ANDR08 ADMIN18TRAT101 mm i.iiC !£y^ ^— ^ "^. "^Im '§^}M^^31 MX' I LIBRARY OF Congress. mM. CHAP.S.3^_3,, ^:273UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.ri¥ WP^ 9—161 f^-^^ ^^■ m ^-■'-.y'^,7r"l! \-^ vy ,TAX LISTS Of the Town of Providence DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF SIR EDMUND ANDROS AND HIS COUNCIL 1686-1689 Together with a List of Names of all Males Sixteen Years of age and UPWARDS Residing in the Town of Providence in August 1688 AND Liable for a Poll Tax compiled by EDWARD FIELD, A. B. Member of the Rhode Island Historical Society and one of the Record Commissioners of the City of Providence PROVIDENCE Howard W. Preston 1895 30950 Edition Limited to Two Hundred and Fifty Copies, OF which this is No..^O^ J^ STATEMENT. The original documents here printed were kept, with hun- dreds of other old papers relating to the town of Providence, in cloth bags in the office of the town and city clerk, until the year 1845, when they were deposited with the Rhode Island Historical Society for safe keeping. Soon after they were received by the Society they were pasted into scrap books for their better preservation, but without any particular classifica- tion or chronological order. It was not until after the city again assumed the custody of them, and they were repaired and arranged, that the relation which one paper had to another was discovered. The originals are now included in the volume of Providence Town Papers No. 2, and are numbered respectively 0505, 051 1, 0524, 0531 and 0532. For similar tax lists during the Andros period, the reader is referred to the First Report of the Record Commissioners of Boston. Tax Lists of the Town of Providence During the Administration of Sir Edmund Andros. No part of the history of New England is so difficult of study as the period during which Sir Edmund Andros ruled with arbitrary power over the destinies of the colonies. The records of the three years of his administration are scat- tered and fragmentary. Here and there, in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and even in New York, may be found stray writings which throw much light on the events of this period ; but nowhere is there anything like a complete record of the official proceedings of the Council of Sir Edmund Andros. It is said that these records were forwarded to England ; but Bartlett says' that " they are not now to be found in the English State Paper office." Andros arrived in New England in 1686, and in December of that year assumed the government of Rhode Island, the colony thereby becoming a county or shire of the dominion over which Andros was settled. Its identity as a distinct government was lost, and, during the period of the usurpation, no meetings were held by the legislature of the colony. In the town of Providence, which at that time included 1 Rhode Island Colonial Records, Vol. 3, preface. [5] nearly the whole northern part of the colony of Rhode Island, a period of confusion existed ; between January 27, 1686, and April, 1689, the records of but thirteen meetings are now to be found, a very small part, probably, of those which were held. Notwithstanding the fact that the records and proceedings of this period are so meagre, such as are remaining furnish much information as to some of the methods of this administration, but they more particularly show the system by which the Royal Government harassed and taxed the poor colonists for its support. The people were required to present to the persons selected as assessors a statement of their ratable property, at regular intervals, and their plaintive appeals for these officers to " be not unmindful of the Golden Rule," form a pathetic side to this many-sided administration. The documents relating^ to the town of Providence for these years refer almost entirely to taxation. Connected with them is one which is particularly valuable and interesting and which for years appears to have been entirely overlooked. It is a census of all the males in the town of sixteen years and upwards, giving the name of each. This list was prepared by virtue of an "Act for the Continuing and Establishing of Severall Rates, Duties and Imposts," passed by Andros and his Council early in their administration. In this act provision was made for the assessment and collection of a poll tax on every male upwards of sixteen years old at "one Shilling and eight pence by the Head," and, to carry out this, it was further ordered that a list " fairly writte" be prepared and submitted to competent authority, that the persons named therein might be thus assessed. [6] Only one of these lists Is found among the documentary possessions of the city ; but this, however, gives the names of all such male persons in the town in August, i68S. It is believed to be the earliest list of the inhabitants of Providence now extant. As will be noticed in the law itself the persons deputed to make this list and assessment were authorized to exempt such persons "as are disabled by sickness, lameness, or other infirmity." To how great an extent this would affect the census of Providence, there is no way of ascertaining. The first warrant, during the Andros regime, for the assess- ment of a tax, mentioned in the records of the town of Provi- dence was dated January 20, 1686-7.' It was presented at the town meeting held "Thirsday March y* lo''': i68y" and the following action was taken relative to it : " Voated, That whereas there is an Expresse by warrant from the treasurer m"": JohnVsher to Assess and Levey upon the inhab- etants of this towne of Providence the just sum of one peny in y® pound to be Raised according to former vsage& Custome ; which warrant beareth date Boston y^ 20'^ day of Januarey Anno Dom i68f, &•=; The towne doe order & appoynt the towne Councill of our sayd towne to levey and proportion the said Rate upon the sev- erall Inhabetants of our said towne." The rate bill prepared in accordance with this vote is not found among the city's possessions. On the 1 2th of August, 1687, another warrant from the treasurer at Boston was received in Providence. This provided I Early Records of the Town of Providence, Vol. VIII, p. 170. for the assessment of a tax on the real and personal estate of the inhabitants, as well as a poll tax, of " one shilling & eight pence " a head. It was probably the first of its character to be received from the new government ; it was in the following words : Jn° Usher Esq"" Treasuro'& receiver Gen" of his Maj- estys revenu within his Territory & dominion in New England, to ysConstabls& Select men in y^Town of providence in y^ County of Rode Jsland : Greet- ing : By Virtue of an act made by his Excellency the Governo'^ & Councill, Jntituled an act for Contin- [l. s.] uing & Establishing of Severall rates dutys & Jm- posts you the Constabls of y^ s*^ Town are hereby Required forthwith upon Receipt hereof, to call to gether the Jnhabitants of s*^ Town, whoe are to choose one of them to be a Comission'^ for y" s'^ Town & y* the Com"^ Soe chosen with you the Select men doth some time in the Month of Augt Next ensueing make a list of all the male persons in the Same Town from Sixteen years old & upwards & a true Estimation of all reall & personall Estates, in such man"" & forme, as pertic- ulerly in y^ s*^ act is directed, All which persons & Estates, are by y^ s*^ Com"" & y^ s"^ Select men, to be assessed & rated as fol- loweth vizt Every person aforesd (except the memb"^* of his Maj- estys Councill) One Shill & Eight pence by the head & all Estates reall & personall att one penny for every twenty shill According to y^ rates of Cattell in y^ s"^ act mentioned & y^ s*^ Com"" is hereby likewise required upon the first wensday in the month of Septemb"" then next following to meett & assemble [8] w"" the Other Com" of y*" County att there Shire or County Town, & bring with him fairely writte y^ just numb' of Males Hsted as a fore s'^, & y^ assesmts of Estates made in y^ s'^ Town, where y^ Com"^ being Soe assembled, shall duely & carefully examin y* s*^ lists & assesments, & correct & perfect yem according to y^ true Jntent of y^ s*^ act & y^ same Soe perfected y^ s'^ Com" are Spedily to transmitt unto me und"" there hands or the hands of y^ Major part of yem togeather w'"" y^ names of y^ Constables in each respective town, thatt ord'^ may be given for Collecting & L>evying y^ same accordingly Given und'^ my hand & Seale att Boston y^ 20'^ day of July & in the third year of his Majestys Reigne Annoq^ Dom 1687 Jn° Usher Treasuro"^ ' This warrant bears the followinsf endorsement : As attest Daniel This warrant came to my hand this 12"" of August (neer night) 1687: who y^ 15'^ of this jnstant As- sembled y^ inhabitants, & chose a Comis- ion' to joyne with y^ Select men of o^'Towne, L Abb [ ] to Aswer y^ requirm' of the Treasuro' to y^ Constable constables in y* warrant. 