USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 10
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1In another branch of the family residing here in the latter part of the 18th century, a son was christened Robert, a distinctive name in the Salem branch, in honor of a great uncle who belonged to the Salem Peases.
2Edgartown Records, II, 125. This is the earliest record in the town books.
3Caulkins, "History of Norwich," 109. This author also wrote the "History of New London," and confounds John senior and John his son, who was a settler at Norwich, on the lot granted to the father in 1659. John junior was his second son, and probably not of age.
"There was a land grant in November, 1659, to John Pease of seven acres on a branch of the Yantic River, now called Pease's Brook, west of Norwich, now a set- tlement called Bozrahville. (History of Norwich, 193.) Whether this was to John, Sr., or John, Jr., depends on the age of the latter. James, the oldert son, was b. March 15, 1637, and unless John was born by November, 1638, he would not have been able to hold property then.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
1653, when he was engaged in a suit about some land with Edward Sales, of which all we know is contained in the fol- lowing record: -
The town hath ended the case between John Pease and Edward Sales thus: that the sd John Pease is to enjoy that commonage that was first given Edward Sales and the said Edward Sales hath his old right of fish still.1
From this and other fragmentary references it seems certain that Pease bought his property on the Vineyard of Edward Sales, whether at his first coming or on his return from Connecticut cannot be determined in the absence of any existing records.2
On Nov. 7, 1653, he was elected constable, the only office he is known to have held in the town. In 1658 he was one of the appraisers of the estate of John Butler, and on Feb. 15, 1659, made a deposition concerning Thomas Mayhew's "Land at home which is in controversy." At the quarterly court in September of that same year, he was sued by Richard Raines, probably a coastwise trader, and the verdict of the court was that "John Pease shall pay the Court charge and sixty weight of leafe tobacco to the Plaintiff.""3 In 1662 he had further legal trouble with Edward Sales who sued him, an outcome of their previous differences. He was a member of the train band this year. On Oct. 3, 1662, the town selected him to represent the proprietors at the Plymouth County Court, "to answare the suite of John Doged comenced against the said towne," involving title to certain granted lands.4 In 1665 his testimony was given and is of record concerning the nuncupative will of John Folger. The fol- lowing seven years contain no further references to him until 1673, when he with nineteen others of the leading residents of the Vineyard, outside of the Mayhew party, signed the celebrated appeal to Massachusetts for annexation, and joined in the "Dutch Rebellion" of that and the following year. He was one of the first to be attacked in reprisal, five days after the petition was dated. The following is the record in the case: -
1Edgartown Records, I, 149.
2Ibid., I, 120. "John Pease defendant: Lawfully bought of Edward Searles his . ... and all his meadow & upland."
$Ibid., I, 140.
'Plymouth Colony Records, IV, 27.
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Annals of Edgartown
John peas Being By the Govournour By his officer warned to appear to answer his misdemeanour for committing a Riott at Edgartown the Marshall Returneth answer that the warrant was by the said peas his wife taken from him and therefore he cannot Return his warrant: the said peas appearing Before the Govournour is Both person and estate Bound to answer at the next sessions of Triall held uppon the Duke his highness province and Territories for the said Riott committed and his wife for forcibly taking the warrant out of the marshalls hands.1
These are the only references to John Pease in the town and county records, except casual mentions not important enough for citation, with the usual drawing of lots at the regular divisions. In this connection it may be stated that he was the proprietor of one full share in the "Five and Twenty" and as such participated in every recorded division from 1653 to 1676 in the same equality with others.2
The following list of his property, certified to by Thomas Trapp, town clerk, shows the extent of his real estate: -
The records of the lands of John Pease the elder:
Imprimis: one house and house lot of ten acres of upland and 2 acres of meadow lying at the northermost end of the town Great Harbour, with a Cove of water on the north of the meadow and east of the harbour, the west with the land of Joseph Codman and on the South and Southeast the commons and main Island.
2d. -- A dividend lying from beyond the plain containing twenty five acres more or less, called Mashakett, in the Cove of the Neck, bounded on the main pond on the South and southwest and the Pond on the south- east: the land of Thomas Daggett on the northeast: Richard Sarsons land on the west and northwest.
3d. - A little neck of land containing five acres of land, more or less, lying towards Sanchacontackett, bounded with the Salt Pond west, south and east: and with the meadow and beach on the north.
4th. - A lot of land upon Chapequideck Neck lying upon the higher land there, from water to water, cross the Neck: the harbour bounding it upon the north and on the south; the land of John Smith on the west, and Wil- liam Weeks' lot on the east.
