USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 16
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The Dutch settlement of New Netherlands, now New York, received its first permanent planters early in May, 1623. Pre- vious to this date, from the time of the discovery of this country and its noble river by Henry Hudson, in 1609, it had been the resort of trappers and fur traders.
The first colonists were Walloons, of French origin. They inhabited upon the frontiers, between France and Flanders, extending from the Scheldt to the river Lys. They spoke the old French or Gallic language, and professed the Reformed religion.
* See History of the Huguenot Church and Settlement at New Paltz, by Rev. Charles H. Stitt, D. D.
The foregoing, relating to this settlement and church, is mostly taken from Mr. Stitt's pamphlet, for which the writer is indebted to his kindness in complying with his request for a copy of the same.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
During the thirty years' war between the seven provinces of the Netherlands and Spain, which resulted in the independ- ence of the former, the Walloons distinguished themselves by their valor in battling for freedom and the rights of con- science in union with their Dutch associates.
The Dutch West India Company, who controlled this new colony, subject to the approval of their doings by the States- General of the United Netherlands, sent out, in the ship Neth- erland, thirty families of these Walloons, under the charge of Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. They sailed from a port in the island of the Texel (near the main-land) in March, 1623, and arrived early in May on the Hudson river. A part of these Walloons located at New Amsterdam (New York), and others were sent up the river to Fort Orange, a trading-post -now Albany-while several of these families planted them- selves on the east side of the Hallegat, or East river, on the borders of a cove, near the present site of the United States Navy-Yard, which took the name of Wahle Bocht (Walloons Bay); but, by a corruption of this name by the English, it is now known as the Wallabout.
These few families were the founders of the city of Breuk- len (Brooklyn). It is said that Sarah Rapelje, daughter of Joris Rapelje and Catelina Trico, born here in 1625, was the first white child, or Christian born, in New Netherlands.
The Dutch government continued in this colony to 1664,* a period of about fifty years, when it became, by conquest, an
* The names of the Dutch directors or governors, were as follows : The first was Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. Served from 1623 to 1624. One year. The second was William Verhulst. Served from 1624 to 1625. One year. The third was Peter Minuit, called governor, from 1625 to 1633. Eight years. The fourth was Wouter Van Twiller. Served from 1633 to 1638. Five years. The fifth was William Keift. Served from 1638 to 1647. Nine years. The sixth, and last, was Peter Stuyvesant. Served from 1647 to September 8, 1664. Seventeen years.
See E. B. O'Callaghan's History of New Netherlands; also see John Romeyn Brodhead's History of State of New York.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
English colony, and, in honor of the Duke of York, took the name of New York.
During the period of rule by the Netherlands, who main- tained free toleration of all systems of religious faith, it became the resort of the exiles of the Reformed religion, who had for many years fled to the United Provinces of the Neth- erlands for shelter and protection. Among the exiles a large number were of French origin.
In the early period of the history of the colony of New York, the number of the inhabitants that were French and Dutch was so great, and their language so generally spoken, it was necessary to publish all laws in both the Dutch and French language, as well as the English, at a subsequent period.
The growth and prosperity of the city and State of New York is greatly indebted to the commencement and continu- ance of religious toleration ; like the country from which it originated, it has been the favorite resort of persecuted religionists, and lovers of freedom of all countries.
It is represented that in the year 1689 there were two hun- dred French families in the city of New York and vicinity, who came here about the time of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes .*
The government of France contemplated, at one time, seriously, capturing the city of New York, to punish the French citizens who had fled here, that had escaped from France.
Louis XIV attributed much of the encroachments by the English upon his Catholic subjects in the Canadas to the ill-feeling of the French Protestants in New York and New England.t
The acts of liberality of William Penn, in matters of faith
* See documents relating to the colonial history of New York, vol. III, p. 650. # See same, vol. Ix, pp. 425, 509, 540-549.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
and political policy in his proprietary in Pennsylvania, induced colonists from all Protestant countries in Europe to settle in that province. Many of the Dutch and French, and also Swedes, had commenced settlements upon its borders before Mr. Penn received his title to the country. The early history of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware is largely con- nected with that of New York. The elementary ideas of religious toleration and political freedom emanated from the Dutch Fatherland.
