Summer1633. [SRC]

Joined the First Church of Roxbury. 74th and 75th members of the church.

John & Margaret Porter quickly move from Roxbury to Boston.

1633 NOV 5. Records of the governor and company of the Massachusetts bay in New England. [SRC]

Made a freeman in Boston.

1637 NOV 20. Records of the governor and company of the Massachusetts bay in New England. [SRC]

They are disarmed.

Whereas the opinions & revelations of Mr Wheeleright & Mrs Hutchinson have seduced & led into dangerous errors many of the people heare in Newe England, insomuch as there is just cause of suspition that they, as others in Germany, in former times, may, vpon some revelation, make some suddaine irruption vpon those that differ from them in judgment, for prevention whereof it is ordered, that all those whose names are underwritten shall (vpon warning given or left at their dwelling houses) before the 30th day of this month of November, deliver in at Mr Canes house, at Boston, all such guns, pistols, swords, powder, shot, & match as they shalbe owners of, or have in their custody, vpon paine of ten pound for every default to bee made therof ; Which armes are to bee kept by Mr Cane till this Court shall take further order therein. Also, it is ordered, upon like penulty of x’, that no man who is to render his armes by this order shall buy or borrow any guns, swords, pistols, powder, shot, or match, vntill this Court shall take further order therein.

The Names of Boston Men to bee disarmed. …Samuell Wilbore … John Porter…

1638 MAR 12. Records of the governor and company of the Massachusetts bay in New England. [SRC] Summons on them if he does not leave the colony by a specific date.

Mr. William Coddington, Mr John Coggeshall, William Baulston, Edward Hutchinson, Samuell Wilbore, John Porter, John Compton, Henry Bull, Philip Shearman, Willi Freeborne, & Richard Carder, these haveing licence to dept, sumons is to go out for them to appear (if they bee not gone before) at the next Court, the third month, to answear such things as shalbee obiected.

1638. Porters move to Portsmouth

1638 APR 7. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations … , 1636-1692, 10 vol. (SRC)

Portsmouth Compact

We whose names are underwritten do here solemnly in the presence of Jehovah incorporate ourselves into a Bodie Politick and as he shall help, will submit our persons, lives and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and to all those perfect and most absolute lawes of his given us in his holy word of truth, to be guided and judged theareby.

Samuel Sr. named as a Freeman of Portsmouth in the election of William Coddington on the same day.

1638 JUN 13. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Present at Portsmouth town meeting.

It is ordered that every one of this Body shall have for his present use one acre of Medow for a Beast, one acre for a sheep, and one acre and a half for a Horse, to be layd out at the discretion of Mr. Sanford and Mr. Wilbore and John Porter, with what convenient speed may be, up- on notice given of every man’s severall Cattle.

1638 JUN 20. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Present at Portsmouth town meeting.

It is ordered that Mr. Coggeshall, Mr. Sanford, and 1638. John Porter shall lay out the allottments for the Towno ‘ and accordmg to orders, these allottments following are layd out hy Mr. Coggeshall and IMr. Sanford.

1638 JUL 27; 1638 SEP 23; 1638 OCT 15 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Present at Portsmouth town meeting.

1638 DEC 16 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Present at Portsmouth town meeting.

It is ordered, that John Porter and John Sanford shall treate with Mr. Nicholas Esson, and shall fully agree with him, in allowing of him sufficient accommodations for foure Cowes and planting grownd as they shall think meett, all which is for the setting up of a Water Mill which the said Mr. Esson hath undertaken to build for the necessary use and good of the plantation ; and further it is granted to the said Mr, Esson that he shall have liberty to fall and carry away any such timber as shall be of necessary use for the present building of the Mill.

1639 FEB 2 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Present at Portsmouth town meeting.

It is ordered, that Mr. John Clarke, with Mr. Jefferies, and John Porter, and Richard Burden, shall survey all the Lands near abouts, and shall bring in a Mapp or Plott of all the s’d lands, and so to make Report to the Judge and Elders, hereby they may receive information and direction for the distribution to each man his Property.

1639 APR 30 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

We have also, for the help and ease [of the conducting of] public business and affairs for [the colonies] for one yeare, allso chosen unto him William Ballston, William Freeborne, John Porter, John , John AVall, Philip Sherman, as allso William Aspinwall to lay out lands as they shall be disposed.

