USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > The ministry of Taunton, with incidental notices of other professions > Part 23
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After keeping a school for a year, he made three voyages to North Carolina, acting as Master, and in the last going to Fayal and Cadiz, and then went as Master to the coasts of Greenland on a whaling voyage.
On his return he went in 1755 to Lancaster and commenced reading law with his relative, Judge Willard ; and while pur- suing his studies, preached at Shirley. Mr. Willard being ap-
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pointed Colonel of a regiment raised for the great expedition of that year to Crown Point, he was appointed chaplain of the regiment, was at the camp at Lake George about three months till it broke up, and while there and at Albany was in company with many high civil and military officers. His sermons at Shirley and at the camp, and maps and plans of the camp and country sketched by him are still preserved.
He finished his preparatory reading of law in Mr. Pratt's office in Boston, was admitted to the Bar in 1757, and com- menced practice in Boston, but in 1761 removed to Taunton.
He now constantly attended the Superior and Inferior Courts at Boston, Taunton, Plymouth and Barnstable, and frequently at Worcester and other places. His great powers of mind, profound knowledge of law, and habits of thorough investiga- tion early brought him a large practice, which increased till it was probably not exceeded by that of any lawyer in the State. Many of the most eminent gentlemen and merchants of Boston, though he did not reside there, were his clients. Bradford in his history of Massachusetts says that as a lawyer he was con- sidered among the most eminent in the Province. He was an early and zealous supporter of the popular interest and in in- tercourse and counsel with the influential men of the party - with James Otis in particular he was on terms of personal and political friendship ; but his professional business was too exten- sive and important to him to permit him in the earlier part of the contest to devote himself exclusively to politics.
In 1768, when a Convention from all the State was called at Boston on account of the troops being ordered here, his presence was desired, and he attended as a delegate from Taunton : his devotion to the cause and high character for inflexible principle and practical wisdom, as well as his eminence at the Bar served to inspire confidence and give him a wide influence.
In 1770 he was married to Sally, daughter of Thomas Cobb, Esq., and sister of General David Cobb.
After the Boston Massacre March 5, 1770, he was immedi- ately, on the 9th of the same month, retained by the Town of
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Boston to conduct the prosecution of Captain Preston and tho British soldiers, and at the trials in the ensuing autumn he ac- cordingly took the place of the Attorney General.
In 1773 the time had come when all other interests must yield to the public cause, and he now devoted himself to it. He was Chairman of a large Committee of the town of Taunton on the tyrannical measures of the Government, and drafted the high toned resolutions that were passed. He was a representa- tive from Taunton and was one of the Committee which prepar- ed the letter to Lord Dartmouth, one of the leading members on the Report on the Hutchinson Letters and Address for the Governor's removal, and Chairman of the Committee on the Impeachment of Chief Justice Oliver-many, if not all, the addresses and reports on both these great measures were at least mainly prepared by him. During the winter session a riot oc- curred at Marblehead which caused much uneasiness to the friends of liberty, and he was one of the Committee sent there to inquire into it.
In 1774, as soon as the General Court met at Salem in June, the alarming state of the Province was discussed in a secret conclave of the members of the popular party and it was decid- ed to recommend a Continental Congress. A serious obstacle to the adoption of this measure presented itself : it belonged to the Committee on the state of the Province to report it to the House, and Mr. Leonard of Taunton, a friend of Government, was on that Committee, and the moment such a measure was proposed, would make it known to the Governor, who would at once dissolve the General Court. To remove the obstacle Mr. Paine proposed to Mr. Leonard to go home and attend to their law business at the court at Taunton, and return in a few days. Mr. Leonard assented and they both left. The Committee re- ported, the recommendation of a Continental Congress was voted, and the Delegates chosen.
As had been foreseen, the General Court was instantly dis- solved ; but the work had been accomplished. The Governor's messenger arrived before the business was quite completed, and
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the assembly caused their door to be fastened and allowed him to knock awhile, until they had finished.
" The Delegation to the first Congress in 1774," says the biographer of Mr. Gerry, "combined men highest in the es- teem and confidence of their fellow-citizens. Massachusetts sent to that assembly Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, James Bowdoin and John Adams, men whose weight of talent and character was suited to the arduous and responsible duties they were destined to perform. In 1775, Mr. Bowdoin declined a reelection and John Hancock was appoint- ed in his place. Mr. Cushing retired at the end of the same year, and was succeeded by Mr. Gerry."
