William Hefernan, or Heffernan, was another early Rhode Island settler
of whose Irish origin there can be no doubt. He is first heard from at
Newport, but in 1671 was an inhabitant of Pettaquamscutt. In May of the
latter year “His Majestie’s Court of Justices” met at Pettaquamscutt and
“ordered that a warrant bee issued out to William Hefernan, to warne in
the inhabitants of this Plantation to attend tomorrow morning, at six of
the clock, at the house of Mr. Jireh Bull.”
Notwithstanding the early hour and short notice, the people assembled.
“Mr. William Hefernan was chosen and engaged to the office and place of
a Conservator of the Peace in jointe commission with Mr. Samuel Wilson
and Mr. Jireh Bull.” In 1674, Hefernan is found with his three sons
residing in Wickford, R. I. Later he appears to have taken up his
residence in Newport, for on August 25, 1676, he was present as a
witness at a court martial there on Indians charged with being
implicated in King Philip’s designs. A William Hefernan, Jr., was
admitted a freeman of the colony by the general assembly in 1724, and
another of the name in 1746. The name[8] is variously spelled Hefernan
and Heffernan. Now and then it appears as Hefferman and Heffermon, which
forms are evidently derivative. John Heffernan of Newport was admitted a
freeman in 1759. Descendants of William Hefernan, once numerous
throughout Rhode Island, are now believed to be extinct.