History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c., Part 13

Author: Thacher, James, 1754-1844
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Boston : Marsh, Capen & Lyon
Number of Pages: 424


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c. > Part 13


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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


The public officers were to be paid in corn for their services, and all corn delivered in to pay the current expenses of the country to bear one price.


August 21st, 1658 .- Died William Paddy, aged 58 years.


Mr. Paddy for several years was elected deputy to the gen- eral court of Plymouth, and was also a deacon of the church, and possessed considerable wealth. He sustained an irre- proachable character, was devoted to the best interests of the colony, and was useful in both church and state. He removed to Boston in 1651. He had two sons born in Plymouth, Thom- as and Samuel, but the name appears to be now extinct .*


It was this year ordered that whosoever profaned the Lord's day by travelling, carrying burdens, &c. should be fined twenty shillings, or set in the stocks four hours.


M. B. having been sentenced for telling a lie, the court hav- ing examined particulars, have cleared her, but desired Mr. Hatherly, from the court to admonish her to be wary of giving offence to others by unnecessary talking. J. W. to be sharply reproved for writing a note on common business on Lord's day. E. H. for telling a lie, and R. J. for neglecting public worship, fined ten shillings each.


The court appointed Josiah Winslow and Constant South- worth, with the treasurer, to agree with workmen to erect a house of correction, to be added to the prison, fourteen feet in length, with a chimney to it.


1660 .- The council of war ordered, that during any appear-


* A singular incident occurred at Boston, in the summer of 1830. Some workmen employed in removing the earth from the north side of the Old State House, dug up a tombstone, considerably broken, on one side of which was the following inscription :


'Here lyeth the body of Mr. William Paddy. Departed this life Angust 1658.' From the records it appears that he was one of the selectmen of Boston at the time of his death.


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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.


[1661, 62


ance of danger, a military watch be kept in each town in the most convenient places for giving an alarm, and also to watch the sea coast and observe the motions of any ships that may appear. The firing of three muskets shall make an alarm in the night, and fires to be made where the alarm is given. The Dutch and French were to be considered as common enemies. The following instance of marriage may perhaps be ascribed to quaker influence. R. W. and M. C. for marrying disorderly, and without parent's consent, were sentenced to pay £10 fine, and be imprisoned during pleasure of court; and being desir- ous of being orderly married, were accordingly, this 9th of March, 1660. E. M. for accompanying and countenancing the above mentioned persons, fined twenty shillings. R. B. summoned to appear to answer for speaking contemptuously of singing psalms, and was convicted of the fact, and promised that he would be warned of so doing for the future. The court sharply admonished him, and that he should acknowledge his fault, which he engaged to do, and was discharged.


1661 .- At the court which assembled in June, a loyal declar- ation was made in favor of King Charles II. who had been restored to the throne of his ancestors.


R. Smith for lying concerning seeing a whale and other things, fined twenty shillings. A. Bessey for her cruel and unnatural practice towards her father-in law, G. Barlow, in chopping of him in the back, fined twenty shillings, or to be whipped.


D. B. and M. B. for the like towards their father-in-law, not in so high degree, both sentenced to sit in the stocks during the pleasure of court, which was performed.


The colony during this year sold, for £400 sterling, their lands on Kennebec river, to Antipas Boyes, Edward Tyng, Thomas Brattle, and John Winslow, and they originated the celebrated Plymouth company.


£60 was assessed for purchasing a place for the minister at Plymouth.


1662 .- S. H. for carrying a grist of corn from mill on Sun- day, fined 20 shillings, or to be whipped.


W. F. for suffering him to take it from the mill, fined 10 shillings.


William Randall for telling a lie, fined 10 shillings.


Clark's island was now abandoned, and not improved by any one.


Town expenses, £25. 5s. 3d. Ten pounds was assessed to procure bellows and tools for a smith, for the use of the town.