1 Pursuant to this warrant a tax was assessed, of which the fol- lowing is a copy. It is endorsed, " A List of Country Rate proportioned upon the Jnhabetants of Providence by their Com- missioner & Select Men September y^ i'' 1687 : the sum totall 33-9-6, Erors Excepted./ "A List of Names of those Rated in Providence And their parts to pay of their proprietys 1 Providence Town Papers, 0505. [91 Silas Carpenter & ) Benjamin Carpenter j Stephen Arnold Joanna Reape James Blackmare John Sheldon Timothy Sheldon Timothy Carpenter Widdow Mary Harris Cap': ffenner & his wife William Randall & fowP William Vinsent The Estate of the deceased Joseph Wise Jo° Thornton sen"" Jo" Thornton jun"" Mary Burden Solomon Thornton Thomas Harris Richard Clemence William Haukins 1 & Jo°: Haukins his son j Jo": Steere Edward Haukins Peter Playce Alexander Balkom Nathaniell Mawry Edw: Jnman sen' Edw: Jnman jun"" John Mawry Joseph Hearnton I -I - 10 o -7 - o -6 - o -4 - o -I - 3 o -9 - o -9 - o -15- 4 o -05- II o -06- I o •02- 6 o -08 o -02- I o -05- 5 o -02 -0 o 14- 5 o -05- o -05- o -05- o -06- o -02- o -02- 3 o -06- o -03- 6 o -03- o -06- 6 o -02- John Jnman o -04- 4 Ben: Hearntonjun^ o -03- o James Belloo o -03- 2 Tho: Hopkins o -04- i Ephraim Prey o -02- o Jo" Pray o -03- o Eliezer Whipple ' o -05- 3 Will Whipple o -02- 3 Vail: Whittman o -08- 9 Sam: Wilkenson o -04- i Edward Smith o -07- o Eliezer Arnold o -06- 6 Lawn Wilkenson o -05- 6 Jonathan Sprauge • 0-05-3 Ephraim Pierce o -06- 3 Jo": Wilkenson o -04- O Thomas ffenner o -08- 2 The Estate of y^ deceased ) Jo": Scott ) John Malavery o -03- o Joseph Jinkes & his two sons 1 Joseph & Nathaniell 1 David Whipple o -oS; o Jo": Angell Tho: Walling Jonathan Whipple Benjamin Whipple Will Haukins jun^ o -07-00 Joseph Williams o -07-10 John Walling o -01-10 o -02- o O -12- O o -06- O o -01-10 o -02-08 o -02-06 [I'J Jo° Sayles o -08-07 Richard Waterman o -03-07 Zachariah ffield o -06-00 The Estate of Anthony Evernden o -08-00 Widdow Mathuson o -03-02 Thomas Clemence o -05-00 Estance Thomas & his two Sons 1 Thomas & Henry j o -06-01 Stephen Hardin o -05-00 Abraham Hardin o -04-02 Gregory Dexter & ) John his Son J o -12-07 Samuell Comstock o -03-00 The Estate of y^ Deceased 1 Benjamin Hearnton i o -04-02 Joseph Woodward o -02-01 Samuell Whipple o -09-01 The Estate of y^ deceased Jo° Smith (mason) & Joseph o -03-01 Smith his Son John Arnold oo 02-06 Widdow Arnold 00-00-06 Widdow Belloo 00 1-00-06 Tho: Arnold oc )-03-04 Tho: Olney oc I-I2-07 The widdow Sarah Smith ) & John her son j oc )-II-00 John Browne & John his son 00 -09-00 Epe: Olney oc )-o8-oo [12] The Orphans of James | Dexter or Estate to them [► oo-oi-oo belonging- J Gidion Cruffurd 00-07-09 Shadrach Manton 00-01-01 Edward Manton 00-07-11 Joseph Whipple 00-05-07 The Estate of y^ deceased ) John Thockmorton j ^ The Estate of y^ deceased ) Richard Scot j Richard Prey 00-00-09 00-05 oS 00-02-00 Tho: Angell & ) James his Son j Nathaniell Waterman 00-19-09 Daniell Abbott 00-05-11 Tho: ffield 00-13-07 John Keyes & Anne his wife 00-00 06 The widdow Elizabeth Harris 00-01-00 Abraham Man with y^ Estate of Jo" Lappham Daniell Williams with the I Estate of y^ deceased Nicolas Power j James Clarke 00-01-09 Anne Harris 00-01-08 James Ashton 00-01-01 Pardon Tillinghast 00-14-00 Samuell Winsor with y^ Estate of George Shepard Thomas Patey 00 03-09 > 00-07-00 [>3] Daniell Browne 00-03-00 Henry Browne 00-08-00 Andrew Edmunds 00-01-03 The Estate formerly & still | Reputed to belong to }■ 00-03-10 Ephraim Carpenter J Rowland Joanes 00-01-00 Tho: Coopper 00-01-00 William Hopkins 00-07-07 William Hearnton 00-01-03 Richard Bates 00-01-02 John Sheldon Jun': 00-00-04 Nicolas Sheldon 00-00-02 George Keetch 00-02-04 Resolved Waterman 00-00-05 Tho: Baker 00-01-07 Joseph Aldridg oo-oo-c6 James Walling 00-00-06 The Estate of William Austin 00-00-03 Arthur ffenner jun': 00-05-04 Jeremiah Rhodes 00-00-09 Henry Browne jun' 00-02-06 Will: Prey 00-01-06 Alexander Balkcom jun' 00-01-00 Joshua Clarke 00-01-06 Richard Phillipps 00-00-08 Jo": Belloo 00-01-00 Peter Belloo 00-01-01 Sam: Wright 00-02-00 Jo": Whipple 00-07-06 00-0I-06 [14] John Hearnton 00-00-06 Ephraim Carpenter jun"" 00-00-09 The Estate of y^ deceased 1 Roger Williams J The Estate of y^ deceased ) Providence Williams j " ^ Will: Burton 0-04- o Roger Burlingham 0-06- o Edward Searle 0-04- o Jo°: Burlingham 0-03- o Tho: Burlingham 0-02- o Abell Potter 0-04- o Tho: Relph 0-04- o Sam: Relph ' 0-0 1- o Tho: Hopkins 0-03- o Tho Stafford 0-03- o Joseph Stafford 0-03- o Peter Roberts 0-00- 6 Totall 33-09-06 Errors Excepted Made & proportioned by y^ Comissioner & Select men of Providence at theire meeting for that purpose September y' i^', 1687 in order to a warrant from Jo": Vsher esq' Treasurer dated July y^ 20'^: 1687' The list of the males over the age of sixteen years assessed at the same time is not found. The "Act for the continuing and establishing of several Rates Duties and Imposts," is printed in full in the Colonial 1 Providence Town Paper 051 1. [•5] Records of Connecticut. This, with other laws enacted during the Andros period, was found, only after much search and inquiry, by J. Hammond Trumbull, in the Library of Yale Col- lege, appended to a copy of the First Book of the Colony Laws (ed. 1673). "This volume, at the period of the usurpation, was in the possession of Mr.John Wadsworth,Sen.,of Farmington,(one of the Assistants from 1679 to 1689) ^^o carefully recorded in it the acts and orders of each session of the General Court from May, 1673, to March, 1687, and ' the Laws of the Territory of New England,' in force during the government of Andros in Connecticut." ' As this act is of great importance in the study of the taxa- tion side of the Andros regime, it is herewith presented. An Act for the continuing and establishing of several Rates, Duties and Imposts. Be it enacted by the Governour and Council^ and it is hei^eby eiiacted and ordaijied by the authority of the same, That the sev- eral rates, duties and imposts hereafter mentioned and expressed be and are hereby continued and established to be paid to his Majesty towards the support of the government and defraying the public charge thereof, and to be collected and levied in the manner and form as herein is directed and prescribed, that is to say ; that the treasurer for the time being shall, from year to year, in the month of July, without expecting any other order, send his warrant to the constable and selectment of every town within this territory and dominion, requiring the constable to call together the inhabitants of the town, who being so assem- bled, shall choose some one of the said inhabitants to be a com- I Note in Appendix to Vol. 3 Colonial Records of Conn. [.6] missioner for the town, who together with the select men shall, some time in the month of August then next ensuing, make a list of all the male p[ersons in] the same town from sixteen years old and upwards, and [a true estimation of all] real and personal estates being or [reputed to be the] estate of all and every the persons in the same town or otherwise under their custody or managing, according to the just valuation and to