USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Westerly > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 6
USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Charlestown > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 6
USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Hopkinton > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 6
USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Richmond > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 6
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NOTES OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
about to go into quarters for the night, but was opposed by one or two of the officers, who feared the Indians might return, and take them also at dis- advantage. The dispute ran high, until one of the surgeons declared he would not dress the wounds of those who opposed the return of the army to their encampment. This settled the matter. Hastily setting the remaining wigwams on fire, they were consumed, with all their valuable contents, and the army left the burning ruins on its return march. They had to travel eighteen miles before the wounded could be attended to, and many died before reaching their destination. The miseries of that night march were never forgotten by those who participated in it. Even after their arrival at Wickford, they must have perished, had not a vessel arrived there that very day loaded with provisions for their relief.
"Soon after the troops had gone into quarters at Wickford, it was ascer- tained that the remainder of the Narragansetts, with Philip and Canonchet, had removed to the country of the Nipmucks, from whence, upon the approach of the English, they 'fled further north.' Philip then left the Narragansett country, and sought refuge with the Mohawks.
"Canonchet was now left to battle alone. He, the son of Miantonomi, could not desert his countrymen. To him was left the immortal honor of sustaining the great name of his ancestors. He could die - that was easy; but never could he tarnish the ancient glory of his lineage, by deserting his country in her utmost need. To die then, if he must, lie was determined to die like a man, as his fathers had before him, with arms in hand and face to the foe. During the winter he surprised Lancaster, and nearly destroyed Medfield, killing in both places many of the English. He also surprised an expedition sent against liim by Captain Pierce, and slew the leader, together with forty-nine of his men. For a time he fought successfully, but at length was captured by Col. George Denison."
Thus the settlers of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island were obliged to combine for defence. A force, under Major Treat, starting from New London, passed through this region to attack the Narragansett stronghold. The snows of winter blocked the trails. The notable Narragansett swamp fight occurred Dec. 19, 1675. "Nearly a thousand Indians, and more than two hundred of the English, were killed and wounded." Major Treat returned to New London. Another expedition of whites and friendly Mohegans · and Pequots moved from New London, Jan. 26, 1676, and passed through Westerly along the coast to join the forces of Massachusetts near Narragansett Bay ; in April following, advanced through this town the force of English and Mohegans, under Col. George Deni- son, which in different battles, without losing a man, repulsed the enemy, and destroyed 110 of them. Canonchet, -alias, Naunun- teno, - the last great sachem of the Narragansetts, was captured by Denison, and, on the return of the expedition, was executed by the friendly Indians in Stonington. Denison was reluctantly com- pelled to concede this act to his allies.
Relative to the last hours of Canonchet, we again copy from the pen of Hon. Charles II. Denison.
" The army continued its march until it reached and crossed the Pawca- tuck River at the 'Ford,' where the present bridge is situated; and after
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advancing about two miles, came to a halt on a small plain. A council of war was now held of the captains, assisted by Rev. James Noyes, whose residence was at hand, and it was decided that the prisoner must be shot. While they were deliberating, a mat was spread for him to sit upon, and while resting upon it, one of the soldiers sat down by him, and looking him in his face in- sultingly while he was speaking, he took it in such indignation, that, although his arms were pinioned, he gave the man such a violent thrust, or blow, that the fellow went sprawling along the ground.
" The plain which was destined to be the spot where the noble chief should be executed, is about two miles from Westerly, R. I., towards Mys- tic, and is now known as ' Anguilla.' When told that he must die, and that his last hour had arrived, the Chief said, -
"'I like it well; I shall die before my heart is soft, or I have said anything unworthy of myself.'
"How few who pass this plain, know that the blood of the noblest of Indians stains its surface !
" As the sun went down, streaming its last golden rays over the hill that forms the western barrier to the valley, it shone upon the proud front of the chief, as he stood erect, and glistened upon the arms of his enemies, who were drawn up before bim. Two Indians were appointed to fulfil the order of the court. The whole army stood to their arms, a quick, sharp word of command was given, and a report of two muskets echoed among the surrounding hills. Down, like a tall pine stricken by a thunder-bolt, fell the stately form of the Narragansett chief. With a loud. exultant whoop, the Niantics, Mohegans, and Pequots, traitors to their race, rushed upon their fallen foe, and the work of death was soon finished. He was quartered, beheaded, and his body burned by the Indians, who carried his head to Hart- ford, and presented it to the governor."
