The Rhode Island Republican

MEMOIR OF RHODE ISLAND.

1638.

At a general meeting upon public notice the 23d of the 6th mo.

Mr. Coddington, Judge,
Mr. Dummer,
Mr. Easton,
Mr. Hutchinson,
Mr. Clarke,
Mr. Harding,
Mr. Sanford,
Mr. Ed. Hutchinson,
Mr. Brenton,
Br. Wilbore,
John Porter,
Wm. Freeborne,
Richard Carder,
Randal Holden,
Wm. Dyre Clerk.

22d, It is ordered that thirteen lots up the west side of the spring shall be granted to Mr. Richard Dummer and his friends to wit, Mr. Stephen Dummer, Thomas Dummer, Mr. Easton, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Douch, William Baker, Mr. Spencer, Adam Mott, Robert Field, James Tarr and Mr. Harding, and these to build there at the spring at farthest, or else their lots to be disposed of by the company.

23d. It is ordered that a house for a prison containing twelve foot in length and ten foot in breadth, shall forthwith be built of sufficient strength, and the charges to be paid out of the treasury, and the oversight of the work being committed to Mr. Wm. Brenton.

24th, It is ordered that the remainder of the grass which is yet uncut at Hog-Island, shall be granted to Mr. Brenton to mow this year for his necessity.

25th It is ordered that Mr. Richard Dummer, in regard to a mill he undertook to build which was conceived to be useful to the plantation, he should be accommodated answerable to a man of hundred and fifty pounds estate allotments.—Repealed.

26th, It is ordered that Mr. Richard Dummer, with his friends whose names are recorded in the 22d order, shall either be accommodated with us in the present plantation equal to ourselves, or in case there be not sufficient accommodations here, then to accommodate them on some other part of the Island—Repealed for such who are not come the 5th of May 1640.

27th, It is ordered according to former choice that Randal Holden shall be marshall for one whole year.

At a general meeting on the 15th of the 7th mo.

Mr. Coddington, Judge,
Mr. Easton,
Mr. Hutchinson,
Mr. Coggshall,
Mr. Clarke,
Mr. Sanford,
Henry Bull,
John Porter.
Randal Holden,
Wm. Dyre, Clerk.

By virtue of a warrant, George Willmore, George Baker, John Lutner, John Arnold, Samuel Smith, Robert Stanton, Anthony Robertson, John Vahun, being summoned to appear before the body for a Riot of drunkenness by them committed on the 13th, of 7th month, it was accordingly agreed and ordered in regard the default was different in some circumstances, that George Willmore and George Parker shall pay into the treasury five shillings a piece, and to sit till evening in the stocks, and that John Lutner should pay five shillings and sit one hour in the stocks, and that Samuel Smith, Robert Stanton, Anthony Robertson and John Vahun shall pay five shillings a piece as a fine for their default.

29th, It is further ordered that Mr. Easton, Mr. Coggeshall and Mr. Wilbore shall view all such damages that are done unto the corn and other fruits and accordingly shall give information to the body.

At a general meeting upon public notice the 5th of the 9th mo.

Mr. Coddington, Judge.
Mr. Hutchinson,
Mr. Brenton,
Mr. Clarke,
Mr. Baulston,
Mr. Wilbore,
Mr. Hutchinson,
Mr. Sanford,
Wm. Freeborne,
Philip Sherman,
Henry Bull,
John Walker,
Randal Holden
Wm. Dyre, Clerk.

of this 9th mo. there shall be a general day of training for the exercise of all those who are able to bear arms in the art of military discipline and all that are sixteen years and upwards to fifty shall be warned thereunto.

31st. It is ordered that Mr. Sanford, and Mr. Jeffreys shall lay out the house lots for the town three acres to each house to those who are not yet provided for. And it was further ordered that those who were upon the first discovery (and freemen) shall be provided according to six acres, a house lot as near to their house as conveniently may be.

32d, It is ordered that Mr. Edward Hutchinson shall bake bread for the use of the plantation, and that his bread for the assize shall be ordered by the body.

At a general meeting of the body the 16th of the 9th mo.

Mr. Coddington, Judge,
Mr. Easton,
Mr. Hutchinson,
Mr. Clarke,
Mr. Brenton,
Mr. Coggshall.
Mr. Wilbore,
Mr. Hutchinson,
Mr. Baulston,
John Porter,
Mr. Sanford,
Wm. Freeborne,
John Walker,
Henry Bull,
Richard Carder.
Randal Holden:
Wm. Dyre, Clerk,

33d, It is ordered that John Porter and John Sanford shall treat with Mr. Nicholas Easton, and shall fully agree with him in allowing of him sufficient accommodation for four cows and planting ground as they shall think meet all which is for the setting up of a water mill which the said Mr. Easton hath undertaken to build for the necessary use and good of the plantation. And further it is granted to the said Mr. Easton that he shall have liberty to fell and carry away any such timber that shall be of necessary use for the present building of the mill.

For as much as John Lutner, Carpenter, is departed the Island without leave or licence and is found to be indebted to sundry persons, it is therefore ordered that Mr. William Brenton and Mr. John Coggshall shall seize upon his house and what he has in the same, and shall satisfy themselves and others of his creditors, so far as it shall go, being by them lawfully appraised.

It is ordered that Mr. Coggshall and Sergeant Hutchinson and Mr. Wilbore and William Dyre is appointed for the venison trade with the Indians, and that they are not to give them above three half pence a pound in the way of trade, and that these truck masters do sell forth the said venison for two pence a pound. a farthing for each pound being allowed to the treasury, and the rest be unto themselves for their attendance thereon.

At a general meeting of the body on the 2d of the 11th month 1638.—present—

Mr. Coddington, Judge,
Mr. Easton,
Mr. John Clarke,
Mr. Coggshall,
Mr. Brenton,
Jeremy Clarke,
Mr. Wilbore,
Philip Sherman,
John Porter:
Randal Holler,
Wm. Freeborne,
Adam Mott,
John Walker,
Henry Bull,
Richard Carder,
Wm. Dyre, Clerk.

By the consent of the body it is agreed—That such who shall be chosen to the place of eldership, they are to assist the Judge in the execution of justice and judgement for the regulating and ordering of all offenses and offenders, and for the drawing up and determining of all such rules and laws as shall be according to God, which may conduce to the good and welfare of the common weal. And to them is committed by the body the whole care and charge of all the affairs thereof, and that the Judge together with the elders shall rule and govern according to the general rule of the word of God; when they have no particular rule from God's word by the body prescribed as a direction unto them in the case. And farther it is agreed and consented unto that the Judge with the elders shall be accountable unto the body once every quarter of the year

(when as the body shall be assembled)

of all such cases, actions and rules which have passed thro' their hands, by them to be scanned and weighed by the word of Christ, and if by the body or any of them the Lord shall be pleased to dispense light to the contrary of what, by the Judge & elders hath been determined formally, that then and there it shall be repealed, as the act of the body; and if it be otherwise, that then it shall stand till further light concerning it for the present to be according to God and the tender care of indulgent fathers,

Given this 2d of the 11th mo. 1638.

Wm. Dyre, Clerk.