The exiled Huguenots of the Palatinate and Holland, set tling there through a period of more than 100 years, from the commencement of the civil wars in France in 1561, were largely of the number who first settled in the Middle States .*
Virginia received a share of these exiled Huguenots in 1690 ; under the patronage of King William, a colony settled on the banks of James river, about twenty miles above Rich- mond. These were of the number who followed the Prince of Orange into England, and took part with him in the Irish war. They founded the town of Manakin; this district sub- sequently took the name of " The Parish of King William." Their numbers were greatly increased in 1699 by other escaped refugees. Their minister was Claude Philippe de Richbourg.t
A large colony of these refugees settled in North Carolina, in the territory between the rivers Neuse and Trent. These, with a number of families from the canton of Berne, in Switzerland, aided by Christopher, Baron de Graffenreid, a nobleman from that place, formed a flourishing plantation, which they called New Berne, in honor of Berne in that country.
These foreigners, although coming from different countries,
* Sce Brodhead's New York, pp. 620; also, 745-750.
t See Beverly's Virginia, chapter XIII; also, Campbell's Virginia, p. 370; also see Proud's History of Pennsylvania, vol. I, p. 219.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
were principally of French origin. Their firmness and per- sistency in their religious faith, and their tolerant considera- tion towards others who differed with them in such matters, gave ample evidence that they were fit inhabitants for laying the foundation of a government controlled by the exercise of individual sovereignty.
They proved themselves worthy citizens, and many distin- guished names in that State trace their origin to these Hugue- not ancestors .*
South Carolina was more largely identified with this class of exiles who fled from France than either of the before- mentioned colonies, Through all its carly history they gave tone and character to the population. Many were direct from France, but more from the countries to which they had pre- viously fled for protection.
There were many of the Palatines that fled into Holland and England, at the time their country was laid waste by fire and the sword of the French army, under Turenne, in the year 1674. Many thousands of this people were made destitute by the burning of whole towns and cities.
The English government gave friendly encouragement to this class of people ; there could not be any better or more suitable people to supply planters to their rising colonies in America, and, by rendering aid in their transportation to Eng- land, opened the way for their removing to America, to which these refugees gladly embarked in large numbers.
While Louis XIV was depopulating his European domains, and forbidding their settlement within the limits of his colo- nies in America, England was adopting a reverse course, which
* See Francois Xavier Martin's History of North Carolina, vol. I, pp. 232-235; also, Hugh Williamson's History of North Carolina, vol. I, p. 184, and note o, pp. 275-281. This note gives the contract of Christopher, Baron de Graffenreid, and Louis Mitchel, for intro- ducing these early planters, called " Palatines."
It bears date the "10th day of October, Anno Domini, 1709, and in the eighth year of our Sovereign Lady Anne, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith;" with Graffenreid and others.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
added large numbers of valuable colonists to her several prov- inces, and furnishing great strength and power, whose antag- onistic element to the French ultimately proved the ruin of that interest on this continent.
As early as the year 1679, Charles II, with the intention of introducing the production of wine, oil, and silk in the mild climate of the Carolinas, gave encouragement to the planting of the French agriculturists there. Although they received at this time many families of this class of French Protestants, they were not successful in the object designed ; yet they proved themselves valuable citizens.
Many honorable names have descended from this' class of the early planters in South Carolina. The following are among the number : Henry Laurens, one of the Presidents of the Continental Congress, who, on his resignation received the appointment of Minister to Holland ; being captured on his way to Europe by the English, he was confined in London from 1778 till the close of the Revolutionary War, and when released received a commission, and joined Dr. Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay; and with them negotiated the preliminaries, and signed the treaty of peace, November 30, 1782, by which the Independence of the United States was acknowledged.
Gabriel Manigault, another descendant of these refugees, was a successful merchant of that colony, who, at the com- mencement of the Revolutionary War, to relieve that colony from its pecuniary embarrassment, and to enable it to prepare for the impending struggle, granted her a loan of $220,000, and at his death, in 1781, at the age of seventy-seven years, left to the South Carolina Society of Charleston £5,000 ster- ling, to educate destitute children. The name of Francis Marion, a pattern of valor and patriotism, is exhibited in bril- liant colors in the history of the Revolution. He was a de- scendant of a French refugee.
