USA > New York > Suffolk County > East Hampton > Records of the town of East Hampton, Long Island, Suffolk Co., N.Y., with other ancient documents of historic value, volume III > Part 1
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Gc 974.702 Ea774r v.3 1701-1734 1248229
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01147 9158
-
RECORDS
-OF THE-
TOWN OF EAST-HAMPTON
LONG ISLAND, SUFFOLK CO., N. Y.
1701 - 1734
VOLUME III.
SAG-HARBOR : JOHN H. HUNT, Printer. 1889.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/recordsoftownofe03east
1248229
CLERK'S CERTIFICATE. :0:
This is to certify that I have myself compared this volume three, of the printed Records of the Town of East-Hampton, N. Y., or caused it to be compared, with the original manu- script Records in my office, and that the printed copy is the same as the original, errata excepted, and except that the old z.tyle of spelling and use of capitals has not been followed, and that abstracts have been made of many deeds written after the old, long and technical form ; but in all these cases the fact is indicated that only abstracts are printed ; they, however, give all names, dates, amounts, boundaries, and the manner of execution as in the original entries.
JOSEPH S. OSBORNE,
Town Clerk.
EAST-HAMPTON, N. Y., February 2d, 18S9.
1
This volume includes the records from 1701 to 1734, transcribed under direction of committee appointed to re- produce the Records, by Town Meeting, April 3, 1883, with an Introduction by Hon. H. P. Hedges, published at the expense of the Town and by its authority.
JONATHAN T. GARDINER, JONATHAN BAKER, JOSEPH S. OSBORNE,
Committee.
1
1
ERRATA. :0 :-
Page 29, 19th line, read Hoke for Aoke. Page 50, 1st line, read Ludlam for Latham. Page 154, 1st line, read East for Eeas. Page 239, 21st line, read Mantake for Mantkae. Page 437, 22d line, read Lane for Land.
PREFACE.
:0:
These Records have been copied by and under direction of the Committee, and while they are not verbatim et literatim, they correspond with the original, except that the old style of spelling and use of capitals have not been followed. This volume includes the records from 1701 to 1734.
The material is arranged chronologically, when dated, where practicable, and when otherwise it has been disposed as circumstances indicated to be proper. Abstracts are noted.
JONATHAN T. GARDINER, JONATHAN BAKER, JOSEPH S. OSBORNE, Committee.
INTRODUCTION.
The second volume of printed records of the Town of East- Hampton overlapped the commencement of the Eighteenth Century a few months only. The preceeding hundred years had been eventful in the History of Great Britian. Through the long reign of Elizabeth closing at her death, in 1603, the lustre of her name and nation shone undimmed. The reign of the four Kings of the House of Stuart was from commence- ment to conclusion a strife by them to establish regal irrespon- sible power on the ruins of representative government. The 1st James weak, pedantic, "the wisest fool in Christendom," "was a king for himself alone." The 1st Charles, whose tyranny was equalled by his perfidy, his duplicity, his obstinacy, judic- ially blind, went to death on the scaffold. The 2nd Charles, and 2nd James, both dissolute, both professing Episcopacy but secretly or openly Catholics, both forsworn, both pension- ers of France, dishonored and disgraced their country and sold its rightful supremacy to its foes. The Commonwealth for a time upheld the ancient power and glory of the British name among the nations. After the Revolution of 1688 Parliamen- tary rights were firmly established. The Prince of Orange gave to England the grandeur of his great name and England gave to William and Mary the devotion that the long heroic strife of the house of Orange so well deserved.
In 1603, 1625, 1665, with wide desolation the plague vis- ited London. In 1666 the great fire there burned 13,200 dwellings and over two hundred thousand people were house- less. Taxation on rich and poor bore heavily. On every hearth and at times on every pane of glass a tax was levied. Within
II
INTRODUCTION.
and without the British Isles, by sea and land, wars raged. In Germany a continuous thirty years war had been waged, ter- minating in 1648 in the Peace of Westphalia between France, Germany and Sweden. From the accession of William and Mary in 1658 to the death of Queen Anne in 1714 there were only four and a half years of peace.
