Joshua Bicknell, (Zachary1 John,2 Zechariah,3 Joshua,4 Joshua,5) son of Joshua and Jerusha (Heath) Bicknell, was born at the house known as The Kinnicutt Tavern, in Barrington, Jan. 14, 1759. Amy Brown, his wife, was born at "The Ferry House," Aug. 1, 1762. Married April 18, 1782.
He entered public life when but a youth; was a soldier in the Revolution. During a long life served the town, county, and State in various official positions. He was a senator or a representative in the General Assembly of Rhode Island from 1787 to 1799; 1802 to 1805; 1807, '08; 1823 to 1826. He served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island from 1794 to 1837. The purity of his life, the integrity of his motives, and the justice of his opinions and decisions gave him the merited soubriquet of "Old Aristides." He was plain in his domestic habits, and, when unoccupied with public affairs, devoted himself to his farm, and especially to fruit culture, in which he took great pleasure. He united with the Congregational Church in Barrington, Nov. 5, 1805, and held the office of deacon for many years. He was also Treasurer of the United Congregational Society from its formation in 1797, until his death in 1837, a period of forty years.
His biographer says of him: "But very few men have been better known throughout the State, and perhaps none survived him who possess more historical and statistical knowledge of the State, from the commencement of the Revolution to the present time. Of no man may it be more justly said, he has lived devoted to the best interests of Rhode Island. No man more ardently loved his country."
James Brown. Son of John, Sen., and Dorothy; admitted freeman at Plymouth, 1636, at Taunton, 1643, and at Rehoboth, 165S; m. Lydia Howland, daughter of John Howland, of the Mayflower; was liberal in civil and religious matters, and an ardent friend of Rev. John Myles; was fined £5, with Mr. Myles, for setting up a Baptist meeting in Rehoboth, in 1667; was one of the seven constituent members of the Myles Church; opposed the union of church and state, as did his father, John, and believed in individual freedom as to church support and religious belief; was Assistant to the Governor, 1665, 1666, and from 1673 to 1683, when he refused to serve longer; was a deputy from Swansea, 1666, 1669, 1671, 1672; was allowed £20 for cattle killed in the Narragansett country in Philip's War; went twice, on June 14 and 15, 1675, to Philip to persuade him to be quiet, but at both times found his men in arms, and "Philip very high, and not perswadable to peace;" his son, James, was admitted a freeman in 1681; he probably lived at Wannamoisett, on his father's large estate, and is buried at Little Neck.
Chaffee, Thomas. Son of Nathaniel and Experience Chaffee; his father was freeman in Plymouth in 1658, and in Rehoboth in 1681; Thomas was born in Swansea; from Nathaniel has sprung a large descent of families, bearing the name and the honorable character of the ancestor, who was an influential citizen, and a large land holder in this section; Thomas
