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1564902
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRAR
3 1833 01101 0227
COLLECTIONS
MASSACHUSETTS
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
VOL. VIL
OF THE SECOND SERIES.
BOSTON :
1818.
Reprinted with the permission of the Massachusetts Historical Society
Reprinted from a copy in the collections of
The New York Pubhc Library
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
First reprinting, 1968, Johnson Reprint Corporation
Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS.
History.
Article * Page
I. Continuation of Johnson's Wonder-Working Providence - 1
II. Notice of first Settlements in Tennessee ... 58
III. Letter of Dr. Franklin on Inoculation in Boston - 71
IV. Rhode Island State Papers of early Affairs - - 75
V. Number of Inhabitants in do. 113
VI. Pratt's Apology, 1635 125
VII. Anniversary of landing of Forefathers - - 133
VIII. Boston Bill of Mortality 134
IX. Boston Votes, 1635 - - - - - 136
X. Letter of William Penn to Gov. Hinckley - - 185
XI. Letter of William Penn on Name of his Colony - 186
XII. Letter of Anthony Wood to Increase Mather - 187
XIII. Prince's Annals of New-England - - - 189
Biography.
XIV. Note on Ezekiel Cheever - - - - 129
XV. Biographical Notice of Rev. Peter Whitney - - 177
Topography and Local History.
XVL Note on the County of Hillsborough, N. H. - - 65
XVII. History and Description of Abington - - - 114
XVIIL Sketch of AValpole, N. H 124
XIX. Description of Bridgewater . - . - 137
Relating to the Society.
XX. Account of the New England Library ... 179
XXI. Donations to the Society . - . . 29f
Chronological Table of Articles.
163C— 1633
xiii.
1703—1817
XX.
1635
vi. ix.
1730—1791
V.
1637—1644
i.
1744—1816
XV.
1637—1708
xiv.
1749—1817
xviii.
1638—1682
iv.
1759
iii.
1644—1817
xix.
1768—1796
ii.
1654—1816
xvii.
1771—1810
xvi.
1681
xi.
1816
viii.
1683
X.
1817
vii.
1690
xii.
15649
02
COLl.ECTIONS, &c.
WoNDER-WoRKING PrOVIDENCE OF SlONS SaVIOUR.
Biino- a Rdation of the first planting in New England, in the Yeare,
1628.
I^Conlinucil IVom p. 51 of the foiuth volumf, second series.]
CHAP. viT. Of the first Synod holden in Xew England, whereby the
Lord in his riiercy did more plaiuly discover his ancient truths, and
couliite those cursed errors that ordinarily dogg the reforming
Churches of Christ.
The Lord Christ deeming- it most expedient for his
people to adde some farther help to assist them in cutting
downe those cursed errors (that were the next danger-
ous difficuhy they were to meet with) sends in the Rever-
end and bright shining light Mr. Davenport, and the
cheerfull, grave, and gracious Soldier of his, Mr. Allen,
as afso Mr. Tho.r.pson, Mr. Browne, Mr. Fish, with di-
vers other of the faithfull servants of Christ, the much
honoured Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins : and now the
time being come, the Synod sate at Cambridge, where
was present about 25. Reverend and godly Ministers of
Christ, besides many other graciously-eminent servants
of his. A Catalogue of the severall Errors scattered
about the Countrey was there produced, to the number
of 80. and liberty given to any man to dispute ^ro or con,
and none to be charged to be of that opinion he disputed
for, unlesse he should declare himself so to be. The
Weapons these Souldiers of Christ warred with, was the
2 VOL. VII.
2 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 7-
Sword of the Spirit, even tlie VVord of God, together
with earnest prayer to the God of all Truth, that he
would open his truths unto them. The clearing of the
true sense and meaning ot any place of Scripture, it was
done by Sciipture, lor they so discerned by the grace
of God that was given them, that the whole Scripture
must be attended unto. Foure sorts of persons I could
with a good will have paid their passage out, and home
agaire to England, that they might have been present at
this Synod, so that they would have reported the truth of
all the passages thereof to their own Coiledgcs at their re-
turn. The first is the Prelates, who both in Theorie and
Practice might have made their owne Eyes Judges in the
case, Whether would prevaile most, (to the suppressing
of Error, and advancing of Unity in the true worshij) of
God) either their commanding power backt with the
subordinate sword of Princes, or the VVord of God cleer-
ed up by the faithfiill labour and indefatigable pains of the
sincere servants ot the Lord Christ, and mightily declared
through the demonstration of his blessed Spirit. 'J'his
well waighed, may (through the Lords blessing) stop the
yet running fancie in the brains of many, that their Lord-
ly power is the onely means of suppressing Error.
Secondly, the Godly and Reverend Presbyterian Party,
who, had they made their eye vvitnessess of this worke,
they had assuredly saved themselves much labour, which
I dare presume they would have spent worthily other-
way es, then in writing so many books to prove the Con-
gregationall or Independaiit Churches to be the sluce,
through which so many flcjuds of Error flow in : nay, my
deare and reverend brethren, might not so much work of
yours in writing, and ours in answering, have been a
meanes to have stopt the height of this ovei flowing floud ?
and through the Lords assisting have setled Peace and
Truth in a great measure throughout the three Nations.
Thirdly, those who with their new stratagems have
brought in so much old error ; tor although they had a
party here, yet verily they durst not bring their New-
Light to the Old Word, for fear it would prove but Old
Darknesse, (as indeed they doe.) But here might they
1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 3
have scene the Ministers of Christ (who were so experi-
enced in the Scripture, that some of them could tell you
the place, both Chapter and Verse, of most sentences of
Scripture could be named unto them) wiih Scriptures
light, cleermg up the truths of Christ clouded by any of
these Errors and Heresies, as had not been done for many
Ages before : and verily this great work of Christ must
not be liglitly over- past, the Author of this History *pas-
•seth not for the shrewd censures of men : nor, can it be
any matter of disijaragement to the reverend and highly
honjured in Christ, remaining in England, that their fel-
low brethren have done so worthily liere ? it is well
knowne to all our English Nation, that the most able-
preaching Ministers of Christ were most pursued by the
lording Clergy, and those that have spent all their daycs,
even from a child, in searching the Scriptures, the Lord
Christ pn^paring them by his blessed spirit for this very-
work. Besides, their continued practice in studying and
preaching the wayes of truth ; and lastly, their meeting
with the opposition of so many crafty, close couched er-
rors, whose first foundation was laid cheke by joule with
the most glorious, heavenly and blessed truths, to dazle
the eyes of the beholdjrs, and strike terrour into the
hearts of those should lift up their hands against them, for
feare they should misse them, aid hit their stroke upon
the blessed truth ; and also to bring up a slanderous and
evil report on all the able Orthodox Ministers of Christ
that withstand them, {Xfrswading men they withstand the
holy, heavenly, and blessed truth, which they have lodged
there, which this Synod did with strong and undeniable
arguments fetcU from Scripture, to overthrow and pluck
up by the roots, all those Errors, which you have heard
mentioned in the former Book, the which they divided for
the more full answering of them. Among all those val-
iant Champions of the Truth whom you have heard
named, to some six, some five, some foure, &c. it had
assuredly been worth the work to have related the partic-
ular manner of putting to the sword every one of them :
but besides the length of the discourse, there must have
been a more able Penman : but however they were so
pauseUi ■"
4 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 7.
put to death, that they never have stood up in a livini'^
manner amon^; us since, but sometimes like \\'izards to
peepe and mutter out of i^round, lit Tor such people to
resort unto, as will goe IVom the livini; to the dead. But
blessed be the Lord Christ, who i^irdcd his people with
strength against this day of battaile, and caused the Heav-
ens to clecre up aj^aine in Ne\v-Englap,d, afier these fog-
gy dayes.
The fourth and last sort of persons, whose presence I
could most of all the other three former have desired, was,
those whose disease lay as cliielly in despising all Physi-
tians, and that upon this ground for one, because some for
filthy lucre sake have nourisht Diseases rather thcr. cur-
ed them. Many pamj^hlets have come from our Countrey-
men of late, to this purpose, namely, scurrillously to de-
ride all kind of Scholarship, Presbyter}', and Synods.
Experience hath taught Gods people here, that Kuch are
troubled with some sinfull opinion of their owne, that they
would not have toucJied ; but h.id they been at tiiis Syn-
od, they must, per force, have leained better language, or
their speech and their knowledge would fall foule one of
the other; here might they have beheld the humility of
the most learned ot these servants of Christ, condemning
the high conceitedi.esse of their ignorance, and then also
the framing of arguments in a Schollar-liKC way, did (the
Lord assisting) cleare up the truths of Christ more to
the meanest capacity in one hour, then could be clouded
again in seaven yeare by the new notion of any such as
boast so much of their unlettered knowledge, diversity of
languages, although a correcting hand of God upon the
whole world, when they j'>yned together in that proud
Edifice : yet now is it blest of God, to retaine the purity
of the Scriptures ; if any man should goc about to cor-
rupt them in one language, they should remain pure
in another ; and assuredlv, the Lord intending to have
the wayes of the Gospel of Christ to be made more man-
ifest at this time, then formerly, not by tradition of our
forefathers, or by mans reason, but by the revealed will
of God in the holy Scripture, did accordingly prepare In-
struments for this work, earthen vessels, men subject to
1G37.] OF SIOXS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 5
like infirmiticjs with ourselves ; sorry men, and carrying
about with them a body oi" sinne and death, men subject
to erre ; yet these did the Lord Christ cause to be train'd
up in Learnin.^;, and tutor'd at the Universities, and that
very young-, some ofihem, as the reverend Mr. John ^Cot-
ten at 13. yeares of iii^e. The mighty power of God
sanctifyed and ordained them for this work, and made them
.a dtfenced ci y, an iron pillar, a wall of brass against all
the opposers of his truth ; and now coupled them togeth-
er in this Synod, to draw in Christs yoke, and warre with
the weapons he had furnished them withall, and cause the
blessed truths of Christ to shine forth in their splendour
and giory, farre more after the dispersing of this smoak,
which of a long time hath filled the Temple and hindered
the entring in of those great number of Converts, which
shall fiuw in at the fall of all antichristian Errors ; and verily
as th.e Lord Christ had called forth this little handful! to be a
model of his glorious work, intended throughout the whole
world, so chiefly in this suppressing of Errours, Sects
and Heresies, by the blessed word of his truth, causmg
his servants in this Synod, mutually to agree ; and by his
gracious providence, break in pieces a contrived plot of
some, who, by mis reports, insinuating jealousies, and
crafty carriage of matters to the wrong mark, with a writ-
ing of thrice twenty strong, would have drawne away one
of the valiant Souldiers of Christ from this worthy worke,
who both then, and since, hath been very hclpfuil to oust
downe many a strong fort erected by the Sectaries ; but
the Lord Christ would not suffer this blow to be given,
intending all people (by way of restitution) for their slan-
derous reports, cast upon his New England Churches (as
being the inlet to Errours) shall honour them with this
victorious conquest, given them by Christ herein ; yet
willing they would, their brethren in England might win
the prize by out-stripping them, more abundantly in
length, bredth and height, which the same God is able to
performe, that hath been thus abundantly good to us.
About this time the Churches of Christ began to be
diligent in their duty, and the civil government in look-
ing after such as were like to disturb the peace of this
* Cotton
6 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDEXCE [cHAP. 8.
new erected {government ; some j^ersons being so hot
headed for maintaining of these smrull opinions, that they
feared breach of i)eace, e\en among llie Members of the
superiour Court, but the Lord blessing them with agree-
ment to prevent the wofull effi cts of civill broyies ; those
in place ol government caused certain persons to be dis-
armed in the severall Townes, as in the Towne of Bos-
ton, to the numb' r of 58. in the Towne oi Salem 6. in
the Town of New!)ery 3. in the Town of R^xbury 5. in
the Toune of Ipswitch 2. and Charles Towne 2 others
there were, that through the htlp of the laithluil servants
of Christ, came to see how thty had been misled, and
by the power of Christ m his Word, returned again with
an acknowledgement of their smne ; but oth.rs tlure were,
who remained obstinate, to the disturbing of the civill
power, and were banished, of whom you shall hcare far-
ther hereafter. Some of the Churches of Christ being
more indulgent, waited long ere they lell upon the work :
and here you must tak notice, that the Synod, Civil
Government, and the Churches of Christ, kept their prop-
er place, each moving in their own sphear, and acting by
their own light, or rather by the revelation of Jesus Christ,
witnessed by his Word and Spirit. yet not refusing the help
of each other (as some would willingly have it) some of
the Churches prosecuting the Rule of Christ against their
hereticall Members, were forced to proceed to excom-
munication of ihern, who when they saw whereto it would
come, they would have prevented it with lying, but the
Lord discovered it ; and so they were justly separated
from the Churches of Christ for lying : which being done,
they fell to their old trade again.
CHAP. viir. — Of ihe plautinii; llie fourth Colonic of New-Englands!
godly Government called New- Haven.
The Lord Christ having now in his great mercy taken
out of the way these mountains that seemed in the eye of
Man to block up his Churches further proceedings, they
had now leisure to welcome the living stones that the
Lord was i)leased to adde unto this building, and with
thankful! acknowledgment to give hiai of his owne for
1637.] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 7
his mercyes multitude, whose was the work in planting,
not oneiy more Churches, but another Colony also; for
the honoured Mr, Eaton bf uig accompanied with many
worthy persons of note, vvhoiu the Lord had furnished
with store of substance for this wildernesse-work, al-
thoutrh tliey would willingly have made their abode un-
der tlie government of the iMattachusets ; yet could they
find no place upon the Sea-coasts for their settling : the
Lord intending to enlarge his peoples border, caused
them, after much search, to take up a place somewhat
more southwardly, neare the shalles of Cape cod, where
they had very flatt water ; yet being entred in, they
found a commodious harbour for shipping, and a fit
place to erect a Tovvne, which they built in very little
time, with very faire houses, and compleat streets ; but in
a little time they overstockt it with *Chattell, although ma-
ny of them did follow merchandizing, and Maritime affairs,
but their remotenesse from the iVlattachusets Bay, where
the chiefe traffique lay, hindred them much. Here did
these godly and sincere servants of Christ, according to
the rule of the Word, gather into Church Estate, and
called to the office of a Pastor the reverend, judicious, and
godly Mr, John Davenport, of whom the author is bold
to say as followeth :
^Vhen Men and Devils' «rainst Chri?ts flock conspire,
For them pr^par'd a deadly trappii)g net ;
Then Christ to make all men his work admire,
Davenport, he doth ihee trom thy Country fet
To sit in Sa nod and his tVdk as!-isi :
The filthy vomit of Hels Dragon decpe
In earrhs womb drav n, blest the} this poyson mist,
And blest the meaues doth us from error keep.
Thy ojrave advice and arguments of strength
Did auich crevaile, t'le Erronist confound
Well hast thou varr'd, Christ diaves thy dayesin length.
That thou in learn'd experience maist abound :
What though thou leave a cit) stor d with pleasure^
Spend thy prime dayes in heathen desart land,
Thy joy's in Chiist and not in earthl} treasure,
Davenport rejoice, C'hrists Kiugdome is at hand;
Didst ever deem to see such glorious dayes i*
Though thou decrease with age and earths content.
* caltle r
8 WONDEll-WOllKING I'll V I D E N C £. [c II A P. b.
Thou Iivc"pt ill Clirii^t, needs llien must thy joy raise;
His Kiiigflome's thine, aud that can ne'r be s[)eiit.
This Church nnd Town soon procur'd some Sisters to
take part with her, and among ihcm they erected a godly
and peaceable Government, and called iheir frontier unvnc
New-haven, of which the Government is denominated,
being inhabited by many men eminent in gifts fcjr the
populating thereof, and managing of affaires both by Sea
and Land ; they have had some shipping l)uilt there, but
by the sad losse of Mr. Lambertons ship and goods also,
they were much disheartned, but the much honoured
Mr. Eaton remaines with them to this very day.
Thou noble thus, Thcophihis, before great King? to fctaiid,
More noble tar, for Chiist his uar thou leav at thy native laud ;
"With thy rich store thou cain'st on sitore ( hiisis churches to assist;
What if it wast ? ihou purchast hast tliat I'earl that most have mist,
Nay rather he hatli purchast thee, aud v. hatsoever tliou hast,
A\ ith graces store to govern ore his people, he thee |)lac"t.
Our State afl'aires thy v. ill repaircs, assistiuit ihou iiast bin
Firm league to make, for Gospels sal<e, fo.ir Colonies v, ithin;
With Sweads, French, Dutch, and Indians much, Gods peoples peace
this bi ed,
Theu Eaton aye, re.iicmber may the Child that's } ct unfed.
This government of New-haven, although the younger
Sister of the foure yet was she as beautifull as any of this
broode of travellers, &: most minding the end of her com-
ing hither, to keep close to the rule of Christ both in Doc-
trine and Discipline ; and it were to be wished her elder
Sister would follow her example, to nurture up all her
children accordingly : here is not to be forgotten the hon-
oured Mr. Hopkins, wliocame over about this time a man
of zeale and courage for the truths of Christ, assisting this
blessed work, both in person and estate ; for the which
the Author cannot forget him, being oft in commission for
the good of all the united Colonyes.
Hopkins thou must, although weak dust, for this great work prejiare,
Through Oceau large Christ gives thee charge to govern his \\ ith
care;
What earthern man, in thy short span throug)iout the world to run
From East to West at Clnists behest, th) worthy woik is done :
Unworthy thou acknowledge now, not unto ihce at all,
But to his name be lasting fame, ihou to his work doth call.
1637.] OF SiONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND.
V. HAP. IX. — Of the plaiitins; the fourteenth Church of Christ under the
govcrDiiieiU of the Mattachusets Bay, called Dedhatn.
Th e latter end of this yeare 'twas the Towne of Ded-
hani bei^an, an inland Towne, scituate, about ten miles
from Boston, in the County of Suffolk, well watred with
many pleasant streames, abounding with Garden fruits fitly
to supply the Markets of the most populous Towne, whose
coyne and commodities allures the Inhabitants of this
Towne to make many a long walk ; they consist of about
a hundred Families, being generally given to husbandry,
and, through the blessing of God, are much encreased,
ready to swarme and settle on the building of another
Towne more to the Inland ; they gather into a Church at
their first settling, for indeed, as this was their chiefe er-
rand, so was it the first thing they ordinarily minded ; to
pitch their Tabernacles neare the Lords Tent : To this
end they called to the office of a Pastor, the reverend, hum-
ble, and heavenly -minded, Mr. John Allen, a man of a very
courteous behaviour, full of sweet Christian love towards
ail, and with much meeknesse of spirit, contending ear-
nestly for the faith and peace of Christs Churches.
All you so sllte Christs sauctifylug grace,
As legall uorkes, uhat Gospel worke caa be
But siune cast out, aud spirits work iu place,
They justityed that Christ thus reigning see :
Allen, thou art by Christs free spirit led Mr. Allen a
To warre for him in wildernesse awhile ; Iralnst^the
What, doe for Christ, *I man thou art in's stead, Errors of
Sent to beseech, in's Vine^ ard thou must toyle. the time.
John Allen joy, thou sinlull dust art taken
To spend thy days iu exile, so remote,
Christs Church to build, of him that's ne'er forsaken,
Nor thou, for now his truths thou must promote.
He guides thy tongue, thy paper, pen and hands.
Thy heart's swi't motion, aud affections choice ;
iS^eeds thou thus flead, must doe what he commands,
And cry aloud when he lifts up thy voice :
Seven yeares compleat twice told, thy work hath bin.
To leed Christs flock, in desart land them keep,
Both thou and they each day are kept by him ;
Safe maist thou watch, being vratcht by him ne'er -sleeps.
* aye ? t led '
3 VOL. VII.
10 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 10.
This Church of Christ hath in its bosome neere about
70. souls joyned in Covenant together, and being well
seasoned with this savoury salt, have continued in much
love and unity from their first foundation, hitherto trans-
lating the close, clouded woods into goodly corn-fields,
and adding much comfort to the lonesome travellers, in
their solitary journey to *Canectico, by eying the habita-
tion of Gods people in their way, ready to administer re-
freshing to the weary.
cuAV. X.— Of the planting of the fifteenth Churcli-of Christ at the
Towne of fWaymoth.
The Towne and Church of Christ at fWaymoth had
come in among the other Townes before this, as being
an elder Sister, but onely for her somewhat more than or-
dinary instability ; it is battered with the brinish billows
on the East ; Rocks and Swamps to the Southwest, makes
it delightfull to the nimble tripping Deere, as the plowa-
ble places of Medow land is to the Inhabitants. This
Towne was first founded by some persons that were not
so forward to promote the Ordinances of Christ, as many
others have been : they desired the reverend Minister of
Christ Mr. :j;Gennors, to be helpfull in preaching the Word
unto them ; who after some little space of time, not liking
the place, repaired to the Eastern English : but the peo-
ple of this place, after his departure, being gathered into
a Church, they called to office the reverend and godly Mr.
Newman ; but many of them unwilling to continue in this
Towne, as supposing they Iv.d found a fitter place for
habitation, removed into the next Government, carrying
with them their Pastor ; by which means, the people that
were left behinde, were now destitute, and having some
godly Christians among them, who much desired the sin-
cere milk of the Word, that they might grow thereby :
upon diligent use of meanes they found out a young man
able gifted for the work, brought up with the reverend and
judicious Mr. ^Chancic, called Mr. Thomas Thatcher.
• Connecticut f Wej-moulh.
i Probably the same person, whose letter from Saco, 26 April, 1641, to Govern-
our Wintluop, signed 'Ph. Jenner, is given in Hutchinson's Collection of Papers,
p. 111. Ed.
§ Chauucej.
1637.] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 11
Yet againe, after some few yeares, for want of sufficient
maintenance, with mutuall consent they parted with him,
and are forced to borrow help of their Neighbours, where-
in all of them Ho the Author is bold to say as foUowcth :
Oh people, reason swayes mans actions here,
You sancti!} ed o're these long seas doth look,
With heavenly things your earhly toyle to cheere ;
Will lose the end for Avhich this toyle you tooke.
Christ comes in's Word, let their bright feet abide
Your Towne, among whose grace and gifts excell
In preaching Christ it's he your hearts hath try'd,
They want no store that all for him doe sell.
Gennors, dost love thy Christ ? I hope he's deare
Belov'd of thee, he honour'd would thee have
To feed his flock, while thou remaiuest here ;
W^ith's Word of truth thy soule and others save.
With little flock doth Newman pack away ;
The righteous lips sure might a many feed ;
Remov'st for gaine ? its most where most men stay,
Men part for land, why land least helps at need.
Thatcher, what meanest to leave thy little flock ?
Sure their increase might thee much profit bring :
What, leave Christs Church ? It's founded on a rock ;
If rock not left, their ebb may suddaiu spr'ng ;
Pastor and People, have you both forgot
What parting Paul and Christs deare people had ?
Their loves melt teares, it's ve'mently so hot,
His heart-strings break to see his folk so sad.
This yeare came over, besides the former, for the fur-
thering of this blessed work of Christ, Mr. William
Tompson, Mr. Edm: Browne, and Mr. David Frisk,
who were called to office in severall Churches, as you
shall after hear. And now to end this yeare, that abound-
ed in the wonder-working Providence of Christ, for his
Churches, in the exaltation of his truths, that all may take
notice the Lord cast in by the by, as it were, a very fruit-
full crop, insomuch that from this day forward, their in-
crease was every year more and more, till the Country
came to feed its owne Inhabitants ; and the people who
formerly were somewhat pincht with hunger, eat bread to
the full, having not onely for their necessity but also for
their conveniency and delight.
* Perhaps this prepositioa should stand before a!l. Ed.
12 WONDER-WORKING TROVIDE N C E [c H A P. ] 1.
CHAP. XI. — Of the increase of the people of Clii ist. riiiitiiip brought
over, aud the sixteenth Church of Chvist planted at 'llonly
For the yeare 1638. John Winthrope Es(j. was chosen
Governour, and Tho : Diidly Esq. Depu;y Govcrnoiu- ;
the number of Freemen added were about 130. The
peaee of this httlc Common. wealtli being now in great
measure settled, by tlie Lords mercy, m overthrowing
the Indians, and banishing of certaine turbulent spirits,
The Churches of Christ were much edified in their holy
faith by their indefatigable pains of their Ministers, in
their weekly Lectures extraordinary, as well as by their
Sabboth Assemblies, and continuall visiting of their peo-
ple from house to house, endeavouring to heale the hurts
these false deceivers had made, with double diligence show-
ring downe the sweet dews of the blessed Gospel of Jesus
Christ, to the converting of many a poor soul, and in-
deed, now were the glorious days of New England ; the
Churches of Christ increase dayly, and his eminent l^m-
bassadours resort unto them from our native Country,
which as then lay under the tyniiiny of the Moi-archall
Archprelates, which caused the servants of Christ to wan-
der from their home. This yeare the leverend and judi-
cious Mr. Jos. Glover undertook this long voyage, being
able both in person and estate fur the work he provided,
for furtlier compleating die Colonies in Church and Com-
mon-wealth-work, a Printer, which hath been very use-
ful! in many respects ; the Lord seeing it meet that this
reverend and holy servant of his should fall short of the
shores of New England : but yet at this time he brought
over the zealous aftl-cted and judicious servant of his.
Master Ezekiel Rogers, who with a holy and humble
people, made his progress to the North- Eastward, and
erected a Towne about 6. miles from Ipswich, called
*Rowly, where wanting room, they purchased some addi-
tion of the Town of Newbery ; yet had they a large length
of land, onely for the ncere conveniency to the Towne of
Ipswich, by the which meanes they partake of the contin-
ued Lectures of either Towne : these people being very
industrious every way, soone built many houses, to the
' RotyIcv.
1638.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 13
number of about threescore families, and were the first
people that set upon making of Cloth in this Western
World; for which end they built a fulling mill, and
caused their little ones to be very diligent in spinning
Gotten wooll, many of them having been clothiers in Eng-
land, till their zeale to promote the Gospel of Christ
caused them to wander ; and therefore they w^re no lesse
industrious, in gathering into Church-society, there being
scarce a man among them, but such as were meet to be
living stones in this building, according to the judgement
of man ; they called to the office of a Pastor this holy man
of God, Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, of whom this may be said :
Christ for tliis work Rogers doth riches give,
Rich graces fit his people for to feed,
Wealth to supply his wants whilst here he live,
Free thou receiv'st to serve his peoples need.
England may mourne they thee no longer keep,
English rejoice. Christ doth such wortliyes raise.
His Gospel preach, unfold his myt^teries deep ;
Weak dust made strong sets forth his makers praise :
With fervent zeale and courage thou hast fought
'Gainst that transformed Dragon and his bands,
Snatrht forth the burning thou poore soules hast caught,
And freed thy flock from wolves devouring hands.
Ezekiel mourn not, thou art severed farre,
From thy deare Country to a desart land ;
Christ call'd hath thee unto this worthy Avarre ;
By him o'recome, he holds thy Crowne in's hand.
For the further assisting of this tender flock of Christ,
the reverend Mr. John Miller did abide among them for
some space of time, preaching the Word of God unto
them also, till it pleased the Lord to call him to be Pastor
of the Church of Christ at Yarmouth, in Plimoth *patten,
where he remaineth at this very day.
With courage bold Miller through Seas doth venter.
To toyl it out in this gi eat Western wast.
Thy stature low one object high doth center ;
Higher then Heaven thy faith on Christ is plac't :
Allarum thou with silver trumpet sound.
And tell the world Christs Armyes are at hand,
With Scripture-truths thou Errors dost coufound.
And overthrow all Antichristian bands :
• patent '(
14 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 1:
It mailers not for tlTworlds liiph reputation ;
The World must fall and Christ alone must stand j
Tliy Crown's prcpar'd in him, then kccj) thy station,
Joy tluit Ciirists Kiugdome is so neare at hand.
CHAP. XII. — Of tlie great Earthquake in New England, and of the wo-
full end of some erronious persons, with the first foundation of llar-
verd Colledge.
This yeare, the first day of the Fourth Month, about
two of the clock in the after-noonc, the Lord caus'd a
great and terrible Earth- quake, which was generall through-
out all the English Plantations ; the motion of the Earth
was such, that it caused divers men (that had never knowne
an Earth-quake before) being at worke in the Fields, to
cast downe their working-tooles, and run with gastly ter-
rified lookes, to the next company they could meet with-
all ; it came from the Westerne and uninhabited parts of
this Wildernesse, and went the direct course this brood of
Travellers came, the Ministers of Christ many of them
could say at that very time (not from any other Revela-
tion, but what the word holds forth) that if the Churches
of New England were Gods house, then suddenly there
would follow great alterations in the Kingdomes of Eu-
rope.
This yeare the civill government proceeded to censure
the residue of those sinfuU erroneous persons, who raised
much commotion in this little Common-wealth ; who
being banished, resorted to a place more Southward,
some of them sitting down at a place called Providence,
others betooke them to an Island about 16. miles distant
from the former, called Rode Island, where having El-
bow-roome enough, none of the Ministers of Christ, nor
any other to interrupt their false and deceivable Doc-
trines, they hamper'd themselves fouly with their owne
line, and soone shewed the depthlesse ditches that blinde
guides lead into ; many among them being much to be
pittyed, who were drawne from the truth by the bewitch-
ing tongues of some of thein, being very ignorant and
easily perverted : and although the people were not many
in all, yet were they very diverse in their opinions, and
1638.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 15
glad where they could gaine most Disciples to heare
them ; some were for every day to be a Sabbath, and
therefore kept not any Sabbath-day at all; others were
some for one thing, some for another ; and therefore had
their severall meetings, making many a goodly piece of
Preachment ; among whom there were some of the fe-
male sexe (who deeming the Apostle Paul to be too
strict in not permitting a roome to preach in the publique
Congregation) taught, notwithstanding they having their
call to this office, from an ardent desire of being famous,
especially the grand Mistresse of them all, who ordinarily
prated every Sabbath day, till others, who thirsted after
honour in the same way with her selfe, drew away her
Auditors, and then she withdrew her self, her husband,
and her family also, to a more remote place ; and assur-
edly, although the Lord be secret in all the dispensation
of his providences, whether in judgement or mercy, yet
much may be learn'd from all, as sometimes pointing
with the finger to the lesson ; as here these persons with-
drawing from the Churches of Christ (wherein he walk-
eth, and is to be found in his blessed Ordmances) to a
first and second place, where they came to a very sad
end ; for thus it came to passe in the latter place. The
Indians in those parts forwarned them of making their
abode there ; yet this could be no warning to them, but
still they continued, being amongst a multitude of Indians,
boasted they were become all one Indian : and indeed,
this woman, who had the chiefe rule of all the roast, be-
ing very bold in her strange Revelations and mis-applica-
tions, tells them, though all nations and people were cut
off round about them, yet should not they ; till on a day cer-
taine Indians coming to her house, discoursing with them,
they wished to tye up her doggs, for they much bit the
man, not mistrusting the Indians guile, did so ; the which
no sooner done, but they cruelly murthered her, taking
one of their daughters away with them, and another of
them seeking to escape is caught, as she was getting over
a hedge, and they drew her back againe by the haire of
the head to the stump of a tree, and there cut off* her head
with a hatchet ; the other that dwelt bv them betook
16 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 13,
them to boat, and fled, to tell this sad iicwes ; the rest of
their companions, ulio were rather hardened in their sin-
full way, and blasi)hemous opinions, than brought to any
sight of their damnable Errours, as you shall alter hear ;
vet was not this the first loud-speakmg hand of God against
them ; but before tliis the Lord had poynted directly to their
sinnc by a ver}- fearfuU Monster, that another of these wo-
men brought forth, they striving to bury it in oblivion, but
the Lord brought it to light, setlmg forth the view of their
monstrous Errors in this prodigious birth. This yeare,
although the estates of these pilgrim people were much
wasted, yet seeing the benefit that would accrew to the
Churches of Christ and Civil Government, by the Lords
blessing, upon learning, they began to erect aColledge, the
Lord by his provident hand giving his approbation to the
work, in sending over a laithfuU and godly servant of his,
the reverend Mr. John *Harverd, who joyning with the jieo-
ple of Christ at Charles Towne, suddamly after departed
this life, and gavenearathousand pound toward this work ;
wherefore the Government thought it meet to call it Har-
verd CoUedge in remembrance of him.
If Harverfl had w itli riches hero hern taken,
He need not then through tioubious Seas have past,
But Chrisis bright glor) hath thine eyes so «akeii,
Nought can content, thy soule of him must last. -
Oh tast and tell how sweet his Saints an.ong,
Christ ravisht hath tliy heart with heavenly joyes
To preach and pray with teares. ailection strong,
From hearts delight in him who thee imployes.
Scarce hast thou had Chiists Churches here in eye.
But thou art calFd to e} e him face to face ;
Earths scant contents death drawes thee from, for why ?
Full joj thou wouldst that's onely in heavens place.
CHAP. xiiT. — Of the coming over of the honoured Mr. Pelham, and
the planting of the seaveuteeuth Church of Christ at the Towne of
Hampton.
This yeare 1639. John Winthrope Esq. was chosen
Governour, and Thomas Dudly Esq. Deputy Govern-
our, the number of freemen added were about 83. This
yeare came over the much honoured Mr. Herbert Pel-
• Harvard.
1639] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. l7
ham, a man of a courteous behaviour, humble, and heav-
enly minded.
llarbcitus, h^ o on valiant, why lingerst thou so long ?
Chiists uork hath need ofhastv speed his enemies are strong:
In wlideri'.ess-c Chris! doth iheeblcsse with vertues, wife, and seed,
To govern thou, at length didst Ijow to serve Christs peoples need;
■ To thine own so} h; t'lon hack dost toyle, then cease not laboring there,
But still advance Christ Ordinance, and shrink no where lor fear.
Much about this time began the Town of Hampton,
in the Comity of Northfolk, to have her foundation stone
laid, scituate neare the Sea-coast, not farre from tin- fa-
mous River of Mcrimeck, the great store of salt marsh
did intice this people to set dovvne their habitations there,
for as yet Coucs and Cattell of that kinde were not come
to the great downfall in their price, of which they have
about 450. head ; and for the form of this Towne, it is
like a Flower-de-luce, two streets of houses wheeling off
from the m;iine body thereof, the land is fertile, but filled
with swamps, and some stoie of rocks, the people are
about 60. Families ; being gathered together into Church,
covenant, they t;alled to office the reverend, grave, and
gracious Mr. *Uoulton, having also for some little space
of time the more ancient Mr. Batchelor (of whom you
have heard in the former Book) to preach unto them also;
here take a short remembrance of the other.
*Doulton doth teach |)erspicuousIy and sound,
W ith wholsome truths of Christ thy flock dost feed,
Thy honour with thy lal>our doth abound.
Age crovvnes thy head in righteousness, proceed
To batter downe, root u(>. and quite destroy
All Heresies, and Errors, that draw back
Unto perdition, and Christs folk annoy:
To Avarre for him thou weapons dost not lack :
Long dayes to see, that long'd-for day to come,
Of Babels fall, and Israels quiet peace :
Thou yet maist live of dayes so great a sum
To see this work let not thy warfare cease.
CHAP. XIV. — Of the planting the eighteenth Church of Christ at the
Towue offSalsbury.
For further perfecting this Wildernesse-work ; not far
from the Towne of Hampton was erected another Towne,
* Dalton. i Saiisjjurv.
4 VOL. VII.
18 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 15.
called SaUbmy, being- brought forth as Twins, sometime
contending lor eldership : This being seated upon the
broade suilt torrent of JVlerrimeck, a very goodly River
to behold, were it not blockt up with sonic suddaine falls
through the rocks ; over against this Towne lyeth the
Townc of Newberry, on the Southern side of the River
a constant Ferry being kept between ; for although the
River be about half a mile broad, yet, by reason of an Is-
land that lies in the midst thereof, it is die better passed
in troublesom weather : the people of this Towne have
of late, placed their dwellings so much distanced the one
from the other, that they are like to divide into two
Churches; the scituation of this Towne is very pleasant,
were the Rivers Navigable farre up, the branches thereof
abound in faire and goodly medowes with good store of
stiUely Timber upon the uplands in many places, this
Towne is full as fruitfull in her Land, -^Chatiell and Inhab-
itants, as her Sister Hampton ; the people joyned in
C'liurch-relation or brotherhood, nerc about the time the
oiher did, and have desired and obtained the reverend and
graciously godly, M. Thomas Woster to be their Pastor.
With mickle labour and distressed wants,
Woster, thou hast in desart's depth lemaiii'd
Tliy chiefest dayes, Christs Go?pel there to plant,
And water well, such toylc shall yield great gaine.
Oh happy day ! may Woster say, that I
Was singled out for tliis great work in hand ;
Christ by distresse doth Gold for"s Temple try :
Thrice blest are they may in his Presence stand,
But more, thou art by him reserved yet,
To see on earth Christ's Kingdonrs exaltation ;
iMore yet, thou art by him prepared fit
To help it on, among our English IVation.
CHAP. XV. — Of further supply for the Churcli of Christ at Waterton.
And a sad accident fell out in Boston Towne.
The Lord intending to strengthen his poore Churches
here, and after the overthrow of these damnable Errors,
to trample Satan under their feet ; he manifesteth his
Diindefulness of them, in sending over fresh supplyes a-
1639.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 19
gaine and againe : although weak and sory men in them-
selves, yet btrong in the Lord, and the power of his
might, the last that this yeare is to be named, is the rever-
end, judieious, and godly-aflected Mr. John Knowles,
who was desired of the Church of Christ at Waterton, to
be a two-fold cord unto them, in the office of a teaciiing
Elder, with the reverend Mr. Phillips, of whom you iiave
heard in the former Book,
With courage bold and arguments of strength,
Knowles dolli apply Gods word his Hock unto,
Christ luniishi halh (to shew his bountyes length)
Thee with rich gilts, that thou his work muy^t do :
New England is too scant, for thy desire
Inkindled is, Christs trutlis abroad to spread,
N'irginia rnay his grace to them adiniie,
That thee tlirough Seas for their instruction led ;
Thy labours Know Irs are great, far greater hee,
Not ouely tliee, but all his valiant made,
Forth sinful dust, his Saints and VVairiers be ;
lie thee upheld, thy strength shall never iade.
John come thou forth, behold what Christ hath w rought
In these thy daycs, great works are yet bchinde,
Then toyle. it out till al! to passe be brought,
Chiisi cro'.\ii<^ wiii thee, thou then his glory minde.
To end this ycarc 1639. the Lord was pleased to send
a very sharp winter, and more especially in strong storms
of weekly snows, with very bitter blasts : And here the
Reader may take notice of the sad hand of the Lord a-
gainst two persons, who were taken in a storme of snow,
as they were passing from Boston to Roxbury, it being
much about a mile distant, and a very plaine way. One of
Roxbury sending to Boston his servant maid for a Barber-
Chirurgion, to draw his tooth, they lost their way in their
passage between, and were not found till many dayes af-
ter, and then the maid was found in one place, and the
man in another, both of them frozen to death ; in which
sad accident, this was taken into consideration by divers
people, that this Barber was more then ordinary laborious
to draw men to those sinfull Errors, that were formerly
so frequent, and now newly overthrow ne by the blessing
20 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 16.
of the Lord, upon the endeavour of his faithful! servants
with the word of truth) he having a fit opportunii}-. by
reason of his trade, so soone as any were set downe in liis
chaire, he would commonly be cutting of their haire and
the truth together; notwithstanding some report better of
the man, the example is for the living, the dead is judged
of the Lord alone.
CHAP. XVI. — The great supply of godly Ministers for the good of his
People iu New England.
For to govern and rule this little Common-wealth,
was this year chosen the valiant Champion, for the ad-
vance of Christs truth, Thomas Diidly Escj. and Richsrd
Bellingham Esq. Deputy-Governi/ur ; the Ireemen added
to the former were about 19^. dus yeare the reverend
Mr. Burr (a holy, heavenly- minded man, and able gifted
to preach the Word of God) was exercised therein for
some space of tune, in the Church of Christ at Dorches-
ter, where they were about calling him to the office of a
teaching Elder ; but in a very little time after his coming
over he departed this hfe, yet minde him you may in the
following Meetre
Well didsl thou minde thy Mork, which caus'd tliee venter
(Through Ocean 'aige) th) Christ in's Word to preacli,
Exhorting all their faith on him to center,
Soules ravifeht are by him in thy sweet speech,
Thy speech bewrayes thy heart, for heaven doth look,
Christ to enjoy, Burr from the earth is taken,
Thy words remaine, though thou haft us forsook,
In dust sleep sound till Christ thy body vakcn.
There are divers others of the faithfuUMinistersof Christ
that came over for to further this his work ; somewhat
before this time, as the godlj' and re\'erend Mr. Rayner,
who was called to office in the Church of Christ at Pli-
moth, and there remaines preaching the V» ord instantly,
with great paines and care over thai flock, as also the rev-
erend and faithfull servant of Christ Jesus, Mr. Williani
Hook, who was for some space of time at the Church in
Taunton, but now remaines called to office in the Church
I
1640] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 21
of Christ at Newhaven, a man, who hath received of
Christ many gracious gifts, fit for so high a caHing, with
very amiable and gracious speech labouring in the Lord;
and iiere also the Reader may minde how the Lord was
pleased to reach out his large hand of bounty toward his
N. England people, in supplying them abundantly with
Teachers, ahU- and powerfull to break the bread of life unto
them, so long as their desn-es continued hot and zealous ;
but after here grew a fulnesse in some, even to slight, if
not loath the honey comb ; many returned for Eng-
land, and the Lord was pleased to take away others by
death, although very few, considering the number; but
let N. England beware of an after- clap, Sc provoke the
Lord no longer. But seeing this yeare proved the last of
the yeares of transportation of Gods people, only for en-
joyment of exercising the Ordinances of Christ, and en-
largement of his Kingdome (there being hopes of great
good opportunity that way at home) it will be expedient
onely to name some others in the Southwest parts, among
the lesser Colonyes, and so passe on to the story : And
first, not to forget the reverend Mr. Eaton, a man of love
and peace, and yet godly zealous, he came over with
those who planted the Colony ot Newhaven, spending
his labours in the Lord with them in Plimoth Plantation :
also here is to be minded the reverend Mr. Chancie, a
very able preacher, both learned and judicious ; as also
the reverend, able, and pious M. Huet, who came over
this year, or rather, as I suppose, the yeare before, who
did spend his time and labour w^ith a people that came
over with him ; at length the greatest part of them they
settled downe in the Government of Canecticoe, where
they planted the Towne of Windsor, and Church
of Christ there, wiicre this gracious servant of Christ
continued in his labours, till the Lord laid him in his bed
of rest : somewhat before this time came over the rever-
end Mr. Smith, being another of that name, beside the
former, he laboured in the Word and Doctrine with a
people at ^Withersfield in those parts also ; Mr. Henry
Whitefield, another Minister of the Gospel of Christ, of
* Weathersfield,
22 WONUER-WORKING PROVIDLNCE [cHAP. 17.
reverend respect, who beinj^ returned for England, the
latter of his labours, the Lord assisting-, will sutficitntly
testific his sincerity, for the truth and labours of love in
the Lord ; here may also be named the reverend Mr. Peck,
Mr. Saxton, and Mr. Lenten, the residue will be spoken
of in the ensuing story to those that yet remaine. Of
these persons named the Author doth tender tliis I'ollow-
ing Meetre.
\VI)cii reasons Scepter first '^an ?\\s\ ynir iirarls,
Tlirou^h trotihloiis SGas, tliis Western world to enter
Anions Clnists Soiildicrs, here to act your parts;
Did not ('liri.>^ts love on you cause him to center?
All those strait lines of your inflani'd desire
Unto his truths, 'cause iiini in ihnmyo'i findc ;
From Avildernesse, not iron) his truths retire ;
But unto death tl)is wonderous v.ork you'l minde,
No place can claime peculiar interest in
Christs worship, for all nations are his own ;
The day's at hand down falls that man of sin,
And Christs pure Gospel through the world is blown ,
Harvest is come, bid ease and sleep adieu,
What, trifle time when Christ takes in his Crop?
A Harvest large of Gentil and of Jew
(Ycu) fil'd of Christ, let his sweet Doctrine drop.
ciTAP. lYu. — Of the plantinji; of Long-Tslaud. And of the plantinj
the nineteenth Church in the JMattachuscts government, called
Sudbury.
This yeare came over divers godly and sincere servants
of Christ, as I suppose, among whom came over the rev-
erend godly M. Peirson : This people finding no j)laee in
any cf the former erected Colonies to settle in, to their
present content, repaired to an Island, severed from the
continent of Newhaven, with about 16. miles off the salt
Sea, and called Long-Island, being about 120. miles in
length, and yet but narrow : here this people erected a
Town, and called it South Hampton, there are many In-
dians on the greatest part of this Island, who at first set-
tling of the English there, did much annoy their Cattel
with the multitude of Doggs they kept, which ordinari-
ly iire young wolves brought up tame, continuing of a
1640.] OF SIGNS SAVIOU?., IN NEW ENGLAND. 25
very ravening nature. This people gathered into a
Church, and called to office Mr. Peirson, who continued
with them about 7. or 8. yeares, and then he, with the
greatest number of the people, removed farther into the
Island ; the other part that remained invited Mr. Foor-
dum, and a people that were with him, to come and joyne
with them, who accordingly did, being wandered as far as
the Dutch plantation, and there unsettled, although he
came into the Country before tliem.
This yeare the Town and Church of Christ at Sudbury
began to have the first foundation-stones laid, taking up
her station in the Inland Country, as her elder Sister Con-
cord had formerly done, lying farther up the same River,
being furnished with great plenty of fresh marsh, but it
lying very low is much indammaged with land-flouds, in-
somuch that when the summer proves wet, they lose
part of their hay ; yet are they so sufficiently provided,
that they take in Cattel of other Townes to winter : these
people not neglecting the chief work, for the which they
cntred this wildcrnesse, namely, to worship the Lord iii
the purity of his Ordinances, and according to the rule of
his Word, entred into covenant with him, and one with
another professedly to walk together in Church-fellow-
ship ; and according to the same rule they called to the
office of a Pastor the reverend, godly, and able Minister
of the Word, Mr. Edmond Brown, v.hose labours in the
Doctrine of Christ Jesus hath hitherto abounded, wading
through this wildernesse-work with much cheerfulness of
sj)irit, of whom as followeth :
Both night and day Brown ceaseth not to watch
Christs little flock, in pastures fresh them feed,
The uorryiug wolves shall not thy weak lambs catcli:
Well dost thou minde in wilJernesse their breed ;
Edmond, thy age is not so great but thou
Maist yet behold the Beast brought to her fall,
Earth's tottering Kingdome shew her legs gin bow,
Thou 'mongat Christs Saints with prayers maist her mawle :
What signes wouldst have faith's courage for to rouse :'
See Christ triumphant hath his armies led,
h\ wildernesse prepared his lovely Spouse,
Caus'd Kiugs and Kingdomes his high hand to drcau.
24 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 18-
Thou secst liis Clunclics daily are ciicreasiDj;,
And tljoti thy selle r:moii<;?t his worthy cs v.arriiig,
Hold up thy hands, the battel's now incrpasing,
Christ sKinjrdoms ay, it's past aU nioilairs niairiDg.
This Townc is very well watered, and halh store of
plow- land, but by reason of the oaken roots, they have
little broke up, considering^ the many Acres the place af-
fords ; but this kinde of land requires g-teat strength to
break up, yet brings very good crops, and lasts long with-
out mending ; the people are industrious, and have en-
creased in their estates, some of them, yet the great dis-
tance it lyes froin die Mart Towns muketli it burdensome
to the Inhabitants, to bring their cornc so far by land ;
some Gentlemen have here laid out part of their estates
in procuring farmes, by reason of the sto'e of medow :
this Church hath hitherto been blessed with blessings of
the right hand, even godly peace and unity : they are not
above 50. or 60. families, and about 80. souls in Church
fellowship, their Neat-heard about 300.
CHAP, xviii. — Of the planting of the twentieth Church of Christ at a
Towne called Braintrte.
About this time there was a Town and Church plant-
ing at Mount Wollestone, and named Braintree, it was
occasioned bv some old planters and certain Farmers be-
longing to the great Tc wn of Boston ; they had formerly
one Mr. W'helewjight to preach unto them, (till this
Government could no longer contain them) they many of
them in the mean time belonging to the Church of Christ
at Boston, but after his departure they gathered into a
Church themselves ; having some inlargement of Land,
they began to be well peopled, calling to office among
them, the reverend and godly Mr. William Tompson,
and Mr. henrv Flint, the one to the office of a Pastor, the
other of a Teacher ; the people are purged by their indus-
try from the sowre leven of those sinful opinions that be-
gan to spread, and if any remain among them it is very
covert, yet the manner of these Erronists that remain in
any place, is to countenance all sorts of sinful opinions,
1640.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 25
as occasions serves, both in Church and Commonwealth,
under pretence of Liberty of Conscience, (as well their
own opinion as oihers) by this Symbol they may be
knovvn in Court and Country. This Town hath great
store of Land in tillage, and is at present in a very thriv-
ing condition for outward things, although some of Bos-
ton retain their Farms from being of their Town, yet do they
lye within their boimds, and how it comes to pass I know
not ; their Officers have somewhat short allowance, they
are well stored with cattel and corn, and as a people re-
ceives, so should they give : And Reader, I cannot but
mind thee of the admirable providence of Christ for his
people in this, where they have been in a low condition,
by their liberality they have been raised to much in a very
little time : And again, in withdrawing their hands have
had their plenty blasted : The reverend Mr. Tompson is
a man abounding in zeal for the propagation of the Gos-
pel, and of an ardent affection, insomuch that he is apt to
forget himself in things that concern his own good, both
him, and the like gracious M. Flint is here remembred.
With twofold cord doth Flint and Tompson draw-
In Christ's yoke, his fallow ground to break.
Wounding mens hearts with his most righteous Law,
Cordials apply to weary souls and weak.
Tompson thou hast Christ's folk incouraged
To Avar their warfare putting them in mind,
That Christ their King will make his sons the dread,
The day's at liaud when they shall mastery find.
Flint be a second to this Champion stout,
In Christ's your strength, while you for him do war,
When first doth faint, a second helps him out,
Till Christ renew with greater strength by far.
From East to West your labours lasted have.
The more you toil, the more your strength encreaseth.
Your works will bide, when you are laid in grave,
His truth advance, whose Kingdom never ceaseth.
CHAP. XIX. — Of the fust promotion of learning in New-England, aad
the extraordinaiy providences that the Lord was pleased to send for
furthering of the same.
Toward the latter end of this Summer came over the
learned, reverend, and judicious Mr. Henry Dunster, be-
5 VOL. VII.
26 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 19.
fore whose cominji; tlic Lord was pleased to provide a
Patron for ercetini^ a Colledg, as you have formerly heard,
his provident hand being now no less powerful in point-
ing out with his unerring finger, a president abundantly
fitted this his servant, and sent him over for to mannage
the work ; and as in all the other passages of this history,
the Wonder-working Providence of Sions Saviour hath
appeared, so more especially in this work, the Foun-
tains of learning being in a great measure stopped in our
Native Country at this time, so that the sweet waters of
Shilo's streams must ordinarily pass into the Churches
through the stinking channel of prelatical pride, beside all
the filth that the fountains themselves were daily incum-
bred withall, insomuch that the Lord turned aside ofterj
from them, and refused the breathings of his blessed
Spirit among them, which caused Satan (in these latter
daies of his transformation into an Angel of light) to make
it a means to perswade people from the use of learning al-
together, that so in the next generation they might be
destitute of such helps, as the Lord hath been pleased
hitherto to make use of, as chief means for the conver-
sion of his people, and building them up in the holy
faith, as also for breaking downe the Kingdom of Anti-
christ ; and verily had not the Lord been pleased to fur-
nish N. E. with means for the attainment of learning, the
work would have been carried on very heavily, and the
hearts of godly parents would have vanish'd away with
heaviness for their poor children, whom they must have
left in a desolate wilderness, destitute of the meanes of
grace.
It being a work (in the apprehension of all, whose ca-
pacity could reach to the great sums of money, the edi-
fice of a mean Colledg would cost) past the reach of a
poor Pilgrim people, who had expended the greatest part
of their estates on a long voyage, travelling into Forraign
Countryes, being unprofitable to any that have underta-
ken it, although it were but with their necessary atten-
dance, whereas this people were forced to travel with
wifes, children, and servants ; besides they considered
1640.] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 27
the treble charge of building in this new populated des-
art, in regard of al kind of workmanship, knowing like-
wise, that young Students could make but a poor prog-
ress in learning, by looking on the bare walls of their
chambers, and that Diogenes would have the better of
them by far, in making use of a Tun to lodg in, not be-
ing ignorant also, that many people in this age are out of
conceit with learning, and that although they were not
among a people who counted ignorance the mother of de-
votion, yet were the greater part of the people wholly
devoted to the Plow, (but to speak uprightly, hunger is
sharp, and the head will retain little learning, if the heart
be not refreshed in some competent measure with food,
although the gross vapors of a glutted stomack are the
bane of a bright understanding, and brings barrenness to
the brain) but how to have both go on together, as yet
they know not ; amidst all these difficulties, it was thought
meet learning should plead for itself, and (as many other
men of good rank and quality in this barren desart) plod
out a way to live : Hereupon all those who had tasted the
sweet wine of Wisdoms drawing, and fed on the dainties
of knowledg, began to i^et their wits a work, and verily as
the whole progress of this work had a farther dependency
then on the present eyed means, so at this time chiefly the
end being firmly fixed on a sure foundation, namely the
glory of God, and good of all his elect people, the world
throughout, in vindicating the truths of Christ, and pro-
moting his glorious Kingdom, who is now taking the
heathen for his inheritance, and the utmost ends of the
earth for his possession, means they know tnere are, many
thousands uneyed of mortal. man, which every dales Prov-
idence brings forth ; upon these resolutions, to Vv'ork they
go, and with thankful acknowledgment, readily take up
all lawful means as they come to hand, for place they fix
their eye upon New-Town, which to tell their Posterity
whence they came, is now named Cambridg, and withal
to make the whole world understand, that spiritual learn-
ing was the thing they chiefly desired, to sanctifie the
other, and make \he whole lump holy, and that learning
28 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 19.
being set upon its right object, might not contend for error
instead of truth ; ihcy chose this i)Uice, Ix-ing then under the
Orthodox, and soul-flourishing Ministery of Mr. Thoni;is
Shepheard, of whom it may be said, without any wrong
to others, the Lord by his Ministery hath saved many a
hundred soul : The scituation of this Collcdg is very
pleasant, at the end of a spacious plain, more like a bow-
ling green, then a Wilderness, neer a fliir navigable river,
environed with many Neighbouring Towns of note, lac-
ing so neer, that their houses joyn with her Subu'bs, the
building thought by some to be too gorgeous lor a Wil-
derness, and yet too mean in others apprehensions for a
Colledg, it is at j)rescnt inlarging by purchase of the
neighbour houses, it hath the conveniences of a fair Hall,
comfortable Studies, and a good Library, given by the
liberal hand of some Magistrates and Ministers with oth-
ers : The chief gift towards the founding of tliis Colledg,
was by Mr. John *Harnes, a reverend Minister; the
Country being very weak in their publike Treasury, ex-
pended about 500. 1. towards it, and for the maintenance
thereof, gave the yearly revenue of a Ferry passage be-
tween Boston, and Charlesto\A'n, the which amounts to
about 40. or 50. 1. per annum. The Commissioners of
the four united Colonies also taking into consideration,
(of what common concernment this work would be, not
only to the whole plantations in general, but also to all
our English Nation) they endeavoured to stir up all the
people in the several Colonies to make a yearly contribu-
tion toward it, which by some is observed, but by the
most very much neglected ; the Government hath endeav-
oured to grant them all the privileges fit for a Colledg, and
accordingly the Governour and Magistrates, together
with the President of the Collcdg, for the time being,
have a continual care of ordering all matters for the good
of the whole : This Colledg hath brouglit iorth, and nurst
up very hopeful plants, to the supi)Iying some Churches
here, as the gracious and godly Mr. Wilson, son to the
grave and zealous servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson,
this young man is Pastor to the Church of Christ at Dor-
• lliii-^anl.
1640.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 29
Chester; as also Mr. Buckly, son to the reverend Mr.
Buckly of Concord ; as also a second son of his, whom
our Native Country hath now at present help in the Min-
istery, and the other is over a people of Christ in one of
these Colonies, and if I mistake not, England hath I hope
not only this young man of N. E. nurturing up in learn-
ing, but many more, as M. Sam. and Nathaniel Mathers,
Mr. Wells, Mr. Downing, Mr. Barnard, Mr. Allin, Mr.
Bruster, Mr. William Ames, Mr. lones : Another of the
first fruits of this CoUedg is imploycd in these Western
parts in Mevis, one of the Summer Islands ; beside these
named, some help hath been had from hence in the study
of Physick, as also the godly Mr. Sam. Danforth, who
hath not only studied Divinity, but also Astronomy, he
put forth many Almanacks, and is now called to the of-
fice of a teaching Elder in the Church of Christ at Rox-
bury, who was one of the fellows of jhis Colledg ; the
number of Students is much encreased of late, so that the
present year 1651. on the twelfth of the sixth moneth,
ten of them took the degree of Batchelors of Art, among
whom the Sea-born son of Mr. John Cotton was one,
some Gentlemen have sent their sons hither from Eng-
land, who are to be commended for their care of them, as
the judicious and godly Doctor Ames, and divers others:
This hath been a place certainly more free from tempta-
tions to lewdness, then ordinarily England hath been, yet
if men shall presume upon this to send their most exor-
bitant children, intending them more especially for Gods
service, the Justice of God doth sometimes meet with
them, and the means doth more harden them in their way,
for of late the godly Governors of this Colledg have been
forced to expell some, for fear of corrupting the Foun-
tain, wherefore the the Author would ye should mind this
following verse.
You that have seen these Avondious works by Sions Savior don,
Expect not miracle, lest means thereby you over-run ;
The noble Acts Jehovah wrought, his Israel to redeem,
Surely this second work of his shall far more glorious seem ^
Not only Egypt, but all Laud^^, where Antichrist doth raign,
Shall from Jehovahs heavy hand ten limes ten plagues sustain :
30 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 19.
Brijrht shiniup t-hall this Gospel cotnc, Oh plorious Kine; of Saints,
Thy blessed breath coiilouiids ih) foes, all mortal poUer faints,
Tlie ratliiiji bones toeother run with self-same breath tliat blows,
Of Israels sons Ions ^^^^^^ :>"d <hy, cacfi joynt there sinew f^rows,
Fair flesh doth cover them, iV veins (lifes fountain) takes there place.
Smooth seamless coats doth cloaih their flesli, and all their structure
grace.
The breath of Life is added, they no Antinoniians are.
But loviujr him w ho gives them life, more zealous are by fai
To keep his Law, then formerly when righteousnesse they souglif.
In keeping that they could not keep, which then their downfal
brought.
Their ceremonies vanislit are, on Christ's all their desires.
Their zeal all Ts'ations dolli provoke, inkindled are loves fires :
With hast on horseback, bringing home their sons and daughters, they
Rejoyce to see this glorious sight, like Resurrections day ;
Up and be doing, }ou young plants, Christ calls his work unto
Polluted lips, touch'd with heav'us fire, about tliis work shall go.
Prostrate in pra} ev parents, and you young ones on Christ call.
Suppose of )ou he will make use, whereby tliat beast shall fall :
So be it Lord tliy servants say, who are at thy disposing,
With outward word work inward grace, by heavenly truths disclosing.
Awake stand up from death to life, in Christ your studies enter,
The Scriptures search, bright light bring forth, upon this liardship
venter.
Sound doctrine shall your lips preach out, all errors to confound
And rid Christ's Temple from this smoke, his glory shall abound ;
Precipitant doth Dagon fall, his triple head oil' cut.
The Beast tliat all the world admires, by you to death is put :
Put hand to mouth, Avith vehemfcut blast your silver Trumpets sound,
Christ calls to mind his peoples w rongs, their foes hee'l now confound:
Be strong in God, and his great might, his wondrous works do tell,
You raised are unwonted ways, observe his workings well.
As Jordans streams congcaFd in heaps, and Jerico's high walls
With Rams horns blast, and Midians Host, with pitcher breaking falls;
Like works your iinth, for to confirm in these great works to come,
That nothing now too hard may seem, Jehovah would have don.
The rage of Seas, and hunger sharp, wants of a desart Land,
Your noble hearts have overcom, w liat shall this work withstand '.'
Not persecutors pride and rage, strong multitudes do fall.
By little handfuUs of least dust, your Christ confounds them all ;
JN"ot Satan and his subtil train will) seeming fhew reforming,
Another Gospel to bring forth, brings damned errors swarming:
Yourselves have seen his paint washt ofT, his hidden jjoysons found,
Christ you provides with Antidotes, to keep his people sound :
There's nought remains but conquest now, through Christs continued
power,
His hardest works liave honors most attend tlicm every hour.
1640.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. SI-
What jirenter honor then on earth, Christ's Legat for to be>,
Attended with his glorious Saints in Church fraternity.
Cjirist to behold adorning now liis Bride in bright array.
And you his friends him to attend upon his Nuptial day,
With crowned heads, as Conquerors triumphant by his side ;
la's presence is your lasting joy, and pleasures ever bide.
Mr. Henry Dunstar is now President of this Colledg,
fitted from the Lord for the work, and by those that have
skill that way, reported to be an able Proficient, in both
Hebrew, Greek, and Latine Languages, an Orthodox
Preacher of the truths of Christ, very powerful through
his blessing to move the affection ; and besides he having
a good inspection into the well-ordering of things for the
Students maintenance (whose commons hath been very
short hitherto) by his frugal providence hath continued
them longer at their Studies then otherwise they could
have done ; and verily it's great pity such ripe heads as
many of them be, should want means to further them in
learning : But seeing the Lord hath been pleased to raise
up so worthy an instrument for their good, he shall not
want for incouragement to go on with the work, so far as
a rustical rime will reach.
Could man presage prodigious works at hand.
Provide he would for's good and ill prevent,
But God both time and means hath at's command,
Dunster in time to his N. E. hath sent.
When England 'gau to keep at home their guides,
N. E. began to pay their borrow ed back:
Industrious Dunster, providence provides,
Our friends supply, and yet ourselves no lack :
With restless labour thou dost delve and dung,
Surculus set in garden duly tended.
That in Christs Orchard they with fruit full hung,
May bless the Lord, thy toil gone, them expended,
Thy constant course proves retrograde in this,
From West to East thy toil returns again,
Thy husbandry by Christ so honored is,
That all the world partaketh of thy pains.
32 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP.20.
CHAP. XX. — Of the planting of the one and twetitielli Chnrch of Christ
at a Town called (ilocester, and of the Chiirrli and Town of Dover,
and of the hardships tiiat befcl a certain people, who thirsted after
large liberty in a warm Country.
For the Government of this little Commonweath, this
year was chosen for Governour Richard *Belingham, Es-
quire, and John fKndicut Esc(uirefor [jiGovernours ; the
number of Freemen added this year, were about 503.
There was another Town and Church of Christ erect-
ed in the Mattachuset Government, upon the Northern-
Cape of the Bay,»called Cape Ann, a place of fishini^, be-
ing peopled with Fishernien, till the reverend Mr. Rich-
ard Blindman came from a place in Plimoudi Patten,
called Green-Harbour, with some few people of his ac-
quaintance, and seUed down with them, named the Town
Glocester, and gathered into a Church, being but a small
number, about fifty persons, they called to office this god-
ly reverend man, whose gifts and abilities to handle the
word, is not inferiour to many others, labouring much
against the errors of the times, of a sweet, humble, heav-
enly carriage : This Town lying out toward the point of
the Cape, the access there unto by Land becomes uneasie,
which was the chief cause it was no more populated :
Their fishing trade would be very beneficial, had they
men of estates to mannage it; jet are they not without
other means of maintenance, having good timber for
shipping, and a very sufficient builder, but that these
times of combustion the Seas throughout hath hindered
much that work, yet have there been Vessels built here
at this Town of late : Their reverend Elder is here re-
membred.
Thou hast thy prime and middle age here spent,
The best is not too good for hitn that gave it,
When thou didst first this Wilderness frequent,
For Sions sake it was, that Christ might save it.
Blindman be blith in him, who thee hath taken
To feed his Flock, a i'ew poor scattered sheep,
Why should t'ley be of thee at all forsaken.
Thy honour's high, that any thou may'st keep.
* Bellingham. t Endicot, \ Deputy Governourf
1641.] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 33
Wait patiently thy Masters coming, thou
Hast hitherto his peoples portions dealt,
It matters not for high prciermeut ; now
Thy crowil's to come, with joyes immortal felt.
About this time the people inhabiting the Town of
Dover, although they lay out of any of these Colonies
mentioned, (yet hearing and seeing with what sweet har-
mony, both in Churches and civil Government, the Mat-
tachusets peopled patten was carried on prosperously) de-
sired greatly to submit unto the same, by putting them-
selves under their protection ; and for that end they peti-
tioned their General Cort to admit of them, and adminis-
ter Justice as occasion served, by the nands of their godly
Magistrates, which accordingly \vas granted, and they
have been partakers of the benefit hitherto, having also the
benefit of some one Minister to preach unto them, till it
pleased God to fit stones by the continual hewing of his
word for his Temple-work, and they gather a Church ac-
cording to the rule of the word, and called to office of a
Pastor one M. Maude, both godly and diligent in the
work : This Town is scituate upon Pascataque river, ly-
ing to the Northeast of Boston, which river, although it
be not nigh so broad as Merrinaeck river, yet is it naviga-
ble, being very deep, and her banks in many places fil'd
with stately^ timber, which hath caused one or two Saw-
Mills to be continued ; there they have a good quantity of
Meddow Land, and good ground for India corn. To
end this year 1641. the Lord was pleased to send a very
sharp Winter, insomuch that the Harbor where ships or-
dinarily Anchor, was frozen over of such a thickness, that
it became passeable, both for horse, carts, and oxen, for
the space of five weeks. And here the Reader must be
minded of the wonder-working providence of Christ for
his poor Churches, in altering the very season for their
comfort, to the wonder of English and Indians, the Win-
ter and Summer proving more moderate, both for heat and
cold, unmasking many by this means, it being a frequent
thing with some, that after the novelties of a new land be-
gan to be stale with them, and the sweet nourishment of
6 VOL. VJT.
34 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 20.
the soul by the presence of Christ In the preachii^q of liis
Word, began to dry up through the hot heady conceit of
some new conceived opinion : Then they wanted a warm-
er country, and every Northwest wind that blew, they
crept into some odd chimney-corner or other, to discourse
of the diversity of CHmates in the Southerne parts, but
chiefly of a tiling very sweet to the pallate of the flesh, cal-
led liberty, which they supposed might be very easily
attain'd, could they but once come into a place where all
men were chosen to the office of a Magistrate, and all
were preachers of the W ord, and no hearers, then it
would be all Summer and no W inter: This consultation
was to be put in practise speedily, as all headstrong mo-
lions are, but the issue proved very sad, both to these
and others also; for thus it befell, when the time of the
year was come that a sea voyage might be undertaken,
they having made sale of a better accommodation then
any they could afterward attain unto, prepare for the voy-
age with their wifcs and children, intending to land them
in one of the Summer Islands, called the Isle of Provi-
dence, and having wind and seas favouring them, as they
supposed, or to speak more proper, the provident hand of
the most high God directing it, they were brought so
neer the shore for convenient landing, that they might
have heaved a Bisket cake on land ; their Pilate wondring
he could not see the English colours on the Fort, he be-
gan to mistrust the Island was taken, and more especially,
because they saw not the people appear upon the shores
as they usually did when any Vessel was a coming in,
but now and then they saw some people a far off' wafting
to them to come in, till they were even come to an An-
chor, and then by the hoising up and down the heads of
those, on shore, they were fully confirmed in it, that the
Island was taken, as indeed it was by the Spaniards, who
as soone as they tackt about to be gone, made shot at
them, and being in great fear they made all the sail they
could, but before they could get out of shot, the Master
of the Vessel was slain, the main sail shot through, and
the Barque also ; the people some of them returned back
1642.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 35
again for New-England, being sore abashed at this provi-
dence that befel them, that they would never seek to be
governed by liberty again to this very day ; yet others
there are were so strongly bent for the heat of liberty, that
they indured much pinching penury upon an uninhabited
Island, til at length meeting some others like-minded with
themselves, they made a voyage to another Island, the
chiefest part of their Charter of Freedom was this, That
no man upon pain of death should speak against anothers
Religion where they continued, till some of them were
famished, and others even forced to feed on Rats, and any
other thmg they could find to sustain nature, till the provi'-
dent hand of God brought a Ship to the place, which took
them oft' the Island, and saved their lives : But upon this
the Winters discourse ceased, and projects for a warmer
Country were hushtand done. ^ r-r* ^QOO
CHAP. XXI. — Of the suddain and unexpected fall of Cattel, and the
great blessing of God in giving plenty of provision.
For this year 1642. John Winthrope Esquire was
chosen Govcrnour, and John Endicut Esquire Deputy
Governor : The number of Freemen added were about
1232. This Spring Cowcs and Cattle of that kind (hav-
ing continued at an excessive price so long as any came
over with estates to purchase diem) fell of a suddain in one
week from 22 1. the Cow, to 6. 7. or 8. 1. the Cow at
most, insomuch that it made all men admire how it came
to pass, it being the common practise of those that had
any store of Cattel, to sell every year a Cow or two, which
cloath'd their backs, fii'd their bellies with more varieties
than the Country of it self afforded, and j)ut gold and sil-
ver in their purses beside. Here the Reader is desired to
take notice of the wonderful providence of the most high
God toward these his new-planted Churches, such as was
never heard of, since that Jacobs sons ceased to be a peo-
ple, that in ten or twelve years planting, there should be
such wonderful alteration, a Nation to be born in a day, a
Commonwealth orderly brought forth from a few Fugi-
tives, all the Forraign plantations that are of forty, fifty, or
36 WONDER-WORKING FROVI D E N C E [c H A P. 21.
a hundred years standing;, cannot really report the like, al-
though they have hud the greatest incouragenients earth
could afford, Kings to countenance them, staple commodi-
ies to provoke all manner of Merchants to resort unto them,
silver, gold, precious stones, or whatever might inticethc
eye or ear to incline the motion of man toward them, his
remote, rocky, barren, bushy, wild- woody wilderness, a re-
cepj'.cle for Lions, Wolves, Bears, Foxes, Rockoones,
Bags, Bevers, Otters, and all kind of wild creatures, a
place that never afforded the Natives better then the flesh
of a few wild creatures and parch't Indian corn iuchl out
with Chesnuts and bitter Acorns, now through the mercy
oi Christ becom a second England for fertilness in so short
a space, that it is indeed the wonder of the world ; but be-
ing already forgotten of the very persons that tast of it at
present, although some there be that keep in memory his
mercies multitude, and declare it to their childrens chil-
dren.
First to begin with the encrease of food, you have heard
in what extream penury these people were in at first plant-
ing, for want of food, gold, silver, rayment, or whatsoev-
er was precious in their eyes they parted with (when ships
came in) for this their beast that died, some would stick
before they were cold, and sell their poor pined flesh for
food, at 6.d. per pound, Indian Beans at 16.s. per bushel,
when Ships came in, it grieved some Master to see the
urging of them by people of good rank and quality to sell
bread unto them. But now take notice how the right
hand of the most high hath altered all, and men of the
meaner rank are urging them to buy bread of them, and
now good white and wheaten bread is nodamty, but even
ordinary man haih his choice, if gay cloathing,and a liquer-
ish tootli after sack, sugar, arid plums lick not away his
])read too fast, all which are but ordinary among those that
were not able to bring their owne persons over at their
first coming; there are pot many Towns in tlie Country,
but the poorest person in them hath a house and land of
his own, and bread of his own growing, if not some cat-
tel : beside, flesh is now no rare food, beef, pork, and
1642.] or SIGNS saviour, in new England. 37
mutton beina; frequent in many houses, so that this poor
Wilderness hath not onely equalized England in food, but
goes beyond it in some places for the great plenty of wine
and sugar, which is ordinarily spent, apples, pears, and
quince tarts instead of their former Pumpkin Pies, Poul-
try they have plenty, and great rarity, and in tlieir feasts
have not forgotten the English foshion of stirring up their
appetites with variety of cooking their food ; and notwith-
standing all this great and almost miraculous \A-ork of the
Lord, in providing for his people in this barren desart, yet
are there here (as in other places) some that use these good
creatures of God to excess, and others to hoard up in a
wretched and miserable manner, pinch themselves and
their children with food, and will not tast of the good crea-
tures God hath given for that end, but cut Church and
Commonwealth as short also : Let not such think to es-
cape the Lords hand with as little a stroke, as the like do
in other places.
Secondly, For rayment, our cloth hath not been cut
short, as but of late years the traders that way have en-
creased to such a number, that their shops have continued
full all the year long, all one England ; besides the Lord
hath been pleased to encrease sheep extraordinarily of late,
hemp and flax here is great plenty, hides here are more
for the number of persons then in England ; and for
cloth, here is and would be materials enough to make it ;
but the Farmers deem it better for their profit to put
away their cattel and corn for cloathing, then to set up-
on making of cloth ; if the Merchants trade be not kept
on foot, they fear greatly their corne and cattel will lye in
their hands : assuredly the plenty of cloathing hath caused
much excess of late in those persons, who have clamber-
ed with excess in wages for their work, but seeing it will
be the theam of our next discourse, after the birds are
setled, it may be here omitted.