Emigration to the North American colonies was escape from the desolating pestilence of the old world, from its consum- ing fires, its grinding taxation, its incessant wars, its abounding debauchery. The terrors of the tomahawk and scalping knife exceeded not those of European wars. It 1683, the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes expelled the best protestant blood of France. The besom of war in Germany augmented the tide of Protestant emigration from thence. The weakness, the debauchery, the despotism, the treachery of the Stuart reigns impelled the best citizens of the British Isles to find a home in the new world where distance alleviated the anguish of National dishonor and degradation.
Exceptional causes besides those named combined to swell the tide of emigration from Holland, Germany, France and the British Isles. The records contain names representative of varied nationalities. We have found Schellinx and Van Scoy (Van Schaick) Dutchmen; Dominy and Sherrill, Irishmen ; Baillerjeau, a Frenchman, perhaps Hugonot.
The early settlers of East-Hampton well knew the corrup- tion and infamy of the Stuart Kings. They knew something of the line of European policy and courts, something of the intent of the Protestant league, whether its battalions were under the banner of the great Gustavus, the Prince of Orange or Charles XII. The aims of belligerent powers in the wars of the past or present were not unknown to them. Lion Gardiner had served in the bloody battles fought in Flanders-"William Fithian according to the traditions of the family was a native of Wales, a soldier in Crom-
III
INTRODUCTION.
well's army, present at the execution of Charles I, and after the restoration of Charles II, proscribed as a regicide and obliged to flee his country." At the opening of this volume Joshua Garlicke had just died, "about one hundred years old." Ben Conkling survived till 1707. Jeremiah Conkling, Sen., died in 1812, 78 years old. The same year died Robert Dayton "about 84 years old," Thomas Osborne "about 90 years," Stephen Hedges survived until 1734, not wanting quite six months of a hundred years old."
Those and others were familiar with the early settlers and with the narratives of Gardiner and Fithian, with the story of wars, of policies, of generals, of martial achievement. In the long evenings, at the huskings, at the fireside, tradition and legend old beguiled the tardiness of time. The aged listened intent, the young amazed. Their story was never old and never dull.
Looking back from the year 1700, the review is a history of martial conflict by sea and land wherein England's part was often inglorious if not disgraceful. With the early years of the 18th, century under Queen Anne, the dangerously pre- dominating power of France and Spain were limited, and victory so long witheld alighted on the banner of England. At the battle of Blenheim, (1704) Eugene and Marlborough broke the power of France, and the same year the British fleet took Gibraltar, over which to the lasting humiliation of Spain and the enduring honor of England, her flag still floats. The victory of Marlborough at Ramilies in 1706, of Eugene at Turin the same year, and of the two in 1708 at Oudenarde, and at Malplaquet, forced Louis XIV, of France, to assent in 1713 to the treaty of peace at Utrecht. France then ceded to England, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Hudson's Bay territory ; and Spain, Gibraltar and Minorca. By the same treaty the claims of France to the country of the five nations in the colony of New York were surrendered. Thus
IV
INTRODUCTION.
began the accession of French America by England, which continued until all the Canadas were lost to France and North America became overwhelmingly Protestant. Although the treaty of Aix La Chapelle, at the end of the long war in 1748 left the possessions of the combatants substantially, as at the commencement of hostilities, yet the treaty of Paris in 1763, at the end of the French and Indian war began in 1755, gave to England the Canadas and all the possessions of France east of the Mississippi, besides Florida, then ceded to her by Spain.
Thus the wars waged by Roman Catholic powers for two and a half centuries, intended to crush out Protestantism from the face of the earth, ignominiously failed of their purpose. Not armies or armadas, anathema or interdict, rack or dun- geon, inquisition or torture, ban or banishment, outlawry or treason, could conquer the nations or wrest Northern Ameri- ca from the realm of Freedom. The elemental powers, even "the stars in their courses fought for liberty."
Samuel Mulford born in 1645, taking his seat as Member of Assembly in June, 1705, rapid in speech, vehement in utter- ance, hasty in temper, positive in opinion, Republican in sentiment, puritan to the core, waged unequal war against the Governors Cornbury and Hunter from that time until his second expulsion from the house in 1720. His contention for freedom, his voyage to England, the circulation of his memorial there, the consequent repeal of the tax or duty on oil, the rejoicing of the whalemen, the ardent devotion of his constituents, the unseduced fidelty of Capt. Mulford to uphold their rights ; all these are matters of history occurring within the period covered by this volume. Mulford was an old whaleman entitled to be called Capt. from his command in this perilous pursuit, as well as from his command of a militia company. Fearless, adventurous by nature and training, his broadened views of life and business naturally attracted him
V
INTRODUCTION.
to the fields of commercial enterprise. As early as 1702 he had erected a warehouse at Northwest, the then harbor of the town before Sag Harbor as such was known. (See page 28). It is probable a wharf had been constructed there previously. In April 1700 Abraham Schellinx had made application for a permit to build, and in 1705 he was master of and running the sloop "Endeavor."