5th. - A small parcell of meadow (at) Sangacontacett in the last division there.
6th. - A share at Mechems Field, being 2Ist lot bounded by Robert Codman on the east and James Pease on the west.3
It is believed from all obtainable evidence that John Pease lived at first at Mattakeset and later, when the home lots were laid out, he drew the first one of the Five and Twenty,
1Dukes Deeds, I, 403. Nothing of later record shows that he suffered further in person or estate for his part in the trouble.
2Edgartown Records, I, 21, 109, 156, 172.
3From an unrecorded document furnished to the author by Miss Harriet Marshall Pease. It came from the papers of the late Jeremiah Pease, Esq.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
situated at north end of town at the place ever since known as Pease's Point. It consisted of ten acres, and by inheritance and acquisition from other heirs it came into the possession of his son Thomas, who sold it in 1692 to Mrs. Hannah (May- hew) Daggett.1
John Pease was twice married. It is clear that the two eldest sons - James of Edgartown and John of Monhegan (Norwich) Conn., - were issues of Lucy, the first wife, and perhaps there was a daughter or daughters. When she died is not known, nor where she is buried. His second wife bore the Christian name of Marie or Mary, and was married to him as early as 1656.2 She was probably much younger than her husband, and calculations based on the birth of her children would place her own birth at about 1630. There is a family tradition that her maiden name was Browning, and presum- ably daughter of Malachi Browning of this town.3
It is not known when John Pease died. The last mention of him in the record is on Sept. 25, 1677, when he served as a juror,4 at which time he was seventy years old and had already executed his last will and testament. This document is as follows: --
[Dukes Deeds, I, 340.]
March the 4th. 1674. The last will land testament of me, John Peas, husbandman and inhabitant uppon Martins Vineyard in the Town called Edgartown, I John Peas having upon good consideration and being now in some measure in good health and perfect understanding and memory though I am striken in years and Crasy in respect of what formerly; I having had two wives one formerly deceased and by her have yet two sons sur- viving, James Peas, & John Peas and these two sonnes James the Elder, God hath been pleased to bless him in his labours & indeavours and I have been helpfull to him so that he is verrywell to pass in his Estate farre beyond myself : I do therefore in this my last will and testament give to my Eldest Son James Peas twelve pence; My second son John Peas I have alreddy given unto and do hereby give unto him all that was given unto me at Mohegin, with that frame of a house I set up uppon some part of that land; I say I give it unto my son John Peas & his heirs forever: I having by my now living wife Mary Peas, four sonnes & four Daughters, my Sonnes Thomas Peas Jonathan, Samuell, and David and my Daughters
1Dukes Deeds, I, 104.
2Thomas Pease, the first born son of this second marriage, was born in 1657, but he may not have been the oldest child.
3From information furnished by Miss Harriet Marshall Pease taken from her
father's papers. The note made by him states: "Red coat John's 2d wife was - - Browning daughter of - Browning," and cites as authority Peter Pease (b., 1765), who derived it from a conversation with John Coffin (b. 1710) living contemporary with Thomas Pease (b. 1657).
4Dukes Court Records, Vol. I.
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Annals of Edgartown
Abygaill Peas, Mary, Rebecca, and Sarah Peas unto these my four Sonnes and four Daughters I doe give all my landes and houseing that I have upon this Iland Martins Vineyard to be either equally devided or valued or sold or exchanged and the price thereof Equally devided to everyone of them alike and this to be performed at convenient age of them: or as my now living wife Mary shall see meet whome I make my full and whole Executrix to performe all this my last will and testament; and I give unto Mary Peas my wife all my cattle of every sort with all my household goodes whatsoever I have more or less for her use and comfort and helpfulness in bringing up my children at her disposing for Ever. In witness hereunto my hand and seal.
John Peas.
Further I give and bequeath unto my second son John Peas twelve pence. Wee whose names are underwritten
are witnesses to this will and testament.
Thomas Birchard, Kathrin Birchard, Thomas Trappe,
His demise took place some time between September, 1677, and June 3, 1689, when his widow had already remarried, and on that date disposed of her interests in the estate of her late husband.1 Her second marriage was to a man named Creber, probably Capt. Thomas Creber of Portsmouth, N. H., master of the ketch John and Mary, engaged in the coastwise trade.2 In 1669 he was the son-in-law of John Moses of Portsmouth, and this marriage to the widow, Marie Pease, was his second.3 She also outlived this husband, and was a widow again in 1695.4 The date and place of her death yet remain unsolved. An Alice Shortridge, wife of Richard of Portsmouth, N. H., was the only surviving child of Thomas Crebar, late of Portsmouth (1721), deceased.5 These facts above outlined constitute practically all our knowledge of this prominent settler, the progenitor of one of our largest and best known Vineyard families.6
1Dukes Deeds, I, 99. 2N. Y. Col. Mss. XXXIII, I.
