[Richard Lane, b. 1596, and his wife Alice Carter emigrated with their family to Providence Island in the West Indies. It is uncertain whether Richard and Alice ever settled on the mainland, but their sons Samuel and Joseph, established branches of the Lane family in what would become the southern United States (Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina). The Tortugas, mentioned in the text, are small islands about 50 miles west of Key West, Florida. Providence Island is probably in the Bermuda Islands, quite possibly the same as "New Providence Island," where Nassau, the current capital of the Bahamas, is located. This speculation is strengthened by the fact that Richard and his son Oziell are supposed to have drowned off Eleuthera Island, one of the Bermudas.]

1632, August 31 - A letter from Thomas Wiggin to Master Downing. Hopes one Lane, a merchant tailor, who has been in the West Indies, will talk with Mr. Humphreys concerning a certain staple commodity which he desires to plant in New England.

1633, Feb 15 - Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Agreement with Mr. Lane to ship himself in the Company's pinnace for Fonseca, or if that island be not discovered to Providence, to plant his madder, teach his skill to the inhabitants, and be an agent for the Company in other parts of the Indies. A pattern of drugs and commodities likely to be procured in the Indies to be "sent along with the Indian" for their better discovery.

1633, Feb. 18 - Eight more servants assigned to Mr. Lane to be sent to Fonseca.

1633, Mar 26 - After debate the intended voyage to Fonseca is respited; the pinnace to be forthwith dispatched to Providence and touching at Association to take in Capt. Hilton and such as he may appoint for discovery of trade in the Bay of Darien. Mr. Hook to have his full number of servants, Mr. Lane but six, with an addition by the next ship.

1633, Apr 10 - Letter from Company of Providence Island to Captain Bell, Governor. Twenty passengers now sent over. Desire he will assign portions of land in the most convenient places to Mr. Hook, Mrs. Bradlye, and Mrs. Lane. Request that Mr. Lane may be afforded every facility for planting his madder. Direct him to entertain Capt. Hilton with all fitting courtesy should he go in the pinnace to Providence, and to allow Lane and Roger Floud to accompany Hilton.

1633, Apr 15 - Instructions from the Company of Providence Island for Richard Lane, in case Capt. Hilton does not go with him from Association to Providence. After having planted his madder, to take on board Roger Floud and other persons not to exceed eight, as the Governor and Council of Providence think fit. To go to the Bay of Darien, with goods for trade. To provide against fear of discovery from the Spaniards, and foul weather. To use means to ingratiate himself and company with the Indians.

1633, Nov 23 - Mrs. Lane to receive 10-pounds for half a year's wages due her husband.

1634, Nov 17 - Fifteen pounds to be paid to Richard Lane for half a year's service at the Bay of Darien.

1635, Feb 5 - Mr. Lane agrees to return to Providence by the next ship, at the request of the Company; if any plantation is settled upon the main, he is to have liberty to remove there. Accounts ordered to be made out, of money disbursed by the Company for him. He is requested to put in writing his information of some miscarriages in the government there, "that they might reprove, reform and order things as shall be fit."

1635, Feb 20 - As an encouragement to Mr. Lane it is agreed to recommend to the General Court to admit him a Councillor in Providence, and that 20-pounds be lent to him.

1635, Feb 22 - The proposition for Mr. Lane to be of the Council of Providence is debated, and several considerations submitted by the Treasurer, John Pym, answered, but the Treasurer refused to give his opinion.

1635, Mar 9 - Concerning the proposition to appoint Mr. Lane of the Council in Providence; Mr. Treasurer states his objections, but Mr. Lane is declared to be legally elected by the major part of the Committee.

1635, Apr 20 - Letter from the Company of Providence Island to Capt. Bell, Governor. Received his letter of 10 March 1634 in August last, with a full account by Mr. Lane of the success of their intended trade at Darien. Have ordered rewards to those eight persons who accompanied Mr. Lane. Mr. Lane returns, and has liberty to choose ground in the island not already possessed, for planting madder, indigo, or other commodities.

1635, Apr 20 - Instructions from the Company of Providence Island to Cornelius Billinger, Master of the Expectation of London. To sail from St. Christophers direct to Association, "otherwise called Tortuga," and ascertain whether it be in possession of the English. If so to attend Mr. Lane 14 days, and from thence proceed to Providence.

1636, Feb 26 - Inquiry into complaints against Capt. Riskinner for taking goods from Mr. Lane by force; striking, offering to pistol, and threatening.

1637, Mar 29 - Assistance to be given to Mr. Lane, Lord Brooke's agent, indisposing of certain goods.

1638, Apr 16 - Commission from the Company of Providence Island, appointing Capt. Nathaniel Butler, Henry Halhead, Samuel Rishworth, and Elisha Gladman to examine Richard Lane concerning the employment of a magazine of goods of large value committed to him by Lord Brooke, of which no account has been given, with authority to seize his goods, servants, plantations, and debts in case he has been negligent or unfaithful.

1641, Jan 4 - Edward Thompson, master of the Hopewell , is authorized to permit Messrs. Sherhard, Leverton, Halhead, and Lane, sent prisoners by the Deputy Governor and Council of Providence Island, to come to London to answer the objections against them.

1641, Feb 13 - The proceedings against Messrs. Sherhard, Leverton, Lane, and Halhead, sent prisoners from thence, for opposing Captain Carter in the execution of his place of Deputy Governor, to which he was appointed by Captain Butler, who supposed himself authorized to do so, considered, and the censure and restraint declared unmerited; they are discharged from all further attendance.

1641, Mar 25 - Mr. Lane to go over and to be one of the Council. Transportation of Messrs. Sherhard, Leverton, Lane, and Halhead, sent over as prisoners, but since discharged, to be borne by the Company.

1641, Apr. 16 - These p'ties hereafter expresses are to be transported to the Island of Providence imbarqued in the Expectation , having taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacie; As likewise being comformable to the Church of England whereof they brought testimonie from the Ministers and justices of peace, of their abodes: Richard Lane, 38; Alice Lane, 30; Samuel Lane, 7; Jo: Lane, 4; Oziell Lane, 3.

The following was related in A. Russell Slagle's article "Major Samuel Lane (1628-81): His Ancestry and Some American Descendants" concerning the above account:

Arthur Percival Newton writes that "Leverton's story goes on to tell us that at length the Governor leaving the island, a difference arose in the colony. He named his successor, but the people pleaded a right by charter to choose their Governor and fixed upon a person of their own nomination, one Captain Lane. But the other privately arming some of the under sort, seized Lane and both the ministers and sent them prisoners to England, with an information against them to Archbishop Laud, that they were disaffected to the liturgy and ceremonies of England. When they arrived here, the state of things was changed and Laud was in custody of the Black Rod. They were kindly received by the Lords Patentees or proprietors of the island and encouraged to return."

Other records indicate that Richard Lane was a close friend of Nathaniel Butler, Governor of the Isles of Providence.

1657, Aug 7 - Petitionof Alice Lane, sets forth her great sufferings in the West Indies, her husband and son having been drowned in Eluethera, and that arrears for service in England of 1702.13.6 are certified.

The above was compiled by Keith D. Gmeinder and submitted by Susan T. Meier Susanm1215@aol.com