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Mitchell, Experience
d. BET. 5 DEC 1684 - 14 MAY 1689 Bridgewater, MA
Parents:Father: Mitchell, ThomasFamily:
Mother: Vochin, MargaretSpouse: Cooke, JaneLife History:
Parents:Father: Cooke, Francis
Mother: Mahieu, HesterIn July 1623 Experience Mitchell immigrated to Plymouth, MA aboard the "Anne".Family:William Bradford's 'Plimouth Plantation' states: A letter "from one of ye cheefe of ye company" of adventurers, dated "ye 9. of Aprill, 1623. writ to ye Govr" of Plymouth: "We have agreed with 2. marchants for a ship of 140. tunes [tons] caled ye Anne, which is to be ready "ye last of this month, to bring 60. passengers & 60. tune of goods, &c."1623 Division of Land. 1627 Division of Cattle. "May ye 9. Ano 1631--Experience Michell sould vnto Samuell Eddy his dwelling house garden plott & fence, wth all things nailefast in ye same; for ye summe of twelfe pounds starling, as appears more at large by a writing vnder their hands, to which ffrances Eaton was witness. "Only this was excepted by ye abouesaid Experience Michell, so much of ye said garden plote as lyeth betweene ye ende of ye house & ye streete; throw which notwithstanding he was to alow ye said Samuel a conuenient way of passage, and to fence ye said ground (thus excepted) at his owne charge, & to maintaine ye same." Not long after the sale of his homestead in Plymouth, Experience Mitchell removed to Duxbury with a number of the most prominent men of the Colony,--the Bradfords, Cushmans, Aldens, Cookes, and Brewsters. These "planters" had found that the soil of Plymouth did not yield good returns; and, in casting about for more fertile fields, they "pitched upon" Duxbury as their garden spot, which was then, as to-day, particularly fine for tillage. Mitchell's homestead was at a place called Bluefish River, and he possessed other land in various parts of the town. In March, 1633 Town Records of Duxbury contained the following tax list, which shows the comparative wealth of some of these early settlers:
"wives and children of shuch as were hear allready . . . some of them being very usefull persons." "These passengers, when they saw their low and poore condition a shore, were much danted and dismayed, and according to their diverse humores were diversely affected; some wished them selves in England againe; others fell a weeping fancying their own misery in what yey saw now in others; others some pitying the distress they saw their friends had been long in, and still were under; in a word, all were full of sadness. . . . Only some of their old friends rejoysed to see them."
"All ye company sent at any time was always too short for those people yt came with it." The arrival of the Little James, early in August, only served for the same reason to add to their distress. It was soon determined, however, that until the harvest was gathered, those who came in the two ships should subsist upon what they had brought, while the scanty store of the earlier settlers should be reserved for themselves. But their hopes of the coming harvest were nearly shattered by a prolonged drought, which caused them to "sett a parte a solemne day of humiliation, to seek ye Lord by humble & fervente prayer, in this great distresse." It was a midsummer day and very hot, with not a cloud to be seen, "yet towards evening it began to be overcast, and shortly after to raine, with shuch sweete and gentle showers, as gave them cause of rejoyceing, & blessing God," and afterwards "seasonable showers . . . caused a fruitfull & liberal harvest." "In stead of famine, now God gave them plentie, and ye face of things was changed . . . so as any generall wante or famine hath not been amongst them since."
