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HISTORY OF COXET, AND THE RICHMOND FAMILY In 1693, Wilcox procured a second deed of land between Quicksand Pond and Cockeast, now Devoll's Pond, and from the sea to the Indian fence across the Neck. The deed was drawn with all the skill of some pleader under the shrewd and ingenious supervision of Daniel Wilcox. The Grantor, the son of the former Chief, recited that in times past he, and his ancestors had been in great distress, and need, and there was none to help. In such dire necessity Wilcox had been a friend, and helper, and had rendered great and valuable services, and had placed the Indians under great obligations, and they then became indebted to him in large amounts, and were anxious to repay the debt. But all the commodity of value which they could transfer to him was land, and so to discharge the debt, and to pay the obligation the Indian accordingly conveyed the land, it being his only course. So the deed was executed, and delivered, and with the former deed was placed on record. The pathetic argument in the deal had no effect on the Puritans, and Wilcox was promptly arrested, convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of 150 pounds, and as he could and would not comply with the order, he was incarcerated in the county jail at Bristol. There was evidently among the people some dissatisfaction in relation to the sentence, and threats appeared that the jail would be forced open, and Wilcox taken out. The sheriff, Capt. Gallup, was ordered to transport the prisoner to Boston and in the attempt, Wilcox escaped into Rhode Island, and remained there nearly ten years as the authorities refused to surrender him to the officers from Mass. The affair was finally adjusted by Wilcox transferring to the Mass. province some land in Tiverton along Stafford Road. In his will, Daniel Wilcox gave the Coxet land to his son, John, but there is no evidence that any further claim was made under the Wilcox title until about 1879. Edward Howland of Little Compton, a descendant of Wilcox, became possessed with the idea that the title of Daniel was valid, and as an heir, he proceeded to enforce the claim against the residents of Coxet, by destroying their buildings. This, however, was met by determined resistance, and Howland's death quieted the strange demand. It seems beyond explanation that Howland should attempt to revive a claim that had remained dormant for over two centuries. It was inevitable in 1700 that the title from Plymouth Colony would be sustained, and hence the immediate descendant of Wilcox asserted no claim to Coxet. But Hinckley, and John Rogers, John Bradford, and William Southworth, to whom the title passed, together with William Paybody, Joseph Church, and Edward Richmond, who purchased the lands along the Westport River proceeded to enjoy their property. Having established their grants from Plymouth, these men then followed the universal custom, and next obtained deeds from the Indians in occupation. The strip along the river called Curaest, and later Barker's Neck, laying east of Devoll's Pond, and the brook that flows into it, in 1694 was conveyed by Mamenewa, the Indian, to William Paybodie, Joseph Church and Edward Richmond, all residents of Little Compton. They divided the same into lots and sold them to various persons. In 1700, three Indians, Jonotus, and Sue Codimonk his sister, and Sam Pachahus, for 120 pounds sold Stephen's Neck of 300 acres to John Rogers and William Southworth. This included the land between Quicksand Pond, and Devoll Pond and from sea north to the lands of Isaac Alderman, Indian Preacher. |
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