USA > Massachusetts > History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888, Vol. I > Part 29
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Capt. Hull (1660) was ensign of the Artillery Company in 1663, lieutenant in 1664, and captain in 1671 and 1678. He continued a member of the Company until his death. He kept a book in which he made minutes of the sermons preached at the General Court and Artillery elections, in short-hand mostly. He noted the preacher's name, text, and place of residence. We are indebted to him for much of our knowledge concerning the preachers of those early years of the Company. Mr. Whitman (1810) states that he had one of these note-books, consisting exclusively of sermons. It was of pocket size, originally fastened by brass clasps, and contained quotations from Latin and Greek authors, proving that Mr. Hull (1660) was a student, and acquainted with the ancient languages. One of his maxims, written in English, apparently in the quiv- ering hand of old age, is, "The affairs of our estate are come to that pass, that though we be bound to feel them, we have no leisure to report them."
John Hull (1660). AUTHORITIES: Records of Mass. Bay; Drake's Hist. of Boston; Savage's Gen. Dict.
" 1671. I was chosen by the town of Westfield for their deputy for the General Court. I was also chosen by the Artillery Company for their Captain. The Lord make me diligent and humble !" - /full's Diary.
Hull Street, Boston, is named for Capt. John Hull (1660), through whose pasture it was laid out. The ground was conveyed to the town hy Judge Samuel Sewall and wife, on the express condition that the street should always bear that name. For his wife, Judith, that much-dreaded point of Narra- gansett Bay, where Neptune exacts his tribute from voyagers through the sound, is named.
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Mr. Hull (1660) was appointed a corporal in the militia May 29, 1648 ; a sergeant June 28, 1652 ; chosen ensign April, 1654; clerk of a company April 25, 1656; was elected representative for Wenham in 1668; for Westfield from 1671 to 1674, and for Salisbury in 1679. He was town treasurer in 1660-1, and selectman from 1657 to 1667 inclusive, except 1661. He was treasurer of Massachusetts, 1676 to 1679, and was an assistant from 1680 until his decease. He was a member of the First Church, but with- drew, and assisted in May, 1669, in establishing the Third, or Old South, Church, and was at one time its treasurer. He was promoted to be lieutenant in 1673, and to be captain in 1675. He gave a legacy of one hundred pounds to Harvard College.
He died Sept. 30, 1683, and his remains were buried in the Granary Burial-Ground. He was an active, useful, and enterprising citizen.
Zechariah Phillips (1660), of Boston, in April, 1660, was licensed by the selectmen to open a cook shop and sell beer. Aug. 2, 1675, he was killed by the Indians at Brookfield, when a party under Capt. Edward Hutchinson (1638), going by appointment to arrange a peace, was treacherously cut off.
Daniel Turell (1660), a blacksmith, came from Instow, England. He appears to have been in Boston in 1649, when the selectmen voted, that he "shall erect his wharfe for ye highway before his howse before 3: II : or pay 20s. fine." In 1656, he was elected constable. In 1659, the town of Boston bought of John Baker (1644) and Daniel Turell (1660) the beginning of the present Copp's Hill Burial-Ground. His residence was between Hanover Street and Hudson's Point, on the shore. He was elected a selectman March 13, 1675-6, and was called "Ensigne." July 30 of the same year he is called in town records, "L'"; March 10, 1683-4, he is called captain. After the fire of 1679, a special "Watch of the Town" was established. The watch in the " Conduit quarter," drawn from Capt. Oliver's (1643) and Capt. Davis's (1643) companies, was under the charge of four citizens, one of whom was Lieut. Daniel Turell (1660). "Turine" in the records becomes "Turell " after March, 1676 7.
He was admitted a freeman May 19, 1669. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1666, and lieutenant in 1676. He served as selectman from 1676 to 1690 inclusive, and was active in town affairs.
