The origins of Richard Betts are unknown to me. Savage reports: "said to have come from Hemel Hempstead, Co. Herts."
 
See the Herts County, England Page for material on our English ancestral home.
 
 
The origins of Joanna Chamberlain, his wife, are very well laid out in a presentation in TAG 72:285-300, 1997, by Jane Fletcher Fiske, in a very interesting network of the Scudder family. See the Scudder Page at this site. This kinship network ties together Betts, King, Lathrop, Very and Scudder immigrant families.

Born: Abt 1613, Savage reports: in Hemel, Hemstead, England.

Immigration:  By 1648, single, about 35 years old.

Spouse:  Joanna Chamberlain (See TAG 72:285-300), who migrated to America with her mother, Elizabeth (Stoughton) Chamberlain, brother Samuel Chamberlain, and half-siblings, which include John Scudder of Barnstable, Mass and Elizabeth (Scudder) Lathrop. She was born October, 1630 in Strood, Kent, England.

They probably married very shortly after his arrival in the colonies, abt 1648-1650.

Residences: Ipswich 1648 > Newtown, Long Island by 1654-56.

"BETTS, RICHARD, Ipswich 1648, said to have come from Hemel Hempstead, Co. Herts, rem. to Newtown, L. I. 1656, there was in high esteem many yrs. and a. 18 Nov. 1713, at the age of 100, to render wh. great number of yrs. doubtful, the stupidity of tradit. adds, that he dug his own gr. By w. Joanna, Riker says, he had Richard; Thomas; Joanna, wh. m. John Scudder; Mary, wh. m. Joseph Swazey; Martha, wh. m. Philip  Ketchum; Eliz. wh. was first w. of Joseph Sackett; and Sarah, wh. m. Edward Hunt."

          "BETTS, RICHARD, an early settler of Newtown, who emigrated in 1648, m. Joanna (???), settling at first in New England, and in 1675 claimed a tract in N. L. by virtue of an Indian deed of 1663, which claim was disputed. He finally, probably under this claim, obtained a plantation on the boundary-line between Kings and Queens counties, on the main road from Brn to Ja, afterwards owned by John I. Snediker and the dwelling-house converted into a tavern or hotel, famous in its day for the entertainment of sleighing parties and travellers. From 1656 to 1674 he was most of the time a mag. of Middleburgh or Newtown--in 1673 holding his appointment from Gov. Colve--and in 1679 high sheriff of Yorkshire. Issue:--Richard; Thomas, m. Mary da. of Danl Whitehead; Joanna; Mary; Martha; Elizabeth; and Sara. Signed his name "Richard Betts.""

"So much of the land thus acquired as the inhabitants of Flatbush had occasion for, they took up, enclosed, and improved. The rest was left in common, until by the increase of their population it should be needed. They remained thus in quiet possession of all their lands until the year 1675, when Captain Richard Betts laid claim to a certain parcel or tract, lying in the New Lots, for which he said he had obtained a deed from the Indians, of prior date to the one just recited, given in the year 1663. We are not able to locate precisely the premises thus called in question. The matter was tried at the court of Sessions, held in Gravesend, for that year, when the deed of Mr. Betts was allowed, and a verdict given in his favor. But an appeal was taken by the inhabitants of the town, to the General Court of Assizes, which was holden in the same year, 1675, in the city of New-York. Hereupon a full and fair hearing of the case, the verdict rendered at the court of Sessions was set aside, and the court ordered, as follows:--"That the land shall lye in common to fflatbush, and the townes adjacent, as it heretofore hath been, and that the towns who have the beneffit of the comonage shall pay their equall proportion of the purchase money to the Indyans and costs of this suite."
 

         It was probably in consequence of this suit, that the inhabitants of Flatbush sought and obtained a separate patent for that part of the town called New-Lots. This was granted by Gov. Edmond Andros on the 25th day of March, in the year 1677, to Arian Lamberse and others, to the number of thirty-seven persons. This Patent we have not been able to procure. It was probably granted on condition of the payment of a certain quit rent to the Governor, which opinion is confirmed from the fact, that complaint was subsequently made to the court of Sessions, held at Gravesend, against the constable of New Lots, for not taking up and paying over the same, upon which diverse orders were passed by the court relating thereto. About the time of the settlement of New Lots, several of the inhabitants of Midwout, or Flatbush, also removed to New-Jersey, and formed settlements on the Raritan and Milstone rivers, and also in the county of Monmouth, then called Neversink. Their numerous descendents now occupy these and other different parts of New-Jersey."
 

