Histories

"Tristram Hull, the second son of the Rev. Joseph Hull, was a man of prominence in Barnstable, where he was chosen Selectman, and served on numerous committees, being empowered to buy land from the Indians, for the improvement of the town, etc. Captain Hull was a 'chip off the old block,' and cared for neither King nor Kaiser, when either interfered with what he wished to do. Colonel Hull, in his pamphlet, gives an interesting account of the manner in which Tristram aided an old church member, who had been fined and banished for 'raising his voice' against Quaker persecution. He picked him up bodily, and carried him off in his own ship as far as Sandwich, on the Cape, in direct violation of the law and contempt of the magistrates.

When Captain Hull died he left, besides two fine ships, land, etc., £1150, 5s, 2d.

4. CAPT. TRISTRAM HULL, 1624-1667, of New England, 2nd son of (1) Rev.Joseph Hull and his wife [?Joanna], was in 1643 residing at Yarmouth, where he was enrolled and mustered in the little army of which Miles Standish was 'Captain-General.' In 1643 he was married to Blanche (???), and previous to 1648 moved to Barnstable. Evidently he was bred to a sea-faring career, for he owned a ship named The Catch, was part owner of the bark Hopewell, and frequently made long sea voyages. Customs entries show that he was engaged to a considerable extent in trade with the West Indies. Capt. Hull when 'on shore' took a lively interest in local affairs affecting the wellbeing of Barnstable, was treated with special consideration by his fellow townsmen, and unhesitatingly performed the multifarious duties expected in those days of prominent and public spirited citizens.

The records of Barnstable show that he frequently served on juries, was one of the town dignitaries appointed to wait upon the Assembly Committee concerning the town charter, took a leading part in the purchase of town lands from the Indians, served one year as constable, and during the last six years of his life was a leading member of the town board of selectmen. In the government's fanatical and inhuman persecution of the Quakers his sympathies were with the latter, and he boldly rendered them assistance and succor whenever and wherever occasion offered. For this he was subjected to much annoyance and heavy fines, but there is nothing to indicate that this made him change his course. In spite of the government's unjust and cruel attitude toward the Quakers, or rather we should doubtless say because of it, several of his children and many of their descendants publicly espoused the Quaker faith, and some of them became prominent leaders in the denomination.

Capt. Hull died at Barnstable, leaving a large estate for one of his age and times. His will is dated Dec. 30, 1666, and was proved on Mar. 12, following. In the inventory of his estate we find record, in addition to the lands and ships above mentioned, of 36 head of cattle assessed at 118 pounds, 5 shillings; cash, 105 pounds, and due the estate, exclusive of an undefined amount 'in hands of the Indians,' 300 pounds. His will provides that his son Joseph shall have the homestead and lands attached and six acres more; that his wife Blanche shall have the use of new portion of house and 150 pounds; that his three daughters shall each have 100 pounds; that his son John shall have a certain lot and 30 pounds; that Robert Davis shall have 3 pounds, and that the residuary estate be divided equally, share and share alike, among his wife and children. A short time after his death his widow was married to a Capt. Hedge, who was old enough to have been her father, and from whom she soon separated.

CHILDREN

25. Mary Hull, b. Sept. 30, 1645; m. 1661, Joseph Holway.
26. Sarah Hull, b. Oct. 18, 1647; d. in infancy.
27. Sarah Hull, b. Mar. 30, 1650; m. Joseph Allen.
28. Joseph Hull, b. June 2, 1652; d. 1709 or 1719; m. 1676, Experience Harper.
29. John Hull, b. Mar. 4, 1654; d. Mar. 30, 1733; m. 1684, Alice Tiddeman.
30. Hannah Hull, b. Feb. 6, 1656; d. Nov. 15, 1733; m. 1674, Joseph Blish.