He married (1) Lydia Blott, who died June 23, 1659, and, (2) Nov. 10, 1659, Mary, widow of John Barrell (1643). His son, Daniel, Jr., joined the Artillery Company in 1674. He died in July, 1693, and was buried July 24.
Rev. Samuel Whiting, of Lynn, who was the second pastor of the First Church in that town, was the preacher of the Artillery sermon in 1660. He was installed there on the 8th of November, 1636. He was a son of Sir John Whiting, mayor of old Boston, England. Samuel was born Nov. 20, 1597, and entered Emanuel College in 1612. He received the degrees of A. B. in 1616, A. M. in 1620, and subsequently D. D. After taking orders in the Church of England, he became chaplain in a family in Norfolk. Three years later he accepted a rectorship in Lynn Regis, where, three years subse-
Zechariah Phillips (1660). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Savage's Gen. Dict .; Fifth Report of Boston Rec. Com., Gleaner Articles, XII.
Daniel Turell (1660). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Savage's Gen. Dict.
Rev. Samuel Whiting. AUTHORITIES : Math- er's Magnalia; Brooks's Lives; Savage's Gen. Dict.
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quently, he was censured by the Bishop of Norfolk for non-conformity. Again at Shirbeck, near Boston, he came under censure, and in 1636 he emigrated to America. Settling in Lynn, becoming a freeman Dec. 7, 1636, he served the First Church as its pastor until his decease, Dec. 14, 1679. His name and memory are perpetuated in Whiting School and Whiting Street, Lynn, Mass.
The officers elected were: William Hudson (1640), captain ; 1661-2. Thomas Lake (1653), lieutenant, and Robert Turner (1640), ensign.
Thomas Clarke (1644) was first sergeant; William Cotton (1650), second sergeant ; Thomas Scottow, drummer, and John Audlin (1638), armorer.
Humfrey Atherton (1638), of Dorchester, who was then major-general of the Massachusetts militia, died Sept. 17, 1661. After having been employed on almost every occasion of importance to the colony, in peace and war, for thirty years, he was " killed by a fall from his horse at ye South End of Boston."
The Quaker writers, with their usual prejudice, rejoiced over Major Atherton's (1638) death as a judgment upon him because he favored their prosecution. Their harsh and cruel judgment was evidently not indorsed by the people of Massachusetts, who regarded the death of Major-Gen. Atherton (1638) as a public calamity.
Samuel Shattuck, a Quaker, who had been banished from Salem with the threat of death should he return, came to Boston, bringing a letter from King Charles to Gov. Endicott, directing that pending processes against the Quakers should be discontinued, and that the persons in custody should be sent to England for trial. Shattuck sturdily presented the letter, wearing his hat, and Gov. Endicott bowed in sarcastic bitterness to him who was, he said, a greater man than himself.
Aug. 8, 1661, Charles II. was formally proclaimed at Boston, by order of the General Court, as the "lawful King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and all other the territories and dominions thereunto belonging." Later in the year, Mr. Bradstreet and Mr. Norton were sent to London, with instructions to represent the colony as his Majesty's loyal and obedient subjects.
Capt. John Hull (1660) thus describes the official proclaiming of Charles If. in Boston : " Eight of the sixth, 1661, being the fifth day of the weeke, after our ordinary lecture, the soldiers being all in armes, viz : our four companies and the county troop, the magistrates mounted on horseback, the ministers being present and a multitude of people, King Charles the Second was proclaimed by Mr. Edward Rawson, Secretary of State, all standing bare, and ended with, 'God save the King,' and a shout, sundry volleys of shot from the soldiery, all the guns in the castle, fort and town and ships. All the chief officers feasted that night at the charge of the country."
The new members recruited in 1661-2 were : William Howard, George May, Edward Page, John Pease, and Robert Sanford.
William Howard (1661), of Boston, was, in 1660, a witness to the will of William Paine, and a legatee, also, therein.
