USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > History of the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, with genealogical registers > Part 21
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During the interim between the dismission of Mr. Turner and the settlement of another minister, invitations were given
* Rev. Benjamin Kent's notes.
* Mr. Kent tells the following anecdote. It happened that a short time after his return to his father's house, as one morning his father entered his room, he said " Father, I have been contemplating." " Yes, Charles," said his father interrupting, "you are always contemplating ; but I wish you would go to work and do something."
205
REV. ZEDEKIAH SANGER.
1776.]
by a vote of the church, July 23d, 1775, (concurred in by the town, Aug. 7th, ) to Mr. John Shaw ; and by another, Nov. 7th, (by the town Dec. 25th, ) to Mr. Samuel Henshaw, to settle in the ministry ; but both of these gentlemen refused.
REV. ZEDEKIAH SANGER, * a graduate of H. C. of the class of 1771, was the next settled pastor of the church. The church voted to invite him to become their pastor on the 8th of Feb., 1776, which was concurred in by the town (May 11th, ) and Mr. Sanger returned the following acceptance on the 19th of the last month : -
" Honored Fathers and Brethren-
Not long since you were pleased to give me an invitation to settle with you in the work of the Gospel ministry. And that being a matter of great importance, I have taken it into my most serious and deliberate consideration, and have been seeking direction of God, the father of lights and the foun- tain of wisdom. And as God often makes use of instruments to communicate his mind, and as in his word he has told us, that in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety, I have taken the advice of my Revnd Fathers in the ministry, and my relatives, and am now determined, and do accept of your friendly invitation.
And now under a conviction of my insufficiency for this great work, I entreat your earnest prayers to Almighty God for me, that I may have grace and wisdom given me, faith- fully to discharge the duties of this arduous station.
I sympathize with you under that afflictive dispensation of Providence, which has deprived you of the skillful and faith- ful labors of your late worthy pastor in the meridian of his
* He was born at Sherburne, Oct. 4th, 1748, and was descended from Richard Sanger, a blacksmith, who removed from Sudbury to Watertown, where he died, Aug. 20th, 1691. His wife was Mary, and his son Richard, (b. Feb. 22d, 1667,) m. Elizabeth Morse, and his son Richard, (b. Nov. 4th, 1706,) m. Deborah Rider, Feb. 19th, 1730, and died 1786, having had ten children, the eighth of whom was the minister of Duxbury.
MR. SANGER m. Irene Freeman, 1771, and their children were Richard, 1778, H. C. 1800, m. Sally Tisdall of Taunton, 1807; Deborah, 1779, m. John Ames, Jr., 1799 ; Joseph, 1781, m. Hannah, da. of Dr. Marcy, 1812; Caroline, 1782, m. Rev. Samuel Clark, 1810 ; Zedekiah, 1784 ; Samuel F., 1788, m. Susan, da. of Caleb Alden ; Olive, m. George Moore of Burling- ton, 1815 ; Ralph, H. C. 1808, m. Charlotte, da. of Ezra Kingman, Esq., 1817, and settled in the ministry at Dover ; Sarah; and Eliza. - Barry's Hist. Framingham, 387 - Hist. Bridgewater - Dux. Records.
206
REV. ZEDEKIAH SANGER. [1784.
life and the height of his usefulness; and I sincerely join my supplications with yours to the Throne of Grace, that his life may be continued, that he may be recovered from his weak- ness, and be restored to a confirmed state of health, and to his former usefulness, and be an eminent blessing to the world, in that department of life in which Providence shall place him.
And though I am sensible of my unfitness to stand in the place of my honored predecessor, yet notwithstanding my great deficiency, I beseech you not to cease in your prayers for me, that I may in some measure be enriched with those amiable graces and shining accomplishments, which ap- peared in his public and private life; and that by deriving grace and wisdom from the head of the church, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, I may deliver unto every one his portion in due season, and by the divine blessing attending my labors may be made instrumental in bringing many sons and daughters amongst you into the fold of Christ, the great shepherd and bishop of souls, and the cause of the Redeemner. And though you may find many imperfections in me and my services, yet I hope you will never have any just occasion to say or think, but that your best interest lies nearest my heart.
