The Order of the First Families of Rhode Island
The ten book set Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England was compiled in the mid-1800'south by Rhode Island Secretarial assistant of Land, John Russell Bartlett.
Title page from Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, book 1.
Originally settled in the 1630's as iv settlements (Providence, Newport, Portsmouth, and Warwick), the idea that Rhode Isle would or should be a single colony came almost in the next decade. These books contain the records of the colony through 1792, when the U.S. Constitution was ratified and Rhode Island was, officially, no longer an contained entity. Compiled from a variety of sources (sometimes boondocks records, or records from nearby states, were needed to replace missing or damaged portions), the records are, of course, incomplete. They begin with the earliest boondocks records, starting in 1636.
The books provide a fascinating window into the formation of a new kind of government and the large and pocket-size concerns that arose along that journey. For genealogists, each volume contains an index at the back. The books are remarkably readable; spelling (just non language) is somewhat modernized.
Download each volume
Random quotes appear after the link to each pdf volume, below.
Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, Volume one 1636-1663 Will download directly from Internet Archive – annal.org.
[p. 430] It is ordered, that Mr. Richard Smyth, Sen'r, Mr. William Feild, Mr. William Carpenter, and Mr. John Weekes, are authorized to consider some manner of makeinge a bridge over Pawtuxett river, and present their result and understanding thereon unto the adjacent Courtroom of Commissioners.
Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, Volume ii 1664-1677 Will download direct from Internet Archive – archive.org.
[p. 372] … Henry Pallmer hath a license to keepe a publick ordinary, or victualing house, for the entertainment of strangers, or others. If therefore, the said Henry Pallmer shall not permit or suffer that there bee any disorders in his house, either by vnreasonable drinking, or persons remaining there at vnseasonable times, or vseing any manner of games ; merely shall in all respects keepe and maintaine such skilful and civill orders in his said house equally are agreeable with the laws and peace of this towne of Newport, aforesaid ; and so this obligation to bee voide …
Old Town House, 1723-1860, Oil painting by George W Harris, done only before it was torn down in 1860. –from Former Providence, A Collection of Facts and Traditions, 1918, Providence, RI, p.vii
Records of the Colony of Rhode Isle, Volume 3 1678-1706. This shows the book at HathiTrust. A full download is allowed, just note that information technology is a large file and information technology takes, say, 10 minutes. Follow the directions carefully. [Thanks to Judith Harbold for pointing out that my prior link led to a flawed copy.]
[p. 277] Voted, In reply to the petition of the town of Warwick, complaining that they are over-rated, but are willing to pay their equal proportions, the Court having seriously considered the matter, do find that the mode of rating of towns past gauge is no suitable nor certain rule, simply may prove very prejudicial; and therefore exercise determine that for the future, all rates that shall be fabricated in this Collony, shall exist made according to so much on the pound every bit the estates of persons are valued at.
And for the better offecting of the premises, it is desired, that betwixt this and the next Court in October next, to be held at Providence, that whatsoever of the members of this Court would draw up some rule for appraising of lands or cattle, to be valued, to know mens' estates by, and in guild for the Court to give their determination, and in case upon examination of the matter, it doth appear that whatsoever town in this Collony hath been by estimate over-rated, at the meeting of the Commissioners then it shall be abated out of the next proportionally.
Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, Volume iv 1707-1740 Will download directly from Internet Archive – archive.org.
[p. 206] Be it enacted by this present Assembly and by the authorization information technology is enacted, that what maintenance or salary may be thought needful or necessary by any of the churches, congregations or societies of people now inhabiting, or that futurity my inhabit inside whatever office of this government, for the support of their, or either of their minister or ministers, may exist raised past a free contribution, and no other ways.
Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, Volume 5 1741-1756.Will download direct from Cyberspace Archive – annal.org.
[p. 58] Exist it enacted by the General Associates of this colony, and past the authority thereof it is enacted, that the town of North Kingstown, in the canton of Kings canton, be divided into two towns, by a line beginning at the south side of said town, at the middle of the highway that runs between the farm, at present or tardily of Jeoffry Hassard and the farm of Eber Shearman, to extend from thence northwardly, to the extent of said highway, as the aforementioned runs northwardly ; and from the centre of said way, where it meets the cross highway, to extend northwardly, in a direct line, to run into the highway that runs between the state of William Hall and Christopher Spenser j and from thence, to extend northwardly, as said highway, runs to East Greenwich southward line ; and that the eastward office of said town retain the charter and name of N Kingstown, and the western part to be called by the name of Exeter, and be incorporated into a township ; and to have and bask the like, privileges with other towns in this colony.
The Old Country House from Old Providence, A Collection of Facts and Traditions, 1918, Providence, R.I., p. 30
Supplement to The Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, Comprising A List of the Freemen Admitted from May, 1747 to May, 1754. Volition download directly from Archive.org.
Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, Volume 6 1757-1769 Will download directly from Internet Archive – archive.org.
