .  posses  in  distance  of  place,  yet 
I  hope  and  live  by  his  grace  never  shall  in  afFedlion  till  my 
dying  day,  and  the  ordenances  with  you  both  in  Church 
iff  Commonwealth,  are  to  me  the  ordenances  of  the  lord 
Jesus.  And  the  lord  hath  begunne  to  let  me  see  by  ex- 
perience that  a  man's  comfort  doth  not  depende  in  the 
multitude  of  those  things  he  doth  possesse,  the  lord  have- 
ing  this  last  winter  taken  from  me  a  larg  Corn  Barne  which 
did  cost  me  above  or  aboute  i5o£,  building,  my  farm  house, 
12  Oxen,  8  Cowes,  6  other  beasts,  in  which  bowses  was  my 
Corne  for  Seed,  and  spending  and  paying  my  debts,  the 
fyer  breaking  forth  in  the  night,  neither  heeding  nore 
household  stuff,  nore  so  much  as  my  servants  wering  cloth, 
nothing  but  the  shertes  of  their  backs  was  saved,  and  lives 


CH.  XVl]  CONTEMPORARY   LETTERS  177 

to  the  valew  of  4  or  50o£.  And  yet  blessed  be  his  name,  he 
is  the  portion  of  my  sowle,  I  shall  not  wante,  he  hathe  by 
one  pvidence  or  other  pvided  for  me  a  considerable  surplys, 
so  that  I  have  enough,  blessed  be  his  name.  And  being 
nowe  in  writeinge,  I  shall  make  bould  to  ade  a  word  to  3 
or  4  pticulers  in  yors  to  Mr.  Brenton  and  Mr.  Balstone  (my 
loving  friends),  ^  in  them  to  me  you  desire  they  much 
consider  in  what  relation  they  stand  to  the  Church  and 
Commonwealth  wth  you  for  the  Church  to  answer  for 
itselfe,  we  being  not  to  .  .  .  doe  look  at  that  Church 
Meeting  at  Mr.  Balstone's  .  .  .  wch  I  was  advised  to 
remaine  and  Comended  to  the  grace  of  god  .  .  .  christ 
Jesus  in  so  doing,  and  the  sermon  concerning  of  it  the  .  .  . 
lord  does  that  wher  ther  wer  not  churches  to  comend  ther 
brethern  unto,  ther  they  might  comend  them  to  the  grace 
of  god,  ^c,  to  carie  with  it  the  force  of  a  dismishon  wch 
is  not  my  light  alone,  but  of  the  reverent  and  larned,  I 
desire  that  this  lynne  of  devishon  was  removed,  that  I 
might  have  such  free  acsesses  to  all  as  to  see  their  faces 
wth  comfort,  and  to  ptake  with  you  in  the  ordenances. 
2ly.  For  the  Comonwealth  the  difference  arose  about  Mr. 
Wheelwright  [s]  banishment  of  which  he  is  released  (as  I 
am  informed),  but  if  it  was  a  meanes  in  rayseing  any  un- 
quietnes  in  the  Comonwealth,  I  shall  upon  information 
indevor  to  give  satisfaction,  the  lord  so  helping  me. 

3ly.  For  Gorton  as  he  came  ther  be  of  the  Island  before 
I  knew  of  it,  and  is  here  againest  my  mynd,  so  shall  he 
not  by  me  be  ptedled.  I  could  have  hartely  desired  for 
the  god  I  pfesse  of  both  plantations,  that  we  had  not  bene 
rejected  in  alyance  wth  you  aboute  the  Indeans,  wch  now 
the  generaletie  here  will  be  averse  from,  the  trewth  is,  here 
is  a  pty  wch  doe  adhere  unto  Gorton  &  his  Company  in 
both  the  plantations,  i^  Judge  them  so  much  strength  to 
the  place  wch  be  neither  frinds  to  you  note  us.  Now  the 
trewth  is,  I  desire  to  have  either  such  alyence  with  yor- 


178        DOCUMENTARY  HISTORY   OF   RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

selves  or  Plimouth,  one  or  both,  as  might  be  safe  for  us  all. 
I  have  my  cheefe  intrest  the  Island,  it  being  bought  to  me 
y  my  friends,  and  how  inconvenient  it  might  be  if  it  were 
possessed  by  an  enemye  lying  in  the  heart  of  the  planta- 
tions y  convenient  for  shiping,  I  cannot  but  see  I  want 
both  Counsell  ^  Strength  to  effedl  what  I  desire.  I  desire 
to  hear  from  you  i^  that  you  would  burye  what  I  write  in 
deepe  silence,  for  what  I  write  I  never  impted  to  any,  nor 
would  to  you  had  I  the  least  doubt  of  yor  faythfuUness 
that  it  should  be  uttered  to  my  prejudice, 
for  Morton  he  was  .  .  .  who  was  for  the  King  at  his  first 
comeing  to  Portsmouth,  iff  would  report  to  such  as  he 
judged  to  be  of  his  mynd,  he  was  glad  [to  be  met  with]  so 
many  Caveleres,  to  Mr.  Hart  (as  I  am  informed)  of  Co- 
hannet,  he  discoursed  something  in  this  way,  l^  after 
doubted  he  was  not  trew,  iff  he  had  lands  to  dispose  of  to 
his  followers  in  each  province,  from  Cape  Ann  to  Cape  Cod 
was  one  he  did  iff  disposed  of  to  Lambert  Woodward.  My 
Tenant  Gould  was  his  hosthouse,  he  being  much  taken 
with  him,  iff  towld  me  wch  I  will  afferme  with  my  oath, 
that  he  had  land  to  dispose  of  in  each  plantation  a  .  .  . 
his  son  John  some  land,  iff  tht  he  had  wronge  in  the  bay 
[to  the]  valew  of  20o£,  i^  mayd  bitter  complaints  thereof 
but  Morton  would  let  it  rest  as  he  tould  me  till  the  Gover- 
nor came  over  to  right  him,  ^  did  intimate  he  knew  whose 
roste  his  spits  iff  jacks  turned,  ^c,  but  I  feare  tediousness, 
iff  therefore  wth  the  tender  of  my  love  to  the  Govr  yorselfe 
Mr.  Dudly  iff  who  also  remember  me,  I  take  leave  iff  rest. 
Yors,  Wm  Coddington. 

