Thomas Angell

For the Norwegian merchant, estate owner, mine owner and philanthropist, see Thomas Angell (born 1692).
Thomas Angell
Born c. 1616
Died 1694
Providence, Rhode Island
Occupation Commissioner, constable, town clerk
Spouse(s) Alice Ashton
Children John, Anphilis, Mary, Deborah, Alice, James, Hope, Margaret

Thomas Angell (c.1616-1694) was one of the four men who wintered with Roger Williams at Seekonk, Plymouth Colony, in early 1636, and then joined him in founding the settlement of Providence in what became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Though he was a minor at the time of his arrival, his name appears on several of the early documents related to the settlement of Providence. In the early 1650s he became active in the affairs of the town, serving as commissioner, juryman, and constable. In 1658 he began his service as the Providence Town Clerk, and held this position for 17 years. He wrote his will in 1685, dying almost a decade later in 1694, leaving a widow and many grown children. Angell St., on Providence's East Side, is named for him.

Life

Thomas Angell was one of the four men who probably spent part of the winter (the early part of 1636) with Roger Williams at Seekonk in the Plymouth Colony (later Rehoboth, Massachusetts), before settling the upper reaches of the Narragansett Bay, where they established the settlement that Williams named Providence in the late spring.[1][2] Angell was a minor at the time, but the adult men in the group brought their wives and children with them.[3] Angell was probably a relative of Roger Williams and related to William Angell, a citizen and baker of the City of London, whose daughter married a first cousin of Williams.[4]

After reaching legal age, he and 12 other men signed a civil compact dated 20 August 1637, desiring civil equality with older men in the town.[1][5][6][7] On 27 July 1640, he was one of 39 inhabitants of Providence who signed a document for a form of government, he signing by mark.[1]

In 1652 Angell became involved in civic affairs, being selected as a commissioner, and in 1655 he was a juryman and also served as constable.[1] Also in 1655, his name appears on a list of freemen within the colony.[1] Angell's greatest service to the town began in 1658, when he became the Providence Town Clerk, and he served in this capacity for 17 years, until 1675, just prior to King Philip's War.[1] His name last appears on a public record in 1685 when he and his son James were taxed.[1] Angell wrote his will in May 1685, but he lived until 1694, when his will was proved in September of that year.[1]

Family

Angell married Alice Ashton, the daughter of James Ashton of Saint Albans in Hertfordshire, England.[4] Alice's sister, Mary, married Thomas Olney, another Providence settler, and her brother James also came to New England. Thomas and Alice had eight children. Their daughter Alice married Eleazer Whipple, the son of John and Sarah Whipple, and brother of Colonel Joseph Whipple, and their daughter Margaret married Jonathan, another son of John and Sarah Whipple.[1] Their son James married Abigail Dexter, the daughter of colonial President Gregory Dexter.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Austin 1887, p. 4.
  2. ↑ Chapin 1916, p. 11.
  3. ↑ Bicknell 1920, p. 158.
  4. 1 2 Moriarty 1945, p. 206.
  5. ↑ Arnold 1859, p. 103.
  6. ↑ Bicknell 1920, pp. 177,196.
  7. ↑ Field 1902, p. 33.

Bibliography

External links

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