General Notes

[Joanne's Tree.1 GED.GED]

2  SOUR S332582
3  DATA
4  TEXT Date of Import: 14 Jan 2004


[daveanthes.FTW]

Capt. Thomas Powell was engaged in the sack and rum trade. On one of his trips from the Barbadoes, West Indies, to New York and Halifax in 1653, he stopped at Huntington Harbor, Long Island, to visit his friend, Capt. Thomas Matthews (formerly of London), who was running a boat between Huntington and Flushing, N. Y., carrying goods.

Capt. Thomas Matthews was also a "Cordwainer" (shoemaker); it is presumed that Capt. Thomas Powell's wife had died, so he apprenticed his son, Thomas (who was at the time 12 years of age), to Capt. Thomas Matthews.

A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THOMAS POWELL, 1.
Born August, 1641; Died December 28, 1721.

In the whirligig of time, it is difficult to picture our pioneer settlers. They did not sit for paintings, and generally were too busy getting a living from the soil to do much writing.

THE TURMOIL OF THE CROMWELL WARS, AND THE UP-SETS OF THE STUARTS WERE ALL BASED ON
RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES.

Many of those interested in religious questions wrote, of course, on their beliefs.

It was at this time that GEORGE FOX launched Quakerism, which Thomas Powell took up, and followed all his life.

The Court Records of Huntington, Long Island, N. Y., next introduced THOMAS POWELL No. 1 to our notice as follows:

AT A COURT HELD IN HUNTINGTON JULY 29, 1662.

Thomas Matthews, plaintiff, against Joanna Wood, widow and Administratrix to Jonas Wood.

An action of debt for fifty-four pounds 2 shillings and two pence. Mr. John Simmons of Hempstead, appeared in the case as attorney for Joanna Wood.

After relating the circumstances of the case Thomas Powell gave testimony in writing that, "What was in my Master's book--that particular about Master's Good Wood and Good Higbie touching the six pipes of wine and three hhds of rum,--when it was writ my Master read it to him or them and asked if it was well, and one of them answered it was. This was at Oysterbay in Daniel Whitehead's store.

Living with my Master almost nine years I never knew my Master's books question in the least."

J. Matthews produced his books in Court and the case was decided in his favor.

JAMES CHICHESTER,
RICHARD WILLIAMS,
THOMAS JONES,
SAMUEL TITUS,
Jurymen.

Thomas Matthews sometimes called Captain Matthews was at Flushing, L. I., in 1649, trading with John Bowne delivering goods, &c. In 1659 he was bringing goods in partnership with Jonas Wood and Edward Higbie.

He died December 7, 1686.

In 1667 Thomas Powell was Constable, John Todd, John Rogers Overseers, for Huntington, L. I.

Under the Duke's Laws, promulgated when the English took possession in 1865, 8 Overseers were to be chosen the first year, to hold office 2 years, & 4 to be elected every two years afterwards, and a Constable was to be elected every year out of the Overseers of the previous year.

The Constable and Overseers managed the Town affairs, and had power to make orders & rules concerning fences, highways and similar matters. Constables were to attend Courts, and they had power to arrest, those who were overtaken with strong drink, or found swearing, or Sabbath breaking, Vagrant night walkers, provided taken in sight of Constable, or proven information from others or if in beer or disorderly places.

"Every Constable shall have a Staff six feet long with the Kings arms on it, as a badge of his authority."

The Town Court had Jurisdiction of assault, slander, and disorderly conduct generally. One offense was defined "as giving false news and lying about another." The penalty was a fine of 40 shilling if Paid" if not paid to sit in the stock or be whipped 40 strokes and give satisfaction.

Thomas Powell was then 26 years old.

Huntington Records show that Thomas Powell was frequently elected to fill important positions in the Township--the first of which appears to have been in 1663, when at the age of 22 he was made Recorder, this office he held most of the time for about 20 years.

