History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 3

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170

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King Philip's war was most disastrous to New England, and the en- ergies of the colonists were crippled for many years. In Massachusetts and New Plymouth, thirteen towns were destroyed, 600 houses burned, and 600 persons killed. It is estimated that $750,000 worth of property was destroyed. It is not, perhaps, to be wondered at that knowledge of such horribly savage barbarities as those noted herein, and others that followed through many long years in the various parts of the New World, barbarities which have not wholly ceased even at the present day, should have led later generations of white people not only to regard their authors as merciless savages without one redeeming trait, but also to believe that the bloody deeds of the red men were committed with- out any material provocation. What has been briefly chronicled, it is believed, will indicate that such is not the case. While it is undeniable that the march of civilization cannot be stayed, and that the weaker must give place to the stronger in the world's progress, it is also true that the natives of the Western world never failed to meet the first white comers to any particular locality, with open arms and peace in their hearts. That the contest with all its horrors was inevitable, is un- doubted; but in it each side took its share of responsibilty, and the untutored savages, their brains inflamed by the rum of the white man, turned upon the latter the very guns for which they were deluded into giving up their birthrights. In short, it was a struggle for supremacy, and each side used whatever advantage it possessed to achieve victory, and met their foes according to their nature and circumstances.

QUAKER SETTLERS.

CHAPTER II.

THE QUAKERS.

Characteristics of the Quakers -- Their Reception in Massachusetts Bay -- Transfer of their Peculiarities from England to the Colonies - Reasons for Strife between Qua- kers and Colonists -- Difference of Attitude in Massachusetts Bay and in Plymouth Towards the Quakers -- Catalogue of Persecutions of Quakers - Appeal to the Crown -- The Trial and its Decision in Favor of the Quakers -- Loyalty of the Quakers.

M ANY of the early settlers of Dartmouth were Quakers, and they and their descendants exercised a powerful influence over the affairs of the township. They were the founders of Bedford village and established it on a basis of prosperity, the influence of which continues to the present day. They were lovers of the domestic fireside, the peaceful arts, and their homes were the abodes of comfort and peace. Of frugal and industrious habits, the Quakers were prosperous in their business enterprises, and contributed largely to the substantial char- acter of the villages belonging to the old township of Dartmouth. The local history of this people is contemporary with that of the township, and the early records reveal much that is interesting of their relations to the Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies. It is not within the province of this book to discuss the theological events of the colonial days, but to glean from historical records and to present important facts, showing how it happened that the early settlers of Dartmouth were largely Non-Conformists, and helping us to understand the subse- quent relations of that element with, and its influence upon, the com- munity.

The advent of the first Quakers, Mary Fisher and Ann Austin, from England to Massachustts Bay colony in 1656, was signalized by their prompt arrest and incarceration in the public jail in Boston. Their trunks were searched by order of Deputy-Governor Bellinghan, a nuni- ber of books were taken therefrom and burned in the market- place by the hangman of the colony. The women were closely imprisoned, and no communication was allowed with them. History records other facts

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

regarding their treatment to which it is neither necessary nor proper to allude in these pages. Such energetic measures administered upon prisoners who, at least, were entitled to such protection by the author- ities as the law grants to strangers, suggest a condition of public senti- ment closely allied to that existing in England at this period. Says Macaulay : "The history of England during the seventeenth century is the history of the transformation of a limited monarchy, constituted after a fashion of the middle ages, into a limited monarchy suited to that more advanced state of society in which the public charges can no longer be borne by the estates of the crown, and in which the public defense can no longer be entrusted to a feudal militia."

