USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > History of the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, with genealogical registers > Part 11
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" Brethren, honoured and beloved.
"The prsent state of this Colloney, which is much on or heart, and we hope on yours also, requiring (as we judge) that we should make or Addresse to the King's Majesty in order to the Confirmation and Enlargemt of or priviledges, whereunto we are by him graciously invited & encouraged ; we have judged it meet that as a Superaddition to former applications we should addresse ourselves to him by an Agent, and the God of All Wisdome, having (as we hope) of his abundant mercy directed this Court with great unanimity to fix our eyes upon, and make choice of yor Revd Pastour, as a person we esteem well accomplished for that affair: It is our instant request to yourselves in whose hearts we doubt not God hath given him a great interest, that as you have received so great a gift from God, you will now at his Demand Lend him to the Lord for a little season to give up himselfe to a service, wherein not only your own, but the weal of all these churches, and the whole Colloney, together with the Glory of God is highly concerned, in hope that at his hand you shall after a while receive him again with advantage. * * * Now Brethren, may it please the Lord of his great goodnes to incline yor hearts to deny yourselves thus farr for the publick good; you will therein no doubt bring much honour to God through the Thanksgivings of many, especially if the Lord soe farr delight in us, as to crown the affair with his blessing. * Brethren and friends.
By order of the Generall Court,
NATHANIEL MORTON, Secretary."
109
SIR EDMUND ANDROS.
1686.]
This letter bore date at "Plimouth, ffebr 8, 82," and in a postscript was added, - " The time desired you would please to appoint to give meeting to our sd ffriends to receive your answer is on next fourth day [February 14th] about ten a clock at your meeting house." A presentation of the facts was also made to the town, and their consideration likewise enjoined upon them.
The assembly was held according to the advice of the Court, and having "sought God by prayer," they with "much agitation and variety of apprehensions, relating to the weighty case," remained until "the day being far spent," when Capt. Standish arose and put the question to vote, and of the thirty-eight persons present - "divers of the inhab- itants being absent" -only fifteen, and of these nine were of the Church, voted in the affirmative, while twenty-three dissented, the "Deputy Governor [Mr. Alden] suspending his vote, not acting either way." Most of the "judicious and considerate " of the meeting would have willingly consented to the request of the Court, with the exception of " the worship- full Mr. Alden, who out of his pious and zealous affection to his pastor and his labors, did dissent, and the Lieutenant, his son." Nevertheless " Mr. Wiswall did fully declare himselfe willing in ye assembly to attend ye work;" but their great objection was that his labors abroad would loosen the ties and bonds of connection, naturally existing between the pastor and his people. Mr. Wiswall however thought other- wise, "assuring them that he was theirs and that if God called him to that work, and spared his life to returne, they might challenge him as their owne."
Mr. Wiswall was afterwards, as it will appear, one of the three appointed agents of the Colonial government, despatched on a similar mission to England in 1690.
1686, May 24th. "The Town was very much dissatisfied with the new laws, espetially respecting the County Courts, and the severyty of the Laws, conserning millitary dissipline and doe therefore give in charge to our Deputys at the General Court absolutely to declare against them."
In 1684, Sir Edmund Andros was sent to New England as a spy, and returning, excited the jealousy of the British Government by collecting false charges against them, and so influenced the high Court of Chancery, that it was decided that the colonies had forfeited their charters, and that hence- forth, they should be under the king's control. At this juncture, Andros was commissioned as Governor General and Vice Admiral of New England, New York and the Jersies, and arrived at Boston on the 29th of December, 1686; and like all tyrants began his rule with professions of high regard for the public welfare. It was not long, however,
-
110
CANADA EXPEDITION.
