USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > History of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; its history for 275 years, 1643-1918, in which is incorporated the vital parts of the original history of the town > Part 5
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"The 22d of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, were chosen for military officers, Peter Hunt, for Lieutenant; John Brown, jr. for Ensign, and allowed to stand by the Honourable Bench at Plymouth Court."
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
"The 15th of the 7th mo. [September] 1654, at a town meeting lawfully warned, there were chosen raters for the making of the county rate, and for a town rate for the present debts, viz: Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, Peter Hunt, John Reed and Robert Martin.
"At the same time Richard Bowen was chosen Town Clerk."
"The 28th of June, 1654. Were chosen for the considering of such lands as shall be recorded in the town books, for the clearing the rights of any person, Mr. Pecke, Thomas Cooper, John Allin, Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen."
"The 21st of July, 1654. At a town meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter Hunt were chosen deputies for the attendance of the Court in August next."
"The 13th of the 10th [December] 1654. At a meeting of the townsmen it was agreed on that the price of corn for to pay the town debts [something here appears to have been omitted] that wheat should pass at 5s., rye at 7s. and Indian to pass at 3s."
"The 1st of the 12th mo. [February], 1654, at a town meeting lawfully warned, it was agreed and voted, that Mr. Browne should have for his use four square rods of ground to build a house on, something near the meeting-house.
"At the same time Robert Abell was ordered to keep the Ordinary."
"In the year 1655,1 the 22d of the 1st mo. [March] at a town meeting lawfully warned, it was agreed upon by vote that the new highway towards the bay shall be perfected, and that is should be done under the inspection of Goodman Payne and Goodman Carpenter."
"In the year 1655, the 17th of the 3d mo. [May], at a town meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter Hunt were chosen deputies; for constable, Stephen Payne, jr .; for grand- jury-men, Philip Walker and Jonathan Bliss; Richard Ingraham and John Fitch were chosen way-wardens."
At the same time it was voted, "that there shall be no common grass mown before the last of June; and, in case any do transgress this order, it shall be lawful for any that know it to fetch away the hay or grass so cut, without any damage to them."
"June the 26th, 1655. At a town meeting it was agreed upon that Mr. Newman, our teacher, should have fifty pounds a year; and those seven men whose names are hereto appended were chosen committees for the levying of a rate according to person and estate for the raising of said maintenance:
1 Baylies has 1654; this in old style is correct.
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Joseph Peck, Thomas Cooper, Richard Bowen, Stephen Payne,
Robert Martin, Peter Hunt, Will. Sabin."
"At this period," says Baylies, "so much indifference as to the support of the clergy was manifested in Plymouth Colony as to excite the alarm of the other confederated Colonies. The complaint of Massachusetts against Plymouth, on this subject, was laid before the Commissioners, and drew from them a severe reprehension. Rehoboth had been afflicted already with a serious schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its plantations, where there was a universal toleration, the practice of free inquiry was encouraged, and principle, fancy, whim and conscience, all conspired to lessen the veneration for ecclesiastical authority." (Hist. Memoir of Plym. Col., vol. II, p. 205.)
The schism here referred to was caused by Obadiah Holmes and several others withdrawing themselves from Mr. Newman's church, in 1649, and setting up a separate meeting of their own.
The following statement embodies all the known facts respecting Mr. Holmes and his withdrawal from the Newman Church:
Obadiah Holmes was a native of Preston in Lancashire, Eng- land. The date of his coming to America is uncertain, but he was admitted to the church in Salem, March 24, 1639. From this church he was excommunicated and removed with his family to Rehoboth. His name appears on the Rehoboth records as early as 1644. He became a member of Mr. Newman's church in 1646. Taking offence at certain teachings in this church, he and eight others withdrew in 1649 and formed what they called a new church of the Baptist order. They chose Mr. Holmes as their minister and were rebaptized, probably by Rev. John Clarke of Newport. Mr. Newman, angered and troubled by this defection, excom- municated them and stirred up the civil authority against them. Four petitions were lodged at court against them, one from Rehoboth, one from Taunton, one from the ministers of the colony, and one from the Massachusetts government. The Plymouth magistrates merely ordered them to desist from practices dis- agreeable to their brethren and to appear at the next term of court, when several of them were indicted for holding meetings contrary to the order of the court.
Soon after this Mr. Holmes removed to Newport, where he succeeded Dr. John Clarke, minister of the First Baptist Church,
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
in 1652. Some of the Rehoboth party went with him and the others were scattered for the time.