I conclude by wishing that you may be directed by wisdom from above in all your future proceedings, and that the spirit of Unity, Love and Peace may be with you, and the divine blessing rest upon us all. I subscribe myself your friend and humble servant, ZEDEKIAH SANGER."
He was ordained July 3d, 1776. The services were a prayer by Rev. Mr. Smith of Pembroke; a sermon by Rev. Elijah Brown of Sherburn, from Malachi ii, 7; the charge by Rev. William Rand of Kingston; and the right hand of fellowship by Rev. Gad Hitchcock of Pembroke. They con- cluded with a prayer by the Rev. William Shaw of Marsh- field.
Mr. Sanger's first sermon was from the text in Lev. xxv, 10, " And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants there- of," having reference to the Declaration of Independence, which had but just been proclaimed.
1780, Oct. 13th. "Voted that the psalms should be sung without being read line by line by the great majority."
1784, Feb. 2d. The town passed a vote to build a new meet- ing-house, which was erected the same year, midway between the North and South boundaries of the town. The building was raised Aug. 12th, 1784, and on the 18th June, 1785, it was first occupied for worship. This stood nearly sixty
1
207
REV. JOHN ALLYN.
1788.]
years, when it was torn down to give place to the present edifice on the same site. The burying ground adjoining, was first used in 1787.
1786, April 3d. The church held a meeting when Mr. Sanger asked a dismission. The consideration of the request, however, was deferred until the 6th of the month, which was Thanksgiving day. After the services they took it into seri- ous and deliberate consideration, and "on account of his infirmities in his eyes, which rendered him unable to pursue his studies, and the improbability of his being able to dis- charge the duties of the ministerial office in future," a dismis- sion was granted him. It was nevertheless desired that he should be the moderator of the church, until it should become into a more settled state. On the 10th of the same month, the town concurred. Mr. Sanger's salary was £80 per annum.
Mr. Sanger was afterwards settled over the church in South Bridgewater, Dec. 17th, 1788, as colleague to the Rev. John Shaw, and here he died, Nov. 17th, 1820, aged 73. He died, says Judge Mitchell, "after a life of usefulness and great activity. He was a scholar and learned divine. His house was a seminary in which he prepared young men for college and instructed young students in divinity. He was also preceptor of the academy, and enjoyed in a high degree the affection and respect of his people."
Previous to his removal to Bridgewater, he engaged in navigation in Duxbury ; but was very unsuccessful, two of his vessels having been destroyed by lightning.
1787, April 9th. The town extended an invitation to Mr. Jacob Haven to become their pastor, and he refused.
1788, May 7th. To Mr. Alden Bradford, who refused.
REV. JOHN ALLYN * was the next settled pastor. The town voted to call him to the ministry, Sept. 1st, 1788. He accept- ed on the 12th of October, and was ordained on the 3d of De-
* He was born at Barnstable, Mass., March 21st, 1767. Deane (Hist. Scituate) conjectures that he was descended from John Allen, who was of Plymouth 1633, Scituate 1646, and died 1661, whose wife was Ann, and whose children were Capt. John of Scituate, in 1698, and a daughter Jeane, who married John Marshall.
Dr. Allyn pursued the preparatory studies for admission to college under the care of the Rev Mr. Hilliard of Barnstable. He entered Harvard Col- lege in 1781, and took the degree of A. B. in 1785, and that of A. M. in 1788. Shortly before his graduation he was seized with a severe and violent sickness, which prevented him from appearing in the part assigned him at
208
REV. JOHN ALLYN. [1833.
cember. 'The sermon was by the Rev. Samuel West of North Bridgewater, (2 Tim. ii. 15); charge by Rev. Dr. Hitchcock of Pembroke; right hand of fellowship by Rev. David Barnes of Scituate. These performances were printed.
1790, April 5th. Voted, that the Sacred Scriptures should be read in the meeting-house every Lord's day by the minister.
1804. The church library was commenced.
1825, December. Dr. Allyn asks a colleague. See under Rev. Benj. Kent.