1639 MAR 12 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Assigned land.

John Porter, two hundred and fortie acres.

1640 APR 4 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

It is ordered, that Mr. Porter, and Mr. ??? [be authorized] to laye out for Mr. Samuel Hutchinson…It is further ordered, that Henry Bull shair [have the] north field, and that Goodman Barton shall have . . . plant where Mr. Porter and Lieuftenant Balston.

1643 OCT 5 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

It is ordered further, that five acres be layed out to John Porter next unto the swampe down to the sea in satisfaction for ten acres of land, which is the land granted to William Woodwell. … It is ordered, that James Sands shall have the remainder of the lande not laide out next the rounde medowe, and the end of ??? provided, there be a hieway left for John Porter to the sea.

1640 APR 12 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Joined the town meeting at Newport.

Mr. William Hutchinson, Mr. Wm. Balstone, Mr. John Sanford, John Porter, Adam Mott, Wm. Freeborne, John Walker, Philip Sherman, Richard Carder, and Ran- dall Holden, presenting of themselves, and desiring to be reunited to this body, are readily embraced by us.

Mr. John Porter is chosen Assistant for this yeare, or till a new be chosen.

1640 SEP 14 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

It is agreed and ordered, by the unanimous consent of this Courte, that a line of division be drawn between the Townes of Newport and Portsmouth, as the bounds of the Lands of each Towne, Vidg’t. The s’d Line to begin half a mile beyond the River commonlie called Sachuis River, being the River that lies next beyond Mr. Brenton’s Land on the South East side of the Island towards Portsmouth, and so on in a straight line to run to the nearest part of the Brook to the hunting Wigwamm, now standing in the highway between the two 1640. Towns, and so by that Line to the sea on the North side of the Island, which line shall be and is the Bounds between the Two Townes, and to be sett out by marked Trees ; And that Mr. Easton and Mr. Porter, and Mr. Jeoffreys and Mr. Samford shall lay out this Line by the first of November ensuing.

1641 MAR 16 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Listed as a freeman and an assistant for town of Newport.

Mr. John Porter is chosen Assistant for one whole yeare, or until, &c.

It is ordered, that Mr. Porter, Mr. Balston, Mr. Easton, and Mr. Jeoffreys shall runn the line between the two Towns within twentie days after the date hereof, or else shall forfeit a mark a peece; and performing it within the (time or) tearme they shall have a Mark a peece for their Labour.

1642 MAR 16-17 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Mr. John Porter is chosen Assistant for one whole yeare, or until, &c.

1643 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

It is ordered, that Mr. Porter is chosen to see the Newport men, that they would be pleased to … . noe interest nor tytle in that 100 acres of land that they owe unto the Dep’t for the Towne if willing to accommodate him with as much conveniency to his farme as may be.

1644 AUG 29 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

At the same Towne meetinge. It is further ordered, that Mr. Brenton, Mr. Baulston, Mr. Cornell, have [a cer- tain] parsell of lande butting upon Mr. Porter’s round meadow ; and if the aforenamed three men do approve of it, then James Sand is to have ten acres of land formerly granted to him by the Towne, there to be layd out to him…. It is ordered, that Mr. Brenton and Mr. Porter are to appoint the Towne meetings from time to time.

1646 FEB 4 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Mr. Porter and Mr. Sanford are chosen to propound to the Generall Court that the line may be viewed and layed out between Newport and this Towne.

1648 MAY 16 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Selection of delegates for a General Assembly of Rhode Island

It is ordered, that each Towne shall within ten dayes meet together to choose their Towne officers, and that Mr. Easton shall call the townsmen of Newport ; and Mr. Porter and Mr. Sanford shall call the townsmen of Portsmouth ; and Mr. Weeks for Warwick ; and by virtue of a commission to them, shall call ye people together for to performe the service aforesaid, and to determine of their towne affaires.

1650 MAY 23 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Mr. John Porter is chosen Gr. A. for Portsmouth,, and engaged.

1652 FEB 25 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

John Sanford, William Baulstoue, William Jeffery, and John Porter wrote a letter to Newport, Warwick, Providence and Portsmouth. It seems like they were asking for an assembly to be organized and some coordination under law. Since John Porter lived across 2 of these boundaries, his interest here makes sense.

