Hester Brightman

Notes:

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/r/Virginia--Core/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-1302.html
The Brightman's were traditionally seamen; Henry is believed to have come to these shores in his own boat, arriving in the Portsmouth-Newport area of Rhode Island about 1670, in which year he was made a freeman and a juryman. He was one of 47 men to whom was granted 5000 acres in R.I. to called East Greenwich, but he never settled there. In 1674, he bought lot No. 4 in Freeman' Purchase, now Fall River; another lot, No. 5, was purchased in 1678; in 1691, he purchased lot no. 6, also in Freeman's Purchase, on the west side of the Taunton River. The ferry, which he bought in 1674, was included with lot No. 5 of the Freeman's Purchase. Henry was deputy from Newport in 1705, 1706, 1707, and 1709. He held several town offices, and was also Justice of the Peace. After the death of his wife in 1716, Henry went to live with his son, Joseph, in Freetown. He died there, and was buried on Joseph's farm. This old family cemetery was taken by the city (now Fall River) to make way for a street in about 1880. In moving, the stones fell apart and have become lost.

In his will, dated 3 Oct 1716, Henry bequeathed to his "eldest son William" property in Portsmouth and Newport including the house in which William was then living; also his "largest silver tankard". To his "second son Thomas" he gave all farms he had purchased in Dartmouth, "together with one yoke of oxen, give cows, and sixty sheep now in his hands"; also his lesser silver tankard. To his "youngest son Joseph" he gave his land Freetown plus other property; also a silver cup, a small silver porringer, six silver spoons and his seal ring. To each of his daughters, Hester Chandler and Sarah Hoar, he gave one lot of land in Newport and 50 pounds in money of equivalent. Four additional lots in Newport were left, one each, to four grandsons: Henry son of William, Henry son of Thomas, Henry son of Joseph, and Henry Hoar son of Sarah Hoar. "The rest and residue" of the Estate to be divided equally between the three sons, who were to serve as "only and sole executors". A codicil, dates 15 FEb 1728, gave to son Joseph and daughter-in-law Susanna "my bed, bedding and furniture; table living and my other household stuff that I brought with me into their family" as they had cared for him with the "infirmities of age" upon him. Henry died 1728 in Freetown, Mass. He was buried in Freetown, Mass., Joseph's Farm.

Henry married Joan James. Joan was born about 1655 in Portsmouth, Newport Co, Rhode Island, USA; died in 1716 in Newport, Newport Co, Rhode Island, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Possible surname JAMES.