In 1666 Thomas Powell, John James, James Chichester, Ebenezer Platt, Isaac Platt, Thomas Platt, John Bailey & Jonas Wood; were Trustees of the Freeholders of the Town of Huntington, and their successors. and the Patent was issued in their names, on behalf of the Company.

In 1684 T. Powell and one of the others were sent to Gov. Nichols, to obtain a patent from him. These patents were both at Huntington a few years since, probably are there still.

The court consisted of a Justice of the Peace (or in his absence) Constable and two Overseers.

Thomas Powell was Constable in 1667, 1668, 1669, had to carry a club four feet long. Appointed Surveyor 1670, to lay out land in the East Riding. Overseer 1672, 1680 &c &c.

1686 Chosen Committee Man to go to Southampton to act with others on behalf of the Town.

1666 Attorney for Thomas Matthews in the sale of land in Oysterbay, Joseph Ludlam, Purchaser.

The following is on record at Huntington 1670. Whereas, Henry Whitson of Huntington, deceased in the year 1669, and after the will was proved according to law, the estate being divided by order and consent of the widow of Henry, and Thomas Whitson son of deceased, and 2d Thomas Whitson being under age,--he with the consent of his Grandfather Foster and the rest of his friends have thought good to make choice of Thomas Powell of Huntington to be his Trustee and Guardian of him the said Thomas Whitson, for the care and supervision of the Estate of him the said Thomas Whitson until he accomplish the age of one and twenty years, during which time the aforesaid, Thomas Whitson doth promise not to bargain, sell or alienate any of his Estate without the leave and consent of his said Guardian, but in all things expedient be subject to his advice and counsel, as witness my hand
THOMAS WHITSON.

In 1663, we find THOMAS POWELL was serving as Recorder and Purchasing Agent. A deed dated December 8th, 1663, gave him title to a piece of land.

In 1665 he was still Recroder--A Recorder's functions must have been similar to those of Town Clerk.

In 1667 THOMAS POWELL, served as Constable.

In 1667 there are records of him being possessed of considerable real estate.

In 1670, when he was 29 years of age, THOMAS POWELL 1, was chosen to lay out the lands of the town to purchasers.

In 1678 the Council ordered the Constable and Overseers of Huntington to distrain for Church and Ministers Rates, but the order does not appear to have been attended to for several years. Thomas Powell was Overseer in 1681. Same year we find charged against him for Ministers Rates, the following sums, viz:

1676. 1. 15. 00. 1679. 1. 10. 09.
1677. 1. 13. 03. 1680. 1. 02. 05.
1678. 1. 09. 06. 1681. 10 04. 11.
Altogether L8. 15. 10.
THOMAS POWELL, being a devout Quaker, he refused to pay Church taxes, which under the British law was compulsory for the support of the Church of England.

He consistently refused to pay them and he was ordered by a Writ from the King to appear at Court at Riverhead, to show cause, why they should not be taken from him by force.

There does not appear to be any record of a settlement of the claim in any manner, and is SUPPOSED THAT HE WAS SO LIKED BY HIS NEIGHBORS AND ASSOCIATES, THAT THE AUTHORITIES LET THE CASE DROP.

In 1682, he refused TO SERVE LONGER AS CONSTABLE, BECAUSE, IT WAS NECESSARY TO TAKE AN OATH, WHICH THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OPPOSED THEN, AS THEY DO TODAY.

Meantime Thomas Powell sold his property in Huntington and bought a large tract of wilderness, of the Marsapaque Indians, called it Bethpage, took possession in 1688, built a house for his eldest son, Thomas.

Thomas Powell got his deed from the Indians in 1695, and has been said sold one third to T. Whitson in 1700. Thomas Powell purchased a second plot of the Indians in 1699. The Deeds are both Recorded at Jamaica.

The following is a copy of the boundaries of the two purchases, with the names and marks of Indians who made the sale.

