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M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00084 6334
840
HISTORY
OF
RHODE ISLAND.
AND
PROVIDEN
D
ENCE
ISLAND
HOPE
PLANTATI
'SNOI
BY REV. EDWARD PETERSON,
AUTHOR OF "THE WORLD IN THE ASCENDANT," "PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY CONTRASTED WITH MODERN," " BIBLE TEMPERANCE REVIEW," &c., &c.
New-york : JOHN S. TAYLOR, 17 ANN-STREET. 1853.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
840
07
THE PUBLIC
5
HODE
12 610
.
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND AND
W PORT.
PLURIBUS UNUM
E
IN THE
PAST
HOPE
BY REV. EDWARD PETERSON.
NEW YORK. JOHN. S.TAYLOR 17 Ann St.
1.15-3880
5
120. 7,60 .- 7-01.
812
B
F 545.67
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by JOHN S. TAYLOR, In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New-York.
3420
-
JOHN J. REED, PRINTER, 16 Spruce-street.
THE BEOLPE
120M 21 XAOW
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 CHTUA SHT
https://archive.org/details/historyofrhodeis00pete_0
PREFACE.
IN seeking out Materials for a work of this kind, embracing a period of nearly two centuries, it must be obvious to the reader, that it has been attended with much difficulty, as valuable Records have been lost, which would have greatly aided and facilitated the publication.
Tradition has been the source, from whence much infor- mation has been derived, of a highly interesting and amusing character, and which could not, possibly, have been obtained from authentic records.
We have, however, under every discouragement, labored to present a variety of subjects of the deepest interest, from the Settlement of the Island, to the breaking out of the American Revolution ; at which period we have shewn, that Newport had attained to a high degree of celebrity, and stood unrivalled by any City or Town in the Colonies.
We have, also, brought down events until within a few years, in order to give the reader the opportunity of enjoying . all the advantage which was to be gathered from the reminis- censes of the past.
To the Antiquarian, this work will be highly interesting, as it will be found to contain much valuable information; and prove extremely amusing to every class of readers, from the variety of subjects which it contains.
vi
PREFACE.
This work being published by subscription, we have added a list of those subscribing, whose names were transmitted to us prior to its going to press, since which numerous others have been handed to the Agents, but not as yet transmitted to us, which precludes their appearing with the rest.
As we have among our Subscribers many celebrated names, either in connection with Rhode Island, or from other causes, we have, in order to add to the interest of the work, given a fac-simile of their respective signatures.
The Author's acknowledgments are due to the many friends who have aided him in the progress of the work, and more particularly to DAVID MELVILLE, Esq., and B. B. HOWLAND, Esq. ; also for information gleaned from the Notes of the late HENRY BULL, Esq., and Ross's " Historical Discourse"; also to many other gentlemen, who have taken a lively interest in this enterprize.
Newport, R. I., 1853.
CONTENTS.
Description of Aquedneck, now Rhode Island 17
Settlement of the Island 18
Names of the First Proprietors.
20
Mr. Coddington elected Governor
21
Intolerant Proceedings regarding Religion 23
Charter of Incorporation 24
Oath of Incorporation ib
The Purchase of the Island. 25
Fac-simile of Miantunomu's Mark for Signature ib
Fac-simile of Cannonicus's Mark for Signature ib
Fac-simile of Wonimenatony's Mark for Signature. 26
Death of Governor Nicholas Easton 28
Laying out the town of Newport. 29
Public School Instituted. 30
Appointment of Solicitor and Attorney-General. ib
Mr. William Dyre appointed Attorney-General 31
Mr. Hugh Burt appointed Solicitor-General ib
The Island Independent.
32
Encouragement of Settlers 34
A Scal appointed for the State. 35 First Arrival of Quakers on the Island. 36
Massachusett's Intolerance and Cruelty 37
First Quarterly Meeting of Friends in New England. 39
Middletown Asylum. ib
The Last of the Sect of Gortonians 40
First Insolvency on the Island. 41
County Jail Erected
42
Death of Cannonicus, the Indian Sachem
ib
viii
CONTENTS.
