UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

'781

LIBRARY

COLLECTIONS

, OP THE if^j

MASSACHUSETTS

i/

HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

VOL. IV.

OF THE SECOND SERIES,

BOSTON : MINTED BY JOHN ELIOT, NO. 5, COURT STBBFT^

18)6.

^^y i?/i/. / .cy-UL

CONTENTS.

History.

Article ; Page

I. Continuation of Johnson's Wonder-working Providence • 1

II. Aneciote of the soldiers of Arnold - . - 51

III. Election of Leverett as President of Harvard College 64

IV. Account of Earthquakes - - - - 70

V. Bill of mortality for Amherst, N. H. for ten years - 73

VI. Catalogue of ministers in New Hampshire, 1 767 - 78

VII. History of Free Schools in Plymouth Colony - - 79

VIII. Progress of Vaccination in America - - 97

IX. Russian Voyage of Discovery - - - 98

X. Note on Paper Money - - - - 99

XI. Contribution for building First Vessel at Plymoutli - 99

XII. Non-Conformist's Oath, 1666 - - - 104

XIII. New England's Jonas cast up at London - t 107

XIV. White's Letter to Governour Winthrop - - 198

XV. Deposition of Odlin and others about purchase of Boston 202

XVI. Gage's Instructions and Narrative, «fec. - . 204

XVII. Letter on Episcopacy in Connecticut - - 297 XVIIL Sacred Musick iu Churches - - - 301

Biographi/,

XIX. Memoir of Joshua Scottow - - - 100

Relating to the Indians.

XX. Remarks on Report of Schermerhorn concerning Western

Indians ----- 65

XXI. Correction of an errour as to number of, in Plymouth 302

Topography and Local History.

XXII. Topographical and Historical Description of Sudbury 52

XXI II. do do East Sudbury 60

XXIV. Note on a former note on Billerica - - - 76

XXV. Historical Sketch of Haverhill - - - 121

XXVI. Topographical and Historical Sketch of Freeport 176 XXVIL do do Saco - 184 XXVIIL Historical Sketch of North Hampton, N.H. - 189

XXIX. do of Tyngsborough - - 192

XXX. History and Description of Scituate - - 219

XXXI. Topography and History of Rochester - - 250

XXXII. History and Description of Plympton - - 267 XXXIIL Description of Carver . - - 271

XXXIV. Notes on Halifax - - - 279

XXXV. History of Plympton, (Carver and part of Halifax

inclusive) ... - 283

iy

CONTENTS.

XXXVI Topojn-aphy and IliBtory of Wareham - - 285

XXXVII. Addenda to several articles ou towns in Plymouth

County - - - - . 302

Relating to the Society.

XXXVIII. Note on newly discovered Manuscript Joiu-Qal of Goveruour ^Vinl}^rop - _ .

XXXIX. Donations to the Society

200 304

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF ARTICLES.

1633—1815	xx.x	xxxvii.	1698—1815	xxxii.
1634		XV.	1703	X.
1634—1698		xix.	1707	iii.
1636—1637		i.	1717—1724	xviii.
1636—1815		xxvii.	1722	xvii.
1637—1815	xxxiii. XXXV.	1733—1815	xxxiv.
1638—1815	xxxi	. xxxvii.	1739—1815	xxviii.
1639—1815	xxii. xxiii.	1767	« vi.
1640—1815		XXV.	1775	xvi.
1641		xi.	1780	ii.
1642		xxiv.	1789—1814	xxvi.
1644—1649		XXXV iii.	1789—1815	xxix.
1645—1647		xiii.	1802—1816	viii.
1648		xiv.	1805—1807	iv.
1655—1815		xxxvi.	1805—1815	V.
1663—1771		vii.	1815	is. sx. xxi.
1606		xit.

COLLECTIONS, &c.

Wonder- Working Providence of Sions Saviour,

Being a Relation of the first planting in New England, in the Yeare,

lb28.

[Contiuued from p. 161 of the third volume, second series.]

CHAP. XXXVIII. — Of the placing doivn of many Souldiers of Christ, and gathering the Church of Christ at Sandwitch in Plimouth patten, and further supply for the Churches of Ipswich and Linnel

1 HIS yeare 1636. Sir Henry * Vaine, was chosen Gov- ernour, and John Winthrope Esquire Deputy Governour, the number of Freemen added were about eighty three. This yeare came over the much honoured Mr. Fenwick, a godly and able instrument to assist in helping to uphold the civill Government of the second, and third Colonies here planted, by the Divine Providence of the most high God, hee having purchased the Plantation of Saybrooke Fort, became a good incourager to the (Church of Christ at Hartford, where the reverend Mr. Hooker, and Mr., Stone were Officers. In remembrance of whom a few lines take here.

Fenwick among tliis Christian throng, to -wildernesse doth flee :

There learn'd hast thou, yet further how, Christ should advanced be.

"Who for that end, doth back thee send, their Senator to sit; In native soile, for him still toile, while thou hast season fit,

His Churches peace, do thou not cease, -with their increase to bring, That they and thee, in lasting Glee, may Hallelujah sing.

• Vane. 2 VOL. IV.

% WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 38.

The beginning of this yearc was spent in accommo- dating these new come Guests in the former yeare, whose numbers was necr about three thousand, and now they began to be |x:rswadcd they should be a setled people, not minding the present dangers they were in, as you shall hear anon, onely in the meane time take notice of further supply the Lord Christ was pleased to send be- fore the cattcll increased to its strength, among whom the aged, and long continued Souldiers of Christ Jesus Mr. *Partrich, as also Mr. Nathaniel Rogers an able dis- putant, whose mouth the Lord was pleased to fill with many arguments for the defence of his truth, Mr. Sam- uel NVhiting, who hath also, with keeping to the patterne of sound and wholesome Doctrine, much slopped the spreading Leaven of the Pharises, Mr. Partrich was call- ed to Office at a Townc then named Dukes Berry is Plimoth Government, scituated upon the Sea Coast, where the people of Christ being gathered into a Church, Ordained him to be their Pastor.

Id thine ownc soile well rooted in the truth,

Thou didst stand fast by Prelates power unbow'd. But I.aiulc hives load on Gods foike to his Rulh,

By whom thou tnaysf, no h)i!xer. be alow'd. Then Partrich tijou thy wiii»t; begins to spread

Of i'aith and Jx)ve to flie these long Seas o're, To wilrUnjesse wljere thou Chrisis Lambcs ha«t fed;

A\itirs since re Milke this fourteene yeare and more. But now will) age thy Ahnon Tiee doth nourish.

Yet spreading like the Pahiio 'i lee dost thou stand, Tth liouse of God Christ Hoole thy Boughs do nourisb;

Aud for iby licad he lialh a Crowiie iu s baud.

Mr. Natlianiel Rogers being landed, after a long and tcdiotis \'()vage at Sea, was welcomed by the Church of Christ at Ipswitch, where the Reverend' and Judicious Mr. Nathaniel Ward, aliliough a very able Preacher, and much desired, }et for some naturall infirmity (himselfe l)eing best privy unto ) desired to be unboimd of his in- gagemenl with his people in i)oint of Office : that being left to his liberty, hee might Preach more seldom, iii M'hosc stead the Church' called to Ollicc this Reverend

• Putridjre.

4636.] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 3

and Holy Man of God Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, whose la- bours in this Westerne World, have been very much : a very sweet heavenly minded man, of whom the Author is bold to say as foUoweth :

Through boystrous Seas thy brittle frame of Mau

It safely is in Christ's sweet armes infold, No wonder then thou Aveake dust stotly can

Preach Christs in's truths, why he doth Ihee uphold T Why Rogers he thre over Sea hath fett

Against the day of Battell, now at hand, No sooner are thy feet one those shores set

But Leaders do Christ truth withstand. Undaunted thou these Westerne Fields dost enter,

Filld with the spirits ready sword at hand, Ingage thou wilt thy selfe, 'mongst hardships venter;

Valiant thou foughtst under thy Christ's command. And yet with all men wouldst have peace thy aime,

If deepe to wound, and sweetly then to say, Come to my Christ, hee'l heale your wounds againe ;

Canst but submit hee'l never say thee nay. With learned Method thou Gods Word divides :

Long labouring that each soule may take his part, ^ Thy gratious speech with grave impression bides ;

Thus Christ by thee is pleas'd to win the heart. My Muse lament, NatJianiel is decaying :

Why dost thou grutch him Heaven, such toile hath had, In Christ his Vineyard rather be thou praying;

That in Christs armes he resting may be glad.

Mr. Samuel Whiting was well welcomed by the Church of Christ at *Cawgust, which Towne, being now of age to receive an English name, was called Linn^j where this Reverend man now hath his aboade.

Thy ardent Love, the countlesse Oceans measure

Q,uench cannot, for thy love on him is set, Who ol true love hath aie the depthlesse Treasure,

Doth thine increase, least thou should'st, his forget. ' Love Christ in's truths my Whiting thou hast done ;

Thou wilt not suffer with their leaven soAver, False Doctrines 'mongst thy tender flock to run j

Timely cut off wilt thou all those devour. Samuel mourne not thy strength in Desart's spent :

Rather rejoyce thy Christ makes use of thee Soules to convert, his Kingdomes large extent

From East to West shall shortly setled be,

* Sausas. , -^^i r. ;^

4 WUNDEB-WORKING PROVIDEXCE [CHAP. 39.

Thine £«es and Eares have seeu and heard ^eat things Done bv thy Thrist, thewct he thv toile arcejiis,

Tliroiipli tliv Mcake llesh weaker to dnst heel bring; Thy quickued spirit iucreast in his joy leaps.

CHAP, xxxix. — Of the first appearing in the Field, of the enemies of Chrisls people in point of Hclormaliou.

And now to follow our first simile of a Soiildicr, the Lord Christ having safely landed many a valiant Souldier of his on these Westenie shores, draucs hithj.*r also ihe. common enemies to Reformation, both in Doetrinc uvd Discipline ; But it was for like end, as the Lord sonictinie drew Sisera the Captaine of jabins army to the River Kishon for their destruction, onely herein was a wit'e difference ; there Sisera was delivered into the handi? ol a Woman, and here Sisera was a woman ; their weajions and warre was carnall, these spirituall ; there Jahin was but a man, here Jabin was the common enemy cf ma; is salvation.

In the yearc 1 636. the Angels of the several Churches of Christ in N. England sounding forth their silver Trumpets, heard ever and anon the jarring sound of railing Drums in their cares, striking up an alarunj to the bat- tcll, it being a frequent thing publikely to oppose tlie pure and jjcrfect truths of Christ (delivered by the mouth of his Ministeis) and that by way of question as tlie Phar- iscs, Sadduces and Herodians did Christ. But to bring this disorderly uorke of theirs into some order, for as- suredly could the Author come uj) to relate the full of the matter in hand, it would through the mercy ol" Christ make much for the good of Gods people the World throughout, and helpe to discover the last ( I hope ) but most subtile jjractises of Satan to hinder the Reslauration of the purity of Christs Ordinances in his Churches in all places ; As also used by him and his instruments to di- vert the hands of those, to whom it belongs, from pulling downe Antichrist, to which end he stirreth up some of his instruments ( well educated in the Masking schoole of IIii)pocrisy ) to take upon them this long Voyage, giv- ing them in charge by all nicanes to carry it more close,

1636.] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN 'NEW ENGLAND. 5

then his Jesuites had done, and for their paines they should have the honours to be counted such, as were of a sharper sight, and deeper discerning then any others. Satan, knowing right well that at the fall of Antichrist hee must be chained up for a thousand years, strives with all the wicked craft his long experienced malicious- nesse could possibly invent, to uphold the same, having already perswaded many that his Kingdome was wholy ruinated with our Enghsh Nation, and so diswaded them a long time from further prosecuting against him. But Antichrists Kingdome, as it plainly appeares by Scrip- ture, consists chiefly in twO' parts, his deceaveibie Doc- ^trines, and his Kingly power. The first of these being "in measure abolished, the latter was still retained by the Prelacy, and some Lording Presbytery in greater or les- ser measure, as they could attaine unto it.

Now Satan, who is daily walking to and fro compas- sing the Earth, seeing how these resolved Souldiers of Christ in New England, with indefatigable paines labour- ed, not onely the finall ruine of Antichrist, in both, but also the advance of Christs Kingdome, in setting up daily Churches according to his first institution. Wherefore . he sets upon a new way to stop ( if it were possible) this worke of Reformation, and seeing no other way will serve, he stirs up instruments to cry down Antichrist as much as the most, I and more too, but by this project they should leade people as much out of the way on the other hand, and in the Doctrinall part of Antichrists Kingdome, fall to more horrid Blasphemies then the Pap- ist ( as God willing ) you shall heare some of them did, namely the Gortenist, who most blasphemously professe themselves to be personally the Christ ; and as for the other part of his Kingdome, namely the power or Do- minion of the beast, this they should with all violence batter downe also, but it must be none other then to make way for their owne exaltation, and pay them their wages in the former page promised them, as also withall to orerthrow the authority Christ hath ordained to be continued in his Churches, in and under him, and furthermore to lock up the Sword of Civill Government

a WOXDER-AVOKKIXG PROVIDENCE [cHAP. S9-

for ever, especially in matters that concerne the foiirc first Commands of God, a cunning way to save the beasts head whole.

You hare now heard of the intention, you shall now- sec ihtir actions. The Lord Christ in his boundlesse mercy f^ive all his people eyes to see, and hearts to be- lieve, that alter they have in measure escaped the filthy pollutions of the beast, they may not againe be intangled with ihese damnabled Doctrines, stealing away their hearts bv degrees, under a seeming shew of pulling down Anti- christ. The flmbassadors of Christ Jesus, having full liberty to deliver their masters minde, Preach unto all the Doctrine of Free grace, beseeching them to be re- conciled unto God in Christ, and tliat the revealed will of God is, that all should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, and that God hath given his oncly begotten Son, that whosoever belie veth in him should not perish, l)ut have everlastmg Life. Yet with- oll minding them that Faith is the gift of God, and none can come unto Christ, but such as the Father drawes, and wiihall that the whole will not see any need of the Phisitians, but the sick, adding also, that none can come to the sight of his sicknesse or dead condition but by the Law of G(k1, unlessc they be quicker sighted then the Aposile ; 'I'hcy indevour also to build up others in their holy Faith, that they might come to see the Love of (i(xl in Christ, which passfth knowledge, and to tiiis end they shew iheni the fruits of Faith which worketh by love, and that love will be obedient to all the commands of Christ, who saiih, if you love me kecpe my Commande- ments; And further that Faith j)urities the heart, and that a constant supply must be had from Christ. With Uicsc and the like sound and wholsome truths the Min- isters of Christ feeds their severall flocks in New En- gland, drawingtheir Doetrini s j)lainly from their Text, and »ul)stanti«lly backing tlu n» with store of Scripture, and umkniable reason, .uul then delivering to every Man his portion.

Hut this giKxl oid way would not serve the turne with ceruiinc SccLirici that were hither come, who like cun-

1636] OF SIGNS SAVIOtJR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 7

ning Sophisters, seeing the bent of the peoples hearts (after so many mercies received) was to magnifie the rich Grace of God in Christ ; they began to tell the peo- ple ( yet very privately ) that the most, if not all the Min* isters among them Preached a Covenant of workes, either course or fine, and with a what doe you say to this. They begin to spread their Errors and Heresies, laying the foundation of them as nere the truth as possible they can, the easier to deceive, but in the prosecution, to be sure they ran far enough from it, but to begin ; First, they quarrell with the Doctrine of Faith in Christ, and say, a Soule is justified without it.

CHAP, xjj- Of the cunning policy of Satan in that machcvUlian Prin- ciple, divide and overcome, and of the two first dividing Principles^ by which many errors were brought in.

And verily Satans policy here (as in all places where the Lord Christ is acknowledged) was to Iceepe men from that one right way, by the which hee applies him- selfe to the soule, no marvell then if so many Erroiu^s arise, like those fained heads of Hidra, as fast as one is cut off two stand up in the roome, and chiefly about the uniting of a soule to Christ by Faith. Their Errors in, this point they reported to be the judgement of the Rev- erend and Judicious Mr. John Gotten ; But hee having spoken for himselfe in his answer to Mr. Baily, I for- beare, onely this by the way, take notice of these subtill Projectors, the Erronist I meane, who perceiving this holy man of God Mr. Cotten was, and yet is in great es- teeme with the people of God, for the great grace Christ hath bestowed upon hirri in his deepe discerning the mysteries of godlinesse, as also discerning some little difference betweene him, and the other Elders about this point, comment upon it, and inlarge at their pleasure, and then in daily venting their deceivable Doctrines, like subtill Logicians, bring in this as their strongest argu- ment in the last place. Pie tell you Friend, Neighbour, Brother, if you will forbeare to speake of it till you hear farther, this is the judgement of Mr. Cotten, when he, it may be had never heard qf it, or at least wise, wheji thev

8 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 40.

brought tliis their bastardly brat to him, they put another vizard on the face of it : but th.it you may understand their way of broaehing their abominable errors, it was in dividing those things the Lord hath united in his worke of conversion continued, carrying on a Soule to Heaven in these foure Particuhirs.

First, in dividing betweene tlie word and the biiwcci! i"ie woi\l, under pretence of a legall Gospell, per- Worii. »ii<i swading the people their Ministers were legall

Preachers, teaching them little better then Popery, and unfit for Gospel Churches, denying them to be any Ministers of Christ that Preach any preparation worke, by shewing men v. hat the Law requires. Here's nothing s;iyes one of them, but Preaching out of the Law and the Prophets, truly sayes another of them I have not heard a pure Gospell Sermon from any of them, but sure they were both troubled with the Lethargy, or read not the Gospell themselves, for they may finde the Apostles, yea, and Christ himselfe Preached good Gospell sure, out of the Law and the Prophets.

Secondly, in separating Christ and his Gra- a. Chmt CCS, in manifesting himselfe to be in the Soule,

•no nil 1 I • I 1 1/^1

v.ncct. and tins they say makes much for the magnify- ing of Free grace, and indeed they made it so free, that the soule that receives it shall never Uiste any of it by their consent, but remaine still a dry branch as'be- fore ; these legall Pharises, sayes one of them, tell us of a thing they call inherent grace, and of a man being made a new creature, but I am sure the best of them goe on in their legall duties and performances still, sorrowing for sinnc hearing of Sermons, observing duly Morning and Evening, and many such like matters. Tush man sayes another of them, you shall hear more then this, I was dis- coursing u ith one of their Scholasticall Preachers Disci- ples, a professed convert, and yet when he came to pray, lie Ik g'd for forgivcnesse of his sins, I asked him why he used that vaine repetition, since hee did believe he was justified by Christ already, and hee made me an answer not worth repealing, but when I told him God could see no sinne in his people, no more then 1 could see that which

1636.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 9

was covered close from my eye sight; hee told mee I spake little lesse then blasphemy, so ignorant are these men, and their learned guides also ; who perswade them the more they have of the in-dwelling of the Spirit of Christ, the better they shall be inabled to th^se legall duties. Nay, quoth the other, I can tell you more then all this, they make it an evidence of their good estate, even their sanctification, and yet these men Would make people believe they are against Popery.

By this discourse of theirs, you may see the manner how these Erronious, and Hereticall persons batter off the fruit from the goodly branches of Christs vines Sc make bare the flourishing trees planted in the house of the Lord, and yet professe themselves to be Schollars of the upper forme, that have learned as far as their Masters can teach them, but let me tell you friends you'l prove but trewants if you fall thus to Robbing of Orchards, and its an offence far beyond petty Larceny, to rob Christs Garden, let your pretences be what they will : can it pos- sible be for the magnifying of Christs Grace that the branches growing upon his root should remaine fruit- lesse ? no assuredly, herein God is glorified that his peo- ple bring forth much fruit, yet many of these new Gos- pellers had another plea, hypocrites have a seeming shew of Saints graces by which they deceive themselves and others ; And therefore because Felons and Traytors coyne counterfeit Gold, therefore true Gold should not passe for current, but the intent of the Author is to pros- ecute the History, these errours being confuted already by the able servants of Christ, whom the Lord in his mercy brought hither for that purpose.

GHAP. XLi. Of the two latter dividing Principles under which these Errouists fought.

The third dividing tenent, by which these WoVd^alfd P^^'sons prosecuted their errors at this time, was the Spirit, betweene the Word of God, and the Spirit of God, and here these Sectaries had many prety Knacks to delude withall, and especially to please the Femall Sex,

3 VOL. IV. >

18 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cUAP. 41.

they told of rare Revelations of thin^ to come from the spirit ( as thcv say ) it was onely devised to weaken the Word of the' Lord in the mouth of his Ministers, and withal! to put both ii^norant and unlettered Men and Wo- men, in a posture of Preachinpj to a multitude, that they miprlit be praised for their able Tongue. Come along with me saves one of them, i'le bring you to a Woman that Preaches better Gospell then any of your black- coates that have been at the Ninneversity, a Woman of another kinde of spirit, who hath had many Revelations of things to come, and for my part, saith hee, 1 had rath- er hear such a one that speakes from the meere motion of the spirit, without any study at all, then any of your learned Scollers, although they may be fuller of Scrip- ture ( I ) and admit they may sj^eake by the helpe of the spirit, vet the other goes beyond them. Gentle Reader, thinkc not these things faincd, because I name not the

rirtics, or that here is no witnesse to prove them, should so do : neither of both is the cause I assure you, but being somewhat acquainted ^^■ith my own weakenesse, should the Lord withdraw the light of his word, and also I verily believe some of them are truly turned againe to the truth, the which I wish to all yet by relating the storv all men may see what a spirit of giddinesse they were given up to, and some of them to strong delusions, even to most horrid and damnable blasphemies, having itching earcs, or rather proud desires to become Teach- ers of others, when they giosly erred in the fust Princi- ples of Religion themselves. There was a man in one of the farthest Towncs of the Mattacusets Govenmient, where they had no Ministers for the present, he being much desirous to shew himselfe some body in talking to as many as hee could get to hear him one the Sabbath day, missing some of his Auditors, he meets with one of tiicm some few days alter, they passing over the water together, where were you quoth he on the Sabbath day that yon were not at the meeting? we had a notable piece of Prophtc y, (juoth the man that was missing, who was it that Preached ? The other replying not : his Wife being in presence, answered ; it was my husband, nay

1636.] OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND, ii

wife, quoth he thou shoulds not have told him, teach him to stay at home another time.