From the Boston Records, under date of April 29, 1667, we learn, "Mr. Will
William Howard (1661). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Savage's Gen. Dict.
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Howard [1661] hath liberty to keep a wrighting schoole, to teach childeren to writte and to keep accounts."
Mr. Whitman (1810) says he came from the city of London. He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1665. He died previous to May 12, 1675, when " Alice, relict of the late William Howard [1661], petitioned the General Court in regard to selling his estate."
George May (1661), of Boston, an ironmonger, was admitted to be a freeman in 1665. He held office in the town in 1663-4 and 1674-5, and married, Oct. 6, 1656, Elizabeth, daughter of William Franklin.
Edward Page (1661), of Boston, was a cooper, and married, about 1652, Elizabeth, daughter of William Beamsley (1656). Their last child, born June 7, 1673, was named Humility.
John Pease (1661), of Salem, was a son of John Pease, who came in the " Francis " from Ipswich, England, in 1634. The wife and mother, with John, Jr., came over in a later ship. They settled at Salem. John Pease (1661) became a freeman in 1668, was active in military affairs, and was promoted to be captain in the militia. He married (1) Mary -, who died Jan 5, 1668, and, (2) Oct. 8, 1669, An Cummings.
Fresh-Water Brook was the name of an inviting territory which anciently belonged to Springfield. It was set off from the parent town in 1681, and was settled chiefly by emigrants from Salem. Among these were John Pease, Sr., and John, Jr. (1661). The emigrants were allowed to become a township in 1683, and took the name of Enfield.
Capt. John Pease (1661) died at Enfield in 1689, aged sixty years. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1665.
Robert Sandford (1661), of Boston in 1650, was a brother of John, the school- master. He was admitted a freeman in 1652. Robert (1661) was highway surveyor for Boston several years, the last time being in 1676-7.
Rev. John Ward, of Haverhill, was probably the preacher of the Artillery election sermon in 1661. In the list of officers and preachers, as prepared by Nathaniel Barnes (1676) in 1680, the name of the preacher is given as " Samuel Ward." In the transcript of 1745, "Samuel Ward of Ipswich " is given as the preacher ; "of Ipswich " being a modern addition. There was no minister in New England at that time by the name of Samuel Ward. The given name, " Samuel," is, perhaps, an unintentional duplication of the name immediately preceding it in the list, viz., "Samuel " Whiting.
Rev. Nathaniel Ward, of Ipswich, " the Simple Cobler of Agawam," died in 1653. His son, John, was born in Haverhill, England, Nov. 5, 1606. He was educated at Emanuel College, England, and received the degrees of A. B. in 1626, and A. M. in 1630. He came to America about 1649, and became a freeman May 3 of that year. In 1641, he settled in Haverhill, Mass., and there he remained as pastor of the church until his decease, Nov. 19, 1693.
John Pease (1661). AUTHORITIES: Felt's Annals of Salem, Vol. I., p. 224; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1849, p. 31.
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The officers elected were : Thomas Lake (1653), captain ; Robert
1662-3. Turner (1640), lieutenant, and Thomas Clarke (1644), ensign. William Cotton (1650) was first sergeant; Richard Woodde (1642), second sergeant ; Hudson Leverett (1658), clerk; Seth Perry (1662), drummer, and John Audlin (1638), armorer.
Charles II., the "Merry Monarch " of Great Britain, sent word to the people of Massachusetts that he confirmed their charter, but that he intended to substitute royal rule for the theocracy of the Puritans, who had established the town meeting, the locally governed schools, and compulsory militia duty, as foundations upon which the Common- wealth was being erected. The clergy, who ruled the colony, were men of narrow but vigorous intellects, and although they excluded Papists, Episcopalians and sceptics from office, they permitted some of the British veterans, who had crossed the ocean, and who were not communicants, to receive military commissions. Many of these citizen-soldiers were men of heroic deeds and noble thoughts ; men inspired with the liberal ideas and free traditions of Cromwell's camps ; who had heard the bold words of Hampden and Sidney. They rejoiced at the royal promise that all persons of suitable character should be eligible to office, " without reference to their opinion or profession."
