Research Notes:
"Seth Pope (Thomas), b. in Plymouth, Jan. 13,1648; d. in Dartmouth, March 17, 1727. The records give no information concerning his early history. Tradition, in part confirmed by the records, says that about 1670 he appeared as a pedler 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 withdrew, 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; AJune 4, commissioned lieutenant. He was chosen representative from Dartmouth to the General Court at Plymouth in 1689 and 1690; magistrate for Bristol County, July 7, 1691, and justice of the peace in Dartmouth, 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 1700, by way of fulfilment of his promise made thirty years before to the Sandwich constable, he purchased a large amount of realty in that village, including the gristmill, fulling-mill and weaving-shop, which was valued at the time of his death at £34(50. 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 (date and place unknown), Deborah (born 1655, died Feb. 19, 1711), and second (date and place unknown). Rebecca (born 1662, died Jan. 23, 1741)." [1]
[1] Charles Henry Pope, A History of the Dorchester Pope Family. 1634-1888 (Boston: privately printed, 1888), 285-286, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].