what person the same doth belong, whether in their own town or elsewhere, so near as they can by all lawful means which they may use ; (that is to say,) of houses, lands of all sorts, as well broken up as other, (except such as doth or shall lye com- mon), mills, ships and all small vessels, merchantable goods, cranes, wharves, and all sorts of cattle, and all other known estate whatsoever, at sea or on shore ; all which persons and estates are by the said commissioner and selectmen to be assessed and rated as hereafter followeth, that is to say: every person aforesaid, except the members of his Majesty's council, one shil- ling and eight pence by the head, and all estate both real and personal at one penny for every twenty shillings, according to the rate of cattle hereafter mentioned ; the estates of all mer- chants, shop-keepers and factors shall be assessed by the rule of common estimation, according to the best discretion of the assessors, having regard to their stock and estate, be it pre- sented to view or not, in whose hands soever it be ; and if any such merchants find themselves over-valued, if they can make it appear to the assessors they are to be eased by them, if not, by the next Court of Sessions ; and houses and lands of all sorts (except as aforesaid) shall be rated at an equal and indif- ferent value, according to their worth in the towns and places where they lie : every bull and cow of four years old and up- [17] wards at three pounds; heifers and steers between three and four years old, at fifty shillings, and between two and three years old at forty shillings, and between one and two year- old at twenty shillings, and every ox at four year old and upwards at five pounds ; and every horse and mare of three year old and upwards, at five pound ; between two and three, at three pounds ; of one year old and upward, at thirty shillings: every ewe sheep above one year old, at ten shillings : every goat above one year old, at eight shillings: every wether sheep above one year old, at ten shillings : every swine above a year old at twenty shillings : every ass above one year old at forty shillings : and all cattle of all sorts, under a year old are hereby exempted, as [also] all hay and corn in the husbandman's hands, because meadow and arable ground and cattle are rateable as a [foresaid]. [And all such perso]ns as by the advantage of their [arts] and trades are more enabled to help bear the publick charges than common labourers and workmen, as butchers, bakers, wrew- ers (brewers ?), victuallers, smiths, carpenters, tailors, shoemak- ers, joiners, barbers, millers and masons, with all other manual persons and artists, such are to be rated for returns and gains proportionable with other men for the produce of their estates ; provided, that the rate by the poll, such persons as are disin- abled by sickness, lameness, or other infirmity, shall be exempted. And for such servants and children as take not wages, their parents and masters shall pay for them, but such as take wages shall pay for themselves. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that the commissioners for the several towns in every shire or county within this dominion, shall yearly, upon the first Wednesday in [i8] the month of September, assemble at their shire or county town, and bring with them, fairly written, the just number of males listed as aforesaid, and the assessments of estate made in their several towns, according to the rules and directions in this pres- ent Act expressed. And the said commissioners being so assem- bled shall due[ly] and carefully examine all the said lists and assessments of the several towns in that shire or county, and shall correct and perfect the same, according to the true intent of this act, as they or the major part of them shall determine, and the same so perfected they shall speedily transmit to the treasurer under their hands, or the hands of the major part of them ; and thereupon the treasurer shall give warrants to the constables to collect and levy the same, so as the whole assess- ments both for persons and estates may be paid unto the treas- urer before the twentieth day of November yearly. And every one shall pay their rate to the constable in the same town where it shall be assessed ; and if the treasurer cannot dispose of it there, the constable shall send it to such place in Boston or elsewhere as the treasurer shall appoint, at the publick charge, to be allowed the constable upon his accounts with the treasurer. And for all such places as are not within the bounds of any town, the lands with the persons and estates thereupon shall be assessed by the rates of the town next unto it, the estimation to be by the distances of the churches. And if any of the said commissioners or select men shall willingly fail or neglect to perform the trust committed to them by this act in not making, correcting, perfecting or transmitting any of the said lists or assessments according to the intent thereof, every such offender shall be fined forty shillings for every such offence, or so much as his Majesty shall be damnified thereby, provided the same be pros- ecuted within six months. [19] And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that upon all distresses to be taken for any of the rates and assessments aforesaid, the officer shall distrain goods or chattels if they may be had ; and if no goods, then land or houses ; if neither houses nor lands [are to be] had within the town where such distress is to be taken th[en to take] the body of such persons to be carried to [the common jail, until] the next court of sessions, except [they shall give bonds for] their appearance there or that payment be made in the mean time. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that the prices of all sorts of corn to be received upon any rate by virtue of this act, shall be such as the Governour and Council shall set from year to year, and in want thereof, at price courant at Boston. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that every constable within this territory and dominion shall, on the pen- alty of five pounds, clear up all their accounts with the treasurer for the rates of the several towns, by the first of May yearly ; and they and every of them are hereby impowered to press boats or carts for the better and more speedy sending in their rates according to the time appointed : and if any constable shall not have collected the rates and assessments committed unto their charge by the treasurer, during the time of his office, that he shall notwithstanding the expiration of his office have power to levy by distress all such rates and levies ; and if he bring not into the treasurer, according to his warrant, the treas- urer shall distrain such constable's goods for the same ; and if the constable be not able to make payment, it shall be lawful for the treasurer to distrain, for all arrearages of rates and levies, any man or men of that town where the constables are unable, and that man or men upon complaint to the Superior Court of Judicature shall have order to collect the same again equally of the town, with his just damage for the same. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that it shall and may be lawful for the select men of each town where strangers are or shall be, to assess all such strangers according to the cargoes they import, or in case of their refusal to give a true account of their estate, to assess them in any month in the year, yearly, according to their best discretion, in the same man- ner as other inhabitants are assessed and rated, by force of this act, and to be levied accordingly. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that for all Wines, Brandy, Rum, and other Strong Waters, that shall at any time or times hereafter be imported into his Majesty's terri- tory and dominion of New England, or any part thereof, from any place whatsoever, there shall be paid to the treasurer or other per- son or persons as shall be appointed to receive and collect the same, the customs and duties following, that is to say : For every butt or pipe of Fayal wines or any other wines of the Western Islands, the sum of ten shillings ; Every pipe of Madeira wines, thirteen shillings and four pences ; every butt or pipe of Sherry, Sack, Malaga, Canary, Muscells (Marseilles?), Tent and Alicant, twenty shillings, and so proportionably, greater or less quantities of each kind. And for the better [secujring the customs and duties afore- said, Be it further enacted [by the authority afore] said, that no person or persons whatsoever [ ] unload any of the com- modities aforesaid, until due entry be made both of the quan- tity and quality of such wines or other liquors, upon oath, if required by the treasurer or such other person or persons as [21] shall be appointed to collect the customs and duties aforesaid, and that the customs are duly paid for the same ; and that no goods be landed upon any key, wharf or any other place but upon such key, wharf or place as shall be appoynted, under the penalty of the forfeiture of all such goods. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that all goods, wares, merchandize and provisions of all sorts, excepting fish, sheeps' wool, cotton wool, and salt, which from any place shall be imported into any harbour, port, shore or place within this dominion, shall be rated in a just proportion with estates ratable in the country, (that is to say,) for every twenty shil- lings value shall be paid one penny in money, the valuation to be as followeth, that is to say : every hundred pounds at the place from whence it comes, to be accounted one hundred and twenty pounds ; to be paid by the person importing such goods or those to whom consigned ; and so in proportion for all greater or lesser quantities. And to the end the said duties may be duly paid and col- lected, it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all goods and provisions as aforesaid imported shall, by the master or purser of each ship or other vessel in which they are brought, before breaking bulk or landing any of the said goods, be cer- tified unto the said treasurer or receiver impowered in the sev- eral ports and places where they are brought, on penalty of for- feiture of twenty shillings per ton, according to the burthen of the ship or vessel wherein they are brought, from time to time. And all and every such receiver shall carefully and truly enter all such goods with their several marks, casks, packs, fardels, trusses, chests, trunks, cases, and all other things how soever called or distinguished, with the names of the persons to whom ["J such goods or other things are sent and consigned or are owners thereof so far as may by all lawful means be discovered ; and all persons to whom such goods or other things aforesaid are con- signed or sent or are the owners thereo/ shall from time to time before such goods are landed signify the true and just value thereof, by shewing the true and perfect invoice thereof unto the aforesaid receiver for each part (port ?), who are hereby required to enter the gross sum thereof in a book for that purpose, what the said goods or other things amount unto, and shall forthwith demand and receive the several rates and assessments aforementioned. And in case of denial or delay of payment, the receiver shall levy the same by distress upon the said goods, at the rate or price set in the invoice, out of which he shall have two shilling per pound, for his labor therein. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that if any invoice or bill of parcels shall be falsified, concealed or not pro[duced], of any goods or other things imported as aforesaid, it shall be [lawful] for the treasurer or collector with the [ ] to rate all such goods or the owner [ ] same, according to their best discretion, provided it be not less than four pounds per ton as the same stands entered in the bill of loading or in the boat-swain or other officers' book. And it is further eftacted by the authority aforesaid, that there shall be paid unto his Majesty an Excise upon all wines, brandy, rum, and other distilled waters, mum, cider, ale and beer that shall be sold by retail in any town or place within this dominion, by those that retail the same that is to say, for every butt or pipe [of] wine, fifty shillings ; for every quart of brandyj rum or other distilled waters, two pence ; for every hogshead [23] of cider, ale or beer, two shillings six pence, all current money ; and after that rate, for any greater or smaller quantities. And for the due and orderly collecting and receiving of the excise aforesaid, It is likewise enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all retailers of wine, brandy, rum and other distilled waters, mum, cider, ale and beer, within this dominion shall, upon their purchase or receipt of all or any of the liquors before expressed, make entry thereof with the treasurer or such person or persons as shall be appointed, and pay the duties and excise aforesaid under the penalty of forfeiture of all such liquors as shall be found in any retailer's house not being duly entered and the excise paid as aforesaid. And every retailer who shall make his own cider, brew ale or beer, or distill strong waters, shall, from time to time and at all times when he or they shall so make, brew or distill the same, make entry with the treasurer or such person or persons as shall be appointed, of all such cider and beer or distilled waters by them made, brewed or distilled, and pay the excise aforesaid, under the like penalty and forfeiture of all such liquors as shall be found in any retailer's house, not entered and the excise not paid : and to that end it shall and may be lawfull to and for the treasurer, or such other person or persons as shall be appointed to receive the excise aforesaid, when and so often as he or they shall think fit, in the day time, to enter into any retailer's house, cellar or warehouse to search for such liquors as are not duly entered nor the excise paid for the same, and to gage any cask or casks ; and such liquors being found, to seize and secure accordingly : provided always, it shall and may be lawful for the said treasurer or any other person or persons that shall be appointed to receive the excise aforesaid, to agree with any [24] retailer for the excise for one whole year in one entire sum, to be paid quarterly, as he or they in their discretion shall think fit to agree for, without making any entries as aforesaid. Provided always, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no per- son or persons whatsoever shall sell any wines, brandy, rum, dis- tilled waters, mum, cider, ale, beer, or any other liquor, by retail, without a license ; nor shall any person sell less quanti[ty of] strong waters than live gallons, of wine than a quarter cask, at [any one] time, without first obtaining a license for the same under the [penalty of ] pounds for each default; the one half of all [penalties] contained in this act to be to the use of his Majesty, and the other half to him or them that shall inform or sue for the same in any of the courts within this dominion. And it is further enacted by the atithority aforesaid^ that all ships or vessels above twelve tons coming into any port or part of this dominion to trade or traffic, and that either in the whole or the greatest part thereof are not belonging to the actual inhabi- tants of the said dominion shall, every voyage they make, pay twelve pence per ton, or one pound of powder for each ton for the supply of his Majesty's castles and forts within his Majesty's dominions, to be received by the treasurer or such other person or persons as in the several ports and places shall be appointed to receive the same. And this act of the revenue and the sev- eral parts thereof to continue until the Governour by and with the advice and consent of the Council agree on and settle such other rates, taxes and impositions as shall be sufficient for sup- port of