The simple manners of the time is shown in the Records by both positive and negative testimony. In all these three volumes one christened name, and one only, precedes the surname. The multiplication of names was an afterthought of later times. Official titles and the prefix "Goodman" occur often. At page 199 of this volume for the first time succeed- ing the name of Josiah Hobart and unapplied previously to a townsman, is found the title "Gentleman." Hobart had been high Sheriff of the County more than a score of years anterior thereto, was venerable for age, probably disabled for manual labor, and deemed worthy of the appellation. On page 264 the same word is used as descriptive of Thomas Chatfield. His education, his descent from honored ancestry, and superior intellect, constrained the cotemporary scribe to dis- tinguish him specially as a "gentleman." He was after- wards appointed a Justice of the Peace, and in 1738 as one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Suffolk County and known as "Judge Chatfield." He held this office until his death, Jan. 12th, 1754. His son John was a Justice of the Peace appointed in the reign of George III, and con- tinued until the Revolution annulled royal authority. On page 366 we read "John Wheeler Gentleman." Honored by his fellow citizens repeatedly with public trusts as committee- man, as captain, as town trustee, as Supervisor, venerable for age, he well deserved the distinction. He died June 1Sth, 1727 aged about SO. His descendents removed to Smithtown, L. I., and there now reside. (See page 423).
.
VI
INTRODUCTION.
GENEALOGY.
The light given to genealogical investigation by these vol- umes of the printed records, and eminently so of this present one, is priceless. The vote of July 6, 1655, Vol. 1, page 84, shows that Thomas Osborn, Sen. was father of Thomas, Jr. But Oct. 27, 1658, Ib. p. 15S, the Jr. is chosen constable, proving him then of full age and his father older probably by at least a score of years. There is a tradition in the Osborn family that the Thomas Sen. removed to and died at New- Haven, Ct. John Osborn was another son of Thomas Sen., as is shown on page 300, Ib. Benjamin Osborn was also son of Thomas, Sen., as appears on page 406 Ib. After 1686, and up to 1694, the name of Thomas, Jr., does not occur in the records, implying thereby that only one Thomas Osborn re- sided in the town and lending negative evidence to the truth of the tradition mentioned. That a Jeremiah Osborn, Jr., of New Haven, married Elizabeth Talmage, of this town, June 15th, 1724, is evidence of social intercourse between the Os- born families of the two places, lending further confirmation. The mention of Thomas Osborn, Jr., July 27th, 1694, page 309, Vol. 2, refers to Thomas, of Wainscott, son of John. And the first Thomas Osborn, Jr., undoubtedly is the Thomas dy- ing "Sept. 25th, 1712, aged about 90 years," mentioned in the record of deaths made by Rev. Nathaniel Huntting.
William Hedges by will dated March 17, 1673 proved Nov. 17, 1674, gave property to his widow Rose, to four daughters, to his eldest son Stephen and son Isaac. That Stephen is the one who died July 7th, 1734, "not wanting quite six months of a hundred years old." Data for tracing his descend- ents abound. Isaac son of William died intestate and letters of Administration on his estate issued in March 1676-7 to his widow Johanna, and her father, Josiah Barnes who also were guardians of a family of unnamed children. To identify these unknown children is the problem. In Vol. 2, p. 492 of
VII
INTRODUCTION.
