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THE
ANNALS OF SALEM,
FROM
ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT.
BY JOSEPH B? FELT.
•\c3=ire quid antpa quara natus sis acciJerit, id est semper esse puerum.-
Salem*
PUBLISHED BY W. & S. B. IVES WASHINGTON STREET.
Printed at tbe Observer Office, 1827.
'i^f^ "^
THE
ANNALS OF SALEM
FROM
ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT,
BY JOSEPH B. FELT.
■ Ncscire quid antea quara natus sis acciilerit, id est semper esse puerum."
Salem*
rUBLISHED BY W. & S. B. IVES WASHINGTON STREET.
Printed at the Observer Office. 1827.
iVf^
-^
.Si Ts
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT ;
District Clerk's Office.
BE it remembered, That on the twenty-third day of Juno, A.D. 1827, in the Fifty-first Ytar of the Independence of the TJnited States of America, Josepli B. Felt, of the said District, has de- jiosited in this Office the Title of a Book the Right whereof he claims as Proprietor in the Words following, to wit : The Annals of i^alem, from its First Settlement. By Joseph B. Felt. "Nescire quid antea quam natus sis acciderit, id est semper esse puerum."
In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled " An Act for the Encour- agement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Pro- prietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned :" and also to an Act entitled " An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled. An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of A^aps, Chares and Books to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned ; and extending the Benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving and Etching Historical and other Prints."
3KO. W. DAVIS, Clerk of the District of MasBachusef ts.
65^, '^«
ADVERTISEMENT.
The materials of the following pages have been col- lected in the course of several years. — One object in gathering them from the extensive ground they occu- pied, was to afford the writer a particular acquaintance with his own native place. As thus brought together, he has been advised to make them public. — Should they contribute to the amusement and information of any ; — exhibit facts for the correction of errors, and examples for the encouragement of virtue and the re- straint of vice ; — his publication of them will not be in vain.
When, in his researches, he saw some authorities differing from others in point of date or fact, he of course sided with those generally deemed most correct.
It would have been gratifying to his feelings, could he, without charge of singularity, have presented dates of the Old Style so as to accord with those of the New, — not only with reference to years, but also to days. He has done the former ; but not the latter. — It will be recollected, as a reason for what in these Annals may seem to be a discrepancy with ancient records, — that Clironology, for three-fourths of a century, has been computed in a manner different from what it was
4
before. It is Avell known that formerly the year began the 25th of March ; but that in 1 752 it commenced the 1st of January; and that the 3d of September of the same year was called the 14th. In compliance with such an arrangement the writer has put down the years as beginning the 1st of January instead of the 25th of March. Should any however be desirous for bringing Old Style to New in respect to days, they can apply the rule of adding ten days to the monthly dates of the 17th century, eleven to those of tlie 18th, and twelve to those of the present or 19th centur}^
When giving extracts from ancient letters, the writer has clothed them, for the most part, according to mo- dern orthography. In some instances, he has presented them literally, as specimens of alteration in the same language of different periods.
To exhibit a full view of Salem in its historical con- cerns, the writer was constrained to adduce legislative proceedings and current events, which had a bearing on its interests as well as on those of other towns. He is aware that the opinion of some on this point, may not coincide with his own. But as disagreement of this kind carries with it no offence to any thing, except doubtful criticism, he does not regard it as an import- ant matter.
To the memory of the dead, whose writings have assisted him ; and for the kindness of the living, who have granted him the use of manuscripts ; — he would be long and sincerely grateful.
ANNALS OF SAL.EM.
Reflection on the past is essential to a reputable, beneficial and satisfactory guidance of conduct in fu- ture. Such an exercise of our mental powers is ac- companied both with pleasure and pain. But however attended with mixed experience of this sort, it has stronger claims for being indulged than discouraged. Especially when refering to the spot of our first days, diversions, instructions, and employments, — does it ap- pear w ith greater lights than shades ; — with more on which remembrance fondly dwells, than from which it turns with aversion. — These remarks now bring us to the object in view.
1626.
Salem was indebted for its first settlement to the failure of a planting, fishing, and trading enterprise at Cape Ann.
It appears that this fruitless attempt w^as made by a number of gentlemen belonging to Dorchester, in Eng- land. Among them the Rev. John White took the principal lead. His heart was strongly set on the es- tablishment of colonies in Massachusetts. His chief
desire and exertion for them were, that they might be- come places of refuge from the corruptions and oppres- sions, which prevailed at home under the countenance of James J. He had learned, that some persons of the Plymouth Plantation were obliged with their families to leave and reside at Nantasket. The occasion of such a separation was their siding with the Rev. John Lyfo d, who was ordered to quit the former place, for his disagreement with most of its inhabitants, on seve- ral subjects. Of those thus seceded, Mr. White and his associates chose Roger Conant to take charge of the planting and fishing ; John Oldham, (afterwards murdered by the Indians ofJjJock Island,) to superin- tend the trade with the natives; and Mr. Lyford to ofii- ciate as minister. — After a year's trial their prospect of gain was closed. As a consequence they gave up the idea of continuing there. On tliis failure, Roger Conant, John Woodbury, JohnBalch, Peter Palfrey, and others, removed to Naumkeag. The most of them, however, were at first dissatisfied with their neu- abode. The dread of Indian hostilities and present necessities seri- ously affected them. Besides this, they had an invita- tion to accompany their late Pastor to Virginia. Be- ing partakers of his trials, and strongly attached to him, several expressed a wish to go with him. But through reasoning and persuasion, they were induced to continue. Mr. Lyford left them for Virginia, where he soon died. In the mean while, Mr. White wrote them, — that he would have the settlement at Naum- keag by no means relinquished. He promised to ex- ert his influence for the speedy supply of their uants. There were also others at home, besides this gentle- man, who earnestly seconded his views.
1627. In reference to them. Governor Dudley writes to the Countess of Lincoln: — "About the year 1627 some
friends being together in Lincolnshire, fell into dis- course about New-England and the planting of the Gospel there; and after some deliberation, we imparted our reasons by letters and messengers to some in Lon- don and the West Country ; where it w as likewise deliberately thought upon, and at length with often ne- gotiation so ripened" as to have proposals made for a patent. — Informed by Mr. White of such proceedings, and solicited by him to persevere, Messrs. Conant, Woodbury, Balch, Palfrey, and their associates, con- fided in his word, and were influenced by his advice. The proof they had receiv ed of his virtues, as exhibited for their welfare while at Cape Ann, led them to face the toils, privations and perils which thronged them, and hold the ground which they occupied. — Indeed to the agency of Mr. White, as much as to that of any in- dividual, may be imputed the permanent settlement of
Naumkeag.
1628.
Through the endeavours of him and his friends a grant was obtained from the Council, " established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering and governing of New-England." — This Council by a written document of March 19th, 1627, O. S., but 1628, N. S., conveyed the soil, then demominated Massachusetts Bay, to Sir Henry Ros- well. Sir John Young, Knights, John Southcot, John Humphreys, John Endicott, Simon Whetcombe, and their heirs, assigns, and associates.
The territory of this new company extended " three miles to the Northv, ard of Merrimiick River, and three miles to the Southward of Charles River, and in length, within the described breadth, from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea." — One coiidition of their grant was.
8
that a fifth part of all silver and golden ore, discovered within their bounds, should be reserved for the Crown.
Desirous of having a person immediately interested in the plantation, at Naumkeag, they selected Capt. John Endicott. They made known to him their wishes. He accordingly complied. He set sail for the land, where his various talents, attainments and virtues were to be severely tested. He arrived here the 6th of September.
He found that previously to his arrival, an assess- ment had been laid on this and other plantations to the amount of £12 7. The proportion of this place was £1 10. Such a tax was made a common charge, be- cause it refered to a general concern. This was as fol- lows. It appears that Thomas Morton, afterwards a per- severing and influential opposer of New-England policy, had been apprehended by the noted Miles Standish at Mount Woliaston, now in Quincy. The cause assign- ed for his apprehension was conduct on his part, which threatened to subvert the industry, temperance, peace and welfare of the country. Being thus taken, he was sent home. An account of his proceedings was for- warded to His Majesty's Council in the vessel, by which he v/as transported. It was dated 9th of June.
Capt. Endicott was accompanied hither by a hundred adventurers. Some of them were actuated by motives of religious liberty, and others by hopes of gain. He brougiit with him goods of the company, in order to traffic with the natives for beaver, otter, and other furs. For his dwelling, he purchased the materials of a house, which had been located at Cape Ann, and be- longed to the Dorchester Company. It was then two stories high. Some remains of it are said to be still contained in the Old Tavern, at the corner of Court and Church Streets. It was the building, in reference to which Mr. Higginson remarked, — "we found a faire Iiousc newly built for the Governor."
Soon after Iiis arrival he commissioned Messrs. Ralph, Richard and William Sprague to explore the country about Mishawum, now Charlestown. Here they met with a tribe of" Indians, called Aberginians. By the consent of these they commenced a plantation. They were followed by other respectable colonists the next year. — Capt. Endicott appears to have had special rea- son for causing this settlement to be made. The rea- son was, that William Blackstone and William Jeffries were empowered, by the son of Sir Fernando Gorges, to put John Oldham in possession of the territory oc- cupied by the Messrs. Spragues. This seems to be a fact, because it is mentioned in a letter from the Com- pany the following Spring.
They who remained at Naumkeag were called to en- dure severe afflictions. Their refuge from civil and religious persecution presented a scene of no common calamities. Some had scarcely a suitable place to lay their head, or food to satisfy the cravings of their hun- ger. A large proportion of them died with the scurvy and other diseases While sickness was making its ra- vages among them, they were destitute of medical as- sistance. 1'hat so great and dangerous a deficiency might have a temporar_y supply, Mr. Endicott wrote to Gov. Bradford of Plymouth.
1629.
Dr. Fuller, having come, in answer to his request, continued a few months, and afforded seasonable relief. This gentleman, while here, preserved the reputation of eminence in medicine, beneficence and piety, which had been previously attributed to him. On his return, Mr. Endicott sent the following letter to Gov. Brad- ford.
" Right Worshipful Sir, — It is a thing not usual, that servants to one Master, and of the same household, should be strangers : I assure you I desire it not : nay.
10
to speak more plainly, I cannot be so to you. Gad^s people are all marked with one and the same mark, and sealed with one and the same seal, and have, for the main, one and the same heart, guided by one and the same spirit of truth ; and where this is, there can be no discord ; nay, here must needs be a sweet harmony ; and the same request, with you, I make unto the Lord, that we may, as Christian brethren, be united by a heavenly and unfeigned love, bending all our hearts and forces in furthening a work beyond our strength, Avith reverence and fear, fastening our eyes always on Him, that is only able Indirect and prosper all our ways. I acknowledge myself much bound to you for your kind love and care in sending Mr. Fuller amongst us, and rejoice much that I am by him satisfied, touching your judgment of the outward form of God's worship ; it is, as far as I can yet gather, no other than is war- ranted by the evidence of truth, and the same which I liave professed and maintained ever since the Lord in mercy revealed himself unto me, being far from the common report, that hath been spread of you touching that particular ; but God's children must not look for less here below^ ; and it is a great mercy of God that he strengtheneth them to go through with it. I shall not need, at this time, to be tedious unto you, for (God willing) I j)urpose to see your face shortly ; in the mean time I humbly take my leave of you, committing you to the Lord's blessing and protection, and rest your assured friend, JOHN ENDICOTT.
Neumkeck, May 11th, 1G29."
Mr. Endicott in this letter delicately touches on the jealousy which had existed between the supporters of Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies, in reference lo ecclesiastical discipline. The former leaned more to what was termed ljro\Anism than the latter. Hence, while those could approve of Mr. Lyford's expulsion from their boundaries, these could encourage him and
11
his followers with protection and support. — Mr. Endi- cott, also, refers to the time of his own religious refor- mation. The instrument of so important an alteration was the Rev. Samuel Skelton, to whom he was ardent- ly attached, and whose society he was soon to enjoy.
He received an interesting communication from Mat- thew Cradock, Governor of the Company. It was dated February 16th. Some remarks of it will throw light on the progress of the Colony. Mr. Cradock stated, that the company at home had purchased a ship of 200 tons, and hired two more of a similar size, well armed. Their purpose was to have these vessels for traders between the colony and England. He request- ed Mr. Endicott to provide houses for about 300 per- sons, who intended to take passage in the ships. He also wished him to prepare, as return cargoes, wood, timber, staves, sassafras, sarsaparilla, sumach, silk grass, two or three hundred firkins of sturgeon, and other fish and beaver. He expressed a satisfaction as to the motives and conduct of Mr. Endicott. He ob- serves— " We trust you will not be unmindful of the mayne end of our plantation by endeavouringe to bringe the Indians to the knowledge of the Gospel^ which that it may be the speedier and better effected, the earnest desire of our whole company is that you have diligent and Avatchful eye over our own people, that they live unblamable and without reproach, and demeane them- selves justlye and corteous to the Indians, thereby to draw them to affect our persons and consequentlie our religion ; as alsoe to endeavour to gett some of the children to trayne up to reading and consequentlie to religion while they are yonge ; herein to yonge or olde to omit no good opportunitys that may bring them out of that woeful state and condition they now are in ; — in which case our predecessors in this our land some- tymes were, and but for the mercye and goodness of our good God might have continued to this day." — His
12
further remarks show that the Rev. Hugh Peters, then in Holland, was destined and expected to settle in the Colony ; — and that two of the clergymen coming hither were to be sent through the approbation of the Rev. Messrs. White and Davenport. It seems from his let- ter, that Mr. Endicott had complied with solicitations of the Planters, so that they were allowed to cultivate Tobacco. The cultivation of this plant was warmly opposed by the Company, as highly injurious to the health and morals of the emigrants. Mr. Cradock also advised Mr. Endicott to be on his guard against too much confidence in the Indians. He referred him to the sufferings of the English in Virginia as a reason for hearkening to such a caution. The gentleman who forwarded so valualjle instructions to Mr. Endicott, was a relative of his through Mrs. Endicott.
While the Agent of the Company Vv'as faithfully dis- charging his duty here, they were averse to ;a further prosecution of their design under existing circumstan- ces. The Council, superintending the Plantations of New-England, had granted them soil, but no adequate right to admimister its government. They wished for a surer claim to their territory, as it had been already disputed by Gorges, and also for an enlargement of their number. The latter they soon obtained. The Company, thus increased, ap])licd for a Charter to the King. He allowed their petition the 4th of March, 1628, O. S., but 1629, N. S. They received the title of GoAcrnor and Company of JMassachusetts Bay in New-England. Their ^eal was in part the representa- tion of an Indian, liaving a bow in one hand, and an arrow in the other, and a label from his mouth with the Scriptural expression — '• Come over and help us." — Emigrants under their patronage were privileged to import and exj>ort articles of commerce free from du- ties for the period of seven years. They were, also, required to keep in view, as a principal object, the dis- semination of Christianity among the Aborigines.
13
While pursuing their laudable object, civil and eccle- siasticnl restrictions were not slackened by their sover- eign, Charles I. He of his own choice and through the influence of Bishop Laud, was opposed to Calvanis- tic clergymen. He reduced them to the alternative, either to withhold some of their opinions and read in time of public worship the Book of Sports, which en- couraged an open profanation of the Sabbath ; or sub- mit to prc)sccutions, fines, imprisonment, and deposition from the ministry.
The spirit of emigration hither gathered strength from such opposition. A considerable number, of highly respectable character, devised measures for a speedy change of residence. Before, however, they would trust themselves in a new world, they determined on obtaining spiritual guides. They were fully con- vinced, that, let temporal prosperity be ever so great for a season, still, if unattended with the precepts and sanctions of the Gospel, it would draw in its train abounding corruptions, and become an instrument of ruin to its possessors.
Thus properly impressed, they sought for men wor- thy to bear the Ark of God. Their choice fell on the Rev. Francis Higginson of Leicester, Rev. Samuel Skelton of Lincolnshire, and Rev. Francis Bright. These persons had been prevented from freely exercis- ing their holy office by the edicts of conformity, which had been promoted by Elizabeth, and rendered more severe by her successors, James and Charles. In rc;;^ i^rence to them, the Company's letter of April 17th to Mr. Endicott, contains the following observations.
"For that the propagation of the Gospel is the thing we do profess above all to bq our aim in settling this Plantation, we have been careful to make plentiful provision of godly ministers, by whose faithful preach- ing, godly conversation, and exemplary life, we trust not only those of our own nation will be built up in the
14
knowledge of God, but also the Indians may, in God's appointed time, be reduced to the obedience of the Gos- pel of Christ ; — one of them is well known to yourself, viz. Mr. Skelton, whom we have rather desired to bear a part in this work, for that we are informed yourself hath formerly received much good by his ministry ; — another is Mr. Higginson, a grave man and of worthy commendations. The third is Mr. Bright, sometime trained up under Mr. Davenport. Wc pray you ac- commodate them all with necessaries as well as you may ; — and in convenient time let there be houses built them according to agreement we have made with them. For the manner of exercising their mmistry and teach- ing both our own people and the Indians, we leave that to themselves, hoping they will make God's word the rule of their actions and mutually agree in the dis- charge of their duties ; — and because their doctrine will hardly be well esteemed whose persons are not rever- enced, we desire, that both by your own example and by commanding all others to do the like, our ministers may receive due honour."
Besides them the Rev. Ralph Smith requested a pas- sage to this country. The same letter remarks of him that he " hath desired passage in our ships, which was granted him before we understood of his difference in judgment in some things from our ministers, but his provisions for his voyage being shipped before notice was taken thereof, through many occasions, where- with those interested with this business have been ex- emplary, and forasmuch as from hence it is feared there may grow some distractions among you, if thereshould be any siding, though Ave have a very good opinion of his honesty. Wc therefore tliought iit to give you this order, that unless he will be conformable to our Go- vermnent, you suffer him not to remain within the limits of our grant." — It appears tliat this person, of whom they thus speak, had been solicited by the Church of
15
Plymouth Colony to become their Pastor. The Com- pany being of the opinion, that this Church were exces- sively independent, as to their ecclesiastical discipline, and probably understanding that Mr. Smith's views coincided with their's'on such a point, it is not matter of surprise, that they should be fearful of the course which he would take if residing within their territory. The Company's caution to Mr. Endicott with respect to him, and circumstances accompanying it, show that tlicy were careful to guard against what they deemed too great a deviation from the Episcopal Establishment, as well as against what they considered its oppressive corruptions.
The four clergymen, already named, set sail in a fleet, which contained as passengers 300 men, 60 wo- men, and 26 children. There were, also, on board 115 neat cattle, some horses, sheep, goats, and 6 can- non with stores suitable for a fort. The emigrants un- happily lost most of their live stock during the voyage. They depended much on them for provisions. — The ship Talbot arrived with Messrs. Higginson and Smith, at Cape Ann, June 27th. There they spent the Sab- bath, and came to Naumkeag the 29th.
During the passage the small pox prevailed on board. Two died with this disorder, then far more dreadful than at present. One of them was a daughter of Mr. Higginson, 4 years old.
Previously to embarking for America, the Company contracted with him for his support. They agreed April 8th, to pay him £30 for outiits ; £10 for books ; £30 salary per ann. for 3 years ; to find him a house, food and wood for this period ; to be at the expense of transporting him and family ; and to do the same for them at the end of three years, if they should prefer to return home. They stipulated that should he tarry here such a length of time, they would grant him 100 acres of land for his own ; — and in case of his decease.
16
while in their service, they would maintain his wife during her widowhood and abode in the country ; and also his children Avhile they remained on the Planta- tion. The parsonage was to be for his use while liv- ing, and at his death to descend to succeeding minis- ters. The Company further agreed with him, — "that the milk of two kyne shall bee appointed towards the chardges of diett for him and his family, and half the increase of calves during the said three years : But the said two kyne and the other halfe of the increase to return to the Company at the end of the said three years." They moreover pledged themselves that should he remain here seven years, they would give him ano- ther 100 acres of land.
About the time of his making this contract, he pub- lished " General considerations for the plantation in Nc^v-England, with an answer to several objec- tions." He stated that an object of this sort ouglit to be pursued ; that the Church would be thus extended and occupy ground, which, if not so poseessed, miglit be sought and settled by Jesuits ; that America might 1)8 a refuge from apprehended desolations, such as scourged the churches of Europe ; that England began to be burdened with paupers, who could have ample support here ; that a general corruption had extended to national living and business, to schools of learning and religion, which miglit be remedied in a new coun- try ; that it was a laudable work to build up the colo- nial church now in its infancy ; that trials in such an enterprise would manifest purity of motives ; interest the people of God in behalf of the Plantation ; and en- courage others to seek it for a residence.
