USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Portsmouth > History of Portsmouth, 1638-1936 > Part 3
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"And further we doe proclaim by vertue of ye power and Authority abovesd that if any pirson or pirsons within our Juris- diction hath at any time heretofore Imbezled ye sd cave and Con- cealed it after ye Knowledge of ittsoe to be a mine Royal, and it be found against them, Then ye Pirson soe Charged and convict shall be Lyable to ye Censure of ye next Generall Court ensuing, they to receive condigne punishment according to ye nature of such high Contempt or neglect:
"So that it may appeare to all men that ye Care in the matter of ye Right and honour of ye noble State hath been declared in a Legall way, we have with power of ye abovesd Honored state, Instituted a public officer viz mr wm Dyer, whom we have or- dained instead of a Herald at Armes and by him have solemly in
ye face of ye Generall assembly above mentioned made proclama- tion, as abovesd upon ye place where ye mine is discovered-he taking in ye presence of ye Sd assembly a certaine persell of ye cave into his Custodie as a Signe and Pledge of ye Honorable right which ye sd state of ould England hath to ye above sd Royall mine, which is further Solemnised by Siting upon ye place ye Armes of ye Crowne of England, together with ye Armes of ye Ld High Admiral, our noble Governor in Chief, and have underneath afixed ye Seale of ye Colonie "
Given ay ye Gen: Assembly held at Portsmouth ye tenth of March Ano 1648
John Warner Clk
In closing I think it would be fitting to read the description of the Island written by Frederick Mackenzie, a British officer. He writes in his diary on the 16th of December 1776, as follows:
"There is a hill about 7 miles from Newport, and on the Eastern side of the Island, called Quaker Hill (from there being a Quaker's meeting house on it) from whence there is a very fine view of all the North part of the Island, and of the adjacent Islands, and the Continent for many miles. The many fine and well cultivated Islands, and the beautiful bays and inlets, with the distant view of the towns, farms and cultivated lands intermixed with woods, together with the many fine views of the adjacent waters, contribute to make this (even at this bleak season of the year) the finest, most diversified, and extensive prospect I have seen in America. The Shipe of War that are stationed in the different passages to watch the motions of the enemy, are in such position as to make it appear as if they were placed there only to add to the beauty of the picture. In the beginning of summer this must be a delightful view, and I should think hardly to be equalled in America or any country."
The early inhabitants of Portsmouth will now be shown, with the location of their lands.
THE INHABITANTS William Coddington
Was born about 1610 in Boston, Lincoln County, England. He married, first, Mary Moseley, and second, Anne Brinley. Arriv- ing in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 he soon took public office, serving as assistant until 1637, also serving as Town Treasurer for three years. He was probably the richest and one of the smartest of the signers of the Compact, as can be seen from records. After leaving Portsmouth he was made Judge of the Newport Colony, and 1648-1649 he was President of the whole Colony, and was elected Governor of the Colony for the years 1674-1675-1676-1678, his death occurred in 1708.
There are no definite bounds of his land, but it was probably between the Town Pond and Sanford's Cove, and when he left Portsmouth it is probable that he did not take the trouble to sell the land.
JOHN CLARKE
Was born in Westhorpe, Suffolk County, England, in 1609, ar- riving in Boston in 1637. He tells us that he was much surprised at the way the Church and Government tried to suppress all religi- ous beliefs differing from their own. It would seem as if he soon joined the followers of Anne Hutchinson, for he was one of the committee sent out to find a site for the new Colony. According to his own story they left the ship at Cape Cod and went over-land to Providence, not to consult with Roger Williams, for they in- tended to go to Long Island or Delaware. On meeting Roger Williams he told them of Sowams (which they found was part of the Plymouth Colony Patent) and Aquidneck. This was the spot chosen for the new Colony, and with the help of Roger Williams who was always a friend of the Indians and spoke their language, the Island was purchased.
At the time of the separation John Clarke went to Newport, and later started a Baptist Church there. Although John Clarke
Pudding Rock
Memorial Tablet on Pudding Rock
had three wives he left no descendants, since his only child, a daughter, died at less than one year of age.
The location of his land in Portsmouth is very uncertain, as all that can be found in the records is that it was next to Mr. Cod- dington's.
THE HUTCHINSONS
William Hutchinson and wife Anne arrived in Boston. He was made a Judge in 1635 and Deputy in 1636. At the time of the separation he was made Judge of Portsmouth. His death occurred in 1642 and shortly after that his wife Anne left with all her younger children for some place near New Rochelle, where they were killed by the Indians.
EDWARD HUTCHINSON, JR.