Newport,  Aug.  5,  1644 

Pesecus  nore  Canonecus  have  not  sent  unto  me  since  I 
rejected  a  present  of  30  fingers  iff  thumes  after  first  attempt. 

Osemecome  was  last  Satterday  at  my  house,  iff  doth 
say  he  is  all  one  hart  wth  .  .  .  iff  sayth  that  Canonecus 


CH.  XVl]         CONTEMPORARY  LETTERS  1 79 

sent  him  to  borrow  some  peeces  he  hath  to  goe  againe  .  .  . 
the  next  weeke,  which  he  refused  to  lend.  [I]  told  him  he 
did  well  so  to  doe,  ^  to  ...  he  knew  .  .  .  vale. "  (Mass. 
Archives  2,  5;  N.  H.  M.  v.  3,  p.  i.) 


"To  his  honnered  friend 
John  Winthrop  Esq 

Gor  of  the  Massachusets  p  mr  Robt  Jefferye" 

"Honnered  Sr 

I  thought  meet  to  informe  yow  that  yor  sonn  mr  John 
y  all  his,  Depted  from  or  Island  of  the  3  day  in  the  morne- 
ing  arely,  the  wynd  being  not  good  to  Carye  them  further 
then  block  Island,  but  of  the  4  Day  in  the  morneing  it  was 
very  good,  so  tht  I  Doubt  not  they  were  all  safely  arrived 
before  the  Storme  begane:  by  whome  I  receaved  yor  letr  of 
the  21  of  the  8-46.  for  Gorton  ^  his  Companye  they  are  to 
me  as  ever  they  have  bene,  their  freeDom  of  the  Island  is 
Dennyed,  y  was  when  I  accepted  of  the  place  I  nowe  beare. 
the  Comishoners  have  Joyned  them  in  the  same  Charter, 
tho  we  mentayne  the  Govermtt  as  before,  to  further  that 
end  yow  write  of,  I  sent  to  Mr.  Cotton  to  be  Delivered  to 
Mr.  Elott,  tht  requested  it,  wt  was  entered  upon  record 
under  the  Secretaryes  hand,  wch  I  Doe  think  yow  may 
Doe  well  to  mak  use  of,  because  I  heare  it  sinkes  most  wth 
the  Earle,  wher  they  had  libertie  of  consyence.  Mr.  Fetters 
writes  in  tht  yow  sent  to  yor  sonn,  tht  yow  psecute.  l^  soe 
in  hast  I  rest  not  Doubting  as  accatione  serves  to  approve, 
my  self. 

Yors  ever 
Newport  Novr.  Wm  Coddington 

11.1646 

my  purposse  is  er  long  to  come  in  to  the  baye.  I  Desire 
to  be  rembered  to  all  tht  remember  me."  (N.  E.  H.  i^ 
G.  R.  4,  221.) 


l8o       DOCUMENTARY   HISTORY   OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

"To  the  Worll:   Jo:    Winthrop,  these  present, 

Worthy  Sr — Respedls  presented  ^c:  My  bro:  (who  allso 
presents  the  like)  having  formerly  related  unto  me  your 
desire  of  Inlish  hay  seede,  with  the  great  benifite  of  it  unto 
your  Plantation,  upon  which  I  had  reserved  out  of  what  I 
had  promised  what  might  serve  your  occations,  yet  since, 
it  seemes,  you  have  been  pleased  (supposinge  incoveniencys) 
to  with  draw  yor  pleasure;  but  therein  my  bro  thinks  you 
will  bereave  your  Plantation  of  an  unknowne  beni[fit]  and 
being  a  well  wisher  to  your  Plantation,  having  such  an 
oppertunitye,  and  such  season  to  sowe  it,  I  have  ventered 
the  sending,  and  hath  informed  Mr.  Throgmorton,  who 
allsoe  hath  much  experience,  how  you  shall  order  the  same. 
There  is  12  bushell  heaped  for  allowence,  in  which  is  5 
sorts  of  seed  [torn]  will  be  both  for  moouing  ^  feeding  of 
cattle.  I  sell  it  here  at  5s  the  bushell,  concerning  wch  I 
have  expressed  my  mind  to  Mr.  Throgmorton,  yor  con- 
veniencys  iff  benifite  of  plantation  being  much  desired. 
By  yors  to  command         Robert  Williams. 