One experience of Mr. Holmes should not be omitted. In the year 1651, he, with John Crandall and John Clarke, went to Lynn, and on July 21 held a meeting in a private house. During the service they were arrested and haled before the court at Boston and fined, Clark twenty pounds and Crandall five pounds.
Mr. Holmes was fined thirty pounds, which he was required to pay promptly or be well whipped. Having the strong approval of his own conscience, he refused to pay or allow his friends to pay the fine, and was publicly whipped in September, 1651, re- ceiving thirty lashes from a three-corded whip. Two friends, John Hazell and John Spur, coming up to congratulate him on his fortitude, were each sentenced to pay forty shillings or be whipped.
Mr. Holmes died at Newport, Oct. 16, 1682, aged 76 years, and was buried in his own field, where a tomb was erected to his memory. He had eight children, and in 1790 his descendants were estimated at five thousand.
February 9th, 1655, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, senior, Stephen Paine, senior, Thomas Cooper, senior, Robert Martin, William Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt, were chosen Townsmen. "It was also granted that they shall have power to order the prudential affairs of the town, and that they shall have power to call a town- meeting when they see cause.
"At the same time Father Bowen was chosen Moderator to see good order in our town-meetings."
By the following extract from the records of Plymouth Court, it will be seen that Mr. John Browne, a principal inhabitant of Rehoboth, and for a long time one of the Governor's Assistants, was opposed to coercing people to support the ministry, although he was willing to contribute his full proportion.
"Whereas, a petition was presented unto the General Court, at Plymouth, the first of June, 1655, by several of the inhabitants of the town of Rehoboth, whose hands were thereunto subscribed, desiring the Court to assist them in a way according to the orders of other Colonies about them, for the raising maintenance for their minister; the sum of the petition seemeth to hold forth that those whose hands were not subscribed contributed nothing, or so little as was not esteemed of, which petition occasioned some discourse about a forcible way to compel all the inhabitants of that town to pay a certain sum every year towards the maintenance of the minister. Whereupon Mr. John Browne, one of the magistrates
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
then sitting in Court, and being one of the inhabitants of that town, and not being made acquainted with the said petition until the names of the inhabitants were subscribed; to issue the said troublesome controversy, and take off the odium from others, did propound that forasmuch as those whose hands were to the petition desired to submit themselves to a rate, that if the Court would send two of the magistrates unto Rehoboth to take notice of the estates of the petitioners, he would engage himself in the behalf of those who were the inhabitants of the said town, whose hands were not subscribed to the petition, that they should voluntarily contribute according to their estates; and if any of them fell short in this business, he would supply that want of his own estate; and this he would make good by engaging his lands for seven years in their behalf, while they staid, though he himself should remove from the place, which was approved of, and Captain Standish and Mr. Hatherly were then made choice of by the Court to see it ordered accordingly."
In 1655, "Liberty is granted by the Court to the neighborhood in which Mr. Brown liveth at Rehoboth to make a pound to em- pound all horses or hogs that shall trespass upon them."
(Plym. Col. Rec., vol. III, p. 84.)
Plymouth, July 3, 1656. "Robert Abell is allowed by the Court to keep an ordinary at Rehoboth."
"The Court have appointed and deputed Mr. Joseph Pecke to administer marriage at Rehoboth." "And the said Mr. Pecke, Mr. Stephen Paine, and Richard Bowen are appointed and author- ized to hear and determine all controversies there between any, so as it amount not to above the value of three pounds; liberty being left to any to make their appeal to the Court of Plymouth, if there shall be reason." (Plym. Col. Rec., vol. III, p. 102.)
July 13th, 1657. Voted, "That all such persons, or any person that is behind hand in their accounts with Mr. Newman for this year present, that they shall make up their accounts with Mr. New- man by a month after Michaelmas; and in case it be neglected, then such townsmen as may be deputed, together with the deacons also, to go to such persons and labor to convince them of the neglect of their duty; in case they find them obstinate, then the Court order is to be attended on."
November 20th, 1757. Stephen Paine, senior, was chosen to assist Deacon Cooper, "to go to certain the inhabitants of the town, to put them on to clear their accounts with Mr. Newman."
"It was also agreed that there shall be a town-meeting this day fortnight, and in case it appear that any person or persons be be- hind hand with Mr. Newman, that then some effectual course may be taken according to Court order, to make such to pay as
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
have been negligent in their duty for the settling of Mr. Newman amongst us."
