Stephen Hazard (abt. 1662 - 1727)

Born about 1662 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island, Colonial America

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Helme) Hazard — married before 1695 in North Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island

Descendants

Died 29 Sep 1727 at about age 65 in Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, Colonial America

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Biography

Stephen Hazard, son of Robert Hazard (bef.1629-aft.1710) and Mary (Brownell) Hazard (abt.1639-1739) was born in Portsmouth, RI, but the date of his birth is uncertain. Nevertheless, a range of birth dates for Stephen may be established, with a reasonable degree of certainty based on other documented events. His parents were married in 1658 and thus it is reasonable to assert that the earliest date he could have born would not have been born until last in 1658. The latest he could have been born is 6 Sept 1666, because he is included on Gov. Andros' 6 Sept 1687 and assessed the 1s "poll" tax which was levied on all adult (21 and over) males living in the tax base of Rochestor/Kingstown Rhode Island. Thus a highly probable range of dates for his birth date would lie between Oct 1658 and August 1666. It is generally accepted (but not proven) that he was not the first child in the family therefore skewing the probable date near the midpoint of 1662.

Timeline

• 1687, Sep. 6: On 6 September 1687, he is cited on Gov. Andros' tax roll at Rochester (renamed later to Kingstown), Rhode Island owing a “pole” (poll) tax of 1s, but zero property tax, which places him as an adult, male residentbut NOT a property landholder in Kingstown, RI on this date. ^[1] This tax roll identifies a sum total of 136 heads of house living in the roughly 22.5 square mile area associated with Kingstown, RI on this date in 1687; one consequence of this sparse population is that he would have been well acquainted with many, if not all, of the individuals identified on this list. Therefore, this tax list is a defacto definition of the people who were available to be his friends, neighbors, and allies; it would be essential to cultivate strong working relationships with these neighbors in order to survive on this frontier landscape. This cross reference tool provides hot links to peruse most of the 136 Wikitree families identified in this tax roll; families who were very frequently interconnected, or became interconnected, by marriage, over the course of their lives and throughout the ensuing generations, further binding a network of neighbors into extended families. ^[2] His father, Robert Hazard is also listed on this tax roll.

Biography from Hazard Genealogy

8. STEPHEN HAZARD, 3 (Robert, 2 ; Thomas, 1). The date of his birth is not known; he died September 29, 1727. He was an active and enterprising spirit in the affairs of the Colony. A large landholder, he early in the century saw the possibilities for water-power in North Kingstown, and bought large tracts of land so situated as to control the power, near Bissell's (now Hamilton) Mills. It is possible that he built the mill, that was after his death owned by his son Thomas. He was admitted freeman in the Colony in 1696, but previously to this date (in 1687), he was taxed u. in Kingstown. In 1702,'06,'08/09,'15, he was Deputy; in 1707, '08, '19, '20, '21, '22, he was Assistant. In 1707 he was appointed Justice of the Peace for Kingstown : * this office gave him the title of Judge, by which he is known by his descendants. In 1715 he was allowed 18j. by the Assembly for running the line between Eldred's purchase and Hall's purchase.

"On January 14, 1692, his father Robert gave him by deed "all my rights in Point Judith Neck, in Pettaquamscutt Purchase, being one seventh part of the land, except one hundred acres, and the Little Neck, so called, next Boston Neck." There was, as far as can be determined at this date, about three hundred acres of this land. In 1710 he bought of Samuel Clarke, one hundred acres for .£150. On July 9, 1713, Francis Brinley, " for the sum of .£200 in silver, at eight shillings the ounce, to me paid by Stephen Hazard," sells one moiety, or half-part of a tract of land, containing one hundred acres.

"In his will, written September 19,1727, proved October 9, 1727, he gave his sons Stephen and Robert three hundred acres of his Point Judith land to be equally divided between them. To his son Samuel, two hundred acres in North Kingstown, and a part of Mumford Island ? now called Great Island. To his son Thomas, three hundred acres in North Kingstown, the remaining part of Mumford Island. The inventory of his personal estate amounted to about .£3000. He had two hundred and twenty-five head of cattle and twenty-two horses. This will mentions silver buttons, silver shoe-buckles, a tankard and spoons. Stephen Hazard married Elizabeth, daughter of Rouse and Mary Helme. She died in 1727, before her husband."