[p. 141] FREEMEN ADMITTED: Westerly—Jona. Foster, James Babcock, Jr., Christ. Babcock, Robt. Burdick, Jr., Josh. Babcock, Jr., John Bliven, John Bliven, Jr., Isaac Varse, Jr., William Vinsent, William Bromley, Samuel Pendleton, Charles Hall, Stephen Gavit, Henry Babcock, Henry Mulkin, Isaac Hall, Thomas Ross and Abraham Lewis. North Kingstown—John Congdon, Jr., Rouse Northup, Stukely Westcoat, Frederick Phillips, John Reynolds, tailor; Christopher Fowler, Jabez Reynolds, Jr. ; Samuel Fones, James Northup, John Sugariness, son of Benjamin ; Thomas Rathbone and Eber Sweet. South Kingstown—Enoch Haszard, Daniel Shearman, Jr. and Elisha Watson. East Greenwich—Pardon Tillinghast, Samuel Vaughan, Benedict Hambelton, John Wightman, son of James ; Elvin Briggs, Samuel Tarbox, son of John, Thomas Wells, Abraham Greene, Caleb Lawton, Benjamin Bennett and Henry Direct.Jamestown—John Weeden. Smithfield—Jeremiah Smith, Jr., Obadiah Herenden, Peter Teft, Jr., Jonathan Gulley, Ahab Wilkinson Noah Smith, Jeremiah Phillips, James Teft, Eliezer Brownish, John Farnom, Chas. Angell, John Austin, Benjamin Whipple, Richard Harris, Jr., Arnold Hurting, Uriah Harris and Samuel Comstock.
Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, Book 7 1770-1776 Volition download directly from Internet Archive – annal.org.
[p. 421-2] Whereas, Mr. Joseph Farrish preferred a petition to this Assembly, setting forth that on the 27th of November last, he was taken upwardly by order of Col. Richmond, upon a suspicion of his having served the King'southward ships, stationed at Newport, with beer, and of being unfriendly to the the American cause ; and afterwards existence had before the committee, was committed to jail, where he has remained e'er since.
Esek Hopkins, first Commander in Principal of the American Navy – portrait from frontispiece, vol. 8
Records of the Country of Rhode Isle, Volume 8 1776-1779 Volition download straight from Net Archive – archive.org.
[p. 407] Bills Ordered to exist Paid.
George Pierce, for a quantity of beefiness for the apply of the troops stationed at Due north Kingstown xx 00 00
Henry Marchant, equally a delegate in Congress from Rhode Island 100 00 00
John Reynolds, for two yoke of oxen, 2 ox yokes, and 2 bondage, for the transportation of stores to the regular army 81 09 09
Hezekiah Wilcox, for the freight of a quantity of salt belonging to the state viii xv 07
Mrs. Abigail Read, for nursing Thomas Thornton, a soldier, sick with the small pox, and for sundry necessaries provided for him thirteen 10 00
Dr. James Bricklayer, for his attendance, &c, on the above named Thomas Thornton 3 12 00
Stephen Hopkins, for his services and expenses as one of the delegates in Congress from Rhode Isle 344 12 07
John Ellis, for boarding James Sutton, a soldier, while ill with a fever, at his house 7 01 xi
Records of the State of Rhode Island, Book 9 1780-1783 Volition download directly from Internet Annal – archive.org.
[p. 702-3] Whereas, Nicholas Spink and John Underwood, two persons formerly inhabitants of the town of North Kingstown, went over to and joined the enemy, thereby forfeiting the protection of this Associates, and have lately returned to this state without license ; —
It is therefore voted and resolved, that the sheriff of the county of Kent exist, and he is hereby, directed to convey the said Nicholas Spink and John Underwood on board the start vessel which shall sail for New York or Long Island.
Colonel Christopher Greene (third cousin to another Rhode Island Revolutionary War officer, Nathanael Greene) was killed past Loyalist forces in 1781 — portrait from frontispiece, vol. nine.
Records of the Country of Rhode Island, Volume 10 1784-1792. Will download directly from Internet Archive – archive.org.
[p.503] It is voted and resolved, that Peleg Arnold, Esq., Thomas Holden, Esq., Job Watson, Esq., Robert North. Auchmuty, Esq., Mr. Charles Lippitt, George Thomas, Esq., Mr. Charles Wheaton, Hopkins Cooke, Esq., and the secretary, exist, and they are, hereby appointed a committee to receive and count the proxes put in past the freemen, for the representatives of this state in the Congress of the United States; and that they make report to this Assembly as presently as may be.
For farther original documents related to the settlement of Rhode Isle
Documentary History of Rhode Island, Volume i.Being the History of the Towns of Providence and Warwick To 1649 and the Colony to 1647, by Howard M. Chapin (1916). Will download directly from Archive.org.
Documentary History of Rhode Isle, Volume 2. Existence the History of the Towns of Portsmouth and Newport To 1647 and the Court Records of Aquidneck, by Howard One thousand. Chapin (1919). Will download directly from Archive.org.
Source: https://onerhodeislandfamily.com/free-rhode-island-resources/records-of-the-colony-of-rhode-island/
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