HUGH COLE

• Death Notes
  • Hugh Cole
    Born:  1627
    Bristol, Swansea, Massachusetts, USA  
    Died:  22 Jan 1699
    Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA 
    

• General Notes
  • Hugh Cole was baptized on 29 June 1628 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England. He moved with his family at age five or six to Plymouth, Massachusetts. The early records of Plymouth show him on a 1643 list of men able to bear arms. He was also paid 50 bushels of corn by the town of Plymouth in 1634 for tending the cows of the townspeople - bringing them up every morning to be milked, taking them to feed, and bringing them home at night.
    
    In contrast to his parents, Hugh Cole had fewer encounters with the courts for violating the laws, became a prominent citizen and founder of a new town, and also became a prominent church leader. He married Mary Foxwell on 8 January 1654/5 in Plymouth. Despite a later showing of good character, Hugh was fined 20 shillings in 1655 when he and his wife were found guilty of "keeping company each with other in an undecent manner, at an unreasonable time and place, before marriage."
    
    Hugh Cole's first seven children were born in Plymouth. In 1668 he moved his family to Swansea and built a home on the west bank of the Mattapoisett River, now called Cole's River. His brother John also moved with him to Swansea.
    
    Hugh Cole negotiated land purchases with the Indians and was also an experienced surveyor. He was active in the management of the town, being chosen surveyor, serving as a selectman from 1672 to 1675, deputy to the Plymouth Colony General Court in 1673, 1674 and 1675, and a member of the Swansea Prudential Affairs Committee in 1672. He also served several times as a juror.
    
    Various accounts have been written concerning Hugh's relationship with the Indians. Although he was a frequent visitor to the Indian camp and had peaceful dealings with King Philip, Philip was charged with incivility toward Hugh in 1671. Hugh also sued King Philip for 200 pounds for breach of a land sale agreement which he later settled. Hugh warned Plymouth Colony leaders in 1671 that he had observed the Narraganset Indians repairing guns and making weapons. Subsequently Hugh was asked by colony officials to visit the Wampanoag Indian camp and report back to them concerning the activities there. Hugh observed a number of strangers at the Indian camp and reported this back to colony officials.
    
    Several published sources give various accounts of the kidnapping of two of Hugh's sons by the Indians shortly before the outbreak of King Philip's War. Supposedly King Philip ordered members of his tribe to return the children to their home. Legend also reports that King Philip warned Hugh of the impending attack by the Indians at the outbreak of the war, enabling Hugh to remove his family from Swansea before the Indians attacked. Hugh's home was one of the first burned in the attack.
    
    Hugh's family remained in Portsmouth during the war. Although Hugh Cole's record of military service during King Philip's War is unknown, he was frequently recorded as Sergeant Hugh Cole afterward.
    
    Upon his return to Swansea Hugh rebuilt his home at a new location. He was again elected selectman and deputy and resumed his active role in town affairs.
    
    Hugh and Mary Cole had twelve children. The date of Mary's death is not known. Hugh married twice after Mary's death and he died in Jan 1699/1700. He was buried in Tyler Point Cemetery in Barrington, Rhode Island. There is no marker on his grave.
    
    
    
    
    Spouse 2   
    Elizabeth Lettice
    Born: 1636 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
    Died: 31 Oct 1693 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA   
    Marriage: 1 Jan 1689 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA   View Info 
    Children Sex Birth
    
    He married six times. He married Abigail Davenport. He married Mary Morton. He married Mary Foxwell 8 January 1654 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts. Mary was born 17 August 1635 in Barnstable, Plymouth, MA. Mary was the daughter of Richard Foxwell and Ann Shelly. Mary died 1678/1688 in Swansea, Bristol, MA, at 43 years of age. Her body was interred in Bristol, MA. He married Elizabeth Lettice 1 January 1689 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts. He married Mary Shelly 30 January 1694 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts. He married Mary Shelby 30 January 1694.
    
