USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > History of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts > Part 16
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
1678. Selectmen-John Capen, Wm. Sumner, James Blake, Samuel Clap and Daniel Preston.
William Chaplain again petitioned the Selectmen for liberty to keep a house of public entertainment, but it was not granted. They renewed, however, that of widow George, whose husband had kept one for a long time, and entertained the Selectmen and other town officers at their meetings.
John Brown and John Hoppin were notified to quit the Town. The latter was summoned to ap- pear before the Selectmen to give an account of his manner of living. His brother Thomas Hoppin also appeared before them. It appeared that his chief business was gunning, but he had no settled place of abode. This did not satisfy the Selectmen. John Brown thought he might come into the town
234
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
and become an inhabitant, because he was born in it, and he might be a help to his father and mother. The Town granted him liberty.
This year the Town paid for killing seven wolves : they also voted to dispose of the old meeting-house, and a part of the trees which stood about it. Mr. Isaac Royal subsequently purchased the meeting- house for £10.
The 24th of April, this year, " there was a Church gathered by some of our brethren that lived at Mil- ton. It was done in our meeting-house at Dorches- ter, because of some opposition that did appear. The persons they sent unto were the Elders and Messengers of three churches in Boston, and Wey- mouth, Braintree and Dedham. The magistrates were acquainted with it, but only the Governour was here, by reason of the wet and snow season. Mr. Allen did first pray, and then Mr. Flint did preach, and then prayed. Afterward the Brethren were called on, one after another, to declare the work of grace that God had wrought on them, to the number of seven." "The Brethren that entertained this Covenant and made public relation were these.
" Robert Tucker, Member of Weymouth.
Anthony Newton, ) Wm. Blake,
Thomas Swift, Members of Dorchester Church.
George Sumner, Ebenezer Clap, Edward Blake, Member of the 2d Church in Boston."
" After this was done, there were more of the
235
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Brethren that did at the same time enter into the same Covenant with the former, namely :
" 'Thomas Holman,
Manasses Tucker,
George Lyon,
James Tucker. ,
Ephraim Tucker,
" And then Mr. Torrey was appointed to give the Right hand of Fellowship, and Mr. Mather prayed ; and a Psalm was sung, and the assembly dismissed."
The Church, at a meeting, agreed to a petition to send to the Court against Ordinaries " that have not a sufficient guard over them."
On the 6th of June there was a contribution in Dorchester, for the relief of the captives which were taken from Hatfield. £8 5s. 2d. in money was col- lected.
Nov. 17th, of this year, was the first day of meet- ing in the new meeting-house.
" The 1st of December, 1678, Mr. Flint proposed to the Church a day of Thanksgiving by the Church. The grounds of it were an engagement that was made to God, that if he would hear prayer and re- store Capt. Clap to health again (being sick about a year and a half ago); also in regard of Mr. Stough- ton, who although he be not returned yet, God hath preserved his person, and so far blessed their endea- vours for the public ; also that God has so much pre- served the town from and under that contageous dis- temper the small pox, when he had so sadly visited other places, as Charlestown, Boston, &c .; as also for the peace we enjoy in this Town, notwithstand- ing the great fears of a disquietment in regard to some public transaction about the Meeting House,
236
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
and other mercies. The day mentioned was next lecture day, being the 18th of December. To this motion the church agreed."
1679. Selectmen-John Capen, Wm. Sumner, James Blake, Richard Hall and Samuel Clap.
Robert Stiles was called before the Selectmen, to give an account how he improved his time; also the same in relation to his children. The conclusion was, that he should look out a place for one of his children, or the Selectmen would provide one. Ebe- nezer Hill was also " advertised concerning idleness." Francis Ball, early in 1680, was likewise ordered to appear before them, that they might " enquire con- cerning his outward estate." He was poor, and needed some assistance from the Town. They ad- vised him to dispose of two of his children, but his answer was that his wife was unwilling. The Se- lectmen wished him to persuade his wife to it.
This year the Selectmen granted the petition of Desire Clap, James Blake, John Blake and others,' to build a new seat in the meeting-house. The Town also voted to pay Rev. Mr. Flint £100 for his services ; sixty in money and forty in " current pay;" Mr. Flint to provide what help he wanted.
