FRANCIS BILLINGTON (1604-1684) (Mayflower Passenger) IN 17TH CENTURY RECORDS

The names of those which came over first, in the year 1620, and were by the blessing of God the first beginners and in a sort the foundation of all the Plantations and Colonies in New England ; and their families... "John Billington and Ellen his wife, and two sons, John and Francis." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 441-3. "The fifth day [of December, 1620] we, through God's mercy, escaped a great danger by the foolishness of a boy, one of ...Billington's sons, who, in his father's absence, had got gunpowder, and had shot off a piece or two, and made squibs; but there being a fowling-piece charged in his father's cabin, shot her off in the cabin; there being a little barrel of [gun] powder half full, scattered in and about the cabin, the fire being within four foot of the bed between the decks, and many flints and iron things about the cabin, and many people about the fire; and yet, by God's mercy, no harm done." Mourt's Relation, ed. Jordan D. Fiore (Plymouth, Mass. : Plymouth Rock Foundation), 1985, p. 27. Francis Billington and the early exploration and settlement of Plymouth "Monday, the eighth day of January ... This day Francis Billington, having the week before seen from the top of a tree on a high hill a great sea [known today as Billington Sea, actually a large pond], as he thought, went with one of the master's mates to see it. They went three miles and then came to a great water, divided into two great lakes; the bigger of them five or six miles in circuit, and in it an isle of a cable length square; the other three miles in compass, in their estimation. They are fine fresh water, full of fish and fowl. A brook issues from it; it will be an excellent place for us in time. They found seven or eight Indian houses, but not lately inhabited. When they saw the houses, they were in some fear; for they were but two persons and one piece." Mourt's Relation, ed. Jordan D. Fiore (Plymouth, Mass. : Plymouth Rock Foundation), 1985, p. 40. Francis Billington and the 1627 Division of Cattle Plymouth Colony Records Vol. I also tells of the 1627 Division of Cattle : "At a publique court held the 22th of May it was concluded by the whole Companie, that the cattell wch were the Companies, to wit, the Cowes & the Goates should be equally devided to all the psonts of the same company... so the lotts fell as followeth, thirteene psonts being pportioned to one lot... "The seauenth lott fell to Stephen Hopkins & his companie Joyned to (2) him his wife Elizabeth Hopkins (3) Gyles Hopkins (4) Caleb Hopkins (5) Debora Hopkins (6) Nickolas Snow (7) Constance Snow (8) Willam Pallmer (9) ffrances Pallmer (10) Willm Pallmer Jnor (11) John Billington Senor (12) Hellen Billington (13) ffrancis Billington. "To this lott fell A black weining Calfe to wch was aded the Calfe of this yeare to come of the black Cow, wch pveing a bull they were to keepe it vngelt 5 yeares for common vse & after to make there best of it. Nothing belongeth of thes too, for ye copanye of ye first stock: but only half ye Increase. To this lott ther fell two shee goats: which goats they posses on the like terms which others doe their cattell... The ninth lot fell to Richard Warren & his companie Joyned w'th him his wife (2) Elizabeth Warren (3) Nathaniell Warren (4) Joseph Warren (5) Mary Warren (6) Anna Warren (7) Sara Warren (8) Elizabeth Warren (9) Abigall Warren (10) John Billington (11) George Sowle (12) Mary Sowle (13) Zakariah Sowle. "To this lott fell one of the 4 black Heyfers that came in the Jacob caled the smooth horned Heyfer and two shee goats." Francis Billington : 1650 "John Billlington… his second son [Francis] is alive and married and hath eight children." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 443-446. Francis Billington in the Records of Plymouth Colony The inventory of Joh Thorp, carpenter, deceased of Plymouth, was entered into the Court records in January 1633. Among others, Thorp is listed as debtor "To ffr Billington 03 [pounds] 12 [shillings] 06 [pence]." The inventory of Francis Eaton, carpenter, deceased of Plymouth, was entered into the Court records in November of 1633. Listed is "The debts off ffr Eaton ... It To ffr Billington for worke 01 [pounds] 10 [shillings]." Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 1, p. 160, 199. 25 March 1633 : "According to an order in Court held the 2d of January, in the seaventh yeare of the raigne of o'r soveraigne lord, Charles, by the grace of God King of Engl., Scotl., France, & Irel., defendor of the faith &c, the psons heere under menconed were rated for publike use... "Francs Billington, ... 00:09:00 [9 shillings]." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 9-10. Francis Billington was also "rated" 9 shillings in 1634 (Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 28). July 1634 : "Francis Billington and Christian Eaton, widdow, wer married." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 31. 1636 : [The Town of Plymouth established "teams" for cutting and providing wood] : "for goodman Winters Teame Willam Hoskins ffrancis Billington Nicolas hodgis Will Spon." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 33. 20 March 1637-8 : "Memorand that Mrs Elinor Billington Widdow the twentyeth day of March Anno Dni 1637 by her deede in writing vnder her hand and seale bearing date the eight day of January 1637 in the thirteenth yeare of the Raigne of or now Souaigne Lord Charles by the grace of God Kind of England Scotland ffranc & Ireland &c Hath giuen graunted enfeoffed and confirmed All and singuler her lands meadowes pastures commons wth all & singuler the apprtences therevnto belonging scituate and being at Playne Dealing together wth all her right title and interrest of and into the said prmisss & every part and pcell thereof All which wth some pvisoes and reservacons appeareth more fully and plainely in the wordes of the deed hereafter following, viz. To all xpian people to whom these prnts shall come Ellinor Billington of New Plymouth Widdow sendeth greeting in the Lord God eulasting Know yee That I the said Elinor for and in consideraon of the naturall loue that I beare vnto ffrancis Billington my naturall sonn and for diuers other good causes and consideracons me thervnto especially mooueing Haue giuen graunted enfeoffed and confirmed, and by these prnts doe giue graunt enfeoffe and confirme vnto the said ffrancis Billington his heires and Assignes foreuer All and singuler those my lands meadowes pastures and comons wth all and singuler thapprtences therevnto belonging scituate lying and being neere Playne Dealeing wthin the gouerment of New Plymouth aforesaid, together wth all my Right title and interrest of and into the said prmisss and euery pte and pcell thereof To haue and to hold the said lands meadowes pastures and commons wth all and singuler the prmisss and their apprtences vnto the said ffrancis Billington is heires and Assignes for euer to the onely pper vse and behoofe of him the said ffrancis Billington his heires and assignes for euer Provided always & reserued vnto me the said Ellinor Billington such a pcell or quantitie of lands out of the prmisses as will make a thousand and a halfe of hills to sett wth Indian corne or sowe wth English graine wthin some pte of the prmisss wch shalbe nfenced during my naturall life if I shall please to use yt And also puided & excepted out of the prmisss a smale pcell of ground to make a garden place & erect a house vpon together wth such a quantitie of land in a new feild as the said Ellinor shall please to be at charge to manure and take in wth the said ffrancis to be hers to use during her naturall life ; Provided lastly that the said ffrancis Billington doe not sell bargaine alliene or assigne the said prmisss or any pte thereof during the life of the said Ellinor wthout her consent and approbacon And the said Ellinor Billington all and singuler the said prmisses and euery pte and pcell thereof vnto the said ffrancis Billington his heires and Assignes and euery of them against all men doth couenant and graunt by these prnts foreu to warrant and defend. In witnesse whereof I the said Ellinor Billington haue herevnto set my hand and Seale the Eight day of January in the Thirteenth yeare of the Raigne of our Souaigne Lord Charles by the grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland Kinge Defendor of the fayth 1637. "Ellinor Billington her mark. "Sealed & deliued in the prsence of Nathaniell Sowther, James Hurst, & Robte Lee." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 28-29. 7 June 1637 : "It is concluded and enacted by the Court, that the colony of New Plymouth shall send forth ayd to assist them of Massachusetts Bay and Conectacutt in their warrs against the Pequin Indians, in reveng of the innocent blood of the English w'ch the s'd Pequins have barbarously shed, and refuse to give satisfaccon for... "The names of the Souldiers that willingly offer themselues to goe vpon the s'd Service, w'th Mr Prince & the Leiften't ... Francis Billington." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 60-61. 7 July 1637 : "...wee allowe a way from Francis Billingtons ground through the nooke, as it now lyeth, to the ferry, and from the ferry to Steephen Tracies house, and so through the meaddow to the bridg." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 58. 26 July 1638 : "The stock at this tyme was thus disposed. John Shawe - foure shares, ffrancis Billington sixe shares, Mrs Hodgkinson two shares in the pyde cowe wch was Goodman Shawes." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 4. 