1833, July 19th. Died, Dr. Allyn, in his 67th year. His death occurred on Friday, and he was buried on Monday, in the tomb of the Hon. George Partridge. Several obituary notices of his death appeared in the newspapers at the time. The following sketch is chiefly an abstract from a memoir by his son-in-law, Rev. Convers Francis, which was published in the Mass. Hist. Society's Collections, of which association he was a member.
The ministry of Dr. Allyn was long, and for the most part happy. He discharged his duties with uniform fidelity and ability. He was the personal friend as well as the spiritual guide of his people - heartily devoted to their temporal and eternal welfare; judicious, but fearless in rebuking sin; wise and faithful in the administration of the interests of religion. He was the benefactor of the poor, the comforter of the dis- tressed, the counsellor of all. His professional reputation was such as to secure his rank among the first clergymen in the commonwealth. His opinion was valued, and his aid sought in those ways, which implied that his judgment was regarded with respectful confidence. After the settlement of his col- league, he seldom engaged in any public service, as his strength and spirits were constantly declining. It will be conceded by all who knew Dr. Allyn, that in the general cast of his mind there was much striking originality. He was seldom content to express his thoughts as other men, and ex- hibited all his ideas in such relations, as to give them the in- terest of novelty. He manifested a strong disposition to avoid the beaten track of thought, and thereby often expressed him-
Commencement. In his eighteenth year he left the college. During his academic course he was distinguished by persevering industry, and by a development of talent, which gave him a high rank among the members of his class. Returning to Barnstable, he was engaged some time in instruc- tion. Then determining to devote himself to the ministry, he studied the- ology under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Samuel West of Dartmouth. - 3 Mass. Hist. Coll. V. 245. Dr. Allyn married Abigail Bradford. His chil- dren were Rufus Bradford, March 27th, 1793, grad. at H. C. 1810 ; John, June 24th, 1794, died March 7th, 1824, unmarried, grad. at H. C. 1814 ; Abigail Bradford, Jan. 13th, 1796, married the Rev. Convers Francis, of Watertown ; Augusta, Aug. 18th, 1800, died unmarried ; James, Oct. 30th, 1801.
209
REV. JOHN ALLYN.
1833.]
self in a manner which might frequently admit of misconstruc- tion. A man who unites with such a disposition an incau- tious frankness of conversation, is very liable to be mistaken, and this was the case with Dr. Allyn; but those, who were familiar with him, recognized in these very expressions his far-reaching wisdom, and were struck with the felicitous nov- elty with which they were arrayed. His imagination was rich, but peculiar, though by no means poetical; it was the homely, yet playful one of strong common sense. He had none of that patience of investigation, which arrives at results through a long process ; but delighted to wander from topic to topic, as they were suggested by resemblances and relations.
His conversation also possessed a peculiar zest, which few of those who had the pleasure of listening to it, will ever forget, and hardly can the deep impressions caused by it be eradicated. His benevolence was proverbial, and he gave his charities almost to a fault. If ever a man lived free from the debasing influences of selfishness, it was Dr. Allyn, and none in doing good took more delight. His piety was sincere, rational and constant. Few men had more of the reality of religion, and less of its trappings, which are sometimes mis- taken for its essence. If there are those, who thought that he might justly be charged with speaking lightly of sacred subjects, they must remember that his views were expressed upon the appendages and speculations which men have con- nected with religion, and by no means upon its solemn truths.
His sermons were not distinguished for popular eloquence ; but were adapted to be useful in the most effectual manner. In his illustrations of the scriptures, he was always pertinent and impressive. In his religious opinions he was independent of all denominations, and no one was ever less shackled in his belief; though he always expressed a great dislike of religious controversy. As a scholar he stood high. In early life he directed his attention to the perusal of books; but latterly he most delighted in the observation of man and nature.
Thus was Dr. Allyn in the days of the full power of his intellectual endowments. The latter part of his life was darkened by disease, suffering and decay, when a premature feebleness came upon him. He was gradually reduced to bodily helplessness and mental prostration, by the effects of a paralysis.
