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 19
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John Cotton, Esq. son of the above, was born April, 1712, graduated at Harvard College, 1730, and was ordained minister at Halifax, county of Plymouth, October, 1736. From an in- disposition, which greatly affected his voice, he requested and received his dismission in 1756. He succeeded his father in the office of Register of Deeds, which he held until his decease, which took place Nov. 4th, 1789, in the 78th year of his age. He was considered an able theologian, and his pulpit perform- ances were much esteemed by judicious auditors. He was the author of the valuable Account of Plymouth Church, appended to the sermon preached at the ordination of Rev. Chandler Robbins, in 1760. This account was republished in the 4th vol. of the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. and has been resorted to by the author of the present work .- He published, also, seasonable warnings to the churches o New England, and tracts on Infant Baptism, and several occa. sional sermons. He was chosen by the town, delegate to the convention for forming a constitution for the Commonwealth, ir the year 1780, and was one of the committee for the county to draft the constitution. He left sons and daughters. Josiah, the eldest, was the minister at Wareham, and afterwards a magis trate and clerk of the court for the county of Plymouth. He died April, 1819, aged 71, leaving one son, who is a physician in the state of Ohio, and one daughter who is the wife of Isaac L. Hedge, Esq. of this town. Two other sons of John Cotton are Rossetter, the present Register of Deeds for the county and Ward, minister of Boylston. His son, John, was lost a sea in the year 1800, leaving a widow and two daughters.
1761 .- March 12th. Two shocks of an earthquake were felt throughout New England.
1764 .- This year, the people in the New England Provinces began to manifest considerable alarm at the measures of the British administration, founded on their claims to make laws and levy taxes on the people without their consent.
1665 .- A Stamp Act having passed the British Parliament the greatest excitement was created throughout the Americar colonies. The inhabitants of this town participated in the pa- triotic spirit, and resolved to unite in the general opposition to
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me obnoxious measure .* In town meeting, October 14th, it ras voted to instruct their representative to the general court, represent the feelings and sentiments of the inhabitants as ost decidedly opposed to any tax in the form of stamps or tamp acts, and to exert his influence against the execution of he stamp act. The instructions teem with patriotic ardor, alling to mind that they inhabit the spot where our ancestors punded an asylum for liberty. 'We likewise,' say the instruc- ions, ' to avoid disgracing the memories of our ancestors, as vell as the reproaches of our own consciences and the curses f posterity, recommend it to you to obtain, if possible, in the honorable house of representatives in this province, full and explicit assertions of our rights, and to have the same entered on their public records, that all generations yet to come may e convinced that we have not only a just sense of our rights ind liberties, but that we never (with submission to Divine Providence) will be slaves to any power on earth.' The stamp ict was repealed January 16th, 1766. The town on this passed L vote of thanks to the town of Boston for their patriotic mea- ures in asserting and defending the precious rights and liber- ies of our common country, and the following is the answer to he Plymouth address.
' Boston, March 10th, 1767 .- The inhabitants of the town of Boston, legally assembled in Faneuil Hall, have received with singular pleasure your respectful address of the 16th of Janu- hry last. The warm sentiments of public virtue which you herein express is a sufficient evidence, that the most ancient town in New England, to whose predecessors this province, in a particular manner, is so greatly indebted for their necessary aid in its original settlement, still retain the truly noble spirit of our renowned ancestors. When we recollect the ardent love of religion and liberty which inspired the breasts of those worthies, which induced them at a time, when tyranny had laid its oppressive hand on church and state in their native country, to forsake their fair possessions, and seek a retreat in this dis- tant part of the earth; when we reflect upon their early care to lay a solid foundation for learning, even in a wilderness, as the surest, if not the only means of preserving and cherishing the principles of liberty and virtue, and transmitting them to us, their posterity, our mind is filled with deep veneration, and we bless and revere their memory. When we consider the immense cost and pains they were at in subduing, cultivating,
* By this act a ream of bail bonds stamped would cost £100; a ream of common printed ones before was £15. A ream of stamped policies of insurance was £190; of common ones without stamps £20.
