And manureiug the same & to Settle thereon with themselves and familyes is wholly Obstructed and hind** by Ryemen haveing made a greate Disturbance amongst them and Pretends aright to the Same therefore Cannot dispose of any part or p'cell thereof till your bono'' will be pleased to grant an Order to Cleare the Same.

Therefore humbly pray and beseech your bono"' and the bono"'" Councell that you will bee pleased to take the Premises into your serious consideration and grant an order to Cleare the same Accordingly Desireing only the privlidges as farr as his Pattent doth Extend. And shall pray &c John Richbell.

This petition came up for hearing before the Governor on the 17'" of March 1684, and the people of Rye were summoned to show cause at the next Court of Assize why John Richbell was not the true owner of the lands in question. But before the next Court sat, Richbell passed from earth, his death occurring on the 26th day of July 1684. He left his widow Ann and three daughters, Elizabeth, second wife ot Adam Mott, of Hempstead, Mary, the wife of Capt. James Mott and Anne, the wife of John Emerson, ot Maryland, his only children him surviving. The Rye claim however did not die, but remained a source of annoyance to his widow. In 1694 the matter came to a head. Mrs. Richbell served the following Protest upon the Rye people at a town meeting, and Subsequently began a suit at law to test the question.