Aquedneck Indians. 43
Philip of Mount Haup, an Indian Sachem. 44
Death of Miantunomu, Chief Sachem of the Narragansett Indians. 45
Death of Canonchet, Son of Miantunomu 47
First Charter of Incorporation from the British Crown 48
Character of Roger Williams. 49
Longevity of the First Settlers of the Island. 53
Shortness of Supply and Dearness of Provisions. 54
Mr. William Brenton, President of the Colony 55
Death of Mr. Brenton 56
A. Bellman Chosen 57
A Seal Procured for the Town, with the Device of a Sheep. 58
The Town of Newport Surveyed, in 1782. ib
The Cod Fishery in Newport ib
Easton's Point 59
Peter Pylatt, a negro, executed for a Rape. 60
Colony House Built. 61
First Market-house Erected. ib
Circus, for Equestrian Performances, Opened 62
The Crewless Vessel 63
Execution of Pirates. 64
Names of Pirates Executed 65
First Discovery of Block Island ib
Death of William Jeffray, supposed to have been one of King Charles the First's Judges. 66
Distressing Accident. 67
Mr. John Clarke, and the Charter of 1663 68
The Reception of the Charter by the People of Newport. 72
Seal of the Colony 73
The Chair of State. 74
A Tale of Times Past,-an Ode on the Chair of State ib
Laws passed by the General Assembly in 1663-4. 76
Arrest of Mr. John Clarke. 77
Mr. Holmes Suffered Flogging for Conscience-sake 78
Death of Mr. John Clarke ib
Bequest of Mr. John Clarke 79 Judge Samuel Clarke. 80
-
CONTENTS.
ix
The Commercial Relations of Newport. 81
The West India Trade. 83
Custom-House Records 84
Custom-House Instructions 85
Amount of Molasses Imported 86
Warrant for Sale of Goods 87
Power of Attorney 88
Flight of Mr. Rome for Protection, on the Stamp Act Excitement, to a. British Man of War. 89
Henry Collins, Esq. 90
Market-house Erected in Newport. 91
Charles Dudley, Esq., Collector of Customs, flies for Refuge on board a Man-of-war 92
Loss of the Brig " Dolphin,". 93
Loss of the Privateer "Tay," 94
Events in the War with France 95
Capture of Louisburgh, and the Surrender of the Island of Cape Breton by the British. ib
War Declared by England against France. 96
Samuel Cranston, Esq .. 97
Horrid Butchery by Pirates
ib
Return of S. Cranston, Esq., from Piratical Slavery 97
Death of Governor Cranston 99
The Marine Society Instituted. 100
Masonic Fraternity in Newport 101
Origin of the Decatur Family
102
Slave Trade in Newport 103
Slaver of G. and F. Malborn ib
Annual Election of a Governor by the Slaves. 104
Treatment of Slaves in Newport. ib
.Remarks on Slavery 106
Rejoicings on the Repeal of the Stamp Act 110
Linen Manufacture Carried on ia Newport 111
Extracts from Funeral Sermon en Mrs. Wanton 112
Genealogy of the Malborn and Brinley Families 115
Church Erected in Brooklyn, Connecticut. 116
Attack of Minute-Men on Commissary George Brinley. 118
F.
-
X
CONTENTS.
Record of Edward Brinley's Recovery, after being shot through the Body with a Ramrod. 120
Extract from the Will of Mrs. Sarah Reape 122
Literary and Philosophical Institution Established. 123
Redwood Library Erected. 125
Presentation of Books to Redwood Library, by the English King 125
Dr. E. W. Channing, on Redwood Library 126
Bishop Atterbury's Character of Bishop Berkley. 126
Interesting Letter of Bishop Berkley 127
Poem, by Bishop Berkley, " On the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America" 128
Bishop Berkley's Description of the Hanging Rocks, situated near Sachusett. Bay. 129
Death of Bishop Berkley 130
Elegant Country and Town Residences. 132
Description of the Splendid Mansion of Col. Godfrey Malborn ib
Col. Malborn's Residence Destroyed by Fire, in 1766. 133
Ancient Mode of Cooking Dunfish.
134
First Fire Engine in Newport. 135
Samuel Elam, Esq., of Vaucluse. 136
- On the Aristocratic Feelings of the Inhabitants of Newport. 137
Sale, and Destruction of the " Endeavor," the Ship in which Capt. Cooke circumnavigated the Globe. 138
Cundall's Mills.
ib
Mr. Cundall Perishes in a Severe Snow Storm 139
Lawton's Valley. 140
Count Seguin's Views on Secing Newport. ib
Count Seguin's Description of Miss Polly Leighton 141
Ball given to the Ladies of Newport, by the French Officers 142
Memoirs of the Ward Family 143
Richard Ward Elected Governor 144
Commencement of the Political Strife, between Samuel Ward and Stephen Hopkins ib
Propositions for Peace, made by Mr. Hopkins 145
Monument to Richard Ward, Esq .. 147
A Packet-ship Captured by a Refugee-boat
148
Recapture of Packet-ship, by Capt. Nicholas Webster ib
xi
CONTENTS.