By this and divers other such hke matters, which might be here inserted, you may see how these Sectaries love the preheminence, and for this end seeke to deprive the Ministers of Christ inveighng as many as they can in the head, that they take to much upon them (just like the rebeUious Korath, Dathan, and Abiram ) scoffing at their ScoUer-Iike way of Preaching, wherein the grosse dissimulation of these erronious persons hath appeared exceedingly, as for instance first of a Woman, even the grand Mistris of all the rest, who denied the Resurrec- tion from the dead, shee and her consorts mightily ray- ling against learning, perswading all they could to take heed of being spoyled by it, and in the meane time, shee herselfe would dispute ( forsooth ) and to shew her skill that way, here is a falacy quoth she in this syllogisme : as also one of the Gortonists, as shallow a pated Scoller as my selfe, far from understanding Latine, much lesse any other Language the Scriptures were writ in, yet when hee would hold out some of the best of his false Doctrines, as namely, that there were no other Devills but wicked men, nor no such thing as sin. Quoth he that place in the fourth Psalme, where men commonly read, stand in awe and sin not, in the originall it is read stand in awe and misse not. But to go on, at this time there were many strange Revelations told both of Meii and Women, as true some of them said as the Scripture, so that surely had this Sect gone on awhile, they would have made a new Bible, and their chief Mistris when she was shipt for N. England, what will you say quoth she, and it hath beene revealed to me that we shall be there in six weekes, and one of the femall Gortonists said, she was a Prophetesse, and it was revealed unto her, that shee must prophecy unto the People in the same words the Prophet Ezekiel did, as also a lusty big man to de- fend this tenent held forth to his Pastor before the whole Congregation, that the spirit of Revelation came to him as he was drinking a pipe of Tobacco.

is WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [CUAP. 41

Tlic fourth dividing way to brinj? in their •ml i^J"oJ' Heresies, was to devidc bctweene Christ and di^.n'^^ " his O'dinanccs, and here they plaid their ^amc to purpose, even to casting down of all Ordi- nances ascaniull, and that because they were polluted by the Ordinance of man, as some of these Sectaries have said to the Minister of Christ, you liave cast oft' the crosse in baptismc, but you should do well to cast off" Baptisme it selfe ; as also for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, for to make use of Bread, or the juce of a silly Grape to represent the Body ynd Bloud of Christ, they accounted it as bad as Negromancy in the Ministers of Christ to pcrformc it. But seeing there will be occasion to bring- in a *b('drou!e of these Blasphemies in the yeare (43) and ( 44 ) take the Icsse here ; onely minde that these persons being first bewildred in the deniall of Infants being Bapti- zed, could neither finde right faith to be Baptized into, nor yet any person rightly constituted to Baptize remain- ing. Seekers thty came to this, but yet here must not be omitted the slights these Krronists had to shoulder out the Officers Christ hath ordained, and set up in his Churches ; and verily in this point they sided directly witJi the Papist and Prelates, although in most of the other they went directly out of the way on the other hand. Ignorance say the Papist is the Mother of devotion, its bettci- s:iy the Prolest;int Prelates to have ( a blind sir John ) one that cannot tell how to Preach, provided he will conforme to our Ceremonies, than to have one that will Preacli constantly, and not conforme also : these trronist, shewing themselves to be whelps of the same lit- ter, Cry out against a learned Presbitery, as the onely way to c^jpiivate liberty, and herein the transformed Dcvill came to shew his Horncs, for why, his errors would not tiike where the jxople were followers of their seeing guids, and if it Ix* well noted, iierc is the Master-piece of all their knavery, the whieii comes in after this manner. The Lording Prelacy, Popts, Cardiiialls, Bishops, Deancs, &.C. Were ordinarily brought up at the University to learning, and h.ive mo>t tyrannically abused it : usurping over the ix-oplc of Chiist, and exercised most inhumane

• bi-Rd-rt>ll '

1636.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 13

and barbarous cruelty upon them ; as also the Presbyte- rian Kirke by these Provmciall Classes, men of learning- having robbed the particular Congregations of their just and lawfiiil priviledges, which Christ hath purchased for them. Each Congregation of his beint^ invested with full power to Administer all the Ordinances he hath or- dained, in and toward their owne Members ; and further learned men in some places, feeding the people for their Tith-sake in a Parishioniall way, desire the upholding thereof, les their fat Benefices should grow ieane.

Now the Redemption of the people of Christ out of all these bondages, being full of difficulty to attaine, as is abundantly witnessed in the great hardship Gods people ha\e undergon in this Wildernesse-worke ; as also much more by that bloudy war so long continued in our Na- tive Country, and the two adjacent Kingdomes. This makes a very faire bottome for those to build upon, who would have the sluce of authority in the Officers of Christs Churches plucked up, that so their errors might flow in like a fioud i And therefore they impannell a Jury of their own Sectaries to passe upon all such as put a higher es- teem upon their Pastors and Teachers ( in point of dis- cerning the holy things of God ) then upon other men, who returne in their Verdit as finding them guilty of the crime above expressed, either as party, or privy abetters unto them, upon this the Vote goes for advancing such men as will let them out line enough for such as will worke without wages, and give to every man liberty to exercise a large conscience, provided it be his own, and as for authority they would have none used, as being a thing two opposite to liberty. My friend cast off as much of thy owne power as thou canst, and beware of Lording it over Gods Heritage, but I pray thee let Christ alone with his, which" he hath given to his Pastors and Teachers in administring the holy things of God, pecu- liar to their Office, and tremble all you Presbyterians, who to please the people prostrate the authority Christ hath put upon the Eldrs of his Churches as Officers, to the resolute liberty of man : the people may and ought to call them to Office, to the which Christ hath united

14 WOXURR-WOUKING PROVIDENCE [CUAP. 42.

double honour and authority, and appointed them to be had in hii^h cstecme for their worke sake, being Embas- sadors of" Christ Jesus. This may no man t*ike from them, nor yet tliey themselves cast off, and yet all this makes nothing for the Papall, Prelaticall, Classicall or R'.rishionall authority of the Presbitery, for it holds onely in their ruling well, while they rule for Christ, they must and shall have the power hee hath put upon Er^Md^tye^ thcir Office. From these foure dividing from these fmir Tenents bv the cunning art of these deceivers,

huitds, and p • 111

•prcad HbniHd wxTC torcscore grosse errours broached secrct- iu N. England. ]j.^ sliding iu the darke like the Plague, prov- ing very infectious to some of the Churches of Christ in their Members.

CMAP. Lxii. Of sad eflects of the pitifull aud erronious Doctrines broached by the Sectuaries.

The number of these infectious persons increasing now, haveing drawn a great party on their side, and some considerable persons they grow bold, and dare question the sound and wholesome truths delivered in publick by the Ministers of Christ. Their Church-meetings are full of Disputes in points of difference, and their love-Feasts are not free from spots, in their Courts of civill Justice some men utter their Speeches in matters of Religion very ambiguously, and among all sorts of persons a great tiilke of new light, but verily it proved but old darknesse, such as sometime over-shadowed the City of Munster ; But blessed be the Lord Christ, who now declared him- sclle to be a helpe at hand for his poorc New England Churches, being now in their infancy, whose condition at present was very dolorous, and full of difficulties, in- somuch that the better j)art of this new transported peo, pic stood still many of them gazing one upon another, like Sheepe let loose to feed on fresh pasture, being stop- ped and startled in their course by a Kennell of devour- ing Wolves. The weaker sort wavered much, and such as were more grownc Christians hardlv durst discover the truth they held one unto another, the logs of errour increasing the bright bcames of the glorious Gospell of

1636.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 15

our Lord Christ in the mouth of his Ministers could not be discerned through this thick mist by many, and that svveete refreshing warmth that was formerly felt from the spirits influence, was now turned ( in these Erronists ) to a hot inflamation of their owne conceited Revelations, ul- cerating and bringing little lesse then frenzy or madnesse to the patient, the Congregation of the people of God be- gan to be forsaken, and the weaker Sex prevailed so farre, that they set up a Priest of their own Profession and Sex, who was much thronged after, abominably wrest- ing the Scriptures to their own destruction : this Master piece of Womens wit, drew many Disciples after her, and to that end boldly insinuated her selfe into the favour of none of the meanest, being also backed with the Sor- cery of a second, who had much converse with the Devill by her own confession, and did, to the admiration of those that heard her, utter many speeches in the Lat- ine Tongue, as it were in a trance, (his Woman was wonted to give drinkes to other Women to cause them to conceive, how they wrought I know not, but sure there were Monsters borne not long after, as you shall hear in the following History.

Oh yee New England Men and Women, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth ? And indeed Satan, to make sure worke with semblance of Preaching the Doctrine of Free grace by his instruments, makes shew of out-bidding all the Orthodox, and godly Ministers in the Countrey, pretending their Preaching to be but a Covenant of workes, supposing by this meanes to silence them without a Bishop, and lest the civill pow- er should stand up for their aid, they threaten them with the high displeasure of Christ for persecuting his people, which as they said these erronious persons with their new light, were the onely Men and Women that were pure Gospell Preachers. Thus the poore people of Christ, who kept close to his antient truths invironed with many straites, having expended their Estates to voy- age far through the perillous Seas, that their eyes might behold their Teachers, and that they might mjoy the protection of a godly civili Government, began to deemc

16 WONDER-WORKING PKOVIDENCE [cHAP. 43.

themselves in a more dolorous condition then when they were in the Commissaries Court, and Prelates Prisons, the hideous waves in which their brittle Barques were sometimes covered, as they passed hither, were nothing so terrible in the apprehension of some as was this floud of errors violently beating against the bankes of Church and civill Government, the wants of this Wildernesse, and pinching penury in misse of Bread, put them to no such paine by gnawing on their empty stomacks, with feare of famishing, as did the misse of the Administra- tion of Chribt in his Word and Ordinances, leaving the soulc in a languishing condition for want of a continuall supply of Christ in his Graces.

CHAP. XLiii. Of the sorrowfi'll condition of the people of Christ, wlieii they were iiicouiilrtd with these erronists at their first laud- ing.

But to end this dismall yeare of sixteene hundred thirty six, take here the sorrowfull complaint of a poore Soule in misse of its expectation at landing, who being incountercd with some of these Erronists at his iirst land- ing, when he saw that good old way of Christ rejected by them, and hee could not skill in that new light, which was the common tiitamc of every mans Discourse, hee belooke him to a narrow Indian path, in which his seri- ous Meditations soone led him, where none but sence- lessc Trees and cccohing Rocks make answer to hisheart- caseing mone. O (juoth he where am I become, is this the place where those Reverend Preachers are fled, that Christ was pleased to make use of to rouse up his rich graces in manv a drooping soulc ; here have I met with some that tell mee, 1 must take a naked Christ. Oh, woe is mee if Christ be naked to mee, wherewith shall I be cloathed, but methinks 1 most wonder they tell me of casting of all godly sorrow for sin as imbeseeming a Soule, that is muled to Christ by Faith, and there was a little nimbled toiigued Woman among them, who said she could bring me acquainted with one of her own Sex

1636.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 17

that would shew me a way, if I could attaine it, even Revelations, full of such ravishing joy that I should never have cause to be sorry for sinne, so long as I live, and as for her part shee had attained it already : a com- pany of legall Professors, quoth she lie poring on the Law which Christ hath abolished, and when you breake it then you breake your joy, and now no way will serve your turne, but a deepe sorrow. These and divers other expressions intimate unto men, that here I shall finde little increase in the Graces of Christ, through the hear- ing of his word Preached, and other of his blessed Ordi- nances. Oh cunning Devill, the Lord Christ rebuke thee, that under pretence of a free and ample Gospell shuts out the Soule from partaking with the Divine Na- ture of Christ, in that mysticall Union of his Blessed Spirit creating, and continuing his Graces in the Soule : my deare Christ, it was thy worke that moved me hither to come, hoping to fmde thy powerfuU presence in the Preaching of the Word, although administred by sorry men, subject to like infirmities with others of Gods peo- ple, and also by the glasse of the Law, to have my sinfull corrupt nature discovered daily more and more, and my utter inabillity of any thing that is good, magnifying hereby the free grace of Christ ; who of his good will and pleasure v/orketh in us to will, and to doe working all our works in us, and for us.

But here they tell me of a naked Christ, what is the whole life of a Christian upon this Earth ? But through the power of Christ to die to sinne, and live to holinesse and righteousnesse, and for that end to be dihgent in the use of meanes : at the uttering of this word he starts up from the greene bed of his complaint, with resolution to hear some one of these able Ministers Preach ( whom report had so valued ) before his will should make choyce of any one principle, though of crossing the broade Seas back againe, then turning his face to the Sun, he steered his course toward the next Town, and after some small travell hce came to a large plaine, no sooner was hee en- tred thereon, but hearing the sound of a Drum he was directed toward it by a broade beaten way, following this

4 VOL. IV.

18 W0NBER-W0RK.1NG PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 44.

rode he demands of the next man he met what the sig- nall of the Drum ment, the reply was made they had as yet no Bell to call men to meeting ; and therefore made use of a Drum, who is it, quoth hce, Lectures at this To\M)c. The other replies, I sec }ou are a stranger, new come over, seeing you know not the man, it is one Mr. Shephcard, verily quoth the other you hit the right, I am new come over indeed, and have been told since I came most of your Ministers are legall Preachers, onely if I mistake not they told mc this man Preached a finer covenant of workes then the other, but however, I shall make what hast I can to heare him. Fare you well, then hasting thither hee croudeth through the thickest, where having stayed while the glasse was turned up twice, the man was metamorphosed, and was faine to hang down the head often, least his watry eyes should blab abroad the secret conjunction of his afiLXtions, his heart crying loud to the Lords ecchoing answer, to his blessed spirit, that caused the Speech of a poore weakc pale complectioned man to take such impression in his soule at present, by applying the word so aptly, as if hce had bcene his Privy Counsel- ler, ckcring Christs worke of grace in the soule from all those false Doctiincs, which the erronious party had afri^hied him withall, and now he resolves (the Lord w illing) to live and die with the Ministers of New Eng- land ; wiiom hce now saw the Lord had not onely made zealous to stand for the truth of his Discipline, but also of the Doctrine, and not to give ground one inch.

ciup. xi.iMi. The Congregalionall Churches of Christ are Deitber favottrei-s of biiifiill opinions, nor the Lords over any, or maoT CJiurchcs, or mens Consciences.

As-n here Christian Reader the Author according to his lormcr practice, must minde thee of the admirable providence of Christ toward his New England Churches, in preserving thcni from these erronious spirits, that have hitherto in all places dog'd the sincere servants of Christ, when ever they have set upon a through Reformation, as stories doc abundantly testify, which thing the rever- end Calvine and divers others, have declared. But see- ing the boasting Prelates in these times are ready to say

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 19

their Lordly power kept these errours under, its plaine otherwise : for Satan saw while people were under their yoake of humane inventions, they were far enough from exalting the Kingdome of Christ ; And therefore he re- served these errours, for his last shifts, and further you shall see in the following story that the Lord Christ re- served this honour for those, whose love hee had inlarged to follow him in a dezart wildernesse, even with the sharpe sword of the Word, timely to cut off the heads of this Hidra ; but yet there are two sorts of persons in our Native Country, whom the Elders and Brethren here do highly honour in Christ, and prefer before themselves, namely the godly Presbyterian party, and the Congrega- tionall sincere servants of Christ, both which the Author could wish, (that with bowells of compassion, sweet sim- pathising affection of Brethren knit together in that tran- scendent love of Christ, which couples all his distanced flocks together) they would seriously ponder this History, which through the Authors weakenesse wants much of measure, but nothing of the truth of things, so far as a shallovv capacity can reach. Of the first sort named, I could wish the Reverend Mr. Ruterford, Mr. Bayle, Mr. Rathbone, Mr. Paget, Mr. Ball, &c. would but in- forme themselves further by the truth of this History, supposing they cannot chuse but in a good measure be satisfied already with the pacificatory and meeke answers of as many Reverend and godly Elders of ours.

Now that I would they should take notice of is, that the Churches of Christ in New England, and their Offi- cers have hitherto been so far from imbracing the erro- nious Doctrines of these times, that through the powers of Christ they have valiantly defended the truth, and cut down all deceiveable Doctrine ; the like hath not been done for many ages heretofore. Reverend and beloved in Christ, could your eyes but behold the efficacy of lov-, ing counsell in the Communion of congregationall Churches, and the reverend respect, honour and love, given to all Teaching Elders, charity commands mc to thinke you would never stand for Classicall injunctions any more, neither Diocesan, nor Provincial! authority can possible reach so far as this royall Law of love in

I

20 WONDER-^VORKING PKOVIDENCE [cHAP. 44.

communion of Churches : verily its more universall then the Pupall power, and assuredly the dayes are at hand, wherein both Jew and Gentile Churches shall exercise this old Modell of Church Go\ernment, and send their Church salutations and admonitions from one end of the. A\'orld unto another, when the Kingdomes of the Earth arc become our Lord Christs ; Then shall the exhorta- tion of one Church to another prevaile more to Reforma- tion, then all the thundering-- Bulls, excomunicating Lordly censures, and shameful! penalties cf all the Lord- ing Churches in the World, and such shall be, and is the efficacy ot this intire love one to anotlier, that the with- draw ing of any one Church of Christ, according to the Rule ui ihe \>ord from those that walke inordina'tly, will be more terrible to the Church or Churches so forsaken, then an Army with Banners ; yea, and it may be added, because civill Government is like to turne nurse in more places then one, this royall Law of love shall become the Law of Nations, and none will suffer their subjects to re- bell against it ; but to our beloved brethren m England on the other hand, the Reverend iSIr. Burroughs, Mr. Goodwin, 8cc.

Tliis seemeth you have apprehended our Churches and civill Government, to be too strict in dealing with persons for their sinfull opinions, 1 wish the offenders be none of your intelligencers, who to be sure will make the ^vorst of things, I know you are in charity with us; And therefore a few words will satisfie, which I hope you want not from your good friends our Reverend Elders, who could wish you as much happincsse as our selves to cxpell error before it grew to that height to cry dow^ne the sound and wholesome truths : casting durt on our Orthodox and godly Ministry, 1 wkh you open your mouths wide enough to be i'illcd with this blessing, the Lord hath done great, and unexpected things for you, and why not this ? one and twenty yeares experience hath taught us that Errors and Heresies are not broached, and held out here by tender consciences, such as are wx-ak in tlie Faith, but by such as think them Scholers ot the upper forme, such as would teach the most ablest Christian among us another Gospell, and further we finde

1637.] OF SIGNS SAnOUE, IN NEW ENGLAND. SI

our Erronist wanting a common enemy to Contend with- all, as you have fallen foule of our godly Magistrates and Ministers, and will not suffer us quietly to injoy the Ordinance of Christ, for which wee hither came, buz- zing our people in the eare with a thing they call liberty, which when any have tasted a smack of, they can no more induire to hear of a Synod or gathering together of able, and Orthodox Christians, nor yet of communion of Churches, but would be independant to purpose, and as for civill Government they deem Religion to be a thing beyond their Sphere.

CHAP. XLV. Of the civill Government ia N. England, and their nurture of the people upon their tender knees.

The vernall of the yeare 1637. being now in his prime, and as the season of the yeare grew hotter, so the minds of many were hot in the eager pursuite of their selfe con- ceited opinions, and verily had not authority stept in, it was much to be doubted they would have proceeded from words to blowes, great hold and keepe there was about choice of Magistrates this yeare, the cho) ce being retarded by a paper call'd a Petition, but indeed a meere device to hinder the election, till the erronious party were strengthened, their number increasing daily, but the Lord Christ gratiously. providing for the peace of his people toward the end of the day the honoured John Winthrope Esquire, was chosen Governour, and Thomas Dudly Esq. Deputy Governor : the number of fre^-men added this yeare was about 125. •

Here according to promise the Reader shall have an accoumpt of the civill Government of this little Common- wealth, as their whole aime in their removal! from their Native Country, was to injoy the liberties of the Gospell of Christ, so in serving up civill Government, they daily direct their choice to make use of such men as mostly indeavour to keepe the truths of Christ pure and ufispot- ted, and assuredly they can digest any wrongs or injuries done them in their estates, or trade, better then the wrest- ing of their right in the freedome of the Gospell, out of their hands, and this the Erronist knowing right well (to save their heads whole) perswade men it is not for

SS WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 45.

civill Government to meddle with matters of Religion ; and also to hclpe out with their damnable Doctrines, they report it in aJI places, where they be come, that New Kngiaiid Government doth persecute the people and Churches of Christ ; which to speake truth they have hitherto bccnc so far from, that tlif \ have indtravoured to expell all such beasts of prey, ( who will not be reclaim- ed ) that here mij^ht be none left to hurt or destroy iu all Gods holy Mountaine, and therefore are ready to put the Churches of Christ in minde of their duty herein ; yea, and sometimes going before them in their civill censures that they may not onely professe the truth, but also hate every false way, not that they would compell men to be- lieve by the power of the Sword, but to indeavour all may answer their profession ; whether in Church Cove- nant or otherwise, by knowing they beare not the Sword in vaine. Neither doe they exercise civill power to bring all under their obedience to a uniformity in every poynt of Religion, but to kcepc them in the unity of the spirit, and the bond of peace, nor vet have they ever mixed their civil! powers with the authority peculiarly given by Christ to his Churches and Officers of them, but from time to time have laboured to uphold their priviledges, and only communion one with anothi r.