He answered several objections to his reasons for ef- fecting a settlement in New-England. Among them was this : — " What warrant have we to take the land, which is and hath been of longtime possessed of others, tiie sons of Adam ?" His reply was partly as follows :
17
" That which is common to all is proper to none. This savage people ruled over many lands without title or property ; — for they enclose no ground, neither have they cattle to maintain it, but remove their dwel- lings as they have occasion, or as they can prevail against their neighbours. And why may not Christians have liberty to go and dwell among them in their waste lands and woods (leaving them such places as they have manured for corn) as lawfully as Abraham did among the Sodomites ? For God hath given to the sons of men a two fold right to the earth ; there is a natu- ral right and a civil right. The first right was natural when men held the earth in common, every man sow- ing and feeding where he pleased. Then as men and cattle increased they appropriated some parcels of ground by enclosing and peculiar manurauce, and this in time got them a civil right." He further stated, that there was more land than the English and Indians needed ; that the Indians had been swept away by a plague, and left their country void of inhabitants ; and that emigrants would have " good leave of the natives." This question about occupying the land of the Abo- rigines was afterwards the occasion of much contro- versy, through Mr. Williams, both at Plymouth and Salem. It w as one which received much deliberation from the original proprietors and settlers of New-Eng- land. Whatever may have been thought, said, or writ- ten of them on this subject, they w ere evidently willino to satisfy every fair claim of the Indians for the soil, which they possessed. The Company of Massachu- setts gave Mr. Endicott instructions to discharge all just demands of the natives for territory within his ju- risdiction.
Another principal objection urged against emigration to tJiis country, and which Mr. Higginson answered, was, that " these plantations that have been formerly made succeeded ill." On this he remarked, that no pub-
18
lie enterprise was to be condemned or justified by im- mediate consequences ; that the colonists, who had failed, were actuated more by temporal than religious motives, were persons of immorality, and had neglect- ed to choose a suitable form of government, and to these causes the relinquishment of their settlements might be traced.
Indeed, for his moving hither, Mr. Higginsou gave ingenious and forcible reasons.
The appearance of the now colonists served to dissi- pate much of the gloom, which hovered over the minds of those who had preceded them.
Aware of what the Planters had suffered from want of a physician, permanently located with them, the Company provided one. 'i hey write ; — " We have entertained Lambert Wilson, Chirurgeon, to remain with you in the service of the Plantation, with whom we are agreed that he shall serve this Company and the other Planters that live in the Plantation for three years, and in that time apply himself to cure not only such as came for the general and particular accounts, but also for the Indians, as from time to time he shall be direct- ed by yourself or your successor, and the rest of the Council. And moreover he is to educate and instruct in his art one or more youths, such as you and the said Council shall appoint, that may be helpful to him, and if occasion scive, succeed him in the Plantation, which \'outh or youths, lit to learn that profession, let be placed with him, of which Mr. Higginson's son, if his father approve thereof, may be one, the rather because he hath been trained up in Literature, but if not, then isuch other as you shall judge most fit."
Besides information of this sort, the Company were very particular in their orders to Mr. Endicott, concern- ing the cultivation and use of Toliacco. They abso- lutely forbid the colonists, imder their immediate con- troul, ever to use it, " unless upon urgent occasion foi
19
the benefit of health and taken privately." In reference to the first settlers, over whom thej had no direct power, they earnestly wished to have them discouraged in their cultivation of Tobacco. As much excitement had been sustained in England for a series of years with respect to this article by Sir Walter Raleigh's first introduction of it into polite circles, and especially by the proclama- tions, excises, and writings of James against it, as contained in his book, called the Counter Blast, there is no great matter of surprise, that the Company should repeatedly express themselves about Tobacco as they did. — Would it not be well for cleanliness, temperance, and comfort, if some of the Puritanical feelings as to this plant, had come down to the present age, and ex- erted a restraining influence on the habits of multi- tudes ?
In the last fleet came Messrs. John and Samuel Brown. They were worthy men ; but trials awaited them. They brought a recommendation to Mr. Endi- coit from the Governor and Deputy Governor. It was dated April 21st, and runs thus : — " Through many businesses wee had almost forgotten to recommend unto you two brethren of our Company, Mi. John and Mr, Samuel Browne, who though they be noe adventurers in the generall stock, yet are they men wee doe much respect, being fully perswaded of their sincere aflecons to the good of the Plantation; — the one, Mr. John Browne, is sworne an Assistant here and by vs chosen one of the Councell there ; a man experienced in the lawes of our Kingdom and such an one as wee are per- swaded will worthylie deserve your favour and further- ance, which wee desire he may have, and that in the first division of lands there may be allotted to either of them 200 acres."
Mr. Smith moved to Nantasket, and thence to Ply- mouth, as the Cliurch there had requested. He served them as minister five or six years. — After this period.
20
which had not quite elapsed on the departure of Mr. Williams from that Plantation, he took his leave. The occasion appears to have been his own disinclination to stay on account of his burdensome duties, and his peo- ple's indifference to his continuance, because they con- sidered him as not possessing competent abilities. — After this separation he officiated at Manchester.
Mr. Bright, in accordance with the instructions of the company, went to Charlestown. They wrote, " That there be no difference arise about the appoint- ing of one to be minister, with those you send to in- habit at Massachusetts Bay, we will have you (in case the ministers cannot agree among themselves who shall undertake that place) to make choice of one of the three by lot, and on whom the lot shall fall, he to go with his family to perform that work." This ap- pears to differ from a highly respectable Biographer, who says, that Mr. Bright left Salem for Charlestown on account of "disagreeing in Judgment with his two brethren." He continued there more than a year. When, however, he perceived his congregation inclined to depart more from the Church of England than he deemed expedient, he embarked for home.
Being agreeably reinforced with the last colonists, Mr. Endicott, among his various instructions, was in- formed that he had been selected as Governor of the Colony. On this subject the executive officers of the Company, when assembled in London, 30th of April, express themselves in the subsequent terms : " Having taken into due consideration the merits, worth, and good desert of Capt. John Endicott and others, lately gone over from hence with purpose to reside and con- tinue there, we have with full consent and authority of this Court, and by erection of hands, chosen and elect- ed the said Capt. .John Endicot^to the place of present Governor in our said Plantation. Also, by the same power and with the like full and free consent, we have
21
chosen and elected Mr. Francis Higginson, Mr. Sam- uel Skelton, Mr. Francis Bright, Mr. John Brown, Mr. Samuel Brown, Mr. Thomas Graves, and Mr. Samuel Sharp, these seven to be the Council, and do hereby give power and authority lo the said Governor and those seven to make choice of three others, such as they or the greater number of them in their discretion shall esteem and conceive most fit thereunto, to be also of the said Council. And to the end that the former Planters there may have no just occasion of exception as being excluded out of the privileges of the Compa- ny, this Court are content and do order by erection of hands, that such of the said former planters as are willing to live within the limits of our Plantation, shall be enabled, and are hereby authorized, to make choice of two such as they shall think fit to supply and make up the number of twelve of the said Council, one of which twelve is by the Governor and Company, or major part of them to be chosen Deputy to the Gov- ernour for the time being." — The Colonial Authorities here specified were empowered to choose a Secretary and other needed officers. One was appointed to ad- minister an oath of fidelity to the Governour ; the Go- vernour was then to administer an oath to him, and either of these two was to do the same for members of the Council. The persons composing this body, were to hold their office one year. The whole, or a majori- ty of them, were authorized to fill vacancies, occasion- ed by death, incompetency, or immorality. The Go- vernour had power to call Courts, and, with the Council, enact needful laws, so far as consonant with the statutes of Parliament, and punish offenders accord- ing to their desert. Mr. Endicott took the oath of his office, in compliance with these regulations. In case of his decease, Messrs. Skelton and Sharp were to gov- ern according to order.
22
It appears that, previously to his becoming for- mally Governour, he had written to the Company as to the manufacture of salt and the cultivation of vineyards. They remark to him, on these objects of enterprise : " We take notice, that you desire to have Frenchmen sent you that might be experienced in making of salt and planting vines. We have inquired diligently for such, but cannot meet with any of that nation ; never- theless, God hath not left us altogether unprovided of a man, able to undertake that work ; for that, we have entertained Mr. Thomas Graves, a man commended to us as well for his honesty as skill in many things very useful." " We pray you take his advice touching the premises, and where you intend to sit down in, to for- tify and build a town that it may be qualified for good air and water, according to your fust instructions, and may have as much natural help, as may be, whereby it may with the less labour and cost be made to resist an enemy?^
They informed him that cloth and leather apparel Avas provided for the colonists.
They counsel Mr. Endicott in reference to the Na- tives:— " For avoiding the hurt that may follow through our much familiarity with the Indians, we conceive it fit that they be not permitted to come to your Planta- tion but at certain times and places to be appointed them, (f any of the savages pretend right of inherit- ence to all or any part of the lands granted in our Pa- tent, ive pray you endeavour to purchase their title, thai we may avoid the least scruple of intrusion^
The Company's advice to Mr. Endicott show how careful they were to have the Lord's day kept holy. They observe, " To the end the Sabbath may be cele- brated in a religious manner, we appoint that all that inhabit tlie Plantation, both for the general and particu- lar employments, may surcease their labour every Sat- urday throughout the year at 3 o'c. in the afternoon.
23
and that they spend the rest of that day in chatechizing^ and preparing for the Sabbath as the ministers shall di- rect."
They were equally desirous to have family order and religion kept up. On this subject they say : " For the better accommodation of business we have divided the servants belonging to the Company into several families, as we desire and intend they should live together, a copy whereof we send you here enclosed, that you may accordingly appoint each man his charge and duty ; yet it is not our intent to tie you so strictly to this di- rection, but that in your discretion, as you shall see cause, from time to time, you may alter or displace any as you should think fit. Our earnest desire is that you take special care in settling these families, that the chief in the family (at least some of them) be ground- ed in religion, whereby morning and evening family duties may be duly performed, and a watchful eye held over all in each family, by one or more in each family to be appointed hereto, that so disorders may be pre- vented and ill weeds nipt before they take too great a head." Such regulations accord with the principles of sound wisdom and the claims of general welfare, however they may greatly differ from the language of modern custom.
Mr. Endicott forwarded a letter to the Company in London of May 27th. They received it July 28th. In it he related, that some within his jurisdiction paid no regard to the law of 1 622 for regulatino- trade with the Indians. He requested tbat they would petition for a renewal of the law by proclamation. They complied with his wish ; succeeded in their effort, and sent him power to prevent the sale of anuinition to the natives. He had felt it his duty as superintendant of the Pro- vince, to visit Mount Wollaston, Avhere such infrac- tions, as he complained of, were frequently committed. He went thither in the purifying spirit of just an-
24
thority. He found that Morton had not yet returned from England. He cut down a May pole, to which this person had been in the habit of affixing pieces of satirical composition against those, who opposed his wishes and practices. He, also, rebuked the inhabi- tants there, and " admonished them to look to it that they walked better."
A letter from the Company to him, of May 28th, touches again on the interesting subject of obtaining a full right to the soil granted them. They say, — " Where- as in our last we advised you to make composition with suck of the savages, as did pretend any title or lay claim to the land within the territories granted us by his Ma- jesty''s Charter, — ive pray you noiv be careful to discov- er and find out all pretenders, and by advice of the Council there, to make such reasonable compensation tvith them as may free us and yourselves from any sam- ple of intrusion ; — and to this purpose it might be con- veniently done, to compound and conclude with them all, or as many as you can at one time not doubting but by your discreet ordering of this business, the natives will be willing to treat and compound with you upon very easy conditions." This and similar advice of the Company corrects a mistake in the valuable description of Salem. — In speaking of a cpait claim, given by some Indians of Natick and Chelmsford in 1686 to the Se- lectmen of this town, — the learned and Reverend au- thor of that description says: "The natives had for- saken the spot (Salem) before the English had reached it. On the soil they found no natives, of whom we have any record. No natives ever claimed it, and the possession was uninterrupted."
They furnished him with blank books for a record of the daily employment)^ of every individual, to be made by overseers of the families. These books, written out. he was requested to send home semiannually.
25
They made arrangements for purchasing the ship Eagle as a trader between London and the Colony. They purchased her and called her name Arabella, in honour of Mrs. Johnson, who afterwards died at Salem.
They authorized Mr. Endicott to build a House of Correction, as a restraint upon the disorderly.
The same communication, which contains these items, speaks of building Shallops for the fishing busi- ness, by six shipwrights then here. One of these me- chanics, Robert Moulton, was master workman. It proposed fishing in the harbour or on the Banks. It requested, that if the ships, which had arrived with emigrants, should be sent to fish on the Bank, and not return hither immediately, " the Bark already built in the Country," might be fitted out to bring back the fishermen. — We perceive from this that a vessel had been made, most probably at Naumkeag ; and that the Desire, afterwards launched at Marble harbour, was not the first vessel built in the Colony, as some have supposed. — The fishermen, just mentioned, had been employed in England to reside here for teaching and encouraging their business. — A store house was erected for the shipwrights and their provision, by an order of Ap- ril 17th; and another for fishermen and their stores, by an order of May 28th. Records w^ere to be kept of their stock, provisions, and proceedings.
In the Company's advices to Mr. Endicott, of the last date, they write, — " We may not omit, out of our zeal for the general good, once more to put you in mind to be very circumspect in the infancy of the Plan- tation, to settle some good orders, whereby all persons, resident upon our Plantation, may apply themselves to one calling or other and no idle drone be permitted to live among us ; which, if you take care now at the first to establish, will be an undoubted means, through God's assistance, to prevent a world of disorders, and many grievous sins and sinners." " And among other 4
26
sins, we pray you make some good laws for tlie pun- ishing of swearers, whereunto it is to be feared too ma- ny are addicted, that are servants, sent over formerly and now. These and other abuses we pray you who are in authority to endeavour seriously to reform, if ever you expect comfort or a blessing from God upon our Plantation."
So consistent were the Company, between their pre- cept and example, they dismissed several persons for their immorality, whom they had hired at considerable expense to emigrate hither.
On the subject of ardent Spirits they say to Mr. En- dicott, — "We pray you endeavour, though there be much Strong PVaters sent for sale, yet so order it as that the Savages may not for our lucre's sake be in- duced to the excessive use or rather abuse of it, and at any hand take care our people give no ill example, and if any shall exceed in thut inordinate kind of drink- ing as to become drurik, we hope you will take care his punishment be made exemplarij for all others ; let the laws be first published to forbid these disorders and all others you fear may grow up, whereby they may not pretend ignorance of the one, nor privilege to offend, and then fear not to put good laws, made upon good ground and warrant, in due execution." It will be perceived, that the Company's orders, as to the morals of the Colony, have been drawn on largely This has been done to show the foundation on which the herit- age of our })ilgrim fathers was erected. If the view ])resented, lead their descendants to examine and per- form the needful repairs, it will be neither unpleasant nor unprofitable to them.
Soon after the arrival of the last emigrants, 100 of them moved under Mr. Thomas Graves, and joined the Messrs. Spragues at Mishawum. This was done to gratify their desire for better soil, and perpetuate the settlement made there, so as to cut short all pretensions
27
of Mr. Oldham to the land they occupied. A part of those Avho helped to people Charlestown, commenced a Plantation the next year at Sliavvmut.
JNow it \A as deemed expedient to alter the original name of this town. Various opinions were advanced as to the change. Mr. Hig^inson and the majority were earnest to liave it desif!::nated by a term, siijniii- cant of their enjoy inc: of freedom from c'lvW and religious oppression.- It therefore received the name of Salem, a Hebiew word meaning peace. Its date of incorpo- ration is from this y<.'ar.
In order to secure a primary object of their emigra- tion, our fathers took measures for the regular estab- lishment of the Church and ministry amonp: them. July 20th was set apart by Mr. Endicott for choice of the Pastor and Teacher. Of the services on that in- teresting day, Mr Charles Gott writes to Gov. Brad- ford of Plymouth. He thus expresses himself: — "The 20th of July, it pleased God to move the heart of our Governor to set it apart for a solemn day of humiliation for the choice of a pastor and teacher ; the former part of the day being spent in i)raise and teaching ; the lat- ter part was spent about the election, whi{-h was after this manner : The persons thought on were demanded concerning; their callinqis. They acknowledged there was a two fold calling;, the one inward calling, when the Lord moved tlie heart of a man to take that calling upon him, and filled him with gifts for the same; the second was from the people, when a company of be- lievers are joined together in covenant, to walk togeth- er in all the ways of God, every member is to have a free voice in the choice of their officers. These two servants clearino; all things bv their answers, we saw no reason but that we might freely give our voices for their election after this trial. Their choice was after this manner, — every fit member wrote in a note his name whom the Lord moved him to think was fit for f\
28
pastor, and so likewise, whom they would have for a teacher ; — so the most voice was for Mr. Skelton to be pastor and Mr. Higginson to be teacher ; and they ac- cepting the choice, Mr. Higginson, with three or four more of the giavest members of the church, laid their hands on Mr. Skelton, using prayers therewith. This being done, then there was imposition of hands on Mr. Higginson. Then there was proceeding in election of elders and deacons ; but they were only named, and laying on of hands defered, to see if it pleased God to send us more able men over ; but since Thursday is appointed for another solemn day of humiliation for the full choice of elders and deacons and ordaining them ; now, good Sir, I hope, that you and the rest of God's people, with you, will say that here was a right foundation laid, and that these two blessed servants of the Lord came in at the door and not at the window." When the 6th of August came the services in con- templation were performed. A platform of Church go- vernment, a confession of doctrines in general and a co- venant were adopted. The last was subscribed by thirty persons. To this number many of good report were soon added. One particular contained in their covenant was, that they would endeavour to be clear from being stumbling blocks in the way of the Indians. The Plymouth Church were invited to take part in the ordination, with the understanding that their counsel was to be nothing more than discretionary. Of their delegates was Gov. Bradford. He and his attendants were prevented by adverse winds from being here in the forenoon ; but they arrived seasonably enough to present the light hand of fellowship.
It will be perceived, that there were two ministers placed over the congregation here instead of one. This custom seems not to have been fully complied with here in any other instance, excepting that in which Mr. Williams served for a short period with Mr. Skelton.
29
It was a custom, however, so dear to some of the Co- lony, they would not interrupt it, lest they should be chargeable with flagrant iniquity ; and those, thus in- clined, succeeded to keep it alive over a century.
Instead of being titled Reverend then and a conside- rable period afterwards. Congregational Ministers were called Elders.
The Ruling Elder selected for the Church here was Mr. Henry Haughton. This office was considered an important one, and continued to be esteemed in the Co- lonial churches till the middle of the last century. The duty of such officers was to preach occasionally in the absence or on the illness of the ministers, and also to assist in cases of church discipline. When preach- ers, except their own, served, they were in the habit of remarking, previously to their beginning: — "If ye have any word of exhortation, say on."
The establishment of the Church, not only the first of Salem, but, also, of all Massachusetts Proper, must have filled the hearts of our ancestors with emotions, not easily imagined, much less expressed. In their doctrines they were Calvinists. They called no man master. They resorted to the Bible as the ultimate standard of moral distinctions and religious principles. In their ideas of Ecclesiastical polity, they held a me- dium between the Brownists and Presbyterians.
During the summer of his ordination, Mr. Higginson wrote home to his friends and connexions an account of the soil, productions, climate, location, natives, and condition of the Colony. He described it in the glow- ing colours, which his attachment to it, as an adopted country, and the object of his ardent hopes, would nat- urally present. Though some, induced by his representa- tion to emigrate hither, complained, that they could not find the realities, which he thought he had, still the in- tegrity of his reputation forbids the suspicion, that his motives were in the least deceitful.
30
A desire to give an original view of this place, will be a sufficient apology for liberal selections from his interesting remarks. He writes : — " At this instant we are setting a brick kiln on work to make bricks and tiles for the building of our houses. There is plenty of inarble-stone in sucli store, that we have great rocks of it and a harbour hard by. Our Plantation is from ihence called Marl)le-harbour." He speaks of a profitable trade carried on between the colonists and natives by way of the former's exchanging corn for the beaver of the latter. He goes on with his description : — " For beasts there are some bears, and they say some lions also, for they have been seen at Cape Ann. Also there are several sorts of deer. Also wolves, foxes, beavers, otters, martins, great wild cats, and a great beast called molke, as big as an ox. I have seen the skins of all these beasts since I came to this Plantation, except- ing lions.'''' Though Mr. Higginson has been thought exceedingly credulous for supposing lions had been dis- covered in this climate, yet it was not strange, that he, living in a new country, should hear of such animals, and that not having had time to examine for himself, he should jvjt some confidence in the rej)oit. The molke, mentioned by him, was very probably the moose, or the cervus alces. He proceeds : — " The abundance of sea fish are almost beyond believing, and sure I should scarce have believed it, except I had seen it with my own eyes. I saw great store of whales and grampuses, and such abundance of mackeiel, that it would astonish one to behold, likewise cod fish in abundance on the coast, and in their season, are plenti- fdiiy taken. There is a fish called bass, a most sweet and wholesome fish as ever I did eat, it is altogether as good as our fresh salmon, and the season of their coming was begun when we came first to New-Eng- land in June, and so continued about three months space. Of this iisli our fishers take many hundreds to-
31
gether, which I have seen lying on the shore to my ad- miration ; yea, their nets ordinarily take more than they are able to haul to land, and for want of boats and men they are constrained to let many go after they have taken them, and yet sometimes they fill two boats at a time with them. And besides bass we take plenty of skate and thornbacks, and abundance of lobsters, and the least boy in the Plantation may both catch and eat what he will of them. Also, there is abundance of her- ring, turbot, sturgeon, cusks, haddock, mullet, eels, crabs, muscles, and oysters." We perceive from Mr. Higginson's account, that the quantity of all fish in our waters, has considerably diminished, and that some species of them are very scarce, if not entirely disap- peared.