his Majesty's government. Boston ; Council House, the third day of March 1686. Examined by John West, D. S.' I Colonial Records of Connecticut Vol. 3, p. 405 Appendix. [25] A year later, the revenue for the support of the government being insufficient for the wants of the administration, an act was passed by Andros and his council providing additional duties in the words following : An Act for additional Duties of Imposts and Excise, for the better collecting and securing his Majesty's Revenue. Whereas the several Rates, Duties and Imposts heretofore continued and established are found to be far short of the ordi- nary and necessary charge required for the maintenance and sup- port of his Majesty's government of this his Territory and Domin- ion of New England, which that it may be supplied in the best and easiest manner, Be it enacted by the Governoiir and Council^ and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same^ that for all Wines, Brandy, Rum and other Strong Waters that shall at any time or times hereafter be imported Into this his Majesty's Territory and Domin- ion of New England, or any part thereof, from any place what- soever, there shall be further paid to his Majesty's treasurer or receiver-general, or such other person or persons as are or shall be appointed to collect and receive the same, the additional cus- toms and duties following, that is to say : for every pipe of Fayal wines or any other wines of the Western Islands, the sum of twenty shillings ; for every pipe [of] Madeira wines, sixteen shillings and eight pence; for every pipe of sherry, Sack, Mal- aga, Canary, Tent and Alicant, ten shillings ; over and above the customs and duties mentioned and expressed in another Act, intituled. An Act for the continuing and establishing of sev- eral Rates, Duties and Imposts. And whereas by the said Act, [26] the excise on all wines sold by ;'^tail within the said Territory and Dominion is mentioned to be paid after the rate of fifty shillings per pipe, // is hereby further' enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that from henceforth in lieu and stead of the said fifty shillings per pipe, there shall be paid to his Majesty's treas- urer or receiver-general as aforesaid, or to such other person or persons as are or shall be appointed to collect and receive the same, for all wines sold by retail within any part of the said Territory and Dominion, by the person or persons who shall retail the same, the excise of one shilling for every gallon so by them retailed, in like manner as in the said act is directed and appointed. And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that henceforth there shall be likewise paid to his Majesty's treasurer and receiver-general or other officer as aforesaid, an additional excise of four pence for every gallon of Brandy, Rum, or other distilled waters retailed ; and for every barrel of Beer, Ale or Cider retailed, one shilling and three pence, to be paid by such as retail the same, over and above what is mentioned to be paid in the before recited Act ; and to be collected and received in such manner as by said act is directed. And for the better collecting and securing of the several duties, imposts and excise due and payable to his Majesty for the support of his government here, // is further enacted by the authority aforesaid^ that all goods, wares and merchandize whatsoever that at any time or times hereafter that shall be im- ported in any ship or vessel from any part or place whatsover out of this Dominion, shall be landed and put on shore at and in one of the ports hereafter mentioned and declared, that is to say, at Boston, Salem, Portsmouth, Bristol, Newport, New Lon- [27] don, Saybrook, New Haven, Milford, Fairfield and Stamford, or (and ?) at such places and times there as shall be appointed for the same, and at or in no other port, place or time whatsoever, under the penalty of forfeiture of such goods as shall be landed or delivered from on board any such ship or vessel contrary hereunto : and that all masters or commanders of ships or other vessels which at any time hereafter shall arrive or come in to any or either of the ports aforesaid, shall and do within four and twenty hours after arrival make entry of such ship or vessel with the officer or officers as are \^or^ shall be ^/pointed and authorized to collect and receive his Majesty's duties there, and give a gen- eral list or account of her loading with their several marks, num- bers and contents as far as he knoweth, and upon oath if required : and that no goods, wares or merchandize whatsoever be landed and put on shore out of any ship or other vessel in any [t?/] the ports aforesaid, before particular entry be made thereof, by the owner or such person or persons to whom such goods, wares or merchandizes are consigned, with the said offi- cer or officers, and his Majesty's duties first paid and satisfied, and a permit by him or them for the same, under the penalty of forfeiture of all such goods, wares and merchandizes as shall be otherwise landed or delivered out of any such ship or vessel. And that no master of any such ship or vessel do at any time or times hereafter bring his said ship or vessel to any wharf or key in any of the ports aforementioned before such time as he shall have duly entered his said ship or vessel with the officer or officers aforesaid and given them notice thereof, under the penalty of forfeiture of fifty pounds for every such offense. And whereas his Majesty hath been and is greatly defrauded and injured in his excise by retailers concealing their wines and [28] other liquors in private houses, It is therefore further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no person or persons on any pre- tence or color whatsoever for the future shall or may take in, receive, harbour, entertain, keep or conceal, in his or their dwell- ing houses, cellars, warehouses, any quantity or parcels of Wines or other liquors belonging to any licensed person or per- sons, retailer or retailers, under the penalty of forfeiture of twenty pounds for every such quantity or parcel of Wines or other liquors so taken in, received, harbored, entertained, kept and concealed as aforesaid : neither shall any person or persons whatsoever sell or deliver, or cause, permit or suffer to be sold or deliver^^/, to any retailer or retailers, out of his or their houses, cellars or warehouses, less quantities of Wines or other liquors than by law they are permitted to sell or deliver, under the penalty of the forfeiture of all such Wines or other liquors as shall be found in any such house, cellar or warehouse. And that it shall and may \be'\ lawfull for any justice of the peace, upon complaint and oath made of any wines so sold and delivered, or kept and concealed, as aforesaid, to issue forth his warrant for the searching of any such houses, cellars or ware- houses, and for seizing and securing all such wines and other liquors as shall be there found, that the same may be in legal manner proceeded against and condemned accordingly. And whereas, by the before recited Act, liberty is given for any person or persons to sell and deliver the quantity of five gallons of strong waters and not under, unless retailers. It is hereby enacted and declared, that for the future none except such as are licensed retailers shall sell or deliver to any person or persons any lesser quantity of Rum, Brandy or other distilled waters, than a quarter cask, under the penalty in the said act [29] mentioned, any former law or usage to the contrary notwith- standing. Boston Council Chamber, on Wednesday, the 15th of Feb- ruary, in the 4th year of his Majesty's reign, Annoque Domini, 1687. Examined per John West, Dept. Secretary.' In those liquor-loving days, when, as Cotton Mather says, every other house in Boston was an ale-house, the enormous rate of taxation on liquors provided for in this act must have been a severe blow to the already over-taxed colonists. The warrant for the tax of 1688 was