Jeffrey Champlin was registered as an inhabitant of Newport on November 24, 1639, was made a Freeman there on September 14, 1640 and granted 10 acres of land. That same year, the Pocasset and Newport settlements united upon the libertarian rules of Pocasset and William Coddington was made the Colony's first governor. Jeffrey Champlin also appears on the roll of Freemen in 1641 and 1655.
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| Newport, 1777 |
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| Newport, 1878 |
In the "Colonial and Land Records" the following account of Jeffrey's acquisition of land is given:
"Whereas, according to certain orders, made for the Establishing and giving Assurance of the Land, Be it known, Therefore that Geoffrey Champlin and Richard Sarle, having exhibited their acquaintances, under the Treasurer's hand, of Newport, wherein appears fully satisfaction to be given, for the number of twenty Acres of Land, Lying within the precincts of such bounds as the Committee, by Order appointed, did bound it withal, together with ten acres apiece given and granted to them gratis, by the Towne, for and in consideration of Service done by them, which number, together with the former, amounting to Forty acres, is thus laid forth. Four acres apiece for homelots, lying in the Towne, and six acres apiece, lying next to William Cowly's land and adjoined upon Thomas Hazard's land, a highway passing there-through, with half a Cow's hay in harbour Marsh lying at the first Entrance, and three acres of Marsh, lying at Sachnet, next the falls, Mr. Smith's Marsh, lying on the South East side thereof, with, another parcel of Sixteen acres, more less, lying....." (remainder of entry missing - possibly burned).
Soon after the granting of this land in 1640, Jeffrey bought out the portions belonging to Richard Searle and William Cowley and sold both to Henry Bull:
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| Newport today |
"Memorandum that Geoffrey Champlin of Newport, having bought and purchased of Wm Cowley and Richard Sarle their pts and ptions of land in that feeld that lay between ye Land granted to Thomas Hazard and Edward Robinson at ye South end of ye Towne, and ye sdGeoffrey had made over and soald unto Henry Bull of ye saide Towne, for a valowable consideration given and received, whereon ye sd Geoffrey doth disclaime all interest in ye sd Land and doth acknowledge full propriety to belong to Henry Bull, his heires, executors, administrators and assignes to ye world's end". This transfer took place late in 1644.
Jeffrey purchased twenty acres located on the east side of Robert Griffin's property from Adam Mott, Sr. in 1646. He sold ten acres "adjoining his house lot" (Newport) to William Brenton of Boston in 1657.
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| Old Newport
He was a witness to the sale of some property by Roger Williams to Richard Smith:
Newport the 3d of ye 7th month Soe called 1651
This writeing testifieth that I, Rog'r Williams of Providence, for and in Consideration of fifty pounds already received have Sould and Demised unto mr. Rich'd Smith of portsmouth on Road Island, his heires & assignes for ever, my tradeing house at Narragansett, together with two Iron Guns or murderers, there Lyeing as alsoe my fields & fenceing aboute the s'd House, is alsoe the use of the litle Lisland for goates which the old Sachem, deceased, Lent mee for that use, for confirmation of all which I Sett my hand & Seale ye daye and yeare aforesaid.
Signatures: Roger Williams &; a seale, in the presence of Thomas Newton, Jeffere Champlain,John Roome, William Holmes
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| Roger Williams Roger Williams founded the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He became governor of Rhode Island in 1654. |
