USA > New York > Suffolk County > Southampton > Records of the town of Southhampton, with other ancient documents of historic value, Vol. I > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
-
VIII
INTRODUCTION.
ed with the sermons of that period can fail to observe the stress that is laid upon the two doctrines of the Resurrection and the day of Judgment. The time and talent spent in the attempt to reconcile the doctrines of Election and free will, was more than equalled by that employed to find the time of the coming of the Son of Man, and in expatiating upon the events of the last great day. The darker parts of Scripture, the prophecies of the Apocalypse and Daniel, were searched, not only with that eager curiosity that has in all ages prompt- ed men to endeavor to lift the veil that hides the future, that caused the ancients to resort to oracles, and induces some in modern times to put faith in " spirit rappings," but with the spirit that actuates men in whose minds hope and expectation hold equal sway, and as men are generally inclined to believe what they wish to be true, it seems to have been the common belief that the time was nigh at hand.
The reason for this may be found in the entirely different circumstances surrounding the two classes of men. Compared with the past, the present is emphatically an age of ease and luxury, and men who have their good things in this life, and whose every wish is gratified as soon as it is expressed, can hardly be expected to have any very ardent longings for the coming of the Judgment Day, or to dwell with much delight upon its certainty. With our ancestors, the case was vastly different. The Puritan wished for nothing better than to stand before an impartial Judge, and meet as his accusers the bigoted James and Charles, and the profligate Rochester and Buckingham. It was an ordeal they had no reason to dread, a contest in which they were sure to come off victorious. They could hope for mercy from God, who never received it from man, and there was justice in Heaven's tribunal for those who failed to find it in earthly courts.
The question of Proprietor rights is one that has been a fruitful source of contention and the cause of expensive law suits. The publication of these records will throw much light upon this vexed subject. We learn from them that all
IX
INTRODUCTION.
the territory east of Canoe Place and west of a " place or plain called Wainscott," was sold to the persons named in the Indian deed, for a consideration duly paid. This tract was therefore owned by them as undivided property, and the share that each possessed was in proportion to the amount paid by him. If a person who was acceptable to a majority of the inhabitants wished to settle in the town, a home lot and farm was frequently granted to him, generally, however, with the condition that he was to remain and improve the same for a term of years. Persons who understood useful trades were thus encouraged to become members of the new settlement, and in many instances a share in the undivided property, or, as it was called, " a right of commonage," was granted to them. All that was not actually disposed of in this manner was justly supposed to belong to the original purchasers and their heirs. As a few pounds were sufficient at that time to buy a " right," almost every one who came to settle in the place availed himself of the privilege, and so the proprietors and the townsmen were almost identical ; still it was well understood that none had any claim to the public lands who had not purchased a share in them. A list of the proprietors with the amount of their respective rights, was carefully kept ; and when from time to time large tracts of lands were divided, each tract was carefully surveyed and divided into as many lots as there were 150 pound allotments in the town,* the proprietors were duly notified of the completion of the work and warned to be present at the time of drawing, and on the day appointed each drew his share by lot. The num- ber of allotments was 41. and the whole number of proprie- tors 47.
Although the number of allotments was never increased to any great extent, yet from various causes the number of pro- prietors in course of time became very great, some of them owning but a small fraction of a share; still their right was fully recognized, and it was not until they began to lay claim
* The origin of the 150 pound allotments will be found on page 50 of this work.
INTRODUCTION.
to all lands under water, and attempted to control the fishing privileges, that any serious controversy arose between them and the town at large. At length, by carrying their claims to the farthest extent allowed by theory, they prejudiced even their just rights, and in 1818 the word Proprietor was an- other name for grasping, unscrupulous avarice.
As the undivided lands diminished in quantity, the value of a share became less, and at the present time a proprietor right, once so important, is little more than a name.
We have reason to believe that a school was established in Southampton at a very early date. The records to the year 1655 are in the hand writing of Richard Mills, who styles hiraself " school master," and probably acted in that capacity from the time of the settlement. What at that time was called a school, can hardly be compared with the institutions of the present day ; the branches taught were few in number, and the instruction exceedingly limited. Almost all required of the school master was that he should be a fair penman, and possess a tolerable knowledge of Arithmetic. Geogra- phy, Grammar and other branches now considered essential were not taught at all, books were not easily obtained, and the instruction was mostly oral. To read and write and learn the fundamental rules of arithmetic was all that was consid- ered necessary, and the "Rule of three " was to most of the scholars the boundary of mathematical knowledge.