It was also voted that persons neglecting to attend town-meet- ing should be fined 6d.
December 9th, 1757. It was voted, "that Sampson Mason should have free liberty to sojourn with us, and to buy houses, lands or meadows, if he see cause for his settlement, provided that he lives peaceably and quietly."
Sampson Mason had been, according to Benedict (Hist. Bap., vol. I, p. 427), a soldier in the Commonwealth's army, com- manded by Cromwell. He became a Baptist, emigrated to America, and, after having resided several years at Rehoboth, be- came ultimately one of the founders of Swansea.
February 22, 1658. "The following persons are accepted as freemen of the town, to take up their freedom, namely, Joseph Peck, John Peck, Henry Smith, Robert Fuller, John Fitch, Stephen Paine, Jonathan Bliss, William Buckland, Rice Leonard."
June 22d, 1658. "At a town-meeting lawfully warned, lots were drawn for the meadows that lie on the north side of the town, in order as followeth, according to person and estate:
1. John Peck, 26. John Matthews,
2. George Robinson,
27. John Allin,
3. Robert Abell, 28. John Sutton,
4. Nicholas Ide,
29. Peter Hunt,
5. James Reddeway,
30. Tho. Cooper, jr.
6. Jonathan Bliss,
7. Mr. Winchester's children,
8. Mr. Newman,
9. George Kendrick,
10. Stephen Payne, sen.
11. John Butterworth,
12. John Read,
13. Thomas Wilmoth,
14. John Fitch,
40. John Woodcock,
15. Henry Smith,
16. Will. Carpenter, sen.
17. John Millard, jun.
18. Robert Wheaton,
43. Roger Amadowne,
19. Richard Bullock,
44. Richard Bowen, jr.
20. Robert Martin,
45. Robert Fuller,
21. John Perrum,
22. Richard Bowen, sen.
23. Obadiah Bowen,
24. Anthony Perry,
25. Joseph Peck,
46. Will. Bucklin,
47. Mr. Peck,
48. John Willard, sen.
49. Will. Carpenter, jun."
31. Will. Sabin,
32. Philip Walker,
33. Daniel Smith,
34. John Dogget,
35. Nicholas Peck,
36. Rice Leonard,
37. Robert Jones,
38. Francis Stevens,
39. Thomas Cooper, sen.
41. Edward Hall,
42. Stephen Payne, jun.
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
From the expression "the meadows that lie on the north side of the town," it appears that this division was of land afterwards; included in the North Purchase, now Attleborough and Cum- berland.
The 2d of the 9th mo. [November], 1658. The Indians were forbidden to set their traps within the town's bounds.
"December the 9th, 1659. It was agreed upon between the town of Rehoboth and Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin that the said Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin is to shingle the new end of the meeting-house, and to be done as sufficiently as the new end of Goodman1 Payne's house; and they are to furnish nails, and to be done by May-day next ensuing, provided that the frame be ready in season: in consideration whereof they are to have £8 to be paid in good, merchantable wampum, when their work is done."
"30th of the 11th mo. [January], 1659. Voted to agree with Richard Bullock to perform the office of Town Clerk; to give him 16s. a year, and to be paid for births, burials, and marriages besides."
March 17th, 1659, the town made an agreement with William Bucklin "to enlarge the meeting-house the breadth of three seats throughout, to find boards and to finish it complete and answer- able to the rest, with seats, the town finding nails."
"The 19th, 12th mo. [February] 1660, at a general town meeting, Capt. Willet, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, Stephen Payne, sen., Lieutenant Hunt, were chosen by the town, and empowered to view the town book, and to see that it be transcribed into a new book, all such things as they shall judge material for the good of the town, as also for the clearing of evidences of men's lands, according to Court orders, made in 1654."
21st of the 12th mo. [February] 1660. In town meeting it was voted "that Mr. Willet should have liberty to take up five hun- dred or six hundred acres of land northward or eastward, beyond the bounds of our town, where he shall think it most convenient for himself."
1st day 2d mo. [April] 1661. Gilbert Brooks of Scituate, had "free liberty to be an inhabitant of Rehoboth, and to purchase what he may, if he be minded to come among us."
In this year, Captain Thomas Willet, empowered by the Court of Plymouth, and having obtained the consent of the town of
1 This title Goodman, I have been informed, was used formerly much the same as Mr., Master, or Mister is with us at the present day.