Such mighty changes in the history of a great people must necessa- rily be made through scenes of tyranny and oppression, of persecution and violence, of the rise and fall of party and sect in the progress of civilization ; and so the years of the seventeenth century are filled with events that, for political and religious fanaticism, are almost without parallel. Its early years witnessed the contest between the Crown and the Puritans, with accompanying imprisonments, tortures, and banish- ments, which led many of this heroic people to leave their homes and native lands to find freedom for their religious belief elsewhere. It witnessed the downfall of the English Crown and the Established Church, and, at the death of Charles the First, the establishment of the Protect- orate under Cromwell ; and again it saw the restoration of the Crown. No sooner was Charles the Second secure on the English throne than there occurred a change in public opinion. In all parts of the kingdom there arose an outcry against the Puritans, whose reign under Crom- well had been marked for its severity and oppression. It was in the atmosphere of the persecutions now meted out in turn to the Puritans that record is made of the existence of the Quakers and their foremost representative, George Fox. Says Macaulay : "The peculiarities of the Puritan, his look, his dress, his dialect, his strange scruples, had been, ever since the time of Elizabeth, favorite subjects with mockers. But these peculiarities appeared far more grotesque in a faction which ruled a great empire, than in obscure and persecuted congregations ; the cant which had moved laughter when it was heard on the stage from Tribulation Wholesome and Zeal- of-the Land Busy, was still more laughable when

THE QUAKERS.

it proceeded from the lips of generals and councilors of state. It was also to be noticed that during the civil troubles several sects had sprung into existence whose eccentricities surpassed anything that had before been seen in England. A mad tailor named Lodowick Muggle- ton, wandered from pot-house to pot-house, tippling ale and denounc- ing eternal torments against those who had refused to believe on his testimony, that the Supreme Being was only six feet high, and that the sun was just four miles from the earth.

" George Fox had raised a tempest of derision by proclaiming that it was a violation of Christian sincerity to designate a single person by a plural pronoun, and that it was an idolatrous homage to Janus and Woden to talk about January and Wednesday. His doctrine, a few years later, was embraced by some eminent men and rose greatly in the public estimation. But at the time of the Restoration, the Quakers were popularly regarded as the most despicable of fanatics By the Puritans they were treated with severity here and were persecuted to the death in New England. Nevertheless, the public, which seldom makes fine distinctions, often confounded the Puritans with the Qua- kers. Both were schismatics. Both hated Episcopacy and the Lit- urgy. Both had what seemed extravagant whimsies about dress, diver- sions and postures. Widely as the two differed in opinion they were popularly classed together as canting schismatics ; and whatever was ridiculous or odious in either, increased the scorn and aversion which the multitude felt for both."

It was but natural that the same spirit existing in England at that period should prevail in her colonies, and that the political and relig- ious feuds at home should exercise an influence abroad. Churchmen, Puritans and Quakers, each at variance with the others, were in their turn subjected to the natural experience of persecution, imprisonment and banishment. The advent of the Quakers in the Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies supplied the opportunity for a new persecution, and they, with the Baptists and Episcopalians, were subjected to similar treatment by the governing powers. It is probable that neither party was free from blame for their acts, but the criticisms of the present gen- eration should be tempered with charity ; and they will be, if due con- sideration is made for the crude condition of civilization at that period.

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

The laws adopted and enforced relating to these Non-Conformists made it impossible for them to live at peace in the colonial settlements, and their frequent banishment from these centers led them to plant their homes in the unsettled parts of New England. Thus it happened that the township of Dartmouth received many of these people within its sparsely settled borders. In the progress of time they became a strong element in the community, outweighing in influence and out- voting that portion of the inhabitants who were in sympathy with the government at Plymouth. A natural and legitimate result of this con- dition of affairs was a constant difficulty with regard to the support of the religious service insisted upon by the Court. Both Quakers and Baptists resisted the taxes urged by the Plymouth Court for the build- ing of meeting-houses and for the maintenance of a ministry whose creed did not appeal to their sense of truth.

