My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Edmound Titus
Edmound Titus (b. 1630, d. April 07, 1715)
Map of Original LI Plantations |
Edmound Titus (son of Robert Titus and Hannah Carter) was born 1630 in England (came to America at 5 yrs .old), and died April 07, 1715 in Westbury, Kings County, NY.He married Martha Washburne on Bef. 1658 in L.I., NY, daughter of William Washburne and Joan Nichols (or Jane Bushell).
Notes for Edmound Titus:
"Keith Arbour, member of the American Antiquarian Society, was the banquet
speaker at the 1986 Bigelow Society reunion, 19 July 1986. He chose for his
topic the often-questioned "Oath of a Freeman".
"Freeman" in colonial days did not have to do with bondage or servitude, though
to be sure, bonded servants were not eligible. Simply put, a freeman was a full
citizen of the colony, with the right to vote in town meetings. There were
requirements, however, just as there are citizenship and age requirements
today.
From the beginning of the establishment of Massachusetts Bay Colony, there
were certain steps required. First was the all-important oath of fidelity to
the Crown, such as John Biglo took in 1652. The person taking this oath was to
be 21 years of age or more, certainly a male, and not an indentured servant or
bonded man. The next requirements were those of property ownership and church
membership, extremely to the theocratical provinces of New England. Lastly,
there was the freeman's oath.
Some colonists, of course, were not particularly religious or followed
religious practices frowned upon. We know that Baptists, Quakers, and other
non-conformists were harassed and not accepted. John Biglo's father-in-law John
Warren had his home searched to see if he were harboring members of those
congregations, and though a freeman as early as 1631, by 1659 was fined for
non-attendance of church.
In 1690 the matter of membership in the established Puritan church was relaxed,
and in Watertown alone, a long list of men were then sworn in as freemen. Among
them were John and Samuel Biglow.
Below is the form of oath taken by those two men in 1690
Freeman's oath
"Whereas I, [A.B.] being an inhabitant of the Jurisdiction of the
Massachusetts, and now to be made free, Do hereby acknowledge m selfe to be
subject to the Government thereof (Considering how I stand obliged to the Kings
Majesty, his Heires and Successors, by our Charter and the Government
established thereby Do Swear accordingly, by the Great and Dreadfull Name of
the Ever-Living GOD, that I will bear Faith and true Alegiance to our
Soveraigne Lord the King, his heires and Successors,) and that I will be true
and Faithfull to the same, and will accordingly yeild Assistance and Support
"hereunto with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound; And will also
truely endeavour to maintain and preserve all the Liberties and priviledges
thereof, submitting my selfe to the wolesome Laws made and established by the
same. " And farther that I will not Plot nor Practice any Evill against it, or
consent to any that shall do so, but will timely discover and reveal the same
to Lawfull Authority now here established, for the speedy prevention thereof. "
Moreover I do solemnly bind my selfe in the sight of God, that when I shall be
called to give my Voyce touching any such matter of this State wherein Freemen
are to deal, I will give my Vote and Suffrage as I shall in mine own Conscience
judge best to conduce and tend to the Public Weale of the body, without respect
of persons or favour of any man. So help me God in our Lord Jesus Christ." This
form of the oath was in use for many years, replacing a slightly shorter oath
in use from 1631 to 1665. During the American Revolution, a form was adapted to
the new independent government, and many colonists used this new form to avow
their allegiance to the rebel government. Briefly, the freeman's oath changed
as times changed, and the last remnant hangs on in the oath of Allegiance taken
by new citizens of this country.
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Here is a version used in 1638 in the Rhode Island Colony:
"I, A.R., being by God's providence an inhabitant and freeman within the
jurisdiction of this Commonwealth, do freely acknowledge myself to be subject
to the government thereof, and therefore do here swear by the great and
dreadful name of the Everlasting God, that I will be true and faithful to the
same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support thereunto, with my
person and my estate, as in equity I am bound; and I will also truly endeavor
to maintain and preserve all the liberties and priveledges thereof, submitting
myself to the wholesome laws and orders made and established by the same.
And further, that I will not plot nor practice any evil against it, nor consent
to any that shall do so,but will truly discover and reveal same to lawful
authority now here established for the speedy preventing thereof.
Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself in the sight of God, that when I shall be
called to give my voice touching any such matter of the State, wherein freemen
are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage,as I shall judge in mine own
conscience may best conduce and tend to the public weal of the body without
respect of persons or favor of any man. So help me God in the Lord Jesus
Christ."
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More About Edmound Titus:
Date born 2: 1630
Burial: Unknown, Westbury, Kings County, NY.
More About Edmound Titus and Martha Washburne:
Marriage: Bef. 1658, L.I., NY.
Children of Edmound Titus and Martha Washburne are:
- +John Titus, b. April 29, 1672, Westbury, NY, d. March 04, 1750/51.
- +Peter Titus, d. date unknown.