Further, the Lord hath been pleased to turn all the wig-
wams, huts, and hovels the English dwelt in at their first
coming, into orderly, fair, and well-built houses, well fur-
nished many of them, together with Orchards filled with
38 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 22.
iT^oodly fri'it trees, and gardens with variety of flowers:
There are supi)osed to be in the Mattachusets Govern-
ment at tliis day, neer a thousand acres of land planted
for Orchards and Gardens, besides their fields arc filled
with garden fruit, there being, as is supposed in this
Colony, about fifteen thousand acres in tillage, and of cat-
tel about twelve thousand neat, and about three thousand
sheep : Thus hath the Lord incouragcd his people with
the encrease of the general, although many particulars are
outcd, hundreds of pounds, and some thousands, yet are
there many hundreds of labouring men, v\ho had not e-
nough to bring them over, yet now worth scores, and some
hundreds of pounds ; to be sure the Lord takes notice of
all his talents, and will call to accompt in time : This brief
survey of things will be of good Ube when time serves, in
mean time you shall understand,
CHAP. xxTi. — Of the manner of plantirj^ Towns and Cliurclics in N.
E. and in particular of the Church and Town at Wooburn, being
the three and twentieth Churcli of Christ in the Mattachusets Gov-
ernment.
There was a Town and Church erected called Woo-
burn, this present year, but because all the action of this
wandering people meet with great variety of censures, the
Author will in this Town and Church set down the man-
ner how this people have populated their Towns, and
gathered their Churches, that the reverend Mr. Rathbone
may be better informed, then when he wrote his book
concerning the Churches of N. E. and all others that are
experienced in the holy Scriptures, may lay the actions of
N. E. to the Rule, and try them by the ballance of the
Sanctuary, for assuredly they greatly desire they may be
brought to the light, for great is the truth, and will prevail,
yet have they their errings as well as others, but yet their
imperfections may not blen>ish the truths of Christ, let
them be glorified, and these his people will willingly take
shame to themselves, wherein they have miscarried : But
to begin, this Town, as all others had its bounds fixed by
the General Court, to the contents of four miles square,
1642.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 39
(beginning at the end of Charles Town bounds) the grant
is to seven riien of good and honest report, upon condi-
tion, that within two year they erect houses for habitation
thereon, and so go on to- make a Town thereof, upon the
Act of Court ; these seven men have power to give and
gran^ out lands unto any persons who are wi,lling to take
up their dwellings within the said precinct, & to be ad-
mitted to al common priviledges of the said Town, giving
them such an ample portion, both of Medow and Upland,
as their present and future stock of cattel and hands were
like to improve, with eye had to others that might after
come to populate the said Town ; this they did without
any respect of persons, yet such as were exorbitant, and
of a turbulent spirit, unfit for a civil society they would
reject, til! they come to mend, their manners, such came
not to enjoy any freehold : These seven men ordered and
disposed of the streets of the Town, as might be best fof
improvement of the Land, and yet civil and rehgious so-
ciety maintained ; to which end those that had land neer-
est the place for Sabbath assembly, had a lesser quantity
at home, and more farther off to improve for corn, of all
kinds ; they refused not men for their poverty, but ac-
cording to their ability were helpful to the poorest sort,
in building their houses, and distributed to them land ac-
cordingly ; the poorest had six or seven acres of Medow,
and twenty five of Upland, or thereabouts : Thus was this
Town populated, to the number of sixty families, or there-
about, and after this manner are the Towns of New Eng-
land peopled, the scituation of this Town is in the high-
est part of the yet peopled land, neere upon the head-
springs of many considerable rivers, or their branches, as
the first rise of Ipswitch river, and the rise of Shashin
river, one of the most considerable branches of Merri-
meck, as also the first rise of Mistick river and ponds, it
is very full of pleasant springs, and great variety of very
good water, which the Summers heat causeth to be more
cooler, and the Winters cold maketh more warmer ; their
Medows are not large, but lye in divers places to particu-
lar dwellings, the like doth their Springs ; their Land is
40 WOVDER- WORKING PROVIDENCE [c HA P. 22*
very fruitful in many places, although they have no great
quantity of plain land in any one plioe, yet doth then"
Rocks and Swamps yeeld very good food for caitel ; as
also they have Mast and Tar for shipping, but the dis-
tance of place by land causeth tiiem as yet to be unpro-
fitable, they have great store of iron o're, their meeting
house stands in a small Plain, where four streets meet,
the people are very laborious, if not exceeding some of
them.
Now to declare how this people proceeded in religious
matters, and so consequently all the Churches of Christ
planted in New-England, when they came once to hopes
of being such a competent number of people, as might
be able to maintain a Minister, they then surely seated
themselves, and not before, it being as unnatural for a
right N. E. man to live without an able Ministcry, as for
a Smith to work his iron without a fire ; therefore this
people that went about placing down a Town, began the
foundation-stone, with earnest seeking of the Lords as-
sistance, by humbling of their souls before him in dales
of prayer, and imploring his aid in so weighty a work,
then they address themselves to attend counsel of the
most Orthodox and ablest Christians, and more especial-
ly of such as the Lord had already placed in the Ministe-
ry, not rashly running together themselves into a Church,
before they had hopes of attaining an Officer to preach the
Word, and administer the Seals unto them, chosing rath-
er to continue in fellowship with some other Church for
their Christian watch over them, till the Lord would be
pleased to provide : They after some search meet with a
young man named Mr. Thomas Carter, then belonging
to the Church of Christ at Water Town, a reverend godly
man, apt to teach the sound and wholesome truths of
Christ ; having attained their desires, in hopes of his
coming unto them, were they once joyned in Church-es-
tate, he exercising his gifts of preaching and prayer among
them in the n.ean time, and more especially in a day of
fasting and prayer. Thus these godly people interest iheir
affections one with the other, both Minister and people :
1642.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW EN^GLAND. 41
After this they made ready fbr the work, and the 24. of
the 6. moneth 1642. they assemble together in the morn-
ing about eight of the clock ; After the reverend Mr. Syms
had continued in preaching and prayer about the space of
four or five houres, the persons that were to joyn in Cove-
nant, openly and professedly before the Congregation, and
messengers of divers Neighbour Churches, among whom
the reverend Elder of Boston, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Wilson,
Mr. Allen of Charles-Town, Mr. Shepheard of Cambridg,
Mr. Dunster of Water-Town, Mr. Knowlesof Deadham,
Mr. Allen of Roxbury, Mr. Eliot of Dorchester, Mr.
Mather : As also it is the duty of the Magistrates (in re-
gard of the good and peace of the civil Government) to
be present, at least some one of them (not only to prevent
the disturbance might follow in the Commonwealth by
any, who under pretence of Church-Covenant, might
bring in again those cursed opinions that caused such
commotion in this and the other Colony, to the great dam-
mage of the people) but also to countenance the people of
God in so pious a work, that under them they may live a
quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty ; for
this cause was present the honored Mr. Increase Nowel,
the persons stood forth, and first confessed what the Lord
had done for their poor souls, by the work of his Spirit in
the preaching of his Word, and Providences, one by one j
(and that all might know their faith in Christ was bottom-
ed upon him, as he is revealed in his Word, and that from
their own knowledg) they also declare the same, accord-
ing to that measure of understanding the Lord had given
them ; the Elders, or any other messengers there present
question with them, for the better understanding of them
in any points they doubt of, which being done, and all sat-
isfied, they in the name of the Churches to which they do
belong, hold out the right hand of fellowship unto them,
they declaring their Covenant, in words expressed in
writing to this purpose.
The Church Covenant.
We that do assemble our selves this day before God
and his people, in an unfeigned desire, to be accepted of
7 VOL. VII.
42 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 22.
him as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to
tlie Rule of the New-Testament, do acknowlcdg our
selves to be tlie most unworthy of all others, that we
should attain such a high grace, and the most unable of
our selves to the performance of any thing that is good,
abliorring our selves for all our former defilements in the
worship of God, and other vvayes, and resting only upon
the Lord Jesus Christ for atonement, and upon the
power of his grace for the guidance of our whole af-
ter course, do here in the name of Christ Jesus, as in the
presence of the Lord, from the bottom of our hearts agree
together through his grace to give up our selves, first unto
the Lord Jesus as our only King, Priest and Prophet,
wholly to be subject unto him in all thmg, and therewith
one unto another, as in a Church -Body to walk together
in all the Ordinances of the Gospel, and in all such mu-
tual love and offices thereof, as toward one another in the
Lord ; and all this, both according to the present light
that the Lord hath given us, as also according to all fur-
ther light, which he shall be pleased at any time to reach
out unto us out of the Word by the goodness of his grace,
renouncing also in the same Covenant all errors and
Schismes, and whatsoever by-wayes that are contrary to
the blessed rules revealed in the Gospel, and in particular
the inordinate love and seeking after the things of the
world ; every Church hath not the same for words, for
they are not for a form of words.
The 22. of the 9, moneth following Mr. Thomas Car-
ter was ordained Pastor, in presence of the like Assembly.
After he ha(^ exercised in preaching and prayer the great-
er part of the day, two persons in the name of the Church
laid their hands upon his head, and said. We ordain thee
Thomas Carter to be Pastor unto this Church of Christ ;
then one of the Elders Priest, being desired of the
Church, continued in prayer unto the Lord for his more
especial assistance of this his servant in his work, being a
charge of such weighty importance, as is the glory of God
and salvation of souls, that the very thought would make
a man to tremble in the sense of his own inability to the
1642.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 43
work : The people having provided a dweHlng- house,
built at the charge of the Town in general, welcomed
him unto them with joy, that the Lord was pleased to
give them such a blessing, that their eyes may see
their teachers: After this there were divers added to
the Church daily ; after this manner the person desirous to
joyn with the Church, cometh to the Pastor, and makes
him acquainted therewith, declaring how the Lord haih
been pleased to work his conversion, who discerning
hopes of the persons faith in Christ, although weak, yet
if any appear, he is propounded to the Church in general
for their approbation, touching his godly life and conver-
sation, and then by the Pastor and some brethren heard
again, who make report to the Church of their charitable
approving of the person ; but before they come to joyn
with the Church, all persons within the Towne have
publike notice of it, then publikely he declares the man-
ner of his conversion, and how the Lord hath been pleas-
ed by the hearing of his Word preached, and the work of
his Spirit in the inward parts of his soul, to bring him out
of that natural darkness, which all men are by nature in
and under, as also the measure of knowledg the Lord
hath been pleased to indue him withal. And because
some men cannot speak publikely to edification through
bashfulness, the less is required of such, and women
speak not publikely at all, for all that is desired, is to pre-
vent the polluting the blessed Ordinances of Christ by
such as walk scandalously, and that men and women do
not eat and drink their own condemnation, in not discern-
ing the Lords body : After this manner were many ad-
ded to this Church of Christ, and those 7. that joyned in
Church-fellowship at first, are now encreased to 74. per-
sons, or thereabout ; of which, according to their own
confession, as is supposed, the greater part having been
converted by the preaching of the Word in N. E.
by which may appear the powerful efficacy of the word
of Christ in the mouth of his Ministers, and that this
way of Christ in joyning together in Church-Covenant,
is not only for building up of souls in Christ, but also for
44 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDE N C E [c H A P. 23.
converting of sinners, & bringing them out of the natu-
ral condition to be ingrafted into Christ, for if this one
Church have so many, then assuredly there must be a
great number comparitively throughout all the Churches
in the Country. After this manner have tlie Churches
of Christ had their beginning and progress hitherto, the
Lord continue & cncrease them the world throughout :
The Pastor of this Church hath much encrcased with the
encreasings of Christ Jesus, of whose labours in the Lord
as followcth.
Carter, Christ Iiath liis wayes thee taught, and *thcm,
Ilast not with held his Word, but unto all,
Wiih's word of power dost cause stout souls to bow,
And meek as I.ambs before thy Christ to fall :
The antient truths, plain patlis they fit thee best.
Thy humble heart all haughty acts puis by,
The lowly heart, Christ learns his lovely best,
Tliy meekness shews thy Christ to thee is nigh ;
Yet must thou shew Christ makes his bold to be,
As Lions, that none may his truths tread down,
Pastoral power he hath invested thee
With, it maintain, least he on thee do frown ;
Thy youth thou hast in this New-England spent.
Full sixteen years to water, plant, and prune.
Trees taken up, and for that end here sent,
Thy end's with Christ, with's Saints his praises tune.
This year the General Court made an order about pre-
paring houses for Salt-peter, that there might be powder
made in the Country, but as yet it hath not gone on.
CHAP, xxiir.— Of the uniting of the four English Colonies in N. E and
the battel fought between the Narragansets and Mawhiggins.
The yeare tl653. the honored John Winthrop Es-
quire was chosen Governour again, and John Endicut
Esquire Deputy Governour, tlie freemen added were
about 87. this year, the four Colonies, the Mattachusets,
Plimoth, Canectico, and New-haven, taking into consid-
eration the many Nations of Dutch, jZewes, and French,
that were on either side of them ; as also how apt they
were to lay claim to lands they never had any right unto,
* thou? 11043? 4 Swedes?
1643.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 45
but only a paper possession of their own framing ; and
further, that tlie inhumane and barbarous Indians would
be continually quarrelling and contending, could they see
any hopes of prevailing, together with the contestion be-
gun in our Native country, and withal, that although
providence had cast them into four several Colonies, yet
Religion had already united them, coming over all for one
and the same end. Hereupon by Conunissioners sent
from the several colonies, they concluded a firm confed-
eration to assist each other in all just and lawful war,
bearing an equal proportion in the charge, according to
the number of persons inhabiting each colony ; but here-
in the Mattachuset had the worst end of the staff, in bear-
ing as much, or more charge, then all the odier three, and
yet no greater number of Commissioners to negociate and
judg in transacting of affairs concerning peace and war,
then the least of the other, and any one of the other as
likely to involve them in a chargeable war with the naked
Natives, that have neither plunder, nor cash to bear the
charge of it, nay hitherto the most hath risen from the
lesser colonies, yet are the Mattachusets far from desert-
ing them, esteeming them highly, so long as their Gov-
ernments maintain the same purity in Religion with them-
selves, for indeed this is that they have spent their whole
travel for, and therefore if Plimoth, or any of the other
shall draw back herein, the chiefest end of their confed-
eracy would be lost ; for should it come to pass (that in
venturing their persons and estates so far for purity in the
Ordinances and Discipline of Christ) they should lose the
purity in doctrine, all their cost and labour were lost :
This confederacy being finished, there came in certain In-
dian Sachims, and submitted to the English Government,
as Pomham, and Soecananocoh to the Mattachusets ; also
Miantonemo and Uncas ; but between these two latter
Princes arose a very hot quarrel, the English seeking by
all means to quench it, but could not, it being, as is sup-
posed, fomented by a small company of vacabond English,
who were then for their crimes banished from their own
complices at Rhode Island, the Ringleader of them, being
one Samuel Gorton, by whose mean they were drawn in.
46 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 23,
to damnable errors, : These Gortonists, as is said, lent
Miantonemo a Corslet for safeguard of his own person in
the following fight, and he promised eaeh of them a
Mawchiggin papoose, whieh was the people Uneas was
Prince of. For, although Miantonemo were the more po-
tent Prince by far, and a very austere man, yet did he
chuse rather to take Uncasses life away by treachery if he
could ; and to that end hired a young man of the Pegod
Nation to murther him, as is supposed, for in an evening,
when it was very neer dark, this Sachim passing without
any of his Retinue, from one wigwam to another, was
suddainly shot through the arm with an arrow, seeing not
whence it came ; but yet recovering the Palace he was
passing unto, without receiving any more shot, he had the
arrow drawn forth, and the wound curcu in a short time
after ; the young man, who was suspected to have done
the fact, having great store of Wampumpeage, about this
time being questioned how he came by it, could give no
good accompt, which encreased the suspition the more,
that he had received it as hire from Miantonemo for this
fact ; and hereupon the young man fled unto him, which
caused Uncas to complain to the English, who having the
hearing of the case at a General Court holden at Boston, at
the same time Miantonemo coming thither with his atten-
dance, and sending one of his Councellors to follow the
matter in hand, the young man was examined in presence
of Miantonemo, being, as is supposed, tutored by him,
he told this tale, that while he was in Uncasses Court, on
a day travelling alone by a thick swamp, Uncas call'd him
out of the swamp, charging him to be true to him, in de*
daring to the English what he required to him, which
was, that he should say he had been hired of Miantonemo
to kill him, and to make his matter good, quoth the
young man, he then cut his arm on the top, and under-
neath with the flint of his 'Gun, to make men think he had
beene shot through with an arrow : This tale made the
English more to suspect Miantonemo then before ; and
therefore desired to examine the young man alone, which
he was very unwilling they should do ; but upon further
examination alone, they did verily believe this young man
1643.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 47
had done the fact, yet for present they let him depart with
Miantonemo, advising him to send him home to Uncas,
but by the way, he instead of returning him home, cut off
his head, and forthwith tJ^athered an army of about a thous-
and men to fight with Uncas, who feared not to meet him
in the field with half the number ; the battel being come
within shot one of another, with a great hubbub they let
their long shafts fly one at another, and after came to a
close with other weapons, till the Narrowgansets multi-
tude being sorely distressed by the Mawhiggins valour,
they began to cry out Wammeek, which is to say,
enough : Uncas like a stout commander, with others of
his bloud-royal that were about him, sought to perfect
his victory, by possessing himself with the person of their
Prince, which he effected, by putting his Life-guard to
flight, and taking hold on the Sachim himself, carried him
victoriously away to the Town of Hartford, neer the
which he kept his residence at this time, and then made
the English acquainted there with his noble design, and
desired to have the advise of the united colonies what to
do with his prisoner ; the Narrowgansets sought to ran-
som him home, being much abashed, that so mean a
Prince as Uncas was should scape scotfree with such a
victory ; but the honored Commissioners have had proof
of Miantonemo's treachery, both toward this Prince that
had him in possession, and toward the English in falsify-
ing his promise with them ; they advised Uncas to put
him to death, but withall, that he should forbear to exer-
cise any barbarous cruelty toward him, as their manner
is, and by this means the English prevented another war,
both with English and Indians, which was very neer joyn-
ing in battel. Not many *years after, the Indian Sachim
upon this advise, caused Miantonemo to be led forth, as
if he would remove him to a more safer place of custody,
and by the way caused him to be executed ; the Indians,
his kindred and subjects, were much grieved at his death,
* This is a striking instance of the errours that infest this book, printed at
XiOndon, while its author was in Massachusetts. For years we should read days.
The Indian Prince was murdered, a» appears from (aov. Winthrop's MS. Histo-
j-y, 28 Septr. 1643. Bb.
48 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP.24.
yet took it quietly at present, but the lesser Princes, his
Neighbours, rather rejoyccd, he having tyrannized over
them, and enforced them to subject to his will, right or
wrong.
CHAP. XXIV. — Of the proceediiiji; of certain persons called Gortonists,
against the united Colonies, and more especially against the iVlatta-
chusets, and of the blasphemous doctrines broached by Gorton, de-
luding a conipan}' of poor ignorant people therewith.
For not long before, those persons that we spake of,
who incouraged Miantonemo to this war, and with the
help of him enforced Poniham and Socananocho to set
their hands to a writing which these Gortonists had fram-
ed, to ta'ic their land from them ; but the poor Sachems,
When they saw they were thus gull'd of their land, would
take no pay for it, but complained to the Mattachusets
Government, to whom they had subjected themselves and
their lands : As also at this time certain English inhabit-
ing those parts, with the Indians good leave and liking,
desired to have the benefit of the Mattachusets Govern-
ment, as Dover formerly hid done, to whom this Govern-
ment condescended, in hope they might encrease to such
a competent number of godly Christians, as that there
might be a Church of Christ planted, the place being ca-
pable to entertain them in a comfortable measure for out-
ward accommodation, but hitherto it hath been hindred
by these Gortonists, and one of Plimoth, who forbad our
people to plant there : These persons thus submitting,
came at this time also to complain of certain wrongs done
them by these Gortonists, who had thus incroached, and
began to build on the Indians land ; upon these com-
plaints, the Governor and the honored Mr. Dudly issue
forth their Warrant, to summon them to appear, they be-
ing then about five or six persons, without any means for
instructing them in the wayes of God, and without any
civil Goverment to keep them in civility or humanity,
which made them to cast off most proudly and disdain-
fully any giving accompt to man of their actions, no not
to the chiefest in authority, but returned back most inso-
lent, scornful, scurrilous speeches. After this, the Gov-
1643] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 49
crnment of ihc Mattachusets sent two messengers on
purpose to pcrswade them to come and have their cause
heard, assuring them Hke justice in their cause with any
other ; but Samuel Gorton being the ring-leader of the
rout, was so full gorged with dreadful and danmable er-
rors, (the which he had newly insnared these poor souls
with) that soon after the departure of the messenger, he
layes aside all civil justice, and instead of returning answer
to the matter in h.and, he vomits up a whole paper full of
beastly stuft', one while scoffing and deriding the ignorance
of all beside himself, that think Abraham, Isaac, &c. could
be saved by Christ Jesus, who was after born of the Vir-
gin Mar}', another while mocking at the Sacraments of
Baptism and the Lords Supper, in an opprobrious man-
ner, deriding at the Elements Christ was pleased to insti-
tute them in, and calling them *Negromancers that admin-
ister them at all ; and in a word, all the Ordinances of the
Gospel abominable Idolatry he called, and likened them
to Molock, and the Star of the Idol Rempham ; his pa-
per was thrust full of such filthiness, that no Christian ear
could hear them widiout indignation against them, and all
was done by him in a very scornful and deriding manner,
upbraiding all that use them ; in the mean time magnify-
ing his own glorious light, that could see himself to be
personally Christ, God-Man, and so all others that would
believe as he did : Tliis paper he got to be subscribed,
with about twelve or thirteen hands, his numoer of Dis-
ciples being encreased, for assuredly the man had a very
glosing tongue, but yet very deceitful, for when he had
but a few with him, then he cried out against all such as
would rule over their own species, affirming, that the
Scripture tcrmeth such to be Gods of the world, or div-
els ; but after his return from England, having received
some incouragement from such as could not look into the
depth of his deceits, being done at so large a distance, he
getting into favour again with those, who had formerly
whipt him out of their company, turns divel himself; the
godly Governors of the Mattachusets seeing this blas-
phemous Bull of his, resolved to send forty persons well-
" necromancers :
VOL. VII.
50 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 24.
appointed with weapons of war for apprehcndini^ of liini,
who accordinLi:ly, with some waitins:^, did apprehend him
and the rest of liis company, except two or three which
ran away without any hurt to any person, ahhough he
gave out very big words, threatning them with bloud and
death so soon as they set foot on the ground, ar.d yet this
brazenface'd deceiver pubhshed in print the great fear
their women were put unto by the souldiers, whereas
they came among them day by day, and had it not been
that they intended peaceably to take them, they would
never have waited so long upon their worships as they
did, but being apprehended, and standing to that they had
written (yet would they willingly have covered it with
some shifts if they could) the greatest punishment they
had, was to be confin'd to certain Towns for a few
moneths, and afterward banished ; but to be sure there
be theni in N. E. that have Christ Jesus and his blessed
Ordinances in such esteem, that tlie Lord assisting, they
had rather lose their lives, then suffer them to be thus
blasphemed if they can help it ; and whereas some have
favoured them, and endeavoured to bring under blame
such as have been zealous against their abominable doc-
trines, the good God be favourable unto them, and pre-
vent them from coming under the like blame with Ahab,
yet they remain in their old way, and there's somewhat to
be considered in it to be sure, that in these dales, when
all look for the fall of Antichrist, such detestable doc-
trines should be upheld, and persons suffered, that exceed
the Beast himself for blasphemy, and this to be done by
those that would be counted Reformers, and such as seek
the utter subversion of Antichrist.
To end this year, or rather at the beginning of it, the
Lord caused another Earthquake, much less then the for-
mer, it was on the fifth of the first moneth called March
in the morning.
1644.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 51
CHAP. XXV. — Of the planting the twenty fourth Church of Christ at
the Town of Readfling, and the twenty fifth Church of Christ in the
Mattachusets Government, called Wenhani.
This year was chosen to the place of Governor John
Endicut Esquire, and John Winthrope Esquue Deputy
Governour ; the number of freemen added about 145.
this year.
The Town of Readdinj^ liad her foundation stone laid
about this time, this and the Town of VVooburn were
like the twins in the womb of Tamar, Readding thrust-
ing forth the hand first, but Wooburn came first to the
birth, this Town is well watered, and scituate about a
great pond, besides it hath two mills, the one a Saw-mill,
the other a Corn mill, which stand on two several streams ;
it hath not been so fruitful for children as her Sister hath,
her habitation is fltllen in the very center of the country,
they are well stocked with cattel, for the number of peo-
ple they have they gathered into a church, and ordained a
Pastor from among themselves at the same time, a young
man of good abilities to preach the Word, and of a very-
humble behaviour, named Mr. Green, he having finished
his course, departed thiis liie not long after, whose labours
are with the Lord ; after him succeeded in the place one
Mr. Hoph, a young man, one of llie first fruits of N. E. a
man studious to promote the . truths of Christ, they are
both remembred in the following verse.
On earths bed thou at noon hast laid thy head,
You that for Christ (as Green) here toyl have taken,
"When nature fails, then rest it in earths dead,
Till Christ by's word with glory thee awaken.
Young Hoph iliou must be second to this man,
In field inco'uiter, with Christ's foes shalt thou
Stand up, and take his briglit sword in thy hand,
Error cut down and make stout stomacks boM' ;
Green's gone before, thy warfare's now begun,
And last it may to see Romes Babel fall ;
By weakest means Christ mighty works hath done.
Keep footing fast, till Christ thee hence do call.
The next Town and church of Christ planted In this
colony, was between Salem and Ipswitch, Salem the eld-
52 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDE N C E [c H A P. 2G.
est of all the Sisters was very helpful to this her little Sis-
ter, nourishing her up in her own bosom, till she came of
age, being beneficial to her besides, in giving her a good
portion of Land ; this Town is called Wcnham, and is
very well watered, as most in-land Towns are, the people
live altogether upon husbandry, New-England having
train'd up great store to this occupation, they arc increas-
ed in cattei, and most of them live very well, yet are they
no great company ; they were some good space of time
there before they gathered into a Church-body, the god-
ly and reve end Mr, John Fisk went thither with them,
at first setting down as a i}lanier i^mong them, yet withal
he became lielpful in preaching the Word unto them,
when they were but a few in number, they afterward
cali'd him to the office of a Pastor, with whom he now
remains, labouring in the Word and DoctiiiiC, with great
industry of whom, it may be thus said :
To wade tlirough to; 1 of Wilderne=;s, tlioii hast
Doubled thy work, thy wages treble are,
Christ liath thee cali'd, and in his vineyard plac't,
He 1 liear thro up above all tainting far.
Sions s;r(»iig Mounl must now again be built,
Thy faith, oh Fisk, the Lonl hath holMcn much ;
With dreadful sighs (he Prelates power hath spilt,
All pride he'.' stain by his almighty touch.
His truths unstained by liberty keep thou,
To please the most, authority must fall,
What Christ hath given, it safely keej) with you,
Till he to thee for thine acronipt do call.
CHAP. XXVI. — Of the military affairs, the forts of Boston, and Charles,
(he Castle erected anew by the six neerest Towns, with the manner
of putting the Country in a i;csture of war, to be ready upon all oc-
casions.
These souldiers of Christ Jesus, having made a fair
retreat from their Native country hither, and now being
come to a convenient station, resolved to stand it out (the
Lord assisting) against all such as should come to rob
them of their priviledges, which the Lord Christ had pur-
chased for them at a very high rate, and now out of the
riches of his grace was minded to give them, yet would
1644.] or SIGNS saviour, in new England. 53
he have them follow. him into this Wilderness for it : al-
though the chiefest work of these select bands of Christ,
was to mind tlieir spiritual warfare, yet they knew right
well the Temple was surrounded with wails and bul-
works, and the people of God in re-edifying the same,
did prepare to resist tiieir enemies with weapons of war,
even while they continued building : This people no less
diligent to^make use of such me ms as the Lord afforded
them, ordered and decreed. That all the souldiers belong-
ing to the 26. bands in the Mattachusets Government,
should be exercised and drill'd eight daies in a yeare, and
whosoever should absent hiir.seif, except it were upon
'unavoidable occasion, should pay 5. s. for every daies
neglect, there are none exemj^.t, unleh;s it be a few time-
rous persons that are apt to plead infirmily, if the Church
chuse them not for Deacons, or they cannot get to serve
some Magistrate or Mir.ister ; but assuredly the generali-
ty of this people are very forward for feats of war, and
many have spent their time and estates to further this
work ; the Town of Boston hath afforded many active,
Charles-Town hath not been inferiour, unless it be in
number : This } ear the Court appointed certain persons
to spend their skill in putting the people possessing this
desolate desart in a ready posture of drawing their forces
together, upon any suddain accident that might befall
them, to mannage, guide, order, and direct all things,
as may be best for the good of the whole, they being a
poor and mean people, laboured to avoid high titles, yet
order they knew was necessary, therefore ordained they
only one General Officer in time of war, under the name
of Major General, the Governor and Magistrates for the
time being are the standing Councel for peace or war,
and either they or the General Court may appoint any to
the office of a' General ; the first Major-General was the
much honoured Tho. Dudly Esquire, whose faithfulness
and great zeal and love to the truths of Christ, caused the
people to choose him to this office, although he were far
stricken in years ; the Government is divided into four
Counties, which to shew, they would their posterity
54 WONDER- WOK KING PROVIDENCE [c HA P. 26.
should mind whence they came, they have named, SufVolk,
Middlesex, Essex, and Northtblk, each containint^- a reg-
iment, over whom, the chief Commander is only a Ser-
geant xMajor ; the first chosen to this office over the Kej^-
iment of Suffolk, was Major Edw. Gibbons, who hath
now the office of Major-General also, he is a man of a re-
solute spirit, bold as a Lion, being wholly tutor'd up in
N. E. Discipline, very generous, and forward to promote
all military matters ; his Forts are well contrived, and bat-
teries strong, and in good reixjir, his great Artillery well
mounted, and cleanly kept, half Canon, Culverins and Sa-
Lers, as also field-pieces of brass very ready for service,
his own company led by Capt. Lievtenant *Sarag, are very
compleat in their arms, and many of them discijilin'd m
the military garden, beside their ordinary trainings; the
Captains under him, are Capt. Humphrey Atherton of the
Band of Dorchester ; a very lively couragious man, with
his stout and valiant Lievtenant fClapes, strong for the
truth ; of the band of Roxbury, Capt. Prichard, and En-
sign lohnson ; of the Band of Waymoth, Capt. Perkins,
and his proper and active Lievtenant Torry ; of the Band
of Hingham, Capt. Bozoan Allen ; of the Band of Dead-
ham, Capt. Eliazer Lusher, one of a nimble and active
spirit, strongly affected to the ways of truth ; of the Band
of Braintree, Capt. William .tTinge, these belong to the
Regiment of Suffolk ; the first Serjeant- Major chosen to
order the Regiment of Essex, was Major Robert Sedg-
wick, stout and active in all feats of war, nurst up in Lon-
dons Artillery garden, and furthered with fifteen years
experience in N. E. exact theory, besides the help of a
very good head-peice, being a fre([uent instructer of the
most martial troops of our Artillery men ; and although
Charles Town, (which is the place of his own companies
residence) do not advantage such o're-topping batteries as
Boston doth, yet hath he erected his to very good purpose,
iiisomuch that all shipping that comes in, either to Boston
or Charles-Town, must needs face it all the time of their
coming in ; the cost he hath been at, in helping on the
Discipline of his Regiment hath profited much ; his own
* Savage. ■\ Clap. ' Tjnj.
1644.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 55
company are led by the faithful Capt. Lievtcnant Francis
Norton, (a man of a bold and cheerful spirit) being well
disciplin'd, and an able man ; the companies under his ser-
vice have not all Captains at present, Water-Town
Band was led by Capt. lenings, who is supposed to be
now in England, his Lievtenant remains Hugh Mason ;
the band of Cambridg led by Capt. George Cook, now
Colonel Cook in the wars of Ireland, but now led by Capt.
Daniel Gookin, a very forward man to advance Marshal
disciplme, and withal the truths of Christ ; the Band of
Concord led by Capt. Simon Willard, being a Kentish
souldier, as is Capt. *Goggin ; the Band of Sudbury late-
ly led by Capt. Pelham, who is in England at present,
his Lievtenant remains, Edm. Goodinow ; the band of
Wooburn led by another Kentish Captain ; the Band of
Reading led by Lievtcnant Walker ; the Band of Mai-
den, being as yet a young Town, who have not chosen
their Officers, are led by Mr. Joseph Hill : These belong
to the Regiment of Middlesex, the two Counties of Essex
and Northfolk are for the present joyned in one Regi-
ment, their first Major, who now commandeth this Regi-
ment, is the proper and valiant Major Daniel Denison, a
good souldier, and of a quick capacity, not inferiour to
any other of these chief Officers, his own company are
well instructed in feats of warlike activity, his Capt.
Lievtcnant departed this life some few years since, a god-
ly and faithful man, which is indeed the fountain of true
validity ; named Mr. Whitingam ; the Eand of Sal'jni
led by the bold and worthy Capt. William Hauthorn, a
man of an undaunted courage, with his Lievtenant Loth-
rope ; the Band of Lyn led by the honored and much
respected Capt. Robert Bridges, who is also a Magistrate,
being endued with able parts, and forward to improve
them for the glory of God and his peoples good ; the
Band of Nuberry led by Capt. Gerish, with his antient
and experienced Lievtenant fGreenlife ; the Band of Row-
ly led by Capt Brigham ; the Bands of Glocester,VVen-
ham and Andover, have not yet made choice of Superi-
our Officers, being in their minority ; these are the Band*
* Gookin, just before meBtioned. -^ f;rpe»lc*t.
56 WOiTDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP.26.
of the Regiment of Essex, to the which are joyncd the
three Bands of the County of Northfolk, Salsbury, Hanip-
ton, and Haverhil : there are none chosen to office in any
of these Bands, but such as are freemen, supposed to be
men indued with faith in Christ Jesus, wherefore let all
that truly love the Lord Christ say with Deborah, My
heart is toward the Governors of Israel, that olFered them-
selves willingly among tne peo|)le, their Olliccrs are cho-
sen by the major Vote of the souldiers, being installed
into their place by the Major of their Regiment : 'I'hcre
are of late a very gallant horse-troop listed, it being a fre-
quent thing with the Officers of the foot comj)anies, to
turn Troopers, (when their own Regiment is not in ex-
ercise) for incouragement of others, the Regiments arc
exercised once a year by turnes ; they are also very ob-
servant to keep their amies in good order ; each 30uldier
is to keep constantly by him powder, bullet and match,
besides every Town is injoyned to have a common stock
in like manner, as also the country have their ammunition
exactly looked unto, by Surveyor Cleneral Johnson, one
very well qualified for the work, ready at all times to put
the General Court in mind of keeping their store renued
by fresh supply, and to say right, some particular persons
may be penurious in laying gut their estates upon am-
munition, but the general of Officers and souldiers are
very generous that v^ay ; the reveren.d Doctor Wilson
gave bountifully for the furthering this Wilderness- work,
the which was expended upon great Artillery, his gift
being a thousand pound, beside many persons that cumc
over, the Lord was pleased to indow with a large por-
tion of the things of this life, who were not backward liber-
ally to dispose of it, to procure means of defence, and to
that end there was a castle built on an Islaiid, upon the
passage into the Mattachu-Bay, wholly built at first by
the country in general, but by reason the country affo-ds
ho Lime, but what is burnt of Oyster-shels, it fell to de-
cay in a few years after, which made many of the Towns
that lay out of the defence thereof to desert it, although
their safety (under God) was much involved in the constant
1644.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 57
repair and \vell-mannap;lng; thereof; hereupon the next six
Towns take upon them to rebuild it at their proper cost
and charges, the rest of the country upon the finishing
thereof gave thctn a small matter toward it ; upon this
there was a Captain ordained, and put in possession there-
of by the country, having a yearly Stipend allowed him
for himself and his souldiers, which he is to keep in a con-
stant readiness upon the Island, being about eight acres of
ground ; the Castle is built on the North- East of the Is-
land, upon a rising hill, very advantageous to make many
shot at such ships as shall offer to enter the Harbor with-
out their good leave and liking, the Commander of it is
one Captain Davenport, a man approved for his faithful-
ness, courage and skill, the Master Canoneer is an active
Ingineer ; also this Castle hath cost about four thousand
pounds, yet are not this poor pilgrim people weary
of maintaining it in good repair, it is of very good
use to awe any insolent persons, that putting confidence
in their ship and sails, shall offer any injury to the people,
or contemn their Government, they have certain signals of
alarums, which suddenly spread through the whole coun-
try ; were there but one Town more erected in this Gov-
ernment, which were one and thirty, it would joyn all the
Towns in the same neighbourly together, excepting
Spring-field. Thus are these people with great diligence
provided for these daies of war, hoping the day is at hand
wherein the Lord will give Antichrist the double of all
*her doings, and therefore they have nursed up in their
Artillery garden some who have since been used, as in-
struments to begin the work ; but that which gives the
greatest hope concerning this particular, is this, that these
times afford more souldiers depending on the Lord
Christ through faith for deliverance and true valour, then
any age since Antichrist began to flill, without which, all
these preparations were but as so many traps and $nares
to catch a people in, and to the which these Command-
ers and souldiers are daily exhorted, and therefore let all
people know that desire the downfal of New England,
they are not to war against a people only exercised in feat*
9 VOL. VII.
58 NOTICE OF FIRST SETTLEMENTS
of war, but men who are experienced in the deliverances
of the Lord from the nioutli of the Lion, and the j^aw of
the Bear; and now woe be to yon, when the same God
that directed the stone to the forehead of the Phifistine,
guides every bullet that is shot at you, it matters not for
the whole rabble of Antichrist on your side, the God ot
Armies is for us a refuge high. Shela.
[To t)c c'Otilir\ucil.]
A Summary Notice of the First Settlements
MADE BY WHITE PEOPLE WITHIN THE LIMITS
WHICH BOUND THE StATE OF TeNNESSEE.
L In East Tennessee.
In the spring of 1768, a few adventurers, from the neigh-
bourhood of Raleigh in North Carolina, crossed the moun-
tains, westwardly, in search of a new place of residence.
And, having explored the country on Watauga River,
they selected a spot there, made some preparation, return-
ed, and, the same year, moved over their fomilies, ten in
number, to live in the interminable wilderness.
At the head of this little colony was James Robertson,
afterwards so extensively known by the title of General ;
whose name the early history of Tennessee, if ever writ-
ten in detail, will exhibit on many a page.
This now became a place of rendezvous to all who fol-
lowed their footsteps over the same stupendous heights.
And so many gathered in, from the Carolinas and Virgin-
ia, that, within three years, they could muster nearly three
hundred soldiers.
But, in the very infancy of the settlement, by a treaty
with the Cherokees, held under authority from the gov-
ernment of the last mentioned province, a boundary was
established, to run from the White-Top Mountain in a
west direction to Holston River, on a parallel of latitude of
about 36* degrees. The inhabitants of Watauga were,
consequently, left on Indian ground, in no better condition
IN TENNESSEE. 59
than that of trespassers. And it was not long before they
were ordered, by Alexander Cameron, to move off. Cam-
eron was deputy agent from the government of England,
resicfent among the Cherokees. But part of the Chero-
kees, notwithstanding his zeal, expressed a desire that ilie
trespassers might be permitted to remain, provided they
would make no further encroachments.
This favourable symptom was not long neglected. But
Robertson and John Bean were dej:uted by these tenants
at will, in 1771, to treat with their landlords, and agree
upon articles of accommodation and friendship. The at-
tempt succeeded. For, though the Indians refused to
give up the lands gratuitously, they consented, for a stip-
ulated amount of merchandize, muskets and other articles
of convenience, the value of the whole estimated at five or
six thousand dollars, to lease for eight years, all the coun-
try on the waters of Watauga, After this the settlement
increased with still greater rapidity than before.
The next year, Jacob Brown, with a family or two, mi-
grated from North Carolina, and settled on Nolichucky
River, a step nigher to the scalpers. There he kept a lit-
tle supply of goods suited to their taste and convenience,
in order to maintain a traffic with them to advantage.
And, by this means, ingratiating himself into their favour,
he soon courted them to a treaty, in which he contracted
for the lai;ids on the Nolichucky, as had been done on the
Watauga.
The property paid to the Indians in fulfilment of these
covenants, uas compensated for, in both cases, by sales
of the lands. Those who advanced it reimbursed them-
selves from the settlers.
Thus a nursery of population was planted in East Ten-
nessee never to be eradicated.
But, far removed from the parent provinces, separated
not only by trackless forests, but by numerous ranges of
mountains, they were as little protected, controlled, or re-
collected, by any government whatever, as their cotenants,
the bears. What people ever approached nearer to the
imaginary state of nature ? Yet they lived in extraordina-
ry harmony among themselves, and in perfect amity with
60 NOTICE OF FIRST SETTLEMENTS
the Cherokees, the only power by which they were recof^-
nized.
Multiplied, however, as they were, some more formal act
of association had been considered as expedient. And,
accordingly, a code of laws was drawn i;p lo be signed by
every individual. If any one should refuse he was to be
debarred from its Ijenefits. But tliere was no recusant.
What example docs history furnish of a goverp.ment
more perfectly democratical than this ? Magistrates were
elected, under the denomination of trustees, by whom all
controversies were to be decided, conformably to the
written code. There was much energy in the system,
and it proved very satisfactory.
Thus organized, their affairs continued prosperous, till
the commencement of the revolutionary war. And so
great had been the augmentation, that, in 1776, they
could have raised seven or eight hundred riflemen.
But when it appeared, that this grand conflict would in-
evitably become universal, Cameron sent very enticing
letters to them, endeavouring with many fine promises of
protection in case of their lovalty, to attach them to the
British interest. The peril of their situation was too ob-
vious ; but they unanimously resolved, whatever the issue
should be, to participate in the struggle for independence.
As soon as Cameron had ascertained this determina-
tion, a project was contrived to spread desolation over the
whole settlement -di once, by making a sudden incursion,
and attacking it on all quarters by surprise. But the bar-
barous design was happily frustrated. The electrical
flame of liberty, so spontaneous, so eflScacious, was not
confined to the atmosphere of civilization. Four white
men, having long sojourned among the Cherokees, were
entrusted with the bloody secret. But, true to the cause
of humanity and freedom, they made their escape, and
gave seasonable notice of the meditated invasion.
These tidings produced no inconsiderable terror. A
large proportion of the people recrossed the Alleghany,
and fled back for shelter to the several places of their na-
tivity.
IN TENNESSEE. 61
But the panic was not universal. P^nough remained
to man and miiiniain a garrison, situated on the Holston,
near the S) caniore Shoals. Yet so sensible they were of
their comparative weakness, that tiiey delegated John Car-
ter and George Russell, to repair to North Carolina, make
a representation of matters, and solicit the interposition of
that state, and the necessary assistance. The application
was attended to, and measures adopted preparatory to their
relief. All this new country was erected into a county,
by the name of Washington. And the little republic,
which originated not in opposition, but convenience, now
became an integral part of the great commonwealth, with-
in the chartered limits of which it was situated. The act
of Assembly for this purpose bears date in December,
1777. But the settlerij, at the suggestion of Robertson,
had called their territory ^Vashington District, several
years before.
Robertson was captain of the garrison ; and the next in
command was Lieutenant John Sevier, so often afterwards
elected governor of Tennessee.
In the fall of the same year, troops arrived from North
Carolina and Virginia, who were joined by Robertson and
seventy men from the garrison ; the whole amounting to
about eighteen hundred. They marched rapidly, struck
home upon the Cherokces, vanquished wherever they
came, ruined many towns, and destroyed stocks of pro-
visions, and so crippled those savage enemies, that they
were obliged to submit to terms. A treaty was agreed
upon ; and poor Cameron hurried himself to Pensacola.
The treaty was held in the spring following, at a place
in the Holston called Long Island, under the joint author-
ity of Virginia and North Carolina. Peace was mutually
promised ; and Robertson was appointed agent, to reside
at some central place in the Cherokee nation, in behalf of
the two associated states.
Only a paragraph more will be added to this article ;
the design being simply to trace the progress of the set.
tlement till it acquired rank and permanence.
A powerful Cherokee chief had refused to join in the
treaty, persisting in his attachment to the British ; and,
62 NOTICE OF FIRST SETTLEMENTS
with a few adherents, went down the Tennessee River,
dissatisfied, and eommenced a new settlement at a place
called ( hickaniaui^a. Numbers followed him, prompted
by a disposition to plunder and carnage. Dibcord ensued ;
and injuries to the whites, perpetrated by this mischievous
party, became so frequent, followinj>- almost in contact
with each otiier, that chastisement could no longer be de-
layed. Accordingly, in 1779, an expedition for that pur-
pose was undertaken, commanded by Isaac Shelby, the
late celebrated governor of Kentucky, then a resident in
Washington county. It was directed specially against
Chickamauga. Peaceable Indians were not to be molest-
ed. It proved effectual. Chickamauga fell ; and the
hostile wretches, partly disabled, and partly intimidated,
were for the present innocuous.
II. Li West Tennessee.
A treaty, it is said, was held with the Cherokees in
1775, by Colonel Richard Henderson, by which they
ceded to the whites the whole Kentucky country, and all
the lands on the waters of Cumberland River. Room be-
ing thus presented, the same enterprising Robertson with
ten men, including a negro, started, on the 6lh of Febru-
ary, 1779, from the Holston settlement, to explore and
take possession of the country on the Cumberland.
To appreciate the greatness of the undertaking, wc
must pause long enough to picture in our minds, an im-
measureable forest in front, infested by ferocious beasts,
and not without singular danger from ferocious bipeds ;
and follow in imagination these eleven heroes, as they
penetrate three hundred miles into an untrodden undelin-
eated wilderness.
Some information, it is true, had been obtained res-
pecting the country from a daring company of hunters ;
who passed over Cumberland Mountain in 1768, and
down the river almost to its junction with the Ohio, in
quest of peltry and furs. Oby River lay in their route ;
IN TENNESSEE. 63
which then received its appellation from one of their party,
named Obadiah Tyrrell. But the principal characters
were Colonel Isaac Bledsoe and Gasper Mansker.
From the tedious time of their absence, which was
nearly a year, combined perhaps with the unrivalled
length of their venatic excursion, they were afterwards
currently styled the long hunters. To what privations
will not man submit ! Flesh was their only food. And
their other accommodations can be easily imagined.
But it proved a lucky adventure. And some of them
built canoes, which they loaded with the spoils o^ the for-
est ; and then extended their trip to New Orleans by
water, for the sake of a better market.
More than ten years had elapsed rifterwards, when
Robertson and associates made their ingress into this land
of fertility. They too passed along Oby River. And
having arrived at its mouth, constructed a boat, in which
they put three of the company, together with the baggage,
to navigate down stream to a specified place on the Cum-
berland, near v.here the the town of Nashville now flour-
ishes. There they were rejoined by the rest of the elev-
en, who pursued their devious course on horseback. And
there they vigourously engaged in the planting of corn.
But before the month of May, they had received an
accession of thirty or forty persons more ; some from
Holston ; some from Carolina ; some from Virginia ; and
some from the new settlement at Lexington in Ken-
tucky. And the planting of corn was still continued.
At length, leaving three men to hold possession and
take care of the corn, the rest returned, to bring out their
families in the fall following. But Robertson with seve-
ral more went over to the Illinois country, to visit the
French settlement there. And such was their speed, in
this peregrination, that in July they had accomplished
their return to Holston.
A new country is the place for migration. In October
they started.
Roberton himself, with a number of men, driving their
cattle and other live stock, set forward in the path to
Kentucky, as the most practicable route, though circuit-
64 NOTICE OF FIRST SETTLEMENTS
ous. And they had the good fortune to arrive at then*
corn patches on Cumberland some time in November,
and to find all safe.
The families were put afloat, to descend the Tennessee
River in boats ; and from its moutii to work up the stream
to the place of their destination. But the veil of futurity
covered many of the difficulties which they had to encoun-
ter. They lost in their way thirty or forty of their num-
ber, some killed and some taken prisoners, by a party of
Indians, who collected about Chickamauga, to attack
them unexpectedly. And, besides other accidents, they
were much delayed by the imusual freezing of the river.
The severest winter ensued, that white people have ever
experienced in the Mississippi valley : it was April before
their voyage was completed.
And trials were yet in reserve. The greetings were
scarcely over, when, in the same month of April, 1780,
the Indians recommenced hostilities, which they contin-
ued, till the termination of the war then existing with
England. And they were frequently troublesome after-
wards, till retaliative vengeance, inflicted upon a number
of their villages, taught them to dread a people of such
martial energy, so rapidly increasing in numbers and ex-
tent against every obstacle and every pressure.
There were few on my arrival in the country in 1796,
but could recite scenes of barbarity. General and Mrs.
Robertson enumerated to me about twenty persons, then
living, in West Tennessee, who had lost their scalps.
The number that had lost their lives was unknown.
But the days of perturbation were past. In 1783, the
country had been formed into a county, called Davidson,
and taken under the protection of North Carolina, to
which state it belonged. This was of some consequence
to the people ; though their own prowess, under favour
of the Deity, was their best security.
On their first arrival, they had adopted a mode of
government, suited to their exigencies, and similar to that,
of which we have seen a specimen on the waters of Hol-
ston. It proved equally salutary, and continued, till their
organization into a county.
NOTE ON HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, N. H. 65
Those who admire fortitude will not foil to contemplate
the circumstances of the first settlers about Nashville.
Notwithstanding they were surrounded by so many con'
centric circles of danger and perplexity, human assistance
was impracticable. Their nearest neighbours, of the same
complexion, were two hundred miles distant, the settle-
ment at Lexington scarce able to protect itself. And to
that in Holston it was three hundred, and roadless. But
they were preserved, and are now a rich and vigorous
people.
HiLHAM, Jiihj 1, 1816.
Note on the County of Hillsborough, N. H.
December 1, 1816. By John Farmer.
Situation and Boundaries. 1 HE tract of country which
constitutes the county of Hillsborough, extends from the
southern line of the state of New Hampshire to north lat-
itude 45° 27'. It has Grafton county on the north, Rock-
ingham on the east, Middlesex in Massachusetts on
the south, and Cheshire en the west. The boundaries as
established by a law passed 16 June, 1791, are as follow:
Beginning at the southeast corner of Nottingham. West,
thence westerly by the state line to the south east corner
of Rindge, thence by the easterly side lines of Rindge,
Jaffrey, Dublin, Packersfield, Stoddard and Washington
to the north easterly corner of V\'ashington, thence by the
northerly side line of Washington to the south westerly
corner of Fishersfield, thence on the westerly side line of
Fishersfield and New London to the north westerly cor-
ner of said New London, thence on the north easterly
lines of New London and Kearsarge, and the northerly
side line of Andover to Pemigewasset River, thence on the
line of the county of Strafford and Rockingham to the
bounds first mentioned. Hillsborough was made a coun-
ty in 1771, when the state was divided into five counties.
10 VOL. VJI.
C6 NOTE ON HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, N. H.
Tlic courts were for many years holdcii at Amherst ; but
as the po|HilaiI()n increased, the convenience of the inhab-
itants required a half shire town, and Hopkinton was se-
lected. The courts are now holden at Amlierst in Feb-
ruary and October; at Hopkinton in April and Septem-
ber. Tlie settlement of the county commenced previous
to the memorable war with the Indians, called *•' King
Phihp's war." The first English inhabitants seated them-
selves at Dunstable, which was for many years a frontier
town, and suiVcrcd considerai)ly from the Indians.
lihers. Tlio county of Hillsborough is watered by
Merrimack,* Nashua, Souhegan, Piscataquog, Contoo-
cook and Black water Rivers. The River Merrimack
forms the bound.iry on the eastern line for a few miles be-
low Hooksett Falls, and above the town of iloscawen to
the nortlieni line of the county. Nasluiaruns through the
south eastern part of the ccunty and empties into the Merri-
mack at Dunstaijle. S'nihcgan rises in Worcester coun-
ty and enters the county of Hillsborough at New Ipswich,
pursuing a course through Mason, Wilton, Milford, Am-
herst and Merriniack, and empties into Merrimack River
in the town of Merrimack. Piscataquog, which is form-
ed of numerous branches, rises in the vicinity of Lynde-
borough and Weare, and empties into the Merrimack, in
Bedford. ContooCook is a loi>g, narrow stream, watering
the towns in the western part of the county, and empties
into the Merrimack near the divisional line between the
towns of Concord and Boscawen. Blackwater River
passes through the northern part of the county, and emp-
ties into the Merrimack at Salisbury.
Climate. In order to shew the difference of tempera-
ture, according to Fahrenheit's thermometer, in the south-
erly and northerly part of the county, the following result
of thermometrical observations from August, 1810, to
August, Ibli, is subjoined.
• It is not known when the River Merrimack was disooveretl. It was ancient-
ly Bpelltd Merramacke and Monnomaoke. In Molls' folio Geography, printed in
1701, it is siielt Marimake.
NOTE ON HILLSBORQTTGH COUNTT, N. H.
67
j4t Amherst, Lat. 42
grc
1810. Aiig'ibt,
he;.'ten)b.
OctoiJer,
Noveinb.
Decenib.
1811. January,
February,
March,
April,
May,
June,
July,
atest. least.
41
30
lU
3
*4
*13
22
35
eo
DO
Meau-
Below zero.
° 57'.
mean.
7,o
20'
67
17
54
5P
33
27
31
96
30
8(:
30
30
41
06
51
40
63
QS
74
67
75
98
52°
20'
At Salisburij, Lat. 43<* 2V,
greatest, least.
1 81 O.August, r>6° 50O
Septemb. 80
October, 76
JVovenib. 57
Derenib. 5 1
81 J. Janu:iry, 50
February, 4 4
March, 02
April,
May,
June,
July,
76
76
92
91
Mean— 53° 25'
Below zero.
The observations at Amherst were made l)y the writer
of this article near the meeting house, about 7 miles from
Alerrimack River and 12 from the southern liiie of the
state. Those at Salisbury were made b) Doctor Job
Wilson, author of an Enquiry into tlie nature and treat-
ment of the Prevailing Kpid^mic called the Spotted Fever,
from which the foregoing statement is taken. Iii com-
paring the mean of the two statements, it will be found
that in the spring and summer months diere was a great-
er mean degree of heat at Salisbury ; that in the winter
months a greater degree prevailed at Amherst. The
number of fair days at Amherst was 244, of rain 90. At
Salisbury during die same period the number of fair days-
was 236, of rain 75.
Population. The following table exhibits the popu-
lation of each town at every period an enumeration has
been made. The numbers for 1775, are taken from the
appendix to the third volume of Dr. iJelknap's Hibt. N.
Hamp. The numbers at the other periods have been
taken from the official account published by Col. Daniel
Warner, who took the census in 1790, 1800 and 1810.
68
NOTE ON HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, N. H.
S ' °
^ .§-■■
S en
PS
ii
b- b^
H <
a 2
c) <>4 00 o lo CO c-i o to ■»? o cr. — ------
V«^ V. »- • «-^ W^ 1— t.N| I-* --1
'■^ £: ^- '^' "^ ^ ">■ "^ <^' '■^' ^ ^~ -N — o o — f- >-~ ci CO t- c. o
"^ CO to CO 1 '^ -rr C) O CM '-0 — CO (M 1^ — VD - r- i- lO I- C)
CiLTjcccccor-cccor^iM — CI
S'JCIC: O — CO(>4r-coc?03
CO 'O O CO ^ C-) CO 03 O -O CO Oi
:;cocMC(5-Tr-LocoocN^
CO — >^-:ri^co(M«c:co
00 c: 'J^ if5
CI r- S05 CO S
■T I— I -^ ITS
u^ o o •-«
O CO C CO K
l- r- <N CO
«^ j^vrs-^coi^f-o
:CO SiOCOOC^-COOO
CO C4 O CI t^ 04 lO O
't^' h
^ .o
a;
« o
;.SJ S-^^
5 §-= «c «
' jD ;r
.S - s
NOTE ON HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, N. H. 69
< <
p-I^OCOOCO<^a)-«rr-.eOOODCO(MO<N
o o
; to CO
a^
o o
^ o
o
o
-i'-
3 a -^
D.2^ 2i
-S « Q
c 2 b
6E O 5
o
!- C O -o J2 ^
«^;S a X t:
70 NOTE ON HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, N. H.
Tiic increase in 15 yciirs, from 1775 to 1790 was
16,885, ill ten 3 cars from 1790 to 1800, 11,040, in tea
years from 1800 to 1810, 5,371. IliUsboroui^h ranks as
the second county in population in New Iian)i)shire, and
has but 893 inhabitants less than the county of Rockin,^^-
ham. The number of votes for j;overnor returned to
the Secretary's oflice from Hillsborough county in 1813,
was 8074; in 1814, 8811.
Academics. There are two incorporated Academics
in the county. The first, the New Ijiswich Academy,
was incorporated in 1789, and is still in operation. *' Its
fund is about 2,533 dollars." The Aurean Academy at
Amherst was incorporated in 1790, but for want of effi-
cient funds discontinued about 1801. A public school
succeeded, which has been generally supported by as-
sessmcnts for tuition. This is usually kept about half the
year.
Manufactures. According to a statement furnished
by Col. W^arner, there were in the county of Hillsbo-
rough, in 1810, S^ U\nneries, which tanned yearly, 6150
hides and 12,000 skins ;— 1 paper mill, making 12,000
dollars worth of paper, annually ; — 2 distilleries, pro-
ducing 5000 gallons of spirits, annually; — 38 fulling
mills, which fulled 126,500 yards of cloth, annually ; and
dressed about 90,000 yards of thin cloths ; — 10 shearing
machines ; — '^S carding machines, going by water, which
carded 158,000 pounds of wool, yearly ; — 2 M'oollen
spinning mills ; — 2 oil mills, producing 6000 gallons per
annum ; — 5 nail cutting machines, making 10 tons per
annum; — 6 trip hammers; — 16 hatters, making 4000
fur, and 6000 wool hats, annually ; — 5490 private looms,
which wove 1,158,160 yards of cloth, annually. The
number of these manufactures has since greatly increas-
ed.
Ne-wspapers. The first printing press set up in the
county, was established at Amherst by Nathaniel Cover-
ly, who died at Boston, the present month at the age of
75. The newspapers, with the dates of their establish-
ment, the names of the editors, will be exhibited in the
LETTER FROM DR. FRANKLIN.
17
following table,
hcrst.
They have all been published at Am-
A'eii'spapers.
" Amherst Journal and the C
New Hampshire Advertiser." I
r
*• The Village Messenger." -(
I
Editors. Date of establishment, &c.
'The Farmer's Caliiiict.
Nathaniel Coverly.
William Biglow and 7
Snmuel Cashing. 3
Samuel Gushing, alone.
Samuel Preston.
Joseph Cusliing.
Jtithard Bovlston.
16 January, 1795.
9 Januaty, 1796.
Com. 12 Julv. 1796.
18 April, 1797.
U November, 1S02.
HI October, 1S09.
The first of these papers was disconlinMed about the close of the year 1795, and
the •' Village Messenger" December, 1801. The " Farmer's Cabinet" still con-
tinues.
Professional men. The number of attornies in the pre-
ceding towns is between thirty and forty ; — the number of
settled clergymen of all denominations is about forty.
One of the judges of the Superior Court, and two of the
Court of Common Pleas, one of the senators elect and
representative to Congress, reside in this county.
Rev. A. Holmes, D. D. Cambridge.
Letter from Dr. Franklin to Dr. Heberden,
1759, ON Inoculation for Small Pox.
Amherst, N. H. October 8, 1816.
Rev, Sir,
AT this time I send you an account of the success
of Inoculation in Boston, written by Dr. Franklin, and
sent by him to Dr. Heberden of London. I have tran-
scribed it from a pamphlet printed in London in 1759.
With much respect,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN FARMER.
Rev. Dr. Holmes.
London, Feb. lo, 1759.
llAVING been desired by my greatly esteemed friend
Dr. William Heberden, F. R. S. one of the principal
physicians of this city, to communicate what account I
i'^ LETTER OF DR. FRANKLIN
had of the success of Inoculation in Boston, Ne\v-England>
I some time since wrote and sent to him the following pa-
per, viz. About 1753 or 54, the Small Pox made its
appearance in Boston, New England. It had not spread
in the town for muny years before, so that there were a
great number of the inhabitants to have it. At first en-
deavours were used to prevent its spreading by removing
the sick or guarding the houses in which they were ; and
with the same view Inoculation was forbidden ; but when
it was found that these endeavours were fruitless, the dis-
temper breaking out in diflerent quarters of the town, and
increasing, Inoculation m as then permitted.
Upon this, all that inclined to inoculation for themselves
or flimilies, hurried into it precipitately, fearing the infec-
tion might otherwise be taken in the common way ; die
numbers inoculated in every neighbourhood spread the
infection likewise more speedily among those who did not
choose Inoculation ; so that in a few months, the distem-
per went thro' the town, and was extinct ; and the trade
of the town suffered only a short interruption, compar'd
with what had been usual in former times, the country
people during the seasons of that sickness fearing all in-
tercourse with the town.
As the practice of Inoculation always divided people in-
to parties, some contending warmly for it, and others as
strongly against it ; the latter asserting that the advanta-
ges pretended were imaginary ; and that the Surgeons,
from views of interest, concealed or diminished the true
number of deaths occasion'd by Inoculation, and magni-
fy 'd the number of those who died of the Small Pox in
the common way : It was resolved by the Magistrates of
the town, to cause a strict and impartial enquiry to be
made by the Constables of each ward, who were to give
in their returns upon oath ; and that the enquiry might
be more strictly and impartially, some of the partisans for
and against the practice were join'd as assistants to the of-
ficers, and accompany'd them in their progress through
the wards from house to house. Their several returns
being received, and summ'd up together, the numbers
turn'd out as follows.
ON INOCULATION IN LOSTON, 1759.
ll.nl i!ie Small Pox
ill the common wav
Of these died
Blacks I Whiles Blacks
Received the distem-
Of these died.
per by Inoculatiou
Wii'iles Bracks | Whites Blacks
5059 485 I 452 62 J 1974 139 | 23 7
It appeared by this account that the deaths of persons in-
oculated were more in proportion at this time than had
been formerly observed, being something more than one
in a hundred. The fc,vourers of Inoculation however
would not allow that this was owing to any error in the
former accounts, but rather to the Inoculating at this time
many unfit subjects, partly tliror.gh the impatience of
people who would not wait the necessary preparation, lest
they should take it in the common way ; and partly from
the importunity of parents prevailing with the Surgeons
against their judgment and advice to inoculate weak chil-
dren, labouring under other disorders ; because the pa-
rents could not immediately remove them out of the way
of the distemper, and thought tliey would at least stand a
better chance by being inoculated, than in taking the in-
fection, as they would probably do, in the common way.
The Surgeons and Physicians were also suddenly op-
pressed with the great hurry of business, which so hasty
and general an Inoculation and spreading of the distem-
per in the common way must occasion, and probably
could not so particularly attend to the circumstances of
the patients offered for Inoculation.
Inoculation was first practised in Bostoji by Dr. Boyl-
stone in 1720. It was not used before in any part of
America, and not in Philadelphia till 1730. Some years
since, an enquiry was made in Philadelphia of the sever-
al Surgeons and Physicians who had practised Inocula-
tion, what numbers had been by each inoculated, and
what was the success. The result of this enquiry was,
that upwards of 800, (I forget the exact number) had
been inoculated at different times, and that only four of
them had died. — If this account was true, as I believe it
was, the reason of greater success there than had been
found in Boston, where the general loss by Inoculation
used to be estimated at about one in 100, may probably
be from this circumstance ; that in Boston they always
keep the distemper out as long as they can, so that when
11 VOL. VII.
i-l LETTER mOM DR. FRANKLIN.
it comes, it finds a i^rcatcr number of adult subjects than
in Fhi/adclji/iia, whcvQ since 1730 it has gone through the
touii once in four or five years, so that the greatest num-
ber of subjects lor Inoculation must be under that age.
Nolu'idistanding the now uncontrovertcd success of
Inoculation, it does not seem to make that progress
among the common- people in ./I nier lea, which was at first
expected. Scruples of conscience weigh with many, con-
cerning the Icnvfulness of the practice : And if one par-
ent or near relation is against it, the other docs not choose
to inoculate a child without free consent of all parties, lest
in case of a disastrous event, perpetual blame should fol-
low. These scruples a sensible Clergy may in time re-
move. — The expence of having the operation performed
by a Surgeon, weighs with others, for that has been pretty
high in some parts of America ; and where a common
tradesman or artificer has a number in his family to
have the distemper, it amounts to more money than he
can well spare. Many of these, rather than own the true
jnotivehr declining Inoculation, join with the scrupulous
in the cry against it, and influence others. A small
Pamphlet. wrote in plain language by some skilful Physi-
cian, and published, directing what preparations of the
body should be used before the Inoculation of children,
what precaution to avoid giving the infection at the same
time in the common way, and how the operation is to be
performed^ the incisions dressed, the patient treated, and
on the appearance what symptoms a Physician is to be
called, 8^c. might by encouraging parents to inoculate
their own children, be a means of removing that objec-
tion of the expence, render the practice much more gen-
eral, and thereby save the lives of thousands.*
B. FRANKLIN,
of Philadelphia.
PfoTK- I Ijavr copied this without any alteration, having preserv-
ed (!i€ oriliogiapliy aud words italicised.
• A Pamphlet of lliis description, entitled Plain Ikstuuctions for Inoc-
XJLA I ION IN THE Small Pox, was written by Dr. Hebcrdcn, who, generous-
ly, and at his own private expense, printed a very large impression of thciri, and
put them into the hands of Dr. Franklin for ijratuilous distribution in America.
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAFERI
Rhode Island State Papers.
[The following papers-, lianBcribod from the Records of Rhode Island,
vere lately traiisiiiiUcd to the Secretary by Samuel Enj)y, Esq. .1
Coiiespouding IMeniber of the Society. Selected and authenticated
by himself, the Secretary of that Stale, they have the fullest cfaiiu
to credence, as oUicia! and correct. Extracts from some of tliern
have been printed ; but none of them are knov.n to iiave been pub-
lished entire. Seusilde of ihe importance of Stale Papers to the Il-
lustration of tiie early history of our couatry, we readily insert these
valuable documents in our Coiltcllons. The uotci accompanied
the papen. Eiiia.]
Deposition of Kooer Williams, 1682.
Naripgaiwelt, 18 Juoe, 16S2, Ut Yulgo-
1 TESTIFY, as in the prcfxr.cc ol' the all making and
all seeing God, Uuit about fiiiy vclu i since, I coming into
tiiis Narraganset country, 1 ibui''d a great contest between
three sachems, two (to wit, Connonicus and Meantinomy)
were against OusanKKjuin, on Pi}'mouth side. I was
forced to travel between them three to pacify, to satisfy,
all their and their dependants spirits, of my honest inten-
tiosis to live peaceably by them. I testify that it was the
general and constant declaration, that Connoiiicus his fa-
ther had three sons, whereof Connonicus was the heir,
and his youngest btother's son Meantinomy (because of
his youth) was his marshal and executioner, and did
nothing without his uncle Connonicus' consent. And
therefore I declare to posterity, that were it not for the
favour that God gave me with Connonicus, none of thete
parts, no, not Rhode Island, had been purchased or ob-
tained, for I never gat any thing of Connonicus but by
gift. I also profess, that being inquisitive of what root
the title or denomination Nahiganset should come, I
heard that Nahiganset was so named from a little island
(between Puttequomscut and Musquomacuk on the sea
and fresh water side. I went on pin-posc to sec it, and
about the place called Sugar Loaf Hill 1 saw it, and was
within a pole of it ; but could not learn why it was called
NaluR:anr,et. I had learnt that tirj Massachusetts was-
76 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS,
called SO from the Blue Hills.) A little island thereabout,
and Connonicus' father and ancestors livins^ in those
southern parts transferred and brought their authority and
name into these northern parts, all alonp^ by the sea side,
as appears by the great destruction of wood all aloni^
near the sea side. And I desire posterity to see the gra-
cious hand of the Most High (in whose hands is al!
hearts) that when the hearts of my countrymen and friends
and brethren lliiled me, his infmite wisdom and merits
stirred up the barbarous heart of Connonicus to love me
as his son to his last gasp ; by which means I had not
only Meantinomy, and all the Corveset sachems my
friends, but Ousamaquin also, who, because of my great
friendship with him at Plymouth, and the authority of
Connonicus, consented freely (being also well gratified
by me) to the Governor Winthrop's and my enjoyment
of Prudence, yea of Providence itself, and all the other
lands I procured of Connoinccis which were upon the
Point, and in effect whatsoever I desired of him. And I
never denied him nor Meantinomy whatever they desired
of me, as to goods or gifts or use of my boats and pin-
nace, and the travels of my own person, day and night,
which though men know not, nor care to know, yet the
all seeing eye hath seen it, and his all powerful hand hath
helped me, blessed be his holy name tf) eternity.
ROGER WILLIAMS.
Deposition of William Coddington, 1677.
William Coddington, Esq. aged about seventy
six years old, testifieth upon his engagement, that when
he was one of the magistrates of the Massachusetts Colo-
ny, he Avas one of the persons that made a peace with
Canonicus and Meantinomy, in the behalf of all the Nar-
ragansett Indians, and by order from the authority of the
Massachusetts, a little before they made war with the Pe-
quod Indinns. Not long after, this deponent went from
Boston to find a plantation to settle upon, came to Aqued-
neck, now called Rhode Island, where was a sachena
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 77
<\iilcd Wennametonomcy, and this deponent went to buy
the island of him, but his answer was, that Canonicus
and Meantinomy were the chief sachems, and tiiat he
could not sell the land. Whereupon tliis deponent, with
some others, went from Aquedneck Island unto the Nar-
ragansett, to the said sachems, Canonicus and Meantino-
my, and bought the island of them, they having, as I un-
derstood, the chief command, both of the Narraganset
and Aquedneck Island. And further saith not. Taken
upon engagement in Newport, on Rhode Island, the 27th
day Sept. 1677.
Before P. Sanfoed, Assist.
See Williams' Letter, JIazard, vol. I. 613.
Form of Government, agreed to by the first
Settlers on the Island of Rhode Island.
'' The 7tli day of llie first IMonlli 1633.
We whosp names are underwritten do here solemnly,
in the presence of Jeliovah, incorporate ourselves into a
body politic, and as he shall help, will submit our persons,
lives, and estates, unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King
of Kings and Lord of Lords, and to all those perfect and
most absolute laws of his, given us in his holy word of
truth to be guided and judged thereby." In the margin
are these references : Exod. 24. 3. 4. 2 Chrou. 11. 3.
2 King. 11. 17.
The first act passed under this form is in these words :
Dated 3 Month 13 day 1638, *'It is ordered that none
shall be n^ceived as inhabitants or freemen, to build or
plant upon the Island, but such as shall be received in by
the consent of the body, and do submit to the govern-
inent that is or shall be established according to the word
of God."
This form continued till the 12th of March, 1640. On
the 16th of March, 1641, they thus describe their govern-
ment. " It was ordered and unanimously agreed upon,
that the government which this body politic doth attend
r.nto in this Island and the jurisdiction thereof, in flwour
< 8 RHODE I 3 1, A ISi D STATE TAPERS-
«)i' our Piiiicc, is a Democracy, or popular gowMiiiiTcni
(that is to say) it is in ilic power of the body of iVcc
men, orderly ab.scmbkel, or major part of tliem, to mako
or eonslitule just laws by \vh:eh tliey will be rej'ulated.
aud to depute liom among themsehcs such ministers as
shall see thcni iaithfully exccu'.ed between man and man.
It was further ordered by the authority of this present
Court, that none be accounted a deliiujuent lor doctrine,
provided it be not directly repugnant to the government,
or laws established." And on 'the 17di Sept. ibllowing
(1641) diey passed this act. " It is ordered that that law
of die last Court, made concerning liberty of conscience
in point of doctrine, is perpetuated."
Laws of Rhode Island, 161-7.
The Charter from tlie Earl of Warwick, &c. bears
date March 17, 1643 (4.) The fu'st election under this
Charter, was held at Portsmouth, May 19, 1647, A code
of laws was then agreed on, which is introduced with the
following words.
** For the Province of Providence.
Forasmuch as we have received from our Noble Lords
and Honoured Governors, and that by virtue of an Ordi-
r.ancc of the Parliament of l\ngland, a free and absolute
charter of civil incorporation^ 8cc. We do jointly agree
to incorporate ourselves, and so to remain a body politic
bv the authority thereof. And therefore do declare to
own ourselves and one another to be members of the
same bodv, and to have rigb.t to the freedom and privi-
leges thereof, by subsciibing our names to these words
following, viz.
We whose names are here undcrvMitlcn, do engage
ourselves, to the utmost of our estrites and strength, to
maintain the authority, and to enjoy the liberty, granted
f,o us by our ciiarler, in die extent of it according to tlic
ktter, and to maintain each other, by the same autliority,
iti his iawiul rid-t aud libcrtv.
nnODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 79
And now sith our Charter gives us power to govern
ourselves, and such other as come among us, and by
such a form of civil government as by the voluntary con-
sent, &c. shall be found most suitable to our estate and
condition, It is agreed by this present Assembly, thus
incorporate, and by this present act declared, that the
form of government estr.blishcd in Providence Planta-
tions is Uemocratical,- that is to say, A government
held by the free and voluntary consent of all, or the great-
er part of the free inhabiLants."t
And now lo the end that we may give each to other
(notwithstanding our different consciences touching the
truth as it is in Jesus, whereof upon the ix:>int we all make
mention) as good and hopeful assurance as we are able,
touching each man's peaceable and quiet enjoyment of
his lawful right and liberty, We do agree unto, and by
the authority abovesaid enact, establish and confirm these
orders following."!