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 181
The late Hugh Swinton Legare was another ; he received the appointment of Attorney-General of the United States from President Tyler, and, as W. C. Preston, an able states- man, remarked, "his practice as attorney-general was at- tended with the most conspicuous success." Among the other names of these French planters in South Carolina are found Benoist, Bosquit, Boiseau, Bouneau, Chevalier, Cordis, Bacot, Dupre, Delisle, Duboise, Deveraux, Dutarque, Deleseline, Dupont, Francheraud, Gaillard, Guerard, Godin, Giradeau, Gourdine, Horry, Huger, Mellichamp, Maurau, Priolean, Porcher, Postell, Peyre, Ravenel, Simmons, St. Julian, Trev- enaut, ett .*
Other refugees settled in Georgia. Among these were the colony of Salzburgers. Their ancestors were from the pre- cinct of Savoy,t driven from their homes through the persecu- tion of the dukes of that province. They sought a retreat in the valleys of the rivers Salzer and Tyrol, in the mountain re- gion, in the western part of Austria. Their persecutions here were almost unparalleled. After many years of peace and quietness, about thirty thousand were driven, in three years- from 1729 to 1732-from that country through the influence of the Romish priests, simply for their adherence to a differ- ent religious faith. They were reduced to a state of destitution, and compelled to find homes among the benevolent of Protest- ant countries. They were everywhere received with kind- ness and hospitality, for their known peaceful and industrious habits.
About the time of the commencement of the colony of Georgia, the British government, through their aid, enabled
* See Ramsay's History of South Carolina, vol. I, pp. 5-8 ; also, vol. II, pp. 481-501 ; and for the inhuman treatment of the Palatines, see Menzel's History of Germany, vol. II, char- ters 224, 225-227 ; also, Miss Pardoe's Louis XIV and Court of France, chapters 8-9. The terrible sufferings of the people of the border provinces of Germany can scarcely be described. The generals of Louis XIV, under the direction of Louvois, the minister of war, had full lib- erty to pillage, burn, and destroy.
1 These were French Protestants.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, in the year 1734, to transplant a number of these distressed Salz- burgers into this new colony.
They were first provided with means to reach England, and then embarked for their new destination. After a long sea voyage they reached Charleston, South Carolina, where they met the proprietor of the province of Georgia, General James Oglethorpe, who extended his kindness and aid in forwarding them to Savannah, where they arrived, March 12, 1734.
It was their desire to settle in a hilly country like that from which they came, where there were springs of clear water and flowing streams. A tract of this description was found about thirty miles in the rear of Savannah, between two small rivers, which were branches of the Savannah river.
To this locality they soon removed, and, having all safely arrived, they knelt in prayer, and sung a psalm of thanksgiv- ing for their deliverance from their trials, and for their pleas- ant new home, which they named Ebenezer-a place of rest. They were highly pleased with the delightful climate, and the richness of the soil of their plantation. They applied them- selves with great industry in clearing their lands, and reducing them to the cultivation of various products of the soil. They soon had erected comfortable dwellings, and houses for their religious worship, and schools. Here, under the guidance of the benevolent Oglethorpe, others of this people soon joined them, when their new home in the wilderness became a thriv- ing and prosperous plantation.
The reputation of General Oglethorpe's proprietary soon drew to it many that sought relief from religious oppres- sion.
Among these foreigners were many sent there by the cele- brated Nicolaus Ludovicus, Count of Zinzendorf, the founder of the Society of the United Brethren. His idea was to
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
found a Christian community on the model of the primitive Apostolic congregations.
From this effort originated the sect, called " Moravians."*
* See Stevens' History of Georgia, vol. I, chapters II and III; also see Menzel's History of Germany, vol. III, pp. 33-40. For an account of the Salzburgers, sce same, pp. 55, 131-132. James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, was born in the county of Surrey, in England, June 1, 1688, and died the 30th of June, 1785, aged ninety-seven, having lived to see the colony he founded become one of the free and independent States of the American Union. Zinzen- dorf was born in Dresden, May 26, 1700. He died at Herrnhut, May 9, 1760. He came to America in 1741, and remained in the country about two years. He preached at German- town, Bethlehem, and Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania.
He traveled extensively into the different colonies and among the Indians. His mission was in the cause of peace and religion. The colony he established in Georgia left that pro- prietary, and removed to Pennsylvania in 1744. The chief colony of the Moravians was at Bethlehem in this province. Like the Quakers, they did not approve of warfare. Some further remarks concerning the United Brethren will be found in another part of these his- torical collections.
ENGLISH SETTLEMENT,
OXFORD.
CHAPTER III.
THIS movement began by the following proclamation and deed from the proprietors of the grant to certain English settlers :
" To all persons unto whom these presents shall come : Joseph Dudley, of Roxbury, in the county of Suffolk, and province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, Esq .; William Taylor, of Dorchester, in the same county, Esq. ; Peter Sargent, of Boston, Esq., and Mehetable, his wife; John Nelson, of Boston, Esq., and Elizabeth, his wife: as they, the said William Taylor, Peter Sargent, and John Danforth, are the heirs and executors of the Hon. William Stoughton, late of Dorchester, deceased, send greeting :
" Whereas, The General Court of the colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-two, granted to said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Major Robert Thompson, and their associates, a certain tract of land in the Nipmuck country, eight miles square, for a township, as may be seen more at large by the records of the General Court, pursuant whereunto, and for the uses aforesaid, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, and their associates, in the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-six, brought over thirty families of French Protestants into this country, and settled them upon the eastern part of the said tract of land, and reserved, granted, and set apart 11,250 acres for a village, called Oxford, for the said families, and bounded it as by a plat upon record will more fully appear ; but forasmuch as the said French families have, many years since, wholly left and deserted their settlements in said village, and the said lands, as well by their deserting the same, and refusing to return, upon public proclamation made for that end, as by the voluntary surrender of most of them, are now reinvested in and restored to and become the estate and at the disposition of the original proprietors, their heirs and suc- cessors, for the ends aforesaid :
" And, whereas, There are sundry good families of her Majesty's sub- jects within this province who offer themselves to go out and resettle the
13
186
ENGLISH SETTLEMENT,
said village, whereby they may be serviceable to the province, and the end and design of the original grant aforesaid be answered and attained :
"Now, know ye, that the said Joseph Dudley, William Taylor, Peter Sargent, and Mehetable, his wife, John Nelson, and Elizabeth, his wife, and John Danforth, and Elizabeth, his wife, for and in consideration and to the uses and intents above mentioned-
" Have fully, freely, and absolutely, and by these presents, do give, grant, and confirm unto Samuel Hageburn, John Town, Daniel Eliot, Abiel Lamb, Joseph Chamberlain, Benjamin Nealand, Benoni Twitchel, Joseph Rocket, Benjamin Chamberlain, Jr., Oliver Collier, Daniel Pier- son, Abram Skinner, Eben. Learned, Thomas Leason, Eben. Humphrey, Jonathan Tillotson, Edmund Taylor, Ephraim Town, Israel Town, William Hudson, Daniel Eliot, Jr., Nathaniel Chamberlain, John Chand- ler, Jr., John Chandler, and others, their associates, so as their num- ber amount to thirty families, at least, all that part of the said tract of land, etc., etc., herein above mentioned; Provided, always, that if any of the persons, grantees above named, or any of their associates, shall neglect to settle upon and improve the said land, with themselves and families, by the space of two years next ensuing,-or, being settled thereon, shall leave and desert the same, and not return to their re- spective habitations in the said town, upon due notice given, -that then, in such case, it shall and may be lawful to and for the rest of the gran- tees and, their associates, heirs, or assigns, respectively, or the major part of them, to seize upon and take the said estate or estates of such person or persons so deserting. Excepting always, and reserving to Gabriel Bernon, merchant, the whole of his right, grant, or purchase, which made one of the original proprietors, as by deed or record thereof may appear.
" In witness whereof, The parties above named to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals, the 8th day of July, in the 12th year of her Majesty's reign, Anno Domini, 1713.
“ (Signed), " J. Dudley, William Taylor, Peter Sargent, Mehetable Sargent,
John Danforth, Elizabeth Danforth, John Nelson, Elizabeth Nelson, and each a seal.
" Boston, July 15, 1713-Received and recorded with the Records of Deeds for the county of Suffolk, Book XXVII, p. 174.
" Per ADDINGTON DAVENPORT,
" Attested, Register.
