Andrew HALLETT Jr. (1615 – 1683) was Alex’s 10th Great Grandfather; one of 2,048 in this generation of the Shaw line.

Andrew Hallett was born about 1615 in Symondsbury, Dorset, England. His parents may have been Andrew HALLETT Sr. and Mary REEVES.  He is believed to have left Weymouth, England on 20 Mar 1635 aboard the Mary Gould as a passenger for New England, with the following notation:

Hallett, Andrew 28, servant of Richard Wade.

After his arrival, he first resided at Dorchester, Massachusetts.He married Anne BESSE in 1643 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.   Andrew died 16 Mar 1683 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.

Alternative, Andrew was born 19 May 1607 in Symondsbury, Dorset, England. His parents were Andrew HALLETT and Beatrice KNOTE.  The Symondsbury church registers at the Dorset Record Office show that Andrew Hallett and Beatrice Knote were married there 18 Dec 1598.

It’s probable that Andrew Hallet Sr. and Andrew Hallett Jr. were related, but it is not proven that they were father and son.  Perhaps Andrew Hallet Sr. was his uncle or cousin.  See the discussion on Andrew Sr’s page.

Anne Besse was born about 1629 in England.  She was said to be very young, about 14 when married.  Her name is sometimes written as Bearse.  Her parents were Anthony BESSE and Jane [__?__].  Anne died 6 Apr 1694 in Plymouth, Mass.

Until 1950 it was generally believed Andrew Hallett (“Jr.”) had only one wife, Anne Bessee, daughter of Anthony Bessee and his wife, Jane.  However, Florence E. Barclay showed that Anne was still unmarried as of 4 Mar 1661/62, when she testified in a court proceeding.  Anne was probably the mother of Andrew’s youngest child, Mehitabel, born about 1663.  All of Andrew‘s other children were by an earlier and unidentified first wife, whom he presumably married about 1642.

Children of Andrew and Anne:

	Name	Born	Married	Departed
1.	Ruhamah Hallett	1644 Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass	Job Bourne 14 Dec 1664 Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass . William Hersey bef. 1689 Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.	13 Sep 1714 Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass
2.	Abigail Hallett	1644 Barnstable, Barnstable, Mass	John Alden 10 Dec 1672 Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass	17 Aug 1725 Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass
3.	Dorcas Hallett	1 Jun 1646 Yarmouth, Bristol, Mass		1647 Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass
4.	John Hallett	11 Dec 1648 or 11 Dec 1650 Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass	Mary Howes 16 Feb 1681  Yarmouth, Mass.	10 Jun 1726 Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass
5.	Jonathan HALLETT	20 Nov 1647  Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass	Abigail DEXTER 30 Jan 1684 Yarmouth	14 Jan 1717 Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.
6.	Mehitable Hallett	1655 Yarmouth, Bristol, Mass	John Dexter (Son of Thomas DEXTER) 10 Nov 1682 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass	1725 Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island

Andrew Jr. settled in Sandwich but removed to Yarmouth in 1640, where he resided until his death, 1684. Goodman Hallett was “an husbandman,” and by honest industry, skillful management and economy, accumulated a large estate. In 1676, his tax was equal to one-twentieth of the entire assessment of the town; his estate was appraised at 1,180 pounds, 13.09, a large amount at that period;

Andrew Hallett, Jr., is the common ancestor of all the families of the name in Barnstable and Yarmouth. He was one of the first settlers of the town of Sandwich, and at the division of the common meadows, April 16, 1640, he had seven and one-half acres assigned to him. The division of the common lands and meadows in Sandwich was made “according to each man’s estate and condition,” or “quality,” a most aristocratic rule. In the other towns there were three elements on which the division was made: 1, personal rights; 2, to the owners of tenements or dwelling houses ; and 3, the estate and quality. This was an equitable mode. One third was distributed in equal shares to the legal inhabitants, one third equally to the owners of dwelling-houses, without reference to the cost, and the other third to the inhabitants in the same proportion that taxes were levied.
The proprietors of Sandwich rejected the democratic principles involved in the first and second elements, and divided by the third, literally observing the rule, “To him that has much, shall much be given.”

The division was made by a committee of ten, five representing the aristocracy, and five the townsmen. The first five awarded to themselves, one hundred and fourteen acres, nearly one third of the whole. The other five were more modest in their demands, and took only forty and one-half acres, — leaving to be divided to the other 56 inhabitants named, 214 1/2 acres, less than four acres to each, 7 1/2 acres being awarded to Andrew Hallett, it shows that he had at that time a good estate and was comparatively a wealthy man.

The farm of Andrew Hallett, in Sandwich, was that lately [1888] owned by Paul Wing, deceased, at the Tack Factory village, about in the center (from east to west) of the settlement made in 1637. This tract the Indians called Mos-keeh-tuk-gut.

28 Jul 1640 – He sold his farm in Sandwich to Daniel Wing, [son of Rev. John WYNGE] by whose descendants it was owned till recently. No consideration is named, and the deed is a specimen of the brevity in which conveyances of real estate were often made, in early times. This was undoubtedly a farm in the immediate neighborhood of the paternal mansion. The house in which he resided was probably not far from the spot which we have supposed to be the residence of Daniel’s father.

“I, Andrew Hallett of Sandwich, have sold unto Daniel Wing, of same town, and to his heirs and assigns forever, my dwelling-house in Sandwich, with three acres of land joyning to it, and the corn now growing upon it, with the cow-house. It lieth between the land of George Shawson and William Newland ; and two acres of planting land at Ma-noo-nah-Skussett ; and five acres of planting land lying near Spring Hill ; and four acres wanting one quarter of meadow near the Pine Neck ; and two acres of meadow lying [illegible] and one acre and a half lying in the Neck, being yet undivided ; with all commons, and all pasture, and all profits and appertenances whatsoever, thereunto belonging.

Witness my hand this twenty-eighth day of July, one thou-six hundred and forty. ‘ The mark of
H
Andrew Hallett.

Signed and delivered in presence of
John WINGE II
 Edward DILLINGHAM.
Taken out of the original deed and entered on record by me,
Thomas Tupper,
Town Clerk.

From Sandwich Andrew Hallett removed to Yarmouth, of which town he continued to be an inhabitant till his death in 1684. In 1642 he bought the dwelling-house of Gyles Hopkins, the first built by the English in Yarmouth, and ten acres of land. This house was probably erected by Mr. Stephen HOPKINS, by virtue of a grant made by the Colony Court dated Aug. 7, 1638. It stood on land now [1888] owned by Charles Basset, a little distance northwesterly from the house of  Joseph Hale. Traces of the foundation are not yet entirely obliterated. The ten acres of land were bounded northeasterly by the lands of Mr. Nicholas Simpkins, and southwesterly by the lands of Robert Dennis. In 1644 he bought fifteen acres of upland of Mr. Nicholas Simpkins adjoining his own on the east and three acres of salt meadow.

