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HISTORY OF COXET, AND THE RICHMOND FAMILY In the southwest corner of Westport, Mass. is a triangular tract of land bounded west by Little Compton, R.I., east by the Westport River, and extending from Adamsville, R.I., to the sea. Originally it was part of Seconet which became Little Compton, R.I., but in 1741 when the Imperial Decree changed the boundary between Mass. and R.I. this triangle was annexed to Dartmouth, Mass. Davoll's Pond was first called Cockeset, then Cockeast, and finally from the Indian name of the pond the region designated Coxet. While the English inhabitants were increasing in the adjoining towns this remote section, before 1700, was the home of a remnant of the tribe of Indians that helped the white men in the war with King Philip. In fact, there is evidence that the Indian that shot Philip lived in this region, a short distance north of the Abraham Manchester Farm. His name was "Alderman", and he was a Seconet Indian. (Seaconet Neck include Coxet). After the war, an Indian in Seconet named Isaac who had been of great service to the English, and had shown considerable interest in religion, received the privilege of using a gun. In 1683 in the deed to Daniel Wilcox of land on the West Arm of the River about one mile, and a half north of the sea, the west boundary was land of Alderman. Later he is called Isaac the Indian Preacher. He died about 1700. Unless there is shown some positive fact to the contrary, it seems reasonable sure all these records relate to the same man. Well known in all the country round before 1700 was a restless Yankee Trader named Daniel Wilcox who exhibited all those qualities that characterized that class of New England population. His land possessions in Dartmouth, Seconet, Pocasset, and Freetown were extensive, and so were his family. He understood the language of the Indians, and no doubt had increased his riches by his intercourse with the red men. It was a law of the colony, and Province that no Englishman should purchase land from the Indians without first having received permission from the Government. This was intended no only to prevent unconscionable bargains with the Aborigines, but to avoid that conflict that might result if there were rival claimants to the land, some under title from the Indians, and the others from the King. In Rhode Island the only title recognized came direct from sachem (Indian Chief), but in Mass., the title from the English Government or (England) was held to be necessary, and primary, although deeds from the Indians were also desirable. Soon after the King Philip War longing eyes were turned direct toward Coxet. About 1680 the officials of Plymouth granted to Thomas Hinckley two hundred acres to be assigned to him on the east side of Seconet Neck. But for some years, no steps were taken to have the same laid out, and surveyed. In the meantime appeared the Yankee Trader. Whether he sought a grant from Plymouth, and was refused is not certain, but Wilcox decided to buy some of this territory direct from the Indian occupants. In 1686 he obtained a deed of one hundred acres, from Chief Mananuet on the west side of the Westport River about a mile north from the sea, bounded north, and west by land of Isaac Alderman an Indian Preacher. The purchase became known, and Wilcox was arrested, but for some reason not apparent, his case was not pressed for trial, possibly because he did not for several years record his deed. But in 1690, Hinckley undertook to have his two hundred acres measured out for him and when his agents went to Coxet, Wilcox succeeded in stirring the Indians, and a tumult was aroused against Hinckley, and such an uncomfortable experience did they have, that they were forced to withdraw. For this performance, Wilcox was arrested, taken to Plymouth, and placed under a bond. |
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