The untamable, irascible Philip finally fell at Mount Hope, on the 12th of August, 1676. Soon, throughout the country, the olive-branch was raised above the tomahawk and torch. Mixed motives no doubt, as is usual, entered into this war. Injustice and treachery too often kindle bad blood in both parties. Certainly this struggle was not provoked by the few poor and unprotected set- tlers. The Indians, with a few honorable exceptions, proved them- selves incapable of good faith in their bargains and treaties, and destitute of humanity in the treatment of their captives.
After the downfall of Philip and the subsidence of the savage up- rising, intercourse was reopened between Westerly and Newport and Providence. Persons and families began to return to their wilderness homes, and the forests once more resounded to the hopeful settler's ax. Faith and courage triumphed over fear and poverty. But roads being uncut and rivers being unbridged, the pioneers labored under great difficulties and privations. Communications with their friends were rare, and wild beasts howled around their cabins. At first they could have neither school-houses nor meeting-houses, and bnt few and small public assemblies. Their log and block houses were their castles, their school-rooms their sanctuaries, till nearly the close of the century. In those days, men were famous according as they lifted axes upon thick trees, and warred with foxes, wolves, and
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NOTES OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
bears; and women were renowned as they wielded the distaff and sped the loom. A true picture of the domestic life of the times would be to the present as strange as a novel.
The first road from New London to Pawcatuck River was " stated " · by commissioners in 1667. At a later date probably it was extended through the Narragansett country to Newport. As this road from Westerly to Newport was called "Queen Anne's Road," we infer that it was opened near 1703, since Anne came to the throne in 1702 and died 1714; it was open prior to 1705. In 1685, the king's court of commissioners, who attempted to subvert the colonies and annul their charters, with the final purpose of consolidating them, among their measures of transformation, changed the name of Westerly to Haversham. The unsupported administration of Sir Edmond Andros, however, closed hopelessly in 1689, and the proper name of the town returned to the records.
Perhaps the first shipwright in this vicinity was Joseph Wells, living "on the Pawcatuck River." In 1681 he built, for Alexander Pygan, Samuel Rogers, and Daniel Stanton, a vessel named "Alex- ander and Martha," that sailed from New London, "the length to be 40 and one foot by the keel from the after part of the post to the breaking afore at the gardboard, 12 feet rake forward under her load mark, and at least 16 feet wide upon the midship beam, to have 11 flat timbers and 9 foot floor, and the swoop at the cuttock 9 foot, and by the transom 12 foot, the main deck to have a fall by the main mast, with a cabin, and also a cook room with a forecastle."
For this schooner Mr. Wells was to receive one eighth of the vessel and £165, - £16 in silver money; the rest in merchantable goods. The owners, however, were to furnish the nails, spikes, bolts, and other iron-work.
The shipyard of Mr. Wells was located, we infer, near Pawcatuck Rock, on land formerly owned by George Denison, Jr. The "Alex- ander and Martha " was a large keel in her day, since the commerce of the coast was so limited.
Soon the chill shadows of war gathered again over the defence- less settlers. In 1690 they were thrown into a state of alarm and peril by the French fleet, that made a descent upon Block Island, remained near a week, plundering the island and carrying off some of the inhabitants. Westerly's lack of a good harbor was now her chief security. A force of fifty-six men, under Captain Davoll, were stationed here for defense. The few freemen stood over their homes ; and they were ever ready, not only to defend their own coast, but to render some aid, and all in their power, to their ex- posed brethren in the other colonies. In the expedition fitted out in New England for the capture of Port Royal, in July, 1710, Westerly furnished twenty men, four of them being Indians.
