Nicholas Whitford (1670 - 1748)

Born 1670 in East Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 25 Mar 1748 at about age 78 in West Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island

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Biography

Nicholas Whitford was born about 1670 in RI. He was the son of Pasco & Mary Stanton Whitford. It has been said that he married Mary Casey or Carr but no solid evidence has been found for this. It is certain that Nicholas' wife was named Mary __ . On 29 November 1703 Nicholas Whitford of East Greenwich sold for 15 pounds to William Underwood of the same town "One Dwelling house and thirty acres of Lands...Ajoyning to ye Land of sd Will Underwood, in ye township of sd. East greenwish." The deed was signed by "Nicholas Whittford" and "Mary Whittford" with their marks. Although the text of the document states the transaction was made in 1703, the document itself was evidently not signed until 6 January 1711 nor recorded until 2 Jan. 1712 [East Greenwich, RI Land Evidences, vol. 3, p. 96]. That is the only document that has been found in which her name appears. Nicholas died in Mar 1748 in W Greenwich, RI. ^[1]Will 3 Dec 1743, Inventory taken 25 Mar 1748, probated 28 Mar 1748. He was buried in Hist Cem #29 Exeter, RI.

Nicholas lived in Portsmouth, West Greenwich and N. Kingston, RI. He was a weaver by occupation. On 13 Mar 1683 he had a legacy of a loom from Orpheus Pomeroy of Portsmouth. On 21 Jan 1697 he bought land in East Greenwich from David Shippee for 6 pounds. On 29 Nov 1703 he sold a house and 30 acres of land in East Greenwich to William Underwood for 15 pounds. Witnessed by John and Elizabeth Pearse and John Heath. [Vol. 3 p. 96]

He was granted, 3 Feb 1709/10, a "quarter right" (1/4 of 700 acres) in the vacant lands in Narragansett, apportioned by the 13 original proprietors as per Act of the RI Assembly. [Narragansett Hist Reg, Vol 3 p. 3] This land consisting of 30000 acres, comprised the present town of West Greenwich. On 14 Aug 1721 he and his wife Mary mortgaged 25 1/2 acres and a house for 30 pounds. On 12 Mar 1733 he deeded his son Pasco 20 acres. On 7 Nov 1733 the mortgage of 1721 was discharged.

Will dated 3 Dec 1743, probated 28 Mar 1748, Nicholas mentions:

1. eldest son Pasco- 5s. having already received his share.
2. second son Robert - two swamp lots and £5.
3. son David - 310 acres.
4. eldest daughter Catharine Peckham -£5.
5. daughter Dinah Weaver -£5.
6. daughter Mary Greene -£5.
7. daughter Ruth Summers - £5.
8. youngest son Ezekiel - all my homestead farm, buildings and all movables after debts and legacies are paid.
9. grandson Jonathan Hill 5s.
10. grandson Thomas Jackwaise - 5s.
11. great grandson Henry Jackwaise son of granddaughter Elizabeth Jackwaise 40s.

The inventory dated 25 Mar 1748 included: Wearing apparel £20, bed, loom, quilt wheel, wooden wheel, pair of cards, 3 linen wheels, warming pan, cow, etc.[Conn. Gen Vol. IV p. 1899]

Bur Pasco Whitford Lot Cem, West Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island, USA

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave web site, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5343940/nicholas-whitford.

• RI Wills & Probate Records