USA > Rhode Island > Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. Printed by order of the General Assembly, Vol. III pt 1 > Part 22
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Your Excelleney's unworthy servants, BENJAMIN CHURCHI, JOIN RODGERS, THOMAS WALKER, Selectmen for the town of Bristol.
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Bristol, New England, February 18, 1686-7.
* I Carter Brown's Mannerigte. No 21;, Vol. IV.
{ Max. Hit. Cel. Vid. VI , p. M.I.
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Sir Edmund Andros to Lord Sunderland.
Boston, in New England, the 30th March, 1687.
May it please your Lordships : Upon my arrival and reception here, having signified his Majesty's commands to New Plymouth and Rhode Island Colonys, and the Coun- cil summoned to meet the 30th of December, they readily complyed and attended here accordingly, were all sworn and entered on business, and so proceeded as far as the severe winter weather and short warning for it would admit their sitting, and the General Council met again as adjourned the latter end of February ; an ac- count whereof, proceedings and acts passed, is prepared by Mr. Randolph, to be presented to your Lordships.
I have settled the militia and Commission of the Peace, in all parts of the gov- ernment, and taken care that the Acts of Trade and Plantations be duly observed ; some principal ports, being only allowed, in which officers, where all ships and ves- sels must enter and clear, and in no other port or place.
Connertient has not yet submitted, notwithstanding another writ served upon them, and signification of his Majesty's pleasure and command to me for them, and their pretended loyalty and readiness to obey, acted the contrary, but have con- vened another Assembly and General Court, to meet again this day about it at Hartford.
The Act of Revenue, will not be sufficient to defray the ordinary charge of the governinent without Connecticut, but was all found to have been imposed a't was directed.
This country has sustained lately very great losses, by the Indian war, two great fevers in this town of Boston. some disasters at sea, and all their wheat blasted many years together, and are generally but poor ; their fishery and lumber, their chiefest trade and support, and that wholly supplied by Connectient, from whence all their wheat and much other grain and provisions, and without it cannot maintain their fishery and trade.
I have found here, and in several other places about eighty iron guns of all sorts most of the carriages bad, and few other materials, no magazines of powder or other stores of war, no store-houses or accommodation of lodging for officer or soldier, nor any good fortification, for such [are] very much wanted for his Majesty's service in this place.
The castle, on Castle Island, that commands the channel, hath four bastions, but very small and inconsiderable, the . . . . . interior, but towards the walls about ten foot high, and out of repair, and only guard rooms under the batterys of the curtains and a room over the gate.
The Indians in these parts, are very much diminished, and now none considera- Wle, but a few Eastward, near Pemaquid, and towards the French.
The French settlements (our neighbors) in Nova Scotia are not many and far distant. Monsieur Perrott, the now French Governor, lives at Port Royal, on the other side of the Bay of Fundy.
Upon notice from Col. Dungan, I have sent an officer with a detachment of sol- diers to receive Pemaquid, and keep a garrison in the fort there.
Here having been no place for the service of the Church of England, but in the Town-house, no ways convenient for it afore Easter (as advised and ordered in
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Councill), send to desire the use of the South Meeting-house, in Boston, on Sun_ days, at 11 o'clock, in the morning, and four in the afternoon ; and on Easter day had the Liturgy of the Church of England, a sermon and a sacrament administered there, and to continue so till otherways provided, as also for prayers on the week days as occasion.
I do here, as commanded, send your Lordships the names of twelve men, the best qualified for supplying vacaneys, or be of the Council of which not many, nor know_ ing in the laws or methods of England. All which is humbly submitted by
Your Lordships' most obedient and humble servant,
E. ANDROS.
Sir Edmund Andros to Lord Sunderland.
Boston, in New England, 30th of March, 1687.
Right Honorable : Since my account to your Lordship of my arrival and recep- tion in this place, the Colonys of New Plymouth and Rhode Island have dutifully complyed, upon the signification of his Majesty's pleasure, and the several members of the Council from thence attended here accordingly.
I have settled the militia and commissions of the peace, and proceeded in other matters of publick import as far as the extremity of the winter would admit.
Connecticut Colony, notwithstanding another writ of Quo Warranto served, and my intimation of his Majesty's command for them, do not resolve to submit, though in their several letters they express themselves ready to obey if commanded, and without them, we are neither able to defray our publiek charges, nor our fishery be maintained without provisions, and particularly wheat from thence.