In 1655 he bought the farm of Robert Dennis. The original deed in the handwriting of Mr. Anthony Thacher, has been preserved, and the following is a copy :

“These presents bearing date the twenty-fourth day of February Ano Domini 1654, made between Robert Dennis of Yarmouth in tlie Colony of New Plimouth in New England, carpenter, for the one party, and Andrew Hallett of the same towne husbandman on the other part, witnesseth that Robert Dennis, aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of ninety pounds in good merchantable pay in New England to him by the said Andrew Hallett, and before the unsealing and delivery of these presents well and truly satisfied and paide, the receipt whereof the said Robert Dennis doth hereby acknowledge and thereof and of every part and pr ell thereof doth fully acquite exonerate and discharge the said Andrew Hallett, his heirs, executors and administrators, and every of them forever by these presents have graunted, bargained, sould, enfeoffed, and confirmed, and by these presents doe graunt, bargain, sell, enfeofle and confirm unto the said Andrew Hallett and unto his heirs, that messuage or dwelling-house, with the allottment of laud the said house stands in and upon, containing six acres be it more or less, lying, situate and being in Yarmouth aforesaid, neere adjoining on the easter side unto the lands and dwelling house of him the said Andrew Hallett and now in the tennor and occupation of him the said Andrew, and also forty-six acres of land be it more or less next adjoyning to the same, bounded on the wester side with the fiarme lot of lands late Mr. Andrew Hallett’s, deceased, on the easter side, with an allotment of lands late Emanuel White’s and now common, and a lot of land now in the tenure and possession of Mr. Antony Thacher, on the souther end with sold allotment of [obliterated, probably Antony Thacher] the ponds and parte of the above-said fifarm lott, and partly on the norther end with the lands of the said Andrew Hallett all lying and being in a field known and commonly called the west field,

and also thirteen acres of land more or less lying and being in a parcell of land commonly cald stony cove, and also two acres more or les lying and being in a furlong cald Rabbett’s min, between the lands of Wm. Lumpkin and Richard Pritchett at Nobscussett and three acres in a furlong there cald plain furlong next adjoyning the country farm, and also nine acres more or less of marsh meadow lands lying abutting on ye foresaid land cald Stony Cove, and the two rivers or creeks cald Stony Cove river, and a creek cald Sympkins creek and ye meadow lands of him the said Andrew Hallett ;

together with all and singular houses, edifices, buildings, Barnes, staules, pounds, orchards, gardens, casements and ffitte commodities, emoluments, and hereditaments thereunto belonging, or in any wise appertaining, or therewith enjoyed or accepted, deemed, reputed or taken to be pte or pcell of the same or any pte or pcell of the lands above recited, and all the estate, rights, title, interest, claim demanded whatsoever of him the said Robert Dennis and Mary his wife and Thomas fflawne or any or either of them off in or to the same or any pte or pcell of the same.

To have and to hold the said bargained messuage or dwelling house lands and premises, with their and every of their appertenances, unto him the said Andrew Hallett his heirs and assigns forever, to the only proper use and behoofe of him the said Andrew Hallett and of his heirs and assignes forever. In witness whereof the said Robert Dennis has hereunto set his hand and scale.

Signed, sealed and delivered Robert Dennis. L. S.
in presence of
John Crowe,
The marke Richard Hore,
Antony Thacher,
A : U : I : C : V : G : [or something like it.]

This deed is recorded according to order pr me Nathaniel Morton,
Clarke of the Court.”

10 May 1648 – The lands of Robert Dennis, situate in the West Field, are described in the Colony records, as 12 acres bought of Peter Warden, 10 of Mr. Edmond HAWES, 7 of Mr. Andrew Hallett, and 4 given him by the town. Thomas Flawne had 13 acres in the same field, making the 46 acres sold.

The records of the laying out of the houselots in Yarmouth are lost. They contained from five to six acres each, and no person was allowed to own two adjoining lots, without he maintained a dwelling-house on each. They were laid out on the north side of the County road, the lands on the south being reserved as planting grounds, and enclosed by a common fence. The western lot adjoining the bounds of Barnstable was Dr. Thos. Starr’s, sold in 1639 to Mr. Andrew HALLETT, and afterwards owned by Capt. John GORHAM. Four acres of this lot are now [1888] owned by the Gorhams, and two by the Halletts. The second lot was Robert Dennis’, the one conveyed in the foregoing deed, and is now owned by the Halletts, Mr. Eldredge Lovell, and Joseph Gorham. The third lot was sett off to Gyles Hopkins, and sold by him to Andrew Hallett, Jr., in 1642. This lot probably included the houselot now owned by Mr. Jarius Lincoln, Jr., certainly Capt. Charles Bassett’s, Mr. Joseph Hale’s, and Mr. John Bassett’s, Mill Lane being then probably its northeastern boundary. The fourth lot was Capt. Nicholas Sympkins’, and sold by him in 1644 to Andrew HALLETT, Jr.

The Mill road was laid out by the first comers as a private way. Hopkins’ and Sympkins’ land extended across Mill Pond meadows, and included land in Stony Cove Neck or Sympkins’ Neck, as it is sometimes called, he owning to the creek which still retains his name. This road led to the ancient landing-place or wharf on the north of the Grist Mill.

By subsequent purchases Andrew Hallett, Jr., became the largest land holder in Yarmouth, owning about three hundred acres of the best lands and meadows in the town. On the north side of the road his farm extended from the Gorham houselot to the Hawes farm, where Mr. Edward W. Crocker now [1888] resides, and included nearly all the meadows on the north. On the south side of the road, he owned from the bounds of Barnstable nearly to Hawes’ Lane. From him the westerly part of the County road in
Yarmouth obtained the name of Hallett street, which it has retained to this day. Beside the ample domain already described, he owned lands and meadows in Barnstable, 1000 acres in Windham, Conn., and rights to commonage in Yarmouth, equal to 500 acres more.

The mode in which he acquired this large estate I shall attempt to elucidate. Two words, industry and economy, are the keys which unlock the whole mystery. If he was the eldest son, he was entitled to a double share of his father’s estate, and if so, his share was not over £20 in value. He may with propriety be called the representative man of the rude social organization of his times. The great majority of our fathers lived precisely as he lived, and practiced as he practiced, and thus laid a sure foundation for our present prosperity. The inhabitants of this County fifty years ago were, with very few exceptions, the descendants of the first settlers, and inherited from them habits of industry and economy, their respect for the laws, and the religious institutions in which they were trained up.

Andrew Hallett, Jr., did not acquire his wealth by official services. His name frequently occurs on the records, but not in connection with any office that conferred much honor or afforded him large emoluments. In 1642, ’50 and ’58, he was a surveyor of highways; in 1651 and 1679 constable. In 1659 he was appointed by the Court one of a committee to raise money for the support of the ministry in Yarmouth. In 1660, ’67 and ’75, he was on the grand jury ; and Oct. 30, 1667, he was appointed by the Colony Court, at the request of the town, a member of the land committee of Yarmouth. None of those are offices of honor or profit ; but they show that he was a man in whom his neighbors had confidence, that he was a man of common sense and sound judgment. When a young man he was unable to write, yet soon after he came to Yarmouth he acquired that art, for in 1659 I find his name subscribed to the verdict of a jury of inquest.

He took the oath of fidelity while a resident in Sandwich, and his name and that of his father appears on the list of those who were able to bear arms in Yarmouth in August, 1643. On the criminal calendar his name does not appear. In those times the most trifling faults were noted, and he who escaped a prosecution must necessarily have lived a blameless life. He also kept his name off of the civil docket. He had no lawsuits. This is negative testimony ; but establishes all we wish, he was a quiet peacable man, minded his own business, and did not intermeddle with that of others.

He was a member of the church in Yarmouth ; but circumstances show that he did not entirely acquiese in all the crude notions promulgated by Mr. Matthews. He often attended the meetings of Mr. LOTHROP, and Mr. Walley and some of the members of his family afterwards joined the Barnstable church. He was an exemplary member of the church of Christ, constant in its attendance on its ordinances, and in his family, no wordly care was ever a bar to the performance of his whole duty as a parent.

Perhaps I am unnecessarily particular, that I state facts and circumstances that are too trivial, and had better be left unsaid.

Perhaps it is true ; but considering the second Andrew Hallett as a representative man, and that his history is the history of hundreds of others, I am induced to particularize, and perhaps repeat some things, because I happen to know more of him than I do of those equally deserving, whose biography I omit.