Speaking of lights, he observes — " Although New- England has no tallow to make candles of, yet bv the abundance of the fish thereof, it can afford oil for lamps. Yea, our pine trees that are the most plentiful of all wood, do allow us plenty of candles, which are very useful in a house. And they are such candles as the Indians commonly use, having no other, and they are nothing else but the wood of the pine tree cloven in two little slices something thin, which are so full of the moisture of turpentine and pitch, that they burn as clear as a torch." Vvhat was the best light then, is now the worst, and would hardly be tolerated in a cot- tage.
Mr. Higginson says — " I will show you a little of the inhabitants and their government. For their gover- nors they have kings, which are called Sagamores, some greater and some less, according to the number of their subjects. The greatest Sagamores about us can- not make (or raise) three hundred men, and other less Sagamores, have not above fifteen subjects, and others near about us but two. Their subjects, above twelve years since, were swept away by a great and grievous
32
plague that was among them, so that there were ver^ few left to inhabit the country. The Indians are not able to make use of the one fourth part of the land, neither have they any settled places, as towns to dwell in, nor any ground as they challenge for their own pos- session, but change their habitation from place to place. For their statures, they are a tall and strong limbed people, their colours are tawny ; they go naked, save only they are in part covered ; their hair is generally black, and cut before, like our gentlewomen, and one lock longer than the rest, much like to our gentlemen, which fashion I think came from hence to England. — For their weapons, they have bows and arrows, some of them headed with bone and some with brass. Their men for the most part live idly, they do nothing but hunt and fish. Their wives set their corn and do all their other work. They have little household stuff, as a kettle and some other vessels like trays, spoons, dishes and baskets. They do generally profess to like well of our coming and planting here ; partly because there is abundance of ground that they cannot possess nor make use of, and partly because our being here will be a means both of relief to them when they want, and also a defence from the enemies, wherewith before this plantation began they were often endangered. — For their religion they do worship two gods, a good god and an evil god. The good god they call Tantum, and their evil god, who they fear will do them hurt, they call Squantum. For their dealing with us, we neither fear them nor trust them, for forty of our musketeers will drive five-hundred of them out of the field. We use them kindly ; they will come into our houses some- times by half a dozen or half a score at a time, when we are at victuals, but will ask or take nothing but what we give them. We purpose to learn iheir lan- guage as soon as we can, which will be the means of doing them good."
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Tims are tlie Aborigines brought up in sad remem- brance before us. Tiie land, once speedily compassed by them in the chase, will no longer show the traces of their steps. The woods once resounding with their war song, will no more echo with its dreadful notes. The waters, once yielding them food, will no more bear them on its surface. As snow disappears before the rays of a vernal sun, so have they before the influence of a civilized population. They have gone down to the grave- We can say ; they were, but are not.
On the condition of the Plantation, Mr. Higginson wa'ites : — " When we came first to Nehumkek, we found about half a score of houses ; we found also abundance of corn planted by them, very good and well liking. And we brought with us about two-hundred passengers and planters more, which by common consent of the old planters w^ere combined together into one body po- litic, under the same Governor. There are in all of us, both old and new planters, about three-hundred, w^hereof two-hundred of them are settled at Nehumkek, now Salem. And the rest have planted themselves at Mas- athulets Bay, beginning to build a town there which we do call Cherto, or Charlestown. We that are settled at Salem make w hai haste we can to build houses ; so that in a short time ^\e shall have a fair town. We have great ordinance, wherewith we doubt not but we shall fortify ourselves in a short time to keep out a po- tent adversary. But that which is our greatest com- fort and means of defence above all others, is, that we have here the true religion and holy ordinances of Al- mighty God taught among us. Thanks be to God, we have here plenty of preaching and diligent catechising with strict and careful exercise, and good and com- mendable orders to bring our people into a Christian conversation with whom we have to do withal. And thus we doubt not but God will be with us, and if God be with us, who can be against us" ? Thus wrote a
34
guardian of this place while in its infancy. Could he appear to our eyes, and meditate on the contrast be- tween his and our day (however shaded with its flitting clouds,) he would say with mentorial friendship, "Fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart ; for consider how great things he hath done for you." There is one thing observable in Mr. Higginson's words, as well as those of his cotemporaries. It is that Charles- town and the land of its immediate vicinity were refered to as within Massachusetts Bay, while Salem and ter- ritory to the South of it, were not considered as includ- ed in this Bay Not aware of such a fact, so contrary to present impressions, some have had their thoughts occasionally confused in perusing the early History of our State.
Though a good degree of harmony prevailed among the inhabitants of Salem, yet it was not perfect. The Messrs. Browns, already named, as recommended by the Company, contended for the Episcopal mode of worship. They had followers. They assembled by themselves on the Sabbath. They were reproved by the Governor and Ministers as promoters of schism, Avhen the closest union was essential to the welfare of the Colony. They replied to their reprovers : — " that they were Separatists and would soon be Anabaptists ; but as for themselves they would hold fast to the forms of the Church established by law." The Governor and Ministers denied and stated, that they only came away from the common prayer and ceremonies, because they judged the imposition of these things to be sinful corruptions of the word of God. Such controversy increased warmth of feeling, and drove the subjects of it further from reconciliation. About the 1st of August, letters were sent from Mr. Endicott and a majority of his Council to the Court of the Company in England with complaints against the Messrs. Browns.
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While various changes occurred in the infant settle- ment here to try its strength, and train it up to the ac- tion of manliood, an important alteration was effected by the General Court of the Company at home. Many persons of extensive property and high estimation, who were dissatisfied with the arbitrary proceedings of both Church and State, made a proposal to the Company. This proposal was to emigrate hither, provided the prin- cipal seat of colonial government were transfered to New-England. After several deliberations on this sub- ject, an agreement was made on the 29th of August, but was not finally confirmed till the 16th of October, in the foilowing terms: — "Whereby erection of hands it appeared by the general consent of the Company, that the Government and Patent should be settled in New-England, and accordingly an order to be drawn up."
In September, three ships, the Lion, Whelp, and Talbot, f^reisihted with the productions of the Planta- tion here, arrived in England. Among their caro;oes " were clapboards and other wood," and beaver skins. These skins were prized at 20d. per lb. There were five boys, which had been employed here as servants by the Company, sent home in the ships for their re- fractory conduct.
The Court in London enacted a laAV, that joint stock- holders, who had been at the expense of settling the Plantation, should have the exclusive trade in Furs for the space of seven years. At the end of this period they were to receive a just proportion in the stock and profits, and have a right to dispose of their shares. For the same length of time, tliey were required to be at one half of the expense of maintaining fortifications, the churches and ministers, and the Colonists were to an- swer for the other half.
The letters in reference to the Messrs. Browns, were laid before the Court in London the 19th of Septem- ber, and their conclusion was to have the difficulty com-
36
mitted to mutual referees. Before this date, the Court had retained letters of Messrs. Browns, which contain- ed strictures unfavourable to the Colony. In a short time after their letters were forwarded to England, the Messrs. Browns were ordered by the gov ernment here to leave the Plantation. They were dismissed in com- pliance with an order of the Company, received a few months before, which ran thus: — " Jt is often found that some busy persons (led more by their will tiian any good warrant out of God's Word,) take opportuni- ties by moving needless questions to stir up strife, and by that way to begett a question, and bring men to de- clare some difference in Judgment (most commonly in things indifferent) from wliich small beginnings great mischiefs have followed, we pray you and the rest of the Councell, that if any disputes should happen amongst you, that you sup])ress tliem, and bee carefull to main- tain peace and unitie." On account of Messrs. Browns the Company wrote to Messrs. Skelton and Higginson. Their letter follows : —
" Reverend Friends — There are lately arrived here, (being sent from the Governor, Mr. Endicott, as men factious and evil conditioned,) John and Samuel Brown, being brethren, who since their arrival have raised ru- mours (as we hear) of divers scandalous and intemper- ate speeches passed from one or both of you in your public sermons or pra} ers in New-England, as also of some innovations attempted by you ; we have reason to hope that their reports are but slanders ; partly, for that your goodly and quiet conditions are well known to some of us ; as also, for that these men, your accus- ers, seem to be Embittered against you and Capt. En- dicott for injuries which they conceive they have received from some of you there ; yet for that we all know that the best advised may overshoot themselves, we have thought good to inform you of what we hear, that if you be innocent you may clear yourselves ; or if
37
otherwise, you may be /ntreated to look back on your miscarriage with repentance, or at least to take notice that we utterly disallow any such passages, and must and will order for the redress thereof as shall become us ; but hoping, as we said, of your unblameableness herein, we desire that this only may testify to you and others, that we are tender of the least aspersion which either directly or obliquely may be cast upon the State here, to whom we owe so much duty, and from whom we hdve received so much favour in the Plantation where you now reside. So with our love and due re- spect to your calling we rest
Your loving friends,
Matt. Cradock, Gov^r. John Goff, Dep'y. Geo. Harwood, Treas^r. Thomas Winthrop, Thomas Adams, Symond W. Whetcombe, William Vassal, William Pinchon, John Revell, Francis Webb." Londoti, Oct. 16ih, 1629.
Under the same date they wa*ote to Gov. Endicott.
" Sir — As we have written at this time to Mr. Skel- ton and Mr. Higginson, touching the rumours of John and Samuel Brown, spread by them on their arrival here, concerning some unadvised and scandalous speech- es uttered by them in their public sermons or prayers, so have we thought meet to advertise you of what they have reported against you and them, concerning some rash innovations begun and practised in the civil and ecclesiastical government. We do well consider that the Browns are likely to make the worst of any thing they have observed in New-England, by reason of your
38
sending them back against their wills, for their offen- sive behaviour, expressed in a general letter from the Company there ; yet for that we likewise do consider that jou are in a Government newly founded, and want that assistance which the weight of such business doth require, we have leave to think that it is possible some undigested counsels have too suddenly been put into execution, which may have ill construction with the State here, and make us obnoxious to any adversary. Let it therefore seem good unto you to be very sparing in introducing any laws or commands, which may ren- der yourself or us distrustful to the State here, to which (as we ought) we must and will have an obsequious eye ; and as we make it our main care to have the Plantation so ordered as may be the most for the hon- our of God, and of our gracious Sovereign, who hath bestowed many large privileges and royal favours on this Company; so we desire that all such as shall by word or deed do any thing to detract from God's glory, or his Majesty's honour, may be duly corrected for their amendment and the terror of others ; and to that end, if you know any thing which hath been spoken or done either by the ministers (whom the Browns do seem tacitly to blame for some things uttered in their ser- mons or prayers) or any others, we require you if any such things be, that you form due process against the offenders, and send to us by the first (conveyance,) that we may, as our duty binds us, use means to have them duly punished. So not doubting but we have said enough, we shall repose ourselves upon your W'is- dom, and do rest your loving friends."
At a session of the Court in London, the 20th of November, the Messrs. Browns complained that their property at Salem had been undervalued by appraisers. Early the year following, measures were adopted, which succeeded in healing the differences between them and tJie Company. Tiiey tarried in England four years,
39
and then returned hither to fill a sphere of usefulness and respectability. For their being constrained to leave this town, more blame has been laid on Mr. Endicott than he deserved. Others were as active as himself to ensure their departure. For what he did in that affair he had ample authority. But whether it was expedi- ent to exercise his power, as he did, is a question not easily solved. In the part he and his counsellors acted, there is no sufficient ground to suspect, that they were influenced by malicious purposes. The policy they pur- sued in reference to civil and ecclesiastical affairs, was not peculiar to them. It was common to their succes- sors in the colonial administration, was frequently com- plained of by the sovereigns of England, and ultimately became the cause of our Independence.
Though the colonists here had reason to be encour- aged by movements of the Company at home ; still the signs among themselves were cheerless and depressing. As the winter approached, disease and mortality began their dreadful work. Nearly one half of their number died. Among them was the Ruling Elder, Henry Haugh- ton. Such a repeated event was enough to have driven ordinary adventurers from the shores, which breathed pestilence and death. But the mourning survivers con- tinued firm and hoped for better days. While they looked in imagination to the more healthy residences of England, others w ere earnestly engaged in prepar- ing to move thence, and become partakers with them in the trials of a new country.
1630. Under the new modification of the Company, John Wins hrop was Governor, and Thomas Dudley, Deputy. These gentlemen, with many others, were about to make their home in Massachusetts. Before leaving their native land, they published, through the Rev. Mr. White, their reasons for such an undertaking. They
40
expressed themselves with filial, liberal, and patriotic feelings towards the land of their birth and education. To the clergy they remarked — " However your charity may have met with some occasion of discouragement through the misreport of our intentions, or through the disafifection or indiscretion of some of us, or rather among us, for we are not of those that dream of perfec- tion in this w^orld, yet we desire you would be pleased to take notice of the principles and body of our company, as those who esteem it our honour to call the Church of England, from whence we rise, our dear Mother, and cannot part from our native country, where she specially resideth, without much sadness of heart, and many tears in our eyes, ever acknowledging that such hope and part as we have obtained in the common salvation, we have received from her bosom. We shall always rejoice in her good, and unfeignedly grieve for any sor- row that shall betide her, and while we have breath, sincerely desire and endeavour the continuance and abundance of her welfare with the enlargement of her bounds in the Kingdom of Christ Jesus." Thus ex- liibiting traits of affection, which adorn the character of every nation and period, they embarked in four ships ; they left several other vessels, which were to follow^ them. After a long and perilous passage, the Arabella hove in sight of this port the 12th of June. She came to anchor within Baker's Island. She was visited by Capt. Pierce of the ship Lion, then in the harbour. He came ashore and carried off Messrs. Endicott, Skclton and Leavit. On the return of these after a few hours, they were accompanied by some of those, just arrived. Speaking of this visit. Gov. Win- throp says : — " We that were of the assistants, and some other gentlemen, and some of the women, and our captain, returned with them to Neliumkeck, where we supped with a good venison pasty and good beer, and at night we returned to our ship, but some of tlie
41
women stayed behind." The Arabella was warped into the harbour on the 14th. Most of the passengers then left her under a parting salute of five cannons. During several months, more emigrants arrived here than had before in the same space of time. Seven ves- sels landed their passengers here, and ten others theirs at Nantasket and Charlestown. Thus about fifteen- hundred people came to Massachusetts. They were chiefly from London and the West of England.
On the 17th of June, Gov. Winthrop and others left Salem to look out a settlement. They went by water to Charlestown. On their return they lodged at Mr. Maverick's on Noddle's Island They got back here the 19th. In their course, they had stopped at Nan- tasket, and suppressed a dispute between Capt. Squib, of the ship Mary-and-John, and his passengers. These complained that instead of landing them on Charles River, as he had agreed, he put them ashore at Nan- tasket. He was afterwards compelled to pay damages.
While about moving hence to his intended abode, Gov. Winthrop was severely tried. It appears that one of his sons, who intended to accompany him to this country, had been unintentionally left at the Isle of Wight. This son had been lately married to a Miss Fones, who was left in the family of his mother. He followed his father, and arrived at Salem the 1st of July. But while coming ashore the next day, to re- ceive the congratulations of an affectionate parent, he was drowned. In a letter to his wife, a fortnight after so sad an occurence, Mr. Winthrop writes : — " We have met with many sad and discomfortable things, as thou shalt hear after ; and the Lord's hand hath been heavy upon myself in some very near to me. My son Henry ! my son Henry ! ah ! poor child ! Yet it grieves me more for my dear daughter. The Lord strengthen and comfort her heart, to bear this cross patiently. I know thou wilt not be wantine to her in this distress. 6
42
Yet for all these things, (I praise my God,) I am not discouraged ; nor do I see cause to repent or despair of those good days here, which will make amends for all."
The late emigrants foimd the inhabitants of this town in a wretched condition. They came in season to relieve them from the horrors of approaching famine. Even provision by such a supply was far from being abundant. Inhere was only sufficient for a few weeks. Of one hundred and eighty servants, whom the Compa- ny had sent over two years before, the remainder came to the last colonists, and/ifitreated for food. But, how- ever thus addressed, they were constrained to deny them for the most part, lest their own stores should be consumed. The provisions, put up for these suffering servants, had been left behind. The planters, being unable to maintain them, allowed them their freedom, though they had cost the Company from £16 to £20 each.
However surrounded by afflictions, the Colonists were grateful to their Maker for the timelv appearance of hundreds, who had lately Joined them, and aided to lessen their necessities. For such favour they observed a general Thanksgiving on the 8th of July.
The people here were called to sustain a severe loss in the decease of Mr. Higginson. He died Aua;ust 6th, ao-ed 43. He was born in Enaland in 1587. He receiv- ed his education at Emanuel College in Cambridge. He was settled as minister over one of five })arishes in Lei- cester. At first he was a strict Episcopalian. But led to examine the arguments of Hildersham and Hooker, and especially, the impositions in doctrine and ceremo- nies, forced upon the established Church, he sided with the Dissenters. For this change he was ejected from his living. His people, however, remained sincerely at- tached to him. They cherished more esteem for his piety and worth, than disregard for the alteration of his
43
views. They sought and obtained the privilege of hearing him preach one lecture on the Sabbath. The other part of the day he assisted an aged minister He resided in the diocese of a benevolent bishop, Dr. Wil- liams. This gentleman refused to persecute him, though threatened by ecclesiastical authority for such forbear- ance. The talents, acquirements, and character of Mr. Higginson, brought him the offer of some of the best livings in England. But his scruples of non-conformity would not suffer him to accept them, while his heart held no sufficient communion with the conditions of their being confered on him. Thus conscientious, he taught scholars for the maintainance of his family. Some of his pupils honoured his tuition by their subse- quent usefulness and respectability. The beneficence he inculcated on others, he endeavoured to practice him- self. Particularly were his sympathies excited and his charities drawn forth by the Protestant exiles, who had fled from Bohemia and the Palatinate, already de- solated by the French, and taken refuge in England. While thus inclined, Mr. Higginson had cause to fear, that he should be cited to answer for the stand he had taken, before the high Court of Commissioners. When so situated, tw'o men knocked at his door. He heard them say loudly : — " We must see Mr. Higginson." His wife hastened to his room and besought him to conceal himself He replied that he must stand in his lot and meet the messengers. He acordingly went to them. They presented him with a bundle of papers. They remarked to him, with feigned roughness. We must carry you to London. He answered with forti- tude,— This is what I expected. But on opening the package addressed to him, he was agreeably disappoint- ed. He found it contained an invitation for him to em- bark for New-England, as an asylum from his fears and perils. It seems that the bearers of such news
44
practised deception to render his joy more intense bv contrast. But his correct views of morality could hardly excuse management of this sort, though well in- tended. The proposal made for his labouring in a new country, received his serious consideration. He re- garded it as a call in Providence, — not a forced call, of which we so often hear and read, to gratify his selfish propensities, but one suited to the dictates of obliga- tion. As previously stated, he concluded to make his home in Naumkeag. AVhen embarked and arrived at Land's End, he called up his family and others to the stern of the ship, that they might take a parting look of tlieir native country. He observed to them : — " We will not say, as the Separatists were wont to say at
their leaving of England : Farewell Babylon,
fare\^ ell Rome ! — but we will say. Farewell dear England ! — farewell the Church of God in England, and all christian friends there ! We do not go to Nevr- England as Separatists from the Church of England, though we cannot but separate from the corruptions of it ; but we go to practice the positive part of Church reformation and propagate the Gospel in America." Such an expression of patriotism, magnanimity, and religion, cannot but accord with the vibrations of every enlightened conscience. He came to Naumkeag in hopes of re-establishing his infirm health, and prolonging his usefulness. — For a time, especially when penning his account of New-England, did he think his expecta- tions would be realized. But a merciful and wise God had pur{)osed otherwise. In the course of abundant exertions to secure the temporal, spiritual, and eternal good of his flock, Mr. Higginson was arrested by the hand of insidious disease. His last public labours were about the middle of .June, Before this he had been failing. A consumption threw over his contenance its varied, but too sadly presaging hues. In bearing the burden of his pains and trials, he leaned on the staff of
45
the Almighty. When a friend observed to hiin, that he must have the consohitions of faithfulness to his charge, — he answered : — " I have been an unprofitable servant, and all my desire is to win Christ and be found in him, not having on my own righteousness." Soon to leave a faithful wife and eight children, without pe- cuniary resources, he was consoled with the tijouglit, that their necessities w^ould be provided for while resi- dent here, according to his contract with the Cofupany; and especially that the Being, in whom he had lona; and supremely confided, " preserveth the stranger, and re- lieveth the fatherless and widow." As he approached the grave he freely remarked : — Although the Lord should call him away, he was persuaded that he would raise up others to carry on the work which was begun, and that there would be many churches in tJiis wilder- ness. When death came, he left this world with the Scriptural hope of a blessed inmiortality. So called, he had continued among his people over one year. But in this short period, they so learned his Vtorth as earn- estly to desire the long permanence of his labours among them. In his person he was slender and erect, but not tall. In his manners he was courteous and oblioiniT. His talents were of hish order. He well cultivated them in the fields of literature and divmity. A primitive writer on New-England, says of him, " a man indued with grace, apt to teach, mighty in the Scriptures, learned in the Tongues, able to convince gainsay ers." As a preacher, Mr. Higginson was un- commonly popular. Before his coming hither it was usual for many to assemble from various towns, that they might hear him. In his parochial callings he acted from no time serving policy ; but from principle, ap^ pointed in heaven, and recorded in the Bible. He suf- fered no unworthy person to comnnjine with his chinch. For so sacred a service he required evidence of morality and religion. In his opinion of non-essentials, he was
46
more candid than some of that day. While he persuad- ed his people to beware of the corruptions, imposed on the English Church, he would have them esteem its long standing doctrines as worthy of their belief and improvement. The part which he and other counsel- lors of the government here, took in counteracting the ecclesiastical views and proceedings of the Messrs. Brovtns, brought upon him the censure of these gentle- men. J\o doubt, on an occasion so trying to his feel- ings, he endeavoured to pursue the path of duty. Whether his purpose deviated from such a course, is a question, which cannot easily be answered at this late period. Two of Mr. Higginson's children followed his profession. One, whose name was Francis, went to Europe. He resided at Leyden some time, and vis- ited several Universities on the Continent for the im- provement of his mind. He settled as minister at Kerby Steven in Westmoreland, England. There he died about 1670 in the fifty-hfth year of his age. He was the fust who wrote against the Friends. The other son, named John, was settled over the Congregation of his father thirty years after his decease. Mr. Higginson published the works, already mentioned and quoted. They were reasons for settling New- England and an- swers to objections ; and a description of the Massa- chusetts Colony. The latter passed through several editions in London. Besides these an interesting ac- count of his voyage to this place has been printed. His last sermon was preached after the landing of the emi- grants, who accompanied Gov. Winthrop. The text of it was : — " What went ye out into the wilderness to see."
A Court of Assistants was convened at Charlestowii on the 28d of August. It was composed of Gov. Win- throp and eia;ht other members. Mr. Endicott, though of their body, did not sit with them till their session in September. The reason probably was, that, as he had
47
entered on a second marriage a few days before, his at- tention was called to domestic arrangements. The Court while in session enacted, that ministers should be maintained, and have houses built at the common charge. From this act Salem and Mattapan, or Dor- chester, were exempted. The Court ordered that Jus- tices of the Peace should have power similar to that of such oflicers in England. It appointed Mr. Endi- eott as the Justice of this town.
About the last of August, Lady Arabella Johnson died here. She was daughter to the Earl of Lincoln, whose family was highly esteemed, and deeply inter- ested in the welfare of New-England. Two of the As- sistants, composing the first Court at Charlestown, had resided in this family. Their names were Bradstreet and Nowell. Mrs. Johnson had a sister married to a son of Sir Fernando Gorges, the proprietor of Maine, and another to Sir John Humphrey, who settled at Saugus. She left the conveniencies of wealth and the attractions of honour for the hardships of a new world. To them with many of her connexions she bade adieu, in order to enjoy civil and religious freedom with a be- loved husband, in a land of perils and strangers. She lived but a short time in the country, where she had an- ticipated many joys as well as trials. She was buried with expressions of general esteem and grief. Her de- cease was a source of deep affliction to her husband, who survived her only a month. He died in Boston, lamented by its inhabitants, as one in whom they placed strong hopes of future benefit to JMassachusetts.
The Court of Assistants sat the 28th of September. They passed a law for this and other Plantations, which forbid any to teach the Indians the use of fire- arms. This order appears to have had its rise princi- pally from the conduct of Thomas Morton. But three weeks before, the Court ordered him to be " set in the Bilboes," sent to England as a prisoner, have his goods
48
^iven to the Indians as satisfaction for a canoe of theirs, which he had taken, and his house burnt in their sight, for wrongs which, it was said, he had done them. They appointed John Woodbury to serve as constable of Sa- lem one year. They required that Master Masons, Joiners, and Carpenters should receive no more than 16d. per day, and the workmen under them no more than 12d ; and that labourers in general, should have no more than 12d. a day, and 6d. for meat and drink. They forbid Corn to be sold to any English or Indians, or to be sent out of the Colony, without a license from them. They appointed Capt. Patrick and Capt. Underbill as military instructors, and required them to be maintain- ed at the common charge. They assessed a tax of £50 for this object. Salem out of nine Plantations stood the seventh. Its proportion was £3. It appears that the custom for supporting military commanders was now commenced, and that it continued under different modes for a series of years.
On a jury of fifteen, empannelled to inquire concern- ing the death of Austin Bratcher, who had died of blows on Cradock's Plantation, Peter Palfrey of Salem was one. They brought in a bill of manslaughter against Walter Palmer, who was ordered to be tried the next month.
October 19th, it was propounded as a matter of general concern, whether the Freemen had not better choose the Assistants, and the Assistants choose the Governor and Deputy Governor, and these with the Assistants make the requisite laws.
Between this date and the 18th of May following, a considerable number of persons proposed themselves to the Court for being acknowledged as freemen. Among them were Samuel Skelton, Samuel Sharpe, Thomas Graves, Roger Conant, Roger Williams, John Wood- bury, Peter Palfrey, John Balch, and William Trask, of this town.
49
The wolves were exceedingly hurtful here and in other Plantations. They had killed six calves, owned in this place ; which were then a very serious loss to tlie inhabitants in their necessitous and precarious con- dition. To prevent such depredations, the Court of Assistants offered, the 9th of November, a reward of Id. for every wolf, killed by an Englishman. To promote the interests of the Colony here and elsewhere, they also offered a premium of one farthing for every horse, cow, bullock,^sw)ne, or goat, which should be raised to a certain age. They required the people here and in general, to leave the price of beaver discretionary with traders, and not continue it at 6s. per lb. as it had been.
On a jury of twelve, who cleared Walter Palmer, charged with the death of Austin Bratcher, was John Balch of this town.
Dec. 28th, the Court of Assistants, after several con- sultations about a suitable place for being fortified, and for the seat of Government, agreed to have it at New- ton, afterwards Cambridge. All the members, except Mr. T. Sharp and Mr Endicott, agreed to build houses, and move their military stores thither the next Spring. The former person was about returning to England. The latter had so located his property and formed his connexions in Salem, he would have had more difficul- ty in renewing his abode than the rest. This project of building and settling Newton was relinquished at the end of the next year, to the damage of Mr. Dudley in particular, and to a disturbance of harmony between him and Mr. Winthrop.
Great mortality existed here and in other places. It is computed that from April to December, one hundred of the people of Salem died.
1631. Deprived of their religious Teacher, our fathers wish- ed for another to supply his place. They heard of Mr.
50
Roger Williams, who had arrived at Nantasket witii his wife the 5th of February. He was accounted a valuable acquisition to the Colony. He was born in Wales 1599. He became pious at the early age of ten. He was educated at Oxford under the patronage of Sir Edward Coke. He is represented as having studied law with this eminent jurist. He had been a strict churchman ; but altered his views, when the innova- tions of Charles and his advisers were made more im- portant, than the weighty matters of religion. The Society here soon invited him to preach, or prophesy, as the term was in reference to candidates not ordained. They invited him to settle as Teacher with Mr. Skel- ton. He accepted their call. But at this point of their connexion, the Governor and Assistants interfered. These wrote to Mr. Endicott, in April, as one having a principal concern in his proposed settlement. The im- port of their letter was, that as " Mr. Williams had re- fused to join with the Congregation at Boston, because they would not make a public declaration of their re- pentance for having communion with the churches of England, while they lived there ; and, besides, had de- clared his opinion, tliat the magistrate might not punish the breach of the Sabbath, nor any other offence, as it was a breach of the first Table ; therefore, they mar- velled they should choose him without advising with the Council ; and withal desiring hhn, that they would forbear to proceed till they had confered about it." — W'^hen such a communication was received, it put a stop to the measures for his ordination. Thus hindered he ■went to Plymouth. There he assisted Mr. Smith in the ministry about two years, unconscious of the severe trials which awaited him.
Much distress was experienced through the Planta- tions during winter. The scurvey prevailed. Provi- sions were alarmingly scarce. Wheat meal was over 03 ; Corn and Peas were over 82 per bushel. Many
51
were forced to live on muscles, clams, acorns, and ground-nuts. A Fast was to have been observed on the 6th of February : but the Lion, Capt. Peirce, ar- riving with supplies on the 5th, it was exchanged for Thanksgiving on the 22d.
At a Court of Assistants, March 1st, it was ordered, that all the Colonists who were employing Indians as servants should discharge them ; and that they should hire no more of them, without permission from the Go- vernor.
At this season the abundance of fowl was extraordi- nary, and must have served as a relief to those, whose provisions were scanty. One writes — ''■ From fair day- light till 8 A.M., fly over all the towns in our Planta- tions, so many flocks of doves ; each flock containing many thousands ; and some so many that they obscure the light."
On the 15th of March, Mrs. Skelton, wife of the Pastor, died. Her decease was a heavy loss to society. She moved in her difficult sphere with so much discreet- ness as to engage the esteem of her acquaintance. She honoured the profession of her husband and gave effect to his precepts. Her conduct made her life desireable to others, and her death sincerely lamented.
On the 22d, the Court of Assistants enacted, that the wages of labourers and mechanics, which had been defined, should be left without legal restrictions ; that all persons should be armed, except magistrates and ministers ; that all cards and dice should be destroyed.
On the 18th of April, they ordered that every Cap- tain should train his company once a week, on Satur- day ; and that no person should travel alone from the Plantations to Plymouth, nor any without arms, though several together. — Such precaution appears to have been taken, because a dread existed here, that the Mo- hawks were about to attack the Colony and the adjacent Indians.
52
At the same date, the Court instituted an inquiry, concerning a charge of battery against the Assistant from this town, as committed u])on Tliomas Dexter. The case was decided unfavourably to the former, and he was fined 10s. In reference to this and other mat- ters, Mr. Endicott writes the following letter to Gov. Winthrop :
" Right Worshipful — I did expect to have been with you in person at the Court, and to that end 1 put to sea yesterday and was driven back again, the wind being stiff against us. And there being no canoe or boat at Saugus, I must have been constrained to go to Mys- tic and thence about to Charlestown, which at that time durst not be so bold, my body being at this pres- ent in an ill condition to wade or take cold, and there- fore I desire you to pardon me. Though otherwise I could much have desired it, by reason of many occa- sions and businesses. There are at Mr. Hewson's Plantation five or six kine very ill and in great danger, I fear they Avill hardly escape it, Avhereof two are mine, and all I have, which are worse than any of the rest. 1 left mine there this winter to do Mr. Skelton a pleas- ure to keep his for him here at Salem, that he might have the benefit of their milk. And I understand by Wincoll, that they have been ill tended, and he saith almost starved." (Here four lines arc omitted.) " 1 could wish when Manning hath recovered his strength, that you would free liim, for he will never do you or Mr. He\^'son service, for when he was well he v»'as as negligent as the worst of them. Mr. Skelton, myself, and the rest of the Congregation desire to be thankful to God and yourself for your benevolence to Mr. tJaugh- ton's child, The Lord restore it you. I prevailed w ith much ado with Sir Richard for an old debt here, V. hich he thought ^vas desperate to contribute it, which 1 hope I shall make good for the child. I think Mr.
53
Skelton hath written to you, whom he thinks stand most in need of contribution of such provisions as you will be pleased to give among us of that which was sent over. The eel pots you sent for are made, which I Jjad in my boat, hoping to have brought them with me. I caused him to make but two for the present ; if you like them and his prices (for he worketh for himself) you shall have as many as you desire. He sells them for 4s. a piece. Sir, I desired the rather to have been at Court, because I hear I am much complained of by goodman Dexter for striking him. I acknowledge I was too rash in striking him, understanding since it is not lawful for a justice of peace to strike. But if you had seen the manner of his carriage with such daring of me with his arms akimbo, &:c. it would have provoked a very patient man. But I will write no more of it, but leave it till we speak before face to face. Only thus far further, that he hath given out, if I had a purse he would make me empty it, and if he cannot have justice here, he will do wonders in England, and if he cannot prevail there he will try it out with me here at blows. Sir, I desire that you will take all into consideration. If it were lawful to try it at blows, and he a fit man for me to deal with, you should not hear me complain ; but I hope the Lord hath brought me off from that course. 1 thought good further to write what my judg- ment is for the dismissing of the Court till corn be set. It will hinder us that are far off exceedingly, and not further you there. Men's labour is precious here in corn setting time, the Plantations being yet so weak. I will be with you, the Lord assisting me, as soon as conveniently I can. In the mean while I commit you to his protection and safeguard, that never fails his chil- dren, and rest
Your unfeigned and loving friend to command,
JO. ENDICOTT.'" Salem, April I2th, 1631.
This letter goes to show, witli known facts, that a common way of going to Comt IVom this part of the country was by water ; and that the land communica- tion was very inconvenient. It indicates that a few cattle were valued above droves at this day ; and at- tention to raising a harvest was deemed more import- ant than legislation. It presents Mr. Endicott as acknowledaino; his error in the chastisement of Thomas Dexter. His remarks on this unhaj)py affair, were more in accordance with the customs of that time, than with those of the present. Next to refraining from wrong, is repentance and confession for its being com- mitted.
JVJay 18th, the Court order, with full consent of the Commons present, that a General Court shall be held at least once a year, at which the Commons may have liberty to j)ropound the persons, whom they ^^ ould pre- fer for Assistants, and to exercise a similar right in their removal for misconduct or incompetency. They also, enacted, that, as an indispensable condition to be- coming a Freeman, every candidate for such a privi- lege, must be a reputable member of some regular chinch. Many, who refused to comply with this sta- tute, were shut out from voting for officers of govern- / ment and from all places of trust. As might be expected, they made complaint, which reached the throne, and increased prejudices against the Colony. Still the reg- ulation, though nominally abrogated on the accession of Charles 11. continued till the discontinuance of the Charter.
May 27tli, a pinnace of 18 tons came to Salem from Virginia, and sold her load of tobacco and corn. The last article went for ,^'2,22 per bushel.
June l4th, the Court ordered that Philip Radcliji for reproaches against the government and the Church of Salem, should be whipped, have his ears cropped, and be banished. The sentence was executed. This
09
tcm. a. rreat iigmr of Z -iet3.
Jnlv oau a levy oi i^jiJ was nade qq uic: several
Plan^iadoos tor makiiLr '' '"' ' -rk firom Charles River to
XewioQ. >5leTD*> ' -- was £^. li stood die
iltiir -
Ir i^ - _ . '..r ,rr^ ' --died Tar-
readiies. or Eg^T-fm . fs in ike
yicioi' . -5
assaiLt..^ ^- .^ .^ .- ., .-. c .^ -- ---.^ ^.13.
Thev Kiiied seven men and wocmced odiers. Tbev also made an attack in the dark ca a guard near :^aff- 2U5- In the morains expresses were lorwarded to die nei^hbocirin^ towns. The cannoa from Salem were disch:-. ' ' - ■ ~ - " -?
liieT^.. : .. i._. 1 .:. .___- . , .--_:-
ed as cannibals, enterprism^ in their ei -. and
brave in resisdu-z tbeir :o«:s. cs : er
they appeared. Eci'orr me set:.: — — . -- -. "-^i-
ihev had been such a scoorse to the Indians «: Massa-
and siain bv them. In -
Codr. :__, _ , „_ _. ._ ^
in^- But torced bv the wind to make a hart>«ir si F" . the cr "- - v.
E _. Here^.- .. ms
at the peril of their lives to exiort corn from his juris- diciioii- "^ -
throp ca "._ , „. ,_ ._ ^
conduct of the latter seflilenian mav appear inhumaa u_ : - " , -,65
^; . ; ^ s. . j; ■. "'^^
were in sreat droits ibr sraiu to sappcrt hi'e. Tlie
56
ford must have been aware of such a fact. He was probably influenced by it as well as by the dictates of self preservation, to prevent our people's trading with his for such an article.
Oct. 1 8th, the Court for some offence not named, or- dered Thomas Graves' house at Marbleharbour to be pulled down, and no Englishman to give him entertain- ment. This person had sustained a reputable charac- ter, and came highly recommended by the Company, as a man of uncommon talents and attainments. — They assessed a tax of £60, for making a Palisade about Newton, and made the proportion of Salem £4 10. — They enacted, that on account of the scarcity of money, corn should be taken by creditors for their demands at the usual price, excepting cases in which cash and bea- ver had been promised.
Oct. 25th, Gov. VVinthrop with Capt. Underbill and others, visited this town on foot. Their chief business was witii Mr. Endicott. He gave them a polite and fiiendly reception. The necessities of that period cau- sed the mode of their travelling to be exceedingly dif- ferent from the mode of similar officers in these days.
About this time, it was customary with the inhabit- ants here and elsewhere to give the title of Mr. and Mrs. to but very few of either sex. The usual appella- tions of adults were goodman and goodwife before their respective surnames.
1632.
March 6th, the Court of Assistants enacted, that no person should transport money or beaver from the Co- lony to England, unless by a permit from the Governor. In case any one violated this regulation, he was liable to forfeit the money and beaver concerned in such a trespass.
J\Iay 9th, the General Court required, that each town should choose two persons to confer with them on the
61
subject of raising a general stock. Salem selected Ro- ger Conant and Peter Palfrey for th'is business. They agreed to a mode of election different in some degree from previous practice. It was that the Governor and Assistants should be annually chosen by the General Court, and that the Governor should be always from the Assistants. This Court (agreed on the year before) appears to have now commenced the operations of its political existence. It did not supersede the Courts of Assistants, which were to be continued monthly. By having it formed and carried into effect, the people made an advance in power, which appears to have been their right, and which they perseveringly sought.
June 13th, a Thanksgiving, which was appointed the 5th, was observed for the success of Gustavus, the Swedish king, and the Protestant forces in Germany, against the Emperor ; and for the safe arrival of vessels, which were anxiously expected over.
July 3d, the elders and brethren of the church here, and of the church at Plymouth, were requested by the church of Boston to give their advice on the following questions : — Can a person be properly a Magistrate and a ruling Elder at the same time ? If he may not, then which of the offices should he prefer ? Should there be more than one Pastor in the same Congregation ? To the first inquiry they returned a decided answer in the negative. In reference to the other two, they did not feel prepared to give a definite reply.
The Court of Assistants granted Mr. Endicott, of their number, 300 acres of land. The Indian name of its location, properly translated, was Birch Wood. It was bounded by Cow House River on the S. ; Duck River on the N. ; and Wooleston River on the E. The names of the two first Rivers were derived from the In- dians. They also granted Mr. Skelton 213 acres of land in several lots. Twelve of them were on the Neck.
58
August 7th, they enacted, that every company should' maintain its captain. Previously sucii an expense was borne by the colony. This vote was altered in a few years to its first form.
The Summer, having been wet and cold, cut off the hopes of a corn harvest. Such a dispensation of Provi- dence was dreadful to the colonists, \^hose resources for food were precarious, and who had suffered much from scarcity.
In the course of the Autumn, fears prevailed here and elsewhere of a conspiracy by the Indians. The Nar- ragansets and others appeared to be preparing for an attack on the English. One of their Powaws gave infor- mation, that they mtended to cut off the Colonists. Indi- cations of tiieir unlriendliness were perceived in their being querulous about their lands, and not visiting the houses of the planters, as they had been accustomed. A false alarm was given at Boston, that they were coming to attack its inhabitants. This alarm reached Salem and other places, and was answered by a tel- egraphic mode of conveying intelligence. In such a state, watchmen of every town were at their stations both day and night.
