History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 16

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

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secution more serious than any they had before en- countered. They were among a strange people, and as the greater in time absorbs the less, they might have feared that sooner or later their identity would be lost. The education of their children too, both intellectual and moral, was a matter of serious con- cern, and they looked with anxiety on the influences and examples which surrounded them. It is by no means improbable that visions of the future occasion- ally rose before their eyes, and that they thought in a new world, away from all the controlling influences of the old, they might plant the foundations of a free and independent State. Having determined to leave Leyden, their place of destination became a matter for serious consideration. Virginia, named after the virgin queen, was decided on, and as early as Septem- ber, 1617, the preliminary steps were taken. In that month John Carver and Robert Cushman were sent to England to obtain, if possible, a charter from the king, and a patent of lands from the Virginia Com- pany. The charter was refused, and so far as their application to the king for freedom of worship in an English colony was concerned, Bradford says, "Thus far they prevailed in sounding His Majesty's mind that he would connive at them and not molest them provided they carried themselves peaceably, but to allow or tolerate them by his public authority under his seal they found it would not be granted."

The Virginia Company, sometimes called the South- ern Virginia Company, with which the Pilgrim nego- tiations were carried on, was one of two companies established in 1606. In that year King James by letters patent divided between these two companies a strip of land one hundred miles wide along the At- lantic coast of North America, extending from the thirty-fourth to the forty-fifth degree of north lati- tude, a territory which then went under the name of Virginia. This territory extended from Cape Fear to the British provinces. The patent to the first or Southern Virginia Company was granted to certain knights, gentlemen, merchants and adventurers of London, covering lands between the thirty-fourth and forty-first degrees, or between Cape Fear and a line running through Port Chester on Long Island Sound and the easterly corner of New Jersey on the Hud- son. The patent to the second or Northern Virginia Company was granted to persons of the same descrip- tion in Bristol, Exeter, and Plymouth, covering lands between the thirty-eighth and forty-fifth degrees, or between the southeastern corner of Maryland and the provinces. That portion of the whole strip lying between the thirty-eighth and forty-first degrees, which was included in both patents, was granted to

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

that company which should first occupy it, and it was provided that neither company should occupy any land within a hundred miles of a settlement pre- viously made by the other. It was the Southern Virginia Company with whom the negotiations of the Pilgrims were carried on. In November, 1617, Car- ver and Cushman returned to Holland, bearing a letter from Sir Edwin Sandys to Robinson and Brewster, dated London, November 12th :

" After my hearty salutations,-The agents of your congre- gation, Robert Cushman and John Carver, have been in com- munieation with divers seleet gentlemen of His Majesty's council for Virginia; and by the uniting of seven articles sub- scribed with your names have given them good degree of satis- faetion, which hath earried them on with a resolution to set forward your desire in the best sort that may be for your own and the public good; divers particulars whereof we leave to their faithful report, having carried themselves here with that good discretion as is both to their own and their credit from whom they eame. And whereas being to treat for a multitude of people, they have requested further time to confer with them that are to be interested in this action about the several par- ticulars which in the persecution thereof will fall out consider- able, it hath been very willingly assented unto; and so they do now return to you. If, therefore, it may please God so to direct your desires as that on your parts there fall out no just impediments, I trust by the same direction it shall likewise appear that on our parts all forwardness to sct you forward shall be found in the best sort, which with reason may bo ex- pected. And so I betake you with the design (which I hope verily is the work of God) to the gracious protection and bless- ing of the highest.

"Your very loving friend, " EDWIN SANDYS."

The writer of this letter was a son of Archbishop Sandys and a brother of Sir Samuel Sandys, the lessee of Scrooby manor, under whom William Brewster occupied it as tenant. The seven articles to which Sandys alludes, found by Mr. Bancroft in the Vir- ginia volumes in the State Paper Office in West- minster, were sent to England by the Leyden Church, to be considered in connection with their application for a charter and patent, and were as follows :

"1. To tho confession of faith published in the namo of tho Church of England and to every artiele thereof we do with the reformed churches where we live and also elsewhere assent wholly.

