USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > History of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
This year, Joseph, Sachem, in behalf of himself and others, made a demand for land ; and Capt. Clap (" if he be come home "), Dea. Wiswall, William Sumner and John Capen, were empowered to treat with them, and see what their demands were, "and make full and compleat agreement if they see their demands be but reason." In all their dealings with the Indians the town acted honorably and generous- ly, and paid them a fair compensation. The land was nearly as valuable to the Indians after they dis- posed of it, as before; for they made the same use of it, and hunted, fished and roamed in their old favorite haunts, with the same freedom as if they held the deeds. *
An occasion of considerable excitement occurred this year in relation to a new gallery which had been erected in the meeting-house, without leave from the proper authorities. As is often the case in modern times, the offending party had consulted the select-
1
202
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
men, elders, &c., individually, who seemed inclined to grant their request ; but as soon as the append- age was finished, the " war broke out; " the select- men repudiating the whole affair, and reported that it was set up without leave, prejudicial to the light, offensive to many, and disorderly-that none of the parties who built, nor any other, should presume to sit in it till the town's mind was known in the mat- ter. At a meeting of the town, August 29th, it was agreed that it might stand, provided it should not be disposed of to any persons but such as the town should approve of, and that the offending parties acknowledge their too much forwardness therein. The latter acknowledged their offence in the words of the following document, viz.
" We whose names are underwritten, do acknowledge that it was our weakness that we were so inconsiderate as to make a small seat in the meeting-house without more clear and full ap- probation of the town and selectmen thereof, though we thought upon the conference we had with some of the selectmen apart, and elders, we had satisfying ground for our proceeding therein ; wch we now see was not sufficient ; therefore we do desire that our failing therein may be passed by ; and if the town will grant our seat that we have been at so much cost in setting up, we thankfully acknowledge your love unto us therein, and we do hereupon further engage ourselves that we will not give up nor sell any of our places in that seat to any person or persons but whom the elders shall approve of, or such as shall have power to place men in seats in the assembly.
INCREASE ATHERTON, SAMUEL PROCTOR, THOMAS BIRD."
The new impression of Mr. Mather's Catechism was distributed to each family in the town by the
203
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
elders, selectmen and Dea. Capen, and paid for out of the town rate.
One of the many steps towards a more liberal mode of admission of members to the church, was made at this time. It was proposed to receive male members by having their confession taken in pri- vate, in writing, and declared publicly to the church, they standing forth and acknowledging it. One of the elders declared that there were several young men who would join upon such conditions. The proposition was not agreed to at the time it was made, but subsequently an arrangement to that effect was brought about; but at the same time it was un- derstood that all who were considered fit to make a public relation, should be persuaded to do so.
Elder Withington informed the church that he had resolved to lay down his appointment of seating persons in the meeting-house, the other elders not acting with him. It was undoubtedly a thankless office, and he being quite aged, must have had a hard task of it. He also informed the church, that from some " natural infirmity " in the ruling elders, they had desired Dea. Capen to read the psalms.
In December of this year, Mr. William Stoughton was invited to engage in the ministry in connection with Mr. Mather ; and the elders and selectmen were desired to consult with him about it. This duty they performed, and brought every influence in their power to urge him to accept the invitation ; but his answer was, "that he had some objections within himself against the motion." This was truly a modest answer; but it is not unlikely that his
204
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
future greatness began to dawn upon him, and de- cided him not to commit himself to a profession that was then considered so sacred, so enduring, and so difficult to resign, as the clerical. The church not feeling satisfied, made another request to the same purport, on the last day of the year. Still he con- tinued firm to his purpose, but was willing to preach as formerly. These invitations were repeated to the sixth time, until the death of Mr. Mather in 1669, and even the elders of the other churches at their meeting in Boston were desired to persuade him to accept of the offer; but all to no purpose. Circum- stances like these show that he must have been one of the most attractive preachers of the day, and a trained and accomplished scholar. They show, also, his inflexibility of purpose, when he had once decid- ed upon the course which he judged right for him to pursue.