His published writings are not many. In the summer of 1807, he was employed on a mission to Maine, for propagat- ing the gospel among the Indians. He was elected a member of the Mass. Hist. Soc. in 1799; of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1808; and received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Harvard College in 1813.
27
210
REV. BENJ. KENT-REV. JOSIAH MOORE. [1934.
REV. BENJAMIN KENT was ordained as colleague to Dr. Allyn, on the 7th of June, 1826. After a short, but trying and very laborious ministry, he was obliged to ask his dismis- sion, which was granted on the 7th of June, 1833.
The time has not yet come, when it would be becoming to speak of his faithful labors, among a people, who by him were much beloved, and from whose midst he was separated not without deep sorrow.
To the un wearied labors of Mr. Kent, the town owed much for the establishment at that time of a High school, which chief- ly through his instrumentality was commenced, and by his ex- ertions a sum sufficiently large was raised for its maintenance, and teachers, eminently qualified for the duties of instructors, were procured. It was first under the charge of Mr. George Putnam, now the Reverend Doctor P. of Roxbury, who was succeeded by Mr. William Augustus Stearns, who has since been settled as pastor of the church at Cambridgeport.
REV. JOSIAH MOORE, the next pastor, was settled over the church in 1834, over the affairs of which he still continues to preside.
211
GENEALOGICAL REGISTERS.
THE following Registers have been prepared, not without much labor; yet they are presented with a consciousness of their great and many imperfections. However, it is hoped that no considerable and important omissions have occurred, especially among the earliest settlers and inhabitants of the town; though among the families of later times many defi- ciences may happen. It has been my endeavor to give the families previous to about 1780 in as perfect a state as the re- cords and other documents within my reach would allow. It will be seen, that some families I have continued to the year 1800, and some even far later; especially those concerning which my knowledge of the later generations was more com- plete.
It is to be hoped, that some one of all the various families which are registered here, will consider the importance of con .. tinuing to a greater length the genealogy of his family, and bring it to a higher state of completion ; and should the slen- der accounts which I have gathered, be deemed suitable foundations of other memorials, and more extended biogra- phies, the object of my toil will have been accomplished.
Perhaps a word may be necessary concerning- the plan. The progenitor of a family is placed first, and (except in cases where there are more than one ancestor of the name,) is num- bered 1; as is also one of the progenitors (when there are more than one,) so marked ; while the other receives the next highest number after that of the last family of the descendants of the first progenitor. Immediately following the name of the father of a family, the brackets enclose the letters " s. of -"' (i. e. ""the son of,") followed by a figure referring to the family so numbered, where among the children of that family will be found the father's name, followed again by a figure in brackets referring forward to the original number. If a date
212
REMARKS AND ABBREVIATIONS.
follows immediately a name, it is that of the birth of that indi- vidual.
The principal sources of my information have been the town and church records, the colony and probate records, and among printed works, Judge Mitchell's Bridgewater, and Deane's Scituate. Numerous other sources and authorities will be enumerated in their respective places. In tracing the branches of a family, frequently it has been carried into the neighboring towns, and in such cases the town is carefully noted. It is owing to the formation of several towns out of the original limits of Duxbury, that a family may now be noted as residents of another town, whose ancestors, though dwelling on the same estate, were given as inhabitants of Duxbury.
A list of abbreviations, such as are used in the following pages, is here appended. Some others may perhaps occur, but they are such as will be readily understood.
Dux.
Duxbury.
a.
about. 1
M.
Marshfield.
b.
born.
K.
Kingston. d.
died.
Pem. Pembroke. da.
daughter.
Bridgew.
Bridgewater. B.
brother.
Scit. Scituate. m.
married. unmarried.
G. H.
Green Harbor. -
unm.
S. R.
South River. s.
son.
N. R.
North River.
ad.
admitted a freeman.
chd.
children.
s. p.
sine proles, (without issue.) Church.
asst.
assistant.
Chh. Rec.
Church records.
bk. brook.
Col. Rec.
Colony records.
bap.
baptized.
T. Rec.
Town records.
Dep.
Deputy.
Prob. Rec. Probate records.
Rep.
Representative.
H. C.
Harvard College.
prob.
probably.
prop.
proprietor.
Chh.
J. W.
Boston, 1849.
213
GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
1
ALDEN.
1. HON. JOHN, * b. 1599, Plymouth, m. Priscilla Mullins, removed to Dux., and d. Sept. 12th, 1686, æt. 87. He had ch'd - John, 1622 (2) ; Joseph, 1624 (3) ; Elizabeth, 1625, m. Wm. Pabodie; David, (4); Jonathan, 1627 (5) ; Sarah, m. Alexander Standish ; Ruth m. John Bass of Braintree, Feb. 13, 1657; Mary m. Thomas Delano.
2. CAPT. JOHN, (s. of 1,) Dux; ad. 1648; removed to Bos- ton about Dec. 1659, and lived in the west part of the town at Alden's lane, now so called. He had command at different times of several of the Massachusetts armed vessels, and often visited the coast at the eastward, where the few English settlers were much exposed to the attacks of the French and Indians. He accompanied Major Church in his first expedi- tion in 1689 in the Mary sloop. In this as well as in all the other expeditions, he was of essential service to the forces, as he was well acquainted with the coast, and possessed of con- siderable skill in naval tactics. His brave and resolute spirit and his open heart gained for him the esteem of all. He again joined the second expedition to the eastward, and also in the fourth, in 1696, commanded the Brigantine Endeavor. He continued until late in life in command of the public vessels. In 1696 he went with a reinforcement to Col. Church in the Massachusetts transport, accompanied by Col. Hawthorn of Salem, and in the account of this expedition,
* From what part of England he came, we have not been able to ascer- tain. A very few of the name appear to have been in England. In the London Directory of 1840 none appear. In Germany, on the continent, the name is more common. One has been a graduate of Cambridge, England. A Mr. Alden, of Bedford county, a scholar of St. John's College, suffered the tyrannical Bartholomew act. The name of Robert Alden appears among the names of the merchant adventurers of Plymouth, 1626.
ARMS. Guillim (Desplay of Heraldry) gives the following coat. "He beareth gules, three crescents within a border engrailed ermine by the name of Alden. This coat was assigned 8th Sept. 1607, by Wm. Camden, clarencieux, to John Alden of the Middle Temple." Alden's Epitaphs, III. Burke and Edmonson give the same arms, placing a bezant between the crescents, and add a crest-" Out of a ducal coronet per pale gules and sa- ble a demi lion or." This (add they) is borne by the Aldens of Hertford- shire and the Temple, London, and granted 1607. The following is also given as borne by the Aldens - " Or, a bat's wing gules, surmounted by another azure," with a " crest, out of a coronet argent two wings as in the arms." Edmonson (vol. i. p. 78) gives also-" Alden or Aldon, Gules a mullet argent between two crescents ermine, within a bordure engrailed of the second."
214
ALDEN.
given by Church he is called "old Mr. Alden," being at this time over seventy years of age. He did not probably after- wards engage actively in the campaigns. He d. Mar. 14th, 1702, æt. 80, and his will is dated Feb. 17th, preceding. He makes his sons John and William his executors, and it is witnessed by Thomas Savage, Chas. Chauncey, and Edward Turfrey. His estate amounted to £2059 11s. 7d. ; including a wooden house £400, a brick house, (bought of Samuel Jack- son,) £270, and debts due the estate, "most of which are desperate," £1259. He m. Elizabeth -, and had Mary Dec. 17th, 1659; m. 2d, Elizabeth Everill (widow of Abiel Everill, who d. Apr. Ist, 1660, and she was da. of Maj. Wm. Phillips of Saco); and by her, had John, Nov. 20, 1660; Elizabeth, May 9, 1662, d. July 14, 1662; John, Mar. 12, 1663 (6); William, Mar. 16, 1664, d. young; Elizabeth, Apr. 9, 1665, m. a Walley, m. 2d, (before Aug. 4, 1704) a Williard ; William, Mar. 5, 1666, d. young; Zachariah, Mar. 8, 1667, d. young; William, Sept. 10, 1669 (7); Na- thaniel, a. 1670 (S); Zachariah, Feb. 18, 1673 (9); Nathan, Oct. 17, 1677; Sarah, Sep. 27, 1681.
