USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 11
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1The names of these children include Elkanah, Elisha, Peninah, Bathsheba, which are not known in the descendants of Rev. John's sons. The only names used in common are Ichabod and Ebenezer, which are found in the minister's immediate family.
2Benjamin Smith, son of Richard, took the oath of fidelity July 4, 1678, at Sand- wich. (Plymouth Col. Rec.)
3Sandwich Town Records, 1659, 1662.
4Plymouth Col. Records, VI, 145. Richard Smith had married Ruth Bonum, March 27, 1646, and she had died before 1684, as her estate was included in the ad- ministration letters granted to Benjamin.
5Rev. John Smith went to New Jersey with his family and acquired property there. Mrs. Jerusha (Mayhew) Wing of Sandwich, went there also with her husband, and resided at Shrewsbury in that province. This affords a possible and probable association of the Smith and Mayhew families about the time of the marriage. It is further to be noted that Shubael Smith, the elder brother of Benjamin, came to the Vineyard later in life and spent the remainder of his days here. (1713-1734).
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History of Martha's Vineyard
if they were a number of the same name.1 There is evidence however, that he was a carpenter in fact as well as name during the earlier years of his life.
He had a grant of land in 1684 in this town adjoining a previous grant of unknown date, and it is now impossible to assign the exact time of his settlement, though it is certain that he had married Jedidah Mayhew, youngest daughter of the younger Thomas, before Feb. 8, 1683-4, and we may agree that 1683, when he was about twenty-four years of age, was the probable date, both of marriage and settlement.2 This alliance became a career for him, and his name dots the records frequently thereafter. He was attorney for the town in 1687, 1692; commissioner as King's Attorney for the county in 1691; selectman, 1693, 1696, 1697; county treasurer, 1698, 1715; representative to the General Court, 1692, 1703; county commissioner, 1703, 1708, besides doing other less important work in town affairs up to the last years of his life. Notwith- standing his family associations it appears that he did not entirely approve of all the things that were done by his relatives in the government of the island, and in particular the head of the clan received his private condemnation, although he could not afford open opposition.3 From this we may con- clude his sense of justice was keen, even if his strength of character was not enough to apply the corrective.
Parson Homes enters in his diary under date of July 10, 1720, "Mr. Benjamin Smith of Edgartown died last week. He died suddenly, July 4, 1720, being a Monday." The grave- stone records the same date, and reads further, "in the 65 year of his age." This is probably an error of the cutter of the inscription for 63, which would bring his birth to about 1658, proximately that of Benjamin, son of Rev. John of Sandwich.4
He left a widow Jedidah, who survived him sixteen years, and eight children, two of whom, Thomas and Ebenezer,
"The number of "cordwainers" (shoemakers) who appear on the records, could make shoes enough for an army. It is not to be supposed that all followed this occu- pation - but they were proficient in it and could do so if required. They made their own shoes.
2Edgartown Records, I, 99; comp., Dukes Deeds, V, 72.
3Simon Athearn is our authority that Benjamin Smith told him privately, "that they of Edgartown" had consulted together to have Mayor Mayhew "discarded . . . least he should destroy the place." Athearn adds: "I once asked Mr. Benjamin Smith why some Englishmen found stealing in Edgartown & that by the Sheriffe too," were not prosecuted, and Smith confessed he "did not know." (Sup. Jud. Ct. Mss., 4605.)
"Edgartown Vital Records, 261, where the age is questioned by the editor as probably 63rd.
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Annals of Edgartown
became the transmitters of his name unto this present time. Four daughters married leaders in the social and political circles of the period.
JOHN SMITH.
It is a bold task to attempt the discrimination of the various John Smiths who appeared early in New England, but as one of this name settled in the town it becomes necessary to individualize him if possible. All probabilities favor the theory that he first settled at Watertown, where he married Deborah, daughter of George and Phebe Parkhurst of that town, who was baptized in Ipswich, England, Aug. 1, 1619, and that he removed about 1644 to Hampton, N. H., at which place her aunt, Mrs. Ruth Dalton, wife of Rev. Timothy Dalton, then lived.1 By this marriage he became later brother-in-law of Joseph Merry of Tisbury.