Stephen Hazard, yeoman of South Kingstown, died testate, having written a will dated 19 September 1727, which was proved 9 October 1727. The will reads (transcribed from the South Kingstown Probate and Town Council Records, Volume 2, Pages 78-87, on FHL Microfilm 0,931,833, a clerk's copy):

"In the name of God amen. The Ninteenth day of September Anno Domini 1727. Stephen Hassard of South Kingstown In his Majesty's Colony of Rhode Island and providence plantation in New England yeoman, being weak of body but of perfect mind and Memory thanks be given unto God therefore. Calling into mind the mortality of My Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to die, do make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament - that is to say principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul unto the Hands of god that gave it, and my body I do Recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian buriall, at the Discretions of my Executors hereafter Named - and as touching Such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath Pleased god to bless me with in this Life, I give Demise and dispose of the Same in the Manner and forme Following Viz.

"Imprimus. I give unto my well beloved Son Stephen Hassard Whome I Likewise Constitute make and Ordain my Executor of this my Last will and Testament a Certain parcel of Land where I now live in point Judah Neck in South Kingstown in the Colony afore Said by my Estimation one hundred and fifty acres, Bounded as followeth viz; Easterly on the Salt Sea Southerly on land in the occupation of Nathaniel Niles Westerly on Land belonging to the Heirs of Jeffrey Champlin of Said town Deceased Northerly on a Stone Wall that Runs from the Sea a Cross my homestead Meadow Westerly and So as the sd Wall Ranges across my homestead Pasture with all the housing thereon to him his heirs and assignes for ever. Provided my sd Son Stephen Hassard pay unto my Son Samuel Hassard fifty pounds and my Daughter Hannah Mumford fifty pounds within one year after my Decease out of his own Estate in Lew of Said Land.

"Item. I also give to my Said Son Stephen Hassard fifty acres of land in the Northwest Corner of my sd Homestead farme bounded Southerly on Said Land Belonging to the heirs of the sd Jeffry Champlin Deceased Westerly on Land belonging to George Hassard Junr Northerly on Land in the Occupation of William Robinson Easterly on the Remaining part of my said Homestead farm which said fifty acres of Land I gave to my Said Son Stephen Hassard his heirs and assigns for ever he paying to the Colony when Said Land Lies Mortgaged to the Colony for.

"Item. I give to my well beloved Son Robert Hassard whom I Likewise Constitute make and Ordain My Last will and Testament a certain parcell of Land being the Remaining part of my homestead farm where I now live in point Judah Neck in South Kingstown aforesd bounded Easterly partly on the Salt Sea and partly on land in the occupation of Danll McCoone Southerly partly on the afore Mentioned Stone wall and partly on Land belonging to the Heirs of the said Jeffrey Champlin Deceased Westerly partly on the Land belonging to the heirs of the sd Jeffrey Champlin Deceased and partly on the afore Mentioned fifty acres given to my said Son Stephen Hassard, and Northerly partly on land in the Occupation of William Robinson and partly on Land in the Occupation of Danll McCoone to him his heirs and assigns for ever provided he pay unto my Son Samuel Hassard one hundred and fifty pounds Out of his own estate in Lew thereof in one year after my Decease.

"Item. I give to my Said Son Robt Hassard my Negro man Servant Called Long Jo: to him his heirs and assigns for ever.

"Item. I give to my well Beloved Son Samuel Hassard a Certain parcell of Land Scituate Lying and being in North Kingstown in the Colony aforesd Called Middleport Neck containing by Estimation Two hundred acres be it more or Less butted and bounded as followeth - Northerly on the Salt water Bay Easterly on the Salt water partly and partly on a beach, southerly on the Salt water partly and partly on the Mill River Westerly on the Land in the Occupation of John Pender to him his heirs and assigns for Ever also I give unto my said Son Samuel Hassard a Certain parcell of Land in sd town bounded Northerly on a brook Called and Known by the Name of Cousinses Brook Easterly on Land Late of Thomas Eldred Deceased Southerly on Capt. Benoni Sweet's Land and Westerly on a highway on Country Roade to him his heirs and assignes for ever.

"Item. I also give to my said Son Samuel Hassard the one half of my Meadow and Pasture Land which I have on the gual (?) Island Lying in the Point Judah ponds in South Kingstown aforesd Called by the name of Mumford's Island being the Westernmost part of my said right on said Island Bounded Northerly and Westerly on the Salt water Easterly on the Remaining part of my said Land on said Island Southerly partly on the Land of Jahleel Bunton Esqr and partly on the Salt water to him his heirs and assigns for ever.

"Item. I give to my beloved son Thomas Hassard a Certain parcell of Land lying and being in sd North Kingstown Containing by Estimation three hundred Acres be it more or less bounded Northerly partly on Coles harbor so called and partly on Samuel Slocumbs Land and the Mill pond and partly on a Driftway and Thomas Places Land Easterly on sd Coles harbor Southerly on William Coles Land partly and partly on Land late of Thomas Eldredes Decesed and partly on the said Cousinses Brook Westerly partly on the Country Roade and partly on the said Thomas Places Land to him his heirs and assignes for ever.