The chiefe Court or supreame pouer of this little Commonwealth, consists of a mixt conipany, part Aris- tocracy, and part Democracy of Magistidtes, that are yearlv cUosm by the major Vote of the whole body of the Frce-nen tiiroughout the Country ; and Deputies chosen by the scverall Townes, they have hitherto had about 12. or 13. Magistrates in the Colony of the Matta- cusets, the other Colonies have not above five or six, they have hitherto becne Volunteers, governing without pay from the people, onely the Governor of the Mattacu- sctts hath some yeares 1001. allowed him, and some years Icssc, many of the Magistrates are alrcadv remembred, yet with some of the first came hither Mr. Simon Brode- strcet, in this short Mecter is he remembred.

No* Simon yon<;, utrp in among, ihosc worthies take tliy place : All day to loilc in vinyani, while Christ Uicc upholds with grace,

1637.] «*■ SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. SS

Thee wisdom grave betime he gave, and tongue to utter it,

That thou mightst be a blessiUg free, and for this calling fit. Thy counsell well, advis'd dost tell, with words ordered corapleat.

Thy memory, doth amplifie, meeting with matters great. Broad liberty, do thou deny, Brodstreet Christ would thee have,

For's truth contend, strong reason spend it from aspersion save. He furnish't thee, with these gifts free, to last he must them make.

Still adding more, to thy old store, till he thee to him take.

The Lord was pleased to furnish these his people with some able instruments in most of their Townes, that were skilPd in Common-wealth work, out of which they chose their Deputies, whose number was ordinarily between 30. and 40. some of them there will be occasion to speake of among their Military Men, but see here the Wonder-working Providence of Sions Savour, appears much in gatliering together stones to build up the walls of Jerusalem (that his Sion may be surrounded with Bul- workes and Towres) with a whispering word in the eares of his servants, he crosses the Angles of England from Cornewall to Kent, from Dover to Barwick, not leaving out Scotland and Wales ; Wise men are persvvaded to the worke without arguing like Elisha, when Elias cast his mantle on him, so these men make no stop, but say suffer me onely to sell my inheritance, and 1 will away for New England. And now I could wish our Brethren in England would not be angry with us for making such hast. Brethren you know how the case stood with our Ministers, as it was with Gideon, who could thresh out no Come, but hee must doe it secretly to hide it from the Midianites, who spread the Land like Grashoppers, no more could they thresh and cleane up any Wheate for the Lords Garner, but the Prelates would presently be upon their backs, and plow long furrowes there, and you may believe it, if you will (for it is certaine) many, had not this little number gone forth to blow their Trum- pets, and breake their Pitchers, making the brightnesse of their Lamps appeare, surely the host of the Midian- ites had never been put to fight, and if still any of our Brethren shall contend with us, wee answer with Gid- eon, the Lord hath delivered into your hands the chiefe Princes of Midian, and what were we able to do in com- parison of you ; yet shall we not cease to follow on the

iH WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 45.

workc of Reformation, although wcake and faint, till the Lord be pleabcd to free his Israel from all their enemies ; and verily England hath not wanted ihe Prayers of the poore people of Christ here. And also some of our chiefe helpes both for Church-worke, Military and com- nion-wealth-worke ; } et through the Lords mercy, we slill retaiiie among our Democracy the godly Captaine William Hathorn, whom the Lord hath indued with a quick ai)prchcnsion, strong memory, and rhetorick» vol- ubiliitv of speech, which hath caused the people to make use of him often in publick service, especially when they have had to do w ith any forrein Government, Mr. Nath- aniel Duncan learned in the Latine and French tongue, a very good accountant. Wherefore he is called to the place of Auditor General for the ^County. Mr. John fGlovar a man strong for the truth, a plaine sincere godly man, and of good abilities. Captaine Daniel jGogkin, who was drawen Imher from Virginia, by having his af- fection strongly set on the truths of Christ, and his pure Ordinances ; being indued by the Lord with good un- derstanding Captaine William vTinge, sometime Treas- urour for the *County, but being absent for some space of time in England, Mr. Richard Russell was chosen in his roome, Mr. Edward Rawson a young man, yet im- ployed in Common-wealth aft'aires a long time, being well beloved of the inhabitants of Newbery, having had a large hand in her FouncUition ; but of late he being of a rijje cai)arity, a g(;od ||ycoman and eloquent inditcr, hath beene chosen Secretary for the Country, Mr. Wil- liam Hubbard «)f Iphshwich, a learned nuii, being well read in state matters : of a very atlable and humble be- haviour ; who hath cxjjcnded much of his Estate to helpc on this workc ; although he be slow of speech, yet is hee dou n right for the businesse, Captaine *iUm- phry Atherton, one of a chierlull spirit, and inlire for the ♦County, Mr. Edward Jackson, one w lio cannot indure to see the truths of Christ trampled underfoot by the crro- nious party, Eleazar Lusher one of the right stamp, and pure mettle, a gratious, humble and heavenly minded

• country ' t Glover. i GooWin. § Tyng. || pcnmnn ? H Humphrey.

i637.] OT SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. S5

irrtan Mr. Joseph Hill, a man active for to bring the Lawes of the *County in order, Mr. Whipple, one whose godly sincerity is much approved, Mr. Francis Norton, one of a cheerful! spirit, and full of love to the truth, Mr. Robert Paine, a right godly man^ and one whose estate hath holpe on well with the worke of this little Common- wealth, Mr. William Torry a good penman and skild in the Latine tongue, usually Clarke of the Deputies, the Survayor Generall of the Armies of the Country, John Johnson, of an undanted spirit, Mr. William Parker, a man of a pregnant understanding, and very usefull in his place. Many more would be named, but for tedious- nesse, neither will it please the men more to be named, then not, for all are very willing to acknowledge their inability for the worke, and the best are not without many imperfections.

The Authors end in naming some few is for none other end, but to make good the title of this Book & to incourage all the servants of Christ for time to come, wholely to rely upon him, when thty go about any difl&- cult work, which may tend to the glory of his Name. Who could have told these men, being scattered abroad throughout the Island of Great Brittaine, they should meete on a Wildernesse nine hundered Leagues remote, and there keep Court together to study the preservation of Christs poore scattered flockes ? nay brethren, when you first tooke book in hand to learne your Letters, you would have been very dull pates, but for this worke ; assuredly, how you came by large inheritances, some of you, and estates of hundreds, and thousands, your selves best know, but believe it, the Lord intended it for this very work. The Earth is the Lords, and the fulnesse of it, then let none of the people of Christ mourn that they have spent their wealth in this Wildernesse, if it have holpe on the worke, rather rejoyce that Christ hath betrusted thee to be Steward for the King of Kings, & that in so noble an achievment the worthiest worke that the memory of our selves, and our fore- fathers can reach unto.

And brethren, as for the good parts and gifts the Au- thor hath commended you for, but for the edifying of

5 VOL. IV.

• country ?

S6 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 45

the body of Christ, and assisting his people in this work, you had been empty of all good.

And now seeing it is the opinion of many in these dayes of Reformation, that all sorts of Sectaries (that ac- knowledge a Christ) should be tolerated by civill Gov- ernment, except Papist, and this Government hath hither- to, and is for future time resolved to practice otherwise (the Lord assisting) having met already with more blas- phemous Sectaries, then are Papists ; wherefore it will not be amisse if our Countrymen be acquainted with the one and twenty yeares experience of this Wildernesse worke, in point of Government. First, it is their judg- ment, and that from Scripture taught them, that those, who are chose to place of government, must be men tru- ly fearing God, wise and learned in the truths of Christ, (if so) as hitherto it hath been New Englands practice, then surely such will be utterly unfit to tolerate all sorts of Sectaries, as because they have taken up Joshuas re- solution, to serve the Lord, & a man cannot serve two Masters, much Icise many Masters ; Then surely such as would have all sorts of sinfull opinions upheld by the civill government, must be sure to make choise of the most Alheisticall persons they can finde to governe, such as are right Gallios : for N. E. hath found by ex- perience that every man will most favour his own way of Profession, and labor tooth 8c naile to mainlaine it, and if any have complied with other that have been of a contrary sinfull opinion to their own, it hath been, be- cause they would have their own scape scot free, but as- suredly the Lord Christ will allow of no such wayes for the favouring the professors of his truths, nor may any Magistrate doe evill that good may come of it, in favour- ing dangerous and decciveable doctrines, that others may favour tile true servants of Christ, neither is there any such need, for it is their honours (if the will of God be so) to suffer, nor can the people of N. England (I nieane the better part) be perb waded to set up any other to gov- erne, but such as are zealous for the maintainance of the truths of Christ ; yet of late there is a buzzing noise, as if it were injury to the Churches for civill power to me-

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. ^7

die in matters of Religion, but to be sure there are many that strive for a Toleration, yet the people of Christ, who are the natural! Mothers of this Government, resolve nev- er to see their living child so divided, looking at such a government to be no better to them, a living child divi- ded in twaine ; and tiierefore desires their loving Coun- tymen to beare with them in this point, and if any not- withstanding shall force it to be so, we shall shew our natural aflPection, and leave all to them, chusing rather to dwell on the backside of this Desert (a place as yet un- accessible) knowing assuredly our God will appcare for our deliverance. Yet let them also know the Souldiers of Christ in N. E. are not of such a pusillanimous spirit, but resolve as that valiant Jeptha did to keep in posses- sion, the Towns his God had given them, so we are re- solved (the Lord willing) to keepe the government our God hath given us, and for witnesse hee hath so done, let this History manifest : for we chose not the place for the Land, but for the government, that our Lord Christ might raigne over us, both in Churches and Common- wealth, and although the Lord have been pleased by an extraordinary blessing upon his peoples industry to make the place fruitfull (as at this day indeed it is) yet all may know the land in it sejfe is very sterrill, but the upholding of the truths of Christ, is chiefe cause why many have hitherto come : and further if the servants of Christ be not much mistaken, the downfall of Antichrist is. at hand, and then the Kingdome of the Earth shall become the Kingdome of our Lord Christ in a more peculiar man- ner, then now they are, and surely godly civill govern- ment shall have a great share in that worke, for they are exhorted to fill her double of the Cup, shee hath given to them ; and also know our magistrates, being con- scious of ruling for Christ, dare not admit of any bast- ardly brood to be nurst up upon their tender knees, neither will any Christian of a sound judgement vote for any, but such as earnestly contend for the Faith, al- though the increase of Trade, and traffique may be a great inducement to some.

88 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP, 1.

WONDER-WCRKING pROVIDENCE OF SlONS SaVIOUR,

IN New England. [BOOK II.}

CHAPTER I. — TliP bfgirnlrig of the rrlalion of the Peqiiot war, and the gicai sraius these wandering Jacobites were in.

J HE great Jehovah, minding to manifest the multitude of his Mercies to the wandering Jacobites, and make an introduction to his following wonders, causeth the darke cluuds of calamities to gatht r about them, presaging some terrible tempest to follow, with eyes full of anguish, they face to the right, upon the damnable Doctrines, as so many dreadluii Engines set by Satan to intrap their poore souies ; Then casting forth a left hand looke, the labour and wants accompaning a Desert, and terrible Wilder- nesse affright them, their memories niinding them of their former plenty ; It much aggravated the present misery, when with thoughts of retreating, they turne their backs about the experienced incumbrances, and deejie distresses of a dangerous Ocean hinders their thoughts of flight, besides the sterne looke of the Lordly Prelates : which would give them a welcome home in a famishing prison. Then purposing to put on more stronger resokition, facing to the Front, behold a Mes- senger with sorrowfull tidings from their fellow brethren, thai inhabited the bankcs of the River Cancctico, who liaving audience, inlbrmes them of the great insolency, and crucll nturthcrs committed by a barbaious and bloudy people called Pea(|Uods, ui)on the bodies of their indear- cd liiends, these savage Indians lying to the South-west of the Mattacusets, were more warlike then their Neigh- bouring Nations, the Narrowganzet or Niantick Indians ; although they exceeded them in number, also Mawhig- gins (who were the best friends of the English, and a

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. S9

chiefe inslrumentall means of their sittinf^ down there) stood much in feare of these Peaquods, which were big, swollen with pride at this time ; facing the English Fort built on the mouth of the River in their large Cannowes, with their Bowes and long Shafts, the English bemg then but vveake in number and provision, were unable to manage the war against so numerous a company, being above thirty to one, yet their desires being beyond their meanes, ihey made some shot at them, forcing them to hast away faster then they willingly would. These In- dians trusting in their great I'roopes, havmg feasted their corps ill a ravening manner, and leaving their fragments for their Sqawes, they sound an alarum vvith a full mouth, and lumbrmg voyce, and soone gather together without presse or pay, their quarrell being as antient as Adams time, propagated from that old enmity betweene the Seede of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent, who was the grand signor of this war in hand, and would very gladly have given them a large Commission, had not his owne power beene limited, neither could he animate them so much as to take oiF the gastly looke of that King of terror, yet however at his command they arme them- selves : casting their quiver at their backs with Bowes ready bent, they troope up some of them, being extraor- dinarily armed with Guns, which they purchast from the Dutch (who had assuredly paid deare for this their cour- teous humour, not long since, had not some English Volunteers rescued them from the Indians hands) the most of them were armed also with a small Hatchet on a long handle, they had a small number of Mawhawkes, Hammers, which are made of stone, having a long pike on the one side, and a hole in the handle, which they tie about their wrists, they neede not provisions follow their Camp; because they are continually at home, but for their mats to shelter them from Raine or Snow, the Woods are as wellcome to them as their Wigwams, fire they can make in all places by chafing two sticks togeth- er. Their food is ready drest at all times, parching In- dian Corne in their fire they pound it to meale, and with foure or five spoonfuU of it cast into their mouths, and

80 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [CHAP. 1.

a sup or two of water, which they take up with a leafe of a Tree, this is their common repast, and indeed their chiefe viaticum. Thus furnisht for the war they troope away without any goodly ccjuipage to effect, as they sup- pose, some great designe, but within some few Miles of the Towne of Hartford, they were discovered by one of the English, who having with him a good Horse, hastens away to give intelligence of their approach, and by the way meeting with foure or five persons, hee advises them to haste away with all speed, for the Peaquods were at hand, the weaker Sex among them, being at this time not so credulous as they should have been, began to dis- pute the case with him, demanding what Peaquods they were, and questioning how they should come there ; The horseman deeming it now no time for words, when the battcll followed him so hard at the heeles, rod on his way, and soone after the sudden approach of the Indians forced them with fearc to Scale to the truth of this evill tidmgs, and some of them with their dearest bloud ; three VVoe- fnen-kinde they caught, and carried away, but one of them being more fearfull of their cruell usage, afterward then of the losse of her life at present, being borne away to the thickest of the company, resisted so stoutly with scratching and biting, that the Indian, exasperated there- with, cast her downe on the Earth, and bcate out her braincs wilh his Hatchet, the other two maids they led away and returned, their Commission reaching no farther at present, having taken diese two prisoners they did not offer to abuse their persons, as was verily deemed they would, questioned them with such broken English, as some of them could speak, to know whether they could make Gunpowder. VV^iich when diey understood they could not doe, their prize proved nothing so pretious a Pearlc in their eyes as before ; for seeing they exceeded not their own Squawes in Art, their owne thoughts in- formed them they would fall abundantly short in indus- try, and as for beauty they estecme black beyond any colour.

^V hereforc their Sqawes use that sinfull art of paint- ing their Faces in the iiollow of their Eyes and Nose,

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR; IN NEW ENGLAND. 31

with a shining black, out of which their tip of their Nose appeares very deformed, and their cheeke bone, being of a lighter swart black, on which they have a blew crosse died very deepe.

This is the beauty esteemed by them, but yet their pride was much increased by this hostile Act of theirs, and the English were more and more contemned of them, notwithstanding the Dutch, who traded witb these Indians, procured the Maides liberty againe.

CHAP. II. — Of the couragious resolutions, the Lord indued these his People withall, being iavironed with many deepe distresses.

After this Message delivered, these brood of Trav- ilers being almost Non plus't in their grave and soUid Counsells ; deem it now high time to follow their old way, of making their complaint to the supreame judge of all the World, by way of Petition, who they knew right well, stood not as an idle spectator beholding his peoples Ruth, and their Enemies rage ; But as an Actor in all actions to bring to naught the desires of the wicked, *but period to their power, divert their stroaks from his, to their own heads, bring glory to his Name, and good to his people from their most wicked malignity, having also the ordering of every weapon in its first produce, guid- ing every shaft that flies, leading each bullet to his place of setling, and Weapon to the wound it makes ; yet he most righteous and holy in all his actions to this great Lord Peramount, had these poore afflicted people accesse through the intercession of their Lord Christ, whose worke (though very weake to performe) they were now about, wherefore casting themselves down at his feet in the sense of their owne unworthinesse, f that desire him to doe his owne worke in them, and for them^ that the Mountaines in the way of Zerubbabel may become a plaine, and then laying open the great straites they were in to hid, who .knew them far better then themselves, they had this answer returned them, which if men dare deny, the Lord from Heaven hath, and shall further wit- nesse it ; But before it be declared, let all men lay downe

• put ? t they ?

3* WONDER-V^ORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 8*

their interest they suppose they may have in procurins^ it, both English and others, that the glory of our Lord Christ may appcarc in its splendor, to the dantiiii^ of every proud heart, and for the perpetuall incouragement of all the Souldicrs of Christ, even the meanest in his Armies: for the day of his hitrh Power is come, yea ; his appoint- ed time to have mercy upon Sion is at hand, all you whose eyes of pity so see her in the dust, streame down with pear-like drops of compassion, a little mixture of the unconceiveable joy for the glorious uorke of Christ.

Now, now ; I now in hand for the exalting of his glo- rious Kingdonie, in preparing his Churches for himselfe, and with his own blessed hands wiping away the teares that trickel downe her cb.eekes, drying her dankish eyes, and hushing her sorrowfull sobs in his sweete bosome. This rightly believed, and meeting in the soule of any poore Christian, will make the narrow affections of his body too little to containc the present apprehensions of the Soule ; And therefore wanting a vacuum to containe the strength of this new Wine, wonder not if it vent it selfe with swilt thrilling teares from the most tender part of the vessell. And here the Author nmst needs iritreate the charitable Reader to enlarge in the Closset of his own heart, for his folly hec confesses in medling so meanly with such waighty matters, being blinded by eager affec- tion, hee lost the sight of his great inabillity to the worke. \Vhen hee first set Pen to Paper, as the Lord surrounded his chosen Israel with dangers deepe to make his miracu- lous deliverance famous thioughout, and to the end of the World, so here behold the Lord Christ, having egg- ed a small handluU of his jKople forth in a forlorne Wil- dcrnesse, stripping them naked from all humane helps, plunging them in a gulph of miseries, that they may swim for their lives through the Ocean of his Mercies, and land themselves safe in the amies of his compassion.

CHAT. III.— Of the Lords great doliveiance of his New Enyland Peo- ple, from the floiulsof Krrore that were hiustiiig in among them.

As for the great Mountaine of proud erronious judge- ment on your right hand, the prayer of Faith shall re-

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. #3

move them, and cast them into the depth of the Sea, and for the, strengthning of your faith herein ; because the Lord will have you depend on him in the use of his meanes, not miracle, hee hath purposely pitcht out for this very worke, some of his most orthodox servants, and chiefs Champions of his truth, able through his mercy to *\veld that bright Weapon of his Word prepared by the spirit for this purpose, to bring to the block these Tray- tours to his truths one by one, and behead them before your eyes, and for this very end they are to gather to- gether as one Man in a Synodicall way, with a decisive power to undoe all the cunning twisted knots of Satans Malignity to the truths of Christ, opening the Scriptures by the power of his spirit, cleering Scripture by Scrip- ture, that nothing but the pure Word of God may take place, and that you may assuredly believe the Lord hath purposely called his Servants, and Souldiers to this place by his Providence to cut off this cursed spirit of Errours and Heresies, w^iich hath but at first dog'd all Reformed Churches of Christ. There are for your further aid herein many more of these sincere Souldiers floating upon the great Ocean toward you, who will be with you be* fore this Synod is set, that you may declare it in the Eares of all posterity, to be the very Finger of God in catching the proud , in their owne craftinesse, who had hatch't their devices, thus to cast all the Ministers of Christ, except some one or two, under this censure of being prejudiced against their persons, and for the little rem- nant to labour with iiattery to blinde their eyes, that at least they m.ight not be against them ; Seeing they could not procure them to take their part, (to be sure when the grossenesse of their Errors where made known, they would not) by this meanes having their hopes exalted (in their owne apprehensions at least) to gaine the most of the people on their side.