Rich and expensive colors were at this time carried by the military companies of Massachusetts. John Pynchon sold to Ensign Wilton, of Northampton, for the military company, colors, staff, tassel, and top, for five pounds. The next year he sold to Hadley, for the use of the soldiers, colors, staff, tassel, and top, for five pounds. These flags were large, and of costly silk. Expensive flags were used down to the Revolution. Timothy Pickering, in 1775, censured the enormous waste of silk used for colors, and said, " Three or four square yards of silk are taken to make one color." When the wind blew the ensigns had much trouble, and were obliged to gather the flags in folds in their hands. Mr. Pickering wanted them reduced to about a yard in length. The flag of a company was called an "ensign," and the bearer was an ensign-bearer, usually called "ensign," but sometimes "ancient." In the early records of Connecticut, Ensign Stoughton, of Windsor, is called "Ancient Stoughton."
The new members recruited in 1662-3 were : Richard Barnard, Anthony Checkley, William Clements, John Coney, Believe Gridley, Joseph Gridley, Nathaniel Hunn, George Nowell, Seth Perry, Return Waite.
Richard Barnard (1662), of Boston, was a brother of Matthew (1660). He was born in England, and came over with his parents in 1651. He died Dec. 20, 1706.
Anthony Checkley (1662), of Boston, son of William, came to America in 1645 with his uncle, John, from Preston Capes, Northamptonshire, England. He was bap- tized July 31, 1636, and married Hannah, daughter of the celebrated Rev. John Wheel- wright. His second wife was Lydia Gibbs, widow, daughter of Joshua Scottow (1645). He was a constable of Boston in 1667-8 and in 1679, and, with Lient. Turell (1660) and two others, had charge of the watch in the conduit quarter. In 1683, he was selected as one of a committee to act with the selectmen in drawing up instructions for
Anthony Checkley (1662). AUTHORITIES: New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg, 1848, 1861; Foote's Annals of King's Chapel, Vol. I., p. S9; Province Laws of Mass. Bay, Vol. VII .; Drake's Hist. of Boston.
" [Oct. 20, 1708.] Capt Anthony Checkley buried in a Tomb in the New Burying place." - Sewall Papers, Vol. II., p. 240.
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the deputies of the General Court, and Aug. 24, 1685, was elected commissioner to assess the property and number the people of the town. He was chosen attorney- general of the province in 1689, and was continued in that office until 1703. He was confirmed by the General Court, May 12, 1675, ensign of the foot company under the command of Capt. John Richards (1644). He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1677, ensign in 1680, and lieutenant in 1683. He died Oct. 18, 1708.
Col. Samuel (1678) was son of Ensign Anthony Checkley (1662).
William Clements (1662), of Cambridge, son of William, married Mary, daughter of Joseph Rock (1658). He was clerk of the Artillery Company in 1663 and 1664.
William Clements (1662) sold, in 1669, twenty-five acres of land which he bought of Richard Dummer, of Boston, on the highway from Watertown to Roxbury south. He owned a house and land near Chestnut Hill. He was one of the founders of the First Church in Newton. He died in 1691.
John Coney (1662), of Boston, was a cooper, and admitted to be a freeman in 1669. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1672. He died Dec. 24, 1690. Mr. Sewall says, "He was buried Thursday, December 25th 1690." From 1668, when he was elected a constable, until his decease, he held some town office nearly all the time. Dec. 10, 1678, he was chosen to collect subscriptions for Harvard College from the members of the Second Church. His son, John, died Aug. 29, 1722, and the funeral sermon was preached by his son-in-law, Rev. Thomas Foxcroft, who delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1723.