October 3d, the Court of Assistants confirm the former instructions of the Company, by ordering that none within Mssachusetts should take tobacco publicly, on the penalty of Id. for every such offence.
November 21st, this and other Plantations were in- terested in the enterprise of a bark and 20 men, sent by the Governor against a company of pirates, headed by Dixey Bull, at the Eastward. These national out- laws filled the crews of the colonial vessels with dread. Owing to unfavourable weather, the expedition against them failed. But not long alter wards, they were dis- persed, and ceased to be feared.
1633.
January, news spread here and at large, that the French had purchased and peopled the Scots Planta-
59
tion, called Port Royal, near Cape Sable. Fearing that, as Papists, thej would be troublesome neighbours, the Governor called together, from different parts of the Colony, the Assistants, Elders, Captains, and other principal men, on the l^th, to consult on measures best to be adopted. 1 hey advised to the commencement of a fort at Nantasket ; the completion of the one begun at Boston ; and the settlement of Agawam, as the means of preserving it for tillage and cattle, from the hands of the French.
February 22d, intelligence, deeply interesting to this and other plantations, came by the ship William. It stated, that charges against Massachusetts were exhibi- ted to the Privy Council in England, by Sir Fernando Gorges and Capt. Mason, through the influence of Sir Christopher Gardiner, Thomas Morton, and Philip Radclif^ '^J'hese three persons, for their disorderly con- duct, had been severely handled by the authorities of this country. — An additional ground of complaint were some letters, forwarded by Capt. Leavit of this town, who died on his passage to England. These letters, containing remarks against the Established Church, were opened and produced unfavourable feelings in the Lords of the Council. — Such an attempt to injure the government here by strong and partial representations to the Privy Council, failed of success for the present. Mr. Em«ianuel Downing, who had married the Gover- nor's sister, and who became a leading inhabitant of Salem, was a principal agent in turning the measures of the colony's foes to confusion.
March, provisions were exceedingly scarce here and elsewhere. Had it not been for the supplies of fish, the general suffering would have been severe. The price of corn was ^2 22 per bushel.
May, information, affecting this and other planta- tions, was brought, that a renewed attempt had been made by their enemies, to have New-England under
60
one general government, headed by Capt. Neal. To carry this point, they declared to the King and Council, that his subjects here intended to rebel against him, and be entirely independent of the Church and laws of England. In the discussion of this subject it was ad- vanced, that New-England would be of great benefit to the Crown b}^ furnishing such articles, as masts and cordage, in case the Baltic should be closed upon its commerce. But after the foes and friends of the Colo- ny had been heard, decision was made in its favour.
June 19th, a day of Thanksgiving was observed for deliverance from the plots of enemies and the arrival of friends.
July 2d, the Court of Assistants fine a person at Marbleharbour 3()s. for intemperance on the Sabbath. They enact that no one shall sell w ine or strong water, without leave from the Governor ; nor even give the latter to an Indian in the course of trading with him. They also order, that if a corn fence be not sufficient, according to the opinion of a town, and its owner delay more than two days to repair it, after notice, they shall have it mended, and take the expense out of his corn ; that any person may kill swine, which get into his corn, and the owner receive them and pay damages.
Sept. 17th, the ministers and elders of the Church here and through the Colony, were called by the Gov^ nor and Council, to advise about the location of the Rev. John Cotton, lately arrived to this country. Con- sidering him the most eminent in talents and attain- ments of any clergyman, who had emigrated hither, they concluded that he should be partly supported out of the Colonial treasury, and located at Boston. Ow- ing, however, to subsequent and very reasonable objec- tions of members among the Council, his immediate congregation maintained him entirely.
Oct. 3d, the Court of Assistants ordered the 16th to be observed as a day of Thanksgiving. Though op-
61
pvessed with trials, the Colonists did not forget their blessings. — The same Court, having perceived that it was customary to have religious lectures held at Ta- verns in the forenoon, enacted that none should be held there in future before one o'clock. — Of a £400 rate this town was assessed £28 ; and stood the seventh on the list.
Oct. 10th, the ship James, Capt. Grant, arrived here from Gravesend, in a passage of fifty six days. She brought twenty passengers for this place, thirty for Pis- cataqua, and thirty for Virginia. She also brought sixty cattle, which were then a very desireable acquisi- tion. A cow was worth from £20 to £26 sterling. An ewe goat was worth from £3 to £4.
Nov. 5th, the Court of Assistants order that Salem, Agawam and Saugus shall pay for three days work, at ls6d. each for every man, excepting Magistrates and Ministers, towards the fort at Boston. This was done to prevent objections, which Newton had to working on the fort, because the towns, already named, had not performed their part.
As the harvest of corn had been much injured by swine, and a scarcity thereby likely to ensue, they en- act that swine should not be fed on corn, if fit "for man's meat ;" and that every Plantation shall agree how many swine each person may keep summer and winter. This act was unpopular, and exertions were used for its re- peal the next year. The price of corn at this time was 01,33.
November, Roger Williams had returned to Salem from Plymouth. While there he perceived some lead- ing members opposed to his particular opinions. One thing by which he gave them offence, was his contend- ing, that the appellation, good-man, should be given only to those, who manifested evidence of piety. But he yielded this point by the advice of Gov. Winthrop, who was on a visit at Plymouth the last year. Still
62
on account of views, as to other subjects, different from those of some in his Congregation, he requested a dis- mission, after labouring among them with great accept- ance and usefuhiess. His request was granted. He was followed hither bv a part of his people. He again assisted Mr. Skelton. Thus reunited in Gospel labours, they were fearful lest the association of colonial minis- ters would injure the liberties of the churches, and bring them under Presbyterian oider^. For this reason they strongly objected to the meeting of clergymen from the Bay and Saugus. It appears that those clergymen met once a fortnight, and discussed questions, deemed most important. They probably gave rise to the various as- sociations of Congregational ministers, which have long existed in New-England. The dread which Messrs. Skelton and Williams entertained of Scottish Presbyte- rianism, was much lessened among those, who lived to cherish it, in 1638. Then the Presbyterians of Scot- land covenanted to maintain the rules of their chinch against the encroachments of Charles 1. Thus they identified themselves with the Puritans, in resisting his abused authority. These two denominations, being so connected, lost sight of many jealousies, which had previously kept them asunder. Union in seasons of peril hides non-essential differenc/es, and chiefly points to impending evil.
Nov. 8tli, the Court of Assistants order, that no per- son shall receive a greater profit on heavy goods than 4d on Is., excepting cheese, wine, oil and strong wa- ter ; and on articles, such as linen, not so much profit. They require that traders should have a good con- science in their transactions.
December, great mortality prevailed among the In- dians, bordering on Salem, and in other parts of the Colony. James Sagamore and most of his people died at Saugus. They were infected with the small pox. — Such a disease, without its present means of allevia- tion, spread terror in every direction.
63
Dec. 27th, the Court of Assistants received a Trea- tise from Roger Williams, which he had shown to the Governor and Council of Plymouth. He maintained in it, that however the Colonists had received a grant of their soil from the Crown, they could have no just claim to it without the consent of the Aborigines. On this subject he had drawn up a letter, " not without the approbation of some of the chief in New-England, then tender also upon this point before God, directed unto the King himself, humbly acknowledging the evil of that part of the Patent, which respects donation of lands." In the treatise he also charged King James with falsehood, for declaring himself to be the first Christian Prince that had discovered New -England ; and him and others with blasphemy for designating Europe by the term, Christendom ; and he applied to the reigning King, Charles, three offensive passages from the Apocalypse. The Governor wrote to Mr. Endicott on the subject, and requested him to use his influence with Mr. Williams to retract the opinions of the treatise. Mr. Endicott returned an acceptable an- swer, Mr. Williams sent an apology to the Governor and Council, stating, that as he had been required to leave a copy with the Governor of Plymouth, he thought proper to have it known to the authorities of Massachusetts ; and that he was far from intending to create division by its contents. He also expressed him- self as willing, that the book or treatise, he had for- warded to them, might be burnt partially or entirely ,^ just as they should choose.
1634. Jan. 24th, the Governor and Council, in connexion with the Rev. Messrs. Cotton and W ilson, reconsidered the offensive parts of Mr ^Villiams' treatise. They agreed that its contents were not so objectionable, as they at first suspected. They came to the conclusion-
64
that if he would take the oath of allegiance to the King, he should be excused for what had passed.
Feb. 22d, Mr. Allerton employed six fishing boats at Marbleharbour. At the first of the month, he had met with a heavy loss in having the most of his goods con- sumed, with a house of Mr. Cradock, which he and his men occupied.
March 4th, the Court of Assistants order that no person, without a special license from them, shall pur- chase land ot the Indians. — Mr. Endicott, like other Assistants in their respective towns, was required by the Court to use his influence in Salem for obtaining aid to build a sea and moveable fort, twenty-one feet wide and forty feet long.
On the 7th, at a lecture in Boston, a question was discussed as to the ladies' wearing veils. Mr. Cotton, though while in England of an opposite opinion on this subject, maintained that in countries where veils were a sign of submission, they might be properly disused. But Mr. Endicott took different ground, and endeav- oured to retain it by the general argument of St. Paul. Mr. Williams sided with his parishioner. Through his and others influence, veils Avere worn here abundantly. At the time they were most fashionable, Mr. Cotton came to preach for Mr. Skelton. His subject was upon wearing veils. He endeavoured to prove, that this was a custom not to be tolerated. The conse- quence was, that the ladies became converts to his faith in this particular, and, for a long time, left off' an article of dress, which indicated too great a degree of submission to " the lords of creation."
April 1st, the Court of Assistants ordered every per- son above twenty years, who had resided, or should be resident in Massachusetts six months, to take an oatli of fidelity. They required the constables and four more respectable inhabitants in each town, with the ad- vice of one or more of the next Assistants, to make an
65
estimate of the houses and lands, and have a record of it, as reference for future inheritances. They sent no- tice to the General Court, that expediency required Deputies to be chosen from each town, in order to form such a body at its next meeting.
May )4th, the General Court for elections assembled at Newton. Twenty-four of the Colonists appeared as Representatives of the Freemen. They passed several interesting resolutions. They defined the powers of the Legislature. They enacted a law, that no trial for life shoukl take place without a jury. After choosing the Magistrates, they voted that there should be four General Courts in a year ; that the whole body of Free- men should be present at the Court of Elections for Magistrates ; and that their deputies should act fully for them in the three other General Courts. Thus the principal Legislature of Massachusetts underwent an important alteration. The addition of Representatives to the Assistants and Governor was an imitation of the House of Commons in England ; and was in accord- ance with the spirit of liberty then increasing there. Such a change was produced by the freemen, because they believed, that the preceding government was still clothed with too much power. The House of Repre- sentatives in this Colony, was the second in America. One had been already formed in Virginia. The Rep- resentatives chosen by this town, were Messrs. Hoi- grave, Roger Conant, and J'rancis Weston. The General Court ordered the oath of freemen to be so far altered as to accord with the following form. " I, A. B., being by God's providence an inhabitant and freeman within the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth, do freely acknowledge myself to ])e subject to the gov- ernment thert^of, and therefore do here swear by the great and dreadful name of the everlasting God, that I will be true and faithful to the same, and will accord- ingly yield assistance and support thereunto with mv 9
66
person and estate as in equity I am bound, and I will also truly endeavour to maintain and preserve all the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome laws and orders, made and established by the same. And further, that I will not plot nor practise any evil against it, nor consent to any that shall so do, but will truly discover and reveal the same to lawtul authority now here established, for the speedy preveming thereof. Moreover I do solemnly bind mv- selfm the sight of God, that when I shall be called to give my voice, touching any such matter of this state, wherein Ireemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suttrage, as I shall judge in mine own conscience may best conduce and tend to the public weal of the body without respect of persons or favour of any man, so help me God in the Lord Jesus Christ." This was substantially the same as another, which had been pre- viously administered. Jt is given as a specimen of an- cient custom among the freemen of this and other riantations.
The Rev Thomas Parker, settled at Agawam, with over a hundred persons, and was joined by some from Salem.
July, Mr. Humphrey and wife, daughter to tlie Earl of Lmcoln, arrived here with ammunition for the Colo- ny. He brought intelligence, that many respectable pt^ople intended to follow them, though the Bishop and others of the Royal Council threw obstructions in the
7""^^' T,-^^,"" ^'""^ '^'"''''"^ of sixteen heifers, as a donation irom Richard Andrews of London, to the ministers of this and other towns of the Colony. If any of them remained, after each minister had one, they were to be confered on the poor. One half of the increase from those heiters, taken by the clergvmen, was to be reserv- ed for succeeding clergymen. Mr. Humplirey took up his abode at Saugus, now Lynn. Here he resided till he had lost most of his property, and then he returned
67
to England. Mr. Andrews, whose benevolence to the Colonists was shown by the donation, just mentioned, continued to manifest a similar disposition. Ten years afterwards, he is named on the records of this town, as having then transported supplies for its poor. His steady benefactions should keep his name from oblivion, and present him as an object of gratitude when the mind turns back on the scenes of our pilgrim fathers.
On the 9th, news, sad to this and every town of Mas- sachusetts, was reported. It was that the King's Coun- cil demanded the Colony's Charter. Mr. Cradock, a principal member of the Company, wrote to the Gov- ernor and Assistants on the subject. They returned this worthy gentleman an answer, that they could not surrender the Charter themselves, and must lay the matter before the General Court in September.
Aug. 2d, the inhabitants of this place were called to mourn the loss of Mr. Skelton. He had been debili- tated a considerable time. No records of his age are known. He was supposed to be older than his col- league, Mr. Higginson. Little was said of him by his cotemporaries, who wrote on the events of our Colonial history. Unhappily for his being mentioned with due attention, he differed about clerical associations and other subjects, from most of the principal persons in Massachusetts. A chief cause for which they were disaffected with him was his approbation of Mr. Wil- liams. He was also the tried friend, and had been the spiritual father of Mr. Endicott, whose opinions on some points, were becoming very unpopular. Thus thinking and connected, his biography has not been handed down with the particularity of those, who were equally meritorious, but no more so. It is compliance with the wishes of the great, and success in combatting for opinions, which often times, independently of real desert, confer upon recorded reputation its best propor- tions and fairest colours. Of Mr. Skelton's worthiness
68
no just doubt can be entertained. The conlidencc which the Comj)any in London placed in him at first, was never forfeited. They appointed him a member of the first Council here, and designated him as one of two to take charge of the Colony, in case of Mr. En- dicott's decease. As one of the executive authorities he took a deep interest in the Colonial welfare. AV^hilc sustaining this office, he was called to act with refer- ence to the case of Messrs. Browns. He with others, approved of their departure, as the most eifectual means of restoring peace to this Plantation. They, on their return home represented him, as maintaining s])ecula- tions against the Church and Crown, and thus doing what was unbecoming his sacred profession. Though their account produced a letter of caution from the Company to him and his colleague ; yet his motives and precepts, which "were so offensive to Messrs. Browns, would appear to persons, with difierent views of ecclesiastical and civil order, not only harmless, but quite justifiable. Frequently a principle or measure, entirely correct in itself, is viewed by the mind, under mistaken impressions, as exceedingly incorrect. As a Pastor, Mr. Skelton \^'as faithful to watch for the safety of his flock, and guide them in the way of duty and happiness. He was ready to reprove deviations from rectitude, and support the principles of truth. He ex- ercised fortitude under severe trials, and stood firmly in his lot. In his manners he was reserved. His talents and attainments were respectable. Johnson says of him : — " A man of giacious speech, full of faith, and furnished by the Lord with gifts from abo\e." In his various relations, he appeared to have acted with a wise reference to the decisions of Heaven. He toiled and expended his life, not for earthly distinction, possessions and happiness, hut for the approbation and blessing of God. He was taken from the troubles already gath- ering over his people, to the world " where the weary
69
Lire at rest." As one who ably, benevolently, and faithfully aided to lay the foundation of our present en- joyments, we should ever cherish the recollection of his services with respect and gratitude. We should not measure our esteem of him, by the scantiness of former eulogy, but by his real deeds and virtues. He left affectionate children and many friends to regret his decease.
Aug. 20th, a general Thanksgiving was appointed for the arrival of ships and emigrants, and for the more prosperous appearance of the times. Provisions were considerably plenty. Corn had fallen to 75 cents per bushel.
Sept. 3d, at a General Court at Newton, business was transacted, affecting this and other towns. A prominent question before that body, in which the As- sistant and Deputies from Salem took a part, was con- cerning the removal of the people in Newton to Con- necticut, under the Rev. Mr. Hooker. There was a majority of the Representatives for, and a majority of the Assistants against their departure. The reasons for removal were, that there was not sufficient room for cattle, and that the towns in Massachusetts w ere too far apart ; that Connecticut was more productive and con- venient, and should be occupied to prevent its settle- ment by others, especially the Dutch on Hudson River ; and that the planters of Newton were strongly inclined to remove. Reasons against removal were, that the oath, which Newton people had taken to seek the good of the Colony, would not allow, and that state policy forbid such an indulgence ; that they might be accom- modated in Massachusetts, and that the departure of their Church would be a judgment. The Deputies de- clined to comply with the wish of the Assistants, and great difficulty in the Colony was dreaded. In order for the peaceable adjustment of this question, they both concluded not to proceed any further for the present.
70
That their minds might look at it with deliberation and principle, a Fast was ordered to be observed on the 18th.
On the 24th, the General Court assembled, and then the Deputies surrendered the negative voice to the Assistants. By this means the inhabitants of Newton did not receive permission to become located in Con- necticut. A considerable number of them, however, carried their wishes into effect short of two years af- terwards, and, with their Pastor, settled Hartford.
At the Court on the 3d, other subjects were consid- ered. They granted power for the impressment of men to work on the forts. Capt. Trask, of this town, was appointed on a committee of seven, to superintend the fortifications. The public military stores were to be distributed equally among the Plantations. Peter Palfray of this place was chosen on a committee of six to run the boundaries of all towns not yet described. The Court enacted that no keeper of an ordinary should receive more tlian 6d a meal, and Id for an ale (]uart of beer out of meal times, on penalty of 10s. ; nor sufier any tobacco to be taken in his house. They forbid any person to use tobacco publicly on fine of 2sGd. or privately in his own dwelling, or dwelling of another before strangers ; and they also forbid two or more to use it in any place together. They grant Salem the ])riv- We'j^c of keeping a w^eekly market on Wednesday. They ordered that this place should have in addition to its ordnance, and as a proportion of its military stores, " tivo old Sakcrs,^'' on condition that it provided car- riages for them. Of a £600 rate for fortifications and other objects, the people here were assessed £45. They and Charlestown stood the same, and were tiio eighth on the list. The following is a record against prevail- in" fashions : — " The Court taking into consideration the great superfluous and unnecessary expenses, occa- sioned by reason of some new and immodest fashions,
71
as also the ordinary wearing of silver, gold and silk laces, girdles, hat-bands, &c. hath theretore ordered, that no person, either man or woman, shall hereafter make or buy any apparel, either woollen, silk or linen with any lace on it, silver, gold, silk or thread, under the penalty of forfeiture of such clothes, &c. Also, that no person, either man or woman, shall make or buy any slashed clothes, other than one slash in each sleeve and another in the back. Also, all cut works, embroid- ered or needle worked caps, bands, and rayles are for- bidden hereafter to be made and worn, under the afore- said penalty. Also, all gold or silver girdles, hat-bands, belts, ruffs, beaver hats, are prohibited to be bought and worn hereafter, under the aforesaid penalty. More- over it is agreed, if any man shall judge the wearing of any of the forenamed particulars, new fashions or long hair, or any thing of the like nature to be uncomely or prejudicial to the common good, and the party offending reform not the same upon notice given him, that then, the next Assistant, being informed thereof, shall have power to bind the party so offending, to answer to it at the next Court, if the case so require. Provided and it is the meaning of the Court, that men and women shall have liberty to wear out such apparel as they are now provided of (except the immoderate great sleeves, slash apparel, immoderate great rayles, long wings, &:c. This order to take place a fortnight after the publishing thereof."
Sept. 18th, intelligence decplj' affecting the interest of people here and through the Colony, arrived by the ship Griffin. It was, that a commission was granted " to the two Arch-Bishops and ten others of the Council," confering on them the authority to regulate the Plan- tations of New-England ; to establish and maintain the Episcopal Church in this country ; to recall its char- ters ; remove its Governors ; make its laws ; hear and decide its legal cases ; and appoint its punishments^ even death itself. The i!iteUi2;Gnce further related, tliat
n ship was coming secretly Avitli a new Governor for Massachusetts, and with orders calculated to prostrate its civil and ecclesiastical rights. Such news awaken- ed general anxiety, and hastened forward tiie fortifica- tions, and the assessment of an additional rate of £500 for defence.
Oct. 20th, a sad occurrence took place in reference to some persons of this Plantation. Six of them, being on a fowling party in a canoe, were overset near Ket- tle Island, and five of them were drowned.
Nov. 7th, the red cross being cut out of the ensign, beloniiing to the company here, such an act was com- plained of to the Court of Assistants at Newton. They ordered " that Ensign Danford shall be sent by warrant with command to bring his colours with him to the next Court, as also any other, that hath defaced the said colours."
27th, the Court of Assistants met respecting the de- faced colour. They were apprehensive that a deed of this sort would be construed as rebellion in England^ They conchulcd to write Mr. Downing, a friend of the Colony, tiiat he might excuse them from approving such an act. They however expressed themselves with caution. They did not feel prepared to assert, that it was ri^ht for the cross to be continued in their national flao. "Still they disapproved the manner, in which it had been treated in this town. They promised that those concerned in the deed, should be called to an ac- count. They also considered reports, that Mr. "Wil- liams had revived his preaching against the King, Church of England, and the tenure^ by which the Colonists held their lands. They charged him ^^ ith having bro- ken his promise not to declare such things. On this account, they cited him to appear at their next session.
The CongTegation here having worshipped from 162^* to the present vear in an unfinished building of one story, agreed with Mr. Norton to build a suitable meeting house, which should not exceed the amount of £100.
Janoarr- Mr. Afleiton's tv. : a i^naiitk;- :i
tax... , .. ; FreoclL. w:l. -\.
Bui their cc«iimaxK(jer- La To«r- replkd to tiit ap'pij^.^- tkm fof th J
u«e law;... ^_ '^
vrhiMmt a proper Ikea^ : aad * \. -'._''' pf-:: ^ :.
Januarv 19th- the mmkieTs of tfai« t-
?je doae. if the Kins seat a G^oeral Gor*^ .New-
aereed, that if soch a Goremor sfaoald coiDe- the C<4-
llie first reci»d§ <rf this toim refer to a diosioa oi land*. T -i br t'
Tants- iha: - *'n '
stealer families more, accordioir to :. —
T: . - - ^
of . , 1-
liallv. This eostoai lasted iDanj rear?- aud is well
of tiiat pe:. . :^-
io2 their vears. as coameaeins the 2'^h ot 31arcJi- It
1. aad Ki^hop L^ad. some forms oi the CailiGlic C liarcii
ifflprovesieiit of the Julian stjie o: , -
ad' ' '' ■ ^ 1
i*j
74
names, as invented by Romulus and amended by Numa. In Older, then, not to denote the months as the Catho- lics did, whose ecclesiastical corruptions had become more than commonly offensive to the Colonists, because an increased occasion of their being oppressed by the Crown, it is thought that our fathers marked the months by figures and not letters.
February, the town agreed that the Neck should no longer be for the use of goats ; but should be permitted to grow six days so that the cattle might feed on it dur- ing the Sabbath.
March 4th, the General Court assembled. Mr, En- dicott continued one of its Assistants. John Holgrave, Peter Palfrey, and Charles Gott, were Deputies to it from this town. It fined Salem £10, for not seasona- bly paying their proportion towards finishing the Cas- tle. Saujius was similarly fined. The fines however were remitted. The demur of these two places was probably occasioned by their supposing, that to take care of their own defences was sufficient. The Court ordered that no person should buy or sell tobacco on penalty of 10s. per lb. after September. That this and other parts of the Colony might be notified as to an ap- proach of enemies, it required a beacon to be placed on Sentry Hill in Boston. It enacted, that brass farthings should be uncurrent, and that 'musket bullets should pass in place of them. It ordered, that all persons who had resided in any plantation for six months, and were above 18 years, should take an oath of fidelity. The occasion of this measure was the report, that some, in- fluenced by the decision of the royal council, were en- deavouring to erect Episcopacy and prostrate Congre- gationalism. The oath, however, was so opposed by Roger Vv illiams, that he dissuaded various persons from taking it, and it therefore failed to be carried into ef- iect. The reason of his objection to it, was, that no oath was proper to be taken by impenitent people. Of
75
a £300 levy, the Court assessed Salem with the same amoLint as last year. It ordered, that merchantable beaver at IDs. and corn at 5s. i^terl. should be taken for rates. It appointed John Holgrave on a committee of nine to trade with friendly vessels, purchase their cargoes for the country, and dispose of them at 5 per ct. profit. It allowed that the House of Deputies should judge, as to the election of their members, and regulate the business of their own body. It ordered a commit- tee to be raised for considering the laws already enact- ed, and what more were needed, and report immediately. It requested the brethren and elders of every church, to devise a uniform and scriptural mode of ecclesiastical discipline, and consider how far the magistrates are bound to interfere so as to preserve peace and uniform- ity in the church. It appointed two grand juries. One of them was to inform the Court of March, and the other, the Court of September, in respect to offences, which should come to their knowledge. It called Mr. Endicott to answer for defacing the cross on the col- ours of this place. The members of it discussed the charge against him. They differed in opinion. Some thought that he had acted right and others wrong. The question was put over till the next session. So unset- tled was the public mind on this subject, the militarvcom- missioners ordered that all ensigns, whether with crosses or not, should be laid aside for the present. Of eleven commissioners, appointed by the preceding Court to superintend military affairs, Mr. Endicott was one. The same Court for some objections to Mr. Allerton, an enterprising inhabitant of Marblehead, requested him to move thence.
15th, two from this and other churches in the Colo- ny met at Saugus, and continued there three days, to settle difficulties, which had risen between the pastor, Mr. Batchelor and some of the brethren. These sup- posed, that, through his irregular proceeding, they were
76
not a properly organized church, and therefore, they refused to commune with the rest. Tlie council, thus assembled, apjiointed another meeting in order to hear the disaffected, and a part of them went to attend a lecture at Boston. While there they received informa- tion from the Pastor at Saugus, that he was about to proceed against those bretliren by way of excommuni- cation, and, on this account, he requested them not to rciturn home. They accordingly came back, and after hearing both })arties, they concluded, that though they were not constituted in duo order, still thev were a true chuich by having been publicly considered so, and acted under such a name.
April 30th, Mr. Williams was cited before the Gov- ernor and Assistants, to answer a comi)laint of his ])reaching against the administration of an oath to the impenitent. The reason assigned by him for such a doctrine, was, that it might be a means of preventing the profanation of God's name. He was heard on this subject before all the clergymen.
May Gth, the General Court granted, that there should be a Plantation at Marblehead. They required Salem to grant it land as its inhabitants enlarged. They forbid any to take up an abode tiiere without their leave or of two magistrates. They order that t!ie land, be- tween the " Clifte and Forest River," near Marble- head, should be improved by John Humphrey, Esq. and that if he Avanted it, they should sell it to him, provided it did not belong to Salem.
They appointed Mr. Ilolgrave to impress men to un- load the salt, which should arrive at different ports.
They gave leave to all the Plantations to transport corn out of the Colony.
They ordered that no pigs of the time, between the
last of July and the first of January, should be kept
longer than a month, and that no swine should be fed,
.for the same period, on corn, except refuse, or biOught
77
from other parts. They required this and every towu to furnish themselves with peck and bushel measures. and weights, and a " meate" yard, made by the stand- ards at Boston, sealed by James Pen, the Marshal, be- fore their session in September, on penalty of 40s. for every defect. They made a levy of £200. Salem's portion uas £16. Charlestown and Saugus were as- sessed the same. These three towns held the sixth grade.
At the General Court of the preceding date, Mr. Endicott's conduct about cutting out the cross, was formally considered. A committee reported, that he had acted without due authority ; that, if believing the cross to be a mark of idolatry, he should have taken measures for its bein^ disused in other towns as well as in his own ; that he had implicitly charjred other magistrates with permitting idolatry, and had exposed the Colony to the malevolence of England. In \\e^^ of these charges, they recomm.ended that he shotUd be admonished and left out of office one year. At the same time, they stated their belief to be, that he acted with no evil intentions. In consequence of this, he lost his election as an Assistant. Had most of the prin- cipal men, and many others in Massachusetts, been judged accordinjr to their opinion, as to retaining the cross in their ensigns, they would have fared no better than Mr. Endicott. They thought as he did on that subject. The difference between them and him was, that he manifested his opinion in deed, and they retain- ed theirs in secret. His openness of action was re- ported in England, and was construed as rebellion. The General Court Vvere constrained to notice what he had done, and bring in some sentence against him, as an ostensifeie sign of their lovalty. He was made the victim to pacify the displeasure of His JMajesty's Coun- cil, for w hat a lar^e number of the Colonists heartily approved. Had it not been for dread of the Crown.
78
Mr. Endicott's conduct would have been publiclj com- mended. The sphit of ojiposition to Popery, in all its signs as well as services, had then spread not only in Massachusetts but also in England. During the dis- cussion of the matter, which turned so hardly on Mr. EndJcott, a proposal was made, that the colours should bear a red and white rose, noted indications of the union, which had long before taken place between the Houses of York and Lancaster ; and that they should serve instead of the cross. The proposal, however, as circumstances show, was not adopted.
The Deputies from this and other plantations con- sidered, that it was hazardous to have important cases decided at the discretion of the magistrates, who were vmder the necessity of doing this, because no written code of laws was yet published. They, therefore, pro- posed that persons should be selected for forming a body of lav* s, similar to those of the Magna Charta. They, also, proposed that, when such a collection of laws was presented, they should be binding so far as the Elders and General Court should recommend.
On the 2 1 St, a Dutch ship, with 140 tons of salt, and 10,000 lbs. of tobacco, arrived here from Christo- pher Island, and another, the 7th of June, with pas- sengers.
June 16th, intelligence, deeply affecting the Colo- nists here and elsewhere, spread through their Planta- tions. It was, that their adversaries had so far prevailed in London, as to have New-England extend from St. Croix, or Schoodic River to Maryland ; be divided into twelve provinces ; and superintended by a general Gov- ernor and Council. It stated, that a ship had been pre- pared to transport the Governor and Council hither; but that by an extraordinary event, she was rendered altogether unlit for sea.
July 8th, Mr. Williams was arzain summoned before the General Court to answer certain charges. Besides
79
those, already brought against him, there were such as his maintaining it to be wrong to pray with impenitent persons, though the nearest relations ; and to render thanks after sacrament or common meals. The church here were also called to an account for receiving him as their teacher, when other churches were about to deal with him for his errors. These subjects were much debated. The opinions of Mr. Williams were disallowed as both erroneous and detrimental. The conduct of the church in receiving him, was construed as a contem})t of the Colonial authorities. He and his people were notified either to make satisfaction, or look for punishment by the next General Court, tie was also informed, that unless he refrained from delivering and retaining his offensive opinions, he would be re- moved out of Massachusetts. The inhabitants here petitioned the same Court for land at Marblehead Neck, which they claimed as theirs. They were not heard, because they had neglected to consult the Government about the receptioji of Mr. Williams. MjsJi/ 12th, the people here being much excited, be- / cause their late petition to the General Court was re- jected, took up the matter according to ecclesiastical usage. Their church wrote to other churches, exhort- ing them to admonish the magistrates and deputies, who belonged to them, and w ho had refused to com- ply with the request of Salem for its own land.
Aug. I5th, a tremendous storm was experienced. It began early in the morning and extended to the East and South of Massachusetts. It was accompanied with an abundance of rain. It injured house?;, beat down corn, destroyed many trees, and drove vessels from their anchorage. It raised the tide to an alarming height. The wind w as from N. E. and N. W. During this tempest a bark of Mr. Allerton, having twenty three persons on board, was cast away at Cape Ann. They were all lost, except two, Mr. Thatcher and ^vi^e.
80
They were bound from Newburj to Marblehead. The object of their voyage was to settle and form a church there under the Rev. John Avery. This person was loth to quit his residence at Newbury ; but influenced by the advice of his brethren in the ministry and of the magistrates, he consented to leave. The reason these assigned for his removal was, that Marbleharbour was inhabited b}^ people, engaged in the fishery, who were without any convenient privileges of worship, and, through such a deficiency, Avere becoming dissolute in their morals. Influenced by such motives, Mr. Avery denied his own wishes, commenced his passage, and perished with all his family, consisting of a wife and eight children. Mr. Thatcher and wife got to an Island under circumstances of remarkable preservation. The place AA here these two were saved, was named Thatch- er's Woe, and the rock where the vessel was lost, was called Aver}''s Fall. These names continue now, and are familiar to our seamen.
16th, Mr. Williams, unable from sickness to ad- dress his church verbally, wrote them a letter to the purport, that he was constrained to refuse communica- tion with churches in the Bay, and that he must do the same as to them, unless they united with him in such a refusal. Tliis church, however, did not deem agree- ment Avith him on this subject to be either proper or expedient. No doubt Mr. Williams' proposal to them arose from the fact, that the churches of the Bay, to which they had forwarded letters, as to dealing with members of the General Court for refusing the petition of Salem, had declined to take on themselves so respon- sible a service.
Sept. 2d, the General Court sits at Newton, as it had twice before. Among its Deputies were John Wood- bury and William Trask, from Salem. Mr. Endicott Avas called to answer for the part he had taken in the letters missive from the church, respecting the discipline
81
of those, who denied the petition for land at Marble- head. He contended that the step, which had been taken for such a purpose, was regular and just. His defence displeased the Court. They •• voted by cren- eral erection of hands, that Mr. Endicott be committed for his contempt in protesting against the proceedings of the Court.*' When, however, he made some ac- knowledgement, they dismissed him. They were no less disaffected with the deputies from this town. They even forbid them to take their seats as members of their body. They ordered them to return to their freemen and bring satisfaction for the letters sent out by their church, '• wherein^they have exceedingly reproached and vilified the magistrates and deputies of the General Court, or else the arguments of those that will defend the same with subscription of their names." They also voted, that should a majority of the Salem freemen disclaim those letters, they should continue to send deputies to their assembly. They passed the follow- ing resolution : — - Whereas Mr. Ro^er Williams, one of the elders of the church in Salem, hath broached and divulged divers new and dangerous opinions against the authority of the magistrates ; as also writ letters of defamation, both of the magistrates and churches here, and that before any conviction, and yet maintaineth the same without any retraction : it is therefore ordered, that the said Mr. Williams shall depart out of this ju- risdiction within six weeks now next ensuing : which, if he neglect to perform, it shall be lawful for the Gov- ernor and two of the Magistrates to send him to some place out of this jurisdiction, not to return any more without license from the Court." They gave the Rul- ing Elder the following notice : — •• Mr. Samuel Sharp is enjoined to appear at the next particular Court, to answer for the letter that came from the church at Sa- lem, as also to bring the names of those that will justify the same, or else to acknowledge his offence under his 11
82
own hand for his own particular." Surely the inhabi- tants of Salem had reason to fear, lest the vial of Icj^is- lative wrath would be poured on them to the ruin of their most respectable townsmen. Their affliction was great. If they did not sufficiently consult the General Court about the reception of Mr. Williams, still the Court should have treated their petition with greater respect and magnanimity.
Though the Court refuse^l to let Capt. Trask appear as a deputy from this place, yet they commissioned him to pursue a company of servants who had stolen a boat and other things, and fled to the Eastward, fie sur- prised them at Piscataqua and brought them to Boston. They were fined and severely whipped for their conduct.
The Court required this and other towns to send in money or workmen, for three days labour for each man, who had resided in the country a year, with the excep- tion of magistrates and schoolmasters, to fortify the Castle in Boston harbour.
The Court repealed the acts, relative to wages and prices of goods. They ordered a levy of £200. The portion of Salem was £16. This was the sixth highest of thirteen towns. The Court required that the depu- ties should be elected by paper votes as the Governor had been. They order that none but freemen shall be legal voters in questions of authority.
The Rev. Mr. Burdet was made a freeman. He had served in the ministry at Dover, in England. But disa])proving the Episcopal ceremonies, as then corrupt- ed, he came over to America. He was accounted an able scholar and a popular preacher. He became a member of the church here, and preached for them more than a year. Not falling in with their mode of discipline, he left for Piscataqua. Some over two years after his departure. Gov. Winthrop wrote to him and others, as being too favourable to the persons who had been excluded from Massachusetts. He returned an
83
answer, which appears not to have been sufficiently re- spectful.
Oct. 6th, the Rev. Hugh Peters arrives in this coun- try with Rev. Messrs. Wilson, Shepard, Jones, and other clergymen. He soon commenced his Gospel la- bours both at Boston and Salem. His first sermon here was preached at Enon, now Wenharn, but then a part of Salem. The place of his preaching was on a hill, which overlooked a spacious pond. His text was strik- ingly suited to the localities of the situation. It was — " At Enon, near to Salim because there was much wa- ter there."
October, the General Court, accompanied by the ministers of the Colony, called again on Mr. Williams to answer for the letters sent to the churches, and for the one, sent to his own church. He continued to ap- prove the contents of them. The Court offered him a month to prepare for his defence ; but he chose to speak on the spot. They appointed Mr. Hooker, his former fri'^nd in England, to discuss the opinions, which he held and maintained. After considerable debate on them, Mr. Williams was unwilling to retract any of his positions. The next morning he was sentenced to be banished from Massachusetts in six weeks. All the ministers, but one, concurred in this decision. At the time of this afflictive sentence, Mr. Williams was dealt with by his own church because he declined commu- nion with them, since they were unwilling to follow his advice, in respect to withdrawing fellowship from churches of the Bay. His church, perceiving that he had gone further than they could, disapproved his opin- ions, and regretted the part which they had acted in sending out letters, requesting the magistrates and dep- uties to be disciplined.
Nov. 26th, Mr. Peters exerts his influence both in Old and New-England, to raise a fund for increasing the encouragement of the Fishery,by collecting stores
84
for this business, at a fair price. He perceived that such an empk)vment had been much lessened by the exorbitant sums, a^ hich had been demanded for its sup- plies. About the same date, a small vessel bound hith- er with goods of £100 worth, was lost, and afterwards discovered in the hands of Indians at Nawset, now a part of Eastham. These Indians belonged to the tribe, from which a Capt. Hunt, many years before had kid- napped twenty, and sold them for slaves in Spain. His cruelty had greatly incensed them against the English. But finding that their neighbours, though of the same complexion with him, wfts-of a kinder disposition, they were careful to preserve the vessel and cargo, and ready to give them up.
1636. January, the Governor and Assistants met on the case of Mr. Williams. They had allowed him till the Spring, to get ready for leaving their jurisdiction. They had thus lengthened the period of his continuance among them, on condition that he should abstain from uttering the sentiments, which they had condemned. But being informed, that he did deliver them to people in his own house, and that he had persuaded twenty persons to form a settlement with him about Narraganset Bay ; and moreover, being apprehensive, that, if residing in the country, he would exert an influence against Mas- sachusetts, they determined to have him transported in a ship for England. Thus decided, they immediately sent a warrant to apprehend him. His friends waited on them, stating that for him to obey their summons would endanger his life. But resolved to prevent his purpose of remaining in New-England, they commis- sioned Capt. Underhill to go with a pinnace, take and put him on board of a vessel at Nantasket. When the Captain came to Mr. Williams' house, he found, that he and four friends had already been gone three days.
85
Thus was Mr. Williams compelled to forsake the res- idence, where he had fondly hoped to live and die in peace. He had expected, that, when separated from those in England, whose views were essentially oppo- sed to his, and settled with the Colonists, whose opin- ions mainly agreed with his, there would be little to disturb individual and general harmony. But he found himself sadly disappointed. He perceived, as has often been the fact, that zealous contention is not a sure to- ken of disagreement in the great truths of the Gospel. He was indeed constrained to think — " Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth." It must be ac- knowledged, that, in reference to him, as well as his opponents, there was a mutual engagedness in carry- ing their points, which seems to have been untempered with due forbearance. That he was too strenuous in supporting his opinions at the expense of breaking com- munion with others, who were indisposed to go the whole way with him, few will deny. On the other hand, that his opponents treated him with too great se- verity, most will acknowledge. True, the circum- stance, that they, so far as composing the Rulers of Massachusetts, felt themselves obligated by their oath to prevent any serious infringement on the boundaries of Church and State, as they had described them, should be a weight in mitigating their conduct towards him. And, also, his benevolence towards them, while firmly maintaining his persuasions against their orders, should palliate his declining to comply with their authority. — Both they and he tried an experiment, as to enforcing their sentiments, which time and necessity taught them was better to exist in imagination than practice. He came off from the contest with greater reproach than he would, had not numbers and power been on their side.
