USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > History of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts > Part 15
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" Third in New England's Dorchester,
Was this ordained minister.
Second to none for fruitfulness,
Abilities and usefulness.
Divine his charms, years seven times seven,
Wise to win souls from earth to heaven.
Prophet's reward he gains above,
But great's our loss by his remove."
The Church Records also contain the following Epitaph :
" Sacred to God his servant Richard Mather,
Sons like him, good and great, did call him father.
Hard to discern a difference in degree,
'Twixt his bright learning and high piety. Short time his sleeping dust lies covered down,
So can't his soul or his deserved renown. From 's birth six lustres and a jubilee
To his repose : but laboured hard in thee,
O Dorchester ! four more than thirty years.
His sacred dust with thee thine honour rears."
Upon his tomb-stone is the following : " Dom : Sacer. Richardus Hic Dormit Matherus, (Sed nec Totus, nec mora Diuturna) Lætatus genuise Pares.
Incertum est utrum Doctioran melior.
Anima & Gloria non queunt Humani.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Divinely Rich and Learned Richard Mather ; Sons like him Prophets great, rejoyced this Father. Short time his sleeping dust here's covered down, Not his ascended Spirit or Renown.
V. D. M. in Ang. 16 Ans. In Dorc. N. A. 34 Ans. Ob. Apr. 22, 1669. Æt. Sue 73.
1670. Selectmen-Hopestill Foster, John Capen, Richard Hall, Samuel Clap and James Blake.
This year, Squamaug, who ruled as Sachem of the Punkapaug tribe of Indians, during the minority of Jeremy son of Josias Chickatabut, confirmed the deed formerly given by said Josias to the Town.
June 4, 1670, the Town voted that " the meeting- house shall be removed from the place where now it stands, to the Rocky-hill by the School House, and be set up in the same form that it now is." It was to be removed by September, 1671.
The Town voted to purchase Wm. Clark's house for the use of the ministry. This was not carried into effect at the time; and shortly after, they voted to purchase Hudson Leavitt's house for that pur- pose. But this project fell through, and William Clark's house was bought (not Thomas's, as stated on page 116 of this work ). John Foster kept the School this year, and received £25.
After another, and the last, application was made to Mr. Stoughton, to be minister of the Church, and he still declining, there was talk of sending to Eng- land for one, and the matter was left to the conside- ration of Mr. Stoughton, Capt. Roger Clap and Capt. Foster. They were to advise with other Elders, and see if a supply could not be had in the country.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
The Church voted ten pounds, and the Town the like sum, to erect a pillar over Mr. Mather's grave.
In August, of this year, the Church voted for a minister. The candidates were Mr. Josiah Flint, of Braintree; Mr. Benjamin Eliot, of Roxbury ; and Mr. Butler, in Old England. Mr. Flint and Mr. Eliot had the most votes, and the next Sunday, the choice being between them, Mr. Flint had the major vote.
There had been, during the lifetime of Josias Chickatabut, a disagreement between him and King Philip, of Mount Hope, about the boundary lines of their jurisdictions. July 13th, of this year, the matter was amicably settled by Philip and Squa- maug, Sachem of Punkapaug, and brother of the first-named, who met at the house of Capt. Hudson, near Wading river. The following letters, in regard to this matter, are copied from the originals, now among the ancient documents of the town.
Squamaug to Capt. Foster of Dorchester.
" Capt. ffoster,
" My respects to yourselfe and the rest of your select men.
"Sir, these are to intreat you by this bearer whom I send to you on purpose, send mee the five pounds that you engaged to my deceased brother Should bee payed in the begining of this winter past ; I have at pr sent many ocations, but intend shortly to come over and treat further with you. I know noe reason that the mount hope Sachem's pretended title to some of the lands mentioned in your deed should frustrate the agreement ; if possibly that Sachem had any land within your bounds it is but a very little aboue the pattent line, and the Colloney of plymouth have purchased it of him before the pattent lines were run. If you will give him for your securaty you maye, but I
-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
am well asuered that plymoth men have deeds for it already ; and you have enough of us for your mony whoe are the knowne proprietors ; thus hopeing wee shall haue noe controversy, I take leaue and remayne, sir, your ffrend and servant,
DANIELL (alias ) SQUAMUCK, Sachem. Mattakeeset, March 19, 69-70.
Capt. Foster to King Philip of Mount Hope.