The Selectmen, at their meeting of Dec. 10th, ap- pointed Lieut. Capen and Sergeant Clap to call up- on John Mason for the legacy given by John Gornel towards the School. Mr. Gornel was a very respecta- ble citizen, a tanner by trade, and felt a deep inte- rest in the prosperity of the Town. He had no children, but John Mason lived with him, it would appear, as an adopted son. The same persons were
237
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
also to call for the legacy of £5, left by widow Burge, for the poor of the town. Mrs. Burge was the wife of Mr. Gornel, subsequently of John Burge, and all three died within the space of three or four years. Mrs. Burge's legacy was probably in land, as there was a piece of land which she left, the pro- ceeds of which were given to the town. It was in charge of Elder Samuel Clap, the "sargent" above named, until 1708, the time of his death.
A list of persons who removed to other towns in consequence of the King Philip war, and who ought to pay taxes in this town, appears in the Records. They were Henry Gurnsey, William Chaplin, Mr. Beal, Henry Ware and John Gill.
In the early part of this year the Church began to question some of its members, and make a settle- ment with them for long-standing sins and obstinacy in refusing to come before the Elders and " Antient" brethren in private. Robert Spur, sen'r, was one of them. He had withdrawn from the sacrament, it appears upon some prejudice against the Pastor. He endeavored to make out his case, but, according to the record, " could not make it out but a misre- presentation of him." He did not give satisfaction at this time, and was afterwards called and admonished. John Spur, son of the above, was also called to give satisfaction for his " contemptuous carriage," &c .; also Nath'l Wyat for not coming before the Elders, but refusing as Spur had done. Samuel Rigby had his short-comings to answer for. " Others there were that should have been called forth, as Joshua George, Daniel Ellen, Nathaniel Mather, and others; 23
238
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
but the time and season of cold would not permit." These persons assembled at one o'clock on the 22nd of January, in a cold meeting-house, to settle these weighty matters; and it is not strange that " the season of cold " put a stop to further proceedings than those already mentioned. The next month, Robert Spur, sen'r, was admonished; and Nath'l Wyat, John Spur, Daniel Ellen and Joshua George, for neglecting and refusing to give an account of their knowledge to the Elders and the Church, were excommunicated.
Mr. Thacher preached for Mr. Flint one month of this year, and Mr. Flint desired that the Church would look out for some one to take his place in case any of his family should have the small-pox ; also that they might think of another teaching offi- cer to help him. The Church seemed to think that they could not afford to pay two ministers ; and therefore Mr. Flint's salary was augmented, and they thought that Mr. James Minot might be obtained to assist him once in a fortnight. Thus in the fear of wars and rumors of wars, the dread of the Indians and of the small-pox, and a great variety of other troubles, was the truth of Cotton Mather's saying verified, that "great numbers merely took New England on their way to heaven."
1680. Selectmen -- John Capen, James Blake, Wm. Sumner, Richard Hall and Samuel Clap.
Nathan Bradley was sexton for the town. He was to "ring the bell, cleanse the meeting-house, and to carry water for baptism." Thus were his duties well defined ; the taking charge of the boys
239
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
appears to have been another branch of business, until perhaps about the year 1800. While the bell stood on the hill, Mr. Bradley was to have " after four pounds a year; and after the bell is brought to the meeting-house, £3 10s."
In February, of this year, a warrant was sent to the constables to take a fine of John Jackson for "four weeks entertainment of Opportunity Lane, his daugh- ter," and to warn her out of town. Jane Burge's legacy of five pounds was paid by John Mason in shoes, the recipients of this bounty being Henry Merrifield, Daniel Elder, Robert Stiles, Thomas Pope, Samuel Hill, Meriam Wood, John Plum, Robert Sanders, Francis Ball, Nathan Bradley, John Lewis, Giles Burge, Widow Lawrence, Wm. Turner, Ed- mund Brown, Joseph Weeks.
The town this year had thirteen tything men.
For many years there were quite a number of persons who could not pay their taxes. These were called " desperate debts." In the payments of ex- penses is 3s. 9d. for boards, and 5s. for making a coffin for " Horsley."
This year the town chose Mr. Mather, Richard Baker and Isaac Jones, " to see that the Burying place be fenced in with stone wall by the last of June."
The town voted to pay Mr. James Minot twenty pounds, if he could be procured to preach once a fortnight. "John Breck desired liberty to get a suit of masts and yards for a vessel which he had undertaken to build in this town."
The County Court desired the Selectmen to nomi-
--
240
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
nate some person to keep a house of public enter- tainment, and they nominated Richard Withington, Ensign Hall and Isaac Jones for that purpose. But neither of them would consent, so that they desired the Court to let widow George continue the business; and William Sumner, one of the Selectmen, agreed to oversee it as much as he could.
