Source Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, John Osborne Austin, Genealogical Publishing Co, 1978, p 95:
Took oath of allegiance in May 1671.
July 1, 1679 on Tax list
May 4, 1681 He having lately shot at an Indian in the woods, for no other cause as he confessed but for that said Indian would not obey his word and stand at his command, and the Indian though having a gun, having not shot again but went peaceably away, only using some words by way of reproof, blaming him for his violence and cruelty - the Assembly therefore enacted that all his Majesty's subjects are hereby required to behave themselves peaceably towards the Indians in like manner as before the war.
September 1, 1687 on tax list
1688 ratable estate, 2 oxen, 5 cows, heifer, steer, yearling, horse, mare, 5 acres planting land, 5 acres English pasture, an acre of bog meadow, 50 acres
Will written April 17, 1694. Proved May 30, 1694.
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Source: The Early Records of the Town of Providence (in 23 vols) printed under authority of the City Council of Providence, Snow and Farnham City Printers, Providence, RI, 1892,
Vol 1, p 42: Benjamin Herrnton jun witness a land sale April 2, 1666
Vol 8, p 131: May 23, 1683 Benjamin Hearnton junr and Joseph Hearnton, make a complaint to the majestrates that the highway up into the country is stopped by Eliazer Whipple. This meeting judged that they did not have the capacity to act in this matter and reffered it to the next meeting, which will be the first Monday in June. (According to MIM, this would indicated that Benjamin and brother Joseph had already taken up their abode in the Wesquadomsett section (probably somewhat east of the present Primrose station) to the south of Woonsocket, where we know that he was living the next year.)
Vol 8, p 132: July 27, 1683 Benjamin Hearnton junr requested to change 10 acres of land laid out in lew of one share of meadow as to a right of the second division in one right of land which the said 10 acres is adjoining to 60 acres of land. Both the said 60 acres and the 10 acres given to him by his father Benjamin Hearnton by deed. But his deed not being present in the meeting, they suspended action until the next meeting.
Vol 8, p 139: June 2, 1684 The return made by Thomas Olney, surveyor, of 60 acres of land and other meadow and swampy land, the which meadow and swampy land was in lew of a share of meadow, laid out in the second division unto Benjamin Hearnton (junr) in the right of his father Benjamin Hearnton, senr, laid out in the last week in May last, is by the Towne accepted and allowed.
Vol 9, p 201: June 12, 1685 Benjamin Hearnton junr and William [ ] brought in a woolfs head which they killed.
Vol 8, p 177: June 1, 1691 Nathaniell Jenkes, James Browne, Benjamin Hearnton chosen constables
Vol 10, p 3: January 16, 1692 Daniel Browne and Benjamin Hearnton hath this day given bond jointly and severally to the inhabitants of this towne one hundred pounds bond to keep them indemnified from any charges that may arise by or through a woman lately come into the towne great with child named Mary Clarke.
Vol 10, p 13: May 8, 1694 Benjamin Hearnton of Providence deceased April 18, last will was read openly but because the executrix and none of the majestrates were present it was held over.
Vol 10, p 15: May 30, 1694 Benjamin's will bearing the date of April 17, 1694 was examined and approved.
Vol 7, p 91-93: May 30, 1694 proved last will and testament of Benjamin Hearnden, Jr, Providence in Narragansett Bay in New England. Sons Benjamin and John shall equally divide lands and meadow lying on the south side of the Westquadomesett Brooke. Mother will have use of the land until they come 21 years of age. Lands on the north side of the river to his wife Liddea during her natural life, and then equally divided between Benjamin and John. Three daughters Dorothy, Liddea and Elizabeth each 6 sheep on the day of there marriage or when they become 21 years of age.
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Source: Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England, printed by order of the legislature, transcribed and edited by John Russell Bartlett, Secretary of State, Providence, Rhode Island, A. Crawford Greene and Brothers, State Printers, 1856,
. Vol III, 1678-1706, p100: At the Generall Assembly and Election held at Newport, the 4th of May 1681: "Voted, This Assembly takeing into consideration the matter to them presented by two Assistants of the Towne Councill of Providence, concerning the late rash, turbulent and violent behaviour of Benjamin Hernden, Jun'r, of said Providence, towards an Indian man, as he upon his examination the 25th of Aprill did acknowledge, that he being lately in the woods belonging to the said towne, and there seeinge an Indian man, did shoot with his gun at the said Indian with an intente to kill him; and for noe other cause (as he himselfe confesseth) but for that the said Indian would not obey his word, and stand at his command; who indeed had noe authority nor just cause soe to command, which said Indian, notwithstanding the said violence to him offered, did not then seek to revenge himselfe by the like returne, although he alsoe had a gun, and might have shot at Hernden again, if he had been minded soe to have done, but went peaceably away; only using some words by way of reproofe unto the said Hernden; blaming him for that his violence and cruelty; and wondering that English men should offer soe to shoot at him and such as he was without cause."
"This Assembly haveing seariously considered and weighed the matter, doe see cause, for the prevention of such insolent and outrageous actions for future time, to enact, and hereby it is by this Assembly and the authority thereof enacted, that all his Majesty's subjects in this Collony are hereby required to behave themselves peaceably towards the Indians in like manner as before the warr; and noe person or persons shall presume to doe any such unlawfull acts of violence, upon their perrills."
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Source: Tax Lists of the Town of Providence during the Administration of Sir Edmund Andros and his Council 1686-1689, compiled by Edward Field, Providence, Howard W Preston, 1895, p 38 List of all males 16 years of age and upwards residing in Providence August 1688 and liable for a poll tax, lists Beniamine Hernden. This is probably Ben Jr, because Ben Sr died during this year.
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Source Margery Ida Harrington Matthews Notebook, North Scituate Public Library, Rhode Island: By 1679 he had accumulated some property for he was on the tax list and paid 11 1/2 pence as his share of a total of 27 pounds which was leevied July 1, 1679 (EPR, Vol 15, p 187). In this levy his father's share was one shilling, 3 pence (EPR, XV, 190)
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It is interesting to note that Benjamin died one day before his brother Joseph.