Son of William and Anne Hutchinson did not stay in Ports- mouth very long, but returned to England. He came back, how- ever, to Massachusetts where he was welcomed. He was appointed Commander of a large Corps of Cavalry in King Philips war and was killed in 1675.
EDWARD HUTCHINSON, SR.
Brother of William did not stay in Portsmouth, but returned to England.
The land of William Hutchinson is not easy to locate, but he had a grant with one end butting Sanford's Cove. There was an- other tract on the other side of the neck butting on the bay. Edward, Sr., and Edward, Jr. had grants near William Hutchinson's on the neck.
JOHN COGGESHALL
Born about 1601, Halstead, Essex County, England. Came to Boston in 1632, on the ship Lyon. He was a deacon of the Church in Boston, Selectman and a Deputy to the General Court. He went to Newport at the time of the separation and received a large grant of land there. In 1647 he was elected the first President of the
Colony under the Charter that Roger Williams had procured. He died while in office.
His land was probably along the road that we now call Anthony's Road about where the Montaup Golf Club is now sit- uated. John Coggeshall's second son, Joshua, returned to Ports- mouth and owned land near the Middletown line on the West Road.
WILLIAM BAULSTON
Born about 1600, was made a Freeman of Boston in 1630. In 1634 he was made a Sergeant and in 1637 was granted a license to run a house of entertainment.
In Portsmouth he was granted a license for a house of enter- tainment which he ran for many years. Always interested in public affairs he was made a Sergeant of the Train Band, Treasurer for Portsmouth and Newport, Assistant for twenty-two years, and many other offices. He died in 1667.
William Baulston's Tavern was opposite the Watering Place, and "Founders Brook" runs through his land on the way to the pond. His farm, 240 acres, was on the west side of the Island, where the Coaling Station is located.
HENRY BULL
Arrived at Boston in 1635 on ship James, from London. Joined the church in Roxbury in 1636.
Held position of Sergeant in Portsmouth and Newport. Deputy for eight years and Governor for three years. He died in 1694, the last of the original settlers of Newport.
The only land of his that can be located is a meadow lot on the west side of the Town Pond.
RANDALL HOLDEN
Came from Salisbury, Wilts County, England. There is no record of him in Boston. He was disfranchised in 1641 and was threatened with arrest if he came on the Island armed. He was one
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of the original settlers of Warwick and held many positions of trust. He, with other Warwick settlers, was taken by soldiers to Boston, where he was charged with heresy and was imprisoned in Salem. He died in 1692.
He had a small lot of land near the Golf Club in Portsmouth and had a farm east of William Freeborn's.
PHILIP SHERMAN
Born 1610 in Dedham, Essex County, England, married Sarah Porter. He came to Massachusetts in 1633 and was made a Free- man in 1634.
In Portsmouth he held several offices and was General Recorder of the Colony 1648-1651. He died in 1687.
Philip Sherman's house lot was on the West Road about half way between Boyd's Lane and Sprague Street. His farm was on the East Road just north of a brook, which was made a watering place, the short road to it is still there. He also owned a lot on the west side of the road at Mint Water Brook.
JOHN WALKER
Freeman of Boston in 1634 held no public office in Portsmouth and died in 1671.
John Walker's land was north of Freeborns Creek, on the west side of the Island. He also owned a small plot in the Calfs Pasture, now part of the Hathaway Peach Orchards.
RICHARD CARDER
He was admitted Freeman in Boston 1636, after coming to Portsmouth, he was disfranchised in 1641 and in the following year it was ordered that if he came on the Island he was to be arrested. That same year he was one of the granters of the Town of Warwick.
His land in Portsmouth was north of the Coal Mines, about where the Weyhauser Lumber Co. stands. His house lot cannot be located.
WILLIAM ASPINWALL
Came over with Winthrop, and was made a Freeman at Boston in 1632. He removed from Portsmouth to New Haven, where he lived in 1641-1642. In 1643 he again returned to Boston. He was a Recorder and Notary. He was granted one hundred acres at Sandy Point, and after he left, this land was granted to one of the Edward Hutchinsons.
SAMUEL WILBORE
Made a Freeman at Boston in 1633 and Assessor in 1634. Came to Portsmouth with the first settlers and was Constable in 1639 and Sergeant in 1644.
Samuel Wilbore's house lot was east of the Baulston Tavern, and he had also a share in the Long Meadow, south of the Mount Hope Bridge. The land on the corner of Sandy Point Avenue and Wapping Road, sixty acres, was granted to Samuel Wilbore, and he gave it to his daughter, the wife of Latham Clarke.
