USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The early records of the town of Providence, Vol. I, 1600s > Part 1
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F 89 .Pa Pa
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
COHERE
00012480210
1500
THE EARLY RECORDS
OF THE
TOWN OF PROVIDENCE
VOLUME I
BEING THE FIRST BOOK OF THE TOWN OF PROVIDENCE OTHERWISE CALLED THE LONG OLD BOOK WITH PARCHMENT COVER
..
PRINTED UNDER AUTHORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PROVIDENCE BY
HORATIO ROGERS GEORGE MOULTON CARPENTER AND EDWARD FIELD Fromer: ce. Record Commissioners 1
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 1898 CITY OF WASHINGTON.
PROVIDENCE SNOW & FARNIIAM CITY PRINTERS 1892 L . - :
-
2380
"WHAT CHEER ?"
FOUNDED
18 32
INCORPORATEO
PREFACE.
THIS volume is issued under authority of the following reso- lution passed by the City Council of Providence, approved March 6, 1891, viz :
" RESOLVED, That Horatio Rogers, George M. Carpenter, and Edward Field are hereby appointed record commissioners, who shall serve without compensation, for the purpose of col- lecting and printing the early records of the town of Provi- dence. And said commissioners are hereby authorized to expend the sum of one thousand dollars for collecting and print- ing said records, said sum to be charged to the appropriation for printing."
The general nature of the work with which the commission- ers understand themselves to be charged by this resolution, will be found set forth at large in their first report to the City Coun- cil, wherein also they have stated such information in general as to the early records as they have thus far been able to col- lect. The first volume of records selected for perpetuation in print is the earliest in date of the existing public records of the city, and has at different times been referred to in town docu- ments as the " First Book of the Town of Providence," and
iv
PREFACE.
" The Long old Book with Parchment Cover." The original leaves of this book are now separately fastened to or inlaid in sheets of strong paper 112 by 193 inches in size, and the whole is substantially bound in green leather inscribed on the side with the words, " First Book Town of Providence."
The pages in their present condition measure from 53 to 53 inches wide and from 15 to 15g inches long. The dates of the various entries are not always consecutive, and this is to be ex- plained, it is believed, partly because at first only alternate pages were used, but subsequently some of the pages originally left blank were also used; and partly because the original se- quence of the leaves has not been preserved when repairs and rebinding became necessary. Then, too, the entries of the acts of the town meetings were mixed with deeds and other recorded instruments, and as the dates when those instruments were re- corded were not always given, an apparent confusion of dates would appear. The earliest date mentioned in this volume is " first week in August, 1633," the date of birth of the first child of Roger Williams, and the latest date, "October 2, 1712," an indorsement on the back of a deed dated 1663. An account of the vicissitudes through which this book and other records passed in early years may be found in Staples' Annals of Providence.
In the year 1800 a transcript of this book was made by authority of the town. It contained many errors, and no at- tempt was made to reproduce the spelling of the original, but
V
PREFACE.
it is still of value, as it has enabled the commissioners in many cases to supply defects in the original caused by the fading of the ink and by the abrasion of the edges of the leaves, as well as larger gaps caused by the loss of whole leaves since that transcript was made.
As the commissioners apprehend that the object of the work required of them is the perpetuation in type of the records as they now exist, whereby the material may be preserved and be- come accessible to many who could not have access to the original, they have retained. the old orthography and have not attempted to correct the confusion in dates by any arbitrary exercise of their own discretion, for oftentimes such so called correction would be more misleading than the evil attempted to be corrected. In short, their duty, as they understand it, is to present to the possessor of this book, as nearly as possible, the same information which he would receive from a perusal of the original.
The following method has been pursued in making this copy. In the first place, a careful copy of the original was made under the direction of the commissioners. They then personally compared this copy, letter by letter, with the origi- nal, and, at the same time, with the transcript of 1800, for the double purpose of assisting in the interpretation of doubtful words and also of supplying letters or words which are wanting or illegible in the original. The copy thus produced being sent to the printer, the commissioners have personally read all
ví
PREFACE.
the proofs, comparing every letter therein with the original and also with the copy previously prepared by them, and, in every case, receiving and reading revises until a proof sheet was re- ceived in which such vigilance as they were able to exercise could detect no error.