Providence,  18  Apl.,  1647"     (M.  H.  S.  C.  5,  i,  343.) 


**To  the  Worshipful!  his  much  honnored  frind  John  Win- 
thrope  Jur  Esqr  at  his  plantation  at  Kaninicute,  dd. 

Per  Tho.  Stanton. 

Worthy  Sir,  —  My  best  resped:es  from  my  selfe,  as  allsoe 
my  wifes,  salute  yow  iff  yours.  Sir,  I  recaived  yours  of  the 
17  of  the  present,  to  which  I  answer  I  intend  to  sell  tenn 
ewes,  most  of  them  are  as  we  calle  them  quine  ewes,  bringes 
two  at  a  tyme,  iff  few  of  them  ould.  Two  ewes  here  in 
exchange  ordenariely  is  given  for  a  cowe,  iff  the  trewth  is 
one  ewe  is  as  much  profitt  to  me  as  a  cowe.  Nowe,  Sir, 
my  price  to  yow  is,  and  under  which  I  will  not  sell  them, 


CH.  XVl]  CONTEMPORARY   LETTERS  l8l 

for  I  cann  have  more  for  them,  20  h  in  silver,  English  monye, 
I  desire,  paid  in  the  Baye  the  20  or  the  21  of  June  next,  for 
them  I  have  accation  to  make  use  of  it,  and  then  I  shall 
with  in  a  weeke  or  tenn  dayes  after  the  recaite,  deliver  tenn 
to  Mr.  Smyth  of  Newhaven,  or  whome  yow  appoynte,  who 
is  to  bringe  me  two  Cottsewell  rambes,  i^  is  to  have  black 
ewes  for  them  (in  Hfetenant  Gardners  shalupe)  if  yow  take 
order  with  him  accordingly,  who  is  about  that  tyme  to  be 
heare,  of  the  Island,  in  hope  to  procuer  some  sheepe  for 
New  haven.  Now,  Sir,  my  desire  is  in  the  first  place  to 
pleasuer  yow,  ^  because  I  would  not  be  disappoynted  to 
answer  my  accations  in  the  Baye,  I  desire  your  speedie 
answer  with  in  14  dayes  or  three  weeks,  the  souner  the 
better,  for  I  dennye  Secounke  men  till  I  heare  from  yow, 
iff  allsoe  Newhaven  ^  others.  Ther  will  be  no  sheepe  let 
of  the  Island,  ^  those  that  are  let  are  to  the  fowerths,  for 
they  do  ordaneriely  duble  in  a  yeare,  Iff  more,  for  the  1am- 
bes  have  lambs  when  they  are  a  yeare  ould;  for  here  is  noe 
woolves  of  the  Hand  but  one  or  2  that  wos  when  yow  were 
here.  Thus  expeding  your  speedie  answer,  in  hast,  I 
seasse  from  writeing,  but  not  from  remayneing     Yours  ever 

Wm  Coddington. 

Newport,  Rod  Island,  Aprill  20,  1647."  (M.  H.  S.  C.  4, 
6,  320.) 

"To  the  Worll.  John  Winthrop  in  Nameag  in  Pecod  this 
present. 

Portsmouth  this  22  day  of  Maye  1647. 
Honnerd  Ser,  —  I  am  bould  to  present  these  fewe  lynes 
unto  you  in  the  behalfe  of  naybor  Capting  Morris,  that 
have  lattly  lost  his  Indean  mayde-servant,  and  as  we  sopose 
is  com  into  your  libertyes,  by  the  intisement  of  her  father 
and  her  unkell,  that  have  latly  bin  at  Capt  Morrises  howse 
and  lovvingly  entertaynned   and  so  have  bine   from  time 


l82        DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND        [CH.  XVI 

[to  time,]  but  at  ther  last  being  heare  have  tacken  her 
away  with  them,  as  I  am  imformed.  Her  father's  name  is 
Quason  and  the  mayd  have  a  great  cut  in  her  face  by  the 
ie,  and,  as  she  have  informed,  she  have  a  cusen  Hving  with 
you;  therfor  my  request  is  that  you  be  pleased,  in  the 
Captings  behafe,  to  macke  inquiery  for  her,  and  if  found, 
to  cause  her  to  be  sent  home  agayne  unto  her  master,  or 
so  much  wampom  as  may  purches  eather  an  other  Indean 
or  blackmor;  for  Mrtris  Morris  is  agged  and  weack,  and 
is  in  great  destres  for  want  of  a  survant,  and  also  be  plessed 
to  understand  she  was  a  chilld  of  death,  dehvered  to  hime 
by  the  Bay  in  time  of  the  Pecod  ware,  and  lad  by  tow 
yeares  under  the  surgens  handes. 

Ser,  the  grounds  of  her  going  away  I  know  not,  for  she 
was,  to  my  knowledg,  well  kept  and  much  tendered,  both 
by  master  and  mistris,  and  allso  marradg  have  bine  ten- 
dered unto  her;  but  I  macke  to  bold,  only  be  plessed  to 
tender  mistris  Morrises  condistyon,  and  so  presuming 
upon  your  redynes  to  do  this  fafour  I  tack  leave, 
Youers  in  the  lick  or  any  other  sarvis 

William  Baulston. 

My  selfe  and  wife  present  our  sarvis  of  love  to  your  selfe 
and  Mistris  Winthrop."     (M.  H.  S.  C.  5,  i,  344.) 


