USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > History of the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, with genealogical registers > Part 10
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
A law was afterwards passed, prohibiting any Quaker having the freedom of the Colony, and not allowing him to make an oath in any case; and also that every one should depart the jurisdiction on pain of 20 shillings fine per week. Their books were ordered to be seized, and a fine of £10 to be imposed on any one who should guide them into the Colony. C. Southworth and Marshal Nash were ordered to enforce this. In 1657, one John Copeland was banished because he said that Mr. Alden shook and trembled in his knees, when he was before him. As appears by the following record, the meetings of the Quakers were frequently held in Duxbury : 1660. "Whereas there is a constant monthly meeting of Quakers from Divers places in great numbers, which is very offensive and may prove greatly prejudicial to the government, and as the most constant place for such meetings is at Duxbury, the Court have desired and appointed C. Southworth and W. Pabodie to repair to such meetings, together with the marshal or constable of the town, and to use their best endeavors, by argument and discourse, to con- vince or hinder them." In 1657, Humphrey Norton, claiming to be a prophet, was ordered to depart the jurisdiction; but he soon returned with John Rouse, and repeated his former most insulting and provoking conduct, and spoke in the pres- ence of the Court unto the Governor in terms like this: "Thy clamorous tongue, I regard no more than the dust under my feet ; and thou art like a scolding woman, and thou pratest and deridest me," &c. He was whipped and left the govern- ment, and soon after addressed letters to Gov. Prence and Mr. Alden, couched in the most abusive terms. To Prence, he says: "Thou hast bent thy heart to work wickedness, and with thy tongue hast set forth deceit. * * * * John Alden is to thee like unto a pack horse, whereupon thou
100
THE QUAKERS.'
[1657.
layest thy beastly bag. Cursed are all they that have a hand therein; the cry of vengeance will pursue thee day and night." His letter to Mr. Alden was not less scandalous. It was as follows: "John Alden, I have weighed thy waies, and thou art like one fallen from thy first love; a tendernes once I did see in thee and moderation to act like a sober man ; which through evill councell and selfe love thou art drawne aside from ; if there bee in thee any expectation of mercy doe thou follow the example of Timothy Hatherley ; * and with- draw thy body forever appeering att that beastly bench ; where the law of God is cast behind youer backes; and from whence God hath withdrawne himselfe untill he have ovrturned it and settled such as shall acte according to his law and contrary to the will of man; alsoe account thou must for that wicked acte in sending forth thy warrant to force away other men's goods for keeping the law of Christ ; againe let the cursed purse be cast out of thy house, wherein is held the goods of other men, lest through it a moth enter into thy house, and a mildew upon thy estate; for in keeping of it, and acteing for it, thou art noe other, then a pack horse to Thomas Prence; which of in the councell of God thou stand his prsent flattery to the, wilbee turned into enmitie and wrath against thee, and then would thou see that thou art sett in the midest of a companie that's like a hedge of vipers, the best of them is not worthy to hew wood in the house of our God. Receive my instruction into thy hart as oyle and depart from amongst them; and thou wilt see that it is beter to live of thyne owne like a poor wise man and att peace with God and his people, then like a selfe conceited fool puffed up with the prid of his hart, because hee hath gotten the name of a Majestrate, as some of them is; in love this is written to disharten thee in time before the evill day overtake thee ; lett it bee soe received from thy frind.
..
HUMPHREY NORTON.
Consider how coruptly thou dealt concerning the paper prsented to Tho : Prence and thee and others. Road Iland, this 16th. 4th. mo : 58: For John Alden, called Magestrate in Plymouth Pattent, these deliver."
*Mr. Hatherly, it will be remembered, had been left out of the board of assistants, because of his firm opposition to the harsh measures towards the Quakers. And also Capt. Cudworth, Mr. Brown and Mr. Isaac Robinson (son of Rev. John of Leyden,) were removed from the bench ; but on the revulsion of public feeling a few years later, these were all restored to their former rights. Capt. Cudworth, in writing to Mr. Brown at London, says : " Mr. Alden has deceived the expectations of many, and indeed lost the affections of such as I judge were his cordial christian friends, who is very active in such ways, as I pray God may not be charged upon him, to be oppressions of a high nature." Deane's Scituate.
101
MILITARY REGULATIONS.
1658.]