The king's commissioners, Col. Cartwright and others, arrived in Boston this year, with power to settle some difficulties which were at issue between different parties in the colony. They had been to New York for the same purpose, and appeared here in rather an offensive light before the magistrates. They directed them to assemble the people together, which they declined to do, in an indirect way, inti- mating that they were very busy, and that therefore they should not encourage such a meeting. Cart- wright was very severe upon this answer, and de- nounced all who opposed his measures as traitors.
The attention of the government in England had been called towards the treatment which the Qua-
205
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
kers had received here, and Charles II. did a great and humane work, about this time, in putting a stop to the persecutions of these people, and in promot- ing a greater religious freedom.
1666. Selectmen - Hopestill Foster, William Sumner, John Minot, Anthony Fisher and John Capen.
As an additional evidence of the strictness with which the rule was enforced concerning the admis- sion of strangers into the town, it may be mention- ed that Samuel Hicks could not remain without suf- ficient bond being given to save the town from all charges or damages on his account ; and his brother Zachariah Hicks, of Cambridge, gave the necessary document, which is on record.
The selectmen of Boston desired of the selectmen of Dorchester, that widow Collins might be per- mitted to pass the winter in Dorchester. This re- quest was accompanied by the following document.
" To the selectmen of Dorchester: These are to advise that if the widow Collins be permitted by you to pass the winter in your town, that your re- ception of her shall not be to disoblige us from the duty which we owe unto her as one of our inhabi- tants. Boston, this 25 (10) 1665.
HEZ. USHER, in the name of the Selectmen."
The above application came before the selectmen of Dorchester, Feb. 12, 1666, and they granted the widow liberty to remain here until the first day of May, 1666. Cases of this kind were common for several years.
19
1
206
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Nicholas George was allowed to keep an ordinary the year ensuing, " if the Court accepted of it." He had kept a house of that kind for several years, and supplied the selectmen and other town officers with necessary refreshment.
This year Robert Knight, of Marblehead, ac- knowledges the receipt of " two great guns, three demi-culverin shot, one ladle, one sponge," &c. of the selectmen of Dorchester, for the country's use.
The liberality of the people here, in their contri- butions for the relief others, was remarkable. This year there was a collection taken up for the dis- tressed Christians in England, and £40 13s. 9d. collected.
No rank or condition could save a person from the oversight, and the censure if deserved, of the church. The 30th of September, " Mrs. Clarke, the wife of Capt. Thomas Clarke, of Boston," had the offence laid upon her, before the church in Dorchester, of " her reproachful and slanderous tongue against the Honored Governor Richard Bellingham ; and other lying * expressions." After several meetings, " she manifesting no repentance, was cast out of the church."
1667. Selectmen - John Minot, William Sum- ner, Samuel Clap, John Capen, sen., and Ens. Hall.
This year there died three quite prominent men in the town ; viz., Thomas Bird, sen. ; Henry Way, aged 84 years ; and Thomas Jones, aged 75 years.
The following document is on record this year. " Daniel Preston and Henry Gurnsey being informed by our selectmen, that an Indian was dead of the
207
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
small-pox in the land of James Minot, we did by their order go and see, and found it so. He was dead in an Indian wigwam in James Minot's land, a little on this side Neponset Mill ; the Indians hav- ing run away and left him dead, and taking no course for his burial ; and we were informed he was a Warwick Indian ; and we constables did get an Englishman, John Smith, of Dorchester, to dig his grave in the wigwam, and we did get an Indian whose name is Joseph, a Mashapog Indian, and William Robinson and John Smith to put him in his grave, and John Smith did cover him with the earth, and this was done on the 10th of Dec. 1666."
Witness our hands, DAN'L PRESTON, HENRY GURNSEY. Recorded " this 5 (12) 1666." Feb. 5, 1667.
Thomas Davenport's fine of 10 shillings was re- mitted on condition that he cleared the water-course across the way, " before one come to the house he bought of William Blake," before the 10th of April next.
" Anthony Fisher, sen. was desired to speak with Francis Oliver, and to inform him that he is to re- turn unto the place from whence he came."
In the account of money paid this year by the town, is-to widow Mead for ringing the bell, £3.
The 21st of March, this year, was kept as a fast, on account of the " burning the greatest part of the city of London, the raging of the pestilence in many places in England, the distress of the people of God all the world over, the war continued with France and Holland, the enemies prevailing in the
208
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
islands, the taking of many of our English vessels, the sicknesses that have been amongst us, the blast- ing of the labour of the husbandman, the sins of security and sensuality and unprofitableness," &c.