Philip, sachem of Pokanoket, made his appearance at the court of Plymouth, and solicited the continuance of the amity


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1663]


and friendship which had existed between the government of Plymouth and his father (Massasoit) and brother. To that end he desired, for himself and his successors, that they might for- ever, remain subject to the King of England, his heirs and suc- cessors; and promised that he and his would truly and exactly observe and keep inviolate such conditions as had formerly been made by his predecessors; and particularly that he would not, at any time, needlessly or unjustly provoke or raise war with any of the natives; nor give, sell, or dispose of any lands to stran- gers, or to any others without their privity or appointment; but would in all things endeavor to live peaceably and inoffensively towards the English. The court expressed their willingness to continue the friendship ; and promised to afford the Indians such friendly assistance by advice and otherwise, as they justly might, and to require their own people at all times to maintain a friendly conduct toward them. The original name of Philip was Matacomet. Mather says, 'it was at this time that he de- sired an English name, and that the court named him Philip.' Judge Davis says, ' After the death of Massasoit, about the year 1656, his two sons, Wamsutta and Metacomet, came to the court at Plymouth, and professing great respect, requested that English names might be given them. Wamsuita, the eldest brother, was thereupon named Alexander; the youngest, Met- acomet was called Philip.'-Note on Morton. The agreement in court was soon after the death of Alexander .- Holmes's An .*


1663 .- Mr. John Brown, who had frequently been an assist- ant in the government, having been elected in 1636, and contin- ued by successive elections to 1656, died this year at his resi- dence in Rehoboth. He was also one of the commissioners of the United Colonies from 1644 to 1655. James Brown, who was chosen an assistant in 1665, and lived at Swansey, was his son.


' We find the same remark made respecting Mr. Brown as of Mr. Winslow and Captain Standish, that, while on their travels, they became casually acquainted with the refugees at Leyden, and were so attached to them, on acquaintance, as to unite themselves to their society. A connexion, thus formed and continued through so many difficulties, is alike honorable to all · parties; we are led to infer, that there was something prepos- sessing in the deportment of the pilgrims, interesting and con- genial to generous minds.'


* Some very interesting particulars respecting the subsequent conduct of these two Indians, and the origin of the memorable con- test, denominated Philip's war, may be found in Judge Davis's note in the Memorial, p. 287, and also in the appendix to this volume.


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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.


[1664, 65


Jan. 26 .- There was a tremendous earthquake in the north- ern parts of America. It was felt throughout New England .- See Judge Davis's note on Morton, p. 289, 294.


This year the ministerial house was built in Plymouth, and £60 voted to finish it. Half the payment in tar and corn; the tar to be twelve pence in the barrel cheaper than at Boston; the other half in wheat, barley, peas, butter, or money. This parsonage house was erected on the north side of First street, (Leyden street) just below the present precinct house, but not on the same lot. The house, erected in 1832, by Mr. James Bartlett, Jr., and that on the west side of it, now occupy the place. The lot on which stands the present precinct mansion house, was given to the First Church of Christ in Plymouth, by Bridget Fuller and Samuel Fuller, the worthy widow and son of Dr. Samuel Fuller.


1664 .- In 1664, king Charles II. issued a commission empower- ing Col. Richard Nicolls, Sir Robert Carr, George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, Esquires, ' to hear and determine com- plaints and appeals in all cases, as well military as criminal and civil,' within New England, and to proceed in all things for set- tling the peace and security of the country. His majesty caused letters to be addressed to the government of New Plymouth, in which are many expressions of royal grace and favor, promising to preserve all their liberties and privileges, both ecclesiastical and civil, without the least violation; and enjoining loyalty, af- fection and obedience on the part of his New-England subjects.


Thomas Willet was chosen to confer with the commissioners in behalf of the Plymouth colony, making respectful professions of fidelity and allegiance.


1665 .- The following are the propositions made by his ma- jesty's commissioners to the general court of New Plymouth, held at Plymouth, for the jurisdiction of New Plymouth, the twenty-second of February, Ann. Dom. 1665.


1. That all householders inhabiting in the colony take the oath of allegiance; and the administration of justice be in his majesty's name.


2. That all men of competent estates and civil conversation, though of different judgments, may be admitted to be freemen, and have liberty to choose and be chosen officers, both civil and military.


3. That all men and women of orthodox opinions, competent knowledge, and civil lives, (not scandalous,) may be admitted to the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and their children to baptism, if they desire it: either by admitting them into the congregations already gathered, or permitting them to gather


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themselves into such congregations, where they may have the benefit of the sacrament.