Among the expenses of the town this year, was " a load of wood for the watch."
On the 16th of September, of this year, Rev. Mr. Flint, the Pastor of the Church, died. He was the son of Rev. Henry Flint, of Braintree ; was born Aug. 24, 1645, and graduated at Harvard College in 1664. He appears to have been a conscientious and devoted minister; but by the interruptions in his ministry, is supposed to have suffered considerably from ill health. He was zealous in his labors among the younger part of his flock, and it would appear, from the epitaph on his tombstone, that he exhaust- ed his strength in his profession. His first ministe- rial labor after his ordination was to officiate at the funeral of the venerable George Minot. The follow- ing inscription is on the monument erected to Mr. Flint's memory.
" Here lies Interred ye Corps of Mr. Josiah Flint, late Pastor to y® Church in Dorchester, Aged 35 years. Deceased Septr. 15th, 1680.
A Man of God he was so great, so good, His highest worth was hardly understood : So much of God & Christ in him did Dwell, In Grace & Holiness he did excell. An Honour & an ornament thereby, Both to ye Churches & the Ministry.
241
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Most zealous in ye work of Reformation, To save this self destroying Generation. With Courage Stroue 'gainst all this peoples sin ; He spent his Strength, his Life, his Soul therein. Consum'd with holy zeal of God, for whom He liu'd, and dy'd a kind of Martyrdom. If men will not lament, their Hearts not break, No wonder this lamenting Stone doth Speak. His Tomb-stone cries Repent, and Souls to saue Doth Preach Repentance from his very Graue. 'Gainst Sinners doth a lasting Record lye This Monument to his bless'd Memory.
Psal. 112. 6. Prov. 10. 7."
This year a case of witchcraft came before the Court, and was the occasion of great excitement. The person apprehended was Elizabeth, wife of Wm. Morse, of Newbury. She was tried at Boston, and adjudged guilty by the jury, though subsequently reprieved. John Capen and Jacob Hewins, of Dor- chester, were on this jury.
1681. Selectmen-James Blake, Samuel Clap, Wm. Sumner, John Capen and Richard Hall.
Feb. 14th, of this year, Daniel Preston, senior, as- signed over " the deeds of the land he bought of Sam- uel Rigbee for the use of the school, being the legacy of Christopher Gibson." This was the gift which gave the town the School Pasture, so called, and which has proved so valuable to the town, as will be seen by referring to the 53d page of this work.
The town this year gave liberty to Thomas Swift, senior, of Milton, and Ezra Clap of Dorchester, " to catch fish at Neponset below the mill, and to make a stage for this year, provided they do not any way
242
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
obstruct or hinder the antient cart way over the river, which lies between the mill and the timber bridge, nor the way leading to the mill between the river and the barn that now is there on the upland."
Joseph Weeks requested liberty of the Selectmen to take a nurse child of one Mr. Stevens, of Boston. They answered, that although "the man may be sufficient," yet lest it might be made a precedent, he was required to give some security.
June 14th, Wm. Sumner and Deacon Blake were appointed to inquire after a school-master. It ap- pears that this useful class of citizens were scarce at that time, at least the gentlemen here named did not meet with success in their inquiries; for on Sept. 19th, "Ensign Hall was desired and appointed to inquire after a school-master. Some say there may be one at Bridgewater."
March 20th, of this year, the Church members were requested to remain after the evening exercises, to make choice of some person to be on trial for the " work of the ministry." It was usual at that time, and for many subsequent years, for the Church first to make choice of a minister, which choice was after- wards to be confirmed by the town, or parish, as the case might be. It was voted, in this instance, "that each one should bring in his vote in writing, and those two that had the most votes should be put to vote again the next sabbath." The votes stood-40 for Mr. John Danforth, of Roxbury, and 13 for Mr. Cushing, of Hingham. The 27th of March, "votes were called for again for one of the two which had most votes the last sabbath, and there were 37 votes for
243
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Mr. Danforth and 22 for Mr. Capen ; at the same time Mr. John Breck, who was not in full commu- nion, intruded himself in, and put in a vote, which was very offensive to the Church ; but his vote was taken out and he commanded by Mr. Stoughton to go out of the meeting-house, when the Church had been tried by a vote to know whether they did ap- prove of his acting; which being declared in the negative, then the contrary vote was called for, but none held up their hand but only Henry Leadbetter, who thought that such as had submitted to the gov- ernment of the Church should have liberty to vote in such a case ; but it was declared to the contrary."