He was also granted a small point of land running into San- fords Cove. He returned to Boston in 1645 and died in Taunton, Massachusetts.
JOHN PORTER
Was made a Freeman at Boston in 1633. He came to Ports- mouth with the others and stayed until 1665 when he moved to Kingston, where he died after 1674.
John Porter owned land at what was called the Round Meadow, near the place that Willow Brook runs into the Bay. He also owned about one hundred acres on the West Road, west of Mill Lane and Locust Avenue.
JOHN SANFORD
Was made a Freeman of Boston in 1632, and was a Commander at the Fort for several years. He was one of the first men here and held many offices in the Town and Colony, being President of the Island when he died in 1653. He left a large family of children.
His land was on the east side of the road to Common Fence Point, opposite the land of William Brenton. He also owned the farm at Black Point.
THOMAS SAVAGE
Born in Taunton, Somerset County, England, came to Boston in 1635, on the ship Planter. He was Captain of Artillery in 1651 and had command of a force during King Philip's War. By trade he was a tailor. It is very probable that he never came to Ports- mouth at all.
WILLIAM DYER
Came to Boston from England in 1635. He was the first Sec- retary or Clerk of Portsmouth, but went to Newport at the time of the separation. He was the Town Clerk of Newport for a number of years, and was for four years Attorney General of this Colony and General Solicitor for three years. He also served as Commis- sioner and Assistant. He died in 1667.
Aside from Dyer's Island, no trace of his land is to be found in Portsmouth. Mention must be made of William Dyer's wife Mary, who was a staunch Quaker, although warned not to return to Boston, she nevertheless did so, and was eventually hanged on Boston Common.
WILLIAM FREEBORN
Arrived at Boston in 1634, on the ship Francis, from Ipswich, England. He was here in 1638, made Freeman in 1641, and served as a Constable and Commissioner. His son Gideon served as Deputy for five terms.
The farm of William Freeborn was on the west side of the Island, where the Priory School now stands. He also owned land on Wapping Road between Braman's Lane and Sandy Point Ave- nue, and a meadow through which the new road, a continuation of Boyd's Lane, runs on the east side of Anthony Road.
WILLIAM HALL
One of the Signers of the Compact who seemed to be scratched off, but who came to Portsmouth in August 1638, was made a Freeman in that year. He served as Commissioner for four years, and as Deputy for six years. Just before his death, in 1673, he was on a committee to treat with the Indians about drunkenness. Many of his descendants have always lived in Portsmouth.
His land was on the east side of the West Road between Freeborn Street and Hedley Street. He also had land on the Middle Road, between Hedley Street and Mill Lane.
ADAM MOTT
Arrived in Boston in 1635 on ship Defiance. He was made a Freeman of Roxbury in 1636 and lived for a while in Hingham.
He was granted a lot on the west side of the Spring in 1638 and his farm was on the West Road, south of Cory's Lane. He also had a lot of land in the Calf's Pasture.
WILLIAM BRENTON
Born in Hammersmith, Middlesex County, England, was made Freeman at Boston in 1634, and held office as Selectman and Deputy while there.
Although not one of the Signers, he was an early inhabitant of Portsmouth, being admitted as Freeman at the fourth meeting in 1638. He went to Newport at the time of separation and was twice elected Deputy Governor of the Island.
He lived at Taunton for a while, but died in Newport in 1674. Besides his house lot near the Town Pond, he owned two house lots at the head of Park Avenue. His farm of 240 acres, called Middle- ford Farm, was on the east side of the Island. What we now call Glen Street was the approach to it, and by the 1662 list of highways was twenty rods wide. He was also granted Common Fence Point.
RICHARD BORDEN
Born 1601, died 1671, although not a Signer, was admitted Freeman in 1638. He served as Assistant, General Treasurer and Commissioner. His son Matthew, born in May 1638, was the first English child born in Portsmouth. This son Matthew always lived in Portsmouth.
Richard Borden lived on his land on the north side of Stoney Lane. He owned the farm, about 175 acres, at what we now call McCorrie's Point. He also owned land south of the Bristol Ferry called the South Land. This latter land was where John Borden lived and his ferry ran from here.
RALPH EARL
Although not a Signer, was in Portsmouth in 1639. He acquired much land, one of his grants, forty acres, being bounded on the north by Cory's Lane. This land, as late as 1854, was known as Earle's Field. He acquired many of the house lots, especially around Bristol Ferry.