For many years serious difficulties were experienced by the
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planters in obtaining cattle and horses, as most of these were neces- sarily imported. Besides the heavy first cost, other expenses were incurred in securing their lives, and particularly the lives of the young, from the depredations of the wild beasts. A colt or a calf was scented far and pleasantly by the bears. Every domestic animal had to be folded at night. The keeping of sheep was impracticable for many years. In 1696, the colony paid a bounty of ten shillings per head on wolves. In 1697, the authorities of Westerly voted " twenty shillings in money to an Englishman, and ten shillings to an Indian, for every grone wolfe that is ceht or killed." So numer- ous were bears, foxes, wolves, and wild cats, that the people some- times, for their own safety as well as that of their stock, would set apart days in which all the able-bodied men, armed with musket, pouch, and horn, and accompanied with their deep-mouthed dogs, would unite and " drive " the forests, hills, and swamps to diminish the insatiate carnivora. The baying of hounds, the sounding of horns, the reports of muskets, the rallying calls from hill to valley, and the shouts of pursuit, onset, and success, -all would present a scene and an excitement rivaling not simply the old hunts, but the old tournaments and tales of border life in the days of chivalry and romance. These hunting days not only relieved the settlers' homes of many of their enemies, but they also supplied important needs of clothing. And the deer of the country furnished delicious meat as well as serviceable apparel.
The hitherto imperfectly drawn boundary line between Kings- town and Westerly was satisfactorily adjusted in 1695.
To this trying and perilous period of French and Indian wars in the country belongs the romantic, traditional reports of the self- reliant and heroic Mrs. Sims (known to fame as " Nanny Sims"). Her husband was away in the armies of the Crown for the defense of the colonies ; the goodwife was alone in her dwelling; the house was attacked by three savages ; the door bars withstood them. At length two of the assailants scaled the house, and began to descend the great chimney, while the third endeavored to break his way through a window. It was difficult to parry such attacks at two points. But the cool, courageous Nanny was equal to the hour. She seized her straw bed and threw it into the broad fire-place upon the brands. The smoke and flames instantly sent the savages singed and suffocating from the chimney-top. She then grasped her ax and addressed herself to the barbarian who had just broken through the window. With a well-aimed blow she stunned him, and then calmly finished her work, by chopping off his head. The house in which this tragedy occurred stood near what is now styled "Irish Plain," about three fourths of a mile southeast of the Red Brook. The cel- lar of the house is still pointed out.
CHAPTER VIII.
FIRST SABBATARIAN CHURCH.
SMALLEST in the sisterhood of States, Rhode Island has a glory all her own, arising from the principles inherent in her Constitution and coeval with her origin. Hers has been the fame of liberty of conscience. She was the first State, in the history of the world, to inaugurate the Divine doctrine. By other States, this was first deemed her weakness and sin, but has now become her great renown. True, her favorite principle opposed the current philosophy and the- ology of the age, and gave license to erratic parties and church separations ; but it was the liberty of the soul that was secured, - a liberty to be held above all price ; a liberty bestowed by God himself, and destined to achieve man's political disinthralhnent. And in the free field opened by Rhode Island, however error made its incursions, truth has proved, as ever it will, mightier than error; and already the good fruits of liberty have won the approval and admiration of the world. Even the different religious parties that have existed here, by compelling each other to a more thorough and critical study of Christian truth, proving that the unity of Christian- ity is less in forms than in spirit, have only served to raise that truth to greater distinctness and lustre. Every tree is finally judged by its fruits.
Sabbatarian sentiments were first brought from England to this country by Stephen Mumford, in 1665 (new style), and introduced to the First Baptist Church in Newport, from which seven persons seceded in December, 1671, and organized in that place the first Sabbatarian church in America. A few members of this church soon joined the first freemen of Westerly. These established meet- ings in their dwellings, but held their names enrolled in the Newport church. Westerly was by no means what some have asserted, " a Sabbatarian colony," for it was purchased before Sabbatarianism reached this country, and was first occupied by planters of the Massachusetts school of ideas, and the first Rhode Island proprietors were of the Roger Williams school.
As late as 1678, Mr. Hubbard reckoned the Sabbatarians in this
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country as follows : " In Newport, 20; at Westerly, 7; and at New London, 10." The Sabbatarians were believers in full religious liberty. They were Baptists save in their Sabbatarianism. They were the first to organize a church in this town. The organization was formed when the town numbered but 580 inhabitants, in 1708, under Rev. John Maxson, Sen., as pastor, and is still existing as the First Hopkinton Seventh Day Baptist Church. Their first meeting- house is believed to have been built " about the year 1680," and was located on a lot given for that purpose by Peter Crandall. Near the bridge, between Shattuck's Weir and Potter Hill, is the conse- crated spot, with grave-yards on the right and left. A few years since, the last edifice owned by the church was removed to the vicinity of Potter Hill and Ashaway. A few persons, aggrieved by the removal of the house, and moved by the sacred memories of the spot, and out of respect to the graves of their ancestors, erected another small edifice, which was unfortunately called the "Spunk Meeting-house "; but this has lately been taken down and re-erected at Shattuck's Weir, or Dorrville. A second, or "Upper Meeting- house," near Rockville, was built by this body, not far from 1771.