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and settling this land, with the utmost peril of their lives, and the surprising increase of dominion, strength and riches, which have accrued to Great Britain by their expense and labor, we confess we feel an honest indignation to think there ever should have been any among her sons so ungrateful, as well as unjust and cruel, as to seek their ruin. Instances of this too fre- quently occur in the past history of our country. The names of Randolph, Andros and others, are handed down to us with infamy; and the times in which we live, even these very times. may furnish some future historian with a catalogue of those who look upon our rising greatness with an envious eye; and while we and our sister colonies have been exerting our grow- ing strength in the most substantial service to the mother coun- try, by art and intrigue have wickedly attempted to seduce hel into measures to enslave us. If then, gentlemen, the inhabit- ants of this metropolis have discovered an invariable attach- ment to the principles of liberty, when it has been invaded ; i: they have made the most vigorous exertions for our country. when she has been threatened with the loss of every thing that is dear: if they have used their utmost endeavors, that she may be relieved from those difficulties with which she is al this time embarrassed: if they have taken the warrantable anc legal measures to prevent that misfortune, of all others the most to be dreaded, the execution of the stamp act; and as a ne- cessary means of preventing it, have made any spirited appli- cation for opening the custom-houses and courts of justice; il at the same time they have borne their testimony against outra- geous tumults and illegal proceedings, and given any examples of the love of peace and good order,-next to the conscious- ness of having done their duty, is the satisfaction of meeting with the approbation of any of their fellow countrymen. That the spirit of our venerable forefathers may revive, and be dif- fused through every community in this land; that liberty both civil and religious, the grand object in view, may still be felt, enjoyed, and vindicated by the present generation, and the fair inheritance transmitted to our latest posterity, is the fervent wish of this metropolis.
Signed Samuel Adams. John Ruddock. John Hancock.'
1769 .- On the 12th day of May there was a snow storm of twelve hours continuance.
Old Colony Club .- This year seven respectable individuals, inhabitants of Plymouth, instituted a social club which they styled as above. They elected an additional number of mem- bers, and invited guests were admitted to their meetings. It
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was in this club that the custom of solemnizing the anniversary of the arrival of our forefathers first originated, and this was the principal object of its formation. I shall transcribe for the entertainment of my readers, such parts of their records as cannot fail of being acceptable. The late Isaac Lothrop, Esq. a zealous antiquarian, was their president, and Captain Thomas Lothrop, secretary.
January 16th, 1769 .- ' Wc whose names are underwritten, having maturely weighed and seriously considered the many disadvantages and inconveniences that arise from intermixing with the company at the taverns in this town, and apprehend- ing that a well regulated club will have a tendency to prevent the same, and to increase, not only the pleasure and happiness of the respective members, but, also, will conduce to their edi- fication and instruction, do hereby incorporate ourselves into a society, by the name of the Old Colony Club. For the better regulation of which we do consent and agree to observe all such rules and laws, as shall froin time to time be made by the club. Dated at our Hall, in Plymouth, the day and year above written.
Isaac Lothrop. John Thomas.
Pelham Winslow.
Edward Winslow, Jr.
Thomas Lothrop. John Watson.
Elkanah Cushman.
December 18th .- At a meeting of the club, voted, that Fri- day next be kept by this club in commemoration of the landing of our worthy ancestors in this place; that the club dine to- gether at Mr. Howland's, and that a number of gentlemen be invited to spend the evening with us at the Old Colony Hall.
Old Colony Day. First Celebration of the Landing of our Forefathers .- Friday, December 22. The Old Colony Club, agreeably to a vote passed the 18th instant, met, in commemo- ration of the landing of their worthy ancestors in this place. On the morning of the said day, after discharging a cannon, was hoisted upon the hall an elegant silk flag, with the following inscription, ' Old Colony,' 1620. At eleven o'clock, A. M. the members of the club appeared at the hall, and from thence proceeded to the house of Mr. Howland, inn-holder, which is erected upon the spot where the first licensed house in the Old Colony formerly stood; at half after two a decent repast was served, which consisted of the following dishes, viz.
