John Hull

John Hull prepared a will in 1759; The will of Capt. John Hull, dated 20th Nov., 1759, with a codicil dated 30th of July, 1762, is recorded under date of April 6, 1765, in 'Jamestown Book for Town Council beginning in 1744,' and reads as follows:

Last Will and Testament of John Hull of Jamestown, County Newport, and Colony of Rhode Island, being of perfect mind, memory and understanding, thanks be to God for it--calling to mind the mortality of my body and being desirous to settle my estate, so as to have my family in peace and quiet, do make this my last Will and Testament. Principally and first of all I recommend my Soul to God who gave it, and my body to the earth tobe decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereinafter named. And as touching such temporal and worldly estates as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life--I give and dispose of in the manner and form following: Imprimus--That all such just and lawful debts which I owe to any person, together with my funeral charges, to be answered and paid by my Executrix hereinafter named, within convenient time after my decease. Item--I give to my son Oliver Hull all that my farm which is in part of Holly swamp farm which lieth between land that was formerly my brother Tiddeman Hull's, and land belonging to my brother Joseph Hull, to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. Item--I give to my son Tiddeman Hull all my land in Greenwich at a place called Miami Neck in Connecticut Government, containing 30 acres be it more or less. I also give to my son Tiddeman the sum of Two Hundred Pounds New York Money, which money he has in his hands, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Item--I give to my son Joseph Hull, fifty seven acres of land at the east end of Sorril farm, so called, that lieth south of my brother Joseph Hull's land, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Item--I give to my son John Hull, all the remainder of the Mount Sorril farm at the west end which will be about thirty-three acres, joining west on Mackrill cove, and north on my brother Joseph Hull's land, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Also I give to my son John twelve acres of land, be it more or less, which is part of that called the Ele Pond farm, adjoining east ring on a lane which leads to Arnold Beach, where was formerly a tan yard, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Item--I give to my son Wager Hull, the house and lot I now live on and the township lot to the eastward of John Martin's land which lot contains about seven acres, be the same more or less. Also I give to my son Wager a lot of land of ten acres which joins northerly on the highway that leads from ferry to ferry, easterly on William Hazard's land, all such land to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Item--I give to my four sons, namely, Oliver, Joseph, John and Wager, all my right of land on Dutch Island, to be equally divided between the four, to them and their heirs and assigns forever. Item--I give to my daughter Phebe Hazard one dollar besides what I have already given her. Item--I give to my daughter Alice Hyatt one dollar beside what I have already given her. Item--I give to my daughter Hannah Weeden one dollar beside what I have already given her. Item--I give to my daughter Mary Underwood fifteen pounds New York money to be paid to her by my executrix two years after my decease. Item--I give to my daughter Damaris Fowler fifteen pounds New York money to be paid to her by my executrix two years after my decease. Item--I give to my daughter Freelove Hull ten pounds New York money to be paid to her by my executrix two years after my decease. Item--I give to my daughter Catherine Hull fifteen pounds New York money to be paid to her by my executrix two years after my decease. Item--I give to my daughter Sarah Hull fifteen pounds New York money to be paid to her by my executrix two years after my decease. Item--I give to my beloved wife Damaris Hull my lot of land that lyeth between John Martin's land and James Carr's land, joins northerly on the highway that leads from ferry to ferry, containing about one quarter of an acre be it more or less, which lot I give to her, her heirs and assigns forever, and at her own disposing. Also I order my executrix hereinafter named to get in the money that is due me with the movable stock and to pay all my just debts and legacies, and what shall remain of my movable estate after all is paid and discharged I give to my beloved wife. Further my will is that my wife have the use of all my house and lot I now live on, until my son Wager comes of the age of 21 years. Finally I do appoint and ordain my beloved wife Damaris Hull to be the sole executrix of this my last will and testament. I have herewith set my hand and affixed my seal this twentieth day of November in the year of our Lord 1759. JOHN HULL. Signed, sealed, pronounced and delivered in the presence of JOHN MARTIN, MARY EASTORS, JAMES EASTORS. The son John Hull having died before his father his share is an annexed codicil devised to his brothers.

Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dorisw/p100.htm#i290

Occupation

Capt. John Hull of Jamestown was granted a license in 1756 to run a ferry from Long Wharf, Newport to the island, which, after passing through various hands, was finally purchased by Thomas R. Congdon, who bought off that competition against the Clarke and Ellery ferries. All the old boats were sloops, carrying a mainsail and jib. They were about 35 feet long and 14 feet wide, and drew about four and a half to five feet of water. They were very heavy, and planked with two-inch oak. There was a place at the stern for passengers. The animals were carried to an open cabin, amidships, and one vehicle was carried on a little deck forward. None of the boats is now in existence, but the old Ellery ferry house remains and is in fine condition. It dates back to just after the Revolution, and presumably was the one built to replace the house which the British soldiers burned in 1775.

--- excerpt from a longer article published in the Providence Sunday Journal on September 30, 1923, under the title "Rhode Island's Ferries Form Historical Romance." http://quahog.org/factsfolklore/index.php?id=187