This church, from its being the first ecclesiastical organization on this border of the colony, and having the support of strong landed proprietors, became a large and influential body, at one time owning two meeting-houses, as already mentioned. For a whole generation no church was formed within ten miles of it, and it numbered mem- bers in adjoining towns. The essential historie portions of the records of this large church, - the mother of a family, -with sketches of its ministers, and notices of its prominent members, have been published in small quarterlies, running from 1852 to 1854 inclusive, entitled Seventh Day Baptist Memorial, now bound in a single volume of the same name. The history, therefore, being accessible to all, need not here be republished, and it might seem unjust to epitomize it. But the Memorial throws no light whatever upon the history of other denominations in this region, and contains only fragmentary allusions to the general history of the town.
We cannot pass, even thus briefly, the history of this church, without making some mention of the virtues that have characterized and adorned it. It was a large and strong centre of moral power. Direct and far it cast its sacred light. Its members held high and consistent ground against all forms of sin, and valiantly wielded the "sword of the spirit" for the overthrow of private and public wrongs. They were champions for liberty. Always they stood in the van of the antislavery movement. Nor less ready and active have they been in the later reform of temperance. In these respects no organization has a purer and more praiseworthy record. Their history, as found in their Memorial, may justly be valued. It is only to be regretted that it is not more full.
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That this old church has been a power in this region may be inferred from its long roll of able pastors : -
John Maxson, Sen. . Joshua Clarke.
Lucius Crandall.
John Maxson, Jr.
John Burdick. Charles M. Lewis.
Joseph Maxson.
Abraham Coon.
Alfred B. Burdick.
Thomas Hiscox.
Mathew Stillman.
Arthur E. Main.
Daniel Coon.
It has also had many worthy ordained assistant elders.
It may be fitting and serviceable to give an outline of the lives of some of these worthies, who so nobly toiled for the welfare of the town.
REV. JOHN MAXSON, 1ST.
Rev. John Maxson, 1st, was born in 1638, " being the first white child born on the island of Rhode Island." At his birth, his mother was a widow, his father having lately been killed by the Pequots. In 1661, we find him among the purchasers of Misquamicut, and his name is in the first roll of freemen in Westerly in 1669. On the organization of the Sabbatarian church in Westerly, in 1708, he " was ordained to the place and office of an elder.". He " was then an elder indeed," being seventy years of age, " ripe in judgment and good works, tried and found worthy." In 1710, at his request, the church invited John Maxson, 2d, William Davis, Joseph Clarke, Sen., George Stillman, Joseph Clarke, Jr., and Joseph Crandall, to assist him in public ministrations. On the 21st of August, 1712, Joseph Clarke, Jr., " was ordained an elder and colleague of Elder Maxson," and John Maxson, Jr., was at the same time ordained a deacon. The church now numbered " about 130 members." Mr. Maxson's colleague, Joseph Clarke, Jr., died June 5, 1719, when John Maxson, Jr., was proposed as an elder. In the same year, Thomas Hiscox was chosen, first a deacon, and then an elder ; thus the church had a pastor and two elders. The venerable pastor " sank peacefully to rest on the 17th of December, 1720, aged eighty- two years." He was laid in the Clarke burying-ground.
REV. JOHN MAXSON, 2D.
Rev. John Maxson, 2d, son of the first pastor, was born in 1666, "and in 1687 married Judith Clarke." We have already, in the record of his father, mentioned his election as deacon, and also as elder. He succeeded his father in the pastorate. "In 1739 his brother, Joseph Maxson, was appointed to the office of an elder, to assist the senior elder." Soon after, Thomas Hiscox was appointed to the like office, " to assist in the administration of the ordinances." After an upright, faithful, honored life, " he died in July, 1747, in the eighty-first year of his age."
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REV. JOSEPH MAXSON.
