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Robert Westcott (bef. 1631 - 1675)

Lieutenant Robert Westcott
Born before in Yeovil, Somerset, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of , , , and
Husband of — married [date unknown] in Providence Plantationsmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , and
Died after age 44 in Kingstown, Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantationsmap
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Profile last modified | Created 14 Apr 2010
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There are disproven, disputed, or competing theories about this person's spouse. See the text for details.
The Puritan Great Migration.
Robert Westcott migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640).
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Contents

Biography

Cross of St George
Robert Westcott was born in England.

Robert, the son of Stukely and Juliana Marchant Westcott, was likely baptised at Yeovil, Somerset, England, the same location as his siblings. [1] His birth year is given as before 1631 since he was probably the third-born child, and born before his younger brother Amos who was born about 1631.[2]

Robert and his family's emigration to New England was documented in some notes made by his future brother-in-law Benedict Arnold. "My father (William Arnold) and his family set sayle ffrom Dartmouth in Old England the first of May, Friday and arrived in New England (Thursday) June 24, 1635." On board were "Stukeley Westcott 43, of Yeovil and his wife name unknown with children, Robert Westcott, Samuel Westcott 13, born at Yeovil March 31, 1622, Damaris Westcott, later wife of Benedict Arnold, Amos Westcott 4, Mercy Westcott, and Jeremiah Westcott." [3]

Family

Robert married Catherine (birth surname unknown), probably about 1662 in Warwick, Providence Plantations. After his death she was married to John Hazelton.[4] They had the following known children:

  • Catherine b 16 May 1664 and died 1692; m Charles Hazelton on 25 Mar 1688 [5][4]
  • Zerobabel b 13 Apr 1666 and died Oct 1745; m (1) Jane ___ (2) Mary ___ [5][4]
  • Robert b 2 Apr 1668 and died Mar 1723; m Mary Williams on 5 Jan 1713. [5][4]
  • Dina(h) born 12 Feb 1669/70; m Jeremiah Wilkie in 1691 [5][4]
  • Mary b 2 Jul 1672 [5]
  • Samuel b 18 Sep 1674 and died Jul 1745; m Naomi Goff [5][4]

Providence Plantations

The Westcott family settled in Salem after arriving from England. Religious disputes with the Puritan leaders there led the family to follow Roger_Williams and co-found an independent community now known as Providence, Rhode Island.[6]

As a young adult, Robert followed his father's example and became involved in civic affairs after they moved from Providence to Warwick.

  • 1654 May 16: At the General Assembly of Providence during a discussion about trading at New Amsterdam, it was mentioned that Robert went to "the Dutch" to buy "bever and liquers." [7]
  • 1655: In Colony records Robert was recorded as a Freeman of Warwick. [8]
  • 1659, May 17: At a meeting of the General Court of Commissioners held at Providence, Robert was one of four men chosen to review Colony boundaries and determine if there were any intruders. [9]
  • 1659, Aug 23: The first time Robert was named to serve as a Commissioner representing Warwick. [10] He was replaced in that role because of accusations made by the General Attorney "that he hath indeavored to submit parte of the jurisdiction," [Hog Island in Bristol harbor], "to another Collony, namely, Plymouth." It was ordered that testimony be taken.[11]
  • 1660 Apr: Land was layed out at Warwick to "Lieut Robert Westcott", bounded on one side by land owned by his brother Amos. [12]
  • 1664/5 Jan 4: Robert sold his Warwick property to brother Amos. [13]
  • 1665, Dec 28: Robert and others witnessed a deed with the Indians who agreed to "depart from, and quit that tract of land commonly called... Warwick necke..." [14]
  • 1669 May 10: At a General Court of Trials, Robert Westcott was found guilty of breaching the peace. He was ordered to peacably and Quietly behave himsilf to all his Majestyes Leag people but espetially to Robert Spencke and his family. [15]
  • 1671, May 19: The General Court, meeting at Aquednesitt (now North Kingston), recognized its residents including Robert, as self-governing and able to choose representatives to participate in General Court assemblies. [16]