1695.
We Marinus, Sowamicus, Wm. Choppy, and others for œ140, sold to Thomas Powell Sen., land Beginning at the west Corner, at a dirty hole upon the brushy plains near Mannetto hill, from thence up a hollow the south side of Mannetto hill and out of that hill across the hills eastward pretty near Huntington South line to the bushy plains on the east side of the hills, and so along the east side of the hollow that goes to the east branch of Marsepequa the head of the swamp being the South east Corner, and from thence along Wm. Frosts line until we come to West Neck northeast bounder belonging to Oysterbay, and from the sd north east bounder of West Neck, so to run on the west side of the hollow that comes from the west branch of Marsepequa swamp so far as there is any trees;--from thence to the aforesaid hole of dirt and water near Mannetto hill called by the Indians Moscopas. Part of the above land having been in the posession of Thomas Powell 7 years, Indians reserving unto themselves liberty of hunting, and gathering huckleberries.

+ SOWWAMACUS (his mark).
X WM CHOPPY (his mark).
T SOUREEKENNY (his mark).
Z WAMASSUM (his mark).
6 SASCOMOMA (his mark).
O RUAMPASS (his mark).

THE BETHPAGE PURCHASE FROM THE MASSAPEQUA INDIANS
Copy of Deed in Liber A, Page 112, Queens County Clerk's
Office, Jamaica, New York.
The original deed, on parchment, was in the possession of Mrs. John C. Merritt, of Westbury, L. I., and was placed by her in the Long Island Historical Society.

To all Christian People to whome this prsent writeing shall come in any wise concerne Be Itt knowne that wee Maume (allias Sewames) william Chepy Togather with ye rest of ye Indian propriators whose names are hearunto subscribed being ye propriators of ye Indian land att Massapege upon Long Island (allias) Nassaw In ye Collony of new york for and In ye Consideration of one Hundred and forty pounds In Current money of This Collony In hand paid and by us ye said Indians Received before ye Sealing and Dillevery here of In full payment and Satisfaction and for other good considerations us ye aforenamed Indians especially Moveing have granted Alienated enfeoffed Asinged Sold and Confirmed and by these Presents ye forenamed Indians do give grant Alienate Eneof Assinge Sell and Confirme unto Thomas Powell Snr a Certaine percell or tract of Land Beginning att ye west Corner att a dirty Hole upon ye Brushy plains near mannatts hill from thence up a Hollow on ye South Side of mannatts Hill and out of that Hollow a Cross ye Hills Eastward pretty neare Huntington South line to ye Brushy Plaine on ye East Side ye Hills and so along ye East Side of ye Vallee that goes to ye East Branch of Massepege
Swamp the head of ye swamp being ye Southest Corner and from thence to Rang along William ffrosts Line untill we Come to west Neck north East bounder. Belonging to oysterbay and from ye Said north east Bounder of ye west neck and so to Run on ye west Side of ye Hollow that Comes from ye west Branch of Massepege swamp So far as there Is and trees and from Thence to ye aforesaid Hole of dirt and water near mannatts Hill Called by the Indians messcoppass Part of this above

Bounded Land Haveing Been In the Possession of ye Said Thomas Powell above seven years Before the Singing and Dillevery Hearof we ye Said Indian propriators Do by these presents aforesaid Sell and Confirm all the Said land Included with in the above Said Line unto ye Said Thomas Powell Snr togather with all our Title and Interest Claime and Demand whatsoever wch we ye sd Indians now have or wch any of our Heirs Executrs or asings may hereafter have of to or In ye forementioned tract of land and Every Part or parcell thereof with all profitts and Issues from thence ariseing or growing To have and to hold unto him the Said Thomas Powell his Heirs and Asings the forementioned tract of land with all the appurtenances thereunto Belonging and Every Part and Percell thereof to ye onely proper use and Behoof of him ye Said Thomas Powell his Heirs and asings for Ever more and ye aforementioned Indians have Put ye Said Thomas Powell In a lawful and peaceable posesion of ye prmises by ye Dillevery of Turf and twigg and by Dillevery of these presents onely the said Indians Do Reserve unto themselves ye liberty of Hunting and gathering huckleberrys upon ye Said land as they shall see Cause and ye above mentioned Indians Do for themselves their Heirs Executors and Asings further Covenant and agree to and with ye Said Thomas Powell that It shall and may be lawfull for him ye said Thomas Powell his Heirs and Asings quietly and Peaceably to have hold occupy possess and Injoy ye lawful lett Hindrance and Interruption of them or any of them ye said Indians their Heirs Executors or asings or any
other Person or Persons lawfully claiming by from or under them or any or Either of them not withstanding any former gift grant Bargaine or Sale whatsoever and ye Said Indians Do Hereby Bind themselves to warrant and Defend the Said tract of land with ye prveledges and appurtenances thereof as well them Selves as also their Heirs to ye Said Thomas Powell their Heirs and Asings for Ever.