The house which he bought of Gyles Hopkins in 1642, was probably the same that Mr. Stephen HOPKINS built in the summer of 1638, and if so, was the first house built by the English on Cape Cod below Sandwich. It was small and poorly constructed, and was occupied as a dwelling not many years. As the first house built by the whites, it has an historical interest. It stood on the eastern declivity of the hill, about seventy-five yards northwesterly from the present [1888] dwelling-house of Mr. Joseph Hale.  A depression in the ground and a rock in the wall, mark the place of its location. An excavation was made into the side of the hill to level the ground, and the stone and cob work chimney was built against the bank, and outside of the frame of the house. It probably contained at first only one room. The excavation into the hill, and the chimney, covered nearly the whole of the west side, and the other three sides were covered with hand-sawed or hewn planks, and the roof with thach. The walls were not shingled on the outside, or plastered on the in. The seams in the boarding were filled or “daubed” with clay. Oiled paper supplied the place of glass. The sills were hewn from large logs, and projected into the room, forming low seats on three sides. The floor was fastened to sleepers laid on the ground, and even with the lower edge of the sills. A ladder to the chamber and a elect door with a wooden latch and string, completed the fixtures of the house.

In this rudely built shanty, two of the children of Gyles Hopkins, who came over in the Mayflower, were born, and here resided a number of years the moat opulent man of Yarmouth. Nearly all the houses of our ancestors were of this description. The memorandum of the contract for building the house of the elder Mr. Hallett, preserved in the deed of Dr. Starr, proves that his house was of the same description. Gov. Hinckley resided in a house of similar construction many years. De Rassier’s description of Plymouth in 1627, shows that the walls of the houses in that town were covered with hewn or hand-sawed planks, and unshingled. As late as 1717 it was not common to plaster the inside walls. The seams between the boards on the Meeting House built that year on Cobb’s Hill were filled with morter, or “daubed” precisely in the same manner as practiced by the first settlers. That boards were used in the construction of their dwellings, by the first settlers, is also shown by the agreement made June 19, 1641, between the inhabitants of Barnstable and the Indian chief Nepaiton, to build the latter a house. A part of the contract was tbat it should be built, “with a chamber floored with boards, with a chimney and an oven therein.” This contract, and the contract by Dr. Starr with William CHASE in 1639, establish the fact that boards were used by our ancestors in the construction of their houses. In 1640 there was a saw mill in Scituate, but Mr. Deane says “we are without date when it was erected,”

Some writers on our early history speak of the “log cabins of ancestors.” I find no evidence that they built a single log-house. The timber in the vicinity of the settlements was unfit for such buildings. Before the erection of saw mills, there were sawyers in all the towns ; and within the last fifty years, old houses have been taken down which were originally covered with hand-sawed planks or boards. ln 1640 boards were cheap in Scituate, and for many years after the settlement, much of the lumber used in the Plymouth Colony was brought from that town.

The fortification houses of our fathers were built, the lower story of stone, where it could be conveniently procured, and the second of wood. In apart of Yarmouth (now South Dennis) where no stone could be conveniently found, a block house was built for defence. This in its construction resembled a log-house, but no one calls such a structure by that name. Many common houses like that of John Crocker were surrounded by a palisade, and were intended as places of resort, should the Indians prove unfriendly.

Major Grookin in speaking of the wigwams, of the Indians, says some of them were large and convenient, and more comfortable than many houses built by the English. Mr. Lothrop calls some of the houses of our ancestors, booths, indicating that they were most uncomfortable residences in the winter. Some he calls pailsado, meaning I presume that the walls were built of two parallel rows of poles, and the space between filled with clay or other material Others were frame houses not large or elegantly finished, but warm and comfortable. Dwellings of the latter description, only a few men who were comparatively wealthy, had the means to build.

In such rude shelters from the piercing storms of the winter of 1639-40, the great mass of our ancestors resided more happily and more contentedly than do their descendants at this day, in their well built and well furnished mansions. Mornings and evenings they thanked their Heavenly Father for the many blessings He had vouchsafed to them ; that their lines had fallen in such pleasant places ; that He had held them as in the hollow of His hand, protecting them from the savages among whom they dwelt, and the wiles of the more savage men, who had driven them from their native land. Such were the feelings of our ancestors, they were ever conscious of being under Divine protection, and were ever happy, contented, and thankful. It is a sufficient honor to descend from such a race of men. We need not trace our ancestry further. The more closely we study their character, the greater will be our reverence for them. The study will make us more contented with our lot in life, happier and better men.

In the summer of 1640 they had their lands to clear, fence and plant, to build roads, and do many things that are incident to the settlement of a new country, and they found little time, if they had the means, of improving their dwellings. Many of them resided all their days in the houses they first erected. Improvements were made from time to time. The thatched roof, the paper windows, and the cob work chimney disappeared, and shingled roofs, diamond glass windows and brick chimneys and ovens were substituted. As the family increased the house was enlarged, first by adding a leanto, and afterwards by adding another story. Some of the largest old houses now remaining, one of which will be described in this article, were built by adding one room at a time.

The second house in which Andrew Hallett, Jr., resided, in Yarmouth, stood on the west side of the mill road, a little distance north of the house now occupied by Mr. John Bassett. It has been suggested that this was the Sympkins house repaired and enlarged. The family tradition is that he built it.

He bought the Sympkins land in 1644, but did not build his house till some time afterwards, if the family tradition is reliable, that Jonathan, born in 1647, first saw light in the old house. The new house was built on a little knoll, and fronted due south, as all ancient dwellings did. By such a location, our fathers secured two objects which they considered essential : the rays of the sun at noon, or dinner-time, as they called that hour of the day, shone parallel with the side of the house, and their “great room” in which they lived, was on the sunny or warm side of the house. The chimney was uniformly built on the west side, and projected outside of the frame. The exact size of Andrew Hallett’s new house cannot be stated accurately : it was about 22 feet by 26 on the ground, and was only one or one-half stories high. The “great room,” about 17 feet square, occupied the southeast corner.

The fireplace was eight feet wide and four deep, and the mantle, which was of wood, was laid about five feet and a half high, so that the family could pass to the oven,* which opened on the back of the fireplace near the south corner. There was a small kitchen or work room at the northwest corner ; at the northeast corner a Small pantry, with a trap door leading to the cellar. Between the pantry and the great room was a bed-room, the floor of which was elevated about two feet, to give greater depth to the cellar. The bed occupied near all the space, and it was so low in the walls that a tall person could not stand upright therein. A ladder in the front entry led to the chamber, which was occupied for weaving and lodging rooms. No part of the house was ever painted or any of the rooms papered. The windows were of small diamond shaped glass set in lead. No blinds or curtains were needed, and none were ever used.

The furniture of the house was for use, not for show. Half a dozen flag bottomed, one low and one large armed chair, a table, a large chest, and a cradle, all of domestic manufacture, was the furniture usually to be seen in the summer in the great room, and in the winter a bed occupied one corner, and the looms another. On one side of the room there were usually two large “trencher shelves”,  on which the pewter ware of the family was displayed, an iron candlestick, an hour glass, a pen and ink horn, the bible, and hymn book.

A dock or timepiece was an article not to be found in the settlement. Time was reckoned thus, “daylight, sunrise, sun an hour, two hours and three hours high, and the reverse in the afternoon. When the sun shone, they could tell the precise apparent time at noon, and they had marks by which they judged very accurately of the time from 9 A. M. till 3 P, M. Sun dials were early introduced, and many had them fastened to posts set in front of their houses.

If we lay aside one consideration, the cost of fuel, it may be safely said that for comfort, convenience and health, nothing superior to the old fashioned fireplace has yet been invented. Grates, stoves and furnaces, in comparison with them, are only contemptible contrivances for saving a little fuel, engendering gas, dust, and headache, and shortening a man’s days. Talk with the aged, they will uniformly tell you that the happiest hours of their lives were spent in the corner of an old-fashioned kitchen fireplace. In the long winter evenings the younger members of the family occupied the low bench in the left chimney corner, the smaller one perhaps mounted on the dye-tub. Here they were warm and comfortable, and could read or play without molestation, or gaze up to the stars through the capacious chimney. In the other corner sat the mistress of the family in her low rocking-chair, and in front, the father in his round-about, or in an old-fashioned arm chair.

