Joseph BAGLEY was the first deacon of the First Congregational Church aka Beneficent Congregational, of N

Joseph BAGLEY was the first deacon of the First Congregational Church aka Beneficent Congregational, of N. Providence and a cordwainer by trade. Born 16 Dec 1672, it's believed he was the youngest child of Samuel and Mary Bagley of Weymouth, Mass. (Weymouth, MA VR Bk 3/397)In about 1700, Joseph married Martha BATES (Prov. RI Deeds Samuel Bates/Joseph Bagley Bk 3/127)sister of Samuel Bates of Providence. On 5 Feb 1702/3 Joseph Bagley is Witness to Estate proceedings of Ephraim Carpenter of Prov.(The Early Records of the Town of Providence Vol. V). On the 1 June 1713, Joseph bought land "westward of Pawtucket", which further purchases totaled over 300 acres. (Ref:Rev. David Benedict Diaries, New Series 1866-1867)Situated just near the Moshassuck River and Weybosset Bridge. On 27 Jul 1724/25 Joseph was chosen Pettet Juryman to serve at next Court of Tryals at Newport,RI.

On 2 Apr 1730, Joseph bought land adjoining that of Peleg Williams, a grandson of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island Plantation. He died the 19 Dec 1746 in Smithfield, RI (Smithfield, RI Will Bk 3/p397) Probate proceedings by Smithfield City Council, and extracted here:

Pg 397 - Whereas Joseph Bagley of Smithfield filed in the County of Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island in New England, Cordwainer, who departed this life on the nineteenth day of December AD 1746 died intestate and left some considerable personal estate which by the law of this colony fall under the care of the town council of Smithfield, aforesaid and whereas SAMUEL BAGLEY of Smithfield aforesaid, yeoman hath given bond with sureties as the law directs for his faithful administration in said estate and exhibiting on inventory thereof to said council +++++++ these are therefore to order and fully empower you the said SAMUEL BAGLEY to take to your concern, consideration or care or custody all and singular the goods and chattels of the said Joseph Bagley that was belonging to him at the time of his death and the credits to said estate and on the some faithfully to administer in and on the discharge his just debts and for paying of Legacies and to act and do in all cases --- the premises as the law empowers on administrator, to do and render on account of your proceeding have in unto the said town council or to the supervisors in said office when to --legally called--

Given at a town council held in Smithfield aforesaid by adjournment the ninth day of January in the twenty second year of his majesties reign, George the Second by the grace of God, King of Great Britain AD 1748.

Signed and Sealed by and on behalf of said Council per Thos Sayles, Council Clerk-

Recorded per --- same.

A true inventory of all personal estate of Mr. Joseph Bagley, deceased, present at Bagleys on the twenty first day of February by Matturien Balloue and Peter Balloue, as followeth-

Pg 398 - Amts are Pounds/Shillings/Pence

In premises- his money and apparel 22/15/6; Books 3/11/0; Bed, Bedstead and furniture 27/11/6; Bedstead 0/10/0; Chest 1/10/0; 2 blankets and a coverlet 03/10/0; an old chest 0/06/0; great chain 0/07/00; glass ratels 00/02/00; base 05/05/00; 2 wheats and other small things 01/11/00; grind and tow plow irons loose chains and yoke 08/15/00; one looking glass 00/04/00; walking ? 00/03/6; pewter 02/11/6; earthen ware 00/06/6; wooden ware 00/15/0; churn 00/07; table 02/00/00; table cloths, spools 00/03/00; a bed and furniture 22/02/00; a box 00/10/00; ironware 04/11/00; total 709/13/9 (excepted)

At a town council held in Smithfield in the county of Providence by adjournment the second monday of January AD 1748, being the ninth day of the month, the afore written inventory was presented before this council and SAMUEL BAGLEY administrator of the personal estate of his honored father, Mr. Joseph Bagley who departed this life the ninteenth of December AD 1746 on solemn engagement declared before this council that he had set forth to Marrurien Balloue and Peter Balloue the praisers, all the personal estate that belonged to his honored father that he knows of and that if anything belonging to set estate-

Pg 399 - not listed here of less or more comes to his hands he will add the same to the inventory - Mr. Marrurien Balloue and Peter Balloue the praisers both appeared before this council and on solemn engagement declared that they had made a just appraisal of all the goods comprised in said inventory according to the best of their understanding where upon it is voted that the afore written inventory be ordered hereby proved and accepted to be a lawful inventory and ordered to be recorded as by Thos Sayles, council clerk, and was recorded be Thos Sayles council clerk.

It appears Martha preceded Joseph in death and that they were buried in the churchyard at the First Congregational Church, as he was the first Deacon. These surviving graves were later moved to Mineral Spring in Pawtucket but no ancient stones seem to have survived.