It is ordered, that two of the Commissioners from each Towne bee chosen as messengers to carry the sayd letter (namely, Gregorie Dexter, Hugh Bewitt, Stukely Was- cote, and John Townsend) now drawn forth by the Commissioners in answer to the letter sent to the Townes, subscribed by John Sanford, William Baulstoue, William Jeffery, and John Porter ; and those four messengers are to present this letter to the view of two at the least of the sayd gentlemen, or give notice to some other of them to which of them they have delivered it ; and farther, that these foure messengers shall have libertye to consult and advise with those foure abovesayd men, or any of them accordinge to their wisdomes for the peace and welfare of the Collony. And after the returne of these messengers aforesayed, if they shall see cause for the meetinge of the aforesayed Commissioners, they shall apoint both time and place, and informe the Recorder thereof; And the sayed Re- corder is authorized by vertue hereof to give notice to the Commissioners abovesayd of time and place. And further, in case the sayd Recorder shall receave any thinge from the two Townes of the Island, or their Commissioners, hee shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Commissioners of both these Townes. And so the Court is adjourned for the present, untill further notice as aforesayed. By the Court, JOHN GREENE, Recorder.

1653 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

A Brief e Remonstrance of the two Townes of Providence Plantations, being at present the colony of Providence Plantations.

A very cryptic non-response on responding to the letter. Still not sure what it’s about.

1655 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Listed as a freeman of Portsmouth

1656 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Mr. Porter is freed from personal trayninge, only he is to pay sixteen shillings a yeare.

1657 JAN 20. Samuel Wilbore, Jr & John Porter make Pettaquamscutt Purchase (South Kingston)

1657 MAY Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Mr. John Porter being chosen a commissioner by the Towne of Portsmouth, he being sicke, and not able to attend, his fine is by this Court remitted.

1658 JAN 20. Ancient Land Evidences. VOL2. P147 (SRC)

Quassuchquansh, Kachanaquant, and Quequaquenuet, chief sachems of Narragansett, for £16 and other considerations mentioned in the deed, sell to Samuel Wilbor, John Hull, of Boston, goldsmith; John Porter, Samuel Wilson and Thomas Mumford

… all the land and the whole hill called Pettaquamscutt bounded on the south and southwest side of the rock with Ninigret’s land, on the east with a river northerly bounded two miles beyond the great rock in Pettaquamscutt westerly bounded by a running brook or river beyond the meadow, together with all manner of mines, etc., they to have free ingress and egress on the sachems’ lands.

They also grant them all the black lead in a place called Coojoot.

Witnessed by John Lawton and Philip Lang and signed only by Kachanaquant.

1658 JAN 29. Ancient Land Evidences. VOL2. P147 (SRC) 

Kachanaquant confirms the former sale and conveys another tract

…bounded as followeth — beginning two miles from Pettaquamscutt Rock and runneth to the head of the great river 40 rood and goeth northerly from the Pettaquamscutt Rock and turneth north east and from said head goes north and north west by a river called Monassachuet ten miles and from that bound turns and runs west by south ten miles or twelve miles on a square and what it wants north to be made up etc. for £135, dated June 24th, 1660.

Witnessed by William Wilbor, Mathew Wilbor, John Rounds, etc. Appended to this deed is a confirmation made several years after by three sons of Kachanaquant.

1658 MAR 20. Ancient Land Evidences. VOL2. P150 (SRC)

Having purchased of Ninigret seven miles square, i.e., seven miles from Pettaquamscutt Rock, and all the land between said rock and the sea, March 20th, 1657, they were obliged to obtain a confirmation of the sale February 28th, 1661, from Wanomachin, another sachem, who also conveyed to them all his lands seven miles west and southwest of the Great Cedar swamp together with the swamp

1658 MAR 10 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Commissioner for Portsmouth.

Mr. John Porter and Mr. John Roome, chosen commissioners for Portsmouth, they beinge by illness not able to atend that service, their fines are remitted.

1659 MAY 17 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Mr. William Baulston, Assistant for Portsmouth. Mr. John Porter, next ; Mr. John Eoome, next.