In those days there was a social equality now unknown. There were no visits of ceremony, — no calls to leave a card ; but neighbor called on neighbor, without previous invitation to spend a long evening. In such cases, all the children of the neighborhood assembled at the house left vacant by the parents. They parched corn, cracked nuts, and played blind man’s buff, hunt the slipper, thread the needle through the eye, hull gull, and many other plays and games, which the boarding-school Miss now regards with horror, though she can witness with delight the indelicate giratious of the ballet dancer, or Unseemly pranks of a French waltz.

The old folks first discussed the English news, though it was four or five months old. Some one had had a letter from their relatives in the father land. This was passed around from family to family, and read and discussed by the whole vicinity. The ministry — the church — the acts of the Court — and the crops, were subjects that passed in review, and often familism, pedo-baptism, quakerism, and witchcraft, came in for a share of the conversation.

The fire was never suffered to go out during the cool season, and very rarely in the summer. Every morning in ihe winter, the coals were raked forward, and a ponderous back-log put on, with two or three smaller ones, as riders. A large fore-stick, four feet in length, was laid on the andirons, and two or three smaller ones between that and the back-log forming a bed into which the coals raked forward were shovelled. Some dry sticks were laid on these, and in a few moments a large fire was sparkling on the hearth. Wood cost nothing in those days, and our ancestors always enjoyed the luxury of a good fire in cold weather, and however cold the weather, the great room was warm and comfortable. They always provided themselves with pine knots, then abundant, and in the long winter evenings these were used instead of candles.

The kitchen or backroom was small and little used, excepting for a store room. The tubs and pails, and the spinning wheels, when not in use, were kept here, and a pile of wood for the morning’s fire.

Allthe clothing and bedding of the family was made in the house. The flax and the wool were spun and wove by the inmates. The cloth for the thick clothing of the men was sent to the clothier to be fulled, colored and pressed.

Goodman Hallett lived on the produce of his farms. Indian corn was his principal crop, though every family had rye, and most of them raised sufficient wheat for their own consumption. They also cultivated peas, of which many were sent to Boston and other places to sell ; beans, pumpkins, squashes, cucumbers, melons, tur nips, beets, carrots, parsnips, and onions. Potatoes were not raised by the first settlers, and it was many years before they were produced in large quantities. Cattle were scarce and of high price, and few were killed for beef by the first settlers ; but in time they became abundant aad cheap. Goats were kept, and their milk was used. Horses were early introduced ; but the country did not become well stocked till fifty years after the settlement of Plymouth. Pigs multiplied rapidly, and were  soon abundant in all the settlements. Poultry of all kinds was raised. Deer and other wild animals suitable for food then roamed in the forests, and the shores, at certain seasons, were covered with flocks of geese, ducks, plover, and other birds.

Clams, quahogs and oysters, could be obtained at any season of the year, and codfish, mackerel, bass, eels, and other fish, were then more easily taken than at the present time.

None but the idle and the dissolute complained. The first settlers, after securing their first crop in 1640, never suffered for food, — they always had an abundance of that which was wholesome and palatable. At first they were short of clothing. They had to patch up that which they brought out of England. The skins of the deer and other animals, dressed by the Indians, were soft and pliable. These supplied many of their wants and furnished them with warm and comfortable, though not elegant articles of dress.

The little money they obtained by the sale of peltry, oil and fish, was carefully husbanded and used to supply their most pressing wants. Tools, iron and some kinds of buildiug materials, were indispensable, and it was many years before they were fully supplied.

The first settlers in Barnstable were as independent and as contented a community as ever existed. They had food enough and to spare, — they were comfortably clad, and though their houses were open and cold, these defects were supplied by adding wood to their winter fires. While they suffered the inconveniences incident to a new settlement, they had no cause to complain of smoke, dust or gas in their rooms.

The spring of 1641 was cold and wet. Hooping cough prevailed to an alarming extent among the children, yet only three deaths occurred in Barnstable during the year. The bills of mortality for the first fourteen years, exhibit an average longevity of seventy years, showing that the inconveniences to which our fathers were subjected were not prejudicial to their health. Their diseases yielded to the simple remedies which our mothers gathered in the fields and the forests.

Goodman Hallett is called a husbandman. By honest industry, skilful management and economy, he accumulated a large estate. In 1676 his tax was equal to one twentieth of the whole assessment. At this time, it may seem difficult to comprehend how he accumulated so much by farming. But let any young man, of sound health, practice in any calling in life as Goodman Hallett practiced, and he will always succeed.

He may also have been engaged in the fisheries, and probably was, for nearly all the first settlers were at certain seasons of the year. The Mayos’, Allyns’, Lothrops’, Gorhams’ and Dimmrocks’, accumulated good estates in the coasting and West India trade.

They were not sole owners of their vessels. Others who did not take an active part in these employments were interested as owners, and shared the profits.

His out of door arrangements were as rude as those within, On the east of his house there was a fine spring of water, in which he placed a large hollow log for a curb.*

* Till about the year 1770 this was one of the best springs of water in Yarmouth. Though on high land, it afforded an abundant supply of cool, clear, and excellent water. About that year, during an earthquake, the spring suddenly ceased to flow. It still affords water; but its character is entirely changed. A few years ago the old hollow tree was removed, and the spring cleared out, and a new curb put in, yet the water is poor. During the same earthquake several springs in various parts of the country were similarly affected. The jarring of the earth probably changed the direction of the fountains. The old spring near the Gyles Hopkins house also failed about the same time. The fountain which formerly supplied it is now entirely dried up or turned in another direction.

The supply was pure and abundant, and in times of drought was the resort of the neighborhood. His large wood-pile was in front of his house, not cut and piled, but standing on end, on each side of a large pole resting on crutches, settled into the ground. Forty cords he considered a year’s supply, and it was cut up as wanted for the fire, into pieces three and four feet long. Some of the logs used were large, and required the strength of two men to roil them in, and adjust them in the fireplaces for backlogs.

Goodman Hallett built his cribs as all in those times did, with slender poles. Posts were set at each corner having short branches left thereon, about three feet from the ground. On those branches two stout poles were laid, 12 or 15 feet long. Across these smaller ones, four feet in length, were closely laid. The sides were constructed with long poles, and the roof with boards overlapping each other. At each end there was a door or opening. He had several, in which he stored his large crops. Corn was then the measure of value. With it a man could pay his taxes or his debts, buy houses and lands ; the necessaries or the luxuries of life. To have corn in the crib, in those times, was like having stocks and money in the Bank at the present time. To say of a man “he has plenty of corn in his cribs,” was equivalent to saying he had money in his purse. Goodman Hallett was not proud, but he delighted to exhibit to visitors his extensive granaries, his herds and flocks, and the breadth of his cultivated lands. Excepting for hominy or samp, he consumed very little of his corn till it was a year old.

His barns in the field on the east of the mill road, were as widely constructed as those now seen on the western prairies, liarge stacks of salt hay stood aear, surrounded by a fence. The fearn, or cow-house, as it was called, was for the protection of the stock, not for the storage of fodder. No English hay was then cut. All the fresh fodder which the first settlers had, was the stalks and husks of the Indian corn, and a poor quality of fresh hay cut on the high meadows.

