Sarah Walker

     Sarah was born in 1629 in England. She was the daughter of John Walker and Katherine (?) Sarah married Captain James Sands in 1645 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. Sarah's husband, James, died on 13 March 1694/95 in New Shoreham, Block Island leaving her a widow. On the 9th of March 1699 Sarah wrote: " Know all men by these presents that I, Sarah Sands, of Block Island, alias New Shoreham, in the Colony of Rhode Island, Providence Plantations, in New England, Wife to Mr. James Sands, of Block Island, and made sole executrix by my said husband, James Sands, at his death, and having three Negro children born under my roof and in my custody, being left to my disposing by my above said husband: ''Know ye therefore that I, the above Sarah Sands, do hereby and voluntarily give and bestow of them as folio weth, that is to say: "First: I give to my granddaughter, Sarah Sands, daughter to my son, Edward Sands, one of the Negro girls named Plannah: The other Negro girl I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter, Catharine Niles, daughter to my son-in-law, Nathaniel Niles, of Point Judith in the colony above said — the two Negro girls I freely and voluntarily give to my two grandchildren above named until the said Negroes come to the age of thirty years, and then I do by these presents declare that they shall be free from any service, and be at their own disposal — the Negro girl given to my granddaughter, Catharine Niles, is named Sarah. The other negro above said being a boy named Mingo, I freely give and bequeath to my grandson, Sands Raymond, son to my son -in law, Joshua Raymond, of Block Island above named, which I give freely until that he the said Negro boy comes to the age of thirty-three years, and then to be free and his own man and at his own disposal forever after that he shall arrive to the age of 33 years; for I Sarah Sands do by these presents freely declare that I have made a promise that no child whatsoever born under my service and care shall be made a slave of any longer than is above specified, and for the confirmation and ratification of this my free and voluntary act, I have under set my hand, and affixed my seal this ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and ninety -nine." Signed in presence of Samuel Niles.²

Sarah made her will on 17 October 1703 at Block Island.

" In the name of God, Amen. I Sarah Sands of Block Island, alias New Shoreham, in the colony of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, in New England, being aged and weak in body, but of sound and perfect memory — Praise be given to Almighty God for the same — and knowing the uncertainty of this life on earth, and being desirous to see that things in order be done before my death, Do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following :" I being wife to Mr. James Sands deceased, and made sole executrix by my said husband, as by will bearing date June the 18th, 1694, may plainly appear, That is to say, First, and Principally; I commend my soul to Almighty God my Creator, assuredly believing that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sins, and be saved by the precious death and merits of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer Christ Jesus; and my body to the earth from whence it was first taken, to be buried in such decent and Christian manner as to my executor hereafter named shall be thought most meet and convenient : And as touching such worldly estate as the Lord in mercy hath lent me, my will and meaning in the same shall be implied. . . [Things specified for each.] That they shall be equally divided amongst my five children, viz.: John Sands, James Sands, Samuel Sands, Sarah Niles, and Mercy Raymond - - - Signed in presence of SARAH SANDS - Samuel Niles, and Hannah Rose, Oct. 17th, 1703."^3,4

In Sept., 1704, she gave her negro woman to her grandson. Rev. Samuel Niles, to be kept by him ten years, at the expiration of which time she was to be free for ever thereafter.⁵ Sarah departed this life in 1709 in Block Island at age 80 years.