[1686.
before changes occurred. They were unable to brook the petty tyranny of this agent of despotism. The liberty of the press had been restrained; their freedom of conscience infringed, and their cries of oppression sounded for naught. The titles to their land were questioned, and only to be retained by exorbitant fees. Their popular assemblies were forbidden, and the inhabitants of the towns were prevented from joining in meeting, and, lest cries of oppression should reach the throne, all were forbidden to leave the government. Happily his tyranny was of short duration. James having abdicated the throne, (1689) he was succeeded by William and Mary, who were proclaimed in February. A rumor of the landing of William had been received in Boston, but before a confirmation, a most daring revolution was effected by the colonists. The public mind was agitated, and on the morning of the 18th of April, their fury burst upon their oppressors with terrific violence, driving every thing before them, they purged the country of their obnoxious presence. Andros was imprisoned and sent to England.
Measures were immediately taken for restoring their former government, and Gov. Hinckley ordered a council to delibe- rate concerning the matter. In relation to this, we find in the Town records, the following : - April 30th, "Town mad choice of Benjamen Bartlet, Senr. & Deacon Wadsworth to be their agents (upon the Request of Mr. Thomas Hinkle), and together with the Agents of other Towns to setle a counsell to consider of such things as may [be] expedient for us under the present junture of providence untill our former time of elec- tion, which useth to be on the first tewsday in June. We, the inhabitants of the town of Duxborough, doe desier that Mr. Hinkle & the rest of the ould magestrates that doe yet survive may be the present counsell according to the former limitation & no other, & father our desier is that all those that have lib- erty to vote in our Town meetings or the choice of Deputys & others may have liberty to vote in choice of Governer & assist- ants & if the Countys continew, that all such may have power to chuse their county assistants."
No sooner had the colonies emerged from the troubles above related, than their most strenuous exertions were obliged to be directed in another quarter. A serious outbreak of the Indians had begun in Canada and at the eastward. They had com- mitted depredations on the English, and made other hostile movements against them; and by common consent of the col- onies an expedition was fitted out against them, under the command of Capt. Church ; and the English and Indians were exhorted to enlist. A sum of £67 10s. was demanded of the towns for fitting it out, and Duxbury was to furnish not less than £2 10s. Duxbury sent two men, each provided with "a
111
CAPT. JONATHAN ALDEN.
1686.]
well fixt gun, sword, a hatchet, a horne or cartouch-box, suit- able amunition & a snapsack." The 28th of August was appointed as a day of humiliation. The charge of this expe- dition on the colony was £750, and on Duxbury £25.
This year Jonathan Alden was elected captain ; John Tracy lieutenant ; and Francis Barker ensign of the Duxbury com- pany; and this choice was approved by the Court.
Capt. Jonathan Alden was the youngest son of the Pilgrim, John Alden, and was born about 1627. He lived on the paternal domain, and was much employed in the civil affairs of the town, and a selectman for several years He was much respected and honored by his townsmen, and inherited the virtues of his father. He was admitted a freeman in 1657, and chosen ensign of the company in 1671, afterwards lieu- tenant, and then captain, and continued in this capacity until his death, which occurred in February, 1697. He was buried under arms on the 17th, when an Address was delivered at the grave by Rev. Mr. Wiswall, from which these passages are selected. - Alden's Epitaphs.
" Neighbours and friends, we are assembled this day in a posture of mourning, to solemnize the funeral of the present deceased, to pay our last tribute of respect to a person well known among us. I need not enlarge upon his character, but, in brief, am bold to say thus much. He stepped over his youth, without the usual stains of vanity. In his riper years he approved himself a good Commonwealth's man; and, which is the crown of all, a sincere Christian, one whose heart was in the house of God, even when his body was barred hence by the restraints of many difficulties, which confined him at home. He could say, in truth, Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house. He earnestly desired the enlargement of Jerusa- lem, and inwardly lamented that the ways to Zion did mourn, because so few did flock to her solemn feasts; but is now united to that general assembly, where is no more cause of sorrow on that account.
" As to his quality in our militia, he was a leader, and I dare say rather loved than feared of his company.