The commissioners think it right to acknowledge the very valuable assistance they have received in this work. Miss Huldah D. Sheldon has prepared the first copy from the origi- nal pages, and without her intelligent skill in reading and in- terpretation, the present commissioners, much of whose time is occupied by other duties, would hardly have been able to pro- duce this book within any reasonable period. Mr. William H. Chenery, foreman for Snow & Farnham, and Mr. Ahira Hall, who has performed the entire work of composition, are also entitled to much credit for the typographical excellence of the book.
It remains only to explain such signs used in printing as do not carry their own explanation.
The figures at the top of the pages and enclosed in brackets indicate the paging of this transcript. The heavy figures en- closed in brackets represent the paging of the original book as it now stands. Letters, words and figures in italics are missing or illegible in the original, and have been supplied from the transcript of 1800.
This | mark shows the beginning and end of interlineations in the original.
vii
PREFACE.
Words or letters printed in parentheses are so found in the original, thus, ( land ).
Brackets enclosing blank space, thus, [ ] signify that something is missing from, or illegible in the original, and can- not be supplied from the transcript of 1800.
The sign ₱ is used to represent a contraction or double letter which in the original stands for pr, and is used as the representative of syllables containing those letters with a vowel.
The character & represents a chirograph which, in the earli- est pages of the original, stands for the double letter th. In the later pages the manuscript letter y is used for this pur- pose, and it is represented in this copy by the type y, as is the usual method in representing this letter.
In the original book the seals used on deeds are represented by pen drawings which apparently delineate in a rude way the devices which appeared on the seals themselves. It seems probable that two seals, and only two, were used in the execu- tion of the deeds here recorded. In this copy a typical example of each of these seals has been reproduced.
In very many cases the marks made by illiterate persons to instruments, for their signatures, are reproduced in fac-simile on the records by the recording officer, but in print in this vol- ume these signs are usually represented by X, being the con- ventional sign commonly used for that purpose.
The index has been constructed on the principle of making every reference which by any chance could be useful, at the
viii
PREFACE.
risk of making some which may be useless. In the spelling of names in the index no uniform rule has been followed, the ob- ject being to facilitate reference without regard to mere con- sistency of practice. Names, however, which have an estab- lished and approved modern orthography will, in general, be found to be so entered, and other names, for the most part, have the orthography of the text.
HORATIO ROGERS, G. M. CARPENTER, EDWARD FIELD.
Providence, February, 1892.
FIRST BOOK
TOWN OF
PROVIDENCE
[1] We whose names are hereunder desirous to inhabitt in ye towne of prouidence do promise to subiect ourselves in ac- tiue or passiue obedience to all such orders or agreements as shall be made | for publick good of o' body in an orderly way | by the maior consent of the present Inhabitants maisters of families Incorporated together into a towne fellowship and oth- ers whome they shall admitt unto them
only in ciuill things
Richard Scott
mark William X Renolds
mark
John X ffeild
Chad browne
John Warner*
George Rickard
Edwarde Cope
Thomas Angell X mark
Thomas Harris
ffrancis weekes X mark
Benedict Arnold
Josua winsor William Wickenden
*After this name, and connected with it, is a character unintelligible to the commissioners.
[NOTE. The names signed to the above instrument are believed by the commissioners to be the proper signatures of the subscribers.]
[ 2 ]
[2]
16 die 4 Month
Md. It was agreede by ye Towne yat after warning geuen | to come to be towne meeting | yat whosoeuer be wanting I to Ve meeting | aboue one quarter of an howre | after ye time appointed by him that gave ye warning | shall pay to ye Towne for euery such default ij s.
Md. that whosocuer shall depart w yout Leaue [ ] the towne meeting shall pay ij s.