" To Philip, Sachem of Mount Hope, Capt. Foster of Dor- chester sendeth greeting. You may by this vnderstand I recd yor letter dated June the 15th 1670, wherein you desire a meet- ing about land at pole plaine and within our towneship. It seemes there is some differenc about the land whose it is, wee say tis ours already both by grant from our Court and also by agreem !. with Indians, who say that it was theirs, and engaged to cleare any clayme that philip or any others should make to it, and therfre think it not needfull to trouble ourselves any fur- ther, yet because you have desired a meeting once before and now againe, we shall some of vs be together with some of the bay Indians give you a meeting if the lord permit at Captain Hudson's farme at Wading riuer vpon the 12th day of July next ; that then may bee hurd any difference as to the land within or township to Plymouth & the bay patent line ; not else at present but remain yr frind H. FOSTER : with the Consent of the townsmen,
Dor. this 22 nd
June 1670
1671. Selectmen-William Stoughton, Hopestill Foster, John Capen, Richard Hall, and William Sumner.
When the vote was taken by the Town, April 17, of this year, whether they would have Mr. Flint to " preach the word to the whole Town," there was not a man against it.
Joseph Birch was warned to forbear frequenting
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Nicholas George's ordinary, and " said George not to suffer him."
"Joseph Long was sent for, to answer for enter- taining a maid, or young woman, in his house and service, who was not of any good report. His an- swer was, she was to depart the town the next day."
" The same day (that is, Dec. 11, 1671), it was ordered that a warrant should be directed to the Con- stable to go up to Capt. Clap's farm, where Henry Merrifield lives, and enquire whether his daughter, who married Furnell, be abiding at his house, which if she be, then to demand or take by distress ten shillings for his entertaining her contrary to the town order." At the next meeting of the Selectmen, Mr. Merrifield answered that the reason was, she was their daughter, and they could not turn her out of doors in winter, but that she would willingly re- turn to her husband as soon as opportunity offered.
This year a letter came from the County Court, desiring the Church here, with that at the north end of Boston, and the churches of Dedham and Wey- mouth, to send their messengers to Braintree "to enquire into the slowness of the Church " there to provide a minister. The Church nominated and de- sired Mr. Stoughton, the Ruling Elder, Capt. Clap, and Capt. Foster, to go for that purpose.
The Church sent to Mr. Flint, to "stir him up," and hasten his removal to this town. The 3d of December he gave his answer, accepting the office of Pastor, and his ordination took place on the 27th of the same month. The churches sent to were those 21
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in Boston, Cambridge, Charlestown, Roxbury and Weymouth. It was voted that Mr. Eliot, of Rox- bury, manage the ordination and give the charge, that Mr. Chauncy give the right hand of fellowship, and Mr. Eliot, the ruling Elder, and Deacon Capen, were appointed to lay on hands. We may well ima- gine what an uncomfortable time it must have been, on this occasion, which took place at the most incle- ment season of the year, without fire in the meeting- house, and the services probably occupying nearly the whole day.
This year Jeremy, son of Josias Chickatabut, con- firmed his Uncle Squamaug's sale to the town. The Town paid all necessary expenses to satisfy the In- dians, who were better treated then, than in later times, " when they have been driven from their na- tive soil by the sword of the invader, and then darkly slandered by the pen of the historian." The original natives of our soil have been grossly abused, not always because they were guilty, but because they were ignorant and weak. Civilization does not seem to agree with their nature, as they die out where that flourishes, or become vagrants in towns and vil- lages, where their forefathers roamed and hunted, and where once " no smoke curled among the trees, but the Indian was welcome to sit down by its fire and join the hunter in his repast." But the time for these cruelties is nearly over, and the words of an old Indian warrior will soon be verified :- " We are driven back," he says, " until we can retreat no farther. Our hatchets are broken-our bows are snapped-our fires are nearly extinguished. A little
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longer, and the white men will cease to persecute us -for we shall cease to exist."
In the " History of Lynn," is the following, which is said to be copied from a leaf of a Bible.
May 22 .- " A very awful thunder and a very great storm of wind and hail, especially at Dorches- ter town, so that it broke many windows at the meeting-house."
