USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. I > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
134
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
excepting and reserving thereout on the east side of the west end of the six hundred and twelve perches, marked by a divisional line between the casterly and westerly moieties of the said grand lot, a way of twenty perches in breadth, from the letter I on the south end to the letter I on the north end, to lie in common and undivided to the general use of the parties to these presents, their heirs and assigns forever; provided also, that two seventh parts of the fore-mentioned fourth lot, granted and allotted as aforesaid, to and for the said Daniel Cox, shall be, according to former agreements, set out unto and for, and held and enjoyed by Thomas Freak, of Hannington, in the county of Wilts, in the kingdom of England, Esquire, by a straight line, to begin at the south-east angle of the fore-mentioned third lot, at the letter D on the east end, and to be thence extended due south one hundred and twenty-eight perches in breadth to the letter E on the east end, and thence to be run by a straight line west, eleven degrees south, to the letter E on the west end, to be thence per-closed with the letter D on the west end, containing in the said subdivision seventeen hundred and fourteen acres, be the same more or less, to the use of the said Thomas Freak, his heirs and assigns, forever; and also, that two other seventh parts of the said lot, afore- mentioned fourth lot, shall be according to assignment of him, the said Daniel Cox, set out by a straight line, to begin at the north-east angle of the afore-mentioned fifth lot at the letter E on the east end, and to be thence extended due north one hundred and twenty-eight perches in breadth, to the letter C on the cast end, and thence to be run by a straight line west ten degrees south, with the letter C on the west end. To be per-closed with the letter E on the west end, by a due south line, at the breadth of one hundred and twelve perches and a half a perch, containing in the said subdivision the like quantity of seventeen hundred and fourteen acres, be the same more or less, to the use of him, the said John Blackwell, his heirs and assigns, forever. And, lastly, it is in like manner provided and agreed by and between all the parties to these presents, and they do all of them, for themselves severally and respec- tively, and for their several and respective heirs and assigns, covenant, promise, and agree to and with each other respectively, and to and with the respective heirs and assigns of each other, that in case the yearly rents that are or shall from time to time become payable to his Majesty, his heirs and successors, for the whole premises, shall not be so laid and levied as to ascertain the due payment thereof, that the same, or what- soever part thereof shall remain in and due, together with the charges and damages accruing thereby, shall, proportionably to each person's interest and share, be collected amongst them, and paid and borne by them, for the satisfying thereof, and they do, by these presents, severally and respectively bind themselves and their several and respective heirs and assigns to make payment thereof accordingly.
135
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
In witness whereof, the parties to these presents first above-named, have hereunto set their hands and seals. Dated the third day of July, in the fourth year of his Majesty's reign, Anno Domini, one thousand six hundred and eighty-eight."
The foregoing instrument is signed by Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, and John Blackwell, having each a seal attached to the parchment by a loop, with two other seals of the same description for Robert Thompson and Daniel Cox, without their signatures, making five seals attached at the bottom of the parchment like pendants.
It is witnessed by Samuel Witty, Edward Robinson, and William Blackwell, the latter, probably, a relative of Captain John Blackwell, one of the associates ; also, it is witnessed by Daniel Bondet, the minister of the French colony, who states in a letter, in another place in this work, that he resided here as the minister of these colonists nine years, and was also employed by the Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Indians of New England at this place. It has another of the French colonists for a witness, T. B. Du Tuffean, who, it is related in another place, was the agent of Gabriel Bernon, and one of the first of the colonists who began the French plantation in Oxford village.
This document is valuable otherwise besides showing these signatures as aforesaid, in referring to the French houses that, at this time, in the year 1688, were located near the river, on this Oxford plantation. Altogether, it is the most important paper thus far seen, testifying of the actual French plantation, at this early period, within the limits of this town.
This parchment instrument is about two feet square ; a por- tion written in German text, and the writing otherwise neatly executed. It was found in London in May, 1872, and is now in possession of the New York Historical Society. Permitted to be copied by G. H. Moore, Esq., the secretary.