Md. It was agreede by the towne that a treasuro' shold be appointed for the keping (and as Ye towne shall appoint) for the expending the townes stock who is to geue account as the towne shall Vinke fitt for this ffirst mon Thomas Ony is chosen.
Md. 13 die. mon { 6°: it was agreede by the towne that if any man be to be receaued as an Inhabitant into the towne t 'ye necessity be such as that w yout much losse he who is to be admitted cannot stay for an Answer till the mon & day that then | on | any other day their be foure dayes waring geuen to ye In- habitants incorporate for Geir meting together for such a pur- pose. /
Mdu. That on 3º die of Ve io mon { it was agreede by Ve towne that after waring geuen to come to ye towne meting whosoeuer be wanting [ ] Ve towne meting aboue be one
[ 3]
quarter of an howre after 'ye time appointed by him yat geues warning 'ye party delinquent as not having a sufficient cause of his absence shall pay to ge towne for every such default ij s. as also he who kepes te bookes for that mon { is to obserue & take notice who is wanting and present his name to ye Towne. /
[3] Agrements & orders the second year
of Ve Plantation. /
it is agreede that Willia Carpenter Benedict Arnold ffrancis weekes. Willia Renolds Thomas Angel Mrs Daniell Mary Sweete shold pay in consideration of Ground at present Granted vnto Vem 2 s. apicce Also Edward cope 5 s.
Item M' cole ffrancis weston Rich. waterman shold pay for each person ji s. i e. for Dammage in case Yey do not Im- proue Geir Ground at present graunted to Vem vid. by prepar- ing to fense to plaunt to build etc
Item Vat all future commers vpon Le Graunt of ye like por- tio of grond vnto gem for Geir home share shold pay ji s.
Item Hat none sell his feild or his lot Graunted in o' liber- ties to any person but to an Inhabitant w Gout consent of ye Towne
28 die. mense 12
It was agreede Yat two men shold be deputed to view ye Timber on ye common that such as haue occasion to vse timber
[ 4 ]
shold repaire vnto them for their advise & consent to fell tim- ber fitt for their vse betwene the shares graunted & mile end coue.
Item yat from Le sea or Riuer in yje west end of Le towne, vnto ye Swamp in the East end of ye feilds yat no person shall fell any wood or Timber. before any particular mans shares end.
Item Vat any timber felled by any person liiing on Ye grond aboue a yeare after 'ye felling shall be at 'ye townes disposing beging at Age 23 die of ye mon & aboue written.
The zi die of Age 3 mon y.
It was agreede that Joshua Verin upon ye breach of a cou- enant for restraining of ye liberty of consciensce shall be w t- held from be liberty of voting till he shall declare ye contrary.
The 10th of 4th month
Mª. ye Severall portions of grasse & medow weh our neigh- bour Greene o' neighbour Cole neighbour Arnold & n' Weston Layd out in ye Townes name vnto o' neighbour James neigh- bour Olney neighbour Waterman neighbour Cole neighbour Weston neighbour Carpenter, neighbour Holyman were Con- firmed as their proper Right & Inheritance to them & theirs as fully as the former portions appropriated to of neigh- bour Throckmorton neighbour Greene neighbour Harris Joshua
[ 5]
Verin, neighbour Arnold and neighbour Williams were or are confirmed to them & theirs.