Mr. Paine was the only one of the Delegates now chosen who did not belong to Boston. The Delegates, (except Mr. Bow- doin, who never went, ) left Boston on the 10th August, under a large escort, and at the principal places on their route were received with escorts and other great attentions.
Congress was in session during September and October, and Mr. Paine, on his return to Taunton in November, was received with great rejoicings by the Sons of Liberty.
In 1775, in the winter and spring, he attended the 2d Pro- vincial Congress at Cambridge, and was one of the Committee on the state of the Province. In April he left for the Congress at Philadelphia, which met in May.
The war was now begun and Congress were to carry it on ; an army was already in the field and money was readily obtain- ed by the issue of bills; but the great want was of equipments for the army, powder, cannon and fire-arms; and to provide these supplies Committees of Congress were appointed, at the head of which as Chairman, Mr. Paine was placed : and to the performance of this work he now for a year and eight months devoted himself with unremitted zeal and energy. Of powder there was little in the country and still less of the materials for its manufacture, sulphur and saltpetre. How to obtain saltpetre was a serious question. After much labor and study, and con- sulting chemists and chemical and other scientific works, Mr.
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Paine planned practical modes and processes by which it could be obtained, and explained them in a printed essay, which was distributed to all parts of the country ; almost infinite labor was then required, by circulars to the assemblies, letters to influen- tial persons and personal applications, to procure its production in sufficient quantities. Great exertions were also required to obtain supplies of sulphur; and when the materials were obtain- ed, to set establishments and mills in operation for the manufae- ture of the powder. Of cannon and fire-arms, the shape, cali- bre and dimensions were to be settled, models and drawings made, and foundries and factories set in operation. Large con- tracts were made and constant supervision exercised to ensure their faithful and prompt execution. A number of factories and mills were also established and conducted for the Continen- tal account. These efforts were attended with great success, and to them the army was largely indebted for its supply of those articles during the early part of the war.
Mr. Paine labored on these committees with untiring assidui- ty to the end of the year 1776, when he returned home. Dur- ing this period he was constant in attendance in Congress, tak- ing part in the debates; he also acted on many other important committees.
In November, 1775, he was appointed with R. R. Livingston and Gov. Langdon, a Committee to visit the army on the North- ern frontier, with extensive powers as to the increase, plans and destination of it-a commission of great importance and deli- cacy, from which they returned at the end of December. He was one of a committee to prepare rules of debate; to inquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada ; to devise ways and means for putting the militia in a state for the defence of America ; to establish a Hospital; to consider what provision ought to be made for those disabled in the public service; to purchase clothing for the army ; to report a method for estab- lishing and training cavalry ; in relation to prizes ; on admiralty appeals; and on many other matters.
On the 4th July, 1776, ho was present in Congress and
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signed the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Paine arrived home at Taunton, December 30, 1776, in the enjoyment of a high reputation throughout the country for the services he had rendered - his biographer states that his reputation for talents and zeal and activity in the cause now stood as high as that of any man in the State.
He was elected to Congress for 1777 and 1778, but did not again attend ; the capture of Philadelphia, near which many of the foundries and powder mills were situated, and the arrival in the Spring of large supplies from France rendered his presence there probably less necessary.
In 1777, he took a seat in the Legislature by a vote of both Houses. In May he was elected a representative from Taun- ton, was part of the time Speaker, was a delegate to a Conven- tion of the five Eastern States at Springfield, and in August was unanimously elected Attorney General.
In 1778, he was a delegate to the Convention at Hartford for the regulation of prices, and drafted the address; the chair- man of a Commission appointed by Congress to investigate the causes of the failure of the Rhode Island expedition; one of the Committee of the Legislature for preparing a Constitution for the State, and is reported to have been the chief author of the draft-this was one of the first models of an instrument since become so familiar-it gave rise to able discussions, and many alterations and improvements being suggested, was not adopted; but in the Convention of 1779, in which Mr. Paine was again on the Committee for preparing the draft, it served as the outline from which the Constitution of 1780 was formed.