The earliest record found relating to him here is on June 6, 1654, when he was chosen as one of the magistrate's assistants.2 He may be the "Smith" who on May 8, 1653, drew a lot in the Planting Field.3 Further mention of him occurs in 1656 and 1659,4 and in the latter year he became connected with the movement to settle Nantucket. He was a witness to the deed of conveyance of that island July 2, 1659, and later in the same year was chosen one of the ten Associate Proprietors to settle on the land in equal shares with the original pur- chasers.5 Thenceforth he became active in the development of that island, although retaining his property interests here. He was of the Edgartown train band in 1662, and his name is mentioned in the town records in 1660, 1663, and 1664, either as drawing lots in the various divisions of the common land, or in other minor connections. After that it is believed he removed to Nantucket to spend his declining years.
His home lot was on Tower Hill, just north of the ceme- tery in that locality, and descended to his son Philip by will.
He made his will in Nantucket, but called himself "of Martin's Vineyard." He does not use any expression denoting
1Dow, "History of Hampton, N.H.," 979.
2Edgartown Records, I, 122.
3Ibid., I, 172.
John Smith "of Martins Vin Yard" had a suit against Jonas Weed late of South- ampton, L. I., in an action of debt in the Connecticut Courts 1657. (Mainwaring, Digest of Connecticut Wills, I, 113.)
6Macy, "History of Nantucket," 32.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
"advanced years," as was a common phrase employed by the aged, and it may be assumed that he was not much beyond middle life when it was executed. It is as follows: -
I John Smith of Martin's Vineyard, being in perfect health and Sound- ness Both in body and Minde, doe make my Last Will and Testament this 14th day of Febua: in the year : 1670 : as followeth :
Imprimis: I Give unto my two sonnes John and Samuell all my lands on the Iland of Nantuckett wth all privelledges thereto belonging to be equally devided between them : they paying to their two sisters Deborah and Abigaill unto either of them five pounds to be payed within one year after their Entrance and Possession thereof.
Item: I give unto my sonne phillip my land and house at Martin's Vineyard with all priviledges belonging to the aforesaid land, to be his after the decease of his mother; and in the mean time after my decease my will is that the said Phillip my sonne shall injoy two thirds of the said lands and privelledges. The true intent and meaning of this my Gift unto my sonne phillip is this : because the wise disposing hand of God hath ordered that my said Sonne at present is impotent in his understand- ing : that his weakness shall not alienate the lands from my familie : there- fore my will is that the lands and priviledges as aforementioned shall be thus disposed : Namely : if he said phillip shall Marrie and have issue : then the lands are Given to him and his heirs for Ever : but if the said phillip shall dy without issue, then it shall at his decease fall to the next heir in the family : and farther I Give to my sonne phillip what drawing cattle are in being on the land or living aforesaid at my decease, with carts, plowes and all furniture belonging to the teame, and also two Cowes : and liberty to dwell in the house all the time of his Mothers life.
Ite: I mak Deborah my wife whole Executor of this my last will, and I desire and appoint my Loving Friends Mr. Thomas Mayhew and Isaac Rob- inson at the Vineyard & Mr Edward Starbuck and Thomas Macy of Nan- tuckett overseers of this my last will and testament : and in case one or more of these friends dy or leave the country and their places vacant, then the Survivors or Remainers shall have liberty to chuse others to supply, and are desired so to doe : for the confirmation hereof I the said Testator have hereunto set my hand the day & year above written.1
John Smith
Witnesses Thomas Macy Junr Sarah Macy
Mary Starbuck.
It is not known when he died, but it was sometime before June 16, 1674, when his son John sold the Nantucket property.2 This son returned to Hampton, N. H., where descendants resided. He was a lieutenant and by trade a cooper.3
The following is a list of the landed property of John Smith which he bequeathed to his son Philip: -
1Dukes Deeds, I, 348.
2Nantucket Deeds.
3Dow, "History of Hampton," 979.
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Annals of Edgartown
a True Record of the Lands now in the Possession of Phillip Smith of Edgartown upon Marthas Vineyard: Desembr 27th (1676.)
Inprimus one House Lott Containing Ten acres more or Less Bounded By Thomas Harlock on the East & South the Common on the West, Richard Arey on the North: It. one Lott at the Planting feild Being Ten acres More or Less Bounded By Thomas Daggett on the East & South, Richard Sarson on the North, Joana Bland on the North: It. one Devidant at the Great Neck Bounded By the Plain on the East, Joana Bland on the South, Mr. Mayhew on the West, the Pond on the North: with the 36 Lott at Phelix Neck: 25 Lott at Meachamus feild and the 28th Lott att Quanomica with the 25th of wood Lott that was Laid out By the Ponds : on the East : Mr. Mayhews on the South, Joseph Daggett on the West and Thomas Daggett on the North: with one share of meadow at Cracketuxett Being Two acres more or Less Bounded by Thomas Daggett on the South or South East: It. one Lott at Chapequidick Neck, Mr. Mayhew on the North west, John Pease South east: It. one thach Lott Lying By Mr. Sarsons Devidant that he Bought of Thomas Mayhew: with one whole share of Commonage and one share of fish and whale and share of all undivided Lands.1
It is not known either when the widow Deborah died, but she probably survived till about 1686, when Philip sold the homestead to his brother Samuel, from which it is evident that the mental infirmity referred to in the father's will had been relieved, as Philip was marshal of the county at that time. Descendants through both these sons remained on the Vineyard, and now reside on the island in the tenth genera- tion.