This code concludes with these word?.
" These are the [a word wanting] laws that concen;
all men, and these are the penalties for the transgressions.
thereof, which by common consent are ratified and estab-
lished throughout the whole Colony. And odierwisc thaa
thus, what is herein forbidden, 'J all men may walk as their
consciences persuade them, every one in the name of his
GOD. And let the Lambs of the Most High
• This word is recordeil in large capitals.
")■ The charter requires, not only that the form of government be agl-cr-d In
" by the voluntary consent of all or the greatest part of iliem," but tiiat the laws,
constitutions, kc. "be agreed unto by the free consent of all, or the greatest part r.f
them." And this was literally the case until the granting of the second charter,
(l66j.) The laws passed by the Court of Commissioners (si<* representatives
from each of the towns of Providence, Portsmouth, Newport and Warwick) were
not obligatory, until ratified by a majority of the freemen in their town meetings.
i There is nothing in this code that savours of the bigotry or superstition of the
times, unless the act against witchcraft may be considered sue!), uhich is express-
ed in these words. " Witchcraft is forbidden by this present Asi;ei;ibly to be used
in this colony, and the penalty imposed by the authority that we aie subjected lo,
is felony of death." In the margin 1 Jac. 1'2. is referred to. Their charter re-
quired "" that their laws, constitutions and punishments, be conformable to Uie
laws of England, so far as the nature and constitution of the place will admit."
§ There is nothing in these laws on the subject of religion or conscience, except
what is contained in the act respecting oaths, and whicli is transcribed in a note ID
the answer of the General Asseinbtv to the "proposals" ofCarr, Cartwright, kc.
May 13, 1G65.
80 RHODE ISLAND srAT£ PAPERS.
WALK IN THIS Colony without molestation, in
THE NAME OF JeHOVAH THEIR GoD, lOREVER AND
EVER."*
Letter from O. Cromwell to Rhode Island
Colony.
To our trusty arid well beloved the President, Assistants^
and Inhabitants of Rhode Island, to^etlier with the rest
of the Providence Plantations^ in the Narragansett bay,
in J\'ew England.
Gentlemen,
Your agent here hath presented unto us, some
particulars concernint^ your [j;overnment, which you judge
necessary to be settled by us here. But by reason oi' the
other great and weighty affairs of this commonweallh, we
have been necessitated to defer the consideration of them
to a further opportunity. In the mean time we were wil-
ling to let you knov/, that you are to proceed in your
government according to the tenor of your charter, for-
merly granted on that behalf; taking care of the peace
ajid safety of these plantations, tluit neither through any
intestine commotions, or foreign invasions, there do arise
any detriment, or dishonour to this Commonwealth, or
yourselves, as far as you, by your care and diligence,
c;an prevent. And as for the things wliich are before us,
they shall, as soon as the other occasions will permit, re-
ceive a just and fitting determination. And so we bid
you flirewel, and rest
Your very loving friend
29 March, 1G55. OLIVER P.
" 'I'lie men, who at sucIl a time, hiuI uiulcr such circumstances, could frame such
a law,!irul undeviatingly adhere to its principle, though stigmatized as " heretieks,"
*' schismaticks," " autinomians," "anabaptists," " quakers," "seekers," " soul-
niurderers," "children of Korah," "beasts of prey," "the very dregs of famil-
ir,m," " incendiaries of commonwealths," " troublers of churches," (and even in
the year 1809*) the " rebel band ;" or by any, or ail the opprobrious epithets that
bigotry or party leal can cast upon them, yet will I, " reverence on this side
idolatry."
* Vol. II. 2(/ sprits, p. OG. Hubbard, Cotton, Johnson, ^Mather, &c. ifc.
rhode island state papers. 81
Letter of Commissioners to Captain Denni-
SON.
To our Honaured and beloved friends^ Capt. Dennison arid
Jlfr. Thomas Stanton, to he commiimcated to such of the
English as it may concern., at Fequot^ or other parts of
the (Jountry.
Beloved Couutrymeii,
In the Consideration of the great charge
that lieth on every one, to endeavour the preservation of
t'.ie peace of this country, and every member thereof, we
do therefore make use of this present occasion to the end
premised. And you may please to understand that we
have, at this very instant, a very solemn and serious infor-
mation from the Narraganset Sachems, by a chief Counsel-
or of ihem, that thev take it ill of some English who live
near to Uncas his fort, for that (as they say) those English
by tiieir scouts discoVer to the Nanhegans the approach
of the Narragansetts, and thereby do defeat their designs
in war against Uncas. And further these Indians do say,
ihat they think those English that so do, doe not do it by
order of any Colony or Court, but for money given un-
der hand by Uncas. And further they tell us, that the
inlanders, called Mocquages, are in great number coming
down apain^t Uncaj. And these Indians fear that those
Inlanders, finding any such carriage from those English,
by making sigp.s, or shoiithig, to give Uncas notice as
aforesaid oY his enemies approach, that then those inlanders
may be cniagcd, ard either take or kill such scout or
scouls. And now on this information, these Narragansett
Sachems desire us so to inform you, for they desire a fliir
corresponding vv'ith the Engli?ih. Thus much only we
shall add, that is, that you our loving countrymen do well
consider of the matter, and weigh the grounds of those
actions, so as, if possible, the peace of the country, and
therein your own safety, with ours, may be preserved, for
that is the utmost extent of our desires. And we only
desire to inform you, but no way to judge in either part
12 VOL. VII.
82 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
of the Indians quarrels, one with another. And so wc rest
your affectionate countrymen and friends.
From the General Court of Commissioners
held for the Colony of Providence Plan-
tations, at Warwick,
pr. me John Sanford,
Dated July 4, 1657. Genl. Recorder,
This was written *' upon the request of the Narragan-
sett Sachems."
From the General Assembly to the Commis-
sioners or the United Colonies.*
IlouourVl Gentlemen,
There hadi been presented to our
view, by our Honoured President, a letter bearing date
Sept. 25th. last, subscribed by the Honour'd Gentlemen
• The proceedings of ilic Commissioneis of tlic United Colonies to which this
paper refers, we have tliouL'Ut it useful to cxuact from Hazard's Collections,
U. 370. Edit.
The Commissioners being; informed that divers (juakers are arrived this summer
at Road Island and entertained there, which may prove dangerous to the Colo-
nies, thonght meet to manifest their minds to the Governor there as fclloweth :
Gext.
Wc suppose you have understood that the last year a com[)any of qua-
kers arrived at Boston upon no other account than to disperse their pernicious
opinions, had they not been prevented by the prudent care of that Government,
who, by that experience they had of them, being sensible of the danger that might
befall the Christian religion here professed by suffering such to be received or
continued in the country, j)resented the same unto the Commissioners at tlieir
meeting at Plimouih, who upon that occasion commended it to the General
Courts of tlie United Colonies, that all quakers, ranters, anfl such notorious here-
tics might be prohibited coming among us, and that if such should, arise from
amongst ourselves speedy care might be taken to remove them (and as wc are in-
formed) th6 several jurisdictions have made provision accordingly; but it is by ex-
perience found that means will fall short without further care by reason of your
admission and receiving of such from whence they may have opportunity to creep
in amongst us or means to infuse and spread their accursed tenets to the great
trouble of the Colonies if not to the subversion of the professed in them ;
notwitliFranding any care that hath been hitherto taken to prevent the same,
whereof we cannot but be very sensible, and think no care too great to preserve
us from sucli a pest, the contagion whereof (if received) within your Colony were
dangerous, &c. to be diffused to the other by means of the intercourse especially
to the places of trade amongst us; which we desire may be with safety continued
between us. We therefore make it our request that you, as the rest of the Colo-
nies, take such order herein, that your neighbours may be freed from that dan-
ger, that you remove those quakers that have been received, and for the future
KHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 83
Commissioners of the United Colonies, concerning a com-
pany of people (lately arrived in these parts of the world)
commonly known by the name of Quakers ; who are j>;en-
erally conceived pernicious, either intentionally, or at least-
wise in effect, even to the corrupting of good manners, and
disturbing the common peace and societies of the places
where they arise or resort unto &c.
Now whereas freedom of different consciences, to be
protected from inforcements, was the principal ground of
our Charter, boih with respect to our humble suit for it,
as also to the true intent of the Honourable and renowned
Parliament of England in granting of the same unto us ;
which freedom we still prize as the greatest happiness that
men can possess in this world ; therefore we shall, for the
preservation of our civil peace and order, tlie more se-
riously take notice that those people, and any other that
are here, or shall come amongst us, be i.n partially re-
quired, and to our utmost constrained, to pcifoim ail du-
ties requisite towards the maintaining the dignity of his
Highness, and the government of that most renowned
commonwealth of England, in this Colony ; which is
most happily included under the same dominions, and we
so graciously taken into proteclion thereof. And in case
they the said people called quakers which are here, or shall
arise or come among us, do refuse to submit to the doing
all duties aforesaid, aa training, watching, and such other
engagements as are upon members of civil societies, lor
the preservation of the same in justice and peace ; then
proliibit tlieir coming amongst you, ^vhereunto Uie rule of cliniity to yourselves
and us (we conceive) doili oblige you, wherein if you shoul-.l we hope you will not
be wanting; yet wc c nilil iioi liul signify this our desire ; and further declare that
we apprehend ih.at it will be our duty seriously to consider what further provis-
ion (iod may cai!,us to make to prevent the aforesaid mischief; and for our further
guidance and direction liKreiii. we desire you to impart your mind and resolution
to the General Court of the .Massachusetts which asscmblelh the Uth of October
next. We have not further to trouble y m at present, but to assure vou wc desire
to continue your loving friends and neighbours, the Commissioners of the United
Colonies.
Boston-, Scptern. 12. 1G57. Simon Bradstreet, rrosident.
Daniel Uenison,
Thomas Prence,
John Mason,
.lohn Talcott,
Theophilus Eatot-,
AVUIiam Leete.
84 RIIODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
we determine, 3ca and we resolve (however) to take and
make use of the first opportunity to iMlbrm cur agx iit re-
sidine; in England, that he may humbly present the n^.at-
ter (as tmiehing the considerations premised, ccncernir.g
the aforenamed people called cjuakers) unto the supreme
authority ot" England, hun^biy craving their advice and
order, how to carry ourselves in any iurther respect to-
wards those people ( *) that thereuiUial there may be
no damage, or inf'riiigement oi" that chief principle in 6ur
charter, concerning freedom of consciences. And ue
alsx) are so much tlie more encouraged to make our ad-
dresses unto the Lord Protector his highness and gov-
ernment aforesaid, for tiiwt we understand tliere are, or
have been, many of the aforesaid people suffered to live in
England, yea, even in the heart of the nation. And thus
with our truly thankful acknowledgments of the honour-
able care of the honoured gentlemen Commissioners of
the United Colonies, for the peace and welfare of the
whole country, as is expressed in their most frie.'^.dly let-
ter, we shall at present take leave and rest,
Yours most affectionately, desirous of
your Honours and welfare.
John Sakford, Clerk of the
Assembly.
Portsmouth, March 15th, 1657-58.
From the General Assembly
Of the Colony of Provi-
dence Plantations.
To the much honoured John Endicot, Gov. of the
Massachusetts. To be also imparted to the Hond.
Corns, of the United Colonies at their next meeting,
These.
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 85
Letter of Commissioners to John Clarke.
■\Voitljy Sir and tvu?ty frierul, Mr. Clailcc.
\\^E have found not only vour abil-
ity and diiigence, but also your love and care" to be such
concerning the weliare and i>rosperity of this Colony,
since you nave been intmsted with the more publick af-
fiiirs thereof, surpassing that no small benefit, which for-
merly we had of } our presence here at home, that we in
all straits and incunibrances are emboldened lo repair to
you, foryour f^irther and continued council, care and help,
lindmg that your solid and christian demeanour hath got-
ten no small interest in the hearts of our Superiors, those
noble and worthy senators with wh(jm vou have had to
do on our behalf, as it hath constantly appeared in your
addresses made unto them, which we have by good and
comfortable proof found, having plentiful experience
thereof.
The last vear we had laden vou with much employ-
ment, wmch we were then put upon by reason of some
too refractory am.ong ourselves, wherein we appealed un-
to you for your Jidvice, for the more publick manifesta-
tion of it with respect to our Superiors, liut onr intelligence
it seems fell short in that great loss of the ship, which is
conceived here to be cast away. We have now a nev/
occasion, given by an old spirit, with respect to the Col-
onies about us, who seem to be offended with us, because
of a sort of people called by the name of quakers, who
are come amongst us, and have raised up divers who
seem at present to be of their spirit, whereat the Colonies
about us seem to be offended with us, being the said peo.
pie have their liberty amongst us, as entertained into our
houses, or into any of our assemblies. And for the pres-
ent, we have found no just cause to charge them with the
breach of the civil peace, only they are constantly going
forth amongst them about us, and vex and trouble them
in point of their religion and spiritual state, though they
return with many a foul scar in their bodies for the same.
And the offence's our neighbours take against us, is be-
B6 lUiODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
cause \vc t;^.kc not some course against the said people, cither
to expel thcni from among- us, or take such courses against
them as themselves do, who are in fear lest their religion
should be corrupted by them. Concerning which dis-
pleasure that ihcy seem to take, it was expressed to us
in a solemn letter, written l)y the Commissioners ol" the
United Colonies at their silting, as diough they would
bring us in to act according to their scantling, or else
take some course to do us greater disi)leasure. A copy
of which letter we have herewith sent unto you, wherein
you may perceive how they express themselves. As also
we have herewitii sent our present answer unto them to
give you what light we may in this matter. There is
one clause in their letter which plainly implies a threat,
though covertly expressed, as tlieir manner is, which we
gather to be this, that as themselves (as we conceive)
have been much awed, in point of their continued sub-
jection to the State of England, least, in case they should
decline, England might prohibit all trade with them,
both in point of exportation and importation of any com-
modities, which were, an host sufficiently prevalent to
subdue New-England, as not being able to subsist ; even
so they seem secretly to threaten us, by cutting us off
from all commerce and trade with them, and thereby to
disable us of any comfortable subsistence, being that the
concourse of shipping, and so of all kind of commodities,
is universally conversant amongst themselves ; as also
knowing that ourselves are not in a capacity to send out
shipping of ourselves, which is in great measure occasion-
ed by their oppressing of us, as yourself w^ell knows ; as
in many other respects, so in this for one, that we cannot
have any thing from them for the supply of our necessi-
ties, but in effect they make the prices, both of our com-
modities and their own also, because we have not Eng-
lish coin, but only that which passeth among these bar-
barians, and such commodities as are raised by the labour
of our hands, as corn, cattle, tobacco and the like, to
make payment in, which they will have at their own rate,
or else not deal with us, whereby (though they gain ex-
traordinarily by us) yet for the safeguard of their religion
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 87
may seem to neglect themselves in that respect, for what
will not men do for their God.
Sir, this is our earnest and present request unto you in
this matter, that as you may perceive in our answer to
the United Colonies, that we fly, as to our refuge in all
civil respects, to his highness and honourable Council,
as not being subject to any others in matters of our civil
State, so may it please you to have an eye and ear open
in case our adversaries should seek to undermine us in
our privileges granted imto us, and to plead our case in
such sort as we may not be compelled to exercise any
civil power over mens consciences, so long as human or-
ders, in point of civility, are not corrupted and violated,
which our neighbours about us do frequently practice,
whereof many of us have large experience, and do judge
it to be no less than a point of absolute cruelty.
Sir, the humble respects and acknowledgments of this
Court and Colony, with our continued and unwearied de-
sires and wishes after the comfortable, honourable and
prosperous proceedings of his highness and honourable
Council, in all their so weighty aftairs, departs not out of
our hearts, night nor day, which we could humbly wish
(if it might not be too much boldness) were presented.
Sir, we have not been unmindful of } our great care
and kindness of those our worthy friends and gentlemen
in that supply of powder and shot, and being a barrel of
furs was returned in that ship, whereof Mr. Garret had
the command, wherein was betwixt twenty and thirty
pounds worth of goods shipped, the Colony hath taken
order for the recruiting of that loss, which we cannot pos-
sibly get in readiness to send by this ship, but our intent
is, God willing, to send by the next opportunity. And
so with our hearty love and respects to yourself, we take
our leave.
Subscribed, John Sanford Clerk of the
Assembly.
From a Court of Commissioners
held in Warwick, this present
November the 5th 1658.
88 rhode island state tapers.
The Colony of Rhode Island to Richard
Cromwell.
May it please your HiiihiKss,
It was inexpressible sorrow to us
to receive the tidinijs of your, and the three nations, and
our own so great a loss in the late departure of your and
the nations nrost renowned Lord and father. And it was
and is as great a joy unto us, that it halh pleased God to
provide for the tliree nations and ourselves, such a cor-
dial as your Highness is, both in respect of your renown-
ed stock, and also of tliat high worth and hope of which
we have heard your Highness self lo b'2. In whom our
humble desires are, that the three nations and ourselves
may find a healing of oiu' so great a wound and stroke.
May it please your highness to know, that this poor
Colony of Providence Plantations, mostly consists of a
birth and breeding of the providence of the Most High.
We being an outcast people, formerly from our motlier
nations in the Bishops days, and since from the rest of the
New English over zealous Colonies : Our whole frame be-
ing much like unto the pre^^ent frame and constitution of
our dearest mother England, bearing wi;h the several judg-
ments and consciences each of other, in ail the towns of
our Colony, the winch our neighbour Colonies do not,
which is the only cause of their great offence against us.
Notwithstanding this our outcast stale. May it please
your Highness to be informed that God was pleased to
turn the heart of the late first great pailiament tovvards
us, in vouchsafing us a charter cf incorporation and gov-
ernment, so that it pleased the then Lord Admiral (the
Earl of Warwick) and die Honourable Commissioners,
in the name and by the authority of parliament, by many
of their gracious letters aiid oidcrs to confirm and
strengthen us. We have found (notwithstanding our
sister Colonies' anger against us) high favour with the
most honourable Council of State (established by author-
ity of parliament) frona whose noble hands we also re-
ceived letters of gracious confirmation and refreshing.
And lastly which is unspeakable mourning and joy unto
liHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS, 89
Us) }-our Highness dearest father was pleased, under his
own hand and seal, to rehesh us also, as with the dew upon
the grass, and as with a cloud of the latter rain unto us.
Illustrious Sir, for your Highness person, our de;f;pest
wishes and humble desires unto God (the father of lights)
are for a double portion of your blessed father's spirit to
be poured down into your Highness noble breast. And
instead of an earthly crown (which his heavenly mind
refused) we most earnestly wish your Highness and the
Lords of your most Honourable Council to be crowned
with the crown of wisdom and fortitude, prosperity and
•success, obedience and love of the nations ; and, however,
of humble patience and submission of the nations (in all
your trials and changes) unto the most wise God, his
most holy will and pleasure.
For ourselves. Gracious Sir, we dare not interrupt your
high affairs with the particulars of our wilderness condi-
tions, only we beg your eye of favour to be cast upon our
faithful agent Mr. 'John Clarke, and unto what humble
addresses he shall at any time present your Highness with,
in our behalf.
And this we humbly pray at present, that as your High*
ness illustrious father, when he was necessitated, by his
great hindrances, to suspend the determination of our
matters, yet lie was graciously pleased presently to refresh
us with some gracious lines of confirmation and encour-
agement to our poor plantations and government (a copy
of which our agent Mr. Clarke can prei;entyour Highness
with) so is it our humble suit that we may rejoice in some
such present gracious refreshment from the hand of your
Highness also. Unto whom, Sir, we humbly hope to ap-
prove ourselves your Highness most humble and faithful
subjects and servants.
The Colony of Providence Plantations in the Narragan-
set Bay in New England.
To the Sovereign and Illustrious his Highness the most
renowned Richard Lord Protector of the common-
wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the
Dominions thereunto belonging. These in most
humble wise presented.
13 VOL. VII.
90 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
This was ordered to be sent to Mr. John Clarke their
agent, to be presented to his Highness for confirnuition of
their charter. It is without dale, but was drawn at the
Session of the Court of Commissioners (General Assem-
bly) which commenced its Session the 17th. of May
1659.
[This address was never presented, as the power of Ricliard
Cromwell had be«;un to decay before its date, and was wliolly depart-
ed before it reached England. Ed.]
Commission to John Clarke.
Whereas we the Colony of Providence Plantations,
in New England, having a free charter of incorporation
given and granted unto us, in the name of King and Par-
Hament of England, &c, bearing date An. Dom. one
thousand six himdred Ibrly three, by virtue of which
charter this Colony hath been distinguished from the
other Colonies in New England, and have ever since, and
at this time, maintained government and order in the
same Colony by administering judgment and justice, ac-
cording to the rules in our said charter prescribed : And
further, whereas there have been sundry obstructions
emerging, whereby this Colony have been put to trouble
and charge for the preservation and keeping inviolate
those privileges and immunities, to us granted in the fore-
said free charter, which said obstructions arise from the
claims and encroachmenis of neighbours about us to and
upon some parts of the tract of land, mentioned in our
charter to be within the bounds of this Colony.
These are therefore to declare and make manifest un-
to all that may have occasion to peruse and consider of
these presents, that this present and principal Court of this
Colony, sitting and transacting in the name of his most
gracious and royal Majesty Charles the second by the
grace of God the most mighty and potent king of Eng-
land, Scotland, France and Ireland, and all the dominions
and territories thereunto belonging, &c. Do by these
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 91
presents make, ordain and constitute, desire, authorize
and appoint, our trusty and well beloved friend, Mr. John
Clarke, physician, one of the members of this Colony,
late inhabitant of Rhode Island, in the same Colony, and
now residing in Westrrlinster, our undoubted agent and
Attorney, to all intents and purposes, lawfully tending
unto the preservation of all and singular the privileges,
liberties, boundaries and immunities of this Colony, as
according unto the irue intent and meaning of all contain-
ed in our charter, against all unlawful usurpations, intru-
sions and claims, of any person or persons, on any pre-
tences, or by any combination whatsoever, not doubting
but the same gracious hand of Providence, which moved
the most potent and royal power abovesaid to give and
grant us the abovesaid free charter, will also still continue
to preserve us, in our just rights and i)rivileges, by the
gracious favour of the power and royal Majesty abovesaid,
whereunto we acknowledge all humble submission and
loyal subjection, &.c.
To our trusty and well beloved friend and
agent, Mr. John Clarke of Rhode Island,
Physician, now residing in London or
Westminster.
Given in the twelfth year of the reign of our Sovereign
Lord, Charles the second. King of England, Scot-
land, France and Ireland, &c. at the General Court
holden for the colony of Providence Plantations, at
Warwick, the 18th. day of October An: Dom.
1660.
Decision of Carr &c. relative to Misq_UAM-
ACOCK.
We, by the power given us by his Majesty's commis'
sion, having heard the complaints of some of his Majes-
ty's subjects, purchasers of certain lands called Misquam-
acock, lying on the Eastern side of Pawcatuck river, and
having likewise heard all the pretences of those by whom
92 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
they have suffered great oppressions, and considering the
grouFids from whence these diftercnccs and injurit'^ have
proceeded, and endeavouring to prevent the like for the
future, do declare, that no colony hath any just right to
dispose of any lands, concjuered iVoni the natives, unless
both the cause of that con([uest be just, and the lands lie
within those bounds which the King by his charier hath
given it, nor to exercise any authority beyond those
bounds; which we desire all his Majesty's subjects to
take notice of for the future, lest they incur his Majesty's
displeasure, and suffer a deserved punishment. VVe
likewise declare, that all tho e gifts or grants of any lands,
l>ing on the eastern side cf Pawcatuck river, imd a North
line drawn to the Massachusetts, from the midst of the
ford near to I homas Shaw's house, and in the Kuig's Prov.
ince, made by his 'Majesty's Colony of the Massachusetts,
to any person whatsoever, or by that usurped authority calU
the United Colonies, to be void. And we hereby com-
mand ail such as are therein concerned to remove them-
selves and their goods from the said lands, before the
nine and twentieth day of September next. In the mean
time, neither hindering the Pequot Indians from plaining
there this summer, nor those of the King's province, who
are the purchasers, from improving the same, as they will
answer the contrary. Given under our hand and Seals,
at Warwick, April"'4th. 1665.
ROBERT CARR [l. s.]
GEORGE CARTWRIGHT [l. s.]
SAMUEL MAVERICK [l. s.]
CoMMissiox FROM Carr &c. 1665.
Whereas by the authority given us by his sacred
Majesty, our dread Sovereign, to provide for the peace
and safety of all his Colonies here in America, and in a
more especial manner for that part of it called the Narra-
ganset country, and by his Majesty commanded now to
be called the King's province : We did, by commission
under our hands and seals, dated at Petaqumskocte
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 93
March the twentieth 1664, appoint, authorize, and in his
Majesty's name require, Benedict Arnold, VViUiam Bren-
ton, Escjuires, John Coi^gcbhajl, James Barker, Joseph
Clarke, VVilliam Field, Thomas Oiney, Roger \Vil!iarns,
William Baulston, John Sanford, Randall Howldon, Wal-
ter Todd, John Porter arid John Greene, Gentlemen, to
exercise the power and authority of Justices of the peace
or magistrates, througoout the whole compass of this his
Majesty's province, and to do whatsoever they think best
for the peace and snfety of the said pmvmce, and as near
as they can to the English laws, till his Majesty's pleas-
ure be farther known therein ; and in matters of great-
er consequence, any seven of them, whereof the Govern-
or or Deputy Governor shall be one, shall be a Court to
determine any business : Our intent and meaning was
and is, that the said commission should be no longer in
force, than until the 3d. of May next, and that then and
thenceforward, the Governor and Deputy Governor, and
all the Assistants for the time being of his Majesty's col-
ony of Rhode Island &:c. shall be Justices of the peace.
And therefore by the power given us from his Majesty,
we order and appoint the Governor and Deputy Govern-
or, and all the Assistants of the said Colony, for the time
being, to be and to exercise the authority of Justices of
the peace in this the King's province, and to do whatever
they think best for the peace and safety of the said prov-
ince, and as near as they can to the English laws, till his
Majesty's pleasure be farther known therein ; and in
matters of greater consequence, any seven of them, where-
of the Governor or Deputy Governor shall be one, shall
be a Court to determine any business. Given under our
hands and seals, at Warwick, April 8th. 1665.
ROBERT CARR,
GEORGE CARTWRIGHT,
SAMUEL MAVERICK,
L. S.3
L. S.3
L. S.]
94 UHODE IbLAND bTATE PAPERS.
Propositions or Commissioners Carr &c. to
THE General Assembly.
Whereas the will and pleasure of his royal Majesty
our Sovereign Lord and King is declared unto this As-
sembly (May 13. 16G5) under the hands of his hon-
ourable Commissioners, and here presented by the Gov-
ernor, consisting of five particulars, being as followeth,
and recorded in the genei al records by order of the Gen-
eral Assembly.
It is his Majesty's uiil and i)leasure,
L. That all householders, inhabiting this Colony, take
the oath of allegiance ; and that the administration of jus-
tice be in his Majesty's name.
2. That all men, of competent estates and of civil
conversation, who acknowledge and are obedient to the
civil magistrate, though of differing judgments, may be
admitted to be freemen, and have liberty to choose and
to be chosen officers, both civil and military.
3. That all men and women, of orthodox opinion,
competent knowledge and civil lives, who acknowledge
and are obedient to the civil magistrate, and are not scan-
dalous, may be admitted to the sacrament of the Lord's
supper, and their children to baptism, if they desire it,
either by admitting them into the congregations already
gathered, or permittirg them to gather themselves into
such congregations, where they may enjoy the benefit of
the sacraments ; and that difference in opinion may not
break the bands of peace in charity.
4. That all laws and expressions in laws, derogatory
to his Majesty, if any such have been made in those late
troublesome times, may be repealed, altered and taken of
(a word obliterated)
5. That this Colony be put in such a posture of de-
fence that if there should be any invasion upon this Isl-
and, or elsewhere, in this Colony (which God forbid)
you might in some measure, be in a readiness to defend
yourselves, or if need be, to relieve your neighbours, ac-
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. Ob
cording to the power given you by the King in your
charter, and to us in commission and instruction.
ROBERT CARR,
GEORGE CARTVVRIGHT,
SAMUEL MAVERICK.
To the Governor or Deputy Governor,
asssistants and freemen of the colony
of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations (part of a line obliterated)
It appears by an after entry, that these "proposals"
bore date March 4. 1664, 5.
" Whereupon, and in a deep sense of his Majesty's
most royal and wonderful grace and favour, more partic-
ularly and at large expressed in his gracious letters pa-
tents, lately given and granted unto this colony, in which
is expressed and declared his Majesty's especial and ten-
der care and indulgence extended to tender consciences,
differing in matters of religious worship and concern-
ments, and more especially in matters of forms of oaths,
and ceremonies or ci-rcumstances relating thereunto, giv-
ing and granting to this corporation power to give and
take such engagements as they shall think fit, being or-
dered by the General Assembly of this Colony, not con-
trary to, but as near the laws and customs of England as
the constitution of the place will admit : Considering
therein the libeity of conscience therein granted, the As-
sembly do, with one consent, acknowledge with all hum-
ble thankfulness the most tender respect and care by his
royal Majesty expressed in the said royal charter, as also
in these five propositions, for the good and welfare of this
his Majesty's colony, and therefore, in all cheerful obe-
dience to and observation of the premises, and therein
minding the privilege granted to tender consciences, do
in the first place order and declare, that whereas in this
colony it hath been always accounted and granted a liber-
ty to such as make a scruple of swearing and taking an
96' RHODE ISLAND STATE I'APERS.
oath,* that instead tlicreof they sliall ei\q;ai2;e, luider the
penalty of false swearinj^, though they swear not in pub-
lic engai^ement, as well as if the}' did bwear, that tlicre-
fore this most loyal and reasonable engat^enient Ix- given,
by all men caj)aL)le within this jurisdiction, for their alle-
giance to the King i?vc. 'J'he form of which ei gagenicnt
shall be as followeth. You A. B. solemnly and sincere-
ly engage true and faidiful allegiance unto his IVIajesty,
Charles the second, king of England, his heirs and suc-
cessors, to bear, and due obedience unto the laws estab-
lished, from ti;v,e to time, in this jurisdiction to yield,
unto the utmost of your power, according to the privi-
lege by his said Majesty granted, in religious and civil
concernments, to this colony, in the Charter ; which said
engagement you make, under the peril and penalty of
perjury." They then declared " that none shall have ad-
mission to vote for publick officers or deputies, or enjoy
* Coddington's engngcnieiit under i\if: first government, on the Island of Rhode
Island, was in these words. "I William Coddinglon Esquire, being called and
chosen by the freemen incorporate of this body ])Olitic to be a Judge amongst
them, do covenant lo do justice and judgn.ent impartially, according to the laws ot
God, and to maintain the fundamental rights and .privileges of this body politic,
which shall liereafter be ratified according unto Goi', the Lord helping me so to
do.
AVm. CODDIXGTON."
The freemen engaged thus " We tliat are freemen incorporate of this body
politic do elect and coiisiitutp William Coddington Esquire, a Judge amongst us,
and do covenant lo yield all due honour unto him, according to the laws of (iod,
and, so far as in us lies, to maintain the honour and privileges of his place, which
shall hereafter be ratified according to God, the Lord helping us so to do." (March
7. 1638.)
Under the secojid government on the Island, the engagement was in these words.
"To the execution of this office I judge myself bound before God to walk, faith-
fully, ami this 1 profess in the |)resence of God." (.March. 16. 1641.)
Among the laws of 1647 is this. " Forasmuch as the consciences of sundry men,
truly conscionable, may scruple the giving or taking of an oath, and it would he no
ways suitable to the nature and constitution of our. place (who professeth ourselves
to be men of different consciences, and noi one willing to force another) to debar
such as cannot so do, either from bearing office among us, or from giving in testi-
mony in a case depending, Be it enacted by the authority of this present Assem-
bly, That a solemn profession oi testimony, in a Court of Kecord, or before a
Judge of Record, shall be accounted throughout the whole Colony of as full force
as an oath; and because many, in giving engagement or testimony, are usually
more overawed with the penalty which is known, than with the Most High, who
is little known in the Kingdoms of men. It is therefore further agreed and order-
ed, that he that falsifieth such a solemn profession or testimony, shall be accounted
among us as a jjerjured person, and his penalty shall be " &c.
From the first settlemeut ot" the Golouy to the present lime, aa oath could not
be required of any one.
HHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 97
any privilege of freemen, till " they had taken this en-
gagement.*
It was "his Majesty's will and pleasnn! " thus expressed by his Commission-
ers, and the resolution of the Asstuiblv tlicrcMti, relative lo the oath of allegiance,
and not the militia law. which probably occasione<I the difficulty mentioned by
Brinley, (vol 5 page 219) in his incorrect and i)ariial account, and in which he
says "thf government and council passed an order lor outlawing the people called
quakers, because thoy would not bear arms, and to seize their estate." By the
militia l:»w now passed, the number of training da> s in each year were reduced
Irora eight to si.\ ; and the obligitii>n to perform military duty, was not extended
to any who were not obliged by tlie former law.
That the " engagement " of allegiance, and not the militia law, occasioned the
difficulty mentiohMl above, is probal le fiom tlie correspondence which appears to
have taken place between the Commissioners andCoddington. The latter address-
ed a paper to the Commissioners dated March 9. 1664, 5, a reply to which was
madi: by the Commissioners dated March 1'5 >66i, 5. "Coddii'igion, Nicholas
Easton and others," ai the request of the A.ssembly, attended May 15. 1665, and
received from tiiem a copy of the Commissunicr's reply and proposals, " tor his
and the rest's consideration to r.ii.ad and obey accordingly." (These /'a/»ers are
not on record )
This is farther evident from what took place at the session Marcli '27.1666.
" There having been a long agitatif)n about the engagemeiit, that was ertacted and
agreed upon by the General .s-emb y in May last, thai is tiiought to be too hard
on the conscience by many, the issembly, after much debate, have thought fit
to ch- osc a committee to consider of a way to mitigate the abovesaid engage-
ment," kc. The commi tee were Benedict ■^rnoidand Nicholas Easton. The
following was the result, (agreeably to their report ) " I'he Assembly having se-
riously weighed the inconveniences that at present appear in this colony, by rea-
son tliat n^any %uch as have been able and well qualified, active members in carry-
ing on the aftairs of this corporation, are now made incapable, for th.^l they cannot
give the ei:i-;ageraent in that very foi m that was contrived by the serious advice of
the General Assembly, in May 1GC5 and judged to be suitable to answer the most
tend>!r conscience? , in the performance of their duty to his Mtjesty and to the col-
ony : 15ut some terms therein seeming to some too much touching on tlie con-
science, which, whether it happen for want of understanding the scope of the terras,
or by indeed se.in-^ somewhat that is iticonsistent with religi-us concernments,
the Assembly being (as far as they can justify themselves therein) really willing
to indulge men conscientious, or that solemnly profess so to be, do therefore, for
the saiisVaciion of all such, order and declare', that such as are free in their con-
sciences so to do," may take the engagement prescribed the May jireceding, or if
they choose, the oaih'of allegiance as prescribed in England. " But if any pro-
fess thi re are some woi-ds in either, which in conscience they canr.nt consent to
say or use, yet if cither in open Court, orbcfure two magistrates that are engaged,
»s by a former law o*" the colonv is therefore made, any such person that so doth
solemnly profess his conscience is straitened as afore is said, jet can and do, m
words significant, there declare his allegiance and submission to his Majesty's gov-
crnment, as he is supreire head of the nation, and do profe-s seriously, that they
resolve and intend to yield obedience, actively oi passively, to the laws made by
virtue of his .Majest^'s authoritv, every such, so promising or enga.-mg, to be
admitted to the privilege of a freeman. The (iifficully probably consisted m that
part w hie ti promised "due obedience unto the laws established from lime to
time," as bv this they promised obedience to the militia law. And yet by the
engagement to office pre»cribed .Mi.v S. 1GG5, Uie officer promised not only " true
allegiance unto his Majesty, his heirs and snccessois, to bear," but "equal right
and justice to .lo unto all persons, within this jurisdiction, to the utmost ot his skill
and ability, without partiality, according to tlie laws established, or that should be
establishod." Coddington and Easton must both have taken this engagement, as
they both were members from Newport in March 1666, and at the election in May
lOGC the latter was chosen Deputy (;overnor, and the former assistant, and no al-
f-ration made in the engagement to office, or allegiance, or iu the mtlitia law.
14 VOL. VII.
98 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
To the third " proposal," they say, *' This Assembly
do, with all gladness of heart and humbleness of mind, ac-
knowledge the great goodness of God, and favour of his
Majesty, in that respect, declaring that as it hath been a
principle held fordi and maintained in this colony, from the
very beginning thereof, so it is much on their hearts to
preserve the same liberty to all persons within this colony,
forever, as to the worship of God therein ; taking care for
the preservation of civil government, to the doing of jus-
tice, and preserving each other's privileges i'rom wrong
and violence of others."
To the fourth "proposal " " That all acts in the late
troublesome times past " " derogatory to his Majesty "
" were made void," &.c. Then follows a long act res-
pecting the militia, providing magazines, &.c.
Addresses to the King, and the Earl or
Clarendon, respecting Charter rights.*
To the King's most excellent Majesty,
The humble petition and address of the Governor and
Company of his Majesty''s l.olony of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, in Aexv England,
Most humbly sheweth,
That whereas your Majesty's most hum-
ble subjects and supplicants, as soon as we heard of the
joyful tidmgs of your Majesty's happy restoration to the
possession of your royal crown and dignity, making our
humble oiddresses by petition unto your royal majesty, in
• These Addresses were dated May 3d. 1605, and sent by Col. Cartwright and
lost, as appears by an entry Sept. 1666; wlien tlie Governor (W. Bi-enton) W.
Ua'ilston, W. Harris, .1. Greene and J.Clarke were "desired and aulhorieed to
draw up the Colony's address to his Majesty, a letter to the Lord Chancellor, to-
gether wiih a letter to Col. Cartwright, and the ordering the manner ot sending
them. Also the copies of those iornierly sent is left to the said committee, as
they, in their wisdoms shall judge meet." Cartwright was taken by the Dutch,
and lost all '»i8 papers, as Hubbard, p. 585, informs us.
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 99
which we employed that faithful and trusty agent Mr.
John Clarke, did thereupon, by your Majesty's royal
bounty, obtain a most free and ample Charter of incor-
poration, lor our possessing, improving and governing the
lands and islands in and of the Narragansett Bay and
country in New Ei-gland, which grant your Majesty was
graciously pleased to make fnni and good, to us and our
successors forever, under the great sea! ; and that also
done, after your Majesty had taken cognizance of the In-
dian Sachems submission of the said Country unto your
Majesty, in the year 1662, in which they remembered an
address of the same nature made some 18 years before, to
your royal father of blessed memory, which iheir address
was never, nor could be taken notice of until tlieir late ad-
dress aforementioned m 1662. In mean time we living and
governing here, by virtue of a Charter granted in his late roy-
al Majesty's name, b;, the Lords and Commons in 1643,
the said Indians sold several considerable tracts of the
Narraganset country unto people of this Colony, and re-
ceived therefor full satisfaction, as in their said late ad-
dress they do acknowledge : And indeed some thousand
of poundb it hath cost the people of this Colony, in those
purchases, even more than the other Colonies hath ex-
pended for ten times as much which they possess, who
yet could not content themselves, but encroached on this
small corner, not only dispossessing, molesting, captiveing
at d fining your Majesty's leige people here living, but
also clain.ing all the C ountry by strange pretences of free
purchases, and gifts by forced mortgages, from the In-
dians, therein including the Indians' rights unsold, with
those aforesaid sold to some of this Colony. Whereupon
it pleased your Majesty, in your royal wisdom, to send
your honourable Commissioners to enquire into these
matters, who have with exceeding travail and care, pains
and patience, judgment and discretion, accordingly most
honourably discharged the trust in them reposed : And
upon finding the Indians to own their subjection, former
and latter, and seeing the hard dealings by the other Col-
onies used to them and us, did for a present expedient,
distinguish those lands from the rest of this your Majes-
100 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPEKS.
ty's Colony, by the name of the King's province, and pro-
hibited all Colonies from the exercise of jurisdiction
therein : And after, by a special commission, under their
Honours hands and seals, did commit the government to
the Governor and Council of this Colony, till your Maj-
esty's plea'-ure be further known : All which being the
effect of your Majesty's gracious and fatherly care of us
your poor unworthy sulijccts : Thereby we feel much
ease at present from great oppressors, and for it we re-
turn all humble thanks, as in duty bound : And however
by this late result, our charter t^eemeth to he very much
impaired, and as it were in part suspended for the present,
yet we in all humility do confess and own your Majesty's
royal wisdom, and the justice of those honourable [)cr-
sons, your Majesty's Con:missioners, believing there is not
any the least intent to make void our charter m any part,
but rather to reconfirm and enlarge it. Wherefore we have
made bold, in some other papers, humbly presented to
the Right honourable the Earl of Clarendon, Lord high
Chancellor of England, to declare some reasons why ol'
right and necessity, the whole country of Narragansett, as
in thvi very letter of the Charter, should belong to this
your Majesty's Colony; as also why the line between
your Majesty's Colony of New Plymouth and us, should
be settled accordingly, though at present somewhat short-
ened ; and for the more clear demonstration of the same
matters, we have caused a draught to be made of Plym-
outh and Connecticut, and more particularly of this your
Majesty's Colony lying between them, and herewith hum-
bly presented it.
Therefore in the great experiences of your Majesty's
most wonderful grace and favour shewed unto us, we
prostrate ourselves in all loyalty and humility at your
Majesty's feet, most humbly imploring your royal grace
and favour, to restore your Majesty's royal grant to its
former state and extent, readjoinmg the King's province
to the rest, and so reconfirm unto us that your Majes-
ty's siiid late royal grant, as it is under the great seal, and
to set and settle our eastern bounds also accordingly.
So shall we be encouraged to go on in propagating plan-
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 101
tations of that which heth waste, and by God's help and
your Majesty's gracious favour, shall be able to serve
your Majesty in protecting and directing the Indians here
living, instructing their children in learning and civil ed-
ucation, as also in putting this Colony in a posture of
defence, promoting of trade, husbandry and fishing, and
governing ourselves in peace and justice, under your
Majesty, and forever devoted to pray for your Majesty's
long life and greatness here, and eternal glory hereafter.
These to the rigJit honourable Edward Earl of Claren-
don, Lord high Chancellor of England, most humbly
presented.
llighi Hoiible.
However there are upon us so very many and
great obligations to your Lordship, for those unmerited
favours hitherto extended unto this his Majesty';^ Colony,
which here to recount would but add to your Lord^liip
trouble to read, and to ourselves greater measure of shame,
in that we have not, nor as yet cannot, save in empty words,
any way return your Lordship any the smallest token of our
acknowledgments, but are even in a wanting, and con-
sequently in, a craving condition for your Lordship's fa-
vour to be still our defender and relief. May it please
your honour, this poor, suppressed, and almost extin-
guished Colony, next under God and his Majesty, owe
even their all unto your Lordship : And however have
not wherein else to shew their grateful acknowledgments,
did design to choose and set apart, out of this small tract,
a competent and convenient tract of land for a farm of a
thousand acres or thereabouts, and to have begged your
Lordship's acceptance of the same, so as to own and dis-
pose of it at your honour's pleasure and should take it as
the greatest favour possible, your Lordship's acceptation
thereof.
Now it so falls that a present seeming cloud passing
over our Colony, hath eclipsed the splendour of our char-
ter, and rendered us in sort incapable of disposing aught
102 KIIODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
in the far greater part of his ro3al Majesty's grant and of
our absokite clear purchaser from the Indians. But be-
lieving there is no intent, but that all will be restor-
ed to its clear and full extent unto us, in which we hum-
bly implore your Lordsliip's favour to be our htjper and
protector. Some reasoiis we have made bold to present
to your Lordship in two papers, shewmg why of right
and necessity that now called the King's j)rovince be still
continued and adjoined to the rest of this Colony, and
why the line between Plymouth Colony and us be estab-
lislied as in the maj) prescribed, it being according to the
very letter of the Charter to us granted. And have yet a
further humble petition to your Lordship, concerning
some help or encouragement towards fortification of this
bay ; which in very deed is the most excellent in New-
England. Considering the climate, most healthful ; site,
most commodious ; in the middle of the colonies ; har-
bours most safe for the biggest ships that ever sailed the
sea, and of all sorts whatsoever ; and for outlet and inlet,
so good as none can equal it ; that in the hardiest winters,
when the Massachusetts and others, to the East and
West, are fast locked up with strong doors of ice, this is
always open ; besides the conveniency of the main land
and islands, at the very entrance so near each other, easy
to be secured by forts in either channel. One means,
may it pleabC your Lordship, to encourage the growth of,
and give strength to, this his Majesty's colony, would be
by some act of grace, extending some peculiar privilege,
in point of freeness of conmierce, hence to other his Maj-
esty's dominions, with some ease, in some measure, as to
taxes upon that is imported or exported, though but for
some years. But we dare not direct your Lordship's
Avisdom, but only implore your Honble. countenance
in what shall seem best, only one thing shall be bold to
propose, concerning an estate that is bequeathed in Eng-
land for the pious end of propagating the gospel, in con-
verting, or at least instructing, the Indians in the knowl-
edge of moral virtues, and by degrees to know God.
Here are the greatest number of Indians living in the
confines of this little spot, that are in any part of New-
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 103
England besides; and however those which are grown up
to ripe years, in their wild and uncivil manners, will hard-
ly leave their own sensual customs, yet were there a
school erected, with means to niaiirtain it, for the bringing
their children, some to learning, and some to handicrafts
for the increase of manufactory, there would in a few
years, by the blessing of the Lord, appear a very hopeful
change, and in one generation, they would, in a great meas-
ure, be made happy, and also be a mean of good advance
unto his Majesty's interest in these parts, under the gov-
ernment by his Majesty already here established unto us
under the great seal : And therefore we humbly implore
your Lordship's favour in furthering this good word, if so
it shall in your honour's wisdom appear to be.
And thus craving your Lordship's pardon for our ex-
treme boldness and importunity, we shall humbly recom-
mend to your Honble. consideration the perusal of our
humble petition to his royal Majesty, herewith presented
to your Lordship's view, humbly craving your Lordship's
favour to cover or excuse our boldness, or any other er-
rors therein (to us unawares) committed ; and so far to
extend your Honour's favour to us, as we may tliereby be
restored to that happiness of enjoying that most ample
grant, in its full extent, tb.e which ue own ourselves your
Lordship's greatly obhged for procuring the same at first,
but most exceedingly bound to your Lordship for those
high favours mentioned in your Honble. letter to us,
therein declaring such unexpected regaid to us, as was
and is wonderful, and hath emboldened us thus to pre-
sume to give your Lordship this further trouble by the
hands of this noble and Honble. gentleman, Colonel
Cartvvright, to whom and the other Honble. Commis-
sioners we are most deeply engaged for that exceeding
care, pains and travail, taken in our behalves, and the most
unbiassed resolutions by their Honour's proceeds declared,
upon the hearing of all difterences, so as we have cause,
and hope shall have, to bless the I^ord and the King's
Majesty, and return all humble thanks to your Lordship
for this happy visitation by these Honble. persons,
whereby those incredible oppressions wc endured, of
104 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
scorn and contempt, slander and reproach, threatening
and molestation, captivcini^ and imprisoning^, fining and
plundering the i)eopIe of this Colony, is now made clear
before their Honours : And therein clearly discovered a
combination of all the Colonies to root lis up and expose
us to ruin in seeking out new places of the wilderness,
there to struggle with all sort of ditiiculties, as in the be-
ginning of the plantation they forced us to, and denied us
relief in greatest dangers, which our suirerings could not
be known to any but God and ourselves, until this time
of hearing was come. But not to give your Loidship
more trouble at this time, we humbly cast ourselves and
cause at your Lordship's feet, and with all cheerfulness
subscribe ourselves, in behalf of this his Majesty's Colo^-
ny of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Your Lordshij)'s most humbly and
faithfully devoted servants.
Some reasons humbly presented unto the Right Honble.
Edxvard Earl of Clarendon, Lord high Chancellor of
England^ by the Govr, and Compy. of his Majesty'' s
Colony of Rhode Island and Prcvidetice Plantations^
shewing why it is both right and of necessity^ that the
part of the said Colvny, distinguished by the name of the
Ki?ig''s province, should remain to the said Colony.
1. Forasmuch as we have had possession, by free
purchase, in some part of the middle of the Narragansett
country, by the Indian's sale, about seven or eight and
twenty years, besides what was before (that time) grant-
ed to the four towns of Providence, Portsmouth, New-
port and Warwick.
2. For that the said country is wholly and clearly
contained in the grant made in his late Majesty's name,
by the Lords and Commons, m 1643, before the In-
dians surrendered themselves and lands unto his late Maj-
esty's government and protection, which grant was since
confirmed, and that which Mr. Wells under hand got of
the same country was prohibited, being never passed at
Council table nor registered.
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 105
3. For that the Indians, since the said grant, have
sold several parts of the said country, and taken full satis-
faction for it of people of this Colony, who bought and
possessed it quietly, until in this four or five years the
other Cdlonies, by clandestine purchases and forced
mortgages, have encroached both upon that these people
had purchased as aforesaid, and the rest as yet unsold, and
this is fully cleared to be true by the Indian Sachems own
acknowledgments, in their address to his royal Majesty
in April, 1662, which address was, by the honourable
Commissioners, Sir Robert Carr, Knight, George Cart-
wright and Samuel Maverick, Esqrs. here produced, and
to the said Sachems read, and by them clearly understood
and owned.
4. Forasmuch as the whole is contained in his Maj-
esty's late royal grant to this Colony in 1663, and to di-
vide the same in two several parts will render both so in-
considerable as that neither will in any measure be suffi-
cient for any competent number of people to live upon,
besides the inconveniences that will arise by mixture of one
with the other which would render both in a state of
much trouble and discouragement to people for building
or settling upon it, except contained in one entire tenure
as granted to the Colony aforesaid and under that one
government.
5. For that the whole is considered to be fully grant-
ed in our patent under the great seal containing all that is
now called the King's province, and the rest is no way
answerable unto the least of the other Colonies in quanti-
ty, as by a map calculated in that respect according to
true information and knowledge, and herewith presented,
it doth appear^ so that on either part (if parted) there can
be no competency to raise any considerable supply of
provisions for trade for his Majesty's other plantations,
nor can this Colony grow to any maturity of strength to
serve his Majesty, but groan under the weight of poverty,
and be subjected still to the will of the other Colonies to
give what they please for the little we raise, we being not
able to transport it, as being not worth while, far abroad,
14 VOL. VII.
106 lUIODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
to make the best of it, because of the little quantity there-
of.
6. For that by experience we have found, that by
reason of the interruption this Colony hath had in the pos-
sessing the Narragansct, now called the King's province,
which interruptions was by force from the other Colonies,
as it is cleared to the Honourable Commissioners afore-
mentioned, many of the people of this Colony have been
forced to expose themselves to seek out other plantations,
to their utter ruin and undoing, and some into Plymouth
claims 12 or 16 miles from Rhode Island ; which had we
had the use of that said Narraganset Country, would have
in a good measure sufficed and encouraged our own peo-
ple, and have given strength and growth to the Colony to
have set upon trading and fishing, &c.
7. And lastly that country of the Narraganset of right
belongs to this Colony, not for the aforesaid reasons only,
but also for that although the Sachems did about 20 years
since submit it and selves to his Majesty's late royal fath-
er, of glorious memory, yet no cognizance could be or
was then or ever after by his said Majesty taken of the
same, nor until the Sachems made their last address unto
his royal Majesty, in the year 1662, which their address
being taken notice of and it mentioning the said country
and owning it to be contained in our former grant, &c.
his most royal Majesty was thereupon and thereafter how-
ever graciously pleased to give and grant the said Narra-
ganset country expressly unto this corporation, all it and
the rest under the name of the English Colony of Rhode
Island, &c. as in the said charter, under the great Seal, is
more particularly mentioned, which said grant we hum-
bly and cheerfully expect to be firm and good, and will
so be accounted and confirmed by his Majesty's royal
grace to us and ours forever : And the rather because his
Majesty granted that which the Indian Sachems had so
freely and fully surrendered to his royal will and pleasure
to order and dispose.
RHODE 1SLA.ND STATE PAPERS. 107
Some reasons hiimhhj presented to the Right Honhle. Ed.
ivard Earl of Clarendon, Lord high Chancellor of Eng-
landy by the Gov. and Company of his Majesty'' s Colo-
ny of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, for
settling the Eastern line according to the meaning and
letter of the Charter.
1. Because that line entrenclieth not on Plymouth
patent (such as it is) for that it is not bounded by the sea
on the south in that grant, but by a river called Narra-
ganset river, no such river being known.
2. Because Rhode Island lieth as enclosed, and in a
manner embayed, Avithin the land which Plymouth would
have to be within their jurisdiction : And yet it is the
Narraganset bay and therefore good reason that the main
land inclosing and so near adjoining to the island should
pertain to it, especially being expressly granted by his
royal Majesty in our late charter, in express words, three
miles to the east of the most easterly and north easter-
ly part of the said bay.
3. Because the Island being small, scarcely holding
three miles broad, any great part of it, and fifteen long,
the inhabitants, especially on that side the island lying
very near the main, are forced there to winter their cattle,
and otherwise also to keep them there, which land hath
otherwise never been improved by Plymouth, but it hath
lain waste near forty years since they first began that plan-
tation. Besides, many of ours for mere necessity, have
bought lands near the water on that side of the Indian own-
ers, and possessed it many years peaceably j it being so
very remote from Plymouth town and from any town of
that Colony, as that it would be of little use to them if
they had it.
4. Because the nearness of that land on the east side
is by experience an annoyance to this government, by
being only at present out of the jurisdiction of this Col-
ony there being farms made by some of this Island peo-
ple, just over the river within call of the Island, where
any that are culpable ( ) by the law here,
lOS RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
make their escape over and there are out of reach, even
( ) Plymouth town so very remote, that
under three or four days time we (
) whatever the occasion be, in which time the of-
fender is enabled to make a final escape, nor can we make
the chief ^part of this colony but on this Island, having
none else fit, as this, which is indeed hard to be equali-
zed in New-England for reception and safe riding of ves-
sels of all sorts and in all seasons, and hardest frost}"
winters, which is not so in any other parts of this country.
5. Because the main land on the east side as aforesaid
is so near the Island, and the river between so convenient,
that a town on that side would answer to them on this
side very commodiously on all occasions of relief or de-
fence ; and indeed this Colony cau never be secured from
invasions, if that side (for such a quantity as is mentioned
in our charter) be not in this jurisdiction and at its devo-
tion, it lying so remote from Plymouth, as afore is said,
that it cannot answer them to fortify it, it being near fifty
miles from them by land, but above 100 by water.
6. Because the people of this Island there settled and
settling themselves, having been used to and lived in this
government, do earnestly long still to be under the pro-
tection and direction thereof, as also they being so near
us and so very remote from Plymouth, by which means
it is very difficult for them to attend their Courts of Jus-
tice.
7. Because the native Indians, both Sachems and oth-
ers, not only, and often, in former times have mentioned
and desired to be in, or under this government, but even
also of late, since we received the late royal grant under
the great seal, have by word and writing desired they
might be esteemed, deemed and owned, within this ju-
risdiction, having always for near thirty years had very
near, frequent and friendly commerce and intercourse
with us.
* port '
IIHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. 109
General Assembly of Rhode Island to Gov-
ernment OF Plymouth.
Newport, November. 2d. 1671.
Much Honrd. and beloved friends,
These are to give you to under-
stand, that your loving and welcome lines, both of Sept.
34th. and 29th. last past, hath been communicated unto
us by our Honrd. Govr. Sec. the contents of both being
very much obliging, and doth indeed move us to be
thankful unto the Most High, for preserving us yet in
peace, and diverting the cloud which he was pleased to let
hang over the country, threatening a storm of war, or
the sad effects that attend thereupon as burning, massa-
creing, and destroying persons and estates, which would
inevitably have followed upon an absolute breach with the
natives, as we were well aware of. And it exercised our
minds, and put us upon labour and charge to withstand
or prevent it. Neither can we but, together with you,
acknowledge the goodness of the Lord, in so mercifully
sparing the country. Also acknowledge your prudent
and patient proceedings in that matter, and your candid
respect and great affection expressed unto us, in giving
us seasonable information of your apprehensions, resolu-
tions and conclusions had, taken and made, concerning
those matters. And you may assure yourselves, that
you may expect from us, as occasion shall require it,
such demonstrations of our love and duty to yourselves,
as is becoming us, not only as we are English subjects,
to one and the same king, but also as neighbours and
friends, very nearly obliged to love and serve your Honrs.
in all sincerity. And it is not a little grievous unto us,
that we cannot procure the like cause from our honored
the Colony of Connecticut, from whom we meet with
very hard, harsh and undesirable passages, which we
would be glad they would forbear. But they are put
upon it by the ambition and covetousness of some few.
And truly it presseth upon us very much, to complain to
our Sovereign for relief, which, if we be forced to do, it
110 RHODL ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
is not difficult to conclude what issue it may produce
over the whole country. But were it possible to prevent
such an issue without evident ruin to ourselves, &c. we
should willingly adhere to such advice as might tend
unto the peace and safety of the whole. But not further
to trouble your Honors at present we rest,
Your very affectionate friends and neigh-
bours, the General Assembly of his Maj-
esty's colony of Rhode Island and Prov-
idence Plantations, convened October 25.
1671. Signed by order of said Assem-
bly, pr. John Sanford, Clerk.
To the Right Worshipful Thomas Prince Esq. Govr.
of his Majesty's colony of New Plymouth, to be
communicated to the rest of the Honord. Council
and Genrl, Court there. These present with care.
General x^ssembly of Rhode Island to Gen-
eral Assembly of Connecticut.
Newport, Oct. 25th. 1676.
Honrd. Gentlemen,
We cannot omit to manifest to you our abso-
lute dislike of your late proceeds (if our information be
true) which from credible persons of our Colony have
been asserted, and confirmed by several of yours, and
some in authority, that you have, by order of your Court,
determined to deprive us of our just rights and privileges
in the Narraganset country (alias King's province) gra-
ciously granted to us in our charter by his Majesty, and
confirmed by his Honrd. Commissioners. By virtue of
which power, we have peaceably enjoyed the govern-
ment, disposition, and other privileges therein, for seve-
ral years past. Therefore much strange that you should,
under pretence of subduing the Indians, monopolize our
privileges, by warning our inhabitants from settling upon
their own plantations in said Narraganset, that were
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS. Ill
forced, by reason of the late war with the natives, to desert
their habitations for the security of their lives, with what
else of their stock and moveables they could preserve, till
way, by the providence of God, should be made for their
return to their own as aforesaid. It is well known that
the United Colonies did desert several of their out plan-
tations, and some were by the enemy drove and necessi-
tated so to do, for safety of their lives. If for that cause
only, the colonies should lose their charter rights, and
particular persons their lands and privileges, it would
to them (and all rational men) appear ridiculous, and
without doubt disapproved by his Majesty, if it should
come to a hearing. VVc are very apt to believe, that if
matters come to a just inquiry concerning the cause of
the war, that our Narraganset Sachems, which were sub-
jects to his Majesty, and by his foresaid Commissioners
taken into protection, and put under our government, and
to us at all times manifested their submission by appearing
when sent for.* Neither was there any manifestation of war
against us from them, but always the contrary, till by the
United Colonies they were forced to war,t or such submis-
sion as it seems they could not subject to, thereby involv-
ing us into such hazards, charge and losses which hath
fallen upon us in our out plantations, that no C<3lony have
received the like, considering our number of people. But
admit the cause never so just, approved ^nd allowed by
his Majesty, on your parts, as to the said war, as its well
known and owned that his subjects have liberty to pursue
his known enemies, in order to subdue them, in any part
of his dominions where they come, and cannot but be own-
€d a great favour, and that for such kindness or privilege,
the said inhabitants should lose their possessions, cannot
but be looked at a great oppression and ingratitude,
which to deal plainly is our case (if information be true as
• There is evidently an omission here.
t By the charter of 1663, it is declared " That it shall not be lawful to or for the
rest of the Colonies to invade or molest the native Indians, or any other inhabitants,
inhabiting within the bounds and limits hereafter mentioned Cthat is of the Colo-
ny, J (tliey having subjected themselves unto us, and being by us taken into our
special protection) without the knowledge and consent of the goven.nr and com*
pany of our Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. '
112 RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
aforesaid.) Is it not sufficient tliat, as God hatli made
you (with the assistance of the Pequods and otlicr In-
dians) instruments to subdue those you made war with,
and have had many privileges in our said Colony witliout
interruption from us ; and for our said kindness you en-
deavour to reward us with the depriving us of our just
rights, and our inhabitants of their settlements upon their
own again, will appear very unjust. And further to sug-
gest, that the land was left void, and therefore free for
others to settle, we say, in as much as our authority saw
cause to draw our people into a nearer compass, thereby
to preserve their lives and estates (which true wisdom
would lead all men to) did thereby maintain our Colony
in being. But had our Colony been wholly deserted,
and the people and authority vanquished, there might
have been some colour. So hoping you will take the
premises into your serious consideration, and avoid any
future provocations by threats or actions, in our foresaid
boundaries ; otherwise you must expect our opposition to
the utmost of our abilities. And further know, that our
intentions are (if violated of our just rights by your au-
thority) do purpose with all expedition to make applica-
tion to his Majesty, the consequence of which may prove
inconvenient to some. But blame not us who are forced
thereto ; but its rather our hearts desire, peaceably to en-
joy our own, and with you and all men to live neighbour-
ly and friendly, which is the true desire of your very loving
friends and neighbours.
Signed by order of the General
Assembly sitting Oct. 25. 1676.
Pr. John Coggeshall, Clerk
of the Assembly.
To the Honrd. the Genl. Assembly of Connecticut
Colony, if sitting, or to the Honrd. the Govr. and
Council of said Colony, these present with care.
RHODE ISLAND STATE PAPERS.
113
Number of Inhabitants in Rhode Island.
1730.
Newport,
Providence,
Whiles. Blacks. Indians.
.1,958
,384
Newport, Ports-
mouth, Ne w Shore-
ham & Jamestown.
Providence, War-
wick and E. Green-
wich.
1 748.
1755.
177^.
King's County, ) 4,460 1,648 ,985 17,935
20,755
35,939
( Westerly,
( N. Kiii;2;stoM'n
( S. Kingstown.
and
3,101
4,697
1,272 34,123
Ulacks k
Indians.
46,63(5
54,435 3,761 1,432 59,678
1783.
Newport,
10,194
837
108
11,199
Providence,
16,962
428
150
17,540
Washington,
11,835
732
516
13,133
Bristol,
2,309
119
43
2,471
Kent,
7,238
176
112
7,526
51 869 totil,
1791.
Newport,
-
.
-
14,300
Providence,
_
.
-
2t,391
Wasliingtcn,
-
-
-
18,075
Bri:-tol,
-
-
-
3,^11
Kent,
-
-
-
8,848
Years.
1730
1748
1755
1774
1783
1791
Whole number.
17,935
34,'28
46,636
59,678
51,869
68,825
16
VOL. VIJ
114 DESCRIPTION Of ABINGTON.
History and Description of Abington,
(Mass.) Aug. 1816.
Abington is an interior town of the county of Ply-
mouth. It lies in latitude 42° 9' N. longitude 70^^ 47'
W. ; and is bounded northerly on Hingham, Wey-
mouth and Randolph, about six miles ; easterly on Scit-
uate one, and on Hanover five miles ; southerly, on
Pembroke and Brid.s:e\vater ; and westerly also on
Bridge water several miles. It is distant from Plymouth
twenty miles N. W. ; from Boston (by turnpikes) seven-
teen S. S. E. ; from Hingham cove ten miles S. ; from
Weymouth landing seven S. ; and from Hanover four
corners, six miles W. Incorporated June, 1712.*
The original growth of this township was chiefly wal-
nut, oak, beech, birch and white pine. This tract, which
is a moist and strong soil, and in some degree rocky,
has general elevation ; yet not of very unequal surface.
It may be, as an entire township, the best grazing dis-
trict in the county of Plymouth.
Much of the southeast section of this town was, and
yet continues swampy, as well as rocky. Hence the pop-
ular name, " Little Comfort," yet in use for that region ;
a tract of cedar swamp, with an intermixed prowth, ex-
ists there, while in the northeast a long ridge of eleva-
ted pasture of a good soil continues, from its original
growth, to be called " Beech Hill." With this excep-
tion, there seems to be not any other remarkable hills.
Abington and its vicinity formerly aftbrded large sup-
plies of square and ranging timber, as well as masts, to
the numerous ship yards seated below. The hurricane
or gale of October, 1804, prostrated an extensive tract
of timber forest trees, chiefly white pine, of which it was
remarked, that the second growth fell while the first then
• Mhi!fdon in Uerkshire, Eng'and, is 56 miles N. AV. of London, and 7 soutli
of Oxford. It has slated fairs, chiefly for horses and cattle, and is a well built
town. It furnishes malt, sacking and sail cloth. There was a pcrioj when sev-
eral towns in the American colonies took this name ; in some instances, inobably,
IVom the title of a popular nobleman, the Earl of Abin^'don.
DESCRIPTION OF ABINGTON. 115
burviyed tlic gale. The loss of one or two persons only
in this place, in timber trees, was then estimated at
310,000.* Forest trees have in some instances become
an article of nurture ; one lot of oak, now of size to be
felled as fuel, was, in 1780, in part, a tilled field.
Uplands produce the best timber trees, those of the
swamps not being in equal estimation.
Fuel is now valued, as it may be more or less remote
from Weymouth Landing, being from five to four dol-
lars the cord. The remaming wood lands are chiefly in
the northwest section, while the northeast also, near Ac-
cord Pond, is in woods, and unsettled.
The inhabitants of Abington, an emigration chiefly
from Weymouth, have hitherto pursued, in some res-
pects, similar modes in the improvement of lands ; an
attention generally to the breed and subsistence of cows,
with the productions of the dair}', bemg the prime ob-
ject. It also takes the lead in the county, in supplies
for the flesh market of beef and mutton ; many are pro-
fessed butchers, who are constant in their attendance at
the markets of Boston, Plymouth, Duxbury and inter-
mediate shore towns. The cattle are purchased at the
Brighton fairs, and the sheep chiefly at Scituate, Marsh-
field, and other places, not dej)ending on itself for either,
although some sheep are reared for their wool, yet not in
great numbers. There may be 1500 sheep or more
kept in Abington.
The arable lands are productive. Indian corn, winter
rye, and oats, yield, on an average, corn twenty five, rye
fifteen, and oats forty bushels the acre.
From the prevalent moisture of the soil, the crops of
upland hay are abundant, while the fresh meadow, of
which there is son^e near the brooks, is not of the best
quality. One of its brooks, after passing into Pem-
broke, and then into Bi idgewater, took the name " Poor
INleadow Brook," m the last named town, before the year
1680.
• In a tract of 500 acres, owned by the Mr. Reeds, the gale of Sept. 23, 1815,
caused similar and more extensive destruclirm of timber trepB.
116 DESCRIPTION 01 AIJINGTON.
Attention is given to orchards, and bonic cider is sent
to market, yet not in p^vtwi (juantlty.
The " Bicknell apple," so lernied, is here cultivated.
It yields a great proportion of juice, but as to quahty is
rather watery. Some other kinds, better adajiled to die
purposes of cider, should be introduced, for the soil and
situation is generally propitious to fruit, we should sup-
pose, in the northwest section of the town.
With respect to cider, as to quality as well as abun-
dance, Middleborough has ever been unrivalled, as j)ro-
ducing the best in the^ county ; the soil and aspect, and
it may be the species of I'ruit, having peculiarities of
adaptatipn.
It were to be wished, therefore, diat an attention to the
planting of new orchards should be excited and encour-
aged in that extensive township, as conibining both pri-
vate and publick utility, for even in case of emigration,
the value of the alienated farms would be enhaixed.
The price of cider, as well as its scarcity, at the present
period, compared with ten or twenty years since, shows
a remarkable deficiency.
A genUeman, who dwelt on a farm in the north section
of the town of Plymoutli, made these remarks, under the
year 1742 — 3. "A failing fruit year, canker worms,
drought, a failure of herbs, roots and grain. Ivly farm
yielded but fifteen barrels of cider, which produced
forty eight the year before." At that period, more cider
was made, even in the town of Plymouth, in a year, than
at the present period in some interior towns ; but the an-
nals of agriculture and orcharding will doubtless ever
present uiiequal comparative results, attributable to a va-
riety of causes.
PoTicIs and Brooks. Accord Pond, an half mile in di-
amet(r, and intersected in early annals by the colony
line,* N. E. and S. \V., is common to Hingham, Scitu-
1640. Tlie rommissi()[K'i-s, wlm ran the colni>y line, thus describe it.
"From the mouth oI'lhL' biook that runneth into (;oii()li«ssel ni;iishes (which ue
fall by the name (it the J3ouii(l IJronk) with a stii'.it and direct line to the middle
of a great pond tlial l\tlh on Hie lii^lit hinul of the tiiiper path, or common way,
that leadcth between \\ c\ mouth and l'l\ nidiiili ; close to the path as we ro along ;
which was fonuei ly named (and still we desire may be called) Accord Pond ; ly-
DESCRIPTION OF ABINGTON. 117
ate, and Abington, the town fust named taking near half
of it, while the remuinder is again bisected by the cor-
ner bounds of the other two. The water is deep. An
outlet, which admits alewives from the sea, after travers-
ing the whole length of Hingham, mingles with tide waters
at Gen. Lincoln's mills.
The name of this pleasant pond, which is situated near
the post road from Boston to Plymouth, was probably
first given by the i)lanters of Hingham and Scituate,
when adjusting their town lines. It affords to anglers a
place of agreeable pastime, being almost within view of
two taverns.*
•This is the only permanent natural pond in which Ab-
ingtor. has any claim.
On the northern confines of the town is the source of
several brooks, running throu:.)jh the Town, S. E. indicat-
ing a general elevation on the north border, being a part
of the ridge which separates the waters of Neponset and
Weymouth from those of North River and Taunton Riv-
er. All these brooks are in dry seasons in a degree inter-
mittent.
Beaver Brook, the most permanent, arises near the
limits of Randolph, traverses the west part of this town
and the cast of Bridge water, where it becomes a tributary
to the great river.
Anotlier brook, a longer stream, f passes, as has been
noticed, into Pembroke, and then into Bridgewater, yet
more easterly.
There are two others, one of which is a tributary to
North River in Hanover. It is very rare that any fish,
other than eels, are taken in the brooks. The mill ponds
ing about 5 or C miles fioni Weymouth southerly, and from thence with a strait
line to tliL' southernmost, part of Cliarles lliver, and 3 miles southerly inward into
the couutry, according as it is expressed in the Patent."
Signed, William Bradford,
Israel Stoughton,
John Endicott,
Edward Winslow.
This line was completed in 1664, and is now the north bound of Scituate, Ab-
ington, Bridgewater, Easton, MarsLfield, Attleborough and Cumberland, to Pa-
tncWet River.
• Leonard's in Scituate, and Whfton's in Hingham.
j The longest tributary, in this quarter, to Taunton Rirer.
118 DESCHIPTION OF ABIXGTON.
afford pickerel and perch. Tliis town is an exception to
any aleu ife fiblicry privilc.e^es within its boundaries. All
these brooks run Iron; Abington and none into it. In
vcr}' wet seasons, when the ponds are full, some of the
water of the great pond in Weymouth, will flow souther-
ly, which shews that the colony line is, in this part of
it, on the height of land. This pond in Weymouth is
one hundred aiul three feet above tide water level.
The description oi mill erections on the several brooks
is as follows : (irist mills five ; saw mills seven ; wool-
len factories two.
JRoads. The turnpike road from New Bedford to Bos-
ton, passes diroiigh diis town, and the common road from
the upper part of Pembroke to Boston, with several cross
roads to the sea coast towns, and those of the interior.
The quality of the soil affords firm and pleasant roads,
occasionally wet liowever in the eastern section, in the
vernal and autumnal seasons.
Schools. There may be ten school districts conve-
niently disi^rsed. The annual average of such indigent
persons as are supported by the town is generally fifteen
persons.
In military affairs this place is an integral part of the
third regiment, fifth division, furnishing nearly five com-
panics, viz. one of artillery, one uniformed light infantry,
two without uniform, and lately a company of riflemen.
Manufactures. An air furnace, now extinct, was
erected many years since, by the late Aaron Hobart, Esq.
who, during the revolution, furnished the publick with
cannon and shot, made here. Bells have also been cast at
this furnace, one of which of 9001b. the largest in the
county, still continues on the meeting house in the first
precinct.
Men's Shoes^ the making of which may employ a hun-
dred persons, are made in quantity for the Boston market,
where the leather is mostly purchased. This business
is more peculiar to the north section of the town.
Bricks arc made in suflicient quantity for the use of
the inhabitants, and sonic for distant sale, from clay,
which is found not far from the old meeting house. The
clay is of inferior quality.
DESCRIPTION OF ABINGTON. 119
Cold Tacks^ so termed from the manner in which they
are made, have become an article of important manufac-
ture in this town. Their history is as follows. About the
year 1786 Mr. Ezekiel Reed, who lived in the north
part of Bridgewater, invented a machine to cut tacks and
nails,* which was immediately introduced at Abington,
where it in a short period received great improvements,
which progressed from that date to the present time. In
the year 1815 not less than 150 millions of tacks were
made here, and sold in Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
and Baltimore, while some were sent to a greater distance.