3York County (Me.) Deeds, II, 209.
4Dukes Deeds, II, 309. She disposes of land formerly belonging to Ezra Covell, but it is not known how it came into her possession.
$York County (Me.) Deeds, X, 226.
6For the purpose of collating all the scattered references to him the following memoranda are here inserted for future investigators: "James Oliver constituted Richard Hogg of Boston in New England, tailor, his attorney to demand of John Pease and Nicholas Treworgie certain monies due. 5 (12) 1648." (Aspinwall Notarial Record, 194). In the inventory of the debts due estate of David Evans in 1663, that of John Pease is classed as among those "hoped good." (Gen. Reg., XI, 345.)
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History of Martha's Vineyard
RICHARD SARSON.
In May, 1635, one Richard AmharaSargon Sarson, a tailor, embarked at London in the Elizabeth and Ann for these shores, and was listed as twenty- eight years of age, but what relationship he bore to the person of the same name who became so prominent in the affairs of this town, cannot be surely stated.1 The tailor was born in 1607, while our Richard was born in 1637, and the former might have been the father, as one authority states that the elder went to Nantucket.2 The first record of a Richard Sarson in this town is under date of Feb. 1, 1656, in connection with an agreement made by the townsmen with Robert Pease, at which time Richard Sarson and five others agreed to give Pease "two and half of fish every year so long as he liveth upon the Island."" As our known Richard Sarson was born in 1637 he would have been only nineteen years old on this date, not able to make a legal contract, and we may assume that it was the elder Richard who came here, bringing a son of the same name, and that he was admitted on June 2, 1657, as townsman. Otherwise we should have to concede that our later Richard was admitted as such before he was of age.4 This hypothesis of a father and son here seems applicable to the next record of Feb. 18, 1659, when Richard Sarson was chosen as arbitrator in a land controversy, a duty to which a young man just turned twenty-one would hardly be called, and on June 7, 1659, Richard Sarson was chosen constable, an office of some considerable dignity in those times.5 If this theory be correct, we are obliged to dispose of the elder Richard "without benefit of clergy" as there is nothing further to indicate when he died to relieve us of the doubt. There is scarcely a reference to a death or settlement of an estate on the Vineyard before 1660, and early vital statistics are entirely wanting, so that the disappearance of the elder Richard is not an unnatural conclusion to reach. As Richard Sarson
1Hotten, "List of Emigrants." In the same ship came Edward Seale and Jeremy Whitton, who are probably identical with the persons of those names living at the Vineyard in later years.
2Savage, Gen. Dict., IV, 17; comp., Dukes Deeds, I, 354.
$Edgartown Records, I, 138.
4Ibid., I, 139.
"Ibid., I, 142, 158.
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Annals of Edgartown
died in 1703, he would have been ninety-seven if it were the elder of the name.1
After this date the younger Richard could be responsible for all the acts of which we have knowledge in the records. He took part in the division of Crackatuxett April 21, 1660, and was named among the proprietors that year.2 He sub- mitted to the Patentees Government in 1661, and in 1662 was one of the train band and in 1663 drew a lot at Quanomica.3 About this time he had obtained the favor of the elder Mayhew, and on June 30, 1663, he was chosen recorder of the Vineyard Records, land court and probate "and General Assemblys," a position he held till 1668.4 This relation resulted in a further connection of a more intimate character. The widow of Thomas Mayhew, Jr., had been in weeds for seven years, and being dependent on the charity of the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel for her maintenance, she accepted the suit of Richard Sarson, and a marriage was arranged some time after Dec. 20, 1664, when the widow disposed of her estate by gift to each of her children in anticipation of the event. She provided a loophole for herself by this clause, however: "in case this match go on betwixt Richard & I," evidently recognizing that there was uncertainty about affairs of the heart.5 At this time the widow, Jane Mayhew, must have been about thirty-six years old, while Sarson was her junior by eight or nine years. The marriage took place, however, despite this and her uncertainty, and from that time the position of Richard Sarson was assured. By it he ac- quired control of the inheritances of the Paine interests de- scending to his wife and thus became a considerable property owner, and as stepfather of Matthew, Thomas, and Rev. John Mayhew he managed their affairs until they were old enough to look out for themselves. He became one of the governor's assistants shortly after the inauguration of the duke's government here, and remained on the bench for about thirty years, sitting with his two step-sons most of that time.6 This spectacle gave rise to much of the discontent among
1Richard Sarson was witness to a deed Oct. 8, 1659. . (Dukes Deeds, I, 182.)