THOMAS TRAPP.
Thomas waype Especial interest attaches to this person, as a Trapp is one of the four legendary settlers before the coming of the Mayhews. The only Trapp positively known to have come to the Vineyard was Thomas Trapp, a late arrival (1659), who was born in 1634-5, according to his grave- stone, and hence but a child at the time when alleged landing occurred. His choice of this place for a home was a natural one, probably because of the Burchards who were kinsmen of his and among the first settlers.2 The English home of Trapp is not known, although diligent search has located
1Edgartown Records, I, 21.
2Thomas Burchard and wife Katharine speak of "cusen Thomas Trapp of Mar- tins Vineyard," on two separate occasions.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
many of his name in various parishes of Essex, the county whence came the Brownings and Peases.1 A Thomas Trapp lived, married, and had children in Great Baddow, 1639-1659, the home of John Pease,2 and our Thomas Trapp emigrated to New England in company with a husbandman of Purleigh, Essex, a parish only seven miles distant from Great Baddow.3 After his arrival in this country, in 1659, he evidently came directly to Great Harbor and established a residence in this town, for he was granted a ten-acre "lot on the line" in Decem- ber of that year.4 This was north of Main street and west of Planting Field way, and he gradually increased his holdings in that vicinity northward to the pond which still bears his name. He also acquired land in the Great Swamp by pur- chase, and after 1670 shared in the division of the common land.5
He held numerous and important minor offices in the · town and county. He was marshal, water bailiff and crier in 1667; juryman, 1679; deputy sheriff, 1694-1700; and town clerk, 1700 till his death. This event occurred Oct. 15, 1719, in his 86th year, and he lies buried in the old cemetery. The maiden name of his wife Mary is not known, but by her he had at least nine children who grew to adult life, five sons and four daughters.6 These left a numerous posterity, who lived on the paternal acres until about. 1800, when the last of the name had migrated, mostly to Norwich and other towns in Connecticut. The name is now extinct on the Vineyard, but is represented in the Norton and Pease families through marriage of his daughter.
1Trapps are to be found at this period in Ongar, Orselt, Bobbingworth, Chig- well, Greensteed, Bromfield, Great Baddow, and Good Easter, all in the county of Essex, and most of them near the home of John Pease. Doubtless a further search would definitely place Thomas Trapp in some contiguous parish. See Visitation of Essex, 1612, p. 506.
2Thomas Trapp, single man, of Great Baddow, married Jane Burre, Oct. 28, 1639. She was daughter of the vicar of the parish.
3Suffolk Co. Probate Records, X, 87, 88. This fellow passenger, Lewis Martin, died on the voyage and left all his property to John Andrews of Fenchurch Street, London, a linen draper who was a "cousen" to Thomas Trapp.
4He was voted "not of this town," on Oct. 22, 1660, but on Jan. 28, 1661, he is credited as owner of one lot. (Town records, I, 20, 22.) He forfeited a "lot on the line" before 1665, and it was granted to another. (Ibid., I, 35). It is certain however, that the Trapp property was in that section. (Ibid., I, 29).
5Edgartown Town Records, I, 20, 21. He also owned one-third of Homes Hole Neck, which he acquired by purchase, but sold same within a short time.
"The widow Mary Trapp survived.
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Annals of Edgartown
WILLIAM VINCENT.