" 2. As we do acknowledge tho doctrino of faith thoro taught so do we the fruits and offects of the same dootrine to tho beget- ting of said faith in thousands in the land (conformists and re- formists) as they are ealled, with whom also as with our broth- ron we do desiro to keep spiritual communion in peace and will practice in our parts all lawfull things.

"3. The King's Majesty wo neknowledgo for Supreme Gov- ernor in his Dominion in all causes and ovor all persons, and that none may decline, or appeal from, his authority or judg- ment in any canse whatsoever, but that in all things obedienco is duo unto him either activo if the thing commanded be not against God's word, or passive if it bo, except pardon onn be obtained.

"4. We judge it lawfull for His Majesty to appoint bishops,

and overseers or officers in authority under him in the several provinces, dioceses, congregations or parishes to oversee the churches and govern them civilly according to the laws of the land unto whom they are in all things to give an account and by them to be ordered according to Godliness.

"5. The authority of the present bishops in the land we do acknowledge so far forth as the same is indeed derived from His Majesty unto them and as they proceed in his name, whom we will also therein honor in all things and him in them.

"6. We believe that no Sinod, classis, convocation or assembly of ecclesiastical officers hath any power or authority at all but as the same by the magistrate given unto them.

"7. Lastly we desire to give unto all Superiors due honor to preserve the unity of the spirit with all that fear God to have peace with all men what in us lieth and wherein we err to be instructed by any.

" Subscribed by

" JOHN ROBINSON and " WILLIAM BREWSTER."

Precisely in what attitude the declaration of these artieles placed Robinson and the Pilgrims it is diffi- cult to state. It is clear that it cannot be made to coincide with the declaration of the rigid Separatists represented by Robert Brown and John Smith, " that the Church of England was no true Church and that it was sinful and wrong to attend its worshipping as- semblies or hear the preaching of the word of God therein." Robinson again declared, "For myself I believe with my heart before God and profess with my tongue and have before the world that I have one and the same faith, hope, spirit, baptism and Lord which I had in the Church of England and none other; that I esteem so many in the church of what state or order soever as are truly partakers of that faith (as I account many thousands to be) for my Christian brethren and myself a fellow member with them of that one mystical body of Christ scattered far and wide throughout the world, that I have always in spirit and affection all Christian fellowship and eom- munion with them and am most ready in all outward actions and exercises of religion lawful and lawfully to be done to express the same; and withall that I am persuaded the hearing of the word of God there preached in the manner and upon the grounds for- merly mentioned both lawful and upon occasions ne- cessary for me and all true Christians, withdrawing from the hierarchical order of church government and ministry and the appurtenances thereof and uniting in the order and ordinances instituted by Christ the only King and Lord of his church and by all his disciples to be observed." And Winslow says, " If any joining to us formerly either when we lived at Loyden, in Holland, or since we came to New Eng- land have with the manifestation of their faith and holiness held forth therewith separation from the Church of England, I have divers times both in the

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.

one place and the other heard either Mr. Robinson, our Pastor. or Mr. Brewster. our elder, stop them forth- with, showing them that we required no such things at their hands. leaving the Church of England to themselves and to the Lord before whom they should stand or fall." It was the moderate temper and spirit manifested in these various declarations which excited the bitter spirit of the rigid Separatist, Smith, in Amsterdam, and caused him to say of the Pilgrim Church. " Be it known, therefore, to all the Separation that we account them in respect to their constitution to be as very a harlot as either her mother the Church of England or her grandmother Rome." And yet the Pilgrims were Separatists, differing only in the sweet- ness of their loving spirits from their more hitter companions in the movement of reform. and finally so chastened by exile, so weaned hy time from the church. and so thoroughly freed from its exactions and restraints as to have lost their hostility to an establishment at whose hands they once suffered per- secution.

Under date of Dec. 15. 1617. Robinson and Brew- ster sent the following answer to the letter of Sandys :

" RIGHT WORSHIPFUL .-

" Our bumble Intie; remembered in our own, our messenger's, and onr ehoreb's name, with all thankful acknowledgment of your singular love expressing itself as otherwise, so more ex- pecially in your great care and earnest endeavor of our good in this weighty business about Virginia, which the less able we are t regnite we shall think ourselves the more bound to com- mend in our prayers nnto God for recompense ; whom as for the present you rightly behold in onr endeavors, so shall we not be wanting on enr parte ( the same God assisting us) to return all antwerable fruit and respect onto the labor of your love be- etowel npon u.