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
Rehoboth, purchased of Wamsitta,1 or (as he is more commonly called), Alexander, the elder brother of king Philip and son of Massassoit, a large tract of land, which was called Rehoboth North Purchase, now Attleborough, Mass., and Cumberland, R.I. "It was bounded," says Daggett, "West by Pawtucket river, now Blackstone; North by the Massachusetts Colony or the bay line (so called); East by territory which was afterwards the Taunton North Purchase, now Mansfield, Norton, and Easton; and South by the ancient Rehoboth, now Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Pawtucket. This purchase included Attleborough, Cumberland, R.I., and a tract of a mile and a half in width, extending east and west (which was annexed to Rehoboth as an enlargement), and a part of Mans- field and Norton. This purchase was afterwards, viz. April 10th, 1666, granted and confirmed by the Plymouth government to the inhabitants of Rehoboth." (Daggett's History of Attleborough, p. 6.)
The following is a copy of the Deed of this tract from Wamsitta, or Alexander, to Mr. Willet:
"Know all men that I Wamsetta, alias Alexander, chief Sachem of Pokanokett, for divers good causes and valuable considerations me thereunto moving, have bargained and sold unto Captain Thomas Willet, of Wannamoisett, all those tracts of land situate and being from the bounds of Rehoboth ranging upon Patuckett unto a place called Waweypounshag, the place where one Black- stone now sojourneth, and so ranging along to the said river unto a place called Messanegtacaneh and from this upon a straight line crossing through the woods unto the uttermost bounds of a place called Mamantapett or Wading river, and from the said river one mile and a half upon an east line, and from thence upon a south line unto the bounds of the town of Rehoboth. To have and to hold unto him the said Captain Willet and his associates, their heirs and assigns forever; reserving only a competent por- tion of land for some of the natives at Mishanegitaconett for to plant and sojourn upon, as the said Wamsetta alias Alexander and the said Thomas Willet jointly together shall see meet; and the rest of all the land aforementioned, with the woods, waters, meadows, and all emoluments whatsoever to remain unto the said Thomas Willet and his associates, their heirs and assigns forever.
1 The then sachem of Pokanoket. His original name was Mooanum. He succeeded Massassoit as sachem of the Wampanoags, and died in the summer of 1662. His wife's name was Namumpum or Wetamoo .- See Drake's Book of the Indians, b. 3, c. 1, pp. 1-8.
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Witness my hand and seal this eighth day of April, in the year 1661.
"The mark of A X A Wamsitta alias Alexander, his seal [L.s.]
"Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of John Browne, jr. Jonathan Bosworth, John Sassaman, Interpreter."
"April 10th, 1666. Witnesseth these presents, that Captain Thomas Willet above said hath and doth hereby resign, deliver and make over all and singular the lands above mentioned, pur- chased of Wamsitta alias Alexander, chief Sachem of Pokanokett, according unto the bounds above expressed, with all and singular the benefits, privileges, and immunities thereunto appertaining, unto Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Winslow, Capt. Thomas Southworth, and Mr. Constant Southworth, in the behalf of the Colony of New Plymouth. In witness whereof he doth hereunto set his hand and seal.
"THOMAS WILLET. [L.S.]
"Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Daniel Smith, Nicholas Peck."
"6th, 7th mo. [September] 1661. Lieutenant Hunt and Joseph Peck were chosen to view the damage in the Indians' corn upon Kickamuet neck, and Consumpsit neck, and to give the town notice of it."
The 14th of the 9th mo. [November] 1661. "Lieutenant Hunt and William Sabin were chosen to confer with Mr. Willet to know what he hath done about the north side of the town in the behalf of the town."
27th of the 12th mo. [February] 1661. Samuel Luther was per- mitted to be a sojourner to buy or hire.
"Plymouth, 1661. It is ordered by the Court that the ward of Rehoboth shall extend unto Sowamsett1 and unto all the neighbours there inhabiting, as to the constable of Rehoboth, his execution of his office, as occasion shall require, which he is re- quired by his orders to do and perform, as well there as in any other part of that constablericke." (Plym. Col. Rec., vol. III, p. 234.)
The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1662. It was voted that John Woodcock should have two rods of land to build a small house
1 Bristol or Barrington, - probably the former.
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on for himself and his family to be in on the Lord's day, in some convenient place near the meeting-house; and Goodman Paine and Lieutenant Hunt were chosen to see where the most con- venient place for it might be."