1 find many old iron guns in several places, bad carriages and appurtenances, no magazines or stores of war or store-houses or any tolerably good fortification ; the Castle is well seated, but small, inconsiderable, never finished, and out of repair.
I have upon notice from Col Dungan, sent an officer and garrison, to relieve and receive the Fort ot Pemaquid.
The French in Nova Scotia have few settlements; but Monsieur Perrott, the now Governor at Port Royal is very active ; our fislung ketches fear being disturbed in fishery off' that coast, where they find plenty of fish, when very this way.
I have directed Mr. Randolph to prepare the proceedings and acts passed in Council, which by this opportunity will be presented to your Lordship and Lords of the Committee. I likewise send your Lordship, as commanded, the names of twelve men, the most eminent and best qualified, to supply vacancys, or be of the Council here.
I humbly pray the continuance of your Lordship's favor, being sensible how much I want it in this difficult station and place, where none do and few care to nn- derstand (if they could help it) the laws or methods of England. I shall encourage and get the best men I can for his Majesty's service, and I hope to his Majesty's satisfaction, and remain,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant,*
E. ANDROS.
* J. Carter Brown's Mannscripts, Nos. 230, 231, Vol. IV.
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Warrant to Survey the Land of Narragansett.
By his Excellency, Sir Edmund Andros :
To Mr. John Smith, Deputy Surveyor : You are with the first convenieney, to make a general survey and draft of the Narragansett country, or King's Province, and therein to observe and mark the several settlements, claims, and pretensions made by any person or persons to the same, or any part or parcells thereof, of which make return to me with all possible speed ; and for the so doing, this shall be your warrant. Dated at Boston, the 22d day of June, 1687.
By his Excell. command .* JNO. WEST, D. Sec'ry.
Patent of Land in Narragansett granted to Richard Wharton.
A Pattent for three several parcells of Land, and a small Island in the King's Pro- vince, granted to Richard Wharton, Esq'r, containing seventeen hundred and twelve aeres.
James the Second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ire- land, King, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all whom these presents shall come, greeting : Know ye, that of our special grace, we have given, granted, ratified, and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm unto our trusty and loving subject Richard Wharton, Esq'r, of Boston, in our County of Suffolk, within our territory and dominion of New England, all that tract or parcel of land called and known by the name of Middlefield farm, lying and being in that part of our said territory and dominion called or known by the name of Narragansett or King's Province, upon a certain neck or point of land there called Namcock ; also Boston Neck, beginning at a marked white oak tree, standing at the south end of a small hill on the north side of the Mill river, and near the south end of the great l'ond ; then run- ning in length by a range of marked trees east fourteen degrees and an half, north ; five hundred and forty rod, to the south end of a small beach to a heap of stones, being the north-east corner ; and from thence in breadth by the Narragansett Bay, three hundred and five rods to a long stone set up upon the bank, being the south- east corner; and from thence in length by a range of marked trees west three de- grees north, five hundred and thirty rod, to a small white oak saplin, abutting upon the nothermost end of the northermost salt water Pond below the mill ; being the south-west corner ; the whole being bounded westerly by the aforesaid Pond, and the Mill river ; northerly by a range of marked trees, eastward by the Narragansett Bay, southerly by a range of marked trees, containing six hundred, sixty-and-one acres and a half. And also one other tract or parcel of land, now called by the name of Stoakehall Farm, being near adjacent to Boston Neck, aforesaid, bearing north six degrees west from the head of the Cove, below Mr. Coale's house, fifty-two rods, unto the line of said farin, which said line begins at the water side or harbor ; and from thence is extended west three degrees north, three hundred and twenty-three rods, by a range of stakes and marked trees unto a stack standing in a heap of
* Potter's Narragansett, p. 220.
VOL. IN.