In the field by his house and in his barn field he set orchards. The Kentish Cherry brought over by the Pilgrims, had rapidly multiplied by suckers, and were always set on the outer edge, to protect the less hardy trees within. The apple trees were raised from seeds, brought from England, and were generally of inferior quality. The pignose, however, was very productive and a good winter apple. The Foxwell, yet cultivated, is a Fall apple of fair quality. The pears were also seedlings, and many of them worthless sorts ; but the trees were hardy and long lived. A seedling planted by him is a good autumn fruit, and yet propagated by grafts from the original tree. The French sugar, a very early pear, was introduced soon after the settlement and grafted into the poorer seedlings.* The iron pear, now known as the Black Worcester, a winter fruit, was introduced early — and afterwards the Catherine from the vicinity of Boston, and the Orange, a pear of superior quality. Several of the pear trees planted by Goodman Hallett yet remain, monuments of the hardy industry of the first comers, and living mementoes of the primitive simplicity of other days.

However rude may have been his dwelling, and however inelegant may have been its surroundings, it was the home of a happy and a contented family. To live a good life was his constant endeavor. He was not ambitious, he did not seek office, or honor, or wealth. He humbly acknowledged that all he had was lent to him by the Lord, to enable him to do good, and to be useful, not to be wasted in luxurious living, or in vain and ostentatious display. He lived as his neighbors lived. No room in his house was made a sanctum sanctorum, nor had he any furniture that was too good or too costly for his family to use. “Nothing,” he would say, ”was valuable that was not useful.” Again. “A large house makes a slave of the wife, and elegant furniture drouges of the daughters.” He had Indian servants who assisted him in the labors of the field. They were not fed and clothed to do that which he could do better himself, for it was his common remark, “He that waits on himself, is well served.” When asked why he lived in so small a house, he replied, “Comfort lives in a small house and needs no servants ; care in a large one, and requires many.” Vanity may turn up her nose in disgust, or laugb when these sayings are repeated ; the gay and the thoughtless may affect to despise ; but he that marks well the stern realities of life, will see truth buried, not deeply, in those simple, common-place sayings.

In his domestic arrangements, Goodman Hallett reduced his theories to practice. “Daylight,” he would say, “was cheaper than candle-light,” and as soon as the day broke he was up and dressed. He kindled the fire, brought water from the spring, went to his barn, fed his cattle, his pigs and his poultry, and milked his cows. On his return, he found all the members of his household up and dressed, and breakfast prepared. Sitting down in their accustomed places, the older daughter read a passage from the Bible, and a few stanzas from a favorite hymn. Goodman Hallett kneeling down, in a fervent prayer craved the blessing and protection of Heaven on his country, his church, his household, and his dear friends in England. Most earnestly did he pray that the Great Shepherd would watch over and protect the companion of his life, and gently lead the tender lambs of his flock.

The labors of the morning and the religious exercises, had prepared them to partake of their meal with thankful hearts. No cloth covered the well scoured table. A large wooden bowl graced the center, filled with savory broth, and hulled corn supplied the place of bread. Each had a pewter spoon, and all dipped from the same dish, as the Saviour and his disciples did on the eve of the crucifixion. No betrayer dipped his hand into the dish, and while imitating the custom of the Great Master, they never dreamed that a generation would thereafter arise who would despise a custom which they reverenced. After the bowl was removed, bread or samp, milk, butter and honey, a slice or two of meat, or a plate of fish, succeeded. Goody Hallett also had tea, made from some favorite herb, that she had brought from the garden or fields. During breakfast Goodman Hallett told pleasant Stories about home, as he called Old England, to which the children were never tired of listening. When the repast was ended, he returned thanks for the bountiful supply of the good things they had enjoyed, and the many blessings which had been vouchsafed to him and his family.

The school lasted only a few weeks in each year, and however deep the snow or hard the storm, the children never failed of attending. Goodman Hallett would remark, that “it was as great a sin to cheat children of their learning, as of their money.” They were all provided with Indian moccasins and snow shoes, and however difficult it is to learn the art of wearing the latter, the children of those days acquired it almost as naturally as young ducks learn to swim. The school was kept by the second Mr. John Miller at his house, which stood on the spot now occupied by the high school — a good mile distant from Goodman Hallett’s. If a term of the school was then in session, the children had their dinners put up, and were ready to start at half past eight. The roads were never cleared of snow in those days. Some were partially broken out with teams, but not so as to supercede the necessity of snow shoes, especially after a recent storm. It was a pretty sight, to see the little ones trailing along on their snow shoes towards the school-house ; but it was a common occurrence then, and excited no curiosity.

If there was no school, and the weather was stormy, the parlor was a scene of varied industry. When the breakfast table was cleared off, and preliminary arrangemeuts made for the dinner, the looms, which in cold weather stood in a corner of the parlor, were in motion, aud the girls were merrily turning their spinning wheels.

Meantime the master of the house, assisted by an Indian servant, bad watered and fed his large stock, and chopped the wood for the daily fire. He was not lacking in mechanical ingenuity, and on stormy days did many little jobs which saved money. His wife frequently repeated the old adage, “A stitch in time saves nine,” and Goodman Hallett acquiesced. Taking his awl, his leather, thread, wax and knife, he seated himself in the chimney corner, and successively examined the shoes of the family. If a tap or a patch was wanted, he put it on, or if there was a seam that required stitching, it was not overlooked. The andirons were of wrought iron, and had hooks on the front in which the spit rested. Wild fowl and venison were then abundant, and for the family dinner a sirloin had perhaps been spitted. Goodman Hallett turned the spit, and from time to time basted the meat from the contents of the dripping pan. The vegetables, which had been prepared in the morning, were hung over the fire, and at precisely twelve o’clock, if a bright day, the dinner was ready.

Before partaking of the meal, a blessing was craved. The meat was out on a wooden trencher, and served on pewter plates. Vegetables and bread, samp or hulled corn, was on the table, and at every meal “spoon victuals” of some kind formed a part ot the repast. Beer, which was regularly brewed every week, was used as a substitute for tea or coffee, and by the workmen, in the place of strong drink.

It was a saying of Goody Hallett, that “the girl who did not know that the dish-water should be heating during meal-time, was unfit to be married.” Abigail was in her teens, and remembered this saying. “When the dinner was finished the water was hot, and the table was soon cleared, the dishes washed and put in their places on the “trencher” or in the cup-board.

By three o’clock the tasks of the day were finished. Goody Hallett had woven her five yards, Abigail had spun six skeins of woolen yarn, and Dorcas four of flax. The wheels were put away, the parlor swept and dusted, and clean sand was “lumped” on the floor or the old “herren boned,” an act in which the women of those days displayed their good taste.

The girls had a small looking-glass, an article of luxury which few families in those days possessed, before which they arranged their toilet. The Hallett’s were never extravagant ; but they always dressed neatly. The petticoat was the principal article of dress, on which the most labor was expended. It was made of cloth of domestic manufacture, sometimes colored, of two thicknesses, and quilted throughout. On the lower border and on the front, there was some ornamental needle work. Over this a “loose gown” was worn. This was of also domestic manufacture, sometimes white ; but usually checked or colored. It was open in front, and did not extend so low as the under garment. The sleeves extended about half way from the elbow to the wrist. They had long knit gloves or “sleeves,” which they wore when they went out. The neck and breast were covered with a handkerchief ordinarily ; on great occasions, with a bodice or a stomacher. White worsted stockings and Indian moccasins completed the winter apparel. This was the common dress of the woman. For the Sabbath and great occasions, the wealthy had gayer and more costly garments of foreign manufacture. These were carefully preserved, and handed down from generation to generation. Dresses are yet preserved in which mother, daughter and grand-daughter were successively married. All had checked aprons which they wore when employed in household duties, and often a clean nice starched one was put on the afternoon and evening.

When they went out they had bonnets, and cloaks of thick cloth with a hood or covering for the head attached. For many years a bright red or scarlet was the fashionable color for these garments.