The Lord casts them downe from the proud Pinacle of their Machiavilian Plot, by bringing in more men of courage uninterested : yea, unknown to most of their persons, but for their errors, as strong to confute them as any, and more fit to wipe off the filme from the eyes of

fi VOL. IV.

S4> WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [CHAP. 4.

some of their brethren, which these Erronists by their S}ccoi)haiicy had clouded.

'J'he lime for the meeting of this Synod was to be in the seventh month following, commonly called Septem- ber, the civill government well approving of their desires herein, were very willing to further them all they could, and in the meane time it was the worke of these valiant of the Lord, to search out, not for men and VVomens persons, but their errors, which they gathered up from all parts, willing all that would or could defend them to use their best meanes, like as Jehu when he was to exe- cute the judgements of the Lord upon Ahabs bloudy household, would have had his servants defend their Masters Children if ihey could, onely you must under- stand there was but 70. Sons, and here was 80. Errors of which }'ou shall further hear when the time comes.

chap.it. Of the abundant mercies of Christ in providing liberal! supply for his ]\ew England People, in regard of their outward man, Food, llaymcot and all other uecessaries and convenieuces.

Now^ for the hardships on the left hand, they had as good an answer as in the former ; their Christ had not saved their lives from the raging Seas to slay them in the Wilderricssc with Famine ; your life is much more pretious in the eyes of the Lord then food, and your bod- ies then rayment: yea, the Lord of Heaven, who hath honoured you so far as to imploy you in this glorious worke of his, knowes you must have these things, and it was not you, dcare hearts, that chose this place,' but the Lord, as seeing it most fit to doc his worke in, know- mg that had you met with a Rich Land filled with aH plenty, your heart would have beene taken oft' this worke, which he must have done. But to strengthen your Faith in this point also, you shall see hce who commanded the I'ruits to spring out of the Earth, when none were, can much more cause this corner of the Earth to be fruitful! to you, and this you shall attainc bv meanes, althouo-h hee have caused the Foules of ihc Aire, and Grasse'of the tield to deinnd upon him in a more immediate man- ner, yet you hath he taught to Sow, Reape, carry into

1636.3 OF SIGNS SAVIOUR; IN NEW ENGLAND. 35

Barnes, and Spin, and indeed herein the Lord hath an- swered his people abundantly to the wonder of all that see or hear of it ; And that whereas at their first com- ming it was a rare matter for a man to have foure or five Acres of Corne, now many have four or five score, & to prevent men from Sacrificing to their Nets, the Lord hath taught them to labour with more ease : to great ad- miration also inlarg'd it, for it was with sore labour that one man could Plant, and tend foure Acres of Indians Graine, and now with two Oxen hee can Plant and tend 30. Besides the Lord hath of late altered the very course of the Heavens in the season of the weather, that all kinde of graine grovves much better then heretofore ; Insomuch that Marchandizing being stopped at present, they begin question, what to do with their Corne.

CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull dcliverauce wrought by the Lord Christ,

for his pcore New England Churches in freing them from the fear

, of their Maligaaut adversaries, who lorc't, them to this Wiidernesse.

And now to the third and great distresse, which lay behind them by reason of their back friends, the Lording Bishops, and other Malignant adversaries, being daily exasperated against them, and in especiall at this time by one Morton, who named himselfe the Host of Merri- mount, who wanted not malice, could he possible have attained meanes to effect it ; But the Lord Christ pre- vented both him and his Masters, whom with flattery he sought to please with scurrillous deriding the servants of Christ*, to bring them into contempt, yet the Lord prevented all, and delivered this wretched fellow into his peoples hands againe after all this, who dealt as favoura- bly with him as David did with Shimmei. Besides this, the evill usage that many of the beloved servants of Christ had from the hands of those in office at their de- parture, declared plainely, that there were some, who would willingly have pursued them to bring them under bondage againe, herein their answer was that they should stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, who was now resolved to fight for them against his and their im- placable enemies ; although more mighty than they : and.

3ft WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [ciIAP. 5'

indeed all meanes of resistance in the hand of man being so small, that it could not possible bee , discerned by any jnortall eve ; yet will the Lord workc by means and not by miracle ; w hen the Lo'd culled forth Joshua to fight with Ainaletk, his Moses must be in the Mount at Pray- ers ; seeii g this answer deeply conecrnes the dearly be- loved of our Lord Christ remaining in England, ki them listen to the answer.

Also how came it to passe that the Lord put it into your hearts to set upon a Reformation, was it not by prayer attained ■? You are not excluded, although the Churches of Christ here are for the present in the Mount, and you in the Vally fighting, yet surely they had neede of hclpe to hold up their hands, whereas the nerenesse of the danger to you in the enemies overcoming, is a great motive to keepe up yours stedy, yet may you say rightly to the Churches of Christ here, as Mordachy to Hester the Queene, if you hold your peace deliverance shall come another way, and thinke not to escape, be- cause you are in New England ; Assuredly the Lord is doing great things, and waites for the prayers of his peo- ple that he may be gratious imto them, and verily the poore Churches of Christ heere cannot but take notice of the great workes the Lord hath done for you of late, which are famous throughout the whole World ; And bhould they not take them as an answer of these weake prayers, they fearc they should neglect to magnify his mercy toward you, and them : the noble acts of the Lord Christ, for the iVeedome of his jK-ople from that in- tolerable I'relaiicall bondage, are almost miraculously committed to memory by the able servants of Christ, whom hce hath stiircd up for that very end, yet must you not shut out the valiant souldiers of Christ (disci- pliii'd in this unwonted W'ildernesse) from having share with }ou in the worke, yet no farther but that Christ niay be all in all : \\ho hath canned the Midianites to fight against Midian, till the true Israelites had gathered tlicmselves together, hee it is that hath brought the eounsells of the wicked to naught, hee it is that hath dis- covered the secret plottings of the King of Assyria, cveu

1636.3 OF SIONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 37

in his Bed chamber ; Hee it is that hath declared him- self to be with your mighty men of valour, and assuredly all- you valiant Souldiers of Christ, both in one England and the other, the Lord hath shewed you as great signes and wonders for the strengthning of your faith, as was the wetting and drying of the fleece to Gedeon, onely beware of setting up an Ephod in the latter end ; Let the Churches of Christ be set up according to his first insti- tution,'or you will make double worke, for all may see by what is done already, there is nothing too hard for him, hee will downe with all againe and againe, till his Kingdom alone be exalted, for the which all the Israel of God fight, wrastle, pray, and here you may see the ser- vants of Christ fighting at 900 leagues distant.

Oh you proud Bishops, that would have all the World stoope to your Lordly power, the heathen Romans your predecessors, after they had banished John to the Isle of Pathmos, suffered him quietly to enjoy the Revelation of Jesus Christ there ; here is a people that have betaken themselves lo a newfound World, distanced from you with the widest Ocean the World affords, and yet you grudge them the purity of Christs Ordinances there. No wonder then, nay wonder all the World at the sudden and unexpected downfall of these domineering Lords, who had Princes to protect them, armes to defend them, and almost three whole Kingdomes at their Command ; and no enemy of theirs in sight onely, there appeares a little cloud about the bienesse of a mans hand out of the Westerne Ocean, I but the Lord Christ is in it, out of Sion the perfection of beauty hath God shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keepe silence, a Fire shall devour afore him, and mighty tempests shall be moved round about him. Now gather together you King-like Bishops, and make use of all the Kingly power you can, ' for the cloud is suddenly come up, he rode upon Cherub and did file. And now let the Children of Sion rejoyce in their King, for the Lord hath pleasure in his people, hee will make the meeke glorious by deliverance ; And that the whole Earth may know it is the Lords owne worke, the Apch-prelate and his compUces must begin to

3^ WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [CHAP. 6.

war with the Scots, and that implacably, the Prelates de- sire a Parliament thinking to establish iniquity by a Law, but the iniquity of the Animorites is already full, and all your cunning counsells shall but contrive your owne de- struction ; They remonstrant atjjainst all Acts of Parlia- ment that pi'Sse without their Vote, and by this means wind out themselves for ever voting more, they devise how they may have such persons committed to prison as favour not their proceeding.

But the Lord turned their n^ischiefe they had conceiv- ed upon their own pates, and they themselves were sent to prison by halfe a score at a time ; And such was the unsavourynesse of this seeming salt, that it was good for nothing, but to Lord it ov^ others, their tyranny being taken out of their hands, they could not indure to be commanded by any ; And therefore unfit for the war which they stirred up, to recover the people againe under their bondage, yet such was the madnesse of some, that they loved their servitude so well as to fight for it ; but surely such had never rightly knowne the service of the Lord Christ, which is perfect freedomc, from all such tyrannous yoaks, and verily just it is with the Lord to cause such to be servants unto Shishak, that they may know the service of the Lord, and the service of the Kingdomes of the Country. But however an Army is r.iiscd to defend their Lordly dignity ; Let the Saints be joyfull with glory, let the high Acts of God be in their mouths, and a two edged Sword in their hands, to bind their Kings in chaines, and their Nobles in fetters of Iron, the Charets of the Lord are twenty thousand thou- sands of Angells, the Lord is among them as in Sinai, Kings of Armies did tlee apace ; and now you that have borne such a wicked spirit of malignity against the peo- ple of Christ, can your hearts indure, and your hands wax strong in the day that he shall have to doe with you ? Oh you i^roud Prelates that boast so much of your taking the Kings part, miserable partakers arc you ; in stead of obeying him, you have caused him to obey you, its writ in such great cajiiiall letters that a child may read it : what was the cause of the first raising war against the

16315.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR. IN NEW ENGLAND. 39

Scots which occasioned the Parliament, when you saw they would not further the war as you would have them, they were soone traytors in your account, and prosecuted against with Army after Army, and was not all this to make the Scots receive your Injunctions, a very fayer bottom to build a bloudy war upon, that the Prelattical power might Lord it in Scotland, as they of a long time had done in England : it was your Pithagorian Phyloso- phy that caused the King to loose his Life, by pers wad- ing him his Kingly power lived in youi* Lordly dignity, as a thing subordinate unto it, and he so deeply taken with this conceit, that it cost the lives of many thousands more then ever hee, or his Father would doe for saving ' or recovering the Pallatine Country.

Experience hath taught the savage Indians, among whom we live, that they may and doe daily bring Wolves to be tame, but they cannot breake them of their rave- ning nature, and I would your Royalist would learne of them to know, that as your Lord Bishops, Deanes, Pre- bends, &c. be right whelps of the Roman litter, so let them be never so well tam'd, they will retaine their na- ture still, to Lord it over all kinde of Civill Govern- ment ; But woe and alasse that ever any of our Country- men should be so blind, that after they are delivered from so great a bondage by such Wonder-working Providence of the Lord Christ ; Ever and anon to in- deavour to make a Captaine over them, that they may re- turne againe into Egypt, as appeares by the plots which have beene discovered, and broken in pieces by the right hand of the most high, and yet for all this their's such a hankering after somewhat of the Prelaticall greatnessc ; by the English Clergy, and the Scottish Classis, that ma- ny of them could afford to raise another war for it. But brethren I beseech you be more wiser, lest when you are grovvne hot in your quarrell, the Malignant party come and set you agreed, stablish peace in righteousnesse, and let the word be your rule, heare one another with meeke- nesse, and the Lord will cleare up the whole truth unto you in his due time ; And now to declare plainly how

40 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 5.

far the Lord hath beene pleased to make use of any of his people in these Westerne parts, about this Worke, for to sav truth they have done nothing in holes and cor- ners, but their workes are obvious to all the World : if the sufferings of the Saints be pretious in the eyes of Christ, so as to provoke him in displeasure to cut off the occasioners thereof, then thus his poore unworthy people here have had a great stroake in the downfall of their ad- versaries to the present possessed truths of Christ, for this wildernesse worke, hath not beene carried on with- out sighthings that have come before him, and Groanes that have entred his eares, and Teares treasured up in his bottles (againe) if the ardent and strong affections of the people of God, for his glorious comming to advance his Kingdome in the splendor, and purity of his Gospell, as to cry with the holy Prophet, Oh that he would breake the Heavens and come down ; be regarded of the Lord Christ, so as to remove with his mighty power the verv Mountaines out of the way, and hurle them into the deepe ; Then hath these weakc wormes instrumentallv had a share in the great desolation the Lord Christ hath wrought. 1" or this History will plainely declare widi what zeale and deepe affection, and unresistible resolutions these Pil- grim people have endeavoured the gathering together his Saints, for the edifying the Body of Christ, that he may raign both Lord and King for ever.

Yet againe, if the prayers of the faithfull people of God availe any thing for the accomplishment ot his promises, in the destruction of Antichrist, for the subduing of ^Vr- mies without striking one stroake ; Then assuredly these Jacobites have wrestled with the Lord, not oncly (with lliat good King Jchoshaphal) proclaiming one Fast, but many Fasts, they, their Wives and little ones standing before the Lord ; Oli our God wilt thou not judge then\ for we have no niight, 8cc. Lastly, if tlie Lord iiimselfc have roared from Sion, (as in the dayes of the Prophet Amos) so from his CMiurehcs in New England, by a great and terrible Kartluiuake (which happened milch wbout the time the Lordly Prelates were preparing their

i636.] OF SiONS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 41

injunctions for Scotland) taking rise from the West, it made its progresse to the Eastward, causing the Earth to rise up and dovvnc like the waves of the Sea; having the same effect on the Sea also, causing the Ships that lay in the Harbor to quake, the which^ at that very time was said to be a signe from the Lord to his Churches, that he was purposed to shake the Kingdomes of Europes Earth, and now by his providences brought to passe, all men may reade as much and more : as if he should have said to these his scattered people (yet now agame united in Church Covenant) the Lord is now gathering together his Armies, and that your laith may be strengthened, you shall feele and heare the shakings of the Earth by the might of his power : yea, the Sea also, to shew he will ordaine Armies both by Sea and Land to make Bab- ilon desolate ; Things thus concurring as an immediate answer of the Lord to his peoples prayers and endeav- ours, caused some of this little handful! with resolute courage and boldnesse to returne againe to their native Land, that they might (the Lord accepting and assisting them in their endeavours) be helpfull in advancing the Kingdoiiie of Christ, and casting down every strong- house of sinne and Satan. It matters not indeed who be the instruments, if with the eye of faith these that go forth to fight the Lords Battailes, can but see and heare the Lord going out before them against their enemies, with a sound in the tops of the Mulbery Trees. ^ Here are as- suredly evident signes that the Lord Christ is gone forth for his peoples deliverance, and now Frogs, Flies, Lice or Dust, shall serve to destroy those will yet hold his people in bondage, notwithstanding the Lord will honour such as hee hath made strong for himselfe ; And there- fore hee causeth the worthies in Davids time to be re- corded, and it is the duty of Gods people to incourage one another in the worke of the Lord, then let all whose hearts are upright for the Lord, ponder well his gomgs in his Sanctuary, that their hands may be strengthened in the work they goe about, onely be strong and of a good courage.

7 YOh, IV.

42 WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCB [cHAP. 6.

CHAP. TT. Of the gratious p;oodne5se of tlic T cd Christ, in saving his I^ew England people, from tlie hand of the barbaioiis Indians.

LasIIv, for the frontispiece of their present distresse, nanielv the Indian war, they with much meeknesse and prent dehbcration, wisely contrived how they mi^ht best heipe their fellow brethren ; hereupon they resolved to send a solemne Embassage to old Cannonicus, chiefe Sachem of the narrow Ganset Indians, who beinpj then well stricken in yeares had caused his Nephew Mianti- nemo to take the Government upon him, who was a very Sterne man, and of a great staiure, of a cruell nature, causing all his Nobility and such as were his attendance to tren\ble vX his speech, the jX'ople under his Govern- ment were very numerous, besides the Niantick Indians, whose Piince was of neare alinnce unto him ; Ihey were able to set forth, as was then supposed 30000. fighting men, the English sought by all meanes to keepe these at least from coi. federating with the Pcquods, and under- standing by intelligence, that the Pequots would send to them for that end, endeavoured to prevent them. Fit and able men being chosen by the English, they hast them to Cannonicus Court, which was about fourescore miles from Boston.

The Indian King hearing of their comming, gathered together his chiefe Counsellors, and a great number of his Subjects to give them entertaiimient, resolving as then that the yoimg King should receive their message, yet in his hearing, they arriving, were cntertain'd royally, with respect to the Indian manner. Boil'd Chesnuts is their White bread, which are very sweet, as if they were mixt with Sugar ; and because they would be extraor- dinary in their f asting, they strive for variety after the English manner, boyling Puddings made of beaten come, putting therein great stoie of black berryes, somewhat like Currants. They having thus nobly feasted them, afterward gi^c them Audience, in a State-house, round, about fifty foot w ide, made of long poles stuck in the ground, like your Summer-houses in England, and cov- <Ted round about, and on the top with Mats, siive a small

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 48

place in the middle of the Roofe, to give light, and let out the smoke.

In this place sate their Sachim, with very g;Teat atten- dance ; the English commiiig to deliver their Message, to manifest the greater state, the Indian Soclnm lay along upon the ground, on a Mat, and his Nobility sate on the ground, with their legs doubled up, their knees touchin.4 their chin : with much sober gravity they at- tend the Interpreters speech. It was matter of much wonderment to the English, to see how solidly and wisely these savage people did consider of the weighty under- taking of a War ; especially old Canonicus, who was very discreet in his answers. The young Sachem was indeed of a more lofty spirit, which wrought his mine, as you may heare, after the decease ui the old King. But at this time his answer was, that he did willingly embrace peace with the English, considering right well, that although their number was but small in comparison of his people, and that they were but strangers to the Woodb, Swamps, and advantagious places of this W il- dernesse, yet withall he knew the English were advanta- ged by their weapons of War, and especially their Guns, wiiich were of great terror to his people, and also he had heard they came of a more populous Nation by lar than all the Indians were, could they be joyn'd together. Also on the other hand, with mature deliberation, he was well advised of the Peaquods cruell disposition and aptnesse to make War, as also their neere neighbourhood to his p::0[)le, who though they were more numerous, yet were they withall more efieniinate, and lesse able to defend themselves from the sudden incursions of the Peaquods, should they fall out with them. Hereupon hee denies it most conducing to his owne, and his peoples Safety to direct his course in a middle way, holding amity with both. The English returne home, having gained the old Kings favour so farre, as rather to favour them then the Pequods, who perceiving their Neighbourmg English had sent forth aid to the Mattacusetts government, thought it high time to seeke the winning all the Indians they could on their side, and among others they make

14 WONDER-WORKIXG PROVIDENCE [CMAP. 6.

their nddressc to old Cannoniciis, who, instead of taking ])art uiih them, labours all he can to hush the War in hand, laying before them the sad effects of War ; some- times proving sad and mournrull to the very Victors then. selves, but ahvayes to the vanquished, and withall tells them what potent enemies they had to contend with, whose very weaj^ons and Armor were matter of terror, setthig their persons a side ; as also that English man was no much hoggery yet, and therefore they might soone appease them, by delivering into their hands those persons that had beene the death of any of them, which were much better than that the whole Nation should per^ ish.

For the present the Pequods seemed to be inclinable to the old Sachims counsell, but being returned home againe among their rude multitude (the chief place of cowardly boasting) they soone change their minde ; yet the old Sachim sends the English word he had wrought with them, and in very deed, the English had rather make choice of Peace then Warre, provided it may stand with Truth and Rightccusnesse : and therefore send forth a band of Souldiers, who arriving in the Peaquod Country, address themselves to have a Treaty with them about delivering up the murtherers ; ihcy making shew of will- ingness so to do, bade them abide aw hile and they would bring them, and in the mean time they were conversant among the Souldiers, and viewing their Armif, pointed to divers places where they could hit them with their ArrQwcs for all their Corslets. But their greatest num- ber King the while at the other side of a great hill, and anon apjiearing on the top of the hill, in sight of the En- glish : those Indians that were among the English with- drawing toward them ; no sooner were they come to their Companions, but all of a suddaine they gave a great shout, and shewed the Englisii a fair pair ot heels, wlio seeing it, would not availc any thing to follow them (th'.y Ik ing iarre swifter of foot tlian the English) made iheir/eturne home againe.

This bootksse voyage incouragtd the Indians very much, who insulted over theiu at the loit, boasting of

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 45

this their deluding them, and withall, they blasphemed the Lord, saying, Englishmans God was all one Flye, and that English man was all one Sqawe, and themselves all one Moor-hawks. Thus by their horrible pride they fitted themselves for destruction. The English hearing this report, were now full assured that the Lord would

% deliver them into their hands to execute his righteous judgement upon these blasphemous murtherers; and therefore raised fresh Souldiers for the warre, to the num- ber of fourscore, or thereabout, out of the severall towns in the Matachusets, and although they were but in their beginnings, yet the Lord, who fore-intended their work, provided for all their v.ants, and indeed it was much that they had any bisket to carry with them in these times of scarcity, or any vessels to transport their men and ammu- nition : yet ail was provided by the gTacious hand of the most high ; and the Souldiers, many of them, not onely armed with outward weapons, and armour of defence, but filled with a spirit of courage and magnanimity to resist, not onely men, but Devils ; for surely he was more then ordinaryly present with this Indian army, as the sequell will shew : as also for their further incouragement, the reverend and zealously affected servant of Christ, Mr. John Wilson, went with the army, who had treasured up heaps of the experimental! goodnesse of God towards his people. Having formerly passed through perils by Sea, perils by Land, perils among false brethren, &.c. he fol- lowed the w^arre purposely to sound an alarum before the Lord with his silver trumpet, that his people might be remembred before him : the Souldiers arivuig in safety at the towne of Hartford, where they were encouraged by the reverend Ministers there, with some such speech as followes.

Fellow-Souldiers, Country-men, and Companions in this wildernesse-worke, who are gathered together this day by the inevitable providence of the great Jehovah, not in a tumultuous manner hurried on by the floating fan- cy of every high hot headed brainc, whose actions prove

»• abortive, or if any fruit brought forth, it hath beene rape, theft, and murther, things inconsisting with natures light,

16 W0NDER-W0RK1N6 PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 6.

ihcn much lesse with a Souldiers valour ; but you, my tlcare hearts, purposely pickt out by the godly g^ave Fathers of this goverunicnt, that your prowcsse may cany on the work, where there Justice in her righteous course is obstjucted, you netd not question your author- ity to execute those whom God, the righteous Judge of all the world, hath condemned for blasphcmuig his sa- cred M.jcstv, a!id murthering his Servants : every com- mon Souldier among you is now installed a Magistrate ; then shew your selves men of courage : I would not draw low ihe height of your enemies hatred against you, and so debase your valour. This you may expect, their swelling pride h^th laid ihe foundation of large concep- tions against you, and all the people of Christ in this wildernesse, even as wide as Babels bottome. But, my brave Souldiers, it hath mounted already to the clouds, and therefore it is ripe for confusion ; also their crueltie is famously knownc, }et all true bred Souldiers *reserve this as a common maxime, cruelty and cowardize are unseparable companions ; and in briefe, there is nothing V anting on your enemies part, that may deprive you of a compleat victory, oncly their nimbleness of foot, and the unaccessiblc swan.ps and nut-tree woods, forth of which your small numbers may intice, and industry com- pel! them, And now to you I put the question, who would not fight in such a cause with an agile spirit, and undaunted boldnesse ? yet if you look for further en- couragement, I iiavc it tor you ; riches and honour are the next to a good cause c)ed by every Souldier, to main- tain your ow ne, and spoilcyourenemics of theirs ; although gold and silver be wanting to cither of you, yet have you that to niaintaine which is fane more precious, the lives, libiriyes, and new purchased freedomes, priviledges, and ininiunities of the indeared servants of our Lord Christ Jcsub, and of your second selves, even } our atfectionatcd bosom- mates, together with the chicfe pledges of your love, the comforting contents of harmlesse pratling and smiling babes : and in a word, all the riches of that good- nessc and mercy that attends tlie people of God in the in- joyment of Christ, in his Ordinances, even in this lifej

• picscrrr .'

1637.] OF SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. ^

and as for honour, David was not to be blamed forenquir- in.a: after it, as a ^\x^ recompence of that true valour the Lord had bestowed on him : and now the Lord hath pre- pared this honour for you, oh you couragious Souldiers of his, to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and cor- rection among the people, to binde their Kings in chaines, and Nobles in fetters of Iron, that they may execute upon them the judgements that are written ! this honour shall be to all his Saints, but some of you may suppose deaths stroke may cut you short of this : let every faithfull Soul- dier of Christ Jesus know, th..t the cause why some of his indeared Servants are taken away by death in a just warre (as this assuredly is) it is not because they should fall short of the honours accompany i!:g, such noble de- signes, but rather because earths honours are two scant for them, and therefore the everlasting Crown must be set upon their heads forthwith, then march on with a cheerfull Christian courage in the strength of the Lord, and the power of his might, who will forthwith inclose your enemies in your hands, make their multitudes fall under your warlike weapons, and your feet shall soon be set on their proud necks.

After the Ministers of Christ had, through the grace that was given them, exhorted and encouraged these Souldiers appointed for the work, they being provided with certaine Indian guides, who with the close of the day brought them to a small river, where they could per- ceive many persons had been dressing of fish ; upon the sight thereof, the Indian guides concluded they were now a feasting it at tlu ir fort, which was hard at hand ; the English calling a Councill of warre, being directed by the speciallest providence of the most higti God, they concluded to storm the fort a little before break of day ; at which time they supposed the Indians being up late in their jolly feasting, would bee in their deepest sleepe ; and surely so it was, for they now slept their last ; the Entj^lish keeping themselves as covertly as they could, approached the fort at the time appointed, which was builded of whole Trees set in the ground fast, and stand- ing up an end about twelve foot high, very large, having

46 WONDE It- WORKING PROVIDENCE [cilAP. 6i

pitclit their Wigwams Within it, the entrance being on two sides, w ith intricate Meanders to enter. The chiefe Leaders of tlic Enj^hsh made some little stand before they oflcrcd to enter, but yet boldly they rushed on, and found the passages guarded at each place with an Indian Bow-man, ready on the string, they soone let fly, and wounded the formost of the English in the shoulder, yet having dis|)atch'd the Porters, ihey found the winding way in without a Guide, where they soone placed them- selves round the Wigwams, and according to direction they made their first shot with the muzzle of their Mus- kets doune to the ground, knowing the Indian manner is to lie on the ground to sleep, from which they being in this terrible manner awakened, unlesse it were such as were slaine with the shot.

After this some of the Ertglish cntred the Wigwams, where they received some shot with tlieir Arrowes, yet catching up the iire-brands, they began to fire them, and others of the English Souldiers with powder, did the same : the day now began to break ; the Lord intending to have these murtherers know he would looke out of the cloud}- pillar upon them : and now these women and children set up a terrible out-cry ; the men were smitten down, and slaine, as they came forth with a great slaugh- ter, the Sqawes crying out, oh much winn it English- man, who moved with pitty toward them, saved their lives : and hereupon some young youth cryed, I squaw, I squaw, thinking to finde the like mercy. There were some of these Indians, as is reported, whose bodyes were not to be pierced by their sharp rapiers or swords of a long time, which made some of the Souldiers think the Devil was in them, for there were some Powwowes among them, wiiieh work strange things, with the help of Satan. Hut this was very remarkable, one of them being wounded to death, and thrust thorow the neck with a halbert ; yet after all, lying groaning upon the ground, he caught the halberts' speare in his hand, and wound it (juite round. After the English were thus possessed of this first victory, they sent their prisoners to the pinnaces, and prosecute the waiTC in hand, to the

1637.] OP SIGNS SAVIOUR, IN NEW ENGLAND. 49

next Battalia of the Indians, which lay on a hill about two miles distant, and indeed their stoutest Souldiers were at this place, and not yet come to the fort ; the En- glish being weary with their night worke, and wanting such refreshing as the present worke required, began to grow faint, yet having obtained one victory, they were, very desirous of another : and further, they knew right- well, till this cursed crew were utterly rooted out, they should never be at peace ; therefore they marched on toward them. Now assuredly, had the Indians knownc how much weakned our Souldiers were at present, they might have born them dovvne with their multitude, they being very strong and agile of body, had they come to handy-gripes ; but the Lord (who would have his people know their work was his, and he onely must order their Counsels, and war-like work for them) did bring them timely supply from the vessels, and also gave them a sec- ond victory, wherein they slew many more of their ene- mies, the residue flying into a very thick swamp, being unaccessible, by reason of the boggy holes of water, ajVd thick bushes ; the English drawing up their company beleagered the swamp, and the Indians in the mean time skulking up and down, and as they saw opportunity tiiey made shot with their Arrowes at the English, and then suddainly they would fall flat along in the water to delend themselves from the retalliation of the Souldiers Muskets. This lasted not long, for our English being but a small number, had parted themselves far asunder, but by the providence of the most high God, some of them spyed an Indian with a kettle at his back going more inwardly into the swamp, by which they perceived there was some place of firm land in the midst thereof, which caused them to make way for the passage of their Souldiers, which brought this warre to a period : For akhoiigh many got away, yet were they no such consider^bje number as ever to raise warre any more ; the slaine. or wounded of the English were (through the mercy of Christ) but a few : One of them being shot through tjie body, neere about the breast, regarding it not till, pf a long time after, which caused the bloud to dry and thick- 8 Vol. y.

iO WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE [cHAP. 6.

cn on eitheir end of the a'DW so that it could not be drawne forth hib body without great difficulty and much paine, yet did he scape his hie, and the wound healed. Thus the Lord was pleased to assist his people in tiiis warrc, and deliver them out of the Indians hands, who were very lusty proper men of their hands, most of them, as may appear by one passage which I shall here relate : thus it came to passe. As the Souldiers were uppon their march, close by a great thicket, where no eye could j)en- ctrate farre, as it often falls out in such weariiiom wayes, where neither *"icn nor beast have beaten out a path ; some Souldiers lingering behinde their fellowes, two In- dians watching their opportunity, much like a hungry hauke, when they supposed the last man was come up, who kept a double double double distance in his march, they sudden and swiftly snatched him up in their tallens, hoising him upon their shoulders, ran into the swamp with him ; the Souldier unwilling to be made a Pope by J3^ing borne on mens shoulders, strove with them all he could to free himselfe from their hands ; but, like a care- lnU.Commander, one Captaine Davenport, then Lieuten- ant of this company, being diligent in his place to bring T\p the rearc, coming up with them, followed with speed iuto die swamp after him, having a very severe cutlace t\|Ld to his wrist, and being well able to 'nake it bite sore wIku lie set it on, resolving to make it fall foul on the Indjans bones, he soone overtook them, but was prevent- ftcl'by the buckler they held up from hitting them, which ^•"a^- the man they had taken : It was matter of much woJKlcr to see with what dexterity they hurled the poore SxJnldier about, as if ihcy had been handling a Lacedae- WOllian shield, so that the nimble Captaine Davenport coukl not, of a long tune, fasten one stroke upon them ; y<.V"t last, dying their lawny skin into a crimson colour, thCty.castdowne their prey, and hasted thorow the thicks cVifor their lives. The Souldier thus redeemed, had no sOch hard usage, but that he is alive, as I suppose, at this. very day: The Lord in mercy toward his poore Churches, having thus destroyed these bloudy barbarous Indians, he rciurncs his people in safety to their vessels,

ANECDOTE 05- THE SOLDIERS OF ARXOLD. 51

where they take account of their prisoners : the Squawes and some young youths they brought home with them, and finding the men to be deeply guilty of the crimes they undertooke the warre for, they brought away onely their heads as a token of their victory. By this means the Lord strook a trembling terror "into all the Indians round about, even to this very day.

[To be contioiied.J

Anecdote of the Soldiers of Arnold.

When the Traitor Arnold deserted his post at West Point on Hudson's River, he was rowed in his barge to the L-,ritish Sloop of war, " the Vulture," then lying near ^Tappan Bay. On leaving the shore from his quarters, which were on the East side of the river, about two miles below the point, the Cockswain of the boat put the bow of the boat up the river as usual, for the point. Arnold ordered him to put the boat about and go down the river with all possible expedition, adding, that he was going on board the " Vulture" on business of the greatest importance. After about an hour and an half or two hours the barge reached the Vulture. Arnold went on board and ordered the crew to come on board. They did so. After some time Arnold came on deck from the cabin, and toid the crew that he had quit the rebel service and joined the standard of his Btiiannick Majesty ; that he should have orders to raise a brigade in that service and addressing himself to the corporal and eight privates, which constituted his barge's crew, added, "if you wiil join me, my lads, I will make Serjeants or corporals of you all ; and for you James," turning to the corporal, " I will do something more." Surprized and indignant the corporal replied, " No sir, one coat is enough for me to wear at a time." Two of the barge- men who had been British deserters remained with Ar- nold, the others with their cockswain, the corporal, re- turned to their duty, not in the barge they had rowed down, but in an ordinary inferior boat, Arnold having

5S ACCOUNT OF SUDBURY.

the meanness to steal the barge, which he probably kept for his own use.

Th- name of the corporal was James Lurvey or Lar- vey (it is presumed Lurvey.) He belonged to the Massachusetts regiment, commanded by Rufus Putnam, and it is belicvtd came from the county of Worcester, either from Brookfield or some neighbouring^ town.

The circumstances were related to me by Lurvey, who was well known to m?, and confirmed by the other bargemen on their return in the old boat, who heard James make the reply to Arnold.

As an instance of virtue on the part of Lurvey, and as a cutting reproach on Arnold, I have always had a de- sire to see the anecdote on record. It is possible Lur- vey may still be alive, in which case his evidence may afiord more particulars than my recollection at this dis- tance of time can supply. One of the bargemen by the name of Hawkes belonged to the same district with Lurvey, but from the state of his health at the time it is doubtful whether he is alive.

According to yaur request I have stated the principal fact, and am with respect.

Dear Sir,

Your obedient servant,

W. EUSTIS. Dr. R. Webster.

A TopoGRApmcAL Description and Historical Account of Sudhury, in the County of Mid- dlesex ANn Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including its Ecclesiastical History.

Sudbury (which included East Sudbur>) lay on both sides of iSudbury, or Concord River, and was in- corporated as a town, September 4lh, 1639 : it was dien bounded cast by ^Vatcrto^^ n ; north, norliieast and easU crly on Concord : on the south and west, there were no incorporated towns: no locations or grants of land near

ACCOUNT OF SUDBURY, 53

it : all beyond was then a dreary, pathless wilderness, in- habited by the savage Indians and wild beasts. This was a favourable settlement for the people in the infancy of the country, particularly as the river furnished them with a great variety and rich abundance of fish ; and the extensive meadows afforded their cattle a good supply of feed in summer, and a sufficiency of hay for the win- ter. The first settlers fixed down on the east side of the river, and there was the place for publick religious wor- ship for all the inhabitants on both sides, until the divis- ion of the town into two parishes.

The present bounds of Sudbury (since the incorpora- tion of the easterly part into a separate town, April 10th, 1780, by the name of East Sudbury) are as follow. Beginning at a stake and. stones at Sudbury river, being the northeast corner of Sudbury, which is the corner also between Sudbury, East Sudbury and Concord ; from thence running northwesterly 1177 rods to a stake and stones, at Concord and Acton corner : thence the same course on Acton 146 rods to the river Assabet : from thence up in the middle of said river, between Sud- bury and Stow 530 rods, to a stake and stones ; thence turning and running more westerly 852 rods to a pine tree, a bound between Sudbury, Stow and Marlborough ; thence between Sudbury and Marlborough, southwest- erly, 826 rods to Framingham line : thence on said line southeasterly, 1457 rods to Sudbury river: thence down said river, northerly, 238 rods : thence, leaving said river to the cast, runs between Sudbury and East Sud- bury northwesterly, 401 rods : thence northeasterly to Sandy Hill, so called, on the east side of Worcester road, 75 rods : thence, by various short angles, to Sudbury river : thence down the middle of said river northerly, be- tween Sudbury and East Sudbury, 1527 rods, to the first mentioned bounds. This tract contains 18030 acres.

The town of Sudbury is a remarkably level, cham- paign tract of land. On the east side, as we leave the river meadows, the lands rise considerably for a mile or more in Avidth, on both the Worcester and Lancaster roads, and then, by an easy descent, become a plain

64; ACCOUNT OP SUDBUUY.

from the southeast, southwest, northwest, nortli aiwl northeast. This is several miles wide ; but much long- er. It is not properly a pine plain, though there be much of that growth of wood thereon ; but there is a large quantity of hard wood, as oak of the various sorts for lucl or timber, also walnut ; not much chesnut. The town is exceedingly well wooded. This immense plain is pretty free from stone ; while the hilly part on the e:ist s:de, next the ri\er meadows, is very rocky, uneven, rich, good land, and affords many excellent farms. Tiie plain land is rather of a loose, sandy soil, easy to culti- vate ; and yields good crops of grain : and, indeed, by reason of the many rivulets interspersed all over it, on which are valuable meadows, it makes considerable farms. But the best farms are every where on the out« skirts of the town.

Bivers, brooks, ponds, ^c. Sudbury river enters this town at the southwesterly part and passes off northeasterly into Concord, and then takes the name of Concord river, and uniting there with the river Assabct, empties its waters into Merrimac river between Billerica and Chelmsford. It is between seven and eight rods wide in Sudbury, and abounds in excel- lent fish, as pickerel, perch, &c. &.c. Shad and alewivcs are taken here in the months of April and May. The meadows on this river, in Sudbury and East Sudbury, arc very good and extensive : but, as this river is with- out falls and the waters sluggish, these meadows are sometimes overflowed about the time for cutting the grass, to the damage and loss of the people ; reducing them to great straits for the support of their cattle in the winter season. The bridges over this river arc two, and not long. One is over a canal, made for the quicker draining of the water. But the causeway over the mca. dows is a singularity : it is in lergih upwards of half a mile. It is crooked ; more than fifty years ago it was but little elevated, and, of couise, overflowed in autumn, winter and sprint;, so as to render it, many times, impas • sable : it was rebuilt, repaired and raised upwards of

ACCOUNT OF SUDBURY. 95

thirty years past, by a lottery granted for the purpose ; still passing over it is unsafe in certain freshets. This is now supported and kept in repair by Sudbury and East Sudbury in the manner following. East Sudbury maintains a little mere than half of it, Sudbury the re- mainder.

There are several brooks and rivulets in Sudbury, but the most considerable and worthy of notice is that beautiful stream which is twice crossed by the post road to Worcester, between Sudbury causeway and Mailbo- rough line. This enters Sudbury at the south wes cor- ner of the town, where it is about two yards wide. Near this, and nigh the great road, on the south side is a grist mill, where 2100 bushels of grain were ground in 1811. This stream takes a circuitous route through the wester^ ly part of the town, then turns its course southeasterly, crosses the great road again, where there are corn and saw mills erected near said road, about two miles west of the causeway. In the grist mill were ground 13,000 bushels of grain, in the year 1811; and 70,000 feet of boards, plank and slitwork were cut at the saw mill in the same year. About two miles above these mills is a saw mill where much work is done annually. Above this saw mill, at some distance, is a corn mill which grinds annually about 2,000 bushels. On this stream there is much meadow or intervale land. This brook runs into Sudbury river in the southeast part of the town, where it is about five yards wide. This is called, at its mouth. West Brook ; but as you proceed up it has dif- ferent names, as Lanham, Mill, Hop, Wash, and Snake Brook.

Ponds there are three, situated in the westerly part of the town. The largest is called Willis's Pond, and con- tains 96 acres, abounding with good fish. The next in size is called Pratt's Pond, containing about 36 acres. The smallest is called Bottomless Pond, and contains about 12 acres : it is said to have no bottom, whence it derived its name.

, Alines or ores*

In the northerly part of the town is a iriine, supposed to be of silver and copper. Much time and n^onfey have

05 ACCOUNT OP SUDBURY.

been expended in digging for this expected valuable treasure : already have they dug into a rock 72 feet in deptn. Whether the proprietors will ever be repaid their expenses time only can determine.

Indian Wars.

This was, in the infancy of the English settlements, a plantation much exposed to depredations from the In- dian savages of the wilderness. When settlements com- n»enced on the west side of the river, they were in fear aiid danger from them, and built a fort for their resort and defence on an eminence west of the causeway, m here troops \\ ere stationed : but we learn of no mischief done here uncil iifter the incorporation of towns westerly, as Marlborough, Lancaster, Oxford and Brookfield : lune until the time of king Philip's war, so called. All which can be found, in any history of those times, is given as follows : Several attempts were made on Sud- bury, as well as Marlborough, Lancaster and other places. On the first of February, 1676, one Thomas Eames who had a farm in Sudbury, but lived three or four miles from the body of the people, had his house assaulted while he was from home : the Indians killed his wife and carried off his children captives, previously however, burning all the buildings on the farm with all therein, corn, hay, cattle, &c. One of his children es- caped from the Indians in May following, travelling thirty miles in the woods alone, without any relief, until he came to an English town. What became of his other children history gives us no account. The inhab- itants of Sudbury with a lieutenant Jacobs and his men, about forty in all, townsmen and soldiers, March 27, 1676, discovered the Indians, towards day, laying along by their fires, and discharged their guns several times upon them, wounded thirty of them, fourteen of whom died that day, or soon after, while the English lost not one man.

On the 18th of April, 1676, the Indians, supposed to be several huiiduds, made a violent assault upon Sud- bury. They burned several houses and barns, and kill-

ACCOUNT OF SUDBURY. 9f

cd and captivated ten or twelve men, who came from Concord, about five miles distant, to the relief of Sud- bury. This was in the forepart of the day. In the af- ternoon, Captain Wadsworth, who had been sent with fifty men for the relief of Marlborough, hearing the In- dians were gone through towards budbury, marched back for their defence ; and being come withm a mile of the inhabitants, espied a party of Indians, who drew them into an ambush in the woods, when suddenly a large body of them surrounded the English, drove them back to the top of an hill, where our people manfully fought them : but night coming on, and some of his men fleeing, he was forced to retreat, pursued by the enemy, when this brave captain with near thirty men were killed. This was near two miles west of the causeway, and used to be called Green Kill, by reason of the body of evergreens, which formerly grew thereon. It was on the west side of the hill where these men were slain, about a mile south of Sudbury meeting house, and not quite so much north of the Worcester road, a little east of a town way leading from said road to the meeting house, where a monument, erected about eighty years ago, may be seen, the inscription whereon is still legible, and is as fol- lows :

Capt Samuel Wadsworth of

Milton, his lieut Sharp of

Brookline, capt. Brocklebank

of Rowley, with about

twenty six other Soldiers

fighting for the defence of

their country, were slain

by the Indian enemy April 18,

1676 ; and lye buried in this place.

This monument was erected by captain Wadsworth's son, the Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, who graduated at Harvard University in 1690, was a minister of the first church in Boston from September 8ih, 1^96, to March 16th, 1 737, when he died, aged 68 years. He was also president of said college from 1725 to 1736. This is asserted by governour Hutchiiibon, in his history- of 9 Vol. it.

iS ACCOUNT OF SUDBURY^

Massachusetts, who graduated at Cambridge during the presidency of Mr. Wadsworth.

Ecclesiastical Hntory. The ecclesiastical history of Sudbury is as follows, and imperfect for want of records. It is probable none were kept until the Rev. Mr. Loring's day. If aqy there were they arc irrecoverably gone. The Rev. Ed- mund Brown was the first minister of Sudbury. He was ordained in August, 1640, at which time the church was, probably, embodied. This was the eighteenth church gathered in Mabsachusetts. Mr. Brown died on the 22d of June, 1677; having been their minister almost thirty seven years. This gentleman received his education in England, whence he came into this country. He was a worthy and good character ; a man of emi- nence and distinction in his diiy.

The Rev. James Siierman preached to this people that same year, 1677, in which Mr. Brown died. He was ordained ; but the venerable Loring never could asceF» tain the date of his ordination from any records, nor from the memory of any living when he came to Sudbury. Mr. Sherman was dismissed from his pastorate May 22, 1705, and died March 3, 1718. He received no colle- giate education in this country ; if any where it svas probably in England, whence the first settlers here chief- ly emigrated. He undoubtedly had a good education ; for the inhabitants then were careful to provide for them- selves teac! ers who possessed considerable degrees of knowledge.

The Rev. Israel Loring, who graduated at Harvard University in 1701, succeeded Mr. Sherman, and was ordained November 20, 1706 ; bcmg the third pastor in succession, of the church and town of Sudbury, while they Vft remained one religious society. The meeting house was then on the cast side of the river, in what is now East Sudbury ; and Mr. Loring lived a number of )Tars in that j)art of the town. In his day Sudbury >vas divided into two j^arishes, by an act of the General Court, bearing date [uncertain] When this took place,

ACCOUNT OF SUDBURY, 5$

Mr. Loring had his option, which of the two parishes should be his particular charge ; and as the majority of the church and people then lived on the west side of the river, he chose that part, and when they had builded a meeting house, he removed thither, and built him a dwelling near where their large new meeting house stands.

The Rev. Israel Loring died on the 9th of March, 1772, in the 90th year of his age, and in the 66th year of his ministry. He continued his publick ministrations to the very last ; and would have preached the Sabbath preceding his death, but had occasional help. On Monday he prayed at the annual March meeting ; was taken unvvell at the meeting house, was carried to his house in a sleigh, and died before the next Sabbath. The writer of this memoir had some personal acquaint- ance with him the last four or five years of his life. He was venerable not only on account of his great age, but his piety and goodness. He was well furnished for the pastoral office ; and was an able, faithful, useful minister.

He preached the election sermon before the General Court in May 1737, which, no doubt, was printed : Al- so he preached a sermon before the Convention of the Con- gregational Ministers in May, 1742. This was not printed.

He was succeeded in the ministry at Sudbury by the Rev. Jacob F'.iglow, who graduated at Harvard Universi- ty 1766, and was ordained November 11, 1772, only eight months and two days after the death of Mr. Lor- ing.- Mr. Biglow being taken off from his publick min- isterial labours for some time, by various bodily infirmi- ties, the people at length invited Mr. Timothy Hilliard to settle with thtiii, as colleague pastor with the Rev. Mr. Biglow, and he was accordingly ordained June 1, 1814. He graduated at Harvard University in 1809.

Persons who received a publick education from Sudbury.

Noyes Paris graduated at Harvard University,

1721, was settled minister at [uncertain] William

Brintnat, at Yale College, 1721, Received also a mas-

60 ACCOUNT or EAST SUDBURY.

ter's degree at Harvard. Thomas Frink, at Harvard, 1722, first settled minister at Rutland, resettled at se- cond church at Plymouth, and afterwards again settled at Barre, and dismissed a third time. John Loring, at Harvard, 1729, son of Rev. Israel Loring. Jonathan Loring, at Harvard, 1738, son of Rev. Israel Loring, was a lawyer, lived and died at Marlborough. William Cooke, at' Harvard, 1748, son of Rev. William Cooke. W'iliiani B.udivin, at Harvard, 1748, lived and died in what now ia East Sudbury, was a worthy man, and a dea- con of thai church, and a justice. Gideon Richardson, at Harvard, 1749, was a settled mmister at [uncert.] Samuel Baldwin, at Harvard, 1 , 52, and brother of William above named, wab a settled minister at Hanover. Abraham Wood, at Harvard, 1767, settled in the ministry at Chesterfield in New Hampshire state, still living. Na- hum Cutler, at Harvard, 1773, died at Sudbury many years ago. Asahel Goodenow, at Harvard, 1774, lived in Sudbury, and still lives, not in publick life, Jude Damon, at Harvard, 1776, settled in the ministry at IVuro, county of Barnstable, still living. Reuben Puf- fer, D. D. at Harvard, 1778, settled in the ministry at Berlin, still living.

A Topographical Description and Historical Account or East SuunuRv, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, INCLUDING ITS ECCLESIASTICAL HlSTORY.

J\S this was originally a part of Sudbury, and remained so almost an hundred and fifty years, it is fitting and necessary that some account of this j[>lacc should imme- diately follow that of Sudbury.

Sudburj' was incorporated as a town September 4lh, 1639. The first settlers fixed down on this east part of the town, for various reasons no doubt ; as they were few in numbc r and not of suflicient ability to erect a bridge over the river, and make it comfortable passing over the mcado\\o where the causeway now is ; and also

ACCOUNT OF EAST SUDBURY, 6i

on the east side they were more safe and secure from the Indians on the west. Here they built houses for publick worship, in succession : and although they pretty soon began to settle on the west side, and had got tolerable passing over the river and meadows, and were become more numerous than they were on the east side, yet they contmued one religious society until their third min- ister, in succession, had been ordained several years. In the year [uncert.] they were, by act of the General Court, divided into two parishes : the west part, being the most numerous, was considered as the first parish ; and by a most happy, harmonious agreement of the people, the two ministers had salaries alike, both paid out of the Towq Treasury, and shared in the profits of the ministerial lands, until this east part was incorporated into a distinct town, which was on the 10th of April, 1780.

The ecclesiastical history of this part, now East Sud- bury, should here be introduced.

Soon after tht division of the town into two parishes, a church was gathered in this second parish ; and the Rev. William Cook, (graduated at Harvard University in 1716,) was ordained their first pastor, March Soth, 1723. Mr. Cook died November 12th, 1760, in the 64th year of his age, and 37th of his ministry. He was a worthy man and good minister, living in much harmo- ny with his people, and was highly esteemed by them for his work's sake.

He was followed in the ministry, in this parish, by the Rev. Josiah Bridge, (graduated at Harvard Univer- sity in 1753,) who was ordained their second pastor, November 4th, 1761. Mr. Bridge died pretty sudden- ly, June 20th, 1801, in the 62d year bf his age, and the 40th year of his ministry. He was a popular preacher, had a fine, clear and loud voice, possessed good jpulpit talents, and spake with great animation. He was chosen to preach on several publick occasions. In May, 1789, he preached the election sermon, which was printed. In 1792 he preached a sermon before the Convention of Congregational Ministers in Massachusetts, at their an- nual meeting, the day after the General Election. This

QZ ACCOUNT OF EAST SUDBURY.

was not printed. He also preached the Dudleian Lec- ture in Harvard University, in the year 1797. This was a discourse against the errors of popery, agreeable to the establishment of the pious founder. This was not printed.

Mr. Bridge was succeeded in the ministrj' in this place by the Rev. Joel Foster, (graduated at Dartmouth Col- lege in 1777.) Mr. Foster was installed here on the 7th of September, 1803, and died Friday morning, Septem- ber, 25, 1812, in the 58th year of his age, after having been nine years and eighteen days in the ministry m East Sudbury. He possessed excellent pulpit talents, and was specially gifted m prayer. He had been previously settled in the ministry in New Salem, in the county of Hampshire, where he was ordained on the 9th of June, 1779, and dismissed January 21, 1802. The cause of his removal was the want of an adequate support. Va. rious attempts were made to compromise this point : at length the people proposed to give him J5400, which he accepted, and was thereupon regularly discharged from his pastoral relation to New Salem, under the direction of an ecclesiastical council.

On the 25th of January, 1815, Rev. John B. Wight was ordained their pastor, at which time, also, their new meeting house, built in 1814, was solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God.

East Sudbury is bounded, northerly, on Lincoln ; east- erly, on Weston ; southerly, on Natick ; and westward- ly, partly, on Framingham, and, partly, on Sudbury. It contains 8123 acres, including water ; and is about seven miles long, north and south ; and its average breadth is about three miles. In this town are no noticeable hills. Sudbury River Kuns on the west side of the town ; Mill Brook, near the meeting house ; also, West Brook, with some others of less note. On these streams are two small grist mills and one saw mill. There are alx)ut 600 acres of meadow lands in the town ; and a small propor- tion of orcharding. In this town there are some clay grounds ; and bricks have been occasionally made there- in. There are three ponds; one called Town Popd,

ANECDOTE OF KING PHXUP's GUN LOCK. 63

containing about 81 acres : Dudley Pond, containing about 200 acres ; and Baldwin Pond of 17 acres. The causeway is more than half a mile in length ; and East Sudbury supports rather more than one half of it. Their ministerial lands are valuable ; 40 acres of woodland, pasturage, &c. and 20 acres of meadow.

Anecdote of King Philip's Gun Lock. Dear Sir,

I PRESENT an old rusty gun lock to the Historical Society, which you will please to deposit among the relicks of the early wars of our country. The lock was given to me, a few days since, by Dr. Nathaniel Lothrop of Plymouth. The history of it is interesting. The late Isaac Lothrop, esq. of Plymouth, obtained it of Mr. Silvanus Cook, late of Kingston, Silvanus was great grandson of Caleb Cook, and Caleb was the soldier, placed with an Indian by Col. Church to watch, and if possible kill King Philip, should' he at- tempt to escape from the swamp in Mount Hope Neck where he had taken shelter. VVhcn Philip was pursued, on the opposite side of the swamp, he endeavoured to es. cape at the place where Cook aud the Indian were sta- tioned. " Cook," as the historian relates, " snapped his gun, but it missed fire. He then bade the Indian fire, and he instantly shot him through the heart."

The tradition is, that Cook, having a strong desire to possess the gun with which King Philip was killed, re- quested the Indian to exchange guns with him, to which request the Indian consented, and the fortunate gun has been preserved in the family of the Cooks, to the present, time. When the great grandson consented that Mr* Lathrop should take the lock, he retained the other parts, as memorials of the interesting event.

With due respects to yourself, and much esteem for the Historical Society, I am your most obedient servant,

JOHN LATHROP. Redford Webster, Esqw

Q4t PAPER RELATING TO HARVARD COLLEGE.

A Paper relatixg to Harvard College, ±707-

[For the following scrap, relating to the history of the University at Cambiiiliie, we are iudebted to a gentleman, at Pejepscot, in rhe District of Maine, to whom our thanks are due for sending us the origiual paper in its fust draught, certified by the senior lellow.]

1 O His Excellency Jos : Dudley, Esq. Capt : Gen : and Governour in Chief, Sec. The Humble Addresse of the Fellows of Harvard Coll : in Cambridsje Sheweth, Thit we have, accordinsj to the Rules of our House, Unanimously Declared our Desires that the future Heads of this Cftlledge may be Resident, and as Resident Presi- dents were aunciently wont to doc, may Govern the Stu- dents and Serve them with Divinity Expositions, &c. & In Pursuance thereof, we have Chosen the Hon- orable John Leveret, Esq. Our next President ; Of whome we have Good Confidence that He will (when Accepted and Subsisted) Lay aside and Decline all In- terfering Offices and Imploymcnts, and Devote Himself to Said Work, and By the Divine Help be a very able and faithfull Instrument to Promote the Holy Religion Here Practised and Established, by Instructing and fit- ting for our Pulpitis and Churches and other PubUck and Useful Services such as shall in this School of the Prophets be ComtAiittcd to His Care and Charge : We Recommend the said Honorable Person as our President to Your Excelkncys Favourable Acceptation and Pray that You would Present Him to the Honorable General Assembly and move for His Honorable Subsistence. If Your Excellency thinks fitt so ue Rest

Your Excelleneys most Humble Servants. Harvard Coll. in Canibridge Oct : 28 1707-

JAMES ALLEN, Senior Fellow.

Voted. Tint the Revd. Mr. Allen the Senior Fellow Sign the Abliove Address and present the Same to his Excellency in the name of the fellows of Harvard Col- ledge and Mr. Treasurer with the Fellows living in Boston arc desired to Accompany the Revd. Mr. Al- len when He Waits upon the Governour with the said Address.

REMARKS ON SCHERMERHORN's REPORT. 65

Remarks on Mr. Schermerhorn's Report con-

CERNING the WeSTERN InDIANS.

[The followiug letter to the CoirespondiDg Secretary from a highly respected associate, correcting an article in the second volume of this series of cur Collections, is gratefully acknowledged and promptly inserted. — The committee for publishing the former vol- ume, and it is presumed that the select committee of the Society for propagating the gospel, by whom it was communicated, did not perceive the extent of the implication in the " Report ;" and it was probably an inadvertence on the part of the writer. While the Society are not to be considered as in any degree pledged for the cpinions advanced by those who furnish them with documents, it is

- their Avi&h and intention never to give circulation to any censure, on individuals or associations, without the most unquestionable au- thority, and oD some urgent necessity, for some obvious utility. This purpose they would particularly cherish in reference to so tru- ly respectable and venerated a body as the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. They therefore frankly express sin- cere regret at the unintentional offence which has been given. Editors.]

Philadelphia^ Aug, 28, 1815.

Rev. Sir,

IVlY object in the present communication is to correct an extraordinary inaccuracy in the report made ^' by Mr. John F. Schermerhorn to the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians in North America." The part of his report to which I re- fer relates to the Indian School established in the Chero- kee country, and is published in vol. 2, (second series) of the Historical Society's Collections, pp. 13 and 14, It has occurred to me but very lately, while consulting the Collections upon another subject ; and as all the papers' relating to the School, mcluding Mr. Blackburn's letters and accounts, are in my custody, I feel it more particu- larly incumbent on me to state the facts; and in doing this, I shall give the dates, to which peculiar importanqe attaches in the present case.

10 . VOL. lY

66 REMARKS ON SCIIERMERHORN's REPORT.

The General Assembly, consisting of individuals dis- persed through most of the United States, and possess- ing property for pious uses, found great difficulty in managing their pecuniary concerns : Application was therefore made to the Legislature of Penns} Ivania for an act incorporating trustees for this purpose, and a law was accordingly passed, Maich 28, 1799.

Those trustees suggested, inter alia, to the General Assembly, at their session in May, 1800, " the gospel- izing of the Indians on the frontiers of our country, — connected with their civilization, the want of which, it is believed, has been a great cause of the failure of former attcmj)ts to spread Christianity among them." Where- upon the Assembly without delay appointed agents to procure subscriptions to a fund for accomplishing the objects specilicd by the trustees : And in their next year's minutes they mention their having received " very pleasing intelligence of the willingness, yea, of the ardent desire, of the heathen tribes to have the gospel preached to them : And oftlrs from some of their chief men to commit their sons to presbyteries and missionary socie- ties, in order that they may be instructed, not only in the arts of civilized life, but also in the principles of the christian religion."

On the 17th February, 1803, *' the standing commit- tee of missions" (appointed by the General Assembly in May, 1802) addressed a letter to " each of the presbyte- ries immediitely connected with that body in the man- agement of missionary concerns," soliciting such in. formation as their experience enabled them to give, respecting persons suitai)le for " missionaries to the fron- tiers and to the Indian tribes, and the places or regions demanding missionary labours."

The General Assembly met on the 19th May, 1803, when the Kev. Gideon Blackburn attended as a commis- sioner from the presbytery of Union ; and on the 27th ol that motiih the committee of missions entered into conversation with him "upon the subject of a mission to the Chcrolxces ; and o.i their application" Mr. Black- burn agreed to engage it it. They then warmly re-

EEMARKS ON SCHERMERHORN-'s REPORT. 67

commended to the Assembly, that he should be employ- " ed in that service for two months, and left at his discre- tion as to the season of the year in which it should be performed. They requested at the same time, that " if the disposition of the Indians should be found to be friendly, they might be allowed to establish a school to which the children of the natives might be sent for edu- cation." Upon this recommendation the General As- sembly directed that Mr. Blackburn should be employ- ed " under such instructions as circumstances," in the opinion of the committee, " might require." For this, missionary service he received sixty six dollars and six- ^ ty seven cents, w-hereof one half was paid in advance, and the Assembly afterwards gave him a gratuity of fifty dollars. During that mission he took measures, " under the auspices of the committee of missions, for establish- ing a school on the borders of the Indian territory for the purpose of instructhig the Indian youth in the English language, agriculture, and the mechanical arts, with other branches of useful knowledge.

The school was established at Hywassee, — received from the Cherokees all the countenance and support which they could give it, — and their children made great proficiency. The General Assembly afforded it liberal patronage ; appropriating two hundred dollars for the first year (which Mr. Blackburn thought would be. adequate to its support) and afterwards increased the al- lowance for this purpose to Jive hundred dollars : — For Mr. Blackburn's further encouragement, he was em- ployed as a missionary to the Cherokees from A. D, 1803 to 1809 inclusive, for two, three, (and in 1808 and 1809) for six months in the year : And upon the whole he received, for the support of the school, and as a mis- sionary, for the above period, three thousand, nine hun- dred and fifteen dollars, and fifteen cents ; as appears from a document furnished by the treasurer to the trus- tees of the General Assembly, now before me.

In 1806 Mr. Blackburn applied for the institution of a second Indian school in the slate of Tennessee ; but the funds of the Assembly would not admit of this addi-«

08 REMARKS ON SOHERMERHORN's REPORT. -

tion to their expenses, after what they were pledged to do for the ^r^f , and giving aid co the boa:d ':f trust of the Synod of Pittsburg for christianizing the Wyandots. Unable to afford pecuniary assistance, they adopted the only measure remaining in their power, by " earnestly recommending this school to the patronage of charitable and liberal individuals." Mr. Blackburn was informed that the General Assembly were " unable to pledge their funds in any degree, for the support of the second School:" it was, however, instituted: and this, it is presumed, was one cause of the embarrassment which " obliged him to sell his farm at Marysville." Perhaps another may be suggested by the following extract from his letter, of February 20, 1809, to the committee of missions : *' my little farm is nearly the only mean of support since the embarrassments respecting our lands, in connection with the embargo, has so nearly ruined my poor people." In another letter, dated April 12, 1811, from Nashville, he urges ill health as a reason for not **" having preached on as many week-days as on other missions." This relates to a missionary appointment for three months^ given him the preceding year, after he had given up the Hy wassee School ; which has not been since cbntinued under the patronage of the General As- sembly, as they have not yet been able to procure a suitable superintendant.

The facts being such, it is evident,

That the suggestion of a mission to the Indians did not originate with " Mr. Blackburn ;" but that the business was engaged in by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, three years before that gentle- man became a member.

That it was the General Assembly who " gave the ru- diments of a common English education to the Indian children."

That Mr. BKickburn was not " obliged to forsake the llywassee mission for want of support," as he has ac« tually been paid near four thousand dollars by the Gene- ral Assembly, who were under no engagements to sup- Dort anv other.

REMARKS ON SCHERHERHORN'S REPORT. 69

That " he was" not "five hundred dollars out of pocket'* on that account: I add, that he has never claimed it from the committee of missions.

That "the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church have" not " continued a School in the nation since Mr. Blackburn left the mission in 1810."

On reading Mr. Schermerhorn's Report, any person unacquainted with circumstances, would suppose the part respecting the Cherokees to be intended to fix a stigma on the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; especially if the reflection is considered, that " if missionaries are left to go to this warfare at their own charges, the field will soon be forsaken." It will appear from the above statement that this contains an unjust in- sinuation, which the reporter ought modestly to have forborn, especially as he had, while in this city, a conve- nient opportunity for obtaming correct information by applying to any member of the committee of missions. But, why such total silence as to the Second School ?

It was not my intention to have written so much on this subject ; but I found, as I proceeded, that I could not otherwise give a clear view of it. 1 feel for the hon- our of the General Assembly ; and I feel, as a member, for the honour of the Historical Society ; for although they are not responsible for the correctness of state- ments made to them, their reputation will, in a degree, be affected by them : And I cannot doubt their readi- ness to rectify mistakes when pointed out ; especially when the moral character of so venerable and important a body is implicated. Under this impression, I request a place for this communication in tiic next volume of the Society's Collections, that those who have been mis- led by the Report may in future, and as early as may be, possess more just ideas.

I remain, respectfully, Rev. Sir, Your friend, and very humble servant,

EBEN. HAZARD. Rev. Dr. Abiel Holmes.

70 account of earthquakes.

Letter from Rev. T. Alden o\ Earthquakes.

Meadville, 13 July, 1815. Rev. A. Holmes, D. D.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

llAVING been very careful to gain what informa- tion was in my power relative to the earthquakes which took, place in Portsmouth and the parts adjacent while I was stationed in that town, and to make a minute rec» ord of the same, I gave an account of these to our late distinguished mutual friend Dr. Eliot. A former ac- count which I ser.t him appears in the 9th vol. Hist. Coll. Were it not for that circumstance, I should now make another disposition of the enclosed, which has been copied from my private MS. If worthy of a place in one of your future vols, it will serve to continue a history of earthquakes, which, probably, no other person has thought it worth while so minutely to notice. How- ever, it is at your disposal.

Portsmouth, JV. IT. 14 August, 1807. Rev. John Eliot, D. D. Cor. Sec. Mass. Hist. Soc.

Kev. and Dear Sir,

I resume my pen in order to continue to the time of this date, from the 2d of March, 1804, the account,* then submitted to the Historical Society, of earthquakes in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, andDistrict of Maine. ^ A small shock was noticed at Augusta on Kennebeck river, according to several Gazettes, at about nine in the evening, on Wednesday, the sixtli of February, 1805. ^

At sundry places in the counties of Essex and Mid- dlesex, many |)cople supposed that there was an earth- quake, at about two in the afiernoon of Saturday, the sixth of April following. A slight jar was perceived. It may, however, be remarked that there were several

• See 9lh Tol. Idt Scr. Hist. Coll. pp. 2o2--4.

ACCOUNT OF EARTHQUAKES, 7i

claps of thunder, about that time, one of which might possibly produce an effect, which was mistaken for that _of an earthquake.

On Thursday, the twenty-fifth of the same month, a little before sunset, there was undoubtedly an carth- . quake of considerable extent. It was observed in all the lower towns of this state, and for twenty miles in a north- westerly direction ; but nothing of it was noticeable much beyond the heights of land in Deerfield and Northwood, as, from repeated enquiries, I have been able to ascer- tain. It was heard and felt, principally, in the counties of Essex and Plymouth and in those, which intervene, in Massachusetts ; as appears from intelligence received, soon after, at Andover, Salem, Cohasset, Marshfield, and Bridgewater. In the south parish of the last mentioned town, the tremour was so great as to stop the pendulum cf a clock. The noise was, in some places, described as equal to that of the earthquake, which happened on the first of March, 1801.

On Lord's day, the twelfth of May, a little before eleven in the forenoon, we had a shock, which was gen- erally perceived in most of the towns at the northward of ' Boston, in Massachusetts ; in New Hampshire, from the sea coast to the middle of the state ; and in various parts of the District of Maine, as far as Warren. It is wor- thy of remark, that, on the following day, the remains of a man, who fell from a gondola, about six months before, and was drowned in the Pascataqua river above Boiling Rock, so called, were found not f*r from the place on. the Newington shore. The idea of some was, that they were brought from the bottom by the agitation of the water, which the earthquake occasioned.

Must there not, probably, have been a tremendous earthquake at the north, early in the same year, to have detached from the polar regions such an immense conti- nent of ice, as was seen in the spring covering the ocean, even to the latitude gf Boston ■? You recollect the disas- ter of the Jupiter, and the wonderful preservation of a part of her crew, as well as the several staiements rela- tive to the uncommon extent of ice in the Atlantic, at the time to which 1 allude.

7S ACCOUNT OF EARTHQUAKES.

There was a slight shock in the county of Kennebeck, either on, or about the thirteenth of June, 1806, the week before the total solar eclipse.

On Tuesday night, not far from eleven o'clock, the thirteenth of January, of the present year, an earthquake, sufficient, in many instances, to rouse people from their sleep, was noticed in the counties of Rockingham, Straf- ford, Essex, and York. The impression, which some at first had, was, that their cellar walls were falling in. There was a distinct tremulous motion, and the nois3 was equal to that of a coach passing slowly over frozen ground. On the hill in Dover, upon which is the bu- rial yard, and near it, a crack, in some places six inches wide, and several rods in length, was said to have been discovered soon after this earthquake, and was supposed to have been occasioned by it.

In a few towns, and particularly at North Hampton, two or three small earthquakes were heard, about the middle of the day previous to the last mentioned.

A little after two o'clock, in the afternoon of the twen- ty-second of February, on the Sabbath, an earthquake was generally perceived throughout the District of Maine, the lower part of New Hampshire, and in some parts of the county of Essex. It appears to have been similar to the one we had on the first of March, 1801, as to its duration and cftbcts. The sound came from the northward and was more noticeable in the interiour of Maine, than in this quarter.

The last earthquake, which occurred in these parts, was on Wednciiday, at sunset, the sixth of May. It continued for fifteen or twenty seconds and was attend- ed with a gentle clattering on shelves of crockery ware. It was observed in this and seveial neighbouring towns, but more particularly in the vicmity of Saco river.

These earth(juakcs were, no doubt, more extensive, than, with all my endeavours, I have been able to ascer- tain. With regard to most of them, the producing cause was probably in some region north of die Pascat- aqua.

Your respectful humble servant,

TIMOTHY ALDEN.

BILL OF MORTALITY FOR AMHERST, N. H.

73

P. S. It has been stated in our newspapers, that, on the fifteenth of last Ap^-il, there were two earthquakes at Moptreal. A number of pai^es of glass were cracked in one house and, what may afford speculation for the curious, it is said the " cracks run uniformly in a diag- onal direction." T. A.

Bill of Mortality for Amherst, N. H. for ten Years ; coMiUiNCiNG January 1, 180.^, and ending January 1, 1815. By John Farmer.

			(=5	ft, -5'	si	'a	1 <	a.	o O	B V >	E	o H
1805		2	1	r;	3	•	4 3 8	1	1	4	29
1806	1	4	2	2	3	2	. 1^	,	3	,	.	18
1807	3	Q	.	3		2	4 4	1	1	2	3	27
J1808	4	^	1	.		1	4 2	1	1	„	2	20
1809	)	1	1	3	4		.	.	2	,	,	2	14
1810	3	1	4	2		1	3	. 4	1	.	1	21
181 i '	1	.	,	^		1	s	2. •	1	.		9
1812	1	2	2	2		2		If 1	2	2	1	18
1813	1	3	1	2		3	1	41 2	]	9	1	22
181 1	5	3	9	e			7	1| J		3	5	47
	—	—	—	—	—	— ^	—		—	—
	.'0	22	21	2'i	>4	12	k6	1 8 ' 20 n	!0	9	225

Table exhibiting a view of their ages each year.

isor;

1806 IS07 1808 1 80>.! 1810 1811

isC

1813 1814

11^ -

"i Its

5| 1

21

1

?!

3'-') 6

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6

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ir

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CO

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-*

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00

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r)

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rz

-5

—

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C

s

<■

c

c

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cc

R

rt

0!

ot

K

j;

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w

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r)

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o

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m

—

m

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to

CO

•*

>n

in

to

<>.

'''-

"'

1

1 2 1

i 1

'2 1 2

2

1

2 1 1

1 1 1

2 1 1.2 1 1

I 1

S 3

1 1 1 3 l' 2

3 3 3 I 1

1 1

1 3 1 1 2

1 2

'

2

-2

2

1

1

1

I

1

1

6

1

.)

-2

2

3

2

2

_

I

2

1

7

8

13

l:i

8

3

7

3

10

4

9

10

16

3

10

6

_3_

Between 95 and 100 ; in 1808, 1. Between 100 and 105 ; in 1805, 1. Ages not mentioned 5 — Total 225.

11 VOL. lY. ^

74

BILL OF MORTALITY FOB AMHERST, N. H.

Aggregate and average of ages each year.

Years.	Number	Aggregate	Average
	or deaths.	ami of ages.	age.
1805	29	841	29
1806	18	585	32
1807	27	1027	38
1808	20	500	25
1809	14	458	32'
1810	21	567	27
1811	9	420	46
1812	18	855	47
1813	22	569	25
1814	47	1107	23
10 years.	225	6929	31 n

mean average age.

Those whose ages are not meutioned were childreo, and would not materially adect the above result.

Remarks. The most considerable part of the forego- ing was prepared the last year and intended to accompany the sketch of Amherst,* published in the second volume of the second series of the Collections. Much care and attention have been bestowed to render the above tables correct and intelligible. It appears from the Jirst that the number of deaths in June, October, and November, were considerably less than in any other months, conse- quently we may suppose these were more favourable to health. The whole number which have died during the ten years is 225, (not including 8 strangers who have died in town) of whom 121 were of adult age. Of this

• The writer would take this opportunity of correcting a few errours therein^ occniiioiicd li^ misinroimntion. Page 247, line 30, nfier Bedford, insert six miles j thence running wcsi on Ikillord Siinic page, il is said " the limits of the town were evidently more extensive than represunicd by (he charter," &c. It was not till scvcrul yr.trs after the charter was prnnle<l, that Amherst nc<iuircd «I» extension r)f its limits. 'I'he adjoining town of Monson was divided, and a consid- erable part Riintxed to thi^ town. After tills addition il was " nearly ten mile* in length and stven in width." Page a.M), lim- 2f. and 35. The Ucv. Mr. Wil- kin* was ordaiacU bcpleiuber iU, 1741, U.S. auU dicil 1783. ilu sod graduated

BILL OP MORTALITY FOR AMHERST, N. H, 75

number 59 were males and 62 were females. From a course of observations made in the eastern part of this state and in several towns in Massachusetts, it is found that the proportion of those who die below the age of 16 is the same as those above 16. This will not however apply to the number of deaths in this town during the above period, though it might for a longer time. Of the 225 who have died, 100 were under the age of 16, and 125 were above that age, leaving an excess of 25. Un- der the age of 20 years, 106 have died, and above 20, 119 have died. Under the age of 25, 117 have died, and above, 108. Of those who attained the age of 60 years and upwards, 6 died in January, 4 in February, 6 in March, 7 in April, 7 in May, 3 in June, 6 in July, 4 ia August, 5 in September, 4 in October, 2 in November, and 4 in December. Of those above seventy years, 12 died in winter, 10 in the spring, 11 in the summer, and & in autumn. Of the above number, (225) the writer has ascertained as many as 40, which have died of consumption, and this, doubtless, is near the cor- rect number. Of these, 11 died in the winter, 10 in. the spring, 13 in the summer, and 6 in the autumnal months. It has been remarked that complaints of the pulmpnary kind are more frequent, and prove more fatal, after a winter of extreme cold. This remark is, proba- bly, true, if the extreme cold is succeeded by a warm and early spring. The human constitution, braced by cold, cannot with impunity bear the subsequent relaxation, es- pecially when there is a predisposition to such com- plaints. It may be interesting to examine hoiv far this observation will apply to the period embraced in the foregoing tables. The winters of 1806 — 7, and 1811 — 12 were in a peculiar manner distinguished by their ex- treme cold. A greater degree of cold occurred in 1807, in several places, than had taken place for fifteen years previous. For more than a month the ground was cov- ered with ice, and the winds, wafted over so large a por- tion of it, were peculiarly piercing and severe. It can- not with truth be said, that the succeeding spring was forward, though it is recollected that the early part of it

76 LETTER FROM MR. JOHN FARMER.

was warmer and more relaxing in proportion to the sea- son, than the latter part. If we recur to the first table, we shall find the number of deaths 27, of which tihiCf exactly one third, died of consumption. Pulmonary complaints were very frequent this year. The hooping cough and influenza prevailed.

The winter of 1811 — 12 is more fresh in our recol- lection. There was a greater degree of cold this year than was ever before known in many places, and this cold continued a considcmble time with but little inter- mission. The early part cf spring was warm and ])kas- ant. If we again recur to the foregoing Table, we shall find the number of deaths in 1812 to be 18, of which numbf r six died of consumption !

Amherstf June 2, 1815.

jimherst, .V. H. June, 1815. Rev. Sir,

I beg the liberty of correcting one or two errors which I find in the first ccnmunication, page 162. 1 have said that *' it appears from the recorrl^, that Biilerica was granted by Heniy Duiister, Richard Chrimpney, Edward Gofic and John Kridgc to Ralph Kill, sen. William French," &,c. Such indeed it ^id appear to me, and might appear to any person, who cursorily examined the records. Upon a subsequent examination, I find that the former gentlemen were appointed by the town of Cambridge^ commissioners to make propositions to the in- habitants of Shawshin, who had requested immunities and freedom from all publick rates and charges at Cam- bridge. The manner in which these propositions of the commissioners were inseried in the records led me to believe that they were the grantors of the town. Smce I formed that ojMnion, I have obtained a transcript of the grant of Shawshin (Biilerica) to Cambridge, of which I subjoin a cojjy.

*' At a Generall Court held at Boston on adj. 14 June, 1642. All the land upon Shawshin river and between that and Concord river and between that and Merrimac

LETTER FROM MR. JOHN FARMER. 77

river (not formerly granted by this Court) are granted to Cambridge so^ as that they erect a village there within five year^-^ and we as that it shall not 'xtend to prejudice CharJestown village, or the village at Cochittuate (Where was Cochittuate ?) nor the farme-j formerly granted to the now Gov. of 1260 acres and to Mrs. Winlhrop ; & Mr. Flint & Mr. Stephen Winthrop are to set out their head line toward Concord."

in a subsequent grant Shawshin was granted to Cam- bridge without any condition of making a village there^ provided the Church and present Elders continue at Cam- bridge A few years after this grant, the inhabitants of Sh?;wshin obtained of the inhabitants of Cambridge a deed, which is called in the records the '* great deed," which was acknowledged by Thonas Danforth of Cam- bridge, and appears to have been recorded. This is signed by a considerable number of the inhabitants of Cambridge, but it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to de- cypher ail their names.

With this, I communicate a Bill of Mortality for this town which has cost me much labour to collect and arrange in its present form. In discriminating their ages, I have been more particular than usual. I think we cannot be too particular iti this respect. To your judgment. Sir, I submit the propriety of publishing it, with the accompanying remarks. In a note, I have cor- rected a few errors in the " Sketch of Amherst." I took much pains to have it correct, but I find a reliance on verbal; information respecting dates cannot always be had. Dr. Belknap places the death of Mr. Wilkins in 1784 and the ordination of Mr. Barnard in 1779, and these errours, though trivial are transmitted to a second edition. I am certain the boundaries with my correction will be correct. I have the original Charter before me. With much respect.

Your very obedient servant,

JOHN FARMER. Rev, Dr» Holmest Cambridge,

78

MINISTERS IN NEV^ HAMPSHIRE IN 1767»

Catalogue op Ministers in the province of New Hampshire in 1767, with the year of their ordination annexed.

1715,

1748, 1758,

1740, 1767,

1758, 1736, 1750, 17- 1759, 1765, 1717, 1740, 1765, 1759, 1743, 1760, 1767, 1736, 1737, 1761, 1763, 1764,

1766, 1767,

1752, 1757, 1767, 1747, 1764,

1763,

Jos. Adams, Newinnrton.

Jobu Adams, Durham.

Jos. Adams, jr. Stralham.

J\lo?es Bado'er, Episcopal Missionary through the Proviuce.

Abner Bailey, New Salem.

Jeremy Belknap, Collcap. with the Rev. Mr. Cush icg, Dover.

Benj. Butler, Nottingham.

Arthur Browne, E. Portsm.

Step. ChaFe, New Castle.

Peter CoflTiii, Kingston.

Josiah Cotton, Sandown.

Samuel Cotton, Lytchfield

Jonathan Cushing, Dover.

\Vm. Davidson, Loudond'y.

S«th Dean, Rindge.

Jonathan Eames, Newton.

Daniel EraerBon, Ilollis.

Step. Farrar, N. Ipswich.

Thos. Fcssenden, Walpole.

Ebenezer Flagg, Chester.

Jeremy Fogg, Kensington.

Abiel Foster, Canlerbuiy.

Bunker Gay, Hinsdale.

\Vm. Goddard, Westmore- land.

Avery Hall, Rochester.

JoBcph S. Hastings, North Hampton.

Samuel Haven, Portsm.

John Houston, P. Bedford.

Jose|)h Kidder, Dunstable

Samuel Lai'gdon, Portsm.

Mical) Lawrence, Winches- ter.

Jona. Livcrmore, Wilt»u.

1737, Nath. Merrill, Notting- ham-west. 1 7 65, Gyles i^lerrili, Plastow.

1756, Sam. M'Clintock, Green-

land. 1 737, David M'Gregore, LondoD-

derry.

1 760, Mitchell, P. Perab'ke.

1 765, Amos Moody, Pelham. 1 730, John Moody, New Market. I 763, Nath. Noyes, S. Hampton. 1743, Woodbridge Odiin, Exet.

1760, Bulkle) Olcott, Charlest'a. 1736, Samuel Parsons, Rye.

1 763, John Page, Hawke. 11Q\ Sam. Perley, P. Seabrook.

1765, Peter Powers, Haverhill.

1 730, James Pike, Somereworth. 1 755, Joseph Prince, Barriiigton. 1743, Daniel Rogers, Exeter.

1757, James Scales, Hopkintoo. 1 758, Josiah Stearns, Eppiug.

1761, Clement Sumner, Kecne.

1766, Eben. Thayer, Hampton.

1762, Amos Tappaii, Kingston.

1 752, Naihau Trask, Brentwood. I 752, Henrj- True, Hampstead.

1731, John Tucke, Gosport. 1701, John Tucke, Epsom.

1 "30, Timo. Walker, Rumford.*

1765, Nathan Ward, Plymouth.

1 706, Simon Williams, P. Wind- ham.

1734, John Wilson, P. Chester.

17(33, Paine Wingate, Hamptoo Falls.

1736, Aaron Whittemore, Pem- broke.

* Now CoDoord, in RockiDgliam County.

I

SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH COLONY. ' 70

Notes. Of the above catalogue, which is principally- derived from Mein and Fleeming's Register for 1768, no more than five continued in the ministry at the close of the century. At present, there are only two, the Rev. Bunker Gay, of Hinsdale, who graduated at Har- vard College in 1760, and the Rev. Joseph Kidder of Dunstable, who received a degree at Harvard in 1764. The number of ministers in the province in 1741 was about 27 ; in 1767, according to the above, 64 ; in 1800, there were about 129, and now, (1815,) there are of all denominations, according to the New Hampshire Register, 144. The number of inhabitants in New Hampshire in 1767, has been estimated at 52,700. There were in this year, 9 regiments of foot, and 1 of horse guards, 80 Justices of the Peace, and 31 Repre- sentatives to the General Court. In 1800, when the number of inhabitants was 183,858, there were 31 reg- iments of foot, 472 Justices of the Peace, Repre- sentatives, and 92 attornies. In 1815, there are 37 reg- iments, 1004 Justices of Peace, 184 Representatives, and 162 Attornies. Amhersty N, H. SepU 23, 1815.

History of Free Schools in Plymouth Colony, and in the town op plymouth, with incidental

NOTES. 1815.

xVN historical research on publick schools coming with- in the articles of enquiry of the Historical Society, this memoir on the subject respectfully awaits a place in their collections ; the records of Plymouth colony, and of the town of Plymouth, having been the principal guides in the enquiry.

In the former, the first notice on the subject occurs in "court proceedings," under the year 1663, in these words :

" It is proposed by the court unto the several town- ships in this jurisdiction, as a thing that they ought to take into their serious consideration, that some course

80 SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH COLONY.

may be taken that in every town there may be a schoolmas- ter set up to iraiti up children to reading and v riling."*

Previous to this date, therelbre, it may probably be assumed as an hi.torical laci, that thi-re were not any pullick schools in Plymouth colony ; r.i which period the incorpr-ratcd towns were Ply n. out h, Ouxbury, Scituate, Sandwich, iVlarshficld, Barnsublt/. V ,n)>outh, Taunton, Rehobolh, Ea^iham, B. idgcu uier ana Middlcborou^ h, the two last being then receiic and \e:y smuli settlements.

Forty two years had now elaps d t>ince the settlement of Plymouth. A gcnciation hud therefore attained man- hood, who, born in the country, had, before this era, be- come freemen of the colony, and who had doubtless re- ceived si;lutary parental moiruciion, and in some of the towns such as was accjuired at incidental private schools. A settled ministry then existed in all thise towns, with the exception of Eastham and Middleborough.f The whole territory was yet a M'ilderness, the aboriginal population numerous, and occasionally hostile, the means of subsistence precarious, the colonists as yet few, disperscly seated in a savage wild, whose moral and whose physical features were yet to be softened and sub- dued.

The proposition of 1663, seems not to be acted upon until 1672, in die mondi of March, in court proceedings, in these words :

" Whereas at the General Court of his majesty, holden at New Plymouth, in June, 1670, ilie court upon due and serious consideration did freely give and grant all such profits as might or should annually accrue to the colony, from time to time, for fishing with nets or seines at Cape Cod for mackerel, babs, or herrings (as by the s;ud grant doth more fully api)ear) to be improved for

• Wc liavc before uii h iPHiiuicripl lo'.ler, wriitcn in ITSO, to Dr. Douglnst, on the iiilijcct of liis S>iniiniiry Uisloij, h\ n imson iiiliiiialel_\ :u<iii«inted willi I'ly- moulh colony, iit »liitl» llic \»iilii. «llu(lir.|; lo hit rcinaiks on dov Prince, shjs, " III- »n» nni, ii« you ^iiy.n wan of li':ii-ning, Im. ii sluniUI be .iildol llint lie »«» a lavuurt-r uf it, witDCks bii encoiinig ng jiiU selling up a graniiuitr bchoul iu^i^- numth."

t Mr. Keitli, «l»c fir»l minister of Driilp; 4 air r, «:i8 onlained I6fi3. Tbe faiui. lict till re were few »nbsn|Mcnl lo this ilac. Both tbiil to« n Unit MitldleborouKh were biiikcn up ICrC, and the laticr perliaps nut oompclcut lo a tchool until loo clutcuf the ccnlury, il U»cn.

SCHOOT.S IN PLYMOUTH COLONY. 81

and toward aFREE School in some town of this juris- diction, for the training- up of youth in Hterature, for the good and benefit of posterity, provided a beginning: were made Vvithin one year after the said grant; and the or- dering and managing the said aft'air was, by the Court, committed ^c the governor and assistants, or any four of them, and that within the time hmiied there hath been a beginnir.g made at Plymouth, and hitherto continued, by God's blessing, wiih good success, as upon exaniination may appear. And whereas the said town in general have given and granted whatsoever pn-fits msy any wav arise from or by the improvement of a considerable tract, ly- ing and bein[-; at Agawaain, Sepecan and places adjacent, for unci towards the maintenance and upholding of the said school at Plymouth ; and also since several of the towna of Plymouth, out of their good affections, have freely given out of tlicir own estate, for the erecting and procuring a convenient school house, not only for the better accommodation of the scholars, but also for the schoolmaster to live and reside m, as God, by his good providence, may please to present,* all the premises being considered, in hopes that Gcd may please so to smile up- on this our day of small things as to make it a blessing to the rising generation.

" This Court, taking themselves much obliged readily and gladly to accept of that trust committed unto them by the aforesaid General Court, do hereby readily and cheer- fully accept thereof; and hope, by God's assistance, faithfully and carefully to use their best endeavours (what in them lieth) to encourage and carry on the said well begun work at New Plymouth, so long as God shall be pleased to afford any competency of means, and conve- nient number of scholars." And to that end do ap- point and constitute "our approved friend, Mr. Thomas Hinckley,t tO take upon him the office, care and charge,

• " Building the houses" was, we believe, a proposition merely, not carried in- to eflTect, from circun. stances, until a subsequent pei'iod, perhaps, as will hereafter appear, ; bout 1700.

■\ Thomas Hinckley, the last governour of Plymouth colony^ was the son of Samuel Hinckley, a f'-eeman of the colon)', 16SG, who was ot the Scituate church,' and who removed with that part of it which settled Barnstable, 1639 ; this son »wa8, probably^ born either at Plymouth, or Scituate.

12 ■ VOL. IV.

82 SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH COLONY.

of a Steward of the said school, to demand, recover, and receive all such sum or sums of money due from any person or persons to the said school, either by revenue of the said grant of the court, or the grant and gift of the town of Pl> mouth, or any otherwise due. And that he do give a true account of all such monies received, once, or twice, in the year, unto the governour and mag- istrates, or any four of ihem, as it shall be required.

" As also to make such payments and disbursements to any employed in or about the said work, as he shall be ordered by them, according to monies received by him from time to time ; and that he be allowed due sat- isfaction for any trouble or expense about the said em- ploymcnt."

The next article in course on this subject occurs in July, 1673, in these words : " It is ordered by the court that the charge of the free school, which is thirty three pounds a year, shall be defrayed by the Treasurer, of the profits arising by the fishing at the cape, until such time as that the minds of the freemen be known con- cerning it, which will be returned to the next court of election."

1674, June. " This court having received, by the de- puties of the several towns, the signification of the minds of the major part of the freemen of this colony, that all the profits of the fishing at Cape Cod, granted by the court for the erecting and maintaining of a school.S^e still continued for that end, if a competent number of scholars shall appear to be dcj)uted thereunto, which this court judges not to be less than eight or ten,* do, therefore, hereby confirm the grant of the aforesaid profits of the fishing at the cape, to the maintenance of the school, and that there be no further demands, besides the said profits of the cape on the country for the maintenance of the said school."

Soon after this period commenced the most distress- ing war whjch the New England colonists, or their de- scendants, ever experienced, that with Philip the sachem ;

' Tlint is, n« vc conccivi-, n school, to rcQcWe the bcttcfU of thi* grant, ihonM allca^t coutaui ciglil or ten svhclurn.

SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH COLONY. 83

yet, as soon as It subsided, the subject of schools, like the rebuilding of a city after a volcanic eruption, again arises on our view, in a memorable act which their pos- terity, we trust, will read with peculiar interest, and which is its own best commentary.

" At the General Court, held at Plymouth, the first of November, 1677:

" Forasmuch as the maintenance of good literature doth much tend to the advancement of the weal and flourishing state of societies and republics, this court doth therefore order, that in whatever township in this government, consisting of fifty families, or upwards, any meet man shall be obtained to teach a grammar school, such township shall allow at least twelve pounds, in cur- rent merchantable pay, to be raised by rate on all the in- habitants of such township ; and those that have the more immediate benefit thereof, by their children's going to school, with what others may voluntarily give to pro- mote so good a work and general good, shall make up the residue necessary to maintain the same, and that the profits arising of the cape fishirg, heretofore ordered to maintain a grammar school in this colony ,^ be distributed to such towns ^as have such grammar schools, for the maintenance thereof, not exceeding five pounds per an- num to any such town, unless the court treasurer, or other appointed to manage that affair, see good cause to add thereunto, to any respective town, not exceeding five pounds more per ann. And further, this court orders, that every such town as consists of seventy families, or upwa^ds, and hath not a grammar school therein, shall al- low and pay unto the next town, which hath such gram- mar school kept up among them, the sum of five pounds per anil, in current merchantable pay, to be levied on the inhabitants ot such towns by rate, and gathered and de- livered by the constables of such towns, as by warrant from any magistrate of this jurisdiction shall be required."

These extracts are all wc can find, in the form of acts and laws, in the records of Plymouth colony, as it re- spects the history of primary schools, either in the index 4o the laws, or in court proceedings. Still it is possible

84 SCHOOLS IV PLYMOUTH COLONY.

something may have escaped our researches. We add a few instances of the appropriation of the free school fund ; and while we revert to ilic " du\ of small things," vhen it was constituted, and yay a just and unfeigned tribute of respect aid of veneraiion U") its founders, we seem to have presented to us another incentive, of hiph in- terest indeed, yet more to value, to cherish and to protect the source whence it was drawn, the Fisheries, an em- blem of which, with great propriety adorns our legii>la- tive hall.*

1678. *' Five pounds, silver money, of the cape fishe- r}' rent was paid to Mrs. Newman, m idow of Rev. Noah Newman of Rehoboth,t and five pounds to Rehoboth schoolmaster."

1680. " Ten pounds, silver money, was received of Robert StudsonJ and Nathiiuicl Thomas, rent of cape fishery, a part of which went to pav for a piece of land at the cape for the colony, and the residue to the school."

1682. " In reference to the cape money, the court ha^•e ordered t\\ elve [x^unds thereof to Rehoboth school, and eight pounds thereof to Mr. Ichabod Wiswall's school at Duxbury, and twenty shilhngs to Mr. Nath- aniel Thomas, for his pains and care about it, and the residue, nine pouiids, to rest in the treasurer's hands, un- til the court see cause to dispose of it."

1689. Rent of Ccipe fishery was added to the appro- priation for magistrate's salary for that year.

In 1685, according to Mr. Shove, there were "80 scholars on the list of Taunton school, some of whom had entered Latin."

Cape Cod, therefore, which afforded the first shelter to the pilgrims in 1620, at a subsequent period, as we have stated from our records, afforded also the first fund for the education of their children !

As a proper appendage to these notes, we subjoin an

• I'Infcfl fir»t in the old state liniiKe, on motion, it i* iwiiK of Jolm Rowc, Km\. n nirrcliHiil, nn«l tli< n :t nu-iiibcr for Hosion, «i gvntlcinan who nmny years siipplU c(l the fiiiheriiien with salt, lines nnil hooks.

f Mr. Nonh Ncwinin, second piistor of Uehnhoth* died in 167S.

i Mr. Studson, a *ei) useful nmn, »»» nf Seiiiinte. Me was "cornet of the Uoopcrs." MciT nwy be the origiu of ihc mackerel fishery of Sciluate.

SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH COLONY. 85

extract from the recoYds of Plymouth Colony, respecting a contribution recommended by tlie court to the people for Harvard College. It is dated July 4, 1672, in these words :

" We being informed that it is upon the hearts of our neighbours of the Massachusetts Colony to support and encourage that nursery of learning at Harvard College in Cambridge in New England, from whence have, through the blessing of God, issued many worthy and useful persons for public service m church and commonwealth, being also mformed that divers godly and well affected in England are ready to assist therein, by way of con- tributing considerable sums, provided the country here are forward to pion ote the same, and that the several towns in the Massachusetts have been very free in their offerings thereunto ; we also being, by letters from them, invited to join with them in so good a work, and that we may have an interest with others in the blessing that the Lotd may please from thence to convey unto the country — "I his court doth therefore earnestly commend It to the ministers and elders in each town thai they, tak- ing such with them as they shall think meet, wou'd par- ' ticularly and earnestly move and stir up all such in tiieir several towns, as are able to contribute unto this worthy work, be it money or other good pay ; and that they make a return of what they shall effect herein unto the court that shall sit in October next, wiio will then appoint meet persons to receive the contribution, and faithfully dispose of the same for the ends proposed."*

• An examination of the catalogue of Harvard College shows, that from the year 1661 to 1815 inclusive, forty eight persons, who were born in Plymouth, have graduated there. Of the whole iiuniber, eleven have been onhiined Congrega- tional niinist' rs (one of whom received the honorary degree of D O. from Nassau Hall) and one is an oidained minister of the clmrch of England, ten liav^ beea lawyers, eight ph-j sicians, eight or more merchants, and others in various civil of- fices, &c. Of all these tliirtv one yet (1815) su vive.

The two first on the whole list were Nathai.iel and EInathan Chauncy, twins, and sons of President Chanucy, Mho were born in Plymouth about 1639 The first was a minister of Hattield, and the younger, EInathan, a physician of Boston, to whom Mr. Robert Mix, a merchant of Plymouth in early day.^, gavest his birth, fifty acres of land ; so much were the people of l"ly mouth attached to Pres- ident Chauncy where he preAcbed a part of three years. We have not included Mr. Allerton, 1650, and »lr. Reynolds, 1663, in this list, but who we suppose, how- ever, were born at Plymouth.

There have been two graduates at Yale from Plymouth, both ordained minia* ters.

^6 SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH, ,

Historical notes on schools in the toxvn of Plymoutlu

This heiid of inquiry has been partly anticipated by the preceding notes, the records of the town on the sub- ject bein.Gj in unison with those of the colony, that is to say, in 1672, " The profits and benefits of the Agawaam and Sippican lands appear to be appropriated to the maintenance of a free school, then began in the town, and not to be estranged from that end, &c." Again, in 1674, after limiting the grant to such lands only as had been purchased of the natives in 1672, these directions are re- corded : " That their children be instructed in reading when they are entered the Bible, and also that they be taught to write and cipher, beside that which the country\ expects from the said school."

At this period Mr. Thomas Prence, Capt. William Bradford, and Secretary ♦Morton were directed and ap- pointed, with the selectmen, a committee '* to do their utmost to improve the lands for the ends proposed."

Further details would be tedious, were it not for the subject, and did they not lead incidentally to some which may have interest.

School Alasters.

In 1670 Mr. John Morton, who was a nephew of the Secretary, proposed to the town " to teach the children and youth of the town to read, write, and to cast accounts;" which proposition appears to be accepted in 1671; the era therefore of the first public instructcr, subsequent to which date an interval of obscurity succeeds. Mr. Josiah Cotton, who was born in Plymouth, 1679, who had a publick education at the university, and who began to keep school here in 1698, says, in his diary, " I do not recollect that I ever went to any town school."*

These arc conclusive data. In 1693-4 to 1696 there seems to have been publick instructers, with a salary of /.33 per annum, and so continued to 1700. And in this place it is pertinent to remark, that we have now arrived at a period when Plymouth Colony had become annexed

• Spcakinjj of tin- cuir*.' «>rius ciiucntion, !ic mentions Mr. Pclcr nurrnnd .Mr- .?nAc{ih l)M%*ct, an tlioii rrliooliiin&ters of Itoston, while Mr. Wiswall, litiniitei' ol l>iixhiin»-, nnil it Mr. Adams, lU«n of 'launlon, allorwnrd of New Loudoa, iiUoU hipi for collcgr.

SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH. 87,

to Massachusetts, conforming therefore to her laws, however modified, relative to schools.

1705. Sundry inhabitants of Plymouth became bound to pay twenty pounds per annum for seven years to sup- port a school, provided it be settled widiin forty rods of the old meeting house, which was agreed to, and a school house was built by subscription.*

At this period the inhabitants of Plymouth were dis- persed over an extensive territory. Several towns, since taken from it, were not then incorporated ; hence arose difficulties in school arranj^jements, not easy to reconcile at any time. The regulations were as follows :

" All children sent to school (except those of the sub- scribers to the fund) that live within one mile of the school to pay four pence the week for being taught lat- in, writing and ciphering, and two pence the week for reading. All beyond a mile, and within two, to pay two pence for being taught latin, and one penny for reading, the poor excepted, who are to come free. And all fines that are by the law devoted to the support of a school^ with the money abovesaid per week, to be improved to- wards the town's part of the said twenty pound. And the subscribers to have no benefit thereby.

" And if in case a country school be settled by the court before said term of seven years be expired, then these obligations mutually to be void."

The phrase ** country schooP' has reference to the col- ony regulations on the subject. Another phrase then in use for school money was "school gate," a term then in

• This school house, a small edifice, stood on the soutb side of. the present meeting house. No list of tlie subscribers appears. They were probably some, or all, of these. Nath. Thomas, Esq. Lieut. Nath. Morton, John Murdoch, Capt. James Warren, Joha Watson, Dr. Charles Little, James Barnaby, Mavilaod Tor- rey, Isaac Lathrop, John Dyer, Epii. Cole, John P'oster, Thomas Little, John Barnes, John Bradlbrd, V/i!l. Shurtliff, Stephen Churchill, Joseph Bartlett, and other.s. The three first named were then tiie school committee.

In 1765 this school house was taken down, when another, yet standing, was erected on the north side of the meeting house ; on wliich occasion, James Hovey» Edward Winsiow, sen. and Thomas Mayhew, Esquires, were the superintending committee. Mr Hovey doubtless pUinned it. He Mas born at Cambridge, and was an attorney and magistrate, but in his youth a joiner. Mr. Winslow, then deputy collector under the crown, died in advanced life at Halifax, N. S. Mr. jMayhew, naval officer undet- the-oooncjl, ^a§ of the respectable family of that name of Martha's vineyard.

88 SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

use in England, as well as here, for nicney collections, derivrtl, dcubtle^b, from toll gate collections.

These school roi>uliuioi)s oi 1705 were consequent to a then recent dud fui the division of the common lai.db, when a tract to the amount uf /.SOO 0/l\ wjs,sold, and tae inter- est apj)r'jp'iated to schools, and when a reserve of a mile and a half square was made for this purpose in pci-petuity. Hence the phrase, "mile and a half money," as ajplica- ble to a school fimd. This imaginary line Ugins a little north of ir»e conijjact part of the town on die shore, thence into the woods south westerly a mile and a half, thence south easrterjy the same distance, crossmg the mouth of Billingtoi) Sea Pond to a given point, thence north easterly to the shoic, embracing tne uhole of the town brook, and all the compact part of the town.

The interest of monies arising f:om the sale of all un- approi)riated common lands, within these limits, constitu- ted from this date an unalienable school fund, in perpetu-

It was then, and continued to be, productive ; for in 1712 but ten pounds was assessed on the town for a granmiar school, the mile and a half fund aefraying the remainder. ^

In 1756 an able report on fiscal affairs states the inter- est of this fund then at /.86 14 L. M. and the com- mittee express a regret, that this fund was sometimes suffered to mingle w ith other town expenditures, arising doubtless from the pressure of difficult periods in our annals.

Reflecting minds, we trust, will admit diis to have been a wise and judi/:ious provision for the future support of schools. iieside the ^vood lands, not then granted within these limits, several subsequent wha. t lot grants were comprised.* while the training green, the fort hill, (burial ground) Coles hill, and some (.ther places, formed exceptions and rcserv^itions, as jjub'iek places.

1706. The town purchased the subscri]jiion school

• 17.14 i? the ilnlc of jomc of tlie Inter wlmrfloi ffmtiis, tlitn sgld ut /.4. 0. ' It i» coinpBrali'-flv n ntotlrrn duir, .mil m ii btrikiiig ividipci- ol'liie slow luarilimc ^rowilt of PIv mouth. Some, however, inuy be tniccd to iG90 auU 1670.

SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH, 89

house, and we believe it the earliest date of a town school house.

1714 is the first notice of district school houses, viz. one at Jones's river, and one at Eel river.

1722. Manomet Ponds first became a district in union with Eel river. It now alone forms six districts at least.

1724-5. The town voted a grammar school for seven years in the centre, and the ends to deduct what they are rated to support a school among themselves, if they see cause to do it. This led to the immediate incorporation of the north precinct,* which became Kingston.

1734. Plymouth petitioned the General Court for a grant of unappropriated lands for a school. This appli- cation, it is probable, did not succeed ; at least we are without information on the subject. Connecticut, in her late truly noble provision for primary schools, takes the lead of all her sister states, older or younger.

It appears to have been the usage, for a long series of years, to vote a school for three, four, or seven years.

The annual salary of the instructer was uniformly for many years, down to 1765, or later, /.400, O. T. or /.53 6 8, L. M.

1795. A pro visionary school for misses was instituted by the town, to be kept in the summer months, at inter- val hours of the town school. It generally contains from thirty to sixty, who are taught reading, writing, and arith- tnetick. The number of scholars in the Central grammar school, which is now kept by Mr. Moses Webster, a grad- uate of Harvard College, 1804, with an usher, varies in winter from 140 to an 100, and in summer from 80 to 70 scholars.

The modern improvements of WrifFord and others, in hand writing, are at this period successfully taught. The specimens of writing of the scholars of either sex, compared with former periods, are very elegant.

• The " farmers of the school fund" were Nath. Thomas, Esq. Capt. James Warren and John Miirdock, Esq. The latter gentleman died 1756, aged 94; when he gave by will, to the school, ^.100, to the poor, llOO, to the third precinct Z.200, to the Scotch box at Boston, I 50, all in lawful money. Of tfee ia$t doaatiya Capt. Erving was the trustee. Mr. M. was from Glasgow.

13 VOL. IV.

90 SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

There is now, beside the grammar school, fifteen dis- trict schools, the latter being kept such a term of time, chiefly in the winter, as may amount to their taxes.

The nuiiiber of districts indicates a scattered popula- tion over a wide space, rather than a great one, the whole census of the town being 4228 souls. The annual ap- propriation for schools, may be now SI 500.

Much praise isjustly due to many publick-spirited men of the past, as well as of modern times, for their attention to the concerns of schools ; also to a succession of the reverend ministers at all periods.

These details, minute as they may appear, seem to de- rive dignity and value from the subject. Before Plv- mouth Colony had erected her free schools, Massachu- setts, her younger sister, had founded her college. The former, however, may be compared to the doric style in architecture, the solid support of all the other orders.

This result of our researches, on the subject of schools, has been a task of serious and of patient labour, and has had peculiar difliculties. At first there seemed but a faint ray of that continued, and, we trust, now permanent light reflected from the subject. Perseverance, howev- er, in the research seemed to be due, in the first place, to the memory of our pious ancestors ; secondly, to our- selves, and lastly to those to whom we dedicate the histo- ry of schools — future generations.

Succession of publick school instructers at Plymouth^ from 1671 to 1771 inclusive.

[Those Willi t»ii<i • mark ainicxH woic l.oin in Phinoutli ; and all, witli the ex- Cfption of Mr. Morton and Mr. JJvcr, wt re Rradiiatcs of Harvard College.]

1671 *John Morton,

72 Corlct

99 Moses Hale

1703 John Dyer

5 *Josiah Cotton

13 Dcnison

22 John Angler

25 John Sparhawk 35 Edward Kelles

37 Kbcnezer Bridge

38 Ezra Whitmar'sh

1741 Enoch Ward

47 Samuel Gardner

48 Ward Browne

49 *Thomas Foster 56 Matthew Cushing

58 Charles Cushing

59 Joseph Stockbridge 61 ^Nathaniel Lothrop 65 Perez Forbes

67 John Barrows

70 Alexander Scammel

SCHOOLS IN THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH. 91

The private schools have been numerous and respecta- ble both for their patronage and their instructers.

A few notes on the first instructers will close this arti- cle.

Mr. Morton,* as it appears, was the first town school- master in Plymouth, his native place, the son of John Morton, who removed to Middleborough, and who died there, 1673. " A godiy man, much lamented by sundry of the inhabitants of that place." Colony Recoids.

Mr. Corlet. It is not in our power to be precise

as to this gentleman. A person of the same name was, it appears, master of a grammar school at Cambridge' as ear- ly as 1643, while another, a minister, is noticed, 1675, in the history of Dorchester. See Historical Collections, vol. vii. and ix. first series, also general index, vol. x. The Plymouth schoolmaster passed the winter of 1674 with his brother Minot of Dorchester. . Moses Hale, we assume the christian name. Such a a person, marked as a minister, graduated at Harvard College, 1699. A person appears to have been appointed at Plymouth, 1702, " to collect the school rate due in Mr. Hale's time." This name was among the elders of Essex county at that period.

Mr. Dyer kept the school a few months only, probably in the vacancy of a