17
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stones on a plain, and from thenee south-west two degrees and an half, westerly three hundred and sixty-three rods, to a stake standing in a heap of stones four rods west of a little round swamp ; from thence in breadth northwest two hundred and thirty-four rods to a staking on a plain, near several small walnuts, then marked from thence north east forty-five minutes, northerly three hundred and thirty-four rods, to a stake standing on a plain ; from thence cast south-east seven degrees and a half, southerly fifty-two rods and three quarters, to a stake standing in a heap of stones ; from thenee north-east four degrees easterly one hundred and eighty rods unto Annocotuckett's river ; and so by the said River and cove or harbor, unto the first station, containing eight hundred forty-and-four acres. Likewise a small neck of land, near to the before-mentioned land, called Middle Port Neck, beginning two rods westward of a great split rock, on the edge of a bank at the head of a cove called Duck Cove, and from thence extending a line south eight degrees west, across said neck, unto Annocotnekett river, crossing the west end of a piece of mea- dow about four rods in breadth, which joins to the said river, so bounded by the river, coves and harbor round to the first station at the head of Duck Cove, afore- said, containing two hundred acres ; together with a small Island called Foxes Is- land, bearing castward from the said Neck distant one hundred and twenty rods, containing about seven acres, together with all and singular the messinage, tene- ments, edifices, buildings, trees, timber, underwoods, fields, feedings, pastures, moors, marshes, swamps, meadows, ponds, pools, lakes, streams, rivers, runs, rivu- lets, waters, and water-courses, fishing, fowling, hawking and hunting, with the pri- vilege of building and erecting any mills thereon, or on any part thereof, and to make dams and all other privileges, immunities, profits, advantages, hereditaments, appartenances, whatsoever, to the said several traets or parcels of land, Island or premises belonging, or in anywise appertaining (excepting and always reserving out of this grant the liberty from time to time to make and appoint needful high- ways, paths, and roads, in and through the premises, or any part thereof, for the publick accommodation of travellers, and general good and benefit of our subjects. inhabiting those parts. To have and to hold the said several tracts or parcels of land, Island, and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances (except be- fore excepted) unto the said Richard Wharton, his heirs, and assigns, to the sole and only proper use and beloof of the said Richard Wharton, his heirs, and assigns for ever ; yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for ever unto us, our heirs, and successors, or unto our Captain Generall and Governor in Chief, for the time being, or to such other officer or officers, as by ns, our heirs, and successors, as shall be from time to time empowered and appointed to receive the same, the an- nual rent or sum of ten shillings, current money in New England, aforesaid, in lieu and instead of all rents, services, dues, duties and demands whatsoever, for the said lands and premises. In testimony whereof, we have caused the great seal of our territory and dominion, aforesaid, to be herennto affixed.
Witness, Sir Edmund Andros, our Captain General, and Governor in Chief of our said territory and dominion, at Boston, aforesaid, the 20th day of June, in the third year of our reign, &c. Anno Domini 1687. Passed by order in Council, the date hereof, per John West, D. Secretary, and recorded in the Secretary's of- fice in Boston, for his Majesty's territory and dominion of New England, the 30th day of June, 1687.
Per JOHN WEST, D. Sec'ry.
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Coginuquand's grant of Namcock Neck.
Know all men by these presents, that I, Coginaquand, Chief Sachem of Narra- gansett, in consideration of the great love and affection I do bear unto English men, especially Mr. John Winthrop, Governor of Connecticut, Major Humphrey Ather- ton, of Massachusetts, Rich'd Smith, Sen., and Rich'd Smith, Jun., of Cocumscosuck, traders ; Lieftenant William Hudson, of Boston, Amos Richenson, of Boston, afore- said, and John Tincker, of Nashua, trader, have given and granted, and do by these presents fully, clearly, voluntarily, absolutely, and effectually give, grant, con- firm, and make over unto my said friends, one tract of land in my country of Nar- ragansett, called by the name of Namcock Neek, be it more or less, Cocumscosutt Wannuchecomeeuck, otherwise called Anochetuckett, Pawsachatcow, Wannuske- chucke, Mattaasett, bounded by the brook called Cocumscosntt, on the north-east ; from thenee running upon a west line as far as Anochetuckett River, and from on a west line to the north-west of a pond called Pawsacacow; on the south-west bounded by a river called Matatuxsett, and so to the sea, or Petaquamscutt, bound- ed by the sea or water, on the south-east. To have and hold the said tract of land, together with the privilege of summer feed, for their cattle, making of hay in all meadows, swamps, and low grounds, without the said bounds to the northward, and north-west, to them the said Governor Winthrop, Major Atherton, or Richard and Richard Smith, Lieftenant William Hudson, Amos Richienson, John Tincker, their and every of their friends, their heirs and assigns, for ever; only except the lands in possession of and belonging already to Richard Smith, Sen'r, and Richard Smith, Jun'r, together with James Smith, which was their proper right, and is ex- pressed by lease or grant before this grant, to be them, their heirs and assigns, for ever ; except a neek formerly granted to Mr. Holden, all which track, neck or necks, forementioned, I the aforesaid Coginaquand, do give and make over all and singular this my foresaid land to these my foresaid friends, to have and to hold, their heirs and assigns, with all manner of rights, titles, and privileges thereunto be- longing ; and do promise to defend the same from any manner of challenge or claim whatsoever. And I, the foresaid Coginaquand, by this my deed of gift, seal and deliver before the witnesses hereafter mentioned, do ratify and confirm the same, and do promise the same to defend from all other persons laying claim to the same. Dated this 4th of July, 1687 .*
The mark of T COGINAQUAND.