The common dresses of the men were short clothes or breeches, a long vest, with lappets covering the hips, a round about coat or jacket for every day, and for the Sabbath a long coat, cut a little crossway, not “straight down” in front, with a standing collar. The wealthy indulged large in silver buttons ; but for every day wear horn was used. The pilgrims all wore round hats, but in after times they adopted the cocked hat of the cavaliers. They wore long blue woolen stockings that extended above the knee, and were kept in place by a buckle and strap on the lower part of the breeches. Shoes fastened with large buckles completed their dress. Boys and men wore short clothes and long stockings. In summer stockings and shoes were dispensed with, and trowsers took the place of small clothes, the leg of which extended below the knee.

At the evening meal, in addition to “spoon victuals,” they usually had “short cakes” baked before the fire on a pan or in a spider.

In the evening the women were employed in knitting or sewing, and occasionally in making a kind of bobinet lace, on board frames, a few of which have been preserved. Farmers in those days selected a small portion of their best flax ground, on which they sowed a double portion of seed, that the product might be of a fine and soft texture, fit to manufacture into lace. Goodman Hallett kept a good fire, and as his beer barrels were never empty, he rarely was without company. Capt. Gorham and Mr. Thacher often spent an evening at his house, and though the use of tobacco was prohibited by the “honorable Court,” yet smoke from the pipe often curled up the chimney on the long winter evenings.

Our ancestors were systematic in their domestic arrangements. Monday was washing-day, a custom which has survived to this day. On Tuesday the clothes were ironed. Wednesday in summer was baking-day, but not in the winter. Thursday and Friday were devoted to spinning and weaving, and Saturday was baking-day the year round. For dinner on that day the Pilgrims eat fish, perhaps because the Catholics, all of whose customs they abjured, dined thereon Fridays. Baked beans, and Indian puddings were always found on their tables on the Sabbath, a custom yet continued in many families.

Saturday at 4 o’clock in the afternoon all servile labor for the week had ended. Preparations for the Sabbath had been made — the wood cut and brought in — the Sunday meal had been prepared, and preparations made to keep the day holy to the end thereof. In the evening the children were instructed in their catechisms. They retired early. The Sabbath was a day of rest — all went to church morning and evening. They never allowed the weather to interfere with their religious duties, it was never too wet, never too hot, never too cold to go to meeting.

In summer the male portion of the family were employed in out of door labors from sunrise till the shades of evening began to fall. Toil, hard and unremitting was their portion, but it was cheerfully performed. At hay time and harvest the girls assisted their fathers and brothers in the field. Their wants were few, and by industry and economy were easily supplied. Goodman Hallett acquired wealth, and every young man may do the same, if he will practice as he practiced. He was temperate in all things, took care of what he had, and every year spent less than he earned.

From year to year there was little change in Goodman Hallett’s habits, employments and mode of living. He added a lean to or salt-box,” as they were often called, to the west side of his house, making two rooms in front and enlarging the kitchen. His increased family rendered this enlargement necessary. The west room was sometimes called the weaving-room. Generally the object of building a leanto was to have a place for the looms and the spinning-wheels — a manufactory in miniature.

Goodman Hallett died in the spring of 1684, He was at least seventy years of age. His surviving children had married, and left the paternal roof. In early times it was customary, in making the inventory of a man’s estate, to apprise the furniture in each room of the house by itself. It was a good custom — it not only furnished a description of each room, but all the articles of furniture were enumerated in detail — carrying you into the family circle — unveiling its secrets — laying open its wants, its hopes, its pursuits, its aspirations ; — picturing the stern realities of a social life, over which two centuries have spread the mantle of forgetfulness. The uncovered ruins of Herculaneum do not portray the habits, mode of living, and character of the ancient Romans, in a stronger light, or in more vivid colors, than do these old inventories, the marked traits of the Pilgrim character. In that city we see the evidences of luxury in contrast with squalid poverty, and everywhere unmistakable records, that gross licentiolisness prevaded all classes of its society. The human heart, being ever the same, its surroundings will impress on its character, an ultimate form, which the man has no power to shake off.

Our fathers were eminently a religious people ; — -with them the future was ever present in thought — the Bible was their creed — their laws were based on its precepts, and their daily intercourse was regulated by some of its familiar texts. Their children were brought up under these influences or surroundings: — they were taught that industry and frugality were virtues — that idleness and wastefulness were sins to be repented of, and for which they would have to answer at the final judgment. These old inventories exhibit no evidence of prodigality — no squalid poverty — no traces of licentious life. They exhibit a rude social organization, — but beneath that organization they portray a noble race — with hardy virtues — of honest lives — content to live on the fruits of their own unremitted toil.

Andrew Hallett’s, Jr.’s, estate was apprised by John Miller and John Thacher May 19, 1684, and sworn to by his widow Ann Hallett on the 31st of the same month.

In the “parlour” or “great room.”
“His purse and apparell,” £90,10,6
Books in the parlour, 13,6
A cup-board, £3,10,0
The bed furniture— all, 10,05,0
The great table — forme and stools, 1,14,0
A chest and chairs, 1,00,0
The trundle-bed and furniture, 3,10,0
Pewter, 2,15,9

Brass mortar bac,* iron scummer, dripping-pan, tin pans— all, 15,2
* Bac, probably a misspelling intended for Box iron — an instrument then used for ironing clothing, as flat irons now are [1888].

A Tunnell, spoones, candlesticks, a warming-pan — all, 10,10
An hour-glass, a brush, fier-slice and tongs — a brass skillett, 6,06
Trammells, beer barrels, iron skillett, trays — all, 17,00
Spoones, trenchers, rowling pin, looking-glass, bottles and jugs:; 8,01

All in the parlor, 116,16,04
Deducting purse and apparel, 90,10,06
The furniture including bed, 26,05,10

Such was the furniture in the parlor of the most opulent man of his times. The list was taken by honest and honorable men, and sworn to by the surviving widow who certainly knew what she had in her house. The looms and the cradle had disappeared. Goody Hallett was too old to weave, and she had done all her rocking, many years before.

The “cup-board” or beaufet is apprised as an article of furniture. They were not then permanent fixtures. They were semicircular in form, and placed in the corner of a room or in a recess by the chimney, and could be removed from place to place. The lower part was closed by doors, and the upper open, containing several shelves, in form like a segment of a circle, and on these, the little earthen and glass ware of the family was displayed.The apprisement covers the value of the cup-board and its contents. By the word “furniture” in the inventory, is to be understood everything that belonged to the bed, including curtains and valances. The “forme” or settle, was a seat made of boards, with a high back — a rude sofa — and in cold weather was placed in front of the fire, — the seat and back protecting the occupants from the cold air of the room.

The chest and chairs are apprised at one pound. In the chest were deposited the most valuable articles of the family, and it was secured by iron hinges and a lock. At one end there was a till in which the money and valuable papers of the family were kept. It was well made, and must have been worth ten shillings, leaving the same sum as the value of all the chairs in the house. “Trammells” suspended from a cross bar in the chimney were then universally used. Cranes and hooks are modern inventions. The “beer barrels” are named as a part of the parlor furniture. As it was customary to brew every week, it is probable they were not of large size — only kegs — and being mentioned in connection with the articles about the fireplace, perhaps they had usurped the place of the dye-tub, which had disappeared.
In the chamber.

A mulett, £0,02,0
A bed and furniture — all, 6,18,0
22 yards of wool cloth, a suit of curtains and vallens, 2 cover-
lids, 6,06,00
A coverlid, a blankett, wool cloth, hops, a chest — all, 3,10,00
A chest, a box, 6 pairs of sheets, a table-cloth, pillow case all, 05,08,06
A table-cloth, napkin, hunney bees and hives, flax — all, 04.15,00
Sadies, pillion and cloth and bridles, Indian corn, rye — all, 3,05,00
5 cushens, linnien and wool wheels, bacon and beefe, scales  and waits, 1,19,06

Siften trough, meal and corn sives, bedstead and lumber in the chamber, 00,15,0

32,19,00

From the above, it appears that his house was only of one story, and the chamber was unfinished. The bee hives are named as being in the chamber. They were made of straw, and were put under cover in the winter, but the necessity of keeping them in the chamber till the 19th of May does not appear, without there was an opening in the side of the house through which the bees could enter.