Honered  Sir;  —  I  reseyved  your  loving  letters,  for  wch 
I  thanke  you,  and  I  had  saluted  you  wth  the  like,  but  had 
noe  oppertunity  sence  to  send  to  you,  for  both  Thomas 
Stanton  and  Mr.  Throckmorton  fayled  to  call  on  me,  altho 
I  desired  it,  but  now  I  have  sent  you,  12  boshells  of  hey- 
seed.  I  filled  the  sakes,  becase  I  know  you  will  not  repent 
it  y  also  I  want  corne.  Thomas  Stanton  tould  me  he 
would  have  more,  but  he  could  not  put  in  at  our  towne 
as  he  came  back,  but  if  you  have  not  soe  much  corne  for 


CH. XVl]         CONTEMPORARY  LETTERS  183 

present,  I  shall  willingly  stay  till  you  have  it.  Thomas 
Stanton  gave  me  a  boshell  i^f  halfe  for  a  boshell,  for  he 
held  his  corne  at  3s.  4d.  wth  us,  but  sould  it  at  last  (at  the 
other  end)  for  2s.  2d.;  but  a  boshell  i^  a  halfe  I  am  con- 
tented to  take  you,  altho  they  that  bought  the  corne  of 
Tho.  Stanton  sells  it  for  2s  8d,  ^  I  sell  my  heyseed  for  5s 
a  boshell.  What  corne  you  send,  if  you  put  it  in  the  sakes 
y  leave  it  [at]  your  Hand,  Mr.  Throckmorto  will  sail  for 
it  there.  I  did  inquire  about  sheep  as  you  desired,  i^  find 
none  willing  [to]  put  any  out.  I  am  informed  JVIr  Alme 
at  Portsmoth  will  sell  some.  The  last  weeke  we  had  a 
Generale  Court  of  the  Province,  and  ther  was  a  generall 
agreament  (beyond  expedlatio)  to  the  satisfadlio  of  all. 
Ther  was  only  2  adls  passed  wherin  a  considerable  party 
were  unsatisfied,  iff  the  next  day  they  were  altered,  soe  that 
all  were  satisfied.  The  lawes  of  England  are  established 
wth  very  litle  variatio,  ^  the  lawes  of  Oleron  or  sea  lawes. 
for  sea  men,  y  the  Court  (thorow  the  earnest  suit  of  many 
wth  us)  have  made  an  order,  that  the  Dutchmen  shall  pay 
the  same  customes  wth  us  that  we  pay  wth  them,  iff  that 
they  shall  not  trad  wth  the  Indians  in  our  Provice  (unles 
they  allow  us  free  trad  wth  them)  upon  forfeyture  of  ther 
goods,  only  I  gott  this  thus  fare  moderated  that  the  Gor 
should  first  be  informed,  iff  his  answere  to  be  considered 
on  by  the  Court,  before  it  be  put  in  operatio.  Sir,  Captayne 
IVIoris  sent  me  this  note  to  informe  me  tht  I  might  writt 
to  you,  but  the  messenger  staying  I  cannot  writt  it  out; 
he  desires  you  will  be  pleased  to  doe  what  you  can  in  it, 
for  his  wife  is  much  straitned  for  want  of  her.  Soe  wth 
my  love  remembered  to  your  selfe  iff  wife,  I  take  leave,  but 
desire  ever  to  remain  your  affedlionate  friend  to  serve  you 

John  Coggeshall. 

You  may  sow  this  hayseed  now  if  you  spred  the  hills, 
or  upon  other  ground  if  you  mow  downe  the  grase  or  weeds 


184        DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    RHODE    ISLAND         [CH.  XVI 

twise  this  sumer;  but  upon  ground  tht  have  bin  planted 
(the  hills  being  spred)  it  will  come  soner  to  perfedlid  y  les 
seed  lost. 

Newport,  this  24  of  May,  47"     (M.  H.  S.  C.  5,  i,  346) 


'*To  his   assuered  lo:    frind   Mr.   Jo:  Winthrope,   dd.      Per 
Robt.   Bull. 

Mr.  Jo:  Winthrope  and  My  Indeared  Frind,  —  I  kindly 
salute  yow  iff  yours  Sir,  I  have,  accordeing  to  your  desire, 
sent  yow  but  tenn  ewes;  they  are  all,  I  doe  assuer  yow, 
of  the  best  English  breed.  I  could  have  sent  yow  longe 
leged  y  biger  sheepe,  but  these  are  better  breed.  I  have 
sent  yow  five  blacke  y  five  whit.  I  judged  it  best  so  to  doe, 
yow  not  expressinge  your  desire  to  me.  They  are  all  but 
sherings,  that  is,  one  yeare  ould  at  last  lambeinge,  cif  nowe 
yeening  of  two,  which  is  knowne  by  their  teeth,  none  of 
them  haveinge  above  two  brod  teeth.  I  have  sent  you  a 
rambe  lambe  which  is  of  my  English  breed  lickewise,  both 
by  the  ewe  iff  rambe.  I  know  the  Hand  nore  the  cuntrie 
could  not  have  furnished  yow  with  such  a  parsell  of  sheepe, 
out  of  my  hand.  I  have  write  unto  you  two  letters,  which 
I  do  perceive  yow  have  not  received.  I  am  glad  I  was  on 
the  Hand  to  deliver  your  sheepe  my  selfe.  If  yow  desire 
to  have  more  whit  sheepe  then  blacke,  then  rambe  your 
ewes  with  whit  rambs;  if  more  blacke  then  yow  may  save 
a  blacke  rambe  out  of  your  breed  of  blacke  ewes;  but  by 
all  meanes  put  not  to  your  rambes  till  the  latter  end  of  the 
next  month,  November.  Lond  delivered  shorte  of  tenn 
pounds,  2s  6d.,  iff  Rich.  Rayment  detaynes  ids  6d  of  myne 
in  his  hand  for  woole  yow  had  of  him.  You  may  pleasse 
to  order  me  it  in  the  Baye,  whither  I  now  am  hasting  to 
take  passage  for  England  with  my  doughter.  Sir,  if  in  any 
thing  I  may  be  serviceable  to  yow  ther,  yow  may  com- 