April 7th, of this year, was a contribution for the distressed people at Cape Fear.
Rev. John Wilson, of Boston, died August 7th, of this year, and Mr. Mather preached his funeral sermon.
1668. Selectmen-Hopestill Foster, John Capen, John Minot, Richard Hall and Samuel Clap. In giv- ing the names of the selectmen in this work, we do not prefix the titles as they appear on the records, and which in those days really meant something ; but whenever their Christian names are known with cer- tainty, those only are given. For instance, this year the selectmen, besides John Minot, were Capt. Foster, Lt. Capen, Ens. Hall and Sarg't Clap ; pro- bably the five highest officers in the military com- pany.
This year measures were taken to bring the gal- lery of the meeting-house into such form as that the boys may be so seated as to " prevent their profan- ing the Lord's day."
On the first of January, 1668, the town voted " that the thousand acres formerly given to the use of the school should never be alienated to any other use, nor sold, nor any part of it, but be reserved for the maintenance of a free school in Dorchester for- ever." " The same day it was agreed unto that the next lecture day, after the lecture, the town should come together to draw lots for the twelve divisions."
209
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
About this time there was a contribution for the fleet at the Caribba Islands, and the selectmen order- ed that it should be brought to the houses of the two deacons by the 5th of February, and they were to convey it to Boston. In these contributions it was usual to give corn, rye, &c., as well as money, so that the transportation was sometimes a matter of importance.
As a good deal is said in the records about the " Great Lots," a list of the owners at this time is here given, viz. :
Acres.
Acres.
Abraham How,
51
Isaac Jones,
3
William Robinson,
19
Joseph Wilkes,
3
Samuel Robinson,
7 John Smith,
50
Richard Leeds,
16 Anthony Fisher,
24
Thomas Pierce,
21
David Jones,
48
Thomas Trott,
50
Richard Hall, .
2
Thomas Tilestone,
24 Mr. Minot,
14
Nicholas Ellen,
2
John Blake,
6
Jonathan Birch,
6
William Clarke,
6
Timothy Mather,
12
Timothy Tilestone,
12
Robert Searle,
12
William Pond,
4
Samuel Paul,
12
William Trescott,
4
Richard Leeds,
16
Enoch Wiswall,
11
Timothy Mather, .
16
John Wiswall,
5
James Minot,
12
Joseph Long,
10
Robert Babcock,
5
Samuel Rigby,
52
John Fenno,
3
Nathan Bradley,
2
Widow Hill,
18
Anthony Fisher,
12
Augustine Clement, .
6 Isaac Jones,
4
John Tolman,
John Pelton,
4
Thomas Tolman, Jr.
10
Richard Leeds,
2
Mr. Patten,
4
Thomas Lake,
2
John Minot,
. 106
The total number of acres embraced in the above divisions, is 754.
The selectmen were not respecters of persons, when any one appeared in town without proper au-
.
Thomas Tolman, sen. and
44
Richard Hall, .
.
.
.
.
.
210
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
thority. This year they sent to John Gornel, one of their most wealthy men, and demanded why Ralph Bradish was an inmate of his house. Mr. Gornel answered that he would secure the town against any damage in the case, and therefore he was admitted an inhabitant. Mr. Gornel being a tanner, had probably hired Ralph to assist in his business, and the latter was thus looked after. There was no encouragement and little safety, in those days, for that class of individuals now denominated loafers.
This year the town again voted to pay Mr. Ma- ther £80, and Mr. Stoughton £50, for their services as ministers.
The church had two meetings in September about two of the brethren at Milton, who had taken offence against Robert Badcock. After consultation " it did not appear that there was such offence given as was apprehended."
The question which was so long agitated in the church in relation to the rights of parents to de- mand baptism for their children, was brought before the church by two important persons, in the follow- ing manner.