In the leanto and kitchen. (The two first items are placed with the furniture in the chamber — probably in the kitchen.)

Winnowing sheet, horse geers. Iron pots and kettles, £3,08,00
Frying pan, bellows, pot hooks, milk pails, and straining dish, 7,00
In the leantoo, brass and iron — a hathell, a tub and churn, 5,14,00
Earthen ware, milk vessels and lumber in ye leanto, 0,19,00
A table, 10,00
2 barrens, a cowle, a bagg, 2 pillow cases, 12,06
Tallow, hoggs fat, malt, linen, yarn, wool and yarne and flax, 2,17,00
Arms and ammunition, 3,02,8

(Added at the end.)
A bed and bedding thereto belonging in ye kitchen, 6,18,00
3 yards of cloth, 15
A sun dial and knife, 2
£25,05,2

Though this inventory does not state with so much particularity as many do the room in which each article was kept, yet it enables us to form a correct opinion of the appearance of each room, and gives a clear insight into his mode of living and domestic arrangements. It clearly appears that the house was only one story, that the chamber or garret was not divided into different apartments, and was unfinished. The small bedroom on the lower floor seems to have been connected with the kitchen, not with the parlor.

His other personal property consisted of “Cartwheels, with plow and ax, tackling, howes and shovel, £5,6,00

Pitch forks, sythes, 3 augure, and other tools, horse fetters, 1,4,0
Horses, mares, sheep and swine, 21,02,00
2 oxen, 15 cows, and 23 young cattle— all, 64,15,00
18 jags of hay, a grindstone a lime, a peck, 4,15,00
Boards and Bolts, 00 10 00
A drawing-knife, spit, aud other small things, 00,l0, 02
Debts due the estate, 2,10,00
Total 100,14

As boards and bolts are connected in the same line, I infer that sawing boards by hand had not been discontinued in 1684.He had little grain on hand, but a large stock of cattle, indicating that in the latter part of his life the raising of stock was his principal business. Forty head of cattle were apprised at only £64,15 — $215.83, or an average of only 15,37 each, showing that during the forty-five years since the settlement of the town, cattle had depreciated about 76 per cent, in value.

His personal estate amounted to £271, 13, 09
and his real estate, “In housing, lands and meadows,” 909, 00, 00

Total, £1,180, 13, 09

His will is dated two years before his death. It is signed with his mark, A. A., not conclusive evidence that he was unable to write, for many good scholars have so signed their wills, but the fact leads me to doubt the accuracy of a remark made in the former part of this article, “that he learned to write after he was a married man.” The provisions of the will are very clearly expressed, and it contains much historical information, and will repay the labor of a careful perusal. “The Hallett Mill” is not named in his will or inventory, showing that if he ever was an owner in it, he was not at the time of his death.

[From Plymouth Rec. p. 194.]
WILL OF ANDREW HALLETT.
To all Christian people to whome these presents shall come : Know yee that I, Andrew Hallett of Yarmouth, in ye Colony of New Plymouth, being weake in body by reason of sore pains and aches, yet blessed be God at this time present I have my reason and understanding fresh and timely, I doe make this my last will and testament as followeth:

First, I doe bequeath my soule to God that gave it unto me, and my body to ye dust from whence it was formed by a desent and comely Buriall, and for that portion of Temporall blessings that God hath been pleased to posess me of, I do will and bequeath as followeth :

First, I doe will and bequeath to my loving wife one-third part of all my whole estate of moveables both within my house and also one-third part of all my cattell that I have not disposed of for ye comfort of her life and at her dispose to whom she shall see cause to give it unto, also my will is that my said wife shall have and Injoy ye easier end ol my said house I now live in during her natural! life, and ye thirds of all ye profits or Improvements of all my lands, both upland and meadow, during her naturall life, and then to returne as followeth in this my will.

And to my son Jonathan HALLETT I will and bequeath little calves pasture, so called, which is from my old field fence and bounds that is betwixt me and ye said Andrew Hallett and John GORHAM with ye broken marsh belonging to ye said pasture butting against ye old mill pond. Also I doe give unto my said son, Jonathan Hallett, my great table and my great bedstead and ye drawne cushings and ye cubbord and ye stands in ye Easter end of my now dwelling-house after my decease and ye decease of my wife. And also I do give unto my said son Jonathan twenty pounds of my estate,

and then my will is that my son Jonathan Hallett and my son John Hallett shall equally make a division of all my lands and meadows whatsoever both within fence and without with all housings whatsoever shall be standing upon my lands considering of quantity and quallity and so to make a division as you may agree yourselves, but in case you cannot agree to divide ye said and housings then to chose indifferent men between you to make a division of ye said Housing and lands and meadows and when equally divided then my son Jonathan to have ye one halfe and my son John to have ye other halfe, only my son Jonathan to have ye first choyce of ye lands and housing after devition, and my son John Hallett to have ye other halfe of ye housing and lands and meadows, only ye said John Hallett my son to pay to his brother Jonathan Hallett ye just sum of ten pounds, also what I have already given to my son John Hallett

I doe now confirme to him as his owne proper right and for ye farme I bought of John Penny,[Phinney] Senr, of Barnstable, I doe confirme to my two sons Jonathan Hallett and to my son John Hallett, to them and their heirs forever to be equally divided between them two, but concerning my other lands before mentioned in this my will, that in case either of my sons Jonathan Hallett or John Hallett shall dye without I shew of their bodies lawfully begotten, then I doe give liberty to either of them to will their part of their lands and housings to whom they please, provided it be to any of their owne kindred of ye Halletts,

but in case any of my said sons doe die without any issue and — without any will then my will is that my son that doth survive shall have ye one halfe of his said brothers lands that is deceased, and ye other halfe of his said lands to his three sisters and their heirs forever, but in case that both my said sons shall dye without any Issue and without will as above said then all my said lands and housing to fall to my three daughters, that is to say to Ruhamath and Abigail and Mehettabell and their heirs forever, to be equally devided between them three.

And to my daughter Ruhamath Bourn I doe confirme to her what she hath already, and doe will to her ye just sum of twenty pounds more of my estate, and to my Grandchildren as Timothy Bourne I do will five pounds; and to Hanah Bourne I doe will five pounds, and to Elezer Bourne I do will five pounds, and Hezekiah Bourne I doe will five pounds of my estate.

And to my daughter Abigail Alldin I doe confirme to her what I have already given to her and do will unto her my said daughter Abigail twenty pounds in money that I lent unto her husband Jonathan Alldin. And my will is that my daughter Abigail Aldin shall have six pound paid more to her by my Executor, and to my daughter Abigail’s children I give twenty pounds, that is five pounds to each of them, to be paid by my Executor unto all my children above expressed either at ye day of their marriage or when they shall come to ye age of one and twenty years or sooner If my Executor shall see cause,

and to my daughter Mehettabell I do will and bequeath unto her ye just sum of sixty pounds with what she hath had already of my estate,

and to my grandchild John Bourne he shall have pounds when he shall come of age of one and twenty years, to be paid by my Executor out of their estates according to proportion of what they have of mine estate. Bee it further kno wne by these presents that I doe make and appoint my loveing wife Ann, and my son Jonathan Hallett and John Hallett joynt Executors to this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this fourteenth day of March Ano Domi one thousand six hundred eighth one eighty and two.

The marke of A. A.
Andrew Hallett,
and a (seal.)
Signed and sealed in presence
of us, Thomas Thornton, Sen.
John Miller.

This will is proved at ye Court held at Plymouth
ye 4 June, 1684.
Nathaniell Morton, Secretary.

Anna BESSE

Of the family of the second Andrew Hallett no perfect record has been preserved. He married Anne or Anna Besse, daughter of Anthony of Lynn and Sandwich. Tradition says she was only fourteen at marriage, that she was a strong, healthy woman, and was the mother of twins before she completed her fifteenth year.