28 August 1638 : "Articles of agreement made and concluded vpon the xxviijth of August 1638 Betweene Gregory Armestrong of thone pty and Ellinor Billington, Widdow, of thother pty concning a marriage to be solempnized betweene the said pties as followeth viz. "In primis it is concluded and agreed vpon betweene the said pties to these prnts and in consideracon of the said Marriage That whereas the said Ellinor hath two Cowes w'ch the said Gregory is pr'sently to enter vpon The said Gregory doth couenant and graunt by these p'rnts That if it please God that he happen to outliue the said Ellinor that then he shall and will at his decease giue two heiffers of a yeare old & advantage a peece to the benefitt of the naturall children of ffrancis Billington the said Ellinors naturall sonn out of the estate that he shall then haue left, and if it happen that the said Gregory dept this life before the said Ellinor that then the estate shalbe at the disposeing of the said Ellinor, except some thinges to his frends at his death according to his estate at his death. "Itm It is also concluded vpon that the said two heiffers shalbe put forth when they fall to the benefitt of the said children by the ouersight & discretion of the Goun'r and Assistants of New Plymouth for the tyme being Alwayes puided that the said ffrancis Billington haue the vse of them before any other, if he be then liueinge. "Itm it is concluded vpon betweene the said pties And the said Ellinor doth couenant and graunt to and w'th the said Gregory That if hee the said Gregory shall surviue and outliue the said Ellinor that then hee the said Gregory shall enjoy the house they now lieu in and the lands they occupye during his life. Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 33-34. "Memorand the fourteenth day of Septembr 1638 That wheras Willm Tench and John Carman did bequeath two acres of lands vnto John Billington deceased Now Ellinor Billington his wyfe and ffrancis Billington his sonn doe acknowledg that for and in consideracon of the sume of foure pounds sterl in hand payd haue freely and absolutely bargained and sould vnto Mr Thom Prince Goun'r the said two acres of land lying on the South side of the second brooke & next to the lnads of Mr Willm Bradford w'th all & singuler the app'rtences therento belonging and all their right title & interrest of & into same & euery pte & pcell thereof To haue and to hold the said two acres of lands w'th their app'rtences vnto the said Thomas Prence his heires and Assignes for euer to the onely pper vse and behoofe of the said Thomas Prence has heires and Assignes foreu. There was one third pt of one of the sia dacres excepted w'ch was giuen to Mr Bradford & was rateably to be abated for, except Mr Bradford would release the same w'ch he did in consideracon of the bargaine followinge. "Memorand the xxjth of Septemb'r 1638 That Gregory Armestronge Ellinor his now wyfe and ffrancis Billington her naturall sonn doe acknowledge that for and in consideracon of the sume of fourty shilling sterl in hand payd by Mr Willm Bradford as also for that the sd Mr Bradford hath released his interrest vnto them in third pte of an acre of land lately sould to Mr Prince Haue freely & absolutely bargained & sould vnto the said Mr Wm Bradford one acre & a halfe of land lying on the north side of the lands of the said Will'm Bradford vpon the lowest diuision next the water side in the feild on the North side of the Towne of Plymouth together with all their Right title & interrest of and into the same w'th all & singuler thapp'rtencs therevnto belonging To haue & to hold the said acre & half of land w'th all & singuler the app'rtences therevnto belonging vnto the said Willm Bradford his heires & Assignes for euer to the onely pp use and behoofe of the said William Bradford his heires & Assignes foreu'r." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 37-38. 4 December 1638 : "Fines and psentments ... Francis Billington for drinking tobaccoe in the heighway ... xij d [pence]." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 106. 3 June 1639 : "Vppon heareing of the differences betwixt Mr John Atwood and Francis Billington, the Court doth order with consent of both pties, that the said Francis shall pay the said Mr Atwood fourty shillings in hand, and thirty shillings more in corne or work, betwixt this and the spring ; and the remaynder of the debt as the said Francis is able, in money, corne, or worke, and the attachement to be discharged." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 7, p. 13. 4 November 1639 : "Memorand that ffrancis Billington & Christian his wyfe for and in consideracon of the sume of seauen pounds sterl to them in hand payd by Jonathan Brewster & Loue Brewster Haue freely and absolutely bargained & Sould vnto them the said Jonathan and Loue All that third part of the lands lying on that side next to the lands of the sd Jonathan & Loue accruing vnto the said Christian as her thirds by her right from her former husband ffrancis Eaton wth all & singuler thapprtences therevnto belonging and all their right & interrest thereinto & euery pt & pcell thereof To haue and to hold the said thirds of the said lands wth all & singuler thapprtences thereunto belonging vnto them the said Jonathan Brewster & loue Brewster their heires Executrs & Assignes during the naturall life of the said Christian." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 48. 5 January 1640-41 : "It is ordered by the Court, that Francis Billington & Christian, his wyfe, shall giue Jonathan Brewster & loue Brewster possession of her third the lands brought of them ; & then Jonathan Brewster to pay him in corne the remaynder, which is xxxviij s vj d." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 6 16 September 1641 : "Francis Billington is graunted an enlargement [of his land grant] where he desireth, if, vpon the view of Mr Prence, Mr Atwood, & Wm Paddy, it shalbe there found to be had." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 26. 14 January 1642 : "Concerneing the placeing and disposing of ffrancis Billingtons children according to the Act and order of the Court, "It is ordered and agreed upon that John Cooke the yonger shall have Joseph until hee shalbe of the age of twenty and one years (being now about vi or vii years old) and fynd him meat drink and apparell during the said terme. "It is ordered that Benjamin Eaton his eldest Boy shalbe with John Winslow upon these conditions untill he shall accomplish the age of xxi years being about xv years in march next and is to fynd him meate drink and apparell during the said terme and pay tenn pounds for his service or xxxiii s iiii d yearely pvided that if he dye before thend of said terme that then the said John Winslow shall pay pportionably to the tyme he lives and no more and the payments to be made in Countrey pvided that if any man els will take him upon these condicons he may with the approbation of the Governor and Mr. Prence. "It is ordered and agreed also that Gyles Rickett shall take another of his children a gerle aboute five years of age and shall keepe her and find her meat drink and apparell untill she shall accomplish the age of twenty years or be married with consent first so that she marry with consent of the ma'trate and shall have xxx s in hand with her towards the apparelling of her payd him within a month after she comes to him. "It is ordered and agreed likewise That Gabriell ffallowell shall have another of his children a gerle about -- years of age and shall have her untill she shall accomplish the age of twenty yeares or be marryed (first happening) so that she marry with consent of the ma'trate then being and shall fynd her meate and drinke and apparell during the said terme. And shall have with her xxx s. payd him within one month after she is come to him towards the apparelling of her and shall also have xxxiii s. iiii d for the first three years next after the takeing of her to be payd out of that wch John Winslow is to pay yearely for Benjamin." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 12. 5 April 1642 : "Memorand, the xviijth day of aprill, 1642 : that Francis Billington and Christian, his wyfe, haue put Elizabeth, their daughter, apprentis to John Barnes and Mary, his wyfe, to dwell w'th them and to do their service vntill shee shall accomplish the age of twenty yeares, (shee being now seaven yeares of age the xth of July next,) the said John Barnes & Mary, his wyfe, finding her meate, drink, & cloathes during the said terme." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 38. 10 February 1643 : "It is agreed That wolfe traps be made according to the order of the Court in manner following ... That one be made at Playne Dealing by Mr Combe Mr Lee ffrancis Billington Georg Clark John Shawe and Edward Dotey." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 16. 1 May 1643 : "To all to whom these prnts shall come ffrancis Billington of New Plymouth in America Planter sendeth greeting Know yee that the said ffrancis Billington for and in consideracon of the sum of fifteene pounds sterl to him in hand payd by Mr John Atwood of Plymouth aforesaid wherewth hee doth acknowledg himself fully satisfyed and payd and thereof and of euery pt and pcell thereof doth acquitt exonate and acquitt the said John Atwood his heires executrs and Administratrs and euery of them foreuer by these prnts Hath freely and absolutely bargained and sold enfeoffed and confirmed and by these prnts doth bargaine sell enfeoffe and confirme vnto the said John Atwood his heires and Assignes for euer all those his three lotts of vpland containeing three acore acres or there abouts wth the Marish meddow therevnto adjoyneing containeing three acres or there abouts lying at Playne Dealeing wthin the Towneship of Plymouth aforesaid & betwist the lands of the said John Atwood on the South and the Commons on the North the Sea on the East and the woods on the west wth all and singuler thapurtences therevnto belonging and all his Right tittle and Interrest of and into the said prmisss and euery pt and pcell thereof To haue and to hold the said three lotts of vpland and pcell of Marish meddow wth all and singuler thapprtences to the said prmisss