2Edgartown Records, I, 147, 156.
3Ibid., I, 109, 138, 144. He was a juror in 1663.
'Ibid., 143. 5Dukes Deeds, I, 312.
6N. Y. Col. Mss., XXIV, 159; XXIX, 212; XXXIII, 95; XXXVII, 230; comp .. Dukes Co. Court Records.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
the people elsewhere described. On Oct. 2, 1694, he was licensed to retail liquor, not for drinking purposes, but as a convenience for the public.1
Richard Sarson lived on one of the "Five and Twenty" lots and his house was probably on North Water street, as the lot extended from Morse to Cottage and from the harbor to Pease Point way. This lot originally belonged to Thomas Paine, and after Sarson's death descended to Samuel his son, and thence to the heirs of Samuel, viz., Anne Belcher and Jane Little. The following is a list of land holdings: -
This Record May Sufficiently Testefy of the pertickeler parcells of Lands which followeth was Given By this Town to Searls and Sould by the Said Searls to Richard Sarson: one house Lott Being forty Poles Square with four acres of Land added to it with three acres of that Swomp Joyning to it: this Land and Swomp Near to the old School House Peter Foulger Two acre Lott on the North side, otherwise Common Round about: More one Devedent about thirty six acres More or Less Lying on the South side of the Plaine Bounded with John Peases Lands on the East, the Pond on the South, Thomas Bayes Land on the West, the Comon on the North: More an Island Lying In Sanchacantacket Pond Near the Harbour that Comes Into that Pond: with the fifth Lot at Quanomica Neck: with the thirty forth Lott att Felix Neck that Comes Into that Pond: More on(e) Lott of thach Meadow Lying at Mattecessett and Joyning to the weir Eastward. Also the Six and Twentyth part of fish and whale that Belongs to this town and with the above Mentioned pertickelers the seven and thirty[eth] part of this Town Shipp upon the Island Marthas Vineyard: with one Ten acre Lott upon the Line: also a Comonage and the Six and twentyth part of fish and whale: these Lands were Confirmed by the Town the 30th of Desember 63 and Recorded by me the same 30th of Desember 63:
·
RICHARD SARSON
Given to Richard Sarson By the town one half Comonage that is a half a thirty seventh part of the Lands and Comons that are undivided In this Town Bounds: with one Ten acre Lott upon the Line Being the Seventh from Quanomica: with half the thirty fourth at Meachemies feild: with half the Lott at Felix Neck.2
Besides this Sarson owned land in Chilmark and Tisbury. He was an owner of one-sixth of Homes Hole neck in 1667 (as one of those who helped evict Francis Usselton), but he sold it two years later.3 When he died he owned a tract of a hundred acres at Homes Hole, bought of an Indian.
1Dukes Co. Court Record, Vol. I. This is a curious instance of the homely life of the Vineyard at that time when a justice of the King's bench could be seen pouring out a gill of rum for a thirsty yeoman who perchance had sat in his court a few hours before as plaintiff or defendant.
2Edgartown Records, I, I.
3Dukes Deeds, I, 239; V, 358.
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Annals of Edgartown
Richard Sarson died sometime before October 23, 1703, intestate, when administration of his estate was granted to Mrs. Anne Sarson, widow of his son Samuel, and Mr. Thomas Lothrop, the husband of Mehitable Sarson, only daughter of Richard.1 An inventory of his personal effects amounted to £15-1-o, and his real estate was appraised on June 20, 1704, as follows: -
An house lot at Edgartown, formerly called Searles lot with
a dividend adjoining, with 4 acres of upland & 3 of swamp adjoining
One lot at planting field
£30 -- 0-0 24-0-0
A share of meadow, a lot on the Neck, with a whole common on Chappaquiddick 30-0-0
A hundred acres of land more or less near Cutteshmoo Spring 25-0-0
A small island in Sanchacantucket Pond, near the gut 4-0-0
One share and a half in Pocatapaces Neck
15-0-0
One share in Commons throughout the township except Chap- paquiddic
30-0-0
One half share of lands in Commons in the Old Purchase 5-0-0
£163-0-0
It is to be understood that there being several small allotments sup- posed to belong to the said estate the apprisement thareof is deferred by reason of uncertainty until it be better known.2
The homestead had been deeded to his son Samuel in 1699, and so does not appear in the estate.3
It is not known when Mrs. Jane (Paine) Mayhew-Sarson died, nor is there any record of the settlement of her estate. By the curious ante-nuptial document of 1664 she gave to her children her personal and real property, including the Paine homestead, whose northern boundary is the present Main street, and extending from the harbor to Pease Point way. The following is a copy of this deed of gift: -
To Matthew I give 5 pounds, which is in my fathers hand, and the hors colt: - and the half lot, which was betwixt my mother and me, with all the privileges thereto belonging,
I give unto Thomas;
and the cow called by the name of yong brown, I give unto John,
and if any of these three die single, it shall be given to Jerusha and Jedida, unless I shall see occasion to dispose of it otherwise. This in case this match go on betwixt Richard & I.