4. That all laws and expressions in laws, derogatory to his majesty, if any such have been made in these late troublesome times, may be repealed, altered, or taken off from the file.


The Court's Answer. 1. To the first we consent, it having been the practice of this court, in the first place, to insert in the oath of fidelity required of every householder, to be truly loyal to our sovereign lord, the king, his heirs, and successors. Also, to administer all acts of justice in his majesty's name.


2. To the second we also consent, it having been our con- stant practice to admit men of competent estates and civil con- versation, though of different judgments, yet being otherwise orthodox, to be freemen, and to have liberty, to choose and be chosen officers, both civil and military.


3. To the third we cannot, but acknowledge it to be a high favor. from God and from our sovereign that we may enjoy our conscience in point of God's worship, (the main end of trans- planting ourselves into these remote corners of the earth, ) and should most heartily rejoice, that all our neighbors, so qualified as in that proposition, would adjoin themselves to our societies, according to the order of the gospel, for enjoyment of the sacraments to themselves and theirs; but if, through different persuasions respecting church government, it cannot be ob- tained, we would not deny a liberty to any, according to the proposition, that are truly conscientious, although differing from us, especially where his majesty commands it, they maintain- ing an able preaching ministry for the carrying on of public sabbath worship, which, we doubt not, is his majesty's intent, and withdraw not from paying their due proportion of mainte- nance to such ministers as are orderly settled in the places where they live, until they have one of their own, and that in such places as are capable of maintaining the worship of God in two distinct congregations. We being greatly encouraged by his majesty's gracious expressions in his letter to us, and your honor's further assurance of his Royal purpose, to con- tinue our liberties, that where places, by reason of our paucity and poverty, are incapable of two, it is not intended that such congregations as are already in being should be rooted out, but their liberties preserved, there being other places to ac- commodate men of different persuasions in societies by them- selves, which, by our known experience, tends most to the pre- servation of peace and charity.


4. To the fourth we consent that all laws and expressions in laws derogatory to his majesty, if any such shall be formed


11


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[1665


amongst us, which at present we are not conscious of, shall be repealed, altered, and taken off from the file.


By order of the general court for the jurisdiction of New Plymouth. Per me,


NATHANIEL MORTON, Secretary.


The conditions expressed in the answer to the third proposi- tion appeared so reasonable to the commissioners, that when they afterwards met the general assembly of Connecticut, in April, 1665, their third proposition is qualified in substance, conformably to the Plymouth reply .- Judge Davis's Ed. Mem.


So favorable was the report of the Royal commissioners re- specting the affairs and proceedings of the. Plymouth colony, that in 1666 his majesty addressed a second letter to that gov- ernment, in which the Royal approbation and praise are ex- pressed in exalted terms, presuming that the fidelity and affec- tion for their sovereign are 'rooted in their hearts.' 'Al- though,' says the letter, 'your carriage of itself must justly deserve our praise and approbation, yet it seems to be set off with more lustre by the contrary deportment of the colony of Massachusetts, as if by their refractoriness they had designed to recommend and heighten the merit of your compliance with our directions for the peaceable and good government of our subjects in those parts. You may, therefore, assure yourselves, that we shall never be unmindful of this your loyal and dutiful behavior, but shall upon all occasions take notice of it to your advantage, promising you our constant protection and royal favor in all things that may concern your safety, peace, and welfare. And so we bid you farewell.'


At the general court of magistrates and deputies assembled at Plymouth in October, 1665, it was deemed indispensably necessary that Governor Prince should remove his residence from Eastham to Plymouth, for the more convenient adminis- tration of justice, and he having complied with the requisition, the court therefore ordered that his salary should be £50 per annum. And as he resided in a place which had been pur- chased by the colony ' for that end,' it was further ordered, in case of his decease, his family should be permitted to remain in the place for a year; or if he should not be re-elected, he should be at liberty to remain in the government house a year.


With respect to the assistants, it was enacted that the old magistrates should be allowed £20 per annum, and that the charge of their table should be defrayed, and those who were newly elected should be allowed the charge of their table only.