Signed, scaled, and delivered in presence of Nath. Greene, John Vial, Thomas Stanton, Jolin Stanton, and John Farniside.
French Protestants in Narragansett.
By his Excellency :
Whereas complaint hath been made unto me by several of the French Protest- ants, settled in the Narragansett country, that John Swett, Joseph Reynolds, Henry
* J. Carter Brown's Manuscripts, Nos. 232, 233, Vol. IV.
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Reynolds, Thomas Bray and several others, have of late, without right or lawful authority mowed the meadows lying near to their settlements, and have forcibly carried away the grass and hay from thence, by means whereof, they are left des- titute of any hay or fodder for their cattle in winter, and if not relieved therein, it will be to their utter ruin. These are therefore to authorize and require you, to call before you the persons above named, and such others as you shall find have been concerned in mowing of the said meadow, and what right or title they or either of them have to the said meadow ; and unless some partienlar grant shall be shown to you for the same, you are to cause the said grass or hay, cut off the said meadow, as aforesaid, or the like quantity, as can be found in the possession of those that ent the same, to be seized and secured, and forthwith to make report to me of yonr proceedings herein, that such further order may be given, as shall be thought necessary.
Dated at Boston, the 14th day of July, 1687.
To Captain John Fones, Justice of Peace, at King's Provinec.
By his Excellency :
Upon hearing and examining of the matter in difference between the towns of Greenwich alias Deptford, Kingston alias Rochester, and the French families, lately settled in the Narragansett country, about a parcel of meadow lying near the settlements and appointed for their accommodation ; but cut and mowed by several persons of both the said towns, which appears to be done in a violent, forcible manner ; and the hay cut thereupon, being likewise by my order secured and stacked, I do, therefore, for the accommodation of the said parties for the pre- sent, till the right thereto can be determined and settled, order and appoint, that all hay cut and made upon the said meadows, as aforesaid, be by the direction of any two Justices of the Peace, forthwith divided into twe equal shares or moieties, and that one moiety thereof, be given for the use of John Nicholes, Gyles Pierce and George Vaughan, of Greenwich, aforesaid ; and James Reynolds, James Rey- nolds, Jun'r, Henry Reynolds, Joseph Reynolds, Francis Reynolds, John Swett, William Bentley, John Andrew, and George Haven, of Kingston, share and share alike, who, I am informed live remote and are most wanting thereof. And the other moiety to be left for the use and benefit of the said Fench families there, who, being strangers, and lately settled, and wholly destitute, and have no other way to supply themselves. And all persons therein concerned, are to take notice hereof, and conform themselves thereunto accordingly, until further orders shall be given in said matter.
Dated at Boston, the 5th day of August, 1687.
To Major Richard Smith, and Captain Fones, Justice of the Peace, who are to see this order forthwith executed .*
Letter to Andros respecting Court Houses.
To his Excellency, Sir Edmund Andros, Captain Generall and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's Territory of New England. These present.
May it please your Excellency :
Sir : In pursuance of the directions to us given us by the Judges in the late As-
": Mass. Hist. Col. Vol. VII., p. 182.
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sises at Newport, on Rhode Island, concerning our not having a convenient Court House, and our computation of the charges thereof, and our presentation thereof to your Excelleney, and having in the Quarter Sessions computed the costs of two small houses for that use, suppose the charges thereof will be about one hundred and forty pounds ; and also judge it convenient, that one of them be erected in the town of Newport, and the other in the town of Rochester ; and humbly present the same to your Excellency for approbation and direction therein : and also nominate John Woodman of Newport, to be a fit person for a Treasurer of this Province, if your Excellency approve thereof. And remain your Excellency's most humble servants .*
FRANCIS BRINLEY,
Newport, on Rhode Island, Dec. 15, 1687. PELEG SANFORD.