1Dukes Probate, I, 16. His son Samuel had died but a short time before his father.
2Ibid. The appraisers were Joseph Norton, Benjamin Smith, Isaac Norton, Thomas Daggett, and James Pease.
3Dukes Deeds, I, 206.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
That which is written in this paper I Jane Mayhew, of the Vineyard widdow, did freely give unto my children, as I have expressed in this writing bearing date this 20th of December 1664: for the confirmation hereof and of all and every of the said gifts and also to testify the premises to whom it may concern, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year abovesaid. This writing is not to be in force except she marrieth with Richard Sarson.
Witness hereunto
JANE MAYHEW.1
Thomas Mayhew
John Cotton
There were at least two children born to Richard Sarson and his wife Jane, namely Samuel, b. about 1667 and Me- hitable who married Thomas Lothrop of Barnstable. If other children were born they died young, and the name be- came extinct with Samuel, whose children were daughters that grew to marriageable age. The name, however, is per- petuated in the small island in Sanchacantackett, opposite the opening or "gut" as expressed in the inventory of his estate, and is erroneously called on the charts "Sasons Is- land."
BENJAMIN SMITH.
Benjamin Smith
This prominent settler was a late comer, and through his marital connec- tion with the ruling
family he soon attained public office, and ever after held high places in the gift of his relatives, or through their influence. Because of his prominence for many years in the political life of the island, from his coming here, about 1684, to his death, in 1720, the author has endeavored to satisfy the desire to know something definite of his antecedents. At the end of many extended investigations, which cannot be enumerated or explained, it is necessary finally to state the presumptions based on all that has been worked out. The author therefore gives as his opinion, that he is the son of Rev. John Smith of Barnstable and Sandwich, born January, 1658-9, in the former town. All other Benjamins in New England have been traced out, and this one offers the reasonable solution as regards age, condition, and propinquity.2 Only one confusion exists -
1Dukes Deeds, 1, 312.
2Sandwich was closely connected with the Vineyard by emigration of its families, as well as with the Mayhew family by marriage. Governor Mayhew's daughter Martha had married Thomas Tupper of Sandwich, and Joseph Wing of the same town had married (in 1682) Jerusha Mayhew, elder sister of Jedidah, the wife of our Benjamin Smith.
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Annals of Edgartown
there was a Benjamin Smith in Sandwich having children by a wife Elizabeth, 1687-1704,1 while our Benjamin was here, and children were born to him 1685-1700. The Ben- jamin of Sandwich has been supposed to be the son of Rev. John, but of this, as in our case, there is absolutely no proof.2 There were two Benjamin Smiths living in Sandwich in 1681, who were admitted as "townsmen" in that year, Shubael, John, and Benjamin "Senior," evidently the three sons of Rev. John, and Benjamin Smith, "son of Richard," so-called evidently to distinguish him from the other Benjamin. Richard Smith, the father of the latter named, was evidently in a humble walk of life. He had come to Sandwich about 1657, from Plymouth, where he is first heard of in 1643, and he was employed to keep the town cattle, and to have for his pay the use of ten acres of land and a peck of Indian corn for each creature put on the commons.3 In 1665, he was granted three acres of bog below his house, and after that his name does not appear in the records until 1684, when he was "deceased," and on Oct. 24 that year his son Benjamin was appointed admin- istrator of the estate.4 In those days, social distinctions were well defined, and it is the stronger probability that Ben- jamin, the son of the Rev. John, would marry the daughter of Rev. Thomas Mayhew and grand-daughter of a governor, rather than Benjamin, the son of Richard, cattle keeper for the town of Sandwich." It may be said in response, that our Benjamin was a "carpenter" by designation, but that does not militate against the social position of his family. A me- chanical trade was sometimes specified as an occupation in early times for purposes of distinguishing individuals, especially
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