1672. Selectmen-William Stoughton, Hopestill Foster, John Capen, William Sumner and Richard Hall.
This year and the last, the Selectmen vigorously enforced the law upon individuals who were without employment, and upon the young who were not un- der family government. John Hoppin, and Stephen Hoppin, Jr., were among those sent for, and a fort- night given them to provide masters. Stephen soon came, and said he had agreed with Joseph Long to attend his boat ; but the latter was not approved of by the Selectmen, and Stephen was directed to look out some other person. Arthur Cartwright was called upon in relation to his son, and answered that he was " about to put him apprentice to a kins- man of his who is a seaman." Robert Styles was called to answer for idleness ; and it was found that neither he nor his wife improved their time as they should. Peter Lyon appeared, and reported that his sons followed their employment, and for the time to come he would look diligently after them. Timothy Wales appeared without his sons, and his answers were offensive and contemptuous to the Selectmen. Shortly after, he appeared, upon summons, with the
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
boys, who were found very ignorant, not being able to read. Mr. Wales made some acknowledgment of his offensive words and carriage at the former meet- ing, which is on file. Thomas Birch was summoned by the Constable to appear before the Selectmen, to give an account of " his orderly walking."
This year the Town voted that for the future they would choose a Treasurer, which office has been continued to the present time.
The Church voted that their deacons return thanks unto Mrs. Thacher, of Boston, for her gift of a silver cup for the sacrament, and a green cushion for the desk. This cup is one of the ancient vessels now used by the First Church, but not the oldest. The following letter doubtless refers to an agreement made by Capt. Foster, on the part of the Town, with King Philip, at the meeting appointed by the former in his letter of June 22d, 1670 (See p. 220).
Philip sachem of mount hope
To Capt. Hopestill Foster of Dorchester Sendeth Greeting
Sr You may please to remember that when I last saw You att Wading riuer You promised me six pounds in goods ; now my request is that you would send me (by ?) this Indian fiue yards of White light collered serge to make me a coat and a good holland shirt redy made ; and a pr of good Indian briches all which I have present need of, therefoer I pray Sr faile not to send them by my Indian and with them the seurall prices of them ; and silke & buttens & 7 yards Gal- lownes for trimming : not else att present to trouble you wth onley the subscription of KING PHILIP
Mount hope ye 15th of May 1672
his Majesty P P
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
1673. Selectmen-William Stoughton, Hopestill Foster, John Capen, Richard Hall and William Sumner.
Capt. Roger Clap had for many years been a re- presentative of the Town, as well as Commander at the Castle ; " this year ye Court sent an order to choose another Deputy in ye Room of Capt. Clap, his presence being necessary at ye Castle because ye times were troublesome." John Capen was chosen in his place, and continued to fill it several years.
The 4th of March the Committee made report of the place they had pitched upon, on Rocky Hill, to erect a meeting-house, which was near the " lime kiln," and twelve or fifteen rods north-west of the present meeting-house belonging to the first parish. 'There was some opposition to the spot selected, and it was decided "by severing the company." The votes were in favor of the place selected by the Com- mittee, viz., 41 besides the Committee, for it, and 25 against it. The house was not erected until 1676.
There was a good deal of trouble with the Birch family from time to time, and the Selectmen were anxious to get rid of them. Jonathan was absent awhile, at Lancaster, but soon returned and persist- ed in remaining, so that the case was carried to the County Court. But the question was, where could the poor fellow stay, being warned out of all other places. Joseph Birch was also called before the Se- lectmen to answer for idleness. His answer was, " that at present he had no iron nor coals; but he wd endeavour to reform." From this answer, it ap- pears that he was a blacksmith.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Samuel Rigby was another person who neglected his calling, lived a dissolute life, and was a trouble to the Selectmen.
The Town agreed to pay Rev. Mr. Flint, ninety pounds this year, one quarter in money.
Nathan Bradley petitioned the Selectmen for li- berty to sell cider by retail, which was granted, " on account of his low condition, he observing good order in so doing."
July 16th, of this year, the monthly lecture be- gan, and was continued until about 1838. It was at first held on Wednesday; but the latter part of the time on the Friday preceding the Communion day, which was the first Sunday in the month.
1674. Selectmen-William Stoughton, Hopestill Foster, John Capen, William Sumner and Richard Hall.
This year died Mr. Wm. Poole, a man very much esteemed by his fellow-townsmen. He kept school until he was 76 years of age.
An accident befel the bell on the meeting-house this year ; and on the 12th of February, at a meet- ing of the Selectmen, " It was ordered that the Meeting-house bell, being broken, and, it may be, dangerous to be rung, it shall not be rung any more, but speedily taken down, and means used to convey it to England that another may be procured either there or elsewhere." The Selectmen likewise order- ed that the Burying-ground should be " fenced in with a stone wall ;" also that the Constable " speak with Wm. Chaplain and give him notice that com- plaint is made of some abuse that is committed at
1
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or about his house by playing at Kettle-pins, and spending the time idly." Chaplain was to see that such abuse was reformed, and "not to sell beer without license."
March 26th, of this year, was appointed as a day of humiliation and prayer, on account of troubles at home, "outbreaking of gross sins," differences in some societies, shortness of the last harvest of corn, " and by reason of a setting out of ships of war to defend our navigation by sea." On the 27th of Sep- tember, was a thanksgiving for the blessing of the fruits of the earth, continuance of peace and liberty, " and for the ceasing of the war between our nation and Holland."
1675. Selectmen-John Capen, Samuel Clap, James Blake, Richard Withington and Daniel Pres- ton. Capt. Hopestill Foster, who had so long serv- ed as one of the Selectmen, was again chosen but declined.
William Chaplain petitioned for leave to keep an ordinary, but it was not granted.
Feb. 12th, John Pope was ordered to appear before the Selectmen at their next meeting, with such of his children " as are of capacity for learning."
March 1st, of this year, the Selectmen ordered that William Sumner and John Capen should attend the next County Court, " to make their address about Mr. Gibson's Will respecting his legacy to our School." This was the bequest which gave to the Town the "School Pasture," which has proved so great a benefit to its public schools.
June 29th, of this year, was kept as a day of hu-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
miliation, in regard to the war with King Philip. The war, and other matters, which made a heavy tax necessary, kept many of the people in great straits, and the Town felt obliged to assist them.
The act which is supposed to have led to this war, was the killing of a Dorchester Indian by the name of Wassausmon, usually called Sassamon. He became a christianized Indian ; but was for a season a kind of secretary to King Philip. He then left him and preached, and, as Philip's followers suppos- ed, divulged some of his plans to the Plymouth Colony, upon which they murdered him and threw his body into Assawomset pond, and three of Phi- lip's men were executed for the act.
Mr. Ammi Reuhamah Corlet assisted Mr. Flint in the ministry this year.
The Church was exceedingly scrupulous in the discipline of its members, and no reputation or standing was proof against it. Sept. 5th, of this year, Wm. Sumner, a gentleman who had for many years been one of the representatives to the General Court, as well as one of the Selectmen of the Town, appeared before the Church "to give satisfaction for offensive speeches uttered against the Committee of the Militia."
There were five fasts kept in the town this year.
The destruction of Brookfield, the death of Capt. Hutchinson, one of the Commanders killed at that place, and other advantages gained by the Indians, made them very bold and daring. It was about this time that a Narraganset Indian came to the house of Mr. Minot, in Dorchester, while all the fa-
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mily were at meeting except a girl and two small children, and demanded admittance, which was de- nied. He then fired his gun at the house several times. The girl defended her castle with bravery, secured the children under brass kettles, and fired at and wounded the Indian. He being desperate, attempted to force his way in through a window, but she threw a shovel full of fire into his face and upon his blanket, which caused him to flee. It is said that " the Government of Massachusetts Bay presented this brave young woman with a silver wristband, on which her name was engraved, with this motto, 'She slew the Narraganset hunter.'"
Thomas Danforth, son of Thomas, of Dorchester, was killed in the swamp fight in the Narraganset country, and John Spur, of Dorchester, and Benj. Crane, of Milton, were wounded in the same fight.
We learn from " Drake," that Mr. Thomas Dan- forth, of Dorchester, petitioned the General Court in 1676, saying that a poor blind Indian came to him, and brought two small children and gave them to him and his son, and he desired that he might enjoy them, partly on account of the, loss of his eldest son.
The following list of soldiers from this Town for the war, we find named in the Genealogical Regis- ter ; they were in Capt. Johnson's Company.
Henry Ware, his man, John Plummer, Wanting.
Charles Capin, Henry Withington,
Hopestill Humphrey, John Spurre, Tho. Grant, George Minot,
Ebenezer Hill, Tho. Davenport, Isaack Royall.
Nicholas Weymouth, Robert Stanton,
From Milton-John Fennow, Obadiah Wheaton, Joseph Tuck. er, Benj. Crane. 21
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1676. Selectmen-John Capen, Samuel Clap, James Blake, Daniel Preston and Richard With- ington.