CH.  XVl]  CONTEMPORARY   LETTERS  185 

maunde  me.  Let  me  have  your  letter  to  Mr.  Fetters;  & 
soe  I  bid  yow  hartely  fairewell.  If  wee  never  se  one  another 
againe,  yet  we  part  in  trew  love.     Yours  truly, 

Wm  Coddington. 
Octor  14,  1648. 

Sir,  I  pray  yow  send  me  my  note." 

Indorsed  by  John  Winthrop,  jun.,  "Mr.  Coddington 
about  the  sheepe  sent  per  Robert  Bull,  y  directions  about 
them."     (M.  H.  S.  C.  4,  7,  280.) 


Seal  of  Daniel  Gould 


INDEX 


Adams,  Nathaniel,  Ii8 
Albro,  John,  64,  128,  148,  161 
Allen,  George,  118 

, John,  142 

,  Ralph,  118 

,  Samuel,  118 

Allerton,  Isaac,  133,  138,  139 

Almy,  William,  139,  145,  148,  149,  151, 

IS7.  183 
Andrews,  Edward,  119,  141,  142,  147 
Anthony,  John,  103,  119,  128,  132,  134, 

137,  139,  14s,  150,  161 
Applegate,  Thomas,  133,  135,  141,  147, 

149,  161 
Arnold,  Benedict,  15,  165 

,  Damaris,  165 

,  John,  44,  117 

Aspinwall,  William,  15,  19,  21,  23,  33, 

35,  so,  SI,  s6,  58,  67,  89,  90,  116, 

173 
Assotemuit,  27 
Atkinson,  Thomas,  132 
Awards,  Richard,  S9>  95,  II7>  120,  128, 

132,  134,  151,  IS4,  157 

Babcock,  James,  139,  148 

Backus,  Isaac,  2S 

Baker,  William,  42,  118 

Baldwin,  George,  IS7,  is8 

Ballard,  Robert,  134 

Barker,  James,  128,  ISS 

Bartlett,  John,  79,  119 

,  John  R.,  S9,  60 

Baulstone,  William,  19,  33,  34,  36-39, 
44,  45,  60,  64,  66,  67,  79,  89,9s, 
96,  100,  107,  109,  IIS,  II9»  121, 
123,  127,  136,  138,  146,  156-158, 
161,  167,  172,  177,  182 


Baylie,  Robert,  28,  60 
Beeder,  Thomas,  51,  58,  117,  136,  137 
Bennett,  Robert,  139,  150,  152,  155 
Bishop,  Henry,  103,  108,  1x8,  119,  132, 

133,  I39>  143 
Bliss,  George,  137 
Block,  Adrian,  12,  13 
Borden,  Richard,   37,   38,  49,  96,    104, 

117,  120,  132,  134,  137,  140,  148, 

153,  155.  156, 158 
Bradstreet,  Mr.,  171 
Browce  (Brace),  Edward,  103,  119 
Brassy,  Thomas,  132,  133,  146,  147 
Brayton,  Francis,  150 
Brenton,  Benjamin,  74 

,  Elizabeth  C,  74 

,  William,  42-46,  48,  49,   51,   55, 

66,  71.  74.   75.  94.  95.  97.  103, 

105, 107,  IIS,  119. 121. 132. 137. 

138,  140,   144,  147,  161,  167,  177 
Brewster,  Mr.,  92 
Briggs,  John,  53,  59,  116,  117,  119,  121, 

125,  134-136,  138,  139,  142.  145. 

149.  157 
Brightman,  John,  20 
Brooks,  Thomas,  128,  132,  151,  154 
Brown,  Chad,  156 

,  Nicholas,  59,  64,  117,  149 

Browning,  Nathaniel,  138,  146 

Bull,  Henry,  19,  33,  39,  43,  45,  48,  51, 

70,  71,  76,  95,  96,  108,  119,  122, 

135.  139-141,  143,  150,  154.  161 

,  Robert,  184,  185 

Bullock,  Erasmus,  58,  117 
Burrwood,  Thomas,  79 
Burt,  James,  119,  167 
Burton,  Thomas,  118,  139,  151 
Button,  Mr.,  92 