It is ordered, that Mr. Benedict Arnold, Mr. William commis- Baulston, Mr. Roo^er Williams and Mr. Randall Houlden, treat with formerly chosen to treate with the commissioners of Ply- comm’rs. mouth, concerninge Hog Island and the devision line be- tweene us, are againe chosen to treate with Plymouth Commissioners accordinge to theire former commission and instructions. And in case any of the aforesayde commissioners shall, by death or sickness be hindered, then Mr. William Eeild, Mr. John Porter, Mr. Joseph Torrey, and Mr. Samuel Gorton, are chosen a reserve to supply all or any of their roomes.

1659 AUG 23 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Commissioner for Portsmouth.

Mr. William Baulston, chosen Assistant for Portsmouth ; Mr. John Porter next.

1660 May 22 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Commissioner for Portsmouth.

Voted, that Mr. William Brenton, Mr. Benedict Arnold, Mr. John Porter, John Sanford, Mr. Nicholas Easton, Mr. William Harris, Mr. John Greene, and Mr. Randall Houlden are chossen a committee to ripen the matter concerninge the purchass made by the gentlemen of the Bay, in Narragansett, and draw up their result thereon, and present it to the Court.

1661 May 21 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Commissioner for Portsmouth.

Mr. William Baulston, Assistant for Portsmouth ; Mr. John Porter next.

Audit Ordered, that Mr. Baulston, Mr. Porter, and Mr. Sherman are apoynted to audite the accounts of Mr. John Sanford, Generall Treasurer the last year.

Discussion of raising money in each of the towns to cover the cost of sending agents to the King regarding a royal charter.

1661 AUG 21 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

Commissioner for Portsmouth.

More discussion of raising money.

1663. Royal Charter of Rhode Island (SRC)

Mentioned as a major landowner.

1663 NOV 20. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. (SRC)

It is ordered, that warrant goe forth from the Governor and Deputy Governor, unto Mr. Roger Williams and Mr. Thomas Olney, and for Mr. Porter to come before them, or either of them, to take their engagements, which said warrant is given forth.

1664. Abandons Margaret Odding. Moves to Pettaquamscutt w/ Herodias Long.

1665 JUNE 5. Rhode Island Colonial Records

Wheras ther hath ben a petition presented to this presant Asembly margrett porter the wife of John porter of This jurisdicyion of Rhod Iland &c; in which The said margrett doth most sadly Complaine that her said husband is destitute of all Conjugall Love towards her, and sutable Care of her; is gone from her and hath Left her in such a nessesetous stat that unavoydably she is Brought to a meane dependance upon her Children for her Dayly suply, to her very great griffe of heart and the Rather Considering that ther is in the hands of her said husband a very Competant Estat for both ther subsistance; and Therupon the said margrett hath most Earnnestly Requested this gennerall asembly to take Care of her and to take her deplorable Estate Into your serious Consideration, as to make 
some sutable provition for her Reliefe out of the Estate of her husband, and that spedily before both hee and it be Convayed away.

The Court therfore Taking the matter into ther serioues Consideration and being Thoroughly satisfied, both by 
Common fame and otherwise, That the Complaints are True; and that the feares premised of convaying at least his Estate away are not without grownds; and haueing a deep sence upon ther hearts of this sad Condition which this poore anciante matrone is by this menes Reduced into … bee it by the said Court and the authority thereof decreed and Enacted that all the Estate, bothe personall and Reall of the above said John porter, Lying and Being in this Jurisdiction is hearby secured as if actually seazed upon and deposited for The Reliefe of the aforesaid  Complainant…untill hee hath settled a Competent Reliefe upon his ageed wife to her full satisfaction…

1665 JUN 27. Rhode Island Colonial Records

He settled an estate on her and got control of his assets back.

…he having settled on his wife for life, such an estate as doth fully satisfy her.

1666 OCT 24. Rhode Island court records;  [SRC]

Does not show up in court.

John Porter of pettacomscutt he beinge mandamassed to this Court and in the Court Called Did not apeere. Butt haveinge by writtinge to some of the Majestrats pleaded Debillity of Bodye for his non apearance: The Court doe Referr the matter to the next Court of Tryalls where he is to make apeere the truth of what he Elegith otherwise to be proceeded with for his contempt.

1667 MAY 6. Rhode Island court records;  [SRC]

Does not show up in court.