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In July, 1667, £50 annual salary was allowed to all the assist- ants, and the charge of their table. It was also enacted, that such as were chosen to the office, and should refuse to serve, should be fined £5 for the use of the colony.


1666 .- 'This year,' says Morton, the author of the New England Memorial, 'much of the wheat is destroyed by blast- ing and mildew; ' and it appears that this evil so frequently at- tended the attempts to cultivate that valuable grain on the sea- coast, that the inhabitants became discouraged and relinquished further trials.


This year, it was enacted that only three courts in the year should be holden for the trial of causes by jury, viz. on the first Tuesday of March and July, and the last Tuesday in October, but that it should be lawful, on special occasions, for any citi- zen of the colony, or others, to purchase special courts in the interim, to be composed of the governor and three of the ma- gistrates at least. Subsequently, the governor and two assist- ants were empowered to authorize the purchase of a court, in the interim between the courts, to be holden by the governor and three assistants at least, and to be at the expense of the applicants.


The office and duties of Selectmen. This office was fraught with responsibleness, and required men of good intelligence and information. They were constituted a court for the trial of small causes, being empowered to hear and determine all debts and differences arising betwixt person and person, not exceeding thirty shillings, and also to hear and determine all differences arising betwixt any Indians and English of their respective townships, &c. In 1666, their powers were en- larged; they might determine cases where the damages were laid at 40s., the right of appeal being preserved. They were also empowered to administer oaths and to issue executions. They were also required to take notice of all who came into the government without the approbation of the governor and two assistants. The court ordered the selectmen to require an account of all whom they should suppose to have neglected public worship, from profanity or slothfulness, and if they were not satisfied to return their names to the court. The select- men were required to take an oath for the just and faithful dis- charge of the duties of their office.


1667 .- The town agreed to send for Mr. John Cotton, min- ister, and bear the charge of the transportation of him, and his family and goods from Martha's Vineyard to Plymouth, and to allow him the sum of £50 for the present year.


The Royal commissioners having made a special request to


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[1668


the court, that a grant of land might be made to Peregrine White, in respect that he was the first of the English born in these parts, the court granted him 200 acres in Bridgewater, adjoining Massachusetts. In August of this year, the squaw sachem of Pocasset, named Weetamore, in attempting to escape from her pursuers, by crossing Tetticut river on a raft, was drowned. "She was," says Dr. Mather, " next unto Philip in respect of the mischief that hath been done. Some of Taunton, finding an Indian squaw in Mattepoiset, newly dead, cut off her head, and it happened to be Weetamore, i. e. squaw sachem, her head. When it was set upon a pole in Taunton, the Indians who were prisoners there, knew it presently, and made a most horrid and diabolical lamentation, crying out that it was their queen's head." Was not this an inhuman act?


1668 .- At a town-meeting in October, it was ordered, that the selectmen have full power to require of any that shall re- ceive strangers into their houses to give security, to save the town from charge; and also ordered, that John Everson be forthwith warned to depart from the town. It was ordered, February 5th, that only such. be reputed townsmen as were inhabitants and freeholders thereof at the time when the court allowed it to be a town, and their successors, and that it be at their liberty to admit such others as are house-keepers of hon- est life, and are like to approve themselves so as they may be beneficial to the commonwealth, according to their capacity and abilities.


It was this year, in town-meeting, ordered, that all persons shall bring in true bills of their estate to the raters, and if any neglect, it is left to the raters to rate them as they shall in their discretion see cause, and if any one bring in a false bill, the raters, suspecting it, shall present it to the town at a meeting, and, if proved false, the person is to forfeit 12 pence on the pound for whatever rateable goods he hath omitted. The rateable property is then enumerated, and its value stated. All lands, upland and meadow. All stock, as neat cattle, horses, sheep, and swine. All single men, who have not presented above 18 pounds stock, shall notwithstanding be rated to that amount. *Weavers were rated for their looms. Tailors for their faculty, to be valued at 20 pounds stock. Those in public office, re- ceiving salaries, were rated. All those who are engaged about fishing to be valued at 20 pounds estate. Edward Gray stood the highest for stock in trade, being six score pounds.