"Fellow Soldiers, you are come to lay your leader in the dust, to lodge him in his quiet and solemn repose. You are no more to follow him in the field. No sound of rallying drum, nor shrillest trumpet will awaken him, till the general muster, when the Son of God will cause that trumpet to be blown, whose echoes shall shake the foundations of the heavens and the earth, and raise the dead.
"Fellow Soldiers, you have followed him into the field, ap- peared in your arms, stood your ground, marched, counter- marched, made ready, advanced, fired, and retreated; and all at his command. You have been conformable to his mili-
112
CHARTER OF 1691.
[1691.
tary commands and postures, and it is to your credit. But, let me tell you, this day he has acted one posture before your eyes, and your are all at a stand ! No man stirs a foot after him! But the day is hastening, wherein you must all conform to his present posture,- I mean, be laid in the dust."
Mr. Wiswall, after offering various soleinn exhortations, with scriptural quotations, concluded his address thus :-
" Fellow Soldiers ; Oh ! consider how dreadful it will prove, if, after you have with a matchless bravery of spirit acted the part of soldiers on earth, you should in the mean time forget your Christian armor and discipline, and be numbered among those mentioned in Ezek. xxxii. 26, 27, who, having been the terror of the mighty in the land of the living, yet went down to hell with their weapons of war, their iniquities remaining upon their bones! which that you may all escape, follow your deceased leader, as he followed Christ; and then though death may for a short space of time tyrannize over your frail bodies in the grave, yet you shall rise with him in triumph, when the great trumpet shall sound, and appear listed in the muster roll of the Prince of the earth, the Captain of our eternal sal -- vation."
Benjamin Bartlett was chosen Sergeant, and in 1691 Ensign, which latter post was afterwards filled by Samuel Seabury.
1690. 'The war being still prosecuted by the enemy in Canada, 62 men were sent by water to Albany to join the forces of New York and Albany against the common enemy. Three of these men were from Duxbury. The 31st of April was appointed a day of humiliation. April 2d, several orders were passed for establishing wards and watches, and espe- cially in all seaport towns, &c. A letter was received from Gov. Bradstreet of Massachusetts, stating that more troops were required in the field, and calling upon Plymouth for their quota of men. Thereupon it was agreed to send 150 English and 50 Indians, and Duxbury was called upon for seven men and two stands of arms. Joseph Silvester and John Gorham were chosen captains for the expedition; and £1350 were afterwards raised to pay the troops. The Town council or- dered, that one-third of the soldiers attend church armed, on the Sabbath.
The Colonial Government appointed Sir Henry Asherst, Rev. Increase Mather and Rev. Ichabod Wiswall of Duxbury, to apply to the English government for a charter. A meeting was called in Duxbury, in obedience to an act of Court passed Feb. 11th, desiring them to choose an agent, and see how much they could raise "towards the Publique charge, which was thought to be £700 in New England Moneys." We find this record of the meeting: - " February the 18, 1691-90. The Town of Duxburrough being met together, the majority
113
CHARTER OF 1691.
1691.]
of the Town by vote did agree to send to England in ordr to obtaine a charter, by manifesting their willingnes so to doe." They then voted to raise £20 " towards procuring a charter," and chose the "Reverend Mr. Ichabod Wiswald to be their agent, and desier yt power may be given him to improve whome he sees cause together with himselfe."
It was the intention of the British Government at this time to have annexed Plymouth colony to New York ; but, chiefly through the instrumentality of Mr. Mather, this was prevent- ed ; and again, say the records, " we were like to be annexed to Boston, but the same [was] hindered [?] by Mr. Wiswall," in hopes of procuring a separate charter. This probably would have been accomplished, could they have found suffi- cient means (about £500) ; but, as it was, Plymouth was an- nexed to Massachusetts by a charter signed October 7th, 1691, and has ever since been under one head with it. In 1691 the Colony Court, considering that they were "not- capable to manifest their thankfulness sutable to the obligations that they had," voted 50 guineas to Sir Henry, and 25 apiece to the other agents, Mr. Mather and Mr. Wiswall.