" The 16 (7) 68, Mr. Mather acquainted the church with a motion made to him and the church, by Mrs. Stoughton and her daughter Taylor, name- ly, that her children might be baptized, she being a member of this church by her parents' covenant; and after much agitation, the issue was that Mr. Mather should speak with Mrs. Taylor, to see if she would join in full communion with the church, and so come to the Lord's supper." " The 24 (8) 68,
211
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Mr. Mather declared to the church that he having spoken with Mrs. Taylor, as aforesaid, her answer was that she did not judge herself worthy or as yet fit for the Lord's supper, and therefore durst not adventure thereupon, but yet did desire baptism for her children ; but the church would not fully or comfortably agree about it, and so it rested."
1669. Selectmen-Hopestill Foster, Samuel Clap, John Capen, Richard Hall and James Blake.
A law had been passed by the General Court, re- quiring young men to be looked after, who were not under family government, and the constable in Dor- chester was ordered to notify the young men who came under that rule to appear at the house of Capt. Foster, " presently " after the next lecture. The constable brought the following persons before the selectmen, who were required by said law, " to take inspection of their orderly walking and submitting to family government," viz., Richard Francis, Joshua Henshaw, Ralph Bradish, Joseph Birch, Francis Oliver, Jonathan Hill, Henry Roberts, Jonathan Birch, Asahel Smith, Thomas Birch, Richard Butt, Cornelius Morgan, Peter Chaplin, Nathaniel Wales, Edward Martin, Adam Wright. Thomas Grant was not warned.
The selectmen and elders agreed to go about the town and make inquiry of persons as to their man- ner of living, and whether they profited by public or private instruction.
Mr. Hope Atherton, son of Gen. Atherton, kept the school this year, but had a call to settle in the ministry at Hadley, and the church there sent to
-
--
212
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
the selectmen of this town to know if they would give up his engagement, to which they consented.
The following curious but emphatic warrant was placed in the hands of Samuel Rigby, the constable, viz.
" To the Constable of Dorchester-You are re- quired in his Majesty's name to repair to Joseph Birch, and require him, from the selectmen, to put himself in an orderly way of living, either by plac- ing himself with some master, that may keep him in constant employment, so as may give satisfaction to the Court, or else to expect that he will be pre- sented to the Court for disorderly living."
The latter part of this year the town voted to build a house for the ministry, and a committee was chosen to look out a convenient place for it. It was to be " such a house as James Blake's - 30 feet in length, 20 ft. wide, and 14 between joints girt work." It appears doubtful whether this work was carried into effect, for the next minister was Mr. Flint, and he purchased a house of Mr. Clark. This house has been pulled down within the memory of the present generation. It stood near the spot where now stands the stable of Gov. Henry J. Gardner.
An important event in the history of the town was the death of its pastor, Rev. Richard Mather. The church records announce his decease in the fol- lowing simple, yet expressive language. "The Rev. Mr. Richard Mather, teacher of the church of Dor- chester, rested from his labours." How great were those labors ! Born in poverty, he worked his way upwards by diligence, industry and perseverance, to
213
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
a conspicuous position in the country of his adop- tion, after suffering obloquy and persecution in the land of his birth. He was the son of Thomas and Margaret Mather, of Winwick, County of Lanca- shire, and was born in 1596. His parents were strongly inclined to give him a good education, and for that purpose put themselves to great straits. A part of the time he walked four miles to school, where it was his misfortune to have a master who was very severe in his discipline, so that he was well nigh discouraged from following out the design of his pa- rents, and earnestly desired to be taken from school. Like most of those who have passed through similar trials, he remembered them through life, and left this judicious hint for those who might come after him. " Oh that all schoolmasters," he says, " would learn Wisdome, Moderation and Equity towards their Scho- lars, and seek rather to win the hearts of Children by righteous, loving, and courteous usage, than to alienate their minds by partiality and undue severi- ty." After he had been some years in school, " some Popish merchants coming out of Wales, were inqui- sitive to know whether there were not any pregnant Wits in that school, whom they might procure for Apprentices ? Presently Richard Mather was men- tioned to them as a pregnant youth." These mer- chants applied to his father to procure his services, and his estate being in a very low condition, he was upon the point of accepting the offer for his son ; but being importuned by those who felt an interest in his progress and welfare, together with the fear of " Popish masters," he concluded to continue him in
19
214
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