New York Wills Pp 113-4

Page 242.--RICHARD BETTS. In the name of God, Amen. I, Richard Betts, of Newtown, in Queens County, on Nassau Island, yeoman, being in good health. I leave to my wife Johanah, all my homestead and buildings and lot of land belonging to the same, lying between the lands of John Scudder and Richard Betts, son of Thomas Betts, deceased; Also my tract of land between the way that leads to the narrow passage and the land of Samuel Albertus, and the meadow adjoining to the same; Also all my movable estate, and liberty to get what hay she may have occasion for during her life. After the decease of my wife I leave to my son, Richard Betts, my Camlet cloak, for his birthright, and all my right and interest in lands in Plunder neck; Also my house and home lot and buildings; Also 1/2 of the lands and meadows that lyeth below the road, that leads from the English Kill to the Dutch Kills, bounded by Samuel Albertus and John Allen, with all the appurtenances; Also 1/2 the meadow land above the homestead, situate between the lands of John Scudder and Richard Betts, sons of Thomas Betts, deceased. I leave to my grand son, Richard Betts, son of Thomas Betts, my tract of land lying between the way that leads to the narrow passage and the land of Samuel Albertus, up to Newtown spring; Also 1/2 the meadow and upland, that lyeth between the road that leads from the English Kills to the Dutch Kills, bounded by Samuel Albertus and John Allen. All movable estate after my wife's death to my daughters, Johanah Sander, Mary Swazy, and Martha Ketcham, and the children of my daughter, Elizabeth Sackett, deceased, and the children of my daughter, Sarah Hunt, deceased. I appoint my sons in law, Joseph Sackett and Phillip Ketcham, executors.

         Witnesses, John Donan, Hannah Field, John Gould. Proved, November 26, 1713.

Note: I believe the Johanah Sander above is Johanah (Betts) Scudder.. transcription error?? Second husband?? nmt

The will was written as if Richard, Jr. was still living. His will was proved in 1711, so this will, undated as to when it was written, was likely written before 1711.

Deborah Scudder, wife of John Hart - Signer of Declaration of Independence

 
 1   Richard Betts 1613 - 1713
..  +Joanna Chamberlain 1620 - 1711
.... 2   Joanna Betts 1645 -
........  +John Scudder 1645 - 1732
........... 3   Richard Betts Scudder 1671 - 1754
...............  +Hannah Reeder 1671 - 1734
.................. 4   Richard Scudder 1699 - 1731
........................ 5   Deborah Scudder 1722 - 1776
............................ +John Hart 1713 - 1779 - Signer of Declaration of Independence

TAG 51-1, Jan, 1975, article on the immigrant

TAG 72:285-300  - Article on Joanna Chamberlain, wife of the immigrant

Other Betts in New England - by the New England Dictionary by Savage
 

I have the following so far for the children and grandchildren of the immigrant Richard Betts and his wife, Joanna Chamberlain. It is probably not complete. Surnames of the first generation branches are: Betts, Scudder, Hunt, Swezey, Ketchum, Sackett.

 
 Descendants of Richard Betts

 1   Richard Betts 1613 - 1713
..  +Joanna Chamberlain 1620 - 1711

........ 2   Joanna Betts 1645 -
............  +John Scudder 1645 - 1732
.................. 3   Richard Betts Scudder 1671 - 1754
......................  +Hannah Reeder 1671 - 1734

........ 2   Richard Betts, Jr. 1648 - 1711
............  +Sarah 1660 - 1710
.................. 3   Richard Betts 1688 -
.................. 3   Robert Betts 1692 -
.................. 3   Thomas Betts 1694 -
.................. 3   Sarah Betts 1696 -
.................. 3   Elizabeth Betts 1698 -
.................. 3   Johannes Betts 1700 -
.................. 3   Abigail Betts 1702 -
.................. 3   Mary Betts 1704 -

........ 2   Sarah Betts 1652 -
............  +Edward Hunt 1652 -
.................. 3   Jonathan Hunt 1670 - 1730
......................  +Phebe Titus 1670 -