--
At the Generall Quarter Sessions and Inferior Court of Com- mon Pleus, holden in his Majesty's name ut Newport, on Rhode Island, Naragansett or King's Province, and Providence Plan- tations, the 14th day of June, 1687.
JUSTICES PRESENT. FRANCIS BRINLEY, Chairman and Judge. Lieut. Collonell PELEG SANFORD, Major RICHARD SMITH, Capt'n JOIN FONES, Mr. JOHN COGGESHALL,
Mr. CALEB CARR, Sen'r,
Capt'n ARTHUR FENNER,
Mr. SYMON RAY, Capt'n JAMES PENDLETON.
GRAND JURYMEN SWORN.
Thomas Olney, Foreman. James Greene, Andrew Willet, Jeremiah Browne, John Whipple, Peleg Sherman, John Knowles, Joseph Mowry, Rouse Helmes, Thomas Fry, Nathan- iel Niles. Thomas Burge, John Riee.
* Potter's Narragansett, p. 221.
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CONSTABLES SWORN IN COURT.
Henry Briteman, George Sisson, Thomas Durfee, of Ports- mouth ; Jacob Mott, Robert Westgate, Jireh Bull, John Easton, Jun'r, John Headley, for Newport.
William Hancock, for New Shoreham.
Joseph Mowry, for Jamestown.
The Court adjourned till 7 o'clock, to-morrow morning.
June 15th.
The Court called and sat.
Ordered, That the Clerk write orders and deliver to the Constables, that appeared at sessions, to warn the persons ap- pointed for Constables to serve the year ensueing, to appear in sessions, or before one of the Justices of the Peace, to give their oath to said office.
Upon the petition of Sarah Potter, of Warwick, it is ordered, that the consideration thereof, be referred to the Justices of the Peace, of Providence, Warwick, and Rochester, to inquire into, and take care concerning the premises therein contained.
James Herbert, prisoner, in his Majesty's jail in Newport, being indicted, was called in Court, and his indictment being read to him, and he demanded guilty or not, his answer was, that he would not say any thing; and so was remanded to jail.
June 16th.
The Court of Sessions called and sat.
James Herbert, prisonor, being indicted, called in Court, and his indictment being read to him, and demanded guilty or not, answered he would not answer, and so was remanded to jail.
The following overseers of the poor were appointed.
John Maxon, John Fairfield, for Haversham.
James Reynolds, Samuel Albro, for Rochester.
Capt'n Clement Weaver, John Heath, for Deptford.
Nathaniell Waterman, Pardon Tillinghast. Shadrack Manton, for Providence.
Samuel Stafford, Moses Lippitt. for Warwick.
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Nicholas Carr, Oliver Arnold, for Jamestown.
Gideon Freeborne, John Borden, Mathew Borden, Portsmouth.
John Woodman, Benedict Arnold, Lawrence Turner, Peter Easton, for Newport.
Robert Guthridge, Nathaniel Niles, for New Shoreham.
Whereas, several persons being by their recognizanees of good behaviour, and to appear at a Court at Rochester, in the King's Province, and the said Court being not held at the time appointed, and all the persons did there at that time and place appear, which said recognizances the Justices were by commission to hear and determine all things relating thereunto at this Court, and the said persons being called, not appearing, this Sessions do order, that the said persons shall be summoned to appear at the next Generall Quarter Sessions, to answer.
Persons admitted to have licenses :
William Mayes, John Davis, Robert Little, Charles Beere, George Halsall, of Newport.
James Herbert, now prisoner in his Majesty's jail, being twice called in Court, and his indictment read to him, he was demanded guilty or not guilty, he said he would not answer.
The sentence of the Court is, that the said James Herbert pay five pounds in money, and give his own bonds of twenty pounds, to be of good behaviour and appearance at the next Quarter Sessions, and to remain in prison till he perform the sentence.
Ordered, That Edmund Calverly, late Generall Sergeant, Jailor, be allowed twenty shillings for his service.
Ordered, That the Clerke write Prohibitions to prohibit the selling of all sorts of strong drinks in the King's Province.
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At a Generall Quarter Sessions and Inferior Court of Common Pleas, holden in his Majesty's name at Rochester, for Rhode Island, Narragansett, or King's Province, and Providence Plan- tations, the 14th day of September, 1687.
JUSTICES PRESENT. FRANCIS BRINLEY, Chairman and Judge.
Lieut. Co). PELEG SANFORD, Major RICHARD SMITH, Capt'n JOHN FONES, RANDALL HOLDEN.
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