substantially the same as that for the previous year, with the exception, that while the warrant of 1687 is written this one is printed, with the name of the town and the date, written in the blanks. It is as follows : J OHN USHER Esq; RECEIVER General of His MAJESTY'S Revenues within His Ter- ritory and Dominion in NEW-ENGLAND, To the Commissioner and Selectmen of the [l. s.1 Town of Providence in the County of Kings province & Road Island Greeting. By Vir- tue of an Act made by His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOUR and COUNCIL, Entituled An Act for the Continuing and Establishing of Several Rates ^ Duties and Imposts : 1 Colonial Records of Connecticut, Vol. 3, p. 433, Appendix. [3o] YOu are in His MEJESTY's Name Required, sometime in the Month of August next ensuing, to make a List of all the male Persons in the same Town, from Six- teen years old and upwards ; and a true Estimation of all Real and Personal Estates in such manner and Form as par- ticularly in the said Act is Directed," all of which Persons and Estates are by you the Commissioner and Select men to be rated and Assessed as followeth ; VIZ Every Person aforesaid (except the Members of His MAJESTY'S COUNCIL) one Shilling and eight pence^'by the Head ; and all Estates Real and Personal, at one Penny for every'Twenty Shillings, according to the Rates of the Cattel in the said Act mentioned : and the said Commissioner is hereby likewise Required upon the first Wendnesday in the month of September then next following, to Meet and Assemble with the Commissioners of the County at their Shire or County-Town, and bring with him (fairly written the just Number of the Male Persons listed as afore-said, and the Assessments of the Estates made in the said Town, where the Commissiones being so Assembled, shall duly and carefully Examine those Lists and Assessments, and Correct and perfect them, according to the true Intent of said Act ; and the same so perfected, the said Commissioners are speedily to transmit to the Treasurer for the time being, and under their hands (or the major part of them) together with the N ames of the Constables in each respective Town, that Orders may be given for Levying & Collecting the same accordingly. Given under my Hand and Seal at BOSTON, the 14th of July, in the Fourth Year of His MAJESTY'S Reign, Annoq ; DOMINI, 1688. Jn°. Usher, Treasure' ' I Providence Town Papers, 0524. [31] Pursuant to this order a rate was assessed whereof the fol- lowing is a copy. It shows plainly where the Commissioner and Select men endeavored to " correct and perfect " it, for scarcely one of the amounts on the whole list was left as it was originally made up. Some amounts were increased while others were reduced. As this correcting was done by writing one number over another, it is extremely difficult to decipher the amount, in many cases, that was finally determined upon as the amount of the tax. This rate bill for 1688 is as follows : A List of Names of those who were Rated in Providence to a Country Rate Agust i688. Silas Carpenter ) & Benjamin Carpenter f Stephen Arnold Johanna Reape James Blackmar John Shelden Timothy Sheldon Timothy Carpenter Mary Harris (widdow) Capf: ffenn': & Howlong ) his wife j Will Vinsent The Estate of y^ deceased ) Joseph Wise j John Thornton sen" John Thornton jun" Mary Burden Solomon Thornton 0- 17- 4 0- 5- 10 0- 4- 6 0- 3- 4 0- I- 3 0- 6- 8 0- 7- 0- 10- 0- 2- 2- 0- 6- 8 0- I- 4 0- 3- 6 0- I- 8 [32j Tho: Haris Rich: Clemence Will: Hawkins 1 & John his son j John Steere Ed: Haukins Peter Playce Alexander Balkom Nath: Mowrey Edward Inman Sen" Ed: Inman Jun' John Mawrey Joseph Hearnton John Inman Ben: Hearnton James Belloo Tho: Hopkins Eph: Prey John Prey Eliezer Whipple Will: Whipple Vail: Whitman Sam: Wilkinson Ed: Smith Elieazer Arnold Lawrence Wilkinson 1 & his son Josiah j Jonath. Sprague Eph: Pierce John Wilkinson o- 12- O o- 4- 2 o- 4- 2 o- 4- 2 o- 4- 2 o- 2- O o- 2- O o- 4- 8 o- 2- o o- I- 4 o- 4- 8 o- I- 2 o- 3- 4 o- 3- o o- 3- o o- 2- lO o- O- 6 o- 2- o o- 4- 2 o- I- 2 o- 6- 8 o- 2- lO o- 4- 6 o- 5- lO o- 4- 8 o- 4- 2 0- 5- 4 o- 2- lO [33] Tho: ffenner 0-5-6 o- I- 8 The Estate of y^ 1 deceased John Scott Jo°: Malavery Joseph Jenkes David Whipple Jo": Angell Tho: WalHng Jonath: Whipple Ben: Whipple Will: Haukinsjun' Joseph Williams John Walling John Sayles Richard Watterman Zacheriah ffeild The Estate of the ) deceased Anthony Evernden j Widow Mateson the estate of Thomas Clemence Austin Thomas & his 1 two Sones Thomas & Henry j Steven Harding Abraham Harding Gregory Dexter & 1 his sone John Dexter j Samuell Comestoke The Estate of the deceased ) Beniamin Hernden j Joseph Woodward 0- 3- 6 0- 09- 0- 2- 6 0- 6-06 0- I- 2 0- 2- 0- 2- 0- 5- 6 0- 5- 6 0- I- 4 0- 5- 3 0- 2- 6 0- 5- 0- 6- 4 0- 3- 0- 4- 2 0- 3- 8 0- 3- 4 0- 4- 2 0- 9- 0- 3-: [O 0- 2- 6 0- 3- 6 O- 2- 2 [34] Sam: Whipple o- 5-10 The Estate of y" deceased | Jo" Smith Mason & Joseph Smith his son Jo": Arnold Widdow Belloo Tho: Arnold Tho: Olney John Smith Miller I & Sarah his mother j Jo" Browne & ] Jo" his son j Epenetus Olney the Estate of y" deceased 1 James Dexter j Gidion Cruffurd Shad: Manton Ed Manton Joseph Whipple the Estate of the ) deceased Jo" Thockmorton ) the Estate of y'' decease ) Richard Scott J Tho: Angell & | 0- I- 8 0- 0- 0- 3- 6 0- 9- 4 0- 9- 2 0- 6- 4 0- 5- 6 0- 6- 0- 4- 6 0- I- 3 0- 5- 4 0- 4- 10 3- 6 o- I- 9 o- 4- 9 James his Son Nath: Waterm" 0-14-2 Daniell Abbott o- 3- 8 Tho: fifield o- 9- 6 Jo" Keyes & 1 Anne his wife J o- o- 6 [35j Elizabeth Harris (widdow) Abraham Man with y^ Est- ) ate of John Lappham j Daniell WilUams with j y^ Estate of y^ deceased )■ Nich: Power j James Clarke Anne Harris James Ashton Pardon Tillinghast Sam: Winsor with y*" ) Estate of George Shepard J Tho: Patey Daniell Browne Hen: Browne Andrew Edmunds The Estate formerly, & still reputed to belong to Ephraim Carpenter Rowland Joanes William Hopkins Will: Hearnton Rich: Bates John Sheldon jun' Nich: Sheldon George Keech Resolved Waterm" o- I- o o- I- 8 0-] [2- o o- I- 6 o- I- 4 o- o- 8 o- 8- 9 o- 5- lO o- 2- 03 o- 2- o- 6- 8 o- I- o- I- 8 o- o-io o- 5- 6 O- O-IO O- I- o o- o- 6 o- o- 6 o- I- o o- o- 6 [36] Joseph Aldridg James Walling The Estate of ) Will Asteen j Arthur ffen' jun' Jeremiah Rhodes Hen: Browne jun"" Will: Prey Alexander Balkom jun' Joshua Clarke Rich: Phillipps Peter Belloo Sam Wright John Whipple Jo" Hearnton Ephraim Carpenter jun' The Estate of y^ deceased 1 Roger Williams j The Estate of y^ deceased 1 Providence Williams j Joseph Jenkes jun' Nathaniell Jenks Clement King o- o- 6 c- o- 6 o- o- 3 o- 4-1 1 o- 0-09 o- I- 3 o- I- o- I- o- I- o- -0 8 o- I- o- I- 6 o- 5- o- I- 0- 9 O- 2- 3 in^ 0- I- 3 0-1-0 0- 2- 9 Sum of Estate 2^1b. 12^. ^d pole Money 14'^: By vertue of a warrant from John Vsher Esq*^ Treasurer; Lev- ied upon y^ inhabetants of Providence as to Estates, the afoersd Levie, By y^ Comission*^: & Select, was made & performed in [37] Agust Anno: 1688; The Sum (Errors Excepted) Amounts together with the pole money, to 37'^: 12': 3^^: Tho : Olney Comission"" : Pardon Tilllnghast "| Nathaniell Waterman | Edward Smith Y Select men Joseph Williams I John Dexter' J The most interesting list, however, in connection with the assessment made by virtue of the warrant of July 14, 1688, is that prepared for the assessment of the poll tax ; for here is found the names of practically all the males in Providence at that time. The warrant of the treasurer required that these names be " fairly written " and for this purpose the services of William Turpin were enlisted. He was the schoolmaster, and was the best penman in the town. Most of the names are in his handwriting. The list is as follows : William Hopkins William Olney John Dexter John Sailes Joseph Jinkes jun*^ Thomas Hopkins Edward Smith James Angell Joseph Williams Thomas Olney jun"^ Nathaniell Waterman John Morrey Beniamine Carpender Nathaniell Morrey Richard Clements John Inman I Providence Town Papers 0531. [38] Edward In man jun'^ James Bellew Samuell Wilkinson