school. Shortly after, Richard was solicited to keep school at Toxteth, where he removed in 1611, and was " found fit to be a schoolmaster at fifteen years of age," After he had kept school awhile, he entered Brazen-nose College, at Oxford, and before he had spent as much time there as he desired, he received a call to preach the gospel at Toxteth, where he had formerly kept school. This call he accepted. He preached his first sermon Nov. 30, 1618, and " there was a very great concourse of people to hear him." He received Episcopal ordination, by the hands of Dr. Morton, Bishop of Chester, "after the mode of those times." He had previously shown a disposi- tion to non-conformity, but was strongly urged to accept of ordination in the usual way, because he could not otherwise continue with them. As with others among his cotemporaries, non-conformity grew upon him, and he was too conscientious to confine himself to the observance of religious forms which he in heart despised. Sept. 29th, 1624, he married Katharine, daughter of Edmund Hoult, Esq., of Bury, but it was some time before the father would consent to it, he having a prejudice against "non- conformable Puritans." She was the mother of six sons : viz., Samuel, Timothy, Nathaniel and Joseph, born in England; and Eleazer and Increase, born here. His reputation spread as a preacher, and be- sides officiating on Sundays at Toxteth, " he kept a lecture at Prescot," and preached in various other places, and often at funerals. His lecture at Prescot caused no little excitement ; and in August, 1633, complaints were made against him for non-conformity,
215
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
but by the influence of Simon Byby, a "near alli- ance " of the Bishop, and other gentlemen of influ- ence, he was restored. His restoration, however, was of short duration ; for Bishop Neal, Archbish- op of York, in 1634, sent Dr. Cousins and Mr. Pryn as Visitors into Lancashire. . They soon had Mr. Mather before them, and passed upon him a sen- tence of suspension, as his biographer says, " merely for his non-conformity to the inventions of men in the worship of God." He carried a bold front when arraigned before them, and says, "the terrour of their threatning words, of their Pursevants, and of the rest of their Pomp, did not so terrify my minde, but that I could stand before them without being daunted in the least measure." The Established Church, at this time, bore rule, and although subse- quently it suffered itself under the reign of Popery, yet it was so similar to the latter in spirit, that non- conformity or heresy was a greater crime than many for which death was the penalty. The case of Mr. Mather was a peculiar one; and his friends endea- vored to obtain his liberty, but without success. " The Visitor asked how long he had been a minis- ter ? Answer was made, that he had been in the Ministry fifteen years. And (said he) how often hath he worn . the Surpless ? Answer was returned that he had never worn it. What (said the Visitor, swearing as he spake it), preach fifteen years and never wear a Surpless !" adding that the committal of a certain great misdemeanor would have been better for him.
Finding that there was likely to be no peace for
216
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
him in Old England, he turned his thoughts towards the new settlements across the Atlantic, and soon engaged transportation for himself and family to New England. " His parting with his people and other friends in Lancashire, was like Paul's taking his leave of Ephesus, with much sorrow, many tears being shed by those who expected to see his face no more in this world." His journey was begun in April, 1635 ; changing his garments and travelling incognito, to avoid the Pursuivants. He arrived in Boston, Aug. 17, 1635 ; being out in the memora- ble storm of Aug. 15, of that year, two days before his arrival. He remained in Boston a few months, and with his wife joined the Church there. The Churches at Plymouth, Roxbury and Dorchester, each invited him to settle with them, but by the ad- vice of Messrs. Cotton, Hooker and others, he ac- cepted the call at Dorchester. Here he remained the rest of his days, although his old friends at Tox- teth desired his return to them, after the Hierarchy was deposed in England. The death of his first wife was a great affliction to him, she being a wise and prudent woman, and relieving him from all secular cares. After living a widower about a year and a half, he married the widow of Rev. John Cotton. He was taken sick at Boston, April 16, 1669, being then one of a Council of Ministers to settle some dif- ferences there. He returned home the next day, and died on the 22d. His disease was the stone, from which he suffered greatly. He is said to have been a man of great bodily strength, and a " very power- ful, awakening and zealous preacher." There have
217
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
been few families in New England, from its settle- ment to the present time, of so great an influence as that of the Mathers. Four of Richard's sons were ministers : viz., Eleazer, at Northampton ; Samuel, in Dublin, Ireland ; Nathaniel, at Barnstable in De- von, and Rotterdam in Holland; and Increase, in Boston.
In the Church Records is the following Anagram.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.