1, a large baked Indian whortleberry pudding; 2, a dish of sauquetach, (succatach, corn and beans boiled together); 3, a dish of clams; 4, a dish of oysters and a dish of cod fish; 5, a haunch of venison, roasted by the first Jack brought to the 16
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colony; 6, a dish of sea fowl; 7, a dish of frost fish and eels; 8, an apple pie; 9, a course of cranberry tarts, and cheese made in the Old Colony.
These articles were dressed in the plainest manner (all ap- pearance of luxury and extravagance being avoided, in imita- tion of our ancestors, whose memory we shall ever respect.) At 4 o'clock, P. M. the members of our club, headed by the steward, carrying a folio volume of the laws of the Old Colony, hand in hand marched in procession to the hall. Upon the appearance of the procession in front of the hall, a number of descendants from the first settlers, in the Old Colony drew up in a regular file, and discharged a volley of small arms, suc- ceeded by three cheers, which were returned by the club, and the gentlemen generously treated. After this, appeared at the private grammar school opposite the hall, a number of young gentlemen, pupils of Mr. Wadsworth, who, to express their joy upon this occasion, and their respect for the memory of their ancestors, in the most agreeable manner joined in singing a song very applicable to the day. At sunsetting a cannon was discharged, and the flag struck. In the evening the hall was illuminated, and the following gentlemen, being previously in- vited, joined the club, viz.
Col. George Watson. Col. James Warren. James Hovey, Esq.
Thomas Mayhew, Esq.
William Watson, Esq.
Capt. Gideon White.
Capt. Elkanah Watson.
Capt. Thomas Davis.
Dr. Nathaniel Lothrop.
Mr. John Russell.
Mr. Edward Clarke.
Mr. Alexander Scammell.
Mr. Peleg Wadsworth.
Mr. Thomas Southworth How- land.
The president being seated in a large and venerable chair,* which was formerly possessed by William Bradford, the sec- ond worthy governor of the Old Colony, and presented to the club, by our friend Dr. Lazarus Le Baron, of this town, deliv- ered several appropriate toasts. | After spending the evening in an agreeable manner, in recapitulating and conversing upon the many and various advantages of our forefathers in the first settlement of this country, and the growth and increase of the same,-at eleven o'clock in the evening a cannon was again
* This ancient chair reverted to the heirs of Dr. Le Baron when the club was dissolved, and is now in the family of Nathaniel Rus- sell, Esq.
+ One of the toasts was this :-
" May every enemy to civil or religious liberty meet the same or a worse fate than Archbishop Laud.
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fired, three cheers given, and the club and company withdrew.
1770, December 24. In pursuance of the determination at their last meeting, for the purpose of celebrating this 24th day of December (the 22d falling on Saturday,) in commemora- tion of that period which landed their progenitors safely on this American shore, after having endured the persecution of ene- mies, the perils of an unknown ocean, the crosses of fortune, and innumerable difficulties and hazards attending such emi- grants.
The morning of the day gave such general joy and satis- faction to their descendants in this place, that notwithstanding the severity of the season, as soon as light appeared a company of grateful youths paraded our streets, and, with cannon and volleys of small arms, aroused the town from its slumbers. At ten o'clock, the members of the club, being joined by Messrs. Alexander Scammell and Peleg Wadsworth, B. A., assembled at the House of Mr. Howland, an innholder in Plymouth, and at twelve, were joined by the following gentlemen, viz. Thomas Foster, James Hovey, George Watson, and James Warren, Esqrs., Capt. Elkanah Watson and Doctor Nathaniel Lothrop, of Plymouth, and the Hon. William Sever, Esq. of Kingston, where, after having amused themselves in conversation upon the history of emigrant colonies, and the constitution and de- clension of empires, ancient and modern, they were served with an entertainment, foreign from all kinds of luxury, and consiting of fish, flesh, and vegetables, the natural produce of this colony; after which, the company being increased by Ed- ward Winslow, Esq., Doctor Lazarus Le Baron, William Watson, Esq., Thomas Mayhew, Esq., Deacon John Torry, Captain Theophilus Cotton, Captain Abraham Hammett, Mr. Ephraim Spooner, and Mr. John Crandon, a number of toasts were drank, grateful to the remembrance of our ancestors, and loyal to those kings under whose indulgent care this colony has flourished and been protected. From which house, the club, together with the before mentioned gentlemen, being es- corted by a select company, well skilled in the military arts, walked in decent procession to Old Colony Hall, in the course of which they were met, and attended upon, by a company of children from the age of five to the age of twelve, whose nat- ural ingenuity and the care and attention of their master, hath rendered them almost perfect military disciplinarians, a scene that excited the admiration of every spectator. Upon their arrival at the door of the hall, the whole company entered the room, being introduced by the steward and complimented by the club, and the escort, by whom was performed a variety of manœuvres and firings, to the great satisfaction of every per-
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son present .* When the sun had set, and the military gentle- men had dispersed, the Old Colony flag was struck, the can- non fired, and the company in the hall were joined by the Rev. Chandler Robbins, pastor of the First Church of Christ in Plymouth.