    
    Mercy Cole  F abt 1680 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA   
    Experience Cole  F abt 1682 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA   
      
    Spouse 3   
    Mary Shelley
    Born: 2 Nov 1639 in Barnstable, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA
    Died: 30 Jan 1694 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   
    Marriage: 30 Jan 1694 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   View Info 
    ***************************************
    Documented events in his life were:
    
    1. Town Service; 8 Apr 1645; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 15. Mr Bradford Mr Prence Mr Paddy Mr Done Nathaniell Souther & Thomas Shouthwood for on on behalf of the Towne agreed with James Cole that his sonn Heugh Cole should keepe the Cowes this yeare from the middle of this instant Aprill untill the middle of November following and shall have fifty bushells of corne for his paynes and shall bring them up every morning to bee milked and then carry them forth to feede and bring them hoame at night. The Corne is to be equally levyed according to the number when they are prought together and eich man to pay his pporcon as it shall come to.
    
    2. Town Service; 28 Feb 1650/51; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA. Hugh Cole was part of Samuel Hickes "Teame" - apparently for gathering wood.
    
    3. Court Appearance; 6 Jun 1655; Plymouth Colony, MA 16. Item, wee present Hugh Cole, and Mary Foxwell, his now wife, in keeping company each with other in an vndecent manner, att an vnseasonable time and place, before marriage. [Owning the presentment as it lyeth, hee is fined 20s.]
    
    4. Lands Recorded - Purchased; 4 Jan 1661/62; Plymouth Colony, MA 17. On 4 January 1661[/2] "Edward Holman ... of Plymouth ... seaman" sold to Hugh Cole of Plymouth, ship carpenter, "the one half of my lot share or portion of land commonly called the Purchase land, lying and being at a place Acushenah, Coaksett and places adjacent [MD 16:208-09, citing PCLR 2:2:79]
    
    5. Town Service; 10 Jan 1661/62; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 18. It was ordered that a Rate of ten pounds should bee made and levied upon the Towne to be layed out in bellowes and tooles for a smith and to bee kept for the uses of the towne; The men deputed to make the said Rate were John Cooke, Nathaniell Warren, & hugh Cole.
    
    6. Lands Recorded - Granted; 27 Oct 1662; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 19. Fifty acrees of upland is graunted unto hugh Cole lying betwixt the hither mannomett point and the peece of salt marsh; with all the appurtenances belonging thereunto unto him and his heires for ever
    
    7. Town Service; 27 May 1665; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 20. Certaine of the naighborhood betwixt the towne and the Eelriver were appointed by the towne to view the highwaies in the naighborhoods aforsaid and to Consult and Compund with the naighbors for the settling of them for the best conveniency that may bee both to the generall and each pticulare; and what conclustion the Come to of any wages that they make Record thereof to the Court that soe they may be entered upon publicke Record with the markes of them: and soe to bee pmanent: hugh Cole
    
    8. Town Service; 5 Feb 1665/66; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 21. Leift Morton, Nath: Warren, Gorg Bonum, William Clark & Hugh Cole were appointed by the towne to settle two severall graunts of lands lying att Manomett Ponds viz: the one unto Samuell Ryder and the other utno the said Will: Clarke which graunts was to each of them twenty acrees:
    
    9. Town Service; 17 Oct 1666; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 22. The waies layed out by Leift Ephraim Morton, Nathaniel Warren Robert ffinney hugh Cole William barlow & Nathaniel Morton Apointed by the Towne of Plymouth for to lay them out:
    
    10. Town Service; 22 Oct 1666; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 23. Nathaniel Warren, Joseph Warren, William Clarke & hugh Cole are deputed by the Towne to Purchase all such lands as are to be Purchased of the Indians att or about Agawaam.
    
    11. Lands Recorded - Granted; 2 Jan 1666/67; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 23. hugh Cole to be accomodated with meddow att the lower south meddow downe that River below those that have meddow there alreaddy graunted.
    