INDEX 


Callender,  John,  35,  92,  93,  105 

Canonicus,  24-27,  77,  178 

Carder,  Richard,  19,  24,  30,  33,  39,  41, 

42,  45,  48,  dTy  95,  116,  120,  121, 

124 
Carr,  Robert,  53,  117,  119,  136 
Champlin,  Jeffrey,  30,  56,  103,  117,  119, 

132,  134,  135,  137,  145,  146,  148, 

150 
Chapman,  William,  136 
Charles  I,  58,  77 
Clark,  Jeremy,  48,  71,  yG,  78,  79,  82, 

95,  96,  109,  118,  119,  122,  128, 

132,  136,  139,  146,  148,  153,  156, 

157,  161,  175 
,  John,   16,  18-21,  24,  34,  37,  39, 

41-43,  45,  48,  49,  61,  71,  75,  78, 

83,  84,  86,  92,  93,  95,  112,  119, 

126,  144,  156, 
,  Joseph,  53,  80,  93,  95,  117,  120, 

132 
,  Thomas,  20,  80,  93,  94,  117,  120 

.  134 

Cleare,  George,  59,  117,  150 

Coddington,  Mary,  33 

,  William,  11,  19,  21,  23-25,  29,  30, 

33-45.  47.  48.  52,  55-57.  64,  6^, 
68-73.  75.  76,  80,  84-86,  91,  94, 

95,  97,  loi,  105,  107,  112,  119, 
121,  132,  134,  136,  143,  145,  147, 
150,  156-158,  162,  165,  167,  171, 
175,  176,  178,  179,  181,  185 

Coggeshall,  John,  19,  33-39,  43-46,  48, 
49.  53.  55.  66,  71,  79,  89,  91,  94, 

96,  100,  106,  107,  109,  112,  115, 
119,  121,  135,  136,  147,  149,  152, 
161,  167,  183 

,  John,  Jr.,  128 

Collins,  Mr.,  128 

Cornell,  Thomas,  98,  108,  119,  123,  128, 

132,  135,  148,  154 
Cory,  John,  150 
Cotterell,  Nicholas,  118,  135,  138,   143, 

145,  147,  149,  152,  154,  161 
Cotton,  John,  22,  28,  90,  168,  174,  179 


Cowland,  Ralph,  16,  98,  119,  123,  132, 

134,  138,  155 
Cowley,   William,   30,   56,   73,   80,   94, 

117,  120,  134 
Crandall,  John,  145,  149 
Cranston,  John,  128 

Davis,  James,  59,  117 

,  Nicholas,  118 

Dolling,  John,  153 

Doughty,  Francis,  85,  86 

Doutch,  Osamund,  42,  51,  117 

Dudley,  Mr.,  178 

Dummer,  Richard,  42,  43,  116 

,  Stephen,  42 

,  Thomas,  42 

Durdall,  Hugh,  73,  118,  171 

Dyre,  Mary,  90 

,  William,    19,   24,   29,   30,   34-37, 

39,  41-43,  45,  46,  48-50,  56-58, 
71,  75,  78,  83,  91,  94-97,  100, 104, 
107,  114,  119,  121,  136,  138,  140, 

141,  147,  152,  158,  165 

Earle,  Ralph,  59,  81,  117,  132,  138-140, 

142,  146-148,  150,  151,  158,  160 
Easton,  Jonathan,  74 

,  Nicholas,   33,  3^38,  41-46,  48, 

49.  51,  53.  55.  ^1^  71.  74-76,  78, 
79,  83,  84,  94,  96,  103,  109,  112, 
114,  117,  119,  121,  138,  139,  141, 

143,  146,  147,  149,  151,  156-158, 
161,  164,  165 

,  Peter,  38,  69,  128 

Eaton,  Theophilus,  105,  166 

Eliot,  John,  179 

Emmons,  Thomas,  95,   117,   120,   132, 

139.  145 
Endicott,  John,  171 
England,  William,  151 

Field,  Robert,  43,  80,  94,  1 18 

,  William,  134,  139 

Fisher,  Edward,  63 

Foster,  William,  '](>,  78,  95,   118,   119, 
132,  149, 150 


INDEX 


189 


Foster,  Willliam,  Jr.,  133,  135 

Francis  I,  i 

Free,  John,  151 

Freeborne,  William,  19,  33,  34,  36,  39, 
41,  42,  44,  45,  48,  60,  63,  67,  9S, 
119,  122,  132,  134,  139,  14s,  ISO, 

155 
Fugall,  Mr.,  166 

Gardiner,  George,  64,  66,  80,  95,  117, 

122,  128,  132,  134,  148,  150,  152, 

181 
Gibbs,  John,  135,  139 
Gibbons,  Edward,  86,  87 
Gilbert,  Mr.,  166 
Gilham,  Robert,  118 
Gorton,  Samuel,  47,  48,  54,  56-58,  66, 

68,  84,  86,  97,  117,  164,  165,  167, 

177,  179 
,  Thomas,  108,  120,  122,  128,  132, 

148,  151,  161 

,  wife  of  Thomas,  i6i 

Gould,  Daniel,  155,  185 

,  Jeremy,  103,  118,  119,  132,  134, 

135.  137.  139,  149.  151.  154-158, 

161,  162,  173,  178 

,  Thomas,  128,  155,  156 

,  Mrs.,  158 

Greene,  John,  31,  154 
Greenman,  David,  142,  154 

,  Edward,  155 

.John,  119,  153 

Gregson,  Mr.,  130 
Griffin,  Robert,  154,  155 
Grinnell,  Matthew,  119 

Hakluyt,  6 

Hall,  John,  118,  145,  148,  151 

,  William,  20,  58,  117 

Hammond,  George,  153,  155 
Harding,  Philippa,  90 

,  Robert,  42,  43,  107,  112,  119,  126, 

141-143,  14s,  149 
Hardy,  John,  128 
Hart,  Mr.,  178 


Havens,  William,  59,  118,  138,  142,  147 
Hawkins,  Job,  59,  62,  95,  117,  120,  132, 