Also, it appears that the only living heir was Samuel BAGLEY, born 1709 died 20 May 1773 in Smithfield, RI. In the following land record, he is described as a cordwainer (leather worker). He continued to add to his fathers land throughout his life. This land crossed from North Providence into Smithfield and into Pawtucket, especially as town boundaries changed:

1733

To all people to whom these presents shall come. Know ye that I, John Arnold Jr., of Smithfield in the county of Prov. in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation in New England, yeoman, for and in consideration of the sum of three pounds of current money of New Eng. to me in hand before the ensealing here of will and truly paid by Samuel Bagley of the town of Smithfield, Cordwainer. Have given, granted, bargained, sold..and conveyed and do freely truly and absolutely give, grant..unto him, ...

One acre of meadow be it more or less, situated in Smithfield and lying adjoining to the other meadow of the said Samuel Bagley and Harris's meadow, lying near to the said Bagley House, butted and bounded as follows..that is to say, beginning at the NE and by Cold Spring Brook.

Dated: 28th of February in the sixth year reign of George the Second, King, (Gode Drilloin amo Domini 1732. In the presence of Lydia Jenks, Wm Jenks John Arnold Jr. filed 23 of Mar 1723.

end

From: Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society (New Series), Vol. IV., 1896.

"To the Honorable Richard Fenner and Edward Arnold, Trustees for the Letting out of the banke money in the Town of Providence and these may serve to assure you that we the Subscribers are of opinion that the Tract of Land lying between the hill of Ricks called the Great Ricks and Ranoles Valley, now belong to Nathaniel Jencks, Ebenezer Jencks, Jonathan Jencks and John Jencks: Now in Seuerety as may appeare by the plan or Mape thereof, is all and each part thereof worth three pounds per acre. Sept. the 17th, 1749. Signed: WILLIAM JENCKS and SAMUEL BAGLEY

In about 1736, Samuel married Phebe, whose surname has not been found. Ten children were born to this union. Here they are briefly-

1. BENJAMIN BAGLEY, Sea Captain c1737---25 AUG 1779 REV WAR QUEBEC CANADA, age 42. PROBATE: His WILL was dated 1779, leaving his portion of land from his father to his brother Samuel. (Pro/Ct Rec. p. 251)

Married c1777 to SILENCE SMITH, one son AMASA BAGLEY 7 Dec 1778 -- 6 Oct 1863 in Oakland Co., MI. SILENCE remarried on 18 Nov 1784 in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA to CALEB CARPENTER and lived in Rehoboth for many years.

2. JOSEPH BAGLEY, Wheelwright c1737 --- 20 Dec 1793 Pawtucket, age 55. During the Rev. War, Joseph owned a sloop called "Yankee Ranger". and sold shares of "all Prizes which shall be taken by the Sloop Yankee Ranger, Samuel Trip, Master, now bound on cruise against the enemies of the United Colonies in wittness whereof I have here unto set my hand in the second year of the American Congress the date above...."

c 1757, he married the "Widow MARTHA FREEMAN" and had a son and daughter whose names are not known yet.

3. WILLIAM BAGLEY, Patriot aka "Old Esquire" 1738/39 --- 27 Mar 1816 Pawtucket who married MARY FREEMAN the 25 April 1765. They had 2 sons and 2 daughters, one named-William "the elder" 1769 --- 27 Mar 1840 Pawtucket.

4. SARAH BAGLEY c 1740 married WILLIAM MAXWELL (David Benedicts' Diaries 6/33 JLW/EJJ)

5. RHODA BAGLEY 1741/42 married JOSIAH LAWRENCE, then JOSEPH WILEY.

6. MARGARET BAGLEY 1743/44 --- 11 Jul 1721 Pawtucket, married ICHABOD JENKS 16 Dec 1762 in Smithfield RI. 9 CH and many descendants.

7. MARTHA BAGLEY 1745 --- 11 Jan 1818 Pawtucket, married TIMOTHY BURDEN 14 Sept 1789 in Smithfield RI. Issue unk.

8. ABNER BAGLEY, Seafarer died at sea

9. DAVID BAGLEY, Sea Mariner 6 June 1752 --- 3 Jan 1804 Amesbury, Essex Co., MA, married DOROTHY DIX FOX in Chatham, Conn. 20 Aug 1775. 5 CH, Joseph, Ambrose, Luther, Rhoda and Marvin.

10. *SAMUEL BAGLEY, Tanner and Yeoman 1755 --- 1820 Brandon, Ohio, married AMEY ARWIN/ARVIN c1779. 9 CH and many descendants.