The Mr. Capen here voted for, was Mr. Joseph, son of John Capen, and was afterwards settled at Topsfield.
Mr. Breck repented of voting as he did on the oc- casion mentioned, and gave full satisfaction therefor.
The Church appointed a committee of Mr. Stough- ton and eight others to invite Mr. Danforth to come and preach upon trial.
The 1st of June, of this year, Mr. Peter Thacher was ordained Pastor of the Church at Milton. The services were performed as follows. First, Mr. Thacher prayed. Rev. Increase Mather put the matters to vote whether any person had aught against it, &c. Mr. Torrey gave the charge. Mr. Torrey, Mr. Mather, Mr. Eliot and Mr. Willard laid on hands, and Mr. Willard gave the right hand of fel- lowship.
Calls were often made upon the congregation to aid their suffering friends, who had lost by the wars,
.
244
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
were carried into captivity, &c. The 14th of Au- gust, of this year, there was a contribution for Mr. Swan and others at Roxbury, who had their houses burnt. Upwards of £6 was collected.
Dec. 25th, of this year, Rev. Mr. Danforth gave his answer of acceptance of the call to be the minis- ter of the town.
The town lost, this year, one of its jewels, in the person of John Foster. He was son of Hopestill Foster, and graduated at Harvard College in 1667. Shaw, in his description of Boston, says he opened the first printing-house in Boston, which was about 1675. The first book he published was issued in 1676, and the last in 1680. He was a great mathe- matician, and made, calculated and published Alma- nacs. In the Almanac for 1681, " he annexed an ingenious dissertation on comets seen at Boston in November and December, 1680." It is not so much to be wondered at that the people were astonished and affrighted at the comet of that time, if the ac- count of a late writer be true, which says its trail reached from near the horizon to the zenith. There was a printing press in Cambridge, in the vicinity of the College, in 1638.
Mr. Foster, in his will, desired to have a handsome grave-stone. There is a curious device upon it, to represent his skill in Astronomy, &c., and also upon it the following inscription.
" The INGENIOUS
Mathematician and Printer Mr. John Foster aged 33 years, died Sept. 9, 1681. April 1682.
245
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
" [ M.
" J. F. " Astra Colis Vivens, Moriens super Æthera Foster, Scande precor; Cælum Metiri disce supremum : Metior atque meum est Emit mihi divis Jesus : Nec teneor Quicquam nisi Gratis solvere."
Upon the foot stone is the following:
" Ars illi sua Census Erat." OVID. " Skill was his cash."
In Thomas's History of Printing, this is translated as follows :
" Thou, O Foster, who on earth didst study the heavenly bodies, now ascend above the firmament and survey the highest heaven. I do survey and inhabit this divine region. To its possession I am admitted through the grace of Jesus ; and to pay the debt of gratitude I hold the most sacred obligation."
Mr. Joseph Capen, the minister of Topsfield, who was the friend and townsman of Mr. Foster, wrote the following poem upon his death.
" "Thy body, which no activeness didst lack, Now's laid aside like an old Almanack ; But for the present only's out of date,
'Twill have at length a far more active state. Yea, tho' with dust thy body soiled be, Yet at the resurrection we shall see A fair EDITION, and of matchless worth, Free from ERRATA'S, new in Heaven set forth.
'Tis but a word from God the Great Creator,
It shall be done when he saith Imprimatur."
1682. Selectmen-James Blake, Enoch Wiswell, Samuel Clap, Timothy Tilestone and Richard Hall.
This year the town provided standard weights, by which to prove and seal all other weights in town. This is probably the first year that the law, requir- 24
246
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
ing such a provision, was carried into effect. The weights were, from 56 pounds to 1-16 of an ounce.
Sept. 11th. «Wm. Danforth was called before the Selectmen, and was admonished by them to forbear frequenting ordinaries, and to set himself in a way of constant employment in some lawful calling."
This year the Selectmen approbated widow Eliza- beth George to keep an ordinary again, provided that John Breck should see that it was kept accord- ing to law. Her husband had kept one many years, and since his death she had continued the business, and was undoubtedly the most capable of the two for that purpose. Mrs. George was now about 81 years of age. Old age was no disqualification then for office or employment.