The master himself held a high position in the town from his superior knowledge. His narrow income was often in- creased by small sums received for writing deeds and other legal documents. A sick man would send for him to make his will, and he would be called upon by town officers to as- sist in adjusting town accounts. If he could sing, his fortune was made, and he would always be a welcome addition to all social gatherings.
Witchcraft, that caused so much alarm in New England, was the source of one of the most painful episodes in Ameri- can history, never seems to have disturbed the quiet of the
XI
INTRODUCTION.
town ; the only reference to it is found in 1667 when a per- son is persecuted for slander in asserting that a certain wom- an had bewitched him; it seems to have excited little atten- tion, but it is to be feared that nothing was wanting but favorable circumstances to cause such scenes as made Salem so notorious in history. The belief in Witchcraft may have been absurd, but it was certainly universal ; the dread of its influence may have been groundless, but it was certainly un- feigned ; men can hardly be blamed for taking such precau- tions for their safety as the united voice of the age considers necessary, and our ignorant ancestors may be pardoned for believing what the greatest of British jurists never ventured to doubt.
With the year 1660 the era of the settlement may be said to end; the new enterprise was no longer an experiment, but established upon a firm and sure foundation. The Indian tribes, that had been a source of constant alarm, were no longer regarded with that dread that made every house a castle, and every man a soldier. The brief period of Dutch government only bound them faster to the mother country to which they were united by the ties of blood. The day of their probation was ended, and it will be well for ourselves and those who may come after us if, in the hour of peril, Heaven shall grant us hearts as bold and hands as strong as those with which the fathers met all the storms of fate.
And it is a feeling of profound respect for the memory of the Puritans, deep appreciation of their labor in behalf of human freedom, veneration for those institutions that are the blessing of the earth as it is and the glory of the world as it is to be, that has prompted one who is of a different race, and can claim no kindred with the names that are written in this book, to collect with jealous care the fragments that time has spared, and preserve this history.
The editor wishes to express his obligations to the Rev. G. R. Howell for mach valuable assistance in preparing this work for the press.
WILLIAM S. PELLETREAU. SOUTHAMPTON, March 1st, 1874.
The Disposal of the Vessell.
MARCHI 10, 1639.
In consideracon that Edward Howell hath disbursed 15 lb. and Edmond ffarington 10 lb., Josias Stanborough 5 lb., George Welbe 10 lb., Job Sayre 5 lb., Edmond Needham 5 lb., Henry Walton 10 lb., and Thomas Sayre 5 lb., Itt is Agreed vpon that wee, the forenamed vndertakers haue dis- posed of our seueral pts of our vessell to Daniell How. In Consideracon whereof hee is to transporte them so much goods either to them their heirs, executors and Assignes, (If they shall desire it,) as their Seuerall Somme or Som mes of Monney Shall Ammount vnto, and moreover, to each of those persons Aboue named or their Assignes, he shall trans- porte to each man A person and A tunne of goods free. But in case that any of the forenamed Persons shall not haue oc- casion for the transportacon of soe much goods as his money shall Ammount vnto, that then the said Daniell is to make them payment of the remainder of the monney by the end of two yeares next ensueing the date hereof, and likewise this vessell shall be for the vse of the Plantacon, and that the said Daniell shall not sell this vessell without the consent of the Maior pi. of the Company. And that the vessell shall be reddy at the Towne of Lynne to transporte such goods as the aforesaid vndertakers shall Appointe, that is to say, three tymes in the yeare, ffurthermore, if In case that any Person or Persons shall not haue occasion to Transport any goods that then the said Daniell is to pay them their Somme or
2
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
Sommes of Monney together with Allowence for A tunne of goods and A person within the tearme of two years next en- sueing the date hereof, And for the full performance of * * * said Daniell hath * our [THREE LINES GONE] ffurthermore where as it is expressed formerly that the vessell shall come to our Intended Plantacon three tymes in the yeare, we thought good to express the tymes, viz : the first, Moneth, the fourth moneth and the eighth moneth.
ffurthermore ffor the rates of persons, goods and chattell, if there proue any difference betweene vs, the vndertakers and the Said Daniell How, that then it shall be reffered to two men whome they and he shall chuse.
ffurthermore for as much as Allen Bread, Thomas Halsey and William Harker Are by the Consent of the company come into and party vndertakers with vs, we Edward Howell Daniell How and Henry Walton have cousigned three of our pts. that is to each man a howse lott, plantinge lott and farme answerable to the rest of ye vndertakers for their disburse- ment of five pounds A man to vs the aboue said vndertakers, That is to say whereas Mr. Howell had 3 lotts he shall have but two, and Daniell How for 3 lotts shall have but two and Henry Walton for 2 lotts shall haue but one.
