Same photo, but rotated 135 degrees for your comfort. |
Ruth Taylor, Executive Director at Newport Historical Society, wrote: “This is likely a transcription of a boundary setting-agreement. The document features the names of Roger Williams, Benedict Arnold, and Miantonomi, but none appear to be original signatures. It is interesting that the transcriber copied not just Miantonomi's name, but also the small boat pictograph he used when signing.”
In 1636, Rev. Roger Williams was the founder of the township of Providence
Plantations, which added Portsmouth in 1638, and Newport in 1639,
to form the Colony of Providence Plantations and Rhode Island. Benedict Arnold, one of Providence's first 13 settlers with
Williams, was one of the wealthiest landowners there, and was the ancestor of the
infamous General Benedict Arnold of the American Revolution. Miantonomi was a
Narragansett Indian sachem (chief) who was executed by approval of the United
Colonies in 1643.
The handwriting on the discovered document shown in the
photo is almost surely that of William Dyer, Mary
Barrett Dyer's
husband. He was appointed Secretary of the colony from
1639-1647, when he became Recorder. Those d's with the back loop are much like
William's. I have a number of images of his handwriting to compare with.
NHS photo again, enlarged. Notice the backward-looped d's, and the W on Roger Williams' name, which looks like the W on William Dyre's signature. |
1638: Portsmouth Compact of founders of Rhode Island, in William Dyer's hand. Notice the W at the beginning of the paragraph. |
1659: William Dyre (Dyer)'s signature. The W is drawn in four continuous strokes. |
You can purchase a high-resolution, ready-to-frame reproduction of William Dyer's May 27, 1660 letter to the Massachusetts Bay Court, pleading for the life of Mary Dyer. Click the "letters" tab above this article.
Related article: A peek at William Dyer's handwriting
Related article: William Dyer's most dearly beloved Mary
Related article: William Dyer's most dearly beloved Mary
Thank you for sharing these Document pictures written in the hand of my 12th Great Grandfather
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve. I hope you'll navigate around this blog and find more insights and facts about William and Mary Dyer!
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