East Hampton - Thomas Thomson and Rev. Thomas James
Two Hundred and Seventy Five Years of East Hampton Long Island, New York - a historical sketch, East Hampton, N.Y., Published for the community, 1926, 97 pgs.
Excerpts:
[p13]
The following list includes the names of the earliest settlers and those who were resident here soon afterwards: Thomas Thomson
[p16] In 1660 ''the ould Sachem's squa, late wife of Waindance'' and her son Wainncombone, by deed confirmed the grant to certain lands on Montauk which Wyandanch had during his lifetime made. The tract thus transferred or confirmed was a stretch of land called Meantaquit, and extended ''from sea to [p18] sea from the utmost end of the land eastward to the sea side unto the other end of the sd. land westward adjoining to the bounds of East Hampton.'' The grant was to Thomas Baker, Robert Bond, Thomas James, Lion Gardiner, John Hand and Benjamin Price and their associates, the inhabitants of East Hampton. Ther consideration for the grant was £10 sterling every year either in Indian corn of in ''good wampumpeauge at five a penny until the end of ten years.''
[p25]
The Rev. Thomas James had come to Charlestown, Mass., in 1632, then to New Haven and thence to East Hampton in 1651 to become its first minister. There is much evidence in the early days of this country which attests the great influence and position of dominant leadership according to the minister or pastor. These men were leaders among the people, both in civil and religious affairs. Mr. James was one of such leaders. None took a more prominant part in the affairs of the town then did he. His education enabled him to render services which were wholly civil, but which he was frequently called upon to perform. He spent much labor in the instruction of
[p27]
the Indians and received for his services the thankful acknowledgement of Governor Lovelace. He was universally respected and one of the trustees of the town chosen to watch over and defend its political interests. The local records contain frequent reference to his activities. He was, Judge Hedges tells us, ''small in stature, sprightly and undaunted in step and bearing.''
There was no doubt of Mr. James' courage. In 1686, when the town was resisting Governor Dongan's efforts to compel them to purchase a new patent at an exorbitant price, he was among the ten persons who complained to the Governor. This protest was deemed a libel. While the agitation was at its height, Mr. James preached from the text ''Some removed the landmark.'' An order in council was entered and a warrant of arrest issued and an information filed against him. He was arrested. Shortly thereafter he petitioned the Governor for his release, stating that this was the ''first tyme (for almost forty years of my being a minister of the Gospel) that I have been called to account by any authority I have lived under.''
The spirited address with the people of East Hampton sent to the Governor in 1685, claiming representation in the Colonial Assembly ''as a fundamental privilege of an English nation'' and insisting that by a denial of this right ''all freedom should be turned into bondage and an ancient privilege so infringed ut they will never arrive at our posterity'' was said to have been written by Mr. James. The address is a notable document, and ranks with the best of the similar addresses from other colonies which long preceded the agitation with led to the Revoluntary War. Mr. James was employed by the ''The Society for Propagating the Gospel in New England''
[p28] in 1660, and in connection with this work studied the Indian language. Mr. James received many privileges from the town. His salary was often increased and he shared with Lion Gardiner the right to one-half of all whales cast up on shore. He also enjoyed a privilege as to the grinding of his grain. ''He was not to be stayed by any man, so but that his grain should be first ground at the mill on the 2nd day of the week.'' He died June 16, 1696, and was succeeded by the Rev. Nathaniel Huntting. He is buried in the old cemetery and according to his desire facing east, so that, according to his idea, at the resurrection he might rise facing his people.
[p54] The first colonial legislature consisted of the Governor, council and seventeen members chosen by the people, and assembled in the city of New York, October 17, 1683. Matthias Nicoll was chosen speaker. At this session the three ridings into which Long Island had been divided were abolished, and the province was divided into shires or counties. On September 10, 1683, East Hampton had agreed to an address signed by the constables and overseers, and supposed to have been drawn by Mr. James. On September 24th ''the town chose Thomas Talmadge, John Wheeler, Samuel Mulford and Steven Hand to join Southold in selecting representatives for this riding to meet at York according to order.'' The following very significant entry, indicative of the feeling of the people, appears in the records under the same date:
[p55]
''The town have likewise desired Mr. James to go with our men, and advise with them in our concerns, who are to stand up, in the assembly, for maintaining our prileges and English liberties and especially against any writ going in the Duke's name, but only in his Majesty's, whom only we own as our soverign. Also, in the town's name to certify Capt. Young (the high sheriff) that they do not send these men in obediance to his warrant, but because they would not neglect any opportunity to assert their own liberties.''