Seth Pope (1648 - 1727)

"family story", so I have no way to verify yet.
In March,1678/9 he was given an allowance by the Court for his expenses and time returning guns to the Indians after Philip's war. On 2 June 1685 he was chosen selectman of Dartmouth and on 4 June 1686 was commissioned lieutenant. He was chosen representative from Dartmouth to the General Court at Plymouth in 1689 and 1690 and was magistrate for Bristol County in 1691. In 1692 he was justice of the Peace in Dartmouth. He was part owner of the sloop, Hopewell in 1698 and in 1709 of the sloop Joannaand Thankful. He married first, probably in Sandwich, Mass., Deborah Perry of Sandwich, born 26 Novembe 1654, died 19 Feb 1711, married secondly Rebecca (no ln) d 23 jANUARY 1741


The records give no information concerning his early 
history. Tradition, in part confirmed by the records, says that about 
1670 he appeared as a peddler in Sandwich, whereupon the constable, 
in pursuance of a regulation then in force, ordered him to depart, lest in 
future he might become a charge upon the town. He accordingly with- 
drew, taking occasion, however, to remark that he would yet come back 
and buy up the town. Procuring a boat at Monument, he followed the 
coast round to Acushnet, where he settled within the present limits of 
Fairhaven, and by his industry, energy and skilful business management 
ultimately became one of the most wealthy and influential citizens of the 
old colony. 1678-9, March 8, an allowance was ordered by the Court 
to be made him for expenses and time returning guns to the Indians after 
Philip's war; 1685, June 2, was chosen selectman of Dartmouth; 1686, 
March 4, took the oath of fidelity; June 2, again chosen selectman; 
June 4, commissioned lieutenant. He was chosen representative from 
Dartmouth to the General Court at Plymouth in 1689 and 1690; magis- 
trate for Bristol County, July 7, 1691, and justice of the peace in Dart- 
mouth, May 27, 1692. He is named as one of the fifty-six proprietors 
of Dartmouth in the confirmatory deed of Gov. Bradford in 1694. June 
12, 1695, he appeared in Boston in behalf of his townsmen, to urge an 
abatement of taxes. He appears to have been for many years largely 
interested in the coastwise trade, and had a wharf and warehouse at 
Acushnet. In 1698 he was part owner of the sloop Hopewell, and in 1709 
of the sloop Joanna and Thankful. In 1 700, by way of fulfilment of his 
promise made thirty years before to the Sandwich constable, he pur- 
chased a large amount of realty in that village, including the grist- 
mill, fulling-mill and weaving-shop, which was valued at the time of his 
death at £3460. His estates in Dartmouth were extensive and valuable, 
comprising several farms and dwelling houses, a saw and grist-mill, a 
well-stocked store and warehouse, and other property, amounting in all 
to more than £15,000 — a large sum for those days. 

He married first (probably in Sandwich), Deborah, daughter of Ezra 
and Elizabeth (Burge) Perry of Sandwich. A Quaker and brother of 
Edward Perry, (born Nov. 28, 1654, died Feb. 19, 171 1), and second 

(date and place unknown), Rebecca (born 1662, died Jan. 23, 1741).