JOHN TOWN, Clerk of Oxford."
Taken from 1st book of the "Town Records."
187
OXFORD.
The following is the first division of the proprietors' lands. Drawn by lot, January 18, 1714-15. To each man of the thirty families, for his house lot. Each lot to be thirty acres :
1 Daniel Eliot, J.,,
16 John Collier,
2 Ephraim Town,
17 Joshua Whitney,
3 Samuel Hageburn,
18 Joseph Rocket,
4 Benoni Twitchel,
19 Ebenezer Learned,
5 Isaac Learned,
20 Joseph Chamberlain,
6 Joshua Chandler,
21 Thomas Huskins,
₹ Ebenezer Humphrey,
22 Edmund Taylor,
8 David Pierson,
23 Ebenezer Lamb,
9 William Hudson,
24 Nathaniel Chamberlain, .
25 Jonathan Tillotson,
26 Oliver Collier,
27 John Chandler, Jr.,
28 Benjamin Chamberlain, Jr.,
29 Abraham Skinner,
15 John Town,
30 Israel Town.
The first vote recorded on the proprietors' books is under date, "September 13, 1713:" Voted: "That Peter Shumway* shall come in as an inhabitant of Oxford upon the right of Joshua Chandler."
MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION.
Upon due warning given, by warrant from John Chandler, Esquire,t one of her majesty's justices of the peace for the county of Suffolk, for the choice of town officers, a town meeting was held, July 22, 1713 :
It was then voted that three persons should be chosen for selectmen for the present year.
Chose, John Town,
66 Benoni Twitchel, Selectmen.
66 Joseph Chamberlain,
66 John Town,
For Town-Clerk,
Thomas Huskins, Constable,
66 Oliver Collier, 66 Highway Surveyor,
66 Abiel Lamb, Tything-Man.
All of whom were sworn before John Chandler, justice of peace.
* Peter Shumway was one of the French settlers in the first plantation, and the only one of the first that at this time united with the second. Andrew Sigourney came later.
t This John Chandler was a resident of Woodstock, then in the county of Suffolk.
10 Benjamin Nealand,
11 Joseph Chandler, Jr.,
12 Daniel Eliot,
13 Abiel Lamb,
14 Thomas Gleason,
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ENGLISH SETTLEMENT,
The first charge in the town books, after the organization, was a law book, and book for town records, bought at the public expense of the town.
TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 1713.
Voted : "That John Town, Samuel Hageburn, and Benjamin Cham- berlain, should be a committee to lay out a minister's lot and burying- place."
MARCH MEETING, 1714.
Voted : "That each lot man shall pay his equal proportion of ten shil- lings a Sabbath, for a quarter of a year, to Mr. John James, for his preaching with us."
This Mr. John James was, no doubt, the first minister who preached to the people of Oxford, who composed this second colony for the settlement of this town.
FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
JULY 29, 1714.
Voted : "To build a meeting-house thirty feet square, and eighteen feet stud, and to set the house on the west side of the highway, near Twitchel's field."
This location is understood to be near the north-east corner of the old burying-ground. A committee being raised for the purpose, it was voted " that every lot man should pay his equal proportion of labor for building the meeting-house, as the committee shall direct, or pay two shillings and sixpence a day for every day's neglect, in money, to said committee."
The finishing of the house seems not to have been accon- plished for some years. This delay was evidently from the want of ability to do so. In 1716 the town chose a commit- tec to petition the General Court for aid in supporting the Gospel, but with what success does not appear.
In 1715 Rev. Benjamin Shattuck was engaged by a com- mittee of the town for two days, and received, for compensa- tion, thirty shillings. The committee were directed to treat with him for further services.
189
OXFORD.
The next year, 1716, the town raised £30 for the support of preaching the Gospel. At this time there was no organized church in this plantation, so that whatever was done to pro- cure a minister devolved on the town authorities.
October 7, 1718, Mr. John Mckinstry was invited by the committee of the town to preach. It appears that there was a strong desire among the people to secure his settlement as . their minister.
As an inducement, it was voted by the proprietors, " that he should be an equal proprietor with the rest of Oxford Village." It was voted by the town, " that he be offered a salary of £60, a hundred acres of land, and £60 to be paid in labor in build- ing, breaking up the ground, and in fencing."
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