belonginge and every pt and pcell thereof vnto the said John Atwood his heires and Assignes foreuer to be holden of our Souaigne Lord the Kinge as of his Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent wth in the Realme of England in free and common Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knight service by the Rents and services thereof and thereout due and or Right accustomed To the onely pp use and behoofe of him the said John Atwood his heires and Assignes for euer and wth warrantee against all people for eu by these pnts from by or vnder him his heires Executrs and Administratrs and euery of them claymeing any right title or Interrest of or into the said prmisss wth their apprtences or any pt or pcell thereof And the said ffrancis Billington doth by these prnts authorize the said John Atwood either by himself or his Attorney to record and enroll these prnts or cause them to be recorded & enrolled before the Gounor of New Plymouth for the tyme being according to the usuall manner of recording and enrolling deeds and euedences in his said Maties Court of Plymouth aforesaid Prouided alwayes that it shall & may be lawfull for Ellinor the wyfe of Gregory Armstrong and her Assignes to occupye and enjoy one of the three said lotts of vpland (vizt) that lott lying next to the lands of the said John Atwood wth one half of the said Marish meddow during her life tyme In witnes whereof the said ffrancis Billington hath herevnto set his hand and seale the second day of March in the Eighteenth yeare of the Raigne of our Souaigne Lord Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland Defendor of the fayth &c Anno Dni 1642. "Francis Billington. his seal. "Sealed and Deliued in the prsence of us Constant Southworth Willm Bradford Nathaniel Sowther. "And endorsed as ffolloweth : vizt. - memorand the third day of March Anno Dni 1642 that quiet and peacable possession & seisen of the wthin named prmisss was giuen and receiued by the within named ffrancis Billington vnto the wthin named John Atwood in their owne pp psons in the prsence of Thomas Willet John Winslow Robte Lee Hermon Atwood and Nathaniel Sowther." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 93-95. 4 July 1643 : "Whereas Joseph, the sonnof Francis Billington, according to the order of the Court, was by the towne of Plymouth placed w'th John Cooke the younger, and hath since beene enveagled, and did oft depte hs said masters service, the Court, vpon longe heareing of all that can be said or alleadged by his pents, doth order and appoynt that the said Joseph shalbe returned to his said master againe immediately, and shall so remaine w'th him during his terme; and that if either the said Francis, or Christian, his wyfe, do receiue him, if he shall againe dept from his said mater w'thout his lycence, that the said Francis, and Christian, his wyfe, shalbe sett in the stocks euery lecture day during the tyme thereof, as often as he or shee hsall so receiue him, vntill the Court shall take a further course w'th them ; and also, that if Benjamin Eaton, now liueing w'th the said Francis Billington, shall counsell, entice, or enveagle the said Joseph from his said master, that then he shall haue the same punishment w'th his father and mother." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 58-59. August 1643 : "August 1643. The Names of all the Males that are able to beare Armes from xvj. Yeares old to 60 Yeares, w'thin the seu'rall Towneshipps. Plymouth ... Francis Billington." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 8, p. 187. 5 November 1644 : "that whereas Francis Billington is endebted vnto Caleb Hopkins, as executor vnto Mr Steeven Hopkins, his naturall father, deceased, the sum of three pounds sterl, in consideracon that the said Caleb Hopkins shall forbeare the said Francis Billington the said three pounds vntill the first of December come twelue months, the said Francis Billington assigneth, mortgageth, and maketh ouer vnto the said Caleb Hopkins, for the secureing of the said debt of three pounds, one blacke cowe now in the hands of the said Francis, not to be sold or alliened any wayes to any man vntill the said debt of three pounds be satisfyed vnto the said Caleb Hopkins or his assignes." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 78-79. 3 March 1644-45 : "James Shawe, John Shawe, Ju'r, Francis Billington, Charles Thurston, Samuell Cutbert, are bound one for another in x li a peece for their apparences at the next Genall Court, &c, and to abide the further order of the Court, and not dept the same w'thout lycence, and in the meane tyme to be of the good behauior towards o'r souaigne lord the King & all his leigh people ; that then, &c ... Francis Billington released." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 81. 4 June 1645 : "John Shawe, Sen, of Plymouth, vpon his psentment, fyned ... iij li ... Francis Billington, for the like, xx s or corporal punish't." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 87. 