Previous to the sailing of the messenger for England, Gov. Hinckley, in a letter * to Sir Henry Asherst, dated Feb. 4th, 1689[90], says, " Mr. Wiswall, a minister of Duxbury in this colony, and a good man, whom I found at Boston here unex- pectedly, bound for England on request of his parish and other friends there to accompany these messengers, can inform you of the state of the Colony." On his arrival in England, Mr. Wiswall returned a letter + to Gov. Hinckley, advising them to prepare and present another address to his Majesty, lest they should be disappointed by neglect of asking in sea- son; for, says he, some taking advantage of your inactivity, have been encouraged to urge our annexation to New York or Massachusetts ; and, if you wish to pursue your privileges, "neglect no time post est occasio calma." Petition under the Colony seal, and the King may grant you a patent of protec- tion for the future. "But by the way remember 10 Eccl. 19" - but money answereth all things. After advising them to write to the Earl of Monmouth, and to secure the services of Sir Henry Asherst and Dr. Cook, he concludes,-
"Sr: I am unwilling to come away, re infecta, thô I long to be at home as soon as may be. God Almighty direct and pro- tect you and yours, is and shall be the constant prayer of him, who is and remaines, Sr, yours and the Colony's servt.
ICHABOD WISEWALLE.
" Dyers Court in Aldermanburg, at ye signe of ye golden Angel, London. Nov. 10, 1690."
* Hinckley MSS. III. 1.
15 + Idem. III. 27.
114
CHARTER OF 1691. [1691.
As has been before said, through the instumentality of In- crease Mather, the project upon which the Government had determined, of annexing Plymouth to New York, was aban- doned, and she was finally adjoined in the charter to the colo- ny of Massachusetts ; but, says Cotton Mather to Gov. Hinck- ley,* " when Mr. Wiswal understood it, hee came and told my father, your colony would all curse him for it, at wch ye Solli- citor General being extremely moved, presently dash't it out, so that you are now like to be annexed unto ye Government of N. York ; and," he continues, in relation to Mr. Wiswall, "if you find yourselves plunged thereby into manifold miseries, you have none to thank for it but one of your own." This, however, is but the expression of that secret feeling of animo- sity, which was manifest in the works and words of Cotton Mather ; though perhaps it was a wish to do the best for those whom he represented, that led him to the continuance of those measures which were a source of great annoyance and detri- ment to the pursuits of Mr. Wiswall, and which caused the occurrence of mutual feelings of dislike.
In a lettert to Gov. Hinckley dated at London, July 6, 1691, Mr. Wiswall thus writes :
" Honoble Sir,- I heartily sympathize with you in respect of yt darke cloud of Providence which hath overspread N: E : and daily entreat ye father of mercie, yt ye sun of prosperitie may yet once more rise, culminate and scatter ye same to our eternall joy and consolation." And, he continues in a tone of censure, in substance, much blame must be attached to your dilatory action, and "that Plymouth, under its present cir- cumstances, should sit silent so long (may I not say sleep secure) is a great riddle."
When we "consider ye spirit which animated the first planters to venture their all in attempting so great hazards for ye engagement of civell and religious priviledges in that day," and reflect upon other considerations, there is " beget the ques- tion, viz., An sit natura semper sui similis."
Appended to this is a postscript in Latin, by Mr. Wiswall, with inferences somewhat derogatory to the character of Cot- ton Mather.
" Honorande Domine, -
Si ex animo velis per lumen minimè fallax cognoscere Characterem Domini C : M, (qui inter nos vindicatur patriæ predicatur) consule Dominum Moodum nec non Addingtonum, qui possunt ex pede Herculem metire et delineare.
Honoris tui Incolumitatisque Plymothensis cupidissimus.
