Rufus Barton (son of Edward Barton and Mary (Unknown))50, 51 was born Bet. 1605 - 1620 in Lancashire, England, and died 1648 in Warwick, RI. He married Margaret Hunnewell in Probably in Lancashire, England.
Notes for Rufus Barton: Rufus is thought to have come to America in about 1640 from Lancashire, England. In "The Compendium of American Genealogy, First Families" Vol. II, p. 271, Virkus gives Rufus's father's name as Samuel Barton, which is doubtful. There has been no proof located other than this one mention.
An immigrant to the Americas in the years between 1620 and 1640, Rufus settled first near the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam (New York). He left there, soon after arriving in Portsmouth, RI and then removed to nearby Warwick, RI. He was Quaker by faith and hence considered an "outcast" as was Roger Williams who settled Providence, William Coddington of Newport, Samuel Gorton of Warwick, and Ann Hutchinson. Samuell Gorton of Warwick was a neighbor of Rufus Barton and up to 1648, both were active with Roger Williams in the Civil Affairs at Providence. A letter sent by Rufus Barton to governor Winthrop requests safe passage and "favorable acceptation" into Massachusetts Bay. "Shaomett" was the Indian name for Warwick, Rhode Island.
From a chapter of a book presumed to be a history of Massachusetts, the chapter on John Winthrop, Governor, p.311: "To the right worshipful Mr. John Winthrop, Governor of the Massachusetts,
Humbly presented to your worship's consideration, That whereas I, with another, was chosen by the general court held at Providence the eighteenth of this month, and sent with an humble request to this honorable state concerning Shaomett business, but when we came at Dedham, hearing that the general court was adjourned. I your suppliant (being an inhabitant of Shaomett) seriously weighing my present condition there, I made bold to advise with Mr. Powell * concerning the same, who advised me to repair to your worship, which (on consideration) I could not, till I had some knowledge of your worship's favorable acceptation. My humble request therefore is, that your worship would be pleased to send me your mind in a few lines concerning the premises. So, craving your worship's favorable construction, I remain, Yours, most humbly Dedham, May 22, 1648 Rufus Barton * Michael Powell kept the ordinary, or tavern, at Dedham; but coming later to Boston, was one of the founders and ruling elders of the Second Church.
Rufus Barton had a grant of land in 1641, was in the Town Council of Warwick in 1647 and was also Town Magistrate in 1647.
Rufus Barton died in late 1648 from gunshot wounds during a dispute. The circumstances of the event are unknown. His wife and children were thereafter cared for by Samuell Gorton. The only son of Rufus, Benjamin, married Samuell's daughter, Susannah, in 1672. The Will and Testament of Rufus follows with a biography of Samuell Gorton. (Biography not included here) (Ed. Comment: Since the Will is dated 1666, well after Rufus' death, it is most likely that it is Margaret's Will couched in her late husband's name, permitting his only son and heir to claim his inheritance, he being twenty-one in 1666.) "Whereupon the Counsell of the town of Warwick now in being are constrained according to their engaged and trust committed unto them to renew the writing of the will of the above named Ruffus (sic) Barton as neere as it was before as can possibly be that of the Counsell now in being, being the same that were the Counsell in the year of the deceased partis. "Which last will and Testament is as follows "We do by these presents allow give appoint and bequeath unto the three children of the deceased Ruffus Barton the whole and entire sum of four score and ten pounds of lawful money of England to be payed in manner and form as followeth That is to say to Benjamin Barton the sum of thirtie pounds to be payed unto him when he shall come to the full age of one and twentie years. "To Elizabeth Barton thirtie pounds when she shall come to the age of eighteen years or upon the day of her marriage in case she marry before that time. "To FFebie Barton the sum of thirtie pounds when she shall come to the age of eighteen years or upon the day of her marriage in case she marry before that time. "And for the house, outhouses, lands, priveledges cituate and being in and about the town of Warwick and party adjacent the late right of deceased Ruffus Barton we do appoint and consigne unto Benjamin Barton son and heir of the sayd deceased Ruffus Barton as his right and always provided that Margret Barton widow and late wife of the sayd Rufus Barton shall injoy one third part of housing, lands and apurtenances thereto belonging during the time of her widowhood. As also to enjoy the use of the whole estates for the present for the profit education and well bringe up of the sayd children. "And to prevent any imbessleing of the estate ill usage of the children or negligence in the imployment of the estate for the benefit of the children we do appoynt and ordain three men as guardians and feofies in trust namely John Smith, Samuell Gorton and Randle Houlden that in case they shall perceive any want of diligence, neglect of the children or ill usage of them and the estate it shall be lawful for the sayd feofies or any two of them to call for and possess themselves of any or of all of the children together with their estates appointed as above sayd and shall dispose of it and of them as they in their wisdom shall see meate and convenient according to the intent and trust committed unto them. "And the sayd feoffes shall take bond of Margret Barton widow late wife of Ruffus Barton for the due performance of all intents and purposes as above sayd. "As also that the feoffies in trust shall take care that the above sayd heir Benjamin Barton be possessed of his inheritance at the time of his coming to the full age of one and twentie years. "Signed by ye order and appointment of the Counsell of the Towne of Warwick the 20th of March 1666. Edmund Calverly, Clerk of ye Counsell
Sources:
"Ordinary Heroes, The Story of Shaftsbury" Ruth Levin @ 1978 Bennington Banner, newspaper of Bennington, Vermont Bennington Museum Library on W. Main St. in old Bennington, Vermont
Mr. and Mrs. Ranney Galusha Gov. Galusha House Rt. US 7 Shaftsbury, Vt.
Bennington County Courthouse, Probate Court, Bennington, VT Mr & Mrs Becker and Gerald Robinson, South Shaftsbury, VT Richard Burton Barton and Wilbur Gardner Barton, direct descendants of Rufus Vermont Historical Society, Montpelier, VT Shaftsbury Town Hall
Notes: The Shaftsbury Baptist Church attended by many of our family is now (@ 1983) the Shaftsbury Historical Society. The cornerstone of Gardner Barton's Tannery is in the Historical Society's collection of historical memorabilia. (From Thomas Newton Barton, son of Wilbur Gardner Barton).
The Historical Society and the graveyard next to it were visited by Dana Kay (Barton) Berry and her husband, Tom, in the fall of 2000. The cornerstone is still in the possession of the Historical Society. At the Town Hall in Shaftsbury, there are large books with the vital statistics of the citizens listed, going back to the beginnings of the town. However, they were out for rebinding at the time of the Berry's visit, so were not available for research. Further research revealed microfilms of the volumes available through the LDS Family History Center in Salt Lake City.
More About Rufus Barton: Fact 1: 1640, Approx.: Arrived in America.
More About Rufus Barton and Margaret Hunnewell: Marriage: Probably in Lancashire, England.
Children of Rufus Barton and Margaret Hunnewell are:
+Benjamin Barton, b. 1645, Prob. Warwick, RI, d. Aft. October 22, 1720, Warwick, RI.
Rufus Barton (b. Bet. 1605 - 1620, d. 1648)
Notes for Rufus Barton: