USA > Connecticut > Genealogical notes, or Contributions to the family history of some of the first settlers of Connecticut and Massachusetts > Part 16
USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical notes, or Contributions to the family history of some of the first settlers of Connecticut and Massachusetts > Part 16
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10 Ann,
born April,
11 Abraham, born September, 1877.
12 Mehitabel, born March, 1680.
Died March 10, 1690.
Settled at East-Hampton, on Long- Island. Married John Peck, of Hartford, No- vember 11, 1707.
166
NOTES OF THE
DESCENDANTS IN THE LINE OF HANNAH NOTT, DAUGHTER OF JOHN NOTT, THE SETTLER.
THIRD GENERATION. II.
HANNAH NOTT was married to John Hale, of Wethersfield, Conn., May 8, 1668. He was son of Samuel Hale, of Wethers- field, and was born February 21, 1647.
Children.
13 John, born February 7,1669.
14 Samuel, born April 3, 1671.
15 Hannah, born June 1, 1673.
16 Thomas, born September, 1675.
DESCENDANTS IN THE LINE OF JOHN NOTT, SON OF JOHN NOTT, THE SETTLER.
THIRD GENERATION. III.
JOHN NOTT, of Wethersfield. Com., was married to Patience Miller, daughter of William Miller, March 28, 1683.
Sargeant Jolin Nott died May 21. 1710, in his 62d year.
His widow, Mrs. Patience Nott. is supposed to have died in Say- , brook, Conn., after 1745, at an advanced age.
Children.
17 John, born November 23, 1683. Dwelt in Fairfield in 1789.
18 Jonathan,
born June 4, 1685.
Married Sarah Dix, daughter of Sam- uel Dix, of Wethersfield, April 3, 1707. She died June 30, 1757. He died March 30, 1773.
19 William,
born November 19, 1686.
Married (Elizabeth Hall, daughter of John and Rebina Hall, of Wethers- field, February 2, 1710. She was born February 25, 1691, and died May 3, 1733. After her death he was married to He died November 24, 1737.
20 Thomas,
born October 1, 1688.
21 Nathaniel,
born April
18, 1691.
22 Gershom,
born March
19, 1693.
Married Hannah Gilbert of Wethers- field.
Married Sarah Waterhouse, of Wetli- ersfield, September 17, 1721. He ‹lied September 17, 1772. She died March 1, 1779. 5 children.
23 Thankful,
born January
6, 1695. . Married William Blinn, of Wethersfield.
24 Abraham,
born January 29, 1697.
25 Ann,
born July 29, 1699. Married Thomas Harris, of Wethers- field, December 28, 1729.
FOURTH GENERATION. 24.
ABRAHAM NOTT, of Saybrook, Conn., first Pastor of the Second Congregational Church in that town, (now Essex Society,)
-
NOTT FAMILY.
167
was married to Phobe Tapping .* After his death she was mar- ried, in June, 1758, to Lieut. John Pratt, of Saybrook.
Rev. Abraham Nott died January 21, 1756, in his 61st year. Mrs. Phebe Nott, alias Pratt. died
Children.
26 Abraham, born about 1724.
27 Keturah, born about 1726.
28 Stephen, born July 24, 1728.
29 Temperance, born February, 1731. Died October 8, 1731, aged 8 months.
30 Josiah, born
1732.
31 Epaphrus, born [no date. ]
FIFTH GENERATION.
26.
ABRAHAM NOTT, of' Saybrook, Conn., was twice married. 1. To Abigail, daughter of - - Selden, September 22, 1748. She died October 20, 1750. aged 21. 2. To Abigail Parker, daughter of Abner Parker, of Saybrook. She was born October 12, 1730. After his death she was married to Stephen Clark, of Essex Society, Saybrook.
Mr. Abraham Nott died in 1756.
Mrs. Abigail Nott, alias Clark, died -.
Child,-by his first wife, -one only.
32 Child, (not named,) born
Died in infancy.
Children,-by his second wife.
33 Selden, born [no date. ]
34 Abigail, born [no date. ]
27.
KETURANI NOTT was twice married. 1. To Capt. Abner Par- ker, jun., of Saybrook, Conn. He died in 1756. in his 32d year. To Doct. Joseph Bishop, of Saybrook. After her death Doct. Bishop was married to widow Pelton.
Mrs. Keturah Bishop, alias Parker, died Doct. Joseph Bishop died
Children .- by her first husband.
35 Child, (not named,) born { no date. ]
Died in infancy.
39 Child, (not named,) born [no date. ] Died in infancy.
37 Lovisa, born about 1750. Died May 19, 1763, in her 13th year.
28.
STEPHEN NOTT. first of Middletown, Conn., then of Saybrook, Conn., then of East-Haddam. Com., and afterwards of Ashford, in the same state, was twice married. 1. To Deborah Selden, daughter of Samuel Selden, of Lyme, Conn., December 15, 1749.
* Supposed daughter of John Tapping, of Southampton, L. I., who died 1747, leaving & daughter Phebe.
168
NOTES OF THE
She died at Ashford, October 24, 1788, aged 55. To Abigail Bradford, widow, November 1, 1789.
Mr. Stephen Nott died at Franklin, Conn., January 29, 1790. in his 62d year.
Mrs Abigail Nott, alias Bradford, died
Children,-by his first wife.
38 Temperance,born October 7, 1752, at Middletown. Died at Saybrook, Au- gust 25, 1759, in her 7th year.
39 Samuel, born January 23, 1754, at Saybrook. Yale College, 1780. Min- ister of Franklin, Conn .* He died at 2 o'clock, P. M., Wednesday, May 26, 1852, at the parsonage house, Frank- lin,-in the 99th year of his age.
40 Phebe, born March 11, 1756, at Saybrook. Died at Colesville, N. Y., August 25, 1829.
41 Temperance,born March 10, 1760, at Saybrook. Married a Mr. Spalding, and died at Orwell, Ver., about Sep- tember, 1807.
42 Charlotte, born August 17, 1762, at Saybrook. Married a Mr. Chester. Died at East-Granville, Mass., April 10, 1844.
43 Lovice,
born February, 1764, at East-Haddam, Conu. Married a Mr. Moore, of Granby, Conn., where she died, August 19, 1796, leaving 6 chil- dren.
44 Rhoda,
born December 1, 1768, at East-Haddam. Married Benjamin Walker, of Ashford, Conn. She died December 1, 1790. They had 2 chil- dren,-both daughters.
45 Deborah,
born March 20, 1770, at East-Haddam.
46 Eliphalet,
born June
25, 1773, at Ashford.
30.
JOSIAH NOTT, of Saybrook, Conn., was married to Zerviah Clark, daughter of - Clark, of the same town. November 17, 1757.
Deacon Josiah Nott died December 17, 1814, in his 82d year. His widow, Mrs. Zerviah Nott, died December 1, 1816, in her 88th year.
Children.
47 Sarahı, born July 26, 1758. born December 26, 1759.
48 Keturah,
Died April 8, 1794.
49 Jos'ah. t
50 Rebecca,
born April 28, 1763.
Died March 16, 1837.
51 Zerviah, born February 17, 1766.
52 Abraham, born February 5, 1768.
53 Clark, born October 14, 1770. Was Deacon in the church,-town clerk of Saybrook, many years, and father of the wife of the present clerk of that town, Selden M. Pratt, Esq.
* " The 98th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Nott's birth was observed by a numerous company of Parishioners and friends, at his house in Franklin, Ct., on the 23d of January, 1852. There were 150 persons present, whose overflowing baskets of rich provisions, &c., showed the abiding esteem in which the people hold their venerated pastor. The aged divine, trembling under the blasts of 98 winters, leaning on the arm of his grand-daughter, stood at the end of the long table groaning under the weight of tempting eatables tastefully arranged, and invoked the blessing of God in appropriate terms. He also led in prayer near the close of the pleasant and cheerful interview. The entertainment finally wound up with singing. The Doctor's bodily health is still good, though now the oldest pastor in the Union."