Capt. Jesse Reed, son to Ezekiel, has lately invented
a machine to make tacks Li/ one operation^ by which
means one hand has made six'y thousand m a day. He
has already six machines in operation, and six others
nearly completed, which, together with the patent right,
he has sold to Mr. Elihu Hobart of this town for 11,000
dollars. These michhies were built in Pembroke,
where they are now in operation. Their use will proba-
bly soon supersede the manual operation, so that an
hundred and fifty persons in this vicinity, accustomed to
the latter, must seek other employments. These tacks
are chiefly used by saddlers, chaise-makers, trunk-mak-
ers, card-makers, uphokterers, cabinet makers, and also
for wafer-boxes, &:c. &:c. By examinip.g a pair of wool
cards, we shall notice four dozen, at the least, in each
pair. One pound of iron will make six thousand, and of
the smallest size, ten thousand. Packed in papers, they
are afforded at from one shilling to two shillings and
three pence the thousand. The flat rolled plates are
procured at slitting mills ; the rest of the process, cut
with shears and headed cold, is a manual operation;
hence their name.
Publick Buddings. There are three Congregational
meeting houses, two of which have bells. The second
was erected at an expense of S80'-0, and has two cupo-
las ; the others spires. All are constructed of wood and
painted.
• It is confidently asserted in Abingt.on, that " this ^ss tie fiin itiventiou tc
rut naili in tUh or any otlter coHntrv."
120 DESCRIPTION or ABINGTON.
The private dwellings are neat and commodious, con-
ferring value on well cultivated llirms, beside which
there are a few well accustomed stores. Populous in it-
self, and within the circle of several towns of similar de-
scription, Abington is an agreeable, healtlsy, and plea-
santly situated village. Its proximity to \Ve\ mouth
Landing, and to Hingham, gives it an immediate and
easy water communication with the m,etropolis, thereby
commanding local benefits over more inland towns.
Population. Census of souls,
A. D. 1790, souls 1453, heads of families 254
1800, „ 1623, houses 200
1810, „ 1704.
In the autumn of 1805 a mortal fever prevailed, caus-
ing an unusual number of deaths of adults. The an-
nual average in the bills of mortality may be stated
seventeen^ for a series of years, in the whole town, fifteen
and twenty being the extremes. Three persons died in
1814, each of whom was about ninety years of age, and
there are now (1815) living the following persons above
that age : William Hersey, Caleb Chard,* Daniel Lane,
Mrs. Farrow.
Ecclesiastical History.
First Church. Succession of ministers.
Rev. Samuel Brown, ordained Nov. 17, 1714; died
Sept 12, 1749, ^t. 62.
Ezckiel Dodge, ordained May 23, 1750; died
June 5, 1770, iet. 48.
Samuel Niles, ordained Sept. 25, 1771 ; died
January 16, 1814, set. 69.
Holland VVeeks, installed Aug. 9, 1815.
Rev. Mr. Brown was born at Newbury, 1687, gradu-
ated at Harvard College, 1709; there are some of his
descendants, who continue in Abington. Rev. Mr.
Dodge was born at Ipswich Hamlet* (now Hamilton)
1722, and was graduated at Harvard College, 1749.
• William Chard was clerk of writs ia Weymoutli, 1609.
I Or ia Manchester.
DESCRIPTION OF ABINGTON. 121
Rev. Mr. Niles was born in Braintree, Dec. 14, 1745,
(a son of the late Hon. Samuel Niles) and was graduated
at Princeton College, about 1768. For the two last
3ears of his life his publick labours were suspended by
paralytic affections. His surviving widow was a datigh-
ter oi' his predecessor, Mr. Dodge.
Second Church. In the year 1808 a number of the
inhabitants of the south part of Abington and of the east
of Bridgewater were incorporated as the " Union Calvin-
istic Society." The meeting house, already noticed un-
der publick edifices, is in Abington.
Rev. Daniel Thomas, a graduate of Brown Universi-
ty, 1803, was ordained June 1, 1808.
Third Church. 1813 "The third society in Abing-
ton" was incorporated in the northerly part of the town.
Rev. Samuel W. Colbourn, who is a graduate of Dart.
mouth, 1795, was installed, October 27, 1813.
There seems a large proportion of religious societies in
Abington, compared with its population and territory,
yet comprising, as is common, parts of border towns, it
may have local convenience, of the expediency of which
those who reside in more compact towns may not be ex-
act judges.
History.
The Court of Plymouth Colony early intended a fu-
ture town on the territory above Scituate and below
Bridgewater. The first grants, which fall within it were
made as follows ;
1654. A considerable tract to Mr. Nathaniel South-
er,* who had been their first Clerk of Court, " above
Weymouth path,"
1664, a further grant to his heirs ; and also, under the
same date, to the heirs of Clement Briggs,t another
tract in that vicinity.
• Mr. Souther, who had removed, was dead, 1659. He was first chosen clerk,
16S6. His heirs and children were John Blake and Mrs. Hannah Johnson of
Boston.
t Clement Briggs (felt-maker) arrived at Plymouth in the Fortune, 1621,
and removed to Weymouth. Another grant was made to his heirs above BriUg«'
water, which falls in Mansfield. This name is «omrapa in these places.
17 TOL. VII.
122 DESCRIPTION OF ABINGTON.
1672. Subsequent to this date, the heirs of Phineas
Pratt* have grants located there. He was of the Wey-
mouth first planters, coming from thence to Plymouth
in 1623, when that plantation was broken up.
1656. Three miles square from Accord Pond southerly
above Scituate was granted Mr. Hatherley and others.
This grant was sold in 1663 ; the greater part of it to
Otis, Thaxter, Jacob, &c. Hingham partners, and yet
bears the name " great and small shares," now partly in
Abington and partly in Hanover.
1668. A tract two miles long by three fourths of a
mile wide, was sold by the colony to James Lovell,
John Ilolbrook and Andrew Ford of Weymouth for 23/.
above Mr. Hatherlcy's grant, and adjoining the colony
line.f These two latter grants, therefore, constitute
nearly the whole north line of the town. Under this
date also, Robert Studson and others, bought a tract
south of the Hatherley grant, (laid out in 1684) and which
probably falls in Abington, or it may be Pembroke.
Lieut. Peregrine White of Marshfield at a certain pe-
riod (before 1660) had a grant of land, which falls in
Abington, described as being between two brooks, in
the fork of them, and in which description the aboriginal
names of the brooks are given, which clearly proves them
to be tl;e Beaver Brook, and the one east of it, and
enables us to affix, with historical truth, an aboriginal
name to Abington, which is Majiamooskeagin, " much
or many beavers" — a type of industry and ot mechanical
ingenuity.
When the colony line was completed, 1664, many
gores of lands remained, and were assigned to the
towns respectively, on either side ; thus it seems Bridge-
water and this plantation below it shared one. In the
year 1683, " Accord Pond Shares" paid a colonial tax
of 22s. and the " Ford's Farm Lands" IS^., while the
whole plantation was, as to civil concerns (but not the
• Phineas Pratt, (joiner) was in Plymouth about 1623. He removed to
Charlestown, and was living there, 1677. He married at Plymouth a daughter of
Cuthbert Cuthbertson, 1630.
f This grant took the name " Ford's Farm Lands," and became a genera'I
name for the plantation.
DESCRIPTION OF ABINCTON.
123
soil) annexed to the constablerick of Bridge water, 1690,
and received corporate privileges under Massachusetts,
1712. Settlements began, probably, about 1668 or 9.
The first town nieeiing was held March 2, 1712 — 13,
when William Reed was chosen town clerk, and William
Hearsey, William Tirril, William Reed, Selectmen.
As to the origin of the population, it is evidently, the
greater part, from Weymouth, Hingham and Scituate,
with a few early names from Duxbury, Bridgewater,
Pembroke, Braintrcc, Dorchester, &C. The census of
1790 gives these proportions of origin.
Ford
Lovell
Holbrook
Shaw
Dver
Bates
French
Pratt
Bicknell
Vining
Weiimouth.
Tirnl
Whitmarsh
Paine
Reed
Pool
Hunt
Torry
Briggs
BurriU
Norton
Chard
Orcutt
Hingham.
Thaxter King Norton Porter
Gushing Whiten Lane Hobart
Lincoln Hearsey Ripley Chubbuck
Scituate.
House Damon Curtis Colson
Stetson Jenkins Hobart Totman
Dunbar
Duxbury.
Alden Sprague Nash
Samson
White
Braintree,
Beal
Wales
There are many miscellaneous names, most of which are
probably from Weymouth and Hingham.
When we began these inquiries in Abington, the ter-
ritory which it comprises seemed to be a chasm in Ply-
mouth colonial history, for which, while tracing the his-
tory of older corporations, we could not account to our
124 SKETCH OF WALPOLE^ N. M.
satisfaction. It is an opinion on tlic spot, that it was ta-
ken from Bridge water ; but a critical research evidences
that it was only from its temporary civil jurisdiction.
Under the heads of church and n.inisterial dates and
manufactures, much assistance has been afforded by the
accurate and intelligent communications cf Mr. J.icob
Dyer of Abington, to whom this publick tribute of ac-
knowledgment is due.
It may be further remarked, that the aboriginal name
for the beaver, which we iind here, seldom occurs in the
Narraganset dialect, where another and a very different
name prevailed for that animal, arKl which is typical of
"^oo(/y," indicating the dams, which they construct.
Sketch of Walpole, (N. H.) By Mr. A.
Bellows.
VV ALPOLE is a post town in the county of Cheshire,
N. H. It is situated on the eastern bank of Connecti-
cut River, opposite to Westminster, (Vermont.) it has
Charlestown on the north, Alstead and Surry on the
east, and Westmoreland on the south. Its distance from
Portsmouth is 118 miles ; from Dartmouth College, 48 ;
from the Massachusetts line 25, and from Boston, (Mass.)
90, with which it has easy and frequent communication.
The face of the town is beautifully diversified wiih
hills and vales. Its soil is characterized by nothing dis-
tinct from other towns on Connecticut River. The
meadows afford excellent tillage and the uplands are infe-
ferior to none in the state. Cold River passes through
the north part of this town, and forms a junction with
the Connecticut.
There are two toll bridges here across Connecticut
River ; one of which is directly over the well known Cat-
aract, Bellows' Falls, affording to the traveller, as he
passes, a view most sublime and interesting. Two turn-
pike roads pass through the town. The first settlement
was made in 1749 ; and two years after was granted by
PilATT's APOLOGY. 125
charter to Col. Benjamin Bellows, who was a principal
proprietor and whose numerous posterity continue to oc-
cupy a large proportion of it.
The population of the town has been regularly pro-
gressive ; it hus never experienced any extraordinary
pestilential epidemic to retard it. The present number
of inhabitants is about 2000. It has been regularly sup-
plied with a Congregational preacher since the year 1761,
without any ecclesiastical difficulties : at this time the
whole town is happily united under the ministrations of
the Rev. Piiny Dickinson. It has but one meeting-
house, which is large and commodious, built of wood in
the year 1787, and iurnished with a good bell and organ.
Although there is no incorporated academy in this
town, yet its advanta.ees of school education are not ex-
ceeded in any town in this section of the State. In ad-
dition to the common district schools, (twelve in number)
which are kept three or four months in winter by a man,
and about the same in summer by a woman, there is
constantly kept in the village a grammar school, and,
during the summer months, a young ladies' academy for
the instruction of misses of this and the neighbouring
towns, in all the useful and ornamental branches of fe-
male education.
As to mechanics, Walpole enjoys every convenience
that is common in a country town. There are a variety
of grist and saw mills, one oil mill, two clothier's works,
two cotton factories, carding machines, distilleries, &c.
eight stores and six publick houses.
[The following paper, extracted from Vol. I. p. 77, of the Massachu-
setts Colony Records, was written in November, 1635, The occa-
sion of this hunibJe confession may be found in Gov. Winthrop's
Journal, p. 90, but nothing more was known of the subject, until
the discovery of his unpublished manuscript, from which we learn
that the writer of the apology was drowned in a shipwreck on the
coast of Spain, as he was returning home. This was in December,
1644, though Hubbard, pp. 524, 5, has fallen into errour in tran-
scribing, abbreviating and compounding the narrative, and made it
occur the year after. Pratt was accompanied by hi« wife. It may
126 PR ATI 'b APOLOGY.
I)C iii(ciosti:ip; to copy frotii Uie iiiodilotl ]mi[ of Wintlirop his ir-
port.'' " This iii;iii [I'ruttj was ahovi; sixty )('ars oM, an expeii-
riiccd surpooii, vvho h:ui lived in New Eiijilaiid ninii) ) eais, and
was of the fust fliiirch at (!atnbrid<;e in Mr. Hooker's lime, and
had j];ood practice, and wanted nothing. Hut he had hern Ion" d's-
cunlentcd, because his eniuloyracnt was not so profitabh; lo himself
as he desired ; and it is like he leared, lest he should fall into want
in his old age, and therelore he vould nec<is go back into J'.ugland
(for surgeons were then in great request there by occasion of the
Mars) but God took hiii) auay chlklless.'
It is amusing to notice how the equivoca'iicns of the writer are re-
ceived as satisfaction for his cahimnics against the barren rocks,
sands and salt niaisi;es o!" our country ; but the ministers and magis-
trates seem to have e\hibited more jjolicy in receiving than he did
in making his explanations. l;^iniilar complaints against the ungrate-
ful soil of New England are olten heard in our days, but they are
left to a more effectual correction than that of civil or ecclesiastical
advisers. 2.
Pkatt's Apology.
The answer of me John Pratt to such things as I hear
[torn] perceive objected against me, as offensive in my
letter.
Jb IRST generally whatsoever I writ of the improbability
or impossibility of subsistance for ourselves or our pos-
terity without tempting God, or without extraordinary
means, it was with these two regards ; first, 1 did not
mean that which I said in respect of the whole country,
or our whole patent in general, but only of that compass
of ground, wherein these towns are so thick set together,
and secondly I supposed that they intended so to remain,
because (upon conference with divers) I found that men
did think it unreasonable that they or any should remove
or disperse into other parts of the country ; and upon this
ground I tiiought I could not subsist myself, nor the plan-
tation, nor posterity ; but I do acknowledge that since my
letter there have been sundry places newly found out as
Newbury, Concord, and others (and that within this pat-
ent) which will afford good means of subsistence for men
and beastSj in which and other such like new plantations,
if the towns shall be fewer and the bounds larger than
these are, I conceive they may live comfortably. The
Pratt's apology. 127
like I think of Connecticut, with the plantations there now
in hand ; and what I conceive so sufficient for myself, I
conceive so sufficient also for my posterity ; and concern-
ing these towns here so thick planted, I conceive they may
subsist, in case that besides the conveniences which they
have already near hand, they do injjjrove farms somewhat
farther off, and do also apply themselves to, and do im-
prove the trade of fishing and other trades. As concern-
ing that intimation of the commonwealth builded upon
rocks, sands, and salt marshes, I wish I had not made it,
because it is construed contrary to my meaning, which I
have before expressed. And whereas my letters do seem
to extenuate the judgment of such as came before, as
having more honesty than skill, they being scholars, citi-
zens, tradesmen, he. my meaning was not so general as
the words do import, for 1 had an eye only to those, that
had made larger reports into England of the country,
than I found to be true in the sense aforesaid. And
whereas I may seem to imply, that 1 had altered the minds
or judgments of the body of the people, magistrates and
others, I did not mean this in respect of the goodness or
badness of the land, in the whole plantation, but only in
point of removal, and spi'eading farther into other parts,
they afterwards conceiving it necessary, that some should
remove into other places, here and there, of more en-
largement. And whereas I seem to speak of all the
magistrates and people, I did indeed mean only all those
with whom I had any private speech about those things ;
and as for the barrenness of the sandy grounds, &:c. I
spake of them as then I conceived, but now by expe-
rience of mine own, I find that such ground, as before I
accounted barren, yet being manured and husbanded
doth bring forth more fruit than I did expect. As for
the not prospering of the English gruin upon this ground,
I do since that time see that rye and oats have prospered
better than I expected ; but as for the other kinds of
grain, I do still question, whether they will come to such
perfection as in our native country from whence they
come. And whereas I am thought generally to charge
all that have written into England by way of commenda-
128 pratt's apology.
tion of this land as if what they had written were gene-
rally false, I meant it only of such excessive commenda-
tions as I sec did exceed and are contrary to that which
I have here expressed. And as concerning that which I
said, that the gospel would be as dear here as in Eng-
land, I did it to this^^nd, to put some which intended to
come hither only for outward commodity to look for
better grounds, ere they look this way. As for some
grounds of my returning, which I concealed from my
friends, for fear of doing hurt, I meant on!} some parti-
cular occasions and apprehensions of mine own, not in-
tending to lay any secret blemish upon the state ; and
whereas I did express the danger of decaying here in
our first love, he. I did it only in regard of the manifold
occasions and businesses which here at first we meet
withal, by which I find in mine own experience (and so
I think do others also) how hard it is to keep our hearts
in that holy frame which sometimes they were in, where
we had less to do in outward things, but not at all
intending to impute it as necessary to our condition,
much less as a fruit of our precious liberties which we
enjoy, which rather tend to the quickening of us, we
improving the same as we ought. This my answer
(according with the inward consent and meaning of my
heart) I do humbly commend to the favourable conside-
ration and acceptance of the Court, desiring in this, as in
all things, to approve myself in a conscience void of of-
fence towards God and man.
JOHN PRATT.
This answer of John Pratt before written, voluntarily
by him made, as we are witnesses, so do we also joia
with him in humble desire unto the Court, that it may-
be favorably accepted, and whatever failings are in the
letter in regard of the manner of expressions (which may
seem hardly to suit with these his interpretations) we do
desire the indulgence of the Court to pass over without
further question. Peter Bulkley,
John Wilson,
Thomas Hooker.
NOTE ON SZEEIEL CHEEVER. 129
Whereas John Pratt of Newtown being called before
us at this present Court and questioned for a letter which
he Wrote into England dated (blank) wherein he raised
an ill report of this country, did desire respite till the
next day to consider of his answer, he hath now deliver-
ed in this before written, whereupon his free submission
and acknowledgement of his errour the Court hath ac-
cepted for satisfaction, and thereupon pardoned his said
oflfence, and thereupon order that it shall be recorded,
and such as desire copies thereof may have the same.
John Haynes, Govr. William Coddington,
Richard Bellingham, Willm. Pinchon,
John Winthrop, Allerton Hough,
Thomas Dudley, Increase Nowell,
John Humfrey, Simon Bradstreete.
Note on Ezekiel Cheever. By William
Lyon Esq. of New Haven.
In a note [Coll. Hist. Soc. Vol. viii. p. 66.'] under
the account of Ezekiel Cheever, some further informa-
tion is desired respecting him. I am ignorant whether
he came from England with Governor Eaton, 1637, or
joined him at Boston ; but he came to New Haven with
him. His name appears in the plantation covenant, sign-
ed in Newman's barn, June 4, 1639. Although a poor
man, he must have been of considerable estimation, as he
signed among their principal men. Every thing was done
with much formality at that time. By their doomsday
book, I find his family consisted of himself and wife on-
ly ; she died in 1649. His estate was set at 20l, and a
few acres of wild land beside. He taught school, and
sometimes conducted publick worship. It is probable
that he wrote his Accidence at New Haven. In 1644
his salary was raised to l.SO per annum ; for three years
before he had received but 1.20 per annum. When the
church was gathered, John Davenport directed them ** to
select eleven of their most godly men as a nomination for
church pillars, that there might be no blemish in church
18 vol. VII.
130 NOTE ON E2EKIEL CHEEVEK.
work." Cheever was chosen for one. These were to
select seven among themselves, because we read in Pro-
verbs, '* Wisdom hath hewn out her seven pillars." I
suppose he left this town about the year 1650 (his name
does not appear on the records after that) and spent the
remainder of his loni; life in the Bay. In Cambridpje
Catalogue I see that Thomas Cheever was graduated in
1677 ; perhaps a son of Ezckiel by a second wife.
Additional Note. Edit.
Dr. Cotton Mather, in " An Historical Introduc-
tion" to his funeral sermon upon Mr. Ez e k i e L C h ke v e r ,
after learned remarks on grammarians and schoolmasters,
gives the following account of his own revered prccep-
tor. " We generally concur in acknowledging, that
New England has never known a better. I am sure, I
have as much reason to appear for him, as ever CnVo for
his master Socrates. The short history of his long use-
fulness is to be comprised in the ensuing articles."
" He was born in London many years before the birth
of New England. It was January 25, 1614, [i. e. 16'*.]
He arrived into this country in June, 1637, with the rest
of those good men, who sought a peaceable secession in
an American wilderness, for the pure evangelical and in-
stituted worship of our great Redeemer, to which he
kept a strict adherence all his days. He then sojourned
first a little while, part of a year, at Boston ; so that at
Boston he both commenced and (-oncluded his American
race. His holy life was a married life. He began the
laborious work of a school-master at New Haven ; where
he continued for twelve years. From New Haven he re-
moved unto Ipswich, in Dec. 1650, where he laboured
eleven years. From Ipswich he removed unto Charles-
town, in Nov. 1661, where he laboured nine years. From
Charlestown he came over to Boston, January 6, 1670,
where his labours were continued for eight and thirty
years. He died on Saturday morning, August 21, 1708,
in the ninety fourth year of his age ; after he had been
a skilful, painful, faithful schoolmaster for seventy years ;
and had the singular fiwour of heaven, that though he
NOTE ON EZEKIEL CHEEVER. 131
had usefully spent his life among children^ yet he was
not become twice a child, but held his abilities, with his
usefulness, in an unusual degree cO the very last."
In the Sermon, Dr. Mather says, *' It was noted,
that when scholars came to be admitted into the College,
they who came from the Cheeverian education, were
generally the most unexceptionable. He flourished so
long in this great work, of bringing our sons to be men,
that it gave him an opportunity to send forth many
Bezaleeh and Aholiabs for the service of the tabernacle ;
and men fitted for all good employments. He that was
my master, seven and thirty years ago, was a master to
many of my betters, no less than seventy years ago; so
long ago, that I must even mention my fatlief s tutor for
one of then." Particular notice is taken of " his piety,
and his care to infuse documents of piety into the sch<'>i.
ars under his charge, that he might carry them with him
to the heavenly world. He so constantly prayed with us
every day, and catechised us every week, and let fall
such holy counsels upon us ; he took so many occasions
to make speeches to us, that should make us afraid of
sin, and of incurring the fearful judgments of God by
sin ; that I do propose him for imitation." Having
shown what his " Master was in the school," he addb,
" Out of the school he was one, antiquajlde, priscis mor-
ibus ; a Christian of the old fashion; an Old New
English Christian ; and I may tell you, that was as
venerable a sight, as the world, since the days of primi-
tive Christianity, has ever looked upon. He was well
studied in the body of divinity ; an able defender of the
faith and order of the gospel ; notably conversant and ac.
quainted with the scriptural prophecies. He lived as a
Master, the term which has been for above three thou-
sand years, assigned for the life of a Man ; he continued
to the ninety fourth year of his age — his intcHeclual force
as little abated as his natural."
In a poetical " Essay" on his memory, Dr. M. as-
cribes the learning of New England to him and to Cor-
let, another eminent schoolmaster, who taught the gram-
132 MOTE ON EZEKIEL CHEEVER.
mar school in Cambridge for many years, and who is
celebrated in the Magnalia.
" Tis Corlkt's pains, and Chfever's, ttc must own,
That tiiou, New England, art not Sc} tliia grown."
In the following description, we perceive characteris-
tics of the writer, as well as of the master.
" He liv\l, and to vast age no illness knew;
Till Time's scythe waiting for him rusty grew.
He liv'd and wrought ; his labours were immense ;
But ne'er declined to prctcrpcr/ecl tense.''''
To the Essay is subjoined the following
EPITAPHIUM.
EZEKIEL CHEEVERUS ;
Ludimagister;
Primo Neoportensis ;
Deinde, Ipsuicensis;
Postea, Carolotenensis ;
Postremo, Bostonensis :
cujus
Doctrinam ac Virtutem
Nostri,* si sis Nov-Anglus,
Colis, si noa Barbarus ;
Grammaticds,
a Quo Don pure tantum, sed et pie,
Loqui;
Rhetoriccs,
a Q,uo non tantum ornate dicere
coram Hominibus,
sed et Oratioues coram Deo fundere
EfTicacissimas ;
POETA,
a Q,uo noD tantum Carmioa pangere,
sed et
CoBlest^s Hymnos Odasque ADgelicas,
canere,
Didicerunt,
Q,ui discere voluerunt ;
LUCERNA,
ad Ctuam accensa sunt,
LANDING OF THE FATHERS. 133
Q,ui8 queat numerare,
Q,uot Ecclesiarura Lumiua ?
Et
Qui secum Theologise abstulit,
Peritissiruus Theologcs,
Corpus bic suura sibi minus charum,
deposuit.
Vixit Aonos, XCIV.
Docuit, Aqdos, LXX.
Obiit, A. D. M. DCC. VIIL
Et quod mori potiiit,
Heic
Expectat Exoptatque
Primam Sanctorum Resurrectlonem
ad
Immortalitatein.
Anniversary of the Landing of the Fore-
fathers.
1 HE 187th anniversary of this memorable event vva3
celebrated at Plymouth on Monday, the 22d of Decem-
ber, in the usual style. The discourse on this occasion
was delivered by the Rev. Horace Holley, whose well
known oratorical powers were exerted on this occasion
in the happiest manner, and afforded great delight and
satisfaction to his numerous auditors. The festival was
concluded with a publick dinner, and a ball in the even-
ing. It is intended to erect a publick hall in this ancient
town, devoted to the particular purposes of this celebra-
tion, which must every year acquire increasing interest,
as those blessings are multiplied, which have followed
from the heroic constancy of the founders of the colony.
Three years more will complete the second century ;
it may be presumed that the jubilee will then be celebrat-
ed with greater efforts to commemorate this epoch.
We intend, on a future occasion, to collect the facts
connected with this celebration from the commencement,
and give a list of those who have delivered addresses on
he occasion. Ed.
154 BOSTON BILL OF MORTALITY, 1816.
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loG BOSTON VOTES.
Boston Votes.
The following regulations, adopted on tlic SOtli November, 1635, I
have transcribed from the third paj^e of the first volume of Records'
of this town, as fairly exhibiting the views of the earliest settlers.
I'o such sources, which have not been exhausted even by tlie une-
qualled <liligence of Hutchinson and lla/.ard, must every man re-
sort, who would thoroughly investigate the causes of modern cus-
toms, the cunabuhi gentis nostrae. The last item will be duly
appreciated, when the reader recollects, that Vane, who was next
year chosen governour, had arrived in our colony only in the pre-
ceding month. 2.
' At a general meeting upon publique notice,
Imprymis it is agreed that noe further allotment shall be
graunted unto any new comers, but such as may be likely
to be received members of the congregation. Item that
none shall sell their houses or allotments to any new com-
ers, out with the consent and allowance of those that are
appointed Allotters. Item that all such as have allot-
nents for habitations allotted unto them shall build there-
on before the first of the first month next, called March,
or else it shall be in the power of the allotters to dispose
of them otherwise. Item that Mr, William Hutchinson,
Mr. William Colborne and Mr. William Brenton shall
set pryses upon all cattell, comodities, victualls and la-
bourers and workmens wages and that noe other prises
or rates shall be given or taken. Item that none of the
members of this congregation or inhabitants amongst us
shall sue one another at the lawe before that Mr. Henry-
Vane and the twoe Elders, Mr. Thomas Ollyver and
Thomas Leverett have had the hearing and desyding of
the cause if they cann."
DESCRIPTION OJ 8RIJ).CXWA.TXR. 1^7
A Description of Bridgewater, 1818.
ijRIDGEWATPLR, which is now one of the largest
towns in the common wealthy was originally a plantation
belonging to Duxbury. Soon after that town was incor-
porated, the inhabitants applied to the Court at Plymouth
for a grant of lands, or, as they expressed it, " an exten-
sion to the westward." The first order of court respect,
ing it was in August 1644, as follows.
*' Upon the petition of Duxbury men, it is thought
good by the Court, that there be a view taken of the lands
described by them, namely, seven miles up into the
woods from Plymouth bounds at Jones' river. And if
it prove not prejudicial to the plantation to be erected at
Teightaquid, nor to the meadows of Plymouth at Win-
nytuckquett, it may be confirmed unto them ; provided
also the herring or alevvife river at Namassachusett shall
be equally between the two towns of Duxbury and
Marshfield.'^
The next year, 1645, the grant was m^de aS follows.
" The inhabitants of the town of Duxbury are granted a
competent proportion of lands about Saughtuckquett to-
wards the west for a plantation for them, and to have it
four miles every way from the place where they shall set
up their centre ; provided it entrench not upon Winny-
tuckquett formerly granted to Plymouth. And we have
nominated Capt. Miles Standish, Mr. John Alden,
George Soule, Constant Southworth, Joseph Rogers,
and William Brett, to be feoffees in trust for the equal
dividing and laying forth the said lands to the inhabi-
tants.'*
The whole number of inhabitants in Duxbury at that
time, who were entitled to this grant, was fifty-four,
each of whom, " by agreement among themselves," had
one share, and they reserved two shares, one for a minis-
ter to be settled among them, and one for a miller, mak*
19 VOL. VII.
138
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATER.
ing in the whole 56 shares. Tlie names of the proprie-
tors were
tors were
William Bradford,
William Merrick,
John Bradford,
Abraham Pierce,
John Rockers,
George Partridge,
John Starr,
Mr. William Collier,
Christopher Wadsworth,
Kdaard Hall,
Nicholas Hobbins,
Thomas Hayvvard,
Mr. Ralph Partridge,
Nathaniel Willis,
John Willis,
Thomas Bonney,
Mr. Miles Standish,
Love Brewster,
John Pay body,
William Paybody,
Francis Sprague,
William Basset,
John Washburn,
John Washburn, jiin.
John Ames,
Thomas Gannett,
William Brett,
Edmund Hunt,
The two last, Mr. James Keith, who was afterwards
their minister, and Samuel Edson, their first miller, were
neither of them ink ibitants of Duxbury, or originally
proprietors, but became so afterwards when they settled in
the town. Mr. Keith was from Scotland, and Edson
from Salem.
This grant was considered as a preemptive right on-
ly, and before they entered therefore upon the lands they,
" by the approbation and appointment of the court,"
WiUiam Clarke,
William Ford,
Mr. Constant Southworth,
John Cary,
Edmund Weston,
Samuel Tompkins,
Edmund Chandler,
Moses Simons,
John Frisk,
Philip Delano,
Arthur Harris,
Mr. John Alden,
John Fobes,
Samuel Nash,
Abraham Sampson,
George Soule,
Experience Mitchell,
Henry Howland,
Henry Sampson,
John Brown,
John Haward,
Francis West,
William Tubbs,
James Lindell,
Samuel Eaton,
Solomon Leonardson,
Mr. James Keith,
Samuel Edson.
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGE WATER. 139
purchased the soil of tlie natives agreeably, to the follow-
ing deed.
" Witnes' these presents, that I Ousamequin Sachiin
of the Contrie of Pocanauket, have given, granted en-
feofed and sould unto Myles Standish of Duxborough
Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth of Duxborough
aforesaid in the behalf of all y^ townsmen of Duxborough
aforesaid a tract of land usually called Saughtucket ex-
tending in length and the breadth thereof, as foUoweth,
that is to say from y*-* weare att Saughtuckett seven myles
due east and from the said weare seven (miles) due
west, and from the said weare seven myles due north
and from the said weare seven myles due south ; the
w'^'^ tract the said Ousamequin hath given granted
enfeoffed and sould unto y*' said Myles (Suindish)
Samuel Nash and Constant Southwortli in the behalfe of
all y^ townsmen of Duxborough as aforesaid w*'' all the
emunityes privcleges and profitts whatsoever belonging
to the said tract of land w^** all and singular all woods
underwoods lands meadowes Rivers brooks Rivelets &c.
to have and to hould to the said JVlyles Standish Samuel
Nash and Constant Southuorth in behalfe of all the
townsmen of the tov\ne of Duxborough to them and
their heyers forever. In Witnes whereof I the said
Ousamequin have here unto sett my hand this 23 of
March 1649. J^
the m*" of C y> Ousamequin
In consideration of the aforesaid bargain and sale wee the
said Miles Standish Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth
dee bind ourselves to pay unto y*^ said Ousamequin for
and in consideration of y^ said tract of land as followeih
7 Coats a y'' and half in ji coat
9 Hatchets
8 Howes
20 Knives
4 moose skins
10 yd* jjnjj half of cotton
The above is a literal and exact copy of the original
deed in the hand writing of Capt. Standish, which is now
in the possession of the writer of this article.
Myles Standish
Samuel Nash
Constant Southworth
140 DESClilPTrON OF BRIDGEWATER.
Ousameqitin, or Ossamequln, !i.ometimcs wrtttOn
Woo5>enifcjuin, was Massasoit himself, who in the Matter
part of his life had adopicd that name. This contract is
said to have been made and execiiled on a small rock^
hill where Seth Latham now lives, ancictitly called
Sachem's Rock, a little south of \\ hitman'ti Mills in the
east parish. The wear, which they at fjrst established as
their centre, was a little above the mills, back of Deacon
William Harris' house, and near the ancient fordinj^
place. The first mill erected or this stream stood near
the wear, which consequentty became useless and was
discontinued as a fishing place. Traces of the old road
at the fording place on the south side of the riveri and
also of the old wear at the bottom of the river, are still
to be seen.
This river and the pond from which it proceeds, as
well as the neighbourhood in which they are situated,
still retain the name of SatUckct, a contraction of Saqua-
tuckett, orMassaquatuckett, as it was sometimes written.
While the grant from the court was only four niiles
each way, equal to eight miles square, this purchase from
the Indians was seven miles each way, equal to fourteen
miles square. The reason of this difference is not very
obvious ; but the purchase was probably niLOe thni ex-
tensive, either in reference to the " seven miles" ruen-
tioned in the first order of court, or with a view to addi-
tional grants in future.
The plantation was incorporated into a distinct town in
the year 1656, agreeably to the following aet of court.
" Ondered that henceforth Duxbury new plantation be
allowed to be a township of itself, distinct from Duxbn-
ry, and to be called by the name of Bridgewater ; pro-
vided that all public rates be born by them with Dux-
bury upon equal proportions." This proportion ap-
peared, by a public tax assessed about that time, to have
been established at one third ; as Duxbury paid 1:6 : : -9,
and Bridgewater I. 2:0: 3. The name was probably
adopted from fancy, as most of the names of to%vns
were in the " old Colony," and not because any of the
settlers came from Bridgewater in England.
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATEE, 141
The inhabitants soon discovered, that they had riot left
themselves four miles on the east of their centre at the
wear, without encroaching upon the Major's purchase,
so called, (now part of Pembroke,) and, what was pro^
babl}' a more important discovery to them, they found
also, that there was a large tract of swamp and meadow
lands, called Hockomock, lying on the west beyond then-
four miles towards Taunton (now Easton and Raynham.)
They therefore began very early to make application to
court for leave to move their centre, and extend their
limits, westward, so as to include these lands ; as ap-
pears, as well as the reasons they assigned for it, in the
following order in 1658. "It is agreed by the court
that there shall be chosen such as the town of Bridge-
water shall think meet, that are no way engaged in the
new plantation of Duxbury, to view out the land and
meadow desired by Bridgewater, and to consider of the
reasonableness of their desire in reference to the accom-
modating of some useful men in church and Common-
wealth and make true report of the same to the court."
And in 1662 the same was granted them as follows.
** In answer to a petition preferred to the court by
Bridgewater, it is agreed, that the meadow land lying
northward and westward from the centre within the seven
miles is granted them."
They afterwards^ by the leave of court, removed their
centre about one mile and half west from the wear and
constituted a large oak Tree, near the old dwelling liouse
of the present Thomas Hay ward, their central monument ;
which was ever afterwards, as long as it sta3d> caiied the
" centre tree," and the place still retains the name of
" the Centre,'" Some remains of the stamp are still
visible in the wall on the south side of the road, and are
in the divisional line between the east and west parishes.
in 1668 the court, " in answer to a petition of Bridge-
water desiring their enlaTgement may extend to the six
miles they |mrchased of the Indians by order of
court," made another grant to the town of " six miles
from the centre on the north side, if tlie line of tfee Colo-
ny hitidfeA not, «nd an the west side up to Taontoia
142 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER.
bounds," now Kaston and Raynham, " and on the soulh
and somhcasteily sides unto 'I'iticut river, as far as the
six miles extends, and so hkewise on the east side, that
is to SUV, the whole six miles from the eentre, east, west,
north and south ; always provided, that grants of lands
formerly made by court be not molested. It is also or-
dered that those lands, that are between Bridgewater and
Namasket," now NJiddleborough, " already granted,
shall be determined by the court unto what township
they shall belong ; and that the Indians be not molested ;
and that thcv be careful to provide a competency of land
for Mr. Keith."
This was commonly called " the two miles additional
grant,'^ as the first was, " the old four mile grant." It
would seem by some expressions in this grant, as if it
were understood, that the original purchase of the In-
dians had been only six miles each Avay, and not seven,
as the fact was. There seems also to have arisen about
that time a question in the court as to the extent of it ;
for we find the depositions of Constant Southworth and
Samuel Nash, two of the purchasers, respecting it, upon
record, in which they say, " they purchased six miles
every way from the w ear, and have for it' the writing or
deed under Ossamequin's own hand, which is seven
miles." Probably ihey had ascertained, that six miles
would comprehend all the land around them, not includ-
ed in other grants, and had therefore asked of the court
for that extent only, and doubts had arisen whether they
had purchased that quantity of the Indians. These de-
positions were probably introduced to show they had
purchased six miles and more, even " seven."
By this additional grant, they obtained their two miles
on the north towards the colony line, and some on the
east, north of " the major's purchase," in the north east
corner of the town ; but, very little, if any, elsewhere.
Their original four miles would extend to the "major's
purchase" on the east, and " the Taunton north purchase"
on the west, and the Indian plantation at Teightaquid had
been reserved by the Court in all their grants. This plan-
tation had been granted to the Titiciit Indians by Chick-
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER. 143
atabut, a sachem of Massachusetts livings on Neponset
river, being- " three miles on each side of the river," and
was called, Keketticut, or Ketticut, or Teightaquid, and
now commonly written Titicut. So much of it, however,as
lies north of the river was contained within the six miles,
and they were afterwards allowed to purchase it of the In-
dians, and Elder Brett, Mr. Nicholas Byram, and Mr.
Samuel Edson, were appointed by court for that purpose.
They accordingly, November 20, 1672, procured a deed
of it from Pomponoho, alias Peter, chief of the Titicut
Indians ; being " all the land lying north of Titicut river,
within the bounds of Bridgewater, what lands were mine
or were either my father's or grandfather's or any othervyise
conferred on me, excepting one hundred acres lying up
the river to the eastward of Small Brook, given to an In-
dian called Charles, my brother in law, and a certain par-
cel of land lying against the wear and bounded by the
landing place, running to the head of my field containing
about ten acres to the utmost;" signed with his mark, p,
witnessed by Joseph Hayward and John Gary, sen. and
acknowledged before Josiah Winslow, governor. The
consideration was 16/. viz. " 6l. current money, and 10^.
in good merchantable corn." The two lots reserved were
afterwards purchased of the individual Indians owning
them by some of the settlers of the town. The 100 acres
were purchased of Charles by Edward Mitchell and Eli-
sha Hayward. Thus all the lands within the most exten-
sive limits of the town, appear to have been fairly pur-
chased of the natives ; and we have the above named
Governor Winslow's attestation upon record, that this
was the case in all the towns in the old colony.
If there were any lands within the last grant, " lying
between Bridgewater and Namasket," besides those con-
tained in the Titicut plantation, the Court, having re-
served the right to themselves to determine unto which
town they should belong, settled that question afterwards
by constituting the river the boundary between Bridge-
water and Middleborough.
In the year 1685, the Court of Assistants were em-
powered to examine, allow and confirm, from time to
time, all claims and titles to lands formerly granted to
144 DESCfllPnOM OF BRIDGEWATEiR..
towns or individuals by the General Court, and when al-
lowed they were to ^' pass the scul of tlie government for
eonrfirmation/' In pursuance of this order, tlie grants
above mentioned were confirrHed by Thomas Hinckley,
J^sq. governor, March 6, 1686, and the boundaries oi' the
whole town, generally, described. The deed was attest-
ed by Nathanifl Clark, secretary. And on the 23d of
December, of the same year, a deed of confirmation was
alsx) procured from " losiah, son of Josiah Wampatuck,''
called an Indian sachem, lining at Mattakeset, now Pem-
broke, of all the town lying " north of the south four mile
line," that is, all excepting the late " Titicut purchase'*
contained in the deed of Pomponoho, wliich needed no
confirmation. The consideration of Wampatuck's deed was
"ten pounds in money, and one hundred acres of land ly-
ing on the upper end of poor meadow on both sides of the
river." These one hundred acres were afterwards bought
^nd are now owned by individuals in tiie town. This deed
,of confirmation was made to Samuel Edson, sen. Ensign
Haward, and John Willis, sen. in behalf of all the propri-
£tors, signed with VVanipatuck's mark, witnessed by John
.Soule, Joseph Bcarstovv, and Samuel Tinsley, probably
inhabitants of Mattakeset, and acknowledged before Wil-
liam Bradford, deputy governor. It appears, therefore,
Ethat the greatest part of the town has been twice purchas-
ed of the natives, once of Massasoit, and again of Wam-
-patuck, a valuable consideration having been paid to each.
The original " four mile grant" was never allotted, but
remained in common among the proprietors, who, in 1662,
after " some of the committee, originally named in the
grant for laying it out, were dead, and others taken off by
other occasions," were authorized by Court to appoint a
committee from among themselves to lay out their lands,
and all their agreements respecting their proprietary wer-e
to be recorded by the clerk of the town, who was conse-
quently made clerk also of the proprietors. There was
an attempt however made to divide the whole " commons"
at once among the proprietors ; but William Brett, their
eldei, wrote to Gov. Winslow requesting him with "the
honored Court" to prevent it. His letter is long and par-
DESCRirilON OF BRIDCEWATER. 145
ticular, staling tlijc arguments on both sides. He also
states, that a majority in the town had been procured in
favour of it, by the influence of '* Nicholas Byram, Sam-
uel Edson and others." His letter, siiil remaining, bears
date February £0, 1671. The proprietors had their meet-
ings, oflicers, and records distmct from the town, and
were accustomed, from time to time, to make grants of a
certain number of acres, from five to twenty, which each
proprietor had a right to pitch, and call on the committee
to lay out for him ; which being done, and a return of
the survey made and entered on their books, created a
perfect title in such proprietor. Any person, not a pro-
prietor, finding common land, might purchase a right of
any one, who had not taken uj) his full quantity upon any
of the grants then existing, and procure to himself a title
to it in the same manner. Instances of common land
having been taken up in this manner have occurred even
to the present day.
But all the lands obtained by tlie additional two mile
grant, together with the lands contained in the deed
from Pomponoho, were divided into lots and drawn by
the proprietors. They were divided in the first place in-
to four parcels or tracts, three en the north and one on
the south. That on the south was called *' the Titieut
purchase." Those on the north were differently designat-
ed. One was called " the three miles at the east end and
beginning next to the Colony line." Another was called
" the easterl)^ two miles, commonly called the young
men's shares.*' Another was called " the two miles in
the west, commonly called the west shares." They
were however mistaken in supposing their six miles
north carried them to the old colony line ; as there was a
gore of land remaining, beginning at a point at the north
west corner of the town and widening so that between
the north east corner and the colony line there was a
great distance. This fact was awhile zealously disput-
ed, but at last settled in the long contested case of Abra-
ham Thayer vs. Daniel Howard and others. The west-
erly part of this gore, commonly called " the Howard
farms," having been purchased of the Massachusetts pro-
20 VOL. VII.
146 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGIWATER.
vince, after the union of the two colonies, by Daniel
Howard and Robert Howard, was annexed to Bridgewa-
ter on the petition of the Selectmen of the town. The
remainder of it had before been incorporated with the
town of Abington. Indeed by the plain and express
language of the statute the whole gore was included in
Abington ; but for some reasons, which do not appear,
the '* Howard farms" seem to have been considered as
*' belonging to no town," till they were annexed to
Bridge water, October 15, 1730. These several grants
and additions constitute all the territory ever belonging to
Bridgcwater in its greatest extent. There have been
some considerable diminutions of it since. June 10th,
1712, the north east corner of the town, containing all the
land lying east of Beaver Brook and north of the present
bounds of the east parish was incorporated with the
town of Abington. The greatest part of this town was
taken from Bridgcwater. 'I'he petitioners call themselves
inhabitants of the east part of Bridgcwater, who, with oth-
ers, desire to be incorporated into a town. A small gore al-
so on the east side of the town, beginning at a point at Hali-
fax and extending northerly, was annexed to Pembroke
June 7, i754. Excepting in these instances, the town
has never been curtailed, and its boundaries as finally
settled may therefore now be generally described as fol-
lows. On the east it is bounded by Pembroke and Hali-
fax ; on the north by Abington, Randolph and Stoughton ;
on the west by Easton and Raynham ; and on the south
by Middleborough. It is the north west town in the
county of Plymouth ; adjoining the county of Norfolk,
or old colony line, on the north, and the county of Bristol
on the west. Titicut river, often called Taunton great
river, is its boundary on the south, adjoining Middle-
bo; ough. It is a little more than ten miles long from
north to south, and seven miles wide from east to west,
and contains about seventy three square miles. The
centre of the town is about 26 miles from Boston.
The first settlement of the town commenced in the west
parish in the year 165 1. Each settler had a house lot of
six acres on the town river, then called Nunkctest, or
DESCRIPTION OF BRIUCEWATER. 147
Nunketetest. The new settlement itself was sometimes
called by this name, while the plantation received the
more general name of Saughtucket. These were the re-
spective names of the two principal ponds in the town,
and of the rivers issuing from them. These house lots
were contiguous and the settlement compact, extending
on each side of the river from the house where Seth La-
throp lately lived, down to the four corners by the dwell-
ing house of Ansel Hayward. It cannot now be precise-
ly ascertained how many of the first proprietors ever
became inhabitants of the town ; but probably not more
than one third part of them. Some of them after a short
residence returned or removed to other places. It has
been said that Capt. Miles Standish resided there one or
two years ; but this is not certain. His son, Ensign Jo-
siah Standish, was there several years. The following
were permanent settlers there. Thomas Hayward, John
Haward, Nathaniel Willis, John \\ illis, William Basset,
John Washburn, John Washburn, Jun. Thomas Gannett,
William Brett, John Gary, Samuel Tompkins, Arthur
Harris, John Fobes, Experience Mitchell, Solomon
Leonardsoa, Mr. Keith, and Samuel Edson. Of these,
William Basset and Experience Mitchell are the only
persons, who arrived at Plymouth in the three first ships ;
and the only two, of all the *' forefathers," ever known to
have lived in the town. They were both original owners
of lands at Plymouth, Duxbury and Bridge water, and
lived in all these places as they were successively settled.
The former came over in the second ship. Fortune, in
1621, was a blacksmith, a large landholder, and OJ^e of
the land committee in the Colony. He lived in the south
parish, and died in 1667 His library was large and val-
uable for that period. His wife, Elizabeth, was probably
a Tilden. William Hatch, sen. married one of his daugh-
ters, and Lieut. Peregrine White another, named Sarah.
His son William lived at Sandwich, and was a marshal.
His son Joseph lived on the paternal estate at Bridgcwater ;
and the late Joseph Basset, Esq. one of his descendants
was the largest landholder in the town.
148 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGE WATER.
Experience Mitchell came in the third ship, Ann, in
lG2v3. He married Mary, daughter of Francis Cook. His
son Edward was an early settler in Bridgewater, while he
himself remained al Duxbnry till, havinj^ become old, he
settled his estate amoig his sons, and removed arid lived
with his son Edward in the east parish, where he died in
1689 abont £0 years of ai^c. His son Jacob settled in
Dartmouth, nhere he and his wife were both killed by the
Indians in 1675, on which event their infant children were
removed to Bndj^ewater ; one of whom, Jacob, settled af-
terwards at North Yarmouth, and another, Thomas, was
the ancestor of part of the present family at Bridgewater.
Five great grandsons of Experience are now living, one
of whom. Gushing Mitchell, owmis the paternal estate.
It is believed there are no male descendants living of any
other of the forefathers related in the same degree. These
are sons of the late Col. Edward Mitchell, an only son ;
and at the time of his birth his father Edward was nearly
seventy years old ; and his mother was Alice Bradford,
great grand daughter of governour Bradford. Experience
had two other sons, John and Thomas. A son of John by
the name of Experience early settled in Providence, one
of w hose sons of the same name lately died in Uxbridge
nearly one hundred years of age. The first Experience
was the ancestor of most, if not all, of the name in New
England.
Early settlers came in also from other towns ; as Ni-
cholas Byram, Thomas Whitman, Joseph Shaw, and
John Kingman, from Weymouth ; Jonathan Hill, from
Dorchester; John Field, from Providence; Samuel
Packard, Isaac Lazell, William Hudson, and Isaac John-
son, from llingham ; and David Perkins, from Beverly.
Some of them were " purchasers of rights ;" but the best
knowledge of the early proprietors may be obtained from
their names, as they ap])ear, in the allotments of the addi-
tional grants as early as 1682. They arc
SaiTTuel Edson, Joseph Alden,
Samuel,"),- Isaac, his son,
Joseph, 5 ^' ' '°"'^' Robert Latham,
DESCRIPTION OP B RIDGEW ATER.
149
James, son of Rob't Lalham,
John Field,
Joseph Lapham,
John Washburn,
John, "j
Samuel, |
Joseph, [. his sons,
Thomas, |
Jonathan, j
Guido Bailey,
Guido, his son,
Mark Lathrop,
Samuel ? i • ^„ „
T- , J S- his sons,
Edward 3
Thomas Hayward,
Lt. Thomas, ^
Nathaniel, 1
Joseph, [> his sons,
Elisha, !
John, j
Ensign John Haward,
John, ^
James, > his sons,
Jonathan, J
Nathaniel Willis,
Elkanah, ^
Comfort, C his sons,
Benjamin, 3
John Willis,
John, his son,
Samuel Packard,
Samuel, ^
Zacheus, 1 • ^„„
Nathaniel, '^'^ ^°"''
John, J
John Ames,
John, his r.cphew,
Thomas Snell,
William Brett,
William, ") r\x7-i
Nathaniel, C ^°n^°fW.l-
Edward, 7 sons of John
William, 5 Fobes, decU
Isaac, son of Arthur Harris,
deceased,
Samuel Allen,
Samuel, his son,
Giles Leach,
Samuel, his son,
Samuel Tompkins,
Solomon Leonard,
Solomon, ^
Samuel, , .
John, r *"' '°"''
Isaac, J
Mr. James Keith,
John Gary,
John,
Francis,
Jonathan,
James, J
William Snow,
William, ? , .
, , ' > his sons,
Joseph, 3
Joseph, son of William Bas-
set, deceased,
John, son of Thomas Whit-
man, deceased,
John Aldrich,
Jonathan Hill,
Samuel Sheverick,
Richard Holt,
Edward Mitchell,
Nicholas Byram,
Nicholas, his son,
John Gordon,
George Turner.
his sons,
150 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATER.
Many of these fathers had other sons, who were prob-
ably not of age or not proprietors. Samuel Edson had
another son, named Josiah ; Josepli Alden, two other
sons, Joseph and John ; Robert Laiham, a son, Chilton ;
John Hvivv.ird, a son, Ephraim ; Samuel Allen, five oth-
er sons, Nathaniel, Ebcnczer, Josiah, I'Llisha, and Nehe-
\x\ii\h ; Thomas Whitman, two other sons, Nicholas and
Ebenczer ; and so of others. Other settlers were not at
that tiii'.e proprietors or *' purchasers of rights," and there-
fore their names do not appe;ir.
The fust officers chosen in the town, which was in
1657, were John Willis, deputy, Arthur Harris and John
Ha ward, surveyors, and Samuel Tompkms, constable.
Mark Lathrop, John Ames, John Gary, and Thomas
Hay ward, were town officers as early as 1660. In the
same year, John Willis was appointed to administer oaths,
and was therefore the first magistrate there. Thomas
Hayward, Jan. was the next, and Elihu Brett the third.
The two first militia officers, " allowed and approved" by
the Court, were Thomas Hayward, Jun. lieutenant, and
John Haward, ensign. They were afterwards promoted.
The " Town Council" in Phihp's war were William
Brett, Samuel Edson, and John Willis. The selectmen
in 1690 were Capt. Thomas Hayward, Lieut. John Ha-
ward, John Willis, John Field, and John Kingman. The
town clerks have been John Cary, Samuel Allen, Nathan-
iel Brett and Eliakim Howard.
The settlements extended first into the south part of
the town, and towards Taunton, as their principal inter-
course was with the people of that place, where was the
nearest mill for grinding their corn, whither they were ac-
custon\ed to go frequently on foot, and carry their grists
on their backs. There were not many setdements in the
easterly part of the town, till 1685, when we find on record
a petition from Samuel Allen, William Brett, Isaac Har-
ris, John Haward, Jun. Jonathan Hill, Thomas Whitman,
and Samuel Allen, Jun. praying for a road and stating,
*' thiit God by his providence had placed their habitations
on the east side of the town, some two, and some three
miles from the meeting house, the miii, and the chief part
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATIR. 151
of the town, and that they had a horse bridge over Mat-
field river," since called *' John's river," probably from
John Haward, Jun. who lived on the banks of it, near
whrre the late Col. Edward Mitchell lived.
The orthography, as it respects the names of the early
settlers, has in many instances considerably changed.
John Haward and his descendants, who originally omitted
the y in their name, finally changed it to Howard. This
is said to have been first done by Doct. Abiel Howard,
who graduated at Can^bridge in 1730, and had his name
so inserted in the catalogue. Thomas and his descend-
ants have retained their original name of Hay ward. They
were undoubtedly both of the same name of Hayward,
and probably of the same fiimily ; but the relation between
them, if any, is not known. There is a letter remaining
with the descendants of John, from some one of their an-
cestors in England, subscribed Hayward, or Haward.
Both names have however been uniformly there spoken,
as if written Howard. Gary was sometimes written Ca-
rew. Leonard was written Leonardson, sometimes Len-
nerson ; Harris, Harrison ; Lathrop, Laythorpe ; Pack-
ard, Packer, and was always so pronounced; Harden,
Harding ; Fobes, Vobes ; Alger, Agur, or Auger, and
formerly so pronounced. Minister Keith uniformly wrote
Agur, Packer ; and also Byron, for B}'ram.
Thomas Gannett died in 1655, before the incorporation
of the plantation, and is the first death there on record.
Matthew Gannett of Scituate was his brother. Caleb
Gannett, Esq. of Cambridge, is of this family.
Francis Godfrey, a carpenter, "an aged inhabitant,"
and one of the "colony troopers," died there in 1669.
The family is no.w extinct there, as well as those of Tomp-
kins, Turner, Lapham, Holt, Sheverick, Gordon, Bacon,
and Bailey.
Thomas Hayward was one of the eldest of the settlers.
He died in 1681, and his descendants are more numerous
than those of any other name in town. The present Re-
gister of Probate, the High Sheriff of the County, and the
Minister at Barnstable, are of this family.
152 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATEU.
John Howard was brought up in the family of Capt.
Miles Standish ; was a carpenter ; and h-.s descendants
are numerous, and have been, and still are, one of the
most influential families in the town. The late Rev.
Simeon Howard, D. D. of Bosion, Zec.hariah Howard of
Canton, and the present Bezaliel Howard of Springfield,
descended from him.
Nathaniel and John Willis died early, Ihe former the
first school-master, and the latter the first Deacon, Dep-
uty, and Magistrate in the place. They wcrt brothers.
Lawrence Willis was also early in the town. Richard
Willis was at Plymoudi, in 1630 ; and Henry Willis was
a volunteer in the Pequot war. Thchc were probably of
the same family, but in what degree related does not ap-
pear. The Rev. Zephaniah Willis of Kingston is of this
family.
Thomas Whitman settled in the east parish, and mar-
ried Abigail, daughter of Nicholas Byram. His son John
had no children, Ebenezer settled in the south, Nicholas
remained in the east parish. His descendants are very
numerous in Bridgewater, and more of them have receiv-
ed a publiek education, than of any other name in town.
Several of them have been clergymen. Nine of this
name, and all of them his posterity, are no\v in the profes-
sion of the law in this Commonwealih. The family is
remarkable for longevity. Nicholas had four children,
who lived to above 85, two of them above SO years ; and
others above 70. Others of the same family have lived
to above 80, and one to above 90 years. Four are now
living of the respective ages of 94, 87, 84, and 80.
Samuel Edson was one of the first deacons, and his pos-
terity have spread into different and distant parts of our
country. He erected the first mill in the town. This
family appears to be the only one of the name. Edson is
not to be found in any foreign list of names. It is sup-
posed to be a contraction of Edwardson. He was from
Salem. Three of his descendants by the name of Josiah,
have been distinguished in their day and representatives
of the town. The first was his son and has been known
in latter times by the appellation of " old Justice Edson."
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDG£WATER. 153
He was the donor of the " school lands." He left no
children. The second was grandson, son of Joseph, and
has been called *' old Capt. Edson." The third was the
late Col. Edson, son of the last, and one of the seventeen
Rescinders, so called, and a Mandamus Counsellor. He
died early in the revolution at New York, or on Long-
Island. Before that pericxl he had been a deacon in the
south parish, where he lived, and had been a very respect-
able and influential man in the town. Old Samuel Ed-
son died 9th July, 1692, aged 80 years. His wife Su-
sanna died 2Uth Feb. 1699, aged 81 years.
John Washburn, sen. died there before 1670. His de-
scendants settled principally in the south part of the town,
but became very numerous and spread into the neighbour-
ing towns and even to the remotest parts of the country.
Joseph Alden, second son of the Hon. John Alden of
Duxbury, settled in the south. This family has been also
remarkable for its longevity. Abundant information
has been given respecting them in " the Collection of
American Epitaphs," the author himself being one of
them.
Robert Latham settled in the east parish, and was pro-
bably son of William, one of the " forefathers." He
married Susanna Winslow of Boston, daughter of John
Winslow, brother of the Governor. Her mother was
Mary Chilton, daughter of James Chilton, who arrived at
Plymouth in the first ship. May Flower. She is said to
have been the first person, who leaped from the ship, at
their landing. Robert had two sons, who together bore
the name of their ancestor above named, James and Chil-
ton. And these were long continued as christian names
in the family, which is not so numerous in the town as
formerly, many of them having emigrated into Hampshire,
the District of Maine, and other places. Arthur Latham
of Lyme is one of this family and also a descendant of
iVrthur Harris.
John Ames had no children ; and in 1697 gave his es-
tate by deed principally to his nephew John Ames, son of
Ws brother William of Braintree. These brothers were
SODS of Richard Ames of Brulon in the county of Somer-
21 VOL. VII.
154 DESCRIPTiaN OF Bridgewater.
setshire in England. John the nephew, (born in 1651,)
removed to Bridgewater, and had five sons, John, Nathan-
iel, 'J'homas, VVilham, and David. Nathaniel, (born in
1677,) was the father of old Dr. Ames of Dedham, (born
1708,) father of the late Hon. Fisher Ames. Dr. Ames
had two wives successively of the name of Fisher ; and a
son bv each, named Fisher. The first, dying young, but
not till after his mother, and her estate having vested in
him, gave rise to the famous law suit, in which it was first
determined, that real estate ascended, contrary to the En-
glish rule, to the father as next of kin by the Province
law. The family of Ames is still numerous in Bridge-
water.
Samuel Packard's descendants are the second in point
of numbers in the town and are principally settled in the
north parish. The Rev. Asa, Hezekiah and Theophilus
Packard, are of this family ; so also was Elijah Packard,
formerly a minister at Manomet Ponds in Plymouth.
Thomas Snell was one of the largest landholders in
town, and his f^.mily numerous. The Rev. Thomas
Snell of North Brookfield, who delivered the last election
sermon, is one of his descendants.
John Fobes' descendants are principally in the south
part of the town. The late Rev. Perez Fobes, D. D. of
Rayiiham, was one of them.
John Carey was among the most respectable of the first
settlers and his family one of the most influential in the
town. He was the first Town Clerk ; one of his name
and family was afterwards Town Clerk at Bristol. He
died in 1681. Some of his family are still remaining in
the east, north and south jxirishes. Others of them re-
moved to New Jersey.
Samuel Allen settled in the east parish, and was the se-
cond Town Clerk. He married a daughter of George
Partridge, and his posterity are very numerous. Capt.
Jacob iVUen, who was killed at the capture of Burgoyne,
was his great grandson.
Nicholas Byram settled also in the east parish ; his wife
was Susanna Shaw of Weymouth. He died about 1687.
He had but one son ; his name was Nicholas, who had four
sons, Nicholas, Josiah, Ebenezer and Joseph, This fam-
DESCRIPTION OF BRIUG EW ATE R. 155
ily was formerly numerous and influential, but most of
them removed many years ago. Nicholas and his family
only remained. Josiah's family went to N. Yarmouth ;
Ebenezer's to N. Jersey. Joseph was a physician ; one
of his sons, Joseph, went to Maine ; another, Benjamin,
to Vermont.
Arthur Harris was one of the first settlers in the west
parish. He married Mercy, youngest daughter of the
above named John Winslow of Boston. His descendants
settled early in the east parish. He finally lived and died
in Boston, and his will is there on record ; but his estate
and even his house was in Bridgewater, as appears by his
will.
Some of the descendants of Constant Southworlh, Sol-
omon Leonard, Giles Leach, William Snow, Mark Lath-
rop, and Jonathan Hill, still remain in difterent parts of the
town, as well as in the adjoining towns. There are other
families, and some of them numerous, whose names are
not to be found among those of the early proprietors.
Such are Alger, Copeland, Kingman, Robinson, Cham-
berlin, Pratt, Slvaw, Orcutt, Benson, Lazell, Hudson,
Johnson, Hooper, Thaycr,and others.
Emigration from the tov/n has been so great, that
there has been but little increase in its population for
twenty years. Formerly they went to the westward, and
northerly into Hampshire, but latterly more into the Dis-
trict of Maine. The census of 1790, was 4975 ; in 1800
it was 5200, the number of houses was 740. The last
census of 1810 was 5157 ; and the relative population of
the different parishes was as follows. West 1065 — south
1234 — east 1195— north 1354— Titicut 318. I'he last
U. States land tax was in the West 505,47 — south 552,99
—east 579,82— north 598,52— Titicut 150,54— Total
S2387,34.
Bridgewater was the first interior settlement in the coun-
ty of Plymouth, and many of the settlers were probably
young men, born in this country, and therefore well calcu-
lated to encounter the troubles and dangers they were
soon called to meet. In Philip's war, which commenced
in 1675, they displayed great resolution and intrepidity.
Surrounded by a savage foe, " they were strongly advis-
156 ])ESCRIPTION OF BRIDGE WATER.
cd and solicited to desert their dwellinirs, and repair down
to the towns by the sea side." 'J'hey however resolutely
kept their ground and defended their settlement ; and en-
couraged and assisted other towns to do the same. They
erected a stockade or garrison on the south side of the riv-
er, and also iortified many of" their dwelling-houses. At
the commencement of hostilities, June 21, 1675, seven-
teen of their number " well armed and furnished Mith
horses, the first that were on the march in all the country,"
went to Metapoiset, a sniall settlement about twelve
miles from Swanzey, " to strent^then the garrison at that
place."" 'J'hey were met by people from Swanzey, driv-
en Irom then" habitations, and filled with terror, who ad-
vised and persuaded them to return ; but they fearlessly
pursued their course and accomplished their object. They
were in " many perils" while there, but returned safe, af-
ter the greatest part of the garrison, consisting of seventy
persons, most of whom were women and children, were
safely conducted on to Rhode Island. Six persons, who
were killed at that tmie as they were with their teams, con-
veying their corn into the garrison, were the first that fell
in that war.
April 9th, 1676, being Sunday, the enemy burnt a
house and barn, and rifled several other houses in the
town ; but they soon fled and were not to be overtaken,
though closely pursued. May 8th, about three hundred
Indians with Tispaquin for their leader made another as-
sault on the east end of the town on the south side of the
river, and feet fire to many of the houses ; but tiie inhabit-
ants, " issuing from their garrison houses," fell upon them
so resolutely, that the enemy were repelled ; and, a heavy
shower of rain falling at the same time, the fires were soon
extinguished. The attack was then renewed on the north
side of the river, but the enemy was soon defeated, and
the next morning entirely disappeared, after having burnt
two houses and one barn. On this occasion thirteen houses
and four barns only were burnt, and bui five of these were
in the village. The rest were on the borders of the settle-
ment, and deserted at the time. There is a tradition that,
exceptinjj the garrison houses, every house but one in
town Vv-as btirnt. This was probably true as it respected
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATER. 157
the out-houses or dwellings on the borders or skirts of the
town only, and not those in the centre or village, which
were considered in some degree as fortified or garrison
houses. This is the more probable, as the house ex-
cepted is said to have belonged to Nicholas Byrani, which
was in the easterly part of the town, and quite distant from
the principal settlement. It stood where Capt. Isaac
Whitman now lives. July 14 and 15, a party of Indians
came upon the north side of the town, but, after killing a
few cattle, retired. July 18, 19 and 20, the inhabitants
pursued the enemy and took sixteen of them, of whom
two only were men.
The following extract from an ancient manuscript, sup-
posed to have been written by Comfort Willis,* who then
held the office of " town trooper," was furnished by the
Hon. Daniel Howard.
'* On Saturday Capt Hayward, Sergeant Packard, John
Willis and Isaac Harris went out to see if the Indians
were coming down upon them, and they saw an Indian,
which made them think the enemy was at hand ; and
they immediately pressed Comfort Willis and Joseph Ed-
son to go post to the governor the same day at night to
tell him of it. And he went to Plymouth with them the
next day to send Capt. Church with his company. And
Capt. Church came with them to Monponset [a large
pond in Halifax] on the Sabbath and came no further that
day, and he told them he would meet them the next day.
And Comfort Willis and Joseph Edson came home at
night and told their friends of it, and Ensign Haward,
Samuel Edson, Josiah Edson, Joseph Edson, John Wash-
burn, Samuel Washburn, Thomas Washburn, John Field,
Nicholas Byram, Samuel Allen, Samuel Allen, Jun. John
Gordon, John Haward, John Packard, John Ames, Com-
fort Willis, Guido Bailey, Nathaniel Hayward, John
Whitman, John Hayward, and Samuel Leach, went out
on Monday, supposing to meet with Capt. Church ; but
they came upon the enemy and fought with them and took
seventeen of tliem alive and also much plunder. And tliey
» It has been suggested that Comfort and Benjamin Willis were sons of John,
and hot of Nathaniel, as before stated.
158 DESCRIPTION OF B R I DO E W ATER.
all returned, and not one of them fell by the enemy ; and
received no help from Church."
This was probably July 31, 167G, when some of Phil-
ip's " special friends" were killed, and amon^ others his
uncle, who fell by his side. Had the soldier known,
"which had been the riL>ht bird," as Hubbard expresses
it, Philip himself might huve fallen, and the war been thus
brought to a more speedy termination. The party " were
few and not able to keep close together, so that the eun-
ning fox escaped through the bushes undiscerned in their
rear." Hubbard relates that a remarkable " trembling
fear was discerned to be upon the Indians at this time, so
that one of them having a gun in his hand well laden was
ilot able to discharge it, but suffered an English soldier to
come up and shoot him." This happened in the south
part of the town, near the great river. John Ames is
said to have distinguished himself on this occasign by his
undaunted resolution in rescuing some of his companions
from the hands of the enemy.
I'hey joined Capt. Church the next day, and pursued
the enemy till the third of August, when, *' having no
provision but what they took from the enemy, they has-
tened to Bridgewater, sending an express before to pro-
vide for them, their company l^eing now very numerous,
having killed and taken one hundred and seventy-three.
The gentlemen of Bridgewater met Capt. Church with
great expressions of honour and thanks, and received
him and his army with all due respect and kind treat-
ment." The prisoners were conveyed into the town
pound at night, and an Indian guard set over them.
*' They were well treated with victuals and drink, and
had a merry night ; and the prisoners laughed as loud as
the soldiers, not having been so well treated for a long
time." The next day Capt. Church arrived safe at Ply-
mouth with all the prisoners.
Amidst danger, and often actually assaulted, it is re-
markable that not only at this time, as above stated, but
during the whole of that war, in which from time to time
great numbers of them were engaged, not one of the in-
habitants was killed. All the narratives of that conflict
describe Bridgewater as a fortunate and highly favoured
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER. 159
town, while they unite in giving them high encomiums
for their courage and activity in the service.
Capt. Jacob Allen, who was killed at the capture of
Burgoyne, was the second inhabitant of the town, who
ever fell in battle ; and one John Snell, who was killed in
the old French war was the first.
Hubbard informs us that in " June, 1676 (it was 1675)
a man and a woman were slain by the Indians, and
another woman wounded and taken," in Dartmouth.
These were Jacob Mitchell and his wife before mention-
ed, and one Dorothy Hayward, as appears by her deposi-
tion, taken June 25, 1677.
From June 3, 1656, the time when the town was in-
corporated, to the year 1691, inclusive, when the two
colonies were united, the representatives to old Plymouth
Court appear in the following order : 1657, John Willis ;
1661, William Brett; 1676, Samuel Edson; 1678, John
Haward ; 1684, Thomas Hayward; 1691, Josiah Edson.
From that period to the present time the representatives
to the General Court of Massachusetts appear hi the fol-
lowing order.
1692 Josiah Edson and to 1713 Samuel Edson,
David Perkins, 1714 Josiah Edson,
1693 Samuel Allen, 1715 Edward Fobes,
1694 David Perkins, 1716 John Field,
1695 Elihu Brett, to 1719 Rich. Davenport,
1696 David .^erkins, to 1722 Edward Fobes,
1697 Samuel Edson, 1723 Ephraim Howard,
1698 Josiah Edson, 1724 Rich. Davenport,
to 17(;0 Elihu Brett, 1725 Thomas Ames,
1701 > 1726 Joseph Keith,
1702 5 "°"^ 1727 Isaac Johnson,
1703 Edward Fobes, to 1729 Isaac Johnson and
1704 David Perkins, John Alden,
to 1707 William Brett, 1730 Isaac Johnson,
1708 Edward Fobes, ^1730 Neh. Washburn,
to 1710 Joseph Hayward, 1731 Isaac Johnson,
1711 Edward Fobes, to 1734 John Holman,
* There were two courts this year. The governour, being dissatisfied t»ith the
court because they would not render his salary permanent, dissolved them and is-
sued, a new precept.
160
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATEK.
1735 Josiah Kdson, 2d.
to 1737 John Holnian, 1761
1738 Ebenezer Bvram, 1782
1739 Josiah Edson, 1783
to 1741 Ebenezcr Byram, to 1785
1742 Nch. Washburn,
1743 Josiah Edson, 1786
1744 John Hohiian, 17b7
1745 Josiah Edsou, to 1790
1746 Josiah Edson, 3d. 17i?l
to 1748 Daniel Howard, 1792
to 1750 Josiah Edson, 1793
to 1755 Daniel Howard, to 1795
to 1766 Josiah Edson, 1796
to 1769 Edward Mitchell, to 1798
to 1771 Josiah Edson, to 1803
1772 Daniel Howard, to 1806
1773 Josiah Edson, to 1808
1774 Edward Mitchell, 1809
1774 > Edward Mitchell 1810
1775 3 and Richard Per- to 1812
kins were delegates
to the Provincial
Congress, at their
several meetings at
Salem, Concord,
and Cambridge. 1813
1776 Edward Mitchell,
Hugh Orr,
Eliphalet Cary,
Nathl. Reynolds,
Oakcs Angier, and 1814
Thomas Hooper, to 1816
1777 Edward Mitchell,
Nathl. Reynolds,
1778 Nathan Mitchell,
Oakes Angier,
1779 Oakes Angier,
Josiah Hay den, 1817
1780 Nathan Mitchell,
David Kingman,
Nathan Mitcliell,
Hu^gii Orr,
Nathan Mitchell,
Nathan Mitcl^ll h
l<:iisha Mitchell,
Daniel Howard 2d.
Elisha Mitchell,
James Thomas,
Simeon Dunbar,
Beza Hayvvard,
Daniel Snow,
Beza Hay ward,
Daniel Snow,
Nahum Mitchell,
Daniel Snow,
Daniel Mitchell,
William Baylies,
Nahum Mitchell,
Daniel Mitchell,
Nahum Mitchell,
William Baylies,
Ezra Kingman,
Gideon Howard,
Daniel Crane,
Caleb Cary,
Daniel Howard,
Gideon Howard,
Daniel Crane,
Nathan Mitchell,
Ebiezer Alger,
Daniel Howard,
Daniel Howard,
Bartholom. Brown,
Ezra Kingman,
Abiezer Alger,
Noah Fearing,
Caleb Howard,
Daniel Howard.
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATER. 161
Benjamin Willis and Nathan Mitchell were delegates
to the convention al Cambridge for forming the constitu-
tion of this Commonwealth, in September, 1779.
Daniel Howard, Elisha Mitchell, Hezekiah Hooper,
and D.miel Howard, Jun. were the delegates to the conven-
tion of this state for adopting the constitution of the Unit-
ed States, in 1788.