[4] The inrolement of an asurance Signed and Sealed by John Sayles; as ffolloweth /
This Indenture made this Twelfe day of octobr one Thou- sand six hundred sixty and Three, and in the ffifteenth yeare of the Raigne of o' Sovraigne Lord King Charles the Second of England Scottland ffrance, and Ireland ; King Betweene John Sayles of providence in Nanhigansett Bay in New England planter, of the one party, and Thomas Walling of the place abovesaid planter witneseth ; that the Said John Sayles for divers considerations him hereunto espesially moving, hath freely Sold and made over unto Thomas Walling one Share of Meaddow Containeing By Estemation three akers, more or less as also Sixty akers of Land more or lesse adjoyning to the above Said Meadow Northward ; both which upland and meadow being Bounded on the South Side with a Sixty aker Lott of the Said Thomas Walling, and on the North with the Comon, and on the East and west with the Comon ; Both whic percells of upland and meaddow were formerly th Right of Nathaniell Dickins formerly of providenc aforesaid; unto the abovesaid Thomas Walling, his Heirs, Exsecutors, Administrators, or As- signes, to have hold posesse and quietly to injoy ffreely without Lett, or molestation the above named p'mise for Ever: And the Said John Sayles doth by these p'sentes bind himselfe his Heirs, Exsecutors Administrators and Assigns | to save and keepe harmlese the Said Thomas Walling | from all Law- full Claym whatso Ever in relation to the p'mises abovesaid
[ 6]
wheither by morgages, Thirdes or Intailes in wittnesse whereof the above named John Sayles hath hereunto put his hand and Seale the day and yeare first above written
Signed Sealed and Delivered in the p'sence of vs Richard Sayles R
Jo" : Sayles G M
[NOTE. The remainder of this page is torn off; lines are drawn across the page in the original book ; and the transcript made in iSoo does not contam a copy of this instrument. ]
[7]
[5] The 27 of the 3ª m. 53. /
Sthephen (the Son of Gregory, Dexter & Abigael his wife) was borne the Ist day of the 9th m. 47. /
James (the Son of Gregory Dexter & Abigael his wife) was borne the 6th of the 3ª m. 50
John (the Son of Gregory Dexter & Abigael his wife) was borne the 6th of the 9th m. 52 / The Ist of the 8th m. 55
Abigael (the Daughter of Gregory Dexter & Abigael his wife) was borne the 24th of the 7th m. 55. /
Mary ye daughter of Roger Williams & Mary his wife was borne at Plymmouth ye first weeke in August 1633 (so called
Freeborne ye daughter of Roger Williams & Mary his wife was borne at Salem in ye later end of Octob 1635 (so calld)
Providence ye son of Roger Williams & Mary his wife was borne at Providence in ye latter end of ye month Septemb 1638 (so calld)
Mercy ye daughter of Roger Williams & Mary his wife was borne at Providence about ye 15th of July 1640
Daniell ye Son of Roger Williams & Mary his wife was borne at Providence about the 15 of February 1641 (so calld) counting yeare to begin about ye 25 of March so yt he was borne above a yeare & half after Mercy
Joseph ye Son of Roger & Mary Williams his wife was borne at Providence about ye beginning of ye 10th month | Decemb | 1643 (so calld
2
[ 8]
[6] Mary Whittman daughter unto Vallentine Whittman (& Mary his wife) was Borne at pvidence Novemb" the (i6 : i652)
Elizabeth Whittman daughter unto Vallentine Whittman (& Mary his wife) was borne att pvidence July the 3d. i653:
Susana Whittman daughter unto Vallentine Whittman (& Mary his wife) was borne at pvidence ffeburary the 28 : 1657)
Edward Manton, Son unto Shadrach Manton (& Elizabeth his wife) was Borne at pvidence December the iith i658) :
January 6th : 1670 : or 71 : Laid out to Thomas Clemence, by John Whipple, sen' : Serueior, fiue Acers of low Land more or less bearing measure by the Eighttene foott pole; Jt Lieing and being on the north side of wanasquatuckett Riuer and against the place Comonly Called goatom, Jt Bounding on the South Side with the aforsaid wanasquatuckett Riuer; on the north with the Comon; and on the south Eaft partly with the Comon and partly with the aforesaid Riuer, Jt being Bounded on the western Corner with a mapel Tree, Standing by the aforesd Riuer side Bounding on the northern Corner with a Rock ; And so to rang to a Reed oake Tree, | which | stand- eth by wanasquatuckett Riuer side; which said Tree is on the north side of the Riuer aforsaid, against the northeastern End of the Hill Comonly Called Sollatary Hill: this Land in forme and maner as before exspresed was Layd out to Thomas Clem-