One Young Man, and Six Young Women, Accidentally Drowned. 149 Franklin's Printing Press ib
Death of Governor Caleb Carr 150
The Artists of Newport. 151
The Newport Bar. 154
Messrs. Johnson, Martin Howard, jun., and Dr. Moffat, (Stamp- Masters,) Hung and Burnt in Effigy 156 Gift of " Liberty-Tree Lot" to the Town, by Mr. William Reed .. 157
Mr. William Channing, Attorney-General. 158 Judge Lightfoot, in Newport 159 The Medical Faculty 160
Charter Granted to the Artillery Company 163
Importation of Fish. 163
Attractions of Newport for Fishing. 164 Fishing Places, and Anecdotes connected therewith. 165
Account of a. Remarkable Darkness which occurred, hence called the " Dark Day," 166
Great Snow Storm and Intense Cold. 167
The Stone Mill. 168
The Northmen, descended from the Scandinavians, supposed to
ib
have Erected the Stone Mill, prior to the time of Columbus, Extract from the Will of Mr. Edward Pelham, respecting the Stone Mill 170
Analysis of the Cement or Mortar, used in the Stone Mill. 171
Purgatory, near Newport, said to have no bottom, proved a fallacy 172
David Melville, Esq., on the Stone Mill ib
Letter from C. C. Rafn, Esq., R.S.N.A., at Copenhagen, relative to the Stone Mill. 173
Tradition current among the Indians, of a Visit from White Men in Remote Ages 178
The Descendants of Abraham 179
Mr. Aaron Lopez Drowned in Scott's Pond ib
Mr. Touro's Munificent Gift to Repair Redwood Library 180
Honorable Conduct of Abraham Rod. Riviera, a Jewish Merchant ib
Death of Mr. Moses Lopez, the Last Resident Jew in Newport .. 181 Re-opening of the Jewish Synagogue. 182
Anecdote of a Lady and her Lover, at Hog Hole.
ib
٢٠٠٠٫٠
----
xii
CONTENTS.
First Equestrian Performances on Rhode Island. 183
The Rev. Marmaduke Brown, Elected to Trinity Church ib
Memoir of the Hon. Arthur Brown, LL.D. 184
Memoir of Baron Kinsale, of Ireland, (a native of Newport) 185
Memoir of the Rev. William Rogers, D.D. 186
Memoir of the Auchmuty Family 187
Memoir of the Minturn Family 189
Memoir of Admiral Sir Charles Wager 192
Sir Charles Wager runs down a Privateer Schooner 193
Anecdote of Capt. Hull and Admiral Wager 194
Events in the Revolution 195
The Passing of the Infamous Stamp Act. 196
Dr. Franklin's Prediction respecting the Stamp Act. 197
Associations formed in Newport, to use no goods imported from England, 198
Seizure of two Vessels and a Sloop, belonging to Connecticut .. 199
Destruction of the British Sloop "Liberty," by the Populace of Newport. 200
Boston Port Bill, Passed by the British Parliament. 201
Resolutions at a Town Meeting in Newport. 202
Newport Harbor, a Rendezvous for the British Navy 203
Surrender of Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain, to the Continental Troops. 204
A Regiment Raised in Newport. ib
Three hundred Minute-men Arrived, and Prevented the Seizure of Cattle 205
Treaty between Admiral Wallace and the Town of Newport. ib
Mr. Martin wantonly Shot by the British, whilst standing at his own door 206
Mr. Edward Wanton Converted to Quakerism. 207
Mr. John Wanton Elected Governor jb
Letter from Hon. Stephen Hopkins, to the Northern Part of the Colony 208
Arrest of Tories, by General Lee 209
Commencement of the Siege of Quebec. 210
Attack on the British Fleet in Newport Harbor, by Col. Richmond 211
Prize Sloop Taken by Capt. Grimes, and sent to Providence 212
-
CONTENTS.