" We have with the best speel and consideration withal that we could set down our regneets in writing subscribed as you wil'ed with the hands of the greatest part of our congregation, and bare sent the same unto the Council by our agent, a deacon of our Church, Jobn Carrer, nnto whom we have also requested a gentleman of our company to adjoin himself, to the care and discretion of which two we do refer the prosecuting of the busi- nere. Now we persuade ourselves, right worshipful, that we Leed not to provoke your golly and loving mind to any further or more tender care of ne, since you bave pleased so far to in- tereet ue in yonreelf that onder God, above all persons and things in the world, we rely npon you, expecting the care of your love, the connsel of your wisdom, and the help and coun- tenance of your authority.

" Notwithstanding, for your enconragement in the work so far ae probabilities may leal, we will not forbear to mention these instances of indnoement :

" Ist. We verily believe and trust the Lord in with us unto whoro and whose service we have given ourselves in many trials, and that he will gracionely prosper our endeavors ac- cording to the simplicity of our hearts therein.

" 24. We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our IAber country, and innred to the difficulties of a strange and bard land, which yet in great part we have by patience over-

"3d. The people arc, for the body of them, industrious and frugal: we think we may safely say as any company of people in the world.

" 4th. We are kuit together as a hody in a moro strict and sacred hond and covenant of the Lord, of the violation where- of we make great conscience, and hy virtue whereof wo do hold ourselves strictly tied to all care of each other's good, and of the whole by every one, and so mntnally.

" 5th and lastly. It is not with us as with other men, whom small things can discourage or small discontentments causo to wish themselves at home again. We know our entorininment in England and Holland.

" We shall mueh prejudico both our arts and means by ro- mnoval. If we should be driven to return, we should not hopo to recover our present helps and comforts, neither, indeed, look even to attain the like in any other place during our lives, which are now drawing towards their periods.

" These motives we have been bold to tender unto you, which you in your wisdom may also impart to any other our worship- ful friends of the Council with you, of all whose Godly dispo- sition and loving towards our despised persons wo are most glad, and shall not fail hy all good means to continuo and in- crease the same.

" We shall not he further troublesome, but do with the ro- newed remembrance of our humble duties to your worship (so far as in modesty we may be bold), to any other of our woll- willers of the Council with you we tako our leaves, committing your persons and counsels to the guidance and protoction of the Almighty.

"Your much hounden in all duty, " JOHN ROBINSON, " WILLIAM BREWSTER."

This letter was undoubtedly carried to England by John Carver, who thus embarked on a second mission the month after his return, and it is probable that Cushman was again his companion. It was reported by them that certain members of the Council desired further explanations, and on the 27th of the follow- ing January, Robinson and Brewster addressed a letter to Sir John Wolstenholme, a member of the Virginia Company, containing the two following · statements :

" Ist. Touching the ecclesiastieal ministry-namely, of pas- tors for teaching, elders for ruling, and deacons for distributing the church's contribution, and the Lord's Supper, we do wholly and in all points agree with the French Reformed Churches, according to their publie confession of faith.

" The oath of supremacy we shall willingly take if it be re- quired of us, and that convenient satisfaction be not given by our taking the oath of allegiance.

" 2d. Touching the ecclesiastical ministry as above, we agree with the French Reformed Churches according to their public confession of Faith, though some small differences be to be found in our practices not at all in the substance of the things, but only in some accidental circumstances.

" As, first, their ministers do pray with their heads covered, ours uncovered.

" We choose none for governing elders but such as are able to teach, which ability they do not require.

" Their elders and deacons are annual, or at most for two or three years, ours are perpetual.

" Our elders do administer their office in admonitions, and excommunications for public scandals publicly and before the

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

congregation ; theirs more privately, and in their consis- tories.

"We do administer baptism only to such infants as whereof the one parent at the least is of some church which some of their churches do not observe, though in it our practice accords with their public confession and the judgment of the most learned amongst them. Other differences worthy mentioning we know none in these points.

" Then about the oath as in the former.