The attitude of the Pilgrims at Plymouth toward these people was in marked contrast to that of the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay. By the latter the Non-Conformists were treated with great severity ; and the records reveal a number of cases where Quakers were hung, publicly whipped, and imprisoned, while some were tied to the tail of a cart and driven from town to town. Baptists were banished, and Episcopalians were forced into exile ; while at Plymouth a milder and more generous spirit prevailed toward these people, and their treatment was corres- pondingly considerate. It is quite evident, however, that the Quakers were not a wholly popular element in the domain of Plymouth Colony, as will be seen by the following extracts taken from Plymouth records. A number of the cases mentioned occurred within the borders of Plym- outh Colony :

. 165G. At this court Nicholas Upsiall, Richard Kerbey, and the wife of John New- land and others did frequently meet together at the house of William Allen, in Sand- wich, on Lord's Day and other times they used to invey against ministers and magis- trates to dishonor of God and contempt of government, the Court have therefore directed summons to the constables of Sandwich to require them to appear at next General Court to answer for said misdemeanor, and the said Nicholas being only licensed by court to stay in Sandwich till the extreme of winter is past, is now warned to depart the Government the 1st of March next, and Trustum Hull who brought him into the Government is, according to order, required to carry him away by time before mentioned."-Book 3, Court orders, page 105.

"Sarah Kerbey. for her disturbance of the public worship of God after admonition

Erra Kelley

PERSECUTION OF THE QUAKERS.

and sentence formerly given against her, which was to be publicly whipt, is now or- dered to be performed, and so accordingly was executed." -- Book 3, Court orders, page 109.

" John Copeland, of the sect commonly called Quakers, being summoned appeared and found guilty of speaking falsely concerning John Alden, as that his head and knees trembled at such time as that the said Copeland and Christopher Holden were before the said Alden, sentenced by Court to be whipt if he shall be found in this government being required to depart in 48 hours."- Book 3, Court orders, page 120.

" 1657. Arthur Howland for permitting a Quaker meeting in his house and for ilt- viting such as were under government, children and others to come to said meeting, was sentenced by Court to find sureties for his good behaviour, in case he should refuse he is fined five pounds." He refused to give bonds and was fined.

" The said Arthur Howland for resisting the constable of Marshfield in the execution of his office and abusing him in words by threatening speeches is fined five pounds."

" Arthur Howland for presenting a writing in Court which said writing on the read- ing thereof appeared to be of dangerous consequences, he owning it to be his own and for making known the said writing to others was sentenced by Court to find sureties for his good behavior."-Book 3, Court orders, page 123.

" At this Court Humphrey Norton and John Rouse, two of those called Quakers ap- peared and presented themselves in town of Plymouth Ist June, 1658, contrary to law prohibiting any such to come into the colony, they were apprehended and committed to ward until Thursday 3d June, 1658, at which time they were presented before Court and examined and behaved themselves (in special Humphrey Norton) turbulently unto gov'r sundry times saying thou liest and said unto him Thomas thou art a malicious man, in like manner John Rouse behaved himself in his words unto Court unworthy and were returned unto place from whence they came until Saturday 5th June at which time the said Norton and Rouse were again sent for into Court where as Chris- topher Winslow had deposed to a paper containing sundry notorious errors expressed by said Norton a copy of said paper was delivered to him in Court which he did not deny and the said Norton again carrying himself very turbulently saying to the Govr (thy elamorous tongue I regard no more than the dust under my feet) and thou art like a scolding woman and thou pradest and devidest me and the like effect with other words of like nature and tendered a desire to read it in Court to which Govr replied if the paper was directed to him he would see it before it was read said Norton refused to let him see it, the said Norton and Rouse were required to take an oath fidelity they said they would take no oath at all, and they were sentenced to be whipt which the same day was performed and the under marshall requiring his fees they refused to pay them and they were again returned to prison until they would pay where they remained until 10 June, 1658, until they settled with marshall." -- Book 3, Court orders, page 113.

" The Court have ordered that the treasurer shall require the fines for the breach of the law prohibiting the frequenting of Quaker meetings and that a fine forty shillings be required of William Allen of Sandwich for permitting a Quaker meeting in his house." -- Book 3, Court orders, page 134.

1136134 " Whereas it is observed that frequently divers of those called"Quakers repair to

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

Sandwich from other places by sea coming at Monument with a boat which practices if continued the Court conceiveth may prove of dangerous consequences, The Court doth empower and authorize you George Barlow Marshall of Sandwich that in case you shall have intelligence of the arrival of any of those called Quakers at Monument or any place adjacent upon the coast within your jurisdiction that you forthwith repair to such boats with aid to go with and arrest any such boat or boats, taking their sails from their masts and securing them until some magistrate be acquainted therewith and further order given you about the same and hkewise that you apprehend the ladies of all such Quakers as come in boats or all Quakers that you find." -- Book 3, Court orders, page 144.

