Rhode Island Inhabitants 1638
Rhode Island at this time was known as Aquidneck. On March 13, 1664 the name was changed to Rhode Island. Aquidneck was first settled in 1638 by a religious sect called Antinomians and others who had left Boston, Mass. in search of religious freedom. Among those were William Coddington, William and Anne Hutchison, William and Mary Dyer and about 13 others. Whether my ancestor was with this original group or not I do not know but he is listed as a inhabitant in 1638.
From the Rhode Island State Archives
A catalogue of such persons who by the General consent of the Company were admitted to be Inhabitants of the Island now call Aquidneck, having submitted themselves to the Government that is or shall be established according to the word of God: therein 3:20th day 1638.
Samuel Hutchinson Adam Mott Richard Sands Thomas Emons John Mott John Hoff Richard Awards Robert Jefferyes Thomas Beeden Edward Willcoks Thomas Hitt John Tripp Thomas Clarke James Tarr Osamund Doutch John Johnson John Roome John Marshall William Hall Robert Gilham Robert Stanton John Briggs Jeremy Clarke Joseph Clarke George Gardiner Nicholas Davis Robert Cam William Witherington Wm. Baker George Layton Samuel Gorton John More John Arnold John Weekes Anthony Pain Wm. Heavens Ralph Earle George Potter Thomas Layton Nicholas Browne Wm. Richardson Edward Poole Richard Burden Wm. Quick Mathew Sutherland Richard Maxon James Davis Nicholas Epson George Parker Thomas Spicer Erasmus Bullock Robert Potter George Cleer Nathaniel Potter Thomas Hazard William Nedam William Cowlie Sampson Shatton Jeffery Champlin Inhabitants admitted at the Town of Nieu-port since the 20th of the 3:1638
Marmaduke Ward Robert Field Thomas Stafford Job Tyler Thomas Sauorie William Parker Inhabitants admitted July 2, 1638 John Merchant Hugh Durdall John Grinman Jeremy Gould William Baker Edward Rero Enoch Hunt John Layton John Macummore Nathaniel Adams Will Foster Robert Root Samuel Allen John Hall Ezeciah Meritt George Allen Tobye Knight James Burt Ralph Allen John Peckum John Bartlett Thomas Burton Michell Williamson Edward (illegible) Henry Bishop Robert Lintell Sampson Salton John Hicks Richard Smith Nicholas Cotterell Edward Browce James Rogers John Vaughn Inhabitants admitted Aug. 6, 1638 Mathew Gridell John Smith John Smith The text on the document is in the Old English style and sometimes hard to read. If I have misinterpreted your ancestors name, please let me know.
Thanks to M. Wilkinson for the additional names that were found on page 2 of this information. Yes, there were 2 entries for John Smith on 08/06/1638.
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