In wittness whereof we the abovenamed Indians have hereunto set our hands and seale this eighteenth day of ye eighth moth one thousand Six Hundred ninety five.

Serwamoes X his mark
William Chepy X his mark
Seuruckcung X his mark
Wamussum X his mark
Signed Sealed & Delivered In ye presents of us
Benjamin Seaman
Solomon Townsend
Sascenenin X his mark
Rumppass X his mark
Jeannwary the 9 1696 perewas aningen and peawekeung aningen aperred before me and onad this deed to one of his magistis be thear act and ded As witnes my hand

John Jackson
Justices of the peas
for Quens County
Entered the Second day of June 1698 in the Booke of Entryes for Queens County No. 1 Pag: 112: 113 & 114.

Source:  The Families of Inwood, Long Island, NY.  Web page of Frank Parise

From the Albright gedcom:

CAME TO LONG ISLAND AT THE AGE OF 12 ,JOINED THE QUAKER RELIGION
HE PURCHASED A TRACT OF LAND FROM THE MASSAPAQUE INDIANS. IT LAY BETWEEN THE
TOWNS OF JERUSALEM AND JEIKO ON LONG ISLAND AND HE NAMED IT BETHPAGE FROM THE
BIBLE. IN 1699 HE PURCHASED MORE LAND CALLED THE RIM OFIRE PURCHASE . THIS
INMCLUDED ALL OF WHAT IS NOW CENTRAL PARK IN NYC AND WHAT USED TO BE CALLED
JERUSALEM STATION. THE DEED IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE LONG ISLAND
HISTORICAL SOCIETY. HE ALSO OWNED LAND IN OYSTER BAY AND FARMINGDALE.

From Jesse Macon Lawrence Jr. website:

Since the name Nathaniel appears constantly in the family of Thomas Powell of Isle of Wight, he was perhaps a son of Thomas Powell, brother of Capt. Nathaniel Powell, who was at one time acting Governor of Virginia. The Calendar of State Papers, 1574-1660, shows that on July 21, 1626, Thomas Powell made a petition in behalf of himself and his poor distressed brothers and sisters to the Privy Council, praying for an order to the Governor and Council of Virginia for the estate of his deceased brother, Capt. Nathaniel Powell, which had come into the hands of Mr. Blaney who married the relict of Will. Powell and is in no way kin to them (page 81).Thomas Powell of Isle of Wight County was perhaps identical with a Thomas Powell, aged 21, who came over in the "Mathew'' May 2, 1635, (Hotten's "Emigrants' , page 82).


Isle of Wight Deeds and Wills No. 2, 1661-1719, page 272, Will of Thomas Powell, dated July 12, 1683 and probated Feb. 9, 1687/8; half the lands of Thomas, Nathaniel, William and John Powell and they shall not sell it except to on another; the rest of the lands to son William Powell; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Powell; daughter-in-law Lucretia Corbett; 1 cow jointly to Lucretia Powell and John Powell; 1 steer jointly to Rebecca and Elizabeth Powell;