134 
,  Richard,  63,  132,  137,  148,  151 

,  13s 

Haynes,  Mr.,  105 
Hazard,  Edward,  70 

,  Thomas,  23,  71,  74,  75,  94,  117, 

120,  134 
Helme,  Christopher,  137 
Heme,  41,  84 

Hibbins,  William,  86,  87,  169,  173 
Hicks,  Herod,  151,  152 
,  John,  103,  118,  120,  134,  148,  151, 

152 
Hill,  Valentine,  52,  53 
Hitt,  Thomas,  118 
Hobbs,  Robert,  143,  144,  150 
Holden,    Randall,    19,    24,   27,    28,   30, 

34»  37»  39,  40-43.  45,  48,  95,  "6, 

120,  121,  124 
Holliman,  Ezekiel,  83,  85,  92,  93,  133, 

138,  139,  147,  156 

,  Mary,  115,  138,  139 

Holmes,  Obadiah,  120 
Hopkins,  Mr.,  105 
Horndall,  John,  153-155 
How,  149 

Hubbard,  Samuel,  93 
Hudson,  John,  79 
Humphreys,  Mr.,  171 
Hunt,  Bartholomew,  155,  158 

,  Enoch,  118 

Hutchinson,  Anne,  18,  23,  32,  33,  38, 

41,  44,  47,  SI,  S2,  5S-57,  66,  68, 

84,  89,  90,  97,  III,  127,  128,  167 
,   Edward,   Senr.,    19,   33,   34,   37, 

39,  41,  42,  45,  46,  52,  67,  120,  128 

, ,  Jr.',  19,  37,  39,  120 

,  Francis,  85,  92,  103 

,  Samuel,  37,  38,  58,  93,  95,  103, 

117,  120 
-T — ,  William,  19,  24,  34,  36-39,  41-45, 

57-59,  64,  67,  68,  89,  95,  96,  100, 

103,  120,  173 


igo 


INDEX 


James,  Thomas,  127,  166 

Jennings,  Thomas,  149 

Jefferey,  William,  154,  157 

Jeoffries,  Robert,  42,  45,  49,  50,  68, 
7S»  76,  78,  79.  9S.  96,  100,  103, 
108,  109,  no,  113-115,  118,  119, 
121-123,  126,  128,  179 

Johnson,  John,  20,  117 

Jones,  Thomas,  175 

Keayne,  23,  91,  92 
Knight,  Richard,  157 

■ ,  Toby,  95,  118,  120,  123,  128,  132, 

134,     136,    137,    14s,    148,    149, 

153 
Knolles,  Mr.,  127 
Knowles,  Henry,  148,  150 

Ladd, Joseph,  138 
Laet,  Johannes  de,  12,  13,  15 
Lamberton,  Mr.,  130 
Lawton,  George,  59,  65,  151 

,  John,  118,  161 

,  Thomas,  59,  65,  117,  118,  148,  158 

.  145 

Lechford,  Thomas,  85,  86 

Lenthal,  Robert,  85,  86,  88,  92,  98,  105, 

112,  116,  119,  120,  121,  151 
Lettice,  Walter,  157 
Long,  Herodias,  152 
Lukar,  Mark,  93 
Lutner,  John,  44,  46 

Macunmore,  John,  119 

Marshall,  John,  51,  117 

Maxon,  Richard,  51,  58,  117 

Merchant,  John,  118 

Merritt,  Ezekiel,  119 

Miantonomi,  24-27,  72,  73,  77,  loi,  125 

Mishammoh,  27 

Mompaucke,  77 

More,  John,  59,  118 

Morris,  Mrs.,  181,  182 

,  Richard,  no,  120,  123,  128,  132, 

134,  137,  140,  142,  14s,  146, 
149,  153-155.  157.  161,  181-183 


Morton,  67,  178 

Mott,  Adam,  43,  48,  68,  95,  96,  104, 

118,  119,  123,  134,  138, 161 
,  John,  66,  118,  136 

Needham,  William,  118 
Newman,  Mr.,  166 
Newton,  Thomas,  153 
Nowell,  Mr.,  171 

Oliver,  John,  86-88 
Ousamequin,  40,  178 
Owen,  Thomas,  147 

Paine,  Anthony,  59,  66,  118,  133,  137, 

150 
Palmer,  Mr.,  171 
Pardie,  John,  157 
Parker,  George,  44,  95,  117,  120,  121, 

125,  127,  128,  133,  137,  139 

,  William,  119 

Partridge,  Alexander,  155,  156 
Peckham,  John,  93,  118,  120,  135,  137, 

148 
PessecLis,  178 
Peters,  Hugh,  179,  185 
Poole,  Edward,  118 
Porter,  John,  19,  24,  29,  33,  34,  36,  37, 

39,  42,  43,  45,  48,  49,  60,  63,  67, 

95,  96,  103,  107,  109,  n6,  ng, 

121,  144,  152,  156 
Potter,  George,  59,  118 

,  Nathaniel,  59,  118 

,  Robert,  59,  63,  68,  118,  120,  121, 

124 

Quason,  182 
Quick,  William,  118 

Ramusio,  6,  11 
Raymond,  Richard,  184 
Read,  Thomas,  133,  138 
Readman,  Richard,  142 
Rero,  Edward,  119 