The count}' was incorporated in 1685. The Senators,
which Bridgewater has furnished are Hugh Orr, from
1785 two years— Nathan Mitchell, 1787 — Daniel How-
ard, from 1788, six years — Bcza Hayward, from 1796,
nine years — Nahum Mitchell, IVon: 1813, two years.'
[^Vhen 2d or 3d is affixed to a name, it means only tliat it is the
second or tliird person of the name, who has represented the town.]
Ecclesiastical History.
The first settlements being in the west parish, the first
church was of course formed there ; but they were few
in number, and, although they might and probably did
meet together on the Sabbath for social worship, yet' were
unable to maintain a minister, and thus form themselves
into a regular church, and enjoy the full benefits of the
christian institutions. In this situation they remained
from 1651 to 1664 ; about twelve years. TheRev. James
Keith was their first ordained minister, and the record of
his settlement, in which the terms of it are particularly
expressed, bears date the 18th day of Feb. 1664. He is
there called ''a student of divinity, having some compe-
tent time improved his gifts amongst th^ni in the work of
the ministry, and having also due approbation by the tes-
timony of the Rev. Eiders of other churches of Christ, to
whom he was known." He was a Scotchman, educated
at Aberdeen, and probably came to I'ioston about the year
1662, and was introduced to the church at Bridgeuater
by Dr. Increase Mather, whom he always considered as
his best friend and patron. In the second preface to tlie
" Bridgewater's Monitor" (the first having been written
by Increase and Cotton Mather) it is said that they had
not an ordained minister till 1663. This had reference
probably to the old style. He had preached with them,
22 VOL. VII.
162 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATER.
as appears by the above vote of the town, for some time,
but was not ordained till the spring of 1664. The terms
of his settlement were liberal. They granted him a house
lot cf twelve acres " with a house built thereon by the
town," and a purchase right so called, being one fifty-
sixth part of the town, and also 40/. annual salary ; 20/.
to be paid in Boston and the other half at home. In 16G7
they made him an additional grant of thirty cords of wood
annually, " the cutters of the wood to have five groats and
the drawers seven groats a cord." In 1681 they raised
liis salary from 40 to 50/. ; 20/. to be j)aid at Boston in
money, and 30/. at home in corn and provisions. In 1689
they agreed to allow him annually 10/. in corn in lieu of
his thirty cords of wood. He married Susannah, daugh-
ter of Samuel Edson. She died quite advanced in years,
and he married in his old age (1707) the widow Mary
Williams, relict of Thomas Williams of Taunton. He
died July 23, 1719, aged 76; of course was about 21
years of age when he was ordained.
In Mather's Magnalia he is numbered among the third
cl;!ss, " who were all such ministers as came over after the
reestablishment of the episcopal church government in
Kngland, and the consequent persecution of the non-con-
formists." This must have been a mistake with regard
to Mr. Keith, as he was from Scotland ; and besides could
not have been a minister before he came over, being very
young and but a student when he arrived. He had six
sons, James, Joseph, Samuel, Timothy, John, and Josiah,
and two daughters, Margaret Hunt, and Mary Haward.
James settled in Mendon, and the others in Bridgewater
and Easton. His posterity are exceedingly numerous,
two hundred persons in Bridgewater alone bearing his
name in the late census. A great many of them are also
in Easton, Middleborough, Mendon, and the District of
Maine. Israel Keith, formerly Adjutant General of the
Commonwealth, is one of his descendants.
William Brett, \vho was among the first planters of the
town, was a ruling elder in the church, and probably as-
sisted and aided them in their public worship from the
commencement of their settlement to the time of Mr.
Keith's ordination, as well as afte^^^•ards. He was a well
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEW ATER. 163
educated and intelligent man, as appears by his letters to
Governor Winslow ; and was much esteemed by his
brethren, and often employed in their secular affairs He
lived to a good old age, and died in 1682, leaving three
sons before named, who were respectable and valuable
men. William was a representative ; Nathaniel, a deacon
and town and proprietor's clerk ; and Elihu, a magistrate.
The following extract is from the early church records
of Plymouth. " The worthy church of Christ at Bridge-
water have for their pastor Mr. James Keith, who came
by the wise disposing hand of Providence out of Scot-
land. William Brett, a grave and godly man, is their rul-
ing elder, and John Willis, their deacon, a good man and
one that hath approved himself faithful. 'Phey carry on
in a way of peace, holiness, and good gospel order."
The Rev. Daniel Perkins, successor of iMr. Keith, was
ordained Oct. 4, 1721. He was a native of Topsfield
in the county of Essex, and was graduated at Harvard in
1717. He married Ann Foster of Charlestown, and had
one son and one daughter. His son, the late Dr. Richard
Perkins, married Mary Hancock, sister of the Governor ;
old Mr. Perkins having previously married her mother,
the widow Hancock, for his second wife. Dr. Perkins
left a numerous family, all of whom excepting Daniel and
George W. Perkins, now live in Boston. These two and
their flimilies still live in Bridgewatcr. The daughter of
the Rev. Mr. Perkins married the Rev. Mr. Bridge of
Framingham, and afterwards the Rev. Mr. Harrington of
Lancaster. The Rev. Mr. Perkins died Sept. 29, 1782,
in the 86th year of his age, and in the 62d of his minis-
try. His son, the late Dr. Perkins, died Oct. 16, 1813,
aged 83.
The Rev. John Reed, D. D. the present successor of
Mr. Perkins, was ordained as colleague, June 7, 1780.
He was graduated at Yale in 1772, and is son of the late
Rev. Solomon Reed of Middleborough.
South Parish.
A second precinct was incorporated June 1, 1716.
This division of the society was made in pursuance of a
164 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGE WATER.
report of John Cushinij^, KJiniind Quincy, George Leon-
ard, Hcnr}' Ho(l>i;cs and Jaeob Tonison, a eonuinLlee ap-
pointed by the General Court lor tins purpose. The Hnc
of partition was made easterly and \vesterly aeross the
tou n, leaving much the largest part on the northerly side,
" rei^urd then being had to the erecung of other parishes
in future," as increasing settlements should require. The
new parish was called the South, and the old one the
North. The new meeting-house was erected on ,the
*' easterly side of John Wasiiburn's field," and was dcdi-
cated ©n the 14Ui June, 17x7, on which occasion iMr.
Keith delivered a sermon, which is published in the
*' Bridgewater's Monitor." The Rev. Benjamin Allen,
their first pastor, was a native of Tisbury of Martha's
Vmeyard, graduated at Yale in 1708, and ordained July
9, 1718, He continued with them about ten )cars, but,
being ^n unsuccessful manager of his secular concerns,
he fell into debt, and the parish, after often relieving him,
became at last weary of it, and he was dismissed by an
ecclesiastical council. He afterwards, about 1730, was
installed at Cape EiizMbeth, and was the first minister of
that place, where he died May 6,. 1754, aged 65. He
had several daughters ; one married a clergyman in Barn-
stable county, of the name of Upham ; another, a clerg}--
man of the name of Emery ; two married gentlemen of
the name of jomxlan ; the daughter of one of them, Clem-
ent Jourdan, Esq. was wife of the late Rev. Enos Hitch-
cock, D. D. of Providence. A grandson of his, Clement
Jourdan, lives in Buxton.
The Rev. John Shav/, his successor, wns a native of the
east piH-ibh of Bridgewater, son of Joseph Shaw ; was grad-
uated at Harvard 1729, and ordained Nov. 17, 1731. His
graiidlather was probably John Shaw of Weymouth,
whose sister married Nicholas By ram. He died April
29, 1791, aged 82 years, and m the 60th year of his min-
istry. He married a daughter of the Rev. Samuel An-
gler of Watertown, and had five sons, Oakes, Bezuliel,
William, John, and Samuel. The four first were clergy-
men ; and Samuel is a physician, and lives on the pater-
nal estate at Bridgewater. He left also a daughter, who
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGE WATER. 165
is the wife of Gen. Natlianiel Goodwin of Plymouth. He
delivered the sermon at the ordination of Mr. Taft of
Braintree, (now Randolph) which is in print.
The Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D. D. his present succes-
sor, was born at Sherburne, graduated at Harvard 1771 ;
was formerly minister of Duxbur}-, and afterwards install-
ed as colleague at Bridgewater, Dec. 17, 1788. There
is a small ministerial fund in this parish; the trustees of
which were incorporated Feb. 7, 1803. It was then nearly-
one thousand doiLirs, and has been augmented since.
East Parish.
Dec. 14, 1723, the east end of the north parish, then so
called, ever smce called the west parish, together with nine
persons of the south parish, namely, Barnabas Seabury,
Thomas Lailfam, Charles Latham, Nicholas Wade, Na-
thaniel Harden, Thomas Hooper, William Conant, Isaac
LazelJ and Jost ])h Washburn, with their families and es-
tares, were constituted a precinct, called the east parish.
Tliis was done also in pursuance of a report of a view-
ing committee of coun, consisting of Isaac Winslow,
Sa.imel Thaxter,. Josiah Cotton, Isaac Little and John
Q lincy. The boundaries were a due north line from the
s-juth parish through the " centre tree," and the old Ply-
mouth road on the south-easterly side.
The Rev. John Angier, (son of the Rev. Samuel An-
gier of Rehoboth, and afterwards of Watertown,) grad-
Utitnd at Harvard in 1720, was their first minister, or-
daiaed October 28, 1724. He married a daughter of
Ezra Bourne, E.-q. of Sandwich. His mother was daugh-
ter of i.i.e Rev. Urian Oakes, formerly President of Har-
vard University, and her mother was daughter of the fa-
mous Dr. Wiiiiam Ames of England, author of " Medulla
Theoiogias." He died April 14, 1787, in the 86th year
of his age, and in the 63d of his ministry.
His son, the Rev. Samuel Angier, graduated at Harvard
in 1763, was ordained colleague with him Dec. 23, 1767,
and died Jan. 18, 1805, in the 62d year of his age. His
other son, Oakes Angier, was an attorney, settled at Bridge-
water, and a num of some distinction and eminence in his
166 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGE WATER.
profession. He had a daui^hter also, who married die
Kev. Ephraim Hyde of Rehoboth. Samuel left no chil-
dren. Oakes left a f miily, one of whom, John, is settled
in Belfast. Dr. Eliot, in his Biographical Dictionary, sup-
posed the late Hon. Fisher Ames to have been descended
from the above named Dr. William Ames, anc sie same
is repeated in the preface to Fislier Ames' works ; but the
account here given of die family of Ames, (page 153)
drawn from authentic sources, renders this supposition
altogedier improbable.
The present successor of the Rev. Samuel Angier is
the Rev. James Flint, who is a native of Reading in the
county of Middlesex, was graduated at Harvard in 1802,
and ordained Oct. 29, 1806.
J\ort/i Parish.
January 3, 1738, the north part of the west parish and
a small part of the north-west corner of the east parish
Avere incorporated into a precinct, and called the north
parish. The boundaries are a due east line from Easton,
a half a mile north of " the white oak tree at Jonathan
Packard's corner" to the east parish line ; and thence north
easterly to Beaver Brook, toi^ether with three families and
their estates, on the east side of the river.
The Rev. John Porter was their first pastor, a native of
Abington, was graduated at Cambridge in 1736, ordained
Oct. 15, 1740, and died March 12, 1802, in the 87th year
of his age, and the 62d of his ministry. He had four
sons, who received a publick education. One of them,
Huntington, is a minister at Rye, N. H. The Rev. Eli-
phalet Porter, D. D. of Roxbury, is also one of them. One
of his daughters also married the Rev. Thomas Crafts of
Middleborough.
The Rev. AsaMeech, his successor, was ordained Oct.
15, 1800, and was dismissed by a mutual council in 1811,
and was afterwards installed, and still continues, minister
of Canterbury, Connecticut. He is a native of that state.
His successor, the present Rev. Daniel Huntington, was
born in Norwich, Conn, and ordained Oct. 28, 1812. He
received a degree at Yale College in 1816. He is brother
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER. 167
of the Rev. Mr. Huntington of Boston, and son of Gen*
Jedediah Huntington of New London. His salary is
S700, the highest in the town.
Feb. 4, 1743. The south-west part of the south parish
with a part of Middleborough, was incorporated into a
precinct commonly called Titicut parish. It lies south of
the old four mile line so called. The Rev. Solomon Reed
before mentioned, a native of Abington, and graduated at
Cambridge in 1739, was their first minister ; the late Rev.
David Gurney a native of Bridgewater, and graduated at
Cambridge in 1785, was their second ; and tlie present
Rev. Philip Colby is now their pastor. The meeting
house is in Middleborough, and aU their ministers have
resided there, the largest part of the parish belonging to
that town.
Besides these territorial precincts there is a small Epis-
copal church in the south parish, consisting of about thirty
or forty members, who, with their families and estates,
were incorporated June 14, 1815, by the name of " Trin-
ity church." It is of much longer standing, being nearly
sixty eight years old, and originated in a grant of about
fourteen acres of land made 23 Jan. 1747, by one Samuel
Edson to the society in England for the propagation of
the gospel in foreign parts, on condition that the income
be applied to the support of publick worship according to
the usage of the church of England. The present house
was erected in 1748 by individual subscription. They
formerly became much reduced in numbers, but have
lately revived and increased. In April, 1812, they con-
veyed the glebe to the Trustees of donations at Boston,
and it is leased for nine hundred and ninety-nine years to
John Edson, one of the members, for 21 dollars a year.
June 12, 1816, having expended about 80 dollars in re-
pairing their house, and voted 3U dollars to be assessed
for the support of pubhc worship, it was solemnly conse-
crated by Bishop Griswold and the Rev. Messrs. Blake
and Crocker.
There is also a Baptist meeting house in the west part
of the west parish. The society consists of members.
168 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEVVATER.
partly from Easton and jxirtly from Brk],2:e\vater. It was
formed about the time that Dr. Reed was ordained, and
has been lately incorporated. Their ministers have been
Mr. Robertson, Mr. Ratliburn, Mr. Smitli, and the pre-
sent, Mr. Shurtlift:
It is very remarkable that each of the Conj^regational
parishes are now enjoying the labors of their third minis-
ter. The general longevity of their pastors is also worthy
of notice. Four of them, Mr. Perkins, Mr. J. Angier,
Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Porter, who were coLemi-)oraries, lived
to the great ages respectively of 86, 86, 83, 87, and died
in the 62d, 63d, 60th, and 62d year of their ministry.
These, with Mr. Keith, who was' 76, and Mr. Siimuel
Angier, who was -62 years of age, arc the only ministers
that ever died in the town.
The census of the several parishes, taken Sept. 24, 1764,
is as follows :
West parish 106dvvcrg houses, 121 families, 880 persons.
South 162 „ 173 „ 1056
East 142 „ 157 „ 959 „
North 120 „ 131 „ 833 „
Titicut 41 „ 48 „ 262 „
571 630 3990
This, compared with the census of 1810, (page 155,)
will show the comparative increase in the population,
which has been greatest in the aggregate in the north, that
being the youngest and largest parish ; but for a few
years past it has been equally great, if not greater, in
the east.
Schools and Education.
This town has been remarkable for its attention to edu-
cation both public and private. Mr. Keith and Elder
Bre**" "^ the infancy of the town, procured a subscription
of about 12/. to be paid in Indian corn for the use of the
College at Cambridge, " according to the order given by
the court." Assessments were also formerly made very
liberally both in town and parishes for the maintenance of
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER.
169
schools. Latterly the town assessments have been in-
creased, and those of the parishes consequcRtly discontinu-
ed. There are in the town upwards of thirty school houses,
and as many districts, in which from two to three thou-
sand dollars are annually expended.
There is also in tUe south parish an academy, which
was established and the trustees thereof incorporated on
the 28th February, 1799. The half township of land,
granted by the General Court in the act of incorporation,
was sold by the trustees for 5000 dollars. The building
was erected by individuals, who subscribed the sum of
3000 dollars for that purpose. It has had the reputation
of a good seminary of instruction, and is still in a flou-
rishing condition.
The following are the names of those, who have re-
ceived collegiate education and degrees, arranged under
the parishes, to which they respectively belonged, with
the years and colleges annexed, in which they received
them.
JVest parish.
Abiel Howard
1729
Jonas Hartwell
1787 D.
Ephraim Keith
1729
Bezer Snell
1789
Joseph Snell
1735
Charles Angier
1793
Nathaniel Snell
1740
Francis Howard
1797 B.
Richard Perkins
1748
Geo. W. Perkins
1801 B.
Elijah Packard
1750
John Reed
1803 B.
Simeon Howard
1758
Daniel Johnson
1806 B.
Daniel Johnson
1767
Rarzillai Hayward
1807 B,
Asa Dunbar
1767
John Willis
1807 B.
Silvanus Ames
1767
John E. Howard
1815 B.
Simeon Dunbar
1772
George Copeland
1815 B.
Bezaliel Howard
1781
Caleb Reed
1817
Jonathan Burr
1784
South parish.
Josiah Edson
1730
Bezaliel Shaw
1762
Benjamin Willis
1740
William Shaw
1762
Silvanus Conant
1740
Timothy Alden
1762
Oakes Shaw
1758
Perez Fobes
1762
23
VOl
,. VII-
170
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDG EW ATER.
John Shaw
1772
David Leonard
1792 B.
Beza Hayward
1772
Zenas L. Leonard
1794 B.
Jonas Whitman
1772 Y.
Richard Sanger
1800
Martin Kinsley
1778
Gains Conant
1800 B.
Zephaniah Willis
1778
Nathan Fobes
1803 B.
Thomas Perkins
1779
Noah Whitman
1806 B.
James Allen
1785
Cyrus Aldcn
1807 B.
Seth Pratt
1785
Zedckiah Sanger
1807 B.
Nathan Hayward
1785
Ralph Sai-iger
1808
Kilborn Whitman
1785
John A. Shaw
1811
Jonathan Leonard
1786
Seth Alden
1814 B.
Benja. Whitman
1788 B.
Levi W. Leonard
1815
Hczekiah Hooper
1789
Zebulon L. Shaw
1815
East parish.
John Shaw
1729
Ebenezer Lazell
1788 B.
Eliab Byram
1740
Nahum Mitchell
17S9
Samuel Angier
1763
Hector Orr
1792
Thomas Gannett
1763
Ezekiel Whitman
I 1795 B.
Caleb Gannett
1763
Asa Mitchell
1802
Oakes Angier
1764
Jacob Hill
1807 B.
William Conant
1770 Y.
Eliab Whitman
1807 B.
James Thomas
1778
Nathl. Whitman
1809
Levi Whitman
1779
Daniel Whitman
1809 B.
Ebenezer Dawes
1785
Willard Phillips
1810
Barzillai Gannett
1785
Welcome Young
1814 B.
Allen Pratt
1785
SilvanusL.Mitchell 1817
David Gurney
1785
North parish.
James Thompson
1761 N.
Joshua Cushman
1787
John Porter
177uY.
Naphtah Shaw
1790 D.
Huntmgton Porter 1777
Daniel Howard
1797
Jonathan Porter
1777
Issachar Sncll
1797
Eliphalet Porter
1777
Lucius Cary
1798 B.
Thomas Crafts
1783
Daniel Noyes
1813 Y.
Asa Packard
1783
Jonas Perkins
1813 B.
Zechariah Howard 1784
Jonathan P. Grafts 1817 B.
Heze^iah Packaixl 1787
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER. 171
Titicut.
Ephraim Keith 1762 Daniel Crane 1796 B.
Adam Edson 1775 Y. Oliver Havward 1804 B.
Jael Edson 1784 Y. Jonathan Keith 1805 B.
D. affixed to the year stands for Dartmouth College — B. for Brown
University — Y. for Yale College — N. for Nassau or New Jersey Col-
lege. Where no letter is affixed Harvard University is to be under-
stood.
By comparing this Hst with the catalogue of Harvard, it
will appear that one quarter of the class, who were gradu-
ated in the year 1785, were from Bridge water.
Ponds and Rivers.
There are but two ponds of any considerable dimen-
sions in the town. The largest lies on the south-west
part of the town, adjoining Raynhani, and was anciently
called Nunketcst, but afterwards and now called Nippen-
icket, being different names given it by the Indians. The
other lies in the easterly part of the town, adjoining Hali-
fax, and was anciently called by the Indians Satucket ;
but has latterly been called Robin's Pond, after an Indian
family of that name, who came from Mattakeset (now
Pembroke) and lived on the margin of it. Several fami-
lies of the natives formerly settled and owned the land on
the shores of this pond. They have generally been under
the care and protection of guardians appointed by the
General Court ; but they are now nearly extinct, only one
family remaining.
There is a river proceeding from the pond first above
mentioned, which anciently bore the same name, Nunke-
test, but for a long time past, and perhaps ever since the
incorporation of the town, has been called Town River.
It first runs in a north-easterly course through the centre
of the west parish, and then taking a more easterly and
southerly direction passes through the south parish. On
tliis river is the principal mill seat in the west parish, and
two of the principal water privileges in the south parish.
There are several tributary streams, which augment
this river in its course, as Cowesit, and West Meadow-
Brook in the west, and South Brook in the south parish,
and other smaller brooks.
172 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATEU.
There is another river, which takes its rise in Stougli-
ton, south of the bhie hills, and passes throui^h the north
parish, and is there called Salisbury river, from the cir-
cumstance of its running on the easterly side of Salisbury
plain, so called, lying in that parish; and thence continues
its course into the east parish, where it unites with Beaver
brook, and is then called Matfield river, from an Indian
of that name, who is said to have lived on the banks of it,
and lower down it unites with Byram's brook and is then
called John's river, which has already been explained
(page 151.) It thence passes into the south i^arish, and
there unites with the town river. There are in the north
parish five or six mill seats on this river and Beaver brook,
and seven in the east parish, including those on Beaver
and Byram's brook. This river passes the whole length
of the town, and may well be called middle river, as it is
the middle one of the three principal streams, which com-
pose the great river.
Another river, passing through Abington and the north
west corner of Pembroke, enters the east parish on the
easterly side, and is called poor meadow river, and unit-
ing with the river coming from Halifax and through Rob-
in's pond is then called Satucket river, and after receiv-
ing a small increase from black brook unites with John's
river, and continuing its course a short distance into the
south parish unites also with the town river as before stated,
and thus is formed the Great river. Hobart's works in
Abington, and Cushing's in Pembroke (formerly called
More's forge) stand on the poor meadow branch, and the
extensive works at Halifax between Monponset and Rob-
in's pond are on the other branch of the Satucket river.
Whitman's mills in the east parish are on this river ; and
just below the confluence of these three rivers in the south
parish stand the new mills so called. The Great river
after receiving the waters of the Winnetuxet from Plimp-
ton and Namasket from Middleborough, is commonly
called Titicut river, but from thence to the sea is called
Taunton great river.
There are several other small mill seats in various parts
of the town, on the minor brooks and rivulets, which af-
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER. 173
ford sufficient water however in many instances for the
winter and spring seasons only.
Taunton river is great in comparison only with its
branches, but is nevertheless large enough, even so high
up as the south parish of Bridgewater, as to admit of ship-
building there. Vessels of near one hundred and fifty
tons have been built there and carried down in time of
freshets.
Soil and Agriculture.
Bridgewater is a very level township of land, having few
or no hills. The only one, which may be properly so
called, is Sprague's hill situated between the east and
south parishes, and this is but small : but the north-west
corner in the north parish, commonly called the *' west
shares," is perhaps the highest land in the town. The
soil, as might be supposed, in so large an extent of terri-
tory, is various. In some parts, and particularly in those
adjoining the rivers and brooks, it is of a good quality and
very productive. In other parts, as on the plains, it is
very suitable for tillage, being of a light mould ; and
produces good crops of corn, rye, oats or flax, with a
moderate quantity of manure, and with little labour. In
other parts more elevated and broken the soil is thin and
poor, producing however at proper periods tolerable crops
of corn and rye, and, when laid down again, yields for a
considerable part of the season a scanty but stveet and
nourishing feed for sheep and cows. There are large
tracts of low and swampy lands in the town, which, while
left unimproved, afford great quantities of wood and tim-
ber, and when subdued, produce large crops of hay of an
indiflferent quality, but suitable for the support of young
cattle through the winter, w^hich enables the formers to in-
crease their stock. There is a very large tract of these
latids lying in the west parish called " the Hockamock
meadows," which produces great crops of hay of a very
good quality, and renders that parish with its other advan-
tages of soil, perhaps the best agricultural part of the town.
Besides meadows of this description, there are others ly-
ing along the margins of the rivers and brooks, yielding
spontaneously hay of a better quality. These meadows
constitute the most peculiar advantage it enjoys as an ag»
17-4 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER.
ricultural town. The uplands and tillage grounds arc
kept in better heart by the increase of manure derived
from the larger stock of cattle thus kept by the faimer;
and these meadows, especially on the rivers, bciiig fre-
quently overflowed, are thus naturally fertilized j and be-
sides yield a valuable feed after mowing, and at a season
when the high grounds are generally dry and unproduc-
tive.
The town has always been more remarkable for raising
grain than English grass ; not j^erhaps because it is more
naturally suited to the one than the other, but because the
soil is generally easy to till, and they have consequently
been more naturally drawn into this mode of husbandry.
If less grain were raised, the soil would unquestionably
be less exhausted, and of course produce greater crops of
grass. All ILnglish grasses, cultivated there, as herd's grass,
clover, red top and blue grass, are usually sown so as to
succeed two, and sometimes three, crops of grain. The
farmers in general, not having sufficient manure to sup-
port the land under such severe tillage and repeated crops,
often unreasonably complain of disappointment in their
subsequent crops of grass. This is not peculiar to Bridge-
water, but undoubtedly happens m all easy and similar
soils. There is probably as much corn annually produc-
ed there as in any town in the commonwealth j and it is
also a very good soil for English grass with a proper and
suitable cultivation. It has the reputation indeed as far
as it is known, of being a very excellent township of land ;
and its inhabitants are distinguished by their steady and
industrious habits. The grains usually cultivated are
corn, rye, and oats. Flax was formerly raised there in
great abundance, but much less latterly. Wheat and bar-
ley are also produced in considerable quantities, and the
attention of the inhabitants has of late been more turned
towards their cultivation. Forty and fifty bushels of corn
frequently to an acre, and sometimes sixty are produced ;
but the average, one year with another, is thought to be
about twenty : and from eight to ten bushels an acre, the
average of rye ; although twice or thrice that quantity is
often obtained.
DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER. 175
Orchards were there formerly large and productive;
but have become old and decayed, and the setting and
rearing of young trees has been too much neglected. The
inhabitants are now liowever beginning to turn their at-
tention to the reproduction of apple orchards, as well a§
to more deHcate fruits, such as pears, cherries and peaches,
which have been also very much neglected. They find
more care and cost necessary to produce a good orchard
now, than formerly when the land was new.
The wood of the forest is also various ; white oak, wal-
nut, red oak, and black or yellow oak, being most com-
mon among the hard wood of the uplands ; and maple,
beach, black birch, hornbeam, ash and elm, among those
of the swamps and low lands. There is abundance of
white piire also both on the uplands and in the swamps ;
and hemlock and pitch pine are also to be found in vari-
ous parts of the town. There are also cedar swamps,
which furnish the inhabitants with fencing timber. Much
of their cedar, however, is derived in the south and east
part of the town from the " major's purchase," or great
cedar swarnp in Pembroke. Great quantities of timber,
planks, boards, shingles, wood and coals, are carried from
this town annually to Taunton, and the several shore mar-
kets extending from Plymouth to Weymouth, and some
even to Boston. The price of wood in the town is from
two to four dollars a cord.
Manufactures and Mechanics.
Notwithstanding Bridgewater has the reputation abroad
of being a ver}' good agricultural town, and might there-
fore be supposed to be almost wholly engaged in husband-
ry, yet it is among the first manufacturing towns in the
state. Being large, some parts are more agricultural than
others, and different pursuits occupy diifefent portions of
it. The west and north parishes are more employed on
their farms, while in the other parishes there are more me-
chanics and manufacturers. This is probably owing to
there being more mill seats in the easterly and southerly
part of the town. In the easterly part of the town indeed
there are but a few, who depend wholly on their farms
for subsistence. Most of those, who are not mechanics
and manufacturers, are engaged occasionally in making
176 DESCRIPTION OF BRIDCEWATER.
wrought nails, or in procuring timber, planks and boards-
for the neighbouring markets, particularly at Kingstori
and the north river, between Pembroke and Hanover,
or in carrying wood and coals to market. There are
also a §reat number of mechanics in the town employ-
ed abroad as house-wrights and millwrights. Perhaps
no other town furnishes so many of the latter class. It
also abounds in iron workers of various descriptions.
There were formerly more wrought nails made there, than
in any other town in the commonwealth. The second
slitting mill, erected since the revolution, and the oldest
now standing in New-PLngland, is in this town. Since
the manufacturing of cut-nails commenced, the making
of wrought nails has very much declined, but many tons
are still manufactured there annually. The making of
anchors, scythes, other edged tools, and small arms, is
carried on there also to a considerable extent.
There are now in the town three forges, two slitting
mills, two anchor shops, four trip-hammer shops, three
nail factories, one air furnace, two cotton and woolen fac-
tories, two fulling mills, eleven grist mills, and eighteen
saw mills.
The late Hon. Hugh Orr introduced many branches of
manufactures into the town, and was the friend and pro-
moter of all. He was born in Scotland, January 13, 1717,
and came over early in life and settled in the east parish,
where he died December 1798, in the 82d year of his age.
A particular account of his manufacturing improvements
may be seen in the 9th vol. of the Hist. Cioll. page 264.
Militia.
Bridgewater with Abington constitutes a regiment.
There are nine companies in the town, two of which are
light infantry and grenadiers. There is besides a com-
pany of cavalry and part of a company of artillery. The
men enrolled, rank and file, in the several parishes are as
follows. West 116 — South with Titicut 145 — East 192
—North 126.
Bridgewater, Feb. 12, 1818.
NOTICE OF REV. PETER WHITNEY. 177
Biographical Notice of Rev. Peter Whitney,
A. M. AND S. H. S.
1 HE Rev. Peter \Vhitney was born at Petersham, Sep-
tember 6, 174-1. His father was the Rev. Aaron Whit-
I^ey of that place.* He was educated at Harvard College,
and took his first dej^ree in 1762, and on the 4th of No-
vember, 1767, was ordained as the pastor of the Church
in Northborough. He continued in the ministry to the
period of liis decease, February 29, 1816.
Few men gave in hfe a fairer exemplification of the vir-
tues and graces of a Christian minister, as these are por-
trayed by the apostle, than the subject of this biQgraphi-
cal sketch. His disposition was mild and benevolent ; he
possessed urbanity of manners, and was " given to hospi-
tality." He was the friend of the poor and distressed,
and " ready to every good work." As a Theologian he
was catholic. Disapproving an exclusive spirit among
the disciples of the same Master, in his ministerial and
christian intercourse he readily extended his charity to all,
who by their lives evinced that they loved " the Lord
Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth." His method of
preaching was evangelical, and his sermons partook of
the mild and charitable si)irit of the gospel. He was at-
tentive to the various duties of his office, and unwearied
in iheir perforniance ; and, wherever his agency was di-
rected, he manifested a disposition to diffuse the kindly-
influences of our religion.
Industrious in his habits, Mr. Whitney found time to
labour for the publick beyond the strict line of his pro-
fession. Having previouslv printed a number of occa-
sional sermonsf, in 1793 he published "a History of the
• Rev Aaron Whitney was the first miiiistep of Petersham, where he was or-
da'mc Dec 1738, and cuntiiiued in the ministry till Sept. 8, 1779, when he died
in ilie 6Gih \ k ar of liis ajje
♦ Two Seumns on the <lark aspect of affairs, July 2, 1774.
X Sermon, h-pt lii, 1776, at a L.ecture api>')inied for publishing the Declara-
tion of lnde()endence
A Senuoii occ,i<;i(iiit(i by the death of General Washington. Feb. 22, 1800.
A Seriuon at liie ordination ^-f hi^ son at Quia«y, Feb. if ISUQ.
i<i4 VOL. vii.
178 NOTICE OF REV. PETER WHITNEY.
County of Worcester." — Correct in its dates, and authen-
tic in its facts, its utility is acknowledged by all who be-
come accjuainted with its merits. It is a book to which
recourse i-, frecjuently had; and it should be found in the
library of every gcuilenian who desires to make hin^self
acquainted with the first settlement and subsequent growth
of the county. This publication brought the author into
the notice oi' our literary institutions, and in consequence
he was elected a member of the Historical Society of
Massachusetts. With much care Mr. Whitney had col-
lected materials to amend and enlarge his History, and
had nearly put them into form for a second edition : we
hope that it will be presented to the publick for the benefit
of his family.
Mr. Whitney had the happiness' to be connected with
a people truly christian and generous, who ever manifest-
ed towards him their attach:;. ent, sympathy and benefi-
cence. In the former part of his ministry his dwelling,
with his library and a great part of his manuscripts and
household furiuture were consumed by fire. On this
occasion, they very generously administered to his re-
lief; and at no subsequent period did they cease from
their friendly and benevolent attention to him and his
fiiniily.
Mr. Wi^.itney passed his long ministry in perfect peace
and harmony Ijoth with the church and society. At his
death lie lelt but one male who was a member of the
church at his ordination ; and but one couple, who at
that period were married.
HaN'ing filled up the measure of his life, having been
active and uselul unto the cu(.\, encircled with domestic
endearments, j)ossessed of the affection and esteem pf the
people ol his charge, and respected by numerous and val-
uable frieixls and acquaintances, Mr. Whitney, without
suffering the pain of disease or the decrepitude of age,
was gathered to his fathers in peace.
A Funeral Discourse occasinnecl by the death of iMrs. Sumner, the wife of the
Kev. .Joseph Sumner, D U Feb. 16, 1810.
Aiso eiiiirjj'es, ;uui the Ui^iit iland oi Fellowsliii) at several ordinations: and
" An Aceoiiiii ot a singular Apple-tree, km." in the tirsi vulumc of the Memoirs
ol the American Acadeniv
A-CCOUNT OF TH£ NEW ENGLAND HBRARV. 179
Account of the Books and Manuscripts,
LATELY DEPOSITED BY THE Old SoUTH ChURCH
AND SOCIE'IYIN THE LiBRARY OF THE MASSA-
CHUSETTS Historical Society.
r OR this rare collection the publick are indebted, orig-
inally, to the Rev. '1'homas Prince, of Boston. That
well known chronologist was indefatigably eiigaged, for
wore than fifty years, in collecting books, pamphlets,
and manuscnpts, relating to New England. By the la-
bels in some of his bocks it appears, that he commenced
this collection as early as the year 1703, when he was a
student at Harvard College. While in Europe, from
170i^ to 1717, he assiduously pursued this object. In
England and on the continent he found books and tracts
relative to America, which could be found no where
else. From his collections he compiled "A chronologi-
cal History of New England in the form of Annals.' It
was his intention, that it should contain " a summary and
exact account of the most mateiial transactions and oc-
currences relating to this country, in the order of time
wherein they happened, from the discovery by C apt.
Gosnold in 1602, to the arrival of Governor Beicher in
1730." He published a small volume of this work in
1736 ; but, enlarging his plan beyond what was stated in
the proposals, and becoming tedious by the minuteness
and extent of his introductory chronology of the world,
he did not receive sufficient encouragement for a second
volume. This, indeed, was attempted in successive
numbers, three only of which v.Mre ever published. The
volume brought the Annals to 1630 ; the three succeed-
ing numbers brought them to 1633. These three num-
bers, containing an accurate account of three of the first
years of New England, subsequent to the settlement of
Massachusetts, having become very scarce, are reprinted
in this volume of the Collections of the Historical
Society.
From 1758, the year of Mr. Prince's death, to this
time, a period of sixty years, no person has entered into
180 ACCOUNT OF THE NEW tNCLAND LIBRARY.
his labours. His inestimable colleclion of books and
manuscripts he bequeathed to the Church and Society in
Boston, of which he was pastor. Many of the books,
from an inscription within, appear to be given " To the
New England Library ;" others, *' To the South Church
and Society in Boston." It seenis to have been his
purpose to^ establish a distinct library under the first of
these titles ; all the books, however, were ultimately
given to the Old South Church and Society, in whose
care they have remained ever since Mr. Prince's death.
The historical part of the collection was eminently enti-
tled to the name of " The New England Library."
What printed books and tracts it contained, we learn
.from two catalogues ; the one entitled " New English
Books and Tracts collected by Thomas Prince of Bos-
ton, N. E. ;" the other, " New English Tracts belonging
to Tiiomas Prince of Boston." Both catalogues are in
Mr. Piinee's hand writip.g ; and they are, in every re-
spect, worthy of that diligent and exact historian and an-
tiquary. The titles of the books are arranged, according
to their sizes, in chronological order, with the place where
and the time when printed; and, it is believed, they fur-
nibh a more full and accurate account of the publications,
in Europe and America, relating to New England, than
has ever appeared. These catalogues were found, some
years since, at the house of the late Moses Gill, Esq. in
Princeton, by the Secietary of the Historical Society ;
and, at his ir.stance, they have been presented by Moses
Gill, Es(}. a nephew of tlie late lieutenant governour Gill,
to the Historical Society.
The books and manuscrij^ts, collected by Mr. Prince,
were placed by his direction in an apartment in the
steeple of the Old South church in Boston. This church
was used by the British troops for a riding school in the
revolutionary war, and many of the books and manuscripts
were destroyed, or scattered and lost. It was from the
reliques, which escaped this depredation, that the very
valuable sekction was made for the use of the Historical
Society.
ACCOUNT OF THE NEW ENGLAND LIBRARY. 181
No considerable use appears to have been made of the
collection since Mr. Prince's death. Individual members
of the Historical Society had occasional access to it during
the ministry of the late Rev. Dr. Eckley, whose obliging
attentions are gratefully remembered. Since the settle-
ment of his successor, the same indult^ence has been
kindly given, whenever requested-; and the proposal for
the deposit uniformly favoured.
A motion to make apjilication for this privilep;e was
made to the Historical Society, at a meeting, 22 l>Lceni-
ber, 1813 ; when it was voted, "That Rev. Abiel hunnes,
D. D. Aaron Dexter, M. D. and Alden Bradlord, i:-q.
be a committee to apply to the Ti ustees of u.e Nt w i^ng-
land Library, for the deposit of the same in the Sociciy's
room ; and, if they shall consent, to agree to the condiiiejns
of the deposit, give a receij)t lor the books, and, in general,
to act for this Society on the sulject."
The committee, in executing their commission, stated
to the Proprietors of the New E' gland Library, " That
many of the books in said Library, on accoiuit of the
subjects on which they treat, and the style in which ihey
are written, are not adapted to engage the | erusul, nor
even the attention, of but few readers, and yet, ii' ojjen lo
the examination of those, who ha\e leisuie and meliiiauon
for historical researches, may throw great ligiit on the
early history of our country ; that the Massaehuseits
Historical Society was founded for the purpose of pre-
serving books, manuscripts and records, containing his-
torical facts, biographical anecdotes, and other things,
conducing to mark the genius, ddincaie ihe manners, ai.d
trace the progress of society in the United States ; that
this Society was incorporated by the Legis>laturc of the
Commonwealth in 1794, and has since been presented
with a spacious, safe, and con\ei lent ;.pailnteiii for the
deposit of its books and manubcr.pis, ai^d for the nit etings
of the Society, in the Crescent at Fnuiklni Piace, in the
town of Boston ; that a large and vauiabie collection ( f
books and manuscripts, illustrative of the al^onginal. nat-
ural, civil, and ecclesiastical history oi the coimtry aS
been made, principally by donaiion, and deposited in the
182 ACCOUNT OF THE NEW ENGLAND LIBRARY.
said apartment; that the Society, in 1792, commenced ;i
publication of Historical Collection^, which has already
extended to the 12th volume ; that, beside giving original
matter, this publication, by multiplying copies of rare and
valuable records, has effectually secured them from those
various accidents, which might otherwise obliterate or
destroy them ; that, were the Society permitted to have
access to the New England Library, their future volumes
might be enriched by the materials to be derived from it,
and the choicest historical portions of said Library be thus
preserved ; and that the great and original design of the
Founder would be thus resj)ected and accomplished, to
the perpetual honour of his memory, and to the great ben-
efit of the community."
To this statement the committee subjoined a respectful
request and proposal, " That a selection might be made,
from the said Library, of such books as are j)eculiarly
adapted to the purposes of the Historical Society, to be
deposited in the Society's room, on such conditions, and
under such regulations, as shall be satisfactory to the
Trustees or Proprietors of said Library ; that, should this
request be complied with, the books shall be placed in
separate cases, and be always kept distinct from those of
the Historical Society ; and that all persons, who, by the
will of the founder, have a right to the use of said Libra-
ry, shall still have a right to the use of it, under such reg-
ulations as shall be mutually agreed on."
The complete success of this application appears in the
follov^ing record :
" At a meeting of the Old South Church and Society,
" held in their meeting house on the first day of Decem-
" ber, A. D. 1814, — Voted, that our beloved Pastor, the
*' Rev. Joshua Huntington, with such a committee as the
" Old South Church and Society may appoint, make a
*' selection of such historical Tracts, Manuscripts, and
" Treatises, relating to the History of our country, from
" the New England Library belonging to the Old South
" Ciiurch and Society, now under his care, as they may
" think proper, and for the benefit of said Church and
" Society, and the Publick ; and the same, when so se-
AlCOUNT OF THE NEW ENGLAND LIBRARY. ISji
** lected, to list, index, or number, on two separate lists,
"which said lists shall contain and be headed with this
" Vote, and all the Regulations respecting said subject,
"passed at this meeting; and one of said lists he shall
" deposit in said New England Library, the other of said
" lists, after the same has been signed by the said Histori-
" cal Society, their officers or agents, shall be l:)y him de»
" livered over to the Clerk of the Old South Church and
*' Society, to be by said Clerk kept among the records of
" said Church and Society. And said Tracts, Manu-
*' scripts, and Treatises, so as aforesaid by said Hunting-
" ton selected, shall be by him 'delivered over to said
" Historical Society, to be by them carefully kept in their
" room, in Boston, and under their care, for the use of the
"Old South Church and Society, said Historical Society,
" and the Pubhck, upon the terms and conditions foUow-
" ing, viz.
"J. Said Tracts, Manuscripts, and Treatises, shall
"always be kept by said Historical Society safely, m
" apartments by themselves, in their room in Boston, and
** a fair record of the disposition and situation of the same
" so kept by said Historical Society, that the said Old
" South Church and Society may always know where,
" and in what situation, the same are, and may always
" have access to said record. And over the place, where
" the said IVacts, Manuscripts, and Tieutises are or shall
" be kept, the said Historical Society shall always keep
" inscribed, in fair legible letters, the following Inscrip-
" tion : The Dona Hon of the Hey. Mr. Prince
"to the Old South Church and Society.
" H. The Pastor, or Pastors, uf the Old South Church
" and Society shall, at all times hereafter, have a right,
" and liberty, to inspect or use, or take away for inspcc-
" tion or use, any of said Tracts, Manuscripts, or Tiea-
"tises, leaving a receipt for the sahie with said Historical
" Society, to return the same, after the purpose for whicli
" the same were taken away has been answered. And
" any member of the said Old South Church and Society
" shall have like right and liberty, under like conditions,
184 ACCOUNT OF THE NEW ENGLAND LI^BARY.
'* and for like purposes, producing to said Historical So-
" ciety a written order therefor, sii^ned by the Pasco;: or
*' Pastors of the said Old South Church and Society.
" 111. The Old South Church and Society shall, at
"any time hereafter, have a right to receive and take
" back frcun said Historical Society said Tracts, Manu-
" scripts, and Treatises, whenever by their vote, at any
" meeting of said Church and Society, they shall so vote
" and determine."
The committee proceeded, in consultation with the
pastor of the Oid South Church and Society, to designate
such books and tracts, as were thought to be most condu-
cive to the design of the deposit ; and, in conclusion,
were presented by tlie pastor and the committee of said
Church and Society, with a list of such as they were wil-
ling to have deposited. The selection comprises 261
bound volumes, many of which pertain to the early his-
tory of New England ; also a large number of iMSS. of
great value, among which is the inestimable MS. Journal
of Governour VVinthrop, from 1644 to 1649, hitherto
unpublished ; and many pamphlets, illustrative of every
period of our history. Winihrop's Journal, a particular
account of which was given in a former volume, was
found well preserved ; the most valuable of the other
MSS. the committee arranged m chronological order, and
procured to be bound in boards, so as effectually to se-
cure their preservation. Many detached parcels of these
MSS. had the name /. Mather^ written on them by Mr.
Prince ; these, making collectively seven folio volumes,
are lettered on the back, Mather. Other parcels had the
name Hinckley^ written by the same hand, — a collection,
probably, of Governour Hinckley of Plymouth ; these,
making th ee folio volumes, are lettered Hinckley.
The whole, thus bound, together with the V\ inthrop
MS. and a volume rejating to the Narraganset lands,
compose 12 folio volumes of MSS. In this Collection
are contained many original letters of the principal mag-
istrates and ministers, from the first scttlen^ent of Massa-
chusetts tQ the revolution of W illiam and Mary ; some.
LETTER FROM WM. PENN TO CO V. H INCKLE Y. 185
to a later period, and many official state papers of the
British and Provincial governments. A considerable
number of MSS. and very many pamplilets remain un-
bound.
The Committee have placed all the bound books and
MSS in ten moveable cases, open in front, and deposited
them, by themselves, in the room of the Historical So-
ciety, with the Inscription required. On reporting their
domgs to the Historical Society, at their meeting in Oc-
tober, 1817, it was voted) " That the thanks of tne Soci-
ety be given to the Oid South Church and Society, for
their generosity in making this deposit, and for the facil-
ities, which their Committee, especially their respected
pastor, afforded, in effecting this important object ; with
the assurance, that the conditions of the deposit shall be
faithfully observed."
[From the rtriginal in the Old South Collection of MSS. deposited in
the Library of the Historical Society. Hinckley, Vol. //.]
Letter from William Penn, Founder of Penn-
sylvania, TO Governour Hinckley.
Respected Friend,
1 HE Duty and Decency of my Station as a Governour
as well as mine own Inclination oblige me to begin and
observe a kind and friendly Correspondence with Persons
in the like Capacity, under the same imperial authority.
This single consideration is enducement enough to this
Salute, and I have no reason to doubt its acceptance be-
cause such an entercourse is recommended both by the
Laws of Christianity and those of Civil Policy ; which
said, Give me leave to wish thee and y*' People under thy
Conduct all true Felicity, and to assure Thee that with
God's Assistance I shall herein endeavour to acquit and
behave myself worthy of y^ Tide and Character of
Thy real Friend
and Loving Neighbour
wm. penn.
Philadelphia, y"" 2^ of y« f 1683.
25 VOL. VII.
186 LETTER OF Wlf. PENN TOBICH. TURNER.
[At the bottom of the Letter]
I take the freedom to present thee with a Book.
The Letter is superscribed
" For my well respected Friend
the Gavernour
of Plymouth Colony
New England.''
From tlie "Mirror of- the Times, and General Jidvertiser," a news-
paper, printeil at Wilmington in the State of Delaware, iCth Julj,
18U3.
£Tlie following Letter from William Pcnn to Richard Turner is again published,
on account of the very incorrect copy in our last]
Letter of William Penn to Richard Turner.
Dear Friend.
iViY true love in the Lord salutes thee and dear friends
tliat love Lords precious truths in those parts. 'J'hine I
have, and for my business here, know, that after many-
writings, watchings, solicitings, and disputes in Council,
this day my country was confirmed to me under the
great seal of England, with large powers and privileges,
by the name of Pennsylvania : a name the Knig would
give it, in honour to my father. I chose New W ales,
being as this a pretty healthy country ; but Pcnn
being Welch for a head, as Penmanmore in Wales, Pen-
rith in Cumberland, and Penn in Buckinghamshire, the
highest land in England, called this Pennsylvania, which
is the high or head wood land ; for I proposed, when the
Secretary a Welchman, refused to have it called New
Wales, Sylvania, and they added Penn to it : and though
I much opposed it, and went to the King to have it
struck out and altered ; he said it was passed, and he
would take it upon him — nor could twenty guineas move
the under Secretary to vary the name ; for I feared, lest
it should be looked upon as a vanity in me, and not as a
respect to my father, who he often mentioned with praise.
Thou mayest communicate my grant to Friends, and ex-
pect my projwsals ; it is a clear and just thing ; and my
God that has given it me, through many dificulties, will,
I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall
LETTER OF A. WOOD TO I. MATHER. 187
have a tender care to the government, that it be well laid
at first. No more now, but dear love in the truth.
1st Month 5th. 1681. W. PENN.
Letter of Anthony Wood to Rev. Dr. In-
crease Mather.
Rev. Sir, Amherst, (N. HJ Nov. 20, 1817.
1 HE following is a copy from an original "letter of An-
thony Wood, author of Athenae et Fasti Oxoniensis to
Rev. Dr. Increase Mather of Boston. I have transcribed
it from the original for the Historical Society.
Very respectfully, J. FARMER.
" Sir,
Your kind and civil letter I have received for which
I doe by these returne you thanks. As for the age of
Sam. Newman (65) it a'grees with my manuscript, but
the county, you say wherein he was borne (Yorkshire)
doth not. For my Sam. Newman whom 1 take to be
him of Rehoboth and author of the Concordance, was
borne in Oxfordshire.
Now I have full satisfaction of your brother Sam. I
shall God willing mention him in his place, and when I
see Mr. Danson, which is twice or more in an yeare (for
1 am well acquainted with him) I shall enquire of him.
The method that I use if speaking of writers is this —
(1) The towne or parish, or at least the county where they
were borne. (2) The College or Hall wherein educated,
and sometimes the school. (3) The names of the bene-
fices or employments in church and stale that they have
successively enjoyed. (4) The titles of books, pam-
phlets, sermons, with their texts, that they have written
and published, the time when and where printed and in
what vol.* (5) The day or month, or at least yeare of
their death and the place of buriall.
Now if you can tell me as much as you can, according
to this method concerning W ill. Bartlett and his son
John, Mr. John Rowe— Mr. Tim. Taylor, Mr. Will.
• Probably whether 12mo. 8vo. or 4to. &c.
188 LETTER OF A. WOOD TO I. MATHER.
Ben — Mr. Tliom. Vincent if he be dead and Mr. Thank-
ful! Owen youl doe nie and the publick ij^ood service.
As ioi- Phil. Kye and Theoph. Gale I think I have
cnou.u^h of them.
1 JKive been perusing the matriculation books for Will,
and John Barilett and Will. Ben— and cannot find them
in Exeter C oil. and Queens Coll. therefore quere
whether you have not mistaken their colleges.
You mention not Mr. Sam. Lee, sometime of Wad-
ham Coll. If he be dead, I would willingly know the time
when he died, and where buried. Of the same college was
also Mr. Tho. Nye a learned nonconformist, who hath
also been dead several yeares ; and how to find him out
I cannot tell. If you know of any active and understand-
ing person who will undertake to solve such queries that
I shall send to him, I will recompence him for his services.
I thank you for your kind proffer of N. E. books, be.
cause there is no doubt but that I may find something to
my purpose among them. If the authors names be not put
to them you would do well to write them at the bottom of
their respective titles — So with thanks for your civilities,
I remaine, Your most obliged servant,
ANTH. WOOD.
From ray lodsjing neare
Merton Coll. in Oxford.
12 June, 16yO.
Why do you not give me an account of yourself that I
may bring you in when I speak of your Fathers. In the last
terme Catalogue, 1 saw the title of a book lately by you
published."
Superscribed thus —
" For Mr. Increase Mather
at Mr. Whiteings house
in Copt hill court
Throgmorton Street."
In transcribing the above I have regarded the aticient or-
thogntphy, but where the words are contracted by abbre-
viation, or expressed by characters, I have in general
written them at length.
The abbreviations are Sr, y^. y^ w". rec'^. w'^. y*". &c.
Only one kind of character is used, to wit, ( — ) which
represents and.
[TLe Historical Society has long been desirouB of reprinting the cou*-
tinuation of Prince's Aniials of iSew JLn^land, being the second
part. Onlj three numbers, comprising ninety six pages, were ever
published. The} are become ver> scarce, having onij the frail loim
oi occasional pamphlets, and the last is seldom to be found, even by
the curious antiquary. It seemed better to give the new impiession
as nearly like the old one, as possible, in our Collections, and the
pages are therefore preserved for the consistency of citations m fot-
Rier and later authors. These numbers came out ia 17i>S. Ed.]
ANNALS
NEW-ENGLAND.
BY THOMAS t^ NCR A. M.
YOL. II. NUMB. I.
Deut. xxxii. 7, kc. Remember the Days of old, consider the Yearg of many
Generations: ask thy Father, and He will shew thee; thy Elders, and they
•will tell thee: When the most High divided to th*? Nations their Inherit-
ance, when he separated the Sons of Adam, he set the Bounds of the People ; —
He found Him in a desart Land, in the waste howling W ilderness ; he led him
about, he instructed him, he kept him as the Apple of his eye : — As an Eagle
stirreth up her Nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her Wings,
taketh them, beirelh them on her Wings; So the Lord alone did lead him,
and there was no strange God with him.
BOSTON :
PRINTED AND BOLD BY 8. KNEELAND IN aUKEN 8lRKEl,^M» BY J.
AND T. LEVERETT IN COKNHII.L.
(Price Six Pence Lawful Money «acji Nuwber.)
ADVERTISEMENT.
HAVING b'ouplit our Annals of Nfw-England down to the SeL-
lleaifiit of the Massachusetts Colony, in the Ist \'ohimn ; and having
lately received a most auihcuiick and vahiable Journal of Events re-
latin» to said Colony, — From the Time when their 1st Gov Winthrop,
Dep. GoN Dudley, Eleven Assistants, with tlieir Charter, Four Minis-
ters it about 1500 people were waiting at the Isle of Wight & other
Places in the South and West of England, to sail for tiiis desired
Land; viz. from Monday March 29. 1(330, to Jan. 11. 16-18, 9:
Wherein are many Remarkablcs not to be foinid any where else; and
■whereb) alone we are enabled to correct many Rlistakes and ascertain
the Dates of many Articles in o'hers:- all wrote wiili the said Gov
W^iNTHuoi*''? own hand, who dccras'd in tlie very house I dwell in the
26th of iMarch after: I may now proceed with a further Enlargement
of Inteliigcnce, a;id with a greater Certainty and Exactness.
And for my Readers greater Satisfaction I shall also go on, as I did
before, to give them, not my own Expressions, fjut those of the Authors
v.lio lived in the Times they Avrote of; excepting now and then a Word
or iVote of mine for Explanation Snke, distinguished from theirs by
being inclosed in such Marks as [These]. So that we may as it were
hear tho«e eminent Persons, Gov Bradford, Gov Winslow, GovWin*
throp, Mr. Secretary Morion of Plymouth ; Gov Bradstreet, Mr. Sec-
retary Nowell.Ac. in tlie JMassachusetrs Colony Records; the Rev.
Mr. Hubbard, and Others, telling us the remarkable Events of the
Times they liv'd iu.
But as I w as unhanily obliged to close the former A'olumn abruptly
in September 1630, about 2 Mon'lis after our entering the 2d Section
of the lid Part ; I nrust refer to That, and begin the Ild Voluma with
September 23, in Continuation of tlie
d SECTION
Containing Articles from the Beginning of the Setttlement of the
Massachusetts or 2d Colony, to the Settlement of the 7th and last, by
the Combination of 41 Persons into a Form of Government at Piscat-
aqua, on Oct. 22. 1640, afterwards calPd the Province of J^ew- Hamp-
shire.
X. B. See the Marks explaineil at the End of this Corer.
Annals of New-Enclanb. Part II. Sec. 2.
—
K. of France. K. of Great Britain. K oi Spain.
1630 Lewis XIII. )j Charles I. \ Philip IV.
SECT. II. Coutinued.
Sept. ^T^ HE 3d Court of Assistants at Charleston. Pre-
28. X. seot, the Governour, Deputy Goveniour,
Capt. Endicot, Mr. Ludlow, Nowell, Coddington, Brad-
street, Rossiter, Pynchon. Ordered that no Person per-
mit any Indian to use any Peece [or Gun] on any Occa-,
sion, under lAO for the first Offence ; for the second, to
be Fined and Imprisoned at the Discretion of the Court ;
— that no Person give, sell, truck or send any Indian
Corn to any English out of this Jurisdiction, nor to any
Indian, without liicence from the Governour and Assist-
ants : — *That 1.50 be levied out of th.e several Plunta-.
tions, for Mr. Patrick and Mr. Underbill ; [L suppose
for some Military Purpose] viz.
1. Charlestown to pay 1.7
2. Boston lit
3. Dorchester 7
4. Roxbury 5
5. Waterton 11
6. Meadford, to pay /.3
7. Salem 3
8. VVessaguscus, after
ca'U'd Weymouth 2
9. Natasket 1
(Mcr) 50
* English and ladian Coru being lOs. a Strike, and Bever at
65. a Pound; we made Laws to restrain selJiog Corn to the Indians;
and to leave the Price of Bever at Liberty, which was presently eold
for 10s. and 20s. a pound. (</.)
f [By this it seems as if the much greater part of the People at
Charlestown were now removed to Boston, and the Rev. Mr. W ilson
with them.]
Sept 30. Thursday, About 2 in the Morning, Mr. Isaac
Johnson dies : He was a holy Man and Wise, and died in
sweet Peace ; leaving Part of his Substance to the Colo-
ny. CwJ This Gentleman was a prime Man among us,
having the best Estate of any ; zealous for Religion, one
of
2 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
i\. ol t'rnucc. K. oi (ireat-linlain. K. oi ^/ain.
16.10 Lewis XIII. II diaries I. + Philip IV.
of the Five Undertakers,*' and the greatest Fiirthcrer of
this Plantation : He made a most godly End ; d\ itig wil-
hngly ; professing his Life better spent in promoting this
Plantation, than it could have been any other Way : He
left to us a great Loss, (^dj The first Magistrate that died
in the Massachusetts : (^s dj [And Capt. Johnson says]
The Beginning of this Work seemed very dolorous ; first
for the Death of that worthy personage, Isaac Johnson Esq;
whom the Lord had endued with many precious Gifts;
insomuch as he was had in high Esteem among all the
People of God, and as a chief Pillar to support this new
erected Building. He very much rejoiced at his Death, that
the Lord had been pleased to keep his Eyes open so long, as
to see one Church oj^ Christ gathered before his Death : At
whose Departure, tlieir were not only many weeping Eyes,
but some fainting Hearts, fearing the Fall of the present
W ork. fjj [And the late chief Justice Samuel Sewall,
Esc;, intorm'd me ; That this Mr. Johnson was the princi-
pal Cause of settling the Town of Boston, and so of its be-
coming the Metropolis, and had removed hither ; had chose
for his Lot the great Square lying between Cornhill on the
S E, Treemount Street on the N VV, Queen-Street on the
N E, and School-Street on the S W ; and on his Death-
Bed desiring to be Buried at the upper End of his Lot, in
Faith of his rising in it, He was accordingly Buried there ;
which gave Occasion for \.\\^ first Burying Place of this
Town to be laid out round about his Grave.]
* The five Undertakers were Goveruour Wintlirop, Dep. Govero-
our Dudley, Sir Richard Saltouslall, Isaac Johnson, Esq. and Mr.
Revil {(1)
[Oct.] ^ThQ first Execution in Plymouth Colony:
* which is a Matter of great sadness to us, is of one John
* Billington ; for Way-laying and Shooting John Newco-
* men, a young Man, [b r) in the Shoulder, [h) whereof he
* died : The said Billington was one of theprofanest among
* us : He came from London, and I know not by what
* Friends shuffled into our Company. We used all due
Means
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. of Great Britain. K. of Spain.
1630 Lewis XIII. |1 Charles I. | Philip IV.
* Means about his Trial : was found guilty both by Grand
* and Petty Jury ; and we took the Advice of Mr. Win-
* throp, and others, the ablest Gentlemen in the Massa-
' chnsetts-bay, who all concurred with us that he ought
* to Die, and the Land be purged from Blood, {b r.)*
* [iV. B. This is the Order wherein Governour Wiothrop sets this
Article, A\ho was consulted about it. though Mr. Ilubbaid sa>9, —
about Sepitmber ; aud Gov. liiadford — in the latter part of the
Year.]
Mr. Phillips the Minister of Watertown, and others,
have their Houses burnt, (w)
Oct. 19. The first General Court of the Massachusetts
Colony — and this at Boston : Present the Governor, Dep.
Governor, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Mr. Ludlow, Capt.
Endicot, Mr. Nowell, Pynchon, Bradstreet,(Mcr) [N. B.
For the Form of Government in the Massachusetts under
Dep. Governor Endicot, subordinate to the Governor
and Company in England before they arrived with the
Charter; See April 20. 1628, and April 30. 1629; But
since their Arrival Here j the ( I st) Form of their Gov-
ernment was that of Governor, Dep. Governor, and As-
sistants ; the Patentees with their Heirs, Assigns and
Associates being Freemen, &c. But now in this General
Court, they agree on a (2d) Form as follows—-] Pro-
posed as the best Course- For the Freemen to have
the Power of chusing Assistants, when they are to be
chosen : and the Assistants, from among themselves
to chuse the Governor, & Dep. Governor, who with
the Assistants to have the Power of making Laws, and
chusing Officers to execute the same : This was fully as-
sented to by the General Vote of the People. (Mcr)
And now the Mcr gives the first List of Persons desiring
to be tnade Freemen, to the Number of 108, as follows.
Mr.
4 ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. of France.
1030 Lewis XIII.
K. oi (ireat Brilain.
Charles I.
K. of Spam.
4 lliilipIV.
Mr. Samuel Maverick,
Mr. lld'.vard Joliiisoii,
.Mr. Kduatd Gibbliis [or Gibbous,
after, IMajor Gcncial]
Mr. William .Tefrrirs
^Ir. Samuel Sharp,
Mr, 'I'iiomas Graves, [after, a
Rear Athiiiral in Englaud,]
r>Tr. Roj^er Conaiit,
.Mr. JVathauiel Tinner,
-Mr. Saiiiue! iMeetiiaii,
Mr. William Gierke,
-■Mr Abraham Palmer,
Mr. M iliiani I'elham,
Mr. William lUackstoiie, [for-
merly a Minister ; alter, ^verit
to Providence.
Mr. Richaid IJrowii,
Mr. George Liuilow,
.fames Penu, [after — Ruling El-
der of the Ist Church iu Bos-
ton ]
Henry Woolcot,
Thomas Stougliton,
Roger Wiiliams, [a Minister, wlio
C^eat (i) to PI) mouth (2) to
Salem (3) to Providence]
Capt. Walter Norton,
James Pemberton,
Mr. John Dillinghara,
John Johnson,
George Alcock,
Thomas Lamb,
Mr. Charles Gott,
.Mr. Geoi-ge Phillips, [Minister of
Watertown ]
Mr. John Wilson, [Minister of
Boston,]
Mr. John Maverick 1 Minister*
And \ of
Mr. John Wareh.am, } Doixrhester
Mr. Samuel bkelton [Minister of
Salem]
Mr. William Colbron [after,
Ruling Elder of the 1st Churcli
in Boston]
Mr. William Aspinwall [after,
Secrt;tary of Rh. Island Colony.^
Edward Converse,
Ricliard Church,
Richard Silvester,
Vv illJam Balstone,
John lhJlli()s,
INathaniel Bowman,
Daniel Ai)bot,
Mr. Samuel Pool, &c. (^Tcr)
[But nianv of tliem seem not to
be made Freemen till May 18.
lt)31 ; >vhich see. But Capt.
Johnson says, that] at tl e Court
in October many of the 1st Plan-
ters came and vere made free ;
yet afterward none were admit-
ted to this Fellowship, but such
as were at fust joinM in Fellow-
ship with one of the Chuiches of
Christ ; their chiefe«t Aim being
bent to promote this Work alto-
gether ; [and that] the JVumber
of Freemen this Year m as ajout
liO {J. ) [But he mistakes in
calling this their 2d Court on the
S. Side of the River.]
Oct. 23. Mr. Rossiter, one of the Assistants Dies : (w)
a godly Man, and of a good Estate ; which still weakens
us:
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. S. 5
K. o\ trance. K. oi Great-Britain. K. o\' Spain.
1630 Lewis Xlir. II Charles I. + Philip IV.
US : so that now there are left, of the 5 Undertakers, but
3, viz. Gov. VVinthrop, D. Gov. Dudley, and Sir R. Sal-
tonstall ; and 7 other Assistants, (d) [viz. Capt. Endicot,
Mr. Ludlow, Nowell, Pvnchon, Codding-ton, Bradstrcet
& T. Sharp : See Oct. 20. 16:^9, March 23, Aug. 23,
& Sept. 7. 1630 ]
Oct. 25. Mr. Colborn, who was chosen Deacon by
the Cojigregalion a Week before, [is now] invested by
Imposition of Hands of the Minister [i. e. Mr. Wilson]
and Elder [i. e. Mr. Nowell] [iv)
TliC Governor in Consideration of the Incoiiveniences
which had grown in England by Drinking one to another,
restrain'd it at his own Table, and wished ethers to do
the like : so as it grows by little and little to [be] dis-
used, {w)
Oct. 29. * The Handmaid arrives at Plymouth ; hav-
* ing been 12 Weeks at Sea, and spent all her Masts :
'Of 28 Cows, lost 10: has about 60 Passengers, who
* come all well.' {7u)
The first Recorded as Baptized in Boston Church, are
said to be Baptized in said Churoli in this Month, and
are only 3, viz. Joy and Recompence, Daughters of
Brother John MiUes : and Pitie, Daughter of our Broth-
er William Baulstone. (bcr)
Oct. e. The Gov. D. Gov. and Mr. [Samuel] Mave-
rick join in sending out our Pinace to the Narragansets,
to trade for Corn to supply our Wants. After doubling
Cape Cod, she put into the next Harbour she found ; and
there meeting with Indians who shewing their Willing-
ness to truck, she made her Voyage there, and bro't us
an 100 Bushels of Corn, which helped us something.
From the Coast where they traded, they saw a very large
Island 4 leagues to the East, which the Indians com-
mended as a fruitful Place, full of good Vines, and free
frora sharp Frosts ; having one only Entrance into it by
a Navigable River ; inhabited by a few Indians, v/hich
for a IVifle wou'd leave the Island, if the Erglish would
set them upon the Main, (d) [This is, no doubt, the Island
of Aquethneck, after called Rhode.lsland.] About
6 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. SeC. 2.
K. ol trance. K. o{ Great Britain. K.. o\ Spain.
]63y Lewis XIII. || Charles I. \ IhilipIV.
About November, the Gov. and Dej). Gov. with m(jst
of the Assistants, remove their Famihes to Bosion. [h)
Nov. 9. The 4lh Court of Assistants, but the l;,l at
Boston: Present, Gov. 1). Gov. Mr. Ludiow, Capt. En-
dicot, Mr. Coddington, Pynehon, Bradstreet : OiderLd
that every Enghshn^an wlio kills a Well" wiihin this Pa-
tent, shall have 1 Penny for every lieast and Horse, ai d
1 Farthing for every weaned Swine and Go:.t, in every
Plantation, to be levied by the Constables of said Planti-
tions : And whoever will first give in iiis Name to the
Gov. that he will undertake to set up a Ferry between
Boston and Charlestown, and begin the same at such
Time as the Gov. shall appoint ; shall have 1 Penny for
every Person, and 1 Penny for every 100 Pound W eight
of Goods he shall so transport. (Mcr)
Nov. 10. Firmin of VVaterton has his Wigwam
burnt, [w] Divers have their Hay-Stacks burnt, by-
burning the Grass, (w)
Nov. 11. The Master fof the Handmaid] comes to
Boston, with Capt. Standish, and 2 Gentlemen Passen-
gers who come to Plant Here ; but having no Testimo-
nials, we wou'd not receive them, {w)
Nov. 30. 'J'he 6th & last Lourt of Assistants this
Year, but the 2d at Boston. Present, Gov. D. Gov Sir
R. Saltonstall, Mr. Ludlow, NowclL Pynehon, Codding-
ton, Bradstreet : 1 of the Assistants fined 5/. for whip-
ping 2 Persons without the Presence of another Assist-
ant, contrary to an Act of C ourt formerlv made : Order-
ed that a Man be whipt for shooting at Fowl on the Sab-
bath Day ; and that 6<. /. be collected for the Maintenance
of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Phillips ; viz. out of
Boston /.20 I Charlestown /.lO I Meadford i.3
Waterton 20 | Roxbury 6 j W'innesemet 1
(Mcr)
Of the People who came over with us, from the Time
of their setting Sail from England in April [this Year] lo
December, there Died by Estimation 2U0 at the least : So
low
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part IL ScC. 2. 7
K. oi France. K. of Great Britain. K. of Spain.
1G30 Lewis XIII. y Charles I. | Philip IV.
low hath the Lord brought us. Yet they who survived
were not discouraged, but bearing God's Corrections with
Humility, and trusting in his Mercies ; and considering
how after a lower Ebb he had raised up our Neighbours
at Plymouth, we began again, in December, to consult
about a fit place to build a Town upon, (d)
Dec. 6. The Gov. and most of the Assistants and others
meet at Roxbury, and agree to build a Town fortified upon
the Neck between That and Boston : And a Committee is
appointed to consider of all Things requisite, &:c. (w)
Dec. 16. The Committee meet at Roxbury : And upon
further Consideration for [3] Reasons it is concluded we
shou'd not have a Town in the Place aforesaid ; (1.) Be-
cause Men would be forc'd to keep 2 Families ; (2) There
is no running Water ; and if there are any Springs, they
won't suffice the Town ; (3) The most of the People
have built already, and wou'd not be able to build again :
So we agree to meet at Waterton, this Day sennet, and
in the mean Time other Places should be viewed, (iv)
Capt. Neale and 3 other Gentlemen come to us [at
Boston] : He came in the Bark Warwick this Summer to
Pascatoway, sent as Governor there for Sir Ferdinand
Gorge and others, (w)
Dec. 21. We meet again at Waterton : And Here,
upon View of a Place a Mile beneath the Town, all agree
it a fit Place for a fortified Town ; and we take Time
to consider farther about it.
Dec. 24. Till this Time there was (for the most Part)
fair open Weather, with gentle Frosts in the Night : But
this Day the Wind comes N W very sharp and some
Snow ; but so Cold that some have their Fingers froze
and in Danger to be lost, (w)
Dec. 26. [Lord's-Day] The Rivers are froze up : and
they of Charleston could not come to the Sermon at
Boston till the Afternoon at High- Water, {w)
Many of the Cowes and Goats are forced to be still
Abroad for v/ant of Houses, (ir)
Deci
2 VOL. VII.
8 ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. SeC. 2.
K. of Fiance. Jv. oi (heat- Britain. K. oi Spain.
1030 LeuisXIII.il Charles I. | Philip IV.
Dec. 28. After many Consultations at Boston, Roxbu-
ry and \yatcrtown, by Gov VVinthrop [D. Gov Dudley]
and Assistants, about a fit Place to build a Town for the
Scat of Govcmmcnt, thev this Day agree on a Place on
tjic W [rather N W Side of Charles-River, about 3
iMiI< s W from Charkstown : And all, except Mr. Endi-
cot and [T] Sharp,*. oblige themselves to build Houses
there the following Spring, and remove their Ordnance
and Munition thither : and first call the Place Newtown,
but after— [viz. in 1638] Cambridge, {d.ml)
[The fonner liviiio; at Saltm and] the latter purposing to returu
by tlie next Sliip to England, {d)
Dec. 22. Richard Garret of Boston, with 1 of his
Daughters a young Maid, and 4 others, against the Ad-
vice of their Friends, went towards Plymouth in a Shal-
lop : and about the Gurnet's Nose, the Wind blew so
much at N W, as they were put to Sea, and the Boat
took in much Water, which froze so hard as they cou'd
not free her : so that they gave themselves for Lost ; and
committing themselves to God, dispcs'd themselves to
die. But one of their Company espying Land near Cape-
Cod, they made a shift to hoist up Part of their Sail, and by
God's speci.l Piovidcnce were carried thro' the Rocks to
the Shoar : where some got on Land ; but some had their
Leggs frozen in the Ice, so as they were forced to be cut
out. Being now on Shoar they kindle a Fire ; but having
no Hatchet, they can get but little Wood, and are forc'd
to lie in the open Air all Night, being extreamly cold.
In the Morning 2 of their Company go towards Plymouth.
(Supposing it within 7 or 8 Miles, where as it is near 50
from them) [and not an English House nearer] By the
Way they meet 2 Indian Squaws, who telling their Hus-
bands they had met 2 Englislimen that had" been Ship-
wrackt, make after them and bring them back to their
Wigwam, and entertain them kindly : and one of them
[viz. of the Indians] next Day goes with them to Ply-
mouth : and the other [Indian] goes to find out their Boat
and
ANNALS or NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2. 9
K. of France. K. oi Great Britavi. K. ot opom.
1630 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. i Ph ilip IV.
and the Rest of their Company which are 7 Miics off:
and having found thera, helps them what he can, returns to
his Wigwam, fetches a Hatchet, builds them a Wigwam,
covers it, gets them Wood : (for they were so weak and
frozen, as they couM not stir) and Garret dies about 2
Days after his Landing ; and the Ground so frozen as
they could not dig his grave, the Indian, with his Hatchet,
hews a Hole bout half a Yard deep, [puts the] Corps
in it, and lays over it a great Heap of Wood to keep it
from the Wolves. By this Time the Gov of Plymouth
sends 3 Men to them with Provisions ; who launch'd
their Boat, (which the Wind had driven up to high
Water Mark) and with a fair Wind get to Plymouth ;
where another of their Company dies, his flesh being
mortified with the Frost : and the 2 who went towards
Plymouth died also ; one of them being not able to get
thither, and the other had his foot so frozen as he died
of it after. The girl escaped best : and one Harwood, a
godly Man of the Congregation of Boston, lies long under
the Surgeon's Hand, {w)
Appendix to 1630.