CHAPTER II.
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BREAKING UP OF THE FRENCH HUGUE- NOT PLANTATION, AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT HISTORY, WITH BRIEF ALLUSION TO OTHER EXILES OF THIS CLASS.
THE assault of the Indians upon this French colony, at TH New Oxford, as then called, was on the 23d of August, 1596, by the Albany or Western Indians, as it has been stated, but most probably straggling Canadian natives, or some of the escaped fugitives that were engaged in the war of Philip.
On the intelligence of these outrages, and of the appear- ance of hostile parties near Woodstock, Major James Fitch marched to that town. On the 27th, a party was sent out of thirty-eight Norwich, Mohegan, and Nipmuck Indians, and twelve soldiers, to range the woods towards Lancaster, under Captain Daniel Fitch ; on their march they passed through Worcester, and discovered traces of the enemy in its vicinity.
The following letter, of this commander, gives an account of their expedition :
To the It. Hon. William Stoughton, Esq., Lieutenant- Governor and Com- mander-in-Chief, de.
" Whereas, we were informed of several persons killed at Oxford, on Tuesday night last past (23d), and not knowing what danger might be near to Woodstock, and several other frontiers towards the western parts of the Massachusetts province, several persons appearing volunteers, both English and Indians, to the number of about fifty (concerning which the bearer, Mr. James Corbin, may more fully inform yo.r Honor), all of which were willing to follow the Indian enemy, hoping to find those that had done the late mischief; in prosecution whereof.
137
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
we have ranged the woods to the westward of Oxford, and so to Wor- cester, and then to Lancaster, and were freely willing to spend some considerable time in endeavoring to find any of the enemy that may be upon Merrimack or Penicook rivers, or anywhere in the western woods; to which end we humbly request your Honor would be pleased to encour- age said design, by granting us some supply of provisions and ammuni- tion ; and, also, by strengthening us as to anything wherein we may be short in any respect, that so we may be under no disadvantage or discouragement.
" They may further inform your Honor that on the Sabbath-day (28th), coming at a place called Half-Way River, betwixt Oxford and Worcester, we came upon the fresh tracks of several Indians, which were gone towards Worcester, which we apprehend were the Indians that did the late damage at Oxford; and being very desirous to do some service that may be to the benefit of his Majesty's subjects, we humbly crave your Honor's favorable assistance.
" Herein, I remain your Honor's most humble servant, according to my ability. *
"DANIEL FITCHI. "LANCASTER, 31st Angust, 1696."
It appears that the minister of this French colony, while they remained at Oxford, besides attending to the duties as pastor of this people, was employed by the Society for Pro- pagating the Gospel Among the Indians, at this place.
He complained, in the year 1691, to the authorities of Massachusetts, of the sale of rum to the Indians, and its bad effects, and prays that this business may be restrained.
The date of this communication, with a line or two, in- cluding the address, is missing ; but it is indorsed, " Mr. Daniel Bondet's Representation, referring to New Oxford, July 6, 1691."
He mentions it as upon an
" Occasion which fills my heart with sorrow, and my life with trouble, but my humble request will be at least before God, and before you a solemn protestation against the guilt of those incorrigible persons who (well in our place. The rum is always sold to the Indians withont
* See Lincoln's History of Worcester, p. 37; also, for the persons killed, see Dr. Holmes' Memoir, vol. II, 3d scries, Mass. Hist. Collections, p. 60.
10
138
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
order and measure, insomuch that, according to complaint sent to me by Master Dickestean, with advice to present it to your Honor (to Lieut-Gov. Stoughton, most probably). On the 26th of last month there was about twenty Indians so furious, by drunkenness, that they fought like bears, and fell upon one called Remes-who is appointed for preaching the Gospel amongst them-he had been so much injured by his wounds that there is no hope of his recovery. If it was your pleasure to signify to the instruments of that evil the jealousy of your authority and of the public tranquility, you would do great good, maintaining the honor of God in a Christian habitation, comforting some honest souls, which, being incompatible with such abominations, feel every day the burden of affliction of their honorable peregrinations aggravated. Hear us, we pray, and so God be with you, and prosper all your just undertakings and applications, is the sincere wish of your most respectful servant.
"DANIEL BONDET, " Minister of the Gospel in a French Congregation, at New Oxford."
The above communication was found by Mr. Bradford in the Secretary's Office, State Department, Boston, by a search made at the request of Dr. Holmes, when writing his memoirs of these French Protestants.
In another communication from Mr. Bondet, in 1695, it appears he was a French Protestant minister, who preached to the Indians at that time in this place .*
There is another letter of Rev. Daniel Bondet, at a still later period, which did not come under the notice of Dr. Holmes, that is interesting in this respect. It is evidence as to the time of this small colony's settling at Oxford, and of his services there, and of the cause of the abandonment of the place by them ; and is, also, important in explaining who he was, the length of time he served here, and his future services as the minister of the French colony of New Rochelle, in Westchester county, New York.
This was an application to Lord Cornbury, designed, through him, to place himself and his church and society under the
+ Soe vol 11, 3d series of Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, p. 61.
139
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
care and protection of the English Missionary Society, known as " The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts .*
This letter of Mr. Bondet, above referred to, is found in Weiss' " History of the French Protestant Refugees," trans- lated from the French by Henry William Herbert. It is introduced in connection with the "Historical Sketch of the French Settlement of New Rochelle." He says :
* This society had then but recently been incorporated by the British Parliament for the principal object of propagating the faith and forms of the English church ; the English col- onies, wherever located, were made the missionary fields for this purpose. It was com. posed of men of the first standing and influence in that kingdom, not only clerically, but politically. The grand design was to encourage loyalty and subserviency to authority, but particularly to the British government.
The leading men of England had noticed the tendency to self-government in their Ameri- can colonies ; and thus the design was to counteract this influence. At first it was thought best to establish literary institutions to mould public sentiment ; and later, the visit of George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, to this country, in 1729, had for its object this purpose. The college at Williamsburg, " The William and Mary," so named in honor of Queen Mary and her husband, William of Nassau (King William III), established in 1692, was one of the first moves. But the missionary plan, bringing this effort and its means directly in contact with the people, was concluded upon as the best and most effectual way of forming public sentiment.
With this object in view, the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts was established in 1701. Many of the early Episcopal churches in the English colonics in Amer- ica were founded through the action of this missionary society.
It has been noticed by the writer that the several great missionary societies created in. England to operate in the American colonial field, have sometimes been confounded, one with another, when the operations of each had for its motive a distinct purpose, as follows:
The first of these societies was "The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel tmong the Indians of New England." This was originated chiefly through the influence of the leading men in the government in Massachusetts, in connection with the ministers of the Gospel, Edward Winslow, Herbert Pelham, and Major Robert Thompson, acting conspicuous parts in creating public opinion in its favor in England; the first move for this object was by the General Court of Massachusetts, in 1646, which finally resulted in the act of incorporation of this society by Parliament in 1649.
It was this society that appointed Rev. Daniel Bondet a missionary among the remaining Nipmuck Indians of the Indian town of Manchang, then Oxford village, where he began his labors with both the French colony and these uatives in 1687.
At this time Major Robert Thompson, the first named in the grant for Oxford was the president of this society. All contributions in England for this object were transmitted to the Commissioners for the United Confederation of the New England Colonies, who, with great prudence and fidelity, distributed the samc.
The third one of these societies, and no less prominent and effective in its missionary efforts, was that created by Presbyterian influence in 1709, styled " The Society for the Pro- pagation of Christian Knowledge." The operations of this society were more widely extended among the natives of the country than either of the two former.
One of its most noticeable efforts was in connection with Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, who was settled as pastor of the Second Congregational Society of Lebanon, in Connecticut, 1735, and had established Moore's Indian Charity School, which led to the founding of Dartmouth college in 1769.
Eleszer Wheelock was born in Windham, Connecticut, in April, 1711 ; died at Hanover, New
140
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
" The Rev. Daniel Bondet was their first minister; and, fortunately for our purposes, we have a letter written at that period, 1702, by this earliest Huguenot minister in Westchester county. It is a curious, au- thentic, and interesting document, translated from the French :
. To his Excellency, My Lord Cornbury, Governor and Commander-in-Chief : ' MY LORD, -
'I most humbly pray your Excellency to be pleased to take cog- nizance of the petitioner's condition. I am a French Refugee Minister, incorporated into the body of the Ministry of the Anglican Church; I
Hampshire, April 24, 1779. A graduate of Yale college in 1733. His salary, when settled at Labanon, was small, and to aid his resources he opened a select school for both English and the native scholars. The proficiency of an Indian boy, a Mohegan by birth, led him to estab- lish a missionary school to advance education and religion among the Indians. This boy was Samson Occom, born in 1723; died at New Stockbridge, New York. 1792. His ability as a preacher was such, that Mr. Wheelock sent him to England in 1766, with Rev. Nathaniel Whitaker. to exhibit his power, and to show the intellectual ability possessed by the native race. Mr. Wheelock had, by the aid of a benevolent gentleman at Lebanon (Mr. Moore), who gave a large dwelling-house and two acres of land, established what was known as " Moore's Indian Charity School. " This Samson Oecom was the first Indian preacher who had visited England ; the object being mainly to obtain funds to increase the advantages and usefulness of this school, This effort succeeded beyond the expectation of its promoter; the curiosity to hear this native preacher was great, and had a powerful effect in inducing the benevolent to aid what appeared so good an object, the elevation of the native American race. £10,000 were the result of this labor. Lord Dartmonth was made the President of the English Board for managing these funds; and this enabled Mr. Wheelock, through the donation of 40,000 acres of land by New Hampshire, to establish at Hanover, Dartmouth college, under the charter of December 10, 1769.
Another society, known as the " Moravians," or " United Brethren," was established by Count Nicholas Lewis, Lord of Zinzendorf and Pottendorf (who was born at Dresden, May 26, 1700, and died May 9. 1700), in Upper Lusatia, about 1722. at a place known as Herrnhut.
Over his door, the entrance to his house, was this verse :
" As guests we only remain, And hence this house is slight and plain. Therefore, Inrn to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope !- Zach., Ix, 12. We have a better house above, And there we fix our warmest love."
Ile visited the Danish West India Islands in 1739, where, in 1734, hils missionaries had established themselves; and returning to Europe he traveled there extensively, endeavor- ing by his efforts everywhere to establish his missionaries, whose duty it was, in their efforts in propagating the Gospel. to conform entirely to the simplicity of the primitive apostles ; and, as far as possible, to gain a support by their own labors, and to be true fol- lowers of the precepts, according to Jesus, as revealed by the new dispensation. The following is a stanza of a hymn composed by him on board of the vessel on his way to America :
" Jesus, thy blood and righteousness, My beauty are. my glorious dress; 'Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head."
Again. in 1711, he determined to visit the English colonies in America; the previous year he had sent here the Rev. David Nitschman, then bishop, to direct the missionary efforts
141
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
removed, about fifteen years ago,* into New England, with a company of poor refugees, to whom lands were granted for their settlement, and to provide for my subsistence I was allowed one hundred and five pieces per annum, from the funds of the Corporation for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Savages. I performed that duty during nine years, with a success approved and attested by those who presided over the affairs of that Province.
'The murders which the Indians committed in these countries caused the dispersion of our company, some of whom fell by the hands of the barbarians.
'I remained after that, two years in that Province (1698), expecting a favorable season for the re-establishment of affairs; but, after waiting two years, seeing no appearance, and being invited to remove to this Province of New York by Col. Heathcote, who always evinces an affec- tion for the public good, and distinguishes himself by a special ap- plication for the advancement of religion and good order, by the estab- lishment of churches and schools, the fittest means to strengthen and encourage the people, I complied with his request, and that of the com- pany of New Rochelle in this Province, where I passed five years on a
which, in 1738, a number of his followers had planted in Georgia, but removed to Pennsylvania in 1744, and founded the seat of their operations in this country at Bethle- hem. He was accompanied by his daughter, the Countess Benigna, then about sixteen years of age. They sailed from Gravesend the 28th of September, and arrived in New York at the end of November. He traveled extensively in the Middle States and into Connecticut, especially among the different tribes of the Indians, and planted his mission- aries, who, through their simplicity, gained the friendship of the native race, and brought many to embrace the Gospel. On the 21st of July, 1742, the count came to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the watch-word for the day being, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." And on the 25th following, the anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confessions, the Moravians at Bethlehem, with the aid of Count Zinzendorf, were formed iuto a church, according to the model of the original church he had formed at Herruhut. The count preached the first sermon on this occasion, from the words, "Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee." Here he remained over the Sabbath.
The churches at Bethlehem and Nazareth have since this time been the central point of this Christian denomination in America.
Again, Count Zinzendorf preached on the 31st of December, 1742, in the newly-erected Moravian church in Philadelphia, which had a great effect upon his hearers. To avoid ex- citement, he left the assemblage privately, to pursue his journey to New York. His part- ing address to his friends was delivered at the house of Stephen Benezet, a French Protest- ant and an exemplary Christian, of Philadelphia, who was much interested in the fervent Christian spirit and simplicity of the count, and heartily engaged in his plans and move- ments. He sailed from New York in the James, June 9, 1743.
The American Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Among the Indians and Others in North America was incorporated in 1787. Governor James Bowdoin was the first president. The American Society for Promoting Knowledge, Piety, and Charity was incorporated in 1805-both in Massachusetts.
* The date of this letter, 1702, in which he says he removed fifteen years ago to New England, will make his settlement at Oxford in 1687, where he remained nine years, which gives 1696 the date the plantation was broken up.
142
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
small allowance, promised me by New Rochelle, of one hundred pieces and lodging, with that of one hundred and five pieces which the Cor- poration continued to me until the arrival of my Lord Bellamont, who, after indicating his willingness to take charge of me and my canton, ordered me thirty pieces in the Council of New York, and did me the favor to promise me, that, at his journey to Boston, he would procure me the continuation of that stipend I had in times past. But having learned at Boston, through M. Nanfan, his lieutenant, that I annexed my signature to an ecclesiastical certificate, which the churches and pastors of this Province had given to Sieur Delins, minister of Albany, who had not the good fortune to please his late lordship, his defunct Excellency cut off his thirty pieces which he had ordered me in the Council at York, deprived me of the Boston pension of twenty-five pieces, writing to London to have that deduction approved, and left me, (Inring three years last past, in an extreme destitution of the means of subsistence.
' I believe, my lord, that in so important a service as that in which I am engaged, Fought not to discourage myself, and that the Providence of God which does not abandon those who have recourse to His aid by well-doing, would provide in His time for my relief.
' Your Excellency's equity, the affection you have evinced to us for the encouragement of those who employ themselves constantly and faith- fully in God's service, induces me to hope that I shall have a share in the dispensation of your justice, to relieve me from my suffering, so that I may be aided and encouraged to continue with my flock, and to pray God for the preservation of your person, your illustrious family, and the prosperity of your government.
' Remaining your Excellency's humble and respectful servant, * · DANIEL BONDET.'"
This letter was referred to Colonel Heathcote for examination into the merits of the request, who made a favorable report. The substance was as follows :
" His field of Christian labor among the Indians was at a place called New Oxford, near Boston, with a salary of $25 per annum. During, this mission Gov. Wm. Stoughton, Rev. Increase Mather, with others certify that he, with great faithfulness, discharged his duty, both in
* The Huguenots bought 6,000 acres of land at New Rochelle, in Westchester county, in September, 1689. Their meeting-house was built in 1692 '93, and their first minister was Rev. David Bonrepose, D. D .; the Rev. Daniel Bondet was his successor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.