œ s "Mr Edward Winslow 2 5 Elder William Brewster 1 7 Govr. William Bradford 1 7 Mr John Alden 1 4 Capt [Myles] Standish 18 Experience Mitchell 18 Philip Delano 18 George Soule 9 Henry Howland 9
In 1633 he was admitted freeman at Duxbury. In an assignment of hay ground, by order of the General Court, March 20, 1636, "to the Inhabitants of Plymouth, Eele Riuer, & Ducksbury," John Cooke, son to Frances, was to have his portion "in some convnyent place about Experience Michells & Henry Howlands grounds." When the law was passed by the Plymouth Colony Court, November 15, 1636, "That every mans marke of his Cattle be brought to the towne book where he lives," on the first page of the Plymouth Town Record-Book was registered: "Experience Michell cutt with this mark." He served on "Petty Jury" in sessions of court commencing May 2, 1637. On June 7, 1637, "Ducksburrow" was made "a township, and to have the priviledges of a towne." In 1637, mention was made of "The bounds of the land of Mr John Aldin, of Duxbury...on the southerly side bounded with the meddow of the said John Aldin in pte, and with land of Experience Michell att the vper end." On July 2, 1638 he received a grant of land at Plymouth. September 3, 1638, Nathaniel Morton was granted "a porcon of meadow land called Long Poynt, lying against Experience Michells land, & next to John Willis;" On March 3, 1640 "Experience Michell and Constant Southwood" were chosen "Surveyors for heighways for Duxborrow." He was "sworne for the Grand Inquest, June 2, 1640." He served on jury at the Court of Assistants, Sept. 1, 1640. On on November 2, 1640 the town authorities of Duxbury granted to Experience "fifty acres, wth some meadow to it," "at the North Riuer." In August, 1643 Experience was on a list of "The names of all the Males that are able to beare Armes, from xvj years old to 60 yeares, wthin the seurall Towneshipps;" He served on jury before the General Court, March 5, 1644. In 1645 Experience, Planter, was granted "a competant proportion of lands about Saughtuckquett." He served on "Petty Jury" in sessions of court commencing June 1, 1647, June 7, 1648, and June 6, 1649. He served on jury before the General Court June 7, 1649. On November 20, 1650 "William Paybody of Duxburrow, for œ14. sterling . . . sould vnto the said Experience Michell an house and land in Duxburrow aforesaid att blewfish riuer next aioyning on the one side vnto the land the said Expeince Michell now Inhabyteth...with a pcell of meddow land belonging vnto the aforesaid house and land...fiue acars." On January 15, 1652 Experience purchased Nathaniel Morton's neighboring property for œ3:10. On March 23, 1652 "Henery Howland and Experience Michell . . . having there Lands Joyning together and there habitations neare eich other and the said Henery howland having . . . a spring and smale brooke before his Land for watering of cattle and otherwise, and the said Experience Michell being wholly Defective of the abouesaid," Howland agreed to give him "his way to the abouesaid water" forever, for himself and his heirs. He served on jury before the General Court June 4, 1652. On November 29, 1653 Experience Mitchell sold "his now dwelling house and outyard, and out housing...with a pcell of vpland," in Duxbury, to William Tubbs. On March 7, 1654 he sold in consideration of a three year old heifer all interest in lands at Palmett and Namskkett…also two acres of meadow at Nanscakett. He served on "Petty Jury" in sessions of court commencing July 3, 1654. His first task was assigned that same day "for the ending of a contraversie" between Mr. Arthur Howland and Thomas Doggett as to bounds between their lands, "the Court doe determine that Capt Standish, Mr Alden, Phillip Delanoy, and Experience Michell shall, as soone as conuently they can, goe thether and acquaint with the bounds of the said lands according to the original graunt." In June, 1656 the town of Bridgewater was incorporated partly from Experience's land in Saughtuckquett, He was one of the fifty-four Proprietors of that town, though he sold his proprietary right to Thomas Haward. On June 1, 1658 he was appointed Surveyor of Highways. "for refusing to serve on the Grand Inquest, June 7, 1659--being chosen for the towne of Duxborrow--was fined ten shillings." "Experience Michell appeered att the October Court following, and serued." In 1659 he served as Grand Juryman. On June 7, 1659 he was fined ten shillings for refusing to serve on the grand jury. He served on "Coroner's jury," May 7, 1662. On October 3, 1662 he was nominated for a Plymouth land grant. On June 8, 1664, the court gave liberty to Josias Cooke, Experience Mitchell, and three others, "to looke out a pcell of land lying betwixt Bridgewater and the Bay line for theire accomodation." On June 7, 1665 he received a grant of a tract "on the westerly Side of Namasskett [Namassakett] Riuer . . . thirty Acres a Share of good Land, as also Comoning adjoyning therevnto proportionable," each of the twenty-four grantees to possess one share. Experience Mitchell was given a share "for his children." He was "sworne for the Grand Inquest June 5, 1666. On June 5, 1668 "A portion of land is graunted vnto Experience Mitchell lying next vnto Hugh Coles graunt, which is