Rev. Joseph Maxson, son of the first and brother of the second pastor, was born in 1672. In the notice of his brother, we have mentioned Joseph's ordination as deacon, and also as an elder. In 1732, Mr. Maxson was ordained " an evangelist or traveling minis- ter." At the same time, Thomas Hiscox received ordination for the same purpose. In 1739, Mr. Maxson was " appointed for ordina- tion as an elder to assist " his brother in the pastorate. On the death of his brother, he succeeded to the pastoral office, though he was seventy-five years of age. His assistant elder was Thomas His- cox. His pastorate was short, and somewhat disturbed by the New Light development. " IIe died in September, 1750, in the seventy- eighth year of his age."
REV. THOMAS HISCOX.
Rev. Thomas Hiscox, son of Rev. William Hiscox, of Newport, was born in 1686. He was married at the age of seventeen, to Be- thia Clarke, daughter of Joseph Clarke, and united with the New- port church at the age of twenty. IIe removed to Westerly, where he became a freeman in 1709, and town clerk in 1716. He was after- wards justice of the peace and town treasurer, acting in the latter office for sixty years, till 1772. He was chosen deacon in 1716; he also served the church as clerk. Though appointed an elder in 1719, he was confirmed as such in 1727. He "enjoyed good opportuni- ties for study, and availed himself of them to a remarkable extent for those times." For a time he supplied in part the pulpit of the Sabbatarian church in Newport. We have, in a former paragraph, noticed his association with Joseph Maxson, as an evangelist. On the death of Rev. John Maxson, 2d, in 1750, Mr. Hiscox was called to the pastoral office of the Westerly church. At the same time, Thomas Clarke was chosen an assistant elder, and Joshua Maxson deacon, " with authority to administer the ordinance of baptism .. Mr. Hiscox's colleague, Thomas Clarke, died Nov. 26, 1767, aged eighty-two years, having served as an assistant seventeen . years. He was succeeded by Joshua Clarke, who was ordained in May, 1768. The church at this time had 548 members." After a wise, laborious, and honored life, " he died on the 20th of May, 1773, in the eighty-seventh year of his age."
REV. JOSHUA CLARKE.
Rev. Joshua Clarke, second son of Thomas Clarke, was born in 1717. He was chosen deacon Aug. 24, 1756, and ordained an elder in May, 1768. He succeeded Rev. Thomas Hiscox in the pas- torate in 1773. As showing the cost of books in his day, it is re- corded that the Bible he used in the pulpit cost " about forty dol-
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lars." At the commencement of his ministry, the church enrolled " two hundred and seventy-eight." He " was for a number of years a member of the Legislature of the State," and one of the first trus- tees of Brown University. A man of decided ability and great de- . votion, he was held in high esteem. Three hundred and ninety-five were added to the church under his ministry. He " died March 8, 1793, in the seventy-sixth year of his age."
REV. JOHN BURDICK.
Rev. John Burdick, son of Samuel H. Burdick, was born in 1732. " On the 21st of April, 1772, he was chosen a deacon, and ordained as such in September following. In June, 1774, he was ordained to the office of an elder," as an associate of Rev. Joshua Clarke, upon whose death he was chosen to the pastorate, and received ordination as leading elder, Sept. 3, 1793. On the same day, Dea. Henry Clarke and Dea. Asa Coon were ordained as evangelists. Mr. Burdick is described as " a pious, fervent, faith- ful, eloquent, and argumentative preacher," and was therefore " uni- versally respected." He received to the church " over two hundred members in one year." He was incessant in his labors, and assisted in the organization of several churches. He "departed this life March 27, 1802, in the seventy-first year of his age, and thirty- third of his ministry."
A valued correspondent (M. L. Potter) adds the following : " Rev. John Burdick was rather tall, with fine form, light com- plexion, blue eyes, and fair hair, worn rather long. Though solemn and earnest, there was a pleasantness, tenderness, and pathos in his speech, and a courtesy and amenity of manners, that rendered him peculiarly attractive to all who came under his influence. IIe was not only loved and venerated by his own people, and by them lik- ened to 'the beloved disciple,' but when called to preach in distant neighborhoods, was gladly received, and crowds flocked to hear him."
For the following sketches of Revs. Abram Coon, Matthew Still- man, and Daniel Coon, as no memoirs of them have appeared in print, I am indebted to the same kind and accomplished hand (Maria L. Potter).
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