Josiah Wilkinson Beniamine Hernden John Pray Eliazer Whipple David Whipple John Angell Eliazer Arnold John Wilkinson Jonathan Sprague Ephraim Peirce Alexander Bolcom sen"" Alexander Bolcom jun' Thomas Wallin Nathaniel Jynkes Thomas Astin Henry Astin John Hawkins William Hernden Joseph Hernden John Hernden Samuel Whipple Thomas Harris Joseph Smith Thomas Arnold John Arnold Peter Bellew John Browne jun' Edward Manton Epenetus Olney Beniamine Whipple Joseph Whipple John Thornton jun"" Thomas Thornton James Thornton Samuell Right Daniell Browne Ephraim Pray Joseph Woodward Daniell Abbit John Wallin Abraham Man Peter Place Daniel Williams Samuel Winsor Richard Waterman Henry Browne Zachariah ffeild William Vincent Timothy Carpender Silas Carpender Stephen Arnold jun' Eliza Arnold James Blackmore Edward Hawkins Thomas ffenner Arthur ffenner Jonathan Whipple [39] John Bullock William Whipple James Wallin Samuell Comestock Abraham Harding Richard Bates Nathaniell Waterman jun"" James Mattison Thomas Harris jun"" James Phillipps Timothy Sheldon John Sheldon Nicholas Sheldon Richard Arnold jun"" Richard Sailes William Hawkins jun*" Joshua Clarke John Waterman John Whipple jun' Content Clements James Brown Joseph Phillipps Joseph Smith weaver John Hayden Richard Burden Cornelius Higgins Robert Gardner Richard Phillipps John Mattison Issac Hernden Valentine Whitman John Blaxton Ephraim Carpender Jacob Clarke Pardon Tillinghast jun"^ Samuell Whipple jun' Richard Waterman jun' Beniamine Smith Richard Harris Resolved Waterman Ebenezer Jinkes Edward Smith jun' Joseph Smith son of Tho Smith Phillip Tillinghast Jos. Burdon John Steere, jun' John Aldridge Gideon Crawford Solomon Thornton Issarell Smith James Olney John Arnold Joseph Morrey Nicholas Harris Thomas Smith Joseph Aldridge Ebenezer Sumner Mosis Bartlett Rich Bullock Beniamin Thornton [40] Thomas Whipple John Whipple WilHam Hack Thomas ffeild John Cobb Sheldrake Manton William Randall Andrew Edmonds Thomas ffeild jun' Daniel Abbitt* Juda Browne William Hawkins* John Dailey John Smith mellorf Obediah Browne William terpinf William Steer Jeake Lamef William Thornton Capt. Authur ffennerf Tho Williams Joseph Jenckesf Eliazer Whipple jun' Stuen Arnoldf Tho Angell henere Brownef John Mallavery sen' Thomas Pateyf John Yeats John Shelldonf Mired Harris Valintine Whitmanf John Taber 62 Beniamin Tillinghast 58 John Steer sen' 54 Samuel Aldridge 172 Thomas Olney By vertue of a warrant from John Vsher Esq"" Treasurer A list made of persons who are Rated by y^ head in Providence Taken & made in Providence in y"^ Month of Agust Anno 1688 by y^ Comission' & Selectmen *These names are crossed out in the original. tThese names were not written by Turpin. [41] Tho : Olney Comission'': Pardon Tillinghast Nathaniell Waterman Edward Smith ' John Dexter Joseph Williams^ Before another year had rolled around Andros had been arrested and imprisoned at Boston, and his administration over the affairs of New England ceased. On the first of May, 1689, Rhode Island resumed her government under her charter. 1 Although the names of the Commissioner and Select men are not subscribed to the tax assessment made pursuant to the warrant of July 20, 1687, the name of the Commissioner is obtained from the following document (Providence Town Papers 0507). " Att a Towne meetting ye 15th of Agust 1687: Capt Arthur ffenr Chosen Moderatr of ye Assembly ; The wch was called by virtue of ye Genrll Treasurr warrant to ye Constables of this Towne of providence, that they upon receipt thereof, should proceed to a choyce of a Commissionr (being one of or inhabitants) to joyne wth ye Select men of or Towne for ye mannageing ye bissnesse of his Majesties Rate in ye sd warrant expressed: The v/ch accordingly was done & pformed ye day above sd Edward Smith being ye man chosen ye Com- issionr, & at Length accepted ye place. As attest Dan : Abbott Clerke 2 Providence Town Papers 0532. prolempory." APPENDIX APPENDIX Many of the statements or schedules of ratable property which the townsmen submitted to the assessors are yet preserved among the archives of the City of Providence. More than a hundred of these quaint writings are without date. A few, however, show the time when they were prepared, and from these the following have been selected referring to the taxes assessed in 1687 ^^^ 1688. The Account of Tho: Wallings Estate As ffolloweth ^ 3 Cows 9-0-0 p one 4 year & vantage steer 3-0-0 ■p 3 yearling Steers 3-0-0 ■p one maire three yeare old 3-0-0 '^ aboute 2 acars of Tillable Land i-o-o '^ y^ 3"* part of a share of Meddow 1-0-0 And y^ 3^^ part of y^ farme ; con | taineing aboute 40 acars of Land j I claime also y^ Right by allottment, | due to me from y^ Towne, aboute 28 acars j 2-0-0 [46] Memorand : Jo" walling, hath also to be noted (if he hath ommitted y^ same in his acct to you) the Like pro- potion of interest of Land, Equall to his Bro : Thomas : The other 3'^ part of theire fairm, is yet in y^ cus- tody of Daniell Abbott : But pray sett y^ assessm' thereof by it selfe : Tho : walling's Right beyond y^ 7 mile Line was wil'd unto his son Cornealous walling : But place y^ assessm' thereof, to Andrew Edmuns who has y^ Ladd : Memorand James walling (it seems) hath, 30 acars Moreover I y' sd Abbott, doe claime y^ Right by allottment, due to me from this Towne vpon Divissions of Land agreed, vpon my father's Right, & y" inteerest w'^'' I Bought of others, yet to be Layd out to me for my propotion, (the w^'' I omitted in y^ other acct given in) aboute y" sum of 227 acars, on y^ East side of y^ 7 mile Line. I also claime as my Right from this Towne, Two Rights beyond y*" 7 Seaven mile Line : Not thinking need full more to be Esteated I Remaine yo' ffriend in what I may August 29"" 1687 : Daniell Abbott^ I Providence Town Papers 0506. [47] August 29''' ,j. The account of Dan : Abbotts Estate As ffolloweth — 1 My house & Land at home & y' in y' neck that seem to be fenct And y" 3*^ part of a share of meddow in my Custody w"" y* demolished orchard of Tho : walling. ■p 2 Cows, one of them farrow ^ a p of 3 yeare & vantage steers ^ one horse, & one Maire ^ 5 poor swine And as for o' small houshold-things ^ you may be pleased to vew them yo"" ! selves we have but one poor bed of f o"^ owne: J Saith Daniell Abbott . Memdrand A yoake of oxen yet.' August 29 1687 An account of Jo" Wallings Estate ■^ 2 Cows ^ a tu yeere old hefer and a yerland and a 3 yeere old mare And about a naker & halfe of land with in fence planted & ^ the thurd part of a Share of meddow^ 1 Providence Town Papers 0508. 2 Providence Town Papers 0509. [48] two oxen thre Cows one 3 yer old hifer foure tow yer olds Cattle thre yerlings one hors, one mare one two yer old hors fiue small swine Eighttene shepe A yere old one hous lott one hous lott more Eightty seven Acors of land in the wilderness A Share beyond the seven mile line unlaid out A swamp Called Joshuas swampe 5 or 6 Acors halfe A share of medow Called Sheperds med About thirty Acors At my hous thre plowed About 5 or 6 rough paster of the said thirty this is the best Account that I Can give The i' of September Samuel Winsor one hors more belonging to resalvid Waterman whoe is with me upon wages more A leven Acors of land in the neck that was for gott.y' was Shepards S W^ 2 oxen, 8 Cows A 3 yer old hifer and A bull 3 two yer olds 5 yerlings And a hors 6 Swine 2 lots belongin to the hows A share of medow 32 Acors of land this is the Acount of the I '^ of September James Angell 1687 A pies of medow yelding a load of hay ^ 1 Providence Town Papers 0510. 