I. Articles of Uncertain Dates.
HALF our Cowes and almost all our Mares and Goats sent us
out of England died at Sea ; and those intended to be sent us
out of Ireland, Avere not sent at all: All A^hich together A\ith the
Loss of our 6 Months Building, occasioned by our intended Removal
to a To\rn to be fortified, Aveaken our Estates; especially the Es-
tates of the Undertakers, Avho vaere 3 or 4 thousand Pounds [Ster-
ling] engaged in the joint Stock, Avhich is uoaf not above so many
Hundreds: Yet many of us labour to bear it as comfortably as wc
cou'd ; remembring the End of our coming hither ; and knoAving thr
Power of God, Avho can support and raise us again, and u?eth to
bring his Servants Ioa? that the Meek may be made glorious by
Deliverance, (d)
li
10 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. ol France.
1630 LewisXllI.
K. oi Grcal-Biitain.
Churles I.
K. of ^pain.
+ J'hilipIV.
It goes fiarHer with this poor People in tlieir Ikfrinnings, bocause
of the Scarcity of all Sorts of Grain lliis Year in Knglaiid : Kvery
Bushel of Wheat Meal staiidiiiK them in '. 1 Sliilliiijrs [Sterl.] and eve-
ry Bushel of Peas 10 SliilJliiL's ; and not easy lo be procured nei-
ther, {h) [And] coming into this (Jouiitiy, Me foiuid some English a'.
Salem, and some few at Charlestrwn, who were very destitute : And
Planting Time being past ; shortly after, Provision was noi to be had
for Money. And the unsubdued Wiklerness yiehling little Food,
many were in great Straits for want of Provision for themselves and
their little Ones. AVe quickly built Boats, and some went a Fishing.
Bread was with many a very scarce Thing, and Flesh of all Kinds
as scarce : And Oh the hunger that many suffered, and saw no Hope
in an Eye of Reason to be supplied, but Avith Fi h, Clams and Mus-
cles. But God caused his People to be contented with mcau Things,
find to trust iu him. (c)
II. A List of Ships which arriv'd in New-England
this Year.
No
IVames
whence
when
when
where
set sail
set sail
arriv'd
arriv'd
~E?igland~
"Tb30
"~1630~
'jVen-EngL
1
Lyon
Bristol
Feb. (d)
May e.
Salem
2
Mary-John
Plymouth
March 20
May 30
Nantasket
3
Arbella
"^Yarmouth
f at the
April 8
June 1 2
4
Jewell
ditto
June 13
/
5
Ambrose
( Isle of
3 Wight
ditto
June 18
V Salem
6
Talbo:
ditto
July 2 .
\
7
8
May Flow:-
Whale
S. Hampton
ditto
May
ditto
^ July 1
Charleston
9
Hopewell
ditto
ditto
■)
10
Wm & Fran.
ditto
ditto
^ July 3
[Salem]
11
Tryal
ditto
ditto
1 July 5
VCharlestou
jSalem
12
Charles
diAo
ditto
13
Success
ditto
ditto
July 6
[Salem]
14
Gift.
May e.
Aug. 20
Charleston
15
Another (d)
June (d)
16
Handmaid
Aug. 6
Oct. 29
Plymouth
17
Another set c
ut by a privat
e Merchant
. (d)
Thesa 17 Ships arrived all safe in New-England, for the Increase
<)t the PlaDtation here this Year 1630. (d)
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 11
K.o\ France. K,oi Great-Britain. K. oi i<pain.
1630 Lewis Xlir. 11 Charles I. | Philip IV.
III. Accounts of the. 13 Magistrates who came this
Year with the Charter, as far as I have met with.
1. John Winthrop, Esq; Gov. His Ancestor was Adam Win-
throp : a worthy GentJeman [in England ;] who had a Son of the
same Name, a discreet, learned Gentleman, eminent for Skill in the
Law, not without Remark for his Love to the Gospel under the Reigii
of K. Henry VIII ^ and [another son] a memorable Favourer of the
Reform'd Religion in the Days of Q,. Mary, into whose Hands the
famous Martyr Philpot committed his Papers, which afterwards made
no inconsiderable Part of our Martyr Books. This Mr. Adam Win-
throp had a Son of the same Name, Endowments and Imployments
with his Father. And this 3d Mr. Adam Winthrop was Father to
this renowned John Winthrop, who is the Founder of a Colony, which
on many Accounts like him that founded it, may challenge the 1st
Place among the Glories of America. Born at the Mansion House of
his Ancestors at Groton in Suffolk on July 12 1 387 : [had] an agreable
Education : But the Accomplishments of a Lawyer were those where-
with Heaven made his cliief Opportunities to be serviceable. Being
at the Age of 1 8 made a Justice of the Peace, his Vertues began to
fall under a more general Observation [was] not only exemplary for
his Conformity to the Laws of Christianity in his Conversation, but al-
so discover'd a more than ordinary Measure of those (Qualities which
adorn an Officer of human Society. His Justice was impartial : His
Wisdom excellently temper'd Things according to the Art of Govern-
ing: His Courage made him dare to do Right : All which Vertues he
rendered the more illustriou-i, by emblazoning them with the constant
Liberality and Hospitality of a Gentleman. This made him the Ter-
ror of the Wicked, the Delight of the Sober, and the Hope of those
who had ?iny hopeful Design in Hand for the Good of the Nation &
the Interest of Religion. Accordingly when the noble Design of car-
rying a Colony of chosen People into an American Wilderness, was
by soroe eminent Persons undertaken ; this eminent Person was, by
by the Consent of all, chosen for the Moses, who must be the Leader
of so great an Undertaking : Wherefore having sold a fair Estate of
6 or 7 Hundred [Sterling] a Year, He [now] transmitted Him-
self with the Effects of it into New-England ; (an) [in the 43d Year
of
12 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of Franrc. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1630 LftwisXIII. II Cliarlesl. \. Philip n^
of his A?e : Is the 1st Goverriour of the Massachusetts Colony ; one
of the 5 Undertakers; the Ipt IVTember who join'd in forniinj; the
Congregational Church of Chariestown and Boston, and the Principal
Cause of fixing on Boston for the Metropolis ]
2. Thoinas Dudley, Esq. D Gov. Born at Northampton in l.'i74
[rather 1576] the only Son of Capt. Roger Dudley; who being
slain in tli" Wars left this our Thomas ; who in the Family of the
E of Northampton [learn'd] the Points of good Behaviour, and fitted
himself to do many Benefits to the World : Next became a Clerk
to Judge Nichols (who being his Kinsman by the Mother, took the
more special Notice of Him) [impvov'd the] Advantage to attain such
skill in file Law, as Avas of great Advantage in the future Changes of
his Life : and the Judge wou'd have prefer'd him to higher Employ-
meats, whereto his prompt Wit not a little recommended Him, if he
had not been by Death prevented. But before he cou'd do much at
the Pen, for which he was very well accomplished, He was called to
the Sword : For being a yourtg Gentleman well known for Ingenuity,
Courage and Conduct ; when Soldiers were to be rais'd by Order of
Q, Elizabeth for the Service of K Henry IV [of France against the
Spaniards on the Borders of the Netherlands in 1597] none of the
[Youths] about Northampton were willing to enter the Service till a
Commission was given to young Dudley to be their Captain ; and then
presently 4 Score listed under him. At the Head of these he w ent
over ; was at the Siege of Amiens; and thus came to be furnished for
the Field as well as the Bench : But [the French and Spaniards mak-
ing Peace in June 1, 1598,] H« return'd to England, settled [near]
Northampton; married a Gentlewoman, whose Extract and Estate
were considerable, and the Scituation of bis [Dwelling] help'd him to
enjoy the Ministry of Mr. Dod, Cleaver, Winston, and Hildersham,
excellent and renowned Men : which Puritan Ministry so seasoned his
Heart with Religion, that he \^as a devout Christian, and a Follower
of the Ministers that most efFectilally Preached Real Christianity all
his Days. The Spirit of Real Christianity in him Bow also disposed
him to sober Nonconfortnity, and from this Time, (tho' none more hat-
ed the Fanaticisms and Enthusiasms of wild Opinlomsts) He be-
came a judicious Dissebter ffotn the unscriptural Ceremonies retained
in the Church of England. Not long after this, the Lords Say and
ComptotJ,
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 13
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1630 Lewis X III. II Chariest. \ Philip IV.
Compton, aod other Persons of Q,uality, made such Observations on
bira as to commend him to the service of the E of Lincoln, then a
young Man and newly come to the Possession of his Earldom: [whosej
Graudtather had left his Affairs under vast Intan^leicents, out of
w hich his Father was never able to extricate himself, which caus'd [tlie
young Earl] to apply to Mr. Dudley for Assistance ; who prov'd so
able, careful & faithful a Steward, that in a little While the Debts of
near 20 Thousand Pounds Avere happily [discharged.] By this Means
also a Match was procur'd between the young Earl and the L Say'B
Daughter, who prov'd a most virtuous Lady and a great Blessing to
the whole Family. In this [Business] Mr. Dudley continued about
9 or 10 years: but then growing desirous of a more private Life, re-
tired to Boston [in England] where the Ministry and Acquaintance of
Mr. Cotton [were] no liule Satisfaction to him. But the Eail cou'd
be no more without Mr. Dudley, than Pharaoh without his Joseph,
and prevailed with him to resume his former Employment ; till the
Storm of Persecution on the Nonconformists caused many JNTen of great
Worth to transport themselves to New-England. Mr. Dudley was
not the least of the worthy Men [who] bore a Pan in this Transporta-
tion, in Hopes that in an American Wilderness they might peaceably
enjoy the pure Worship of Christ. And when the Undertakers for
[this] Plantation came to know him, they soon saw That in him, that
caus d them to chuse him their Dep Gov ; in which Capacity he [now]
arrived {cm) [here, in the 54th Year of his Age : was one of the 5 Un-
dertakers ; the 2d Member in forming the Congregational Church of
Charlestown and Boston; and a principal Founder of the Town of
Newtown, after called Cambridge ; being zealous to have it made the
Metropolis, and is one of the 1st who builds and settles there in the
Spring ensuing ]
3. Sir Richard Saltonstall. [was the Son or Grandson to Sir Rich-
ard Saltonstall ; who Mundy in his Chronicle mentions as L. Mayor
of London in 1597, and Son to Gilbert Saltonstall of HalUfaxin York-
sltire. He was the Ist Associate to the 6 Original Patentees mention-
ed in K Charles I. his Charter of the Massachusetts, of March 4.
1028,9, and the 4th Assistant made therein : now comes over their 1st
Assistant, a worthy Puritan, one of the S Undertakers; and the 1st
Founder cf the Town, and 'tis likely of the Congregational Church,
of Waiertown.]
A. Isaac
14 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1030 Lewis XIII. II Charles I. | Philip IV.
4. Isaac Johnson, Esq: — [lie had married the Lady Arabella,
of the House of the Earls of Lincoln ; was the 2d Associate to the G
Original I'atentces mentioned in said Charter, and the 5th Assistant
made therein : A\ho dov comes over their 2d Assistant and one of the
5 I'ndertakers ; Avas the 3(1 IMember, who join'd in forming the Con-
grcf^ational Cliiirch of Charlestown and lioston ; and the principal
Eounder of the Town of Boston. And for the Rest, sec July 25, Aug.
e. Sept. 7, asid Sept 30. 1030.
5. Increase Nowell, Esq: [His Father or Grandfather was IJrotlier
(o the famous Alexander IVowell Dean of St. PauKs in the Reign
of Q, Eliz, and Prolocutor of her 1st Convocation : lie was the 7th
Associate mention'd in said Charter, and the P.th Assistant made
therein : And Capt Endicot being the 3d Assistant, Mr. IVowell, as
their 4tl) now comes over: one of the owners of the Jewel ; a zealous
Puritan; the 5th who joins in forming the Congregational Church of
Charlestown and Boston; and the principal Person who continues at '
Charlestown.]
6. William Vassal, Esq: — [The 18th x\sfociatc mentiou'd iu said
Charter, and the 1 7th Assistant made therein : comes over as their
5th Assistant : But this last summer returned.]
7. William Pynchon, Esq: [a Gentleman of Learning and Relig-
ion: The 19th Associate mention'd in said Charter, and the 13th
Assistant made therein: as their 6th Assistant now comes over:
is the principal Founder of the Town of Roxbury, and the 1st
Member who joi'is in forming the Congregational Church there ]
8. Edward Rossiter, Esq; [comes over as their 7th Assistant; 1st
chosen Oct. 20. 1629; and
10. Roger Ludlow, Esq; as the 9th Assistant, 1st chosen Feb. 10.
1629,30 : Both pious Geutlemen of good Families in the West of Eng-
land ; who are the principal Founders of the Town of Dorchester ;
and the 1st who join'd in forming the Congregational Church, even at
Plymouth in England, a little before they came avay, and bro't their
Pastor, Teacher, and whole Church with them. See at the Beginning
of this Year.
9. Thomas Sharp, Esq; [comes over as the 8th Assistant: 1st
chosen Oct 20. 1 629 ; and \s the 6tb Member who joins in forming
the Congregational Church of Charlestown and Boston.]
11. John Revel 1, Esq; [comes over as the 10th Assistant : 1st cho-
sen Oct. 20. 1629,30; and av as one of the 5 Undertakers: but re-
rurned this last Summer Avith Mr. William Vassal.]
12.
Annals of nzw-encland. Part II. Sec. 2. 15
K. of France. K. of Great Britain. K. of Spain.
1630 Lewis XIII. II Charles I. \ Philin IV.
12. William Coddington, Esq; [was ou March 18. 1629,30, chosen
at Southamptoa the 1 1 th Assistant ; in this Capacity now comes over ;
and is oue who joins to the Coogregational Church of Charlestown
and Boston.]
1 3. Simon Bradstreet, Esq; Son of a Minister in Lincolnshire ; and
Born at HovJ^ling, March 603. His Father (Son of a Suffolk Gen-
tleman of a fine Estate) was one of the let Fellows in Emanuel Col-
lege, under Dr. Charderton ; after highly esteemed by Mr. Cotton &
Dr. Pueston ; and was always a Nonconformist at Home, as well as
Tvhen a Preacher at Middleborough [in Zealand.] Our Bradstreet was
bro't up at the Grammar School, till he was about 1 4 Years of Age,
[when] the Death of his Father put a Stop for the present to the De-
signs of his further Education. But 2 or 3 Tears after, was taken
into the religious Family of the E of Lincoln (the b€st Farailj of any
Nobleman then in England) where he spent about 8 Years under the
Direction of Mr. Dudley, sustaining successively diverse Offices. Dr.
Preston, who had been my Lord's Tutor, then mov'd my Lord, that
Mr. Bradstreet might have their Permission to come to Emanuel Col-
lege, in the Capacity of Governor to the L Rich, Son of the E of
Warwick: which they granting, he went with the Doctor ; who pro-
vided a Chamber for him, with Advice that he should apply to Study
till my Lord's Arrival. But my L Rich not coming, Mr. Bradstreet
after a Year return'd to the E of Lincoln's ; and Mr. Dudley then re-
moving to Boston, his Place of Steward was confer'd on Mr. Brad-
street. Afterwards he with much ado obtain'd the Earl's Leave to
answer the Desires of the aged and pious Countess of Warwick, that
he would accept the Stewardship of her noble Family ; which, as the
former, he discharged with an exemplary Discretion and Fidelity,
[and] Here he married [Mrs. Ann] the Daughter of Mr. Dudley.(cm)
[By which Means, he became one of the Massachusetts Company, and
on March 18. 1 629,30 chosen at Southampton their 1 2th Assistant ;
in this Capacity comes over, about the 27tb Year of his Age ; and is
the 7th Member who joins in forming the said Congregational Church
of Charlestown and Boston.]
[For John Endicot, Esq: Assistant being Here before; of the 18
Assistants, there were 12 this last Summer Here together, besides the
Gov and D. Gov.]
An
VOL. VII<
16 ANNALS or N£\v-ENCLAND. Part II. Scc. 2.
K. of France. K. oi Great-Hritain. K. oi ispain.
1G30 Lew; XIII. ;| Charles I. \ Philip IV.
An Account of the Ministers now come over, I refer to the Appen-
dix of the Year ensuing:, wheu we shall have more to join them, and
conclude this Year with,
IV. The most material Events in England and Other
Places which concern'd this People.
April 1 2. Dr, Laud, Bp of London, made Chancellor of Oxford, (v.)
May 29. Saturday, Born at St. James's to K Charles I, [by his
Q, a Papist] a 2d son [the 1st being Dead :] Lord's-Day, June 27,
Christened by the Name of Charles, [by Bp Land :] his Godfathers
being thf French K Lewis [a Papist] the Prince Palatine [a Protestant]
and Godmother, the Q, Mother of France {hs) [a Papist* He i« after-
wards K Charles IL]
[*Papists join'd with Protestants — 2 Papists to 1 Protestant — and
why not one of the Protestant Kings and Queens of Sweden or Den-
mark ?]
The- Pope having made anti Bishops over all the Seas in Ireland,
makes Richard Smith (titulary Bp of Chalcedon) Bp over all the Ro-
mish Catholicks in Eng ; who is now very Buisy in his Employment ;
and the Insoleucy of the Regulars daily increases in England. (Fl.J
Dr. LeiglUon a Scotchman, for Publishing a Book, entitled, an Ap-
peal to Parliament, or a Plea against Prelacy, seutenc'd (,«?) in the
Star-Chamber to be whipt, have his Forehead branded, his Nose slit,
and his Ears cut ofT, [Fl^ which is soon after inflicted, (pn)
Oct. 3. O S, [ 1 3 N S] Born [at the Hague] to Frederick the [Protest-
ant] Elector Palatine, by his Lady Elizabeth [only] Daughter to K
James I, the Princess Sophia : [in the time of their Banishment from
the Palatinate by the Popish Emperor] afterwards married, viz. in
1658, to Ernest Augustus [the Protestant] Duke of Hanover: by whom
in leeo, she becomes the Mother of K George I. {Anderson)
Dec. 5. O S, Being the Lord's-Day, Peace between England and
Spain proclaim'd at London ; and at Madrid Dec. 1 5 ; (hs) [I suppose
IN S, the same Day with the other. And Pointer and Salmon no
dpubt mistake in writing — Not, 27.]
Tlie
ANNAtS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part 11. ScC. 2. 17
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1630 Lewis XIII. [] Charles L II Philip IV.
Tlie War which was renew'd between the Dutch & Spaniards ia
1622, yet continues.
The War having raged in Germany beiween the Emperor Ferdinand
the II a Papist and the Protestant Princes, ever since 1618 ; wherein
the Emperor had reduced Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, conquered
the Palatinate, banished the Protestant Elector from his Dominions,
and over-run the lower Saxony ; beat the K of Denmark, and forc'd him
to a disadvantageous Peace; grievously oppiessed the Protestants, and
in the fairest Way to subdue them intirely : and the Protestant Priilces
having no Hope from Eng, and implor'd the Help of the pious & he-
roic Gustavus K of Sweden ; He this Year on June 24. N S, with an
Army laads in Pomerania, bends down his Knees on the Shoar, oflTers
Thanks to the most High for the prosperous Beginning of Lis Expedi-
tion, implores Him to succeed his future Undertakings for the Help of
his People : and then rising up, He quick like Lightning, carries all
before Him, and begins their Deliverance.
N. B. See the mobt accurate and concise Account of this German
War in Alsted : who thus begins this glorious Enterpi ize. — July 24.
' Rex Sueciae iustructus nunierosis Copiis appellit in Pomerania.
* Norainis sui Fama non mediocrem Timorem Hostibns injicit : Inde
* Fulgure videnlior omnia celerrime pervadit ;' Which I have partly
construed in the Words above.
163 1.
[ N. B, The Principal Stage of our Annals is from
This Time forward, at Boston.]
Jan. A House at Dorchester burnt down, {'wj
xV Jan. 3. Dies [at Boston] the Daughter of Mr.
Sharp [I suppose Thomas Sharp Esq ; one of the Assist-
ants] a godly Virgin, making a comfortable End after a
long Sickness. The Plantation here [i. e. I suppose at
Boston] received not the like Loss of any Woman since
we came hither : and therefore she well deserves to be
remembred in this Place. And among those who died
£at Boston] about the end of Jan, was the Daughter of
John Ruggles, a Girl of Eleven Years old ; who in the
Time of her Sickness, express'd to the Minister and
thobe
18 ANNAI.S OF NEXV-ENGLAND. Pait II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of ^ain.
1631 Lewis XI If. || Charl es I. || Philip IV.
those about her, so much Faith and Assurance of Salvation,
as is rarely found ia any of that Age ; which I tho't not
unworthy here to commit to Memory ; and if any tax
me with wasting Paper with Recording these small Mat-
ters, such may consider, that small Things in the Begin-
ning of Politick Bodies, are as remarkable as greater in
Bodies full grown, fclj
As the winter came on. Provisions are very scarce [in
the Massachusetts-Bay] and People necessitated to feed
on Clams and Musics, and Ground Nuts & Acorns ; and
these got with much Difficulty in the Wintcr-Season.
Upon which People grow much tired and discouraged ;
especially when they hear that the Gov himself has his last
Batch of Bread in the Oven. And many are the Fears of
the People that Mr. Pierce, who was sent to Ireland for
Provision, is either Cast-away or taken by the Pirates.
Upon this a Day of Fasting and Prayer to God for Relief
is appointed [to be on the 6th of Feb.'] But God, who de-
hghts to appear in the greatest Straits, works marvellously
at this Time : ('ctrj For on
Feb. 5. fwj The very Day before the appointed Fast, in
comes ^c^r>'the Ship Lyon, Mr. William Pierce Master,
now arriving at Natasket,/^w>' laden with Provisions. Up-
on which joyful Occasion the Day is changed, and ordered
to be kept [on the 22d] as a Day of Thanksgiving, (^ctrj
Feb. 8. The Gov goes aboard the Lyon riding at Long-
Island : [next Day] the Ship comes to an Anchor before
Boston [to the great Joy of the People] U'here she rides
very well, notwithstanding the great Drifts of Ice. (^wj
And the Provisions are by the Gov distributed to the
People proportionable to their Necessities, fctrj
The Lyon [had] set Sail from Bristol Dec. 1, brought
about 20 Passengers, and had a very stormy Passage : yet
thro' God's Mercy all the People come safe ; except one
(^wj of the Sailors, who not far from our Shoar, in a Tem-
pest having help'd to take in the Sprit-sail, as he was com-
jng down fell into the Sea, where after Ipng Swimming,
was
ANNALS OJ NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. SeC. 2. 19
K. oi France. K. ot Great Britain, K. of bpaiti.
1631 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
was drowned, to the great Dolour of those in the Ship,
who beheld so lamentable a Spectacle, without being able
to help him ; the Sea was so high, and the Ship drove so
fast before the Wind, tho' her Sails were taken down, fdj
By this Ship fdj [we hear that] the Ambrose [having
been] masted at Charleston, [returning to Eng] spent all
her Masts near Newfoundland, and had perished if Mr.
Pierce in the Lyon her Consort had not towed her home
to Bristol. Of the other Ships which returned ("wj last
Summer {"dj 3, viz. the Charles, the Success & the Whale
were (^w) with 2 English Men of War ("dj set upon fwj
by 14 Dunkirks fdj near Plymouth in England : and af-
ter a long Fight, having lost fxvj 13 or 14 Men out of our
3 Ships (^dj and being much torn, especially the Charles
{'wj a stout Ship of 300 Tons, so torn that she had not
much of her left whole above Water ; (^dj they got into
Plymouth. Of those who went back in the Ships [last]
Summer for Fear of Death or Famine, many Dy'd by the
Way, and after they w^ere landed, and others fell very sick
and languishing, {^wj
Feb. 10. The Frost breaks up in [Boston Harbour] : and
it has been observed ever since this Bay was planted by
English, viz. 7 Years, that the Frost hath broke up every
Year at this Day. fwj
The Poorer Sort of People who by long lying in Tents
{"wj and small Huts Q'J are much afflicted with the Scur-
vy, and many Die, especially at Boston and Charleston.
And it has been always observ'd here, that such as fell
into Discontent, and linger'd after their former Condi-
tions in England, fell into the Scurvy & Died. Of the
old Planters and such as came the Year before, there were
but 2 which have the Scurvy in all the Country. At Plym-
outh not any have it, no not of those who came this
[last] Year, whereof there w^ere above 60 : whereas at their
1st Planting there, near half their People died of it. ("wj
Of which Mortality, it may be said of us almost as of the
iEgyptianSj
20 ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. oi Great- Britain. K. oi Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. II Charles I. |I PtiiliplV.
ALgyptlans, there is not an House wherein there was not
one Dead, and in some Houses many. The natural
Causes seem to be ; the Want of warm Lodging & good
Diet, to which English [People] are habituated at Home ;
and the sudden Increase of Heat they endured who
landed here in the Summer ; the Salt Meats at Sea having
prepared their Bodies thereto : For tho$e only these 2 last
Years Died of Fevers, who landed in June and July ; as
those of Plymouth who [formerly] landed in Winter,
died of the Scurvy ; as did our Poorer Sort, whose
Houscing and Bedding kept them not sufficiently warm,
nor their Diet sufficiently in Heart, ("dj But when this
Ship came, which bro't Store of Juice of Lemmons ; ma-
ny recover speedily, /"wj
Feb. 18. * (^xuj Among others who died about this
Time, was Mr. Robert Welden fdj a hopeful young
Gendeman, and an experienc'd Soldier, fwj whom in
the Time of his Sickness we had chosen to be Captain of
100 Foot : but before He [couM] take his Place, He
Dies (^dj at Charleston of a Consumption, and is buried
at Boston with a Military Funeral ("wj 3 VoUies h.c,fdj
* D Gov Dudley's printed Letter says Feb. 16: but I cliuse to
keep to Gov AVinthrop's Mss Journal.
A Shallop of Mr. Glover's cast-away on the Rocks
about Nehant ; but the Men are saved, (wj
The Provisions came this [last] Year at excessive
Rates, in Regard of the Dearness of Corn in Eug ; so as
every Bushel of Wheat Meal stands us in 14^. Sterl.
Peas lis ; &c. fwJ besides the Adventure fdj Tunnage
/.6 \\s. (XV J which is 3 or 4^. a Strike : An higher Price
than I ever tasted Bread before, (d)
Feb. 22. We hold a Day of Thanksgiving for this Ship's
Arrival, by Order from the Gov & Council, directed to
all the Plantations (w) throughout the [Massachusetts]
Colony, d.
March 4. First Court of Assistant this Year at Boston :
Present, Gov, D. Gov, Sir R. Saltonstall, Mr. Ludlow,
Capt.
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 21
K. of France. K. ol U real-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. \\ Philip IV.
Capt. Endicot, Mr. Pynchon, Nowell, [TJ Sharp, Cod-
dington, Bradstreet. fi.J Ordered that 6 Persons be sent
to Eng in the Ship Lyon, now returning thither, as Per-
sons unmeet to inhabit here ; also that Sir Christopher
Gardiner * 8c another be sent as Prisoners in \\qt.('2.J A
Man fined 1.5 for taking upon him to cure the Scurvy^
by a Water of no Value, which he sold at a very dear
Rate ; to be imprison'd till he pay his Fine, or give Se-
curity for it, or else be whipt ; and shall be liable to any
Man's Action of whom he has received Money for the
said Water. fMcrJ
* Sir Cliristopher Gardiner; [wlio it seems came over the last
Year] a great Traveller, receiv'd his 1st Honour of Knighthood at
Jerusalem, being made Knight of the Sepulcher tliere, [who] came in-
to these Parts under Pretence of forsakmg the World and to live a
private Life in a godly Course ; not unwilling to put himself on any
mean Employments and take any Pains for his LiMng, and ofters him-
self to join to the Churches in sundry Places; [had] bro't over vai\\
him a .Senant or two & a comely young \^'oman, whom he call'd his
Cousin, but (is) suspected to be his "Concubine; [first sojourn'd] in the
Massachusetts. (6r)
March 8. From fair Day-light till 8 am, fly over all the
Towns in our Plantations, so many Flocks of Doves ; each
Flock containing many Thousands ; and some so many
that they obscure the Light ; that it passeth Credit, if but
the Truth should be written, they are all Turtles ;
somewhat bigger than those of Europe ; and fly from N
E to S W. fdj
March 8. At a Court at Watertown : Present; Gov, D.
Gov, Sir R. Saltonstall, Mr. Ludlow, Nowell, Pynchon,
Coddington, Bradstreet. fi.J Sagamore John and [his
Subject] Peter complaining of 2 Wigwams burnt, occa-
sioned by a Servant of Sir R. Saltonstall ; Ordered that
Sir Richard satisfy the Indians ; which he did by 7 Yards
of Cloth ; and that his Servant pay him for it at the End
of his Time 50^. [Sterl.] * : f2.J In Regard that the
Number of Assistants is but few, and some of them are
going for Eng ; Order'd, that when the Number of As-
sistants
22 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. ui (ircat-liritain. K. o( Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. |i Philip IV.
sistants resident within this Jurisdiction shall be fewer
than 9 ; it shall be lawful for the major Part of ihem
to keep a Court ; and whatever Orders or Acts they
make, shall be as legal &c authcntical, as if there were the
full Number of 7 or more. (McrJ
* [."^aid] Wigwams were not iiiha)>lted, but stood in a Phice con-
venient for theirShelter when tliey should travel tliat Way. Hy ex-
amination we found tlial some Knglish I'owlers havitiy; rcth'd into that
Avliich belong'd to ttie Suljject [of tiie Sagamore] an<l ieavi;;g a Fire
therein caielessly, ^hicli they luid kindled to warm them, were the
Cause of Burning tliereof For that which was tiie Sjigamore's [own]
Ave could tind no certain Proof how it was fired : Yet least he should
think us not sedulous enough to find it out, and so should depart dis-
contentedly from us ; we gave both Him and his Subject Satisfiiction
for them both, {d)
March 15. Dies at Salem, Mrs. Skelton the Wife of
the Minister there : a godly, helpful Woman, liv'd de-
sired, dies lamented, and well deserves to be honourably
remembred. fdj
The Ship Lyon now waits but for Wind, which when
it blows [fair] there are ready to go aboard for Eng ; Sir
R. Saltonstall, Mr [T] Sharp, Mr. Coddington and many
others : the most of which purpose, if God will, to re-
turn to us again. In the mean Time we are left a Peo.
pie, poor and contemptible ; yet such as trust in God,
and are contented with our Condition ; being well assur-
ed, that he will not fail us nor forsake us. {d)
March 16. * About Noon, the Chimney of Mr. [T]
Sharp's House in Boston takes Fire ; and taking the
Thatch, burns it down : and the Wind being N W,
drives the Fire to Mr. Colbron's House, [some] Rods
off, burns that down also, fwj Which Houses, as Good
and as well furnished as the most in the Plantation, are
in 2 Hours burned to the Ground, with much of their
Houshold Stuff, Apparel, and other Things, as also some
Goods of others who sojourned with them : God so pleas-
ing to exercise us with this Kind of Correction : For
Prevention
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. SeC. 2. 23
K. oH France. K. of Crveat-Britain. K. of Spam.
1631 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
Prevention whereof, in our new Town intended to
be built this Summer; we have order'd that no Man
There shall build his Chimney with Wood, nor cover
his House with Thatch ; which was readily assented to ;
for that diverse other Houses have been burned since
our arrival. {(I)
[_* In D. Gov Dudley's printed Letter lis March 17 : but I keep
to Gov Wintlii-op's Mss]
March 22. Court of Assistant at Boston : Present Gov,
D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Coddington, Nowel, Sir R. Salton-
stall, Mr. Pynchon, [T] Sharp, Bradstreet. Order'd (1.)
That Artificers be left at Liberty to agree for Wages :
[See Aug. 23. 1630] (2.) That every Town within this Pa-
tent, before April 5, take Care that every Person in them
(exceptiiig Magistrates and Ministers) as well Servants as
others be furnish'd with sufficient Arms, allowable by the
Captains or other Officers ; those who are able, to buy them;
the Town to provide for those who are unable, and to
receive Satisfaction from them when they are able: (3.)
That all who have Cards, Dice or Tables in their Houses,
shall make away with them before the next Court. (Mcr)
March 23. Chickatabot [the chief Sachim of the Massa-
chusetts] comes with his Sannups and Squaws [i. e. marri-
ed Men and their Wives] to Boston, Presents the Gov
with a Hogshead of Indian Corn. After they had all
Dined, had each a Cup of Sack h Beer, and his Men
Tobacco ; He sent away all his Men and Women : (tho'
the Gov wou'd have stay'd them in Regard of the Rain
& Thunder) Himself and 1 Squaw and 1 Sannup stay all
Night : and [He] being in English Cloaths, the Gov
sets Him at his Table ; where he behaves himself as so-
berly &c. as an Englishman. Next Day, after Dinner,
they return Home ; the Gov giving him Cheese and
Pease, a Mug and some other Things, {w)
March 25. One of Watertown having lost a Calf ; about
10 at Night hearing the Howling of Wolves, raises his
Neighbours out of their Beds, that by discharging their
Muskets,
4 VOL. VII.
24 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. oi France. K. of Irreat-Britain. K.. oi Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. II Charles I. || Philip IV.
Muskets, they might put the Wolves to Flight and save
his Calf: the Wind serving to carry the Report of the
Muskets to Roxbury, the Inhabitants There take ati
Alarm, beat up their Drum, arm themselves, and send in
Post to us to Boston : [But] in the Morning, the Calf is
found safe, our Danger past, 8cc. {d)
March 28. D. Gov. Dudley seals his Letter at Boston
in the Massachusetts-Bay to the Countess of Lincoln ;
wherein he writes as follows.
Having some Ijcisure to discourse of the Motives for other Mens
coining to this Place, or their abstaining from it ; after my brief Man-
ner, I say this ; That if any come hither to Plant for Worldly Ends
that can live well at Home, he commits an Error of which lie will
soon repent him. But if for Spiritual, he may find here what may
well content him ; viz. Materials to build, Fewel to burn, Ground
to plant, Seas and Rivers to fish in, a pure air to breath in,
good Water to drink till Wine or Beer can be made; which
with the Cows, Hoggs and Goats bro't hitlier already, may suffice
for Food. For Cloaths and Bedding, they must bring them with
them, till Time and Industry produce them Here. In a Word, we
yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be jpittied, in the
Sickness and Mortality of our People. If any godly Men out of Re-
ligious Ends will come over to help us in the good Work we are
about ; I think they cannot dispose of themselves, nor their Estates
more to God's Glory, and the Furtherance of their own reckoning :
But they must not be of the poorer Sort yet for divers Years. — And
for profane and debauched Persons ; their Oversight in coming hither,
is wondred at, where they shall find nothing to content them. If
there be any endued with Grace, and furnished with Means to feed
themselves and their's for 18 Months, and to build and Plant; let
them come into our Macedonia and help us, and not spend themselves
and their Estates in a less profitable Employment : For others, I con-
ceive they are not yet fitted for this Business, [d)
March 29. Sir R. Saltonstall, and his 2 Daughters, and
1 of his younger Sons, (his 2 Elder still remaining in the
Country) come down to Boston, stay this Night with
the Governour : (w) and
March
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 25
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIIL || Cliarles I. || Pliilip IV.
March 30. This Morning, at 7, They, with Mr. Pierce
and others in 2 Shallops, depart [for] the Ship at Salem.
Mr. [T.] Sharp goes away at the same Time in another
Shallop. At 10, Mr. Coddington, Mr. Wilson, and di-
vers of the Congregation meet at the GovernouVs, and
there Mr. Wilson praying and exhorting the Congregation
to Love, recommends to them [in their Necessity] the
Exercise of Prophesy [i. e. Exhorting to Christian Du-
ties] in his Absence, and designed those whom he thought
most fit for it, viz. the Gov, Mr. Dudley, and Mr. Nowell
the Elder ; [who were men of eminent Piety and Learn-
ing.] Then he desires the Gov. to commend Himself
& the Rest to God in Prayer : which being done, they
acccmpany him to the Boat ; and so they go over to
Charlestown, to go by Land to the Ship : which sets
Sail from Salem April 1, * and arrives at London (all
safe) April 29. ('wj
* Mr. Hubbard therefore mistakes, in placing their going from Bos-
ton, on April 1 : as also in placing after this, the Account of Capt.
Pierce's carrying the Ambrose into Bristol, and the Fight at Sea,
mention'd under Feb. 5. last-
April 4. Wahgumacut a Sagamore up the River Con-
aatacut, which lies W of Narraganset, comes to the Gov
at Boston, with John Sagamore & Jack Straw an Indian
who had liv'd in England [with] Sir Walter Raleigh and
divers of their Sannups, and brings a Letter to the Gov
from Mr. Endicot to this Effect ; that the said Wahgum is
very desirous to have some English to plant in his Coun-
try, and offers to find them Corn, and give them yearly
80 Skins of Bever ; [says] the Country is very fruitrul,and
wishes there may be 2 Men sent with him to see the Coun-
try. The Gov entertains them at Dinner ; but would send
none with him : discovers after, that the said Sagamore is
a very treacherous Man, and at War with the Pekash [or
Pequots, under] a far greater Sagamore. His Country is
not above 5 Days Journey from us by Land, (^wj
April 12, Court of Assistants at Boston : Present the
Gov, D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Nowell, Pynchon, Bradstreet.
Order'd (1.) That a Watch of 4 be kept every Night
at
26 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K of Fram-r. K. of Great-Jiritaiu. K.. of Spain.
1631 Lewis Xlll. || Charles 1. II Philip IV.
at Dorchester, and another of 4 at Watertown, to begin at
Sun-set: (2.) That whoever shoots off any Peece after
the VVatcli is set, shall forfeit 40^ ; or if the Court judge
him unable, then to be whipt : (3.) That every Man
who finds a Musket, shall before the 18th of this Mohth,
and so always after have ready 1 Pound of Powder, 20
Bullets, and 2 Fathom of Match, under Penalty of 10*. for
every Fault; (4.) That every Captain shall train his
Company every Saturday: (5.) That none shall travel
single between their Plantations and Plymouth ; nor with-
out some Arms, tho' 2 or 3 together. fAlcrJ (6.) Upon
Information that they of Salem had call'd Mr. [Roger]
Williams to the Office of a Teacher ; a Letter is written
from the Court to Mr. Endicot to this Effect ; That
whereas Mr. Williams had refused to join with the Con-
gregation at Boston, because they would not make a pub-
lick Declaration of their Repentance for having Com-
munion with die Churches of England while they lived
There, and besides had declared his Opinion that the
Magistrate might not punish the Breach of the Sabbath,
nor any other Offence as it was a Breach of the first Table ;
therefore they, [i. e. the Court] marvelled they would
chuse him without advising with the Counsel ; and with-
all advising him that they would forbare to proceed till
they had confer'd about it. fwj
April 13. Chickatabot comes to the Gov, and desires to
buy some English Cloaths for Himself: the Gov tells him
that English Sagamores did not use to truck ; but calls his
Taylor and gives him Order to make him a Suit of Cloths:
whereupon he gives the Gov 2 large Skins of Coat Bever :
and after He and his Men had dmed, they depart, and
said they would come for his Suit 3 Days after. fwJ
April 15. Chickatabot comes to the Gov again ; [who]
puts him into a good new Suit from Head to Foot : and
after, sets Meat before him ; but he would not eat, till
the Gov had given Thanks ; and after Meiit, desired him
to do the like, and so departed. fwJ
April
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2. 27
K. of France. K. of (h-eat-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. Il Charles I. II Philip IV.
April 21. The House of Jo Page of Waterton burnt :
by carrying a few Coals from one House to another, a
Coal fell by the Way and kindled the Leaves, {w)
May 3. Court of Assistants at Boston : Present Gov,
D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Capt. Endicot, Mr. Nowell, Pyn-
chon, Bradstreet. [A Man] fined 10/. and He and his
Wife, enjoin'd to depart this Patent before Oct. 20, un-
der Pain of Confiscation of Goods ; for Contempt of Au-
thority and confronting Officers. [Mcr,)
' Sir Christopher [Gardiner having been] accused to
' have 2 Wives in Eng, was sent for ; but had Intelli-
* gence and escaped, and travel'd up and down among
* the Indians {w) especially in Plymouth Colony {br)
' about a Month : But by Means of the Gov of Plymouth,
* is taken by the Indians about Namasket, and bro't to
* Plymouth : [w) [When] the Indians came to Gov
* [Bradford] and told where he was, and asked if they
* might kill him ; he told them No, by no Means, but
* watch their Opportunity and take him : And so [after
* a vigorous Fray] they did, and bro't him to Gov Brad-
* ford.] In his Lodging those who made his Bed, found
*a little Note-book which by Accident had slipt out
' of his Pocket, or some private Place ; in which was a
' Memorial what Day he was reconciled to the Pope and
* Church of Rome, and in what University he took his
* Scapula, and such and such Degrees. It being bro't
* to Gov [Bradford ;] he keeps it, and sends Him and the
' Notes to Gov [Winthrop] fbrj [being] bro't by Capt.
* Underbill, and his Lieut, on May 4. to Boston, fwj
* Gov Winthrop takes it very thankfully, fbrJ and
'May 5. 1631, writes to Gov [Bradford] the following
' Letter, ("brj
' Sir, It hath pleased God to bring Sir Christopher Gardiner safe to
' us, with those that came with him. And howsoever I never intended
* any hard Measure to him, but to respect and use him accordinff to his
' Quality ; yet I let him know your Care of him, and that he shall speed
' the better for your Mediation. It was a special Providence of God to
* bring those Notes of his to our Hands. I desire you will please to speak
28 ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
k. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. (I Charles I. || Philip IV.
• to all who are privy to them, not to discover tliem to any one ; for
' that may frustrate any fuiiJier use to be made of tliem. The good
• Lord our God, who hath always ordered Things for the Good of his
• poor Churches here, direct us in this aright, and dispose it to a good
• Issue. I am sorry we put you to so much Trouble about this Gen-
• tlenian ; especially at this Time of great Employment : But 1 knew
• not how to avoid it I must again intreat you to let me know what
' Cliarge and Trouble any of your People have been at about him ;
• that it may be recompenced. So with the true Affection of a Friend ;
• desiring all Happiness to yourself & yours, and to all my worthy
• Friends with you, whom I love in the Lord ; I commend you to his
' Grace and good Providence, and rest
Your most assured Friend,
John Winthrop. (hr)
But after Sir Christopher gets to Eng, he shows his
Malice ; but God prevents him. fbrj [See next Year]
May 16. An Alarm to all our Towns in the Night, by
a Peece shot off; (but where, cou'd not be known) and
the Indians having sent us Word the Day before, that
the Mohawks are coming down against them and us.
May 18. Wednesday, [and not 17, as by a Mistake in
Gov Winthrop] General Court at Boston : Present Mr.
Winthrop Gov, Mr. Dudley D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Capt.
Endicot, Mr. Nowell, Pynchon, Bradstreet, Assistants.
John Winthrop, Esq; chosen Gov for this Year by
the general Consent of the Court, and Thomas Dudley,
Esq; D. Gov.* (1.) For Explanation of an Order of last
General Court of Oct. 19, now ordered with full Consent
of all the Company present ; that once every Year at least
a General Court be holden, at which it shall be lawful for
the Commons to propound any Person or Persons whom
they shall desire to be chosen Assistants. (2. ) The like
Course to be held, when the said Commons shall see Cause
for any Defect or Misbehaviour to remove any one or more
of the Assistants : And (3. ) To the End the Body of the
Commons may be preserved of honest and good Men ;
Ordcr'd and agreed that for ihe Time to come, no Man
shall
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 29
K. of France.
1631 Lewis XIII.
K. of irreat-Britain.
Charles I.
K. of Spain.
Philip IV.
be admitted to the Freedom of this Body Pohtick, but
such as are Members of some of the Churches within
the Limits of the same. (4.) Thomas Williams having
undertaken to s^t up a Ferry between Winnesemet and
Charleston ; he is to have 3d. a Person, and from Winne-
semet to Boston 4d. (5.) Chickatabot and Sagamore John
promise the Court to make Satisfaction for whatever
Wrong any of their Men shall do, to any of the English,
to their Cattle or any otherwise. (6.) 116 take the Oath
of Freemen, of whom are
1 Mr. John Maverick,
2 Mr. John Warham,
S Mr. William Blackstone,
4 Mr. George Philips,
Mr. Richard Brown,
Capt. Daniel Patrick,
Capt. John Underhill,
5 Mr. Thomas Graves,
6 Capt. Walter Norton,
7 Mr. William Colbron,
8 Mr. Roger Conant,
9 Thomas Stoughton,
Robert Seely,
William Agar,
Mr. William Clarke,
William Noddle,t
10 William Balstone,
1 1 Mr. George Alcock,
12 Robert Moulton,
Mr. Edward Belchar,
13 Roger Williams.
Mr. Richard Saltonstall,
14 Edward Gibbons,
15 Mr. William Jeffry,
16 Edward Converse,
1 7 Mr. John Dillingham,
18 Thomas Lamb,
19 Mr. Edward Johnson, &c.
(Mcr)
* In the like Manner did the Choice proceed among the Assist-
ants, (h) [And that which makes me think Mr. Bradstreet was again
chosen Secretary, is ; that in tlie Mcr, the Title of Captain is always
put before Endicot, and of Mr. prefixed to every other Assistant, but
before his o^vn name He in Excess of Modesty only puts the Letter S.^
t Perhaps Noddle's-Island might derive its name from him.
I^N. B. Those number'd are mention'd as desiring Freedom on
Oct. 19. 1630 : and now as taking their Oaths to tiie Government.]
At Noon a House burnt down, all the People being
present, {iv)
May 27. There comes from Virginia into Salem a
Pinace of 18 Tuns, laden with Corn and Tobacco : was
bound to the North ; and [happily] put in here by fowl
Weather : she sells her Corn at lOs. | Sterl.l the Bushel.
June
30 annaLs of NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. Scc. 2.
K.oi' FraitCf. \i. o\' Uirat-livituiii. K.. of Spain.
1631 Lewis Xlir. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
June 14. Court at Boston : Present Gov, D. Gov, Mr.
Ludlow, Capt. Endicot, Mr. Nowell, Mr. Pynchon, S.
Bradstreet, Order'd (1.) That none shall travel out of this
Patent by Sea or Land without Leave from the Gov, D.
Gov or some Assistant, under such Penalty as the Court
shall think meet to inflict : (2 ) Mr. John Maisters hav-
ing undertaken to make a Passai^c from Charles-River to
the new Town, 12 Feet broad, and 7 deep; the Court
promises him Satisfciction : (3.) Order'd, that none buy
Corn or other Provision, or any Merchantable Commo-
dity of any Ship or Bark that comes into this I^ay, with-
out Leave from the Gov or some Assistant ; (4.) Edward
Converse having undertaken to set up a Ferry between
Charlestown and Boston ; he is to have 2d. for a single
Person, and Id. a [Person] if there be 2 or more. fMcrJ
June 25. [not 14, as by Mistake in Mr. Hubbard]
comes [to Boston] a Shallop from Piscatoway, which brings
News of a small English Ship come thither with Provi-
sions, and some Frenchmen to make Salt. By this Boat
Capt. Neal Gov of Piscatoway sends a Pacquet of Letters
to Gov [Winthrop] directed to Sir Christopher Gurdiner;
which are opened because directed to one who is our Pri-
soner, and had declared himself an III- Wilier to our Gov-
ernment : which wheii the Gov opened, he finds it came
from Sir Ferdinando Gorges : in the Packet is [another]
Letter to Thomas Morton (sent Prisoner before to Eng)
By both which Letters it appears, He [i. e. Sir Ferdi-
nand] had some Design to recover his pretended Right to
Part of the Massachusetts-Bay, and repos'd much Trust
in Sir Christopher, fivj
June 27. Come to Gov [Winthrop] Letters out of the
White-Angel, lately arriv'd at Saco : [which] bro't Cows,
Goats, Hogs, and many Provisions both for the Bay and
Plymouth : Mr. Allerton returns [hither] in this Ship ;
and by him we hear that the Friendship, which put out
from Bastable [some] Weeks before the Angel was forc'd
Home again by a Tempest, {w)
Julv
ANNALS OF NEW-BNGLAND. Part IL ScC. 2. 31
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Le^visXIII. f) Charles I. || Philip IV.
July 4 The Bark which Gov [Winthrop] built at Mis-
tick, launch'd ; and call'd the Blessing of the Bay. fw)
July 5. Court of Assistant at Boston : Present Gov, D.
Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Nowell, Mr. Pynchon, S. Brad-
street : (1.) Order'd there be levy'd out of the several
Plantations, /.30 for making the Creek from Charles-Riv-
er to Newtown, viz.
1 Winesemet
2 Wesaguscus
3 Saugus
4 Natasket
5 Waterton
/.O
2
1
5
15s
10
6 Boston
7 Dorchester
8 Roxbury
9 Salem
10 Charlestown
15
4
3
3
4
10
10
30
(2.) That every Assistant have Power to grant War-
rants, Summons and Attachments : (3.) The Sagamore
of .Agawam [after, called Ipswich] is banished from com-
ing into any Englishman's House for a Year, under Pen-
alty of 10 Beverskins. (Mcr)
July 6. A small Ship of 60 Tun arrives at Natasket,
[T] Graves Master : brings 10 Passengers from London :
They came with a Patent for Sagadehock ; (wj but not
liking the Place, they come hither : their Ship draws 10
Foot, goes up to Waterton, but runs a-ground twice by
the Way (wJ and lays her bones there, (h) These were
the Company call'd the Husbandmen, and their Ship call'd
the Plow : (iv) their Patent call'd the Plow- Patent : (h)
the most of them prove Familists ; and (wJ soon after
(h) vanish away, (w)
July 14. The Ship Friendship of Barstable arrives at
Natasket ; had been at Sea eleven Weeks, and beaten back
again by fowl Weather ; set sail from Barstable again,
about the Middle of May ; [and] lands here 8 Heifers,
1 Calf and 5 Sheep, {w)
July 21. The Gov, D. Gov, and Mr. Nowell, the Elder
of the Congregation at Boston, go to Waterton, to confer
with Mr. Phillips the Pastor and Mr. Brown the Elder
of
5 VOL. VII.
32 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. SCC. 2.
K. (»r /•';•'(/<.(. k, ot" (ircnt-Jtritaui. K. o( Spain.
ir.ol Lewis .Mil. ;i Charles I. || Pliilip IV.
of the Cont^rcgaiion there, about an Opinion they had
pubhshed that the Churches ot'Rome were true Cluirehes :
the Matter is debated before many of both Congregati-
ons, and by the Approbation of all the Assembly, exeept
3, is conehided an Error, (w)
July 2^. T'ne White- Angel comes into the Bay, [and]
lands there 21 Heifers, (jv)
J'lly 26. Court at Boston : Present Gov, D. Gov, Mr.
Ludlfuv, Cai)t. Endicot, Mr. Nowell, Mr. Pynehon, S.
Bradstreet. Order'd (1.) That tiicre be a Watch of 6,
and iv.) Officer ke])t every Night at Boston ; 2 whereof to
be of Boston, 2 of Charleston, and 2 of Roxbury : (2.)
That every 1st I'hiTsday in every Month there be a
general Trainmg of Capt. Underhiil's Company at Boston
and Is ox bury ; and every Isl Friday in every Month,
there be a general Training of the Remainder of them
[who] inhabit at Charleston, Misriek and the new Town,
at u convenient Place about the Indian Wigwams : the
Trainings to begin at 1 p. m : (3.) Mr. Francis Aleworlh
chosen IJ.eut. to Capt. Southcot ; and Cant Southcot hath
Liberty to go for Eng, promising to return with all con-
venient Speed. fMcrJ
July 26. A small Bark of Salem of about 12 Tun,
coniii;g towards the Bay ; 3 of Mr. Cradock's Fishermen
being in her, 2 Tun r f Stores & 3 Hogsheads of Train
Oyl, is overset in a Gust : and being buyed up by the
Oyl, floats up 8c down 48 Hours, and the iVIen sitting on
her; tii! a Boat coming by, espies 8c saves them, (xv)
July 2y. The Friendship sets sail for Christopher-
Island, (w)
' July 30. The white Angel falls down for Plymouth :
' but the W'ind not serving comes to an Anchor ; and a
' W'eek after runs a-grour.d near the Gurnet's Nose, (w)
Aug. 8. The Tarreniines, [i. e. Eastern Indians] to the
Number of 100, come in 30 Canoes; and in the Night
assault die Wigwam of the Sagamore of Agawam by Mer-
rinKiCk, slay 7 Men, and wound John Sagamore, and Jones
and some others (whereof some, after, Dye) and rifle a
Wigwam whore Mr. Craddock's Men kept to catch Stur-
geon, taking away their Nets, Biskets, Sec. {xv) Aug.
N. B. (l.)T^ ^^^^ 2^ Section, and ibcncc ibrward wc bct
X^ht; chief Statue of our Annals at Boston.
(2.) The Articles of Plymouth Colony we shall distin-
guish by single Comma's ; and of Connecticut and New-
Haven Colonies by double Comma's.
(3.) The Monies in this 2d Section are yet accounted
Sterl.
(4.) As we are now about Foundations, we propose to
be larger in these 2 Years 1630, and 1631, than others.
(6.) Our Marks of Reference are These,
At the Top of the Page — II, Peace ; |, War.
b, Beginning; in Middle; e, Knd, of a Month.
bcr, Boston Church Records, in Mss.
bp Book of Patents, in Mss.
btr, Boston Town Ilecords, in Mss.
br, Gov Bradford's History, in Mss.
c, Capt. Clapp's Memoirs.
Ccv, Connecticut Colony Records, in Mss.
ctr, Charlestown Records, in Mss.
d, D. Gov Dudley's Letter to the Countess of Lincoln.
//, Fuller's Cliurch History of Britain.
g; Ferdinando Gorges, Es»|; History of New-Fingland.
h. Rev. Mr. Wm. Hubbard's History of New-Eng, in Mss.
he. Harvard College Records, in Mss.
hcv, Hingham Church Records, in Mss.
hs, Howes Annals of England.
j, Capt. Johnson's History of New-England.
ini. Dr. Increase Mather.
mo, Mr. Morton Secretary of Plymouth Colony's Memorial.
Mcr, Massachusetts Colony Records, in Mss.
vil. Manuscript Letter.
mss, Manuscript.
JV*c)% New-Haven Colony Records, in Mss.
Fcr, Pl>niiouth Colony Records, in Mss.
pn. Pointer's Chronological Historian.
rcr, "Roxbury Church Records, in Mss.
Rr, Rhode-Island Colony Records, in Mss.
s, Salmon's Chronological Historian.
sd. Rev, Mr. Samuel Danforth.
w, Gov Winthrop's Journal, in Mss.
The other Marks are Common— as,
E, East ; W , West ; N , North ; S , South ; N E, North East, 6.v.
D, Duke ; E, Earl ; L, I^ord ; P, Prince ; Q, Queen ; Gov, Governor :
D. Gov, Deputy Governor ; &c.
ANNALS
NEW-ENGLAND
BY THOMAS PRINCE, M. A.
VOL. IL NUMB. II.
Cicero, De Oratore.
Nescirc quid antes quam natus sis accident, id semper est ejse Puerum.
i. e.
Not to know what came to pass before you were Bom, is always to remain a Child.
BOSTON :
PRIKTED BY B. EDES AND J. GILL, IN KINGSTREET, FOR S. KNEELAN»
IN <iUEEN-STREET, AND FOR J. AND T. LEVERETT IN CORNHILL.
(Price Six Pence Lawful Money each Number.)
EXPLANATIONS.
N. R. (1.) rWMlK VrticU'sor PlyiiK.iith VuUmy aro niaik'.l bv siii-le
X. Coinina's; ami of ('oniiettkut and otlii-i (jovormneiits,
bj double ("oinina's.
(-2.) The Monies in this 2<l Section, are yet accounted Sterling.
(3.) As we are now about ^'oundations, we propose to be larger in
these 10 Years, viz. Ironi 1 G3(), to 1640, than others.
(-4.) Our Marks of Reference are T'aese,
At the Top of the Pagcv — 1|, Peace ; |, War.
b, Keginning ; »i. Middle ; c, Kn(l,ol a Month.
bcr, IJoston Church livcords, in Mss.
hp, Kook of Patents, in Mss.
Mr, Boston Town Records, in Mss.
hv. Gov liradfoni's History, in Mss.
c, Capt. Clapp's Mcnioiis.
cb. Continuation of Sir R. I5aker.
Ccr, Connecticut Colony Records, in Mss.
cm, Dr. Cotton Matlier.
ctr, Charlestown Records, in Mss.
(f, D. Gov Dudley's Letter to the Countess of Lincoln.
//, Fuller's Church History of Biitain.
5', Ferdinando Georges, Esq; History of New-England.
/i. Rev. Mr. \N'in. Hubbard's Histoi-y of New-England, in Mss.
he. Harvard College Records, in Mss.
ha; Hingham Church Records, in Mss.
hs, Howes Annals of England.
j, Capt. .lolnison's History of New-England.
im, Dr. Increase Mather.
Id, Bp Laud's Diary.
It, Bp Laud's Tryal.
vw, Mr. Morton Secretary of Plymouth Colony's Menioiial,
wWcr, Massachusetts Colony Records, in Mss.
ml. Manuscript Letter.
mss, Manuscript.
J\rcr, New-Haven Colony Records, in Mss.
JPcr, Plymouth Colony Records in Mss.
pn. Pointer's Chronological Historian.
rcr, Roxbury Church Records, in Mss.
Rr, Rhode-Island Colony Records, in Mss.
s, Salmon's Chronological Historiatn.
sd, Rev. Mr. Samuel Danforth.
w. Gov Winthrop's Journal, in Mss.
The other Marks are Common — as,
E, East ; \V, West ; N, Nortli ; S, South ; N E, Nortli East, &c.
D, Duke ; K, King ; Ij, Lord ; P, IVince ; Q, Queen ; Gov, Gov-
ernor ; D. Gov, Deputy Governor ; Eng, England ; N. Eng, New-
Knjiland : &c.
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 53
K. o{ Frnnvr. K. of (irent-IiriUdn. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. |[ Charles I. |1 Philip IV.
[Mr. Hubbard says] they wound John and James, two
Sagamores that liv'd about Boston, and carry others away
Captive, among whom is the wife of said James : and
that The [said] Sagamore of Agawani (as was usually
said) had treacherously kill'd some of tlie Tarratire Fami-
lies ; and was therefore less pitticd by the English. [But
Mr. Hubbard has misplaced this in 1632.]
[And Capt. Johnson says] the Indians most conversant
among us come quaking and complaining of the Tarra-
tines, a barbarous & cruel People ; who they said would
eat such Men as they caught alive, tying them to a Tree,
and gnawing their Flesh by Piece-meals off their Rones ;
as also that they were a strong and numerous People,
and now a coming ; which made them flee to the English,
who are but very few in Number, and can make but
little Resistance, being much dispersed : yet we keep
a constant Watch, neglecting no Means for our Safety ;
so that we arc exceedingly weakened with continued La-
bour, watching and hard Diet : but the Lord upholds in
all : [and that] near Sawgus, in the dead of the Night
(being on their Watch because of the Report of the In-
dians Approach) Lieut. Walker, a Man indued with
Faith and a couragious Spirit, coming to relieve the
Centinel, they of a sudden hear the Sticks [break near]
them, and withal He felt somcthmg brush hard on his
Shoulder, which was an Indian Arrow shot through his
Coat and the Wing of his buff' Jacket. Upon this He
discharges his Culliver toward the Place where they
heard the Noise, which being deeply loaden breaks in
Pieces: then they return to the Court of Guaid; com-
ing to the Light, they perceive He has another Arrow
shot thro' his Coat between his Legs ; stand on their
Guard till Morning, expecting the Indiars to come upon
them every Moment : when Day-light appears, they send
Word to other Parts, [whence divers] gather together;
and to (^uit themselves of these indiiMis, discharge tiieir
great Guns; the redoubling Eccho rattling in the Rocks
causes
34 ANNALS OF MEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. i)i Frntic: K. of dveat-Iiritain. K. u\' Spain.
1G31 Lewis XIII. II Charles I. (| Philip IV.
causes the Indians to betake themselves to Flight ; or
rather He who put such trembling Fear in the Syrian
Army, strikes the like in these cruel Canniballs.
Aug. 16. Court of Assistants at Boston : Present, Gov,
D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Nowell, Pynchon, S. Bradstreet :
(1.) Four Men fined 5 Marks a Piece [a Mark is 13^ Ad.
Sterling] for drinking too much aboard the Friendship,
and at Mr. Maverick's House at Winesemet : (2) Mr.
William Gennison chosen Ensign to Capt. Patrick. [Mcr)
[I mention this to show that the Court of Assistants now
chuse Military Officers.]
' [About this Time, as I judge] Ashley at Penobscut,
' for trading Powder and Shot -with the Indians, contrary
' to his Bond [to the Plimouth Undertakers] is by some
' Authority seiz'd, and sent Prisoner to England ; and
' Penobscut [Trade] is now wholly at their disposing, {br)
' Sept. 6. The White- Angel sails for Marble-Harbour ;
"' [xv] and so with Mr. Allerton and Hatherly to Bristol,
' where they arrive before Nov. 16. 1631 : Mr. Allerton
' being no more employed by the Plantation [of Pli-
' mouth.] {br.)
Sept. 6. Court of Assistants at Boston : Present Gov, D.
Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Nowell, Pynchon, S. Bradstreet: [Mcr)
(I.) a young Fellow soliciting an Indian Scjuaw to In-
continency, her Husband and She complaining of his
Carriage ; (7^) order that He be severely whipt [therefor]
[Mcr) Her Husband and She are present at the Execu-
tion, and very well satisfied: fxvj (2.) Upon this it is
projDounded, Whether Adultery either with English or
Indian shall not be punished with Death ? refcr'd to the
next Court to be considered. (Mcr J
Sept. 17. Mr. Shurt fxvJ or Shurd (h) of Pemaquid
sends Home to Agawam, James Sagamore's Wife, who
had been taken away [in] the Surprize at Agawam ; and
writes that the Indians demand Fathoms of Wompam-
peag, and Skins for her ransom, fw)
Sept.
ANNALS OF N E W-EN GL AJf D. Part II. ScC. 2. 35
K. of France. VL of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Le^v-isXIII. II Charles I. H P hilip IV.
Sept. 27. Court of Assistants at Boston: Present Gov,
D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Nowell, Pynchon, S. Bradstreet :
Order that a Man for stealing 4 Baskets of Corn from
the Indians fMcrJ viz. from Chickatabut and his Men,
who are present fwj shall return them 8 Baskets, be fined
L. 5, and hereafter call'd Josias, and not Mr. as formerly ;
and that 2 others fMcrJ viz. his Servants fiuj be whipt
for being accessory to the same Offence. ( McrJ
Oct. 18. Court of Assistants at Boston : Present Gov,
D. Gov. Mr. Ludlow, Capt. Endicot, Mr. Noweli, Pyn-
chon, S. Bradstreet : Order (1.) That if any Man have car-
nal Copulation with another Man's Wife, they shall both
be punished with Death : (2.) That a Man's House at
Marble-Harbour be pulled down, and no Englishman give
Him House-room, or entertain Him under such Penalty
as the Court shall think meet ; (3.) That Corn shall pass
for Payment of all Debts at the usual Rate 'tis sold for,
except Money or Bever be expressly named. (Mcr)
Oct. 22. Gov. [Winthrop] receives a Letter from Capt.
Wiggin of Pascataqu?ck, [sometimes wrote Pascataqua,
but commonly called PascatowaJ informing of a Murther
committed the 3d of this Month, at Richmond Isle fw)
being a Part of a Tract of Land granted to Mr. Trelane,
a Plimouth Merchant [in England] where he had setiied a
Place for Fishing, built a Ship there, and improved many-
Servants for Fishing and Planting, (scj by an Indian
Sagamore called Squidecasset, and his Company, on one
Walter Bagnall, and one Jo P, who kept with him ; having
kili'd them, burnt their House over them, and carried
away their Guns, and what else they liked ; perswading
the Gov to send 20 Men presently to take Revenge : But
the Gov advising with some of the Council, tho't best to
set still a while ; partly because he heard that Captain
Neal, &c. were gone after them, partly because of the
Frost and Snow, and want of Boats fit for that Expe-
dition. This Bagnall was sometime Servant to one in
the Bay, and these 3 Years had dwelt alone in the said
Isl«,
6 VOL. YII.
56 ANNAI.S OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 'J.
K of Frauce. K. of (irt'fd-Iiritahi. R. of Spu'ni.
1631 Lewis Xlll. ii ("liailcs I. i; Philip IV.
Isle, and had goL about /. 400, was a wicked Fellow, and
had much wion,u,\l the Indians, fruj
Oct. 25. Gov. [Winthrop] witii Capt. Underhill and
other Officers, go a Foot to Sawgiis ; [alter called Lyn]
and next Day to Salem ; where they are courteously en-
tertained by Capt. Endicot, &c. and the 28th return'd by
Mistick to Boston, fiuj
A plentiful Croj) [in the Massachusetts.] (^wj
Oct. 30. Gov [W inthrop] having erected a Building
of 8tone at Mistick ; there comes so violent a Storm ot"
Rain for 24 Hours from N E and S E, as (being laid
with Clay instead of Lime, and not finished) two Sides
of it arc wash'd down to the Ground ; and much Harm
done to other Houses by the Storm : [and] Mr. Pyn-
chon's Boat coming from Sagadehock is cast away at
Cape- Ann : but the Men and chief Goods saved, and the
Boat recovered, fiuj
According to the Agreement of Gov. Winthrop, D. Gov.
Dudley and Assistants, on Dec. 28 last, to build at New-
town; D. Gov. Dudley, Secretary Bradstreet and other prin-
cipal Gentlemen, in the Spring went forward with their De-
sign, and intended to carry it on amain. The Gov has the
Frame of his House set up where he first pitch'd his Tent :
and Mr. Dudley had not only fram'd, but finished his
House there, and remov'd his Family thereinto before
Winter : But on other Considerations, which at first came
not into their Minds ; the Gov. [about this Time as I
guess] takes down his Frame and brings it to Boston ;
where He intends to take up his [abode] for the future :
which is no small Disappointment to the Rest of tire
Company who were minded to build [at Newtown,] and
accompanied with some Disgust between the two chief
Gentlemen ; but they are soon after satisfied with the
Grounds of each others proceedings : * Mr. Dudley and
others, being without any settled Minister, till Mr.
Hooker comes over in 1633 ; Gov Winthrop still conti-
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLANO. Part. II. ScC. 2. 37
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Louis XIII. li Charles I. || Philip IV.
nuing at Boston, which is like to be the Place of chiefest
Commerce, He prepares his dwelling accordingly, (^hj
" Governor "VVinthrop gives this as one Reason of lUimoving hih
House to Boston ; viz. that the People at Boston had under all
their Hands petition'd Hini^ that according to the Promise He made
them when they first set down with Him, at Boston, (viz. that He
would not remove except they went with Him) He would not leave
them, (jr)
Nov. 2. The Ship Lyon, William Pierce Master, ar-
rives at Natasket, [with] Gov [Winthrop's] Wife, his
eldest Son [Mr. John Winthrop, Jun.] and Wife and
other of his Children, Mr. [John] Elliot a Minister, and
other Friends, being about 60 persons, all in Health,
having been ten Weeks at Sea ; and lost none of their
Company but two Children, whereof one was the Gov-
ernor's Daughter, about one year and half old. Nov. 3.
The Wind being contrary, the Ship stays at Long-Island :
But the Gov's Son comes ashore, and the Gov. goes to
the Ship, abides all Night : Next Morning, Nov. 4. Yhe
Wind coming fair, [the Ship] comes to an Anchor be-
fore Boston ; the Gov. his Wife and Children come
ashore with Mr. Pierce, in his Ship's Boat : The Ship
gives them 7 [guns] at their Landing ; the Captains with
their Companies in Arms, entertain them with a Guard
and divers VoUies, and 3 Drakes : [a Sort of great Guns,
perhaps invented by Sir Francis Drake] and divers of
the Assistants and most of the People of the near Planta-
tions copne to welcome them, and bring and send (for
divers Days) great Store of Provisions, as fat Hogs,
Kids, Venison] Poultrey, Geese, Partridges, &c. so as
the like Joy and Manifestation of Love had never been
seen in New-England. It was a great Marvel that so
many People, and such Store of Provisions could be
gathered together at so few Hours warning, fwj
[The Rev.] Mr. Elliot left his intended Wife in En-
gland, to come next Year : frcrj soon fcmj joins to the
Church at Boston : and there exercises in the absence of
Mr.
38 ANNALS of NEW -ENGLAND. Puit. II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. !i Philip IV.
Mr. Wilson the Pastor, who uas gone back to England
for his Wife and Family, f'rcrj
Nov. II. VVe keep a Day of Thanksgiving at Boston,
Nov. 17. Gov. [Bradford] of Plimouth comes to
Boston, and lodges in Mr. Pierce's Ship, (xu)
Nov. 23. Mr. Pierce goes down to his Ship at Natas-
ket : divers go Home with Him to England by Virginia ;
as Sir R. Saltonstali's eldest Son and others; and are 6
Weeks going to Virginia, (w)
The CongregatioQ at Waterton, whereof Mr. George
Phillips is Pastor had chosen [Mr.] Richard Brown [see
the List of Oct. 19. 1630] for dieir Elder before named ;
who persisting in his Opinion of the Truth of the Roman
Church, and maintaining other Errors, and being a Man
of a very violent Spirit, the Court wrote a Letter to the
Congregation, directed to the Pastor and Brethren, to
advise them to take into Consideration, whether Mr.
Brown were fit to be continued their Elder, or not : to
which He returned Answer to this Effect ; that if we
would take the Pains to prove such Things as were ob-
jected against Him, they would endeavour to redress
them, (w)
Dec. 8. The Congregation [at Waterton] being much
divided about their Elder, both Parties repair to Gov
Winthrop for Assistance : whereupon he goes to Waterton
with the D. Gov ajid Mr. Nowell : and the Congregation
being assembled, the Gov tells them, that being come to
settle Peace &c. ; they might proceed in three different
Respects, (1.) As the Magistrates, (their Assistance being
desired) (2.) As Members of a neighbour Congregation,
(5.) Upon the Answer we received of our Letter, which
did no way satisfy us : But the Pastor Mr. Phillips desires
us to set with them as Members of a neighbour Congre-
lion only ; whereto the Gov &c. consent : after much
Debate they are reconciled, and agree to seek God in a
Day of Humiliation ; and so to have a solemn uniting ;
each
ANNALS OF NEW-»NCLAND. Part 11. ScC. 2. 39
K. of France. K. of Great-Briiain. K. of Spain.
1G31 Lewis XIII. (t Charles I. || PhiUp IV.
each Party promising to reform what had been amiss &c.
and the Pastor gives Thanks to God, and the Assembly
brakes up. [w) [Mr. Hubbard says, that] said Brown had
been one of the Separation in England ; [and seems to
intimate as if the Occasion of his Opinion was, that]
the Reformed Churches did not use to Re-baptize those
that renounced the Religion of Rome, and embraced that
of die Reformation, {h)
Articles of various Dates.
[Capt. Johnson says— the Number of Freemen of the
Massachusets added this Year was about 83. But in the
Records of May, 18, I find 116 take the Oaths of Free-
men, as then observ'd, besides two more scored out :
and as these are all I find admitted this Year, and the first
that are mention'd in said Records, as taking the Oaths
of Freemen ; I am' apt to think the 110 He mentions as
made Freemen in 1630 [See p. 4. ] are included in the
116, who take their Oaths on May 18. 1631, and that
these 116 are the first admitted after the Arrival of the
Gov and Company.
[Josseline says] that Capt. John Smith Gov of Virgiiria
[i.e. President in 1608] and Admiral of New- England,
[i.e. made so in 1615] dies in 1631: [but where, He
does not say. And He mistakes in placing] under 1631.
(1.) the Arrival of Sir R. Saltonstall, and the Rev. Mr.
Maverick and Wilson, in theMassachusets, [which was in
May & June 1630;] (2.) Mr. Harlackenden a Magistrate
and leader of their Military Forces, [which is not till
1636. And I guess He mistakes in placing] in 1631, the
Rev. Mr. Wilson's Brother, Dr. Wilson's Gift of a Thous-
and Pounds to New- England ; [which seems to be some
Time after.]
Supplement
40 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of Fniure. K.. ol' drcnt-BrUciiit' K. of Spain.
\C,3{) Lewis Xm. I] I'harles I. || Plnli|) IV.
Supplement to 1630.
Containing Accounts of the four Ministers who arrived
in 1630.
1. The Rev. Mr. John Maverick,? rr^ , ,
± The Rev. Mr. John ^Varham, \ ^^ Dorchester.
[Of both these GenthMiien, Capt. Clapp of the same Town, give3 the
best Account in the followinj^ Paraj!;niph, \\^nch 1 insert ahnost intire,
to sliow the pious Spirit of the Puritan Laity, as well as Ministry in
those times in England, as well as those of them wlio came over hith-
er] I was born [says he] at Salcom [about 1 2 Miles E of Exeter] ia
Devonshire, April 6, 16()9. My Father a Man fearing God, ai^l in
good Esteem among God's faithful Servants : His Estate I tliink not
above /.80 per anmun. A\'e were 5 Brethren (I the youngest) and
2 Sisters. God was graciously pleased to breathe by his holy Spirit
{[ hope) in all our Hearts : Four of us Brethren liv'd at Home. My
uear Mother being dead, I desired my dear Father I might live
Abroad, which he consented to. So I first went to live witli a worthy
Gentleman, Mr. M^illiam Southcot, about 3 Miles from the City of
Exeter. He was careful to keep a godly Family. There being a
very mean Preacher in that Place, we went every Lord's Day into
the City, where were many famous Preachers of the Word ot God.
