William Steere, Sr.

One of the earliest settlers of Glocester, RI. Land deed of 18 November 1712 stated he already lived west of the 7 mile line. This territory later became Glocester, RI.

1694, June 5- His father deeded to him one half of his land, meadows, and commons, on the west side of the Seven Mile Line in the township of Providence, RI.

1697, April 9- He traded with his brother John, Jr., a lot of and twenty shillings on the east side of the Seven Mile Line for a simuliar sized lot on the west side of the Line.

1708- Freeman of Providence Township, RI.

1708, June 11- He sold to his brother Thomas, a tract of land on the west side of the Seven Mile Line, being a half share of the first division of meadow not yet laid out.

1711/12, March 21- He sold to Zachariah Field of Providence, four acres on the west side of the Seven Mile Line situated on the southwest side of "Sheonscoodit Brooke." This is located in eastern Glocester, RI north of Harmony, RI.

1712, November 18- He sold 47 1/2 acres of land west of the Seven Mile Line to Samson Cartwright for 10 pounds. Forty acres were on the northwest side of William's land "where he now dwells" and 7 1/2 acres "lying westwardly not probably past half a mile from ye hill called Wayunkheag Hill." This land is located in the Harmony, RI area, perhaps a little to the North.

1713- Taxed 3 shillings and 4 pence.

1713/14, March 18- He sold his 79 acre homestead farm west of the Seven Mile Line "where he now dwellth" to Elisha Knowlton of Providence for 93 pounds. This farm was bounded on one side by "Absalonymiscock Brook."

1714, April 17- He purchased from Morris Brock 25 acres on the west side of the Seven Mile line between the two hills called Snake Hill and Chestnut Hill. He settled here for the rest of his life. Steere Hill in this area is apparently named after him or perhaps his brother Samuel (who settled near Waterman's Reservoir near Harmony, RI circa 1725) or one of their descendants.

1734, April 29- He purchased 63 acres of land west of the Seven Mile Line in Glocester, RI from Jeremiah Vallet, which in original right belonged to John Clark. This land was located northeasterly of Chestnut Hill.

1736/7, January 21- He made his will at Glocester, RI, which was proved 20 February 1736/7. He left his 85 acre farm (located on Chestnut Oak Road) to his youngest son Samuel. It is listed on Cole's 1790 map of Glocester, RI somewhat southwest of P. Vallet under the name of Kaleb Steere, William, Sr.'s grandson.

Siblings: Lieut. John died 5 January 1727, Sarah who married Peter Place (1660-1735) brother of Joseph Place (c.1665-c.1735), Dinah who married John Thornton, Thomas, Jane who married William Blanchard, Ruth, Ann who married Richard Lewis, and Samuel.