Daniel Williams (1642 - 1712)

Born 15 Feb 1642 in Providence, Rhode Island

Ancestors

Husband of Rebecca (Rhodes) Williams — married 2 Dec 1676 in Providence, Providence, Rhode Island

Descendants

Died 14 May 1712 at age 70 in Providence, Rhode island

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Robert Stevens [send private message] and Roger Williams [send private message]

Biography

http://virts.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sam/williams2/daniel.html

Daniel Daniel was born in Providence on February 15, 1642.^[1][2] On December 7, 1676, at Providence he married Rebecca Rhodes, daughter of Zachariah Rhodes and Joanna Arnold. His marriage was recorded by his father (then Town Clerk) as "the first marriage since God mercifully restored the town of Providence." Rebecca was probably born in Providence, but her birth date is unknown. Prior to marrying Daniel, she had been the wife of Nicholas Power, whom she married February 3, 1672/3. Rebecca and Nicholas had two children, Hope and Nicholas.

Unlike his father, Daniel's mind appears to have been more strongly set on worldly than on spiritual affairs. Says Governor Stephen Hopkins: "Roger Williams' son Daniel was a hard laboring, industrious man, and on it being observed to Mr. Williams that his son Daniel would do very well in life, he replied: Ah! my son Daniel is like a hog under a tree of acorns, very industrious in eating them but never considering whence they came."

On February 24, 1661, at a Town Meeting, Mr. Roger Williams Moderator, Daniel and his brother Joseph were each granted a full purchase right on the same terms as the original purchasers, on account "of same courtesies" received from their father by the proprietors of Providence.

"For as much as there hath been divers Bills presented by divers persons desiring to be accommodated with each of them a purchase right of land, whereof Daniel Williams & Joseph Williams were two of them who desired to be accommodated: the purchasers also having upon the tenth day of February 1661, taken their Bills into consideration but could not find that they could any of them be accommodated according to their desire without much damage unto the Town: it was therefore voted by the Major Part, that those persons who had put in their bills for lands should not be accommodated: yet upon the earnest requests of Daniel Williams, the Purchasers who are now assembled together having considered some Courtesies received from Mr. Williams do therefore notwithstanding the former Order, grant unto Daniel Williams and Joseph Williams each of them a purchase right of Land: and the Order still to remain in force against all the rest."

On February 19, 1665, Daniel was given lot #11 in a division of lands. On January 1, 1668, he took the oath of allegiance to Charles II. On October 26, 1670, Daniel was made Freeman of the Colony. He served as a Juryman 1675-79-85-1709. On May 10, 1674, he bought of John Fenner, 60 acres of land at Sectunkanoge (Johnston), near John Sheldons. On April 12, 1675, he was No. 62 in a drawing of lots on the west of the 7-mile line. On April 27, 1675, he served on the Grand Jury.

On February 24, 1678/9, he was granted by the town "A little slip of ye towns common on Waybosset side, for conveniency of fencing in of his meadow which he had of his father Williams." On March 3, 1678/9, he was on a committee to levy a rate. On July 1, 1679, Daniel was taxed 12s., 6. In the same year, he was on a committee to levy a rate. On June 7, 1680, he was made Surveyor of Highways.

On January 23, 1683/4, he bought land of William Hawkins, Jun., bounded east on Moshassuck river and north on the land of Shadrach Manton. On June 2, 1684, Daniel was elected Constable, but furnishing William Hawkins as a substitute, his fine was remitted. On March 20, 1684/5, he was a juryman. On March 6, 1685, he bought of Valentine Whitman (Wightman) a house and house lot, bounded north on a home share now in possession of Daniel Williams, which was William Harris', now deceased, and south by a home share now in possession of Shadrach Manton. On September 1, 1687, he and estate of Nicholas Power, deceased, taxed 13s. 6d.

On June 3, 1665, Daniel was elected the Hay Warden. On June 26, 1665, he was a Grand Juryman. On June 5, 1693, Daniel was elected Constable but refused to serve. In 1698, he was again Hay Warden. On October 30, 1698, he bought of Richard and Ann Waterman a home lot, bounded south on a lot of Samuel Winsor and north on William Hopkins.

