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m. 1638
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Questionable information identified by WeRelate automation
BIOGRAPHY: Exerpts from " The Tefft Papers" Tefft Historical Park and other works: English immigrant John Tefft purchased 500 acres of land encompassing the site sometime between 1658 and 1672. The original deed has not survived. John Tefft served as a witness to the second Pettaquamscutt Purchase of 1661, and possibly laid out his share soon after. From land evidence records of adjoining neighbors, and from the Fones Record, we learn the location and extent of John Tefft's holdings. From John Tefft's 1674 will, we also learn that he owned a 20 acre homestead along the Pettaquamscutt River in the Tower Hill area of the Pettaquamscutt Purchase. King's Province was the area of Rhode Island that is in the southeast portion but on the west side of Narragansett Bay. John was the interpreter for the five wealthy purchasers of the property known as the Pettasquamsett Purchase (and at least part of the area known as the “King's Province) and also acted as witness to the purchase from the Indians. He then went on to purchase 500 acres of this purchase from those men in 1661 making him one of 19 original settlers to this area of Rhode Island. It appears that Joshua and Samuel Tefft, John's only sons, settled the 500 acre property and began to raise livestock, cattle in particular, in the mid-1660s. The homestead site, situated near the geographical center of the property, seems to suggest that it was probably selected first before the boundaries were run. Situated nearby a natural protective peninsula in the Genessee Swamp called Tobeys Neck, along with the natural springs and fertile ground, the site was ideal for agricultural pursuits. There is documentary evidence that both Joshua Tefft and his brother Samuel spoke the native Algonquin language. (Providence Town Papers, 1:364, LaFantasie, 2:711) Joshua Tefft mentions his cattle and "his farme a mile and a half from Puttuckquomscut" in a deposition taken by Roger Williams in 1676. (LaFantasie, 2:711) For fourteen years the Tefft family lived peacefully with their Narragansett neighbors, until the outbreak of King Philip's War in 1675. While the Tefft family sought safety on Aquidneck Island, Joshua remained behind to care for the cattle. Joshua Tefft did not survive the war. In the decade following King Philip's War, the land remained largely abandoned due to Rhode Island's recurrent boundary conflict with the colony of Connecticut. However, Samuel Tefft1 returned to re-occupy and work his father's land in the mid-1680s, being taxed nine shillings by the Andros administration in 1687. Documentary and archaeological evidence suggests that the foundation of Samuel's 17th century dwelling house still exists on the property and it is of prime importance in understanding the nature of the property
The death of John Tefft is alluded to in a letter dated 26 Jan 1676 from Captain James Oliver that stated that John Tefft had gone to recall his son, Joshua, and "lost his head and lies unburied." (Austin, p 392) Was it Joshua's head that John lost or did John lose his own head in the attempt to rescue Joshua? --Bill Wright 15:31, 9 October 2008 (EDT) A biography of John Tefft was provided by Carl Boyer 3rd in "Ancestral Lines, Third Edition," published by the author at Santa Clarita, California in 1998. Stocking wrote a book "Tefft Ancestry." Linga L. Mathew, in the article "John Tefft and his Children: A Colonial Generation Gap?" (published in Rhode Island Roots, September 1992, page 76-78), provides an interesting insight into the life of John Tefft. John Tefft came to New England probably in the late 1630's, either with his brother William or shortly thereafter. William, a tailor, settled in Boston, where he was admitted an inhabitant on 24 December 1638. John Tefft was certainly living somewhere in New England by 1646, when William drafted his will, in which he stated "I give my least steere Calfe unto the Eldest child of my brother, John Teffe, to be delivered uppon demand, after my decease ..." [New England Historical Genealogical Register, Volume 10, page 310, October 1857]. By 1655, John Tefft was well established in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. His name appears on a list of freemen published that year. On 3 July 1656, the Portsmouth Town Council granted him money for keeping "ould John Mott." On 30 November 1657, he was granted planting land ["Early Records of the Town of Portsmouth," published Providence, 1901]. John Tefft and his wife Mary sold seven acres of land to Robert Spink of Newport on 22 November 1662. He may have moved his family to Pettaquamscutt at this time, a large tract purchased from the Narragansett Indians. He was living there by 1671. In May 1671, he and the other inhabitants of Pettaquamscutt swore allegiance to the King [John R. Bartlett, editor, "Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England," seven volumes, 2:390, published Providence RI 1858-1862]. John Tefft apparently died in January 1676, but his will was not probated until 1679, probably because his death occurred during King Philip's War, which was a troubled time during which records were not well kept. The only mention of his death comes from Captain James Oliver, writing from Richard Smith's house in Wickford. He states that John, "going to recall him (his son Joshua?), lost his head and lies unburied" [Austin, "Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, 1887, reprinted Baltimore, 1969, p. 392]. One may assume that hostile Indian action was responsible for his death, although it is difficult to determine the reliability of the account. John Tefft wrote a will, dated 30 November 1674. The Will was transcribed and contributed by A. Craig Anthony (RI Land & Public Notary 1:246) and reads: "The last Will and Testament of John Tift on the Thirtith day of November in the yeare of Our Lord One Thousand Six hundred Seventy & four bein in sound minde & perfect memory the Lord God be praised in the first place I commit my soule unto God my Saviour and my body unto a decent burial, And as for what worldy Goods I have I order and dispose of as followeth, I freely give and bequeath unto my sonn in law Samuell Wilson my now dwelling house in pettacomscutt together with my house lott consisting of Twenty Acres to him his heires-Administrators or assignes from the day of the makeinge of this my last Will & forever To have and to hold to his the said Samuell Wilson or assignes owne use and behoofe together with all yards gardens Clossures out fences or outhouse or houseings with all other previledges or appurtenances thereunto in any wise belonginge, Alsoe my will is that my wife Mary Tift shall have all my Cattell or Chattellsof what kinde soe ever, which is to say two Oxen two Cowes, two yearling steers Eight of Swine kind, and one Ewe & a lamb--together with all other Moveables of household Stuff, My will is that my Sonn Samuell Tift shall have two shillings and My Sonn Joshua Tift shall have one shilling, and my daughter Tabiatha Tift one Shilling, as alsoe one Iron pott which my daughter Tabiatha shall have after my wifes decease My will is that my sonn in law Samuell Wilson and my son Joshua Tift Shall equally pay my debts which is to the sum of one pound three shillings I doe alsoe by these owne this my true last and perfect will and doe utterly by these presents dissowne any other will that have or ever hereafter shall be made by me the said John Tift unto which Will I binde my heirs by my hand and seale the day & yeare above-Mentioned ~ Witness hereunto William Hiffernan John T Tift Alexander ~ King his marke his mark "I am Satisfyed for my thirds as Wit my hand Mary V Tift Oct: ye 19th 1679 her marke Tabitha S Gardner her marke James Donallsone his marke LN "The above written is A True Copy of the Original Entered per: John Sanford Recorder" It is possible that he disinherited Joshua, Samuel and Tabitha, for whatever reason. Joshua had apparently displeased his father by marrying a Wampanoag Indian, and living in the Indian village. Joshua was captured during King Philip's War, and was executed. Samuel Tefft had left his parents home and settled in Providence. Tabitha Tefft had married George Gardiner in 1670, but John Tefft referred to her as Tabitha Tift in his will; perhaps Tabitha had eloped with George, and they were estranged from John Tefft. References
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