Name: Capt Richard Betts
Born: 11 Apr 1614
Place: Hernel, Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
Died: 18 Nov 1713
Place: Newton, Queens, New York
Buried:
Married: 1642
Place: Newtown, New York
The following was lifted from the article The Old Betts
House, published by the Juniper Park Civic Association.
From: HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY - with illustrations, Portraits & Sketches of
Prominent Families and Individuals; New York: W.W. Munsell & Co.;
1882.
Captain Richard Betts, whose public services appear for fifty years on every
s [sic] history, came in 1648 to New England, but soon after to Newtown, where he
acquired great influence. In the revolution of 1663 he bore a zealous part,
by the English was a member from Newtown of the provincial Assembly held at
Hempstead in 1665. In 1678 he was commissioned high sheriff of "Yorkshire
upon Long Island," and he retained the position until 1681. He became a
bitter opponent to Director Pieter Stuyvesant and the little town of
Bushwick, which he had founded. Under leave from the governor the English
settlers had planted their town, but were refused the usual patent, and in
1656 Richard Betts administered a severe blow to Stuyvesant by purchasing
the land for himself and 55 associates, from the red men, at the rate of one
shilling per acre. The total cost amounted to B#68 16s. 4d., which, with the
sum of B#76 9s. paid to the sachems Pomwaukon and Rowerowestco, extinguished
the Indian title to Newtown. For a long series of years Betts was a
magistrate. During this time he was more than once a member of the high
court of assize, then the supreme power in the province. He became an
extensive landholder at the English Kills. His residence was here, in what
is still known as "the old Betts house." It is further said that here within
sight of his bedroom he dug his own grave, in his 100th year, and from the
former to the latter he was carried in 1713. No headstone marks the grave,
but its absence may be accounted for by the fact that his sons had become
Quakers and abjured headstones. The old house which we may enter by lifting
the wrought iron latch of heavy construction, worn by the hands of many
generations; the polished flags around the old deep well, where the soldiers
were wont to wash down their rations, are still as the British left them on
their last march through Maspeth. This house is but one of several most
ancient farm houses still carefully preserved for their antiquity, on the
old Newtown road, between Calvary Cemetery and Maurice avenue. These
venerable companions have witnessed many changes, and now enjoy a green old
age, respected by the community in which they stand.
Will of Richard Betts, 1713
I've not seen a copy of the original will. It's been supposed that the
naming of daughter "Johanah Sander" is transcription error and should read
"Johanah Scudder." The styling of son to mean son-in-law, as with the
mention of John Scudder, was common practice.
The following transcription is taken from Pat's
Genealogy Pages.
Source: (New York) Abstracts of Wills Vol II 1709-1728
page 242.
In the name of God, Amen. I, Richard Betts, of Newtown, in Queens County, on
Nassau Island, yeoman, being in good health. I leave to my wife Johanah, all
my homestead and buildings and lot of land belonging to the same, lying
between the lands of John Scudder and Richard Betts, son of Thomas Betts,
deceased; Also my tract of land between the way that leads to the narrow
passage and the land of Samuel Albertus, and the meadow adjoining to the
same; Also all my movable estate, and liberty to get what hay she may have
occasion for during her life. After the decease of my wife I leave to my
son, Richard Betts, my Camlet cloak, for his birthright, and all my right
and interest in lands in Plunder neck; Also my house and home lot and
buildings; Also 1/2 of the lands and meadows that lyeth below the road, that
leads from the English Kill to the Dutch Kills, bounded by Samuel Albertus
and John Allen, with all the appurtenances; Also 1/2 the meadow land above
the homestead, situate between the lands of John Scudder and Richard Betts,
sons of Thomas Betts, deceased. I leave to my grandson, Richard Betts, son
of Thomas Betts, my tract of land lying between the way that leads to the
narrow passage and the land of Samuel Albertus, up to Newtown spring; Also
1/2 the meadow and upland, that lyeth between the road that leads from the
English Kills to the Dutch Kills, bounded by Samuel Albertus and John Allen.
All movable estate after my wife's death to my daughters Johanah Sander,
Mary Swazy, and Martha Ketcham, and the children of my daughter, Elizabeth
Sackett, deceased, and the children of my daughter, Sarah Hunt, deceased. I
appoint my sons in law, Joseph Sackett and Phillip Ketcham,
executors.
Witnesses, John Donan, Hannah Field, John Gould. Proved, November 26, 1713.
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