As to the course of his flight, he received private ad- vice from Mr. Winthrop, then succeeded, as Governor, by Mr. John Haynes, He was grateful for such kind-
8G
iicss. It was like a star in his cloudy prospect. He complied with its suggestion. He settled first at Seek- honk, now Reiioboth. For fourteen weeks he was greatly distressed, as appears from his remark, " in a bitter winter season, not knowing what bread or bed did mean." — He was soon informed by Mr. VVinslow, Governor of Plymouth, that Seekhonk was within his jurisdiction, and that it would be well for him to re- move. A special reason, assigned by Mr. Winslow for such a suggestion, was, that if he should countenance his residence within the Plymouth lines, it would wear the appearance of endeavouring to nullify the sentence of Massachusetts against him. Mr. \Villiams accord- ingly sought another settlement. He went to Moos- hausick. He says, in reference to this spot, " having in a sense of God's merciful Providence unto me in my distress, called the place Providence, I desired it might be for a shelter for persons distressed for conscience." The territory occupied by him, was granted to him by .Miantonomo and Canonicus, two Narraganset chiefs, who remained his constant friends. He came into pos- session ot it so as to comply with the opinion, for which he had contended while in Massachusetts. But even with a fair claim to it, he was not free from dread, lest it should be wrested from him. It was falsely claimed by a Sachem in league with the Plymouth Colony. But Gov. Bradford, to whom the claim was refered, generously declared, that let the land be whose it might, Mr. Williams should be no more disturbed. Mr. Wil- liams, thus befriended, was desirous for a church on his own principles. He and his first followers soon formed themselves into such a state. They were shortly joined by others, who were disaftected with the Massachusetts authorities. His church appears to have been Congre- gational at first ; but afterwards most of its members became Baptists. He and his associates required, as a regulation of their civil polity, that all emigrants to their
87
territory, should make a solemn promise to obey the lau's for public good. He was careful to be consistent with his previous declarations, by not demanding of them any oath.
However banished from the Colonies, Mr. Williams suffered no private jrriefs to withhold him from aiming at their general welfare. In the Peqiiod war of 1637, he was exceedinjily serviceable to their cause. At the earnest request of Massachusetts, he went among the borderinji: Indians, and succeeded in preventing an alli- ance, which the Pequods were endeavouring to make with the Mohegans and Aarragansets, for the extermi- nation of the English. He brought these two tribes to be friends instead of foes to the Colonists. Such an enterprise he accomplished at the cost of arduous jour- nies, expense and perils. When the Colonial forces, under General Stoughton, marched upon the Pequods, he entertained him and his officers, and used means for the accommodation of his soldiers. For this detach- ment, he acted as an interpreter, and transfcred letters to and from them for pron.oting their expedition. Con- duct of so benevolent and magnanimous a cast, was not entirely lost on a portion of the principal men, who had voted for his exclusion from Massachusetts, it led Gov. Winthrop and some of the Assistants to pro- pose, that the act of banishment against him should be remitted, and that he should receive some special re- ward for his ready kindness. But so just and grateful an expression of obligation to liim, was o])posed by a majority, and prevented from being declared by the mouth of public authority. The beneficence of Mr. Williams was open to every pressing call. Mr. Cod- dington and others, who defended the principles of Mrs. Hutchinson, were desirous to form a settlement in his neighbourhood. He advised them to select Aquiday, now Rhode Island. He obtained this territory for ili-m of his friend, Miantonomo. They removed to it April
88
26th, 1638. About this time, Mr. Williams was join- ed by some of his former supporters from Salem. In March 1639, Mr. Williams professed himself to be a Baptist, and Avas immersed by a member of his church, Mr. HoUiman. Having this rite performed for him- self, he then performed it for ten others. — But he soon came to the conclusion, that no baptism was valid, be- cause it had not come down purely from the Apostles. Still the most of his Church continued Baptists ; and helped to form the first Baptist Society in Providence. Though he thus differed with them, he agreed with them so far as to deny infant baptism, and the proprie- ty of keeping the ^iigfetfe instead of the seventh day for a Sabbath. His want of fixed views, as to the ordi- nances of religion, tended to render them disregarded. However thus eccentric for his day, he kept within the circle of general beneficence. He commenced the study of the Indian language, and fitted himself for missionary labours among them. He sought to teach them the improvements of civilization, and particularly the doc- trines of the Gospel. For such a labour of love, he visited them once every month. In 1643, he sailed for England to obtain a charter for Providence, New- port and Portsmouth, under one government. In this business he was greatly assisted by his friend. Sir Henry Vane. He obtained a Patent, which provided for freedom in religious opinions and denominations. Such a grant was then considered as a bold experi- ment, which had never been fairly tested. Mr. Wil- liams arrived with it at Boston the 17th of Septem- ber 1644. He also brought with him a letter to the Governor and Assistants of Massachusetts, from some of tiie principal members of Parliament, who were favourable to the Colonies. This letter advised them to treat Mr. Williams with kindness, and remove the obstructions of intercourse between his people and theirs. They, however, declined from coming up fully
89
to socli wishes. They gave him permission to pass tliroiioh their territory to his own, as a deed of special favour. While the other Colonies were brought under tlie censure of abetting Uncas, chief of the Mohegans, in murdering the Sachem of the Narragansets, Mr. Williams was careful to keep his Colony uiiimpeached. Though the Narragansets were compelled to make peace with the Mohegans, August 30th, 1645, by the rulers of those Colonies, yet they never forgave their interference, while they remained friendly to Mr. Wil- liams and his people. In 1647, he served as an Assist- ant. In 1648, he was diligent in preventing the In- dians from commencing hostilities upon the English in his vicinity. His influence this year was extended by being Governor of the Colony. In 1651, he em- barked again ior England, as agent for the Providence Plantations. One object of his business was to obtain the recall of Mr. Coddington's commission. He tarried there till 1654, and then returned. To his grief he perceived, that contentions prevailed among his former supporters. Their reception of him w^as dishonoura- ble to themselves, and wounding to his feelings. When, however, they perceived his benevolence towards them, and heard his admonitions, they permitted him to regain his former eminence in their afiection. He was soon chosen President, or Governor of the Colony. This office he held three years till 1657. During this period, he addressed the General Court at Boston, November ISth, 1655, on the grievances, to which his people were subject. He complained, that while it refused them passports of safety so as to be protected from hostile savages, it granted them to all others, even strangers and Indians. He stated that the most he asked, was equal rights and mutual kindness. In the same year, lie !)egan to be tried with the appearance and sentiments oj' the Friends. Experience now taught him, that there w ere bounds of order to be observed bv all sects, and 12
90
lie was consliaii»ed to maintain, that the Friends sur- passed them. Such disapprobation brought upon him the severest reproaches of some among tliem. Tliey charged liim witli gross inconsistenej lor having pro- fes.-ed free toleration to every denomination, and yet set himself against them.
May rith, 1656, as President of his Colony, he was invited to visit Boston and settle the complaints, he had justly alleged against Massachusetts. He succeeded to his satisfaction.
April, 1671, he and a Mr. Brown became hostages to King Philip's subjects, to ans\\ er for th(^ safety of this Chief, while he held a consultation with Commission- ers from Plymouth and Massachusetts. Such readiness to serve his coimtrymen, who still held him under the bans of banishment, was the means of preventing a war four years long(^r.
In July, 1672, he drew* up fourteen propositions on the opinions of the Friends, and forwarded them to George Fox, then in Rhode Island. But Mr. Fox sail- ed for Europe and did not answer them. Mr. Wil- liams had met with this person to confer on their dif- ference in religious principles. But as one and another of the assembly with them, supposed themselves moved to sing, or pray, or exhort, he could not proceed Avith regularity and satisfaction. It was on this account, that he wrote to Mr Fox. Though he did not have an opportunity to argue with him, yet he met other em- inent preachers of the Friends, and held a public dispute with them three days at Newport, and one at Provi- dence.
In 1675, his feelings were tried by the ascend/ncy of the Friends, who had gotten the government of the Colony into their hands. He saw that they failed to comply with their doctrine of non-resistance in refer- ence to the Indians ; and that they resorted to the usual military mode of defence against them. The retorts of
n
i/iconsi*teiicy, winch part of them had made od him. no them, a?
« r ea-sy ia
words, bat hard in practice, f raditioa relates, that
when a bodv of fndi;i ' . ' ' .e
in 1676. Mr. Wiiliar;. :o
pacifj them- Acccwdinziy he took, his staff aad went to"^^ '^m. ^ ' ' - : ■ ' ' :-
li'L . to ret
qnainted with his person, sboold injure and kill him.
eo . , .
Janaarv 1 5th- 16^J. he was selected as a maggtrate
to- ^'-'- - ^^ - -^-^ -■ '--v--^ -■ ^-' '. He
d. ^ . SiiU
he wrote mem excellent adrice on toe absoiate need of the sovemments beios - - - - ._,,.-:^^ ^^ ji^
sabjecta. The opposite : ^o be a
prevailing evil of man v. who cner. > per-
-oasion. that tree -'-'^" •'^' ' ic
taxes, was to do v
ou^ht-
Jgniiarv 16th, 1683. w?^ * ' ^^ ' -: act of Roser
Vf iii^ms. It was the ad z controversy aboat Pawtoxet lands, in wiaica ne was concerned as a ^ r*" "rhetor. In this, as well as in other instances of the :. he manifested more regard for the general inter- est than for his own. Soon after this, he died, in the ei*ihtv foarth vear of his ase, and was boried with de- monstrations of poblic respect.
Thos departed a man, who was ardent in porsaing the object of what he deemed risht, whether over plains or moantains, through flowers or thorns. There was !e fortitude, exhibited in his actions, which show- K'l -.at he was formed for perilous scenes. His talents and attainments were of a hi^h order. His views of civil Dolicv were uncommon] v liberal. A scrrowfiil
92
lesson had taught him, that it was precious to eiijo} equa], social rights, whatever might be tlic difference of religious opinions, 'fhough charged with not fully complying with that lesson, when interfering with his individual impressions, yet he did practise it more than any other legislator before his day. He found difiiculties attend- ing such policy; and that it needed limits, beyond which no subject should pass. He perceived, to his sor- row, that however pleasant the theory might be, which contends, that the support of government, schools, and the Gospel should depend entirely on voluntary contri- butions, it was most dreadful in experiment, because public virtue was not suliicicntly elevated to give it full effect. How far the limits, which he saw to be needed, should exactly go so as to infringe on none of the com- munity, neither he nor any other man, has ever been able to demonstrate in example. Such a desideratum in politics and religion will never be manifested, until the universal renovation of human nature.
The religious opinions of Mr. AVilliams were con- nected with singularities, which cost him and others more suffering, than they ought. It is to be feared, that some of them tended more to break down the bar- riers of order, know ledae, and piety, than build them up. He, however, would have been one of the last per- sons to have held them, had he at first discerned them to have such a tendency. Though he differed from his friends in moral speculations, he treated them with re- spect and affection. Though he was undisguised and firm in arguing against their persuasions, yet he dis- covered towards them no degrading spirit of revenge. True, most of the writers in New-England, were un- friendly to his sentiments, and allowed themselves to speak very diminutively of his merits. But they beheld him through a perspective of dislike for his tenets, and thought him destitute of comeliness. Could they now examine him through a perspective, corrected by the
93
hand of reflection and experience, they would perceive many desireable traits in his character. Had he been able to stand his ground against the prostrating arm of civil authority, they would have handed down his name wirh far less detraction. In the main doctrines of Rev- elation, he appears to have been correct, and to have inculcated them for tlie improvement of multitudes. As a man he was open hearted, beloved and esteemed by many of his acquaintance. His benevolence flowed to all around him. The property he had, was always ready for the relief of public or private misery. He scorned to have his soul bound to the earth with the heavy shackles of covetousness. No man who ever set foot in America, more adorned the Gospel precept of foro-iveness to enemies, than Ro^er Williams. The Colonies, which closed on him the avenues of friendly and uninterrupted intercourse, were frequently spared, through his toils from many a suffering, intended to liave been inflicted on them by enraged savages. He often claimed to be put on an equal footing with them and was as often denied. True there were some noble exceptions of persons among them, who would have gladly jjroken the restrictions upon him, and granted him the restoration of his former privileges. But there were more to prevent the accomplishment of their wish. Still he did not turn away from the Colonies, and as- sume the attitude of an opponent. He continued to do them good, though they delayed to render him an equitable return. The reason assigned by them for keeping in force the sentence of his exile, was that if they should remove the censure against him, while he maintained his opinions, disorder and impiety would increasingly prevail in their territories. This reason, though deserving weight, was hardly sufficient to atone for their severity tovvards him. As a ruler, Mr. \Vil- liams showed himself kind to his subjects. As a husband, he was remarkably affectionate and faithful.
94
As a father, he was kind and dignilied. As a minister, he perseveringly and laboriously souglit the good of souls. He was unusually po))ular in the pulpit, and successful in leadino many to the Saviour. His wife, whose name was Mary, came with him from England. She appears to have been a worthy woman, and a con- solation to him in Iiis troubles. He had six children.
His publications are various. They are as follow : In 1643, a Key to the Tongue of the New-England Indians. In 1644, a dialogue between truth and peace, which maintained that interference of magistrates in religion, was a bloody tenet. In 1652, an answer to Mr. Cotton on this subject, na hose book was called *' the- bloody tenet washed in the blood of the Lamb." The answer was " the bloody tenet, yet more bloody by Mr. Cotton's endeavour to wash it white in the blood of the Lamb." To this reply was added a letter to his former friend, Mr. Endicott. In the same year, the '' hireling ministry, none of Christ's, or a discourse on the propagation of the Gospel of Christ Jesus ; experi- ments of spiritual life and health, and their preserva- tives." Ill 1672, a treatise against the principles of the Friends, and particularly against Fox and I3urrows, styled " George Fox disfged out of his burrows." This called forth a reply from Mr. Fox, entitled " A New- England fire brand quenched." Besides such works of Mr. Williams, some valuable letters of his have been published.
January, Mr. Peters visited different towns of the Colony, to excite a spirit of enterprise in the Fishery. Thus he continued his exertions for an important branch of business, not only in this country, but also in Eng- land.
The Church at Sausus were anxious to obtain Mr. Pesters for their pastor. In order to effect their wishes, a majority of them had granted a dismission to Mr. Batchelor and six or seven of their brethren. Thev
95
did this on condition, that these should leave the place. But as Mr. Batchelor and his associates formed a new church, their previous difficulties broke out afresh. The Magistrates took up the subject, and prevailed on Mr. Batciielor to agree, that he would move in three months. But however the ground was about to be cleared for Mr. Peters, he preferred a settlement at Salem.
18th, Messrs. Peters and Vane procured a meeting of the principal laymen and elders of the Colony at Boston. The object of it was to suppress a factious spirit, which seemed to prevail among the people. Some cleaved to Mr. W inthrop and others to Mr. Dud- ley, and thus composed two parties. These gentlemen gave the assembly to understand, that they had settled the differences, which may have subsisted between them. They also requested that none would show any partiality for either of them at the expense of public harmony. At the same time arrangements were made to rectify supposed faults in the past administration of the Colonial affairs.
Feb. 1st, the Military Commissioners, appointed the last General Court, to order colours for the companies here and elsewhere, did so by leaving out the cross, about which there had been much commotion. On the ensigns of Castle Island, they put the King's arms instead of the cross.
11th, the custom here of granting a house lot and ten acres of land, for the encouragement of worthy set- tlers, was found difiicult and revoked.
25th, a general fast was appointed by suo:gestion of ministers and ruling elders, on account of difticulties in the Church here and at Saugus, and a scarcity of corn.
March, potatoes were so scarce as to sell for 2d. sterl. per lb.
3d, at the session of the General Court, William Trask, Thomas Scruggs, and probably Townsend Bishop, took their seats from Salem. The Court al-
96
lowed, that Marblehead Neck uas tl>e property of this town. That was the land which had been a source oi abundant difficulty between the Colonial Authorities and Salem. It was a principal means of hastening Mr Williams' expulsion. Our fathers must have ex- perienced a satisfaction in having their right acknow- ledged, and perceiving the triumph of equity over pre- judice Of a £300 rate Salem was assessed i^24, and stood the seventh. It was agreed that the Court ior electin- inadstrates, should be held in Boston, and that Salem,^ Ipswich, Newbury, Saugus, Weymouth and Hiuoham should have liberty to retain at home, on such an occasion, as many freemen, as the safety of such towns required ; and that those so detained, as a guard, should send their votes by proxy. It wdl be remem- bered, tiiat the Spring before, all the freemen ot the Colony had been required to collect in one place, and oive their votes for magistrates. The alteration, made hi this manner of election, was proposed, not only oii account of general safety, but also for the scarcity oi provisions where the freemen assembled, and the great inconvenience of their being accommodated vvith lood. While the Court took steps for securing the towns mentioned, they also required that nearer to^^ns should individuallv send to their place of session, ten men, completely armed. Precautions of this kind w^taken because of apprehended hostilities from the Indians. It vv as enacted, that no person here or elsewhere, who had purchased provision out of trading vessels, should dispose of it bevond the limits of Massachusetts.
A change in^ the government, highly interesting to this and other Plantations, was proposed. It was that nart of the magistrates should hold their office lor hie. The proposition was, that, in May next, the General Co-irt " shall elect a certain number oi magistrates Jor the term of their lives, as a standing Coimcil not to be removed but upon conviction of crime, msufticiency, or
97
("or some other weighty cause. The Governor for the time being to be always President of this Council, and to have such further power out of Court, as the General Court shall from time to time endue them withal." This subject had been much discussed, and was a pro- minent topic of the day. — Rev. Mr. Cotton had been much in favour of it, and had highly recommended it in a letter to Lord Say. It appears to have been de- signed for the purpose of attracting some principal men from England, whose views v^'ere more aristocratic, than the Colonial administration had countenanced. Such policy would hnd no quarter now, where it was once advocated. To gratify individual am!)ition, at the hazard of impairing public liberty, though in ihe hope of temporary advantage, was not then, and never can be either safe or equitable. The contemplated experi- ment, however, was tried. Messrs. Winthrop, Dudley and Vane were chosen as the perpetual council. This branch of government soon became unpopular, and in three years ceased to exist.
At the same Court restraints upon tavern charges were repealed. Each miller here and elsewhere was required to take no more than 1-1 6th of the corn, which he should grind. Quarterly Courts were instituted. A part of them were to be held at Salem in connexion U'itli Saugus. They were to consist of one Magistrate and three or four Assistants, chosen out of the freemen. This and every town were empowered to regulate their own affairs so as not to interfere with the Colonial laws. Their Representatives were ordered to attend only two sessions of the General Court in a year. This alteration was not immediately carried into effect.
April, the troubles concerning: Mr. Williams' opinions,
still continued in the First Church. Three men and
eight women of their number, contended, as he Jiad,
that it was wrong for any one to worship in the assem-
13
98
blies of England. They asserted, that the Episcopal Church was upon a wrong foundation ; and that, con- sequently, none sliould commune with its members. Two of the brethren here were de|)uted to go with a letter to the elders of other churches, for advice on three questions. Whether to satisfy Mr. Williams' friends, the others should refuse to hear preaching in English churches. W hether if the dissatisfied did not become peaceabk", they might be regularly dismissed. Or ii" they should withdraw, whether they should be excommunicated. The two first questions were an- swered negatively. Tiie last was answered affirma- tively with the advice, that if the dissatisfied would walk orderly, their particular opinions should be tolerated.
May 3d, at a town meeting the question was consi- dered as to dividing Marblehead Neck into lots. A portion of this land appears, from Mr. Endicott's argu- mejit on the occasion, to have been reserved for the erection of a College. In order that this might be done, a motion was made, that .John Humphrey, who was interested in the land, should have another lot, be- yond Forest River, as an equivalent. Such an arrange- ment for the promotion of literature, though not brought to pass, is creditable to the extended and correct views of our fathers, and to their wish for the welfare of pos- terity.
May 25th, this town sent, as their Deputies to Gen- eral Court, William Trask, and, probably, Townsend Bishop.
June 27th, the first Quarterly Court was held in Sa- lem, it was to have been composed of Mr. Endicott, Magistrate, and Nathaniel Turner, Townsend Bishop, and Thomas Scruggs, as Assistants. The first person was absent. The others took their oath of office, and proceeded to business. The principal case they had, was fining Thomas Stanley, constable of Sacgus, for absence from Court.
99
July 4th, the same Court sat, and ordered the oak wood, which was for sale, to be brought iVom beyond the North and South Rivers, and deposited in appoint- ed landing places, to be viewed by five surveyors. They also ordered, that the watchmen, who had been warned, should meet a half hour after sunset to receive instructions, and not return home in the morning with- out particular leave.