betwixt Mattapoisett Riuer and the easterly bounds of Acushena, on the western syde of the said riuer." In 1670 he served as Surveyor of Highways. On October 10, 1670 the town of Duxbury "gave unto Experience Mitchell fifty acres of land on the south of rocky plain near Namassakeesit," On May 6, 1672 the town gave him "five acres of Swampy meadow land, lying towards the head of Pudding brook, near Namassakeesett . . . a swamp or mill brook that falls into Pudding brook." He was "sworne for the Grand Inquest June 5, 1677. On February 15, 1679 Experience, with daughter Mary witnessing, testified that the "deacon to the church of Bridgewater came to my house to make way for his son to speak with my daughter but I denied him several times: he told me that if he could but speak with her it would satisfy him: where upon through my wives and my daughters persuations I gave way to it: the [deacon] asked me what I had against his son [as] he was a stranger to me: I told him that his son did not know what love was. The [deacon] asked me what the reason was that I thought so: I told him that he was in league with one: and cast his eye on another and left her that he was in league with and came to her that he had cast his eye upon and do you think this is love said I…he said my son is basely abused: whereupon I prayed him to forbear for I would enter into no discourse with him, no more I did not: and further saith not." On January 8, 1680 "To all people to whom thes presents shall Come Exsperience michell of the town of duxbury in the Jurisdiction of Ne[w] Plimoth In New Ingland planter sendeth greetting: "Know yea that I the abovesd Exsperience Michell for and in Consideration of forty shilings of Curent pay of new Ingland to me paid in hand by Edward foabs of Bridgewater in the Jurisdiction aforesaid Copper [cooper]: with wch said sum of forty shillings I the abovesd Exsperience michell do acknowledge my self fully sattisfied Contented and paid the whole and every pt . . . do Give grant bargaine sell allinate Enfeofe: and Confirm from me the abovesaid Exsperience michell and my heires unto him the said Edward ffoabs he his heirs and assigns for ever: all that my house lott or percell of land sittuate wthin the townshipe of Bridgwater afforsd Butting one the river on the notherly end and bounded by the lands of samuel Edson senr one the westerly sid and by the Lands of Edward ffoabs one the Easterly sid Containeing six accers be it more or less: with all and singular the appurtenances Imunities and priviledges thereunto belonging . . . To be houlden according to the maner of East greenwich in the Countty of Kent in the Realme of Ingland in free and Common soccage: and not in Capitie nor by knights servis . . . and for the true performanc of the premises I the said Exsperience michell do bind my self my heirs Executors & administrators firmly by thes presents In witnes wherof I have hearunto set to my hand and seale this Eight of Jenuary one thousand six hundered seventy nine "Signed sealed & delivered In presence of us EXPERINCE MICHELL [SEAL] JOHN SOULE JONATHAN ALDEN "this deed was acknowledged by Experinc michell this 8:11:79: before me JOHN ALDEN Asist" On February 25, 1684 Experience "old planter and one of the purchasers of the lands of said Plymouth Colony" sold land bounded by Yarmouth, Namsscakett and Eastham. On December 5, 1684 Experience prepared his will: …into the hands of God I Comend my sperit beleiveingly Resigneing up my soule into the everlasting armes of Gods mercy father Son and holy spirit: my Body to bee decently Interred at the discretion of my executor and other Christian friends: and for my outward estate I do will that after all my Just debts and funerall exspences be paid: my lands and other moveables be disposed of as followeth…to my Son Edward michell…all my lands both upland and medow lying in the Towne of Duxborough…and if it shall please God so to order that my wife mary michell shall survive me: I Require my Son Edward to take Care of her for her Comfortable subsistence during her life: provided that she will live with him at Bridgwater: but if she rather incline to live at Duxborough: I then Order that halfe the rent of that land at Duxborough shall be to my wife during her life and after my desease my Son Edward shall have the sole dispose of it as to the letting of it out for the house; I acknowledge it to be his: allso the bed and bolster two pillowes on paire of sheets and two Blankets which are at my son Edwards and we made use of…for my Son John I have formerly given him his proportion of land and my will is that he rest satissfied therewith, which was foure score acers of upland and foure acers of medow lying at namatakeset within the Towneship of Duxborough: this is the full of what I intend him as to land only there are severall moveables in his hand at present which are mine: of which one Cow a short Gun and a small Iron kettle…to my Daughters Mary Shaw Sarah Hayward and Hannah Hayward and to my granson Experience Mitchell the son of my son John, to be equally devided betwene them… my land lying in the Towne of Middlebery…to my daughter Mary Shaw twenty shillings to Hannah Hayward [forty shillings in Currant] pay: and if my stocke stand I give to my