    12. Lands Recorded; Jul 1667; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 24. The bounds of hugh Coles Land lying neare the hither mannomett pointe soe called is as followeth viz: bounded att the easterly end with a great Rocke by a place comonly called the salt marsh and soe Ranging up into the woods upon a southwest line halfe a point westerly; which is for the great Rocke spoken of 72 pole to a heap of stones; and Runing along by the sea one hundred and two pole; and there att the northerly end bounded with a heap of stones; and ther Runing into the woods southwest half a point westerly 72 pole and there bounded with a heap of stones.
    In additon Ten acres of meddow was graunted unto hugh Cole lying at the south meddow brooke.
    
    13. Town Service; 13 Oct 1667; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 25. That wheras the sume of twenty-two pounds is alowed by the Court with that which is alreddy expended towards the building of a bridge over the Eelriver: which is accepted by the towne These are appointed by the Towne to Receive the said sume; and to serch the old bridge and to take Course and agree with the workmen for the Rebuilding or Repaireing thereof in the place it now is in the most prudensial and frugalest way that may be: Leiftenant Morton, Gorge Bouum, Joseph Warren, William Clark & hugh Cole.
    
    14. Mention in Will, Inv. or Prob.; 7 Apr 1668; Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA 1. Named as 'son Hugh Cole' in the will of his father-in-law, Richard Foxwell
    
    15. Voted; 18 May 1668; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 26. The names of such as have voated in Towne meeting in the Towne of Plymouth: hugh Cole.
    
    16. Town Office; 16 Jun 1668; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 27. The Towne have appointed hugh Cole Serjeant harlow and Stephen Bryant to take notice of such horses as are soe carried threw the Towne and are heerby Impowered to examine them whether they have a passe for them and all of them and in case they find them to be carrying of them away disorderly to take speedy Course to have them seized so the law may be followed on them; That is to say they are heerby Impowered to seize on them and forthwith bring them before some one of the majestrates of this Jurisdiction for tryal:
    
    17. Church Membership; 22 Jun 1671; Swansea, Bristol Co., MA 28. Baptist Church Records: "Hugh Cole propounded and was assented to if no materiall objection be brought in before next church meeting for government."
    
    18. Town Service; 3 Jul 1689; Swansea, Bristol Co., MA 29. July ye 3d 1689 at a Meeting of divers of ye propriators of Swanzey Agreed that a Committe of 3 men be chosen to treat & agree with Maje Wil. Bradford for a full release of all ye Lands & meadows within ye Township of Swanzey to ye Several Propriators thereof & the committee chosen is Mers. John Saffin, John Allen, Hugh Cole.
    
    19. Town Service; 9 Aug 1689; Swansea, Bristol Co., MA 30. Att a Town Meeting August ye 9th 1689 .. 3ly Voted yt Mr. John Saffin John Allen & Hugh Cole be hereby with ye Townsmen Impowred to form & fix A Schedule to ye Release from Majr Bradford obtained & And to enter ye allowed Inhabitants therein & their Several Stations & Intrests & to proportion the Summs to be pd by ye freement & Showemot men & finally to so such things about ye Premisses as needful according to prudence & Justice.
    
    20. VR - Death of Spouse; 31 Oct 1692; Swansea, Bristol Co., MA 31. Elizabeth, wife of Hugh Cole (formerly of Jacob Cooke) at Swanzey in her 57th yeare dyed october, 31:
    *********************************
    Documented events in their marriage were:
    
    1. VR - Birth of Child; 8 Nov 1655; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 11. The beirthes of the Children of hugh Cole Now of Swansey whoe was somtimes Inhabitant of the Towne of Plymouth in this Jurisdiction of New Plymouth. James Cole the son of Hugh Cole was borne in the yeer 1665 November the 8th.
    