I took such a Liking to the Rev. Mr. Warham, that I desiretl to live
near Him : So with my Father's Consent, I removed into the City,
and lived witli Mr. Mossiour,as famous a Family for Religion as ever I
knew ; He kept 7 or 8 Men, and divers Maid Servants ; And he had
a Conference on a Question propounded once a Week in his Family.
I never heard of New-England, till I heard of many godly persons that
were going there, and that Mr. Warham was to ^o also. My Master
asked me. Whether I would go ? I told him, W ere I not engaged to
him, I -U'ould willingly go : He answered, That should be no Hindrance ;
I might go for him, or for mvself, which I would. I then wrote to my
Father w'ho liv'd about 1 2 Miles oft" to intreat his Leave to go to New-
England ; who was so much displeased at first, that he wrote me no An-
swer: [Upon which] I went and made my Request to him : [And] now
God sent the Rev. Mr. Maverick, who lived 40 Miles oft", a Man I never
saw
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 41
K. ot" France. K. of Gveaf-Ilvituin. K. of Spain.
1C3() Lewis XIIL || Charles I. || Philip IV.
saw before : He havin<5 heard of me [was so zealous to promote oUr
^oing to Ne\v-En";lan(r, that he] came to my Father's House, and my
Father a^eed 1 sriould be with liim, and come under his Care, which
1 did. f \nd then he adds-] It was God that did draw me out of my
Father's Family ; that bro't me near Mr. Warham, and inclined my
Heart to his Ministry ; that made me Avilling to leave my dear Fa-
ther, and dear Brethren and Sisters, my dear Friends and Country ;
that sent Mr. Maverick That Pious Minister to me who was unknown
to him, to seek me out, that I might come hither. [And] Blessed be
God that brought me here ! (c)
[In our Annals at the Beginning of INIarcli 1629,.30, w-e gave an
Account of the said Rev. Mr. Maverick and Warham joining with Mr.
Ludlow and Rossiter and others, in forming a Congregational Church
at Pl>nnouth in Eitgland, of those pious People who were there, and
then preparing to come over hither, who then chose the said Maverick
and ^Varham their officers : and Capt, Johnson tells us, [that] the
Rev. and godly Mr. Maverick was their first Pastor, and the gracious
Servant of Christ the Rev. Mr. Warham their Teacher. [In which
Qualities they came over with their Church in a Ship of 400 Tuns ;
setting sail from said Plimoutli on March 20, and arriving at Nantas-
ket on May 30, 1630 ; as observed before.]
[And from both these Accounts we learn, that Mr. Maverick w^s
the elder Person ; that they had both been ministers in the Church of
England ; and had therefoie been ordain'd by some Bishop or other ;
as none other in those Days were allow'd to Preach in tliat Kingdom ;
nor any separate Congregation allowed there till the Civil Wars be-
gan in 1643. Nor would Mr. Maverick and Warham have been then
allow'd to form a Congregational Churcli at Plimouth in England,
were it not of those who had taken their Passage for New-England,
and were just ready to sail liither.]
3. The Rev. Mr. John Wilson [bein* the first Minister of this
Metropolis, I may be larger on him : and Dr. C. Mather, says that]
descending from eminent Ancestors, he was born at Windsor, in
1588. The Sd Son. of Dr. William Wilson Prebend of St. Paul's,
of Rochester and of Windsor, and Rector of Clift'; his Mother a
Niece of Dr. Edmund Gnndell, the renouned Arch-Bishop of Can-
terbury. His Education under his Parents, wliich betimes ting-
ed Him with an Aversion to Vice, and above all the very
Shadow
42 ANNALS OF NE VV-IiN G LAN D. Puit II. ScC. 2.
K, of France. K. of Gtwat-Hrltnln. K. oi Spain.
1630 Lewis XIII. !l Charles I. fl Philip IV.
Shadow of a Lye, fitteil Him [for] Eaton College [to wliich He went
at 10 Years of Age] under Udal & Lan;^ley : Here he M-as most
remarkably twice [sav'd] from Drowning ; but at his Book made such
Proficiency, that while he was the least Boy in School, he was made a
Propositor : And \\hen the Duke of Biron, Ambassador from the
French K, Henry IV, to Q Elizabeth, \nsited the School, he made a
Latin Oration ; for which the D bestowed 3 Angels on him. After 4
Vears at Eaton, he was admitted into King's College in Cambridg in
1602 ; [And] in that College obtained a Fellowship. He had hither-
to been, according to his good Education, very soberly disposed ; But
being led to the Ministry of such holy Men, as Mr. Bains, Dr. (Tho.)
Taylor, Dr. Chaderton,'he was by their Sermons enlightened and
awakened to more solicitous Enquiries after the one Thing yet lack-
ing in him. The serious Dispositions of his Mind were now such, that
besides his Pursuance after tlie Works of Repentance in Himself, he
took no little Pains to pursue it in otiiers ; especially Malefactors irt
Prison, which he visited with a devout and successful industry. [Yet]
being forestalled with Prejudices against the Puritans, he declined
their Acquaintance : tho' his good Conversation had made him to be
accounted one Himself; till going to a Booksellers shop to augment
his well furnish'd Library, he light on that famous Book of Mr. Rich-
ard Rogers, called. The Seven Treatises : which, when he read, he so
affected, not only the Matter, but Author, that he took a Journey to
Wethersfield, on pui-pose to hear a Sermon from that Boanerges. When
he had heard the heavenly Passages which fell from the lips of that
worthy Man, privately as well as publickly, and compared them witk
the Writings of Greenham, Dod and Dent, especially [Dent's] Path-
way to Heaven ; he saw that they who were nick-named Puritans,
were like to be the desirablest Companions for one that intended his
own everlasting Happiness : And pursuant to the Advice he had from
Dr. Ames, he associated himself with a pious Company in the Univer-
sity, who kept their Meetings in Mf. Wilson's Chamber, for Prayer,
Fasting, holy Conference, and the Exercises of true Devotion ; But now
perceiving many good Men to scruple the Rites imposed in the Church
of England ; He furnish'd himself with all the Books he could find wrote
on Conformity both Pro and Con, and ponder'd with a most conscien-
tious Deliberation the Arguments on both Sides : was hereby so convin-
ced of the Evil of Conformity, that for his Omission of certain uninstituted
Ceremonies
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 43
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1630 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. II Philip IV.
Ceremonies in the Worship of God, the Bishop of Lincoln then visit-
ing the University, pronounc'd on Him the Sentence of Quindenum;
i. e. that besides other Mortifications He must in 15 Days be expell'd,
il' He continu'd in his Offence. His Father being hereof advis'd wrote
to Him to conform : interceeded with the Bp that He might have a
Quarter of a Year allow'd him, in which Time, if he could not be re-
duc'd, he sliould leave his Fellowship ; [and] hereupon sent him to
several Doctors of great Fame, to get his Objections resolv'd : But
when much Discourse and Writing had pass'd between them, he
was rather more confirm'd in his Principles about Church Reforma-
tion. Wherefore his Father dispos'd him to the Inns of Court ; where
he fell into Acquaintance with some young Gentlemen, who associat-
ed with him in constant Exercises of Devotion ; to which Meetings
the repeated Sermons of Dr. Gouge were a continual Entertainment.
[After] 3 Years at the Inns of Court, his Father discerning his Dis-
position to be a Minister, permitted his proceeding Master of Arts in
Cambridge. Dr. Cary Vice Chancellor, understandino; his former
Circumstances, would not admit him \\-ithout Subscription, [wliich]
he refused : But the Earl of Northampton Chancellor of the Univer-
sit^y [writing] to the Vice Chancellor on Behalf of our Wilson, he re-
ceived his Degree, and continued a While in Emanuel College : But
wliile passing under these Changes, took up a Resolution, which he
thus expressed before the Lord ;' That if the Lord would grant him
Liberty of Conscience, with Purity of Worship, he would be content,
yea thankful, tho' it were at the furthermost End of the World. At
length Preaching his first Sermon at Newport, he set his Hand to that
Plough, from whence he never after looked back. Not long after, his
Father Iving on his Death-bed, he kneeled in his Turn before him for
his Blessing ; and brought with him for a Share [there] in, the vertuous
young Daughter of the Lady Mansfield (Widow of Sir John Mansfield,
Master of the Minories and the Queen's Surveyor) whom he designed
to maiTy ; whereupon the old Gentleman said, Ah John, I have ta-
ken much Care about thee, because thou wouldst not conform : I
wou'd fain have brot thee to some higher Preferment : I see
tliy Conscience is very scrupulous concerning such Things as
have been imposed in 'the Church: Nevertheless, I have rejoiced
to see the Grace and Fear of God in thy Heart : and seein^ thou
hast kept a good Conscience hitherto, " and walk'd according to
^ ^ thy
VOL. VII.
44 ANNALS or NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. of y-Vr(;/f('. K.. of Great-Britain. ]ti. oi' Spain.
1630 Lewis Xlll. I! Charles 1. |1 Philip IV.
thy l>ight ; so <lo still, and jjo bv llie Rules of God's holy Word ; the
liord bless tliee, and her wlioni thou hast chosen to be the ('oinj)anion
of thv Life. Anioii^ other Places he picaehed at Moredake; where
itis Noncoiilornutv e'^posed him to tlie Ka^e of I'erseiution : liut by
the Friendship of kSir ^^ illiaui Bird the Justice, a Kinsman of his
"Wife, and by a Mistake of the Informers, the Rage of tliat Storm was
moderated. After this at Henley [in Oxfordshire] then for 3 Years
together continued J*reaching at 4 IMaces by Turns, which lay near
[each other] o.i the Edge of Suffolk, [viy..] IJumsted, Stoke, ClaVe and
randish. Here some of Sudbury happening to liear him, they invited
him to suceeed the eujinent old Air. .lenkins: witli \*hlch he cheerful-
ly complied, and the \mmi because of liis Opportunity to be near old
jVIr. Richard Rogers, from whom afterwards xv'hen dying, he received a
Blessing among his children. And yet he accepted not the Pastoral
Charge of the Place, without a solemn Day of Prayer with Fasting,
wherein the neiglibouring Ministers [who were then call'd Puritan
Ministers in the Church of England] assisted at his Election. Great
Notice was now taken of the Success of his Labours in this famous
Town. But if tliey that will live godlily must suft'er Persecution, a
peculiar Share must fall on tliem who are zealous and useful Instiu-
ments to make others '.ive so : Mr. Wilson had a Share of this ; and one
A — n [a i^reacher] was the principal Author of it : Upon seeing Mr. Wil-
son more highly valued and honoured than himself, became a malignant
and ^ iolent Persecutor : By his MeaTis Mi-. \\'ilsoii was put into Trouble
in the spiritual Courts ; from whence his Deliverance was at length
obtain'd by certain poweiful Mediatois. Afterwards an eminent La-
dy happening to make some Comparisctn between the Preaching of
Mr. Wilson and Dr. B of B ; the angry Dr. presently applied himself
to the lip of liondcm, wlio for a While suspended Him. And when
that Storm was over, he with several other worthy Ministers came to
be wholly silenc'd in another that was raised upon Complaints made
by one Mr. Bird to Dr. Harsnet [then] Bp of Norwich against them :
But at [length] Mr. Wilson obtain'd [of] the truly noble E of War-
wick to sign a Letter, mIucIi the Earl bid him draw up to the
Bp, on his behalf; by the Oi)eration of which, his Liberty for
the Exercise of his 3linistry was again procured. At last be-
ing ])ersecuted in one Country, he must flee to another. The
Plantation of a New-English Colony was begun ; and Mr. Wilson
with
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 45
K. of Fyaiice. K. of Great-Iiritain, K. of Spain.
1630 Lewis XIll. || Charles I. || Philip IV'.
%vith some of liis Neighbours embar(|'d in the Fleet which caiue
over hither in 1 030. [about tlie 4£J{1 Year of his Age] where he ap-
plied himself with all the Vigour imaginable to encourage the poor
People under the Difficulties of a new Plantation. But he was most
set on the main Design [thereof] which was to settle the Ordinances
of the Gospel, and worship Christ according to his Institutions : and
accordingly he, wilh the Gov, and others [who] came m ith him on the
same Account, combined into a Church State with all convenient Ex-
pedition, (cm) [\iz. In about a Month after their Arrival at Charles-
town, as we observ'd before.]
4. The Rev. Mr. George Philips, [Dr. C, Mather says] he was
born at Raymond in Norfolk : [wliose] Parents encouraged by his
great proficiency at the Gramnuir School, to send him to the Univer-
sity [1 suppose of Cambridg, it being 40 Miles nearer, and between
Norfolk and Oxford] where bis good Invention, strong Memory, and
solid Judgment, with the Blessing of God upon all, attained a Degree
of Learning that may be called eminent. The diligent Reading of
the Fathers, v,\\\\e he was yet among young Men, was one of the
Things which gave a special Ornament to that Skill in Theology
whereto he attained : But that which yet further fitted him to become
a Divine, was his being made Partaker of the divine Nature, by the
Sanctification of all his Abilities for the. Service of God, in a true Re-
generation. Devoting himself to tJie Work of the Ministry, his Em-
ployment befel him at Boxford in Essex ; whereof he found much
Acceptance with good Men, as being a Man mighty in the Scriptures.
[Mr. Hubbard stiles liim an able and faithful Minister of the Gos-
pel at Boxsted in Essex, near Groton in Suffolk : But Boxford being
in Suffolk, and Boxsted in Essex, and both near Groton ; I suppose
that Boxford in Dr. C. Mather, is a Mistake of the Printer.] But
his Acquaintance with the Writings and Persons of some Old
Nonconformists, had instilled into him such Principles- about Church-
Governp;>ent, as were like to make him unacceptable to some who
then drove tlie World before them. Some of these Principles
he had intimated in his publick Preaching ; whereupon some of
his dissatisfied Hearers repair'd to old Mr. [John] Rogers of Ded-
ham, [near Boxsted] witli some Intimations of their Dissatisfaction.
But tho' Mr. Rogers had not much studied the Controversy, yet
had so liigh a Respect for Mr. Pjiilips, that he said, He believed
Mr. Philips would preach nothing without some good E>idence for
. it
46 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. oi' France. K. oi' (rvent-Iirituin. K. of Spain.
IGSO Lewis XIII. II Charles I. |1 PlnUp IV.
it from the Word of God ; and thercfoip they should be wUlinu; to
regard vhatovor Mr. Philips mi<>;lit, from ihat AVord, make evident to
them. And as for Mi-. Pliilips, tlu- more he was put upon tlic Sludv
and Searchiii^i' of the Trufli in tlu> MaltcT contnivfitcd, tho more he
was coniinned in liis own Opinion of il. AVhen the Spirit of Perse-
cution did at lenu;tli, with the extreamest Violence urge a Conformity
to AVays and Parts of Divine Worship, conscientiously scnipled by
such Persojis as Mr. Fliilips : he with many more of his Neighbours
entertained Tho'ts of transporting themselves and tlieir Families into
[these then] Desarts of America, to prosecute and propagate the glo-
rious Designs of the Gospel, and spread the liight of it in tliesc goings
down of the Sun. And being resolv'd accordingly to accompany the
excellent Mr. Winthrop [then of Groton] in that Undertaking; he
with many other devout Christians, embarrpied for New-England, where
they arriv'd in IGSO. [as before related] Here [soon] after his Tiand-
ing, he lost his desirable Consort; who tho* an only Child, had ciiear-
fully left her Parents to serve the Lord Jesus with her Husband, in a
terrible Wilderness: She died at Salem, entering into everlasting
Peace ; and was very solemnly interr'd near the Right Honourable,
the Lady Arabella, the Sister of the Earl of Lincoln, who also took
New-England in her Way to Heaven, (cm.)
[Under Article IV. p. 16. next to Dec. 5. OS.]
[This Year Dr. I Mather tells us] Bp Laud persecutes
Mr. [Thomas] Shcpard [in England] for Preaching a Lec-
ture, notwithstanding he is now a Conformist, not having
searched into the Principles of the Norconformists till
after this : I have by me a Manuscript of Mr. Shepard's,
written with his own Hand ; in which are these Words ;
Dec. 16. 1630. I was inhibited from Preaching in the
Diocess of London by Dr. Laud Bp of that Diocess. As
soon as I came in the Morning, about 8 of the Clock ;
ftilling into a Fit of Rage, he asked me, what Degree I
had taken in the University ? I answer'd him, I was a Ma-
ster of Arts. He ask'd, of what College ? I answer'd, of
Emanuel. He ask'd how long I had liv'd in his Diocess ?
1 answer'd three Years and upwards. He ask'd, who main-
tain'd mc all this While ^ charging me to deal plainly with
him J
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2. 47
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1630 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
him ; adding with all, that he had been more cheated and
equivocated with b\' some of my malignant Faction than
ever was Man by Jesuit. At the speaking of which
Words he look'd as tlio' Blood would have gush'd out
of iiis Face, and did shake as if he had been haunted with
an Ague Fit, to my Apprehension, by Reason of his ex-
tream Malice and secret Venom : I desired him to excuse
me : He fell then to threaten me; and withal to bitter Rail-
ing, calling me all to naught, saying ; you prating Cox-
comb ! Do you think all the Learning is m your Brain ?
He pronounc'd his Sentence thus ; I charge you that you
neither Preach, Read, Marry, Bury, or exercise any
Ministerial Function in any Part of my Diocess; for if you
do, and I hear of it, Pll be upon your back and follow
you wherever you go, in any Part of the Kingdom, and
so everlastingly disenable you. I besought him not to
deal so, in Regard of a poor Town ; and here he stopt
me in what I was going on to say ; a poor Town ! you
have made a Company of seditious, factious Bedlams ;
and what do you prate to me of a poor Town ? I prayed
him to suffer me to catechise in the Sabbath Days in the
Afternoon : He replied, spare your Breath, I'll have
no such Fellows prate in my Diocess ; get you gone, and
now make your Complaints to whom you will ? So away
I went ; and blessed be God that I may go to Him.
[Thus did this Bp, a professed Disciple of the meek and
lowly Jesus, treat one of the most pious, humble, diligent
and faithful young Ministers in the Church of England
in his Day.]
Appendix to 1631.
Jiccount of the two Ministers who arriv'd in 1631.
Mr. Roger Williams. [With Respect to whom Gov Win-
throp wTiting]] that the Lyon arriving on Feb. 5, 1630,31. bro't
Mr. Williams, a godly Minister. On April 12 following, that
the
48 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. of (inat-Hritaiii. K. ot" Sjxtin.
\(V:,\ L.-wlsXIII. II Cliaik's I. !1 Plii'JplV.
the Cluirch at Salem had called Mr. Ilo^ei- Williains to the Oflicc
of a Teacher, &,c. [the Names seem to mean the same man : lint
then the List of Persons desinn"- to be Freemen, placed under
Oct- 19. 1630, compiehends all those who cnter'd their Desires be-
tween tliat time ami May 18, I()31. liy his printed \\'orks, he ap])ears
to be a Gentleman of considerable j'arts and Tieariiinii ; but of a
very separatinji Principle and Spirit, and for the utmost Liberty in
religious Matters. Gov IJradford writes of h.im thusj Mr. Roger
AVilliams (a Man godly and /.ealous, having many piecious Parts, but
very unsettled in Judgment) came over fust to the M:)ssachusets :
But upon some Discontent left the Place and came hither [i. e. to
Plimouth, and I suppose in the Summer of 1631] where he was free-
ly entertain'd, according to [our] poor Ability, and exercised his
Gifts among [us] : And after some Time was admitted a Member of
the Church ; and his Teaching well approved ; for the Benefit where-
of, I still bless God, and am thankfid to hin\ even foihis sliarpest Ad-
monitions and Reproofs, so far as they agreed with Truth. {Iir)
2. The Rev. Mr. John Eliot. Dr. C. Matlicr says, He was born in
England [I suppose about November 1604.] His Parents gave him
a pious Education, [and] his first Times were seas(med with the Fear
of God, the Word and Prayer: was educated at one of the Universi-
ties : [I suppose at Cambridg] God had furnished him with a good
Measure of Learning, which made him capable of dividing the Word
aright. He was a most acute Gramarian ; understood very well the
[Greek and Hebrew] Languages which God first wrote his holy Bi-
ble in ; had a good Insight into all the liberal Arts ; but above all had
a most eminent Skill in Theology. His first Appearance in the World
was in the difficult but very necessary Employment of a School-Mas-
ter, which he discharged w\i\\ Fidelity : [I suppose under Mr. Hooker
in a Sort of an Academy at liittle Baddow near Chelmsford in Es-
sex : see Account of 'Mr. Hooker.] He had not passed many
[Change*] in the World befi)re he knew the Meaning of a saving
Turn to God in Christ by a true Repentance. He had the Privilege
and Happiness of an early Conversion from the Ways w hich original
Sin disposes all Men unto. One of the principal Instruments wliicb
the God of Heaven us'd,in tinging and filling the Mind of tjiis chosen
Vessel with good Principles was that venerable Thomas Hooker;
'A'hose Name in tlie Churches of the Lord Jesus is as Ointment pttured
forth.
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 49
K.ol'Fmncf. K. of Girat-Britabi. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XII 1. f| Cluules I. || Philip IV.
foi-tlv It was an Ac(juaiatance witli him that contributed more than
a little totlie accomplishing; of our Elisha foe that AVoik to which the
most High had designed him. His liberal Education having now th(i
Addition of Keligion to direct and imi)rove it, gave such a Biass to his
young Soul, as (}uickly discovered itself in very signal Instances.
[And his being a Tutor of Youth] rather prepar'd him for the furtlier
Service which h's Mind was now set upon. Wherefore having dedi-*
cated himself to God betimes, he could not reconcile himself to any
lesser Way of serving his Creator and Redeemer than the Ministry
of the Gospel. [And] He was one miglity in the Woid, which ena-
bled him to convince Gainsayers and sliow himself a Workman that
needed not to be asliamed. But wliere, alas ! sliould he have Oppor-
tunities for the exercising of it r The Laudian, Giotian and .Aiminian
Faction [then] in the Churcl: of F^ngland, in the Prosecution of their
grand Plot for reducing Enj;land to a moderate Sort of Popery, had
pitch'd on this as one of tlieir Methods for it : [viz.] to creeple as
fast as they could all the learned, godly, painful Ministers of the >Ja-
tion, and invent certain Shiboleths for detecting and destroying such
Men as were cordial Friends to the Reformation. 'Twas mm a Time
when there were every Day multiplied and imposed tliose unwarranta-
ble Ceremonies in the Worship of God ; by whicli the Conscience of
our considerate Eliot counted the second Commandment notoi-iously
violated. 'Twas now also a Time when some Hundreds of those
good People which had the nick-name of Puritans put upon them,
transported themselves with their Families and Interests into the
Desai-ts of America ; that there they might peaceably erect Congre-
gational Cliurches, and therein attend and maintain afl the pure Insti-
tutions of Christ ; having the Encouragement of Royal Charters, that
they should never have any Int'^rrupticn in the Enjoyment of those
pleasant and precious Tilings. Here was a Prospect which [soon]
determined the devout Soul of our younjr Eliot to a Remove into New-
England, wliile it was yet a Ijand not sown. He [soon] listed him-
self among those valiant Soldiers of Christ, who cheertully encoun-
tred, first the Peiils of the Atlantick Ocean, and then the Fatii>;ues of
a New-English Wilderness : that they might have an undisturbed
Communion with him in his Appointments here. He came [hither] in
Nov. 1631 [at 27 Years of Age] among those blessed old Planters
whicJi laid the Foundations of a lemarkable Countrv, devoted
to
30 ANNALS Of NEW-ENGLAND. Tait U. ScC. 2.
K of Frauce. K. ol" (irent-liritaiii. K.. of Spain.
1G31 Lewis XIll. II Cliarlos I. || JMiilip IV.
to the Kxercise ol the Protestant ixeligion in its jnuest and hi<j;]iesf
Reformation, (cm)
II. The most material Events in Enu;lan(l.
William Heal, Servant to Mr. Henry tu-llihrand, J'rofessor of
Mathematiiks at Gresham ("oUei^e, Jj0iKh)n, setting iorth an Alma-
nack for this Year, by his Master's A])pr()hation, a;i>;rceinj5 with the
Kalender befoie >lr. Fox's, ])rin(ed ol'times by ijiibliek Aiithoiity
without the least Exception, both in Q Kli/.. and K James and K
Charles Reigns: in whicli Almanack the Names of Popish Saints
were omitted, and the Names of Martyrs mention'd in the Book of
Martys inserted, just as in Mr. Fox's kalendar : l;p liaud takinjf threat
Exceptions against this Alnianack, bro't Mr. (iellibrand and his Man
into the High Commission for compiling and publishing it, prosecutes
them with great Violence ; stands up in a ^reat Passion and publick-
ly informs the Court, that the Q sent for him and complainM to him
against this Almanack, which gave givn.t Otlence to those of her Re-
ligion, and desir'd him to prosecute tlie Author of it, and suppress the
Book, he therefore hop'd he should not pass unpunished in this Court:
yet the Court accjuiting him, the lip stood u[) again in a Fury, and
said to Mr. Gellibraml ; Sir-, iiemeniber you have made a Faction in
this Court, for which you ought to be punished; antl know tiiat you
arc not yet discharged hence ; I will sit in your Skirts, for I hear you
keep Conventicles at Gresham College, after your Lectures there :
whereupon he gave Order for a second Prosecution against him in the
High Ccmimission ; which so afflicted this good Man, tliat it put him
into a Fever, whereof he died. Offended with tliis Almanack, Bp
Laud perus'd a Book of Dr. Pocklintoii's and orders it to be printed ;
wherein he calls Mr. Fox's Martyrs, Trailers, Murderers, Rebels and
Heretics. (It.)
Jan. 16. I [i. e. Bp Laud] consecrate St. Katharine Creed Church
in London : [Id) tho' only repair'd in his Predecessor Bp Mountain's
Time. As Bp Laud approaches the W Door-, his [Attendants] cry out
wth a loud Voice ; open, open ye everlasting Doors that the Kirrg oiGlo-
rymay come in; and presently (as by Miracle) the Doors fly open and
the Bp enters ; falls doAvn on his Rrrees ; in tire Name of the Father-,
Son and Holy Ghost pronounces the Place Holy : then takes up some
of the Dust and thr-ows it into the Air; and this he does iir tlie great
middle Isle sever-al Times : as he api)roac!ies Eastwar-d towar-ds
the Rails of the Lord's Table, he bows lowly towards it 5 or G
I lines
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 51
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIIL || Charles I. || Pliilip IV.
Times: when he ap])roaches the Communion Table, he bows with his
Nose near tiie Ground 6 or 7 Times: then comes to one of the Cor-
ners of the Table, and tliere bows 3 Times ; then to the 2d, 3d and 4th
Corners, bowijig at each Comer 3 Times : but when he comes to the
Side where the Bread and Wine is, he bows 7 Times : then after
readino; many Prayers by himself, and his tv.o Chaplins on their Knees
by him in tlieir Surplices, Hoods and Tippets ; he comes near the
Bread cut and laid in a Napkin ; gently lifts up one of the Corners of
the Napkin, peeps into it till he seestlie Bread, presently claps it
down again, flies back a Step or two, and then bows very low 3 Times
towards it and the Table : when he beholds the Bread, lie comes near
and opens the Napkin again, and bows as before : tlien lays his Hand
on the Cup of Wine with a Cover on it : so soon as lie pulls the Cup
a little nearer to him, he lets the Cup go, flies back, and bows again
3 Times towards it: then comes near again ; and lifting up the Cover,
peeps into it ; and seeing the Wine, lets fall the Cover again, flies
nimbly back and bows as before, &c. [In short] prays and acts as in
the Roman Pontiflcal published bv Pope Clement the 8th. Tho' he
consecrated it more as a Burying Place than as a House of Worship,
and tho' this Pontifical with the Ceremonies of consecrating Churches
had been abolish'd by Acts of Parliament ; Dr. Pilkington Bp of Dur-
ham, and Arch Bp Parker, with other Divines in Q Elizabeth's R,eign
had condemn'd the Consecration of Churches as paganish, supersti-
tious, childish and ndiculous ; and the Practice had discontinu'd from
the beginning of the Reformation, till now Bp Laud revives it. (It)
[and how extreamly pleasing to the Popish Q and all her Party !]
Jan. 23. I [i. e. Bp Laud] consecrated St. Giles Church in the
Fields : (Id) which had been also in Part re-built in Bp Mountain's
Days, and had divine Service in it for 3 or 4 Years : But on a sudden
Bp'Laud interdicts and shuts it up for 2 or 3 Weeks till he conse-
crates it now, with the same Bowings, &c. as the other, with the
Church Yard also. (It)
This Year, Thomas Dove, Bp of Peterborough, living in a poor
Bishoprick, and leaving a plentiful Estate [dies] : the Nonconfor-
mists in his Diocess complain of his Severity ; [having] silenced
5 of them in one Morning : on the same Token that K James
is said to say. It might have serv'd for 5 Years ; (//) [and the
learned Author of the Dispute against Kneeling at the Lord's Sup-
per
VOL. VII.
52 ANNALS of NEW ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. of Frnfici\ K. of G vent- Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. II Charles I. || Philip IV.
per in 4to, printed in 1608, says; that] Bp Dove deprived 15 Minis-
ters in one day.
June 7. I [i. e. Bp Laud] consecrate the Chappel at Hammer-
smith: (W) with the like Popish Ceremonies, as Creed Church. (It)
[June ■■29. The Continuer of Baker says — ] 2 Years ago [i. e. in
1629] the Fort Kebeck [or Quebeck] on the River of Canada in North
America had been taken and garrisoned by Capt. Kirk ; it bein"; a
great Staple for Bevers and Otters ; the K of France therefore detains
400,000 Crowns, Part of the English Queen's Portion, and a greater
Breach likely to ensue : [But he seems to mistake in saying that]
1630 puts an End to the Diflfererces, the Fort delivered and the
Money paid : [For Monsi Dennis tells us, that] on June 29, 1631, K
Charles impowers Sir Isaac Wake his Embassarhir, to conclude a
Treaty with the French K for ending all Controversies, perfecting
mutual Reconciliation, restoring Commerce, and establishing a firmer
Peace and Friendship between them and their Subjects. [But said
Treaty is not finish'd till Marcli 29. 1632.]
Before Bp I^aud came to be Chancellor of tiie University of Oxford
[in April 1 630] there Avere no Co|)es, Altars, nor Communion Tables
turned and rail'd about Alter-wise in Churches or Colleges, nor any-
Bowing to or towards the Altar, nor any Crucifixes but such as were
either defiiced, or cover'd over with Dust, and quite neglected : but
since his being Chancellor, the Tables in all, or most Churches, Col-
leges are turned into Altars, or railed in Altar-wise, and usually bow-
ed unto; the old Crncirixes repaired, adored, and new Crucifixes set
up where there were none before. Sworn by Sir Nathaniel Brent his
Visitor. (It)
June & July, (hi) Begin great Discontents to grow in the Univer-
sity of Oxford. Many conceive that Innovations are multiplied in di-
vine Service : offended thereat, in their Sermons brake out into what is
interpreted bitter Invectives ; yea, their very Texts give Offence : one
Preaching on Num. 14. 4. Let us make us a Captain, and let us re-
turn into Egypt : another on 1 Kings 13. 2. And he cried against the
Altar &c. In Prosecution whereof they had tart Reflection on some
eminent Person in the Church : Dr. Smith, Warden of Wadham,
convented the principal Persons, viz. Mr. Thorn of Baliol College
(Mr. Hodges of Exeter College (It) and Mr. Thomas (It) Ford of Magda-
len HaH,as Offenders ajrainst the King's Instructions : they suspecting
Partiality in the Vice Chancellor, appeal'd from him to tne Proctors.
2 Men
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 53
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
2 Men of eminent Integrity and Ability, Mr. Atherton Bruch and
Mr. John Doughty; who received their Appeal, presumins^ the same
justifiable by the Statutes of the University. Bp Laud did not like
those retrograde Appeals ; but sensible that his own Strength moved
ratlier by ascending than descending, procures the Cause to be heard
before the King at Woodstock (on Aug. '■25.) By whose sentence, (1.)
the PVeachers complain'd of are expell'd the University, ("I.) the Proc-
tors are deprived of their Places for accepting of their Appeal, [But]
the Expulsion of these Preachers expels not, but increases the Differ-
ences in Oxiord : many complain that the Sword of Justice did not
cut indifferently, but that tis more penal for some to touch than others
to break the King's Declaration. (//) Yea, Mr. Ford returning into
Devonshire ; some Friends intended to elect liim for their Lecturer
or Vicar in Plimoutii : of which Bp Laud being inform'd ; presently,
viz. Sept. l!2, procures a Letter from [tlie K] to the Mayor and Cor-
poration of Plimouth, not to chuse Mr. Ford their Lecturer or Vicar
on any Terms under Pain of his Displeasure ; and another Letter to
the Bp of Exeter, not to admit liim to be their Lecturer or Vicar, in
Case they should elect him. {It)
After Aug. 2, dies Mr. Arthur Hildersham ; deriv'd by his Mother
from the D of Clarence [2d Son of K Edward III] bred in Christ's
College in Cambridg, Minister of Ashbv de la Zouch [in Leicester-
shire] 43 Years : a learned Writer : Tho' a Nonconformist, he loved
all honest Men, were they of a different Judgment; minded herein
like Luther, wlio gave tor his Motto — In whomsoever 1 see any
Thing of Christ, him I love. (//) [Leigh says] He was a l,earned and
judicious Divine, quotes Scripture pertinently, and his Works are ex-
cellent : and Mr, T Hall styles liim, an Oracle and Honour of his
Time : [Yet neither the Royal Blood in his Veins, nor his eminent
Learning, Piety and Charity protected him from being persecuted by
the then Bishops : For Fuller says, that] after he enter'd the Minis-
try, he met witli many Molestations ; being in
Silenc'd by Restored by
1. 1590. June The High Commissirs. Ditto 1591, S.Jan,
2. 1605. Apr. 24. Bp. Chaderton. Bp. Barlow, 1608, 9. Jan.
3. 1611. Nov. Bp. Neile. Dr. Ridley, 1625. June
4.. 1630. Mar. 4, Court at Leicester. Ditto. 1631. Au. 2.
Aftei
54 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of Frnnce. K.. of (iy< (.t-Iiritnin. \\. o\' Spain.
lGr,l ^.nvJsXUl. !1 C hades I. ^ Philip IV.
After Sept. Dies the Rev. Mr. Robert RoltoTi, li. 0. yEt. (lO. Being
born in 137^2: In 151)C \ventto Lincoln ( 'olle^e, in Oxford ; tliere he be-
came an excpIhMit Logician and l*hih»sf)])her ; and wrote out all Homer ;
so that lie could with as much Facility ciispute in the Schools in Greek,
as in Latin or Knu;lish ; remov'd to Hra/.eii-Nose College ; where in
160'2, he was made a Fellow, and M. A. and being chosen Lecturer,
perform'd with such Kxactness, that he grew very famous : was well
studied in Metaphysicks, Mathematicks and School Divinity ; his Dis-
putations in the University perform'd with such Acuteness of AN'it,
and profound Learning, that he was chosen bv the \'ice-(."hancellor at
K. James's fnst coming to the University, to be one of the Disjnitants
before him. In the o5th Year of his Age, was ordained [i. e. about
16()7] and "2 Years after, prefer'd to Broughton in Northam])tcmshire :
applied himself wholly to his Studies and the Ministry ; aim'd at the
Conversion of souls, and God crown'd his Labouis, by makinu; him an
Instnmient [of convertinji] many to Risrhteousness : oft refused Pre-
ferment, that he might not be divorced from that Countrv Avbere his
Minii.try found such Entertainment and Eftect, &c. (.S'. Clarh.)
[Both the Persons and Works of these tw'o famous Ministers were
highly esteemed by the pious vSettlers of New-England.]
Nov. 4. Born to K Charles I. the Princess Mary, at St. James's :
(lis) who in 1641, May '2, is married to AVilliam IL l^rince of Orange ;
ancl in 16,50, Nov. 4, becomes the Mother of William III. afterwards
K of England. (Jlnclersun)
IIL The most material Events among foreign Nations.
[The War between the Spaniards and Dutch continues, without
any Help from the Court of England.]
In Germany — This being a most critical Year, wherein the Settlers
of New-Eng, as well as all Europe, were greatly concerned ; I hope
the Reader will excuse the following Summary — While Gustavus is
with a small Army delivering the Electorate of Brandenburgh ; the
Popish Emperor's old General, Count Tilly, with 21,000 veterane
Troops, besieges the most noble, protestant and flourishing City of
Magdeburgh, the fairest Ornament in Germany: And by Treachery or
Negligence of some, in not duly watching a Gate, early on May 10, his
Forces enter ; and by his cniel Order set the ('ity in Flames ; spare no
Kank, Age or Sex : rip up Wcmien with Child, muither sucking Infants
before the Eyes of their Motliers, violate the Virgins in the open Streets,
yea
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2. 55
K.o( France. K. of Gi-ent-Britaut. K. ot Spain.
1631 Lewis XIII. || Ch arlcB I. II Phil ip IV.
yea the young Girls even to Death ; to avoid which, some of them
drown themselves, and others run into the Fire before Tilly's Eyes ;
in 24 Hours consume this great and magnificent City, with its 16
Churches and Chappels by Fire, leaving only the Cathedral and 139
poor Cottages standing ; fill all Places with dead Bodies ; so that
of 40,000 Citizens in the Morning, scarce 400 escape at Night; and
the Carcasses of tlie Men, Women and Children thrown into the Riv-
er to roll into the Sea ; tlie Popish General boastino;, calls this horid
Tragedy, Tlie Marriage Feast of Magdeburgh, and in Triumph marches
to Saxony, to lay waste that Protestant Electorate also.
Hereupon Gustavus, greatly aiflicted, first hastily restores the Pro-
testant Dutchy of Mecklenburgli to its D, unjustly depriv'd thereof by
the F.mperor ; delivers the Rest of the Protestant Electorate of Bran-
denburgh, driving the Popish Troops away before him : marches to the
Elbe, taking many Towns and Castles by the Way; builds a Bridge,
passes with his little Army of about 8000 over it; cuts oft' almost all
the Foot of several Regiments Tilly sent to oppose him ; forms a
strong Camp on the Elb, and reduces divers Garrisons round about.
Tilly marching towards him with 2G,000 Veteranes : but 7000 of his
advanced Parties being cut oft" by Stratagem in divers Fights, while
the King's main Body being much inferior keep his Camp ; Tilly
marches back to finish the Ruin of Saxony. In this Distress the Queen
with 8000 Men from Sweden ; and at the End of July, Marcjuess
Hamilton sent by K Charles, with 6000 Foot from G. Britain, land in
Pomerania : but the K and Hamilton disagreeing, the latter returns
inglorious : and the K, as it seems, leaving the Britons to keep the
Garrisons, and taking those few brave Scots and English who had fought
under him in Poland, as with the Sweeds to make up 20,000, joins
14,000 Saxons under their Duke, hastens to save their Country: and
approaching Leipsick their Capital, on Sept. 6. he with his Army keeps
it a Day of Fastino; and Prayer to God for Help and Victory. Next
Morning Tilly with 44,000 brave Men advances into the Field,
presenting his Army in a dreadful Front full 2 Miles in Length
to inclose the King's. Tilly's Word was Saint Mary ; but the King's
was God with us. The K ridino; from Regiment to Regiment
crying aloud, Come on Comrades, will you fight to Day for the Name
of Jesus Christ ! and the Battle joins. In the beginning of wliich,
the K seeing liis Men hardly charged, allights from liis Horse,
and
56 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spai)}.
IGM Lewis XIII. II Charles I. il Philip IV.
and with bended Knees prays to God again for Victory. Tilly'*
Veterans quickly make the Saxon Wing to Hy and kill ^000 of
them; then fall with tlieir main Force on the Sweeds and some brave
Scots and English under the K ; Tilly crying out, Let us beat the
Sweeds too, and then all Germany's our own [i. e. to oppress, to
ravnsh and massacre as we please] and turning even all tlie Saxon
Cannon on the Sweeds ; a most terrible Fight ensues (tlie Fate of the
Protestant Religion both in Europe and America now dei)ending) for
5 Hours ; until Night comes on ; when that formidable Popish Army
which for 1'2 Years together had tiiumphed over and oppress'd the
Protestants, is broken to Pieces ; 15,000 of them slain, many Thou-
sands of them wounded : Tilly wounded, ilies GO Miles that Night.
Next Day the K pursuing, slays 2000 more : 6000 forsaking the Im-
gerial Si'de, list under him ; by tlie End of the Month recovers all
axony : and as he began w ith Prayer, he Ends with Praise ; appoint-
inc- Avi'th the Duke a Day of publick Thanksgiving in the Army, and
thro' that Electorate. Then goes on, reduces Franconia, W'ateravia
and the Palatinates : and in this one Year recovers the middle ]*arts
of Germany from the Baltick Sea, to Ments and Spires on the Rhine :
and wherever he comes, restores their Liberties and the Protestant
Religion, to their unbounded Joy.
1632.
JAN. 27. Gov Winthrop and others go by Charles-
River, [no doubt a-foot] 8 Miles above Watertown,
ascend the highest Hills, and view [the frozen Countries
and distant Ranges of Mountains, for 40 or 50 Miles
round about,] fivj
Feb. 3. Court of Assistants at Boston : Present Gov,
D. Gov. Mr. Ludlow, Capt. Endicot, Mr. Nowell, Pyn-
chon, S. Bradstreet. Order that L. 60 be levied out of
the several Plantations, towards making a Pallisado about
the Newtown, viz.
1, Watcrton,
7.
Salem,
L.4 10
8.
Boston,
8
9.
Roxbury,
7
10.
Dorcliester,
7
11.
Wessaguscus,
5
12,
Winesemet,
1 10
ANNALS or NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. Scc. 2. 57
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1632 Lewis XIIL || Charles I. II Philip IV.
1. Waterton, L.8
2. The Newtown, 3
3. Charlston, 7
4. Meadford, 3
5. Sawgus & ^6
6. Marble Harbour, ^
L.60 (J/cr)
Feb. 17. Gov Winthrop and Assistants, call before
ihem at Boston, divers of Waterton ; the Pastor and Elder
by Letter, and the others by Warrant. The Occasion
was, That a Warrant being sent to Waterton for levying
their [abovesaid] L.8 Rate; the Pastor, Elder, &c. as-
sembled the People, and deliver'd their Opinion, that it
was not safe to pay [said Tax] for Fear of bringing them-
selves and Posterity into bondage. The Ground of their
Error was, they took this Government to be no other
but that of a Mayor jmd Aldermen, who have not Power
to make Laws or raise Taxes without the People : But un-
derstanding this Government is rather in the Nature of a
Parliament,.& that no Assistant could be chosen but by the
Freemen ; who have likewise Power to remove the Assist-
ants, and put in others ; and therefore at every General
Court (which is to be lield once every Year) they have free
Liberty to propound any Thing concerning the same,
and to declare their Grievances, without being subject
to Question, &c. They are fully satisfied, freely confess
they were in an Error, acknowledg their Fault, and
make a Recantation and Submission under their Hands ;
and their Submission is accepted, and their Offence par-
doned, {^wj
Mar. 6. [being Tuesday, and not 5, as Gov Winthrop]
Court of Assistants at Boston : Present Gov, D. Gov, Mr.
Ludlow, Capt. Endicot, Mr. Nowell, Pynchon, S. Brad-
street, (l.) Order, that Courts (which before were every
3 Weeks, (w) shall be held every first Tuesday in every
Month : (2.) 10 more take their Oath of Freemen, viz.
Mr. John Eliot, Jacob Eliot, &c. f'McrJ
March
58 ANNALS or NHw-ENGLANJ). Part IT. Scc. i?.
K of France. K. of Grcat-Hritain. K. of SjHii}i.
iGoxi Lewis XIII. II Charles I. |i Philip IV.
March 14. The Bark. Warwick, arrives at Nata^ket, and
the 19th at Winesemet : Having been at Pascataquack and
Salem, to sell Corn which blie broai>:ht from Virginia, (w)
April 3. Court of Assistants at Boston : Present Gov,
D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow, Capt. Kndicol, Mr. Nowell, Pyn-
chon, S. Bradstrcet. (I.) Conant's-Island demised to Gov
Winthrop [upon certain 'I'ernjs] and llie Name is changed,
and is to be called the Governor's-Garden. (2.) 4 take
their Oaths oi' Freemen, viz.
Mr. John Winthrop, Jun. John Sampeford [or Samford]
Mr. William Aspinwall, William Hubbert, &:c. ( Mcr)
April 9. The Bark Warwick, and Mr. [S.] Maverick's
Pinnace, go out,bound to Virginia, [no doubt for Corn.](w)
'April 12. GovWinthrop receives Letters from Plimouth,
' signifying that there had been a Broil between their Men
* at Sowanib, and theNarraganset Indians, who set upon the
* English House there, to take Onsamequin the Sagamore
* of Pacanacot [since called Bristol] who fled thither with
* all his People, for Refuge ; and that Capt. Standish being
* gone thither to relieve the three English in the House,
* had sent Home in all Haste for more Men and other Pro-
* visions, upon Intelligence that Canonicus with a great
' Army were coming against them ; [intreating] that some
* Powder may be sent with all Sj)eed possible ; tor it seems
* they were unfurnished : Upon this Gov Winthrop pre-
* sently dispatches the Messenger, with so much Powder
* as he can carry [doubtless being a Foot, there being no
' Horses in New-England in those Days] viz. L.27 out of
* the Gov's own Store, fwj^
* April 11. The Messenger returns, and brings a Letter
* from Gov [Bradford] signifying that the Indians are re-
* tired from Sowams, to fight with the Pequims [or Pequots]
' which is probable, because John Sagamore, and Chicka-
* tabot are gone with.ali their Men ; John with 30, and
* Chickatabot with to Canonicus, who ]\ad sent for
*them. (^w/*
*[To this agrees the Testimony of divers ancient Indi-
ans, inserted in Westerly Records : From which, and other
ancient
ANNALS OF NEW-ENCLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 59
K. of France. H. o( Great-Iivitain. K. oi' Spain.
163^ Lewis XIII. || Chailea I. II Philip IV.
ancient Testimonies, it seems (1) That there was War
between the Pequots and Narragansets^ about 1632 : (2)
That said War was about the Territory, between Paca-
tuck- River on the W, and VVecapaug- Brook on the E;
about lu Miles wide, and 15 or 20 long Northerly from the
Sea: (3) That Canonicus and Miantenomy chief Sachims
of Narraganset, had conquered it many Years before the
English had any War with the Pequots : (4) That those
2 Sachims maintained the War of 1632, the former being
Uncle to the latter : And that Ninegrad was another Uncle
to Miantenomy, but had no Hand in the War : (5) That
the War began in 1632, and ended in 1635, or about 2
Years before the War between the Pequots and the En-
glish : (6) That Sossoa or Sochso, originally a Pequot, but
a Renegado to the Narni^ansets, was a great Captain in this
War, and fought valerously for them ; and in 1635, Canon-
icus and Miantenomy, pretend to give said Tract to him ;
but he never holds Possession : For (7) the Pequots
are now too hard for the Narragansets ; and either recover
or obtain said Tract and hold it, to the W^ar between the
Pequots and the English, in 1637 ]
A Ware erected by Watertown-men, on Charles River,
3 Miles above the Town, where they take great Store of
Shad, (w)
May 1. A Dutch Ship brings from Virginia 2000 Bush-
els of Corn, which sells at 4^ 6d [Sterling] a Bushel, (w)
[no doubt a joyful Import, tho' it carried their Money
away.]
' An Indian brings [to Gov Winthrop] a Letter from
* Capt Standish, at Sovvams, to this EiFect ; that the Dutch-
* men (with them, for Trading at Anyganset or Narragan-
* set) had lately informed him, that many Pequims [or Pe-
* quots] who are professed Enemies to the Anyganscts, had
' been there divers Days, and advised us to be watchful, &:c.
May 8. (w) [Tuesday, and not 9, as in Mcr] General
Court at Boston : Present Gov, D. Gov, Mr. Ludlow,
Novvell, Pynchon, S. Bradstreet. (1) Generally agreed; that
the
9 VOL. VII.
GO ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. ot" Fraiici'. K.. of iireiit-livita'ni. k. of Spain.
163-2 Le\ns Xlll. || Charles I. H Philip IV.
the Gov, D. Gov, and Assistants, shall be chose by the
whole Court oi'Gov, 1). Gov, Assistants and Freemen ; and
that the Gov shall always be chosen out of the Assistants
chosen for the Year cnsuini^ : (i2) John Winthrop, Esq j
chosen Gov, Tho. DudU y, Ks(| ; D. Gov. Mr. Ludlow,
Nowell, Pynchon, Bradstreet, Capt. Endicot, John Hum-
frey, Es([ ; Mr. Coddinglon, (because these two are daily
expected, w) and John Winthrop, Jun. Assistants ; (3) Or-
der there shall be two of every Plantation to confer with
the Court about raising a publick Stock. (^Mcr)
Everv Town chose Two, {w) viz.
1. Mr. Oldhaui aiul Mr. MastcMs, for ^^■atert(mIl.
^^. Robert ("oles and John Johnson, loi- Roxbury.
3. ^Ir. ^Villiani Colbron and \\ illiani Cheesbrough, for Boston.
4. Ricliard Wright, and , tor SaMgus.
5. Ml-. Tiockwood and Mr. Spencer, for Newton.
6. Mr. (iibbons and Mr. Palmer, foi- Charlston,
7. y\v. Conant and Peter Palfrey, for Salem.
8. ^^■illiam Felps and John (jallard, for Dorchestei-. (Mcr)
[Here is no Mention of Wessaguscus, Meadford, Win-
iseniet, nor Marble- harbour.] All Things are carried very
lovingly, and the People carry themselves with much Si-
lence and Modesty. (7^;) [And diis seems to pave the Way
for a House of Representatives in the General Courts.]
Gov [Winthrop] among other Things, iis'd this Speech
to the People---That he had received Gratuities from
divers Towns, which he recciv'd with much Comfort
and Content : He had also received many Kindnesses
from particular Persons, which he could not refuse, lest
he should be accounted uncourteons, 8^c. But he pro-
fessed he received them with a trembling Heart, in Re-
gard to God's Rule, and the consciousness of his own
Infirmity ; and therefore desired tiiat hereafter they
would not take it ill if he [shou'd] refuse Presents from
;xirticular Persons, except the Assistants and some special
Friends. To which no Answer is made : but he is told
after, iliat many good People were much grieved at it,
for that he never had any Allowance toward the Charge
of liis Place, fwj ' May
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 61
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
I63i> Lewis XIII. || Charles I. li Phili p IV.
May 24. The Fortification on the Corn Hill [I suppose
since call'd Fort- Hill] at Boston [now] begins. The 25tb,
Charlstown Men come and work on the Fortification :
Roxbury the next, and Dorchester the next, fwj
May 26. The Whale arrives [at Boston] with [the Rev]
Mr. Wilson, Mr. [Richard] Dummer, and about 30 Pas-
sengers, all in Health ; and of 70 Cowes lost but 2 : she
came from Hampton April 8, Mr. Graves Master : fwj
[and no doubt brings the joyful News of the K of
Svveeden's wonderful Success in Germany.]
June 5. Court of Assistants at Boston : Present Gov,
D. Gov, Mr. Nowell, Pynchon, Ludlow, Winthrop, jun.
S. Bradstreet: (1) The Court taking into Consideration
the great Mercy of God to the [reformed] Churches in
Germany, and' [especially] the Palatinate, &:c. appoint
the 13th of this Month to be kept as a Day of publick
Thanksgiving throughout the several Plantations : and
(2) agree there shallbe a Trucking House in every Plan-
tation, whither the Indians may resort to Trade ; to avoid
their coming to several Houses. {Mcr.)
June 5. Arrives [at Boston] the William and Francis,
Mr. Thomas Master, with about 60 Pafisengers ;~ where-
of Mr. [Thomas] Weld, and old Mr. [Stephen] Batch-
elor, being aged 71, with their Families, and many other
honest Men : also the Charles of Barstable, with Mr,
[Timothy] Hatherly the Merchant, about 20 Passengers,
near 80 Cows and 6 Mares ; all safe and in Health :
they set sail viz. the William and Francis from London,
March 9 ; the Charles from Barstable April 10 ; and
they met near Cape- Ann. fivj Mr. [Edward] Winslow
[of Plimouth] comes in the William and Francis . and
Mr. Hatherly comes in the Charles, fxuj to dwell and
plant in the Country, (^brj
June 12. Arrives [at Boston] the James, Mr. Grant
Master ; her Passage near 8 Weeks from London, with
12 Passengers ; and 61 Heifers, and lost 40.
June 13. A Day of Thanksgiving thro' all the Plan-
tations [of the Massachusetts] by publick Authority, for
the
62 ANNALS OP NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. oi Fra)ice. K. ol" Uvfdt-liritaht. K. of Sjiniii.
103-2 IpwisXIU. II Char les I. f] Philip IV.
the Success of the K of Sweden and Protestants in Ger-
many a.^Jiinst the Em{)eror ; and for the safe Arrival of all
the Ships; they having not lost 1 Person, nor I sick
among them, f'wj
* riie French came in a Pinnace to Penobscut,and rifle
*a Trucking House belonging to [New] Plimouth ; car-
'rying thence 300 Weight of Bevcr & other Goods, {w)
' [of which Gov Bradford gives the Account following :]
' — This Year their House at Penobscut is robbed by the
' French in this Manner ; while the Master of the House
' and Part of the Company with him, is come w irh our
' \'essel to the Westward to fetch a Supply of Goods bro't
* over for us; a small French Ship having a false Scot aboard
* [I suppose a Papist] goc s into the Harbour, pretend they
' are newly come from Sea, know not where they are,
' that their Vessel is very leaky, and desire they may hale
' her ashoar and stop her Leaks, making many French
* Complements & Congees : and seeing but 3 or 4 simple
* Men who are Servants, and by the Scotsman undcrstand-
' ing the Master and Rest of the Company are gone from
* Home, fall a commending their Guns and Muskets
' which lie on the Racks by the Wall side, take them
' down to look on them, asking if they are charged ? and
' when possessed of them, one presents a loaded Peece
' against the- Servants, another a Pistol ; then bid them not
' to stir, but deliver their Goods : and make them help
' in carrying them all aboard, to the Value of X.4 or 500
' [Sterl] prime Cost ; 300 Weight of Bever ; the Rest in
' trading Goods, as Coats, Rugs, Blankets, Biskets, 8vC :
' then set the Servants at Liberty, and go away with this
' taunting Message ; Tell your Master, when he returns,
'' that some of the Isle of Rhee Gentlemen have been here.
* [br) [But Gov Bradford has misplaced this in 1631.]'
June. Abraham Shurd [or Shurt]ofPemaquid,andCapt.
Wriglit and others, coming to Pascataquack, being bound
lor this Bay [i. e. the Bay within Pullen-Point on the N,
Hnd Point Alierton on the S] in a Shallop, with jL.200 worth
of
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2. 63
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1632 Lewis XIII. Ii Charles I. || Philip IV.
of Commodities ; one of the Men going to light a Pipe
of Tobacco [near the Powder] being wished by another
to forbear, answered, That if the Devil should carry him
away quick, he would take one Pipe, set Fire on a Barrel of
Powder, which tore the Boat in Pieces : That Man was
blown away [and] never seen [till he was some Time]
after found, with his Hands and Feet torn off: The Rest
all sav'd, but the Goods lost, fwj
A Shallop of one Henry Way,of Dorchester, having been
misshig all the Winter, it was found that the Men in her
being 5, were all killed secretly by the Eastern Indians :
Another Shallop of his being sent to seek out the other, was
cast away at Agamcnticus, and 2 of the Men drowned. A
Fishing Shallop at Isle of Shoals was overset. And one Nod-
dle an honest Man of Salem, carrying ^\'ood in a Canoe
in the South River, was overturn'd and drowned, {^wj
July. [I suppose Monday the 2d] At a Training at Wa-
tertovvn, a Man of John Oldham's, having a Musket which
had been long charged with Pistol Bullets, not knowing
it, gave Fire and Shot 3 Men ; 2 into their Bodies, and
1 into his Head, but so far off, as the Shot enter'd the
Skin and stayed there, and they all recovered, (w)
July 3. Court at Boston : Present Gov, D Gov, Mr.
Ludlow, Capt. Endicot, Mr. Pynchon, Winthrop. S.
Bradstreet, Mr. Nowell : (1) Order, That the Capt. and
other Officers take a special Care to search all Peeces
bro't into the Field, for being charged with Shot or Bul-
lets ; and that no Person whatever, shall at any Time
charge any Peece of Service with Bullets or Shot, other
than for Defence of their Houses, or at Command
from the Capt, upon such Penaly as the Court shall think
meet to inflict : (2.) A Man fined 40s. [Sterling] and
bound to his good Behaviour to the next Court, for his
Misdemeanour and Drunkenness aboard the Virginia
Ship : (3)7 take their Oaths of Freemen, viz.
Mr. Natl^niel Turner, Mr. Samuel Sharp,
John Ruggles, Mr. John Wilson,
Mr. William Dennison, &c. (Mcr) The
64 ANNAI.3 OF NEW-ENOLANn. Part II. Scc. i^.
iTof Frnurr. K. of (^rr(it-Iirit(iiu. K. of Spo'ni.
IC.V.: Louis Xll). :| Cliarlos I. li Philip IV.
The Congrecjation [i. e. the Church] at Boston, wrote to
the Elders and Brethren of the Churches of Plinrjouth,
Salem, &c. for their Advice in 3 Questions ; (1) Wheth-
er one Person mis^^ht be a civil Magistrate and a ruling El-
der at the same 'Pime ? (2) If not, then which should he
lav down ? (3) Whether there might be divers Pastors in
the same Church ? The 1st was agreed by all negatively ;
the 2d and 3d doubtful, fxvj
After many Days of [Prayer] by those of Boston and
Roxbury for [the Rev] Mr. Weld, and the Advice of those
of Plimoulh being taken, &.c. at length he resolves to set
down with those of Roxbury. fivj *
' fBv \vhich I pcrcc'ivo, ho is the first Miiiist-or and Pastor of the
Poopio of Koxbuiy: but whou tho Church is formed, I have not yet
discovor'd. Only in Roxbury Church Fiecords, I find the first 17
Members arc all Males, and distinp;uish'd from those ^vhic]^ follow in
this Order: (1) Mr. William Pynchon, {■2) Mr. Tho. Weld, (3) Wm.
Dennison, (4) Tho. Lamb, (.)) i>am. Wakcman, (()) Wm. Parke, &c.
Which 17 seem to be the first constituting Members; and about this
Time, vi/. in July 1632, to form the Church, & invest the said Rev.
Mr. Weld in tlie Pastoral Oflice over tliem. After which are added
the Names of 17 Women, and 13 Men, as joining to said Church, be-
fore the Name of Mr. Kliot is ins»erted : who till Nov. continues his
Relation to tl\e Church in Boston (See Nov.) And Roxbury Church
Records tells us, that) the People at Roxbury [had] joined to the
Church at Dorchester, till God should give them an Opportunity to be
a Church themselves : And Mr. George Alcock, who came in 1630,
and liv'd in a godly Sort, was by Dorchester Church chosen a Dea-
con, especially to regard the Brethren of Roxbury ; and after he joins
to Roxbury (Church, is ordained their Deacon, (vcv)
Aug. 3, [not 5, as Mr. S. Daiiforth, and Mr. Hubbard]
The Sachim (who isjoin'd with Canonicus the great Sachim
of Narraganset) called Mecumeh, after Miantonomeh,
comes to Boston, with his Squaw^, and about 12 Sanups.
Aug. 5, [Lord's day] Being present at the Sermon, 3 of his
Sanups go in the mean Time, and brake into a Neighbour's
House, &LC. Complaint being made thereof to Gov. [Win-
throp] ;
Corrections.
PAGE 1. under Sept. 28.-Read-(l) that no Person permit
(2) that no Person give
(3) that /.50 be levied
[alter called Weymouth.]
4. Line 25. Read—Roger Williams a Minister; who goes (1) to Sa-
lem, (2) to Pli mouth, (3) to Salem again, (4) to Providence.
6. Under Nov. 9— Read (1) that every Endishman
(2) whoever will hrst give
Under Nov. 30.-Read (1) one of the Assistants
(2) order'd that a Man
(3) that /. GO be collected
16. Under Article IV— insert
April 11. Sixteen Popish Priests are released out of the Clink
[Prison in Southwark] by one Warrant under tlie King's own Sign
Manual, at the Instance of our dearest Consort the Queen, as the
K in his Warrant writes ; and July 26, by the like Warrant and
Instance 6 Priests and Jesuits more releas'd out of the same Prison :
But no Instance known of his releasing 1 Puritan out of Prison all his
Reign. (Prynn)
Nov, (Id) Dr. Leigbton
Dec. 3. James Nowell writes from London — Sir Thomas Went-
worth was made Vicount with a great deal of high Ceremony, on a
Sunday at White-Hall. [So little Regard had k Charles tor the
Lonl's Day.]
17. Line 12. Read-on June 24 NS, in the 36th Year of his Age, with
an Army of about 12,000 Foot and 3,000 Horse, some say but 1 1,000
in all, lands
Line 20. Read-June 24, Rex Sueciae.
Line 23. Read— Words above. In 12 Days reduces the Isles ol
Rugen, Usedom and Wollin : in 8 Days more takes many Cities,
defeats many Enemies : and in 8 Months, taking 80 Castles, small
Forts, Towns and Cities, reduces the Provinces of Newmark and
Pomerania. (See Alsted, Cluverius, and S.Clark)
31. Next to the Article of July 6-insert this Article —
* [About this Time, as I judge from Gov. Bradford's History, tlie
' Plimouth Undertakers send Mr. Edward Winslow to England, to
* discharge Mr. AUerton from being their Agent, for acting contrary
' to their Instructions.'
Under July 14-For Natasket ;-read Boston ;
Read-5 Sheep {w) Mr. Timothy Hatherly first comes in her. (br)
32. Under July 30-Read-falls down (w)' with Mr. Allerton and
Hatherly (bi)
Under Aug. 8.-For Jones-Read-James
56. Line 1 9, — Read Palatinate :
"iH. Tender April 12,-— Read- — Ou<*ameqniR
ANNALS
NEW-ENGLAND
BY THOMAS PRINCE, M. A.
VOL. n. NUMB. UL
Deut. I. 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 21. The Lord our God spake unto us, saying— Take
your Journey and go to the Mount of the Amorites, and to all the Places nigh
thereto, in the Plain, in the Hills, in the Vale, in the South, and hy the Sea-
side to the Land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great River, the
Jliver Euphrates : Behold, I have set the Land before you : Go in and possess
the Land. — And we went through all that great and terrible Wilderness, which
you saw by the Way of the Mountain of the Amorites, as the Lord our God
commanded us. — And — ye are come to the Mountain of the Amorites, which
the Loud our God doth give us: Behold the Lord thy God hath set the
Land before Thee: Go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy Fathers
Jiath said unto Thee : Fear not, neither be discouraged !
BOSTON :
yRIMTED BY B. EEES AXD J. GILL, IN KINGSTREET, FOR S. KNEELAND
IN QUEEN-STREET, AND FOR J. AND T. LEVERETT IN CORNKtLL.
(Price Six Pence Lawful Money each Number.)
10 VOL. VII.
Corrections.
No. 1. p. 13. 1 last but 7, &c. — i' — who, as? Mumly in liis Chronicle
records, was L Mayor of Lon-
don in 1 597, who was Son
1 last but 4,— r— ratontcos
1 last but 1, &c. — r — riuhMtakers ; the 1st Founder
of the Town, and 1st Member
of (he Congregational Church
No. 2. p. 59, 1 last but 2— r— May 8. {w) [Tuesday : ratlier 9, Wed<
nesday,
No. 3. p. 83. 1 last but 10 — r — pursue Him:
p. 84. 1 8 — r — Preparation made
p. 86. 1 9 — r — Provision.
l;j — r — have Meal, Water ajid Salt
16 — for [cc) — r — (c)
22, 23 — r — [after, called Ipswich]
Further Explanations of Letters.
Cc, Connecticut Colony.
ih, James Howell's Letters.
Mb, Massachusetts Bay.
Mc, Massachusetts Colony.
JV. E. New England.
Pc, Plymouth Colony.
Re, Rhode-Island Colony.
sc, Joshua Scottow, Esq; in Mss.
Aclvertiseme7it.
Wanting yet Accounts of these ancient Towns, viz.
fNewtown, Woburn, "^
LBillerica, J
Bristol in Plymouth Patent :
The Rev. Ministers, or other Gentlemen of those Towns, are
earnestly intreated, to enquire of their Records, firave-Stones, and
ancient People ; and send tlie Remarkables of their History, from the
Beginning, in a Chronological Order, to the Compiler of these AnnaN.
mth all convenient Expedition.
.V. B, Sec the Articles at the End of tliis Cover
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 65
K. of France. K. of Grreat-Britain. K. of Spain.
I6r,{! Lewas XIII. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
throp] ; after Evening Exercise, he tells the Sachim of it ;
and with some Difficulty causes him to make one of his
Sanups to beat them, and then sends them out of Town :
but brings the Sachim and the Rest of [his] Company to
his House, and makes much of him (as he had done
before) which he seems to be well pleased with ; but
this Evening he departeth. (^wj
At a Court not long before, two of Chickatabut's Men
were convented and convicted for assaulting some English
at Dorchester in their Houses, &c. were put in the Bil-
boes ; and Chickatabut requir'd to beat them, which he
did. ("wj
The Congregation of Boston and Charlestown begin the
Meeting House at Boston : for which and Mr. Wilson's
House, they had made a voluntary Contribution of about
/.120. fwj
Aug. 7. Court at Boston : Present [same as June 5.]
(1) On further Consideration of Justice to be done upon
the Murther of Walter Bagnal, and on reading a Letter
from those of Plimouth in Answer to a Letter sent to them
about it ; order that a Boat be sent sufficiently mann'd
with Commission to deal with the Plantation to the East-
ward, and to join with such of them as shall be willing
thereto, for Examination of the Murder of said Bagnal,
and for apprehending such as shall be found guilty there-
of, and to bring the Prisoners into the Bay : refer'd to
the Gov to take Order therein : (2) Mr. William Pynchon
chosen Treasurer for the Year ensuing, and till a new be
chosen : (3) four take their Oath of Freemen, viz.
Samuel Wakeman, &:c. fMcrJ
Aug. 14. This Summer is very wet and cold, (except
now and then a hot Day or two) which causes great Store
of Musketoes and Rattlesnakes. The Corn in dry sandy
Ground is much better than other Years, but in the
fatter Grounds much worse ; and in Boston, &c, much
shorn down close by the Ground with Worms, ftuj The
Summer proving short and wet ; our Crops of Indian Com
(for
66 ANNALS OF Niw-ENCLAND. Part II. Sec. 2.
K. of France. K. of (rreat-Britain. K. of Spain.
1632 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
(for wc have no other) are very small, and great Want
threatens us. fctrj
Mr. Oldham has a small House at Watertown Aiade all
of Clapboard, burnt down, (^xvj
The Braintree Company (which had begun to set down
at Mount- WoUaston) by Order of Court removes to New-
town : These are Mr. Hooker's Company, (^wj
Aug. 20. Gov [VVinthropJ's Wife deliver'd of a Son,
who is (on Aug. 26. bar) baptiz'd by the name of William :
the Gov himself holds the child to Baptism, as others in
the Congregation did use. fxvj
Aug. 30. Notice being given of 10 Sagamores and many
Indians assembling at Muddy River, Gov [Winthroj)]
sends Capt. Underhill with 20 Musketeers to discover Stc :
but at Roxbury they hear they are broke up. fwj
Sept. 4. Court at Boston : Present Gov, D. Gov, Mr.
Ludlow, Capt.Endicot,Mr.Treasurer [Pynchon] Nowell,
Winthrop, [jun.] S. Bradstreet ; (I) Sagamore John, &c,
promise the next Year, and for ever after, to fence their
Corn against all Kind of Cattle : (2) Order a Man to be
severely whipt for Cursing, Swearing, justifying the same
and glorying in it ; [and (3) another] Man to be whipt and
branded with a hot Iron on one of his Cheeks for selling
(McrJ a Peece, a Pistol with Powder and shot to James
Sagamore, (ivj
By the Mediation of the Rev. Mr. Maverick, Warham
and Wilson; G(w Winthrop and D.Gov Dudlty [are now
happily reconciled.] Notwithstanding the Heat of Con-
tention which had been between them ; yet they usually
met about their Afflurs, and that without any Appear-
ance of any Breach or Discontent : and ever after keep
Peace and good Correspondence together in Love and
Friendship, (w)
One Jenkins late [of] Dorchester, [since] remov'd to
Cape Porpus, went with an Indian up into the Countrey
with Store of Goods to truck : and being asleep in a
Wigwam
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 67
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1632 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. i Philip IV.
Wigwam of one of Passaconomy*s Men, was kill'd in the
Night by an Indian dwelling near the Mohok Country. (w)
In Autumn 1632, the Indians, who had all this Time
held good Correspondency with the English, begin to
quarrel with us [in the Massachusetts] about their Bounds
of Land, [tho'] we purchas'd all we have of them : But
the Lord [soon] puts an End to this Quarrel, by smit-
ing the Indians with a sore Disease, even the Small Pox ;
of which great Numbers of them Die {J) [at the End of
1633 ; which see.]
There is much Suspicion that the Indians have some
Plot against the English, both for that many NarragansetS
&c, gather together, who with [others] of these Parts
pretend to make War with the Nipnets, and divers inso-
lent Speeches are used by some of them, and they do
not frequent our Houses as they were wont ; and one of
their Powaws tells us that there is a Conspiracy to cut us
off: Upon this a Camp is pitched at Boston; in the
Night to exercise the Soldiers, apprehending Need might
be : and Capt. Underhill, to try how they would behave
themselves, causes an Alarm to be given upon their
Quarters; which discovers the Weakness of our People,
who know not how to behave themselves : [not being
us'd to Military Discipline :] all the rest of the Plantations
take the Alarm and answer it : but it raises many Fears
and Distractions among the common Sort : and we keep
Watch both Day and Night, (w)
Sept. 14. The Rumours still increasing, the three
next Sagamores are sent for, who come presently to the
Gov (w) [at Boston]
Sept. 16. Being Lord's-Day Evening, Mr. Peirce in
the Ship Lyon arrives [at] Boston : brings 123 Passen-
gers, whereof 50 Children all in Health, and lost not one
by the Way save the Carpenter who fell overboard as he
was calking a Port : had been 12 Weeks aboard, and 8
from the Land's End. ('wj
Sept.
68 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. oi France. K. oH Great-liritain. ¥i. of Spain.
1632 Le^\^s XIII. (| ' Charles 1. It Philip IV.
Sept. 22. The Bastable Ship [which had aniv'd on
June 5.] goes out at Pullen-Point to Marble Harbour, {w')
Sept. 27. A Day of Thanksgiving at Boston for the
good News of the prosperous Success of the K of Swe-
den, &c, and for the safe Arrival of the last Ship, and all
the Passengers, [w)
Oct. 3. [ratherTuesday,Oct. 2 ; see Marcli 6. last] Court
at Boston : Present [same as Sept. 4.] ( 1 ) Mr. Bachelor [of
Lynn] is required to forbare exercising his Gifts, as a
Pastor or Teacher publickly in our Patent, unless it be to
those he bro't with him, for Contempt of Authority, and
till some Scandals be removed : * (2) It is tlio't by ge-
neral Consent, that Boston is the fittest Place for Publick
Meetings of any in the Bay : (3) Order, there be a House
of. Correction, and a House for the Beadle built at Boston,
with Speed : (4) that a Man forTheft on the Indians at Dam-
aril's-Cove, for Drunkenness and Fornication, be fined 1.5,
[Sterling] to the Court ; /. 10. to Henry Way and John
Holman ; severely whipt, branded on the Hand with a
hot Iron, and banish'd out of this Patent, with Penalty
that if he be ever found within [it] he shall be put to
Death : [5] that no Person shall take any Tobacco pub-
lickly, and that every one shall pay a Penny [Sterling] for
every Time of taking Tobacco in any Place : (6) one takes
his Oath of Freeman, viz. Mr. Samuel Maverick, [il/cr]
* [The R Mr. Baclielor arriving with the R Mr. Welde, and
about 60 Passengers on June 5, last ; ami Capt. Johnson telling us,
that the Church at Lynn was gather'd next after the Churcli at
Roxbury, and that Mr. Bachelor was the 1st Feeder of the Flock
at Lynn ; and this Court Record representing Mr. Bachelor as hav-
ing exercis'd his Gifts as Pastor or Teacher before Oct. 2; — All
make me think that the People he bro't with him set down at Lynn,
and about Aug, form'd into a Church and entertain'd him as their
Minister, to whom he seems to have been long betwe in a Ministerial
Relation in England, being 71 Years old.]
[Ooe. 10. From July 30. 1630, to this Day, 151 Mem.
bcrs had join'd in full Communion with the Church
which
ANNALS OF NE W-ENCL A.>ID. Part II. ScC. 2. 69
K. of France.
163^ Lewis XIII.
K. of Great'BrUain.
Cliarles I.