John porter beinge mandamussed to apeere at the last Court of Tryalls and he not there apeeringe the matter was relfered to a heareinge this Court : The sayd Mr John Porter being in Court Called Did not apeere and It being Eleged that he is weake and dissabled by Debillity of Body: The Court doe therefore order that if appear not at the next court of tryalls either by himself (or in case he be not able) by his attorney, then he shall be proceeded with according to law as a guilty person.

1667 OCT 23. Rhode Island court records;  [SRC]

Does not show up in court.

John Porter was by the order of the last Genrl Court of Tryalls (Held in may) to apeere at this Court, and he beinge in Court called did not apeere nor any Aturney in his behalfe The Court doe sentance him to pay a fine of Five pownds, and pay all Fees.

Indicted for cohabitation.

John porter of Narragansett in the Kings province and Harrud Long alias Gardiner for that they are suspected to Cohabitt and Soe to live in way of incontinency : Mandamassis beinge sent forth, And they in Court Called Did not a peere. The court upon consideration of the matter, Not being informed that the Mandamassis were delivered to the persons in time the court doe order that the Mandamassis shall be sent forth to them again to appeare at the next court of Tryalls where if they appear Not they shall be proceeded with as guilty persons.

1668 MAY 11. Rhode Island court records;  [SRC]

Upon indictment by the solicitor for living in a way of inconstancy with Herrud Long (alias) Gardiner. The sayd John Porter being Mandamassed and in court called, pleads not guilty and refers himself to the country for tryall. The jurris verdict. John Porter. Not Guilty. The court doe order that the sayd John Porter is cleered by proclamation paying fees.

Herodias was married at 13-14 years old to John Hicks, lived in Newport. He beat her and later petitioned for divorce because she was living as the common law wife of George Gardiner. She was not fined because she claimed abandonment. She then later legally separated from Gardiner. John Porter then pleaded that Herodias was ill and could not appear, and that she would appear or be represented at the next session.

1668 OCT 21. Rhode Island court records;  [SRC]

John Porter apeereing with a paper signed Horrud Long the Court doe owne him her Aturney: the sayd Mr porter in her behalfe: pleads Not Guilty of Liveinge in incontunancy and Refers her Tryall to god and the Cuntry The Juris verdict – Horrud Long not Guilty by punktual Testimonys. Judgement granted. The sayd Horrud Long cleered by proclamation in open court. Paying fees.

1670 JAN 1. Law and Sexual Misconduct in New England, 1650-1750 [SRC] Wikipedia [SRC]

Herodias Long was using the surname Porter, and John took on her 2 children by 2 other men, leaving good portions of his property in the Narragansett. Not clear if they were married but they were on contracts together.

1670 OCT 26. The genealogical dictionary of Rhode Island comprising three generations of settlers who came before 1690 : with many families carried to the fourth generation. p155 [SRC]

Given leave to set tax rates in Pettaquamscutt.

1671 JAN 1. The genealogical dictionary of Rhode Island comprising three generations of settlers who came before 1690 : with many families carried to the fourth generation. p155 [SRC]

He and his wife (maybe), Herodias Long, deeded William Gardiner, her son by George Gardiner of Newport, 200 acres in the Narragansett, bounded westerly by Henry Gardiner.

1671 MAY 19. The genealogical dictionary of Rhode Island comprising three generations of settlers who came before 1690 : with many families carried to the fourth generation. p155 [SRC]

He took an oath of allegiance to Rhode Island and the crown.

1671 SEP 26. The genealogical dictionary of Rhode Island comprising three generations of settlers who came before 1690 : with many families carried to the fourth generation. p155 [SRC]

John sells the land he settled on Margaret, 240 acres in Portsmouth to Richard Smith – so Margaret was probably dead by then.

1671 DEC 27. The genealogical dictionary of Rhode Island comprising three generations of settlers who came before 1690 : with many families carried to the fourth generation. p155 [SRC]

He and his wife (maybe), Herodias Long, deeded a 1/16 interest in 1000 acres (laid out to purchasers of Narragansett land to Nicholas Gardiner, her son by George Gardiner of Newport.

1674 MAY 11. John Porter dies after this date.

He is sued by Richard Smith. Jury found for Smith £23 5s.