He was one of the Council in 1779 and 1780, and under the new Constitution was again appointed Attorney General and was one of the Committee for revising the laws.
The duties of his office rendered it inconvenient for him to reside out of Boston, and in 1781 -after a residence in Taun- ton of twenty years- he purchased and removed to the large house and estate, formerly the residence of Gov. Shirley, at the corner of Milk and Federal streets in Boston.
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The office of Attorney General he held from 1777 to 1790, a period of anxiety, distress, crime and rebellion. The advis- ing a new government in all important measures, the confisca- tion of the estates of Tories, and the trials of the Insurgents during Shay's Insurrection, were labors added by the times to the arduous duties of that office. After the war was over, there followed a period of such exhaustion and lassitude that the foun- dations of society and morals seemed on the verge of being broken up; the high moral tone of the Revolution yielded un- der the pressure of debt, taxation, bankruptcy and distress; a hatred of Government and laws threatened to become prevalent, and the shades of impending demoralization, anarchy and license cast gloom and anxiety over society. Government was to be maintained and the laws enforced. The Attorney Gen- eral was not a man to falter in a time of difficulty or danger, and the duties of his office were performed with singular fidelity and great legal ability.
The popularity of John Hancock, the Governor, was lessen- ed during this awful crisis and it may well be supposed that the Attorney General reaped a full share of the ill-will of the dis- affected portions of the community.
In 1790 the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, which he had declined in 1775, '80, '82 and '84, was again offered him, and in view of his advanced age he now accepted it. He re- signed in 1804, and was chosen to the Council, but declined a reelection; and enjoying his mental faculties in full vigor, and retaining his interest in his friends and country to the elose of his life, he died May 12, 1814, aged eighty-three years.
Mr. Paine possessed great intellectual powers and mental ac- tivity, an carnest love of knowledge, and great firmness, decis- ion and energy of character; his memory was retentive and ready, his extensive knowledge on all subjects well digested, and his wisdom practical and operative. As a sound lawyer, and in thorough knowledge of the common law, he had no su- perior. He had great taste for literature and science, and for many of the mechanic arts, and agricultural pursuits were his delight even in his busiest moments.
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Religious faith and trust in Providence were abiding and con- trolling elements in his character. In the cause of general ed- ucation he always took a deep interest and constantly urged its importance. He was an unfailing attendant on public worship. His habits were domestic, regular and temperate. He was tall in stature, and a voice, whose tones were a deep bass, a serious if not stern expression of countenance, and a severity as well as frankness of manner gave him the appearance of greater sternness than he possessed. He had kind feelings, warm sym- pathies, and a social disposition, and his attachments were strong and lasting. Possessing great powers of conversation, wit and humor, and full of anecdote, he delighted in social intercourse, and his family circle was the scene of unrestrained freedom and enjoyment. His hospitality was generous, and his house was the constant resort of his numerous acquaintance. Sterling integrity, inflexible principle, an uncompromising sense of jus- tice were the distinguishing traits of his Spartan character."
NOTE B. Page 307.
I FORTUNATELY found at the eleventh hour, several most val- uable original letters from early settlers of Taunton, among the Hinckley and Mather Papers, in the Ms. Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, which, according to the By- laws of that Society I am not permitted to publish entire, but from which, by special vote, I have been allowed to make liker- al extracts. The letters are given in the order of time, in which they were written.
NUMBER 1. (Mather Papers, Vol. 1, Number 34.) Letter from Nicholas Street, " to his honored, and assur- ed good friend, Mr. Samuel Bache, at his house in Boston."