I: W :
Sexto quintilis a partu virginis, 1691."
* Hinckley MSS. III. 33.
+ Idem. III. 38.
115
COL. JOHN ALDEN, ETC.
1739.]
On the 5th of November following, Mr. Wiswall again addressed the governor of the colony,* after the affair had been settled contrary to their hopes and desires; and after giving the particulars of the Charter, and expressing his discontent, he closes with the holy benediction -
"God grant that N. E. may know wt is the worm which gnawes at the root of our once flourishing gourd. Let Him refine us by his furnace, bring us as gold out of the fire, give us the valley of Ashur for a dore of hope, restore us our vine- yard from thence, and make us singe as in the dayes of our youth, when our fathers followed him into this wilderness, and there was no strange God among them. Then was the High God their refuge, who made them sit down at his feet, and experience that all his saints were in his hand, and that there was the hideing of his power. So prayes he, who is yours and New England's hearty well wisher, servant and fellow-sufferer, I : W : ".
1692. Seth Arnold was chosen lieutenant, and afterwards captain, of the Duxbury company. He was much employed in the public business of the town, and frequently acted as its agent or attorney.
1700-5. About these periods Samuel Bradford and Tho- mas Loring were lieutenants of the Duxbury company. Lt. Bradford is the ancestor of the Bradfords of this town, and held a high station among the inhabitants of that day, as re- gards integrity and moral worth. Lt. Loring is ancestor of the Lorings of the town. He appears to have first purchased land in Duxbury about 1702. He held the highest offices in the town, and some of great responsibility. He was a refined gentleman, much respected by his generation; and possessed of a large estate, which was (chiefly moveable) valued at about £500, exclusive of a large store of provisions, and much land- ed property, including a farm at Bridgewater.
1713, May 22d. The first notice we find of a training-field is under this date, when the town exchanged two or three acres of land with Thomas Prince, for the same quantity near. the meeting-house, for a training-field.
1739. This year died Col. JOHN ALDEN, a grandson of the Pilgrim, whose domain he inherited. Col. Alden was a gen- tleman of a noble mind, of great respectability, affable and courteous in his manner, and of much esteem in society. He was early an officer of the militia, and in 1732 was chosen colonel of the regiment. He was also frequently employed in
* This letter, parts of which were published in Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, second edition, I. p. 365, is among the Hinckley papers, III. 44.
116
EXPEDITION TO THE WEST INDIES. [1740. .
the service of the Province, and despatched on various impor- tant missions.
Johnoliven
The fac-simile above is of an autograph of his, written in his younger days, about twenty years before his death. A story is told of him, the circumstances of which happened at one time, when the colonel, with two other Duxbury men (Nathaniel Chandler and William Brewster, ) accompanying him, went on a visit to Gen. Pepperell, who was then at Saco, Me. The Colonel's visit was of a public nature. Falling into a conversation, the General observed, in a quaint style, that they were three of the most extraordinary men he ever met with. "Brewster," said he, " is famous for telling extra- ordinary stories, Chandler excels as a singer; but Alden, he is a first rate statesman."-K.
1740. A company was enlisted in the county, to serve in the expedition against the Spanish West Indies, under Admi- ral Vernon, by Capt. John Winslow, whose original muster- roll on parchment is now before me,* and which I copy. Of the 500 men sent in the expedition by Massachusetts, not more than 50 returned, many having fallen victims to the prevailing tropical fevers. Several Duxbury men will be noticed in their number.
" John Winslow, Capt. Joshua Barker, Lieut.
William Hepburn, Lieut. Samuel Eells, Ensign.
Serjants.
Corporals.
Nathaniel Chandler,
William Reed,
Amos Robens,
Abiah Wadsworth,
Drumers. Mark Laveller, Abraham Simmons.
Samuel Jones,
Isaac Bacon,
Joseph Pryer.
Job Crocker.
