Hezekiah COLE

                   The Descendants of James Cole 1633 -- E. B. Cole

The following is a copy of the original commission in the possess of his grandson, Clark Wesley Cole:

       By his Excellency, James Fenner, Esq.,Governor, Capt. General and Commander-in-Chief of the State of Rhode Island, Providence Plantation.
       To Hezekiah Cole, Esq., greeting:  You, the said Hezekiah Cole, having been elected by the general Assembly at the session held on the 1st Wednesday of May inst., to the office of Wecond Major of the 13th Regt. of Militia in the State aforesaid, are hereby in the name of the State of Rhode Island plantation authorized, commissioned and empowered to exercies the office of 2nd Major of and over the Regiment aforesaid, and to command and conduct the same or any part thereof, and in case of an invasion or assault of a common enemy to infest or disturb this State you are to alarm and gather together the Regiment under your command, or such part thereof as you may deem sufficient, and therewith to the utmost of your skill and ability you are to expel and destroy them in order to preserve the interests of the good citizens of his State.  You are also to follow such instructions and orders as shall from time to time be given forth either by the General Assembly the Governor, and general Council, or other yoursuperior officers, and for so doing this commission shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge.
       Given under my hand and the seal of the said State this 8th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine, and in the 33rd year of Independence.
       By his Excellency's command,                    J. Fenner
Samuel Eddy, Secy.

He remved from Foster (Scituate,) R. I. to Herkimer County, New York.