EDWARD HOWELL. DANIELL HOW. HENR. WALTON.
Forasmuch as wee, Edward Howell, Edmond ffarington, Edmond Needham, Daniel How, Josias Stanborough, Thomas Saire, Job Saire, George Welbe and Henry Walton & Thomas Halsey, Allen Bread and William Harker haue disbursed four score pounds ffor the settinge fforward A Plantacon and in regard wee have taken vpon vs to transporte at our owne prop costs and charges all such persons as shall goe at the first voyage when those of our company that are chosen thereunto shall goe upon discouery and search and to beginne and settle a plantacon. and ffurthermore, in regard all such
.
3
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
persons soe goinge upon our acompt, haue in our vessell the freedom of half a tunne of goods a person it is thought meete that wee the forenamed undertakers should not at any tyme nor tymes hereafter be lyable to any rates, taxes or Imposi- sitions, nor be putt vpon any fenceing, building of meeting house, erectinge ffortifications, buildinge of bridges, prepair- inge highways nor otherwise charged for any cause or reason whatsoeuer during the ty.ne of our discontinuance in our In- tended Plantacon except yt in the fenceinge in of plantinge lotts, euery man shall with his neighbors fence or cause to be fenced by the first day of April wch shall be 1641.
ffurthermore because the delayinge to lay out the bounds of townes and all such land within the said bowndes hath bene generally the ruin of townes in this country, therefore wee the said vndertakers haue thought good to take upon us the dispose of all landes within our said bowndes soe yt wch wee lay out for A house Lott shall at all tymes from tyme to tyme here after continue to be A. house lott and but one dwelling house shall be builded vpon it, and those lotts yt wee lay out for plantinge lotts shall not at any tyme nor tymes hereafter be made house lotts whereby more Inhabit- ants might be received into our said Plantacon to the ouer chargeing of Commons and the Impoverishinge of the towne, and yt alsoe what is layed out for commons shall con- tinue commons and noe man shall presume to Incroach vpon it not so much as A handes breadth. and what soever we lay out for farmes shall so remaine for after tyme, and ye dis- posall of all such lands soe layed out shall be at all tymes and from tyme to tyme hereafter at the will and pleasure of vs, the vndertakers, or executors, administrators and assigns, [3 LINES GONE,] and alsoe, who soever selleth his Accommoda- tious in the towne shall sell howse lott and plantinge lote or lotts and meadow Intirely and if hee sel his farme he shall not deuide it but sell it together, viz : his ffarme Intirely and his Accommodations in ye Towne Intirely. Moreouer who- soever cometh in by vs shall hould himselfe satisfyed with
4
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
four Achres to an howse lott and twelue achres to a plant- inge lott and soe much meddow and vpland as may make his Accommodations ffifty achres, except wee, the said underta- kers, shall see cause to Inlarge that proportion by A farme or otherwise. ffurthermore noe person nor persons whatsoeuer shall challenge or claime any proper Interest in seas, riuers, creekes, or brooks howsoeuer bounding or passing through his grounds but ffreedom of fishing, fowling and nauigation shall be common to all within the bankes of the said waters whatsoeuer.
And whosoever shall fell any tree or trees in high wayes, is either to grubb them vp by the rootes or else to cut them smooth up even by the grounde, and take the tree or trees out of all such highways. And whosoever felleth any tree or trees in the commons shall either carry away the body or bodyes thereof with ye Aptnances or else sett or lay it up on heapes soe as the pasture for chattell or passage for man or beaste may not have any Annoyance. Likewise noe person nor persons whatsoever shall fell or lopp or carry away any tree or trees, firewood or otherwise, off or from any lott or lotts whatsoeuer for as is the lande so shall ye Aptnances bee every mans owne peculiar property.
Neither shall any person make or use any highwayes, paths or otherwise ouer any persons howse lott, plantinge lott or meadow, but shall upon all occasions use the Alloued wayes layed out for yt end.
ffurthermore it is thought meete that if the said vndertakers make any Composition with any person or persons yt lay claime* * * manifest his or their * *
* in any part or parts in all * * of the place where god shall cause or direct us to beginne our Intended plantation * *
* the [2 lines gone] And it come to pass yt wee the said under- takers shall either in our owne names or in the names of the Inhabitants In generall promise to pay or cause to be payed any somme or sommes of money, goods or chattell, fines or rates, or the like as may hereafter be thought meete propor-
5
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
tionably to what they Inioy and that then every person or persons Inhabitinge within the boundes of our plantation, be- ing owners of land there, that they shall be contented and pleased to help to beare A share or shares from tyme to tyme and at all times hereafter, of all such payments as may be re- quired of vs, the forenamed vndertakers, or executors, Ad- ministrators or Assigns, and yt his or their subscribinge to these presents may be a sufficient declaration under all such persons handes, yt they doe Approue of all the premises here specified.
