Source: Arthur Aylsworth and His Descendents in America, by Homer Elhanan Aylsworth, M.D., Providence, RI, Narragansett Historical Publishing Co, 1887, p 36, "Arthur Aylworth came to America from either England or Wales previous to July 29, 1679 ((July 29, 1679, Arthur Aylworth and 41 others of Narragansett signed a petition to the King praying that he "would put an end to these differences about the government thereof, which hath been so fatal to the prosperity of the place; animosities still arising in peoples' minds as they stand affected to this or that government)) previous to King Philips's War, married Mary Brown, of Providence, a daughter probably of Rev. John and Mary (Holmes) Brown, and settled permanently in Quidnesset, where he died between November 7, 1725 and Sepember 13, 1726. Her death doubtless preceeded his a number of years. The natural order of their children's names is not known."
"The immigrant was appointed to some kind of inspectorship Feb 6, 1698-9. He was elected ratemaker May 1699, and viewer of fences and supervisor of highways June 5, 1699. He deeded a quantity of land to Henry Tibbets Sept 21, 1697. Neither the bounds, number of acres, nor consideration can be ascertained. The deed was acknowledged October 1697.
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The Narragansett Historical Register, James N. Arnold, published by the Narragansett Historical Publishing Company, Hamilton, RI,
. Vol 1, Number 4, April, 1883, pp 305-09: In notes about the early history of Quidnessett, in 1664 deeds were deeds were given to the first settlers, soon after a second group bought in the south part of the district. Arthur Aylesworth was listed in this group.
. Vol II 1883-84, p114: During the Indian War it is affirmed that every house in Narragansett was destroyed, and the inhabitants entirely driven out. Soon after this, however, they returned, and commenced again their settlements, and in a petition of the inhabitants of Narragansett dated July 29, 1679 we find Arthur Aylesworth as one of the signers.
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Rhode Island General Court of Trials 1671-1704, transcribed by Jane Fletcher Fiske, Boxford, Massachusetts, 1998, p 139: Newport Court 1687 Arther Aylworth and others "being bound to the peace and appearance at A Court to have beene Holden at Rochester and by Order of Gen Quarter Sessions Summoned to appear at this court they being severally called in Court Appeared and Proclamation being made and noe person appearing against them they and either of them are Cleered from his bond paying officers fees."
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The Narragansett Historical Register, James N. Arnold, published by the Narragansett Historical Publishing Company, Hamilton, RI, Vol II, no 4, April 1884, p 242: "List of all the ffreemen Belonging to the Towne of Kingstowne alias Rochester, In the narragansett Country this 21st of December 1696." lists Arther Alsworth, Robert Aysworth, Arthur Aylworth, Jun., John Aylworth, and Philip Aylworth
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Source Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, John Osborne Austin, Genealogical Publishing Co, 1978, p 6:
Tax list September 6, 1687
1701 Suveyor of Highways
March 29, 1715 He testified to certain land, calling himself 62 years old or thereabouts.
November 23, 1727 Receipts were given the executor by Peleg Card and Elizabeth, his wife, and John Davis and Martha, his wife, for legacies from father, Arthur Aylsworth's estate.
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Source: The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, published by the Society, Boston, vol 128, January 1974, p 132: Rhode Island Census of 1782, p 152 lists Arthur Alesworth and Jeremiah Alesworth
Vol 93, p 381-82, 1939: In an article entitled "Servants to foreign plantations from Bristol, England, to New England, 1657-1686", by Gordon Ireland lists name of servant John Aylesworth; to whom bound George Warren; date of entry April 27, 1674; Servant's Embarkation Record for the CIty of Bristol, Book II 1663-1679, p 248.
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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, p 58-60: Petition from the inhabitants of the Narragansett Country to the King, July 26, 1679, the petitioners had settled in what they called King's Province. They were having trouble from the Indians, the colonies of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut all trying to claim their land and tax them without giving them any protection. They are now asking the King to recognized them as a Colony. Arthur Aylworth was one of the 42 signers.
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Gleanings from Newport Court Files, 1659-1783, Jane Fletcher Fiske, Boxford, Massachusetts, 1998:
. General Court of Trials 1715, record 58, James Thomas has fenced off land that has been a road or path and James Updike has taken him to court. Several older residents are there to testify that it has been an established path for many years. "Arthur Aylsworth, aged 62 or thereabouts, deposed 29 March 1715, that it "hath been upwards of this twenty years...Mr. James Updikes farm which was then in the possession of John Thomas rented to him by Mr. Updike...extended to the highway or country road that is now...[I] saw grow thereon Indian corn by the road...."
