Notes for Benjamin Barton: According to Austin, (Benjamin) was born in 1645, although he calls himself sixty or thereabouts in giving testimony concerning the will of James Greene, Aug. 29, 1698.
Was made a freeman March 25, 1669.
Benjamin was married at Warwick by John Greene, Justice, June 18, 1672, to Susannah Gorton, daughter of his former guardian, Samuel Gorton of Warwick, and his wife, Elizabeth. (Warwick Vital Records, vol 1, p 5) Savage erroneously gives this date June 8, 1669.
He was chosen an Assistant in 1674 and held the same office 1675, 1683, 1684, 1699-1703.
He was Deputy 1679, 1681, 1685, 1690, 1696, 1704-1707, 1709, 1713-1715, and 1719.
On Oct. 25, 1699, he and five others were given powers to agree as to the boundaries between Connecticut and Rhode Island. The document is given in full in Providence Town Papers Vol.2 No. 0625.
In July 1700, he contributed a hog (value 1 lb.8 shillings.6 pence or * L1.8.6) toward a meeting house for Quakers, to be set up at or near Mashapang "which is to be a free house for the worship of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth (that is ) for all true worshippers who worship him in spirit and truth."
In 1703-4 he was Speaker of the House of Deputies in Rhode Island.
He died in the fall of 1720. Will dated Oct. 22, 1720, proved Nov. 9, 1720. Executor wife, Susannah. To three grandchildren, Benjamin Green, son of Jabez, Benjamin Tucker, son of Henry, and Ruth Slocum, daughter of Ebenezer, all my right of land in Coveset, equally. To son Andrew, all my right in land and buildings called Nachuck, lands being on both sides the north-west branch of the Pawtuxet River, and also my right of lands in Mashantatack and land in Toscumk & c. To daughter Phoebe and Naomi, land in East Grenwich. To eldest son, Rufus, all the rest of lands, buildings and orchards, with use, however, to wife Susannah, of great dwelling house, half of homestead and half of land in Warwick neck, for life, and also to Rufus L5 (five pounds). To son Andrew, L5. To two daughters, Phoebe and Naomi, L10. To my wife Susannah, all rest of estate. Inventory, L503, 17s, lld viz: 14 oz silver money L8, 8s., 68 oz plate at 12s. per oz LLO 16s., Bonds, books 15s., pewter, 14 cows, 1 steere, 1/2 yoke of oxen, 4 calves, negro woman Cate L60, Indian boy John L20, Indian woman Betty L25, Betty's son Daniel L10, swine, young draft mare, bald face pacing mare, the old draught mare and her colt, roan pacing mare and her colt, 38 head sheep and lambs, 29 loads of hay, 11 barrels cider, 9 geese, 8 turkeys, 4 ducks, 14 fowls. Receipts were given for legacies by Phebe Tucker and Henry, and by Naomi; Carr and Edwards.
*English Money L = Pound, s = shilling, p = pence
In 1675 and 1676, a war broke out between the local Indians and the white settlers, beginning at Swansea, northeast of Warwick on Narragansett Bay. While we have no information about the family involvement, they must have been acutely aware of the hostilities. Later generations of the family settled in Swansea, long after "King Philip's War" was history, and long after the Indians left the area. Excerpts from Roger Willliam's book, "A Key Into the Language of America" are contained in the family scrapbook.
More About Benjamin Barton and Susanna Gorton: Marriage: June 18, 1672, Warwick, RI.31
Marriage Notes for Benjamin Barton and Susanna Gorton: SAVAGE, VOL 1 DICT FIRST SETTLERS OF NE, p. 88 says the marriage took place June 8, 1669 The Book of Marriages , No. 1 of Warwick, RI, p. 670 says the marriage took place on June 10, 1672, along with the marriage of John Crandall, Jr. of Newport, RI and Elizabeth Gorton, (Susanna's sister), probably in a double wedding.
Children of Benjamin Barton and Susanna Gorton are:
+Andrew B. Barton, b. 1675, Warwick, Kent Co., RI, d. April 19, 1723, Warwick, RI.
Benjamin Barton (b. 1645, d. Aft. October 22, 1720)
Notes for Benjamin Barton: