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VOL. I. APRIL, 1847. NO. 2.
THE
NEW ENGLAND
Historical & Genealogical Register:

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY,
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE
NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC, GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.
REV. WILLIAM COGSWELL, D. D., EDITOR.

BOSTON:
SAMUEL G. DRAKE, PUBLISHER.
No. 56 Cornhill.
1847.

Coolidge & Wiley Printers, 12 Water Street.

CONTENTS.

N. Emmons Pinx^t.

O. Pelton.

The Hon^ble Samuel Sewall Esq^ir.

Late Chief Justice of His Maj^'s Province of Massachusetts Bay in N.E. And Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk.

Æ. 77. 1728.

Auris, mens, oculus, manus, os, pes; munere fungi, dum Pergunt Praestat discere velle mori.

[Pg 105]

NEW ENGLAND

HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.

VOL. I. APRIL, 1847. NO. 2.

MEMOIR OF HON. SAMUEL SEWALL,

CHIEF-JUSTICE OF THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

Samuel Sewall, son of Henry and Jane Sewall, was born at Bishop Stoke, in Hampshire, England, March 28, 1652. The family to which he belonged was ancient and respectable. His great-grandfather was a linen-draper of the city of Coventry, "a prudent man, who acquired a great estate," and was more "than once chosen mayor of the city." His grandfather, Henry Sewall, born in 1576, came to New England, lived in Newbury and Rowley, Ms., and died about 1655. Samuel, the subject of this memoir, was taught to read at Baddesly; and was afterwards sent to a grammar-school at Rumsey, of which a Mr. Figes was master. In 1661, he came to New England with his mother, his father having removed here previously. He was immediately put under the instruction of Rev. Thomas Parker of Newbury, with whom he continued six years, till his entrance into Harvard College, in 1667. His first degree he received under President Chauncy, in 1671.

It was his original intention to enter the Christian ministry; and with a view to it, he studied divinity, commenced preaching, and received encouragement to go to Woodbridge, N. J., and settle as a minister among that people, who went from Newbury, where his father lived. But his thoughts were probably diverted from the sacred profession by his marriage connection, in consequence of which he came into possession of great wealth, and the means of influence and usefulness in public life. He was married, Feb. 28, 1676, by Gov. Bradstreet, to Hannah Hull, daughter and sole heir[Pg 106] of John Hull, Esq., a goldsmith and highly respectable merchant in Boston, master of the mint for many years, and one of the Assistants in 1683, the year in which he died.

Mr. Sewall was chosen one of the Assistants in 1684, '5, and '6, when the Colony charter was annulled, and the ancient government was superseded by a President and Council. In 1688, during the oppressive administration of Sir Edmund Andros, when the titles of many to their lands, and of his among others, were questioned and in danger of being forfeited, he made a voyage to England. But on his return, in 1689, Sir Edmund having withdrawn from the country, and the old Charter government having been revived, he resumed his seat at the Board of Assistants. In the Provincial charter, granted in 1692, he was nominated to be of the Council; and afterwards, without interruption, was annually chosen and sat at the Board until 1725, when being elected, he declined serving; having survived more than seven years all who were appointed with him to that office in the charter.

As one of the Assistants under the Colonial charter, Mr. Sewall was also ex officio a Judge of the Supreme Court. Soon after the arrival of the Provincial charter in May, 1692, but before any courts of justice had been established and organized under it, he was appointed one of the Judges of a Special Court of Oyer and Terminer for the trial of persons charged with witchcraft, William Stoughton, Esq., being Chief-Justice. It is well known, that at that time there was a general persuasion, not only in New England, but in the mother country, and throughout Europe, of the reality of those impious compacts with Satan, into which persons guilty of witchcraft were supposed to have entered, and of that diabolical power or influence, by which they were believed to act.[A] This court especially was under the delusion; and consequently nineteen persons of the many who were indicted and arraigned before it at Salem for this crime, were, at different times, tried, condemned, and, in pursuance of its sentence, executed. In this unhappy affair, the[Pg 107] Judges proceeded with great caution, asking advice of some of the wisest and best men in the community, and having the countenance of rulers, ministers, and in general of all classes of men. But the delusion was soon made manifest. Judge Sewall in particular was convinced of his error, in the part which he had taken in the court of trials; and often discovered deep regret and humiliation on account of it. He notes particularly in his Journal of Dec. 24, 1696, on occasion of his son Samuel's reciting to him in Latin a portion of Matthew xii, "the 7th verse did awfully bring to mind the Salem Tragedie." And at a public Fast, Jan. 14, 1697, in the order for which there was some reference to the doings of that court of Oyer and Terminer, and when he was under much affliction on account of the death of an infant daughter and other troubles and crosses, he presented to Rev. Samuel Willard, his minister, a "bill," which was read in the worshipping assembly; (he standing up while Mr. Willard read it, and bowing in token of assent when he had done;) in which, while with much delicacy he appears to have studiously avoided saying any thing that might seem to implicate the other judges, he acknowledged his own guilt in the decisions of that court, asked the pardon of it both of God and man, and deprecated the Divine judgments on account of his sin or the sin of any other person, upon himself, his family, or the land.

But though he thus condemned himself for the part he had acted in the trials at Salem, yet the public confidence did not appear to have been shaken, either in him or the other Judges. For on the first appointment of Judges of the Superior Court, under the Provincial charter, Dec. 6, 1692, Mr. Sewall was chosen one. The others were William Stoughton, Chief-Justice, Thomas Danforth, John Richards, and Wait-Still Winthrop, each of whom, excepting Mr. Danforth, had been members of the Court of Oyer and Terminer. April 16, 1718, he was appointed to succeed Wait-Still Winthrop as Chief-Justice of the Superior Court. And although from various causes there were numerous changes in this court in his day, yet he still retained his seat on the bench until 1728; when, in consequence of his advanced years and increasing infirmities, he resigned it; having survived more than ten years all those who had been members of that court from the beginning, and having officiated in this capacity under the Colonial and Provincial governments upwards of forty years. At the same time, he also resigned his office of Judge of Probate for the county of Suffolk, to which he had been appointed by Lieut. Gov. Tailer, in 1715.

[Pg 108]

Chief-Justice Sewall was a man of distinguished piety. He feared God from his youth, and apparently made it the main end of his life to glorify the God of his fathers, by walking humbly and unblamably before him. He was eminently a devout man; constant and exemplary in his attendance on the worship of God, both in his family, and in the public assembly. He was a most diligent hearer of the preaching of the gospel. This is proved by his numerous manuscript volumes which still remain, containing the texts and general outlines of sermons and lectures, which he heard both at home and abroad. He would often devote a whole day to fasting, reading the scriptures, and communion with God in secret. On such occasions, he would be abundant in prayer not only for himself, family, and near connections, but would also frequently pour out his enlarged desires in copious intercessions, (minutely enumerated in many instances in his Journal,) on behalf of the college; the civil and religious interests of the town, province, and land in which he dwelt; the aboriginal inhabitants and African slaves; the destruction of papal tyranny, superstition, and usurpation; the universal extension and establishment of Christ's kingdom.

He was a diligent student of the Scriptures, reading them in their inspired originals; and was prayerfully solicitous not only to receive and obey their instructions, but also, that the faith, worship, and practice of the whole church of God should be in exact conformity with them. The prophetic portions of the sacred volume he read with an inquisitive mind, and held some opinions respecting the events predicted in them, which would be considered singular at the present day. Upon these and kindred topics, he took a deep interest in conversing and corresponding with the Boston clergy generally, and with such men abroad as the Rev. Messrs. Higginson and Noyes of Salem, Wise of Ipswich, Torrey of Weymouth, Walter of Roxbury, and Stoddard of Northampton; President Wadsworth of Harvard College, and Rector Williams of Yale College; Gov. Saltonstall of Connecticut and Gov. Burnet of New York, afterwards of Massachusetts; with most of whom, remnants of his correspondence on these subjects are still in existence. In 1697 he published a work which he dedicated to Sir William Ashurst and Lieut. Gov. Stoughton, called "Phænomena Quædam Apocalyptica," of which there was a second edition in 1727; and in 1713 another work styled "Proposals touching the Accomplishment of Prophecies." Both of these productions of his pen were apparently much read in his time, though they have now become obsolete.

[Pg 109]

Judge Sewall was warmly attached to that system of faith, and to those forms of worship and government in the church, which were embraced and practised by the Puritan settlers of New England. Occasionally he employed his pen in their illustration and defence. And he was strongly opposed to any innovations in doctrine, as well as jealous of any ceremonies or usages in divine service, that savored of human invention. Still he abhorred persecution, and exercised candor towards those who differed from him in their modes of worship or discipline.

He possessed an ardent desire for the universal spread and obedient reception of the gospel among mankind. He became particularly interested in the spiritual condition of the aboriginal natives, whom he believed, with the apostle Eliot, to be descendants of the ten captive tribes of Israel. To encourage the praying Indians at Natick, he occasionally met with them in their worship, and frequently gave them pecuniary assistance. To those at Sandwich, he contributed largely for building a meeting-house. And from Mather's Magnalia it would seem, that for some Indian congregation he erected a house of worship entirely at his own expense. Hence those Indians "prayed for him under this character, 'He loveth our nation for he hath built us a synagogue.'"

His zeal on behalf of the Indian natives being known, he was chosen in 1699 one of the Commissioners of the Society in England for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England and parts adjacent; and shortly after, their Secretary and Treasurer.

His sympathy for the enslaved Africans was very great. In 1700 he published a tract, entitled "The Selling of Joseph," in which he advocated their rights. In writing to Judge Addington Davenport, just before he sat on the trial of Samuel Smith of Sandwich, for killing his negro, he uses the following language: "The poorest boys and girls in this Province, such as are of the lowest condition, whether they be English, or Indians, or Ethiopians; they have the same right to religion and life, that the richest heirs have. And they who go about to deprive them of this right attempt the bombarding of Heaven; and the shells they throw will fall down on their own heads."

John Saffin, a judge of the same court with Judge Sewall, and a slave-holder, printed an answer to "The Selling of Joseph," to which Judge Sewall alludes in a letter to Rev. John Higginson of Salem, then the oldest minister in the Province, and one of the most venerated men in New England. The letter is dated April[Pg 110] 13, 1706, and the allusion is, "Amidst the frowns and hard words I have met with for this undertaking, it is no small refreshment to me, that I have the learned, reverend and aged Mr. Higginson for my abettor. By the interposition of this breast work, I hope to carry on and manage this enterprise with safety and success." In a letter to Henry Newman at London, afterwards agent for the Province of New Hampshire, which accompanied a copy of "The Selling of Joseph," he desires him to do something "towards taking away this wicked practice of Slavery," expressing the opinion that there would "be no progress in gospelling" until slavery was abolished.

Judge Sewall was a proficient in classical learning, and a friend of learning and learned men. Such was the confidence in his wisdom and discernment by the founders and Trustees of Yale College, that he was employed by them in 1701, together with Hon. Isaac Addington, to draw up statutes for the regulation of their infant seminary. And of Harvard College, of which he was sometimes a Resident Fellow, and afterwards, as a member of the Council, one of the Board of Overseers for many years, he was a warm and steady friend and liberal benefactor.

In his judicial capacity, he was a person of distinguished integrity and uprightness; administering the laws of the land with justice and impartiality, mingled with clemency; a terror to evil doers, and a praise to such as did well.

He was also a person of eminent humility and meekness, benevolence and charity. His house was a seat of hospitality, ever open to all good men. The learned found him an intelligent companion; the ministers of the gospel a liberal patron and friend. He visited the fatherless and widow in their affliction, and gave much alms to the needy, especially to indigent ministers or their bereaved families. He distributed in the course of the last year of his life four hundred copies of such publications as Mitchel on the Glory of Heaven, Walter on the Holiness of Heaven, Lee's Triumph of Mercy, Mather's Mighty Saviour, Mather's Glory of Christ, Higginson's Legacy of Peace, Loring on the New Birth, The Strait Gate, Faith and Fervency in Prayer, Gibbs's Sermon to Little Children, as is particularly noted in his Almanac for that year. His last illness was of about a month's continuance. He died in a triumphant hope of immortal life and glory, on the morning of Jan. 1, 1729-30, in the seventy-eighth year of his age.

Judge Sewall was thrice married; 1. to Hannah Hull, daughter[Pg 111] of Hon. John Hull; 2. to widow Abigail Tilley; and 3. to widow Mary Gibbs, who survived him. He had children by his first wife only; namely, seven sons and seven daughters. Of these fourteen children only six lived to mature age, and only three survived him. We purposely omit in this article a further account of the family, as we intend to give in some future No. of this work, a full Genealogical Memoir of the Sewall Family.

Judge Sewall left numerous volumes of manuscripts, indicative of his industry and attentive observation. Among them, beside several small volumes of a miscellaneous character, are,

1. A Journal of occurrences, &c., from Dec., 1673, to July, 1677. This was destroyed by a fire at Boston, in 1824; but a copy of it had been previously taken, which yet remains.

2. Three volumes of Journals, from Feb., 1684-5, to Oct., 1729, within three months of his death. Also, a small volume, being a Journal of his voyage to England, &c., in 1688.

3. A Letter Book, containing copies of his letters to his correspondents, and in some instances, of theirs to him; from Feb., 1685-6, to Sept., 1729.

4. A Common Place Book in quarto, containing extracts from authors in English and Latin on various subjects which he had read.

5. Five volumes in 12mo, containing sketches of sermons and lectures, which he heard at home and abroad.

For most of the above facts, we are indebted to the Rev. Samuel Sewall of Burlington, and the late John Farmer, Esq., of Concord, N. H.

LETTER OF THE FIRST CHIEF-JUSTICE SEWALL TO HIS SON, SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., OF BROOKLINE, GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF HIS FAMILY.

Boston, April 21, 1720.

Dear Son,

You have often desired, that I would give you some account of the family of which you are. And altho' I am much less ab'e to doe any thing of this nature now when I have been left of my dear Parents very near Twenty years, yet considering the longer I stay, the more unfit I shall be, take what I have to say as follows;

Mr. Henry Sewall, my great Grandfather, was a Linen Draper in the City of Coventry in Great Britain. He acquired a great Estate, was a prudent Man, and was more than once chosen Mayor of the City.

Mr. Henry Sewall, my Grandfather, was his eldest Son, who out of dislike to the English Hierarchy sent over his only Son, my Father, Mr. Henry Sewall, to New England in the year 1634, with Net Cattel and Provisions sutable for a new Plantation. Mr. Cotton would have had my Father settle at Boston; but in regard of his Cattel he chose to goe to Newbury, whither my Grandfather soon followed him. Where also my Grandfather Mr. Stephen Dummer and Alice his wife likewise dwelled under the Ministry of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Parker and Mr. James Noyes.

[Pg 112]

On the 25th March, 1646, Richard Saltonstall, Esq. Grandfather of Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq. now Governour of Connecticut, joined together in Marriage my father Mr. Henry Sewall, and my Mother Mrs. Jane Dummer, eldest Child of Mr. Stephen Dummer aforesaid, and Alice his wife: my Father being then about 32, and my Mother about 19 years of age.

But the Climat being not agreeable to my Grandfather and Grandmother Dummer, (whose Maiden name was Archer) they returned to England the Winter following, and my Father with them, and dwelt awhile at Warwick, and afterwards removed to Hampshire. My Sister Hannah Tappin, their eldest Child, was born at Tunworth May 10th, 1649. Baptised by Mr. Haskins. I was born at Bishop Stoke, March 28, 1652; so that the light of the Lord's Day was the first light that my Eyes saw, being born a little before day-break. I was baptised by Mr. Rashly, (sometime Member of the Old Church in Boston) in Stoke Church May 4th. 1652. Mr. Rashly first preached a Sermon, and then baptised me. After which an entertainment was made for him and many more. Some months after, my Father removed to Badesly, where my Brother John Sewall was born Oct. 10, 1654, and was baptised in my Father's House Nov. 22 by Mr. Henry Cox, Minister of Bishop Stoke. My brother Stephen Sewall was born at Badesly Aug. 19th, 1657, baptised in my father's house by the said Mr. Cox. * * * * * My Father had made one Voyage to New England to visit my Grandfather Mr. Henry Sewall. And in the year 1659, he went thither again; his rents at Newbury coming to very little when remitted to England. In my father's absence, October 25, 1659, my Sister Jane Gerrish was born at Badesly and was baptised by Mr. Cox at Bishop Stoke in the house of Mr. Boys.

At this Badesly, by the merciful goodness of God, I was taught to read English. And afterwards was educated in the Grammar School at Rumsey of which Mr. Figes was Master.

My Father sent for my Mother to come to him to New England. I remember being at Bishop Stoke and Badesly, April 23, 1661, the day of the Coronation of K Charles the 2d, the Thunder and Lightening of it. Quickly after my Mother went to Winchester with 5 small Children, Hannah, Samuel, John, Stephen and Jane; and John Nash and Mary Hobs her Servants; there to be in a readiness for the Pool Waggons. At this place her near Relations, especially my very worthy and pious Uncle Mr. Stephen Dummer took leave with Tears. Capt. Dummer of Swathling treated us with Raisins and Almonds. My Mother lodged in Pump-yard London, waiting for the going of the Ship, the prudent Mary, Capt. Isaac Woodgreen Commander. Went by water to Graves-End where the Ship lay. Took in Sheep at Dover. Passengers in the Ship at the same time were Major Brown, a young brisk Merchant, and a considerable Freighter, Mr. Gilbert and his wife, He was Minister at Topsfield; Madam Bradstreet [then Gardener] Mrs. Martha, Mr. Pitkins Sister, who died lately at Windsor, and many others. We were about eight weeks at Sea, where we had nothing to see but Water and the Sky; so that I began to fear I should never get to Shoar again; only I thought the Capt. and Mariners would not have ventured themselves if they had not hopes of getting to Land again. Capt. Woodgreen arrived here on Satterday. I was overjoyed to see Land again, especially being so near it as in the Narrows. 'Twas so late by that time we got to the Castle, that our men held a discourse with them whether they should fire or no, and reckoned 'twas agreed not to doe it. But presently after the Castle fired; which much displeased the Ship's Company; and then they fired. On the Lord's day my Mother kept aboard; but I went ashoar, the Boat grounded, and I was carried out in arms July 6, 1661. My Mother lodg'd at Mr. Richard Collicott's. This week there was a publick Thanksgiving. My Father hastened to Boston and carried his Family to Newbury by Water in Mr. Lewis * * * Brother Tapan has told me our arrival there was upon Lecture-day which was Wednesday. Mr. Ordway carried me ashore in his Canoe. We sojourned at Mr. Titcomb's. My Father presently sent me to school to the Reverend and Excellent Mr. Thomas Parker, with whom I continued till my entrance into the College; being admitted by the very learned and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey.

Sept. 3. 1662 Mother was brought to bed of Sister Anne, Mr. Joshua Moodey the Minister's Mother being her Midwife. Baptised by Mr. Parker.

May 8. 1665 Sister Mehetabel was born: Baptised by Mr. Parker. She became wife to the midwife's Grandson Mr. William Moodey. Dorothy Sewall (now Northend) was born Oct. 29. 1668. Baptised by Mr. Parker.

At this time the commencement was in August. In the year 1667 my father brought me to be admitted, by which means I heard Mr. Richard Mather of Dorchester preach Mr. Wilson's Funeral Sermon. "Your Fathers where are they?" I was admitted by the very learned and pious Mr. Charles Chauncey, who gave me my first Degree in the year 1671. There were no Masters in that year. These Bachelours were the last Mr. Chauncey gave a degree to, for he died the February following.

In July 1672, Dr. Hoar came over with his Lady and sojourned with your Grandfa[Pg 113]ther Hull. He (Dr. Hoar) was my Aunt Quincey's Brother, and preached as an assistant, to the Rev. Mr Thomas Thacher at the South Church. The College quickly called him to be President. He was installed in the College Hall in December 1672. Gov. Bellingham lay dead in his House, and Dep. Gov. Leverett was the Chief Civil Magistrat present at that Solemnity. The March following Mrs. Bridget Hoar, now Cotton, was born in Cambridge. In 1674 I took my 2d Degree, and Mrs. Hannah Hull, my dear Wife, your honoured Mother, was invited by the Dr. and his Lady to be with them a while at Cambridge. She saw me when I took my Degree and set her affection on me, tho' I knew nothing of it till after our Marriage; which was February 28th. 1675-6. Gov. Bradstreet married us in that we call the Old Hall; 'twas then all in one, a very large Room. As I remember, Madam Thacher and Madam Paige, with whom Gov. Bradstreet boarded, visited us the next day.

On the 2d of April, 1677, it pleased God to favour us with the birth of your brother John Sewall, our first-born. In June 1678 you were born. Your brother lived till the September following, and then died. So that by the undeserved Goodness of God your Mother and I never were without a child after the 2d of April 1677.

In the Fall 1678, I was seized with the Small Pocks and brought very near to death; so near that I was reported to be dead. But it pleased GOD of his Mercy to Recover me. Multitudes died, two of my special Friends; viz. Mr. John Noyes, and Ensign Benjamin Thirston, who both died while I lay sick: and Mr. William Dummer, Son of Jeremiah Dummer Esq., aged about 19 years. Presently after my Recovery, in December, Col. Townsend and I were bearers to Mr. Joseph Tappin, one of the most noted Shop-keepers in Boston.

And now what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? The good Lord help me to walk humbly and Thankfully with Him all my days; and profit by Mercies and by Afflictions; that through Faith and Patience I may also in due time fully inherit the Promises. Let us incessantly pray for each other, that it may be so!

Samuel Sewall.

Augt. 26, 1720.

[Postscript to the above letter, by the son of the writer, Samuel Sewall, Esq., of Brookline, to whom the letter was addressed.

"June 30th, 1729, Rec^d the following acc^o of my Hon^d Father: viz. my Great Grandfather Sewall lived at Newbury at Old Town Green where the first Meeting House stood; and upon the Removal of the Meeting House where it now stands (being Mr. Tappin's Meeting House) He sold his House and Ground and moved to Rowley where he died and was Buried."]

COL. GOOKIN'S LETTER TO REV. NATHANIEL GOOKIN OF HAMPTON, N. H.

Philadelphia, 9^br 22^d 1710.

Dr sr

The business of y^e Province sometimes requires me to visit y^e extreme parts of it and I am often obliged to stay at New Castle y^e chief town of y^e next Government, and by that means miss many opportunities of answering my friends' letters, this and having very little to write that could entertain y^e are y^e reasons y^e have not heard from me of late. I have had two letters from y^e since I wrote y^o last y^e 3^d of Oct^b. By letters from Ireland I am informed two of our relatives are lately dead, viz. Robert Gookin, son of my Uncle Robert, and Augustine Gookin, eldest son of my Uncle Charles. My own affairs in y^e government are very likely to improve, for y^e last assembly who were extremely y^e Proprietor's enemies and against raising money for y^e support of Gover'nt, are every one laid by this election, and such men chosen as I believe will answer his expectations and mine.

By the packet I have letters from y^e Proprietor, wherein he tells mee he has more friends in this ministry than in y^e last, and gives me fresh assurances of his friend in case he resigns y^e government to y^e crown, which he thinks he shall find it his interest to do. I shall not give y^e any account of y^e public affairs since y^e will be better informed by y^e prints. I shall not add, but only desire y^e will not take my backwardness in writing in an unkind sense, but believe I have a due regard for all my relations and that I am in a more particular manner

[Superscription.]	Dr Cossn yr very affecte Kinsman
To the Reverend Mr. Nathl Gookin,	and Servt
att Hampton, N. Hampshire,	Chas. Gookin.
Frce Ch. Gookin. via Boston.

[Pg 114]

HISTORY OF THE PILGRIM SOCIETY,

WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF PLYMOUTH COLONY.

As introductory to a notice of the Pilgrim Society, the narration of a few facts in reference to the early settlement of New England may be neither inappropriate nor uninteresting. It will serve also to elucidate more fully the objects of the Society.

Religious persecution was the chief cause of the emigration of our forefathers to this country. The memorable Reformation, effected principally by the instrumentality of Luther and Calvin, appeared in England in 1534, under Henry VIII. During its progress, in the reigns of Mary, Elizabeth, and James I., those who were denominated Puritans[B] were subjected to the most cruel oppression. Thousands suffered martyrdom; many were banished; and others were doomed to perpetual imprisonment.

Those Puritans who lived in the north of England were, on account of their dispersed state, divided, in the year 1606, into two distinct churches. With one of these was connected the celebrated John Robinson, who afterwards became its minister. Persecuted for non-conformity to the established church, he, with a part of his congregation, that they might worship God according to the dictates of their consciences, removed in 1607-8 to Amsterdam, in Holland, where religious toleration was then sanctioned by law; and soon after, (in 1609,) they went to Leyden, where they formed themselves into a church, according to the pattern prescribed, as they supposed, by the word of God. In that place they remained till their removal to America. "Their motives for this," (their removal,) "were to preserve the morals of their youth; to prevent them, through want of employment, from leaving their parents and engaging in business unfriendly to religion; to avoid the inconveniences of incorporating with the Dutch; to lay a foundation for propagating the gospel in the remote parts of the world; and, by separating from all the existing establishments in Europe, to form the model of a pure church, free from the admixture of human[Pg 115] additions." What Lord Brougham, of England, has said of the North American colonies in general, is most strictly and emphatically true of these individuals in particular. "All idea of wealth or pleasure was out of the question. The greater part of them viewed their emigration as taking up the cross, and bounded their hopes of wealth to the gifts of the Spirit, and their ambition to the desire of a kingdom beyond the grave. A set of men more conscientious in their doings, or simple in their manners, never founded any commonwealth."

Such were the reasons which induced the founders of New England to leave all that was dear to them in England and Holland, and to remove to these then inhospitable shores; reasons sufficient to affect the minds, hearts, and conduct of some of the best men that ever lived. Speaking of them, Governor Stoughton remarked, "God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness."

In accomplishing their object, "it was agreed by the English congregation at Leyden, that some of their number should go to America to make preparation for the rest. Mr. Robinson,[C] their minister, was prevailed on to stay with the greater part at Leyden; Mr. Brewster,[D] their elder, was to accompany the first adventurers, but these and their brethren remaining in Holland were to continue to be one church, and to receive each other to Christian communion without a formal dismission, or testimonial. Several of the congregation sold their estates and made a common bank, which, together with money received from other adventurers, enabled them to purchase the Speedwell,[E] a ship of sixty tons, and to hire in England [Pg 116]the May Flower, a ship of one hundred and eighty tons, for the intended enterprise."[F]

The following graphic description of the attachment of the Pilgrims to each other, and of their pious views and feelings on the occasion of their separation, is found in Morton's New England Memorial.

"Being prepared to depart, they had a solemn day of humiliation, the pastor teaching a part of the day very profitably, and suitably to the present occasion; the text of Scripture was Ezra viii:21. The rest of the time was spent in pouring out of prayers unto the Lord, with great fervency, mixed with abundance of tears.—When they came to the place," (Delftshaven,) "they found the ship and all things ready; and such of their friends as could not come with them, followed after them, and sundry came from Amsterdam to see them shipped, and to take their leave of them. One night was spent with little sleep with the most, but with friendly entertainment, and Christian discourse, and other real expressions of Christian love. The next day, the wind being fair, they went on board, and their friends with them, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting, to hear what sighs, and sobs, and prayers did sound amongst them; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other's heart, that sundry of the Dutch strangers, that stood on the quay as spectators, could not refrain from tears: Yet comfortable and sweet it was, to see such lively and true expressions of dear and unfeigned love.—Their reverend pastor falling down on his knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks, commended them with most fervent prayers unto the Lord and his blessing; and then with mutual embraces and many tears, they took their leave one of another, which proved to be the last leave to many of them."

On the 6th of September, 1620, the adventurers sailed from Plymouth, in the May Flower, and, on the 9th of November, they arrived, after enduring a perilous voyage, in sight of Cape Cod. Having entered the harbor, they, on the 11th day of the month, after prayer and thanksgiving, subscribed a written instrument, by which they were made a body politic. The covenant entered into was signed by forty-one individuals, who, with their families, amounted to one hundred and one persons. Mr. John Carver was unanimously elected Governor of the colony for one year.[G] Though [Pg 117]these adventurers undertook their enterprise under the authority and sanction of a royal charter, yet they commenced their political existence as a republic. December 22, 1620, they disembarked and went on shore. The place where they landed, called by the Indians Patuxet, they named Plymouth, after the town in England from which they last sailed.

Such was the origin of the settlement of the Plymouth colony.

Sentiments of high respect for the principles and character of the first settlers of New England have been cherished in every succeeding generation of their descendants. They have been eager to reward their inestimable service by commemorating their virtues and piety, and by preserving a recollection of their sufferings, resolution, and noble deeds, in so glorious a cause. In doing this they have been actuated by the dictates of nature, reason, and gratitude.

On January 13, 1769, when the storm of British oppression was gathering, and the time for open and decided resistance to the crown was at hand, an association called the "Old Colony Club" was formed at Plymouth, consisting of some of the principal men of that place and vicinity; and on December 22, of that year, the "Landing of the Forefathers" was first celebrated.[H] The Winslows,[Pg 118] Watsons, and Howlands were among those who were the most prominent. Major-General John Winslow of Marshfield, who had been an eminent officer in the war between England and France, in 1754-1762, General Peleg Wadsworth, Colonel Gamaliel Bradford, and Hon. George Partridge of Duxbury, Hon. William Sever and General John Thomas of Kingston, Colonel Alexander Scammell, then a teacher of youth in Plymouth, and afterwards a distinguished officer in the American Revolution, were original or early members of the Society.

"In the year 1773 the Association was dissolved, in consequence of conflicting opinions existing among its members, in relation to the American Revolution," and two of the early members of the Club left the country, from attachment to the British government.

The following gentlemen have delivered sermons or addresses, by the request of the "Old Colony Club," or of the inhabitants of the town, or of the members of some one of the religious societies, at the times of the anniversary at Plymouth, on the 22nd of December. Edward Winslow, Jr., Esq., Plymouth; Rev. Chandler Robbins, D. D., Plymouth; Rev. Charles Turner, Duxbury; Rev. Gad Hitchcock, D. D., Pembroke; Rev. Samuel Baldwin, Hanover; Rev. Sylvanus Conant, Middleborough; Rev. Samuel West, D. D., Dartmouth; Rev. Timothy Hilliard, Barnstable; Rev. William Shaw, D. D., Marshfield; Rev. Jonathan Moore, Rochester; Doct. Zaccheus Bartlett, Plymouth; Hon. John Davis, LL. D., Boston; Rev. John Allyne, D. D., Duxbury; Hon. John Quincy Adams, LL. D., Quincy; Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., Cambridge; Rev. Jonathan Strong, D. D., Randolph; Rev. James Kendall, D. D., Plymouth; Alden Bradford, LL. D., Boston; Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., Cambridge; Rev. James Freeman, D. D., Boston; Rev. Adoniram Judson, Plymouth; Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris, D. D., Dorchester; Rev. Abiel Abbot, D. D., Beverly; Rev. John Elliot, D. D., Boston; Rev. James Flint, D. D., Salem; Rev. Ezra Goodwin, Sandwich; Rev. Horace Holley, LL. D., Boston; Hon. Wendell Davis, Sandwich; and Hon. Francis Calley Gray, Boston.

As the "Old Colony Club" had for many years ceased to act as a society, and had, in fact, ceased to exist, that the object of the annual celebration of the "Landing of our Forefathers" might be [Pg 119]better accomplished, a society was formed, November 9, 1819, by the name of the "Old Colony Pilgrim Society," and immediately went into operation. The Hon. Joshua Thomas, William Jackson, and Nathaniel M. Davis, Esqs., were chosen a committee on behalf of the Society, to petition the General Court for an act of incorporation. On February 24, 1820, the Society was incorporated and made a body politic, by the name of the "Pilgrim Society." The design of the institution may in part be learned from a clause in the first section of the act of incorporation, which is, "to perpetuate the memory of the virtues, the enterprise, and unparalleled sufferings of their ancestors."

The "Landing of our Forefathers" was first celebrated by the Pilgrim Society, December 22, 1820, that being the completion of the second century since the settlement of New England, or the landing of the Pilgrims. This event, which, in a most important sense, gave existence to the nation, with all that is valuable in its civil, literary, and religious establishments, was observed that year with more than usual solemnity and interest. The Hon. Daniel Webster delivered an address[I] on the occasion, worthy of himself and the memory of those whose character and sufferings he so eloquently portrayed. A large concourse of people attended the celebration, and were escorted to the place of public service by the Standish Guards, a military company so called in honor of Capt. Miles Standish.[J]

There were present on the occasion, a delegation from the Massachusetts Historical Society, and from the American Antiquarian Society. The Hon. Judge Davis addressed the Pilgrim Society on behalf of the former institution, and the Hon. Levi Lincoln on behalf of the latter. The Rev. Dr. Kendall replied to the one, and Alden Bradford, Esq., replied to the other. The kindest sentiments and feelings universally prevailed, and the occasion was one of great satisfaction and rejoicing.

The Pilgrim Society, as such, annually commemorates the day on which our Forefathers landed at Plymouth. On some of these anniversaries, addresses have been delivered; in 1820, by Hon. [Pg 120]Daniel Webster; in 1824, by Hon. Edward Everett; in 1829, by Hon. William Sullivan; in 1834, by Rev. George Washington Blagden; in 1835, by Hon. Peleg Sprague; in 1837, by Rev. Robert B. Hall; in 1838, by Rev. Thomas Bobbins, D. D.; and in 1845, by Joseph R. Chandler, Esq. Since 1820, at the request of some religious society or association, the following gentlemen have delivered addresses on these anniversary occasions, though not specially before the Pilgrim Society; Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., Braintree; Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., Boston; Rev. Samuel Green, Boston; Rev. Daniel Huntington, North Bridgewater; Rev. Benjamin B. Wisner, D. D., Boston; Rev. John Codman, D. D., Dorchester; Rev. Convers Francis, D. D., Watertown; Rev. Jonathan Bigelow, Rochester; Rev. Samuel Barrett, Boston; Rev. William T. Torrey, Plymouth; Rev. John Brazier, D. D., Salem; and Rev. Mark Hopkins, D. D., Williamstown. In the addresses which have been delivered, the principles, motives, intentions, and character of the Forefathers have been exhibited and approved; the causes of their emigration, the interposition of God in their behalf, and the glorious results which have followed, have been glowingly described.

The Society erected in the year 1824 a monumental edifice; the corner-stone of which was laid with appropriate solemnities, and in an excavation made in it for the purpose, was deposited, with other articles, a plate having the following inscription: "In grateful memory of our Ancestors, who exiled themselves from their native country, for the sake of religion, and here successfully laid the foundation of Freedom and Empire, December 22, A. D. MDCXX., their descendants, the Pilgrim Society, have raised this edifice, August XXXI. A. D. MDCCCXXIV."

The edifice is built of unwrought split granite, and is seventy feet in length by forty in width, and is two stories in height. It has a handsome Doric portico in front, eight feet wide, supported by six pillars sixteen feet high. The whole expense of the building and its appurtenances was more than $15,000. Its location is pleasant and presents a full view of the outer harbor of the town. The principal hall is adorned by a magnificent painting, representing our Forefathers. This picture, valued at $3,000, was a donation to the Pilgrim Society by the artist, Henry Sargent, Esq., Boston. It is a splendid representation of the Pilgrims at their arrival on these western shores. Pilgrim Hall is the most suitable receptacle for it; and Col. Sargent has exhibited a noble generosity in placing it within its walls. The dimensions of the picture are sixteen feet[Pg 121] by thirteen. It contains several groups of individuals attired in the costume of their day. 1. Governor Carver and his wife and children; 2. Governor Bradford; 3. Governor Winslow; 4. Wife of Governor Winslow; 5. Mr. William Brewster, the presiding Elder; 6. Capt. Miles Standish; 7. Mr. William White and his child Peregrine; 8. Mr. Isaac Allerton and his wife; 9. Mr. John Alden; 10. Mr. John Turner; 11. Mr. Stephen Hopkins, his wife, and children; 12. Mr. Richard Warner; 13. Mr. Edward Tilley; 14. Mr. Samuel Fuller; 15. Wife of Capt. Standish; 16. Samoset, an Indian Sagamore; 17. Mr. John Howland, of Governor Carver's family, who married his daughter.

In the edifice there is a room set apart for a Library and a Cabinet of curiosities. It is already supplied with a number of volumes and many manuscripts of early date. It is desirable that a copy of all the works published by the Pilgrims and their descendants should be deposited in the Library.

"Among the antiquities in the Cabinet of the Pilgrim Society are the following:

"A chair which belonged to Gov. Carver. The sword of Miles Standish, presented by William S. Williams, Esq. A pewter dish which belonged to Miles Standish, presented by the late Joseph Head, Esq. An iron pot which belonged to Miles Standish, presented by the late John Watson, Esq. A brass steelyard, owned by Thomas Southworth. A cane which belonged to William White; presented by Hon. John Reed. A dressing-case which belonged to William White. The gun-barrel with which King Philip was killed, presented by Mr. John Cook of Kingston. The original letter of King Philip to Gov. Prince, written in 1662. A china mug and leather pocket-book which belonged to Thomas Clark. A piece of ingenious embroidery, in a frame, executed by Lora Standish, a daughter of Miles Standish; presented by Rev. Lucius Alden of East Bridgewater. Many curiosities are still in the hands of individuals and families, which might add much to the interest of Pilgrim Hall."

The following Portraits embellish Pilgrim Hall: "1. of Edward Winslow, painted in London in 1651, copied from the original, by C. A. Foster. 2. of Josiah Winslow, the first native Governor of the Old Colony, painted in London in 1651, copied from the original, by C. A. Foster. 3. of Gov. Josiah Winslow's wife, Penelope Pelham, copied from the original, by C. A. Foster. 4. of General John Winslow, copied from the original, by C. A. Foster. The[Pg 122] portrait of Gov. Edward Winslow is the only one preserved, of those individuals who came in the Mayflower. The originals of these paintings belong to Isaac Winslow, Esq., of Boston, and are now in the rooms of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 5. A portrait of the Hon. Ephraim Spooner, presented by Thomas Davis, Esq., of Boston. 6. A portrait of John Alden, Esq., of Middleborough, who died in 1821, aged 102 years, who was the great-grandson of John Alden, who came in the Mayflower; painted and presented by Cephas Thompson, Esq. 7. A portrait of Hon. John Trumbull, presented by Col. John Trumbull. This portrait was painted in 1781. The face was executed by Mr. Stewart, and the other parts by Mr. Trumbull himself, while a student with him. 8. A portrait of James Thacher, M. D., late Librarian and Cabinet-Keeper of the Pilgrim Society. It was painted by Mr. Frothingham, in January, 1841, by order of the Pilgrim Society, pursuant to a vote expressing their sense of the valuable services he had rendered, in promoting the objects of said society.[K]

"The Hall contains also a bust of Hon. Daniel Webster, presented by James T. Hayward, Esq., of Boston; and the bust of Hon. John Adams, presented by Samuel Nicholson, Esq."

For an account of "Forefathers' Rock" and the beautiful monument erected by the Pilgrim Society for its preservation, we make the following extract from Dr. Thacher's History of Plymouth.

"The inhabitants of the town," [1774] "animated by the glorious spirit of liberty which pervaded the Province, and mindful of the precious relic of our Forefathers, resolved to consecrate the Rock on which they landed to the shrine of liberty. Col. Theophilus Colon and a large number of the inhabitants assembled, with about twenty yoke of oxen, for the purpose of its removal. The rock was elevated from its bed by means of large screws; and in attempting to mount it on the carriage, it split asunder, without any violence. As no one had observed a flaw, the circumstance occasioned some surprise. It is not strange that some of the patriots of the day should be disposed to indulge a little in superstition, when in favor of their good cause. The separation of the rock was con[Pg 123]strued to be ominous of a division of the British Empire. The question was now to be decided whether both parts should be removed, and being decided in the negative, the bottom part was dropped again into its original bed, where it still remains, a few inches above the surface of the earth, at the head of the wharf. The upper portion, weighing many tons, was conveyed to the liberty-pole square, front of the meeting-house, where, we believe, waved over it a flag with the far-famed motto, 'Liberty or death.' This part of the rock was, on the 4th of July, 1834, removed to 'Pilgrim Hall,' and placed in front of that edifice, under the charge of the Pilgrim Society. A procession was formed on this occasion, and passed over Cole's hill, where lie the ashes of those who died the first winter.

"A miniature representation of the Mayflower followed in the procession, placed in a car decorated with flowers, and drawn by six boys. The procession was preceded by the children of both sexes of the several schools in town. On depositing the rock in front of the Hall, a volley of small arms was fired over it by the Standish Guards, after which, an appropriate address was delivered by Doct. Charles Cotton, and the services were closed with a prayer by Rev. Dr. Kendall.

"It affords the highest satisfaction to announce, that the long desired protection of the 'Forefathers' Rock' is at length completed; and it may be pronounced a noble structure, serving the double purpose of security to the rock and a monument to the Pilgrims. The fabric was erected in June of the present year, [1835,] and consists of a perfect ellipse, forty-one feet in perimeter, formed of wrought iron bars, five feet high, resting on a base of hammered granite. The heads of the perpendicular bars are harpoons and boat-hooks alternately. The whole is embellished with emblematic figures of cast iron. The base of the railing is studded with emblems of marine shells, placed alternately reversed, having a striking effect. The upper part of the railing is encircled with a wreath of iron castings, in imitation of heraldry curtains, fringed with festoons; of these there are forty-one, bearing the names in bass-relief of the forty-one Puritan fathers who signed the memorable compact while in the cabin of the Mayflower, at Cape Cod, in 1620. This valuable and interesting acquisition reflects honor on all who have taken an interest in the undertaking. In the original design by George W. Brimmer, Esq., ingenuity and correct taste are displayed; and in all its parts, the work is executed with much[Pg 124] judgment and skill. The castings are executed in the most improved style of the art. This appropriate memorial will last for ages, and the names and story of the great founders of our nation will be made familiar to the latest generation. This monument cost four hundred dollars. The fund was obtained by subscription; Lieut. Gov. Armstrong heading the paper, and Samuel T. Tisdale, Esq., of New York, contributing one hundred dollars. The author of this work" (Dr. Thacher,) "had the honor and satisfaction of being the active agent in its execution."

This account of the Pilgrim Society we conclude, by expressing our high commendation of its object. To be affected at the sufferings of the Pilgrims of New England; to exercise gratitude for their inestimable labors and sacrifices; to venerate their virtue and piety; to revere their principles of religious and civil liberty; and to hand down a suitable memorial of them to succeeding generations, is at once the duty and privilege of their descendants. Most cordially can we adopt the expressive language of President Dwight, in speaking of our ancestors. "When I call to mind," says he, "the history of their sufferings on both sides of the Atlantic, when I remember their preëminent patience, their unspotted piety, their immovable fortitude, their undaunted resolution, their love to each other, their justice and humanity to the savages, and their freedom from all those stains which elsewhere spotted the character, even of their companions in affliction, I cannot but view them as illustrious brothers, claiming the veneration and applause of all their posterity. By me the names of Carver, Bradford, Cushman,[L] and Standish, will never be forgotten, until I lose the power of recollection."

[Pg 125]

Our apology for appending so many notes to this historical notice is, that they illustrate the character of the Pilgrims of New England and the times in which they lived, and thus serve to accomplish the object we have in view. For instance, a few sentences in the farewell discourse of the Rev. Mr. Robinson, who was in an important sense the Father of the Plymouth colony, show the cast of mind, the religious faith, and the adherence to Protestant principles, of himself and of his flock.[M]

The first Presidents of the Society were Hon. Joshua Thomas, John Watson, Alden Bradford, LL. D., and Nathaniel M. Davis, Esqs.

The present officers are Charles H. Warren, President; William Davis, Vice-President; Andrew L. Russell, Recording Secretary; Benjamin M. Watson, Corresponding Secretary; William S. Russell, Librarian and Cabinet-Keeper; Nathaniel M. Davis, John B. Thomas, Isaac L. Hedge, William M. Jackson, Schuyler Sampson, Joseph Cushman of Plymouth, and James T. Hayward and William Thomas of Boston, Trustees.

[Pg 126]

PASSENGERS OF THE GOLDEN HIND.

(The First Englishmen in North America.)

BY SAMUEL G. DRAKE, M. A.

It was long ago remarked that but for the voyages and expeditions of Sir Francis Drake, North America would have remained unsettled, if not almost unknown, for many years, if not for ages. To those who are familiar with the history of the state of Europe during the century in which Elizabeth lived, no argument will be required to convince them of the truth of that position.

An exception may be taken to the heading of our article, but we are well aware of the voyages of the Cabots, of Ponce de Leon, and of Verazzini; the former of whom it is said discovered Newfoundland, and the latter ravaged some part of Florida; and that Verazzini, a little later, was eaten by the Indians of North America. If we consult history, popularly known as such, it will hardly appear that the Cabots set foot on these shores, while what was done by the others tended only to discourage voyages of discovery in this hemisphere.

It is the intention in this article to furnish as complete a list of the[Pg 127] persons who sailed upon the voyage with Sir Francis Drake round the world, as can be collected, after long and patient search and investigation. That such a list or catalogue cannot fail to be interesting at this day, we feel assured, for two reasons; first, because they were probably the first Englishmen, (certainly the first whose names we have,) who landed in North America; and secondly, many of them bore names common amongst us, even to this time. Whether they were the ancestors or connections of the ancestors of these, we leave for the investigation of those who bear these names, or who may have the curiosity and leisure to pursue the interesting inquiry.

A third reason might have been given why such a catalogue of names should be made out, had we published earlier, but as a settlement of the "Oregon Question" has taken place, no one will be likely to put in a claim to any part of that territory by right of discovery made by his ancestor; and hence an emigrant to that region has no other reason for any interest he may take in the following names than any of us have on this side of the Rocky Mountains. And instead of the ancient claim of rights by discovery, the Oregonian must now console himself as well as he can with this distich of our famous revolutionary poet, Freneau:

By the following list it will be seen that the largest number of those who embarked in the voyage, continued during it, and that some others did not; while of some it is uncertain whether they continued in it, returned with Capt. Winter, were lost with Capt. Thomas, or are otherwise to be accounted for.

Drake set sail from Plymouth, Nov. 15, 1577, and returned to the same port Sept. 26, 1580.

The following is the last entry, in the only true and authentic journal preserved of that voyage. It is entitled "THE WORLD Encompassed by Sir Francis Drake," &c., and was printed in a small quarto volume, with this imprint, "London, Printed for Nicholas Bovrne, and are to be sold at his shop at the Royall Exchange, 1628."

"And the 26. of Sept. [1580 in the margin,] (which was Monday in the just and ordinary reckoning of those that had stayed at home in one place or countrie, but in our c[=o]putation was the Lord's day or Sonday) we safely with ioyfull minds and thankfvll hearts to God, arriued at Plimoth, the place of our first setting forth after we had spent 2. yeares 10. moneths and some few odde daies beside, in seeing the wonders of the Lord in the deep, in discouering so many admirable things, in going through with so many strange aduentures, in escaping out of so many dangers, and ouercomming so many difficulties in this our encompassing of this neather globe, and passing round about the world, which we haue related."

We now proceed with the proposed catalogue of names, in which we shall study brevity.

FRANCIS DRAKE, Admiral, or as that officer was then generally denominated, general, of the expedition, in the ship called the Pelican, which name she bore until she entered the South Sea, when it was changed to the Golden[Pg 128] Hind. He was born about 1537,[N] and died on board his ship near Porto Bello, Jan. 28, 1596.

JOHN WINTER, Vice-Admiral, in the Elizabeth. He continued in the voyage till the passing of the Straits of Magellan, when a storm, which for its fury and duration, had never been known to him or his companions, made every heart quail but the Admiral's, and compelled him, for his own safety, as he contended, to forsake the voyage and return to England. How many returned with him, we have no means of knowing, at present.

To form an estimate of the violence of the tempest which deprived Drake of all his ships but that in which he himself was, one must recur to the original Journal of the voyage before noticed. That the reader may have an idea of that curious work, and lest he may never see it, a short extract will here be introduced. The writer of the Journal was in the Admiral's ship, to which it applies.

"For such was the present danger by forcing and continuall flawes, that we were rather to looke for present death then hope for any deliuery, if God almightie should not make the way for vs. The winds were such as if the bowels of the earth had set all at libertie; or as if all the clouds vnder heauen had beene called together, to lay their force vpon that one place: The seas, which by nature and of themselues are heauie, and of a weightie substance, were rowled vp from the depths, euen from the roots of the rockes, as if it had beene a scroll of parchment, which by the extremity of heate runneth together: and being aloft were carried in most strange manner and abundance, as feathers or drifts of snow, by the violence of the winds, to water the exceeding tops of high and loftie mountaines. Our anchors, as false friends in such a danger, gaue ouer their holdfast, and as if it had beene with horror of the thing, did shrinke downe to hide themselues in this miserable storme; committing the distressed ship and helpelesse men to the vncertaine and rowling seas, which tossed them, like a ball in a racket. In this case, to let fall more anchors would auaile vs nothing; for being driuen from our first place at anchoring, so vnmeasurable was the depth, that 500. fathome would fetch no ground: So that the violent storme without intermission; the impossibility to come to anchor; the want of opportunitie to spread any sayle; the most mad seas; the lee shores; the dangerous rocks; the contrary and most intolerable winds; the impossible passage out; the desperate tarrying there; and ineuitable perils on euery side, did lay before vs so small likelihood to escape present destruction, that if the speciall providence of God himselfe had not supported vs, we could neuer haue endured that wofull state: as being inuironed with most terrible and most fearfull judgements round about. For truly it was more likely that the mountaines should have beene rent in sunder, from the top to the bottome, and cast headlong into the sea, by these vnnatural winds, than that we, by any helpe or cunning of man, should free the life of any one amongst vs.

"Notwithstanding, the same God of mercy which delivered Ionas out of the Whales belly, and heareth all those that call vpon him faithfully, in their distresse; looked downe from heauen, beheld our teares, and heard our humble petitions, ioyned with holy vowes. Euen God (whom not the winds and seas alone, but euen the diuels themselues and powers of hell obey) did so wonderfully free vs, and make our way open before vs, as it were by his holy Angels still guiding and conducting vs, that more then the affright and amaze of this estate, we received no part of damage in all the things that belonged vnto vs.

"But escaping from these straites and miseries, as it were through the needles ey (that God might haue the greater glory in our deliuery) by the great and effectuall care and trauell of our Generall, the Lord's instrument therein; we could now no longer forbeare, but must needes finde some place of refuge, as well to provide water, wood, and other necessaries, as to comfort our men, thus worne and tired out, by so many and so long intollerable toyles: the like whereof, its to be supposed, no traveller hath felt, neither hath there ever beene, such a tempest (that any records make mention of) so violent, and of such continuance, since Noahs flood; for as hath beene sayd, it lasted from September 7. to October 28, full 52 dayes."

Though this extract be long, we have given but the closing part of the description of the storm. When we consider that it was winter in that region,[Pg 129] and the nature of those seas, the storm (of which we have heard so much,) which overtook Columbus sinks into comparative insignificance.

We cannot close this lengthened digression, (if so it may be considered,) without an extract from a Poem on the Death of Drake by Charles Fitz-Geffrey; who in the following passage seems to have had the wild scenes of Terra del Fuego, in a dismal winter's night, vividly before him:—

Thus out of "164 able and sufficient men," we have about one third of them by name; and from a passage in "Barrow's Naval Worthies" we are led to hope, that "twenty-nine" other names will yet be recovered. Should they come to our hand, we may at a future time make an article respecting them also.[O]

[Pg 132]

"A LYST OF THE PASINGERS ABORD THE SPEEDWELL OF LONDON, ROBERT LOCK MASTER, BOUND FOR NEW ENGLAND.

"The persons aboue named past from hence [in] the shipp aboue mentioned, and are, according to order, registred heare. Dated, Searchers office, Grauesend, 30th May, 1656.

EDWARD PELLING, JOHN PHILPOTT.

Searchers.

"Theese were Landed at Boston in N. E. the 27th of the moneth, 1656.

J. E."

"AN EXAMINATION OF THE QUAKERS BEFORE [THE] COURT OF ASSISTANTS, 8 SEPTEMBER, 1656."

[The following is an exact copy of the original minutes, made at the examination of the Quakers, at the court in Boston above specified. Hutchinson refers to the books of the Court in his account or notice of this affair; but whatever may there be found to justify his remark that the Quakers made "rude and contemptuous answers," no one will allow that any thing of the kind was contained in these original minutes, to justify any such conclusion. They are here presented to illustrate, as far as they may, this dark page of our early history. This document is the more important, as it appears to be one of the earliest, if not the earliest paper in relation to the proceedings against that people. They came into New England in July preceding their apprehension and trial, and were twelve in number. The issue of their examination being matter of history, it will not be necessary to go into the details here. The inquirer after truth may consult Hutchinson, Neal, Hazard, Bishop, and others for them.]

[Pg 133]

[Pg 134]

A COMPLETE LIST OF THE MINISTERS OF BOSTON OF ALL DENOMINATIONS, FROM 1630 TO 1842, ARRANGED IN THE ORDER OF THEIR SETTLEMENT.

BY JAMES C. ODIORNE, M. A.

(To be continued.)

[Pg 137]

A LIST OF NAMES FOUND AMONG THE FIRST SETTLERS OF NEW ENGLAND.

CAPITAL OFFENCES IN MASSACHUSETTS.

Thirteen offences were made capital by the original laws of Massachusetts Bay; namely, Idolatry; Witchcraft; Blasphemy; Murder; Bestiality; Sodomy; Adultery; Rape; Man-stealing; False-witness; Conspiracy, or rebellion against the government; Cursing or smiting the father or mother, after passing sixteen years of age, unless with justifying provocation, or with unchristianly neglect in education; Filial rebellion, after sixteen years of age.

To these were added, 1692, High Treason; Concealing the death of a bastard child; Arson; Piracy.

[Pg 140]

JURIDICAL STATISTICS OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, N. H.

(Concluded from page 59.)

ATTORNEYS AT LAW.

REASONS FOR GENEALOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

[COMMUNICATED FOR THE REGISTER.]

Perhaps at no time since the settlement of our country, has the public mind been so deeply interested in genealogical research as it is at the present. There is now perceived among all classes, a growing disposition to make inquiries respecting the past. The National and State archives are compelled to surrender the treasures which for centuries have been locked up in their musty embrace. On every side individuals are to be found, who are ransacking the homesteads of their fathers, to acquire materials for biography and to settle the questions respecting their ancestors which inquisitiveness suggests.

Some of these individuals appear to be urged on by curiosity alone. If, through their inquiries, they ascertain that they have descended from an old and celebrated family, the discovered fact seems to repay them for all the toil at the expense of which that fact may be brought to light. To establish their claim to descent from some noted warrior of the age of chivalry, or from some distinguished statesman of a later date, they are willing, not only to spend laborious days and sleepless nights, but their purses are open, and their gratitude is freely expressed, to any one who shall furnish them with a link to perfect the chain which may connect them with their supposed ancestors.

A family pride, either innate or acquired, leads other inquirers to their task. It is the height of their ambition to be able to trace their lineage to the first settlers of our country. To have derived their existence from the noble band who left a home rendered insupportable by religious persecution, and crossed the stormy Atlantic in the frail Mayflower, is to them a source of the highest pleasure. In their efforts to establish this derivation, facts of great importance in the local history of our country have been elicited. These efforts have given birth to most of our town histories, whereby materials, invaluable to our future historiographers and biographers are preserved from the ravages of time. These men in consequence of their researches become the nuclei of associations for historical, genealogical, and biographical pursuits, which, here and there, are springing into existence. These associations are awakening the mass of the people to a sense of the importance of the objects for which they were formed. Many young men, naturally enthusiastic in every thing they undertake, have caught the spirit of antiquarian research. From them we have much to hope. New modes of investigation may be projected, new plans for arranging and preserving historical and genealogical discoveries may be proposed, and new deductions from these discoveries may be made. Such are some of the advantages which may be confidently predicted as the result of these labors in the genealogical field.

Other inquirers are inclined to the study of genealogy from the argumentum ad pecuniam. The vast amount of property which remains in abeyance in the old world, has arrested their attention. Every announcement of estates wanting heirs stimulates anew their investigations; and the presiding genius of the age suggests to them the possibility of finding themselves entitled to this unclaimed property.

How important, then, that a genealogical record should exist, where[Pg 148]in the heirs of families should have a permanent place! How many bitter controversies respecting heirship would thereby be prevented! How many fraudulent distributions of property would thus be defeated! How many of those who have been rendered destitute by the deceptions of false claimants, would be restored to their legal rights, if such a record had been hitherto properly kept!

The disputes of heirs relative to the distribution of estates have frequently occasioned difficulty in our civil courts. In some cases property has been carried to collateral heirs, because lineal descendants could not sufficiently prove their derivation, and in other cases, those who would have inherited at law as the representatives of a deceased parent, are excluded by the intrigues of living co-heirs. Frauds, as the reports of our courts attest, have been perpetrated by those, who, from a similarity of name, though unrelated, have emboldened themselves to step in and exclude others who were legally entitled to the property, but who were unable to furnish sufficient evidence to establish their claim.

The steamers from England often bring news of the extinguishment of European resident heirs to estates in that country; and much money has been expended in the research of ancestry, by our own citizens, who have imagined themselves to be the true heirs to this property. The families, from which the greater number of these estates descend, are old families; branches of which came to this country prior to the commencement of the eighteenth century, and the trans-atlantic branch of the stock has run out. When this is the case, it is of high importance that the American descendants of these families should be able, clearly and conclusively, to prove their derivation. In this view, is it not a matter of surprise, that until the present year, the publication of a journal which could furnish information of so important a character as that which now demands so great a share of the public attention, has been delayed?

A Register which shall contain "Biographical Memoirs, Sketches, and Notices of persons who came to North America, especially to New England, before Anno Domini 1700; showing from what places in Europe they came, their Families there, and their descendants in this country;" which shall give "full and minute Genealogical Memoirs and Tables, showing the lineage and descent of Families, from the earliest dates to which they can be authentically traced down to the present time, with their branches and connections," cannot but be invaluable. If properly conducted, if the severest scrutiny is exercised by the writers over the materials which come under their notice, in the preparation of genealogical articles, the Register will become an authority in our courts, and will save immense amounts of money to the large number of individuals, who are attempting to trace their descent from European families. The policy of the law which invests, first, lineal descendants with intestate estates, and in the absence of lineal descendants, carries the estates to collateral heirs, in preference to an escheat to the State, is generally admitted. Were it not so, one great incentive to industry would be destroyed. The desire of securing their offspring against want, is a prevalent characteristic of New England parents. Assiduity and energy in the pursuit of wealth, which have overcome so many obstacles in our inhospitable climate, have their origin in the desire to advance the interests of posterity. How desirable, then, in order to carry out these views, does the[Pg 149] Genealogical Register become! Such a publication affords the only permanent depository for such records as will serve to insure the correct distribution of the property of deceased persons; and no parent who wishes the avails of his labors to be transmitted to his remote descendants can fail to perceive the utility of such a work, or can decline to furnish such information for its columns, as will enable those who come after him to prove their descent.

The frauds continually practised by those who assume to be heirs to every unclaimed estate, have become a matter of notoriety in English legal practice; and though there are many estates now in abeyance in England for want of discovered legal heirs, the bar and the bench in England are exceedingly distrustful of the evidence forwarded by claimants in this country. No doubt many of these claimants are sincere in the belief that they are true heirs to those estates; but the evidence upon which that belief is founded generally proves to be of too unsatisfactory a character to procure a judgment of the English tribunals in their favor; whereas, had materials been previously collected and given to the world through the columns of an authoritative periodical, the evidence thus furnished would be almost irresistible to any court of law.

We can ask with confidence the attention of all travellers to this journal. Communications relative to the antiquities of the countries they may visit; descriptions of monuments which exist, with the inscriptions thereon; and such information as they may communicate respecting themselves which may be interesting to the families to which they belong: all these will be within the scope of this work. It needs but an announcement of these facts, to obtain from those interested, communications which will not only throw light upon the pedigree of families, but will contain many accounts interesting to genealogists, biographers, and historians, which otherwise would be swept into oblivion; and in this department of the periodical, the public will find amusing, entertaining, and instructive pages. In this view of it, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register should be extensively patronized; and we are happy to learn that thus far it meets with the decided approbation of the community.

OUR ANCESTORS.

"Our ancestors, though not perfect and infallible in all respects, were a religious, brave, and virtuous set of men, whose love of liberty, civil and religious, brought them from their native land into the American deserts."—Rev. Dr. Mayhew's Election Sermon, 1754.

"To let the memory of these men die is injurious to posterity; by depriving them of what might contribute to promote their steadiness to their principles, under hardships and severities."—Rev. Dr. E. Calamy's Preface to his Account of Ejected Ministers.

[Pg 150]

COMPLETE LIST OF CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS IN THE EASTERN PART OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, FROM ITS SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME; TOGETHER WITH NOTES ON THE MINISTERS AND CHURCHES.

BY THE REV. JONATHAN FRENCH OF NORTH HAMPTON.

(Continued from page 46.)

NOTES.

Exeter. The settlement of Exeter commenced in 1638. The founder and first minister of the place was the Rev. John Wheelwright, mentioned by Dr. Belknap as "a gentleman of learning, piety, and zeal." He came from Lincolnshire, England, and landed at Boston, Ms., May 26, 1636. "He and Mary, his wife, were admitted to the Boston church, on the 12th of June." A settlement had been made, as early as 1625, at Mount Wollaston, afterwards Braintree, Ms. In 1634, Boston was enlarged, so as to include Mount Wollaston. Mr. Wheelwright became preacher to the people at that place. These circumstances account for his being mentioned in some publications, as having removed to New Hampshire from Braintree; and in others from the church in Boston. Antinomian sentiments were imputed to Mr. Wheelwright. He was a brother of the famous Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, whose Antinomian zeal brought her into public notice. At a Fast in Boston, in December, 1636, Mr. Wheelwright preached one of the sermons. It gave offence, as it was judged to reflect on ministers and magistrates. He was said to have asserted, "that they walked in such a way of salvation as was no better than a covenant of works:" and also, that "he exhorted such as were under a covenant of grace to combat them, as their greatest enemies." [Neal's New Eng., Vol. I. p. 186.]

Mr. Wheelwright was summoned, by the civil court, "to give in his answer explicitly, whether he would acknowledge his offence, in preaching his late seditious sermon, or abide the sentence of the court." His answer was, "that he had been guilty of no sedition nor contempt; that he had delivered nothing but the truth of Christ; and, for the application of his doctrine, that was made by others, and not by himself, he was not responsible." [Neal's N. E., I. 190.]

Not being inclined to comply with the request of the court, that he would, "out of a regard to the public peace, leave the Colony, of his own accord," he was sentenced "to be disfranchised, to be banished the jurisdiction, and to be taken into custody immediately, unless he should give security to depart before the end of March." Appeal not being admitted, and declining to give bail, he was taken into custody, but released the next day, on "declaring himself willing to submit to a simple banishment." [Neal's N. E., I. 191.]

Mr. Wheelwright, having purchased lands of the Indians at Squamscot Falls, with a number of his adherents began a plantation in 1638, which, according to agreement made with Mason's agent, they called Exeter. "Having obtained a dismission from the church in Boston, they formed themselves into a church; and judging themselves without the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, they combined into a separate body politic," &c. [Belknap, I. 37.] This combination continued three years. The names of those dismissed from Boston were John Wheelwright, Richard Merrys, Richard Bulgar, Philemon Purmont, Isaac Gosse, Christopher Marshall, George Baytes, Thomas Wardell, William Wardell. [Dr. Belknap from Boston Chh. Records.] "When Exeter came under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, Mr. Wheelwright, being still under sentence of banishment, with those of his church who were resolved to adhere to him, removed into the Province of Maine, and settled at Wells. He was soon after restored, upon a slight acknowledgment, to the freedom of the Colony; and in 1647 accepted an invitation from the church in Hampton, and settled as colleague with Mr. Dalton." "After his dismission from Hampton church he went to England, where he was in favor with Cromwell, with whom he had in early life been associated at the University of Cambridge in England. After Charles II. came to the throne, Mr. Wheelwright returned to New England, and took up his residence at Salisbury, where he died, November 15, 1679, aged, probably, about 85 years." [Dow's Hist. Address at Hampton.]

Neal, although his sympathies were with the opponents of Wheelwright, mentions him as being "afterwards an useful minister in the town of Hampton." Dr. Cotton Mather, while he justifies the proceedings of the court against Mr. Wheelwright, accounts him "a man that had the root of the matter in him." Having quoted at large Mr. Wheelwright's address to the government, Dr. Mather says, "Upon this most ingenious acknowledgement, he was restored unto his former liberty, and interest among the people of God; and[Pg 152] lived almost 40 years after, a valued servant of the church, in his generation." Referring to some publications of the day, in which Mr. Wheelwright was charged with being heretical, Dr. Mather said, "this good man published a vindication of himself, against the wrongs that had been done unto him." In this vindication were quoted the words of Mr. Cotton—"I do conceive and profess, that our brother Wheelwright's doctrine is according to God, in the points controverted." Mr. Wheelwright also produced "a declaration from the whole general court of the Colony, signed by the secretary," in which "they now signify, that Mr. Wheelwright hath, for these many years, approved himself a sound orthodox, and profitable minister of the gospel, among the churches of Christ." [Magnalia, II. 443.]

Dr. Mather's own opinion of Mr. Wheelwright was expressed in a letter to G. Vaughan, Esq., in 1708. "Mr. Wheelwright was always a gentleman of the most unspotted morals imaginable; a man of a most unblemished reputation." "His worst enemies never looked on him as chargeable with the least ill practices." [Belknap's Biog., III. 338.]

The sermon of Mr. Wheelwright which gave offence in 1636, is still preserved in manuscript. The Hon. Jeremiah Smith, late of Exeter, N. H., who had read it, and who was fully competent to judge of its legal bearings, said that he found in it no ground for a charge of sedition. The charge was "wholly groundless, there was not the least color for it." [Judge Smith's MS.]

Mr. Wheelwright was settled over the first church in Salisbury, Ms., Dec. 9, 1662. [Rev. J. B. Felt.] In 1671, at the ordination of Rev. Joshua Moody, at Portsmouth, Mr. Wheelwright gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. One of Mr. Wheelwright's descendants, of the ninth generation, Rev. Rufus Wheelwright Clark, is now pastor of that church in Portsmouth. Mr. Wheelwright's last will "names his son Samuel, son-in-law Edward Rishworth, his grandchildren Edward Lyde, Mary White, Mary Maverick, and William, Thomas, and Jacob Bradbury." [Farmer's Geneal. Reg.] Thomas Wheelwright of Wells, was also a son of Rev. John Wheelwright. For an interesting account, containing other facts respecting Mr. Wheelwright, see "Collectanea" by Hon. J. Kelly, in Exeter News Letter, May 24, 1842.

Two of the descendants of the Rev. Mr. Wheelwright, of the seventh generation, are now living in Newburyport. Abraham Wheelwright, Esq., and Ebenezer Wheelwright, Esq., both merchants. The first is the oldest man in the place who is still able to walk abroad, having attained to the age of 90 years. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was distinguished for patriotism and bravery. He was in the field with Washington in most of his actions, and was several times taken prisoner by the British, but always effected his escape.

"The first church formed in Exeter became extinct a few years after its formation." [Dow's Hist. Address; Farmer & Moore.] "An attempt was made by the remaining inhabitants of Exeter to form themselves into a church, and settle Mr. Batchelder, who had been minister at Hampton." This the general court prohibited, on account of their divisions; and directed them to "defer gathering a church, or any other such proceeding, till they, or the court of Ipswich, upon further satisfaction of their reconciliation and fitness, should give allowance therefor." [Belknap's Biog., I. 58.]

The Rev. Samuel Dudley was the second minister in Exeter. It does not appear that there was any formal church organization there, during his ministry. In some circumstances, a minister labored with a people several years, before a church was formally organized. Rev. Joshua Moody was ten or twelve years in the ministry at Portsmouth, before a church was gathered in that place.

Mr. Dudley was son of Gov. Thomas Dudley, who came to New England in 1630, and of whom Farmer speaks, as "a man of approved wisdom and godliness." Gov. Dudley was, however, among the most zealous of those who effected the banishment of Wheelwright. Cotton Mather says, "His orthodox piety had no little influence unto the deliverance of the country, from the contagion of the famalistical errors, which had like to have overturned all." [Mag., I. 122.]

A short passage from Farmer should be introduced here, not merely as relat[Pg 153]ing to the persecution, which led to the settlement of Exeter, by Wheelwright, but as it gives a just representation of the Puritan character in those times. "Through the whole of his life, Governor Dudley opposed and denounced what he deemed to be heresy with an honest zeal, which, in these days of universal toleration, is sometimes referred to, as a blot upon his fame. But the candid and judicious, who are acquainted with the history of the Puritans, and the circumstances under which 'they came into a corner of the new world, and with an immense toil and charge made a wilderness habitable, on purpose there to be undisturbed in the exercise of their worship,' will never be found censuring and railing at their errors. They will rather wonder at the wisdom of the views, the disinterested nobleness of principle, and self-sacrificing heroism, displayed by these wonderful men, to whom the world is indebted for the most perfect institutions of civil and religious freedom known among men." [Am. Quar. Reg. Vol. XV. 301.]

Mr. Dudley of Exeter is noted in Fitch's MS. as "a person of good capacity and learning." [Belknap, I. 53.] He was born in England in 1606. In New England, he resided in Cambridge, in Boston, and in Salisbury. He was Representative of Salisbury in 1644. His ministry in Exeter he commenced in 1650, and died there in 1683, aged 77. In 1656 the inhabitants of Portsmouth voted "to give an invitation to Mr. Samuel Dudley, son of Thomas Dudley, the Deputy Governor of Massachusetts, to be their minister, and to give him a salary of eighty pounds a year." He accepted the proposition, and agreed to visit them the next spring; but it does not appear that he ever came." [Adams's Annals of Portsmouth.] Mr. Dudley's first wife was Mary, daughter of Governor Winthrop. She died at Salisbury, April 12, 1643. He had a second and a third wife. Besides his descendants of the name of Dudley, there are numerous families in New Hampshire, and elsewhere, who trace their descent from Mr. Dudley of Exeter. Among his descendants were the wife of Gen. Henry Dearborn; the wife of Rev. John Moody; the wife of John Burgin; the wife of Gov. James Sullivan; the grandmother of Tobias Lear, Washington's secretary; and also the mother of Gov. Langdon. For a long list of descendants of Rev. Samuel Dudley, see Exeter News Letter, Aug. 31, 1846.

The Rev. John Clark was the third minister in Exeter.

A church, which continues under the style of the First Church in Exeter, was organized in September, 1698. In the Hampton Church Records is the following entry: "1698. Sept. 11, Dismissed, in order to their being incorporated into a church state, in Exeter, Mr. Moses Leavitt, Mr. Henry Wadley, Jno. Scribner, Mrs. Elisabeth Clark, Mrs. Elisabeth Gilman, wife of Cap. Gilman, Mrs. Tipping, Mrs. Deborah Coffin, Goodwife Bean, Mrs. Mary Gilman, Mrs. Elisabeth Wadley, Mrs. Sarah Dudley, Sarah Sewal, Deborah Sinclar. And Mr. Wear and Cap. Dow were chosen, messengers of the church, to assist in the ordination of Mr. Jno. Clark, at Exeter." The persons who have been mentioned, as having been formerly admitted to the church in Hampton, (most or all of whom lived in Exeter,) constituted nearly half the number, who entered into a church state at Exeter.

The most ancient volume extant of the records of the present "First Church of Christ in Exeter" commences thus, "The order of proceeding in gathering a particular Church in Exeter."

"After conferring together, and being mutually satisfied in each other, we drew up a confession of faith, and the terms of the covenant, which we all signed, the sabbath before ordination. And having sent for the Rev. Mr. J. Hale, (who preached the ordination sermon,) Mr. Woodbridge, Mr. Pike, Mr. Rolfe, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Toppan, who accordingly came; and on the twenty-first of September, 1698, Mr. Hale, Woodbridge, Pike, and Cotton, laid on hands, Mr. Pike praying before the imposition of hands; Mr. Woodbridge gave the charge; Mr. Cotton gave the right hand of fellowship; and we were, by the elders, and messengers, of the several churches, owned as a Church of Christ, and John Clark declared to be a minister of Christ Jesus." No doubt Mr. John Hale, of Beverly, was the preacher. He had recently married the widowed mother of Mr. Clark. The other ministers mentioned were undoubtedly Rev. Messrs. Benjamin Woodbridge, minister first at Bristol, R. I.,[Pg 154] who preached at Kittery in 1688, and, as early as 1699, in Medford; John Pike of Dover; Benjamin Rolfe of Haverhill, Ms., who was killed by the Indians; John Cotton of Hampton; and Christopher Toppan of Newbury. The father of Rev. John Clark of Exeter was Nathaniel Clark, a merchant of Newbury, and one of the early settlers of that town, who married, Nov. 25, 1663, Elisabeth Somerby, daughter of Henry Somerby, one of the grantees of Newbury. Nathaniel Clark was in the expedition to Canada in 1690, and died there, Aug. 25, aged 46, having been wounded on board the ship "Six Friends." His widow, Elisabeth Clark, married Rev. John Hale of Beverly, Aug. 8, 1698. Mr. Hale was chaplain in the expedition in which Nathaniel Clark was mortally wounded. A particular account of Mr. Hale does not belong to this article. Of his views and influence in the affairs of the "Salem Witchcraft" see Amer. Quar. Reg. Vol. X. pp. 247, 248. In that account there is, however, doubtless a mistake as to the original name of the widow of Nathaniel Clark. See also Magnalia, II. 408, and Coffin's Newbury, p. 298. Rev. Mr. Clark of Exeter was born at Newbury, June 24, 1670, gr. H. C. 1690, and ordained at Exeter, Sept. 21, 1698; "married Elisabeth Woodbridge, a daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge, already mentioned, and granddaughter of Rev. John Woodbridge, first minister of Andover, and also of Rev. John Ward, first minister of Haverhill, June 19, 1694,—Rev. John Clark died July 25, 1705," aged 35. His children were Benjamin, Nathaniel, Deborah, and Ward, who was the first minister of Kingston. The mother of Elisabeth Woodbridge was Mary, daughter of John Ward.

The Woodbridge family has furnished a number of ministers distinguished for talents, learning, piety, and an excellent spirit. Were the notices of them collected, which are scattered in various publications, they would form an interesting memoir.

Rev. John Odlin, the fourth minister of Exeter, and the second minister of the present First Church, was son of Elisha, and grandson of John Odlin, one of the first settlers of Boston. Rev. John Odlin was born in Boston, Nov. 18, 1681, gr. H. C. 1702, ordained at Exeter, Nov. 11, 1706. He married, Oct. 21, 1709, Mrs. Elisabeth Woodbridge Clark, widow of his predecessor. Mr. Odlin was one of the proprietors of Gilmanton. His son, Capt. John Odlin, was one of the settlers of that town. Another of his sons, Dudley, was a physician. Elisha gr. H. C. 1731, and settled in the ministry in Amesbury; Woodbridge was his father's colleague and successor in Exeter. Mrs. Odlin, wife of Rev. John Odlin, d. Dec. 6, 1729. His second marriage was Oct. 22, 1730, with Elisabeth Briscoe, widow of Robert Briscoe, and formerly wife of Lieut. James Dudley, and daughter of Samuel Leavitt. Mr. Odlin d. Nov. 20, 1754, aged about 73, nearly eleven years after his son became his colleague. [Farmer's Reg.; Lancaster's Gilmanton; Exeter Church Cov.] In 1743, May 18, the church "voted to concur with the vote of the town in choosing Mr. Woodbridge Odlin to settle as a colleague with his hon'd father the Rev. John Odlin." During the same month "there were a number of the church separated from their communion." The circumstances will be noticed in the account of the formation of another church.

Rev. Woodbridge Odlin was ordained colleague pastor Sept. 28, 1743. The exercises were, Prayer by Rev. Wm. Allen of Greenland; Sermon by Rev. Mr. Odlin from Col. i: 28; Charge by Rev. Caleb Cushing of Salisbury; Right Hand by Rev. Mr. Rust of Stratham; and Prayer by Rev. Joseph Adams of Newington. Rev. W. Odlin was born at Exeter, April 28, 1718; gr. H. C. 1738, m. Oct. 23, 1755, Mrs. Abigail Strong, widow of Rev. Job Strong of Portsmouth, and daughter of Col. Peter Gilman. Mr. W. Odlin d. March 10, 1776, aged 57. His children were Dudley, Woodbridge, Peter, Elisabeth, Abigail, who was the first wife of Hon. Nathaniel Gilman of Exeter, John, Mary Ann, who was wife of Thomas Stickney of Concord, and Charlotte, wife of Jeremiah Stickney of Dover. [Lancaster's Gilmanton; Exeter Church Records.] Rev. W. Odlin, during his ministry of more than thirty-two years, baptized 1,276, and admitted 36 persons to the church. [Chh. Records.] The "Half-way covenant," as it was often called, was then in use, and this accounts for the great disproportion between the admissions to full communion and the baptisms. "It[Pg 155] provided that all persons of sober life and correct sentiments without being examined as to a change of heart might profess religion or become members of the church and have their children baptized though they did not come to the Lord's table." [Dr. Hawes' Lectures, p. 149.]

Rev. Isaac Mansfield succeeded Rev. W. Odlin, and was ord. Oct. 9, 1776. The exercises were Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Tucker of Newbury; Sermon by Rev. Mr. Thayer of Hampton, from Ezek. xxxiii: 7-9; Charge by Rev. Mr. Fogg of Kensington; Right Hand by Rev. Mr. Webster of Salisbury, 2nd chh.; Prayer by Rev. Edmund Noyes of Salisbury, 1st chh. There were also invited on the ordaining council the churches in Brentwood, Dover, Epping, Greenland, 1st in Cambridge, 2nd in Scituate, and 2nd in Amesbury. Mr. Mansfield was born at Marblehead, Ms., in 1750, gr. H. C. 1767, also M. A. at D. C., 1770; married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Clap of Scituate, Ms. Mr. Mansfield, "according to his agreement with the parish," was dismissed Aug. 22, 1787, by a council of three churches, of which Messrs. Fogg, Langdon, then of Hampton Falls, and Macclintock were pastors. The result is in the church records. It does not state the circumstances which produced "such a crisis as to render a separation eligible on both parts;" but the council say, "We feel ourselves constrained by duty and love to testify the sense we have of the valuable ministerial gifts and qualifications with which God hath furnished Mr. Mansfield, and which have been well approved not only among his own people, but by the churches in this vicinity." During Mr. Mansfield's ministry of nearly eleven years, 245 were baptized, and 12 admitted to the church. Mr. Mansfield removed to Marblehead. He became a magistrate, and was afterwards known as Isaac Mansfield, Esq. His sons, Theodore and Isaac, were born in Exeter. Mrs. Mansfield died in Marblehead, Feb. 11, 1806, aged 59. He d. in Boston, Sept., 1826, aged 76. His father was also Isaac Mansfield, Esq., of Marblehead: "a gentleman of handsome literary acquirements, and spent his days in piety and usefulness." He died April 12, 1792, aged 72. He is supposed to be the same who graduated at H. C., 1742. [Alden's Col.]

Rev. William Frederick Rowland was born in Plainfield, Ct., in 1761, gr. D. C. 1784, also M. A. at Yale, 1787. He was ordained in Exeter, June 2, 1790. The churches invited were Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Hampton, 2nd Salisbury, 1st Newbury, 1st Newburyport, Greenland, Stratham, 2nd Exeter, Brattle Street, Boston, Charlestown, 2nd Portland. The exercises were, Prayer by Dr. Macclintock; Sermon by Dr. Thacher of Boston; Ordaining Prayer by Dr. Langdon; Charge by Dr. Webster; Right Hand by Dr. Macclintock; Prayer by Dr. Morse. Mr. Rowland m. Sally, daughter of Col. Eliphalet Ladd of Portsmouth. She died Oct. 12, 1798, at the early age of 24. Extracts from the sermon of Dr. Buckminster of Portsmouth at her funeral, may be found in Alden's Collection, Vol. II., p. 66. Mr. Rowland's 2nd marriage was with Ann, daughter of Col. Eliphalet Giddings of Exeter. She died June 13, 1811, aged 31. Her infant was buried with her. After a ministry of thirty-eight years, Mr. Rowland asked and received a dismission. It took place Dec. 5, 1828. The ministers of the council, whose result is in the church records, were Rev. Messrs. Hurd of Exeter, Sanford of Newmarket, Spofford of Brentwood, and Cummings of Stratham. Mr. Rowland deceased June 10, 1843, aged 82, leaving four children, Sarah Ann, Mary Elisabeth, William Frederick, and Theresa Orne. Mary Elisabeth died in 1845. The sermon at the funeral of Mr. Rowland was preached by the Rev. Mr. Hurd. Mr. Rowland's father was Rev. David S. Rowland, gr. Yale, 1743; settled first at Plainfield, Ct., and afterwards at Windsor, Ct.; where his son, Henry A. Rowland, was ordained his successor, in 1790. During Mr. Rowland's ministry at Exeter, there were 128 admissions to the church, and 295 baptisms. He possessed good talents, was very respectable as a preacher, and gifted in prayer.

Rev. John Smith was born in Wethersfield, Ct.; gr. Y. C., 1821; ordained at Trenton, N. J., March 7, 1826; dismissed Aug., 1828. Inst. in Exeter, March 12, 1829. Exercises on the occasion: Prayer by Rev. Abraham Burnham of Pembroke, N. H.; Sermon by Rev. N. Bouton of Concord; Prayer, Rev. Mr. Miltimore of Newbury; Charge, Rev. Dr. Dana, Newburyport; Right Hand, Rev. Mr. Hurd of Exeter; Address, Rev. Mr. Withington of Newbury; Prayer by[Pg 156] Rev. Mr. Winslow, then of Dover, now of Boston. Mr. Smith's "relation to the people of his charge in Exeter, continued nearly nine years with mutual harmony and affection and with much advantage to the cause of religion." [Result of Council.] At his own request, he was dismissed Feb. 14, 1838, and accepted an appointment from the Amer. Tract Society, to superintend their operations in New Jersey, and in Southern New York and vicinity. He was afterwards installed in Wilton, Ct. During Mr. Smith's ministry in Exeter, the number of admissions to the church was 170, and the number of baptisms 139. The number of church members reported to the General Association in 1836, was 226. Of the children of the Rev. John and Mrs. Esther Smith, there were baptized at Exeter, James Dickinson, Jan. 7, 1830; Esther Mary, June 9, 1833; a second Esther Mary, Oct. 5, 1835; and Walter Mitchell, June 4, 1837.

Rev. William Williams was born in Wethersfield, Ct., Oct. 2, 1797, grad. Y. C., 1816; studied theology at Andov. Sem., and with Pres. Timothy Dwight. Settled in Salem over the Branch, since the Howard St. Church, July 5, 1821; dismissed Feb. 17, 1832; settled over the Crombie St. Church, which had separated from the Howard St. Nov. 22, 1832. [Amer. Quar. Reg., Vol. VII., p. 260.] He was installed at Exeter, May 31, 1838. Exercises on the occasion: Prayer by Rev. S. T. Abbott of Seabrook; Sermon by Rev. Milton P. Bramin of Danvers; Prayer by Rev. S. W. Clark of Greenland; Charge by Rev. J. French of North Hampton; Right Hand, Rev. J. Hurd of Exeter; Address by Rev. Edwin Holt of Portsmouth; Prayer by Rev. Mr. Gunnison of Brentwood. Mr. Williams resigned his ministry, Oct. 1, 1842, on account of the state of his health, taken in connection with existing difficulties. Mr. Williams returned to Salem, Ms., where he engaged in the study, and has been since in the practice of medicine. The number of members of Mr. Williams's church, as reported in 1841, was 217.

Rev. Joy Hamlet Fairchild was born in Guilford. Ct., April 24, 1789, and was the youngest of sixteen children. His father was Lewis Fairchild. His mother before marriage was Mehetabel Waterhouse of Saybrook, Ct. Rev. Mr. Fairchild grad. Y. C. 1813, studied theology with Dr. Ely of Monson, Ms., and settled in the ministry in East Hartford, Ct., June, 1816; in South Boston, Phillips Church, Nov., 1827. He was installed in Exeter, Sept. 20, 1843. Exercises on the occasion were: Reading of the Scriptures, Rev. S. W. Clark of Greenland; Prayer, Rev. R. W. Clark, Portsmouth; Sermon, Rev. N. Adams, Boston; Prayer, Rev. J. French; Charge, Rev. Dr. Codman; Right Hand, Rev. Mr. Hurd; Address, Rev. H. Winslow of Boston; Prayer, Rev. E. D. Eldredge of Hampton. Mr. Fairchild resigned his office June 18, 1844. His reasons are thus assigned in his letter to the church. "I am accused of a crime which I never committed, but which it is not in my power to disprove. I do not wish to preach the gospel any longer than I can be useful. And as my usefulness must now be ended, I hereby resign my office as Pastor of this church." His pastoral relation was formally dissolved by a Council, called at his own request, July 30, 1844. The doings of the ecclesiastical and civil tribunals in his case are in the hands of the public. After removing from Exeter he was installed over the Payson Church, South Boston, Nov. 19. 1845.

Mr. Fairchild m. 1st, Cynthia Waterhouse of Saybrook, Ct., Oct., 1814. Their children are Harriet Elisabeth, b. Sept. 2, 1815, m. Anthony Ten Eyck, Esq., of Detroit, Mich., U. S. Commissioner at the Sandwich Islands, where she d. Nov. 5, 1846; Lucius Hamlet, b. Jan. 26, 1819. Mr. Fairchild m. 2nd, Mary Bradford, daughter of William Bradford, Esq., of Philadelphia, July 18, 1825. Their children are William Bradford, b. Nov. 2, 1828; Thomas Robbins, b. April 9, 1834, d. May 2, 1835; Florina Tomlin, b. March 13, 1838; Mary Joy, b. May 25, 1843, d. July 10, 1843; Harriet Ten Eyck, b. Dec. 29, 1846.

Rev. Roswell Dwight Hitchcock, the present pastor, was born in East Machias, Me., Aug. 15, 1817, gr. A. C. 1836, Tutor from 1839 to 1842, theological education at Andov. Sem., before and after his tutorship; stated supply at Waterville, Me., one year; ord. at Exeter Nov. 19, 1845. Exercises on the occasion were, Reading the Scriptures, Rev. J. W. Newman of Stratham; Prayer, Rev. Homer Barrows of Dover; Sermon, Rev. Orin Fowler of Fall River; Ordaining Prayer, Rev. J. Hurd; Charge, Rev. O. Fowler; Right Hand, Rev. B. R. Allen of[Pg 157] South Berwick, Me.; Address, Rev. S. S. N. Greely of Newmarket; Prayer, Rev. James T. McCollom, Somersworth. The father of Mr. Hitchcock, whose name was also Roswell, was born in Hawley, Ms.; his father removed from Springfield, Ms. His mother's surname was, before marriage, Longfellow. She was of Machias. Mr. Hitchcock m. Elisabeth Anthony Brayton, her mother being of the Anthony family, which was ancient in Bristol Co., Ms.

(To be continued.)

THE NAMES OF THE PROPRIETORS OF NEW HAVEN, CT., IN THE YEAR 1685.

[This article has been kindly furnished us by Charles William Bradley, Esq., the present Secretary of the State of Connecticut.]

• James Bishop, Esqr.
• William Jones, Esqr.
• Major John Nash,
• Mr. James Pierpont,
• Serjt. John Alling,
• Mr. James Alling,
• Phillip Alcock,
• John Alling Senr.
• Samuell Alling,
• Joseph Alsup, Senr.
• Joseph Alsup,[S] Junior,
• Serjt Nathan Andrews,
• David Atwater, Senr.
• David Atwater, Junr.
• John Atwater,
• Jonathan Atwater,
• Robert Augar,
• Nathan Andrews, Junr.
• John Austin,
• John Ball,
• Hannah Ball,
• John Barnes,
• Thomas Barnes,
• Daniell Barnes,
• John Bassett,
• Samuell Bassett,
• Isaac Beecher, Senr.
• Isaac Beecher, Junr.
• John Beecher,
• Eleazar Beecher,
• John Benham, Senr.
• John Benham, Junr.
• John Bishop,
• John Blackly,
• Samuell Blackly,
• Ebenezer Blackly,
• Benjamin Bouden,
• Nathanael Boykin,
• William Bradly,
• Joseph Bradly,
• Abraham Bradly,
• Isaac Bradly,
• Benjamin Bradly,
• Henry Bristoll,
• John Brockett,
• John Brockett, Junr.
• John Brooks,
• Henry Brooks,
• Eleazer Brown,
• Samuell Brown,
• Ebenezer Brown,
• Benjamin Bunnill,
• Samuell Burwell,
• Zacheus Cande,
• William Chatterton,
• John Chidsey,
• James Clark,
• John Clark,
• Samuell Clark,
• William Collins,
• John Cooper, Senr.
• John Cooper, Junr.
• Mrs. —— Coster,
• Mr. John Davenports, heirs,
• Mr. James Dixwell,
• John Davids, or Dixwell,
• Robert Dauson,
• James Denison,
• Lt. Abraham Dickerman,
• Edmund Dorman,
• John Downs,
• Nicholas Elsey,
• Symon Egears,
• Samuell Ferns,
• Benjamin Fenns, heirs,
• Samuell Ford,
• Mathew Ford,
• Mark Fowler,
• John Frost,
• Mr. —— Gibberts, heirs,
• Timothy Gibberts, heirs,
• John Gibbs,
• Henry Gibbons,
• William Gibbons,
• Mathew Gilbert's, heirs,
• Mathew Gilbert,
• Henry Glover,
• Mr. John Goodyear,
• John Hancock,
• Mr. John Harriman,
• James Heaton,
• Nathanael Heaton,
• Samuel Hemingway,
• Mrs. Hope Herbert,
• Eliakim Hitchcock,
• Nathanael Hitchcock,
• Richard Hingambottom,
• John Hill,
• Ebenezer Hill,
• Mr. John Hodson,
• John Holt,
• Eleazar Holt,
• Samuell Hotchkis,
• John Hotchkis,
• Joshua Hotchkis,
• Thomas Hotchkis,
• Daniell Hotchkis,
• Jerremiah How,
• Ephraim How's, heirs,
• Jerremiah Hull,
• Samuell Humerston,
• John Humerston,
• Thomas Humerston,
• Bartholomew Jacobs,
• Thomas Johnson,
• John Johnson, Senr.
• John Johnson, Junr.
• William Johnson,
• Samuell Johnson,
• Nathanael Jones,
• Joseph Ives,
• Edward Keely,
• Nathanael Kimberly,
• Thomas Kimberly,
• Jonathan Lamson,
• Thomas Leck,
• Richard Little,
• Ralph Loines, Senr.
• Samuell Loines,
• Ralph Loines, Junr.
• Joseph Loines,
• Benjamin Loines,
• Thomas Luddington,
• John Luddington,
• William Luddington,
• Peter Mallery, Senr.
• Peter Mallery, Junr.
• Thomas Mallery,
• Daniell Mallery,
• John Mallery,
• Joseph Mansfield,
• Capt. Moses Mansfield,
• Lt. Nathaniel Marriman,
• Ellis Mew's, heirs,
• Ens: John Miles,
• Thomas Mix,
• John Mix,
• Nathanael Mix,
• Daniell Mix,
• Caleb Mix,
• John Morris,
• Eleazer Morris,
• Joseph Morris,
• Mr. John Moss,
• Joseph Moss,
• Mercy Moss's, heirs,
• Mathew Multrop,
• Ens: Samuell Munson,
• Richard Newman,
• John Newman,
• Mr. Jerr: Osbourn's, heirs,
• Mrs. Mary Osbourn,
• Mr. Jerr: Osborn, Junr.
• Mr. John Prout,
• William Pains, heirs,
• John Pain,
• George Pardee, Senr.
• George Pardee, Junr.
• Mr. William Peck,
• Joseph Peck,
• Benjamin Peck,
• Edward Perkins,
• John Perkins,
• Jonathan Perkins,
• David Perkins,
• John Perry,
• Thomas Pimore,
• John Ponderson,
• John Potter,
• Nathanael Potter,
• Edward Preston,
• Joseph Preston,
• William Pringle,
• Joseph Pringle,
• Ely Robberts,
• William Robberts,
• Mr. Rich^d Rosewell,
• John Roe,
• John Sacket's heirs,
• John Sacket, Junr.
• Thomas Sandford,
• Ens: Dan^l Shermon,
• Thomas Smith,
• John Smith,
• Samuell Smith,
• Joseph Smith,
• Ebenezer Smith,
• Nathan Smith,
• Richard Sperry, Senr.
• John Sperry,
• Richard Sperry, Junr.
• Nathanael Sperry,
• Thomas Sperry,
• John Steevens,
• Henry Steevens,
• Robert Talmage's heirs,
• Serj^t Thos. Talmage,
• Enos Talmage,
• John Talmage,
• James Taylor,
• William Thorps, heirs,
• Nathanael Thorp,
• John Thomson's heirs,
• John Thomson, marriner,
• John Thomson, farmer,
• John Thomson, Junr.
• Mr. William Thomson,
• John Thomas,
• Daniell Thomas,
• Samuell Thomas,
• Joseph Thomas,
• John Thomas, Junr.
• Christopher Todd,
• John Todd,
• Samuell Todd,
• Mr. Thomas Trowbridge,
• John Trowbridge,
• Mr. William Trowbridge,
• William Trowbridge, Junr.
• Thomas Trowbridge, Junr.
• James Trowbridge,
• Isaac Tumor,
• Thomas Tuttle,
• Jonathan Tuttle,
• Joseph Tuttle,
• David Tuttle,
• Nathanael Tuttle,
• John Tuttle,
• Samuell Tuttle,
• John Umphervile,
• John Watson,
• Samuell Whitehead,
• William Wilmott,
• Serj^t John Winston,
• John Winston, Junr.
• William Wooden's heirs,
• Jerremiah Wooden,
• John Woolcott,
• Mr. John Yale,
• Mr. Nathanael Yale,
• The Trustees of the School Estate.

This List of names Compared with the List of 1685, and is a true Coppy, attested by uss.

This List of the Proprietors of the Lands in the Township of Newhaven, was Exhibited in the Generall Assembly on the Twentieth day of October, in the third year of her Majesties reigne, Annoq. Dom: 1704, at the Same time when a release of all the Lands in said Township to the said proprietors was read and approved and ordered to be signed in the name of the Gouernor and Company of her Majesties Colony of Connecticutt.

Test. ELEAZER KIMBERLY, Secry.

The aboue written, with what is Contained in the two next aforegoing pages, relating thereunto, is a true Coppie of the Origenall, being therewith Examin'd and Compared, and here recorded, May 20th, 1707.

Pr me ELEAZER KIMBERLY, Secry.

[The foregoing is recorded in the Connecticut "Colony Records of Deeds," Vol. III. fol. 397-399.]

State of Connecticut, SS.,    }
Office of Secretary of State. }

I hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of record in this Office. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, this sixth day of March, A. D. 1847, and in the 71st year of the Independence of the United States of America.

CHARLES WM. BRADLEY,

Secretary of State.

[Pg 159]

MEMOIR OF ENOCH PARSONS, ESQ., OF HARTFORD, CT.

The name of Parsons is found among the earliest emigrants to New England, and it designated a family of high respectability in the parent country. As early as 1481, John Parsons was Mayor of Hereford in the county of Herefordshire, and Sir Thomas Parsons of Great Milton, from one branch of the family, received the honor of knighthood from Charles I., about the year 1634, and his descendants are still found at Great Milton and in the city of London. The Coat of Arms granted to Sir Thomas is thus described: "He beareth gules, two chevrons ermine, between three eagles displayed, or;" Crest: "an eagle's leg erased at the thigh, or, standing on a leopard's head, gules."

These armorial bearings are retained in the Parsons Family in the United States, and by the descendants of Sir Thomas in London, among whom were Sir John and Sir Humphrey Parsons, the former Lord Mayor of London in 1704, and the latter in 1731 and 1740; also by the branch of the family that settled in Barbadoes, of which Rev. John Parsons, M. A., of Beybrook House in the county of Gloucester, Vicar of Marden, county of Wilts, is a descendant, being the son of Daniel Parsons, M. D., of Barbadoes.

Enoch Parsons, Esq., of Hartford, Ct., the particular subject of this memoir, was born at Lyme, Ct., Nov. 5, 1769. He was the third son of Samuel Holden Parsons, an Aid to General Washington, a Major-General in the Revolutionary army, and subsequently, Chief-Justice of the North Western Territory. Mr. Parsons was also grandson of the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, a distinguished clergyman first of Lyme, Ct., and secondly of Newburyport, Ms. His mother, who was a daughter of Richard Mather of Lyme, was lineally descended from the Rev. Richard Mather, the first clergyman of Dorchester, Ms., ancestor of the Rev. Messrs. Increase and Cotton Mather of Boston. His grandmother was sister to the Hon. Matthew Griswold of Lyme, formerly Governor of the State, and was lineally descended from Henry Wolcott, 1st, of Windsor, the progenitor of all who bear that name in Connecticut.[T]

Mr. Parsons was distinguished in youth for mental vigor and accurate discrimination, and for his devotedness to the more abstruse and severe sciences, particularly the mathematics. This laid the foundation of his future eminence as a financier. He did not receive a collegiate education, but his academical course pursued at the Institutions at Pomfret and Plainfield, was extensive and thorough. His favorite studies naturally inclined him to commercial pursuits; and to qualify himself for these, he engaged in the year 1785 and 1786, in the service of Messrs. Broome and Platt, who, at that time, owned a great commercial house in New Haven, where he acquired a complete mercantile education. His proficiency and accuracy as[Pg 160] an accountant soon brought him into notice, and in the year 1787 he was employed by the late Gov. Oliver Wolcott, Jun., who was at that time State Auditor of accounts, to arrange and prepare for adjustment the Revolutionary claims of Connecticut upon the United States. This was an arduous task for a young man, requiring great methodical accuracy and precision, and it was performed with ability and acceptance.

But Mr. Parsons was not confined to his favorite pursuits; he had a thirst for knowledge generally, and improved every opportunity for research in the various departments of science and the arts with a proportionate zeal and accuracy. Evidences of this are furnished in a Journal[U] which he, at the age of only nineteen, kept while on a tour to the North Western Territory during the spring and summer of 1788, in company with his father, who was about that time appointed by President Washington Chief-Judge in and over the Territory, which included the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. The geology of the country, the customs, manners, and language of the native sons of the forest, are described and commented upon with a minuteness and vivacity interesting alike to the geologist, the antiquary, and the philosopher.

He was, we believe, one of the original investigators of the tumuli at Marietta, the first and at that time the only settlement of importance in that region of country. A description of one of these remarkable mounds, excavated and explored by him, he com[Pg 161]municated in 1789 to President Stiles of Yale College, and is preserved among his manuscripts in the College Library.

May 14, 1789, Mr. Parsons was appointed by Gov. Arthur St. Clair, Register and Clerk of the first Probate Record Office, established in the county of Washington, which was the first county erected north-west of the river Ohio. He there remained, faithfully discharging the duties of this appointment, until April, 1790, when he resigned and returned to Middletown, Ct., his family residence, and was appointed by the General Assembly of the State at their ensuing session, in May, High Sheriff of Middlesex County. This office he accepted, being then only twenty-one years of age; and he continued to perform its duties with fidelity and public acceptance, till he attained the age of 49, a period of twenty-eight years; when he was compelled by ill health and various imperative avocations, to relinquish its fatigues and solicitude.

During the period of his official duties as Sheriff, Mr. Parsons was also actively engaged in various other public avocations, and in mercantile business. He was called to preside over different local institutions and organizations in the place where he resided; acted a while as Secretary to an Insurance Company, and was repeatedly elected an Alderman of the city of Middletown, and Representative in the General Assembly of the State. He was also presented by his Congressional friends as a rival candidate of the late President Harrison in the year 1791 for the office of Secretary and ex-officio Lieut. Governor of the N. W. Territory, but he declined the nomination. He likewise declined the honor, though repeatedly solicited, to represent his fellow-citizens in the councils of the nation. His own private affairs too much required his attention to permit him to engage in this high trust.

In the year 1816, when the late Bank of the United States was incorporated, Mr. Parsons, believing that the establishment of a Branch in Connecticut, (by many deemed impracticable,) would materially promote the commercial interests of its citizens, visited Philadelphia in company with other gentlemen, with a view to this object. By the most persevering efforts, and through his active and efficient influence and exertion, a Branch was located in Connecticut at Middletown. He was chosen a Director of the institution immediately upon its organization, and continued in the direction during the existence of the Charter.

In 1818 he was elected President of the Connecticut Branch, on the resignation of the Hon. Samuel W. Dana, then a Senator in Congress; and was annually elected, until it was transferred from Middletown to Hartford, in the spring of 1824. Having removed thither himself about the same time, he was re-elected, and continued to preside over the institution with acknowledged impartiality, ability, and firmness, and the most unflinching integrity, during the operations of the Branch in Connecticut, and until the expiration of the Charter.

Though educated a merchant and eminent as a financier, Mr.[Pg 162] Parsons was also a sound lawyer; not by profession or practice, but by the acquisition of the requisite legal knowledge. The office of Sheriff, when he was called to fill it, was one of honor as well as profit. Its incumbent was the companion of the Judges. He attended at their "chambers" as well as in the "court-room." He listened to, and participated in, their deliberations and discussions. Thus Mr. Parsons breathed a legal atmosphere. Being by his official duties, through a period of twenty-eight years, in familiar intercourse with the Bench and the Bar, and having read the best elementary writers, endowed, as he was, with a remarkably retentive memory and a logical and inquisitive mind, it is not surprising that he retained to the close of life the principles and maxims of jurisprudence thus deeply implanted. Though not a member of the Bar, his opinions on elementary points were seldom questioned.

Mr. Parsons wrote some, but reflected more. His published writings are few and chiefly political. His unpublished manuscripts are numerous and mostly in an epistolary form, relating principally to the subject of finance.

In all the relations of domestic and social life, Mr. Parsons was beloved and respected. He was twice married, and left three children by the first marriage, and one by the second; two only of whom survive him; namely, one residing in Hartford, Ct., Samuel H. Parsons, Esq., and one in the State of Ohio. In these relations, he was ever the generous and affectionate husband, and the kind and faithful parent. His habits and feelings were social and communicative; and in his intercourse with his fellow-men, dignity was seen blended with the utmost courtesy and kindness. He was a true gentleman of the olden school, and every son of New England will understand what this means.

His personal appearance was dignified and commanding. His stature large and well-proportioned; high forehead and bald, with dark blue eye, and a countenance indicative of his mental characteristics of thought, deliberation and energy, blended with mildness.

Mr. Parsons was a firm believer in the Christian religion. He adopted the principles of the gospel as the standard of human action; and frequently remarked, that through life he had made it an invariable rule never to close his eyes in sleep without first communing with his God.

About a year previous to the close of his interesting life, his system became generally debilitated, and during the last three or four months he was unable to leave the house. He expressed himself perfectly resigned to the will of Heaven, and gradually sunk into a lethargy, which continued until the morning of July 9, 1846, when he slept in death, in the 77th year of his age.

[Pg 163]

THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE.

January 30, 1847.

Basil.

[Pg 164]

GENEALOGIES.
THE COTTON FAMILY.

BY JOHN WINGATE THORNTON, ESQ., LL.B.

[Pg 165]
[Pg 166]                                                     +-- Dau.          An infant,
                                                     |   =             d.: was she
                                                     |    =  --------- "Elisabeth,
                                                     |   =             bap. 10,
                                                     |   Egginton,     (16) 1637"?
                                                     |   a merchant.
                                                     |
                                                     |
                                                     +-- Roland,
                                                     |   d. Jan.
                                                     |   29, 1649.
                                                     |
                                                     |
                                                     +-- Sarah,
                                                     |   b. Sept.
                                                     |   12, 1635
                                                     |   d. Jan.
                                                     |   20, 1649.
                                                     |
                                                     |
                                                     |      2nd, Prudence,
                                                     |        widow of Dr.
                                                     |        Anthony Crosby,
                                                     |        dau. of Jonathan
                                                     |        Wade of Ipswich,
                                                     |        July 9, 1673.
                                                     |     =
                                                     |    =
                                                     |   =
                        1st, Mrs. Elisabeth,         +-- Rev. Seaborn Cotton
                          sister of Mr. James        |   b. at Sea, Aug. 12,
                          Horrocks, famous           |   1633; minister of
                          minister of Lancashire;    |   Wethersfield, Ct. 1655;
                          d. without issue.          |   ord. at Hampton, N. H.,
                        =                            |   1660: d. April 20, 1686:
                       =                             |   grad. H. C. 1651.
                      =                              |   =
                      Rev. John Cotton, b. at          |   =            [For the
                      Derby, Dec. 4, 1585. B. D. at  |    =           descendants
                      Cambridge: Fellow, Head        |    =  -------- of this Son,
                      Lecturer and Dean of Emmanuel  |    =           see the
                      College; Minister of Boston,   |     =          following.]
                      in Lincolnshire, for 20 years. |     =
                      Arrived at Boston, N. E.,      |      1st, Dorothy, dau.
  Roland Cotton,        Sept. 3, 1633. Minister of the |        of Gov. Bradstreet;
  a lawyer of     --- 1st Chh., Boston; d. Dec. 23,  |        m. June 14, 1654;
  Derby, Eng.         1652, a. 67. Rav. Anthony      |        d. Feb. 26, 1671.
  =                   Tuckney, a distinguished       |
                      divine and member of the       |
                      Westminster Assembly, of       +-- Rev. John Cotton,
                      Boston, B. D., was styled      |   b. at Boston,
                      "cousin" by Cotton's children. |   March 15, 1639-40;
                      =                              |   gr. H. C. 1657;
                       =  ---------------------------+   preached at
                        =                            |   Wethersfield,
                         2nd, Mrs. Sarah Story,      |   Haddam, Killing-
                           widow. After his death,   |   worth, at Edgarton,
                           she married the Rev.      |   a year; ord. at
                           Richard Mather of         |   Plymouth, June 30,
                           Dorchester, father of     |   1669; d. Sept. 18,
                           Rev. Increase Mather,     |   1699, at Charleston,
                           D. D.; d. May 27, 1676,   |   S. C.
                           aged 75 years.            |   =
                           Gravestone in King's      |    =         [For the
                           Chapel Burying Ground.    |     =  ----- descendants
                                                     |     =        of this Son,
                                                     |    =         see p. 165.]
                                                     |   =
                                                     |   Joanna, da. of
                                                     |   Dr. Brian Rossiter,
                                                     |   of Guilford, Ct.,
                                                     |   Nov.7, 1660:
                                                     |   born July 1642.
                                                     |   d. at Sandwich,
                                                     |   Oct. 12, 1702.
                                                     |
                                                     |
                                                     +-- Maria Cotton, b.
                                                         Feb. 15, 1641-42,
                                                         d. April 4, 1714,
                                                         at Boston.
                                                         =
                                                          =         [For the
                                                           =  ----- descendants of
                                                           =        this Daughter,
                                                          =         see p. 166.]
                                                         =
                                                         Rev. Increase Mather,
                                                         D. D., b. June 21,
                                                         1639, gr. Har. Col.
                                                         1656; ord. at Boston,
                                                         May 27, 1669; Pres.
                                                         of Har. Col. 1685-1701;
                                                         agent of the colony
                                                         in England, &c. &c.;
                                                         d. Aug. 23, 1723.
                                                         Tomb on Copp's Hill,
                                                         Boston.


                      +-- Rev. John Cotton,
                      |   b. May 8, 1658,           +-- Mary, b. Nov. 5, 1689,
                      |   gr. Har. Col. 1678:       |   d. May 29, 1731;
                      |   ord. at Hampton, N. H.    |   left six children.
                      |   Nov. 19, 1696; d.         |   =
                      |   March 27, 1710.           |   Rev. John Whiting
                      |   =                         |   of Concord, Mass.
                      |    =  ----------------------+
                      |   =                         |
                      |   Anne. dau. of Captain     +-- John, b. Sept. 5, 1687,
                      |   Thos. Lake, of Boston,    |   d. Sept. 8, 1689.
                      |   an eminent merchant,      |
                      |   b. Oct. 12, 1663.         |
                      |   Was 2nd wife of Rev.      +-- Dorothy, b. July 16,
                      |   Incr. Mather, D. D.;      |   1693; m. Dec. 21,
                      |   d. at Brookline,          |   1710 d. May 20, 1748,
                      |   March 29, 1737. Mr.       |   at Kingston, N. H.
                      |   Lake was descended        |   =
                      |   from Hugh de Caley,       |    =          [For the
                      |   who d. 1286, and whose    |    =          descendants of
                      |   wife was Agnes, dau.      |     =  ------ this Grand-
                      |   of Hamo de Hamsted.--     |     =         granddaughter,
                      |   Betham's Baronetage,      |    =          see the
                      |   Vol. 3, p. 153.           |    =          following.]
                      |                             |   =
                      |                             |   Rev. Nathl. Gookin, of |
                      +-- Dorothy, b. Novem. 11,    |   Hampton, b. April 15,
                      |   1656, d. Dec. 20, 1706.   |   1687; d. Aug. 25, 1734;
                      |   No issue.                 |   gr. H. C. 1708; ord.
                      |   =                         |   Nov. 15, 1710.
                      |   Col. Joseph Smith, of     |
                      |   Hampton, N. H. He was     |
                      |   counsellor of N. H.       +-- Thomas b. Oct. 28, 1695,
                      |   in 1698.                  |   settled at Brookline.
                      |                             |
                      |                             |
                      +-- Sarah d. young,           +-- Anna, b. Nov. 13, 1697.
                      |   April 1, 1660.            |
                      |                             |
                      |                             +-- Simon, b. Dec. 21, 1701.
  [DESCENDANTS        +-- Anna, b. Aug. 22, 1661,   |
  OF REV.             |   d. Dec. 6-7, 1702,        |
  SEABORN COTTON,  ---+   in Boston.                +-- Samuel, } d.
  THE SON OF REV.     |   =                             Lydia,  } young.
  JOHN COTTON.]       |   Carr. 2nd, Johnson.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Sarah, b. July 2, 1663.
                      |   d. Aug. 2, 1690,
                      |   =
                      |   Richard Pierce, of
                      |   of Boston, Aug. 27,
                      |   1680.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Elisabeth, b. Aug. 13,
                      |   1665; d. 1698.
                      |   =
                      |   Rev. Wm. Williams
                      |   of Hatfield, Mass.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Mercy, born Nov. 2, 1666,
                      |   d. June 18, 1715.
                      |   =                             Rev. John Tufts
                      |    =  ------------------------- of Newbury;
                      |   =                             Har. Col. 1708.
                      |   Capt. Tufts
                      |   of Medford.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Maria, b. April 22, 1670,
                          d. 1729.
                          =
                          Atwater. 2nd.
                          Partridge.


                      +-- Seven children,
                      |   d. young and unmarried.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Hannah, b. Feb. 28, 1724.
                      |   =
                      |   Patrick Tracy, a merchant
                      |   of Newbury.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Dorothy, b. April 2,
                      |   1722; d. June 18, 1749.
                      |   =
                      |    =  -------------------------- Dorothy
                      |   =                              =
                      |   Rev Peter Coffin,              Dr. Jno. Parker,
                      |   of Kingston,                   gr. H. C. 1762.
                      |   N. H., Jan. 20, 1740;
                      |   gr. H. C. 1788.
                      |
                      |                              +-- Martha, d.
                      |      3d wife, Love dau. of   |   unmarried.
                      |        Col. Joshua Wingate,  |
                      |        of Hampton, N. H.;    |
                      |        b. April 4, 1728;     +-- Sarah, d. young
  [DESCENDANTS        |        m. Nov. 17, 1748;     |
  OF DOROTHY,         |        d. April 1, 1809.     |
  GRAND-GRAND-     ---+     =                        +-- Elisabeth.
  DAUGHTER OF REV.    |    =  -----------------------+   =
  JOHN COTTON.]       |   =                          |   Dr. Edmund Chadwick.
                      +-- Rev. Nathl. Gookin, of     |
                          N. Hampton; b. Feb. 6,     |
                          1713; gr. H. C. 1731; ord. +-- Hannah.
                          Oct. 31, 1739; d. Oct. 22, |   =
                          1763, at North Hampton.    |   Rev. Timothy Upham,
                          =                          |   See p. 43, of Register.
                           =                         |
                            =                        |
                             Judith Coffin. 2nd,     +-- Hon. Daniel Gookin of
                             Anne, dau. of Rev.          North Hampton, N. H.;
                             Mr. Fitch, of               b. March 2, 1756; at
                             Portsmouth.                 d. Sept. 4. 1831, atr in
                                                         Saco, Me.; an officer in
                                                         the Revolutionary Army,
                                                         State Counsellor, N. B.
                                                         Judge of C. C. Pleas, &c.
                                                         Judge of Probate, &c. &c.
                                                         =
                                                         Abigail, dau. of Dr.
                                                         Levi Dearhorn, an eminent
                                                         physician of North 0,
                                                         Hampton, b. March 10,;
                                                         1766; m. Dec. 4, 1787;
                                                         d. Jan. 9, 1836, at
                                                         Scarboro', Me.


                      +-- Rev. Jno., b. Aug. 3,
                      |   1661; gr. H. C., 1681;
                      |   settled at Exeter, N. H.
                      |   colleague of Rev, Tho.
                      |   Thornton, of Yarmouth;
                      |   d. Feb.  21, 1706.         +-- Joanna,
                      |   =                          |   =
                      |   Sarah, da. of Rich'd       |   Elias Pike, of Salisbury.
                      |   Hubbard, of Ipswich,       |
                      |   Mass.; dau. of Gov.        |
                      |   Bradstreet. Died at        +-- Mary,
                      |   Yarmouth, June 17, 1706.   |   =
                      |                              |   John Appleton of Ipswich.
                      |                              |
                      |      Rev. Jas. Alling, of    |
                      |        Salisbury, who died   +-- Elisabeth,
                      |        March 3, 1696.        |   =
                      |     =                        |   Samuel Moody, preacher
                      |    =  -----------------------+   at Isle of Shoals.
                      |   =
                      +-- Elisabeth,
                      |   =
                      |    =  -----------------------+-- Caleb Cushing, State
                      |     =                        |   Counsellor,
                      |      2d, Rev. Caleb Cushing, |   d. 1798, a. 94.
                      |        of Salisbury.         |
                      |                              |
                      |                              +-- Rev. James  of Plaistow,
                      |                              |   b. Nov. 20, 1705; gr.
                      |                              |   H. C. 1725.
                      +-- Sarah, b. June 17, 1665;   |
                      |   died Sept. 8, 1669.        |
                      |                              +-- Rev. John of Boxford;
                      |                                  grad. H. C. 1729.
                      |
                      +-- Rev. Roland, born Dec. 27,
                      |   1667; ord. Sandwich,
                      |   Novem. 2, 1694; died March
                      |   22, 1721-22; H. C. 1685.
                      |   =
                      |    =  -----------------------+-- Rev. John of Newton, b.
                      |   =                          |   July 15, 1693; gr. H. C.,
                      |   Elisabeth, widow of Rev.   |   1710; ord. Nov. 3, 1714;
                      |   John Denison, of Ipswich,  |   d. May 25, 1757, a. 64.
                      |   Sept. 1692. She was the    |   =
                      |   only dau. of Col.          |   Mary, da. of Rob. Gibbs,
                      |   N. Saltonstall, sister     |   b. May 28, 1699; m. Feb.
                      |   of Gov. G. Saltonstall;    |   19, 1719; d. Sept 28,
                      |   d. July 8, 1726,           |   1769.
                      |   at Boston.                 |
                      |                              |
                      |                              +-- Sarah, b. ab. 1694.
                      |                              |
                      |                              |
                      |                              +-- Rev. Nathl. of Bristol,
                      |                              |   grad. H. C., 1717; ord.
                      |                              |   Au. 30, 1721; d. July 3,
                      +-- Sarah, b. April 5, 1670.   |   1729, a. 30.
                      |   =                          |
                      |   Wm. Bradbury, & had issue. |
                      |                              +-- Abigail,
  [DESCENDANTS        |                              |   =
  OF REV.             |                              |   Rev. S. Bourne, of
  JOHN COTTON,     ---+                              |   Scituate; ord. Dec. 1724;
  THE SON OF REV.     |                              |   dis. 1761.
  JOHN COTTON.]       |                              |
                      |                              |
                      +-- Mariah, b. Jan. 14, 1672.  +-- Meriel, b. ab. 1698.
                      |   =                          |
                      |   Wymond Bradbury.           |
                      |                              +-- Rowland, grad. H. C.,
                      |                              |   1719.
                      |                              |   =
                      |                              |   Deborah Mason,
                      |                              |   Oct. 3, 1760.
                      |                              |
                      |                              |
                      +-- A son, b. Sept. 28, 1674.  +-- Rev. Josiah, gra. H. C.,
                      |                              |   1722; ord. at Providence,
                      |                              |   R. I. Oct. 23, 1728; then
                      |                              |   at Woburn, July 15, 1747;
                      |                              |   then at Sandown, N. H.,
                      |                              |   Nov. 28, 1759; d. May 27,
                      |                              |   1780; a. about 77 years.
                      +-- Josiah, b. Sept. 10, 1675, |
                      |   d. Jun. 9, 1677.           |
                      |                              +-- Rev. Ward, gr. H. C,
                      |                              |   1729; set. at Hampton,
                      |                              |   N. H.; dism. 1765; d.
                      |                              |   suddenly at Plymouth.
                      |                              |   Nov, 27, 1768, a. 57.
                      |                              |
                      |                              |
                      +-- Samuel, b. Feb. 16, 1678,  +-- Joanna,
                      |   d. Dec. 23, 1683.              =           [For the
                      |                                  =           descendants
                      |                                   =  ------- of Joanna,
                      |                                   =          see the
                      |                                  =           following.]
                      |                                  =
                      |                                  Rev. J. Brown,
                      |                                  of Haverhill.
                      +-- Josiah, born Jan. 8, 1680;
                      |   gr. Har. Col. 1698; d. at
                      |   Plymouth, Aug. 19, 1756;
                      |   a. 76.
                      |   =
                      |    =  -------------------------- Rev. John Cotton, of
                      |   =                              Halifax, Plymouth Co.;
                      |   Hannah Sturtevant,             ord, Oct. 1755; b.
                      |   b. Jan. 8, 1708;               April, 1712; d. Nov. 4,
                      |   d. May 27, 1796, a. 89.        1789; grad. Har. Col.
                      |                                  1790; Reg. of Deeds.
                      |                                  =
                      |                                   =       [For the
                      |                                    =  --- descendants of
                      |                                    =      John and Hannah,
                      |                                   =       see p. 166.]
                      |                                  =
                      |                                  Hannah Sturtevant.
                      |     Elisabeth Dumond of
                      |       Ipswich, Feb. 19, 1708.
                      |       She d. without issue,
                      |       Oct.30, 1710.
                      |    =
                      |   =
                      +-- Rev. Theophilus, b. May 5,
                          1682, ord. at Hampton
                          Falls, Jan. 2, 1712;
                          d. August 18, 1726, a. 45;
                          grad. Har. Col. 1701.
                          =
                           =
                            2nd, wid. Mary Gedney.


                      +-- Rev. Jno. Brown of
                      |   Cohasset, gr. H. C. 1741
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Rev. Colton Brown of
                      |   Brookline, ord. Oct. 26,
                      |   1746; died April 13, 1751.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Ward Brown, gr. H. C.,
                      |   1748; d. 1748.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Rev. Thomas Browne, H. C.,
                      |   1752; d. 1797;
                      |   min. of Stroudwater.
  [DESCENDANTS  ------+                              +-- Cotton Brown,
  OF JOANNA.]         |                              |   =
                      +-- A dau.                     |   Jane Williams.
                      |   =                          |
                      |   John Chipman.              |
                      |                              +-- Hon. Peter Chardon
                      |                              |   of Boston,
                      +-- A dau.                     |   =
                      |   =                          +   Anne Gorham.
                      |   Dana of Brookline.         |
                      |                              |
                      |                              +-- Mary,
                      +-- A dau.                     |   =
                          =                          |   Samuel Gray of Salem.
                           =  -----------------------|
                          =                          |
                          Rev. Edw. Brooks           +-- Joanna Cotton,
                          of North Yarmouth, Me.         =
                                                         Nath'l Hall of Medford.


                      +-- Rev. Ward Cotton of
                      |   Boylston, d. there
                      |   Nov. 15, 1843, a. 74;
                      |   gr. H. C. 1793.
                      |   =
                      |   Rebecca, da. of T. Jackson
                      |   of Plymouth.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Elisabeth,
                      |   =
                      |   Lot Haskell of  Rochester.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Lucy                       +-- Lydia,
                      |   =                          |   =
                      |   Chas. Jackson of Plymouth. |   Pope of Sandwich.
                      |                              |
                      |                              |
                      |      Lydia Parker            +-- Josiah,
                      |      of Falmouth.            |   =
                      |     =                        |   ----, at Nantucket.
                      |    =  -----------------------+
                      |   =
                      +-- Rev. Josiah of Wareham,
                      |   d. April, 1819, a. 71
                      |   =
                      |    =  -----------------------+
                      |     =                        +-- Hon. John, M. D., grad.
                      |     2nd, Rachel, da. of Rev. |   H. C. 1810, d. at
                      |        Dr. Barnes of         |   Marietta, O.,
                      |        Scituate.             |   April 2, 1947,
                      |                              |   =
                      |                              |   ----.
                      |                              |
                      +-- Hannah,                    |
                      |   =                          +-- Son, d. young.
                      |   Nye of Falmouth.           |
                      |                              |
                      |                              +-- Mary Ann,
                      |                                  =
                      |                                  Isaac Hedge of Plymouth.
                      +-- John, lost at sea, in 1800.
                      |   =
                      |    =  -----------------------+
                      |   =                          +-- Experience.
  [DESCENDANTS OF  ---+   Experience Jackson         |
  JOHN AND HANNAH.]   |   of Plym.                   |
                      |                              +-- Son. d. young.
                      |                              |
                      +-- Mary,                      |
                      |   =                          +-- Hannah,
                      |   J. Jennings of Plym.           =
                      |                                  Haskel.
                      |
                      +-- Dr. Rossiter. Rg. of
                      |   Deeds, d. Aug. 1837.       +--Thomas
                      |   =                          |  =
                      |    =  -----------------------+  Stevens.
                      |   =                          |
                      |   Priscilla, dau. of Thos.   |
                      |   Jackson of Plymouth.       +-- several d. young.
                      |                              |
                      |                              |
                      |                              +-- Dr. Chas. Har. Col. 1808.
                      |                              |   =
                      +-- Sophia,                    |   ----, at Newport.
                      |   =                          |
                      |   S. Parker, of Falmouth.    |
                      |                              +-- Edwin, Reg. of Deeds.
                      |                              |   =
                      |                              |    1. Watson.
                      +-- Joanna.                    |    2. ....
                      |                              |    3. Hammond.
                      |                              |
                      |                              |
                      |                              +-- Rossiter.
                      +-- Sally,                     |
                          =                          |
                          Capt. J. Harlow            +-- Sophia,
                          of Plymouth                    =
                                                         Gordon.


                            Capt. R. Green.
                           =
                          =
                      +-- Mariah. adm. to the
                      |   church, 1682.
                      |   =
                      |    =
                      |     2nd, Capt. Fifield.
                      |
                      |
                      |     Capt. Greenough.
                      |    =
                      |   =
                      +-- Elisabeth,
                      |   =
                      |    =  -------------------------- Rev. Mather Byles,
                      |     =                            gra. H. C. 1725.
                      |      2nd. Josiah Byles
                      |        of Boston.
                      |                              +-- Nehemiah, d. young.
                      |                              |
                      +-- Sarah,                     |
                      |   =                          +-- Increase Walter.,
                      |    =  -----------------------+   H. C. 1711.
                      |   =                          |
                      |   Rev. Nehemiah Walter       |
                      |   of Roxbury.                +-- Thos. Walter Roxbury, H.
                      |                              |
                      |                              |
                      |     Newcomb Blake.           +-- Nathl Walter,
                      |    =                             H. C., 1729.
                      |   =
                      +-- Abigail,
                      |   bap. April 2, 1677.
                      |   =
  [DESCENDANTS OF  ---+    =
  MARIA COTTON,       |     2nd. Rev. J. White
  THE DAUGHTER OF     |       of Gloucester.
  JOHN COTTON.]       |
                      |
                      +-- Hannah,
                      |   bap. July 16, 1680.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Jerusha, baptized
                      |   April 20, 1684.
                      |
                      |
                      +-- Rev. Cotton Mather, D.D.,
                          born Feb. 12, 1663; H. C.
                          1678; ord. eol. with his
                          father, May 13, 1685;
                          d. Feb. 13, 1728, a. 65;
                          had 15 children. C., 1713.
                          =
                           Abigail, da. of Colonel
                           John Phillips of
                           Charlestown; nine children;
                           five d. young. She d. 1702.
                          =
                           Widow Elisabeth Hubbard,
                           da. of Dr. John Clark,
                           Aug. 18, 1703; six children.
                           She d. Nov. 18, 1713.
                          =
                           Widow George, da. of
                           Mr. Sam. Lee. July 5, 1715;
                           she survived the Doctor.

[In a future number of the Register, the pedigree of Roland Cotton, in England, may be given, with the Emblazonry of the Armorial Bearings.]

[Pg 167]

THE BUTLER FAMILY.

PREPARED BY PROFESSOR JAMES DAVIE BUTLER OF NORWICH, VT.

                  [V][(1)]Stephen Butler, = Jane ----.
                      d. in Boston.   |
                                      |
                  +---------------+---+--------------+
                  |               |                  |
          [(2)]Benjamin,        Isaac,         [(3)]James,    =  Grace ----.
               Aug. 2, 1653;    Oct. 9, 1661;       Aug. 2, d.|
               Feb. 10, 1658.   May 29, 1664;       1665;     |
                                Aug. 10, 1667.      Boston.   |
                                                              |
  +------------+----------+----------------+------------------+
  |            |          |                |
Mary,   [(6)]Grace,   Elisabeth,   [(5)]James, Aug. 21,  = [(4)]Abigail Eustice,
Feb. 21,     May 2,   Dec. 23,          1688; d. Boston. |     d. Dec. 15, 1713.
1683.        1685.    1686.                              |
                                                         |
   +----------------+--------------+---------------------+
   |                |              |
Abigail,     [(7)]Eliza,     [(8)]James,   =  [(9)]Elisabeth Davie.
Jan. 26,          March 3,       Dec. 4,   |  = ---- Wakefield.
1710-11.          1711-12.       1713;     |  |
                                 d. Boston.|  |
                                           |  |
                +--------------------------+  +---------+
                |                                       |
         [(10)]James,  =  [(11)]Mary Sigourney.        Sarah.
             Feb. 15,  |
             1739;     |
             d. at     |
           Oxford, Ms. |
                       |
    +-----+------+-----+----+----------+-------+------+-------+-------+
    |     |      |          |          |       |      |       |       |
  Mary.   |   Anthony.  Elisabeth.  Hannah.  John.  Peter.  Sarah.  Celia.
          |
[(12)] James Davie. = Rachel Harris.
                    |
   +----------------+--+------------+--------------+
   |                   |            |              |
Mary Sigourney.  Sophia Gedney.  Chloe Harris.  James Davie,
                                                Jan. 6, 1814;
                                               March 15, 1815. = Anna Bates.
                                                               |
                                               [(13)]James Davie, June 25, 1846.

REMARKS.

The following details are published not as being complete, but with the hope that the publication of them may be as a magnet attracting to itself, and thus supplying the wanting links which might otherwise perish from the chain of a family history. Any information, however slight, respecting any of the lines, whether direct or collateral, hereby brought to light, will be welcomed by the author of this article, or the editor of this journal.

We are still in the dark as to the family history of not a few among the first fathers of New England. Much of this darkness might be dispelled were all the written memorials still extant sought out, compared, and committed to the keeping of the art preservative of all arts. Winthrop in his Journal speaks of a letter from the Yarmouth pilgrims to their brethren, with their names, as printed at London in 1630. The instructions to Endecott, the first Governor of Massachusetts Bay, were "Keep a daily register in each family of what is done by all and every person in the family."

In Young's Chronicles of Plymouth, (p. 36) and of Massachusetts Bay, (p. 157), lists of names of emigrants are referred to, but the lists themselves are not given.

Notwithstanding several good works upon the Huguenots have recently appeared, much genealogical labor remains to be performed in tracing the lineage of particular families to France, and investigating their condition there before their emigration. I have often sought, though without success, for the records of the Old French Church in Boston, which stood on the site of the Universalist Church in School street.

NOTES.

1. Neither the family name of Stephen Butler's wife nor any other particulars respecting him have been ascertained, except the record of the births of his children, which is extracted from the city registers of Boston, formerly kept in the Old State House. As he became a father in Boston within little more than twenty years after its first settlement, it may be presumed that he was an emigrant from Europe.

2. Benjamin Butler. The different dates in this and similar cases denote the births of different children bearing the same name; the former in all probability died before the birth of the latter.

3. James Butler probably died before 1692, if the Grace Butler, married to Andrew Rankin, April 15th, of that year, by Simon Bradstreet, was his widow.

4. Information as to the kindred of Abigail Eustice may doubtless be found in the public records of Boston.

5. James Butler was a proprietor in a rope-walk at West Boston; was married April 6, 1710, by Rev. E. Pemberton of the Old South. He was probably admitted to the First Church Jan. 24, 1703-4. A folio Bible with Clarke's annotations, now in my possession, as an heirloom from my father and grandfather, bears the name of this James Butler, my grandfather's grandfather, and the date 1713, doubtless written by his own hand.

6. Grace Butler was married Dec. 26, 1706, to Thomas Jackson, by Benjamin Wadsworth, minister of the first church. She had several children, Grace, Thomas, and Elisabeth, and died March 15, 1759.

[Pg 169]

7. Eliza Butler was admitted to the first church Nov. 25, 1706, and was married to Capt. Ephraim Savage, Jan. 8, 1712. Nothing further is known of her.

8. James Butler was by trade a goldsmith. About 1750 he removed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, but proving unfortunate in his enterprise, soon returned to Boston. He afterwards lived awhile in Sutton, Ms., but died in Boston, in 1776, aged 63.

9. Although I have abstained from full details of collateral lines, I am constrained to give them respecting Elisabeth Davie, since her line of ancestry is so long.

John Davie of Exeter, Eng. = = Julian Strode.
                            |
  |-------------------------|
  |                         |
John.                      Mary, = = Humphrey, a London
                                  |  merchant.
                                  |
   |------------------------------+---------------|
   |                                              |
  John, removed from = = Elisabeth Richards.    Ann, d. Sept.
London and settled    |                         12, 1662.
in Groton, Ms., 1662. |
                      |
       |--------------+------+--------------+---------+-----------+---------|
       |                     |              |         |           |         |
(a) John, graduated   (b) Humphrey of      Mary.    William.   Elisabeth. Sarah.
    at Harvard,1681,      Dorchester, = = (c) Hannah Gedney.
    became baronet                     |
    in 1713, presented                 |
    books to Yale College.   |---------|
                             |
                         Elisabeth, d. Feb. == (8) James Butler.
                         15, 1739.

(a) The lineage of this nobleman, his heraldic emblazonings and the like, may be found in Burke's Peerage of England; "vix ea nostra voco."

(b) Humphrey Davie was a captain in the London trade. Hence his daughter had many fine dresses. One of these now belongs to her granddaughter, Mrs. Sarah Kingsbury of Oxford, Ms.

It is of brocade, with many-colored figures embroidered upon a ground of green. It has two skirts, each of seven breadths, a long bodice to be worn with a satin stomacher, sleeves short at the elbows, with flowing ruffles. A silver tabby christening, or to use a better expression, baptismal, blanket, now in my possession, is said to have been made of another of my great-grandmother's dresses. There is a family tradition that these dresses were pawned by her husband after her death, and redeemed by her son.

(c) Hannah Gedney's lineage so far as I can trace it is as follows;

     John Gedney, b. 1603; d. Aug. 5, 1688; == Mary ----.
admitted to church in Salem, Nov. 19, 1637. = = Catherine ----.
                                             |
  |------+--------+------------+--------+----|
  |      |        |            |        |
Sarah.  Eli.  Bartholomew,  Eleazer.  John, lost at sea, = = ----.
             baptized, June                               |
             14, 1640,                                    |
             Freeman,1669; d.                             |
             March 1, 1698.                               |
                                                          |
         |------------------------------------------------|
         |
       William, b. 1668; m. 1690; d. 1730. = = Hannah Gardner.
                                            |
                                            |
                                            |
                                         Hannah, == (b) Humphrey Davie.
[Pg 170]

10. James Butler was brought up to the trade of a hatter; was married May 10, 1763, by Rev. Andrew Eliot of New North Church; in Aug., 1774, fled with his wife and six children under ten years of age, to Georgetown, Me., a four days' voyage. He was driven to this flight by the Boston port-bill, which brought all business to a stand. After remaining four years in Maine, he returned to Boston, and soon removed to Oxford, Ms.; where he resided till his death, Dec. 20, 1827, aged 88.

11. Mary Sigourney was great-granddaughter of a Sigourney, who, being a Huguenot, fled from Rochelle in France, with his wife and four small children, in 1685. This first emigrant was among the first settlers in Oxford, Ms., and some of his children married there. Through fear of Indians, he removed to Boston. I have made out an extensive table of his posterity, but on account of its length, must refrain from inserting it here, except so far as relates to my own family. Among the descendants of this Huguenot exile, are the Brimmers, the Inches, and the Dexters, of Boston; the Commander of the Schooner Asp, killed by the British in the Potomac, in 1813; and the husband of our most popular poetess.

                      ---- Sigourney, = ----.
                                      |
                    |-----------------|
                    |
                  Andrew, m. ab. = Germaine ----.
                1701, at Oxford. |
                                 |
           |---------------------|
           |
        Anthony, b. Boston, Aug. 17, 1713, =[W]Mary Waters.
                                           |
                                           |
       |-----------------------------------|
       |
(11) Mary, b. March 23, 1741; m., May 18, 1763; = (10) James Butler.
     was early taught French by her grandmother,
     as the tongue of her ancestors;
     consulted by Dr. Holmes as to Huguenot
     annals; had the covenant propounded to
     her at the New North church, Feb. 22, 1761.

12. James Davie Butler was born in Boston, Oct. 5, 1765. In 1786, left a school he was teaching in Oxford, to be a volunteer against Shays. Emigrated to Rutland, Vt., in Aug., 1787; was at first a hatter; in 1792, became a merchant, and continued in trade fifty years, till his death, June 3, 1842.

He was married, Aug. 22, 1802, to the widow Rachel Maynard, and March 15, 1827, to Lois Harris. He represented the town of Rutland in the Vermont Legislature, for the years 1812 and 1813. In the year 1814, he was a member of the State Council.

His first wife was daughter of Capt. Israel Harris of Williamstown, Ms., who went with Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys to take Ticonderoga, and was an officer in the battle of Bennington.

13. This infant of days may be noticeable as being the seventh of those who, in one unbroken line during one hundred and eighty-one years, have born the name of James.

[Pg 171]

THE MINOT FAMILY.

BY LEMUEL SHATTUCK, ESQ.

Explanation of the Plan in preparing the Memoir.

In the following Memoir the numbers inserted in the parentheses on the left, are the numbers of the paragraphs, each, generally, containing a notice of one entire family. The Roman numbers immediately after indicate the generation of the family, including the first person named. The descendants are doubly numbered—first in consecutive order, and secondly by each family separately. The figures in brackets after the name refer back to these numbers of the descendants, indicating the family and connections to which the individual belongs. The numbers inserted in the parentheses on the right, against the name of a child, show the subsequent paragraph where a notice of the family of such child may be found.

It is impossible to present a memoir of this kind, which shall be entirely free from error, perfect and complete. In existing families, births, marriages, and deaths, are constantly occurring, and in more ancient ones new facts are often discovered. Such facts it is desirable to have entered; and such a plan as would allow their insertion without re-writing the memoir will be preferred. By leaving some space in the original entries, the plan admits of correction, amplification, and extension, without marring its simplicity and beauty.

MEMOIR.

(1) All by the name of Minot in America are supposed to have descended from George Minot, whose posterity forms the subject of this Memoir. There was a Thomas Minot, probably a brother, who was a proprietor of Barbadoes in 1638, but I can neither trace his history, nor ascertain that he left posterity. None of the name could be found in the New York or Philadelphia Directories for 1846. The family are all descended from Thomas Minot, Esq., Secretary to the Abbot of Walden, England, by whom he was advanced to great possessions.

FIRST GENERATION.

(2) I. Elder George Minot was the son of Thomas Minot, Esq., of Saffron-Walden, Essex, England, and was b. Aug. 4, 1594. He was among the first Pilgrim emigrants to Massachusetts, and the first settlers of Dorchester. His place of residence was near Neponset Bridge, and he owned the land which has been known as "Squantum." He was made a freeman in 1634, and represented the town in 1635 and 1636. He was a ruling elder in the church thirty years, and d. Dec. 24, 1671, in the 78th year of his age. He left a will, which is recorded in the Suffolk Records, Vol. VII. p. 189. The inventory of his estate amounted to £277. 7. 7. "His death," say the records, "was much lamented by the town, whose weal he sought and liberties defended." He was a cotemporary with Elder Humphrey; and it is said the following lines were once to be found on a gravestone in the ancient burying-ground in Dorchester:—

[Pg 172]

Mr. Minot's wife, Martha, d. in Dorchester, Dec. 23, 1657, a. 60. He left the following children;

SECOND GENERATION.

(3) II. Capt. John Minot [2—1] was m. by Governor Dudley to Lydia Butler of Dorchester, May 19, 1647. She d. Jan. 24, 1667, at the birth of her sixth child. He m. a second time Mary Biggs of Boston, widow of John Biggs who d. in 1666, and the daughter of John Dasset. He d. in Dorchester, Aug. 12, 1669, a. 43. She d. about 1677. They both left wills. His is recorded in Suffolk Records, Vol. VI. p. 39, and hers, Vol. VI. p. 262. His estate was prized at £978. 5. An anecdote in relation to John Minot is found in Dwight's Travels, Vol. III. p. 125, and in Hutchinson's Hist. Mass. Vol. I. p. 288. He left the following children;

(4) II. James Minot [3—2] d. in Dorchester, March 30, 1676, a. 48. He left no will. His estate was prized at £555. 18. 6. He m. 1st, Dec. 9, 1653, Hannah Stoughton, dau. of Col. Israel Stoughton, and sister of the Hon. Wm. Stoughton, Lieut. Gov. of Massachusetts. She was b. April, 1637, admitted to the church, 1662, and d. March 12, 1670, a. 33. He m. 2nd, Hephzibah Corlet, sister of Arnis Corlet, May 21, 1673, in Cambridge. After Mr. Minot's death, she m. Daniel Champney, June 4, 1684. Mr. Minot had the following children;

(5) II. Stephen Minot [4—3] d. in Dorchester, Feb. 16, 1671, a. 40, intestate, leaving an estate of £651. 4. 7. He m. Truccrosse Davenport, Nov. 10, 1654. She d. Aug. 3, 1692, a. 58. They had

(6) II. Samuel Minot [5—4] d. in Dorchester, Dec. 18, 1690. He m. Hannah Howard, June 23, 1670. They had two children;

THIRD GENERATION.

(7) III. John Minot [6—1] d. Jan. 26, 1690. His will is recorded in the Suffolk Records, Vol. VII. p. 64. His estate was prized at £680. 17. He m. Elisabeth Brick, March 11, 1670, who d. April 6, 1690. They both d. in Dorchester of the small-pox. Their children were

(8) III. James Minot, Esq., [7—2] was b. Sept. 14, 1653, and graduated at H. C. in 1675. He studied divinity and physic. He kept the grammar-school in Dorchester in 1679, but soon after removed to Concord, where he was employed as a teacher and physician. In 1685, he was hired to preach in Stow, "for 12. 6 per day, one half cash and one half Indian corn;" and again in 1686 for "what older towns had given their ministers—£13 for 13 sabbaths." In 1692 he had another application to preach there, which he declined. Relinquishing the profession soon after, he was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1692, and a Captain of the militia, then offices of much distinction. He represented the town several years in General Court, was much employed in various public trusts, and distinguished himself for his talents and excellent character. He d. Sept. 20, 1735, a. 83. He m. Rebecca, dau. of Capt. Timothy Wheeler, the founder of the ministerial fund in Concord, and inherited the homestead of his father-in-law, near the residence of the Hon. Daniel Shattuck, where he d. She d. Sept. 23, 1734, a. 68. The following are the epitaphs on the gravestones erected to their memories, now standing in the "Hill Burying-Ground," in Concord.

Here is interred the remains of James Minott, Esq., A. M. an Excelling Grammarian, Enriched with the Gift of Prayer and Preaching, a Commanding Officer, a Physician of Great Value, a Great Lover of Peace as well as of Justice, and which was His greatest Glory, a Gent'n of distinguished Virtue and Goodness, happy in a Virtuous Posterity, and living Religiously, Died Comfortably, Sept. 20, 1735, Æt. 83.

Here is interred the body of Mrs Rebecca Minott ye virtuous Consort of James Minott Esq. (and daughter of Capt. Timothy Wheeler) She was a person of Serious piety and abounding charity, of great usefulness in Her Day, and a pattern of Patience and holy Submission under a long Confinement, and resigned Her Soul with Joy in her Redeemer Sept 23, 1734 aged 68.

[Pg 174]

The following were children of James Minot, Esq.;

In the above family, two sisters married two brothers by the name of Barrett; two other sisters married brothers by the name of Adams; a brother and a sister married a brother and sister by the name of Lane, and two were born the same day and married the same day.

There are few parents who have so great reason to be "happy in a virtuous posterity," as had these. One son was a minister, another was a deacon, and eight of the grandchildren were deacons or married to deacons; several were clergymen or married to clergymen. Very many of the great-grandchildren sustained the same offices, or were otherwise distinguished in military, civil, or religious life. A large proportion of those who arrived at mature age professed religion; and the succeeding and numerous families were among the most respected, useful, and influential in the towns in which they lived. Very many distinguished men descended from them; among whom were Rev. Stephen and Hon. Timothy Farrar of New Ipswich, N. H., Roger Minot Sherman, of Fairfield, Ct., and several eminent physicians by the name of Adams; and Hon. Roger Sherman, and several other distinguished men of New Haven married descendants.

(9) III. Stephen Minot [9—4] d. in Sudbury street, Boston. He left a will, recorded in Suffolk Records, Vol. XXXI. p. 82. He was a merchant and member of Brattle Street Church; married Mary Clark, dau. of Capt. Christopher Clark, Dec. 1, 1686. They had the following children;

(10) III. Samuel Minot [10—5] m. Hannah Jones of Concord. He d. young, and his only son Jonathan Minot was in Concord, in 1707, being then 14 years old, when he chose his uncle John Minot of Dorchester his guardian.

[Pg 175]

(11) III. James Minot [15—4] lived in Concord, where he m. Rebecca Jones, Feb. 9, 1688. She was the dau. of John Jones. He d. leaving one son, and she m. for her second husband Capt. Joseph Bulkeley, March 9, 1696, by whom she had several children. She d. July 12, 1712, a. 50. Two of her children, Rebecca and Dorothy, mentioned below, were by Capt. Bulkeley, her second husband, and are therefore not numbered with the Minot Family, not being descendants. That there may be no misunderstanding, their surname is inserted.

About 1725 Jonathan Minot of Westford, (then part of Chelmsford,) and Joseph Hubbard sold to Thomas Jones of Concord, "the whole of the right of their mother, Rebecca Bulkeley, deceased in Acton, allowed to the heirs of her father John Jones, and to Dorothy Hunt, deceased, the former wife of Samuel Hunt, one of the heirs of Rebecca Bulkeley." Joseph Hubbard was the ancestor of most of the name in Concord.

FOURTH GENERATION.

(12) IV. John Minot [26—1] m. Mary Baker of Dorchester, where he lived as a farmer. She d. Feb. 18, 1717. He m. for his 2nd wife Hannah Endecott, Nov. 14, 1717, and d. soon after. His wife administered on the estate, prized at £1221. He had the following children all by his first wife;

(13) IV. Capt. Joseph Barrett, son of Dea. Humphrey Barrett, and a grandson of Humphrey Barrett, who came from England to Concord ab. 1640, b. in Concord, Jan. 31, 1678, m. Rebecca Minot [31—1] Dec. 27, 1701. He was a farmer and lived where Abel B. Haywood now [1847] lives. He d. April 4, 1736, a. 58. She d. June 23, 1738, a. 53. Their children were

(14) IV. Capt. Benjamin Barrett, brother of the preceding, b. May 7, 1681, m. Lydia Minot [32—2] Jan. 3, 1705. He was a farmer, and lived in Concord, where James Barrett now (1847) lives, and where he d. of the pleurisy fever, Oct. 28, 1728, a. 47. His widow m. Samuel Stow. Mr. Barrett had the following children;

(15) IV. Rev. Timothy Minot [34—4] gr. H. C. 1718, m. 1. Mary Brooks, who d. Feb. 15, 1760, a. 61, and "her name," says the record of her death, "is like precious ointment." His 2nd wife was widow Beulah Brown of Sudbury, who d. April 13, 1786, a. 92. He d. Nov. 30, 1778, a. 86. A biographical notice of this distinguished man is given in Shattuck's History of Concord, p. 244. He gr. H. C. 1718. His children were

(16) IV. Hon. James Minot [35—5] d. in Concord, Feb. 6, 1759, a. 64. He m. 1. Martha Lane of Billerica, Nov. 14, 1716. She d. Jan. 18, 1735, a. 40. He m. 2. Elisabeth Merrick of Brookfield, in 1736. She d. Jan. 26, 1746. He m. a third wife, but her name is not recorded. The following epitaph is copied from his gravestone in the "Hill Burying-Ground," in Concord; and tradition awards to him all the praise it pays to his distinguished character. He held a military commission thirty years.

Here lye the remains of Col. James Minott Esq^r. who departed this life Feb. 6, 1759 in the 65th year of his age. He was of Hon^l. Descent, early improved & advanced in Civil and Military Affairs. Divers years Represented this Town at the General Court was a Justice of the Peace, and one of the Hon. His Majesties Council for many years, which Offices he Sustained until his death. In all which Stations and relations of life he behaved as the Christian, the Patriot, and the benevolent friend, and as he merrited so he was much loved and honored in his life and Lamented at his death. Memento mori.
'From death's arrest no age is free.'

The following were the children of Hon. James Minot, the first three by his first, and the last two by his second wife;

(17) IV. Capt. Daniel Adams lived in the south part of Lincoln, then within the limits of Concord, on the road from Waltham to Stow, where he d. Feb. 9, 1780, a. 90. He was the son of Joseph, and grandson of John Adams, one of the eight sons of Henry of Quincy. He m. Elisabeth Minot, [36—6] April 23, 1715. She d. Nov. 12, 1764, a. 67. They had the following children;

[Pg 177]

These individuals had 69 children, averaging eight and five eighths each.

(18) IV. John Adams, a brother of the above, lived near the centre of Lincoln, where he d. Oct. 25, 1725, a. 28. He was buried in "Hurd Burying-Ground" in Concord. He married Love Minot, [38—8] sister to his brother's wife. They had two children.

(19) IV. Capt. Samuel Dakin was b. in Concord and lived in Sudbury. He went as commander of a military company, commissioned by Governor Pownall, and was slain in a battle with the French and Indians at Half Way Brook, near Lake George, July 20, 1758. He m. Mercy Minot, [39—9] Dec. 13, 1732. Their children were

(20) IV. Dea. Samuel Minot [40—10] was a deacon in the Concord church, where he d. March 17, 1766. He m. 1. Sarah Prescott of Westford, March 7, 1732, who d. in childbirth, March 22, 1737, a. 24, having had three children. He m. 2. Dorcas Prescott, sister of his first wife, in 1738. She d. June 16, 1803, a. 91. They had the following children;

(21) IV. Stephen Minot [42—2] lived in Boston. He m. for his first wife Sarah, eldest daughter of Col. Francis Wainwright. They lived together ten months, when she d., Oct. 21, 1711, in childbirth, leaving one child, Stephen. He m. for his second wife, Mary, daughter of Capt. John Brown of Marblehead, Jan. 1, 1713. They had the following children;

[Pg 178]

(22) IV. Jonathan Minot [54—1] lived in Westford, where he d. He m. Elisabeth Stratton of Concord, Jan. 26, 1714, by whom he had children.

(To be continued.)

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF DECEASED PHYSICIANS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BY EBENEZER ALDEN, M. D.

(Continued from page 64.)

IV.—DR. HENRY WELLS OF MONTAGUE.

Few physicians have enjoyed a more enviable reputation than the subject of this Notice. He was the personal friend of Professor Nathan Smith of Dartmouth College, who was accustomed to speak of him in terms of the highest respect, and not unfrequently to allude, in his lectures, to his medical opinions and modes of practice.

Although Dr. Wells was in the habit of keeping a record of his more important cases, and of his views on medical subjects, he published but little, and his papers having become by an unfortunate accident a prey to the devouring element, materials are wanting from which to prepare a notice adapted to do full justice to his merits.

Soon after his death, Rev. Samuel Willard, D. D., of Deerfield, published in the Franklin Herald a brief but very just obituary notice of him; and more recently Dr. Williams has prepared a memoir, which has been transferred to his Medical Biography, from his address before the Massachusetts Medical Society.

From these sources principally, the following facts have been obtained.

[Pg 179]

Dr. Wells was born in New York, in 1742; studied medicine partly under the direction of Dr. Hull at Lebanon, Ct., and completed his medical studies in New York, having made himself well acquainted with medical science.

At the age of twenty-one, he commenced the practice of his profession in New York, and according to the custom of that day, had under his charge an apothecary's shop. After a short residence there, he removed to Brattleborough, Vt., where he continued eighteen years, and acquired an extensive practice and high reputation.

In the year 1782 he removed to Montague, with a view of obtaining a more central situation as to his business, and, perhaps, to diminish somewhat his labors in advancing life.

In 1785 he was elected a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society; and Dr. Williams states, that in 1806 he received the honorary degree of M. D. from Dartmouth College, which may be a mistake, as his name does not appear in the Triennial Catalogue.

In his profession, Dr. Wells attained the most distinguished rank. His natural powers were good; his medical reading extensive and judicious; his application methodical and patient. His eminent skill, however, in the management of disease, was derived chiefly from his own observation and experience. Possessing a clear and discriminating mind and an accurate judgment, his practical deductions were remarkably just. In difficult cases, his advice was much sought and highly appreciated. Punctual in his professional engagements, courteous in his manners, modest and unassuming in his intercourse with his medical brethren, he was highly respected by the profession and the public.

As a man, he was much beloved. He professed a firm belief in the gospel, and was much attached to the moral and religious institutions of his country. He was a pattern of temperance; his general influence was salutary; and his example such as might be safely imitated.

He was a kind husband and father. He was not exempt from domestic affliction, three of his children being deaf mutes.

In the latter years of his life, he suffered much from disease, which he bore with exemplary resignation, and, having passed the allotted period of human life, died August 24, 1814, at the age of 72; leaving behind him that good name which is better than precious ointment.

V.—DR. GRIDLEY THAXTER OF ABINGTON.

He was a native of Hingham; born in 1756; studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Thomas Thaxter of Hingham; and was a surgeon on board some armed vessels during the Revolutionary war.

About the year 1780, he settled in Abington, and as a physician for more than half a century enjoyed a very extensive practice. He probably rode more miles, and visited more patients, than any other physician who ever resided in the county of Plymouth.

[Pg 180]

He retained his faculties in very vigorous exercise until within a few years of his death, when he became superannuated, and suffered under alienation of mind, probably in consequence of bodily injury occasioned by a fall.

He was remarkable for his iron constitution and power of endurance. He rarely used a carriage in making his professional visits, preferring to ride on horseback as long as he was able to attend to business.

In his habits he was frugal and temperate, never using distilled liquors, not merely from choice, but from necessity, they being extremely offensive and odious to him.

He was much beloved by his patients; was an estimable citizen, and worthy man. His professional charges were moderate, especially for attendance on persons in straitened circumstances.

He was a pleasant companion; a kind father, and fast friend.

His first wife was the daughter of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln of Hingham, by whom he had a numerous family.

Ezekiel Thaxter, M. D., (H. C., 1812,) now resident in Abington, is his son.

He died Feb. 10, 1845, aged 89.

VI.—DR. EZEKIEL DODGE CUSHING, OF HANOVER.

Dr. Cushing, a classmate and personal friend of the writer, was descended from

1. Mathew Cushing, a son of Peter Cushing of Norfolk, Eng., who was born in 1588, and in 1638 came to Boston, in the ship Diligent, with his wife and five children; namely, Daniel, Jeremiah, Matthew, Deborah, and John². They settled at Hingham in the autumn of that year. Matthew Cushing died at Hingham in 1660; his widow survived to 1681, aged 96.

2. John Cushing² was born in England, in 1627, married Sarah, daughter of Nicholas Jacob, and settled in Scituate. He was many years a deputy in the Colony Court, and Representative to the Court at Boston after the Colonies were united, in 1692 and several succeeding years. He died 1708, and his wife in 1678.

3. John Cushing³, son of the above, was born 1662, and died 1737. He was Chief-Justice of the Inferior Court of Plymouth, from 1710 to 1728; and Judge of the Supreme Court, from 1728 to the time of his decease. John Cotton says, "he was the life and soul of the Court." He married Deborah Loring of Hull, in 1687, who died 1713. Their children were Sarah, Deborah, John, Elijah⁴, Mary, Nazareth, Benjamin, Nathaniel.

4. Elijah Cushing⁴, settled in Pembroke, and married Elisabeth Barker, 1724. They had sons, Elijah, Nathaniel⁵, Joseph, (H. C., 1752,) and daughters, Mary, wife of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, Deborah, wife of Rev. Dr. Shute, and Elisabeth, wife of Major Cushing, all of Hingham.

[Pg 181]

5. Nathaniel Cushing⁵ had sons, Nathaniel⁶, Benjamin, and Charles.

6. Nathaniel Cushing⁶, Esq., father of the subject of this Notice, resided at Pembroke, now Hanson; married Mary, daughter of Rev. Ezekiel Dodge of Abington, who graduated at H. C., 1749, and died 1770, aged 48. Their children were Ezekiel Dodge⁷, Mehetabel, Lucy, George, and Elijah.

7. Ezekiel Dodge Cushing⁷, was born in 1790; graduated at Harvard University, in 1808; commenced the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. Gad Hitchcock, of his native town; and after one year, became a pupil of Dr. Nathan Smith, Professor in the Medical School of Dartmouth College, where he received the degree of Bachelor in Medicine, in 1811.

His education was extended by attendance on the Hospitals and Lectures in Philadelphia. He then visited London and Paris; in the former city, acting as a dresser in St. Thomas' Hospital, while attending the Lectures of Abernethy, Sir Astley Cooper, and others; and in the latter, was present when it was occupied by the allies, witnessing daily in the crowded hospitals a most extensive surgical practice.

Thus furnished for the practical duties of his profession, he returned to his native country and settled in Boston, where he acquired the reputation of an able and successful physician, and obtained a respectable circle of business.

After a few years, perhaps being too impatient "to bide his time," and desirous of pursuing a more active life, he removed to Hanover, where his services were much sought, and highly appreciated in a widely extended circle. He was frequently called to advise with his professional brethren in cases of difficulty, and to them as well as to his employers, his opinions gave great satisfaction. It could not well be otherwise, for he possessed eminent skill and tact in his profession, and with it that urbanity and kindness of manner, which secured the confidence of all with whom he had intercourse.

Just as his reputation had become established, and when his prospects for long life and extended usefulness appeared most fair, he was smitten with disease, appearing first in the form of an epileptic affection, and then of partial paralysis, which issued in an entire loss of tone in the digestive organs, and ultimately terminated in his death, on the fifth of April, 1828, at the age of 38.

Thus died an amiable man and accomplished physician. Possessing naturally a vigorous constitution, he probably in early life exposed himself to unnecessary dangers; and when disease fastened upon him its iron grasp, relying too much on his former experience, he failed to exercise that care in his own case, which he would have recommended to others in like circumstances. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him, and his virtues may well be emulated by every aspirant to honest fame, in the profession of which he was an ornament.

He married Delia Sawyer, daughter of Capt.—— Sawyer of Boston, and left seven children; all of whom, except two who[Pg 182] died young, with their widowed mother survive to mourn his early death.

The following lines of his Epitaph, written by one who knew him well, are remarkably just.

See History of Scituate, and a Dissertation of George C. Shattuck, M. D., in the Communications of the Massachusetts Medical Society, Vol. IV.

SKETCHES OF ALUMNI AT THE DIFFERENT COLLEGES IN NEW ENGLAND.

REV. ETHAN SMITH OF BOYLSTON, MS.

Ethan Smith was born in Belchertown, Ms., Dec. 19, 1762, and while young, was a soldier for one summer in the Revolutionary war, and was at West Point when the traitor Arnold sold that fortress to the British. Having attended to the preparatory studies, he entered Dartmouth College in 1786, and graduated in 1790. Soon after taking his degree, Mr. Smith was licensed to preach, and spent the first Sabbath of October, 1790, at Haverhill, N. H., where he was first settled in the ministry. In about a year from that time, he was married to Bathsheba Sandford, second daughter of Rev. David Sandford, of Medway, Ms. He remained at Haverhill nine years, and was then dismissed for want of support. He was installed in the ministry at Hopkinton, N. H., March 12, 1800, and continued there about eighteen years, during sixteen of which he was Secretary of the New Hampshire Missionary Society. He was afterwards settled at Hebron, N. Y., about four years; at Poultney, Vt., about five years; at Hanover, Ms., a number of years; and then spent a season as a city missionary in Boston. Occasionally, he has since preached as a supply, but has now retired from the labors of the ministry, and resides with his children. Mr. Smith has always been a laborious, and, in many respects, a very successful minister of Christ. His publications are as follows; namely, 1. A Dissertation on the Prophecies, 2 editions; 2. A View of the Trinity, 2 editions; 3. A View of the Hebrews, 2 editions; 4. Lectures on the Subjects and Mode of Baptism, 2 editions; 5. A Key to the Figurative Language of the Bible; 6. Memoirs of Mrs. Abigail Bailey; 7. A Key to the Revelation, 2 editions; 8. Prophetic Catechism; 9. Two Sermons on Episcopacy; 10. Farewell Sermon at Haverhill, N. H.; 11. First Sermon after Installation at Hopkinton; 12. Two Sermons on the Vain Excuses of Sinners, preached at Washington, N. H.; 13. Sermon on the Moral Perfection of God, preached at Newburyport, Ms.;[Pg 183] 14. Sermon on the Daughters of Zion excelling, preached before a Female Cent Society; 15. Sermon on the happy Transition of Saints, preached at the funeral of Mrs. Jemima, consort of Rev. Dr. Harris of Dunbarton; 16. Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Stephen Martindale, at Tinmouth, Vt.; 17. Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Harvey Smith, at Weybridge, Vt.

The Genealogy of this branch of the Smith family is as follows; namely, Joseph Smith removed from Wethersfield, Ct., to Hadley, Ms., about the year 1659. He had four sons, who lived to maturity; namely, Joseph, John, Jonathan, and Benjamin. John was born 1686, settled in Hadley, and died 1777, aged 91 years. He had five sons, and five daughters. The sons were, John, Abner, father of the late Rev. Abner Smith of Derby, Ct., Daniel, Joseph, who was father of Rev. Eli Smith of Hollis, the late Rev. Amasa Smith, and the late Rev. Dr. John Smith of Bangor, Me., and also Elijah. Elijah was born 1723, was married, in 1751, to Sibil, daughter of Daniel Worthington of Colchester, Ct., and had by her six sons and three daughters. He served as Captain in the French war, in 1756, under Gen. William Johnson, in the Regiment of Col. Ephraim Williams. He was deacon of the church in Belchertown, Ms., and died April 21, 1770. He was "a man," says Rev. Mr. Forward, in the Church Records, "of sound judgment, ready utterance, pleasing deportment, and ardent piety." His children were Asa, father of Rev. Asa Smith of Virginia, and Rev. Theophilus Smith of New Canaan, Ct.; Sibil, wife of the late Joseph Bardwell of South Hadley, Ms.; Sarah, wife of the late Elijah Bardwell of Goshen, Ms., and mother of Rev. Horatio Bardwell of Oxford, and of Sarah, wife of the late Rev. Wm. Richards of the India Mission; Elijah, Elisabeth, Ethan, Jacob, now deacon of the church in Hadley, and father of Elisabeth, wife of the late Rev. William Hervey of the India Mission, of Esther, wife of Rev. Mr. Dunbar of the Pawnee Mission, of Martha, wife of Rev. O. G. Hubbard of Leominster, Ms., and of Miranda, wife of Rev. P. Belden of Amherst, Ms.; William and Josiah;—all of whom lived until the youngest was 56 years of age, and all had large families of children, and their mother saw of her descendants of the fifth generation, before she died, at the age of 101 years, May 26, 1827.

Ethan, the particular subject of this Sketch, married, as stated, Bathsheba, daughter of the late Rev. David Sanford of Medway, Ms. Their children were Myron, born at Haverhill, N. H., 1794, and died 1818, aged 24; Lyndon Arnold, born at Haverhill, 1795, graduated at D. C., married a daughter of Rev. Dr. Griffin, and is now settled as a physician, in Newark, N. J.; Stephen Sanford, born at Haverhill, 1797, and is now pastor of the Congregational church, Westminster, Ms.; Laura, who died in infancy; Carlos, born in Hopkinton, 1801, graduated at Union College, and is now pastor of the Presbyterian church in Massillon, Ohio; Grace Fletcher, wife of Rev. Job H. Martin, died in Haverhill, Ms., 1840; Sarah[Pg 184] Towne, 2nd wife of Rev. J. H. Martin of New York; Harriet, wife of Rev. William H. Sanford of Boylston, Ms.; and Ellen, wife of C. B. Sedgewick, Esq., of Syracuse, died May 23, 1846, aged 33.

The wife of Mr. Smith died in Pompey, N. Y., April 5, 1835, aged 64; he is still living.

REV. ASA RAND OF PETERBOROUGH, N. Y.

Asa Rand was born at Rindge, N. H., August 6, 1783, being the youngest son and ninth child of Col. Daniel and Mrs. Susanna Rand. Daniel Rand was the eldest son of Solomon Rand, of Shrewsbury, Ms., who married a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Dodge of Abington, Ms. Solomon's father also resided in Shrewsbury, and married a daughter of Capt. Keyes of that place; who, in the early settlement of the town, lost his unfinished house by fire, when his two sons, a hired man, and a journeyman joiner perished in the flames. Mrs. Susanna Rand was the only daughter of Daniel Hemmenway, also of Shrewsbury. Col. Rand was one of the early settlers of the town of Rindge, where he ever resided after his marriage, in 1767. He died in 1811, aged 69. The ancestors of both the parents of the subject of this Sketch, it is believed, were emigrants from England; but their genealogy we can trace no farther back with certainty.

After enjoying the usual advantages of a common school, Mr. Rand prepared for college principally at Chesterfield Academy, New Hampshire, under the instruction of Hon. Levi Jackson. He entered the Sophomore Class in September, 1803, and was graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1806. After leaving college, he taught the children of the Hon. Elijah Paine and a few others, at Williamstown, Vt., about nine months; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Burton of Thetford, seven months; and in January, 1808, received the approbation of an association as a preacher of the gospel.

He preached several months in 1808 to the Congregational church and society in Gorham, Me., which were in a state of serious and alarming division. Having received a unanimous invitation from both, he was ordained their minister Jan. 18, 1809; where he was favored with a prosperous and happy ministry during thirteen years. His health, however, was precarious for the greater part of that time, and in June, 1822, he resigned the charge of an affectionate and united people to a successor, believing that his work as a public speaker was done.

In August, 1822, he took the editorial charge of the Christian Mirror, on its first establishment at Portland, Me., Mr. Arthur Shirley being proprietor and publisher. In July, 1825, finding his health still suffering on the sea-coast, he removed to the interior of Massachusetts, and took charge of the new Female Seminary at Brookfield.

In July, 1826, he succeeded Gerard Hallock, as co-editor and co-proprietor with Nathaniel Willis, of the Boston Recorder; Dea. Willis having the charge of the printing and publishing, and Mr.[Pg 185] Rand of the editorial department. He was also acting-editor of the Youth's Companion and Education Reporter, published by the same company; each being the earliest paper of its kind established in the country. On leaving the Recorder, in 1831, Mr. Rand continued the Reporter till it was transferred to William C. Woodbridge and united with the Annals of Education. He was also publisher and principal conductor of the Volunteer, a monthly religious magazine; which, at the end of two years, was united with the Evangelical Magazine, at Hartford, Ct.

In April, 1833, Mr. Rand removed to Lowell; where he had a connection with a bookstore and printing office, and the publication of the Lowell Observer, a weekly religious paper, which was subsequently transferred to Mr. Porter, publisher of the N. E. Spectator at Boston.

On the restoration of his health, he returned in 1835 to his chosen employment of public preaching. He lectured in the employment of anti-slavery societies in Cumberland county, Maine, and the counties of Hampshire and Hampden, Massachusetts. From September, 1837, he ministered to the Congregational church in Pompey, N. Y., five years; and is now preaching to the Presbyterian church in Peterboro, Madison Co., N. Y.

Mr. Rand was married in November, 1812, to Grata Payson, eldest daughter of Rev. Seth Payson, D. D., of Rindge; who died suddenly at Gorham, April 29, 1818. Feb. 8, 1820, he was married to Clarissa Thorndike, daughter of Nicholas Thorndike, Esq., of Beverly, Ms.; who died at Portland, July 7, 1825. July 6, 1826, he married Mary Coolidge, widow of Elisha Coolidge, merchant, of Boston, and daughter of Rev. John Cushing, D. D., of Ashburnham, Ms. His third wife is still living; also her only son by her first husband, Elisha T. Coolidge, of Cincinnati, O.

The children of Mr. Rand's first wife were three; namely, a son, who died on the day of his birth; Harriet Newell, who united with the church in Lowell, was principal of the female department in Pompey Academy several years, became, in January, 1841, the second wife of Rev. Russell S. Cook, one of the Secretaries of the Am. Tract Society at New York, and died suddenly in February, 1843; William Wilberforce, who was educated at the Public Latin School in Boston, Bowdoin College, and Bangor Theological Seminary. He was four years pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Canastota, Madison Co., N. Y., and is now preaching in Maine. He married Marcia S. Dunning, of Brunswick, Me.; of whom, with her two children, it has pleased God to bereave him.

By his second wife Mr. Rand had also three children, who are all living. Thorndike is a clerk in the Suffolk bank, Boston, and married Hannah P. Nourse of Beverly. Charles Asa is clerk in a bookstore at St. Louis, Mo. Anna Thorndike is the wife of John F. Nourse, Principal of Beverly Academy.

While Mr. Rand resided at Gorham, a quarterly religious Magazine was published at Portland, of which David Thurston, Edward[Pg 186] Payson, Asa Rand, and Francis Brown were joint conductors. In the "day of small things" among the churches of Maine, it did good. It was published five years, from 1814 to 1818, inclusive.

The publications of Mr. Rand are, a Sermon to Children; a Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. Francis Brown at North Yarmouth, Jan. 11, 1810; a Sermon before the Maine Missionary Society, 1815; two Sermons on Christian Fellowship; "A Word in Season in behalf of the Holy Scriptures," (reviewing Quaker principles;) a pamphlet on the Controversies in the First Church of North Yarmouth; a volume entitled "Familiar Sermons"; a review of Finney's Sermon on making a New Heart, entitled "New Divinity tried"; a "Vindication of the same, in reply to Rev. Dr. Wisner"; and a "Letter to Rev. Dr. Beecher, in relation to his ministerial course in Boston."

HON. OLIVER WENDELL OF BOSTON.

Oliver Wendell was born in Boston, March 5, 1733, [N. S.] His father, Hon. Jacob Wendell, was born in Albany in 1691, and was a descendant of the first of the name and family in America, that has been transmitted to us. Evart Janson Wendell came from Embden[X] to the New Netherlands when possessed by the Dutch, and settled at Beverwyck, the site of Fort Orange, afterward called Albany, on Hudson river. The arms of the family were painted on nine panes of glass in the east window of the ancient church in Albany; namely, a ship riding at her two anchors. By an engraved copy of these arms, in possession of the family, it appears that Evart Janson Wendell was an officer in that church the same year in which New Amsterdam, afterwards called New York, was laid out in small streets eight years before the Dutch garrison at Fort Orange capitulated to the English. The inscription is, Regerendo Dijakin, 1656.

Evart J. was the father of John, who was the father of Jacob. This grandson of Evart J., the father of Oliver, was placed, while in his minority, under the care of Mr. John Mico, an eminent merchant in Boston, and was trained up to mercantile business. He afterwards became settled in Boston as a merchant, and was very prosperous. He was highly respected in the town and province; and, among other offices, was repeatedly employed by the government in the negotiation of treaties, and exchange of prisoners, with the Indians. He married Sarah Oliver, the daughter of Dr. James Oliver of Cambridge, and lived in School street, near the Episcopal church. He possessed a handsome estate in Oliver street, where, after the destructive fire of 1760, he built a brick house, (still standing,) in which his son Oliver lived. Since the incorporation of the city, a street leading from Oliver street, and passing by this place, has been named Wendell street. Mr. Wendell[Pg 187] had several children. His son Oliver, after finishing his education at Harvard College, entered into mercantile business with his father, from whose experience and counsels he may have derived no less benefit, than from his stock in trade.

Mr. Wendell possessed a rare combination of talents and virtues, alike adapted to the offices of public and of private life. Mild in temper, benevolent in disposition, upright in principle, and resolute in action, he was conciliatory in address, and exemplary in life; and uniformly had the esteem and confidence of his friends and of the community. He was in the consultations of the early patriots of the American Revolution, and contributed to the acquisition and maintenance of the liberty and independence of the Commonwealth and country. After the Constitution was settled, he was often a member of the Senate, and of the Council, in the government of the Commonwealth. During his public life, he was Judge of Probate for the county of Suffolk; President of Union Bank; a Fellow of the Corporation of Harvard College; President of the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America; and a Trustee of Phillips Academy, Andover. Retiring from the city, he spent several of his last years in Cambridge, where he died, January 15, 1818, aged 85.

The evening of his days was serene and tranquil. While conscious of uprightness, he relied not on his integrity as meritorious, but founded his hope of future happiness on the propitiation made for sin by Jesus Christ; this hope was a steadfast anchor to his soul. Religious contemplation, and devotional exercises, habitual to him in public and active life, were cherished by him in secrecy and the stillness of retirement. Easy and gentle, at last, was his descent to the grave, and the observer might "see in what peace a Christian can die." His remains were deposited in the family tomb, in the Chapel burial-ground in Boston.

To the public notice of his death was annexed the following sketch of his character, written in the Council Chamber at the State House, on the reception of the intelligence of his death, by a highly respected friend,[Y] who, by long intercourse with him in public and private life, was a competent judge of his character. "In all relations of life, as a man, citizen, and magistrate, Judge Wendell was distinguished for uncommon urbanity of manners, and unimpeached integrity of conduct. During the course of a long life he had been successively called to fill many high and responsible offices. The punctuality and precision with which he fulfilled all the duties connected with them, were highly exemplary. Full of years, he has descended to the grave regretted and beloved by all who knew him; happy in the consciousness of a life well spent, and rejoicing in the prospect of felicity in a future state, of which a firm faith in his Redeemer gave him the assurance."

Judge Wendell married, in 1762, Mary, a daughter of Edward Jackson, who graduated at H. C. 1726, married Dorothy Quincy, and[Pg 188] was a merchant of Boston. He was the son of Jonathan, who was a brazier and nail-maker, and married Mary Salter, March 26, 1700, lived in Boston, and left an estate of about £30,000. He was the son of Jonathan, who married Elizabeth—— and settled in Boston. He was born in England, and was the son of Edward, born in 1602, who emigrated from White Chapel, a parish in London, to this country about 1642, took the freeman's oath, May, 1645, and in 1646 purchased of Gov. Bradstreet a farm of 500 acres of land in that part of Cambridge which is now Newton, for £140. For his second wife he married March 14, 1648, Elisabeth Oliver, widow of Rev. John Oliver, the first minister of Rumney Marsh, (Chelsea,) and daughter of John Newgate of Boston. He was one of the most respectable men of the Colony, and was much engaged in public life. He died July 17, 1681, aged 79. Judge Wendell had several children, most of whom died young. Oliver and Edward never married, and have deceased. Sarah married the Rev. Dr. Abiel Holmes of Cambridge, by whom she had five children; namely, Mary Jackson, who married Usher Parsons, M. D., of Providence, R. I.; Ann Susan, who married Rev. Charles W. Upham of Salem; Sarah Lathrop, who died 1812, aged 6 years; Oliver Wendell, M. D., of Boston, who married Amelia Lee Jackson, daughter of Hon. Charles Jackson of Boston; and John, an Attorney at law, living in Cambridge.

For the above facts we are indebted principally to the late Rev. Dr. Holmes of Cambridge, and Francis Jackson, Esq., of Boston.

HON. JONATHAN LAW, GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT.

[The facts in this Memoir were obtained through the obliging instrumentality of Prof. Kingsley of Yale College.]

Jonathan Law, Governor of the Colony of Connecticut, descended from Richard Law, who came from England in the year 1640, and was one of the first settlers in the town of Stamford, Ct., in 1641. He left one son, Richard, who afterwards moved to Milford in that State, where his son Jonathan, his only son and the subject of this Memoir, was born, Aug. 6, 1674. His mother was Sarah, daughter of George Clark, Sen., a planter. He was educated at Harvard College, then the only Academical Institution in New England, and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1695. The law was the profession which he selected, and after passing through the course of studies usual at that period, he was admitted to the bar, and fixed his residence in his native town in 1698. He soon became distinguished as a lawyer and an advocate, and after a few years was made Chief-Judge of New Haven County Court. This office he held for five years, and in May, 1715, he was transferred to the Bench of the Superior Court of the Colony, as one of the Associate Judges, where he continued, with the exception of one year, till 1725. At the annual election in 1717, he was chosen an Assistant, an office of great trust and importance, being ex officio a Legislator, a member of the Governor's Council, and a judicial[Pg 189] Magistrate throughout the Colony. This station he resigned in 1725, on his election to the office of Lieutenant-Governor, and the same year he was appointed by the General Assembly Chief-Justice of the Superior Court, both which offices he held until the year 1742; when he was elected Governor, and continued in that office until his death, which, after a short and painful sickness of three days, occurred at Milford, Nov. 6, 1750, at the age of 76 years. He left seven sons and a widow, his fifth wife.

A funeral Oration in Latin was delivered on the occasion in the chapel of Yale College, by Mr. Stiles, then senior Tutor in that Institution, and afterwards its distinguished President. It portrays in the most glowing colors, the mild virtues of his private life, and the singular success of his public administration.

During this period, there was a time when religious dissensions, which originated in the excessive zeal of itinerant preachers, had made their way into sober and regular ecclesiastical communities, by which means they were greatly disturbed, and the Colony was convulsed almost to its centre.

Early in the eighteenth century, a wonderful attention to religion had been excited in various parts of Connecticut. It seems to have been a genuine revival, not unmingled, perhaps, with some slight alloy of enthusiasm. Soon after this the celebrated Mr. Whitefield, whose sincere and honest piety Cowper has immortalized in the most glowing colors, whose eloquence vanquished on one occasion even Franklin's philosophical caution, after preaching with the greatest applause and effect, at the South, came to New England at the pressing invitations of the clergymen of Boston. On his return, he passed through Connecticut, where the people crowded to hear him, and sunk under the weight of his powerful Christian eloquence. His example seems to have been followed by others of weaker intellect and less judgment; by men, who mistook the illusions of their own minds, for the operations of the Holy Spirit. There was particularly a Mr. Davenport of Long Island, who had been a sound and faithful minister, but, unfortunately, partook of the same spirit, and by his precepts and example, encouraged the wildest extravagances of sentiment and conduct. Some of the "New Lights," (as they were called,) boldly proclaimed their intimate communion with the Almighty, in raptures, ecstacies, trances, and visions. A few of the clergy were not free from these errors, and forsook their own charge to labor in the vineyards of others. In some counties, lay-preachers sprang up, who pretended to divine impulses and inward impressions, and professed a supernatural power of discerning between those that were converted, and those that were not. Confusion prevailed at their meetings, and instead of checking these unseemly disorders, the leaders labored to increase and extend them. Such excesses threw a shade on real piety, and threatened to subvert the foundations of pure and genuine Christianity throughout the Colony. The Legislature, between whom and the church there was then a much closer connection[Pg 190] than at this day, in consequence of the numerous applications made to them for their interference and protection, enacted laws, the severity of which was not justifiable, but may, in some measure, be palliated when we consider the magnitude of the evil. A heated zeal and a misguided conscience, rather, perhaps, than a contempt of the authority of government, gave rise in some counties to loud murmurs and great dissatisfaction.

Governor Law, although an ardent friend of the gospel system in its original purity, opposed with all the energy he possessed, this wild spirit of fanaticism. To him was its suppression, in no small degree, to be attributed. With the skill of an experienced pilot, he kept his eye always fixed on the star of civil and religious liberty, and steered the political bark unhurt, amidst the dangers that surrounded it. It was to these troubles that President Stiles alluded in the Eulogy before spoken of, when, after paying a just compliment to his predecessors, he adds:

"Sed gloria Conservandæ reipublicæ ac perite per procellas intestinas periculosissimasque confusiones fortiter et clementer administrandæ sit soli sapienti et illustrissimo Law."

It was during this term of service, likewise, that the expedition against Cape Breton was undertaken. The plan was formed by Gov. Shirley of Massachusetts, and was executed by raw, undisciplined troops, ignorant of the arts of regular warfare, with the most brilliant success. He saw the great importance of this enterprise, and labored, with unwearied industry, to prevent its failure.

Governor Law was unquestionably a man of high talents and accomplishments, both natural and acquired. He was well acquainted with civil and ecclesiastical subjects, and gradually rose, by the force of his own exertions, to the highest honors of the State. He was of a mild and placid temper, amiable in all the relations of domestic life, and seems to have well discharged the duties imposed on him.

Sacred Poems, by Mrs. Bruce, London.

[Pg 191]

DR. WATTS'S LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO MADAM SEWALL.

[The following letter of Dr. Watts was written to Madam Sewall, the wife of Maj. Samuel Sewall, a highly accomplished merchant of Boston, upon the sudden and affecting death of her two sons. These were children by her first husband, Mr. Nathan Howell, and her only children, for she never had any by Maj. Sewall. For the letter and a number of the facts in relation to the sad event, we are indebted to Charles Ewer, Esq.; and through his instrumentality also the likenesses of the youth drowned were procured from Mrs. Loring, the wife of Henry Loring, Esq., of this city, and are now deposited in the Rooms of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society. The Rev. Samuel Sewall of Burlington informs us that the Rev. Dr. Sewall of the Old South Church, in his diary, notices the event as follows: "1727-8 January 8, (Monday,) George and Nathan Howell ab^t 15 & 14 y^rs old, went a skating at the bottom of y^e Common, and were both drowned. O L^d Sanctify this awful Provid^ce to the near Relations; Support & Comfort y^m: Be to y^ne Handmaid better yⁿ 10 Sons: To y^e Town! Awaken our young people to Rem^r y^r Creator and fly to X y^t yy may be safe under y^e Shadow of his wings. Jan^y 14 (Sabbath) I endeavoured to improve y^e late awful Provid^ce fr. Eccl. 9. 12."

Nathan Howell and Katherine George were married by Rev. Dr. Colman, Aug. 11, 1708: George and Nathan, their sons, were born,—George, Nov. 1, 1712, and Nathan, March 21, 1713-14.

In Pemberton's Manuscript Chronology we find the following entry: "1728, January 8th, George and Nathan Howell of Boston, brothers about 14 and 15 years old, in skating at the bottom of the Common, fell through the ice and were both drowned."]

November 7, 1728.

Madam,

Yesterday from M^r Sewall's hand I Received the favor of several Letters from my Friends in New-England, and a particular account of that sharp and surprising Stroak of Providence that has made a painful and lasting Wound on your Soul. He desir'd a Letter from my hand directed to you which might carry in it some Balm for an afflicted spirit. By his Information I find that I am not an utter stranger to your Family and Kindred. M^r Lee your Venerable Grandfather was Predecessor to M^r Thomas Rowe my Honour'd Tutor and once my Pastor in my younger years. M^r Peacock who married your eldest Aunt was my intimate Friend. M^rs Bishop and M^rs Wirly were both my Acquaintance tho' my long Illness and Absence from London has made me a stranger to their Posterity whom I knew when Children. But now I know not who of them are living or where. Doc^r Cotton Mather your late Father in Law was my yearly Correspondent, and I lament the loss of him. But the loss you have sustained is of a more tender and distressing kind; yet let us see whether there are not sufficient Springs of Consolation flowing round you to allay the smart of so great a sorrow. And may the Lord open your Eyes as he did the Eyes of Hagar in the Wilderness so to Espy the Spring of Water when she was dying with Thirst and her Child over against her ready to expire. Gen. 21, 19.

Have you lost two lovely Children? Did you make them your Idols? if you did, God hath sav'd you from Idolatry; if you did not, you have your God still and a Creature cannot be miserable who has a God. The short words My God have infinitely more sweetness in them than My Sons or My Daughters. Were they desirable Blessings? Your God calls you then to the nobler Sacrifice. Can you give up these to him at his call? God delighteth in such a Sacrifice. Were they your All? So was Isaac when Abraham was required to part with him at God's Altar. Are not you a Daughter of Abraham? Then imitate you his Faith, his self-denial, his Obedience, and make your Evidences of such a Spiritual Relation to him shine Brighter on this solemn occasion. Has God taken them from your Arms? had you not given them to God before? had you not devoted them to him in Baptism? are you displeas'd that God calls for his own? was not your heart sincere in the Resignation of them to him? Show then, Madam, the sincerity of your Heart in leaving of them in the Hand of God—Do you say they are lost? not out of God's sight, and God's World, tho' they are out of our sight and our World. All live to God. You may hope the spreading Covenant of Grace has shelter'd them from the second Death. They live tho' not with you. Are you ready to say you have brought forth for the Grave? it may be so, but not in vain. Isaiah 65, 23. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; (that is for Sorrow and without hope) for they are the seed of the[Pg 192] Blessed of the Lord and their offspring with them. This has been a sweet Text to many a Mother when their Children have been called away betimes. And the Prophet Jeremy Chap. 31, 15-17, has very comfortable words to allay the same sorrow. Did you please yourself in what comforts you might have derived from them in maturer years? But Madam, do you consider sufficiently that God hath taken them away from the evil to come, and hid them in the Grave from the prevailing and mischievous Temptations of a degenerate age. My Brother's Wife in London has buried seven or eight Children, and among them, all her Sons. This tho't has reconciled her to the Providence of God, that the Temptations of young men in this Age are so exceeding great, and she has seen so many young Gentlemen of her acquaintance so shamefully degenerate, that she wipes her Tears for the Sons she has buried, and composes herself to Patience and Thankfulness with one only Daughter remaining. Perhaps God has by this stroak prevented a thousand unknown Sorrows. Are your Sons dead? but are your Mercies dead too? A worthy Husband is a living Comfort and may God preserve and restore him to you in safety. Food, Raiment, Safety, Peace, Liberty of Religious access to the mercy seat, Hope of Heaven;—All these are daily matters of thankfullness. Good Madam, let not one sorrow bury them all. Shew that you are a Christian by making it appear that Religion has supports in it which the World doth not enjoy and which the World doth not know. What can a poor Worldling do but mourn over earthly Blessings departed, and go down comfortless with them to the Grave. But methinks that a Christian should lift up the Head as partaking of higher hopes. May the Blessed Spirit be your Comforter. Endeavour Madam to employ yourself in some Business or Amusement of life continually. Let not a solitary frame of Mind tempt you to set Brooding over your Sorrows and nurse them up to a dangerous Size; but turn your Thoughts often to the brighter Scenes of Heaven and the Resurrection. Forgive the freedom of a stranger, Madam, who desires to be the Humble and faithful Servant of Christ and Souls.

Isaac Watts.

Postscript.

Madam, You have so many excellent Comforters round about you that I even Blush to send what I have wrote; yet since the narrowness of my Paper has excluded two or three thoughts which may not be impertinent or useless on this mournful Occasion I will insert them here. You know Madam that the great and blessed God had but one Son, and he gave him up a Sacrifice and devoted him to a bloody Death out of Love to such Sinners as you and I. Can you shew your gratitude to God in a more evident & acceptable manner than by resigning willingly your two Sons to him at the call of his Providence? This Act of willing Resignation will turn a painful Affliction into a holy Sacrifice. Are the two dearest things torn from the heart of a Mother, then you may ever set looser by this World, and you have the fewer dangerous Attachments to this life. 'Tis a happiness for a Christian not to have the heart strings tyed too fast to any thing beneath God and Heaven. Happy the Soul that is ready to move at the Divine summons. The fewer Engagements we have on earth, the more we may live above, and have our thoughts more fixed on things Divine and heavenly. May this painful stroak thus Sanctified lead you nearer to God. Amen.

I. W.

"A boate going out of Hampton River was cast away and the psons all drowned who were in number eight: Em. Hilliar, Jon. Philbrick and An Philbrick his wife; Sarah Philbrick there daughter; Alice the wyfe of Moses Cox and John Cox his sonne, Robert Read; who all perished in y^e sea y^e 20th of the 8 mo. 1657."—Norfolk County Records.

From the same Records, we learn that "Capt. Benjamin Swett of Hampton was slain at Black Point by the barbarous Indians the 29th June, 1677."

[Pg 193]

LIST OF ANCIENT NAMES IN BOSTON AND VICINITY.

An Alphabetical List of the Ancient Names in the towns of Boston, Charlestown, Roxbury, Watertown, Dorchester, Cambridge, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Concord, Sudbury, Hingham, and Woburn.

BY THE LATE JOHN FARMER, ESQ.

[This List embraces the names in the above towns from 1630 to 1644, and contains most of the names in each town.

Abbreviations.—Bo. Boston, Ch. Charlestown, Co. Concord, Ca. Cambridge, Br. Braintree, De. Dedham, Do. Dorchester, H. Hingham, M. Medfield, R. Roxbury, S. Sudbury, Wa. Watertown, We. Weymouth, and Wo. Woburn.]

• A.
• Abell, We.
• Adams, Bo. De. We. Br. M.
• Amadoun, Bo. We.
• Allison, Bo.
• Aspinwall, Bo.
• Alexander, Bo.
• Armitage, Bo.
• Awkley, Bo.
• Allen, Bo. Ch. De. H. Br. M.
• Addington, Bo.
• Astwood, R.
• Alcock, R. De.
• Ambler, Wa.
• Arnold, Wa.
• Ames, Ca. Br.
• Aldridge, De.
• Alleyn, De.
• Atkinson, Co.
• Axdell, S.
• Aldreth, Br.
• Abie, Br.
• Atherton, Br.
• B.
• Baldwin, Bo. De.
• Baker, Bo. Ch. R.
• Barrell, Bo.
• Baxter, Bo. R.
• Beareley, Bo.
• Beck, Bo.
• Bourne, Bo.
• Bridge, Bo. Ch. R.
• Bendall, Bo.
• Bell, Bo. R.
• Bishop, Bo.
• Blanchard, Bo.
• Bosworth, Bo.
• Briggs, Bo. We.
• Briscoe, Bo. Wa.
• Burden, Bo.
• Buttolph, Bo.
• Button, Bo.
• Brimsmeade, Ch.
• Brown, Ch. S. H. Br.
• Burrage, Ch.
• Batchelor, Ch. De.
• Barret, Ch. Co.
• Burnet, R.
• Brewer, R. Ca.
• Blacksley, R.
• Burrill, R.
• Bugbee, R.
• Bartlett, Wa.
• Beech, Wa.
• Bernard, Wa.
• Boyden, Wa.
• Beeres, Wa.
• Bright, Wa.
• Bullard, Wa. De.
• Barron, Wa.
• Boyls[t]on, Wa.
• Bradbrook, Wa.
• Benjamin, Wa.
• Barsham, Wa.
• Broughton, Wa.
• Barnard, We.
• Billings, Do.
• Bird, Do.
• Buck, Ca.
• Bridgham, Ca.
• Barker, De.
• Barstowe, De.
• Bullen, De. M.
• Barber, De. M.
• Bayes, De.
• Blandford, S.
• Belcher, Ca. S. Br.
• Burr, Do. H.
• Bliss, H.
• Bridgeman, H.
• Bagnley, Co.
• Blood, Co.
• Bowstree, Co.
• Brooks, Co.
• Bulkley, Co.
• Busse, Co.
• Bennet, Co.
• Butterfield, Wo.
• Barron, Wo.
• Bass, Br.
• Blage, Br.
• Bracket, Br.
• Barnes, Br.
• Britan, Wo.
• Barber, M.
• C.
• Carter, Bo. Ch. Wo.
• Cole, Bo. Ch.
• Cooke, Bo. Ca.
• Coggan, Bo.
• Copp, Bo.
• Cotton, Bo.
• Clarke, Bo. R. Wa. De. H. M.
• Cource, Bo.
• Crabbtree, Bo.
• Cranwell, Bo.
• Cretchley, Bo.
• Call, Ch.
• Carrington, Ch.
• Cary, Ch.
• Carter, Ch. Bo.
• Coytmore, Ch.
• Curtis, R. Do. S.
• Coddington, R.
• Craft, R.
• Chandler, R. Co.
• Corey, R.
• Crane, R.
• Cheney, R. M.
• Crosse, Wa.
• Cutter, Wa.
• Church, Wo.
• Coolidge, Wo.
• Claise, Wa.
• Cooper, Wa.
• Crisp, Wa.
• Capen, Do.
• Clap, Do. We. M.
• Clement, Do.
• Collicott, Do.
• Cunlithe, Do.
• Champney, Ca.
• Collins, Ca.
• Corlet, Ca.
• Chickering, De.
• Colbourne, De.
• Calver, De.
• Carpenter, We.
• Cakebread, S.
• Coulton, H.
• Collier, H.
• Chamberlain, Br. Co. Wo.
• Cheesborough, Bo.
• Coney, Br.
• Coskin, Co.
• Convers, Co.
• Cram, M.
• D.
• Davies, Bo. S. Wo.
• Dennis, Bo.
• Dineley, Bo.
• Dowse, Bo.
• Dane, Ch. Co.
• David, Ch.
• Danforth, R. Ca.
• Dexter, Ch.
• Dudley, R.
• Dennison, R.
• Davis, R.
• Dikes, Wa.
• Dow, Wa.
• Davenport, Do.
• Dickerman, Do.
• Dwight, De.
• Daniel, Ca.
• Dixon, Ca.
• Dana, Ca.
• Dyer, We.
• Darvill, S.
• Dorchester, H.
• Doggett, Co.
• Draper, Co.
• Dasset, Br.
• Dawes, Br.
• Devel, Br.
• E.
• East, Bo.
• Eaton, Bo. Wa. De.
• Elliot, Bo. R. Br.
• Eyre, Wa.
• Eddie, Wa.
• Else, Wa.
• Evans, Do.
• Eccley, C.
• Eames, Do. H.
• Elderkin, De.
• Everard, De.
• Edwards, H. Co.
• Ellis, Br. M.
• Edmunds, Co.
• Evarts, Co.
• F.
• Fairfield, Bo.
• Fairweather, Bo.
• Farmside, Bo.
• Flack, Bo.
• Franklin, Bo.
• Fish, Bo.
• Flowd, Bo.
• Fowle, Bo. Ch. Co.
• Furnell, Bo.
• Frothingham, Ch.
• Fiske, Wa.
• Ffleg, Wa.
• Farnum, Do.
• French, Do.
• Fower, Do.
• Fareworth, Do.
• Fuller, Do. Co. Wo.
• Foorde, Ca.
• Francis, Ca.
• Fisher, De. M.
• Fairbank, De. M.
• Frarey, De. M.
• Foster, We.
• Fry, We.
• Freeman, S.
• Flatman, Br.
• Flint, Br.
• Farwell, Co.
• Foye, Co.
• Farley, Wa.
• G.
• Garrett, Bo. Ch.
• Gibbons, Bo.
• Gill, Bo.
• Goordley, Bo.
• Greames, Bo.
• Green, Bo. Ch.
• Guttridge, Bo. Wa.
• Gridley, Bo.
• Griggs, Bo.
• Gross, Bo.
• Grubbs, Bo.
• Gunnison, Bo.
• Gould, Ch.
• Grover, Ch.
• Graves, Ch.
• Greenland, Ch.
• Greems, Ch.
• Gookin, R. Ca.
• Gamblin, R.
• Gorton, R.
• Garner, R.
• Goard, R.
• Garfield, Wa.
• Goffe, Wa.
• Gass, Wa.
• Grant, Wa.
• Godfrey, Wa.
• Gibson, Ca.
• Grissell, Ca.
• Gay, De.
• Griffin, S.
• Goodnow, S.
• George, Br.
• Gamlin, Co.
• H.
• Hayborne, Bo. R.
• Harvey, Bo.
• Halsall, Bo.
• Harwood, Bo.
• Hawkins, Bo. Wa.
• Hill, Bo.
• Hide, Bo. Ca.
• Hilliard, Bo.
• Hough, Bo.
• Holland, Bo.
• Hutchinson, Bo.
• Hogg, Bo.
• Houchin, Bo.
• Howen, Bo.
• Hudson, Bo.
• Hunn, Bo.
• Henrickson, Bo.
• Hadlock, Ch.
• Hale, Ch.
• Harrington, Ch.
• Heiden, Ch.
• Hills, Ch.
• Hubbard, Ch.
• Haule, Ch.
• Hemingway, R.
• Heath, R.
• Harris, R. Ca.
• Hewes, R.
• Holmes, R.
• Howe, R. S.
• Hawkins, Wa. Bo.
• Holden, Wa.
• Hubbard, Wa.
• Homes, Ca.
• Homwood, Ca.
• Hildreth, Ca.
• Hutchin, Ca.
• House, Ca.
• Hancock, Ca.
• Hinsdell, De.
• Hunting, De.
• Hunt, De. We. Co.
• Hart, We.
• Haine, S.
• Holyoke, H.
• Hobart, H.
• Hansett, Br.
• Hastings, Br.
• Herknell, Br.
• Herman, Br.
• Hoyden, Br.
• Halsted, Co.
• Harsey, Co.
• Heyward, Co.
• Hosmer, Co.
• Hayward, Wo.
• Harvard, Ch.
• I.
• Ives, Wa.
• J.
• Johnson, Bo. Ch. R. Wo. S.
• Joy, Bo.
• Jacklin, Bo.
• Jackson, Bo. Ch. Ca.
• Judkins, Bo.
• Jones, Ch. Do. Co.
• James, Ch. De.
• Jennison, Wa.
• Jeffrey, We.
• Jenkins, Br.
• Jewell, Br.
• K.
• Kenrick, Bo.
• Kade, Bo.
• Kerby, Bo.
• Knight, Bo. Br. Wo.
• Kettle, Ch.
• Kingslow, Do.
• Kalem, De.
• Kingsbury, De.
• Kimball, Wa.
• Knowles, Wa.
• King, Wa. S. We.
• Keyes, Wa.
• Kingsley, Br.
• Kendal, Wo.
• L.
• Leverett, Bo.
• Lyall, Bo.
• Luin, Bo.
• Lugg, Bo.
• Lawson, Bo.
• Long, Ch.
• Lawdon, Ch.
• Lewis, Ch. Wa.
• Luddington, Ch.
• Lynde, Ch.
• Larkin, Ch.
• Lawrence, Ch.
• Lusher, De.
• Langton, H.
• Lincoln, H.
• Leavitt, H.
• Lyon, R.
• Lamb, R. Wa.
• Linens, R.
• Lettin, Co.
• Lefingwell, Wa.
• Larnit, Wo.
• Lockwood, Wa.
• Lovering, Wa.
• Ludden, Wa.
• Lowell, M.
• M.
• Marshall, Bo.
• Mason, Bo. R. Wa.
• Manning, Bo.
• Mears, Bo.
• Merry, Bo.
• Milam, Bo.
• Messinger, Bo.
• Mingo, Bo.
• Munt, Bo.
• Marble, Ch.
• Manley, Ch.
• Maverick, Ch.
• Mellowes, Ch. Br.
• Merrich, Ch.
• Mellers, Ch.
• Mather, Do.
• Maudsley, Do.
• Millet, Do.
• Mumings, Do.
• Meane, Ca.
• Mitchelson, Ca.
• Meigs, We.
• Melim, We.
• Matthew, H. R.
• Mireck, H.
• Morril, R.
• Miller, R.
• Meadows, R.
• Mosse, Wa.
• Merchant, Wa. Br.
• Marian, Wa.
• Mayhew, Wa.
• Mandsley, Br.
• Mekins, Br.
• Motson, Br.
• Moore, Br. S.
• Male, Br.
• Mousall, Wo.
• Morse, De. M.
• Metcalf, M.
• N.
• Newgate, Bo.
• Negus, Bo.
• Nash, Ch.
• Nowell, Ch.
• Nichols, Ch.
• Nowman, We.
• Norton, We.
• Newton, S.
• O.
• Oliver, Bo.
• Odlin, Bo.
• Osborn, We. Do.
• Onion, R.
• Ong, Wa.
• Oakes, Ca.
• P.
• Palgrave, Ch.
• Palmer, Ch.
• Phillips, Do. Wa. We.
• Phipps, Ch.
• Pasmer, Bo. Ch.
• Powell, Ch. De.
• Power, Ch.
• Parker, Wo. Bo. R.
• Painter, Bo.
• Pratt, Ch. We.
• Paitor, Bo.
• Perry, Bo.
• Pell, Bo.
• Pierce, Bo. Do. Wa.
• Phippin, Bo.
• Plain, Bo.
• Porter, Bo.
• Portmont,[Z] Bo.
• Poole, Bo.
• Pilsbury, Do.
• Procter, Do.
• Pope, Do.
• Prentiss, Ca.
• Parish, Ca.
• Pickering, Ca.
• Pelham, Ca.
• Picke, Ca.
• Paine, Do. Br.
• Penniman, Br.
• Perrin, Br.
• Pocher, Br.
• Potter, Co.
• Posmore, Co.
• Prentice, Co.
• Parsus, H.
• Pierpont, R.
• Peake, R.
• Payson, R.
• Pigg, R.
• Perkins, R.
• Prichard, R.
• Porter, R. Wa. We.
• Peirson, Wa. Wo.
• Prescott, Wa.
• Page, Wa.
• Picknam, Wa.
• Prest, We.
• Petty, We.
• Parmeter, S.
• R.
• Ruggles, R. Br.
• Rogers, Wa. We. Bo. Co.
• Randall, We.
• Ralins, We.
• Reed, We. Br.
• Rutter, S.
• Redyate, S.
• Reaver, H.
• Rainsford, Bo.
• Rice, Bo. Co.
• Russell, Ch. Ca. Wo.
• Robbins, Ca.
• Ross, Ca.
• Richards, De.
• Roper, De.
• Ray, Br.
• Rocket, Br. M.
• Richardson, Bo. Ch. Wo.
• Roman, Ca.
• S.
• Savell, We. Br.
• Shaw, We. Ca.
• Shepard, We. Ca. Br.
• Silvester, We.
• Stoppell, We.
• Stone, S.
• Stowe, S. Wa. Ch. Br.
• Sewill, H.
• Stebbin, H. R. Wa.
• Sharp, R. Br.
• Sener, R.
• Smith, H. R. Wa. Ch. Do. De.
• Scarboro[ugh], R.
• Sheffield, R.
• Starkweather, R.
• Sanderson, Wa.
• Stearns, Wa.
• Stowers, Wa.
• Sawtell, Wa.
• Sherman, Wa. Bo.
• Story, Wa.
• Stow, Wa. Ch.
• Sanford, Bo.
• Savage, Bo.
• Scott, Bo. Br.
• Scottow, Bo.
• Salter, Bo.
• Seabury, Bo.
• Seavern, Bo.
• Sellick, Bo.
• Seamond, Bo.
• Sherburne, Bo.
• Sinet, Bo.
• Spurr, Bo.
• Stanbury, Bo.
• Stanion, Bo.
• Snow, Bo.
• Sunderland, Bo.
• Symonds, Bo. Co.
• Shrimpton, Bo.
• Stevens, Bo. Br.
• Stevenson, Bo. Ca.
• Stoddard, Bo.
• Stodder, M.
• Sergeant, Ch. Br.
• Shorthouse, Ch.
• Swain, Ch.
• Sweetzer, Ch.
• Symmes, Ch. Br.
• South, Do.
• Sumner, Do.
• Swift, Do.
• Saunders, Ca.
• Sparhawk, Ca.
• Stedman, Ca.
• Streeter, Ca.
• Shaw, Ca.
• Stacey, De.
• Savel, Br.
• Sellein, Bo.
• Spalding, Br.
• Seer, Wo.
• Squiers, Co.
• T.
• Thomas, Bo. H.
• Terne, Bo.
• Tyng, Bo.
• Townsend, Bo.
• Tapping, Bo.
• Turner, Bo. Do. M.
• Tuttle, Bo.
• Trerrice, Ch. Wo.
• Tidd, Ch.
• Topliff, Do.
• Tolman, Do. R.
• Trumble, Ca.
• Towne, Ca.
• Thurston, De. M.
• Tomson, Br. Wa.
• Twing, Co.
• Turney, Co.
• Tompkins, Co.
• Thompson, Wo.
• Trerice, Wo.
• Totenham, Wo.
• Train, Wa.
• Torrey, We.
• Tucker, We.
• Toll, S.
• Treadway, S.
• Tailor, H.
• U.
• Upham, We.
• Underwood, Co.
• Upsall, Do.
• Usher, Ca. and after of Bo.
• Ulting, De.
• V.
• Viall, Bo.
• Vines, S.
• Vane, Bo.
• W.
• Waite, Bo. Wa.
• Walker, Bo. Ch. R.
• Wendell, Bo.
• Winbourne, Bo.
• Walton, Bo. We.
• Wheeler, Bo. Ch. Co. De.
• Webber, Bo.
• Williams, Bo. R.
• Wilson, Bo. Br.
• Wing, Bo.
• Winthrop, Bo.
• Woodhouse, Bo.
• Woodward, Bo. Wa.
• Willis, Bo. Ch.
• Wilde, Ch.
• Waffe, Ch.
• Willoughby, Ch.
• Wood, Ch. De. Co. M.
• Woorie, Ch.
• Wise, Ch.
• Worward, Ch.
• Wright, Do.
• Wyllys, Ca.
• Winship, Ca.
• Whiting, De.
• Wheelock, De. M.
• Wight, De.
• Weld, Br. R.
• Winchester, Br.
• Wiseman, Br.
• Wheat, Co.
• Willard, Co.
• Wyman, Wo.
• Winn, Wo.
• Whittemore, R.
• White, R.
• Woods, R. S.
• Waterman, R.
• Watson, R.
• Wellengton, Wa.
• Waters, Wa.
• Withington, Do.
• Webb, We.
• Whitman, We.
• Warren, We.
• Ward, S.
• Whitton, H.

FROM A MONUMENT IN THE BURYING-GROUND AT EASTPORT, ME.

In memory of Margaret Nickels, who died April 26, 1817, Æ. 87, dau. of Samuel Breck of Boston, and relict of William Nickels of Naraguagus, who was lost, as was his grandson, Geo. W. Shaw, Æ. 12 years, on Grand Manan Island, where they were buried, Dec. 18, 1789.

This monument erected in 1845, by Robert G. Shaw of Boston, grandson to the deceased, through the agency of George Hobbs, Esq.

[Pg 196]

FAMILY INCREASE.

The following facts published in a note in Vol. II. of Haliburton's "Historical and Statistical Account of Nova Scotia" are believed to be unparalleled in the increase of any family on record. It can at once be seen that at this rate of multiplying population it would take only a short period to people the earth. Any one, curious enough to make a calculation, will be astonished at the multitude of persons after the lapse of a few generations which could trace their descent from a common ancestor. The note is as follows:

"In the Spring of the year 1760, A. Smith, Esq., a native of Cape Cod, landed at Barrington,[AA] for the purpose of making arrangements for the reception of his family, but finding the Indians numerous, he abandoned the idea of emigrating and returned home. Shortly after his departure, his wife arrived in a vessel bound on a fishing voyage, and was landed with her family. Here she remained five weeks, until the arrival of her husband, during which time she was kindly and hospitably treated by the Savages. She died at Barrington, in March, 1828, leaving at the time of her death 5 children, 56 grandchildren, 297 great-grandchildren, 64 of the fifth, and 1 of the sixth generation living, exclusive of a daughter, in the United States, who had a large family, and of several grandchildren who have removed from Barrington."

INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY IN ONE HOUSE.

The following persons have died in the same house since 1781. The house is situated in Hingham, and was formerly owned by Peter Tower. Peter Tower, aged 84; Anna Tower, 95; Deborah Tower, 95; Joshua Tower, 77; Grace Cushing, 95; Laban Tower, 73; Esther Tower, 71; Deborah Dunbar, 80. Total, 670.—Hingham Gazette, April 6, 1837. We are informed that the Tower estate has been held in the name of Tower since 1637, and is now occupied by Mr William Tower.

LONGEVITY OF THE MARSH FAMILY IN HAVERHILL, MS.

Dea. David Marsh of Haverhill, Ms., was born Jan., 1698, and his wife Mary Moody was born Aug., 1703. They were the parents of twelve children. The father, mother, and children died as follows:

Below is an exact copy of an inscription on the tomb-stone of Mary Buel in the burying-ground, north-west of the village in Litchfield, Ct.

Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary Buel, wife of Dr. John Buel, Esq^r.—She died Nov. 4^th 1768 Ætat. 90. having had 13 Children—101 Grand Children—274 Great G. Children, 22 Great G. G. Children—410 Total—336 survived.

In the Historical Magazine for 1799, by Bissett, a marriage of some interest to Americans is thus given.

"William Cockburn, Esq. American merchant, to the fair Miss Lorimer, dau. of Mr. Lorimer of the Strand, and sister to the beautiful Mrs. Graham, lady of Col. Graham, Sloane St., well known in the literary world as the author of a History of the American State of Vermont."

[Pg 197]

MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.

We propose to give in future in each Number of the Register a brief List of Marriages and Deaths, confining ourselves principally to those which occur in the New England States, or among those persons who are of New England origin. We give this quarter a few as a sample.

MARRIAGES.

DEATHS.

[Pg 199]

NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The Massachusetts State Record and Year Book of General Information. 1847. "Human and mortal although we are, we are nevertheless not mere insulated beings, without relation to the past or future."—Daniel Webster. Boston: Published by James French, 78 Washington Street. 1847.

This is the first volume of a new work, and is intended to be an Annual. It will aim, "1. To give annually the names of the State, County and Town Officers, and, in connection therewith, to note the objects and results of our State Legislation. 2. To develop the principles of the Institutions of the Commonwealth by giving their objects and results. 3. To set forth the kind and extent of business pursued by the inhabitants, including the learned professions. 4. To represent the social, moral, and physical condition of the people, as connected with their pursuits and recreation. 5. To exhibit the mutual relations of society, and to embody the results of the combined action of all in relation to external objects, with a view to the high destiny of man."

The plan of the work is copious and judicious, and the due execution of it will require study, labor, and exactness. The present volume, which embraces two hundred and eighty pages, is printed on good paper with fair type, and is well bound. It contains a great quantity of matter, interesting and useful, and its historical character will render it none the less so. The editor we doubt not will exert himself to make the work deserving of public patronage.

Biographical Sketches of the Moody Family; embracing notices of ten Ministers and several Laymen, from 1633 to 1842.

By Charles C. P. Moody. Boston: Published by Samuel G. Drake, No. 56 Cornhill. 1847.

This 12mo volume of 168 pages, besides the introduction, contains a brief account of Rev. Joshua Moody, Portsmouth and Boston; Rev. Samuel Moody, Newcastle, N. H., and Falmouth, Me.; Rev. Samuel Moody, pastor of the First Church in York, Me.; Rev. Joshua Moody, Star Island, N. H.; Rev. Joseph Moody, pastor of the Second Church in York, Me.; Joshua Moody, Esq., Portland, Me.; Dr. Samuel Moody, Portland, Me.; Rev. John Moody, New Market, N. H.; Rev. Amos Moody, Pelham, N. H.; Mr. Enoch Moody, Portland, Me; Dea. Benjamin Moody, Newburyport; Rev. Samuel Moody, Principal of Dummer Academy; Rev. Silas Moody, Arundel, Me.; Mr. Paul Moody, Waltham and Lowell; Stephen Moody, Esq., Gilmanton, N. H.; Joseph Moody, Esq., Kennebunk, Me.; Rev. Eli Moody, Granby, Ms.; and a List of all the Graduates at the New England Colleges by the name of Moody, in number 39. The united ages of the seventeen persons noticed in these sketches amount to 1,142 years, averaging 67 years to each—the eldest being 82, and the youngest 50 years. Mr. William Moody the principal progenitor of the name in New England, came, according to the most authentic accounts, from Wales, England, to Ipswich in 1633, and removed to Newbury with the first settlers in 1635. While this work is affectingly serious, some portions of it partake of the character of novelty. No one can read the notices of Rev. Joshua Moody of Portsmouth and Boston, and of "Father Moody," "Handkerchief Moody," and "Master Moody," as they were called, without being deeply interested. We hope the volume will meet with a ready sale, and be perused with spiritual benefit.

A Sermon[AB] delivered at Plymouth on the twenty-second of December, 1846. By Mark Hopkins, D. D., President of Williams College. Boston: Press of T. R. Marvin, 24 Congress Street. 1847.

The text on which this discourse is based is contained in Matt. xxiii.: 8. "And all ye are brethren."

After the exordium and stating what is indicated in that far-reaching annunciation[Pg 200] of the text, And all ye are brethren, the President says, "Columbus sought a passage to the Indies, and God revealed to him the whole rounded inheritance which he created in the beginning, and intended for the use of civilized man. Our Fathers sought for religious freedom, and God led them on to the practical recognition of those principles laid down by Christ in accordance with which alone man can obtain that political and social and moral inheritance of which his nature is evidently capable, and which we believe God intended for him." The term brethren indicates equality and affection, and these must form the basis of a perfect society. This proposition Dr. Hopkins shows is sanctioned by the Scriptures, and is in accordance with the nature of man. Having proved and illustrated the proposition, he urges upon the descendants of the Puritans to adopt this and this alone as the basis of our institutions, and to carry out this great principle of brotherhood. We conclude the notice of this appropriate and excellent discourse, by quoting the closing address: "And now, my friends, is not the star of hope which we see in this direction, a beautiful star? It is no meteor of a fervid imagination, or of a false philosophy. It is that great idea of a universal Christian brotherhood, pointed out by Christ, not in the text only, but everywhere, as an inherent part of his system. This star our Fathers saw, and is it any wonder, that under its inspiration and guidance, they should come across the ocean? Literally they found a landing here, but figuratively, the vessel which they launched is yet upon the deep, the multitude of their descendants is on board, and we too catch glimpses of the same bright star above the troubled waters. It may be that this vessel is not destined to reach the port. We hear moanings of the tempest, and see aspects of the elements which lead us to tremble for her. But where the bright image of this star has once fallen, it can never be effaced. This is our star. To it let the prow of our vessel be turned. Let every man be at his post, never ashamed of the plain rigging of his good ship, but always hearing that voice of duty, and of the God of our Fathers, which will speak above the roar of every tempest; and then if our ship must go down, the will of God be done. But then she will not go down. Then the hand which guided the Mayflower, will guide her. Then will there be One on board, as we believe there always has been, who, though he may seem for a time to be asleep in the hinder part of the ship, will yet come, when the winds are loudest, and the waves are highest, and say, 'Peace, be still.'"

The Connecticut Register: Being an official State Calendar of public officers and institutions in Connecticut, for 1847. By Charles W. Bradley, Jr., clerk in the office of the Secretary of State. "Vineam—— transtulisti, ejecisti gentes et plantasti eam. Dux itineris fuisti in conspectu ejus; plantasti radices ejus, et implevit terram. Operuit montes umbra ejus, et arbusta ejus cedros Dei. Extendit, palmites suos usque ad mare, et usque ad flumen propagines ejus."—Ps. LXXX. Hartford: Published by Brown & Parsons, Corner of Main and Asylum Streets.

This volume of 224 pages 16mo, well printed and bound, for a work of the kind, embraces much more Historical and Statistical matter than is usual in such publications; as the chapter which contains the Annals of Connecticut, the Patent and Charter of the Colony, Indian topographical names till now never extensively collected, list of Colonial officers, and dates of town and court incorporations. The difficulty which has heretofore existed in tracing out genealogies from the records of the Mortuary Courts, is in part obviated by the table of their territorial changes. The author, connected as he was, with the records of the State, possessed peculiar advantages in preparing the work. The Register contains all the above articles in addition to those which have generally been inserted in its predecessors. It is a valuable book, and should be in the hands of every family in the State.

👉 We regret that we have not room to notice other interesting publications which we have received. We shall give notices of them in the next number of the Register.

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EXTRACTS FROM NOTICES OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.

The object of this work is to gather up the facts which relate to the Fathers of New England, so that the present generation may distinctly understand, that "God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness." It will also contain the genealogy of families which early settled the country. It will not be sectarian in its character, but will be a faithful record of the principles and character of the founders of New England. Among the great number of new publications that are striving to push themselves into the community, this cannot fail to find its way into the study of the minister, the office of the lawyer and physician, and the parlor of many thousands of the descendants of the Pilgrims.—Boston Recorder.

It is a unique magazine. The work will bring to light many amusing personal incidents both of old times and new. It must be intensely interesting to all New England men, especially those who have a taste for such things and have descended in regular succession from the Pilgrims.—Journal of Commerce, New York.

The first Number of the work has just made its appearance, and we greet it with a hearty welcome. We commend it to all interested in pursuing inquiries of a historical or statistical nature relating to New England.—Boston Atlas.

It is the only work of the kind ever undertaken in this country. Both the Editor and Publisher come to their task with a degree of experience and tact on such matters which will commend their labors to the confidence of all interested in this kind of investigation.—Vermont Chronicle.

If we rightly apprehend the design of this work it will be serviceable to the community in gathering and presenting the elements of the history of New England. Dr. Cogswell has for a long course of years employed his mind much in labors of this sort, and his efforts have been well appreciated. He seems now to be more exclusively devoted to them, and with advantages of doing the work more effectually. We confidently commend this work to those who have a taste for such reading, and those who wish to encourage and patronize a work, which must be of great value to the coming generation.—New England Puritan.

The comprehensive design of this work appears to be well carried out in the number before us, which contains a great amount of historical, statistical, and genealogical information.—Lowell Daily Courier.

It is pleasant to take a peep at the queer and musty antiquities of the Western world through the clear glass of such clean and beautiful pages of modern typography. To those, heirs apparent or expectant, of English or French estates, the work has some charms of an interesting character.—Massachusetts Cataract.

Its contents give promise of a periodical of great interest, especially to New England men and women, who would be better acquainted with their fathers.—Christian Observer, Philadelphia.

The Rev. Dr. Cogswell, its Editor, was for some time connected with the American Quarterly Register, and more recently with the New Hampshire Repository, both of which were more or less devoted to subjects kindred to those of which this work proposes exclusively to treat, and his name alone is a sufficient guaranty for the faithful management of a historical and genealogical journal. The Publisher, Mr. Drake, a thorough antiquary, and well known as the historian of the Indians, is admirably qualified to discharge the duties he has just assumed.—New York Express.

We are glad to see the commencement of a Quarterly Periodical of this character in New England. Under the care of Dr. Cogswell, well known for his historical, antiquarian, and genealogical lore, it will become a repository of rare and valuable facts, a record of events, the memory of which should be dear to the descendants of the Pilgrims.—Boston Mercantile Journal.

This is an excellent work, just such an one as we have long needed.—Litchfield Inquirer, Ct.

[Pg 202]

NOTICES.

👉 We propose to publish in some future Nos. of the Register brief Genealogical Memoirs of all the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. We request, therefore, that, if any of the relatives or friends of these individuals have in their possession any genealogical or biographical accounts of them, or can furnish any, they will be pleased to send them to the Editor of this work. It is especially desired that the communications should be accurate in their facts—as names, dates, places, &c., and the chirography be very legible. The names and places of residence of the individuals who may be pleased to transmit such papers should be given as vouchers for their correctness.

Any person who will copy and send to the Cor. Sec. of the N. E. H. and G. Society, exact copies of the earliest births, deaths, and marriages from town records, or any other source, will confer an obligation on the community; as they will be deposited in the archives of the Society, and be published from time to time in the Register. The account should be written legibly, and the name of the copyist and his place of residence should be given as authority for the same.

👉 We would give notice that Horatio G. Somerby, Esq., of Boston, will visit England this season for the purpose of investigating the early genealogies of the emigrants to New England, if suitable pecuniary encouragement should be given by those who may be interested in such researches. A subscription has been opened for this purpose, and gentlemen can obtain the requisite information on this subject by calling on the Corresponding Secretary of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society.

👉 We regret that the first two Nos. of the Register have made their appearance so late in the Quarter for which they were issued, and that the principal likenesses accompanying them have been so ordinary. Circumstances beyond our control have led to it. Arrangements were not made for the publication of the work until after the year commenced, when not a word was written, and not a likeness engraved. In future we intend that the Nos. shall be issued punctually, and good likenesses accompany them. For our next No. we have procured an excellent likeness of Governor Endecott, engraved expressly for the work, which will accompany a Memoir of the Governor.

👉 The Register will be issued Quarterly, each No. containing at least ninety-six pages, octavo, upon good paper, and with fair type; making annually a volume of about four hundred pages; the Nos. to be issued in January, April, July, and October.

The price to Subscribers will be Two Dollars a-year, payable on issuing the first No. Any person obtaining subscriptions and becoming responsible, for six copies of the work, shall be entitled to the seventh copy gratis.

Subscription Papers to be returned to the address of Samuel G. Drake, Publisher, 56 Cornhill, Boston.

👉 All communications, which are designed for insertion in the Register, or which respect the editorial department, should be addressed to the Editor, at Boston.

All orders for the Register, and all communications respecting the pecuniary concerns of it, should be directed to Samuel G. Drake, 56 Cornhill, Boston.