xin
Retreat of the American Army from the Island
213
British Troops Quartered upon the Inhabitants. 214
Anecdote of Mr. Anthony 215
Tyrannical Conduct of General Prescott. ib
Seizure of General Prescott, by Colonel Barton. 216
Quako Honyman, a negro, guide to Colonel Barton. ib
Seizure of Major Barrington. 217
Gen. Prescott Cow-hided by a Pomfret Landlord ib
Imprisonment and Liberation of Colonel Barton 218
Secret Expedition of General Spencer against Rhode Island. 219
Surrender of General Burgoyne. ib
Secret Correspondence at Little Compton. 220
Arrival of the French Fleet, under Count D'Estaign 221
Atrocity of William Crosson, a Refugee 223 Murder of Judge Taggart's Son. 223
The " Languedoc," French Ship, Dismasted 224
Great Snow Storm, called the " Hessian Storm," 225 The Treaty of 1778. 226
Severe Action at Butt's Hill 228
Retreat of the Americans, under General Sullivan 229
Rhode Island taken Possession of by the British 230
Burning of the Barracks at Fort Adams. 231
-The Records of the Town of Newport, returned to the Authorities by Gen. Carlton 231
Houses Destroyed by the British. 232
Disaffected Persons Banished. 233
Arrival of the Oneida Indians at Newport. 234
Arrival of General Washington at Newport. 235
Address of the Citizens to Gen. Washington 236
Gen. Washington's Answer to the Address 237
Execution of a French Artilleryman 238
Death of the Chevalier de Fayelle. 239
The Supremacy and Independence of the United States, acknow- .ledged by England. 239
Memoir of Francis Melborn, Sen. 240
Anecdote of John Murphy. 241
Anecdote of Capt. Hood, of Newport 242
xiv
CONTENTS.
Escape of Capt. Reed from a Prison Ship 243
Death of Crandall, the Tory. 244
Capture of the British Privateer " Tartar," ib
Capture of the British Store-ship " Elephant,". ib
Brutal Murder by the British 246
Estimate of the Population in 1774. ib
Application of Refugees to Settle. 247
Remarks on Past Events 248
Election of Corporate Officers 249
Votes on the Constitution 250
Introduction of Paper Money
251
Paper Money made a Legal Tender
252
Money Difficulties.
253
Provision made for Transfer of United States' Stock 254
Slavery of Colored People Abolished
255
Washington's Prophetic Warning
256
Fallacy of Abolitionism 257
Foreign Trade of Newport. 258
Packet Accommodation. ib
Uncle Tom Townsend's Coffee-house. 259
Loss of the Spanish Brig " Minerva," 260
War Declared with Britain. 261
Arrival of the British Frigate " Macedonia," as a Prize 262
Battle of Lake Erie.
263
Address of Commodore Perry to his Seamen. 264
Defeat of the British Fleet. 265
Anecdote of a Newport Boy 266
Capture of a Fort at New Providence 267
Embargo placed on the Shipping 268
Fort Green Taken Possession of by the American Army 269
Reminiscenses of Dartmoor Prison, England 270
High Price of Provisions ib
Success of the War. 271
Death of Commodore Perry 272
Dreadful Gale. 273
Remarkable Deposit of Salt 274
Charitable Institutions 275
-
xiv
CONTENTS.
Escape of Capt. Reed from a Prison Ship. 243
Death of Crandall, the Tory 244
Capture of the British Privateer " Tartar,"" ib
Capture of the British Store-ship " Elephant," ib
Brutal Murder by the British. 246
Estimate of the Population in 1774. ib
Application of Refugees to Settle. 247
Remarks on Past Events 248
Election of Corporate Officers 249
Votes on the Constitution 250
Introduction of Paper Money
251
Paper Money made a Legal Tender
252
Money Difficulties. 253
Provision made for Transfer of United States' Stock 254
Slavery of Colored People Abolished
255
Washington's Prophetic Warning 256
Fallacy of Abolitionism 257
Foreign Trade of Newport. 258
Packet Accommodation. ib
Uncle Tom Townsend's Coffee-house. 259
Loss of the Spanish Brig " Minerva," 260
War Declared with Britain. 261
. Arrival of the British Frigate " Macedonia," as a Prize 262
Battle of Lake Erie.
263
Address of Commodore Perry to his Seamen 264
Defeat of the British Fleet 265
Anecdote of a Newport Boy 266
Capture of a Fort at New Providence 267
Embargo placed on the Shipping 268
Fort Green Taken Possession of by the American Army 269
Reminiscenses of Dartmoor Prison, England. 270
High Price of Provisions ib
Success of the War. 271
Death of Commodore Perry 272
Dreadful Gale 273
Remarkable Deposit of Salt 274
Charitable Institutions 275
XV
CONTENTS.