the records, Jan. 16, 1700-1 occurs a deed from the aforesaid Stephen 2 to Isaac 3, son and heir of Isaac 2, deceased, which identifies that grantee as a grandson of William and probably the Isaac Hedges, Sen. 3, who died Nov. 22nd 1726. Isaac Jr., 4 (son of the latter probably) married Phebe Parsons, Feb. 6, 1723. Their son Jacob 5, deceased, baptized Sept. 23d, 1738, died May 18, 1823, aged nearly 84 yrs., had a son Jac- ob 6, who died Sept. 6, 1869 over 85 years old who had a son Albert L. Hedges 7, now living on Pantigo Lane. The deed named was the only connecting link long lacking to trace the unknown children of Isaac the intestate. March 3d, 1703, this same Isaac 3, conveys to his well-beloved (son) "Samuel" See Vol. 3, p. 57, named Ib, p. 266 as a "carpenter," engaged in building a house at Montauk about 1713 Ib, p. 296 and 7 and resided there March 12, 1713-17 Ib. p. 36S. This is the "Governor Hedges" of Montauk known in tradition, great grandfather of the late Benjamin Hedges, deceased, of Ama- gansett, formerly of Montauk, and father of the Benjamin and Jonathan formerly of Montauk.
As instances of the genealogical value of these volumes, we cite the following :
Vol. I, John Hand, Sen.'s will, pp. 178, 179, 180. Nathl. Street's will, p. 189. Wm. Edwards' will, p. 320. Thos. Rose, son and heir of Robert, 239. Joseph and Stephen Osborn, brothers, p. 243. Enoch, son of Wm. Fithian, p. 275. Benj. and Joseph Osborn, brothers, p. 281. Steven and John Hand, brothers, p. 284. Geo. Miller, dead, p. 302. Andrew and John Miller, brothers, p. 324. Thos. Edwards, son of Wm., p. 390. Thos. Iland, son of John, p. 497.
Vol. II, James Dimon, son of Thomas, p. 113. Nathaniel Baker, son of Thom- as, p. 115. John and Thomas, sons of William Edwards, p. 138. John, son of John Osborn, p. 241. Joseph and Jonathan Osborn, sons of William, of Boston, p. 256. Thomas Chatfield, son of Thomas, deceased. p. 267. Josiah Edwards, grandson of William and son of John, p. 285 308. Thomas Osborn and Ephraim, brothers, p. 318. Thomas Edwards, son of John and grandson of William, p. 365. Thomas Edwards, record of will. p. 385. Caleb and Thomas Osborn, brothers, p. 415. John Stretton, son of John, p. 439. John Stretton, Jr., son of Stephen, p. 443. Thomas Mulford, son of William, p. 466. Enoch and Samuel Fithian, sons of William, p. 477.
.
VIII
INTRODUCTION.
Vol. III, Thomas and Edward Osborn, brothers, p. 2. John Miller, oldest son of George, deceased, p 21. Samuel Parsons, Jr., son of John, p. 37. Samuel Hedges, son of Isaac, p. 56. John Brooks, son of John and grandson of Richard, p. 78. Thomas Osborn, Jr., oldest son of John, p. 119. Joseph Hand, son of Stephen, deceased, p. 129. Solomon Stretton, oldest son of Richard, deceased, who was oldest son of Richard, p. 141. Josiah Fithian, son of Samuel, p. 162. David and Lewis Conkling, sons of Jeremiah, p. 174. Thomas Baker, son of Thomas, p. 189. Jonathan Baker, son of Nathaniel, p. 215. Thomas Barnes, son of William, deceased, p. 230 John Conkling, son of Ben who is son of Ben, p. 231. Daniel Dayton, son of Samuel, p. 263. Stephen Leek, brother of Eben- ezer, deceased, p. 278. Hezekiah Miller, brother of Nathan, nephew of John, p. 289. Nathaniel IJand. son of James. p. 291. Thomas Osborn, son of Benjamin, p. 308. Thomas Osborn, brother of Ephraim, p. 321. William Edwards, son of Thomas, brother of Daniel, p. 336. Thomas Edwards, grandson of William and cousin of Daniel, p. 338. John Miller, son of George, p 342. Thomas Osborn, son of John, p. 342. Richard Shaw, son of Richard, deceased, p. 361. John Edwards, son of John, p. 373. John Conkling. father-in-law of Nathan Miller, p. 387. Thomas Wheeler, son of John, p. 423. Obadiah Osborn, son of Ephraim, p. 487.