Lastly, wee the said undertakers testify by these presents in our admittinge of Inhabitants to our Intended plantacon that wee without any kinde of reservation, leave men ffree to choose and determine all causes and controuerseys, Arbitrary among themselves, And that whensoever it shall please the lord, and he shall see it goode to adde to vs such men as shall be fitt matter for A church, that then wee will in that thinge lay ourselues downe before ye constitutes there of either to be or not to bee receaued as members thereof according as they shall discerne the worke of god to be in our hearts.
EDWARD HOWELL,
Ye marke of
EDMOND NEEDHAM,
EDMOND X FFARINGTON,
JOSIAH STANBOROUGH, JOB SAYRE,
DANIELL HOW,
HENR. WALTON, mark of
GEORGE WELBE, THOMAS HALSEY, WILLIAM HARKER,
ALLEN X BREAD,
Vndertakers.
The mark of THOMAS + NEWELL, JOHN FFARRINGTON, the mark of RICHARD O ODELL. (?)
PHILIP KYRTLAND, NATHANIEL KIRTLAND, THOMAS FFARRINGTON, THOM TERRY
These are to giue notice that wee, the aforesaid company of
6
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
undertakers, doe fully and ffreely give our consentt that John Cooper shall and is admitted an vndertaker with the like full and lymited power with our selues in all cases yt may con- cerne our Plantacon.
EDWARD HOWELL. The marke of EDMOND X FFARRINGTON, EDMOND NEEDHAM, THOMAS HALSEY, The marke of ALLEN X BREAD, DANIEL HOW, HENR. WALTON.
A DECLARATION OF THE COMPANY.
Know all men whome these presents may concerne yt whereas it is expressed in one Artickle that the power of dis- posinge of lands and Admission of Inhabitants into our plan- tation shall at all tymes remaine in the hands of vs the said undertakers to vs and our heirs forever, that our true intent and meaninge is that when our plantacon is layed out by those Appointed according to our Artickles and that there shall be a church gathered and constituted according to the minde of christ that then wee doe ffreely lay downe our power both of orderinge and disposeing of the plantacon and receiv- ing of Inhabitants or any other thing that may tende to the good and welfare of ye place at the feete of Christ and his church, provided that they shall not doe any thinge contrary to the true meaneinge of the fformer Artickles.
ffurthermore whereas it is expressed in A fformer Artickle yt the lande of ye undertakers shall at all tymes remaine ffree from affordinge any helpe to builde meetinge house or making of bridge or bridges or mendinge of highwayes or the lyke during the tyme of their discontinuance from our Plantacon it is thought meete that it shall take place and stand in force
7
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHIAMYTON.
but two yeares vnless there bee some goode reason given for it and then those shall have land only for the third year provided that within the third year they come back againe *
ye 4th day of ye 4th * 16-[one line partly gone.]
In Witness of these two Artickles foregoinge we have set to our handes.
The marke of EDMOND X FFARRINGTON,
JOHN COOPER, EDMOND NEEDHAM,
HENR. WALTON,
EDWARD HOWELL, THOMAS HALSEY,
DANIEL HOW, THOMAS SAYRE.
These are to give notice that wee the afore sayd vndertak - ers doe fully and freely give our consent that Mr. John Gos- mere shall and is admitted an vndertaker with the like full and limited power with our selues in all cases yt Concerne our Plantacon.
EDWARD HOWELL, EDMOND NEEDHAM, HENR. WALTON, JOHN COOPER, WILLIAM HARKER, JOB SAYRE, The marke of ALLEN X BREAD, THOMAS SAYRE, The marke of EDMOND X FFARRINGTON, THOMAS HALSEY.
8
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
NOTES TO THE "DISPOSALL OF THE VESSELL."
PREPARED BY REV. G. R. HOWELL.
1. Edward Howell came from Marsh Gibbon, in th hun- dred and shire of Buckingham, Eng., where in 1639 he sold th Manor of Wesbury which he held in fee by inheritance, this manor was bought by William Howell in 1536 of Robert Dormer who had it from the company of Cooks of London to whom Edward I demised it, to William who died Nov. 30, 1557, succeeded his eldest son John who died without issue in 1576, and the manor then passed tnto the hands of the sec- ond son Henry. From him it came to another Henry (son of the last named) who in 1606 pays 20£ to the sheriff of Bucks Co. on a loan to England. Edward the Southampton colonist inherited the estate from the second Henry (who appears to have been his father according to Lipscomb's Buckingham- shire). For a geneology of his descendants see Howell's his- tory of Southampton.