Savings' Bank Established. 276
Asylum for the Poor Voted for 277
Coaster's Harbor Island Selected for the Site of the Asylum 278 Erection of Public School, No. 1, 280
School Fund Instituted. 281 Reading of the Declaration of Independence 282
Remarks on Independence Day 283 Memoir of General C. T. James 284 The Asiatic Cholera 285
Population Statistics, in 1850 286
Portsmouth Asylum Erected 287
Discovery of Coal in Newport 288
Heart Fire Club Established 289
Fires, from 1749 to 1848
290
Remarks on the Narragansett Indians 293
Civil and Religious Liberty in Rhode Island. 294
Assent to the Constitution. 297
Dr. Mather's Views of the People of Newport 298
Sovereignty of the People. 299 300
Distribution of Public Lands
Dr. Waterhouse on the Salubrity of the Climate of Rhode Island.
301 303
List of Presidents and Governors of the Colony
APPENDIX :- Trinity Church, Newport. 307
Queen Anne Presents a Bell to Trinity Church 308
Arrival of Bishop Berkley at Newport. 310
Bishop Berkley's Bequest to Yale College 311
Mr. Kay's Bequest for a School 312
Death of the Rev. Mr. Honyman. 313
Rhode Island Taken Possession of by the British 314
Dissentions in the Church. 315
The First and Second Congregational Church. 318
The Rite of Baptism Refused by the Rev. Mr. Clap ib
Extracts from Funeral Sermon on the Rev. Mr. Clap. 320
On Rev. Mr. Clap's Dissentions with his Congregation 321 New Church Organized. 322
First Baptist Church in Newport, and in America. 330
Dr. Moffatt's Epitaph on the Rev. John Callendar 337
1 1
1
: 1
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1
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:
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xvi
CONTENTS.
Second Baptist Church 339
Society of Friends, or Quakers. 342
Sabbatarian, or Seventh-Day Baptist Church 343 The Moravians, or United Brethren 346
The Fourth Baptist Church 347 The Methodist Society 348
The Colored Union Church.
The Catholic Church of St. Joseph ib
349
Second Episcopal Parish 350
The Unitarian Congregational Church. 352
Churches of the Christian Denomination 353
The Friends' Meeting-House. 354
The Central Baptist Church, Newport ib
List of Subscribers
357
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
THE ISLAND OF AQUEDNECK, NOW RHODE ISLAND,
" My lovely island home, I love thy sea-girt shore, Thy rocks and sunny hills, And foaming billows' roar.
The harvest proudly waves, And gently fan each breeze, The sweet birds hover round the spot, And warble in the trees.
To thee my memory turns, In sorrow and in care ; My native island home, I love to linger there.
My home o'er the dark-blue sea, Thy charms shall near depart ;
But linger round my memory, And twine about my heart."
THE Island of AQUEDNECK, NOW RHODE ISLAND, from whence the State derives its name, was so called from the celebrated Isle of Rhodes, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is fifteen miles in length, and about three miles and a half in width. Its bay, or harbor, is universally acknowledged to be one of the finest in the world, being easy of access at all seasons of the year. A number of small islands lie near, covered with the richest ver- dure; viz. :- Goat Island, directly opposite the town, which was formerly garrisoned, but is at present in a dismantled and
.
18
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
dilapidated .state. The first fort erected on this island, was built by the proceeds of the tenth, or King's part of the priva- teers captured by him. Rose Island, once fortified, but now in ruins. Cannonicut, lying west, on which is Fort Dumpling, erected under the administration of the elder Adams, but never occupied as a fortress ; with Prudence and Gould Island, at the north, present a pleasing and highly picturesque scenery.
On the southern extremity, it is bounded by the broad At- lantic, whose heaving billows, so grand and imposing, are every way suited to convey a just impression of the power and majesty of that Divine Being, who " directs the whirlwind and the storm."
At its northern extremity stands out, in bold relief, Hog Island, with Mount Haup in the distance, once the residence of Philip, the King of the Wanpanouages.
On the north-east, a stone bridge, one-quarter of a mile long, connects the island with the main. At this point also, the scenery is pleasing and attractive. The climate is salubrious, and its soil rich and fertile ; producing every variety to be found in northern latitudes. The island was once covered with a heavy growth of timber, at the period when the Indian was its lawful proprietor, and the sound of the war-whoop rung from out the forest, and reverberated through the vallies, and his bow and arrows supplied him with deer and fowl, which were then abundant. Such is a faint sketch of this island, of which Mr. Neal justly observes, p. 595, that it is deservedly esteemed the Paradise of New England.