granson Thomas Mitchell one Cowe and to my grandaughter mary michell one Cow…I leave the dispose of my grandaughter mary michell with my Son Edward …as for the rest of my moveables and chattels I Bequeath them to my son Edward." On May 14, 1689. "These are to publish and Declare to all whome it may Concerne that I Experience Mitchell now living in the Town of Bridgwater in the Colony of New Plimouth being through the Mercy of God of Sound judgment and memory Do ordaine and make my last will and Testament in maner following vizt Into the hands of God I comend my Spirit believingly, Resigning vp my Soul into the Everlasting Armes of Gods mercy father Son and Holy Spirit: My Body to be Decently Interred at the Discression of my Executor and other Christian ffriends and for my outward Estate I Doe Will that after all my just Debts and funerall Expences be paid my lands and other Moveables be Disposed of as followeth. . . . Imprimis I Give unto my Son Edward Mitchell after my Decease all my Lands both upland and meadow Lying in the Town of duxbury at the place where I formerly Dwelt as appeareth by Deed And if it shall please God So to Order that my wife Mary Mitchell Shall Survive me I Require my Son Edward to take Care of her for her Comfortable Subsistance During her Life provided that she will live with him at Bridgwater, but if She Rather Incline to live at duxbury I then order that half the Rent of that land at dubury shall be to my wife During her life And after my Decease my Son Edward shall have the sole Dispose of it as to the letting of it out for the house I acknowledge it to be his; Also the Bed and boulster two pillows one pair of sheets and two Blankets which are at my Son Edwards and we make use of I Give them to him After our Decease as for my son John I have formerly Given him his portion of land, and my will is that he Rest Sattisfied therewith, which was fourscore acres of upland and four acres of meadow Lying at Namatakeesit within the Township of duxbury, this is the full of what I Intend him as to lands onely there are Severall moveables in his hand at present which are mine of which one Cowe a short gun a small Iron kettle I give unto my grandson Experience. And the Remainder I give unto my Son John = as for my land Lying in the Town of Middlebury I Give it to my = Daughters Mary shaw Sarah Haward and Hannah Haward and to my grandson Experience Mitchell the son of my Son John to be Equally Divided between them. father I Give to my Daughter mary Shaw twenty shillings to hannah Haward forty shillings in Currant pay and if my Stock Stand I Give to my grandson Thomas Mitchell one Cowe and to my grand Daughter Mary Mitchell one Cow, I leave the Dispose of my grand Daughter Mary Mitchell with my Son Edward and Joseph Bartlett as for the Rest of my moveables and Chattels I bequeath them to my Son Edward Mitchell whome I appoint and ordaine Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament Revoaking all other wills and Testaments Whatsoever"Witness my hand and Seal this fifth of december 1689:
EXPERIENCE MICHELL
[SEAL]
"Signed and Sealed in the
Presence of | LIEUT THOMAS HAYWARD
THOMAS HAYWARD | and ENSIGNE JOHN HAWARD
JOHN HAWARD | the within named witnesses
appeared before the Magistrates of the County of Plimouth at
plimouth September the 4th 1689 and made Oath that they were
present and Saw Experience Mitchell deceased above named
Sign Seal & Declare this Instrument as his last will & testament
& that to the best of their understandings he was of Disposing
mind and memory when he so did:
Attest SAML SPRAGUE Cler"
The following inventory of his estate, taken by Ensign John Haward and Lieutenant Thomas Hayward, represents only his immediate belongings at the time of his death. The homestead in Duxbury that he willed to his son Edward, which the latter sold in March, 1707-8, presumably after the death of his stepmother, for œ200, and the lands he gave by will or by deed to his daughters, sons, and grandsons, are mentioned more fully in connection with the children.
"Edward Mitchel made oath before the Magistrates of the County of plimouth September ye 4th 1689 that the above written is a true Inventory: of the Estate vizt Goods and Chattels of the above named Experience Mitchell Deceased so far as he Knows and if more shall be Discovered that he will Bring it to this Inventory: Attest SAML SPRAGUE Clerk."
Children:
Mitchell, Elizabeth Cooke
Mitchell, Thomas
Family History:On June 8, 1661, John Cooke ratified and confirmed to Richard Wright and Thomas Mitchell, upland and meadow "given by my father ffrancis Cooke unto the aforesaid Richard Wright and Thomas Mitchell," lying at Jones's River, in Duxbury, "to be equally divided betwixt the said" two. On the same day that his father gave a deed of his Dartmouth land to the son Jacob, Thomas Mitchell relinquished his right in the tract, as follows: "I Thomas Michell Doe heerby fully Surrender unto my father Experience Michell that quarter share which once my father Michell Gave unto me . . . at Dartmouth." This he signed with a mark November 15, 1669, and acknowledged the "1st of 1st mo. 1674."Mitchell, MarySpouse: Mary,
Children:
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Copyright 2001 Richard Joseph Bucknum