ITEMIZED LIST OF ACTIVITIES
The following itemization of the activities of Stukely Westcott from August,
1647, to the Summer of 1675, shows him as having been diligent in his duties as a citizen and a public
official:
August 8, 1647
Was seond and his son Robert, sixth, on a list of eight comprising the Towne Council who "ordered
that for Divers considerations moving to the Towne thereunto they have accepted of Mrs. Holmes to
bee an Inhabitant and to have equall priviledge with the rest of the inhabitants notwithstanding
any former order to the contrary."
Undated
Verdict found for him as defendant in "suit with Sachary Rode" (Zachery Rhodes).
August 14, 1649
Is sued by the son of Governor Greene, for trespass; verdict found for him at trial.
1649
Chosen with Exekiel Holyman to collect 13 pounds to pay for watching cattle against Indian intrusion.
December 10, 1649
Sells six acres of his "out lot" at Providence.
November 1651
And again February 1662, and December 1662, chosen Deputy to represent Warwick in the Colonial Assembly.
June 2, 1651
"That the ditch be made upon the streete way shall stand beinge about three or gower pole having
payed his fine to the towne which he was fine."
May 10, 1652
Chosen juryman, in which capacity he frequently served for years.
May 12, 1652
Sells his house, orchard and lot in Providence, to Samuel and Anna Bennett, whose granddaughter Priscilla
was later to become the wife of his grandson Stukely.
June 7, 1652
Appointed with two others, "to lay out the meadowes about the Towne, thursday next for the
Inhabitants which are yet not provided for an so it is to bee cast lott for."
1652
Chosen one of the surveyors, an office he held almost continuously until his last appointment
November 21, 1676.
1653
Chosen member of Town Council of Warwick.
May 28, 1653
Elected General Assistant to the Governor; two from each of the four settlements forming the Governor's
Council. Served in such capacity for a number of years.
1653
Selected to agree with the Indians about Nawsaucet, and fencing their lands.
1653
Member of committee to call the Assembly, if necessary, as the colony was then in "eminent danger."
May 1654
A sailing vessel, "Deborah," named for the wife of Amos Westcott, was granted a commission
"to defend themselves and to offend the enemies of the Commonwealth of England."
1655
Purchased from Henry Townsend "his six Acres of medow layd out by the Towne to the Mille on a
tenner which the Towne records doth shew" and "also my (Townsend's) right at Pataomet."
1655
Chosen to take a number of young cattle and divide the money the Indians were tohave; also to
ascertain the damage done to the Indians.
1655
Chosen to bound the fence at Quoinimicut (Canimicut).
1655
And again in 1660, elected Deputy to the Assembly.
June 25, 1656
Received "5 Ankers of Lickyors"; like entries are numerous.
1656
Member of committee to restrict sale of liquor to the Indians, and to regulate excise and sale in the
colony.
1656
Appointed to make a rate or tax to pay for fence erected between the Indians and the common
lands of the settlers.
November 27, 1656
Was party to a transaction wherein "John Bennett of Warwicke in Providence Plantationes in the
Narragansett Bay in New England doe upon good consideration of haveinge suffiistient maintenance
during life viz yt after my discesse, I doe make over all my right and leave unto Stukly Waskote
his heires Executors Administrators or Asighnes, all the landes houseinge goods and cattels,
duringe the life of the aforesayd John Bennett, onely reservinge unto himselfe yt power duringe
life as to have five poundes to dispose, to whom or as hee shall thinke fitt, and if God should bee
pleased to call Stukly Waskote out of this life before John Bennett yt then his sukcessors shall
and are herby bound for the performance of the premises and I ye aforsayd John Bennett for ye firmer
performance of ye premises I have hereunto sett my hand and seal ye 27th of November 1656. * *
I Stukly Waskott of ye Towne of Warwicke doe acknowledge to have receaved of John Bennett of the
same Towne Eight head of cattell ninteene poundes at peage eight per penny and a house and land
adioyninge to it, and doe engadge my selfe my heires or asignes to maintaine the sayd John Bennett
for his life time meate and drinke and aparrell, in witnesse wherefe I have herunto sett my
hand this 14th June 165_. (Probably 1657.) per me Stukly Waskote. Testes Mathias Harvy
George Amest." (The records show that Peter Buzicott, "blacksmith," November 5, 1654,
sold his house and lot, which adjoined that of Westcott's to John Bennett.)
November 27, 1656
Indulges in the "luxury" of legislation with his next-door neighbor, Peter Burzecot, each suing
the other, but adjustment was had February 1657.
December 1656
Deeds land to his sons, Robert, Amos and Jeremiah.
December 5, 1656
Ordered "to bring in within 5 days in good and well ordered peage at eight penny white and 4 per
penny blacke to pay for the powder and bullets sent from ould England."
June 14, 1657
A neighbor conveys all his property to Stuckley "in consideration of being taken care of during
his lifetime."
November 1659
Is witness in court at Portsmouth in action brought against the treasurer of Warwick, where
issue was the boundary of certain lands.
March 3, 1660
As "fforman" gave "the vardict of ye grand Inquist: Wee who are Engaiged to see this dead
Indian doe find by dilligent sarch, yt he was beaten which was ye cause of his Death."
1662
Representative for Warwick in Colonial Assembly.
1663
Served on committee appointed to lay out Town House and burial lots.
1664
Authorized to keep an "ordinary" (public house or inn) and "to entertain the King's
Commissioners when they held court in Warwick."
February 18, 1665
His sons Amos and Jeremiah, and son-in-law Samuel Stafford, with nine others constitute coroner's
jury, rendering the verdict that "Mary Samon, child, was sent by her mother in a very dark night
alone to a brooke at Mr. Low's to fetch water and was found in ye brooke drowned."
February 19, 1665
Allotted 7,350 acres of the common lands lying west of the 7-mile limit.
October 10, 1670
His son, Amos, lives with him in the old homestead, indicating that his wife, had recently died.
1670
With his son, Amos, elected as representative from Warwick to the Colonial Assembly.
April 1671
Elected Deputy to the Colonial Assembly; this is the last public service record of him.
1671
Owns extensive lands in addition to those already enumerated.
1672
With his sons, Amos and Jeremiah, is among the earliest to sign the compact binding themselves to
prevent the threatened encroachment of Connecticut authorities upon Rhode Island territory.
April 12, 1675
Is allotted 7,350 acres of common lands lying west of the 7-mile line (a second allotment).
May 24, 1675
Is assigned 4,580 acres of common lands lying between the 4- and 7-mile lines.
Source for this list: Stukely Westcott, Vol. 1, Pgs. 24-26, 1932
Return to the Main Page
