Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

56 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES.
House, were then living and ttie widow Elizabeth. According to
the usages in the Old Colony, the widow Elizabeth was entitled to
letters of administration, but for some reason that does not appear,
administration was granted to the two elder children, Elizabeth
and Samuel. The final settlement I do not find on record.
It seems that some trouble arose ; for Aug. 4,1663, the Court
summoned John Sutton and Mr. Tilden, to give an account of the
division and disposed of the estate before the next October term
of the Court, if they "doe not end it in the interem," as do record
appears, the presumption is, that it was ended "in the interem."
In what part of Barnstable Samuel Howes settled I am unable
to fix certainly. Probably at "West Barnstable, for reference
is made to meadows owned by him near Scorton Creek. The
lands purchased of Serunk or SeconJce (Wild Goose) Sachem of
Scorton, which he confirmed to the town of Barnstable by deed
dated Aug. 26, 1644, were at the northwesterly corner of the
town, and probably included Sandy Neck, then considered of little
value. Mr. Freeman is mistaken in calling this the "first purchase."
The Indian title to the lands in the northeasterly part of
the town, (excepting the reservation at the corner) was the first
purchase.
In the deed of Seconke he bounds the lands conveyed, easterly
by the lands of "Pexit another Indian." These lands were at
West Barnstable, and do not appear to have been an extensive
tract. To whom Pexit sold, I do not find stated on record. This
is of little importance ; yet it would be satisfactory to show, that
every acre of land in Barnstable was obtained by fair purchase of
the aboriginies. In early times a considerable tract northwesterly
from Dea. William Crocker's farm was called the "Gov.'s" land
and meadows, probably Gov. Bradford, for HincWey was not then
entitled to that honor. Samuel House's meadows were in the
same vicinity, and probably his lands.
If House's lands were in any other portion of the town, there
are records by which the precise location could be fixed. Barnstable,
at the time of House's settlement, was almost an unbroken
wilderness. A few English had settled in the vicinity of Goodspeed's
Hill and Coggin's pond. The Indian population was
numerous. They had villages and cleared lands. They however
frequently removed from place to place. Tradition says that they
usually fixed their residences on the north shore in the summer
and on the south in the winter, and there are records which
partially confirm the tradition. House had been accustomed to
an active life, in the busy marts of trade of his native land ; his
wife was the daughter of a man of considerable wealth, and in
early life had been accustomed to enjoy all the conveniences, and
many of the luxuries of civilized life. He built himself a shanty