10 December 1646 : "It was agreed that whosoever coms not to ye towne meeting being thereunto warned at ye time appoynted shall forfite to ye towns use for shuch defalte 12d exept he have a sufficent and lawfull excuse ... [a listing of male residents of Plymouth follows] francis Billington." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 20-21. 1647 and 1651 : "1647. Plymouth Register of Births... Rebekah Billington, the daughter of Francis Billington, was born on the 8th of June... "1651. Plym Regester of the Beirth of their Children... Samuell Dunham, son of John Dunham, Junier, born the 25 of Febrewary. Daughter of Francis Billington born the same daie." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 8, p. 4, 13. 26 October 1647 : "At this Court, Wm Handbury, compl, ag'st Franc Billington, for v li xv s, or thereabouts, it was agreed vpon by them in ye Courte, that ye said Billington shall & will satisfie & pay vnto Mr Wm Handbury, or his ass's, two barrells of tarre, marchantable, at the house of James Cole, in Plim, w'thin ye space of eight dayes nexte insuing, and the remaine to him or his assignes by ye 20th day of March nexte, & in case he failes of eith'r ye said paym'ts, it shalbe lawfull for ye said Wm Hanbury, or his ass, to seize into his owne hands and possession so much in one cow, w'ch he, ye said Billington, now stand possessed of, & hath now formly ingaged ye said cow for." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 119. 1 August 1648 : "These sheweth, that on July the 22'cond, 1648, wee, whosse names are vnderwritten, were sworne by Mr Bradford, Gouener, to make inquiry of the death of the child of Allis Bishop, the wife of Richard Bishope. "Wee declare, yt coming into the house of the said Richard Bishope, wee saw at the foot of a ladder w'h leadeth into an vpper chamber, much blood ; and going vp all of vs into the chamber, wee found a woman child, of about foure yeares of age, lying in her shift vppon her left cheeke, with her throat cut ... and a bloody knife lying by the side of the child, with w'h knife all of vs judg, and the said Allis hath confessed to fiue of vs att one time, yt shee murdered the child with the said knife. [Signed] : John Howland, James Hurst, Robert Lee, John Shawe, Francis Cooke, John Cooke, James Coles, Gyells Rickard, Richard Sparrow, Thomas Pope, Francis Billington, William Nelson." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 132. March 1651 : "The Names of those that have Interest and proprieties in the townes land att Punckateesett over against Road Iland ... ffrancis Billington." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 36-37. 3 February 1656 : "Concerninge the controversye betwixt Francis Billington and Edward Gray about two iron wedges, the Court, haueing heard the vtmost that could bee said about it, found a cupple of wedges, which the said Billington layed claime to, to bee his, and ordered they should bee deliuered to him, viz, a wedge with a marke or hole on each side, which came by the hammering of it accedentally, and the other a smale entering wedge, which was found behind M'is Attwoods house. "In the controversye betwixt Francis Billington and Willam Browne about some wages hee claimed for his son Joseph, whoe was hiered by the said browne for a month to sayle with him, the Court haue ordered that the said Browne shall pay vnto the said Billington 4s, to bee aded to 4 daiues workes hee oweth the said Browne for alreddy, and soe the controvercye is ended." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 3, p. 110. 7 June 1659 : "In answare vnto the request of John Morton, Richard Wright, John Dunham, Jun'r, Samuell Eedey, and Francis Billington, desireing some proportions of land to accomodate them for theire posterities, the Court giueth libertie vnto them to looke out a tract of land for that purpose, and if found convenient it shalbee confeirmed vnto them for the ends aforsaid." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 3, p. 164. 24 May 1660 : "ffifty Acrees of land was graunted unto ffrancis Billington viz : a Round Knowle of land lying and adjoyning to the hole of meddow belonging to the said ffrancis Billington on the south side of the Cartway goeing to Stephen Bryants meddows ; the said ffifty acrees of land with all and singulare the appurtenances belonging thereunto is graunted unto the said ffrancis Billington to him and his heires for ever." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 40. 23 July 1661 : "Wee, whose names are vnderwritten, being sumoned by Mr John Aldin, Assistant, the 23d of this instant July, to enquire conserning the suddaine death of John Bond, of Plymouth, seruant to George Watson, doe find as followeth, viz, that the said John Bond, the day aboue mencioned, coming home with his said master with a load of wood, well and in health for ought wee know or can find, the said Bond went to vnload the cart, and someway touching the mare that drew the cart, shee ran away with him on the cart, and that hee leaped of from the cart before the wheele, and soe the cart ran ouer him, and wee judge that soe hee came by his death; and for the truth of this our verdict wee haue heervnto subscribed our hands. Jon Moses, Thomas Bonney, Francis Billington, [et al.]..." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 3, p. 223 24 May 1662 : "Richard Wright desireth a smale pcell of meddow about two accers which is over measures of what was alowed to ffrancis Billington" Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 46-47. 3 June 1662 : "In reference to a petition preferd to the Court by sundry of the freemen, and in reference vnto a graunt made to some to looke out accomodations of land, as being the first borne children of this goument, and for the disposing of two seuerall tracts of land lately purchased, the one by Major Winslow and the other by Captaine Southworth, the Court, haueing viewed the seuerall lists of the names of those that desired to bee accomodated therin, haue settled it vpon those whose names follow : - Mr Prence, Mr Bradford, Major Winslow, Mr Aldin, William Mullins, ... Francis Billington, [et al.]..." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 4, p. 19. 6 August 1662 : [Plymouth Colony Deeds] "Alsoe Francis Billington of Plymouth aforsaid Doth acknowlidge that for and in Consideration of a valluable sume to him alreddy payed by Edward Gray aforsaid hee hath bargained allianated and sold enfeofed and Confeirmed and by these p'rsents Doth bargaine allianate sell enfeofe and Confeirme unto the said Edward Gray all that his pte portion or share of the aforsaid land att Punckateeset & places adjacent To have and to hold his abovsaid share of land with all the singulare the meddowes and all other appertences belonging therunto ; unto the said Edward Gray hee his heires and assignes for ever ; to belonge unto the onely proper use and behoofe of him the said Edward Gray hee his heires and assignes for ever" Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 17, p. 169-170. 22 March 1663 : "The owners names ... The severall lotes on Puncateesett Necke are as followeth ... Francis Billington, James Shaw : 16[th lot] : Lott lyeth on the north side of the 15th lott att the east end bounded with a great dry white oake tree and a great white wood tree ; and goeth to the water ; and the west end bounded with a white oake stake and a Rid oake stake" Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 62, 66. 5 February 1665 : "Edward Gray, Will : Clarke and Willam Crow were appointed to Repare to the Inhabitants of the towne with the first conveniency they can to see what may be collected for the Releife of ffrancis Billington hee haveing lately suffered great lose by the burning of his house." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 83. 31 October 1666 : "In reference vnto the complaint of Elizabeth, the wife of Gorg Vaughan, and alsoe the complaint of the wife of Samuell Eaton, against an Indian called Sampson, allias Bump, for most insolent and intollorable carriages towards them, whoe coming into the house of the said Vaughan, hee not being att home, and help vp his knife att the said Elizabeth Vaughan seuerall times in a threatening way and manor as if hee would haue wounded her, with other insolent carriages that much affrighted her, and alsoe carrying to the wife of Samuell Eaton att the same time very wickedly by twisting of her necke to the indangering of her life, and alsoe other insolent carriages to Francis Billington att the same time, whoe was sent for to rescue the said weomen from his violence and wickednes ; for which said facts, agrauated by diveres other pticulars, hee was centanced by the Court to be seuerly whipt att this psent Court, and to bee branded in the shoulder with a Roman P, which accordingly was inflicted." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 4, p. 136-137. "[Plymouth County Deeds I : 81] I ffrancis Billington of 68 years of age doth Testifie that to my best Remembrance that mr John Combes had a parcell of Land lying upon the south side of that parcell of land that was Phineas Pratts which John Cooke Bought of him, and Goodman Gray bought of John Cooke : "The oath of ffrancis Billington taken this 10th day of July 1674 "Before me Constant Southworth Assist." Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 2, p. 45-46. The inventory of the estate of Gershom Cobb of Middleborough, brought before the Court on 29 October 1675 includes 20 acres of upland and 2 acres of meadow bought of Francis Billington, lying in 'Middleberry' and worth 5 pounds. Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 34, p. 112. "Deaths and Burials... "Francis Billington aged 80 years : Deceased on the third day of December in the year one thousand six hundred eighty and four." Middleborough, Massachusetts, Vital Records, Vol. 1, p. 4. http://www.pilgrimhall.org/billingtonfrecords.htm