K. of Spain.
Philip IV.
which began at Charlestown, and mostly remov'd to Bos-
ton ; some of the chief of whom were these — in Order — ]
1 John "NVintluop, Gov.
-2 Thomas Dudley, D. Gov.;
[and after Gov.]
5 Isaac Johnson, [Assist]
4 John Wilson, [Pastor]
.[5 Increase Nowell, [Assist, and
Ruling Elder]
6 Thomas Shai-p, [Assist]
7 Simon Bradstreet, [Assist :
and after Gov.]
8 William Gager, [Surgeon and
first Deacon]
9 William Colborn, [after Rul-
ing Elder] ^
10 William Aspinwall, [after 1st
Sec. of Re]
J18 Robert Hale
31 James Penn, [after Ruling El.]
38 William Balston
44 William Cheesbrough
48 Henry Bright, [suppose a Min-
ister who went back]
52 Thomas Hutchinson
|53 George Hutchinson
57 John Underbill, [Capt.]
60 Edmund Belcher
62 Edward Rainsford, [after
Ruling Elder of tlie S. Ch.]
X&G Edward Converse
77 Edward Bendal
±79 Richard Sprague
92 William Coddington, [Assist.
and after 1st Gov. of Re]
101 Thomas Fayrweather
tl02 Ralph Sprague
110 John Eliot, [Minister]
113 Edward Gibbons, [after Ma-
jor Gen.]
114 Jacob Eliot [after Elder]
115 John Sampford [or Sanford,
after Sec. and Treas. of Re]
121 John Winthrop, jun. [after
Assist : and 1st Gov. of Co.]
129 John Ruggles
132 Thomas Oliver, [after Rul«
ing Elder]
135 John Willis
145 Giles Firman, jun, [or Fir-
min, after Minister in England]
J149 Thomas James, [Minister]
151 William Pierce, [Capt. of the
Lyon, and Ancestor of the
R Mr. James Pierce, of Camb.
and Exeter in f^ng-] (bcr)
Oct. 11. [Thursday] 18 Men and 15 Women, of whom
are Mr.Increase Nowell and Mr.Thomas James,with those
marked thus J in the List above, and others, all of the
Church 1st [form'd] at Charlestown; [but since Aug. 1630]
chiefly remov'd to Boston ; in Regard of the Difficulties
of Passage [over the Ferry] in the Winter, and having Op-
portunity of a Pastor [viz.] Mr. James, who came over
at this Time ; {^wj desiring a Dismission from the said
Church at Boston,in order to form a newChurch atCharles-
town ; the whole Church this Day solemnly seek to God
for
70 ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. o( France. K.. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
163^2 Lewis XIII. II Charles I. || Philip IV.
for Direction in this Matter : and the Lord's-Day follow-
ing [i.e. Oct. 14.] the said 33 Petitioners are accordingly-
dismissed, (^bcrj [And I conclude that Lord's- Day the 21
of this Month is the 1st Day of their Worshipping in
Publick as a distinct and new Congregation at Charlestown,
and that the Rev. Mr. Thomas James then preaches to
them constantly. See Nov. 2.]
Between this and Sept. 8. 1633, there are admitted into
the Church at Boston 13 more of whom are John Pember-
ton, John Oliver, Giles Firman [or Firmin] Senior, (dcr)
Oct. 18. Capt. Camock and Mr. Vesy a Merchant come
from Piscataquain Mr. Ncal's Pinace, and bring 16 Hog-
sheads of Corn to the [Wind-] Mill at Boston ; they go
away in November— fw J
Oct. 25. [Thursday] Gov [Winthrop] with Mr. Wilson
Pastor of Boston, and the 2 Captains, &c, go aboard the
Lyon ; and thence Mr. Peirce carries them in his Shallop
to Wessagusgus : next Morning Mr. Peirce returns to his
Ship ; and the Gov and his Company go a Foot to Plim-
outh, and come thither within the Evening. The Gov
of Plimouth, Mr. William Bradford (a very discreet and
grave Man) with Mr. Brewster the [Ruling-] PLlder, and
some others come forth and meet us without the Town,
and conduct us to the Gov's House, where we are toge-
ther entertained ; and feasted every Day at several Houses.
— On Lord's- Day is a Sacrament, which we partake in :
and in the Afternoon Mr. Roger Williams (according to
their Custom) proposes a Question, to which the Pastor
Mr. Smith speaks briefly : then Mr. Williams prophesies
[or explains] and after, the Gov of Plimouth [who had
studied the Hebrew Language and Antiquities] speaks to
the Question; after him the Elder [a Man of Learning] then
2 or 3 more of the Congregation ; then the Elder [agreable
to Acts xiii. 14, 15, &c.J desires Gov [Winthrop] and Mr.
Wilson to speak to it, which they do : when this is ended,
the Deacon Mr. Fuller puts the Congregation in Mind
of their Duty of Contribution ; whereupon the Gov
and
AN-VALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2. 71
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1632 Lewis XIII. !| Charles I. !l Philip IV.
ond all the Rest go down to the Deacon's Seat, and put it
in the Bag:, ^rid then return, /^^^y' *
* [N. B. This relio^ious Exercise in Publick, they had
(under the Conduct of Mr. Robinson at Leyden) ground-
ed on the primitive Practice of the Church of Corinth,
as described and regulated by the Apostle Paul in I Cor.
xii,and xiv : But growing in Knowledge, and 1 suppose
in the Apprehension that such a Practice was peculiarly
accommodate to the age of Inspinrtion (1 Cor. xiv, 30)
which they never pretended to ; they, after, gradually
lay it down.]
Oct. 27. Mr. Pierce sets sail for Virginia, fwj
Oct. 31. Being Wednesday, about 5 in the Morning
Gov Winthrop and 'Company, come out of Plimoth : the
Gov of Plimouth with the Pastor, &:c. accompany us near
half a iViile out of Town in the dark : Lt. Holmes with
others come with us to the Great S'vamp about 10 Miles :
when we come to the Great River, £1 suppose, after, call'd
North-River, between Pembrook and Hannover] we are
carried over by one Ludham, as we had been when we
([went]: So \ve come this Evening to Wessaguscus; where
we are comfortably entertained as before, with Store of
Turkies, Geese, Ducks, &c. and next Day come safe to
Boston, (^wj
About this Time, Mr. Dudley's House at Newtown and
all his Family are preserv'd irom being destroy'd by
Gunpowder, by a marvelous Deliverance : the Hearth of
the Hall Chimney burning all Night on a principal Beam,
and Store of Gunpowder being near, and not discern'd
till they rise in the Morning, and then it begins to flame
out. (iv)
Nov. 2. [Friday] Mr. Increase Nowell, Mr. Thomas
James and other Church-Members at Charlestown, who
had been dismissed from the Church at Boston, now] em-
body into a [new] distinct Congregational] Church, enter
into Covenant ; and [the said] Mr, James is elected and
ordain'd [their] Pastor, (w?/.)
11 VOL. VII. *'''^«^r
72 ANNALS Oi- NEW-ENCLAND. Part II. SCC. 2.
K of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
IfiSd Lewis XIII. II Charles 1. || Philip IV.
* rrheir Church Covenant is in these Terms — ] « Fn the Name of
• our Lord God, and in Obedience to his holy ^Vill and divine Ordi-
* nance ; we whose Nanies are here w ritten, l)eini^ by his most wise
• and j^ood Providence, bio't to^retljer, and desirous to unite ourselves
' into one Conu;re<iation or Church under our Lord Jesus Christ our
' Head, in such Sort as l)ecomcth all those wliom He hath redeemed
'and sanctified unto Himself; Do here, solemnly and reli;j;iously, as
' in his most holy Presence, promise and bind ourselves, to walk in all
* our Ways accordin^j; to die Rules of the Gospel, anil in all sincere
• Conformity to his holy Ordinances, and in mutual Love and Respect
* to each other, so iiear as God shall give us Grace.'
Increase Nowki.l [and 18 more] [ml)
Mr. John Eliot a Member of Boston Congregation, and
one uhom the Congregation intended presently to call to
the Office of Teacher, was call'd to be a Teacher to the
Church at Roxbury : and tho' Boston laboured all they
could, both with the Congregation of Roxbury, and with
Mr. Eliot himseh'', alledging their Want of Him and the
Covenant between Him and them ; yet He could not be
diverted from accepting the Call of Roxbury : so Nov. 5,
He was dismiss'd to [them] fwj \\
II [The Roxbury Church l^ecords say] — By that Time tlie Church
at Boston was intended to call Him to Office, his Friends were C(mie
over [tis likely among those 13.3 who ajriv'd on Sept. 16] and settled
at Roxbury, to whom he was foreingaged that if he were not call'd to
Office before tliey came. He was to join with them : whereupon the
Church at Roxburv call'd Him to be Teacher in the End of tlie Sum-
mer [1G32] and soon after was ordain'd to that Office in the Church:
his intended Wife also coming with the Rest of his Friends, they Avere
soon after their coming married, viz. in Oct. 1{)3'3. ircr) [But he is
not ordain'd their Teacher till, Nov. 5 — perhaps on Friday, Nov. 9.]
Nov. 6. [Tuesday] 18 take their Oath of Freemen, viz.
1 Mr. Thomas Weld, 5 Mr. Thomas Oliver,
2 Mr. Thomas James, 6 John Talcot,
3 Ml". John Cogsjeslial, 7 William Wadsworth, &c.
4 Mr. Richaiil Dununer, {Mcr)
Nov. 7. Court at Boston : Present [same as June 5]
(1) Order'd that the Captains shall train their Companies
but
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 73
K. oi' France. K. oi Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1652 Lewis XIII. || Tharles I. || Plulip IV,
but once a Month : (2) that Sir R Saltcnstall shall give
Saggairiore John, a Hogshead of Corn, for the Hurt his
Cattle did his Corn : (3) that the Neck of Land between
Powder-Hill and Pullen-Point, shall belong to Boston, to
be enjoy 'd by the Inhabitants thereof for ever. fMcrJ
Nov. 21. Gov Winthrop receives a Letter from Capt.
Neal; that Dixy Bull and 15 more of the English who
kept about the East are turned Pirates, had taken divers
Boats, and rifled Pemaquid : hereupon the Gov calls a
Council, and tis agreed to send his Bark with 20 Men to
join with those of Piscataqua [to] take said Pirate : But
Snow, Frost, and contrary Winds prevent them fwj
[The first Pirates on the Coast of N. E.]
Nov. 22. A Fast held by the Congregation of Boston :
and Mr. Wilson formerly their Teacher is chosen Pastor,
and [Mr. Thomas] Oliver a Ruling Elder, and are both
ordain'd by Imposition of Hands : first by the Teacher
and the 2 Deacons (in the Name of the Congregation)
upon the Elder ; and then by the Elder and the Deacons
upon the Pastor. fwJ
Dec. By Letters from Capt. Neal, Mr. Hilton, &c. [of
Piscataqua] it is certified, that they had sent out all the
Forces they could make against the Pirates ; viz. 4 Pinna-
ces and Shallops, and 40 Men, who coming to Pemaquid,
Avere there Wind-bound three Weeks, (wj*
* It is further advertised by some who came from Penobscut ; that
the Pirates lost one of their chief Men by a Musket shot from Pema-
quid, and that there remain'd but 15, wliereof 4 or 5 were detain'd
against their Wills ; that they had been at some English Plantations
and taken nothing but w hat they paid for ; had given another Pinnace
in Exchange for that of Mr. Maverick, and as much Bever and Otter
as it Mas wortli more ; had made a law against excessive Drinking ;
that their Order was, at sucli Times as other Ships use to have Prayer,
they w ould assemble on the Deck, and one sing a Song or speak a tew
senseless Sentences : they also send a Writing to all the Govemours,
signifying their Intent not to do Harm to any more of their Country-
men, but to go to the Southward, and advise fliem not to send against
them, for they were resolved to sink themselves rather than be taken :
signed, Foi tune le Gair, and no Name to it. {iv)
Articles
74 ANNALS or NEW-ENGLAND. R.rt 11. ScC. 2.
K.. of Fraiici'. K. ol" Hviat-livUaiu. \\. of Spain.
ir.3^2 Lewis XIII. li C l.ailes 1. II I'Mlip IV.
Articles of unccrtdin and various Dates.
* [In the Sprin<i:ot' 1G32] iMr. Allcrton [bcini,^ in Eiig-
' land] hires on his own Account of Mr. Shcrlc\', The
' White Angel again, conies late into the Country, sets up
' a Company to run into the River of Kennebeek, to glean
* away the Trade honi the House there [I suppose at Cu-
' shenock above Cobbiseconte] about the Patent and Privi-
' lege whereof he had dash'd away so much Money : Yea,
* being deprived of Ashley, joins with some Consorts, and
' sets up a Trading. House beyond Penobscut, to cut off
' the Trade from thence also : But the French perceiving
* that would be greatly to their Damage likewise, come
' in their begiiming, before they are well seitled, and dis-
* plant them, slay two of their Men, take all the Goods to
* a great Value, send the Rest of their Men into France :
* And this is the End of that Project, fbrj %
X Gov Ikadfonl has misplaced all tins in 1631. But ' tlio' Mr. Al-
' lerton seems to have set uj) his new Trading House in the Sununer
' of 16S2 ; vet it seems to be the Summer of 1633, when the French
« take it. (vSee :Nov. V2. 1633.)'
* This Year, 1632, the People of [Plimouth] begin to
'\rrow in their outward Estates, by the flowing, of many
' People into the Countr}', especially into the Mc : By
' which Means Cattle and Corn rise to a great Price,
' Goods grow plentiful, and many are enriched. And
' now their Stocks encreasing, the Increase vendible ; there
'is no longer holdir-g them together. They nmst go to
' their great Lots : they can no otherwise keep their Cattle :
' and having Oxen grown, they must have more Land
' for Plowing and Tillage. By this Means they scatter
* round the Bav [of Plimouth] quickly, and the Town
' wherein they liv'd till now compactly, is soon left very
* thin, and in "a short I'ime almost desolate. The Church
* also comes to be divided : and those who had liv'd so long
' together in Christian and comfortable Fellowship, must
* now part. 1st, Those who live on their Lots or. the
* other bide the Bay, call'd Duxberry, can no longer bring
' their
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 75
K. of Francf'. K. of Great- Britain. K. of Spain.
1G32 LeuisXIll. I, Charles 1. li Philip IV.
' their Families to the publick Worship at Pliniouth,
' growing to a competent Nun)bcr, and suing to be dis.
* miss'd, arc about this Time dismiss'd,tho' very un willing-
' ly, and become a Body of themselves, [br) [So that Dux-
' berry seems to be the 2d Town and Ciunch in Pc: and
' the next Town settled alter Newtown, i. c. Cambridge,
* in N. E.
*To prevent any furdier scattering from Plymouth,
'and weakening of the same; it is thought best to give
* out some good Farms to special Persons that would
'promise to live at Plimouth, and likely to be helpful to
' the Church or Common-wealth ; and so tye the Lands
'to Phmouth as Farms for the same; and there they
' might keep their Catde and Tillage by Servants, and
^retain their Duellings here: and so some Lands are
' granted at a Place called Green's-Harbour, where no Al-
' lotments had been, a Place very well medowed, and fit
' to keep and rear Cattle good Store.' {br) [This seems
' to be d)e Beginning of Marshfield.]
' This Year tlie General Court of Pc make an extraor-
Minary Act ; That whoever refuses the Office of Gover-
* nor, shall pay L.20 Sterling, unless he were chose two
' Years going ; and whoever reiuses the Office of Coun-
*sellor or Magistrate, L.IO Sterling, [ml)
This Year is built the 1st House lor publick Worship at
Newtown, [after called Cambridge] with a Bell upon it.(w2/)
[And Capt. Johnson says-] 'This Year, was the 1st
' Choice of Magistrates by Freemen ; whose Number was
'now increased 53, or thereabouts.' (,/K[By which he
means, the Choice of Magistrates in the iMcat the General
Court on May 9, last ; But by Number of Freemen he
means those who were added this whole Year 1632, be-
ginning the Year \v;th March 25, which are 5^ ; where-
as beginning the Year with Jan. 1, as is the Way of our
Annals, their Number added this Year is but 44, as we
lave
accounted already, fiom the Mcr.]
This Year of sad Distresses ends with a terrible cold \Vin-
ter ; with Weekly Snows, and fierce Frosts between, con-
gealing
76 ANNALS OF NE W-E N G L A ND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of Frniin: K. ol' Hyi^al-lirilain. H. (A' Sjiain.
1(),V: Lewis XIH. II Cliailcs I. i| l>l.ili|, IV.
gcalinj^ Charlcs-Rivcr, as well from the Town towards
the Sea, as above ; so tliat Men may frequently pass
from one Island to another on the Ice. [J)
Appendix to 1632.
1. Account of the three Ministers 'vvho arriv'd this Year.
1. The Rev. Mr. Stephen liachilor.
[From (iov. Winslow and C'apt. Jolinson we learn— That] He was
an ancient Minister in Km^land ; had been a Man of Fame in his
Day; was 71 Years of A!;c when he came over; bro't a Number of
People with him; and soon became the 1st Feeder of the Flock of
Christ at I^ynn. [And by several original Letters I have seen of hi»i
own AVriting to the 11 Mr. Cotton of lioston, 1 find he was a Gentle-
man of Learning and Ingenuity, and wrote a fine and curious Hand.]
2. Tlie Rev. Mr. Thomas Weld.
[From Capt. Johnson and Dr. K. Calamy, a\c learn]— That lie was
born and educated in England ; had been minister of Terling in Es-
sex ; but not submiting to the Ceremonies, the Place was too hot for
him, and he was forc'd to quit it and come over to N E : that u])on his
Arrival, the Church of Roxbury beinga diligent People, early prevent-
ed their liiethien of othei- Churches by calling him to be their 1st
Pastor; that lie was valiant in Faith; both in the Pulpit and by his
Pen, maintains the Tiuth, and clears Christ's Churches here from
scandalous Reproaches ; and wading through the Cares and Toils of
this AVilderness lor 7 Years, he witli Advice returns to his native
Country.
3. The Rev. Mr. Thomas James.
[From Capt. Jolinson we also learn, That] he was born and educa-
ted in England, and approved by his native Country ; had been a Min-
ister in Lincolnshire, and especially commended by God's People
there for his courteous Speech and W(»rk of Christian Love ; has
learned Skill to unfold the Mind of God in Scripture; is valiant in
Faitli ; and arriving here, is soon welcom'd by the People of Christ in
Charlestown, and call'd to the Ollice of I*astor of their i2d gathered
Cliurch ; wliere he continues stmie Years ; till some Seed of Prejudice
sown liy tlie Enemies of this Work, lie for the Love of Peace and to
avoid Contention removes to New-Haven. ( /)
[Afterwards
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. SeC. 2, 77
K. of France. K. o( Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
163^2 Lewis XUl. || Charles I. H Philip IV.
[Afterwards he seems to return to England. For when I liv'd at
Combs in Suftblk, from 1711 to 16, Mr. Thomas Denny*, a pious and
ancient Gentleman there inform'd me that] he knew the Rev. Mr.
Thomas James Minister of Needham, about 4 Miles oft", who [he said]
came from N E. [DrE Calamy says] he was a very holy good Man,
of the Congregational Perswasion ; resign'd the Parochial Church of
Needham August 24. 1662, because he could not in Conscience ap-
prove of the uninstituted Ceremonies ; and had a pretty numerous
Society after his being silenced. [And Mr. Denny told me, that] tho'
he was much belov'd and esteemed; yet when he died, the Clergyman
who came in his Place would not allow him to be buried in any other
Part of the Church Yard, but that unconsecrilted Corner left for
Rogues, Whores and Excommunicates ; tho' the Clergyman ow'd his
Benefice to the noble Uprightness of Mr. James's heart.]
II. The most material Events in England.
Tlie Annual Feast of Dedication of Clunches prescrib'd at first by
Pope Felix and Gregory, turn'd by the People into meer Baclianal.s,
were by the Injunctions' [even] of K Hen. VIII. as the Occasion of
much Idleness, Excess, Riot, and pernicious to tlie Souls of Men, all
restrain'd to the 1st [Lord's Day] in October ; and after, totally abol-
ished by Statute of 5 and 6 of Edward VI : being reviv'd again with
their Bachanalian Disorders, under tlie Names of Wakes or Revels,
for the most part on Sundays ; Sir Thomas Richardson, Lord chief
Justice of Eng, and Baron Denham, being at the Assizes in the County
of Somerset ; many indited for Murthering Bastard Children begotten
at Wakes and Revels, with sundry other grand Disorders occasioned
by those Meetings ; the Justices of tliat County earnestly importune
the Judges to make a severe Order for suppressing of these Wakes
and Revels, as diverse of their Predecessors had done ; without which
they could never keep the Country in good Order, nor prevent the
Multitude of Bastards, Drunkenness, Quarrels, Bloodshed, Murther
and other Disorders occasion'd by tliem. W^hereupon those Judges
make tlie ensuing Order in the Publick Assizes —
'March 19 [1631,2] An Order made by the Judges of the
' Assizes for suppressing all Ales and Revels : whereas divers Or-
* ders have been made heretofore by the Judges of the Assize
' for the suppressing of all Ales and Revels; the same Order is
* now confirm'd at this Assize, and again order'd by the Court,
' in Regard of the infinite Number of Inconveniences daily
arising
78 ANNALS of NEW ENGLAND. Pillt. II. ScC. 1.
K. of France. K. ol' lirt'at-liritaui. K. of Sjntiii.
1G;>2 Lewis Xlll. II Charles I. H Philip IV.
' arisins; bv Moans of Rovels ; that such Revels he lieiiccfoitli iitteil)
' suppressed ; ami that the .lustioes lake Course, for the speed v ap-
' preheiidiusiatid ])unishlii<;; idle and lewd Persons draw ins ('>U;etlier at
'■ such Places, ivc. [Hut] lip l^aud beini; infonn'd of this u;ood Ordei-, i-.
verv niiuh nettled and vexed at it, coin|>lains of the Judtjes and it to
hisMiijestv, and procures a Connnis^ion to lip Pierce and some Di-
vines of that Coiintv, to entpiiie of the Manner of piihli>irm'^ thi.-. Order
in Churches, and what was done therein, and of the Lord cliief Justice
Richardson's Carriage in tiiis Business. (It) [Fuller Mrongly places
this in 1()33.]
March '29. Sir Isaac "NVake and Sieur liouillon, si<i;n the Treaty
between K Charles 1 and tlie French Iv Lewis Xlli : 'I'lie Title of
which is ; — ' Articles settled between Sir Isaac Wake knisht aiu!
' . embassador of the K of Gieat-liritain, connnissioned by said K ; and
' Messi. liouillon, Counsellor to the most Christian Is. in his Pnvy
' Council and Council of State, and liouthillier his Mjje-ty's Coun-
' cillorinhis said Councils and Secretary of his Orders, Connuissinies
' appointed l)y Ins said Majesty, lor the Restitution of the Things taken
' since the Treaty made between the two Crowns on the '24tli of Ai)ril
' 1629.' And in' this new Treaty, K Charles resigns to the French K.
all the Places the English possessed in Canada and Tiaccady [the lat-
ter then including Nova Scotia] in particular, Fort Kebeck [i. e. Que-
beck] Port Royal and Cape Breton, with the Merchandize found in
the Fort Ivebeck by the Knslish in 1G29. (Dennis) which puts an End
to the Difierence { the Fort delivered ; and the Money [i. c. the re-
maining Half of the Queens Portion] paid, (ch)
[But how faithful are K Cliarles's ^linistry to tlie Britisli Interest,
both in America and Europe ! when lie had both Canada and Laccady
in Possession, his Navy vastly superior to that of France, who had then
scarce any, and no other tolielp lier; yet, without any Necessity to
quit to tlie French, even Laccady a most important Branch of the
British Empire, which even in iGl.l, the peaceable Reign of his Fa-
ther, Sir Samuel Argal like a true Enjrlishman had recovered ; one oi"
the finest Provinces in the known World, for Fishery, Masts and Har-
bours ; intercepting between our others of Newfoundland and N E, and
lying in the Way of all our Trade from tlie Britisl) Colonies and \Ne>-}
Indies to Great Britain :— to the continual and most dangerous (irow th
of the French Fishery, Navigation, Trade, A\'ealtli, ancfNaval l*ower,
and the infinite Injurvofthe British Interest ever after: aiid all this only
ANNALS OF XEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. Sec. 2. 79
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1632 Levvis XIII. II Charles I. II Philip IV.
for Half the Queens Portion, due six Years before. So that they
properly sold this Territory to our National Enemies for what the
French' had agreed to pay in 1626. — A territory as large as Ireland,
and of vastly greater Sloaient than all her Portion ten Times over.
But the British Ministry are Bp Laud, who governs without a Rival
in Church and State, witli liOrd Treasurer Weston next highest in the
Royal Favour, who soon after dies a Papist ; under an active popish
Queen, the French K's Sister in K Charles's Bosom, of whom he is so
exceeding; fond, as hardly to deny her any Thing ; and the more subtil
Cardinal' Richlieu prime Minister of France knew how to improve
them all for his Master's Interest. And thus, while the French Min-
istry are adding to their K's Dominions, the British are giving up
their's, and chiefly busied in adding new, popish Ceremonies to the
Worship in die CMiurch of Eng, to tlie great Disturbance of the Na-
tion, and \iolently persecuting her pious Ministers who faithfully op-
pose tliem: In short, acting as if they could more easily part with aa
important Province tlian not introduce a popish Ceremony.]
May 6. Mr. Nathaniel Bernard Lecturer at Sepulchei-'s in Lon-
don, preaching at St. Mary's Church in Cambridge, against ' bringing
' the Pelagian Errors into^ our Church, and the Superstitions of the
' Church of Rome into our Worship; as high Altars, Crucifixes,
' Bowings to them, i. e. in plain English worshipping them ; whereby
' they symbolize with the Church of Rome very shamefully ;' Dr.
Cuniber'Vice Chancellor informs Bp Laud thereof: who [gets] him
into the High Commission Court : [wliere] he is most severely sen-
tenced, suspended his Ministry, excommunicated, fin'd a Thousand
Pounds, condemn'd in Cost of Suit, committed to Prison, ; where he
lies sundry Months, being most barbarously used, and almost starved
for want of Necessaries : of which he complains to the Bp by sundry-
Petitions ; but can find no Relief, unless he will make a strange Re-
cantation sent him bytheBp: But refusing to make it, tho' in his
Pctitons he professed his sincere Penitence for any Oversights
and unbeseeming Expressions in his Sermon ; this godly Minister is
a long time detain'd in Prison, miserably abus'd bv" the Keepers, of
which he oft complains without Redress, and in Conclusion utterly
ruin'd for speaking out the Truth. (Jt)
May 26. I [i. e. Bp Laud] consecrate the Lord Treasurer's Chap-
pel at Roehampton : and June 18, at Roehampton, I marry my
Lord Treasurer Weston's eldest Son to the Lady Frances, Daugh-
ter
12 VOL. VII.
80 ANNALS or NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. Scc. 2.
R (»r FruHi-f. K. of Great-Iiritain. K. of" Spain.
1632 Lewis Xm. I! Charles I. || Philip IV.
ter to the I> of Lenox : (Id) one of llie Blood Royal of Seotland, aiul
that with liis Majesty's Consent (»'//) [liy Hp Lands Diarv Lord Trea-
surer Weston dies witliin '3 Years after: and lliishworth tells us he
dies a Papist.]
June 15. [Bp Laud says] Mr. Francis "NVindebank, my old, most
dear FriemI, is sworn ^Secretary of State : which Place 1 obtain'd
for him of my <;racious Master K Charles. (Id) Windebank is a
furious Papist: and ie no soimer settled in liis Place, but he falls to
release and protect Priests, Jesuits, Recusants more tlian any of hi-<
Predecessors and all the Council besides: becoming their special
Patron, as anpears by Fatlier Joseph's Letter from Paris, Nov. 2.";.
1634, &c. {It)
June 20. K Charles f. j^ives by Patent the Province of Maryland
in N. America, to Cvecilius Baron Baltimore, and his Heirs anil As-
signs : [a zealous Papist] liounding said Province Northerly to the
4(ith DejiTee of N Latitude from the K(|uinoctial, wliere [said Patei:t
says] New F-nirland [i. e. the S Side liine tliereof ] is bounded : i. e.
according to the grand Patent oi' New England, dated Nov. o. 1620.
So that then New England and Maryland joined on each other : New
England then reaching from the 40th to the 48th Degrees of N Lati-
tude, and from the Atlantick to the South Sea. And as the known
Design of Maiyland is fur settling Papists under an hereditary Sort
of Sovereign of their ouii Communion; the K gives the Name of the
Province in Honour of his dearest Consort, as he is wont to call her,
and in the Patent gives much higher Powers and Prerogatives to this
Popish Lord, than as far iis 1 tind, the Crown ever bestow'd on any
other Person.]
Oct. 3. 1632. The R a;id eminently pious and learned Mr. John
Cotton, B D, of Bt)st(m in Eng, being forced for his Nonconformity, to
hide from Bp Laud's Pursivants, writes thus to his Consort-^^
' Dear &c. If our heavenly Father be plcas'd to make our Yoke more
'heavy than we did so soon expect : remember I pray thee what we have
'heard, that oui- heavenly Husband the Lord Jesus, when he 1st called
* us to Fellowship with himself, called us unto this Condition, to deny
* ourselves, and to take up our Cross daily, to follow him. And truly,
* the' this Cup be brackisli at the first; yet a Cup of God's mingling is
' doubtless sweet in the Bottom, to such as have learned to make
* it their gi-eatest Happiness to ])artake with Christ, as in his
' Glory, so in the Way that leadeth to it. 'Where I am for
' the
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 81
K.oi France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1632 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. || Pliilip IV.
' tlie present, I am very fitly and welcomely accommodated, I thank
' God : so as I see here I might rest desired enough till my Friends at
' Home shall direct further. They desire also to see thee here, but
' that I think it not safe yet, till we see how God will deal with our
• Neighbours at Home : for if you should now travel this Way, I fear
' you will be watched and dogged at the Heels. But I hope shortly
• God will make Way for thy safe Coming. The Lord watch over
•you all for Good, and reveal himself in the Guidance of all our Affairs.
• So with my Love to thee, as myself, I rest, desirous of thy Rest and
'Peace in him. J.C.
(From liis Original Letter in Mss)
III. The most material Events among Foreign Nations.
War continues between the Dutch and Spaniards.
In Germany — the K of Sweden having Wintered at Mentz ; Tilly
gathers a great Army, gets into Bavaria, breaks down the Bridges on
The Danube, and strongly lines the S Side of the River to stop the K
from passing. But in Slarch, the K witli 24 Thousand marches to
the Danube, takes the strong City of Donawert on tlie N Side of the
River at the Entrance of Bavaria : and on April 6, in a fierce Opposi-
tion ])asses over ; when Tilly receiving a Musket shot in his Thigh, a
few Days after, dies. Upon which the K reduces Bavaria and Swa~
bia : and by tlie beginning of June had either subdu'd or drawn to liis
Party all the Lower and ^liddle Pai-t of Germany from the Baltick
Sea to the Alps on the Enti-ance of Italy, near 500 Miles together.
But the Emperor's Forces all joining under Walstein, making an
Army of 20 Thousand Horse and 40 Thousand Foot, besides 5
Thousand Crabats, and breaking into Saxony; the K collects his
Forces, forms an Army of near 50 Thousand, marches to them, finds
them most advantagiously posted and strongly intrench'd at Lut-
zen. Yet, Nov. 6, in the Morning, after his Chaplain praying
Avith him, and other Ministers at the Heads of their Regiments ; He
rides from one to another, making animating Speeches to them,
To fight valiantly this Day on tiie Name of God and for their Re-
ligion : The Soldiers answering with joyful Acclamations, He
then calls out — And now my Hearts let us on bravely against our
Enemies, and the God of Heaven prosper our Endeavours ! Then lift-
ing up his Eyes to Heaven, cries aloud — Jesus, vouchsafe this Day to
be my strong Helper, and give me Courage to fight for thy Glory and
for the Honour of thy Name ! then drawing his Sword, waves il over
hi^
82 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of Vrancp. K. of (ireutrlivitnin. K. of Spain.
I63^i Lewis XIII. (| Chaileg I. il Philip IV.
his Head, advances the foremost of all his Anny, most -disadvanfa-
fiously attacks their Trenches : and after the ti'ercest Coiillict of 9
[ours, kills 4 Thousand, wounds as many more, and beats them
awav. But near the End of the Battle, an OHicer of the (,'urasseirs,
who' knew the K, comes up, cries out — This is the ri^ht Bird, and
shoots iiim thiough the Body, of which he soon falls oH' his Horse and
dies, in the 38th Year of his Age, to the inexpressible Loss of the
Protestant Interest He had been eng;as>;ed in successive AVais
\vith the Poles, Danes, Muscovites, Poles again, &c. from the 18th
Year of his Age, almost continually to the Hay of his Deaih : in all
which he came oft" Conqueror : and his Enemies gave this Testimony
of him, that He was the bravest Enemy, and tlie best Captain that
ever was in Christendom. A little befoie, he told his Chaplain ; that
he tho't God would ere long take him away, because the People
did so overvalue and deifie him. A Soldier wrote the following Dis-
tich on the field of Battle.
Upon this Plf^ce the great Gustavus Dy'd,
While Victory lay bleeding by his Side.
1633.
[The Reasons why no more come to the Massachusetts in 1C31
and 32, seems to be these j (1) the Undertaking being so hazardous,
over so great an Ocean, of 3 Thousand Miles, to a hideous Wilder-
ness possess'd with barbarous Indians ; many in England then op-
press'd for their pure scriptural Religion and breathing after Liber-
ty to enjoy the same, were willing to see how the 1st grand Trans-
portation with the Power of Government fared, before they were free
to venture themselves and Ijieir Families : (2) the grievous Sickness
and Mortality, with the extream Straits of the People for want of
Food and convenient Housing, who came in 1630, which they in Eng-
land had Intelligence of, was very discouraging ; (3) divers discouraged
went back to England in the Fall of 1 630, and Spring of 1631, who nev-
er return'd ; and divers discouraging Letters were also sent by others
disparaging this Country, as very cold, sickly, rocky, barren, unfit for
Culture, and like to keep the People miserable : (4) above all, the vio-
lent Entleavours of Morton, Gardiner, Ratcliff and others, making
a very powerful Interest to prejudice the Court of England against
them,
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 83
K, of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1633 Levx-is XIII. || Charles I. || Philip IV.
them, overturn their Government and destroy their Liberties ; which
after all rendered them very precarious.]
[Nevertheless, by the Health and Produce of the Earth in 1631,
tho' they have yet no other Means to tare up the bushy Lands but
their Hands and Hoes ; (j) with Vindications of the Country and Gov-
ernment ; and by the Oppressions growing in England, thro' the rising
Power of the young Queen a very zealous and active Papist, the ex-
tream Fondness of the K for her, and the persecuting Spirit of Bp
Laud under her; there come over in 1631, about 90; and in 1632,
near 250 more. But on January 19, 1632,3, the Privy Council in
Eng making an Order in Favour of the N E Patentees, and their con-
tinued Liberties ; far greater Numbers are encourag'd to come in
1633, and every Year for 7 Years after ; not only increasing the for-
mer Towns, Churches and Colonies ; but also swarming into others,
in divers Parts of the Land, as we may see hereafter.]
* Jan. 1. [Tuesday] Mr. Edward Winslow chosen Gov
* of Pc ; Mr. Bradford having been Gov about 10 [irdecd
* near 12] Years, and now by Importunity gets off. (rv)
* Mr. William Bradford, Capt. Miles Standish, Mr. John
'Rowland, Mr. John Alden, Mr. John [Doan, The Pnnter
* of Mr. Secretary Morton by Mistake printing Dove] Mr.
'Stephen Hopkins, and Mr. William Gilson, chosen
' Assistants. {??i) ' The 1st Time of 7 Assistants chosen
' in Pc' (h) which Number continues as long as their
Government subsists.]
About the Beginning of this Month, the Pinnaces which
went after the Pirate returns ; the Cold being so great,
they could not pursue them : But in their P-eturn hang-
ed up at Richmond's Isle, Black Will an Indian, one of
those who had there murther'd Walter Bagnal : 3 of the
Pirates Company run from them and come Home, (w)
Jan. 9. Mr. [Thomas] Oliver, a right godly Man, and
[Ruling] Elder of the Church of Boston, having 3 or 4
of his Sons all Young, cutting Wood on the Neck ; one of
them being 15 Years old, has his Brains beat out with
the Fall of a Tree he had fell'd : The good old Father
hearing the News in as awful a Manner as might be,
by another Boy his Brother, calls his Wife (being also a
very
84 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. o{ Cwreat-Iiritain. K. of Spriti.
l6Sr> Lewis XIH. || Charles 1. || Philip IV.
very godly Woman) and goes to Prayer, and bares it
with much Patience and Honour, (w)
Jan. 17. Gov Winthrop having Intelligence from the
East, that the French had bougkt the Scots Plantation [i. e.
Port-Royal] near Cape-Sable, the Fort and Ammunition
delivered to them, and that the Cardini^l [Richlieu] having
the managing thereof, had sent some Commanders al-
ready, and Preparations made to send many more next
Year [i. e. next Spring] and divers Priests and Jesuits
among them ; calls the Assistants to Boston [with] the
Ministers, Captains and some other chief Men, to advise
what is fit to be done for our Safety ; in Regard the French
are like to prove ill Neighbours, being Papists. At which
Meeting tis agreed (1) That a Plantation and Fort be
forthwith begun at Natasket ; partly to be some Block in
an Enemy's Way, tho' it could not barr his Entrance,
and especially to prevent an Enemy from taking that
Passage from us ; (2) That the Fort begun at Boston be
finished ; (3) That a Plantation be begun at Agawam
(being the best Place in the Land for Tillage and Cattle;)
least an Enemy finding it, should possess and take it from
us ; the Gov's Son being one of the Assistants is to un-
dertake this [new Plantation] and to take no more out of
the Bay than 12 Men, the Rest to be supplied at the
Coming of the next Ships, (w)
Feb. 21. Gov. [Winthrop] and 4 Assistants, with 3 Mi-
nisters, and 18 others, go in 3 Boats to view Natasket ; the
Wind W, fair Weather : but the Wind rises at N W so
sharp and extream Cold, that they are kept there two
Nights, being forced to lodge on the ground in an open
Cottage, on a litde old Straw which they pulled from the
Thatch : Their Victuals also grow short, so that they
are forced to eat Muscles : Yet thro' the Lord's special
Providence, they come all safe Home the 3d Day after.
On view of the Place it is agreed by all, that to build a
Fort there, would be of too great Charge and of little
Use: Whereupon the Planting of that Place isdefer'd. (w)
' Feb.
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 85
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain, K. of Spain.
1G33 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. H Philip IV.
' Feb. 22. The Ship William arrives at Plimouth, with
* some Passengers and Goods for the Massachusetts : But
* she comes to set up a Fishing at Scituate, and so to go
' to Trade at Hudson's River.' (rv)
By this Ship we have Intelligence from our Friends in
England, that Sir F Gorge and Capt. Mason (upon the In-
stigation of Sir C. Gardiner, Morton and RadclifF) had
preferred a Petition to the Privy Council against us,
charging us wirh very false Accusations : But through
the Lord's good Providence, and the Care of our Friends
in England, especially Mr. Emanuel Downing (who had
married the Gov's Sister) and the good Testimony of
Capt. Wiggen (who dwelt at Piscataqua, and had been
divers Times among us) their malicious Practises took
not Effect. The principal Matter they had against us
was, the Letters of some indiscreet Persons among us,
who had wrote against the Church Government in Eng-
land, &.C. which had been intercepted, (w)
March 4. Court at Boston : Present [same as on Sept.
4 last] (1) The Court Reverses the last Act against Mr.
Bachelor, which restrained him from further gathering a
Church within this Patent. (2) A Man ordered to be set
in the Bilboes, disfranchised and fined X. 10 for speaking
reproachful and seditious Words against the Government,
&c. (3) For Maintenance of Capt. Patrick and Captain
Underhill, for half a Year ; cessed
1 Boston, L.5 4 Waterton, L. 6
2 Charlestown, 4 5 Newtown, 6
3 Roxbuiy, 6 6 Medford,
jL. 30
(4) A Man convicted of taking away Corn and Fish from
diverse last Year, and This, as Clapboards, &c. [The 1st
notorious Thief in the Massachusetts {ctr] is censured
[thus] all his Estate forfeited ; out of which double Restitu-
tion shall be made to those whom he hath wronged ; shall
be whip'd, and bound as a Servant to any that shall retain
him
S6 ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. 2.
K. of France. K. of Great- lirituliu K. of Spain.
1633 Lewis XUl. H Charles 1. !i Philip IV.
him for 3 Years, and after to be disposed of by the Court
as they shall think meet. (5) 18 take their Oath of Free-
men ; as,
William Heath, William Brackenburj, &,c. (Mcr)
Last Summer, the Corn in the Mc, thro' Worms, Cold
and wet Weather, greatly failing ; [see Aug. 14, last]
there coming very litde last Year from England ; and this
Winter proving very sharp and long : People are gene-
rally exceedingly pinched for Provisions, (c?r) [and Capt.
Clap says— -] Many a Time, if I could have fill'd my
Belly, though with mean Victuals, it would have been
sweet unto me. Fish was a good Help to me and others.
Bread was so very scarce, that the Crusts of my Father's
Table [in England] would have been sweet to me : And
when 1 could have Meat, Water and Salt boil'd together,
it was so good, as who could wish better ? [cc) But it
pleased God to send an unexpected and early Supply to
help us : For in the /; of March arrives, from Virginia,
Mr. Stretton, in a Vessel with Indian Corn ; which he
sells for 10s. [Sterling] per Bushel, {ctr.)
March. The Gov's Son, John Winthrop, [Esq;] goes
with 12 more, to begin a Plantation at Agawam, (after-
wards called Ipswich), {rv)
April 1. Coyrt at Boston : Present- -[same as Sept 4
last, except Winthrop, Jun.] (1) Order that no Person go
to plant or inhabit Aggawam, without Leave of the Court,
except those already gone, viz.
Mr. John Winthi-op, Jun. John Gage,
Mr. Clerk, Thomas Hardy,
Robert Coles, William Perkins,
Thomas Howlet, Mr. Thorndike,
John Biggs, William Sergeant.
(2) 3 take their Oath of Freemen. {Mcr}
April 10. Arrives at Boston Mr. Hodges, one of Mr.
Peirce's Mates, in a Shallop from Virginia : and brings
News, that Mr. Peirce's Ship was cast away on a Shoal
4 Miles from Feak Isle, 10 Leagues to the N of the Mouth
of
ANNALS OF NEW-ENOLAND. Part. II. Scc. 2. 87
K.. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1633 L6^Vis Xni. II Charles f. i PhUip IV.
of Virginia- Bay, Nov. 2, about Five in the Morning, the
Wind S W, thro* thfc Negligence of one of his Mates
who had the Watch, and kept not his Lead [a sounding]
as he was appointed : They had a Shallop and Boat a-
board : all who went into the Shallop came safe ashore ;
but the Boat sunk by the Ship- Side ; and [12] drowned
in her, and 10 taken up alive into the Shallop : There
were in the Ship 28 Seamen and 10 Passengers j of these
were drowned 7 Seamen^ and 5 Passengers : and all the
Goods lost, except 1 Hogshead of Bever : Next Day the
Ship was broken in Pieces : They were 9 Days in much
Distress before they found any English. 'Plimouth Men
lost 900 Weight of Bever and 200 Otter Skins. Gov.
[VVinthrop] lost in Bever and Fish, near L. 100. Many
others lost Bever, and Mr. Humfrey Fish, (w)*
* ' April 7. Come to our Hand [at Plymouth] Mr. Peirce's Letter
' from Virginia, dated Dec. 25. 1632. [as follows]
♦ Dear Friends &c ! The Bruit of this fatal Stroke that the Lordt
• hath bro't on me and you all, will come to your Ears before this
' coines to your Hand, it is like : and therefore I shall not need to
' enlarge. My whole Estate for the most Part is taken away : and
' yours in a great Measure by this and your formet- Losses [He means
* by the French aiid Mr. Allerton. (br)l It is Time to look about us
• before the Wrath of the Lord brake forth to utter Destruction. The
' good Lord give us all Grace to search our Hearts and try our Ways*
" and turn to the Lord, and hmnble ourselves under his mighty Hand,
' and seek Atonement, &c. Dear Friends, you may know that all
* your Bever [the 1st Loss we sustain in this Kind (6r)] and the
' Books of your Accounts are swallow'd up in the Sea. But what should
" I more say ? Have we lost our outward Estates ; yet a happy Loss if
• our Souls may gain : there is yet more in the Lord Jehovah than
' ever we had m the World. O that our foolish Hearts could yet be
' Weaned from the Things here below, which are Vanity and Vexation
' of Spirit : and yet we Fools catch after Shadows that fty away and
' are gone in a Moment &c. Thus with my continual Remembrance
* of you in my poor Desires to "tlie Throne of Grace, beseeching
' God to renew his Love and Favour to you sdl in and thro' the
13 VOL. VI^
88 ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. SeC. 2.
K of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1633 LcM'is XIll. It Charles I. |1 Philip IV.
' Lord Jesus Christ, both in Sniiitural and Temporal o;ood 'rhinj!:s, as
* maybe most to the Glory ami Prai-se of his Name and your everlast-
' ing Good. So 1 rest your afflicted Brother in Christ.
William Pkirce.
The Winter's Frost being extracted forth of the Earth ;
they fall to tearing up the Roots and Bushes with their
Hoes. Even such Men as scarce ever set Hand to Labour
bf/fore, Men of good Birth and Breeding, but coming
thro' the Strength of Christ, readily rush thro' all Diffi-
culties, cutting down the Woods, inclose Corn-Fields.
The Corn they chiefly plant before they have Ploughs, is
Indian Grain ; whose Increase is very much beyond all
otiier, to the great refieshing the poor Servants of Christ
in their low Beginnings. And here the Lord's Mercy
appears much, in that Those who had been bro't up
tenderly, can now contentedly feed on bare and mean
Diet, as Pumkins, 'till Corn and Cattle Increase, fjj
May. The William and Jane, in 6 Weeks from London,
arrives [at Boston] with 50 Passengers, and 10 Cows, or
more, fivj
The Mary and Jane,(or Mary and John, {br) in 7 Weeks
from London, arrives [at Boston] brings 196 Passengers
(only 2 Children died) Mr. Coddington one of the Assist-
ants with his Wife come in her. In her Return she is cast
away on the Isle Sable : but [the] Men are saved, fwj
By these Sliips we understand, that Sir C Gardiner, T
Morton and Philip Ralcliff, who had been punished here
for their Misdemeanours,had Petition'd the K and Council
against us ; being set on by Sir F Gorges and Capt.Mason,
who had begun a Plantation at Piscataqua, and aim'd at
the General Government of N. E. for their Agent here
Capt. Neal. The Petition was of many Sheets of Paper,
and contained many false Accusations : ' accusing us to
' intend Rebellion, to have cast off our Allegiance, and
* to be wholly separate from the Church and Laws
* of England ; that our Ministers and People did
'.continually rail against the State, Church and
* Bishops there, &.C.* Upon which such of our Com-
pany
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II ScC. 2. 89
K. o( France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1G33 Lewis XIII. U Charles I. i| Philip IV.
pany as were then in England, viz. Sir Richard Saltonstall,
Mr. Humfry and Mr. Gradock [who was 1st Gov in Eng-
land and Ratcliff's Master] were called before a Committee
of the Council, to whom they delivered an Answer in
Writing. Upon reading whereof, it pleased the Lord
our most gracious God and Protector, so to work with
the Lords, and after with the King, when the whole Mat-
ter was reported to him, by Sir Thomas Jermin, one of
the Council (but not of the Committee, who yet had
been Present at the 3 Days Hearing, and spake much
in Commendation of the Gov, both to the Lords, and after
to His Majesty) that He [i. e. the K] said, * He would
* have them severely punished, who did abuse his Gov,
* and the Plantation ;' that the Defendcnts were dismissed
with a favourable Order* for their Encouragement ; be-
ing assured from some of the Council, that His Majes-
ty did not intend to impose the Ceremonies of the Church
of England upon us, for that it was considered that it was
the Freedom I'rom such Things that made People come
over to us : And it was [represented] to the Council,
that this Country would in Time be very beneficial to
England for Masts, Cordage, &c. if the Sound [i. e. the
Passage to the Baltick] should be debaried. (^ivj
* Mr. William Bradford of Plimouth writes thus — • I will give
* Hint of God's Providence in preventing the Hurt that might have
♦ come by Sir C Gardiner's Means and Malice complying with others.
* The Intelligence I had by a Letter from my much honoured and be-
• loved Friend Mr. John Winthrop, Gov of the Massachusetts.
" Sir, Upon a Petition exhibited by Sir Christopher Gardiner,
" Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Capt, Mason, &c. against you and us, the
" Cause was heard beiore the Lord's of the Privy Council, and after
" reported to the King ; the Success whereof makes it evident to all,
" that the Lord hath Care of liis People here ; the Passages are admira-
** ble and too long to write : I heartily wish an Opportunity to impart
" them unto you, being many Sheets of Paper ; but the Conclusion was,
** against all Mens Expectation, an Order for our Encouragement, and
" much
90 ANWALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part 11. Sec. 2.
1
K. of France. K. of Grmt-Britaiv, K. of Spain.
16S3 Lewis XIII. I| Charles I. H Philip IV.
" mucli Blame and Disgrace upon the Advepsaries, which calls fw
" much TLinkfulneas from us all, which w-e purpose (ihe Ix)jd willing)
" to express in a Day of Thanksgiving to *)ur merciiul God, (I doubt
" not but you will consider if it be not fit for you to join in it;) who
" as he hath humbled us by his late Correction, so he hath lilted us up
" by an abundant rejoicin;^; in our Deliverance out of so desperate a
" Danger ; so as that which our Enemies built their Hopes upon to
" ruin us, he hath mercifully disposed to our great Advantage, as I
" shall further acquaint you wlien Occasion shall serve.
" The Copy of the Order follows.
" At the Court at Whitehall, the 19th of January 16S2.
*f Sigillum Crescent,
" Lord Privy-Seal. '* Lord Cottington.
" Karl of Dorset. " Mr. Ti-'r.
" Lord Vicount Falkland. " Mi-. Vice-Chambr.
•' Lord Bishop of London. " Mr. Sec Cook.
« Mr. Sec Windebank.
Whereas his Majesty hath lately been infomaed of great Distraction
and much Disorder in the Plantation in the Parts of America called
New-England, wiiich if they be true, and suffered to run on, would
tend to the great Dishonour of this Kingdom, and utter Ruin of that
Plantation : for Prevention whereof, and for the orderly settling of
Government, according to the Intention of those Patents which have
been granted by his Majesty, and from his late Royal Father King
James ; it hath pleased his Majesty that the Lords and others of his
most honourable Ptlvy Council sliould take the same into Considera-
tion : Their Lordsliips in the first Place tliought fit to make a Com-
mittee of this Board, to take Examination of the Matters informed :
which Committee having called divers of the principal Adventurers
iri that Plantation, and heard those that are Complainants against
them ; most of the Things informed being denied, and resting to be
proved by Parties that must be called from that Place, which required
a long Expence of Time, and at present their Lordships finding the
Adventurers were upon Dispatch of Men,Victualsand Merchandize for
that Place, all which would be at a stand if the Adventurers should have
Discouragement, or take Suspition that the State here had no good Opin-
ion of that Plantation ; their Lordships not laying the Fault, or Fancies
(if any be) of some particular Men upon the General Government, or
principal
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II, ScG. 2. 91
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1633 Lewis XIII. || Charles I. il Philip IV.
principal Adventurers, which in due Time is further to be enquired
into ; have thought fit in the mean Time to declare, that the Appear-
ances were so fair, and Hopes so great, tliat the Country would prove
both beneficial to this Kingdom, and profitable to the particular Ad-
venturers, as that the Adventurers had Cause to go on cheerfully
with their Undertakings, and rest assured, if Things were carried as
was pretended when the Patents were granted, and accordingly as by
the Patents it is appointed. His Majesty would nt)t only maintain the
Liberties and Privilcdges heretofore granted, but supply any Thing
further that might tend to the good Government, Prosperity and Com-
fort of his People there of that Place, &c.
William Trumball.
P^. B. I have taken all this exactly as wrote in Gov Bradford's
Mss : By which it seems, that by Mr. Tr'r is meant Mr. Treasurer
Weston, and not Trevers as printed in Mr. Morton.]
We [had] sent a Pinnace after the Pirate Bull : But
[when] she had been forth 2 Weeks, she [now] comes
Home, having not found Him. (^wj*
* [Capt. Clap gives this Account of said Pirate — • There arose
* up against us one Bull, who went to the Eastward a Trading, turned
' Pirate, took a Vessel or two, plundered some Planters thereabouts,
' and intended to return into tl\e Bay, and do Mischief to our Ma^ds-
* trates here in Dorchester and other Places : But as they were weigh-
.' ing Anchor [at Pemaquid — (see last Dec] one of Mr. Short (or
' Shurt (w) his Men shot from the Shore and struck the principal Ac-
* tor dead, and the Rest were fill'd with Fear and Horror. They having
' taken one Anthony Dicks, Master of a Vessel, endeavoured to per-
* swade him to pilot them to Viijjinia, but he would not. They told
* liim, they were fill'd with sucli Fear and Horror, tl>at they were afraid
* of the very Rattlings of the Ropes : This Mr. Dirks told me with -his
* own Mouth. These Men fled Eastward ; and Bull got into Eng-
* land : But God destroy'd this wretched Man. Thus the Lord saved
* us froDi their wicked Device against us. (c)
May 29. General Court at Boston : Present, Gov, D Gov,
Mr. Treasurer [Pynohon] Mr. Nowell, Coddington, Win-
throp, jun. S. Bradstreet : Chuse John Winthrop, Senior,
Esq; by general Erection of Hands,Gov; Thomas* Dudley,
Esq; D.Gov ; Roger Ludlow,Esq; John Endicot, Esq; Mr.
William
92 ANNALS or NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2.
K.. o[' France. k. ot in.ut-Hritaui. [\.. n{ Spahi.
Ifisr, rewisXlll. 1] Charles I. I] PliilioJV.
William Pyiichon, Mr. Wiiii.nn Coddingion, Mr. In-
crease Nowell, Mr. John VV'inilirop, Jun. Mr. Simon
Bradstreet, Sir R. SaltonsUill, and John HumiVcy, Esq;
Assistants, lor the Year ensuing-, (il/cr.)
' This Sprin«^, especially all the Monih of May, there
* are such [Numbers] of a great Sort of Flies, like for
* Bigness to Uumble-Bees, which come out ol' Holes in
' the Ground [in Pc] replenish all the \\ oods, eat the
* green Things, and make such a constant yelling Noise,
' as all the Woods ring of them, and [deafens] ihe Hear-
' ers. The Indians tell us that Sickness will follow : and
* so it [proves] in June, July and August. They have
' not by the English been heard or seen before or since
' (6r) [i. e. to the Beginning of 1647, when Gov. Brad-
' ford ends his History : but have in like Manner at dis-
' tant Periods risen up since, and are known by the Name
* of Locusts.']
June 2. Capt Stone arrives with a small Ship [at Bos-
ton] with Cows and Salt, (w)
* Mr. John Doan, being formerly chose to the Office
* of a Deacon in the Church [of Plymouth] at the Re-
' quest of the Church and Himself, is freed from the Of-
' fice of Assistant in the Commonwealth. (Per J
June 11. Court at Boston : Present, Gov, D. Gov, Mr.
Ludlow, Mr. Treasurer [Pinchon] Mr. Nowell, Cod-
dington, VVinthrop, jun. S. Bradstreet. (1) Appoint the
19ih of this Month to be kept as a Day of Thanksgiving
through the several Plantations [of the Mc] (2) 8 take
their Oath of Freemen. (McrJ
June 15. Mr. Graves, in the Ship Elizabeth, from
Yarmouth, in 6 Weeks, arrives at Boston, with 95 Pas-
sengers, 34 Dutch Sheep, and 2 Mares : lost not one
Person, but above 40 Sheep, (wj
June 19. A Day of Thanksgiving kept in all the Con-
gregations [of the Mc] for our Deliverance from the Plots
of our Enemies, and for the safe Arrival of our Friends,
?ic. (wJ
June
ANNALS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 95
K. of Fruhce. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1633 Lewis XIll. || Charles I. (| Philip IV.
June 24. Mr. James Sherley of London, Merchant, writes
thence to Gov Bradibrd and other Partners at Plimouth in
N. E. thus — 'I pray God to bless you, that you may
' discharge this great and heavy Bui then which now lies
* on me for your S.ikes, and 1 hope in the End, for the
* Good of you and many Thousands more : For had not
* you and we join'd and continu'd together, N. E. might
* yet have been scarce known ; I am persvvaded not soVe-
* plenished with such honest English People as now it is :
* The Lord increase and bless them.' (^br)
July 2. Court at Boston : Present [same as June II.
with Mr. Endicot] (I) Give L.lOO to the Gov, for this
present Year, towards his publick Charges andextraordina^
ry Expenses : (2) A Man fined 30s. for Drunkenness on
the Sabbath-Day, at Marblehead [till now in the Records
call'd Marble-Habour] (3) dder that no Person sell ci-
ther Wine or Strong Water, without Leave of the Gov or
D Gov : And no Man shall sell or (being in a Course of
Trading) give any Strong Water to any Indian : (4) That
if any Corn-Fence shall be by the Inhabitants of the Town
judg'd insufficient, and the Owner thereof forbare mend-
ing it more than 2 Days alter Warning given ; the In-
habitants shall mend said Fence, and the Corn of the
Owner of said Fence shall be liable to pay the Charge of
Mending: (5) That it shall be lawful for any Man to
kill any Swine that comes into his Corn ; the Party that
owns the Swine is to have them being killed, and allow
Rccom pence for the Damage they do. (Mcr)
* We [at Plimouth] having had formerly Converse and
* Familianiy with the Dutch ; they seeing us seated in a
* barren Quarter, told us of a River call'd by them the Fresh
' River, u hich they often commended to us for a fine
' Place both for Plantation and Trade, and wished us
* to make Use of it : But our Hands being full other-
* wise, we let it pass. but afterwards there coming a
i Company of Indians into these Parts, who were driven
* thence by the Pequents [or Pequots] who usurped upon
' them ;
y4 ANNALS of NEW-ENGLAND. Part. II. ScC. i,'.
K.. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1633 Lewis XIII. (( Charles I. || Philip IV.
' them ; they often soUicitcd us to go thither, and we
* should have much Trade, especially if we wor.ld keep a
' House there. And having good Store of Commodities,
' we bcg;\n to send that Wav, to discover the same, and
* trade with the Natives. We found it to be a fine Place,
* and tried divers Times, not without Profit : But saw the
* most Certainty would be by keeping a House there, to
* receive the Trade when it comes down out of the Inland.
' These Indians not seeing us very forward to build there,
* sollicited those of the Massachuscts in like Sort ; for
' their End was to be restored to their Country again ; But
' they in the Bay being but lately come, were not fit for the
' same. [See April 4, 1631 : By which it seems as if
* the Plimouth Partners had sent divers Times up Con-
* necticut-River, and traded there, before April 1631,
* tho' they set not up a House till now.] fbrj
* But some of the Chief in the Mfe, made a Motion to
'join with the Partners Here [at Plimouth] to trade jointly
' with them at that River, which we were willing to em-
' brace, and so have built and put in equal Stock together.
' A Time of Meeting was appointed at the Massachusetts,
' and some of the Chief here [at Plimouth] are appointed
' to treat with them, and go accordingly, fbrj
* July 12. Mr. Edward Winslow, Gov of Plimouth, and
* Mr. Bradford come into the Bay, to confer about joining
* in a Trade to Connecticut for Bever and Hemp : There
* was a Motion to set up a Trading-House there, to prevent
* the Dutch who are about to build one : But in Regard
* the Place is not fit for Plantation, there being 3 or 4
* Thousand Warlike Indians, and the River not to be gone
* into but by small Pinnaces, having a Bar affording but
' 6 Foot at high Water, and for that no Vessels cao get
' in for 7 Months in the Year by Reason of Ice, &c ; we
* tho't not fit to meddle with it. (^ivj
* The Massachusetts Gentlemen casting many Fears of
* Danger and Loss, tell us, they have no mind to it. We
' then Answer, we hope it will be no Offence to them if we
ANNAtS OF NEW-ENGLAND. Part II. ScC. 2. 95
K. of France. K. of Great-Britain. K. of Spain.
1633 Lewis XIII. !l Charles I. || Philip IV.
' go without them : They said, there is no Rea-^on [it]
' should A nd thus this Treaty breaks off, and we cotne
*away (^drj July 18. fwj And those [at Pliniouth] take
* convenient Time to make Beginning there [of Building]
* and are thr 1st English that both discovered that Place
' and built in the same, {"brj
* But the Dutch begin now to repent : And hearing of
* our Purpose and Preparation, endeavour to prevent us,
* get in a little before us, make a slight Fort, and plant
* 2 Peeces of Ordnance, threatning to stop our Passage.
* But we having a great new Bark, and a Frame of a
' House [with] Boards, Nails, &c. ready, that we might
* have a Defence against the Indians who are much of-
* fended that we bring Home and restore the right Sachems
* of the Place called Natawanute ; so as we are to encoun-
*ter with a double Danger in this Attempt, both the
' Dutch and Indians : When we come up the River, the
* Dutch f'emand what we ii.tend, and whither we would
' go ? We answer, Up the River to Trade : Now our Or-
* der was to go and seat above them. They bid us strike
* and stay, or they would shoot us : and stood by their
* Ordnance ready fitted. We answer, We have a Commis-
' sion from the Gov of Plymouth to go up the River to such
* a Place ; and if they shoot, we mutt obey our Order and
' proceed j we would not molest them, but wou'd go on : So
* we pass along, and the Dutch threaten us hard, yet they
* shoot not. Coming to our Place (about a Mile above
* the Dutch) [since call'd Windsor, ("wj and below the
* South-Side Line of ihe Massachusetts Patent] we quickly
* clap up our House, land our Provisions, leave the Com-
' pany appointed, send the Bark Home, and afterwards
' Palisade our House about and fortify better. The Putch
* send Word Home to tiie Monhatos, what was done :
' And in Process of Time, they send a Band of about 70
* Men in warlike Manner, with Colours display'd, to
' assault us : But seeing us strengthened, and that it
' would cost Blood, they come to a Parley, and return in
* Peace :
14 VOL. VII,
96 ANXAi-s OF NEW- ENGL AN]). Part IT. Scc. 2.
K of Francr. K. of (ivt'iil-liritain. K. of Spain.
1053 Lewis MIL H ("luirles 1. |; l>liiiip IV.
* Peace : and this was our Entrance there : V\'e did the
* Diitcli no Wrons^ : for we took not a I'oot of" any Land
' they bouu^ht ; but went to tlie Place above them, and
' boui^ht that Tract of Land which belont^'d to the In-
' dians we carried with us and our Friends, with, whom
* the Dutch had nolhir.g- to do. (/;r)
July 24. A Ship from Weymouth, arrives [at Bostor^]
with 80 Passengers (and 12 Kine) who set do\\ n at Dor-
chester, they were 12 Weeks coming; b< ing forc'd into
the \V estern Islands by aLeak, where tiiey stay 'd 3 Weeks,
and were very courteously used by the Portugals ; but the
Extremity of the Heat there, and the continual Rains
bro't Sickness upon them, so as [several died.] (rv)
* June, July and Aug. It pleases God to visit u.s [at
* Plimouth] with an infectious Fever, of which many tall
* very sick and upwards of 20 die. Men and Women, (be-
' sides Children) and ol them sundry [who were] oui an-
* cient Friends in Holland as Thomas Blossom, with oth-
* ers ; and in the End, Samuel Fuller, our Surgeon and
' Physician ; who has been a great Help and Comfort to
* us, as in his Faculty, so otherwise, being a Deacon of
' the Church, godly, and forward to do Good, much miss'd
* after his Death ; all v. hich cause nuich Sndness and
* Mourning aniongus: [and move] ustohumbleourselves
'and seek the Lord i)y Fasting- and Prayer— who was in-
' treated of us : {mo) For towards Winter, it pleas'd the
' Lord, the Sickness ceased. This Disease also swept away
* many of the Indians from all the Places near [us.] (Or)
Aug. 5. (ii') Two Men St.rvants to John Mood} ol Rox-
bury that were ungoclly, especially one who in his Passion
would wish himself in Hell, and use desperate Words, yet
had a good Measuie of Knowledge, against the Council
of their [Ma-ier] uouid go in a Boat to the Oy&ter Bank,
where they lie all Nigiit. In the Morning early (Aug. 6.
(7:;) when the 'i'ide is out, they gathering Oysters, leave
their Boat [unfastened] on the Verge of the Channel,
and quickly the Tide carries it so far into the Chaimel,
that
BosTos, May 28, 1755.
Sir.
THE New-England ANNALS wanting the Remarkables of Your
Place, and the Composer being loth to omit them, that so the Work
may be ascompleat as jiossible You are therefore earnestly desired
to send your Communications as soon as may be, on the tbllowing
Heads,
1. When your Town was granted and settled, what its origina.1 In-
dian Name, to what County first laid ; and if there has been any Al-
teration, what, and when it was.
2. What the Number of Original Shares and Settlers, and from
whence they chiefly came, and what your present Number of Fami-
lies.
3. When the Church was first Gatliered, and what their first and
present Number of Males.
4. Whether you are yet divided into Precincts, how many, when,
and what their "Names, both ancient Indian and present English.
5. Who haye been your Teaching or Ruling Elders, and when call'd,
ordain'd, removed and dyed, at what Age, and where.
6. Wliether you have a Grammar School, and when first set up.
7. How many of your Town have taken their first Degree at College,
whether at Cambridge- or New-Haven, how many at each, and wliat
their Names.
8. The Decease of other Gentlemen of Note among you, such as
Counsellors, Assistants, Justices, Graduates, &c.
9. Whetlier any have Deceas'd among you of 100 Years of Age or
upwards, whether English or Indians, wl\en,and what tlieir Names.
10. Those who have been remarkable for a great Increase of Pos-
terity, their Names, Age, when they Died, and the Number of their
Dffsprinw then of each Generation.
11. AVhat remarkable Works have been among you, as the building
Meeting-Houses, Great Biidges, Forts, &.c. and when.
19. The remarkable Providences that have befallen your Town or
the People in it, from the Beginning to tlie Present Time ; as Earth-
quakes, Tempests, Inundal ions, extraordinary Floods, Droughts, Fires,
Epidemical Sicknesses, awfid Deaths, or any other strange Occur-
rences, as far as can be recollected.
You are desired to be as Precise as possible in tlie Dates, both as to
Year, Month and Day, of all your Articles, as well as Certain in the
Facts related ; that so the Pubiick may depend upon the Truth and
Accuracy of these Collections.
In doing which you will oblige tlie Pubiick, as well as
The Composer,
T. Prince.
acknowledgment of donations. 297
Acknowledgment of Donations.
1 HE thanks of the Massachusetts Historical Society
are presented for the following donations.
A. Holmes, Corresponding Secretary.
A General History of the Land and People of Ameri-
ca. Halle, 1752, S. 4to. 2 vols; Herrera's Notices of
America. iVladnd, 1740. 4to. ; Hans E^ede's Complete
History of the Danish Missions in Greenland. Hamburg,
1740, and the Description of Greenland transl. from
Danish to German. Copenhagen, 1 742 4to ; Philip Fer-
min's Natural History of Surinam. Amsterd. 1765 ; Dis-
sertation sur L' Amerique et les Americains, &:c. par Dom.
Pernety ; Hennepin on America. Bremen, 1699. 18mo.
vellum ; Adelung's Mithridates, on Affinities of Lan-
guage, with Remarks of Valet. 3d Part. 3 vols. 8vo,
Berlin, 1812, 13, 16; Ebeling's American Geography,
vol. 7th. 8vo. Hamb. 1816 ; Pernety ag. Pauw on
America. 8vo. Presented by the late Professor Ebeling^
of Hamburg,
Baretti, Italian Dictionary. 4to. 2 vols, late edition.
Leghorn. The Publisher.
Ancient Greek MS. volume of Confessions made in
a Greek Monastery of Mount Athos, written in the Greek
character used in the time of Constantine X. Porphyro-
genitus, obtained from a monk who belonged to that
Monastery. Rev Thomas Hall, of Leghorn.
C. Morton's Compendium Physicae (MS. copy writ-
ten by J. Gridley, Esq.) Professor Cleaveland.
Historical Account of the Judiciary of Connecticut by
T. Day, Esq. The Author.
Constitution of the Massachusetts Peace Society ;
Circular Letter from that Society to Associations, Pres-
byteries, &c. The Mass- Peace Society,
W. Tudor, jun.'s Discourse before the Humane So-
ciety, 1817 ; Seaman's Friend, No. XI. ; Catalogue ol
Books in the Boston Library, No. 2 ; T. Worcester's
New Chain of Argument against Trinitarianism ; Rev,
15 VOL. VII.
'298 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DONATIONS.
T. M. Harris' Sermon on pra} inq; for the Jews ; Dr.
Ware's Sermon at the Ordination of his Son Henry
Ware, 1817; Circular Inciter of the Mass. Peace So-
cictv, and several other pamplilets. Air. John Eliot.
The Alleghany Magazine ; New York Spectator ; and
Weekly Messenger. The Publishers.
Rev. Martim Moore's Sermon at Natick, containing a
History of said Town from 165i to 1817. The Author,
Piscataqua Evangelical Magazine, vols. 11. and 111.
Plans of Farms, in the early settlement of Massachusetts;
Sermon of Rev. Eli Smith at the Ordination of Stephen
Harley ; do. of Rev. Walter Harris at the Ordination of
Stephen Chapin ; do. of Rev. Dr. Austin at Ordination
of John Milton Whiton ; do. of Rev. Dr. McFarland
at the Ordifiation of Nathan Lord ; First Report of New
Hampshire Bible Society ; D. Everett's Oration ; and
one volume ot the Farmer's Cabinet.
Mr. John I'^armer.
The Constitution of Phillips' Academy in Andovtr.
The Trustees of the Academy.
Historical Sketch of the English Translations of the
Bible, bv a Member of the Massachusetts Bible Society,
1815. ' Dr. Holmes.
Rev. Mr. Lowell's Discourse delivered the Sabbath
after the Execution of Henry Phillips lor the Murder of
Gaspard Denegri ; and his Discourse delivered before
the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, Piety
and Charity. The Author,
Rev. Samuel Deane's Sermon delivered btfore the
Scituate Society for the Suppression of Intemperance,
1817. 'the Author.
The School of Reform, by the Seaman's Friend.
Mrs. Hannah Crocker,
Whipple's Geographical View of the District of Maine.
The Author.
Collections of the New York Historical Society,
vol II. The Society.
Sermons before the Maine Missionary Society by
Rev. Kiah Bailey, Jonathan Ward, Eliphalet Gillet,
Jonathan Scott, and Francis Brown. Rev fFm. Jenks,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DONATIONS. 299
Report of the Select Committee of the Society for
propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in
North America, 1816; Dr. Foster's Sermon before the
Society, with the Report of the Select Committee, 1817.
The Society.
Sermon of Rev. S. Palmer on the death of Col. W lU
liam Mcintosh, 18i3; do. of do. before the military
Company of Exempts, 18H. J he Author,
Address of the Trustees of the Massachusetts Get^eral
Hospital. The Trustees.
Rev. Dr. Sanders' Sermon before the Ancient and
Honourable Artillery Company, 1817. Maj. li. Loring,
Rev. Dr. Worcester's Discourse before the Massachu-
setts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance, 1817.
Br. McKean.
Extracts from the minutes of the General Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church in the United States, 1816.
Ehenezer Hazard^ Esq.
Life of Samuel Johnson LL. D. by Robert Anderson,
M. D. 3d edit. ; *' A Year in Canada," a Poem by Ann
Cuthbert Knight ; " Home," a Poem by do. ; " The
Giant's Causeway," a Poem by William H. Drummond,
D. D. Robert Anderson, M. D.
Address to President Adams from Citizens of Brston,
17y8, with the signers' names. Joseph May, Esq.
MS. copy of Blake's Annals of Dorchester.
Mr. Elisha Clap.
Pierce's Century Sermon at Brookline, 1817; his
Sermon at the Dedication of the Brick Meeting House,
Burlington ( Vt.) ; and do. at the Ordination of S. Clark,
Princeton. The Author.
Catalogue of Williams' College.
Dr. Porter of Plainjield.
Rev. Dr. McKean's Sermon at the Installation of Dr.
Richmond, Dorchester, 1817. The Author.
Letter addressed to Cadvvallader D. Colden, Esq. and
several other pamphlets. fV. S. Shaw, Esq.
Minutes of the Doings in Congress and in several of
the Provinces from 5 September, 1774 to 26 October,
1774, MS. Six Volumes. Deposited by Mrs. Scott.
300 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DONATIONS.
About 300 volumes of books and manuscripts, and
numerous pamphlets, relating to the early History of
New England, selected from the " New Enj^^iand Libra-
ry," the Colle<:tion of the late Rev. Thomas Prince.
Deposited hij the Old South Church and Society
in Boston.
For the Cabinet.
A parcel of the Coin of Jac. 1. and Cha. I. found in
Concord, Mass. Dr. Benjamin Frescot,
Part of a Coat of Armour, belonging to one of the
early Settlers of New England. Bev. S. Palmer,
Several Bullets, lost in Arnold's Expedition against
Quebec in 1775, found in Kennebeck River in 1816.
Projehor Cleaveland,
KND OF VOL. VII. SKCOND SERIES.
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