" Dear Isle of my birth, sweetest gem of the sea, Now summer revisits thy shore ; My heart's best affection, turns fondly to thee, Oh, when shall I greet theo once more !"
-
THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND.
We are now approaching a subject of deep and vital interest to the inhabitants of the island. When our forefathers fled the father land, for the sake of enjoying liberty of conscience, and to worship God in more scriptural simplicity,-this was the motive which prompted them to forego the pleasures of kindred
19
SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND.
and home, and cross the Atlantic, and here, in this western world, erect temples to the worship of Almighty God. And, to the honor of the first settlers of this island, be it said, that they possessed, in a much higher degree, the principles of civil and religious liberty, than were to be found in any other portion of New England. They had felt the strong arm of oppression in their native land, and had no wish or desire to see it per- petuated in their new home, which, alas, was too painfully witnessed in many portions of the colonies. There was a consistency in their belief and practice, and to this day there is to be found on the island more of a truly Republican spirit than exists in other sections of New England. It is to be attri- buted to the impress left by the original settlers of the island, that this mark of distinction still exists. We shall have occa- sion, as we advance in our work, to draw a contrast between Clarke and Coddington with the settlers of other sections; shew- ing their great superiority, and the extent of their knowledge in framing laws for the regulation of the settlement. We shall labor to avoid falling into a deep-rooted prejudice, and present the truth in all its bearings, so far as the materials furnished for a history will permit. It cannot, however, be disguised, that full justice has never been awarded to these noble patriots, whose devotion in the sacred cause of civil and religious free- dom, has never been surpassed.
The decline of commerce on the island, owing in a great measure to the calamities growing out of the American revolu- tion, has thrown the ancient metropolis quite into the shade. None has had the moral courage, and the patient industry, to present her claims to the world as they justly deserve ; and her history has consequently been almost lost. We could have wished that the task had devolved on some one better qualified, and whose pecuniary means would have placed them in a situation, to have done ample justice to the subject. But, as no one has stepped forth, to rescue the events of the past from oblivion, we have been constrained, from the strong attach- ment which we hold to the place of our birth, to furnish the world with such evidence of the past history of Newport, as is to be obtained from records, and from tradition, which, we flatter ourselves, will be both pleasing and acceptable to our readers.
-
20
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
We find on the 7th day of March, 1637, the names of eighteen men, who had taken up their residence on Aquedneck, now Rhode Island, viz. :
William Coddington,
Thomas Savage,
John Clarke,
William Dyre,
William Hutchinson,
William Freeborne,
John Coggeshall,
Philip Shearman,
William Aspinwall,
John Walker,
Samuel Wilbour,
Richard Carder,
1
John Porter,
William Baulston,
John Sanford,
Edward Hutchinson,
Edward Hutchinson, jun. Henry Bull,
Randall Houldon.
This last person, Randall Houldon, we presume, soon left, as we find his name not mentioned in the records, as being one of the first proprietors of the island. These names were, however, taken from a fac-simile in the author's possession.
The first settlement on the island, was commenced at its northern extremity, where a town was regularly laid out, and first named Pocasset, subsequently Portsmouth. It is that part of the island known as New-Town. But so rapid was the increase of the Colony, during the following summer, that it was deemed advisable for their mutual prosperity, to commence a settlement on some other part of the island. Accordingly, in the following spring, Mr. Clarke, with several others, removed to the south part of the island, and commenced a settlement in or about what is now called Tanner-street, formerly New-Town, to which they gave the name of Newport. The island itself, subsequently, by order of the General Court, was called the Isle of Rhodes, or Rhode Island, in memory, as before remarked, of that celebrated isle of the Mediterranean Sea. Both towns were united under the same simple patriarchal form of govern- ment, of which Mr. William Coddington was chosen magistrate, or judge. A few months subsequently they chose Mr. John Coggeshall, Nicholas Easton, and William Brenton, to act as his assistants. Mr. Coggeshall was descended from an ancient and respectable family in England. He came to this country with Mr. Coddington, in 1630, and was admitted a freeman of the town of Boston in 1632. He was a member of the first Board of Selectmen, of Boston, and represented the town in
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