" JOHN ROBINSON, " WILLIAM BREWSTER."

After the receipt of this letter in England, Carver and Cushman found the chief obstacle in the way of their negotiations to lie in the disturbed state of the affairs of the Virginia Company. Cushman, who was sent to England a third time with Brewster, wrote on the 8th of May, 1619, "that the main hindrance in our Virginia business is the dissensions and factions, as they term it, amongst the counsel and company of Virginia, which are such as that ever since we came up no business could by them be dis- patched."

On the last embassy, Cushman and Brewster were commissioned, in the language of Bradford, "to end with the Virginia Company as well as they could, and to procure a patent with as good and ample con- ditions as they might by any good means obtain, as also to treat and conclude with such merchants and other friends as had manifested their forwardness to provoke to and adventure in this voyage. For which end they had instructions given them upon what con- ditions they should proceed with them, or else to con- elude nothing without further advice." The affairs of the Virginia Company appear to have been soon settled, and on the 9th of June, 1619, a patent was issued. Bradford says, " By the advice of friends this patent was not taken in the name of any of their own, but in the name of John Wincob (a religious gentleman then belonging to the countess of Lincoln) who intended to go with them. But God so disposed as he never went, nor they ever made use of this patent which had cost them so much labor and charge as by the sequel will appear. The patent being sent over for them to view and consider, as also the pas- sages about the propositions between them and sueh merchants and friends as should either go on adven- ture with them, and especially with those on whom they did chiefly depend for shipping and means, whose proffers had been large, they were requested to fit and prepare themselves with all speed. A right emblem it may be of the uncertain things of this world ; then when men have toiled themselves for them they vanish into smoke." As this patent was never used, it is probable that it was returned to the Virginia Company. Its terms and conditions and

the extent of its grants are unknown. On its accept- ance by the Pilgrims at Leyden immediate further steps were taken towards their departure. The ques- tion was taken who should go and who should re- main. The minor part only offered to go, and they desired Brewster, their ruling elder, " to go with them officially and act as their spiritual guide, he having himself resolved with them to enter upon the great work." It was agreed that the " minor part should be an absolute church as well as the part which re- mained, and that if any of those remaining should come to them, or if any of themselves should return, they should still be reputed as members still with either."

On the 2d of February, 1619, another patent was issued by the Virginia Company in the name of John Pierce and his associates, which probably included a grant of lands in the neighborhood of New Jersey. The terms and conditions of this patent are also un- known, but as the Pilgrims finally settled outside of its limits and within the jurisdiction of the Northern Virginia Company, it was probably surrendered. The records of the Southern Virginia Company state, under date of July 16, 1621, that " it was moved, secing that Mr. John Pieree had taken a patent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and therefore seated his con- pany within the limits of the northern plantations as by some was supposed, whereby he seemed to relin- quish the benefit of the patent he took of this com- pany, that therefore the said patent might be ealled in unless it might appear he would plant within the limits of the Southern colony." About the time of the issue of this patent negotiations were pending between Amsterdam merchants and Robinson, with a view to the removal of the Pilgrims to New Amster- dam, now New York. This fact is important as tend- ing to disprove the charge that the captain of the " Mayflower" was bribed by the Dutch to keep his ship and its company away from their projected set- tlement. While, however, these negotiations were pending, Bradford says that "as Thomas Weston, a merchant of London, came to Leyden, having much conference with Mr. Robinson and others of the chief of them, and persuaded them to go on and not to meddle with the Dutch or too much depend on the Virginia Company ; for if that failed, if they eame to resolution, he and such merchants as were his friends would set them forth ; and they should make ready, and neither fear want of shipping nor money ; for what they wanted should be provided, and not so much for himself as for the satisfying of such friends as he should procure to adventure in this business, they were to draw such articles of agreement and

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.

make such propositions as might the better induce his friends to venture." Robinson says, in a letter to Carver. dated the 10th of June following. "You know right well we depended on Mr. Weston alone, and upon such means as he would procure for this common business ; and when we had in hand another course with the Dutchmen, broke it off at his motion, and upon the conditions by him shortly after pro- pounded." These extracts are important as showing that the negotiations with the Amsterdam merchants were terminated by the Pilgrims and not by the Dutch.