Death

Lieutenant Robert Westcott was killed on December 19, 1675 during the Great_Swamp_Fight in King Philip's War.[17]

Research notes

Disputed Items

Wife: This profile was previously connected as spouse to "Catherine Rathburn," probably based upon the transcription of widow Catherine's Westcott's marriage to second husband James Hazelton. It reads: "Hazelton James and Rathvun Westcott, widow of Robert, Aug. 10, 1678."[18] Research didn't turn up any Rathvun/Rathbun/Rathbone families that had a daughter named Catherine and her birth surname is unknown.[17] The NEHGR transcribed the same record as "Katherin Westcot."[19]

Child: A profile for "daughter" Ruth Westcott, the wife of Samuel Wilcockson was previously connected. There is no reliable evidence to support that relationship and it has been detached.

Sources

  1. ↑ Austin, John Osborne. The Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island Comprising Three Generations of Settlers Who Came before 1690. Albany, NY: 1887. Page 416.
  2. ↑ Whitman, Roscoe L. II Book of Appendices to the History and Genealogy Stukely Westcott. Self-Published, 1932. Page 8.
  3. ↑ Arnold, Elisha Stephen. The Arnold Memorial, William Arnold of Providence and Pawtuxet. Rutland, VT: Tuttle Publishing Company, 1935. Page 10.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Whitman, Roscoe L. History and Genealogy of the Ancestors and Some Descendants of Stukely Westcott. Self-Published, 1932. Page 123.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Arnold, James N. Vital Record of Rhode Island 1636-1850, Volume I, Kent County. Providence, RI: Narragansett Historical Publishing Company, 1891. Page 213.
  6. ↑ Bartlett, John R. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, Vol 1. Providence, RI: Self-Published, 1856. Page 19.
  7. ↑ Bartlett, John R. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, Vol 1. Providence, RI: Self-Published, 1856. Page 274.
  8. ↑ RICR 1, 1856. Page 302.
  9. ↑ RICR 1, 1856. Page 417.
  10. ↑ RICR 1, 1856. Page 419.
  11. ↑ RICR 1, 1856. Page 420.
  12. ↑ ERW, 1926. Page 260.
  13. ↑ ERW, 1926. Page 305.
  14. ↑ Bartlett, John R. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, Vol 2. Providence, RI: Self-Published, 1857. Page 132.
  15. ↑ Rhode Island Court Records...of the Colony of Providence Plantation 1647-1662, Vol 2. Providence, RI: Rhode Island Historical Society, 1920. Pages 84-5.
  16. ↑ RICR 2, 1857. Page 391.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Chamberlain, Mildred Mosher. "Early Rhode Island Settlers. Rhode Island Roots, Vol 14. Warwick, RI: Rhode Island Genealogical Society, Mar 1988. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2018.) Subscription Link $. Pages 6-7.
  18. ↑ Arnold, James N. Vital Record of Rhode Island 1636-1850, Volume I, Kent County. Providence, RI: Narragansett Historical Publishing Company, 1891. Page 64.
  19. ↑ Smith, Benjamin W. "Marriages in Warwick, R.I." New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 37. Boston, MA: 1883. Page 275.




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DNA Connections
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Comments: 5

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Cathy (Kies) Bennett
If he was the 3rd child, then his year of birth should be between 1622 and 1631.
posted by Cathy (Kies) Bennett
Madison-125 Bobbie (Madison) Hall
Thank you. Corrected to before 1631 when younger brother Amos was apparently born.
posted by Bobbie (Madison) Hall
Jill (Neibaur) Olson
The refurb of this profile is done, detached unsourced daughter Ruth after adding disputed notations on all the relevant profiles
posted by Jill (Neibaur) Olson
Trotter-1177 John Trotter
Wescott-350 and Westcott-131 appear to represent the same person because: Same father, children
posted by John Trotter
Henderson-5558 Eric Henderson
Westcott-422 and Westcott-131 appear to represent the same person because: These are the same people except birth year (1635 incorrect)
posted by Eric Henderson

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Categories: Yeovil, Somerset | Washington County, Rhode Island | Founders and Settlers of Rhode Island | Puritan Great Migration