DEAR SIR : - I was fully purposed, if God had not hindered, to have gone into the Bay, now with Mr. Rutherford. But it pleased God to visit Rev. Mr. Dav. (enport) with some ilnes by meanes of a great cold, as I think, (some think it was an ague)
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which put a stop at present to my intended voyage ; but he is recovering thro' God's goodness, and in a hopeful way to come forth the next Sabbath, which, if he doth, I intend, God wil- ling, to take ye first opportunity. I remember some advice I received from you, against communicating my thoughts in writ- ing about the Synodalia to such as I intended; whereupon I did lay that business aside for a time. But it was with me something like to that in Jeremia ch. 20: 9. I had never a stronger bent in my spirit to any undertaking, and had a great conflict upon some account, too large to write, which did drive me to God to seek direction, guidance and help of Him, with- out which I can do nothing, being nothing in or of myself, and He hath graciously answered me. I know, I am sure, that He hath been with me in this work, and hath given me to see here a little, and there a little, which I did not so clearly see before. If I could call any thing that came from me the child of my prayers and tears, I can this .* Something of God there is in it, tho' mixed with many weaknesses of mine. I hope it may do good to some, tho' it is very like it would be unpleasing to oth- ers, if it should come to their view. I have had thought to im- part it in the first place to Mr. Mather, Sen., out of my rever- end esteem of him and singular affection to him for the Grace of God in him, but not concerning myself, I have sent what I have done unto yourself. * *
If you judge, that it is likely to attain any good end by com- municating it to him (Mr. Mather, Sen.,) to peruse for a short time, I shall leave it to your discretion. *
Myself and wife salute you in the Lord. I do desire to have our due respects with unfeigned hearty affection presented to good Mrs. Bache, as also to your sister. Committing you to God and His Grace, I rest yours in Christ,
NICHOLAS STREET.
N. H. 15 of the 3d (16)66.
* This probably is the "lost production " referred to on page 169, vol. 1, which Mr. Mather, Sen., on examining, prefaced with remarks of his own, and published. We may well regret its loss.
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My due respects to Mr. Mather, Jun., and to his honored father, if you speak with him. I suppose I need not desire your prayers for us, as being persuaded that you are mindful of us that way, as we also are of you, not only in ye family prayers, but sundry times this winter, in days of humiliation at our meetings.
No. 2. (Hinckley Papers, Vol. 2, No. 3.) Letter of Richard Williams and three others, " to the
Worshipfull Thomas Hinckley, Esq., to be communi- cated to others, our worthy and loving friends, concern- ed in the contents, in the Townships of Barnstable, Sandwich, g.c. Present with care."
Taunton, Ap. 15, (16)76.
HONORED AND BELOVED : - We have received your affection- ate letter, full of Love and undeserved bountie toward us your unworthy Brethren and neighbours, and do bless God that He hath given us soe much room in your hearts, that you soe freely tender us, a part with you in your houses, fields, and provisions, at such a time when the Lord is threat'ning us with bereave- ment of our own. It much comforteth us in this day of dark- ness and distresse, we assuring ourselves thereby, that if our distresses continue, and increase, we shall want noe succour you are able to afford us. We therefore return you all serious thanks for your syncere and abundant Love, beseeching the Lord still to continue and increase your peace and abilitie and readiness to relieve the distresses in this evil daye. Nevertheless upon the serious and mature deliberation upon and consideration of your soe great offer, we cannot at present comply with a motion to remove and quitt our places, and leave our habitations to be a desolation, and that because we fear we should, in soe doing, be wanting to the name of God, and the interest of Christ in this place and bewraye much diffidence and cowardice, and give the adversarye occasion of tryumph over us, to ye reproach of that great and fearfull Name of our God, that is called on us. Our sins are already such as might render our friends, (did
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they know us) affraid to entertain us ; and what can we expect of the issue of such an addition thereunto, but that the hands of the Lord would follow us, and find us out whithersoever we fled. Besides, if the Lord hath any pleasure and will soe farr favour and honour us, we judge we may here be more serviceable to ye country than elsewhere, and hazzards of removals (as great as of abiding where we are) avoided; and who can tell, but that ye Lord may make way for our enjoyment of seed time and harvest here, by prospering our forces which are coming forth, if we could but humble ourselves before Him. And if the Lord have no delight at all in us, but will for our sins (which were but just) make His dwelling place here as Shiloh, we are in His hands. The Lord doe with us as seemeth good in His sight. Here we have sinned, and here we submit ourselves to suffer, except the Lord's Providence, and order or advice of Authorities should plainly determine us to removall; in case whereof, we shall esteem it an undeserved kindness, to find shelter among yourselves, and comply with your motion .* *
Your obliged Brethren, and friends and servants in ye Lord, (in the name of the Town,)
RICHARD WILLIAMS, WALTER DEANE, GEORGE MACY, WILLIAM HARVEY.
