Thomas Angell

When Roger Williams sailed from Bristol, England on the ship Lyon, he took his young kinsman Thomas Angell, a lad of twelve, as an indentured servant, a common practise in those days. They arrived at Boston in February 1631. In the next few years they dwelt briefly in Boston, Salem and Plymouth. When Williams was banished from Massachusetts, it was young Angell, a husky youth of eighteen, noted for his great size and physical stamina, who accompanied him through the wilderness in that bleak January of 1636, guiding him though forest and swamp, tending him in his illness and sharing his perils and privations. Even at that early age, he displayed the strength of character and bold independence which marked his entire life.

Angell's aggressiveness soon brought him to public attention in the new settlement at Providence. Although handicapped by lack of education, his physical and moral qualities were such that he rose to positions of great importance. In 1652 he was elected one of the commissioners to make laws for the colony and three years later became Constable of Providence and a prime figure in the celebrated Chasemore Case. Richard Chasemore of Patuxet was charged with a foul crime and residents demanded that Williams, as President of the colony, arrest him. While Williams claimed jurisdiction over Patuxet, so too did Governor Endicott of Massacusetts. The two were even then negotiating to settle this matter. Not wishing to offend Endicott, Williams requested him to arrest Chasemore. After much irresolution, Endicott agreed to send a sheriff and aide to make the arrest. Nicholas Fenner, a Justice of the Peace, and others, enraged at Williams' complacency, directed Angell, as Constable, to seize the interloping sheriff. With one aide to help him, Angell nabbed the sheriff, the aide and Chasemore, and bundled them all off to jail. The sheriff, released almost at once, returned to Boston and Chasemore was bailed to appear before the Court at Newport, Rhode Island. From this curious imbroglio the status of Rhode Island as a sovereign commonwealth was established.

In 1655 Angell was made a Freeman of the Town of Providence. That year he shared in the Division of Lands, drawing the lot just north of where the First Baptist Church now stands. The lane bordering it is now Thomas Street and its extension over the hill, Angell Street. In 1658 the former illiterate boy was chosen Town Clerk, which position he held for seventeen years. After King Phillip's War, he was one of the five who decided the fate of the Indian captives.

An imporant event in his life took place after the Resoration of King Charles II. Charles had sworn to track down the Regicides who killed his father. Knowing these men were sheltered in the colonies, the authorities deemed it wise that the leading men of each colony should take an Oath of Allegiance to the King. Angell was one of the twelve selected from Rhode Island. He defied the King and refused to take the Oath. Three others agreed with him, but eight signed. After much negotiation, the Oath was reframed, the language modified,and the four signed.

In 1685 Thomas Angell made a will dividing his property between his eight children, after providing for his wife, Alice (Ashton). In 1694 he died. It is to be hoped that his numerous descendants will look back with pride to one who for so many years was a sturdy bulwark of Providence Plantations and who helped establish our great nation Condensed from an article by Edward Wild Bradford

Alice Ashton was the daughter of James and Alice Ashton of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. She came to New England with her brother James, an early settler of Providence, and here she married Thomas Angell. She dies December 24, 1694. Their children, all born in Providence, were:

John (1646-1720); married Ruth Field, daughter of John.
Amphillis, died after 1694; married Edward Smith, son of Christopher.
Mary, died before 1695; married Richard Arnold, son of Thomas.
Deborah, married 1668 Stephen Sabeere.
Alice, died after 1733; married Eleazer Whipple, son of John.
James, died 1711; married Abigail Dexter, daughter of Rev. Gregory.
Hope, (a son) died young.
Margaret (Margery), married Jonathan Whipple, son of John.

The Thomas Angell Family Association was founded on October 1, 1933 by Dora E. Angell Smith, an eighth generation descendant of the original Thomas, and the first woman in her line of descent.

At the first meeting in Lincoln Woods, Lincoln, Rhode Island, nineteen other interested direct descendants formed the corporation for the purpose of "honoring and preserving the memory of Thomas Angell, the preparation and preservation of an authentic genealogy of his descendants and the promotion of friendship and social intercourse among them." (Quotation from the Charter).

The Annual meeting, for reports, election of officers and a general re-union, is held in the fall of each year.

To become a member a person must prove direct descent from Thomas Angell, presented on a form available from any officer, the same to be approved by the Registrar and voted on by the Association.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Thomas Angell Family Association, please contact:

President: Barbara Anderson
86 Beachwood Drive
Warwick, RI
02818

This page is maintained by Kimberly Miller

Updated November 20, 1998