" The Court findeth people of Sandwich called Quakers had by them many papers and writings that are both false and pernicious to the government. These are therefore in the name of the State of England to require George Barlow Marshall of Sandwich to take witli him a man or two to search the houses of Quakers, chests and trunks for papers."-Book 3, Court orders, page 163.

"1659, In reference to Captain James Cudworth, the Court taking notice of his great disaffection in incouragement of those called Quakers expressed partly in a letter owned by himself in the manner of sending it and in many other carriages of his known to us and also in a letter strongly conjectured and suspected to be by him sent into England the which himself hath not denied, the Court see cause to bind him over to make a further answer and that he be put in good security to the value of five hun- dred pounds for the end above said." -- Book 3, Court orders, page 134.

" 1660. Daniel Butler for resaving a strange Quaker when apprehended by Marshall Barlow and for his breaking away when taken prisoner is sentenced to be publicly whipt." -- Book 3, Court orders, page 134.

"Joseph Allen for being at a Quaker meeting fined 10 shillings and for making dis- turbance in meeting on Lords day at Seitnate fined 40 shillings."- Book 3, Court orders, page 194.

" William Parker for entertaining a strange Quaker called Wenlocke into his house fined five pounds."-Book 3. Court orders, page 194.

"At this Court Wenlock Christopher a Quaker appeared before Court and after examination and much speech they requested him to depart the Government immedi- ately which he would not do and so was sent back to prison. Soon after Court he en- gaged to go and was released." Book 3. Court orders, page 203.

" The following persons were each fined 10 shillings for attending Quaker meetings: Robert Harper and wife, Joseph Allen, Benjamin Allen, John Newland and wife, Rich- ard Kerbey, sen'r., Richard Kerbey, jr., Willam Allen, William Gifford, Matthew Allen, wife of Henry Dillingham, William Newland and wife, Jane Swift, John Smith & De- borah his wife, John Soule, Rodolphos Elmes. Peter Gaunt, D. Butler, Obadiah Butler, John Jenkins, Lydia Hicks." Book 3, Court orders, page 206.

The following is taken verbatim from the Dartmouth Friends' Records, Book I, page 46.

" And our Friend Deliverance Smith being one of the selectmen or assessors of the town was seized by Samuel Gallop, sheriff of Bristol, by an order of the General Court

QUAKER APPEAL TO THE CROWN.

at Boston, and committed to the County jail at Bristol, because he could not for con- science sake, assess the sum of sixty pounds annexed to the Queen's tax, which was supposed as before mentioned, and now it is evident to be for the maintenance of a hireling minister-and Friends having unity with him in his sufferings, do appoint Benja. Howland and Judah Smith to procure a hand to manage the said Deliverance Smith's business, whilst he is a prisoner, on account of trouble and Friends, and engage him his wages, and the Monthly Meeting to re-emburse the same. 10 mo. 20, 1708."

1 In 1724 John Tucker and Peleg Slocum, members of the Dartmouth Monthly Meeting of Friends, refused to pay a tax for building a Pres- byterian Church at Chilmark. Their property on Elizabeth Islands 'was seized, and a horse and heifer belonging to the former, and eighty sheep belonging to the latter, were sold to pay the rates.