December 16th, 1662. A fine of 1s. 6d. was ordered to be im- posed on those who neglected to attend town-meeting.
During this year the town was afflicted with the loss of one of its most influential and useful inhabitants, Mr. John Brown. He died April 10, 1662,1 at Wannamoiset. The following notice is made of him by Morton in his New-England's Memorial (pp 295, 296, 297):
"This year Mr. John Brown ended this life; in his younger years travelling into the low countries, he came acquainted with, and took good liking to, the reverend pastor of the church of Christ at Leyden, as also to sundry of the brethren of that church: which ancient amity induced him (upon his coming over to New- England) to seat himself in the jurisdiction of New Plimouth, in which he was chosen a magistrate; in which place he served God and the country several years; he was well accomplished with abilities to both civil and religious concernments, and attained, through God's grace, unto a comfortable perswasion of the love and favour of God to him; he, falling sick of a fever, with much serenity and spiritual comfort, fell asleep in the Lord, and was honourably buried at Wannamoiset near Rehoboth, in the spring of the year abovesaid."
He was first elected to the office of assistant in Plymouth Colony in 1636, which office he ably filled for seventeen years. He was also one of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England from 1644 to 1655. The mention of this latter fact may serve to show in what estimation he was held in the colony, when we recollect that only two persons were chosen from each colony to that office. He was made a freeman of the colony of Plymouth in 1634.2 He was one of the original proprietors of the town, and owned large estates in land both at Rehoboth and Wannamoiset. Mr. Brown was a friend to religious toleration, and was the first of the Plymouth magistrates who expressed scruples as to the expediency of coercing the people to support the ministry. He was a man of talent, integrity, and piety, and his death was deeply felt through the whole colony. James Brown, who also was assistant in 1655, and lived at Swansey, was his son.
1 Rehoboth Town Record of deaths and burials.
2 Baylies' Hist. Mem. of Plym. Col. vol. II, p. 201.
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
"July 3d, 1663. It was voted by the town to send a letter to Samuel Fuller of Plymouth, that if he will come upon trial accord- ing to his own proposition, the town is willing to accept of him; and in case the town and he do accord, the town is willing to accommodate him in the best way they can for his encouragement.
"It was also voted and agreed that his mother should be sent to, to see if she be willing to come and dwell amongst us, to attend on the office of a midwife, to answer the town's necessity, which at present is great."
Mr. Fuller was a physician residing at Plymouth.
At the same town meeting, Goodman Searle was accepted as an inhabitant, and a home lot voted to him.
In this year the town experienced a severe loss in the death of their beloved and venerable pastor, the Rev. Samuel Newman. He died on the 5th of July, 1663, in his 62d year. The manner of his death was singular and awakened much comment. Just one week before, on Sunday, June 28, he delivered his last sermon from Job 14: 14: "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." Although in good health at the time he told his astonished people that his mission on earth was closed. He retired to his home, grew weak without pain, and the following Sunday, July 5, with a few friends about him, he asked Deacon Cooper to close the parting with prayer, immediately after which he turned his face to the wall, saying, "And now, ye angels of the Lord Jesus, come do your office," and gently expired.
His departure was deeply lamented by his bereaved flock and by all who knew him. He was a fine preacher, an eminent scholar and a truly devout man. His Concordance of the Bible was a great work, of which there were three editions in his lifetime. The first was published in London in 1643, in folio. This he re- vised while in Rehoboth, "using in the evening pine-knots instead of candles." The second edition was published at London in 1650, and the third in 1658. The Cambridge Concordance of 1662 was based on Newman's book with but scant credit to its learned author, nor did he receive much pecuniary gain from any of his books. A copy of his Concordance is in the Rehoboth Antiquarian Collection.
Mather in his Magnalia says of Newman: "He loved his church as if it had been his family, and taught his family as if it had been his church." His library was burned by the Indians in the con- flagration at Rehoboth, March 28, 1676, but Mather somehow
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recovered the fragment containing the thirteen articles of his private platform, which are as follows:
"Notes or marks of grace, I find in myself: not wherein I desire to glory, but to take ground of Assurance, and after our Apostle's rules, to make my election sure, though I find them but in weak measure.
1. I love God, and desire to love God, principally for himself.
2. I desire to requite evil with good.
3. A looking up to God, to see him, and his hand in all things that befall me.
4. A greater fear of displeasing God, than all the world.
5. A love of such christians as I never saw, or received good from.
6. A grief when I see God's commands broken by any person.
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