    2. VR - Birth of Child; 15 Mar 1658/59; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 11. Hugh Cole the son o Hugh Cole was borne the 15th of March 1658
    
    3. VR - Birth of Child; 16 May 1660; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 11. John Cole the son of Hugh Cole senir was borne the 16th of May 1660
    
    4. VR - Birth of Child; 14 Apr 1662; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 11. Martha Cole Daughter of hugh Cole was borne the 14th of Aprill 1662
    
    5. VR - Birth of Child; 14 Oct 1664; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 11. Anna Cole the Daughter of Hugh Cole was Borne on october the 14th 1664 [26th was first written, but it was changed to "14th" in a different ink]
    
    6. VR - Birth of Child; 15 May 1668; Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA 11. Joseph Cole, the son of Hugh Cole was born the 15th of May 1668
    
    *******************************
    Hugh Cole was baptized on 29 June 1628 in Barnstaple, Devonshire, England. He moved with his family at age five or six to Plymouth, Massachusetts. The early records of Plymouth show him on a 1643 list of men able to bear arms. He was also paid 50 bushels of corn by the town of Plymouth in 1634 for tending the cows of the townspeople - bringing them up every morning to be milked, taking them to feed, and bringing them home at night.
    
    In contrast to his parents, Hugh Cole had fewer encounters with the courts for violating the laws, became a prominent citizen and founder of a new town, and also became a prominent church leader. He married Mary Foxwell on 8 January 1654/5 in Plymouth. Despite a later showing of good character, Hugh was fined 20 shillings in 1655 when he and his wife were found guilty of "keeping company each with other in an undecent manner, at an unreasonable time and place, before marriage."
    
    Hugh Cole's first seven children were born in Plymouth. In 1668 he moved his family to Swansea and built a home on the west bank of the Mattapoisett River, now called Cole's River. His brother John also moved with him to Swansea.
    
    Hugh Cole negotiated land purchases with the Indians and was also an experienced surveyor. He was active in the management of the town, being chosen surveyor, serving as a selectman from 1672 to 1675, deputy to the Plymouth Colony General Court in 1673, 1674 and 1675, and a member of the Swansea Prudential Affairs Committee in 1672. He also served several times as a juror.
    
    Various accounts have been written concerning Hugh's relationship with the Indians. Although he was a frequent visitor to the Indian camp and had peaceful dealings with King Philip, Philip was charged with incivility toward Hugh in 1671. Hugh also sued King Philip for 200 pounds for breach of a land sale agreement which he later settled. Hugh warned Plymouth Colony leaders in 1671 that he had observed the Narraganset Indians repairing guns and making weapons. Subsequently Hugh was asked by colony officials to visit the Wampanoag Indian camp and report back to them concerning the activities there. Hugh observed a number of strangers at the Indian camp and reported this back to colony officials.
    
    Several published sources give various accounts of the kidnapping of two of Hugh's sons by the Indians shortly before the outbreak of King Philip's War. Supposedly King Philip ordered members of his tribe to return the children to their home. Legend also reports that King Philip warned Hugh of the impending attack by the Indians at the outbreak of the war, enabling Hugh to remove his family from Swansea before the Indians attacked. Hugh's home was one of the first burned in the attack.
    
    Hugh's family remained in Portsmouth during the war. Although Hugh Cole's record of military service during King Philip's War is unknown, he was frequently recorded as Sergeant Hugh Cole afterward.
    
    Upon his return to Swansea Hugh rebuilt his home at a new location. He was again elected selectman and deputy and resumed his active role in town affairs.
    
    Hugh and Mary Cole had twelve children. The date of Mary's death is not known. Hugh married twice after Mary's death and he died in Jan 1699/1700. He was buried in Tyler Point Cemetery in Barrington, Rhode Island. There is no marker on his grave.
    
    Hugh's brother John, born 21 November 1637, was also one of the original proprietors of Swansea, but was not as active and prominent in town affairs as his brother. He Married Elizabeth Ryder, daughter of Samuel Ryder of Yarmouth. They had four children. John died in 1677 in Swansea. His daughter Elizabeth married our ancestor William Hammond of Swansea on 10 Jan 1695.