Believe Gridley (1662) was a son of Capt. Richard Gridley (1658), a brickmaker, and was born May 3, 1640. Capt. Richard (1658) died in 1674, and Mr. Savage says that " Believe and Tremble died before their father."
Joseph Gridley (1662), of Boston, brother of Believe (1662) and son of Capt. Richard (1658), followed the business of his father, that of brickmaking. His son, Capt. Richard Gridley, became a member of the Artillery Company in 1695. Joseph Gridley (1662) held various minor offices of the town from 1660 until his decease. His will was proved April 14, 1687.
Nathaniel Hunn (1662), of Boston, was a son of George, a tanner, who came to America in 1635. Nathaniel (1662) was a shoemaker by trade. He lived in Boston until about 1669, and resided in Wethersfield, Conn., from 1673 to 1693.
George Nowell (1662), of Boston, was a blacksmith. He erected a house "neere the Conduit " about 1667, and from that time until 1675, when the street was paved, there was trouble between him and the town in regard to the "stoppage of the watter course," as given in Boston Records.
Seth Perry (1662), of Boston, born March 7, 1639, was a son of Arthur (1638), of Boston. Arthur Perry (1638) was a tailor, a trade which Seth (1662) and his brother
William Clements (1662). AUTIIORITY : Smith's Hist. of Newton.
John Coney (1662). AUTHORITIES: Foote's Annals of King's Chapel, Vol. I., p. 93; Boston Records; Savage's Gen. Dict.
Nathaniel Hunn (1662). AUTHORITIES : Sav-
age's Gen. Dict .; New Eng. Ilist, and Gen. Reg. 1853, P. 31 (will of George Ilunn, his father).
Seth Perry (1662). AUTHORITIES : New Eng. Ilist. and Gen. Reg., 1876, p. 206; Boston Records; Hill's list. of Old South Church.
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John pursued. Seth (1662) was admitted to be a freeman in 1666. He held town offices at various times between 1666 and 1690. He appears on the Town Records, the last time, March 30, 1702, when he was appointed to superintend precautions against fire. He was one of the founders of the Old South Church, was drummer for the Artillery Company from 1662 to 1666 inclusive, and was third sergeant in 1685.
Return Waite (1662), of Boston, was a son of Richard (1638), of Boston, a tailor, who, in November, 1637, was compelled to surrender his arms to Capt. Keayne (1637). His next child, born July 8, 1639, was named Return. The son succeeded his father as an officer under the government ; he was a sergeant, in regular pay, from 1674 to 1681, and very prominent in the military display at the funeral of Gov. Leverett (1639), in 1679. He died in September, 1702, aged sixty-three years.
Rev. John Higginson, of Salem, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1662. He was a son of Rev. Francis Higginson, the first minister at Salem, and was born at Clay- brook, England, Aug. 6, 1616, and came to New England with his parents in 1629, at which time he joined the church in Salem. On the death of his father, he was assisted in per- fecting his education, and at the age of twenty-four years became chaplain at Fort Say- brook, Conn. In 1641, he taught school in Hartford, and in 1643 settled as colleague over the church at Guilford, Conn. From 1651 to 1659, he had sole charge of that church. In the latter year, he took passage for England, but the ship was obliged by stress of weather to put into Salem Harbor. The church in Salem having no minister, engaged Mr. Higginson for one year, at the expiration of which, in August, 1660, he became its settled pastor. He continued in that office for forty-eight years, until his death, Dec. 9, 1708, when he was ninety-two years of age. He was one of the most honored of the early clergy in America.
1663-4. The officers elected were : John Leverett (1639), captain ; William Davis (1643), lieutenant ; John Hull (1660), ensign. Hezekiah Usher (1638) was first sergeant ; John Richards (1644), second sergeant ; William Clements (1662), clerk ; John Audlin (1638), armorer, and Seth Perry (1662), drummer.