On December 24, 1700, arbitrators were appointed to settle a difference "between Daniel Williams and William Hawkins about a fulling Mill which they the said Williams and said Hawkins built in partnership together on the land of the said Hawkins some time since." The arbitrators, Major John Dexter, Mr. John Smith, and Joseph Jenckes, Jun., awarded and determined that Daniel Williams should pay William Hawkins £8 for his part of the fulling Mill and that the said Mill with the dam, pond, watercourse and stream or streams, rack and tenterhooks and all other privileges and appurtenances should remain in the possession of the said Daniel Williams doth keep up and maintain a fulling mill in order and such a capacity, as that it may be capable to perform suitable service.

On March 4, 1701/2, Daniel sold land to Nicholas Power; northwest corner of Power and South Main streets. On November 10, 1702, he quitclaimed to John Sayles, Jn., the son of his sister Mary, 35 acres of land that his father, Roger Williams, had given him in his lifetime. On May 5, 1703, he sold Joseph Smith a fifty-acre lot and a sawmill, about a mile south of Peter Place, his dwelling, and on both sides a small river. On January 4, 1704/5, he bought of Daniel Brown a house lot on the town street bounded north on a lot of Samuel Right (Wright), and south on a lot that was formerly Valentine Whitman's (Wightman's).

On January 28, 1705/6, Daniel was on a committee to lay out a piece of land below the dam at the corn mill of John Smith, on the east side of the Moshassuck River, to Capt. Richard Arnold and John Smith, for a sawmill, not to damnify the ford or highway. On July 27, 1709, he was on the Grand Jury. In the following letter of August 24, 1710, from Daniel Williams, the very feelingly refers to some of the "courtesies" of his father to the town, which was the consideration for the above grant:

Gentlemen, 

I thought good, in short, to present you with these few lines, concerning the bounds of Providence, &c. I have put forth several queries to several men in the township, to be answered; but have not any answer from any of them; and, as I judge, doth not care to have any discourse about it. Therefore, now I speak to you all,l desiring your honors will be pleased to consider of the matter, and to answer me to one or two queries; that is, whether you have anything under my father's hand to prove the bounds of this town afore those twelve men were concerned; or whether my father disposed of any of the townships to any other persons since the twelve men were first in power, &c. If my father had disposed or sold his whole township, and they he sold it to, or have it under his hand, proves the sale, although it was for a penny, God forbid that ever I should open my mouth about it, &c. It is evident, that this township was my father's and it is held in his name against all unjust claims, &c. Can you find such another now alive, or in this age? He gave away his lands and other estates, to them that he thought were most in want, until he gave away all, so that he had nothing to help himself, so that he being not in the way to get for his supply, and being ancient, it must need pinch somewhere. I do not desire to say what I have done for both father and mother. I judge they wanted for nothing that was convenient for ancient people, &c. What my father gave, I believe he had a good intent in it and thought God would provide for his family. He never gave me but about three acres of land, and but a little afore he deceased. It looked hard, that out of so much at his disposing of, that I should have so little, and he so little. For the rest, &c. I did not think it to be so large; so referring your honors to those queries you have among you,

Your friend and neighbor, 

Daniel Williams 

Providence, August 24, 1710

Daniel's homestead appears to have been next south of the Nicholas Power lot which was on the southeast corner of Power and South Main street; where, upon the 9th of May, 1712, five days before his death (May 14, 1712) he attempted to make certain deeds to his children "for their settlement" as follows: To his son Roger Williams he gave his homestead, a home lot on the town street bounded on the south with the lot of William Hopkins, and on the north with a lot of Nicholas Power, with a dwelling house, &c; "provided he disturb not his mother Rebekah Williams of her reasonable privilege and benefit in said dwelling house and premises during her natural life." He also gave him two forty-foot lots by the saltwater, one being opposite the above lot and the other opposite the home lot he gave to his daughter Patience the same day.

To his daughter Patience he gave a home lot on the town street that he bought of Richard and Ann Waterman October 30, 1698, bounded on the lot of William Hopkins on the north, and the lot of Samuel Winsor on the south, and described, as near the saltwater at the south end of the town. He gave her also his negro girl named Ann, four cows, "and all the goods that she hath in her chests and trunks or that part that her mother condescends to." To his son Providence he gave all his lands at a place called Wescotomsett, and a tract of land on the westward side of Chapatset river near the road that goeth to Woodstock; "provided he doth his part toward the relief of his brother Daniel as need requires."