The appearance of the Quakers was at a time, when the colony was in a low and depressed state, both as regards their civil and religious affairs ; and sufficient cause was there for the appointment of a day of humiliation (Oct. 21st, 1658), to humble their souls before God, and to seek his face, on account of the many manifest signs of his displeasure, as made evident by the prevailing sickness among families, by the unseasona- bleness of the weather, whereby the crops were endangered, by the appearance of that scourge, the Quakers, and by the prevalence of a spirit of division and disunion in church and civil affairs.
1658. A council of war of sixteen were appointed, includ- ing Mr. Collier, Mr. Alden and C. Southworth, which ordered that the military company of Duxbury be allowed to exercise and train, when they wish; and of this company Jonathan Alden was appointed ensign. Josiah Winslow was raised to the chief military command, with the title of Major, and the following were made members of his council : C. South worth, Lt. Nash, Lt. Joseph Rogers and Ens. Standish. Thirty shillings were granted to every one of a troop of horse, fur- nished by each town.
1660. It was ordered, that during any appearance of dan- ger, a military watch be kept in the town in the most conve- nient place for giving an alarm ; that the motions of any ves- sels that appear on the coast be watched; and that three guns be a signal in the night, and fires be lighted, where the alarm is made.
1667. The council of war of the colony at this time were Gov. Prence (Pres't.), Alden, Winslow, Capt. Thomas South- worth, Capt. Wm. Bradford, Hinckley, Anthony Thacher, C. Southworth and Nathl. Bacon. They ordered :- I. That land and sea watches be kept. II. That three guns be an alarm at night, with fires. III. That the troops of each town may be ordered to go out as scouts, and carry intelligence. IV. That each town make return of their number of horse and foot. V. That the soldiers be at the command of their officers. VI. Dutch and French to be considered common en- emies. VII. That when any town is in distress, the next town shall send aid to the number of one third or one half of their own men. VIII. That the Indian sachems be ad- vised to employ their men in watching for vessels; and also advised not to venture on board any vessel; and forbid making any false alarm. IX. That no shooting be allowed at pigeons or other game during time of danger. X. That each town provide some place of retreat of their women and children on an alarm, that the " men may with less destraction face an enemie." XI. That the troopers of Plymouth serve as the Governor's body guard. XII. That all above sixty
102
THE SACONET INDIANS.
[1671.
years old, if of competent estates, be required to provide a man. XIII. That whoever should refuse to do duty, when com- manded, be fined five shillings. XIV. That the council of each town in time of danger, divide among the inhabitants the arms and ammunition.
The commissioned officers of the town, with Mr. Alden, C. Southworth and Lt. Standish, were to be the council of war for Duxbury. The following orders were imposed on the "Courts of guard," to be observed while on duty : I. That there be no quarreling among themselves. II. That there be no correspondence with the enemy. III. That none sleep, or otherwise neglect their duty, or depart at all from their posts. IV. That none disclose the watchword to the enemy. V. That none make a needless alarm, day or night. VI. That on alarm every one fly to his post. VII. That none fly in fight, until a retreat is ordered ; or quit a place while it is de- fensible. VIII. That every private keep his arms clean, and be forbidden to sell them. IX. That none, on pain of death, abuse a sentinel while on duty, but be obliged to obey him. X. That all sentinels carefully attend to their duty.
1671. The Colony council of war consisted of the magis- trates, and others joined with them. Messengers were sent to the Saconet Indians, ordering them to bring in their English arms; and then, should they refuse to comply therewith, means were to be taken " to reduce them to reason ;" and 100 men were to be sent against them, to start from Plymouth on the 8th of August. Their officers to be Maj. Winslow, Com- mander; John Freeman, Lt. ; C. Southworth, Commissary ; Capt. Fuller, Lt. and Surgeon ; Wm. Witherell and Elisha Hedge, Sergeants. Forty of the "trustiest Indians" were to accompany them. There were raised 102 men, and Duxbury furnished five. Their pay was, -for the Commander 10s. per day ; for the Lt. 6s. ; for the sergeants 4s. ; for a private (man and horse) 3s. The 9th of August was appointed to be observed by the churches of the colony, as a day of humilia- tion, "to seek the favor of God, and his blessing on us on the intended expedition." The council was summoned on the 13th of September, to meet at Plymouth with Philip, to have an interview with him, as it was understood that he medi- tated hostilities. Philip, however, went to the Massachusetts colony, and made false complaints against Plymouth colony .*
* The following original letter I find in Mr. Kent's MS. Collections : It relates to the affairs of this period, and deserves publication. The address is wanting. It was originally in the hands of the Dingley family of Marshfield.