Intelligence having been received by the General Court that a fleet of war vessels would soon arrive from London, bringing royal commissioners to inquire into public affairs, the train-bands were reorganized, and Capt. Richard Davenport (1639) was placed in command at the Castle. A committee of the General Court, says Mr. Drake, consisting of Mr. Richard Russell (1644), Mr. Edward Johnson (1637), and Mr. Joseph Hills, reported, June 9, a bill allowing two barrels of powder per annum, "for saluting of ships " at the Castle. But one barrel had been allowed hitherto. The report was made upon a petition of Capt. James Oliver (1640), of Boston, who said, that " now by
Return Waite (1662). AUTHORITIES: New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1850, 1877.
" [1685-6] Feb 2. .. This day Return Waite is by Sentence of Court turned out of his Marshal's Place, many complaints coming against him."- Sewall Papers, Vol. I., p. 120.
Rev. John Higginson. AUTHORITIES: Math- er's Magnalia; Felt's Annals of Salem; Young's Chronicles; Upham's Second Century Lecture; Savage's Gen. Dict.
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the increase of shipping, coming and going, itt proues much to little for the honorable efecting of the worke." Mr. Hills, who drew up the report, said the committee were of opinion that one barrel was "to little, considering the increase of shipping beyond what hath been formerly, and some expense at the time of eleccon of General officers."
The General Court also resolved, that "being informed that some of his Majesty's ships are on their voyage to these parts, in which are several gentlemen of quality, do therefore order that the captain of the Castle, on the first sight and knowledge of their approach, give speedy notice to the honored Governor and Deputy Governor, and that Captain James Oliver [1640], and Captain William Davis [1643] are hereby ordered forthwith to repair on board the said ships and to acquaint those gentlemen that this Court hath and doth by them present their respects to them, and that it is the desire of the authority of this place that they take strict order that their under officers and soldiers, in their coming on shore to refresh themselves, at no time exceed a convenient number, and that without arms, and that they behave themselves orderly amongst his Majesty's good subjects here, and be careful of giving no offence to the people and laws of this place ; and invite them on shore, provision being made for their present refreshment."
The General Court also resolved, that, “ forasmuch as it is of great concernment to this commonwealth to keep safe and secret our patent, it is ordered that the patent, and duplicate, belonging to the county be forthwith brought into the Court ; and that there be two or three persons appointed by each House to keep safe and secret the said patent and duplicate, in two distinct places, as to the said committee shall seem most expedient ; and that the Deputy-Governor, Major-General Leverett [1639], Captain Clarke [1638], of Boston, and Captain Johnson [1637], of Woburn, are appointed to receive the grand patent from the Secretary, and to dispose thereof as may be most safe for the country."
The new member recruited in 1663-4 was Ephraim Turner.
Ephraim Turner (1663) was a son of Lieut. Robert Turner (1640), the innholder. Ephraim (1663) was born in Boston, Dec. 13, 1639 ; was admitted a freeman in 1666 ; served as ensign in the Boston company of Capt. James Oliver (1640) from 1675 to 1680, when he was relieved at his request. Ensign Turner (1663) served as lieutenant in the Narraganset campaign against King Philip in 1676. He married Sarah, daughter of Major William Phillips (1644), and through her came into possession of large tracts of land in the district of Maine. He was, by trade, a brazier. He held town office from 1674 to 1676. It is supposed that he removed eastward about 1680-r.
Rev. Thomas Shepard, of Charlestown, delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1663. He was a son of Thomas Shepard, of Cambridge. The younger was born April 5, 1635, just previous to the embarkation of his parents, in 1635, for America. He graduated at Harvard College in 1653 ; married, Nov. 3, 1656, Ann, daughter of William Tyng (1638) ; was ordained, April 13, 1659, as colleague of Rev. Zechariah Symmes, and died of small-pox Dec. 22, 1677. He was a man of great learning and influence. Rev. Urian Oakes, president of Harvard College, pronounced an eloquent eulogy in Latin, before the alumni and officers of that institution, on Commencement Day in 1678.
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