This year, Oct. 15th, Capt. Hopestill Foster died. The tomb-stone which marks the spot where he was buried is nearly as fresh in appearance now, as when first erected. Capt. Foster was a representative, and one of the Selectmen, for many years, and was a great loss to the town.
The meeting-house which had been talked of so long, was built this year; and a row of elm trees were set out near it by Thomas Tileston, which flourished for about one hundred years; having been cut down about the commencement of the re- volutionary war.
Mr. Isaac Royal undertook the building of the meeting-house, which cost in the neighborhood of £200. It was 50 feet long and 45 feet wide, and was used as a place of worship until 1744.
Mr. Stoughton was sent as a messenger to Eng- land this year, with Mr. Bulkley; and all the Churches in the Colony held a day of humiliation, Dec. 10th, partly in respect to their mission. The war with the Indians in the Colony pretty much closed with this year, but it had been a fearful strug- gle, and nearly every family in New England was in mourning for the loss of " a relation or near friend." Dr. Trumbull, in his History of Connecticut, esti- mates that about one-eleventh part of the able-bodi- ed men of the Colonies were killed or lost in this service. Many of the families in the country re- moved to Boston and vicinity for protection ; the
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
farms were deserted, and to the loss of friends was added the fear of starvation. Under these distress- ing circumstances, aid and comfort, in the shape of money and provisions, arrived in 1677, from London and Dublin. The noble return made by the de- scendants of our suffering forefathers, in 1849, by sending the U. S. Sloop of War Jamestown to Ire- land, loaded with provisions and other comforts, was a beautiful and deserved return for this great act of humanity. Drake, in his History of Boston, says, " In this extremity, Dr. Increase Mather did, by his letters, procure a whole ship load of provisions from the charity of his friends in Dublin, and a conside- rable sum of money, and much clothing, from the like charity of his friends in London, greatly to the relief of the poor people here. Of the charities re- ceived from Ireland, a distribution was made in March, 1677, from which it is shown that Boston suffered nearly five times as much by the war as any other place. One hundred and sixteen families, or about 432 persons, were recipients of the donation. Many of them, however, were those who had been compelled to take refuge here."
1677. Selectmen-John Capen, Daniel Preston, Richard Withington, Samuel Clap and Jas. Blake.
This year the Selectmen appointed a Committee to inspect and carry more fully into operation the law in reference to idle persons, and entertaining persons in private houses " contrary to good order."
Among the charges against the Town, this year, was John Capen's, of 26 days' attendance at the
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
General Court, £3 18s. ; also 1s. for his horse to draw the bell to Boston.
The Selectmen had a good deal of trouble with Joseph Birch, on account of his intemperance. He was again called before them, June 4th, of this year, for being " lately drunk ; and being owned by him, he was ordered to pay his fine or sit in the stocks."
As already mentioned, the war with King Philip forced many of those who lived in the outskirts of the plantation, away from their homes, to places where there was more safety. Wm. Trescott asked abatement of his taxes for the years 1675 and '76, " because of the troubles of the wars, whereby he deserted his place at Brush-hill."
Robert Spur, who was a person of some distinc- tion, was called before the Church to make acknow- ledgment of the offence " of giving entertainment in his house to loose and vain persons, especially Joseph Belcher his frequent coming to his daughter, contrary to the admonition of the Court, which was greatly to the offence of the said Belcher's nearest relations and divers others."
The General Court issued a very spirited order and proclamation for a day of humiliation, to be observed on the 1st of March, which is inserted in full in the records of the Church. The following is an extract ; viz .- " Well may we fear another storm of wrath, and that the just and holy God will punish us seven times for our many and grievous provocations," &c.
There was a renewing of the Covenant in the
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Church, to which ninety-seven persons gave their consent.
Samuel Rigby was called forth to answer for the sin of cursing, excessive drinking, and neglect of attendance on the public ordinances ; and not giv- ing satisfaction, was laid under admonition.
" John Merrifield (though not in full communion ) was called forth before the Church to answer for his sin of drunkenness, and also for contempt and slighting the power of Christ in his Church in not appearing formerly, though often called upon and sent unto ; but he made some excuse for his drunk- enness, in that being not well at Boston he took a little strong water, and coming out in the air did distemper him; and for the other offence he did acknowledge his fault therein."
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