To his son Joseph, he gave "that tract of land whereon I have built which lieth a little southeastward from the mills which Capt. Richard Arnold built upon Woonasquatucket river also a dwelling house and fifty acres adjoining, also a tract of land upon Quonopauge hill a little northwest of Moswansicut Pond, always provided that he doth his part toward the relief of his brother Daniel as need requireth."

The only one of the above deeds that were signed and fully executed was that to son Roger. To the two deeds to Providence and Joseph was attached the following declaration:

"The above-written instrument was made upon the request of Mr. Daniel Williams deceased and taken from his own mouth the 9th day of May 1712 and put in writing by me Richard Waterman, his senses being taken away from him soon after he had no opportunity to finish it.

Richard Waterman, Justice June 17th, 1712"

The same date Peleg Williams, the oldest son and heir, executed a release of the above-described estates in consideration of the declaration of Richard Waterman.

To the deed to Patience, his daughter, is attached the following declaration, and a quitclaim and release from her brother Peleg:

"The above Instrument was upon request of the above named Daniel Williams, written by Mr. Richard Waterman Justice, and read to him the Ninth of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and twelve; and the said Daniel Williams at the hearing thereof declared himself to be readily willing to sign seal and deliver the same to his said daughter Patience Williams, but his said daughter Patience desiring him to take a little further consideration it was omitted.

We whose names are hereunder written were at the said time at the reading said Instrument to the said Daniel Williams who is now deceased and he declared himself earnest to confirm the same to his said daughter Patience but it was omitted for the reason aforesaid.

Subscribed to this Seventeenth day of June Anno Domini 1712

Charles Tillinghast 

Roger Williams"

The same date, June 17, 1712, Peleg Williams released to his mother Rebecca for life, all his interest in lands in Providence, and one-half of certain meadows, and the movable estate of his father Daniel, deceased, undisposed of; "in consideration of my Honrd mother's right of thirds, and for the relief of my brother Daniel Williams."

This was to revert for life to his brother Daniel should he outlive their mother, and to be for the use of that one of the brothers or sisters that he, Daniel, should choose to live with, "provided they take sufficient care for his relief and do not let him want anything necessary," and reserves the right to take the land and look after Daniel himself if he saw cause.

The inventory of the estate of Daniel Williams, taken June 6, 1712, by Resolve Waterman and Malachy Roades (Malachi Rhodes, Rebecca's brother) was received by the Council June 17th, and the widow Rebecca appointed Administratrix. Among the items were two negro children, £40; four oxen, £18; ten cows, £30; young cattle, £7; a horse, £2; sheep and sheep's wool, £14; tobacco, £4, and a still, £6. The total amount of the inventory was £248, 16s.

Rebecca died sometime between June 12, 1725 (date of will) and January 1, 1728 (the date it was proved). The Executor was her son Peleg. She left to son Providence, command of negroes Jack and Hope, but to be employed partly toward relief of my son Daniel, and if Providence dies before Daniel, then son Peleg to have command of negroes for the same use. At the decease of sons Providence and Daniel, negroes to be freed if they prove good and profitable servants. To daughter Patience Ashton, negro Jenny, but not to be a servant for life except she commit some fault that may give just cause, or some other like reason, "so I leave it with my daughter Patience to deal Christian like by her." To sons Roger and Daniel, rest of estate equally. The inventory amounted to £164, 14s. Among the items was a negro lad, £80, and a negro wench, £65.

Note

Note: DANIEL, b. in Providence, where he always resided; m. Rebecca Power, daughter of Zachary Rhodes of Pawtuxet, and had (1) Daniel, (2) Peleg, (3) Roger, (4) Joseph, (5) Providence. Daniel's son Roger was b. May 1680, d. in Scituate, Jan. 30, 1763; his daughter Rebekah b. April 20, 1735, m. David Thayer--his daughter Mrs. (Patrick) Harriet Brown--her daughter Augusta m. John Carter Brown, of the house of "Brown & Ives," Providence.