[ 9 ]
ence for a fiue Acer Lott, Due to him from this Town of his purchase Right,
Recorded by and with the Townes Consent January 27th : 1670 : or 71 Recorded pr me John Whipple junior Clerk of the Towne of providence
[7] The Recordes of Edward Mantons Land
Sixty Acors of Land Lieing adjoyneing, And partly upon the hill called Neotaconconitt Laid out by the Eighteene foott pole being in length 220 pole, and in breadth 54 pole, Bounding on the South with the Land of Richard Bardin ; the South East corner being bounded with the norwest Corner of a small pond ; the South West corner with a white oake marked on 4 sides; The West side bounding partly with the Land of Rich- ard Bardin, and Ptly with the Land of Shadrach Manton, the norwest corner with a white oake Marked on foare sides, and on the north East corner with a Walnut Tree marked on 4 sides, and on the East side partly with a share and halfe of meddow belonging unto ye afor said Edward Manton, and partly with the Comon ;
Also Twenty Acres, And ffive Acres in one percell being in Length 68 poles, bounding on the north with A Brooke and so from the brooke on the North East corner to the Topp of the hill to a Tree marked on 4 sides; bounding on the East End with the comon ; on the South East corner with a Tree marked on 4 sides; being 64 poles in breadth from the north East cor- ner, to the South East corner ; bounding on the South side partly with halfe a share of meddow belonging to the said Ed- ward Manton and #tly with the comon; on the West End
[10]
bounding partly with a share of Meadow of the said Edward Mantons, and partly with his aforsaid 60 acres.
Also one share of Meadow bounding on the North with the Meadow of William Man; With a walnutt Tree marked for the Boundes betweene them, on the East with the aforsaid 20 acres, and 5 Acres ; on the West with the Abovesaid 60 acres of Land, and on the South with the aforsaid 60 acres of Land : /
Also on percell of Swampie Land for halfe a share of inedow bounding on the North with with the aforsaid 25 acres of Land; and on the West with the abovsaid 60 acors of Land and on the East with a hill all the Length of it, And so joyn- eth to the south East corner of the abovesaid sixty acres, The Landes Lieing att, and about the place called Venter: /
Also one Sixe Acor Lott in the Neck Bounding on the West with a high Way, on the South partly With the Land of Dan- iel Browne and ?tly with the Comon ; on the North with the Land of Valentine Whittman; but Exceeding the Land of Valentine | Whittman | in Length 4 poles.
Also halfe A share of Meadow Lieing on the South side of Wanosquatuckett River bounding Eastwardly ?tly with the said River, and ?tly with A hill, also on the south with the said River and at the West End of the said hill with A White oake Tree marked on 4 sides, and on the West from the said Tree to the aforsaid River on a Line North to a maple Tree by the said River, as also north Eastwardly with the said River: it Lieing up the stream of the said River about a mile above Venter: /
The aforsaid six Acors Lieth betweene the Towne ffeild and the great Swampe : /
Those Landes are not to damniffie High Wayes
[8] providence 25th : of September i66i : These Bear Wittnes, that wee Arthur ffenner & Thomas Harris the El- der ; Haue Laid out | for | and Delivered to Andrew Harris as his purchase Right; Certayne parceles of land according to the parcels of other purchasers; namly ; a fiue acre howse lott, 60 acres, 20 acres, 6 acres : and fiue acres; all Joyneing to gether, at and aboute Sekecequot ; Bounded one the South with the land of John ffenner, and one the west, north, and East, with ye Commone; Haueing these Bound markes; one ye Easte a small wallnut Tree marked one three sides, the Easte. ward corner; one the Southward corner A Chesnut tree marked one three sides; one ye westward Corner a tree stand- ing in an Elbow of a brooke, and one ye northward Corner : an oke marked neere ye ground, and Standing ncere a Rocke ; also a spott of medow aboute an Acre and halft, Lying one the foresaid brooke, neere the Westward Corner, haueing 4 trees : for ye 4 corners ; alsoe A spott of Swampe, 3 quartters of an Acre for meadow, being Bounded with 4 marked Trees, and with a spott of meadow of John ffenners one ye west, which saide meadow lyeth neere ye Easte side, of ye foresaid percell of Land laid out to Andrew Harris, Contayneing as aforesaid the acres are to him as to other purchasers for more or less WVittnes our Hands The Towne Deputyes of providence ; Arthur ffenner Thomas Harris
