Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/69

Rh A second tract was also purchased called Wannamoisett, the bounds of which included the southern part of the present town of East Providence and the north of Barrington, with a part of Seekonk and Swansea. In 1645, the Indians agreed to remove from Wannamoisett for a consideration of fifteen pounds sterling, and Mr. John Brown of Plymouth and Rehoboth accepted the terms of the sale, receiving for his purchase Wannamoisett Neck "with twelve acres lying at Wachemoquit Cove." It is described as "that neck of land called and known by the name of Wannamoycett Neck, from the salt water where the Indians had formerly made a hedge, ranging unto the north end of the Indian field and so round about the said Indian field unto the salt water." In the agreement as to fences, Mr. Brown promised "not to make any sutch ffence so fare into the salt water upon the westerly side of Wanomoycet Neck as shall bare out hoggs from claming, nor from the south point of the said neck; a quarter of a mile on the east part of said neck." This purchase of Mr. Brown included Bullock's Neck and Riverside and extended northward probably to and including Kettle Point in East Providence, with twelve acres at Watchemoket. Mr. Brown was already a large land holder in Plymouth Colony at Plymouth and Rehoboth, and by this purchase became one of the largest in the Colony. He made his residence at Wannamoisett and with his son in law, Thomas Willet, and his son, James, formed the nucleus of a settlement on the main road near what is now the village of Riverside in East Providence. Mr. Brown's house was built on the east side of Moskituash creek and Mr. Willett's near Mr. Brown's on "Oxbow creek." The chimney of the Willett house is standing as a land mark of the location of the first settlement in the Wannamoisett Purchase.

"Sowams and Parts Adjacent" were sold to Thomas Prince, Thomas Willett, Myles Standish, and others by Massassoit in the year 1653, for £35 sterling. This purchase included the present town of Barrington and parts of Bristol, Warren, and Swansea.