The policy of England to cripple the commerce, trade and manufactures of the colony to its injury, and the aggrandize- ment of England, was now barely begun. By the ordinance of 1651, re-enacted in 1660, Parliament restricted exportation from America to English, Irish and Colonial vessels, substan- tially excluding "foreign ships from all American harbors." The more valuable colonial staples known as "enumerated articles," were required to be shipped exclusively "to England or some English colony." With few exceptions exportation to the colonies was prohibited, except in "English vessels,"- Hildreth's History U. S., Vol. I, p. 473. In 1699, by act of Parliament, it "prohibited the transfer of domestic woolens from one colony to another ; or the export of colonial wool or cloths to any foreign country."-Ib. Vol. II, p. 213. In 1719 the House of Commons resolved, "that the erection of manu- factories in the colonies tended to lessen their dependency on Great Britain."-Ib. p. 297. The act prohibiting transporta- tion of woolen goods from one colony to another did not include hats, but in 1732 they were included in the prohibition, and
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INTRODUCTION.
colonial hatters forbidden to take more than two apprentices at once .- Ib. p. 352. Since East-Hampton was prohibited from purchasing manufactured articles from another colony, or at exorbitant rates only from England, necessity constrained a supply of wants by home manufacture which had made great progress at the commencement of the 18th century. This ex- plains the great number of weavers, cordwinders, (shoemakers) coopers, carpenters, and the presence of tailors, a hatter, glover, glazier and brickmaker, &c., in the town. The sub- joined table of persons engaged in the mechanic arts may be convenient for reference, At the commencement of the eighteenth century the productive and mechanic arts had made great progress in the Colony, and its wants were main- ly self-supplied. This may be gleaned from the records, and is shown in the following list taken from this volume :
Surveyor, Ebenezer Leek,
page 5
Josiah Hobart, Gentleman,
page 199
Nathl. Dominy,
389
Thos. Chatfield,
264
Cooper, Wm. Schellenger, 66 38
John Wheeler,
366
Thos. Dibble,
66
74 John Edwards, Cordwinder,
73
Jacob Schellenger,
110
66
66 66
66
199
Matthias Burnitt,
66
136
Glover, John Evans,
IO6
Geo. Smith,
457
Hatter, Nathan Cooper,
66
389
Nathl. Baker,
Weaver,
66
37
Brickmaker, Isaac Barnes,
[22
Danl. Bishop,
66
46
Isaac Mulford,
136, 418
Lewis Conkling,
66
66
70
Blacksmith, Robert Hudson,
" 113
Geo. Dibble,
66
121
"
Peter Murdock,
389
Thos. Barnes,
66 66
135
Carpenter, Ephraim Edwards,
66
17
Nathl. Barnes,
66
66
165
66
John Jones,
105
Ichabod Leek,
66
66
183
Isaac Hedges,
66
125
128
John Conkling,
66
66
199
Dan. Burnitt,
“ 227
Recompence Barnes, 66
229
"
Samuel Hedges,
226
Nathl. Dominy,
66
265
¥
66
397
Plasterer, Jas. Barber,
66
24
Robt. Moore,
265
Glazier, Samuel Russel,
187
Tailor, Joseph Osborne,
"
130
Joshua Garlick,
66
42
Merchant, Jacob Baillergean,
83
John Davis. Jr.,
121
Doctor, Jacob Baillergean,
126
Isaac Barnes
66
165
Ebenezer Belding,
75, 113
Nathl. Bishop,
Abiel Carle,
66
183
Enoch Fithian,
Thos. Dibble.
38
84
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INTRODUCTION.
" ^ Jeremiah Mulford, 415 Stephen Leek,
278
" Matthew Mulford,
415
Nathl. Hand, 66
60
291
" @ Cornelius Conkling, " 415
Danl. Edwards,
337
Eleazar Miller,
415 . John Davis,
339
John Conkling, Jr.,
397
Thos. Wheeler,
66
412
Josiah Osborn,
430
66
474
Lion Loper,
486
Ephraim Osborn,
487
John Conkling, Tapster,
66
499
Jeremiah Hedges, 480
THE CHURCH.
Sectarian, intolerance and persecution had burned as a con- suming fire over Europe two centuries prior to the reign of Willliam of Orange wh although an ardent Calvinist saw with far more charity the theological differences of his age. He was too great to be intolerant, too charitable to delight in persecution, too truly devout to think God worshipped by executing vengeance on brethren differing in form of worship from him because of the difference. Towering high above the petty religious spite and narrowness of his age, he suffered no persecution that his great heart could prevent. At this day it seems inconceivable how after the restoration of 1660, John Bunyan, in Bedford jail, could have been imprisoned twelve long years for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not less strange and incredible seems the imprisonment of Richard Baxter in 1685 on the charge of "sedition" for writing his "Paraphrase of the New Testament." Macauley has fixed on the enduring page the character and conduct of the infamous Jeffries, browbeating, boisterous, brutal, despotic, vindictive, remorseless, coarse, the servile tool of the intolerant 2d James, in contrast with the sweet and simple dignity of the learned, refined and venerated Baxter. In all succeeding ages the devout have drank inspiration from the sacred allegory of Bunyan wrought out in Bedford Jail and loved more warmly the writings of the spiritual Baxter because they "contended for the faith once delivered to the Saints."