. 1723 Miscellaneous Documents, record 180, At the death of Robert Wastcost, his son Zerobabell, sued Daniel Greene of Kingstown, yeoman and Daniel Greene Jun of Kingstown husbandman, in action of trespass, to recover 4 acres at Quidnesset, part ofr a tract of 159 acres bounded northerly partly on land purchased by the plaintiff's father from John Green, deceased. Robert died in 1675. Arthur Aylesworth, aged 69, made depostion on January 26, 1722/23.
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History of Washington and Kent Counties Rhode Island, p 1230: Arthur settled at Quidnessett Neck and build a home about 1675. He was then 25 years old. He was of Welsh descent, born in England. He died in 1725.
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On a plat of Quidnessett made in 1717/18 there is a five sided area supposed to have been the original homestead of Arthur Aylworth. 300 acres on the western part of a block of land one to two miles west of the bay in that area between Pojack Point and Quonset Point., chiefly north of Allen Harbor.
His name does not appear on the list of inhabitants of Quidnessett in 1671 but is found in a list of the same group with others who petitioned His Majesty the King for aid in July 1679. It would thus seem that he had settled on the land during that interval. If so, he was among those whose homes were burned by the Indians in 1676. In the Narragansett Historical Register, Vol 2, page 51 a paragraph reads: "The site of the Aylesworth House, the first habitation of the Aylesworths in Narragansett, was in Quidnessett, on the south side of the pine grove close to the wall, about 40 rods west from the road north of a road leading through Quidnessett, north and south, and about the same distance north of a road leading from the above mentioned road west to the main or post road. The land is now (1883) owed by a Mr. Hunt. The chimney and foundation of said house are still visible."
Evidently the second house was build south of this site as will be disclosed later.
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North Kingstown, Rhode Island Will Book, p 188 - 195
The Will of Arthur Aylworth (edges of pages all damaged by fire)
[In the name of God. Amen. I Arthur Aylworth of the town of King's Town in the county of Kings in the Rhode Island and Providence Plantations being * * * as to bodily health but of a] Perfect mind and memory [thanks be given un] to God. Therefore calling unto [mind the mort] ality of my body and knowing [that it is appo]inted for all men once to dye do make [and ordain] this my Last will and Testament that [is to say prin]cipally and first of all I give and Rec[ommend my] Soul into the hands of God that gave [it an]d my body I recommend to the earth to be [burie]d in a decent Christian Buriall at the [discre]ssion of my Executor, and as touching [such] Worldly Estate where with it hath pleas[ed God to] bless me in this life. I give Disp[ose and bequeath the] same in this following manner and form.
I Give and bequeath, after my Just debts last sickn]es and funerall charges is payd as hereafter direct]ed, unto my son Phillip Aylsworth and to [the male] Heire Lawfully begotten of his body foreve]r, whom I] Constitute make and Ordaine my whole [and sole Executor of this my last will and [testament, to him] all my whole Estate both Reall a[nd personal, that is] to say, my said farme with all the [appurtenances and]Priviledges thereunto belonging [I give demise] and Bequeath to my son Phillip Aylworth [and to the male] Heire of his body forever. [But if my son Philip Aylworth should die without such heir then my will is that my said farm shall ascend to the male heir of my] son Chad Aylworth [and his heirs forever and that he] shall enjoy said farme as [his own. But if] my son Chad should dye without [a male heir] Lawfully begotten of his body my will is [that my said] farme Shall Ascend to the malle heire [of my son] Robert Aylworth and his heires forever.
I Give and Bequeath unto my Eldest son Robert five pounds Currant mony of this Colony.
I give (and bequeath)unto my Son Arthur Three [pounds] in Like mony.
I Give unto my son John Three pounds in Like mony.
I Give and bequeath to my Son Chad Ay1worth [a] moiety or halfe part of all my Personall [estate and] fourty pounds Currant mony of said Colony.
I give unto my Eldest Daughter Mary Green [Three ? ] Pounds in Like mony.
I give unto my Daughter Eiizabeth Dolliver T[hree] Ditto.
I give unto my Daughter Katharine Three pounds [and] one feather Bead and beading.
I Give unto my Daughter Martha Three pounds and a bead and beading.
Which [several] Bequests before mentioned I do order [my son] Phillip shall pay the same Severall [bequests to be] Given in Some Convenient time after [my decease].
I do hereby Constitute my son Phillip [Aylworth the whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament whom I order to pay and satisfy my just debts, last sickness and funeral charges and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and dis]annul all and [every other former testaments] Wills Legacies and Bequests a[nd Executors b]y me in anywise before nam]ed willed and bequeathed ratifyi]ng and Conforming This and no other [to be] my last will and Testament.