The 19th of February Mr. John Danforth joined the Church here, having been dismissed from the Church in Roxbury for that purpose. He was or- dained on Wednesday, the 2d of June. The Churches sent to were those in Boston, Roxbury, Dedham, Milton, Braintree, Weymouth and Medfield. Mr. Eliot was desired to give the charge. The sermon on the occasion was from the text, 2 Kings i. 14 : " Where is the Lord God of Elijah ?"
The Church, about this time, appears to have taken a fresh start in the way of discipline, and de- linquents were sharply reproved. Joseph Leeds had a misunderstanding with his wife, and was accused of maltreating her, which caused no little trouble to the Church. After several meetings, it was settled by his confession, and promising " to carry it more loving to her for time to come." Not so with Jona-
247
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
than Blackman ; he had been lying, which was a serious offence in those days, and also convicted before the Court for stealing horses. He had suf- fered corporal punishment, but refused to come before the Church, and ran away out of the jurisdic- tion ; so they "disowned him from his Church relation, and excommunicated, though not delivered up to Satan, as those in full communion, but yet to be looked at as a Heathen and publican, and familiar society with him forbidden unto his relations natural and civil, that he may be ashamed."
Rev. Mr. Danforth was paid this year, for his services in the ministry, £50 in money and £50 in country pay.
Mr. Stoughton was again chosen to go as messen- ger to England ; but the great trouble of his late mission caused him to peremptorily decline the ap- pointment.
1683. Selectmen-Richard Hall, Samuel Clap, James Blake, Enoch Wiswell and Timothy Tilestone.
The town voted to make a rate of £100 for a " house for the ministry."
" John Minot came forth voluntarily and acknow- ledged to his sin in being too much overcome with drinking on the day of Major Clark's funeral." This was before the Church, at a meeting on the 29th of April.
There was a contribution, July 29th, "for Captives in Mr. Graves's ship, and one Robinson." £12 10s. 10d. was collected, to be divided between them. This amount shows a very great degree of liberality for that time.
248
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
About this time there was a great excitement in the colony, through fear of losing the royal Charter. The General Court appointed a Fast to be held, on the 22d of November, " in regard of the sad condi- tion we were in respecting the danger of losing our liberties, both civil and sacred, our Charter being called for."
The 30th of December " there was a contribution for a captive, viz., the son of a woman living at Piscataqua; at which time there were contributed £4 19s 1d, and committed to Elder Humfrey to deliver to the woman."
In December, of this year, the town chose "the worshipful Mr. Stoughton, Enoch Wiswell and John Breck," to see to the laying out of the land granted by the General Court for school land, in lieu of Thompson's Island.
1684. Selectmen-Samuel Clap, Richard Hall, James Blake, Enoch Wiswell and Wm. Sumner.
This year the town lost two of its citizens who were much respected-viz., Timothy,* son of Rev. Richard Mather, who died January 14th, by a fall from a scaffold in a barn ; and Nehemiah, son of Dea. Edward Clap.
The Church, this year, had Consider Atherton before them, for the sin of drunkenness. He made an acknowledgment in writing, which was deemed satisfactory. John Weeks was also brought up for stealing a cheese from the ordinary, and Ebenezer Lyon for some words spoken by him, and which he
* Although Blake says Jan. 14th, 1684, it is probable he reckoned in the old style, which would bring it, according to the new style, in 1685.
249
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
confessed in writing, and then denied a part of the writing. "Sister George was called again before the Church, who at this time made confession of her sin in letting some have drink, which made them drunk, and of her denying it, and of her going from the Church in such a disorderly manner." It will be recollected that Mrs. George was at this time about 83 years of age.
Sept. 20th there was a contribution for Moses Ayers, being a captive, amounting to £6 2s 81, which was delivered to Thomas Tilestone, who, to- gether with Thomas Pierce, were to convey it into safe hands for his redemption. It appearing that the son of widow Robinson, for whose release from captivity there had previously been a contribution, was redeemed without making use of the money, and as there had been a promise that if it was not used it should be returned, it was voted to call for it and add it to the sum raised for Mr. Ayers, if neces-" sary.
About this time Mr. Robert Breck, son of Edward Breck, of this town, died in Boston. He was a merchant, and a man of some note. Drake, in his History of Boston, quotes the description of his wife given by John Dunton, who came to Boston and remained a year or more, and who was a quaint and agreeable writer. He calls " Mrs. Brick " a woman of "piety and sweetness," and the very "flower of Boston." "To conclude her character ; the beauty of her person, the sweetness and affability of her temper, the gravity of her carriage, and her exalted piety, gave me so just a value for her, that Mrs.
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.