2. Daniel How. He was one of the most influential pioneers of the settlement, and a magistrate probably as long as he was a member of the colony. He was made freeman at Lynn 1534, and Lieut. in the Ancient Artillery Co. 1638, resided in Southampton up to Oct. 1643, but was one of the founders of East Hampton in 1648, where he probably removed in 1649. Had brother Edward and son Ephraim.
3. Edward Farrington Æ 47, came from Olny, Co. of Bueks, with wife Elisebeth and 4 children in 1635, (died 1671,) his wife Elisebeth was b. 1586 and children Sarah b. 1621, Mar- tha b. 1623, John b. 1624, Elisebeth b. 1627, and m. John Fuller 1641. Edmund, Thomas, John and Edward are found on the early papers, but no evidence of actual residence here, except Thomas and Edward, both of whom are on the list of 1645, but not of that of 1644. Edward was here apparently in 1657, the family returned to Mass.
4. Allen Bread. Although he is named in the Indian deed, Dec. 13, 1640, it is doubtful if he remained here through the first year, he was of Lynn in 1630 and returned to Mass. 1641.
9
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
5. Wm. Harker returned to Lynn, had w. Elisebeth who died May 21, 1661.
6. George Welbec. A resident of Lynn in 1638, he did not remain in Southampton probably after the first year.
7. Edmund Needham did not remain long, as no land ap- pears to be recorded to him. He died at Lynn 1677, leaving children,
S. Henry Walton removed in the first or second year of the settlement, probably to Boston where a Henry W. lived many years at this period. [His name occurs in the Indian Deed, but not after. W. S. P.]
9. Thomas Newell or Newhall probably never came to Southampton. Resided at Lynn where he left descendants.
10. Philip Kirtland came quite early to Lynn, had 2 sons Philip Æ 21, Nathaniel Æ 19 (1635) came from Co. of Bucks, En. to Lynn, in the Hopewell 1635. He had another son John, b. about 1617, they probably returned io Mass. before 1644.
11. Thom. Terry he probably removed to Southold where the name is common and has been since the settlement.
JAMES FARRETT'S PATENT.
Know all men whom this present writing may concerne, thatt I James Farrett, of Long Island, Gent., Deputy to the Right honorable the Earle of Sterling, Secretary for the King- dom of Scotland, doe by these presents, in the name and be- halfe of the said earle, and in mine owne name, as his Deputy, as it doth or may in any way concerne myself, Give and Grant ffree leave and liberty to Danyell How, Job Sayre, George Wilbe and William Harker, together with their asso- ciates to sitt downe vpon Long Island aforesaid, there to pos-
10
RECORDS : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON'
sess, Improve and enjoy Eight miles square of land, or so much as shall containe the said quantity nott only vpland but alsoe what socuer meadow marrsh ground, Harbors, Rivers, and Creeks lye within the bounds or limitts of the said Eight miles, the same and every part thereof quietly and peacbly to enjoy to them and their heires forever without any disturb- ance, lett or molestation from the said Earle or any by his appoyntment or procurement for him or any of his, and that they are to take their choyce to sitt downe vpon as best suit- eth them. And allso that they and theire Associates shall en- joy as full and free liberty in all matters that doe or may con- cerne them or theires or that may conduce to the good and comfort of them and theirs both in church order and civell Government, together with all the casements, conveniences and accomodations what soever which the said place doth or may afforde answereable to wt other Plantations enjoy in Massachusetts Bay. Butt in as much as itt hath pleased our Royall King to give and grant the Patente of Long Island to the aforesaid Earle. In consideration thereof it is agreed upon that the trade with the Indians shall remain to the said Earle of Sterling to dispose of from time to time and at all times as best liketh him. Onely the aforesaid Daniel How and his copartners shall have liberty to make choyce of one man amongst them that shall freely trade with the Indians in theire behalfe for any victuals within their owne plantation, but not for wampam. And if any of the aforesaid persons or any for them shall secretly trade with the Indians for Wam- pam, whether directly or indirectly with out leave or license from the said Earle or his assigns, the person or persons soe of- fending shall pay for every fathom so traded, to the said Earle or his assigns the sum of twenty shillings. ffurther itt is Agreed upon that what soever shall be thought meet by the Right Worshipful John Winthrop Esq, Governor of the mas- sachusetts Bay, to be given to the Earle of Sterling in way of acknowledgement, as the Pattenttee of the place, shall be duly and truly payed, and ffurther more it is agreede upon
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.