Serjeant Harlow, for his faculty, being a Cooper, £40


Joseph Bartlett -


Cooper, ' £30


Samuel Rider, - -


Cooper, £30


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1668]


Joseph Dunham - - Carpenter, £30


James Cole, keeping an Ordinary,


£20


Thomas Lucas, being a Smith,


£50


Jabez Howland - - Smith, £40


Edward Gray, Serjeant Harlow, and Edward


Dotey, for their boat, £25


Edward Gray for another boat,


£25


Jonathan Barnes for a boat,


£18


George Watson for a boat,


£12


Lieut. Morton for a boat, £18


Imprisonment for Debt authorised. An act for the pre- vention of the diversion of the execution of justice, by fraud or cozen, provided that where estate could not be found " to satisfy any fine or mulct due the country, or to answer a judg- ment obtained against any persons at the particular suit of any, the person of any so fined or cast in law shall be secured, to be responsible thereunto."


Constables, in case of the inability of coroners, were to call inquests on dead bodies. In reference to such as come to un- timely deaths, it was enacted, July 1673, that there should be no burial without information to a coroner, or a constable where there is no coroner, under a penalty of £5. The near- est relations to the deceased to give notice; if none, any per- son, having knowledge of the fact, was bound to communicate it, for which he was to be paid from the estate of the deceased, and where there was no estate, by the treasurer. In 1668, none were permitted to vote in town-meetings but freemen and freeholders, of £20 rateable estate, and of good conversation, having taken the oath of fidelity.


October. Price of produce was regulated as follows, in pay- ment of minister's salary: Wheat 4s. 6d .; barley 4s .; rye 3s. 6d .; corn 3s .; peas 3s .; malt 4s .; butter 6d.


Timothy Hatherly, the founder of Scituate, dicd there this year. Mr. Hatherly was an eminent English merchant, and had been one of the most zealous of the adventurers in for- warding the settlement of the colony. He came over in the Ann in 1623, as already mentioned, and returned home; came over again in 1632, and settled at Scituate, of which place he may be considered the founder. He was elected an assistant in 1636, and was continued in that office by successive elec- tions until 1658. He was the treasurer of the colony, and sometimes a commissioner of the United Colonies. Mr. Hath- erly was a gentleman of great intelligence and piety, and ex- tremely useful in all the transactions of the colony.


A. H. for making a proposal of marriage to E. P. and pro- 11 *


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[1669


secuting the same, contrary to her parent's liking and without their consent, and directly contrary to their mind and will, was sentenced to pay a fine of five pounds and find securities for good behaviour, and desist the use of any means to obtain or retain her affections. The bond A. H. acknowledgeth to owe the king £50, J. D. £25, T. W. £25. The condition that whereas the said A. H. hath disorderly and unrighteously en- deavored to obtain the affections of Miss E. P. against the mind and will of her parents, if therefore the said A. H. shall for the future refrain and desist the use of any means to obtain or retain her affections as aforesaid, and appear at court the first Tuesday of July next, and be of good behaviour, &c. Re- leased July 3d, 1667. A. H. did solemnly and seriously en- gage before the court that he will wholly desist, and never ap- ply himself for the future as formerly he hath done to Miss E. P. in reference unto marriage. July, 1667.


Twenty pounds were allowed by the colony towards printing the New England Memorial, and it was recommended to the towns to make a free and voluntary contribution towards it. The treasurer was directed to have it printed, and five pounds more were added. The next year the court ordered the trea- surer to make good a barrel of beef to Mr. Green, the printer, at Cambridge, to satisfy what is behind for printing the New England Memorial, which is something more than is due, but the court is willing to allow it, as he complains of a hard bar- gain.


1669 .- Single persons were forbidden to live by themselves, or in any family excepting such as should be approved by the selectmen.


E. D. of Eastham, for slandering and belying his neighbors, was fined twenty shillings, and reserved for future censure to a further trial of his future conversation. J. C. for travelling on Sunday, and W. H. for conveying wood on Sunday, fined ten shillings each. N. S. for telling several lies to the damage of the colony, fined £5, or to be whipped. H. R. for abusing her husband, sentenced to be publicly whipped at the post: at the earnest entreaty of herself and others, and promising amend- ment, it was suspended; but if at any other time she be taken in the like fault, it is to be executed.




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