Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 59
appears in all the records prior to 1630 ; but after the removal it
ceases to appear. He did not come over ; but having a pecuniary
interest in the success of the settlement, it is probable that those
of the name who did come belonged to, or were connected with his
family. The fact that our Thomas Huckins, when a young man,
and before he had become in any manner distinguished, should
have been elected ensign of the Artillery Company, seems to
prove that he was connected with influential families. To be able
to trace our ancestry to the renowned in the father land, adds
nothing to our own merit. When they left their native shores
they began as pilgrims in a foreign land, and resolved to be the
architects of their own fortunes in life. No patent of nobility
granted to an ancestor, can confer so much honor oii a man as to
be able to trace his descent from a member of Mr. Robinson or
Mr. Lothrop's church. These were honest men, the other may
have been a Sir John Fallstaff or a Lord Jeffries, distinguished
only for their crimes and debaucheries.
Mr. Thomas Huckins was an exemplary member of Mr.
Lothrop's church. The criminal calendar records only one charge
affecting his moral character. He is charged with having abused
a poor servant. No details are given, and no opinion can be
formed of the heniousness of the offence. The Colony Court considered
itself the guardian of the poor boys sent over as apprentices,
and always lent a willing ear to their complaints. There
appears not to have been much foundation, for Mr. Huckins was
only required to pay the expenses, as he was obliged to do as the
boy's master ; no fine nor punishment being imposed on him, and
we may therefore safely infer that the oflience was not grievious.
As a business man he perhaps had no superior in the colony, certainly
not in the town. His neighbor, Nicholas Davis, the quaker,
did more business but was not so careful or successful a man.
Mr. Huckins had a landing place or wharf near his house, where
he discharged and received freights. He was one of the "farmers"
or partners that hired the Cape Cod fisheries.
In 1670 considerable quantities of tar were manufactured in
the colony, and he was appointed one of the purchasers, and instructed
to pay eight shillings for small barrels and twelve shillings
for large.
Oct. 4, 1675, he was appointed Commissary General of the
Colony, and had the sole management in procuring supplies, and
forwarding them to the soldiers engaged in the Indian war.* The
arduous duties of this ofBce he performed ably, and to the entire
satisfaction of the court.
*Hi8 friend and associate, Mr. ColUcut, held the same office by appointment of the Mass.
Colony during the Pequat war, and in my notice of that gentleman I have stated that the
business connected with that office prevented him from settling in Barnstable as he had
intended.