The Earle family : Ralph Earle and his descendants

2 4 THE EARLE FAMILY [Second
two thousand acres from his claims iii the original division of the
land. Copies of many conveyances both to and from him are upon
record. In one of the latter, dated Tune 26, 1680, in consideration
of" naturall Love and affection," he conveyed to his son Ralph and
his wife Mary, " of Dartmouth," a " parcel of Land Scituate Lying
and being in the Township of Freetown, in the county of Bristoll
aforesaid, on the Eastward side of Tanton River, containing half a
share, that is to say, half that whole share Adjoyning to the Fall
River, two thirds whereof I do give to my said son Ralph Earll his
heirs and Assigns forever ; and the other Third thereof I do give to
my said Daughter in Law Mary Earll her heirs and Assigns forever."
This deed was executed in Portsmouth, and the land conveyed is
now the site of the central and earliest settled part of the city of Fall
River.
On the 6th of May, 1691, the "General Assembly for their
Majesties Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in
New England, in Portsmouth on said Rhode Island, for the Election
of General Officers for the said Collony," was held "at the house of
William Earle, it being removed from Newport by reason of the
distemper." It was " adjourned until the 23 d day of June, and then
to meet again at the house of William Earle, in Portsmouth, except
the Governor sees cause to meet sooner, if urgent occasion should
present."
In 1692, he was on the " grand Inquest at Newport" ;
and on the
6th of October he conveyed to his " welbeloved son Thomas Earll,
of the Town of Dartmouth, * * * one full quarter of a share of
upland" in Dartmouth.
He was a deputy from Portsmouth to the General Assemblies held
at Providence, October 25, 1704, and at Newport, May 1, 1706, and
July 3, 1706.
In his will, executed Nov. 13, 1713, he gave to his son William,
a brass milk pan, and a like gift to his sons Thomas, Ralph and
John, and his daughters Mary Borden, Mary Hix and Prudence
Durfee, and to the last a negro girl, " Kate," also, to his son John,
all the rest of the estate, real and personal, he paying, legacies as
follows : to grandson Caleb Earle, forty acres, or £40, at the age of
twenty-one. To granddaughter Joan Earle, daughter of Caleb,
£10, at twenty years of age. His son John was to allow his mother
comfortable and sufficient maintenance.