Memoir of Roger Williams, the Founder of the State of Rhode-IslandKnowles, James D. (James Davis)
History
Memoir of Roger Williams, the Founder of the State of Rhode-Island
Knowles, James D. (James Davis)
Rhode Island -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; Williams, Roger, 1604?-1683
then desired to take shelter here with me, and in succession unto so
many others as we should receive into the fellowship and society of
enjoying and disposing of the said purchase; and besides the first that
were admitted, our town records declare, that afterwards we received
Chad Brown, William Field, Thomas Harris, Senior, William Wickenden,
Robert Williams, Gregory Dexter, and others, as our town book declares;
and whereas, by God’s merciful assistance, I was the procurer of the
purchase, not by monies nor payment, the natives being so shy and
jealous that monies could not do it, but by that language, acquaintance
and favor with the natives, and other advantages, which it pleased God
to give me, and also bore the charges and venture of all the gratuities,
which I gave to the great sachems and other sachems and natives round
about us, and lay engaged for a loving and peaceable neighborhood with
them, to my great charge and travel; it was therefore thought fit by
some loving friends, that I should receive some loving consideration and
gratuity, and it was agreed between us, that every person, that should
be admitted into the fellowship of enjoying land and disposing of the
purchase, should pay thirty shillings unto the public stock; and first,
about thirty pounds should be paid unto myself, by thirty shillings a
person, as they were admitted; this sum I received, and in love to my
friends, and with respect to a town and place of succor for the
distressed as aforesaid, I do acknowledge the said sum and payment as
full satisfaction; and whereas in the year one thousand six hundred and
thirty-seven,[151] so called, I delivered the deed subscribed by the two
aforesaid chief sachems, so much thereof as concerneth the
aforementioned lands, from myself and from my heirs, unto the whole
number of the purchasers, with all my power, right and title therein,
reserving only unto myself one single share equal unto any of the rest
of that number; I now again, in a more formal way, under my hand and
seal, confirm my former resignation of that deed of the lands aforesaid,
and bind myself, my heirs, my executors, my administrators and assigns,
never to molest any of the said persons already received, or hereafter
to be received, into the society of purchasers, as aforesaid; but that
they, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, shall at all
times quietly and peaceably enjoy the premises and every part thereof,
and I do further by these presents bind myself, my heirs, my executors,
my administrators and assigns, never to lay any claim, nor cause any
claim to be laid, to any of the lands aforementioned, or unto any part
or parcel thereof, more than unto my own single share, by virtue or
pretence of any former bargain, sale or mortgage whatsoever, or
jointures, thirds or entails made by me, the said Roger Williams, or of
any other person, either for, by, through or under me. In witness
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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