Name

Name: Daniel /WILLIAMS/^[3][4]

Birth

Date: 15 FEB 1641/1642 Place: Providence, Providence, Ri

^[5]

Death

Date: 14 MAY 1712 Place: Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, USA^[6]

Notes

Note N46. Daniel2 Williams (Roger1) was born Feb 1641 at Providence, RI; he married Rebecca Rhodes 7 Dec 1676 at Providence, RI; he died 14 May 1712 at age 71.Children of Daniel2 Williams and Rebecca Rhodes were as follows:

+ 27 i. Mary3 Williams, m. Epenetus Olney Jr.

+ 28 ii. Peleg Williams, m. Elizabeth Carpenter.

+ 29 iii. Roger Williams, b. May 1680; m. Elizabeth Walling.

30 iv. Daniel Williams.

+ 31 v. Patience Williams, m. William Ashton.

+ 32 vi. Providence Williams, b. 1690; m. Elizabeth (--?--).

+ 33 vii. Joseph Williams, m. Sarah Whitman.

Parents and Siblings

F. Rev. Roger Williams1603 - bet 1682/3

M. Mary Barnard1609 - 1676

m. 15 Dec 1629

Mary Williams1633 - 1681

Freeborn Williams1635 - 1709

Providence Williams1638 - 1685/86

Mercy Williams1640 - 1705

Daniel Williams1642 - 1712

Joseph Williams1643 - 1724

Spouse and Children

H. Daniel Williams1642 - 1712

W. Rebecca Rhodes1656 - 1727

m. 2 Dec 1675

Joseph Williams- 1738/9

Peleg Williams1694 - 1766

Patience Williams- 1764

Alt Marriage

7 Dec 1676

to Rebecca Rhodes

Death[1]

14 May 1712

Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Daniel was born about 1642. He passed away about 1712.

Sources

1. ↑ "Rhode Island Births and Christenings, 1600-1914," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8S8-PC3 : 10 February 2018), Daniel Williams, 15 Feb 1642; citing Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, reference v 2 p 82; FHL microfilm 915,069.
2. ↑ "Rhode Island Births and Christenings, 1600-1914," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8SN-VLK: 10 February 2018), Daniel Williams, 18 Feb 1642; citing Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, reference v 5 p 337; FHL microfilm 915,075.
3. ↑ Source: #S54 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Roger Williams
4. ↑ Source: #S54 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joseph Williams
5. ↑ Source: #S54 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joseph Williams
6. ↑ Source: #S54 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joseph Williams

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17477316/daniel-williams

Source S31

Call Number: R929.2 qW726

Title: Roger Williams of Providence, R.I.

Author: Bertha Williams Anthony

Publication: Np: Published by Mrs. C. W. Bertha Williams Anthony, 1949

Abbreviation: Roger Williams of Providence, R.I.

Note: NS312623

Source Media Type: Book

Master Listing Source: Y

Source S738

Title: Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family

Author: Israel Wilkinson

Publication: Davis & Penniman. Jacksonville, ILL. 1869

Abbreviation: Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family

Note: NS206933

Source Media Type: Book

Master Listing Source: Y

• Source: S40 Author: Ancestry.com Title: Public Member Trees Publication: Name: Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;; Repository: #R1 NOTEAncestry.com, Public Member Trees (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc., 2006).
• Repository: R1 Name: www.ancestry.com
• Source: S54Ancestry.com; Repository: #R1
• Source: S61 Author: Ancestry.com; Repository: #R3
• Repository: R3

• 1.0 1.1 Arnold, James N. Vital Record of Rhode Island, 1636–1850: First series, births, marriages, and deaths. A family register for the people. (Narragansett Hist. Publ. Co., 1891).
• WILLIAMS Daniel, of Roger and Mary, Feb. 15, 1642 (birth). WILLIAMS Daniel, of Roger, May 14, 1712. (death).

Record ID Number: MH: N13

PRIN MH: I39

• Created through the import of dyermaeettaaug2010.ged on 11 September 2010.
• Williams-6980 created through the import of HUNTER FAMILY TREE (3).ged on Aug 27, 2011, by Restricted Hunter.
• Williams-4989 created through the import of McDonald Family Tree_Wiki_2011-05-28.ged on May 29, 2011, by HB McDonald.
• "Descendants of Roger Williams" Vol. 5 (Daniel Williams)