To the Quakers of Dartmouth and Tiverton, aided by the Baptists, must be given the honor of the first successful appeal for justice to the English government. In October, 1723, John Akin and Philip Tabor, of Dartmouth, Joseph Anthony and John Sisson, of Tiverton, were as- sessors of their respective towns ; and being Quakers and Baptists, they refused to collect the taxes imposed by the General Court of Massachu- setts for the maintenance of ministers. At this time the Plymouth Col- ony and that of Massachusetts Bay had been consolidated under the new charter (1692) of the Province of Massachusetts. Therefore this order was from the General Court at Boston. For this they were all imprisoned in the common jail at New Bristol. The case was success- fully argued before the King's Privy Council, and it was decreed that not only must the officials be released but also that the taxes must be re- mitted. This event was an important one in the history of the society of Friends or Quakers, for it marked the termination of the persecutions that had followed this people from the very beginning. A detailed account of this trial possesses great local value and is therefore entitled to a place in these pages. It is a forcible presentation of a part of the history of the conflict, from the standpoint of the Quakers, and sheds some light upon the experiences of the sect who were inhabitants of this township. The following is the petition to the King :

" A petition to the King in the cause of some Friends under sufferings in New England. "To George, King of Great Britain, &c.

" The humble petition of Thomas Richardson and Richard Partridge, on behalf of Jo- seph Anthony, John Sisson. John Akin, and Philip Tabor, prisoners in the common jail

1 Dartmouth Monthly Meeting Records.

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

at New Bristol in the King's province of Massachusetts Bay in New England, as also of their friends (called Quakers) in general, who are frequently under great sufferings for conscience sake, in that government-sheweth,

" That William and Mary, late King and Queen of England, by their royal charter bearing date the 7th day of October in the third year of their reign, did for the greater ease and encouragement of their loving subjects inhabiting said province, and of such as should come to inhabit there, grant, establish and ordain that forever thereafter there should be a liberty of conscience allowed in the worship of God, to all Christians (except Papists) inhabiting, or which should inhabit or be resident within the said province, with power also to make laws for the government of the said province, and support of the same, and to impose taxes for the King's service in the defence and sup- port of the said government, and protection and preservation of the inhabitants and to dispose of matters and things whereby the King's subjects there might be religiously, peaceably and civilly governed, protected and defended.

" And for the better securing and maintaining the liberty of conscience thereby granted, commanded that all such laws made and published by virtue of said charter, should be made and published under the seal of said province, and should be carefully and duly observed, kept, performed and put in execution, according to the true intent and meaning of the said charter.

" That those sects of Protestants called Presbyterians and Independents, being more numerous in the said country than others (to whom the said charter gives equal rights), they became makers of the laws, by their superior numbers and votes, and ministers of the privileges of the said charter, so as in great measure to elude the same, and disap- point all others of the king's Protestant subjects of the good and just ends of their transporting themselves and families at so great hazard and charge; one great encour- agement and inducement thereto being liberty of conscience, and ease from priestly impositions and burthens.

" That in the year 1692 they made a law in the said province, entitled 'An Act for the Settlement of and Support of Ministers and Schoolmasters, wherein it is ordained that the inhabitants of each town within the said province shall take due care from time to time to he constantly provided of an able, learned and orthodox minister or ministers of good conversation, to dispense the word of God to them, which minister or ministers shall be suitably encouraged and sufficiently supported and maintained by the inhabit- ants of such towns.

"That the said law was farther enforced by another made in the year 1695, reciting the like aforesaid, as also by another made in the year 1715, entitled ' An Act for Main- taining and Propagating Religion,' in which said last act the prevention of the growth of atheism, irreligion and profaneness is suggested as one great reason of its being en- acted ; and the power of determining who shall be ministers under the aforesaid qualifi- cations is by the said law assumed by the General Court of Assembly, with the recommendation of any three of the ministers of the same sect, already in orders, and settled and supported by virtue of said laws; though it was not determined (as the said petitioners humbly presume) either by the said charter, or by an act of Parliament in Great Britain, or by any express law of the said province, who are orthodox or who are not, or who shall judge of such qualifications in such ministers.

QUAKER PETITION.

" And in all which said several laws, no care is had or taken of religion (even in their own sense) than only to appoint ministers of their own way, and impose their main- tenance upon the King's subjects, conscientiously dissenting from them, by force of which said laws, or some of them, several of the townships within the said province have had Presbyterian and Independent preachers abtruded and imposed upon them for maintenance without their consent, and which they have not deemed able, learned and orthodox, and which as such they could not hear or receive.

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 3

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170