+ Sally, wife of Josiah Nott died August 10, 1819, aged 50. [Grave-stone, Pettipaug. ] Probably wife of this Josiah.
NOTT FAMILY. 169
31.
EPAPIRU'S NOTT, first of Saybrook, Conn., then of Wallingford. in the same state, and afterwards of the state of Maryland, was married to Isabel Parker, daughter of Abner Parker, of Saybrook. June 17, 1759. She was born July 17, 1734.
Mr. Epaphrus Nott died His widow, Mrs. Isabel Nott, died -.
Children.
54 Polly, born April
28, 1760, in Saybrook.
55 Lovisa, born October
28, 1761, in Wallingford.
56 Hannalı,
born October
22, 1763, in Wallingford.
57 Abraham,
born August
29, 1765, in Wallingford.
58 Lucy,
born June
20, 1767, in Wallingford.
59 Isabel,
born [no date.]
22
JOHN PORTER.
JOHN PORTER, one of the first settlers of Windsor, Conn., was married in England to Rose
"Mr. John Porter died and was buried April 22, 1648." [Windsor Records.]
" His widow, Mrs. Rose Porter, was buried May 12, 1648." [Windsor Records.]
FIRST GENERATION. Children of John Porter and Rose his wife.
I. John,
born
II. James, born
Was a merchant in London and agent of the colony of Connecticut-See Trumbull, Vol. I., p. 406.
III. Sarah,
born
1626. Married to Joseph Judson, of Milford, Conn., Oct. 24, 1644. He died Oct. 8, 1690, aged 71. She died March 16, 1696, aged 70.
IV. Samuel, born
V. Rebecca, born
VI. Rose, born VII. Mary, born
VIII. Anna, born
1X. Joseph, born
X. Nathaniel, born July 19, 1640. X1. Hannah, born September 4, 1642.
SECOND GENERATION.
IV.
SAMUEL PORTER, of Hadley, Mass., was married to Hannah Stanley, daughter of Thomas Stanley, one of the first settlers of Hartford, Conn., and Hadley, Mass., about 1659. Mr. Samuel Porter died September 6, 1689, aged His widow, Mrs. Hannah Porter, died December 18, 1708.
Children.
12 Samuel, born April 6, 1660.
13 Child, born April 26, 1662. Died the same day.
14 Thomas, born April 17. 1663.
15 Hezekiah, born January 7, 1665.
16 John, born December 12, 1666.
17 Mehitabel, born September 15, 1673.
Married Mary Butler, April 3, 1690. Married Deacon Nathaniel Goodwin, of Hartford.
18 Experience, born August 5, 1676.
19 Ichabod, born June 17, 1678.
171
PORTER FAMILY.
THIRD GENERATION. 12.
SAMUEL PORTER, jun., of Hadley, Mass., was married to Joanna Cook, daughter of Aaron Cooke, of the same town, Feb- ruary 22, 1684. She was born July 10, 1667.
Samuel Porter, Esq., died July 29, 1722, aged 62. His widow, Mrs. Joanna Porter, died
20 Samuel, born May
25, 1685. Married Ann Colton, daughter of Thomas Colton, third son of George Colton, one of the first settlers of Springfield, Mass., and of Elizabeth his first wife, daughter of Griswold, of Lyme, Conn. 7 chil- dren.
21 Joanna, born December 24, 1686.
22 Aaron, born July 19, 1688.
23 Moses, born June 28, 1690.
24 Sarah, born December 12, 1692.
Married Josiah Goodrich, of Wethers- field, Conn., but subsequently of Tolland, Conn., December 5, 1711. She died in July, 1726. After her death he was again married. He died in 1731, at Tolland.
25 Mehitabel, born September 12, 1694.
26 Miriam, born April 3, 1696.
27 Eleazur, born February 25, 1698. 28 Hannah, born July 2, 1699.
29 Nathaniel, born July 12, 1700.
30 Ruth,
born November 10, 1701.
Died October 15, 1703.
Died August 12, 1699. Died November, 1700. Married Rev. Stephen Steele, of Tol- land, Conn., May 2, 1720.
31 Mary,
born November 4, 1703.
32 Daughter,
born October 20, 1705.
Died same day.
33 Son,
born December 5, 1706.
Died same day.
FOURTH GENERATION. 27.
ELEAZUR PORTER was married to Sarah Pitkin, sister of Col. John Pitkin, and daughter of - Pitkin, of East Hartford. Conn., about 1721.
Hon. Eleazur Porter died November 6, 1757, aged 60.
His widow, Mrs. Sarah Pitkin Porter, died June 6, 1784, aged 82. Born 1702.
Children.
34 Jerusha, born February 24, 1732. Died August 5, 1726.
35 Eleazur, born October 28, 1723. Died August 6, 1726.
36 Sarah, born April 18, 1726. Died February 5, 1774.
37 Eleazur,
born Junc 27, 1728. Was Hon. Eleazur.
38 Jerusha, born August 11, 1730.
39 Elizabetlı, born November 11, 1732. 40 Mary. born May 2, 1736. Died September 4, 1736.
41 William, born April 13, 1738.
42 Mehitabel,
born December 3, 1739.
Died November 28, 1738. Died November 7, 1755.
43 Elisha, born January 29,1741.
44 William,
born April 13, 1746. Died October 5, 1755. Died June 24, 1782.
born September 16, 1748.
Died September 14, 1755.
45 Mary,
Children.
-
172
NOTES OF THE
FIFTH GENERATION. 37.
ELEAZUR PORTER, Esq., of Hadley, Mass., was twice married. 1. To Anna Pitkin, daughter of Col. John Pitkin, of East Hart- ford, Conn., about 1754. She died November 7, 1758, in her 24th year. 2. To Susanna Edwards, daughter of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, Minister of Northampton, Mass., afterwards President of the College in New Jersey, September 17, 1761.
llon. Eleazur Porter died May 27, 1797, aged 69.
Ilis widow, Mrs. Susannah Porter, died May 2, 1803, in her 63d year.
Children,-by his first wife.
46 Elizabeth, born Angust 29, 1755. Died October 14, 1755.
47 Anne, born September 25, 1756.
Married Selah Norton, of East Hartford. He died October 20, 1821, aged 78. She died in East Hartford, February 20, 1850, aged 93.
48 Elizabeth, born October 17, 1758.
Children,-by his second wife.
49 Eleazur, born June 14, 1762.
50 William P., born December 9, 1763.
51 Jonathan Edwards, born May 17, 1766.
52 Moses, born September 19, 1768.
53 John, born July 27,1772.
54 Pierpont. born June 12, 1775.
SIXTH GENERATION. 49.
ELEAZUR PORTER, of Hadley, Mass., was married to Sarah Keyes, daughter of David Keyes, of Weston, Mass., January 5, 1783.
Mrs. Sarah Porter died March 26, 1838, aged 76.
Eleazur Porter, Esq., died May 2, 1849, aged 87, nearly.
Children.
55 David K., born February 25, 1784.
56 Susan, born December 20, 1786. Died January 11, 1830
57 Edwin, born June 12, 1790.
58 Henry, born September 1, 1792.
Died October 3, 1826.
59 Maria, born July 2, 1797.
60 Eleazur, born Angust 15, 1799.
61 Horace, born July 11, 1803. Died January 21, 1834.
50.
WILLIAM PORTER was twice married. 1. To Lois Eastman, daughter of Deacon John Eastman, of Hadley, December 9, 1788. She died December 12, 1792, aged 29. To Charlotte Williams, daughter of Hon. William Williams, of Dalton, Mass., June 10, 1794.
Mrs. Charlotte Porter died November 13, 1842, aged 72.
Doct. William Porter died November 6, 1847, aged 84, nearly.
173
PORTER FAMILY.
Children,-by his first wife.
62 Daughter, born October 14, 1789. Died in infancy.
63 John, born October 24, 1790.
Children,-by his second wife.
64 Elcazur
Williams, born May 29, 1795. Died February 29, 1797.
65 Caroline
Williams, born May 19, 1797.
66 Mary Ed-
wards.
boru December 11, 1799. Died May 13, 1803.
67 Lois East- mall, born February S, 1891.
68 James Bay- ard, born February 10, 1803.
60 Jeremiah, born December 27, 1805.
70 Charles, born May 12, 1807. Died September 1, 1807.
71 Charles. born July 28, 1808. Died July 30, 1808.
51.
JONATHAN EDWARDS PORTER, of Hadley. Mass,, was married to Fidelia Dwight, daughter of Timothy Dwight, Esq., of North- ampton, Mass., January 16, 1793.
Mr. Jonathan Edwards Porter died March 21, 1821. aged 55. His widow, Mrs. Fidelia Porter, died JJuly 27, 1847, aged 80.
Children.
72 Julia, born April
16, 1794. Died December 18, 1880.
73 Timothy
Dwight, born June 4, 1797.
74 Theodore
Woolsey, born July 15, 1799.
52.
MOSES PORTER, of Hadley, Mass., was married to Amy Colt, daughter of Benjamin Colt,% of the same town, August 30, 1791. Mrs. Amy Porter died February 11, 1843, aged 71. Moses Porter, Esq., died May 22. 1851. aged 85.1
* Lieut. Benjamin Colt, [of Hadley ?] died August 20, 1781, aged 43. He was the father of Christopher Colt, of Hartford, Conn.
+ " Died in Hadley, on the night of May 224, Moses Porter. Esq., 85 years, 8 months and 4 days. A few words in memory of this father in Israel, will gratify many of your readers. He was a grandson of the elder President Edwards, and the oldest of his descendants, at the time of his death, it is believed. He had lived all his life, and died, in the house in which he was born. In youth he gave his heart to Jesus, and through his long and active life, love to God and men, governed his actions. Sound in judgment, prompt and energetic in action, kind and generous in his feelings, and influenced by Christian principle, in his dealings with his fellows, he naturally scenred the confidence, and received the honors of his fellow-citizens, in those days, when to hold an office was an honor. He often repre- sented his native town in the Legislature, was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820, and hehl various commissions of honor and usefulness, both civil and military.
" In him the widow and the fatherless, always found a friend and safe counsellor ; and he administered upon more estates, than ever any other man, in the County of Hampshire, a fact equally honorable to his business ability, his uprightness, and his kindness of heart. ". To the poor his hand was ever open, and to the sick his frequent visits and prayers were ever welcome. He was a happy, cheerful, consistent Christian,-constant and faithful in his public duties, and exhibiting the appropriate fruits in his daily life. llis conversation naturally and fitly turned to religious topies, upon which he seemed to speak out of the abundance of his heart. Hundreds who have partaken of his abounding hospitalities, so kindly and gracefully proffered, will recolleet how, as they listened to his words, and per- ceived to what an extent his views of all subjects were modified by their relations to God
174
NOTES OF THE PORTER FAMILY.
Children.
75 Benjamin Colt,
born June
8, 1792.
Died June 3, 1793.
76 Elizabeth, born January
2, 1794.
77 Benjamin,
born October 5, 1795.
78 Sophia,
born November
7, 1797.
Died April 3, 1841.
79 Moses,
born October
13, 1799.
80 Amy,
born September 20, 1801.
Died October 29, 1832.
81 Susanna Edwards, born January
18, 1804.
Died November 20, 1805.
82 Eleazur,
born January
20, 1806.
83 Susanna,
born January
30, 1808.
Died January 27, 1849.
84 Lucretia
Colt,
born May
15, 1810.
85 Delia
Dwight,
born July
7, 1812. Died August 17, 1813.
86 Jonathan
Edwards,
born April
6, 1815.
87 Emily,
born May
25, 1817.
54.
PIERPONT PORTER was married to Hannah Wiggin, daughter of - Wiggin, of Suffield, Conn., November 27, 1797. Mr. Pierpont Porter died January 15, 1805, aged 69. His widow, Mrs. Hannah Porter, died August 30, 1836, aged 69.
Children.
88 Jerusha, born July 22, 1798. Died January 15, 1805.
89 Lucretia, born November 23, 1799.
90 Frederick, born December 31, 1801.
91 Leicester W.,born January
7, 1805.
and his providence,-and especially as they joined in those precious family devotions, when he commendled to his Father in heaven, with such touching simplicity and earnestness of faitlı, not only his own loved ones, but themselves and theirs,-the conviction came over them that he, while enjoying in rare abundance the blessings of this life, was truly seeking a better country, even an heavenly.
" Well does the writer remember with what power, in his youth, a day's sojourn under the roof of this aged servant of Christ testified to the power of religion, and commended it to his acceptance. Would that such a savor of Christ was found in every Christian life.
" His end, for which he had long waited in calm and joyful hope, was peaceful and fitting. After leading in family devotions and preparing his house for night, as usual, he was sud- denly ealled away, and departed in his ordinary attire to meet the God with whom he had so long walked on earth. Precious is the life and precious the death, of those who love the Lord." [Newspaper.]
ROBERT SEDGWICK.
FIRST GENERATION.
GENERAL ROBERT SEDGWICK, of Charlestown, Mass .. and one of the first or early settlers of that town, was married in England, to - [After his death, she was married to Rev. Thomas Allen, Pastor of the Congregational Church in Norwich. England, formerly teacher of the Church in Charlestown from about 1639, to 1651, when he returned to England, by whom she had no children. She was his second wife. He died September 21, 1673. aged 65 .* ]
Gen. Robert Sedgwick died at Jamaica, W. I., May 24, 1656.1
* IFistory of Charlestown, by Richard Frothingham, jun., Esq.
t Robert Sedgwick was one of the most distinguished men of his time. The family is supposed to have sprung from the northern counties of England. Johnson furnishes the earliest notice of Mr. Sedgwick, writing that he " was nursed up in London's artillery gar- den, " and " was stout and active in all feats of war." He was admitted an inhabitant of this town June 3, 1636; a freeman in 1637, and this year chosen representative, and several times afterwards, He was also selectman, and often engaged in town business, He was probably, a merchant, and on occasion of selling his goods too high, was admonished, (1639,) by the Court, to take heed of oppression. Ile was the captain (1636) of the first " trained band " of this town, the first major (1644) of the Middlesex regiment, and elected major general May 26, 1652. In 1641, 1645, and 1648, he commanded the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and in 1641, the Castle. In 1645, he had a commission to take care of the fortifications of the town, and to keep it and the harbor " from all hostile and mutinous attempts or insurrections." He was, among other duties, directed to have always in readi- ness " a barrel of powder for every six pieces of ordnance, with twelve shot and five pound of mateh, if any ships in the harbor shall quarrel and shoot one another; whereby the people, or houses may be endangered."
Previous to July 1, 1654, General Sedgwick had visited England, and engaged in the ser- vice of Cromwell, as commander of a contemplated expedition against the Dutch at New York. In a letter to the Protector, of this date, Sedgwick informed him of his arrival here, and of his proceedings ; namely, that in fourteen days he had vietualled his ships, and in six more was ready with nine hundred foot and a company of horse, to act against the enemy, when, June 1, news of peace arrived : and that commissioners, at a meeting in Charlestown, June 17, had determined to employ the force against the French forts in Nova Scotia. Sedgwick sailed, July 4, 1654, from Boston, with a fleet, consisting of the Augustine, Church, Hope, and a Ketch ; arrived at St. John's, a strong fort, on the 14th ; captured it on the 17th, then took Port Royal and another French fort, and sailed for Pis- cataqua.
Though the General Court questioned General Sedgwick's authority for doing this, yet such vigorous action was so acceptable to Cromwell, that the next year he was appointed to an important service in the West Indies, Jamaica had been captured ; and General Sedg- wick was sent, with a fleet under his orders, with reinforcements for the army under General Venables. Ile sailed from Plymouth July 11, 1655 ; and arrived at Barbadoes, August 27, when he learned that Venables had met with a repulse, losing four hundred men. A few extracts from Sedgwick's letters show the state of his feelings. Writing to Cromwell, Sep- tember 1, 1655, he says :-
" I must confess, I cannot bring my own spirit to stand and consider what I may under- stand of the mind and will ot God, and what he speaks in so loud a voice as this. I must conclude this, that God is righteous in his proceedings, to curb and bring low the pride of the sons of men."
The same letter concludes in the following manner :-
"I am resolved to attend my business with as much wisdom and vigor as God shall assist me with, I thank God, my heart in some measure beareth me witness, that it is the glory
176
NOTES OF THE
Mrs. Johanna Sedgwick, alias Allen, died *
SECOND GENERATION.
Children of Gen. Robert Sedgwick.
I. Samuel, bap.
1639. 1641.
II. Hannalı, bap.
III. William, bap. [no date. ]
IV. Robert, bap. [no date. |
V. Sarah, bap. no date.]
of God, that I intended in this employment, and I hope he will yet own us. Our condition? I am confident, is often remembered by you in your approaches to Heaven, and I hope will yet be. Religion and God was pretended, and I question not intended, and I know must now be attended, if we prosper. Let your highness be pleased to pardon my boldness and prolixity. I thank God my prayers are for you, and that the God of wisdom and grace may yet own you in your so many weighty affairs, that you may be a blessing to your generation. and serviceable to Christ, and to his people.
"Sir, I am willing to he, and wish I were, " Your Lordship's humble Servant,
"ROBERT SEDGWICK." General Sedgwick's letters, [in Thurloe's State Papers, ] long, able and interesting, present a vivid view of the difficulties he had to encounter. "The truth is" he writes the Protec- tor, November 5, 1655, " God is angry, and the plague is begun, and we have none to stand in the gap." "Sir, you cannot conceive us so sad as we are, broken and scattered, God rending us in twain, a senseless hearted people, not affected with his dealings towards us." There was the evil of a divided command. A council for managing the affairs of the island was formed, of which Sedgwick, appointed commissioner by Cromwell, was one, and Gen- eral Fortesque was president. The latter soon fell a victim to the climate. At this tink General Sedgwick made two requests to the Protector :-
" One is, if God spare me life, that your highness would be pleased to permit me to come to England. But I am not very solicitous in that, sometimes thinking that another place will be my portion, before I may hear again from your highness.
" The other petition is : 1 left behind me a dear and religious wife, who through grace hath much of the fear and knowledge of God in her. I have also five children, to me dear and precious. I would only by this, that your highness would cast one thought towards them; that whatever hazard or hardship I may go through, yet my relations may not be forgotten. I only expect, what your highness was pleased to promise me, that she may not be troubled in obtaining it in such seasons, as may tend to her comfort."
Gen. Sedgwick renews the latter request,-in relation to his pay,-to Cromwell's secre- tary, Thurloe, in letters dated November 7, and November 12, 1665; remarking, " the truth is, my heart and spirit are in a confusion, and (I) think it may sometimes finish my few days I have here to be." His presentiment proved true. So far from granting his request to return, the Protector sent him a commission to command the army. "He never enjoyed himself," writes one of his officers, "after he received his commission," " but as was appar- ent to all men, from that time lost much of freedom and cheerfulness." Ile died May 24. 1656.
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