Deputycs
Recorded August 8th : 1670 ?' me John Whipple junior: Towne Clarke By order of the Towne of providence :
E
[ 12 ]
Received this 27th July : 1661 : of Andrew Harris
The sum of Thirty Shillings in peage at Eight p' penney which is | in | full of | his | purcase money, according to an Antient Towne order, I Say Received. ? ' mee John Sayles Treasurer
Entered upon Record ffebruary the seaventh, 1682 }' John Whipple jun' Clerke 3
[9] Aboute the later end of the Yeare : 1661 : or the be- ginning of the yeare 1662 : Laid out Joseph Williams Nine- teene Acres of Land be it more or less beareing measure by the Eighten foate pole; it lieing and being in the place Com- only Called the neck, & on the East side of Great Swamp, and nere unto the place called the new ffields; Jt Bounding on the South with the Comon or Lennard Smith his Land ; Bound- ing on the East with the Comon or new fields aforsaid, Jt Bounding on the north with the Land of Danniell Williams, and on the west with the Great Swamp Jt takeing part of the said Great Swamp, Jt Bounding on the South East Corner with a black oake Tree marked, and so to range to a white oake Tree marked, which is a South western Corner Bound ; it being laid out with other Land of Danniell Williams, and not being Bounded betwixt them on the other Corners ; This Land in forme & maner as before Exspresed was laid out to Joseph Williams as part of his purchase Right; it being a six Acres, a fiue Acres, & Eight Acres in lew of two Shares of meadow which meadow if meadow is to be sixe acres or eight Acres of upland in lew of it Laid out as before Exspresed by me Thomas Harris Sen' Surucior an according to order make this my return thereof to the Towne This 27 day of January 1670 : or 71,
[13]
This returne of Land made by Thomas Harris Sen' was by him owned in a Towne meeting ;
Recorded by and with the Towne Consent January 27th : 1670 or 71 ; Recorded ?' me
John Whipple jun' Clerk of ye Towne of providence :
Southsavost Corner
Jojop R vvillians Land
Daniel Prilliams Land:
South East Corner
[10] Vpon the 27th : day of may in the yeare i670 : layd out unto Joseph Williams Twenty acres of Land which be- longed to him from the Towne of prouidence of his purchasse right, layd out by Thomas Harris Senior, & Thomas olney jun' : Surueiors for the Towne: The sayd land lieing & being betweene the great pond called masshapauge & the meadowes called masshapauge meadowes, & neere unto the now dwelling howse of the sayd Joseph Williames, on the north side thereof, Jt bounding on the Southerne part; with the line which de- videth the Land of pautuxett from the land of the Towne of prouidence; also bounding on the west part with the Land be-
[ 14 ]
longing to pautuxett ; Jt bounding on the Easterne part partly with the meadow of William Arnold of pautuxett, which be- longeth unto him by a pautuxett Right; Bounding on part of the north, with the upland of the aforsayd William Arnold; which upland, belongeth unto him from the Towne of provi- dence. Bounding on part, of the East also with the aforsd upland of the sayd William Arnold; The South Easterne cor- ner bounding with a white oake tree, The north Easterne Cor- ner bounding with a black oake tree, The South westerne Cor- nner bounding with a wite oake tree; which tree is the wite oake, which upon a line from the head of Saxefrax coaue unto it devideth the land of pautuxett, from the land of the Towne of providence; Bounding on the north Corner with a black oake Tree; Also bounding in a nooke whith goeth in upon the north Easterne part or side of the sayd Twenty acres of land; with a Black oake tree; which tree is the South westerne Corner bound of the percell of upland afor speciffied of the aforsayd William Arnold.
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