The antecedents of this early settler remain unknown to the author after much searching in this country and England. The association of the name of Vincent with the alleged land- ing of John Peasc, before 1642, made it desirable that the Vincent should be identified. There were none of the name at Great Baddow in Essex, where John Pease lived, but in the adjoining parish of Bromfield, about four miles distant, a family of Vincents had long lived, when the Pease family emigrated to New England. One Robert Vincent, "ane ancient man" of Butlers, an estate in the parish, died in December, 1632, and the property descended to his son Robert, who married Elizabeth Godsaffe on June 28, 1633, and on the same day William Vincent of Bromfield, singleman, mar- ried Mary Burr, daughter of the vicar of the parish.1 As our William Vincent was born in 1627, it is evident that he could not be the son of either of these persons.2 These people, how- ever, had dealings with our Pease family and their connections. William Vincent, yeoman of Bromfield, gave a bond in August, 1636, to pay fro to Abraham Page (nephew of John Pease), when he comes of age, "at or in the South Porch of the Church of great Baddow." The witnesses were Thomas Burre, vicar of Bromfield and Margaret Pease, widow, grandmother of young Page.3 When Page arrived in this country in 1645, he made Robert Scott of Boston his attorney, to collect "money from any Pson or Psons whatsoever within the Realme of England," and it will be noticed that it was at Robert Scott's house where Malachi Browning died some years later. These facts have a direct bearing upon the possible association of the Vincents with the group of people who lived in the sight of the church at Great Baddow.5
A William Vincent was granted a lot of land at Norwich, Conn., in 1651, but the word "forfeited" is marked against
1Morant, "History of the County of Essex," II, 77. The Parish Registers of Bromfield contain no Vincent entries before the marriages just quoted.
2He testified in 1693, aged 66 years. (Dukes Court Records.)
3Suffolk Deeds, I, 66. Recorded Dec. 12, 1645. This may be the William Vincent who married the vicar's daughter.
'Aspinwall Notarial Records, 14.
"There was a William Vincent, a potter, of Salem, 1636, later of Gloucester, Mass., 1643, who died in 1690, having married twice and had at least eight children, neither of whom could have been identified with this island. A William Vinson was of Provi- dence, R.I., in 1666, but he is identified as a son of Thomas of Amesbury, Co. Wilts, baptized in 1638. (Savage, Gen. Dict., IV, 374-5; comp., Essex Antiquarian, passim.)
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History of Martha's Vineyard
it, and a guess may be hazarded that this was our William, then a young man of twenty-four years, who was there at the time when John Pease was prospecting for a new location.1 We may suppose that he returned to the Vineyard with Pease, in absence of a better hypothesis as to his whereabouts before coming to this town. His first appearance on our records is on March 15, 1655, when he bought of Robert Codman one- half of the harbor lot on Starbuck's Neck, which Arey had sold to Codman, consisting of four acres.2 Whether he lived there is uncertain, but presumably he did, until the next year, on Feb. 18, 1656, when he bought of Edward Andrews "his house and land adjoyning to it twenty acres more or less bounded on the east side by the land of John Burchard: on the west Mamanekorn Neck: the one end butting upon the fresh pond, the other end upon the common."3 This was at Mashakommukeset, where he afterwards resided, and it remained Vincent property for generations. Before Decem- ber, 1655, he had married Susannah, daughter of Malachi and Mary (Collier) Browning, and the young couple set up housekeeping in this beautiful region, overlooking the great pond. In December, 1659, he was a juror, and in 1660, he is recorded as one of the proprietors and began to draw lots as such.4 He submitted to the Patentee's Government in 1661, and was one of a committee appointed to evict the Indians living within the town bounds the same year.5 He was of the Train Band in 1662, and in 1663 he was sued by William Weeks for a small debt, and with three others built the general fence for. the town under contract. He was credited with owning half a lot at this time, presumably the Arey-Codman lot above referred to.6 In 1664 he participated in land divisions, and on April 21, 1665, was chosen town constable. But little is heard of him for the next ten years, except in some minor land transaction until the "Dutch Rebellion," in which he took part and was fined therefor. In 1675 he sued Peter Jenkins for debt, and four years later had a suit against sundry Indians who had detained his share of a whale and some
1Caulkins, "History of Norwich.
2Edgartown Records, I, 137.
3Ibid., I, 115. 4Ibid., I, 147, 156. 5Ibid., I, 144.
I, 5.)
6Ibid., I, 109, III, 140, 147. He sold this lot to Joseph Codman this year. (Ibid., 7Edgartown Records, I, 112, 127.
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Annals of Edgartown
"Blober."1 In 1680 he was fined for felling trees and "cut- ting wood for Mr. Mayhew," and in 1681 was a juror.2 Va- rious real estate transactions in 1682, 1684, and 1687, includ- ing further grants to him at Meshacket and Wintucket give us glimpses of his continued activity, and this brings us to May 10, 1690, when he made his will, then in his sixty-fourth year.3 By this time he had become estranged from his only son Thomas, to whom nine years before (Sept. 16, 1681), he had sold considerable of his property including one acre "by my shop."4 His name appears on the records in 1693, when he made an affidavit; in 1694, when he sold land at Wintucket, and on March 15, 1694-5, when he was listed as a proprietor of one share in the town.