Privates.
Ebenezer Alden,
Jo : Cockennehew,
James Huddleston,
Thomas Byram,
Samuel Douglas,
Jonathan Hill,
Benjamin Burne,
Gideon Daws,
Ezekil Hinkley,
Seth Burge,
Robert Davis,
Abraham Jonas,'
Daniel Coner,
Elisha Delano,
Ebenezer Jackson,
Daniel Cuten,
Joseph Francis,
Josiah Keen,
Jo : Coquish,
Judah George,
Philip May,
Jacob Chipman, -
Nathl. Hayford,
John Millar,
* Rev. Benjamin Kent's MS. Coll. 126.
1
1741.]
CAPT. WINSLOW'S ROLL.
117
Alexandr McCally,
Timothy Quack,
Peleg Sampson,
Nick Mantomock,
Moses Redding,
George Thresher,
Boney Norcut,
Hezekiah Roben,
Benjamin Tray,
John Nowett,
Moses Ralph,
John Tobe, .
Willm Norris,
John Thomas,
John Noaks,
Benjamin Shore, John Sachama,
John White,
Isaac Powers,
Jo : Speer,
Ichabod Wade,
Alexandr Perry,
James Samson,
Daniel Weed,
Samll. Pitcher,
John Smith,
Samuel Woodberry,
Jonathan Peter,
Daniel Simon,
Jo : Weeks,
Hezekiah Zackary.
Jamaica, June ye 4th. 1741. Mustered then in the Third Battallion of his Majtys American Regiment of foot command- ed by the Honble Colo William Gooch, the Capt., First and Second Lieut's, one Ensign, four Serjants, four Corporals, two Drumers & fifty-five private men, this muster being for sixty- one days commencing the Twenty fifth of April, & ending the 24th. of June 1741, both days inclusive.
JOHN WINSLOW, JOSHUA BARKER.
I do hereby certifie that the above were efective in my com- pany from ye twenty fifth of April, 1741, to the twenty fifth of June folowing, excepting twenty privet men, that dyed on ye days following, viz .-
Peleg Samson, April 27th. Ebenezer Jackson, May 19th.
Seth Burge, Ditto 27th. John White, Ditto 20.
Moses Ralph, Ditto 29th. Hezekiah Robins, Ditto 28.
Joseph Cocknehew, May 1.
James Samson, June 2.
Robert Davis, Ditto 2.
Timothy Quake, Ditto 2.
Hezakiah Zackari, Ditto 2.
Daniell Simon, Ditto 5.
Amos Robens, Ditto 6.
Benjn Tray, Ditto 10.
Jacob Chipman, Ditto 8. Daniel Weed, Ditto 11.
Abraham Jonas, Ditto 12.
Joseph Coquish, Ditto 15.
John Miller, Ditto 14.
Joseph Pryer, Ditto 22.
JOHN WINSLOW, Capt.
Jamaica, June ye 25th 1741."
Ensign Eells died May 9, 1741, and belonged to Hanover.
1759. A company under the command of Capt. John Wadsworth, from Duxbury, joined the English forces in Ca- nada, against the French.
In the Town Records, under date of April 6, 1759, the names of the following persons are given as having served in this company for different periods during the time that it was in the field. The fraction shows what part of the term each man served.
118
[THE STAMP ACT. [1765.
Joseph Chandler,
Samuel Winsor,
Enock Freeman,
J. Peagon, (indian),
Paul Sampson,
John Alden,
John Phillips, Jr.,
Israel Silvester, Jr.,
Job Brewster,
Ezekiel Chandler,
Blanie Phillips,
Robert Mclaughlin,
Judah Hunt,
Paul Sampson,
Ichabod Wadsworth,
Perez Chandler,
Thomas Loring,
Israel Delano,
John Roberson,
Sylvanus Prior,
Zadock Brewster,
Benj. Prior, Jr.,
Wm. Sprague,
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