In accordance with the proposition of Mr. Weston, articles of agreement were drawn up and approved by him and the Pilgrims. Carver and Cushman were at once sent again to England to complete the arrange- ments for the voyage, being charged " not to exceed their commission. and to proceed according to their former articles." The articles finally concluded with the adventurers were as follows :

"1. The adventurers and planters do agree that every person that goeth, being aged sixteen years and npward, he rated at ten pounds, and ten pounds to he acconnted a single share.

" 2. That he that goeth in person, and furnisheth himself out with ten pounds either in money or other provisions, he ac- connted as having twenty pounds in stock, and in the division shall receive a donble share.

" 3. The persone transported and the adventurers shall con- tinne their joint-stock and partnership together the space of seven years (except some unexpected impediments do cause the whole company to agree otherwise), during which time all prof- ite and benefits that are got by trade, traffie, tracking, working, fishing, or any other means, of any other person or persons, shall remain still in the common stoek until the division.

" 4. That at their coming there they choose out such a num- ber of fit persons as may furnish them ships and boats for fishing npon the sea ; employing the rest in their several faculties upon the land, as building houses, tilling and planting the ground, and making sueh commodities as shall he most useful for the colony.

"5. That at the end of the seven years the capital and profits, viz., the houses, lands, goods, and chattels, he equally divided among the adventurers and plantera; which done, every man shall be free from either of them of any debt or detriment con- cerning the adventure.

" 6. Whosoever cometh to the colony hereafter, or putteth any into the stock, shall at the end of the seven years be allowed proportionally to the time of his zo doing.

"7. He that thall carry his wife and children, or servants, shall be allowed for every person now aged sixteen years and up- ward, a single share in the division ; or, if he provide these neces- zaries, a double share; or, if they he between ten years old and sixteen, then two of them to be reckoned for a person both in transportation and division.

"8. That ench children as now go and are under the age of ten years, have no other share in the division, but fifty acres of unmanure land.

"9. That ench persone as die before the seven years be expired, their executors to have their part or share at the division pro- portionally to the time of their life in the colony.

"10. That all such persone as are of this colony are to have '

their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions, out of the common stock and goods of the said colony."

The original articles drawn up in Leyden and there approved, provided " that the houses and lands im- proved, especially gardens and home-plots, should remain undivided wholly to the planters at the seven years' end, and that they should have had two days in a week for their own private employment for the more comfort of themselves and their families."

The changes in the articles were agreed to by Cushman in England to meet the demand of the merchants, and though extremely distasteful to the Pilgrims at Leyden, came to their knowledge too late to be rejected, or to cause any change in their plans. It is evident from the correspondence between them and Cushman which ensued, that some irritation of feeling was excited by his action, and it is not un- likely that the disagreement between them was the cause of his determination at the last moment, after the disaster which happened to the "Speedwell," to abandon the voyage. By the 1st of June, 1620, everything was in readiness for the final departure. Those who had determined on the voyage had sold their estates, putting their money into the common stock, and on the 21st of July they " left the goodly and pleasant city which had been their resting-place near twelve years ; but they knew they were pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits." On or about the 22d of July they set sail from Delfthaven in the "Speedwell," of sixty tons, which their agents had sent over from England to convey them to Southampton, there to meet her consort, the " Mayflower." On the 5th of August both the " Mayflower" and the " Speedwell," with one hundred and twenty passengers, some of whom were for the first time joining the company, sailed from Southampton. On the 13th they put into Dart- mouth, with the "Speedwell" leaking; on the 21st, after necessary repairs, sailed again. The " Speed- well" being still found unseaworthy, both ships came to an anchor at Plymouth, where she was abandoned, and eighteen passengers, including Robert Cushman, gave up the voyage. On the 6th of September the " Mayflower" took her final departure from Plymouth, with one hundred and two passengers. Of the inci- dents of the voyage little is known. So many pas- sengers erowded in a vessel of one hundred and eighty tons of course suffered serious discomfort, but only a single death, that of William Butten, occurred during the passage. It is recorded that one of the beams became sprung, which was restored to its place by an iron screw brought by one of the passengers from

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 16

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706