NICHOLAS BROWN
He too was not a Signer, but was made a Freeman in 1638. His house lot is now known as the "Fishermans Lot" on Anthony Road. He also owned land south of Church Lane, as well as land on the southwest corner of Hedley Street. A lot of about six acres on the south side of Hedley Street, at the brook, was also granted him. In 1657 he had a grant on the east side of Jepson Lane.
THOMAS HAZARD
Although he was early in Portsmouth, he went to Newport, and was not made a Freeman of Portsmouth until 1655. He owned land on the west side of the Island, part of which is the Poor Farm.
THOMAS CORNELL
Was licensed to keep an Inn in Boston in 1638, and came to Portsmouth about 1641. He served as Commissioner for one year, and died in 1657.
He had a small tract on Common Fence Point, another on the East Road, south of Richard Borden's, but his large tract was south of the Wading River, part of it being what we now call Law- ton's Valley, a piece of which is still owned by a descendant. His widow was granted land north of Union Street.
WILLIAM CORY
Was admitted a Freeman in 1655, although he was here much earlier. He served as Deputy for three years and died in 1681.
He was granted a lot of land running along the west side of the West Road north from Cory's Lane. His other land he purchased.
THOMAS DURFEE
An early settler, was granted land both north and south of Coal Mine Lane. All his other land was purchased.
THOMAS FISH
Was here before 1643, when he was granted a house lot north of John Albro's. He served on the Town Council one year. He was also granted a swamp lot at Little Silver. His sons were granted several lots in the later division.
JOHN TRIPP
Admitted in 1638, served as Commissioner for one year and Assistant for four years. He ran a ferry to Bristol.
He was granted land on the west side of the West Road, and a lot adjoining the line on the east side of the Jepson Lane. His other lands he purchased.
GEORGE LAWTON
He was admitted an inhabitant in 1638, and served as Deputy for six years, and as Assistant nine years besides serving on numer- ous committees.
He was granted a small piece of land for a mill, on the Wading River, but had a large tract on the east side of the road, opposite his mill.
THOMAS LAWTON
Probably came to Portsmouth with his brother, George, but did not hold many public offices. He was Deputy one year and Commissioner for four years. Thomas Lawton was granted land near the top of Quaker Hill, and land south of Union Street. He acquired much of the land south of Union Street, which he called "Hunting Swamp Farm."
RICHARD SISSON
Did not come to Portsmouth until 1663. In 1667 he was in Dartmouth, where he stayed for the rest of his life. His son, George Sisson, returned to Portsmouth in 1672, where he served as Deputy for four years.
Richard Sisson was granted a lot of land on the East Road, part of which is the south part of Oakland Farm. George Sisson was granted land on the East Road north of Union Street.
JOHN ALBRO
Born 1617, arrived in Boston on the ship Francis in care of William Freeborn, whom he accompanied to Portsmouth. Was Commissioner two years, Assistant twelve years and served on numerous committees.
He had two house lots not far from Sprague Street, land south of Locust Avenue and land on the north side of Union Street.
WILLIAM ALMY
Born 1601, lived in Lynn, returned to England and came back in 1635, living in Sandwich. He came to Portsmouth in 1643, and served as Commissioner for three years, died in 1676.
Had a small grant on Hummock Point, and a farm south of Philip Sherman on the east side of the East Road.
FRANCES BRAYTON
Born 1612, received as an inhabitant of Portsmouth in 1640, served as Commissioner one year and Deputy five years.
He was granted land on the north side of Locust Avenue, and a lot on the north side of Union Street. All of his other land he purchased.
JOHN BRIGGS
Born 1609, died 1690, admitted as an inhabitant of Portsmouth in 1640.
His house lot was on the west side of the East Road at the head of the Brook or Spring. He was also granted land north of Union Street at the Round Swamp. He purchased other land.
RICHARD BULGAR
Born 1608, died about 1687, came to Roxbury about 1631. It is not known just when he arrived in Portsmouth, but it was prior to 1646. He served as Commissioner and was General Solicitor for three years, besides being Town Clerk. In 1686 he made over his land to the Town, for his maintenance for life. His wife was killed by a drunken Indian in 1671. His land was at the Hummock.
JOHN ANTHONY
Was made a Freeman in 1640, was Corporal of the Militia in 1644, and was given leave to keep a Tavern in 1655. He served as Deputy for two years.
He was granted land on the West Road, between Boyd's Lane and Sprague Street, as well as a tract on Jepson Lane, near the Town Line. He acquired much more land by purchase.
THOMAS BROWNELL
Was in Portsmouth prior to 1647 as in that year he was appointed "Water Bailie." He served as Commissioner four years and was Deputy one year.
His first lands, at the Coal Mines, were acquired by purchase, and there is record of but one grant to him, a lot in the hunting swamp, now a reservoir.