No. 3. (Mather Papers, Vol. 1, No. 72.)
Letter of William Hook "to the Rev. Mr. Increase Math- er, Preacher of ye Gospel at Boston, in New-Eng- land."
REV'D SIR : - I received your letter dated (I think) in May last, in which you acquaint vs with ye trouble yt ye Eastern In- dians do create you. Thus God is pleased to lengthen out your exercise through a cruell, perfidious, and blasphemous genera-
* They propose sending their cattle for safety, and in conclusion ask an interest in their prayers.
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con of very bruitish men. I am sorry yt you write no more comfortably concerning Reformacon, and I had lately a letter from Mr. Bishop, Pastor of Stanfford, who writes concerning it much as you have done. I have sent you included herein a catalogue of ye ministers yt dyed, most of them, in and near London within ye last 10 or 12 years .* This, I think, is like to be my last letter to you. My stomach fayles me. I have no appetite to any food, or very little, at any time. The keepers of ye house begin to tremble, and ye strong men to bow them- selves, and ye grinders cease because they are few, and ye clouds return after ye rain. Yet God is pleased to enable me to preach hitherto, but my spirits are growing weak, and my breath is very short. I hope thro' ye Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with Him ere long.
I must conclude. The Father of Mercies and God of all consolation be with you, and bless your studies and labours in His work. In Him I rest.
The 7th of ye 6th Yours to serve you to ye last,
1677. WILLIAM HOOK. t No. 4. (Mather Papers, Vol. 1, No. 73.)
Letter from Jane Hook "for Mr. Increase Mather, Min-
ister of the Gospel, in Boston, New-England."
REVEREND SIR: - The last day'of ye 5th month my husband did reseve a kind letter from you. Blessed be ye Lord yt you are so wel, but I was sorry to hear yt New-England had made no better use of ye Lord's stroke upon them. We are much inquiring after ye afares of our brethren in N. E. and very much troubled to here of ye great destresses yt have come from ye heathen, slaying and murdering so many, and firing so many plantations, as your book sent over dos mention. (Many thanks
* This catalogue includes the names of 47 in London, and 40 in the suburbs.
t It will be observed that the first minister of Taunton wrote his name without the final e. I have given it in this work, as it was found in con- nection with the sermons printed in London in 1641, and 1645.
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for your book to me.) Sir, your sorrowes is ours, and your comfort ours. I hope your brethren and friends there dos sym- pathise with you. And truly I am sorry when I think of it, yt we have remembered our brethren no more. But this I am sure of, we forget you not in our prayers, at ye Thrown of Grace.
I am glad that ye old cloathes were of any use to ye breth- ren with you. I am willing to do a little, being incouraged .- *
I beg your payers yt I may live to (honor) ye Lord. I am your unworthy sister,
6th mo. Sth day,
JANE HOOK .* (16)77
No. 5. (Mather Papers, Vol 2, No. 52.)
Letter of Jane Hook "for ye Rev. Preacher of ye Gos- pel, Mr. Increase Mather, at Boston, New-England.
REV'D SIR :- Hering how welcom ye old cloathes were to those poor ministers ye last yeer, I have adventured, to send a few more.
Pray, Sir, be pleased to accept of two pare of gloves, which you will reseve yeself (for) those poor ministers which Mr. Noyse and Mrs. Nowell did speak of. I beg yr prayers, and remain. * *
Your loving friend,
4m 27, (16)78. JANE HOOK.
No. 6. (Mather Papers, Vol. 3, No. 7.)
Letter of June Hook to Rev. Increase Mather. REV. SIR :
What ye Lord has moved hearts, I have sent. Pray let Mr.
* It is supposed that "Jane Hook " was the wife of William Hook, and sister of Whalley, the Regicide. Rev. Joseph B. Felt, in answer to a letter of inquiry, writes : " Her deep interest in New-England, and its ministers, is favorable to the supposition, that she was the wife of Wil- liam Hook."
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Newil be remembered (in the) cloathes: and (ye) money, I leave it to your wisdom and care. Do not forget my Hon. and precious friend's (who is now with their Lord) his grandchild. The Lord has bless'd your letter sent to me, and honoured Rev. Mr. Davenport, peace of his letter.
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