The tradition further relates, that on the day following the birth of her children, she requested her mother, who acted as nurse, to take care of the babes, while she went out to seek birds eggs, for them. The grandmother at that time could not have been over thirty, for she had children of her own fifteen years younger than her grandchild Abigail, and if Riihama was one of the twins, not far from twenty.

That she was very young when married, the known age of her mother confirms. After the death of her husband, she occupied the easterly part of his house. Her grandson John Bourne resided with her, and her son Jonathan occupied the west part of the house. She died in the spring of 1694, leaving a will dated June 23, 1684. To her grandson John Bourne, she gave her bed in the chamber with the curtains, valances, and all that belonged to it, and her great brass kettle or 22 shillings in money. To her youngest daughter, Mehitaiiel Dexter, her satin gown [in the inventory it is called “Satinistow,” a word not found in the dictionaries — and in another place, silk. For many years some of the articles belonging to the first comer were preserved as heir-looms, and some are now probably in existence. [and mohair petticoat].

All the rest of her estate, apprised at £180, 07, 06, (£67 of which was in money) she gave equally to her three daughters, Ruhannah Bourne, Abigail Alden, and Mehitable Dexter. Her wearing apparel, consisting of articles of wool, linen, and silk ; hose, shoes, hat, &c., was apprised at £15,00,00, or 50 dollars in silver money, showing that on the Sabbath and on holidays she dressed in great style.

Children

1. Ruhamah Hallett

Ruhamah’s first husband Job Bourne was born 1639 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass. He was her first cousin.  His parents were Richard Bourne (1610 – 1682) and Bathsheba Hallett (1616 – 1670)  His grandparents were Andrew HALLETT Sr. and Mary REEVES.  Job died Feb 1677 in Hingham, Mass.

(See Bourne.)

Ruhamah’s second husband William Hersey was born 1635 in Abington, Plymouth, Mass. His parents were William Hersey (1596 -1658) and Elizabeth Croade ( – 1671) William died 28 Sep 1691 in Hingham, Plymouth, Mass.

Children of Ruhamah and Job:

i. Timothy Bourne b. 18 Apr 1666 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.

ii. Hannah Bourne b. 18 Nov 1667 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.

iii. Eleazer Bourne b. 20 Jul 1670 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.

iv. John Bourne b. 2 Nov 1672 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.

v. Hezekiah Bourne b. 25 Sep 1675 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.

2. Abigail Hallett

Abigail’s husband John Alden was born 1632 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Mass. His parents were John Alden (1599 – 1687) and Priscilla Mullins (1602 – 1685) John died 14 Feb 1697 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass.

He inherited the homestead of his father in Duxbury, and died Feb. 1697, leaving an estate apprised at £309. She died Aug. 17, 1725, aged 81 years, and has a monument in the old graveyard in D.

Children of Abigail and John:

i. Elizabeth Alden b. 1672 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass.

ii. Sarah Alden b. 1679 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass.

iii. Andrew Alden b. 1681 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass.

iv. John Alden b. 1681 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass.

v. Benjamin Alden b. 1684 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass.

vi. Jonathan Alden b. Mar 1686 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Mass.

4. John Hallett

John’s first wife Mary Howes was born in 1659 in Yarmouth, Bristol, Mass. Her parents were Joseph Howes (1634 – ) and Elizabeth Mayo (1653 – 1696) Her grandparents were Thomas HOWES and Mary BURR. Mary died 17 Jan 1695 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.

John was a corporal in the company of Capt. John GORHAM in King Philip’s war. He was not taxed in Yarmouth in 1676. Hhe was a man of more note than his brother Jonathan, as the Mr. affixed to his name indicates. His house, precisely of the description of his brother Jonathan’s, stood a little in the rear of where Capt. John Eldridge’s house now [1888] stands, and was taken down about forty years ago. Though ranking as second in point of wealth among the inhabitants of Yarmouth, his house was never finished, never plastered, papered or painted, facts that show that he had as penurious a disposition as his brother. He was constable of the town of Yarmouth in 1682, and held other offices.

The Register of his family on the Yarmouth Records is lost. In his will dated May 14, 1725, he names his children then living. He died June 10, 1726, aged 78, and his widow, Mrs. Mary Hallett, June 1732, aged 73 years. Both are buried in the old burying-ground in Yarmouth.

Children of John and Mary:

i. Thankful Hallett, d. 12 Aug 1736 m. 3 Dec 1719 Joseph Basset as his second wife

ii. Andrew Hallet b. 1684 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.; d. 26 Apr 1751, aged 67; m. Mehitable Annable (1695  – 28 Oct 1767, aged 72). Mehitable’s parents were John Annable of West Barnstable and [__?__].

Andrew built a house of the same description with his father’s on the land opposite the Barnstable Bank building. In his will dated 23d April, 1651, proved May 7, 1751, he is styled yeoman, names his wife Mehitabel, to whom he gives one-half of his dwelling-house, privilege of the well, barn room, one-half of the fruit yearly growing in his orchard, use of one-third of his other real estate, one-third of his personal estate, and sufficient wood at the door, cut fit for the fire, to be furnished by his son Stephen. To his daughter Desire he gave a piece of land on the east of Hawes’ Lane, ten acres of woodland adjoining Jonathan Hallett’s, and one-half of his moveable estate. All the rest of his estate he gave to his son Stephen.

iii. John Hallet b. 1688 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.; d. 8 Apr 1765, aged 77 years m. 24 Aug 1716 by Peter Thacher, Esq., to Thankful Thacher, ( – 9 Feb 1768)

John built the large mansion-house now [1888] occupied by the widow Elizabeth Gorham and Howard Crowell. He was Sheriff, and a man of note in his day

iv. Joseph Hallett, d. 19 Sep 1735; m. 1722 Abigail [__?__] (1699  – 18 Sep 1768, aged 67).

Joseph built a house like his father’s between his brother John’s and Andrew’s.

v. Samuel Hallett m. 15 Jun 1727 to Susannah Clark of Harwich.

He resided in the house which was his father’s. His family register I do not find on the Yarmouth records. His estate was settled Jan. 4, 1757, his widow Susannah being then living.

vi. Seth Hallett b. 1699 Yarmouth; d. 1 May 1757 in Hyannis, Barnestable, Mass;  m.  8 May 1729 in Yarmouth to Mary Taylor (1701 – 9 Oct 1763) Both are buried in the old graveyard at Hyannis.

vii. Hannah Hallett married 27 Jun 1728 to her cousin Ebenezer Hallett died April 20, 1729, at the birth of her first child.

viii. Mary Hallett died unmarried 22 Apr 1751.

ix, Mercy Hallet, d. 13 Nov 1747.

x. Hope Hallett b. 1705; d. 5 Jul 1784, aged 79; m. 24 Jul 1729 to Joseph Grifieth of Harwich.

5. Jonathan HALLETT (See his page)

6. Mehitable Hallett

Mehitable’s husband John Dexter was born 1656 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass. He was Mehitable’s first cousin  His parents were Thomas DEXTER and Elizabeth VINCENT. John died 1720 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

Children of Mehitable and John:

i. Elizabeth Dexter b. 1 Nov 1683 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.

ii. Thomas Dexter b. 26 Aug 1686 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.

iii. Abigail Dexter b. 26 May 1689 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Mass.

iv. John Dexter b. 11 Sep 1692 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.

Sources:

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=9328547&st=1

Genealogical notes of Barnstable families  Being a reprint of the Amos Otis Papers originally published in the Barnstable Patriot in 1861; Revised by Charles  F. Swift Largely made from notes made by the author (1888)

http://hylbom.com/family/paternal-lines/paternal-go-to-ha/hallett-2572/