........ 2   Mary Betts 1654 - 1734
............  +Joseph Swezey 1653 - 1717
.................. 3   Johanna Swezey 1679 -
......................  +Israel Parshall 1680 - 1738
.................. 3   Mary Swezey 1681 -
.................. 3   Bethia Swezey 1683 -
......................  +William Coleman, Jr. 1683 -
.................. 3   Joseph Swezey, Jr. 1686 -
.................. 3   Samuel Swezey 1689 - 1750
......................  +Penelope Horton 1689 -
..................  *2nd Wife of Samuel Swezey:
......................  +Susannah Huntington 1689 -
.................. 3   Richard Swezey 1692 - 1782
......................  +Elizabeth Parshall, ? 1692 - 1739
..................  *2nd Wife of Richard Swezey:
......................  +Margaret Parshall 1694 - 1769
.................. 3   Stephen Swezey 1694 -
......................  +Elizabeth Youngs 1694 -

........ 2   Martha Betts 1657 -
............  +Phillip Ketchum 1657 -

........ 2   Elizabeth Betts 1658 -
............  +Joseph Sackett 1656 - 1719
.................. 3   Simon Sackett 1678 -
.................. 3   Elizabeth Sackett 1680 - 1719
.................. 3   Joseph Sackett 1680 -
.................. 3   Richard Sackett 1682 -
.................. 3   John Sackett 1684 -
.................. 3   William Sackett 1686 -
.................. 3   Samuel Sackett 1688 -
.................. 3   Sarah Sackett 1690 -
.................. 3   Potine Sackett 1692 -
.................. 3   Abigail Sackett 1694 -

........ 2   Thomas Betts 1662 - 1709
............  +Mary Whitehead 1660 -
.................. 3   Richard Betts 1688 -
.................. 3   Thomas Betts 1689 - 1747
......................  +Susanna Field 1690 -
.................. 3   Mercy Betts 1693 -
.................. 3   Abigail Betts 1696 -
.................. 3   Joanna Betts 1698 -
.................. 3   Mary Betts 1700 -
.................. 3   Elizabeth Betts 1702 -
.................. 3   Deborah Betts 1704 -
 

 
Direct Descendants of Richard Betts
 
 1   Richard Betts 1613 - 1713 b in Hemel, Hemstead, England
....  +Joanna Chamberlain 1630 - 1711 b in Strood, Kent, England
 2   Mary Betts 1654 - 1734 b in Newtown, Queens Co, New York
......  +Joseph Swezey 1653 - 1734 b in Southold, Long Island, New York
... 3   Richard Swezey 1690 - 1782 b in Southold, Long Island, New York
.........  +Elizabeth [Parshall?] 1701 - 1739 b in Southold, Long Island, New York
..... 4   Elizabeth Swezey 1722 - 1806 b in Aquebogue, now Riverhead, Long Island, New York
...........  +Zerubabel Hallock 1721 - 1800 b in Southold, Long Island, New York
........ 5   Zachariah Hallock 1749 - 1820 b in Southold, Long Island, New York
..............  +Hannah Youngs 1754 - 1823 b in Aquebogue, Long Island, New York
........... 6   Bethuel Hallock 1790 - 1866 b in Aquebogue, Long Island, New York
.................  +Harmony Howell 1795 - 1864 b in Riverhead, Long Island, New York
............. 7   John Kasar Hallock 1831 - 1875 b in West Mattituck, Long Island, New York
...................  +Mary Jane Aldrich 1836 - 1862 b in Mattituck, Long Island, New York

Kansas Pioneers >>

................ 8   Morris Wells Hallock 1858 - 1941 b in West Mattituck, Long Island, New York
......................  +Harriet Loetta Pollock 1865 - 1936 b in Richland Co, Ohio
.................. 9   Inez Evangeline Hallock 1886 - 1976 b in Near Milo, Lincoln Co, Kans
........................  +Arthur Willis Baldwin 1876 - 1961 b in Near Ada, Fountain Twp, Ottawa Co, Kans
 

Related Links:

The Scudder Page at this site for the origins of Joanna Chamberlain

The Smith Page

The White Page

Cuzzins Page - See if you have any Betts cousins

Richard Betts was a Deputy of the Hempstead Convention in 1665.

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