An American Family History

The Long Island Richard Everett's origins are not certain. He first appeared in records in Long Island in 1656. His origins and the name of his wife are uncertain. There were many Richard Everetts and it is difficult to determine exactly how they were related. The Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York published a very confusing article which tries unsuccessfully to untangle the early Richards.

His sons may have included:
John Everett born about 1650,.
Nicholas Everett born about 1652, and
Richard Everett born about 1665.

He was one of the signers of the certificate of purchase of Jamaica from the Native Americans on November 25, 1656. He received a house lot on the "Little Plains" and 10 acres of planting land.

In 1658 he received 20 acres of meadow land and became a magistrate. In 1658 a Richard Everit was taxed for six acres in Hempstead. It was taxed as meadow land and “fower gattes" and did not include a house or cattle.

In 1661 the boundaries of his meadow were set and he was to pay Magistrate Robert Coe 18 schillings. That year he also pledged to aid authorities in stopping Quaker meetings.

In 1662 he contributed to the minister's house and laid out home and 100 acre lots.

In 1665 he was sent to visit Waumitampak and ask him to appear before the general court to record land deeds in exchange for a new coat.

When they did the division and allotment of lands in Jamaica in 1660 John and his son, Nicholas, appeared on the list of freeholders.

In 1661 he was a magistrate of the town of Jamaica.

Queens County, New York is on Long Island. Jamaica was called Rustdorp by the Dutch. It was originally settled by English settlers from neighboring Hempstead. Hempstead was founded in 1644 by emigrants led by Reverend Richard Denton. Jamaica and Hempstead are now in Nassau County.