October 26th, 1671
Current Map of Newport, RI
Team Members:
Saki Matsumoto and Courtney Borge
Description: A letter dated in 1671, written and signed by six colonists of Rhode Island. Addressing the Governor of Massachusetts, they pledge their loyalty and request more land under his power. They also promise to ensure the colony will prosper and honor Massachusetts’ government if they are given this additional land.
Newport on Rhode Island October 26th 1671
Right Worshipfull
Amidst your many weighty occasions Wee the subscribers crave leave to Intreate your favourable audience and acceptance of a poore concerne of ours. In Aprill last Mr. Peleg Sanford by Just and legall wayes and means purchased a small piece of Land in your Jusrisdiction from Awasuncks cheife Sachem Squaw of Succonett, of wchu [tear in page] humbly conceive your Ioords: are not Ignorant In which Pu [tear in page] wee are all Jointly Interrested, and hope you will bee Pleased [tear in page] farr to cherish our Poore Indeavours, that wee may improve and cultivate soe small a spot of ground under your Protection. Wee are not studious to engross large Tracts, but only desireous to Procure something to accommodate our Posterity; This Land is yet awilderness and the manureing & Planting thereof tends very much to the safety & Prosperity of each Colony in Perticular, and the English Nation in generall, and wee doubt not but those wee shall appoint to settle there, shall bee such Persons as shall not bee [tear in page] [only?] obedient but in some measure serviceable to your Government. Worthy Sirs if in this you will vouch safe to grant our Requests Wee shall bee thereby very highly obliged on all occasions to service your People and Colony to the utmost of our mean & abilities. Wee cease to give you further trouble being sencible wee interrupt the consideration of affaires, farr more worthy your thoughts and care, but subscribe our selves
Your Reall & Willing Servants
Jon. [?] Cranston
Edward Barker
John Sanford [followed by elaborate script]
Mary Sanford In The Behalfe of my housband
Caleb Carr
Richard Baily
Wee crave the favour of an Answeare by Mr. Jno. Almy the conveyer of This
To the Right Worshipfull Thomas Prince Esq & Governour of The Ma: ties Colony of New Plimouth To Bee comunicated to the Generall Court of that Jurisdiction
These Present. & Mr. Jn: Almy.
Cranston & Other Relation
Confermation of Succonnets
Lands 1671 Octor. 26
No. 83
a Request of [illegible]
of Road Island