In order to remind us of the debt of gratitude we owe to our God, and to our ancestors, the following words were spoken, with modest and decent firmness, by a member of the club, (Edward Winslow, Jr. Esq.)
' When I recollect, that about one century and a half since, a few worthies on the Island of Great Britain, persecuted and tormented by the wicked aspiring great, for thinking freely, and for acting with the same dignity and freedom with which they thought, although their sentiments and conduct were con- formed to the laws of the society in which they lived, contrary to the common cause of suffering humanity, which frequently sinks in proportion to the power exerted against it, did dare, in defiance of their persecutors, to form themselves into one body for the common safety and protection of all, an engagement, which though founded on the true and genuine principles of re- ligion and virtue, unhappy experience taught them was too weak and insecure a barrier against the arts and stratagems of such potent adversaries. When we recollect that, under these melancholy circumstances, having no other resort to pre- serve the purity of their minds, they abandoned their native country, their friends, their fortunes, and connexions, and transported themselves to the city of Leyden, with the most sanguine hopes of a protection which the Island had refused to afford them. When we recollect that persecution, from another quarter, rendered their situation in the states of Hol- land equally as perplexed and disagreeable,-how am I aston- ished that such repeated disappointments had not rendered them too weak ever to make another attempt. But when we view them rising from their misfortunes with tenfold vigor, and,
* Peleg Wadsworth was a native of Duxbury, graduated at Har- vard, 1769. He was for many years a respectable teacher of a grammar school in this town ; and in 1775, when minute companies were formed, and the manual exercise arrested general attention, he devoted much of his time to the instruction of young men in the use of fire-arms, and instilling into the minds of youth a true sense and value of liberty and freedom. He was at some period of the revolutionary war in military service, and in 1780 appointed to the command of a detachment of state troops, in Camden, state of Maine. In this situation he was assaulted and captured by the British, under circumstances of peril and suffering almost unprece- dented .- See President Dwight's Travels, and Thacher's Military Journal.
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upon the same virtuous principles, crossing the Atlantic with the dearest companions of life, their wives, their helpless off- spring, exposed to the roughness of the ocean, to the inclem- encies of the weather, and all their attendant evils, and landing In the tempestuous month of December upon an unknown shore, inhabited by men more fierce than beasts of prey, and scarcely deserving to be called human, natural enemies to their virtue and morality, with whom they are obliged to wage an Immediate and unequal war for their defence and safety. When we view them, under all the disadvantages naturally at- endant upon a state of sickness and poverty, defending them- selves against savage cruelties, and still persevering in their virtuous resolutions, establishing their religion in this then desert, forming a code of laws wisely adapted to their circum- stances, and planting a colony, which, through divine goodness, has flourished and become an important branch of that body which caused their emigration, -how am I lost in amazement! And to what cause can we ascribe these deliverances and sal- vation, but to that Almighty being who orders all events for the benefit of mankind, whose ways are to us unsearchable, and whose doings are past our finding out.
