Person:Thomas Waite (10)

The biography and family data for several generations of the descendants of Thomas Waite of Portsmouth RI was discussed in the article "Thomas Waite of Portsmouth, R.I. and Some of his Descendants," by G. Andrews Moriarty, published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Record, Volume 73, Number 4, October 1919, pages 291ff. Additional information was obtained from an Internet web site at http://www.waitegenealogy.org/FamilyLines/waitecarter.pdf.

It is evident that Thomas Wait arrived in New England in the middle 1630s. It is probable that Boston, and not Plymouth was his arrival point. He did not stay in Massachusetts Bay Colony for long, for in 1638, he turned up in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. This was the same year in which Anne Hutchinson, who was propagating religious beliefs to her followers in Boston, was told, in no uncertain terms, to remove herself from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Roger Williams was exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 for his belief in freedom of conscience in religion. He was warmly received by two Indian chiefs, Massosoit and Canonicus, who gave him tracts of land on the Seekonk River. Williams reserved no political power to himself, but seemed to be actuated solely by the desire to make happy all those around him. He was strenuous in asserting his own views, but he and his associates resolutely refrained from interfering with the rights of others.

Aquidneck, now Rhode Island, had been settled in 1637 by Anne Hutchison and her followers. In May 1638 another Boston group joined them and it is thought that Thomas Wait was of this group. He applied for a lot on which to build (the land being held in common), at the first meeting of the council thereafter the record of its proceeding reads: "July I, 1639, granted to Thomas Wait a house lot next Mr. Wick's."

Thomas Wait was named a Freeman at Boston, on 8 October 1640.

On 16 March 1641, he was named a Freeman at Newport, Rhode Island, a privilege then only granted to church members.

On 6 May 1649, Thomas Wait was a witness to the will of Anthony Paine. On 8 July 1650, he was a Juryman, and in 1655 he is again described as a Freeman. He was appointed Constable on 7 June 1658 and again in 1663 in Portsmouth.

In April 1661, he purchased of William Earle one half share of the Acushnet and Coxet lands in what is now Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He was also a large owner of lands at Narragansett and Misquamicut (now Westerly, Rhode Island).

On 4 Dec 1669 the estate of Thomas Wait was divided by the Portsmouth Town Council among his wife Eleanor and children; Samuel, Thomas, Benjamin, Reuben and Jeremiah and Mary. Joseph had died previously and so was not named. Thomas and Jeremiah were under 21 years of age. For years historians had disagreed as to whether or not Benjamin was a son of Thomas. In the winter of 1913/4 the document was found in the basement of the Town House. This gave a division of the estate. See article by Moriarty on this family in the Vol. 73 page 291-304 NEHGS and also The Genealogist for April 1944 and Rhode Island Historical Collections Vol. 21 page 131." (EWT)

"Eleanor Wait was made administrix of her husband's estate, as 'Elen' Wait. She married Ralph Cowland shortly after this date. On 13 Jun 1671 'Elen Cowland' and Thomas Wait Jr. were taxed on the estate (Portsmouth Tax List). She d. before 21 Jun 1676, when Samuel Wait was made Administrator in her place. (Portsmouth Scrapbook)" (NEHGR)

"A Family Record of the Waits of Cattaraugus County," by Clara Waite Burroughs.

Some historians have believed that in the division of the property of Thomas Wait his son Benjamin's name was the one omitted. However, if the property was "divided among his six children," and the son Joseph was already dead, the "six children" must logically have included the son Benjamin.

Mrs. Edythe Wilson Thoesen, a former instructor at the University of Colorado, supplied the following information and copies:

"In the winter of 1913-14 in the basement of the Town House of Portsmouth was found a document of the division of the estate of Thomas Wait leaving no doubt as to his heirs, over which the historians have disagreed for years. In it was named wife Eleanor, children Samuel, Thomas, Benjamin, Reuben, Jeremiah, and Mary. Joseph had died previously and was not named. Thomas and Jeremiah were under 20 years of age.

The following document was copied for me:

'Bee it known unto all whom it may concerne That I, Samuel Wayte, Do by these presents acknowledge my Selfe to owe and Stand justly Indebted unto the Council of the Town of Portsmouth on Rode Island or unto their successors the full and just sum of 350 pounds to be levied and Executed on my Lands, Goods, Cattell or Chattells to the performance threof I Binde my selfe, my heirs, Executors, and Administrators------witness my hand and seale and 21st of January, 1675.

"The condition of the above written obligation is such That whereas Thomas Wayte, father to the said Samuel Wayte; deceased intestate; whereupon the councill of the towne of Portsmouth in the year 1669 ordered the disposall of his estate; according to Law therein, Impowering Ellin, widow of the said Thomas, Executrix during her life; and after her decease unto the above said Samuel, who now being by the decease of his mother Ellin Executor to the estate of his father. That if the above named and bounde Samuel Wayte shall truly administer on the estate of his said Deceased father and mother in the true and faithful performance of the aforesaid acts of Councill mad in the aforesaid years 1669 in and concerning the promises. Then the above written obligation to be void and of non'effect, otherwise to stand in full force and vertue. (Signed) Samuel Waite (Seal)

1.   Thomas Waite, in Moriarty, G. Andrews. Thomas Waite of Portsmouth, R. I., and Some of His Descendants. New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Oct 1919)
   73:291.

   Thomas Waite of Portsmouth, R.I., husbandman, born, probably in England about 1615, died shortly before 14 Dec 1669.

2. ↑ Thomas Waite, in Moriarty, G. Andrews. Thomas Waite of Portsmouth, R. I., and Some of His Descendants. New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Oct 1919)
   73:292.

   On 4 Dec 1669 his estate was divided by the Portsmouth Town Council among his wife and children.

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Thomas Wait, in Sanford, Edwin G. Judith at the Island: Judith (Smith) Fisher, the Wait Family of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and Their English Origins. The American Genealogist. (Oct 1992)
   67:198.

   Thomas bp 13 June 1612, d Portsmouth, R.I., bef 13 Sept 1665;