9th, this town were favoured with a visit from tlie new Governor, Sir Henry Vane. He had been educa- ted at Oxford. He had travelled through Geneva, and there become a non-conformist. For this the Bishop of London was displeased with him. The consequence was his coming to this coimtry the last year. 'J'hough but twenty-four years old, yet he was exceedingly pop- ular. But taking a part in Mrs. Hutchinson's contro- versy, and advocating her doctrines, he lost his election as Governor, the next year. He soon returned to Eng- land, and sided with the Parliament against the King, though he was opposed to Cromwell's usurpation. While there he was friendly to the Colonists and did them several kindnesses. On the accession of Charles H to the throne, he was tried for high treason, and be- headed June 14th, 1662, aged 50 years.
Aug. 8th, John Higginsou of this place, Lieut. Ed- ward Gibbons of Boston, and Cutshamekin, Sagamore of Massachusetts, were commissioned to wait on Canoni- cus, a chief of the Narragansets, concerning the murder of John Oldham, while on a trading voyage at Block Is- land. They were kind!y received by Canonicus. He gave them all the information, and offered the Colony all the prudent assistance in his power. The conse- quence of this and other atrocious murders was a de- claration of war against the Pequods.
25th, ninety vohmteers engaged to go against the Pequods for no other compensation than provisions. They were divided into four companies ; one of which
100
was commanded by Ensign Davenport of this place. The whole body were under Mr Endicott. They arri- ved to the enemy's territory. They had several skir- mishes, but no decisive battle. They destroyed con- siderable corn, and many wigwams of the Indians. Thev returned about the 14th of September. They lost two killed, and had some wounded. The Pequods arc; stated to have had thirteen killed and forty wounded. All appeared to be done by the conmiander and men, which prudence and courage could do for accomplishing the object of their expedition. Then, as at all other times, when the public expectation of brilliant success is not realized, unfavourable suspicions and reflections were expressed.
About this time, some enterprising inhalntants here united and built a vessel of 120 tons at Marbleharbour. She was called the Desire. Her commander was Wil- liam Pierce, a noted and respectable mariner.
September olh, this town sent for their Deputies to General Court, Wm. Trask, Thomas Scruggs, and probably Townsend Bishop. It was assessed its pro- portion of jCi2uO, a sum largcn* than usual. The amount was so great, as it included £200, which were paid ("or the expedition to the Pequod covmtry and for the i'ortifi- cations. The Court adoj)ted a means to lessen the burden of taxes, by ordering that the trade of beaver and wampom should be let to the highest bidders, and that others should be restrained from trafficking in those articles.
The latter part of September, a water mill was erected in this town. Though now an occurrence hardly noticed, then it was generally observed. Such a mill was not probably the first one. For seven years before, the Company in England requested Mr. Endicott, for the sake of Mr. White, to encourage Francis Webb in set- ting up a saw- mill.
101
Octobev, a house here of Mr. Jackson, with goods to a considerable amount, was consumed by fire. This was a trial to the inhabitants, who needed more than they had to render themselves comfortable.
A controversy now bej^an, which threatened the peace and prosperity of the whole Colony. It took its rise from Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, who came, this year, from Lincolshire in England to Boston. She main- tained, that the people of God were personally united with the Holy Ghost ; that the Scriptural injunction for mankind to work out tlieir salvation, applied only to those, who were under a Covenant of works ; that Sanctification was no evidence of Justification ; and that she herself was endued with a spirit of prophecy. The principal persons of Massachusetts became involv- ed in the agitation of these questions. Mr. Peters was actively engaged in opposition to them. The result was very unfavourable to Mrs. Hutchinson and her friends The Theological names of parties then were Legalists and Antinomians. The former term was ap- plied to her opponents, and the latter to her advocates. The advancement of her principles, produced the year following, the first Synod, which sat in the country. After this Synod an act of banishment was passed anjainst her at the Court, which bciran its session tlie 2d of November. The sentence, however, was delay- ed in its execution, on account of the unsuitable season for her removal to a new abode. When the v.eather was fit, she was ordered to depart. Siie accompanied lior husband to Rhode Island, where he died a respect- able and useful man. In 1642, she settled among the Dutch. But in about a year, she and sixteen persons of her family were killed, and a daughter of hers was carried away ca])tive by the Indians. Thus sadly tcrm- iKiteJ li(;r sojourn in the land, where she had hoped to find rest.
102
November, cattle continued high here and in other parts of the Colony. Good cows were from £25 to £30 each, and a pair of oxen were £40 sterling.
December 7th, at the General Court, Mr. Endicott was one of the magistrates as usual, and Wm. Hath- orne, Wm. Trask, and Thomas Scruggs as Deputies, from this place. It was ordered that a guard be kept in this as well as other towns at suitable places ; and, also, a ward to be kept on the Lord's day. No person was to travel without arms where the houses were scarce. Every town was required to provide a watch house before the last of July. Military officers were selected. Those designated for Salem were William Trask, Captain, Richard Davenport, Lieutenant, and Thomas Beade, Ensign. The Court took such steps to prevent the people from being surprised by the In- dians.
December 21st, Mr. Peters having preached to great acceptance with the Congregation, here, became their pastor. No preacher's influence or labours in the Col- ony, were now greater than his. He was even more popular than Mr. Cotton, owing in some degree to his being of the Legalists, and the latter of the Antinomians.
26th, for the accommodation of travellers, a Ferry was established between the Neck and Cape Ann.
ERRATA FOR ANNALS OF SALEM, No. r.
i"'or Fernando read Fordinando, page 19, 47, 59. For three r. two. For Lion, Whelp, r. Lion's Whelp, p. 3.5. Omit ' Sir' before John Ilvmiphrey, p. 47.
As suggested by Mr. Farmer, of Concord, N. H., there is strong doubt wheth- er Rev. Roger Williams was made a freeman, as stated on p. 48.
The passage, from ' a reward of Id." to " a certain age," on p. 49, should be omitted, and the following supplied ; '• every Englishman who kills a wolf within this Patent, Id. for every beast and horse, and 1-4 d. for every weaned swine and goat." For ]cth April r. 12th April, p. 51.
For Thomas Graves' r. Thomas Gray's, p. 56. The latter was a different fharactcr from the former.
John Holgrave and John Woodbury were deputies at General Court May (Jth, 1635, p. 7G.
The phrase, "if he wanted it, they should sell it to him," should be, " if (heij wanted it, he should sell it to them, p. 76. Jacob Barney should be added to the deputies at General Court, Sept. 2d, p. SO. For John Avery r. Joseph Avery, p. 80. (As the Court remark) should be supplied after " wherein" and before "they," p. 81. For "eighth" r. first, p. 88. Omit "probably" before T. Bishop, p. 95, 98, 100. For May 3d r. May 2d, p. 98.
Four lines on the beginning of 99th page should be struck out, and the follow- ing supplied ; ■• the Court order, that on July 4th all the Canoes, belonging to North and South Rivers, shall be marked by surveyors, and that no canoe shall 1)6 used without their permii'sion on penalty of 40s." For Beadc r. Reade, p. 102.
102
November, cattle continued high here and m other parts of the Colony. Good cows were from £25 to £30 each, and a pair of oxen were £40 sterhng.
December 7th, at the General Court, Mr. Endicott was onp nf thp ma^istr^tps a« nsual. and Wm. H^th-
Fust instead of eighth, j.. ss, ^'" """ "«loje they, p. si. '■ ' P- •=="•
ANNAIiS OF SALEM.
-♦►♦•©•♦<—
In commencing this Number, there may be propriety in the remark, that no reasonable exertions have been spared to have it correct in point of facts. Still the writer expects, that mistakei will be discovered in the course of its contents. Even the occur- rences of our day have their different judges and representations. Not less, certainly, should they be looked for, when the attention turns back on the speculations, events, and transactions of other ages. Whoever shall perceive errors in the following pages, or a deficiency of pertinent information, with which they are ac- quainted, will confer a favour on the writer by letting him know. When noting the proceedings of the General and Assistant Courts, he has been able, for the most part, only to give the date when their sessions began. Hence, various acts of theirs appear as of the same day, when, in truth, they are of some other suc- cessive days. As there was no certainty, when they were passed, it was thought best to locate them as they are.
It has been deemed expedient to use some abbreviations, in regard to references. T. R. stand for Town Records of Salem; and 1st Ch. R. for the first Church Records of Salem. When these abbreviations apply to other places, the names of these places are prefixed. Qt. Ct. R indicate the Records of the Quarterly Court, held in Salem; Col. R., the Colony Records; Haz. Coll., Hazard's Collections; Hutch., Hutchinson's History of Mass.; Win., Winthrop's Journal; Sav., Savage's notes and
collection of letters as contained in Winthrop. When different
dates and subjects appear without a marginal reference, they are to be understood as belonging to the last mentioned, excepting when an authority is otherwise referred to.
1637.
Jan. 2(3, for the encouragement of fishermen at Mar-
blehead, Salem granted them a trnct of land. 16th,
the sale and transportation of boards and timber were
restricted by the town.* 19th, a Fast was observed.
*To-nn Rei'orib.
1637] ^^^'
It was appointed Dec. Ttli.f The reasons for it were as follow : The distressed state of the Protestants in Germany, whose allies had been defeated by the Impe- rialists—The sufferings of the clergymen in England, who had refused to read the book of sports, which were to be practised on the Sabbath, as ordered by the Star Chamber ; and who declined to conform with the re- ligious ceremonies, introduced by Bishop Laud, and which they considered as forms of Popery — The trou- bles occasioned by Indians, and dissensions in some churches of the Colony 4
23d, Samuel Sharp, ruling Elder, was allowed 300 acres of land. 27th, the wood and timber of the com- mon lands by Darbie (now Derby) fort side, were to be reserved for the use of the town. February 7th, John Pickering was admitted to the privileges of an inhabitant. 17th, Auditors of the Treasurer's ac- counts were appointed. Mr. William Hathorne had a grant of 200 acres of land where he had built, on con- dition, that he be regularly dismissed from Dorchester church to the one here.^ The person here mentioned had been a deputy at one session of the General Court at Newton nearly two years before. He was about to take a distinguished part in Colonial affairs. Thomas Goldthwait was allowed ten acres of land on the Neck, if he should have a suitable recommendation to the church. Such facts as these, which seem to have been common, show that our ancestors granted land to new settlers, and were exact as to their qualifications of character.
April 6th, at an ordination in Concord the church here was represented. One of its delegates proposed a question, which led to the adoption of the following opinions. Such as were clergymen in England by the call of their people, were to be respected as having there legally sustained the office of ministers. But for
t Col. R. X Xeal's Puiitans. $ T. K.
[163/
accepting the call of the Bishop, they ought to humble themselves and repent. Having come to this country, thev should not consider themselves regular ministers until called by another church. When thus elected they were to be accounted as ministers, even before ordination.* These conclusions show, that the Chur- ches of the Colony were much opposed to the persecu- tions of the Puritans in England, under the corruptions of Episcopacy, and that they were zealously resolved to prevent the introduction of such an establishment upon their shores.
April 10th, the General Court commences. f William Trask, Richard Davenport, and Robert Moulton were deputies. Mr. Endicott was chosen a Magistrate, and was thus continued till 1641, when he became Deputy Governor. The Court issue an order, in compliance with an application from Connecticut, for raising 160 men, as the proportion of Massachusetts against the Pequods.J This number was some enlarged. The quota of Salem, including its district of Marblehead, were 28. Capt. Trask and Lieut. Davenport were among the officers of the whole body, commanded in chief by Capt. Stoughton. Before they marched, the enemy had been severely defeated, on the 27th of May, by the Colonists of Connecticut and friendly Indians, led on by the heroic Mason. They pressed forward to the scene of warfare. They were informed, that a rem- nant of the Pequods had fled to a large swamp, within the bounds of Fairfield, On the 15th of July, they in- vested the place of their retreat on every side. A small division under Lieut. Davenport, of this town, bravely entered the swamp, with the expectation of being sup- ported, and commenced an attack, but were repulsed. He stated to Increase Mather, when recounting the events of this action, that with two or three English- men, he engaged 30 Indians ; had seventeen arrows
*Win. tCol. R. t Hubbard— Hoyt,
1637] ^^^
shot into his " coat of mail," and onlv one wounded him where he was not defended. He further related to him, that he rescued a soldier from two of the enemy, who were carrying him away as a captive on their shoulders ; and that, as the Pequods observed the Co- lonists did not slay the captured squaws, some of their large boj s, w hen in dansjer of being taken, would cry out, " I squaw, I squaw," — thereby hoping to be saved. As to the enemy, the English proposed to them terms of surrender. They were accepted by about 100 aged men, women and children, principally belonging to the adjacent country. The Pequods determined to cut through the Colonists or perish. AVhcn night approach- ed, the Colonists opened a narrow passage into the swamp, and kept up a scattering fire till morning. At day-break they were enveloped with a dense fog. The Pequods took advantage of this, and made a fierce at- tack at one point upon their assailants. They succeed- ed m breaking the line of the English, and 60 or 70 of them escaped ; 20 of them were slain, and 180 taken prisoners. Sassacus, their brave chief, with a few of his faithful adherents, fled to the Mohawks. These, at the solicitation of the xS'arragansets, perfidiously slew the most of them, and sent his scalp to Connecticut. His territory became the possession of the English, and the survivors of his people their tributaries. It appears that he foresaw the dissolution of the Aborigines, by the continuance of the Colonists in the country, and he therefore determined to strive for their expulsion, or perish in the attempt. The latter was his portion. The courage, hardships, and self-devotedness, with which he conducted his fatal enterprise, showed, that however his policy was imprudent, his patriotism w^as of high order. His motives, prowess and deeds among any nation, favored w ith poets and historians, would have come down to us in strains of eloquence, enough to excite emotions of adiifiiration. Fame is not the pe-
107
*"' [1637
culiar rio;ht of those, to whom it has been attributed. Its laurels might have justly encircled the brov, s of multitudes more, which for the want of some recording hand, have been suffered to wither and die.
The soldiers of this and other towns, engaged in the expedition against the Pequods, returned the 26th of August. They had none slain. Some of them were wounded. Fire arms gave them great superiority over the Indians. When these approached near enough to do execution with their bows and arrows, they were sure to loose many of their number. A consequence of the Pequods' overthrow was, that the Indians were more fearful of the Colonists, and less disposed to pro- voke their displeasure.
It was required by thirteen select men, as agents for the town, that the common marsh and meadow lands should be surveyed, and an account of them produced in the course of the week. When this was done the seven men ordered it on the 25th of December, to be divided among the heads of families. Some difficulty occurring, they ordered it to be remeasured the 24th of February following. It contained 157 1-2 acres, ac- cording to the divisions. A family of less than four received 1-2 acre ; of four and five, 3-4; of six and more, one acre. From the census of the inhabitants on this occasion they were about 900,* Salem then inclu- ded, besides its present limits, Danvers, Beverly, Man- chester, Wenham, part of Topsfield, and small parts of Lynn and Middleton, and also Marblehead Neck. Mar- blehead, as mentioned previously, was a distinct Plan- tation, though not incorporated as a town.
April 17th, it was agreed by the town, that in case Richard Hutchinson " set up ploughing," he should have 20 acres of land added within two years to his previous share. This business seems not to have been generally understood by the planters. There were but thirty-seven ploughs at this date in all Massachusetts.!
* Town R«cords. tGrahani.
1637] ^^^
May I7th, General Court sits at Newton. William Trask, Richard Davenport and Edmund Batter were deputies.* At this session there were transactions, which excited deep feeling through the Colony. Two parties, Legalists and Antinomians, were arrayed against each other. They had a warm contest in the selection of rulers. The former were likely to be defeated by the late permission for freemen, at a distance, to send in their votes by proxy. The latter were most numerous near Newton, and especially in Boston, where their leader, Mrs. Hutchinson, had resided and defended her doctrines. They were on the spot to plan and prose- cute measures for electing members of the Legislature favourable to their sentiments. But notwithstanding such an advantage, they were foiled, and the Legalists prevailed. Gov. Vane, the principal supporter of the Antinomians, lost his office. Mr, Winthrop succeeded him, and was thus restored to his previous station. Mr. Endicott, the constant friend of Mr. Winthrop, was in- creasingly restored to public favour, and was added to the standing council. — At this session matters w^ere carried to such an extreme, that harsh language and laying hold of each other were resorted to by the most violent.! The electors, on this occasion ibrmed an assembly, like one of our modern town meetings, when party feelings have run so high, as to banish from its proceedings reason, patriotism and decorum.
June 3d, news came from England, unfavourable to the hopes and interests of Massachusetts. It reported, that the King had forbidden the emigration of his subjects to this Colony, unless they should take an oath of alle- giance, and comply with the usages of the Episcopal Church. t Besides a measure so trying as this to the Colonists, he ordered some of the Magistrates to govern Massachusetts till they had heard from him, because he considered its charter as void. The next month after
'•Col R. I Win. jWin.
109 j-jgg^
sucli an order, he appointed Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Gov. General of New-England. But he had neither time nor ability to execute his purpose. His difficulties, at home, prevented him from imposing on the Colonies a system of ecclesiastical and political government, less congenial with their habits and wishes, but more so with his own. The increase of his perplexities was a welcome diminution of theirs.*
June 15th, a day of general thanksgiving was ob- served for victory over the Pequods. 23d, Gov. Win- throp visited his friends here. He was treated with much respect. He was escorted by armed men as far as Ipswich, and on his return to Saugus. This was done to prevent surprise from the Pequods, who were reported to be lurking in the vicinity. f 27th, Doro- thy Talby, for beating her husband, "was sentenced to be bound and chained to a post till her reformation.! On Sept. 25th, of the following year, she was ordered to be severely whipped for misdemeanours towards him. She was the unhappy woman who was after- wards hung. An appearance of the insanity, wliich proved her end, was visible in the two preceeding ca- ses. Had she been taken care of as deranged, rather than judged as a rational person, it would have cast no reproacli on the sagacity and charity of those, who had authority over her.
July, Capt. Pierce, of the ship Desire, belonging to this port, was commissioned to transport 15 boys and two women, of the captive Pequods to Bermuda, and sell them as slaves. He was obliged, however, to make for Providence Island. There he disposed of the Indians. He returned from Tortugas the 26th of Feb- ruary following, with a cargo of cotton, tobacco, salt, and negroes.^ Such traffic in human beings manifests, that, in this respect, erroneous views of true liberty and, righteous government, were lamentably indulged. —
* C'hahiicr's Annals. f ^Vin. + O.t. Ct. R. ^ Win. and Morton.
1637] *^^
There is cause of joy, that it would find no counten- ance from the enlightened spirit of freedom, which now pervades New-England.
August 1st, an assessment of £400 was ordered. Salem was to pay £45 12, and stood second.* 14th, to accommodate strangers, a license was granted for keeping tavern. The keeper of it was appointed by the Selectmen.! Such an establishment was particu- larly needed at this time. The reason was, that the General Court had, in obedience to Royal command, enacted on heavy penalties, that no inhabitant sho ud entertain strangers without permission of one among the standing Council, or of two Assistants.
Aug. 30th, the first Synod, assembled in America, began its session at Newton. J The Church here in common with other churches, appears to have taken part in its deliberations. The object of it was to con- sider the opinions of the day, and devise measures to suppress the animosity, which existed between the ad- vocates and opposers of Mrs. Hutchinson. After three weeks they agreed to censure and publish eighty-two prevailing errors.
Sept. 19th, John Williams, for the murder of John Hoddy, near " the great pond," (most likely in Wen- ham,) was sentenced to be hung.§ He was executed at Boston. The event excited general attention. The more seldom atrocity appears, the more repulsive and striking it is to the mind.
26th, at a session of the GeneralCourt, Wm.Hathorne and Thomas Gardner were deputies. Oct. 12th, Thanksgiving was observed for the complete triumph over the Pequods — for favourable news from Protestants in Germany — and for the decisions of the late Synod. In regard to the last, the Legislature expected better ef- fects, than they subsequently realized. Nov. 2d, the General Court sat. Townsend Bishop, Edmund Bat-
*Col. n. tT. R. tVVio. $Col. R.
Ill
[1687 ler, and Wrn. Hathorne ^vere deputies. With others, they seem to have been called to act on the alarming difficulties between the Leifalists and Antinomians. As previously related, the Court banished Mrs. Hutchinson. Before her sentence there was a lonj? colloquy betweeo her and members of the Court and w'itnesses."* Messrs. Endicott as an assistant, and Peters and Bartholomew as evidences from this town, took parts in the discourse. Mr. Peters testified with other clergymen, that she had declared, that they were not preachers of the true Gos- pel as Mr. Cotton was. Mr. Bartholomew related that she had visited at his house in London, came pa-en- ger m the same ship with him, and had expressed her- self as receiving revelations from heaven. The Court disfranchised her brother-in-law, Ptev. John Wh^-elri'^ht aHd required him to leave Massachusetts in 14 dars! The cause of his sentence was similar to that of his sister. Some, who petitioned in his favour, were deprived of their offices and other social privileges. The Court en- acted that Antinomians