The following is a list of his real estate holdings: -
This is a true Record of the Petickeler parcells of Land which are now In the possession of William Vinsin upon this Island as followeth: first one Neck Called Shockamockset adjoining to Quanomica on the West and so Runing by Marked Trees on the North, to Meshaket Neck on the East: and straight Down to the Pond on the South: this Neck meadow and upland Being Twenty five acres More or Less: with two acres of Land at Quanomica Being the Sixth Lott: with one acre of meadow Lying att Chapequideck Bounded By. : with the Second Lott at Felix Neck: with the Seventh Lott Mechmies feild: with a whole Right of Comonage and a sixth and twentyth part of fish and whale.
this Recorded by me the 24th of February 1663 Richard Sarson with that feild where the said Vinson fenced In Lying Near the Great Swamp Being five acres More or Less: this was Given May the Last Day: 64: with a full Right of all the allotments which Towonticut Sachem Reserved In the townshipp and was Bought of the said Sachem by Richard Sarson having Liberty by this town so to Do: the said Vinson hath paid for his part pt this foresaid purchas 2 : 8.5
It is probable that William Vincent lived well into 1697, at which time he was three score and ten years of age, the Scriptural limit. His will was proven in court on July 14 of that year, and an abstract of it is as follows, being the first will recorded in the probate records of the county: -
Edgartown upon Marthas Vineyard: the last will and testament of me William Vinson.
I do give unto my son Thomas Vinson ten shillings to be paid within ten days after my burial if he demands it of my executor: but if not de-
1Dukes Court Records, Vol. I.
2Ibid.
'Edgartown Records, I, 31, 33; comp., Dukes Deeds, I, 344.
"Dukes Deeds, I, 326.
5Edgartown Records, I, 2, 13.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
manded within the said ten days, then my will is, and I do give my s'd son Thomas Vinson only one shilling to be paid at demand after the said ten days, at any time within an hundred year after the day of my burial: and my reasons for so doing and giving my said son Thomas Vinson no more is this, first: I have given him near forty pounds: besides he my . · said son Thomas Vinson hath not demeaned himself well towards me nor his mother, to our sad great grief.
I do give my wife Susannah Vinson all my whole estate, both real and personal, .
I do appoint my said wife Susannah Vinson to be my sole executrix.
. and I do desire Richard Sarson and Simon Newcomb to do that kindness for me to see this my will performed so far as they can. this tenth day of May 1690.
The mark of W William Vinson 1
Witnesses: Richard Sarson Philip Covel
It is not known whether Thomas demanded the half crown or was content to be "cut off with a shilling," which was made available to him for the entire next century. It is pleasant to record that there is evidence of the repentance of Thomas and the restoration of confidence between the aged mother and her only son in later years. The widow Susannah Vinson survived her husband a quarter of a century, and must have been very aged when she died. She made her will April 2, 1720, "being sick and weak in body," in which she gives some bedding and a "white chest with lock & key" to her grandson, Thomas Vinson, Jr., and gives all the rest of her estate to her son Thomas and his nine children.2 It was proved May 10, 1722, and it will be safe to infer that she died a short time before that date, probably in the early part of that year. Assuming that she was twenty years old when her son was born, she was about eighty-five at her de- cease.
WILLIAM WEEKS.
In the parish of Staines, on the north bank of the Thames . in the County of Middlesex, about fifteen miles west of London, there lived during the early part of the 17th century a family bearing the name of Atwick alias Wickes.3 In 1638 Richard Wickes died, and his will, dated August 4, was proved Novem- ber 8, that year. In it he directs his executor "to pay to my
1Dukes Probate Records, I, 2.
2Dukes Probate, I, 127.
3Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Soame 80.
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Annals of Edgartown
son John Wickes now living in New England £200 at the feast of the birth of our Lord God next coming," and if he should die before its receipt the amount was to be divided equally among his minor children. This John Wickes was a friend of Samuel Gorton, and had lived at Plymouth in 1637, and later in Rhode Island at Portsmouth, on the island of Aquidneck, 1639, from whence he removed in 1643 with Gor- ton to Warwick across the bay.1 His friendship for Gorton resulted in his arrest and imprisonment, but this did not last beyond a year, for on Aug. 8, 1647, his townsmen elected him a magistrate.2 He continued to reside there till his death, at the hands of the Indians, during King Philip's war, in Novem- ber, 1675, aged sixty-six years.3
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