' Upon a recollection of all these things, it is not to be won- lered, that we the sons and descendants from such illustrious ancestors, upon this 22d of December, are assembled upon the very spot on which they landed, to commemorate this period, the most important that the annals of America can boast, a period which, I doubt not, every person here present esteems an honor, as well as his incumbent duty, gratefully to remem- ber; and while we feel for the misfortunes and calamities of those, our pious ancestors, the consequences of which to us are so delightful and glorious, let us also admire and adore their virtue, their patience, their fortitude, and their heroism, and continue to commemorate it annually. This virtue is un- doubtedly rewarded with joys which no tongue can utter, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive; and if we, their sons, act from the same principles, and conduct with the same noble firmness and resolution, when our holy religion or our civil liberties are invaded, we may expect a reward propor- tionate; for such principles render the soul tranquil and easy under all the misfortunes and calamities to which human nature is exposed, and of him who is possessed by them, the poet with propriety says,
"Should the whole fraine of nature round him break, In ruin and confusion hurled, He, unconcerned, would hear the mighty crack, And stand secure amidst a falling world." 16 *
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The evening was concluded by singing a song composed by Mr. Alexander Scammel .*
1771, December 20. At an occasionul meeting, Alexander Scammel, M. A., was, by his desire, unanimously voted in as a member of the club.
December 23d. The 22d falling on Sunday, the club voted to celebrate Forefathers' Day on Monday, the 23d. In the morning a cannon was discharged, and the flag hoisted on the hall. At noon, the club being joined by a number of the most respectable gentlemen in town, met in a spacious room at the house of Mr. Wethrell, innholder, where they partook of a plain and elegant entertainment, and spent the afternoon ir cheerful and social conversation, upon a variety of subjects peculiarly adapted to the time. At sunset, upon a signal giver by the discharge of cannon and striking the flag, the members of the club, with the gentlemen of the town, repaired to the hall, where the aforesaid subjects were resumed, and severa important matters, relative to the conduct of our ancestors were discussed with freedom and candor, and a number o pleasing anecdotes of our progenitors were recollected an communicated by some of the aged and venerable gentlemen who favored us with their company.
An uncommon harmony and pleasantry prevailed throughou the day and evening, every person present exerting himself t increase the general joy. The Old Colony song, with a num ber of others, was sung, after which the company withdrew.
A letter from the Rev. Mr. Robbins was communicated b. the President, and is as follows:
Plymouth, December 23, 1771.
GENTLEMEN: I am told it was expected by some, that as th anniversary of our forefathers' arrival in this place fell on th Sabbath past, I would have taken some public notice of it i the pulpit. I must acknowledge I think there would have bee a great propriety in it, and I am very sorry it was entirely ou of my mind that that was the day, till I was reminded of it tc day; otherwise I should certainly have taken notice of it, an
* ' Mr. A. Scammel was then the teacher of the Plymouth tow school. He was afterwards a distinguished officer in the America army. At the siege of York Town, September 30th, 1781, he re ceived a fatal wound, and was captured by the British. He died i the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, where is a monumental tablet,
Which conquering armies, from their toils return'd,
Rear'd to his glory, while his fate they mourn'd.'
Humphreys
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attempted to say something suitable to the occasion; however, it is past now; but I would on this occasion, if it would not be esteemed assuming in me, humbly propose to the gentlemen of your society, whether it would not be agreeable, and serve for the entertainment and instruction of the rising generation, more especially for the future, on these anniversaries to have a sermon in public, some part of the day, peculiarly adapted to the occasion, wherein should be represented the motives that induced them to undertake such an enterprise, the amazing dangers and difficulties they conflicted with and overcame, the piety and ardor with which they persevered through number- less discouragements and opposition-the time, manner, and other circumstances of their first arrival,-with all the train of surprising events that ensued,-the appearances of the di- vine providence and goodness for them, the noble and God-like virtue with which they were inspired, so worthy the imitation of their posterity, &c., &c.,-with many other things, that would naturally fall in upon a discourse of this kind. I mention this, gentlemen, the more freely, because I remember it was spoken of in conversation by some of the gentlemen of your company the evening of the last anniversary. I do but propose the thing, gentlemen, for your consideration this evening, and if it should prove agreeable, I would beg leave to suggest one thing further, viz., that the minister to preach the sermon be chosen by your society somewhere within the Old Colony, and I doubt not any gentleman whom you should choose for that purpose would very willingly consent, in order to encourage so good a design.
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