Epenetus Platt

Source: http://longislandsurnames.com/getperson.php?personID=I11331&tree=Platt

EPENETUS PLATT (RICHARD3, GEORGE2, SIMON1) was born 1640 in Milford, Connecticut, and died Aft. September 01, 1693 in Huntington, Suffolk Co. (Long Island), New York.

He married PHOEBE WOOD1 March 1666/67, daughter of JONAS WOOD"ORAM" and ELIZABETH STRICKLAND. She was born Abt. 1647, and died 1697.

Source: Huntington Historical Society - The first record Epenetus at Huntington is on 24 February 1665, when he bought from Gabriel Finch all of the latter's houses, outhouses, orchards, barns, land and meadows, consisting of some 7 acres plus additional meadow lands. In the purchase Epenetus agreed not to molest his neighbor Samuel Wood in the harvesting of corn, who presumably used Platt's land for access to his cornfield. The completeness of the Finch purchase, along with later references, suggests that Epenetus bought a ready-made homestead, lock, stock and barrel, possibly to start his own family.

24 December 1667, Epenetus, Samuel Wood and Thomas Weeks were each granted 6 acres at Tredwell's Plain. On the same day Epenetus was permitted to "take in land fit to plant" on the east end of Wood's field.

April 16-17, 1672, he was assigned to Farm #4 in the well-known Ten Farms allotment, his co-owners being Jonas Wood, John Weeks and Thomas Whitson.

6 October 1673, after the Dutch reconquest of New York, Epenetus and four others were delegated to visit New York and petition the Dutch not to exact a pledge of allegiance from the town but to put it on good behavior for a year. The following year, after the resumption of English control, the capricious and arbitrary Governor Andros suspended the Court of Sessions.

2 April 1680, at a town meeting Epenetus was granted land at the south end of his lot at Cow Harbor if not prejudicial to the existing highways. In December of that year he entered into a boundary line agreement with Jacob Walker, Richard Brush and Walter Nokes concerning their respective meadow lands on a south-shore neck of land.

Relations with Governor Andros continued to erode. In 1681, Epenetus and his brother Isaac, as well as Samuel Titus, Jonas Wood and Weeks were imprisoned in New York without trial for presuming to attend a meeting of delegates from several Long Island towns seeking some redress for their grievances against the arbitrary Colonial government.

30 June 1681, an inventory of Epenetus' lands on the East Neck on the south side of the town was published, being a codification of the agreement of 1680.

1 April 1682, Epenetus and James Smith were named overseers of the town; on 26 June it was voted that he go to New York to present a town petition to the Colonial government "if Mr. Wood will not". Apparently Jonas Wood was somewhat reluctant to risk another spell in jail.

23 December, an inventory of Epenetus' lands on the east end of the town was certified by Joseph Bayly and Thomas Powell. This included 30 acres on the south side of the east field, described in detail as containing a swamp, Reed Pond, chestnut trees, etc.

24 September 1683, Epenetus and his brother Isaac, James Chichester and Thomas Whitson, were appointed to travel to Southold, there to choose 2 men from the East Riding to attend the New York Court of Assizes.

4 April 1684, he and Isaac were appointed commissioners when Thomas Fleet, Thomas Powell and Thomas Whitson were unwilling to take the commissioners' oath. This reflected their now being identified with the Quaker movement, which opposed all oath-taking.

1686 Epenetus was named Justice of the Peace and about the same time was named in the Dongan confirmatory patent.

His will, dated 1 September 1693, proved at Brookhaven 13 November, confirming his widow Phebe as executrix. The provisions include the following: To his son Epenetus, the housing, lands and meadows of his homestead. He was to provide his mother with her room there during her lifetime and a 1/3 interest in all improvements. He was to pay his younger brothers Jonas and Jeremiah £10 each when they became 21, toward their building allotments. To Jonas the allotment Epenetus acquired from Thomas Skidmore. To Jeremiah a £100 right in the commonage acquired from John Jones and meadowlands on the South Shore (Babylon Area). This was to be divided into 3 parts and each brother was to draw his portion by lot. To Jeremiah the home lot acquired from Walter Noakes when he attained the age of 21. Land purchased from Thomas Whitson to be divided among Epenetus, Jonas and Jeremiah. Of the balance, 1/3 went to his widow outright, the rest to his six daughters. Phebe's share was to include an additional £5. There was to be no general distribution until the youngest daughters were grown or 3 months after his widow's death. The 3 sons were to receive 1/3 of the above. If his wife should die without leaving a will, her share was to be divided equally among all the children or the survivors among them.

Platt Lineage - Removed from Milford with his older brother Isaac; recorded as one of the land-holders in Huntington in 1666. With him, he was imprisoned by the tyrannical Governor Andrews. Huntington records say that he received a deed of land from Gabriel Finch, 24 February 1666, and a deed of land from Thomas Skidmore 22 January 1672. He filled many public positions with ability and credit. He was called Captain and sometimes Lieutenant.

In 1681 he and Richard, Thomas and John Brush were the most important landowners in the East Neck, Huntington. Made his will on 1 Sep 1693; probate granted 13 Nov 1694. More About I EPENETUS PLATT: Christening: July 02, 1640, Milford, Connecticut1 Education: baptized by Peter Prudden Occupation: landowner, Captain

Notes for PHOEBE WOOD: Mann - Made her will on 12 January 1697, witnessed by Thomas Brush. Children of EPENETUS PLATT and PHOEBE WOOD are: i. PHOEBE5 PLATT1, b. March 19, 1668/69, Huntington, Suffolk Co. (Long Island), New York; d. 1748; m. COL. JOHN TREDWELL1; d. Bef. August 03, 1748. Notes for PHOEBE PLATT: Mann - Will dated 3 Aug 1748. Bequest to Phebe Marvin, daughter of "my sister Sarah". Left her mirror to her niece Hannah Platt Brush. More About PHOEBE PLATT: Education: Dsp[1.ged]

Married: Mar. 1667 Huntington, L.I., CT.

• Military service: Commissioned Captain of Suffolk Country Foot, - Jan 9 1684 - New York, British Colonial America
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Jul 30 2020, 11:02:26 UTC