In Wittness [ where of I the said Arthur Aylworth have [here] unto Sett my and Seall this Eighth [day ] of May one Thousand Seven hundred and [ -t]een Anno Que ARTHUR AYLWORTH. {Seal}
Signed sealed] published Pronounced and declar]ed by Arthur Aylworth to be] his Last will and testament] in the presence of us the sub]scribers
(EDWARD ?] GREEN.
[JEREMIAH] GOULD.
[Edw ?]d Green and Mr: Jeremiah Gould Both personally [appeare]d before the Town Councl of North King's Town [this 13th d]ay of September 172 and on their Sollem [engagemen]t Declared that they Saw Arther Aylworth Decd [sign] publish Pronounce and Declare the above [written] Instrament to be his Last will and Testament [and that at] the Signing thereof he was or a Sound and [disposing] Minde and Memory and at the same time [they subscrib]ed to the Same as Wittnesses and saw [each other sig]ne as a Wittness. Signed pr order of [the town council] -Arthur Aylsworth & Descendants, Page 37-39.
THE CODICIL
[I Arthur Aylworth being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make this my codicil to my last will and testament written on the oth]er Side bareing date [May 8th 17-'teen and] I the said Arthur Aylworth [do by this cod]icell Confirme my Said Will and do [give my son] Chad Aylworth my bead and beading wich [I now lie] on in Liew of the one Moiety or halfe part [of my] Personall Estate given him in my said [will and] my will and meaning is my son Phillip [Ayleworth] Shall have and enjoy all my personall [estate, it] being but part of what I then had Left [having] Given to my Children Since for their Comfort. [And] further my will and Meaning is that my [two] daughters Katharine and Martha Aylworth [shall] not by Virtue of the within mentiuned [will have] the bead and beading they nor either of [them they] having had the same already since [my said] will beares date, and my will and mind [is] that this Codicell Shedule be part of [my] Last Will and Testament bareing date [as afore]said.
In Wittnes whereof I Sett to my ha[nd] This Seventh day of November, 1725. ARTHUR AYLWORTH
[In presence] of [JO]HN ALLEN
[JA]MES RENNOLDS
[JEREMIAH] GOULD
Mr Jeremiah Gould and-- -- both appeared before the [town council of] North King's Town the 13th day [of September 1726] and on their engagement declared that the[y saw Arthur Aylworth dec'd sign] seall publish Pronounce [and declare the above written instrument to be his codicil, etc. -Arthur Aylsworth & Descendants, Page 39.
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INVENTORY.
Wearing Apparel
2 old beadsteds, 2 old books £14. -.0
. Kee]ler and old warming pan two bottles }
onej]ug & a Small old Malter all at 2. 12. 0
Carpe]nters tools a bell a pair of worsted combs 2. 11. 0
One] old Iron pott an Iron Kittle a pair of
..An)dirons 2 old Tramels old fire tongues
..e a pair of small Stillards one
..Pan a small Cag all at 3. 9. 0
Beetle] Rings Wedges and other old Iron one Clevis 14. 0
One W]oolen Wheel foure old chaires 16. 0
.t an old Table Spectacles and Case 12. 0
One plow]shear and Colter 9. 0
..., Sheep and 3 Lambs 3. 6. 0
...Cows 10. -. 0
H]effers each Three years old 9.16. 0
Stears Each Two Years old 8. -.0
One] Stear a year old 1. -.0
..Small Seder Tub 3 old Trays an old Churn 5.0
..Geese young & old 1. 12.0
..on hill fowles 6.0
[Corn ?] Standing 3. 7. 0
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£71. 1. 0
[Presen]ted pr Jeremiah Gould (and] Daniel Green Jr
There are complete or partial records of seven receipts given to the executor for the legacies in Arthur Aylworth's will, all "in full" except perhaps that of Chad:
Robert Ayleworth," by mark, Oct. 13, 1626.
Arthur Aylworth," by autograph, Nov. 25, 1726.
John Aylworth," by mark, Oct. 7, 1726.
Chad Aylworth- record of signature destroyed.
John Green for his wife Mary Green - date destroyed.
Peleg Card for his wife Elizabeth Card, Nov. 23, 1726.
John Davis for his wife Martha Davis, Dee. 1, 1727.
It is evident the author of the Register did not consult the Rhode Island town records. 'The North Kingstown records then in their entirety would have furnished him abundant material. Little can be obtained from them now relating to years previous to 1700.