"Item. I also give to my son Thomas Hassard all my Remaining part of my Said Land Lying in said Mumford's Island (so called) being the Easternmost half of said Land on the Said Island bounded Northerly and Easterly on the Salt Water Southerly on Land belonging to Jahleel Bunton Esqr westerly on the halfe part before given to my Said Son Samuel Hassard to him his heirs and assigns for ever.

"Item. I also give to my well beloved Son Samuel Hassard My Negro man Servant Called Short Jo: and my Negro woman Servt Called Megg to him his heirs and assigns for ever.

"Item. I also give to my well beloved Son Thomas Hassard my Negro Boy Servt called Jeffery to him his heirs and assigns for ever.

"Item. I give to my well beloved Daughter Hannah Mumford Two hundred and fifty pounds in Money to be paid by My Executor out of my Moveable Estate within one year after my Decese.

"Item. I give to my well beloved Daughter Susannah Perry two Hundred and fifty pounds in money to be paid by my Executor within one year after my Decease.

"Item. I give to my well beloved Daughter Elisabeth Hassard Six hundred pounds in Money to be paid by my Executors within one year after my Decease.

"Item. I give to my well beloved Daughter Sarah Hassard Six hundred pounds in Money to be paid by my Executors out of my Moveable Estate when she shall attaine to the age of Eighteen years or Day of Marriage wch shall first happen.

"Also my will is that the Legacies given by me to my two Daughters Susannah Perry and my Daughter Elizabeth Hassard be paid out of my Moveable Estate and also hereby utterly Disallow Revoke And Disannul all and every other former Testament wills Legacies and bequeaths and Executors by me in any wise before Named willed and bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last will and Testament. In Witness where of I have hereunto Set my hand and Seale the Day and yeare above written. Also my will is that my Son Robert Hassard pay to the Colony what that part of the land herein Given to him Lies Mortgaged to the Colony for. Signed Sealed published pronounced and Declared by the said Stephen Hassard as his Last will and Testament in the presence of us the Subscribers ------------- Stephen Hassard (seal)

John Browning
Samll Mott
George Hassard Junr"

The witnesses appeared before the Court on 9 October 1727 and declared under oath that Stephen Hassard Esqr of South Kingstown deceased signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared this to be his last will and testament, and according to the best of their understanding that he was in a sound and disposing mind and memory and that they signed the will as witnesses in his presence.

An inventory of the extensive moveable estate of Stephen Hassard Esqr late of South Kingstown in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation was taken on the 3rd day of November 1727 by Dannll Macknoon, Robert Hassard and George Hassard Junr. The inventory was apprized at 2,760 pounds, 18 shillings. The inventory included:

* Wearing apparel - 40 pounds, 12 shillings
* Paper money - 67 pounds
* Silver money (3 ounces 2 grains) - 2 pounds, 8 shillings
* Bonds for which the money is due on the next December 20th - 322 pounds
* Several other bonds - 142 pounds, 15 shillings
* Book debts - 126 pounds, 19 shillings, 1 pence
* Money due by noted under hand - 40 pounds, 2 shillings
* A Negro man servant named Jo: - 100 pounds
* A Negro woman slave named Megg - 80 pounds
* a Negro boy slave called Jeffery - 85 pounds

Kitchen ware, furniture, foodstuffs, supplies, livestock (swine, cattle, horse, oxen, sheep and lambs), fowl, were also itemized over five pages of items.

On 13 November 1727, the Court requested the executors to return to the Court after 12 months and provide a true account of their administration of the estate of Stephen Hassard late of Kingstown deceased.

Sources

1. ↑ Roberts, Gary Boyd; Genealogies of Rhode Island Families, Vol. II, Niles - Wilson; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore 1989. RI Taxes under Gov. Andros pages 592- 594.
2. ↑ Randolph Beebe; Cross Reference: Gov. Andros 1687 Rochester RI Tax Register to Wikitree profile; Wikitree Free Space Profiles, 2024.
3. ↑ Robinson, Caroline. The Hazard Family of Rhode Island 1635-1894 (Boston, 1895) page 11

Other Sources

•  : Call Number: CS71.R52

Title: Samuel Richardson and Josiah Ellsworth

Author: Richardson, Ruth Ellsworth

Publication: Private Publisher, 1974

Abbreviation: Samuel Richardson and Josiah Ellsworth

Note: History and genealogy of the Richardson and Ellsworth families of Massachusetts

• Repository R3

Name: New England Historic Genealogical Society (99-101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116, USA)

Address:

Web Address: http://www.americanancestors.org