Richardson,  William,  59,  118,  137,  139, 
141,  142,  147,  149,  158 


INDEX 


191 


Richbell,  John,  153 

Richmond,  John,  137,  141,  145,  155,  161 

Robinson,  Anthony,  44, 

,  Edward,  134,  141,  143,  149,  150, 

152, 154 
Rogers,  James,  103,  119,  120,  127,  137, 

142 
Roome,  George,  149 
,  John,  58,  95,  118,  120,  132-135. 

137,  142,  14s,  150,  151 
Root,  Robert,  119,  136 

Sabery,  see  Sabire 
Sabire,  Barbara,  171-173 

,  James,  171-173 

,  Thomas,  73,  118,  170 

Salter,  Sampson,  119,  140 
Sanford,  John,   19,  24,  29,    34-45,    60, 
67,  89,  95,  96,  103,  104,  120,  128, 

173 

,  P.,  26 

Savage,  James,  18 

,  Thomas,  19,  33,  120 

Savory,  see  Sabire 

Searle,  Richard,  30,  73,  117 

Sherman,  PhiHp,  19,  33,  34,  36,  41,  44, 

48,  60,  67,  95,  96,  119 
Shotten,  Sampson,  58,  95,  116,  118,  120, 

121,  124 
Slade,  Thomas,  63,  137,  142 
Sloff,  John,  58,  117 
Smith,  John,   118,   119,   120,   122,   128, 

137,  139,  140,  147,  148,  15s 

,  Richard,  46,  119 

,  Samuel,  44 

,  Mr.  (of  New  Haven),  181 

Spencer,  Mr.,  43 

Spicer,  Thomas,  58,  63,  96,   117,   119, 

121,  123,  132,  134 
Stafford,  Thomas,  118,  143,  145 
Stanton,  Robert,  44,  51,  59,  66,  80,  95, 

117,  120,  123,  128,  134,  135,  137, 

149,  154,  iss 

,  Thomas,  180,  182 

Stretton,  John,  149 


Sutherland,  Matthew,  118 

,  widow,  140 

Sweet,  Mary,  138,  139 

Tarr,  James,  43,  118,  134 

Tefft,  John,  148 

Tew,  Richard,  133,  134,  141 

,  Thomas,  149 

Thompson,  127 

Thornton,  John,  93 

Throckmorton,  John,  128,  161,  180,  182 

Timberlake,  Henry,  128,  157 

Touzar,  Gilian,  137 

Tripp,  John,  59,  117 

Trumbull,  130 

Turner,  Capt.,  130,  166 

Tyler,  Job,  118,  141,  142,  149 

Vane,  Sir  Henry,  25,  78,  126 

Vaughn,  Gilian,  137 

,  John,  44,  64,  118,  137,  145,  153, 

154 

,  William,  93 

Verrazzano,  Giovanni  da,  i 

Waite,  Thomas,  63,  120 

Walker,  John,    19,   34,  36,   39,  45,  48, 

60,  67,  95,  119,  132,  134,  15s 
Wall,  John,  60 
Walton,  Henry,  15,  155 
Wampammaquitt,  77 
Ward,  Marmaduke,  103,  118,  120,  134, 

137,  148,  153-ISS 
Washagansett,  73 
Weeden,  James,  148,  152 

, ,  Jr.,  154 

,  William,  93,  152,  154 

West,  John,  161 

,  Nathaniel,  93 

,  Robert,  129 

Wheelwright,  32,  174,  177 

Wickes,  John,  58,  63,  117,  124,  125,  134 

Wilbur,  Samuel,  19,  33,  34,  36,  39,  41, 

42,  44-46,  48,  50,  52,  53,  64,  81, 

95,  109,  119,  128,  14s,  147,  148 


192  INDEX 

Wilbur,  Samuel,  Jr.,  128  Winthrop,  John,  15,  18,  19,  21,  22,  26, 
Wilcox,  Edward,  117  32,  33,  38,  41,  51,  52,  55-57,  59, 
Willd,  Nicholas,  161  85,  104,  iii,  127,  130,  166,  167, 
Williams,  Robert,  180  171,  173,  175,  178-182,  184 
,  Roger,  15,  17,  22,  24,  26-31,  40,       Winthrop,  Mrs.  167,  180,  182,  185 

59,  60,  68,  86,  92,  125,  156,  180      Withrington,   William,    117,    137,    138, 

Williamson,  Michael,  118,  120,  134,  135,                    141,  143-146,  157,  161 

146,  147  Wonnumetonomey,  24,  26-28,  73 

Willis,  Jeremy,  154,  155,  157  Wood,  John,  141,  142,  154,  157 

Willmore,  George,  44  Woodward,  Lambert,  142,  178 
Wilson,  Samuel,  155 

,  Mr.,  91  Yarrow,  John,  132,  138,  140 

Winslow,  Edward,  165  Yotuesh,  27 


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