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INTRODUCTION.
The second minister of the church in East-Hampton coming in 1696, ordained Sept. 13th, 1698, with characteristic fidelity has recorded the names of his little flock of church members thus : "Those that were communicants when I, Nathaniel Huntting was ordained in East-Hampton : M .LES NUMBER FEMALES NUMBER
X Mr. Baker. I
- Mr. John Mulford 2 X Mrs Mary wife of J. Mulford. 9
- Wm. Hedges 3
- Lieut. Fithian 4
X Goodman Barnes 5
- James Diamont 6
Male members 6
FEMALES NUMBER
X Widow Osborn of Wainscott I
R The wife of Th. Diament 2
X The wife of John Miller 3
X The widow Diament.
4
X The wife of James Diament 5
R The wife of Corn. Stretton. 6
R The widow Harris 7
- The wife of Mr. John Stretton .. 8
X Mrs. Baker. IO
R The w fe of Sam Fithian. II
X The widow Carle 12
X The widow Garlick. I3
X The wife of Dan Osborn. 14
R The wife of Eben Leek. 15
X The wife of Capt. Hobart. 16
X The wife of Mr. Ab. Shellinx 17
- The wife of Nathl. Baker 18
- The wife of Lieut. Fithian .19
R The wife of Th. Edwards. Sen ... 20
- The wife of John Horlington ... 21
- The wife of Goodman Barnes .... 22 -
Femal e members 22
The church of 1717, erected on the south east side of the Main street nearly opposite Clinton Academy, was then said to be the largest and most costly church edifice on Long Island. Thompson and Prime, historians, both so record. Externally it was 45 by 80 feet, covered first with clap- boards, afterwards with three feet cedar shingles fastened with hand-wrought nails. The tower at the west end, built separ- ate from the foundation. projected slightly beyond the line of the main building. On each side of the belfry were arched openings and the belfry floor or deck was substantially cov- ered with lead. Above this square tower rose a lofty sexa- gonal steeple. Above that a long massive red cedar shaft or spire. Above that the iron spindle on which hung a large copper vane with numerals cut therein denoting the year of the town's settlement and erection of the church thus : "1649-
XII
INTRODUCTION.
1717." One diagonal dial facing the street told the time and the hammer beat the hour on the clear sweet toned bel.[ Originally the entrance was by a door in the middle of the southwest side. Thereafter, in 1822, when renovated, the en- trance was by doors on each side of the projecting tower at the west end. The timber of this church was massive, of white oak largely, the beams 10x10 and the sills and posts much larger. The window frames were of red cedar 4x6. The frame, cut on Gardiner's Island, was said to have been the free gift of the proprietor, a fact cited to show the scarcity of large timber in the town. In recognition of this magnificent gift, the society, when pews were made, devoted one of the most eligible to the exclusive use of the owner of the Island, so occupied for generations, known as the "Gardiners Island Pew." This church, raised in 1717, was not occupied until the next year. In minister Huntting's Church records occurs this significant entry, "171S, June 22, Sa:n, Parsons, Jr. owned the covenant. This was the first person that owned the covenant in the new meeting house." A like entry, dated April 13th, 1718, not alluding to the new house, indicated that it was not then occupied. "The halfway covenant" is prob- ably the covenant named. In the colony of Massachusetts and in New Haven, church membership was a prerequisite to qualify for voting. As all wished to exercise this privilege, ways were devised whereby the strict rule was enlarged. A profession of belief in God, in the divinity of Jesus, in the sacred scriptures, with a promise "to train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" was substantially without any claim of regeneration, "the halfway covenant" constituting those persons taking it quasi members of the church, entitled to its sacraments for themselves and their children, including baptism and a power to vote as a free man and citizen. The tendency thus to secularize the church was accelerated after the restoration by the 2nd Charles, who re-
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