" Swansea : Apri : 1 : 1671 : much honored sir yours I reseaved this first of April whereby I perseave you desired to know what posture the In- dians are in. I doe not finde them to continue in a posture of war as they
103
PHILIP'S WAR.
1675.]
1673. The colony council ordered that, when a town shall be in distress, the chief officer of the next town shall send such aid as they may think proper; and that power be given them to press men. Towards the latter part of the year (Dec. 17.) this Court was called together, on an "extraordinary occa- tion," on account of the war with the Dutch. Taking into consideration the repeated demonstrations of hostility on the part of the enemy, their intended invasion of Long Island, their large array of armed vessels, which were very prejudicial, they determined to endeavor to undertake their removal, think- ing all this 'a just ground for war; and notwithstanding the lateness of the season, fearing that the Dutch would have recruits early in the spring, they judged it best to make an immediate attack. Though they considered that they were "apparently overrated " in the proportion of the confederate colonies, they determined to raise their quota, 100 men, if sufficient provisions could be obtained for their voyage and march. Their officers on the expedition were, - Capt. James Cudworth, (pay per day 6s.) ; Lt. John Gorham, (5s.) ; En- sign Michael Peirce, (4s.) ; Sergeants Wm. Witherell, Thomas Harvey, John Witherell and Philip Leonard, (3s. each) ; Surgeon-General, Matthew Fuller, if the Massachusetts should approve. The pay of a drummer was 2s. 6d., and that of a private 2s. per day. Instructions were given the commander, that he should first summon them to surrender, with a pro- mise of their estates and liberties.
1675. The stifled contentions, which had existed with the Indians for several years, now broke forth in open warfare; and they clearly declared their intention of extirpating the English. The first blood was shed June 24th. The die was now cast, and the English determined on a vigorous prosecu- tion of the war. The United Colonies ordered (Sept. 9th) 1000 men to be raised, and of Plymouth's share (158 men), Duxbury furnished eight (one for the Mount Hope guard). Gov. Winslow was appointed commander-in-chief of the Eng- lish forces; Major Cudworth commander of the Plymouth troops, and captain of one of the companies, with Serg't Robt. Barker for his Lt .; John Gorham captain of the other com- pany, and Ens. Jno. Sparrow, Lt .; Mr. Hinckley was Com-
have beene. I went to Mount hope the last second day one purpos to see there proseedings & was at manie of there houses ; but sawe noething as intendings to war, but asking them what was ye reason ye kept together at Mount hope, the[y] answered it was to see Philip's childe buried & did intend to returne home assoune as the child was buried, . & I have seene sum returne, but yet the greatest part of them are together, & the[y] give the reason beecause the wind blowd soe agaynst them yt they cannot get home with there canowes, not els, but rest yours to command in what I am able. HUGH COLE."
104
PHILIP'S WAR.
[1675.
missary-General, and Lt. John Brown captain of the Mt. Hope guard, which consisted of 25 men. During times of danger, every one was ordered to go to meeting on the Sabbath armed, with five charges of powder, under penalty of two shillings for the town's use. No one was permitted to shoot a gun, except at an Indian or a wolf, under forfeiture of five shillings. The 14th of October was appointed a day of humiliation throughout the colony, " to humble our soules and seeke and begg the Lords healp in our prsent troubles." It was now ordered, that the troops of any town may pursue the attack on the Indians, though without their borders, if a good oppor- tunity offers. The Council of war was next convened at Marshfield, Dec. 8th, when an address was ordered to be sent to the various plantations, exhorting them to express their wonted cheerfulness and courage in engaging in service, assur- ing them that they would be comfortably provided for, and that those who "cheerfully tender themselves to the expedi- tion, or to presse shalbe looked upon with singular respect."
Lt. Barker was afterwards "degraded from the honor and office of Lieutenant," and fined 15s., because he " broke away from the army, when they were on their march, in a muti- nous way, and by his example allured others."
After the march of the above forces, the officers of the town were ordered to exercise one half of their men each day, until further orders. The troops sent against Philip were to assem- ble at Providence on the 10th of December.
The council was next assembled at Duxbury, Dec. 30th, when 120 more men were ordered to be raised, and of these Duxbury to furnish six; and should any one refuse to go, when he had been pressed, he was to be fined 10s. for the town's use. The Council next met at Marshfield, and in order " to prevent the withdrawing of the inhabitants in this time of publicke callamitie and trouble," every one was for- bidden to depart from the town, on pain of forfeiture of his estate. Mr. Alden, C. South worth, and J. Standish, together with the commissioned officers of the town, were appointed a council of war for Duxbury; and power was given them to establish wards in the day time, and watches in the night ; to fix garrisons, send out scouts and have a general super- vision of the arms of the town; and to provide their men with "fixed arms and suitable ammunition." The next meeting of the Colony Council was at Plymouth, March 10th, 1676, and at this time power was given to the President of the Council to order the return of the troops, when desirable ; and it was commanded that the order concerning the unneces- sary discharging of fire-arms "bee put in reall and vigorous execution." The sum of £1000 was to be raised to pay the soldiers who had served in the expedition, and Duxbury paid her share of £46 11s.
105
PHILIP'S WAR. - DEATH OF PHILIP.
1675.]
Early in the spring of this year, Capt. Michael Peirce of Scituate was sent against the Narragansets with 50 English, and 20 Indian allies. Near Pawtucket he was met by an overwhelming force of the enemy under Canonacut, and nearly every one of the English fell. This occurred on the Sabbath, March 26. These of Duxbury were slain, -John Sprague, Benjamin Soule, Thomas Hunt and Joshua Fobes ; and these of Marshfield, - Thomas Little, Joseph White, Joseph Phillips, John Low, John Brance, John Eams, John Burrows, Samuel Bump and More.
March 29th. The Council ordered "by reason of the near approach of our enemie," that 300 English (sixteen from Duxbury) and 100 Indians should march against them by the 11th of April. All youths in the town under sixteen years of age were required to watch and ward, as they may be judged able by their Commander, and "upon consideration of the late sad and awful hand of God upon Rehoboth," the town was ordered to collect themselves in fewer garrisons of 10 or 12 men each, and especially to guard and defend their mills. April 26th, at Plymouth assembled, the Council determined that in every allowed garrison and fortified place, one-fifth of the men should be constantly armed and in readiness for ser- vice. The Town Council were authorized to employ men, "as a scout for the descovery or surprisal of the enemie" in the town and neighborhood; and a fine of £5 was to be imposed, if they did not maintain a standing scout. Twenty- three pounds of bullets were voted to the soldiers of Duxbury.
On the 21st of June, a body of 154 English and 50 Indians marched forth against the enemy. Duxbury sent, of this number, nine men; and of the cost on the Colony for provid- ing them (£164 10s.) she paid £9 10s.
This war was continued for nearly two years with savage fury, when king Philip, driven from swamp to swamp, his family captured, the greater part of his warriors slain, and himself hunted like a beast, was finally killed by Alderman, a friendly Indian of Capt. Church's party, who shot him through the heart, as he was escaping from a swamp, Aug. 12th, 1676. Thus ended the war with the death of Philip of Mount Hope. Philip of Macedon forms not a more conspicu- ous character in the annals of Greece, than does the Sachem of the Wampanoags in the history of New England. Doubt- less he foresaw the unlimited extension of the English possessions, the loss of his own and the extinction of his tribe, and thus determined on a final and, as he might hope, decisive struggle to stay the progress of the white man's sway. After his death the Indians generally submitted, though at the eastward the war was carried on for some years. The loss of the English during the war was about 600 men, 12 or 14
106
COL. BENJAMIN CHURCH.
[1676.
14 towns and 600 buildings ; and many families were entirely bereft of support by the loss of their fathers and brothers. And it was to the generosity of their Irish Christian friends, that New England owed much in their state of distress in the following year. Of this "contribution made by divers chris- tians in Ireland for the releiffe of such as are impoverished, Distressed and in necessitie by the late Indian warr," Duxbury received £2, and Mr. Josiah Standish and William Pabodie were appointed to distribute it. Though the town was in no instance attacked by the enemy, yet many of its inhabitants fell victims abroad to their savage cruelty. The principal actors in this struggle were Gov. Winslow, Maj. Bradford, Capt. Church, Capt. Peirce, and Lt. Jabez Howland.