2 Providence Town Papers 0510, [49] To y' Comlssion' & y' Select men of this Towne of provi- dence Assembled this 6'^ of August 1688. Gentlemen, I gave in an ace" of my Estate vnto you y' Last yeare. And according to y^ Rule you went by, My stock is now Less than it was : by A yoak of oxen, one Cow, & 2 swine, w'''' is — 15*^ But my Last yeare calfe, is become a yearling : A paire of 4 yeare old Steers one Cow one horse Three swine And my maimd maire, if she be Living Daniell Abbott On the back side of this return of ratable property there is written : According to y' Rule you went : the propotion of my Rate with poll money Encluded, is, — 0-6-6 0-5-0 Dan : Abbott' August: 6'^: 1688 The Estate of Joseph Jenckes jun"^ 3 accres of plantin Land i accre orchard 3 Cowes one 2 yeare old hayfer one mare The Estate of Nathaniel Jenckes 2 accres plantin Land, i Cowe i. 2 year old iProvidence Town Papers 0525. [5o] I : yeareling : i : 2 year old horse i yeareling Colt. the Estat of Joseph Jenckes Senyer About 6 acors planting land about 2 acors medow about 8 acors of sough pastewer land about 30 acors of wild pastewer on purchis Right throwout 2 beyond the 7 mile lin Cattell 4 oxen 7 Cowes 2 4 yere owld sters on 2 yer hefer on yerlin on 3 yer oulld Swine my sheepe littell improued my saw mill redy to fall without costom my fordge 2 maires on yerlin Coult' the A Count of our estates Ratable 4 Oxen, 20 Cows, 5. 3 year old Catel one Stear 4 year old own bool 6 two year old Catel, ten : year old Catel Ten akers of uplald medow, and 4 of bogey, and one of Salt And half a share of bogey medow, About 30 Acores of paster And planting land 5 of it planted 370 Acors of out land in patuxet : 2 : 50 acors lotes by the Seuen Mile line and 2 writs beyound the line in patuxet Neck 14: acors. About 60 : Sheep and 5 hoges : August the 6"^: 1688 : Silas Carpenter Beniamin Carpenter I Providence Town Papers 0536, [50 My one Stock of horses in pertekeler : 4 Mares one hors : and one 2 year old, Silas Carpenter Sen Carpenter 250 Acores of land This paper is endorsed : 2 marres and one horse one 2 year old. Beniamin Carpenter' Dated Agust lo'*' 1688 An Acount of the estate of Arthur ffenner Jmprimis aboute three Hondred Acres of wood land vn fenced and vnimproved aboute twenti Acres of inclosed wild pas- ture and aboute tenn Acres inclosed of english pasture orchad and all medo three Sheare Sum of it being veri boggi scarce worth moing aboute five Acres of planting land two oxen nine Cows five yeare old Catel six two yeare old Cattel and fine three yeare old Cattell fore mares owne of them but a yeareling mare owne Horse three swine tenn sheepe this is a just acount I pray be not vndmindfull of the Golden Rule for the Celet men of Providence^ This is an a Count as neare as I Can according to order of my Estate within the Towne of prouidence first of meadow 27 acers of Good and bad 2 — Ground in tilledg 3 acers and a Quarter 3 — Pastuers of Seuerall kinds near 20 acers 1 Providence Town Papers 0528. 2 Providence Town Papers 0529. [52] 4 — of deuided land in pautuxet neck all unfenced 32 acers & lyeing in Common 5 — 16 Cowes I haue at present 6 — ^I have 4 oxen : & 2 horses 7 — I have 4 mares young & old 8 — 87 Sheepe of a year old & upward 9 — one yong hors aboue a year old 10 — We have of drye Cattell 6 yearlings : & 6 of 2 year old : and 5 of 3 year old and 2 of 4 year old & a bull 1 1 — We have 5 Swine in a Sty 12 — 2 Sheares & half of pautuxet undeuided lands between pachaset River and the salt water 13 — one share of Thirteene of undeuided lands on y' west of pachaset Riuer thorrow out Weastward to y^ end of y' purchise 14 — one Share beyond y^ 7 mile line So caled 15 — 70 acers of land I bought of Edward beenet 16 — My Right of land at Wainsoceet or Wainsokeet Pautuxet This lo"" of Augost in y' yeare 1688 Stephen Arnold ' I Providence Town Papers 0530. INDEX INDEX Abbott Daniel 8 12 34 38 40 41 46 47 49 Aldrich John 39 Joseph 13 36 Samuel 40 Andros Sir Edmund 45 15 25 41 Angell James 12 34 37 48 John 10 33 38 Thomas 12 34 40 Arnold Eleazer 10 32 38 John 1 1 34 38 39 Richard junior 39 Arnold Stephen 931 40 52 junior 38 Thomas 11 34 38 widow 1 1 Ashton James 1235 Austin Henry 33 38 Thomas 33 38 William 13 36 Baker Thomas 13 Balkom Alexander 9 32 2,8 junior 133638 Ballou James 10 32 38 John 13 [56] Ballou Peter 13 36 38 widow 1 1 34 Bartlett Moses 39 Bates Richard 13 35 39 Bennett Edward 52 Blackmare James 9 31 38 Blaxton John 39 Boston 6 7 24 26 29 30 41 Bristol 26 Browne Daniel 13 35 38 Henry 13 35 3^ 40 junior 13 36 James 39 John 1 1 34 junior 38 Juda 40 Obadiah 40 Bullock John 39 Richard 39 Burden Joseph 39 Mary 9 31 Richard 39 Burlingame John 14 Roger 14 Thomas 14 Burton William 14 Carpenter Benjamin 9 31 37 50 51 Ephraim 13 35 39 junior 14 36 Silas 9 31 38 50 51 [57] Carpenter Timothy 9 31 38 Clarke Jacob 39 James 12 35 Joshua 13 36 39 Clements Content 39 Richard 9 32 37 Thomas 11 33 Cobb John 40 Colonial Records of Connecticut 14 24 Comstock Samuel 11 33 39 Connecticut 14 15 24 Cooper Thomas 13 Crawford Gideon 12 34 39 Dailey John 40 Dexter Gregory 1 1 33 James 12 34 John II 33 37 41 Edmunds Andrew 13 35 40 46 Estance Henry 11 Thomas 1 1 Esten see Austin Evernden Anthony 1 1 33 Fairfield 27 Farmington 1 5 Fenner Arthur 38 40 41 51 junior 13 36 Capt 9 31 Howlong 31 Thomas 10 33 t^S Field Thomas 12 34 40 junior 40 [58] Field Zachariah ii 33 38 Fowler 9 Gardner Robert 39 Hack William 40 Harding Abraham 11 33 39 Stephen 11 33 Harris Anne 12 35 Elizabeth 12 35 Mary 9 31 Mired 40 Nicholas 39 Richard 39 Thomas 9 32 38 junior 39 Hawkins Edward 9 32 38 John 9 32 38 William 9 32 40 junior 10 2>3 39 Hayden John 39 Hearnton Benjamin 11 33 38 junior 10 32 Isaac 39 John 14 36 3S Joseph 9 32 38 William 13 35 38 Higgins Cornelius 39 Hopkins Thomas 10 14 32 37 William 13 35 37 Inman Edward senior 9 32 junior 9 32 38 John 10 32 37 [59] Jenkes Ebenezer 39 Joseph 10 33 40 50 junior 36 37 49 Nathaniel 10 36 38 49 Joanes Rowland 13 35 Joshua's Swamp 48 Keach George 13 35 Keyes Anne 12 34 John 12 34 King Clement 36 Lame Jeake 40 Lapham John 12 35 Laws of Andros and Council 15 25 List of Males 37 Malavery John 10 33 40 Man Abraham 12 35 38 Manton Edward 12 34 38 Shadrach 12 34 40 Mather Cotton 29 Mathewson widow 1 1 33 Mattison James 39 John 39 Milford 27 Mowry John 9 32 37 Joseph 39 Nathaniel 9 32 37 New Haven 26 London 26 Newport 26 Olney Epenetus 11 34 38 James 39 [6o] Olney Thomas ii 34 37 40 41 junior 37 William 37 Patey Thomas 12 35 40 Pawtuxet 52 neck 50 52 Phillips James 39 Joseph 39 Richard 13 36 39 Pierce Ephraim 10 32 38 Place Peter 9 32 38 Pocasset river 52 Portsmouth 26 Potter Abel 14 Power Nicholas 12 35 Pray Ephraim 10 32 38 John 10 32 38 Richard 12 William 13 36 Randall William 9 40 Reape Joanna 9 31 Relph Samuel 14 Thomas 14 Rhodes Jeremiah 13 36 Roberts Peter 14 Salem 26 Saybrook 27 Sayles John 11 33 -t^-] Richard 39 Scott John 10 33 Richard 12 34 [6.] Searle Edward 14 Sheldon John 931 39 40 junior 13 35 Nicholas 13 35 39 Timothy 9 31 39 Shepard George 12 35 Shepard's meadow 48 Smith Benjamin 39 Edward 10 32 37 41 junior 39 Israel 39 John 1 1 mason 1 1 34 miller 34 40 Joseph II 34 38 son of Thomas 39 weaver 39 Sarah widow 1 1 34 Thomas 39 Sprague Jonathan 10 32 38 Stafford Joseph 14 Thomas 14 Stamford 27 Steere John 9 32 40 junior 39 William 40 Sumner Ebenezer 39 Tabor John 40 Tax list 8 31 Thomas Austin 33 [62] Thomas Estance 1 1 Henry 33 Thomas 33 Thornton Benjamin 39 James 38 John junior 9 31 38 senior 9 31 Solomon 9 31 39 Thomas 38 William 40 Throckmorton John 12 34 Tillinghast Benjamin 40 Pardon 12 35 37 41 junior 39 Philip 39 Trumbull J. Hammond 15 Turpin William 37 40 Usher John 6 7 8 1 1 29 30 36 40 Vincent William 9 31 38 Wadsworth John senior 15 Walling Cornelius 46 James 13 36 39 John 10 33 38 46 47 Thomas 10 33 2>8 45 46 47 Warrant to assess and collect tax 6 7 29 Waterman John 39 Nathaniel 12 34 37 41 junior 39 Resolved 13 35 39 48 Richard 11 33 38 junior 39 [63] West John 24 29 Whipple Benjamin 10 33 38 David 10 33 38 Eleazer 10 32 38 junior 40 John 13 36 40 junior 39 Jonathan 10 33 38 Joseph 12 34 38 Samuel 11 34 38 junior 39 Thomas 40 William 10 32 39 Whitman Valentine 10 32 39 40 Wilkinson John 10 32 38 Josiah 32 7,8 Lawrence 10 32 Samuel 10 32 38 Williams Daniel 12 35 38 Joseph 10 33 37 41 Providence 14 36 Roger 14 36 Thomas 40 Winsor Samuel 12 35 38 48 Wise Joseph 9 31 Woodward Joseph 11 3 3 38 Woonsocket 52 Wright Samuel 13 36 38 Yale College Library 15 Yeats John 40