GILES SLOCUM
Is first mentioned in the Portsmouth records in 1648. He is in the 1655 list of Freemen and evidently held no public office.
His house lot was on the East Road a little below Park Avenue, and he was granted land on the north side of Sandy Point Avenue. He purchased considerable more land.
THOMAS BURTON
One of the early residents, was granted a house lot on Anthony Road and a farm which is now "Vaucluse."
CENSUS RECORDS
The first census was taken in December 1708, and is as follows:
Freeman
98
Eligible to Militia 104
White servants.
8
Black servants
40
Total number of inhabitants.
628
1790 Census:
Males over 16 years
411
Males under 16 years
313
Females
793
Slaves
19
Total number of inhabitants
1536
Number of families
234
Friends Church
The little island of Aquiday - Aquidneck - known now as Rhode Island seemed in the Providence of God, destined to be the shelter and nursery of Quakerism in the days of its infancy on American soil. On March 7, 1638, nineteen souls formed a civil compact for the incorporation of a "Body Politick," and proceeded to elect William Coddington as their leader and judge.
These nineteen souls with many others, had been excommu- nicated from the Church of Boston because of their peculiar views of religion; namely, (That true religion was not mere works, and that it was more than outward form and ceremony, and God is able and does speak directly to the hearts of men.) This little party of true "strangers and pilgrims upon the earth", - Heb. 11:13 - seek- ing a new place of habitation, sent John Clarke with two com- panions on ahead to locate a place of settlement, and with the advice of Roger Williams with whom they took counsel, they decided upon Pocasset (now Portsmouth.)
In April, 1639, a little colony at Pocasset, now Portsmouth, decided to form a new town on the other side of the island which they named Newport. According to ancient records, one Nicholas Easton, was the first white settler to build a house in Newport. In 1641, the inhabitants of Newport arranged themselves into two religious groups. William Coddington, Nicholas Easton and John Coggeshall as leaders formulated views strikingly in accord with those later held by the Society of Friends (Quakers). The other group, led by John Clarke, formed a Baptist Church.
With this information at hand, it appears that there were about fifteen years before the coming of the Quakers, a little body of believers, or "Friends of Truth" (as the Quakers originally called themselves, and a name that Portsmouth Quakers still hold in high esteem), who were in reality, Quakers in everything but name.
The first persons known by the name "Quakers" to reach Amer- ican soil were two women; namely, Mary Fisher and Ann Austin who firmly believed that God had divinely called them to carry the Quaker Message to the New World. These two women arrived in Boston Harbor, in July, 1656, on a vessel named "Swallow" which sailed from Barbadoes where they had been preaching Quakerism for six months. On their arrival in Boston, the authorities searched their belongings, burned their books publicly, brought the women to shore and committed them to prison on the sole charge of being
"Quakers." These women were kept in confinement for five weeks after which the master of the "Swallow" was put under bond to transport them back to Barbadoes.
Two days after Ann Austin and Mary Fisher were taken out of Boston Harbor, another ship carrying eight Quakers sailed in. The Quakers were Christopher Holder, John Copeland, Thomas Thurston, William Brend, Mary Prince, Sarah Gibbons, Mary Weatherhead, and Dorothy Waugh. These were searched by officials and imprisoned for eleven weeks after which, they were expelled from Boston Harbor and ordered back to England.
Because of the action of the Massachusetts authorities, ship- masters became reluctant about taking on board Quaker passengers. About this time, a man named Robert Fowler, of Bridlington, England, a Quaker who was zealous for God, felt moved of the Lord to build a ship "In the cause of Truth." He built his ship and named it the "Woodhouse." Under ordinary circumstances, it was entirely too small a craft for ocean service, but the man who built it was firmly convinced that his God, Who was God of both land and sea, could guide it as He did Noah's Ark, when He shut in a few righteous souls and landed them safely upon the hill Ararat.
About the middle of June, 1657, the little "Quaker Mayflower - Woodhouse," started on her perilous voyage for New England with eleven Friends on board "Fully persuaded of the Lord's call." Six of this number were of the former party that had been expelled from Boston. The new volunteers were William Robinson, Humphrey Norton, Richard Doudney, Robert Hodgson, and Mary Clarke.
It is said that there was a diary of this trip kept by Robert Fowler, the manuscript of which is in the Devonshire House Library in London. In this diary, Fowler says, "The Lord caused us to meet together every day, and He Himself met with us," and that in these meetings, "The Lord gave definite openings as to how to steer the ship." On one occasion as they were taking counsel of
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