3. JOSEPH, (s. of 1, ) Dux .; ad. 1657; removed to Bridgew. ; inherited land there, and at Middleboro'; m. Mary Simmons. His will is dated Dec. 14, 1696, and his estate amounted to £76. His chd. were Isaac, Joseph, John -For a full and extended account of their descendants, see Thayer's Family Memorial, Alden's Epitaphs, and Judge Mitchell's Bridge- water.
4. DAVID, (s. of 1,) Dux .; was much employed in the public business of the town, one of its selectmen, its deputy, and likewise an assistant in the Government. He was like- wise a prominent member of the church, said to have been one of its deacons, and a man of the highest respectability. He received a grant of 40 acres in 1679, west of South river. He m. Mary South worth. He had Benjamin (10) ; Samuel (11) ; Alice m. Judah Paddock, and d. æt. 93.
5. CAPT. JONATHAN, (s. of 1,) Dux .; inherited the home- stead; d. Feb., 1697, leaving an estate of £309. He m. Abigail Hallett,* Dec. 10, 1672. She d. Aug. 17, 1725, æt.
* This name on the Dux. Records appears to be Ralat, as it has been frequently copied ; but the following abstract from the will of Andrew Hallett of Yarmouth, shows that it was intended for Halat, that is, Hallett. His will is dated June 4, 1684, and mentions his wife Ann, who survived him, and sons John (who was b. Dec. 11, 1650,) and Jonathan (who was b. 20 Nov., 1647,) and daughters Mehetable, Abigail the wife of Jonathan Alden, and Ruhamath, who m. Mr. Bourn (and had Timothy, Hannah, Eleazer, Hezekiah and John). Mr. Hallett's estate amounted to £1180, including £909 in real estate.
215
ALDEN.
81, and was buried in the old burying ground, where her stone now stands. His children were Andrew (12); Jona- than (13); John 1680 (14) ; and Benjamin (15).
6. JOHN, (s. of 2,) Boston. At the time of the Salem witch- craft, he was sent for by the magistrates of that town upon the accusation of several poor distracted and possessed crea- tures or witches. Upon his examination, these wretches began their juggling tricks, falling down and crying out, and staring in the faces of the people in an impudent manner. The magistrates demanded of them several times, who it was of all the people in the room, that afflicted them; one of the accusers pointed several times at one Capt. Hill; but said nothing, until a man standing behind her to hold her up, stooped down to her ear, when she immediately called out, " Alden, Alden afflicted her." Being asked if she had ever seen Alden, she replied No; but, said she, the man told her so. All were then ordered into the street, and a ring was made; when she cried out-" There stands Alden, a bold fellow, with his hat on, sells powder and shot to the Indians," &c. Capt. Alden was then committed to custody, and his sword taken from him, for it was with this, they said, he afflicted them. He was next ordered before the magistrates at the meeting-house and placed on a chair, to the open view of all the assembly. The accusers again cried out, that Alden pinched them, while he stood on the chair, and one of the magistrates bade the marshal hold open his hands that he might not touch them. Mr. Gidney, one of the justices, bid Capt. Alden confess and give glory to God. Capt. Alden replied that he hoped he should always give glory to God, but never would gratify the devil. He next asked, why they thought he should come to that village to afflict persons that he had never seen before, and appealed to all, and particularly challenged Mr. Gidney to produce a charge against his char- acter. Mr. Gidney replied, that he had known him for many years, and had been to sea with him, and always believed him to be an honest man ; but now he saw cause to alter his opinion. He then asked Gidney what reason could be given why his looking upon him did not strike him down as well as his miserable accusers ; but no reason could be given. He assured Gidney, that a lying spirit was in his accusers, and that there was not a word of truth in all they said of him. Capt. Alden was however committed to prison, May 31st, 1692, where he remained fifteen weeks, when having been prevailed upon by his friends, he made his escape, and ab- sented himself until the people recovered the use of their reason. He chose Duxbury as the place of his concealment, and here he remained at the house of one of his relatives, where he arrived late in the evening after his escape, and
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