Capt. Benjamin Church, though by some said to have been son of Joseph Church, who was of Duxbury in 1639, is generally believed to have been born at Plymouth in 1639, and a son of Richard Church, the carpenter. The son was of the same trade. He appears to have come to Duxbury about 1668 or 9, for in the latter year, (May 3d) he had a grant of 30 acres of meadow between Namasakeeset brook, Indian Head river and the great Cedar swamp; and in the next year at a town meeting, May 23d, he requested an addition of five acres, which was granted .* He also owned land at Mill brook, and was probably an inhabitant of the town until about 1680. In 1681 he is called of Punckatcosett. He afterwards settled at Bristol, then at Fall River, and finally at Seconet, and at each of these places he acquired and left a considerable estate. During Philip's war he was a Captain, and commanded the party by which Philip was slain. His military fame at the eastward, while in command of the several expeditions against the Indians in that quarter, and his skill and prudence, as well as courage in conducting them, have earned for him the honor of being possessed of military talents, almost equal to the renowned Myles Standish. On the 17th of January, 1718, then residing at Little Compton, in the morning he visited on horseback his only sister, Mrs. Irish, and returning fell from his horse, and being portly and very heavy, he struck the ground with such violence, as to burst a bloodvessel, which caused his death in about twelve hours ; and he was buried with great pomp and parade.
His son Thomas wrote a History of Philip's war and his expeditions at the eastward.
* The site of his house was a few years ago identified, by the bricks remaining, between Church's hill and Mr. Peleg Weston's at Duck Hill river.
107
LIEUT. HOWLAND. - THE CHARTER.
1676.]
The autograph of the Colonel, here annexed, was written in 1670, and is in the fairest hand of any the author has met with. His chirography was in general bad.
Poniamix Church
Lt. Jabez Howland was a son of the pilgrim, John Howland. In Church's history is narrated the following anecdote of him. He was one of the first to join Capt. Church on his expedition to Sandwich to secure the alliance of the Sogkonates. Church arrived at Sippican River with only six men, and here, "Mr. Howland began to tire, upon which Mr. Church left him with two men as a reserve at the river, that if he should meet with enemies, and be forced back, they might be ready to assist them in getting over the river." Church having accomplished his design, was return- ing with some of the Indians, when "having a mind to try what mettle he was made of, imparted his notion to the Indians, and gave them direction how to act their parts. When he came pretty near the place, he and his Englishmen pretendedly fled, firing on their retreat towards the Indians that pursued them. Mr. Howland being upon his guard, hearing the guns, and by and by seeing the motion both of English and Indians, concluding that his friends were distressed, was soon on the full career on horseback to meet them, when he perceived them laughing and mistrusted the truth." He continued in the war during its whole length and was of signal service ; and afterwards settled at Bristol, where he was allowed to keep a house of entertainment. He was an officer in the company of that town. His brother Isaac, also an officer of the war, settled at Middleboro', kept there an ordinary in 1684 and died 1724. Another brother, Lt. Joseph, was also an officer of the war, and lived at Plymouth.
1681. The commissioned officers of the town with three others were constituted a council of war. Samuel Hunt was lieutenant of the company of the town.
1682. The confirmation of their charter privileges and the extension of the same had now engaged the attention of the Government of the Colony for some years, and in view of its establishment, they determined to despatch an agent to the Crown, to solicit and acquire the object of their hopes. The selection of a proper person to represent their views and supplications in the hearing of their King, now seemed desirable, and with great unanimity the Rev. Mr. Wiswall became the object of their choice. Mr. Arnold and Lt.
108
CHARTER PRIVILEGES.
[1682.
Morton were next ordered to wait upon the Church and Congregation of Mr. Wiswall at Duxbury, with a letter of entreaty, requesting them to resign for a season the labors of their pastor to the service of their country. This letter is preserved among the Hinckley papers in the Archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and is thus addressed : - " The Generall Court now Assembled at Plimouth to the Brethren of the Church in Duxborrough send wishing the continuance and increase of Grace, and all spirituall Bless- ings in heavenly places in Jesus Christ or Lord." The letter then proceeds, bearing testimony highly creditable to the character of Wiswall, though it is but a reechoing of that voice of commendation, which was continually proclaiming its praises of the worth of those services among the people of the Colony, which were the labors of him, whose name is still associated with all that is dear to the causes of religion and humanity.
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.